Hong Kong: Algernon Yau shares APEC goal

Secretary for Commerce & Economic Development Algernon Yau said yesterday that Hong Kong is putting the collective Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) goal of advancing broad-based prosperity into action domestically.



Mr Yau was attending the 34th APEC Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco, the United States, where spoke at a plenary session titled building a resilient and interconnected region that advances broad-based economic prosperity.



He told other ministers that Hong Kong is translating APECs collective goal through actively expanding economic opportunities for all in the community.



He highlighted that Hong Kong has launched the Women Empowerment Fund, with annual funding support of about US$2.6 million. He also explained that the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government recently announced the setting up of a dedicated Women Affairs Team and a Commissioner for Women Affairs to steer all work related to womens affairs.



Regionally, he said, Hong Kong sees economic integration initiatives as offering great opportunities to craft inclusive frameworks that widen economic participation.



He added: We welcome the reinvigorated discussions on the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific and remain committed to constructive engagement in APEC to build consensus on next-generation trade and investment issues that are in the mutual interests of all member economies.



Mr Yau said the success of the World Trade Organization (WTO)s 12th Ministerial Conference (MC) had demonstrated the WTOs relevance and ability to produce concrete trade solutions, as its members bridged divergence across geopolitical divides.



He urged member economies to accelerate efforts towards concluding the WTO Joint Statement Initiative on E-commerce and extending the Moratorium on Customs Duties on Electronic Transmissions.



Mr Yau also stressed that it is imperative to restore a fully functional dispute settlement system, which he identified as the defining pillar of the WTO and one that provides the predictability and stability needed for international trade.



On the sidelines of the meeting, Mr Yau held bilateral meetings with Perus Minister of Foreign Trade & Tourism Juan Carlos Mathews Salazar, and Thailands Deputy Minister of Commerce Napintorn Srisunpang, to discuss various trade and economic issues.



Mr Yau also met Japans Minister of Economy, Trade & Industry Yasutoshi Nishimura.

This story has been published on: 2023-11-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
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Luxury German sanitaryware company Hansgrohe has launched its first inspirational and original collection of ceramics for the Middle East region - from its leading brand Axor - thus marking an important milestone for the company.

The launch was held at the 2023 MEA Stakeholder Conference organised by The Hospitality Network (THN) in Dubai.

An exclusive event, it was attended by over 500 decision makers, including hotel owners, developers, operators, and consultants, from across the Middle East & Africa hospitality industry.

Introducing ceramics to the region marks an important milestone for the company, which traditionally manufactures and distributes showers, faucets, and accessories, as holistic providers for bathroom interiors, said Hansgrohe in a statement. From Hansgrohe, the launch of the Elupura toilet range and Xuniva washbasin collections reinforces its pioneering sustainability credentials, as the collection is constructed from natural and recyclable materials, while from the top European luxury bathroom brand, AXOR Suite washbasins are a collaboration with revered designer, Philippe Starck. The Axor Suite models are exemplary of Starck's distinctive streamlined design simplicity, featuring an original combination of metal and solid surface in both rectangular and circular shapes.

For the first time, Axor and Hansgrohe showcased their extensive product lines of complete bathroom solutions in the Design Pavilion, hosted by Stellar Concepts, a dynamic collaborative showcase featuring leading interior product manufacturers like Marazzi Group and Trend Group and others.
In doing so, they will have beaten the jam at both borders, which lie on the major trade route, the Northern Corridor, for goods to and from Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.

Specifically, both countries have resolved to undertake the construction of a dual carriage road on the Northern Corridor route, and to also have two new borders created in Busia, at Mulwadda in Buhehe Sub- County and Buteba in Buteba Sub-County.

Ms Rebecca Kadaga, the First Deputy Premier and Minister for East African Community (EAC) Affairs and her Kenyan counterpart, Ms Peninah Malonza, Kenyas Cabinet Secretary for the EAC, signed on behalf of their countries late last week.

Malonza said they had agreed to a joint venture of undertaking dual carriage roads between Kisumu and Eldoret, both in Kenya, and Mukono in Uganda, adding that the move aims at reducing congestion on the Northern Corridor, which is experiencing increasing volumes of trade.

The construction of the dual carriage road aims to cater for challenges of congestion which has, for years, continued to be an impediment to the faster movement of goods and services in the region, Malonza said.

She added that they agreed to create border points at Buteba and Mulwadda (in both Kenya and Uganda) to reduce pressure on Busia and Malaba.

As Kenya, we already have a framework for the establishment of these two new entry points and wish Uganda takes this up seriously and urgently, Malonzo added.

With the dual carriage road in place from Kenya to Uganda, we hope to reduce the time goods wait in the queues to cross the border and this is the right direction to promote business in the region, Kadaga said.

Kadaga reiterated the importance of creating the two borders and instructed relevant Uganda departments to urgently start on the process.

Each day, Busia and Malaba borders handle more than 3,000 trucks, and with an increase in exports, especially from Uganda.
U.S. deliveries of food aid to Ethiopia will resume throughout the country, the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announced on Tuesday, following the conclusion of an agreement to monitor aid distribution.

USAID announced the resumption of deliveries from next month, for an initial period of one year during which the agency will monitor whether the Ethiopian state keeps its commitments, against a backdrop of accusations of aid detour to benefit soldiers.

These far-reaching and significant reforms will profoundly change the food aid system in Ethiopia and ensure that aid reaches those who are acutely food insecure, USAID spokeswoman Jessica Jennings said in a statement.

In early October, the US agency had already announced a limited resumption of food aid deliveries to meet the needs of thousands of refugees in Africas second most populous country. The resumption was to concern some thirty camps in Ethiopia, which hosts nearly a million refugees, mainly from South Sudan, Somalia and Eritrea.

The UN World Food Programme (WFP) made a similar announcement a few days later.

Ethiopia is plagued by serious internal violence, a deteriorating economic situation and chronic natural disasters. Some 17% of Ethiopias 120 million inhabitants depend on international food aid.

But last June, the UN and the United States suspended the distribution of food aid across the country due to widespread and coordinated detour. In May, they had already done the same for the northern region of Tigray, ravaged by two years of war, before extending the suspension to the whole country.

In early October, the WFP stated that it had resumed aid deliveries following a complete reorganization of safeguards and controls on refugee operations.
Weixiong Chen, Deputy Executive Director of UN Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate (CTED), has commended Moroccos engagement and actions made in the fight against terrorism contributing to global peace and stability.

Speaking at an international conference on Countering Violent Extremism (CVE), currently held in Rabat, the UN official described the North African Kingdom as a strong and close partner of CTED, saying Moroccos counter-terrorism strategy and contributions have been recognized by the UN Counter-Terrorism Committee.

He congratulated Morocco for Launching the Newly born Center Moussalaha on Deradicalization Disengagement and Rehabilitation, lauding the Kingdoms deradicalization programs designed to tackle the drivers of extremism.

He voiced concern over the situation in the Sahel wherein the terrorist groups exploit vulnerable people, poverty, famine and injustice to spread their fundamentalist ideology.

To counter this scourge threatening global security and stability, Mr. Weixiong Chen called for strengthening cooperation between countries and exchange of intelligence on extremists.

The Third Edition of this conference, organized by the Moroccan Observatory on Extremism & Violence with the Partnership of ICESCO, Rabita Mahammadia, DGAPR and the Policy Center for the New South, was an opportunity to gather high-level officials from UN CTED, UNOCT, UNODC, European Union, Naef Arab University for Security Studies, and other national and regional institutions to deliberate the Role of Knowledge in Countering Violent Extremism.

For his part, ICESCO Director General Dr. Salim Al Malik called for addressing the roots of violent extremism to defeat terrorism, warning against the growing use of social media networks and telecom technology by the jihadists to recruit vulnerable people.

Moroccan minister of Justice Abdellatif Ouahbi stressed the importance of education in countering extremist ideas and the need to address the causes of extremism by adopting a comprehensive approach.

Ms. Amina Bouayach, Head of the National Council for Human Rights said violent extremism poses a real threat to the democratic values and human rights.

Mr. Lahkim Bendaoud, Head of Counter-Terrorism & Organized Crime at Moroccos National police, said the North African Kingdom is a global player in the fight against terrorism. He also shed light on Moroccos CT strategy which takes into account the factors leading to extremism and acts of violence, in addition to preventive measures.

Mohammed Loulichki, a former ambassador & senior Fellow at the Policy Center for the New South, said the war against terrorism requires the adoption of a global approach combining national strategies and international cooperation.

Mr. Abdelouahed Jamali Idrissi, coordinator at Mohammed VI Foundation for the Reintegration of Prisoners in Morocco, focused on the difficulties and challenges facing former prisoners in their reintegration into society, while Mr. Carlos Alexandre Montrio Reyes, Head of the Office of UN Counter-Terrorism and Training Program in Africa, stressed the importance of education as a tool for combating extremism.

In His Keynote remarks, Dr El Mostafa Rezrazi, the President of the Observatory and Chairperson of the Scientific Committee of the Conference, has highlighted the content of this edition, which focuses on five panels: (1) The Role of knowledge in countering extremism, Overview of current global trends; (2) Technological and AI Use in Extremism and Countermeasures; (3) Exchanges on Deradicalization, Disengagement, and Rehabilitation Programs Worldwide; (4) Debating Behavioral and Psychological Aspects Related to Recruitment and Deradicalization; (5) Exchanging Experiences and Good Practices on the Management of the Return of Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) and Their Families

The two-day conference, which opened Tuesday, is organized by ICESCO in partnership with Moroccan Observatory on Extremism and Violence, and in cooperation with Moroccan General Delegation for Prison Administration and Reintegration, the Mohammadia League of Scholars and the Policy Center for the New South.
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Two separate screen captures of conversation between medical student and Chatbot Bennie, illustrating the student-chatbot interaction (Right) and chatbot's response to synonym (Left). Credit: Heliyon (2022). DOI: 10.1016/j.heliyon.2022.e09751

With the rapid development and extensive applications of generative artificial intelligence (AI) technology across various sectors, Dr. Michael Co Tiong-hong from the LKS Faculty of Medicine, the University of Hong Kong (HKUMed), and Dr. John Yuen Tsz-hon from the Department of Computer Science, HKU, have jointly developed Hong Kong's first "AI virtual patients" diagnostic application for training medical students.

Leveraging generative AI technology and real-life surgical cases, the research team has designed "humanized" AI virtual patients with distinct personalities and medical histories, which allow medical students to virtually simulate interactions with patients during bedside consultations. This initiative greatly enhances the students' professional skills and ability to accurately gather patients' medical history.

To provide students with a more diverse range of clinical learning opportunities, HKUMed collaborated with the National University of Singapore (NUS) to introduce cross-regional medical cases in the diagnostic app. This revolutionary approach has redefined traditional medical teaching methods. Looking ahead, HKUMed also plans to collaborate with other overseas medical schools.

The virtual mode of clinical teaching provides personalized patient cases tailored to the specific needs of individual medical students. In 2020, Dr. Co and Dr. Yuen initiated the development of an AI chatbot to help HKUMed students who could not attend hospital-based classes amid the pandemic. In 2021, a system prototype was available for trial with a selected group of HKUMed students. Teachers could design virtual patients suited to each student's diagnostic skill level. Students would compile the medical records for case discussions and analysis with their teachers. In 2022, the outcomes of this innovative teaching mode were published in Heliyon.

Through continuous research and improvement, the HKU team developed Hong Kong's first "AI virtual patients" diagnostic application. Integrated with generative AI technology, the latest model of the chatbot goes beyond standardized and monotonous replies, providing highly dynamic and lively responses. Even for the same medical case, the AI virtual patient is capable of providing distinct responses, interacting with students in a remarkably human-like and personality-driven manner.

Significance and Impact

This innovative virtual clinical teaching mode provides personalized teaching cases with equal access for all students, and addresses the limitations of the traditional teaching mode. Dr. Co explained, "Traditional clinical teaching relies heavily on in-person interaction with real patients. But for various reasons, like scheduling difficulties, not all medical students have equal opportunities to engage in face-to-face consultations. The 'AI virtual patients' app allows us to overcome time and geographical barriers, offering our students access to practice with rare cases and providing them with invaluable clinical experience. Through a virtual learning environment, equipped with a wide range of diverse patient cases, medical students can enhance their patient history-taking skills and improve the accuracy of their diagnoses."

Dr. John Yuen Tsz-hon, from the Department of Computer Science, HKU, said, "The 'AI virtual patients' app has the capacity to accumulate information, resulting in each response it generates having a slight variation in tone and wording. This enables more authentic interactions between doctors and virtual patients. Additionally, teachers can utilize the data collected by the system to conduct in-depth analysis and assessment of students' performance, which allows them to provide specific feedback and guidance to individual students, ultimately enhancing the efficiency of clinical teaching."

Virtual clinical teaching can remove spatial and geographical barriers, fostering international exchange in medical education. In early October this year, Dr. Co collaborated with Dr. Serene Goh, a specialist surgeon from the National University of Singapore, to launch the world's first cross-regional virtual clinical teaching program. The two doctors devised distinct patient cases for students in their respective locations to practice consultations utilizing the 'AI virtual patients' app. Through online case discussions, the medical students jointly analyzed patients' imaging studies, endoscopic images and pathological slides in online case discussions.

"Collaboration and exchange with medical schools in other regions will enable medical students to learn from each other's strengths, broaden their horizons and knowledge, and promote international cooperation and development in medical education. This will set the foundation for boundless educational innovations in the future," Dr. Co added.
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Understanding how the human pancreas develops is crucial to allow scientists to make insulin producingbeta cells in the quest to cure type 1 diabetes. Now, scientists have made a unique and surprising discoverya gene that is essential for making the pancreas in humans is not present in almost all other animals.

Beta cells within the pancreas produce insulin that regulate blood sugar. Every mammal needs the pancreatic beta-cells to survive. In established type 1 diabetes there are no, or very few, working beta-cells.

The paper, entitled "Primate-specific ZNF808 is essential for pancreatic development in humans," and published in Nature Genetics challenges assumptions about how the regulation of development evolves.

Until now, scientists had assumed that genes essential for development of key organs and functions were highly conserved through evolution, meaning the genetic pathway remains the same between different species, from fish to humans. However, the gene, called ZNF808, is only found in humans, other apes such as chimpanzees and gorillas, and in some monkeys, such as macaques.

The research was carried out by researchers at the University of Exeter Medical School, the University of Cambridge and the University of Helsinki in Finland. The study shows just how different humans can be to other animals often used in research, such as mice, emphasizing the importance of studying the human pancreas.

Lead author Dr. Elisa De Franco, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said, "Our finding is really surprisingthis is the only example we know of where a gene that is fundamental to the development of an organ in humans and primates is not present in other animals."

"You'd expect a gene only found in primates to regulate a feature that is specific to primates, such as brain size, but it is not the case for this gene, which instead is involved in development of an organ shared by all vertebrates! We think this shows that there must have been an evolutionary shift in higher primates to serve a purpose."

Senior author Professor Andrew Hattersley, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said, "One hypothesis that we are exploring is that the evolutionary benefit is to the pancreas in the fetus. Human babies are born through the pelvis, so they cannot stay in the uterus for a longtime as they would grow too large for birth."

"Instead to cope with being born early and needing to survive without continual feeding they need to be born with more fat than any other animal. This fat is laid down when the fetus' pancreas produces more insulin. Our research has shown that human fetuses have more insulin-related growth than other animals."

Dr. Nick Owens, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said, "This research really emphasizes the importance of studying the human pancreas in order to understand and find new treatments for diabetes. Animal research is important, but it can only tell us so much. We know there are fundamental differences between humans and other animals, such as mice which are often the subject of research in this field. The human pancreas is different in how it looks, works and develops. Our genetic finding could help us understand why that's the case."

ZNF808 belongs to a family of recently evolved proteins which bind and "switch off" specific regions of the DNA which have also developed recently in evolutionary terms. These DNA regions were among the regions considered "junk" DNA with no meaningful purpose for decades, but new technology have recently allowed us to discover their functions. Our findings confirm that these regions of our DNA are playing important roles during human development.

Dr. Michael Imbeault, from the University of Cambridge, said "These findings show that genes like ZNF808, even if relatively 'recent' in evolution, can have a crucial role in human development. ZNF808 is a member of the largest, but also least studied family of proteins that regulate our genome. There are hundreds of genes like ZNF808 in our DNA, many primate or even human specific, and our results demonstrate how these can be key players in human health."

The identification of ZNF808 as being involved in human pancreas development occurred after researchers at the University of Exeter examined genetic samples from patients recruited across the world who were born without a pancreas and found that they all had genetic changes resulting in loss of ZNF808.

They then teamed up with colleagues at the University of Cambridge and Helsinki University to study the effect of ZNF808 loss using stem cells in the lab. The results showed that ZNF808 plays an important function early during human development when cells need to 'decide' whether to become pancreas or liver.

Among those who shared their genetic samples was Tania Bashir, aged 12, from Luton. Her father Imran Bashir welcomed the Exeter team's progress. "Having an answer to why this happened is important. We've always wanted to knownow we do. The next important step is to understand what this means to the future of science. My dream is that one day, scientists will be able to genetically modify a stem cell and grow a human pancreas, and implant that into Tania, and potentially cure her. I don't know if that will ever be possible, but I do know that this understanding is a crucial step forward."

Professor Timo Otonkoski from University of Helsinki said, "The input of people born without a pancreas was fundamental to this discovery. Nobody would have ever thought that ZNF808 played a role in pancreatic development if we hadn't found the changes in this gene in these patients."

"The ultimate goal of our research is for this knowledge to be translated into being able to manipulate stem cells to produce beta cells that can produce insulin in the laboratory. That could be the key to curing type 1 diabetes. Our finding is a significant step in understanding what makes the human pancreas unique, which could help progress this area."

Dr. Elisa de Franco, of the University of Exeter Medical School, said, "Our findings really show the importance of studying the DNA of people with rare diseases to understand how organs develop and function. We are immensely grateful to people like Tania and her family, without them none of this would be possible."

More information: Primate-specific ZNF808 is essential for pancreatic development in humans, Nature Genetics (2023). DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01565-x Journal information: Nature Genetics
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Researchers from Indiana University and Texas Christian University published a new Journal of Marketing study that examines the impact of a hospital's portfolio strategy on patient demand.

The study is titled "Hospital Portfolio Strategy and Patient Choice" and is authored by Sarang Sunder and Sriram Thirumalai.

Structural changes in the health care industry (e.g., the institution of the Affordable Care Act) over the past decade, as well as advancements in technology and care delivery, have resulted in an unprecedented shift toward patient-centric care. This means that marketing is now a critical differentiating factor in the health care industry. While hospitals have tried a number of marketing strategies with varying degrees of success, one aspect largely ignored is a hospital's organization of its service offerings or its portfolio strategy.

This new study assesses the impact of a hospital's portfolio strategy on patient demand. A growing trend in health care in recent years has centered on hospital portfolio strategyhospitals making key portfolio decisions such as expanding or contracting emphasis on care delivery within select departments.

For example, Sanford Health, one of the largest rural health systems in the U.S., expanded its emphasis on cancer care services with an allocation of a new dedicated center with specialists, facility, and technology. Orlando Health recently opened an entire hospital unit just for Orthopedic care. These portfolio decisions call for significant resource investments, often running into millions of dollars.

But do these portfolio decisions pay off? This is a common dilemma that hospital CEOs face. Should they invest toward specializing in an area? Or diversify across other areas? If so, which areas should they invest or divest in? Through a series of empirical analyses involving secondary data on inpatient discharges, coupled with experiments, the researchers shed light on these questions.

Effect of portfolio strategy on demand

Sunder explains that "we define a hospital's portfolio strategy across two dimensions. The first is focus, which is the depth of expertise within a category. The second dimension is the related focus, which is the breadth of expertise across related categories." Hospitals with a high focus on a department may be regarded as "specialists" with a high depth of expertise in that category (e.g., Shouldice Hospital for hernias).

Hospitals with a high related focus in a department (e.g., cardiology) are selectively focused on multiple other categories (e.g., endocrinology, respiratory, and digestive systems) that are clinically relevant to that department (e.g., Cleveland Clinic).

A hospital's portfolio strategy can shape patient preference in important ways. There is value to specialization or focus. An increase in a hospital's focus in a department leads to a significant increase in market share. However, some patients prefer hospitals that are able to signal breadth of expertise (i.e., focusing in related areas has a positive effect on market share). The results strongly suggest that patients do pay attention to hospital portfolios.

While the effects are significant and substantive, it is also important to know why they are so. "We demonstrate that portfolio strategy can act as a strong signal of clinical quality, which patients care deeply about. Put differently, our results highlight the value of reputation/competence signaling by hospitals through their service portfolios, in particular for patients with complex needs," says Thirumalai.

Lessons for Chief Marketing Officers

This study offers guidance to executives in health care, especially those in management roles at hospitals.

The revenue implications of portfolio strategy are sizeable. While the portfolio effects are indeed positive on average, the effect varies a lot across hospital departments. In other words, where you focus matters! For instance, while a 1% increase in focus on the kidney and urinary tract department translates to a 0.9% increase in market share (about $181,000 in annual revenue), a corresponding increase in focus on the ear, nose, and throat department is associated with a 0.8% increase in market share (about $84,835 in annual revenue). Thus, there may be larger benefits from focusing on some departments than others, rendering it suboptimal to follow a one-size-fits-all approach to portfolio growth. Organize your portfolio based on its effects on demand. For some departments (e.g., kidney and urinary tract), patient preference for both focus and related focus is high. These departments stand to gain the most by building depth of expertise in the focal category and breadth in related areas of care. In contrast, for departments such as cardiology and endocrinology, the benefits are higher for pursuing only one of the portfolio strategies, which thus calls for a nuanced approach to portfolio strategy across departments. Potential for targeted positioning. The research indicates that patients' preference for focus and related focus is higher when their care needs are more complex. The study's results show that patients may find greater value in focus and related focus capabilities when faced with complex needs, indicative of an upside market potential of focus that perhaps remains untapped. In other words, while portfolio decisions have largely been a supply-side decision, the study points to the demand-side potential by highlighting its relevance among the complex patient population.

In summary, the research indicates that hospitals have the opportunity to leverage portfolio strategy to target specific patient populations, further enhancing their patient-centric capabilities.

More information: Sarang Sunder et al, Hospital Portfolio Strategy and Patient Choice, Journal of Marketing (2023). DOI: 10.1177/00222429231204247 Journal information: Journal of Marketing
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Around the world, wealthy countries are struggling to afford long-term care for rapidly aging populations. Most spend more than the United States through government funding or insurance that individuals are legally required to obtain. Some protect individuals from exhausting all their income or wealth paying for long-term care. But as in the United States, middle-class and affluent individuals in many countries can bear a substantial portion of the costs.

Here's how five other countries pay for long-term care.

Japan

Long-term care insurance is mandatory for Japanese citizens age 40 and over, while in the United States only a small portion of people voluntarily obtain coverage. Half the funding for Japan's program comes from tax revenues and half from premiums. Older adults contribute 10% to 30% of the cost of services, depending on their income, and insurance picks up the rest. There is a maximum amount people must spend from their income before the insurance covers the remainder of the cost.

Workers can also take up to 93 days of paid leave to help relatives with long-term care needs. Japan assigns a care manager to each person using services; each manager oversees about 40 older adults. In 2020, Japan spent 2% of its gross domestic product on long-term care, 67% more than the United States spent that year.

The Netherlands

The Dutch have included long-term care in their universal health care system since 1968. One public insurance program pays for nursing homes and other institutional settings, and another pays for nursing and personal care at home. Enrollment is mandatory. Dutch taxpayers contribute nearly 10% of their income toward insurance premiums, up to a set amount.

Out-of-pocket payments amount to about 7% of the cost of institutional care. General taxes pay for a third program in which municipalities provide financial assistance and social support for older people living at home. There is no private long-term care insurance. The Netherlands spent 4.1% of its gross domestic product on long-term care in 2021, more than any other country tracked by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development, and four times the amount the United States spent.

Canada

Provinces and territories fund long-term care services through general tax revenue. Money budgeted is not always enough to cover all services, and some localities give priority to those with the greatest needs. The amount of subsidies people can receive, the costs they have to pay out-of-pocket, and the availability of services vary by province and territory, as they do in the United States with state Medicaid programs.

The mix of providers also varies regionally: For instance, nursing home care in Quebec is mostly run by a public system while homes in Ontario are mostly for-profit. Notably, Canada's long-term care system is separate from its national health care system, which pays for hospitals and doctors with no out-of-pocket costs to patients. In 2021, Canada spent 1.8% of its GDP on long-term care, 80% more than the United States spent.

United Kingdom

Local authorities pay for most long-term care through taxes and central government grants. Private providers usually supply services. Government contributions are based on financial need, with copayments usually required. As in the United States, middle-class and wealthy people pay most or all of the costs themselves. Unlike in the United States, the government provides payments directly to lower-income people so they can hire workers to care for them in their homes.

The U.K. has also taken steps to shield people from losing all their wealth to pay for long-term care. It subsidizes care for people with savings and property of less than about $30,000, while in the United States most people don't qualify for Medicaid until they have run through all but $2,000 to $3,000 of their assets.

In 2022, the British government proposed extending subsidies to people who have as much as $105,000 of wealth and property, with a lifetime cap of about $100,000 on how much anyone spends on long-term medical care, excluding room and board in a nursing home. But the plan has been postponed until 2025. In 2021, the United Kingdom spent 1.8% of its GDP on long-term care, 80% more than the United States did.

Singapore

Singapore recently instituted a system of mandatory long-term care insurance for those born in 1980 or later. Citizens and permanent residents are automatically enrolled in an insurance plan called CareShield Life starting at age 30. They must pay premiums until they retire or turn 67 (whichever comes later) or are approved to use services. The government subsidizes 20% to 30% of premiums for those who earn around $2,000 a month or less. Monthly payouts start at about $440.

Government subsidies for nursing homes and other institutional care can range from 10% to 75%, depending on ability to pay. Those who make more than $2,000 a month receive no subsidies. CareShield is optional for Singaporeans born in 1979 or earlier; they are covered under an older, voluntary plan. Singapore also provides a means-tested monthly cash grantthis year about $290to help with caregiving expenses.

2023 KFF Health News. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Graphical abstract. Credit: Cell Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113369

Pancreatic cancer is tricky to manage because it spreads easily and early, and the tumors have a unique biological makeup. But, researchers made a breakthrough by learning about the genetic changes that occur during tumor migrationand also found a drug that can obstruct the process.

The next step is a groundbreaking clinical trial at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute, planned for early in 2024, to test the drug from their laboratory discovery, said senior investigator Darren Carpizo, MD, Ph.D., co-leader of Wilmot's Genetics, Epigenetics and Metabolism research program, and chief of Surgical Oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

"We will be the first institution in the U.S. to study the safety and effectiveness of the experimental drug, known as NP137, on pancreatic cancer that has spread to the liver," Carpizo said.

Carpizo and several collaborators have published the results of their bench science investigation in the journal Cell Reports, and Carpizo will lead the Wilmot clinical trial with Aram Hezel, MD, chief of Hematology/Oncology at Wilmot, and Nabeel Badri, MBChB, a medical oncologist at Wilmot.

The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only 12%, which is a slight increase in 2023 compared to previous years. The number of cases is rising worldwide, however, and by 2030, pancreatic cancer is predicted to be the second leading cause of cancer deaths.

Why is pancreatic cancer deadly?

First, because it spreads (metastasizes) very early during its development. In 85% of patients, the cancer has already spread outside of the pancreas at diagnosis. Even when the cancer is localized to the pancreas and surgical removal is possible, the majority of patients face a recurrence of their cancer. The metastasis causes these patients to eventually succumb to the disease, which is why researchers are focused on understanding the biology of metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Second, although pancreatic cancer cells do not have to travel far to reach the liver, along the way they genetically reprogram themselves and become stronger. The result: newly seeded cancer cells in the liver have a distinctly different biology from the primary tumor in the pancreas, and are able to resist standard treatment, Carpizo said.

In their latest work, Wilmot researchers built on what was already known about a key gene, Netrin-1, involved in pancreas, breast and colon cancers. They discovered, for the first time, the complex mechanisms that allow Netrin-1 to drive the lethal, genetic changes as pancreatic cancer cells migrate to the liver. They also showed how Netrin-1 activates hepatic stellate cells, which are involved in liver fibrosis, a serious chronic disease, priming the liver as a host for cancer.

In mice and in tissue studies, when researchers suppressed Netrin-1 with the anti-cancer drug (NP137), cancer was less likely to spread and cancer cell death occurred. The team includes scientists from Rutgers University, where Carpizo worked as a surgeon-scientist before joining Wilmot in 2020, Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, and a laboratory in France.

The Wilmot clinical trial will likely require eligible patients to take two cycles of NP137 before surgery, undergo surgery to remove the cancer, and then take more of the experimental medication along with chemotherapy after surgery for up to six months, Carpizo said. He noted that NP137 is made by Netris Pharma, of Lyon, France, and is currently being tested in clinical trials in that country.

Carpizo's study is part of a larger collaborative effort at Wilmot aimed at pancreatic cancer. Others, including URMC Surgery Chair David Linehan, MD., and Wilmot investigator Scott Gerber, Ph.D., and members of the Cancer Microenvironment research program, are also conducting studies on new, targeted treatments.

The goal is to use newly discovered drugs in combination with immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy to attack pancreatic cancer.

More information: Crissy Dudgeon et al, Netrin-1 feedforward mechanism promotes pancreatic cancer liver metastasis via hepatic stellate cell activation, retinoid, and ELF3 signaling, Cell Reports (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.113369 Journal information: Cell Reports
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:

Lalitha Madhavan, MD, PhD, and her research team used induced pluripotent stem cell technology to reprogram adult skin cells into brain cells to study Parkinson's disease. Credit: University of Arizona Health Sciences

A study published in Progress in Neurobiology and led by researchers at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson, has developed an improved method to study Parkinson's disease in the lab. Along the way, researchers also uncovered clues that may help scientists figure out how to detect Parkinson's earlier and point the way toward better treatments.

Around a million Americans are living with Parkinson's disease, a neurological disorder that causes difficulty in movement, balance and cognition. Symptoms worsen until tasks like walking, talking and swallowing present enormous challenges. While there is no cure, there are treatments that control symptomsbut their effectiveness wanes over time and they are associated with unwanted side effects.

"It's a slow-developing disorder. We only diagnose the disease at a late stage, when 60-70% of dopamine neurons are dysfunctional or have died off," said Lalitha Madhavan, MD, Ph.D., associate professor of neurology at the College of MedicineTucson, part of UArizona Health Sciences.

"We have treatments, but at that point you're trying to throw a small glass of water on a raging fire. Being able to diagnose the condition at the earliest stages would be a big step."

Madhavan's team used cells from Parkinson's patients to create a human-derived laboratory model to study the disease. Using induced pluripotent stem cell technologya powerful technique that transforms adult cells into embryo-like cells that can then mature into any cell typethe lab reprogrammed adult skin cells called fibroblasts into brain cells.

Using the reprogrammed neurons, Madhavan Lab researchers discovered several changes in the cells from Parkinson's subjects that differentiated them from cells of healthy individuals. Madhavan hopes this finding can form the basis for better cell-culture systems for studying Parkinson's disease in the lab, potentially leading to improved diagnostics and treatments.

The experiments also showed that skin cells may act as a window into the brain. Skin cells don't cause neurological symptoms, but some of the same changes that damage brain cells might also affect skin cells, producing similar molecular "signatures."

"We wanted to make neurons from skin biopsies using this fantastic technology; however, we noted along the way that the fibroblasts themselves seemed to have signatures that differentiated individuals with Parkinson's. We started to dig deeper into that," Madhavan said. "It's exciting that we've shown that connection, and that it tells us skin cells could perhaps be used to diagnose the disease early."

The team hopes that, in the future, doctors will be able to catch Parkinson's disease earlier by examining skin cells for signs that the disease is brewing.

"This could be a system in which we could very carefully diagnose people at early stages," Madhavan said, adding that her team received a patent on a method for examining skin cells for molecular signs that correlate to Parkinson's disease.

They are now investigating how skin cells change over time to learn more about how the disease progresses and how to identify it early. Tech Launch Arizona, the University of Arizona's technology commercialization office, is helping protect the innovation and developing strategies to take it from the laboratory to the marketplace where it can impact the lives patients and their doctors.

Madhavan says that if we could catch Parkinson's disease earlier, doctors could prescribe currently available treatments that can slow disease progression. Simultaneously, scientists could work to develop next-generation Parkinson's drugs that target the disease in its early stages.

Because a patient's skin cells are easy to accessespecially compared to brain cellsMadhavan also hopes the system could be used for a precision-medicine approach, matching patients with optimized treatments based on a skin biopsy and lab test showing which drug might work best based on their unique genetic profile.

"We've been putting Parkinson's into one big bucket when actually different people express it differently," she said. "This system would allow us to carefully classify Parkinson's and assess treatments more effectively based on such a classification."

More information: MJ Corenblum et al, Parallel neurodegenerative phenotypes in sporadic Parkinson's disease fibroblasts and midbrain dopamine neurons, Progress in Neurobiology (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.pneurobio.2023.102501
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is a widely used advanced life support procedure that provides cardiac and respiratory support to critically ill patients. ECMO use has been increasing exponentially over the last decade as it has shown success in resuscitating patients in critical situations like the COVID-19 pandemic and is now a lifesaving treatment modality in intensive care units (ICUs). However, prolonged ECMO use may be associated with an increased risk of mortality.

Identifying risk factors for in-hospital mortality and developing standardized nursing practice guidelines for ECMO management may improve the survival rates in patients.

In this vein, a group of researchers led by Professor Youn-Jung Son from Chung-Ang University, South Korea, set out to study the prevalence and risk factors associated with the 30-day in-hospital mortality in critically ill adult Korean patients on ECMO. This paper was published in Intensive and Critical Care Nursing.

"In-hospital mortality due to ECMO support, regardless of its type, has not been well reported in Korea. Thus, it is crucial to provide training to various stakeholders in Korea (e.g., ICU nurses) to enhance collaboration, particularly for the optimal ECMO management to reduce in-hospital mortality or improve the survival rate post- hospital discharge," explains Prof. Son.

They conducted a retrospective cohort study in a single tertiary-care university hospital between May 2020 and April 2021. Patients were screened using their electronic medical records, and 148 patients aged 18 years or above, who received ECMO support for at least 48 hours, were included in the study.

Based on their 30-day in-hospital survival status following ECMO initiation, the researchers categorized the patients as survivors and non-survivors. Various pre-ECMO and post-ECMO (up to 30 days from the day of initiation) parameters were collected and compared.

The 30-day mortality rate is used to measure performance in clinical settings. In the current study, the researchers found the 30-day in-hospital mortality rate to be 49.3%, with heart and multi-organ failures identified as the most common causes of death. Furthermore, the average duration of ECMO support was approximately 11 days, and the in-hospital median survival was 13 days. This finding emphasizes the importance of early detection of risk factors for mortality to improve patient outcomes.

Further investigations found significant differences in various pre-ECMO and post-ECMO parameters between survivors and non-survivors. Statistical analyses revealed that ECMO weaning failure, new-onset renal failure, and a lower average mean arterial pressure (MAP) of <65 mmHg post-ECMO were associated with an increased risk of 30-day in-hospital mortality rate. Among these factors, ECMO weaning failure was identified as the strongest predictor of death in patients requiring ECMO.

Interestingly, this is the first retrospective cohort study to investigate the prevalence and risk factors associated with 30-day in-hospital mortality in a Korean sample. The current study reveals that vigilant monitoring of post-ECMO renal function and average MAP is the key to minimize the death rate, especially within the first two weeks of ECMO initiation. Additionally, the ECMO team must work together and cooperate for successful ECMO weaning for higher survival rates.

Patients on ECMO are usually cared for by ECMO specialist nurses or ICU nurses, who hold certifications in this area. However, in Korea, ICU nurses are the primary medical staff caring for ECMO patients, yet there are no specific training modules or qualification exams for this role. This study highlights the role of ICU nurses in reducing ECMO mortality rates and provides significant evidence-based framework for development of nursing practice guidelines.

Elaborating on the long-term impacts of their study, Prof. Youn-Jung concludes, "The results of our study provide sufficient evidence for developing standardized nursing practice guidelines that may provide patients with appropriate care at each point in their ECMO journey, thereby improving patient safety and reducing hospital mortality in critically ill adults on ECMO."

Furthermore, these findings could be the foundation for development of multifaceted interventions that can contribute to the improvement of health-related quality of life in patients discharged from ECMO. Finally, by reducing adverse events in patients on ECMO, unnecessary health care expenditures for individuals and various countries can be reduced.

More information: Youngeon Lee et al, Factors associated with 30-day in-hospital mortality in critically ill adult patients receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: A retrospective cohort study, Intensive and Critical Care Nursing (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.iccn.2023.103489

Provided by Chung Ang University
Saudi Tourism Authority (STA) will partner with RX Global - following a formal signing after WTM London - to become the first-ever Global Travel Partner of the World Travel Market (WTM) tradeshow events.

The two-year partnership, which is scheduled to run from November 2023 to September 2025 and is designed to cover the global remit of the WTM brand (including WTM London, WTM Africa, WTM Latin America and Arabian Travel Market), was announced at the closing day of World Travel Market London.

The agreement to partner was reached on the Saudi stand between the STA and RX Global on the final day at this years WTM, where the STA has led the largest-ever Saudi tourism delegation, with over 75 stakeholders in attendance  a 48% increase from last year.

Dynamic offerings

The STA stand this year brought to life the diverse and dynamic offerings visitors can experience in the authentic home of Arabia, and the scale of progress of the most ambitious transformation in the world.

Fahd Hamidaddin, CEO and Member of the Board at STA, said: Saudi is the worlds fastest-growing tourism destination, outperforming every expectation and setting the pace globally. Thanks to Saudis tourism leadership, each year our presence at WTM London continues to grow, and we are welcoming more visitors than ever, well on track to reach our targets for 2030.

This partnership will highlight Saudis progress at WTM London and inspire more visits to Saudi through a series of engaging promotional activities at WTM events. Trade shows form a key part of our strategy of engaging with international trade partners  making the WTM sponsorship a perfect partnership for growth.

I look forward to meeting old friends and new partners from around the world across all the WTM shows in 2023, 2024 and beyond.

Unparalleled opportunity

Vasyl Zhygalo, WTM Portfolio Director, said: Were pleased to welcome Saudi as the first ever WTM Global Travel Partner, building on the successes of the partnership with WTM London in 2021 and 2022. Saudi has ambitious targets to grow its tourism sector and our shows offer an unparalleled opportunity for Saudi to share its diverse range of tourism offerings and investment opportunities with key trade buyers and media from around the world.

The collaboration is scheduled to include new promotional activities to inspire visits to Saudi Arabia. The STA CEO, Fahd Hamidaddin delivered a keynote speech at WTM London as well as opening remarks on the main Elevate stage. There was also an interactive and immersive stand, a specially-curated Experience Saudi marketing campaign, digital screens in the WTM London Boulevard and a sand/sea scape on the boulevard floor that really brought Saudi Arabias brand to life.--TradeArabia News Service
Heres some business news in the Missoula area:

The owners of Ragheef and Kamoon, two Arab cuisine restaurants under the same roof at 1016 W. Broadway, have reopened the shop after flooding caused by a nearby utility crew forced them to close a few weeks ago. Ragheef serves flatbreads and other goodies for lunch and then Kamoon serves kebabs and rice dishes for dinner.

The Indigenous Made Winter Market will be held Nov. 25, Small Business Saturday, at the Missoula Fairgrounds. The event will feature music, over 40 vendors, a rally by the American Civil Liberties Union of Montana, frybread and coffee.

Join us for a day of cultural celebration and community, the group said on social media. Shop local and support the talented Indigenous makers of our community showcasing their unique crafts from traditional to contemporary.

The event runs from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m.

On Sunday, Nov. 19, Biga Pizza will be selling staff pies only as a benefit for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) for Children of Missoula. The event runs from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. and people can pre-order at 1 p.m. The pies are takeout only. Some of the recipes include Chicago dawg, spaghetti squash with Doritos Locos and tuna melt. For more information visit Biga Pizzas Instagram page.

The Missoula Downtown Association is encouraging people to shop in downtown on Small Business Saturday on Nov. 25, as nearly 200 restaurants and retail stores are welcoming customers.

The Shop Small and Dine Local Headquarters will be at the corner of Higgins and E. Main from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Coupons for complimentary hot chocolate, branded shopping bags and handouts with downtown specials will be available for pickup in front of the Paddleheads Post (140 North Higgins).
Boy Scout Bridge in Seeley Lake has been shut down permanently because of safety and structural concerns, county officials announced Wednesday.

A Montana Department of Transportation inspection found the bridge can't safely carry traffic any longer, according to a news release from Missoula County. Public Works officials with the county closed the bridge following the inspection. The closure is effective immediately.

"The complete closure comes on the heels of a 3-ton weight limit Public Works placed on the bridge in August following a routine MDT inspection showing deterioration of the timber piling foundation that could affect the bridges load capacity," the release stated.

The bridge spans the Clearwater River near several popular campgrounds. The news release stated the public will have to find an alternate route to access those sites.

Officials estimate the cost to replace the bridge would land somewhere around $5.7 million, according to the release.

"Staff will use the completed preliminary engineering report to apply for upcoming federal grants and seek other sources of outside funding to help pay to replace the bridge," the release stated. The bridge was originally built in 1937.
Despite ongoing advocacy and legislation to combat anti-Asian racism that arose after the pandemic, about a third of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders say they have experienced an act of abuse based on their race or ethnicity in the last year, including being on the receiving end of verbal harassment, slurs, physical threats or cyberbullying.

A new poll from AAPI Data and The Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research finds 15% of Asian American and Pacific Islanders specifically say they believe they have ever been the victim of a hate crime. About half  51%  believe racism is an extremely or very serious problem in the U.S.

From as early as a decade ago to as recently as two weeks ago, Jennifer Lee, a 29-year-old Filipino American in San Diego, can recall being called racial slurs and being discriminated against. She recently interviewed for a job at a tutoring service.

The interviewer assumed Lee was Japanese and said: You people are always so obedient. Why? Thats so pathetic, she shared.

About 2 in 10 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (23%) say they have experienced being verbally harassed or abused in the last year, and 22% have been called a racial or ethnic slur. About 1 in 10 say they have been physically assaulted or threatened physically. About a third of Asian American and Pacific Islanders say they often or sometimes face discrimination because of their race or ethnicity when applying for jobs.

Last month, the FBI reported an overall 7% increase in hate crimes, even as the agencys data showed anti-Asian incidents in 2022 were down 33% from 2021. That seeming contradiction doesn't surprise Stephanie Chan, director of data and research at Stop AAPI Hate, an advocacy group.

We know that Asian Americans are among the most likely to not report the crime that theyve experienced," Chan said. "Its really sobering to see that even when the world seems to have returned to normal, after the pandemic, these levels are still really elevated in terms of anti-Asian American hate.

The poll also shows President Joe Biden gets mediocre ratings from Asian Americans, who viewed him favorably at 52%. That's still higher than U.S. adults overall who viewed the president favorably at 44% in a June AP-NORC poll. Vice President Kamala Harris, who is of Asian American and African American descent, is also seen favorably by about half (47%) of Asian Americans.

Lee, a Democrat, believes the president should be a role model and not turn a blind eye to racism. But she has reservations about Biden, who is just shy of his 81st birthday, filling that role.

Asian Americans are really no different than the national mood, which is Biden favorability is low, said Natalie Masuoka, professor of political science and Asian American Studies at UCLA. The relatively lower favorability for Biden actually could impact turnout at lower-level offices."

The lukewarm feelings about Biden should be a warning for the Democratic Party not to take AAPI voters, who tend to be mostly Democrats, for granted, Masuoka added.

Still, former President Donald Trump, who is seeking a rematch with Biden, fares even worse than the current commander-in-chief, with 7 in 10 saying they have an unfavorable opinion of Trump. No current Republican candidate asked about in the poll is viewed favorably by more than 1 in 4, while two candidates of Indian descent  Vivek Ramaswamy and Nikki Haley  each remain largely unknown by at least 4 in 10 Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Thomas Lee, of Long Island, New York, fears the possibility of Trump getting reelected could lead to an increase in discrimination and hate crimes.

But Tia Davis, a 26-year-old Pacific Islander and Black California resident, downplayed the idea that people like her face significant racism and praised Trump. Of Samoan descent, she switched from Democrat to Republican after Trump was elected, said she wants a president who is a smart businessman. How they deal with racism and hate crimes is not a crucial factor.

Im more concerned about feeding my family, she said.

The survey shows how AAPI communities perceptions of levels of discrimination runs along political party lines. Democrats are more likely than Republicans to say that Asian Americans and other people of color face a great deal or quite a bit of discrimination and that white Americans do not. Overall, the poll shows about half of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders identify as Democrats and about a quarter lean Republican.

Many Asian American and Pacific Islanders are not optimistic about anti-Asian racism easing in the future. About half believe they are at least somewhat likely to be a victim of discrimination because of their race or ethnicity within the next five years, and 40% believe its at least somewhat likely they will be the target of a hate crime based on race or ethnicity within the same period. Of those who have been hate crime victims, 20% believe its very or extremely likely to happen again sometime in the next five years.

Still, Chan, of Stop AAPI Hate, hopes this poll lessens people's ignorance surrounding anti-Asian discrimination. She hopes people will understand it's more than just hate crimes, which tend to get the most media coverage.

Peoples daily lives are impacted by things like verbal harassment or bullying in schools or online acts of hate or civil rights violations, Chan said. Like not even being allowed to dine at a restaurant or stay at a hotel or being rejected for an Uber ride. I would say pay attention to these. These are the experiences that were having in America today.

States with the most hate crimes Intro #50. Arkansas #49. Maryland #48. Iowa #47. Pennsylvania #46. Mississippi #45. Florida #44. Illinois #43. Louisiana #42. Utah #41. Oklahoma #40. Wyoming #39. Georgia #38. Indiana #37. New Hampshire #36. Wisconsin #35. South Carolina #34. Idaho #33. Missouri #32. Maine #31. Nevada #30. Alaska #29. Texas #28. Rhode Island #27. Tennessee #26. West Virginia #25. Minnesota #24. Virginia #23. North Carolina #22. Connecticut #21. Delaware #20. South Dakota #19. North Dakota #18. Nebraska #17. New Mexico #16. California #15. Kansas #14. Hawaii #13. Arizona #12. Montana #11. New York #10. Ohio #9. Kentucky #8. Colorado #7. Oregon #6. Michigan #5. Vermont #4. Massachusetts #3. New Jersey #2. Washington #1. District Of Columbia
The Helena community gathered Wednesday to share tears and laughter in search of healing the collective wound left by the passing of Helena High School teacher Dave McKim.

In attendance at the packed Carroll College P.E. Center were the friends, family, students, colleagues and bandmates McKim influenced during his life in Helena.

Longtime buddy of McKim, Sam Wattnem, spoke about what his best friend meant to him.

He was everyone's best friend, he loved deeply and everyone that met him felt that. He was kind of beyond belief. He brought life and appreciation to every moment. He made you stop and smell the roses, Wattnem said. He showed me the things that matter in life, to love deeply and to give everyone a chance because you never know what they're going through.

Wattnem went on to say, Today, please fill your rooms with wisdom. Learn from them. Love deeply. Be kind to your fellow human. Reach out from time to time. Say the hard things and look for help when you feel helpless. Help change the way we talk about mental health. Realize it's OK to not be OK sometimes. You're not alone. We're all in this together. Please hug, hold hands or look at the person next to you in remembrance of Dave and remember we are not alone.

McKim, 49, was found dead on Nov. 9 in his Helena home on Washington Drive. He had taken his own life, Lewis and Clark County Sheriff/Coroner Leo Dutton said.

Jim Schulz, a former colleague and musician friend of McKims, described his effect on the community in terms of theoretical physics and the relativity of all things.

We share these particles with everyone we touch, and the more we touch, the more we share. And these particles become woven into the very fabric of our lives. And Dave McKim has been woven into the fabric of my life ever since the week I first met him. And so it is with all of you who have come into his ever widening circle, Shulz said.

Dave, I love you, we all love you and we miss you, he said.

Helena Mayor Wilmot Collins read McKims obituary and shared his thoughts on McKims passing.

He had a heart that overflowed with compassion, empathy and warmth. He was the person you could count on and one who would listen without judgment. And one who offered a helping hand or shoulder to lean on, Collins spoke.

As we mourn the loss of Dave, let us also celebrate this incredible legacy he leaves behind. Let us remember the lives he touched, the minds he shaped and the love he shared. Let us carry with us his passion for education, his reverence for nature, in his own wavering kindness, Collins said.

McKims twin brother Andy encouraged everyone to cry and gave them permission to laugh.

First off, I'd like to get permission to laugh. Dave loved to laugh and he was a funny guy. He loved to make other people laugh. And we need to laugh right now, Andy McKim said.

Andy told stories of their childhood and the indelible mark he left on his Daves nephews.

Andy also encouraged people to go forward taking the love and joy Dave embodied and share it with as many people as they can.

Bandmate and friend Cole Mannix, before speaking, took a photo of the packed crowd and said he planned to show his sons the photo when they ask what success looks like.

Mannix went on to say success can be measured not by accomplishments but by the positive effect you can have on so many people.

The Independent Record does not typically write stories on suicides, but reported on this because of the impact on the community.

People struggling with thoughts of suicide can find help by calling 988, which provides 24/7, free and confidential support for people in distress, prevention and crisis resources for you or your loved ones.

People are encouraged to share their own stories of Dave McKim by email to davemckimstories@gmail.com

People are also encouraged to donate to the David McKim Memorial Scholarship Fund to be set up for students studying in the earth sciences area David taught and loved. Donations are accepted on the Helena Public School districts website.

A cast of McKims current and former bandmates played music for the service. At one point they played Across the Divide by Kate Wolf. Her lyrics may have never rung so true:

He's gone away in yesterday

And I find myself on the mountainside

Where the rivers change direction

Across the great divide
I cannot absorb the impossible collective of pronouncements and opinions immersing my brain from sources like the medias endless flow, mass mailings and the deluge of digital inundation. But I perceive there to be an increasingly growing tide of animosity from all directions accompanied by less willingness to be understanding. Into the fray of ill will, church leaders and preachers seemingly have become as hostile as their political counterparts with accusations and name-calling. Some emphasize evangelism and other social action, many faith healing and still others just material accumulation.

I am convinced that Jesus saw forgiveness as the authentication of the spiritual life, and that He would be livid with all of them for the failure to accentuate the utmost value of forgiveness. This focal truth is well attested by the Lords single follow up commentary to His teaching of the model prayer as well as His prayer of forgiveness of His tormentors while hanging by piercing spikes from the instrument of execution.

With the reminder that todays date of Nov. 16 in the anniversary of the massacre of 6,000 Armenian Christians at the hands of the Turks in 1894, I am having a difficult time with those who casually sermonize about Christian forgiveness but fill the air with more negativity about those parties with whom they have differences. The martyrdom history of the Armenian Christians reveals them to be one of the most tortured ethnic groups in the world. If the 6,000 killed on that occasion were not sufficient to validate the point, in 1915, the Turks again systematically began a genocide against the Armenians killing approximately 1.2 million. The pains I may have suffered in my life pale in contrast to such a holocaust, but also my ability to wrap my head as too how to preach and practice Christian forgiveness finds an uphill challenge.

How does one practice the Christ-likeness to Forgive as the Lord has forgiven you?

I do not have any really satisfying answers for this all too real corundum of the spiritual life, but over the years I have gleaned some insights I would like to share. In my early days as a pastor, I lucked upon an elderly retired minister, one that I refer to as a cornbread preacher. Very little formal education but possessing a wealth of practical experience. Said he upon one of my inquiries, Just know this, that forgiveness is more for the forgiver than for the forgiven. That recounting always directs my heart into the direction of soul searching. I do not know where he learned a simple sermon illustration, but he also taught me that in the Chinese written language, which is in reality symbols as opposed to letters, the word for conflict is composed of two symbolic drawings. One is for peril while the other means opportunity. It is by forgiveness that can act as a catalyst and create an opportunity from a conflict.

Another minister friend shared with me the simple but wonderfully insightful maxim that all too many times we mistake forgiveness with giving up. In any struggle between parties at odds with one another, the forgiving participant is not the one conceding but the one exerting control of the situation. Equally mistaken is the idea that forgiveness is a single experience, done and finished when in reality the act of forgiveness oftentimes has to be revisited over and again.

But to really feel the spiritual wealth of embracing the immense excellence of forgiveness one can simply look upon the act as a form of true worship. In the same way that we might sing hymns of praise, and lift prayers of healing or give offerings for the poor and read encouraging scriptural stories, so too we can draw closer to the Lord our God by concentrating our thoughts on forgiving wrongs committed against us.

Simply put, if you are in the business of forgiving, you are actively following the example lived by Christ.
Members of the drama class at Jefferson High School in Boulder will present Abundance: A Fairys Tale, at 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Mother Lode Theatre, 316 W. Park St.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $15 for students, teachers, veterans and senior citizens.

Written by Michael T. Hesford, English and drama teacher at JHS, the play incorporates multiple theatrical genres  tragedy, comedy, fantasy and musical  while honoring the struggles of our immigrant ancestors.

According to Hesford, the play focuses on an Irish immigrant family in an 1890s Montana gold rush town as they struggle to survive a diphtheria outbreak and the greed that surrounds them.

The story revolves around a young blind girl who searches for meaning and understanding of the world that surrounds her as her parents deal with the loss of one of their children, said Hesford. Through her journey we come to realize what the true value of living is and what we must hold onto as the turmoil of the world closes in on us.

Sophomore Aubrey Rosenbaum plays Myra Macleish, the young blind girl, with senior Kael Hesford as her father, Thomas, and junior Grace Quigley as her mother, Saoirse.

Other cast members include Luke Mondloch, Jack Johnson, Caleb Morris, Kolbe Michaud, Hayden Yap, Winter Wagner, Madi Hassler, Ryian Eveland, Izzy Gasch, Maddy Averill, Bailee Silvonen, Addy Leary, Clara Genger, Lilliana Roscelli, Luke Strizich, Peter Stock, Zeke Dove, Daven Muna, Mikael Richard, Dario Boncompagni and Damien Mikesell.

Hesford and his class are hoping to present this show at the International Thespian Festival at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana next June. But first, the performance must be filmed at the Mother Lode and submitted to be judged.

If chosen, the class would be one of seven or eight picked throughout the country to perform at the festival.
Several more bazaars have been added to this year's list featured below.

Not surprising as it is bazaar season here in southwest Montana, and the months of November and December are jam packed with so many different choices.

Events in Anaconda, Avon, Butte, Boulder, Deer Lodge, Dillon and Ennis are all highlighted.

To include your bazaar, email the details to editor@mtstandard.com or call 406-496-5552. Be sure to include a phone number, in case there are any questions.

To get even more coverage, people are encouraged to go to eventsinbutte.com to add their bazaar or holiday fair to the list.

The Country Christmas Craft Market will be from 1 to 7 p.m. Friday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Dillons Frontier Event Center, 102 E. Helena St. Admission is free.

The annual Winter Bazaar and Tradeshow Saturday and Sunday at the Butte Civic Center, 1340 Harrison Ave., will include dozens of vendors, including local businesses, crafters, bakers and artists. Saturdays hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

The Boulder Holiday Christmas Bazaar will be from 10 am. to 3 p.m. Saturday at Jefferson High Schools north gym, 312 S. Main St., Boulder. The event highlights local and regional artists, along with holiday gifts, food, live music and more.

The annual Country Christmas Bazaar will be held in Avon on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Forty vendors will be at the Community Hall and Avon Store. Among the items being offered are pottery, woodcrafts, knitted and crocheted articles, photography, art, jewelry, personal care items, baked goods and candy, home decorations, Christmas swags and much more. Lunch will be available. For more details, call 406-492-6696 or 406-492-7091.

The Ennis Holiday Bazaar, a fundraiser for the Ennis Senior Center, will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 24 and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Ennis Elementary School323 Charles Ave., Ennis. Several vendors will be on hand.

A holiday bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Butte Vigilante Rodeo and Saddle Club, 6354 Albany Ave. The event will showcase unique gifts, crafts and arts.

The second annual Vintage Christmas Market will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 25 at the Montana Hotel, 200 Main St., in Anaconda. Numerous creative local vendors will be selling their wares.

Its a Butte-iful Christmas craft show will be Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 25-26 at the Front Street Station, 800 E. Front St. The two-day event includes vendors with handmade goods, Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, food and beverages, and much more. Admission is free.

A craft fair will be part of Buttes Christmas Stroll Friday, Dec. 1 at the Butte Elks Lodge.

The second annual West Winter Market will be from noon to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at West Elementary School, 1000 Steel St. Vendors include food trucks, candy, crafts, candles, jewelry and much more. Santa and Mrs. Claus will be the guests of honor (with pictures available for purchase). Admission is $1, a can of food or a new toy. Proceeds support West Elementary PTA.

Montana Techs Society of Petroleum Engineers will host its 35th annual Christmas Bazaar and Trade Show from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2 at the Maroon Activities Center. All are welcome. For details, call Nicholas Draper at 406-360-4294 or Jacob Lehmann at 970-590-5490.

Meadow Lands at 4034 Elizabeth Warren Ave. will have its Christmas bazaar at 11 a.m. Saturday, Dec. 9. There will be various vendors selling jewelry, food, holiday decor and more.

Pintler Pets' annual Christmas bazaar is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the old Dwyer Intermediate School, 1410 W. Park St., Anaconda.

Dillons annual Winter Bazaar will be from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 9 at the Elks Lodge 1554, 27. E. Center St., Dillon.

Powell County High Schools Close Up Holiday Bazaar is from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 10 at the Powell County High School gym, 709 Missouri Ave., Deer Lodge. Vendors and concessions will be available.

A Christmas bazaar is planned from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 16 at the Butte Vigilante Rodeo and Saddle Club, 6354 Albany Ave.
Butte-Silver Bow commissioners have approved ordinances to expand tax-increment districts Uptown and in south Butte and create a new one at the Montana Connections Business Park.

If the council OKs a separate resolution for the new business park district, all three proposals will be sent to the Montana Department of Revenue for review. If the agency determines all laws and procedures were followed, the plans will take effect.

The council approved the three ordinances on separate 10-0 votes Wednesday night.

It is the last step the council has to take for the two district expansions, said Kristen Rosa, Butte-Silver Bows economic development coordinator.

I still have to submit a resolution for Montana Connections, stating it is large enough to support a diversified number of industries, she said.

Rosa said she plans to present that to council on Dec. 6 and if approved, We will then package up all the information and send it to the state for review.

Butte-Silver Bow has until March 1 to submit its proposals but Rosa expects that to be done in December. The state then has 20 days to review them for procedural compliance.

County officials say all three proposals would be catalysts for development so they pursued all three at the same time.

The tax districts could help the county attract more industries to the business park and to south Butte, officials say, and fund upgrades at the Mother Lode Theatre and spur residential development in Uptown.

A Tax Increment Finance Industrial District west of town, established in the early 1990s, helped attract numerous businesses to Butte. It expired last year so county officials want to put a new one in place to keep the momentum going.

The Uptown district is overseen by the Urban Revitalization Agency. The districts proposed expansion would include large swaths of vacant, county-owned land that havent been developed.

Most of the expansion area would be north of the current district, about half of it with streets, houses and other buildings and the other half vacant and undeveloped.

Commissioner John Riordan said he looked into the plan, and found that some of the vacant acreage cant be developed because of mine pollution and Superfund cleanup issues. But other parts could be developed with tax-increment dollars, he said.

Its going to allow Butte and that area to start to grow a little bit, he said.

TIF districts do not by themselves increase property taxes. A base tax value continues to generate dollars that flow to all taxing units, including local government and schools.

Only taxes generated by increased values on existing properties and new developments in the district are captured. Revenue from those increased values, called increments, can then be reinvested within district boundaries.

The money can be spent on such things as new or upgraded water and sewer lines, street improvements and sidewalks, house and building renovations. It can be used to provide loans or subsidies to private investors for projects that create jobs or simply improve an area.
The Copper Star that was fabricated for Montana Resources and graced the top of the Capitol Christmas tree in Washington, D.C., in 2017 remains on display at the Butte-Silver Bow Courthouse, 155 W. Granite St.

Again this holiday season, Mainstreet Uptown Butte and B-SB invite Butte residents to come see the star and make a wish for the holidays.

"Between now and noon on Dec. 18, Butte citizens young and old are encouraged to make a wish for the community of Butte, or for neighbors, friends or families, said George Everett, executive director of Mainstreet Uptown Butte. We think that this particular well-traveled star is a great place to make a wish, and we want to see what those wishes are for Butte and to see how we might, if possible, help make a few of them come true this holiday season."

During the 2018 Montana Folk Festival, the Copper Star returned to Butte to be displayed and shortly thereafter, the courthouse became its permanent home.

The star has eight points and features Montana's state flower, the Bitterroot, on the front and back  a three-dimensional copper piece attached at the center.

These Copper Star Wish Fund wishes, big and small, must be for someone else and sent by email or text to geverett@montana.com or 406-565-2249. The wish can be made anonymously or with a name, address and phone number.

Sometimes, against all odds, wishes do come true, said Everett.

The yuletide tradition was made possible by Montana Resources and the Town Pump Foundation. To donate to the Copper Star Wish Fund, send your tax deductible contributions c/o Mainstreet Uptown Butte. P.O. Box 696, Butte, Montana 59703.

Also this year, Mainstreet has produced a limited run of Copper Star holiday ornaments for sale during the holidays. Each ornament is $10 and can be ordered by texting or calling 406-565-2249 to arrange pickup or delivery, or send a check to Mainstreet Uptown Butte. Proceeds of these sales help support the Copper Star Wish Fund.

For more details, visit www.mainstreetbutte.org or on Facebook at uptownbutte.
This story has been updated with information from Fish, Wildlife & Parks and corrected to indicate the photo was taken in mid-October and removed a reference to a grizzly track near Stafford Ferry since it was not confirmed.

An adult grizzly bear was photographed in mid-October by a game camera placed on a historic ranch along the Missouri and Judith rivers, the farthest east a bear has been seen in Montana in more than 100 years.

American Prairie, which purchased the PN Ranch northeast of Winifred in 2016, announced the sighting in a recent email.

I've been dreaming about this moment since the day I started at American Prairie almost six years ago. Some of us for much longer, wrote Daniel Kinka, senior wildlife restoration manager for the nonprofit group. Other than bison roaming, I don't think there is any better symbol of prairie wildness than a grizzly bear.

The PN Ranch is more than 100 miles east of the Northern Continental Divide Ecosystem where grizzlies roam mountain wilderness areas. With that habitat nearing grizzly bear capacity, more and more of the large bruins are looking elsewhere to live. Grizzlies have been trapped, seen and killed as far east as the Marias River near Fort Benton, Stanford in central Montana and at the base of the Big Snowy Mountains.

The farthest east a grizzly track has been recorded was last year near Winifred, according to Wesley Sarmento, a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks grizzly bear specialist based in Conrad.

"But this is the first good photo to come out of that area," he said. "It looks like an adult male."

Big country

The recent bear sighting is the first in an area containing thousands of acres of public land, including large blocks of Bureau of Land Management acreage such as the 375,000-acre Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services 1.1 million-acre Charles M. Russell National Wildlife Refuge.

Sarmento said with such a large area, no competition from other grizzlies and an abundance of natural foods that the bear or bears could stay out of trouble.

That's certainly American Prairie's hope, which in addition to buying the PN Ranch has purchased more than 462,000 acres in the region. The groups goal is to restore the shortgrass prairie ecosystem. As part of that, American Prairie has reintroduced bison to some of its lands.

The big animals presence  along with American Prairies land purchases  has drawn sharp criticism from agricultural groups and some landowners. Some county, state and federal politicians have been critical of the group as well, working legislatively to stymie its progress.

Rewilding

On its website, American Prairie noted: Today wolves and grizzly bears are often associated with mountain habitats, but scientific evidence and firsthand accounts indicate that they adapted specifically for life in the open grasslands  Initial evidence of grizzly bears has been found on American Prairie property, and it is expected that both species  grizzlies and wolves  will eventually recolonize the Missouri River Breaks area through natural immigration. Mountain lions have already done so and are now found in low populations in both the Little Rocky Mountains and the Missouri River Breaks. Black bears also have recolonized the Bears Paw Mountains and Little Rocky Mountains.

Beth Saboe, senior public relations manager for the group, said, We are very excited to see the return of this grizzly bear to its native habitat. In recent years, grizzlies have been expanding onto the prairies, and just like we've seen along the Rocky Mountain Front, it is possible to co-exist with them. We are also committed to public safety and our priority is to keep people and property safe in order to minimize conflict. "

American Prairies website noted it will provide sanctuary for carnivores on its property and is working with surrounding landowners through its Wild Sky program to pay landowners for tolerating wildlife.

Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks has also recently stepped up its educational efforts in areas not considered grizzly country in more than a generation. Such bear-aware informational sessions have been conducted around Eastern Montana to prepare residents for the grizzly bears reappearance.

"We've done them all over," Sarmento said, including Lewistown, Loma, Big Sandy and Havre. "Most folks understand the bears are expanding out."

Explorers

Typically it's young bears cast off by their mothers that wander into new territory, Sarmento explained. Often, they return to their homeland after the exploration since they know the terrain and food sources.

Longtime Montana grizzly bear advocate Doug Peacock praised the Missouri Breaks grizzlys ability to make it to the rugged region. He has most recently been working to create safe passage for grizzlies from the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem to move across highways in southwestern Montana so they can reoccupy areas like the Crazy, Big Belt and Little Belt mountain ranges.

This bear family (picture) is our best example of a grizzly explorer, he wrote in an email.

Other incidents of bear exploration have not ended well for the animals.

In 2009, a yearling male was captured near Loma, where the Marias and Teton rivers meet, after killing sheep. Its travels were estimated at about 175 miles. In 2013, a 4-year-old male grizzly was captured near the lower Marias River after killing livestock and relocated.

In 2017, two sub-adult males were euthanized by FWP after killing livestock west of Stanford. The same year, two others were seen near Big Sandy, southwest of Havre. In 2021 a 5-year-old male grizzly was killed by FWP after eating livestock at the base of the Big Snowy Mountains. DNA from that grizzly indicated it had grown up around Red Lodge, roughly 150 miles south.

If the USDA DOW hadn't illegally killed that 5-year-old male in the Big Snowys, we would have a complete family unit in the same eastern area, Peacock said. This and other explorer bears wouldn't survive delisting.

Last year, a bear was documented in the North Moccasin Mountains north of Lewistown. Sarmento said it's possible the recently photographed Breaks grizzly could be the same animal.

Kinka, of American Prairie, said grizzly bears have come to symbolize the places we are not  what's just past the frontier. That strikes me as a cruel mischaracterization of prairie bruins since humans persecuted and banished them to the most inhospitable corners of the map while simultaneously venerating them as symbols of that same wilderness.

This is not the horribilis of wilderness frontier fantasy, he added, referring to the bears scientific name, Ursus arctos horribilis, but an indicator of a wilder, better prairie.

Info

BLM information officer Gina Baltrusch said FWPs information is her agencys go-to for bear safety.

We always echo FWPs message, she said, providing visitors with pamphlets and links to the states information when questions arise. Its just prudent to be aware, carry bear spray, securing your attractants.

FWP asks that bears or bear sign near residences or conflicts be reported to local bear specialists at the contact number found on FWPs website: https://fwp.mt.gov/conservation/wildlife-management/bear/contact.
Dubai Airports is forging ahead with its plans to replace the world's busiest airport, Dubai International (DXB), with an even bigger one in 2030s as passenger traffic soars to record high, outstripping the pre-pandemic levels, said a top official.

Designs were being drawn up for Al Maktoum International Airport, which will be built on the city's outskirts and should replace Dubai International in the 2030s, Dubai Airports CEO Paul Griffiths told Agence France Presse news agency, on the sidelines of the ongoing Dubai Airshow.

"Once we've reached about 120 million (passengers a year) - which is what we think our total capacity at DXB (Dubai International) is at the absolute maximum with everything optimised - we are going to need a new airport. That is going to have to happen at some stage during the 2030s," stated Griffiths.

This comes as the Dubai Airports projected DXB's annual passenger traffic to reach 86.8 million, surpassing 2019 numbers as record-breaking figures were expected to continue in the final quarter of 2023.

Currently, the DXB can manage 100 million passengers every year  but innovative technologies, refurbishments, and more efficient use of space and resources could expand its capacity to 120 million.

Griffiths revealed that they would be working on the mega-airport's design elements over the next few months, reported AFP.

"It stands to reason that Al Maktoum International has to be even bigger and even better (than Dubai International) This will be a project that extends way into the 2050s because we take the long-term view here," he added.
Following is an account of the First Thanksgiving as recorded by a very punny Pilgrim writer:

It was early morning of the great feast. Pilgrim women had been busy in the main cabin before sunrise, dashing about, peeling potatoes, turnips and apples, monitoring food in the fireplace, when one was heard to say, "Hard to be-leaf it's already Thanksgiving."

A cackle of laughter ensued, greatly encouraging other pun meisters.

"Pumpkin sure smells good in here!"

Being that one good pun deserves another, a woman holding a handful of turkey feathers said, "We're plucky to assemble a feast so fine this year."

"Poultry in motion," sang out another.

"But can we pull it off?" cried a weary soul.

"Yes, we pecan!" came a resounding chorus.

"Is anyone keeping thyme?" asked another.

"We've got this ladies, we're going to give them pumpkin to talk about!"

Yes, they were the sort of women who bake the world a better place. They were strong, stalwart and were not ones to take the path of yeast resistance.

After hours and hours of preparation, last but not feast, the women paraded the dishes to the tables.

"Y'all bready for this?"

There came an array of fruits, vegetables, hot dishes, cold dishes, fish, venison and wild game. It was, quite simply, a gourd-geous spread.

The guests oohed and aahed. "You aint seen stuffin' yet!" cried a robust Pilgrim woman.

The tables creaked under the weight of the bounty. Gov. William Bradford announced there would be no fowl talk or getting sauced, said a blessing, and the feasting commenced.

It quickly became obvious that the candied sweet potatoes were going untouched. This was not unexpected - silence of the yams.

"Anymore rolls?" inquired one of the guests.

"You butter believe it."

An altercation broke out between two Pilgrim families at the end of the table. "Squash the family drama!" Bradford yelled.

Family members didn't always see pie-to-pie, but they did love a feast.

Meanwhile, at the edge of the forest, a young pilgrim boy whispered into a pilgrim girl's ear, "Stuffin' compares to you."

To which she responded, "I've had a crust on you."

Back at the table, hosts made the rounds with a decanter asking, "Wine not have another glass?"

It was eat, drink and cranberry.

Then it was time for dessert: Do or pie.

A chief took a serving of pumpkin, pecan and apple, nodded his thanks and said, "Piece out."

Three days later, the feast was finally over. Leftovers were wrapped and sent home with the guests, plates and gobble-lets were washed, dried and put away.

The pilgrims all joined hands, said a prayer of thanks, raised their arms to the sky and shouted, "Whip, whip, hooray! Corn in the USA!"
An Iowa City attorney who repeatedly failed to show up for clients parole revocation hearings has been sanctioned by the state.

According to court records, two parole judges have complained to the Iowa Supreme Court Attorney Disciplinary Board that attorney Tomas Rodriguez of Iowa City has failed to appear for hearings involving multiple clients after the court appointed him their legal representative.

The complaints stated that Rodriguez failed to appear for clients parole revocation hearings and failed to return phone calls and emails from parole officers. His clients are stating that he is not contacting them in jail while they are awaiting hearings, the judges alleged. The Board of Parole has no authority to remove him and appoint another attorney. Our orders direct him to either appear and represent his clients or file a motion to withdraw with the court. He does neither. His clients are then left with the option to continue waiting in jail or proceed without their court-appointed attorney.

The judges explained that parole revocation hearings are usually scheduled for the same day and time each week, are brief, and are handled by phone, making it easy for lawyers to call in and appear on behalf of their client without traveling to the jail.

In response to the Attorney Disciplinary Boards inquiries, Rodriguez allegedly said he had other stuff to worry about besides the hearings.

In a separate complaint, a former client alleged that Rodriguez failed to communicate with him when he faced criminal charges of harassment and burglary, and also failed to inform him of a court hearing. On several occasions, Mr. Rodriguez just didnt show up for court, and on other occasions he was hours late, the client alleged.

Taken together, the board ruled, the two cases indicate something beyond a private admonition is warranted, and it publicly reprimanded Rodriguez for violating the Iowa Rules of Professional Conduct. Rodriguez is currently a staff attorney with the Linn County Advocate, which provides services to clients the firm is court-appointed to represent. He declined to comment on the disciplinary case.

In November 2020, the board publicly reprimanded Rodriguez for misusing his status at the time as a public defender to engage in intimate conversations with a jail inmate.

According to the board, Rodriguezs girlfriend was arrested in October 2019 on drug and theft charges while pregnant with Rodriguezs child. According to the board, Rodriguez and the woman had explicit conversations while the woman was detained in the Polk County Jail, including discussions about the occasion on which their child was conceived. The board subsequently reviewed many recorded conversations between the two, as well as 800 text messages.

Although attorneys are entitled to have confidential conversations with their clients in jail, that level of privacy does not extend to attorneys who are having personal conversations with inmates they dont represent.

The board said Rodriguez had set up two accounts at the Polk County Jail to converse with the woman, including one that was designated as her attorneys account. The board says that after the woman was arrested, Rodriguez entered an appearance in court on her behalf but withdrew the next day on the advice of his boss. However, he allegedly continued to converse with the woman as if he was her attorney, using his email log-in from the State Public Defenders office.

The board found that Rodriguez made false statements about the nature of his conversations with his girlfriend, and said that based on his extensive experience, he simply should have known better.

In recent weeks, the Attorney Disciplinary Board acted in several other cases involving Iowa-licensed lawyers:

 Leila Louisa Hale, who also practices in the state of Nevada, was publicly reprimanded by the board. In August, the State Bar of Nevada reprimanded Hale for conflicts of interest involving clients and a man with whom she shared a personal relationship. The bar alleged that Hale represented two clients in separate personal injury cases and that she employed Dr. Jeffrey Gross as a medical expert in the cases. Gross charged the two clients a total of $29,885 for those services. According to the bar, Hale was in a long-term relationship with Dr. Gross at the time and failed to inform her clients of that fact.

Hales law firm subsequently filed liens against the money her clients had collected through their lawsuits, and the liens included fees for Dr. Gross services. At one point, Hale allegedly paid Gross fees using trust-account funds in a manner that put other clients money at risk. The Nevada bar reprimanded Hale and directed her to reflect upon her actions. The recent Iowa reprimand is based on the actions of the Nevada bar.

 Ronald Langford, a Des Moines attorney, was publicly reprimanded for his handling of client funds and failure to properly monitor and manage client trust accounts. Langford had argued that he always maintained enough money in his business accounts to cover any shortages in client accounts. The board stated that Langford also argued that his clients demands take so much of his focus that he does not have time to steal from them, and added that the board found these statements troubling. The board said it was clear that Langford still failed to appreciate and understand the rules relating to trust accounts and how he was in violation of those rules.

 Jeremy Tomlinson, a Des Moines attorney, was reprimanded for conduct following the suspension of his law license in 2022. According to the board, Tomlinsons license was suspended on June 6, 2022, for failure to cooperate with an audit conducted by the Client Security Commission. A few weeks later, Tomlinson allegedly filed with the court a motion for a deadline extension in a case. Tomlinsons license was reinstated on July 17, 2022, but he allegedly failed to respond to the boards inquiries about practicing law while his license was suspended. That resulted in a second suspension in March 2023. The recent reprimand is for the unauthorized practice of law and for violating rules related to client communication and disciplinary matters.

Photos: Creighton men's basketball hosts Iowa
Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird co-led a charge with 17 other states challenging a judge's gag order on former President Donald Trump in his federal election fraud case.

U.S. District Judge Tanya S. Chutkan imposed an order barring Trump from targeting special prosecutor Jack Smith, his staff or any witnesses or court employees involved in the federal case last month.

Trump's lawyers appealed the decision, and it has temporarily been halted by an appeals court while it weighs the arguments from Trump and federal prosecutors. The court will hear oral arguments over the order next week.

In a court brief led by Bird and West Virginia Attorney General Patrick Morrisey, the 18 Republican attorneys general argue the gag order is a violation of Trump's First Amendment right to free speech.

Bird, a Republican, has endorsed Trump for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

"All Americans have the right to free speech, including presidential candidates like President Donald Trump, Bird said. ... Unconstitutionally restricting a political candidates free speech while they run for office is a dangerous precedent and a disservice to American voters."

The brief argues the restriction on Trump speaking on the case is "too vague and too broad."

The state attorneys general argued the order was not narrowly tailored to prevent interference in the case, extending too broadly to any statements that target any "reasonably foreseeable witness or the substance of their testimony."

They also take issue with the language of the order, saying the word "target" is too vague.

"The district court must give President Trump clarity as to what, precisely, is prohibited or else it fails to give the fair warning the Constitution requires," the brief says.

Federal prosecutors argued Tuesday the gag order should remain in place. They said the fairness of the trial was threatened by Trump's history of targeting adversaries with "inflammatory and disparaging language," along with the potential for harassment and threats by his followers.

Iowa AG asks for more power over immigration laws

Bird signed onto a letter with 25 other state attorneys general asking House Speaker Mike Johnson to pass legislation allowing states to carry out border enforcement duties.

In the letter led by Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody, the officials point to rising rates of unlawful immigration at the southern border.

The letter accuses President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alexander Mayorkas of being "complicit" in the rising border crossings, accusing them of ignoring federal laws.

The attorneys general urged Congress to pass the Immigration Enforcement Partnership Act, which would allow state officials to carry out federal immigration enforcement duties.

Under the proposed bill, state attorneys general could provide a written request for certain actions from the DHS if they determine the agency is not fulfilling its duties  including the arrest, detention and deportation of undocumented immigrants.

If the agency does not comply with the request, the attorney general could take civil action to enforce the actions.

"Our southern border has become an open door for drug cartels and terrorists," Bird said in a statement. "We cannot afford to wait for Biden to do his job. This bill gives states the tools we need protect Iowans and uphold the rule of law.
DES MOINES  State education officials will not provide Iowa school districts with a list of library materials now prohibited under new K-12 book restriction rules, despite calls and suggestions for it to do so by school librarians and administrators and a state board member.

The Iowa Board of Education voted Wednesday to move ahead with proposed rules seeking to clarify restrictions under a new state law that prohibits books and curriculum in K-12 schools that contain descriptions of sex acts. The law also prohibits the teaching of sexual orientation and gender identity through sixth grade.

The law, Senate File 496, passed by statehouse Republicans and signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds, also requires school administrators to alert a student's caregiver if a student wants to use pronouns that differ from their sex assigned at birth.

School librarians and administrators have said lack of detailed guidance on the implementation of the new law was causing headaches as they prepared for the school year, and many have said they want to see more guidance from the Department of Education to clear up uncertainties about the policy.

Master list not required

State education board member Nathan Peterson, an Iowa City attorney, asked whether there was any effort by the state to provide a master list of what is or is not considered age-appropriate.

Because it seems there should be an opportunity  other than going through every single book thats in their library looking for something that may be objectionable  it seems there should be a resource a district could go to and say, These have been found to be objectionable, should we have it in our library? Peterson said during the meeting.

An earlier version of the law would have required the Department of Education to maintain a list of books removed from schools.

Thomas Mayes, general counsel for the Iowa Department of Education, said because the requirement did not make it into the final law, hes not particularly interested in recommending it now.

I think the more efficient thing is for superintendents talking to each other  sharing their collective wisdom with each other than a master list of books, Mayes said.

The proposed rules bar visual and written depictions of sex acts in books but clarify that references or mentions that do "not describe or visually depict a sex act" are allowable.

School libraries serving multiple grades are expected to "exercise reasonable physical, administrative and technological controls" to ensure students only have access to materials that are grade- and age-appropriate.

Anyone who has actually read this law knows that certain school districts have been playing politics with their overly broad interpretations, House Education Committee Chair Skyler Wheeler, R-Hull, said in a statement. This is, and always has been, a reasonable law. Porn doesnt belong in schools, and parents should be made aware if their child is transitioning at school.

  Unfortunately, the media allowed certain school districts to muddy the waters with weird rules about nicknames and by removing books that were never an issue. Hopefully, the Department of Educations rules clear any confusion and ensure Iowans know this is actually a very common-sense law.

What else do the proposed K-12 school rules say?

The rules also require school districts to maintain and update a comprehensive list of all books available to all students in libraries offered by the district on its website in real time, or at least twice a year.

School districts can apply for a waiver over the next two school years if they do not have an online card catalog, Mayes said.

Only library programs operated by a school district are subject to the proposed rules and do not apply to shared library programs between districts and public libraries.

The rules allow for books to have neutral mentions of LGBTQ characters, Mayes said. This includes an observation regarding a book character's sexual orientation or gender identity that stops short of being a promotion.

That is sort of a safe harbor for classroom teachers, he said.

The proposed rules also clarify that a student can be called by a nickname without first receiving a parent or guardian's permission if not being used to affirm a student's request to recognize a different gender identity.

Before the start of the school year, some Iowa schools required written permission from a parent or guardian to refer to a student by anything other than the name or pronoun on the students school registration records.

For example, Thomas to Tom is fine, Mayes said.

School officials would still need to seek permission if a student wants to go by a name other than their legal name or use pronouns that do not correspond with their sex assigned at birth if the request is an accommodation intended to affirm a student's change to a different gender identity.

Wednesday's conversation marks the beginning of the board's process to incorporate the rules into Iowa's general accreditation standards.

Penalties for violating the law take effect on Jan. 1.

Will schools be penalized for not removing books?

Iowa school boards and school employees who fail to remove books could face a written reprimand for a first offense.

Additional violations could lead school superintendents being called before the Iowa Board of Educational Examiners for a hearing and possible disciplinary action, should an investigation by state education officials find the district knowingly violated the rules.

If a violation is voluntarily and permanently corrected before the department makes a decision, officials may exercise enforcement discretion and decide theres no need for a citation, Mayes said.

What do school officials have to say about the rules?

Mike Beranek, president of the Iowa State Education Association, the union representing Iowas public school teachers, said in a written statement that the boards proposed rules did not go far enough in offering clarification and guidance over how educators should implement the law.

The proposed rules do nothing to address the chilling effect the law created, he said. So far, hundreds of book titles have been pulled from shelves across the state, and we've created ridiculous amounts of paperwork over topics like student nicknames, he said.

Public education professionals will still continue to spend valuable instructional time trying to meet vague state mandates.

According to a database maintained by the Des Moines Register, districts in Iowa have removed at least 450 books from their shelves in response to the law.

Many districts have removed commonly challenged books like Gender Queer and The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian. Books that are often assigned high school reading, like George Orwells 1984 and Aldous Huxleys Brave New World, also have been pulled by several districts.

Education and library advocates have argued an overly broad interpretation of the law by school districts trying to avoid legal repercussions will lead to schools pulling materials off library shelves that should not be removed under the law, depriving students of the opportunity to read books.

The Urbandale Community School District initially removed nearly 400 books from shelves it felt may violate the law. The district subsequently narrowed the list to 64 titles after more careful review.

The Iowa City Community School District released a list of about 70 book titles removed from schools to comply with the new law.

Lisa Remy, executive director of the School Administrators of Iowa, which represents more than 2,000 educational administrators, said the new rules support the guidance we have been providing members.

Erin Murphy of The Gazettes Des Moines Bureau contributed to this report.

How to weigh in on K-12 book rules  In-person public hearings on the proposed rules are scheduled from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 3 and 10:30 to 11 a.m. Jan. 4 in the state boardroom of the Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines.  Written comments can be made no later than 4:30 p.m. Jan. 4 by emailing thomas.mayes@iowa.gov, by calling (515) 281-8661 or mailing them to Thomas A. Mayes, Iowa Department of Education, Grimes State Office Building, 400 E. 14th St., Des Moines, IA 50319 In-person public hearings on the proposed rules are scheduled from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m. Jan. 3 and 10:30 to 11 a.m. Jan. 4 in
Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua has urged the Engineers Board of Kenya to get rid of quack engineers to safeguard the integrity of the profession.

During the official opening of the 30th Institution of Engineers of Kenya Convention and the 18th World Council of Engineers at the Pride Inn Beach Resort, Mombasa, DP Gachagua emphasized that only qualified and certified professionals should be permitted to practice.

Tighten the self-regulation and surveillance mechanisms and get rid of people infiltrating your profession. You must protect your profession, Gachagua said.

According to Gachagua, unqualified and uncertified individuals have tarnished the reputation of engineers by undertaking substandard construction projects, such as buildings prone to collapse and roads requiring repairs even before completion.

Gachagua said the government is implementing measures to address the approximately 7,000 demand gap for engineers in the country to support development.

One such initiative involves allocating over Sh628 billion, which is more than 27.4 percent of the current budget, to the Education Sector.

This allocation aims to fully implement the Competency-Based Curriculum, emphasizing the cultivation of skills and talents aligned with the learners chosen profession. Additionally, there are ongoing reforms in the funding model for tertiary learning institutions.

The Deputy President said Kenya will continue sending students and young practitioners abroad through scholarships and exchange programs to build and enhance local expertise to drive sustainable development.

Gachagua further challenged the engineers to invest in improving and updating their skills to meet the development demands of the country and the globe.

I want to emphasise that Engineering for a New World must be driven by barrier-breaking innovation. Generating new knowledge means we sharpen the existing expertise through intensified Research and Development. Companies and organisations have no option but to heavily invest in Research and Development, he said.

DP Gahcgaua mentioned that the Ruto Administration heavily depends on cutting-edge engineering expertise to successfully implement the different facets of the Kenya Kwanza Plan.

There are immense opportunities of investment in various sectors ranging from Agriculture, Manufacturing and Industry, Digital Technology, Affordable Housing, Affordable Health, among others.
On Wednesday, Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua instructed the Pharmacy and Poisons Board to crack down on pharmacies selling counterfeit drugs, emphasizing that such products pose a health risk to Kenyans.

Simultaneously, Gachagua urged foreign investors to establish manufacturing businesses in Kenya, highlighting that the government has streamlined licensing processes by eliminating bureaucratic hurdles.

The DP noted that while the Ruto Administration advocates against criminalizing any enterprise, it remains committed to preventing chemists from selling unlicensed and counterfeit medicines.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board must intensify the crackdown on manufacturing and trafficking of counterfeit pharmaceuticals across the country. We have allocated resources to facilitate the regulatory body in delivering on this assignment, he said.

Addressing a gathering in Nairobis Industrial Area at the inauguration of the Sh1.5 billion Questa Care Pharmaceuticals manufacturing company, Gachagua declared that security agencies would play a role in the enforcement crackdown.

The Pharmacy and Poisons Board must work hard. We are finding a situation where drugs that should not be sold over the counter are in chemists and pharmacies. Drugs whose sale is criminal in nature find their way to the counter. We call for a very serious operation to root out such drugs, he said.

The Deputy President welcomed the opening of the new manufacturing company, which will employ at least 500 people.

We have a challenge with the employment of the young people as 6 million youths have no jobs. Anybody starting a company in Kenya plays a great role in sorting out the unemployment crisis. We want to encourage local manufacturers and other people including international investors to come here. Local manufacturing creates jobs, saves the foreign currency and expands the tax bracket, said the Deputy President.

Manufacturing is a deliberate program for President William Rutos Administration. As an Administration, we have gone out of our way to make sure that licensing is as easy as possible by doing away with bureaucratics to enable people to start factories, he added.

In an appeal to foreign investors, Gachagua said Kenya serves as the East African regional economic hub and key state for welcoming foreign investment.

Kenya is an island of peace and security, it is an anchor State and we have good financial systems that are working. We invite people from across the world to come and invest here and more so in manufacturing because the environment is conducive for investing, he said.

The DP also mentioned the Kenya Medical Supplies Authority(KEMSA) has facilitated opportunities for Kenyan investors in the manufacturing sector, highlighting that 62 percent of drugs are now procured locally.

Kemsa is doing good by ringfencing purchase of drugs from local manufacturers for the drugs that they are able to manufacture. In a few years it will go to 100 percent, said Gachagua.
Kenya has reportedly received about Ksh.2 trillion in benefits through the diverse international agreements signed by Ruto since taking office, government spokesperson Isaac Mwaura has claimed.

Speaking at his inaugural press briefing on Wednesday, Mwaura outlined the governments accomplishments such as various investments from the United Kingdom, the United States, and China.

He cited the proposed Nairobi Railway City Development Plan supported by the United Kingdom government.

Check Out  VIDEO: This is How The Proposed Nairobi Railway City Will Look

If you have Ksh.900 billion investment in our country, it is going to be a game-changer. The biggest project they have is the railway city here in Nairobi that is going to revolutionise our urban transport system, Mwaura said.

The govt mouthpiece additionally highlighted the recent signing of a Ksh.8.7 billion ($60 million) pact with the United States Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) aimed at funding the procurement of electric buses for Line 2 of Nairobis Bus Rapid Transit system.

Mwaura also said the President has entered into Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) across various sectors, including trade, ICT, energy, transport, education, labor, and security. These agreements are designed to unlock business and employment opportunities for the country.

If we have 350,000 Kenyans going abroad imagine the kind of money that is being sent home if we are currently getting about Ksh.750 billion from Kenyans abroad, he said.

Mwaura also highlighted that Kenya secured $75 million in green investment to enhance its climate action initiatives.

Among other accomplishments, Mwaura cited the opening of Kenyas embassy in Senegal, the formation of the Kenya-Djibouti Council, and Chinas recent decision to cancel visa application appointments for Kenyans.
Government spokesman Isaac Mwaura has urged Kenyans to endure the challenges posed by the current harsh economic conditions, assuring them that the country will overcome these difficulties in the not-so-distant future.

Addressing the media on Wednesday, Mwaura reiterated that the Kenya Kwanza administration inherited a dilapidated economy from the previous regime.

When this administration came into power, we knew what we were getting ourselves into. We knew we were going to inherit a country that was reeling from a lot of public debt, he said.

Mwaura said President William Rutos administration is keen to ensure self-reliance in financing the national budget to rescue the country from the burden of substantial debt.

According to Mwaura, there was minimal flexibility for action when the current administration assumed office.

We had to come up with some new ways of financing the budget. The only way to finance development is to cut costings and we have done it by up to Sh500 billion, he said.

If we do not do that, we will use somebody elses money that they have saved and we pay through the nose. Eventually, we will get out of the hole, we are trying to rebuild a foundation, he added.

The government spokesperson told Kenyans to expect transformation in the next two years.

I really want to call upon Kenyans tuvumilie. In the next two years or so for sure, well start seeing changes, he urged.
A theft from an American Canyon convenience store Monday morning resulted in a Napa mans arrest on suspicion of felony robbery, according to police.

American Canyon Police officers were called to the 7-Eleven at 29 Rio del Mar after a report of vandalism shortly before 10:30 a.m., according to Lt. Nicol Dudley. Police found 34-year-old Eric Anthony Durel near the store and detained him on suspicion of robbery and vandalism.

According to Dudley, Durel entered the 7-Eleven and tried to leave with merchandise he had stolen and concealed. When an employee confronted him, a verbal confrontation ensued, and Durel shattered the shops glass door on his way out, Dudley said.

Durel was being held Wednesday in the Napa County jail on $100,000 bail.

Data breaches skyrocketed in the first half of 2023. See where they happened most Data breaches skyrocketed in the first half of 2023. See where they happened most Health care, financial services top the list
Norayr Aslanyan, a colonel of the reserve forces of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) Defense Army, who was awarded the first and second degrees of the Combat Cross order, has been illegally detained in the Yerevan-Kentron penitentiary for about five months. His attorneys have noted this in a statement. They added as follows:

The decision to detain Colonel Aslanyan, who is accused in the alleged illegal trafficking of weapons and ammunition, was made by the General Jurisdiction Court of Yerevan, presided over by Judge Karen Farkhoyan. The decision to extend the detention as well as to reject the defenses motion to replace the detention with an alternative means of securing appearance were made by the same presiding judge.

It is remarkable how ungrounded accusation and inappropriate reasonings have been applied to formalize the deprivation of freedom of a military man. Colonel Aslanyan, the deputy head of the security department in the staff of the President of the Republic of Artsakh, is accused of possessing weapons and ammunition that were legally provided to him, attorney Armen Andrikyan noted.

According to the defense attorney, it is also noteworthy that the criminal prosecution against Norayr Aslanyan was assigned to the Head investigative department of the RA National Security Service, but it is not clear why a case of an alleged crime is being investigated by the main investigative department of the National Security Service of the RA instead of RA Investigative Committee. This further comes to support the fact that the proceeding against Norayr Aslanyan transcends a purely legal context and has other hidden goals.

Due to the confidentiality of the pre-trial proceedings, the defense team cannot provide more details at the moment, but they believe that the basis of the case is an absurd accusation from a legal point of view. The lawyers have presented evidence directly refuting the accusation to both the court and the body conducting the proceedings, but for unknown reasons, neither the court nor the body conducting the proceedings made any reference to this evidence.

Previously, the law enforcement system presented two arguments justifying the decision to detain Norayr Aslanyan: firstly, that the military officer could obstruct the investigation because he enjoys authority among the public, and secondly, that he could hide from the investigation by leaving for Artsakh. After five months of investigation and the complete depopulation of Artsakh, the defense finds it puzzling how the reasons for obstructing the investigation and the potential escape to Artsakh are relevant.

To recall, Norayr Nelson Aslanyan is a military commander with a higher military education who served in the Armenian Army from 1991 to 2022. He was awarded the Combat Cross of the second and first degree, as well as many medals of the Military Service of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, for his significant successes in military affairs. From 2021, he held the position of deputy head of the security department in the staff of the President of the Republic of Artsakh.
Bahrain International Airport recently welcomed the first Flynas flight from Riyadh.

The introduction of new Flynas connections will further strengthen the regional connectivity and promote tourism and business opportunities between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia, said a statement.

The inaugural Flynas A320 flight from Riyadh to Bahrain which started operations on November 15 was greeted with a warm welcome. The new route will be operated with a frequency of seven flights per week between King Khalid International Airport in Riyadh and Bahrain International Airport.

Saudi Arabia has always been a key market for us, with airline connectivity between the two countries over seven decades attracting a passenger traffic of around 1.5 million annually. The new connections with Flynas reaffirms our commitment to strengthening the bond between the two nations, with enhanced connectivity that will not only benefit travelers but also foster cultural exchange, business collaborations, and tourism ties, said Mohamed Yousif Al Binfalah, Chief Executive Officer at Bahrain Airport Company.

The introduction of new routes comes in line with the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Bahrain and Saudi Arabia promoting the two countries as a joint regional and global destination, attracting more tourism investments as well as improving and enriching the experience of tourists in the region.  TradeArabia News Service
Armenia president attends COP 28 opening ceremony

Defense minister meets with head of EU delegation to Armenia (PHOTOS)

Armenia Security Council chief to travel to US

Armenia was informed about antiterrorist measures in Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan FM claims

Ambassador Kvien: US proud to work with Armenian counterparts to preserve Armenias cultural heritage

PM lauds Romania role in deploying EU civilian monitoring mission in Armenia

Porsche holds 3rd generation Panamera world premiere

Hamas violated ceasefire, Israel says

US dissatisfied with Turkey

Newspaper: Armenia national air carrier suspending flights

Archaeologists to soon reveal Great Pyramid of Gizas main secret

Fast & Furious 9 movie producers fined $1M

Armenia, mediators are to blame for military aggression against Karabakh Armenians, Azerbaijan FM claims

Armenia did not participate in the meeting of representatives of the CSTO member states

The OSCE Chairmanship supports the dialog aimed at concluding a peace treaty between Baku and Yerevan

We need Azerbaijan to stop rejecting proposals of facilitators to meet and finalize the peace treaty. Ararat Mirzoyan

Representatives of CSTO member states met in Northern Macedonia

Nassim Taleb: Painful that Mt. Ararat is in Turkey, Armenia is having territorial reductions

Nassim Taleb predicts 3 major global risks: pandemic, financial collapse, rising debt

Armenian captive Gagik Voskanyan not brought to court, Azerbaijan media report

Mirzoyan to Colomina: Azerbaijan public position on territorial integrity mutual recognition is of paramount necessity

Lavrov: Russia ready to contribute to normalization of Armenia-Azerbaijan relations

Mirzoyan presents to Lavrov Armenia positions regarding Russia steps

Ararat Mirzoyan, Javier Colomina discuss Armenia-NATO partnership

Kremlin: Russia considers Armenia an ally

France envoy to Armenia: Karabakh refugees have the right to return to their homes

Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation commissions 5th meeting held at border

Poland First Lady arrives in Armenia

The PM, no longer the president, to appoint and dismiss Armenia National Security Service director and deputies

Armenia president travels to Dubai for UN Climate Change Conference

Armenia, Azerbaijan FMs meeting not planned in North Macedonia

International law expert: Torture, inhumane treatment of Armenian detainees continues in Azerbaijan

US deputy assistant secretary of state for education, cultural Affairs is in Armenia

FM to France official: Armenia sent recommendations package to Azerbaijan to move settlement process forward (PHOTOS)

Monument Watch: Azerbaijan propaganda machine circulates new theory

Armenia FM, EU foreign policy chief confer about South Caucasus security

Maragos: There is move towards situation stabilization on the ground ever since EU mission deployment in Armenia

EU ambassador: Armenia citizens largely benefit from Visa Facilitation agreement

Armenia, Azerbaijan border delimitation state commissions meeting kicks off

Ambassador Maragos: EU hopes Armenia, Azerbaijan will come to some understanding during border delimitation talks

Yerevan hosting international conference on Armenian communities of Middle East

Ararat Mirzoyan, David Cameron speak about South Caucasus developments

Former US Secretary of State Henry Kissinger dies aged 100

Towards a Brighter Tomorrow: India's G20 Presidency and the Dawn of a New Multilateralism

Newspaper: Armenia, Azerbaijan deputy PMs to meet today in Tavush Province

Mirzoyan, Blinken discuss South Caucasus security, stability

Ararat Mirzoyan underscores Netherlands support to Armenia sovereignty

EU reiterates support to Armenia-Azerbaijan relations normalization based on 1991 Almaty Declaration

Deputy PM Mher Grigoryan stresses EU programs strategic importance for Armenia

Envoy presents vision of Armenias Crossroads of Peace project to Greece lawmaker

Armenia, Georgia security councils chiefs discuss regional security, stability (PHOTOS)

Another judicial farce to begin in Azerbaijan against another Armenian

Opposition MP: Armenia will face serious economic problems next year

Karabakh ex-official says he does not consider signing Armenia-Azerbaijan peace treaty possible at this phase

Dollar, euro go up in Armenia

Armenia premier meets with big businessman from Egypt

Armenia economy minister: Situation at Upper Lars checkpoint is strange

EU Special Representative for South Caucasus discusses peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan in Turkey

Amazon Web Services representative to Armenia PM: We are in active discussions with high-tech ministry

The banks should help the customers in making right decisions when managing their own funds. Saribek Sukiasyan

Armenia FM to attend OSCE Ministerial Council

Armenia-UK 6th strategic defense consultations held in London (PHOTOS)

Gagik Aghajanyan: Upper Lars border checkpoint closure means Armenia-Russia relations termination

Vahan Kerobyan: Armenia, Russia representatives will discuss situation at Upper Lars border checkpoint

Kremlin: Currently no plans for Russia President-Armenia PM contacts

Freight-forwarding company director: Yerevan is 2nd largest cargo-container hub in South Caucasus

Armenia, Azerbaijan deputy PMs meeting to be held in Tavush-Kazakh sector of border, media report

Russia MFA pays attention to dispute over Armenian Gardens in Jerusalem

Armenia parliament speaker: I tried to grasp who these people are who dont want to live side by side with Azerbaijanis

Media: South Caucasus to be discussed at Turkey security council

Karabakh former official Samvel Babayan speaks about negotiating with Azerbaijan

Karabakh ex-official: Artsakh issue cannot be resolved at any time

Japan space agency hit with cyberattack

Saudi Arabia capital Riyadh wins right to host Expo 2030 world fair

Newspaper: Armenia ruling force MP ready to live in Azerbaijan if his safety is ensured

World's largest iceberg moves, leaves Antarctica after nearly 40 years of 'rest'

Armenian-made satellite to be launched into space on Friday

Armenia MFA: Azerbaijan continues blocking matter of sending UNESCO mission to Karabakh

Turkey deputy FM, Toivo Klaar discuss South Caucasus, media report

Armenia deputy PM receives World Bank regional director

Dollar, euro drop Armenia

Cyprus to host 30 children forcibly displaced from Karabakh, for 12 days of entertainment

"Gyumri" branch of AMIO BANK was reopened under a new brand (PHOTOS)

Alen Simonyan: Armenia should attend EAEU summit in St. Petersburg

Armenia legislature head: Karabakh issue was resolved in 2016

PM Nikol Pashinyan receives delegation led by head of the Lithuania-Armenia interparliamentary friendship group

Some Armenia trucks sent back from Upper Lars checkpoint on Georgia-Russia border

National Assembly speaker: Nagorno-Karabakh issue does not exist for Armenia

Alen Simonyan: No agreement on new meeting between Armenia, Azerbaijan leaders

Armenia legislature speaker: Peace agreement can be signed within next 15 days if Azerbaijan shows political will

Armenia legislature head: Our political relations with Russia are bit tense

Irakli Garibashvili to Armenia PM staff chief: Georgia ready to assist peace process in region

Armenia parliament chair: We are ready to return Azerbaijanis enclaves to them

Amaryan Charitable Foundation Commits initial 122 mln AMD in Support to Syunik Region

Armenia National Assembly speaker: We have 31 villages whose territories are under Azerbaijan occupation

Embassies to be opened in Armenia, S. Korea on reciprocity basis

Armenia legislature head: I don't understand what Azerbaijan delaying time will give it or to the region

Alen Simonyan: Azerbaijan attempts to erase Armenian trace from Armenian highlands are unacceptable

How did Cyprus company that bought MTS Armenia shares gain Public Services Regulatory Commissions trust?

Armenia legislature head: We expect support of Western countries in making democracy more resistant
We proceed from the fact that CSTO membership ensures Armenia with the necessary level of security. Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), stated this at Wednesdays press briefingand answering the question whether she considers it possible that Armenia will withdraw from the agreements with Russia, in particular from the CSTO.

According to Zakharova, first of all, this question should be asked to Armenia.

"It is a sovereign country with its own plans, strategy, and responsibility towards its people. Secondly, we do not have specific information on this matter. We have not received it, we have not seen it, we have not read it. Thirdly, we proceed from the fact that CSTO membership ensures Armenia with the necessary level of security. There are a number of examples. Naturally, one cannot manipulate the data, which, sadly, we often read in the Armenian media, information resources, when incompatible things are combined. Assessment of the effectiveness of the CSTO and the situation around the settlement of [the] Nagorno-Karabakh [conflict], which has a completely different legal nature and completely different forms of settlement, etc., etc. Sadly, these topics were used in order to manipulate public consciousness. Who benefits from all this? I believe that this is not beneficial to Armenia, first of all, but it is better to address the issue there," said the official representative of the Russian MFA.
09:23

Delhi's air quality has deteriorated further and now stands closer to the "severe plus" category, a stage which might trigger the implementation of the odd-even car rationing measure in the capital.

The city's air quality index stood at 437 at 7 am, worsening from 419 at 4 pm on Thursday.

The capital's 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm every day, was 401 on Wednesday, 397 on Tuesday, 358 on Monday, 218 on Sunday, 220 on Saturday, and 279 on Friday.

The relatively better air quality last weekend is attributed to rain. Air pollution levels surged in the following days due to intense firecracker bursting on Diwali night and a resurgence in stubble burning in the neighbouring states.

These effects were compounded by unfavourable meteorological conditions, primarily calm winds and low temperatures, hindering the dispersion of pollutants. Neighbouring Ghaziabad (374), Gurugram (404), Greater Noida (313), Noida (366), and Faridabad (415) also recorded very poor to severe air quality.

An AQI between zero and 50 is considered good, 51 and 100 satisfactory, 101 and 200 moderate, 201 and 300 poor, 301 and 400 very poor, 401 and 450 severe and above 450 severe plus.

Earlier this week, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai had mentioned the possibility of the return of the odd-even car rationing measure if the AQI crosses the 450-mark.

The measure, implemented four times since 2016, allows cars to operate on alternate days based on the odd or even last digit of their registration numbers. The last enforcement was in 2019.

The government last week postponed its implementation after a notable improvement in the city's air quality due to rain on Friday.

Recent findings from a joint project by the Delhi government and IIT-Kanpur found that vehicular emissions accounted for about 38 per cent of the capital's air pollution on Wednesday. This reduced to 25 per cent on Thursday.

Secondary inorganic aerosols -- particles such as sulfate and nitrate that are formed in the atmosphere due to the interaction of gases and particulate pollutants from sources like power plants, refineries, and vehicles -- is the second major contributor to Delhi's foul air, accounting for 30 to 35 per cent of the air pollution in the city the last few days.

Calm winds and low temperatures are allowing accumulation of pollutants and relief is unlikely over the next few days, an official at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said. -- PTI
The Alumni Association at UC Santa Cruz is proud to present this years honorees of the UCSC Alumni Awards. These awards recognize and honor alumni who have demonstrated outstanding professional achievements, made distinct contributions to society, provided impactful contributions to UCSC, and who have embodied the values and spirit of the university.

Mark Phillips received the Alumni Achievement Award on Oct. 27, 2023, for his pioneering supernova research that led to the reversal of a major scientific theory on the trajectory of the universe, and for the indelible legacy he has left for aspiring astronomers.

A comet in the southern California sky ignited in Mark Phillips (Ph.D. 77, astronomy & astrophysics) a lifelong passion for studying the cosmos and inspired a brilliant career as a world-renowned astronomer.

With a mathematical mind and habitual curiosity, Phillips was destined for a megastar career behind a telescope. His interest in the galaxies was sparked when his father woke him in the middle of the night to witness a comet in the San Diego sky when he was in junior high school. A science unit on constellations, an amateur astronomy magazine, and tutoring sessions to help his sister through an astronomy course in college fueled his decision to study astronomy and math at San Diego State and to pursue a Ph.D. in astronomy and astrophysics at UC Santa Cruz.

UCSC professor instilled his love of research

While pursuing his Ph.D. at UCSC, Phillips worked as a research assistant for Dr. Don Osterbrock, who became an important mentor for Phillips, both personally and professionally.

He had a tremendous impact on my career, said Phillips. He was a second father to me. He instilled in me the love of research, and bird watching!

Osterbrock, an avid birder, invited Phillips to go birding soon after he arrived on campus. Phillips found that he not only enjoyed having an eye on the night sky, but he also enjoyed searching for birds during the day. This shaped his lifelong interest in photographing birds, which he enjoys near his home in La Serena, Chile.

The mountains drew him to Chile; the night sky kept him there

A California native, Phillips did not anticipate spending 44 years of his life in Chile. It was his love for hiking that first drew him to the South American country that boasts endless mountain ranges.

A scientist from the Cerro Tololo Interamerican Observatory (CITO) came to campus to recruit young astronomers, said Phillips. I liked to hike, and I knew Chile was famous for mountains, so I was intrigued.

Phillips and his roommate, Steve Hawley (Ph.D. 77, astronomy & astrophysics), ventured to Chile together. Their shared experience launched careers in which they would become pioneers in their fieldPhillips on the ground and Hawley in the sky. Hawley, who became a NASA astronaut, received the 1985-86 UCSC Alumni Achievement Award.

Phillips acclimated well to South America. He mastered conversational Spanishimpressing Silvanna, a native Chilean, whom he marriedand after postdoctoral work in Australia, he returned to a staff position at CITO. During his 18-year tenure he made a revolutionary discovery.

Pioneering formula was impetus to scientific breakthrough

After more than a decade of research on powerful energy sources in the nuclei of galaxiesa continuation of the work on which he and Osterbrock collaborated at UCSCPhillips turned his attention to supernovae (exploding stars), and specifically, Type Ia supernovae. There was one significant hurdle: supernovae can only be seen in the Milky Way Galaxy about every 100 years.

We found a telescope that could help us discover Type Ia supernovae in tens of other galaxies, giving us an enormous amount of data, said Phillips.

He began measuring the light patterns with time of Type Ia supernovae with never-before-used methods. He published his new formula on how to precisely measure cosmic distancesreferred to as the Phillips Relationshipin a seminal paper in 1993. It was a breakthrough that fueled excitement within the cosmology community and opened new opportunities that would have astronomical scientific impacts.

A trip back in time uncovered a key to the future

After that study was released, it was game on, said Phillips, who with colleagues from Chile formed the Calan/Tololo Supernova Survey. The team used the brightness of the Type Ia supernova to produce precise calibrations and measurements of the Hubble Constant, which provides information on the rate of expansion and the age of the universe.

Phillips then joined a group of 20 astronomers in forming the High-Z Supernova Search team, which measured the light of distant supernovae that exploded billions of years ago. According to Phillips, this work enabled them to essentially look back in time to gain a better understanding of how the universe has evolved with time.

We went further back in time to search for supernovae when they were much further away, and measured the expansion rate as a function time, looking backwards, said Phillips.

And that is when a major scientific discovery with philosophical implications was discovered.

A decades-long theory gets reversed

We had always thought that after the Big Bang, the expansion of the universe would slow down with time due to the force of gravity, said Phillips. But what we found was that it was actually expanding and accelerating. It was totally unexpected and a complete reversal of the theory that astronomers had held for decades.

These shocking new findings by the High-Z Supernova Search team, along with those published by an independent research team at Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory, led to the idea that a mysterious Dark Energy is acting against gravity to accelerate the expansion of the universe. For their extraordinary discovery, both teams were honored with the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2011.

For his part, Phillips and the High-Z Supernova Search team all shared in the 2007 Gruber Cosmology Prize, widely acknowledged in the field of cosmology as second only to the Nobel Prize. The team also was honored with the 2015 Breakthrough Prize for Fundamental Physics.

Whats next?

Though recently retired, the light on his illustrious career is still flickering as Phillips wraps up a paper on decades-long research he began at Carnegies Las Campanas Observatory, where he served for 14 years.

Phillips spent his entire career in observatories exploring stars that exploded millions of years ago in galaxies far away to help shed light on the future of our own universe. And like the constellations that were his North star, his legacy work will guide and inspire the next generation of astronomers curious to unlock the mysteries that lie beyond them.
The discussion aimed to promote a robust exchange of knowledge, research, and innovative solutions to address pressing global challenges.

Minister Piyush Goyal posted on X, "Held a roundtable discussion with prominent academicians at Stanford University. Highlighted the vast opportunities for collaboration with India's higher education institutions to foster a vibrant exchange of knowledge, research and pathbreaking solutions to key global issues".

Goyal emphasized the vast opportunities for academic partnerships between Stanford University and institutions in India.

He stressed the importance of fostering an environment that encourages the flow of ideas and expertise, contributing to the development of cutting-edge solutions that transcend geographical boundaries.

The roundtable discussion delved into various aspects of collaboration, including joint research initiatives, student and faculty exchange programs, and the creation of platforms for interdisciplinary dialogue.

Goyal acknowledged the role of academia in shaping the future and addressing complex global issues.

Prominent academicians at Stanford University welcomed the proposal, expressing enthusiasm for fostering meaningful collaborations that could drive advancements in diverse fields.

The discussions encompassed areas such as technology, healthcare, sustainability, and social innovation.

As the meeting concluded, Minister Goyal expressed optimism about the potential positive impact of such collaborations, reinforcing India's commitment to global cooperation in higher education.

The roundtable at Stanford stands as a testament to India's proactive approach in building international partnerships to fuel progress in education, research, and innovation.

Earlier the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, spearheaded a compelling interaction with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and venture capitalists.

Goyal posted on X, "Had an engaging interaction with Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs & Venture Capitalists. Highlighted how India's young talent, vibrant business ecosystem & growing economy present the perfect opportunity for investments. Menlo Park, California"

The minister seized the opportunity to spotlight India's vibrant business ecosystem, burgeoning economy, and immense potential for strategic investments.

In an engaging session, Goyal underscored the ideal investment climate fostered by India's young and dynamic talent pool. He illuminated the diverse opportunities within the Indian business landscape, emphasizing its resilience and adaptability.

Goyal's outreach to Silicon Valley, a global hub for innovation and technology, marks a strategic move to fortify India's position in the international investment arena.

The minister's insights resonated with the entrepreneurial spirit of the gathered audience, fostering a dialogue aimed at forging stronger economic ties between India and the United States. (ANI)
NewsVoir New Delhi [India], November 16: As the iconic Pushkar Mela 2023 approaches, global hospitality technology company OYO has announced a special offer for guests visiting Pushkar and Ajmer to partake in the festivities. Under this offer, guests can avail up to 70% discount across all OYO hotels across Ajmer and Pushkar, including Capital O, Collection O, and Spot On. The offer is valid from November 15, 2023, to November 28, 2023. Known for its cultural richness and vibrant atmosphere, Pushkar Mela attracts travellers from across the globe who come to witness the world's largest camel fair, participate in cultural events, and explore the unique charm of Pushkar. With its world-class services, OYO is all set to elevate the experience for attendees of this grand event by offering accommodations that are both affordable and comfortable. Guests can avail this discount by downloading the OYO App, search for a hotel in Pushkar or Ajmer, select the coupon code 'PUSHKARMELA70' and hit the Book Now and Pay at Hotel button. Speaking about the offer, an OYO Spokesperson said, "OYO is delighted to be a part of the excitement surrounding the Pushkar Mela 2023. As we extend our warmest hospitality to attendees, we're committed to enhancing their experience with accommodations that combine affordability and comfort. We believe in making every moment memorable and are dedicated to ensuring guests have an unforgettable stay during this grand event." OYO is a global platform that aims to empower entrepreneurs and small businesses with hotels and homes by providing full-stack technology products and services that aim to increase revenue and ease operations, bringing easy-to-book, affordable, and trusted accommodation to customers around the world. OYO offers 40+ integrated products and solutions to patrons who operate over 168,711 hotel and home storefronts in more than 35 countries including India, Europe and Southeast Asia, as of September 30, 2022. For more information, visit www.oyorooms.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)
The police said that the consignment was meant to be transported to Kerala from the Alluri Sitharama Raju district of the state.

Narsipatnam Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Adiraj Singh Rana told ANI that the Narsipatnam Rural Police seized the consignment when they were conducting a vehicle inspection at Nellimetta.

He added that four persons in a Kerala-registered car tried to flee after seeing the police personnel, but the police personnel were able to catch them.

"140 kg of ganja, three cell phones and 3 thousand cash in three bags were seized from them. Three of the arrested accused are from Kerala state and one is from Darakonda in Andhra Pradesh," Adiraj Singh Rana said. (ANI)
Union Minister Anurag Thakur on Wednesday accused the Congress government in Chhattisgarh of making the state an "epicentre of loot". He also exuded confidence in the BJP's win in the upcoming Assembly election in the state on the basis of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's "guarantee". "The promises that were made (by Congress) were fake like Congress. They (the Chhattisgarh government) made Chhattisgarh an epicentre of loot and the corruption money was sent to a party and one family...Chhattisgarh won't be looted anymore and will go in the direction of development," Anurag Thakur told reporters here. He alleged that Chhattisgarh people are fed up with "corrupt" Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Congress. "The environment that is visible in Chhattisgarh is clearly showing that people are fed up with corrupt Bhupesh Baghel and Congress who make false promises. On the basis of PM Modi's guarantee, the BJP government is going to be formed, "Anurag Thakur told reporters here. Meanwhile, lashing out at the Congress government in Chhattisgarh, Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday called Bhupesh Baghel a 'prepaid CM'. Addressing a public meeting in the state ahead of the second phase of the Assembly elections on November 17, the Union Home Minister said, "The Congress has a prepaid CM in Chhattisgarh. He works only in accordance with the amount paid in bribes to him. He doesn't work unless bribed to do so." Shah alleged that CM Baghel turned the entire state into a collection centre and an ATM for the Congress. Accusing the CM of indulging in a number of scams in Chhattisgarh, he said the legacies that he will leave behind for the people are the Rs 6,600 crore PDS scam, the Rs 5000 crore Mahadev betting app scam, the public service commission scam, and the district mineral fund scam of Rs 700 crore, among others. "I have heard of a lot of scams in my life but I never heard about one involving cow dung. But Bhupesh Baghel indulged in a cow dung scam as well," Shah added. The Union Home Minister also lauded Prime Minister Narendra Modi for naming the landing point of the ISRO spacecraft on the moon's south face as the 'Shiv-Shakti' point, adding that it demonstrated his 'respect' for Mahadev, another name for Lord Shiva. The first phase of assembly elections for the 20 legislative assembly seats in Chhattisgarh was conducted on November 7. The remaining 70 seats in the state will go to polls in the second phase on November 17. The counting of votes for Chhattisgarh, along with four other poll-bound states, is scheduled for December 3. (ANI)
Justice BV Nagarathna, a Supreme Court judge has voiced concerns about Lok Ayukta becoming a "toothless tiger" due to restrictive amendments. "It is also essential that Lok Ayukta in all states are provided resources and necessary support to carry out their tasks independently. Rendering this noble institution a toothless tiger unable to meaningfully carry out its mandate through the form of restrictive amendments or other forms should be discouraged and resisted, nor should the institution be used for political ends or to settle scores," she said while addressing the Lok Ayukta Day celebration organised by the Kerala Lok Ayukta on Wednesday. Justice Nagarathna said she was "very impressed" by Section 14 of the Act. "Where after an investigation into a complaint, the Lok Ayukta is satisfied that the complaint involving an allegation against a public servant is substantiated, then the public servant concerned should not continue to hold the post held by him, the Lokayukta shall make a declaration to that effect in its report under subsection 3 of Section 12 and the competent authority must accept the declaration." Further, she stressed the need for Lokayuktas in all states to be adequately resourced and independent and strongly opposed any attempts to undermine this institution or use it for political purposes. Kerala government's decision to amend the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act had sparked debate and criticism. Section 14 is among the points amended by the Kerala state legislative assembly in the Lok Ayukta Act. This bill is currently pending before the governor. However, Justice Nagarathna did not comment on this particular amendment. (ANI)
The visuals of an income tax official's car parked outside were seen and Chennai police were also deployed for security.

More details are awaited.

Earlier on November 7, Income Tax conducted raids in the premises linked to Tamil Nadu, Public Works and Highways Department Minister EV Velu at Tiruvannamalai.

The search operations were conducted at locations allegedly linked to the Minister.

Earlier, raids were conducted at around 10 places in Chennai, including raids at India Private Limited and Radha Engineering Works Private Limited.

In October, IT also searched multiple premises linked to DMK MP S Jagathrakshakan. IT officials raided over 40 locations, including the Arakkonam MP's residence in Adyar and office, and some educational institutions, in connection with suspected tax evasion. (ANI)
As per the release, the Union Minister will address public meetings in Gadwal, Nalgonda and Warangal East Assembly constituencies.

Shah is scheduled to hold a meeting with Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS) leaders in Hyderabad, who have been demanding internal reservations within the Scheduled Caste (SC) category.

During his visit, Amit Shah will also release BJP's election manifesto in Hyderabad.

Earlier on November 11, Prime Minister Narendra Modi attended a public gathering organised by the MRPS, a community organisation of Madigas, one of the biggest constituents of scheduled castes in Telangana.

Madigas is a Dalit community with a sizeable population historically occupied by leather workers and manual scavengers.

Telangana is set to witness an intriguing triangular contest between the BRS, Congress, and BJP.

The state will go to assembly elections on November 30 and counting of votes, along with those of four other poll-bound states, has been scheduled for December 3.

In the previous Assembly election in the state in 2018, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), previously known as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), won 88 of the 119 seats, hogging 47.4 per cent of the total vote share. The Congress came in a distant second with just 19 seats. (ANI)
The President of India, Droupadi Murmu addressed the third Audit Diwas celebrations in New Delhi today. Speaking on the occasion, the President said, "Under the leadership of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India, the government's audit community has made significant contributions in strengthening integrity, governance, and system building," "Removing obstacles to achieving the national goals of accelerated growth and development while ensuring financial propriety and legality is the touchstone of effective contribution by every institution and individual responsible for good governance, including the CAG," the President added. President Droupadi Murmu said that the auditor should not be considered a critic but a facilitator of good governance. He should be considered a guide whose scrutiny teaches us to follow the right path. "Today, the entire team of CAG is expected to contribute as a controller and examiner who is both a companion and a guide in the country's development journey. In the near future, you all will play a special role in making India the third-largest economy in the world," said President Murmu. The President said that the people of India want to move forward rapidly towards building a developed India by the year 2047. "All important institutions and communities in the country, including CAG, have to contribute to achieving this goal. She was happy to note that CAG has taken many forward-looking steps, including the establishment of the Centre for Data Management and Analytics, in which digital technology and other modern methods are being used in line with the future," added Murmu. The President said that the entire team of CAG is expected to contribute as a controller and an examiner who is both a companion and a guide in the country's developmental journey. She stated that the C&AG team will have an important role in making India the third-largest economy in the world. "The impact of today's market system, characterized by global competition, is relevant to all institutions and enterprises. The ability to compete on the basis of ethics should continuously increase in all enterprises and activities of the country. Removing obstacles in achieving the national goals of accelerated growth and development while ensuring financial propriety and legality is the touchstone of effective contribution by every institution and individual responsible for good governance, including the CAG, " said the President of India. "The President said that India's leading position in the world community is also visible in the field of audit. The emphasis on the issues of the blue economy and responsible artificial intelligence during India's presidency of Supreme Audit Institutions 20 (SAI 20) is a good effort to prepare a roadmap for the future. She was happy to note that C&AG is also playing a leading role in other international forums," the President concluded. (ANI)
The Rouse Avenue court of Delhi on Thursday extended the ED custody of three accused in connection with the Delhi Waqf Board money laundering case for one day. Link Special Judge Geetanjali Goel extended the ED custody of three accused namely Javed Imam Siddiqui, Jishan Haider and Dawood Nasir. Enforcement Directorate (ED) sought six days remand. The court directed to produce accused persons before the concerned court tomorrow. The accused persons were produced before the link judge as the concerned judge was not available. Advocate Manish Vedvan appeared for accused Dawood Nasir. He submitted before the court that he was made to wait to meet his client. He reached at ED office at 6 PM but was allowed entry at 6.45 PM. The court also noted the submission that Dawood Nasir has suffered from severe lower back pain for the last 10 years and was taken to RML Hospital. On his return from the hospital, he was interrogated till 1 AM. The counsel also submitted that the accused was forced to sign a statement written in the English language. However, he asked for a statement in the Hindi language as he doesn't understand the English language. Advocate Manu Sharma for Javed Imam Siddiqui opposed the remand. He submitted that the accused joined the investigation 15 times and gave documents five times. Advocate Nitesh Rana appeared for accused Jishan Haider in the matter. As per ED, this money laundering case pertains to the sale and purchase of land for Rs 13.40 crores. It is alleged that the transaction involves proceeds of crime. The agency has alleged that they have been arrested in a case sale-purchase of property with ill-gotten money from Amanat Ullah Khan. On the last date of the hearing, the agency submitted that the accused persons were not cooperating in the investigation and were evasive in their replies. ED had argued that ill-gotten money was used in the transaction and Rs 4 crores were paid in cash. The special public prosecutor for ED submitted that there is sufficient ground for the arrest of accused persons and the same was communicated to them. The court had asked for the evidence and the counsel for ED had said there is a diary of Qausar Imam Siddiqui in which there was an entry of Rs 8 crores. The court had asked if it is related to Amanat Ullah to which ED responded, "Yes. We will show the court. Siddiqui was the middle man." The agency's counsel further submitted that a remand of 14 days is required for two major reasons. One is the confrontation of accused persons with each other and the data culled out also required to be confronted. It is alleged that Javed Imam got this property through a sale deed. He sold the property for Rs 13.40 crore. Jishan paid money in cash to Javed Imam. On the other hand, Advocate Nitish Rana appeared for Jishan Haider. He argued that arrest is illegal and therefore they should be released. The accused were called to the ED office on November 10 at 11 AM. They were arrested on November 12 after a period of 24 hours. Advocate Rana argued that there is an Agreement to Sell (ATS). "Rs 9 crores have been paid through banking channel and Rs 4 crore is to be paid," Advocate Rana submitted. He further argued that Jishan Haider joined the investigation four times. The only allegation against him is there is another ATS recovered from him. He argued, "After 7 years you (ED) are registering a case and investigating. The alleged proceeds of crime were generated seven years back." He submitted that Amanat Ullah Khan and Qausar Siddiqui are on bail. The Look Out Circular (LOC) against Javed Imam Siddiqui was quashed on November 8 by the concerned court. Three days before the arrest, Rana argued. He further submitted, "Let them be in judicial custody as the matter is coming for hearing on November 16 before the concerned court." "First of all, the question of illegal custody is to be decided. It is my suggestion," the Defence counsel contended. "How did you make him sit the whole night in the ED office without arrest," he asked. ED's special public prosecutor (SPP) submitted that the accused persons came at 12 noon on November 10. The next day at 11.30 am they were arrested. Let the record be produced including pass and CCTV footage of the ED office, Rana argued. He argued that no accused can be detained for more than 24 hours without the permission of the court and added that the accused were arrested three hours after the lapse of a period of 24 hours at around 2.30 PM and produced before the court at 3.30 PM. He further added that non-cooperation and being evasive is not a ground for arrest. "After illegal detention of more than 24 hours, you are seeking police custody?," he asked. The defence counsel also submitted that Jishan Haider is 64, has undergone open heart surgery, has been advised angiography, and is diabetic. He further argued that the requirement of Section 19 of PMLA does not stand as there is no sufficient and cogent evidence to conclude that the suspect is guilty of money laundering. He also referred to the High Court rules which say custody should be demanded for extracting statements from the accused. There has to be some evidence that Amanat Ullah earned the money from proceeds of crime, Rana argued. A charge sheet was filed by the CBI without arresting Amanat Ullah Khan who is the main accused, counsel argued. Advocate further argued that thereafter, an FIR was registered by the ACB. My client Dawood Nasir has no connection with Amanat Ullah Khan. ED found nothing from his premises during the search, the counsel argued. Advocate Arjun Kakkar appeared for Javed Imam Siddiqui. Advocate Kakkar submitted that the LOC against him was quashed on November 8. They summoned him on November 9. On November 10 at 11 AM they made him sit till 11 AM the next day. Javed Imam has been an NRI Dubai for the last 15 years. He came to India for heart treatment. Advocate Kakkar representing Javed Imam Siddiqui argued that the ED interrogated Javed more than 15 times. He submitted that the Agreement to Sell (ATS) was in 2021. CBI's FIR is from 2017. They arrested Javed just because the LOC against him was quashed. (ANI)
As the Rajasthan assembly poll date of November 25 nears, Congress' Rahul Gandhi joined the campaign trail along with Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and party leader Sachin Pilot. Speaking at a rally in Churu, Rahul accused the BJP-led Modi government of promoting Adani and big businessmen and alleged that demonetization had finished all small businessmen. "Narendra Modi implemented GST. For the first time in India, farmers have to pay taxes. He (PM Modi) did demonetization and finished all small businessmen. Wherever you look, Adani is doing some or the other business; airports, ports, cement plants, and roads are all his. So, he works for the rich. He helps Adani; Adani earns money, and that money is used abroad. Foreign companies are purchased," said Rahul Gandhi while addressing a rally in Churu, Rajasthan. "(PM) Narendra Modi travels in an aeroplane worth Rs 12,000 crore and a car worth Rs 12 crore. In the last 10 years, have you seen PM Modi with any farmer or labourer or small shopkeeper? You won't see him. You will see him travelling to the USA in an aeroplane and meeting the US President. You will see his picture with Adani, but not with poor farmers, unemployed youth" the former Congress president further said. The Congress leader claimed that unlike the BJP he and his party always fulfilled their commitments to the people " Whatever money there is the BJP has given to the likes of Adani. That money is what I want to give to the people of India, into the pockets of the poor. I am not Narendra Modi, I do not lie or make false promises. What I promise I make sure that is done" Rahul Gandhi said. Lauding the Congress government of Rajasthan, Rahul Gandhi said, "The state government has worked for you a lot. Remember one thing: if the BJP government is formed here, whatever we did--be it a pension scheme, a health scheme, a Rs 500 gas cylinder, or Rs 10,000 for women--will all be scrapped by them and they will once again start helping billionaires. If you vote for Congress, the poor, farmers, and small businessmen will benefit. Here, we run a government of the poor; we protect you." Amid frenzied speculation of infighting among Congress members in Rajasthan, party leader Rahul Gandhi was seen with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress leader Sachin Pilot in Jaipur, saying that "we are not only seen together but we are also united." Meanwhile, the BJP's manifesto outlines several key resolutions aimed at improving the lives of citizens. The party plans to increase the financial assistance provided to farmers under this scheme to Rs 12,000 per year under the PM Kisan Samman Nidhi scheme. The Laho Incentive Scheme aims to support poor families by providing a savings bond at the birth of their daughters. The bond will mature over time, providing Rs 26,000 in class 6, Rs 18,000 in class 9, Rs 10,000 in class 10, Rs 12,000 in class 11, Rs 14,000 in class 12, Rs 50,000 in the first and last year of vocational courses, and a lump sum of Rs 1 lakh at the age of 21. BJP also aims to help the economically weaker families' students, who will receive annual assistance of Rs 1,200 to purchase school bags, books, and uniforms through Direct Benefit Transfer. It also plans to invest Rs 40,000 crores in the health sector under the Bhamashah Health Infrastructure Mission, which aims to expand and modernize health infrastructure. The party plans to form a Special Investigation Team to quickly investigate paper leak cases and take strict action against the culprits. Rajasthan is set to undergo assembly polls on November 25 and the counting of votes will be done on December 3. The BJP won 163 seats in the 2013 Legislative Assembly elections and formed the government in Rajasthan. In the 2018 assembly elections, the Congress won 99 seats, while the BJP won 73 seats in the 200-member House. Gehlot eventually took the oath as CM with the support of BSP MLAs and Independents. (ANI)
"Chaired a high-level meeting in Srinagar today to review the security and development scenario in all 10 districts of Kashmir Division. The Jammu and Kashmir Administration is committed to completely eliminating the terror ecosystem and ensuring inclusive and progressive development of UT," Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha posted on X.

Earlier, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha inaugurated the 'Chhau Parv', a traditional dance style of West Bengal, Odisha, and Jharkhand, at Srinagar's Tagore Hall.

Sangeet Natak Akademi, New Delhi, and National Academy of Music, Dance, and Drama, in collaboration with Chhau Kendra, Chandankiyari, Bokaro, Jharkhand, organized the 'Chhau Parva' Festival, Workshop, and Seminar on Chhau Dances and Folk Dances in Srinagar's Tagore Hall.

LG Manoj Sinha expressed gratitude to Sangeet Natak Academy for introducing Chhau Parva to Kashmir.

Lt Governor said, "In ancient times, Chhau was considered a war dance and an art form meant for the upliftment of the soul. The Chhau Parv aims to generate awareness about the aesthetic appeal of this rich tradition, nurture young talents, and strengthen the spirit of 'Ek Bharat-Shreshtha Bharat'." (ANI)
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met Wednesday outside of San Francisco in their first face-to-face encounter in a year. The summit, held on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), followed efforts between the US and China to increase high-level communication amid continued tensions. "I think it's paramount that you and I understand each other clearly leader to leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunication," Biden said at the start of the summit. Xi arrived in the US on Tuesday (local time) and the meeting, occurring at an undisclosed estate, marked the first encounter between the two leaders in a year and Xi's first visit to the US in six years. "For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option," Xi said in his opening remarks. "Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed." This high-stakes meeting serves as a critical test for Biden and Xi, aiming to address the escalating tensions between the two nations amid global turbulence. Despite months of friction, the fact that the meeting took place was considered a positive sign by White House aides. The White House said the meeting between President Biden and President Xi Jinping will address hard issues such as fentanyl supplies coming in from Asia and a lack of military communication. With this summit, President Biden aims to restore communications with China's Jinping. Biden, in his opening remarks, said competition between the US and China could not tilt towards conflict and added that his past meetings with Xi had been "candid, straightforward and useful." "As always, there is no substitute for face-to-face discussions. I've always found our discussions straightforward and frank," Biden said. Biden added that the leaders had a responsibility to their populations to work together, including on issues of climate change, countering narcotics trafficking and approaching artificial intelligence. While Xi said in his remarks to Biden and the US delegation, "The world has emerged from the COVID pandemic but is still under its tremendous impacts. The global economy is recovering, but its momentum remains sluggish." The Chinese president also added that his country's relationship with the U.S. has "never been smooth sailing" over the last 50 years "yet it has kept moving forward" with twists and turns. According to a senior White House official, the leaders also engaged in discussions concerning the strategic direction of the bilateral relationship and the paramount importance of maintaining open lines of communication, including military-to-military dialogue. Their agenda encompassed a wide spectrum of regional and global matters, including Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas conflict and Indo-Pacific. Furthermore, they are expected to explore opportunities for collaboration where the interests of the United States and China converge, particularly on transnational challenges of global significance, such as climate change and counter-narcotics efforts.The two leaders also addressed other issues like human rights, trade-related issues, the South China Sea dispute, and the pursuit of a fair and equitable environment for US businesses and workers. The White House official emphasised that virtually every aspect of the bilateral relationship will be open for discussion, encompassing topics such as fentanyl, artificial intelligence, and the situation of US detainees in China. A senior White House official also articulated the primary objective of the United States as establishing a framework for effectively navigating a challenging, intricate, and multifaceted relationship. In their own words, "This is not the same relationship as it was five or ten years ago. We are not setting our sights on an extensive list of specific outcomes or deliverables. Instead, our objectives are centered on the prudent management of competition, the mitigation of potential conflicts, and the preservation of open lines of communication. We approach these meetings with a grounded sense of realism regarding our expectations, recognising the imperative of responsible management of this competition, a stance that aligns with the expectations of our partners and allies."(ANI)
In a significant move, the United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution calling for a series of humanitarian pauses in Gaza, CNN reported. The resolution received support from twelve states during the session held on Wednesday, while the United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom chose to abstain from the vote. The adopted resolution emphasises the need for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days to enable, consistent with international humanitarian law, the full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access for United Nations humanitarian agencies and their implementing partners," as reported by CNN. Human Rights Watch welcomed the resolution, characterising it as a rare and powerful message to Israel, Hamas, and other armed groups. Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, stated, "The UN Security Council just sent a rare and powerful message to Israel, Hamas and other armed groups that compliance with international humanitarian law is non-negotiable. So far, there has been widespread disregard for civilians by all parties. That the US finally stopped paralyzing the council on Israel and Palestine so this resolution on the plight of children in Gaza could move forward should be a wake-up call to Israeli authorities that global concern, even among its allies, is strong." About a month ago, the United States had vetoed a similar draft resolution at the UNSC, proposed by Brazil, which called for a humanitarian pause in Gaza. The draft condemned Hamas' attacks on Israel, urged the release of hostages, and called on all parties to comply with international law. Following the recent vote, US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield explained that the US sought more time for on-the-ground diplomacy to play out. The Security Council, despite being the UN's most powerful body, often faces challenges due to the veto power held by its five permanent members. The October draft received approval from twelve members, with the UK and Russia abstaining and the US using its veto, according to CNN. Amid escalating tensions and humanitarian concerns, the UN's humanitarian chief, Martin Griffiths, called for an end to the "carnage" in Gaza. "As the carnage in Gaza reaches new levels of horror every day, the world continues to watch in shock as hospitals come under fire, premature babies die, and an entire population is deprived of the basic means of survival," said Martin Griffiths, the UN's under-secretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator. "This cannot be allowed to continue." While Israel has claimed that underground bunkers beneath Al-Shifa hospital, the largest hospital in Gaza, were used by Hamas as a command centre, hospital officials and Hamas have denied these allegations. The situation remains complex, with ongoing scrutiny and international efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in the region, CNN reported. Over 11,300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the official death toll from Hamas's attacks stands roughly at 1,200. (ANI)
The fire ripped through the second floor of the five-story building in Lishi district of China's Lyuliang City, Xinhua reported.

Local authorities said that rescue efforts are being made at the building.

The building belongs to the private firm Yongju coal mine which has a production capacity of 120 tonnes a year, according to Xinhua report.

Earlier on April 18, at least 21 people died in Beijing on Tuesday after a fire erupted at Changfeng Hospital, The Global Times reported citing media reports. A total of 71 patients were evacuated from the site.

The fire was reported at the in-patient department of a hospital in the Fengtai district of Beijing, as per the Global Times report. The fire department rushed to the spot after receiving information regarding the fire incident at 12:57 pm (local time). The fire was extinguished at 1:33 pm (local time) and the rescue work continued till 3:30 pm (local time). (ANI)
Israel Defence Forces (IDF) has said that IDF fighter jets hit the home of Hamas' Political Bureau head, Ismail Haniyeh in the Gaza strip. The IDF said that the house was used as terrorist infrastructure and a meeting point for Hamas' senior leaders to direct terrorist attacks against Israel. The head of the Hamas political bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, resides in Qatar, but his family home is in the Gaza strip, The Times of Israel reported. Taking to X, the IDF stated, "IDF fighter jets struck the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of Hamas' Political Bureau. The residence was used as terrorist infrastructure and a meeting point for Hamas' senior leaders to direct terrorist attacks against Israel." Earlier, Israel Defence Forces shared a video showing weapons inside Gaza's Al Shifa Hospital. In the video posted on X, Israel Defence Forces (IDF) Lt Col Jonathan Conricus toured Al-Shifa Hospital's MRI building. In the video, he said, "We're inside the MRI centre of the Shifa Hospital. Israeli troops breached here a few hours ago and we have cleared the area, made sure that it's safe. A few of the most interesting things that we have found totally confirmed without any doubt that Hamas systematically uses hospitals in their military operations in violation of international law and what we have found. I think, it is only the tip of the iceberg." "Let me show you a few examples. Security cameras have been obstructed, all of the security cameras are covered, and this isn't the only one. You'll see the rest of them here," he added. Conricus also said Israel Defence Forces had found a laptop in an MRI room, which is now being analysed by Israel's intel personnel. He also showed medical equipment, including bandages and handgear. While sharing the video on X, the IDF stated, "Watch as LTC (res.) Jonathan Conricus exposes the countless Hamas weapons IDF troops have uncovered in the Shifa Hospital's MRI building." Meanwhile, the IDF said that troops of the Nahal Brigade's reconnaissance unit found and destroyed weapons and equipment belonging to Hamas's naval forces in Gaza City's al-Shati camp, The Times of Israel reported. According to the IDF, the weapons included diving equipment, firearms, and explosive devices. The IDF said paratroopers also found other weapons and explosives in the northern Gaza Strip overnight, after a gun battle with Hamas terrorists, The Times of Israel reported. According to IDF, the forces found suicide vests, other explosive devices, RPGs, anti-tank missiles, and intelligence documents. (ANI)
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Thursday met UK's new Foreign Secretary David Cameron. During the meeting, Cameron reiterated the UK's support for Ukraine. The two leaders held a meeting focused on weapons, strengthening air defence and protecting the people of Ukraine and its critical infrastructure. It was David Cameron's first visit to Ukraine as UK's Foreign Secretary. Taking to X, Zelenskyy stated, "Hosted @David_Cameron on his first visit to Ukraine as Foreign Secretary of the UK. We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure. I am grateful to the UK for its support!" In his remarks, Cameron reiterated the UK's support for Ukraine. He stressed that the UK will continue to support Ukraine for "how long it takes." Cameron acknowledged that he had disagreements with former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. However, he added that he fully backed Johnson's support for Ukraine. David Cameron said, "I admire the strength and determination of the Ukrainian people. And what I want to say by being here is that we will continue to give you the moral support, the diplomatic support, the economic support, but above all, the military support that you need, not just this year and next year, but how long it takes." "I had some disagreements with my friend Boris Johnson, but we've known each other for 40 years and his support was the finest thing that he and his government did. And I back it 100 per cent. And so it's really important to have this meeting to hear what it is emoji to work out how we can work together, how we can get the communications right with all our friends and know to make sure the attention is here in Ukraine," he added. Zelenskyy thanked the UK for its "unwavering support" to Ukraine. He praised defence cooperation with the United Kingdom that enables the Armed Forces of Ukraine to effectively defend against Russia, particularly due to long-range weapons, according to Ukrainian President's website. Zelenskyy said, "This is very important, especially now that the world is paying attention not only to the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine. We are grateful for the United Kingdom's unwavering support for Ukraine. We are grateful for the warm welcome of Ukrainian citizens in the UK. And we are glad that you have come to Ukraine." (ANI)
As Israel continues to retaliate by attacking the Hamas terror group in Gaza, India is planning to send more humanitarian assistance to the affected civilians in the region. Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said on Thursday that India has always focused on avoiding civilian casualties. "This is not about one specific facility," Bagchi added, "India has always underlined the need for civilian casualties to be avoided, for humanitarian law to be observed and to encourage any effort to provide humanitarian relief to those caught in the conflict." Earlier, India had sent 38 tonnes of humanitarian relief material for civilians in the Gaza Strip. Furthermore, the MEA spokesperson stressed, "We are looking to send more assistance." The humanitarian aid sent by India to the people of Palestine arrived in Egypt on October 22, the Ministry of External Affairs said. Notably, the medical supplies sent to the people of Palestine included essential life-saving medicines and protective and surgical items aimed at handling emergency medical conditions. While arranging the medical supply, wound care was also taken into consideration. Fluids and painkillers have been included in humanitarian aid for immediate relief. The disaster relief material, weighing approximately 32 tonnes includes tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, basic sanitary utilities, water purification tablets, etc. Taking to X, Arindam Bagchi stated, "India sends humanitarian aid to the people of Palestine! An IAF C-17 flight carrying nearly 6.5 tonnes of medical aid and 32 tonnes of disaster relief material for the people of Palestine departs for El-Arish airport in Egypt. The material includes essential life-saving medicines, surgical items, tents, sleeping bags, tarpaulins, sanitary utilities, and water purification tablets, among other necessary items." Moreover, Bagchi condemned the horrific terrorist attacks on October 7 and said, "We have zero tolerance for terrorism, and there is an immediate and unconditional release of hostages." As Israel continues its ground operation in Gaza, the Israel Defence Forces confirmed on Wednesday that they are carrying out a precise and targeted operation in a specific region in Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza. The operation is being carried out based on intelligence information and an operational necessity. In recent weeks, the IDF has publicly warned time and again that Hamas' continued military use of the Shifa hospital jeopardises its protected status under international law, and enabled ample time to stop this unlawful abuse of the hospital. (ANI)
Swaika met with the Deputy PM of Kuwait and particularly discussed hydrocarbon cooperation with him.

Sharing on its social media X, the Indian Embassy in Kuwait stated, "Amb @AdarshSwaika1 called on H.E Dr Saad Al-Barrak, Deputy PM and Minister of Oil and Economy and Investments of Kuwait. Discussions pertained to deepening of bilateral economic and investment cooperation, particularly hydrocarbon cooperation."

https://twitter.com/indembkwt/status/1725064563408749020?s=48&t=iAytLvzFQ7BQ43U-mDPzag

Later in the day, Kuwait's envoy also met the Deputy General of the Public Authority for Civil Information, Mansour Al-Moathen.

They both discussed matters related to statistics of Indian nationals in Kuwait, civil ID and birth registration procedures.

https://twitter.com/indembkwt/status/1725089097683787839

Last month, Adarsh Swaika met Kuwait's Minister of Electricity and Water, Jaseem Muhammad Abdullah Al-Ostad and discussed bilateral cooperation in energy and agriculture sectors between the two countries.

Trade between the two countries has seen a 90 per cent yearly jump, while currently it is skewed towards hydrocarbon exports from Kuwait and exports of mainly food products from India. The bilateral trade has the potential for diversification, the envoy said.

India and Kuwait share historically warm and close bilateral ties and the relationship has been nourished by sustained cultural and civilizational linkages. There are around one million Indians in Kuwait.

India is among the largest trading partners of Kuwait and the Gulf country is a major supplier of oil. (ANI)
ROBERTSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A teenager is facing charges following a Sunday morning crash in Robertson County that left one man dead and another injured.

According to the Tennessee Highway Patrol (THP), shortly before 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, Nov. 12, a 2015 Hyundai Genesis was heading south on Durrett Street in Springfield when it swerved into a yard in the 400 block to avoid a vehicle that was parked on the side of the road.

Then, authorities said the Hyundai hit two pedestrians and two parked vehicles in the driveway before it came back onto the road and hit two mailboxes.

THP trooper dragged down I-24 during traffic stop

Robertson County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) told News 2 that when first responders arrived at the scene of the crash, they discovered a man pinned under a small car.

According to officials, crews quickly removed the man who was pinned underneath the vehicle, but he did not survive. THP identified him as Carlos Dominguez-Velazquez.

Meanwhile, the other man was reportedly brought to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

This was a very sad thing to see happen and our prayers go out to the families and friends of those affected by this tragedy, Brent Dyer, the director and chief of Robertson County EMS, said in a statement to News 2.

THP said the 17-year-old Tennessean driving the Hyundai  whose identity has not been released  was not injured in the crash. However, the teen is facing charges for vehicular homicide and vehicular assault.

No additional details have been released about the circumstances surrounding Sunday mornings incident.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Gionni Dews stood outside the Oakley IHOP, a cigarette in his hand and a Glock handgun tucked in his clothes.

It was a day after Thanksgiving in 2021 and he was on edge. Earlier, police say, he had hit a woman he worked with at the restaurant during an argument. Dews called a friend to pick him up and was waiting for him to arrive.

But his co-worker called a friend, too.

As Dews smoked his cigarette, a man got out of a car in the parking lot. Moments later, his co-worker stepped outside and pointed at Dews.

Thats him, she said.

The man pulled a gun and opened fire. Dews started to run and pulled out his Glock to fire back.

He spotted his friend pulling up in an SUV and made a break for it, firing his gun as he ran. A bullet struck his leg and he went down, but his friend ran to him, pulled him into the SUV and sped away.

As police chased the SUV on Interstate 71, officers noticed someone tossing a bag out of the SUVs window near Wasson Way. When they went back later to retrieve it, they found the Glock inside.

Related gun violence article: 1 injured in shooting outside Oakley IHOP, police say

No one knew it at the time, but the discovery of Dews gun that night was the start of a sprawling investigation that would lead police and federal agents far beyond the violence that occurred in the IHOP parking lot.

In the weeks and months that followed, the investigation would reveal how seemingly random acts of gun violence are connected in ways most people never see. It showed how guns move through the city, how teens and young men can get them and how they are used.

And it showed how one violent act can lead to another and another, spreading like a contagion across the community.

A technician examines the back of a shell casing so the data from it can be entered into the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network, also known as NIBIN.

Using a combination of cutting-edge technology and old-fashioned police work, investigators from the Cincinnati Police Department and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives tracked the violence the way epidemiologists track a plague: They analyzed data, identified suspects and mapped the connections they found.

Their investigation isnt over, they say, but the group of teens in this case are responsible for at least five homicides and dozens of shootings.

None of it would have been possible without the work that began the night of the IHOP gunfight, with the discovery of a gun in a bag on the side of the road.

Crime Gun Intelligence Center connects firearms to crimes and offenders, in hopes of making Cincinnati safer

Within a day or so after the IHOP shooting, police took Dews gun to Cincinnatis new Crime Gun Intelligence Center in Clifton. The center is in a two-story office building off Central Parkway, next to a small roadside motel and down the street from an abandoned Frischs restaurant.

From the outside, the place looks like it could be home to an accounting firm or a real estate company. But the investigative police work going on inside is as advanced as any in the region.

Dews gun was among about 100 guns that arrived at the center in November 2021, all of them recovered by police after shootings, drug busts or routine traffic stops. At the time, Cincinnati and other cities were struggling with a spike in gun crime that began during the COVID-19 pandemic and continues today.

Teen violence has escalated in 2023.

Even before the pandemic, police saw the violence coming. They were finding guns everywhere, far more than ever before.

A decade ago, it was a big deal for police to recover a gun from someone theyd arrested. It happened maybe once a week or so. By November 2021, when they found Dews gun on the side of the road, it was happening about three times a day.

Scanning of the back of a shell casing creates a "fingerprint" that can be digitized and compared to other casings.

The Crime Gun Intelligence Centers mission is to find out as much as it can about those guns. The hope is that by connecting guns to crimes and to the people who commit them, police can make Cincinnatis streets safer.

As gun violence skyrocketed nationwide during the pandemic, the center was born in response. While homicides have fallen, violence among young people still rages. 2023 is on track to be the worst year on record for the number of teens shot.

When Dews gun arrived at the center, a team of police officers and ATF agents got to work. The team included ATF acting supervisor Derek Graham, Cincinnati Police Officer Thomas Chiappone and ATF special agent Will Crayner.

These men don't normally talk about their work to the press. Law enforcement worries that it could compromise their investigation. That's why police have been largely quiet about the connections between drive-by shootings and teen violence that have spiked in Cincinnati this year.

While there are things they could not speak about, they outlined how this new partnership between the ATF and Cincinnati police investigated this case.

They immediately put Dews gun through a battery of tests. They used cyanoacrylate fumes, known more commonly as super glue, to reveal fingerprints on the weapon, hoping to match any they found to suspects in other crimes.

They also fired the gun and took detailed scans of the back of the brass shell casings ejected by the gun. The casings, which surround the bullet, pick up microscopic markings when a gun is fired. Those markings are unique to the gun and allow police to connect multiple casings from multiple crime scenes to the same gun.

Its similar to the way police use fingerprints to connect one suspect to more than one crime.

At the center, investigators entered the scans of the shell casings from Dews gun into a national database. If they got any hits, theyd know the gun had been used to commit other crimes.

A shell casing being examined at the ATF Forensic Science Laboratory in Beltsville, MD.

They came up empty. As far as they could tell, the IHOP parking lot around Thanksgiving was the first time that gun had been used in a shooting.

But they did find something else. The gun had been fitted with a switch, a device that makes the gun fully automatic. Switches are illegal under federal law because they essentially turn an otherwise legal gun into a machine gun capable of firing about 30 rounds in two seconds.

This got the attention of the team at the intelligence center. Theyd already talked to Dews at the hospital because he was a gunshot victim. They didnt charge him with a crime then, but now he could face federal charges for owning a gun with a switch.

They decided to bring him in.

Related gun violence article: Man who shot in self-defense gets prison for 3D-printed, full-auto 'switch' on his Glock

Westwood stakeout yields unexpected dividends

Knowing he could be armed, investigators staked out Dews' home in Westwood instead of rushing in to arrest him.

It was Dec. 1, less than a week after the IHOP shooting, and Dews was bedridden inside because of the gunshot wound. The officers outside didnt know Dews was still recovering, so they sat outside watching, waiting for him.

Instead, they spotted three young men walk out with guns tucked in their waistbands. When the men got into a car, the police officers and agents followed.

After pulling the car over, they questioned Damien Baxter Jr., Elijah Fluellen and Jalmarionn Forte. All three were carrying Glocks.

Right away, the cops knew at least two of the men had likely committed a crime. Thats because its illegal in Ohio for anyone under 21 to possess a handgun; Fluellen was 21, Baxter was 19 and Forte just 17.

The investigators arrested all three and took their three Glocks back to the intelligence center, where they ran them through the same tests theyd run on Dews gun.

This time, they quickly linked two of the guns to other crimes. One of those crimes was the shooting death of a teen, Javier Randolph, in September.

More on Cincinnati teen shootings: Teen killed in Evanston was Western Hills student

Police investigate after 16-year-old Javier Randolph was gunned down just a few blocks from Walnut Hills High School on Oct. 13, 2021. He ran from the shooting and made it to his mother's arm before he died. No arrests have been made in his death.

Javier, 16, had been walking in Evanston when a car with several people inside began following him. Soon, the passengers inside opened fire on him. Javier ran toward his mothers house on Johnathan Avenue, but he only made it as far as her yard.

He died in his mothers arms.

Dozens of shots were fired. Shell casings littered the street.

Police collected those casings and sent them to the intelligence center to be tested and uploaded to the national database. Thats how investigators were able to tie the gun seized in the Dec. 1 traffic stop to Javiers death.

Investigators collect as many shell casings as they can. Even if no one is shot, if gunshots are heard, they go search. If the officers don't find anything, the ATF will send a dog to hunt down the shell casing by scent. Police can know if the same gun was used in two shootings even if they don't have that gun in their possession.

But they didnt know whether Baxter, Fluellen or Forte were involved in Javiers shooting or whether the gun had come into their possession after the shooting. Still, the gun was a solid lead.

Because of the shooting at the IHOP, police had now recovered four guns and connected them to multiple crimes, including a homicide.

They werent done yet.

Police investigate after 16-year-old Javeir Randolph was gunned down just a few blocks from Walnut Hills High School on Oct. 13, 2021. He ran from the shooting and made it to his mother's arms before he died. No arrests have been made in his death.

Illegal gun purchases are part of the chain

While police didnt know who had shot Javier, they quickly zeroed in on Baxter. Their investigation revealed two of the guns recovered on Dec. 1 were illegally purchased for Baxter by someone else.

Days before the purchase, police say, Baxter had been texting a family friend, Antonio Jackson, demanding that he buy the guns for him.

Jackson, a 27-year-old music producer who worked with local rappers, had known Baxter for years. Police say he also knew about Baxters association with the Grape Street Gang, a group made up mostly of teens known for violence.

But Jackson had a problem. Because of a previous criminal charge, he couldnt pass the background check required to buy a gun.

So police say he turned to a friend, Jonathan Gross, to make the purchase for him. They say Jackson and Gross, 34, went together to a local gun shop to buy the Glocks.

After buying the guns, Gross texted Baxter saying he had "it." Baxter replied with a smiley face emoji.

Whatever else would happen later with those guns, the purchases alone broke federal law because buyers arent allowed to buy guns for someone other than themselves. Its known as a straw purchase.

As police tracked down the source of the guns, they were also searching Baxters phone, which they seized when they arrested him.

On that phone, they found a video of a kidnapping at gunpoint, which led them to yet another homicide.

More on gun violence in Cincinnati: Graphic details revealed of kidnapping that preceded three killings

Connection becomes clear after 16-year-old was shot, killed in College Hill

That homicide in September 2021 happened in College Hill about two months before the IHOP shooting.

The victim was Cornelius Foster Jr., better known as Korn, a 16-year-old aspiring rapper. He was shot on Ammon Avenue when someone opened fire into a crowd of people, killing him and wounding three others.

Many teens aspire to rap, but Korn stood out. Even the cops knew that if anyone was going to make it, Korn had the best chance. He had real talent.

But Korn wasnt associated with Grape Street. He was associated with a rival gang, often called Exit 5.

Just five days after Korn was killed, a teen was listening to his music while walking through the West End neighborhood. Someone heard it and pulled the teen off the street and into an apartment at gunpoint.

There, his captors recorded him on a cell phone as they forced him to strip and dance while aiming a gun at his face. The kidnappers demanded that the teen say f--- Korn over and over again.

Thats the video police found on Baxters phone.

Investigators at the intelligence center wont say how they did it, but they tied the video to three other teens: Roneal Reese, 19, Deandre Mills, 18, and Michael Madaris, 15. Police arrested all three, finding several guns in their cars and apartments.

Its now late December 2021, about a month after the IHOP shooting, and the investigation now has led to more weapons and three more arrests, this time for kidnapping.

Reese and Mills would later go to prison for kidnapping the teen in the video.

The investigation of Madaris, however, led police far beyond the kidnapping.

'Hunting victims': At least 5 people killed by teen gangs last year

DNA provides some links to other Cincinnati homicide, shooting cases

Not long after police arrested Madaris, investigators matched his DNA to DNA found on a gun used in two homicides and three shootings.

Because the investigation is ongoing, police wont say which cases are directly connected to that gun or to others found in his possession. But a grand jury indicted Madaris on charges of killing Javier and two other rival gang members: Avante Beatty, 18, and Yarsellay Sammie, 39.

Madaris is charged as an adult and faces a potential life sentence, though he was 15 at the time of the shootings.

While investigating Madaris, agents at the intelligence center used DNA testing, interviews, the shell casing database and other tools to identify another man they believe also was involved in Javiers shooting: Dezeon Jones.

They say Jones, 20, possessed a gun used in the shooting. They connected the gun to the crime by matching it to a shell casing found at the scene.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Police say violence is not as random as it sometimes seems

The intelligence centers work didnt end there.

Almost two years after recovering the gun from the IHOP shooting in November 2021, federal agents and police are still tracking how that single gun is connected to acts of violence across the city.

To date, police say, they have identified suspects in dozens of shootings and five homicides based on the investigation that began in the IHOP parking lot.

They cant talk about all of them at this time because investigations are ongoing, police say. But the team leading the investigation  Graham, Chiappone and Crayner  say the investigation reveals a larger truth about violence in the city: Its not as random as it sometimes seems.

The violence attributed to Baxter and Madaris is just one example. The investigators said it was just one side of an ongoing fight. The death of Foster  the rapper known as Korn  inspired dozens of shootings and multiple homicides motivated by his death, police said.

Theyre not done killing for Korn yet, Chiappone said.

But Graham, Chiappone and Crayner say their work isnt over, either. The Crime Gun Intelligence Center is currently investigating other individuals and networks theyve learned about because of the work that began two years ago.

Theyve connected people and crimes that previously seemed unrelated. They've found teens manufacturing dozens of Glock switches on 3D printers in their parents' basements  switches that sell for hundreds of dollars apiece on the streets and cost just cents to make.

Related gun violence article: What to know about 'Glock switches,' the devices that make handguns full auto

The Glock switches or chips, quickly attached to a handgun, converting the firearm from shooting one bullet per trigger squeeze to having the capability of firing until the trigger is released, pictured, Wednesday, Feb. 22, 2023, at Great Oaks Firing Range in Sharonville, Ohio.

They've found crime scenes with scores of shell casings connecting up to a dozen guns to each other.

They say this new partnership and their dedication to collecting and cataloging as much evidence as possible is opening new doors to bring justice to families.

Theyve also gained a better understanding of the violence that plagues Cincinnati and how it spreads from person to person and neighborhood to neighborhood.

They said many of the teens they're arresting in connection with gun violence want to be "in the life"  a life that glorifies violence, money and the sense of belonging kids get from committing crimes and joining gangs.

In many cases, Chiappone said, those teens didnt learn about robberies and shootings from movies or video games. He said they learned it from parents and siblings who are living the same kind of lives.

The result, he said, is a fatalism that's hard to escape. They said many of the teens they encounter believe their lives will end in gunfire or prison. In their world, a 20-year-old is an "old head" because they don't expect to live that long.

The IHOP shooting two years ago is a product of that mindset: Soon after an argument, the guns came out. And the investigators say theyll keep following the trail of violence that case revealed, wherever it leads.

This isnt what started it. This isnt what ended it," Crayner said of the IHOP shooting.

"Eventually, well find more.

Kids Who Kill: More teens are facing murder charges. How it came to this

Where are they now? A look at the group linked to killings, shootings in Greater Cincinnati

Michael Madaris is charged with multiple counts of murder, kidnapping, abduction, felonious assault and additional charges. His trial is still pending.

Deandre Mills was sentenced to six years in prison for his role in the West End kidnapping. Roneal Reese was sentenced to nine years in the kidnapping and for vandalizing Cornelius Foster Jr.s grave. Police said he urinated and stomped on the teens grave.

Police also looked into Damien Baxters sister, Joni Travis, who they tracked down in Lexington, Kentucky. Their investigation showed she was the catalyst of and directly involved in the murder of Foster, also known as Korn. How they made that connection is one of those things they can't talk about. Travis was 18 when Foster was killed. Prosecutors said she shot him and three other juveniles when she opened fire on Ammon Avenue that night in September 2021. She is currently awaiting trial.

As for the trio picked up outside Gionni Dews apartment, Jalmarionn Forte and Elijiah Fluellen faced weapons charges. Forte was sent to juvenile detention and was released in 2022. Fluellens charges were dismissed.

Damien Baxter. the third member of the trio, was convicted on a state weapons charge in February but also faces federal gun trafficking charges along with Antonio Jackson and Jonathan Gross. All three pleaded to the federal charges. Baxter was sentenced to two years in prison. Gross is scheduled to be sentenced Nov. 16. Jackson is scheduled for sentencing in February.

Gionni Dews, the IHOP employee whose gun began all this, was convicted on federal weapons charges. Prosecutors said he did fire his weapon in self-defense, but that it was still illegal to possess the Glock modified to fire fully automatic. He was sentenced to three years in prison.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Investigation links group to 5 killings, dozens of shootings in Ohio
"I find sometimes just talking about it can desensitize people," psychotherapist Rene Gonzalez says.

Nearly 40 million Americans are affected by an anxiety disorder. Many more of us are grappling with situational anxiety that can arise from something as seemingly innocuous as being stuck in traffic or having to give a presentation at work. Or we might feel a nearly constant uneasiness about an issue that feels too big to get a grip on, like paying our bills, dealing with a difficult relationship or the fragile state of the world.

One especially debilitating symptom of anxiety is catastrophizing (or spiraling out of control), which is a cognitive distortion that leads people to immediately believe the worst possible outcome will play out, even though there is little evidence to make or support that conclusion.

Your mind is going to the worst-case scenario, and in the process youre getting really, really anxious, psychotherapist Rene Gonzalez recently told us, Raj Punjabi and Noah Michelson, the co-hosts of HuffPosts Am I Doing It Wrong? podcast. When this happens, it prevents us from seeing the scenario accurately, which can keep us spiraling in our anxiety  and from finding a solution or path forward. But there are effective ways to calm ourselves down and get a grip on the reality of the situation.

One of the first things we can do is labeling when were doing this, Gonzalez said. What I tend to do with clients when theyre in session with me is ask them, What is the worst-case scenario in your mind? I find sometimes just talking about it can desensitize people, but usually Ill then ask, What is actually the most likely thing to happen here? Is that worst-case scenario actually the thing thats going to happen? Most of the time its not.

Gonzalez also instructs his clients to imagine that the thing theyre afraid of happening actually does happen. They might go into specifics about what that looks like, and then I would ask, A week after this, how do you think youre going to feel? and theyll maybe say, Ill still feel pretty nervous. And then Ill ask, What about in a month? Or three months? Or six months? Or even a year? The vast majority of the time we get to a year and they say, I wont even be thinking about it at that point. I think it helps people understand this is something theyre going to pass through and that theyre going to survive, and that can deescalate people.

This is just one of the many approaches to mitigating anxiety that we discussed with Gonzalez. We also chatted about how the big list of pleasurable activities can be a potent distress-fighting tool, the first step to finding a therapist and much more:

After youve had a listen above or wherever you get your podcasts, subscribe to Am I Doing It Wrong? so you dont miss a single episode, including our investigations of the ins and outs of tipping, how to score the best deals on airline tickets, interviewing for a job like a pro, getting the best sleep ever, slaying your next trip to the grocery store, apologizing, vanquishing your credit card debt,finding love online and online shopping.

Need some help with something youve been doing wrong? Email us at AmIDoingItWrong@HuffPost.com, and we might investigate the topic in an upcoming episode.

Related...
Crews working to clear hazardous materials left behind from the destructive fire that significantly damaged the 10 Freeway in downtown Los Angeles have finished ahead of schedule, clearing the way for Caltrans crews to begin the work needed to reopen the vital roadway.

On Wednesday, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced that Caltrans emergency contractors cleared all the hazardous materials from the repair site two days earlier than originally expected.

With that milestone reached, repair crews now have full access to the site to shore up support pillars and speed up repairs, Newsom said.

This critical, ahead-of-schedule milestone helps us safely get Los Angeles traffic moving in December, Gov. Newsom said. Im grateful for Caltrans District 7s around-the-clock work to safely repair the 10 as quickly as possible. California is leveraging an all-of-government approach working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week to get this done.

Closure of 10 Freeway in downtown L.A. bad for business

The fire broke out early Saturday morning around 12:30 a.m. in a pallet yard located underneath the freeway near East 14th and Alameda streets. The fire raged for hours, burning through wooden pallets and crates of hand sanitizer that were stored there  possibly illegally.

The fire caused serious damage to the elevated freeway, burning dozens of support columns, and raising concerns that the entire freeway section would need to be demolished and rebuilt.

On Tuesday, officials announced a bit of good news.

This will not be a demo. We will not need to demolish and replace the I-10. We will continue the kind of repairs youre seeing being done behind me and continue a shoring plan to shore up this site, Newsom said at a news conference.

Photos shared from Gov. Gavin Newsoms Office show the cleanup progress made beneath the 10 Freeway, which was heavily damaged in a fire on Nov. 11, 2023.

Photos shared from Gov. Gavin Newsoms Office show the cleanup progress made beneath the 10 Freeway, which was heavily damaged in a fire on Nov. 11, 2023.

Photos shared from Gov. Gavin Newsoms Office show the cleanup progress made beneath the 10 Freeway, which was heavily damaged in a fire on Nov. 11, 2023.

Since the blaze was extinguished, crews began the process of removing the charred vehicles, equipment and other materials to allow for repairs to begin. Working 24 hours a day, Caltrans contractors cleared 264,000 cubic square feet of debris or, as the state describes it, enough to fill four Olympic-size swimming pools.

Environmental monitoring is taking place at the repair site and precautions are being taken to prevent any material runoff from this weeks storms, the Governors Office said in a news release.

An early evaluation of the site identified no highly toxic chemicals in the aftermath of the fire, the release reads.

Union crews will be working around the clock to repair the 450-foot span of the freeway, with hopeful estimates that it could reopen in three to five weeks.

Caltrans District 7 Director Gloria Roberts said the agencys crews wont stop working until the 10 is safely repaired and traffic is moving.

What L.A. commuters need to know about 10 Freeway closure

The 10 Freeway is a major artery for downtown Los Angeles with as many as 300,000 vehicles using it every day. Its closure has crippled traffic in and out of the city, doubling commute times for many.

Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass, who herself took the train to work Wednesday, is encouraging residents to take public transportation or work from home if possible.

I-10 West and Eastbound detour routes

The investigation into how the blaze started remains ongoing. On Monday, Gov. Newsom announced that the fire was being investigated as an act of arson, describing it as being set with malice intent.

The company that leased the space below the freeway was described by the governor as a bad actor, that the state was engaged in active litigation with, but stopped short of indicating if there was any connection between the legal dispute and the criminal investigation.

Newsom has declared a statewide emergency related to the fire and the subsequent closure and said the state would spare no expense to get the roadway up and running once more.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
On Wednesday, Tech Spark AI and founder Tamar Huggins announced a $1.4 million pre-seed round for Spark Plug, the companys generative AI website. Leading the funding were TD Bank and Salesforce, with additional assistance from the Canadian government and NBA Canada.

Tech Spark AI was founded eight years ago to develop lessons for Black and brown students in underserved communities across North America. With the help of her 13-year-old daughter, Talia Grant, the Black-owned AI program targets Gen Z. A Black alternative to ChatGPT is planned for Spark Plug, according to Tech Crunch.

In its first version, the product allows users to translate classic literature into modern literature  Shakespeare wont be so hard to understand  standard text is translated into African American Vernacular English (AAVE). Talia is well-versed in AAVE and participates in the language like most Gen Z social media users. Talias experience led her to train the companys language model.

Oftentimes, technology is designed without the lens of Blackness, and therefore, the impact on Black communities can be quite negative, especially when it comes to AI in general, Huggins told TechCrunch. Its really about how we can identify the problems that exist within our own communities using technology to create meaningful, safe-tailored solutions that generate impact.

Despite its focus on Black youth, Spark Plug will be available for all ages. Huggins shared that the main objective is to make Black people feel like they belong.

Historically, Black people havent always felt like they belonged, and as a result, weve had to create our own spaces. Technology is no different, she said. As long as we are including the voices of those systematically left out of the conversation, AI can take us in the right direction.

Along with language translation, Spark Plug has developed an assessment tool called LearningDNA that helps educators understand how students learn best. For example, Spark Plug will present a concept to students using a hip-hop melody if they learn best by listening. The system will also be multifaceted in dialects.

A Black child in Canada is very different from the U.S., and its very different in Haiti or Jamaica, Huggins said. We believe to see the changes we want to see in our community, we have to redesign the learning experience, and in order to redesign it, we have to personalize it.
Fire crews document the damage to a house with a collapsed roof on March 6 in Crestline. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Herbert Perez had lived in Big Bear Lake for nearly three decades, but he and his wife, Brenda, had rarely seen a snowstorm as relentless as last winter's.

The blizzard, which began Feb. 24, entombed the San Bernardino County mountain communities, keeping Perez, 61, from reaching his thrice-weekly kidney dialysis appointment at a Yucca Valley facility. The California Highway Patrol twice turned away his driver, saying only residents were allowed in, even though the travel was for a medical appointment.

When Perez had trouble breathing, his wife called for an ambulance to take him to Bear Valley Community Hospital  only to learn when he arrived that the facility didn't have a dialysis machine.

Brenda Perez sits on a wooden bench outside her cabin in Big Bear Lake on Nov. 9. Her husband, Herbert Perez, died during the catastrophic snowstorms last winter because the roads were closed and he couldn't get to dialysis treatment. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Nine hours later, staff decided to transport Perez to another hospital, but he suffered a heart attack in the parking lot. He was rushed back inside, where he died around 2:45 a.m. March 2.

The back-to-back storms buried roads under as much as 12 feet of snow, trapping residents in their homes  in some cases for more than two weeks  and stranding some without access to food, power and vital medication.

The snow fell faster than roadway crews and removal equipment could respond, leaving officials scrambling to find more resources and respond to the escalating emergency.

When the neighborhoods finally dug out, 13 people had died. Most were found in their homes.

But the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department, which includes the coroner's office, ruled only one of the deaths storm-related  something many family members and neighbors have questioned.

Sandals Church volunteer Dave Mack checks on residents in the San Bernardino Mountain community of Crestline in March 7. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

The number of deaths in the mountain communities during the storms, from Feb. 23 through March 9, was more than quadruple what the coroner's office recorded during the same span last year, based on data provided to The Times through a records request. However, almost a third of the 2022 deaths were missing location information, making it unclear if there were additional fatalities in the area. A spokesperson for the Sheriff's Department declined to comment on the missing data or the difference in year-to-year deaths.

Ten of the 13 fatalities listed the place of death as a residence, coroner's data show. Three others died at Bear Valley Community Hospital, including Perez.

Facing growing scrutiny, coroner's officials reviewed nine of the 13 deaths to determine if the storms were a factor, but determined their initial findings were accurate: only one death was storm-related. The four others, including Perez's, were not investigated further, because they were among residents who died in hospice or at a medical facility, Sheriff's Department officials said.

Perez's death was ruled natural, caused by cardiac arrest, congestive heart failure, respiratory distress and chronic renal failure, authorities said.

But Brenda Perez, 60, disagrees.

To me, it was caused by the storms, she said. They were picking and choosing who they were letting come up because of the snow.

CHP officials didn't respond to a request for comment on Perez's death, and Bear Valley Community Hospital declined comment, citing state and federal privacy laws. A hospital spokesperson said the facility now has dialysis machines, thanks to a foundation gift.

The only storm-related death was attributed to a traffic collision on Feb. 26, the day before the county declared a state of emergency.

The snow had buried a friend's car, and as Barbara "Barbie" Hughes, 39, was trying to help dig it out, she was run over by another vehicle.

Barbara Hughes was run over and died after trying to help someone out of the snow. Her death was ruled "storm-related" by San Bernardino County authorities. (Renee Cirrone)

Her mother, Sheree Heisley, said emergency responders weren't able to get through the excessive snow to reach her daughter.

Instead, the Sheriff's Department escorted Hughes, who was being driven in her friend's car, to Bear Valley Community Hospital.

Heisley said the hospital had no trauma surgeons and relies on transporting patients in more serious condition to other facilities. Hughes' lungs had collapsed, and her ribs had punctured her heart, her mother said. An ambulance was available to drive Hughes to a hospital in Loma Linda, but the California Department of Transportation had closed the highways.

Heisley got to the hospital in time to say goodbye. She told her daughter she loved her, and Hughes squeezed her hand and said, I love you too, Momma.

Bear Valley Community Hospital also declined to comment on Hughes' death.

"If youre the only hospital, you have to be prepared, especially if you know theres a storm and you know people cant get flown out," Heisley said. "I dont know if my daughter couldve been saved because she was so badly broken. I dont know if they couldve helped her. But there was no sense of urgency with anybody in there."

Read more: 'Its really bad up here.' Stranded residents in San Bernardino Mountains brace for more snow

Among this winter's deaths was Felicia Beardsley, whom her daughter called a "super healthy" 65-year-old.

Teresa Beardsley said her mother had complained of flu-like symptoms and being snowed in during the blizzard. Her body was found in her Wrightwood home on Feb. 28. The coroner said she died of possible viral pneumonia or atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease.

Beardsley said she believes her mother's death could be storm-related. She thinks the flu-like symptoms were early warning signs of a heart attack her mother may have suffered while trying to shovel snow off her property.

Teresa Beardsley said her the death of her mother, Felicia Beardsley, whose body was found in her Wrightwood home on Feb. 28, could have been related to unprecedented storms that buried the San Bernardino County mountain communities this winter. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Judy Pons said she's convinced the dangerous conditions amid the unprecedented storms contributed to the death of her aunt, Elinor "Dolly" Avenatti.

Pons spoke with her aunt on Feb. 27, when the 93-year-old former Alhambra police officer cheerily described the weather at her Crestline home as a "winter wonderland."

A day later, Avenatti's neighborhood lost power. Pons said her family was no longer able to reach her aunt's landline, and though some neighbors tried to check on her, no one was successful. Avenatti's body was found inside her home the following week.

Aunt Dolly would have gotten out of the cabin if she could have opened the door," said Pons, 79. "I dont think anybody has any doubt that she froze to death."

While autopsy findings indicate Avenatti died of aortic stenosis due to hyperlipidemia, a heart valve disease that was linked to high cholesterol, Pons said she wasn't aware her aunt had health issues.

"She was not a helpless 93-year-old woman," Pons said. She was healthy and spunky and had a zest for life.

"I don't think it was her time."

Susan Neufeld's landlord found her dead March 2 in her Crestline home after she uncharacteristically didn't pay her rent on time. Jeffrey Walker found the 77-year-old's body in a pool of blood, as though she had fallen and hit her head. He immediately called 911, but still wonders whether she would have survived if he could have checked on her sooner.

A coroner's investigation noted there was "no trauma or suspicious circumstances" surrounding Neufeld's death and pointed instead to cardiac arrest, listing other contributing health issues.

The Sheriff's Department did not respond to questions about Neufeld's death investigation.

Read more: Snowed in: Can the SoCal mountains survive climate change?

Other family members and friends acknowledge their loved ones weren't in the best of health, but say their deaths may have been hastened by the storms.

Randolph Stein found his roommate, George Swisher, dead on March 8 in their Cedarpines Park home. He said Swisher, 68, had heart issues, and keeping him warm and getting him to eat during the weekslong storms proved difficult.

Swisher's death was ruled natural, caused by chronic methamphetamine abuse and emphysema, coroner's investigators found.

A street sign in Big Bear Lake is nearly covered by snow on March 3 after successive storms. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

While the deaths during the snowstorms drew headlines, medical emergencies were also an escalating challenge.

Kim Kuhm, 40, was shoveling snow off her roof in Crestline when she fell and hit the back of her neck  near where she'd previously had surgery. She called 911, but was told they couldn't send an ambulance because of the snow.

For two weeks she waited in pain, worrying the injury could become serious and she wouldn't even know.

"They basically said, 'You guys are on your own,'" Kuhm said. "They came in to pick up the bodies. That was it."

Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A cigarette joins the usual vermin and mold-like substances among the restaurants on this weeks Sick and Shut Down List of Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach restaurants that failed state inspection.

A reminder that we dont inspect the restaurants  state inspectors do that. We dont suggest restaurants for inspection  theyre inspected because its their turn (Routine inspection) or someone made a Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation complaint (Complaint inspection). Restaurants remain closed until they pass a re-inspection.

In alphabetical order:

Boston Market, 18601 S. Dixie Hwy., Cutler Bay: Complaint inspection, 15 total violations, one High Priority violation.

The fifth failed inspection in two weeks by one of the last Boston Markets in South Florida featured a malodorous air that might or might not have had something to do with the rodents using the place as their toilet.

Earlier this week, we told you about this and the Miami-Fort Lauderdale area woes of the Boston Market chain as it appears to go through death spasms.

READ MORE: More rodents in Miami-Dade, more evictions in Broward as Boston Market circles the bowl

For what its worth, this Boston Market passed re-inspection two days later.

Carmelas Boca, 7300 W. Camino Real, Suite 100, Unincorporated Palm Beach: Routine inspection, three total violations, three High Priority violations.

Eight live roaches were spotted on the walls and floor around the ice machine. Two were killed.

Also killed was a picnic basket full of food kept above 41 degrees, which counts as temperature abuse to inspectors which translates to not 100% safe for human consumption. The inspector fired Stop Sales at spicy tuna, baked salmon, spicy salmon, poked mushrooms, cooked rice, sea bass, cooked tuna and quinoa. The coolest was 54 degrees. The warmest was room temperature, 75 degrees. All were trashed.

Carmelas re-opened the next day after passing the comeback inspection.

The Inn Field Pub, 11439 W. Oakland Park Blvd., Sunrise: Complaint inspection, nine total violations, four High Priority violations.

It really doesnt feel like a Sick and Shut Down List until we see that someone had an accumulation of black mold-like buildup in the ice machine.

The walk-in cooler also sported an accumulation of black mold-like debris to the back of the walk-in cooler, hopefully not in sympathy with the ice machine.

The flip-top cooler apparently went on strike. This brought a shower of Stop Sales onto American cheese, Swiss cheese, cheddar cheese, provolone cheese, cole slaw, sour cream, ham slices, turkey slices, roast beef slices and burgers, all of which had been in the cooler for 12 to 24 hours and were still too warm.

There were a couple of dead roaches. A live roach walked on top of the Miller Lite cooler (wonder which he feels more strongly, less filling or tastes great?) while another strolled across the Bud Light cooler. There were two other roaches underfoot.

Passed the comeback inspection the next day.

The Polo Club of Boca Ratons The Laurels, 5400 Champion Blvd., Unincorporated Palm Beach: Complaint inspection, nine total violations, two High Priority violations.

The Laurels elegant ballroom features high ceilings adorned with sparkling chandeliers and floor-to-ceiling windows offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape, brags The Polo Club website. A perfect venue for magnificent events.

Well, not as long as an inspector says, Establishment is an active construction area in the main kitchen. Theres no handwash sink in the new food preparation room.

There was no way to dry hands, the inspector said, at the inadequate hand wash sink on cook line.

Also, Food-contact surfaces not sanitized after cleaning and before use. The cookware was being washed in the wait station handwash sink then toweled off before air drying. The problem is you dont see sanitized in that whole process.

No drainboards or equivalent provided for soiled items and/or air drying cleaned items.

The inspector saw somebody handle soiled wares with gloved hands then proceed to handle clean wares.

The Laurels got back open Monday, four days after the original inspection, but still have Follow-Up Inspection Required.

Rave Pizza & Sushi, 7300 W. Camino Real, Suite 102, Unincorporated Palm Beach: Routine inspection, one total violation, one High Priority violation.

Roach activity present as evidenced by live roaches found. Eight live roaches found on the walls and floor around the ice machine in the kitchen. Two of the 8 roaches have been exterminated.

If this looks familiar, the inspector said the same thing on the same day about Carmelas (see above), one of Raves neighbors.

Rave could have a rave-up after passing the comeback inspection the next day.

Shahi Ellies Restaurant, 12161 Sheridan St., Cooper City: Routine inspection, 11 total violations, two High Priority violations.

The air conditioning vents and ceiling tiles in the kitchen were marred by an accumulation of black, mold-like substance buildup.

Employee with no hair restraint while engaging in food preparation. Who? Chef.

Observed employee smoking while engaging in food preparation. This snapshot out of many pre-1990s home kitchens  and the original opening credits of Married With Children  rarely gets spotted today in restaurants.

The kitchen handwash sink lacked soap or a drying method. The handwash sink at the prep station drained slowly enough to be called standing water.

The low handwash sink usage implied in those deficiencies becomes more bothersome when the inspector notes Employee touching ready-to-eat food with their bare hands...observed an employee touch cooked pitta bread with bare hands.

A bag of sugar was stored on the dry storage floor. Cooking oil and chicken sat directly on the kitchen floor.

Theres the invitation. And, here came the party, as demonstrated by five rodent droppings in dry storage and eight in a prep area under a handwash sink. They dumped 100 pieces of regularity on the dishwashing machine and another 30 pieces under cookline cooking equipment. Next to the cookline is the three-compartment sink and 20 more poop pellets were under that.

Shahi got out a broom and passed the next days comeback inspection.
A 17-year-old Ukrainian stuck in Russia received call-up papers to fight in the Russian army, his lawyer said

Russian citizens drafted during the partial mobilization are seen being dispatched to combat coordination areas after a military call-up for the Russia-Ukraine war in Moscow, Russia on October 10, 2022. Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Bohdan Yermokhin, 17, is set to return to Ukraine after being stuck in Russia for a year.

In 2022, Yermokhin was taken from Mariupol to Russia, where he was sent to a foster home.

His status in Russia surged to the fore after his lawyer said he was told to join the Russian army.

A 17-year-old Ukrainian who was taken from Ukraine to Russia during the war received a call-up to enlist in the Kremlin's forces, the BBC reported.

Bohdan Yermokhin, a teenager originally from the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol, was taken to Russia after the city was seized by Russian forces in April 2022, according to his lawyer, Kateryna Bobrovska.

At the time, Yermokhin had been living with a relative in Mariupol because he was orphaned in 2014, according to Bobrovska.

He was then "illegally deported" by Russia to Moscow, per Bobrovska, and sent to live with a foster family there.

As he was living in Russia, Yermokhin was issued a call-up order to report on December 13 for a military draft in Moscow, Bobrovska told Ukrainian media on November 7.

The BBC confirmed this with Yermokhin's guardian in Russia, Irina Rudnitskaya, and reported that he was enrolled into a college in Russia and given Russian documents.

Still, Rudnitskaya told the BBC it was was unlikely Yermokhin would have been sent to fight his own countrymen because he would be a new recruit.

"He is a student," she told the BBC, saying that new recruits "do not take part in the Special Military Operation."

Men are eligible for Russia's military draft when they reach the age of 18, and if conscripted, they are supposed to serve for 12 months.

Yermokhin turns 18 on November 19, Bobrovska told the BBC. She said the teenager had only days before he was due to enlist.

Much attention has been paid to Yermokhin's status in Russia after he released a video asking Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for help with leaving Russia.

It seems to have worked. On November 10  nine days before Yermokhin's reported birthday  Bobrovska posted a letter from Maria Lvova-Belova, Russia's commissioner for Children's Rights, saying the teen could return to Ukraine.

Dmytro Lubinets, the Ukrainian Parliament commissioner for Human Rights, also announced the news on the same day.

"Bohdan Yermokhin will soon be in Ukraine!" Lubinets wrote in a Telegram post.

The announcement comes after Russia said Yermokhin wanted to stay in Russia, a claim Bobrovska has repeatedly denied.

The teen was caught by Russian border guards while trying to flee to Belarus on his own in April, per the Associated Press.

Lvova-Belova, the Russian official, claimed that Yermokhin had been taken to the border "under false premises," per the AP.

She also said in August that Yermokhin was offered a chance to return to Ukraine, but "clearly stated that he doesn't plan to move to Ukraine before turning 18 and confirmed it in writing."

But Bobrovska told Ukrainian media that Yermokhin said he was intimidated into signing the statement.

On November 10, Lvova-Belova posted a statement saying Yermokhin had changed his mind and wanted to return to Ukraine.

Lvova-Belova said he would be accompanied by a legal representative as he reunites with a family member.

She also claimed that Yermokhin would never have been drafted into the Russian army, as his service would have been deferred due to him being a student.

Ukraine has accused Russia of abducting more than 100,000 children from occupied territories, many of whom were orphaned by the war. Ukrainian officials say Moscow has been actively trying to assimilate these children into Russian society, allowing them to be adopted by Russian families.

Such an act is a war crime, per the United Nations.

The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Lvova-Belova and Russian President Vladimir Putin in March, accusing them of illegally transferring children from occupied Ukraine to Russia.

Read the original article on Business Insider
United Launch Alliance has its missing rocket piece in hand at Cape Canaveral and all systems are go for a Christmas Eve launch to mark the debut of its Vulcan Centaur rocket.

A new Centaur upper stage arrived by barge to the Space Coast on Monday, a replacement for the stage ULA originally planned to fly on the Certification-1 mission this past May. That initial flight, already delayed for nearly two years, was again put on hold after an issue with a test version of the Centaur stage was destroyed amid a massive fireball in the spring, requiring design changes to ensure a repeat didnt happen during actual liftoff.

The path to flight 1 is clear, said ULA President and CEO Tory Bruno. All we need to do is integrate the stage onto the vehicle. We do all kinds of system testing anytime we touch it, so well have to pass all of that, get through the [wet dress rehearsal] and then integrate the payload, and off to space,

ULA has been champing at the bit to get this debut launch off the ground with its primary payload of Astrobotic Technologys Peregrine lunar lander, part of NASAs Commercial Lunar Payload Services missions. The lander traveled from Astrobotics headquarters in Pittsburgh arriving to the Space Coast on Oct. 31.

Certification-1 also is carrying partial human remains or DNA for Celestis Inc.s Enterprise Flight, including Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and actors James Doohan, Nichelle Nichols and DeForest Kelley, all to be installed on the Centaur stage that will head out for a permanent home in deep space.

So that memorial orbits the sun essentially until the end of time for all practical purposes, Bruno said.

Certification-1 has a three-day window from Dec. 24-26 with early morning target liftoff times because of the needs of the lunar landers target on the moon. If it misses the December dates, Bruno said ULA was working with NASA to nail down options in the first half of January.

The mission is the first of two ULA has to complete before it would be allowed to fly missions for the Department of Defense, and ULA had originally been targeting three such missions in 2023 before the delay.

Its also the first of 70 missions stretching out five years for Vulcan with Bruno only willing to say the contracts were worth billions.

Its a substantial backlog, kind of in a way unprecedented in the launch business to have a backlog that large, but also to have a backlog that large before the first flight, he said.

The second flight, Certification-2, is targeting either the first or second quarter of 2024, Bruno said, but he deferred to its customer Sierra Space to announce a more specific target date. That mission will be to fly the Dream Chaser spacecraft, an uncrewed cargo space plane that will dock with the International Space Station before returning for a landing back at Kennedy Space Center like the space shuttle used to do.

Vulcan is the replacement rocket for ULAs stable of Atlas V and Delta IV rockets, with only one Delta IV left to fly and 17 Atlas Vs.

ULA will have to juggle several Atlas launches in 2024 with its Vulcan launches as they use the same launch pad.

And Vulcan launches are dependent on a steady supply of the new American-made engines for the first stage, Blue Origins BE-4s, which have had their own tortuous development run partially blamed on COVID that contributed to Vulcan missing its original target to launch in 2021.

But more than two years later, Bruno said the path to success isnt facing any more hurdles.

There are things youve got to get through in the new rocket, like developments, right? Which weve now just about finished up, and then all of, everybody, your supply chain, yourself, everybody has to start at the first one. And then you ramp up to a production rate, Bruno said.

He recently toured Blue Origins BE-4 factory in Huntsville, Alabama, and expects the supply to keep up with demand.

Its fair to characterize it as probably the largest, most modern rocket engine factory now in existence, he said. So theyre just in the process of ramping up the production rate.  The engines are in good shape and theyre going to be delivered in time for us to put on a booster. and be standing by ready to go.

By 2025, ULA looks to bring on a second integration facility in Cape Canaveral so it can prep two rockets at once while also aiming for Vulcans first launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

As they move through time, the rate is increasing sort of continuously in that factory in Huntsville, and is expected to keep up with us through 24 and then really be hitting its stride in 25 as we are hitting our higher rate, Bruno said. Were expecting Blue to keep up with us. Theyre working very, very hard to do that. So far, so good.

The BE-4s combine with up to six solid rocket boosters that can bring more than 60,000 pounds of payload to low-Earth orbit, an increase over its Atlas and Delta capabilities.

A new heavy-class space launch vehicle is not introduced every day, Bruno said. Generally, thats those things are a decade or two apart. So it takes a long time  to develop one. And so this is the end of a multiyear-long journey for us. Its going to bring a new capability to the country, to our customers and to ourselves, so were super excited about it.
Sheriffs homicide detectives have arrested two people in connection with the shooting death of a man found two weeks ago in his burning south Sacramento home.

Michael Ryan Wheat, 42, and Dominic Perez, 21, were both arrested on suspicion of homicide and arson in the death of 65-year-old Michael Dean Plog, Sacramento County Sheriffs Office spokesman Amar Gandhi confirmed Thursday.

Firefighters found Plog inside his burning home in the 5200 block of Del Norte Boulevard in the unincorporated Fruitridge Pocket neighborhood. Gandhi said Wheat, Perez and Plog knew each other, but he didnt know how they knew each other.

Wheat was booked late Sunday at the Sacramento County Main Jail and is being held in custody without bail. He appeared for his arraignment hearing on Tuesday and is scheduled to return Nov. 27 for another hearing in Sacramento Superior Court.

Detectives arrested Perez on Wednesday in Long Beach, where it is believed he has lived before, Gandhi said. Perez has not yet been returned to Sacramento County to face criminal charges in Plogs death.

The house fire was reported about 3:45 a.m. Nov. 2. Sheriffs officials said deputies on patrol in the area spotted the house fire.

Capt. Justin Sylvia, a Sacramento Fire Department spokesman, said firefighters arrived and found heavy fire conditions at the front of the home. Sylvia said the home appeared to have hoarder-type conditions, which slowed firefighters entry into the home.

The firefighters cleared a fence and clutter to get inside, where they found Plog. Sylvia said firefighters performed medical aid, but Plog was pronounced dead at the scene.

Firefighters discovered that Plog had a gunshot wound to his torso, so sheriffs homicide detectives were called to the south Sacramento home. Gandhi said investigators determined Plog died from a gunshot wound before the house fire.
The Georgia Department of Corrections announced their staffs battle against contraband inside and outside of state prisons had led to multiple arrests in November.

In a graphic shared by GDC, nine individuals who were arrested for attempts to smuggle contraband into state facilities were shown.

Arrests were dated between Nov. 6 and Nov. 12.

Items identified as contraband by GDC were drugs, electronics and phones.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Across five state prisons, GDC said two officers and multiple civilians were arrested.

The following individuals were arrested:

Officer Jaylin Lane at Lee State Prison

Anthony Riley at Wilcox State Prison

Dontacius Patrick at Dooly State Prison

Solomon Thompkins at Dooly State Prison

Travis Short at Baldwin State Prison

Devonta Strickland at Baldwin State Prison

Officer Rosario Dawson at Augusta State Medical Prison

Rosario was found with a bundle of tobacco on her person, while in Milledgeville, Short and Strickland were found with a variety of phones, chargers, cords, earbuds, rolling paper and tobacco.

At Dooly, officers from the GDC K9 Unit made a traffic stop and found Patrick and Thompkins with drones, tobacco, marijuana, guns and cellphones.

In Calhoun County, officers with the K9 Unit found Franklin with a duffle bag full of tobacco, marijuana, cell phones, charging blocks, cords, earbuds, lighters and packs of cigarettes.

Riley was found in Abbeville with a drone, thousands of grams of tobacco, multiple phones, lighters, earbuds and rolling papers.

Lane was found with a sealed bag of marijuana taped to his body at Lee State Prison.

TRENDING STORIES:

Between the various enforcement actions, GDC seized these items across the following locations.

In Milledgeville at Baldwin State Prison:

9 touch screen cellphones

4 flip phones

3 charging cords

10 charging blocks

11 USB cords

1 pair of earbuds

2 packs of Rolling Paper

794 grams of Tobacco

In Houston County at Dooly State Prison

2 drones

1 drone controller

394 grams of Tobacco

1457 grams of marijuana

2 guns

3 cell phones

In Calhoun County at Calhoun State Prison:

5,115 grams of Tobacco

874 grams of marijuana

7 cell phones

3 charging blocks

29 charging cords

15 earbuds

73 lighters

19 packs of cigarettes

In Abbeville at Wilcox State Prison:

1 drone

3,767 grams of Tobacco

4 cell phones

2 chargers

4 earbuds

10 lighters

6 rolling papers

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IN OTHER NEWS:
CEDAR CITY, Utah (ABC4)  Two men were taken into custody earlier in November after allegedly stealing guns out of cars and selling them in Cedar City and Las Vegas, according to police.

Thomas Leroy Evarts, 20, and Travis William Edward Gunter, 22, both face third-degree felony charges of possession of firearms by a restricted person and unauthorized possession of a firearm as well as misdemeanor charges for altering a number on a pistol, possession of burglary tools, possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of a controlled substance.

Officials identify victims in fatal canyon plane crash near Provo

According to a probable cause statement by Cedar City Police Department, officers allegedly spotted Evarts and Gunter fleeing from an area where there was a report of a loud noise disturbance. The two were found in a nearby field where they were taken into custody.

Both men allegedly admitted that they had come to the area to break into cars that were unlocked and steal what they could. Police later reported finding their car, which they say had a smell of marijuana, a bag of shrooms, drug paraphernalia, and an allegedly stolen gun with the serial number scratched off.

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Police also allegedly found different calibers of ammunition, which Evarts and Gunter said belonged to other guns that were already sold in Las Vegas and Cedar City, according to a probable cause statement.

Both males stated this is not the first time they have done this, Cedar City police reported in their affidavit. Just a few weeks ago, they broke into other vehicles in Cedar City.

Both men were booked into the Iron County Jail on the above charges.

Charges are allegations only. All arrested persons are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
The 20 least-safe states in the US, ranked

Shreveport, Louisiana. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

WalletHub released a 2023 study ranking the safest states in the US.

Fifty-two safety indicators were considered in five categories, including road and financial safety.

Louisiana was ranked at the bottom of the list, making it the least-safe state in the US.

No matter where you live, it's important to consider how different factors in your location will impact your safety  whether at your workplace, through the weather in your region, or due to local crime rates.

Personal-finance website WalletHub released a report on October 23 that ranked the safest states in the US in 2023. In the categories of personal and residential safety, financial safety, road safety, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness, the 50 states were compared across 52 safety factors.

These included factors such as law-enforcement employees per capita, the bullying incidence rate, assaults per capita, the unemployment rate, and more.

While Vermont was ranked as the safest state, followed by Maine and New Hampshire, other states such as Louisiana and Mississippi fell to the bottom of the list.

These 20 states are the least-safe in the US, according to WalletHub.

20. Nevada

Reno, Nevada. Nick Fox/Shutterstock

Nevada came in No. 4 for the least-safe state in financial safety. It was also ranked the fifth worst state for personal and residential safety and the eighth worst in WalletHub's metric for road safety. It also has the third-highest unemployment rate.

19. Nebraska

Lincoln, Nebraska. Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

Nebraska ranks as the 19th least-safe state overall.

In WalletHub's safest states ranking, it ranked No. 35 for workplace safety, and 42nd in the category of emergency preparedness, leading to its overall low ranking.

18. Illinois

Springfield, Illinois. Mihai_Andritoiu/Shutterstock

Illinois came in No. 5 for the least-safe state in financial safety. In the category of emergency preparedness, it's the 16th worst state in the US, according to the WalletHub study.

Illinois also tied with Kentucky, New Jersey, and New Mexico for the highest unemployment rate.

17. South Dakota

Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

South Dakota is the second least-safe state in the US for workplace safety.

In the category of emergency preparedness, it's considered the 12th worst and, according to WalletHub, it tied with Mississippi, North Dakota, and Louisiana for the second-highest total loss amount from climate disasters per capita.

16. Ohio

Columbus, Ohio. Agnieszka Gaul/Shutterstock

Ohio came in No. 7 for the least-safe state in financial safety and 18th least-safe in workplace safety.

15. California

Riverside, California. Matt Gush/Shutterstock

California is the second least-safe state in personal and residential safety, and it has the second-highest unemployment rate out of all the states, only behind Nevada.

In WalletHub's safest states ranking, it ranked 34th for financial safety and 47th in road safety.

14. Kansas

Topeka, Kansas. Real Window Creative/Shutterstock

Kansas is the 15th least-safe state in the US for workplace safety. In the category of emergency preparedness, it's considered the sixth least-safe state in the US.

13. Georgia

Athens, Georgia. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Georgia was ranked the third worst state for financial safety.

Out of the 50 states, in the category of emergency preparedness, it ranked 38th, and for road safety, it ranked 37th. It also has the third-highest share of uninsured people.

12. South Carolina

Greenville, South Carolina Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

South Carolina is the seventh least-safe state in both personal and residential safety and road safety. It has the fifth-most fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel, according to the study.

11. Tennessee

Knoxville, Tennessee. Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock

Tennessee is the third least-safe state in personal and residential safety, tying with Alaska, Louisiana, Arkansas, and New Mexico for most assaults per capita.

It's also the ninth worst state for financial safety, with the fourth-lowest percentage of adults with rainy-day funds.

10. Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri. Mihai_Andritoiu/Shutterstock

Missouri is the 20th least-safe state in personal and residential safety. It came in No. 19 for the least-safe state in financial safety. In the category of emergency preparedness, it's considered the 11th least-safe state in the US.

9. Montana

Bozeman, Montana. Jacob Boomsma/Shutterstock

Montana is the 10th least-safe state for workplace safety, tying with North Dakota and Wyoming for the fourth-most fatal occupational injuries per total workers.

8. Colorado

Vail, Colorado. Kevin Ruck/Shutterstock

Colorado is the least-safe state in personal and residential safety, and the sixth worst in the US for workplace safety.

7. Oklahoma

Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

In WalletHubs's safest states study, Oklahoma ranked 34th for personal and residential safety and No. 33 in financial safety.

It has the fourth-highest share of uninsured people and the fifth-lowest percentage of adults with rainy-day funds.

6. Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

In the category of emergency preparedness, Alabama is considered the eighth least-safe state in the US and was ranked the sixth worst for financial safety.

5. Florida

Tampa, Florida. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Florida is the 16th least-safe state in personal and residential safety. The Sunshine State is the fifth least-safe state in WalletHub's metric for road safety, workplace safety, and emergency preparedness. It also has the second-highest share of uninsured people.

4. Texas

Houston, Texas. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Texas is the 11th least-safe state in personal and residential safety.

In the category of emergency preparedness, it's considered the third least-safe state in the US and has the fifth-highest share of uninsured people.

3. Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Arkansas is the third least-safe state in WalletHub's metric for both road safety and workplace safety.

It has the third-most fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel, and it tied with Alaska, Louisiana, Tennessee, and New Mexico for most assaults per capita.

2. Mississippi

Jackson, Mississippi. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Mississippi is the least-safe state in WalletHub's financial safety, road safety, and emergency preparedness metrics. It is the fourth least-safe state in the US for workplace safety.

WalletHub's rankings also show that Mississippi has the fourth-most fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel. Mississippi tied with South Dakota, North Dakota, and Louisiana for the second-highest total loss amount from climate disasters per capita.

1. Louisiana

Shreveport, Louisiana. Sean Pavone/Shutterstock

Deemed the least-safe state in the US, Louisiana is also the second least-safe state in financial safety and emergency preparedness, eighth worst in personal and residential safety, and ninth worst in the US for workplace safety.

Louisiana has the most fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel, and it is tied with Alaska, Arkansas, Tennessee, and New Mexico for most assaults per capita.

Per WalletHub, the state tied with Mississippi, North Dakota, and South Dakota for the second-highest total loss amount from climate disasters per capita and came in third place for the most fatal occupational injuries per total workers.

Read the original article on Insider
25 Investigates has learned that two men accused of rape, including one wanted for the rape of a 5-year-old child, are facing immediate deportation.

Federal immigration authorities say both men were living in Massachusetts unlawfully.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested 52-year-old Joshua Wright in Mashpee. Wright is a citizen of Jamaica, and ICE said hes been unlawfully present in the U.S. for more than two years. ICE said he was lawfully admitted to the U.S. in July 2020 but remained more than two years beyond his visa expiration.

A law enforcement source says ICE learned of Wright after he was charged with 2 counts of rape and one count of assault with attempt to rape in Massachusetts. He was arraigned in the Falmouth District Court in Falmouth on Oct. 27. Those charges remain pending.

ICE says its Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) issued an immigration detainer with the court seeking his custody, but he was already out on bail when ICE agents found him and arrested him on Nov. 7.

Joshua Wright (left) and Saulo Cardosa (right)

ICE also said they arrested 37-year-old Saulo Cardosa on Marthas Vineyard.

Hes wanted for the rape of a 5-year-old child in Brazil.

ICE says Cardosa has been wanted by Brazilian law enforcement authorities for failure to serve a 14-year prison sentence for the child rape charges he was convicted of in May 2019.

ICE says Cardoso entered the U.S. at an unknown date. ICEs ERO launched an investigation after being alerted to his potential presence and arrested him Nov. 14.

As 25 Investigates has been reporting, the ICE Boston field office says theres been a significant increase in the number of foreign fugitives coming to Massachusetts to escape charges in their home countries.

25 Investigates: International fugitives wanted for murder found hiding in Massachusetts

An ICE spokesperson said: Enforcement and Removal Operations is focused on smart, effective immigration enforcement that protects the homeland through the arrest and removal of those who undermine the safety of our communities and the integrity of our immigration laws.

The spokesperson added: Entering the United States without authorization is a violation of federal law, and those who do so may be subject to administrative arrest, and in some cases, criminal prosecution.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
The man sentenced to life in prison for murdering his ex-girlfriend inside a Worcester restaurant in 2019 agreed to a plea deal Thursday for separate home invasion charges.

Carlos Asencio was sentenced to life in prison back in June for the murder of his former work colleague and ex-girlfriend, 31-year-old Amanda Dabrowski.

Before the brutal attack at OConnors Restaurant in Worcester in July 2019, police accused Asencio of breaking into Dabrowskis home in Ayer, MA, and attacking her months earlier during a violent home invasion in the early morning hours of Easter Sunday, 2019.

But Dabrowski fought him off in that first attack, police said.

Middlesex Assistant District Attorney Chris Tarrant said Asencio struck Dabrowski with an electronic stun gun.

Amanda managed to grab a knife from her kitchen and attempted to stab the defendant in the chest and upper back, Tarrant said in Woburn court Thursday.

More than four years later, Asencio stood in a courtroom in Woburn to plead guilty to a 10-count indictment related to that attack.

Middlesex County Superior Court Judge James Beaudreau asked him: Are those the things that you did?

Asencio said: Yes it was under a psychotic episode, but yes I am pleading guilty to it.

Asencio pleaded guilty to ten counts related to that attack  and will serve another ten years concurrent with his life sentence.

As 25 Investigates has documented, Asencio fled after the attack  driving to Montreal, then flying to Cancun, Mexico.

When the defendant crossed the Canadian border he was in possession of a heavy-duty ballistics vest, Tarrant said.

Despite active warrants, he snuck back into the country. He tracked Dabrowski by taping a cell phone to her car and followed her to OConnors restaurant in Worcester in July 2019.

There, he entered with two large knives and he brutally stabbed her dozens of times as other restaurant patrons tried to save her.

The Dabrowski family sat in the hearing on Thursday via Zoom  perhaps the final time theyll have to face their daughters killer.

In a text message to 25 Investigates Reporter Kerry Kavanaugh following the hearing, Dabrowskis father Ed said his family now has some closure.

Hed met Dabrowski at work and they dated for just 3 months before she broke it off.

FIGHT FOR PROTECTION FOR DOMESTIC VIOLENCE VICTIMS

As 25 Investigations has documented, Amanda notified her employer of the Easter Sunday attack but learned she was terminated just two days later .

Massachusetts has employment protections for victims of domestic violence, up to 15 days of leave. But right now, it only applies to full-time employees. Amanda was a contracted worker. Proposed legislation would provide 15 days of leave in any 12-month period if the contract worker is a victim of abusive behavior.

25 Investigates was there in May when the Dabrowskis took their fight to the state house for the third consecutive session for legislation in their daughters honor.

Her familys led their fight for such legislation since 2020.

The bill was voted out of the Workforce Development Committee and now sits in the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

A spokesperson for Sen. Michael Rodrigues, a Ways and Means Committee chair and Democrat said lawmakers havent acted on the legislation yet because theyre still working on finalizing the supplemental budget.

Once we get the budget out of the way, the staff should start to work on that, he said.

Lawmakers officially get back to work in early 2024 for the second year of the two-year legislative session.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
A 25-year-old woman has been reported missing after she did not return home from her trip to a Texas national park, officials say.

The National Park Service said Christy Perry picked up a rental car in Midland, Texas, on Nov. 8 before arriving at Big Bend National Park.

That was the last time she has been seen, as she did not show up for her camping reservation on Nov. 9,officials said in a Nov. 16 news release.

Perry was reported missing when her family said she did not come home, the park service said.

As crews searched for the missing hiker, they found her rental car by Lost Mine Trail, which features a 1,100-foot climb over 2.4 miles. Hikers often complete the hike in about three hours, according to the park service.

The trail has been closed to allow crews room to search for Perry, officials said.

Perry is described as being 5 feet, 2 inches and 100 pounds. She has fair skin, brown hair and brown eyes.

If you were hiking Lost Mine Trail on Nov. 8 or 9 and saw Perry, you are asked to contact the National Park Service at 888-653-0009.
The mostly Muslim Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and thousands risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys (amanda jufrian)

About 250 desperate Rohingya refugees reached western Indonesia on a decrepit, overcrowded wooden boat Thursday, bringing the total number reported by local officials to have arrived this week to nearly 600.

The boat holding the members of the persecuted Myanmar minority, many barefoot and some pleading for help, sat just off the coast in the archipelago nation's Aceh province.

Some made a dash for shore after residents refused to let them land, collapsing to the sand and begging for the vessel's exhausted passengers to be allowed to disembark.

The mostly Muslim Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and thousands risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys, often in flimsy boats, to try to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.

Men, women, children and babies could be seen looking to shore as angry locals told them not to land the boat, which some on board said had sailed from Bangladesh.

Young men on board held their arms out in exasperation as the open-topped boat listed to one side through overcrowding.

The local Acehnese delivered food to the boat in the hope those on board would decide to move on, according to Mukhtaruddin, village head of Pulo Pineung Meunasah.

The passengers, however, were insistent after almost three weeks at sea.

After climbing down ropes to swim to shore and remonstrate with the Acehnese, one Rohingya man covered in plasters lay on the sand barefoot, shirtless, appearing almost lifeless.

The rest of Thursday's arrivals were still waiting on the boat about 100 metres (110 yards) from the beach, Mukhtaruddin said.

Rohingya refugee Manzur Alam told AFP the boat had left Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh -- home to almost a million Rohingya refugees -- 20 days ago with 249 people on board.

Mukhtaruddin estimated there were "between 250 and 260" refugees on the boat or the beach.

Three people, including Alam, gave different passenger breakdowns but all said mostly women and children were on board.

"There are many babies, little children, please protect them, they are very hungry because they didn't get anything," said Alam, 23.

Some of the Rohingya men straddled the vessel's sides, using their hands to shield their faces from the sun as they looked for answers on shore.

A young Rohingya girl could also be seen cupping her hands upward in a gesture of prayer.

- 'Allow them to land' -

The latest boat brings the total number of Rohingya arrivals in Indonesia over the past 72 hours to nearly 600, according to figures provided by local officials.

"At least one or two more" boats were still at sea on the way to Indonesia, Chris Lewa, director of Rohingya rights organisation the Arakan Project, told AFP, noting this was the "beginning of the sailing season".

Bangladesh is home to at least 960,000 Rohingya refugees, according to UN figures, most of whom fled a violent 2017 crackdown by the Myanmar military that is now subject to a UN genocide investigation.

The stateless and persecuted minority live in overcrowded, dangerous and under-resourced relief camps, and several previous attempts to broker their return home have failed due to reluctance from Myanmar and the refugees themselves.

On Wednesday, another boat carrying 147 arrived in Aceh's Pidie region, local government official Ihsan said in a statement.

Another group of 196 landed in the same region the day before, according to local navy commander Andi Susanto.

The UN's refugee agency was coordinating with local authorities to help the latest Rohingya arrivals, said Mitra Salima Suryono, the agency's Indonesia spokeswoman.

"We hope the authorities and the local people can continue to open the space for the refugees and allow them to land," she said.

More than 2,000 Rohingya are believed to have attempted the risky journey to Southeast Asian countries in 2022, according to the UNHCR.

Nearly 200 Rohingya died or went missing last year while attempting hazardous sea crossings, the agency has estimated.

str-dsa-jfx/pbt
MARYLAND HEIGHTS, Mo.  Hoffmann Brothers, a heating and cooling company, is set to bring 300 new jobs to the St. Louis metro area with its expansion in Maryland Heights.

With over 40 years of service in the St. Louis metro area, Hoffmann Brothers is a company that supplies service to residential and commercial customers for heating, air conditioning, and more.

The companys latest expansion in Maryland Heights, involving an investment of nearly $6 million, has been completed. The expanded 20,000-square-foot location now accommodates the companys marketing, finance, accounting, customer experience, information technology, and inside sales teams.

These teams will support Hoffmann Brothers operations in both St. Louis and Nashville, where the company established its first location in 2020. The newly created jobs as part of this expansion will offer wages well above the county and city averages.

In addition to its growth initiatives, Hoffmann Brothers has actively engaged with the St. Louis community by partnering with various organizations to contribute to charitable causes.

Hoffmann Brothers will be using the Missouri Works program, a tool designed to assist companies in expanding and retaining workers by offering access to capital through withholdings or tax credits for job creation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Authorities say 81 people were arrested Thursday after a group of protesters shut down several lanes of the Bay Bridge during the morning rush hour causing major delays and disrupting traffic heading into San Francisco.

Local TV news outlets broadcasting the protest showed dozens of protesters from many organizations taking to the bridge calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and an end to U.S. military aid to Israel. They began blocking westbound lanes shortly before 8 a.m.

Broadcast footage also showed numerous protesters chanting and tying themselves together with chains. Many protesters did a 'die-in' and were lying down with white sheets covering them that said, "Stop the genocide."

California Highway Patrol officers declared the protest an "unlawful demonstration" and arrested protesters using zip ties and placing them in buses, officials with the highway patrol said.

Police officers detain a protester blocking the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge while demonstrating against the APEC summit Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in San Francisco.

"We are 100 percent in support of peoples rights to exercise their First Amendment, but this is the wrong way to do it," California Highway Patrol Chief Ezery Beauchamp told reporters during a briefing. "This is 100 percent wrong, not acceptable, and is illegal to do."

San Francisco Sheriff Paul Miyamoto later told KGO-TV that one protester remains in custody and that the remaining protesters arrested were cited and released. The protesters are facing charges of unlawful assembly and failure to disperse, both misdemeanors, the sheriff said.

Thursday's protest coincides with the weeklong Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit held in San Francisco and comes a day after several protests occurred across the San Francisco Bay Area in response to the event. Hundreds of protesters gathered Wednesday for various demonstrations ranging from the conflict in the Middle East, the U.S.'s role in it, and activities surrounding the summit as clashes between pro- and anti-China demonstrators.

The protest was organized by several groups, including the Palestinian Youth Movement and the Arab Resource and Organizing Center (AROC Bay Area). In several posts on X, formerly Twitter, AROC said the protesters took to the Bay Bridge "in defense of Palestinian liberation!"

Police respond to protestors who shut down westbound lanes on the eastern span of the Bay Bridge during the Asia-Pacific Econonmic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, California, on November 16, 2023. The APEC Summit takes place through November 17. (Photo by Jason Henry / AFP)

"Theres a genocide happening in #Gaza and @POTUS is hosting cocktail parties in #SanFrancisco," AROC posted. "Bay Area has shut down the Bay Bridge to demand #CeasefireNOW."

California Department of Transportation spokesman Bart Ney told KTVU-TV the protest will affect traffic all day. By noon local time, all westbound lanes on the bridge reopened, California Highway Patrol officer Adib Zeid said.

Police officers clear protesters blocking the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge while demonstrating against the APEC summit Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in San Francisco. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

Beauchamp added they would have to tow dozens of vehicles, as many protesters who drove onto the bridge during the protest likely tossed their keys into the Pacific Ocean, further causing the massive delay on the bridge.

Ney, the state transportation spokesman, told KGO-TV Thursday that 29 abandoned vehicles were towed off the bridge. More than 280,000 vehicles travel across the span daily, Ney said.

Beauchamp said the protesters were well-organized as the highway patrol did as much as it could.

Typically, protesters try to walk on the Bay Bridge, instead of driving, to block traffic during demonstrations.

"I will say that we were not caught off guard. This was something that we were anticipating happening. We were here within a couple of minutes, but they were planned, they worked together, they brought their vehicles to a stop, and they got that accomplished within seconds," Beauchamp said. "Again, you can protest you can your First Amendment rights but not on the Bay Bridge."

Elsa Santos and her children wait for police officers to clear protesters off the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge during a demonstration against the APEC summit on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, in San Francisco. Santos was stuck for several hours while trying to take her kids to school. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bay Bridge protest in San Francisco over APEC summit sees 81 arrested
WASHINGTON - The man accused of stealing a police cruiser from the University of the District of Columbia last week has been arrested.

After evading authorities for nearly five days, detectives from the Metropolitan Police Department nabbed 50-year-old Donald Gladden on Wednesday.

Police believe Gladden took the UDC cruiser from the campus in the 4200 block of Connecticut Avenue, Northwest just before 4 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 10. The vehicle was located later that night, but the suspect was nowhere to be found.

The arrest comes one day after the department released surveillance video, which appears to show Gladden parking the cruiser at a Lowe's Home Improvement store, and shopping for paper towels and detergent inside.

Gladen is now facing charges including theft 1 (stolen auto) and theft from motor vehicle.
As we seemingly race into winter, group chats will soon be abuzz with the dreaded New Years Eve planning.

It is, lets face it, the most overrated night of the year, and many have been scorched with disappointment by what promised to be firework-lit festivities turning out to be more of a damp squib.

Thankfully, there is an alternative to the high-stakes glittery carnage: a pressure-free countdown on an all-in staycation with your loved ones.

Festive itineraries at boutique hotels, historic castles and cosy country houses promise to deliver a memorable start to 2024.

Think indulgent feasts on evenings peppered with mulled wine and Motown tunes come 31 December, a splash of black-tie glamour, and hearty New Years Day breakfasts with all the trimmings  a recovery essential if one too many champagne corks happened to be popped the night before.

Whether youre a party animal, live music lover or are simply keen to blast off the Christmas cobwebs in the spa, here are the best breaks to mark the new calendar year with all the bells and whistles.

Read more on UK travel:

The Grove, Hertfordshire

Festive happenings grace The Grove with fireworks and feasts pre-2024 (The Grove Hotel)

The Groves New Years celebration packages from 30 December include a New Years Eve dinner at The Stables or Glasshouse restaurant, a traditional breakfast in bed with champagne on New Years Day and use of the award-winning Sequoia spa, all set in the restored former home of the Earl of Clarendon in the Hertfordshire countryside  therell also be a midnight fireworks display, DJ and other festive surprises along the way.

Two-night New Years Eve packages from 1,555 based on two adults dining at The Stables restaurant.

Littlecote House, Berkshire

Countdown at Littlecote for an evening of mulled wine and Motown (Littlecote House/Warner Leisure Hotels)

At Littlecote House in Berkshire, a three-night staycation to count down to the new year is sure to sparkle. Live Motown music featuring Lascel Wood and Ray Lewis meets classic cooked breakfasts, buffet lunches and a delectable New Years Eve feast during the homely stays between 30 December and 2 January, with lantern-lit walks, an extravagant fireworks display and NYE gifts included at the end of year getaway.

Three-night stays over New Years Eve from 825 based on two staying in a standard room.

The Gallivant, Rye

Oysters, nightcaps and midnight snacks make NYE at The Gallivant sparkle (The Gallivant)

If its elegance and fine dining you seek over shots and picky platters, The Gallivants two-night New Years Eve offer certainly fits the bill. The 31 December to 2 January stay, complete with multi-course dinners, champagne and oyster receptions, nightcaps and midnight snacks, takes place against a backdrop of vineyards, sand dunes and historic Hastings. Theres even a morning yoga class on New Years Day or a coastal stroll for those looking to start 2024 feeling refreshed.

Two-night New Year packages from 1,328 for two guests.

Lime Wood, New Forest

Its a splash of black-tie glamour for Lime Woods five-course festivities (Jake Eastham/Lime Wood Hotel)

One of the New Forests best country house hotels, Lime Wood, is putting on a party this December with its three-storey spa, Italian-inspired restaurant and woodland courtyard the ideal spot to toast to new beginnings. Guests will feast on five courses and fizz while dressed to the nines in black tie before dancing to the sound of a traditional lone piper welcoming in the New Year at midnight. Come 1 January its a full English and a bloody mary to kick start the year, with some R&R in the Herb House Spa and invigorating New Forest fresh air on the side.

Two-night New Year stays with rooms from 495 per night.

Cowley Manor Experimental, Cotswolds

For New Years in a home-from-home manor house, Cowley is a treat for the eyes and the stomach (Cowley Manor Experimental  Mr. Tripper)

Trips to Cowley Manor Experimental in the picturesque Cotswolds provide all the trimmings this New Years. On the two-night package, guests will be spoiled with food from top chef Jackson Boxer (four courses in fact), a midnight champagne toast, and a New Years Day brunch of cooked and continental delights. Picture leisurely living at a 17th-century manor house primed for festivities and 55 acres of lakes and woodlands to explore between sips in the experimental cocktail bar.

Two-night New Years Eve packages from 1,770 per room.

Ruthin Castle, North Wales

Indulge in history with a side of sherry and mince pies for NYE in Ruthin Castle (Getty Images)

Denbighshires historic Ruthin Castle transforms into a dreamy winter retreat come December, with sparkling drinks receptions, Christmas-inspired canapes and mince pies aplenty for guests staying over the New Year. Access to relaxing treatments in the hotels Bazaar Spa facilities and walks around the historic castle grounds pair nicely with a three-course gala dinner in Berties restaurant, hearty Welsh breakfasts and bucketloads of fizz to ring in 2024.

Two-night New Year packages from 534.

Read more of our best UK hotel reviews
Over the course of the day, Ukraines Defence Forces clashed with Russian forces 62 times in total. The Russians carried out nine missile strikes and 31 airstrikes, as well as 26 attacks from multiple-launch rocket systems.

Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Facebook, information as of 18:00 on 16 November

Quote: "During the day, the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine inflicted two strikes on clusters of enemy personnel.

Units of Ukrainian Rocket Forces and Artillery targeted three clusters of Russian personnel, weapons and military equipment, six artillery pieces, two command posts and two ammunition depots."

Details: On the Kupiansk front, the Russian forces unsuccessfully conducted assault operations near Synkivka and Petropavlivka in Kharkiv Oblast, where Ukrainians repelled four attacks. The occupying forces also carried out an airstrike in the area of Petropavlivka, Kharkiv Oblast.

On the Lyman front, the Russians did not conduct offensive (assault) actions.

On the Bakhmut front, the Ukrainians repelled 18 Russian attacks in the areas of Ivanove, Klischiivka and Andriivka, Donetsk Oblast.

On the Avdiivka front, Russian forces conducted unsuccessful assault operations east of Stepove, Avdiivka and Pervomaiske in Donetsk Oblast, where Ukraines Defence Forces repelled 15 attacks.

On the Marinka front, Russian units, with the support of aviation, conducted unsuccessful assault actions in the areas of Marinka and Novomykhailivka, Donetsk Oblast, where Ukrainian defenders repelled 15 attacks.

On the Shakhtarsk front, the Russian forces conducted unsuccessful assault operations near Staromaiorske, Donetsk Oblast.

On the Zaporizhzhia front, the Russians conducted unsuccessful assault actions in the vicinity of Robotyne and west of Verbove, Zaporizhzhia Oblast, where the Ukrainian forces repelled five attacks.

Meanwhile, Ukraines Defence Forces are continuing to pursue the offensive on the Melitopol front and to carry out offensive operations on the Bakhmut front, inflicting personnel and equipment losses on the Russian forces and exhausting them all along the contact line.

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NASSAU, Bahamas - An American tourist is dead, travelers are traumatized and an investigation is underway after a ferry boat sunk in the Bahamas.

This happened yesterday during an island excursion trip in Nassau, which is a popular cruise destination for Floridians.

FOX 35 News' Esther Bower spoke with travelers on board the sinking ship  and they're concerned there weren't enough safety protocols in place.

Passengers said they were up to their shoulders in water and had no direction on what to do when the boat was sinking. Infants all the way up to seniors were on board, and a 75-year-old woman lost her life during the terrifying ordeal.

Video from the incident shows people jumping off the sinking ship, hoping they'd be saved.

Britanie Crippen and Derek Smoot were on board the sinking ferry, the Blue Lagoon Island ferry excursion. It wasn't their first time cruising, but it was their first time in the Bahamas.

"There were boats passing us very fast and didn't stop to help. Just kept passing by, creating huge waves. I kept getting almost drowned by the huge waves crashing," Crippen said.

The two said they didn't get any instructions from staff.

"We got no instructions like, Hey, put on your life vest now. It was, like, we figured it out when we were up to our shoulders in water," Smoot said.

Credit: Sarah Plourde via Storyful

Passenger Kelly Schissel had a similar experience.

"We were waiting for somebody to tell us what to do and nobody did," she said.

Officials said two passengers were taken to the hospital and a 75-year-old woman died.

"She was on a wheelchair, and she was on oxygen," Schissel said.

She said first responders couldn't save the woman.

"You could see the wheelchair and a bunch of people carrying different oxygen masks and tanks running up the pier toward where they lady was, and to my knowledge, they tried doing CPR and they just couldn't bring her back," Schissel said.

MORE : Pilot killed after plane drops from radar, crashes in Florida, officials say

Local authorities in the Bahamas are investigating what caused the boat to sink. The U.S. Embassy is also involved, with some passengers worried about planning another international vacation.

"Going to a foreign country is something to be really cautious about," Crippen said, adding that everyone should take "extra precautions no matter what, even if no one gives it to you."

RELATED : Port Canaveral, one of Florida's biggest economic engines, running short on space as key players keep growing

The people FOX 35 News spoke with were passengers on Royal Caribbean's Independence of the Seas ship, which arrived back in Miami on Wednesday. At this time, they said they're working with the ship to get refunds for the excursion.

Officials said the care team is connecting with the family of the 75-year-old woman who died.
A 5-pound, 6-ounce biracial baby boy was given up for adoption Nov. 9 at Piedmont Medical Center in Rock Hill, the South Carolina Department of Social Services reported Wednesday.

He was born Oct 4 and was returned to the hospital a month later, Connelly-Anne Ragley, communications director for DSS, said..

His was the eighth surrender of the year, surpassing all previous years.

In South Carolina, Daniels Law, the Safe Haven for Abandoned Babies Act, allows for parents to anonymously surrender infants up to 60 days old to designated locations such as hospitals and fire stations.

The baby was placed in a licensed foster home and a permanency planning hearing scheduled for 3:15 p.m. Dec. 18 at the York County Family Court Center, 1555 West Main Street, Rock Hill.

Last year, seven babies were surrendered, the most since South Carolina Department of Social Services began reporting the numbers in 2009.

The act was enacted in 2001 and named for an infant who survived being buried in a landfill in Allendale County. Nurses named him Daniel as he recovered at a hospital. In all, 60 babies have been surrendered since the act was passed. Six babies were surrendered in 2016 and 2019.
A new release by a Baltimore-born DJ featuring a collaboration with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore is a Grammy nominee for best childrens music album.

Coming to you from Maryland, this is Governor Wes Moore, begins a song on DJ Willy Wow!s album Hip Hope For Kids!  and it is indeed Moores familiar voice on the track, aptly titled, Service by (Governor Wes Moore).

When DJ Willy Wow! reached out to ask me to be on his album I knew it was something that I had to do, because our kids need positive influences like this in their lives, Moore told The Baltimore Sun in a written statement. I was proud to play a small role in this project.

William March, a childrens songwriter and music producer, has performed as DJ Willy Wow! at the White House and has topped childrens music charts.

His latest album, released in early September, is one of five nominated for a Grammy Award last week in the childrens music category. The 66th Grammy Awards ceremony will take place Sunday, Feb. 4, and will air live on CBS.

To see DJ Willy Wow! be nominated for a Grammy is heartwarming, because he is one of those people that gets out there everyday and works to make peoples lives better, Moore said. I can say that there is no one more deserving.

March, who now lives in Atlanta, told The Sun in an email that the album is a celebration of hope and empowerment, a beacon of light for the next generation of tiny ears.

Each track serves as a testament to the limitless potential within every child, encouraging them to soar to new heights and embrace their unique talents, March, 48, said.

Moores track is one of a few powerful interludes featuring influential voices  including that of Marchs father, Erich March, featured as Daddy Wow!  between songs, March said.

March said he has been friends with Moore for a few years and gave him complete creative liberties when he agreed to take part in the project.

On his roughly two-minute track, Moore speaks  rather than sings  about the importance of being actively engaged in ones community.

I am living proof of the power of service, he says, later adding: Service will save us.

The feature was an opportunity to spotlight Marylands first-in-the-nation service year program, Moore told The Sun.

Service changed my life, it made me a better person, and a stronger leader, and it took me to places I never thought possible, he said. Last year, Moore became the first military veteran in 36 years to be elected as Marylands governor.

On his DJ Willy Wow! song, Moores message to young people is that theres no wrong way to give back to their communities.

The work ahead wont be easy, and we got a lot to do, he says. But if we do it together, we can achieve things no one thought possible.
A man on his way home from the pro-Palestine march was brutally attacked by a group of men and afterwards had to have his teeth reinserted.

Last weekend, hundreds of thousands of people marched for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Charities have reported a rise in Islamophobia and antisemitism in the UK since the Hamas attack in Israel on 7 October.

A pro-Palestinian demonstrator has described how a group of men knocked his teeth out in a vicious attack as he returned from Saturday's London march  before a passing dentist helped put them back in his mouth.

Kadri Mahmoud, 33, was travelling back from the mass demo in central London on 11 November when he says he was confronted by a group of several men in Bethnal Green, east London.

Police have said they are treating the alleged attack as racially aggravated grievous bodily harm.

Video of the aftermath of the alleged attack, which shows Mahmoud's two front teeth being re-inserted into his bloodied mouth, subsequently went viral on Instagram.

Speaking to Yahoo News, Mahmoud said the group approached him as he walked back from Bethnal Green station because he was carrying the Palestinian flag.

He said their first question was what country the flag represented. He said once he told them, they claimed it was illegal.

The pro-Palestine protest march was held on Remembrance Day. (Alamy Live News) (Guy Bell)

Recommended reading

Mahmoud said he explained there had been a protest and that he was going home.

He told Yahoo News: "There's nothing controversial about a flag; it represents a call for peace, and I could tell my answer didn't really satisfy him."

The exchange then became heated after Mahmoud posed a hypothetical scenario about wearing an England flag and how that wouldn't pose any offence.

He said the men began swearing at him, backed him onto a wall, and had a phone in his face with the flash on to film him.

More London stories - click above

Mahmoud, who has owned the flag for years and did''t want to lose it, said he told the men: "If you think that a few white men are going to tell someone who's protesting for peace what to do, there is no chance you're going to get this flag from me."

He said the next thing he was aware of was everything going black, before coming to on the ground with blood pouring out of his mouth.

Kadri Mahmoud's teeth are likely to be saved. (Kadri Mahmoud) (Kadri Mahmoud)

He was taken into a nearby cafe, before realising he needed to find his teeth, which had been knocked out during the fight.

He stepped outside with several other witnesses, including one man who had chased away his attackers, and eventually found them.

Mahmoud told Yahoo News that a passing dentist, who had also tried to de-escalate the incident, was able to save his teeth.

Mahmoud said: "Honestly, this is where humanity restored itself in a flash."

Mohammed Sufiyan, who has been a dentist for two years, said he tried to act as peacemaker in the fight as he saw no-one stepping in to help Mahmoud. He was then able to help reinsert the teeth in the police car.

"As I put his teeth in within 20 minutes it massively increases the chance of his teeth being saved," Sufiyan said.

Sufiyan went to the hospital with Mahmoud and police and spoke with a maxillofacial doctor, who put a splint in Mahmouds jaw.

Mahmoud is due to have a root canal procedure to fix his teeth back into his mouth.

The pro-Palestine protestor was filmed having his teeth put back in after he was attacked for carrying the flag of Palestine. (Kadri Mahmoud) (Kadri Mahmoud)

The Met Police said in a statement to Yahoo News: "The incident is being treated as racially aggravated grievous bodily harm. Enquiries are ongoing, including gathering and analysing CCTV.

"No-one should be subjected to hate because of their faith or race; this is absolutely unacceptable. We are taking action and will be relentless in targeting those who commit hate crimes and threaten our communities."

Hate crimes on the rise?

The attack on Mahmoud follows a global trend of an increase in hate crimes after the Israel-Gaza conflict re-escalated in October. Charities have been assisting people who have become victims of Islamophobia and antisemitism.

There has been an increase in both hate crimes. The Community Service Trust, which monitors anti-semitic attacks, said that following the 7 October Hamas assault, in just 32 days they had recorded 1,124 incidents of antisemitism across the UK.

Tell Mama, a charity that measures anti-Muslim hate across Britain, said that there has been a "six-fold increase" when comparing the two weeks following the October attack to the same two weeks in 2022. The charity said it had received 291 reports of anti-Muslim hatred in London in the fortnight after 7 October.

The march in central London on 11 November was the subject of much controversy.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman was highly critical of what she branded a "hate march", calling for it to be banned.

She was accused of fuelling far-right violence after dozens of people opposing the pro-Palestine march were arrested.

The Metropolitan Police said 126 people were arrested during the Armistice Day protests  the majority of whom were counter-protesters.

So far, 11 people have been charged with offences including assault on an emergency worker, criminal damage, racially aggravated assault and possession of an offensive weapon.
TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  Florida Attorney General Ashley Moody doubled down on her arguments against a proposed abortion rights amendment that is currently under review by the state supreme court.

In her quest to keep the amendment off the 2024 ballot, Moody filed a reply brief with the Florida Supreme Court on Thursday, reiterating her concerns with aspects of the initiatives ballot summary. The measure must clear the judicial review process before Floridians can weigh in at the polls.

The ballot measures summary reads, in part, No law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion before viability or when necessary to protect the patients health, as determined by the patients healthcare provider.

Florida abortion rights supporters push Supreme Court to allow proposed amendment on 2024 ballot

Moody claims the summary is misleading and said the measures sponsors hope the amendment would produce the near-equivalent of abortion on demand in the State of Florida. She alleged that since the summary states, [n]o law shall prohibit, penalize, delay, or restrict abortion, it is misleading, because it does not mention a federal statute that restricts the performance of partial-birth abortions to life-threatening circumstances.

One additional word  would have done the trick: No state law shall, Moody wrote in the brief. That single word also would have addressed the possibility that Congress would in the future enact further preemptive legislation restricting the practice of abortion.

Moody also took issue with what she called the amendments central operative terms: viability, health, and healthcare provider. She said the ballot summary fails to narrow the wide range of meaning that could attach to those terms.

The attorney general alleged the use of the term healthcare provider would effectuate a dramatic shift in lawmaking powerfrom the government to physicians, whom she calls the private commercial interest that stands to profit from the very practice whose legality that interest gets to determine.

Floridians Protecting Freedom is the main sponsor of Amendment to Limit Government Interference with Abortion, which had just under half a million verified signatures, as of Thursday. It needs a total of 891,523 to appear on the ballot.

As of this report, Floridians Protecting Freedom has not responded to Moodys reply brief.

In Mondays filing, the measures sponsors slammed Moodys arguments as politically motivated and said Florida voters understand the common-sense definition of terms like viability.

For nearly fifty yearsuntil last yeargovernment interference with abortion before viability was limited, attorneys representing Floridians Protecting Freedom wrote in a brief. Voters can be trusted to know what it would mean to live in a world limiting government interference with abortion before viability.

The measures supporters also believe those who oppose it are making political arguments, rather than on a strictly-legal basis. Four support briefs were also submitted to the Florida Supreme Court on Monday by Florida doctors, former Florida Republican elected officials, constitutional law scholars and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.

In an Oct. 6 op-ed, published shortly before Moody filed her initial brief, she described herself as unabashedly pro-life. She has requested oral arguments in the case, according to court documents filed on Monday.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
FRESNO, Calif. (KSEE/KGPE)  The City of Fresno is being sued by the ACLU Foundation of Northern California and the First Amendment Coalition (FAC) for allegedly holding secret budget negotiations in violation of the Brown Act, officials with the ACLU announced on Wednesday.

The lawsuit asks the court to order Fresno to comply with the Brown Acts open meeting, notice, and public comment requirements.

Since at least 2018, officials with the FAC say the Fresno City Council has had a Budget Committee that negotiated the citys annual budget behind closed doors, violating Californias law on open public meetings and depriving the people of their fundamental right to transparency in local government.

Officials say changes were made without any notice to, or input from, the public, such as more than 75 changes and amendments to the proposed budget  totaling almost $30 million during Fresnos Fiscal Year 2024 budget process.

The First Amendment Coalition says the Budget Committees failure to meet in public, post an agenda, and provide the public with an opportunity to comment during the budget committee meetings violates the Brown Act.

Transparency and public participation in public meetings, especially those involving decisions on Fresnos record-breaking $1.87 billion budget, are crucial for a thriving democracy. Thats why were suing Fresno over its secret Budget Committee, said Angelica Salceda, Director, of Democracy and Civic Engagement Program, ACLU Foundation of Northern California.

Before filing suit, ACLU and FAC say they sent Fresno a letter demanding the city to stop crafting its annual budget in secret. Instead of agreeing to stop violating the Brown Act, Fresno doubled down on its secret meetings, exposing the city to legal action.

2023.09.05-Ltr-to-Fresno-City-re-Budget-ProcessDownload

Were disappointed that Fresno is choosing to keep its budget committee secret, said David Loy, Legal Director, of First Amendment Coalition. The law requires the city to make Budget Committee meetings open to the public so community members are empowered to engage in the democratic process and hold their representatives accountable.

In a statement, representatives from the City of Fresno say they do not comment on pending litigation.

In a further statement, City of Fresno attorney Andrew Janz revealed that the complaint was provided to media outlets prior to the City of Fresno being served adding that it shows the lawsuit is not about transparency but rather an attempt to impose a radical unworkable process.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to YourCentralValley.com.
Editor's note: Studies have shown that the vast majority of people with mental illnesses are not violent, and experts say most people who are violent do not have mental illnesses, according to the U.S. Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.

Court documents obtained by the Pueblo Chieftain on Wednesday describe the chaotic scene that arriving police officers found Tuesday when a man drove a car into the mall.

Police that same day arrested Mario Arellano, 28, whom they accused of crashing his vehicle into the Pueblo Mall food court and making a bomb threat after calling 911 and stating he was having a mental health crisis.

The timeline on the affidavit captures the time that it took the suspect to get into the mall, the police pursuit that followed and the verbal outburst the suspect reportedly had.

The south entrance of the Pueblo Mall on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

Officers respond to 911 call, hear gunshots

At 2:07 p.m. Tuesday, the Pueblo police communications center received a 911 call from an unknown man, who told dispatch that someone was driving around the mall in a black car and had shot at him, according to an affidavit authored by police. When asked for further information, the caller hung up.

At 2:13 p.m., dispatch called back, and a man answered and told dispatch that he was about to start shooting people in the mall.

"I think I lost my mind. I'm about to start murdering people," the suspect allegedly told dispatch.

"I think I finally snapped. I need a (Crisis Intervention Team) trained officer because I'm having a mental breakdown. I'm losing my mind," the suspect reported to police dispatch.

When officers arrived, they checked the area around the mall but did not find any shooting victims. As officers were checking the perimeter, an officer heard gunshots on the west side of the mall, according to the affidavit.

Officers engage in vehicle pursuit, Arellano crashes into mall

Officers noticed a silver Kia leaving the parking lot near where the gunshots were coming from, and police pursued the vehicle. The driver, later identified as Arellano, did not stop.

A sergeant ordered the pursuit to be called off due to numerous people in the parking lot and around the mall, and officers briefly stopped the chase. However, several seconds later, a captain countermanded the sergeant, ordering the pursuit to be continued due to the "totality of the circumstances," according to the affidavit.

Pueblo police resumed pursuit. One officer noticed smoke coming from the driver's side window of the Kia and heard popping sounds.

An officer on foot near the mall food court entrance said that he observed Arellano drive toward several people in the parking lot near the mall entrance. He then pulled his Kia onto the sidewalk and drove toward several people standing on the sidewalk, as well as several officers on foot in front of the mall.

Pueblo law enforcement investigate after an incident at the Pueblo Mall where a vehicle drove through the west side doors on Tuesday, November 14, 2023.

Officers moved out of the way, and Arellano drove toward the entrance and into the food court. The officer reported in the affidavit that Arellano had his window rolled down, and heard him say "I'm going to kill innocent people."

Arellano crashed through the glass doors at the entrance of the food court, and stopped after hitting a half-decorative wall with tile, metal and drywall, according to the affidavit.

Arellano refused multiple verbal commands to get out of his vehicle, according to the affidavit, and attempted to roll up the driver's side window. Officers "breached the window," according to the report.

As officers were trying to take Arellano into custody, he began yelling that he "didn't want a white person to touch him," and that he "hated white people." He also said he had planted bombs around the mall, and was planning to blow the mall up.

He was escorted back to a marked police vehicle but allegedly resisted efforts to place him in the vehicle. He continued to make threats to officers and civilians and said officers were "lucky he wasn't holding his gun." Arellano had to be forcefully placed inside the police car, the affidavit said.

Police noted that numerous people were inside the food court when Arellano crashed into the building. One in particular requested medical attention for a child because she had to "aggressively" grab the child to get out of the way of Arellano's car as he drove into the mall.

Material damage to the mall was valued at $125,000, the mall's general manager told police.

Officers observe a pressure cooker device, Arellano makes bomb threat

Officers noticed what appeared to be a pressure cooker in the rear seat of the Kia Soul driven by Arellano. Given the threats made by Arellano about bombs in the mall, the building was evacuated, including surrounding businesses and the parking lot and the Pueblo Metro Bomb Squad was called to the scene.

A bomb squad member spoke with Arellano, who at that time was in the back of a police vehicle. Arellano allegedly told the bomb squad member that his entire car was a bomb.

Arellano said he controlled the alleged planted bombs with a cell phone and was hooked up to a heart monitor that could also set the bombs off. Arellano alleged he had a "team of people around the world" who would "wreak havoc" if anything happened to him.

Because the investigation is ongoing and because Arellano has not been charged with a crime in connection to some of the allegations in the affidavit, the Pueblo Chieftain is not publicizing those allegations.

The bomb squad conducted an investigation of the Kia and determined there were no explosives inside the vehicle.

Arellano was taken to Parkview Medical Center for further evaluation due to the car crash. En route to Parkview, Arellano spit on two officers, and bit an officer when she placed a hand over his mouth in an attempt to stop him from spitting.

Arellano allegedly told the officer that she was "lucky he didn't bite her finger off." Puncture wounds were observed on her pinky from the bite, according to the affidavit.

Arellano claims he was "off his medication" and having hallucinations at the time of incident

When Arellano was cleared from Parkview, he was taken to the police station, where he was formally interviewed. Police asked Arellano about statements made on scene that he wanted to kill people.

Arellano reportedly said he believed he had made those statements, but that he was "off his medication" and "says a lot of things he doesn't mean when he is not taking his medication."

He said that when police showed up to the mall, he got scared and drove his vehicle away from people and into the mall. He said that he "hadn't slept in several days and was hearing voices and having hallucinations."

Pueblo police allege that Arellano has an "extensive criminal history," including convictions for several counts of assault, one count of burglary, and one count of arson of a public building that endangered life. Police noted Arellano is flagged in the police department database as having emotional and behavioral issues with violent tendencies.

Police arrested Arellano on suspicion of two counts of attempted first-degree murder, two counts of assault in the second-degree on a peace officer, and criminal mischief at a value of $100,000 or more. He is set to make an official first appearance before District Court Judge Amiel Markenson on Nov. 30.

All suspects are innocent until proven guilty in court. Arrests and charges are merely accusations by law enforcement until, and unless, a suspect is convicted of a crime.

More public safety news: Pueblo Mall reopens, bomb threat suspect identified by police

Questions, comments, or story tips? Contact Justin at jreutterma@gannett.com. Follow him X, formerly known as Twitter @jayreutter1. Support local news, subscribe to The Pueblo Chieftain at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: Pueblo affidavit sheds light on suspect accused of bomb threat at mall
Marzia Zada said Wednesday she was "feeling great" after what could very well turn out to be a life-altering surgery.

Zada is an Afghan, and when she was just 6 years old in 2012, she was in the car with her father and brother when they were stopped by the Taliban. Her father threw himself over the two children. All three of them were shot, but Marzia was the only one to make it out alive.

However, she was shot in the face.

She was outfitted with a prosthetic eye and had nasal surgery.

"But for the last ten years, her tear duct has been scarred off, causing chronic basically crying or tearing from the right eye," said Dr. Mark Chaskes, an otolaryngologist and rhinologist at Cohen Childrens Medical Center.

"So essentially, for the last ten years, she's just had infected tears pouring down the right side of her face. And the goal of the surgery was to reestablish tear duct drainage into her nose so that she can essentially stop tearing constantly," Chaskes said.

Chaskes says shes been tear-free since the surgery.

For Zada, its been an emotional journey.

"Wherever I go, I see people look at me and laugh at me," Zada, who has just begun learning English, said.

Elissa Montanti, founder of Global Medical Relief Fund, helped get Zada out for a surgery years ago and again for this one.

"Believe it or not, she was bullied because she was missing an eye," Montanti said.

"With her prosthetic eyes, she feels whole again." Elissa Montanti

Montanti says they arent sure whether Zada will now go back to continue living with the rest of her family in Afghanistan or if she will try to stay in the United States.

But wherever Zada ends up, shes hopeful shell be able to pursue the career she desires.

"Doctor," Zada said when asked what she would do if she has the opportunity to study in a university.

"I want to be a doctor."
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Mesa County Commissioners along with the Public Health Board recently ratified a government agreement several critics say goes too far, but what is this new agreement all about? How is it different from the previous agreement? Could it potentially affect local health policy?

In total its a financial document. Cody Davis, Mesa County Commissioner (R)

It potentially could not just slow down necessary rapid action but it also undermines the actual expertise of people that have been trained to do public health. Lori Freeman, CEO NACCHO

An updated intergovernmental agreement extends the Mesa County Commissioners ability to oversee county health board finances. Yet, County Commissioner Cody Davis told Western Slope Now the majority of the new agreement is no different than the one passed back in 2012, This intergovernmental agreement that we have with the health department is not much different than the one weve had for the last 10 years.

The new agreement between County Commissioners and the Mesa County Board of Health creates a framework for commissioners to review MCPH agenda items before theyre passed, and thats the key difference from the 2012 agreement. (Read the 2012 agreement at the bottom of the page).

Here are the steps laid out in the new agreement:

County legal, finance, and risk management teams review an MCPH agenda item. The health board reviews the item. If an agenda item requires authorization from county commissioners, they review it. If both boards approve the agenda item; it takes effect.

If the Commissioners determine an agenda item may not meet all county stipulations the new agreement allows them to step in and delay the passage of an agenda item. Then request a joint meeting to resolve the matter.

Stephen Daniels, the President of the Mesa County Public Health Board, said the board wanted to outline a specific process for review of financial documents. Since Ive been here in early July weve probably approved ten to twenty grants or contracts of one form or another, [and] not one comment has come back from the county commissioners about any of those, Daniels told Western Slope Now. The new agreement only took effect in September, however, history shows the board of County Commissioners has approved MCPH contracts in the past.

The new agreement gives commissioners review over all contracts, despite the fact that they only fund 4% of the MCPH budget.

They only have 4% of the play they have to some degree a total veto over the budget if they dont like what the county health department or county board of health is doing. Mark Johnson, Chief Medical Officer for Jefferson County Public Health

Mark Johnson is currently the Chief Medical Officer for Jefferson County Public Health but previously was the Executive Director for Jefferson County Public Health for 33 years. During that time Johnson helped create the 2008 law that serves as the formation for the county public health system we have in Colorado today.

Part 2 of the investigation into Mesa County BOCC & Public Health Board agreement

Over the course of our interview, Johnson pointed out that after Jeff Kuhrs resignation, the County Commissioners were able to pick a brand new Public Health Board, One of [the more] unfortunate things that seem to have happened in Mesa County is that after the arrangement was made with Jeff Kuhr the Board of Health resigned which then essentially gave the county commissioners free rein to put in a totally new Board of Health.

Investigation prompts resignation of MCPH Board members

Lori Freeman is the CEO of the National Association of County and City Health Officials. She tells Western Slope Now the trend of heightened oversight over Public Health ramped up following the COVID-19 pandemicand its not just in Mesa County.

We have a case, for example, in Michigan right now where the county commissioners are attempting to fire a local health officer and reduce their budget at the same time. Lori Freeman, CEO NACCHO

According to an Associated Press investigation, a Michigan-based group that attempted to sue Ottawa County over mask mandates won elections and gained control of the board of county commissioners. Once elected, they attempted to fire a public health official and slash public healths budget in half.

What happened in Ottawa County, Michigan doesnt guarantee Mesa County Commissioners or Public Health will drag their feet during the next pandemic, let politics influence policymaking, or lead to retaliation, but its something worth keeping a close eye on because its happened before and could happen again.

Things changed dramatically in 2020 when covid came in. What happened was a number of people how theoretically how powerful public health was. We could close schools, we could close businesses, we could require face masks mandates, we could require immunizations to go to school. This had been in the laws for years Mark Johnson Chief Medical Officer for Jefferson County Public Health

2012-Intergovernmental-agreementDownload

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
Tech scholars and scam victims told lawmakers artificial intelligence (AI) is driving more sophisticated scams during a Senate hearing Thursday morning.

AI amplifies the impact of scams, enhancing their believability and emotional appeal through personalization, said Tahir Ekin, professor and the director of the Center for Analytics and Data Science.

Lawmakers agreed, saying although AI has many good uses, its malicious uses pose a difficult task for regulators.

The main takeaway is that AI can be used for that [scamming], and also a tool that can be used against it, said Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.), ranking member of the Senate Special Committee on Aging. Thats the conundrum, and we just have to figure it out.

Witness Gary Schildhorn testified about his experience being scammed. The scammer used AI to mimic his sons voice. Schildhorn was close to sending the scammer $9,000 when he called his daughter-in-law to ask her about the situation. The scammer, posing as an attorney, told Schildhorn his son had been driving while drunk, caused a car accident and would need 10 percent of a $90,000 bail after failing a breathalyzer. Schildhorns daughter-in-law told him this was not the case.

I said to Brett [his son] that there was no doubt in my mind that it was his voice on the phoneit was the exact cadence with which he speaks, Schildhorn said. I sat motionless in my car just trying to process these events. How did they get my sons voice? The only conclusion I can come up with is that they used artificial intelligence, or AI, to clone his voice.

According to the Federal Trade Commission, older Americans are more likely to fall victim to scams than younger Americans.

It has long been an aging committee priority to protect older adults from fraud and from scams, said committee Chair Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pa.), while also noting AI makes scams harder to detect.

While we are working to understand potential applications of AI, scammers have been integrating it into their schemes to make their ploys more life-like and convincing, he said.

Because there is limited regulation regarding AI and scamming, the witnesses suggested some ways for lawmakers to tackle this issue.

My answer is that there needs to be some legislation that allows these people [anonymous scammers] to be identified, Schildhorn said.

Since no money was transferred, law enforcement told Schildhorn they could not punish the scammer who targeted him. After reaching out to local law enforcement but failing to get them to open an investigation, Schildhorn reached out to his local newspaper, the Philadelphia Inquirer, to do a feature on his experience with the attempted scam.

When asked about any advice he would give to other scam victims, Schildhorn said, I recommend two things; they publicize their story and suggest they contact their bank and recommend a policy where bank tellers are required to ask customers why they may be making an unusual cash withdrawal.

Other witnesses called scamming extortion, and said it should be criminalized, to make scammers legally accountable for the distress they cause their victims.

Extortion is a crime, Steve Weisman, a scam expert and editor of scamicide.com, said. Attempted extortion is a crime.

Experts also advised lawmakers to think about the balance between technology innovation while protecting vulnerable Americans, who could be targeted by scammers using AI to make their scams almost undetectable.

Striking a careful balance between fostering AI innovation and protecting vulnerable populations is paramount, Ekin said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Ukrainian forces shot down 16 of the 18 Shahed "kamikaze" drones and one missile launched by Russia overnight, the Air Force reported on Nov. 16.

Fighter aircraft, anti-aircraft missile units, and units of mobile fire groups were used to down the weapons, the Air Force said.

The Kh-59 missile was downed on the evening of Nov. 15 over Poltava Oblast.

Russia also attacked civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv Oblast with S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, but no victims were reported, according to the Air Force.

Kharkiv Oblast Governor Oleh Syniehubov said that an educational building and a residential building were damaged by a S-300 strike on the city of Chuhuiv at around midnight.

Read also: Zelensky: Ukrainian sky shield more powerful compared to last year

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The owners of popular Canton bakery Cafe Dear Leon plan to open their first sit-down restaurant in the neighborhood.

Min Kim and Charles Lees new eatery will be just three doors down from their bakery, at the site of the former Shiso Tavern, which closed in 2020.

The restaurant will be a fresh pasta Italian operation on the square, their attorney, Stephan Fogleman, told city liquor board commissioners Thursday. The board voted to approve a beer, wine and liquor license for the dining spot.

They are excited to do a heavy food version of what theyve done at the bakery, Fogleman said. The restaurant will seat 80 diners.

Kim and Lee could not immediately be reached for more details.

The friends, who met while they were students at the Culinary Institute of America, opened Cafe Dear Leon at 2929 ODonnell St. in 2020. The tiny spot has drawn long lines since its inception, with customers waiting dutifully on weekend mornings for fresh-baked almond croissants, coffee buns, kouign amann and pumpkin cheesecake.

Cafe Dear Leon, which takes its name from Kims son, Leon, adds new items throughout the day based on a baking schedule. The bakery also serves coffee and savory items like tamago sandos, a Japanese egg sandwich, quiche and bacon frittata sandwiches.
Russia's sole aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, has been out of action for years for repairs.

Russia's navy and its Soviet predecessor both struggled to keep their aircraft carriers operational.

Moscow has also struggled with the other vital component of naval aviation: carrier-based jets.

In July, Russian state media reported that Russia's sole aircraft carrier, Admiral Kuznetsov, could return to active service by the end of 2024.

Kuznetsov has been undergoing repairs since 2017, and its return to duty has been delayed repeatedly by mishaps and malfunctions.

The carrier has done only one combat deployment in its nearly 30-year career, and its return would be a milestone, but even if the Kuznetsov passes its planned sea trials, equipping the ship with a fully functioning air wing will probably remain a significant task for Russia.

Despite operating aircraft-carrying ships for more than a half-century, Russia has struggled to build effective fixed-wing jets for those ships to carry into action.

Yakovlev Yak-38

A Yak-38 on the deck of a Soviet aircraft carrier in October 1985. US Navy

The dawn of the jet age after World War II ushered in advances in carrier aviation as well.

The Soviets had seen the advantages in the vertical/short-takeoff-and-landing design, or V/STOL, used by Britain's Hawker Siddeley Kestrel  the precursor to the now-renown Harrier "jump jet"  in the 1960s and opted to use that design for their first carrier jets.

The result, the Yak-38, was introduced in 1976  three years before the British navy's Sea Harrier entered service  as the Soviet Union's first fixed-wing aircraft for its first true aircraft carriers, the Kiev-class.

The Yak-38 had two lift jets behind the cockpit and a single vectored-thrust turbofan engine with two adjustable nozzles that could be pointed downward for vertical flight. Its stub wings, which could be folded to save space, had four hardpoints, enabling the jet to carry about 2,000 pounds of ordnance.

A total of 231 Yak-38s were eventually built. Despite its novelty, however, the jet was mostly a failure.

Yak-38 jets on the deck of the Soviet Minsk Kiev-class carrier in November 1982. US Navy

It was prone to mechanical issues, especially in hot and humid environments. By the end of Kiev's first cruise in 1976, for instance, only one of its six Yak-38s was still operational. The jet also had trouble with its automatic ejection system, which was activated by accident on multiple occasions and wrecked the jets.

The Yak-38 had many other shortcomings. Its range, payload, and speed were less than that of rival militaries' aircraft. Even the updated Yak-36M, with a longer range and double the payload, was underpowered compared with NATO carrier aircraft.

The inefficiency of the Yak-38's lift engines meant the jet rarely took off vertically, as it consumed too much fuel and limited the jet's already small payload. The Yak-38 didn't have its own radar, meaning its pilot was reliant on visual sightings or on other Soviet forces for guidance. The jet could carry Kh-23 anti-ship missiles, but since it was a single-seater, the pilot would have to fly the jet and guide the missile at the same time.

The Yak-38 only saw combat in landlocked Afghanistan. At least four Yak-38s operated alongside other Soviet jets from a base in the country's southwest in 1980. While it conducted several airstrikes during its monthlong deployment, the jet still struggled with the heat and dust, and its performance was not particularly noteworthy.

Soviet leaders decided against further upgrades and retired the Yak-38 shortly after the Soviet collapse in 1991.

Su-33

A Su-33 taking off of the Admiral Kuznetsov as it sails off the Syrian coast in January 2017. Andrei Luzik\TASS via Getty Images

Even as the first Kiev-class carriers and Yak-38s began to enter service in the mid-1970s, the Soviets were planning their replacements. By that time, the Soviet military's thinking about the value of sea control and naval air dominance had changed, and its commanders saw that V/STOL jets and the Yak-38, in particular, had limited utility for either.

The Soviets sought a larger carrier and a jet capable of conventional takeoffs and landings  like those of the major NATO powers  to provide greater range and payload and more reliability in dogfights. The result was the Kuznetsov-class carrier and the Su-33.

The Su-33 was effectively a naval variant of the Su-27 air-superiority fighter with several differences, including a reinforced undercarriage and landing gear for carrier landings, forward canards to reduce takeoff distance, a larger wing area for extra lift, foldable wings, and more powerful engines.

A Su-33 landing on Admiral Kuznetsov as it sailed off the Syrian coast in November 2016. Andrei Luzik\TASS via Getty Images

The new jet had a top speed of more than 1,400 mph and a range of more than 2,000 miles, along with a 30mm cannon and 12 hardpoints that could carry 14,000 pounds of ordnance.

Despite the jet's improvements over the Yak-38, it was also of limited effectiveness. Because the jet was exceptionally large, the Kuznetsov, which was smaller than US carriers, couldn't carry many of them. The jet's size also made it difficult to move around on the carrier. The Su-33 was also meant to be capable of ground-attack missions, but its takeoff weight, and thus the weaponry it could carry, were limited by Kuznetsov's ski-jump ramp.

The Su-33 didn't enter service until after the Cold War, and only about 22 were built. Three have been lost in crashes, and only 17 are believed to still be in service today.

MiG-29K

A MiG-29K landing on the INS Vikramaditya in 2014. Indian Navy

While the Sukhoi design firm was working on the Su-33 in the 1980s, the Mikoyan Design Bureau was working on its own carrier aircraft, the MiG-29K, a naval variant of the MiG-29.

Work on the MiG-29K was halted in 1991 when the Russian navy selected the Su-33 for its carriers, but the project was revived in 2004 for the Indian navy, which was acquiring the Kiev-class carrier Admiral Gorhskov from Russia and wanted the jet for the carrier's air wing.

With a top speed of about 1,300 mph and the ability to carry 9,900 pounds of ordnance, the MiG-29K was better suited for ground strikes than the Su-33. India also chose the MiG-29K because its air force already operated the MiG-29 and was familiar with the airframe.

A MiG-29 aboard the INS Vikrant in September 2022. ARUN SANKAR/AFP via Getty Images

New Delhi placed two orders, in 2004 and 2010, for 45 aircraft and related equipment for $2.2 billion. Its first MiG-29Ks were delivered in 2009, and the first squadron became operational in 2013. The MiG-29K also underperformed, however.

A 2016 report from India's Comptroller and Auditor General said that between 2009 and 2015, the MiG-29Ks that had been delivered were only available for service between 15.93% and 47.14% of the time. In addition to issues with the jet's airframe and avionics, the report said 62% of the engines delivered by Russia had been withdrawn from service or were rejected because of defects and deficiencies.

At least five of the Indian navy's MiG-29Ks were lost in crashes between 2018 and 2022  a far higher rate than for the Indian air force's MiG-29s. The problems were compounded by the fact that India was wholly reliant on Russia for major support issues, as Moscow refused to transfer jet-engine technology or allow India to build its own MiG-29Ks.

The Indian navy said in 2018 that all serviceability issues had been resolved. It even deployed some MiG-29Ks to the Sino-Indian border at the height of tensions between the countries in 2020. But Delhi appears ready to move on to other jets.

An Su-33 and a MiG-29K aboard Admiral Kuznetsov as it sailed off the Syrian coast in January 2017. Andrei Luzik\TASS via Getty Images

Despite designing the country's first domestically built aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant, around the Russian-made jet, India has opted to retire all its MiG-29Ks by 2035 rather than extend their service lives or buy more. India's navy says it instead plans to buy 26 French-built Rafale-M jets, which will require redesigning Vikrant's aircraft elevator, and eventually use a domestically developed carrier-based jet.

After the MiG-29K program was restarted for India, Russia's navy ordered 25 of the jets in 2009 to be used aboard Kuznetsov. The fighter made its combat debut in 2016, flying from the carrier during a deployment to Syria.

Neither the jet nor the ship emerged unscathed. In one incident, a MiG-29K broke the carrier's arresting cable during landing. As the crew cleared debris from the deck, another MiG-29K circling overhead crashed into the sea after its engines unexpectedly shut off.

Russia had planned to replace its Su-33s with MiG-29Ks but later decided that the MiGs would supplement its Su-33 fleet instead. Since Kuznetsov began its refit in early 2017, however, no jet has flown from the ship.

Read the original article on Business Insider
An Alabama man charged earlier this year with felony aggravated stalking of Clearwater City Council member Mark Bunker accepted a plea agreement with Pinellas-Pasco State Attorneys Office for a lesser charge that includes no jail time.

Ricky James Myers, 58, pleaded guilty on Nov. 2 to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay $1,479 in restitution to the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office to cover his extradition from Alabama for his arrest. He also faces $500 in fines and costs.

Myers was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on April 30 on the felony stalking charge and released the same day on bond. In the plea agreement, he was sentenced to time served.

State attorney Bruce Bartlett said Myers remorse, and Bunkers blessing for a lesser charge, factored into the plea agreement. Bartlett said Myers wrote a letter of apology explaining that his alcohol problem caused him to act in ways he deeply regretted and did not remember. Myers explained he lived a quiet life, had never been arrested before and hasnt touched alcohol since the incident, Bartlett said.

It was kind of a wake-up call for him, Bartlett said. I wish I could get that kind of remorse out of half the people in this courthouse.

The case stemmed from a series of phone calls and Facebook messages Bunker received in October 2022, including threats to kill him and cut off his head.

In one voicemail left for Bunker, a male with a heavy southern accent stated he would mess up Bunkers face and called him a stupid, fat son of a b----, according to a Clearwater Police Department affidavit. In a second voicemail two minutes later, the same person stated, I will kill you and threatened to cut off Bunkers head, according to the affidavit.

Three days later, Bunker received Facebook messages from a user named Ricky Myers.

The sender told Bunker, U didnt realize who you were dealing with, and Im getting even, watch and learn. Through a subpoena to Facebook, police matched the senders email address, phone number and Internet Protocol address to Myers.

At the request of Clearwater police, the Dekalb County Sheriffs Office interviewed Myers in Alabama in November 2022. According to the affidavit, Myers gave an investigator permission to look in his phone, and the investigator found calls to Bunker in the call log.

Myers could not be reached for comment. His public defender did not return a request for comment.

Bunker said it was a little scary to receive the threats, which is why he reported them to police. But the ordeal was more confusing because he had no connection to Myers. Bunker said the threats also have no apparent relation to his work as a longtime critic of the Church of Scientology.

I wish I knew what had motivated him to make these threats to begin with, Bunker said. Im just curious about that, but Im sure what hes gone through in dealing with this is most likely punishment enough, and I dont want to make his life more difficult.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  Far too few people in Alabama who suffer from lung cancer are surviving, according to the American Lung Associations 2023 State of Lung Cancer report.

Alabama ranks second to last in the country for lung cancer survival with a survival rate of 21.3%, which is less than the national average of 26.6%.

According to ALA, increasing lung cancer screenings and early diagnosis is the key to addressing the burden of lung cancer across the state.

Lung cancer continues to be the leading cause of cancer deaths here in Alabama and across the nation, Senior Director of Advocacy for Alabama at ALA Ashley Lyerly said. Our recent report makes it clear that we have more work to do to increase lung cancer screening and early detection initiatives, as well as address health disparities in our Black community.

The reports findings:

Alabama ranks 35 of 48 in the country for rate of new lung cancer cases at 60.5 per 100,000. The national rate is 54.6 per 100,000.

Alabama ranks 41 of 42 in the national for survival at 21.3%. The national rate of people alive five years after being diagnosed with lung cancer is 26.6%.

Alabama ranks 36 of 47 in the country for early diagnosis at 25.1%. On the national scale, only 26.6% of cases are diagnosed at an early stage.

Alabama ranks 29 of 51 in the country for lung cancer screening at 4.4%. Annual low-dose CT scans can reduce the lung cancer death rate by up to 20% for those who are at high risk. Nationally, only 4.5% at high risk were screened

Alabama ranks 40 of 47 in the country for 16.4%. Nationally, 20.8% underwent surgery. Lung cancer can be treated with surgery if it is diagnosed at an early stage.

Alabama ranks 37 of 47 in the country for lack of treatment at 22.2% The national rate for lack of treatment is 20.6%.

Alabama ranks 42 of 51 in the country for smoking at 17.2% The national rate of smokers is 13.5% of adults.



The report also found health disparities such as Black Alabamians being the least likely to receive surgery as the first course of treatment.

The lung cancer survival rate is improving nationally.

Thankfully, the national lung cancer survival rate has improved because of increased awareness, improved access to healthcare and cutting-edge research into new treatments for the disease, Lyerly said. We need to keep up the momentum to save more lives.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey declared November lung cancer awareness month in the state. The American Cancer Societys 48th annual Great American Smokeout is Thursday, and its a day for people who use tobacco to create a plan to quit.

In Alabama, 9,000 adults die annually from smoking, and 18.6% of high school students use tobacco products with middle school students also using tobacco.

The Great American Smokeout is a clear wake up call for lawmakers to say its time for Alabama to stand up to Big Tobacco, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network Alabama Govrenment Relations Director Jane Adams said. For too long, Alabama has allowed the tobacco industry to addict people to deadly, cancer-causing products. Its time to say, enough is enough. Our residents deserve better.

ALSO ON WKRG.com: Prichard woman arrested, accused of murder

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Just three months after his 18th birthday, Casey McWhorter shot and killed Edward Lee Williams, his friend's father, in a planned robbery and murder. Now, over 30 years after the crime, Alabama plans to execute him.

"I was a very confused kid," McWhorter, now 49, told the Associated Press in an interview reported this week. "I had some issues going on in my head that I didn't know how to fix, and the only way I knew to feel acceptance was doing some of the stupid stuff I was doing with the people I was doing it with. I felt like they were family at that point."

McWhorter's young age at the time of the murderjust a few months shy of the legal minimum for capital sentencinghas caused controversy over his impending execution, set for a 30-hour period starting Thursday night. Making the case even murkier, Alabama is one of just two states where the legal age of maturity is 19, not 18, meaning that McWhorter was technically a minor when he killed Williams.

For this reason, McWhorter's lawyers asked the Supreme Court twice in the last two weeks to place a stay on his execution and to review the case.

"Alabama law sets the age of majority at 19 years old, not 18 years. An 18-year-old is thus a minor," McWhorter's lawyers wrote to the Supreme Court. They add, "18-year-olds cannot serve on state juries because of their legal status. They can, however, be sentenced to death for a capital offense, even though Alabama law otherwise treats them as juveniles."

"There is emerging research showing that there is nothing magic about turning 18 when it comes to brain science18 year olds continue to develop and mature," they wrote.

The Supreme Court denied McWhorter's request for a stay on Thursday afternoon.

McWhorter was sentenced to death in 1994 for Williams' murder. According to court documents, McWhorter had planned the murder ahead of time, conspiring with two younger teenagers, including Williams' 15-year-old son, to rob Williams' home before killing him. Ultimately, Williams was shot nearly a dozen times by the three teenagers.

While the other teenagers who participated in the murder, both under 18, were sentenced to life in prison for the crime, McWhorter was sentenced to death by a 102 jury vote. Notably, Alabama is one of just three states that do not require a unanimous jury for a death sentence.

McWhorter's execution will be the second in Alabama following a four-month-long moratorium on executions in the state. The pause came after a series of high-profile botched and failed executions shed scrutiny on the state's execution procedures. However, while the state insists that it has improved its process for killing death-row inmates, the extent of actual reforms remains opaque.

The most notable, and troubling, change to the state's execution process is that the state has shifted from a single execution date to set a "time frame" of several days. This shift comes after the state had to stop several executions because prison officials were unable to successfully insert an IV line into an inmate sentenced to die by lethal injection before midnightwith attempts leading to gruesome physical injuries for inmates.

Leading up to his execution, McWhorter told the A.P. that he would encourage other young people to avoid making one life-destroying choice as he did. "Anything that comes across them that just doesn't sit well at first, take a few seconds to think that through," he said. "Because one bad choice, one stupid mistake, one dumb decision can alter your lifeand those that you care aboutforever."

The post Alabama Set To Execute Man for a Crime He Committed While Legally a Minor appeared first on Reason.com.
South Carolina Circuit Judge Clifton Newman will not preside over any of the proceedings related to Alex Murdaugh's bid for a new trial, a new court filing revealed on Thursday.

The convicted killer's defense team has repeatedly asked that Newman, who presided over the double murder trial, be removed from all of Murdaugh's future cases.

Newman sentenced Murdaugh to two life terms in prison in March for fatally shooting his wife, Maggie, and his older son, Paul, after jurors returned a guilty verdict.

ALEX MURDAUGH'S LAWYERS ASK SOUTH CAROLINA SUPREME COURT TO KICK JUDGE OFF MURDER CASE

Defense lawyers Jim Griffin and Dick Harpootlian filed a motion for a new trial based on allegations that Colleton County court clerk Becky Hill had tampered with jurors by trying to sway them toward a conviction. She has denied the allegations.

Earlier this month, the defense team asked the South Carolina Supreme Court to kick Newman off the case, arguing that it would be a conflict of interest when he is a witness in matters that will feature prominently in a hearing for a new trial.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

In addition, they argued that the jurist had flouted the Code of Judicial Conduct by discussing his opinions of Murdaugh publicly and said that he shouldn't handle any of the disbarred lawyer's pending cases.

Murdaugh is currently facing more than 100 charges for financial and narcotics crimes in several South Carolina counties.

WATCH: ALEX MURDAUGH'S SURVIVING SON SPEAKS OUT IN FOX NATION EXCLUSIVE

In an order from the state's highest court, the panel of five judges wrote that Newman had already recused himself and "requested that a new judge be assigned to handle the post-trial motions involving the murder trial."

In a loss for the defense, the order denied Murdaugh's request to remove Newman from his other pending cases, including one trial scheduled for Nov. 27 in Beaufort County.

Murdaugh is facing 13 charges stemming from allegations that he pocketed more than $4 million in insurance payouts that were supposed to go to the heirs of his late housekeeper, Gloria Satterfield, who died after tripping and falling at his property.





Original article source: Alex Murdaugh scores major win in bid for a new double murder trial
Alibaba is a key player in China's expansive digital economy and the operator of a major online shopping platform (ALAIN JOCARD)

Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba said Thursday it was cancelling a planned cloud service spinoff announced this year over US chip restrictions, as it reported results for the third quarter of 2023 that were in line with market expectations.

The announcement sent shares in Alibaba plummeting by as much as ten percent on Thursday, though it later traded at about eight percent lower.

Alibaba's change of course follows a series of decisions by Washington to bar the export to China of powerful chips, including those from California-based Nvidia that are crucial to the development of artificial intelligence.

The Chinese giant's AI endeavors, which require a huge amount of computing power, are largely dependent on its cloud division.

Alibaba saw a 9 percent year-on-year increase in Q3 revenue, it said Thursday, following several difficult years and despite a broader economic slowdown.

"Alibaba Group delivered a solid quarter, marked by renewed momentum and energy across multiple businesses as a result of our strategic reorganization," CEO Eddie Wu said in a press release on Thursday, referring to a major restructuring plan announced by the group this year.

Announced in late March, the plan involved splitting the group into six distinct entities that will be able to separately pursue funding through public listings.

But on Thursday the company said it would call off the spinoff of one part of its business, its Cloud Intelligence arm, in light of "the recent expansion of US restrictions on export of advanced computing chips".

"We believe that a full spin-off of Cloud Intelligence Group may not achieve the intended effect of shareholder value enhancement," the company said in its earnings release.

"Accordingly, we have decided to not proceed with a full spin-off, and instead we will focus on developing a sustainable growth model for Cloud Intelligence Group under the fluid circumstances," Alibaba said.

The company's sales for the quarter ending in September came in at 224.8 billion yuan ($31 billion), in line with predictions by Bloomberg analysts and down from 234.1 billion yuan in the previous quarter.

Alibaba is a key player in China's expansive digital economy and the operator of a major online shopping platform.

The Hangzhou-based group's performance is considered a barometer of domestic consumption, which has flagged in recent months.

The firm has faced new headwinds in recent years, as Beijing has imposed tighter restrictions on the domestic tech sector, while weak consumer spending saw it record its third consecutive quarter of single-digit revenue growth earlier this year.

Thursday's figures follow results earlier this week from Alibaba's arch-rival JD.com, which posted better-than-expected revenues of 247.7 billion yuan.

Alibaba has said it aims to achieve a "more nimble" structure in order to maintain competitiveness in the face of new regulatory challenges and mounting pressures on the global economy.

The e-commerce company was founded in 1999 by Jack Ma, who has kept a low profile since late 2020, when a speech he made attacking Chinese regulators was followed by Beijing pulling the plug on a planned IPO by Alibaba affiliate Ant Group.

A record fine of $2.75 billion was later imposed on the tech giant for alleged unfair business practices.

tjx-arp/bfm
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Allegiant Air is launching a new nonstop flight from Austin in the new year, with service to Eugene, Oregon, scheduled beginning in May.

The low-cost airline will begin seasonal service May 31. Flights will operate twice a week from the South Terminal at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport.

Flights will leave AUS Monday and Friday at 8 a.m. and arrive in Eugene at 9:58 a.m. local time. Returning flights leave EUG at 10:48 a.m. local time and arrive in Austin at 4:30 p.m.

Austin airport passenger totals still on track for record-breaking year again

Were proud to join Allegiant in announcing a new destination starting next year, said Ghizlane Badawi, deputy chief executive officer of AUS. We are thrilled that Austin and Central Texas travelers will be able to fly direct to Eugene, Oregon, and are so grateful to Allegiant for their continued service to connecting our community to destinations across the country.

Allegiant saw a surge in passenger numbers at AUS last year. The airline flew almost 420,000 passengers in and out of Austin, nearly doubling the total from 2021.

Allegiant has flown just under 300,000 passengers through AUS this year, with data from January through September available. The total is about 7% lower than this time last year.

The airline previously launched a new nonstop to Omaha, Nebraska, in June. With the addition of the Eugene route, Allegiant will fly to 19 destinations directly from Austin, according to AUS.

LIST: Here are all the new flights from AUS in 2023 and 2024

Eugene is the fifth new route announced by airlines so far for 2024. Southwest will fly to San Juan, Puerto Rico, beginning in March, while Mexican low-cost carrier Viva Aerobus will begin service to Monterrey the same month.

Air Canada is launching service to Montreal in May, while Southwest Airlines will begin nonstop flights to Boston in June.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
A federal judge issued an Allen charge to jurors after days of deliberations in the trial to determine if former Louisville Police detective Brett Hankison violated the civil rights of Breonna Taylor, her boyfriend or her neighbors during a botched 2020 raid.

During court proceedings Thursday, jurors told Grady Jennings they were "at an impasse" and could not agree on a verdict.

Here's what it means:

What is an Allen charge?

An Allen charge, also referred to as dynamite or hammer charges, refer to jury instructions given to a hung jury  or a jury that is unable to reach a consensus  urging them to agree upon a verdict, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

The name refers to a U.S. Supreme Court case in the late 1800s that approved the use of jury instruction by the presiding judge in order to prevent a hung jury.

Is an Allen charge an indicator of a mistrial?

No. An Allen charge asks jurors in the minority to consider the reasonableness of their views and to take the views of other jurors into account with a disposition toward being convinced.

How have Allen charges been used in court?

In the murder trial of Austin, Texas, police officer Christopher Taylor, who fatally shot Michael Ramos, a Black and Hispanic man, in April 2020, Travis County state District Judge Dayna Blazer issued an Allen charge.

Blazer's decision came after three days of deliberations and she reminded jurors that if they could not come to a consensus, she would have to declare a mistrial and the case would be tried again  which is what was the result Wednesday, the Austin American-Statesman reported.

Prosecutors must now evaluate whether to take Taylor to trial again in coming months or attempt to otherwise resolve the case, including through a possible dismissal.

Can an Allen charge be used everywhere?

While Allen charges can be used in federal court, 22 states prohibit their use in state-level proceedings, including Kentucky. Other states that prohibit the use of Allen charges are:

Alaska

Arizona

California

Colorado

Hawaii

Idaho

Louisiana

Maine

Michigan

Minnesota

Montana

Nebraska

Nevada

New Hampshire

New Mexico

North Dakota

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: What is an Allen charge? What jurors must do after receiving order
Daniel Zuniga, a Rhodes finalist, is also a Florida State University alumnus who graduated in the spring with a bachelors degree in cell and molecular neuroscience.

Florida State University alumnus Daniel Zuniga gets on his phone as soon as he wakes up every morning to plan out his day.

But a couple of weeks ago, he did not expect to read an email notification where he was named a Rhodes Scholar finalist.

It was a pleasant surprise, said 22-year-old Zuniga, who currently lives in the Lake Worth Beach area but was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia.

He moved to the United States with his parents when he was 15 years old and graduated summa cum laude from FSU with a bachelors degree in cell and molecular neuroscience in the spring.

I was shocked and honestly dont remember anything that happened in the next few minutes since I was quite excited to have the opportunity to move on to the interview phase, Zuniga added.

Other FSU news: FSU 'love ambassador Eva Killings touches lives for decades, despite hardships

The Rhodes Scholarship, created in 1902, is the worlds oldest and most celebrated international fellowship award, which selects scholars based on academic achievements, character, leadership qualities and commitment to others.

The fully funded, postgraduate award also requires an application process that takes several months and gives chosen scholars the opportunity to study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.

Although Zuniga underwent a 20-minute interview session for the scholarship Saturday in Birmingham, Alabama  where he says finalists gathered in a room for over 12 hours during the intense process  he was not one of the 32 U.S. college students selected for the fund this year.

But he still views the accomplishment of being named a finalist as a meaningful one, especially considering his personal experience as an immigrant where he faced the challenge of learning English as a second language.

The last time that the FSU had a Rhodes Scholar finalist was five years ago, according to a university release.

It meant a lot to be able to represent FSU at that level, Zuniga said.

Related news: Maclay alum named Rhodes Scholar

FSU has only had five Rhodes Scholars in its history  Frederick William Buchholtz in 1905, Caroline Alexander in 1976, Garrett Johnson in 2006, FSU Associate Provost and Dean of Undergraduate Studies Joe OShea in 2008 and Myron Rolle in 2009.

Out of all the Rhodes Scholar finalists from Florida, Zuniga says he was the only one that went to a public state university while many others attended Ivy League institutions such as Harvard University or Yale University.

Craig Filar, FSUs associate dean for Undergraduate Studies and director of the Office of National Fellowships, says he is proud of how well Zuniga represented the FSU community in the national competition.

Daniel Zuniga, a Rhodes finalist, poses with Craig Filar, associate dean for Undergraduate Studies and director of the Office of National Fellowships, before Florida State Universitys commencement in May 2023.

I have had the opportunity to work with Daniel for over three years now and have seen him grow into a phenomenal young man, Filar told the Tallahassee Democrat. To see his work recognized by the Rhodes Trust is such an amazing testament to his impact as a scholar and a leader.

While attending FSU, Zuniga participated in research projects that include topics such as synthetic biology, space medicine, neuroscience and population health.

He also worked with Honduran physicians to gather and analyze data about gastrointestinal diseases in rural Honduras through the FSU College of Medicines Global Health Collaborative Project.

Zuniga is currently taking a gap year but is also applying for medical school and hopes to train as a physician to work with people who have challenges accessing health care.

He has interviewed for over 10 schools, already receiving acceptance letters from some of them  including FSU's College of Medicine  and plans to start at his chosen school in August 2024.

Contact Tarah Jean at tjean@tallahassee.com or follow her on twitter @tarahjean_.

Never miss a story: Subscribe to the Tallahassee Democrat using the link at the top of the page.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: FSU graduate Daniel Zuniga named Rhodes Scholar finalist
(Bloomberg) -- Amazon.com Inc. is the driving force behind a trio of advocacy groups working to thwart Microsoft Corp.'s growing ambition to become a major cloud computing contractor for governments, a Bloomberg analysis shows.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The groups  the Cloud Infrastructure Services Providers in Europe (CISPE), the Coalition for Fair Software Licensing and the Alliance for Digital Innovation  want to convince policymakers that Microsoft has improperly locked customers into Azure, its cloud computing service, choking off its rivals and hindering the advancement of technology within the government and beyond.

These groups have dozens of members. But Amazon is the biggest funder for two of them and the largest company, measured by revenue, that funds another.

Spokespeople for the groups say no single company determines their agendas. But according to a Bloomberg News review of tax filings, documents and interviews with people familiar with the three groups operations, Amazon Web Services plays a direct role in shaping their efforts in ways that would boost the cloud giant.

Through aggressive lobbying of policymakers, these groups want to ensure that customers can use popular Microsoft products like Office Suite or Windows on any cloud computing system  and, in particular, on Amazon Web Services, the worlds number one cloud infrastructure provider and the retail giants top profit driver.

To hammer that message, theyve filed complaints, lobbied regulators and sought to shape the views of policymakers probing the cloud market. In one case, an Amazon executive is listed as the author of a public comment to the Federal Trade Commission, as well as testimony and letters to Congress on behalf of the group, according to an analysis of the documents' metadata, revealing the tech giants role in the lobbying campaign. (The group says the documents reflect the consensus position of its members.) Amazon denied it authored statements for the group.

Enterprises in every major industry have long worked with trade associations, Shannon Kellogg, an Amazon spokesperson, told Bloomberg, adding that AWS supports dozens of trade associations as well as CISPE, the alliance and the coalition. Our work with trade associations is driven entirely by doing whats best for our customers, and to suggest otherwise is entirely false, Kellogg said.

In recent months, regulators in the EU and UK have investigated whether Microsoft has engaged in anti-competitive behavior in the cloud market. In the US on Thursday, the FTC is expected to publish initial findings of a comprehensive competition review of the cloud computing industry  a review Amazon is influencing both directly and through the groups.

We are investing and working to meet and exceed customer expectations, while Amazon is spending its time and resources creating proxy groups to lobby government, said Becca Dougherty, a spokesperson for Microsoft.

Both Amazon and Microsoft are betting that public-sector cloud computing will be the tech industrys next big money maker: Bloomberg Intelligence estimates the US cloud market could reach $1.3 trillion by 2027, up from $532 billion in 2022.

Microsoft looms large in federal contracting thanks to its Office suite and Windows operating system. Over 80% of federal government workers use Microsofts business software. Like Amazon, Microsoft also funds outside groups that lobby policymakers.

Amazon, meanwhile, has made its own inroads with government clients thanks to AWS, which companies and government agencies use to store information and run other applications. In that arena, AWS has nearly twice the market share of its nearest rival, Microsoft's cloud Azure, according to estimates from Gartner.

Since 2016, Microsofts customers and rivals, as well as regulators around the world, have complained that the company makes it more expensive and cumbersome to run its programs and services on rival cloud providers. That locks government users into Microsofts cloud, even if they might want to switch to Amazon or other cloud providers.

Microsoft said there is ample competition in the cloud computing market.

In the federal government, bureaucratic red tape makes it even harder for people to switch cloud providers, said Steven Weber, a professor at the University of California at Berkeley School of Information. Amazon would be in a better place if there were free and open competition for cloud services, he added.

In Europe

Since CISPEs founding in 2016, European cloud providers have regarded it as an effective industry advocate. According to CISPE documents, its founding members included OVHcloud, Aruba, and Amazon Europe, its largest founding member based on revenue. Microsoft is not a member.

CISPE members with annual revenues above $500 million like AWS and Aruba pay about $30,000 in annual membership dues, according to spokesman Ben Maynard (OVHcloud is no longer a member). Because the group makes decisions on a majority basis, its impossible for any one organization to dictate the workstreams, outputs or positions of CISPE, he added.

Amazon has made additional contributions to CISPE to fund specific initiatives, Maynard said, including data protection, diversity, and sustainability. He declined to specify whether it has given more money to those initiatives than other companies.

In April 2021, CISPE published a white paper calling on Microsoft to allow its customers to use software like Office on a wider range of cloud providers.

CISPE ramped up the pressure the following year, filing an antitrust complaint against Microsoft with Europes top competition regulator, alleging it had made it difficult for customers to change their cloud providers by tying its business software to its cloud.

In May 2022, Brad Smith, president of Microsoft, conceded some of CISPE's criticisms of its fair licensing rules and promised that the company would "absolutely make changes soon to address them."

By April 2023, CISPE claimed victory, announcing a potential settlement with Microsoft that would enable customers to switch more easily to other cloud providers including Amazon.

At the FTC

In the US, the FTC is reviewing whether companies are playing fair and protecting customers in the cloud computing industry.

In May, the FTC held a workshop as part of that review. It featured a handful of academics and experts with insight about cloud computing, including Frederic Jenny, who presented CISPE-funded research showing that Microsofts practice of charging customers additional licensing fees to use its Windows and Office software potentially violates antitrust laws.

People who are supported by large companies with big market power in certain areas were looking at have every right to comment on how we should think about those markets, FTC spokesperson Douglas Farrar said.

Amazon is also a major funder and shaper of the Washington-based Coalition for Fair Software Licensing, according to two people familiar with the group, which does not publicly identify its members. Amazon has previously disclosed its involvement with the group.

In September 2022, the coalition released a proposed set of software licensing rules, which appeared nearly identical to those released by CISPE the previous year. Alphabet Inc.s Google and a range of tech industry-backed trade groups endorsed the coalitions proposal.

Amazon is also the primary funder of the Alliance for Digital Innovation, a trade group whose 27 members include Google and Salesforce; Microsoft is not a member. The alliance lobbies the US government to move its operations to the cloud and has filed comments as part of the FTC process.

While the alliance has disclosed AWSs membership, it has not disclosed that it is its primary funder, according to two people familiar with the organization.

The alliances messaging reflects the companys cloud computing priorities and its ranks are peppered with current and former Amazon executives. Jeff Kratz, an AWS vice president, sits on the alliances board of directors. And a public sector policy head at AWS authored the alliance's public comment to the FTC, along with two of the groups letters submitted and congressional testimony from 2020, according to a Bloomberg analysis.

In a statement, Amazon denied any role in authoring these documents.

The Alliances policy positions and related documents are developed, written, and edited by its staff, said a spokesperson for the alliance, who declined to be named. Members are provided with the opportunity to review, comment, and contribute to drafts, with the final products reflecting this input and the consensus positions of our membership.

(Updated with Microsofts concession, Amazons disclosure of its ties to the coalition and attribution in final paragraph.)

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A former Baltimore Police officer convicted of selling marijuana in Baltimore County wont get any time added by Baltimore City to his home detention sentence.

Cejus Watson, 40, was sentenced in September to a year of home detention for distributing a controlled substance, after law enforcement set up a controlled buy with a confidential informant. A city grand jury earlier this year also indicted Watson on charges of misconduct in office and stealing payroll funds.

Baltimore Circuit Judge Lawrence P. Fletcher-Hill on Thursday accepted Watsons guilty plea to the theft count and the agreed-upon sentence of six months of home detention, to be served concurrently with the Baltimore County sentence. That effectively means Watson will receive no additional time.

Watson did not speak in court, but told reporters after the hearing that selling the marijuana was a horrible decision.

At the time, Watson said, he was working security for a dispensary in Washington, D.C., and had been given free marijuana from his employer. When a tattoo shop customer  who turned out to be a police informant  offered to buy the weed from him, Watson agreed, in part because he said he doesnt personally smoke and the marijuana had been stinking up my house.

Watson said it was an isolated incident that he regrets.

Everything good that happens to you is your fault. Everything bad that happens to you is your fault, he said. It is what it is.

Watson, who also issued a guilty plea in Baltimore County, said that at the time of the sale he was on medical suspension from the police department, due to an Achilles injury that kept him off the streets. He didnt have police powers, and the department had taken his badge and gun. He described that he was working on desk duty.

The former officer resigned from the agency earlier this year, he said. Baltimore Police did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment. The city salary database shows Watson earned $80,969.01 in fiscal year 2021-22, the most recent data available, on a base salary of $82,442. He joined the department in 2011.

Watson said he no longer works in law enforcement or in private security. The terms of his home detention allow him to work, he said, and he has been running an upholstery business.

At his court hearing in Baltimore County, Judge Dennis M. Robinson Jr. called it especially serious for a member of law enforcement and the BPD to sell illegal drugs. The county prosecutor, Daniel Trimble, argued he was a sworn police officer at one time, whether he was suspended or not.

Trimble said in Baltimore County court that Watson sold the informant drugs in multiple forms, including vials, packets, gummy candy and a container of wax. The total amount sold was between 125 and 130 grams of marijuana, worth about $1,100 to $1,200.

He shouldnt have broken the law, Trimble said in September.

Steve Trostle, the Baltimore assistant states attorney, said at Thursdays sentencing hearing that the city had always planned to ask for a concurrent sentence, so long as the county case played out as expected. It wasnt meant to be a double whammy, Trostle said.

According to Trostle, Watson left without authority, while on duty, to go to Owings Mills to sell the drugs. The estimated amount he was paid while he wasnt working was between $150 and $1,500.

Watsons indictment said he was scheduled to work from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. on Sept. 29, 2022, at police headquarters. According to those court charging papers, he left around midday to go to his Owings Mills home, then to a Reisterstown Road tattoo parlor where he sold the drugs. He was absent from his post for 2 hours, 19 minutes, the indictment said.

Baltimore States Attorney Ivan Bates said following Watsons hearing on Thursday that Watsons actions called into question the integrity of the uniform.

The cases we bring to court are only as strong as the reliability of the police officers we partner with to secure convictions, Bates said. Former Officer Watson damaged this relationship by calling into question the integrity of the uniform and the ability to protect and serve the residents of our great city.
Amazon Vice President Marty Mallick (L) and Hyundai Global President Jose Munoz speak at the media preview day for the Los Angeles Auto Show, on November 16, 2023 (Robyn Beck)

E-commerce giant Amazon said Thursday it would start selling new automobiles on its platform in the United States next year.

Amazon made the announcement at the Los Angeles Auto Show in conjunction with Hyundai, the South Korean auto giant that will be the first brand sold on the site.

The company said customers will be able to choose models and their favorite features online. They can then pick up the car at their local dealership or have it delivered to their home.

Financing options will also be available on Amazon.

"Hyundai is a very innovative company that shares Amazon's passion for trying to make customers' lives better and easier every day," said Amazon Chief Executive Andy Jassy in a statement.

Until now, car buyers could browse offerings on Amazon, but could not make their final purchase on the site.

The partnership with Hyundai will also see Amazon's Alexa smart speaker featured in models starting in 2025.

Even though Amazon's plan includes the cooperation of dealers, direct-to-customer sales have expanded in recent years, led by Tesla and other electric vehicle companies that do away with the traditional dealership middleman.

Car makers like Ford are trying to use the release of EVs to loosen their dependence on dealerships that end up making a vehicle more expensive.

US companies that sell used cars online saw their share price plummet on Amazon's news.

Shares of auto retailers CarMax and Carvana dove more than five percent.

arp/acb
(FOX 2) - Hazmat trucks carrying flammable liquids and corrosive materials may soon be permitted to cross the Ambassador Bridge in Detroit.

The company that owns the bridge petition the Michigan Department of Transportation to lift restrictions on both Class 3 and Class 8 hazardous materials. The relaxing of rules for what can cross the bridge would reduce the truck traffic in Detroit, improve commerce between Canada and the U.S., and better enable the region's supply chain to accommodate electric vehicle manufacturing.

For any trucks carrying hazards from those two categories, they must make the extra trip up to the Blue Water Bridge in Port Huron if they want to cross the border.

According to the Detroit Bridge Company, that leads to 4,200 trucks traveling an additional 250,000 miles every year that wouldn't need to be driven if the restriction was lifted. The company argued that would increase safety in the area.

MORE: Pilot project converting I-94 section into smart highway will mean lane closures this week

Class 3 hazardous materials include flammable and combustible liquids like alcohol, gasoline, paint, and adhesives. Class 8 hazardous materials are corrosives like certain acids and bases.

Currently, hazardous materials that can cross include gases, flammable solids, oxidizers, toxic substances, and other materials. If the proposal is adopted, any Class 3 or 8 materials moving across the bridge would receive a safety vehicle escort while the bridge's fire suppression system could turn on at any time.

So far, the city of Detroit and the Detroit Police Department have found no reason to not lift the restrictions. The petition was originally filed in September 2020, prompting MDOT to study the proposal. Before it can be approved, MDOT must launch a public involvement process to allow for comments and concerns from residents to be recorded. Once that process is complete, MDOT can issue a recommendation.

According to MDOT, "the proposed recommendations address public safety while seeking to ensure continuity of movement and not limit or delay transportation of hazardous materials."

The shift also wouldn't lead to any increase in truck traffic in Detroit, a frequent plight for those that live in the city.

MDOT last proposed lifting the restrictions in 2012, but no change was made.

It also doesn't mean radioactive materials would be permitted.
Longtime White House correspondent Brian Karem writes a weekly column for Salon.

Everyone is angry.

Im watching people snap.

Late last week, when I was stopped at a red light, a naked man streaked past me on the crosswalk, through the fruits and vegetables, being chased by a fully clothed and highly capable police officer. Both of them looked angry. The naked man looked even angrier when his range of motion was severely curtailed shortly after the police officer made his acquaintance. The officer seemed angry that he had to tackle a sweaty, fat, wide-eyed and extremely pale naked man.

Of course, things are far angrier than that in the world, and not nearly as Pythonesque. Wars, human trafficking and mass shootings continue, and seem to increase in direct correlation with the rising temperature of the planet. Many people are losing faith that things will get better.

The next president of the United States must successfully harness hope  or I fear a further descent into madness for all of us.

That is a tall order. Internationally, the world continues to be mostly run by people nobody would invite to a neighborhood barbecue. Take your pick of festering, lingering or growing conflicts across the planet. Humanity, faced with the challenge of turning the world into a paradise, continues to consume everything, even itself.

After seeing this, millions of people in the U.S. just want to close the doors and make it all go away. But isolation doesnt work and isnt an option  especially in the age of connectivity.

Tuesday began on a note of hope. President Biden spoke in the morning to reporters in the South Court Auditorium about climate change initiatives. Of course, without other large industrial nations being involved, like China, fixing the problem remains a dubious proposition.

China is on the presidents mind this week. After making his climate presentation, Biden took a few questions from the press about his upcoming meeting in San Francisco with President Xi Jinping. Standing just 10 feet away from me, Biden looked as if he felt personally injured, and as if he believed that all our foreign policy problems could be fixed if Xi would just pick up the phone and call his pal. Did Biden get ghosted after calling Xi a dictator? He sounded like it was personal, and he was trying to come to grips with losing a good friend. In truth, they have known each other long enough. Yes, this is still sarcasm.

By late Wednesday, it appeared the two leaders decided to stop blocking each others calls. They emerged from a four-hour summit in San Francisco announcing they have agreed to restore high-level military communications and will take steps to curb fentanyl production.

After months of tension, both leaders made clear they wanted to stabilize their countries relationship. Ah, there. Now we can be friends again! (Val Kilmer, from Tombstone.)

Of course it all ended with a short news conference during which Biden again called Xi a dictator.

I ask those older than myself for a better frame of reference and a clearer view. I can remember 1968: That was one angry year. Assassins claimed the lives of Martin Luther King Jr. and Bobby Kennedy. The Tet Offensive led to lots of American boys returning home from Vietnam in body bags. Riots at the Democratic National Convention introduced us to Daley cops  the brutal, violent officers led by Chicago Mayor Richard J. Daley, last of the big city bosses.

Those riots at the Chicago convention led to a disastrous election between Richard Milhous Nixon and Hubert Horatio Humphrey. Nixon came into office and it was a preview to the Trump presidency, only slightly less salty. It was a Quakers version of despotism. Then came Reagan, the Old Hollywood studio version. Donald Trump was the closed drive-in version.

At least 1968 ended on an upbeat note when Apollo 8 circled the moon. I was a kid. I naively clung to hope.

For those older than me: What was worse, then or now? Ive put that to everyone Ive met recently who lived through both times as an adult. Many of them have said were living through the worst times of our lives right now. Really? The worst? What? Post-COVID? Could you be any crazier? (Read that line as Matthew Perry playing Chandler Bing.)

Me? I dont know. I do know that since the dawn of man, when we crawled out of the caves, humans seem to be engaged in a never-ending rerun of the opening battle scene among the hominids in Stanley Kubricks 2001: A Space Odyssey.

If life is a video game (to follow current deep thinkers), would the child running this app kindly press the fast-forward button? Its getting a bit repetitive here for my taste.

I believe in free will. The test of that is this: What do we do about the situation in front of us? Do we react as others have for thousands of years? Or do we try something different? Sentience has to include learning. But we dont learn. We barely remember what it is we havent learned. Most of us havent bothered to read enough to find out what we havent learned.

Still, believing in free will, I share the optimism we see from Joe Biden on the rare occasions we are actually allowed to be graced by his presence. If you find that sentence dripping with cliched sarcasm, congratulations  as Don Rickles used to say, you get a cookie.

No president in my experience, except Reagan, has escaped public view as successfully as Biden. That limited interaction has led to controlling the press so well that if reporters get the president to hang around at any public appearance for three questions, and if Biden offers more than four words for any one answer, then its considered a huge victory for the press  at least by the press.

Biden always embraces hope. He says there are better days ahead and were getting there together. You have to wonder why that hasnt been turned into a campaign slogan. If people ever needed a breather from the vicissitudes of our daily conflicts, now would be a good time. People used to say, Tell me a funny story. Today, we settle for, Tell me a story where nobody dies.

People need a reason to be hopeful. Anger we have aplenty.

After Biden left the stage on Tuesday morning, he turned and took a question about the Israel-Hamas war. He gave hope to the hostages in Gaza, saying, Hold on, were coming. Sam and Dave would be proud.

A few hours later, tens of thousands of Israel supporters from across the country gathered on the National Mall. Social media erupted in anger for a variety of reasons. I saw very little anger on the ground, once I ignored the insipid speakers, just as a good portion of the crowd did. There were a lot of families, young kids and young adults. I saw one guy who looked straight-up like a 1950s CIA agent standing in the crowd. Turns out he was there to conduct a tefillin ceremony. Im a sucker for a good fedora.

There was hope. I saw Palestinian and Jewish supporters bonding. There was anger, when the crowd chanted, No ceasefire.

It was a public demonstration well within the parameters of acceptable discourse.

To put it another way, it was less violent than a few Philadelphia Eagles home games Ive been to.

There was even hope on Capitol Hill Tuesday. OK, quit laughing.

Now, its true that at about the same time Joe Biden was being gracefully introduced on Tuesday by a ninth-grader he described as a future president, Rep. Tim Burchett, a Tennessee Republican, accused former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy of elbowing him in the kidneys while Burchett was talking to a reporter. Rep. Matt Gaetz of Florida, still sore that McCarthy hadnt shut down the ethics investigation Gaetz faces,, filed an ethics complaint against McCarthy. Go ahead and say it: The ninth-grader displayed more maturity than duly elected members of Congress.

And while Biden was on his way to San Francisco to meet with Xi and talk about peaceful coexistence, over in the Senate, Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, challenged the head of the Teamsters union to a physical fight in a hearing meant to showcase how labor unions are making families lives better. Sen. Bernie Sanders, the committee chair, broke it up by reminding Mullin that he was a U.S. senator.

So there was plenty of anger. But hope again visited the world late in the afternoon when the House passed a continuing resolution to keep the federal government open. Speaker Mike Johnson got 209 Democrats to vote with 127 Republicans to approve the stopgap funding bill. Thats more Democrats on his side than Kevin McCarthy ever managed. (In fact, only two Democrats voted against it, while 93 Republicans did.)

Anger wasnt far away, though, and Johnson brought it back later in the day. Ignoring the Age of Enlightenment and our Constitution, he said in an interview that the separation of church and state was a misnomer.

Donald Trump looms large over this continuing anger. The Grand Old Party is his. He owns it, and hes as angry as a feral child whos soiled himself in the sandbox.

Anger is what drives Donald. Fear of prison drives the anger. Still, you think hed be happy: Recent independent polls are driving the narrative that Trump is favored to win the 2024 election.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

The Biden administrations response to those polls has been odd  but also hopeful.

Last week close to two dozen members of the press were invited to a meeting where it was explained that its OK if Biden appears to be trailing in a few polls. The election is nearly a year away and people arent thinking about it yet. Therefore, Biden will start reminding people what a great guy he is  not now but later, closer to the election.

While some called it a hopeful long-shot strategy, others called it confusing and a few tried to visibly stifle their chuckles. I guess it could have been the edibles.

Why would you wait? It isnt about lack of money. What conceivably sane political strategy in this day and age consists of telling your story later? Could you be any stupider? (Chandler Bing again.)

Trump has shown that to be successful, you dont just create your message and shout it every waking minute, you also wake up from a sound sleep and blare it out at 2 a.m. on a late-night call-in show.

We all know why Biden trails in at least some polls. Hes doing his job, but he aint talking about it enough. He didnt even acknowledge me in the East Room last week when I asked him to join us in the briefing room. I used my Sam Donaldson voice. I know he heard me. Biden has had little to no communication with us except during staged events, so the press is left trying to tease information out of the administration in dribs and drabs. I dont know anyone who considers this a good strategy. I hope Im wrong. Ill be plenty angry if Im right. Im angry now.

The last administration accomplished very little and told us way too much. This administration has accomplished far more, and wants to wait to tell us about it until later  you know, when we all have that moment to spare.

I can appreciate the manners, but you are supposed to be running a re-election campaign  and you may be facing a man who is far more desperate and psychotic than the last time you faced him. Lets face it: Donald Trump is nuts and remains dangerous.

Before Biden even gets to Trump, theres also Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, who has jumped into the Democratic race. Youre also facing a third-party challenge from a guy with great name recognition: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. And then theres Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia, who isnt running for re-election but, as NBC News reported on Wednesday, is also considering a third-party run for the presidency.

Meanwhile, plenty of Arab and Muslim Americans are angry with Biden over his unqualified support for Israel in the Gaza war. Theyre not going to vote for Trump, but plenty are saying that theyll simply stay home and not vote at all.

And Biden? What is he, a Stoic? Step up: The bully pulpit is yours.

So, you know, theres that anger again.

But I still naively cling to hope, just like when I was a boy.

Mr. President: You got a minute?

I mean, before we see someone else pulling their hair out and running down the street naked, maybe you could explain a few things to us.

Start with hope.
Google's Threat Analysis Group revealed on Thursday that it discovered and worked to help patch an email server flaw used to steal data from governments in Greece, Moldova, Tunisia, Vietnam and Pakistan. The exploit, known as CVE-2023-37580, targeted email server Zimbra Collaboration to pilfer email data, user credentials and authentication tokens from organizations.

It started in Greece at the end of June. Attackers that discovered the vulnerability and sent emails to a government organization containing the exploit. If someone clicked the link while logged into their Zimbra account, it automatically stole email data and set up auto-forwarding to take control of the address.

While Zimbra published a hotfix on open source platform Github on July 5, most of the activity deploying the exploit happened afterward. That means targets didn't get around to updating the software with the fix until it was too late. It's a good reminder to update the devices you've been ignoring now, and ASAP as more updates become available. "These campaigns also highlight how attackers monitor open-source repositories to opportunistically exploit vulnerabilities where the fix is in the repository, but not yet released to users," the Google Threat Analysis Group wrote in a blog post.

Around mid-July, it became clear that threat group Winter Vivern got ahold of the exploit. Winter Vivern targeted government organizations in Moldova and Tunisia. Then, a third unknown actor used the exploit to phish for credentials from members of the Vietnam government. That data got published to an official government domain, likely run by the attackers. The final campaign Google's Threat Analysis Group detailed targeted a government organization in Pakistan to steal Zimbra authentication tokens, a secure piece of information used to access locked or protected information.

Zimbra users were also the target of a mass-phishing campaign earlier this year. Starting in April, an unknown threat actor sends an email with a phishing link in an HTML file, according to ESET researchers. Before that, in 2022, threat actors used a different Zimbra exploit to steal emails from European government and media organizations.

As of 2022, Zimbra said it had more than 200,000 customers, including over 1,000 government organizations. "The popularity of Zimbra Collaboration among organizations expected to have lower IT budgets ensures that it stays an attractive target for adversaries," ESET researchers said about why attackers target Zimbra.
HOLLAND, Mich. (WOOD)  As police work to locate a suspect, a Holland family is grieving the loss of a young mother who was shot and killed in a church parking lot last week.

Cassandra Casares was loved by her family and community who miss her dearly. They want the person who shot and killed her found.

She impacted me and a lot of people in so many ways. There is not, there is nothing that can narrow her down to anything specific. She was just a little bit of everything that was good, said her sister Ashley Sleiman.

The 33-year-old mother was shot in the Moran Park Church parking lot in Holland around 8 p.m. on Nov. 6. Investigators say two cars pulled up and parked next to each other in the parking lot of the church. A short time later, shots were fired.

Police ask for help finding suspect in Holland homicide

She was a beautiful soul. She was a people person. She loved anybody and everybody. She gave everyone the benefit of the doubt. She could make a friend anywhere, said John Garcia, who was her partner and the father of Casares son.

An undated courtesy photo of Cassandra Casares.

An undated courtesy photo of Cassandra Casares.

An undated courtesy photo of Cassandra Casares.

She drove herself and a 34-year-old man to the hospital but died from her injuries.

She was a fighter. She fought to the end and suffered an injury that most of us probably cant imagine. She still drove herself to the hospital with hopes of surviving, Garcia said.

Sleiman said the questions surrounding Casares death need answers.

It tears me apart that her time got cut short. On my behalf Im not even so much upset that he was the one to pull the trigger. Im just more concerned and upset with why it happened. Because it happened now my sister is an angel, Sleiman said.

The Holland Department of Public Safety is looking for suspect Ramses Velasco Sanabria, who they say lived in West Olive, but havent been able to find him.

Everyone who knew her knew she wasnt about putting yourself in this type of mess that would cost her her life. She loved everybody and had an impact on everybody in so many ways, said Sleiman.

Police name victim of deadly Holland shooting

She is going to be missed a lot. Her kids loved her. She was a great mother and did a lot of activities with him. Did the everyday activities that you would expect a mother to do with her children when you love them the way that she did. Always involved in the schools, said Garcia.

An undated courtesy photo of Cassandra Casares.

Her family is calling for the person responsible to come forward.

As a community if you know anything, just please speak up. Those who have ties and have seen him, please speak out and turn him in. Help us get justice for my sister. She didnt deserve this, said Sleiman.

Holland police say they have their detectives working every lead, but they need the publics help in finding the suspect.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Holland Department of Public Safety at 616.355.1100 or email policetips@cityofholland.com. Tips may also be submitted to Silent Observer at 877.887.4536.

A $2,500 dollar reward is being offered for information leading to Sanabrias arrest.

A GoFundMe page has been created to help fundraise for Casares children.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's 18-year-old daughter, Zahara, dropped her father's surname when she introduced herself at her new sorority's induction ceremony.

In a video shared by Essence, Zahara, a sophomore at Spelman College, is shown being inducted into the school's Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated.

My name is Zahara Marley she yelled, before shaking her hair and adding, Jolie! She also declared that she hails from Los Angeles as the crowd cheered her on.

Jolie adopted Zahara from an orphanage in Ethiopia in 2005. A year later, Jolie's then-boyfriend Pitt requested that his name be added to Zahara's. The couple, who raised six children together, announced they were divorcing in 2016.

Ivies Up! The first Black sorority just gained a very familiar face as a member! the magazine captioned the video. Congratulations to Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt, daughter of Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, who just joined Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. at @SpelmanCollege!

Angelina Jolie with daughters Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt and Shiloh Jolie-Pitt at the

Founded in 1908 on the campus of Howard University in Washington, D.C., Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the first intercollegiate historically African American sorority. According to their website, the sisterhood includes more than 1,064 chapters and more than 355,000 initiated members. Some of the sorority's high-profile members include Vice President Kamala Harris as well as the late Dr. Maya Angelou, actress Phylicia Rashad, and comedian Wanda Sykes.

In July 2022, Jolie announced that her daughter would be attending Spelman College, a historically Black womens liberal arts college in Atlanta, Georgia.

Zahara with her Spelman sisters! the actor wrote when she shared the news on Instagram. Congratulations to all new students starting this year. A very special place and an honor to have a family member as a new Spelman girl.

The following month, Jolie was visibly emotional as she dropped off her daughter at the school.

Im going to start crying. I have not started crying yet, Jolie told vice president for student affairs, Darryl Holloman, in a video posted to his Instagram in August 2022.

While standing next to the schools president, Dr. Helene Gayle, Jolie was told that she would have plenty of time to cry at one of the upcoming ceremonies.

When Holloman how it felt to be a Spelman mom, the actor and philanthropist replied, Im so excited. Im so excited.

Jolie-Pitt is expected to graduate with the class of 2026.

We are honored that Zahara Jolie-Pitt and her family chose Spelman College, and we welcome Zahara enthusiastically into the Spelman sisterhood, Gayle previously told TODAY.com via email when news of Jolie-Pitt's decision was announced by the actor. As the #1 HBCU in the country, theres no place quite like Spelman, which has been an incubator for Black womens education and excellence for more than 140 years. As well, it has a global network of alumnae that have and continue to change the world.

Jolie is also mother to Maddox, 22, Pax, 19, Shiloh, 17, and twins Vivienne and Knox, 15, with her ex Pitt.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Detectives have launched a murder investigation a month after a man disappeared within hours of leaving his home in Scotland and driving across the border.

Paul Taylor, 56, from Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, was last seen as he travelled to Carlisle on 17 October.

Police Scotland had said officers were concerned for his welfare.

But on Wednesday Cumbria Police confirmed its inquiry had been upgraded to a murder probe.

Officers said two 19-year-old men, from the Carlisle area, had been arrested on suspicion of murder and remain in police custody.

The force added a 37-year-old man, from Carlisle, and a 17-year-old boy, from Appleby, were also in custody after they were arrested on suspicion of assisting an offender.

Mr Taylor was driving a blue Vauxhall Corsa - registration PY18 DYO - when he left his home at 21:45 and travelled along the southbound M6.

New information

Police believe the car then headed in the direction of the Kingmoor South area of Carlisle, at around 23:35, and also the Carlisle West area.

Officers are examining potential sightings of the vehicle made in the Yewdale, Sandsfield Park and Brough Road areas in Carlisle on the night and early morning of the 17/18 October.

The car was found abandoned in Langwathby at about 08:45 on 19 October.

Det Chief Supt Dave Pattinson, of Cumbria Police, said: "We have been working round the clock to try and find Paul since he was last seen on Tuesday 17th October.

"As the investigation has developed, and due to new information we have received, we are now treating the disappearance of Paul Taylor as a murder investigation.

"We are still requesting the assistance of the public to provide any information to us which may assist police, so we can understand the circumstances and events of what has happened."

He urged anyone who knew or spoke to Mr Taylor in the weeks or months leading up to his disappearance to contact officers or, anonymously, Crimestoppers.

Det Chief Supt Pattinson added: "Don't worry if you think the information is not important or may not be significant, it could be vital to help us establish what has happened to Paul and give his family the answers they deserve."
Disney isnt ready to let the Frozen franchise go.

While the company is working on the third installment of the franchise, it may be eyeing a fourth film.

On Thursday morning, CEO Bob Iger made the announcement while talking with Good Morning America host Michael Strahan.

Frozen 3 is in the works, and there might be a Frozen 4 in the works too, Iger said. But I dont have much to say about those films right now. Jenn Lee, who created the original Frozen and Frozen 2, is hard at work with her team at Disney animation on not one but actually two stories.

Iger appeared on the show to announce the opening of Hong Kong Disneylands World of Frozen.

The fictional land of Arendelle will come to life on Nov. 20 and will feature new rides and immersive experiences.

For years at our Disney Parks, weve been creating these large immersive worlds. Essentially, they are the physical embodiment of some of the greatest stories that weve told, Iger explained. And of course, Frozen being one of our most valuable franchises, I think its just right for building the place that Frozen takes place in. Its just a fantastic land that enables people to get immersed in the story of Frozen and interact with all the great characters from the films.

A similar Frozen attraction has previously been pitched as part of an expansion at Disneyland in Anaheim.

The 2013 film Frozen became a cultural phenomenon. The films soundtrack was also a huge hit. The song Let It Go received the award for Best Original Song and the film won Best Animated Feature at the 86th Academy Awards.

The films sequel was released in 2019.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
WASHINGTON  A man who previously held himself out as a supporter of the Black Lives Matter movement went to the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 with the "goal of inciting the crowd," a federal prosecutor told jurors in closing arguments at his trial Wednesday.

John Earle Sullivan, also known as "Jayden X," is a self-purported activist and journalist on trial in Washington, where he faces a host of charges, including felony obstruction of an official proceeding and civil disorder.

Sullivan, who recorded the shooting death of rioter Ashli Babbitt after she tried to enter the House Speaker's Lobby through a window broken by the pro-Trump mob, has become a cause celebre on the right for those seeking to blame "antifa," or left-wing provocateurs, for the violent criminal actions hundreds of rioters undertook during the breach of the Capitol.

John Earle Sullivan. (Ryan J. Reilly / NBC News)

At trial, government prosecutors portrayed Sullivan as an "antiestablishment" grifter and chaos agent  his company was called Insurgence USA  who wanted to "burn it all down" during the Capitol attack.

Im gonna side with anyone who is ready to rip this s--- down, Sullivan said in a quotation cited by prosecutors.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Michael Barclay told jurors during closing arguments Wednesday: "It does not matter whether Sullivan was holding a camera to record his crimes. He incited the mob at every step. He knew why he was there that day. He wanted to tear it all down."

Sullivan testified in his own defense, holding himself out as a documentarian just interested in getting the best shot.

"I was only observing," Sullivan said in his testimony. "I followed the crowd. I'm there to document."

But prosecutors played video after video of Sullivan doing much more than just documenting, including pulling out what they said was a knife as rioters tried to breach the House floor. Sullivan conceded that videos showed that he claimed to have a knife on him, and he conceded to jurors that he took a knife with him on his trip. But he also told jurors that he did not recall whether had the knife with him inside the Capitol, and he said he was not sure whether the knife-looking object he was holding in one of the videos was actually a knife.

"I don't remember bringing a knife specifically," Sullivan said. "I'm not sure if that's a knife."

Sullivan described his rhetoric from that day as an effort to blend into the crowd. I say whatever I can to keep myself safe, he told jurors.

Prosecutors presented evidence indicating Sullivan's rhetoric continued long after he left the Capitol. In a call with members of his Discord channel after the riot, Sullivan bragged about being "on the front line" and the impact his rhetoric had on the mob.

"I brought my megaphone to instigate s---," he said. He said he wanted to "make those Trump supporters f--- s--- up."

Sullivan's attorney, Steven Kiersh, argued that his client's "intent was to film the events that were happening on January 6th" and that jurors only needed to watch the 50-minute video he recorded inside the Capitol that day for proof.

"That recording of history is for everyone's benefit," Kiersh said.

Sullivan's heated rhetoric, Kiersh argued, was "just words" that had no meaning, with the goal of helping him blend in with the crowd. "His intent was not to burn the place down," Kiersh argued, noting that Sullivan did not have matches or lighter fluid on him. "His intent was to film."

Citing a video in which Sullivan said he was recording only to keep himself from getting arrested, prosecutors said the recording was only "a ploy" for Sullivan to provide cover for his true goal of inciting the mob.

"Everything that came out of his mouth was a ploy," Assistant U.S. Attorney Rebekah Lederer told jurors, referring to Sullivan's testimony. The only thing more offensive than his testimony, she said, was his "request for you to believe it."

"He came to engage in chaos," she added.

The government found that Sullivan received at least $90,875 in payments from at least six companies  including NBC News  for the rights to his Capitol video, and it seized more than $62,000 from his accounts.

About 1,200 defendants have been arrested in connection with the attack on Jan. 6, 2021, and about 400 have been sentenced to periods of incarceration.

Jurors are expected to begin deliberating Thursday morning in Sullivan's trial.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has indicated her interest in becoming the next NATO Secretary General, the Associated Press reported on Nov. 15.

When asked by reporters at the Politico Defence Summit in Washington whether she would like to be considered to become the next NATO chief, Kallas simply replied "Yes."

Kallas, a supporter of Ukraine's accession to NATO "when the conditions allow for it," is likely positioning herself for the top job at the Western military alliance when the position becomes vacant next year.

The current Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg previously confirmed that he will step down in October 2024 after having his term extended in the wake of Russia's illegal invasion of Ukraine.

Kallas, a 46-year-old lawyer, was re-elected earlier this March after her Reform Party scored an overwhelming victory in the general election in which Ukraine emerged as a major theme.

A small Baltic nation of 1.3 million people, Estonia has thus far contributed the third-most bilateral aid to Ukraine as a share of its GDP, contributing 1.2% to support Ukraine.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia admits Ukrainian troops operate on Dnipro Rivers occupied east bank

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
A man was killed in a shooting in East Baltimores Ellwood Park/Monument neighborhood Wednesday afternoon.

Officers responded to the 500 block of North Curley Street around 4 p.m. and found 32-year-old Kenneth Wilson with numerous life-threatening gunshot wounds, Baltimore Police said. He was transported to the Johns Hopkins Hospital where he was pronounced dead, police said.

Anyone with information can contact detectives at 410-396-2100.
Threadfin fish swim in a tank at the Eco-Ark floating fish farm in Singapore, Friday, July 21, 2023. Ships pump sea water through a system that cleans the farm, traps waste, and eliminates the need for antibiotics or vaccines for the fish. Energy is provided by solar panels. (AP Photo/David Goldman)

Like much of the rest of the world, Singapore is racing to feed a growing population with limited natural resources. But with almost no land for agriculture this small, wealthy, fast-paced and densely-packed nation is doing so by embracing and encouraging new food technologies that may someday help feed us all.

In 2019 Singapore launched a program called 30 by 30, designed to spur the country to produce 30% of its food by 2030, while still using less than 1% of its land for agriculture. The program has encouraged innovation that may offer a peek into the worlds food future as land and resources become more scarce around the world. ___

EDITORS NOTE  This story is part of The Protein Problem, an AP series that examines the question: Can we feed this growing world without starving the planet? To see the full project, visit https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/the-protein-problem/index.html

___

There are rooftop farms that produce greens such as kale, lettuce and herbs using a system that relies on nutrient-rich water instead of soil, powered by solar panels. Shrimp are grown in warehouses. The company's largest egg farm uses automated machines to feed the chickens and sort, scan and check each egg.

Researchers are working to develop varieties of plants that can flourish in extreme, unnatural environments  and ways to grow lobster in a lab, from cells.

But for all the countrys government-supported entrepreneurs and sparkling new technology, the country is also learning that this kind of transformation is not so easy.

Consumers can be reluctant to change, and producers have found it hard to turn a profit because costs are high.

It is far from clear Singapore will reach its 30% goal by 2030. But along the way it may help teach the world  through successes and failures  how to reduce the amount of land needed to produce our favorite dishes.

___

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.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  The Austin Police Department provided more details about names of the victims of suspect in the officer-involved shooting that happened on Bernoulli Drive over the weekend.

The shooting occurred in the 9300 block of Bernoulli Drive on Saturday, Nov. 12, according to police.

Officer Jorge Pastore was killed while trying to rescue two people being held hostage in Austin, Texas, police said. (KXAN Photos/Sarah Al-Shaikh)

APD Officer Jorge Pastore died during the shooting, and another office was injured but was released from the hospital on Tuesday, according to police.

A man of service: Officer remembers Jorge Pastore, talks how community can help

Two other victims were found inside the home and were pronounced dead on the scene, according to APD.

A neighbor said the funeral for the three people who died in the home during the shooting, which escalated to a SWAT situation, was held Tuesday.

Neighbor attended funeral for two victims, suspect in hostage situation

KXAN identified the names of the victim and suspect with the neighbor and the Islamic Center of Greater Austin on Tuesday. APD provided additional confirmation on Wednesday:

Eyman Ahmed Elnemrnassar, 63

Riad Mohamed Nassar, 33

Suspect: Ahmed Mohamed Nassar, 35

APD provided also Wednesday a timeline of the events that led up to the shooting.

TIMELINE: APD describes events leading to officer line-of-duty death in south Austin

Two concurrent investigations

APD said it would conduct two simultaneous investigations into this incident. APD Special Investigations Unit and the Travis County District Attorneys Office will conduct criminal investigation, and the APD Internal Affairs Unit with the Austin Office of Police Oversight will conduct an administrative one.

Officers body-worn cameras

Police said the shooting was captured on the officers body-worn cameras, and video related to the shooting will be released within ten business days.

Austin Police said three officers discharged their firearms. The first officer has eight years and 11 months of service, the second officer has 11 years and four months of service, and the third has 16 years and 11 months of service. All three officers have been placed on administrative leave, per APD protocol.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  APEC is bad for business, according to small business owners in San Francisco. One SF bar owner estimates a six-figure loss in revenue from the summit, saying would-be customers are avoiding the area because of strict security measures that have fenced off some streets and sidewalks.

San Francisco Mayor London Breeds office insists that APEC is a short-term inconvenience that will bring long-term business to San Francisco.

Law enforcement is swarming downtown San Francisco as the conference stretches into its fifth day. From SF County Sheriffs deputies to secret service, theyve been called on to protect high-profile government leaders from around the world.

APEC updates: Xi Jinping supporters bused in for Biden-Xi demonstration

Areas like Mission Street at New Montgomery have checkpoints set up where bags are screened for entry. People have to navigate closed streets and barricaded sidewalks. Rideshares are surcharging while dropping passengers off blocks away from their intended destinations.

Between the roadway woes and protesters looking to capture the attention of powerful visitors, its been bad for some businesses like Novela Bar in SOMA. The business partners behind the bar say that between their three San Francisco bars, they are losing about $200,000 in revenue due to cancellations for pre-booked parties among other reasons.

Theres almost no foot traffic in our area, it is definitely tight security in this area. And also the companies, that are typically the companies and the workers in our area that would typically come here for happy hour they are also working from home, said Novela partner Arash G.

He says he had to cut staff hours due to the conference. He wrote a letter to the mayors office requesting financial compensation. Mayor Breed said nothing has been decided on but calls this a short-term setback for a long-term economic boost with APEC putting the city in the sights of global players.

APEC street closures: How to navigate traffic, closures, and tow away zones

And were going to do what we can to support our small businesses, Mayor Breed said. But we havent made a clear decision as to what that might be because we need to understand the realities of what people are actually facing and whether or not there is a way to support them.

David Rafael who has owned a clothing store Market Street for 35 years has never seen anything like this. He also complained about the tight security tightening purse strings, but admitted one big benefit was cleaner streets.

He says instead of giving money to locals for lost revenue, hed rather the city pay to maintain the peak cleanliness seen during the APEC summit.

That would be nice, but I dont think thats going to happen. I think they should put more effort into cleaning up the streets and taking care of the homeless and getting rid of drugs, said Rafael. That would be more productive way of spending money rather than paying businesses for a week.

The mayors office says it has promoted self-guided tours ahead of APEC to encourage visitors to stop by businesses in the areas where delegates are gathering.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
Surprised Marjorie Try said: "I didn't know I was so popular"

A birthday card appeal for a Cumbrian woman living in Canada has resulted in a deluge of cards.

Marjorie Try's granddaughter, Kaitlyn, wanted to surprise her with 100 birthday cards for 100 years of life, appealing to old friends from Penrith.

The appeal went worldwide and cards began arriving from Hawaii, Germany and the United States.

By her birthday earlier this month, she had received 282 cards and more are still arriving.

Marjorie's granddaughter Kaitlyn Williams said the response was "so much more than I could have ever hoped for".

Marjorie Try (formerly Dodd) moved to North America in 1955 after growing up in the village of Tirril, near Penrith.

After posting her appeal in a Penrith Facebook group, Kaitlyn said: "So many people commented about how they knew the family, sharing stories and fond memories."

She also got talking to a woman whose mother, Doreen Robinson, was around the same age as Marjorie and grew up in the same small village.

The woman looked through her old photo albums and discovered three pictures of Marjorie and Doreen together when they were growing up.

By Marjorie's birthday on 8 November, cards had arrived from 82 different places, including schools in Canada and family friends in Cumbria.

Kaitlyn said: "Nanny really enjoyed her birthday party and could not believe all of those cards were just for her.

Marjorie also got letters from King Charles III and the Canadian prime minister

"The amount of support and love I have received regarding this project has been just amazing," she said.

"These cards will give her something to occupy herself with and look at for months to come."

Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  A Louisiana lawyer who objected to the state bar associations public statements on several issues including health tips and LGBTQ rights can no longer be forced to join or pay dues to the association, a federal appeals court has ruled.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals order, dated Monday, blocks the Louisiana State Bar Association from forcing attorney Randy Boudreaux to join the LSBA or pay its dues, at least for now.

The ruling sends the case back to a federal district judge for further action. It appears to leave open the possibility that mandatory membership and dues could be imposed on Boudreaux, if the LSBA no longer takes public positions deemed non-germane to the regulation of the legal profession.

Boudreauxs is one of more than two dozen cases playing out around the country challenging state requirements that attorneys join and pay dues to state bar associations. Organizations including the Goldwater Institute and, in Louisiana, the Pelican Institute, are challenging mandatory bar association membership as violations of free speech rights.

The 5th Circuit ruled in 2021  in cases out of Louisiana and Texas  that mandatory bar membership can be seen as constitutional under current law and Supreme Court precedent if the bar association is engaged in funding or lobbying for activities that are germane to the regulation of the legal profession or improvement of legal services.

Since then, Mondays ruling said, LSBA has failed to stay in its constitutionally prescribed lane.

To its credit, the LSBA has stopped much of its objectionable activity, Judge Jerry Smith wrote for the panel of three judges in the latest ruling. But despite the LSBAs scruples, Boudreaux has still identified some examples of non-germane speech.

Non-germane statements included posts on Twitter  now known as X  on topics including the possible health benefits of walnuts, the need for exercise and the promotion of charitable events, and more contentious issues. The associations promotion of an article on the effects of student loan debt on young lawyers was not germane, the court found. If anything, the thrust of the article is backhanded support for student-debt relief, a nakedly political position, Smith wrote.

The opinion also agrees with Boudreauxs objections to the bar association promoting a link to a History.com article about gay rights, along with a large rainbow flag icon that read LGBT Pride Month.

The association can promote inclusion of LGBT individuals in the legal profession  we held that Texas could do that, even if was controversial, Smith wrote. But the LSBA may not promote LGBT causes generally, with no connection to the legal profession.

LSBA President Shayna Sonnier said the group was pleased that the appeals court recognized steps it has taken to meet constitutional standards. Our leadership is reviewing how best to address the issues identified by the court, she said.

It was unclear whether either side would appeal any part of the Monday appellate ruling sending the case back to the district court. Scott Freeman, an attorney with the Goldwater Institute, said efforts continue in multiple jurisdictions to fight mandatory bar association membership.

I expect that the LSBA will argue that it wont offend again if compulsory membership continues, New Orleans attorney Dane Ciolino, part of the legal team supporting Boudreaux, said in emailed statements. But it has said exactly that before and thereafter failed to comply with the First Amendment.

Smith was nominated to the 5th Circuit by former President Ronald Reagan. Also on the panel were Judge Carolyn Dineen King, nominated by former President Jimmy Carter, and Jennifer Walker Elrod, nominated by former president George W. Bush.

Stay updated with the latest news, weather, and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play store and subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Donald Trump was fined $15,000 for violating a gag order imposed by the judge presiding over his New York civil fraud trial (SPENCER PLATT)

An appeals court judge on Thursday temporarily lifted a partial gag order imposed on Donald Trump in his New York civil fraud trial.

Judge David Friedman issued an interim stay of the gag order imposed by another judge, who is presiding over the business fraud trial of the former president.

Judge Arthur Engoron slapped a limited gag order on Trump on October 3 after he insulted the judge's principal law clerk in a post on his Truth Social platform.

Engoron has fined the 77-year-old Trump a total of $15,000 for two violations of the restriction.

Trump's attorneys appealed the gag order claiming it violated his right to free speech and Friedman ordered it lifted pending a hearing.

"Considering the constitutional and statutory rights at issue an interim stay is granted," the appellate judge wrote.

Trump, the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, and his two eldest sons are accused of inflating the value of their real estate assets to receive more favorable bank loans and insurance terms.

The federal judge set to preside over Trump's March trial in Washington for conspiring to overturn the 2020 presidential election also imposed a partial gag order on the brash billionaire but that order has also been frozen pending an appeals court hearing to take place on Monday.

US District Judge Tanya Chutkan ordered Trump last month not to publicly attack prosecutors, court staff or potential witnesses ahead of his trial.

Chutkan's ruling came after special counsel Jack Smith, a frequent target of Trump's vitriol, filed a motion claiming the real estate tycoon's inflammatory rhetoric threatened to undermine his trial for election subversion.

Trump was indicted in Washington for allegedly seeking to upend the results of the 2020 election in a concerted effort that led to the violent January 6, 2021 attack on the US Capitol by his supporters.

Trump also faces federal charges for alleged mishandling of top secret documents after he left the White House, and has been indicted for racketeering in Georgia on accusations that he tried to overturn the 2020 election results in the southern state.

cl/mlm
A combustible cocktail of issues swirled Thursday at a Washington appeals court, as lawyers and judges debated the free speech rights of the Washington Post, a discrimination claim from one of its former reporters, the public debate over the #MeToo movement and whether news organizations are effectively immune from some workplace discrimination lawsuits.

The D.C. Court of Appeals heard arguments about former Washington Post journalist Felicia Sonmezs bid to revive her lawsuit accusing the newspaper of discrimination and retaliation for banning her from covering issues involving gender dynamics and sexual assault after she publicly discussed her own claims of sexual assault by another journalist several years earlier.

Sonmez argues that the limits Post editors put on her assignments amounted to discrimination against her as a woman and as a victim of a sexual offense  both of which are prohibited under D.C. law. The Post says the restrictions werent due to her status, but to concerns that her public comments on a matter of heated debate could be interpreted as influencing the Posts coverage.

The newspaper also invoked a D.C. law enacted in 2011 to discourage lawsuits over public statements about matters of public controversy, arguing that the statute forecloses Sonmezs suit because her claims intrude on the Posts ability to craft its own messages to the public.

Sonmez was fired from the Post in 2022 for what the newspaper called insubordination, but her lawsuit does not concern the firing.

During the 80 minutes of argument, the three-judge panel seemed somewhat more skeptical of Sonmezs arguments than the Posts, but challenged both sides contentions and left the bench without giving a clear indication of whether Sonmez will be allowed to go forward with her suit, which a lower court judge tossed out last year.

Judge Loren AliKhan told Sonmezs attorney, Madeline Meth, that much of Sonmezs suit seems closely tied to the Posts decision-making process about news stories and what its employees say and write in public.

A lot of the allegations that you have pointed to are about assignments that she works on, how they want her to engage in social media. These all seem to be kind of wrapped up in how the Washington Post wants to engage in its expressive or First-Amendment-protected conduct, AliKhan said.

But Meth argued that silently banning Sonmez from reporting on #MeToo or gender issues really wasnt speech at all.

The behind-the-scenes ban did not communicate anything to the public. Indeed, it was confidential, said Meth, who noted that the Post lifted the ban only after POLITICO revealed it publicly. She said the absence of Sonmezs bylines from such stories, if noticed, might have been interpreted as her being on other assignments or on book leave.

However, the Posts lawyer, Yaakov Roth, said the newspapers power to make assignments is deeply intertwined with the news it delivers to the public.

The bans are expressive conduct because they are a form of editorial control and editorial judgment, Roth said.

That drew a doubtful response from another judge on the panel, Joshua Deahl.

It strikes me as a little bit of a stretch to say it's expressive conduct where it is purposely kept under wraps by the Washington Post.  Whats the expressive conduct here when they are purposely not expressing anything about this ban? Deahl asked.

Expression is both the freedom to speak and the freedom not to speak and the freedom to decide what to speak about and how to speak about it, Roth said.

AliKhan stepped into the exchange to note that the Posts decision not to assign Sonmez to such stories also involved affirmative decisions by the newspaper to assign those less connected with the controversy to report on it.

Meth complained that the Posts restrictions required Sonmez to repeatedly discuss, in the workplace, her past traumatic experiences. The attorney also argued that the Posts treatment of Sonmez was at odds with how it handled another journalist who remains at the newspaper, Michelle Ye Hee Lee, after she spoke out against the medias handling of incidents of anti-Asian hate.

She frequently spoke out about anti-Asian hate crimes and publicly objected to the media's coverage of those crimes, but was allowed to continue to write stories about that topic, Meth said.

But Roth suggested there really wasnt anyone advocating for hate crimes against Asians, while the #MeToo movement generated significant public disagreement.

Condemning anti-Asian hate crimes  is not a hot-button social or political debate. It just isn't. That is not the type of statement that's going to give rise to concerns about appearances of conflict of interest, he said.

AliKhan didnt seem to buy that distinction. That seems hard to say, she said. In a post-COVID world, there is considerable controversy over these issues. I mean, who's to determine what discrimination is hot-button versus not?

Roth said another key distinction was that Sonmez had involved her personal experience, while Lee had not.

The third judge on the panel, Corinne Beckwith, asked fewer questions than the others but did ask the Posts lawyer how the court should distinguish between Sonmezs victim status and other activities she engaged in related to that status.

D.C. Superior Court Judge Anthony Epstein dismissed Sonmezs suit last year, saying it didnt adequately allege discrimination based on victim status or gender. However, he rejected the Posts attempt to invoke the free-speech-related law in connection with the case.

The Post fired Sonmez in February 2022 following her public criticism of another Post reporter, Dave Weigel, for retweeting a Twitter post containing a crude joke about women. Weigel apologized and was suspended for a month over the episode.

The newspaper reportedly told Sonmez she was being let go for insubordination, maligning your co-workers online and violating The Posts standards on workplace collegiality and inclusivity. The Post did not publicly explain Sonmezs firing, but sent a memo to staff at the time suggesting it would not allow its employees to snipe at each other in public. We do not tolerate colleagues attacking colleagues either face to face or online, Post Executive Editor Sally Buzbee wrote.

Sonmezs suit was filed about seven months before her dismissal. Shes sought to protest her firing through a union grievance, but the Post has declined to consider it, citing an expired union contract.

Sonmezs case has exposed disagreements within news organizations about the value of efforts to seek objectivity in reporting, with generational divides appearing at some newsrooms between older journalists who back such standards and younger journalists who see them both as unevenly enforced and as an obstacle to diversity.
Four Ecuadorian men accused of stealing hundreds of Apple watches from a truck making a delivery to a local store are facing federal charges.

>> Arrest made in murder of Ohio star basketball player shot, killed on his birthday

Alexander Wilson Diaz-Remache, Jonathan Eduardo Remache-Diaz, Alvaro Oswaldo Loaiza-Alvarez and Gustavo Daniel Vinueza-Bueno were all charged with knowingly and intentionally conspiracy to steal interstate shipments from a carrier; knowingly, intentionally, and unlawfully stealing of an interstate shipment from a carrier; and knowingly transporting and carrying stolen goods in interstate commerce, according to court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio this week.

Documents state three of the four men entered the country on travel visas and set up a base of operation for their illegal activities with Diaz-Remache in California. From there, the men allegedly stopped in several states across the county, including Maryland, Ohio, and Virginia, to steal jewelry and Apple products from delivery trucks at shopping centers, including The Greene Towne Center in Beavercreek.

A spokesperson for the U.S. District Court said the men would take the items to resell them on the black market.

In September, the men allegedly stole over 300 Apple watches from a FedEx truck making a delivery to the Apple Store at The Greene.

>> State Fire Marshal wants safety to be the centerpiece of Thanksgiving meal

In Beavercreek, such as the other locations, one or more members of the group often distracted the delivery driver while the others broke into the delivery truck and removed portions of its cargo, court documents state. One or more members would keep a lookout for police or security.

A few days after the theft at The Greene, the men began to follow a UPS truck at the Mall at Fairfield Commons with the intent to steal the interstate shipment within it. Online jail records show the men were arrested that day by Beavercreek Police near the mall.

Court records indicate they were staying at an Airbnb in Centerville when the alleged theft happened.

Other thefts alleged in the indictment include approximately $300,000 in diamonds and other jewelry from a UPS truck in Rockville, Maryland, and thousands of dollars in jewelry from a UPS truck in Fairfax, Virginia, a spokesperson for the U.S. District Court said.
A Johns Hopkins physician who made a series of deeply disturbing social media posts about Palestinians has been placed on leave, the institution said Thursday amid boiling tensions brought by the bitterly divisive war.

The announcement, more than a month after the professors comments, came alongside a week of domestic upheaval regarding the war abroad. Also this week, a protest in Washington broke out into a fight, and the Maryland-based immigration advocacy group CASAs funding was thrown into jeopardy in response to the nonprofits comments on the war.

The university faculty member, who called Palestinian people animals in a series of online remarks that followed terrorist organization Hamas Oct. 7 attack on Israel, will have no interaction with students or patients while the institution conducts a thorough investigation under our policies and procedures, Johns Hopkins Medicine spokesperson Kim Hoppe said.

Dr. Darren Klugman, the Johns Hopkins Childrens Centers director of pediatric cardiac critical care and an associate professor at the university, was rebuked over a month after his series of now-deleted posts on X, formerly Twitter, where he appeared to endorse large-scale slaughter in retaliation for Hamas attack on Israel.

G-d willing, Klugmans account, which has also since been deleted, replied to a Palestinian writers post that said Israeli leaders were seeking to spread out massacres to displace Palestinians.

Reached for comment by email, Klugman referred questions to Hopkins spokespeople.

The Council of American-Islamic Relations filed a complaint Tuesday with the Maryland Board of Physicians, seeking Klugmans termination.

The physicians comments communicated a deep-rooted animus toward Palestinians that has deeply shaken the trust Arab Americans hold in the Baltimore medical institution, said Zainab Chaudry, director of the Muslim advocacy groups Maryland office.

The last thing any family should be worried about is, will this doctor harbor any animus toward my child?' she said Thursday.

Chaudry, who holds a doctor of pharmacy degree, said that the state physicians licensing board needs to send a message to health providers on being able to perform their duties impartially amid unprecedented levels of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

If theyre not able to do that, they need to step down or step aside, she said.

In the days that spanned from when Klugman posted and removed the tweets, domestic division over the war has notably become more emotional. Thursdays news of Klugman being placed on leave came hours after a protest against the U.S. governments support of Israels war effort devolved into a clash with police in Washington.

CASA statement prompts apology

On Thursday, CASA, the Maryland-based immigration advocacy group, apologized and committed to holding internal trainings on anti-Semitic, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim bias following outcry over a statement the nonprofit posted on Nov. 6 in support of Palestinians that also prompted a major financial backer to sever longtime funding to the organization.

The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation said it would redirect $150,000 in grant money intended for CASA to another organization after the immigration assistance group issued a statement that said the organization stands in resolute and steadfast solidarity with the people of Palestine in their relentless fight for freedom.

The foundation, which said it has granted $5 million to CASA over the past 15 years, said it was deeply disturbed by CASAs statement, labeling certain sections as antisemitic for describing Palestinian people as indigenous people struggling to reclaim their land in a historically colonized nation.

This denies Jews as being indigenous to their ancestral homeland, the foundation said.

CASA said Thursday that its Nov. 6 post was intended to shine a spotlight directly on the innocent Israeli and Palestinian children and families caught in the midst of this horrendous conflict, but conceded the message was flawed, diminishing of Israeli people, hurtful to many of our Jewish allies, and counter to our goals of advancing peace.

The group deleted its Nov. 6 statement earlier this month after Maryland lawmakers rebuked its executive director, Gustavo Torres. Some state officials wrote that in light of the statement, it might be an appropriate time to reevaluate the states mechanism for supporting immigrant communities.

We cannot and will not allow taxpayer money to subsidize hate speech, the Montgomery County Senate Delegation, which consists of nine Democrats, said in a letter to CASA.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Maryland called the Montgomery County senators implication they would adjust CASAs funding both wrong and unconstitutional.

Make no mistake, if retaliatory action is taken to defund the essential services that CASA provides to the immigrant community, we will respond accordingly, the civil rights group said.
Russia's Vice Minister of Defense Alexander Fomin, third left, attends the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus in Jakarta, Indonesia, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (Willy Kurniawan/Pool Photo via AP)

JAKARTA, Indonesia (AP)  Southeast Asian defense ministers expressed profound concern on Thursday over the loss of civilian lives in the Israel-Hamas war and called for an immediate truce and creation of a humanitarian corridor to deliver aid.

In a statement on the conflict, the defense ministers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations also supported the start of peace negotiations aimed at achieving a two-state solution based on the pre-1967 borders.

The ministers expressed profound dismay at the reported attacks and loss of innocent civilian lives in the conflict, along with the destruction of civilian infrastructure, it said.

They issued the statement after meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, with eight dialogue partners, including the United States, China and Russia.

A separate chairman's statement issued by Indonesian Defense Minister Prabowo Subianto called for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities and urged both sides to respect the sanctity of life and property.

It said the protection of all civilians, including ASEAN citizens, must be prioritized in times of conflict, and all hostages must be released immediately and unconditionally.

The statement urged the United Nations Security Council to take a more active role in averting a wider humanitarian disaster.

We encourage all efforts to immediately stop violence there, Subianto said at a news conference. We ask all countries that have power to use their influence to immediately stop actions against innocent people, against unarmed civilians who are non-combatants, women and children.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Russian Vice Defense Minister Alexander Fomin and Jing Jianfeng, Chinas deputy chief of staff at the Central Military Commission joined in the talks with the ASEAN defense ministers, but there were no separate meetings among them.

Indonesia, Southeast Asias largest economy, is this years ASEAN chair.

The 10-nation grouping includes Myanmar, but its defense minister was again barred from attending this weeks meetings due to the military governments failure to comply with a five-point ASEAN peace plan drafted to ease the country's crisis.

The ASEAN defense ministers agreed to sign cooperation agreements with their eight dialogue partners in the areas of maritime security, counterterrorism, humanitarian assistance, disaster management and peacekeeping operations, Subianto said.
During last weeks Republican presidential primary debate, NBC News anchor Kristen Welker asked biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramasaway about Ukraine. Mr. Ramaswamy, are you persuaded by President Zelenskys urgent new plea? she asked. Where do you stand on more funding?

Im absolutely unpersuaded and Im actually enjoying watching the Ukraine hawks quietly, delicately tiptoe back from their position as this thing has unwound into a disaster, Ramaswamy replied. Level with the American people here. Ukraine is not a paragon of democracy. He then proceeded to level a number of criticisms against the country and its democratic credentials.

Ramaswamy made six accusations against Ukraine and President Volodymyr Zelensky during his minute-and-a-half rejoinder. This is a country that has banned 11 opposition parties, he said. It has consolidated all media into one state TV media arm. Thats not democratic. It has threatened not to hold elections this year unless the U.S. forks over more money. That is not democratic. It has celebrated a Nazi in its ranks, the comedian in cargo pants, a man called Zelensky. Doing it in their own ranks, that is not democratic.

The regions of Ukraine that are occupied by Russia right now, the Donbas, Luhansk, Donetsk, these are Russian-speaking regions that have not even been part of Ukraine since 2014, Ramaswamy continued. He then asked former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley if she wanted to use U.S. taxpayer money to fund the banning of Christians?

Thats a lot to unpack. Lets address the claims one by one.

Banning political parties.

Ramaswamys first assertionthat Ukraine has banned 11 opposition partiesis technically true, but missing important context. In March 2022, Zelensky announced a ban on political parties with close ties to Russia, with the Ukrainian government citing security concerns following the Russian invasion of Ukraine weeks earlier. These bans will hold for as long as Ukraine is under martial law, which Zelensky declared on February 22, 2022.

[The bans] are kind of a no-brainer, of course there are going to be measures taken against these entities, Peter Dickinson, a Ukraine expert with the Atlantic Council, told The Dispatch Fact Check.

Given Ukraines deep and long-standing ties with Russia, many organizations in the country are linked directly to the Kremlin and support the Russian war against Ukraine. I think anything about Ukrainian politics needs to be understood in the long-term context of Russian imperialism, Dickinson said. For hundreds of years, Ukraine was controlled by Russia. And it wasnt just controlled as a distant colony, it was integrated and it was absorbed.

These deep ties make the task of rooting out pro-Russian organizations both important and difficult, necessitating the use of wartime political measures to protect the countrys sovereignty. The political bodies that have been banned were overtly pro-Russian and in many cases had worked withand were directly tied toRussia, Dickinson said. They were fairly obviously being financed and supported by Russia and were engaged in subversive activities.

Media consolidation.

Ukraine has also acted to reduce Russian influence through media consolidation, though some Ukrainians now question its continued necessity. In March 2022, all national news channels were merged into the single United News platforma 24-hour broadcast news network. Additionally, a law enacted in December 2022 granted new powers to Ukraines National Council of Television and Radio Broadcasting to warn, fine, delicense, and suspend any media outlet, and temporarily extrajudicially block access to non-media online resources, according to Amnesty International. The National Security and Defense Council also leveraged a 2014 sanctions law to pull three television channels run by Taras Kozaka pro-Kremlin lawmaker believed to be a close ally of Vladimir Putinoff the air before the war, in February 2021.

The wartime consolidation of media began partly as a practical necessity because of the exodus of civilians from Kyiv, but security concerns were also at the forefront. There werent a lot of people to run TV channels, so there was a practical aspect to it, Dickinson said. But fundamentally, it was a national security issue.

That said, Dickinson also believes that the governments recent consolidation of media is not necessarily fully justified. Its probably the weakest link of all the things theyve done, he explained. I think thats the one thing people do say here in Ukraine: Why do we still have this, why dont the TV channels function?

Elections.

Ramaswamys claim that Zelensky has threatened not to hold elections unless the U.S. provides it with additional funding is baseless. While Zelensky recently ruled out holding a presidential election originally intended for next spring, there is no evidence to suggest that he has demanded additional funding in order to have elections, and the unlikelihood of elections taking place has been clear since the beginning of the conflict. Ukrainian legislation currently bans elections during a time of martial law, so the government would need to pass amending legislation to conduct an election while the war is ongoing. One opposition leader, Serhiy Prytula, has himself said that the focus should be on uniting Ukrainians behind the war effort and that holding an election now would be pointless.

Youve got at least 6 or 7 million people displaced outside of Ukraine, you have about 10 million displaced inside Ukraine, youve got almost a million people in arms on the front lines, and youve got Russian bombings taking place every day all over the country, Dickinson said. There is no way they could hold an election campaign, theres no way they could hold election meetings, and theres no way they could organize a proper ballot.

This, too, is not without historical precedent. The U.K., for example, suspended parliamentary elections after the onset of WWII, and resultantly did not have any elections for a ten year period between 1935 and 1945. British elections were similarly suspended during WWI.

Is Zelensky a Nazi?

One of the more shocking moments of debate night came when Ramaswamy seemingly called Zelensky a Nazi. Ukraine has celebrated a Nazi in its ranks, the comedian in cargo pants, a man called Zelensky, Ramaswamy said.

His campaign later claimed that Ramaswamys words were being taken out of context, and that he had not intended to call Zelensky himself a Nazi. Tricia McLaughlin, a spokesperson for Ramaswamy, told the New York Times that the candidate was instead referring to an incident earlier this year in which the Canadian Parliamentjoined by Zelenskygave a standing ovation to 98-year-old Yaroslav Hunka, a Ukrainian World War II veteran who was later revealed to have served in the Nazi-aligned 14th Waffen Grenadier Division of the SS.

While Zelensky did applaud Hunka alongside the rest of the Canadian House of Commons, any suggestion that he knew of Hunkas Nazi affiliationlet alone supported him because of itis unsubstantiated. Anthony Rota, the speaker of Canadas House of Commons, later said he had not informed either the Canadian government or the Ukrainian delegation of the plan to honor Hunka, and resigned from his post. This House is above any of us, he told his fellow lawmakers. I reiterate my profound regret.

Occupied regions.

Adding further to his list of accusations, Ramaswamy claimed that parts of Ukraine currently occupied by Russianamely the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts that make up the Donbas region in eastern Ukraineare Russian-speaking regions and have not been part of the Ukrainian state since 2014. Parts of the Donbas now occupied by Russia have in fact been contested since 2014, but Ramaswamys remarks fail to acknowledge that the Donbas was illegally occupied. The narrative that the region is legitimately Russian is a central Kremlin talking point, and Ramaswamy is obfuscating the truth by spreading it further.

The Donbas has been partially occupied by Russia since 2014, when conflict broke out between Ukrainian forces, the Russian military, and pro-Russian paramilitary groups within Ukraine. Parts of the Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts fell to Russian-backed separatist movements who declared the breakaway Luhansk Peoples Republic and Donetsk Peoples Republic. In February 2022, Russia announced its recognition of the two breakaway republics as sovereign states, triggering its invasion of Ukraine under a special military operation.

Eventually, Russia announced the full annexation of both oblasts alongside two othersKherson and Zaporzhzhiaafter a series of fraudulent referendums. I want the Kyiv authorities and their real masters in the West to hear me, so that they remember this, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a speech at the time. People living in Luhansk and Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia are becoming our citizens. Forever.

However, only two close Russian alliesNorth Korea and Syriaofficially recognize the annexations, and Western governments have forcefully denounced Russias claims. To be clear: The results were orchestrated in Moscow and do not reflect the will of the people of Ukraine, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken relayed in an opposing press statement. The United States does not, and will never, recognize the legitimacy or outcome of these sham referenda or Russias purported annexation of Ukrainian territory.

Banning Christians.

Ramaswamy then claimed that Ukraine was banning Christians and called on fellow candidate Nikki Haley, a vocal supporter of Ukraines war effort, to condemn the practice. Do you want to use U.S. taxpayer money to fund the banning of Christians? he asked. That is actually whats happening. Theyre using the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. They have banned them. The Ukrainian Parliament just did this last week, supported by our dollars.

Ramaswamy is referring to a preliminary vote taken by the Ukrainian Parliament in late October on a bill, Law 8371, that could ban the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). The billwhich grants Ukrainian officials the power to investigate connections between Ukrainian and Russian religious groups and ban those with leadership outside of the countrywill need to pass a second vote before being approved by Zelensky.

Though the UOC declared independence from the Russian Orthodox Church (ROC) after Russias invasion of Ukraine, many members of the churchs clergy have continued to provide support to the Russian military and collaborated with occupying forces. However, the UOCs influence is declining , and 54 percent of Ukrainian Christians self-identified as belonging to the independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU) in a July 2022 survey by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology. Only 4 percent of Ukraines population identified as members of the UOC as of July 2022, down from 18 percent a year earlier.

Like with the political parties referenced above, Ukraine is not banning Christians themselves as Ramaswamy claims. It is, however, considering legislation that would allow it to ban particular church organizations that are closely tied to or aiding Russia. This does represent a modest crackdown on parts of the Christian church in the country, but broad freedom to practice religion for Christians is not under threat in Ukraine.

While Ramaswamy does not invent his criticisms of Ukraines democratic credentials out of whole cloth, he fails to acknowledge the many reasons why Ukraine has implemented the measures he condemns. He is attacking Ukraines democratic credentials without recognizing that the country is not just in a war, but in an existential struggle, Dickinson said. Its fighting for its life against an enemy that has very deep influence inside Ukraine. Ukraine is really trying to untangle itself from this incredibly complex web of Russian influence and forced Russian integration while at the same time adhering to these democratic principles. Its embracing democracy for the first time in hundreds of years. Its a very complicated issue, and these comments really oversimplify it.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

Read more at The Dispatch

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SHANNON COUNTY, Mo  The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is reaching out to the public for help in identifying a poacher who illegally shot and killed a bull elk near Klepzi Mill in Shannon County over the past weekend. A local deer hunter made the discovery and told MDC of the incident.

Shannon County Conservation Agent Brad Hadley located the adult elk, which had been shot and left in the vicinity of Klepzig Mill during Missouris firearms deer season opening weekend on Nov. 11 and 12. The entire carcass was abandoned in the field and later transported to MDCs Central Regional Office and Conservation Research Center in Columbia for necropsy.

Missouris Operation Game Thief (OGT) is offering $20,000 as a reward for any information leading to the conviction of the individual(s) responsible for the elks shooting.

Conservation agents are asking anyone with information to contact the Operation Game Thief hotline at 800-392-1111.

Callers have the option to remain anonymous, and those providing information leading to a conviction stand to receive the $20,000 reward.

Elk in Missouri:

MDC initiated the elk restoration project in 2011 by reintroducing the first group of elk to the Peck Ranch Conservation Area in south-central Missouri. Originating from Kentucky, these elk underwent rigorous disease testing and quarantine before being transported to Missouri.

In subsequent years, additional elk were introduced to the state in 2012 and 2013. This collaborative effort laid the foundation for the Missouri elk herd across regions in Carter, Shannon, and Reynolds counties, resulting in a core group of 108 elk.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Jake Maxwell, 22 of Athens, was convicted for charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Department of Justice announced.

Court records show the space he was in at the Capitol where Vice President Mike Pence was expected to be to certify the results of the 2020 election

As previously reported, Maxwell was accused of physically accosting officers at the West Plaza, according to prosecutors, during the attack.

He was arrested Feb. 10, 2022, on charges of assaulting, resisting or impeding officers, civil disorder, engaging in physical violence in a restricted building or grounds and related offenses.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

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Prosecutors said Maxwell engaged in a physical confrontation with law enforcement officers, citing court documents.

He banged his hands and pushed on the riot shield of a U.S. Capitol Police officer as the officer tried to push him away with the shield, prosecutors said in 2022. He then moved towards an officer with the Metropolitan Police Department and got into a physical struggle with him. During that struggle, Maxwell first hooked his arm around the officers baton. The officer then got his baton away from Maxwell and used it to keep Maxwell away from the line of law enforcement trying to protect the Capitol building from the crowd of rioters. Maxwell, however, grabbed the officers baton with his left hand and pulled on it during the struggle.

Charging documents showed that Maxwell voluntarily went to the FBI in Atlanta in December 2021 for an interview. During that interview, Channel 2 Action News reported he identified himself in the photos showing the incident, but documents state he said he did not remember doing those things, but did confirm that he was the one shown in the pictures.

New court documents show Maxwell was found guilty on three counts during a bench trial on Tuesday, though he was found not guilty on four others.

Maxwell was convicted during the bench trial of obstructing, impeding or interfering with a law enforcement officer lawfully performing their duties, entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds and disruptive conduct in a restricted building.

The court documents show Maxwell was accused of being in a space where Vice President Mike Pence would be for official proceedings. That is what the restricted building charges stem from, according to court documents.

However, Maxwell was found not guilty of charges related to attacking law enforcement officers, according to the documents.

Hell be back in court on Feb. 22, 2024, for sentencing, according to court records.

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IN OTHER NEWS:
Jake Maxwell is seen in this photo released by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Washington D.C.

An Athens man faces time in a federal penitentiary following his conviction Tuesday on charges stemming from the Jan. 6, 2021, riot at the U.S. Capitol building.

The U.S. Attorneys Office in Washington, D.C., issued a statement Wednesday that Jake Maxwell, 22, was found guilty of civil disorder, which is a felony, and misdemeanor counts of entering and remaining in a restricted building and disorderly conduct in a restricted building.

Maxwell was convicted in a bench trial before U.S. District Judge Richard Leon.

Maxwell is one of more than 1,200 people charged in the riot at the Capitol, with more than 400 of them charged with a felony violation.

Oconee Blotter: Man arrested after driving 15 mph on Athens Perimeter

Maxwell, who was arrested on Feb. 9, 2022, will be sentenced on Feb. 22, 2024, federal authorities reported.

According to the federal release, Maxwell traveled from Georgia to Washington, D.C., to attend a Stop the Steal rally. Then he made his way to West Plaza of the Capitol, where police had established a protective line.

A group of rioters, including Maxwell, eventually broke through the police lines and made their way further toward the Capitol, according to the report.

Federal authorities said Maxwell was identified as a person who pushed the riot shield of an officer and grabbed another officers baton, then he was among the first of the rioters who reached the Inaugural Stage.

Maxwell moved to a location where more attacks were made on police and at one point, he reached a location where he was seen cheering, raising flags, laughing and talking with other rioters for more than an hour, according to the report.

This article originally appeared on Athens Banner-Herald: Athens man Jake Maxwell convicted in Capitol riot charges
A Southern California college professor was arrested Thursday in the death of a Jewish protester during demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war.

Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, 50, was booked into jail on suspicion of of involuntary manslaughter  the unintentional killing of another person, the Ventura County Sheriffs Office said. The district attorneys office said it was reviewing the case and expects to make a charging decision later Thursday.

A man who answered the phone at a mobile number listed for Alnaji in public records said he did not want to comment. He did not give his name.

Paul Kessler, 69, died early Nov. 6 at a hospital following a confrontation the previous day with the suspect during what started as a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Thousand Oaks, a suburb northwest of Los Angeles, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff told reporters on Nov. 7.

Kessler was among a group of pro-Israel demonstrators who showed up at the event that was advertised as a peaceful gathering to support Palestinians, officials said.

Fryhoff at the time said deputies determined Kessler fell backward and struck his head on the ground but that investigators did not have a clear view from video footage of what they described as a physical altercation between the two men before the fall. He asked the public for help in providing additional footage.

The suspect stayed at the scene and told deputies he had called 911, Fryhoff said, adding that authorities later briefly detained him for questioning and searched his home in Moorpark.

Fryhoff said investigators had received conflicting information from witnesses on both sides about what took place, impairing witness credibility and making it difficult to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The department did not respond to questions Thursday from The Associated Press as to whether additional footage or other evidence prompted the arrest.

A short video clip surfaced showing Kessler on the ground, but there havent been any videos released showing the actual confrontation.

County Medical Examiner Dr. Christopher Young said at the time that an autopsy found Kessler died from head injuries consistent with a fall. Young also said Kessler had injuries that could be consistent with a blow to the face but that it was unclear what caused his fall.

Edward Obayashi, a former San Diego police officer and special prosecutor, said he is not surprised by the arrest on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, the lowest level charge for a death. Additional charges, including for a hate crime, could still be considered, said Obayashi, who made one of the first arrests in the state under Californias hate crime law more than three decades ago.

We have a very high profile incident, obviously, given the backdrop of whats going on in the world, he said. So there is a lot of pressure on the authorities. The default position is making an arrest.

Demonstrations have been widespread and tensions are escalating in the United States as the death toll rises in the Israel-Hamas war.

Alnaji, a professor of computer science at Moorpark College, had espoused pro-Palestinian views on his Facebook page and other social media accounts, many of which have since been taken down, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said in a statement that it was grateful for the work of sheriffs investigators.

This arrest shows that violence towards our Jewish community will not be tolerated, the federation said.

Watson reported from San Diego.
Police actions during a mass protest called Block Cop City that drew people from across the US to Atlanta this week have been condemned as heavy-handed after they included flash-bang grenades, teargas canisters, tanks and a press conference full of demonstrably false or misleading descriptions of the event.

Related: Inside the attempt to charge Georgias Cop City activists with racketeering

The Guardian also spoke with a protester who was detained, repeatedly called a terrorist, handcuffed and threatened with arrest in a supermarket parking lot near the march  only to be released with no charges.

The actions are the latest hardline display against opposition to Cop City, a sign that Atlanta authorities are determined to combat dissent on the project.

The Block Cop City action did not achieve its stated goal of occupying the site of the controversial, $90m police and fire department center known as Cop City, but did shut down work for a day at the 171-acre construction footprint in a forest south-east of Atlanta.

The event drew nearly 500 people from dozens of cities and included non-violent direct action training and planning and a commitment to no property damage or weapons. Nonetheless, multiple jurisdictions deployed police to the projects construction site and streets in the surrounding area and Atlantas police chief, Darin Schierbaum, characterized the event as a threat to public safety, citing evidence such as gas masks.

Smoke rises from teargas canisters fired by police. Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA

Its absurdly hypocritical of the police, said Jamie Peck, an organizer who came from New York. Theyre claiming we were the violent ones, when non-violence was in the DNA of the action from the beginning. Trying to say were violent when we brought protective gear is sort of Orwellian.

The march began early on Monday morning at a park several miles from the Cop City site and included between 350 and 400 marchers as well as carnival-sized puppets and a marching band. Dozens wore spray-painted, white jumpsuits  in homage, organizers said, to European environmental activists.

Joel Paez and Belkis Teran warmed up the crowd  parents of Manuel Paez Teran, or Tortuguita, who police shot and killed on 18 January, while the activist was camping in a forested public park about a mile from the construction site. Paez told the crowd he saw them all as family. I pray for the safety of everyone here, he said. I pray for the generations fighting for a better world.

The march then wound its way through the park and toward another park that abuts the Cop City site. Police blocked a tunnel connecting the two parks, so marchers turned into a nearby neighborhood and, eventually, on to a four-lane road leading to the sites entrance.

Atlanta police officers in riot gear gather in response to demonstrators protesting against Cop City. Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA

Soon after, marchers were met by a line of DeKalb county police. They had shields, teargas guns, a dog and a tank called The Beast; there were officers with automatic weapons whose uniforms read sniper. As soon as the first line of marchers made contact with police, several officers aimed gas canisters and flash-bang grenades at the crowd. They also fired at a group of clearly identified members of the press who were on the shoulder of the road.

About a dozen journalists were separated from the march. When one tried to return, an officer blocked him on the public road and said, this is an active crime scene. Another officer later let him return to doing his job.

One protester who had come from Arizona to participate in the action had gone to a nearby supermarket with another protester. The activist, who uses they/them pronouns, didnt want the Guardian using their name.

The activists were sitting together in a car watching a live feed of the march when police approached. What are you doing here? Commanding the action from your car? asked one officer. Police repeatedly accused the activist about inciting crimes, of being a terrorist. Officers asked, Why do you come to our town to mess things up? One said: You dont even know what this project is about  theres crime in this town, and you need us.

The officers also separated the two; the Arizonan later discovered their fellow protester had been arrested after supplying a false name and released on misdemeanor charges.

Officers with automatic weapons wore uniforms reading sniper. Photograph: Erik S Lesser/EPA

Meanwhile, officers eventually told the 39-year-old human resources professional they were free to go  until a plainclothes officer came behind them and said they were being arrested for conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism. Another officer then asked them if they possessed incendiary devices. They were eventually released.

The language of terrorism echoes the state of Georgias recent indictment and arraignment of 61 people in connection with Cop City under the states Rico, or racketeering law, accusing them of forming a conspiracy.

At a later press conference Schierbaum, the police chief, told the public that police had kept the city safe from dangerous people who were prepared to do harm, prepared to do destruction.

He displayed evidence of his claims such as tools used to plant trees by a roadside, gas masks and bolt cutters  presumably intended to cut through the fence surrounding the construction site. Ample video evidence exists of the peaceful roadside tree planting and it was police who used teargas.

Atlanta police did not respond to the Guardians request for comment.

The Arizonan activist decided to get away for awhile, and drove to the (Martin Luther) King Center in Atlanta. I just cried for awhile. I thought, This isnt your legacy. This isnt what you dreamed of.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  September 11, 2001 is a day Shawn Collins will never forget.

I saw the second tower collapse and it was like a movie, he said. I was so freaked out, people were collapsing on the street, screaming and running into each other.

More than two decades later, living in Austin, Collins was still suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.

Look inside a Texas medical cannabis facility as lawmakers move to expand access

Flashbacks from the tragic day prevented him from sleeping while causing severe emotional distress.

I knew it was unhealthy to be drinking alcohol like a fish, he said. I thought at some point these thoughts were going to calm down in my head and everything was going to get back to normal.

Back in 2021, the Texas Compassionate Use Program expanded to include those with PTSD.

With this in mind, Collins therapist recommended medical cannabis as a treatment.

I felt so at peace that night and slept well, he said. Usually Id have very disrupted sleep or I couldnt even fall asleep at all.

Austin resident Shawn Collins suffered from PTSD for over two decades before qualifying for medical marijuana through the Texas Compassionate Use Program.

Collins is only small sample of success, as theres only three state-licensed medical cannabis companies in Texas.

Yet, that number could soon grow.

Austin-based dispensary offering eligible veterans free medical marijuana prescription

The Texas Department of Public Safety told KXAN that 132 groups applied to open dispensaries.

However, the state agency hasnt confirmed when it will decide on those licenses.

Texas Original CEO Nico Richardson says there are more than 150,000 people in the Austin area who are eligible for medical cannabis prescriptions under state law, but arent currently receiving those prescriptions.

Texas Original CEO Nico Richardson says there are more than 150,000 people in the Austin area who are eligible for medical cannabis prescriptions under state law but arent receiving prescriptions.

The biggest barrier is knowledge of the system and understanding that we have a medical cannabis program here in Texas, he said.

Texas Original recently opened up a new location in North Austin, intended to increase awareness and expand access for patients.

This comes on the heels of the companys newly-opened locations in The Woodlands, Plano and Hurst.

Were opening more locations closer to patients, Richardson said. That way, they dont have to drive or wait a long time for delivery.

With a new outlook on life thanks to his edible gummies from Texas Original, Collins described the 22nd anniversary of the September 11th attacks as the easiest hes ever experienced.

To me it was a miracle drug, I was really struggling for going on 20 years, he concluded. It helped me so much, it changed everything for me.

This spring, a bill aimed at expanding access to medical marijuana for those suffering from chronic pain was passed by a vote of 127-19 in the Texas House of Representatives.

Medical cannabis expansion bill to die in Texas Senate

However, House Bill 1805 died in the Senate without a vote, as Republicans focused on other priorities and campaign promises.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The Austin Police Department released the names of three people who were found dead after a standoff that also resulted in the death of Austin police SWAT officer Jorge Pastore on Saturday.

Officials named the suspect as Ahmed Mohamed Nassar, who was found dead at the scene after police shot him. Eyman Ahmed Elnemr-Nassar and Riad Mohamed Nassar were named as the other victims.

Public records indicate that Ahmed Nassar was son to Eyman Ahmed Elnemr-Nassar and the brother to Riad Mohamed Nassar.

More: Exclusive: Austin police got 2015 report on officer shooting suspect but didn't surveil him

Authorities said a 911 caller who called at 2:49 a.m. was screaming for help and said that someone was stabbing her.

Officers responded about eight minutes later and located the 911 caller, who said Ahmed Nassar still had the knife. She was taken to the hospital.

The release states that officers learned that the other two family members were still inside and began to make a forced entrance into the home, where Ahmed Nassar fired at them at about 3 a.m.

SWAT was called out and entered the home at about 4:10 a.m. Ahmed Nassar was barricaded in the residence and began firing at officers, the release said. This firefight resulted in the death of Pastore and injured one officer, who has since left the hospital to continue recovering.

More: Austin officer Pastore's sacrifice, seeking to save others, is a debt we can never repay

Officers on the scene, along with Austin-Travis County EMS tactical medics, moved the injured officers to safety and began to give medical aid, the release said. Both officers were taken to a hospital, where Pastore was pronounced dead.

Authorities said they discovered Eyman Elnemr-Nassar and Riad Nassar inside the home with fatal injuries, and they were pronounced dead at the scene. Ahmed Nassar also died from his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Reports that Ahmed Nassar was on an FBI watchlist began circulating online on Tuesday. However, Anna Sabana, strategic communication and community engagement manager for the Austin Police Department, told the American-Statesman that is "not accurate."

Austin police received a tip about Ahmed Nassar in 2015 about suspicious activity but did not find any connections to crime or any other reason to continue surveilling him, according to exclusive reporting by the American-Statesman.

A search warrant for the home where the incident occurred shows that Ahmed Nassar had body armor, night vision goggles, materials to make explosives and firearms.

The search warrant said it is "not uncommon" for people who have all of that tactical gear to also have materials to make explosives.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Austin police identify suspect, victims killed in hostage standoff
Austin police release timeline of shooting resulting in the deaths of an officer, the suspect and 2 victims

Austin, Texas, law enforcement officials released new details surrounding the deadly officer-involved shooting that happened Nov. 11, resulting in the death of Officer Jorge Pastore.

Early that morning, a barricaded gunman holding three hostages in Austin, shot and killed a SWAT officer before being killed at the scene.

Two other victims were also found dead inside the home after police forced their way inside at about 4 a.m. and traded gunfire with the suspect, 35-year-old Ahmed Mohamed Nassar.

TEXAS SWAT OFFICER, BARRICADED GUNMAN KILLED IN SHOOTOUT DURING HOSTAGE SITUATION; 2 CAPTIVES FOUND DEAD

The Austin Police Department released a detailed timeline of the events on Nov. 11.

At 2:49 a.m., dispatchers received a call for assistance on Bernoulli Drive. During the call, police said, the caller screamed for help and said someone was stabbing her.

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Eight minutes later, responding officers wearing Austin uniformed police arrived on the scene and began gathering additional information, including where the suspect was located.

AUSTIN MAN CLAIMS HE WAS DRUGGED, ROBBED OF THOUSANDS OF DOLLARS AFTER NIGHT DOWNTOWN

The officers also learned two other individuals were injured and inside the residence with the suspect, later identified as Nassar.

A third victim escaped the residence just before officers arrived. Officers and EMS personnel located the female escapee. She told officers Nassar still had a knife, and just after 3 a.m., the victim was taken to a nearby hospital and treated for injuries.

At about 3 a.m., the officers announced their identity as Austin Police Officers, the department said, before forcing their way into the home. Once inside, Nassar reportedly opened fire and the officers exited the residence, though they did not return fire.

AKRON POLICE RESCUE WOMAN FROM SERIAL KIDNAPPER IN SHOCKING BODYCAM VIDEO

Since Nassar was armed with hostages, SWAT was called, and at 4:11 a.m., they made an emergency entry into the home.

Once inside, SWAT was fired at by Nassar, and they fired back. During the exchange, two officers were shot, and they were moved to safety by EMS tactical medics, who began to render aid.

Both officers who sustained injuries were taken to a nearby hospital to be treated.

One of the victims, Pastore, ultimately succumbed to his injures while the other victim was treated and later released.

SHOOTOUT ON ALABAMA INTERSTATE FOLLOWING ALLEGED STOLEN CAR CONFRONTATION LEAVES 4 INJURED: POLICE

SWAT was fired at by Nassar. During an exchange of gunfire, two officers were shot.

Two victims inside the home with Nassar also died and were identified as 63-year-old Eyman Nassar and 62-year-old Riad Nassar.

Ahmed Nassar also sustained injuries and died at the scene.

Police said the incident was captured on body-worn cameras of the responding officers, and as permitted under the departments policy, the video will be released within 10 business days.

Police also said three of the officers who responded fired their department-approved firearms. Of the officers who fired their guns, one has eight years and 11 months with the department; one has 11 years and four months with the department; and the third has 16 years and 11 months with the department.

AUSTIN POLICE ASK ROBBERY VICTIMS TO CALL 311 AMID STAFFING SHORTAGE, CRIME CRISIS

All three officers have been put on administrative leave, police said.

Now the department plans to conduct two investigations. A criminal investigation will be conducted by both the APD Special Investigations Unit with the Travis County District Attorneys Office, and an administrative investigation will be conducted by the APD Internal Affairs Unit with oversight from the Office of Police Oversight.

Austin news station KXAN reported that according to a search warrant executed at the home, the suspect was armed with a rifle and wearing tactical gear.

"Cutting instruments, body armor, and any tactical gear to include firearms were all said to be worn or used by the suspect," the warrant reportedly states.

Items listed in the warrant as evidence connected to the criminal offense of murder included body armor and protective plates to include ballistic helmets as well as arm or leg protection; night vision goggles; firearms and ammunition; targets that have been shot by a firearm; and explosive devices or bomb-making materials.

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"It is not uncommon for people with gun, body armor, or night vision to make homemade explosives," the search warrant reportedly states.

The investigation into the incident is still open, and police ask anyone with information to contact them at 512-974-6840 or call the Capitol Area Crime Stoppers at 512-472-8477. Tips can also be submitted to austincrimestoppers.org.





Original article source: Austin police release timeline of shooting resulting in the deaths of an officer, the suspect and 2 victims
WASHINGTON (AP)  Ending the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays, Congress gave final approval Wednesday night to a temporary government funding package that pushes a confrontation over the federal budget into the new year.

The Senate met into the night to pass the bill with an overwhelming 87-11 tally and send it to President Joe Biden for his signature one day after it passed the House on an overwhelming bipartisan vote. It provides a funding patch into next year, when the House and Senate will be forced to confront  and somehow overcome  their considerable differences over what funding levels should be.

In the meantime, the bill removes the threat of a government shutdown days before funding would have expired.

This Friday night there will be no government shutdown, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech ahead of the final vote.

The spending package keeps government funding at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term package is negotiated. It splits the deadlines for passing full-year appropriations bills into two dates: Jan. 19 for some federal agencies and Feb. 2 for others, creating two deadlines where there will be a risk of a partial government shutdown.

Everybody is really kind of ready to vote and fight another day, Republican Whip John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said earlier Wednesday.

The spending bill does not include the White Houses nearly $106 billion request for wartime aid for Israel and Ukraine, as well as humanitarian funding for Palestinians and other supplemental requests. Lawmakers are likely to turn their attention more fully to that request after the Thanksgiving holiday in hopes of negotiating a deal.

Schumer called the stopgap funding plan far from perfect, but said he would support it because it averts a shutdown and will do so without any of the cruel cuts or poison pills that hardline conservatives wanted.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who crafted the plan, has vowed that he will not support any further stopgap funding measures, known as continuing resolutions. He portrayed the temporary funding bill as setting the ground for a spending fight with the Senate next year.

The new speaker, who told reporters this week that he counted himself among the arch-conservatives of the House, is pushing for deeper spending cuts. He wanted to avoid lawmakers being forced to consider a massive government funding package before the December holidays  a tactic that incenses conservatives in particular.

But Johnson is also facing pushback from other hardline conservatives who wanted to leverage the prospect of a government shutdown to extract steep cuts and policy demands.

Many of those conservatives were among a group of 19 Republicans who defied Johnson Wednesday to prevent floor consideration of an appropriations bill to fund several government agencies.

GOP leaders called off the weeks work after the vote, sending lawmakers home early for Thanksgiving. It capped a period of intense bickering among lawmakers.

This place is a pressure cooker, Johnson said Tuesday, noting that the House had been in Washington for 10 weeks straight.

The House GOPs inability to present a united front on funding legislation could undercut the Louisiana congressmans ability to negotiate spending bills with the Senate.

Republicans are demanding that Congress work out government funding through 12 separate bills, as the budgetary process requires, but House leadership has so far been forced to pull two of those bills from the floor, seen another rejected on a procedural vote and struggled to win support for others.

When it returns in two weeks, Congress is expected to focus on the Biden administrations requests for Ukraine and Israel funding. Republican senators have demanded that Congress pass immigration and border legislation alongside additional Ukraine aid, but a bipartisan Senate group working on a possible compromise has struggled to find consensus.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in a floor speech pledged that Republicans would continue to push for policy changes on the U.S. border with Mexico, saying it is impossible to ignore the crisis at our southern border thats erupted on Washington Democrats watch.

One idea floating among Republicans is directly tying Ukraine funding levels with decreases in the number of illegal border crossings. It showed how even longtime supporters of Ukraines defense against Russia are willing to hold up the funding to force Congress to tackle an issue that has flummoxed generations of lawmakers: U.S. border policy.

Most Senate Republicans support the Ukraine funding, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., but he added, It is secondary to securing our own border.

But the U.S. is already trimming some of the wartime aid packages it is sending Ukraine as funds run low, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said from San Francisco, where he accompanied President Joe Biden for a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders.

He said the pot of money available for Ukraine is withering away, and with it will be a deleterious effect on Ukraines ability to continue to defend itself.

Schumer said the Senate would try to move forward on both the funding and border legislation in the coming weeks, but warned it would require a compromise.

Both sides will have to give, he said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
(Reuters) - Azerbaijan's foreign ministry said on Thursday it could not take part in a meeting with Armenia's foreign minister planned for Nov. 20 in Washington because of the "one-sided approach of the United States".

It said senior U.S. officials were unwelcome in Baku for the same reason.

Meanwhile, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he intended to intensify political and diplomatic efforts to sign a peace treaty with Azerbaijan, Russia's TASS news agency reported on Thursday.

The two Caucasian countries have been in conflict for decades, most notably over the region of Nagorno-Karabakh, internationally recognised as part of Azerbaijan but largely populated and controlled by ethnic Armenians with Yerevan's support until Baku recaptured it in September.

Azerbaijan objected in particular to "one-sided and biased" comments on Wednesday by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James OBrien to the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

It said that, when O'Brien said Azerbaijans use of force in September had prompted most of the population of more than 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee, he had failed to mention the "illegal stationing of more than 10,000 Armenian armed forces".

It complained that O'Brien did not mention that "for more than two months Armenia has not been responding" to Azerbaijani peace proposals. The Azerbaijani statement also said Washington was continuing to offer support to Armenia even though Armenia was "an aggressor and a destabilizing source in the region".

According to a transcript posted by the committee, O'Brien said "there cannot be 'business as usual'" in Washington's relations with Baku.

He said the U.S. had cancelled high-level bilateral meetings and engagements with Azerbaijan and would keep urging it to "facilitate the return of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians who may wish to go back to their homes or visit cultural sites in the region, as well as restore unimpeded commercial, humanitarian, and pedestrian traffic to the region".

Azerbaijani Prime Minister Ali Asadov told a forum in Tbilisi last month that Baku had been committed to peace and the restoration of transport links with Armenia since 2020, but that progress hinged on Yerevan.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Kevin Liffey and Mark Trevelyan)
Public health investigator Maggie Tran, right, speaks with a woman on Skid Row in Los Angeles as she searches for a patient. Tran is part of a specialized team dedicated to finding women of childbearing age who have tested positive for syphilis, in an effort to get them treated and prevent more infections. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Under the afternoon sun, Maggie Tran stopped one person after another on a hectic stretch of Skid Row, asking if they knew a particular woman.

No one seemed to recognize the name she repeated at tent after tent as she made her way along the block. "She could have a whole different name out here," one person replied. "Do you have a picture?"

Tran shook her head before heading back to her SUV, disappointed but undeterred. Its rare for Tran to find the people she's looking for right away.

As a public health investigator, she searches for clues: An emergency contact number listed by a patient during a clinic visit. An old address saved in a database. The location of a homeless encampment where outreach workers found a particular person in the past.

Then she heads to the streets. Her job at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is to track down a crucial set of patients who slipped away from the health system: women of childbearing age who have tested positive for syphilis, a sexually transmitted disease that can cost newborns their lives.

Cases of syphilis have skyrocketed in L.A. County and across the country, with devastating results. Left untreated in adults, it can damage organs and infiltrate the brain, possibly leading to dementia and blindness. Men have suffered at higher rates than women, but a rise in cases among women has spurred particular alarm because newborns infected in utero can be stillborn or suffer enduring medical issues.

The disease can be stopped with antibiotics if detected and treated in time. Yet last year, L.A. County reported 136 cases of infected newborns  up from just four a decade earlier  including 13 that resulted in stillbirth.

Across the U.S., the number of such congenital syphilis cases reported annually among newborns ballooned from 335 in 2012 to 3,761 in 2022. The syphilis surge resulted in 231 stillbirths and 51 infant deaths last year in what one official called "an unacceptable American crisis."

Tran is part of an L.A. County effort to turn those numbers around. Whenever someone tests positive for syphilis, the results must be reported to the county. Some patients are easily reached, but others cannot be found by public health nurses.

Those are the women whom Tran and her colleagues on the syphilis special investigation team are seeking. Finding them is crucial: Last year, 88% of congenital syphilis cases across the U.S. might have been averted with timely testing and adequate treatment, researchers at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concluded.

When other efforts to reach such patients have fallen short, "our program is almost like a program of last resort," said Magdalena Esquivel, chief of direct community services at the L.A. County Department of Public Health's Division of HIV and STD Programs.

"Many of these clients have a history of trauma, mental health conditions, substance use, developmental disabilities  multiple reasons for fear and stigma around healthcare," Esquivel said. "They may be doing transactional sex work" or have immigration concerns, and "some may fear losing kids."

In a Westlake office building last month, Tran sat in her cubicle and scoured a host of government, healthcare and public records databases for any useful details. She recounted how one case had played out: Tran had combed through physician notes and found the phone number for the mother of a would-be patient, who told Tran it had been months since she had heard from her daughter.

The mother said the woman had been staying at a shelter when she last heard from her, but she didn't know exactly where. Tran kept digging and turned up a possible address for the woman, but it led to an apartment complex that was locked. She wedged a letter in the door.

Maggie Tran, a county public health investigator, searches databases on her office computer. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Even if the trail seems to have run cold, she keeps checking the databases for anything new. "There might be hope that if she tested again, maybe she had an address this time, or a phone number," she said. "Or maybe she's still at the hospital."

Tran ferreted out a Social Security number for the patient from a confidential report about her test result, then plugged that into the databases. That turned up another test the woman had taken as an unidentified "Jane Doe," shedding more light on the progress of her infection.

After roughly a week of sleuthing, she found the woman in another database: Jail bookings. Public health staff would go find the patient at the jail and offer her treatment. Because of the "Jane Doe" test results, they could assure her she would need only one shot.

"I'll take this as a big win," Tran said. "It's rare to be able to find a patient this fast."

Tran and her colleagues also help people get to the treatment they need. Behind the wheel of her white SUV, she hunted for a parking spot in an industrial stretch of the San Gabriel Valley, where she met a woman and her partner who live near railroad tracks. The couple piled into the back seat.

The woman, who asked not to be identified, said she had no idea she had syphilis before the public health team showed up to follow up on her test result. A message had been relayed to her earlier, but the county official did not say why they were calling.

When working the phones or hitting the streets, Tran does not explain why she is searching for someone, in order to avoid revealing sensitive information about their medical care.

"I can't share," she told one person at a downtown encampment, identifying herself only as being with the county. "We're just looking for them."

Public health investigator Maggie Tran, right, speaks with Mecca Harper while trying to find someone in need of syphilis treatment. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Holding back on details protects the privacy of the women Tran is seeking, but it can also be unnerving for people who fear they may somehow be in trouble.

The woman Tran picked up for an appointment said the efforts to reach her had initially felt "scary." Whatever the county was trying to reach her about felt like "just adding one more thing to this life of mine," she said as Tran drove them to a nearby clinic. But now "at least I'm fixing it."

Syphilis can sometimes be treated with one shot of antibiotics, but if the disease is more advanced it can take three shots given roughly a week apart. Tran cautioned the couple that depending on test results, they might have to come back the following week.

"I'll be keeping in touch with you guys," she told them.

Missing the second or third shot means starting the series over, so public health officials have to keep tabs on hard-to-reach patients. And if clinics are short on bicillin  a key treatment that has been in limited supply this fall  some patients may need an alternative regimen that requires weeks of pills. That can be a challenge for patients who live in unstable conditions or have mental health problems, county officials said.

Read more: The number of babies infected with syphilis was already surging. Then came the pandemic

Public health researchers have bemoaned the soaring numbers of babies infected with syphilis as evidence of missed opportunities to serve vulnerable women, including those who are unhoused or grappling with drug addiction.

"The STD crisis has been worsening for more than a decade," said Mario Perez, director of the Division of HIV and STD Programs at the L.A. County Department of Public Health. Report after report shows that "we're losing some control. The congenital syphilis crisis epitomizes that."

The surging numbers are especially galling in a country that appeared within reach of wiping out syphilis around the turn of the millennium. Since then, tumbling rates of condom use, increased use of methamphetamine that loosens sexual inhibitions, underfunding of STD prevention and other factors have combined to reverse that progress, experts said.

The pandemic exacerbated the crisis, as day-to-day testing and treatment services were interrupted and public health teams were pulled onto COVID-19 duties. In L.A. County, for instance, routine syphilis screening for women at a county jail was suspended for roughly two years, and up to 75% of county STD prevention staff were reassigned at points in the pandemic, according to county reports.

"There are consequences when investments in public health are inadequate," said David C. Harvey, executive director of the National Coalition of STD Directors. Right now, that consequence is "the death of infants.

In California, pregnant patients are legally required to be screened for syphilis at their first prenatal visit, but some never get prenatal care at all. Others have no regular phone number or address that clinicians can use to follow up with their test results and ensure they get treated. Another challenge is that the syphilis spike has been tangled with drug addiction, and many people who use drugs are hesitant to seek medical care.

Pregnant people may be "scared of going to the doctor if they use drugs or are unstably housed" because they fear those things could affect their parental rights, said Dr. Rosalyn Plotzker, a preventive medicine specialist at UC San Francisco.

Jolene Yoneoka, supervising public health investigator, makes a point during a meeting at the offices of the Division of HIV and STD Programs at the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

Plotzker and other researchers found that California babies born with syphilis were more likely to have parents who were homeless or who used methamphetamine. But if parents who were unhoused or using meth got prenatal care, the rate of syphilis prevention was much closer to that of parents without those challenges. The findings underscore that access to care is critical, Plotzker said.

Los Angeles County launched its syphilis specialized investigation team a little over a year ago, starting with two part-time investigators. It has since expanded to five investigators with the help of a nearly $4-million annual state grant for syphilis prevention, as well as other funds. Tran said the added staffing had eased her caseload, which now stands around 10 cases at a time.

Between September 2022 and October 2023, the syphilis team was asked to find 119 people who could not be tracked down by other programs and ultimately got 26 of them treated. The remaining patients could not be located, refused treatment, or were directed to other units or agencies.

The team also seeks out partners of the women they are assigned to find, aiming to get them treated as well.

To encourage patients to take the time to get treated, the investigators offer incentives such as gift cards to grocery stores and fast-food restaurants. If people need to take weeks of pills, the county can arrange for temporary housing in Skid Row to help ensure they finish the treatment.

Read more: STDs have been on the rise. Who should pick up the tab for testing?

As Tran drove the couple back from the San Gabriel Valley clinic, the woman said she was glad she had started treatment. She had learned about neurosyphilis, which can afflict the brain after an infection, and wondered if it was tied to a psychiatric episode that she suffered in the past.

Even if syphilis had not affected her at all, "I don't want to be infected or infect other people," she said. "I want to do the right thing."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
A major-injury traffic collision involving a semi-truck occurred in the southbound lanes of Interstate 5 south of Stuhr Road near Newman at about 2 p.m. Wednesday, according to the California Highway Patrol.

By 2:30 p.m., traffic was beginning to back up and a closure of at least one lane was expected to take place ahead of rush-hour traffic, Officer Thomas Olsen said.

Caltrans was on scene to start emergency repairs to a guardrail on the southbound side of I-5 that was damaged when struck by a 2019 Peterbilt semi-truck, which landed down in a embankment in Poverty Flat.

The driver of the truck, a 58-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, man, was airlifted from the scene with major injuries after being extracted from the truck. Olsen said the man was alert and talking to officers before he was transported.

As of midafternoon Wednesday, the anticipated duration of the lane closure was undetermined. Olsen asked for drivers patience as crews worked as fast as they can to repair the guardrail on the bridge.

Its a delicate process trying to remove these things  from the roadway down there. Safety is always priority one, he said.

Olsen added that State Route 33 could be used as an alternate route.
PITTSTON, LUZERNE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  Coffee Inclusive is a Luzerne County coffee shop that is operated by people with diverse abilities, and is an overwhelming success. So much so the business is expanding after receiving rave reviews and positive feedback from the community.

Wednesday afternoon nepa inclusive announced their plans to expand coffee inclusive by adding bake inclusive in the spring of 2024. The nonprofit also received a grant of $22,500 from the Discount Tire Driven to Care Foundation to help do so.

The goal is to raise $150,000.

Somewhere around 75 to 80 percent of people with these types of disabilities are not employed and were showing that they are employable, said Joleen Lazecki, NEPA Inclusive and Coffee Inclusive vice chairperson.

The president of Nepal Inclusive and Coffee Inclusive says the goal is to provide their employees with a stepping stone to something much bigger.

A Little Love: Meet Isaiah

According to Bartoli, Bake Inclusive will be a natural extension of Coffee Inclusive, employing people with diverse abilities and giving them an opportunity. 14 people with diverse abilities employed at Coffee Inclusive have moved on to other jobs with the skills theyve learned.

We think having a first good job opportunity where theres more training theres more camaraderie theres more effort put into making sure youre successful like then when you move out to another job you have a better base and a better success and more confidence, Bartoli added.

Bake inclusive will not only give people with diverse abilities the chance at employment but also allow them to learn because it is also a transition school.

Which is going to help with diverse learning abilities to learn how to roast coffee, baked goods, customer service all those types of fun things. As well as leadership skills, living skills all types of wonderful things coming out of that program, Lazecki continued.

Micheal MacDonald has worked at Coffee Inclusive for a year and says he could not be happier with his job.

Its my life. My lifes work, I wouldnt give anything else, I couldnt ask for a better job, said MacDonald.

The new bakery is scheduled to open in March 2024.

Coffee Inclusive says it hopes to serve as a model to other local businesses to show them that people with diverse abilities are just as capable.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
SUMMERDALE, Ala. (WKRG)  Baldwin EMCs 18th annual Power of Giving drive potentially saved over 230 lives, according to event organizers.

LifeSouth Community Blood Centers, present on-site during the Nov. 9 drive, collected 79 donations from Baldwin EMCs employees, members, and the community, according to an event news release. All donations will be directed to hospitals in southwest Alabama and the Florida panhandle.

Mark Ingram, vice president of corporate services and public relations at Baldwin EMC, expressed gratitude, stating, We asked, and the community delivered! Every year, I am somehow still amazed by the generosity that pours in for our Power of Giving Drive.

Baldwin EMC also honored local veterans with a supply drive. Donations, ranging from food to clothing, were gathered for the William F. Green Veterans Home in Bay Minette.

Those supplies will make a big impact, Ingram said.

The supplies collected will make a difference in the lives of some of our local heroes, he said. Its a small way we can say thank you for the sacrifices the veterans made for us to live in freedom.

Baldwin EMC, a member-owned electric cooperative, serves over 87,000 accounts in south Alabama.

ALSO ON WKRG.com: Power of Prayer: Mobile Rabbi reflects on prayers with families of Hamas

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Police and protesters clashed outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday night during a demonstration for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the latest reflection of boiling tensions over the bloody conflict.

Scores of Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were inside the building for a campaign reception when it was interrupted by chanting outside. Protesters said they wanted to block entrances and exits to force politicians to encounter their candlelight vigil and their calls for an end to the fighting. Many of them wore black shirts saying Cease Fire Now.

However, the situation swiftly devolved. U.S. Capitol Police said about 150 people were illegally and violently protesting in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington. But protesters blamed police for the violence, saying officers rushed them without warning.

It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight, said Dani Noble, who came from Philadelphia for the demonstration. It is absolutely shameful.

Noble said police, some of whom were wearing riot gear, started pulling on folks that are disabled or have have chronic illnesses, pulling people to the ground.

Inside the Democratic headquarters, police rushed into the reception and directed lawmakers to the basement, according to Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif. Some were later evacuated in police vehicles.

Capitol Police said six officers were treated for minor injuries and one protester was arrested for assaulting an officer. Video posted on social media showed shoving and scuffles as police moved in.

The Metropolitan Police Department said its officers also responded to the disturbance. Congressional staffers received an alert telling them no one would be permitted to enter or exit any House office buildings, but authorities later reopened the entrances.

Sherman accused protesters of trying to break into the Democratic headquarters in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. However, protesters denied that was their intention.

The protest was organized by a coalition of groups, including If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace Action, that have spearheaded other demonstrations in Washington and elsewhere.

Wednesdays clashes were the latest example of roiling tensions over the war between Israel and Hamas.

Last week, a large number of House Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in voting to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, over her criticism of the Israeli governments treatment of Palestinians. Tlaib, who has family in the West Bank, came under heavy criticism for not immediately condemning Hamas after the attack. She since has called out Hamas while also calling for a cease-fire.

President Joe Biden has also faced increasing pressure from the Democratic Partys left flank over his support for Israels military operation. He has resisted calls for a cease-fire, instead saying there should be pauses in the fighting to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the potential extraction of hostages.

Among the participants Wednesday night was Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, who interrupted Bidens speech at a recent fundraiser in Minneapolis.

She said Democrats are not listening to the people who they claim to represent, adding that actions like this are only going to increase.

We are not slowing down, she said. The call for a ceasefire is going to keep growing. And our representatives need to take action, yesterday.

Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri, Mary Clare Jalonick, Lisa Mascaro and Michael Balsamo contributed to this report.
Barry Gibb has been knighted by the British monarchy. Hes been hall of famed for rock and roll and his songwriting.

He, along with his late brothers, twins Robin and Maurice Gibb, made Miami home base for No. 1 hits written and recorded here for their act, the Bee Gees, as well as for Barbra Streisand (Guilty), Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton (Islands in the Stream), and Dionne Warwick (Heartbreaker) since moving to Miami Beach in 1975.

Now, a new honor comes to the British singer-songwriter and musician:

Gibb has been named one of the five artists that The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts selected as the 46th honorees for lifetime artistic achievements  the Kennedy Center honor distinction.

Joining Gibb are actor and comedian Billy Crystal; soprano Renee Fleming; rapper, singer, and actress Queen Latifah; and singer Dionne Warwick.

READ MORE: A new kind of Knight Fever for Miami Beachs Barry Gibb.

Barry Gibb of Miami Beach has re-recorded his Bee Gees classics in Nashville with country artists as duet partners on his new album, Greenfields: The Gibb Brothers Songbook, Vol. 1. The songwriter-producer is also the subject of the 2020 Bee Gees documentary film, How Can You Mend a Broken Heart. Desiree Prieto

This is a wonderful honor! Its hard to be proud and humble at the same time, Gibb said in a statement after he learned hed been chosen.

It is one of the most special moments in my life and something that I will always cherish. When I think back over 50 years to our beginnings in Redcliffe, Queensland, I could never have expected this to happen in my life. Receiving the Kennedy Center Honors is something that everyone hopes might happen one day. Ive often thought about but never dreamed it could come true, Gibb said.

Miami connections

File photo dated Sept. 1998 of the group the Bee Gees, from left, Maurice, Robin and Barry Gibb. Maurice Gibb died at 53 in 2003. His twin Robin Gibb died in 2012 at 62. MICHAEL STEPHENS/AP

Gibb, 77, may have been born on the Isle of Man, making him a British citizen. He may have been raised in Australia where he and his two younger brothers formed the Bee Gees as teens in the early-1960s. The Kennedy Center Honors may be delivered and broadcast from the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington.

But this years honors carry a distinct Miami rhythm.

For one, the gala event in D.C. on Dec. 3 will be hosted by Gloria Estefan.

In 2017, the same year Gibb was knighted, Estefan was named a Kennedy Center honoree at the 40th awards presentation. Estefan has based her entire career out of Miami  her home since 1959  and graduated from Our Lady of Lourdes Academy, and the University of Miami in 1979.

She met Emilio Estefan in 1975 and soon after joined his band, the Miami Sound Machine. The groups 1987 hit, Rhythm Is Gonna Get You, was added to the National Recording Registry at the Library of Congress in 2018. A biomusical, On Your Feet! The Story of Emilio and Gloria Estefan, played Broadway and later the Actors Playhouse at the Miracle Theatre stage in Coral Gables in February 2022.

The same year the Estefans met, Gibb was talked into moving with his family to South Florida in early 1975 by fellow Brit Eric Clapton, who had recorded at Criteria Studios in North Miami.

Gibb never left.

The Bee Gees first release cut locally was Jive Talkin. The single went to No. 1 and reestablished the Bee Gees as a hit machine responsible for landmarks like You Should Be Dancing, Tragedy and the Saturday Night Fever smashes How Deep Is Your Love, Stayin Alive and Night Fever.

Gibb also wrote or co-wrote three No. 1 singles for youngest brother Andy Gibb in 1977 and 1978, including I Just Want to Be Your Everything.

Estefan on Gibb

Gloria Estefan introduces Vice President Kamala Harris before they have a conversation during the Aspen Ideas: Climate conference at the New World Center on March 8, 2023, in Miami Beach. Estefan will host the 46th Kennedy Center Honors in December 2023. MATIAS J. OCNER/mocner@miamiherald.com

Estefan started hosting the Kennedy Center Honors in 2018. This year, she gets to do so while her fellow in song gets his due.

I still remember the thrill of hearing that I would be receiving a Kennedy Center Honor, Estefan told the Miami Herald in an email on Thursday. Now, on my third time hosting the Honors I am thrilled again to be able to celebrate a fellow Miamian, the uniquely talented Barry Gibb, along with the incredible Dionne Warwick, Queen Latifah and Renee Fleming. What a powerhouse group of diverse artists!

Gibb and Warwick connection

Dionne Warwick served as an executive producer of HITS! The Musical with her son Damon Elliott. The musical played The Parker in Fort Lauderdale on April 1, 2023. HITS! The Musical

Heres one more Miami connection: Dionne Warwick.

The New Jersey native turned to Barry Gibb in Miami for their custom-crafted Heartbreaker collaboration in 1982. Now, Warwick and Gibb share a Kennedy honor in the same group.

The Heartbreaker album led to the hit title song. Heartbreaker was patterned after Gibbs production and writing pairing with Streisand on the 1980 Guilty project. After Warwick, Gibb produced Kenny Rogers Eyes That See in the Dark album that included the chart-topping Dolly Parton duet, Islands in the Stream in 1983.

All of these projects were partly recorded at the Gibbs private studio, Middle Ear, which was tucked off of the Venetian Causeway near the two-story Miami Beach Publix.

Maurice Gibb Memorial Park on Purdy Avenue, named in his honor after he died in 2003, is near the familys former studio. Robin Gibb died in 2012.

I wish my brothers were here so that they couldve shared in this special moment, Barry Gibb said in his Kennedy Center statement.

Barry Gibb joins country partners to bring his songs alive again. I just want my brothers

Barry Gibb has become a cultural beacon in Miami, commented Michael Gordon on a Facebook post by Gibbs friend and tour manager Carlos Guzman.

How to watch

The 46th Kennedy Center Honors will air from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m. Dec. 27 on CBS and stream on Paramount+.

Barry Gibb performed a promotional concert for social media to promote his October 2016 solo album, In the Now, inside Criteria Studios. He joked that he was standing on the same floor, in the same studio where he cut his vocals for the Bee Gees 1975 smash Jive Talkin in 1975. Howard Cohen/hcohen@miamiherald.com
About 250 pro-Palestinian protesters blocked off traffic on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge for hours Thursday, with some people chaining themselves together across lanes and shutting down a vital Bay Area route during the busy morning commute.

Protesters blocked the westbound lanes of the bridge, heading into San Francisco, and chanted, "Cease-fire now!" while others unfurled a large banner that read "No military aid to Israel," according to videos posted on the social media platform X by the Arab Resource & Organizing Center, one of the groups involved in the protest.

The protest comes as President Biden and world leaders met in the area for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference. Protesters at the bridge told The Times the goal was to disrupt the conference and draw the attention of world leaders, especially Biden, to the armed conflict and deaths of Palestinians in Gaza.

"[Biden] is neglecting the community who is calling for a cease-fire, and as long as they are being ignored, community members are willing to shut it down week after week," said Rami Abdelkarim, an organizer with the Palestinian Youth Movement, one of the organizations that helped coordinate the protest.

Police stand on empty westbound lanes of the Bay Bridge after protesters block traffic. (Jason Henry / AFP/Getty Images)

Some protesters, with signs on their backs that read, "The people demand a cease fire," lay down across lanes on the busy bridge, while others unfurled a large white banner that read "Genocide" in red block letters.

Read more: Biden and Xi, meeting in Silicon Valley, promise to work to avoid U.S.-China conflict

Although lanes were not blocked on the eastbound lanes, traffic in both directions was affected, said California Highway Patrol Officer Art Montiel.

Protesters began blocking lanes on the bridge about 7:40 a.m., said CHP Officer Andrew Barclay, bringing traffic headed into San Francisco to a halt.

By noon, the CHP said all westbound lanes were reopened.

Barclay said it was unclear how many police officers responded to the protest, but said "a large amount of personnel" were called to help clear the bridge. Several CHP officers were deployed wearing protective gear, he said.

According to the Metropolitan Transportation Commission, about 3.7 million cars cross the Bay Bridge on a monthly basis.

By 10 a.m., video from Fox KTVU showed several people detained, their hands bound behind their backs with zip-ties, sitting on the shoulder of the bridge.

Read more: Moorpark professor arrested in death of Jewish protester Paul Kessler in Thousand Oaks

Mohamed Shehk, a member of the Arab Resource & Organizing Center, told The Times about 50 people appeared to have been detained by police at some point.

In a post in the social media platform X, the San Francisco Sheriff's Office said about 80 demonstrators were cited and released by its office and the San Francisco Police Department and CHP.

Shehk said members of his organization, as well as at least a dozen others, were involved in the protest because of the nearby APEC summit. He said the protest was not organized by one particular organization, and called it a "dispersed, decentralized effort."

"We want to see an immediate halting of Israeli bombings of the Palestinian people," Shehk said. "We're here to send a strong message that there will be no business as usual as long as the genocide of Palestinians in Gaza continues, and as long as the United States continues to blindly support this genocide through political cover and direct military funding."

"We will continue to mobilize, we will continue to disrupt, and we will make sure there is no business as usual until there is a cease-fire," he added.

Read more: Police, demonstrators clash outside Democratic HQ during Israel-Hamas war protest

The demonstration disrupted not just thousands of commuters on the bridge, but there were "major delays transporting organs" to and from UC San Francisco hospitals because of the protest, according to Dr. Garrett Roll, associate professor of transplant surgery for UCSF.

"There are always organs coming and going from our hospital, around the clock," Roll said in an email. "This was a normal day in that respect, until the bridge traffic stopped."

Organ transplant takes a great amount of coordination between staff and the patients who are donating and receiving the organs, so delays are particularly challenging, he said.

"Days like today add a lot of stress to the system," Roll said.

A spokesperson for UCSF could not immediately confirm how many transplant organs were affected, but said despite the unexpected delays, it was not expected to impact the patients' outcomes.

The protest on the Bay Bridge is just the latest of high-profile demonstrations that have not just drawn attention to the armed conflict in Gaza after Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7, but also looked to cause public disruptions with acts of civil disobedience.

On Wednesday afternoon, Jewish activists shut down the intersection of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue, blocking off traffic while demonstrators called for a cease-fire in Gaza.

Read more: Jewish activists rallying for Gaza cease-fire shut down Hollywood intersection

In Oakland, more than 700 demonstrators refused to leave the Ronald V. Dellums Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse, leading to mass arrests.

Those demonstrations have followed other similar incidents in Chicago and New York.

The large protests have called for a cease-fire in Gaza, where more than 11,000 people have been killed in an Israeli military offensive targeting Hamas, according to the Gaza Health Ministry.

The military action came after Hamas killed about 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, according to the Israeli government.

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
The disturbed bear emerges and chases campaigner trying to prevent logging in the Bieszczady Mountains

A bear in Polands Carpathian Mountains has mauled an eco-activist who was trying to prove the animals lair was abandoned due to logging.

The German was airlifted to hospital following the attack and was said to be in a serious but stable condition.

He had travelled to the bears den alongside another activist from the Wild Carpathians Initiative to check if the area had been affected by logging.

The pair had expected the lair to be empty but the animal pursued them through the woods. The activist stumbled and fell before being mauled.

Footage of the bear emerging to attack was captured by a camera set up to monitor the lair. It was shared online by Micha Gzowski, a spokesman for the Polish forestry service, who described the incident as an irony of fate.

The footage was captured by a camera set up to monitor the lair

Pseudo-ecologists were attacking foresters, mountain rescue and policemen, and now these people are saving their lives, he said.

Will there be a Darwin Award? Mr Gzowski added, referring to a tongue-in-cheek prize for people who die in unwise ways.

Getting ready for hibernation

The Wild Carpathians Initiative admitted their activists shouldnt have disturbed the mammal, which was getting ready for hibernation in the Bieszczady Mountains, which form part of the Outer Eastern Carpathians.

The spokesman said there had been an attack on a forester in the same location last year. Despite that, the forestry service failed to prevent further deforestation there, Jakub Rok said.

Marek Jozefiak, an environmental policy officer at Greenpeace, said officials were doing too little to halt the destruction of the forest.

Poland is protecting the Carpathian mountains poorly. Only 3 per cent of the forest is really protected, the rest is being logged or built on, he said.

Despite the fact that most Polish bears live in the Bieszczady Mountains, there are only two special zones for protection of bear dens.

Recent monitoring by the campaigning organisation found up to 40 trucks loaded with timber were leaving the region each day on just one of the roads leading out of the Carpathians.

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SAN FRANCISCO  Panda enthusiasts, get ready to bearly contain your excitement: Just days after the nation's capital bid a teary farewell to its beloved trio, China's president signaled more of the fuzzy creatures might be headed to the U.S. in the future.

Chinese President Xi Jinping called pandas "envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples" during a speech with business leaders on Wednesday, after the three pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C.. were returned to China.

"I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas and went to the zoo to see them off," Xi said.

He suggested the pandas might be sent to California and said he learned the San Diego Zoo and Californians "very much look forward to welcoming pandas back."

The U.S. would welcome the return of pandas, according to John Kirby, a White House spokesperson on national security. Kirby said the decision is up to Xi and that the U.S. respected his decision to remove some of the pandas.

"We obviously appreciated having them here," Kirby said Thursday. "And certainly, should a decision be made by the PRC to restore some of the pandas to United States, we would absolutely welcome them back."

Xi's comments came after he meet earlier in the day with President Joe Biden in San Francisco for the first time in a year in a move to reduce tensions between the two countries.

Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji hangs upside down from a tree in its enclosure at the Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 7, 2023, the panda's final day of viewing before returning to China.

Pandas a sign of friendship between countries

Pandas Mei Xiang and Tian Tian spent 23 years in the United States, and their cub Xiao Qi Ji was born in 2020. They began their trip back to China on Nov. 8.

The Memphis and San Diego zoos also previously returned their pandas to China, leaving only four pandas left in the U.S.  in Atlanta  two of which are set to be returned in early 2024, according to Zoo Atlanta.

Pandas in the U.S. had been on loan per contracts with China. Pandas have been in the country since 1972, after former President Richard Nixon normalized relations with China, a gift that some dubbed "panda diplomacy." But China's gradual pulling of pandas from Western nations is considered the result as a sign of declining relations with the U.S. and other countries, the Associated Press has reported. Negotiations to extend the contracts for the pandas were not successful.

Biden's meeting with Xi on Wednesday could be a sign of relations stabilizing.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples, Xi said Wednesday.

Xi didn't give specifics on when pandas might return to the United States.

READ MORE: The National Zoo pandas are gone. Among those hardest hit is 'Pantwon.'

Contributing: Zoe Wells, USA TODAY; The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Pandas may return to California, China President Xi Jinping says
Thank you to @TheJUNOAwards-winning trio The Bearhead Sisters from Paul First Nation for performing our special Indigenous Celebration Night rendition of O Canada in the Stoney Nakoda language!  pic.twitter.com/HtKFfleZXd  Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) November 14, 2023

Veteran singing trio the Bearhead Sisters was in national spotlight Monday night when they took centre stage at the Oilers game in Edmontons Rogers Place arena, singing their hearts out to a special rendition of the Canadian national anthem while holding Keffiyeh in solidarity with Palestine.

The Juno Awards-winning musical group from Paul First Nation graced the Oilers barn to mark the Indigenous Celebration Night organized by the club as part of their efforts to recognize the culture, talent and creativity of Indigenous communities across Oil Country.

The Bearhead Sisters, who performed O Canada in the Stoney Nakoda language, were seen holding and wearing keffiyehs, a traditional headdress worn by people from parts of the Middle East, as part of their outfit during the one-minute performance.

The Bearhead Sisters sang a unique version of 'O Canada' at the Edmonton Oilers game, while sporting a traditional keffiyeh

The presence of keffiyehs was seen as a show of support for Palestine by many Canadians seated in the arena and on social media as the Indigenous group was cheered on for blessing their eyes with a never seen before show of power in Canada.

The Bearhead Sisters are holding Palestinian keffiyeh in solidarity. Have never seen this before in Canada. Incredible, posted journalist Shireen Ahmed on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Another social media user thanked the Bearhead Sisters for inspiring them to find the guts to speak out against the loss of civilian lives in Gaza and stand in solidarity with Palestine.

Turns out a keffiyeh goes well with a ribbon skirt! Thank you, Bearhead Sisters. Without the strength of anti-Zionist Jewish folk & the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island who have been vocal against the genocide in Gaza, I might never have found the guts to speak out.

Turns out a keffiyeh goes well with a ribbon skirt! Thank you, Bearhead Sisters. Without the strength of anti-Zionist Jewish folk & the Indigenous peoples of Turtle Island who have been vocal against the genocide in Gaza, I might never have found the guts to speak out.  https://t.co/9fdSAPzFMi  Sadie Berlin (@ArtySadie) November 14, 2023

Western University PhD candidate Sara Khorshid, who is studying colonialism, was left in awe of the courage shown by the Indigenous musical group in speaking out for the cause of Palestine.

The Bearhead Sisters from Paul First Nation are holding a Palestinian Keffiyyah while singing O Canada in Stoney Nakoda language. These queens are Indigenous so they know colonialism when they see it <3 As my daughters would tell them, slay queens, slay! Khorshid posted on X.

The gesture by Bearhead Sisters follows Oilers' show of support for Israel

The strong display of power by the Bearhead Sisters, who hail from Alberta and also competed in the third season of Canadas Got Talent, comes a few weeks after Edmonton Oilers forward Zach Hyman pledged support to the Jewish community against anti-Semitism.

Hymans stance appears to fall in line with the Edmonton-based club who showed support for Israel following the events of Oct. 7.

Our hearts & thoughts are with all the families whose children or loved ones have been killed or injured. We all hope & pray for peace. pic.twitter.com/EEUGNe6e3c  Edmonton Oilers (@EdmontonOilers) October 15, 2023

Edmonton Mayor Amarjeet Sohicame recently came under fire for his comments criticizing both Hamas terrorist attack and Israels counter offence, resulting in Edmontons Jewish community labelling his remarks as a sucker punch and demanding an apology.

Holding a keffiyeh a couple of weeks after the team and one of its players made pro-Israel statements is tremendous Fuck You energy and I hope Katz is seething.  https://t.co/tEeUOzAgw9  () carina! (@ultimaaa) November 14, 2023

A proud show of support for Palestinians here, which I'm sure these women know will lead to racist and hateful campaigns against them. https://t.co/RaetMBeUoQ  Alheli Picazo (@a_picazo) November 14, 2023

The reaction to the ongoing war in Gaza in Edmonton is only a reflection of the Canadian sentiment on a national level.

Canadians remain divided over the issue, but two-thirds of the country are calling for a ceasefire, urging the Trudeau government to act definitively instead of pushing for humanitarian pauses," according to a recent Angus-Reid survey. The move by the Bearhead Sisters only helps put pressure on the federal government as the calls for immediate action grow even louder.
WASHINGTON  A woman who Hamas is holding hostage in Gaza gave birth to a baby while in captivity, according to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office.

The revelation came in a letter from the wife of Israel's Prime Minister, Sara Netanyahu, to first lady Jill Biden seeking her help in calling for the immediate release of children and all other hostages held in Gaza.

There are 32 children among the more than 240 hostages taken to Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, Sara Netanyahu says in the letter, which was publicized by the prime minister's office Thursday.

"I am writing to you not only as Bibi's wife but first and foremost as a mother," she writes, singling out children in Israel who were "brutally torn from their parents and their homes."

Relatives, friends and supporters of Israeli hostages held in Gaza since the October 7 attack by Hamas militants in southern Israel, hold placards and images of those taken during a protest for their release in the central city of Modiin on November 16 2023, as they march towards Jerusalem.

Sara Netanyahu said the children are surely suffering from "untold trauma," not only from being kidnapped but, for some, witnessing the murders of their parents and siblings.

"One of the kidnapped women was pregnant," she writes in the letter. "She gave birth to her baby in Hamas captivity. You can only imagine, as I do, what must be going through that young mother's mind as she is being held with her newborn by these murderers."

Hamas also abducted a 10-month-old who "became kidnapped even before he learned how to walk and talk," Sara Netanyahu writes.

"We must speak out on behalf of these children," she concludes. "We must call for the immediate release of them and all those being held. We must demand the Red Cross visit them immediately. They have yet to do so. The nightmare that began over a month ago must end. These children need our help."

Jill Biden, wife of President Joe Biden, second left, and Sara Netanyahu, wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, visit a pre-school for Christian, Jewish and Muslim children at the YMCA in Jerusalem Tuesday, March 9, 2010, when Joe Biden was vice president.

A spokeswoman for the first lady's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The U.S. said this week one of the nine Americans held as hostages in Gaza is a three-year-old toddler.

Biden, speaking in San Francisco on Wednesday, said he's "deeply involved" in a hostage negotiation involving Qatar and expressed optimism about getting the hostages out.

"I am mildly hopeful," Biden said.

Reach Joey Garrison on X, formerly known as Twitter, @joeygarrison.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Hostage gave birth in Gaza while under Hamas captivity
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  The man who federal investigators was behind a conspiracy to distribute Glock switches, which essentially convert semi-automatic pistols into machine guns, will spend years in a federal prison.

Torez Burnett, 21, of Benton Harbor, was sentenced to five years, 10 months behind bars, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Emerging threat: GRPD, Kent Co. deputies find Glock switches on streets

Burnett was among several people charged in December as part of a conspiracy. The feds say Burnett got the switches from China and gave or sold them to members of his street gang, called My Brothers Keeper or MBK, and other people in Benton Harbor and Grand Rapids.

Mr. Burnet(t) chose to illegally import these devices from China and through his excessive greed, he chose to arm known gang members with fully automatic machine guns, ATF Detroit Special Agent in Charge James Deir said in a statement. In the end, Mr. Burnet(t) will have a considerable amount of time in prison to reflect on his poor decision making.

Burnett in May pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to possess and transfer machine guns and possession and transfer of a machine gun. The U.S. Attorneys Office says nine other defendants have pleaded guilty in their cases, too. In addition to Burnett, six of them have been sentenced:

Jayvon Anthony: Seven years

Demarcus Greely: Three years, two months

Nicholas Hallo: Three years, 10 months

Demitrius Seuell: Two years, nine months

Omarion Branch: Three years, two months

Eric Williams: Two years

Sentencing is still pending for three more defendants: Quincy Bowman and Timothy Thomas are scheduled to go before a judge on Nov. 29, but a sentencing date has not yet been set for Armando Villanueva.

Ravenna man gets prison for illegally having guns, Glock switches

A year ago, switches were seldom seen. Now theyre everywhere, U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement. My office will use every resource we have to disrupt the gun trafficking rings bringing these lethal devices into our communities.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
Christmas festivities in the West Bank town of Bethlehem have been canceled in [honor] of the martyrs and in solidarity with our people in Gaza, The Telegraph reported on Wednesday, citing local authorities. A spokesman for the municipality confirmed to the British broadsheet that its customary Christmas tree and decorations, including its nativity scene, were being dismantled. The spokesman said it would not be appropriate at all in light of the general situation in Palestine; people are not really into any celebration, they are sad, angry and upset; our people in Gaza are being massacred and killed in cold blood. He added that Christmas mass and prayers would still take place. The Telegraph reported that Bethlehem, a town of fewer than 30,000 people that was the biblical site of Jesus birth, was devoid of the Christmastime tourists and pilgrims who usually flock there to celebrate the holiday season.

Read it at The Telegraph

Read more at The Daily Beast.
President Biden on Thursday called into a meeting for Democratic National Committee (DNC) and campaign staffers to express his appreciation after protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza clashed with law enforcement outside DNC headquarters.

The president and first lady Jill Biden expressed appreciation to law enforcement who kept everyone inside the DNC safe last night, including staff and Members of Congress, the White House said. The President and First Lady also thanked the staffers for all they do, wished them a happy Thanksgiving, and told them to take care of each other.

Hundreds of protesters gathered outside DNC headquarters in Washington, D.C., Wednesday night calling for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas. Protesters blocked entrances and exits to the building, where House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and other lawmakers were inside for a reception.

The situation turned chaotic as protesters and U.S. Capitol Police clashed. Law enforcement arrived at the building to evacuate lawmakers and escort them to safety.

Capitol Police alleged some of the protesters moved dumpsters in front of the exits, pepper sprayed our officers and attempted to pick up the bike rack, prompting officers to clear them from the area.

Six officers were treated for injuries, and one individual was arrested after he allegedly slammed one officer into a garage and punched them in the face.

Protesters, however, argued law enforcement had pepper sprayed them and rushed them without warning. Organizers said dozens of protesters were injured in the clash with officers.

The chaos marked the latest example of how tensions have boiled over amid the fighting between Israel and Hamas since the terrorist organizations initial Oct. 7 attack that left more than 1,000 Israelis dead.

Israeli forces have for weeks carried out shelling and military operations in Gaza that have killed thousands of Palestinians, prompting outcry from activists and some progressive lawmakers who have called for a cease-fire.

Biden and other White House officials have stood firmly with Israel, arguing the country has a right to defend itself and respond to what has been described as the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. But it has also cautioned that Israel needs to abide by international law while carrying out its attacks.

The White House has also supported humanitarian pauses to allow aid into Gaza and for civilians to get out, but officials have argued a lengthy cease-fire would benefit Hamas.

With regard to when is this going to stop, I think its going to stop when Hamas no longer maintains the capacity to murder and abuse and  and just do horrific things to the Israelis, Biden said in a press conference Wednesday. And they  at least as of this morning, they still thought they could.

The IDF, the Israeli Defense Forces, acknowledges they have an obligation to use as much caution as they can in going after their targets, he added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
U.S. President Joe Biden meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of APEC summit, in Woodside

By Trevor Hunnicutt and Jeff Mason

WOODSIDE, California (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he had not changed his view that Chinese President Xi Jinping was effectively a dictator, a comment likely to land with a thud in Beijing after the two leaders held straightforward summit talks.

Biden held a solo news conference after four hours of talks with Xi on the outskirts of San Francisco. At the end of the news conference, he was asked whether he still held the view that Xi was a dictator, something he said in June.

"Look, he is. He's a dictator in the sense that he's a guy who runs a country that is a communist country that's based on a form of government totally different than ours," Biden said.

In response, China's foreign ministry said it "strongly opposes" the remarks, without mentioning Biden by name.

"This statement is extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters on Thursday at a routine briefing.

"It should be pointed out that there will always be some people with ulterior motives who attempt to incite and damage U.S.-China relations, they are doomed to fail."

Mao refused to specify the identity of "some people" in answer to a follow-up question.

Last March Xi clinched a third term as president when nearly 3,000 members of China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress, voted unanimously for him in an election in which there was no other candidate.

Xi is considered the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, after a decade of consolidating power in policy-making and the military, and stifling media freedoms.

There was no immediate reaction from the Chinese delegation, which had come to the United States to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. Hundreds of critics of Beijing marched through the city's downtown around noon, chanting "free Tibet" and "free Hong Kong."

When Biden made a similar dictator reference in June, China called the remarks absurd and a provocation. But the spat did not prevent the two sides from holding extensive talks aimed at improving strained relations, which culminated in Wednesday's meeting.

(Writing by Steve Holland; Additional reporting by Laurie Chen in Beijing; Editing by Heather Timmons, Stephen Coates and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Internet and telephone services collapsed across the Gaza Strip on Thursday for lack of fuel, the main Palestinian provider said, bringing a potentially long-term communications blackout even as Israel signaled its offensive could next target the south of the territory, where most of the population has taken refuge.

Meanwhile, Israeli troops for a second day searched Shifa Hospital in the north for traces of Hamas. They displayed guns they say were found hidden in one building, but have yet to release any evidence of the central Hamas command center that Israel has said is concealed beneath the complex. Hamas and staff at the hospital, Gazas largest, deny the allegations.

The communications breakdown threatens to worsen the severe humanitarian crisis in southern Gaza, where Israeli airstrikes continue. Food, water and electricity are increasingly scarce, and the U.N. is struggling with fuel shortages of its own to deliver aid and help hospitals keep operating.

Most of Gazas population of 2.3 million is crowded into southern Gaza, including hundreds of thousands who heeded Israels calls to evacuate the north to get out of the way of its ground offensive. If the assault moves into the south, it is not clear where they would go, as Egypt refuses to allow a mass transfer onto its soil.

The latest internet and telephone blackout threatens to last long-term. The main provider, Palnet, said it had run out of fuel to run the network, and Israel has barred entry of new supplies. Gazas fragile communication network has broken down multiple times during the conflict because of bombardment or shutdowns by Israel, but each time, Gaza authorities were able to quickly get it back working.

Previous blackouts have traumatized Palestinians, leaving them unable to call ambulances or reach dispersed family members to ensure they are alive amid the bombardment. Aid workers say it hampers humanitarian operations and hospitals. The blackout also largely cuts Gaza off from the outside world, making it even harder for international media to cover events on the ground. Some manage to keep up communications using satellite phones or SIM cards that reach the Israeli or Egyptian networks.

The war, now in its sixth week, was triggered by a wide-ranging Hamas attack into southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which the fighters killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and captured some 240 men, women and children. Israel responded with a weekslong air campaign and a ground invasion of northern Gaza, vowing to remove Hamas from power and crush its military capabilities.

More than 11,200 Palestinians have been killed, two-thirds of them women and minors, according to Palestinian health authorities. Another 2,700 have been reported missing, with most believed to be buried under the rubble. The official count does not differentiate between civilian and fighter deaths, and Israel says it has killed thousands of fighters.

The war has inflamed tensions elsewhere. On Thursday, gunmen shot and wounded four people at a checkpoint on the main road linking Jerusalem to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.

The three attackers were killed, according to police, who said the assailants had assault rifles, handguns and hatchets, and were preparing a large-scale attack in Jerusalem.

Some guns, but so far no tunnels

Israeli troops stormed into Gazas largest hospital Wednesday, where newborns and hundreds of other patients have suffered for days without electricity and other basic necessities.

Troops searched the underground levels of the hospital on Thursday and detained technicians responsible for running its equipment, Gazas Health Ministry said in a statement.

After encircling Shifa for days, Israel faces pressure to prove its claim that Hamas used the patients, staff and civilians sheltering there to provide cover for its fighters. The allegation  which the U.S. has said it has intelligence to support  is part of Israels broader accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.

The military released video from inside Shifa showing three duffel bags it said it found hidden around an MRI lab, each containing an assault rifle, grenades and Hamas uniforms, as well as a closet that contained a number of assault rifles without ammunition clips. The Associated Press could not independently verify the Israeli claims that the weapons were found inside the hospital.

Hamas and Gaza health officials deny fighters operate in Shifa  a hospital that employs some 1,500 people and has more than 500 beds. Palestinians and rights groups accuse Israel of recklessly endangering civilians.

Munir al-Boursh, a senior official with Gazas Health Ministry inside the hospital, said troops ransacked the basement and other buildings, and questioned and scanned the faces of patients, staff and people sheltering in the facility.

Israeli forces battled fighters outside the hospital for days, but there were no reports of fighters firing from inside Shifa, or of any fighting within the hospital after Israeli troops entered.

The Health Ministry said 40 patients, including three babies, have died since Shifas emergency generator ran out of fuel Saturday. There was no word on the condition of another 36 babies, who the ministry said earlier were at risk of dying. The military said its soldiers were accompanied by medical teams bringing in incubators and other supplies, though staff said incubators were useless without fuel.

Looking south

Israeli forces dropped leaflets telling Palestinians in areas east of the southern town of Khan Younis to evacuate and said anyone in the vicinity of fighters or their positions is putting his life in danger. Similar leaflets were dropped over northern Gaza for weeks ahead of the ground invasion.

Two reporters who live east of Khan Younis confirmed seeing the leaflets. Others shared images of the leaflets on social media. The military declined to comment.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday the ground operation will eventually include both the north and south. We will strike Hamas wherever it is.

Even as Israel signals a wider offensive, it has yet to put forth a long-term plan, aside from saying it will maintain security control over Gaza indefinitely.

The U.S. has urged Israel not to reoccupy the territory, from which it withdrew soldiers and settlers in 2005. The Biden administration supports the eventual creation of a Palestinian state including Gaza and the occupied West Bank  also the long-held aspiration of the Palestinians. Israels government was staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood even before the war.

The military says it has largely consolidated its control of the north, including seizing and demolishing government buildings. Video released by the army Thursday showed soldiers moving between heavily damaged buildings through holes blown in their walls.

The military said it had blown up a residence belonging to Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader based abroad. It was unclear if anyone was inside the building.

With most of Gazas 2.3 million people crowded into the territorys south, residents say bread is scarce and supermarket shelves are bare. Families cook on wood fires for lack of fuel. Central electricity and running water have been out for weeks.

The worsening fuel shortage threatens to paralyze the delivery of humanitarian services, and Palestinian telecoms provider Paltel said Thursday it caused landline connections, the mobile network and internet connections to shut down.

Gaza has experienced three previous mass communication outages since the ground invasion.

Israel allowed a small amount of fuel to enter Gaza on Wednesday, for the first time since the war began, so that the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees could continue bringing limited supplies of aid.

The fuel cannot be used for hospitals or to desalinate water, and covers less than 10% of what the agency needs to sustain lifesaving activities, said Thomas White, the agencys Gaza director.
After what seemed a productive meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco on Wednesday, an offhand remark by Biden could set back the relationship that the two leaders were working to mend.

After today, would you still refer to President Xi as a dictator? a CNN reporter asked Biden at the end of a post-summit briefing, referring to the Presidents previous labeling of the Chinese leader that has incensed Beijing before.

Well, look, he is. I mean hes a dictator in the sense that heres a guy who runs a country that is a communist country based on a form of government totally different than ours, Biden responded.

"After today, would you still refer to President Xi as a dictator?" asks a reporter.



"Look, he is. He's a dictator in the sense that he's a guy who runs a country that is a communist country that's based on a form of government totally different than ours," says Pres. Biden. pic.twitter.com/JjZeGBNcU2  Last Call (@LastCallCNBC) November 16, 2023

Bidens comments came just after he had praised the progress made during his talks with Xi, describing them as some of the most constructive and productive discussions weve had.

The two leaders, who met face-to-face for the first time in a year in a bid to repair the deteriorating relationship between their countries, agreed to restore military communications, cooperate on addressing artificial intelligence risks, and curb the flow of fentanyl from China to the U.S., though they did not reach any resolution on other issues, including the future of Taiwan, ongoing tariffs and sanctions, and the release of U.S. citizens detained in China.

Read More: Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden Seek to Turn Back the Clock at San Francisco Summit

But Bidens dictator comment could overshadow efforts made to cool tensions. Xi made no mention of it when speaking to U.S. business leaders at a dinner event later Wednesday night, but during a routine press briefing on Thursday in Beijing, the Chinese foreign ministry said it strongly opposes the statement, which ministry spokesperson Mao Ning described as extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation.

It should be pointed out that there will always be some people with ulterior motives who attempt to incite and damage U.S.-China relations, they are doomed to fail, Mao added, though she declined to identify who she was referring to when reporters asked in a follow-up question, according to Reuters.

In an earlier statement released after the meeting, Chinas foreign ministry had emphasized that as long as the two countries respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation, they will be fully capable of rising above differences and find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other. The statement also said: It is important that they appreciate each others principles and red lines, and refrain from flip-flopping, being provocative, and crossing the lines.

Its not the first time Biden has referred to his Chinese counterpart as a dictator. In January last year, he said China and Russia were betting that the U.S. would become more like them, as in, he clarified, a place for the autocrat, the dictator, the strongman. Then, in April 2022, he listed China among countries that are essentially dictatorships during a speech at a Democratic fundraiser.

In November last year, Xi told Biden when the two met in Bali on the sidelines of the G20 summit that the so-called democracy versus authoritarianism narrative is not the defining feature of todays world, and that China has Chinese-style democracy, Chinese state media reported at the time.

Nevertheless, in June this year, Biden once again called Xi a dictator, explaining at a fundraiser in California that the reason why Xi was upset after the U.S. shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon in U.S. airspace in February was because the Chinese President was caught off guard by the entire incident. Thats whats a great embarrassment for dictators, when they didnt know what happened, Biden said.

In response, the Chinese foreign ministry called Bidens remarks extremely absurd and irresponsible and blatant political provocation, saying that they go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on Chinas political dignity.

With the latest irresponsible remarks about Chinas political system and its top leader, people cannot help but question the sincerity of the U.S. side, Chinas embassy in Washington said in a statement at the time.

But Biden doubled down on his description of Xi and insisted it would not have a negative impact on U.S.-China relations. I expect to be meeting with President Xi sometime in the future, near-term. And I dont think its had any real consequence, he said.

After Wednesdays post-summit briefing, the White House has not offered any comment or clarification on Bidens latest dictator remarks.

Contact us at letters@time.com.
President Biden cautioned China against interfering in Taiwans upcoming elections following a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday.

I made clear I didnt expect any interference, Biden said in a press conference following the hours-long meeting with Xi.

Taiwan will hold presidential elections in January, casting additional uncertainty around the future of the islands relationship with China.

Taiwan has been a major source of tension between Washington and Beijing, as China has carried out aggressive maneuvers in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, sparking fears of a potential invasion of the island in the coming years.

Biden has triggered further anxiety over the situation by repeatedly saying in the past the U.S. would defend Taiwan militarily if it were attacked, a contradiction to the strategic ambiguity the U.S. government has maintained for years.

But the president emphasized his commitment to the One China policy Wednesday, under which the U.S. does not recognize Taiwan as a separate state from mainland China.

We maintain the agreement that there is a One China policy. Im not going to change that. Thats not going to change. Thats about the extent to which we discussed it, Biden said.

The presidents comments came after he and Xi met for several hours on the sidelines of the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco.

A senior administration official separately told reporters in California that Xi expressed some exasperation in response to repeated speculation that China was preparing to invade Taiwan.

I think President Biden responded very clearly that the long-standing position of the United States was a determination to maintain peace and stability, the official said. That we believed in the status quo. And that we asked the Chinese to respect the electoral process in Taiwan.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden put his support behind Israels incursion into al-Shifa hospital in Gaza on Wednesday, saying Hamas had committed the first war crime by making the health facility a command center of its military operations.

You have a circumstance where the first war crime is being committed by Hamas by having their headquarters, their military, hidden under a hospital. And thats a fact; thats whats happened, the president said at a press conference following his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in California.

Biden said he was absolutely confident that what U.S. and Israeli officials have described as a command center around and underneath the hospital was accurate, even as he declined to detail what intelligence and evidence he had to support that claim.

Israeli forces published photos and videos from inside the hospital in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday purporting to show numerous weapons caches hidden behind an MRI machine, in the closets of hallways and in rooms in the hospital.

Israel said it had battled and killed Hamas fighters as part of its incursion into the medical facility, but that it was also bringing medical experts, Arabic speakers and medical supplies such as incubators and baby food.

Reuters reported that witnesses inside the hospital and who spoke to the wire service described an at times tense situation as Israeli troops moved between buildings, with sporadic shooting heard but no reports of anyone hurt inside the grounds.

The White House earlier Wednesday said Israels carrying out a military operation into the hospital was not the main focus of a phone call between Biden and Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier this week. But Biden said Wednesday that he had discussed with the Israelis the need to be incredibly careful as they entered the health facility.

You have a circumstance where, you know, there is a fair number of Hamas terrorists. Hamas has already said publicly that they plan on attacking Israel again, like they did before, cutting babies heads off to burning women and children alive, the president said, detailing some of the atrocities Hamas carried out in its Oct. 7 attack against Israel, some of which have not been independently verified.

Israel did not go in with large number of troops, did not raid and did not rush anyone down, the president said, citing discussions hes had with his national security team of how the events unfolded.

The president further said hes mildly hopeful that negotiations to free hostages being held by Hamas will yield results, an estimated 240  including babies, children, women, the elderly and sick  that Hamas kidnapped in its assault on Israel last month.

Still, Biden gave no end timeline for Israels military operation in the Gaza Strip, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed amid Israels military assault on the narrow strip of land, and more than 1 million have been told to evacuate from the zone of conflict.

The humanitarian catastrophe in the Gaza Strip is wearing down Americans support for Bidens position.

But the U.S. has held back from calling for Israel to agree to a cease-fire, in particular as negotiations for hostages continue.

Biden has instead pushed for tactical humanitarian pauses to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid into the Gaza Strip and the exit of foreign nationals, and the potential safe transfer of hostages. Still, the U.S. on Wednesday abstained from a United Nations Security Council Resolution that called for a humanitarian cease-fire, opposing that the measure did not condemn Hamas.

With regards to when is this going to stop? I think its going to stop when Hamas no longer maintains the capacity to murder and abuse and, and just do horrific things to the Israelis, Biden said.

They plan on doing the same thing again, what they did on the seventh. Theyre going to go in; they want to slaughter Israelis. They want to do it again.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he still thinks Chinas Xi Jinping is a dictator after the pair met for talks in California. Following their summitthe first time Biden and Xi have met face-to-face in a yearBiden held a news conference where he was asked if he still thought of his Chinese counterpart as a dictator as he stated in June. Look, he is, Biden answered. Hes a dictator in the sense that hes a guy who runs a country that is a communist country thats based on a form of government totally different than ours. Without naming the U.S. president, Chinas foreign ministry responded by saying it strongly opposes the comment, calling it extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation. The response was similar to the one provoked by Bidens original remark in June, with a foreign ministry spokesperson denouncing the dictator label as extremely absurd and a political provocation.

Read it at Reuters

Read more at The Daily Beast.
The special counsel probing the alleged mishandling of classified documents by President Joe Biden and his staff is not expected to bring charges against him, CNN reported, citing two sources. In January, Special Counsel Robert Hur was appointed to investigate the discovery of classified documents dating back to Bidens term as vice president at his home in Wilmington, Delaware, and the Penn Biden Center. The year-long investigation is expected to conclude before the end of the year, but an official timeline has yet to be announced. The Wall Street Journal previously reported that Biden is likely to face harsh criticism, but not criminal charges in the investigation.

Read it at CNN

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Biden meets Xi, says there is 'no substitute' for 'face-to-face discussion' on issues facing US, China

President Biden greeted Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, saying there is "no substitute for face-to-face discussions" as the two leaders prepared for their first bilateral meeting this year to "ensure" that the competition between the U.S. and Beijing "not veer into conflict."

Biden told Xi that it is a "great honor and a pleasure" to host him at the summit.

BIDEN, XI MEETING WILL BE FORUM FOR 'INTENSE DIPLOMACY' AMID TENSIONS BETWEEN US, CHINA: OFFICIALS

"This time of year, about a year and a day ago, we met in Bali on the sidelines of the G20," Biden said. "Since then, key members of our teams have had important discussions on issues, matters to both of our nations and the world."

The meeting is the second in-person meeting between Biden and Xi since the beginning of the Biden administration in January 2021, but the "seventh interaction," a Biden administration official said. The last in-person meeting was in November 2022 in Bali, Indonesia, where they agreed more direct communication between U.S. and Chinese leadership was desirable.

President Biden, right, shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping as they meet on the sidelines of the G20 leaders' summit in Bali, Indonesia, on Nov. 14, 2022.

Over the last year, the Biden administration has been working to "restore diplomatic interaction," officials said. In that time period, White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan met with Chinese Director Wang Yi three times; Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo have traveled to Beijing; and China has sent its vice president, foreign minister and other senior officials to the U.S. for meetings.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

But Biden stressed Wednesday that "as always, there is no substitute for face-to-face discussions."

"Ive always found our discussions straightforward and frank, and Ive always appreciated it," Biden said. "Mr. President, weve known each other for a long time."

He said the two "havent always agreed, which was not a surprise to anyone."

"But our meetings have always been candid, straightforward and useful," Biden said. "I value our conversation because I think it is paramount that you and I understand each other clearly  leader to leader with no misconceptions or miscommunications."

He added: "We have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict, and we also have to manage it responsibly  the competition. Thats what the United States wants and what we intend to do."

Biden stressed that "the world" wants the U.S. and China to have a "candid exchange."

"We also have a responsibility to our people and the world to work together when we see it in our interest to do so," he said.

The president pointed to "critical global challenges" the two nations face, like "climate change to counternarcotics to artificial intelligence," saying those issues "demand our joint efforts."

Xi weighed in, saying that the U.S.-China relationship is "the most important bilateral relationship in the world."

He said it "should be perceived and envisioned in a broad context of the accelerating global transformations unseen in this century."

"It should develop in a way that benefits our two peoples and fulfills our responsibility for human progress," Xi said.

He admitted that the U.S.-China relationship "has never been smooth sailing over the past 40 years or more and always faces problems of one kind or another."

BIDEN, XI TO MEET ON SIDELINES OF APEC CONFERENCE IN BAY AREA: 'INTENSE DIPLOMACY'

"Yet it has kept moving forward amid twists and turns for two large countries like China and the United States," Xi said. "Turning their back on each other is not an option."

But he did warn that it is "unrealistic for one side to remodel the other."

"Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed," Xi said. "And one countrys success is an opportunity for the other."

"It is an objective fact that China and the United States are different in history, culture, social system and development path," Xi said. "However, as long as they respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue winning cooperation, they will be fully capable of rising above differences and find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other."

Biden and Xi are expected to discuss a range of regional, global and transnational issues, including Russias war in Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war and the growing conflicts in the Middle East.

The two are also expected to discuss additional "potentially contentious" topics, including election interference, with Biden planning to warn Xi about potential election influence operations.





Original article source: Biden meets Xi, says there is 'no substitute' for 'face-to-face discussion' on issues facing US, China
Fuel shortage shuts down Gaza phone and internet

A dire fuel shortage in the Gaza Strip has shut down all internet and phone networks, the main Palestinian telecom provider said Thursday, effectively cutting off the besieged territory from the outside world.

And in a signal that Israels ground invasion is about to expand in the south, Palestinians in parts of southern Gaza said they received evacuation notices Thursday.

Most of Gazas 2.3 million people are crowded into the south, including hundreds of thousands who heeded Israels calls to evacuate the north to get out of the way of its offensive. Residents say bread is scarce and supermarket shelves are bare. Central electricity and running water have been out for weeks.

More than 11,470 Palestinians  two-thirds of them women and minors  have been killed since the war began, according to Palestinian health authorities, which do not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths. About 2,700 people are reported missing.

Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas after the militant group launched its Oct. 7 incursion. Some 1,200 people have died in Israel, mostly during the initial attack, and around 240 were taken captive by militants.

Israeli raid on Gaza's largest hospital continues

The Israeli army is continuing its assault on the al-Shifa hospital in northern Gaza, where it claims to have found materials pointing to the fate of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7th.

An Israeli army official said on Thursday that "images relating to hostages" captured during the Hamas attack on Israel had been found on computers seized during the army's intervention in Gaza's al-Shifa hospital.

The images were found on equipment "belonging to Hamas", the official said in a statement. "Soldiers are searching every floor, building by building, while hundreds of patients and medical staff are still in the complex," the same source said.

After a days-long siege, Israeli troops and tanks raided the immense hospital complex early yesterday morning, sparking serious international concern for the thousands of critically ill patients, newborns and displaced civilians trapped inside.

The Israeli army accuses Hamas of using the hospital as a military base, something both Hamas and hospital staff deny.

Dozens of Israeli soldiers, some hooded, burst into this hospital early Wednesday, according to a journalist working with AFP on site.

All men aged 16 and over, raise your hands in the air and exit the buildings towards the inner courtyard to surrender, soldiers shouted in Arabic.

They also searched crying women and children, the journalist reported. In the hospital corridors, troops sometimes fired into the air as they went from room to room.

Dwindling supplies and no water or electricity have placed those inside the medical facility in a dire humanitarian situation, with the hospital left with no way to run incubators and other lifesaving equipment.

Gaza's health ministry said 40 patients, including three babies, have died since Shifas emergency generator ran out of fuel Saturday.

After days without refrigeration, morgue staff dug a mass grave on Tuesday for 120 bodies in the yard.

Biden 'mildly hopeful' about Hamas hostage release

The US President says he is "mildly hopeful" there will be a deal to free the more than 200 people being held hostage in Gaza.

"I don't want to get ahead of myself because I don't know what happened in the last four hours, but we have had great cooperation from the Qataris," said Joe Biden, following a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on Wednesday.

Qatar has been leading ongoing negotiations between Israel and Hamas.

A hostage gave birth in captivity in the Gaza Strip, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Wednesday.

The war was sparked by Hamas' attack on southern Israel on 7 October, unprecedented since the state's creation in 1948.

Around 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed, according to the authorities. Israel also says some 240 people were kidnapped, including foreign nationals.

In retaliation, Israel vowed to annihilate Hamas, relentlessly shelling the Gaza Strip and placing it under near total siege.

Israeli bombings have left 11,500 dead, mostly civilians, including 4,710 children, according to Palestinian officials.

Washington, which provides significant military aid to Israel, has provided unwavering support to its ally since the attack, saying it has a right to defend itself against Hamas while worrying about the high number of Palestinians killed.

Israeli opposition head urges Netanyahu to quit

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid called on Wednesday evening for the departure of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu without waiting for the end of the military operation against Hamas.

Netanyahu should leave immediately... We need change, Netanyahu cannot remain prime minister, said Lapid in an interview with Israeli channel N12.

We cannot afford to lead a long [military] campaign with a Prime Minister in whom the population no longer has any confidence.

Lapid accused Netanyahu's government of an "unforgivable failure" for not preventing Hamas' deadly attack on southern Israel.

The opposition leader did not call for early elections but a motion of confidence in parliament, paving the way for a new government led by another member of Netanyahu's party Likud.

This is not the time to hold elections... We should opt for national reconstruction with another Prime Minister from Likud, he said.

In a press release, Netanyahu's party described such a proposal in a "time of war" as "shameful".

Violent pro-Palestinian demonstration in front of Democratic Party HQ

Clashes broke out between dozens of pro-Palestinian demonstrators and police on Wednesday evening in front of the Democratic Party headquarters in Washington, forcing the closure of nearby US Congressional offices.

Our officers are working to contain approximately 150 people who are demonstrating illegally and violently near the party offices, Capitol Police said in a message on X.

Officers are making arrests, added the police, who reported six injuries in their ranks for minor cuts and punches.

Elected officials who were at the Democratic National Committee (DNC) offices at the time were escorted out of the building by police to safety.

Protesters are demanding a ceasefire and an end to Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip.
President Joe Biden greets China's President President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, Calif., Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden is nurturing economic ties this week with Asia, but he is not signing any trade deals at a regional summit in San Francisco.

This fact  no trade deals  reveals much about the status of U.S. politics, the evolving global economy and the Biden administration's ambitions. U.S. negotiators say they have finalized agreements with 13 other countries on three parts of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. The operative word is framework," a label that allows Biden to bypass Congress in reaching agreements in IPEF (pronounced EYE-pef).

It's a framework because the administration wanted to have something it could do by executive agreement, said Robert Holleyman, a former deputy U.S. trade representative.

Many U.S. voters have negative opinions about trade deals they see as having caused industrial job losses, a prevailing sentiment in the 2016 presidential election that carries over to next year's 2024 race. IPEF can partially fill that gap by sidestepping some of the domestic politics while addressing issues such as supply chains and climate change that have historically been outside trade deals.

A look at the framework and the progress being announced at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders' meeting.

WHAT IS IPEF?

Biden formally announced IPEF during a May 2022 trip to Tokyo. It has four major pillars: supply chains, climate, anti-corruption and trade.

Were writing the new rules for the 21st century economy, Biden said when the initiative was unveiled. But unlike a traditional trade deal, the framework is not about expanding market access or laying out penalties for unfair practices.

The trade pillar is being overseen by U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai; the other three are under Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo.

The U.S. and its partners are announcing a signed agreement on supply chains and agreements in principle on climate and anti-corruption, while negotiators work through parts of the trade pillar, according to people who are tracking the talks.

Raimondo told reporters on a call that the U.S. had largely been absent from the Indo-Pacific and that the coronavirus pandemic showed that supply chain problems could damage the American economy.

We all learned during COVID that supply chain disruptions can hurt American workers, Raimondo said. And thats exactly why the president said we need to get back into the region with our partners in the Indo-Pacific.

WHICH COUNTRIES ARE IN IPEF

Besides the U.S., there are 13 members that represent 40% of global gross domestic product. The other members are Australia, Brunei, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, according to the U.S. government.

WHAT IS IN THE AGREEMENTS

Matthew Goodman, director of the Greenberg Center for Geoeconomic Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, said before the leaders' meeting that the White House has been signaling the terms of the various agreements. Each pillar is negotiated separately.

On trade, there will be some language on agriculture and expanding trade relationships. But the major issues of labor, environmental standards and rules for digital companies are still being negotiated.

Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, objected to the trade pillar in part because of a lack of worker protections, prompting the administration to not move forward with an agreement on the issue. Brown is up for reelection next year in an increasingly Republican state that identifies with its industrial heritage.

Instead of negotiating trade deals behind closed doors, we should be working to strengthen enforcement so that American workers can compete on a level playing field, Brown said.

The U.S. government has suggested there will be an agreement on the other three pillars. Raimondo said the U.S. signed the supply chain agreement and the countries had reached an agreement on principles on the climate and anti-corruption elements. She said negotiations were concluded on an overarching agreement among members that would create a forum for ongoing work together.

This is meant to be an enduring arrangement, an enduring durable framework, said Raimondo.

The climate component includes an economic cooperation component to help support IPEF countries that are moving away from fossil fuels to cleaner forms of energy. The anti-corruption component has legally binding commitments that would improve the transparency of administering taxes.

The commerce secretary stressed that the agreements were just a beginning. There will be a $30 million fund on climate-related projects and an investor forum for clean energy technologies, as well as a private-public partnership to bring investments into the region.

Its the starting line, not the finish line, she said.

WHY TRADE DEALS ARE UNPOPULAR

Voters say past trade deals caused the loss of factory jobs that hollowed out their hometowns. The administration agrees.

The 2016 presidential election was a landmark event on rejecting trade pacts. Both party's candidates, Republican Donald Trump and Democrat Hillary Clinton, walked away from the Trans-Pacific Partnership. As president, Trump revised the existing trade deal with Canada and Mexico, while raising taxes on a range of imports and starting a trade skirmish with China.

Trade deals offer the prospect of cheaper goods and geopolitical stability, a prospect that was also somewhat undermined as the coronavirus pandemic exposed fragile supply chains that were overly dependent on China. Biden has sought to find alternatives to Chinese factories while maintaining the tariffs that Trump imposed on Chinese goods.

In a June speech, Tai criticized past trade deals.

If we look at what those agreements did, we see the ways in which they contributed to the very problems we are now trying to address, said Tai, emphasizing that our new approach to trade recognizes people as more than just consumers, but also producers the workers, wage earners, providers, and community members that comprise a vibrant middle class.

Trade deals also take years to negotiate and even longer to finalize across presidential administrations. The last new trade deal was signed with South Korea in 2007 and went into force in 2012. By comparison, IPEF is moving a speedy clip as agreements are being announced after less than two years.
President Biden late Wednesday quipped that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) could have any job he wants, including potentially being president, a tongue-in-cheek reference to the governors much-discussed White House ambitions.

I want to talk about Gov. Newsom. Want to thank him. Hes been one hell of a governor, man, Biden said at a welcome reception in San Francisco at the Asian Pacific Economic Conference (APEC) summit.

Matter of fact, he could be anything he wants. He could have the job Im looking for, Biden added, eliciting laughter in the room.

The California governor has widely been considered as a possible presidential contender, and some see him as a potential candidate come 2028. Newsom has repeatedly fended off speculation he could challenge Biden for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2024.

Biden, who will turn 81 this month, has faced persistent questions about whether he is too old to run for a second term. Polls have consistently shown large percentages of Democrats would prefer a different nominee in 2024.

But Newsom and other would-be challengers have fallen in line in support of Bidens 2024 bid, and the president is only facing long-shot primary challenges from Marianne Williamson and Rep. Dean Phillips (D-Minn.).

Newsom has in recent weeks been outspoken in his support for Bidens reelection bid, and he has directly attacked Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R), who is running for the GOPs 2024 nomination. Newsom is expected to debate DeSantis on Fox News this month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
President Biden told a group of world leaders that California Gov. Gavin Newsom "could have the job Im looking for" if he wanted, amid a low approval rating and discontent within his own party.

"I want to talk about Governor Newsom. I want to thank him. Hes been one hell of a governor, man," Biden said Wednesday during a welcome reception for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders in San Francisco. "Matter of fact, he could be anything he wants. He could have the job Im looking for."

Biden's eyebrow-raising comment was made at "the most significant event with world leaders in San Francisco in recent history," according to the APEC 2023 website for the event.

Newsom recently elevated rumors of running a "shadow campaign" amid trips to Israel amid its war with Hamas, before heading to China late last month to meet with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

LIBERAL COLUMNISTS, DEMS PILE ON BIDEN, SUGGEST DEMOCRATS EMBRACE NEW CANDIDATE AMID DISMAL POLLS

"The track record is not good for him to be gallivanting around the world doing basically a shadow campaign for president, just waiting for the moment when they finally decide to throw Biden under the bus," Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., told Fox News Digital amid Newsom's travels.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

LaMalfa added that Biden is the "starter" and Newsom is the "backup quarterback" in the 2024 race, as more Democrats vocalize their concern over the strength of a Biden nomination.

"I don't think the president should run," former Democrat Rep. Tim Ryan recently told CNN. "I don't think [Donald] Trump should run; I don't think President Biden should run."

David Axelrod, a former President Obama adviser, also questioned whether a Biden nomination would be the wisest choice for the Democratic Party next cycle.

"Only @JoeBiden can make this decision," Axelrod posted on social media. "If he continues to run, he will be the nominee of the Democratic Party. What he needs to decide is whether that is wise; whether it's in HIS best interest or the country's?"

FETTERMAN HITS NEWSOM FOR NOT HAVING GUTS TO ADMIT HE'S RUNNING SHADOW CAMPAIGN AGAINST BIDEN

An anonymous former state lawmaker in Michigan suggested Biden is a "transitional president."

President Biden gives a thumbs-up during a welcome reception for leaders attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Week at the Exploratorium in San Francisco.

"It feels like he was the perfect person for 2020. But not for 2024," a former Democratic state lawmaker, whose name was not revealed, told The Wall Street Journal. "Hes a transitional president, and you have to know when to transition, and it is now."

While some Democrats are calling for Biden to step aside, Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., accused Newsom of running a shadow campaign and not having the "guts to announce it."

"Let me say something that might be uncomfortable," Fetterman said at a Democratic Party dinner in Iowa. "Right now there are two additional Democrats running for Pennsylvania, excuse me, running for president right now. One, one is a congressman from Minnesota. The other one is the governor of California. They're both running for president, but only one had the guts to announce it."

Biden campaign manager Julie Chavez Rodriguez told reporters on the eve of the second Republican presidential nomination debate in September that Newsom has been a "tremendous asset to the campaign, and we're really grateful to have him as part of our national advisory board."

Newsom has said he would not run against Biden in 2024, but should the president drop out of the race, Axios predicts potential Democratic alternatives are positioning themselves to jump in the race.

"Democratic governors and senators are quietly moving to boost their national profiles and position themselves to run for president in 2028  or in 2024, if President Biden unexpectedly drops out," Axios reported in a recent story.

A recent CNN poll revealed President Biden trailing former President Donald Trump by four percentage points, 49%-45%, among registered voters in a hypothetical 2024 matchup.

As many Democrats and strategists express concern over a 2024 Biden campaign, Fox News and Quinnipiac University surveys, both dropped Wednesday, reveal 59% of voters currently disapprove of Biden's job performance as president.

A recent CNN poll also found Biden trailing Trump by four percentage points, 49%-45%, among registered voters in a hypothetical 2024 matchup.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips, D-Minn., and spiritual guru Marianne Williamson are both running in the primary against Biden, who will turn 81 years old on Monday and continue making history as the oldest American president to-date.

Fox News' Nikolas Lanum and Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.





Original article source: Biden reveals who he thinks 'could have the job' he's running for as 2024 'shadow campaign' rumors swirl
The historic Maryland State House dome has been restored and the second phase of the project to rehabilitate the countrys oldest state capital in continuous legislative use is now in progress.

After getting underway this summer, work to replace insulation, increase accessibility, replace and repair parts of the roof, and restore the windows as well as the brick and stonework will be complete by the end of next year, said Maryland Department of General Services spokesperson Nick Cavey. According to General Services records, this is the first large-scale restoration project the historic property has undergone since construction was completed in 1779, Cavey said.

The State House was the site of multiple significant moments in the nations early history. The building functioned as the U.S. Capitol from November 1783 through August 1784, during which time Gen. George Washington resigned his commission as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army and the Treaty of Paris was ratified, officially ending the Revolutionary War, according to the Maryland State Archives. Also during that time, Congress appointed Thomas Jefferson minister plenipotentiary to France at the State House, marking the first diplomatic appointment by the new nation.

Its also the only statehouse ever to have served as the U.S. Capitol.

The dome restoration was completed right before Gov. Wes Moores Jan. 18 inauguration. Meeting that deadline was critical for General Services and the Sterling, Virginia-based contractor, The Christman Company, to create a backdrop for the historic swearing-in of the states first Black governor.

Scaffolding goes up around the Maryland State House dome April 21, 2022. The Maryland State House dome has been undergoing extensive restoration, including paint and new slate on roof, since early that spring.

The team wasnt able to restore the dome and the rest of the grounds simultaneously because of the scaffolding required for the dome project, Cavey said. Instead, the department went with a phased construction approach. The entire project is estimated to cost about $49 million and is funded with capital bond and capital appropriation funds, Cavey said.

The project represents an essential investment to ensure the State Houses long-term viability while maintaining its status as the oldest State House in the nation under continuous legislative use, Cavey said in a statement. The restoration will preserve the State House for generations to come while promoting its rich state and national history.

The hand-colored engraving, attributed to Charles Willson Peale, was published in the February 1789 issue of the Columbian Magazine. This image shows the State House soon after the completion of the dome. Other buildings visible on State House Circle include the house of John Shaw, far left, the council chamber and ballroom (built c. 1718), right, the octagonal outdoor privy known as the public temple, and the Old Treasury Building (built 1735-1736). Bond Collection. Courtesy of the Maryland State Archives.

The renovated building will include two new accessible entrances  one on the north ground floor entrance and the other at the east entrance to the 1906 annex. Workers will also restore the brick on the State Circle retaining wall and repair decorative molding around the property.

Most of the work is being done to the State House to preserve [it], said Johnathan Medlock, assistant secretary of External Affairs at the Department of General Services. We want to continue the integrity.

Modifications will also be made to the surrounding grounds, including improvements to landscaping, grading, ramps, walkways, lighting and railings.

The Old Treasury Building, a small structure on the State House grounds, is also getting a face-lift. Workers will restore the exterior to its aesthetic from around the time it was built between 1735 and 1736. It is the oldest public building in Annapolis, according to the Maryland State Archives.

If funds allow, [it will be] further renovated to support use for self-guided exhibits interpreting Marylands earliest history, Cavey said.

The project may impact parking on State Circle when construction is in progress, Cavey said. Any road blockages or closures will be temporary and typically occur during off-peak traffic hours.

A restoration project is taking place around the base of the Maryland State House. It is the second phase of a project to restore the exterior of the building. The first phase included rehabilitating the dome, which workers aimed to and succeeded in completing before Gov. Wes Moores inauguration. Construction continues on the new Department of Legislative Services building at left.

The State House isnt the only major construction project around State Circle. The Maryland Stadium Authority is overseeing construction of a new Department of Legislative Services Annapolis State Government Complex. The new building is also expected to be completed by the end of next year, said Rachelina Bonacci, an authority spokesperson. The project is funded with $120 million of state money, she said.

The original legislative services building was demolished in the summer of 2022. After assessing the condition of the 46-year-old building, officials decided it would not be possible to expand the structure to meet the needs of the growing staff. Bonacci said there were also challenges with maintaining the outdated infrastructure.

Workers recently completed most of the structural steelwork and are now upgrading leaking underground tunnels that connect several state legislature buildings.
Biden says he was blunt with Xi on areas of tension but touts cooperation

President Biden announced Wednesday that he had reached three key areas of cooperation with Chinese President Xi Jinping, even as he said he pushed hard on some of the most fraught issues between Washington and Beijing.

Biden described Xi as a dictator following what appeared to look like a friendly bilateral summit in San Francisco. Biden was earlier seen joking while sitting across from Xi at the start of the meeting, and showed a photo on his cellphone of Xi as a young man in San Francisco in 1985.

Still, the president touted what he described as critically important breakthroughs in his meeting with Xi.

I welcome the positive steps weve taken today, Biden said at a press conference following his meeting with the Chinese leader.

Were talking to our competitors and just talking, just being blunt with one another, so theres no misunderstanding, as a key element to maintaining global stability and delivering for the American people.

That included reestablishing direct military-to-military contacts that were severed last year, a priority area for the president that he views as essential to avoid any potentially disastrous, accidental conflicts.

Vital miscalculations on either side can cause real trouble with a country like China, or any other major country, and so I think were making real progress there as well, Biden said.

The presidents meeting with Xi took place on the sidelines of the APEC business summit. It was the first contact between the two leaders in nearly a year, since they last met face-to-face on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Bali, Indonesia.

Biden said that Xi agreed to keep lines of communication open between the two leaders.

He and I agreed that if each one wants to pick up the phone, call directly, and will be heard immediately, he said.

The president said he had also reached agreement with Xi on restarting cooperation on counternarcotics, with the U.S. pushing for China to crack down on the export of chemicals that are used to manufacture fentanyl, the deadly opioid responsible for tens of thousands of overdose deaths in the U.S.

Another priority goal for the president was to get Xi to sign onto discussions about the responsible use of artificial intelligence.

Were going to get our experts together to discuss risk and safety issues associated with artificial intelligence, Biden said.

But Biden also clashed with Xi on the fate of Americans detained in China. Biden didnt name the Americans detained, but some have earlier been identified as Mark Swidan, Kai Li and David Lin. The president also raised with the Chinese leader U.S. opposition to the practice of placing exit bans on American citizens, a practice Beijing uses to prevent what it views as suspicious persons from leaving the country.

I gave him names of individuals we think are being held, and hopefully we can get them released as well. No agreement on that. No agreement on that, Biden said.

The president also raised the importance of stability in the Taiwan Strait; Russias refusal to stop the brutal war of aggression against Ukraine, where China has sided with Moscow; Israels war against Hamas in Gaza; and human rights and coercive [Chinese] activities in the South China Sea.

Even as the areas of confrontation seemed to outnumber the points of cooperation, a senior administration official sought to stress Bidens effort to connect with Xi personally, in particular wishing the Chinese leaders wife a happy birthday, which she shares with the president.

Xi said he was embarrassed, the senior administration official recounted, saying that he had been working so hard he had forgotten the date of her birthday is next week, and thanked Biden for reminding him.

Updated at 9:53 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
By Trevor Hunnicutt and Jeff Mason

WOODSIDE, California (Reuters) -U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday said he had made it clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that a two-state solution was the only answer to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict and that occupying Gaza would be "a big mistake."

Biden told reporters he was doing everything in his power to free hostages held by the Hamas militant group in Gaza, but that did not mean sending in the U.S. military.

The U.S. president had told reporters this week that his message to the hostages was "Hang in there, we're coming," raising questions about what he meant.

Asked to clarify the comment, Biden told a news conference: "What I meant was, I'm doing everything in my power to get you out. Coming to help you, get you out. I don't mean sending in military in there ... I was not talking about the military."

Biden said he was working on the issue constantly, and would not stop until the hostages - including a three-year-old American child - were freed.

Qatar, where Hamas operates a political office, has been leading mediation between the Islamist militant group and Israeli officials for the release of more than 240 hostages. They were taken by militants when they stormed into Israel on Oct. 7. Israel says 1,200 people were killed during the rampage.

Israel then launched an unrelenting bombardment of Hamas-ruled Gaza and late last month began an invasion of the enclave, where more than 11,000 people have been killed, around 40% of them children with more buried under the rubble, according to Palestinian officials.

Biden said Hamas was committing war crimes by having its military headquarters under a hospital, repeating a statement made a White House spokesperson on Tuesday, and he was confident about the U.S. intelligence supporting that "fact."

He said Israel had gone into Gaza's biggest hospital, Al Shifa, with a limited number of troops with guns, and was not carpet-bombing the site.

"They were told ... we discussed the need for them to be incredibly careful," Biden said, adding that Israel had an obligation to use as much caution as possible in going after targets.

But he said it was "not realistic" to expect Israel to stop its military actions, given threats by senior Hamas officials that they intended to attack Israel again and their past "horrific" actions.

Hamas has already said publicly that they plan on attacking Israel again, like they did before, where they cut babies heads off, Biden said, reviving an assertion he made last month, when he said he had seen images of beheaded babies.

The White House last month clarified that U.S. officials had not seen evidence of this, and said Biden was referring to news reports of such actions. It was not immediately clear if new intelligence had emerged confirming that babies were beheaded.

On Wednesday, Biden said Israel was now bringing in incubators and other equipment to help people, and its soldiers giving doctors, nurses and other staff the opportunity to "get out of harm's way."

Israel on Wednesday said its troops found Hamas weapons and combat gear in Al Shifa hospital during a search on Wednesday. Hamas dismissed the announcement as "lies."

Biden said he had told Netanyahu that he did not believe the war would end until a two-state solution was reached.

"I made it clear to Israel that I think it's a big mistake to for them to occupy Gaza," he said.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Jeff Mason; Writing by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Sandra Maler & Simon Cameron-Moore)
This embedded content is not available in your region.

The US and China have agreed to resume military-to-military communications in an effort to ease rising tensions, President Joe Biden says.

"We're back to direct, open, clear communications," he said following a rare meeting with China's President Xi Jinping in California on Wednesday.

It was the first time the pair had spoken in person in more than a year.

But there were still signs of tension between the two - Mr Biden repeated his view that Mr Xi is a dictator.

China's foreign ministry later criticised the remarks, but they do not appear to have taken the shine off what both sides are portraying as a largely successful meeting.

Mr Biden also said both leaders had agreed to establish a direct line of communication with one another.

At a news conference following the summit, which took place at a historic country estate near San Francisco, Mr Biden said a lack of communication was "how accidents happen" and added that both presidents could now "pick up the phone and be directly heard immediately".

China severed military-to-military communications last year after then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan. Beijing views self-ruled Taiwan as its territory, and has threatened to annex it by force if necessary.

Mr Biden said that, while many disagreements remained between the pair, Mr Xi had "just been straight". He said the talks were "some of the most constructive and productive discussions we've had".

Speaking later at a dinner with US business leaders, Mr Xi spoke openly about wanting to pursue better relations with the US.

He said he and President Biden agreed to continue on a path of diplomacy and co-operation.

"The door of China-US relations cannot be closed again now that's open," he said. "We need to build more bridges and pave more roads between each other."

But in a sign of how difficult relations still are, Mr Biden, as he was exiting the stage, responded to a reporter's question by saying he considered Mr Xi a dictator.

"He's a dictator in the sense that he is a guy who runs a country... based on a form of government that is totally different from ours," he said. When Mr Biden made a similar comment in June, Chinese officials reacted angrily and described it as "extremely absurd and irresponsible".

On Thursday, China's foreign ministry condemned Mr Biden's remark, saying the description was "extremely wrong" and "irresponsible political manipulation".

It was a sour note in what is seen as an overall positive meeting between the two leaders.

The "dictator" remark was noticeably absent in state news agency Xinhua's readout of the meeting. The readout - which can sometimes be an indication of how good or bad the Chinese government perceives relations to be - featured talk of substantial progress in bilateral ties.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

As well as resuming military communications, the two sides announced several other agreements in areas that have become sources of tension in recent times.

These included taking steps to tackle the flow of fentanyl into the US, which has contributed to a rise in overdose deaths in the country.

Chinese manufacturing companies are a source not only of the synthetic opioid itself but of precursor chemicals which can be combined to make it. "We're taking action to significantly reduce the flow of precursor chemicals and pill presses from China to the Western Hemisphere," Mr Biden said.

Under the deal, China will directly target companies that are producing those precursor chemicals. "It will save lives," Mr Biden told reporters.

The two leaders also discussed the conflict in Israel and Gaza. One senior US official told reporters that Mr Biden had asked China to use its influence with Iran to urge it not to take steps that could be seen as provocative.

The two superpowers further agreed to jointly examine artificial intelligence (AI), and had a lengthy conversation about Taiwan which, according to one US official, Mr Xi said was "the biggest, most dangerous issue in US-China ties".

Mr Xi and Mr Biden met at the Filoli Estate, a country house near San Francisco, and spoke for four hours

Following the talks, China said communications were restored between the two militaries on "the basis of equality and respect".

While the meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (Apec) summit had been highly anticipated, officials on both sides played down expectations of any major breakthroughs.

"The goals here really are about managing the competition, preventing the downside of risk - of conflict, and ensuring channels of communication are open," a senior US administration official said.

Relations deteriorated in February when a suspected Chinese spy balloon was shot down over US airspace.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing in June, making him the highest-ranking Washington official to visit the Chinese capital in almost half a decade. He met President Xi and then foreign minister Qin Gang.

At the end of his trip, Mr Blinken said that while there were still major issues between the two countries, he hoped they would have "better communications [and] better engagement going forward".

Additional reporting by Fan Wang in Singapore and BBC Monitoring

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U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on Nov. 15 on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, the White House reported.

The meeting marks the leaders' first conversation in over a year.

Biden and Xi participated in expanded bilateral talks on Nov. 15 that lasted about two hours, then departed for a smaller, closed-door working lunch.

Biden attended the smaller session with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, while Xi was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi and Chinese Communist Party Chief Cai Qi.

The two leaders issued remarks before the talks in a joint press conference.

"We have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict. And we also have to manage it responsibly  that competition," Biden said.

Xi called the U.S.-China relationship "the most important bilateral relationship in the world."

"For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option," Xi said.

Ahead of the Nov. 15 talks, U.S. officials reported that Biden and Xi planned to discuss Russia's war in Ukraine.

China remains a crucial strategic ally to Russia and continues to provide economic support to Moscow, helping Russia fund its war despite the effects of Western sanctions. China also wields significant leverage over North Korea, which currently supplies weapons to Russia.

Biden said after the meeting that he and Xi "made real progress."

"I value the conversation I had today with President Xi because I think it's paramount that we understand each other clearly, leader to leader," Biden said on the social media platform X.

"There are critical global challenges that demand our joint leadership. And today, we made real progress."

Biden held a press conference on Nov. 15 following his meeting with Xi.

"I welcome the positive steps we've taken today," he told reporters.

Biden said the U.S. and China were "reassuming military-to-military direct contacts" and had agreed to partner on several key issues, including imports of narcotics and the AI industry.

While Biden said the two leaders discussed "Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine," he did not share details of the conversation or report that any agreements had been reached.

Read also: Russia, China and North Korea have new dynamics. And its bad for Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks on Nov. 15 on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, the White House reported.

The meeting marks the leaders' first conversation in over a year.

Biden and Xi participated in expanded bilateral talks on Nov. 15 that lasted about two hours, then departed for a smaller, closed-door working lunch.

Biden attended the smaller session with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan, while Xi was accompanied by Foreign Affairs Minister Wang Yi and Chinese Communist Party Chief Cai Qi.

The two leaders issued remarks before the talks in a joint press conference.

"We have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict. And we also have to manage it responsibly  that competition," Biden said.

Xi called the U.S.-China relationship "the most important bilateral relationship in the world."

"For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option," Xi said.

Ahead of the Nov. 15 talks, U.S. officials reported that Biden and Xi planned to discuss Russia's war in Ukraine.

China remains a crucial strategic ally to Russia and continues to provide economic support to Moscow, helping Russia fund its war despite the effects of Western sanctions. China also wields significant leverage over North Korea, which currently supplies weapons to Russia.

Biden said after the meeting that he and Xi "made real progress."

"I value the conversation I had today with President Xi because I think it's paramount that we understand each other clearly, leader to leader," Biden said on the social media platform X.

"There are critical global challenges that demand our joint leadership. And today, we made real progress."

Read also: Russia, China and North Korea have new dynamics. And its bad for Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Virginias congressional delegation on Wednesday formally requested a federal investigation into how a site in Marylands suburbs was chosen as the new headquarters for the FBI.

In a joint letter sent to the General Service Administrations inspector general, the Virginia officials said the process appeared in the final weeks to be tilted toward the 61-acre plot outside the Greenbelt Metro station in Prince Georges County, despite a three-person panels unanimous selection of a site in Springfield, Virginia.

The letter alleged that the reversal was made for political considerations against the FBIs wishes, noting that the selection criteria was changed in July, about when a political appointee inside the GSA who had previously overseen land acquisitions for Metro was installed as head of the selection process, replacing a career GSA official.

The following month, the official unilaterally overturned the panels recommendation, making changes to the scoring that benefited the Greenbelt site and hurt the Springfield choice, the Virginia officials said. The official has since left the agency.

There is overwhelming evidence suggesting that the General Services Administration (GSA) administered a site selection process fouled by political considerations and alleged impropriety  one that was repeatedly curated to arrive at a predetermined outcome, read the letter, which was signed by nine of Virginias Democratic and Republican House members and its two Democratic senators. (Republican Reps. Bob Good and Ben Cline of Virginia did not sign.)

Throughout the site selection deliberations, GSA suppressed, dismissed, and overrode the judgment and recommendations of career officials from GSA and the FBI, the letter said.

With billions of dollars in taxpayer revenue and bragging rights at stake, the yearslong process to choose the FBIs new home has been dogged by disputes between officials in Virginia and Maryland over which site best matched the agencys needs and, more recently, how equity factored into the decision.

Rep. Steny H. Hoyer, a Maryland Democrat who led Marylands efforts to lure the FBI for a decade  even holding up an omnibus spending bill last year to add language that would reconsider the criteria used to pick a new headquarters site  on Wednesday responded to the call for an investigation by reiterating support for the Greenbelt site. The decision, he said, offered the lowest cost to taxpayers, best access to transit options, most construction-schedule certainty, and furthering the Biden-Harris Administrations commitment to equity.

Hoyer noted that in 2014 a similar process played out at the GSA, when a three-member panel did not include Springfield as a finalist for the FBI, and a site administrator overruled the panel to include it.

I did not object because additional sites provided competition in this process, he said in an email. I believe any IG investigation would find what the GSA has told us  that this selection process was done by the book and according to the terms of the Site Selection Plan. Team Maryland looks forward to welcoming the FBI to Greenbelt, Maryland as soon as possible.

Maryland officials responded forcefully to allegations of impropriety last week by saying the FBI should not make unproven allegations, with Rep. Glenn Ivey, a Maryland Democrat, saying FBI Director Christopher A. Wray should know the difference between evidence and innuendo.

Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, reiterated Marylands view that the allegations of political meddling are unwarranted, saying in a statement Wednesday that Maryland is ready to move forward to provide a modern, consolidated headquarters that the men and women of the FBI deserve.

The GSA awarded the new headquarters based on merit, and unsubstantiated claims wont change the end result, he said.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Maryland Democrat, said the request was baseless and would be a waste of tax dollars. We are confident any objective review would affirm what GSA has already shown: Greenbelt was selected on the merits and this process was done by the books, he said, cautioning that such a review would amount to a delay tactic.

In an emailed statement late Wednesday, a GSA spokesman said the agency welcomed a review.

As a part of our long-standing commitment to transparency, we proactively and publicly released our site selection plan, decision-making materials, and results of our legal review evaluating the FBIs concerns, the statement reads. We carefully followed the requirements and process, and stand behind GSAs final site selection decision.

The Virginia delegations letter builds on concerns that Wray raised about the process in a letter to his staff last month calling on the GSA to scrap its Maryland selection and begin anew over concerns about the former GSA officials actions.

The Virginia delegation said the FBI director raised serious objections to the decision to place the official in charge of the selection process, citing potential conflicts he said were never fully addressed by the GSA.

In defending the indefensible, GSA has decided to proceed with the selection of Greenbelt over the objections of its client agency, the FBI, the Virginia delegations letter states. These facts, when taken together, paint an ugly picture of a fatally flawed procurement that demands further investigation.

The FBI  located in the large, Brutalist-style J. Edgar Hoover Building on Pennsylvania Avenue NW since 1975  has said its building is deteriorating and a new headquarters is needed to consolidate 11,000 personnel from more than a dozen locations around the region.

The GSA announced its decision to select the Greenbelt site this month, which was met with immediate outrage by Virginia officials and cheers from officials in Prince Georges, a majority-Black county that has long sought economic parity with its neighbors in the Washington region.

Maryland officials said the $3 billion facility would further the Biden administrations goal to invest in communities overlooked by the federal government, a point Moore, the states first Black governor, made in conversations with the president and bureaucrats.

A new headquarters campus must be funded by Congress and will take years to build. A developer has not yet been selected.

The Washington Posts Lateshia Beachum contributed to this article.
Your slice of the headlines in Ukraine. Daily. Thursday, November 16, 2023.

 Biden-Xi meeting: What does it mean for Ukraine and the world?

U.S. President Joe Biden is set to meet Chinese leader Xi Jinping in San Francisco on Nov. 15. Their talks are expected to range from Russia's war against Ukraine to restoring military communications between the United States and China.





 Lviv Polytechnic fires controversial professor

Former MP and linguist Iryna Farion was dismissed from her position as a professor at Lviv Polytechnic National University following an investigation by Ukraines SBU security service on Nov. 15.





 Unacceptable that during war Zelenskyy can dismiss generals without Zaluzhnyi's approval, Ukrainian MP says

It is unacceptable that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy can dismiss generals without the approval of army Commander-in-Chief General Valerii Zaluzhnyi, MP Roman Kostenko said in an interview with Radio NV on Nov. 14.





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The Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian parliament) is looking to introduce a windfall tax on banks as a result of excessive profits in the banking sector. NV examines why Ukrainian banks have made record profits during the war.





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A Ukrainian marine from Mariupol, Hennadiy Zelenyi, shared his story about Russian captivity and his escape from it in an interview with Ukrainian journalist and video blogger Ramina Eshakzai on Nov. 15.





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The Czech government has moved to freeze all Russian state assets in the Czech Republic, Foreign Minister Jan Lipavsky said in a Twitter post on Nov. 15.





 EU proposes to ban exports to Russia of motors for drones in its 12th sanctions package

The European Union has proposed a ban on the export of machine tools and machine parts used by Russia to manufacture weapons for its war against Ukraine as part of its 12th package of sanctions against Russia, Bloomberg reported on Nov. 15, citing an EU document.





 Famous historian Ferguson calls on the West to begin immediate modernization and reconstruction of Ukraine

Western efforts for the future reconstruction of Ukraine should not wait for the end of the war; Ukraine should be helped to modernize and rebuild immediately, renowned British-American historian and economist Niall Ferguson in an interview with NV on Nov. 14.





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Despite facing sanctions in several countries, including the United States and the European Union, Belarusian dictator Alexander Lukashenko is absent from Kyivs official sanction lists.





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Despite the imposition of restrictions on close associates of runaway former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych by the United States, Ukraine has yet to follow suit, as the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) has not imposed sanctions on a dozen contentious politicians from the Yanukovych era.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
The News

SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.  The first meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in a year ended with agreements to curb fentanyl, restore military-to-military communications, and begin expert discussions on the safety and risks of artificial intelligence.

Biden outlined the agreements at a news conference Wednesday evening in San Francisco following over four hours of meetings with Xi and their top advisers, calling the military communications critically important to avoid potentially deadly miscalculations. Biden said he also raised more contentious subjects, like Chinas actions in the Taiwan strait, human rights, and Americans detained in China, and that he and Xi agreed to keep open lines of communication.

Were in a competitive relationship, Biden said. But my responsibility is to make this rational and manageable so it doesnt result in conflict.

The two sides also reached an agreement to resume climate talks and ramp up renewables the day prior.

Wednesdays meeting came on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Forum in San Francisco and was held at the Filoli estate, a grand property on the California coast famously used for filming the television series Dynasty in the 1980s.

Even before the announcements, some argued the meeting  which U.S. officials characterized as an effort to stabilize relations  was a success because of the signals both sides sent to one another about the need for frank communication.

At the start of the meeting, Biden addressed Xi by stressing the importance of dialogue in order to avoid misconceptions or miscommunication. Xi, through a translator, said that China and the U.S. could not turn their back on each other. Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed, and one countrys success is an opportunity for the other, he told Biden.

I think thats about as good a floor you can hope for in this relationship, Anja Manuel, executive director of the Aspen Security Forum, told Semafor.

Xi also attended a dinner with a large group of American executives in San Francisco later Wednesday evening, amid concerns among some executives about the business climate in China due to a crackdown on foreign firms.

Step Back

The scene in San Francisco was lively in anticipation for the meeting. Throngs of supporters of the Falun Gong religious movement that protests the Chinese government lined the streets downtown, while pro and anti-China demonstrators were seen near the Filoli estate where the two leaders and their top advisers gathered.

Wednesdays meeting was the first time that Biden and Xi spoke or saw one another in person since the summit in Bali last November. It was long in the making, with a steady stream of officials from both governments traveling to meet their counterparts to ease tensions and open lines of communication after the flight of a Chinese spy balloon over the United States earlier this year derailed progress made in Indonesia.

Morgans view

The meeting met the modest expectations that the White House set for it. The pronouncements of the two leaders will also likely satisfy business leaders who were looking for assurances from the U.S. and China of their economic ties.

But it will take time to tell whether the dialogue actually helps stabilize the relationship, which has been dominated by tensions over technology controls, Chinas aggressive behavior in the South China Sea, and Taiwan.

We really dont know how successful this summit will be, Max Baucus, former U.S. ambassador to China under the Obama administration, told Semafor. It will depend on whether words are followed by actions, he said. Josh Rogin reminds us in the Washington Post that Xi signed a similar agreement on fentanyl with former President Donald Trump but didnt enforce it.

Trust but verify, as the old saying goes. Thats where I am, Biden said at the press conference on Wednesday afternoon when asked if he trusted Xi.

Upcoming elections in Taiwan and the U.S. presidential election  both events that could cause more friction in the U.S.-China relationship  will also provide critical tests. Attacking China is increasingly popular among U.S. politicians, and lawmakers from both parties blame Beijing for doing harm to the U.S. through unfair economic practices and are sharply critical of China for human rights abuses against Uyghurs in Xinjiang and for threats against Taiwan. A return to the White House by Trump, who waged an intense trade with China during his first time, could quickly upend whatever progress the two countries make in their relationship over the next year.

While the Biden administration is critical of China on human rights and other issues, officials have been firm that the U.S. should not decouple from China, one of its largest trading partners, and that the economic relationship between the two countries  aside from goods that impact U.S. national security  is important to preserve.

Its going to take a lot of effort on the part of both sides if they really want to make it work. Its very much like an arranged marriage, Baucus said. Were very different but were very big and neither country is going anywhere.

The View From Taiwan

Taiwans two opposition parties agreed to join forces this week against Vice President William Lai, who is running for the pro-sovereignty Democratic Progressive Party ticket. Lai has been leading in the polls, but the development raises the prospect of a more China-friendly candidate to emerge victorious from the January elections. That could have dramatic repercussions on the U.S.-China relationship, given a key point of tension has been U.S. support for Taiwan and the prospect of Beijing trying to take over the self-governing island by force.




To some Americans, our nation's strong alignment with Israels war on Hamas might seem heroic. To much of the world and even our allies, it is as callous as it is confounding.

Not only has the United States aided and abetted a brutal war that has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians since Oc. 7, including over 4,000 children, but America and Israel are harmed, too. Israels long-term security is undermined, and Americans watch as our democracy deteriorates and, without being consulted, we may have signed up for another forever war, this one far worse than the first.

Our political establishment has showed almost no capacity for or even interest in the costs and consequences of so wholly embracing one of the most radical administrations in Israels history. While President Joe Biden compares Ukraine to Israel, the wider world is largely unconvinced.

China, Iran and Russia could be manipulating the unfolding crisis to their advantage, but this hardly means we had to write their script for them. Here we are, though, with an epic foreign policy blunder, as Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi stood alongside Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Syrian President Bashar Assad at last weekend's summit in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Biden risks another forever war in Middle East

When the Biden administration dispatched two aircraft carrier groups to the Eastern Mediterranean, the United States all but announced that we were willing to follow Israel into another forever war. But this time, the axis of resistance is not Saddam Husseins broken military circa 2003, but transnational networks of capable and hardened groups linked across sectarian divides.

And just as Europe proved powerless in the face of Russian aggression against Ukraine, Israel is far more vulnerable than it presents itself to be.

Committing to defending Israel, without expecting Israel to course correct from a strategy that threatens to inflame the region, is asking the United States to shoulder an impossible burden. It also encourages Israel to live untethered to reality.

People search through buildings, destroyed during Israeli airstrikes a day earlier, in the southern Gaza Strip on Nov. 14, 2023 in Khan Yunis, Gaza.

Without the threat of American intervention, after all, where would Israel be now? Some commentators argue that Bidens supposedly decisive action has prevented a regional war. But perhaps the United States has simply encouraged Israels antagonists to delay their conflict.

They know Israel can hardly survive a three-front war. They also likely know that America is overstretched and might not be able to intervene in every future scenario.

Hamas attack was unequivocally vile, but if the United States or Israel has any genuine interest in peace or security, why continue the slow-motion ethnic cleansing of the West Bank? The roots of this conflict go back to 1948, to Palestinian dispossession, to decades of occupation. Yet few American politicians acknowledge this reality.

Let alone adjust policy as a result.

I left Gaza for work and can't return. Watching it bleed from afar is a nightmare.

If we cannot ask hard questions, America is all but abandoning the global relationships we need to deal with global threats. We seem willing to jeopardize prior commitments to Ukraine and Taiwan. Any serious observer  or rival  knows we cannot afford so many conflicting commitments.

Yet Democratic Rep. Rashida Tlaibs language upsets more elected officials, even in her party, than besieged hospitals in Gaza. Apparently, canceling dissent is more of a priority than considering why it might be so widespread.

Instead of addressing violently discriminatory policies, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu doubled down, and successive American administrations rewarded his irresponsibility, peddling the myth that the Abraham Accords would secure Israel. One month into the war, however, it is not Israeli diplomats in Riyad but Iranian and Saudi detente.

Biden has sacrificed votes of American Muslims

By this point, it seems clear Biden has lost most of the American Muslim vote. Though a small minority, American Muslims are younger than fellow Americans and live in growing numbers in decisive states. Even a modest decline in votes could doom his reelection  and Biden and his party should know why.

I asked Biden for a cease-fire in Gaza. Now the world is asking with me.

In many of the conversations I have with Muslim Americans, they ask necessary questions inspired by thoughtful patriotism. Did the president, for example, ask Americans how we felt about a war with Iran, the Houthis and Hezbollah? Did Biden weigh the costs of this war against our other commitments, objectives and priorities? Did he consider the impact on America in the world before he announced he didnt trust Palestinian casualty counts? Does he think the world is moved by the Band-Aids we send Palestinian kids for the bombs we help Israel drop on the refugee camps they live in? And when Netanyahu openly rebuffs us, are we supposed to admire the strong figure Biden cuts on the international stage?

Opinion alerts: Get columns from your favorite columnists + expert analysis on top issues, delivered straight to your device through the USA TODAY app. Don't have the app? Download it for free from your app store.

The American people deserve answers. Because weve been down this road before. Two decades ago, Sen. Biden voted for the Iraq War, arguably the worst U.S. foreign policy decision ever. Thousands of American soldiers died. Thousands more were injured. Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis perished in the chaos we unleashed. While we spent trillions of dollars, our competitors developed their capacities uninterrupted.

Today, as a result, America faces a great power rival in China, one that is taking advantage of our isolation in the Middle East.

What Ive seen in the past few weeks suggests a president who does not seem to have learned anything from those years. Our responsibility to the Palestinian people is to cease being complicit in their devastation. Our responsibility to Israelis includes leveraging our support in ways that insist on the hard choices real security would require.

A cease-fire is the start.

We are supposed to be the "arsenal of democracy," not the accessory to apartheid. Bidens first and last responsibility is to Americans. If we are to become the backstop to every world conflict, we should be clear about the costs and the consequences.

Haroon Moghul

Haroon Moghul is director of strategy at The Concordia Forum and the author of "Two Billion Caliphs: A Vision of a Muslim Future."

You can read diverse opinions from our Board of Contributors and other writers on the Opinion front page, on Twitter @usatodayopinion and in our daily Opinion newsletter. To respond to a column, submit a comment to letters@usatoday.com.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: With US support of Israel, Biden aids apartheid in Gaza
A third of all UMass students will qualify for free tuition paid for by the new income surtax on the states highest earners, under a plan the Healey administration rolled out Wednesday to spend an expansion of state financial aid.

The governor announced that $62 million in new program funding included in the fiscal year 2024 budget she signed this summer will go toward expanding the MASSGrant Plus program, which her administration says will benefit approximately 25,000 students attending the states community colleges, state universities and the University of Massachusetts.

The MASSGrant Plus expansion will cover the full cost of tuition and fees for Pell Grant-eligible students, including the federal government-determined expected family contribution, and an additional allowance of up to $1,200 for books and supplies. It does not cover housing costs.

Most Pell Grant recipients typically come from families with an annual income of $40,000 or less or have otherwise difficult financial situations. About one-third of UMass students are eligible for Pell Grants, according to university President Marty Meehan, as are 40 percent of students at Salem State University, according to its president John Keenan.

MASSGrant Plus Expansion by the Healey-Driscoll Administration is a game changer for state university students. It is simply historic. I know at Salem State University, 40 percent of our students are Pell Eligible and hundreds of our students are considered as being from middle-income families. This unprecedented investment will allow more of the Commonwealths students to pursue their dreams of a college education. Its a win for them and a win for the future Massachusetts workforce, Keenan said in a statement.

In addition to expanding financial aid for the lowest-income students, the expansion program also seeks to alleviate college costs for middle-income students.

Those from families who earn between $73,000 to $100,000 annually in adjusted gross income will have their costs for tuition and mandatory instructional fees reduced by up to half of out-of-pocket expenses, the Healey administration announced Wednesday.

Middle-income students must be enrolled full-time to qualify, while the grant funding will extend to full- and part-time Pell-eligible students. The financial aid only applies to undergraduate students, according to the administration.

The program is retroactive to the start of the fall 2023 semester. The money had been approved prior to most schools starting, when Healey signed the annual budget in August, though the program details were only released on Wednesday.

The $62 million program uses a pot of newly available revenues stemming from a tax increase on the states highest earners.

State budget writers had an extra $1 billion available this year for education and transportation investments, made available by a surtax voters approved last year on individuals annual income over $1 million -- $84 million of which was earmarked for MASSGrant Plus.

The administration is estimating their plans to make college tuition-free for Pell Grant eligible and up to half-price for middle-income students will cost $62 million, but is leaving the extra $22 million for wiggle room and other financial aid initiatives.

A press release from the Healey administration says the remaining funds will also help implement a new law that allows qualifying undocumented immigrants who have completed high school in Massachusetts to access state financial aid.

Former Gov. Charlie Baker launched MassGrant Plus in 2018 to cover unmet costs of tuition and mandatory fees for low-income community college students. It started with a $7.5 million investment, which at the time doubled the amount available previously for community college scholarships.

After years of significant investment in K-12 education, advocates have seen the passage of the income surtax as an opportunity to make education more affordable at both the beginning and advanced stages of a students career.

In addition to the MASSGrant Plus expansion, the Legislature this year passed another one of Healeys priorities -- a $20 million last-dollar free community college program for Bay Staters over 25 without a college degree, called MassReconnect.

With everyone in Massachusetts facing the states high costs of living, the governor has said that investments in higher education will help the states economy, and encourage an educated workforce to put down roots in Massachusetts.

For so many Massachusetts residents, higher education can be the ticket to their future career and economic stability. Our employers are looking for graduates of Massachusetts exceptional public colleges to meet their workforce needs, and those graduates are most likely to stay in Massachusetts. But far too many people are held back from pursuing the education of their choice because of high costs, Healey said in a statement.

She continued, This expansion of MASSGrant Plus will open doors for more students to access higher education, which will strengthen our economy as a whole. Were grateful to our Legislative partners for making this funding available and look forward to our continued collaboration to make Massachusetts more affordable.

Healey is announcing the program expansion during a visit to Salem State University Wednesday morning.





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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PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  While other regions saw declining cranberry production in 2023, farmers in Oregon are wrapping up another successful season ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday.

The USDA stated in its September Fruit and Tree Nuts Outlook that the countrys top cranberry growers in the U.S.  Wisconsin, Massachusetts and New Jersey  are all anticipating a smaller cranberry harvest in 2023. Wisconsin, which produces roughly 60% of the cranberries grown in the U.S., is expected to see a 5% decline in production in 2023. Massachusetts accounts for 26% of the U.S. crop and is forecast for a 12% decline since 2022. In Oregon, meanwhile, the USDA projects that cranberry farmers will enjoy a healthy increase of 17.5%.

Cranberry production is forecast to be up in Oregon, the fourth-largest cranberry producing State, accounting for 6.2% of U.S. production this season, the USDA stated in its September report. Despite hot temperatures during summer bloom, the 2023 cranberry crop in Oregon is forecast to be 470,000 barrels, up 17.5% from 2022.

A cranberry bog in Bandon, Ore. (File photo courtesy of Bowman Bogs Cranberry Farm)

Northwest farmers overshoot demand by 600 million potatoes

While numbers are thought to be down in the Northeast and the Midwest, Pacific Coast Fruit Company buyer Jenny Williams told KOIN 6 News that the industry saw a 10% jump in cranberry yields in 2022 thanks to an excellent season that produced especially large fruit. Following a bountiful 2022 harvest, cranberry vines expectedly produced smaller fruits in 2023 as the vines replenished themselves, she said. As a result, the industry is mostly seeing yields fall back to normal levels.

This years yield is pretty good, Williams said. Overall sizing is a little on the smaller size. 2022 was an excellent year for the cranberry harvest in terms of yield per acre and overall volume was larger than historical average.

U.S. Cranberry production by state in between 2021 and 2023. (USDA)

Oregon Coast Aquarium unveils renovation plans

Dennis Bowman, the owner of the Bowman Bogs Cranberry Farm in Bandon, told KOIN 6 News that local cranberry farmers saw another year of good prices reaching roughly 50 cents per pound. The price is a healthy improvement compared to the 2010s, he said, when local farmers were selling cranberries for 30 cents per pound.

The decade-long slump in price, Bowman said, was sparked by a massive increase in cranberry farms in the Canadian province of Quebec. Thanks to new varieties of cranberries produced by Rutgers University, he said, Quebec began producing significantly higher yields in a shorter amount of time.

Quebec put in these super vines, instead of getting 30,000 pounds to the acre, theyre getting 50,000 pounds, Bowman said. We just have to grow em 90 days longer and get less.

Bowman said that 25 percent of Oregons cranberry farmers went out of business in 11 years in response to Quebecs effect on the market. While Canada is still the largest source of fresh and processed cranberry imports to the U.S. market, late seasonal frosts caused issues in Quebec, improving prices for U.S. farmers in 2023.

Increases in Canadian production, especially in the province of Quebec, have boosted competition and global cranberry supply, the USDAs report states. This increase in supply has contributed to lower domestic prices. In 2023, late season frosts in Canada led to bud quality issues and decreased production. With production expected to decrease in Canada and the United States this year, cranberry growers are likely to receive higher prices year-over-year.

While farmers are seeing sustainable prices, Williams said that shoppers shouldnt expect rising cranberry prices at the grocery store this Thanksgiving.

Retailers and growers tend to keep that pricing as stable as possible, she said. Cranberries have a history. Growers and retailers are quite aggressive in being able to hold that pricing because its such a Thanksgiving staple.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
Members and supporters of Starbucks Workers United protest outside of a Starbucks store in Dupont Circle on November 16, 2023 in Washington, DC (Kevin Dietsch)

Worker activists at Starbucks called for a strike at unionized coffee shops in the United States on Thursday as the labor group seeks to pressure the coffee giant on stalled contract talks.

The employee walkout, dubbed "Red Cup Rebellion," was timed with a holiday-oriented company promotion that the labor group says is representative of company initiatives marred by understaffing and employee stress.

About 360 Starbucks locations with more than 9,000 employees have voted to unionize in the United States, where the company has more than 10,000 company-owned stores.

The union, Starbucks Workers United, said the stoppage involved "thousands" of Starbucks Baristas at "hundreds" of stores in "more than 200 cities across the nation."

A Starbucks spokesman said the action involves "fewer than a hundred stores where some partners have chosen to participate in protest activities," the majority of which were "open and serving customers."

Neha Cremin, who works for Starbucks in Oklahoma City, joined the walkout to protest promotional events for which the company is not adequately staffed.

"Starbucks is creating unnecessarily stressful working conditions by scheduling promotion after promotion without increasing staffing," Cremin said in the union's press release.

"Understaffing hurts workers and also creates an unpleasant experience for customers. Starbucks has made it clear that they won't listen to workers, so we're advocating for ourselves by going on strike."

The union has also accused the company of conducting a "coordinated, scorched-earth campaign " to "illegally frustrate and stall bargaining" on contracts at the fraction of stores that have voted to unionize.

Starbucks defended its staffing practices, saying store schedules are created three weeks in advance to allow for worker input and preference.

The company also expressed its willingness to negotiate a contract, accusing the union of not agreeing to meet for "more than four months."

jmb/st
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Russia is no longer able to use the Black Sea as its own foothold, and Ukraine has managed to seize the initiative and force the Russians to try and hide their warships.

Source: Zelenskyy to the participants of the summit of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC)

Quote: "For the first time in the world, a fleet of naval drones  the Ukrainian fleet  began operating in the Black Sea. I would also like to point out that now, as one of the key results of our actions, Russia is unable to use the Black Sea as a springboard to destabilise other regions of the world.

So now  more than ever before  it is obvious that our cooperation in our Black Sea region should only increase."

Details: Zelenskyy noted that the western part of the Black Sea has been secured, which now allows for the operation of sea export corridors.

The Danube region, which is also critical to global security, is gaining new importance.

The president added that Ukraine was able to seize the initiative from Russia in the Black Sea and created security conditions that forced the Russians to flee the eastern part of the waterway and try to hide their warships.

The PABSEC includes 13 countries: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Moldova, North Macedonia, Romania, Russia, Serbia, Turkiye and Ukraine.

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Domenic Biagini was aboard a whale watching tour operated by his company off the coast of San Diego when another company alerted him to the presence of orcas nearby.

Due to foggy conditions, the Eastern Tropical Pacific Killer Whales were lost for about an hour, Biagini told McClatchy News in an email. That is until another one of his companys boats found them  and the whale watchers got front-row seats to a harrowing attack.

An unbelievable spectacle unfolded as the orcas approached a small pod of Offshore Bottlenose dolphins, according to an Oct. 7 Instagram post from Biagini. A video shows the moment one of the orcas targeted an adult dolphin.

This group of 8 orcas blitzed a small pod of Offshore Bottlenose dolphins before zeroing in on this chunky adult, Biagini wrote. In a move Ive never seen, the adult dolphin leaped into the air to avoid its pursers! In the end though, orcas can jump too

Biagini said Eastern Tropical Pacific Killer Whales are rarely seen north of San Diego waters and are only seen a few times during the late summer and fall that far north.

Usually when these orcas come here it is to hunt dolphins, Biagini said in his email. Southern California has arguably the most dolphins in the world by some metrics, so its not surprising to have witnessed a hunt. In fact, Ive personally encountered this group of orcas nine times, and all but once they killed and ate a dolphin before heading back into Mexican waters.

Bottlenose dolphins typically grow to between 300 to 1,400 pounds and between 6 feet and 13 feet long, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association.

Social media users shared their shock at the encounter.

Amazing footage, one person wrote. The circle of life is brutal and sad in the wild.

Its always such a conflict of emotions seeing animals hunt each other. Im glad the predator gets to eat but so sad for the prey who dies, another commenter said.

I thought it was going to be a cute dolphin video, a third person wrote. And then I saw the orca.

Predator attacks sea creature in incredible act of nature in CA. See the shredder

Mind-blowing sight. See the moment 3 rare and majestic sea creatures are spotted

Nature in its rawest form: Watch as mother-son orca duo take down humpback calf
WEST PALM BEACH  A disbarred Boca Raton attorney accused of murdering his father was found dead in his jail cell on Wednesday.

Brandon Labiner, 35, died of an apparent suicide by hanging inside the Palm Beach County Jail, a spokesperson for the county medical examiner's office said. His autopsy report was not immediately available.

Labiner had been held at the jail without bail since his arrest in July following the slaying of his father, 68-year-old Paul Labiner, who was also an attorney. He had been scheduled to appear in front of Circuit Judge Cymonie Rowe for a status check on Nov. 28.

Paul Labiner, a Boca Raton attorney

Paul and Brandon Labiner's relationship was contentious in the year leading to Paul's death. Paul Labiner filed a lawsuit against his son in September 2022, accusing him of stealing more than $500,000 from the trust account of Mindy Labiner, Paul's wife.

In the lawsuit, Paul Labiner said the two had "a fairly good father-son relationship" until February 2022, when Brandon Labiner began exhibiting bizarre behavior that harmed Paul physically, emotionally and financially."

Paul Labiner said his son assaulted him in May 2022, causing an injury to his shoulder. Police were called to the scene.

Brandon Labiner was a personal-injury attorney who had worked in his father's law practice before the two had a falling out. Brandon Labiner managed the personal-injury part of the practice, called the Personal Accident and Injury Law Center.

More: Attorney accused of murdering father among 7 lawyers disciplined by Florida Supreme Court

His father's allegation prompted the state Supreme Court to suspend Brandon's law license in an emergency action in April. Police found Paul Labiner with gunshot wounds to his head, chest and lower body in the garage of his law office three months later.

Brandon Labiner barricaded himself in his nearby law office on the 900 block of North Federal Highway after the shooting, police said. The SWAT Team and Crisis Negotiation Team responded. Brandon Labiner eventually surrendered without incident.

Surveillance-camera video from various locations along Federal Highway linked Brandon Labiner to the homicide, police said in a news release. The report also noted an apparent attempt to destroy evidence, as a trash can was set on fire inside Brandon Labiner's office.

The Florida Supreme Court revoked his law license, a move tantamount to disbarment, in October.

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. Support local journalism: Subscribe today.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Florida lawyer accused of killing his father found dead in jail cell
A 65-year-old Israeli woman who was kidnapped by Hamas militants on October 7 has been found dead near Gazas Al-Shifa hospital, the Israeli military said Thursday.

The body of Yehudit Weiss, a resident of kibbutz Beeri, was found by Israeli soldiers in Gaza City and brought back to Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

The statement did not detail how or when she had been killed, but said military, medical and rabbinate personnel had identified the body and informed her family.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a televised news briefing that Hamas had killed Weiss. He did not offer further details of the precise cause of her death.

Unfortunately, Yehudit was murdered by the terrorists in the Gaza Strip, and we didnt reach her on time, he said.

The IDF sends its heartfelt condolences to the family, the earlier IDF statement said. The national task before our eyes is to locate the missing and return the abducted persons home.

Weiss was among more than 200 people taken hostage by Hamas during its terror attack on October 7, when its fighters poured into southern Israel and killed more than 1,200 people. Weisss husband, Shmuel, was among those killed.

The IDF said her body had been recovered from what it called a structure near to the Al-Shifa hospital, where the IDF on Wednesday launched what it called a precise and targeted operation against Hamas, which it says has been using the hospital for military purposes.

Hamas and hospital officials have consistently rejected Israels claims that Hamas has built a command center under the hospital.

The IDF also claimed in its statement that in the structure in which Yehudit was located, military equipment including Kalashnikov rifles and RPGs were also found.

The Israeli military also said Thursday that it had found an operational tunnel shaft inside the Shifa hospital complex and published a statement that included a photo and video purporting to show it.

CNN is unable to verify the claim.

Israel is under significant international pressure to prove its claims about Hamas infiltration of the hospital, in order to justify some of its military decisions, which could otherwise constitute a possible serious violation of international humanitarian law.

Kibbutz Beeri lies just a few kilometers from the Gaza Strip and its liberal community has been a frequent target of Hamas rockets fired from the enclave  usually intercepted by Israeli defenses.

But the kibbutz became the site of a massacre on October 7, as Hamas militants breached the compound and murdered more than 120 of its residents, including children, and kidnapped others.

The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, a group established by the families of those abducted by Hamas, said Weiss was a 65-year-old grandmother.

This is a developing story and will be updated.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Are you ready? Not for the holiday hoopla, but for something that in these troubled times can give everyone something to look forward to  and make your gift- giving easier.

Black Friday-Cyber Monday is nearly upon us complete with many great travel deals whether you want to take the kids to an all-inclusive resort, gather your siblings for a river cruise, the entire family for a bucket list trip to Alaska or Africa or share a white-water experience with your teens.

If you have a favorite travel brand, follow them on social media for the inside track.

Be ready to book (and make sure everyone in your group is ready) as soon as the deal goes live. Read the fine print so you know your options if you should need to cancel or change the dates. Protect your investment with travel insurance.

If Alaska is on your mind: Holland America Line is offering up to 30 percent off all sailings booked between Nov. 17 and Dec. 1. Select cruises also include prepaid stateroom crew appreciation, resulting in an added value of up to nearly $700 per person depending on the length of sailing. Guests can save on iconic cruise itineraries such as the 7-Day Alaska Inside Passage.

Salmon Falls Resort in Ketchikan is famous for world-class salmon fishing and adventure excursions and is offering 30 percent off rates starting at $945 per person, per night for their all-inclusive adventure packages, which includes lodging, meals and activities, including fully guided fishing, bear viewing via float plane, eco-kayaking, ziplining and much more. The deal must be booked between Nov. 16 and Dec. 4, 2023 and is valid for stays between May 1 to Sept. 30, 2024. Click here (Black Friday) and here (Cyber Monday link).

How about Hawaii?Alohilani Resort in the heart of Waikiki is offering 30 percent off (rates starting from $225 per night). Deal must be booked between Nov. 16 and Dec. 2, 2023 and is valid for stays between Nov. 16, 2023 and Dec. 23, 2024. How to book: click here (Black Friday) and here (Cyber Monday) .

The Surfjack Hotel & Swim Club also in Waikiki where we stayed last year is offering a 21 percent savings off one-room bungalow, one-room bedroom, and two-room bedroom. Book Nov. 17 to Nov. 30 for stays until Dec. 31, 2024.

You can give back with a booking. If you are traveling without kids (or grown kids), Sandals Resorts and the family-oriented Beaches Resorts are giving guests up to a $750 air credit and up to a $250 resort credit on vacations of seven nights or more at select properties, including the new Sandals Dunns Rive r in Jamaica; Sandals Royal Curacao; and Sandals Saint Vincent debuting in 2024. Bookings can be made with the promo code GOB2023 between Nov. 13, 2023 and Dec. 21, 2023 for travel through Nov. 3, 2024. For every booking made between Thanksgiving and Giving Tuesday (Nov. 23 to Nov. 28), $50 will be donated to the Sandals Foundation, the nonprofit arm of Sandals Resorts International, to support its ocean conservation efforts, specifically the expansion of coral nurseries throughout the Caribbean, which hosts 10 percent of the worlds coral reefs.

Machu Picchu, Peru.

I love river cruises because the boats are small, there are no long bus rides to sightsee, and they are all-inclusive. Uniworld Boutique River Cruises, with sailings in Europe, Egypt, South America and Asia, is bringing back its 12 Days of Christmas Event this year. A new offer will be unveiled each business day for 12 days, with the first deal unveiled on Black Friday. The offers will include 50 percent off popular cruises. Guests can also expect new Cruise & Air combo savings of up to $3, 000 USD on select journeys, including in Italy, Portugal and the Peruvian Amazon and Machu Picchu.

Perhaps you have always wanted to celebrate St. Patricks Day in Ireland or explore your Irish heritage. Brendan Vacations, the experts in Celtic travel, are offering 2024 travelers the chance to book an elevated experience through Ireland and Scotland with a bonus of $250 off per person for private chauffeur and deluxe self-drive trips or $200 off per person on self-drive and locally hosted rail experiences.

Gift your college and post- college kids a trip with Contiki, the social travel company for travelers 18 to 35. The company is offering savings of up to 25 percent on more than 60 trips  everywhere from South Korea to South Africa and Europe. Tours led by expert trip managers include accommodations, transportation and most meals. Book Nov. 17 through Nov. 30, 2023.

If you have always wanted to sail across the Atlantic in luxury as travelers once did, Cunards Black Friday Cyber Monday Sale will offer discounts of up to 40 percent off launch fares with fares from $799 (USD). The offer is valid across 191 voyages, including their famous transatlantic crossings, Alaska, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Asia, Northern Europe, Mediterranean and more. Book between Nov. 16 and Dec. 4, 2023, for 2024 or 2025.

Celebrity Cruises wants its guests to Have It All this season as the cruise line announced today one of its biggest Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals ever. From Nov. 10 to Dec. 5, travelers who book a cruise on Celebrity can get 75 percent off a second guest as well as up to $300 in on board credit for nearly all itineraries through April 30, 2026.

Im a fan of whitewater raft trips because, besides the adrenaline rush, you are treated to time in a spectacular back country without all of the work such a trip usually entails. We loved the OARS Salmon River trip last summer. OARS will be offering 20 percent off a selection of multi-day river trips in the West (including trips on the Colorado, Green, Salmon, and Rogue River among others) Nov. 21 through Dec. 3, 2023. Sign up to receive emails at OARS.com or follow us on social media for details.

You will also find deals for what you need to travel. Gift a new spinner suitcase from Briggs & Riley ( love their lifetime guarantees) with discounts up to 32 percent. Purchase between Nov. 22 and 27. Gift those traveling with a baby a gift card for BabyQuip that offers rental gear available at more than 1,200 locations. Save 10 percent off (max savings $30) Nov. 19 through Nov. 28 with code: GIVING.

Phew. You just saved a lot of time and money on your holiday gift list.

(For more Taking the Kids, visit www.takingthekids.com and also follow TakingTheKids on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram where Eileen Ogintz welcomes your questions and comments. The fourth edition of The Kids Guide to New York City and the third edition of The Kids Guide to Washington D.C. are the latest in a series of 14 books for kid travelers published by Eileen.)

(c)2023 Eileen Ogintz. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Last week, editors Matt Welch, Katherine Mangu-Ward, Nick Gillespie, and Peter Suderman recorded an episode of The Reason Roundtable in front of a live audience at Reason's brand-new Washington, D.C., office. Topics ranged from Lina Khan's crusade against corporations at the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to deciding which foreign policy views of the remaining Republican candidates are the least bad.

1:15The administrative state and Lina Khan's anti-corporatism

17:53Presidential politics and what Republican candidates think about Israel

33:08The sequel to Choice: The Best of Reason

46:54Pieces of art or whatever that are about Washington, D.C.

Mentioned in this podcast:

Why We Can't Have Nice Things, hosted by Eric Boehm.

"Is it Time to Trust-Bust Taylor Swift?" by Peter Suderman

"Cypherpunks Write Code," by Jim Epstein

"How Virginia's Hospital Licensing Laws Led to an Infant's Death," by Eric Boehm

"The Paranoid Center," by Jesse Walker

Send your questions to roundtable@reason.com. Be sure to include your social media handle and the correct pronunciation of your name.

Video edit by Adam Czarnecki; audio production by Luke Allen; assistant production by John Carter and Hunt Beaty.



Music: "Angeline," by The Brothers Steve

The post A Bonus <i>Reason Roundtable</i>. Live From Washington, D.C.! appeared first on Reason.com.
While performing combat missions on the Svatove front, border guards of one of the combat units of the 15th mobile detachment captured a 38-year-old Russian intelligence officer.

Source: State Border Guard Service of Ukraine

Details: The prisoner said he previously worked as a repairman in the southeast of the Russian Federation, from where he was mobilised in October 2022.

First, he joined a tank brigade and built fortifications on the border of the Russian Federation with Ukraine in Kursk Oblast.

In the autumn of 2023, he was transferred to a reconnaissance unit on the Svatove front, changed into a military uniform similar to the model of the Ukrainian army, and sent to conduct reconnaissance and assault operations, during which he came across a mine-explosive barrier.

    38-  -

  pic.twitter.com/faqnnouonk     (@ukrpravda_news) November 16, 2023

Quote: "After the explosion, the reconnaissance group left their wounded brother-in-arms.

Soldiers of the Steel Border Brigade evacuated the wounded Ruscist from the battlefield and provided first aid.

Therefore, the would-be scout survived thanks to being captured, and will subsequently replenish the exchange fund [for prisoners of war  ed.]."

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Demonstrators seeking a cease-fire in Israels war with Hamas blocked traffic Thursday morning on the Boston University bridge connecting Cambridge to Boston.

The protestors were calling in part for Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) to support their calls for a cease-fire, according to The Associated Press.

In a post Thursday morning on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, Massachusetts State Police (MSP) said their officers, along with those with the Boston and Cambridge police departments, deployed to the bridge.

Hours later, MSP shared that the demonstrators have left the scene, allowing traffic to resume.

FINAL UPDATE-The protestors have left the BU Bridge, MSP said in its X post. The bridge is open to traffic.

The Associated Press reported that demonstrators, who were chanting Cease-fire now! throughout their protest, were calling for Warren to support a cease-fire and use her platform to urge Israelis government to stop its military action in the Gaza Strip.

The protest was organized by IfNotNow, a group that represents the Jewish community in the Boston area.

The Hill has reached out to the Massachusetts State Police and IfNotNow for comment and more information.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The House Ethics Committee released a scathing report Thursday about embattled New York Rep. George Santos, finding evidence he broke federal laws, stole from his campaign and delivered a constant series of lies to voters and donors on his way to winning a US House seat.

The 56-page report into his troubled tenure immediately triggered fresh calls to expel the freshman Republican from Congress and prompted the often-defiant Santos to declare that he would not seek reelection next year.

The findings from an investigative subcommittee of the House Ethics Committee range from evidence that campaign funds were used to pay for Botox and leisure travel to signs that Santos was deeply involved in filing false reports to federal regulators that masked the true state of his finances and that of his campaign.

Representative Santos sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit, the report concluded.

The committee also concluded that sexual harassment claims brought against Santos by someone who was seeking employment in his congressional office could not substantiated.

But the panel referred its findings about his campaign finances and other activity to the US Justice Department, concluding Santos conduct was beneath the dignity of the office and has brought severe discredit upon the House.

Heres a look at some of the key takeaways from the report:

Report describes use of campaign funds for personal travel and cosmetics

The report provided extensive evidence that Santos used campaign funds for lavish personal use.

Santos racked up significant travel expenses for flights, hotels, Ubers and meals that do not appear to have any political or campaign purpose.

While one witness told the ethics panel there were only two trips taken during the campaign to Washington, DC, and Florida, additional witnesses described Santos travel as much more frequent.

One witness said Santos traveled once per month, and another testified they were worried about the look of the campaign spending all this money on  all these dinners and travel outside of the district.

Another staffer who witnessed Santos use campaign funds for meals and Ubers described Santos as a high roller, but said they did not have concerns about the spending.

In December 2021, Santos put taxi and hotel charges from Las Vegas on the campaign credit card, even though that was a time when he told his campaign staff he was on his honeymoon and there were no campaign events on his calendar.

A Federal Election Commission report listed a July 7, 2022, $3,332.81 Airbnb expenditure as Hotel stay, when the campaigns calendar revealed Santos was off at [the] Hamptons for the weekend.

Santos also spent $2,281.52 at resorts in Atlantic City from July 23 to July 24, 2022, a day when his calendar revealed he had one event at 8pm on the 24th entitled NRCC Candidate.

One former Santos staffer told the Ethics panel he did not recall any sort of fundraising or campaign things in Atlantic City, but said Santos told him he enjoyed visiting casinos to play roulette, often with his husband.

Additionally, spa and cosmetic services did not appear to have a campaign purpose.

Examples in the report include:

 $1,400 at Virtual Skin Spa in Jericho, New York, in July 2022

 $225 at CityMD in Huntington, New York, on August 27, 2022

 $1,500 purchase on the campaign debit card in 2020 was made at Mirza Aesthetics, which was not reported to the FEC and was noted as Botox in expense spreadsheets

 $1,400 charge at Virtual Skin Spa was a campaign debit card purchase that was also described as Botox in the spreadsheets

 An unreported PayPal payment of $1,029.30 to an esthetician associated with a spa in Rhinebeck, New York.

 $4,127.80 purchase at Hermes

 Smaller purchases at Only Fans, Sephora, meals, and parking.

Report outlines long list of lies

A vulnerability report commissioned by his campaign during the 2022 election cycle  and included in the ethics report released Thursday  chronicles his lies about his education and his employment history and details multiple eviction notices and civil judgments.

These reports, typically created to show what opposition research can be dug up on a candidate, runs some 137 pages long.

Topping the vulnerability report are Santos lies about his education  that he graduated with an MBA from New York University and a bachelors degree from Baruch College.

The registrar offices at both institutions said there was no record of Santos earning any degree from either university, the report said.

The report also detailed at least three housing eviction lawsuits were filed against Santos and his family in Queens, New York between 2014 and 2017, and notes that Santos has had multiple civil judgments filed against him for owing thousands of dollars to creditors.

In this November 2022 photo, then-Republican candidate for New York's 3rd congressional district George Santos, talks to a voter while campaigning outside a Stop and Shop store in Glen Cove, New York. - Mary Altaffer/AP

Santos reimbursed for personal loans he didnt make

One of the enduring questions about Santos campaign filings has been his claim that he provided six-figure personal loans in support of his congressional bids  given his modest means.

In its report, the committee concluded that there is substantial evidence that most of the nearly $800,000 that Santos reported making in personal loans to his campaign committee and to an aligned leadership PAC in the 2020 and 2022 election cycles were not actually made or properly disclosed to regulators at the Federal Election Commission, known as the FEC. (Santos ran unsuccessfully for Congress in 2020 before winning his Long Island seat last year.)

Additionally, the investigators found that Santos was improperly reimbursed with donors money for campaign loans he didnt make.

The report also took aim at Santos repeated characterization of himself as the victim of a rogue campaign treasurer, saying he was heavily involved in the day-to-day financial operations of his campaigns.

Representative Santos has login credentials to access the campaigns bank accounts online, reviewed FEC reports, tracked money as it was coming and going out of the campaign, reviewed invoices and received weekly finance reports, the report states.

In October, his former treasurer, Nancy Marks, admitted in court to conspiring with Santos to fill out federal documents with false claims and information as part of pleading guilty to one count of conspiracy to defraud the United States.

Ethics panel concludes sexual harassment allegation against Santos was not substantiated

The House Ethics panel said there was not substantial evidence to support a sexual harassment allegation brought against Santos.

The claim that Santos may have engaged in sexual misconduct was brought by an individual seeking employment in Santos congressional office as a staff assistant, referred to in the report as witness 10.

Based on the investigation, the report reads that there was not substantial reason to believe that Representative Santos sexually harassed or discriminated against Witness 10, a prospective employee.

Witness 10 was asked to come to Santos congressional office on January 25, 2023, to meet the team. Witness 10 returned to the office on several occasions, but then was told to wait until Human Resources cleared his hire and he could be properly onboarded. On February 1, the offer was rescinded due to the offices concerns about then-pending felony wiretapping charges against him.

Two days later, witness 10 filed a complaint with the House Ethics Committee alleging Santos engaged in sexual misconduct towards him while they were alone in the Congressmans office on January 25, 2023, going over mail correspondence from constituents. 

Investigators say in the report they were unable to substantiate this claim.

Testimony from other witnesses the panel interviewed contradicted witness 10s claims about reviewing mail and being alone with Santos. Witness 11 told the panel that witness 10 was always in the middle of the room around people, always supervised.

Witness 8 testified: If its not me thats with the congressman at all times, its either the [legislative] director or the chief or the [communications] director[.] So theres no opportunity for [him] to be alone with the congressman.

Witness 5 told the committee that witness 10 never went through the mail. Witness 5 also said that they took the mail home with them and witness 10 also corroborated Witness 5s testimony that she took the mail home with her.

Beyond that, the committee raised concerns about witness 10s credibility. Witness 10 admitted to contacting the FBI with his allegation against Santos and asked to be paid by them for the information he had regarding Santos.

I was aware that they paid confidential informants, and I was seeking compensation, witness 10 told the committee.

Panel navigated DOJs overlapping criminal probe

The committee said it uncovered additional uncharged and unlawful conduct by Santos that go beyond the criminal allegations already pending against him, and would immediately refer these allegations to the Justice Department for further investigation.

He has pleaded not guilty to 23 federal crimes, including some matters that the panel looked into, like allegedly misusing campaign funds and lying on House financial disclosures.

House investigators said they amassed more than 170,000 pages of documents and testimony from dozens of witnesses as part of their own inquiry, and would send that to federal prosecutors.

But the report also indicates that there was some tension between the overlapping DOJ criminal probe and House ethics probe.

The ethics panel reached out to the Justice Department to deconflict their investigations, and top DOJ officials asked them in March to pause the ethics probe. But the subcommittee that handled the Santos matter, called the ISC, decided to move forward.

Based on its constitutional and rule-based mandates, the unique circumstances of this case, and the ISCs concern that fully deferring to DOJ until the conclusion of the criminal prosecution would effectively prevent the Committee from exercising any oversight of Representative Santos conduct, the ISC determined to conduct a review of the allegations while continuing to communicate with DOJ to mitigate potential interference, the report said.

As part of that coordination to mitigate potential interference, the ethics panel temporarily delayed parts of its review and decided to forgo certain steps, including seeking interviews with 20 witnesses.

The House report says DOJs deferral requests prevented them from getting to the bottom of certain allegations.

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STUART  When a 17-year-old boy was shot Sept. 3 while driving on Southeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard near the Stuart Police Department, his would-be killers targeted him by mistake, according to an arrest affidavit that accuses two teenagers of attempted murder.

The unidentified boy, who drove his car to police headquarters seeking medical attention, suffered a graze wound to the head.

Officers found a bullet hole in the rear windshield of the white Chevrolet Cruze and a possible bullet hole exit area on the front windshield, reports stated.

At the time, the boy and an unidentified passenger were returning home from a Labor Day weekend summer bash at the Jensen Beach Causeway, according to a probable cause affidavit written by Stuart Police Officer Zachary Pecci.

Police at the scene recovered eight .45-caliber spent shell casings on the roadway, sidewalk and front yard of a home in the 300 block of Southeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard.

A white Chevrolet Cruze, with a rear windshield that appears to have a bullet hole, is pictured in front of the entrance to the Stuart Police Department, Sunday, Sept. 3, 2023. Police said the teen driver had been shot nearby, around 5 p.m., and nearly crashed his car into the building shortly afterward, seeking medical attention.

Adult crimes

Two boys arrested in October related to the shooting are being prosecuted as adults, records show.

Kayden Marcantony Leonard, 16, of Stuart, and Elijah Jayland Laguerre, 17, of Port St. Lucie, face two counts of attempted murder and one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, according to charging documents.

Leonard faces additional gun charges in a separate case, including two counts of possession of a firearm after being found delinquent, and two counts of discharging a firearm in public.

If convicted as charged, Leonard and Laguerre face up to life in prison.

Both have pleaded not guilty and are being held without bond at the Martin County Jail, records show.

Assistant State Attorney David Lustgarten said the state decided to prosecute the teens as adults after conducting an analysis of the evidence collected during an ongoing investigation.

The juvenile justice system, he said, would not have been sufficient or provide for sufficient punishment.

When you have two young men  engaged in this type of activity, where they go out of their way to plan and execute a murder, we need to move on this with seriousness, he said.

In this case, Lustgarten added, it was mistaken identity. They shot at the wrong person.

Reached this week, Stuart lawyer Lance P. Richard, who represents Leonard, decline to comment. Attorney Whitney Duteau, who represents Laguerre, said shes reviewing the states evidence and exploring our options.

GPS tracking surveillance

An investigation by Stuart police showed Leonard and Laguerre were at the same causeway party in a Honda Civic when they spotted the boy in a white Chevrolet Cruze who they followed to East Stuart.

The passenger with the boy told Pecci the two had arrived at 3 p.m. and recognized most people from the different area high schools.

Around 4 p.m., Martin County sheriffs deputies shut down the party, so they headed home, Pecci was told.

Near the intersection of Southeast Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Southeast Dixie Highway in Stuart, the boy and his passenger noticed a gray Honda Civic following them. Looking out the rearview mirror, the boy saw a Black male wearing red pants and a gray shirt, sitting completely outside of the front passengers side  with a black in color pistol in his hand, Pecci wrote.

The passenger, who didnt know the two men, ducked and heard a shot.

Investigators obtained surveillance video recorded between the Jensen Beach Causeway and East Stuart that showed a gray Honda Civic traveling the same path as the boy in his Chevrolet Cruze, which then fled the area  after the shooting occurred.

The Honda belonged to Lucson Laguerre, Sr., in Port St. Lucie, according to a registration check. With a judges approval, investigators on Sept. 9 installed a GPS tracking device on the vehicle, records show.

Two days later, sheriffs deputies responding to a call about shots fired at Southeast Inez Avenue and Southeast Arthur Street, reported that a witness saw someone shoot into a wooded area then left in a gray Honda Civic. The witness said the same suspects were responsible for another shooting on Sept. 7 in the same location.

Minutes later, deputies stopped the Honda and found Elijah Laguerre driving. His passenger was a missing juvenile out of Clay County, Pecci reported.

Three iPhones belonging to Laguerre were seized.

Laguerre, who deputies confirmed was on juvenile probation, was arrested and transferred to the Martin County Jail.

Detectives later spoke to a Stuart woman living on Southeast Jack Avenue who confirmed that her son Kayden Leonard hung out with Laguerre.

Incriminating video

A video on Laguerres phone created on Sept. 3 at 4:18 p.m. showed him in the Hondas driver seat recording Leonard in the passenger seat at the causeway.

Both Elijah Laguerre and Kayden Leonard are holding one handgun each, Pecci reported the video depicted.

Laguerre zoomed the phone camera on a black male walking toward the party wearing distinct red shorts, consistent with the clothing the boy had on when he was shot, Pecci noted.

They talked about whether the boy they saw was a person identified in a state filing as Lil Sham.

Laguerre and Leonard, the report stated, spoke about wanting to shoot the individual.

They realized that night the boy who was shot was not who they believed him to be.

Later that evening, Pecci reported, Elijah Laguerre and Kayden Leonard text messaged each other talking about their misidentification.

Belvedere Terminals: Fuel farm sparks public safety and water pollution concerns

Charity concert: American Idol judge Luke Bryan to perform in Martin County

Melissa E. Holsman is the legal affairs reporter for TCPalm and Treasure Coast Newspapers and is writer and co-host of "Uncertain Terms," a true-crime podcast. Reach her at melissa.holsman@tcpalm.com. If you are a subscriber, thank you. If not, become a subscriber to get the latest local news on the Treasure Coast.

This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Two teens charged as adults in Sept. 3 shooting of Stuart boy
Police in Brazil face frequent violence but are accused of killing a disproportionate number of black citizens (CARL DE SOUZA)

Police violence in Brazil killed the equivalent of more than one black person every four hours last year, disproportionately hitting the Afro-Brazilian population, a report said Thursday.

At least 2,770 black and mixed-race Brazilians died as a result of police operations in 2022, representing 87 percent of all such deaths, according to the report by the Network of Security Observatories, an umbrella group of public security organizations.

Black and mixed-race Brazilians make up 56 percent of the country's 203 million people.

"Once again, the number of blacks killed by police represents the vast majority, highlighting the violent and racist structure of police activity," the group's coordinator, Silvia Ramos, said in a statement.

The report, based on freedom of information requests, said much of the violence was concentrated in favelas and other poor communities, where Brazil's police wage frequent battles with heavily armed drug gangs.

The police are often targets of deadly violence themselves. Those victims are also disproportionately black: according to the Brazilian Public Security Forum, blacks make up around 37 percent of the country's police forces but 52 percent of murdered police officers.

Brazil was the last country to abolish slavery in the Americas, in 1888.

The number of blacks killed by police in Brazil was far higher than in the United States, another country where allegations of racism and excessive police violence have been in the spotlight.

In the US, 312 black people were killed by police in 2022, according to the monitoring group Mapping Police Violence.

That represented 26 percent of those killed by police, for a demographic that makes up 13 percent of the US population, according to the group.

msi/jhb/sms
For the first time since that spy balloon drove a wedge between them, President Joe Biden and China's Xi Jinping met up in San Francisco. After all these eye drops recalls, should we be worried about over-the-counter drugs? And microplastics are everywhere  even the clouds.

 Hello there! Laura Davis here. Its Wednesday! Lets get you caught up on the news.

But first: "Red Cup Rebellion."  Starbucks' famed Red Cup Day is Thursday. And thousands of workers are planning a walkout.

The Short List is a snappy USA TODAY news roundup. Subscribe to the newsletter here.

After a year of silence, Biden, China's Xi meet

Nearly a year to the day since the last time they sat down together, Biden met up with China's Xi Jinping at a Wednesday summit that Washington hopes will result in Beijing being willing to pick up the phone the next time there's a crisis. With so many clashes taking place in the world, the U.S. says the world's two biggest military powers can't afford to be giving each other the silent treatment. Beijing formally suspended the military communication channel more than a year ago and declined the Pentagon's calls when a Chinese spy balloon was found floating over the U.S. earlier this year, derailing Biden's plan at the time to improve relations.  What we know about the meeting.

US President Joe Biden greets Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday before a meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' week.

War inside a hospital

Israeli special forces sweeping through the Gaza Strip's largest hospital Wednesday found "concrete evidence" Hamas was using the hospital as a military command center, multiple media outlets reported, citing Israeli military sources. A senior military official said Hamas weapons and other evidence were found at the sprawling Shifa campus. The U.N. estimates at least 2,300 staff, patients and displaced Gaza civilians have taken refuge there as Israeli forces have been rolling through Gaza since Hamas militants' violent border rampage on Oct. 7. Israel has claimed for weeks that Hamas was hiding militants and assets in Shifa and other Gaza hospitals. The White House said it had intelligence confirming the claim, which Hamas leaders have repeatedly denied.  Follow our live coverage.

Displaced Palestinians sit by a lit fire in front of their tent and inspect the damage caused by rain on Wednesday in Khan Yunis, Gaza. Heavy fighting rages in the northern Gaza Strip as Israel encircles the area despite increasingly pressing calls for a cease-fire.

 Sign up for USA TODAY's Israel and Hamas war newsletter to receive weekday updates on the escalating conflict.

What everyone's talking about

The Short List is free, but several stories we link to are subscriber-only. Consider supporting our journalism and become a USA TODAY digital subscriber today.

 Should we be worried about over-the-counter drugs?

It's a problem that was in plain sight. Over-the-counter eye drops used by millions of Americans for everything from allergies to dry eyes hadn't been as carefully monitored as prescription products. Since February, more than two dozen versions of over-the-counter eye drops have been recalled in the United States because they had been potentially contaminated.

Are OTC drugs safe? Doctors say the vast majority of drugs sold without prescriptions are safe  but not all of them. New research highlights gaps in the federal oversight of these nonprescription drugs that might have allowed a small number of tainted products to circulate, exposing consumers to serious risk.  What to know.

Microplastics: Coming to a sky near you?

Pollution from microplastics is in our oceans and mountains, our food and even our bodies. Now, according to a new study published Wednesday, microplastics have been discovered in clouds  and they might be affecting our weather.

 What are we dealing with? Microplastics are teeny-tiny particles of  you guessed it  plastic that come from the breakdown of trash like clothes, packaging and tires. They consist of any type of plastic less than five millimeters long.

 Could microplastics affect the weather? What the study found.

A break from the news

Laura L. Davis is an Audience Editor at USA TODAY. Say hello: laura@usatoday.com. This is a compilation of stories from across the USA TODAY Network. Support quality journalism like this? Subscribe to USA TODAY here.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping, Israel-Hamas war, eye drops: Wednesday's news
The federal trial of an ex-police officer accused of violating Breonna Taylor's civil rights has ended in a mistrial with a deadlocked jury.

It marks the second time Brett Hankison has avoided a conviction relating to the case, after he was found not guilty on state charges last year.

Ms Taylor was killed in a botched police raid in Louisville, Kentucky, on 13 March 2020.

Her name became a rallying cry at racial justice protests nationwide.

It was not immediately clear whether prosecutors would seek a re-trial.

The nine-day case revolved around whether the use of force by Mr Hankison, 47, had violated the rights of Ms Taylor, her boyfriend Kenneth Walker and her next-door neighbours.

While Ms Taylor, a 26-year-old nursing student, and her boyfriend slept at her apartment in the early morning hours, officers executed a "no-knock" search warrant for a narcotics raid, using a battering ram.

Ms Taylor's boyfriend fired a single shot when officers knocked down the door because he said they did not announce themselves and he thought they were intruders.

Mr Hankison fired 10 rounds through Ms Taylor's window and sliding glass door.

Another officer, Myles Cosgrove, fired the shot that killed Ms Taylor, but prosecutors said his use of deadly force was justified because Mr Walker had opened fire first.

The shots Mr Hankison fired did not strike anyone, but some landed in the neighbouring apartment, which was home to a young child.

Brett Hankison could have faced life in prison if convicted

On the stand in Louisville, the ex-detective admitted he could not see a target but believed a shootout was taking place and acted to save his and his fellow officers' lives.

Mr Hankison's attorney argued he acted swiftly to help his colleagues, believing they were in danger because of gunfire coming from inside the apartment.

"I had to react," Mr Hankison testified, according to the Associated Press. "I had no choice."

Jurors were in their fourth day of deliberations over the two counts against Mr Hankison when they told the judge on Thursday that they could not come to a decision.

District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings had earlier urged the 12-member panel to keep trying to reach a verdict after they indicated they were at an impasse, the Associated Press reported.

She told the court that security officials in the building had to visit the jury room in response to "elevated voices" heard during the deliberations, the outlet added.

The dual deprivation-of-rights charges against Mr Hankison carried a maximum sentence of life in prison.

In March 2022, a Kentucky state jury spent about three hours in deliberation before finding Mr Hankison not guilty on three counts of felony wanton endangerment during the incident.

But three other former officers involved with the raid have been charged in separate federal cases.

One of them, Kelly Goodlett, has pleaded guilty to falsifying the warrant and is expected to testify against the others, Joshua Jaynes and Kyle Meany, in their joint trial next year.

In December, Mr Walker received a $2m (1.7m) settlement from the city over the incident.
An alleged conman gave a 71-year-old widow "a couple of glasses of wine" before taking her to a bank to apply for a 25,000 loan, a court has heard.

Layne Perry, who was living in a caravan in Bridgend county but claimed to be a rich businessman, is accused of 21 counts of theft and fraud.

He allegedly swindled Sharan Jones out of more than 98,000 in savings and targeted two others.

Mr Perry denies all the charges at Cardiff Crown Court.

Cardiff Crown Court heard on Thursday that Mrs Jones, from Aberdare, Rhondda Cynon Taf, thought of Mr Perry as a member of her family and trusted him "implicitly".

Mrs Jones said he drove her to her bank in Aberdare to apply for the loan and waited outside in the car. She said he gave her the wine because she was anxious about asking for the money.

"I was really nervous," she said. "He told me: 'You're not doing anything wrong.'

"I don't know what he wanted it for."

Giving evidence in the witness box from behind a screen, Mrs Jones said she first met Mr Perry a year after the death of her husband Adrian, as her son was in a relationship with Mr Perry's sister Keira.

She said her husband had always looked after financial matters, so she did not not know how to use internet banking and had no idea how much money was in her accounts.

Mr Perry, who is originally from London, told her he was wealthy. He took her to horse races.

"He lived the horse life," she said. "He loved champagne."

She said as time went on he took control of her bank accounts.

"He told me not to worry," said Mrs Jones. "He would take my letters unopened, I just gave them to him."

The court was told 98,350 was taken from her in total and Mr Perry also took out loans and credit cards in her name.

Emma Harris, prosecuting, listed cash withdrawals made from Mrs Jones' accounts of sums including 1,500, 6,000 and 10,000.

She asked her: "Do you recognise any of those figures?"

Mrs Jones replied: "No, no, never never. I wouldn't have taken money out like that, no."

'It was like something off the telly'

The jury was told that Mr Perry told Mrs Jones he was going to buy a country estate in Gloucestershire and planned to live there with his partner Serena, who would train horses.

He told her he wanted Mrs Jones to go with the couple.

"He cared so much for me. I was going to have a new life in Gloucestershire," she said.

"In my mind's eye, it was like something off the telly. I embraced it. I thought I'd have company for the rest of my life."

Mrs Jones put her house in Aberdare on the market and Mr Perry advised her to go for a quick sale.

The property was marketed at 119,000 but Mrs Jones said she thought the real value was approximately 150,000.

"He said to go for a quick sale because he had plenty of money. He said we'd be moving soon," she said.

She added that Mr Perry did not want her to tell her son Theo about her plans to sell, and contact between mother and son had became less frequent.

The trial continues.
In this photo provided by the Ukrainian Presidential Press Office on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, left, speaks with Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron on the occasion of their meeting, in Kyiv, Ukraine. (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office via AP)

KYIV, Ukraine (AP)  David Cameron traveled Thursday to the Ukrainian port of Odesa in his first overseas trip as Britain's new foreign minister, and pledged that the U.K. would continue providing military support until Ukraine is victorious in its war with Russia.

Cameron, a former prime minister who returned to government in a surprise appointment Monday in a Cabinet shuffle, said he wanted to make Ukraine his first diplomatic destination, and met Wednesday with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

I admire the strength and determination of the Ukrainian people, he told Zelenskyy in a video posted by the president.

Cameron said the U.K. would continue to provide moral, economic and diplomatic support but above all, the military support that you need not just this year and next year but however long it takes.

The two-day visit came as Ukraine faces several challenges on and off the battlefield.

Zelenskyy has struggled to capture the world's attention as focus has shifted to the Middle East and Israel's war with Hamas. Additional U.S. funding for Ukraine is jeopardized by political fights in Washington and the European Union says it can't provide all the munitions it promised. Meanwhile, Ukraine's counteroffensive has led to only incremental gains and the ground war appears bogged down in a stalemate as winter arrives.

Western officials, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss intelligence, said Thursday that the land war was likely to remain essentially stuck for the foreseeable future. One official said neither side was capable of mounting a decisive offense and Kyiv's counteroffensive had not changed Russian President Vladimir Putin's aim to control Ukraine.

Zelenskyy thanked Cameron for visiting and told him that the divided focus in the world does not help his cause.

A good meeting, Zelenskyy wrote on Telegram on Thursday. Weapons for the front, strengthening of air defense, protection of our people and critical infrastructure. I am grateful to the UK for its support!

Cameron said he wanted to find out what Ukraine needs from its friends and also make sure it is not forgotten on the world stage.

Russia thinks it can wait this war out, and that the West will eventually turn its attention elsewhere, Cameron said in a statement Thursday. This could not be further from the truth. In my first discussions with President Zelenskyy in my new role, I made clear that the U.K. and our partners will support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes for them to achieve victory.

The U.K. has been one of the strongest supporters of Ukraine in defending itself from Russia.

As of last month, the U.K. said it was second to the U.S. in providing military funds to Ukraine, giving 4.6 billion pounds ($5.7 billion) worth of assistance and training 30,000 Ukrainian troops on British soil.

Cameron was prime minister when Russia illegally annexed the Crimean Peninsula in 2014. He launched a program to have the British Army train more than 22,000 Ukrainian soldiers.

After meeting with Zelenskyy and other officials on Wednesday, Cameron became the first U.K. minister to travel to the port city of Odesa since the war began.

The historic city on the Black Sea is home to the nation's busiest ports and serves as the one of the main shipping points for Ukrainian grain destined for world markets. The city and ports have come under fire since Russia in August declined to renew a deal allowing Ukraine to safely export grain via the Black Sea.

Cameron was shown how Ukraine is fighting back against Russia in the Black Sea to ensure that grain is still reaching countries in the developing world, his office said, though it provided no details.

Since the collapse of the grain deal, a new corridor in the Black Sea has allowed 91 ships to export cargo.

In the last three months, Ukraine has made remarkable progress in the Black Sea to drive the Russian Navy eastwards and open critical export corridors for Ukraines economy and global food supplies, Cameron said.

___

Melley reported from London. Associated Press writer Jill Lawless in London contributed to this report.

___

This story has been corrected to reflect that the meeting with Zelenskyy was Wednesday and announced Thursday.
Where is the Most Beautiful Town in Iraq?

Nestled atop a breathtaking plateau in the Kurdistan region of Iraq, the ancient town of Amedi beckons travelers with its unparalleled beauty and rich history. Known for its picturesque landscapes and enduring cultural heritage, Amedi is often hailed as the most beautiful town in Iraq, a title it wears with quiet dignity amidst the rugged mountains that cradle it.

Historical Allure Meets Natural Splendor

Amedi's origins trace back to antiquity, with some historians suggesting its establishment by the Assyrians. The town's strategic location, perched on a high plateau surrounded by deep gorges, has served as a natural fortress, protecting it from the ravages of time and conflict. Today, visitors are greeted by the stunning sight of historic houses and mosques that blend seamlessly with the rocky terrain, offering a glimpse into a past that has survived the test of time.

A Tapestry of Cultures

The beauty of Amedi is not solely in its landscapes but also in its diverse cultural tapestry. Home to Kurds, Assyrians, and Armenians, the town is a mosaic of traditions and religions, with each community contributing to the rich fabric of life here. The harmony in diversity is a testament to Iraq's multicultural heritage, and Amedi stands as a proud example of this coexistence.

FAQ:

Q: What makes Amedi unique? A: Amedi's unique combination of historical significance, natural beauty, and cultural diversity sets it apart as a must-visit destination in Iraq.

Q: Is Amedi accessible to tourists? A: Yes, despite its remote location, Amedi is accessible to tourists who are willing to make the journey to experience its enchanting allure.
All Broward County public schools will be closed Thursday as the downpour that has been hammering South Florida since Tuesday night continues.

The School District said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, late Wednesday that all schools and district offices will be closed Thursday. As of late Wednesday night, Palm Beach County and Miami-Dade schools will be open.

In Broward, before and after-school activities also are canceled, in addition to night classes, sporting events, field trips, scheduled meetings and any other night events, the statement said.

Superintendent Peter Licata and staff have been in constant communication with the countys emergency management staff throughout Wednesday, the School District said in a statement shortly after 10 p.m. The district will inform parents later if make-up days are needed because of the closure.

All Pembroke Pines Charter Schools will also be closed Thursday, city officials said in a post on X.

Miami-Dade County Public Schools officials announced campuses would remain open Thursday in a post on X shortly after Broward County Public Schools announced their closures.

The National Weather Service Miami is forecasting the possibility of up to 10 inches of rain in some areas of South Florida and likely flash flooding in Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties as the heavy storms continue.

Nearly all of the populated areas of Broward, Palm Beach and Miami-Dade counties are included in a flood watch until 10 a.m. Thursday. The downpours are expected to last overnight and recur off and on throughout Thursday, forecasters said.

This is a developing story, so check back for updates. Click here to have breaking news alerts sent directly to your inbox.
Glyphosate is one of the most widely used weedkillers in the world (Kenzo TRIBOUILLARD)

The European Commission said Thursday it will allow the use of the controversial herbicide glyphosate for another 10 years, breaking a stalemate between EU states divided over its safety.

Glyphosate is one of the most widely used weedkillers in the world but critics point to evidence it may cause cancer and constitutes a risk to biodiversity.

The World Health Organization in 2015 classed glyphosate as "probably carcinogenic", spurring concerns about its continued use.

The previous European Union authorisation expired in December 2022 but was extended until December 15 this year pending a scientific study of the herbicide.

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in July ended up saying it had not found "any critical areas of concern" preventing glyphosate from being reauthorised, sparking a backlash from environmental groups.

EFSA did note, however, that it had "data gaps" in reaching its assessment.

The European Commission brandished the EFSA finding as justification for continued use of glyphosate until December 2033.

It said it was forced to act now, after an October vote between EU member states and a final vote in an appeals committee on Thursday both ended in stalemate, with an insufficient weighted majority for or against.

It said it "will now proceed with the renewal of the approval of glyphosate for a period of 10 years, subject to certain new conditions and restrictions".

Those include buffer zones around fields sprayed with glyphosate and equipment to prevent the spray drifting to other areas, and urging EU countries to pay "particular attention" to effects on the environment on the herbicide's use.

- Bayer hails decision -

German chemicals giant Bayer, which uses glyphosate in its popular herbicides such as Roundup, acquired it when it bought US company Monsanto, "hailed and welcomed" the commission decision.

"This new authorisation will allow us to continue to supply farmers across the European Union with important technology for the integrated fight against weeds," a spokesman said.

But the chair of the European Parliament's environment, public health and food safety committee, Pascal Canfin, told AFP he viewed the decision as "absolutely unacceptable from a political point of view".

He noted that the renewed licence for glyphosate did not have the backing of the EU's biggest agricultural countries France, Germany and Italy, and the commission still had another month to try to come up with a workable compromise.

The EU executive could have presented "something more balanced that could have got the backing of Germany and the backing of France," said the French MEP.

In the vote Thursday, France, Germany, Italy, Belgium and the Netherlands abstained, and three countries -- Austria, Croatia and Luxembourg -- voted against a renewal.

That meant there was no qualified majority, which requires 15 out of the 27 EU countries, representing at least 65 percent of the total EU population.

France's agriculture ministry said Paris was "not against the principle of the renewal" but "regrets" that the commission did not take into account propositions to restrict its use.

A commission spokesman, Eric Mamer, said the executive believed it was "not possible to reach an agreement" among member states by December 15 so it was obliged to act.

rmb-alm/yad
Louise Harrison (pictured with Simon Rouse) has worked in policing for 31 years

A policing director with experience in counter terrorism has become a county's chief fire officer.

Louise Harrison has also become chief executive officer of Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service.

Her appointment comes weeks after inspectors told the service to make "urgent improvements", saying it relied too heavily on other counties.

The fire service said Ms Harrison "stood out" for her "transformational leadership" record.

It said Ms Harrison had worked alongside fire and rescue services and local authorities "in a variety of roles".

Ms Harrison worked in policing for 31 years, including at the Counter Terrorism Northwest unit. She also led on the Prevent programme that aims to stop people becoming terrorists.

Her most recent role was director of operations at the Civil Nuclear Constabulary (CNC) - a police force dedicated to protecting the UK's nuclear power stations and nuclear materials.

The new appointment comes shortly after Buckinghamshire Fire and Rescue Service was told to make "urgent improvements"

In its latest inspection, the Inspectorate of Constabulary and Fire and Rescue Services rated Buckinghamshire's fire service "adequate" for responding to major incidents, but "inadequate" for public safety through fire regulation.

At the time, the fire service said it was actively taking measures to address the issues.

Simon Rouse, chairman of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes Fire Authority, said the appointment of Ms Harrison was an "exciting moment".

"We are very much looking forward to supporting Louise in her leadership of the fire service, which plays such a vital role in protecting our communities," he said.

Ms Harrison said: "I am genuinely excited to be returning to the community I grew up in. It means a great deal personally to be able to continue my commitment to public service here.

"I am joining a fantastic team and am confident that we can continue to meet the challenges ahead and continue a journey of positive improvement, delivering a quality service to the communities of Buckinghamshire and Milton Keynes."

Follow East of England news on Facebook, Instagram and X. Got a story? Email eastofenglandnews@bbc.co.uk or WhatsApp 0800 169 1830
Bucks County authorities are investigating the death of a 33-year-old Philadelphia man who died following a "medical incident" at its corrections center.

In a press release issued Monday, the county confirmed the death, which occurred Sunday. The county has not identified the inmate. This news organization has additional information about the man, including his name, but it is waiting to confirm it with the Philadelphia Medical Examiner.

The man was pronounced dead Monday at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital in Philadelphia, where he was taken from the jail.

A third inmate death this year has been reported at Bucks County Corrections Center on Sunday Nov. 12, 2023.

Other 2023 Bucks inmate deaths Name of latest Bucks County inmate death released; earlier inmate death a drug overdose

The death is the third reported this year at the county jail.

Melissa Mager, 48, of Philadelphia died as a result of a perforated peptic ulcer on March 1. She was incarcerated in Feb. 25 on a retail theft charge, records show

Octavius Davis, 35, of Bristol Township died as a result of a illegal drug overdose on Jan. 16. Davis was incarcerated in early January on a parole violation, records show.

Last year there were six inmates deaths at the jail the highest number since 2012, and among the highest number of jail deaths in Pennsylvania, according to state Department of Corrections extraordinary occurrence records.

Among them Joshua Patterson, 23, of Philadelphia, whose Aug. 1, 2022 death was not known until after his mother filed a wrongful death lawsuit in federal court against the county earlier this year.

Patterson died three days after he overdosed on fentanyl, a drug allegedly provided by another inmate, who smuggled it into the jail undetected a day earlier, according to the lawsuit.

The inmate who provided the drug, Allen Rhoades, 30, is awaiting trial on a charges including drug delivery resulting in death. Rhoades and four other inmates also face charges for distributing drugs in the jail.

Inmate family sued over overdose death Is Bucks County jail unit 'rampant' with drugs? Inmate death blamed on pattern of neglect

How much did Bucks County pay family Settlement unsealed in 2018 inmate suicide at Bucks County jail. Here's what was paid

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: Bucks County inmate dies following "medical incident" at Doylestown jail
(KRON)  A vehicle rammed into a Trader Joes in connection to a burglary early Wednesday morning, the Oakland Police Department said. Police said a burglary happened shortly before 4 a.m. at the Trader Joes on 5727 College Ave.

VIDEO: Thieves crash car into San Jose smoke shop, steal bags of vape products

Officers at the scene learned the burglary suspects crashed the vehicle into the store to enter, according to OPD. An unknown amount of items was stolen from the Trader Joes.

The suspects were able to escape before police arrived. OPD has not provided any suspect descriptions at this time.

A KRON4 viewer sent a photo of the scene following the break-in (above). OPD says this is an ongoing investigation and anyone with information is asked to contact 510-238-3951.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
BURNET, Texas (The Texas Tribune)  A Burnet County district judge ruled Tuesday that the Ken Paxton whistleblowers case can proceed in Travis County, while Paxtons recently launched legal challenge to the revived lawsuit remains pending.

The ruling by Judge Evan Stubbs could allow the whistleblowers attorneys to subpoena Paxton and his top aides.

The ruling came a week after Stubbs temporarily halted the whistleblower lawsuit at the request of Paxtons office. The office argued the whistleblowers were violating a tentative settlement they reached earlier this year by restarting work on it after Paxtons acquittal in his Senate impeachment trial.

Whistleblower lawsuit against Ken Paxton can move forward in real court, Supreme Court rules

Neither Paxton nor the whistleblowers attended the hearing, which featured extensive debate over whether the terms of the settlement had been met even though the Legislature still has not approved its $3.3 million payout. Stubbs expressed skepticism as Paxtons side argued the whistleblowers were effectively trying to unwind a final agreement.

If it were truly, actually and finally settled, the judge said, then I dont think wed be here.

A group of Paxtons former top aides sued in Travis County after they were fired in 2020, claiming they were being punished for reporting him to the FBI on suspicion of bribery.

The whistleblowers almost settled with the attorney generals office for $3.3 million earlier this year. But the Texas House, concerned about using taxpayer dollars for the settlement, started probing the underlying claims and recommended Paxtons impeachment.

The two sides faced off for over four hours in a courtroom here Tuesday, arguing over whether Stubbs should grant Paxtons request for a temporary injunction that would further derail the Travis County case. At the end, Stubbs denied the request for a temporary injunction and scheduled a Dec. 14 hearing on a separate motion, filed by the whistleblowers, to change the venue of the Burnet County case to Travis County.

We are not going away: Paxton whistleblowers announce next steps in legal fight

Stubbs also dissolved the temporary restraining order that he issued last week, paving the way for the Travis County case to come back to life.

Im not saying you cant go forward with your case in Travis County, Stubbs told the whistleblowers lawyers, adding the caveat that another judge may disagree.

After the hearing, a lawyer for one of the whistleblowers, Tom Nesbitt, said there was no restriction on the case moving forward in Travis County. The lawyers declined to comment on their next steps, but they had given notice they planned to subpoena impeachment records and take depositions shortly before Paxton sued them in Burnet County.

A lawyer for Paxtons office, Bill Helfand, said after Stubbs ruling that the office may appeal his denial of the temporary injunction. Stubbs advised him to move swiftly with any appeal.

In late September, the Texas Supreme Court allowed the case to resume in Travis County and move to trial. The whistleblowers asked the Supreme Court to do that after the Senate acquitted Paxton in an impeachment trial that centered on their claims.

The terms of the settlement  and whether those terms had been fully met  were hotly debated Tuesday in Stubbs courtroom. The two sides spent most of the hearing questioning Johnathan Stone, a special counsel in Paxtons office who Helfand called as a witness.

Helfand argued Paxton was complying with the agreement and that the whistleblowers did not like the outcome of the impeachment trial so they were now trying to use their lawsuit as a second impeachment proceeding.

Now thats an abuse of a lawsuit, but also a breach of contract, Helfand said.

Joe Knight, a lawyer for whistleblower Ryan Vassar, said it was almost comical to suggest the situation is resolved when the whistleblowers have not seen a nickel of the $3.3 million. Another whistleblower attorney, Don Tittle, emphasized to Stone that the part of the settlement that says it is contingent upon approval of funding.

The agreement is contingent, Tittle said, and the thing it is contingent has not happened.

The hearing featured several moments of drama and acrimony between the two sides.

At one point, Nesbitt sought to call his co-counsel, Knight, as a witness because Knight was part of the settlement talks. Helfand objected, saying state bar rules prohibits a lawyer being a witness in their own case. Knight said he disagreed, but the judge intervened and got the whistleblowers attorneys to withdraw Knight as a witness to avoid any further controversy.

It was not the only time the judge had to step in. He asked Knight and Stone to calm down after Knight accused Stone of attacking his credibility and Stone responded in the affirmative. Helfand also had to mediate toward the end of hearing after Knight called Helfands closing statement redundant and Helfand complained about personal attacks.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at www.texastribune.org. The Texas Tribune is a nonprofit, nonpartisan media organization that informs Texans  and engages with them  about public policy, politics, government and statewide issues.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
The Ventura County, Calif., Sheriff's Department says it has arrested a Moorpark College professor in connection with the death of a pro-Israel protester earlier this month. Protests both in support and against Israel have taken place worldwide since Israel went to war with Hamas more than a month ago. Earlier this week, thousands marched in support of Israel in Washington, D.C. (pictured). Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- A Moorpark, Calif., man who earlier this month was involved in a confrontation with a pro-Israel protester who later died has been charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Paul Kessler, 69, died after falling over and receiving a head injury on Nov. 5. According to police, Kessler was involved in a confrontation with a pro-Palestinian protester before he fell over and struck his head.

Ventura County Chief Medical Examiner Christopher Young determined that Kessler died from a blunt force head injury.

Moorpark College professor Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, 50, was arrested Thursday, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Department.

"On November 16, 2023, detectives from the Sheriff's Major Crimes Bureau contacted Loay Almaji in the City of Moorpark and arrested him for the death of Paul Kessler," the Sheriff's Department said in a press release Thursday.

The Sheriff's Department said Alnaji will be booked for involuntary manslaughter at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility and that his bail has been set at $1 million.

Earlier this month, police said the circumstances that lead to Kessler falling over and hitting his head were not clear and asked the public to come forward with any video evidence they might have.

Though the suspect is in custody, the Ventura County Sheriff's Department has reiterated its call for the public to come forward with any additional video evidence.
Police have arrested a suspect in the death of a Jewish man in California following a clash between pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian protesters.

Loay Alnaji was arrested on Thursday in connection with Paul Kessler's death and faces charges of involuntary manslaughter, officials said.

Mr Kessler, 69, fell during a dispute with counter-protesters on 7 November and died the next day in hospital.

Mr Alnaji's bail will be set at $1m (804,922).

During the confrontation with counter-protesters, Mr Kessler fell backward and hit his head on the ground, a police statement said.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said that Kessler was hit by a megaphone wielded by a pro-Palestinian protester, but that information could not be confirmed by police at the time.

An autopsy report ruled Mr Kessler's cause of death a homicide due to blunt force head injury consistent with a fall.

The autopsy also showed injuries to the left side of Mr Kessler's face.

Chief Medical Examiner Dr Christopher Young said the injuries to the front of the face "could be consistent with a blow to the face", NBC News reported.

Investigators efforts to determine the facts of the case were challenged, however, due to "conflicting statements" from witnesses, Ventura County Sheriff James Fryoff said.

They were "waiting to see evidence of what occurred in that interaction", Mr Fryhoff said previously.

In a statement on Thursday, police have urged anyone with information about the events particularly those with video, to come forward.

Officials have warned of rising threats and religion-based hate crimes against Jewish and Muslim people since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October.

Roughly 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 kidnapped, says Israel.

In Israel's retaliatory strikes on Gaza, more than 11,000 people have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.
The Ventura County Sheriffs Department in California arrested Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji on Thursday with the intention of charging him with the involuntary manslaughter of a pro-Israel protester, Paul Kessler, who died after an alleged altercation with Alnaji last week. The New York Times reports that the authorities were planning on holding the 50-year-old man, who lives in Moorpark, California, on $1 million bail.

Alnaji was protesting in support of Palestine in Thousand Oaks, California on Nov. 5 when the two men got into an argument, allegedly leading to Kessler, who was 69, falling and hitting his head; he died the next day. Authorities said last week that Kesslers manner of death, specifically how it happened, was not exactly crystal clear. Footage of the supposed altercation that the police had reviewed at that point was not definitive. Police are asking the public to provide more if possible.

Though an arrest has been made, we continue to encourage community members who may have information about this criminal investigation and have yet to come forward to please contact Detective Stump, the authorities said in a press release, which details ways to communicate with the police directly and anonymously.

Between 75 and 100 people showed up to the protest in Thousand Oaks representing people defending Israel and Palestine. Following the alleged incident, Kessler was found bleeding from his mouth and from the back of his head. At the time, he was conscious and responsive, according to Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff, who held a press conference a couple of days later. It was in the early hours of Nov. 6 in which Kessler died in a hospital. An autopsy revealed Kessler died of blunt force head trauma.

Dr. Christopher Young, Chief Medical Examiner of Ventura County, said that blunt force head trauma does not indicate that a crime has been committed, though the actions of another person contributed to the death. Criminal charges, he said at the time, would be at the discretion of the district attorney.

More from Rolling Stone

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California authorities have arrested a 26-year-old man in connection with the murder of a young woman found dead in an alleyway off Ocean Avenue in Laguna Beach last weekend.

The Laguna Beach Police Department on Wednesday announced the arrest of suspect Dino Rojas-Moreno on a murder charge in connection with the death of 27-year-old Tatum Goodwin. Her boss said she was a "hard-working young lady and always kept a smile on her face" in a GoFundMe page made in Goodwin's name.

"This arrest was the result of outstanding police work by our Investigations team that worked tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to bring justice to Tatum Goodwin and her family," Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert said in a Wednesday statement.

Rojas-Moreno is being held on $1 million bail. Detectives determined that the alleged murder was an isolated incident and said there is no threat to the community.

CALIFORNIA WOMAN, 27, FOUND DEAD IN LAGUNA BEACH ALLEY STEPS AWAY FROM WORK: REPORT

The Laguna Beach Police Department on Wednesday announced the arrest of suspect Dino Rojas-Moreno on a murder charge in connection with the death of 27-year-old Tatum Goodwin.

Police on Sunday responded to the crime scene in the 200 block of Ocean Avenue, a strip of bars and restaurants across from the beach, around 8:20 a.m. after a construction worker called authorities to report a "person down" in the "secluded location," Laguna Beach police said in a Monday press release.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

HOLLYWOOD HEADLESS TORSO SUSPECT SAM HASKELL PARANOID WEEKS BEFORE BODY FOUND IN DUMPSTER, FRIEND SAYS

"She was the best dog mom and loved her dog so much. She was the best daughter. My mom and her were very close," Goodwin's sister Kaylee previously told Fox News Digital.

Laguna Beach Police are investigating Goodwin's death as a homicide.

Marcos Salim Heredia, owner of Carmelita's Restaurants, where Tatum Goodwin worked, said his team felt that they "really had a family member here" with them. He added that his team wants to create a memorial in Laguna for Goodwin, adding that they "don't want her to go be forgotten."

NEW JERSEY PARENTS OF TENNESSEE COLLEGE STUDENT KILLED BY STRAY BULLET SAY LAWS PROETCT REPEAT CRIMINALS

Hennessey's Tavern in Laguna Beach also described Goodwin, a regular customer, as "family" in an Instagram post .

"Please continue to share any [and] all information, the little things can help," the tavern wrote. "This horrific event has left us heartbroken, and we hope to have justice for her sweet soul soon. Thank you again to everyone for your help, her family, [and] close friends are immensely grateful for all the help. Please stay safe."

LOS ANGELES SURVEILLANCE VIDEO CAPTURES MAN DROPPING LARGE OBJECT IN DUMPSTER WHERE HEADLESS BODY FOUND

Kaylee Goodwin said in a Facebook post Tuesday that her sister "was taken from this world by someone evil."

While the victim has yet to be officially identified by the Orange County coroner, friends and employees named the young woman as Tatum Goodwin on social media and on a GoFundMe page.

"And I will never feel or be okay. My world is shattered. My family is shattered. Im grieving and its so hard to see life after this."

TENNESSEE COLLEGE STUDENT, 18, KILLED IN NASHVILLE PARK BY SHOOTER WITH PRIOR ARRESTS: COPS

Locals told news outlet Under Laguna that Goodwin had been seen Saturday evening at Hennessey's and the Marine Room. She apparently left the Marine Room late that night, and residents in the area heard screaming around 2 a.m., according to the outlet. Goodwin reportedly had a recent breakup with her boyfriend, Under Laguna reported.

"She was the best dog mom and loved her dog so much. She was the best daughter. My mom and her were very close," Goodwin's sister Kaylee told Fox News Digital.

The construction worker apparently found her severely beaten in an alleyway the next morning, locals told the outlet.

Authorities are asking anyone with information about the incident to contact Laguna Beach Det. Tanner Flagstad at 949-497-0369 or via email at tflagstad@lagunabeachcity.net. Anonymous tips can be sent to Orange County Crime Stoppers at 1-855-TIP-OCCS.





Original article source: California police make arrest after young woman found dead in alleyway on popular beach town strip
Paul Kessler died from a head injury after falling to the ground (DAVID SWANSON)

A college professor was arrested on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter over the death of a Jewish man who clashed with a pro-Palestinian protester in California, police said Thursday.

Loay Alnaji was arrested early Thursday over the death of Paul Kessler at a rally near Los Angeles earlier this month, and his bail will be set at $1 million, a Ventura County sheriff's statement said.

Kessler died from a head injury after falling to the ground. Police have not yet ruled out the possibility of a hate crime.

The incident took place during dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian rallies involving around 100 people on November 5 in Thousand Oaks, northwest of Los Angeles.

Police arriving at the scene found that Kessler, 69, had fallen backward and fatally struck his head on the ground. Witnesses said he had been involved in an argument with a pro-Palestinian protester.

He also had non-lethal injuries on his face, although it was not clear if he had been struck, and witnesses from both rallies gave police conflicting accounts of the confrontation.

Kessler died in hospital a day after the rallies.

The arrest came more than five weeks after an unprecedented attack by Hamas on October 7 sparked retaliatory bombing and a ground offensive by Israel, which vows to destroy the Palestinian militant group.

About 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in Israel during the attack and around 240 people taken hostage, according to Israeli officials.

In Gaza, more than 11,500 people, also mostly civilians, have been killed, officials in the Hamas-run territory have said.

Tensions have spiked and protests have taken place in the US and around much of the world, raising fears that violence could spill over.

In early October, a six-year-old Palestinian-American boy was stabbed in an attack in Illinois, which police have linked to the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. A 71-year-old male suspect has pleaded not guilty.

amz/st
Francisco Rios stood contently watching the whirl of a Taylor Farms lettuce packaging assembly line, which was about to be dismantled and shipped off to Arizona for the winter. He would not be far behind.

A father of two who migrated from Mexico nearly 40 years ago and started as a cauliflower picker in the Salinas Valley, Rios said politics has been far from his focus as he works on packing up the factory for the move to Yuma.

"I don't know any of these candidates," he said when asked about California's 2024 Senate race, "but I want one who believes in respect, liberty and equality."

Many Latino voters in this corner of rural California believe politicians overlook them  perhaps more so than those living a little farther north in the Bay Area or down south in Los Angeles. Rios, who is now a safety supervisor, has always voted since becoming a citizen in 1998. He had heard Sen. Dianne Feinstein died, but had no idea who was running for her former seat even though one of the candidates, Rep. Adam B. Schiff, had just swung through town.

Candidates need to show up, campaign in Spanish and hone a message that focuses on opportunity for people who came to this country seeking a better life, Rios and others said.

Francisco Rios, 62, has worked at Taylor Farms, in Salinas, Calif., for more than two decades. He said he's not aware of who is running for U.S. Senate. (Benjamin Oreskes / Los Angeles Times)

Like many "in the Central Valley, our communities often don't get a lot of focus and attention. A lot of the statewide candidates are focusing on large urban areas," said Luis Alejo, chair of the Monterey County Board of Supervisors, who hasn't endorsed in the Senate race.

"Among all the top candidates, I have yet to see any of them have a direct message for Latino voters.  Unlike some of the past elections, I think they need to come out with a really working-class economic plan."

A plan that includes addressing California's affordable housing crisis, which seeps far beyond the state's big cities.

Rios, 62, owns a home in Arizona, where his wife lives year-round. While in California eight months during the year, he rents a two-car garage where he lives for $900 a month.

"There's not even a bathroom," Rios said in Spanish.

United Farm Workers President Cesar Chavez talks to striking farmworkers during a rally in Salinas on March 7, 1979. (Paul Sakuma / Associated Press)

Known as "the Salad Bowl of the World," the Salinas Valley  home to writer John Steinbeck  has been a cradle of political activism, where landmark voting rights cases opened up opportunities for Latino political leaders and the farmworkers' rights movement took root. Labor leader and United Farm Workers co-founder Cesar Chavez was jailed for 21 days in Salinas in late 1970 for refusing to call off a boycott of lettuce grown by non-unionized workers.

Federal voting rights litigation in the late 1980s forced places like Salinas and Watsonville to do away with citywide balloting in city council races, which had made it harder for Latino and other minority candidates to win elections. Carving up the city into council districts ushered in a generation of Latino elected officials.

Simon Salinas, who in the 1980s became Salinas' first Mexican American council member, suggested that the 2024 Senate candidates need to make inroads with Latino small-business owners if they hope to succeed in this part of the state.

"Those people are invested in dealing with bureaucracy. Those people can listen and say, you know, we need this to have more thriving Latino businesses," he said. "They also want immigration addressed. They understand affordable housing. That's an untapped source."

Rep. Adam B. Schiff, second from right, poses for a photo as he campaigns for U.S. Senate in Salinas on Nov. 6. (Nic Coury / For The Times)

The son of Mexican immigrants, Salinas worked in the fields before attending school and becoming a teacher. Later the Democrat served in the state Assembly and as a Monterey County supervisor.

He was at the National Steinbeck Center in Salinas' downtown district, near its trendy coffee shops and the Taylor Farms headquarters, when Schiff visited.

Just blocks away, dozens of tents lined the railroad tracks  an encampment where some of the city's roughly 1,000 homeless people stay. At the Schiff event, the crowd was constantly reminded by speakers that U.S. News and World Report had rated the city the seventh most-expensive locale in the country. The median monthly rental price is $2,395, according to Zillow.

"Everywhere I go, this is the issue people most want to talk about," Schiff told the crowd of about 150.

Read more: Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas endorses Rep. Adam Schiff in California's U.S. Senate race

"How do we deal with homelessness, but even more broadly, how do we make housing affordable for people? How do we make it possible for people to live not only in a safe and secure environment and a nice home, but also live somewhere near where they work?" the Burbank Democrat said.

Along with his endorsement by state Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, whose district includes Salinas, Schiff has the backing of prominent Latino politicians including Rep. Nanette Diaz Barragan (D-San Pedro), who leads the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and former Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who focused his failed 2018 run for governor on visiting communities like Salinas.

The packed auditorium included several local Latino politicians. Still, Salinas said the event felt to him like it catered to white voters who'd come in from wealthier enclaves on the Monterey County coast.

Schiff talked about his work during former President Trump's impeachment trials and spent a considerable amount of time decrying the high cost of living across the state.

Schiff shakes hands with state Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) after speaking at a campaign event. (Nic Coury / For The Times)

Schiff found a receptive audience in Oscar Lopez, a local history teacher, and his wife, Marina Camacho, who is the Monterey County assessor-clerk-recorder. Both are naturalized citizens who came from Mexico more than 30 years ago, and they arrived at the Schiff event prepared to hear him out.

Lopez said he was firmly focused on what's going to happen at the U.S. Supreme Court and who is going to support justices that are going to "protect our rights as individuals." Camacho said her main concern was what "they're gonna do for our local economy when it comes to the floods and fires."

Both agreed that immigration policy looms large for them.

"For the immigrant family who may have the worry and the fear of deportation, they are the ones helping this economy grow because they put the food from this area on people's tables," Camacho said.

Read more: It's on. DeSantis accepts Newsom request for debate: 'Put up or shut up.' 'Let's get it done'

Recent independent polling of Latino voters shows that they  like most Californians across the state  are undecided in the Senate race. Schiff and Irvine Rep. Katie Porter, a fellow Democrat, were the two candidates with the most support. The top two candidates in the March primary advance to the November general election. The latest public polling shows Porter and Schiff tied, with former Dodgers star Steve Garvey, a Republican, and Oakland Democratic Rep. Barbara Lee trailing them.

The city of Salinas is about 80% Latino, while Monterey County is about 60% Latino, according to the latest census. The county has a huge Democratic voter registration advantage, and President Biden won here with 70% of the vote in 2020.

That hasn't stopped some Republican candidates from flocking to the area.

A worker culls lettuce in a Salinas field. (Gary Coronado / Los Angeles Times)

Republican Florida governor and presidential candidate Ron DeSantis in September held a fundraiser at a local country club. The family that owns Taylor Farms hosted the campaign event, and many locals criticized the gathering given DeSantis' immigration policies. Earlier this year, his administration placed migrants from the Texas-Mexico border on chartered flights to Sacramento.

"People in the community are often like: 'I don't know the candidates.' But whenever they talked about what really triggered their emotion, it was immigration," said Stanford University lecturer Ignacio Ornelas Rodriguez, a Salinas native who has studied the history of migrant labor in the area.

He recalled growing up with farmworker parents and there being a Border Patrol station in town. Though many Democrats favor the creation of a sustainable path to citizenship for many immigrants in the U.S. illegally, the failure by Democrats and Republicans alike to achieve that goal has elicited cynicism, Ornelas Rodriguez said.

Reps. Katie Porter, left, Adam B. Schiff and Barbara Lee participate in a U.S. Senate debate. (Dania Maxwell / Los Angeles Times)

Schiff didn't say much on the subject while in Salinas. But at an event in Santa Clarita earlier this month hosted by the Coalition for Human Immigrant Rights, known as CHIRLA, he noted Democrats' inability to meaningfully change the country's immigration system. He  along with Porter and Lee, who were also in attendance  reiterated support for legislation that would expand pathways to citizenship for immigrants living in the country illegally.

CHIRLA's political director, Fatima Flores-Lagunas, said Latino people living in rural parts of the Central Valley were struggling with the high cost of housing, the effects of climate change and uncertainty over immigration reform. She thought the candidates were doing a decent job appealing to these voters, but could do more to court them on social media and on their websites, where large sections describing their positions on issues appear only in English.

Porter, Lee and Schiff all spent some time in the Central Valley and other rural parts of the state this year, but their travel this fall has been limited by their duties in Washington.

"Let's be honest, they all could be doing a better job," Flores-Lagunas said.

At the lettuce packaging plant, Rios said, most of the roughly 1,200 people working there had some form of legal status and many had children and grandchildren who are citizens. The focus for him and many others was housing, economic opportunity, school safety and education.

Preventing Trump from returning to office remained important as well, he said.

Rios said his sister, who has legal status but can't vote, helps him decide, but his hope is that the Senate candidates can do more events and interviews with Spanish language news outlets so he can sort out whom he'd like to support.

Ornelas Rodriguez, the Stanford lecturer, suggested another way Schiff could have better appealed to voters like Rios.

"He should've done that event in one of these fields," he said  pointing out at a large expanse of farmland where the nation's produce is grown.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Tired of Congress repeated partisan standoffs every time a big fiscal deadline approaches, like this weeks? Weary of the breathless cable coverage of looming government shutdowns or debt defaults, knowing the partisans (almost) always come to some 11th-hour compromise, as they did Tuesday ?

Or have you tuned out by now?

Heres why you should pay attention: These senseless, self-induced crises have cost us taxpayers big bucks in higher interest on U.S debt, even when Congress manages to avert a government stoppage or a default. On top of that, theyve taken an incalculable toll on the publics faith in governance.

And know that this irresponsibility is not a both-sides issue. Democrats and Republicans are not equally culpable. Going back more than a quarter century, it has been Republicans who have provoked the showdowns, setting conditions that couldn't become law on their own both for funding the government and raising the nations debt limit, so the Treasury can keep borrowing to pay the bills.

In fact, Republicans have made budget brinkmanship routine  when a Democrat is in the White House, that is. They were quietly complicit as the federal debt grew by nearly $8 trillion during the Trump administration.

Read more: Calmes: Trump promises power grabs and vengeance if he wins in 2024. Here's the plan.

The serial fiscal dramas have real consequences. The latest came Friday, when Moodys Investors Service announced that it had changed its outlook for U.S. government debt to negative from stable, partly because of continued political polarization.

The firms statement did not single out Republicans explicitly; private-sector analysts stick to politically neutral prose, not least to avoid alienating clients. Yet in expanding on the congressional dysfunction it sees as an economic as well as political problem, Moodys gave four examples: Renewed debt limit brinkmanship, the first ouster of a House Speaker in U.S. history, prolonged inability of Congress to select a new House Speaker, and increased threats of another partial government shutdown.

Those examples only describe the House Republican majority.

Read more: Calmes: Who is House Speaker Mike Johnson? Matt Gaetz's victory lap says it all

On Tuesday the latest shutdown threat was lifted  for now. The Houses novice speaker, Mike Johnson of Louisiana, could not resolve Republicans infighting over how much to slash spending and other nonstarter demands, including anti-abortion add-ons. He turned to Democrats for enough votes to pass a stopgap funding bill that simply extends the current spending levels, keeping government open and buying Congress time  to February  to finally reach an agreement for this fiscal year.

So the saga isn't over yet. Though Moodys lowered its outlook for U.S. debt, it did maintain the nations triple-A credit rating, the highest possible. If Congress makes a hash of the funding process yet again in the new year, Moody's is poised to knock that down as well.

That, in turn, could provoke the countrys creditors, who buy Treasury bills and notes, to demand that the government pay them higher interest, which only adds to the annual deficit, the tab we taxpayers are ultimately responsible for.

Read more: News Analysis: Mike Johnson just did the same thing that cost Kevin McCarthy his job

Two ratings firms have already downgraded U.S. credit from AAA to AA+. Fitch Ratings did it in August , soon after House Republicans refused to raise the debt limit without unrealistically deep spending cuts. The last-minute debt deal that since-ousted Speaker Kevin McCarthy negotiated with President Biden enraged far-right Republicans and was the beginning of his end.

Fitchs reasoning previewed Moodys. Its analysis pointed to a steady deterioration in standards of governance over the past two decades. In other words, dysfunction is nothing new, it has just gotten worse in the MAGA era. Again, Fitch didnt cite Republicans specifically, but the timeline makes clear who it faulted.

Fitch had warned months earlier that debt ceiling brinkmanship and the continued questioning of the 2020 presidential election were worrisome signs. When it finally lowered the credit rating, Fitch reportedly told Biden administration officials that the Jan. 6, 2021, insurrection was a factor. According to the Associated Press, Fitch had concluded that the governments stability deteriorated from 2018 to 2021, then increased once Biden succeeded Trump. But then Republicans took over the House this year.

Read more: Granderson: Republican hate for LGBTQ+ people fueled Mike Johnson's rise to be House speaker

Fitchs downgrade was only the second time in the nations history that the U.S. credit rating has been cut. The first was after a 2011 debt-limit crisis, when Standard & Poors took the AAA rating down a peg . It has never restored the top rating.

There is a parallel between Congress fiscal mayhem in 2011 and 2023: Those years followed Republicans winning a House majority in midterm elections, and resolving to shake things up under a Democratic president. In 2011, it was the tea party takeover. Now we have the MAGA House.

Republicans once claimed the descriptor fiscal conservatives. But over decades of covering budget policy, Ive watched them squander that brand . Insisting on excessive spending cuts to reduce deficits while opposing any tax increases, threatening shutdowns and near-defaults  those arent the tactics of fiscal conservatives.

By now we're sick and tired of the brinksmanship. If only Republicans were too.

@jackiekcalmes

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Perched on a sand dune in Iran, a camouflaged creature blended into the isolated landscape. But not well enough. Nearby scientists noticed the long-tailed animal  and discovered a new species.

Researchers ventured into the desert of South Khorasan province on wildlife surveys in 2010 and 2021, according to a study published Nov. 10 in the journal Zootaxa. They were searching for lizards.

Around some sand dunes, researchers found 12 long-tailed lizards, the study said. They took a closer look and realized the animals were in fact a new species: Eremias pseudofasciata, or the false striped racerunner lizard.

The false striped racerunner lizard is considered medium sized, reaching up to about 7 inches in total length, researchers said. Its tail is about twice the length of (its) body and yellowish in color.

Photos show the new species of lizard. It has a beige, tan coloring with a lighter underside and several darker brown stripes running down its back. Its arms and legs have a polka-dot-like pattern. In its sandy habitat, the lizard blends in quite well.

An Eremias pseudofasciata, or false striped racerunner lizard, on a sand dune.

Researchers said they named the new species after another species of racerunner lizard that it resembles, Eremias fasciata. The name pseudofasciata is a combination of the Latin words for false and bearing longitudinal stripes (or) lines, the studys co-author Nikolay Poyarkov told McClatchy News.

So far, the false striped racerunner lizard has only been found in one area near Boshruyeh, researchers said. The city is in South Khorasan province and about 370 miles southeast of Tehran.

An Eremias pseudofasciata, or false striped racerunner lizard, near some plants.

The new species was identified by its size, scale pattern, coloring and other subtle physical features, the study said. DNA analysis found the new species had between about 8% and 21% genetic divergence from other racerunner lizards.

The research team included Valentina Orlova, Eskandar Rasegar-Pouyani, Khosrow Rajabizadeh, Hossein Nabizadeh, Poyarkov, Daniel Melnikov and Roman Nazarov. Researchers also discovered another new species of racerunner lizard with a hieroglyphic-like pattern.

Racerunner lizards are named for their ability to run at impressive speeds, according to Britannica. Some species can run almost 28 km (17 miles) per hour over short distances.

Whistling heard near Peru road leads researchers to green creature. Its a new species

Collared creature found guarding harems of mates in Brazil. Its a new species

Creature with hieroglyphic-like pattern found on Iran sand dunes. Its a new species
The Capitol Police announced that a protest that turned violent outside of Democratic Party headquarters Wednesday night resulted in one arrest for assaulting an officer.

A group of protesters advocating for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war had blocked an entrance to the headquarters, located just blocks from the Capitol, prompting police to attempt to clear the protesters out of the way. The USCP said in a statement the group had failed to obey our lawful orders to move back from the DNC.

The police and protesters have issued conflicting reports about the nature of the demonstration, with police saying that attendees had become violent after officers tried to remove them, resulting in attendees pepper spraying officers. The coalition of groups present at the protest said nonviolent demonstrators had been violently attacked by police, resulting in over 90 injuries.

Several House Democratic lawmakers, including party leadership, had been present for an event at the building and were evacuated.

The Hills police force has been on edge after recent assaults against lawmakers, with law enforcement particularly sensitive about keeping entrances open to buildings in the aftermath of the Jan. 6 riot. The Washington D.C. police assisted in responding to the protests but referred all questions to the Capitol Police.

Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.) said on X, formerly known as Twitter, that blocking the entrances put protesters and others at risk. He was one of the lawmakers present at the fundraiser.

We were rescued by armed officers who did not know the protestors intent; they knew only that Members of Congress were inside, could not leave and that protestors would not let police through. Forcing police to guess intent is irresponsible and dangerous, he said.

House Democratic leadership, in a joint statement from Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark (D-Mass.), Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar (D-Calif.), and DCCC Chair Suzan DelBene (D-Wash.), said "some protesters escalated their activity in a manner that exceeded a peaceful demonstration," and thanked police for their "service and professionalism" in helping people leave the building.

"We strongly support the First Amendment right to freedom of expression and encourage anyone exercising that right to do so peacefully," they said.

House office buildings were placed on lockdown during the incident. In a message posted on X, Sen. Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) faulted "these pro-Hamas insurrectionists" for the disruptions and called on the Biden administration to treat the incident the same as it did "January 6 cases."

Speaker Mike Johnson, in a statement Thursday, condemned what he called this vile display of anti-Semitism." Other Republicans, including Florida Reps. Kat Cammack and Anna Paulina Luna, said they were placed on lockdown due to the protests.

Im with my baby at my office and the Capitol offices just went into lockdown because of these clowns, Luna wrote. Nut jobs.

Eva Borgwardt, a spokesperson for IfNotNow, one of the groups involved in the protest, disputed police and lawmaker claims of a violent protest and called on lawmakers to "apologize and retract their dangerous and hurtful statements."

"As protesters engaged in a moral act of nonviolent civil disobedience outside of the building, police charged at protesters and attacked them without giving any warning or order to disperse. The police pepper sprayed us, pulling them by their hair, and throwing them down stairs, resulting in over 90 injuries to protesters," Borgwardt said.

The protests came just a few years after a still-unknown suspect placed a pipe bomb outside both the DNC and Republican National Committee prior to the events of Jan. 6, 2021.
Police said they evacuated the area around the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee in Washington, D.C., after making arrests at a chaotic pro-Palestinian rally Wednesday night.

U.S. Capitol Police said on X that a "large group of illegal protesters...have cleared out, but USCP officers will stay on scene out of an abundance of caution." They previously put the number of demonstrators at about 150 and said they were "violently protesting in the area."

Six officers were treated for injuries as a result of the demonstration, and one person was arrested and accused of assault on an officer, Capitol Police said on X.

Capitol Police said in a separate notice to reporters that they had restricted entry and exit to the nearby House office buildings.

"Were monitoring the situation outside the DNC and are in touch with USCP and Metro Police, who are directing the security response," A DNC spokesperson said in a statement.

Numerous lawmakers were in the DNC headquarters when the protest erupted.

The top three House Democratic leaders were all inside the DNC headquarters as protests started outside tonight, according to a source familiar with the group of lawmakers attending the DNC event.

Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Whip Katherine Clark and Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar were in the building with other Democrats for a Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) candidate week leadership reception, according to a source familiar with the group of lawmakers attending the DNC event.

The source did not say how long the lawmakers were inside.

Spokespeople for Jeffries and Aguilar would not comment on members in attendance, and Clarks office did not respond to a request for comment.

NBC News has also confirmed that Democratic Reps. Sean Casten of Illinois, Brad Sherman of California and Debbie Dingell of Michigan attended the DCCC candidate week leadership reception.

Capitol Police said that all lawmakers were moved from the area for their safety.

IfNotNow, a group that describes itself as American Jews organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israels apartheid system, said it was at the protest, and accused officers of being violent toward demonstrators.

BREAKING: Police are being extremely violent outside @TheDemocrats headquarters, the group posted on X. We are linking arms, threatening no one, and begging our politicians to support an end to the killing and the suffering in Gaza. Begging, peacefully, for a ceasefire. And this is the response.

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., posted on X that he was evacuated from the DNC "after pro-terrorist, anti-#Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building."

NBC News hasn't independently verified Sherman's characterization of the protest. Capitol Police didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on his remark about pepper spray being used on police. The Metropolitan Police Department also did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

IfNotNow spokesperson Eva Borgwardt said in a statement that Sherman's account was inaccurate, adding that the congressman was " spreading dangerous and reckless misinformation about our nonviolent movement."

"Calling hundreds of progressive Jews fighting for peace, many of whom have family members in Israel, 'pro-Hamas' is beyond the pale and the Congressman should apologize for his remarks," Borgwardt said.

She added that the protest was "nonviolent" and a "moral act of civil disobedience to call on Democrats to support a cease-fire and an end to our governments funding of violence against Palestinian civilians by Netanyahus far-right government."

Rep. Sean Casten, D-Ill., posted on X that he was rescued from the DNC building by armed officers who did not know the protestors intent; they knew only that Members of Congress were inside, could not leave and that protestors would not let police through.

Forcing police to guess intent is irresponsible and dangerous, Casten added.

Video posted to social media appeared to show protesters wearing shirts emblazoned with "CEASE FIRE NOW" clashing with officers on the steps of the DNC, who appeared to be working to remove demonstrators from the scene.

The protest comes a day after thousands gathered in Washington for a March for Israel rally against antisemitism.

The security level for Tuesday's event was raised to the highest designation. There were no immediate reports of arrests or counterdemonstrations.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Disputes over medical treatment are a common way for Child Protective Services to get involved in families. Sometimes, investigators interfere for the better. Often, though, their involvement is an example of state-sanctioned overreach that needs reform.

A Florida jury just handed down a massive medical malpractice verdict showcasing the vital need for such reform. Maya Kowalski, 17, and her family were awarded a stunning $261 million in their suit against Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital in St. Petersburg. (The largest one in 2022 was $111 million.)

Last week, the jury found that the hospital wrongfully separated Kowalski from her mother and committed a bevy of offenses, including wrongfully placing the young girl under video surveillance for 48 consecutive hours and making her strip down to shorts and a training bra for a photograph.

If the case sounds familiar, thats because the details were featured in the hugely popular but horrifying 2023 Netflix documentary, Take Care of Maya. It features the Kowalski family torn apart by a knee-jerk diagnosis of a child welfare employee at Johns Hopkins All Childrens Health Hospital.

At around age 10, Maya had been diagnosed with chronic regional pain syndrome, a rare and painful disease. She received relief with an unusual treatment, high doses of Ketamine. When she relapsed in severe pain, Mayas family took her to Johns Hopkins All Childrens Health Hospital and her mother, Beata  an aggressive R.N. pressured providers to give her Ketamine.

Maya Kowalski smiles at her attorneys after a jury awarded the Kowalski family more than $200 million on Thursday, Nov. 9, 2023. The Kowalski family sued Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital for false imprisonment, negligent infliction of emotional distress, medical negligence, battery, and other claims more than a year after the family matriarch, Beata Kowalski, took her life following allegations she was abusing her daughter, Maya Kowalski.

After observing this, the liaison for the hospital in charge of child welfare services, Dr. Sally Smith, accused Beata of having Munchausen by proxy, a disorder where a parent makes up a childs medical issues for attention. Thats when the family changed forever.

Maya was told she was unable to leave Johns Hopkins or see her family for months. Beata couldnt live with the accusation of abuse and the separation from her daughter and died by suicide. Maya was immediately reunited with her father and brother and the family sued. The case against Johns Hopkins was strong, and the hospital tried to avoid going to trial for years. The documentary on Netflix ended with a judge forgoing scheduling the trial and the family in tears.

Finally, over the last several weeks, a Florida jury has heard the Kowalskis robust but painful case against Johns Hopkins and exposed the CPS systems overreach. During the trial, Maya also accused the hospital of sexual abuse and shes since lodged a criminal complaint against the hospital as well.

No amount of money would ever replace my mom, so honestly, we were just happy to get a yes, we were happy to have our prayers answered, Maya Kowalski told NewsNations Chris Cuomo.

Kyle, Maya and Jack Kowalski stand between their attorneys, Greg Anderson and Nick Whitney, as they address media outside the South Sarasota County Courthouse in Venice, FL, following the conclusion of a two-month trial against Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital in which a jury awarded them more than $260 million in compensatory and punitive damages. The Kowalski family sued Johns Hopkins All Childrens Hospital for false imprisonment, negligent infliction of emotional distress, medical negligence, battery, and other claims more than a year after the family matriarch, Beata Kowalski, took her life following allegations she was abusing her daughter, Maya Kowalski.

Child Protective Services was initially designed to protect children from abuse. But while intended for good, often each states program tends toward extremes: overreach is a massive problem in the U.S. and yet, on occasion, so is under performance. CPS gets involved in cases where it shouldnt and doesnt react in others where it should so the child remains at risk or worse, dies.

Stories abound of parents brutally abusing, then killing a child even though loved ones had called CPS repeatedly. In Houston last year, a caseworker examined Troy Khoeler but didnt think the boys explanations of abuse matched up to his injuries. The 7-year-old was found last July in a washing machine. The medical examiner found signs of abuse. His adoptive parents were charged in connection to his murder.

Just Tuesday, Dallas-Fort Worth news reports indicate a toddler was attacked by a pit bull that resided in the family home where the child was living temporarily due to CPS involvement in placing the child there after her parents admitted to a drug-related relapse. Even in the Netflix documentary, after a reporter originally wrote about Mayas case, dozens of parents who had similar trouble with that exact case worker came forward.

Texas lawmakers are aware that CPS needs reform. Texas Monthly observed in July that Several laws that passed this session make Texas the unlikely front-runner in limiting overreach by Child Protective Services by tightening statutes related to removals, informing parents of their rights, and banning anonymous reports of abuse to the state hotline.

These bills were the result of conservative legislators and progressive activists working together. Protecting children yet also keeping families from unnecessary government overreach should be a bipartisan issue. Abuse is a serious charge; CPS involvement should not be taken lightly. But when it is involved, it must do better at pinpointing issues and deciding whether or not to remove a child from care.

Lawmakers from other states need to look at Mayas lawsuit and see if what happened to her could happen in their state. Its a tough pendulum to balance  and there is no exact formula for change, but if cases like this are common, then reform is necessary.

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Police in Enid, Oklahoma, have arrested two men and are looking for a third man who they said physically abused patients with disabilities.

The abuse included choking clients until they were unconscious and then beating them until they regained consciousness, forms of waterboarding in the facilitys showers and enticing other clients to participate in the abuse of specific clients, according to a news release from the Enid Police Department.

Jonathan Martinez, 21, and Jhon Alan Nieto, 24, were arrested on felony charges of abuse by caretaker and conspiracy, police said.

Jonathan Colon Orozco, 28, is also facing charges of abuse by caretaker and conspiracy. However, police said they believe he fled the state.

McClatchy News could not find an attorney listed for Nieto or Martinez.

The investigation began in June, when a former employee reported systematic abuse of clients at the Robert M Greer Center to police, according to the news release.

McClatchy News reached out to the Robert M Greer Center on Nov. 16 but did not immediately hear back.

Police said the three men conspired and coordinated the physical abuse of several clients at the facility. Officials said they have other suspects and further charges could be brought forth.

The Robert M Greer Center is a short-term treatment facility for adults who are dually diagnosed with intellectual disabilities and co-occurring mental illness and/or severe behavioral challenges, the news release said.

The allegations against personnel at the Robert M. Greer Center are heinous, especially in light of the vulnerable population being housed at the facility, the Department of Oklahoma Human Services said in a statement to McClatchy News.

The department also said it is cooperating with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

Additionally, we are halting any new admissions and have reached out to the operators of the Greer Center to ensure appropriate steps are being taken to cooperate in any investigation and, more importantly, ensure the ongoing safety of all residents under the facilitys care, the statement said.

Oklahoma Sen. Paul Rosino also shared a statement. Rosino serves as the chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, according to a news release.

The allegations of extreme abuse coming from the Robert M. Greer Center in Enid shook me to my core. We have invested so much time, effort, and resources in building a system that provides for a good life for Oklahomans with developmental disabilities. We will not tolerate maltreatment of people. Period, Rosino said in the statement.

Police said they are still investigating.

Enid is about 89 miles north of Oklahoma City.

Hospice patient found dead in grass was outside for 7 hours, Michigan officials say

Fake nurse with stolen nursing license cared for Michigan patients for months, feds say

Caretaker kidnaps former patient after her facility was shut down, Florida cops say
Harrison County deputies and Gulfport police arrested a man Thursday after he carjacked an Uber driver and fled authorities on I-10, Mississippi Coast sheriffs said.

Regio Darrell Lavant, 36, of Moss Point led authorities on a chase from Hancock County to Harrison County in his Uber drivers Toyota Highlander, sheriffs said.

The pursuit ended after Lavant crashed on U.S. 49 near Orange Grove Road and tried to flee on foot, Hancock and Harrison county sheriffs said in press releases.

The chase began Thursday morning after an Uber driver picked Lavant up in New Orleans for a ride to Gulfport and called 911 to report she thought he had a gun, according to the release from Hancock County. Deputies first saw the Uber drivers vehicle on eastbound I-10 near the weigh scales, and found the driver on the phone outside a nearby office building when they arrived. Lavant was inside the drivers red Toyota Highlander but walked out towards her, the release said.

The release said deputies yelled at Lavant to get on the ground but he refused and hid behind the Highlander with an unknown object in his hand.

He used the vehicle to flee eastbound on I-10 into Harrison County, where local deputies took control of the chase.

Lavant tried to hit a Harrison County deputy on I-10, the Harrison County sheriffs department said in a press release. Deputies lost the vehicle on U.S. 49 and Robinson Road but later found it crashed in a ditch on U.S. 49, according to Harrison Countys release. The Hancock County sheriffs office also said Lavant hit a car near Orange Grove Road before his arrest.

Lavant fled the crash on foot, both sheriffs said. A Harrison County deputy and K-9 dog arrested him shortly after with help from Gulfport police, according to Harrison Countys release.

Harrison County Sheriff Troy Peterson said the crash resulted in no injuries but authorities transported Lavant to Memorial Hospital in Gulfport for dog bite wounds.

Lavant did not have a gun at the time of his arrest in Harrison County, Peterson said.

The chase sent Orange Grove Elementary in Gulfport into lockdown Thursday morning, Trang Pham-Bui, a public relations specialist at Harrison County School District, confirmed. The lockdown began around 8:25 a.m. and lasted 50 minutes, she said.

Lavant is in Harrison County jail charged with one count of felony evasion and one count of aggravated assault on a police officer. The Hancock County Sheriffs Office said it would place a hold on Lavant for felonies of motor vehicle theft and eluding law enforcement.

Harrison County Justice Court Judge Damon Reese set Lavants bond at $250,000.
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2023-11-15 438, 2022 McGuiness v. State from SUPREME COURT STATE OF DELAWARE on Vimeo.

Former Delaware Auditor Kathy McGuiness took her appeal Wednesday to the Delaware Supreme Court, asking the court to overturn her misdemeanor public corruption conviction from last year.

In arguments before the state's highest court, McGuiness' defense attorney called her conviction "profoundly unfair and unconstitutional."

Last year, McGuiness became the first sitting, statewide public office holder to be convicted of criminal charges when a jury found her guilty of conflict of interest and official misconduct, two misdemeanors, tied to her hiring her daughter as a part-time employee in the auditors office. She was acquitted of a felony theft charge tied to her daughters employment.

She was also found guilty of structuring, a misdemeanor tied to the way a consultant was paid pursuant to a state contract with the auditors office. That charge was later invalidated by presiding Judge William C. Carpenter, who is now retired. The jury also found McGuiness not guilty of a felony witness intimidation charge.

She was sentenced to probation and lost her fall primary for reelection. Separately, she has sued Attorney General Kathy Jennings, claiming the state's top prosecutor defamed her and violated her constitutional rights through the prosecution.

In appeal briefs filed earlier this year, McGuiness made eight separate legal arguments seeking to overturn her conviction. The state responded in legal filings earlier this year.

Editor's note: Copies of the full appeal briefings are at the end of this story. A video of Wednesday's Supreme Court arguments is at the top of this story and can also be accessed at this link.

Wednesday's hearing was a brief chance for the parties to make their case to the Supreme Court justices and for those judges to ask questions of the attorneys regarding how the parties feel the facts fit into legal precedent.

Investigative technique or a lie?

Wood led his address to the justices with McGuiness' argument that statements made by Judge William C. Carpenter were an unconstitutional strike against McGuiness' defense: that the investigation into the auditor was "biased and sloppy."

During last year's trial, Wood questioned lead investigator Frank Robinson about him telling people he was interviewing in the investigation that he was looking into how state agencies managed employees during the pandemic. With Robinson on the stand, Wood pressed the point that this was a lie, but the line of questioning was cut off by Carpenter, who said such a statement was a law enforcement "investigative technique."

"To imply that because this is false, he is lying. Thats simply unfair," Carpenter said to Wood in the presence of the jury.

At Wednesday's hearing, Wood told the justices that it is unconstitutional for a judge to comment on the credibility of a witness and his statement was a "dagger at the heart of the defense."

In response, David C. McBride, a partner at Young Conaway Stargatt & Taylor, hired to represent the state in its appeal, told the justices the judge's statement was not an error and was within his discretion overseeing the trial.

"What the judge was saying was: 'Quit wasting time with the witness,'" McBride told the justices.

At trial, Robinson's role in the investigation was Wood's primary avenue to paint the investigation into the auditor as sloppy and unfair.

Ahead of trial, the court ruled that Robinson had signed a search warrant affidavit that contained incorrect information about the evidence regarding one of the charges against McGuiness.

On the briefs: Delaware auditor's criminal prosecution was historic. Appeal will determine if it was fair

At trial, Wood sought to learn the identity of individuals responsible for the information in that affidavit, but the line of inquiry was cut off by Carpenter. In appeals briefings, Wood argued this was also unfair and cause to overturn the conviction.

At Wednesday's hearing, Justice Gary F. Traynor questioned how such information could be exculpatory.

Wood replied that the trial strategy was to show "bias" and if officials higher up in the Attorney General's office were responsible for the false information, that argument becomes more "poignant."

In its reply brief, the state argued that McGuiness was given plenty of time at trial to paint the prosecution as untrustworthy, that such an inquiry into bias into the investigation was based on "speculation" and that the court acted appropriately at the time.

Document dump

Wood also argued that the state hamstrung his defense by their transmission of some 500,000 digital files months after a court-imposed deadline and six weeks before the scheduled trial start date. The evidence was seized in a search warrant targeting digital files in the auditor's office.

Ahead of the trial, Carpenter sanctioned the state by restricting its use of that information, but Wood argued this was an insufficient remedy that prevented McGuiness from making use of exculpatory evidence relevant to the conflict of interest charge.

Wood called it the largest such evidentiary violation by volume of documents in the state's history.

CONVICTION TOSSED: State auditor has two criminal guilty verdicts upheld, one tossed ahead of election

Traynor, the justice, noted that Carpenter offered to delay the trial so Wood could make use of the information and asked why that shouldn't figure into the court's analysis.

Wood replied that Carpenter could only offer a delay that would have put the trial date beyond McGuiness's looming Democratic primary as the state was already trying to remove her from office.

Attorney General Kathy Jennings speaks at a press conference on Monday, Oct. 11, 2021, in front of the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center.

McBride told the justices that information relevant to the conflict of interest charge had been turned over to McGuiness in a timely manner and that the jury saw the appropriate evidence needed to reach a fair verdict, a point Wood contested.

The state has also argued in its briefs that the information at issue was derived from files that actually belonged to McGuiness and so much of it was already in her possession.

Prejudicial spillover?

Some of McGuiness' appeal centers on evidence presented in support of charges of which she ultimately wasn't convicted.

McGuiness was acquitted of felony witness intimidation, and a misdemeanor known as structuring was thrown out by Carpenter after the jury heard relevant evidence and voted to convict her.

In order to find McGuiness guilty of witness intimidation, prosecutors need to show that she took steps to intimidate people who could have been witnesses in an official proceeding against her. And so, they had to convince the jury that McGuiness knew she was under investigation when the accused intimidation occurred.

Wood said evidence of her conduct that predated her knowledge of the investigation was improperly allowed into court, reflected poorly on his client and amounted to "death by 1,000 cuts."

The state has argued in its briefs that the jury was able to properly assess evidence and whether McGuiness knew she was under investigation because she was acquitted on the witness intimidation charge.

Wood made a similar argument regarding evidence in the structuring charge and told the justices the evidence was "extremely prejudicial" and should have never been allowed in front of the jury.

Justice Karen Valihura asked McBride specifically about the structuring charge and whether it may have contributed to her conviction on other charges.

McBride denied that the evidence relevant to the structuring charge was improperly presented because it also formed the basis of the official misconduct charge.

He said "one of the theories" of that misdemeanor paralleled the structuring charge and was that McGuiness hired a political consultant to "provide political advice" and did so at the "expense of the state."

At the end of the hour-long hearing, the justices recessed to consider the issues. The Supreme Court is expected to issue its ruling on the appeal in the coming weeks or months.

Contact Xerxes Wilson at (302) 324-2787 or xwilson@delawareonline.com.

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Opening brief: State v. McG... by Xerxes Wilson

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This article originally appeared on Delaware News Journal: Delaware Supreme Court hears former Auditor Kathy McGuiness' appeal
CATAWBA COUNTY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Terrell man has been arrested on felony charges for his actions during the 2021 breach of the U.S. Capitol, the U.S. Attorneys Office said.

Lee Stutts, 46, has been charged with felony offenses of assaulting, resisting, or impeding officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon and obstruction of law enforcement during a civil disorder. Officials said Stutts has also been charged with misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds, and engaging in physical violence in a restricted building.

His actions and the actions of others disrupted a joint session of the U.S. Congress convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the 2020 presidential election, the U.S. Attorneys Office said on Thursday.

Jan. 6 rioter dubbed bullhorn lady sentenced to more than 4 years in prison

Stutts, a former U.S. Marine, was taken into custody on Thursday in North Carolina. He is expected to make his initial appearance on Friday in the Western District of North Carolina.

According to court documents, on Jan. 6, 2021, Stutts, wearing a black helmet, was among a mob illegally massed on the West Plaza of the Capitol grounds. At approximately 1 p.m., officials said Stutts approached a line of U.S. Capitol Police officers who had formed a protective barrier on the Plaza in an effort to prevent the rioters from entering the Capitol building.

Between approximately 1:10 p.m. and 1:40 p.m., Stutts is accused of physically assaulting at least seven different U.S. Capitol Police and Metropolitan Police Department officers. He is also accused of throwing an item towards a line of officers, pushing a metal bike rack fencing into officers, and joining other rioters in using an enormous sign as a battering ram against police.

Former Fox News reporter says in lawsuit he was fired after challenging Jan. 6 coverage

At approximately 2:28 p.m., officials said Stutts was one of the rioters who led the way in the final breaking of the police line on the West Plaza. After the Plaza was overrun, Stutts could be observed raising his arms and pumping his fists in a celebratory manner.

This case is being investigated by FBI Charlotte and the FBIs Washington Field Office.

In the 34 months since Jan. 6, 2021, authorities said more than 1,200 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
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Police and protesters clashed outside the Democratic party's national headquarters on Wednesday, forcing dozens of lawmakers to be evacuated.

Officials said the pro-Palestinian organisers calling for a ceasefire in Gaza were gathered "illegally and violently".

Demonstrators said they were provoked by police in riot gear who rushed them without warning.

Six officers were treated for injuries and a protester was arrested.

Officers said they were pepper sprayed and punched by people in the crowd.

The incident unfolded on the front steps of the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington DC, where political leaders, including the highest-ranking House Democrat, had gathered for a reception.

Chants of "ceasefire now" from roughly 150 activists outside the event resounded in the halls.

Capitol Police swiftly descended on the crowd to block off the building's entrance and exit.

Demonstrators said the policing quickly turned aggressive.

Video footage of the incident appears to show protesters shouting and screaming as the police barrel in to restrain them.

"It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight," Dani Noble, a demonstrator who arrived from Philadelphia, told the Washington Post.

He said police were "pulling on folks that are disabled or have chronic illnesses, pulling people to the ground".

Many protesters wore "cease fire now" shirts

Inside, police rushed to direct lawmakers to safety. Security has been tightened around the building since pipe bombs were found at both the Democratic and Republican Party headquarters on the eve of the 6 January 2021 Capitol riot. No-one has ever been arrested for the planting of those devices.

California congressman Brad Sherman wrote on X, formerly Twitter: "Was just evacuated from the #DNC after... protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building."

In a statement shared with US media, House Democratic leaders said members of the House Democratic Caucus, aides and guests were participating in an event inside when "some protesters escalated their activity in a manner that exceeded a peaceful demonstration".

"We are thankful for the service and professionalism of the US Capitol Police officers who worked to ensure that Members, staff and visitors were able to safely exit," the leaders said.

"We strongly support the First Amendment right to freedom of expression and encourage anyone exercising that right to do so peacefully."

The protest was organised by a coalition of groups, including Jewish Voice for Peace Action and If Not Now, both US Jewish groups who are critical of Israel.

The confrontation on Wednesday was the latest in a series of demonstrations across the US, as tensions over the Israel-Gaza war intensify.

On Tuesday, thousands of pro-Israel protesters crowded the fields at the National Mall in Washington DC, demanding the release of Hamas-held hostages.

A number of rallies have pressed for the US to call for a ceasefire in the conflict, which President Joe Biden, a Democrat, has resisted.

On Capitol Hill, many Republicans have rejected the idea of a ceasefire outright.

The militant group Hamas entered Israel on 7 October and killed roughly 1,200 people while kidnapping more than 200 others. In response, Israel has killed more than 11,000 people in Gaza, according to the Hamas-run healthy ministry.

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Every MLB team is waiting to see who Shohei Ohtani will choose to sign with in free agency. Do the Texas Rangers have a chance to sign the Japanese superstar?

According to online sportsbook DraftKings, the Rangers have the sixth-best odds of signing Ohtani this offseason. Here are the teams with the highest odds.

Los Angeles Dodgers -110

San Francisco Giants +550

New York Mets +700

Chicago Cubs +700

New York Yankees +750

Texas Rangers +900

Seattle Mariners +1000

Boston Red Sox +1300

Los Angeles Angels +1500

Philadelphia Phillies +1800

Besides the Vegas odds, MLB insiders have also commented on the Rangers chances.

ESPNs Jeff Pasan cited the Rangers as one of the teams that Ohtani has expressed affinity for and said the Rangers were expected to bid on the superstar.

Pasan said the Rangers previous interest while Ohtani was still in Japan as a reason for the affinity in addition to their recent World Series victory.

Pasan expects Ohtani to sign relatively quickly and possibly even before the Dec. 4-7 winter meetings.

Jon Morosi a reporter for the MLB Network said Ohtani is more concerned about finding a winning team as opposed to focusing on where that team is located.

"He (Shohei Ohtani) is probably less concerned about geography and more concerned about the quality of the team he is going to."@jonmorosi shares what the GM meetings revealed about Ohtani's approach to free agency. pic.twitter.com/h1xioxMPos  MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) November 13, 2023

That would bear well for the Rangers not only because they won the 2023 World Series but also because the team is well-geared to compete in the future with young talent.

Ohtani is the most sought-after player in free agency because of his unique superstar status in the MLB.

Ohtani hit 44 home runs and 95 RBIs during the 2023 season despite missing 27 games in addition to sporting a pitching record of 10-5 with a 3.14 ERA.

Ohtani is the front-runner for the American League MVP trophy and should he win it would be his second in the last three seasons.

Since entering the league in 2018 Ohtani has dominated, making three all-star selections, winning Rookie of the Year and winning the 2021 AL MVP award while becoming one of the leagues most electrifying superstars.

However, due to a torn UCL that required surgery Ohtani will not pitch again until 2025 but will be ready to hit in 2024.

Few players in the MLB are more popular than Ohtani who sold the most jerseys in the MLB last season.

The contract Ohtani receives this offseason has a chance to be the largest in MLB history and whichever team signs him will have a new franchise cornerstone.
A disturbing video on social media Tuesday showed a Charlotte police officer repeatedly striking a woman who was pinned to the ground outside of a Bojangles in southwest Charlotte.

Two people  both Bojangles employees  were approached by CMPD officers because they were smoking marijuana in public. The woman, according to CMPD, punched an officer in the face, and both individuals reportedly refused arrest.

In the video, the woman is lying on the ground, restrained by multiple CMPD officers. Another officer repeatedly hits the woman, as witnesses plead with the officers to stop. CMPD claimed the woman was laying on her hands and not allowing officers to arrest her and the strikes were intended to get the woman to stop resisting.

After several repeated verbal commands, an officer struck the female subject seven times with knee strikes and 10 closed fist strikes to the peroneal nerve in the thigh to try to gain compliance, CMPD said in a statement.

At least seven officers were present when the woman was finally arrested and put inside a CMPD vehicle, according to WCNC Charlotte. The incident was enough to make national headlines in The New York Times.

The video invites a number of questions. First, was the use of force in this situation truly warranted? If the woman was already on the ground and restrained by officers, was it necessary to hit her 17 times? What actions, if any, were taken to de-escalate the situation?

CMPD Chief Johnny Jennings acknowledged in a statement that the video was not easy to watch, but said the bodycam footage tells more of the story than what is circulating on social media. CMPD has begun the legal process to release the bodycam footage, but that could take a few months.

While the bodycam footage may indeed provide additional clarity, its troubling to see such aggressive tactics used to subdue an unarmed woman, even if she was resisting arrest. Incidents like these can further damage the already frayed trust between CMPD and the communities it serves  especially the Black community. That makes answers to the communitys questions all the more important.

At a press conference Wednesday, Jennings said that the individuals were smoking marijuana at a bus stop before officers approached them. If they were merely smoking marijuana, though, why did CMPD see a need to intervene? The Mecklenburg County district attorney is no longer prosecuting non-violent simple possession charges. Jennings should explain whether CMPD has a different threshold for smoking marijuana, and why.

From the very beginning, the police interacting with people over the smell of marijuana, we dont think that was a big enough issue for the police to interact with, Robert Dawkins, leader of SAFE Coalition NC, said. The way to not have issues with the police is to limit the amount of interactions that are handled by police.

SAFE is a police accountability effort that has advised the city on issues like its use of force policy and reforms to the Citizens Review Board.

Dawkins said that, from SAFEs perspective, the police should have used de-escalating tactics and kept restraining the woman until she calmed down, instead of using strikes to get her to comply.

They wouldnt have lost the political and the neighborhood capital that they had to give up just to bring in this one small arrest, Dawkins said. Doing the strikes hurt them more than what would have happened if they had waited.

An internal investigation is underway, and the officer involved in the situation has been reassigned. According to CMPD policy, officers may use less-lethal force when reasonably necessary to make an arrest. North Carolina law also permits the use of force in arrest. But CMPDs policy also says that other factors must be taken into account, such as the number of officers present and whether the person poses an imminent threat to the public.

If I look at this entire thing, are there things that we can do better? Absolutely. Are there things that I wish would have never happened? Certainly, Jennings said at the press conference.

Going forward, Jennings said the department would consider changes to how officers address people smoking marijuana and whether it is necessary to deliver body strikes if we have four officers subduing an individual.

Good. Were glad that Jennings is acknowledging that his department may not have handled the situation in the best way, and that he appears to be pursuing why. We urge him to follow through on that willingness to examine and improve, and be equally candid in his final analysis of what happened.
A Charlotte rapper is behind bars again for alleged domestic violence and gun charges. Farran Harrison, known online as 10Cellphones, was arrested Wednesday afternoon.

According to court documents, undercover police officers were at Charlotte Premium Outlets when they recognized Harrison while he shopped at the Under Armour Store.

Officers said they knew Harrison had an arrest warrant and went to place him in custody. However, he pulled away and tried to flee on foot.

Harrison was eventually taken to the ground and arrested. He was later found to be in possession of a firearm, according to court documents.

Officers said Harrison has been charged with domestic violence, carrying a concealed weapon, and resisting arrest.

Harrison releases music under the alias 10Cellphones and has nearly 100,000 followers between SoundCloud and Instagram.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Man accused of threatening police had grenades, guns, and drugs in Uptown apartment

In April, Harrison was arrested after police found two grenades, ammo, and 20 pounds of marijuana in his Uptown apartment.

At the time, detectives said he was known by the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department for allegedly posting videos online threatening to blow up police cars.

VIDEO: Man accused of threatening police had grenades, guns, and drugs in Uptown apartment




William McArd took the collection box from a McDonald's in Chester

A "despicable" man who stole a poppy appeal box from a McDonald's six days before Armistice Day has been jailed.

William McArd, 46, of no fixed address, admitted taking the Royal British Legion's charity box from the fast food outlet on Foregate Street, Chester, on 5 November, Cheshire Police said .

He was sentenced to 18 weeks in prison by magistrates.

Det Supt Helen Newman said he showed "shocking disrespect" to those who had served their country "so selflessly".

After the theft, McDonald's staff alerted police that McArd was back in the store on 12 November and he was arrested and charged with the offence.

As well as the 18 week-sentence for theft an eight-week suspended sentence was triggered from a previous offence so he was jailed for 26 weeks.

Chester magistrates also ordered him to pay 154 compensation.

Det Supt Newman added: "It is despicable to steal from any charity, but to steal a poppy appeal box six days before Armistice Day shows a truly shocking disrespect for all those brave people who have served their country so selflessly."

Why not follow BBC North West on Facebook, X and Instagram? You can also send story ideas to northwest.newsonline@bbc.co.uk
CHICAGO  Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday deflected questions about a City Hall controversy in which a top adviser tried to persuade an alderman to vote for parts of Johnsons progressive agenda by tying those votes to the administrations willingness to remove homeless camps in the aldermans ward.

The mayor was responding to questions from reporters about the proposal, which was made by top aide Jason Lee to 34th Ward Alderman Bill Conway a day after the Tribune first reported on the discussion. Conway criticized Lees efforts and said it was an inappropriate quid pro quo.

The mayor Wednesday at first sidestepped a question about the exchange, telling reporters, I am not necessarily privy to every single conversation that happens throughout the city of Chicago. But pressed further on Conways allegations, Johnson said they were a mischaracterization and said pushing for real support around the unhoused (is) what this has always been about.

Im not going to apologize for doing right by the people of Chicago. I said I was going to bring Chicago home. I said I was going to invest in the unhoused, Johnson said, referring to his push for a real estate transfer tax increase on property sales over $1 million to develop a stream for anti-homelessness services. There is no secret to what I said I was going to do, and my administration carrying that out is exactly what the people of Chicago expect in their mayor.

The mayor ended his response with a broadside against unnamed opponents of his agenda: And if anyone wishes to stand in the way of the people of Chicago, well theyre going to get rolled over by the people of Chicago.

The conflict between Conway and Johnsons administration began with Conways efforts to remove the encampment near Union and Ogilvie train stations, which Conway said is a trouble spot for drugs and violent crime in the ward. Two recent shootings in the area have exacerbated his concern, he has said.

As part of his efforts to get the tents removed, Conway said he spoke with Lee in early October while aldermen were at City Hall for meetings. Conway said he shared with Lee his concerns about guns, propane tanks and drug packets found in the viaducts that are now crowded with tents.

According to Conway, Lee pulled Conway into a copy room behind council chambers and offered to help remove the homeless camps, but Conway said Lee tied the action to the alderman supporting the real estate transfer tax plan and an end to the subminimum tipped wage for service workers.

A day after their in-person conversation, Lee and Conway spoke again by phone, and Lee reiterated his requests, the alderman said. Conway recalled asking Lee whether City Hall was able to do more than had already been done at the sites, as he was running into bureaucratic problems.

Lee responded, We won the election. Where theres a will, theres a way, and added, Special problems require special intervention from the mayor, according to Conway.

Conway also said he recalled Lee saying the administrations progressive allies would raise hell if they helped clear out the viaducts, but City Hall was willing to make that happen because Conways votes for the two measures would give us all the ammunition we need to justify why this is a critical intervention.

In an interview published earlier this week, Lee acknowledged linking the issue of the camps with support for the Bring Chicago Home and One Fair Wage ordinances. But he defended it as an appropriate deal.

What I expressed to Alderman Conway is that  theres a perception that doing something like removing encampments is not necessarily in line with progressive values and that it could be perceived as a callous act disconnected from the realities of what the unhoused and other vulnerable populations are going through, Lee said.

Alderman Conway demonstrating his commitment to progressive values, including eliminating the subminimum wage but most importantly Bring Chicago Home, is helpful to neutralize some of the criticism he might face in pursuing that.

Conway, meanwhile, said Wednesday that he has not heard from Lee since details of the conversation became public, but he is more concerned about the public safety crisis in the 34th Ward.

It is beyond abhorrent that I was offered public safety resources in exchange for legislative votes, Conway told reporters. I will never negotiate on public safety. Public safety is the reason I ran for alderman, and the mayors office should not have asked for that.

In the end, Conway voted for neither Johnson initiative. He missed a vote on the subminimum wage  he said he was sick  and voted against Johnsons plan for a transfer tax hike.

Conway was also traveling during the One Fair Wage vote, which Lee ridiculed by saying he fled the country rather than cast his ballot.

And the encampments are still there.

________

2023 Chicago Tribune. Visit chicagotribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
CHICAGO - A Chicago woman is suing a major airline after she alleged that her custom wheelchair was lost without explanation and returned damaged.

To make matters worse, she says she was publicly humiliated at the airport.

The woman, who has spinal muscular atrophy and relies on her custom mechanized wheelchair, says a series of mishaps while returning from her vacation in the Dominican Republic led to a painful and embarrassing ordeal.

One year ago, Shannon O'Brien was on a flight from Punta Cana to O'Hare International Airport when an emergency forced it to divert to Orlando.

The only times O'Brien leaves her wheelchair, which costs tens of thousands of dollars and took months to build, is when she sleeps, showers or travels by plane.

Shannon OBrien | Photo: provided

Once in Orlando, she alleges that Frontier could not locate her wheelchair and she went more than 12 hours before they could find it.

Yet, when she boarded another flight to Chicago the next day, the wheelchair was misplaced again.

She says she was helped home by loved ones and bedridden while the airline searched for it. When she got it back, however, the custom footplate was detached and broken.

Plus, her attorney says an airline rep in Orlando publicly embarrassed her.

"Other members of her family were at the baggage claim and then an announcement was made by a rep from Frontier Airlines. Your baggage is being delayed because a lady in a wheelchair can't get off the plane," said Lance Northcutt, partner at Salvi, Schostok & Pritchard. "Now, she has the added humiliation of Frontier Airlines."

Shannon O'Brien | Photo provided

O'Brien and her attorneys are now suing on one count of negligence for losing and damaging her wheelchair along with humiliating her.

"I'm doing this not just on behalf of myself but so that no one else has to go through this," said O'Brien.

A spokesperson for the Denver-based airline recognized the series of mishaps as a "significant inconvenience" and extended its apologies to O'Brien and her family, adding that this lawsuit was the first theyd heard from O'Brien since last November.

Frontier Airlines statement went on to say: "We had multiple team members working to reunite her with her chair and ultimately placed it on another airline to get it to her as quickly as possible. She was provided contact information so that she could reach out to us at any time with any further concerns or issues."
China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has condemned the words of US President Joe Biden, who called Chinese leader Xi Jinping a dictator.

Source: Reuters, citing Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Mao Ning, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning on 16 November said this rhetoric is extremely wrong and an irresponsible political manipulation, and that Beijing strongly opposes such statements.

She added that "there are always ill-intentioned people who try to drive a wedge between China-US relations, which will not succeed".

Mao Ning refused to specify who she meant.

Background:

On 15 November, Joe Biden called Xi Jinping a "dictator" just hours after their one-on-one meeting.

In June, US President Joe Biden also called Chinese President Xi Jinping a "dictator" when he spoke about his reaction to the downing of a Chinese reconnaissance balloon.

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Chinese leader Xi Jinping suggested that Beijing may send new pandas to the U.S. as envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples, Xi said Wednesday, after he and U.S. President Joe Biden met in person for the first time in a year at the APEC summit in San Francisco.

Xi did not disclose details on when the pandas might be gifted, but suggested that the next pair will most likely be based at the San Diego Zoo in California, the Associated Press reported.

Xis announcement comes a week after the Smithsonian National Zoo returned its three beloved pandas to China after 23 years in DC, leaving the Atlanta zoo as the only institution to house giant pandas in the U.S. Chinese law stipulates that all pandas  even those born outside the country  are property of the Chinese government, meaning those at zoos are dependent on a lease. To many observers, the return of Mei Xiang, Tian Tian, and Xiao Qi Ji suggested the end of Chinas panda diplomacy in the U.S., but Xis announcement shows otherwise. I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off, Xi said, adding that he learned that the people in California very much look forward to welcoming pandas back.

Before the Xi-Biden meeting, China watchers were skeptical about Beijing renewing panda diplomacy with the U.S. Their meeting wasnt expected to change the trajectory of relations, and the two leaders were instead looking for a cosmetic, cost-free lowering of the temperature, a former U.S. envoy to China told the New Yorker. With such existential problems it was unlikely that Biden would have asked Xi for more pandas, the New Yorker wrote. Even so, Washington has remained committed to working with China on panda research and conservation, the New Yorker writes. The National Zoo has conducted groundbreaking research on tracking gene diversity to prevent extinction of the species. The zoo also arranged for its pandas to get specific COVID-19 vaccines, which China does not have for its bears.
Negotiations between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping did not change China's attitude to the "Ukrainian crisis" (war).

Source: Chinas Foreign Ministry, citing spokesperson Mao Ning at a briefing.

Details: Asked whether "anything new" was heard about China's position on Russia's war against Ukraine and the war between Israel and Palestine during the talks between the two presidents, Mao Ning answered:

Quote: "Indeed, the two Presidents exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern including the Ukraine crisis [Russias war against Ukraine  ed.] and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Chinas position on both issues is clear and consistent. We stand on the side of equity and justice and remain committed to promoting talks for peace and deescalation."

Background:

US President Joe Biden met Chinese leader Xi Jinping in San Francisco on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. This is their first face-to-face meeting in a year and Xi's first visit to the US in four years.

During his meeting with US President Joe Biden, Xi Jinping called the partnership between the two countries "the most important bilateral relationship in the world", saying that "the earth is big enough for both countries to succeed".

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SophGo, a China-based chip developer, is working on several high performance processors featuring RISC-V-based IP that it licensed from SiFive, a major RISC-V IP designer from the U.S., reports HPCwire. This endeavor somewhat underscores the rising influence of RISC-V in the global chip industry and shows why some U.S. lawmakers are concerned about this open-source technology.



SophGo's first RISC-V-based project is the SG2380 processor, which includes 16 four-issue, out-of-order SiFive P670 cores, SiFive's X280 accelerator for AI/ML workloads, and Imagination Technologies' AXT-16-512 graphics processing unit. The CPU is mostly aimed at high-performance desktops, but it could also be used for edge servers that require 16 general-purpose cores as well as AI capabilities.



But the SG2380 is not the only SiFive-based product in SophGo's portfolio, as the company has already announced its SG2044 system-on-chip, slated for release in 2024. This 120W SoC will pack up to 64 high-performance RISC-V cores from SiFive, the final version of RISC-V vector extensions, PCIe 5.0, GbE, and LPDDR5x support. This processor will succeed little-known SGF2042, which supports 0.7 version of RISC-V vector extensions and is currently used mostly by researchers.



Both SophGo's SG2380 and SG2044 are to be produced on TSMC's 12nm-class process technologies. These products clearly exemplify the collaborative and innovative spirit of RISC-V, akin to the Linux operating system in its global contribution and development model. However, some U.S. lawmakers are consideration limiting RISC-V cooperation between American and Chinese companies. That sparked quite the controversy, with RISC-V International, headquartered in Switzerland, strongly opposing such governmental interference.



Despite the advancements and potential of RISC-V, its widespread adoption in the server and supercomputer sectors remains a distant goal. The current market is heavily dominated by x86 chips produced by Intel and AMD, with Arm also posing significant competition. Meanwhile, Arm and x86 technologies are controlled by companies based in the U.S. and U.K., which means that they are subject to export control regulations. As a result, Chinese developers are turning their attention to RISC-V, as they can either get open-source designs and expand on them, or just design high-performance technology from the ground up without any controls from the U.S. or U.K. governments.

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Chinese President Xi Jinping received a standing ovation Wednesday night as he took the stage to address a dinner with business executives at a summit of Indo-Pacific leaders in California.

In his address, Xi appeared open to cooperation with the U.S., telling the crowd, We are in an era of challenges and changes. It is also an era of hope. The world needs China and the United States to work together for a better future, according to an English language translation of his remarks from The Associated Press (AP).

China has no intention to challenge the United States or unseat it, he said, per APs translation. Likewise, the United States should not bet against China, or interfere in Chinas internal affairs.

Those in attendance for the $2,000-per-plate dinner included Apple CEO Tim Cook, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman and leaders from Pfizer, FedEx, Boeing and KKR, according to The Wall Street Journal. Tesla owner Elon Musk was at the VIP reception but did not stay for the dinner, according to CNBC, citing event organizers.

Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-Wis.), chairman of the House Select Committee on China, railed against the American companies decision to attend the dinner.

It is unconscionable that American companies might pay thousands of dollars to join a welcome dinner hosted by the very same [Chinese Communist Party] officials who have facilitated a genocide against millions of innocent men, women, and children in Xinjiang, Gallagher wrote in a statement earlier this week.

Gallagher is requesting that the events organizers  the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the U.S.-China Business Council  provide a full list of the individuals, companies and other entities that purchased tickets to the dinner as well as information on how those profits will be distributed between the events organizers and other entities.

The Wisconsin Republican is also asking for the names of those that paid a $40,000 fee to sit at the table with Xi, along with any steps the event organizers have taken to defend human rights in China and to prevent the genocide of Uyghurs and other ethnic minorities in Xinjiang.

The Hill reached out to Gallaghers office for further comment.

Wednesday nights banquet came after Xis nearly four-hour long meeting with President Biden on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco.

Biden told reporters he was blunt with Xi on areas of tension between the two countries, while touting areas of cooperation, including the resumption of military-to-military communications and combatting illegal fentanyl in what was their first face-to-face meeting in a year.

The U.S. president told Xi, per the AP: I think its paramount that you and I understand each other clearly, leader-to-leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunications. We have to ensure competition does not veer into conflict.

Speaking with reporters after their meeting Wednesday, Biden called Xi a dictator, marking the second time this year the president referred to Xi that that term.

Look, he is. Hes a dictator in the sense that hes a guy who runs a country that is a communist country that is based on a form of government totally different from ours, Biden said.

Chinas Foreign Ministry pushed back on this statement, telling reporters Thursday it strongly opposes the comments without mentioning Biden by name.

This statement is extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said during a routine briefing Thursday, according to a Reuters report.

It should be pointed out that there will always be some people with ulterior motives who attempt to incite and damage U.S.-China relations, they are doomed to fail, Mao added.

When asked to specify the identity of some people, Mao refused, according to Reuters.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The high-stakes meeting between Chinese leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden at the APEC summit in San Francisco is dominating headlines in both countries.

Hailed as a much-needed stepping stone in fragile Sino-American relations, the bilateral talks are seen as crucial while Chinas economy stagnates and the U.S. remains heavily involved in two major wars. Chinese state media adopted a more friendly tone to the U.S. in its coverage, while Chinese social media users focused on a somewhat different aspect.





Chinese state media has toned down its criticism of the U.S. ahead of the summit. News agency Xinhua published a five-part series on Getting China-U.S. Relations Back on Track, and interviewees in other state media articles have promoted foreign policy that the Biden administration hopes to gain from talks with Xi. China should further demonstrate to the U.S. and the international community that it is a proactive and responsible major country in the international endeavor against drug abuse, one academic told a Shanghai newspaper, referring to the White Houses demand for China to stop contributing to the fentanyl trade. This messaging is likely meant to signal to U.S. companies that they shouldnt be worried about U.S.-China relations, Titus Chen of Taiwans National Sun Yat-sen University told the New York Times. It is mainly designed for signaling, in the hope that recipients will get the signal and implement the proper response, which is investment, or resumption of exchanges, Chen said.

On Chinese social media, however, users remained obsessed with crime and homelessness in the U.S., with homelessness showing up as the number one result on Weibo after searching for San Francisco shortly before the Xi-Biden meeting. One Weibo user known for his anti-U.S. views shared a video that appeared to show homeless people sleeping on the streets of the city before APEC and then police clearing encampments and cleaners picking up trash. I have never seen the U.S. so efficient at something, the user said in the video. Its like youre having a party behind your parents back and then crazily cleaning up right before they return home. Hu Xijin, the former editor-in-chief of state tabloid The Global Times said, Why doesnt the US put up some money to resettle these homeless people?
Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested Wednesday that more giant pandas could come to the United States, calling the animals envoys of friendship between the nations peoples.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples, Xi said during a dinner with business executives at a summit of Indo-Pacific leaders in San Francisco, per The Associated Press.

Last week, the National Zoos three giant pandas departed Washington to return to China, marking what was believed to be the end, at least for now, to 50 years of so-called panda diplomacy with Beijing.

The panda exchange with China began under an agreement brokered by then-President Nixon in 1972, which led to several pandas being loaned to U.S. zoos for research purposes.

I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off, Xi said during Wednesday speech, per AP.

While Xi reportedly did not go into details on when or where the pandas could be brought to the U.S., the Chinese president did note he was informed the San Diego Zoo and California residents very much look forward to welcoming the pandas back.

The San Diego Zoo returned its pandas to China in 2019.

The pandas departure from the Washington zoo last week followed a series of other pandas being pulled from Western zoos after their agreements expired. The only remaining giant pandas in the U.S. are at the Atlanta Zoo, with that agreement expiring next year.

While zoo officials have claimed it was simply time for the pandas to return home, some foreign policy experts suggested it could be a message from China amid a series of enflamed tensions with the U.S.

Xi met with President Biden on the sidelines of the APEC business summit earlier Wednesday, marking the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders in nearly a year.

Biden later said he was blunt with Xi on areas of tension between the two countries, while also touting agreement on three key areas of cooperation. Biden said the meeting produced positive steps, including the reestablishment of direct military-to-military contacts severed last year.

The National Zoo hinted last week at a potential return of the giant pandas without providing further details, while Minister Xu Xueyuan said China plans to continue to work with its cooperation partners, including the U.S.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Critical protections for historic tribal communities now hang in the balance as their future representation remains uncertain.

Members of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) are set to vote on a constitutional amendment that could remove voting membership status for 24 state-recognized tribes.

Drug trafficking investigation leads to 24 arrests

Chairman Tony Johnson with the Chinook Indian Nation said his community would be among those prevented from being members.

To not be members would both be an insult, but also would prevent us from accessing some of those protections, he said.

Despite living at the mouth of the Columbia River since time immemorial, Johnson said the Chinook has been fighting for federal recognition for more than a century. They were formally recognized by the Clinton administration 20 years ago, only to have that rescinded just 18 months later by the Bush administration.

Tribes federally recognized today: 75% of them were not recognized when I was born in Oregon, 25% of Washingtons tribes were not recognized, Johnson said. No one would argue that those folks shouldnt have been members of NCAI.

Does Measure 110 need a combination of coercion?

According to the proposal, the changes would update membership rules to exclude all tribes who are not federally recognized. Those who worked to draft the amendment, like Chief Ben Barnes of the Shawnee Tribe, are arguing the changes would combat ongoing fraud and cultural appropriation.

In a social media post on Monday, Barnes said:

There are groups from each and every state with no Native ancestry masquerading as tribes and stealing the cultures, languages, and histories of tribes with treaty and/or trust relations with the United StatesThe amendments proposed by the Shawnee Tribe and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians seek to combat this fraud, and over 150 tribes across the United States support the proposed amendments.

Courtesy: Amiran White

Courtesy: Amiran White

Courtesy: Amiran White

Courtesy: Amiran White

Chief Ben Barnes. (Courtesy: Barnes)

Johnson says Barnes concerns are a regional issue that dont impact the Pacific Northwest, but could still harm local groups like the Chinook.

Just use the rules that exist to weed out bad actors or, if an amendment is required, use a scalpel, he said. This idea of just blowing up every tribe that is not on the list of federally recognized tribes today is asinine.

Shots fired at Portland International Airport TSA checkpoint, suspect in custody

Johnson added that the United States is not the example sovereign communities should use to recognize their peers.

An amendment that says, only federally recognized tribesto me that implies the United States government gives you sovereignty. That cannot be true, Johnson said. That is not the way that we were taught, its not the way that we believe, and its certainly not the way we will ever act.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie said Wednesday that pushing for humanitarian pauses in Israels attacks in Gaza is not up to the United States, but up to the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) to decide.

I dont think its our call, he told CNNs Jake Tapper on The Lead. I think its the call of the Israeli Defense Forces. Look, theyre in a war, Jake. And the fact is that they need to do what they need to do to eliminate the threat of Hamas.

Christie recently returned from a visit to Israel earlier, where he toured Kfar Azza, a kibbutz in southern Israel that was attacked by Hamas militants in its Oct. 7 assault that killed more than 1,200 people. He had previously pushed back on calls for a cease-fire, arguing while he was in Israel that it wouldnt make any sense because Hamas first broke the cease-fire in its initial attacks.

I mean, you cannot negotiate with folks like this because their goal is simply to eradicate not just Israel, but its to eradicate the Jewish people. And so, you know, I understand we dont want any loss of innocent civilian life, he said on Wednesday.

But lets remember two things. There was a ceasefire on October 6 and it was Hamas that broke it on October 7, he continued. And so you, you cannot allow people in Gaza to be used as human shields and all the rest, and then blame that on the Israelis. It is Hamas thats enslaving their own people.

Christie also added that he would support a two-state solution, noting that that would be part of the way to continue to isolate Iran.

Christies comments come just as the United Nations Security Council passed a resolution calling for urgent humanitarian pauses and corridors to be opened in Gaza and for the release of hostages held by Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. The U.S., along with Russia and the United Kingdom, abstained from the vote.

Israel agreed to four-hour daily pauses in Gaza military operations last week, which comes weeks after it started its bombardment of the territory. The Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry has said that more than 11,000 people have died in Gaza since the war began last month.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
2024 GOP presidential candidate Chris Christie predicted former President Trump will be a convicted felon by spring 2024.

In an interview Thursday on CNNs The Lead with Jake Tapper, Christie suggested Americas founding fathers would never had predicted a convicted felon could run for the presidency. If they had, Christie argued, they would have specifically banned felons from the presidency.

In a discussion about Trumps top two GOP rivals  former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis  Christie recalled a question posed by moderators in the first debate.

Remember, both of them raised their hand on the stage in the first debate and said they would support [Trump] even if hes a convicted felon. George Washington, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, Ben Franklin are rolling in their graves, Christie said.

If they knew that anyone would have had the audacity, as a felon  which Donald Trump will be, come this spring  to run for president, and that other people running for the office would be willing to support someone like that, they would have added, You cant be a convicted felon, to age 35 and natural-born American citizen, as requirements for the presidency.

Christie, the former New Jersey governor, continued to slam Haley and DeSantis for their willingness to support Trump, who has been indicted in four separate criminal cases, comprising a total of 91 felony counts.

The charges relate to a range of alleged crimes, including trying to overturn the results of the election, willfully retaining national security secrets and falsifying business records in connection to alleged hush money payments ahead of the 2016 election.

To say that you could be the rightful heir of the legacy of Washington and Adams and Lincoln and FDR, as someone whod say I will support a convicted felon, that gives me grave concerns, Jake, about their judgment and whether its just nothing more than craven politics, he said.

Christie said he was not ready to make that call yet when asked whether Haley or DeSantis would make a better president. He said hearing Haley say that Trump was the right president for the right time during the most recent debate was really very discouraging to me.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Recent violations have prompted Utah Division of Wildlife Resources officials to inform hunters on how to prevent chronic wasting disease  a relatively rare but highly contagious transmissible disease that affects deer, elk and moose.

DWR officials are asking hunters who harvest big game animals to make sure they are adhering to the laws regarding the transportation of carcasses.

Chronic wasting disease was first discovered in Utah in 2002. The case was reportedly found in a buck deer taken during the rifle hunt near Vernal.

Woman saves Utah student from carbon monoxide poisoning after noticing him passed out in vehicle

Fast forward to today  158 mule deer and and four elk have tested positive have currently tested positive for the disease in Utah. The disease has been found in six hunting units, mainly in central, northeastern, and southeastern Utah counties.

As far as the disease itself, it is reportedly extremely contagious, and can be transmitted to other animals from pieces of infected dead animals. It is caused by a misfolded protein called a prion, which accumulates in animal tissue, according to the DWR. Officials said it is caused by the same type of particle as mad cow disease.

Infected animals reportedly develop brain lesions, become emaciated, appear listless, and have droopy ears, according to the DWR. They may also salivate excessively and will eventually die, a release states.

These animals may reportedly shed prions in their urine, feces, or saliva, and transmission could happen directly through contact with the animal or indirectly through environmental contamination. For example, a dead carcass could contaminate the soil, according to the DWR.

Prions are extremely resilient in the environment and can stay infectious for many years, the release states.

Unfortunately, this fall we have had several cases of hunters traveling from other states who are transporting their deer and elk back into Utah without adhering to these transportation rules, DWR Conservation Officer Morgan Larsen said. On Oct. 30 alone, we detected four individuals returning to Utah from areas in Colorado with chronic wasting disease who were in violation of transporting the full heads of deer or elk with the brains still intact. All of these individuals planned to dispose of their big game remains in Utah. That is not only illegal, but also poses a threat to our local deer and elk herds. If that brain matter and other animal parts are tossed into the mountains or a field, that brain matter can contaminate the dirt where it was discarded and spread chronic wasting disease to big game animals in that area of Utah.

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A state rule was reportedly put in place in 2020, only allowing hunters to transport the following parts of a deer, elk, or moose harvested in states with chronic wasting disease back into Utah:

Meat that is cut and wrapped, either commercially or privately.

Quarters or other portions of meat with no part of the spinal column or head attached.

Meat that is boned out.

A hide with no head attached.

Skulls or skull plates with antlers attached, only if all the brain matter and spinal column material has been removed.

Taxidermied heads with no meat or tissue attached.

Upper canine teeth.

Nonresidents of Utah transporting harvested elk, moose, mule deer or white-tailed deer from chronic wasting disease-affected areas are allowed to transport their animal through Utah if they do not leave any part of the harvested animal in Utah and do not stay more than 24 hours in Utah, as well as do not have their deer, elk or moose processed in Utah, according to the DWR.

While illegally transporting big game carcasses from areas with chronic wasting disease typically results in an infraction, this can reportedly result in a felony charge if there is evidence that the animal parts spread chronic wasting disease to local big game herds in Utah.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
Leaders with the City of Carnation are urging the City of Seattle to fix the Tolt Dam early warning system to keep residents safe after six false alarms happened in the past three years.

Seattle Public Utilities controls the Tolt Dam. The reservoir provides drinking water to around 500,000 people in Seattle and its surrounding areas, but not Carnation.

PRESS CONFERENCE:

Leaders of the City of Carnation and non-profit organizations held a press conference at Nick Loutsis Park on Entwistle Street Wednesday at 11:30 a.m.

Messages and thoughts expressed at the event were filled with frustration and concerns.

All of our citizens are suffering from some level of PTSD, said Mayor of Carnation Jim Ribail. Its one of my biggest concerns because when that alarm goes off people are actually pausing and saying, Is this really an alarm? Should I really evacuate?

KIRO 7 asked Mayor Ribail about the causes behind the false alerts.

Weve had several different explanations on the different ones, but each turn, theres a different reason for the false alarm, he said.

We also asked Ribail about the number of times he had reached out to the City of Seattle within the past years to address the issue.

Lost count, he said.

Ribail said the latest system installed by the City of Seattle does not work correctly to keep residents safe.

Residents were able to hear the alerts - with the prior system - from inside their homes, he added, however, many people now have a difficult time with the latest technology.

Sabrina Warren, transportation supervisor with Riverview School District, which has more than 3,000 students, recalled the past false alarms.

I was here the day we had the false alarm in the summertime, and it was pandemonium in the city, she said. There was chaos in the streets. The system kept going off, over and over again, saying it was a breach. People in the City of Carnation were in hysterics. They were driving over peoples lawns. They were carrying pets. They were carrying belongings because they never thought they would be able to come back to their homes.

When asked about the new system, Warren said, Our building (school), we actually have to step out on Wednesdays at 12 Oclock to actually hear that alarm system right here. She added, It panics me or scares me because I feel like this has gone on for a really long time. And this is a serious business we have out here. We have lives. This is a community in the Snoqualmie Valley. And our students, and our staff and our community members are important.

SENIOR CENTER:

To better understand the new systems impact, KIRO 7 News spoke with Kira Avery, executive director of Sno-Valley Senior Center, located on Stephens Avenue.

She remembered the terrifying moment when she and her organization heard the first false alarm in July of 2020.

Scared. Scared for all of the people that we know who live here who might not have the easiest way to get out of town. She added, They were really scared.

The senior center sees on average 1,200 people a year, with up to 80 people a day.

Were supposed to have this new system thats supposed to work, and we barely hear it at the senior center anymore, she said.

***INSERT TWITTER URL: https://twitter.com/louie_tran/status/1724930838989771231

When a test alarm sounded off in the City of Carnation on Wednesday at 12 p.m., Reed Larson, a senior member of the center, said, I didnt hear it.

However, he understands the risks of the new system and if the dam were to break.

Thats going to be tough if water is going to come rushing. Theyre (senior members at the center) going to die. People are going to die, he said.

It kind of scares me for other people. I got a lot of friends here. He added, I have friends here, and I love these people. Theyre good people.

Aletha Littlefield, another senior member of the center, said the false alarms have sent a dangerous message to the community.

With these false alarms, were not taking it serious. She added, It puts everyone on edge. We cant trust the system.

She stressed to the City of Seattle to, Make it safe for Carnation to be able to stay here, live here without fear.

CITY OF SEATTLE:

KIRO 7 News reached out to the Seattle Mayors office. Were still waiting to hear back.

We also reached out to Seattle Public Utilities.

A spokesperson declined our interview request. She shared the following statement after KIRO 7 News had asked for clarifying details on SPUs original statement.

On October 18, Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) fulfilled its promise to the Carnation community to fully transition to the new Early Tolt Dam Early Warning System. The new alarm system, currently in use, provides the same service and functionality as the system it replaced, but with more modern and reliable components. Based on feedback from residents on the new warning system, we continue to make improvements to the systems sound volume and quality, including upgrading all speakers, speaker amplifiers and re-recording voice messages.

We are working to complete these additional improvements as quickly as possible. We expect all three items to be completed by January 2024. There is also a Phase II to this project which expands the capabilities of the alerting system beyond the original system. These enhancements include additional indoor alerting devices, new static signs, and highway message signs, and we expect this phase to be completed by the end of 2024.

The spokesperson also said that Seattle Public Utilities has worked with its emergency management partners and enhanced current protocols to include updated communication, including:

Text alert notifications for residents, should another false alarm happen

A the dam is safe announcement broadcast (in English and Spanish), should another false alarm happen

Direct communications to the City of Carnation

Assistance with the City of Carnations social media updates

The spokesperson also said SPU is working to ensure safety with the following measures:

24/7 surveillance and monitoring of the dam

Daily visual inspections and instrument readings

Safety and security plan

Periodic engineering, federal and independent inspections

Emergency action plan

The early warning system cost taxpayers around $10 million.

When asked what may be causing the false alarms, SPU said the early warning system, prior to the October 18 update, was last updated in 1993.
Christine Buhl, a forest health specialist for the Oregon Department of Forestry, uses an increment borer to core a dead western red cedar at Magness Memorial Tree Farm in Sherwood, Ore., Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. Iconic red cedars  known as the "Tree of Life'  and other tree species in the Pacific Northwest have been dying because of climate-induced drought, researchers say. (AP Photo/Amanda Loman)

SHERWOOD, Ore. (AP)  Deep inside a forest in Oregons Willamette Valley stands a dead Tree of Life.

Its foliage, normally soft and green, is tough and brown or missing altogether. Nonetheless, the trees reddish bark, swooping branches and thick, conical base identify it as the Pacific Northwests iconic western red cedar.

Christine Buhl, a forest health specialist for the Oregon Department of Forestry, plunges a tool called an increment borer into the dead trees trunk. Twisting the handle of the corkscrew-like borer, Buhl extracts a long, thin sample of the trees inner growth rings.

The rings become thinner over time, indicating the trees growth slowed before the tree finally died, a sign that this red cedar, like thousands of others in Oregon and Washington, died from drought.

Thats why its the canary, says Buhl. Any tree thats less drought tolerant is going to be the canary in the coal mine. Theyre going to start bailing (out).

For thousands of years, people have used red cedar to make everything from canoes to clothing.

Red cedars many uses have earned the species endearing names, including the Tree of Life. More recently, scientists have started calling this water-loving relative of redwoods by a less flattering name: the climate canary.

Last year, Buhl and colleagues reported that red cedars were dying throughout the trees growing range not because of a fungus or insect attack, but due to the regions climate change-induced drought.

Red cedars arent alone.

In recent years, at least 15 native Pacific Northwest tree species have experienced growth declines and die-offs, 10 of which have been linked to drought and warming temperatures, according to recent studies and reports.

Many researchers, Buhl included, are now arguing that these drought-driven die-offs are the beginning of a much larger and long-predicted shift in tree growing ranges due to climate change.

___

EDITORS NOTE: This story is part of a collaboration between The Associated Press and Columbia Insight, exploring the impact of climate on trees in the Pacific Northwest.

___

Trees, and plants generally, have growing ranges that are largely determined by climate factors, namely moisture and temperature.

For decades, scientists have argued that as atmospheric warming continues, growing ranges in the Northern Hemisphere will shift upslope in elevation and farther north, leaving many trees stranded in a warmer, drier world.

As climate mismatch sets in, trees are expected to die-off and not grow back, according to predictions.

Daniel DePinte, Forest Service aerial survey program manager, suspects range changes are driving Firmageddon. A term coined by researchers, including DePinte, Firmageddon refers to the more than 1,875 square-mile (4,856-square-kilometer) die-off of five fir species in Oregon, Washington and northern California.

The forests are moving uphill, said DePinte.

DePinte and colleagues first identified and named the massive, drought-driven fir mortality event last year while surveying area forests via airplane.

According to tree-range predictions, climate-induced die-offs are expected to start at the edges of growing ranges, including at lower-elevation locations that are predicted to become too warm and dry for many species.

DePintes survey revealed that the largest die-offs associated with Firmageddon are occurring at lower-elevation sites.

Buhl and colleagues found a similar pattern with western red cedar. Mortality was greatest at sites less than about 650 feet (200 meters) in elevation west of the Cascade Range, according to their analysis.

Scientists have also observed a similar pattern for Douglas fir, the regions leading commercial timber species. Douglas fir is currently experiencing a 720-square-mile (1,865-square-kilometer) die-off, the majority in the Klamath Mountains near the southern Oregon cities of Ashland and Medford.

The die-off is limited to the lower elevations but is likely to move uphill as temperatures warm in the coming decades, according to a study in the Journal of Forestry.

Our analysis concluded that if climate change continues as predicted, we could see increased Douglas fir mortality at higher elevations, said study coauthor, David Shaw, a professor and forest health specialist at Oregon State University.

Shaw called the die-off consistent with predictions for climate change.

But whereas red cedar is believed to be dying from drought alone, the Firmageddon and Douglas fir die-offs have been linked to a combination of drought weakening trees and insect pests moving in for the kill.

These insects are not normally tree killers, said DePinte. This is evidence that the forests are reacting to climate change and droughts.

Douglas fir is not considered a true fir and is not officially part of Firmageddon, according to DePinte.

The combination of drought-induced stress and pests, said Patrick Tobin, associate professor of disturbance ecology at the University of Washington, is analogous to a person with a weakened immune system dying from the flu.

Drought-stress opens a window for biotic agents that might otherwise not be able to overcome a healthy, well-defended tree, said Tobin.

Tobin is a coauthor of a 2021 study in the journal Forest Ecology and Management on the widespread decline of big leaf maples in western Washington. Tobins study was unable to determine whether drought alone or drought in combination with disease-causing fungi was killing the native maples.

As for the climate canary, Buhl believes red cedar is unlikely to disappear from the landscape entirely but probably wont grow back in areas where its dying off.

Unless we turn back climate change, there is no reason to hope western red cedar is going to make a comeback, said Buhl.

___

Nathan Gilles is a science writer and journalist based in Vancouver, Washington.

___

Columbia Insight is an Oregon-based nonprofit news website covering environmental issues affecting the Pacific Northwest.

___

Associated Press climate and environmental coverage receives support from several private foundations. See more about APs climate initiative here. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Prosecutors and defense lawyers set out competing explanations for why a man ended up attacking the husband of former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi with a hammer, in closing arguments at trial Wednesday.

A San Francisco court has heard how David DePape set out to target the Democrat, visiting her house in California, only to find Paul Pelosi home alone.

While DePape's attorneys do not deny their client fractured the husband's skull in the ensuing confrontation, they dispute prosecutors' claim that he had targeted Nancy Pelosi due to her position as a US Congresswoman.

The distinction is important, because he has pleaded not guilty to charges of assault on the immediate family of a federal official, and attempted kidnapping of a federal official.

"Mr DePape did horrible things... he committed serious crimes that night. But he didn't commit these two crimes," said defense lawyer Angela Chuang, according to the San Francisco Chronicle.

Instead, DePape's attorneys claim that Pelosi was one of a number of prominent liberal figures their client had intended to target, driven by his exposure to a vast web of discredited conspiracy theories, many peddled by far-right podcasts and websites.

Other personalities the defendant admitted wanting to attack included a feminist academic, and actor Tom Hanks.

"Don't get sucked into the culture war like DePape did. Take the high road," said Chuang, according to the newspaper.

But prosecutors Wednesday told jurors that Pelosi's position in Congress was a key and inextricable factor in why DePape had targeted her.

"Would he have gone to the Pelosis' home if Rep. Nancy Pelosi had not been a member of Congress?" asked prosecutor Helen Gilbert.

"No. He deliberately targeted her because of her job, because of her role in our political system. Because of her official duties."

If convicted on the federal charges, DePape could face to up to life in prison. He also faces separate state charges.

During the trial, jurors heard how DePape -- a Canadian former nudist activist who supported himself with occasional carpentry work -- had planned to smash Nancy Pelosi's kneecaps if she did not admit to her party's "lies."

Instead DePape found Paul Pelosi, who engaged him in conversation while managing to call for help from law enforcement.

But moments later, in scenes captured on police bodycam footage, DePape bludgeoned Pelosi with a hammer before officers rushed at him and take the weapon away.

Pelosi was knocked unconscious and spent almost a week in hospital, where he underwent surgery.

DePape told jurors on Tuesday that Paul Pelosi "was never my target and I'm sorry he got hurt."

bur-amz/st
Cluster munitions used by Ukrainian forces are remarkably effective against enemy troops, Deputy Commander of the 3rd Assault Brigade, Maksym Zhorin, said in an interview with NV Radio on Nov. 15.

Our artillerymen actually quite enjoy it when they are given a mission that involves using cluster munitions, said Zhorin.

Read also: Russia hits Donetsk Oblast village with cluster munitions, three people killed

But the enemy does not enjoy them at all because it is truly very unpleasant. As a rule, after their deployment, it is rare for anyone to remain unscathed in the area of application. It is a significant advantage.

Read also: In criminal act, Russia attacks Nova Hnylytsia with cluster munitions

He noted that cluster munitions allow for covering the entire area where an enemy infantry group or their light-armored vehicles disperse, inflicting substantial damage on Russian forces.

Ukraine began using cluster munitions provided by the United States at the end of July.

Read also: Long-promised GLSDB munitions on their way to Ukraine  report

The White House explained that the decision to transfer cluster munitions to Ukraine was dictated by battlefield conditions  on top of U.S. stockpile of conventional artillery shells running low.

The Ukrainian Defense Ministry emphasized that it would use cluster munitions only in areas of Russian military force concentration, outside of cities, to avoid risks to the civilian population.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
After Israeli armed forces shut down a childrens hospital in Gaza last week, a spokesperson for the countrys military gave a tour to members of the international press, taking time to show them something that he argued was evidence of Israels claim that the hospital in the Palestinian enclave may have been used to hold hostages taken by Hamas in an Oct. 7 attack: a calendar.

In an Israeli government video, Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israel Defense Forces, called it a guarding list where every terrorist writes his name and every terrorist has his own shift guarding the people that were here. Hamas denied the claim, and skeptics pointed out that the document was simply a list of dates and days of the week since Oct. 7 under the title Al Aqsa Flood Battle, Hamas name for the attack, along with the Oct. 7, 2023, date. It included no names  of guards or anyone else.

Eventually, Israel backtracked somewhat: A spokesperson acknowledged a translation error in Hagaris statement and, notably, said that video of his remark distributed to media outlets had been corrected, with the specific reference to the document deleted.

In the United States, at least one news outlet has made similar changes but without any editors note or other acknowledgment of the change or the dispute over the initial video.

CNNs international diplomatic editor Nic Robertsons full report, from Al-Rantisi hospital, included Robertson announcing that more evidence, Hagari says, points towards Hamas and possible hostage presence below the hospital.

Then CNN showed Hagari making a statement about the guarding list on which every terrorist has his own shift. After that, the report showed Robertson pointing out a toy flashlight on the floor next to a knife. Hagari claimed he hadnt seen the objects until Robertson mentioned them. Robertson then asked, What does it tell you? Hagari eventually answered that he believed there was no other answer than that the room was used to hold hostages.

The clip made the rounds this week, with critics saying it showed CNN had given too much space to the Israeli militarys claims.

Yesterday Israels whimsical claim that a staff shift calendar they found on the wall of Rantisi Hospital was a Hamas guard list was heavily debunked.



Today @CNN is running with the story, unchallenged.



Serious journalism.pic.twitter.com/rbDaZqoJyY  Marwa Fatafta   (@marwasf) November 14, 2023

But in several other broadcasts of Robertsons report, as well as on CNNs YouTube page and website, none of that remains. Instead, Robertsons report skips ahead to the journalist asking Hagari about other hospitals and the IDF spokesperson arguing we were right to fire upon Al-Rantisi.

In an email to HuffPost, a CNN spokesperson acknowledged that the report, which first aired on Kaitlan Collins program, was cut  purely for length  for subsequent shows. The spokesperson argued that such cuts were not uncommon at all, especially given the nine-minute length of the original segment.

But CNN has seemingly provided no acknowledgment or explanation to its online readership about these scenes apparently being cut from other versions of Robertsons report  the CNN.com page for the report includes no editors note or clarification, nor does CNNs YouTube page.

Compare the videos below.

Collins posted what appears to be the original video report on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. For the segment in question, fast-forward to 6:19:

CNN got an exclusive look on the ground in Gaza  and inside a hospital the IDF says was being used by Hamas. @NicRobertsonCNNs report on The Source tonight: pic.twitter.com/X1rx4VJFWR  Kaitlan Collins (@kaitlancollins) November 14, 2023

However, on CNNs website and YouTube page, starting at the same point in the report, the content about the guarding list, as well as the knife and flashlight, has apparently been excised:

These werent the only changes. The version of the report that Collins posted online includes a comment from Robertson after Hagari displays a handful of guns and explosives purportedly found in the hospital: [Hagari] says he can show us evidence they found a lot more [guns and explosives], but this is what they made safe for our visit, Robertson says. The longer version of the report also includes Hagaris claims about the IDF offering help to evacuate the hospital, as well as his claims about bringing incubators into Gaza. In addition, the longer version of the report includes Hagaris accusation that Hamas was holding hostages in a childrens hospital. None of these claims are included in the versions of the report on CNNs website or YouTube channel.

Live CNN footage saved on the Internet Archive shows different versions of Robertsons reporting airing at different times: Robertson mentioned Hagaris claim of a rotor for guards, for guard duty and a guard room that had a list of guard duties during live interviews Monday with Jake Tapper and Wolf Blitzer. He told Tapper, after noting the document, That is breaking the conventions of international humanitarian law when it comes to protections of hospitals, that is, according to the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Israeli embassy to the United States quoted Robertsons remark in a tweet on Tuesday.

Later on Monday, Robertsons full video report first aired on Collins program and did include the footage of the guarding list material, as well as the other quotes that were later cut, according to archived footage.

Subsequently, the version of Robertsons report that aired Monday on CNN NewsNight With Abby Phillip did not include the extra material, nor did the version aired Tuesday on CNN This Morning.

Daniel Marans contributed reporting.

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SAN DIEGO  The co-creators and stars of American sitcom Workaholics are coming to Southern California this weekend to host a live podcast at the San Diego Civic Theatre.

From everyday life discussions to topics facing society, a group of four well-known comedians and actors are bringing their This Is Important show from iHeartPodcasts to life on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 8 p.m.

San Diego Starbucks workers join nationwide strike on Red Cup Day

Adam Devine, Anders Holm, Blake Anderson, and Kyle Newacheck are welcoming guests to be a fly on the wall for the next episode of their podcast.

The audience can expect to hear their takes on certain issues infused with a lot of humor, which event organizers say should make for an entertaining experience.

Tickets to the San Diego show are still available, with seats ranging from $59.50 to $39.50 before taxes and fees.

From Portland, Oregon to Tulsa, Oklahoma, the This Is Important live tour is making stops in various cities across the country. For some insight on what guests can expect, a snippet of their Seattle, Washington stop can be listened to here.

Not familiar with Workaholics? Devine has also starred in Pitch Perfect, Modern Family, and The Out-Laws, while Anderson and Newacheck were both involved in American political satire mockumentary sitcom Parks and Recreation.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
Cobra Kai viewers have been left thrilled by an update about the forthcoming final season.

The TV sequel to the Karate Kid franchise, which picks up 34 years later, has become a big hit since it debuted in 2018, moving from YouTube Red/Premium to Netflix over the course of its five seasons.

Its been confirmed that the forthcoming sixth run will be the shows last, bringing the long-running franchise to an end.

But there are still some surprises in store for fans of the 1980s film series  a new casting report has claimed that a character fans will remember from the first film will show up in the final batch of episodes.

CS Lee, who has appeared in Dexter and Avatar: The Last Airbender, will show up as the present day version of Master Kim Sun-Young.

Eagle-eyed fans of the first Karate Kid film (1984) will remember that Master Kim Sun-Young was seen in a photograph, with his name being first mentioned in The Karate Kid III (1989).

The character, who also showed up in a flashback in season four of Cobra Kai, is credited with the creation of The Way of the Fist, a martial arts style that goes against the teaching of Mr Miyagi (Pat Morita).

Master Kim Sun-Young has long been presumed dead in the Karate Kid universe  until now. His return to the franchise, in present day form, follows the arrival of the characters granddaughter, Kim Da-Eun (Alicia Hannah-Kim) in Cobra Kai season five.

The shows fans are reacting to the news with glee, with many branding the decision to resurrect the character as cool and exciting.

This isnt the first time existing characters from the Karate Kid franchise have shown up in the series  in season five, Thomas Ian Griffith returned as The Karate Kid III character Terry Silver.

Cobra Kai (Guy D'Alema/YouTube/Sony Pictures Television)

Martin Krave, who played antagonist John Kreese in the Karate Kid films, also appears in the series.

Cobra Kais sixth season will resume production now the Hollywood strikes are over.
A collared creature stood guard on a rocky outcropping in western Brazil. The sunlight beat down on the scaly animal and at times it retreated into crevices. Nearby scientists noticed the defensive animal  and discovered a new species.

Researchers ventured into savannah habitats across Rondonia on a two-week-long survey in 2017, according to a study published Nov. 8 in the Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society.

Scientists had previously encountered a collared lizard in these areas but little was known about the animal, the study said. Researchers set out to find this lizard and study it in depth.

Around rocky outcroppings across the region, researchers found over 100 of these lizards. They took a closer look at the animals and realized theyd discovered a new species: Tropidurus madeiramamore, or the Madeira-Mamore collared lizard.

The Madeira-Mamore collared lizard is considered medium-sized, reaching up to 9.7 inches in length, researchers said. In addition, they described it as having a rounded snout and long claws.

Unlike other collared lizards, the new species does not have one standard color but 20 unique patterns, researchers said. Its coloring can range from gray to brown with various cream, black and orange spots.

Photos shared with McClatchy News by the studys lead co-author Andre Carvalho show some of this variety.

Researchers identified two distinct features that were consistent across Madeira-Mamore collared lizards: a black band, or collar, around its neck and black flash marks on the underside of its thighs.

A Tropidurus madeiramamore, or Madeira-Mamore collared lizard, perched on a rock.

The Madeira-Mamore collared lizard also has mite pockets on either side of its neck, the study said. A photo shows this deep, red-colored mite pocket.

Mite pockets are skin folds on a lizards body where mites will live and feed, according to an article from the University of Texas. Some researchers believe these pockets actually help the lizard deal more efficiently with infestation by limiting its area.

A researcher holds a Tropidurus madeiramamore, or Madeira-Mamore collared lizard, and shows the red-colored pocket on its neck.

Madeira-Mamore collared lizards spend most of their time on rocky outcroppings where they defend their territory, regulate their temperature, forage and reproduce, the study said. They also use the rock crevices for shelters and escape routes.

Male lizards form harems with several female mates and defend their territory from other males, researchers said. Most of the female lizards found during the survey were pregnant.

A Tropidurus madeiramamore, or Madeira-Mamore collared lizard, standing alert on a rock.

Researchers said they named the new species after the two rivers that mark the limits of its distribution area, the Madeira river and Mamore river.

The Madeira-Mamore collared lizard is locally abundant and has been found at over 34 sites in the state of Rondonia, the study said. Rondonia is about 1,500 northwest of Rio de Janeiro and along Brazils border with Bolivia.

A Tropidurus madeiramamore, or Madeira-Mamore collared lizard, hides under a rock.

The new species was identified by its mite pockets, scale pattern, variety of coloring, habitat and DNA, the study said.

The research team included Andre Carvalho, Rafael Paredero, David Villalobos-Chaves, Elaine Ferreira, Miguel Rodrigues and Felipe Curcio.

Pregnant creature  with 545 eggs  found on mountain in Angola. Its a new species

Creature with robust claws found lurking outside church in India. Its a new species

Armored creature found lurking in underwater caves of Brazil. Its a new species
EDWARDSVILLE, Ill  Two suspects accused of murder will be spending time in jail awaiting their trial. In July 2023, the Illinois Supreme Court decided to stop using cash bail. Since September 18, 2023, Illinois courts havent used the cash bail system. Now, before a trial, an accused person can wait outside of jail for their trial under specific conditions instead of staying in custody.

Carlose G. Mosley, 23, of Belleville, is set to remain in custody until his trial date. Madison County States Attorney, Tom Haine, filed a petition requesting Mosleys continued custody, citing concerns about public safety and flight risk due to the nature of his alleged crime. Associate Judge Ryan Jumper granted his petition.

Charged with first-degree murder on Thursday, November 9, Mosley is accused in connection with the stabbing death of Tyrese L. Owens of Collinsville. Owens was discovered in a ditch near his home on Loop Street in Collinsville; he died due to a knife wound.

Amario O. McGee, 22, also arrested in connection with the murder, is scheduled for a detention hearing on December 1. He will also remain in custody at the Madison County jail until the hearing.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
(Bloomberg) -- The Colombian peso sank Thursday after President Gustavo Petro spooked investors by asking lawmakers to overturn a law that limits government spending.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The peso sank as much as 1.4% to 4,081.60 per dollar before paring losses, the biggest loser among emerging-market currencies for the second straight day.

The sell off was spurred by Petros request Wednesday afternoon to overturn Colombias balanced budget law hours after data showed the economy shrank for the first time since 2020. The leftist leader said the government needs to increase public investment to boost growth.

Colombia targets a fiscal deficit of 4.3% of GDP this year with a small increase to 4.5% in 2024. Any change to the fiscal rule would need to be approved by congress, Finance Minister Ricardo Bonilla said.

Petro simply does not have the votes, said Benito Berber, chief Latin American economist for Natixis. While it is unlikely that congress will go along with Petros proposal, BanRep may start a cutting cycle sooner than we had expected.

Investors have been paying close attention to the administrations economic policy, which includes a planned increase in public spending next year that led an autonomous committee to warn about a risk of breaching the fiscal rule in 2024 if no adjustments were made.

Bonilla said Colombia needs to open a discussion around a law that limits government spending to prioritize public investment over debt payments, the latest sign the country is struggling to achieve its fiscal targets.

This is just a controversial discussion that must start, the finance chief said in a radio interview on Thursday morning, adding that the government has rolled over debt to ease the load that interest payments have on the budget.

Read more: Colombias Petro Asks Congress to Overturn the Fiscal Rule

--With assistance from Maria Elena Vizcaino.

(Updates with analyst comment s the fifth paragraph.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Jocefina Vargas has spent the last three decades  since coming to Aurora from Mexico as an 18-year-old  learning the English language.

She got a good start her one and only year at East Aurora High School, and certainly made progress in Waubonsee Community Colleges ESL program five years later.

But speaking the language is harder than what you learn in your head, she found out. And it wasnt until Vargas began taking one-on-one classes with a tutor at the Dominican Literacy Center on the East Side of Aurora a few years ago that she finally gained the confidence she needed to be able to speak without the fear of being laughed at or misunderstood.

Vargas is but one face of the thousands whose lives have been enriched by the Dominican Literacy Center since it was opened in 1993 by Sister Kathleen Ryan with a card table and two chairs in a church basement.

Over the last 30 years this program has grown into a large and thriving asset to a city that, likewise, is becoming more diverse. In the process, the center has received plenty of accolades for offering not only English skills to women who have nowhere else to turn but also friendships and resource help for families, including classes that have assisted hundreds of men and women in gaining their U.S. citizenship.

Last month the center added yet another big feather in its already impressive hat.

On Oct. 18, Ryan and the Dominican Literacy Centers only other two full-time employees, Alison Brzezinski and Sister Jane Beckman, attended a conference at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C., where they received one of its prestigious Literacy Awards.

The honor was just one of 15 handed out by the Library of Congress to organizations in the U.S. and around the globe for outstanding innovative and effective practices.

Also recognized at the event were three larger organizations, including one that has become near and dear to the heart of Sister Ryan: The News Literacy Project, which was founded in 2008 to help teachers, students and the general public navigate and analyze media messages at such a critical time in history.

As digital devices become more ubiquitous, even in middle- and low-income countries, the challenge has become to not only promote literacy but to fight the threat of malicious misinformation, insists Ryan.

It is a complicated challenge that will only grow more complex, she added, which will impact even small organizations like the Dominican Literacy Center.

According to the awards notification letter, however, this beloved Aurora nonprofit was specifically recognized for its simplicity in successfully building one-on-one relationships and grassroots organizing that keeps humanity at the heart of literacy experiences.

Ryan and her small but mighty army of employees and volunteers appreciated this effusive praise, as well as the chance to celebrate and network with the other winners from 17 states and five countries, including Vietnam, Indonesia and New Zealand.

But they also are grateful for the $5,000 prize that came with this award, which will go a long way in keeping the center up and running.

Certainly the need is there.

Over the years the literacy center has expanded its footprint to include hundreds of volunteers working with thousands of immigrants in their quest to learn to read, write and speak English. And, where it once worked mostly with Mexican immigrants like Vargas, it is now serving women from over 20 countries, including Venezuela, South Korea, Haiti and Russia.

Vargas has become good friends with many of them, not just through tutoring sessions at the literacy center on Vermont Avenue but from the twice-weekly conversation classes run by Ryan, where current and former students take part in discussions and activities that she says almost force them to speak to each other.

Says Ryan of the learning process, its a long road from having it in your brain to having it come out of your mouth.

No one knows that more than the students.

Before, I never wanted to talk, admitted Vargas, who was encouraged to take classes at the literacy center thanks to several teachers in the West Aurora School District, where she works as a custodian.

The need to improve her English skills became more critical, she said, after moving from an elementary school to West High, where radios were relied upon to communicate, and Vargas realized she had no choice but to be clearly understood at all times.

I felt inferior, she said. I used to be afraid to ask for help because I thought people would laugh at me.

Not anymore.

Her teacher, Joan Dollinger, has seen the remarkable confidence boost in Vargas, who is now speaking at such a high level, she can serve as a teacher to others in her conversation group.

And I have learned so much from her, as well, insisted Dollinger, adding that she continues to be inspired by the challenges immigrants go through to achieve what so many of us take for granted.

Its that simplicity of format that has made this program so enduring, and so replicated in other towns and in other states, pointed out Ryan.

The real measure of success is not in the sophistication of its program ... but rather in the difference it makes in the lives of its students, wrote longtime volunteer Kathleen Gallagher in a letter of endorsement to the Library of Congress.

DLC delivers much more than literacy. It provides the resources necessary to achieve a full and purposeful life in an otherwise strange environment.

dcrosby@tribpub.com
Nationally established comedian and TV host Hasan Minhajs new tour dates affirm there will be another homecoming for the Davis native, who will return to Sacramento next year for his new show, Off With His Head.

Minhaj, 38, is set to perform 7 p.m. March 29 at SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, according to his website. Presale tickets will be available at 10 a.m. Thursday and the general sale begins 10 a.m. Friday.

The 38-year-old hosted the Netflix series Patriot Act with Hasan Minhaj and comedy specials Homecoming King and The Kings Jester, the former of which was filmed in Davis. Minhaj won a Peabody Award for Patriot Act.

A New Yorker article published earlier this year alleged Minhaj exaggerated some stories, which included experiences with racism while growing up in the Sacramento area, in his stand-up routine. Minhaj pushed back against the allegations by saying the journalist omitted some of his statements and took others out of context.

The New Yorker said in a statement it stands by the story.
DePape planned to interrogate Nancy Pelosi and brought with him rope and cable ties - AP

A Right-wing conspiracy theorist who attacked former House speaker Nancy Pelosis husband in the couples home has been convicted of attempted kidnapping and assault.

David DePape, 43, struck Paul Pelosi in the head with a hammer as he searched his San Francisco home for Mrs Pelosi just days before the November 2022 midterm elections.

The 83-year-old Mr Pelosi suffered major injuries, including a skull fracture, which has left him with permanent plates and screws in his head.

He told the court he has not discussed the attack with anyone because it has been too traumatic.

DePape also took the stand and said that he had planned to hold Mrs Pelosi hostage and interrogate her while wearing an inflatable unicorn costume.

Mrs Pelosi was speaker of the House of Representatives at the time - the most powerful Democrat in Congress and second in the line of presidential succession.

A lawyer for DePape argued that he had become immersed in conspiracy theories which influenced his attack, rather than Mrs Pelosis official duties.

Surveillance footage showed DePape smashing through a backdoor into the Pelosis home at around 2am on Oct 28.

He entered the couples bedroom, where he woke Mr Pelosi and allegedly shouted wheres Nancy?

Mr Pelosi was able to surreptitiously alert the police, but DePape struck him over the head as two officers arrived at the scene.

He had brought rope, cable ties and body cameras, prosecutors said. Mrs Pelosi was in Washington at the time.

Nancy Pelosi lost her place as Speaker of the House this year - AP

DePape was found guilty of the attempted kidnap of a federal official and an assault on an immediate relative of a federal official by a jury after eight hours of deliberation.

The charges carry a maximum jail sentence of 20 years and 30 years respectively.

DePape had a documented history of promoting conspiracy theories and far-Right messages, including disputed claims the 2020 election was rigged against Donald Trump.

He sobbed on the stand as he discussed his political beliefs, describing that he came to support a widely-promoted conspiracy theory that a cabal of pedophiles were running the US government.

He said Mr Pelosi was never my target and said he was sorry he got hurt.

DePape faces separate state charges over the attack, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, residential burglary and elderly abuse.

He faces a potential life sentence in the state case and has pleaded not guilty.

Following the verdict, a spokesperson for Mrs Pelosi said: The Pelosi family is very proud of their Pop, who demonstrated extraordinary composure and courage on the night of the attack a year ago and in the courtroom this week.

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.
At the November meeting of the Rutherford County, Tennessee, steering committee, Chairman Craig Harris asked the countys public library board about their feelings on books that conservative members of the community had deemed indecent  and potentially in violation of a new city ordinance promoting decency.

Do you think Lets Talk About It should have been removed? Harris asked Rita Shacklett, the library systems director. He was referring to a graphic novel for teens written by Erika Moen and Matthew Nolan, as a guide to relationships and sex education.

Its a little too graphic in my personal opinion, Shacklett replied, so Im OK with removing that one.

There in Rutherford Countys Murfreesboro, less than 40 miles from Nashville, local officials and library leaders seemed to be in agreement: Residents shouldnt have free access to certainlibrary books.

Several books that had been brought to our attention through the public were, to me, disturbing, Steve Sullivan, the library board chairman, said at the meeting.

In August, the library board voted to remove four books from the library. Lets Talk About It; Flamer, by Mike Curato; Queerfully & Wonderfully Made, edited by Leigh Finke; and This Book is Gay, by Juno Dawson, are no longer available on library shelves, though board members said the books were still accessible digitally.

Two other books  Gender Queer, by Maia Kobabe, and An ABC of Equality, by Chana Ginelle Ewing  were kept in the adult section and the young adult section, respectively.

The steering committee, which is charged with proposing new rules for the county, was dedicating part of its monthly meeting to a discussion of a library resolution to align its book-selection policy with a newly enacted city ordinance that bans indecent behavior.

In June, the city of Murfreesboro passed a decency ordinance, originally designed to ban drag performances on city property. The text of the law says it is intended to promote public decency, [maintain] family-friendly environments in public places, and [protect] against harm to minors from public expressions appealing to prurient interests.

The ordinance also contains a clause that cites another city law which classifies public homosexuality as indecent behavior. The American Civil Liberties Union of Tennessee has filed a lawsuit against the new ordinance, accusing it of violating the First and 14th amendments. The ordinance was temporarily blocked, but has since been allowed to go into effect.

The police chief and the city manager are charged with enforcing it by deciding which incidents violate the law, according to Murfreesboro Mayor Shane McFarland.

However, the ordinance is now being used as a basis for officials to align policies for the county library system, which is headquartered in Murfreesboro, with the decency ordinance  signaling an effort to ban even more books, largely ones with LGBTQ+ themes.

The library resolution being discussed by the committee and library board would ban funding for indecent materials or conduct, which is defined as nudity, lewd or sexually suggestive actions, indecent exposure, sexual actions, excessive or offensive intimate public displays of affections, subject children to a prurient interest, and any behavior that violates state and local laws or regulations.

The county doesnt have a position until the Commission approves a resolution, and I cant speak for the library system or the City of Murfreesboro, Lisa Kaye, Rutherford Countys public information officer, told HuffPost.

The county did not respond to a question regarding who would determine which books fell outside the guidelines. The City of Murfreesboro directed HuffPosts request for comment to the library board of directors, which did not respond.

Meanwhile, some in Rutherford County are worried about how the ordinance will be applied, and the precedent it will set.

My biggest fear is how this is going to be implemented, Keri Lambert, one of the co-founders of the new Rutherford County Library Alliance, told HuffPost. The group formed after the decency ordinance was passed in June, in order to support libraries and fight censorship. What if the next group of leadership finds interracial relationships indecent?

So far, the only books removed from the Rutherford County public libraries have been books that deal with LGBTQ+ issues. County officials have repeatedly claimed at public meetings that it is merely a coincidence.

Lambert is worried the overly broad nature of the ordinance could spell danger in the future. Im concerned about the library because I believe knowledge is power, she said. [Its] the first line of democracy and free access, and once the government starts censoring, it sets us up for something scary.

Books for teens and children  particularly ones that include LGBTQ+ themes, any depiction of sexuality, or issues related to race  have become culture-war targets for conservatives in recent years.

Under the pretext of protecting children from sexually explicit materials, Republican elected officials and conservative activists across the country have sought to ban books from school and public libraries, most of them books with LGBTQ+ themes. According to the American Library Association, book bans nearly doubled from 2021 to 2022.

Of those titles, the vast majority were written by or about members of the LGBTQIA+ community and people of color, the ALA said in a March 2023 statement about the increase in book bans.

Theyre starting with saying they want to protect children, but if you listen at the meetings, theyre saying they cant have any media that doesnt meet Tennessee state law on decency or obscenity, Lambert said.

Pettus Read, the vice chairman of the steering committee, implied during the meeting that removing childrens access to certain books wouldnt be enough, and that banning them completely would be more suitable.

They need to be moved so high that even I cant even reach them, he said of the six books that had been challenged.

It suggests a belief that not even adults should be allowed to access books with LGBTQ+ themes. Theyre not just banning books, Lambert said. Theyre banning thinking.

The steering committee isnt expected to vote on the library resolution until next month. Members of the community are still able to file complaints about books.

Related...
Two convicted murderers were executed by lethal injection in the United States on Thursday, one in Alabama and one in Texas.

Casey McWhorter, 49, was put to death at a prison in Atmore, Alabama, for the 1993 murder of Edward Williams, who was shot to death during a robbery.

McWhorter had just turned 18 years old at the time of the crime.

His two accomplices, one of whom was the son of the murdered man, were aged 16 and 15 and were spared the death sentence because they were juveniles.

McWhorter "was pronounced deceased by a physician at 6:56 pm," the Alabama Department of Corrections said in a statement.

David Renteria, 53, was executed at the Texas State Penitentiary in the town of Huntsville for the November 2001 murder of a five-year-old girl, Alexandra Flores.

He was convicted of abducting Flores from a Walmart in El Paso, Texas, where she had been Christmas shopping with her parents.

Her burned body was found the next day. She had been strangled.

At his trial, Renteria claimed he was forced by gang members to dispose of the girl's body but denied murdering her.

On Thursday in his last statement, Renteria pleaded for forgiveness to the relatives of Flores and others whom he had caused pain.

"There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about that fateful event of that day and what transpired," he said, according to a statement by the Texas Department of Criminal Justice which confirmed the execution.

"I will see you all in the other world," Renteria added. "I'm ready, warden. Send me home."

There have been seven executions in Texas this year and 21 in the United States.

According to a recent Gallup Poll, 53 percent of Americans support the death penalty for someone convicted of murder, the lowest level since 1972.

Capital punishment has been abolished in 23 US states, while three others -- California, Oregon and Pennsylvania -- have observed a moratorium on its use.

Executions have been carried out in five states this year: Alabama, Florida, Missouri, Oklahoma and Texas.

The death penalty has been primarily carried out by lethal injection in recent years, but Alabama intends to execute an inmate next year using nitrogen gas.

Alabama Governor Kay Ivey has set January 25 as the execution date for Kenneth Smith, 58, who was sentenced to death for a 1988 murder.

cl/bfm/tjj/mlm
A jury has convicted the man charged with breaking into the home of Rep. Nancy Pelosi and striking her 83-year-old husband in the head with a hammer in an act of political violence fueled by hard-right delusions.

David DePape, a Canadian citizen who was living in the San Francisco Bay Area at the time of the attack, was found guilty by a jury in federal court Thursday of assault and kidnapping charges that could send him to prison for decades.

This guilty verdict on all counts sends a clear message that regardless of what your beliefs are, what you cannot do is physically attack a member of Congress or their immediate family for their performance in their job, Ismail Ramsey, the U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of California, said in a news conference following the verdict.

Jurors convicted DePape after deliberating about six hours in a trial that began Nov. 9 in downtown San Francisco, about two miles from the Pelosi home where the attack occurred in October 2022.

DePape, who at times sobbed during his testimony, sat hunched forward and stared at the defense table as the verdict was announced but showed no obvious emotion.

Christine Pelosi, one the couple's daughters, was in the back of the courtroom typing on her phone when the jury's decision was announced. She declined to comment afterward but the family issued a statement.

Speaker Pelosi and her family are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and warm wishes for Mr. Pelosi from so many across the country during this difficult time, a spokesperson for Rep. Pelosi said. The Pelosi family is very proud of their Pop, who demonstrated extraordinary composure and courage on the night of the attack a year ago and in the courtroom this week.

DePape admitted  to investigators, in a jailhouse interview and in rambling court testimony  to breaking into the home and striking Paul Pelosi in the head with a hammer as part of a convoluted plot to detain and interrogate the former House speaker as leverage against other prominent figures he believed were engaged in a wide-ranging conspiracy and corruption.



He said he planned to wear a unicorn costume he brought to her home that night and film the interrogation. If she lied, DePape told the jury, I would break her kneecaps.

DePape was charged with attempted kidnapping of a U.S. official and assault on an immediate family member of a U.S. official. Both counts required under federal law that the defendant had the intent against the official over their duties  a notion that the defense challenged.

His lawyers argued his intentions were wholly unrelated to her official role in Congress, even though he admitted on the stand that he targeted her as a leader of the Democratic Party. His conspiratorial views included a belief that former President Donald Trump was persecuted by officials and had been improperly denied reelection.

Prosecutors were dismissive of the defense argument. He deliberately targeted her because of her job, because of her role in our political system, because of her official duties, Assistant U.S. Attorney Helen Gilbert said. He describes Pelosi as leader of the pack.

The kidnapping charge carries a 20-year prison sentence and the assault has a 30-year term. A hearing for his sentencing was not immediately scheduled.

DePape also faces state charges for the attack, including attempted murder, burglary, assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse.

San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins said in a statement that her office would review the verdict and consult with federal prosecutors before deciding their next steps. We are confident in our case and are prepared to move forward to trial, she added.

CORRECTION: This story has been updated to reflect that the quote from the Pelosi family following the verdict came from a spokesperson for Rep. Nancy Pelosi.
CHICAGO - A Mount Prospect man was charged with several drug and firearm related felonies after he was shot inside his home on Sunday.

Mount Prospect Police Officers responded to the 100 block of North Maple Street at 7:23 p.m. after neighbors heard someone yelling for help and a firework or gunshot.

Officers found a man with a gunshot wound who was later identified as 43-year-old David W. Orlowski.

Police say while searching for offenders in Orlowski's residence, located at 122 North Maple Street, they saw multiple large bags of a green plant material that appeared to be cannabis, as well as drug paraphernalia.

After obtaining a search warrant, Mount Prospect police executed it and found a large amount of United States currency, cannabis, drug paraphernalia, and a handgun that was later determined to be stolen.

Officers did not locate any offenders or other victims inside the house. They were later able to determine that the suspects targeted Orlowskis house specifically and the shooting was an isolated incident.

Orlowski was charged with one felony count of unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon, one felony count of possession of cannabis with intent to deliver, one felony count of possession of cannabis and one misdemeanor count of possession of drug paraphernalia.

Following a detention hearing on Wednesday, Orlowski was released from custody and his next court date is Dec. 15.

Mount Prospect Police Detectives say the shooting investigation remains ongoing.
A police officer was injured in Japan on Thursday when a car smashed into a barricade outside the Israeli embassy in Tokyo, according to local authorities. The driver of the vehicle, identified by police as an unemployed 53-year-old member of a right-wing group, was arrested after the crash on suspicion of obstructing official duties. Authorities say the injuries sustained by the officer, who is in his 20s, are non-life-threatening, with media reports suggesting the cop had a hand injury. Police have not disclosed a motive or whether they believe the embassy was deliberately targeted. The Kyodo News agency reported that the detained driver admitted ramming the barricade and expressed remorse that an officer had been hurt.

Read it at The Associated Press

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Police said they were evacuating the Democratic National Committees headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night amid brutal clashes with protesters gathered at a pro-Palestine rally. U.S. Capitol Police said that officers were responding after around 150 people began illegally and violently protesting outside the headquarters. The department tweeted later that the crowd had dispersed, and that six officers had been treated for injuries, ranging from minor cuts to being pepper sprayed to being punched. One person was arrested for assault on an officer, the department said. Several lawmakers were among those evacuated from the area, including Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA). The pro-Palestine Jewish group IfNotNow accused officers of acting extremely violently towards demonstrators. We are linking arms, threatening no one, and begging our politicians to support an end to the killing and the suffering in Gaza, the group tweeted. Begging, peacefully, for a ceasefire. And this is the response. Dave Weigel, a Semafor journalist reporting at the site, tweeted that none of the protesters had tried to enter the building. They were trying to block off entrances, but had their backs turned to them, he wrote.

We laid out 11,000 candles to mark 11,000 lives lost in Gaza.



Democratic Party leaders want the bombs to keep dropping, ignoring 80% of their voters who want a ceasefire.



They wouldn't even let us sing about it. They had us thrown down the stairs.pic.twitter.com/JQRN8nbsc2  IfNotNow (@IfNotNowOrg) November 16, 2023

Read it at Associated Press

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Independent 2024 presidential candidate Cornel West criticized Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) for not calling for a cease-fire in the ongoing war between Israel and the militant Palestinian group Hamas.

You say, Brother Bernie, man, this is reaching the point where its getting pathetic now, man, West said in an interview with Status Coup News on Wednesday. If the pause is the best you can come up with given this situation, then this is getting pretty pathetic.

While Sanders has backed a pause in the bombing, he has not called for a cease-fire, like some other progressives in Congress. He has faced pressure on the issue, with protestors occupying his Washington, D.C., office earlier this month, demanding he call for a cease-fire.

West previously served as a surrogate for Sanderss presidential campaigns in 2016 and 2020. However, he has recently critiqued Sanderss alignment with Democrats and his support for President Bidens 2024 reelection bid.

Brother Bernies making a plausible argument, but I think deep down in his heart, he knows that the Democratic Party has no fundamental intention of speaking to the needs of poor people and working people, West said in an interview on Hill TVs Rising in August.

West called Sanders and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), another popular progressive in Congress, window dressing at worst, and, at best, people to appeal to every four years.

But the Democratic Party is beyond redemption at this point when it comes to seriously speaking to the needs of poor and working people, West maintained.

Jill Stein, another liberal candidate running for the Green Partys 2024 presidential nomination, has also recently called out Sanders for not supporting a cease-fire in Gaza.

So why arent you calling for a ceasefire @BernieSanders? #CeasefireNOW Stein posted Monday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Roughly 1,200 people were killed in Israel last month in a widespread attack launched by Hamas. More than 11,000 Palestinians, including many children, have been killed by resulting Israeli strikes in Gaza.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Even as a heavyweight politician constantly in the Chicago spotlight, Ed Burke lived a double life, federal prosecutors said Thursday.

Outwardly he was the most powerful and longest-serving alderman on the City Council, leading the Finance Committee for decades, according to prosecutors. But secretly, he was something else.

He was a bribe-taker and he was an extortionist, Assistant U.S. Attorney Timothy Chapman told jurors as opening statements in Burkes landmark racketeering trial finally got underway. (His) corruption rose from the very potent intersection of opportunity and power.

Displaying a photo of the entrance to Burkes longtime third-floor City Hall office suite, Chapman said the veil over Burkes corruption was only pierced when prosecutors were able to secure the cooperation of his colleague, then-Ald. Daniel Solis, in 2016, leading to dozens of wiretapped calls and recorded meetings that will lay out Burkes illegal schemes in real time.

You at this trial are going to get to go behind those office doors, and see, and most importantly hear, how Ed Burke offered to sell his official position with the city of Chicago in exchange for law firm business, Chapman said.

The defense, meanwhile, called the allegations a story unrooted in fact. In his opening statement, Burke attorney Chris Gair painted Burke as a zealous public servant, a proud lawyer and enthusiastic Chicagoan who made all those phone calls simply to help people.

Then Gair thrust his finger in the air and turned up the volume.

Mr. Burke never asked for anything from anyone in this case. Not for money, not for legal business, not for anything  never, Gair said, claiming Burke saw not one dime from the alleged schemes.

This is a bribery case without bribes and an extortion case without extortion, he said.

Walking over to Burke, who was seated at the defense table in a dark suit and blue plaid pocket square, Gair put his hands on the former aldermans shoulders as he described him as an upstanding family man.

Gair then turned his sights on Solis, putting up the former 25th Ward aldermans photo in court and calling it Exhibit A in the world of people who are corrupt and untruthful.

Danny Solis wired up on everybody and his sister, Gair said. I mean literally! He recorded his sister for the government.

Nothing about Solis recording his sister has ever been suggested in pretrial filings, and Gair offered no further details on the allegation.

Gair also hammered on what he said were the pack of lies Solis fed to Burke over the months of his secret cooperation, dangling the false prospect of law business in an effort to get Burke to bite. He did it for two years with one object in mind: keep himself from going to prison, save his skin Gair said. And it worked.

Although prosecutors have opted not to put Solis on the witness stand, Burkes lawyers have promised to call him as their own witness, though Gair did not mention it to the jury in his remarks Thursday.

The opening statements from the lawyers were a first volley in one of the most significant public corruption trials at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse in years. U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendalls 25th floor courtroom was at near capacity.

Gairs opening statement was cut off after about 40 minutes because trial was ending for the day. Hes slated to continue Friday morning, followed by attorneys for Burkes two co-defendants.

The son of a Democratic ward boss and alderman, Burke, 79, served more than 50 years on the City Council and allegedly ran the Finance Committee like his own personal fiefdom before his office was dramatically raided by the FBI in November 2018.

Burke, who left the City Council in May, is charged with 14 counts including racketeering, federal program bribery, attempted extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion and using interstate commerce to facilitate an unlawful activity.

Burkes longtime ward aide, Peter Andrews Jr., 73, is charged with one count of attempted extortion, one count of conspiracy to commit extortion, two counts of using interstate commerce to facilitate an unlawful activity and one count of making a false statement to the FBI.

The third defendant, Lake Forest real estate developer Charles Cui, 52, is charged with one count of federal program bribery, three counts of using interstate commerce to facilitate an unlawful activity and one count of making a false statement to the FBI.

Opening statements began after four days of jury selection and a weeklong COVID-related delay. A jury of nine women and three men were sworn in Thursday afternoon, kicking off a trial that could last past Christmas.

In his 90-minute opening, Chapman outlined the four episodes central to the indictment where Burke allegedly shook down businessmen and others who needed action at City Hall.

The first incident displayed a flash of Burkes anger, Chapman said, as he explained how Burke threatened to block a proposed fee increase at the Field Museum. The reason? Burke had recommended the daughter of his former City Council buddy, ex-Ald. Terry Gabinski, 32nd, for an internship at the Field and she failed to get it, Chapman said.

Field officials allegedly responded by setting up a number of meetings and coming up with the idea of offering Gabinskis daughter a public relations position, one which she eventually didnt accept.

The Park District oversees the Field activities, but officials usually wanted Burkes imprimatur  a point he knew he could use as leverage, especially if he reached out to park officials, Chapman said.

At one point, Chapman put up quotes from a wiretap where Burke allegedly made a clear threat to kill the Field Museums proposed fee increase.

Im sure I know what you want to do because if the chairman of the Committee on Finance calls the president of the Park Board your proposals gonna go nowhere, Burke said in the dressing-down.

In the other three episodes, Chapman said Burke took action in his official public capacity in exchange for tax business for his private law firm simply to line his own pockets with money.

The Texas-based owners of a Burger King in Burkes ward drew his interest when they wanted to remodel, particularly given that they owned around 130 of the fast-food restaurants in the Chicago area, Chapman said.

Burke tried to woo them into giving his law firm the tax business in exchange for cutting through city red tape, Chapman said.

And when that didnt happen, Burke gave the green light to Andrews to get aggressive.

I took em to lunch. I was playing nice with em. Never got back, Burke said in a call highlighted by Chapman.

All right, Ill play as hardball as I can, Andrews responded.

The Burger King owners never did end up giving Burke their business.

Another episode involved Cui, who prosecutors alleged was desperate to get a permit for a pole sign on a Northwest Side property he was redeveloping. If if he didnt, he could lose out on $750,000 through a lease amendment with Binnys Beverage Depot, which wanted to use the sign, Chapman said. That in turn could threaten the entire project, costing him millions in TIF money.

Cui switched some of his business to Burkes firm solely to get Ed Burkes clout, Chapman said, and Burke immediately started pulling strings to get Cui what he wanted, even though the sign permit never actually came through.

The longest-running alleged scheme involved the $600 million redevelopment of the Old Post Office, whose significant square footage represented a huge potential payday for Klafter & Burke, prosecutors said.

Burke became fixated on getting tax business from the New York-based developers, Chapman said. Using Solis as a go-between and promising him a kickback in return, Burke told the developers he had significant power in Chicago, then withheld his help with a tax-increment financing issue until they had his law firm represent another of their buildings, prosecutors said.

Jurors were also told of some of Burkes now-infamous quotes about the Post Office matter, including Burke saying the cash register has not rung yet, telling Solis the developers can go (expletive) themselves, and the line that has already become part of the citys political lexicon: So did we land the, uh, the tuna?

The only tuna to be landed at this point was (the developer) as a client of Klafter & Burke, Chapman said.

Over his roughly 40 minutes of argument Thursday, Gair alleged the post office scheme was almost entirely the work of Solis, who, in an attempt to give the FBI what they wanted, led Burke to think the developers would throw him tax business.

The defense played five short clips from the videos Solis recorded on a surreptitious body camera. In contrast to the aggressive and profane Burke quotes that prosecutors highlighted, the videos show the alderman calmly reiterating his willingness to color inside the lines.

In one, Burke reminds Solis that getting involved in a certain tax matter would be a conflict of interest. In another, Burke says he will defer to Solis about a tax-increment financing deal for the post office development, since the project was in Solis ward.

Bottom line is, I will do anything that you want me to do, OK? Burke says on the video. I dont care about these guys, if we get business we get business, if we dont Im gonna do whatever you want me to do.

That is the opposite of being fixated on getting tax business, Gair said.

jmeisner@chicagotribune.com

rlong@chicagotribune.com

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
The historic corruption trial of former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke has begun.

The son of a Democratic ward boss and alderman, Burke, 79, served more than 50 years on the City Council and allegedly ran the Finance Committee like his own personal fiefdom before his office was dramatically raided by the FBI in November 2018.

Burke is charged with 14 counts, including racketeering, federal program bribery, attempted extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion and using interstate commerce to facilitate an unlawful activity.

At the heart of the indictment are more than 100 secretly recorded meetings and phone calls prosecutors plan to play that allegedly show Burke using his elected office to win benefits for himself, mostly through business for his private law firm.

Burkes defense team, meanwhile, will try to show that Burkes maneuvering was nothing more than politics as usual.

The crux of Burkes defense will likely be to knock down Solis, who was caught in his own corruption scheme before agreeing in 2016 to become an FBI mole and secretly record Burke.

The trial is expected to last about six weeks.

Follow our writers  Jason Meisner, Megan Crepeau and Ray Long  for the latest news and see coverage throughout the trial below.

Jurors in ex-Ald. Ed Burkes federal corruption trial on Thursday finally heard, in Burkes own voice, a phrase already infamous in Chicago political history:

So did we land the, uh, the tuna?

The tuna was tax business from developers of the massive Old Post Office  business that Burke had been chasing for months. In conversation after wiretapped conversation, Burke made it clear to then-Ald. Daniel Solis, an FBI mole, that he wasnt inclined to pull any strings for the developers until they agreed to be clients of Burkes private law firm, Klafter & Burke. Read more here.

One of the most crucial pieces of evidence in the sprawling racketeering indictment against Ed Burke was presented in court Wednesday.

Burke had just finished pitching his private law firm to the developers of the Old Post Office in October 2016 when he asked his assistant to bring in some pamphlets and business cards.

Unbeknownst to Burke, his colleague, then-Ald. Daniel Solis had a hidden video camera pointing right at him as Burke wrote something down on the back of the Klafter & Burke materials and slid it over Harry Skydell and his son, who had flown in from New York to meet Burke face to face. Read more here.

Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis was a newly minted FBI mole in August 2016 when he was instructed to call his then-powerful colleague, Ald. Ed Burke, and talk about the massive $600 million renovation of the Old Post Office.

After some seemingly innocuous conversation about the projects New York-based developers and local contractors whod be vying for work, Burke made an unsolicited comment that surely perked up the ears of the FBI agents listening in the wire room.

Well, while youre at it, recommend the good firm of Klafter & Burke to do the tax work, Burke told Solis on the Aug. 26, 2016, recording, which was played for the jury in Burkes corruption trial Tuesday. Read more here.

The testimony came as the historic trial was supposed to see its first full week starting Monday after an unexpectedly slow jury selection, followed by a COVID-19 diagnosis for one of the defense attorneys and a shortened week for the Thanksgiving holiday put the proceedings behind schedule.

U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall has said that despite the delays, she still expected the trial to finish by the Christmas holiday, which is now just four weeks away. Read more here.

The federal racketeering case against Ed Burke is pure Chicago.

At its core, the Burke trial, which just wrapped its third week, is about a series of alleged shakedowns by the longest-serving alderman in City Council history  a potential highlight reel for the sordid legacy of City Hall. Read more here.

On the morning the FBI raided then-Ald. Edward Burkes City Hall offices in November 2018, four federal agents more than a thousand miles away descended on the home of Houston-area fast food restaurant tycoon Shoukat Dhanani.

When Dhanani answered his door that day in Sugar Land, Texas, the agents immediately assured him he was not in any trouble, but said they were investigating Burke and needed to ask him some questions about a Burger King that Dhanani had purchased and renovated in the 14th Ward, Dhanani told a federal jury in Chicago on Wednesday. Read more here.

Federal prosecutors on Tuesday began to serve up their case that then-Ald. Edward Burke tried to shake down the owner of a Burger King in his Southwest Side ward, playing recordings where the powerful Democrat made clear he was after the companys tax business.

The Burger King scheme is one of four main episodes charged in Burkes federal racketeering indictment, and the only one that involves Burkes co-defendant, former 14th Ward aide Peter Andrews Jr. Read more here.

Deborah Bekken, a onetime Field Museum director, was calling powerful Chicago Ald. Edward Burke to ask for his support for the museums proposal for a fee increase in September 2017 when he caught her off guard with an immediately chilly demeanor.

Well, uh, I was surprised to hear from you to be very frank, a gruff-sounding Burke said to Bekken on the Sept. 8, 2017, call, which was secretly being recorded by the FBI. Burke grew more icy as he explained that hed recommended a good friends daughter for an internship at the Field Museum but never heard back. Read more here.

Jurors in the federal racketeering trial of ex-Ald. Edward Burke got a lengthy crash course in the intricacies of City Hall on Friday, a seminar that a prosecution expert labeled the Schoolhouse Rock of Chicago politics. Read more here.

Even as a heavyweight Chicago leader constantly in the city spotlight, Ed Burke lived a double life, federal prosecutors said.

Outwardly he was the most powerful and longest-serving alderman on the City Council, Assistant United States Attorney Tim Chapman said, leading the Finance Committee for decades.

But secretly, He was something else instead. He was a bribe-taker and he was an extortionist, Chapman told jurors in opening statements Thursday at Burkes landmark racketeering trial.

For the defense, Burke attorney Chris Gair painted Burke as a zealous public servant, a proud lawyer and an enthusiastic Chicagoan who made all those phone calls simply to help people. This is a bribery case without bribes and an extortion case without extortion, he said. Read more here.

After a sluggish start to jury selection and a weeklong COVID-related delay, the corruption trial of former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke finally expected headed to opening statements Thursday after a jury was empaneled. Read more here.

The trial had been scheduled to kick off in earnest a week earlier. But soon after convening the fourth day of proceedings on Nov. 9, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall announced that one of the lawyers in the case was sick and two others were not feeling well, forcing her to tell everyone to stay away from courthouse.

Sorry for this news, but it is in our time, Kendall said. Stay healthy, and make sure you drink your orange juice and get your sleep. Because we have work to do.

Unlike previous trial days, everyone on Burkes team was wearing masks, including the former alderman, as were prosecutors at the table across from them. Attorneys for one of Burkes co-defendants, Charles Cui, appeared by phone. Read more here.

A total of 54 potential jurors were questioned over three days, with 37 making it through for cause strikes to the next round.

The pace of jury selection was markedly slow.

Potential jurors were asked in granular detail about their social media presence, their gaming habits, their pets and their relationship with some of the entities that figure into the indictment: Binnys Beverage Depot, Burger King and the U.S. Postal Service.

Among those questioned were a man who has a rescue snake named Medusa and two geckos named after anime characters, a homemaker who moderates a Jane Austen fan website and a 20-year-old junior college student who works as a host at a chef Gordon Ramsay restaurant in the suburbs. Read more here.

Former Ald. Edward Burke arrived at Chicagos federal courthouse Monday looking much like the powerful Democratic politician who ruled City Council for decades, dressed to the nines, silver hair combed back, American flag pin on his lapel.

Only now hes a private citizen in the fight of his life. Read more here.

Jurors in the racketeering trial of former 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke are going to hear a lot of names, including fellow aldermen, city commissioners, developers, architects and restaurant franchisees.

But one name they will not hear: Donald Trump.

Thats because prosecutors have agreed to redact Trumps name from an undercover recording where Burke talked about how his private law firm had won property tax breaks for Trumps downtown Chicago skyscraper. Read more here.

After a month of legal jockeying, lawyers for former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke confirmed in court Monday they will call alderman turned government mole Daniel Solis as a defense witness at Burkes upcoming racketeering trial.

The announcement by Burkes high-powered defense team comes a month after prosecutors left Solis off their witness list, saying they planned to introduce dozens of undercover audio and video recording Solis made in the bombshell investigation through other witnesses.

Prosecutors had asked that Burkes attorneys be barred from calling Solis simply to try to impeach his credibility and question the unprecedented deal he got from the U.S. attorneys office. Read more here.

A whos who of Illinois Democrats was gathered in Philadelphia in July 2016 for the partys national convention, where Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders were vying for the chance to take on Donald Trump.

Among the Chicago heavyweights in attendance that week was Ald. Daniel Solis, a staunch Clinton supporter who told the Tribune the excitement of potentially having the first woman in U.S. history ever to be nominated for president was a historical moment in the life of this country and in my life.

As it turned out, Clintons nomination wasnt the only history going down in the City of Brotherly Love. Behind the scenes, one of the most significant public corruption cases in Chicago history was about to be born. Read more here.
FLAGLER COUNTY, Fla. - FOX 35 is investigating the teen vaping epidemic.

As more and more young people are getting sucked into the addiction, they're finding ways to vape behind their parents' backs  and sometimes they find ways to hide it in plain sight.

Debra Neuman from the Focus on Flager Youth Coalition says students are using items such as potato chips to hide drug paraphernalia.

Neuman, and agencies like the FDA, are also warning parents about things like vape pens that look like school supplies or hoodies with vapes attached to drawstrings.

Neuman's presentation called "Hidden in Plain Sight" aggressively educates parents by helping them to look for the signs of teen vaping and drug use  which is a huge issue in Flagler County.

Data from the latest Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey found usage by Flagler County middle and high schoolers has increased over the last two years and is higher than state averages.

For example, the 2022 report found that 11.5% of teens surveyed reported using a vape within the last 30 days compared to the state average of 9.7%. 15.2% reported using illicit drugs compared to the state average of 12.3%.

MORE HEADLINES:

"We started to see this increase of vaping use right at the time where we just about saw nicotine use about extinguished," said John Fanelli, Coordinator of Students Supports and Behavior.

The silent devices can detect chemicals released in vape or marijuana smoke. An alert is sent to staff -- and it's also connected to school cameras to catch the smoker.

Kristin Bozeman, the principal of Matanzas High School said there are several times a day when the school has detection events.

The principal at Matanzas High School says students know the devices are installed -- and know the consequences of vaping --- but some can't stop.

"We know that nicotine is an addictive substance and that students that are hooked on it, they need help," said Bozeman.

The district has partnered with Tobacco Free Flagler - which offers cessation classes to help students beat addictions.

And this year it's working with EPIC Behavioral Health for an intervention program.

With so many vaping items on the market, it's not always easy to know what to look for.

Parents can check items for hidden buttons, plug-ins, or chargers. Also, be mindful of what kind of deliveries your child is getting in the mail.
Maricopa County Attorney Rachel Mitchell holds a news conference at Fry's supermarket in north Phoenix on Nov. 15, 2023, to highlight organized retail crime.

The Maricopa County attorney held a news conference at Fry's supermarket in north Phoenix on Wednesday to highlight organized retail crime.

"This is not the same thing as shoplifting," Rachel Mitchell said while customers shopped nearby. "Organized retail crime is theft for resale, not for personal use."

Mitchell said the theft is leading to inconvenience for shoppers and increased prices, and she vowed to continue prosecuting the "career criminals" from Arizona and out of state who she said were committing many of the crimes.

So far in 2023, Mitchell said her office has received 300 submittals from law enforcement for organized retail crimes, and she expected that number to increase during the holiday shopping season.

Mitchell said she would advocate at the Arizona Legislature for changes to laws that would allow for more prosecutions and harsher punishment for repeat offenders.

According to the Maricopa County Attorney's Office online data dashboard, the county is experiencing a potential uptick in organized retail theft after a downturn in recent years. The office received 387 referrals for organized retail theft in 2020, 331 referrals in 2021 and 306 referrals in 2022.

Area of crime: More thefts are reported at this Phoenix shopping center than anywhere else in the city

Michelle Ahlmer, executive director of the Arizona Retailers Association, said the perpetrators of organized retail theft were a "mobile, traveling group, doing damage wherever they go."

Mitchell said her office would continue to aggressively prosecute organized retail theft, including consolidating multiple, smaller misdemeanor thefts committed by one person so they can be charged as felonies.

"Just recently, we sent somebody to prison for ... three years, who owed $18,000 worth of restitution to a variety of retailers, because we were able to put those different cases together," Mitchell said.

The cost of incarcerating someone in a public Arizona prison for a single year, based on an average daily per capita cost of $78, is more than $28,000.

'Modern-day-mafia': 14 charged in Florida retail theft ring that stole $20 million in goods

Mitchell said she believes more aggressive prosecution tactics will have a deterrent effect.

"Phoenix certainly has its share of it," Mitchell said of organized retail crime, but the city is not seeing it to the same degree as other major cities. "I would attribute that in part at least to, we're holding people accountable here."

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mitchell vows aggressive prosecution for retail crime in Phoenix area
SAN DIEGO  A couple has been arrested after a pedestrian was hit and killed in Mountain View last week, police said.

San Diego Police were called to the scene of the accident on Nov. 10 at 8:11 p.m. for reports of a pedestrian hit by a vehicle at Imperial Avenue and 45th Street in Mountain View.

Pilot killed in small plane crash in La Jolla

Upon arrival, police found a 32-year-old Filipino woman in the road with severe injuries. She was taken to the hospital and pronounced dead the following day. Police report they will not be releasing her name at this time.

Homicide investigators were able to find that the victim had been holding onto the hood of a van as it was driving down the street following a confrontation near a house in the 4100 bock of Jamul Ave. Thats when police say the suspects reportedly bumped the victim with their van, who then grabbed the hood while they drove away with her still on the vehicle. She was then thrown from the van to the ground.

Reward offered for tips in deadly hit-and-run

A married couple was arrested and face charges. The police report stated the couple had rented a house from the victim.

Police arrested 25-year-old Brooklyn Broadway on Wednesday, Nov. 15 at 10:15 a.m. on charges of accessory to murder. Later that day, 27-year-old Cory Skellion, who was reportedly driving the van, was arrested during a traffic stop on murder charges.

The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information is asked to call the Homicide Unit at (619) 531-2293 or Crime Stoppers at (888) 580-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
During their regular grocery shopping stop in Maryland, Sandra and Albert Russell had some leftover change when the cashier rang up their goods.

The Westminster couple decided to use the change to buy two lottery scratch-off tickets.

They scratched off the tickets on their way home and saw they won $10, according to a Nov. 16 news release from the Maryland Lottery, then had to decide what to do with the winnings.

I said, Lets buy two $5 scratch offs, Sandra Russell told lottery officials.

The decision would change their lives.

Albert Russell pulled into a Royal Farms convenience store and bought the tickets, bringing them out to his wife in the car, officials said.

As they scratched one off, they saw a ball symbol, then the words autowin, according to the release.

I didnt believe that ball was real, Albert Russell told officials. I had to take it back to the store to make sure.

Inside the store, the staff confirmed what the Russells hoped to be true  they won $50,000.

The Russells told lottery officials they plan to use some of the money to buy a new riding mower for their farm, but they are still deciding what to do with the rest.

We are still in shock, Sandra Russell said.

Westminster is about 35 miles northwest of Baltimore.

Many people can gamble or play games of chance without harm. However, for some, gambling is an addiction that can ruin lives and families.

If you or a loved one shows signs of gambling addiction, you can seek help by calling the national gambling hotline at 1-800-522-4700 or visiting the National Council on Problem Gambling website.

Woman wins big Iowa lottery prize  and cant believe it. I had a hard time sleeping

Wife checks lottery prize in store  and her husband runs out shouting the whole way

Lottery winner hits the big one while buying wife energy drink. It was disbelief

Lottery player wins big jackpot  and buys a safe to protect ticket over the weekend
CRESTVIEW, Fla. (WKRG)  A North Okaloosa County man will spend just less than two decades in federal prison on a child pornography charge, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office.

Harold Lavern Benedict, 73, of Crestview, has been sentenced to 19.5 years for the receipt and attempted receipt of child pornography, United States Attorney Jason R. Coodys office said in a news release.

The court, citing the need to protect the public, imposed a sentence above the required 15-year mandatory minimum.

Protecting innocent children from sexual predators remains one of our highest priorities, Coody said.

He commended law enforcement partners and prosecutors for their efforts in identifying and bringing sexual predators to justice.

This, Coody emphasizes, ensures they never exploit a child again, making the community safer with repeat offenders back behind bars.

The Gift of a Laptop

On June 27, 2022, a father at Yellow River Park in Milligan, Fla., provided gas to an older stranded man, according to Coodys news release. The man, claiming to refurbish computers, asked for the fathers address and phone number to repay him for the good deed.

When the father declined, the man offered a laptop for his children, and upon vetting the computer, the father discovered child pornography.

He immediately contacted the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office.

Law enforcement traced a phone number provided by the older man to Benedict, a registered sex offender, due to prior convictions for attempted sexual battery on a child under 12, and lewd and lascivious act, according to Coody.

Benedict, in an interview, admitted to using foreign internet browsers to obtain child pornography, and he possessed over 700 such images from at least 2019 through 2023, according to the news release.

All the Pieces Fell into Place

The Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office and Homeland Security Investigations led the investigation; Assistant United States Attorney Jennifer Callahan prosecuted the case.

Okaloosa County Sheriff Eric Aden said, This is a case where all the pieces fell into place to expose the ongoing disturbing and criminal conduct of this individual.

Aden credited investigators and federal partners for their dedication and expertise in removing another child pornography consumer from the streets.

Homeland Security Investigations Tallahassee Assistant Special Agent in Charge Nicholas Ingegno said, Sexual predators who repeatedly victimize children have no place in our society or in our communities.

A lifetime of supervised release will follow Benedicts 19.5-year prison sentence.

About Project Safe Childhood

This case was part of Project Safe Childhood, a nationwide initiative combating child sexual exploitation and abuse.

Launched in May 2006, it marshals federal, state, and local resources to locate, apprehend, and prosecute people exploiting children via the Internet, as well as to identify and rescue victims.

For more information, visit www.projectsafechildhood.gov.

ALSO ON WKRG.com: Cooking with John: Hope Farm

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
The Crown creator has said hes relieved the hit Netflix show has ended, as its sixth and final season was released on Thursday (16 November).

Peter Morgan, 60, began working on the Emmy-winning series about the royal family  specifically the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II  10 years ago, with the first season premiering on Netflix in 2016.

In a new interview, the British screenwriter admitted he was pretty relieved that The Crown would conclude with the latest season, adding it was time to bring the curtain down on the show.

When asked how he felt that The Crown was ending during an interview for the shows official podcast, Morgan replied: I dont entirely know yet, but pretty relieved. I mean, positively, relieved.

He continued: You know, like when people say, Whats the difference between good pain and bad pain? I feel good pain.

Im probably not sad that weve reached the end. I think it was time, Morgan told podcast host Edith Bowman, adding that he was stunned that the shows makers had achieved what they originally set out to do.

(AFP via Getty Images)

Im sort of stunnedwe did exactly what we said we were going to do, and we got to the end somehow, the acclaimed playwright said. Making a show like this is tough in so many different ways, but I think this is as harmonious and as co-operative a group of people that could go for a decade.

The final season of The Crown will be released in two parts, with the shows first instalment arriving on Netflix on Thursday.

The latest instalment begins in the year 1997, with the focus on the relationship between now-King Charles (played by Dominic West) and Camilla Parker Bowles (Olivia Williams), as well as Princess Dianas (Elizabeth Debicki) romance with Dodi Fayed (Khalid Abdalla).

This season will also cover tragic death of Diana and Fayed in a car crash in Paris in 1997.

The Crown (PA)

Ahead of its release, Morgan responded to critics of the show  including Dame Judi Dench, former prime minister John Major and TV host Kate Garraway  suggesting that they probably feel rather stupid after a new season airs.

Last year, Dench, 87, called on Netflix to include a disclaimer that The Crown is a fictionalised drama while accusing its makers of resorting to crude sensationalism. Meanwhile, Major called the show a barrel-load of nonsense in response to scenes between him and the late Queen.

All the criticism about The Crowns attitude to the royals comes in anticipation of the show coming out, Morgan addressed these comments. The minute its out and people look at it whether its Judi Dench or John Major  they instantly fall silent.

And I think they probably feel rather stupid, he added.

In his two-star review of season six, part one, The Independents TV critic Nick Hilton writes that The Crown feels like an ailing project, adding that the show has less to say than ever, about what it means to be British now.

You can read the full review here.
As Netflixs acclaimed royal drama moves closer to the present day, the line between fact and fiction feels ever more blurred.

While Peter Morgans show has always presented a dramatised take on real-life events, many have argued that viewers struggle to tell the difference between the real royal family and the events on the show. When season five arrived last year, there were calls for the show to include a fictional explainer  something Netflix did not do.

With the show heading into the late Nineties and early Noughties in its final season, which arrived on Netflix on Thursday (16 November), events are being depicted on screen that many of the public will remember well.

The first part of season six takes place in the summer of 1997, and sees Prince Charles (Dominic West) building on his relationship with Camilla Parker Bowles (Olivia Williams), while Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) sparks up a romance with film producer Dodi Fayed (Khalid Abdalla). The show also features the pairs death in a car crash in Paris.

As the new season arrives, and fans wonder what in The Crown is based in reality, heres everything you need to know.

Dianas role with Tony Blairs government

Episode one sees Diana visiting Tony (Bertie Carvel) and Cherie Blair (Lydia Leonard) with William after asking for a meeting with him. Recalling their discussion to the Queen, Blair says that Diana feels she still has a lot to offer the country as a public servant. He says that she had asked if there was a way to work with the government on a more formal basis and that any official role would be appreciated.

Bertie Carvel as Blair (Netflix)

Following Dianas death, Downing Street confirmed that Diana had visited Blair at Chequers with her son a few weeks before, where they discussed a special role for her as an overseas ambassador for Britain. Diana told a journalist at the time that the prime minister had recognised her skills and asked her to undertake missions abroad for Britain.

Queen Elizabeths reluctance to accept Camilla

As The Crown season six begins, Charles is frustrated at the public for demonising Camilla long after his split from Diana. Asks the Queen if shed received the invitation to Camillas 50th birthday, to which she says she has, but cannot attend as shes in Derbyshire. When Charles points out that plans can always be changed, she replies: Why would we want to change it? She doesnt attend, but later tells Prince Philip that she doesnt want for Camilla to be considered wicked, because shes not or to be unkind to her.

Charles (West) hosts Camillas (Williams) birthday (Netflix)

It took a while for Queen Elizabeth and Camilla to grow close. According to historian Robert Lacey, she was reluctant to accept Charless request to be more accommodating to Camilla. Unlike in The Crown, she is said to have once referred to Camilla as that wicked woman to Charless face. However, she grew to become closer to Camilla. Despite announcing in 2005 that Camilla would become the Princess Consort rather than Queen Consort, it was announced that Camilla would be queen seven months before Elizabeths death.

Dodi Fayeds engagement to an American model

When viewers first meet Dodi in The Crown, hes in Paris with a woman with short, blonde hair. However, its not Diana, but an American woman who he says hes picking out fabric for a Malibu home with and says hes marrying in three weeks. His father Mohamed is unimpressed, calling him to Saint Tropez to meet a special guest and leave his gold-digger fiance  who he also calls Madame Bikini  behind. The model later confronts Dodi, asking if he was with Diana when he leaves her to go see his father. Diana also alludes to a lawsuit between Dodi and his ex.

Diana (Debicki) and Dodi (Abdalla) (PA)

This storyline comes to close to the truth as told by model Kelly Fisher, who claimed to have been engaged to Dodi when he met Diana. Fisher had previously modelled for brands such as Victorias Secret and magazines including Elle and Marie Claire. As in The Crown, Fisher  who met Fayed in July 1996  was on another Fayed yacht when Dodi and Diana were first photographed. She staged a press conference where she announced that she was filing a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Dodi, after he allegedly asked her to stop modelling as much and prioritise the relationship. Through tears, she claimed that he had proposed to her (something his family denied) and promised to buy her a house in Malibu. However, she dropped the lawsuit following Dodis death.

Dianas close relationship with paparazzi on France yacht trip

When Dodi and Diana first spend time together on his fathers yacht in France, the paparazzi are never far away. However, when William refuses to go outside until the photographers leave them alone, she takes a boat out to visit them. Wearing a swimming costume, she asks them: Were having a lovely time, apart from one little thing: you lot. Dont be like that, you love us really, they reply. Diana asks them to leave her alone as theyre freaking out her sons, before telling one photographer  who she knows by name  that if they go away, youre going to get a big surprise with the next thing I do. She then poses for them in her swimsuit, but complains in a later episode that they can never relax with the press constantly around.

Diana (Debicki) on the Fayed yacht (Daniel Escale/Netflix)

Former Vanity Fair editor Tina Brown, who wrote the controversial 2007 book Diana Chronicles, claimed that Diana would often tip off the press and  couldnt resist giving them the images they wanted, including on the boat. Photographer Daniel Pirrie, who ended up selling the photo of the kiss, claimed that Diana herself invited him to photograph her on holiday with Dodi in France that summer. She told me shed be on the yacht somewhere in the Mediterranean, he told The Daily Mail in 2013. She let me know she was going to be on a tender going out to the yacht. I think overall, she was happy with all the pictures taken that summer I knew that Diana had wanted [the kiss photo] to be taken.

Mohamed al Fayeds role in securing kiss photo

Throughout season six, Mohamed al Fayed (Salim Daw) is shown as heavily invested in his son Dodis relationship with Diana, even ringing up the maid to ask if they have been intimate. In Arabic, he then asks his secretary if they can find him an Arabic photographer  not just any idiot with a long lens, but the best photographer on the Meditarranean.

Salim Daw as Mohamed al Fayed (Netflix)

Its not known whether Mohamed was so instrumental in securing the photo of Dodi and Diana kissing for the first time. However, following the Harrods owners death this year, biographer Tom Bower recalled in The Times how Al-Fayed gleefully showed him the photographs of Dodi and Diana and allegedly revealed how he had rapidly bought a yacht suitable for his sons seduction of her.

Dodis proposal to Diana on the night they died

After bursting into tears going for dinner at the Ritz, move upstairs, he proposes to her with a ring she had previously pointed out when they sheltered from crowds in a Monte Carlo jewellery shop. She tells him to get up off his knee I know the whole world is wondering if were going to get married, but thats not a reason to actually do it. However, they share a drink and bittersweet conversation about how they need to live their lives going forward - advice

Dodi is shown proposing to Diana before they died (Daniel Escale/Netflix)

In real life, Dodi did not propose to Diana on that fateful evening in Paris. However, at the inquest into the death in 2007, the jury were shown CCTV footage of him purchasing an engagement ring worth 11,600 in a jewellers across the square from the Ritz on the afternoon of the crash. It was later believed to have been delivered to their room before they went to Dodis flat, where a ring bearing the words Dis-moi Oui (Tell me Yes)  also the name of episode three  was later recovered, alongside a receipt for a bague de fiancaille (engagement ring). Speaking at the inquest, his father Mohamed claimed that the pair had met the jeweller in Monte Carlo during the holiday on the yacht, and that he believed Dodi planned to propose that night.

Prince William goes missing in Balmoral after Dianas death

After learning of Dianas death from his father at the royal residence of Balmoral in Scotland, William (Rufus Kampa) is left heartbroken with grief and angry at his familys response to it. At one point, Charles is informed that the prince is not in his room and that no one can find him, prompting Charles and Prince Harry to look for him and a subsequent hunt across the grounds for the young royal. He is not located, but later walks back to the house on his own accord, drenched in rain. 14 hours, that poor boy was gone, the Queen later says.

William (Kampa) goes missing after his mothers death (Keith Bernstein)

Its true that William and Harry initially stayed in Balmoral with their grandmother following the death of Diana. While its not known whether he went missing, during a visit to Scotland in 2021, William recalled how that experience was one of the saddest moments of his life. I was in Balmoral when I was told that my mother had died. Still in shock, I found sanctuary in the service at Crathie Kirk that very morning, he recalled. And in the dark days of grief that followed, I found comfort and solace in the Scottish outdoors. As a result, the connection I feel to Scotland will forever run deep.

The Crown season six part one is on Netflix now, with part two arriving on 14 December.
A journey that began with Queen Elizabeth's 1947 wedding to Prince Philip in the first season will come to a close with a drama-filled storyline from the modern British royal family in the sixth season of "The Crown."

Season Five depicted events between 1992 and 1997, including the marital turmoil and eventual divorce between Princess Diana and then-Prince Charles.

The show also covered the emotional interview Diana gave the BBC in 1992 about life in the royal family, and Queen Elizabeth's "annus horribilis" that included three of her children separating from their partners and a fire at Windsor Castle.

So what time period will the final season be covering? Here's what to know.

When does Season 6 of 'The Crown' come out?

The first part of the highly anticipated final season of the Netflix hit will be released on Nov. 16, followed by the second part coming out on Dec. 14.

What time period in the royal familys history will Season 6 cover?

Based on casting and interviews with writer and creator Peter Morgan, the final season will cover the late '90s period through the courtship period between Prince William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, leading up to their engagement in 2010.

Here's a breakdown of a possible timeline of events.

Princess Diana's tragic death

The final episode of Season Five hints at Diana's relationship with Dodi Fayed following her divorce from Charles by showing her and sons William and Harry being invited to a holiday getaway at his father's home in Saint-Tropez, France.

The Crown Season 6 (Daniel Escale / Netflix)

The new season tackles their relationship and then Diana's tragic death in a 1997 car crash, in which she and Fayed were killed in Paris after driver Henri Paul lost control in the Pont de L'Alma tunnel. Witnesses saw multiple paparazzi pursuing the Mercedes-Benz on motorcycles before the crash, and Paul was found to have a blood alcohol level that exceeded France's legal limits.

When youre in those scenes, like the particular ones ... of being chased and being handled and trapped in a small space, all of that is such a physical, visceral experience, actor Elizabeth Debicki told TODAY.com about filming the chasing scenes. It sort of is happening to you and you just have to let yourself react to it.

The actor added, If you put any human in that situation, they would find it equally unbearable, and want to get out of it as quickly as possible.

Diana's death prompted a global outpouring of sadness and became one of the biggest news events of the 1990s. Prince Harry has also spoken and written about its ongoing effects on him to this day.

The heartbreaking moment of a young Harry and Prince William walking behind Diana's coffin during the funeral procession from Kensington Palace to Westminster Abbey in London could certainly figure into the storyline.

The late Princess of Wales will once again be portrayed by Debicki, who received an Emmy nomination for her performance in Season Five.

Will and Kate's love story

The budding romance between Prince William and Kate Middleton in the early 2000s will also feature into the storyline.

Meg Bellamy and Ed McVey make their debut on "The Crown" and will play the royal couple during their days together at the University of St. Andrews in Scotland, which William attended from 2001-05.

The Crown Season 6 (Justin Downing / Netflix)

It was in 2002 that he met Middleton, whom he married in 2011 and shares three children with.

"We were friends for over a year first. It just sort of blossomed from then on," William said in their first joint interview in 2011.

Photos from this season show Bellamy and McVey as the young lovebirds holding hands on the college campus.

As for Prince Harry, he will be played by Luther Ford, but is not central to the storyline.

"I do little bits of dramatization of Harry but mainly only in relationship to William," Morgan told Variety.

Morgan told Parade last year that he has no plans to dramatize Harry's relationship with the former Meghan Markle or their split from the royal family.

The wedding of King Charles and Queen Camilla

Sticking to the mid-2000s timeline would also mean portraying the 2005 wedding of now-King Charles III and Queen Camilla.

Dominic West returns to portray Charles, and Olivia Williams is back as Camilla. The royal couple went public with their relationship two years after Diana's death and were married in 2005.

The multiple deaths in the royal family

Other possible subjects include the tenure of former prime minister Tony Blair, and Queen Elizabeth's emotional losses.

In 2002, she lost her mother, Queen Mother portrayed by Marcia Warren, who died at 101. Queen Elizabeth also witnessed the death of her sister, Princess Margaret (Lesley Manville), who died at 71 from a stroke. Imelda Staunton returns to play the queen in the final season.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Authorities are investigating the killing of a man who was shot after he followed suspects in the theft of his car, Dallas police said.

At around 4 a.m. Tuesday, Dallas police responded to the 5300 block of Parry Avenue, where they found 24-year-old Marco Ramirez shot at the scene.

Ramirez was taken to a local hospital where he died, according to a news release from the Dallas Police Department.

Further investigation determined the victims vehicle was stolen from his home. He followed the suspect or suspects to the 5300 block of Parry Avenue where he was shot, police say.

The stolen vehicle was located in the 5200 block of Parry Avenue, but the suspect or suspects had left the scene.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with information about the crime is asked to contact Detective Michael Christian at 469-670-4735 or michael.christian@dallaspolice.gov.

A GoFundMe was organized for the victim by Juan Ramirez, who is looking to help raise $20,000 for Marcos funeral services.

When I think of Marco, I cant help but wonder if he knew the impact he had on the people around him, said Juan in the GoFundMe. He was 24 and working on building a company for the sake of his father; to give him a legacy and a retirement. He always put everyones issues above his own.
A Dallas police officer serving a capital murder warrant was shot in the leg Thursday morning. A suspect was also shot during the exchange of gunfire, officials said.

Dallas Police Department officers serving on the U.S. Marshals Task Force attempted to serve a capital murder arrest warrant at an apartment in the 9900 block of Adleta Boulevard around 6 a.m., police said.

They knocked, they announced, and as they began to breach the door, they were immediately met with gunfire from the suspect, said Dallas Police Chief Eddie Garcia at a Thursday morning press conference.

One of the officers was shot in the lower leg. The officers backed away from the apartment. There was a second exchange of gunfire, Garcia said, and the suspect was wounded.

The suspect was taken into custody and then transported to a local hospital in critical condition, according to Garcia. Police havent released the suspects name or said who the suspect is accused of killing in the capital murder case.

The officer was taken to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. His name hasnt been released.

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Our officer will be fine, Garcia said. Hes in good spirits.

Garcia said the department will release more information Monday regarding the shooting.

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The governments inexcusable delay in taking over a civil case against Ted Cain reduces by more than half the $32.6 million he must pay for Medicare fraud, the 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has ruled.

Cain and others responsible for varying amounts of the total  including wife Julie Cain and the former Stone County Hospital in Wiggins  appealed a jurys Medicare fraud verdict against them after a nine-week trial in early 2020.

The trial followed a legal claim for Medicare fraud first filed in 2007 by a whistleblower who worked at the hospital.

The government decided to take over the case under the whistleblower law, called the False Claims Act, but waited too long, a three-judge panel of the 5th Circuit ruled. As a result, the government cant collect on the earliest fraudulent Medicare billings, from 2004 to September 2009.

The original damages from 2004-2015 amounted to $10,855,382 that the Cains collected but were not entitled to. Those damages are tripled under the whistleblower law, meaning Ted Cain was responsible for paying the government a total of $32.6 million. A percentage of the money goes to the whistleblower who discovers and reports the fraud.

The shorter time frame under which the government can now collect damages reduces the fraud to $4,590,495, for about $14 million in total damages when tripled.

The decision was a win for the Cains and hospital, who pointed out the government waited eight years, until 2015, to intervene. But the appellate judges agreed that the fraud verdict itself should stand.

We agree that the Governments incessant delay in intervening is inexcusable . . . ,  the judges recent opinion said.

Cains have second case pending

Whistleblower law requires that the cases be filed under seal for at least 60 days to give the U.S. Justice Department time to decide whether to intervene. In this case, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Southern District of Mississippi, working with Justice Department lawyers in Washington, asked 18 times that the seal remain while the government decided whether to take the case.

The appellate opinion described the governments behavior as dawdling.

In 2010, the government asked that the seal be partially lifted, letting the Cains know they were under investigation. At first, the Cains cooperated, turning over thousands of pages of records and making employees available for interviews. Their cooperation ended in October 2011, the appeals court decision notes.

When the governments complaint was finally filed in 2015, it added elements the whistleblower, James Aldridge, had not included in his original lawsuit, including the exorbitant salaries the Cains paid themselves to helm the hospital, even though testimony showed that Ted Cain did little work for the money.

The Government showed that Ted received compensation ten to sixteen times the national average for critical access hospital executives, the appellate decision said.  . . . Similarly, the Government presented evidence that Julies salary, as the prior hospital administrator, was at times double that of the incumbent administrator.

Based on this evidence, the judges concluded, the Cains had falsely filed claims for reimbursement with Medicare.

The case has not ended because the government more recently accused the Cains of attempting to hide their assets to avoid paying the damages. A trial is set for the court term beginning Sept. 4, 2024 before U.S. District Judge Henry T. Wingate, who also presided over the civil fraud case.
A gunmaker is accused of selling pistols with an unreasonably dangerous defect  leading to users getting unintentionally shot, including a young mother who died, according to a new federal lawsuit.

Some pistols sold by Taurus, a gun manufacturer whose U.S. subsidiary is headquartered in Georgia, can fire without a person pulling the trigger if the weapon is dropped or upon impact, a complaint filed Nov. 10 in U.S. District Court, Middle District of Georgia says.

Arizona resident Libardo Jaramillo lent his Taurus GX4 pistol to his friend Elise Hurrle, who died after dropping the weapon while working at a convenience store in Mesa, the complaint says.

On April 7, Hurrle removed the holstered pistol from the stores checkout counter and tried attaching it to her waistband when she dropped it and a bullet was discharged, according to the complaint.

The 23-year-old mother of one child was struck by the gunfire and immediately killed in the incident captured on store surveillance footage, the complaint says.

The Mesa Police Department confirmed that the complaint accurately recounts the circumstances of Hurrles death at the ARCO gas station in Mesa on April 7, Det. Richard Encinas told McClatchy News in a statement on Nov. 15.

When officers arrived, they found a female employee who was later identified as Valarie Elise Hurrle on the floor with a gun shot wound. She was transported to the hospital and pronounced deceased, a statement provided by Encinas said.

Hurrles death was ruled an accident, according to Encinas.

Taurus pistols with the drop-fire defect include All Series or models of the Taurus GX4 pistols, the complaint says.

Jaramillo has filed a class action lawsuit naming Taurus Manufacturing and Taurus Holdings, the companys one hundred percent stockholder, as defendants, the complaint shows.

McClatchy News contacted Taurus for comment on Nov. 15 and didnt receive a response.

Taurus safety notice

On the homepage of Taurus website, it shares a safety notice for the Taurus GX4 pistols. According to the lawsuit, this safety notice was posted around May 23, about a month after Hurrles death.

Some GX4 pistols assembled and sold only in the United States may, under certain circumstances, discharge when dropped.

Safely unload and stop using your GX4 IMMEDIATELY. Failure to observe this warning may result in injury or death to you or others, the safety alert says.

Taurus allows customers to search the serial number of their pistol to see whether their gun is associated with the notice.

The company also offers to inspect, repair and return affected pistols to owners at no cost, according to the alert.

Jaramillos lawsuit argues repair is not possible due to the nature of the defect and says Taurus should destroy the pistols instead and give customers full refunds.

The safety notice is inadequate for this reason and a few others, including that the notice is not a recall, according to the complaint.

Taurus has made no substantial efforts beyond a notice on their own website to make the public aware of this defect, the complaint says.

Pistol users injured

Taurus is accused of knowing about its pistols drop-fire defect since April 2022. This is more than a year before it published its online safety notice  and when the company was made aware of another shooting incident in Kentucky, according to the complaint.

The owner of a Taurus GX4, 9mm pistol in Kentucky was shot after the weapon fell from the door of a pickup truck and discharged a round, the complaint says.

The complaint points out a separate lawsuit was filed by the Kentucky gun user against Taurus in the Middle District of Georgia in December.

According to that lawsuit, Dakota Knipper bought his Taurus GX4 pistol on March 7, 2022, and kept it loaded in the door of his truck for personal protection.

On March 23, 2022/, after having dinner with his girlfriend in Lexington, Knipper opened the drivers side door of his truck and the pistol fell out and hit the pavement  firing a round into his left rib, the complaint filed by Knipper says.

The bullet exited his rib, struck his left bicep and then exited his left shoulder  leaving him with permanent nerve damage, according to the complaint.

In April, Knipper and Taurus agreed to dismiss the lawsuit, court records show. Its unclear if a settlement was reached.

This isnt the first time Taurus has been accused of selling gun models with defects related to accidental firings. In 2016, the company was sued in connection with their Rossi model guns allegedly discharging when dropped in the case of Burrow, et al. v. Forjas Taurus SA, et al filed in U.S. District Court, the Southern District of Florida.

In 2019, the lawsuit was settled for $38 million.

Jamarillos lawsuit cites more examples of Taurus GX4 pistols firing after they were dropped, injuring gun owners in Florida, Tennessee and Texas.

The Drop-Fire Defect has manifested itself several times, sometimes causing serious bodily injury. Defendants are and were aware of those manifestationsbut have refused to recall the Class Pistols, the complaint says.

The lawsuit demands a trial by jury and seeks to recover damages.

Taurus concealed and misrepresented the truth about the Class Pistols, the Defect, the inability to repair the Defect, and the fact that the Class Pistols are worthless, the complaint says.

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The ex-Marine accused of manslaughter and homicide after fatally strangling an unhoused man on the New York City subway earlier this year should have known the chokehold he used was deadly, prosecutors argue in a new court filing.

Daniel Penny, 25, is facing charges of second-degree manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide after police identified him as the man shown in cell phone footage pinning Jordan Neely, 30, to the subway floor and placing him in a fatal chokehold in May. Mr Penny pleaded not guilty to the charges recommended by a grand jury in June, and his lawyers requested the case be dismissed last month.

A filing from the Manhattan district attorneys office argued that Mr Penny  who served in the US Marines for four years  received training and instructional materials that highlighted the deadly potential of chokeholds.

Mr Pennys trainer told a grand jury that students are told chokeholds can be fatal, prosecutors wrote. The Marine Corps Martial Arts Program Manual also states that the techniques described can result in death, according to prosecutors.

This training helps support the notion that the defendant was aware of and consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that death would occur as a result of his prolonged use of a chokehold, prosecutors wrote in the 15 November filing.

Witnesses have said Mr Neely was experiencing a mental health crisis in the days leading up to his death, and that he was complaining of hunger and thirst when he boarded a train in Manhattan on 1 May.

Witnesses said Mr Neely told passengers that he was not afraid to die or go to jail before throwing his jacket on the ground. At that point, Mr Penny wrestled him to the ground. Mr Penny previously claimed that Mr Neely was threatening other passengers. One witness told the grand jury Mr Penny they thought they were going to die, according to court filings.

Prosecutors noted that witnesses differed sharply in their threat assessments.

It is certainly true that several of the passengers testified that they were fearful. Several such attestations are quoted in the defendants motion, according to the filing.

But omitted from the defences accounting are the accounts that undermine the notion of rampant and universal panic, prosecutors wrote.

Law enforcement officials said Mr Neely did not specifically threaten or attack anyone on the train.

The Independent has requested comment from Mr Pennys attorneys.

The case has sparked widespread debate, with several prominent activists and politicians labeling this a case of racist vigilantism. Mr Penny is white and Mr Neely is Black.

Civil rights activist Rev Al Sharpton called Mr Neelys death a crime, comparing it to the 1984 fatal shootings of four Black men by a white man, Bernhard Goetz, dubbed the subway vigilante, the Associated Press reported.

Meanwhile, Democratic New York State Senator Julia Salazar told Gothamist that Neely was lynched.

I use the language lynching  [because] it seems that people were cheering it on, and felt that it was justified in some way to commit violence against this man, who appears to be most vulnerable person in that situation, Ms Salazar told Gothamist in May.
Police arrested more than 100 children at elementary schools during the 2020-2021 school year, according to newly released data analyzed by CBS News.

The Department of Education data showed fewer young children were arrested at school than in previous years. This is likely in part because students were learning remotely rather than in person due to the pandemic, a senior Department of Education official said in a call with reporters.

In elementary schools alone, about 3,500 so-called "referrals to law enforcement"  where a student is reported to police but not arrested  were also counted in the data.

Catherine Lhamon, assistant secretary for the Department of Education Office of Civil Rights, said the number of elementary school arrests and referrals was "enormously distressing."

"My heart is broken when I know that those kinds of circumstances take place, period." Llamon said. "And we are examining whether there's a civil rights component to it that needs to be addressed as part of our job in the Civil Rights Office of the Department of Education."

The data, published on Nov. 15, is the only national survey of civil rights at schools in the country. It highlighted a range of disparities faced by students of color and students with disabilities, including access to more advanced curriculum, internet availability, and school discipline.

Last year, CBS News reported on arrests in elementary schools using similar data from the 2017-2018 school year. That year, CBS News counted more than 700 arrests in grades 1 through 5.

That data showed children with disabilities in elementary school were 4 times more likely to be arrested at school than those without disabilities. This latest data shows similar disparities: those with disabilities such as ADHD or autism were still four times more likely to be arrested at school.

The same was true for students of color, who were arrested at more than twice the rate of white students.

The arrest of children in school, particularly young children, has been the subject of criticism in recent years. Recent incidents in Maryland, Colorado and Texas, for example, sparked public outrage and lawsuits against police.

A bill introduced in the U.S. Senate in May 2023 would ban schools from using restraints such as handcuffs on children for disciplinary reasons, though it wouldn't prevent police from making arrests entirely.

In 2022, a bill designed to reduce school arrests, the Counseling Not Criminalization in Schools Act, failed to pass.

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New Foreign Secretary David Cameron has made his first working visit to Ukraine, meeting President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv.

Lord Cameron reiterated the UK's support for Ukraine, promising moral, diplomatic and "above all military support for... however long it takes".

Mr Zelenksy congratulated Mr Cameron on his new post and thanked him for the UK's continued backing.

Lord Cameron became foreign secretary in a cabinet shuffle on Monday.

The Ukrainian president congratulated Mr Cameron on his new appointment and thanked him for making his first working visit to Kyiv in his new position.

"This is very important, especially now, when the world is paying attention not only to the situation on the battlefield in Ukraine,and dividing the focus really does not help," Mr Zelensky said, alluding to the Middle East.

"We are grateful for the unwavering support of Ukraine from the United Kingdom. We are grateful for the warm welcome of Ukrainian citizens in the UK. And we are glad that you came to Ukraine," he said.

Mr Zelensky posted a short clip of the meeting to social media, during which Lord Cameron can be heard saying "I wanted this to be my first visit."

"What I want to say by being here is that we will continue to give you the moral support, the diplomatic support and the economic support and above all the military support that you need not just this year and next year but however long as it takes," Lord Cameron said.

The former UK prime minister added: "I've had some disagreements with Boris Johnson, we've known each other for 40 years, but his support for you was the finest thing he and his government did."

Ukraine's foreign ministry said the pair discussed weapons, arms production, and security in the Black Sea.

Lord Cameron's visit comes after Ukrainian forces succeeded in establishing positions across the Dnipro river in southern Ukraine, a potentially significant advance. Local Russian-installed officials acknowledged on Wednesday that Ukrainian forces were present in the village of Krynky, on the Russian-occupied left (east) bank.

The river has separated Ukrainian and Russian forces since Moscow's troops withdrew from Kherson a year ago.

The news has heartened Ukrainians, whose four-month-old counter-offensive has failed to regain significant occupied territory from Russia.

Cameron's return

Lord Cameron's new post marks his return to the cabinet table for the first time in more than seven years.

He has replaced James Cleverly, who was moved to be home secretary to take over from Suella Braverman in a dramatical overhaul of Rishi Sunak's cabinet on Monday.

There has been some controversy about Loes Cameron's return to the front bench, since he is no longer an elected MP and will sit as a peer rather than in the Common.

Opposition parties and Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle have raised concerns about how MPs will be able to hold Lord Cameron to account, given he will not be in the Commons chamber to take questions during the regular departmental scrutiny sessions.

Instead, those questions will be fielded by the ministers below him at the Foreign Office, including Andrew Mitchell and Anne-Marie Trevelyan. It is not uncommon for deputies to answer for the department; although this normally occurs if the foreign secretary is on diplomatic visits around the world.

Map of control around Kherson
David DePape was found guilty on federal charges of attempting to kidnap former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco and assaulting her husband with a hammer. (Michael Short/Associated Press)

David DePape was found guilty in a San Francisco federal court on Thursday of attempting to kidnap former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and assaulting her husband with a hammer after he broke into the couple's home last year.

The jury of 10 men and two women spent a day deliberating the two federal charges before reaching their verdict, concluding a high-profile and, at times, bizarre trial that lasted only four days.

DePape sat quietly beside his attorneys as the verdict was read and did not outwardly react to the decision.

Speaker Pelosi and her family are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and warm wishes for Mr. Pelosi from so many across the country during this difficult time," a spokesperson wrote in a statement in response to the verdict. "The Pelosi family is very proud of their Pop, who demonstrated extraordinary composure and courage on the night of the attack a year ago and in the courtroom this week. Thankfully, Mr. Pelosi continues to make progress in his recovery."

Read more: Man accused of attacking Paul Pelosi, stirring up right-wing conspiracies, faces San Francisco jury

The case consumed the nation for more than a year, with former President Trump and conservative commentators using the attack to rile up their far-right base and swipe at the Democratic congresswoman, raising broader concerns over political violence and the safety of public officials and their families.

The jurors reached their decision even with the defense's claims that DePape, 43, was motivated not by violence but by a network of political conspiracy theories he harbored against Democrats and other public figures and elected officials.

He faces up to a combined 50 years in prison, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

"This guilty verdict on all counts sends a clear message that regardless of what your beliefs are, what you cannot do is physically attack a member of Congress or their immediate family for their performance of their job," Ismail Ramsey, U.S. attorney for the Northern District of California, said at a news conference outside the courthouse.

Despite the overwhelming and highly publicized evidence against DePape from police body-camera video and interviews  as well as his multiple confessions  it was never a straightforward assault case because the federal trial focused on his intent, not whether he committed the violent act.

Still-pending state charges accuse DePape of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, burglary and threats to a public official and their family. But the federal trial centered on whether DePape was motivated to assault Paul Pelosi and attempt to kidnap Speaker Pelosi because of her official duties in Congress.

Read more: Suspect in Paul Pelosi attack believes conspiracies but didn't try to kidnap House speaker, attorney says

Prosecutors therefore had to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that DePape intended to kidnap the lawmaker on account of or during the performance of her official duties" and that he assaulted her husband in an effort to impede, intimidate or interfere with her official duties or in retaliation for her work.

Assistant U.S. Attys. Laura Vartain Horn and Helen Gilbert provided a clear picture of DePape's "violent plan" on the night he traveled from his East Bay residence to the Pelosis' Pacific Heights home in October 2022. They reviewed his recent Amazon purchases and internet search history  including his paid subscription to a service that provided email and home addresses  to demonstrate how he spent months preparing for the attack.

The prosecutors showed jurors the graphic police body-camera video of DePape bludgeoning Paul Pelosi with the hammer, fracturing the then-82-year-old man's skull and seriously injuring his right arm and left hand.

"This is the moment where Paul Pelosi ends up attacked in the dead of night in his own home, lying on the floor in a pool of his own blood," Gilbert said in her closing argument as a still frame of the moment before the attack was displayed on courtroom screens.

Jurors heard portions of a police interview in which DePape said he considered Speaker Pelosi the Democrats' "leader of the pack," and said he would "break her kneecaps" if she didn't admit to corruption and other unfounded claims of human trafficking and child abuse by public figures. He told the officer that Pelosi would have to wheel herself into Congress, where other lawmakers could see the "f consequence to being the most evil f people on the planet."

"She was the speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives," Gilbert said. "She was the head of the Democratic Party in the House. That was her job. And because of her job, the defendant targeted her."

Gilbert pointed out that DePape brought zip ties, rope and duct tape as additional evidence that he intended to hold Speaker Pelosi hostage.

"This is attempted kidnapping. He attempted to seize and confine her, and he brought the tools to do it," she said. And when he learned that Pelosi was in Washington and wouldn't be home for days, Gilbert argued, DePape instead "inflicted the punishment he meant for Nancy Pelosi" on her husband.

"That is retaliation," she said.

Paul Pelosi also offered chilling details of the break-in and assault, testifying that he knew he was in "serious danger" and that his only hope was calling 911.

There are still lumps on my head. If I run my fingers, I can still feel dents and lumps, he told the jurors. Ive made the best effort I possibly can to not relive this."

Read more: Paul Pelosi testifies that he knew he was in 'serious danger' before hammer attack

DePape's attorneys, federal public defenders Jodi Linker and Angela Chuang, never disputed that their client "did horrible things" and "committed serious crimes." Instead, they argued that he was inspired by elaborate and baseless conspiracy theories that may have seemed "bogus" but were nonetheless his deeply held beliefs.

In a powerful closing argument, Chuang said the case was not a "who done it" but a "why done it."

"Mr. DePape didnt go to that house because he had some particular fixation against only Nancy Pelosi," she said. "He didnt go there because of anything she did in her official duties or as speaker of the House."

The Pelosis' home was only the first stop in a cross-country plan to target other powerful people in America he believed were involved in QAnon-like conspiracy theories of criminal activity, Chuang said. His goal was to "root out the corruption of the ruling class, the cabal, to stop the molestation of children and expose the truth to everyone."

"They want you to believe this was just about Nancy Pelosi, that he was singularly focused. But thats not true," Chuang said.

In testimony Tuesday, DePape rejected the argument that he had plans to kidnap the former speaker, or that he assaulted her husband because of her role in Congress.

He detailed his descent into political extremism and far-right conspiracy theories, and claimed that the Pelosis' home was only the first step in his broader anti-corruption plan.

I didnt want this to escalate into something where [Paul Pelosi] would get hurt, he told the jury.

The defense also scrutinized Speaker Pelosi's schedule in efforts to convince the jury that she was not always engaged in official business.

Their point was that DePape could not be guilty of the federal charges in connection with the lawmaker's official duties, because there were many points in her schedule when she was engaging in politics, such as campaign fundraising or lunches with advocacy organizations or getting a haircut, and not executing her job as speaker of the House.

Chuang argued that DePape was inspired to break into the Pelosis' home not because of any law Pelosi helped pass, or how she was running the House, but because of her political activities with the national Democratic Party and what he described in police interviews as political attacks against Trump.

Read more: Man charged in Paul Pelosi attack details descent into conspiracy theories during federal trial

In comparison, Chuang explained that DePape planned to also target Gov. Gavin Newsom because he had recently signed a gun control bill, more clearly an official duty.

Pelosi "has a work life, a personal life and a political life," Chuang said, adding that although she was a member of Congress and speaker of the House, "that doesn't mean she is always performing official duties."

The argument was strong enough, it seemed, that after closing arguments Wednesday morning, the jury needed 24 hours to reach a verdict.

A hearing to set a trial date on DePape's state charges is scheduled for Nov. 29.

"We will confer with the federal prosecutors and with the victim in this case as we determine what our next steps in the state case will be," San Francisco Dist. Atty. Brooke Jenkins said in a statement. "We are confident in our case and are prepared to move forward to trial."

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.
David DePape, the man who attacked the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) with a hammer, was found guilty Thursday on two federal charges.

DePape was found guilty by a jury of assault on an immediate family member of a federal official and of attempted kidnapping of a federal official for the October 2022 attack on Paul Pelosi. The jury deliberated over the course of two days. DePape will be sentenced at a later date.

A spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi issued a statement shortly after the verdict was read.

Speaker Pelosi and her family are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and warm wishes for Mr. Pelosi from so many across the country during this difficult time, the statement reads. The Pelosi family is very proud of their Pop, who demonstrated extraordinary composure and courage on the night of the attack a year ago and in the courtroom this week. Thankfully, Mr. Pelosi continues to make progress in his recovery.

DePape had plans to kidnap and violently interrogate Nancy Pelosi the night he broke into the couples San Francisco home, prosecutors and DePape himself acknowledged during the trial, which lasted a week. In his testimony, DePape said he was influenced by far-right conspiracies to kidnap the lawmaker.

Instead, 42-year-old DePape confronted her husband, 82-year-old Paul Pelosi, who was home alone the night of the assault.

In his testimony on Monday, Paul Pelosi told jurors that DePape walked through his front door carrying a hammer and zip ties.

It was a tremendous sense of shock to recognize that somebody had broken into the house and looking at him and looking at the hammer and the ties, I recognized that I was in serious danger, so I tried to stay as calm as possible, Paul Pelosi told jurors.

David DePape in Berkeley, California, in December 2013.

David DePape in Berkeley, California, in December 2013.

Wheres Nancy? Wheres Nancy? DePape asked once inside the home, according to court records.

Police body camera video released earlier this year shows the moment DePape swings his hammer at Paul Pelosi when police confront him.

Give me your fucking hand, an officer yells at DePape in the video as Paul Pelosi lies motionless on the floor. Paul Pelosi suffered a skull fracture in the attack.

In his own testimony on Tuesday, DePape sobbed several times while on the stand, and said he felt bad for injuring Paul Pelosi because he was never my target. DePape also admitted wanting to target others for what he wrongly believed was a government plot against former President Donald Trump.

DePape told authorities his other targets included California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D), actor Tom Hanks and President Joe Bidens son, Hunter.

DePape testified he would have harmed Nancy Pelosi if she had lied under his questioning.

If she lied, I would break her kneecaps, he said on the stand.

DePape testified that before the attack, he fell into far-right conspiracies and listened to far-right media as he played video games for six hours a day. Among his favorite far-right podcasters were Tim Pool and James Lindsay, he said.

It was because of Lindsay that DePape added another target to his list: a University of Michigan professor who taught womens and queer studies.

The takeaway I got is that she wants to turn our schools into pedophile molestation factories, DePape told jurors.

That professor later testified herself, and was asked by a defense attorney if she supported child abuse.

Absolutely not, she responded.

DePape faces life in prison. He has also been charged in state court with felony charges including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon and elder abuse. A trial has not yet been scheduled, and DePape has pleaded not guilty to those charges.

Related...
David Fincher movies appeal to a very particular Type of Guy.

You may know this Type of Guy, because he is ubiquitous on the internet. He had a Fight Club poster in his college dorm room. He's seen Se7en too many times. He has some thoughts about the Zodiac Killer and Facebook that are at least partially informed by Fincher's movies about those subjects. He owns many black T-shirts. He really, really likes Nine Inch Nails, the industrial band fronted by frequent Fincher collaborator Trent Reznor, but in an intellectual way.

Fincher's movies appeal to this Type of Guy because they are often about this Type of Guy. His filmography is defined by portraits of a particular type of male rage and ennui, of men who feel lost, disconnected from social convention, surrounded by the disposable detritus of consumer capitalism, stuck in their heads with their unstoppable thoughts. Fincher's movies take a keen interest in this Type of Guy, capturing his Wikipedia-level nihilism with grimdark slickness; they are glamorously moody and precise in a way that not only appeals to this Type of Guy's taste and sensibility but has helped define it.

But Fincher isn't celebrating this Type of Guy, not really. He's mocking him. Despite Fincher's reputation as a gloom-monger, his movies are often quite bleakly funny, and his lonely, agitated male losers are frequently the targets of the jokes. Fight Club isn't a comedy, exactly, but it's a caustic satire of its narrator character, a corporate drone whospoilerimagines a sexy Brad Pitt alter ego who leads a cult built around bored loser guys who let off steam by beating the crap out of each other. He's practically the definition of this particular Type of Guy. And this Type of Guy loves David Fincher movies because they see themselves in them.

Fincher's newest film, The Killer, is also about this Type of Guy. In this case, the Guy is another unnamed characterlisted in the credits only as The Killerwho works as a high-end assassin-for-hire. The movie opens with an extended sequence in Paris in which The Killer waits for a target. He does yoga. He eats McDonalds. He watches a luxury hotel building from a window across the street. And he thinks. He thinks about his code (don't ask questions, don't develop feelings). He thinks about his amoral philosophy. He thinks about the nature of existence, the divides between the haves and the have-nots, about boredom itself. He views himself as precise, methodical, unflinching, unfeelingas someone who has transcended conventional views about morality and conventionality of any kind. Unlike everyone else, he sees the cold truth about the world.

We hear all of this in Michael Fassbender's flat, affectless voiceover, and for much of the film, it's all we hear. There's almost no real dialogue during the first 25 minutes of the film, just a portrait of The Killer waiting, watching, thinking. We're trapped inside his head with him.

And what we can see is the thing that The Killer himself cannotwhich is that he is actually rather absurd. He wears dopey bucket hats and dresses, he explains, like a German tourist, so that Parisians will avoid him. He snacks on crappy fast food, and the window he waits at is in an abandoned WeWork. His half-baked Nietzschean worldview doesn't make him cool; it makes him ridiculous. And when the time finally comes to make the kill, he misses. He's not even good at his job.

The Type of Guy who likes David Fincher movies tends to enjoy movies about cool, edgy hitmen, which is very much what this movie is, except that in Fincher's amusingly twisted vision, it's a movie about how that type of movieand the particular Type of Guy it elevatesis actually fairly silly. It's a sleek, sharp, subtly hilarious send-up of moody sociopathic assassin glamour. I'm a David Fincher Type of Guy myself, so obviously I loved it.

The post David Fincher's <i>The Killer</i> Is a Subtly Funny Movie About a Loser Assassin appeared first on Reason.com.
The execution chamber seen from one of two witness viewing rooms at the Texas Department of Criminal Justice's Huntsville Unit. Credit: Texas Department of Criminal Justice

The state of Texas executed David Renteria, 53, on Thursday evening, for the 2001 murder of 5-year-old Alexandra Flores. Renteria was the eighth person executed in Texas this year.

The U.S. Supreme Court denied a late petition from Renteria's legal team just before his execution that alleged the El Paso District Attorneys Office violated Renterias constitutional rights by failing to turn over case documents. Other legal efforts failed to halt the scheduled execution.

At 7 p.m., Renteria was injected with a lethal dose of pentobarbital. He died 11 minutes later.

To the victims of the family, there is not a day that goes by that I do not think about that fateful event of that day and what transpired, Renteria said as part of his final statement. To the people that have shown compassion and that have been there for me you are my true family and I have been pleased. I am a man of many faults for those I have hurt and caused pain in their life, I beg for forgiveness.

Cecilia Esparza, Renteria's sister, and three friends were present at the execution, according to the El Paso Times.

In 2003, Renteria was convicted of killing Alexandra while he was on probation for indecency with a child. Security camera footage showed a man who appeared to be Renteria leading the child out of an El Paso Walmart on Nov. 18, 2001, according to court documents. The girl was Christmas shopping with her family when she disappeared.

The next day, her partially-burned body was found in an alley 16 miles away from the Walmart. An autopsy found she was hit twice in the head and strangled by hand before being set on fire.

Alexandra's family, including her sister, Sandra Frausto, and brother, Ignacio Frausto, also attended the execution, according to the El Paso Times.

A jury sentenced Renteria to death. Five years later, after an automatic appeal resulted in the same conviction from an appeals court, Renteria again received a death sentence.

Renteria claimed Barrio Azteca gang members forced him to kidnap the child and dispose of her body, according to court documents, but he maintained that he did not murder the girl. Renteria said he feared for his familys safety if he refused to help the gang members, whom he alleged murdered Alexandra.

After the El Paso District Attorneys Office declined to turn over case files related to the murder to Renterias lawyers earlier this year  which the office had done for a previous capital case  his legal team asked District Court Judge Monique Velarde Reyes to postpone the execution. The El Paso District Attorneys Office did not respond to a request for comment.

Renterias attorneys argued that declining to produce documents related to the case, which they suspected contained information about the involvement of gang members in the crime, violated his constitutional rights to due process and equal protection.

On Aug. 29, Reyes granted that request, ordering the district attorneys office to produce the documents and postponing Renterias Nov. 16 execution date indefinitely.

El Paso District Attorney Bill Hicks appealed Reyes order, questioning if the district court judge has the authority to postpone the execution. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals  the states highest criminal appeals court  heard the appeal and overturned Reyes order, rescheduling Renterias execution date.

Without a pleading before [Reyes] invoking a legitimate source of district-court jurisdiction, [Reyes] had no freewheeling jurisdiction to seek to safeguard Renterias Fourteenth Amendment rights," the appeals court wrote in its September order.

Renterias lawyers subsequently filed a petition for removal to bring the case in front of federal courts. Last month, U.S. District Judge Frank Montalvo denied Renterias motion.

We are basically saying we have been shut out of this equal protection claim that the El Paso district judge found had merit, said Humphreys McGee, an assistant federal public defender in the Capital Habeas Unit, who represented Renteria.

Before his execution, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the motion on Thursday.

Renteria had another petition against the state over its use of expired drugs to kill prisoners. That petition was in front of the Criminal Court of Appeals.

The ongoing controversy has not stopped the Texas Department of Criminal Justice from extending the use-by dates of its lethal doses of pentobarbital, the only drug used in Texas executions, after retesting their potency levels. Similar legal challenges to halt executions in light of the practice have been unsuccessful this year.

Renterias legal team also asked state courts to pause his execution date to consider the new witness testimony that they learned about in 2018.

The El Paso District Attorneys office shared a new statement with Renterias legal team in which a witness said her then-husband  not Renteria  told her he was involved in the girls murder, according to court documents. The witness husband told her to drive to the scene where the body was discovered.

The U.S. Supreme Court dismissed Renterias request to review the new witness testimony, citing inaccuracies in the account relating to the date and nature of the murder.

Before Thursday's execution, McGee said no state court has ever heard or ruled on his clients case in light of this witness's account.
On November 16, 1973, President Richard Nixon authorized the construction of the Alaska Pipeline with the signing of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act into law. File Photo by Darryl Heikes/UPI

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- On this date in history:

In 1907, Oklahoma became the 46th state admitted to the union.

In 1914, intended to serve as a "lender of last resort," the New York Fed opened for business.

In 1933, the United States established diplomatic relations with the Soviet Union.

In 1957, Ed Gein murdered his last victim, Bernice Worden. When police searched his house, they found 10 human skulls, a human heart in a pot on the stove and what appeared to be a belt made out of human flesh. He confessed to killing two women and said the other body parts were from grave robbing.

On November 16, 1988, Pakistanis voted Benazir Bhutto as prime minister, the nation's first female leader in modern history. UPI File Photo

In 1960, Hollywood king Clark Gable, best remembered as Rhett Butler in Gone With The Wind, died of a heart attack at the age of 59.

File Photo by John Angelillo/UPI

On November 16, 1957, Ed Gein murdered his last victim, Bernice Worden. When police searched his house, they found 10 human skulls and a human heart in a pot on the stove. File Photo courtesy Wikimedia

In 1973, President Richard Nixon authorized the construction of the Alaska Pipeline with the signing of the Trans-Alaska Pipeline Authorization Act into law.

In 1988, Pakistanis voted Benazir Bhutto as prime minister, the nation's first female leader in modern history.

Iraqi Foreign Minister Hoshiyar Zebari (4th,L) and U.S. ambassador to Iraq Ryan Crocker (3rd,L) sign the Iraq-United States security pact on November 17, 2008, one day after the Iraqi Cabinet approved it. File Photo courtesy Iraqi Ministry of Foreign Affairs

In 1990, the Soviet Union indicated its approval of the use of military force to oust Iraq from Kuwait but said action should be delayed to give Iraqi President Saddam Hussein a chance to leave the country peacefully.

In 2000, President Bill Clinton became the first U.S. president to visit Vietnam since the end of the Vietnam War.

In 2008, after nearly a year of negotiations with the United States, the Iraqi Cabinet agreed to withdrawal of U.S. combat troops by Dec. 31, 2011.

Demonstrators pass through a security checkpoint before a rally at Firdos square in Baghdad on November 21, 2008. Followers of Shiite cleric Moqtada al-Sadr marched on Friday against a pact letting U.S. forces stay in Iraq until 2011. File Photo by Ali Jasim/UPI

In 2015, miners uncovered the world's second-largest gem-quality diamond in Botswana. The 1,111-carat gem, dubbed the Lesedi La Rona diamond, sold in September 2017 for $53 million.

In 2021, a self portrait by the famed Mexican painter Frida Kahlo sold for $34.9 million, which not only shattered her own personal best but made it the most expensive artwork by a Latin American artist.

In 2022, more than a week after Election Day, the Republican Party captured its 218th seat in the House of Representatives to guarantee a majority in the chamber.

File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI
Authorities are investigating a daytime shooting in Dorchester on Thursday.

Officers responding to the area of 81 Hancock Street around 3:52 p.m. for a report of shots fired found that at least two bullets struck a parked car and one was wedged through a window of a laundromat, according to Boston Police.

There were no reports of any injuries.

Boston 25 News talked to one man who was inside the laundromat at the time of the shooting. He says he was putting his clothes into a dryer when he ducked for cover.

When he went outside, he saw his car was also hit with bullets.

Neighbors are on edge and declined to talk on camera but told us that what happened was ridiculous

Hancock Street was briefly shut down while officers investigated.

Two people have been detained in connection to the shooting.

No further information was immediately available.

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
Members of U.S. Capitol Police take a protester away from the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee during a demonstration against the war between Israel and Hamas on November 15, 2023 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC. (Alex Wong/Getty Images)



OUT OF CONTROL  Pro-Palestinian protest turns violent outside DNC, Capitol police injured. Continue reading 

ABOUT TIME  Senate passes federal funding bill, evades government shutdown. Continue reading 

TOUGH TALK  Biden lashes out at 'dictator' Xi Jinping as China vows to be 'unstoppable' in retaking Taiwan. Continue reading 

IM NOT SURE'  WATCH: Biden judicial nominee appears baffled by basic legal terms at nomination hearing. Continue reading 

UNFAIRLY TARGETED  Senator sends scathing letter to IRS over reported investigation into conservative watchdog. Continue reading 





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REPULSIVE  Republicans slam Tlaib over membership in a secret group where individuals praised Hamas. Continue reading 

COLLATERAL DAMAGE?  Will the Democrats primary battle with New Hampshire hurt Biden next November in key battleground? Continue reading 

IT'S ROTTEN  Dark money funds are fueling Democrats' litigation against Big Oil: tax forms. Continue reading 

GREATEST THREAT  Wray warns of lone actors 'inspired' by foreign terrorists. Continue reading 

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HAMAS PROPAGANDA IN CLASSROOM  Students told Oct. 7 attacks on Israel were 'retaliation,' parents say. Continue reading 

LEFT STUDENT IN TEARS  Chicago college professor justifies Hamas attack 'after 75 years of Israeli white supremacy.' Continue reading 

APOLOGY TOUR  BBC tarnished by string of retractions for Israel coverage. Continue reading 

CHEATING CITIES  Top 20 American cities for adulterous behavior revealed by controversial dating service Ashley Madison. Continue reading 





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SHORT QUESTIONS  Dana Perino talks to Laura Ingraham about her kids, her workouts  and lessons from Justice Clarence Thomas. Continue reading 







SCOTT BROWN  California's Newsom lays bare who really has his heart  and it's not who you think. Continue reading 

ARTHUR LAFFER AND TARREN BRAGDON  A winning spending cut strategy for Republicans. Continue reading 





LAURA INGRAHAM  This is a really sad day. Continue reading 

JESSE WATTERS  The chemistry between Biden and Xi was unmistakable. Continue reading 

SEAN HANNITY  America's relationship with China has severely deteriorated. Continue reading 

GREG GUTFELD  Gavin Newsom discovered his inner Republican. Continue reading 

TARGETED  Human rights lawyer says she has never seen such 'Jewish hatred' than following Hamas terror attacks. Continue reading 

GRAB YOUR PASSPORT  Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce take road less traveled with long distance love. Continue reading 

ANTISEMITISM EXPOSED  Anguished family members of hostages in Israel witness more antisemitism on NYC streets. Continue reading 

EVERYONE AT RISK  Shootings around college campuses leave students, families on edge: 'Everyone is at risk.' Continue reading 

SHOVEL READY  This four-legged helper in Vermont looks like he's been waiting all year long for snow to fall. Watch him go! See video 

KALEIGH McENANY  Xi saw the Biden press conference and thought, 'Mission accomplished.' See video 

SPECIAL REPORT  Trey Yingst joins the IDF for inside access into a Gaza City hospital. See video 



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Original article source: DC pro-Palestinian protest turns violent, Senate averts shutdown, passes funding bill and more top headlines
Consequences of the Russian attack on Selydove

A married couple of internally displaced persons from the town of Hirnyk have been confirmed killed in Selydove, Donetsk Oblast, as a result of a Russian missile strike and partial collapse of an apartment building, the Prosecutor General's Office said on Nov. 16.

Rescuers pulled the bodies of a man and a woman aged 43 and 44 from the rubble. This brings the death toll from the Russian attack to six.

Read also: Widespread damage from shelling in Donetsk Oblast, missile strike on Avdiivka reported in past 24 hours

Earlier, on Nov. 16, the State Emergency Service reported four dead in Selydove.

Russia attacked Selydove overnight on Nov. 14-15. According to the investigation, the Russian forces fired four S-300 missiles at the Donbas town.

Twenty private households, six multi-story buildings, a car, and an outbuilding were damaged or destroyed in the Russian attack.

Read also: Russia hits Donetsk Oblast village with cluster munitions, three people killed

One of high-rise building partially collapsed. Emergency workers rescued six people, including one child.

The prosecutor's office has opened a criminal investigation into the violation of the laws and customs of war (part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) as a result of the incident.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
FILE - A pressman pulls a copy of one of the final editions of the Rocky Mountain News off the press in the Washington Street Printing Plant of the Denver Newspaper Agency in Denver on Feb. 26, 2009. The decline of local news in the United States is speeding up despite attention paid to the issue, to the point where the nation has lost one-third of its newspapers and two-thirds of its newspaper journalists since 2005. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski, File)

NEW YORK (AP)  The decline of local news in the United States is speeding up despite attention paid to the issue, to the point where the nation has lost one-third of its newspapers and two-thirds of its newspaper journalists since 2005.

An average of 2.5 newspapers closed each week in 2023 compared to two a week the previous year, a reflection of an ever-worsening advertising climate, according to a Northwestern University study issued Thursday. Most are weekly publications, in areas with few or no other sources for news.

My concern is that the acceleration that we're seeing is only going to worsen, said Tim Franklin, who heads the local news initiative at Northwestern's Medill journalism school.

At its current pace, the country will hit 3,000 newspapers closed in two decades sometime next year, with just under 6,000 remaining, the report said. At the same time, 43,000 newspaper journalists lost jobs, most of them at daily publications, with the advertising market collapsing.

While digital outlets have emerged to fill some voids, they're closing at roughly the same rate as new ones start, the report said. There is talk of public financing helping the industry, and more philanthropic money is coming in, but none of that has changed the trajectory.

Few media outlets are immune from financial concerns. The Washington Post said last month it needed to cut 240 jobs through voluntary buyouts, the website Jezebel said last week that it was closing, NPR is laying off employees, and The Associated Press this week began soliciting donations from readers.

The problems of local news, however, are like a slow drip that has affected every corner of the country.

There are 204 counties in the United States with no local news outlet, and 1,562 with only one, usually a weekly newspaper, the Northwestern report said. That's more than half of the nation's 3,143 counties. Northwestern placed 228 of the counties with only one news source on a watch list, declaring that single outlet endangered.

Texas, the nation's second most populous state, has grown 50% since 2005 yet has lost 65% of its newspaper journalists, the report said.

I don't think there's a demand problem for local news, Franklin said. I think there's a supply problem. I don't think there's one solution to these problems. I think there are going to be multiple solutions.

An uptick in local news readership during the pandemic shows people respond when there's an urgent need to know what is going on in their communities, he said.

But the decline in local news has likely made many potential customers get out of the habit of looking for it. Job cuts at dailies have given rise to ghost newspapers, so-named because the product is a shadow of what it used to be, and readers have noticed.

The Alliance of Audited Media said that paid print and digital circulation at the 504 newspapers it has audited this year was 10.2 million. Print circulation alone for those newspapers was over 50 million in 2005.

Rural and poor areas are affected disproportionately, the report said. While new local digital sites have emerged in New York, Chicago, San Francisco and Boston, for example, most were based in more affluent, suburban communities with strong broadband access.

Studies have shown that the decline in local news has increased political polarization, led to more political corruption and let outlets that spread misinformation fill the void.

What we're trying to do is frame this as a crisis for democracy, said Penny Abernathy, the report's co-author and a Medill visiting professor.

Experts point to pockets of success. The Post and Courier of Charleston, S.C. has added 27 new reporters in markets across the state and hopes to have enough digital subscribers to support a statewide newsroom by 2025.

The Recorder, covering Bath, Highland and Alleghany counties in Virginia, was close to closing after more than 140 years when it doubled its subscription price to $99 in 2018. Readers stuck with it, and responded with donations to keep the newspaper afloat during the pandemic, the report said.

Northwestern also suggested public broadcasting as a potential avenue to more local news, while acknowledging that NPR and PBS have funding issues of their own.

There is some growing awareness about this, Franklin said. There needs to be a lot more.
A federal judge has sentenced Kendrid Hamlin of Washington, D.C., to 27 months in prison for the February assault of Rep. Angie Craig, Democrat of Minnesota, in the elevator of Craig's Capitol Hill apartment complex.

Hamlin followed, trapped and then punched Craig during the attack, according to the Justice Department. She was bruised and injured. Craig told CBS News she managed to escape by throwing her hot coffee on Hamlin and racing out the doors at the next floor.

Hamlin pleaded guilty in June and apologized in court Thursday.

"I apologize to Angie Craig for putting my hands on her," he said. "I apologize for the pain I've caused."

In a striking written letter submitted to the judge, Craig described the after-effects of the assault. She said she has suffered death threats and doxxing following the media coverage of her attack. She said she's since moved to a new Washington, D.C., residence for reasons of safety, and Craig says that her partner and children are still worried about her well-being.

Washington, D.C., Chief Judge James Boasberg recommended Hamlin be placed in a federal prison medical facility. Hamlin has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and has a lengthy history of substance abuse and suicide attempts, according to his defense lawyer.

8 Las Vegas teens face murder charges after student's deadly beating

Netanyahu says Israel had "strong indications" about where Hamas' hostages were held in Gaza

David DePape found guilty in Paul Pelosi hammer assault
The first half of 2024 will be the most difficult for the Ukrainian Armed Forces due to shortfalls in promised supplies of weapons and ammunition from the West, says Serhiy Zgurets, director of Defense Express, an information and consulting company.

Several Western politicians have recently said that Ukraine will not receive the full amount of weapons it has been promised and needs. In particular, German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius admitted that the European Union would not be able to provide Ukraine with 1 million artillery rounds by March 2024, as promised.

Read also: No one country can produce enough ammunition for current intensity of warfare

The warning was echoed by Josep Borrell, the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, who said a little more than 300,000 shells have been delivered so far.

Finally, Jake Sullivan, National Security Adviser to the President of the United States, admitted that without a new aid package for Ukraine being approved by the U.S. Congress, U.S. capabilities to aid Ukraine are diminishing with each passing week.

Read also: Ukrainian MP reveals global ammunition crisis, impossibility of quick fixes

"Its already having an effect on our ability to give the Ukraine everything that it needs and that effect will only compound over time," Sullivan said.

NV asked Serhiy Zgurets, director of Defense Express, an information and consulting company, to comment on what all this means for the frontline and how the situation will unfold in the future.

"Ammunition is indeed the most important component that determines the effectiveness of combat operations in today's combat environment, both in offense and defense," Zgurets told NV.

"When we talk about a certain amount of ammunition we use, we are talking about a figure of 3,000 to 8,000 rounds per day, which actually means that we need at least 300,000 rounds of ammunition per month, if we talk about average needs. And the needs that would correspond to the real capabilities of the artillery are about 500,000 rounds of ammunition per month. It sounds fantastic because these figures rest on the ability of our partners to supply Ukraine with such volumes of ammunition."

The main problem is the ability of European and U.S. companies to supply Ukraine with the appropriate amount of ammunition, Zgurets believes.

Today, the Europeans have supplied us with 300,000 shells under the contract, and the Americans have supplied about 2 million rounds of ammunition since the start of hostilities, he said.

The most difficult period of the next year is approaching. At the moment, we have filled the gaps with reduced supplies with cluster munitions from the United States. The total stocks there are about 3 million, so there is a certain reserve because European countries and the United States will not use this ammunition due to their own restrictions. We can use them.

But with the production of new ammunition, the situation is such that the United States will only reach the rate of 100,000 per month in 2025, the analyst warns.

Read also: NATO wants to increase ammunition production due to rising prices and high demand

Companies in European countries are currently producing about 300,000 per year, and they want to double that, Zgurets said.

So, in fact, only in 2025 will Europeans and Americans jointly reach the figures that the Russian Federation already has, within the range of 1.5-2 million rounds of ammunition produced by the Russian Federation per year. That is, in fact, we can say that the European and U.S. industries are not keeping up with the needs. This gap is being closed by cluster munitions. Next year, in particular the first half of the year, will be the most difficult, and then everything will depend on how much the Europeans and Americans can increase their volumes. And, one way or another, we will reach parity with Russia in terms of ammunition stocks only by the end of next year, at best.

But the situation is different in each section of the frontline, the military expert noted.

And it is not just the amount of ammunition that is decisive, he said.

The effectiveness of the guns themselves, the work to destroy the enemy's guns and ammunition stockpiles is crucial. In other words, in any case, we are saying that indeed, there may be a lack of ammunition, but the effectiveness of their use and the effectiveness of combat operations will depend on how well each side solves this set of problems. From destroying enemy stockpiles, guns, and their own approaches to concentrating guns in certain areas. This is a task for specific military groups in specific areas."

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Toxic smog gripping New Delhi grew more intense on Thursday as farm fires raged in nearby fields despite a court-ordered ban, making India's capital the world's most polluted city again.

Pollution levels have risen since earlier this week after a brief respite and further mitigation measures are being discussed, but a plan to make rain via cloud seeding to battle the smog has been pushed back due to unfavourable weather.

The city held the top spot on a real-time list of the world's most polluted cities on Thursday, with an air quality index of 509 around noon, according to Swiss group IQAir which categorised the air quality as "hazardous".

A northwesterly wind blowing over the city is carrying smoke from farm fires in nearby fields and the wind speed within Delhi is light and unfavourable for dispersion of pollutants, a meteorological department official said on condition of anonymity.

There were more than 2,500 farm fires in Punjab state on Wednesday, north of Delhi, as farmers defied a Supreme Court-ordered ban on crop residue burning and the local police warned of legal action against them, The Indian Express newspaper reported.

Air quality in the plains of northern India worsens every winter when cold air traps emissions from multiple sources including vehicles, industries, construction dust and agricultural waste burning.

Delhi's Environment Minister Gopal Rai told ANI news agency that authorities are trying to enforce laws in a better way and that a meeting would be held later in the day to discuss further measures.

So far, the city has banned all construction, closed schools to protect children, stopped the entry of non-essential petrol and diesel trucks into the city and deployed vehicles to spray water in the air to control pollution.

A lack of cloud cover over the city has pushed back the plan to seed clouds, which was originally scheduled around Nov. 20, said Manindra Agrawal, a scientist at the Indian Institute of Technology at Kanpur, who is leading the trial.

"Last week radars were indicating cloud cover around that time and now they are no longer indicating that," Agrawal told Reuters by phone.

(Reporting by Shivam Patel; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
FIRST ON FOX: A pro-Palestinian Democrat seeking to represent Michigan in the U.S. Senate is calling for President Biden to drop out of the 2024 race for the White House, claiming his "handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict has thrown his Presidency into a tailspin."

Nasser Beydoun, who declared in April his candidacy for the Michigan Senate seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow, told Fox News Digital that Biden's incessant support for Israel amid its war with Hamas terrorists has alienated a large portion of his base.

"As a Democratic Candidate for the U.S. Senate in Michigan, given the current environment, I can not support this president as my party's nominee," Beydoun, the former chairman and executive director of the Arab American Civil Rights League, said in a statement to Fox.

Biden's willingness to support Israel's efforts inside Gaza, Beydoun insisted, has resulted in the alienation and loss of "key voting blocks" that previously supported him in the 2020 presidential election.

AOC LEADS TWO DOZEN DEMOCRATS CALLING FOR ISRAEL CEASE-FIRE OVER 'VIOLATIONS AGAINST CHILDREN' IN GAZA

President Biden's willingness to support Israel's efforts inside Gaza, Nasser Beydoun (left) insisted, has resulted in the alienation and loss of "key voting blocks" that previously supported him in the 2020 presidential election.

"President Bidens handling of the Israel-Gaza conflict has thrown his Presidency into a tailspin," he said. "He has alienated not just Arab Americans but Muslims, Christians, Jews, and others in a way that far surpasses our sentiments following President Trumps Muslim travel ban. These key voting blocks in swing states like mine overwhelmingly supported him in the last election and now find themselves politically homeless."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Joe Biden has blood on his hands, and we are disgusted by his support of rampant violence in Gaza," Beydoun added.

Beydoun  who has donated thousands of dollars to Democrats in the past, including pro-Palestinian Reps. Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib  insisted that "every elected official has a job to represent the needs of their community" and that "Michiganders need a voice in Washington that listens to and understands their needs."

The ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which Palestinian officials said last week had resulted in the deaths of more than 10,000 people in Gaza, has caused friction within the Democratic Party as several elected members call for a cease-fire.

Biden and other Western leaders have pushed back on calls for a cease-fire in Gaza, arguing it would only serve to benefit Hamas terrorists. Biden's administration has instead pushed for humanitarian pauses in the fighting, which Israel has agreed to.

Earlier this week, 400 government officials from 40 departments and agencies within the Biden administration signed a letter opposing the president's handling of the Israel-Hamas war and demanded a cease-fire.

BIDEN SAYS ISRAEL WILL STOP FIGHTING IN GAZA WHEN HAMAS 'NO LONGER MAINTAINS THE CAPACITY TO MURDER'

Smoke rises over buildings as Israeli soldiers operate inside the Gaza Strip amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in this handout picture obtained by Reuters on Nov. 7.

Tuesday's letter, first reported by The New York Times, includes officials from the State Department, White House, National Security Council and the Justice Department. The signatories of the letter remained anonymous to protect against professional retaliation.

"We call on President Biden to urgently demand a cease-fire; and to call for de-escalation of the current conflict by securing the immediate release of the Israeli hostages and arbitrarily detained Palestinians; the restoration of water, fuel, electricity and other basic services; and the passage of adequate humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip," the letter reads in part.

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez , D-N.Y., is also leading renewed calls for Biden to support a cease-fire between Israel and Hamas over the "grave violations" being committed against children in the war.

Along with 23 other progressive lawmakers, Ocasio-Cortez wrote to Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Thursday asking for details on the U.S. plan to de-escalate tension in the region.

"We write to you to express deep concern about the intensifying war in Gaza, particularly grave violations against children, and our fear that without an immediate cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a robust bilateral ceasefire, this war will lead to a further loss of civilian life and risk dragging the United States into dangerous and unwise conflict with armed groups across the Middle East," the progressive lawmakers noted in their letter.

The ongoing tension among Democrats over their support for Israel led to a protest Wednesday evening outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee as pro-Palestinian demonstrators grew violent while calling for an immediate cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Members of the U.S. Capitol Police try to remove protesters from the headquarters of the DNC during a demonstration against the war between Israel and Hamas on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday.

U.S. Capitol Police said about 150 people were "illegally and violently protesting" near the DNC headquarters building in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington.

Biden and his administration have remained steadfast in support of Israel's ongoing war against Hamas. U.S. officials have strongly condemned the Oct. 7 terror attacks on Israel, in which Hamas terrorists infiltrated the Jewish state and massacred as many as 1,200 people, taking some 240 back to Gaza as hostages.

Israel has responded by bombarding Gaza with rocket fire and a ground invasion.

Fox News' Anders Hagstrom and Elizabeth Elkind contributed to this report.





Original article source: Dem Senate hopeful urges Biden to drop out of 2024 race amid party infighting over Gaza
Today in History: 6,000 Armenians Massacred By Jihadist Turks in Kurdistan

Today marks the 129th anniversary of the horrific and tragic killings of 6,000 Armenians by Turks in Kurdistan on November 16, 1894. This dark chapter in history is part of the larger Hamidian massacres that took place during the late 19th century, characterized by widespread violence against Armenian and Assyrian communities in the Ottoman Empire.

The events of November 16, 1894, unfolded as part of a series of targeted attacks against Armenian populations, orchestrated by the Ottoman Empire under the rule of Sultan Abdul Hamid II. The larger Hamidian massacres, spanning from 1894 to 1896, resulted in the loss of around 6,00,000 lives and left deep scars on the affected communities.

The root of these massacres can be traced back to religious and political tensions, as well as the rise of Islamic jihadist ideologies during that period. Sultan Abdul Hamid II, known as the "Red Sultan," embraced a pan-Islamic and nationalist agenda, using it to consolidate power and suppress dissent within the empire. The Armenian and Assyrian communities, largely Christian, became targets of violence as they were perceived as a threat to the Ottoman vision of a homogenous Islamic state.

The November 16 massacre in Kurdistan was particularly brutal, with reports of mass killings, forced conversions, and displacement of survivors. The tragedy serves as a somber reminder of the consequences of religious and ethnic strife, as well as the misuse of political power for ideological purposes.

On this anniversary, the global community reflects on the historical injustices committed during the Hamidian massacres and emphasizes the importance of acknowledging and learning from such dark periods in order to foster understanding, tolerance, and peace among diverse communities. Commemorative events and discussions are being held worldwide to honor the memory of the victims and to promote awareness of the ongoing need for reconciliation and justice.
Derek Chauvin claims new evidence shows he didn't cause George Floyd's death, attempts to overturn conviction

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is making another attempt to overturn his federal civil rights conviction in the 2020 murder of George Floyd.

Chauvin, who was back in court Wednesday, is claiming that new evidence shows he didnt cause Floyds death in Minnesota.

In a motion filed in federal court Monday, Chauvin said he never would have pleaded guilty in 2021 if he had known about the theories of a Kansas pathologist, whom he had been in contact with in February.

Chauvin is asking the judge who presided over his trial to throw out his civil rights conviction and order a new trial, or at least a hearing for him to present the new evidence.

TEXAS POLICE OFFICER HAS MISTRIAL DECLARED AFTER FATALLY SHOOTING UNARMED MAN

Chauvin, who is serving a 21-year sentence at a federal prison in Arizona, filed the request without a lawyer.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

According to records, Chauvin says Dr. William Schaetzel, of Topeka, Kansas, told him that he believes Floyd died from complications of a rare tumor called a paraganglioma that can cause a fatal surge of adrenaline.

MINNEAPOLIS POLICE STAFFING LEVEL PLUMMETS TO HISTORIC 4-DECADE LOW 3 YEARS AFTER GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH: REPORT

Palestinians walk past a mural of George Floyd, a Black American who died after being restrained by police officers, in Gaza City, Tuesday, June 16, 2020.

It is noted that the pathologist did not examine Floyds body but did review autopsy reports.

In his motion, Chauvin claims that no jury would have convicted him if it had heard the pathologists evidence.

BLACK LIVES MATTER ACTIVIST SENTENCED FOR FUNDRAISER FRAUD; TOOK THOUSANDS FOR EXPENSIVE LIFESTYLE: REPORT

This sketch shows Derek Chauvin in Hennepin County court.

A federal appeals court has rejected Chauvins requests for a rehearing twice, and he is still waiting for the U.S. Supreme Court to decide whether it will hear his appeal of his state court murder conviction.





Original article source: Derek Chauvin claims new evidence shows he didn't cause George Floyd's death, attempts to overturn conviction
GOP presidential candidate Ron DeSantis pledged to strip the United Nations of its funding if elected to the White House after it passed a resolution calling for a humanitarian pause and a release of hostages Wednesday.

The U.N. Security Council passed a resolution calling for the release of hostages held by the militant group Hamas and for urgent humanitarian pauses, but it did not include language that condemned Hamas. DeSantis went after Biden for allowing the U.S. ambassador to the U.N. to abstain from the vote instead of vetoing it.

The Florida governor, a staunch supporter of Israel, then vowed to defund the U.N. if he clinches the presidency.

That Joe Biden doesnt have the moral conscience to have his Ambassador to the UN veto this nonsense that doesnt even condemn Hamas while he is dining with Xi in San Francisco shows you who he seeks to placate. This ends in my admin, DeSantis wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

We will unequivocally support Israel, take names, make it clear those countries who are hostile to Israel risk their relations with us, and defund the UN, he said. No longer should American taxpayer dollars support this corrupt, morally bankrupt, hotbed of antisemitism that empowers our enemies and coddles dictators and the worst human rights abusers.

His remarks came after fellow GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who was U.N. ambassador under former President Trump, pledged to reduce U.S. funding to the organization if elected to the White House. Speaking with Fox News host Sean Hannity, Haley agreed with the statement that the U.N. has been historically anti-American and antisemitic.

The only thing is we would defund the U.N. as much as possible. The only reason, Sean, you dont get out of the U.N. is were one country of five that has a veto, Haley said when pressed on whether the U.S. would get out of the U.N. if she wins the presidency.

And the number of things we were able to stop China, Russia and Iran from doing with that veto matters, and so you keep bad things from happening. But we dont have to pay at the level that were paying, and we dont have to be in any of those other organizations, she said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
When Fox News anchor Laura Ingraham suggested he go one-on-one in a debate with 2024 rival Nikki Haley, Florida Gov. Ron Desantis replied, Count me in!

Id like to see Ron DeSantis versus Nikki Haley. The Angle volunteers our show as a platform, Ingraham said Wednesday. And the two of them, I think, need to debate it out, thats what we need to see at this point. And I think America would like to see that as well. And were offering The Angle to do that.

Count me in! the governor replied on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter.

Haley in recent weeks has emerged as a growing threat to DeSantis, who was once positioned to be the top alternative to former President Trumps wide lead in Republican primary polling.

The two presidential hopefuls have exchanged barbs over a variety of issues in recent weeks including the U.S.s acceptance of Gaza refugees, Haleys relationship with China, along with accusations that DeSantis is lying about his record on fracking and offshore drilling.

The Florida governor most recently called Haleys proposal for social media verification dangerous and unconstitutional and compared it to the Chinese Communist government. The governors team posted a clip on the campaigns war room account Thursday, which appears to liken Haley to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton discussing fake news.

Recent polling shows Haley appearing to close in on DeSantiss second-place spot in the GOP primary.

A Des Moines Register poll released late last month shows Trump maintaining a strong lead in Iowa, while DeSantis and Haley are tied for second place. Since the same poll was conducted in August, Haley gained 10 points and DeSantis dropped 3 points.

The Iowa caucuses will kick off the Republican presidential nominating cycle in January, with all eyes focused on the key early voting state.

Haley appears to be making a final push to secure Iowa, recently announcing plans for $10 million in TV, radio and digital advertising in Iowa and New Hampshire starting in December.

DeSantiss campaign meanwhile has said its confident the Iowa voters will see who will represent them and their values. The Florida governor has also received the endorsement of Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R).

In New Hampshire, an Emerson College Polling survey released Wednesday showed Haley emerging as the runner-up to Trump, with her support increasing from 4 percent in August to 18 percent in November.

Asked about the potential debate with Haley, the DeSantis campaign took a swipe at former President Trump, who did not attend the first three GOP primary debates.

Unlike Donald Trump, Ron DeSantis is willing to stand on the debate stage and lay out a plan to help Americans who are being harmed by out-of-control prices, an open southern border, and an increasingly dangerous world, Bryan Grffin, the DeSantis campaigns press secretary said in a statement to The Hill.

He [DeSantis] will debate Nikki Haley. He is set to debate Gavin Newsom. And if Trump finds the courage, Ron DeSantis will debate him too, Griffin continued.

DeSantis will be participating in a one-on-one debate later this month with California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) that will be moderated by Fox News host Sean Hannity.

The Hill reached out to Haleys campaign for further comment.

Updated 5:00 p.m. ET Nov. 16.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has made his tough stance on China a signature issue in his presidential campaign.

DeSantis has gone on the offensive against Chinese influence in recent months, signing a bill restricting what land Chinese companies and citizens can buy in Florida and suspending state scholarships to several Florida schools over alleged links to China.

But this August he took a check for more than $11,000 from the CEO of a Tampa refrigerant company with direct backing from China. It was just the latest in years of financial support that the company, iGas USA, has given DeSantis.

Last year DeSantis even held a rally at the Chinese-backed refrigerant companys Tampa complex.

The rally and contributions are part of a recent wave of political giving by iGas and entities associated with its CEO, Xianbin (Ben) Meng. All told, the companies and employees have made more than $1.1 million in federal and state political contributions in the past five years, with 98% of the money going to Republican candidates and committees. The lions share of that money, $340,000, went to DeSantis and committees affiliated with him.

While Meng donated to former President Donald Trump in 2016, DeSantis is the only Republican presidential contender who has gotten a check from the company or its employees this cycle.

The political giving represents a sharp increase in political activity by both the companies and employees, many of whom had no prior record of political donations.

Much of the spending has benefited politicians in Florida, several of whom urged the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to adopt rules that would benefit the company.

Corporate records and court filings show that a state-controlled Chinese company owns around a third of iGas USA. American competitors of iGas have charged in comments to the EPA that the Tampa companys import of cheap, Chinese-made refrigerants has hurt domestic producers.

Increased political giving by iGas began as Congress considered  and ultimately passed  a bill that phases out the types of refrigerants that iGas imports from China. The synthetic greenhouse gases known as hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs, are largely used to cool refrigerators and air conditioners, but are considered major drivers of climate change. The gradual reduction is one of numerous measures the United States has taken to maintain compliance with international climate agreements.

Mengs company has had some success pushing for changes to the implementation of the law  changes that would help it secure import allowances that he once estimated could be worth billions of dollars in profit.

Meng has gotten assists in his efforts from several Florida members of Congress who have been big beneficiaries of this political giving.

Leading the charge has been Tampa-area Republican Rep. Gus Bilirakis, who co-authored at least two letters to the EPA that closely mirrored iGas own arguments to the agency about the implementation of the law, though neither explicitly mentioned the company. Committees supporting Bilirakis have taken in at least $96,000 from iGas employees and one of Mengs companies.

One of the letters was co-signed by two Tampa-area Republicans who shared the stage with DeSantis at the 2022 rally and who have also taken big checks from iGas employees and affiliated companies: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna and Rep. Laurel Lee.

Like DeSantis, Bilirakis, Luna and Lee have all used tough rhetoric in talking about China in recent months, with Bilirakis saying earlier this year that China will stop at nothing to undermine our country.

Trade relations between the United States and China have been fraught for decades. While Chinese-made goods have typically led to lower prices for American consumers and businesses, economists have found they also cost millions of American workers their jobs.

When Donald Trump was president, his administration imposed tariffs on Chinese goods in 2018 that initiated a trade war between the two countries.

Politicians contacted by the Herald said that they saw their advocacy on behalf of iGas as providing assistance to a local business and said that accepting contributions from Mengs companies and employees didnt conflict with their opposition to Chinese influence.

Meng never responded to a detailed list of questions about the companys business practices, ownership and political activity despite requesting that the Herald send them when reached by phone.

A bigger allowance

The uptick in political giving  and scrutiny of Mengs company  intensified in the wake of the passage of the 2020 American Innovation and Manufacturing (AIM) Act. Signed into law by Trump, it curtails the use of HFCs in phases over the next two decades and assigns credits to companies based on their prior market share that determine the quantity of refrigerants they can produce or import. The EPA is tasked with implementing the law.

Meng anticipated that having a big piece of this shrinking pie could be lucrative. In a 2018 e-mail disclosed in a lawsuit filed by one of Mengs former suppliers, Meng wrote to an employee of the accounting firm Grant Thornton that his companies had real value in the allocation to import HFCs and compared the situation to an earlier refrigerant phaseout where prices increased as supply became limited.

We are the largest importer and sales of HFC, Meng wrote. [We] should have the largest import allowance among all importer, users.

Meng estimated the companys potential HFC allocation could be worth between $2.2 and $4.4 billion in total profits over the next 20 years.

The exterior of iGas USA, Inc. a refrigerant company with direct backing from China, on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Tampa.

But in order to realize that full potential, Meng would need the EPA to modify the rules of the AIM Act, which used consumption and production data from several years before the laws passage to determine each companys allocation.

In numerous comments submitted to the EPA, iGas has argued the formula is unfair because the company has increased its market share in recent years. In September, iGas and its affiliates took their complaints one step further, filing a court petition calling the agencys methodology arbitrary and capricious.

iGas competitors have argued in comments to the EPA that iGas should be granted fewer allowances because of its connection to China and allegations that the company and its affiliates have circumvented tariffs on imported refrigerants from China.

As iGas fight with the EPA has intensified so, too, has its political giving. Contributions by iGas-connected companies and employees increased from just over $10,000 in 2019 to more than $800,000 in 2022.

DeSantis has been the biggest beneficiary of that giving, with committees tied to the Florida governor receiving more than $340,000 from Meng, his companies and employees, including in-kind contributions connected with the 2022 rally.

The DeSantis campaign said in a statement that the Heralds reporting look[s] silly in the face of his actions and record towards China as a governor.

Since becoming governor, Ron DeSantis has worked tirelessly to root out CCP influence and guard against it, said Bryan Griffin, press secretary for the campaign, referring to the Chinese Communist Party.

Floridas two Republican senators, Marco Rubio and Rick Scott, have also been big beneficiaries, with committees supporting Rubio taking in more than $110,000 and committees supporting Scott taking in more than $35,000.

Both senators have met with company officials, though they said they hadnt taken any actions to help the company in its dispute with the EPA.

[If] iGas supported Senator Rubio in the hopes of influencing his work they obviously wasted their money, Rubios office said in a statement.

The company has, however, gotten assistance from several members of Congress who also benefited from the companys giving.

In August 2021, Bilirakis co-wrote a letter to the EPA mirroring iGas call for adjusting the baseline years used by the agency to determine company allocations. It argued that imports have been a significant factor in keeping refrigerant costs affordable, the continued presence of a robust import market of HFCs is critical.

If the letter sounded like it could have been written by iGas, its because large portions of it were: The Herald found that more than 40% of the text in the August 2021 letter was identical to earlier public comments the company had submitted to the EPA.

A comparison of comments submitted to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency by iGas USA and a letter submitted to the EPA by Rep. Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) and then-Rep. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), which drew heavily on prior iGas comments to the EPA.

The EPA ultimately agreed to incorporate data from later years, when iGas had a higher market share, which would allow the company to import and sell more HFCs.

Bilirakis has a long-standing relationship with iGas executive Marc Middleton, said Summer Blevins, deputy chief of staff to the congressman, and regularly talks with local businesses about how they can cut through the bureaucratic red tape.

It is not unusual for those conversations to culminate in letters to regulatory agencies as the congressman seeks to create a level playing field in which the government does not pick winners and losers from within certain industry sectors, she said.

Blevins added that Bilirakis advocacy on behalf of iGas wasnt at odds with his America-first stance.

Bilirakis again contacted the EPA earlier this year, arguing that the agency should consider company data from 2020 and 2021 in determining future allocations, the same stance iGas had taken.

Bilirakis was joined on this letter by several other Florida Republican members of Congress, including Vern Buchanan, Scott Franklin, Laurel Lee and Anna Paulina Luna. All, except for Buchanan, have been the beneficiaries of contributions from iGas-affiliated companies and employees.

The office of Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, a Florida Republican, said she was disturbed to learn of iGas Chinese ties, and said her Florida colleague Gus Bilirakis had circulated the letter supporting the companys position, which she signed.

Lunas office said that she was disturbed to learn of iGas Chinese ties and had signed on to the letter after it was circulated by Bilirakis.

Both Franklin and Lee cast their support for iGas as part of their commitment to helping local businesses navigate federal rules and regulations.

Coordinated effort

Saurav Ghosh, a former enforcement attorney at the U.S. Federal Election Commission, said the relationship between iGas and these politicians represents corruption light, though he said it is likely not illegal.

He said that while courts have narrowed the definition of what counts as public corruption, this example highlights worries about the potentially corrosive impact of money on politics.

You have a corporation that is using its money to get political influence makers behind it, said Ghosh, now the director of federal campaign finance reform at the nonpartisan Campaign Legal Center.

The vast majority of the political giving was done by two of Mengs companies, iGas and Cool Master Pro.

Federal campaign finance laws prevent contributions from foreign nationals or corporations, but that doesnt apply to companies that are partially owned by a foreign company, like iGas.

Much of the more than $200,000 in political giving by iGas employees appeared to be coordinated, with employees giving the same amount to the same committee on the same date.

On Sept. 28, 2020, for example, Meng and two others described as executives  Middleton, listed as a president at iGas, and Douglas Sutherland, listed as CFO  each gave $2,800 to Bilirakis congressional campaign.

Florida U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis questions TikTok CEO Shou Chew during a House Committee on Energy and Commerce hearing in March 2023.

The following month, Middleton, Sutherland and Sutherlands wife Jie Su, each gave $2,800 on the same day to Rep. Franklin.

Jie-Su Sutherland said the contributions listing her husband as an employee at iGas were a mistake, and that he doesnt actually work at the company, but had no explanation why he was listed as a CFO on the contributions.

While coordinated giving is not illegal, donations given on behalf of someone else, known as straw donations, would be illegal. Sutherland denied that she and her husband had been directed to give, or reimbursed for their giving.

It is myself and my husbands decision, she said.

Middleton didnt respond to numerous requests for comment.

Meng made one contribution this summer that stood out.

Records showed that he gave a total of $13,200 to Wyoming Republican Congresswoman Harriet Hageman, twice the legal limit. But on the same day, the record was amended and half that money was attributed to Mengs spouse, listed as Qin Xie, although the pair havent been married in nearly a decade.

It does raise the question of whether the spouse really gave this money or whether its papering over the fact that they hit the contribution limit, Ghosh said.

Qin Xie declined to answer questions about the contribution or her relationship with Meng.

Hagemans office didnt respond to questions about the contribution, either.

From rags to regulations

Meng first entered the air conditioning industry in the early 2000s. He was certified as an air conditioning contractor in Florida in January 2003, after moving to the United States from China several years earlier to follow Qin Xie, who was then studying in Utah.

Meng, who holds U.S. citizenship, has created a network of refrigerant and air conditioning companies, including BMP International, BMP USA, LM Supply and Cool Master Pro, among others, that have primarily imported products directly from China.

The exterior of iGas USA, Inc. a refrigerant company with direct backing from China, on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, in Tampa.

iGas USA was created in 2018 as a joint venture between Meng and Zhejiang Juhua, a major Chinese manufacturer of refrigerants that the Commerce Department determined to be controlled by the Chinese government. Under the terms of the joint venture agreement, disclosed in a 2022 lawsuit, Zhejiang Juhua invested $10 million in the fledgling iGas and retained a 34% stake in the company.

Meng has said that iGas now supplies roughly 50% of the market for replacement refrigerants.

Under U.S. trade laws, foreign countries are prohibited from flooding the American market with undervalued products that would harm the domestic market, a practice known as dumping. After complaints from American refrigerant companies, the Commerce Department levied extra duties on numerous types of HFCs imported from China in 2016. But Mengs American competitors accused Mengs companies in government filings of taking numerous steps to evade paying these extra taxes, which his companies have disputed.

Earlier this year, the EPA fined Mengs companies $382,473 for failing to report the quantities of refrigerants they imported, as required by the Clean Air Acts Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program.

And Meng appears to realize that his company could face financial penalties in the future. Its spelled out in his 2020 divorce settlement with his second wife, Linna Shi. Under the terms of the agreement, Meng alone would be responsible for any ongoing or potential loss from law suit, or anti-dumping fines.
EXCLUSIVE: Republican presidential candidate and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis rubbed salt on the wound Wednesday by trolling his opponent, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, over her heavily scrutinized vow to require all social media users be verified.

DeSantis' campaign announced new merchandise mocking Haley's comments, including a t-shirt with the phrase, "Always Watching," and a quote from Haley saying that "every person on social media should be verified by their name."

Another item is a dystopian-themed "Official Internet Identification Card" fashioned after something that might be required by a science-fiction authoritarian regime.

CRITICS RIP NIKKI HALEY OVER VOW TO REQUIRE ALL SOCIA MEDIA USERS BE VERIFIED: BLATANTLY UNCONSTITUTIONAL

Ron DeSantis campaign merch mocking Nikki Haley over her vow to require all social media users be verified.

Haley's comments came during a Tuesday appearance on Fox News when she said the first things she would do if elected president would be to force social media companies to show their algorithms, in addition to the verification requirement.

"First of all, it's a national security threat. When you do that, all of a sudden people have to stand by what they say. And it gets rid of the Russian bots, the Iranian bots and the Chinese bots. And then you're going to get some civility when people know their name is next to what they say, and they know their pastor and their family members are going to see it," she said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

DeSantis was quick to rip Haley for the proposal, joining a wave of critics blasting it as "unconstitutional."

KARI LAKE GETS ANOTHER BIG BOOST WHILE GOP INCREASINGLY SEES HER AS STANDARD-BEARER FOR MAJOR SENATE FLIP

Ron DeSantis campaign merch mocking Nikki Haley over her vow to require all social media users be verified.

"You know who were anonymous writers back in the day? Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison when they wrote the Federalist Papers. They were not national security threats, nor are the many conservative Americans across the country who exercise their Constitutional right to voice their opinions without fear of being harassed or canceled by the school they go to or the company they work for," DeSantis wrote.

He went on to call her proposal "dangerous," and said it would be "dead on arrival" in a DeSantis administration.

Haley walked back those comments on Wednesday, telling CNBC's "Squawk Box" that while she didn't mind "anonymous American" free speech, she didn't support anonymous free speech for actors in Russia, Iran and China.

BIDEN'S APPROVAL RATING SINKS OVER ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR; SUPPORT FOR TRUMP IN 2024 RISES: POLL

Former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis during the Republican Presidential Debate at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts on November 8, 2023.

"What I know, what anyone in intelligence [knows] Russia, Iran and China, North Korea too, know that the cheapest form of warfare is to spread misinformation. Look at what happened with Israel. You want to know where all this pro-Hamas information is coming from? It is coming from foreign actors that are sowing chaos and division," she said.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

"I want freedom of speech for Americans. I dont want freedom of speech for Russia and Hamas, and thats whats happening right now. So the way you fix that is we need our social media companies to verify everybody," she said.

Fox News' Hanna Panreck contributed to this report.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub .





Original article source: DeSantis trolls Nikki Haley with new campaign merch mocking her comments about social media verification
FILE PHOTO: Members of rescue teams stand at the entrance of a tunnel where 40 road workers are trapped after a portion of the tunnel collapsed, in Uttarkashi

By Saurabh Sharma

SILKYARA, India (Reuters) - Akash Singh Negi has spent three sleepless nights outside a blocked highway tunnel under construction in the Indian Himalayas, shivering in the cold while waiting for his father to be rescued.

Gabbar Singh Negi is one of 40 men trapped inside since Sunday morning when a portion of the tunnel collapsed and blocked their exit.

Efforts to reach them have made little progress. Rescuers started using a new drilling machine sent in by New Delhi on Thursday.

The plan is to create space for a pipe that can be used by the trapped men to crawl to safety.

They have electricity for lights and are already being supplied food, water and oxygen through a pipe. Authorities say the men are doing well and it's just a matter of time before they are brought out.

"We are being told that the rescue mission will be completed soon but it has been five days," Negi, 18, who wore a torn yellow jacket, told Reuters on Thursday.

"I have been able to talk to my father through a steel pipe and he has told us not to worry. But we are worried," he said, adding that his father is a supervisor employed by the private engineering firm contracted to build the tunnel.

The 4.5-km (3-mile) tunnel is part of the Char Dham highway, one of the most ambitious projects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. The $1.5 billion project aims to connect four Hindu pilgrimage sites through 890 km (550 miles) of roads.

The 40 trapped men are low-wage workers, mostly from poor states in the north and east of India.

'WE WANT THEM OUT SOON'

On Thursday, V.K. Singh, federal deputy minister for road transport and highways, said at the site he was "very optimistic" about saving all 40 workers.

Relatives of four of the 40 men have managed to reach the site in Silkyara, high in the hills of Uttarakhand where night temperatures have fallen to 13 degrees Celsius (55F) as winter sets in.

Negi's uncle, Prem Singh Negi, said the government and the rescue team have been giving them "fake assurances".

"It is the fifth day and they have not drilled through the debris yet. We want them to be out soon, Prem Singh Negi told Reuters.

Chaudhary, who gave only one name, reached Silkyara from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh state on Thursday, looking for his son Manjeet Kumar, 22.

With little information about the rescue work, Chaudhary pleaded with police at the barricades to get his son out alive.

Authorities said they have set up a medical facility outside the tunnel and hospitals nearby were on standby.

"If all goes well, the workers will be out soon," said Devendra Singh Patwal, a disaster management officer.

(Writing by YP Rajesh; Editing by Nick Macfie)
This crime scene photo shows the crashed and bullet-riddled Chrysler PT Cruiser that Daniel Palato was killed in by Clay County deputies following a chase on April 27, 2022.

Its been nearly 19 months since the Clay County Sheriffs Office reported that deputies shot and killed an individual during a high-speed pursuit and crash.

That was about it  no gender, age range or reasons why, despite repeated attempts by media under public record laws to get the incident report and any more details about what happened April 27, 2022.

Now the Times-Union has possibly learned a reason why: Daniel Ryan Palato did not have a gun that deputies believed he brandished. The revelation is revealed in the reports that the State Attorneys Office released late last week ruling the shooting justifiable.

The events that unfolded on the evening of April 27, 2022, have forever shattered the lives of the Palato family, said attorney Brett Hastings, hired by the 39-year-olds father, Fred Palato. The tragedy of losing a loved one to a violent shooting was only made worse knowing Danny was unarmed and posed no apparent threat to himself or the deputies.

The report from the State Attorneys Office leaves more questions than answers, his statement continued. The findings outlined in the SAO report seem to contradict the reports from the Orange Park Police Department and the Clay County Sheriffs Office. We are continuing to conduct our own in-depth and thorough review of the facts and are still awaiting public records that we should have been provided long ago.

Heres what the State Attorneys Office review found based on the Florida Department of Law Enforcement investigation, with additional information supplemented by the Times-Unions research and obtaining additional documents.

What happened to Daniel Palato the night of April 27, 2022

It started with a 911 domestic call about a suicide threat shortly before 7:30 p.m. on Slash Pine Court in Orange Park from what the State Attorneys Office report only specified as a frightened family member. The Times-Union learned that this was actually Palatos father who wasnt there but had been called to help by his daughter-in-law.

Alexis Palato told arriving officers her husband went into a rage for no apparent reason after waking up from a nap and retrieved a duffel bag from a closet. He pulled out an AR-15 rifle and 9mm pistol and loaded them. He fired one round into the floor and left with the rifle in their gold Chrysler PT Cruiser, according to the documents. A supplemental report states the first officer to speak with the wife at the home located the 9mm while there.

Their teen daughter also was home and heard the shot and saw him yelling and throwing things around the room. She said her mother was crying and trying to calm him down, but it wasnt working and he drove off, one of the reports said.

Alexis Palatos written statement said he had been fine before all this happened but that he did have a pending criminal case in Duval County that she didnt agree with or understand. She said he hadn't been the same since but that this was the first time he'd done anything like this.

Court records show he had a pretrial hearing coming up for a charge of unlicensed carrying a concealed firearm. The arrest report said police were called to a Target store at Oakleaf Town Center for an unresponsive man sitting in the shoe aisle. The caller said he tried several times to rouse him before notifying police. When the officer tried to nudge him, he noticed a handgun in Palato's jacket resulting in his arrest.

This is Alexis Palato's written statement given to Orange Park police about her husband's actions on April 27, 2022, before he led Clay County deputies on a chase that resulted in him being shot and killed.

The State Attorneys Office review also noted his wifes written statement included that he said the police wont get him alive.

The review references suicide by cop twice and that the deputies involved also stated dispatch had advised about suicidal statements.

The Times-Union obtained the roughly two-minute 911 call in which Fred Palato begins by saying he thinks they ought to go to his sons home because I believe he discharged a gun. He said he wasnt there but had talked with his crying wife and daughter. When the dispatcher asks if he said anything about hurting himself, his father says, Hes always been negative that way. I dont know for sure. I dont want to say too much. He does not sound urgent or panicked in any way and never says anything about his son leaving with guns.

While an officer was at the scene, Palato returned and was spotted parked nearby. The officer unholstered his firearm and began communication with Palato and commanded him to show his hands. He wasnt complying but got in and out of the car more than once and was fumbling around inside as well as at the opened hatchback as if he was looking for something, according to the supplemental report. He also stated, This isnt going to end the way you think it is.

"It's not like I don't have an AR in here, he said. The officer said he told him he knew he had the rifle and thats why he needed to show his hands. He never displayed the gun before fleeing in the car, according to the reports.

The first Orange Park police officer to encounter Daniel Palato near his home following a 911 call provided this partial statement about what transpired before Palato led Clay County deputies on a chase that resulted in his death on April 27, 2022.

It led to the Sheriffs Office being called to assist and a high-speed pursuit of the PT Cruiser by several deputies. Palato turned onto Constitution Drive and abruptly stopped his car. A deputy pulled up parallel to the drivers side, got out and saw he was wearing a tactical vest. Palato pointed what the officer perceived to be a gun at him before fleeing again, and the other deputies were alerted over the radio, according to the documents.

He continued to drive erratically, going the wrong way down the street and hit two cars. At Blanding Boulevard and Filmore Street one of the deputies rammed the car forcing it to crash.

When officers approached his car, he refused to put his hands up. Instead, he leaned over into the passenger seat as if he was trying to pick something up, according to the State Attorneys Office investigation. The deputy said Palato then popped up making a motion as if he was taking aim at me with a potential firearm.

Multiple shots were fired and the suspect killed. It was the first officer-involved shootings for all three deputies who shot him, according to the documents. Their names are not being released per the states Marsys Law for victim privacy. Witnesses at the nearby Wawa gas station said they heard the deputy at the front of the car yell, Let me see your hands and put your hands up and then heard gunshots.

This is a crime scene photo of front interior of the Chrysler PT Cruiser that Daniel Palato had just been shot and killed in by Clay County deputies on April 27, 2022. A knife can be seen to the right of the driver's seat.

Neither the 9mm or the AR-15 was recovered from the vehicle or nearby, although a knife and two .223 rifle magazines were found inside, according to the investigation. The initial Orange Park incident report says a search warrant of the familys home revealed both the AR-15 rifle and 9mm pistol.

The guns were in the Palato home all along. The rifle was discovered under a shirt on the floor near a closet in the master bedroom where other clothing had been scattered, according to the supplemental report.

No guns, no difference

So the officer who stated he pointed a gun had to either be false or mistaken. It is irrelevant, according to the State Attorneys Office.

Based on his [Palatos] behavior, it was reasonable for officers to believe he had a gun, the final report from the State Attorneys Office states. The fact that neither the AR-15 nor the 9mm were recovered does not change our analysis.

This crime scene photo shows the AR-15 rifle that was found under a shirt (which was since pulled beside it) on the master bedroom floor in Daniel Palato's home after he was shot and killed by Clay County deputies following a chase on April 27, 2022. Deputies and Orange Park police officers believed Palato was armed with the weapon.

A toxicology report from the autopsy also showed Palato had Xanax, methadone, gabapentin and cannabinoids in his system.

The Orange Park Police Department and Clay County Sheriffs Office are not equipped with body-worn cameras, so some of the details cannot be corroborated but all of the individuals interviewed had consistent accounts, according to the State Attorneys Office.

The officers use of deadly force was reasonable and justified, according to the final investigation. Florida statutes permit the use of deadly force when a person reasonably believes that using or threatening to use such force is necessary to prevent imminent death or great bodily harm to himself or herself or another or to prevent the imminent commission of a forcible felony.

Our role is to evaluate, review and pursue criminal charges when the use of deadly force is not justified. We have conducted a thorough review of the evidence in this matter. Based on this, and our review of applicable Florida law, the officers use of deadly force was justified. We will take no further action in this matter, the State Attorneys Office concluded.

Clay County Sheriff's Office stands by its response

The Clay County Sheriffs Office provided the following statement about the investigation, State Attorneys Office ruling and the departments transparency:

We believe these independent, outside investigations provide our community with the most transparent and trustworthy process for examining any fatal use of force encounter involving CCSO personnel. Maintaining transparency and public trust will always be guiding principles for the CCSO. We are also thankful for the men and women of the CCSO who put on the uniform every day. They put themselves in harms way and sometimes must make critical split-second decisions to keep themselves and the citizens of Clay County safe under very difficult circumstances. The shooting of Mr. Palato and any loss of life is tragic, but law enforcement officers have an obligation to protect themselves and members of our community.

Jamee Johnson: Family of police shooting victim speak out after settlement with Jacksonville

The family attorney still questions the excessive use of deadly force and some of the procedures that were followed.

In the interim we know this, Danny was not armed with any firearms when three Clay County deputy sheriffs fired 15 rounds into his immobilized vehicle from three different angles, Hastings said. Danny was completely surrounded by a half-dozen heavily armed deputy sheriffs.

Daniel and Alexis Palato.

The Times-Union interviewed Alexis Palato at her home Sunday about her concerns as well, but she has since asked that her comments not be used in the story. They had been married 19 years.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Man shot by Clay County deputies did not have a gun; still justified
Address: 200 Wye Road, Queenstown, 21658

List price: $4.125 million

Year built: 2003

Real estate agent: Biana Arentz of Coldwell Banker Realty

Last sold price/date: For $3.045 million on Dec. 7, 2021

Property size: 8,180-square-foot home has six bedrooms, five full bathrooms and one half-bathroom and a three-car garage. The 2.29 acre-property also includes 250 feet of water frontage, a dock for up to six boats, an Olympic-sized outdoor pool and a gazebo.

Unique features: This home is located on more than 2 acres on the Wye River and is directly across from Wye Island. The private pier is equipped with slips for six boats, both motorboats and kayaks/canoes, while the Wye River provides easy access to such popular destinations as Kent Narrows and Saint Michaels.

The new owners will enjoy practicing their swimming strokes in the Olympic-sized heated outdoor pool, or sipping cocktails from the screened-in porch, the large outdoor stone patio or covered gazebo.

200 Wye Road in Queenstown MD looks out on the Wye River.

The interior has been fully renovated in a contemporary open style that makes the most of the water views from nearly every room. The foyer has arch-shaped doorways and entryways and a sweeping central staircase that leads to a dramatic open second-floor hallway that overlooks the main living area.

Many of the hardwood floors have a dark ebony stain that contrasts with the light stone walls, appliances and countertops. There are three fireplaces, including a two-story stone fireplace in the main living area and another fireplace in the primary bathroom within view of the soaking tub. The walk-in closet off the master bedroom has its own chandelier and is so large it could almost double as a party room.

Additional luxurious features include wallpaper imported from the United Kingdom, custom chandeliers and draperies, a wet/dry bar and a state of the art security system.
Detroit mom arrested for abandoning shivering toddler on beach as waves washed over him: police

A Detroit woman has been arrested after she allegedly abandoned her baby on a beach at nighttime in Florida, with the child being found shivering near the water as waves washed over him.

Shamika Mitchell, 37, was arrested by police last week and charged with child neglect after she allegedly left her 1-year-old boy alone on Daytona Beach in the early hours of Nov. 8, according to Fox 2 Detroit. Police said the temperature that night was about 57 degrees.

Mitchell, who was vacationing in the area along with her three other children, was captured on video surveillance leaving the beach just before midnight on Nov. 7 and returning to her car in the parking lot of Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church, where she had been staying with her kids.

Security allowed the family to stay in the car park after Mitchell requested a safe place to stay, according to an affidavit viewed by Fox News Digital.

SAMANTHA WOLL MURDER: WHY DID DETROIT POLICE RELEASE SUSPECT SO SOON AFTER ARREST?

Shamika Mitchell has been arrested for allegedly abandoning her child on a Florida beach last week.

One of her older children, a teenager, confronted his mother and asked her where the toddler was, with Mitchell telling him she had given the baby to his father after meeting up with him at a nearby convenience store, the affidavit states.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

The son didnt believe her since he knew the childs father lived in Detroit, and so he asked the church's security to call 911 before he went searching for the missing toddler.

The missing baby was ultimately found on the beach at around 12:40 a.m. on Nov. 8 after a woman said she noticed something in the sand and initially thought it was an animal. As she got closer, she saw it was a child, according to the Daytona Beach News-Journal, citing court papers.

FLORIDA MAN, 72, DIES WHILE SURFING IN DAYTONA BEACH AS RIP CURRENTS CHURN

According to those court documents, the woman said the child was on his hands and knees near the water and the waves washed over him, completely submerging him at times. Bystanders got the child out of the water, called 911, and then took off the childs soaked diapers and tried to warm him.

Sheriff's deputies patrolling the beach responded to the scene, and a deputy then put the trembling child into a patrol car before turning on the heater to warm the baby, accord to a police report viewed by Fox News Digital.

The child was unresponsive and his skin was cold to touch, the report states. Eventually, paramedics arrived on the scene and treated the child.

Mitchell's boyfriend, DeShawn Gales, told Fox 2 Detroit that the baby has since been released from hospital and is in good care.

Gales said that he did not know why Mitchell had allegedly abandoned the baby. The Department of Children and Families took custody of the three other children for the night. They were later handed over to their grandparents, who traveled from Michigan to Florida to get them, Fox 2 Detroit reported.

Volusia County sheriff's deputies responded to the scene and a deputy put the shivering child into a patrol car.

Mitchell was arrested and remains in the Volusia County Jail on a $50,000 bond.

Additionally, the older son who confronted Mitchell was arrested after police arrived at the car park that night, according to an arrest affidavit viewed by Fox News Digital.

The teen became upset that his mother had abandoned the child and tried to hit her while she was speaking to the police.

He was arrested after he allegedly hit two officers who tried to stop him from lunging for his mother. It is unclear if he has been charged.





Original article source: Detroit mom arrested for abandoning shivering toddler on beach as waves washed over him: police
Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine wants a special working group to examine problems found by an eight-month investigation into Ohio's youth prisons and local juvenile detention centers.

The investigation by The Cincinnati Enquirer, The Columbus Dispatch, Akron Beacon Journal, Canton Repository and other newspapers found the system is overwhelmed by violence and trauma and doesn't have enough employees to provide adequate security, education and mental health treatment for incarcerated children.

Employees and kids are injured  sometimes seriously  in fights and assaults that erupt without warning. Workers are struggling to maintain order and fear for their own safety. Within three years of leaving a state youth prison, four in 10 teens are incarcerated again in either the youth or adult system. And those who don't return to prison face a higher likelihood of dying an early death.

DeWine praised the reporting, saying it shows there is work to be done. "You've highlighted some very horribly tragic stories that I think anybody can relate to. It's now time for a reset, or a re-look, at DYS and the whole system."

Responsibility for running the local juvenile detention centers falls on elected judges while operating the state youth prisons is handled by DeWine's Department of Youth Services director, Amy Ast.

The governor said in an interview Monday that he has confidence in Ast and her team to lead the youth prisons.

That said, he acknowledged that it's time for a thorough review of the youth prisons and local detention centers.

"What I'm hoping this group will do is we'll take a hard look at DYS, how they're running their facilities, looking at every aspect of it - there is no limit to what they can look at," DeWine said. "I would expect from this group that they'll come back and be very, very candid."

DeWine wants the experts to examine whether the right number of juveniles are housed in youth prisons and "are we doing the best that we can to rehabilitate them, to help them."

The governor said on Monday that the panel will dig into the Ohio Department of Youth Services and examine issues at the local juvenile detention centers, which are operated by elected judges.

DeWine's working group will be led by Tom Stickrath, who formerly led youth services and other state departments, and include juvenile court judges, state lawmakers and others.

Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said reforms are needed for Ohio's youth prisons, including looking at sending more kids to smaller, closer-to-home facilities instead of youth prisons.

Ohio Senate President Matt Huffman, R-Lima, said the stories point out the need for reforms, including looking at sending more kids to smaller, closer-to-home facilities instead of youth prisons.

Huffman added that he'd support requiring centralized reporting of serious incidents - riots, deaths, serious injuries, escapes - that occur at local detention centers.

DeWine said he agrees that centralized reporting is needed. "I'm for it."

Democrats demand investigation

Democratic lawmakers, however, called for more dramatic action.

House Minority Leader Allison Russo, D-Upper Arlington said This report shows the Ohio Department of Youth Services has failed the hundreds of kids its meant to rehabilitate and protect, failed their families and failed the hard-working men and women who work at these facilities.

She added: The governor should immediately investigate the leadership at his DYS and explain to taxpayers hows he going to fix this horrific problem. These kids deserve a chance at rehabilitation, but instead theyre being thrown into a broken system where their safety and their future are being discarded.

Senate Minority Leader Nickie Antonio, D-Lakewood, said there needs to be an independent investigation into why Ohios youth prisons are so violent. That probe should include talking to those who work there. They have a more dangerous job than I think any of us realize and this just points it out," she said.

I dont think it makes sense for the administration to investigate themselves or their staff but I think there needs to be a civil rights investigation, Antonio said. The safety of those kids that are there, as well as the staff, should be something that were all concerned about.

What are juvenile justice experts saying?

Amy Borror of The Gault Center, a national advocacy group, said wholesale changes are needed.

"The bottom line is the system doesn't work and we need to look at alternatives. DYS shows time and time again that it is not successful. And frankly, I don't think it can be," said Borror. "There is a lot of research that says that this idea of taking kids out of their families and communities, housing them in these facilities, it doesn't help and it does hurt."

Borror suggests long-term investing in community-based services to help families. In the short run, she said Ohio should remove kids from the state prisons and don't accept more unless the prisons are adequately staffed to provide all the legally required services.

Leah Winsberg, senior policy attorney for the Children's Law Center, said juvenile court judges need to expand the use of community-based alternatives, instead of sending children to prison. The Department of Youth Services needs to improve the ratio of staff to kids, hold staff accountable and shift the culture so that inappropriate use of force isn't tolerated, she said.

Who is on DeWine's panel?

Stickrath, a retired state executive who led the departments of public safety and youth, will act as chairman. The panel will also include:

Tony Capizzi, retired Montgomery County Juvenile Court judge.

Gabriella Celeste, policy director, Schubert Center for Child Studies.

Melissa Day, juvenile division chief, Stark County prosecutor.

Amy Lewis, Greene County juvenile court judge.

David Stucki, retired Stark County juvenile court judge.

State Reps. Cindy Abrams, R-Harrison, and Richard Brown, D-Canal Winchester.

State Sens. Paula Hudson-Hicks, D-Toledo, and Nathan Manning, R-North Ridgeville.

Laura Bischoff is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Mike DeWine calls for group to examine youth prisons
Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas looks on during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing titled "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland" at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and FBI Director Christopher Wray warned Wednesday, during a hearing on global threats to the homeland, that the United States is vulnerable to attack.

His comments came as House Homeland Security Committee chairman Mark Green called the present "one of the most dangerous times in the history of the United States."

"The ongoing war in the Middle East has raised the threat of an attack against Americans in the United States to another level," Wray told the committee, as Mayorkas urged Congress to extend the powers of the Department of Homeland Security, which was created more than two decades ago following the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

"Twenty-two years have passed since Sept. 11. Since then, the nature of the threats we face has evolved, and the security challenges are becoming more dynamic each day," Green said. "I do not say this lightly; this is one of the most dangerous times in the history of the United States."

Mayorkas, who was also joined by the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Christine Abizaid, said that even in the brief time since the department's 2024 Homeland Threat Assessment was published, "the world has changed."

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas and Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Christopher Wray warned Wednesday, during a hearing on global threats to the U.S. homeland, that the United States is vulnerable to attack after "Hamas terrorists horrifically attacked thousands of innocent men, women and children in Israel." Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

"Hamas terrorists horrifically attacked thousands of innocent men, women and children in Israel on Oct. 7, brutally murdering, wounding and taking hostages of all ages. In the days and weeks since then, we have responded to an increase in threats against Jewish, Muslim and Arab-American communities," Mayorkas said.

Green, R-Tenn., said in addition to threats from wars in Israel and Ukraine, and rising Chinese aggression in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea, the United States' homeland is also threatened by the crisis at the southern border with Mexico.

Director of the National Counterterrorism Center Christine Abizaid (L-R), Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation Christopher Wray, and Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas look on after a recess during a House Committee on Homeland Security hearing titled "Worldwide Threats to the Homeland" at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI

"What has changed was the cancelation of effective policies that had secured our borders. The Biden administration ended proven policies like Remain in Mexico, asylum cooperative agreements and construction of new border wall system," Green added.

During his testimony, Mayorkas called on Congress to extend measures specifically dealing with drones and weapons of mass destruction, which are part of a bill the House approved Tuesday to avert a government shutdown.

In Washington, House Homeland Security Committee chairman and U.S. Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn., called the present one of the most dangerous times in the history of the United States," during Wednesday's hearing on global threats. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

Another bill, the Chemical Facility Anti-Terrorism Standards program, expired in July and is currently stalled in the Senate. It requires more than 3,200 high-risk facilities throughout the country to report "chemicals of interest," while allowing the department to inspect and develop security plans.

"Congress must not allow these DHS authorities to lapse," Mayorkas said. "This is not a moment to let our guard down."

During the hearing, Wray also called on Congress to reauthorize Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which allows the United States government to collect suspicious communications from foreigners overseas without getting a warrant.

"I can tell you that it would be absolutely devastating if the next time an adversary like Iran or China launches a major cyber attack, we don't see it coming because 702 was allowed to lapse," Wray testified.

"Or with the fast-moving situation in the Middle East, just imagine if some foreign terrorist organization overseas ships its intentions and directs an operative here with a contingency planning to carry out an attack in our own backyard," Wray added.

"Imagine if we are not able to disrupt the threat because the FBI's 702 authorities have been so watered down."
The first four episodes of The Crown season six have finally hit Netflix, as the final season depicts the last moments of the late Princess of Wales before her untimely death.

Netflix dropped the first four episodes of the historical dramas final season on 16 November, while the last six episodes will air on 14 December. The last season of The Crown is set between the late 1990s to the mid-2000s, and includes Princess Dianas highly-publicised trip to Saint-Tropez, France.

Much of Princess Dianas final days could be chacterised by constantly enduring invasive photographers. She was no longer considered a royal, with her divorce from the then-Prince of Wales being finalised in August 1996. However, her newfound life as a public figure perhaps gained more attention from the press - specifically her relationship with movie producer and Harrods heir, Dodi Fayed.

In episode one of The Crown season six, Diana (played by Elizabeth Debicki) takes a family holiday with her two sons - Prince William (played by Rufus Kampa) and Prince Harry (played by Fflyn Edwards) - where they stay on the yacht belonging to Fayeds billionaire father, Mohamed Al Fayed.

In real life, the Princess of Wales did indeed stay with William, then 15, and Harry, then 11, on Fayeds yacht in July 1997. They arrived on 11 July and altered between staying on the vessel, then named the Jonikal, and Fayeds villa ashore, called Castle St Therese. But with Diana also came an abundance of photographers tracking her every move while in Saint-Tropez.

One scene in the first episode depicts Diana confronting paparazzi, who are stationed on boats floating near the Jonikal. She pulls up beside them on a speedboat, looking sun-kissed in a black and white printed one-piece swimsuit and her signature black sunglasses.

Hello, boys, Diana addresses the paparazzi, before being asked if she is enjoying her holiday. Yes, were having a lovely time, apart from one little thing, you lot, she replies. How long are we going to have the pleasure of your company? The attention is starting to freak out the boys.

She then strikes a deal with the photographers, promising them a big surprise if they leave her children alone.

While The Crown has been criticised in the past for sensationalism in its depiction of the royal family, Dianas interaction with the paparazzi in Saint-Tropez reportedly did happen in real life. On 14 July, reporters and photographers were moored in Saint-Tropez near the Fayeds yacht, when Diana surprised the group of photographers by addressing them from her motorboat in her iconic leopard-print bathing suit.

She spoke of being abused and followed wherever she went, according to The Times, and also said that William was really freaked out by the paparazzi. In a Vanity Fair feature story, published one year after the devastating Paris car crash that killed Diana, journalist Sally Bedell Smith writes that Diana hinted to the reporters that she was thinking of living abroad. You will have a big surprise coming soon, the next thing I do, she told them, according to Vanity Fair.

Unlike The Crowns portrayal, the interaction didnt take place on Camilla Parker-Bowles 50th birthday. Rather, Camillas birthday was three days later on 17 July, when Prince Charles threw a birthday party for Camilla at his Highgrove estate in Gloucestershire.

However, Dianas Saint-Tropez escape was so frequently photographed that The Crown depicts an angry Charles the following day, waging a war because Dianas holiday received more press coverage than Camillas birthday party.

The first four episodes of The Crown season six are available to stream on Netflix in the US and UK.
WASHINGTON  A controversial televangelist's role as a guest speaker at a large-scale rally Tuesday in support of Israel and against Jewish hate drew mounting criticism as his past remarks about Jews  widely denounced as antisemitic  resurfaced.

The Council on American-Islamic Relations said in a statement Wednesday that Pastor John Hagees history of "Islamophobia and antisemitism" should have prevented him from speaking at the March for Israel on the National Mall in Washington.

Follow live updates here

"Hypocrisy does not begin to describe the decision by pro-Israel groups to invite an antisemite to speak at a rally against antisemitism after they spent weeks falsely accusing every pro-Palestine march of being antisemitic," said Edward Ahmed Mitchell, the council's national deputy director.

Mitchell also called on the bipartisan delegation of political leaders who spoke at the rally, including Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., to "renounce his bigotry."

"Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian racism are unacceptable. Period," Mitchell said. "So is antisemitism, regardless of whether an antisemite like John Hagee supports the Israeli government."

Spokespeople for Schumer, Johnson and Jeffries did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

'History of hateful comments'

Hagee, 83, also could not immediately be reached for comment through Christians United for Israel, which he founded in 2006 and which bills itself as "the largest pro-Israel organization in the United States." He has courted controversy over the decades, having received fallout following a 2005 sermon posted online in which he suggested God allowed Adolf Hitler to carry out the Holocaust to allow Jews to ultimately return to Israel. Hagee later denied that he condoned Hitler or the Holocaust.

Pastor John Hagee during 'March For Israel' (Noam Galai / Getty Images)

The response from CAIR, the country's largest Muslim civil liberties and advocacy organization, follows remarks from Jewish leaders who spoke in support of the rally but sought to distance themselves from Hagee even before he took the stage Tuesday afternoon.

"Contrary to what I was told, Pastor John Hagee will be speaking at today's rally," Hadar Susskind, the president of Americans for Peace Now, a nonprofit peace advocacy group, posted on social media. "I am horrified that he was given this platform. His history of hateful comments should disqualify him from decent company, much less from speaking on stage. He is not welcome and should not speak."

Rabbi Jill Jacobs, the CEO of T'ruah, a rabbinic human rights organization based in New York City, wrote on social media that progressive groups that support Israel "knew this rally wouldn't represent our values," in part because Hagee was included.

The Jewish Federations of North America, an event organizer, declined to comment Wednesday.

Organizers had seen the March for Israel as a way to show unity among Jewish Americans after the Oct. 7 ambush by Hamas in Israel, which killed 1,200 people and led to about 240 being taken hostage. The conflict overseas has also prompted a surge in antisemitism and bias incidents in the U.S., according to the Anti-Defamation League, with CAIR finding a similar uptick of threats reported by Palestinian Americans and Muslims.

The Washington rally attracted a wide variety of viewpoints among participants about Israel's actions in Gaza after the attack, with some in staunch support of the government of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and others questioning his policies while also arguing Israel must defend itself against terrorism.

Hagee was invited to speak under a section of the program called "Voices of Allies," which included Anila Ali, a Pakistani American Muslim and women's rights activist.

Hagee, who founded the nondenominational evangelical Cornerstone Church and a television ministry in San Antonio, has regularly used world events to link his claims of biblical prophecy. In 2008, he gained attention for endorsing Republican Sen. John McCain of Arizona for president.

The move drew criticism from the Catholic League, a Catholic civil rights group, which has described Hagee as an "anti-Catholic bigot."

Hagee later said he regretted comments he made about the Catholic church, and he also walked back previous remarks in which he said Hurricane Katrina was punishment for the LGBTQ community, PolitiFact reported.

A Huffington Post report examining Hagee's comments about Hitler and Jews brought further criticism; Hagee had said in a sermon that "God sent a hunter" and that Jews were killed "because God said my top priority for the Jewish people is to get them to come back to the land of Israel."

McCain ultimately rejected Hagees endorsement, leading Hagee to say he was misrepresented and tired of baseless attacks.

Hagee faced controversy again in 2014, when the ADL called on him to apologize after he said Barack Obama was "one of the most antisemitic presidents in the history of the United States of America." Over the years, he has remained a prominent figure among conservative Republicans, becoming an outspoken supporter of Donald Trump and recently hosting Republican presidential candidates loyal to Israel at his organization's annual summit.

At the March for Israel, Hagee was pointed about his continuing support for the Jewish people and Israel's resilience.

"Israel," he said, "you are not alone today, tomorrow or forever."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
The flu vaccine has been around for nearly a century, and still, the misconceptions and conspiracies surrounding it cause hesitation.

One thing remains true: Influenza, also known as the flu, can cause severe illness.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu activity typically peaks between December and February, so California health officials are urging people 6 months and older to get vaccinated now. In a November statement, the California Department of Public Health said its the best way to protect yourself and your family.

Roughly 4,600 Californians died from the flu or pneumonia, which can be a complication, in 2021, according to CDC data.

Thats a more than 1,400 decrease from one year prior.

These viruses dont care that we are tired, they dont care that we are tired of getting stuck with needles, said family medicine specialist Dr. Kristin Gates with Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento.

I think the key thing is just realizing illnesses wont make an exception for us so you just want to make sure that youre making your decisions with that understanding.

The following responses were edited for brevity and clarity. The Sacramento Bee posed the same questions to three Northern California doctors in phone interviews.

Our experts include:

Dr. Kristin Gates, family medicine specialist at Kaiser Permanente South Sacramento

Dr. Peter Chin-Hong, doctor and professor at the University of California, San Francisco, specializing in infectious diseases

Dr. Dean Blumberg with UC Davis Health, chief of pediatric infectious disease

Heres what the doctors said:

1. The flu vaccine makes you sick

Completely false: The flu vaccine cannot make you sick but you could be infected with a different virus around the time of your vaccination.

Gates: It doesnt make you sick, but people arent crazy in thinking, when I got the flu shot, I feel like I got sick right after. It makes it easy for another virus to knock on the door and not have as much resistance because your immune system is distracted.

Chin-Hong: No, the flu vaccine doesnt make you sick. A lot of things are going around at the same time when people are getting these shots usually. The second thing is, you can get local reactions to the vaccine because your immune cells are training.

Blumberg: All medications, all vaccines can have side effects. This generally lasts a day or two and then it goes away but it does not cause the flu. Theres no way that the injected flu vaccine can cause the flu because theres no live virus in there.

2. Flu vaccine symptoms are contagious

Completely false: Flu vaccine symptoms are not contagious because the virus in the vaccine is not infectious.

Gates: It all depends on whats causing the symptoms. If the symptoms were caused by the vaccination, you wouldnt be able to spread.

Chin-Hong: No, flu vaccine symptoms are not contagious because nothing is live thats causing the symptoms. You cant transmit something thats not alive.

Blumberg: Theres no way that they can be contagious because its not an infection. Its not a live virus, its completely inactivated.

3. You can catch the flu from the flu vaccine

Completely false: The flu injection is made from an inactive flu virus and the nasal spray is created from live, weakened influenza viruses. Neither causes the flu.

Gates: If you got the shot, its a killed virus. You cannot get the flu from the vaccine itself.

Chin-Hong: You cant catch the flu from the flu vaccine. The most common flu vaccine is not live, so you cant catch the flu from it. The flu mist is so weak that you cant really get flu from it.

Blumberg: That just cant happen. The nasal spray vaccine, which is not widely available, thats an attenuated form of influenza virus. You can get an extremely mild case of influenza but certainly not anything like getting influenza itself.

4. You dont need the flu vaccine every year

Completely false: The flu virus is constantly changing and your protection from the annual vaccination weakens over time.

Gates: Your immune systems awareness of what the flu was last year doesnt give it any protection for this year because it changes. Also, the immunity doesnt last indefinitely.

Chin-Hong: You need a flu vaccine every year because there are different kinds of flu that circulate and you want to match the type of vaccine you get to one that experts have predicted would circulate in the same time.

Blumberg: Even if you had the flu vaccine last year, you still need to get one this year for protection for this year. In addition to that, the strains of influenza that are circulating change slightly every year. The vaccine changes to match up better with them.

5. Getting the flu shot in the winter protects you from the virus longer

Misunderstood: The general advice is to get vaccinated in the fall season ahead of peak flu activity in the winter months.

Gates: You want to be protected before youre at the greatest risk of exposure. Really why youre trying to get it early is because you just cant predict when the peak is going to be.

Chin-Hong: You want to have the antibodies that you develop after getting the vaccine peak at the time when flu is circulating. You want to get it anytime before Thanksgiving, but because the flu season can last longer, getting it at any time is going to be so beneficial.

Blumberg: You normally get about four to six months of protection from influenza vaccine, so thats why its recommended to get it sometime around the fall so it can protect you through about April or so. Its impossible to time it perfectly.

6. I dont need the flu vaccine because Ive had the flu before

Misunderstood: Your chances of contracting influenza or your symptoms being severe are greater when youre not vaccinated.

Gates: Yes, you are protected if the same version was going to be the only version of the virus that you were going to be exposed to. But because it changes, you end up being vulnerable to another infection.

Chin-Hong: If youve gotten the flu before, there are lots of different kinds of flu. Being protected against one type doesnt mean you have protection against the other types.

Blumberg: If you got the flu last year, then youre still going to be susceptible this year. Even if you get infected with one of the strains this year, theres still two more stains out there that can get you.

7. I dont need the flu vaccine because Ive never had the flu

Completely false: The annual flu shot protects you from influenza.

Gates: What helps the most is that everyone is protected so that theres minimal flu thats going around.

Chin-Hong: Never having had the flu doesnt mean that youre protected against getting the flu in the future. Every year theres differences in what circulates and you want to be as prepared as possible.

Blumberg: Even if youve never had the flu, youre still at risk every year for getting influenza and you never know what contact is going to lead to that infection.

8. Contracting the flu builds my immune system more than the vaccine

Misunderstood: The flu vaccine is the safest way to protect yourself and those around you from influenza.

Gates: A lot of times, we dont see ourselves in relationship to the people who are around us. If it was something where it was only going to impact us, I think theres a little bit more room to have that level of thought. But the risks are too great and the impact on the larger community is too great.

Chin-Hong: Contracting the flu certainly can give you antibodies, but it can also make you really, really sick. It can kill you, particularly in the very young and very old.

Blumberg: If you get the flu, you do get immunity to that strain of influenza. But then you have to suffer through getting the flu. The vaccine is going to have less symptoms than getting an actual infection.

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.
Editors Note: This is the 5th in a KOIN 6 News series, Breaking the cycle: Oregons attempt at recovery

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Measure 110 is Oregons experiment. The voter-approved measure garnered the votes of 58% of Oregon voters in 2020 to not criminalize drug addiction and to instead put more money into treatment.

Measure 110 removed drug users from the criminal justice system and offered voluntary treatment.

Since its passage, the drug crisis has grown exponentially. Supporters of Measure 110 maintain it needs more time to show returns on investment. Opponents want to put the brakes on it and have proposed different ways to change it.

A flow chart of what happened before Measure 110 was passed (KOIN)

A flow chart showing how Measure 110 works, 2023 (KOIN)

Rocky rollout

The rollout of Measure 110 was rocky, at best. Supporters said there were many issue at play  an affordable housing crisis, the pandemic and more dangerous street drugs.

What weve seen is COVID has pulled the rug out of 50 years of disinvestment, said Monta Knudson, the CEO of Bridges to Change. What we see today around the streets is the impact from that. Unfortunately, M110 was passed at the same time all this has happened and so folks are pointing the finger on M110.

Bridges To Change CEO Monta Knudson, Sept. 2023 (KOIN)

Among those placing blame on Measure 110 are former Oregon Department of Corrections Director Max Williams and Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton.

Now we have open air street markets. Were a haven for people who want to actually trade and commercialize the sale of these hard drugs  fentanyl, heroin, and methamphetamine, Williams told KOIN 6 News.

Measure 110 is the gasoline that was thrown on a fire that was already burning out of control, Barton added.

Critics say Measure 110 lacks accountability, necessary incentives and consequences to get the severely addicted out on the streets into treatment. They point to records that shows more than 6,200 tickets were issued state-wide  and 75% of those ticketed failed to appear in court. Only 50 people completed the addiction assessment via the Help Hotline.

In its current form, critics dont think Measure 110 properly balances public harm, safety and crime. But these critics dont want to repeal Measure 110, however, they do want to make possession of hard drugs a misdemeanor again  yet still keep all the money that goes into addiction treatment.

Washington County District Attorney Kevin Barton, November 2023 (KOIN)

The idea that this is simply reverting back to the way things were is flat out not true, Barton said. I think if we were having this conversation in 2019 about Oregons response to addiction, we would all agree that things werent going that well then, either.

Barton said the group hes affiliated with, Coalition to Fix and Improve Measure 110, is interested in moving forward by taking the best parts of 110 and keeping them and enhancing them where we can, but also by building back in some measures of accountability to ensure that people actually engage in treatment.

The options available

If a person is caught with drugs, the new amendment to M110 offers a choice: opt for treatment instead of court, but if treatment is refused a court will mandate it. Successful treatment results in a clean record.

None of this is designed to put more people in jail or to rack up additional criminal charges. Its all about trying to motivate people to effectively move towards treatment or recovery, Williams said.

A flow chart on how Measure 110 amendments would work, November 2023 (KOIN)

But some Measure 110 service providers dont support re-criminalization of any kind.

I think the carrot-and-the-stick approach that weve used for years hasnt been very effective, Knudson said.

But he agrees the citation part of this legislation is ridiculous. It does nothing, Knudson added. Sending out peers to the streets to meet folks that could use services, I see that as possibly the most effective way to get that person into care.

He cited data from the Oregon Health Authority that shows thousands of people are seeking Measure 110 services directly, emphasizing the need for a health care  not criminal justice  approach to addiction.

I think there are places where diversion and other systems can be deployed to help motivate folks. But I think for possession only, its not an effective tool, Knudson told KOIN 6 News.

Supporters of Measure 110, like Joe Bazeghi, are against required treatment.

Joe Bazeghi of Recovery Works NW, October 2023 (KOIN)

What we know as behavioral health and medical professionals at Recovery Works Northwest is that when folks voluntarily engage with treatment, they have better outcomes, said Bazeghi, who helps run a new Measure 110 funded detox center in Southeast Portland.

His own journey to recovery led him to believe building trust is key to prevent relapse.

We watch the process accelerate as folks begin to feel seen, they begin to feel that change is possible. They begin to experience hope, he said. Most people dont want to be destitute and stuck in dangerous cycles of the self-administration of dangerous, contaminated street drugs.

However, critics argue that for individuals grappling with severe addiction, consequences may be deemed necessary.

What I would say is that when you compare voluntary treatment to mandatory treatment, voluntary treatment is always going to perform a little bit better, said Williams, the former corrections department leader. But thats the wrong comparison. The comparison ought to be mandatory treatment versus untreated individuals on the street because they are the ones who arent voluntarily moving into treatment.

Max Williams of the Coalition to Fix and Improve Measure 110, September 18, 2023 (KOIN)

He said a person has to decide they want to make that change.

But the people who are down here right now at Ground Zero in Portland, theyre not at a position even to make that rational decision because they are currently so wrapped up in their addiction, he said. And while we let them try to figure that out, theyre doing untold damage to the community and to themselves.

Critics of M110 cite research supporting the efficiency and cost-effectiveness of drug courts. However, specialty courts in Oregon lack historical statewide analysis. But new data from 2020-2023 shows 75% of drug court graduates did not reoffend with a new crime for 3 years.

Nevertheless, advocates of Measure 110 oppose the introduction of a new addiction court program, citing a scarcity of public defenders and expressing concern over its high cost.

But Washington County DA Kevin Barton said there is a cost no matter what.

I think Oregonians need to recognize that we are paying a cost right now. And the costs that were paying right now is a cost thats borne by our communities, by our businesses, by our families. Theres a cost with every person who dies from an overdose, Barton told KOIN 6 News. Yes, this will cost money to get people into treatment and to get to supervision. Thats not something we can do for free.

Barton said their ballot measure to amend Measure 110 would require the Oregon legislature to find a separate sustainable funding source for their court-mandated supervision program.

However, Measure 110 supporters argue it will only shift the current bottleneck the state has in treatment to the courts.

Theres this perception in the community right now that if we recriminalize, people are going to go to jail and then to treatment or theyre going to go to jail and off the streets  and its not going to work that way, Knudson said. Folks are going to possibly get arrested, possibly go to jail, and then theyre going to be for sure released. And so its unfortunate because were on a path for change right now. We have to change the system.

I reject the idea that this is us waging the war on drugs, Williams said. And in fact, I would argue that if we dont intervene early with these people, the odds are theyre either going to die of an overdose after maybe having been resuscitated multiple times or, for many of them, theyre actually in pursuit of their addiction, going to commit a more serious person or property crime, and then they will go to prison.

Research underway

Researchers from Portland State University are 2 years into a 3-year study looking at Measure 110s impact on the criminal justice system and public safety.

Dr. Kelsey Henderson, an associate professor of criminology and criminal justice at PSU, Sept. 2023 (KOIN)

Although we have seen a decline in possession of controlled substance arrests, we still see this somewhat stable level of charging of drug-related offenses, said PSU Associate Professor of Criminology and Criminal Justice Dr. Kelsey Henderson. I think that largely is because of this concerted effort to really kind of target more of the higher order offenses.

Their study is examining law enforcements perception of Measure 110 in both rural and urban areas. Police claim they lost critical tools to chase larger drug dealers, such as search-and-seizure and informants.

Law enforcement feels that theyre less proactive over time because of decriminalization. Ultimately, they believe that they play an important conduit and role in connecting the population that is suffering from substance use disorder into treatment, said Dr. Brian Renauer, the criminology chair at PSU.

Law enforcement also reports the ticketing system is failing.

They often use the term theres no teeth behind decriminalization, Renauer said. So, they have a strong belief that there needs to be some sort of coercive or legal sanction powers that can perhaps propel people into treatment opportunities.

From his research, Renauer said he believes a combination of factors compels people toward treatment, but that each individual would be different. Often in the background, there is that combination of coercion.

Even with voluntary treatment, he said studies indicate ultimatums from external sources  like family and friends or pressure from the criminal justice system  influence people to get clean.

An OHSU analysis shows Oregons addiction treatment is half the size it needs to be. Yet, there are more than 300,000 Oregonians addicted to hard drugs, OHSU estimates. But even in the year when there were the most arrests, data shows officers only caught 16,000 drug offenders.

Given the OHSU estimate that there is this very significant large population in need of treatment, our sense is were really going to need multiple tools. Ill even use the term an army of professionals, outreach workers, social workers, treatment providers, criminal justice professionals, Renauer said. But were also going to need family and community realizing these opportunities and helping them.

Dr. Brian Renauer is the chair of the Criminology and Criminal Justice at PSU, Sept. 2023 (KOIN)

If voters are faced with another ballot measure, Renauer said they should consider the most important component of Measure 110 is the increasing of resources for treatment opportunities for those suffering from substance use disorders that didnt exist during the War on Drugs. So thats the most radical, important change that I think the public should want to keep.

He added, We also need to address that issue of engagement. We know theres this large population in need of treatment.

The question, he said, is how to get people into treatment.

History would say the War on Drugs didnt help us do that. We can point to positive examples, but overall, it was not getting enough people into treatment and those treatment opportunities didnt exist. Are we taking criminal justice out of that equation? Thats potentially concerning because what are we going to replace it with?

So for the general public, our advice is that its too early to blame decriminalization for any of this sort of sense of chaos or fear, crime and disorder that theyre perceiving. Theres other factors that are related to that. And lets give Measure 110 some more time.

If legislators dont make amendments in Februarys session, Measure 110 will at least get another year. The earliest a reform attempt could make it to your ballot is November 2024.

And thats about a month before the PSU study will conclude.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
You may have noticed variations of the phrase obtained by The Sacramento Bee from a California Public Records Act request in many of our stories. They surface in stories about police conduct, government actions and court decisions  any topic in almost any public arena.

We want to share with you that these are not random, isolated actions by our reporters, but part of an organized effort to hold accountable those making decisions that affect your lives.

What is the California Public Records Act? It is a 1968 California law that enables anyone to request, analyze and disclose government records, with some exemptions. For us, it is a valuable and critical reporting tool to get answers for you. We dont look at it as an optional course of action. We look at it as a necessary means of responsible journalism.

Recently, our local news team embarked on a focused and intense initiative to seek meaningful information about public actions though PRAs. For example, reporter Theresa Clift not only chronicles the results of our requests in a story about police records, but also details the difficulties in obtaining them. Her editor, Assistant Managing Editor for Local News Emilie Stigliani, answers questions about how her staff is wading through Public Records Act  PRAs  requests and results.

Why did you decide to launch a PRA campaign?

Stigliani: The Sacramento Bee has a role to play in your daily life by offering stories that provide information that is not readily available. Were doing the work for you of figuring out what agencies have records that offer insight into how they operate and then writing those requests.

Sure, you could make those requests yourself. And, if you ever want to write one, weve got a handful of experts at The Bee who could talk you through strategies for writing successful requests, but the reality is that this sort of work doesnt fit into most peoples lives.

Most of us living in the U.S. would say that its important to keep a check on government, but PRAs are a more specialized form of civic accountability work than, say, voting. Plus, most of you could request records but then would have to find a way to share the information you learn with others to promote civic discussion and action.

We at The Bee have the information-sharing piece locked in. We have a website; we have a newspaper. We have a crew of journalists who know how to make these requests and how to turn them into stories that you hopefully find readable and informative.

This work is most meaningful if its done with consistency for both the sake of our own muscle memory around doing these requests and for your sake  so you can rely on us to do this. Thats why we launched this campaign.

What is its scope?

Stigliani: The work of my team focuses on local, which at The Bee means the city and county of Sacramento along with contiguous communities and state entities that operate within the region. The diversity of coverage areas within the local team means that we have requested documents from a number of different governmental entities, including police, firefighters, sheriffs, municipal and regional elected politicians and taxpayer-funded institutions, such as Sacramento State.

I like to keep our scope broad and let reporters learn through their reporting what agencies and issues warrant closer examination. This approach has resulted in the team filing nearly 90 public records requests in the past month.

If you know of an agency and an issue that you think would benefit from public oversight, you can always offer that suggestion to your favorite Sacramento Bee journalist. Alternatively, feel free to send the tip to me (estigliani@sacbee.com), and Ill connect a reporter to your query.

How have you embarked on it?

Stigliani: The act of filing public records requests is nothing new to journalists at The Bee. What is different is us making a concerted group effort to prioritize these filings across the newsroom.

In some newsrooms, the work of filing public records requests is left to the most seasoned reporters who then turn the responsive records into in-depth stories and projects. At The Bee, the serious work of filing PRAs is shared by all reporters. This approach allows each reporter to bring an accountability framework to their reporting. It sharpens our skills as a team and offers you a breadth of accountability that touches everything from code enforcement to liquor licensing.

This approach requires a bit of coordination. I wont bore you with the details, but I will say that a shared online spreadsheet lets a group easily update one another on what each person is doing.

Can you give examples of some of the requests we have made?

Stigliani: Filing the requests is a small part of the overall reporting process. The requests must be tracked to ensure that the governmental agency complies with the 10-day window that it has to respond to the request, and then delays and/or assertions that the responsive records are exempt from public view must be overcome. (The law does allow a number of exemptions for records to be kept private, particularly if they reveal personal information related to areas such as medical history.)

A reporter who successfully navigates those hurdles can walk away with documents from which stories are born. Ill give you a few examples of successful requests that have led to stories.

Clift has published a series of stories about payments the city and the county have made following incidents with police officers and sheriffs deputies. She has been with The Bee for five years and during that time has filed requests every three months with the city and county for settlement agreements. She has received hundreds of pages that are responsive to these ongoing requests, and their contents have served as fodder for her stories.

Local accountability reporter Ariane Lange wrote a story this past month about what the Sacramento County Sheriffs Office spends on social media management. The story was based on a PRA asking the office for emails and contracts.

State worker reporter Maya Miller wrote a story this past month that revealed employees working at the California Department of Fish and Wildlife are not allowed to charge their electric vehicles at the office. This story was based on a tip that Miller followed with a request to the department for communication regarding their EV chargers.

What have you discovered in this process?

Stigliani: We have discovered patterns in how responsive various agencies are to our PRAs. For example, Clift noted that there was a lag in the responsive documents she received from Sacramento Police Department and Sheriffs Office when compared to what she received from the citys Fire Department. That is what led to Clift to write her story about how local law enforcement agencies have narrowly interpreted their legal requirement to make disciplinary documents public.

This process has made clear that our right to public records is one that must be exercised to be maintained. The more we ask those accountable to to you, the taxpayer, for transparency, the more we ensure that we live in a society where that transparency is an expectation of public servants.

And what have been the results so far?

Stigliani: The act of filing public records has pushed our citys leadership to act with more transparency. I mentioned earlier that Clift has an ongoing practice of requesting settlements. In 2021, she wrote a story about the largest settlement the city had ever paid. She learned of this $11 million payment through a PRA.

Mayor Darrell Steinberg spoke about Clifts story at the next council meeting and directed his staff to post all settlement agreements online rather than waiting for a PRA to trigger the release of these documents. Soon after, staff to started to post the settlements on the citys website.

Our teams new volley of PRAs has many of our reporters engaged with agencies in an effort to sort out what must be made public and what responses merit extensions (such as needing time to gather the documents from various people) or can be flat-out denied. This work requires a close reading of the law that an agency cites when they issue an extension or denial, and it sometimes warrants the involvement of our lawyers.

We have published a small portion of the stories that reporters are actively working to bring you. Our hope is that this ongoing effort allows you to better understand the institutions that are entrusted to serve you. And that you take that information and use to it inform the conversations that you have with your elected representatives.
Police were investigating after a dog was found dead and skinned in a north Phoenix dumpster on Tuesday.

Police said they were called to the area of 23rd Avenue and Happy Valley Road about 2 p.m. The caller notified them of a dog that was found skinned and placed in a dumpster.

Police said officers completed an animal cruelty report, which will be investigated by Phoenix detectives.

A news release from the Arizona Humane Society said the skinned dog was believed to possibly be a greyhound.

Second calling: This former Phoenix police officer now dedicates her services to helping animals in need

Upon arrival, the animal cruelty investigator found the dog partially inside a garbage bag with its back legs exposed. According to the news release, the only hair left on the animal was around its feet and, when it was removed from the dumpster, a burnt cigarette was found in its mouth.

The news release said the garbage bag and the cigarette were taken by the Phoenix Police Department and the body was taken to the Arizona Humane Society, where it will be transported to Midwestern University for an autopsy.

According to the society, more than 8,000 investigations have been opened so far this year, while more than 13,000 calls for service have been made.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Dog found dead, skinned in north Phoenix dumpster
A dog who was found alive beside her owner's dead body 10 weeks after they went missing in the Colorado mountains survived by hunting small animals, rescuers said.

Rich Moore, 71, with his Jack Russell terrier, Finney, had set out to climb Blackhead Peak on 19 August, but never returned home.

Mr Moore's body was found on 30 October, with Finney by his side.

Rescuers said it was a "magnificent story of survival".

Delinda VanneBrightyn, of the volunteer group Taos Search and Rescue, said rescuers carried out an unsuccessful days-long search of the steep western side of the mountain between where Mr Moore's car was parked and the peak.

Weeks later a hunter found Mr Moore's body in the San Juan Mountains - about 1.5 miles (2.5km) east of the peak - with Finney still alive but weighing about six pounds, about half her original body weight.

A recovery crew was flown in the next day. Finney was taken to a veterinarian and is now with Mr Moore's family.

The Associated Press quoted Ms VanneBrightyn as saying that Finney somehow survived, probably by hunting small animals such as mice while also managing to avoid predators like mountain lions, coyotes and bears.

"Jack Russells are pretty fierce, I have to say, they're tough little dogs," she said, adding that Finney's "magnificent story of survival" is a testament to her dedication and loyalty to her owner.

"We are very glad... that Finney was returned to the family because they have lost their loved one, but they still have this wonderful, loyal dog," Ms VanneBrightyn said.

Archuleta County Coroner Brad Hunt ruled that Mr Moore had died of hypothermia, which can cause people to become disorientated and confused.

From the starting point, the hike to Blackhead Peak gains 2,150ft (650m) in elevation.

Friends of Mr Moore told Outside Magazine that he was an experienced hiker and that he had hiked to Blackhead Peak before with a friend.

Mr Moore's wife, Dana Holby, told the magazine that Finney was very attached to her husband.

Ms Holby was in Montana visiting her sick sister when Mr Moore told her over the phone that he planned to hike to the peak with Finney, and she told him not to go alone.

She also told the magazine she was shocked to discover that Finney had survived for 10 weeks in the wilderness, and that she and her son wept when they collected the dog from the animal hospital.
The Board of Education of Anne Arundel County voted Wednesday to pass a redistricting plan that will redraw boundaries at 48 of the 58 schools in the northern part of the county.

The only difference between the two proposed plans was that the one selected will allow only upcoming seniors to have the option to stay at their original schools, whereas the defeated option would have extended that choice to juniors as well. Option one passed in a five-to-three vote.

When I started this job Aug 8, 2022, I had no idea that one of the undertakings that I had to engage in would be to come in and focus on redistricting a district of this size, said Superintendent Mark Bedell before the board voted. One of the things the board asked of me as superintendent was that they wanted full transparency, context, and they wanted to not surprise the community.

Due to these requests, the board made an effort to keep the district apprised of its plan. AACPS created an online tool used to show residents the redistricting map and field concerns. Members of the board also went into communities to hear issues voiced by residents and opened the floor to them during meetings.

Theres no perfect model, Bedell said. I think weve come as close as we possibly can to a model that we think makes the most sense for the greater good of the school district.

Bedell proposed a redistricting plan in July. About 6,400 students will be affected.

Im currently struggling with the concern for our juniors if we were to go with option one, school board member for District 4 Melissa Ellis said during the meeting at Annapolis Parham Building. I know how crucial that [junior] year is.

Ellis said she was worried about the upcoming juniors being able to develop leadership roles and participate in school activities. Those students will also be separated from relationships theyd cultivated with teachers and counselors who could help them with letters of recommendation.

Im hoping that if option one passes, there will be an update down the road that will help address those concerns for certain juniors more specifically, Ellis added.

All the board members voiced their opinions before Michelle Corkadel, the school board member representing District 7, suggested the board use rank-choice voting rather than just a simple yes or no.

Rank-choice voting has been used in the past, and I believe it ensures a warm resolve, she said. I would rather do that than just a single motion.

The board agreed to this and, after a brief recess, voted five to three to move forward with option one of the plan.

The five members who voted for option one were School Board President Joanna Bache Tobin, Vice President Robert Silkworth, Corkadel, Dana Schallheim of District 5 and Student Member Eric Lin.

Lin said the decision was between my heart and my mind. My heart is with the juniors, but my head sees option one as having the overall greater good.

Ellis, Gloria Dent of District 1 and Corine Frank of District 3 preferred option two.

The facts are that we have schools well over capacity and some schools far below their capacity, Silkworth said. This not only impacts the education of so many of our students, but it impacts the ability of our county officials to provide much-needed resources outside of the realm of education. Redistricting is a must, and change can be difficult. Option one allows us to accomplish what we want to accomplish, and the other option may not.

Phase one of redistricting examines the northern county areas that feed into Chesapeake, Glen Burnie, Meade, North County, Northeast and Old Mill high schools. Boundaries for two new schools, Old Mill West High School and West County Elementary School, both set to be completed next year, also will be drawn as part of the redistricting process.

The district will then examine its southern schools as phase two.

Overall, the plan leaves only 15 schools with a capacity between 90% and 100% and zero overutilized schools, those that have reached 100% capacity or greater.

If the school system hadnt pursued a redistricting plan, the northern part of the county would have 27 schools that would reach state-rated capacity in the next 10 years, according to AACPS spokesperson Bob Mosier. Seven of the northern county schools would have reached 100% of their capacity, and six would have reached over 110% capacity.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  A Charlotte man will spend the next few years in prison after being convicted of possession of a firearm by a felon, according to Dena J. King, U.S. Attorney for the Western District of North Carolina.

Officials say 26-year-old Gregory Fondren, a domestic violence offender, was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Max O. Cogburn Jr. to spend 3 years and 10 months incarcerated, followed by 3 years of probation.

Statesville woman brutally assaulted, strangled to death by husband: Sheriff

Armed domestic abusers are far more likely to inflict serious bodily harm on their intimate

partners, and potentially create dangerous situations for innocent bystanders and responding law enforcement officers, said U.S. Attorney King. My office will continue to utilize federal gun laws to prevent and prosecute prohibited persons from illegally possessing firearms.

Court documents claim that a witness called 911 on September 17, 2021, to say a man, who was later identified as Fondren was physically assaulting and strangling a woman in a grocery store parking lot.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department (CMPD) officers say they found the woman, who was Fondrens girlfriend at the time, injured and bleeding from the assault. A witness told officers that Fondren put his then-girlfriend in a headlock before punching and kicking her while she was on the grounds.

According to authorities, Fondren ran from police but was caught quickly. In a backpack that Fondren had thrown during that chase was found his ID and a .38 caliber revolver despite Fondren being banned from possessing firearms due to previous convictions for Assault by Strangulation and Common Law Robbery.

This case was investigated by a partnership between ATF and CMPD. The U.S. Attorneys Office in Charlotte prosecuted the case.

CMPD takes a closer look at policies after viral arrest video

According to data collected by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, a gun in a domestic violence situation increases the chance of homicide by 500% and 19% of domestic violence involves a weapon.

Too often, weve seen domestic violence turn deadly when a firearm is involved, said Alicia Jones, Acting Special Agent in Charge of the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF). ATF works daily to keep firearms out of the hands of dangerous and prohibited individuals, including those with a history of domestic violence.

The news of the sentencing comes two days after a Statesville man was charged with brutally assaulting and strangling his wife to death and a murder-suicide in a reported domestic dispute in Salisbury.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
The Florida Keys, particularly around Key Largo and Ocean Reef, took a hit from the heavy downpours and wind gusts stemming from the storm that drenched South Florida, with at least one gust topping 86 mph, hurricane force.

The island chain, particularly the Middle to Upper Keys areas from Marathon to Key Largo, saw conditions between Wednesday and Thursday that if one didnt know better, could think were due to a low-category hurricane or tropical storm.

Crazy weather, said Chief Don Bock of the Key Largo Fire Department.

His crews responded to more than 30 calls between 9 p.m. Wednesday and noon Thursday, dealing with trees blocking roads and downed power lines, he said.

Fencing is blown out and seaweed strewn on the roadway of the 18 Mile Stretch of U.S. 1 in the Florida Keys Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.

The two roads heading in and out of the Keys  the 18 Mile Stretch of U.S. 1, and Card Sound Road, both of which lead from Florida City to Key Largo  showed considerable tell-tale signs of heavy weather. Scattered debris and flooding prompted officials to close Card Sound Road Thursday morning. It reopened about 3 p.m.

And, on the Stretch, which is used much more frequently than Card Sound Road by drivers entering and leaving the Keys, seaweed was strewn about the northbound lanes that abut Lake Surprise and Biscayne Bay. And, much of the fencing the Florida Department of Transportation installed along the southern portion of the highway was destroyed by wind and storm surge.

Boats that unmoored from a nearby marina are stuck on the shoulder of the 18 Mile Stretch of U.S. 1 in Key Largo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.

Once into Key Largo proper, crews clearing downed trees off roadways and away from power lines were a common sight Thursday morning.

5,000 power outages

Fortunately, there were no reported storm-related deaths or injuries, said Monroe County Sheriffs Office spokesman Adam Linhardt.

The Florida Keys Electric Cooperative, which provides power to homes and businesses from Key Largo to the Lower Keys, reported 5,000 outages between Wednesday and Thursday, with as many as 2,500 customers being without electricity at one time for a short window early Thursday morning, said the utilitys spokeswoman, Nikki Dunn Cullen.

A Monroe County Public Works employee works on clearing a downed tree on Atlantic Boulevard in Key Largo Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023.

All of our crews our out there working in the area, Dunn Cullen said, noting that their diligence resulted in fewer than 400 customers being without power by late Thursday morning.

Keys Energy Services, the utility that provides electricity from the Lower Keys to Key West, had no active outages of late Thursday morning, said its spokesman Michael Wedincamp.

Thats because the brunt of the weather was felt much farther northeast in the Upper Keys, said Jonathan Rizzo, warning coordination meteorologist for the National Weather Service Key West.

Key Largo, Ocean Reef drenched, high wind gusts

According to the weather services measuring station in Key Largo, up to 19 inches of rain fell between Wednesday and Thursday, Rizzo said.

The high winds and rains progressed more and more as you made your way up to Key Largo and Ocean Reef, Rizzo told the Herald.

Another weather service station measured 14 inches of rain in Key Largo, Rizzo said.

Wind gusts were also abnormally powerful for this time of year. On land, a gust of 66 mph was measured at Ocean Reef Club Airport in Key Largo, and offshore, a peak wind gust of 86 mph was recorded at Carysfort Reef Lighthouse, Rizzo said.

Contrast that with Key West, which saw a little over an inch of rain at Key West International Airport and a top wind gust of 47 mph at Naval Air Station Key West, Rizzo said.

Rizzo said that what was responsible for the soggy and windy weather was a non-tropical low-pressure system that sat over the archipelago for more than a day. It was very much enriched by deep tropical moisture streaming north from the western Caribbean Sea.

The good news is that dry weather is expected through the weekend. However, because the storm coincided with higher-than usual seasonal tides, areas that experienced coastal flooding may have to wait a few days for the water to go down.

Its going to be a while for the water to recede, Rizzo said.
Dozens of hostages being held by the militant group Hamas in Gaza may be freed under a possible deal struck with Israel, The Washington Post reported Wednesday.

Citing an Arab diplomat familiar with the negotiations, the Post reported that Hamas has agreed in principle to release at least 50 women and children it took hostage during the initial Oct. 7 attack on Israel, which killed more than 1,200 people. The Hamas militants kidnapped about 240 people, including Americans and other foreign nationals, during the attack last month.

Since then, officials from the U.S., Israel and other countries have pressed for the release of hostages. U.S. officials encouraged Israel to agree to humanitarian pauses to get the hostages out of Gaza and provide necessary aid, as some international organizations have warned that Israeli airstrikes could endanger those being held by Hamas.

The United Nations Security Council passed a resolution Wednesday calling for the release of hostages held by Hamas and for urgent humanitarian pauses and corridors to be opened in Gaza.

According to the Post, the deal would require Israel to agree to a three-to-five-day pause in place in the fighting, as well as increased humanitarian aid to Gaza, which has been bombarded by Israel airstrikes since the war broke out. It also would call for the release of an unspecified number of women and children who are held in Israeli prisons.

Israel is considering the proposal, but it could easily fall apart, according to the diplomat who spoke to the Post. The diplomat told the newspaper that if the Israelis agree, its going to happen quickly. If they reject it, then were at it again.

President Biden spoke to Qatars leader, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, on Sunday about ongoing efforts to increase humanitarian assistance in Gaza and to secure the release of all hostages. According to the White House, a 3-year-old American, whose parents were killed by Hamas on Oct. 7, is among the hostages.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Cary is one of the few places in the world where dozens of handmade Chinese lanterns are on display for two months, celebrating a new year.

The N.C. Chinese Lantern Festival is back for its eighth year at Koka Booth Amphitheatre with performances and over 40 new lanterns, which in Chinese New Year celebrations symbolize respect and prosperity.

Each Chinese lantern is hand-crafted on silk fabric stretched over steel frames and then lit with hundreds of LED lights. Every year, the festival, produced by Tianyu Arts & Culture Inc. with the town of Cary, changes the themes and lanterns.

The displays include a 200-foot, 18,000-pound dragon on the amphitheatres lake, animals, Chinese mythological characters, and episodes from classic Chinese novels, including Journey to the West, where the mischievous Monkey King causes chaos in the celestial realm.

This year, there also are more food items for visitors, including crispy egg rolls and wonton soup, and commemorative apparel and merchandise.

In short, attendees are in for a unique experience.

The festival begins Friday and runs through Jan. 14, with organizers adding one more week than previous years.

Dec. 6 will be a Sensory Friendly Night. The music will be lowered, there will be no flashing or strobe lights, and crowds will be smaller with a quiet space to accommodate visitors on the autism spectrum or who experience sensory overload.

One of Carys most anticipated events

Last year, Koka Booth Amphitheatre reported the festival had a $7 million economic impact with more than 216,000 visitors. The numbers were up from 2021, when 200,000 people visited and the festival made an impact of about $1.8 million less.

On Tuesday evening, Cary leaders and organizers opened the gates of the Lantern Festival for a Flip the Switch preview.

They had to convert the (venue) very quickly, and there are thousands and thousands of lights here that make this very, very special, Mayor Harold Weinbrecht said. It took 40 tractor-trailer loads to get all of these lanterns here from Zigong, China. Thats pretty impressive.

Weinbrecht was joined by Town Council members Ryan Eades, Carissa Johnson, Jennifer Robinson and Jack Smith, as well as Wake County Commissioner Susan Evans and state House Rep. Julie von Haefen.

I come to this several times since I live right down the street, von Haefen said. Its always just good to see the community come out and enjoy the holidays. There are a lot of new things this year, which is always great. Even if people have been before, hopefully, they will come back.

The ancient art of Chinese lantern-making began in 206 B.C. in the Han Dynasty.

Over 25 Chinese artisans and performers come to North Carolina in early November to hand assemble the lanterns and prepare for the festival, according to the amphitheatre.

The process to bring the festival to Cary is a year-round event, according to William Lewis, the cultural arts manager for Cary. Each lantern and material is shipped from China to ports in Wilmington before being transported to Cary.

Tianyu Arts & Culture, headquartered in China, selected Cary as one of the communities to host the festival in 2015. The venue announced the firm extended its contract in Cary until 2028.

Ticket info for NC Chinese Lantern Festival

Koka Booth Amphitheatre is at 8003 Regency Parkway, Cary.

Tickets can be purchased for specific nights, events and for those with disabilities.

For tickets and additional information, including which items are allowed in the venue, go to boothamphitheatre.com.
Police say they have located the driver who hit a woman in a wheelchair Monday morning in a North Oakland crosswalk, then fled.

UPDATE: Detectives located the vehicle and driver involved in this incident. Charges are pending.



Thank you to everyone who shared the information which assisted police in their investigation. https://t.co/ugXvKEVRlD  Pittsburgh Police (@PghPolice) November 16, 2023

Kelda Gorman, 34, told Channel 11 she has spinal issues and has only had a wheelchair for a few months. She believes the wheelchairs seatbelt saved her life.

Thank goodness the heavy-duty engineering of the motorized wheelchair, she said. I probably would have been thrown out if it didnt have a seatbelt.

Gorman said she was stuck in the intersection until officers arrived and got her safely to the side of the road. Shes angry the driver sped away after stopping for a moment and knowing how hard he hit her.

Theres no way in heck he did not realize its me, she said. Now my wheelchair is broken. Financially, I cant cover that.

Pittsburgh police say charges are pending.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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A driver who fled from the scene of a crash and tried to force a K9 underwater was apprehended early Wednesday morning by Washington State Patrol, Lakewood Police Department, Pierce County Sheriffs Office, Puyallup Police Department and the Sumner Police Department.

A speeding white Toyota sedan rolled multiple times after hitting another vehicle before it came to a rest in a ditch on northbound state Route 167 near 24th Street in Sumner, WSP said in a news release. The driver of the other vehicle was not injured.

The driver of the Toyota fled on foot after state troopers discovered that they had an outstanding warrant for the man for domestic violence assault. The driver ran into the side of a vehicle near the scene, and continued to run away across both directions of SR 167.

Witnesses reported to 911 that they saw the driver hiding in some underbrush, and troopers were able to locate the man. The driver became combative when troopers tried to take him into custody, but the driver again managed to flee on foot.

Other agencies then came to the assistance of WSP. Lakewood police brought out their K9 team while Puyallup police brought their aerial surveillance team. The driver was located near a pond, again fought with officers and forced the K9 with officers underwater. However, he was eventually taken into custody.

After medical clearance, the driver was booked into Pierce County Jail for driving under the influence, second-degree assault, third-degree assault, harming a police dog, resisting arrest, obstruction, driving while license revoked first-degree, and on a domestic violence warrant, WSP said.

This incident could not have been resolved without the help of multiple agencies from across Pierce County and is a prime example of partner agencies combining resources to bring a dangerous situation to an end while prioritizing the safety of the public, suspect, and involved officers, the agency said in the news release.
LANCASTER COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  A Maryland man has been sentenced to 16-32 years in state prison after leading police on a chase that resulted in a fatal crash last year.

The Lancaster County District Attorneys Office says Christopher Pineda-Gasca pleaded guilty to third-degree murder and related charges for the April 2022 crash that killed Alicia Whisler and injured her young child.

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WHTM Daily Digest

On April 4 at 9:08 a.m. a Pennsylvania State Trooper attempted to stop a vehicle in Honey Brook Borough, Chester County that was displaying a stolen registration plate. The vehicle fled west and a pursuit was initiated that continued into Lancaster County westbound on State Route 23.

State Police say the pursuit continued onto the 2700 block of Main Street in Caernarvon Township, Lancaster County where a second vehicle attempted to turn left into the Conestoga Christian School Parking lot.

New invasive tick species found in Pennsylvania

The fleeing vehicle, while attempting to pass several vehicles in the opposing lane, struck the second vehicles drivers side. The impact caused the vehicle to roll over and hit a utility pole before coming to rest on its roof.

Whisler died as a result of injuries sustained from the crash and her child was taken to Reading Hospital.

According to an affidavit, police observed a bud of marijuana in the drivers side door pocket and a burnt, half-smoked marijuana roach. Police also found a thick stack of US currency.

Police reported in an affidavit that Pineda-Gasca admitted to fleeing because he was in fear of being arrested for DUI and that he smoked marijuana.

Lancaster County Assistant District Attorney Christopher Miller prosecuted the case.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  A truck driver who came to Memphis to recover a tractor-trailer stolen from the Chicago area stayed inside the big rig for nearly 34 hours to prevent A1s Towing and Hauling from taking it.

The owner of MHT Group Inc. said his driver gassed up at the Shelby Express on East Shelby Drive, pulled into a spot, and was in the process of paying for parking through his dispatch when A1s booted and blocked in the vehicle.

We got a receipt. We called the gas station. We showed the receipt. We called the towing company, and they said Oh, we booted you ten minutes before you had this receipt,' said the owner of MHT who did not want to be identified.

He said his company offered to pay A1s $7,500 to drop the truck, but they were told it wasnt even close to what it would cost to get the truck back. He said police were called to the lot at least six times but told them they couldnt interfere because the tow company had sued them.

City investigating A1s Towing after truck drivers file complaints

They were honking their horns and using the boom of the tow truck to shake the truck, so we called out the police. The driver wanted to file a harassment charge against them, and the police said that wasnt enough to file a harassment charge, the MHT owner said. Our legal team told us because we were recovering a stolen vehicle, they cannot hold it.

An attorney for A1s claims the driver never paid for parking and said that is why the vehicle was being towed away.

I am not there, but the truck driver assaulted one of my clients employees, told the police department he was not going to pay anything, and then stated that, My company told me to just sit in my truck and see what happens. This was all captured on video, said A1s attorney Darrell Oneal.

MHT Group Inc. said it was able to get its truck back after Tennessee troopers showed up.

We told them its a stolen unit, and they said thats enough, said the MHT owner.

They said the troopers told A1s to unhook the 18-wheeler and remove the boot.

Their lawyer showed up and started talking about laws, but state police shut him down and told him this is how the law works, said the MHT owner. Then they started telling us they lost the key to the boot and cant do anything tonight, so state police gave my guys the authority to cut the boot off.







This all happened at the same truck stop where a Church Transportation driver locked herself inside a big rig for several hours three weeks ago to avoid being towed.

Driver locks herself in truck to keep it from A1s Towing

Shirley Holland admitted she didnt pay the $13 fee to park but said when she tried to pay a $275 booting fee, she was told it was too late and they were towing the truck. Her employer was forced to pay $12,950 to get the vehicle back.

Over the last year, the City of Memphis Permits Office has received more than a dozen complaints from truckers from all over the country who said they were illegally booted and towed by A1s, and last month, the city released this statement:

Per the ordinance, if the owner or operator of a motor vehicle that is parked without authorization on private property attempts to retrieve said vehicle before booting actually occurs, there shall be no fee, and the vehicle owner shall be allowed to remove the vehicle without further delay. The booting ordinance does not specify what type of vehicle can be booted. The maximum amount a booting company can charge to remove a boot is $50.00 per the city ordinance. The ordinance states that no vehicle affixed with a boot may be towed unless the owner of the vehicle fails to contact the booting company within 24 hours of the notice. Towing fees are based on the type of wrecker being used. A Class C wrecker rate is $350.00 per hour. The ordinances state vehicles. The tow fee is based on the type of tow truck being used. The rate for a Class A wrecker is $125.00, Class B wrecker is $200.00 per hour, and Class C wrecker is $350.00 per hour. We have two complaints that are before the Transportation Commission regarding a refund for a tow. We have several complaints that are going to be discussed at an administrative hearing.

Memphis City Councilman Frank Colvett also told WREG he wanted city leaders to take a closer look at the large fees A1s Towing & Hauling was charging truck drivers that were being towed from area truck stops.

A1s said its following state laws that supersede city law and has filed a lawsuit against the City of Memphis, the Memphis Police Chief, and multiple MPD officers, accusing them of weaponizing a civil municipal ordinance to discriminate against the minority-owned company.

A1s Towing files lawsuit against MPD, City of Memphis

The lawsuit cites several instances where they say police officers conspired with truck drivers to manufacture charges against the A1s employees to accomplish the City Of Memphis discriminatory goals.

This is horrible what they are doing to the industry: More A1s Towing complaints as THP gets involved

In October, a Tennessee Department of Safety and Homeland Security spokesperson said the Tennessee Highway Patrol was assisting the Memphis Police Department with an investigation of A1s Towing and Hauling.

TN DHS said THPs Criminal Investigations Division is providing assistance upon request as Memphis Police look into A1s activities but wouldnt go into specifics.

The owner of MHT Group Inc. said even though he got his truck back, he plans to take legal action against A1s and is talking to other trucking companies considering the same thing.

We are not letting this go. There is a big American company I know very well, and their lawyers and my lawyers are going to work together to get something done, the MHT owner said. Im not going to let it happen again.

On November 21, a Memphis City Council committee is expected to discuss alleged abuses of the Citys Booting and Towing Ordinances by certain local companies.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Horonda Platform, a multimodal logistics hub, will be built in Zakarpattia Oblast in the west of Ukraine to facilitate grain exports to European Union countries.

Source: Zakarpattia Oblast Military Administration

Details: The so-called "dry port" will be built in the village of Horonda in the Mukachevo district by Italian investors.

"The creation of a land-based grain corridor in our region is a top priority of national importance. This project is particularly important during the war," said Viktor Mykyta, Head of Zakarpattia Oblast Military Administration.

Mykyta also said that the new logistics hub can help Zakarpattia Oblast and Ukraine as a whole develop their export potential and will facilitate local agricultural producers access to foreign markets.

As part of the project, transshipment of agricultural products from wide- to narrow-gauge railways will become possible, new storage facilities will be built, and storage containers for grain, sunflower oil, and other types of agricultural products will be made available.

Horonda Platform is expected to create more than 200 new jobs in the region.

The Italian companies involved in the project include FS Holding, Mercitalia Rail, and Mercitalia Terminal.

Background:

The humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea, which Ukraine launched after Russias unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Agreement, has seen 100 ships leave Ukrainian ports.

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A brittle slab of rock cracked off and tumbled down a cliff in Zion National Park, leading to an apocalyptic scene in the canyon below, dramatic photos show.

The rockfall near Weeping Rock ground up a massive dust cloud that cloaked Echo Canyon roads and disrupted traffic and bus shuttle service Tuesday, Nov. 14, park officials said in a Nov. 15 Facebook post.





Thankfully, park rangers did not need to treat any injuries, Jeff Bradybaugh, the Utah parks superintendent, said in the post. Rockfall can happen at any time in this highly erosive landscape.

Officials closed the Weeping Rock shuttle stop, parking area and trail until further notice while scientists and maintenance workers examine the area.

Officials posted dramatic photos of the rockfall scarring and the fine dust it produced covering the parking lot.

Outdoorsy folks discussed the conditions in the comments.

Thats a pretty good chunk, someone said. Glad no one was hiking when that fell.

Someone said they were there when the rock came down and didnt specify where, but said they were chewing grit for hours after the fine dust coated everything in sight.

It was amazing how the dust covered us and got into everything, they said. It doesnt taste the greatest either!

A pair of hikers witnessed the rockfall from about half a mile away on Angels Landing, KSLTV reported.





They were hiking and stopped to look up at the sky  because it sounded like thunder, one of them told the station. They shared a stunning video they took of the ground shaking and the massive dust cloud swirling through the canyon and covering the road.

When you see something like that coming down, it is scary at first, Cindy Ulshafer told the station. It was quite an experience. It was my first time on Angels Landing, and I couldnt believe we experienced this.

It just rained boulders. Motorists narrowly escape rockslide on Utah highway

Massive landslide dumps boulders and debris on Nevada highway, video shows

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A gag order that barred Donald Trump from commenting about court personnel in his New York civil fraud trial after he maligned a key staffer was paused Thursday by an appellate judge who raised concerns that it violated the former presidents free speech rights.

Judge David Friedman, of the states intermediate appeals court, issued whats known a stay  suspending the gag order and allowing Trump to freely comment about court staff while a longer appeals process plays out. Friedmans ruling also applies to Trumps lawyers and others involved in the case.

The trial judge, Arthur Engoron, imposed the gag order on Trump after the former president made a disparaging social media post about Engorons court clerk on trials second day, Oct. 2. Engoron later fined Trump $15,000 for violations and expanded the order to include his lawyers after they questioned the clerks prominent role in the courtroom.

Friedman questioned Engorons authority to police Trumps speech outside the courtroom  such as his frequent gripes about the case on social media and in comments to TV cameras in the courthouse hallway. He acknowledged that judges often issue gag orders, but said theyre mostly used in criminal cases where theres a fear that comments about the case could influence the jury.

Trumps lawyers filed a lawsuit against Engoron late Wednesday challenging the gag order as an abuse of power. Friedman scheduled an emergency hearing Thursday afternoon around a conference table in a state appellate courthouse a couple of miles from where the trial is unfolding.

Trump attorney Alina Habba indicated after Friedman ruled that she has no plans to advise the former president to stay quiet about the clerk.

I dont see a reason for restrictions because Ms. James is continuing to disparage my client, said Habba, referring to New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is prosecuting the case. Habba added that Trump hasnt threatened the clerks safety.

Both sides need to be able to speak and the fact that I, frankly, couldnt and my client couldnt speak, for the past however many days, is so unconstitutional, Habba said.

Trump and his lawyers have repeatedly put the law clerk, Allison Greenfield, under a microscope during the trial. They contend that the former Democratic judicial candidate is a partisan voice in Judge Arthur Engorons ear  though he also is a Democrat  and that she is playing too big a role in the case involving the former Republican president.

Engoron has responded by defending her role in the courtroom, ordering participants in the trial not to comment on court staffers and fining Trump a total of $15,000 for what the judge deemed violations. Engoron went on last week to prohibit attorneys in the case from commenting on confidential communications between him and his staff.

Trumps lawyers  who, separately, sought a mistrial Wednesday  contend that Engorons orders are unconstitutionally suppressing free speech, and not just any free speech.

This constitutional protection is at its apogee where the speech in question is core political speech, made by the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, regarding perceived partisanship and bias at a trial where he is subject to hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties and the threatened prohibition of his lawful business activities in the state, they wrote in a legal filing.
More than 20% of grain exported over the past nine months went through black market or risky informal channels, Ukraine's Bureau of Economic Security said on Nov. 16.

The total export value of that grain is Hr 144 billion ($3.9 billion).

One of the primary forms of these high-risk channels involves grain that is sold for cash to recently created shell companies, often with falsified documents, which is then resold several times through different buyers. Through this method, grain can be sold without customs documents and also without paying tax to the Ukrainian government.

Grain has also been sold to foreign companies, which then purchase other goods to import back to Ukraine that are then sold for cash. As a result, the foreign companies can earn valuable tax credits.

The bureau said that significant amounts of money that should go towards the Ukrainian government's budget are being lost in the process.

The body's investigative team has been looking into these illicit export schemes, which have resulted in 22 referrals for criminal proceedings and eight court indictments.

The bureau also recommended a number of reforms that would help strengthen regulations and crackdown on the black market export of grain.

Grain exports are one of the key sectors of Ukraine's economy, but ha suffered as a result of Russia's full-scale invasion and subsequent blockade of the Black Sea.

After Russia unilaterally withdrew from the Black Sea Grain initiative in July 2023, which allowed ships to transport grain out of Ukrainian ports, the transit of grain has significantly slowed. Ukraine opened a humanitarian corridor in August to allow some traffic to continue, but it is a fraction of the pre-war total.

Read also: Is Ukraines new Black Sea corridor working? Experts say it has potential

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
1961Present

[table-of-contents] stripped

Quick Facts

FULL NAME: David Howell Evans

BORN: August 8, 1961

BIRTHPLACE: East London, England

ASTROLOGICAL SIGN: Leo

Who is the Edge?

David Evans, later known as the Edge, was born in East London in 1961. In high school, Evens joined fellow classmates in forming a band, which soon was called U2. In 1980, the band released its first album, Boy, quickly followed by October and War. With each record, the band gained more fans and more fame, and with their 1987 release, The Joshua Tree, U2's reputation would forever be secure. The Edge is known for his stripped-down, reverb-laden guitar riffs, a style that has come to signify U2's sound as much as Bono's signature vocals.

Early Years

David Howell Evans, later known widely as the Edge, was born in Barking, Essex, in East London, on August 8, 1961. When Evans was a year old, his family moved to Dublin, Ireland, and Evans took up lifelong residence.

In 1976, walking down the hall at Mount Temple Comprehensive High School, Evans saw a note pinned to the school bulletin board. It was written by Larry Mullen Jr., a 14-year-old drummer, and it was a solicitation for any student who might want to form a rock band. Evans, who played both piano and guitar, quickly responded and showed up at Mullens house. Also signing on were Paul Hewson (aka Bono) and Adam Clayton, both of whom Evans already knew from school.

The band chose the name Feedback and later became The Hype before settling on U2. Another name change came as well, as Bono soon renamed Evans the Edge, a name that would stick with him throughout his career.

U2

A few years later, the band, now officially U2, signed a record deal with Island Records and released their first LP, Boy (1980). The record was unpolished and raw, and it showed the bands talent at its most nascent. The bands next album, October (1981), explored spiritual themes, and War (1983) showed the first signs that the band wouldnt be content creating rock-and-roll without adding social commentary. War was U2s first bona fide smash, and it propelled them to a level from which they would never return and one they would spend the next several decades surpassing by leaps and bounds.

In 1985, the band released The Unforgettable Fire, which contained the hit single Pride (In the Name of Love). While U2 was previously on the rise, with their new album, they were undeniable rock stars, and that would only increase with 1987s The Joshua Tree.

The Joshua Tree would once again take the band to new heights of success, fame and artistic expression, and it went on to become one of the top-selling albums of all time and cement U2s reputation as musicians who mattered. It also spawned a massive worldwide tour and a live album, Rattle and Hum (1988).

Subsequent releases have varied from experimental (1993s Zooropa and 1997s Pop) to traditional (2000s All You Cant Leave Behind and 2004s How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb), but U2s influence, energy and fans have never shown any signs to wavering.

Personal Life

The Edge married married Aislinn OSullivan in 1983. They have three daughters together. The pair divorced in 1996.

In 2002, the Edge married Morleigh Steinberg, an American dancer who performed in two U2 music videos and whom the band employed for their ZOO TV tour. They have two children.

Fact Check: We strive for accuracy and fairness. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!

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It has become impossible to distinguish between Israels decidedly non-surgical operation against Hamas militants in Gaza and the indiscriminate killing of Palestinian civilians. When so-called humanitarian pauses in the bombardment and ground operations are too brief to realistically permit innocents to flee, or when there is no place for non-combatants to go that is not also in the line of fire, such pauses are so deficient as to be meaningless.

It is time for a cease-fire. It is time for the Biden administration to assert strong and sustained pressure on the government of Benjamin Netanyahu to stop attacks that have reportedly already killed more than 11,000 Gazans. The world cannot stand by to witness more slaughter of civilians.

Read more: Internet, phone networks collapse in Gaza, threatening to worsen humanitarian crisis

No one should harbor illusions about Hamas, the radical militant organization that serves as the de facto Gaza government and began the current hostilities with its murderous Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israeli civilians. Militants killed about 1,200 people and continue to hold more than 200 hostages  Israelis, Americans and others.

Israel claims Hamas has used Shifa Hospital as a command center and weapons warehouse. Although Israeli soldiers who entered the hospital were able to produce little evidence of that, there is no reason to doubt that Hamas would treat Palestinian civilians as human shields.

But Hamas' atrocities do not justify atrocities in kind. Following Hamas initial attack, Israel instructed the people of northern Gaza to leave their homes and made no commitment that they would ever be able to return. Israels reprisal destroyed homes and cut off power and communications, making it impossible for survivors of the bombing even to search for the remains of family and neighbors beneath the rubble.

Read more: Opinion: Gaza's health system has collapsed, multiplying the war's toll on children

Now Israel is signaling that it will step up its assault in southern Gaza, into which much of the territorys population of more than 2 million have crowded in response to the warnings to flee the north. They will not be permitted to enter Egypt on Gazas southwestern border, and they cannot enter Israel. They are trapped.

Already, more children have died in Gaza in the last month than in all other conflicts around the world this year, according to Save the Children. That cruel fact is one of many that have turned world opinion against Israel, and against the U.S., its chief ally and the provider of most of its weapons. The consequences for both nations will last generations. The trauma inflicted on Palestinian survivors only increases the recruiting ability of Israel's enemies, whether they be Hamas, Hezbollah or any successors bent on destruction of Israel.

Read more: Opinion: The slaughter of civilians in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza shows us a new age of mass violence

On Wednesday, the United Nations Security Council approved a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors in Gaza for a sufficient number of days to allow unhindered access for agencies delivering aid. The U.S. did not vote in favor of the resolution, but importantly, also did not veto it. Still, pauses and corridors mean little if they are immediately followed by a resumption of deadly attacks.

Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken testified at an Oct. 31 Senate hearing that a cease-fire would "simply consolidate what Hamas has been able to do and ... potentially repeat what it did another day." But neither Israel nor the U.S. has explained how Hamas can be eradicated or removed from power without an unacceptable level of civilian deaths and casualties. Nor have they set forth what they intend to happen next. Israeli occupation?

Read more: Commentary: Iraq is the war no one wants to remember. As an Iraqi American, I can never forget

On his visit to Israel in the wake of Hamas initial attack, President Biden noted that the U.S., following the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, made mistakes. The statement was a clear message to Israel: Dont blunder as we did. Dont squander the goodwill of the rest of the world by killing civilians. Dont mimic your enemys cruelty. Dont leave a power vacuum that can be filled by other, even more potent enemies. Have an exit strategy.

Remaining mindful of America's mistakes, it is incumbent upon the Biden administration now to avoid complicity with Israels. We are past the time to excuse the horror in Gaza. Biden has to press Netanyahu hard to stop the mass, indiscriminate killing. That starts with a call for a cease-fire.

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: This editorial has been updated from the print edition to reflect legislation that is being drafted. We are also including this link to another Seeking Rents post, describing additional revenge DeSantis planned for Disney.

Once upon a time, a powerful wizard came to Central Florida from a far-distant land with a promise. He would transform a vast spread of drowsy acres dotted with orange groves and forests into a beacon of happiness and prosperity that would shine around the world. In return, he demanded a high price  a gift of power over that land, something he said was needed to support the magic he planned to will into being.

Even then, with the wizard himself standing before them, some doubted the wisdom of the bargain. But others were dazzled, and said yes. Walt Disneys death, in December 1966, didnt weaken the spell he cast: The next summer, the Florida Legislature approved the creation of the Reedy Creek Improvement District. And for more than 50 years, that district did exactly what Walt Disney envisioned and promised, creating the framework for a magical kingdom and so much more.

Reedy Creek supplied the water, the electricity, the streets and the meticulous planning that turned the acres the Walt Disney Corp. controlled into the most powerful economic force in Central Florida. Protected from the whim of local politics, the district nurtured the Disney resorts explosive growth.

Nobody foresaw a day when the vengeful, political whims of one man could turn the peaceful kingdom of Reedy Creek into Disneys greatest vulnerability. And if Gov. Ron DeSantis is forced to return to Florida, embittered after watching his presidential aspirations burn, there is no telling the mischief he could wreak. Someone must stop him. And those champions must rise from a group he has already conquered: The Florida Legislature, which should act in the coming session to curb the governors grasp over the former district.

DeSantis has already done considerable damage, treating the districts leadership as a treasure chest that he has invited unqualified political allies to plunder and  as documented by the blog Seeking Rents, causing long-time, loyal public servants to flee. His shenanigans have already led to the company pulling the plug on a development that would have brought thousands of jobs to Lake Nona.

At Disney district, another no-bid contract pays political pal $495 an hour | Commentary

If he chooses, he can command those cronies to wreak real havoc  acting in ways that disrupt Disneys transportation network, shut off the power with the parks at their fullest or throttle water supplies just as tourists are returning to hundreds of hotel rooms after long days of play under Floridas sun.

Would he do it? Nobody knows. But lawmakers can be sure of one thing. If they dont modify the laws that grant the governor so much power, DeSantis almost certainly knows how much damage he can do: Earlier this year he spoke of ways he could hamper Disneys kingdoms by leasing land to rival parks, seizing it for a state prison or taking other action aimed directly at the economic viability of the Disney properties.

DeSantis threatens Disney with prison. The wheels have come off. | Commentary

There is so much at stake. A recent assessment commissioned by the company claims that Disney pours more than $6.6 billion into state and local coffers, directly employs or supports one in every eight Central Florida jobs, links with 2,500 small businesses and brings nearly 60 million people here each year. And while Disneys demands to act as its own government still raised eyebrows, nobody can deny that the company funded the infrastructure through its own wealth, not that of Orange and Osceola taxpayers.

That proves how dishonest DeSantis attacks have been from the start  with the claim that hes going to force Disney to pay its fair share of the taxes needed to support the district. So when he said that his threats were just jokes, nobody laughed. The reality is that much of that wealth is now being funneled into the pockets of high-priced attorneys and no-bid contractors. Meanwhile, many of the districts most trusted, knowledgeable employees are now gone, saying the atmosphere is now too toxic to bear.

Its time for lawmakers to break the spell DeSantis has cast, and rewrite the law to curb his power and restore some semblance of ethics, accountability and trust to the districts operations. After this editorial was published, we learned that Sen. Linda Stewart is working on legislation to undo the attack on local control. Other lawmakers should stand with her. If they dont, Central Floridas economy could be so devastated that not even wishing on a star will save it.

The Orlando Sentinel Editorial Board consists of Opinion Editor Krys Fluker, Editor-in-Chief Julie Anderson and Viewpoints Editor Jay Reddick. Contact us at insight@orlandosentinel.com
A makeshift memorial for a high school student lines a fence along an alleyway near Rancho High School in eastern Las Vegas on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Authorities arrested eight teens Tuesday in connection with the beating of Jonathan Lewis Jr., who died a week after a prearranged fight over a pair of headphones and a vape pen. (AP Photo/Rio Yamat)

LAS VEGAS (AP)  Eight Las Vegas high school students between the ages of 13 and 17 years old were arrested on murder charges in the beating death of a schoolmate that was captured on cellphone video and widely share across social media.

Jonathan Lewis Jr., 17, was hospitalized with severe head trauma and other injuries after the Nov. 1 attack and died a week later, according to police.

The fight appeared to be over a pair of headphones and a vape pen, police said, and the students had agreed to walk to an alleyway around the corner from campus to fight after classes ended for the day at Rancho High School in eastern Las Vegas.

Here's what to know about the case:

WHAT'S NEW IN THE INVESTIGATION?

Authorities arrested the eight students Tuesday on suspicion of murder. But they believe at least 10 students took part in the beating.

Police on Wednesday released images of two students taken from cellphone video of the fight and asked for the public's help in identifying them. Homicide Lt. Jason Johansson said the two will also face murder charges.

A police spokesperson said Thursday morning that there were no updates on additional arrests.

WILL THE TEENAGERS BE CHARGED AS ADULTS?

In Nevada, a teenager accused of murder can be charged as an adult if they were 13 or older at the time of the alleged crime.

By law, teenagers 16 or older accused in a killing are automatically transferred to the adult court system. That's why a family court judge on Wednesday transferred the cases of four of the eight students, who are all 16 or 17.

None of the students who were arrested have been formally charged, and The Associated Press is not naming them.

WHO DECIDES IF THE TEENS ARE CHARGED AS ADULTS?

Hearings known as certification proceedings will be held at later dates to determine if the students under 16 will be charged as adults.

David Tanenhaus, history and law professor at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, said this case highlights the importance of having a process in place for handling homicide cases involving young defendants.

The certification hearing is an adversarial setting," he said. The juvenile will have an attorney, who will make the argument that this kid is amenable to reform and that they belong in the juvenile justice system.

Tanenhaus, whose research includes juvenile justice, said the case of the 13-year-old student is the least likely to be transferred to the adult court system by a judge.

At that age, he said, the decision-making part of the brain  which is responsible for controlling impulses, thinking about consequences and solving problems  is still developing.

Imagine that youre in a car that has a really good accelerator but it has terrible brakes, he said. Thats a way to think about adolescence.

WHAT HAPPENED ON THE DAY OF THE ATTACK?

The fight broke out after school let out that day. Police said they believe a pair of wireless headphones and vape pen had been stolen from the victim's friend earlier in the week, which resulted in the students agreeing to meet in the alleyway to fight.

Detectives think the victim wasnt originally supposed to be involved in the brawl, but he walked to the alleyway with his friend after school, Johansson said.

The victim's father, Jonathan Lewis Sr., said on a fundraising page created to help with funeral and medical costs that his son was attacked while standing up for his friend.

The video of the fight shows the victim taking off his shirt to prepare for the fight, and then the 10 students immediately swarm him, pull him to the ground and begin kicking, punching and stomping on him," Johansson said.

He called the video very void of humanity and said the victim was not defending himself as he was being attacked.

After the brawl, a person in the area found the victim badly beaten and unconscious and carried him back to campus, where school staff called 911, Johansson said.

Homicide detectives were called on the day of the attack to lead the investigation due to the severity of the victim's injuries, he said.

WHAT IS HAPPENING AT THE SCHOOL NOW?

Rancho High School's principal, Darlin Delgado, said in a letter to parents this week that support and resources were available for students and staff members, as the beating death has and will continue to impact our school community.

Two weeks after the brawl, a small memorial with flowers and candles still sat against a fence in the alleyway where Lewis was attacked.

On Wednesday, there was a visible police presence at the school and around the campus as classes ended for the day, with marked school district police vehicles and uniformed officers patrolling the area.

The Clark County School District  the fifth largest in the nation, with about 300,000 students  has its own police department that has nearly 200 officers.

The district's police chief, Mike Blackeye, said his agency has been partnering with police in Las Vegas and neighboring North Las Vegas to provide increased police coverage at the school in the morning, lunchtime and after school, which is when he said fights typically break out.

DOES THE SCHOOL HAVE RESOURCE OFFICERS?

Blackeye said there are two resource officers assigned to Rancho High School, both of whom were on duty that day. He said they didn't hear about the prearranged fight before it happened.

At a news conference Tuesday, he said fights have broken out in the same alleyway before, but he stopped short of calling it a problem area, pointing out that fights have happened all around that school, in parks and neighborhoods.
Meta and YouTube are crafting disclosure policies for use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) in political ads as the debate over how the government should regulate the technology stretches toward the 2024 election.

The use of generative AI tools, which can create text, audio and video content, has been on the rise over the past year since the explosive public release of OpenAIs ChatGPT.

Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have shared concerns about how AI could amplify the spread of misinformation, especially regarding critical current events or elections.

The Senate held its fifth AI Insight Forum last week, covering the impact of AI on elections and democracy.

As Congress considers proposals to regulate AI, leading tech companies are crafting their own policies that aim to police the use of generative AI in political ads.

In September, Google announced a policy that requires campaigns and political committees to disclose when their ads have been digitally altered, including through AI.

Google CEO Sundar Pichai speaks to college students about strengthening the cybersecurity workforce during a workshop at the Google office in Washington, D.C., on Thursday, June 22, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

What do campaigns and advertisers have to disclose?

Election advertisers are required to prominently disclose if an ad contains synthetic content that has been digitally altered or generated and depicts real or realistic-looking people or events, according to Googles policy, which went into effect this month.

Meta, the parent company of Facebook and Instagram, announced a similar policy that requires political advertisers to disclose the use of AI whenever an ad contains a photorealistic image or video, or realistic sounding audio that was digitally created or altered for seemingly deceptive means.

Such cases include if the ad was altered to depict a real person saying or doing something they did not, or a realistic-looking event that did not happen.

Meta said its policy will go into effect in the new year.

Robert Weissman, president of the consumer advocacy group Public Citizen, said the policies are good steps but are not enough from the companies and not a substitute for government action.

The platforms can obviously only cover themselves; they cant cover all outlets, Weissman said.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), who launched the AI Insight Forum series, has echoed calls for government action.

Schumer said the self-imposed guardrails by tech companies, or voluntary commitments like the ones the White House secured by Meta, Google and other leading companies on AI, dont account for the outlier companies that could drag the industry down to meet the lowest threshold of regulation.

Weissman said the policies also fail to address the use of deceptive AI in organic posts that are not political ads.

Several 2024 Republican presidential candidates have already used AI in high-profile videos posted on social media.

How is Congress regulating artificial intelligence in political ads?

Several proposals have been introduced in Congress to address the use of AI in ads.

A bill from Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Josh Hawley (R-Mo.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Susan Collins (R-Maine) introduced in September would aim to ban the use of deceptive AI-generated audio, images or video in political ads to influence a federal election or fundraise.

Another measure, introduced in May by Klobuchar, Sens. Cory Booker (D-N.J.) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), and Rep. Yvette Clarke (D-N.Y.), would require a disclaimer on political ads that use AI-generated images or video.

Jennifer Huddleston, a technology policy research fellow at Cato Insitute who attended last weeks AI Insight Forum, said the requirement of disclaimers or watermarks was raised during the closed-door meeting.

Huddleston, however, said those requirements could run into roadblocks in instances where generative AI is used for beneficial reasons, such as adding closed captions or translating ads into different languages.

Are we going to see legislation constructed in such a way that we wouldnt see fatigue from warning labels? Is it going to be that everything is labeled AI the same [way] everything is labeled as a risk under certain other labeling laws in a way that its not really improving that consumer education? Huddleston said.

Senate Rules and Administration Committee Chair Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) speaks during a business meeting to consider S.R. 444, providing for the en bloc consideration of military nominations.

Misleading AI remains a major worry after last two presidential elections

Meta and Google have crafted their policies to target the use of misleading AI.

The companies said the advertisers would not need to disclose the use of AI tools to adjust the size or color of images. Some critics of dominant tech companies questioned how the platforms will enforce the policies.

Kyle Morse, deputy executive director of the Tech Oversight Project, a nonprofit that advocates for reining in tech giants market power, said the policies are nothing more than press releases from Google and Meta. He said the policies are voluntary systems that lack meaningful enforcement mechanisms.

Meta said ads without proper disclosures will be rejected, and accounts with repeated nondisclosures may be penalized. The company did not share what the penalties may be or how many repeated offenses would warrant one.

Google said it will not approve ads that violate the policy and may suspend advertisers with repeated policy violations but did not detail how many policy violations would lead to a suspension.

Weissman said concerns about enforcing rules against misleading AI are secondary to establishing those rules in the first place.

As important as the enforcement questions are, they are secondary to establishing the rules. Because right now, the rules dont exist to prohibit or even dissuade political deepfakes  with the exception of these actions from the platforms  and now more importantly action from the states, he said.

Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) ranking member of the Senate Judiciary Subcommittee on Privacy, Technology and the Law, speaks during a hearing on artificial intelligence, May 16, 2023, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Patrick Semansky, File)

Consumer groups are pushing for more regulation

As Congress mulls regulation, the Federal Election Commission (FEC) is considering clarifying a rule to address the use of AI in campaigns after facing a petition from Public Citizen.

Jessica Furst Johnson, a partner at Holtzman and Vogel and general counsel to the Republican Governors Association, said the policies Meta and Google probably feels like a good middle ground for them at this point.

And that sort of prohibition can get really messy, and especially in light of the fact that we dont yet have federal guidelines and legislation. And frankly, the way our Congress is functioning, I dont really know when that will happen, Furst Johnson said.

They probably feel the pressure to do something, and Im not entirely surprised. I think this is probably a sensible middle ground to them, she added.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
FILE PHOTO: An Eli Lilly and Company pharmaceutical manufacturing plant is pictured in Branchburg, New Jersey

BERLIN (Reuters) - U.S. pharma company Eli Lilly plans to invest 2 billion euros ($2.17 billion) in a new plant in Alzey, western Germany, a source close to the negotiations told Reuters on Thursday.

Separately, people familiar with the plans told Reuters that at least 1,000 jobs would be created.

The company declined to comment.

Reuters had reported on Wednesday that the pharma group intended to invest in Germany after Eli Lilly called a news conference for Friday but few details were available.

($1 = 0.9217 euros)

(Reporting by Andreas Rinke and Rene Wagner; Writing by Madeline Chambers; Editing by Kirsti Knolle and Miranda Murray)
The Elk Grove Water District is putting together a free sign-up event Friday that will provide a leg up for low-income households struggling to pay bills.

The event will help residents apply for assistance through the Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), a federally funded program operated by California Department of Community Services and Development.

The program offers one-time support to help individuals pay past due or current water and sewer bills to their local water service providers.

Staff from the Elk Grove Water District and local nonprofit Community Resource Project, Inc. will be at the water district headquarters, 9829 Waterman Road, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Friday to help eligible residents apply for the financial assistance.

We are proud to be part of this initiative and offer a helping hand to our community members in need, Bruce Kamilos, general manager of Elk Grove Water District, said in a news release.

Kamilos added the event is an opportunity for those in our community struggling to pay their current or past water bills to get some relief.

Walk-ins are welcome, and refreshments will be available, organizers say.

Residents interested in applying for assistance must bring the following information, according to the event description:

 A copy of their birth certificate or green card verifying legal status in the U.S.

 A copy of government-issued photo ID.

 A copy of their current water, wastewater or stormwater bills.

 A copy of the benefit letter for themselves or any member in their household from CalFresh, CalWORKs or Californias Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) within the last 120 days.

 A copy of the total gross monthly income for all household members 18 or older for the last 30 days.

For more information on registration for water bill assistance, residents can visit egwd.org.
American History X

In a deeply disturbing cosign, Twitter-formerly-X owner Elon Musk has publicly agreed with an appalling anti-semitic claim about Jewish people that goes beyond any of his prior flirtations with "anti-woke" bigotry.

The drama started when a small-time account accused "cowards" of "hiding behind the anonymity of the internet and posting 'Hitler was right.'"

"You got something you want to say?" the message continued. "Why don't you say it to our faces"

And because Musk's X is a toxic cesspool, some creep weighed in to do just that.

"Okay," it posted, followed by a barrage of incomprehensible racist garbage accusing Jewish people of "hatred against whites."

"You want truth said to your face," the poster continued, "there it is."

Okay, just another day on the horrible internet. But then the owner of the X weighed in.

"You have said the actual truth," Musk responded to the horrid tweet about "hatred against whites."

A History of Violence

If that sort of vitriol sounds familiar, it's part and parcel of the white supremacist "great replacement" conspiracy theory, which can be best boiled down to the "Jews will not replace us" chant heard during the deadly Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, Virginia back in 2017  as well as a perfect example of how opportunistic racists are twisting the brutal Israel-Palestine conflict to stir up hatred against both Jewish and Muslim people.

While this kind of barely-veiled anti-semitism does appear to be new for the notorious serial entrepreneur, it's far from the first time he's engaged in claims that white people, somehow, are being put at risk by minorities.

As recently as this past summer, the South African-born billionaire echoed the common closeted white supremacist talking point that Black South Africans are "openly pushing for genocide of white people" in his country of origin. That claim, like so many others in this vein, stems from a deliberate misreading of anti-oppression campaigning that does, at times, include violence  in this case, the perpetration attacks on white-owned farms in South Africa that have taken place since the end of the apartheid system of segregation there that upheld the rights of the descendants country's white European colonizers over Black South Africans.

Paired with his anti-woke-ness and his obsession with having a bunch of children, Musk's avowed ascription in everything but word to the great replacement theory makes this latest peek into his belief system seem much less like Isreal-Palestine posturing  which, to be clear, he has also done a bit of recently as well  and more like he's letting his cards show, with a royal flush of white supremacism.

More on Elon Musk: Grimes Says Elon Musk Dodged Child Custody Papers 12 Times
Photo: Ottawa Police Service. Brigitte Cleroux.

A woman facing multiple B.C. fraud-related and assault charges while allegedly impersonating a nurse at BC Women's Hospital has returned to the province and faced a B.C. Supreme Court judge Nov. 15.

Brigitte Denise Cleroux, 41, has appeared mainly in Vancouver Provincial Court via video from Ontario.

Cleroux, dressed in grey prison sweats, sat quietly while lawyers discussed her case with Justice Warren Milman on Wednesday.

She is facing 19 charges in Vancouver of assault, assault with a weapon, fraud over $5,000, using forged documents and impersonation with intent to gain advantage.

Crown prosecutor Daniel Mulligan said Cleroux allegedly impersonated a nurse and treated hundreds of people. He said he was unsure if all those people would be witnesses.

Mulligan also said the case would involve a large amount of medical and staff records.

He alleged that when the hospital became aware she was an imposter, she resigned and moved to Ontario.

On Vancouver Island, Cleroux has been charged with fraud over $5,000, impersonation, use of forged documents and assault in connection with a View Royal medical clinic, RCMP confirmed. The alleged offence took place in 2020.

Further, a court information sworn in Surrey April 27 alleges Cleroux defrauded a man of money in excess of $5,000 between Aug. 24, 2019 and Feb. 29, 2020.

That information further alleges that, between April 5, 2019 and March 4, 2020, Cleroux fraudulently impersonated a woman with intent to gain advantage for herself.

The View Royal and Surrey allegations are not part of the case discussed before Milman.

Vancouver lawyer Guillaume Garih is Clerouxs seventh lawyer, according to court documents.

Garih confirmed before Vancouver Provincial Court Judge Dawn Boblin Nov. 7 that his client would like to enter pleas in provincial court.

On Nov. 15, Garih said Cleroux would like to move ahead to sentencing  not the first time a judge has been told that.

Ms. Cleroux wants this set down for sentencing as soon as possible, Garih told Milman.

Weve been down this road, Mulligan said.

Mulligan asked Milman to appoint a case management judge to handle the complex case and also to keep any resolution discussions on track.

Mulligan said previous such discussion have fallen apart at the eleventh hour as Clerouxs lawyers were either fired or quit.

I dont want to lose months on resolution discussions and lose counsel again, he told Milman.

The prosecutor also expressed fear the case could run up against the so-called Jordan timelines for case lengths set down by the Supreme Court of Canada.

In custody

Cleroux has been in custody since her arrest by Ottawa police in August 2021.

The first B.C. charges were detailed in a Nov. 19, 2021 court information.

The initial charges were approved after the Vancouver Police Department launched a months-long investigation spurred by reports of a BC Womens Hospital employee allegedly fraudulently identifying herself as a nurse between June 2020 and June 2021.

VPDs Financial Crime Unit found a woman had allegedly fraudulently used the name of a real nurse while providing medical care to patients at the hospital.

There are also a number of civil lawsuits pending against Cleroux.

She is due back at provincial court Nov. 16.

Cleroux keeps telling judges there is a publication ban on the case. The only ban on record is one barring publication of bail hearing details.
The News

ADDIS ABABA  As an under-reported conflict escalates in northern Ethiopias Amhara region, the countrys horticulture sector looks set to become a major economic casualty.

Currently the worlds fifth largest exporter of flowers, industry insiders said the country will likely experience a major slump in productivity due to dangerous skirmishes between federal troops and local militants in the countrys second most populous region. The sector generated over $650 million in revenue in 2022, according to the countrys horticulture association.

Ethiopias industry is expected to be hit particularly harshly during the busy holiday season set to start next month as activities at the majority of local flower plantations have stalled.

Know More

Last year, Ethiopia exported 2.7 million kilograms of flowers to the European market during Valentines Day alone and the bulk of them were fresh-cut roses. The busy season occurs from December until June especially for celebratory occasions such as Christmas, Valentines and Mothers Day in Western countries.

At the beginning of the conflict in the Amhara region in August, the Amhara regional government said it had lost up to $45 million, mostly from flower exports, alongside massive layoffs.

The Ethiopian Horticulture Producer Exporters Association (EHPEA) has demanded compensation from the federal government which is itself already reeling from a fiscal crisis, as a result of damages incurred during the ongoing conflict.

The flower growers have also complained over spiraling insecurity and a hostile business environment, endangering their operations in the volatile northern parts of Ethiopia.

EHPEAs executive director, Tewodros Zewdie, told Semafor Africa the flower export business had made a significant contribution to Ethiopias economy pointing out it is only second to coffee in revenue terms. He claimed the sector had created more than 200,000 direct and indirect jobs to the local economy.

Samuels view

The Ethiopian government had placed high hopes on its export sectors as part of its Growth and Transformation Plan to make the Horn of Africa nation a middle-income economy by 2025. Part of the plan was to attract foreign investors and industries, such as European flower companies by offering them duty free access, loans and subsidized electricity and water in order to create jobs and reduce poverty.

The Ethiopian flower export business has witnessed a sharp growth in the last decade with some of the worlds best flower businesses operating farms across the country with these subsidies and low cost labor being a contributing factor.

In the last three years, some of the leading foreign investors in meat and textile export business have exited Ethiopia amid various conflicts, shortage of foreign currency, and the countrys ejection from the favorable Africa Growth Opportunity Act (AGOA) trade pact with the United States over human rights violation during the civil war in the Tigray region.

There is fear here the flower farmers might follow. In 2016 and 2020, at the height of political crisis and uprising against the government in Addis Ababa, a number of flower farms in the Oromia region were destroyed and forced to close shop temporarily.
Wopke Hoekstra, the EU climate commissioner, speaks to journalists at the Delegation of the EU to China compound in Beijing on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. The European Union's top climate official said Thursday that China should stop building new coal-fired power plants and contribute to a global fund to help poor countries impacted by climate change. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

BEIJING (AP)  The European Union's top climate official said Thursday that China should stop building new coal-fired power plants and contribute to a global fund to help poor countries affected by climate change.

Wopke Hoekstra, the EU climate commissioner, raised both issues in what he called intensive and open conversations with his Chinese counterparts ahead of U.N. climate talks opening in Dubai at the end of this month.

Europe and the U.S. have been arguing that wealthier emerging economies such as China and Saudi Arabia should also give money to the fund. Hoekstra said that what is true for the European Union and North America should be true for any country in a position of economic and geopolitical strength.

And that means driving down emissions and doing your fair share in covering the bill for those who cannot, he said.

Given the magnitude of the problem, every single country with the ability to pay and the ability to contribute should contribute, he said.

A statement issued by Chinas environment ministry did not address the climate fund for poor countries. It said that Ecology and Environment Minister Huang Runqiu told Hoekstra that he is looking forward to working with the EU for a successful U.N. climate meeting. Success would help build a fair, reasonable, cooperative and win-win system to address climate change, he said.

Hoekstra welcomed recent moves by the Chinese government to begin to address methane gas emissions, another greenhouse gas, though he said more needs to be done.

China released a methane gas action plan last week and a joint U.S.-China climate statement issued this week included an agreement to work collectively on the methane issue.

Separately, European Union negotiators reached a deal this week to reduce methane emissions from the energy industry across the 27-nation bloc. Coal mines and oil and gas fields are major sources of the emissions, which experts say are the second biggest cause of climate change after carbon dioxide.

China has been on a coal power plant construction binge, particularly following electricity shortages in some parts of the country's south during a heatwave and drought in the summer of 2022.

Even though at times of scarcity, you might need to scale up a bit, that is a far cry from building new coal capacity, Hoekstra said. That is of course something we would rather not see and about which we are critical.

___

Follow APs climate and environment coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/climate-and-environment
The European Commission could launch an infringement procedure against Poland if the Polish authorities do not resolve the problem of hauliers blocking border crossings with Ukraine.

Source: a journalist from Polish radio station RMF FM in Brussels, reported by European Pravda

Details: The European Commission has noted that the Polish authorities are obliged to ensure the flow of goods from Ukraine through the so-called solidarity corridors. A European Commission representative told RMF FM that the Polish authorities have an obligation under EU law to ensure the free movement of Ukrainian trucks at border crossings.

Some in the European Commission believe that the Polish authorities are not doing as much as they could to solve the problem and end the Polish hauliers protest, and Brussels is clearly losing patience.

RMF FM has learned from unofficial sources that the European Commission is considering whether the Polish authorities have breached the EU regulation on trade liberalisation with Ukraine, which was recently extended until June 2024. The European Commission must now examine the legal grounds for launching an infringement procedure.

Officially, the EC does not wish to comment on measures it may take against the Polish authorities, since it states that talks with Poland and Ukraine are ongoing.

Quote from the European Commission representative: "The European Commission is still in contact with the authorities of both countries. We cannot comment on potential measures as talks are ongoing."

Background:

Dozens of Polish hauliers began blocking three border crossings with Ukraine on 6 November. Their demands include the introduction of commercial permits for Ukrainian companies to transport goods, except for humanitarian aid and supplies for the Ukrainian military, the suspension of licences for companies established after the start of the full-scale war in Ukraine, and inspections of these companies.

On 13 November, Polish road hauliers said the latest talks with Ukrainian officials had failed to end the dispute, so they will continue blocking the border with Ukraine.

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(Bloomberg) --

Most Read from Bloomberg

A free-trade agreement between Australia and the European Union looks unlikely before Europes election season in mid-2024, Trade Minister Don Farrell said, pushing back any potential deal to the second half of the year.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco, Farrell said Australia is still enthusiastic to seal a trade accord with the EU, but the gap between the two sides had been too great to reach any agreement at meetings in Osaka in October.

The minister said both sides had agreed to continue negotiating. That becomes more difficult because the Europeans now go into their electoral cycle and, to be honest with you, Im not sure that well necessarily finalize anything between now and when the elections occur, he said in an interview.

Australia and the EU have been negotiating a free trade pact for more than five years and although most of the deal has been ticked off, disagreement in a few critical areas has delayed it. Canberra wants greater export quotas for its agricultural exports  including beef and mutton  in return for EU demands that Australia remove geographical locators on produce such as prosecco and feta.

European negotiators said they were shocked when Australia walked away from talks in Osaka, the second breakdown in a matter of months, claiming Farrells demands went beyond what had been discussed previously.

However, the Australian side said it had been clear it would only sign an agreement that benefited both Australia and our European friends.

Farrell said the EU is important to Australias trade diversification strategy, adding the bloc is a trillion-dollar economy with more than 450 million people.

Weve said all along, it has to be a good deal for Australia. And we havent reached that point yet, he said. But Im an optimist.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
FRISCO, Texas - Theres been a social media push and a network of communication throughout a hospital system in an urgent move to find a donor to help save the life of a doctor who has been dedicated to saving the lives of children for more than a decade.

"I feel like a lot of people have that servants heart and want to help any way they can, and this is a really easy way to do that," hospital staff member Pamela Billingsley said.

Cook Childrens Pediatrician Dr. Danny Kim was recently diagnosed with leukemia and hes in urgent need of a blood stem cell transplant.

His colleagues and the public showed up to get swabbed in a parking lot screening event called, Be the Match."

Dr. Kim is Korean, something hospital officials say has narrowed his donor pool. Thus far, a search has not yielded success.

"You have to be under the age of 40, so theres a specific age range which limits the possibilities, and then with his heritage, that as well limits some of the possibilities we have, so were trying to expand the network of folks that could be an option for him," said Dr. Matthew Dzurik, president of Cook Childrens Physicians Network.

An inspiring show of support came from the families of children who are patients at the hospital.

"When Cook says jump, my attitude is, how high?" Caroline Poe said.

Poes 7-year-old son lives with autism and other challenges. She heard about the effort to help Dr. Kim.

"My attitude is that this hospital serves us so well that when were in the community called upon to serve the hospital, its a simple yes," Poe explained.

"Without the bone marrow transplant, there is a significant chance he may not do well. So at Cook Childrens, in the community, we wanted to open up that knowledge base and to everybody in the DFW community," Dr. Dzurik said. "I would say you dont have to be a physician or medical provider to try and save a life here, whether its for Dr. Kim or somebody else."
Photo: Canucks Autism Network screenshot. William Lorne MacDonald has agreed to not apply to practice law anywhere in the world without first notifying theA Law Society of BC.

The Law Society of BC has reached a settlement with North Vancouver securities lawyer William Lorne MacDonald, who has agreed to a 15-year suspension after admitting he allowed his law firm to be used as a vehicle for offshore stock fraud schemes.

In a statement posted online Nov. 15, the society said MacDonald admitted that in the course of acting for several clients, he continued to allow the use of his trust account where he ought to have known it was being used to facilitate unlawful or dishonest conduct.

MacDonald assisted his clients in a fraudulent scheme to manipulate the U.S. stock market and then made representations to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission that he ought to have known were false or inaccurate.

MacDonald admitted he moved money through his trust account without providing any legal services and without making reasonable inquiries about the circumstances of the transactions.

In Canada, due to charter-protected solicitor-client privilege, lawyers trust accounts are not regulated by Fintrac, the national financial transactions agency that enforces the Proceeds of Crime (Money Laundering) and Terrorist Financing Act. As a result, it is up to the society to police trust accounts and ultimately uphold the integrity of the legal system.

MacDonald also agreed to not apply to practice law anywhere in the world without first notifying the society. And should the lawyer, who has practiced since 1999, choose to reapply for a licence he must demonstrate he is of good character and fitness to practice law via a credentials hearing.

MacDonald was not fined by the society.

The law society recognizes that misconduct by lawyers that facilitates securities fraud poses significant risks to the public, and takes such matters very seriously. The law society appreciates the cooperation of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in this investigation, the statement reads.

MacDonald admitted he moved money through corporate offshore accounts, including the British Virgin Islands and Hong Kong in objectively suspicious circumstances, according to the admission of misconduct and undertaking.

In many instances, MacDonald would incorporate companies without properly verifying identification.

MacDonalds citation specifically references the movement of about US$3.5 million and just over C$420,000 through his accounts for the transactions in question.

MacDonald first attempted to keep the citation from public scrutiny by applying to the society for an anonymization order; however, a society hearing panel ruled Jan. 30 there were no grounds to justify the application.

Part of his stated reason was to shield scrutiny of the Canucks Autism Network, for which he was the chair of the board of directors. The charitys website shows MacDonald is no longer on the board.

The society said the companies and charity have an interest in knowing of the allegations. The society also noted MacDonalds role in the companies and the charity do not outweigh the public interest in publication.

MacDonald is a prolific participant in Vancouvers investment industry, working as a director or legal consultant of dozens of junior public companies since being called to the B.C. bar in 1999. The society states he has recently wound down his practice (at MacDonald Tuskey) and closed the firms physical office. The firm no longer has an online presence, as well.
Penny Pritzker, US Special Representative for Ukraines Recovery, who recently visited Kyiv, has several functions she fulfils.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda with reference to a source in diplomatic circle and a source in the government

Details: The Ukrainska Pravdas article reads that Pritzker has been appointed to coordinate processes between various US agencies and structures that provide support to Ukraine.

Quote from the diplomatic source: "There are quite a few departments and ministries dealing with this topic in the US. Pritzker will push them, because they used to spend a lot of time on inter-institutional approvals. And often, the positions of the Department of Treasury and the Department of Commerce differ, and USAID has a different position as well. That is why the emergence of such a figure as a special representative of the president can really help us.

...Pritzker is very active. Therefore, she will have three main tasks. The first is to coordinate all the American institutions involved in Ukraine's recovery. Second, she will be the main contact and coordinator of work with the G7. And third, she will be the main contact person for renovation matters with Ukraine itself."

More details: Pritzker came to Ukraine in October to fulfil the third function.

Quote from the source in the government: "Penny will try to coordinate the work in such a way that every dollar of their assistance gives us the maximum payback for now. This is her main task."

Background: Penny Pritzker, US Special Representative for Ukraines Recovery, suggested that officials imagine how the country could survive economically without US aid during her first visit to Ukraine.

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FILE PHOTO: Luxembourg's Finance Minister Frieden talks to the media during a euro zone finance ministers meeting in Luxembourg

BRUSSELS (Reuters) - Luxembourg's former finance minister Luc Frieden will become the country's new prime minister, leading a government coalition of his Christian democratic party and the liberal party of former Prime Minister Xavier Bettel.

Frieden's Christian Social People's Party (CSV), Luxembourg's long-dominant centre-right party, won the election last month, leaving the former coalition of liberals, socialists and greens without a majority.

After nearly six weeks of negotiations, the CSV on Thursday signed a coalition agreement with Bettel's Democratic Party.

In the new government, Bettel will take on the role of foreign affairs minister, after leading Luxembourg for 10 years. Gilles Roth (CSV) was named as new finance minister.

The coalition holds a majority of 35 seats in the 60-seat Luxembourg parliament.

(Reporting by Marine Strauss and Bart Meijer; Editing by Gareth Jones and Sharon Singleton)
ST. LOUIS  A St. Louis woman and former U.S. Postal Service admitted to stealing checks from the mail and depositing them in her own account during a federal court hearing Wednesday.

Porcia Rhodes, 27, pleaded guilty to one count of bank fraud and one count of mail theft by a USPS employee. She was originally charged with four counts of bank fraud.

St. Louis police warn of surge in carjackings and break-ins

Prosecutors claim Rhodes committed the crimes between July 26, 2022, and Sept. 22, 2022, replacing the payees name on the check with her own and depositing the checks with a mobile device.

An indictment alleges Rhodes altered and deposited or attempted to deposit 21 checks totaling more than $5,000. According to her plea agreement, Rhodes said she intercepted a birthday card containing a $500 check that a Troy, Illinois, woman was trying to mail to her grandson in Florida.

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Rhodes is expected to be sentenced on Feb. 12, 2024. She could face up to 30 years in federal prison and a $1 million fine on bank fraud charges. The theft charge carries a sentence of up to five years and a $250,000 fine.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
From the G-File on The Dispatch

Hi,

Let me explain why I think calls for a ceasefire are so misguided and, in some cases, grotesquely evil.

Lets start with the evil grotesquerie. On October 6, there was a ceasefire. Even that is generousto Hamas. The terrorist group had been firing rockets into Israel prior to October 7. All Israel did was shoot them out of the sky as best it could.

Then on October 7, Hamas launched a massive invasion into Israel, raping, murdering, and torturing men, women, and children. They butchered the young and old, at least one pregnant woman, and gleefully slaughtered children in front of their parents and parents in front of their children. They stole babies to use as bargaining chips and human shields.

Among the immediate responses from Israel haters and Jew haters alike was to demand that Israel not retaliate. For instance, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for an immediate ceasefire at 3:37 p.m. on October 7, about 40 minutes after Ilhan Omar did. At least they deplored the violence. Others celebrated it and reserved their anger for the Jews and friends of Jews who were dared to be offended by the slaughter of Jews.

Indeed, calls for a ceasefire intensified before Israelis did much of anything other than kill terrorists still in the process of kidnapping, butchering, and raping on Israeli soil. Never mind whatever cockamamie theory of resistance to colonial settlerism you subscribe to. These were crimes. The only possible sense in which they are not war crimes is that war crimes are constructs of international agreements and Hamas adheres to no treaties or conventions that make war crime a relevant term. But by any definition they were acts of barbarism and terrorism.

So when you say that Israel should turn the other cheekan ironic demand for the Jewish stateyoure in effect saying, Shut up Jews. You deserve it. This is all the more the case because Hamas leaders said in the days after the pogrom that theyd do it all over again and again until Israel was purged from the river to the sea. And, again, outright Hamas defenders and tacit enablers, said almost immediately that any response from Israel was unjustified and genocide.

Now, you can hate the fact that Israel exists and you can have boundless empathy for Palestinians. You can assign blame for their plight however you like. But if you argue that Israel should be forced not to respond, you are objectively arguing that Hamas behavior should be rewarded. Youre also implicitly arguing a lot of other horrendous things. But lets stay on point.

Amazingly, there are Very Serious People who think that Hamas should not be bound to any of the requirements of the laws of war, but they should benefit from all of them. Forget how morally depraved this is. Its suicidally stupid. For rules to work, there need to be incentives to adhere to them. If you argue that terrorists should automatically be granted all of the protections of the rules without any obligation to conform to them, you are arguing that alls fair for our enemies but not ourselves. And yet, Israel observes the rules, in part because it wants to be a good and decent country and in part because it understands that it will always be held to the short end of the double standard anyway.

Russia vs. Hamas.

It should not be controversial to note that America and the civilized world have a tangible interest in saying Hamas behavior should not be rewarded. One of the most amazing things about todays debate is how so many of the people calling for a ceasefire understand this point when it comes to Russias invasion of Ukraineand how many of the people opposing an Israeli ceasefire dont understand this point when it comes to Russia.

The Russians are raping, torturing, and murdering, too. Russia, too, wants to erase Ukraine from the map. At least their behavior can be called a war crime because Russia is a nominal signatory to various conventions covering the rules of war. But the basic point is the same. Illegally crossing borders to rape, murder, and commit genocide is something we dont want to countenance or encourage.

I always want to ask the nice folks who support aiding Ukraine but blanche at supporting Israel to imagine if politicians and whole faculties had demanded that the Ukrainians agree to a ceasefire the day or week after Russia invaded. Imagine if all around the world various radical ghouls and academic gargoyles proclaimed that they were ecstatic over the invasion and insisted that Ukrainian Americans should be bullied and shamed for expressing support for Ukrainian resistance to Putin. Imagine if they tore down Missing posters of the thousands of Ukrainian children stolen by Russia as provocation and propaganda.

Im a big fan of norms and I get a lot of grief for it. Well, there are international norms too. And one of them is that when a country is attackedbrutally and criminallyit has not only a right but an obligation to defend itself. If you can understand that principle when it comes to Ukraine, but not Israel, or vice versa, then you dont actually understand, or subscribe to, the principle.

The motivations arent perfectly symmetrical, but they are both sufficiently villainous. If youre against cross-border illegal atrocities when Ukrainians are the victims, but not when Israelis are, you are objectively for such atrocities against Zionists. Thats morally grotesque. I dont think (most of) the people who are blase about Putins invasion subscribe to the anti-Ukrainian equivalent of antisemitism or anti-Zionism. But the people who make apologies for Putins crimes are guilty of utter indifference to Ukrainian lives and Ukrainian national dignity. They implicitly think that Putin has a right to destroy Ukraine and Ukrainians.

Letting either Putin or Hamas get away with their evil is not just morally wrong: Its not in our interest.

Which brings me to the merely misguided but well-intentioned folks who think theyre taking the courageous moral high road by calling for a ceasefire.

I dont begrudge people who look at the carnage in Gaza and recoil in horror. I share that horror. I suspect the casualties are inflated by Hamas, but theres no disputing that thousands of innocent Gazans have been killed in the crossfire. But Hamas wants it that way. Theyve shot people trying to get out of harms way because they were leaving Hamas terrorists exposed. They use schools and hospitals as weapons depots, bunkers, and most crucially, as shields. This is a war crime. You know what isnt a war crime? Firing upon military positions. And when you use such facilities as military assets they are  military assets according to the laws of war.

But Hamas knowsfrom years of experiencethat this tactic works. They know that people of good will as well as vast cadres of Israel-haters in the media, at the U.N., and elsewhere, will come to their defense, saying that nothing justifies shooting at a school or a hospital. I get it. But taking this position basically means that Hamas should be allowed to get away with war crimes.

Whats your answer?

This raises the fundamental question: Do you think it should be against the law to use hospitals and schools as weapons depots and terrorist bases? Or forget law. Do you think the norm of not using children as human shields is one we should encourage? If your answer is no, okay, cool. We can have a really interesting talk about your nihilism and barbarity. If your answer is yes, then you need to answer the question: What, exactly, should Israel do?

And dont change the subject to stuff about a two-state solution or some time-machine-requiring nonsense about going back to 1948 and doing something different. Right now: What should Israel do, on the ground? I know the answer from the people who support or dismiss what Hamas did on October 7. But if youre someone who grants that Israel has a right and obligation to ensure that Hamas doesnt get its way and commit more such atrocities, what do you think Israel should do?

This is a practical, real-world military question. Under the laws of war, Israel would arguably be within its rights to simply carpet bomb Gaza, or at least Al Shifa hospital if it is the command center for Hamas (as it almost surely is). If Hitlers bunker was in a hospital in 1945, you can be sure we would have flattened it from the air (no doubt after dropping leafletsjust as Israel has). But Israel has not done that. Nor should it do anything of the sort. They sent troops incarrying incubators by the wayto minimize collateral damage.

If you have some military insight, some greater grasp of tactics than the IDF or the Pentagon, I am honestly interested in what this better way is.

But none of these people offer any such solutions to the very real problem of Hamas using Palestinian babies to protect their murderers and rapists. Theyd prefer to reward Hamas policy of using civilians to protect their terrorists and condemn Israels policy of using soldiers to protect civilians. Theyd rather pretend that blame for these tragic casualties is Israels alone.

If the misguided got their way, Hamas would do it all again. And, no doubt, the righteously misguided would once again call upon Israel to show restraint in response to rape and slaughter until, finally, the champions of outright evil won. At which point the merely misguided people would surely say they never actually intended for Hamas to get its final solution to the problem of Israel. And that would probably be true. It would also be true that they did nothing to prevent it.

Click here for more coverage of the Israel-Hamas war.

Read more at The Dispatch

The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free.
(AP/WJW)  Workers at several Starbucks locations across Northeast Ohio went on strike today.

They join thousands of workers at more than 200 U.S. Starbucks stores who plan to walk off the job Thursday in what organizers say is the largest strike yet in the two-year-old effort to unionize the companys stores.

FOX 8 Photo

FOX 8 Photo

FOX 8 Photo



The Workers United union chose Starbucks annual Red Cup Day to stage the walkout since its usually one of the busiest days of the year. Starbucks expects to give away thousands of reusable cups Thursday to customers who order holiday drinks.

Northeast Ohio strike locations include Strongsville, Mansfield, and Crocker Park. FOX 8 is told the stores are still open and staffed with managers.

A miracle: Bus drivers heroic actions in fatal crash

We are here to let everybody know that we are understaffed, they are cutting our hours they are not willing to hire anybody, we just want to be treated as humans, said Lis Kammiller outside the Crocker Park Starbucks location. We are just making our voice be heard. We just have simple demands. We just want them to come to our table to discuss what our needs are and to just be heard.

The union said it was expecting more than 5,000 workers to take part in its Red Cup Rebellion. Around 30 stores also staged walkouts on Wednesday.

Neha Cremin, a Starbucks barista in Oklahoma City, said she was striking to protest understaffing in stores, especially during promotions like Red Cup Day. Cremin said workers are already overwhelmed filling delivery orders, drive-thru orders, mobile orders and in-store orders; promotions add another layer of stress.

Understaffing hurts workers and also creates an unpleasant experience for customers, Cremin said. Starbucks has made it clear that they wont listen to workers, so were advocating for ourselves by going on strike.

Emerson poll: Would you vote for Trump or Biden in 24?

Thursdays strike was the fifth major labor action by Starbucks workers since a store in Buffalo, New York, became the first to unionize in late 2021. Workers at 110 stores walked out last year on Red Cup Day; most recently, a strike in June protested reports that Starbucks had removed Pride displays from its stores.

But the strikes have had little impact on Starbucks sales. For its 2023 fiscal year, which ended Oct. 1, Starbucks reported its revenue rose 12%, to a record $36.0 billion.

Starbucks downplayed any potential impact of the strike Wednesday, saying it would occur at a small subset of the companys 9,600 company-owned U.S. stores.

We remain committed to working with all partners, side-by-side, to elevate the everyday, and we hope that Workers Uniteds priorities will shift to include the shared success of our partners and negotiating contracts for those they represent, Starbucks said in a statement.

At least 363 company-operated Starbucks stores in 41 states have voted to unionize since late 2021. The Starbucks effort was at the leading edge of a period of labor activism that has also seen strikes by Amazon workers, auto workers and Hollywood writers and actors. At least 457,000 workers have participated in 315 strikes in the U.S. just this year, according to Johnnie Kallas, a Ph.D. candidate and the project director of Cornell Universitys Labor Action Tracker.

Starbucks opposes the unionization effort and has yet to reach a labor agreement with any of the stores that have voted to unionize. The process has been contentious; regional offices with the National Labor Relations Board have issued 111 complaints against Starbucks for unfair labor practices, including refusal to bargain. Starbucks says Workers United is refusing to schedule bargaining sessions.

Starbucks noted that it has started bargaining with the Teamsters union, which organized a Starbucks store outside of Pittsburgh in June 2022. However, the two sides have not reached a labor agreement. The Teamsters didnt say Wednesday whether workers at the unionized store would also be striking.

Relations between Starbucks and Workers United have grown increasingly tense. Last month, Starbucks sued Workers United, saying a pro-Palestinian post on a union account damaged its reputation and demanding that the union stop using the name Starbucks Workers United. Workers United responded with its own lawsuit, saying Starbucks defamed the union by suggesting it supports terrorism and violence.

Starbucks issued the following statement to FOX 8 News:



We are aware that Workers United has publicized a day of action at a small subset of our U.S. stores today. We remain committed to working with all partners, side-by-side, to elevate the everyday, and we hope that Workers Uniteds priorities will shift to include the shared success of our partners and working to negotiate contracts for those they represent.



Starbucks has a long history of surprising and delighting our customers with periodic offers and promotions such as Double Star Days, Thurs-yays, and Red Cup Day.



We understand that these promotional days may change store patterns and traffic, and thats why our retail leaders have the flexibility to build and adjust staffing schedules to reflect the unique and dynamic needs of each store  balancing store resources and expected customer demand to ensure partners (employees) are on the floor when theyre needed most. Notably, our store schedules are created three weeks in advance with our partners availability and preferences at the forefront and our stores are often provided additional labor hours to augment staffing in support of planned promotional days.



Starbucks is dedicated to partner-centric scheduling and providing partners with hours that align with their individual needs and preferences is a top priority. This is reflected in Starbucks commitment to diligently create work schedules that carefully balance the availability of our partners with the staffing needs of individual stores. To achieve this, Starbucks collects a range of preferred, minimum, and maximum hours to build a complete picture of partner preferences and assist store managers in scheduling and managing their workforce. This improved scheduling protocol will enable partners to contribute to the personalization of their ideal schedules. Together, these efforts will help Starbucks improve the stability, flexibility, and consistency of schedules.



We call on Workers United to respond to our invitations to bargain contracts for the stores they represent  Workers United hasnt agreed to meet to progress contract bargaining in more than five months.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
A recent study found that human children absolutely crush AI tools in basic problem-solving and thinking tasks, with scientists determining that AI has one serious blind spot: innovation.

The study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Berkeley and published in the journal Perspectives on Psychological Science, provides a fascinating glimpse into the ability  or lack thereof  of currently available large language model (LLM) programs to produce truly novel ideas. Trained on countless gigabytes of human-created data, AI tools are incredibly good at predictive, statistics-centered tasks. After all, AI isn't human, but it's tasked with imitating them, and imitation inherently contradicts truly fresh, imaginative, and inventive thinking.

But while this talent for copycatting and pattern-finding makes AI programs good at certain tasks, it apparently makes them really bad at others that are extremely rudimentary. Human children, on the other hand? Unlike the AIs, their innovative problem-solving skills were spot on  suggesting that there's a bit more to human comprehension and reasoning than the mass-guzzling of internet-scraped data can replicate (at least for now, AI boosters might argue).

The study focused heavily on tool use, particularly tool innovation, as a means to test problem-solving skills in its subjects. Tool innovation, as the researchers put it, "can involve designing new tools from scratch, but it can also refer to discovering and using old tools in new ways to solve novel problems."

In other words, the ability to innovate doesn't just mean inventing a new object, like a lightbulb or an airplane. It also means being able to use existing tools in unconventional ways. And so, to test each group's innovation abilities, the researchers presented several AI models  a list that included the likes of OpenAI's GPT-4 and GPT-3.5 Turbo, Anthropic's Claude, and Google's FLAN-T5, among others  as well several children, all aged three to seven, with a "series of problems in which a goal has to be executed in the absence of the typical tool."

In one such test, for example, the researchers asked subjects to draw a circle  simple enough! But rather than provide a more conventional circle-drawing tool, like a compass or a stencil, participants were given the choice to use either a ruler, a teapot, or a stove to accomplish the task. The study found that 85 percent of the time, children chose correctly, opting for the round-based teapot to serve as a makeshift stencil for their task.

The resource-chugging AIs, meanwhile, kept reaching for the ruler; the only program that came close to the kids' success was GPT-4, which had a 76 percent success rate.

That the AIs continued to opt for the ruler is notable. To most humans, apparently even children, the ruler is obviously not helpful for this specific goal, given its famously straight edges. But again, AI is predictive, and in the provided options, a ruler is the only object conventionally used to draw some shapes. Teapots, meanwhile, are made for  well, tea. So, by the AI's logic, the ruler makes the most sense.

"Discovering novel functions in everyday tools is not about finding the statistically nearest neighbor from lexical co-occurrence patterns," the researchers write. "Rather, it is about appreciating the more abstract functional analogies and causal relationships between objects that do not necessarily belong to the same category or are associated in text."

The AIs also fell flat in a test of the ability to infer novel causal structures, meaning the capability to explore new cause-and-effect means of achieving certain goals.

Per the study, the researchers introduced each group to a virtual "blicket detector," a silly object that lights up and plays music when placed on certain objects, and not on others. Why something is or isn't a blicket doesn't necessarily make sense, but that's kind of the point  the goal is to test whether an AI or child can make studied observations about an event, and infer a cause-and-effect from their experiments and observations.

Once again, during these tests, the human kids excelled, with the researchers writing that "even 4-year-old children spontaneously acted on the systems and discovered their structure  they figured out which ones were blickets and used them to make the machine go." Conversely, according to the study, the AIs "struggled to produce the relevant causal structures, even after massive amounts of training compared with children."

There are some caveats to the study, most notably the fact that it's difficult to measure and compare human cognition against that of AI when malleable concepts like "intelligence" don't have widely agreed-upon definitions.

But the research is fascinating, and may well bolster the notion that though AI models have been largely designed in the human brain's image  not to mention trained on countless human outputs  their reasoning processes remain inherently different from that of human beings. Similar in some ways, sure, but certainly not the same. And as we move forward in this nascent AI era, understanding those differences may prove essential for knowing where and how to use AI  and where it may not be so useful after all.

"Although we do not know the details of childrens learning algorithms or data," wrote the researchers, "we do know that, unlike large language and language-and-vision models, children are curious, active, self-supervised, and intrinsically motivated."

More on AI: GPT-5 Is Officially on the Way, OpenAI Says
Theres a new warning for dog owners about a mysterious illness thats spreading nationwide and in some cases has turned deadly.

Kevin Snekvik, the Executive Director of the Washington Animal Disease Diagnostic Lab at Washington State University said researchers are still trying to find out what is causing this disease.

The first reports came from Oregon where there are currently more than 100 incidents. Snekvik said the disease is highly contagious, meaning it can spread easily among dogs.

He said dog owners need to be aware of symptoms and pay close attention to their pets.

Your dog will run a fever and they wont feel good, theyll become lethargic meaning they want to lie around more when normally theyd be wanting to play outside and play, and like you mentioned the coughing part of it, if that becomes more productive more of a wet cough, like a hacking cough, Sekvik said.

He said if your dog experiences any of these symptoms you should take them to the vet and make sure to get sampling done so it can be sent to a state lab for testing.

What were seeing is respiratory disease so again the coughing, dogs not feeling well, and presenting as kind of a kennel cough, he said.

Snekvik also recommends that people avoid dog parks or congregating with other dogs they dont know.

With her energy levels I cant necessarily go without coming to this and shes a very social dog, Kelsey Moburg, a dog owner, told KIRO 7. Its a little worrying.

Snekvik also said he recommends owners avoid boarding pets for the holidays if they can.

It sounds like he might be coming to Indianapolis with me for a couple of weeks for the holidays, Emma Green said about bringing her dog, Duncan, along for her holiday travels.
Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis on Wednesday asked a judge to revoke the bond of one of former President Donald Trumps co-defendants in the sprawling election interference case after accusing him of intimidating witnesses.

Willis asked Judge Scott McAfee to revoke the bond of Harrison Floyd, who previously led a group called Black Voices for Trump, according to The New York Times. Floyd was charged in the RICO indictment along with Trump and 17 others after he pressured election worker Ruby Freeman to falsely say she played a role in the debunked election fraud claimed by TrumpWorld.

Willis team in a motion citing Floyds hostile social media posts attacking Freeman, former Trump lawyer Jenna Ellis, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and others in an effort to intimidate co-defendants and witnesses.

In one Nov. 8 tweet, Floyd warned that Raffensperger needs to call his lawyer because hes about to go through some things!

Does this sound like Ruby Freeman is being PRESSURED? he wrote six days later, posting a video of Freeman on a police body camera.

Prosecutors asked the judge to revoke Floyds bond, which could potentially send him back to jail, calling the posts intentional and flagrant violations of the conditions of release.

"Witness Ruby Freeman has been a frequent target of the Defendant's intimidating communications," the DA's motion reads. "Because of and in response to the Defendant's intimidating communications, witness Ruby Freeman has been the subject of renewed threats of violence from third parties."

Floyds attorney disputed that the posts violated his clients bond conditions.

"There's no violation of any bond," attorney Christopher Kachouroff told WXIA-TV. "Are some of the things borderline untasteful? Sure. But nothing that would overtly violate the order."

Legal experts questioned why Willis went after Floyd but not Trump, who has repeatedly lashed out at witnesses and co-defendants on Truth Social.

Equal treatment? asked former federal prosecutor Andrew Weissmann, who served on special counsel Bob Muellers team. Let's say you agree with the below motion to revoke Floyd's bail, how is it that the same motion has not been made as to defendant Donald J. Trump, who has engaged in at least as threatening conduct and indirect communications as that alleged against Floyd?

Weissmann later told MSNBC that Floyds conduct largely pales in comparison to what Trump has done.

It's hard to see how you bring it against Mr. Floyd and not against Donald Trump, with the threat and a risk of violence is far greater based upon the words that he has used, he said.

Some experts believe that Willis may have been sending Trump a message with the motion.

Perhaps DA Willis is angling to set a precedent for  someone else? tweeted conservative attorney George Conway.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

There's a secondary audience for this motion, and he's running to be President of the United States, agreed former U.S. Attorney Harry Litman.

Former U.S. Attorney Barb McQuade told MSNBC that Willis and judges are giving Trump a slightly longer leash because he is running for president and so that he can respond in the public arena to these charges against him.

But Trump also says all kinds of things about people, including about people who might be witnesses or might be co-defendants, she said. I think Fani Willis has to be careful not to be seen as holding herself to double standards, she added.
Qatar's F-15QA has been showing off like no variant of the F-15 before it at the Dubai Airshow this week.

Qatar's F-15QA Advanced Eagle has made its formal public debut in style this week. Unburdened by any stores, without its conformal fuel tanks , and with the help of its advanced fly-by-wire technology and its pair of powerful F110-GE-129 engines, the big jet has been wowing the crowds at the Dubai Airshow in the United Arab Emirates.

Check out the F-15QA demo for yourself:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ar6f4Pw3UHs

Jason "Mongoose" Dotter, an F-15 experimental test pilot, and Mike "Houdini" Quintini, an F-15 flight test weapon systems operator, both of whom are employed by the jet's manufacturer Boeing, have been in the front and back seats for the demos in Dubai. The Qatari Emiri Air Force currently has a fleet of 36 F-15QAs, the aircraft being locally nicknamed Ababil  understood here to mean 'peregrine falcon,' but a word that is also often frequently translated into English as 'swallow.' The announcement that the last five examples had been delivered came just in August . You can read much more about this impressive fighter in our previous deep dive on the F-15QA.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuyPY0ImzQA

Qatar's F-15QA is derived from the F-15SA Advanced Eagle for Saudi Arabia and subsequently served as the basis for the F-15EX Eagle II for the U.S. Air Force. It is the most advanced variant of the F-15 flying operationally in the world today.

The F-15QA is the second in the Eagle family to feature a fly-by-wire system, which was first included on the F-15SA. What this means at its most basic level is that when the pilot moves the stick or rudder pedals, a computer processes the inputs and then tells the plane's control surfaces what to do. This is a huge capability advancement that helps optimize performance in most flight regimes and provides added margins of safety, allowing pilots to push the jet to its limit with fewer risks. It allows for the kind of flying that has been on display in Dubai, which would not be possible  at least without major risk  with older versions of the F-15 that use a hybrid traditional hydro-mechanical control system paired with a Control Augmentation System (CAS). CAS provided automatic fine-tuning and filtering for the Eagle's flight control system, but was a far cry from a fully digital fly-by-wire setup.

https://twitter.com/BoeingDefense/status/1724308837723779479

Qatar's F-15QAs have other improvements over older Eagles , including a new low-profile heads-up display (HUD) and a single digital multi-functional large area display underneath, as can be seen in the screen grab from a Boeing promotional video below.

Boeing capture

The F-15QA has been seen flying on many occasions since the type first took to the skies with an extremely high-angle Viking takeoff at full afterburner back in 2020. Still, the routine performed at the Dubai Airshow has been more intense than anything seen from this version of the F-15 in the past.

The display routine the F-15QA has been flying in Dubai includes "a tailslide, abrupt pulls, and extreme high-alpha flying," according to a social media post from the This is Flight airshow e-magazine , which also posted the video of the demo seen at the top of this article.

"Normally you would expect an aircraft to slow down as it goes into the vertical, but as you can see, it's [the F-15QA] gone straight up, it's maintained the same power all the way through [the loop]," a narrator at the Dubai Air Show can be heard explaining in the clip below. That same individual notes that the F-15QA is rated to handle forces of up to nine Gs while maneuvering, but that the flight systems can be set to allow for up to 12 Gs in an "emergency."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPAn2vx6s1c

When asked by AEROSPACE magazine what the angle of attack (AoA) limit is on the F-15QA (or EX), Boeing test pilot Matt Giese simply said: There isnt one.

This all speaks to the aircraft's advanced fly-by-wire system, as well as the power offered by its two General Electric F110-GE-129 turbofans. At full afterburner, each -129 can produce nearly 30,000 pounds of thrust.

Boeing capture

Steve Trimble, Aviation Week's Defense Editor, got more inside details about the F-15QA's routine in Dubai from an interview with Jason "Mongoose" Dotter. Talking alongside Guy Norris and Tony Osborne, Aviation Week's Senior Editor, and London Bureau Chief/European Defense Editor, respectively, on the latest edition of the Check 6 podcast , Trimble explained:

"I mean, he really put the airplane through its paces to show what you can do with an F-15 with a flight control system that is digitally, and artificially limited to let you get as much performance as possible out of that jet without causing any real safety issues, as long as you don't do anything too crazy. I mean, everything stayed within the box, a very, very tight box above the runway. There was no zipping up and down the runway, or zipping out of the airspace, and coming back in."

...

"...to regain energy, and come back, and set up and do something else. No, he stayed in this very tight box doing low-speed maneuvers, trying to show the combat relevance in low-speed situations of what that jet can do now with that fly-by-wire. And I mean, the kinds of things he was talking to me about was, how in testing, they just can't make the jet now go out of control. They've loaded up the wing, just one wing, but not the other."

...

"An asymmetric load, and then applied opposite rudder, and crossed the controls all at the same time, and they still can't make the jet depart from controlled flight. So, there's a lot more they can do with that jet now, and so you could see it do, it did kind of a As he told me, I never saw it, but it was supposed to do kind of a headstand, and then a J-turn, a kind of a J-turn, which is normally associated with super-maneuverable thrust-vectoring fighters like the F-22 , or Su-35 , Su-57 , but the F-15 doesn't have thrust vectoring. But by tricking the control surfaces, using that fly-by-wire logic, and the pilot just applying as much yaw as he can, in this case, you can get the effect of a J turn without that thrust-vectoring assistance to do it."

https://twitter.com/BoeingDefense/status/1724103576601985098

Osborne also highlighted that this year's Dubai Airshow "is the first time that we've seen the fly-by-wire F-15 really put through its paces." The Saudi F-15SA and the Air Force's F-15EX have this same capability, but neither has been publicly flown in this manner. Osborne further noted that this was clearly a choreographed routine meant to show off the extremes of the F-15QA's performance. This is, of course, typical of what is seen at airshows, especially when it comes to fighters .

There are some very broad similarities between what has been seen in Dubai and the old routine that the Air Force's now-defunct F-15C demo team used to fly.

"One of the coolest parts of the F-15C demo was the takeoff, with the pilot performing a hard stick-back, high angle of attack rotation," The War Zone's own Tyler Rogoway wrote years ago in a piece for Jalopnik. "The rest of [the] show consisted of minimum radius turns, zoom climbs, crisp rolls, and dirty passes."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUsE3Zhy2xw

However, as has already been made clear, the two-seat F-15QA, and other Advanced Eagles, are far more powerful and capable overall than the single-seat F-15C . Those 1970s to mid 1980s-era Eagles have no fly-by-wire capability and are powered by Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 turbofans each producing a maximum of just under 24,000 pounds of thrust. The F-15A/C is, of course, lighter and, for the most part, more maneuverable than the Strike Eagle variants that followed.

Demonstrations involving variations of the F-15E Strike Eagle, from which the Advanced Eagle subvariants evolved, in 'clean' configurations without stores or conformal fuel tanks are not unheard of, either. Israel has put on such performances with its F-15I Ra'am jets in the past. Those aircraft still do not benefit from the fly-by-wire system and other improvements found on the F-15QA.

A 'clean' Israeli Air Force F-15I Ra'am. Oren Rozen via Wikimedia

Altogether, the F-15QA's display in Dubai is really unlike anything that has been seen from an F-15 variant before. Maybe the U.S. Air Force will put together a new F-15EX demo team and this will become a more common sight at airshows in the future.

Contact the author: joe@thedrive.com
A Republican congressman who won office with a glittering but faked resume, then allegedly stole funds for treats including Botox and the OnlyFans porn site, faced a new bid Friday to force his expulsion from the US House of Representatives.

George Santos, 35, swept into Congress in 2022, helping the Republicans grab a razor-thin but politically momentous majority in the lower house.

Since then, he has been exposed as a fabulist who invented much of his impressive background and now faces multiple federal charges related to stealing from campaign donors, credit card fraud and identity theft.

On Friday, the Republican chairman of the House Ethics Committee, Michael Guest, introduced a motion seeking Santos's expulsion on grounds that he is "not fit to serve as a Member of the United States House of Representatives."

A two-thirds majority of the House is needed to expel a representative. Lawmakers are expected to vote later this month when they return to Washington from the Thanksgiving break.

Santos survived a motion earlier this month seeking his ouster from Congress, but announced on Thursday that he would not stand for reelection.

Thursday also saw the release of a damning internal congressional report, leading a number of lawmakers to say they would switch their votes if the motion comes to the floor again.

The bipartisan report from the House Ethics Committee found "overwhelming evidence" of misconduct by Santos and alleged he had "sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit."

"He deceived donors into providing what they thought were contributions to his campaign but were in fact payments for his personal benefit," it said.

Santos, who has pleaded not guilty to all charges, allegedly used the money at the luxury Italian goods store Ferragamo, a casino, regular cosmetic treatments listed as "Botox," and the OnlyFans site, on which subscribers can watch people share their sexual photos and videos.

Aside from the criminal allegations, Santos has become notorious for a series of bizarre fabrications, including claiming to have worked for Goldman Sachs, being Jewish and having been a college volleyball star.

Republicans hold only a four-seat majority in the 435-seat House and losing even one member would impact their grip on legislation.

The last time the House expelled one of its members was in 2002, when Ohio Democrat James Traficant was ousted over 10 charges including bribery.

cl/sms/bgs
Photo: @Dave_Eby / Twitter

Ryan Reynolds is the newest member of the Order of British Columbia.

The Vancouver-born actor and producer received the honour from Premier David Eby and Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin at a private ceremony in Vancouver.

The province's Intergovernmental Relations Secretariat says a last-minute scheduling conflict means Reynolds won't be attending a ceremony in Victoria on Thursday where more than a dozen other recipients will be recognized.

The award is considered the province's highest honour.

Recipients this year include Dr. Penny Ballem, who led B.C.'s COVID-19 vaccination program; nurses Evanna Brennan and Susan Giles, who have worked in the Downtown Eastside for decades; and Chief Harold Leighton, who has served as the chief councillor of the Metlakatla First Nation for more than 35 years.

The government biography for Reynolds says he is a "homegrown heavyweight" whose kindness and selflessness have benefited countless people in B.C., Canada and beyond.
Hasnah Hussin grew up stateless in Malaysia as a Rohingya refugee. Now in Milwaukee, she helps other refugees find their footing.

Growing up as a refugee in Malaysia, Hasnah Hussin was barred from public education, so she hung around the homes her mother cleaned, learning the alphabet and numbers from Malay families.

When she finally was allowed into school under a pilot program for refugees, she struggled to keep up. When she failed a math class, her mothers advice became the guiding principle of her life:

There are two choices in life, always, Hussin recalled her mother saying. Whether you fight and continue for your dream, or give up and blame destiny.

I selected the first choice, and the second has never been something Id consider.

Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education.

Today, at 31, she has devoted her life to helping refugees.

Hussin is Rohingya, a Muslim ethnic minority that has faced persecution in Myanmar, formerly Burma. Her parents were among the hundreds of thousands of Rohingya who fled violence in recent decades to neighboring countries, including Malaysia. The U.S. last year declared that members of the Burmese military committed genocide against the Rohingya, only the eighth time since the Holocaust the U.S. has determined a genocide has occurred worldwide.

Milwaukee, where Hussin and her family would settle in 2021, is believed to be home to the largest population of Rohingya refugees in the country.

Like generations of immigrants, they are finding their way in a new land. Research shows their presence is necessary if the city is to grow and thrive.

Hussin is now a refugee education coordinator at Catholic Charities, helping newcomers adjust to life in the U.S.

Although Hussin was born in Malaysia, her Rohingya identity meant she was stateless, not recognized as a legal resident of her birth country or her parents country.

More: Immigration might help us address two challenges: stagnant population growth and a rapidly aging workforce.

More: Meet Sesame Streets new Muppets, on screens now thanks to Milwaukees Rohingya community

In Malaysia, few opportunities, many roadblocks

Living undocumented as a refugee wasnt easy. Her mother worked four jobs to earn enough money to support her family. And as a teen, Hussins invitation to compete at the national level in track and field, and in rugby, was revoked when organizers learned she was a refugee.

When her father was found to be undocumented at his construction job, authorities deported him to the Thailand border, where he was sold to a fisherman. When he got sick from malnutrition, the crew threw him into the sea, Hussin said. Another boater rescued him.

As an adult, still in Malaysia, Hussin worked as an interpreter for the United Nations refugee agency, UNHCR, but felt limited by simply relaying information. Then, at a Malaysian nonprofit, she conducted research on Rohingya refugees, fed hungry people during the pandemic, and helped women fleeing domestic violence.

My main motivation  I do not want another child to live my life. I do not want another woman to face what I faced, Hussin said.

When, in 2021, she got word that UNHCR selected Hussin and her family to resettle in the U.S., she didnt believe it at first. It was the fifth time shed been called for the medical test that precedes the flight to America, but nothing had come of it before.

This time, it was happening. Her young daughter would get a chance at an education.

Artwork drawn by Hasnah Hussin's 6-year-old daughter hangs on her office wall at Catholic Charities in Milwaukee.

Compared to other cities, Milwaukee has affordable housing, plentiful jobs

After a stay with her sister in New Hampshire, Hussin, her daughter and her parents moved to Milwaukee for her job at Catholic Charities. She develops educational materials and trains volunteers for citizenship and English as a Second Language programs. That she speaks seven languages herself comes in handy.

To be a refugee in the U.S. is different than in Malaysia. Here, staff and volunteers at resettlement agencies set up newly arrived refugees in furnished apartments, help them secure jobs, provide initial cash assistance, take them to appointments and teach them how to ride the bus, among other tasks. In turn, they are provided with legal, permanent residency.

Refugee resettlement is continuing to rebound from the lean years of the Trump administration, when the program was gutted. President Joe Biden set an annual cap of 125,000 refugees, but the country resettled less than half that number in the last fiscal year as agencies raced to expand their capacity.

Wisconsin has seven resettlement agencies, each affiliated with a national agency. Three are based in the Milwaukee area. Wisconsin agencies resettled about 1,400 refugees in the fiscal year that ended Sept. 30, compared to 636 the year prior (when agencies were also resettling several hundred Afghan evacuees and Ukrainians, most of whom arent counted in refugee totals). This year, 81% of refugees to Wisconsin came from Myanmar and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Those totals also dont account for refugees like Hussin who were resettled in one state and later moved to Wisconsin, a phenomenon known as secondary migration. Local experts say theyve noticed many Burmese refugees moving from other states to Milwaukee, which has become something of a hub for persecuted Burmese ethnic groups such as the Rohingya, Karen and Karenni.

More: At Milwaukee's most multicultural Catholic church, southeast Asian refugees find a 'spiritual home'

Relative to other metros, Milwaukee has affordable housing and plentiful jobs, and many find success. Homeownership rates are high among Burmese, local resettlement agency staff say.

Compared to those in Malaysia, the refugees Hussin works with in Milwaukee are more empowered, she said. They are allowed to work and go to school, and their basic needs are met. The focus is helping them navigate entirely new systems.

Hussins daughter, now 6, is a mini American, Hussin said, her office walls decorated with grade-school art projects. Mom, I love you to pieces, reads one adorned with shreds of construction paper.

Hussin herself is working toward an associates degree in human services from the Milwaukee Area Technical College and hopes to pursue bachelors and masters degrees.

Some people have told her shes not a good Muslim woman  that she should stay home and raise her daughter; that she belongs in the kitchen, not the workplace.

But if shed followed what other people expected of her, I would have given up a long time ago, she said.

This project is supported by a grant from Marquette University Law School's Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education, to make possible journalism on issues of importance to the Milwaukee area. All the work was done under the guidance of Journal Sentinel editors.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Rohingya woman helps other refugees at Catholic Charities in Milwaukee
Claim:

Biodegradable burial pods that contain cremated human remains turn bodies into trees.

Rating:

Rating: Mostly True

Context:

Bodies don't go into the pods. Rather, cremated human remains are placed in the biodegradable, plastic-derived urns, and then those urns get covered in soil. After that, a pre-existing tree gets placed top of the soil  in other words, a tree does not sprout from the pods and, over time, the ashes mix with soil to help feed that tree. Though the urns can be purchased online, their use is not universally legal as funerary laws vary by country and state.

In lieu of traditional coffins or urns, some people are turning to a new, green approach to human burial. Cue Capsula Mundi, an Italian-based project centered on biodegradable urns that can, they say, turn your loved ones into trees.

Say goodbye to coffins, read one post on Reddit describing the egg-shaped urns, which have been featured in publications including CNN and Green Matters, as well as in a widely viewed Instagram post:

The post claimed: "Once you are buried, the biodegradable plastic shell breaks down and the remains provide nutrients to a sapling planted right above it  giving a whole new meaning to the expression family tree."

Yes, Capsula Mundi is a real company that indeed sells biodegradable burial pods meant to contain human remains. But the urns don't literally turn people, or bodies, into trees, as some social media posts suggested. For this reason, we have rated this claim as "Mostly True."

Capsula Mundi was described on its website as a biodegradable urn that is made with a kind of plastic that is derived from organic material and has a low environmental impact. At the time of this publication, there were two biodegradable urns available on the company website.

Here's how the products work: Cremated human remains are placed in the biodegradable, plastic-derived urns, and then those urns get covered in soil. After that, a pre-existing tree gets placed top of the soil  in other words, a tree does not sprout from the pods. Over time, the cremated remains' high pH levels neutralize, allowing for the body to decompose. Those minerals then feed the tree, so to speak.

The project website also noted that, as of this writing, it is still in a start-up phase, and that this kind of burial is legal in many countries but not everywhere. In other words, though the urns are available for public purchase on Capsula Mundi's website, their use is not universally legal. That's because laws regarding funerary practices vary by country, and, in the U.S., by state.

While so-called green burials are legal in all 50 U.S. states, according to the Lincoln Heritage Life Insurance Company, each state has its own rules and regulations about where, and how, they can be done. Local funeral directors are best equipped with knowledge of such laws, noted the Funeral Consumers Alliance.

Capsula Mundi pods were not the only biodegradable urns available on the market, as of this writing. Using a Google keyword search of "biodegradable urns humans," Snopes found several options available, including those that degrade in the soil and others that do so in water environments.

Sources:

Biodegradable Burial Urn. The Living Urn, https://www.thelivingurn.com/products/eco-burial-urns. Accessed 10 Nov. 2023.

Burials/Cemeteries. Green Burial, An Environmentally Friendly Choice. Funeral Consumers Alliance, https://funerals.org/?consumers=green-burial. Accessed 10 Nov. 2023.

Capsula Mundi Shop. https://www.capsulamundi.it/shop/. Accessed 10 Nov. 2023.

Erizanu, Paula. The Biodegradable Burial Pod That Turns Your Body into a Tree. CNN, 3 May 2017, https://www.cnn.com/2017/05/03/world/eco-solutions-capsula-mundi/index.html.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ). Capsula Mundi, https://www.capsulamundi.it/en/faq/. Accessed 10 Nov. 2023.

Guide to Green Burial  A Natural Approach to Funerals. Lincoln Heritage, https://www.lhlic.com/consumer-resources/green-burial/. Accessed 10 Nov. 2023.

Instagram. https://www.instagram.com/p/Cywg3NUt7cm/?igshid=Y2NkYjk0MDhjYg%3D%3D&img_index=1. Accessed 10 Nov. 2023.

Krosofsky, Andrew. These Biodegradable Burial Pods Will Turn You Into a Tree. Green Matters, 30 June 2021, https://www.greenmatters.com/p/tree-pod-burials.

Pin on Life in General. Pinterest, https://www.pinterest.com/pin/145241156709280503/. Accessed 10 Nov. 2023.

PROJECT. Capsula Mundi, https://www.capsulamundi.it/en/project/. Accessed 10 Nov. 2023.

WanderingZed. Tree Burial Pods. R/Sustainability, 7 Apr. 2021, www.reddit.com/r/sustainability/comments/mm6wfc/tree_burial_pods/.

Why Certification Matters. GREEN BURIAL COUNCIL, https://www.greenburialcouncil.org/why_certification_matters.html. Accessed 10 Nov. 2023.
Claim:

Democratic U.S. Sen. Chuck Schumer shared the stage at a Nov. 14, 2023, "March for Israel" rally with Pastor John Hagee, who has made a number of antisemitic statements in the past.

Rating:

Rating: True

The protracted, often bloody Israeli-Palestinian conflict, which broke out into hot war on Oct. 7, 2023, when the militant Palestinian group Hamas launched a deadly attack on Israel and Israel retaliated by bombarding the Gaza Strip, dates back to the early 20th century when British authorities facilitated the mass immigration of Jews to Palestine, and ultimately the forcible displacement of Palestinian Arabs by Zionist militias, to establish a Jewish homeland there. In the current Israel-Hamas war, more than 10,000 civilians, the vast majority of them Palestinians, have been killed since Oct. 7. The internet is rife with war-related misinformation, which Snopes, as always, is dedicated to countering with facts and context. You can help. Read our latest fact checks about the ongoing conflict. Submit questionable rumors youve encountered. Become a Snopes Member to support our work. We welcome your participation and feedback.

On Nov. 14, 2023, as thousands of protesters gathered in Washington, D.C., to express their support for Israel amidst the Israel-Hamas war, the selection of speakers at the rally prompted criticism. Many online noted that Democratic U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who is Jewish, and other politicians would be sharing the stage with a pastor who's made antisemitic remarks in the past.

One post noted, House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are attending a rally with John Hagee? Better check who that is .... Oh god he said that Hitler was a Jew and the Holocaust was ordained by God.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer are attending a rally with John Hagee? Better check who that is.... Oh god he said that Hitler was a Jew and the Holocaust was ordained by God Moreover, ICE must be destroyedhttps://t.co/GLgD0MASxC  ICE must be destroyed  (@Itmechr3) November 15, 2023

sticking my head into the howling whirlwind of current events just long enough to hear that Chuck Schumer and *John Hagee* are gonna share a stage, & having to step away because I'm coughing laughing  Danielle May B. Here (@Builtahouse) November 14, 2023

The above claim about Schumer and Pastor John Hagee is true. Based on photographs and video evidence of the rally, Schumer and Hagee spoke on the same stage but at different points. We have reached out to Hagee to learn more about why he attended the march and will update this story if we get more information.

Recordings of the speeches can be found at the USA Today livestream and the Jewish Federations of North America's videos from Nov. 14, 2023, the latter of which also was one of the organizers of the event. Schumer can be seen speaking at the 2:14:42 mark; Hagee was introduced around the 3:24:06 minute mark:

In his speech at the "March for Israel," Hagee repeatedly chanted, Israel! You are not alone! He also said, Israel has shown the world that it overcame the tragedy of the Holocaust through the power of hope. Israel has demonstrated the courage to make peace with its neighbors. Israel has always proved that it has the courage to wage war against its enemies  from the five Arab armies that tried to destroy the newly reborn state in 1948, to Hamas and Hezbollah, Irans proxy armies.

Hagee repeated that Christians and Jews are one, as well, calling Israel the shining city on the hill and Jerusalem "the eternal capital of Israel.

However, his past comments that resurfaced appeared to contradict those sentiments. Hagee has long faced criticism for expressing views that many consider antisemitic, which can be tied to his specific Christian beliefs. Hagee was the founder of Christians United for Israel (CUFI), a far-right movement that has long been described as an evangelical and Christian Zionist movement. Many Christian Zionists believe that the establishment of the state of Israel after World War II is the fulfillment of a divine prophecy. According to Foreign Policy, for many evangelical Christians, the return of Jews to their homeland signals the beginning of the End Times, a biblical final chapter of life on Earth, when nonbelievers will be destroyed in an apocalypse while God whisks true believers to an eternal life before the second coming of Christ. However, evangelical Christians also believe that for Jews to enter that kingdom of God, they must convert to Christianity.

In the 2007 edition of his book, Jerusalem Countdown, Hagee wrote that Adolf Hitler was the descendant of half-breed Jews who persecuted and murdered Jews throughout history. Earlier in the same chapter he described how God's "election concerning Israel" began with Abraham and his progeny. He said that God had chosen Jacob to be the good son over Esau, though both were sons of Isaac, who was in turn the son of Abraham:

God promised to be at war with the descendants of Esau and Amalek forever [...] Esau's descendants would also produce a lineage that would attack and slaughter the Jews for centuries. Esau's descendants included Haman, whose diabolical mind conceived the "final solution" of the Old Testament -- the extermination of all Jews living in Persia. It was Esau's descendants who produced the half-breed Jews of history who have persecuted and murdered the Jews beyond human comprehension. Adolf Hitler was a distant descendant of Esau.

A 2008 New York Times story reported that when U.S. Sen. John McCain was the Republican presidential candidate, he had to repudiate Hagee after a watchdog group released an old sermon recording in which Hagee claimed Hitler and the Holocaust had been part of Gods plan to chase the Jews from Europe, and drive them to Palestine.

Hagee made that statement in the late 1990s, when he claimed the Bible prophesied Hitlers brutality, according to The New York Times: How is God going to bring them [the Jews] back to the land? The answer is fishers and hunters. A hunter is someone who comes with a gun and forces you. Hitler was a hunter. [...]That will be offensive to some people. Well, dear heart, be offended: I didnt write it. Jeremiah wrote it. It was the truth and it is the truth. How did it happen? Because God allowed it to happen. Why did it happen? Because God said, My top priority for the Jewish people is to get them to come back to the land of Israel. Democracy Now shared a section of that clip in a Nov. 15, 2023, report.

In response to the news about the sermon, McCain said, Obviously, I find these remarks and others deeply offensive and indefensible. I did not know of them before Reverend Hagees endorsement, and I feel I must reject his endorsement as well.

Hagee later said his remarks were mischaracterized, and that he had dedicated his life to combating antisemitism. He added that he had always condemned the Holocaust in the strongest terms.

According to HuffPost, in a 2003 sermon "The Final Dictator, Hagee also described the Antichrist as a blasphemer and a homosexual who is at least going to be partially Jewish, as was Adolph Hitler, as was Karl Marx." The Antichrist, he argued, would "slaughter one-third of the Earth's population" and "make Adolph Hitler look like a choirboy." We searched for footage of this sermon that was reportedly broadcast on Christian networks around the world. The video was uploaded 14 years ago on a Vimeo account under the username Bruce Wilson, where it is still available.

Jews on First  a Jewish group launched in 2005 in opposition to the growing power of the Christian right wing  uploaded clips of Hagee repeating what they called anti-semitic canards. Created by left-leaning Rabbi Haim Dov Beliak and Co-Director of Jews on First, Jane Hunter, they compiled Hagees statements in a short 2008 documentary titled, Pastor John Hagee: A Preoccupation With the Jews. The documentary was narrated by actor Ed Asner:

The above clips also show Hagee in 1997 repeating the antisemitic trope that Jews control the financial systems of the United States, including the U.S. Federal Reserve.

Reporter Sarah Posner, who covers Christian Zionism, told Democracy Now on Nov. 15, 2023:

Hagee has long walked this line between seeming like he  or pretending to a Jewish audience like he  is really only interested in policy and whats happening in the present. He walks this line, but then, when he goes into a church to preach about his theology, what he says is really quite different. He didnt say on Tuesday that he expects, according to biblical prophecy, that one day Jesus will return and fight a very bloody battle, which, as the rabbi said, will result in Jews either converting or dying  and Muslims, too, by the way. He didnt say that. He didnt say that he believes that at the end of that, Jesus will rule the world from his throne on the Temple Mount. He didnt say that everything is playing out according to biblical prophecy. And so he has basically hoodwinked many Jews into believing that he actually supports Israel, but what he really supports is his claim that ... Israel is just a pawn, really, in this Bible prophecy, which ... at the end of which, Jesus will rule the world as basically a theocrat.

A number of prominent Jewish activists criticized Hagees participation at the rally, including Hadar Susskind, founder of Americans for Peace Now, and Rabbi Jill Jacobs, executive director of T'ruah: The Rabbinic Call for Human Rights. Susskind wrote on X, "I am horrified that he was given this platform. His history of hateful comments should disqualify him from decent company, much less from speaking on stage. He is not welcome and should not speak."

Hagee had joined a roster of speakers who were billed as "Voices of Allies." He was joined by Rochelle Ford, president of Dillard University, a historically Black college in New Orleans; and Anila Ali, a Pakistani American Muslim activist. Organizers said, according to The New York Times, that speakers were chosen in order to reach across divisions and strike a bipartisan tone.

Sources:

Banerjee, Neela, and Michael Luo. McCain Cuts Ties to Pastors Whose Talks Drew Fire. The New York Times, 23 May 2008. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2008/05/23/us/politics/23hagee.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

Hagee, John. Jerusalem Countdown. Lake Mary, Fla. : FrontLine, 2007. Internet Archive, http://archive.org/details/jerusalemcountdo00hage. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

Hagee Says Holocaust Remarks Misinterpreted. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvhp4as0oDE. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

Lynch, Colum. Whats Next for Christian Zionists? Foreign Policy, 19 July 2021, https://foreignpolicy.com/2021/07/19/christian-zionists-israel-trump-netanyahu-evangelicals/. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

"March for Israel in Washington DC." Jewish Federations of North America, Nov. 14, 2023. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ccli2c6N_Rg. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

March For Israel Speaker Once Said God Sent Hitler To Help Create Israel. Democracy Now!, https://www.democracynow.org/2023/11/15/washington_march_for_israel. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

Nationally Prominent Mega-Pastor Hagee Claims Hitler Was a Half-Breed Jew. HuffPost, 1 Aug. 2009, https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nationally-prominent-evan_b_249279. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

Robertson, Campbell, et al. Jewish Groups Rally for Israel on National Mall. The New York Times, 14 Nov. 2023. NYTimes.com, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/11/14/us/march-for-israel-washington-dc-rally.html. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

The Final Dictator: The Rise of the Anti-Christ, March 16, 2003. vimeo.com, https://vimeo.com/9278679. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.

"Watch: March for Israel Rally Held at National Mall, Washington D.C." USA Today, Nov. 14, 2023. www.youtube.com, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gSClu32xma0. Accessed 15 Nov. 2023.
Until recently, William Langmead was the School Safety Monitor at Falmouths Morse Pond School.

But the retired State Police Trooper lost his job because he carried a concealed weapon while investigating a possible school shooter.

I believe what I did was 100 percent the right thing to do, given the circumstances, Langmead said.

The incident happened on September 14.

Langmead said the suspect, who was on a scooter on school grounds, had what looked like a real handgun.

When the suspect took off, Langmead called police, and two people told him the suspect shot at them, with a pellet gun.

At that point, I said exigent circumstances, I cant guarantee the threat is over I chose to retrieve from my trunk, a properly stored firearm, 9mm. arm myself concealing, and I chose to protect the school, Langmead said.

In Massachusetts, it is illegal to carry a concealed weapon on school grounds.

Langmead says he told responding police he was armed.

Langmead was told to stay home the next day.

And this week, at a school committee meeting, the Superintendent announced his termination.

Mr. Langmead during this event did not follow our safety monitor protocols, Superintendent Dr. Lori Duerr said. The role of safety monitor is to ensure that all students and staff are inside and the building is secure, meaning all doors are locked, she added.

Falmouth Police Chief Jeffrey Lourie told the School Committee, The Falmouth Police Department charged Mr. Langmead with possession of a firearm on school grounds because he removed his firearm from a secure location in his vehicle and continued to carry the weapon on the grounds and inside the school building, even after police arrived on scene.

Those charges were ultimately dropped.

Langmead says hed like to have his job back.

I felt I needed to err on the side of caution, better to ask for forgiveness later than to fail to act and have a situation like the Texas shooting where people hesitated to go inside of the school, Langmead said.

Boston 25 News reached out to the Falmouth Police Department and Superintendent Duerrs office for further comment, but did not hear back.

As for Langmeade, he knows its not likely hell get his job back.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
Gracie Spinks had reported the 35-year-old to police four months before she was murdered - PIXEL

The family of Gracie Spinks, who was stabbed to death by a stalker, have accused the police of showing no remorse, despite multiple failings before she was killed.

Almost two and a half years after the 23-year-old was attacked while she tended to her horse in June 2021, an inquest jury has concluded she was unlawfully killed by obsessed Michael Sellers.

Miss Spinks had reported the 35-year-old, who later took his own life, to police four months before she died.

During the inquest, it emerged he had previously harassed at least eight other women.

It can also now be revealed that despite the catalogue of errors admitted by Derbyshire Police, none of the officers involved will be sacked for their actions.

Miss Spinkss family, who attended every day of the three-week inquest at Chesterfield Coroners Court, accused the force of total incompetence.

They added: They let Gracie down, themselves down and we hope that they do not let anybody else down.

Richard Spinks and Alison Ward have expressed concern Met Police officers 'showed no remorse' for the failures leading up to their daughter's death - PAUL COOPER

Alison Ward, Miss Spinkss mother, said: We thought, in the inquest, that the officers would be remorseful but they werent. Some of them were quite cocky.

We encouraged Gracie to call the police and absolutely nothing was done. It was opened and closed within a matter of hours.

That is hard for us because calling the police could have triggered the offender to escalate.

Her parents have still not touched their daughters bedroom since she was killed, with an empty crisp packet still lying on the floor.

I cant face it, her mother said. Someone offered to make me a memory bear out of her clothes, but I cant even bear to touch them.

When asked what her daughter would want her to do now, she said: She would be telling me to stop crying.

She would say stop crying, stop feeling guilty and stop this happening to someone else.

Miss Spinks was found dead in a field near Staveley Road in Duckmanton, Derbyshire, in June 2021

Miss Spinks, an aspiring police officer and swimming instructor, was killed by Sellers on the morning of June 18 2021 at Blue Lodge Farm in Duckmanton, Derbyshire.

Sellerss body, which had self-inflicted injuries, was later found a short distance away by members of the public.

Miss Spinks met Sellers at work in 2020 and after she gently turned him down, he became obsessed with her.

The court heard he would repeatedly contact her, ask colleagues to report on where she was, and spy on her on CCTV.

Sellers was sacked when Ms Spinks reported him to their employer after he was seen waiting in a lay-by near Blue Lodge Farm in January 2021. Miss Spinks reported Sellers to the police shortly after.

It emerged during the inquest that eight women at the company, Xbite, had previously reported his inappropriate conduct towards them.

A 101 call played to the jury heard Miss Spinks raising concerns that Sellers would go on to harm or kidnap another woman.

Stalker described as low risk

Police officers cautioned him but did not request information from his employer about the complaints and Pc Sarah Parker categorised him as low risk.

Sergeant Matthew Adams, who supervised PC Parker, insisted he felt it was was fine to close the investigation based on the information he had at the time.

Pc Jill Lee-Liggett, Pc Ashley Downing and Sergeant Lee Richards also failed to investigate a bag of weapons found by a member of the public near the field where Gracie was killed six weeks before her death.

The officers told the inquest they thought they could be theatre props or bushcraft tools.

The bag, which contained knives, an axe, a hammer, Viagra and a note saying dont lie, also had a receipt in it linked to the Sellers family.

Richard Spinks, Miss Spinkss father, said that during the inquest, officers claimed they had discussed the discovery of the bag with a number of serving colleagues who all said they would have done the same thing.

They said they would give the knives, which they described as kitchen knives, back to Sellers if he asked. What planet are they living on? It was a murder kit, he added.

Officer thought bag of weapons was bizarre

Pc Jill Lee-Liggett, who was sent to investigate the bag of weapons along with Pc Ashley Downing, told the inquest into she thought the contents werebizarre but was not seriously concerned they could be linked to a crime.

Sergeant Lee Richards, who has now retired, oversaw Pc Lee-Liggett and assumed that the bag of weapons belonged to someone who had been chopping wood in the countryside.

Pc Sarah Parker responded to the 101 call from Miss Spinks challenged Sellars about messages he had sent Gracie and claims he had been watching her on CCTV cameras at work.

Sergeant Matthew Adams, who supervised PC Parker, told the court that during the coronavirus pandemic, the officer had been moved over to a response team and therefore he had not been managing her, or the case, as closely as he normally would have.

Five officers investigated for misconduct

Matthew Kewley, the coroner, said that a Prevention of Future Death Report would be issued to Derbyshire Polices Chief Constable and others over the coming days.

Mr Kewley said it was troubling that officers involved in the case, who gave evidence, showed no real appetite or impression that they had really changed their views on how to assess risk.

Following the verdict, the Independent Office for Police Conduct revealed that five unnamed officers had been investigated for misconduct over their handling of the case.

Two officers, a constable and a sergeant, were found to have a case to answer over their handling of the initial call made to police by Ms Spinks.

However, at a disciplinary hearing held behind closed doors in November 2022, the allegations were found not proven.

Three other officers, two constables and their supervising sergeant, also faced a misconduct panel for their handling of the murder bag found in the weeks before Ms Spinks was killed.

Two received written warnings, but the sergeant retired before the hearing meaning no action could be taken against him.

Miss Spinkss family have since begun a campaign, named Gracies Law, and called for a dedicated stalking unit in every police force.

While a debate was held in Parliament after a petition reached 100,000 signatures, Mr Spinks said nothing seems to really have happened and the family have now renewed their calls for action.

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 Brighton Park family is in survival mode after a house fire Friday killed local journalist Rocio Villasenor and seriously injured her father.

The fire broke out at a residence on the 3200 block of West 38th Street on Friday evening, according to the Chicago Fire Department. Eight family members were home when an unexpected explosion from the rear end of the home immediately caught fire, according to a GoFundMe raising money for the survivors.

According to the fundraising page, Crecencio Villasenor, 69, tried to get his daughter out of the fire and is now in critical condition at a local hospital.

Family friend Salomon Navarro Melgoza said the blaze has left Villasenors family home unlivable.

The Fire Department confirmed on social media that one adult had been taken to the hospital for smoke inhalation and that one adult had died in the blaze.

While the Cook County medical examiners office has yet to confirm the fire victims identity as the 31-year-old Villasenor, many employees of Block Club Chicago, City Bureau and other members of the Chicago media ecosystem posted tributes to her on social media, but deferred comment to her family.

Villasenors family members are staying with relatives in Little Village. Melgoza said the surviving relatives declined to comment, saying they needed space and understanding as they grieve.

Villasenor contributed to multiple local news outlets including Block Club Chicago, according to the online publication that covers the citys neighborhoods.

The Block Club team was heartbroken to hear of Rocios death. She was a talented journalist who deeply cared about her community and wanted to make the city a better place for everyone, Block Club managing editor Janet Fuller told the Tribune. Our thoughts are with Rocios family and we wish her father a speedy recovery.

Villasenor also worked for University of Chicago Laboratory Schools as a communications specialist from February 2023 until her death.

The schools communications director Valerie Reynolds said Villasenor managed a number of duties for the schools print and online publications, including running all four of the schools social media accounts. She remembered her as soft-spoken yet very present with a formidable work ethic.

She was a really, really hard worker, Reynolds said. Her work spoke for itself. She  put her head down and got the job done.

A pinned tweet on Villasenors social media featured an update to a 2019 story shed written as a fellow with the civic journalism organization City Bureau about a woman who was working to open a center for teenagers in Brighton Park.

Villasenor also worked with the organizations Documenters Network, according to her social media.
Settlement documents obtained by theLas Cruces Sun-News show the family of Darian Jarrott will receive $341,941.13 as part of a settlement agreed to in August.

That amount is part of a payout of more than $500,000 that the state of New Mexico agreed to make following the Feb. 4, 2021, shooting death of Jarrott, a New Mexico State Police officer, during a traffic stop requested by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's investigative branch.

The state of New Mexico agreed to pay $523,520.82 following the shooting death of the New Mexico State Police Officer on Feb. 4, 2021.

Jarrott was shot and killed by Omar Cueva, a suspected drug smuggler, during a stop on Interstate 10. According to information made public during the lawsuit, Homeland Security Investigations planned to arrest Cueva after the federal agency suspected he was smuggling drugs across the borderlands.

New Mexico State Police officer Darian Jarrott is seen in a NMSP photo. Jarrott was killed in the line of duty east of Deming on Thursday, Feb. 4, 2021.

The federal agents called on New Mexico State Police to pull over Cueva as he traveled near Deming. As such, Jarrott's commanding officer, an NMSP sergeant, instructed Jarrott to pull Cueva over.

No one informed Jarrott that Cueva was suspected of smuggling drugs, that he'd made threatening statements about killing police officers, and that the federal tactical units were ready to ambush Cueva nearby, according to court records and public documents.

Shortly after Jarrott stopped Cueva, Cueva shot Jarrott with a semi-automatic rifle on the side of I-10. A Las Cruces Police Department officer later killed Cueva in a frantic shootout just east of Las Cruces.

More: Here's what we learned in wrongful death suit of Darian Jarrott filed against State Police

After his death, Jarrott's first wife sued the state, alleging they'd failed to warn Jarrott of the danger he faced. Jarrott's second wife followed suit in 2023. According to the lawsuits, both women had a total of four children with Jarrott.

Jarrott's four children will receive $45,867.64 each. About $160,000 will go to his widows, while the rest, $181,579.69, will go to the family's lawyers.

The settlement also said that NMSP had reviewed its policies and made changes to prevent similar incidents in the future. The settlement did not mention what those changes were.

A federal judge dismissed a similar lawsuit in federal court in July, claiming the federal government had immunity from such claims.

Justin Garcia is a news reporter for the Las Cruces Sun-News. He covers the courts and local government. He can be reached via email at JEGarcia@lcsun-news.com or via text message at 575-541-5449

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Darian Jarrott: Slain New Mexico police officer's family settles suit
Daniel Williams, 22, planned to be released from prison this month. Instead, he was brutally beaten and eventually killed, his family said.

Williams died Nov. 9 after what the prison called a "possible inmate-on-inmate assault."

His stepmother Taylor Bostic said Williams loved being a father and had two children. When he was arrested for theft of property, he had fallen on hard times and turned to drug use.

Williams was full of vigor, Bostic said. He was just passionate about everything," she said. "If he did it, he loved it."

Williams made friends easily and liked to keep moving.

He was always moving, busy body. Always happy and hyper. Ready to talk. Never met a stranger," Bostic said, describing Williams.

Williams' family has spoken out about the tragedy of his death in an effort to keep others from dying this way.

The warden and other prison staff have not been forthcoming with information, they said.

We cant even get answers after they took his life or allowed his life to be taken," Bostic said.

The Alabama Department of Corrections Law Enforcement Services Division is investigating Williams' death.

Family friends created a GoFundMe to raise money for Williams' funeral. Since the media attention surrounding Williams' death, the GoFundMe has raised nearly $15,000.

"His family learned from other men at Staton that their son had been assaulted in a dormitory, tied up, 'rented out' and likely sexually abused for two to three days before he was removed from the dorm and given medical treatment," according to the Equal Justice Initiative.

Daniel Williams died weeks after a brutal attack in Staton Correctional Facility.

The warden first told the family that Williams had overdosed and was brain dead. When the family saw Williams in the hospital, they noted bruises consistent with being beaten and bound, Bostic said.

Williams, who was serving a 12-month sentence, was found unresponsive in his dorm after the attack that was reported at Staton Correctional Facility, according to an email from the Alabama Department of Corrections. He was taken to the health care unit, where medical staff treated and monitored his condition before deciding to transfer him to an area hospital.

Williams remained at the hospital until his family decided to remove him from life support. He was transported to Kilby Correctional Facility for long-term care, where he died Thursday.

"Medical staff attempted to revive him, but they were unable to resuscitate him, and he was pronounced deceased by the attending physician," the Alabama Department of Corrections said in a statement.

More: The Realities of Alabama Prisons Alabama prisoners endure 'horrific' conditions in solitary confinement

Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's public safety reporter. She can be reached at agladden@gannett.com or on Twitter @gladlyalex.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Family seeks answers after 22-year-old is killed in Alabama prison
Migrant farm workers employed by a compnay from Crescent City pick sweet potatoes at a farm in North Carolina in the photo from 2005.

Federal prosecutors said Tuesday they were charging a Mexican farmworker with transporting undocumented immigrants, including one arrested after the May death of a St. Johns County Sheriffs Office sergeant.

Olidier Roblero-Perez, 34, picked crops in Florida and Georgia with two cousins and brought along a man he recently met, Vergilio Aguilar-Mendez, to work with them harvesting peppers in Elkton, a complaint filed in Jacksonvilles federal court said.

An affidavit said Roblero-Perez drove a van that carried him and the others between a farm on County Road 13A and a Super-8 Motel on Florida 16, which was where Aguilar-Mendez was approached May 19 by Sheriffs Office Sgt. Michael Paul Kunovich.

St. Johns County Sheriffs Office Sgt. Michael Paul Kunovich

A struggle developed between Kunovich, 52, and Aguilar-Mendez, an 18-year-old Guatemalan, that lasted about six minutes, the Times-Union reported in July. Kunovich developed a medical problem afterwards and died, leading to aggravated manslaughter charges against Aguilar-Mendez that are still pending, according to court records in St. Johns County.

Crime: Guilty: Immigrant murder suspect politicized by DeSantis in Jacksonville is sentenced

Vergilio Aguilar Mendez was arrested in May after St. Johns County Sheriff's Office Sergeant Michael Kunovic died following a struggle.

Roblero-Perez and his companions checked out of the hotel May 21, but court records said one of the men left a phone number with a Sheriffs Office investigator.

A Homeland Security agent used that phone contact him last month, while the men were working at a farm in Moultrie, Ga., then arranged to interview them, according to an affidavit.

Workers needed: Florida's E-verify law creating hole in agriculture, construction, hospitality jobs

Roblero-Perez told an investigator he was a Mexican who had walked into the United State in 2007 and lived in Fort Myers when he wasnt doing farm work, according to the affidavit. He said he collected cash payments for work by him and his cousins, then split the pay.

Asked if he knew his cousins were in the country illegally, the affidavit said Roblero-Perez answered oh yeah, I knew, but since we were working, its my family, so you know, I couldnt tell them there was not any work.

Authorities asked for court approval to hold the cousins, Eliaquin and Conaidein Ortega-Gonzalez, as material witnesses in the case involving Roblero-Perez, who could face a legal maximum punishment of five years in prison.

This article originally appeared on Florida Times-Union: Immigrant tied to St. Johns police death charged with immigration crime
A father was shot to death in front of his children when a dispute escalated to gunfire outside an Atlanta gas station, his family told police and news outlets.

Officers got a call around 10:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, about a shooting at a Chevron station, according to the Atlanta Police Department. They arrived to find a man who was shot multiple times.

The victim died at the scene, police said. Authorities havent released his identity.

The mans sister, who wasnt named, said the shooting happened in front of the victims two kids, who were in the car, WAGA reported.

They will have to live with this, and his baby mother will have to live with this, she told the station.

The shooting reportedly stemmed from an argument that occurred when the 25-year-old went in the store to buy something, WXIA reported, citing the mans sister. Investigators said the dispute was captured on security video.

Police believe the accused shooters were in a blue Jeep Compass and are searching for them, according to WSB-TV.

Authorities didnt release additional details but said the shooting is under investigation.

Pregnant woman shot by husband during argument over their finances, Illinois cops say

Brother protecting sister from abuse shot to death in front of kids, Texas officials say

Man trying to break into home shoots resident, then gets shot himself, CO police say
Photo: Brendan Kergin. Multiple Vancouver police officer are named in a lawsuit after a child was allegedly targeted with a shotgun, Tasers and other weapons by officers in riot gear.

A Vancouver mother is claiming heavily armed Vancouver police took down her then 10-year-old son when the child was supposedly misbehaving at school.

A Nov. 10 B.C. Supreme Court notice of civil claim asserts a call to police brought multiple officers with "a shotgun, Tasers, riot gear and other visible weapons."

Some or all of the defendant officers pointed their weapons at the plaintiff, state court documents. The lawsuit said police used grossly negligent excessive force.

The notice of civil claim names as defendants the City of Vancouver, 11 police officers, Vancouver School District trustees and 17 other people.

The child has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and oppositional defiance disorder.

The claim said that, on Nov. 12, 2021, the boy had tried to climb a fence and was prevented by a school assistant. The claim said the boy then ran away and encountered a vice-principal.

The vice-principal reported the incident to the police, falsely alleging that the plaintiff was attacking the staff with scissors, the claim said.

The mother arrived before police and was comforting her son. She said in the claim she attempted to explain her boy's medical conditions to the officers.

Further, the claim said, officers detained the mother in an office and wouldnt allow her to see the boy. His father, meanwhile, was denied entry to the school, say court documents.

The documents said the boy dropped scissors out of a window at officers instruction after which he was restrained in a bear hug.

In distress, the plaintiff began banging his head against a filing cabinet, the claim said, noting the childs parents were detained and unable to see him before he was taken away in an ambulance.

A Nov. 9 affidavit from the mother said the incident has harmed her sons friendships and hampered his ability to learn.

She fears the impacts of him being identified publicly as a result of the legal action. She said the lawsuit is about protecting his rights and restoring his dignity.

The suit alleges the child suffered psychological trauma, intense headaches, bruising, skin marks, nose swelling, a shoulder injury, PTSD, panic, anxiety, depression, fear of others, flashbacks and sleep disruption, among other things.

The suit seeks multiple damages.

City spokesperson Angela MacKenzie said the city doesnt comment on matters before the courts. A similar statement was given to Glacier Media from the school district.

Glacier Media has also reached out to the Vancouver Police Department for comment.

None of the allegations have been proven in court.
Gary Schildhorn was on his way to work in 2020 when he got a phone call from someone who sounded just like his adult son Brett.

He was crying and talking and said that he had been in an accident, Schildhorn said as he described the call to our Washington News Bureau. He had broken his nose. He had hurt a pregnant woman. He was arrested. He was in jail.

Schildhorn is an attorney in Philadelphia and instinctively wanted to do whatever he could to help his son.

He said he was told his son had a public defender named Barry Goldstein.

The supposed man named Goldstein told Schildhorn he had to wire $9,000 through a Bitcoin kiosk, which uses cryptocurrency, in order to bond his son out of jail.

Im a father. Im a lawyer. My son is in trouble, said Schildhorn. Im in action mode I had to act to help my son.

On Thursday, he told members of the Senate Special Committee on Aging about the moment he realized the caller never really was Brett.

A few minutes later, a FaceTime call from my son, said Schildhorn during his testimony. Hes pointing to his nose. My nose is fine. Im fine. Youre being scammed.

Luckily, Schildhorn learned the truth before ever sending any money. But thats not the case for everyone.

According to lawmakers, scams cost Americans $9 billion last year  and older Americans are especially vulnerable.

Last year, seniors reported losing more than $1.6 billion to fraud, though the actual losses could be as high as $48 billion, according to the office of the Committee Chairman, Sen. Bob Casey (D-Pennsylvania).

When it comes to artificial intelligence, we need guardrails, Casey told our Washington News Bureau. Even someone like Gary who is a lawyer, who is trained to be skeptical, trained to ask tough questions, in the moment, the emotion of having a loved one call you and you think its their voice and really isnt. So, we have to pass legislation to put those guardrails up.

Its going to get worse because were at the leading edge of this technology, said Ranking Member Sen. Mike Braun (R-Indiana).

Schildhorn said there needs to be ways to better trace cryptocurrency and the criminals behind the scam accounts.

Find out who owns the accounts, said Schildhorn. You need to be able to find who is making these phone calls, to be able to find their identity.
The FBI added Haitian gang leader VitelHomme Innocent to the agency's "Ten Most Wanted Fugitives" list for his alleged role in kidnapping 16 Americans and the killing of another.

A Nov. 7, 2022, federal indictment charged Innocent with conspiracy to commit hostage-taking and hostage-taking for his alleged role in the armed kidnapping of 16 Americans who were Christian missionaries near Port-au-Price, Haiti, in the fall of 2021.

Most of the individuals were held captive for 61 days before finally escaping, the FBI says.

According to the indictment, Innocent leads the Kraze Barye gang, which worked together with 400 Mawozo in the kidnapping.

DETROIT MOM ARRESTED FOR ABANDONING SHIVERING TODDLER ON BEACH AS WAVES WASHED OVER HIM: POLICE

A Nov. 7, 2022 federal indictment charged VitelHomme Innocent with conspiracy to commit hostage taking and hostage taking for his alleged role in the armed kidnapping of 16 Americans who were Christian missionaries near Port-au-Price, Haiti, in 2021.

Innocent was also charged in an October 2022-armed hostage taking in Haiti, which included two Americans, killing one.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

According to prosecutors, Innocent ordered gang members to kidnap both Jean Franklin and Marie Odette Franklin from their home in Haiti on Oct. 7, 2022. Marie Odette Franklin was killed while her husband was held hostage.

During Jean Franklin's time in captivity, VitelHomme allegedly demanded ransom for Franklin's release. Franklin was released after his family made ransom payments to the gang.

"VitelHomme Innocent is charged in the death of an American citizen and alleged involvement in the kidnappings of more than a dozen Americans in Haiti," U.S. Attorney Matthew M. Graves said. "We applaud FBI-Miamis dedication to this case. It is our hope that with the placement on the top ten list, the reward, and the publics help, VitelHomme Innocent will be brought to justice."

SAMANTHA WOLL MURDER: WHY DID DETROIT POLICE RELEASE SUSPECT SO SOON AFTER ARREST?

Jeffrey B. Veltri, Special Agent in Charge, FBI Miami said the agency is offering a $2,000,000 reward for information leading to Innocent's arrest and/or conviction.

VitelHomme Innocent of Haiti is on the FBIs notorious "Ten Most Wanted" list.

"Haitian gang leader VitelHomme Innocent is the 532nd fugitive added to the FBIs Ten Most Wanted list for his alleged involvement in the kidnapping and killing of U.S. Citizens in Haiti," Veltri said. "The State Department is offering a reward of up to $2,000,0000 for information leading to his arrest and/or conviction. Our resolve to bring him to account for his alleged crimes will not waver. I want to thank the State Departments Diplomatic Security Service and the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia for their close cooperation and partnership investigating these cases."

Innocent is believed to be in Haiti, but has connections to others throughout the Caribbean.





Original article source: FBI adds Haitian gang leader to most wanted fugitives list for his alleged role in kidnapping 16 Americans
FBI Director Christopher A. Wray checked Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) on Wednesday after she seemingly confused his role in the government with one in an entirely different department.

Greene, during a House homeland security committee meeting, shared what she said was an image of a group chat whose members included people who participated in an Oct. 18 Capitol Hill protest calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Georgia Republican attempted to use the photo to tie an attorney for the Southern Poverty Law Center to the demonstrations. She asked whether Wray was aware of the photo. Wray said he hadnt seen it.

Well, I posted them on my Twitter account, its public. You know, maybe you guys are  Greene said.

I dont spend a lot of time on Twitter, Wray replied.

Well, you know  oh, Im sure you do, because the Department of Homeland Security, organized with other offices, has censored many Americans, including myself, Greene said.

Im not part of the Department of Homeland Security, he said.

Right, Mr. Wray, you should  you should be interested in investigating terrorism, and this right here is proof we had terrorists in our own office building, she replied.

Greene: I posted them on my Twitter account



Wray: I dont spend a lot of time on Twitter



Greene: Im sure you do because the DHS organized with other offices and censored people like myself



Wray: Im not part of the DHS pic.twitter.com/DV8nzD5e52  Acyn (@Acyn) November 15, 2023

The slip-up from Greene, a conspiracy theorist known for her antics at hearings, was among a number of puzzling remarks from her on Wednesday, including one where she tried to reimagine the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the Capitol.

Greene inaccurately referred to the attack as a three-hour event that happened at our Capitol nearly four years ago in an effort to downplay the insurrection that occurred nearly three years ago.

She also spoke of innocent grandmothers and veterans who walked through the Capitol on the day of the attack.

Greene: Ill send this to your office so you can stop going after innocent grandmothers and veterans who walked through the Capitol on January 6th pic.twitter.com/wbmJbYxVQF  Acyn (@Acyn) November 15, 2023

While questioning FBI director Chris Wray today, Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) refers to Jan 6 as a "3-hour event that happened at the Capitol nearly four years ago"



(It's not just Rep. Greene. In my experience, many many defense filings conflate the year of Jan 6 as 2020) pic.twitter.com/uBOj4tEef6  Scott MacFarlane (@MacFarlaneNews) November 16, 2023

Critics on X (formerly Twitter) mocked Greene for her remarks at the hearing, joking that she really should quit the Senate.

We have literally elected the Comments Section of YouTube to the most powerful offices in the world and we regularly subject serious people who spend their days trying to keep everyone safe to answering their idiotic questions. https://t.co/ZbS9zrX49B  Brian Klaas (@brianklaas) November 15, 2023

Marjorie is going to file an article of impeachment because Wray doesn't follow her on twitter https://t.co/PwHu4clNgl  Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) November 15, 2023

This clip is humiliating by itself but its also humiliating that nobody calls this website by its new name  https://t.co/l13xxRys1Z  Brett Meiselas (@BMeiselas) November 15, 2023

To call Marjorie Taylor Greene a Fucking idiot isnt fair to Fucking idiots. https://t.co/6xwgkVQeQN  Jo (@JoJoFromJerz) November 15, 2023

When you dont care about being routinely and comically ignorant. https://t.co/VJhpwdFIIm  Tim O'Brien (@TimOBrien) November 15, 2023

Its time to coin a new term for some of these performative pea-brains like @mtgreenee in Congress and elsewhere:#Dumbagoguehttps://t.co/PzjkKtwAOV  George Conway (@gtconway3d) November 15, 2023

An idiot with a congressional pin. https://t.co/Z7vTdJ1QTj  Jaime Harrison (@harrisonjaime) November 15, 2023

Look you guys...she posted it on Twitter. How come you didn't see it? https://t.co/k2ZGSxOBTW  Fred Wellman (@FPWellman) November 15, 2023

Marjorie Taylor Greene thinking everyone should be aware of something because she posted it on her Twitter account has got to be one of the most asininely self-indulgent things I will hear from someone not called Donald all year.  Mrs. Betty Bowers (@BettyBowers) November 15, 2023

Related...
A federal judge has declared a mistrial in the case of a former Louisville police officer who fired stray bullets in the high-profile deadly 2020 raid that killed Breonna Taylor.

The judge made the decision on Thursday to declare the mistrial after a jury deadlocked on the civil rights charges against Brett Hankison, who is accused of using excessive force that violated Taylors rights, and that of her boyfriend and next door neighbors.

Taylor, who was a 26-year-old Black woman studying to be a nurse, was shot to death in her home by Louisville officers who executed a no-knock drug search warrant on the wrong apartment on March 13, 2020. Taylor and her partner, Kenneth Walker, were sleeping at the time of the raid, and Walker fired one shot at a police officers leg thinking they were intruders.

Hankison is accused of moving from Taylors doorway and firing 10 shots into her bedroom window and a sliding glass door, both of which were covered with blinds and curtains. Some of the bullets entered a neighboring apartment, though none of them hit anyone.

Louisville police fired Hankison for his actions, and the former officer was charged at the state level with three counts of wanton endangerment.

Months after a Kentucky jury acquitted Hankison of the charges, the Justice Department brought new charges against him, as well as a group of other officers involved in falsifying the warrant.

Over several days, the mostly white jury struggled to come to a verdict in Hankisons case, with U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings reporting elevated voices from the jury room throughout the week, according to The Associated Press. On Thursday, the 12-person jury told her they were deadlocked on both counts against Hankison.

The mistrial could result in another trial for Hankison, depending on federal prosecutors actions. The charges against the former officer carried a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Myles Cosgrove, the officer who did hit Taylor while shooting into the apartment, was fired but never convicted in her death. He now works at a sheriffs department an hour away from Louisville.

Related...
A van at the Nuijamaa, a border station between Russia and Finland in Lappeenranta, Finland, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. Finlands government says it will close four crossing points on its long border with Russia to stop the flow of migrants that it accuses Moscow of ushering to the border in recent months. Finnish officials say they will be closed at midnight Friday on the land border that serves as the European Unions external border. (Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva via AP)

HELSINKI (AP)  Finland will close four crossing points on its long border with Russia to stop the flow of Middle Eastern and African migrants that it accuses Moscow of ushering to the border in recent months, the government said Thursday.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the southeastern crossing points -- Imatra, Niirala, Nuijamaa and Vaalimaa -- will be closed at midnight Friday on the Finland-Russia land border that serves as the European Unions external frontier.

It runs a total of 1,340 kilometers (832 miles), mostly through thick forests in the south, all the way to the rugged landscape in the Arctic north. There are currently nine crossing points, with one dedicated to rail travel only.

Operations of the Russian border authorities have changed, Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters, adding that the four crossings would remain closed until Feb. 18.

He referred to dozens of migrants, mostly from the Middle East and Africa, who have arrived in the Nordic nation over recent days without proper documentation and have sought asylum after allegedly being helped by Russian authorities to travel to the heavily controlled border zone.

This represents a major change, since Finnish and Russian border authorities cooperated for decades in stopping people without the necessary visas or passports before they could attempt to enter either country.

Finnish authorities said this week that Russia has in recent months started allowing undocumented travelers to access the border zone and enter crossing stations where they can request asylum in Finland.

The Finnish Border Guard says migrants have in the past days arrived mainly from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Turkey and Somalia, and nearly all have arrived at the border zone on bicycles that Finnish and Russian media reports say were provided and sold to them.

Most of them used Russia only as a transit country to enter Finland and the EU, officials said.

Some 280 third-country migrants have arrived in Finland from Russia since September, border officials said Thursday.

In a post on social media platform X, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said Russias instrumentalisation of migrants is shameful. I fully support the measures taken by Finland and thanked the Finnish Border Guard for protecting our European borders.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Wednesday linked Russias actions to Finland's NATO membership in April after decades of military non-alignment, a move that infuriated Moscow, which has threatened Helsinki with retaliatory measures several times.

He noted that Finland, which joined the Western military alliance in the wake of Moscow's attack on Ukraine in Feb. 2022, must be prepared for certain malice from Russia.

Yes, were constantly being reminded (by Moscow) that Finland has joined NATO, Niinisto told reporters during a visit to Germany.

Finlands Foreign Ministry announced last month that the country of 5.6 million has concluded a deal on a new bilateral defense agreement with the United States. Among other things, the so called DCA pact allows Washington to send U.S. troops and to store equipment, weapons and ammunition in agreed locations in Finland.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday when asked about Finland considering the closure of the border crossings that Russian authorities deeply regret that the leadership of Finland chose the path of deliberate distancing from the previously good nature of our bilateral relations.

Neighboring Norway, which has a 198-kilometer-long (123-mile-long) border in the Arctic with Russia, said it had so far not recorded a comparable increase in border traffic from Russia at the sole crossing point at Storskog.

We are following the situation closely, and it may be appropriate for us to close the border at short notice if necessary, Justice Minister Emilie Enger Mehl told Norwegian news agency NTB.

Meanwhile, authorities in Russias Baltic neighbor Estonia, a NATO and EU member, said that eight Somali migrants attempted to enter the country from Russia without proper documents in the border city of Narva on Thursday.

Estonia's Interior Minister Lauri Laanemets said the migrants were likely helped by the Russian authorities who transported them to the border zone.

Its unlikely that these Somali citizens came up with all this (idea) on their own. They shouldnt be able to cross the Russian border without the proper rights, he said, adding that the African migrants were directed back to Russias territory.

Estonias Police and Border Guard Board said later Thursday it was ready to close all border crossing points between Estonia and Russia if necessary.

___

Associated Press writer Daria Litvinova in Tallinn, Estonia and Jan M. Olsen in Copenhagen, Denmark contributed to this report.

___

Follow APs coverage of global migration at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
The crossing points will close at midnight overnight Friday to Saturday until February 18, 2024 (Vesa Moilanen)

Finland will close four of its eight eastern border crossings with Russia early Saturday, the government said, accusing Moscow of deliberately turning a blind eye to illegal migrants.

The Nordic country, which shares a 1,340-kilometre (830-mile) border with Russia, has since August seen a surge in people being allowed to cross into Finland despite not having proper documentation, primarily nationals from the Middle East and Africa without visas, according to Finland's border guard.

"Today the government has made the decision to close the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia," Interior Minister Mari Rantanen told reporters.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo accused Russia of acting deliberately to destabilise Finland in response to its NATO adhesion earlier this year.

He said there were "various signs that entering Finland is being aided and encouraged, organised".

"We have been prepared for different kinds of actions, malice, by Russia, and therefore this situation doesn't come as a surprise," Orpo said.

In April, Moscow warned it would take "countermeasures... in tactical and strategic terms" after branding Finland's decision to join NATO as an "assault on our security".

A total of 280 asylum seekers have arrived at the border since September, the border guard said Thursday.

But Rantanen said "the numbers aren't an important issue".

"This is not a normal question about asylum politics. This is a case of us having indications and information that people are being machinated into Finland," Rantanen said.

Markku Hassinen, deputy chief of the Finnish border guard, said the migrant influx "poses a serious threat to national security... burdening the operations of the authorities in the eastern border area".

The four crossing points that will close are the southernmost ones located in the most populated regions, with the four situated in rural areas further north remaining open.

The crossing points will close at midnight overnight Friday to Saturday until February 18, 2024, with asylum applications to be centralised at two of the four crossing points that will still be open.

- Deteriorating ties -

While the majority of the illegal crossings have occurred at the southern border points, "the phenomenon is apparently spreading somewhat to the north already," Hassinen said.

Orpo stressed that "if this situation expands to other border crossing points and becomes more difficult... we'll take the necessary measures."

He didn't disclose what those measures could be.

Finland, a country of 5.5 million people, is erecting a 200-kilometre fence on one section of its border with Russia that is due to be completed by 2026.

At present, Finland's borders are secured primarily by light wooden fences, mainly designed to stop livestock from wandering to the wrong side.

Helsinki's ties with Moscow have deteriorated since Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, which prompted Finland to abandon decades of military non-alignment and join NATO amid concerns for its own security.

Russia expelled nine diplomats and closed Finland's consulate in Saint Petersburg on October 1, as a retaliation for Helsinki expelling nine Russian diplomats in July for acting in an "intelligence capacity".

And in May, Finland's state-owned energy group Fortum said Moscow had taken control over its Russian subsidiary under a decree signed by President Vladimir Putin.

str-po/imm
Finnish officials Thursday announced plans to close multiple crossing points along the Russian border in an effort to slow the influx of asylum-seekers entering the country.

In a news release, the Finnish government said it will close four of the nine crossing points along its eastern border, starting at midnight Friday.

The shuttered points will be Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala, usually the busiest points of travel between Finland and Russia, according to Reuters.

Finland as an E.U. and NATO member is steadily one of the countries that condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said in a news conference, according to The New York Times. Therefore we have been prepared for various action from Russia, nastiness, and this situation does not come to us as a surprise.

We have acted decisively and promptly in order not to have the situation deteriorate, Orpo added.

The closing of border crossing points at the eastern border will stop illegal entry into Finland, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said in a statement. The Government is prepared to take even stronger measures if necessary.

Finlands announcement comes days after authorities warned about a spike in the number of crossings from asylum-seekers.

Finish President Sauli Niinisto suggested that the influx is an act of retaliation from Russia for his countrys decision to join the NATO alliance, The Associated Press reported.

Yes, were constantly being reminded [by Moscow] that Finland has joined NATO, Niinisto told the media during a visit to Germany.

Finland officially joined NATO earlier in April, becoming the 31st country in the alliance. Russias ongoing war with neighboring Ukraine was the main catalyst for Finland to file a membership application.

In a statement, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that Russian officials deeply regret that the leadership of Finland chose the path of deliberate distancing from the previously good nature of our bilateral relations.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
(Bloomberg) -- Finland will close four of its busiest border crossings with Russia after concluding that an influx of migrants from third countries was an organized operation threatening its national security.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The government is acting decisively and quickly to stop this phenomenon, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters in Helsinki on Thursday. It will close the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala crossing points from midnight on Saturday for all traffic and concentrate all asylum applications at two northerly border points, with the measures in force until Feb. 18.

This is an exceptional and hefty move, Orpo said. We want to send a strong message to stem this development.

The decision follows an intensifying inflow of asylum seekers arriving at border crossings in the southeast of the country, with Orpo saying earlier in the week that Russia appeared to be helping or transporting immigrants to the check points along the demarcation.

While the absolute number of arrivals is low, we have information and indications that peoples arrival into Finland is being machinated, and therefore the absolute numbers do not matter, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said.

On Wednesday, Finlands President Sauli Niinisto linked the developments to recently concluded negotiations over a defense cooperation agreement with the US that would ease the transport of soldiers and military equipment into the Nordic country. That deal still requires political sign off.

Finland also joined the North Atlantic Treaty Organization seven months ago, and now guards 1,300 kilometers (800 miles) of border with Russia, the alliances longest stretch facing its main adversary. Niinisto has repeatedly warned his country to expect malicious activity from the Kremlin in retaliation.

This week, 174 asylum seekers have arrived via southeastern crossings, according to the Border Guards posts on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. That compares with 117 this year through October.

This is something we monitor very closely. The alliance is vigilant, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg told reporters on Thursday. Of course the Finnish authorities are responsible for managing the situation on the border but we need to exchange information, to have a best possible common situational awareness and then take necessary actions if needed  whether that be as NATO, as NATO allies or in other formats, thats a bit too early to say.

The recent arrival of immigrants echoes the events of the winter of 2015-2016 when scores of Asian and Middle Eastern asylum seekers arrived in droves across the border in remote Arctic areas from Russia, which Finnish officials later concluded was probably part of a hybrid attack masterminded by Moscow.

Finland updated its border guard laws last year to give authorities a toolkit to counter hybrid influence activities, including an arrival of exceptionally high number of immigrants in a short period of time or what they termed the instrumentalization of migration by a state.

The Nordic country is also building a barrier to seal parts of the border, seeking to prevent mass influx of migrants. A pilot fence was completed this year and the main construction work is set to take three to four years.

Read More: Finland Starts Building Fence on Parts of NATOs Eastern Flank

Normally, asylum seekers would not reach the border without proper paperwork. Thats now changed, as Russian authorities are allowing travelers past their check points, Orpo said on Tuesday.

From Saturday, the Russian border can still be crossed at more northerly stations Raja-Jooseppi, Salla, Kuusamo and Vartius, as well as by trains at Vainikkala. Applications for international protection can be submitted at Vartius and Salla.

--With assistance from Jeremy Diamond and Natalia Drozdiak.

(Updates with NATO comment, further details on border crossings from ninth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Finland Thursday decided to close four Russian border crossings over serious national security threats. Prime minister Petteri Orpo said the closings were caused by Russia facilitating undocumented migrant entry into Finland. Photo by Ukrainian President Press Office/ UPI

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Finland Thursday decided to close its border with Russia beginning Saturday to stop Russian border guards from transporting undocumented migrants to the border crossings where they enter Finland illegally.

The action was taken under the Border Guard Act to combat a serious threat to public order and national security. The border closing decision is valid until Feb. 18, 2024, according ot the interior ministry.

"We have acted decisively and promptly so that the situation on the eastern border would not get worse," Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said in a statement. "Amendments to the Border Guard Act were made in the last election period just for such situations. Now these tools have been used."

Orpo said asylum applications can be still be taken at the Salla and Vartius crossings further to the north.

A statement from Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said closing the border will stop illegal entry into Finland at the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala border crossings.

"The government is ready to take even more drastic measures if necessary," Rantanen said.

According to Finland's Interior Ministry, illegal immigration at Finland's border with Russia has significantly increased in recent weeks.

The ministry said "there are clear indications that the authorities of a foreign state or other actors have played a role in facilitating the arrival of persons who have crossed the border illegally."

Finland's government said that poses a serious threat to public order and national security.
Finland plans to close crossings along its eastern border on Nov. 16 for national security purposes, the Finnish media outlet Helsingin Sanomat reported on Nov. 15, citing sources within the government.

The Finnish government had planned to announce border restrictions earlier, on Nov. 15, but postponed the decision due to updated intelligence information, according to sources.

It is unclear whether Finland plans to close all, or only some, of its border crossings.

Interior Minister Mari Rantanen will hold a press briefing on the border restrictions on Nov. 16. The original briefing scheduled for Nov. 15 was canceled and postponed.

Sources told Helsingin Sanomat that the situation along the border with Russia had deteriorated. The delayed announcement reflects a plan to impose tougher restrictions in light of new information.

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The restrictions may be in place for an indefinite period, and could involve restrictions based on national origin. However, those measures would not prevent foreigners entering the country from applying for asylum.

Finnish authorities reported a spike in asylum seekers arriving at its eastern border. These are foreigners who pass through Russia from third countries, such as Iraq, Syria, Turkey, and Somalia.

According to the agency responsible for maintaining Finland's border security, Russia has stopped preventing asylum seekers who lack required travel documents from traveling to the Finnish border.

Finnish media also reported in September that Russia has been building up its military bases along the border with Finland.

Finland's Borders Act allows the government to close a crossing point or restrict border traffic for a limited or indefinite period of time in order to prevent serious threats to national security or public health.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia lost 4,000 soldiers on eastern front in 2 weeks, commander says

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Photo: The Canadian Press A Conservative private member's bill to exempt more fuel used by farmers from the carbon price is stirring up intense lobbying efforts in the Senate and leaving the Liberals on the verge of being forced to carve up their signature climate policy even more. The Reid family harvest their wheat crop near Cremona, Alta., Tuesday, Sept. 19, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jeff McIntosh

A Conservative private member's bill to exempt more fuel used by farmers from the carbon price is stirring up intense lobbying efforts in the Senate, and leaving the Liberals on the verge of being forced to carve up their signature climate policy even more.

Alberta Sen. Paula Simons said that the effort to convince senators of how to vote on this bill is extreme from both sides of the debate.

She said she's concerned that rhetoric is outpacing reality in every direction.

"I've never been lobbied like this on private member's bill," Simons said in an interview with The Canadian Press. "This bill has become symbolic and it's being used as a wedge issue."

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, who has already made eliminating the carbon price the centrepiece of his political messaging ahead of the next federal election, has launched a full-on campaign to get the bill passed. That includes new ads launched on Wednesday.

The premiers of Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario all wrote letters to senators asking them to vote in favour of the bill.

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault has reached out to some senators himself, seeking to push the government's reasons for not wanting the legislation to pass.

Simons said senators are receiving hundreds, if not thousands, of emails about it, most of them sent by bots.

Bill C-234 was introduced by Ontario Conservative MP Ben Lobb in February 2022, and passed the House of Commons last March with the support of all parties except the Liberals.

The bill seeks to take the carbon price off natural gas and propane used by farmers for heating their buildings or running their grain dryers.

Farmers are already exempt from the price on pollution for gasoline and diesel to run their farm vehicles and machinery, but they have said the carbon price is costing them thousands of dollars for heating barns and drying their crops.

Dave Carey, co-chair of the Agriculture Carbon Alliance, told the Senate agriculture committee in September that there are "no viable alternatives" for heating and cooling livestock barns and greenhouses, or for grain drying.

He said the carbon price isn't an incentive to change, but rather is a "significant financial burden on producers who don't have other viable options."

Tom Green, senior climate adviser at the David Suzuki Foundation, told the committee there are things farmers can do to lower their fossil-fuel use for both barns and grain dryers, pointing to poultry farms that have installed solar roofs or thick insulation that reduced their energy consumption.

He also noted that the government has grant programs to help them transition to lower-emitting options, and offsets farmers' carbon costs with a tax credit.

That tax credit came into being after Bill C-234 was first introduced. It is not connected to the actual carbon price that is paid or the amount of fuel that is used, but is instead calculated based on a farm's income.

Greenhouse operators can also get 80 per cent of the carbon price taken off when they buy fuel for their greenhouse operations.

"Bill C-234 sets Canada on a slippery slope of considering sector-by-sector, special-interest-by-special-interest exemptions," Green said.

"Every sector can come up with their own reasons for why they deserve relief."

A month after that meeting, the Liberals suddenly announced they would be exempting home heating oil from the carbon price for three years to allow people more time and money to replace oil furnaces with electric heat pumps.

Critics panned the move as a political manoeuvre to save Liberal votes in Atlantic Canada, where home heating oil is used by about one in three homes.

Simons was livid.

She had just voted in favour of a version of Bill C-234 that was amended in committee so that the exemption would only apply to grain drying  not to heat for farm buildings.

And now the government was unilaterally carving out the carbon price in another sector that heavily benefited the Atlantic region.

When the legislation was brought back to the full Senate, senators struck down the committee's amended version of the bill, which would have left heating out.

Simons abstained in that vote.

"I couldn't look Alberta farmers in the face and vote in favour of it, given what had happened in Atlantic Canada," she said.

Forty-two senators voted against the amended bill, 28 voted in favour of it and three, including Simons, abstained.

The version of the bill that doesn't contain the amendment is still on the table and is awaiting a final vote before it either dies or passes and becomes law.

Simons said there are solid arguments from many camps in the debate over what senators should do, though she dismissed the contention from premiers and Poilievre that the bill will lower grocery bills, because food prices are affected by a lot more than a carbon price on grain dryers.

"This is not going to dramatically drop the price of bread," she said.

The costs for farmers could also change because the tax credit that is meant to offset farmers' carbon costs may disappear if the bill passes. While some farmers have said the credit wasn't enough to offset their carbon price bills, other say it is.

Guilbeault said the government will have to wait and see what happens before deciding how to proceed.

Simons said she thinks the bill may still pass.

But the Senate, which is mostly represented by independent members without direct ties to any political party, is less predictable than it used to be  so at the moment, it's not clear what will happen.

The bill is expected to resume debate when the Senate reconvenes next week.
The Barrow County Fire Department confirmed it responded to a fire at a landfill Wednesday.

Channel 2 Action News viewers shared photos of the heavy flames that they could see from their homes.

The flames have been seen higher than the tree tops, Matt Sharbel said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

Barrow fire spokesman Capt. Scott Dakin said the fire happened at the landfill off Hwy 11 just before midnight.

The fire was growing rapidly due to the amount of inert wood products, Dakin said.

TRENDING STORIES:

Firefighters and the Georgia Forestry Commission worked to stop the landfill fire from spreading to nearby homes and Holsenbeck Elementary School. The crews got the fire under control, but it will be burning for days, according to Dakin.

We will have firefighters on scene during this time to keep the fire under control. The fire is visible for a long distance.

The cause of the fire is under investigation.

[SIGN UP: WSB-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]

IN OTHER NEWS
LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM) A fire police officer was sent to the hospital after getting hit by a vehicle while at a crash scene Thursday morning.

According to a post on Facebook from South Lebanon Township Fire Police, there was an accident in South Annville Township and fire police were at the scene directing traffic.

A vehicle hit the fire police officer from Quentin Fire Company, who was then rushed to the hospital for treatment, according to the fire police. The officer suffered a broken leg and their injuries do not appear to be serious.

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This is a stark reminder of how dangerous it can be directing traffic, the company wrote in the post. Please keep this officer in your thoughts and prayers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
A Florida lawyer was found dead in his jail cell less than a month after a grand jury indicted him for allegedly killing his father who had accused him of stealing $450,000 from a family trust fund.

The Palm Beach County Sheriffs Office confirmed the death of Brandon Labiner who was found dead in his cell at the county jail on Wednesday where he was being held without bond.

Labiner had been charged with premeditated first-degree murder with a firearm, a felony, and tampering and fabricating physical evidence, a third-degree felony. His next court date was set for 18 November, according to court records.

If convicted, Labiner would have faced a maximum of life in prison without the possibility of parole, or the death penalty for the murder charge. The second charge is punishable by up to five years in prison and a $5,000 fine. He had pleaded not guilty to the charges in July.

Public defender, Valentin Rodriguez, said he was saddened to hear of his clients passing.

He had such a promising career, the attorney said in a statement. The tragedies of 2023 for the Labiner family are simply unbelievable.

Per an arrest affidavit, authorities arrived at a parking garage located underneath an office building in July after someone called 911 reporting that an individual had been shot. A witness told officers that four gunshots were heard at around 3.55pm.

A man was observed inside the parking garage lying in a pool of blood with several gunshot wounds, according to the affidavit. A witness said she suspected Labiner of shooting the man, who is assumed to be his father, 68-year-old Paul Labiner.

Officials have not confirmed the identity of the victim, citing Marsys Law, a law that provides certain protections for victims of crimes.

The father and son had reportedly been in a legal battle regarding their law firm, with the suspect also having lost a child and was going through a divorce.

On July 3, two days after the shooting, authorities announced Labiner had been arrested for an active warrant out of Broward County. The man had initially barricaded himself inside a building at 900 N Federal Highway when police tried to make contact.

Surveillance footage from within the area where the murder took place pointed officials to Labiner, a news release said.

In a filing in September 2022, the suspects father initiated a complaint with the Florida bar to have his sons law license revoked after he accused his son of stealing nearly $450,000 from his mothers trust fund.

If you are experiencing feelings of distress, or are struggling to cope, you can speak to the Samaritans, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@samaritans.org, or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. If you are based in the USA, and you or someone you know needs mental health assistance right now, call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline on 1-800-273-TALK (8255). This is a free, confidential crisis hotline that is available to everyone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you are in another country, you can go to www.befrienders.org to find a helpline near you.
MIAMI (WFLA)  A Florida mom is accused of strangling her 8-year-old son to death in her car and then running several errands while he was unconscious in the backseat, according to the Miami-Dade Police Department.

Shaneka Ann McKinzie, 36, allegedly confessed to using a black tablecloth to suffocate the child on Tuesday evening while he was asleep in the backseat of her car, according to police. She reportedly had been thinking about it for the past two days.

When the child stopped struggling, McKinzie allegedly removed the tablecloth and proceeded to conduct several errands throughout Miami-Dade County for several hours before eventually taking him to a hospital, according to an arrest affidavit.

The child was pronounced dead at the hospital, police said. An autopsy determined he died due to strangulation.

McKinzie was charged with first-degree murder, police said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
Gov. Ron DeSantis is falling even farther behind President Donald Trump among Republican voters in Florida.

Trump is 41 percentage points ahead of DeSantis, a Florida Atlantic University/Mainstreet Research/PolCom Lab poll released Thursday found  double the Trump advantage from July, when the former president was 20 points ahead of the Florida governor.

The results mirror whats showing up in polls nationally and in early primary states critical in the race for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination: good for Trump and bad for DeSantis.

In the FAU/Mainstreet/PolCom poll, which surveyed 946 Floridians from Oct. 27 to Nov. 11, Trump has 61% of the vote in a multi-candidate Republican field, compared to just 20% for DeSantis. In July Trump was at 50% among Florida Republicans and DeSantis had 30%.

Trump has the advantage, said Kevin Wagner, an FAU political science professor. DeSantis still needs to figure out a way to reach those voters in a way that doesnt alienate them, and I dont think hes accomplished that.

A challenge for DeSantis, Wagner said, is a tendency by people to align themselves with the candidate they see as most likely to win. Theres an overriding perception in Florida and elsewhere that the former president is well ahead, Wagner said. And the longer people think that, the harder it becomes to make any headway.

The FAU poll found a small share of Florida Republicans are considering another alternative. Nikki Haley, a former South Carolina governor and former ambassador to the United Nations under Trump, was picked by 9% of Florida voters. In July she was the choice of 1%

The poll also contains bad news for Democrats and President Joe Biden. Hed lose Florida, a finding consistent with other polling.

A particularly ominous sign for Democrats: an overwhelming majority of voters in retiree-heavy Florida believe Biden is too old for the presidency while a large majority of Florida voters dont see Trump that way.

The perception is that Trump is a more animated, energetic figure than Joe Biden, Wagner said. Its pretty clear at this point that even across party lines that theres a perception that age is a problem and that he might not be up to another term. And thats a narrative that (Biden) is going to have to take head on.

DeSantis approval

Voter approval for DeSantis performance is also slipping in the state he governs. The poll found 50% of all voters approve of his performance, with 49% disapproving. In July, 54% of Florida voters approved of his performance, with 43% disapproving.

During the last four months, he went from a net positive of 11 percentage points to a net positive of 1 point.

A year ago, DeSantis won a stunning reelection victory, finishing 19.4 percentage points ahead of Democrat Charlie Crist.

DeSantis has been hammered by Trump for months, and more recently by Haley. And many Floridians have been complaining about being squeezed by ever increasing costs of windstorm insurance, a problem Democrats have assailed DeSantis for failing to fix.

Views of the governor are largely partisan, with 91% of Democrats disapproving of his performance and 90% of Republicans approving.

Independent voters are more negative than positive, with 38% approving and 58% disapproving of DeSantis performance.

There is also a significant gender gap. Among men, 57% approve and 41% disapprove of DeSantis performance. Among women, 42% approve and 57% disapprove.

Trump vs. Biden

The findings of a November 2024 matchup between Trump and Biden  and a matchup between DeSantis and Biden if the governor managed to win his partys nomination  are bad news for the Democrats.

Biden would lose to either.

In a hypothetical Biden-Trump matchup, the former president has 49% and the current president 39%. That is unchanged from FAUs July poll.

In a hypothetical Biden-DeSantis matchup, the governor has 47% to 39% for the president. Thats a slight change from July, with DeSantis fairing slightly worse in November and Biden fairing slightly better than he did in July.

The Republicans have a significant advantage, greater than Trumps 3.3-point Florida win during his unsuccessful 2020 campaign for reelection. Florida awards 30 of the 270 electoral votes needed to win the presidency next year.

Its unclear what kind of general election campaign will develop in Florida between Biden and the Republican nominee. Publicly, Democrats and the Biden campaign have said theyll compete in the state. Others are less certain, figuring Democrats and their donors will concentrate their resources on states that are more likely to be up for grabs.

Trumps advantage is powered largely by men, 58% of whom said they would vote for him, compared to 35% for Biden.

Among women, theyre effectively tied, with 42% for Biden and 40% for Trump, well within the polls margin of error.

Among all voters, 10% said theyd vote for another candidate in a Biden-Trump contest. A much higher share of women (16%) than men (5%) said theyd vote for someone else.

Ominous for Biden

Trump, other Republicans and conservative media have repeatedly sought to portray Biden as infirm. Only recently have the Biden and DeSantis campaigns attempted to sow doubts about Trumps mental acuity.

And the poll shows voters have major concerns about Bidens ability to carry out the responsibilities of his office. Even though Trump is close in age to the president, most Floridians arent concerned about the former presidents age.

The poll found 67% of Floridians thought Biden is too old to hold the office, with 28% saying he isnt too old.

That was the view of 80% of people aged 18 to 34, 58% of those aged 65 and older, 86% of Republicans and 72% of independents.

Among Democrats, 42% said he was too old and 51% said he wasnt.

There wasnt any difference between men and women on the question.

The opposite was true about Trump  33% said he was too old to hold the office with 59% saying he wasnt too old.

He is seen as too old by 59% of voters aged 18 to 34, 29% of those 65 and older, 51% of Democrats and 47% independents.

Just 11% of Republicans said he was too old and 83% said he wasnt.

I think its a pretty big drag on Joe Biden. And I think its part of whats fueling the gap between him and Trump. In one way or another, hes going to have to be able to convince voters that he can handle the job for another term, Wagner said.

Three-fifths of voters correctly answered that Biden, age 80, is between 80 and 84 and that Trump, age 76, is between 75 and 79.

The deep political divisions among Americans were also shown in how people assess allegations of wrongdoing.

The legal proceedings against Trump  he has been indicted on 91 felony counts in four criminal cases  are seen as important by 52% of those surveyed, and not important by 46%.

Women are more likely than men and Democrats are much more likely than Republicans to see them as important.

The investigations into Biden and his son Hunter Biden, which have not so far produced evidence of presidential wrongdoing, are seen as important by 55% and not important by 44%.

Men are much more likely than women and Republicans are much more likely than Democrats to see them as important.

Biden approval low

Bidens approval among Florida voters is significantly underwater, with just 36% approving of his performance and 62% disapproving.

Strongly disapprove is especially strong among Florida voters, at 52%. Just 20% strongly approve of Bidens performance.

Biden enjoys 72% approval among Democrats and 96% disapproval among Republicans. Women are slightly more positive than men, but still disapprove overall.

And among the youngest voters, ages 18-34, just 1% strongly approved of Bidens performance.

Trumps favorability declined

Pollsters used a somewhat different question to gauge voter views of Trump.

The poll found 43% of Floridians have a favorable view of Trump, and 55% have an unfavorable view.

Thats a decline for Trump. In July he was rated favorably by 49% of Florida voters and unfavorably by 48%.

As with Biden, there is a gender gap. 52% of men have a favorable view of Trump and 46% unfavorable. Among women, 34% have a favorable view of Trump and 65% have an unfavorable view of the former president.

Among Democrats, 92% have an unfavorable view of Trump and 76% of Republicans have a favorable view of Trump.

Independent voters are also more negative than positive about Trump, with 39% viewing him favorably and 58% unfavorably.

Fine print

The poll was conducted Oct. 27 to Nov. 11 by Mainstreet Research for Florida Atlantic Universitys PolCom Lab, which is a collaboration of the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies and Department of Political Science. The survey used text messages to reach 946 Florida adults who responded to a link to complete the survey online.The margin of error is plus or minus 3 percentage points for the full survey of Democrats, Republicans and independents. The margin of error for smaller groups, such as Republicans, Democrats, men and women, is higher because the sample sizes are smaller

--------
Photo: The Canadian Press Striking members of the California Association of Professional Scientists march in Sacramento, Calif., Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Thousands of scientists who work for California have begun a three-day strike over lack of progress on contract talks. (Paul Kitagaki Jr./The Sacramento Bee via AP)

Thousands of scientists who work for California began a rolling three-day strike Wednesday  the first walkout by a state civil service union.

Members of the California Association of Professional Scientists marched under cloudy skies in Sacramento to protest lack of progress in contract talks. The walkout will spread to Los Angeles, Oakland and other cities on Thursday and Friday.

The union represents about 5,200 members who work in more than 50 state departments and deal with issues ranging from air pollution and toxic waste control to earthquake hazards and agricultural pests, according to its website.

Members have been without a contract since 2020 despite bargaining and mediation. The membership rejected a tentative agreement earlier this year. Another state mediation session is planned for Nov. 28.

It is the first time that state workers have struck since civil servants won collective bargaining rights in 1977, The Sacramento Bee reported.

Nobody wants to be on strike, and nobody wants to be the first, the union's president, Jacqueline Tkac, told the Bee. But it feels really inspiring to know that we have people that are so fired up about our situation that theyre willing to go out on strike for the first time and take that risk.

Last week, the California Department of Human Resources filed a complaint of unfair labor practices against the union in an attempt to prevent the strike.

On Wednesday, the department said it was disappointed by the strike and that the state continues to bargain in good faith.

The state will continue to work with CAPS to achieve a fair successor agreement as we have with other bargaining units, department spokesperson Camille Travis said in an email.

The union's main concern is higher wages. It says state scientists are paid 40% to 60% less than comparable positions who have the same level of responsibility and do similar or identical work.
FILE PHOTO: Rally in support of Palestinians amid the conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas in New York

By Gabriella Borter

(Reuters) -The American Civil Liberties Union challenged Florida's ban on pro-Palestinian university groups, arguing in a federal lawsuit on Thursday that the state is violating students' free speech as tensions roil U.S. campuses over Israel's war with Hamas.

Floridas university system, joined by Governor Ron DeSantis, last month ordered colleges to shut down chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a group at the center of U.S. campus activism since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

The lawsuit - against DeSantis, a 2024 Republican presidential hopeful, and several state university system officials - was filed on behalf of the University of Florida's SJP chapter and seeks a preliminary injunction to a state order blocking SJP from receiving school funds and using campus facilities.

"If Florida officials think silencing pro-Palestinian students protects the Jewish community  or anyone, theyre wrong. This attack on free speech is dangerous," Howard Simon, interim executive director of ACLU of Florida, said in a statement.

A spokesperson for DeSantis said the governor was right to disband the groups.

"Groups that claim to be part of a foreign terrorist movement have no place on our university campuses," governor spokesperson Jeremy Redfern said.

State University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues did not respond to a request for comment.

Students at U.S. universities have clashed over issues emerging on both sides of the nearly six-week-old conflict. Some accuse their schools of not doing enough to denounce antisemitism and others that the schools ignore the plight of Gazans under Israeli fire.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Florida by the ACLU, ACLU of Florida and Palestine Legal, cites a Supreme Court decision affirming students' right to associate and speak out on matters of public concern, and another case establishing that federal law does not criminalize "independent political advocacy" as long as it is not done in coordination with, or at the direction of, foreign terrorist groups.

Brandeis University has also banned SJP indefinitely, and Columbia University and George Washington University have suspended the group. The schools have cited the national organization's support for the Hamas attack and said their campus chapters violated school policies.

The student groups call the suspensions and bans unjust. Videos posted to Instagram have shown Palestinian supporters rallying at Columbia and George Washington on Wednesday in protest over the SJP groups' suspensions.

Florida's university system has said it based its ban on a "toolkit" issued by the national organization to chapters that referred to Hamas' attack as "the resistance" and stated "Palestinian students in exile are PART of this movement."

In his Oct. 24 memo ordering the ban, Chancellor Rodrigues said the national SJP identified itself as part of Hamas' attack and that it was a felony under Florida law "to provide material support... to a designated foreign terrorist organization."

Brian Hauss, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology project and counsel in the case, said the student plaintiffs in the state university system were victims of "guilt by association" in this case.

"They are a completely autonomous and independent group that is in no way beholden to the national Students for Justice in Palestine," Hauss said in an interview, adding that he did not believe the national organization could be found criminally liable for its statements about Hamas.

Israel says Hamas killed 1,200 people in the Oct. 7 assault and took about 240 hostages to Gaza. Gaza health authorities say more than 11,000 people have been confirmed killed in Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza.

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Howard Goller and Deepa Babington)
Markeith Loyds death sentence for the murder of an Orlando police officer in 2017 was upheld Thursday by the Florida Supreme Court, though with a caveat that the prosecution abused its discretion during his sentencing.

Loyd appealed his conviction and sentence for shooting Lt. Debra Clayton in a Walmart parking lot, nearly a month after killing his pregnant girlfriend Sade Dixon.

In his appeal, Loyd made 13 challenges, from questioning decisions to exclude certain jurors to arguing he was inappropriately determined to be competent to proceed with the trial. He also urged the court to declare the death penalty unconstitutional, which the court declined to do, citing its own precedent and prior decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court.

All but one of Loyds arguments were rejected by justices. At the outset, we note that much of Loyds argument asks this Court to reweigh the evidence, which we will not do, the justices wrote in a decision that was unanimous among those participating. Justice Jamie Grosshans recused herself while Justice Meredith Sasso did not participate.

However, the court did agree it was inappropriate for prosecutors to offer in court a slideshow presentation featuring photographs and video of Clayton over instrumental music, an objection to which was overruled at trial. But, the Supreme Court said, including the music in the presentation does not automatically justify reversal.

We find that the trial court abused its discretion in allowing the music to play, but that error was harmless, the decision read.

On Jan. 9, 2017 Clayton, a 17-year veteran at the Orlando Police Department, was flagged by a customer at a Walmart on Princeton Street who spotted Loyd at the checkout line. Loyd had been on the run after he shot Dixon to death Dec. 13. Clayton was shot several times upon confronting him, with the fatal shot delivered to the neck as Loyd stood over her.

A second officer, Orange County Deputy First Class Norm Lewis, was killed in a traffic collision during the manhunt for Loyd, who was captured nine days after Clayton died.

Clayton, known in the community for her volunteer service including in several mentorship programs, was posthumously promoted to master sergeant.
South Florida is gearing up for a wave of flash flooding expected to continue throughout Thursday evening as storms from the east move toward the states coastline.

Miami-Dade County is currently under flood watch, officials said in an advisory around 1.30pm ET on Wednesday. Residents are advised to stay out of the rising waters, which can contain dangerous chemicals and objects that could be harmful.

The water will continue until 10am Thursday. The downpour began on Tuesday, but officials did not expect to see showers until the following day. The population under the advisory includes seven million people.

The region is expected to have cloudy weather over the next several days as two storms head toward the state, creating persistent rainfall. The storms appeared to be originating from under the state close to the Caribbean.

Local National Weather Service expects said residents should anticipate five to eight inches of rain from the Florida Keys to the West Palm Beach area and should prepare to take action if conditions worsen.

Areas under flood watch include West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale, and Miami. Fort Lauderdale has seen a total of over 100 inches of rain this year, according to NBC News.

By Wednesday, high waters had been pushed onto neighbourhood streets making it difficult for commuters to drive through certain areas. If a high king tide emerges, the conditions may become exacerbated as rising tides could become trapped with nowhere to go.

Images taken by weather officials at Sunny Isles Newport Fishing Pier showed grey skies over the Atlantic Ocean and choppy waters.

Nearly 500 flights in Florida had been delayed throughout the day as the storms made landfall, according to FlightAware.

At Miami International Airport, 161 flights had been delayed. At Orlando International Airport, that number was 188. Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport saw 187.

The state had 16 hurricanes during the 2023 season. The showers are not expected to escalate to hurricane levels.
ORLANDO, Fla. - Winter in Florida doesn't usually mean snow or flurries, but sunshine, sunglasses, and flip-flops. However, with a strong El Nino weather pattern seemingly more possible across the U.S., Florida could see more rain and wet weather than usual this time of year.

This El Nino is a bit unique in that the U.S. as a whole hasn't seen an El Nino winter in nearly four years. So, here's the FOX 35 winter outlook for Central Florida, including how dry or wet it could be, how much rain areas could see, and the average temperatures we usually see.

What is El Nino and how does it impact our weather?

NOAA described El Nino like this: "El Nino is a naturally occurring climate pattern associated with warming of the ocean surface temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean, which can significantly influence weather patterns, ocean conditions, and marine fisheries worldwide."

It typically occurs every 2-7 years and lasts 9-12 months and has its largest impacts during the winter months.

What does this mean?

During an El Nino winter, the subtropical jet stream, an area of fast-moving upper-level winds that hangs out near the tropical regions, is much more energized and active.

This acts as a conveyor belt for storm systems to roll across the Pacific into California, continue through the Southern Plains and Deep South and eventually into Florida, where they can still be loaded with energy and moisture.

This type of pattern can deliver higher-than-average rain amounts, below average temperatures, and the possibility of severe weather, such as damaging winds, thunder, lightning, and even tornadoes.

"From December through February, NOAA predicts wetter-than-average conditions are most likely in northern Alaska, some areas of the West from parts of California to the south-central Rockies, the southern Plains, Gulf Coast, Southeast and lower Mid-Atlantic. With the greatest odds for drier-than-average conditions lingering for portions of the northern Rockies and central Great Lakes region, especially for Michigan and northern Ohio and Indiana," according to NOAA's prediction (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).

How will El Nino impact Florida's winter weather?

The next few months across Central Florida are designated as the "dry season" but, with a more energized winter pattern coming to fruition, it may be anything but dry.

According to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, Florida, Central Florida averages between 8 to 10 inches of rainfall during a typical winter. But during El Nino winters, that rainfall total rises to between 10 and 13 inches.

The overall forecast for the 2023-2024 dry season (November-April) favors above normal rainfall across Central Florida due to ongoing El Nino conditions that will strengthen through the winter and are anticipated to continue through the spring.

Central Florida leads the entire state for above average rainfall during El Nino winters, with some locations averaging as much as five inches above normal. This type of rain can be a blessing for the area in terms of keeping wildfire risks low but it can create flooding concerns during the 2024 rainy season as the grounds will already be saturated.

El Nino means potential for severe weather

Unfortunately, there is a direct connection between a strong El Nino and increased severe weather in Florida due to the energy flowing in from the Western United States. This energy can be found in the narrow band of stronger winds coursing across the region.

This set-up can lead to an increased threat for severe weather, especially when it comes to tornadoes.

Past El Nino events, especially strong events, have been tied tightly to well above-normal storminess and strong tornadoes across the Florida Peninsula between November and April. Extratropical cyclones can produce big rains, destructive straightline winds, tornadoes and coastal issues like flooding, and beach erosion. The number of low pressure systems passing near or over the state often increases during El Nino episodes due an extension of the subtropical jet stream over the southern United States.

To be clear, it's too soon to determine what, if any, severe weather we'll have. But, the possibility is always there as systems development. Make sure to download the FOX 35 News app, FOX 35 Weather app, and watch FOX 35 newscasts for the latest weather headlines, updates, and forecasts.

Does that mean it will be a colder winter in Florida? Or a warmer winter in Florida?

It depends.

While we're known for our mild winters usually, the El Nino effect can cause shifts in how cold or warm days will be in Florida. Right now, the Climate Prediction Center is giving much of the southeast  from most of South Carolina to Georgia to Florida and Alabama  equal chances for an average, above average, or below average temperatures.

So, it will depend on the weather patterns day by day, and possibly week by week.

Regarding winters chill, El Nino-type cold fronts can be quite strong, which can occasionally bring freezing temperatures and frost to the area. It's hard to forecast when and how likely that is to happen in Florida right now, but good to download the FOX 35 News app for the latest weather forecasts and outlooks.

Frost in Florida can be hazardous to both the agriculture and farming communities, as well as the tropical plants many of us have outside our homes.

For those up in the northeast  Washington, Idaho, northern California  there is an above-average chance for above-average temperatures, as well as a majority of the northern U.S. and Central Plains.

During El Nino winters, the storm's track across the nation from west to east, which usually means less of the Arctic air from the north parts of the country. This means the subtropical jet stream along the Gulf Coast can remain in place beyond the winter months. As the subtropical jet hangs around Florida and the southeast, it can produce more areas of low pressure, which usually creates more clouds and rain. More clouds and rain helps keep the temperatures low, which means cooler days in Florida.

What about drought conditions in Florida?

While wetter conditions in Florida may not be good news for the beach or theme park days, it would be a positive for our state's drought.

Much of the southern U.S.  Texas to Alabama  as well as the desert west  Arizona and New Mexico  are in drought conditions, meaning low rainfall or below average rainfall. However, wetter conditions would hopefully improve some of those drought conditions.

Currently, portions of the Florida Panhandle, northern Florida, and along the western coast from Tampa to Miami, are considered to be in drought. While much of Central Florida and the eastern side of Florida are not considered to be in drought, according to the U.S. Drought monitor.
Newly emerged footage shows Alec Baldwin firing a prop gun on the set of Rust, days before the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Hutchins, 42, was killed after a prop gun held by Baldwin, 65, discharged a real bullet while they were filming the Western movie in 2021. Baldwin has consistently denied pulling the trigger on the prop weapon.

On Wednesday (15 November), NBC News obtained and published never-before-seen footage of the actor firing guns as he prepares for scenes in character.

In one of the five videos, Baldwin is seen lying on his back in the dirt holding a prop gun as he tells someone to go to the other side of the camera because I dont want to shoot towards you.

Another shows Baldwin halting filming to check on the crews safety as he appears concerned about the steepness of the path, suggesting that they use a safer part of the trail. In another, he can be heard repeatedly asking a cameraman, Are you OK? after theyve fallen to the ground.

The videos are among several that special prosecutors had initially requested from Rust Movie Productions LLC earlier this year. They were not obtained until October, a source familiar with the matter told NBC News.

The Independent has contacted Baldwins lawyer for comment.

Alec Baldwin fires prop gun on Rust film set in newly emerged video. (New York Post)

Last month, prosecutors announced their intentions to recharge Baldwin with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the fatal shooting after charges were initially dropped in April.

At the time, NBC News cited sources claiming that prosecutors had found new evidence that they believed connected Baldwin to recklessness around safety standards on the set.

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 October, according to The New York Times.

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.

Should Baldwin be convicted, he could face 18 months in prison.

New Mexico district court Judge Mary Marlowe Sommer has set a 2024 starting date for the trial of Rust armourer Hannah Gutierrez-Reed  the other remaining defendant in the involuntary manslaughter case.

The armourer has pleaded not guilty to charges of involuntary manslaughter and evidence tampering.

Meanwhile, production on Rust resumed this year in Montana, under an agreement with the cinematographers widower, Matthew Hutchins, that made him an executive producer.
Canada's foreign ministry agreed to remove sanctions against Russian billionaire businessman Oleg Boyko after he filed a lawsuit, Forbes Russia reported on Nov. 16.

Boyko was originally sanctioned related to Russia's war on Ukraine, but the specific reasons were not made public. He is sanctioned by Ukraine for doing business in sectors of the Russian economy that help generate funding for the war effort, Ukraine's National Agency on Corruption Prevention (NACP) wrote on its website.

Boyko originally lodged a complaint with the Foreign Ministry in December 2022 and, having not received a response filed a lawsuit with Canada's Federal Court in August 2023.

Boyko's lawyers said that he has no business interests in Canada, and no connection with the Russian government or involvement in Russian politics.

"We are certainly glad that sanctions against businessmen who are not related to politics are gradually being lifted," his lawyer said to Forbes Russia.

Boyko's main source of income is Finstar Holding, a firm that invests in financial technology around the world.

A 2020 report by the U.S. Senate Intelligence Committee regarding the larger question of Russia's alleged tampering in the 2016 U.S. election said that "Boyko has concerning ties to the Russian government, to Russian intelligence and security services, and to organized crime.

The report added that the Moldovan press alleged that Boyko "was involved in a Kremlin-backed foreign election influence operation there." The sources cited, however, were redacted.

Forbes estimated his wealth at over $1 billion. His residence is listed as being in Switzerland.

Read also: Team of liberal economists helps Putin keep his power, wage war in Ukraine

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Christian loved art, sports, geology and had a passion for social justice, his family say; he had trained as a chef and was looking at coding programmes (The Glass Family)

A former Colorado deputy who was supervising remotely on the night 22-year-old motorist Christian Glass was shot and killed by Clear Creek County officers has pleaded guilty to lesser charges of failing to report and intervene and will serve a two-year probationary sentence with no jail time, a judge ruled Thursday.

Kyle Gould pleaded to the misdemeanors after originally being charged with criminally negligent homicide and reckless endangerment. The solidly built, bald and bearded 37-year-old entered his plea as Mr Glasss bereft parents sat stoically in the courtroom, the plea conditions also requiring that he never again serve in law enforcement or security.

Judge Catherine Cheroutes called Mr Glasss killing incredibly tragic, but more than that  unnecessary.

The 22-year-old was fatally shot while sitting in his car after calling 911 for help on June 10, 2022 when his vehicle became stuck amidst rocks on a dark stretch of road. Responding officers spoke with Mr Glass for more than an hour as he suffered an apparent mental health crisis  but the situation escalated after Gould, supervising from home, authorized the breach of his vehicle. Still sitting in the drivers seat, Mr Glass was tased and began thrashing around, seemingly grabbing a small geology implement before then-deputy Andy Buen fired the fatal shots.

Buen is also charged in the killing and is scheduled to appear in court again next month.

If Mr Gould had just said, Hey, wait, sit in your car ... Mr Glass isnt going anywhere, we wouldnt be here, Judge Cheroutes told the court on Thursday. She said she hoped the maximum fine of $1,000 and two-year probationary sentence deters and teaches law enforcement about what the consequences are of their actions.

Sally and Simon Glass earlier this year (Associated Press)

Sally and Simon Glass were given the opportunity to speak during proceedings, both wearing pink in honor of Christians favorite color. Their sons brutal torture and murder has destroyed our family, said Mr Glass, his wife stating that Gould did authorize the attack of our son, and he was attacked  his window was smashed and they went for him.

She said she hoped that Gould now, throughout his life, will think about being kinder and more compassionate.

The Glass family has repeatedly called for charges to be brought against other officers present at the scene when their son was killed. Clear Creek County Sheriff Rick Albers announced his retirement over the summer, just months after the Glasses received a historic $19m settlement and negotiated for more law enforcement crisis training.

Gould and his lawyer left the Clear Creek County courthouse out of sight of reporters, while Sally and Simon Glass presented a united front, determined that some change be implemented following the unnecessary murder of their son.

Its been, I think, 17 months now that weve been waiting for justice; today was the first admission of guilt by anybody, Mr Glass said. Even that took a long time.

His wife said she was working on sort of forgiveness and kindness and compassion, and theres no point being vindictive, because you can stick Mr Gould in jail, but honestly, its not going to bring Christian back.

She and her family, she said, are doing this because it is so important that it never, ever happens again to another family.

Thats all we can do.
Former Defense Secretary Mark Esper said to defeat the militant Palestinian group Hamas fully, Iran must be confronted once and for all.

[T]o ultimately defeat Hamas, in the extent that we understand it [in] military terms, you have to prevent their ability to reconstitute their military forces, Esper said in a Thursday interview on CBS.

To do that, that means you have to deal with Iran once and for all, Esper continued. You have to cut off the supply of arms and money and other support. And thats the bigger issue that were not facing.

At the beginning of last month, U.S. deputy national security adviser Jonathan Finer said Iran was broadly complicit in the attack by Hamas that began its current war with Israel. He noted the U.S. rivals efforts to train and provide Hamas with arms.

In terms of broad complicity, we are very clear about a role for Iran, Finer told CBS. What we have not seen yet at this moment, although we are continuing to look at it very closely, is any sort of direct involvement in the immediate attacks.

Espers comments came on the same day White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the U.S. is involved in intense negotiations to try to secure the release of hostages taken by Hamas amid its conflict with Israel.

We are in some intense negotiations; hopefully theyll come out the right way and well have good news to talk about with multiple hostages getting free, he said. But we dont have a deal right now, and until we do, the less said the better.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Attorneys for imprisoned former Lake County Sheriff John Buncich say in a court filing he is an old and frail non-violent offender who qualifies for a reduction in his federal prison term based on new sentencing guidelines effective Nov. 1.

Kerry Connor and Geoffrey Giorgi, who are representing Buncich in the case, filed a motion Nov. 14 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Indiana seeking to reduce the former sheriffs prison term by 30 months after the U.S. Sentencing Commission made changes to the guidelines that recognized certain offenders  those with no prior criminal history  should be treated more leniently in sentencing.

Buncich, who will be 78 in December, was sentenced to 15 years and 8 months in federal prison in January 2018 after he was convicted of bribery and wire fraud, among other charges, for soliciting bribes from county tow operators. On Aug. 5, 2020 Buncich was resentenced to 151 months incarceration, one year of supervised release.

Buncich has served 70 months in custody and he is currently at the Medical Facility for Federal Prisoners in Springfield, Missouri. His projected release date is Oct. 5, 2027, according to the filing.

Incarceration has taken a heavy toll on John Buncich. He entered the Bureau of Prisons weighing 320 pounds. At present, he weighs approximately 200 pounds. He has lost more than one-third of his body weight, according to the filing. He underwent lumbar fusion surgery in January 2020 and has experienced a slow and painful recovery while incarcerated, the filing states.

Today, he walks with a limp, and still reports continued pain in his hip, according to the filing. His age, growing frailty and lifetime in law enforcement all make him a potential target of abuse by other inmates.

Given his rational fear for his physical safety, they argued, his prison life is one of self-imposed isolation and separation. His need to remove himself from daily life activities within the prison results in an existence with little personal interaction or contact, records state.

Connor and Giorgi are asking the court to consider the revised sentencing guidelines approved by the commission given Buncichs circumstances. During his original sentencing and upon appeal, the courts found Buncich should be sentenced on the low range of the sentencing scale, the filing states.

Remaining consistent with the purpose of federal sentencing pursuant to (federal code), a federal sentence must be sufficient but not greater than necessary to meet the goals of sentencing, the filing continued.

They wrote the commission sought retroactive amendment of the guidelines to reflect the mitigating nature of the zero-point offender. The commission noted the determination of eligibility for reduction was simple and determined that orders granting the corresponding reduction should be made effective on or after Feb. 1, 2024.

He has therefore completed 60% of his servable sentence, the wrote in the filing. They said Buncich is fully eligible for the sentencing modification consistent with the new rules.

With the new sentencing guideline applied, the advisory range for Buncichs sentence becomes 121 to 151 months incarceration.

Based on the sentencing factors and the new rules a sentence of no greater than the low-end of the guidelines, 121 months incarceration is, in fact, fair and just, they argued in the filing.

His life up to the point of this conviction was one of devoted public service. There is no plausible or contemplated member of any community in which Mr. Buncich lived or might live in the future that would be at risk in any way by the reduction in his term of imprisonment, his attorneys wrote in the filing.

Buncich, they said, has been categorized as the very lowest risk in and out of the institution by the Bureau of Prisons and he has not received a single citation, charge, disciplinary violation or action against him of any kind.

His personal characteristics, including his age, health, and post-conviction behavior, all support a reduction in sentence at or below the low-end of the new guideline range, they argued.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  A former restaurant manager allegedly stole tens of thousands of dollars over the course of a year, leading police to arrest him at his new restaurant job, according to documents the 8 News Now Investigators obtained.

Police arrested Patrick Norena on charges of theft of more than $25,000 but less than $100,000, court records showed.

In May, a representative from SkinnyFATS came to Metro police to report an alleged embezzlement involving Norena amounting to more than $56,000 and dating back to May 2022, documents said. Norena was the manager of the restaurants Warm Springs Road location in the southwest valley.

An independent accounting firm alerted the SkinnyFATS representative to thousands of dollars missing in cash deposits, documents said.

Police arrested Patrick Norena on charges of theft of more than $25,000 but less than $100,000, court records showed. (LVMPD/KLAS)

Reports showed [Norena] was months behind on deposits, documents said. [An employee] reached out to [Norena] to ask if he knew anything about the discrepancies. Patrick stated he did not and would investigate the issue when he got back to work.

An employee spoke to a bank representative who told them she remembered Norena coming in to make deposits, documents said. After an employee spoke to Norena about the missing money, video surveillance showed Norena coming to the business in an attempt to put some of the money he stole back into the safe, documents said.

The company terminated Norena soon after, documents said.

[Norena] was confronted about the money shortage and afforded an opportunity to explain himself, documents said, [He] admitted to stealing money and explained that he was paying his own bills with the money he took from the restaurant.

Detectives said they could not find or locate Norena at the time a warrant for his arrest was signed in July, records showed.

Officers arrested Norena at a different restaurant on Friday, Nov. 10, documents said. Police also impounded several blue M30 pills during the arrest, they said.

Norena was released from custody without having to post bail. He was due to return to court on Dec. 18. On Nov. 10, prosecutors added a drug charge to his case. No attorney was listed in his criminal docket.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
Concha, Huckabee react to Trump announcing 2024 presidential run

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Joe Concha, Mike Huckabee, Leo Terrell, and Rep. Jim Jordan join 'Hannity' to sound off on breaking election news.

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla.  Former President Donald Trump Tuesday announced his 2024 candidacy for president in a speech that punched hard at Democrats but skipped over his GOP rivals  staying on message in a way strikingly different from his traditional rallies.

Trump spoke at a moment when many Republicans are distancing themselves from him after lackluster midterm elections for the party. GOP lawmakers, even some traditionally supportive of Trump, hoped he would delay an announcement until after Georgia Senate runoffs, fearing his rhetoric could divide Republicans and drag down GOP candidate Herschel Walker.

But Trump's speech, in a tone subdued compared to his traditional campaign rallies, avoided intra-party sniping and denials of the President Biden's 2020 election victory. There was no reference to "Ron DeSanctimonious," Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., or other rivals Trump has gone after as recently as the past few days on his "Truth Social" account.

Instead, he largely focused on touting himself as the person to fix problems plaguing the U.S. under Biden.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at an event announcing his 2024 presidential campaign (Fox News)

"America's comeback starts right now," Trump told an enthusiastic crowd that included many members of his inner circle and at various points chanted, "Trump, Trump" and "USA, USA."

DONALD TRUMP ANNOUNCED 2024 RE-ELECTION RUN FOR PRESIDENT

"In order to make America great and glorious again, I am announcing tonight my candidacy for president of the United States," Trump said.

Trump hit on many of his signature issues, including crime, drugs and illegal immigration. He also covered new ground, calling for congressional term limits, regulations on stock trading for federal lawmakers, and lobbying bans for former members of the Cabinet and Congress.

Trump slammed Biden on his withdrawal from Afghanistan, alleging that the current president made the U.S. a "laughingstock." And he attacked Biden for the United States' assistance to Ukraine in its war against Russia.

Former President Donald Trump announced a 2024 campaign Tuesday. (REUTERS/Emily Elconin)

"Perhaps the most embarrassing moment in the history of our country," Trump said, referring to Afghanistan. "We lost lives, left Americans behind and surrendered $85 billion of the finest military equipment anywhere in the world.

"Unlike Biden possibly getting us into World War III, which can seriously happen," Trump said, "I will keep America out of foolish and unnecessary foreign wars."

IVANKA TRUMP SAYS SHE LOVES HER FATHER BUT DOES NOT PLAN TO BE INVOLVED IN POLITICS

But he painted an optimistic future of the United States if he's reelected.

"I am running because I believe the world has not yet seen the true glory of what this nation can be," Trump said.

"We will heal our divisions and bring our people back together through incredible success," he added. "We will shatter the forces of tyranny, and we will unleash the glories of liberty for ourselves and for our children, and for generations yet to come. America's golden age is just ahead."

The crowd was filled with Trump loyalists, including Ric Grenell, Roger Stone, Tony Bobulinski, Mike Lindell, Jason Miller, Boris Epshtyn and Devin Nunes.

Much of Trump's family was also there, including his wife Melania, his children Lara, Eric and Barron, and his son-in-law Jared Kushner.

Trump's presidential announcement comes several months before modern White House candidates traditionally announce their presidential bids. The midterms are not even finished, with some House races still uncalled and the Georgia runoff weeks away.

President Donald held a rally outside the White House with supporters on January 6, 2021. A mob of Trump's supporters later stormed the Capitol. ((AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File))

SEN. TOM COTTON: FAMILY WAS REALLY THE ONLY CONSIDERATION IN HIS DECISION NOT TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT IN 2024

Trump Tuesday also veered into some of his previous grievances. He griped that the media hasn't covered the success rate of his congressional endorsements in 2022 and alleged that China interfered in the 2020 election. He attacked Christopher Steele and his discredited dossier, slammed the FBI raid of his home, and complained about subpoenas for members of his family.

But Trump generally spent just a few seconds on those issues before getting back on message. He also attacked the use of mail-in ballots but skipped the false stolen election claims that often come when he addresses the topic.

Trump first won the presidency in 2016 against former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. If he is elected again, he would become only the second president to retake the White House after having been ousted, a feat achieved by Grover Cleveland in 1892.

Since his 2020 loss to President Biden, Trump has challenged the legitimacy of the 2020 election results, repeatedly claiming the race was "rigged," due to the COVID pandemic-era process of mail-in ballots. Trump's legal team filed a slew of lawsuits in battleground states across the nation.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

The former president was heavily involved in the midterms, throwing his support behind Republican candidates across the nation. During the primaries, the majority of Trump-endorsed candidates were victorious. But many of his most important endorsements struggled and lost in the general elections, including candidates for Senate and governor.

Tyler Olson is a reporter covering the Senate for Fox News Digital.
Photo: The Canadian Press

An association representing 97,000 of Canadas small businesses is calling on Ottawa to do more to address Amazon.com Inc.'s dominance.

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business said in a report Thursday that it wants the federal government to tackle the e-commerce giant by modernizing competition laws to level the playing field for small businesses.

E-commerce offers a lot of opportunity for small businesses to expand and reach more customers, but theyre facing an uphill battle trying to compete with online giants," Corinne Pohlmann, executive vice-president of advocacy at CFIB, said in a news release.

"Many small businesses looking to get a foothold online will sign up for Amazon's Marketplace but a number of them report that Amazon's business practices can make it more challenging for them to compete.

As a result, CFIB feels the federal government should use the ongoing review of the Competition Act to stand up for small businesses.

Its recommendation comes after Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland put forward amendments in September that propose giving the Competition Bureau more power to investigate price fixing and gouging and empower the watchdog to block mergers that stifle competition.

A final proposal calls for an end to the efficiencies defence  a provision allowing anticompetitive mergers to move forward as long as they produce efficiency gains that are greater than and offset by the deals anticompetitive effects.

Amazon did not immediately provide comment on the CFIB report.

The Competition Bureau began investigating Amazon for abuse of dominance in August 2020. The bureau had asked the public to provide information on Amazon policies which may impact third-party vendors willingness to sell their products at a lower price on other retail channels and may influence customers to buy products from Amazon instead of other sellers. It has yet to take action against the company.

CFIB sees Competition Act reforms as crucial because Statistics Canada data shows the growth rate of small businesses is on the decline, and each year fewer Canadians are choosing to start their own business.

Meanwhile, about 90 per cent of the 3,607 small and medium businesses CFIB surveyed in October 2020 reported the dominance of big e-commerce companies like Amazon, Walmart and eBay threatens Canadian small businesses.

By January 2023, 48 per cent of the 2,423 small businesses surveyed said they were finding it harder to compete with the rise of digital competitors.

The report concluded small businesses are "no match" for large corporations, which have greater power to negotiate with suppliers and can offer more products at lower prices.

Tracey Rogers, who owns White Feather Holistic Arts in Windsor, Ont., said she can compete with Amazon on the price of goods like crystals, jewelry and bath and body products, but not when it comes to Amazon's low shipping costs.

The reality is it's an extremely difficult market for us to compete in because it eats away at too much of my profit to mail stuff across Canada, she said.

I don't even bother with international because if I quote an international shipping quote to somebody, they get offended.

CFIBs report says Amazon is the most popular e-commerce company in Canada, giving small businesses no other option but to set up a business profile on the companys platform to compete and stay afloat.

When they join the platform, the companys power quickly becomes apparent, CFIB said.

Many members stated that Amazon seemed to encourage consumers to purchase their own products over the same offered products from other businesses, the report said.

Small businesses have reported that when a product they sell on Amazon Marketplace becomes popular, Amazon will often start selling that product as well.

When Amazon starts selling the same products, small businesses find it harder to obtain inventory or materials from their suppliers, CFIB reported.

The organization also described a slow complaint resolution process that favours customers over small businesses and the companys collection and control of significant amounts of customer data.

Amazon could be more transparent about its search algorithms and provide clear guidelines to small businesses on how to optimize their listings for better visibility, CFIB said in a list of recommendations.

Amazon could refine their marketplace policies to include more transparent and consistent terms for doing business, clarifying fees, providing more options for recourse, reducing the number of contested returns, etc.
The illicit activities of a former head of a National Guard training centre have been uncovered by the military counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the State Bureau of Investigations (SBI). The individual in question presently serves as the first deputy head of a district military administration in Lviv Oblast.

Source: SSU; SBI; Prosecutor Generals Office of Ukraine.

Details: The official purchased 72 RGS-50 fuel storage tanks using state funds at artificially inflated prices in April 2022, while serving as the commander of a National Guard military unit.

It has been established that the military unit paid almost UAH 64.5 million (about US$1.77 million) for the tanks, despite their market value being UAH 39.3 million (about US$1.08 million).

Consequently, the individuals illegal activities led to losses for Ukraine's defence budget exceeding UAH 25 million (roughly US$700,000), law enforcement officials said.

The investigation materials show that the official entered into this agreement despite several companies offering more favourable terms regarding delivery schedules and the assessed value of the fuel storage tanks.

Based on the evidence gathered, the official (who resigned in March 2023 due to health reasons and currently holds the position of deputy head of the Zolochiv district military administration) has been served with a notice of suspicion of negligence in military service committed in wartime.

Material evidence has been sent for examination. The prosecutors have submitted a request to the court for the arrest of the suspect.

The perpetrator faces up to eight years in prison.

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NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  A former New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employee was sentenced for theft on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

According to the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, James Arnold was involved in a theft scheme while employed as a Utility Service Administrator.

Documents revealed Arnold stole S&WB funds by causing employees to issue plumbing permits despite receiving the fees required for the issuance of the permits. He did this by directing plumbers to pay the fees directly to him.

His action resulted in the money being used for personal expenses and the S&WB issuing permits without the required fees.

Appeals court frees attorney from having to join, pay dues to Louisiana bar association, for now

According to documents, this began in 2012 and ended in November 2021.

The Arnold case is a prime example of the FBIs commitment to drag public corruption into the daylight, no matter how long it takes. Stealing from the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board is by extension taking advantage of the very people who rely on its services every day, said Special Agent in Charge for FBI New Orleans Douglas A. Williams, Jr.

Arnold will serve four years of probation, 90 days under house arrest and be ordered to pay a restitution amount of $108,290.

Stay updated with the latest news, weather, and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play store and subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Lawyers representing former patients of a military doctor at the center of a widening sexual assault case say they have filed five new federal civil complaints against the Army and the Defense Department Monday for failing to protect them from abuse.

The claims follow a decision by the doctor's defense attorneys to bypass a preliminary hearing in the criminal matter, claiming the case is a "witch hunt" and accusing military prosecutors of plotting to "ambush the defense" with information related to three additional accusers.

The physician, Maj. Michael Stockin, is facing allegations of improper touching from at least 39 alleged victims. Attorneys for the doctor's alleged victims say they believe more patients could step forward, and the prosecution could grow to become one of the largest military sexual assault cases in history. Stockin says he has been wrongly accused and is innocent.

Stockin, an anesthesiologist at Madigan Army Medical Center on Joint Base Lewis McChord, in Washington, has been suspended from patient care.

Five of Stockin's former patients who are among the accusers spoke with CBS News on the condition they not be identified because of the nature of the ongoing case. They each described a similar pattern. During appointments at the center's pain management clinic, Stockin, when left alone with patients, would instruct them to undress, and proceed to examine their lower body and touch them inappropriately, according to the alleged victims.

Article 32 preliminary hearing

The Article 32 preliminary hearing, which an accused party is allowed to waive, provides a chance for prosecutors to showcase evidence that supports the charges. If the hearing officer agrees there is probable cause, the case is referred to the commander who determines whether the case will go to court martial.

Robert Capovilla, an attorney for Stockin, said his client opted out of the preliminary hearing because "each alleged victim refused to testify about the facts of this case and answer the Defense team's questions."

He added, "The government initially refused to produce as witnesses the law enforcement agents who conducted this witch hunt against Major Stockin, claiming that those witnesses were not relevant." And Capovilla said he believes the government intended to "ambush" his client with information about more accusers at the hearing.

The Army declined to respond to the defense's claims, citing the ongoing investigation. Alleged victims have a statutory right not to testify at preliminary hearings, and given changes to the process in the last decade, it has become rare for them to do so. Typically, they testify during the court martial.

The Article 32 hearing had been scheduled to take place on Joint Base Lewis McChord, in Washington state, last Thursday. The hearing is akin to a grand jury process in civilian courts in which prosecutors are required to show probable cause, however the process differs procedurally. In military procedure, the accused party is charged before a preliminary hearing is held to determine probable cause.

Ryan Guilds, an attorney representing several of Stockin's accusers in the criminal matter, disputed the defense's claim that the alleged victims had "refused" to testify at the hearing, noting that they were not contacted to do so, and that having accusers take the witness stand at this stage is atypical.

"The time for discovery and cross examination will come," Guilds said in a statement. "It's called trial. And my clients are very much looking forward to that day."

Former Army special victim prosecutor Meghan Tokash explained that there are several reasons why it has become uncommon for law enforcement or victims to testify at these preliminary hearings, including that testimony at an Article 32 is taken under oath.

"Inconsistencies in that testimony may be fodder for cross examination at trial," says Tokash, a member of the defense secretary's 2021 Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military. "In lieu of testimony from victims and other witnesses, a prosecutor might submit alternative forms of evidence, such as recorded or written statements to law enforcement, for the preliminary hearing officer's consideration."

Others, however, argue that it should not be as uncommon for victims to testify at the hearings, pointing out the merit of establishing the evidence on the record.

"I think it's a missed opportunity," said retired Col. Don Christenson, a former chief prosecutor for the Air Force and Air Force judge. "There can be a benefit to having the accused sitting there hearing victim after victim after victim say 'this guy did this to me.'"

The Article 32 process has been scrutinized in recent years for functioning as a "rubber stamp." In a June 2023 report, the Defense Advisory Committee on Sexual Assault in the Military found that the military had even been sending sexual assault cases to court martial after a hearing officer found no probable cause. Many of those cases ended in acquittal.

The report concluded that Article 32 hearings have not provided "a meaningful screening mechanism for preferred charges and are failing to effectively inform the referral decision," and it called for congressional intervention to fix "systemic problems" in the criminal pretrial process.

The Army has not made the charging sheet publicly available, but Army officials have confirmed to CBS News that Stockin faces charges of abusive sexual contact and indecent viewing in violation of military law. Seventeen more accusers were included in additional charges brought by the government last month. Experts and advocates who work with survivors, tell CBS News they anticipate more alleged victims could still come forward. Since the investigation remains ongoing, if more charges are added, another Article 32 hearing will be convened on the new specifications.

Lt. Col. Jennifer J. Bocanegra, an Army spokesperson, emphasized that "Maj. Stockin is presumed innocent until proven guilty at trial."

The Army says the charges are now in the hands of Stockin's brigade commander. It's unclear when the case will be set for trial.

Over the summer President Biden signed an executive order that changes the Uniform Code of Military Justice and transfers the decision to prosecute from commanders to specialized independent military prosecutors in cases of sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, murder and other serious crimes. This change comes after years of pressure on the military from Congress and victims' advocates to take commanders  who may have a bias in whether a case goes forward  out of prosecutorial decisions for major crimes, especially in cases of sexual assault. That change goes into effect in December.

"We look forward to receiving all of the discovery in the government's possession, and we will not settle for anything less than a fair trial," Capovilla said.

The civil complaints against the Army

Attorney Christine Dunn represents seven of Stockin's former patients who allege he abused them while in his care. She and her colleagues at the law firm Sanford Heisler Sharp, have filed the civil complaints under the Federal Torts Claims Act, which allows individuals to bring claims against federal agencies for wrongs committed by personnel of that agency. The additional administrative complaints filed Monday are the first step toward filing a lawsuit for monetary damages.

CBS has reviewed six of the seven claims filed, and in each the alleged victims claim to have been "severely and irreparably harmed."

"Had the Army better screened Dr. Stockin when hiring him, or better supervised his patient interaction, Dr. Stockin would not have been in a position to sexually abuse me and other patients," some of the complaints say. "The fact that Dr. Stockin was able to sexually abuse so many patients is evidence that the Army was negligent in its supervision of Dr. Stockin."

Dunn has previously filed two other civil claims on behalf of Stockin's former patients that she says are now being investigated by the Army.

"These soldiers thought they could trust a U.S. Army doctor but he abused that trust in the most egregious way," Dunn said in a statement. "The massive scope of the sexual abuse indicates that the Army was negligent in supervising Dr. Stockin."

Under current law, servicemembers injured while on active duty are unable to sue the military. However, a 2022 ruling in the 9th circuit opened the door for survivors after the court found that sexual assault was not a "incident to military service."

"The recent filing of [civil] claims on behalf of five additional survivors emphasizes the ongoing bravery of those who share their stories and pursue justice," said Protect Our Defenders Senior Vice President, Josh Connolly. "It is imperative that the Army prioritizes transparency and treats all survivors with the dignity and respect they deserve."

The Army has six months to review the claims. An Army spokesperson declined to comment on the civil complaints, citing the ongoing investigation.

8 Las Vegas teens face murder charges after student's deadly beating

Netanyahu says Israel had "strong indications" about where Hamas' hostages were held in Gaza

David DePape found guilty in Paul Pelosi hammer assault
MARYLAND (DC News Now)  A former Pentagon officer who shot and killed two people in Takoma Park in 2021 was sentenced to 25 years total in prison on Thursday.

David Dixon, a former Pentagon police officer, was in Takoma Park on April 7, 2021, when he saw people breaking into a car. Police said that Dixon, who was off duty, confronted them and fired shots into the car as they drove off.

Two of the people in the car. Dominique Williams and James Lionel Johnson. died as a result of the shooting. Michael Thomas, who was driving the car, survived.

What he was doing was not protecting the community. What he was doing was undermining the confidence and faith that police do things right, and he should be held accountable for that, said States Attorney for Montgomery County John McCarthy.

McCarthy argued for the maximum sentence of 30 years.

Weve lost two lives, countless other lives have been impacted, McCarthy said.

Dixon, who pleaded guilty in September, stated, tearfully, I stand here before you to be sentenced. I am remorseful and heartbroken about the events of that morning. Ill live with this heartbreak for the rest of my life.

Boy hit by FedEx truck in Montgomery County

In making its case for sentencing, the prosecution mentioned two incidents that took place before the fatal shooting to illustrate a pattern from Dixon: an assault in May of 2020 and a road rage incident in July of 2020.

McCarthy said that on May 6, 2020, a homeless woman was assaulted with a gun in an apartment lobby around 3 a.m. He said that the woman, whom police knew, was in the buildings lobby when Dixon was walking his dogs. Dixon motioned to her before getting into the elevator and came back out of the elevator with a gun and mace.

McCarthy said that Dixon then directed the woman out of the building at gunpoint.

Dixons lawyer, Bill Brennan, said that the prosecution did not accurately portray the incident and that police knew about video of it initially and chose not to do anything with the information.

As part of his plea deal, Dixon was not charged for the assault.

Fires spreading across Virginia: What fire officials want you to know

McCarthy said that on July 29, 2020, Dixon pulled a gun on a man on New Hampshire Avenue NE in D.C. during a road rage incident. Dixon and the other man made 911 calls about the incident.

Dixons lawyer said that the other man was the aggressor.

Brennan argued that Dixon had a life of service, joining the U.S. Air Force when he was 18 and serving in Afghanistan before he was honorably discharged. Dixon worked as a federal law enforcement officer in the Department of Commerce, Department of the Navy and the Pentagon.

20 years of a life of service came down to a 12-second error, a 12-second mistake, and two men died, and one traumatized forever, Brennan said.

McCarthy responded, saying, This is not about 12 seconds. Its a course of reckless conduct and youve got to put the pieces together.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: After jury deadlock, judge declares mistrial in double murder trial of former Pentagon officer

Six victims families gave impact statements on Thursday.

Four people spoke on behalf of Dixon, including a woman who met him nine months ago because her troubled son was his cellmate. She said Dixon helped and protected her son while they were in prison, calling him patient and good.

Dixons youth pastor also spoke at the trial, asking for mercy. His parents wrote a letter as well.

A judge previously declared a mistrial in February after jurors said they were deadlocked.

Ive been doing this now for 30 years, and its the most difficult task a judge has to perform. Particularly in cases like this where the impact of those crimes is so enormous. Its clearly evident from the statements weve heard, its enormously apparent the impact this has had, Judge Mike Mason said during Thursdays sentencing.

Dixon was sentenced to 25 years for each murder charge he faced and 10 years for assault. All terms will be served concurrently. He is not eligible for parole for the first half of his sentence.

Dixon gets credit for the time he already served which was 952 days, starting on April 9, 2021.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
PENSACOLA, Fla. (WKRG)  A former elementary school custodian facing child pornography charges has reached a plea deal with prosecutors.

Deantonio Jackson pleaded no contest to 15 counts and in return, the State Attorneys office dismissed five counts of the same charge.

READ NEXT: Latest Florida headlines from WKRG.com

Jackson was a custodian at Beulah Elementary School in Escambia County.

He was arrested for downloading more than 200 pictures and videos depicting child pornography. Some of that he viewed while in a school parking lot, according to court documents.

Jackson faces a maximum of 225 years in prison. He will be sentenced on Jan. 25.

ALSO ON WKRG.com: Survey results show top concerns among Pensacola residents

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
LITTLE ROCK, Ark.  A former judge in Sebastian County was sentenced to federal prison on Wednesday for possession of child pornography.

The Eastern District of Arkansas Office of the United States Attorney said 54-year-old Daniel Arthur Stewart of Fort Smith pleaded guilty to charges of possessing child pornography. He was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison with 10 years of supervised release after.

Northwest Arkansas TikTok chef arrested on child pornography charges

According to officials, Stewart previously worked in the Sebastian County prosecutors office before serving as Sebastian County District Court Judge in Fort Smith.

Stewart had been originally indicted in January of 2019 on charges of attempting to entice a child to engage in sexual activity following an investigation into conduct that occurred between February and March of 2016.

In February of 2016, court officials said a Faulkner County police officer with an undercover profile responded to a Craigslist ad searching for contact with a young guy or son. Officials said the undercover profile was that of a 42-year-old man with a 13-year-old son. When the poster responded, authorities said the conversation continued on the online messaging platform Kik.

Police said the posters contact photo was identified as Stewart and a sexually explicit conversation followed that led to Stewart indicating he would reserve a hotel room in Fort Smith so he could have sex with the 13-year-old on Mar. 19, 2016. Authorities said Stewart was arrested when he entered the lobby of the hotel.

After the arrest, law enforcement searched Stewarts home and said they found devices containing videos depicting sexually explicit conduct involving minors.

North Little Rock man sentenced to 50 years on child pornography charges

Court officials said following his time as a judge, Stewart had also worked as a public defender for Crawford County and Sebastian County.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
Best chili? J&J, M&O, Dutchs

Hey, Bud! I saw you wrote on Facebook that J&J Oyster Bar now has the best chili. Where else?

Chilihead

J&Js, 612 University Drive, has stepped up its cowboy menu lately with chili, fish and shrimp tacos, and even occasional specials such as calf fries.

My other two favorites are M&O Station Grill, 200 Carroll St., and Dutchs Hamburgers, 3009 S. University Drive. And of course the legacy chili at century-old Carshons Deli, 3133 Cleburne Road.

Sirloin chili con carne at J&J Oyster Bar.

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Olenjack, Lane to open Fort Worth restaurant

Hey, Bud! I liked Brian Olenjacks place in Arlington. Is there anywhere like that now? Where is he?

Frequent callers to 817-390-7538

For a nice Arlington lunch or dinner restaurant right by the stadiums, I like Zacks Bistro, a smaller Mercury Chophouse cousin at 900 E. Copeland Road.

Olenjack, a former Reata chef, has a new gig with Joe Lane Catering in Aledo.

Lane has big plans. He and Olenjack will open a large two-story grill and bar next year in a Fort Worth landmark location, he said

But not the Reata space, Lane said. Reata will move temporarily to 500 Throckmorton St. when its lease runs out next spring.

Chef Brian Olenjack. now with a Parker County caterer, will partner in a future Fort Worth restaurant.

Heavens Gate, Jake & Dorothys for Thanksgiving home cooking

Hey, Bud! Is Heavens Gate open for Thanksgiving this year?

Carol, Fort Worth

Fort Worths favorite old-time family buffet will start serving its $19.95 lunch at 10:30 a.m.

No specifics, but expect turkey and dressing, roast pork, meat loaf, chicken fried steak and the usual Heavens Gate menu of inexpensive home cooking; 3820 N. Main St.

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 Another Thanksgiving buffet: Winslows Wine Cafe, 4101 Camp Bowie Blvd. will serve a huge $95/$29 spread with turkey, prime rib, chorizo-spinach stuffed pork loin and baked ham on the carving station.

Look for salads, pastas and brunch dishes (and pizza by request).

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 And for a country drive and a charming small-town Thanksgiving, Jake & Dorothys Cafe in Stephenville will serve a $20.95 turkey, ham or chicken-fried steak dinner all day.

Thats with pumpkin pie or another dessert. Its the famous restaurants 75th Thanksgiving.

Dorothy and Jake Roach founded Jake & Dorothys Cafe in Stephenville. It opened June 12, 1948.

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Its time for Fort Worth residents to acknowledge and address a pressing issue that affects not only our furry friends also but the entire community  the high intake numbers and euthanasia rates in our animal shelters. Achieving live release rates of 90% or higher should be a collective goal, and it starts with education and action.

Animal welfare is one of my priorities and it should be a shared mission to ensure our animal shelters have the necessary resources they need to run a safe, efficient, humane shelter with animal welfare top of mind.

Education plays a pivotal role in transforming our communitys animal shelters. We must inform and empower our neighbors about the resources available for responsible pet ownership and emphasize the importance of spaying and neutering pets to curb the cycle of overpopulation.

I also want to underscore the significant community support for our animal shelters. Fort Worth is fortunate to have several dedicated private organizations like the Spay Neuter Network and the Saving Hope Foundation working tirelessly to support our animal shelters, offering free or reduced-cost spay and neuter services and funding after-school programs that educate families on responsible ownership.

Dogs available for adoption look out from their kennel at the Chuck Silcox Animal Care & Control Center on Wednesday, October 25, 2023, in Fort Worth.

Over the past four years, the Spay Neuter Network and Saving Hope Foundation partnerships have provided more than 28,500 free surgeries and more than 27,000 free microchips, vaccinations and well-animal visits in Fort Worths neediest neighborhoods. Until the organizations established a stand-alone clinic off East Seminary Drive by both organizations in 2019, these neighborhoods had no access to affordable veterinary care.

The Rainwater Charitable Foundation and the Rees-Jones Foundation also deserve recognition for their significant contributions. By funding various programs, including spay/neuter initiatives, humane education campaigns these organizations have reached more than 15,000 Fort Worth ISD students and foster care programs  these foundations are truly making a lasting impact in our city and saving countless animals.

Support for both public and private organizations such as these is essential to achieving our shared goal of reducing the number of animals in Fort Worth shelters and increasing live release rates.

There are several other ways for every resident to play a role in helping animals in our community:

Spread awareness: Tell your friends, family and neighbors about the importance of supporting animal shelters. Share information about the work these organizations are doing to encourage more community involvement.

Spay/neuter: Spaying and neutering is the best way to prevent unwanted litters and help to reduce the number of animals that end up in shelters.

Adopt or foster: Consider adopting or fostering a pet from a shelter, providing him or her with a loving home. When you adopt from a shelter, you are giving a pet a second chance at a happy life. You are also helping to reduce the number of homeless animals in the community.

Volunteer your time: Get involved in programs and events sponsored by these organizations. Shelters always need volunteers to help with tasks such as walking dogs, cleaning cages and socializing animals. You can also volunteer to help with adoption events or to foster animals in your home.

Donate supplies: Shelters need a variety of supplies, including food, litter, toys, blankets, and cleaning supplies. You can donate items in person or purchase them online and have them shipped directly to the shelter.

Donate financially: Contribute to these organizations to help them sustain their crucial services and cover the costs of food, medical care and other expenses. You can make a one-time gift or set up a recurring donation.

By joining forces, we can build a more humane community for all animals. Lets commit to working together, supporting our local shelters and creating a brighter future for the furry members of our community. Together, we can make a difference and ensure that Fort Worth is a place where every animal has a chance for a happy and healthy life.

Macy Hill represents District 7 on the Fort Worth City Council.

Macy Hill
EYEWITNESS NEWS (WBRE/WYOU)  Four adults have recently been banned from Pennsylvania casinos for allegedly leaving children unattended while they gambled.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board stated a woman left a 13-year-old unattended in the Sky Bridge hallway of the Mohegan Pennsylvania Casino for 10 minutes while she gambled at slot machines.

The woman is one of the four adults in Pennsylvania who have been banned from casinos for leaving minors unattended, officials stated.

Parents charged after shooting in elementary school parking lot

Three others were banned from all casinos in the state for leaving a total of six minors, between the ages of 1-13, unattended.

The other casinos involved were Valley Forge Casino Resort in Montgomery County, Live! Casino Pittsburgh in Westmoreland County, and Live! Casino Philadelphia.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
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While officials tried to keep expectations low before the meeting between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping on Wednesday, the encounter resulted in agreements on several key issues.

"I believe these are some of the most constructive and productive discussions we've had," President Biden said after the meeting. "We've made some important progress."

President Xi earlier acknowledged that US-China relations have "never been smooth sailing".

After the meeting he added that the door to talks between the two superpowers "cannot be closed again".

Here are five things we learned from their California talks.

1) There was common ground on climate

The two countries, which are the world's biggest carbon emitters, agreed on further measures to tackle climate change, but stopped short of committing to end the use of fossil fuels.

They promised to co-operate to slow methane emissions - a particularly potent greenhouse gas - and support global efforts to triple renewable energy by 2030.

Experts told the BBC that these are noteworthy developments in advance of a major climate change conference, COP28, in Dubai later this month.

"It's small but important steps on climate change," said Bernice Lee, an expert on China and a fellow at Chatham House, a UK think tank.

David Waskow, from the World Resources Institute, called the methane agreement a "major step".

"China is the world's largest methane emitter and serious actions to curb this gas is essential for slowing global warming in the near-term," Mr Waskow said.

You can read more on the joint climate measures here.

2) They agreed to tackle fentanyl trafficking

The two sides said they would co-operate to fight drug trafficking, and China agreed to crack down on chemical companies in order to stem the tide of illegal fentanyl into the US which has contributed to a rise in overdose deaths.

The powerful synthetic opioid played a role in around 75,000 US deaths last year.

Chinese manufacturing companies are a source not only of the drug itself but of precursor chemicals that can be combined to make it.

Vanda Felbab-Brown, an expert on international organised crime at the Brookings Institution, said the agreement was "a diplomatic and political statement", but its real impact is still a question mark.

"It remains to be seen how China will go after these companies," she said. "Will it go after three of them? Five? Fifty?"

She said she believes China will probably continue to use counter-narcotics co-operation as a "bargaining chip" and "an instrument of conducting broader diplomacy".

China has clamped down on direct shipments to the US, which means much of the illegal trade has shifted to routes through Mexico. US officials say that China hasn't done enough to stop trafficking, while China counters that the US opioid epidemic is solely America's fault.

3) After a tense period, military communication will resume

The two countries also agreed to resume military-to-military communication - a step that was high on the Americans' wish list.

The military links were cut by China last year after then-US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan.

Relations deteriorated further after a suspected Chinese spy balloon floated across the continental US earlier this year before being shot down over the Atlantic Ocean.

"During the Cold War, the United States and the Soviet Union always maintained military-to-military communication to avoid any accident or misreading of intent that could cause a war between nuclear powers," said Mick Mulroy, a former US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence. "This needs to also be the case now between China and the US."

BBC North America correspondent John Sudworth - who reported from China for a decade - points out that there were already signs of a thaw before Wednesday's meeting.

Last week, for instance, for the first time in years, the two sides met in Washington for discussions about their nuclear arsenals.

The two presidents also had substantial discussions about Taiwan on Wednesday. Mr Xi told his American counterpart that he should "stop arming Taiwan" and that China's reunification with the island was "unstoppable", according to China's foreign ministry.

A senior US official told reporters that the American approach to the issue would not change.

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4) Talks will continue

While there were several specific points of agreement, the mere fact that a meeting happened - and that Mr Biden and Mr Xi shook hands - is a positive sign, according to the BBC's North America editor Sarah Smith.

Having two of the most powerful presidents in the world speaking to each other is a diplomatic achievement in itself. If they can agree to keep in touch, then that alone could be considered a success.

As the meeting began Mr Biden told Mr Xi: "I value our conversation because I think it's paramount that you and I understand each other clearly, leader to leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunication."

The Chinese leader agreed. "Conflict and confrontation has unbearable consequences for both sides," he said.

The two countries are still far apart on many issues. While agreeing to disagree peacefully is a start, some observers warned against overly optimistic predictions.

"The last four months have seen a truly remarkable improvement in communications between Washington and Beijing," said Dimitar Gueorguiev, director of Chinese studies at Syracuse University.

"Much of that was directly tied to this Apec meeting, however... we should not assume that the positive momentum can or will be sustained," he said.

But that progress did not stop Mr Biden from calling Mr Xi a "dictator" for the second time this year when asked by a reporter if he still held that view.

"Look, he is," Mr Biden said. "He's a dictator in the sense that he's a guy who runs a country that is a communist country that's based on a form of government totally different than ours."

In response, China's foreign ministry said it "strongly opposes" the remarks, but did not mention Biden by name.

"This statement is extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation," spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters on Thursday.

5) Pandas as 'envoys of friendship'

After the meeting, Mr Xi hinted that Beijing is open to sending more pandas to US zoos.

China - where the cuddly bears are seen as a "national treasure" - has for decades used so-called panda diplomacy to help foster relationships with other countries.

"Pandas have long been envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples," Mr Xi said to an audience of business leaders at a dinner on Wednesday night.

After 23 years at the National Zoo in Washington DC, three giant pandas were returned to China this month. The Atlanta Zoo bears - the only four left in the country - will go back at the start of 2024.

"I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off," Mr Xi said of the much-loved DC bears.

The Chinese leader said Beijing was ready to continue its co-operation with the US on panda conservation and, while he didn't offer a timeline, he suggested the bears could be sent to San Diego's zoo.

With reporting by Bernd Debusmann Jr.

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Photo: The Canadian Press

UPDATE: 7:05 a.m.

The country's top court will not hear the case of four Canadian men held in Syria who argue Ottawa has a legal duty to help them return home.

The detained Canadians are among the many foreign nationals in ramshackle detention centres run by Kurdish forces that wrested the war-ravaged region from militant group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The men asked the Supreme Court of Canada to hear a challenge of a Federal Court of Appeal ruling, handed down in May, that said Ottawa is not obligated under the law to repatriate them.

Among the men is Jack Letts, who became a devoted Muslim as a teenager, went on holiday to Jordan, then studied in Kuwait before winding up in Syria.

The identities of the other three are not publicly known.

In an application to the top court, lawyers for the men said Ottawa is "picking and choosing" which Canadians to help out of a hellish situation.

ORIGINAL: 6:30 a.m.

The country's top court is slated to decide today whether it will hear the case of four Canadian men held in Syria who argue Ottawa has a legal duty to help them return home.

The detained Canadians are among the many foreign nationals in ramshackle detention centres run by Kurdish forces that wrested the war-ravaged region from militant group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

The men are asking the Supreme Court to hear a challenge of a Federal Court of Appeal ruling, handed down in May, that said Ottawa is not obligated under the law to repatriate them.

Among the men is Jack Letts, who became a devoted Muslim as a teenager, went on holiday to Jordan, then studied in Kuwait before winding up in Syria.

The identities of the other three are not publicly known.

In an application to the top court, lawyers for the men say Ottawa is "picking and choosing" which Canadians to help out of a hellish situation.

They say the men's foreign jailers will release them if Canada makes the request and facilitates their repatriation, as it has done for some Canadian women and children.

The four men have been arbitrarily detained for several years without charge or trial, the submission says.

"They are imprisoned in severely overcrowded and unsanitary conditions, with at least one Canadian being held with 30 other men in a cell built for six. They lack adequate food and medical attention and one of the applicants reported to Canadian government officials that he had been tortured."

The men won a battle in their protracted fight in January when Federal Court Justice Henry Brown directed Ottawa to request their repatriation from the squalid conditions as soon as reasonably possible and to supply passports or emergency travel documents.

Brown said the men were also entitled to have a representative of the federal government travel to Syria to help their release take place once the captors agreed to hand them over.

The Canadian government had argued that Brown mistakenly conflated the recognized Charter right of citizens to enter Canada with a right to return  effectively creating a new right for citizens to be brought home by the government.

The Federal Court of Appeal agreed, saying the judge's interpretation "requires the government of Canada to take positive, even risky action, including action abroad,'' to facilitate the men's right to enter Canada.

The appeal judges said while the government is not constitutionally or otherwise legally obligated to repatriate the men, their ruling "should not be taken to discourage the government of Canada from making efforts on its own to bring about that result.''

Sally Lane, Letts's mother, said in August that her son was "barely holding on."

"He and the other Canadian nationals have had to endure what no human being should ever have to endure.''

The submission on behalf of the four men says the top court has an opportunity to decide whether Canada has a duty under the Charter to assist Canadians abroad when they clearly face egregious violations of fundamental human rights. In its own filing with the Supreme Court, the Canadian government says no one disputes that the men face deplorable conditions, but the reason they cannot enter Canada is their imprisonment abroad by foreign captors.

"The Federal Court of Appeal applied settled principles of law and Charter interpretation to unchallenged findings of fact," the government says.

"Especially where there is no participation by Canada in the detention of a Canadian citizen in a foreign country, there can be no obligation under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms for Canada to secure their release and effect their repatriation."
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW)  Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, Chef Ky-Wai Wong, a professor with Tri-Cs Hospitality Management Program, visits the Fox Recipe Box to share his recipe for Southern Sweet Potato Pie. Chef Ky is a tenured professor at Tri-C and has an extensive culinary background including cooking for President Bill Clinton and Oprah and he shows Fox 8s Wayne Dawson how to put this recipe together.

Southern Sweet Potato Pie

3 medium sweet potatoes, baked

1/2 cup butter

1 cup granulated sugar

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

2 large eggs, beaten

1/2 cup milk, evaporated

1 teaspoon cinnamon

 teaspoon nutmeg

1 (9-inch) unbaked pie crust

1. Bake the sweet potatoes. Preheat the oven to 400 F. Scrub the sweet potatoes until clean, prick them 4 to 5 times with a fork. Place onto a baking sheet and bake for 45  50 minutes until the sweet potatoes are tender when pricked with a toothpick. Remove from the oven and allow to cool until they can easily be handled. Peel the skin from the sweet potatoes and place the sweet potatoes into a large mixing bowl. Reduce the oven heat to 350 F.

2. Make the Pie Filling. Add butter to the sweet potatoes and mash until smooth. Add the sugar(s) to the sweet potatoes and mix until well combined.

3. Add the cinnamon, nutmeg, vanilla extract, milk, and the eggs. Mix until well combined. Pour into the unbaked pie crust.

4. Bake the Pie. Bake the pie until the center of the pie is set, about 1 hour. Remove the pie from the oven and allow to cool slightly.

5. Serve the pie warm or allow to cool before slicing. Top with whipped cream (or your favorite topping) and serve.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
France described Israeli settlers violence in the West Bank as a policy of terror on Thursday. Foreign ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre told reporters that the bloodshed was deliberately intended to displace Palestinians and called for Israeli authorities to do more to protect them. She also said that the future of Gaza should not be decided by Israel, and that the enclave should form part of a future Palestinian state. Around half of the 100 tonnes of humanitarian aid France has sent to Gaza has now entered the region, Legendre said. The U.N. says at least 167 Palestinians have been killed in the West Bank by the Israel Defense Forces since the war erupted last month, with another eight killed at the hands of settlers.

Read more at The Daily Beast.
After nearly three weeks of searching, law enforcement have located and arrested a 21-year-old Franklin man who is facing attempted homicide and felony child abuse charges.

Christian Correa was taken into custody Thursday in Atlanta, Georgia, according to a Nov. 16 news release from the Franklin Police Department. The department thanked the United States Marshals Service Task Force for its assistance.

Correa was last seen around 4 a.m., Oct. 27, according to Franklin police. A warrant for his arrest was issued Nov. 1 by the Milwaukee County District Attorneys Office.

Correa is facing one count of attempted first-degree intentional homicide, one count of physical abuse of a child and one count of strangulation and suffocation, according to a criminal complaint filed in Milwaukee County Circuit Court on Nov. 1.

The complaint includes statements from a 17-year-old girl who said she has known Correa about four years and referred to him as her boyfriend. The teenager said after an argument Correa choked her, took her pocket knife and began to punch and stab her on Oct. 27.

The girl sustained 14 stab wounds, a skull fracture and other facial injuries, according to hospital staff cited in the complaint.

Correa was convicted of felony second-degree recklessly endangering safety in August 2020. He was released from prison on Oct. 7, police said.

Contact Erik S. Hanley at erik.hanley@jrn.com. Like his Facebook page, The Redheadliner, and follow him on X @Redheadliner.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Man charged with attempted homicide located and arrested in Georgia
Bombing children is not self defense, read one sign held up Thursday by protesters on the campus of Columbus State University.

Students on CSUs campus gathered together in a peaceful protest near the Davidson Student Center on the main campus in support of Palestine.

Chants of Free, Free Palestine and Cease Fire Now rang out from the crowd of approximately 60 to 70 people as Palestinian flags waved on the windy day.

A small band of Israel supporters soon showed up across the way.

Cody Collyer, Leader of the Revolution Project in Columbus, said It just goes without saying that terrorists are very bad people, and we just were very concerned that the state of Israel will stoop down to their level.

The Revolution Project is a city-wide non-profit, according to Collyer.

Collyer said he thinks of this protest mostly as an anti-war protest. He denied that the group is protesting in support of Hamas.

Were just trying to hold the democratic government of Israel accountable, Collyer said.

Not everyone agreed with the protest in support of Palestine.

A protester speaks to the crowd at the pro-Palestine rally at CSU.

When theres something going on in town that is anti-Israel, anti-semetic, anti-jews, someones gotta stand up, said Michael Goldman, president of Shearith Israel Synagogue.

Supporting the Palestinian people is one thing but supporting Hamas is totally different, Goldman said. Right now you cant separate the two because Hamas is in charge of Gaza which is in charge of the Palestinian people.

One member of the Revolution Project said that the protesters just want peace.

We decided that we were going to hold a rally in solidarity with the people of Palestine to advocate for peace, said Connor, who declined to give his last name.

Connor paraphrased Martin Luther King Jr. stating, A threat to justice anywhere, is a threat to justice everywhere.

We believe that in order to fight injustice anywhere you have to fight injustice everywhere, Connor said.

Background

The Palestinian-Israel conflict began on Oct. 7 after Hamas militants attacked from the Gaza strip and into Israeli towns during a Jewish holiday, according to Associated Press reporting.

AP reported the attack in these communities left hundreds, including civilians and soldiers, dead while others were abducted.

Reports of hundreds killed during an explosion a Gaza Strip hospital has garnered conflicting claims of who was responsible for the blast, according to AP reporting.

AP reported Hamas officials have blamed an Israeli airstrike on the explosion while Israel said the blast was due to a rocket misfire by Islamic Jihad.

A small group of demonstrators stood nearby the larger protest at CSU.

CSUs Response

CSU released a statement that said the event is not a university sponsored event.

At CSU, we respect everyones constitutional right to peaceably assemble in order to express their personal views. When they express their personal views, they do not speak on behalf of the institution.

Because it is not the Universitys position to comment on global conflicts, CSU has not and will not issue a public statement on the Oct. 7 terror attack in Israel, the statement continued.
All five members of the core Friends cast have now paid tribute to their late co-star, Matthew Perry.

Perry, who played sarcastic jokester Chandler Bing in the mega-popular US sitcom, was found dead in his home in Los Angeles aged 54.

Following the news, his five co-stars  Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Matt LeBlanc, David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow  released a joint statement asking for time to process this unfathomable loss.

They wrote: We are all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family. There is so much to say, but right now were going to take a moment to grieve and process this unfathomable loss.

In time we will say more, as and when we are able. For now, our thoughts and our love are with Mattys family, his friends, and everyone who loved him around the world.

On Tuesday and Wednesday of this week (14 and 15 November), the actors posted individual tributes to Perry on their social media accounts, sharing fond memories of the actor.

Matt LeBlanc

LeBlanc, 56, who played Chandlers best friend Joey Tribbiani, was the first to break his silence.

He shared a series of stills from Friends on Instagram, writing: It is with a heavy heart I say goodbye. The times we had together are honestly among the favorite times of my life.

It was an honor to share the stage with you and to call you my friend. I will always smile when I think of you and Ill never forget you. Never.

Spread your wings and fly brother youre finally free. Much love. And I guess youre keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.

Courteney Cox

Cox, 59, who played Chandlers friend turned lover Monica Geller, was the second to post on Tuesday.

I am so grateful for every moment I had with you Matty and I miss you every day, Cox wrote on Instagram alongside a scene from the 1998 episode, The One with Rosss Wedding.

When you work with someone as closely as I did with Matthew, there are thousands of moments I wish I could share. For now heres one of my favorites.

To give a little backstory, Chandler and Monica were supposed to have a one-night fling in London. But because of the audiences reaction, it became the beginning of their love story.

In this scene, before we started rolling, he whispered a funny line for me to say.

He often did things like that. He was funny and he was kind, she wrote.

Jennifer Aniston

Aniston, 54, who played Rachel Green, posted on Instagram on Wednesday, sharing a recent text message she received from Perry.

Oh boy this one has cut deep... Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that Ive never experienced before. We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Loss of life or loss of love, the Morning Show star, 54, began.

Being able to really SIT in this grief allows you to feel the moments of joy and gratitude for having loved someone that deep. And we loved him deeply. He was such a part of our DNA. We were always the 6 of us. This was a chosen family that forever changed the course of who we were and what our path was going to be. For Matty, he KNEW he loved to make people laugh. As he said himself, if he didnt hear the laugh he thought he was going to die.

His life literally depended on it. And boy did he succeed in doing just that. He made all of us laugh. And laugh hard. In the last couple weeks, Ive been poring over our texts to one another. Laughing and crying then laughing again. Ill keep them forever and ever. I found one text that he sent me out of nowhere one day. It says it all. (See the second slide), Aniston continued.

Matty, I love you so much and I know you are now completely at peace and out of any pain. I talk to you every day sometimes I can almost hear you saying could you BE any crazier? she concluded. Rest little brother. You always made my day

David Schwimmer

Schwimmer, 57, who played hopeless romantic Ross Geller, shared an image of him and Perry together in character during a rare flashback episode.

Matty, thank you for ten incredible years of laughter and creativity, Schwimmer wrote. I will never forget your impeccable comic timing and delivery. You could take a straight line of dialogue and bend it to your will, resulting in something so entirely original and unexpectedly funny it still astonishes.

He continued: And you had heart. Which you were generous with, and shared with us, so we could create a family out of six strangers.

This photo is from one of my favorite moments with you. Now it makes me smile and grieve at the same time.

I imagine you up there, somewhere, in the same white suit, hands in your pockets, looking around Could there BE any more clouds?

Lisa Kudrow

Phoebe Buffay actor Kudrow, 60, rounded out the quintet of Friends stars on Wednesday with her post.

Kudrow shared a never-before-seen Polaroid photo of her and Perry on Instagram with the caption: Shot the pilot, Friends Like Us, got picked up then immediately, we were at the NBC Upfronts. Then You suggested we play poker AND made it so much fun while we initially bonded. Thank you for that.

Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY.

Thank you for your open heart in a six way relationship that required compromise. And a lot of talking.

Thank you for showing up at work when you werent well and then, being completely brilliant. Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for all I learned about GRACE and LOVE through knowing you. Thank you for the time I got to have with you, Matthew.

All five stars attended Perrys 3 November funeral service at Forest Lawn Memorial Park in the Hollywood Hills.

Earlier this week, his death certificate was released by the Los Angeles Police Department.

According to the paperwork, Perrys cause of death remains deferred pending further investigation, after initial toxicology tests revealed there was no meth or fentanyl in his system at the time of his death.
Former New York City Mayor and attorney of former US President Donald Trump, Rudy Giuliani attends the annual 9/11 Commemoration Ceremony at the National 9/11 Memorial and Museum on September 11, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. - Two former Fulton County election workers say they are seeking between $15.5 million and $43 million in their defamation lawsuit against former Trump attorney Rudy Giuliani.

In new court filings this week, attorney for mother-daughter duo Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss say they could call Giuliani to the stand.

A federal judge already ruled that Giuliani was liable in the defamation lawsuit in August, saying the former New York City mayor gave "only lip service" to complying with his legal obligations while trying to portray himself as the victim in the case.

U.S. District Judge Beryl Howell said the punishment was necessary because Giuliani had ignored his duty as a defendant to turn over information requested by Freeman and Moss as part of their lawsuit.

Giuliani had previously been ordered to pay more than $230,000 in legal fees to the two women.

The workers complaint from December 2021 accused Giuliani, one of Donald Trumps lawyers and a confidant of the former Republican president, of defaming them by falsely stating that they had engaged in fraud while counting ballots at State Farm Arena in Atlanta.

The lawsuit says Giuliani repeatedly pushed debunked claims that Freeman and Moss pulled out suitcases of illegal ballots and committed other acts of fraud to try to alter the outcome of the race.

In a statement, the women said they had endured a "living nightmare" and an unimaginable "wave of hatred and threats" because of Giulianis comments.

"Nothing can restore all we lost, but todays ruling is yet another neutral finding that has confirmed what we have known all along: that there was never any truth to any of the accusations about us and that we did nothing wrong. We were smeared for purely political reasons, and the people responsible can and should be held accountable," they said.

In her decision, Howell called Giuliani's actions the "willful shirking of his discovery obligations" by not providing information.

"The bottom line is that Giuliani has refused to comply with his discovery obligations and thwarted plaintiffs Ruby Freeman and Wandrea ArShaye Mosss procedural rights to obtain any meaningful discovery in this case," Howell said.

Wandrea ArShaye "Shaye" Moss (L), former Georgia election worker, is comforted by her mother Ruby Freeman (R) as Moss testifies during the fourth hearing on the January 6th investigation in the Cannon House Office Building on June 21, 2022 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

Giuliani has blamed his failure to produce requested documents on the fact that his devices were seized by federal investigations in 2021 as a part of a separate Justice Department investigation that did not produce any criminal charges.

The ruling compounds the legal jeopardy for Giuliani at a time when he is among the co-defendants charged with former president Donald Trump in Fulton County's investigation related to alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia.

Howell expressed skepticism at Giulianis claims that he cannot afford to reimburse the plaintiffs in the case, noting that he recently listed his apartment in Manhattan for $6.5 million and was reported to have flown via private plane to Atlanta to surrender to charges there. He has pleaded not guilty.

"Donning a cloak of victimization may play well on a public stage to certain audiences, but in a court of law this performance has served only to subvert the normal process of discovery in a straight-forward defamation case, with the concomitant necessity of repeated court intervention," Howell wrote.

The hearing to determine the full scope of damages is set for Dec. 11. Attorneys say they expect it to last two to three days.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A new Gallup Poll indicates that, among white adults, 60% favored strengthening law and order, while people of color favored reducing bias against minorities (52%). File Photo by Mike Theiler/UPI

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Most Americans think the criminal justice system is too soft on crime, according to a survey released Thursday by Gallup.

The poll found that 58% of Americans said the criminal justice system is not tough enough, up 17 points from the last survey in 2020 and marking a sharp reversal from the downward trend since the survey began in 1992, Gallup reported.

In 2020, a record-low 41% said the criminal justice system was not tough enough, down from 45% in 2016, 65% in 2003, 70% in 2000 and 83% in 1992.

"Most U.S. adults think the criminal justice system should focus on strengthening law enforcement rather than reducing bias against minorities, but they believe targeting social and economic problems is key to lowering the crime rate," Gallup said in a news release.

The poll is based on telephone interviews with more than 1,000 U.S. adults conducted Oct. 2-23. It included 242 people of color and 738 white Americans.

About 26% of participants said the justice system is about right and 14% said it is too tough.

Republicans and white Americans led the trend, with 75% of Republicans and 63% of white adults saying the justice system is not tough enough, compared with 42% of Democrats and 49% of people of color.

Survey participants were less likely to say the criminal justice system is fair to people accused of committing crime, with 49% saying the system is fair or somewhat fair, down from 66% in 2003. Among Republicans, 55% said the system is fair, while 53% of white adults agreed. Democrats and people of color were more likely to say the system treats suspects unfairly, at 55% and 56% respectively.

When asked to prioritize strengthening law and order or reducing bias against minorities, 55% favored strengthening law and order through more police and greater enforcement of the laws, up from 49% in 2016.

Among white adults, 60% favored strengthening law and order, while people of color favored reducing bias against minorities (52%). Democrats leaned 71% toward reducing bias, and 82% of Republicans favored strengthening law and order.

Most survey participants (64%) prefer addressing social and economic problems, such as drug addiction, homelessness and mental health over bolstering law enforcement. Democrats led that measure, with 87% preferring addressing social and economic problems, compared with 40% of Republicans.

An earlier survey reflected little faith in U.S. societal institutions. It found that faith in police was at an all-time low of 43% in 2023, while faith in the criminal justice system was 17%.
Gary Advocates For Responsible Development are asking a judge to block an air permit necessary for the construction of a proposed trash-to-jet biofuel plant in Buffington Harbor.

The grassroots environmental group filed a motion for summary judgment on Monday as part of its ongoing litigation seeking to stop the project. A motion for summary judgment asks the court to issue a judgment on one or more claims without holding a trial. To be successful, it must typically show that the relevant facts are not disputed and that the opposing party loses on the claims even if all of its allegations are true. Responses to GARDs motion from IDEM and Fulcrum are due by December 13, and GARD will in turn have an opportunity to submit a reply to those filings by January 2.

California-based Fulcrum Bioenergys says that its planned Centerpoint Biorefinery will turn household garbage and other organic materials in to a more sustainable form of jet fuel. Announced in 2018, the still-unbuilt facility has been a great source of controversy among community activists, elected officials and community members.

In September of 2022, GARD filed a petition with the Indiana Office of Environmental Adjudication alleging that the Indiana Department of Environmental Management inappropriately granted a Federally Enforceable State Operating Permit (FESOP) to Fulcrum for the Centerpoint facility in August of that year. The group filed an updated petition in December. Gard has claimed that IDEM failed to substantiate the Fulcrums claims that the plants emissions of pollutants will be low enough to qualify for the FESOP, which can only be issued to facilities designated minor emissions sources under criteria outlined in environmental regulations.

The motion, filed on GARDs Behalf by Michael Zoeller, an attorney with the Midwest-based Environmental Law and Policy Center, claims that IDEM relied solely on information provided by Fulcrum, which in some cases was incomplete, when calculating the proposed facilitys projected emissions levels in multiple key categories, and did not independently verify Fulcrums data.

The unsupported cases for these emissions calculations precludes IDEM from verifying whether Fulcrums proposed facility is a major source or a minor source, thereby failing to satisfy Indianas permitting regulations, Zoeller wrote. As such, IDEM does not have substantial evidence to support the issuance of a FESOP for the Fulcrum Centerpoint facility.

The motion further claims that IDEM cannot accurately predict the Centerpoint facilitys emissions without accurate information on the composition of feedstock used to produce the jet fuel, which Fulcrum did not provide, and that the FESOP granted to Fulcrum is not protective of public health as legally required. Zoeller cited elevated levels of particulate pollution and ozone already present in northern Lake County and argued that the Centerpoint facility, if built, would impair the health of its already overburdened residents.

Centerpoints future is uncertain, and not just because of GARDs litigation. In October, Fulcrum announced that plans to sell up to $500 million of tax-exempt environmental improvement revenue bonds through the Indiana Finance Authority to help finance the facility were on hold after the companys bonds for its similar plant in Nevada went into default.

Fulcrum vice president Rick Barraza wrote in a statement that Fulcrums decision to not move forward with the Centerpoint bonds has no relation to the Sierra bonds, and stressed that the company remains steadfast in its commitment to both the Centerpoint and Sierra projects and their respective bondholders.

Fulcrum might face another impediment in the form of Gary Mayor-Elect Eddie Melton, who unseated incumbent Mayor Jerome Prince in the citys Democratic primary in May and handily defeated Republican challenger Andrew Delano in the Nov. 7 general election. Princes support for the Centerpoint project, which he lauded as a significant source of investment and jobs for the city, was one issue where the candidates differed. In an April interview with the Post-Tribune, Melton voiced opposition to the plan, both because of doubts about the efficacy of Fulcrums technology and a concern that bringing in a trash-to-fuel business would hamper the citys efforts to shed its reputation as a dumping ground.

From the beginning we felt this was never going to happen because it was an unproven process, GARD President Dorreen Carey told reporters. You dont want a plant built or even halfway built if its going to sit there and take up valuable lakefront property.

Fulcrum did not return a request for comment.
North Carolina has long been at the center of Louis DeJoys professional pursuits. He spent decades building Triad-based New Breed Logistics before it was acquired by XPO Logistics for $615 million in 2014. Now, the state is at the forefront of DeJoys latest venture: modernizing and revitalizing the U.S. Postal Service.

The U.S. Postmaster General spoke to the Charlotte Business Journal last week at the Postal Services new Charlotte Regional Processing and Distribution Center in Gaston County. The facility is at NorthPoint Developments Gateway85 industrial park between Gastonia and Lowell, and is part of USPS nine-figure investment in the Charlotte region. The operation is around 20% ramped up so far, DeJoy said, and will employ between 750 and 1,000 people at full capacity.

ALSO READ: USPS employees union protests over layoff fears and changes within agency

The facility is a piece of the Postal Services larger 10-year Delivering for America plan  DeJoys ambitious vision to modernize and financially revive the organization. The plan was issued in 2021 and includes an overhaul of the Postal Services processing network. Those changes are built around the Regional Processing and Distribution Centers.

Were trying to create a conveyor to and from everyones home, DeJoy said.

Read more here.

VIDEO: USPS employees union protests over layoff fears and changes within agency




Drag performer Khmera Rouge performs at 'Gaypec', an event held in San Francisco during the APEC summit to promote LGBTQ acceptance (Frederic J. BROWN)

The calendar for APEC in San Francisco featured a US-China summit, appearances by top CEOs, negotiations on a trade pact -- and seductive dances by elaborately coiffed drag queens.

Welcome to "Gaypec," one of the side events of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, being held in the city for decades at the forefront of the fight for LGBTQ acceptance.

"This is the most significant gathering of international leaders in San Francisco in more than a half century," said Rafael Mandelman, who represents the LGBTQ-friendly Castro district on San Francisco Board of Supervisors.

"It seemed to me that if an event that big was happening in San Francisco, there had to be something gay about it," he said.

Acknowledging that homosexuality is frowned upon in some APEC member states, Mandelman hoped that San Francisco would provide a level of comfort for LGBTQ visitors and let them "find a queer community for the time they're here."

With support from Mayor London Breed, San Francisco invited APEC delegates to a "Gaypec" reception Wednesday night at a gay club in the Castro with plenty of less formal mingling than at the summit venue.

Few foreign delegates were seen at the club, which took place at the same time as President Joe Biden's opening reception, but organizers said the event was as much about making a statement as welcoming any LGBTQ guests.

"We know that LGBT rights are not enjoyed in many Asian countries," said Evan Low, a California state Assembly member who is Chinese-American and openly gay.

"I met a number of delegates who privately pulled me aside and said, I wish I could come to this Gaypec event, but for me as an official diplomat, it would be terrible, it would be devastating," he said.

"So we are here to gather and channel this energy into a movement, into an actual commitment of advancing equality for everyone."

Muslim-majority Brunei, an APEC member, has the death penalty on the books for homosexuality -- although the sultan has imposed an indefinite moratorium in the face of strong international criticism, including boycott calls of Brunei-owned luxury hotels abroad.

In Malaysia, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is attending APEC, had been imprisoned on allegations of sodomy. He denied the charges, which he said were trumped up by political rivals.

At Gaypec, taking the stage to electropop, her arms stretched in the air above her voluminous curls, the first drag performer wore a sparkling red dress in tribute to her Asian heritage.

Born in the United States to Cambodian parents, the drag performer, who goes by the stage name Khmera Rouge, said she hoped to show the inclusiveness of the city to visitors.

"San Francisco is one of those places where everybody is welcome," she said. "Anybody can be whoever they want here."

sct/hg/st
Photo: The Canadian Press

The European Commission will continue the use of the controversial chemical herbicide glyphosate in the European Union for 10 more years after the 27 member countries again failed to find a common position.

Representatives of EU states were unable to reach a decision last month, and a new vote by an appeal committee was again unconclusive on Thursday. Because of the deadlock, the EU's executive arm said it will endorse its own proposal and renew the approval of glyphosate for 10 years, with new conditions attached.

These restrictions include a prohibition of pre-harvest use as a desiccant and the need for certain measures to protect non-target organisms, it said in a statement.

The chemical, which is widely used in the bloc to the great anger of environment groups, had been approved in the EU market until mid-December.

The Greens political group of the EU Parliament immediately urged the Commission to backpedal and ban the use of glyphosate.

"We should not gamble with our biodiversity and public health like this, said Bas Eickhout, the vice chair of the Environment Committee.

Over the past decade, glyphosate, used in products like the weedkiller Roundup, has been at the heart of heated scientific debate about whether it causes cancer and its possible disruptive effect on the environment. The chemical was introduced by chemical giant Monsanto in 1974 as an effective way of killing weeds while leaving crops and other plants intact.

Bayer bought Monsanto for $63 billion in 2018 and has been trying to deal with thousands of claims and lawsuits related to Roundup. In 2020, Bayer announced it would pay up to $10.9 billion to settle about 125,000 filed and unfiled claims. Just weeks ago, a California jury awarded $332 million to a man who sued Monsanto contending that his cancer was related to decades of using Roundup.

The France-based International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as a probable human carcinogen in 2015.

But the EUs food safety agency paved the way for a 10-year extension when it said in July it did not identify critical areas of concern in the use of glyphosate.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency found in 2020 that the herbicide did not pose a health risk to people, but a federal appeals court in California last year ordered the agency to reexamine that ruling, saying it wasnt supported by enough evidence.

EU member states are responsible for authorizing the use of products in their national markets, following a safety evaluation.

The 10-year extension proposed by the European Commission required a qualified majority, defined as 55% of the 27 members representing at least 65% of the total EU population of some 450 million people. Several member states abstained and that was not achieved, leaving the final say to the EU's executive arm.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron had committed to ban glyphosate before 2021 but has since backpedaled. Germany, the EUs biggest economy, plans to stop using it from next year, but the decision could be challenged. Luxembourgs national ban, for instance, was overturned in court earlier this year.

Greenpeace has called on the EU to reject the market reapproval, citing studies indicating that glyphosate may cause cancer and other health problems and could also be toxic to bees. The agroindustry sector, however, says there are no viable alternatives.
A BBC correspondent said the blackout would make it difficult to get information about what was happening in the war

Mobile phone and internet services have gone down across the Gaza Strip due to a lack of fuel for back-up generators, Palestinian telecoms companies say.

Telecom firms Paltel and Jawwal said all energy sources sustaining their networks were depleted, and an internet monitor confirmed a major outage.

Israel has blocked all but one delivery of fuel to Gaza since the start of its war with Hamas five weeks ago.

The UN said a blackout could jeopardise civil order and undermine aid efforts.

"We regret to announce that all telecom services in Gaza Strip have gone out of service as all energy sources sustaining the network have been depleted, and fuel was not allowed in," Paltel said in a statement on Thursday afternoon.

At the same time, internet observatory NetBlocks said live metrics showed Gaza was "in the midst of a major internet outage", with telecom services likely to be unavailable to most residents.

 Confirmed: Live metrics show that the #Gaza Strip is now in the midst of a major internet outage as generator fuel supplies and backups finally run out; telecom services including landline, cellular and wifi are likely to be unavailable to most residents at the present time  pic.twitter.com/Ur30UFj9KZ  NetBlocks (@netblocks) November 16, 2023

Israel launched a major military campaign in the Gaza Strip to destroy Hamas, which it considers a terrorist group, in retaliation for the 7 October cross-border attack by hundreds of gunmen. At least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas's assault on Israel and about 240 others were taken hostage.

Since Israel started its counterattack, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry has said 11,400 people have been killed in the territory and the United Nations has warned of a "humanitarian disaster".

The Israeli government has defended blocking fuel deliveries during its campaign, saying it is concerned that Hamas could steal fuel and use it for military purposes.

One tanker carrying 23,000 litres of diesel crossed from Egypt on Wednesday, but Israel restricted its use only for the refuelling of UN aid lorries.

Other key services have already had to shut down because of similar issues. This includes hospitals, water pumps, desalination plants, sewage treatment facilities and bakeries.

More on Israel-Gaza war

The BBC's Rushdi Abu Alouf, who is in the southern city of Khan Younis, confirmed that all communications were down across Gaza on Thursday night.

He said it would now be extremely difficult to get any information about what was happening on the ground elsewhere, particularly in places like Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, where Israeli forces were carrying out an operation for a second consecutive day.

Before the start of the blackout, a journalist trapped inside the complex had told him by phone that troops were storming all of the hospital's departments and "shooting in all directions". Our correspondent has been unable to re-establish contact since then.

The head of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, Unrwa - which runs the largest humanitarian operation in Gaza - said he feared the blackout could cause a further breakdown of civil order.

"These are signs of a situation when you have a blackout and you cannot communicate with anyone anymore... that triggers and fuels even more the anxiety and the panic," Philippe Lazzarini, the UN leader, told a news conference in Geneva.

"This can provoke or accelerate the last remaining civil order that we have in the Gaza Strip. And if this completely breaks down, we will have difficulties to operate in an environment where you do not have a minimum of order."

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Human Rights Watch said on Wednesday that a prolonged communications blackout could "provide cover for atrocities and breed impunity while further undermining humanitarian efforts and putting lives at risk".

Mr Lazzarini also said that he believed there was a "deliberate attempt to strangle" Unrwa's work in Gaza, warning that the agency might have to entirely suspend its operations if its fuel supplies ran out.

Unrwa, which is hosting 813,000 displaced people in its facilities, says it needs at least 160,000 litres of fuel every day to maintain its basic operations.

"If the fuel does not come in, people will start to die because of the lack of fuel," Mr Lazzarini warned.

"Exactly as from when, I don't know. But it will be sooner rather than later."

The head of the UN World Food Programme meanwhile said that supplies of food and water were "practically non-existent" and that "only a fraction of what is needed is arriving through the borders".

"With winter fast approaching, unsafe and overcrowded shelters, and the lack of clean water, civilians are facing the immediate possibility of starvation," Cindy McCain warned.

An estimated 1.5 million Palestinians have been displaced by the conflict

But a spokesman for the Israeli defence ministry body overseeing policy for the Palestinian territories, Cogat, told the BBC: "As far as I know, there is no lack of food and no lack of water in Gaza."

Col Moshe Tetro said Israel was fulfilling its obligations to facilitate the delivery of aid and that the number of lorries crossing from Egypt was increasing every day. The UN says 1,139 aid lorries have entered since 21 October, compared to about 500 each day on average before the war.

Col Tetro also stressed that Israel was doing everything it could to reduce civilian casualties, including by telling residents in the north of Gaza to flee southwards for their own safety as it focuses its air and ground assault on what it sees as Hamas's stronghold.

Many of the 1.5 million displaced people have fled to Khan Younis, where the pre-war population of 300,000 has tripled.

On Thursday, there were reports that Israeli forces had dropped leaflets urging people to evacuate four towns east of the city - Bani Shuhaila, Khuzaa, Abasan and Qarara - where tens of thousands of people have been sheltering.

An Unrwa spokeswoman said the south had "not been safe at all", and an expansion of Israel's ground assault into the region would be bad news.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  The fate of the MQ-9 Reaper has once again entered public debate after senior U.S. defense officials confirmed Houthi militants had downed one of the drones over international waters off the coast of Yemen on Nov. 8.

In recent years, experts have questioned the sustainability of flying such expensive aircraft in contested environments, where less costly countermeasures are able to target them.

For example, in 2021, the Air Force sought to curtail procurement of the General Atomics Aeronautical Systems-made drone in the fiscal 2022 budget.

Earlier this month, Brandon Tseng, the president of drone and software firm Shield AI, said the MQ-9 is too expensive and too slow to regenerate to continue operating within range of surface to air missiles.

MQ-9 is a great aircraft, Ive used it. But for the future fight, its role needs to be re-defined to quarterbacking intelligent teams of attritable aircraft, he wrote on LinkedIn. And this doesnt just apply to MQ-9; it includes MQ-4, MQ-1, P-8, SH-60, etc.

And an article from earlier this year on the U.S. Military Academys Modern War Institute website noted the MQ-9 Reaper may not be survivable in an environment characterized by large-scale combat operations.

There is a decision to be made, wrote Liam Collins, who served as a defense adviser to Ukraine from 2016 to 2018. Should the US military field more survivable UAVs  ones capable of conducting defensive maneuvers  or invest in smaller ones that it does not mind losing?

The article was in response to a March 2023 incident that saw a Russian fighter jet force down a U.S. Reaper over the Black Sea, after initially damaging its propeller. The interception ultimately resulted in a crash and complete loss of the aircraft, Air Force Gen. James Hecker, commander of U.S. Air Forces Europe and Africa, said in a statement.

Russian military Su-34 and Su-35 aircraft release flares in the flight path of a U.S. Air Force MQ-9 Reaper drone, lower left, on July 6, 2023, over Syria. (U.S. Air Force via AP)

And in July, among other recent reports Russia was harassing MQ-9 drones, a Russian jet fired flares at a Reaper involved in a counterterrorism mission over Syria, damaging its propeller.

Asked about the acquisition process for building  and replacing  these systems, an official with General Atomics Aeronautical Systems said that, with a hot production line, we can build one in three to eight months.

But combat loss and attrition are built into the [U.S. Air Force] order scheme. Some amount of loss is expected, C. Mark Brinkley, senior director of communications with the firm, told Defense News at the Dubai Airshow this week.

The war in Ukraine has shown that successful battlefield outcomes are possible by using large quantities of low-tech and cheap weapons, rather than relying on fewer, more expensive drones.

But Brinkley pushed back at this assessment.

There are companies out there that want you to believe you can replace the capability of a Reaper or [MQ-9B] SeaGuardian with a 100-pound stomp rocket that can carry 25 pounds for 10 hours. The only catch is they would need a billion dollars to invent some magical artificial intelligence to make them relevant, he said. Even if that AI existed today and you could swarm 50 of them together, your payload and endurance would be 25% of the MQ-9B. So dont tell me thats the future.

To increase the Reapers survivability, Brinkley recommended the integration of air-to-air missiles and an early warning radar to radically change the situation and reduce harassment opportunities.

This echoed a similar recommendation made by retired Air Force Maj. Gen. Lawrence Stutzriem, who advised the Pentagon to fund the integration of a self-protection capability on the Reaper  something the department has yet to do.

Dave Alexander, the president of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, offered two ways to respond to the Reapers vulnerabilities in contested areas.

You either complain about it, he told Defense News at the show, or do something about it.
Reporters surround embattled Rep. George Santos (R-NY) as he heads to the House Chamber for a vote, at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 in Washington, DC. Kent Nishimura / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

An associate of Republican Rep. George Santos fretted about the congressman being made into a bobblehead.

The private anxiety came to light among pages of text messages released by a House committee.

It is a lighter moment in a damning report about Santos' conduct.

Aides hurried to respond to the chaos that engulfed Republican Rep. George Santos' early days in office.

One of the lighter moments in the damning House Ethics Committee report on Santos concerns an associate of Santos' fretting with a congressional staffer over a bobblehead.

The bobblehead depicted the newly-elected congressman with a Pinocchio nose shortly after it the revelation of bombshell reports that he lied and embellished his life story during his effort to get elected to Congress.

"This company is starting to sell bobble heads with his name, one is a regular bobble head, and the other has a Pinocchio nose. We should file an emergency trademark with the name to protect it," one aide wrote to another.

It's not definitively clear who wrote and received the text messages  the committee's screenshots simply label the conversation as occurring between "Witness 1" and "Staffer 1." Other parts of the report reference additional individuals whose text messages were obtained.

Context clues from the released screenshots, however, suggest the messages were between Derek Myers, a former aide to Santos, and Vish Burra, Santos' operations director.

After the report's publication, Santos announced that he would not seek reelection to Congress next year. The New Yorker has repeatedly vowed he will remain in office despite facing multiple federal charges, including fraud related to his 2022 election. He has become so embattled that election pundits have predicted Democrats would have a major advantage if he were to run again.

"If there was a single ounce of ETHICS in the "Ethics committee", they would have not released this biased report," Santos wrote on Twitter. "The Committee went to extraordinary lengths to smear myself and my legal team about me not being forthcoming (My legal bills suggest otherwise). "

Interestingly, the staffer gets at the history of disputes the nation's political figures have had with merchants eager to cash in on their image. The First Amendment likely protects most of the parody merchandise, including the Pinocchio nose bobblehead. Other areas can be less clear. Then-California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's film production company filed suit in 2004 over a bobblehead that depicted him with " a gray suit and a bandoleer and brandishing an assault rifle," according to The New York Times. The two sides later settled.

Usually, the disputes feature US presidents, as Mother Jones once detailed. It's extremely rare to see a freshman lawmaker garner national recognition like Santos has. But then again, there has never been a lawmaker like Santos in recent memory.

And yes, if you want to, you can still buy a Santos bobblehead from the same company that has made ones depicting Anthony Fauci and Sen. Bernie Sanders sitting at President Joe Biden's inauguration.

According to the listing for the Santos bobbleheads, $5 from each one sold is donated to a "dog-focused GoFundMe campaign," likely in reference to an allegation made against the congressman that he pocketed thousands from a dying dog's GoFundMe page.

Read the original article on Business Insider
George Santos has admitted to several "embellishments" of his CV

George Santos will not run for re-election in 2024 after the House ethics committee released a damning report on his conduct.

The panel found the Republican congressman from New York "blatantly stole from his campaign" and exploited "every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit".

On social media, Mr Santos called the report a "politicized smear".

Still, he said he would not seek a second term in light of the probe.

"My family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time," Mr Santos wrote in a long post that also called the report biased.

His time in office could end sooner than next November, though.

Three of his congressional colleagues - two Democrats and one Republican - said on Thursday they would introduce measures to expel him from the House.

In its report, the ethics committee, which is split evenly between Republicans and Democrats, found that Mr Santos reported fictitious loans to his political committees in order to induce donors to make further contributions to his campaign.

He then diverted campaign money to himself as "repayments" of those fictitious loans, it found.

According to the report Mr Santos also:

Spent campaign money on Botox treatments, luxury fashion purchases, trips to Atlantic City and Las Vegas, holidays in the Hamptons, and even his own rent

Recorded 37 expenses of exactly $199.99 - one cent below a threshold set by law that requires campaigns to keep receipts

Was "frequently in debt, had an abysmal credit score, and relied on an ever-growing wallet of high-interest credit cards to fund his luxury spending habits"

Hired one of his own companies to work for his campaign. The company, RedStone, paid Mr Santos at least $200,000, which he used to pay credit card debt and make purchases from companies including Hermes, OnlyFans and Sephora

Claimed to own multiple properties and a luxury car. The report states: "At no point does Representative Santos appear to have owned a Maserati, despite telling campaign staff otherwise"

"He used his connections to high value donors and other political campaigns to obtain additional funds for himself through fraudulent or otherwise questionable business dealings," the committee said in the report.

"And he sustained all of this through a constant series of lies to his constituents, donors, and staff about his background and experience."

Mr Santos has often sought to pin the blame for his alleged financial improprieties on his ex-campaign treasurer, but the ethics committee said "he was a knowing and active participant in the misconduct".

The panel said it would not start disciplinary action itself because the process would provide the congressman "with further opportunity to delay any accountability for his actions and could risk interfering with the ongoing criminal prosecution".

It added, though, that his "conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office, and has brought severe discredit upon the House".

They referred Mr Santos to the Department of Justice for possible prosecution on additional charges.

Mr Santos has already been indicted on charges that include conspiracy, wire fraud, false statements, falsification of records, identity theft and credit card fraud.

The report led to fresh calls for his expulsion from Congress, a fate very few lawmakers have faced in US history.

Notably, the chair of the ethics committee, Mississippi Republican Michael Guest, said he would personally introduce a measure to expel Mr Santos from Congress on Friday morning.

Two Democrats, Robert Garcia of California and Daniel Goldman of New York, also said they plan to introduce measures soon.

Just two weeks ago, Santos survived a vote to expel him from the House, which requires a two-thirds majority.

Only five federal lawmakers have been expelled in US history, including three during the nation's civil war.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

'Terrible liar'

Mr Santos was first elected to the House a year ago.

A self-admitted "terrible liar", he portrayed himself on the campaign trail as "the full embodiment of the American dream": an openly gay child of Brazilian immigrants who rose to the upper echelons of Wall Street before entering the world of politics.

But his story began to unravel even before he was sworn in.

Mr Santos claimed to have been educated at Baruch College in New York City before becoming a "seasoned Wall Street financier and investor" with experience working at prestigious firms including Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. He said his mother narrowly survived the 9/11 attacks, that he had a large real estate portfolio and was a "Proud American Jew".

He later admitted he never graduated from Baruch College or any other university, or worked for Goldman Sachs and Citigroup. Nor did he own property across New York. He is Catholic, not Jewish and his mother was likely not in the US on 11 September 2001.

The ethics committee said his misconduct went far beyond misrepresenting his past, however, and the report also said Santos displayed a "lack of candor during the investigation itself".
In the category of election campaigns starting earlier and earlier, Republican Lt. Gov. Burt Jones launched an attack ad Monday against GOP Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger.

In the ad, Jones slams Raffensperger for being a no-show on the job and missing budget hearings and a recent state Senate committee hearing on election integrity.

Jones, who presides over the Georgia Senate, and Raffensperger, the states chief elections officer, appear to be on a collision course ahead of the 2026 elections even before the 2024 voting. With Republican Gov. Brian Kemp term limited, the 2026 GOP gubernatorial primary field could get crowded, with state Attorney General Chris Carr another possible contender.

Jones ad starts by depicting a milk carton carrying Raffenspergers photo, with the female narrator stating he is missing. She goes on to claim the secretary hasnt attended a Senate Appropriations Committee meeting since 2020 despite the panel exercising control over his agencys budget.

The ad also brings up Raffenspergers failure to appear at a Senate Ethics Commission hearing on election integrity two weeks ago because he had a speaking engagement elsewhere. Raffensperger sent the agencys general counsel instead to the meeting, where some Senate Republicans complained the secretary of states office was taking too long to implement an upgrade to the states touch-screen voting machines.

The ad continues by charging Raffensperger with working only 42 days this year and missing 70% of work days since 2021.

If you or I did that, wed be fired from our job, the narrator states.

A key member of Raffenspergers staff responded to the ad by saying her boss is focused on next years elections.

While desperate politicians and election deniers work to discredit the outcome of next years election, we will continue to focus on preparing our counties for a smooth, secure and successful election, Deputy Secretary of State Jordan Fuchs told The Hill, a Washington, D.C.-based newspaper that covers Capitol Hill.

Raffensperger and Jones are in opposite camps in Georgias Republican Party. Raffensperger famously refused to go along when then-President Donald Trump urged him to find 11,780 Georgia votes for Trump in the November, 2020, election, one more than Democrat Joe Biden had won in carrying the Peach State over Trump.

Jones was the only statewide Republican candidate endorsed by Trump in Georgia last year to win his election. Shortly after the 2020 election, then-state Sen. Jones was among a group of state Senate Republicans who called for a special session of the General Assembly amid allegations of widespread voter fraud in Georgia that turned out to be unfounded.
Photo: The Canadian Press

A lawyer for a former RCMP intelligence official charged with leaking secrets is telling a jury his client did not betray Canada, but acted on a "clear and grave threat."

Jon Doody, who represents Cameron Jay Ortis, began closing arguments for the defence in Ontario Superior Court today.

Ortis, 51, has pleaded not guilty to violating the Security of Information Act by revealing secrets to three individuals in 2015 and trying to do so in a fourth instance, as well as breach of trust and a computer-related offence.

The Crown argues Ortis lacked authority to disclose classified material and that he was not doing so as part of some kind of undercover operation.

Ortis, who was director of the RCMP's Operations Research group, has told the jury he didn't commit a crime or lose sight of his mission.

On the contrary, Ortis says, he offered secret material to targets in a bid to get them to use an online encryption service secretly set up by an allied intelligence service to spy on adversaries.
One of Donald Trumps co-defendants in Georgias election interference case could return to jail after he repeatedly violated the terms of his release, according to prosecutors in Atlanta.

A filing from the office of Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis argues that Harrison Floyd, the leader of Black Voices for Trump, has engaged in a pattern of intimidation against his co-defendants and witnesses since he was released on bond in August.

Mr Floyd, like his co-defendants, was charged under the states anti-racketeering statute for allegedly joining a criminal enterprise to reverse Mr Trumps loss in the state in the 2020 presidential election. He also is charged with conspiracy to commit solicitation of false statements and writings and influencing witnesses.

The terms of his release prohibited him from intimidating co-defendants and witnesses and from communicating in any way, directly or indirectly, about the facts of the case with any co-defendants or witnesses, except through his counsel.

Prosecutors say he has since engaged in numerous intentional and flagrant violations of the conditions of release, including multiple social media posts about plea deals for co-defendants Jenna Ellis and Sidney Powell and posts about Georgia election officials who are witnesses in the case.

He also has repeatedly posted about an election worker who is a witness in the case and who has faced a wave of harassing messages and abuse after Mr Trump, Rudy Giuliani and others amplified false claims about her.

Mr Floyds actions demonstrate that he poses a significant threat of intimidating witnesses and otherwise obstructing the administration of justice in the future, making him ineligible for bond, according to prosecutors.

He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him, and he is the only co-defendant in the case who has spent time in jail on those charges.

After he surrendered to authorities in August, Mr Floyd was held inside the Fulton County jail for several days until his $100,000 consent bond order was approved by Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee.

The filing from Ms Williss office also follows the publication of filmed interviews between prosecutors and Ellis, Powell and Kenneth Chesebro, the three Trump-allied attorneys who pleaded guilty to crimes connected to Georgias election subversion case.

Ms Willis has sought a protective order that would bar parties in the case from leaking evidence. During a courtroom hearing on Wednesday, Judge McAfee indicated that he is likely to issue an order protecting the release of sensitive materials attached to the case.

Jonathan Miller, an attorney for co-defendant Misty Hampton, admitted during the hearing that she shared the proffer videos with a media outlet.

Her attorney claimed that the defendants who struck plea deals did so in public, and argued that hiding the proffers misleads the public.

Judge McAfee said he would establish a limited protective order, similar to one proposed by attorneys for co-defendant David Shafer and supported by all parties in the case  except one.

Lawyers for Mr Floyd were the only attorneys for the co-defendants who opposed the order.

The Independent has requested comment from attorneys for Mr Floyd.
German federal authorities raided dozens of Islamic sites and facilities across the country on Thursday as part of a sting targeting proxies and other radicalized supporters of the militant group Hezbollah. Photo by Filip Singer/EPA-EFE

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- German authorities raided dozens of Islamic sites and facilities across the country on Thursday as part of a sting targeting proxies and other radicalized supporters of the militant group Hezbollah.

The investigation centered on the Islamic Center in Hamburg as the focal point of an operation to smoke out domestic insurgents who were aiming to subvert the country's "constitutional order," the interior ministry said, while accusing the center of serving as a mouthpiece for the Iranian government.

Before dawn Thursday, federal agents launched simultaneous raids on 54 properties across seven states, targeting not only the Hamburg group but also five other associated entities that haven't been named yet by authorities.

Aside from Hamburg, the federal sweep also targeted suspected outposts in Lower Saxony, Hesse, Baden-Wurttemberg, Bavaria, Berlin and North Rhine-Westphalia.

The government did not identify any specific threats leading up to the raids, but indicated that the Hamburg center was suspected of rallying support for the Lebanese terrorist organization Hezbollah, which is banned in Germany.

The German government banned Hezbollah in 2020 when it declared the Iran-backed group a terrorist organization.

The interior ministry called the Hamburg center a propaganda machine for Tehran which was spreading revolutionary concepts, particularly those opposing Israel, to deepen divisions and incite extremism amid the Israel-Hamas war, which has continued for nearly six weeks without any signs of a ceasefire.

The ministry noted that the organization wielded "great influence on certain mosques and clubs, including complete control" over its associates, while promoting "a clear antisemitic and anti-Israel attitude."

"The suspicions against the 'Islamic Center Hamburg' are serious," German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said after the massive operation. "It has long been monitored by the Federal Office for the Protection of the Constitution and classified as Islamist."

Fraeser also highlighted recent tumult throughout Germany amid the Middle East conflict.

"We have the Islamist scene in our sights," she said. "Especially now, at a time when many Jews feel particularly threatened, we generally do not tolerate Islamist propaganda or antisemitic and anti-Israel incitement."

Meanwhile, Germany's interior ministry did not disclose whether any suspects were arrested during Thursday's siege, nor whether any weapons, contraband, or properties were seized.
Police officers stand in front of the Imam Ali Mosque (Blue Mosque) on the Outer Alster, during a raid, in Hamburg, Germany, Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. The German government says police have raided 54 properties across the country in an investigation of a Hamburg-based center suspected of promoting Iranian ideology and supporting activities of Hezbollah. The Interior Ministry said that Wednesday the Islamic Center Hamburg has long been under observation by Germanys domestic intelligence agency. (Daniel Bockwoldt/dpa via AP)

BERLIN (AP)  German police raided 54 locations across the country on Thursday in an investigation of a Hamburg-based organization suspected of promoting the Iranian leadership's ideology and possibly supporting activities of Hezbollah in Germany, the government said.

The Interior Ministry said the Islamic Center Hamburg, or IZH, has long been under observation by Germany's domestic intelligence agency. It said the activities of the group are aimed at spreading the revolutionary concept of Iran's supreme leader which is suspected of violating Germany's constitutional order.

Authorities are also looking into suspicions that it supports banned activities in Germany by Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, which has repeatedly traded fire with Israel across the Israel-Lebanon border since Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza last month.

The IZH runs a mosque in Hamburg. The Interior Ministry said German intelligence believes it exerts significant influence or full control over some other mosques and groups, and that they often espouse a clearly antisemitic and anti-Israel attitude. It said authorities are examining whether it can be banned, and material seized during the searches will be evaluated.

Wednesday's raids were carried out in Hamburg and six other German states  Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria in the south, Berlin, and Hesse, North-Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony in the west and northwest. In addition to IZH, the investigation is also targeting five other groups suspected of being sub-organizations of it.

Our measures show that we have the Islamist scene in our sights, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in Berlin. I want to say very clearly that we are acting against Islamist extremism; we are not acting against a religion or another state.

But it is just as clear that we don't tolerate any Islamist propaganda, antisemitic and anti-Israel agitation here, she added.

On Nov. 2, Faeser implemented a formal ban on activity by or in support of Hamas and dissolved Samidoun, a group that was behind a celebration in Berlin of Hamas attack on Israel, following up on a pledge made by Chancellor Olaf Scholz shortly after the attack.

The IZH said last month that it condemns every form of violence and extremism and has always advocated peace, tolerance and interreligious dialogue.

The German federal prosecutor's office said separately that about 20 locations in the Hannover region were searched on Thursday in an investigation of five alleged members of Hezbollah who are accused of taking leading roles in two local groups steered by the militant organization.

They are being investigated on suspicion of membership in a foreign terrorist organization, prosecutors said. There were no arrests.
(Bloomberg) -- Finance Minister Christian Lindner said Wednesdays ruling by Germanys top court curbing the use of off-budget special funds marks a turning point for finance policy that means the government will be forced to set stricter priorities when allocating spending.

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While its too early to identify the full impact of the 62-page judgment, the ruling has provided new clarity about how to apply rules restricting net borrowing known as the debt brake, Lindner said Thursday in a statement to the lower house of parliament in Berlin.

We dont have a revenue problem, but we have had the problem of setting priorities for many years, Lindner told Bundestag lawmakers. He was speaking during a raucous session to debate the ruling called by the main opposition conservatives, who filed the court challenge.

Germany can remain a manufacturing powerhouse, green its economy and have enough to spend on things like infrastructure, education and social welfare without resorting to new debt or higher taxes if we clarify our priorities, said Lindner, a fiscal hawk who insisted on the restoration of the debt brake after it was suspended to help deal with the pandemic and the energy crisis. In this respect, this ruling can only be an opportunity, he added.

In a case brought by the CDU/CSU alliance, the Federal Constitutional Court ruled that repurposing some funding earmarked for the Covid-19 pandemic violated Germanys debt rules.

Read More: German Ruling Puts 770 Billion of Government Funds at Risk

Judges said that the 60 billion ($65.2 billion) in untapped credit authorizations cant be transfered into the governments Climate and Transformation Fund, known as the KTF, potentially threatening projects like the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure and charging stations for electric vehicles.

More generally, it has prompted fears that similar off-budget vehicles accounting for as much as 770 billion in funding may have to be dissolved or at least overhauled.

Briefly addressing the ruling in a speech Thursday in Berlin, Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised that it wont affect investments designed to upgrade Germanys infrastructure.

We will ensure that we achieve a record rate of investment, Scholz told delegates at an industry lobby congress. Because it is of the utmost importance for the functioning of our economy.

The court judgment also disrupted the passage of next years federal budget, which was due to be signed off by parliaments budget committee this week.

Approval for Lindners 2024 finance plan, which further trims net borrowing, is now due to happen next week before it goes to a vote in both houses by the end of the year.

Lindner said that the government has taken immediate action to implement the courts ruling, including canceling the 60 billion in debt authorizations.

The KTF has been frozen for the time being and the ruling coalition is working on a revised financing plan, he added.

(Updates with Scholz comments starting in eighth paragraph)

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BERLIN (Reuters) -German police conducted raids early on Thursday in seven states over the Islamic Centre of Hamburg's suspected support for the militant group Hezbollah, the interior ministry said.

The move comes at a particularly sensitive time for Jews in Germany after Hamas' attack on Israel on Oct. 7 and the resulting Israeli assault on Gaza. Since then, German authorities have cracked down on pro-Palestinian groups.

"I want to make clear that we are acting against Islamists, not against a religion or another state," said German Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.

"But we have the Islamist scene in our sights," she said.

Authorities searched more than 50 properties connected to the centre, which has strong ties to Iran and whose activities are suspected of violating Germany's constitutional order.

The raids, which also targeted five other associations believed to be subgroups of the centre, were aimed at securing evidence as part of the ministry's investigation, it said.

The centre was not immediately available for comment.

In Hamburg alone, 300 officers conducted 31 searches in connection with the centre, the city's interior senator said.

"The suspicions against the Islamic Centre of Hamburg are serious," and it has long been monitored by the domestic intelligence agency for Islamist activities, said Faeser.

"Especially now, when many Jews feel particularly threatened, we do not tolerate Islamist propaganda or anti-Semitic and anti-Israel hate speech," said Faeser.

Hezbollah's activities were banned in Germany in 2020, with any symbols of the group banned and their assets confiscated.

The Lebanese group, which has deep ties to Hamas and receives weapons from Iran, has been exchanging fire with Israeli forces at the Lebanese-Israeli frontier since Oct. 8.

Since the Oct. 7 attacks, German authorities have prohibited many pro-Palestinian demonstrations in what they say are efforts to prevent public antisemitism and curb disorder.

Supporters of the Palestinians say they feel blocked from publicly expressing support or concern for people in Gaza without risking arrest, their jobs or immigration status.

(Reporting by Linda Pasquini; Writing by Miranda Murray and Madeline Chambers; Editing by Edmund Klamann)
(Bloomberg) -- A decision by Germanys top court to strike down off-budget funding for climate action has called into question about 770 billion ($840 billion) of state funding, according to people familiar with the matter.

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The Constitutional Court declared Wednesday that repurposing 60 billion of pandemic aid from 2021 to finance climate protection contravened Germanys Basic Law. As officials from Chancellor Olaf Scholzs administration began to digest more than 60 pages of legal arguments, they feared that similar vehicles providing as much as 770 billion in funding may have to be dissolved or at least changed by the end of the year, according to people familiar with the governments initial analysis.

The ruling is a blow for the traffic-light coalition and Scholz in particular. While the practice of creating off-budget funds has been used by German governments for decades, Scholz as former finance minister backed moving pandemic-related debt authorization into the climate fund. This ruling could undermine his image as a fiscally reliable Social Democrat who knows how to keep the budget together. It also risks setting off renewed bickering within his three-party coalition, which was already struggling to agree on a number of funding measures.

Germanys Federal Court of Audit in August listed 29 special funds outside the annual budget have accumulated 870 billion of funds. A 100 billion pot earmarked to upgrade the German military is likely safe, because it was written into the constitution last year, but the rest of the money is in jeopardy, the people said, asking not to be named discussing confidential analysis.

Those findings were based on a cursory study of the court decision and could still change once government lawyers have had time to digest the ruling.

Christian Duerr, parliamentary causus leader of the co-governing and fiscally cautious Free Democrats (FDP) told Deutschlandfunk radio Thursday that the ruling means the number of special funds must be drastically reduced and an overhaul of the federal budget as a whole is needed in the medium term.

It strengthens the debt brake, it creates clarity not only for the federal budget but also for a lot of budgets of the regional states, Duerr said.

Budget lawmakers from the coalition parties will meet on Thursday to put the finishing touches on the 2024 budget plan and discuss how to fix the 60 billion hole. However, the task of setting up a new spending plan for the climate and transformation fund will likely take several more days if not weeks.

The German cabinet was meeting when the court decision dropped. Scholz emerged with his two coalition partners shortly afterward and vowed to find a way to plug the immediate funding gap of 60 billion. The problem is that there is no obvious way to cover the shortfall and fractious relations between the chancellor and his allies are likely to make any compromises difficult.

Pro-business Finance Minister Christian Lindner is likely to veto any tax increases while cuts in social spending are out of the question for Scholzs Social Democrats and the Greens cant support cutting environmental projects. The missing funds cant be raised through new borrowing either  as Germany has just reinstated a so-called debt brake enshrined in the constitution.

The challenge is immense, said Veronika Grimm, a member of Scholzs panel of independent economic advisers.

In order to change the debt brake, the government would need a two-thirds majority in parliament  and that would require support from the opposition CDU/CSU conservatives who filed the lawsuit with the Constitutional Court.

The Greens are hit hardest by the ruling. They were promised sufficient funds for the decarbonization of the economy during coalition negotiations. The transfer of the 60 billion to the Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF) was a compromise between the three coalition partners. The special fund, which is worth 211.8 billion through 2027, was placed under Habecks Economy Ministry.

An attempt could be made to interpret the scope of the debt brake more generously, Grimm said. However, this would only raise a few billion.

The ruling is also a blow for Scholz who reallocated the funds in his role as finance minister in the previous government and didnt make provisions for the judicial reversal. Lindner, for his part, has already pointed out in the past that it was Scholz who set up the structure.

All three coalition partners have always pointed to the KTF funding as evidence Germany is investing enough to meet its targets to transform its energy system. The pot is not only key to decarbonization. It is also earmarked for the expansion of the rail network and includes subsidies worth at least 10 billion to attract semiconductor manufacturers to settle in Germany.

Scholz and his partners managed to put on a display of solidarity appearing at a joint press conference after the courts ruling. But the decision risks deepening the rifts between the three parties as they work through their assessment of just how big a financial setback they face and begin negotiations on where the funds should come from to cover the hole.

The good news is that the fiscal rules cant be circumvented at will, said Grimm. Our institutions to enforce this are working.

--With assistance from Karin Matussek and Ben Sills.

(Updates with comments from FDP caucus leader from the sixth paragraph.)

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A group of pro-defense Republican senators clashed with Alabama Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R) into the early hours of Thursday morning, challenging him over his blockade of more than 400 military nominees that they warned is putting the nations national security at risk.

Tempers flared on the floor as Sens. Dan Sullivan (R-Alaska), Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Todd Young (R-Ind.) and Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) attempted for the second time in two weeks to move a batch of stalled military nominees through the Senate only to be met with objections from Tuberville and his ally, Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah).

The GOP senators praised the nonpolitical military nominees as war heroes who have sacrificed time with their families many times in service of their country and argued they should be confirmed before the Thanksgiving recess.

But Tuberville sat at his desk unmoved, while Lee, the influential chair of the Senate Steering Committee, rejected the requests for swift approval and argued that Senate Republicans shouldnt allow the promotions to proceed until the Pentagon drops its policy of paying the travel expenses of service members who obtain abortions.

I wish we could resolve this. Im on the floor here more out of sadness and frustration than anger. I really do wish with my colleague Sen. Tuberville we can find a way forward on this fast, to turn to the even bigger readiness problem, Sullivan said on the floor, referring to rising concerns that the U.S. military isnt ready for a conflict with Iran or China.

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Sullivan and the other senators took to the floor at 12:15 a.m. Thursday, after the Senate had completed its business for the week and passed a bill to fund the government until January and February, to break Tubervilles holds.

Graham, who plans to introduce a 15-week national abortion ban later this Congress, said he supports Tubervilles opposition to the Pentagons abortion policy but warned that Tuberville is wrong to hold up the military nominees.

The wrong were creating here is to put our military at risk at a time of great need. If you do not believe these holds are having an effect on the military, I dont question your sincerity, I question your judgment, he said.

Young stood up on the floor to seek unanimous consent to approve the promotions of Naval Captains Kurtis Mole and Thomas Dickinson to rear admiral.

He read through Moles impressive biography, noting that he enlisted in the Navy in 1988, became a cryptologic technician before attending the Naval Academy and steadily worked is way up the chain of command through multiple deployments in the Arabian Gulf and Western Pacific.

But Lee objected to both nominees, speaking for more than an hour on the floor to explain why Tuberville is justified in using his power as a senator to insist on time-consuming floor votes for the noncontroversial nominees as a form of protest.

Lee spoke for so long that he appeared to be filibustering his colleagues attempts to seek unanimous consent to approve the promotions, prompting Young to vent his frustration with his Utah colleague shortly after 1:30 a.m.

There are now tens, tens of Americans watching us on C-SPAN 2, captivated, I know, by the presentation of this evening, Young said sarcastically. Some may look upon these proceedings and think, What a functional United States Senate.  Others will say perhaps its dysfunction, the Indiana senator said, his voice full of exasperation.

Young then switched tactics and pledged to read through the biographies of several stalled nominees consecutively to deprive Lee the chance of using up the floor time in rebuttal.

Sullivan accused Tuberville and Lee of trying to block their colleagues from even reading the biographies of the nominees theyre stalling.

The Alaska senator said his own goal was to bring up these nominees one by one, try to get them cleared.

To be honest, if I were blocking all these military heroes, I wouldnt want their bios being read on the floor, he said. But were going to do that.  Guess who cant go out and hold a press conference on this? The military members.

The GOP senators signaled they are prepared to vote for a Democratic-drafted resolution to change Senate procedure to allow Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) to confirm the more than 400 stalled nominees in one package if Tuberville doesnt agree to allow their promotions to proceed soon.

I promise you this. This will be the last holiday this happens. If it takes me to vote to break loose these folks, I will, Graham warned, referring to the resolution to change Senate procedure that was passed out of the Rules Committee on Tuesday.

The same group of GOP senators confronted Tuberville over his holds on military promotions on Nov. 1 during a lengthy floor exchange that grew testy at times.

The idea that some of these officers are supposedly woke or desk jockeys is ridiculous, Sullivan said during that early clash.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Republican Senators Tommy Tuberville and Mike Lee maintained the Alabama Republicans hold on military nominations despite a group of Republican senators who attempted to push through nominations when they returned to the Senate floor in the wee hours of Thursday morning.

Sens. Dan Sullivan, Joni Ernst, Lindsay Graham and Todd Young began their effort to confirm nominees around 12:15a.m. ET and wrapped around 3:45a.m. ET.

Tuberville was joined by Lee, who objected to confirming every nominee brought up for consideration. Once it became clear that Lee would speak at length every time he objected, the group of senators began reading the resumes of each of the nominees rather than attempting to confirm them one at a time.

As he objected, Lee acknowledged that he understood his colleagues concerns about military readiness and politicizing the military and noted that he wouldnt necessarily have chosen the same approach as Tuberville. However, he insisted that he needed to defend the Alabama Republican.

Notwithstanding the fact that its not the particular tactic that I would have chosen, hes chosen a tactic thats legitimate, that he has every right to deploy under the rules of the Senate, said Lee.

Tubervilles nine-month hold is now affecting nearly 400 military officials looking for Senate confirmation for their promotions. Typically, the nominees are confirmed quickly by voice vote. But Tuberville has placed a hold on all of them until the Pentagon changes its abortion policy unless Congress passes legislation to codify it.

Tuberville says he wants the Pentagon to scrap its post-Roe v. Wade policy providing reimbursements for service personnel who travel out-of-state for reproductive services, including abortions. Sullivan, Ernst, Graham and Young all emphasized that they also disagree with the policy  but attacked Tuberville for objecting to nominees that have nothing to do with the Defense Departments abortion policy.

We were down on the floor weeks ago, and at that time we promised military members and their families that we had their back, that we would keep coming down to the Senate floor to try to move forward their nominations and confirmations that have been stalled, Sullivan said.

There is a growing pressure campaign from Republicans who have gone public with their concerns that the Alabama senators blockade is hurting military readiness and undermining national security.

GOP senators have threatened to cut a deal with Democrats on a temporary change in Senate procedures to work around Tuberville and approve the nominees as a bloc. The effort would require at least nine Republicans to succeed.

Graham warned that he would vote with Democrats to temporarily change the Senate rules, allowing the Senate to bypass the hold, if Tuberville continues to block quick confirmations.

I will work with Senator Tuberville and Lee and anybody else and everybody else to find a solution thats acceptable to them to get us back on track, he said. But I promise you this  this will be the last holiday this happens. If it takes me to vote to break loose these folks, I will.

Sullivan, meanwhile, said, There is no doubt these blanket holds are creating readiness challenges, not just for flag officers. Were starting to hear colonels and lieutenant colonels who are being stuck. This is impacting the entire military.

Graham agreed. If you do not believe these holds are having an effect on the military, I dont question your sincerity. I question your judgment, he added. This is like a car wreck on I-95. It keeps backing up.

Ernst also said that these holds represent a threat to military readiness, noting that she was on the floor because, I understand the national security risks that are out there, and the detriment to readiness as we continue to hold over 450 of the finest men and women that have served their nation honorably under the flag of the nation, and our uniform.

Tuberville has said for months he would only back off his blockade if the Pentagon eliminated its policy unless Congress passed legislation to formally authorize it. But last week, he signaled new willingness to cut a deal and suggested he was open to the possibility of dropping his hold without the Pentagon removing its policy.

Though it is still uncertain whether the issue will get resolved  and some of the new options he considered would likely prompt Democratic opposition.

Filing a lawsuit against the Pentagon to invalidate the policy that provides reimbursements for military personnel traveling out of state for reproductive services including abortions, including provisions to scrap the Pentagon policy in the annual defense authorization bill and moving forward with some of the key nominees who need to fill some of the most urgent vacancies, are among the ideas that were under consideration.

But the Democratic-led Senate and the White House would almost certainly revolt against including anti-abortion provisions in the annual defense policy bill, something Tuberville dismissed.

Graham pushed for Tuberville to find an offramp that would allow them to push back on the Pentagons abortion policy while still confirming nominees  namely, he said they can challenge the policy in court.

I want to right the wrong of having abortion paid for by public taxpayer dollars from the defense coffers  I think it not only violates the Hyde Amendment, its bad policy, he said. You say its illegal, I tend to agree with you  go to court.

Lee pushed back, arguing that there is no way they could win this case in a court of law. They have crafted this thing so deliberately, so maliciously, so carefully, as to make it nearly impossible for anyone  who even could establish standing, which they cant  to succeed on the merits, he said.

Young emphasized that he only has tactical disagreements with Tubervilles hold.

The reason I dont think this current approach is even constructive is because, as many of my colleagues have already stated, it punishes those brave service members who didnt develop the policies, and cant change it, he said.

He added, This is personal to me. This is personal to this United States Senator, noting that several of the nominees he was planning to bring up were in his class at the Naval Academy.

After going through her list of nominees, Ernst reminded her colleagues, I understand that we have the opportunity to do these holds. But sometimes we have to work very hard to overcome adversity, just as these men and women have.

CNNs Manu Raju, Sam Fossum, Clare Foran and Shania Shelton contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Kaleb Dillard, 28, was sentenced to 10 months in prison for assaulting Capitol police on Jan. 6, 2021, the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia announced Thursday. Prosecutors said Dillard threw one officer to the ground and stuck his fingers in another officers face, screaming Thats a poor excuse! I got a job to do. Give me a f***ing break! Police arrested Dillard in Columbiana, Alabama, in 2022; he pleaded guilty a year later on July 18. U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb ordered that he pay $36,238.55 in restitution and spend a year on supervised release after he completes his sentence.

Read it at U.S. Attorneys Office

Read more at The Daily Beast.
The Senate has overwhelmingly passed a deal to avoid a government shutdown, a day after Democrats helped the deal pass he House of Representatives.

Earlier the House closed down until after Thanksgiving with no votes until 28 November after Speaker Mike Johnson failed to pass another spending bill following his enlisting of the Democrats to avoid a shutdown.

Texas Rep Chip Roy told CNN that going ahead with the spending bill without cuts and passing it under suspension of the rules with the help of members from across the aisle was strike one and strike two for the new speaker.

The Swamp won and the speaker needs to know that, Mr Roy told the network. Well go figure out whats next but I can tell you Republican voters are tired of promises to fight. We want to actually see change. And so you know, well see what happens but, but our approach shouldnt be assumed when theyre needed and then get rolled on a suspension.

In total, 209 Democrats joined in to help fund the government, with the package passing 336 to 95, with 93 Republicans voting against.

Key points

House passes GOP funding bill  averting government shutdown

Today is another example of why Congress shouldnt be in session for 5 weeks straight'

House votes to prevent a government shutdown as GOP Speaker Johnson relies on Democrats for help

A lot of those yes votes for werent very happy about it

We cant afford it shut the government down

I think this whole idea of a two-part process is ridiculous, but at least were not shutting down government'

09:00 , Eric Garcia

Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told The Independent that she appreciated the fact that the bill did not include any spending cuts.

I think this whole idea of a two-part process is ridiculous, but at least were not shutting down government and theres no spending cuts and theres no poison pills, she said.

The legislation now goes to the Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed openness to the bill despite his criticisms. Mr Schumer said during his press conference on Tuesday that Mr Johnson agreed to the parameters that Mr Schumer requested.

One, not making the heartbreak cuts that the MAGA right demands, he told reporters. And second, making sure that if theyre going to do this sort of goofy ladder, that defence is in the second part of the ladder, not the first.

More House Democrats than Republicans vote to keep the government open

07:00 , Eric Garcia

More Democrats than Republicans voted in the US House of Representatives for a temporary stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown.

Some 209 Democrats voted for the bill while 127 Republicans voted for a laddered continuing resolution that would keep parts of the government funded until 19 January 2024 and other parts until 2 February 2024.

The vote is a win for newly-elected Speaker Mike Johnson, who proposed the two-tiered approach as a means to avoid passing an omnibus spending bill, but rather to pass 12 individual spending bills, a demand from right-wing members of the House Republican conference.

The vote came after House Democratic Leadership  including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar  announced their support for the legislation. Democratic leaders said they supported the legislation because it did not include any steep cuts.

To that end, House Democrats have repeatedly articulated that any continuing resolution must be set at the fiscal year 2023 spending level, be devoid of harmful cuts and free of extreme right-wing policy riders, they said in a joint statement. The continuing resolution before the House today meets that criteria and we will support it.

1% automatic cuts despised by all sides

05:00 , AP

The Republicans are left funding the government essentially on autopilot at the levels that were set in bipartisan fashion at the end of 2022, when Democrats had control of Congress but the two parties came together to agree on budget terms.

All that could change in the new year when 1% cuts across the board to all departments would be triggered if Congress failed to agree to new budget terms and pass the traditional appropriation bills to fund the government by springtime.

The 1% automatic cuts, which would take hold in April, are despised by all sides  Republicans say they are not enough, Democrats say they are too steep and many lawmakers prefer to boost defense funds. But they are part of the debt deal McCarthy and Biden struck earlier this year. The idea was to push Congress to do better.

The legislation also extends farm bill programs through September, the end of the current fiscal year. That addition was an important win for some farm-state lawmakers. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wis., for example, warned that without the extension, milk prices would have soared and hurt producers back in his home state.

The farm bill extension was the biggest sweetener for me, said Pocan.

04:56 , Phil Thomas

Senate passes temporary spending bill to avert government shutdown

04:55 , Phil Thomas

The US Senate overwhelmingly passed a stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown on Wednesday, teeing off major fights about spending bills in the coming year.

The continuing resolution passed with all but one Democrat supporting the bill while 10 Republicans opposed it. The House of Representatives passed the bill on Tuesday evening.

The legislation  pushed by newly-elected House Speaker Mike Johnson  would keep parts of the government open until 19 January 2024 while other parts would be open until 2 February 2024.

Eric Garcia has the full story: https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/government-shutdown-senate-spending-bill-b2448087.html

Its nice to see us working together, McConnell says

04:00 , AP

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell called the House package a solution and said he expected it to pass Congress with bipartisan support.

Its nice to see us working together to avoid a government shutdown, he said.

But McConnell, R-Ky., has noted that Congress still has work to do toward Bidens request to provide U.S. military aid for Ukraine and Israel and for other needs. Senators are trying to devise a separate package to fund U.S. supplies for the overseas wars and to bolster border security, but it remains a work in progress.

If approved, passage of the continuing resolution would be a less-than-triumphant capstone to the House GOPs first year in the majority. The Republicans have worked tirelessly to cut federal government spending only to find their own GOP colleagues unwilling to go along with the most conservative priorities. Two of the Republican bills collapsed last week as moderates revolted.

Whats the point in throwing out one speaker if nothing changes?'

03:00 , AP

Winning bipartisan approval of a continuing resolution is the same move that led McCarthys hard-right flank to oust him in October, days after the Sept. 30 vote to avert a federal shutdown. For now, Johnson appears to be benefiting from a political honeymoon in one of his first big tests on the job.

Look, were going to trust the speakers move here, said Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga.

But Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a McCarthy ally who opposed his ouster, said Johnson should be held to the same standard. Whats the point in throwing out one speaker if nothing changes? The only way to make sure that real changes happen is make the red line stay the same for every speaker.

The Senate, where Democrats have a slim majority, has signaled its willingness to accept Johnsons package ahead of Fridays deadline to fund the government.

GOP package met Democratic demands to keep funding at current levels

02:00 , AP

The opposition from hardline conservatives left Johnson with few other options than to skip whats typically a party-only procedural vote, and rely on another process that requires a two-thirds tally with Democrats for passage.

House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said Democrats were willing to find common ground with Republicans while pushing back against Republican extremism whenever necessary.

In a statement with the other the top Democratic leaders, Jeffries pointed out that a federal shutdown would hurt the economy, our national security and everyday Americans. He had noted in a letter to colleagues that the GOP package met Democratic demands to keep funding at current levels without steep reductions or divisive Republican policy priorities.

Its crap'

01:00 , AP

Johnson, who announced his endorsement Tuesday of Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president, hit the airwaves to sell his approach and met privately Monday night with the conservative Freedom Caucus.

Johnson says the innovative approach would position House Republicans to go into the fight for deeper spending cuts in the new year, but many Republicans are skeptical there will be any better outcome in January.

Rep. Chip Roy, a Texas Republican who is part of the House Freedom Caucus, did not hold back on his opinion of the stopgap bill: Its crap.

He said he would give a little bit of room to Johnson, who is three weeks into the job of speaker. But Roy threatened to seize control of the House floor if conservative demands for cuts are not met in the months ahead.

VIDEO: House approves plan to prevent government shutdown

00:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Hardline conservatives confronts speaker

Wednesday 15 November 2023 23:00 , AP

The new Republican leader faced the same political problem that led to McCarthys ouster  angry, frustrated, hard-right GOP lawmakers rejected his approach, demanded budget cuts and voted against the plan. Rather than the applause and handshakes that usually follow passage of a bill, several hardline conservatives animatedly confronted the speaker as they exited the chamber.

Without enough support from his Republican majority, Johnson had little choice but to rely on Democrats to ensure passage to keep the federal government running.

Johnsons proposal puts forward a unique  critics say bizarre  two-part process that temporarily funds some federal agencies to Jan. 19 and others to Feb. 2. Its a continuing resolution, or CR, that comes without any of the deep cuts conservatives have demanded all year. It also fails to include President Joe Bidens request for nearly $106 billion for Ukraine, Israel, border security and other supplemental funds.

Were not surrendering, Johnson assured after a closed-door meeting of House Republicans Tuesday morning, vowing he would not support another stopgap. But you have to choose fights you can win.

VOICES: Why Mike Johnson succeeded where Kevin McCarthy failed  for now

Wednesday 15 November 2023 22:30 , Eric Garcia

Amid all of the unrest, something interesting happened on Capitol Hill on Tuesday: The House of Representatives passed a government funding bill with no spending cuts.

More surprisingly, however, House conservatives did not revolt against Speaker Mike Johnson for doing the same thing that former speaker Kevin McCarthy did at the end of September, even though they hated the idea of a clean spending bill.

On top of that, even though Democrats think that Mr Johnsons two-tiered spending bill is less than ideal, they are pretty satisfied with it and the Senate will likely take it up either Wednesday or Thursday.

I think this whole idea of a two-part process is ridiculous, but at least were not shutting down government and theres no spending cuts and theres no poison pills, Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told The Independent.

VIDEO: House passes bill to avert government shutdown

Wednesday 15 November 2023 22:00 , Gustaf Kilander

House votes to prevent a government shutdown as GOP Speaker Johnson relies on Democrats for help

Wednesday 15 November 2023 21:00 , AP

The House voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to prevent a government shutdown after new Republican Speaker Mike Johnson was forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats when hard-right conservatives revolted against his plan.

Johnsons proposal to temporarily fund the government into the new year passed on a bipartisan 336-95 tally, but 93 Republicans voted against it. It was the first time the new speaker had to force vital legislation through the House, and he showed a willingness to leave his right-flank Republicans behind  the same political move that cost the last House speaker, Kevin McCarthy, his job just weeks ago.

For now, Johnson of Louisiana appeared on track for a better outcome. His approach, which the Senate is expected to approve by weeks end, effectively pushes a final showdown over government funding to the new year.

Making sure that government stays in operation is a matter of conscience for all of us. We owe that to the American people, Johnson said earlier Tuesday at a news conference at the Capitol.

A lot of those yes votes for werent very happy about it

Wednesday 15 November 2023 20:00 , Eric Garcia

Rep Chip Roy (R-TX) told reporters he did not appreciate the way the bill passed.

We should move at a bill that has overwhelming Republican support, he said. This had majority Republicans support but barely and I can promise you a lot of those yes votes for werent very happy about it.

The bill now heads to the Senate, where Mr Schumer said it could have a quick passage.

VIDEO: House passes continuing resolution to prevent govt shutdown. Whats next?

Wednesday 15 November 2023 19:00 , Gustaf Kilander

GOP rep hints Nancy Mace has dirt on Kevin McCarthy after elbow saga

Wednesday 15 November 2023 18:30 , Kelly Rissman

The saga between Tim Burchett and Kevin McCarthy has rumbled on into its second day, with the TennesseeRepublican now suggesting that South Carolina congresswoman Nancy Mace has dirt on the former House Speaker.

Speaking on Newsmax on Wednesday, Mr Burchett said that Mr McCarthy has $17m in an account, before accusing him of plotting to use the cash to mess with a lot of people like my and Nancy Maces campaigns, Im sure.

I dont know if he does that with Nancy Mace. She could come back with some stuff that he doesnt want out there in the public, I think. If you know what Im saying, Newsmax co-host Rob Finnerty said.

Rep Burchett responded: Shes already told me. She said, I hope he does that with me. And shell take care of him.

Ms Mace and Mr Burchett were among the eight Republicans who voted to oust Mr McCarthy as House speaker last month.

Today I voted for the Motion to Vacate and remove the Speaker. This isnt about left vs right. This isnt about ideology. This is about trust and keeping your word. This is about making Congress do its job, Ms Mace said in a statement at the time.

We cant afford it shut the government down

Wednesday 15 November 2023 18:00 , Eric Garcia

Many Republicans from swing districts and districts that voted for President Joe Biden voted for the legislation.

Well, we cant afford it shut the government down, Rep Juan Ciscomani (R-AZ) told The Independent. We need to pay our border patrol agents we need to keep our government running. We need more time.

Rep Mike Lawler said that the passage showed Mr Johnsons skill.

Obviously, its an important step for him as speaker to be able to show that we can govern and that you know, when it comes time to do big things, like this, that hes able to do it, he said.

Many right-wing Republicans criticised the approach, but refrained from criticising Mr Johnson personally. Rep Ken Buck (R-CO), who voted with seven other Republicans to depose Kevin McCarthy as speaker, said Mr Johnson faced a different set of circumstances.

What happened with Kevin was he knew that we werent on schedule with the appropriations bills, he told The Independent. Now, Johnson inherits that mess, and Johnsons got to do something about it.

VIDEO: Chip Roy lashes out at Speaker Johnson

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:52 , Gustaf Kilander

Roy: I didn't come here to have the speaker of the house assume the position and in 17 days pass a continuing resolution off the floor of this house through suspension of the rules. pic.twitter.com/IhD3kUaMxf  Acyn (@Acyn) November 15, 2023

I think it gets bumpy from here on out'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:29 , Gustaf Kilander

The bill set to fund the Departments of Justice and Commerce that was taken down by around 20 House Republicans and the Democrats on Wednesday faced opposition as it funds the FBI  an agency targeted by the GOP as they claim it has been politicized.

But Republicans also discussed blocking bills as a payback after Speaker Mike Johnson enlisted Democrats to pass a funding package without massive cuts to avert a shutdown, Politico notes.

As Democrats are not helping Mr Johnson on straightforward governing votes, he needs almost unanimous support from his party to begin debate on any legislation.

I think it gets bumpy from here on out, Rep Andy Ogles told the outlet. Anything and everything is on the table.

Rightwing Republicans join Democrats in taking down spending bill

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:17 , Gustaf Kilander

Members of the House GOP took down their own partys spending bill on Wednesday just a day after Speaker Mike Johnson enlisted hundreds of Democrats to pass a bill that will likely avert a shutdown ahead of the 17 November deadline pending senate passage and a signature from President Joe Biden.

The Republican leadership cancelled the rest of the votes for this week and sent the chamber home early ahead of Thanksgiving recess.

About 20 Republicans sided with the Democrats and voted against debating a funding bill for the Commerce and Justice departments.

Rightwingers said that voted against the measure after Mr Johnson looked to Democrats to help pass a short-term funding bill and opposition to amendments, according to Politico.

We had concerns about the bill itself  in addition to concerns relative to what happened yesterday, Rep Bob Good told the outlet.

House goes home for Thanksgiving as Johnson is one strike away from far-right action

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:02 , Gustaf Kilander

The House of Representatives has closed down until after Thanksgiving with no votes until 28 November after Speaker Mike Johnson failed to pass another spending bill following the passage of a funding passage to likely avoid a shutdown with the help of the Democrats.

Texas Rep Chip Roy told CNN that going ahead with the spending bill without cuts and passing it under suspension with the help of hundreds of members from across the aisle was strike one and strike two.

The Swamp won and the speaker needs to know that, Mr Roy told the network. Well go figure out whats next but I can tell you Republican voters are tired of promises to fight. We want to actually see change. And so you know, well see what happens but, but our approach shouldnt be assumed when theyre needed and then get rolled on a suspension.

The Texan told CNNs Manu Raju that the third strike would be moving ahead with a border security measure that he doesnt think is good enough alongside Ukraine aid.

VIDEO: Government shutdown likely averted

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:00 , Gustaf Kilander

I think this whole idea of a two-part process is ridiculous, but at least were not shutting down government'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:00 , Eric Garcia

Rep Pramila Jayapal (D-WA), the chairwoman of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, told The Independent that she appreciated the fact that the bill did not include any spending cuts.

I think this whole idea of a two-part process is ridiculous, but at least were not shutting down government and theres no spending cuts and theres no poison pills, she said.

The legislation now goes to the Senate, where Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer expressed openness to the bill despite his criticisms. Mr Schumer said during his press conference on Tuesday that Mr Johnson agreed to the parameters that Mr Schumer requested.

One, not making the heartbreak cuts that the MAGA right demands, he told reporters. And second, making sure that if theyre going to do this sort of goofy ladder, that defence is in the second part of the ladder, not the first.

Speaker Mike Johnson says Congress addicted to deficit spending

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:00 , Josh Marcus

The reason the US is in such trouble with federal debt is because Congress is addicted and obsessed with deficit spending, speaker Mike Johnson said on Tuesday, 14 November.

Speaking at the Capitol, the Republican said his recently passed clean spending bill is the best solution.

More House Democrats than Republicans vote to keep the government open

Wednesday 15 November 2023 14:00 , Eric Garcia

More Democrats than Republicans voted in the US House of Representatives for a temporary stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown.

Some 209 Democrats voted for the bill while 127 Republicans voted for a laddered continuing resolution that would keep parts of the government funded until 19 January 2024 and other parts until 2 February 2024.

The vote is a win for newly-elected Speaker Mike Johnson, who proposed the two-tiered approach as a means to avoid passing an omnibus spending bill, but rather to pass 12 individual spending bills, a demand from right-wing members of the House Republican conference.

The vote came after House Democratic Leadership  including Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, Minority Whip Katherine Clark and House Democratic Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar  announced their support for the legislation. Democratic leaders said they supported the legislation because it did not include any steep cuts.

To that end, House Democrats have repeatedly articulated that any continuing resolution must be set at the fiscal year 2023 spending level, be devoid of harmful cuts and free of extreme right-wing policy riders, they said in a joint statement. The continuing resolution before the House today meets that criteria and we will support it.

George Santos campaign staffer pleads guilty to wire fraud

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:00 , John Bowden

A former campaign staffer who helped George Santos get elected last year plead guilty to wire fraud on Tuesday.

Sam Miele, a 27-year-old GOP operative who worked as a fundraiser for Mr Santos in 2022, appeared in court and admitted to impersonating an aide to another member of Congress. News reports have indicated that he pretended to be working for former Speaker Kevin McCarthy when on the phone with potential donors soliciting contributions.

According to The New York Times, Mr Mieles attorney declined to say on Tuesday whether his client had agreed to testify against his ex-boss for federal prosecutors. Mr Santos, a serial liar who spread falsehoods about massive portions of his background, has been charged separately by the Justice Department with a host of crimes including identity theft, misuse of public funds and money laundering. He has denied all guilt and vowed to fight those charges, while admitting to fabricating most of his resume.

Jimmy Kimmel renames Capitol live-stream UFC-SPAN after GOP fights

Wednesday 15 November 2023 11:30 , Rachel Sharp

Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel renamed the Capitol Hill livestream C-SPAN UFC-SPAN after a series of fights between members of the Republican party this week.

On Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Tuesday night, Mr Kimmel poked fun at a fight that broke out between Senator Markwayne Mullin and Sean OBrien, the president of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, during a Senate Committee hearing earlier in the day.

In the dramatic moment, Mr Mullin  a former cage fighter  took to his feet to challenge Mr OBrien to a physical fight.

Branding Mr OBrien a moron, he challenged him to stand your butt up, to which the union leader replied you stand your butt up.

Democratic Senator Bernie Sanders, the chairman of the hearing, was forced to intervene and play peacemaker, yelling at Mr Mullin to sit down and banging his gavel several times.

Read the story here:

Jimmy Kimmel renames Capitol live-stream UFC-SPAN after GOP fights

Marjorie Taylor Greene blasts GOP colleagues who voted against Mayorkas impeachment

Wednesday 15 November 2023 11:00 , Kelly Rissman

Marjorie Taylor Greene is not happy about the Houses vote to shelve her articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, specifically naming her GOP colleagues who voted against the articles in an email and in numerous tweets.

The Georgia Republican forced the impeachment vote on 13 November. Eight Republicans joined to support the Democrats motion  in a vote of 209-201  to send the resolution to the Homeland Security Committee.

Ms Greenes team sent an email blast, calling out her Republican colleagues who joined the Democrats to KILL my Articles of Impeachment by naming each of them: Reps Ken Buck, Darrell Issa, Tom McClintock, Patrick McHenry, John Duarte, Virginia Foxx, Cliff Bentz and Mike Turner.

She then took to X to livestream her gripes about the vote. Rep Greene said the vote sent her resolution back to committee, where articles of impeachment go to die.

Weve seen how bad it is at the border but we cant get Republicans to impeach Secretary Mayorkas? This is outrageous, she continued. Ms Greene also accused Mr Mayorkas of willfully breaking our laws and allowing the invasion to happen.

Congress needs nap and a bottle as if they were infants in a daycare centre

Wednesday 15 November 2023 09:00 , Josh Marcus

Most of the time, Congress works in staggered cycles and the House members can go home, talk to constituents, rest, cool their tempers, have a drink and then come back refreshed. But the inability of Congress to even pick a speaker meant they were stuck with each other longer than normal.

With the Thanksgiving holiday approaching and a deal on funding in the books, the best thing now might be to allow Congress to go home for a nap and a bottle as if they were infants in a daycare centre.

Today is another example of why Congress shouldnt be in session for 5 weeks straight'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 07:00 , Eric Garcia

All this tension is the result of Congress being forced to deal with each other for weeks on end. Doug Andres, the press secretary for Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (and one of the better accounts on X, formerly known as Twitter), said: Today is another example of why Congress shouldnt be in session for 5 weeks straight. Weird things happen.

But thats just the Senate. The House, which is generally more squirrelly than the staid club of 100 that is the US Senate, has been in session for 10 weeks. In that time, it went 22 days without a speaker, wherein Republicans cycled through three candidates before agreeing to make Mike Johnson speaker of the House. Democrats, for their part, have been fighting about Israel, with 22 of them joining a Republican censure of Rep Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), for using the phrase from the River to the Sea to talk about Palestine.

Meanwhile, Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has taken to calling Rep Chip Roy (R-TX) Colonel Sanders, which is an Original Recipe for disaster.

You look like a Smurf'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 05:00 , Eric Garcia

During a hearing of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, Chairman James Comer and Rep Jared Moskowitz (D-FL), who frequently mocks the GOPs attempts to impeach President Joe Biden with acerbic wit, had a testy exchange. At one point the chairman mocked Rep Dan Goldman (D-NY), as Mr Trust Fund for being the heir to the Levis fortune and said of Mr Moskowitz, you look like a Smurf.

Senate Republicans got the memo that it was fight club day

Wednesday 15 November 2023 04:00 , Eric Garcia

Senate Republicans got the memo that it was fight club day on the Hill.

Back in July, during a Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee hearing, Sen Markwayne Mullin (R-OK), a former MMA fighter, had a testy exchange with Sean OBrien, the head of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters. During a HELP hearing on Tuesday, Mr Mullin read a tweet from Mr OBrien challenging him to a fight Anyplace. Anytime, cowboy.

In turn, both men proceeded to stand up before Sen Bernie Sanders, the chairman of the committee, admonished both of them. When I asked Mr Sanders about the incident, he said simply, Well, I know that youre very interested in the important issues facing America.

Mad love turns to bad blood in the House

Wednesday 15 November 2023 03:00 , Eric Garcia

Reps Tim Burchett and Kevin McCarthy have a tumultuous relationship. At the beginning of this year, Mr Burchett backed Mr McCarthy for speaker. And in the wee hours of 7 January, as a fight nearly broke out on the House floor, he told Rep Matt Gaetz (R-FL) to call off the dogs to allow Mr McCarthy to become speaker.

But to borrow from Taylor Swift, that mad love turned to bad blood in October after the House passed a clean stopgap spending bill without spending cuts. When Mr Burchett told reporters he would have to pray about whether to join Mr Gaetz in ejecting Mr McCarthy, the then-speaker reportedly mocked Mr Burchett, which pushed the gentleman from Tennessee over the limit and led to Mr Burchett voting to oust the speaker.

Judging by Tuesdays exchange, the two will not reconcile anytime soon. And just to twist the knife a little bit more, Mr Gaetz announced he would file an ethics complaint against his former nemesis Mr McCarthy. Reminder, Mr Gaetz is still the subject of an ongoing Ethics Committee investigation himself.

Fights, shouting matches and chaos: Time to put Congress down for a nap

Wednesday 15 November 2023 02:00 , Eric Garcia

Congress is poised to finally avert a government shutdown before the holidays and buy itself some time for negotiations. But it will literally do so kicking and screaming.

On Tuesday, both chambers of Congress saw tensions run high, with members nearly coming to blows.

The tension began when, as Claudia Grisales of NPR reported, former House speaker Kevin McCarthy walked past Rep Tim Burchett (R-TN) and shoved him. That led to Mr Burchett, a normally mild-mannered Republican whose drawl resembles Huckleberry Hound, chasing the disgraced former speaker and then lunging at him before getting into an apparent scuffle.

That apparently led to Mr McCarthy denying that he elbowed Mr Burchett, and Mr Burchett saying, You got no guts, you did so.

Its nice to see us working together to avoid a government shutdown'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 01:00 , AP

The Senate, where Democrats have a slim majority, has signaled its willingness to accept Johnsons package ahead of Fridays deadline to fund the government.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell called the House package a solution and said he expected it to pass Congress with bipartisan support.

Its nice to see us working together to avoid a government shutdown, he said.

But McConnell, R-Ky., has noted that Congress still has work to do toward Bidens request to provide U.S. military aid for Ukraine and Israel and for other needs. Senators are trying to devise a separate package to fund U.S. supplies for the overseas wars and to bolster border security, but it remains a work in progress.

If approved, passage of the continuing resolution would be a less-than-triumphant capstone to the House GOPs first year in the majority. The Republicans have worked tirelessly to cut federal government spending only to find their own GOP colleagues are unwilling to go along with the most conservative priorities. Two of the Republican bills collapsed last week as moderates revolted.

Instead, the Republicans are left funding the government essentially on autopilot at the levels that were set in bipartisan fashion at the end of 2022, when Democrats had control of Congress but the two parties came together to agree on budget terms.

All that could change in the new year when 1% cuts across the board to all departments would be triggered if Congress failed to agree to new budget terms and pass the traditional appropriation bills to fund the government by springtime.

The 1% automatic cuts, which would take hold in April, are despised by all sides  Republicans say they are not enough, Democrats say they are too steep and many lawmakers prefer to boost defense funds. But they are part of the debt deal McCarthy and Biden struck earlier this year. The idea was to push Congress to do better.

Extreme MAGA Republicans have repeatedly demonstrated that they cannot govern without House Democrats'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 00:45 , Josh Marcus

Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said he remained concerned about the two-part approach. Veteran lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called it cumbersome, unusual and unworkable.

Nevertheless, Jeffries in a letter to Democratic colleagues noted that the GOP package met the Democratic demands to keep funding at current levels without steep reductions or divisive Republican policy priorities.

Extreme MAGA Republicans have repeatedly demonstrated that they cannot govern without House Democrats, Jeffries said on NPR. That will be the case this week in the context of avoiding a government shutdown.

With the House narrowly divided, Johnson could not afford many defections from his Republicans, which is forcing him into the arms of Democrats.

Winning bipartisan approval of a continuing resolution is the same move that led McCarthys hard-right flank to oust him in October, days after the Sept. 30 vote to avert a federal shutdown. For now, Johnson appears to be benefiting from a political honeymoon in one of his first big tests on the job.

Look, were going to trust the speakers move here, said Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga.

But Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., a McCarthy ally who opposed his ouster, said Johnson should be held to the same standard. Whats the point in throwing out one speaker if nothing changes? The only way to make sure that real changes happen is make the red line stay the same for every speaker.

Johnson compares spending negotiations to drinking from Niagara Falls'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 00:15 , Josh Marcus

Whats it like being House Speaker at this contentious moment in US history? Well, sounds like there might be some more appealing jobs out there, at least according to Mike Johnson.

Ive been drinking from Niagara Falls for the last three weeks, he told reporters on Tuesday of the recent spending bill. This will allow everybody to go home for a couple of days for Thanksgiving, everybody cool off  members have been here for, as [House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.)] said, for 10 weeks, this place is a pressure cooker. And so I think everybody can go home, we can come back, reset, were gonna get our group together, were gonna map out that plan to fight for those principles.

Schumer calls House bill a good thing'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 00:00 , Josh Marcus

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer offered measured praise on Tuesday of the Houses recently passed spending bill to avoid a government shutdown.

Both of us agreed, the White House and myself, that if this can avoid a shutdown, it will be a good thing, he told The New York Times.

He added he hopes to see the House bill get a vote in the Senate as soon as possible.

Hakeem Jeffries on why Democrats backed the GOP spending bill

Tuesday 14 November 2023 23:41 , Josh Marcus

Congress was able to pass a temporary funding bill on Tuesday to temporarily avoid a government shutdown, with a large volume of Democrats helping Speaker Mike Johnson get the proposal over the finish line in the House.

From the very beginning of the Congress, House Democrats have made clear that we will always put people over politics and try to find common ground with our Republican colleagues wherever possbile, while pushing back against Republican extremism whenever necessary, Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement going into the vote.

The continuing resolution before the House today meets that criteria and we will support it.

Are Republicans already plotting revenge against Mike Johnson?

Tuesday 14 November 2023 23:36 , Josh Marcus

Kevin McCarthy lost his position as House Speaker not long after he helped pass a controversial government funding bill with partial Democratic support.

The GOP may be plotting a similar punishment for the new House Speaker, Mike Johnson, after he took the same tactic to avoid a government shut down.

Some in the Republican party are considering holding up future legislation in protest of the conciliatory strategy.

There is a sentiment that if we cant fight anything, then lets just hold up everything, Ralph Norman of South Carolina told Politico.

More House Democrats than Republicans vote to keep the government open

Tuesday 14 November 2023 23:00 , Josh Marcus

More Democrats than Republicans voted in the US House of Representatives for a temporary stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown.

Some 209 Democrats voted for the bill while 127 Republicans opposed the legislation for a laddered continuing resolution that would keep parts of the government funded until 19 January 2024 and other parts until 2 February 2024.

The vote is a win for newly-elected Speaker Mike Johnson, who proposed the two-tiered approach as a means to avoid passing an omnibus spending bill, but rather to pass 12 individual spending bills, a demand from right-wing members of the House Republican conference.

Eric Garcia has the full story from Washington for The Independent.

More House Democrats than Republicans vote to keep the government open

A bizarre two-part process

Tuesday 14 November 2023 23:00 , AP

Under his proposal, Johnson is putting forward a unique  critics say bizarre  two-part process that temporarily funds some federal agencies to Jan. 19 and others to Feb. 2. Its a continuing resolution, or CR, that comes without any of the deep cuts conservatives have demanded all year. It also fails to include President Joe Bidens request for nearly $106 billion for Ukraine, Israel, border security and other supplemental funds.

Johnson says the innovative approach would position House Republicans to go into the fight for deeper spending cuts in the new year, but many Republicans are skeptical there will be any better outcome in January.

The House Freedom Caucus announced its opposition, ensuring dozens of votes against the plan.

I think its a very big mistake, said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a member of the hard-right group of lawmakers.

Its wrong, said Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn.

It all left Johnson with few other options than to skip whats typically a party-only procedural vote, and rely on another process that requires a two-thirds tally with Democrats for passage.

You have to choose fights you can win

Tuesday 14 November 2023 22:00 , AP

The new Republican leader faces the same political problem that led to McCarthys ouster angry, frustrated, hard-right GOP lawmakers rejecting his approach, demanding budget cuts and determined to vote against the plan. Without enough support from his Republican majority, Johnson had little choice but to rely on Democrats to ensure passage to keep the federal government running.

Were not surrendering, Johnson assured after a closed-door meeting of House Republicans, vowing he would not support another stopgap. But you have to choose fights you can win.

Johnson, who announced his endorsement Tuesday of Donald Trump as the Republican nominee for president, hit the airwaves to sell his approach and met privately Monday night with the conservative Freedom Caucus.

House prepares for vote to prevent government shutdown

Tuesday 14 November 2023 21:30 , AP

The House prepared on Tuesday for a vote to prevent a government shutdown, with new Republican Speaker Mike Johnson forced to reach across the aisle to Democrats when hard-right conservatives revolted against his plan.

To keep the federal government running into the new year, Johnson was willing to leave his right-flank Republicans behind and work with Democrats  the same political move that cost the last House speaker, Kevin McCarthy, his job just weeks ago.

This time, Johnson of Louisiana appeared on track for a temporarily better outcome as some Republicans showed signs of unrest but stopped short of threatening to remove the speaker, who has been on the job for just three weeks. The Senate would act next, ahead of Fridays shutdown deadline.

Making sure that government stays in operation is a matter of conscience for all of us. We owe that to the American people, Johnson said at a news conference at the Capitol.

VIDEO: James Comer throws smurf insult at Rep. Moskowitz in heated House hearing argument

Tuesday 14 November 2023 21:00 , The Independent

VIDEO: House to vote on preventing government shutdown amid GOP infighting

Tuesday 14 November 2023 20:30 , Gustaf Kilander

VIDEO: Speaker Mike Johnson says Congress 'addicted' to deficit spending

Tuesday 14 November 2023 20:00 , The Independent

You cant assume my vote on any bill, Chip Roy says

Tuesday 14 November 2023 19:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Rep Chip Roy appeared on Fox, saying, you cant assume my vote on any bill, if the speaker is going to roll us.

I dont like playing the ultimatum game, I will simply say that. I dont want anybody to try to sell me something and call it border security if its not, he added.

GOP rep claims Kevin McCarthy physically shoved him amid shutdown spat

Tuesday 14 November 2023 19:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Former Speaker Kevin McCarthy is reported to have shoved one of the members who voted to oust him in the halls of Congress.

Mr McCarthy was seen by reporters elbowing Rep Tim Burchett, who told CNN that it was a clean shot to the kidneys.

Claudia Grisales of NPR was speaking to Mr Burchett at the time on Tuesday, writing on X that she had never seen this on Capitol Hill.

While talking to @RepTimBurchett after the GOP conference meeting, former @SpeakerMcCarthy walked by with his detail and McCarthy shoved Burchett. Burchett lunged towards me. I thought it was a joke, it was not. And a chase ensued, she wrote.

A spokesperson for Mr Burchett told The Independent: I dont have any official comments on the incident from the Congressman, but I do not have anything in that tweet that I wish to correct.

No poison pill policies found in two-step funding plan

Tuesday 14 November 2023 18:30 , Gustaf Kilander

The lack of spending cuts in the proposed two-step funding plan is the reason why its likely to attract bipartisan support even as rightwing Republicans vote against it.

Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries said no poison pill policies have been found in the legislation that would prevent Democrats from backing it, adding that there are concerns about the two-step plans implementation.

We continue to express concerns with the bifurcated deadlines that seem to be somewhat unprecedented, he said, according to The Messenger.

It will take substantial Democratic votes to get it passed, but it will pass'

Tuesday 14 November 2023 18:00 , Gustaf Kilander

The two-part funding bill looks set to pass the House with substantial Democratic support amidst divisions among the Republicans.

It will take substantial Democratic votes to get it passed, but it will pass, Rep Kevin Hern said on Tuesday, according to The Messenger. Mr Hern is set to vote against the bill.

VIDEO: Congress to vote on funding the government

Tuesday 14 November 2023 17:30 , Gustaf Kilander

Republicans are left funding the government on autopilot

Tuesday 14 November 2023 17:00 , AP

If approved, passage of another continuing resolution would be a stunning capstone to the House GOPs first year in the majority. The Republicans have worked tirelessly to cut federal government spending only to find their own GOP colleagues are unwilling to go along with the most conservative priorities. Two of the Republican bills collapsed last week as moderates revolted.

Instead, the Republicans are left funding the government essentially on autopilot at the levels that were set in bipartisan fashion at the end of 2022, when Democrats had control of Congress but two parties came together to agree on budget terms.

All that could change in the new year when 1% cuts across the board to all departments would be triggered if Congress fails to agree to new budget terms and pass the traditional appropriation bills to fund the government by springtime.

The 1% automatic cuts, which would take hold in April, are despised by all sides  Republicans say they are not enough, Democrats say they are too steep and many lawmakers prefer to boost defense funds. But they are part of the debt deal McCarthy and Biden struck earlier this year. The idea was to push Congress to do better.

Johnson cannot afford many defections from Republicans

Tuesday 14 November 2023 16:28 , AP

With the House narrowly divided, Johnson cannot afford many defections from Republicans, which is forcing him into the arms of Democrats.

Winning bipartisan approval of a continuing resolution is the same move that led McCarthys hard-right flank to oust him in October, days after the Sept. 30 vote to avert a federal shutdown. For now, Johnson appears to be benefiting from a political honeymoon in one of his first big tests on the job.

Look, were going to trust the speakers move here, said Rep. Drew Ferguson, R-Ga.

The Senate, where Democrats have a slim majority, has also signaled its willingness to accept Johnsons package ahead of Fridays deadline to fund the government.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell said the House GOP package will keep the lights on, and he will support it.

But McConnell, R-Ky., noted that Congress still has work to do toward Bidens request to provide U.S. military aid for Ukraine, Israel and other needs. Senators are trying to devise a separate package to fund U.S. supplies for the overseas wars and bolster border security, but it remains a work in progress.

You have to be wise about the fights you choose, speaker says

Tuesday 14 November 2023 16:00 , Gustaf Kilander

House Speaker Mike Johnson held a press conference on Tuesday morning as the chamber prepares to vote on avoiding a government shutdown.

Were not surrendering, were fighting. But you have to be wise about the fights you choose, the speaker told ABC News.

Ive been at the job less than three weeks, right? Mr Johnson said. I cant turn an aircraft carrier overnight.

VIDEO: What are the chances of a government shutdown?

Tuesday 14 November 2023 15:45 , Gustaf Kilander

We will not accept any extreme right-wing policy provisions, Jeffries says

Tuesday 14 November 2023 15:30 , AP

Under his proposal, Speaker Mike Johnson is putting forward a unique  critics say bizarre  two-part process that temporarily funds some federal agencies to Jan. 19 and others to Feb. 2. Its a continuing resolution, or CR, that comes without any of the deep cuts conservatives are demanding. It also fails to include President Joe Bidens request for nearly $106 billion for Ukraine, Israel, border security and other supplemental funds.

I think its a very big mistake, said Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, a member of the hard-right Freedom Caucus.

Roy said theres a whole lot of opposition among House Republicans to partnering with Democrats to pass the bill.

The Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries said his party is carefully evaluating the proposal from the Republican leadership before giving approval.

We remain concerned, he said about the two-part approach. Veteran lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have called it cumbersome, unusual and unworkable.

But Jeffries in a letter to Democratic colleagues noted that the GOP package met the Democratic demands to keep funding at current levels without steep reductions or divisive Republican policy priorities.

We have articulated that we will not accept any extreme right-wing policy provisions in connection with funding the government, Jeffries wrote.

Live: Mike Johnson and GOP officials speak ahead of government shutdown vote

Tuesday 14 November 2023 15:29 , The Independent

New speaker seems to be on track for better outcome to avoid shutdown

Tuesday 14 November 2023 15:15 , AP

The last time Congress tried to fund the government to prevent a federal shutdown, it cost House Speaker Kevin McCarthy his job.

This time, new Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., appears on track for a better outcome Tuesday as the House prepares to vote on a stopgap package to keep the government running into the new year. If approved, the Senate would act next, ahead of Fridays shutdown deadline.

The new Republican leader faces the same political problem that led to McCarthys ouster, and is unlikely to win enough support from his Republican majority to pass the bill on its own. Instead, Johnson will be forced to rely on Democrats to ensure passage to keep the federal government running.

Johnson has called it a necessary bill that he hoped would put House Republicans in the best position to fight for their conservative priorities in the new year.

Speakers funding plan likely to need Democratic backing

Tuesday 14 November 2023 14:00 , Gustaf Kilander

The speakers funding plan will likely need Democratic support amidst opposition from five House Republicans.

The spending bills lack of cuts is dividing the House GOP with at least five members having shared their opposition as of Monday morning  Reps Chip Roy, Warren Davidson, Bob Good, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and George Santos.

The Republicans can only lose four votes to pass a bill without Democratic support.

My opposition to the clean CR just announced by the Speaker to the @HouseGOP cannot be overstated, Mr Roy wrote on X. Funding Pelosi level spending & policies for 75 days - for future promises.

I am opposed to the CR that has been proposed, because it contains no spending reductions, no border security, & no policy wins for the American people. I am committed to working with Speaker Johnson & my House colleagues to chart a better path forward for our country, Mr Good said.

But including cuts rightwing Republicans want would make the spending bill dead on arrival in the Democratic Senate and White House.

Texas rep says funding bill provides Pelosi level spending & policies for 75 days'

Tuesday 14 November 2023 12:00 , AP

My opposition to the clean CR just announced by the Speaker to the @HouseGOP cannot be overstated, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, tweeted on X. Funding Pelosi level spending & policies for 75 days - for future promises.

The White House, meanwhile, panned the plan as unserious, unworkable and a threat to national security and domestic programs.

This proposal is just a recipe for more Republican chaos and more shutdownsfull stop, said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, pointing to opposition from members of both parties. House Republicans need to stop wasting time on their own political divisions, do their jobs, and work in a bipartisan way to prevent a shutdown.

VIDEO: Government shutdown deadline nears once again

Tuesday 14 November 2023 10:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Bill excludes funding requested by Biden for Israel, Ukraine, and US border

Tuesday 14 November 2023 08:00 , AP

The bill excludes funding requested by President Joe Biden for Israel, Ukraine and the U.S. border with Mexico. Johnson said separating Bidens request for an emergency supplemental bill from the temporary, stopgap measure places our conference in the best position to fight for fiscal responsibility, oversight over Ukraine aid, and meaningful policy changes at our Southern border.

Hardline conservatives, usually loathe to support temporary spending measures of any sort, had indicated they would give Johnson some leeway to pass legislation, known as a continuing resolution, or CR, to give Congress more time to negotiate a long-term agreement.

Republican admits Johnsons plan is similar to what got Kevin McCarthy in trouble'

Tuesday 14 November 2023 06:00 , Gustaf Kilander

GOP Rep Carlos Gimenez said on Fox Business that Speaker Johnsons government funding plan is similar to what got Kevin McCarthy in trouble.

I think youll get some Democrat votes ... Youll get some Republicans not to vote for it, he said.

I think you'll get some Democrat votes ... You'll get some Republicans not to vote for it.



 Rep. Carlos Gimenez (R-FL), who also concedes that Speaker Mike Johnsons proposed continuing resolution to avoid a govt. shutdown is similar to what got Kevin McCarthy in trouble pic.twitter.com/1J5uMdLhE5  The Recount (@therecount) November 13, 2023

Republicans have no earthly idea what they are doing, ex-GOP staffer says

Tuesday 14 November 2023 04:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Kurt Bardella, a former Republican Capitol Hill staffer whos now a Democratic strategist, wrote on X on Monday that Republicans in Congress seem determined to remind the American people every single day that they have no earthly idea what they are doing.

@SpeakerJohnson is in over his head. The result will be yet another government shutdown courtesy of the GOP, he added.

Republicans in Congress seem determined to remind the American people every single day that they have no earthly idea what they are doing. @SpeakerJohnson is in over his head. The result will be yet another government shutdown courtesy of the GOP.



via @AymanMSNBC pic.twitter.com/KdYQpVxsPA  Kurt Bardella (@kurtbardella) November 13, 2023

GOP cannot negotiate with itself- and its leaders refuse to negotiate with anybody else'

Tuesday 14 November 2023 02:00 , Gustaf Kilander

David Frum, a former speechwriter for President George W Bush, wrote on X on Monday: With two US carrier groups poised for action to deter Iran, we are 4 days from a US government shutdown because the majority in the US House of Representatives cannot negotiate with itself- and its leaders refuse to negotiate with anybody else.

McCarthy booted after previous continuing resolution passage

Tuesday 14 November 2023 00:00 , AP

The federal government is operating under funding levels approved last year by a Democratic-led House and Senate. Facing a government shutdown when the fiscal year ended Sept. 30, Congress passed a 47-day continuing resolution, but the fallout was severe. Kevin McCarthy was booted from the speakership days later, and the House was effectively paralyzed for most of the month while Republicans tried to elect a replacement.

Republicans eventually were unanimous in electing Johnson speaker, but his elevation has hardly eased the dynamic that led to McCarthys removal  a conference torn on policy as well as how much to spend on federal programs. This past week, Republicans had to pull two spending bills from the floor  one to fund transportation and housing programs and the other to fund the Treasury Department, Small Business Administration and other agencies  because they didnt have the votes in their own party to push them through the House.

Speakers funding plan likely to need Democratic backing

Monday 13 November 2023 22:00 , Gustaf Kilander

The speakers funding plan will likely need Democratic support amidst opposition from five House Republicans.

The spending bills lack of cuts is dividing the House GOP with at least five members having shared their opposition as of Monday morning  Reps Chip Roy, Warren Davidson, Bob Good, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and George Santos.

The Republicans can only lose four votes to pass a bill without Democratic support.

My opposition to the clean CR just announced by the Speaker to the @HouseGOP cannot be overstated, Mr Roy wrote on X. Funding Pelosi level spending & policies for 75 days - for future promises.

I am opposed to the CR that has been proposed, because it contains no spending reductions, no border security, & no policy wins for the American people. I am committed to working with Speaker Johnson & my House colleagues to chart a better path forward for our country, Mr Good said.

But including cuts rightwing Republicans want would make the spending bill dead on arrival in the Democratic Senate and White House.

Texas rep says funding bill provides Pelosi level spending & policies for 75 days'

Monday 13 November 2023 20:00 , AP

My opposition to the clean CR just announced by the Speaker to the @HouseGOP cannot be overstated, Rep. Chip Roy, R-Texas, tweeted on X. Funding Pelosi level spending & policies for 75 days - for future promises.

The White House, meanwhile, panned the plan as unserious, unworkable and a threat to national security and domestic programs.

This proposal is just a recipe for more Republican chaos and more shutdownsfull stop, said press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre, pointing to opposition from members of both parties. House Republicans need to stop wasting time on their own political divisions, do their jobs, and work in a bipartisan way to prevent a shutdown.

VIDEO: Government shutdown deadline nears once again

Monday 13 November 2023 18:00 , Gustaf Kilander

Bill excludes funding requested by Biden for Israel, Ukraine, and US border

Monday 13 November 2023 16:27 , AP

The bill excludes funding requested by President Joe Biden for Israel, Ukraine and the U.S. border with Mexico. Johnson said separating Bidens request for an emergency supplemental bill from the temporary, stopgap measure places our conference in the best position to fight for fiscal responsibility, oversight over Ukraine aid, and meaningful policy changes at our Southern border.

Hardline conservatives, usually loathe to support temporary spending measures of any sort, had indicated they would give Johnson some leeway to pass legislation, known as a continuing resolution, or CR, to give Congress more time to negotiate a long-term agreement.
I've been trying to learn more about the Independent Investigation Office, which has investigated (actions) by the RCMP in B.C. for the last 10 years.

Recently, I discovered that, repeatedly, the names of victims and police officers involved in these cases, are not revealed anymore, (even when a case is several years old). How can law enforcement (officers) shoot and kill someone and then bury the identities of those involved for years?

I believe it's all about how Canada's new privacy laws are interpreted.

"The purpose of the Privacy Act is to protect the privacy of individuals with respect to their personal information, says the act. This act governs the federal government's collection, retention, use and disclosure of that information."

In the case of a shooting near my home in September 2022, a woman known only as Joelle was shot twice by an RCMP emergency response team (ERT) and carted off with life threatening" wounds. Her neighbours spent weeks trying to learn her full name, as we were concerned for her personal, legal and medical wellbeing.

We were beside ourselves when the police refused to give us her name, stating after shooting her they felt legally obliged to protect her personal information. This also went for her deceased partner, Gil, not to mention the RCMP (officer in question).

Why the legal interpretation of our privacy laws has not been addressed by the media or the government, is beyond me.

Ian Skinner, Keremeos
We Dunno!

Public records and internal emails obtained by 404 Media have revealed that the federal government has absolutely no idea how many civilians have been hit by Cruise's driverless vehicles, which it recently paused in entirely following multiple pedestrian collisions and the troubling revelation that Cruise deployed the cars knowing they particularly struggled to identify children.

But as 404 reports, prior to the full recall of Cruise's fleet, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) had already launched a "preliminary investigation" into the carmaker. In a now-infamous incident, one of the cars had dragged a pedestrian in San Francisco; as a result, California ordered Cruise to stop operating in the state, and the NHTSA looksie kicked off shortly thereafter.

Looking at that report, though, it's unclear what the NHTSA has really been able to find. In official public records, the federal roadway overseer notes that "currently, the total number of relevant pedestrian incidents is unknown." And for the agency tasked with overseeing self-driving vehicles, you have to admit that's pretty weird.

In email correspondence obtained by 404, San Francisco city officials note that the online system for reporting roadway incidents is flawed to the point that civilians couldn't really even report dangerous brushes with self-driving cars through official channels if they wanted to  something you'd think the city would've figured out before letting the experimental driver-free cars onto public roads.

VIN, No Diesel

The problem with the city's web portal, as responsible local authorities laid out in the leaked email correspondence, lies in the very structure of the form itself.

"The problem is that you have to enter the VIN number"  a unique code, stamped on the inside of a vehicle, that effectively acts like the individual car's fingerprint  "in order to get through the logic of the form," Julia Friedlander, senior manager of automated driving policy at San Franciscos Municipal Transportation Agency, reportedly wrote to colleagues in an email with the very blatant subject line: "Pedestrian Incidents."

"Obviously, members of the public have no access to this information as to for-hire AVs," Friedlander added, correctly. "The only other obvious option is to call their telephone hotline  something few people today would do."

The only other sort-of-relevant form that a pedestrian could use to report an incident would be one titled "other vehicle-related equipment," but that category notes that it should be used for products like "bike racks, windshield wipers, motorcycle helmets," and so on. None of these aftermarket items exactly scream "entire driverless vehicle," however, meaning that the experimental autonomous cars exist in a paperwork no man's land.

The report is incredibly embarrassing for both the city of San Francisco and the NHTSA, both of which should absolutely have ensured that the above safety systems were up-to-code before Cruise cars hit the roadways. Better luck next time  if there is one.

More on Cruise: Cruise Reportedly Knew Its Robotaxis Struggled to Notice Children and Kept Them on the Road Anyway
Governors Spencer Cox of Utah and Jared Polis of Colorado discuss a topic during a discussion moderated by CSU President Amy Parsons about how our society can learn to disagree in a way that allows us to find solutions and solve problems. The event was held at Colorado State University in Fort Collins on Wednesday.

Calling our present political polarization the single most important issue in our country right now, Utah Gov. Spencer Cox joined Colorado Gov. Jared Polis in a Disagree Better discussion Wednesday at Colorado State University.

Cox, a Republican, and Polis, a Democrat, expressed grave concerns about our societys ability to have meaningful political discussion and debate with civility in hopes of finding solutions to our problems rather than focusing on attacking and defeating opponents at all costs.

Cox launched the Disagree Better initiative through the National Governors Association that he chairs. Polis is the vice chair. They had a similar discussion Tuesday in Westminster that also included Montana Gov. Greg Gianforte and Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, both Republicans.

CSU President Amy Parsons moderated Wednesdays discussion with Cox and Polis in front of a live audience of about 200 people in the Never No Summer Room in the Lory Student Center. The event, part of CSUs thematic Year of Democracy, was also livestreamed online.

Our democratic institutions are failing, Cox said. Were seeing an increase in political violence here.  We are passing all the checkpoints toward catastrophic failure of our democratic institutions because of this deep polarization that were seeing.

I love our country. I care deeply about our country, and I think this is not just the issue of the year, I think its the issue of our generation. It is the single most important issue in our country today: Can we solve problems without hating each other? And right now, too many people are saying, no. 

Governors Spencer Cox of Utah and Jared Polis of Colorado discuss a topic during a discussion moderated by CSU President Amy Parsons about how our society can learn to disagree in a way that allows us to find solutions and solve problems. The event was held at Colorado State University in Fort Collins on Wednesday.

Not just politicians, Polis said. But everyday people doing everyday things. Your MAGA uncle, he said, ought to be able to have a conversation over Thanksgiving dinner with his woke niece.

Engage with others and bridge that divide, Polis said. We have a holiday coming up, Thanksgiving, a national day of gratitude. I think around extended family dinner tables, theres people of all different political persuasions, and its a good opportunity to be curious, ask questions, be civil.

I think too often we treat politics as something that cant be discussed without toxicity. Thats kind of giving up on what it means to be a republic and have these discussions.

More: Housing costs dominate forum discussion between CSU students, elected officials

Cox and Polis offered some suggestions on how to get people to open up and listen to opposing viewpoints.

Be curious and ask questions, Polis said. Why do you feel that way? What do you think about it? Try to get them to understand your position.

Cox said its important to approach topics with humility, something he said our countrys founding fathers, including George Washington, James Madison and John Adams, frequently spoke of and wrote about. Despite your convictions, leave open the possibility that your position could be wrong. That lets whoever youre talking to not only know you are truly listening to them but also opens the door for them to consider that maybe their position is wrong.

He also urged people to stop watching cable television news, which tends to focus on the outrageous and extreme, turning members of Congress into performers rather than legislators.

Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah answers a question during a discussion moderated by CSU President Amy Parsons about how our society can learn to disagree in a way that allows us to find solutions and solve problems. The event was held at Colorado State University in Fort Collins on Wednesday.

Theres been far more coverage, Cox said, of Oklahoma Sen. Markwayne Mullins threat to fight the president of the Teamsters Union on the Senate floor Tuesday than of the bipartisan effort he and Polis are involved in along with five other governors from each party to address the countrys flawed immigration policies.

My wife and I just celebrated 11 years of not watching cable news, and our marriage is better, our family is better, Cox said. People laugh when I say that; Im telling you its true. Our lives are better; theyre happier, healthier because we stopped watching cable news.

The two governors went on to share examples of working with people of opposing viewpoints to craft meaningful legislation.

More: Some employees left out of CSU's commitment to raise pay to a minimum $50,000 per year

Polis points to his work with Jim Wilson, then a Republican member of Colorados state House of Representatives, to provide state funding for all-day kindergarten as one of his first successful initiatives after becoming governor in 2019. Wilson had championed that issue for years without gaining much traction, but after joining forces with a Democratic governor, it passed with ease.

Ninety percent of the bills that have passed during his time as governor, Polis said, have had bipartisan support, thanks, in part, to the structure of Colorados General Assembly, which allows members of both parties to introduce bills. Members of the minority party in each house of Congress, where he previously served in the House of Representatives for Colorados 2nd District, he said, can never get bills out of committee to be voted upon.

Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado answers questions during a discussion moderated by CSU President Amy Parsons about how our society can learn to disagree in a way that allows us to find solutions and solve problems. The event was held at Colorado State University in Fort Collins on Wednesday.

Cox pointed to the 2015 passage of a bill in Utah  maybe the reddest state in the nation, he said  banning discrimination against LGBTQ people in housing and employment. He was the states lieutenant governor at the time and involved on the fringes, he said, but not in the day-to-day discussions that brought together members of the state legislature with Utah's LGBTQ and religious communities.

They all came together, basically locked themselves in a room for like a month and they hammered out what became known as the grand compromise, he said. It was a bill that protected the rights of LGBTQ people in housing and employment while also expanding the religious freedom of churches.

It wasnt winner-take-all kind of thinking; it was, 'How do we both find a win here?' And they did. And Ill never forget that night. It was the last night of the legislative session. We had a signing of the bill in the rotunda with thousands of people there. Behind me, we had the high-level leadership from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the LGBTQ community embracing. We had the Eagle Forum, the most conservative group in the state, and Equality Utah standing shoulder to shoulder.

Thats a high Im still chasing.  That was one of the proudest days Ive had in politics.

Political party affiliations, both governors said, should not define who a person is socially. Sure, its part of who they are but not the end-all-be-all.

Historically, our political identity was way down the list of how we defined ourselves in this country, Cox said. If thats how you think of yourself first is as a conservative or Democrat or progressive or liberal or whatever, then youre doing something wrong, and its really unhealthy. This has become a religion for far too many people.

At the same time, Polis said, the rapid rise in unaffiliated voters  people fleeing the Democratic and Republican parties  shows that many people are recognizing the danger of going all in with a particular tribe.

Cox noted that recent polls by Dartmouth College show more than 70% of members of each major party dont support their partys frontrunner for the 2024 presidential nomination  President Joe Biden for Democrats and former President Donald Trump for Republicans.

Although thats never happened before, Cox said, it also shows that theres an exhausted majority  because were tired, were hungry for something different out there longing to put our representative democracy back on track.

This country is special, it really is different, he said. This grand experiment that we embarked on almost 250 years ago, this idea of self-governance, this idea that our rights do not come from government or from a king but these rights come from on high  were born with them, we are endowed with them, that all of us are created equal and that we have these inalienable rights  life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

"Those are radical ideas, and they are still radical today. And they are worth fighting for, they are worth preserving. So, be proud of your country, flaws and all. We can make it better, and we should. But know that this year of democracy, this is it. This is the fight of our lives.

Reporter Kelly Lyell covers education, breaking news, some sports and other topics of interest for the Coloradoan. Contact him at kellylyell@coloradoan.com, twitter.com/KellyLyell or facebook.com/KellyLyell.news.

This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Governors of Colorado, Utah urge civility in politics in talk at CSU
Gracie Spinks, 23, was murdered by a former colleague who was "obsessed" with her

A police force has said it failed a woman who was stabbed to death by a former colleague who had stalked her.

Derbyshire Police has apologised to the family of Gracie Spinks, after a jury at her inquest concluded she was unlawfully killed.

Michael Sellers murdered the 23-year-old in Duckmanton in Derbyshire on 18 June 2021 after she went to look after her horse. Sellers then killed himself.

"Put simply, as a force we failed Gracie," Det Supt Darren De'ath said.

Several months before her death, Miss Spinks had made a report to police about Sellers being "obsessed" with her and waiting for her near to the same field where she died.

Two dog walkers also found a bag of weapons belonging to Sellers, but police did not investigate the bag and instead treated it as "found property".

'The supervisor killed Gracie'

Speaking after the jury gave its conclusion, Det Supt Darren De'ath said: "During the inquest it has been clear that there were significant failures throughout both Gracie's report of stalking and the way in which the finding of the bag of weapons was dealt with.

"Put simply, as a force we failed Gracie - and for that I can only offer my own, and the force's, most sincere apologies."

The 10 members of the jury wore pink and purple wristbands in Miss Spinks's memory.

Referring to Sellers as "the supervisor", in their conclusion at Chesterfield Coroner's Court, the foreman said: "It was the supervisor that killed Gracie."

This embedded content is not available in your region.

In their findings, the jury listed a number of failings by police.

However, the jurors said they could not conclude that these failings contributed to Miss Spinks's death.

Five police officers received disciplinary action in the form of misconduct meetings.

Matthew Kewley, assistant coroner for Derby and Derbyshire, has said he will issue a prevention of future deaths report to the chief constable of Derbyshire Police, which will include his matters of concern and will ask the force to take action.

He said he would also issue his report at a national level, due to his concern about there being an absence of stalking advocates at other police forces.

Miss Spinks had complained to e-commerce firm Xbite about supervisor Michael Sellers

The inquest has heard Miss Spinks met Sellers when she started working at Xbite, an e-commerce firm based in Chesterfield, while furloughed from her job as a swimming instructor in April 2020.

Sellers had been working there since 2015 and had previously given unwanted attention to seven other female colleagues, but Miss Spinks was not aware of this.

In their findings, the jurors said Miss Spinks and Sellers "shared a brief friendship which was not romantic".

They said Miss Spinks had then "gently ended that friendship" on 16 December 2020.

"The supervisor did not accept Gracie's decision," the jury said.

"He continued to contact her and abused his position at work by asking others to spy on her."

On 4 January 2021, Sellers parked in a layby near to where she kept her horse Paddy, which had "distressed and upset" her, according to the jury.

She told Xbite, which suspended Sellers and conducted a formal investigation, which resulted in him being dismissed.

Miss Spinks then phoned Derbyshire Police on 101 on 4 February 2021 to report Sellers.

The jurors noted her report was initially "marked as a real and immediate risk", and an investigation was undertaken.

This resulted in a "verbal conversation" with both Miss Spinks and Sellers, and "the stalking case was closed down as low risk," the jurors said.

Miss Spinks was murdered after going to look after her horse Paddy at stables in Duckmanton

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) investigated Derbyshire Police over its handling of Miss Spinks's case.

Its investigation highlighted several "failings and missed investigative opportunities" that would have been in line with police policy for dealing with stalking and harassment.

These included:

No risk assessment or safeguarding plan

No national database check on Sellers

No rationale provided for why he was not arrested once identified as a suspect

No written record of any consideration of a stalking prevention order

Police not requesting disciplinary investigation records, despite Sellers being dismissed from the firm where he and Miss Spinks worked, and allegations made by other female employees

Follow BBC East Midlands on Facebook, on X, or on Instagram. Send your story ideas to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk.
Editors note: This story is available as a result of a content partnership between WFTV and the Orlando Business Journal.

The development group behind one of metro Orlandos most anticipated mixed-use projects has added 20 acres to its large assemblage.

Orange County records show Kelly Park VB Development LLC, a Vero Beach-based entity related to development group Wyld Oaks, paid $4.24 million  or about $206,830 per acre  to private property owner Francois P. Breney for neighboring parcels at 4101 Golden Gem Road in Apopka.

The parcels are adjacent Wyld Oaks 160-acre assemblage on West Kelly Park Road, the site of its massive master-planned community in the works also named Wyld Oaks, as well as the 88-acre assemblage it sold earlier this year to Orlando-based Cadence Partners for $48.5 million for the mega-developments industrial component.

Read: It is so ordered: Florida Supreme Court affirms Markeith Loyds convictions, death sentence

Click here to read the full story on the Orlando Business Journals website.

Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.




Two dozen Democratic lawmakers signed a letter Wednesday urging President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken to seek a cease-fire in Gaza.

The letter  signed by Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez of New York, Betty McCollum of Minnesota, Mark Pocan of Wisconsin and 21 others, many of whom are members of the Congressional Progressive Caucus  said that the lawmakers were concerned about the intensifying war in Gaza, "particularly grave violations against children, and our fear that without an immediate cessation of hostilities and the establishment of a robust bilateral ceasefire, this war will lead to a further loss of civilian life."

"We write urging clarity on your strategic objectives for achieving deescalation and stability in the region," the Democrats wrote. "We understand that the Administration has serious concerns regarding the objectives and consequences of a large-scale ground offensive, and we urge you to press this case directly."

Their letter came as Israel expanded its ground offensive in Gaza following Hamas' attack on Oct. 7, with the country's military launching a raid on Al-Shifa, the Gaza Strip's main hospital, in what it has described as a "targeted operation" against Hamas.

More than 1.6 million people have been displaced in Gaza, and health officials there say more than 11,200 have been killed. Israel says 1,200 people were killed in the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7, with 239 people still held hostage in Gaza.

In a new Reuters/Ipsos poll, conducted Oct. 12 and 13, about 68% of respondents said they agreed with the statement: "Israel should call a ceasefire and try to negotiate."

We reaffirm our unequivocal condemnation of the Hamas attacks on Israel that took place on October 7th, in which Hamas killed over 1,200 Israelis and foreign nationals, and captured over 200 hostages, the Democratic lawmakers wrote in their letter. We also share dire concerns with the ongoing Israeli response, in which the Israeli Defense Forces have killed over 11,078 Palestinians, nearly half of whom have been children.

They added: We thank the President for calling for a humanitarian pause so that humanitarian aid may flow and diplomacy may take place. However, given the present lack of an apparent and clear strategic plan, we encourage a redoubling of efforts to achieve rapid de-escalation through a ceasefire and robust, regional engagement that includes international humanitarian organizations.

The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the Democrats letter.

On Tuesday, 400 employees of Bidens own administration signed a similar letter, calling for the president to pursue a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

McCollum said in a statement that it has been deeply disturbing to see children continue to bear the awful toll of this war.

According to a recent Associated Press-NORC survey, while nearly 70% of Democrats approved of Bidens job performance overall, the number dropped to 50% when it comes to his handling of the conflict in Gaza.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
A growing number of lawmakers are publicly saying they will vote to expel Rep. George Santos (R-N.Y.), following the release of a scathing House Ethics Committee report.

Santos has survived two expulsion attempts, with some lawmakers who voted against ousting him earlier this month saying they were awaiting the panels determination.

Now, several of them say the New York Republican has had due process and theyll vote differently next time around.

Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) told The Hill in a text message that he would vote to expel Santos.

The reports findings are extremely damning and I would vote to expel, he wrote in a text message.

Raskin was among the 31 Democrats who voted against expelling Santos, saying at the time that doing so would set a bad precedent and noting only five members have ever been expelled  three for joining the Confederacy during the Civil War and another two after they were convicted on criminal charges.

Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-N.C.), who also previously voted against expulsion, issued a similar statement Thursday, saying, Rep. Santos has received his due process. This report is fully damning. I will vote to expel him.

Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.) on Thursday told MSNBCs Andrea Mitchell that he will now vote to expel Santos, after previously opposing the measure. Bucks spokesperson confirmed his position in a statement and referred The Hill to his remarks on MSNBC.

Im hoping that George does the right thing and resigns and leaves Congress. The Thanksgiving break is a great time to do that, clean out his office, he said.

I did not vote in the past to expel George because I didnt believe there was due process. He had been charged criminally with felonies, very serious matters, but he had not been found guilty, Buck continued. The Ethics Committee really, I think, gave him the opportunity. He did not avail himself of that opportunity. The Ethics Committee found that he did not cooperate with the investigation, and I think hes been given the fair due process now.

Rep. Deborah Ross (D-N.C.), a member of the Ethics Committee who voted present earlier this month, released a statement Thursday saying she would support an effort to expel Santos.

The report released by the House Ethics Committee today is the result of a careful, thorough, bipartisan investigation. Without a doubt, it conclusively demonstrates Rep. George Santos is unfit to serve in this body, Ross wrote in her statement. I will vote to expel him from the U.S. House of Representatives when a resolution comes to the floor for a vote.

The House Ethics Committee began its investigation in March 2023, after allegations that Santos lied about biographical details and allegations of misconduct related to his campaigns finances began to surface. Santos was subsequently indicted on 13 federal charges in May 2023, and in October 2023, a superseding indictment levied another 10 criminal counts against the congressman, bringing the total to 23.

The initial charges included seven counts of wire fraud, three counts of money laundering, one count of theft of public funds and two counts of making materially false statements to the House of Representatives.

The more recent indictment alleged Santos was involved in two separate schemes related to his campaign. He was charged with one count of conspiracy to commit offenses against the United States, two counts of wire fraud, two counts of making materially false statements to the Federal Election Commission (FEC), two counts of falsifying records submitted to obstruct the FEC, two counts of aggravated identity theft and one count of access device fraud.

Santos has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Despite the weight of the charges Santos faced, a significant number of members of Congress opted not to expel him when the matter came to the House floor for a vote  first in May, one week after the indictment, and the second at the start of November, after the Ethics Committee issued a memo saying it planned to release its next course of action by Nov. 17.

The most recent effort to oust Santos from office came short of the two-thirds threshold required to expel a member from Congress, but the vote was not divided on clean party lines. Twenty-four Republicans voted for expulsion, while 31 Democrats voted against expelling him. Another 19 lawmakers voted present, 15 of whom were Democrats.

The report released Thursday, however, lays bare the evidence against him.

The evidence uncovered by the Investigative Subcommittee (ISC) revealed that Representative George Santos cannot be trusted, the report read. At nearly every opportunity, he placed his desire for private gain above his duty to uphold the Constitution, federal law, and ethical principles.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD)  Police are looking into a possible fencing operation at two Grand Rapids smoke shops that the police chief said may preying on kids to get them to commit thefts.

Last week, police executed search warrants at Flavors Smoke Shop on Leonard Street NW and Flavors and PMC Private Stock on S. Division Avenue.

Police block off Flavors Smoke Shop on S. Division Avenue in Grand Rapids on Nov. 9, 2023.

Police raid Flavors smoke shops in Grand Rapids

Grand Rapids Police Department Chief Eric Winstrom said he cant say the businesses are directly connected to the killings of three people in the Burton Heights neighborhood a few days before the raids, though he said the deaths kicked the investigation that was already in process into high gear.

Those three murders prompted conversations here as we met with our leadership team and detectives (about) whats driving the violence, Winstrom said.

At one of the Flavors shops, police found a suspect in a Milwaukee homicide. Its unclear whether the suspect was working at one of the smoke shops or just visiting.

Police also found over 30 pounds of marijuana and lots of THC products, among other stolen items.

There was a lot of products there that they werent licensed to sell, Winstrom said.

Photos released by Grand Rapids police show marijuana and THC products seized during raids at two smoke shops, plus a third business. (Courtesy Grand Rapids Police Department)

Photos released by Grand Rapids police show stolen property seized during raids at two smoke shops, plus a third business. (Courtesy Grand Rapids Police Department)

GRPD: Marijuana, stolen property found in smoke shop raids

The products were consistent with what was reported stolen after a rash of burglaries at cannabis dispensaries and liquor stores this summer.

Throughout this summer, what weve seen is young people, as young as 11 or 12, in stolen vehicles. We have seen those vehicles used for smash-and-grab burglaries at vape shops and cannabis stores, Winstrom said.

Winstrom said the two smoke shops that were raided may have been engaged in fencing. Thats when a person pays someone for stolen items and resells the stolen goods for profit.

Theres an impressionable 12-, 13-year-old kid: Hey, you want to make some cash? Ive got a way to make some cash. And its really predatory, in my opinion, Winstrom said.

He expects charges to be filed eventually in connection to the smoke shops, but said for now, detectives are continuing to investigate.

Where did these items come from? Were these items reported stolen? Theres a lot of pieces to put together, Winstrom said.

Burton Heights neighbors hold vigil in wake of triple homicide

The chief had strong words for those that are paying young people to commit crimes:

For someone that supposedly has a legitimate business in our city, thats an adult, to incentivize our children to commit crimes is disgusting, Winstrom said.

He cant say if the two smoke shops were the only businesses that may be engaging in fencing. If anyone suspects that an illegitimate business is running in their neighborhood, theyre encouraged to call GRPD at 616.456.3400 or Silent Observer at 616.774.2345.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WOODTV.com.
The 12th round of European Union sanctions against Russia will allegedly include Ilya Medvedev, the only son of former president and current Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev, the Guardian reported on Nov. 16, citing the European Commission's proposal.

The proposal has not been released to the public yet.

The 28-year-old Ilya Medvedev is a member of the ruling United Russia party and has been implicated in contributing to a disinformation campaign aimed at Ukrainians in Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine.

Previous rounds of sanctions have targeted Russian officials personally, including Russian dictator Vladimir Putin, as well as their family members.

Bloomberg reported on Nov. 15, citing EU documents, that the latest round of sanctions against Russia might include export bans on machine parts and dual-use goods, a ban on the export of Russian diamonds, and measures to reinforce the $60 per barrel price cap on Russian oil.

The European Commission also said that the new proposed package would sanction 120 individuals and entities but did not identify them by name.

Read also: Investigation: Russia continues to receive weapons from US, Europe despite sanctions

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The Guardian has taken down a letter written by Osama bin Laden after it inspired social media posts co-signing his critique of the United States.

The outlet replaced a transcript of the jihadists 2002 letter to the American people with a context note after a surge of related TikToks made it the second-most-viewed page on the site Wednesday.

In place of the 4000-word letter, The Guardians link now reads, This page previously displayed a document containing, in translation, the full text of Osama bin Ladens letter to the American people, which was reported in the Observer on Sunday 24 November 2002. The document, which was published here on the same day, was removed on 15 November 2023.

While it is rare for news outlets to remove reporting and primary documents like letters outright, The Guardian said it made the decision to pull the document after seeing it circulated without its original context.

The letter, in part, blames the Sept. 11 attacks on Americas support for Israel and its continued involvement in the Middle East. Experts who spoke to The Washington Post also called it a kind of core doctrinal text for both al Qaeda and the Islamic State.

As of Thursday, a search for #lettertoamerica showed TikTok videos with 14.2 million views, according to The New York Times.

The transcript published on our website 20 years ago has been widely shared today on social media without its original context, Matt Mittenthal, a spokesperson for The Guardian, told the Times.

Therefore we have decided to take it down and direct readers to the news article that originally contextualized it instead, he continued, referring to excerpts of the letter in a piece about the United States response.

The Guardians reaction to the TikTok trend may have elevated what was actually a small sample of posts.

While a search for letter to the American people yielded dozens of videos, most were about The Guardians decision to delete the letter.

On Thursday, TikTok addressed bin Laden posts in a tweet, saying that the content clearly violates our rules on supporting any form of terrorism.

We are proactively and aggressively removing this content and investigating how it got onto our platform, the platform said. The number of videos on TikTok is small and reports of it trending on our platform are inaccurate. This is not unique to TikTok and has appeared across multiple platforms and the media.

A 2002 letter written by Osama bin Laden recently resurfaced on TikTok, prompting The Guardian to pull the text amid a minor moral panic.

A 2002 letter written by Osama bin Laden recently resurfaced on TikTok, prompting The Guardian to pull the text amid a minor moral panic.

On the same day, the White House denounced any type of support for the letter in a statement from Deputy Press Secretary Andrew Bates.

There is never a justification for spreading the repugnant, evil, and antisemitic lies that the leader of al Qaeda issued just after committing the worst terrorist attack in American history, he told HuffPost, adding that no one should ever insult the 2,977 American families still mourning loved ones by associating themselves with the vile words of Osama bin Laden.

Charlie Winter, a specialist in jihadist affairs, told The Washington Post that videos expressing sympathy for bin Laden appeared to be cherry-picking from the text, which also calls for genocide and indiscriminate acts of violence against civilians.

Its not the letter that is going viral. Its a selective reading of parts of the letter thats going viral, he said. And I dont know whether its because people arent actually reading it or, when theyre reading it, theyre reading the bits that they want to see or, you know, the bits that they want to see are sinking in.

The Guardians decision comes amid debates about social medias role in global affairs, like the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

During last weeks Republican presidential primary debate, former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said TikTok was polluting the minds of American young people with antisemitic, horrible stuff that their algorithms were pushing out at a gargantuan rate.

The app, which is owned by Chinese company ByteDance, addressed the accusations in a blog post on Monday, where it called evidence of its supposed pro-Palestinian agenda a mischaracterization of available user data, like the number of tags or likes a post has.

Related...
A hospital in the Haitian capital, Port-au-Prince, has been evacuated by police after nearby gang violence.

More than 100 patients - nearly half of them children - had to be removed from the Fontaine Hospital Center, according to its director Jose Ulysse.

The hospital is in the large shantytown of Cite Soleil, where there have been reports of unrest in recent days following the death of a gang leader.

Haiti is currently in the grip of unprecedented levels of lawlessness.

"There was a gang war, but the war is around the hospital," Mr Ulysse told AFP news agency, clarifying an earlier report that gangs had entered the hospital and taken people hostage.

He said houses around the hospital had been set on fire and that while some people had been able to flee the facility on their own, others - including a woman who had given birth by Caesarean section a day earlier - needed the help of the local authorities.

"We were able to get everyone to safety," Mr Ulysse added.

A source in Port-au-Prince told the BBC's Mexico, Central America and Cuba Correspondent, Will Grant, that the situation at the hospital had "escalated very quickly".

It came a day after powerful gang leader Iskar Andrice was killed in Cite Soleil - raising fears that there could be a further spike in violence in the area.

Gangs have taken increasing control of Port-au-Prince since the assassination of the country's president in 2021 threw Haiti into a political crisis.

Thousands of Haitians have fled their homes in the capital, while more than 2,400 others have been killed, according to the latest figures from the UN.

Kenya has said it will send 1,000 police officers to Haiti to help restore order - a move that has been backed by the UN.
Photo: The Canadian Press British Columbia's gang squad and the Abbotsford Police Department say a sensitive law enforcement intelligence document was posted on an online media site. RCMP Assistant Commissioner Manny Mann, officer in charge of the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit of B.C., holds a notebook with an "End Gang Life" sticker on it during a news conference in Burnaby, B.C., Monday, May 10, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

British Columbia's gang squad and the Abbotsford Police Department say a sensitive law enforcement intelligence document was posted on an online media site.

A statement from police and the Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit says the document was part of a response to the ongoing gang war that has killed numerous people in the last several years.

Abbotsford police say in the statement that the naming of people in the document doesn't necessarily mean they are related to the shootings or that they are involved in illegal activity.

The statement says police have identified how the information was compromised and the document has since been removed from the unnamed media site.

Police say they are "actively connecting" with those who have been affected by the release of information.

The statement says the RCMP has also been called in to investigate, while notifications have been issued to both the privacy commissioner and the police oversight body.

"At this time, there is no information to indicate an increased risk to public safety stemming from the unauthorized release of information," the statement says.
Republican White House candidate Nikki Haley is making a final push to overtake Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (R) in Iowa before the Hawkeye States caucus kicks off the partys presidential nominating cycle in January.

DeSantis has long been considered the partys top challenger to former President Trump, who has held on to a significant lead over the rest of the field  but momentum from standout debate performances has appeared to boost Haley, raising questions about which challenger will secure the second-place slot in Iowa.

Iowa is the first and best shot Govs. Haley and DeSantis will have to emerge as the clear alternative to President Trump, said Michael Zona, a Republican strategist and former staffer for Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley (R).

One of the two will have to either win Iowa outright or earn a clear and convincing second place to take on the mantle of Trump alternative in the primary, Zona added.

Haleys campaign is touting recent polling showing her on the rise in Iowa. She also announced plans for $10 million in TV, radio and digital advertising in Iowa and New Hampshire starting in December.

In a sign of her apparent surge in these early voting states, an Emerson College Polling/WHDH survey released Wednesday found Haley surpassing DeSantis for second place in New Hampshire.

The Iowa Caucuses are in just over two months. The New Hampshire primary is just 8 days after that. And Nikki Haley is the only candidate who is positioned to do well in both, Haleys campaign manager, Betsy Ankney, said in a memo obtained by The Hill.

DeSantiss campaign, on the other hand, has said its confident the Iowa voters will see who will best represent them and their values.

Trump, with his quasi-incumbent status and significant polling lead, has loomed large over his fellow competitors bids.

Iowa-based Republican strategist Jimmy Centers predicted Trump will win by a large margin in Iowa, and that the Jan. 15 GOP caucus will be far more like a coronation for him.

The real race, in my opinion, is for second place. And that is focused on Gov. DeSantis and Ambassador Haley, Centers said.

Haley, the former governor of South Carolina and a former United Nations ambassador, has seen a tremendous surge in support since late summer, Centers said, which coincided with her debate performances.

At the third debate in Miami earlier this month, she drew direct attacks from her fellow competitors, which seemed to underscore her status as a perceived threat in the 2024 field.

A 538/Washington Post/Ipsos poll of likely Republican primary and caucus voters who tuned into the third debate said Haley performed the best, while DeSantis came in second. But both Haley and DeSantis reported raising more than $1 million in the 24 hours after the third GOP debate.

In Iowa, Haley jumped 10 points between August and November, according to a Des Moines Register/NBC News/Mediacom Iowa poll released in late October, while DeSantis ticked down 3 points.

The poll showed Haley and DeSantis at a tie in the state, with 16 percent each among likely Iowa Republican caucus-goers. Trump had 43 percent, compared to 42 percent in August.

Nikki is now second in Iowa, second in New Hampshire, and second in South Carolina, Haley campaign spokesperson Olivia Perez-Cubas told The Hill.

Haleys campaign manager said in the memo that EVEN IF DeSantis were to do well in Iowa, which is a big if given his current decline, he is in such a weak position in New Hampshire and South Carolina that it doesnt matter. He has no end game.

But DeSantis just scored a coveted endorsement from Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds (R), who had previously said she would stay neutral in the 2024 primary. Hes also going for whats colloquially referred to as the full Grassley  visiting all 99 Iowa counties.

Centers posed the possibility that Reynoldss endorsement of DeSantis could slow Haleys momentum in the state  but he also pointed to other Iowa events in the coming weeks that could help candidates get face time with voters and secure additional endorsements.

DeSantiss campaign has expressed confidence in his ability to win in Iowa and other early states.

This has always been and remains a two-person race in Iowa between Trump and DeSantis, a Team DeSantis memo reads.

Though strategists have largely downplayed the importance of GOP presidential debates held without the front-runner participating, the upcoming fourth debate could potentially be a moment for candidates to snag a final boost of momentum just weeks ahead of Iowa voting.

With higher polling and donor requirements for candidates to qualify for the Tuscaloosa, Ala., stage Dec. 6, the Republican National Committee will announce next month which of the GOP contenders make the cut.

Former Vice President Mike Pence exited the race after the second debate, and Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) ended his bid just after appearing at the third.

J. Ann Selzer, the Iowa-based pollster whose firm conducted the new Iowa polling, noted in an email to The Hill that neither Haley nor DeSantis appeared to benefit more than the other from Pence and Scott exiting the race.

As for the importance of Iowa, it is the first chance for a candidate to secure second place  not the last chance, said Selzer, who said shes seen too many unexpected things happen in the Hawkeye States caucuses to make a call on what happens in January.

Timothy Hagle, a political scientist at the University of Iowa, said a loss in Iowa doesnt mean a loss in the other early states, and that a state like South Carolina  Haleys home state  could be a backstop for her if she doesnt fare well in the Hawkeye State.

But Centers said he thinks Iowa is their first and last chance to secure second place and stay competitive as the race heats up with subsequent primaries and caucuses.

I think there are two tickets out of Iowa, and its the first and last chance for anyone not named Trump  because Trump, in my opinion, has already punched his ticket out of Iowa, Centers said.

Dave Peterson, a political science professor at Iowa State University, said he has trouble seeing either Haley or DeSantis pulling significantly from voters already siding with Trump.

Though the former president is embattled by a variety of ongoing legal fights, including multiple criminal indictments, his supporters are largely sticking by him. DeSantis is drawing more from voters skeptical of Trump, Peterson said, while Haley is drawing more from voters directly opposing Trump.

Iowa could answer a lot of questions as it kicks off 2024 voting, Peterson said, as the first place to provide signals of which candidates are viable and competitive when ballots are cast.

For candidates who underperform, its a reality check. Its a time where candidates can make a graceful exit.  For the candidates who overperform, they become the story, he said.

In assessing how meaningful a second-place finish in Iowa could be for any given candidate, strategists and experts pointed to the question of how big of a gap there is between second and third once the results are in.

If Haley and DeSantis finish just a point or two apart, Hagle said, it could be easier for the third-place finisher to argue theyre still in the race  whereas a bigger difference could be a bigger signal to voters of the second-place finishers staying power.

Zona said that if neither Haley nor DeSantis can beat the other by large margins in the early states, neither is likely to have a strong incentive to drop out.

At this point, the 2024 Republican primary is looking a lot like 2016. A few strong candidates are splitting the non-Trump primary vote, making a path to victory for any of them difficult to see, Zona said.

What Ill be watching on caucus night is: How much is there between second and third place in the Iowa caucus? Centers said. Will either Gov. DeSantis or Ambassador Haley win by a large enough margin to be able to look at Republican primary voters in New Hampshire and beyond with a straight face and say, It is time to consolidate this field to a two-person race?

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley, a former United Nations ambassador, vowed Wednesday to defund the U.N. as much as possible if elected to the Oval Office, but she stopped short of saying the U.S. should withdraw from the international organization.

Fox News host Sean Hannity in an interview pressed Haley on whether she agreed with the statement that the U.N. has been historically anti-American and antisemitic.

Thats a true statement, Haley responded.

Hannity pressed her on whether the U.S. would get out of the U.N. if she assumed the presidency.

The only thing is we would defund the U.N. as much as possible. The only reason, Sean, you dont get out of the U.N. is were one country of five that has a veto, Haley said.

And the number of things we were able to stop China, Russia and Iran from doing with that veto matters, and so you keep bad things from happening. But we dont have to pay at the level that were paying, and we dont have to be in any of those other organizations.

Haley, who has previously called the U.N. Human Rights Council a farce, said she would pull out of that council and said the U.S. would certainly not get back into the Paris Climate Agreement if she were president.

The Trump administration withdrew from the Human Rights Council in 2018, but the Biden administration rejoined it in 2021. The administrations also diverged over the Paris accords.

Haley further told Hannity the World Health Organization, a U.N. body, is bought and paid for by the Chinese.

Haley served as U.N. ambassador during the Trump administration. She is now challenging former President Trump for the GOPs 2024 presidential nomination.

Trump stands as the Republican front-runner with a significant double-digit lead over his competitors, but Haley has notably risen to second place in some recent polling.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Israeli military said on Nov. 15, 2023, that it had found weapons and a Hamas command center at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, after sending troops into the medical facility.

Shifa has become the epicenter of Israels ground invasion into Gaza, as the Israeli military says that Hamas has strategically placed its fighters and weapons in a broad tunnel system that connects to the hospital, and that Hamas is using hospital workers and patients as human shields. The U.S. says its intelligence shows that Hamas, as The New York Times wrote, has been using hospitals in Gaza, including Al-Shifa, as command centers and ammunitions depots. Hamas has denied the allegations.

The hospital complex now houses about 700 patients, 400 health workers and 3,000 Palestinians who are displaced from their homes, according to United Nations figures.

This is far from the first time that a military group has allegedly used civilians to shield themselves and their weapons, says Benjamin Jensen, a war strategy expert from American University School of International Service who served 20 years in the military.

Jensen explained that civilians often become pawns in war when one side does not have a military advantage against a stronger adversary  and looks for other ways to weaken their opponent.

1. What purpose does using civilians to shield fighters serve in a conflict?

Using places and things civilians need, like hospitals, as a means to fight a war is considered a weapon of the weak. It is a way to use another sides values against it.

I think it is clear that Hamas has  in this war and historically  tried to embed themselves and weapons in places civilians live or visit, in order to make it more difficult for the Israelis to target them.

One question in war is, How do I raise the cost that my adversary has to incur in order to attack me? Your goal is to gain a relative advantage at the lowest possible cost to yourself, and with the lowest possible benefit for your adversary.

And in this case, the costs to Israel are damage to its reputation and legitimacy, among some people, because of the civilians it is killing in Gaza while targeting Hamas.

2. Are fighters hiding behind or among civilians a new way of waging a war?

Using civilians to further a military advantage is not a new phenomenon.

We still have this ridiculous image of war looking like people lined up in neat rows, meeting each other in defined fields of battle. But that flies in the face of the actual history of warfare historically, and especially in the 21st century.

In the Japanese attack on the British stronghold of Singapore in 1942, during World War II, for example, one of the key features of Japans approach was to bomb peoples water sources, in order to more rapidly compel the British surrender.

Weve seen adversaries in multiple modern conflicts hide behind or among civilians. Its sad, because it means the only truth in war is that there will be tragedy, and civilians will pay the heaviest price.

3. Where else has this happened?

Even if you go back to the Vietnam War, you can find examples of the Viet Cong sometimes using the same routes or vehicles that were used for aid delivery to civilians. Wars dating back to the Bosnian civil war in the early 1990s are really where you start to see more examples of fighters trying to shield themselves with civilians or with U.N. peacekeepers, as happened in Bosnia.

Weve seen the Taliban in Afghanistan hiding in civilians homes and in hospitals, as well as storing weapons in mosques. The Taliban were very good at being fluid and moving in and out of civilian areas that would make it difficult to strike them.

The battle of Mosul, between the Islamic State group and the Iraqi government from 2016 through 2017, was another example of this. The Islamic State fighters herded an estimated 100,000 civilians together and used them as civilian shields.

Even in the case of the Ukraine war, Russian President Vladimir Putin has openly declared war on the entire society of Ukraine. But its possible that some of Russias strikes against hospitals in Ukraine happened because Russian intelligence received information that Ukraine may or may not have been moving soldiers or items in and out of the hospital.

4. Do civilians sometimes willingly play the role of human shields?

It varies. Based on my experience, do I think its possible that the lead hospital administrators in Gaza know the full landscape of the labyrinth of tunnels underneath? No. Do I think one or two officials or a couple of janitors or part-time workers do? Yes. Do I also think that its possible that most people in a war zone are just trying to survive and they look the other way? Yes.

Theres this weird phenomenon for civilians in situations like this, in which they often know somethings going on. But also if youre smart enough, you might not ask anything. Hamas was known to mistreat Palestinians before this war started.

A Palestinian woman holds her baby at her home destroyed by Israeli air strikes in a central area of the Gaza Strip on Nov. 15, 2023. Majdi Fathi/NurPhoto via Getty Images

5. How does Hamas allegedly using civilian shields complicate this war?

The answer depends on what your military is trying to achieve. If your idea is that you have to move faster than your adversary, then you are willing to probably assume a higher risk of civilian casualties and lose the information war  meaning the war of peoples public opinion  in order to rapidly destroy your adversary.

But with Hamas locating themselves alongside important places like hospitals, Hamas has actually made Israel fight them in places Israel wouldnt want to target them, because of the potential loss of civilian life. And in doing so, look at how fast Israel lost momentum in its information war. Israel is taking a huge amount of criticism for its killing of civilians as it goes after Hamas.

Despite what some protesters are saying, I can say that the Israeli military does care about civilian casualties. Israel still is a democracy. And they respect, even if not to the exact standards that many people would like to see, the laws of war  certainly more than Hamas does. For example, Israel limits how it targets military strikes.

And even with that, the information blowback against Israel is real. I fought for 20 years. Its hard to get images of infants killed and hurt in this war out of your head. Social media accelerates the circulation of images that pull on our emotions and make it difficult to have objective conversations about the conflict.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Benjamin Jensen, American University School of International Service.

Read more:


Ricarda Louk with her daughter Shani, 22, who was murdered by Hamas in the Oct 7 attacks - CEN

A Hamas terrorist who paraded a German festivalgoers body through Gaza has been killed, the victims mother has said, as she called for a hostage deal to free those still being held by the terror group.

Shani Louk, a 22-year-old Israeli-German dual citizen, was murdered by Hamas at the Nova music festival in southern Israel on Oct 7.

Louks mother, Ricarda, 53, said that one of the men who later took her daughters body through Gaza in the back of a pickup truck had been killed by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).

She did not say how she knew that the man was dead, or give any details on how or when she believed he was killed.

It was not clear which of the four men pictured with Louks body her mother was referring to.

It didnt mean too much to me  there are so many bad people that did those horrible things, and its just one less, Mrs Louk said.

She added: Youre happy that this person cannot hurt anyone else, but it didnt matter so much because its a whole bunch of people.

Its not like a typical murder story where you find the murderer and they got killed  they did those things as a group, so one doesnt make so much difference to me.

Shani Louk liked music and dancing and living, her mother said - Instagram/shanukkk

For weeks Louks family had been led to believe the tattoo artist, identified by her distinctive body art and dreadlocked hair, was alive but in a hospital in Gaza.

But Israeli officials later revealed she was killed in the Hamas attack after a fragment of her skull was found and identified.

She was a very happy, lively person, her mother said in an interview with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, broadcast on Facebook.

She liked music and dancing and living and she was really enjoying it until the last moment.

Mrs Louk also urged Israel to negotiate an agreement with Hamas, in which about 240 hostages held by the group in the Gaza Strip would be freed in exchange for the release of 4,450 Palestinians detained in Israeli prisons.

Give them all the prisoners

To keep those hostages alive is more important than having those prisoners here, from my perspective, she said. Give them all the prisoners as long as they can save some of our lives.

Relatives of those held captive by the group have appealed to Israels government to agree to the so-called all-for-all exchange.

Benjamin Netanyahu, the prime minister, has been criticised by some families for not doing more to secure the hostages release as the Israeli military pushes deep into Gaza with an order to destroy Hamas.

Hamas said on Monday it was ready to release up to 70 women and children hostages in return for a five-day truce and the release of 275 Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.

Mr Netanyahu has so far rejected any talk of a ceasefire, saying he would only be willing to pause the fighting if all the hostages were freed.

Broaden your horizons with award-winning British journalism. Try The Telegraph free for 1 month, then enjoy 1 year for just $9 with our US-exclusive offer.
The crucial general election battleground state of New Hampshire is upholding tradition and disregarding likely penalties from national Democrats by holding its presidential primary first.

A nearly year-long battle between New Hampshire and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) over the timing of the state's century-old, first-in-the-nation presidential primary came to a culmination on Wednesday.

"The date of the New Hampshire first-in-the-nation presidential primary will be Jan. 23," Secretary of State Dave Scanlan announced in front of a crowd of national and local reporters, state officials and lawmakers, the Democratic and Republican state party chairs, other political leaders, and dignitaries crowded into the Hall of Flags at the Statehouse in Concord.

The date that Scanlan announced formally put the state out of compliance with the DNC's 2024 presidential nominating calendar.

NEW HAMPSHIRE DEMOCRATS DEFY BIDEN, DNC OVER PRIMARY DATE

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire (center) speaks after N.H. Secretary of State Dave Scanlan (left) set the date for the state's 2024 first-in-the-nation presidential primary, on Nov. 15, 2023 at the Statehouse in Concord, N.H.

The state will now face sanctions from the Democrats, which could result in the loss of half of New Hampshire's delegates to next summer's national convention. Holding an unsanctioned primary has led President Biden to keep his name off the New Hampshire ballot, but Granite State Democrats have launched a write-in campaign in an attempt to prevent an electoral embarrassment for the president as he runs for a second term in the White House.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu, a vocal critic of the move to upend New Hampshire's cherished role in holding the first presidential primary, warned that "theres no doubt that citizens all across New Hampshire, especially independents and Democrats, are taking notice that theyre being pushed aside by a national party. No one takes very kindly to that  especially in politics, being told that their voice doesnt matter like it used to."

PHILLIPS TARGETS BIDEN, FELLOW DEMOCRATS OVER BORDER POLICIES AS HE LAUNCHES PRIMARY CHALLENGE AGAINST PRESIDENT

"I have no doubt it will have a lot of effect come November of 24," Sununu told reporters.

The governor predicted that "the precedent that President Biden has potentially set is no Democrat will ever dare try to skip New Hampshire again. Because I think its really going to hurt President Biden. Its going to hurt his chances. It hurts the Democratic Party as a whole. Theyve tried every which way to move us off of our law, which were obviously not going to do. Skip New Hampshire at your own peril."

National Democrats for years have knocked both Iowa  whose caucuses for 50 years led off the partys nominating calendar  and New Hampshire as unrepresentative of the party as a whole because the states have largely White populations with few major urban areas. Nevada and South Carolina, which in recent cycles have voted third and fourth on the calendar, are much more diverse than either Iowa or New Hampshire. Nevada and South Carolina were added to the Democratic calendar nearly two decades ago to increase the diversity of the early states electorate.

While Republicans aren't making major changes to their schedule, the DNC earlier this year overwhelmingly approved a calendar proposed late last year by Biden to move South Carolina to the lead position on Feb. 3. New Hampshire and Nevada were scheduled to hold primaries three days later, with Iowa entirely losing its early state position. The president and supporters of the new calendar argued that it would empower minority voters, upon whom Democrats have long relied but have at times taken for granted.

To comply with the DNC, New Hampshire would have needed to scrap its state law protecting its first-in-the-nation primary status and expand access to early voting. However, with Republicans in control of the governors office and both houses of the state legislature, Democrats repeatedly argued that was a non-starter.

A sign outside the State house in Concord, New Hampshire marks the state's cherished century old first-in-the-nation presidential primary status.

Scanlan noted that the date he set "complies with our state statute requiring our presidential primary be at least seven days before any similar event, and it preserves the position of the traditional Iowa caucus."

The DNC's Rules and Bylaws Committee  which oversees the party's presidential nominating calendar  last month ruled that New Hampshire was conditionally noncompliant as the state was expected to announce a primary date outside the DNC's window.

Scanlan told reporters that he didn't buy national Democrats' justification for changing the calendar because "New Hampshire is not racially diverse enough."

"That is an appealing argument that will certainly impact individuals, but its not the real reason why this thing is going on,"

"New Hampshire doesnt conform, and there are individuals at the national level  probably in both parties  that would like to be to say, This is going to be the nominee. Thats the best person that has a chance of winning the presidency, and thats the person we want on the general election ballot. New Hampshire is the polar opposite of that," he argued "When you have a president that decides that hes not going to put himself on the ballot before the voters of a state that is going to have a nominating event, I think thats the wrong decision. I think its a sad choice."

Scanlan said, "New Hampshire is for the average person who lives and works on Main Street." He pushed back against what he claimed was "the national elite telling the voters of this country whos the nominees going to be."

Scanlan told Fox News that the DNCs threats were "meaningless."

"New Hampshire has a tradition and New Hampshire has a law. And both the tradition and the law were going to be followed no matter what. Now, the DNC will decide whether they are going to sanction New Hampshire somehow because were not complying with their calendar," Scanlan said.

Sununu, pointing to the DNC, told reporters, "Everything they tried failed. Were going first."

Then-former Vice President Joe Biden campaigns in front of the New Hampshire State House on Nov. 8, 2019, in Concord, N.H.

There are plenty of Democrats in Iowa and New Hampshire who see the upending of their lead-off positions as sour grapes from Biden, who finished a disappointing fourth in the 2020 Iowa caucuses and fifth in the New Hampshire primary  before a second-place finish in Nevada and a landslide victory in South Carolina propelled him toward the nomination and eventually the White House.

The president faces long-shot primary challenges from two Democrats who will be on the ballot in New Hampshire.

Three-term Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, formally announced his presidential bid as he filed at the State House on Oct. 27 to place his name on the state's ballot. Also on the Granite State ballot is the other challenger, bestselling author and spiritual adviser Marianne Williamson, who is making her second straight White House run.

Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota shakes hands with New Hampshire Secretary of State Dave Scanlan while signing up for the Democratic presidential primary in the state.

While the president, who turns 81 next week, is the commanding front-runner for the nomination, polls indicate Biden faces mounting concerns from Democrats over his age. Those surveys also suggest that many Americans, including plenty of Democrats, don't want the president to seek a second term in the White House.

There are concerns among Granite Staters that the move by the president and the DNC to revamp the nominating calendar, and his absence from the primary ballot, could lead to a ballot box setback for Biden in New Hampshire.

"Personally, I believe that the president is making a mistake by not putting his name on the ballot here," Scanlan said.

But longtime New Hampshire based Democrat consultant Jim Demers  a top Biden supporter in the Granite State whos helping to lead the primary ballot write-in effort on behalf of the president  disagreed with Sununus prediction that the battle over the primary date will impact Democrats next November.

"I think once the nomination is locked up, the convention takes place, Joe Biden will be back in New Hampshire campaigning," Demers told the Monitor.

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.





Original article source: New Hampshire bucks Biden and national Democrats, sets early 2024 presidential primary date
Republican Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire has a warning for President Biden and Democrats.

"Skip New Hampshire at your own peril," Sununu told Fox News Digital.

The governor spoke minutes after the date of New Hampshire's first-in-the-nation presidential primary was set for January 23.

The announcement by New Hampshire Secretary of State Dave Scanlan on Wednesday puts the Granite State at odds with the Democratic National Committee (DNC), as their primary is now in non-compliance with the DNC's 2024 nominating calendar. The state now faces sanctions, which could result in the loss of half of New Hampshire's delegates to next summer's Democratic presidential nominating convention.

THIS CRUCIAL PRESIDENTIAL PRIMARY STATE AND KEY GENERAL ELECTION BATTLEGROUND BUCKS BIDEN AND THE DEMOCRATS

Republican Gov. Chris Sununu of New Hampshire (center) speaks after N.H. Secretary of State Dave Scanlan (left) set the date for the state's 2024 first-in-the-nation presidential primary, on Nov. 15, 2023 at the Statehouse in Concord, N.H.

Holding an unsanctioned primary has led President Biden to keep his name off the New Hampshire ballot. That triggered leading Granite State Democrats to launch a write-in campaign in an attempt to prevent an electoral embarrassment for the president as he runs for a second term in the White House.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

But Sununu, a vocal critic of the move by Biden and the DNC to upend the Granite State's cherished century-old role in holding the first presidential primary, warns that a price will be paid by the president and his party next November in New Hampshire - the only general election battleground state in New England.

"Theres no doubt that citizens all across New Hampshire, especially independents and Democrats, are taking notice that theyre being pushed aside by a national party. No one takes very kindly to that  especially in politics, being told that their voice doesnt matter like it used to," the governor emphasized. "I have no doubt it will have a lot of effect come November of 24."

And Sununu argued that "the precedent that President Biden has potentially set is no Democrat will ever dare try to skip New Hampshire again. Because I think its really going to hurt President Biden. Its going to hurt his chances. It hurts the Democratic Party as a whole."

National Democrats for years knocked both Iowa  whose caucuses for half a century led off the partys nominating calendar  and New Hampshire as unrepresentative of the party as a whole because the states have largely White populations with few major urban areas. Nevada and South Carolina, which in recent cycles have voted third and fourth on the calendar, are much more diverse than either Iowa or New Hampshire.

A sign outside the Statehouse in Concord, New Hampshire marks the state's cherished century-old first-in-the-nation presidential primary status.

While Republicans aren't making major changes to their schedule, the DNC earlier this year overwhelmingly approved a calendar proposed late last year by Biden to move South Carolina to the lead position on Feb. 3. New Hampshire and Nevada were scheduled to hold primaries three days later, with Iowa entirely losing its early state position. The president and supporters of the new calendar argued that it would empower minority voters, upon whom Democrats have long relied but have at times taken for granted.

To comply with the DNC, New Hampshire would have needed to scrap its 50-year-old state law protecting its first-in-the-nation primary status and expand access to early voting. However, with Republicans in control of the governors office and both houses of the state legislature, Democrats repeatedly argued that was a non-starter.

Scanlan noted that the date he set "complies with our state statute requiring our presidential primary be at least seven days before any similar event."

New Hampshire's Secretary of State made his announcement in front of a crowd of national and local reporters, state officials and lawmakers, the Democratic and Republican state party chairs, other political leaders and dignitaries, who were crowded into the Hall of Flags at the Statehouse in Concord.

There are plenty of Democrats in Iowa and New Hampshire who see the upending of their lead-off positions as sour grapes from Biden, who finished a disappointing fourth in the 2020 Iowa caucuses and fifth in the New Hampshire primary  before a second-place finish in Nevada and a landslide victory in South Carolina propelled him toward the nomination and eventually the White House.

PHILLIPS TARGETS BIDEN, FELLOW DEMOCRATS OVER BORDER POLICIES AS HE LAUNCHES PRIMARY CHALLENGE AGAINST PRESIDENT

Fast-forward to the 2024 cycle and the president faces long-shot primary challenges from two Democrats who will be on the ballot in New Hampshire.

Three-term Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota, one of the wealthiest members of Congress, formally announced his presidential bid as he filed at the State House on Oct. 27 to place his name on the state's ballot. Also on the Granite State ballot is the other challenger, bestselling author and spiritual adviser Marianne Williamson, who is making her second straight White House run.

Rep. Dean Phillips of Minnesota shakes hands with New Hampshire Secretary of State Dave Scanlan, as he files to place his name on New Hampshire's Democratic primary ballot, as he launches a 2024 Democratic nomination challenge to President Biden, at the Statehouse in Concord, N.H. on Oct. 27, 2023

While the president, who turns 81 next week, is the commanding front-runner for the nomination, polls indicate Biden faces mounting concerns from Democrats over his age. Those surveys also suggest that many Americans, including plenty of Democrats, don't want the president to seek a second term in the White House.

There are concerns among Granite Staters that the move by the president and the DNC to revamp the nominating calendar, and his absence from the primary ballot, could lead to a ballot box setback for Biden in New Hampshire.

"Personally, I believe that the president is making a mistake by not putting his name on the ballot here," Scanlan told reporters.

Looking ahead to next year's general election, New Hampshire GOP chair Chris Ager promised that "were going to remind people that Joe Biden doesnt care about New Hampshire. The Republican candidate, whoever it is, will have been here multiple times appealing to people. So reminding people of that fact will help us."

"But whether hes here or not campaigning, its his polices that are going to be his demise, because theyre just not good for the people of New Hampshire," Ager argued.

Then-former Vice President Joe Biden campaigns in front of the New Hampshire State House after filing to place his name on the state's primary ballot, on Nov. 8, 2019, in Concord, N.H.

Democrats disagree with the GOP argument that the battle over the primary date will impact them next November.

"We fully expect that once the primary is over, Joe Biden will invest and campaign here, and be even more successful than the polls have already shown. Every indication that were getting is that New Hampshire Democrats are going to have a very good year in 2024," longtime state Democratic Party chair Ray Buckley told Fox News in a statement.

Biden topped Trump by nearly eight points in New Hampshire three years ago, the largest margin of victory in the swing state in a presidential contest in a dozen years.

Buckley touted that "as every poll out of New Hampshire has shown including the latest, post-municipal election polls  Joe Biden is beating Donald Trump in the Granite State by a considerable margin. The numbers dont lie."

And longtime New Hampshire based Democrat consultant Jim Demers  a top Biden supporter in the Granite State whos helping to lead the primary ballot write-in effort on behalf of the president  predicted that "once the nomination is locked up, the convention takes place, Joe Biden will be back in New Hampshire campaigning."

Get the latest updates from the 2024 campaign trail, exclusive interviews and more at our Fox News Digital election hub.





Original article source: New Hampshire defies Democrats over primary date; will Biden pay a price in the key swing state next November?
A review of the Welsh Parliament's bullying and harassment policy has found calls among the body's staff for a more independent complaints process.

While the House of Commons has an independent body specifically set up to look at bullying and harassment by politicians, the Senedd does not.

The review was told said the existing system is "too consequential" to use.

It comes as a group of Senedd members launch a consultation into the way the policy is working.

A former Plaid Cymru politician recently said the Senedd's harassment complaints system should be urgently looked at.

Nerys Evans, who wrote a report which found a culture of bullying and harassment within Plaid Cymru, said the Senedd standards commissioner system was the same "if you misuse your office resources as if you sexually harass a member of the public or a member of staff working in politics".

The House of Commons has an Independent Expert Panel for looking at complaints of bullying or sexual harassment.

The Senedd only has its standards commissioner Douglas Bain to look into complaints about politicians, and then the standards committee of the Senedd decides what to do with his investigation and whether to sanction the Senedd member.

The review - commissioned internally in the Senedd in 2021 into what the Senedd calls its "dignity and respect" policy - was published for the first time on Thursday.

It said the policy was "implemented and promoted effectively", with 81.3% of staff and politicians surveyed saying they knew how to raise a complaint.

Some 71.2% of staff who work for the Senedd Commission - the civil servants who operate the parliament's services day-to-day - said they would feel comfortable raising concerns using the existing process.

But among staff who support politicians that was lower, 61.7% said they would feel comfortable raising concerns using the existing process.

Issues can stretch from expenses and spending to whether politicians have harassed or bullied.

"A concern was expressed by some that the current formal mechanism provided by the Senedd to raise an issue involving a Member of the Senedd (to the Standards Commissioner) could be viewed as too consequential a process," the review said.

"Some member support staff suggested that it would help to have clearer reporting mechanisms and support for staff who raise concerns.

"Several suggested that the system for reporting concerns about dignity and respect should be administered and run by an independent body."

Following the Senedd committee review the standards commission has launched a consultation seeking views on whether people feel comfortable with making a complaint about a Senedd member, or someone who works on the Senedd estate.

It asks if there are any barriers to raising concerns.

Vikki Howells, standards committee chair, said: "Everyone has the right to feel safe and protected when interacting with the Senedd and it is essential that everyone is treated with dignity and respect in the workplace.

"If there is a need to make a complaint about a Member of the Senedd or anyone that works for the Senedd then processes should be clear and accessible for all.

"To help us get the complaints procedure right for the future, we are keen to hear views on how things can be improved."
(FOX40.COM)  Comedian and Davis native Hasan Minhaj is touring the country next year with Sacramento being one of his stops.

Minhaj will perform at the SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center for his Off with his Head tour on March 29, 2024. The tour for the Davis native will begin on Jan. 12 in Chicago and will conclude on June 1 in Las Vegas.

Tickets for the Sacramento show officially go on sale on Friday, Nov. 17 at 10 a.m.

Minjaj performed at two sold-out shows at Punchline Sacramento in August.

Sacramento area to host several concerts and events through the end of 2023

The event will be a phone-free experience, as fans will not be able to use their phones in the performance space.

Guests will have possession of their phones, but they will be secured in individual Yondr pouches upon arrival at the venue. The pouches will open at the end of the event.

Fans could use their fans throughout the event in designated phone use areas within the venue.

Arenas, clubs, amphitheaters: The Sacramento venues to watch concerts

Minhaj grew up in Davis, graduating from Davis High School and UC Davis before embarking on his comedy career. Hes been spotted at Sacramento Kings home games including attending games during the teams playoff run last season.

He gained national fame as a comedian and writer while working on The Daily Show from 2014 to 2018 before hosting his own show, Patriot Act, on Netflix from 2018 to 2020.

Topics Minhaj discusses on stage include his Northern California roots, politics, and parenting.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
EL PASO, Texas (KTSM)  El Paso Water is marking a major milestone as the citys first wastewater facility is celebrating 100 years of service.

EPWater hosted a ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 15, to honor plant employees, retirees, and the critical role of the facility for serving the El Paso community for an entire century.

EPWater says the Haskell R. Street Wastewater Treatment Plant is currently serving Central El Paso and Fort Bliss.

In its early years, the facility was known as the City Sewage Plant and was then referred to as the Delta Plant for its location on Delta Drive.

The Haskell Plant is the oldest of the EPWater plants, and with the continued stewardship of the

plant operations, it is well suited for another century of service, said EPWater President

and CEO, John Balliew. This plant has been a workhorse for the utility.

EPWater says the wastewater is cleaned and discharged to the Rio Grande to enhance the ecosystem when river water is not flowing, and the treated water is discharged to the American Canal to provide farmers downstream with irrigation water.

In 1974, the facility was renamed the Haskell R. Street Wastewater Treatment Plant. The facility was renamed after the man who started his career as a chemist and retired in 1974 as the assistant general manager of El Paso Water, according to the utility.

Haskell, who served 31 years, set the tone of innovation at EPWater by recognizing early on the need for water conservation, reuse and diversification of sources, the utility said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTSM 9 News.
The March for Israel event held Tuesday in Washington, D.C., drew participants and speakers from across ideological and partisan lines. But the presence of one speaker raised some concerns: John Hagee, a virulently anti-LGBTQ+, anti-Catholic, anti-Muslim, and yes, often anti-Semitic minister from Texas.

Hagee is senior pastor of Cornerstone Church in San Antonio and chair of Christians United for Israel. He has claimed that God sent Hurricane Katrina to New Orleans in 2005 as punishment for hosting an LGBTQ+ event (Southern Decadence); that God sent Adolf Hitler to help Jews reach the promised land through the Holocaust and that Hitler was a half-breed Jew; that the Roman Catholic Church was the great whore identified in the Bibles Book of Revelation and a false cult system; that all Muslims have a mandate to kill Christians and Jews; that women are only meant to be mothers and bear children; that Jewish bankers control the U.S. economy; and that the Antichrist, the evil figure who will battle the forces of good at the end of the world, will be gay and half Jewish.

Hagee has walked back a few of these comments to some degree over the years, including the ones about the Holocaust and Katrina, but he has continued to spew much hateful rhetoric. When John McCain ran for president in 2008, he rejected Hagees endorsement. Recently, though, other Republican presidential hopefuls have cozied up to him, including Nikki Haley and Mike Pence.

Hadar Susskind, who is Jewish and heads Americans for Peace Now, expressed outrage at Hagees role in the rally. I am horrified that he was given this platform, Susskind wrote on X, formerly Twitter. His history of hateful comments should disqualify him from decent company, much less from speaking on stage. The liberal Jewish organization J Street also spoke out, writing on X, A dangerous bigot like Hagee should not be welcomed anywhere in our community.

 (@)

twitter.com

 (@)

twitter.com

Hagees remarks at the event were largely limited to support for Israel and condemnation of terrorists, but his idea of support for Israel is complicated, David Corn noted at Mother Jones. Unlike some of his fellow evangelical Christians, Hagee does not embrace the idea that supporting Israel will bring about the end of the world and the second coming of Jesus Christ, Corn wrote. But he has preached that the end times and the second coming will be preceded by the Antichrists brokering of a false and temporary peace between Israelis and Palestinians, the rapture of faithful Christians into heaven, and years of misery for those left behind until Christs triumphal return, Corn reported, linking to a sermon Hagee gave in March.

This scenario does not seem good for the Jews  or anyone else outside Hagees flock, Corn wrote. Given Hagees Israel narrative  along with his record of bigotry  its rather curious that any organizers of this pro-Israel rally thought he deserved a speaking slot and validation. Could this be a sign the end times are near?

Others have spoken out against Hagee over the years. While John Hagee has for decades loudly and publicly condemned anti-Semitism, his writings and sermons have nonetheless promoted some of the most influential and inflammatory anti-Jewish tropes of the modern era, such as the claim that predatory Jewish bankers control international finance and prey upon the masses of humankind, Bruce Wilson wrote at HuffPost in 2015.

Among his other bigoted rhetoric, Hagees anti-LGBTQ+ outbursts have continued. Legalizing same-sex marriages, he said in 2005, will open the door to incest, to polygamy, and every conceivable marriage arrangement demented minds can possibly conceive. If God does not then punish America, He will have to apologize to Sodom and Gomorrah. In 2015, he condemned the U.S. Supreme Courts marriage equality ruling as judicial tyranny. And just last year, he tweeted, The only marriages God will ever recognize is between a man and a woman.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  Why has it been raining so much in South Florida? Experts say the latest windy, rainy storm system has nothing to do with hurricane season  and it's finally moving on.

The storm system that formed over the Florida Keys this week and dumped up to 9 inches (23 centimeters) of rain across parts of South Florida has moved into the Atlantic Ocean, bringing clearing skies to the region on Thursday, the National Weather Service in Miami said.

While hurricane season doesn't officially end until Nov. 30, this storm wasn't associated with a tropical system, according to Luke Culver, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami.

It's not considered a tropical system because of the way it formed, Culver said, noting that the system developed more like a nor'easter, which are more common in the northeastern United States.

Heavy rain started falling across South Florida on Tuesday night, continuing into Wednesday before mostly ending early Thursday. High winds accompanied the rain, with some areas along the South Florida coastline experiencing gusts up to 70 mph (112 kph), Culver said.

The potential for flooding led officials with the Broward County school system to cancel classes on Thursday. The district is the nation's sixth largest, with more than 251,000 students. Schools in neighboring Miami-Dade County remained open on Thursday.

The rain has not been limited to South Florida. In central Florida, the week felt more like Seattle as the areas abundant theme park tourists faced a steady, nonstop pelting of raindrops, rather than the usual Sunshine State style of intense but quick downpours.

There were no major cancellations, though a few local outdoor Christmas-related festivities and food festivals were postponed on Thursday due to the inclement weather.

During a 24-hour period beginning Wednesday mornings, some areas in Miami received between 5 and 9 inches (12 to 23 centimeters) of rain, while the Fort Lauderdale area recorded between 4 and 7 inches (10 to 18 centimeters), Culver said.

It's the second time this year that Fort Lauderdale has experienced heavy rainfall during a one-day period.

In mid-April, a storm system that stalled over South Florida dumped up to 25 inches (63.5 centimeters) of rain on parts of Fort Lauderdale, causing neighborhoods to flood. The fast-rising water left dozens of motorists stranded on flooded streets and forced Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to close.

I think it's almost more of a bad luck kind of thing, Culver said. That one event (in April) was obviously very historic, on the extreme end of the scale, where this is more of an event that occurs every few years. It just happened to be that they were both in the same year.

___

AP reporter Mike Schneider contributed to this report from Orlando, Florida.
New Yorkers with criminal records will get help overcoming barriers to work and housing with a law signed Thursday that will shield many convictions from public view after enough time passes.

Under the Clean Slate Act, authorities will seal all but the most serious felonies after eight years and misdemeanors after three years if the person has no further convictions or pending charges. The clock starts when the person finishes a jail or prison term and any parole or probation afterward, or on the sentencing date if there's no incarceration.

More than 2 million New Yorkers could have convictions sealed as a result. A broad range of groups  including criminal justice reformers, business groups, unions and religious organizations  supported the bill as a way to remove obstacles to education, employment and housing for people who served their time and committed no other crimes.

Gov. Kathy Hochul predicted a ripple effect of benefits at a bill-signing at the Brooklyn Museum, saying that removing the stigma enables people to support themselves and their families, pay taxes and help New York fill a worker shortage. People given a second chance also are less likely to commit crimes out of financial desperation, a boon for public safety, she argued.

Gov. Kathy Hochul embraces a supporter after signing the Clean Slate Act at the Brooklyn Museum on Nov. 16, 2023

"You only get this if you've turned your life around," Hochul said. "But the good news is, millions of people have. They're the ones we're focused on here today. We seal the records, they can look for a job, learn a trade, without having that permanent scarlet letter on their forehead that says, I can't work, I won't be able to work."

Lawmakers passed the bill in June after making a few changes, including extending the wait period to eight years from seven for felonies and excluding murder and most other Class A felonies, the most serious category of crimes. Republicans opposed the proposal, arguing it goes too far and could endanger New Yorkers.

State Sen. Rob Ortt, the Senate's Republican minority leader, denounced the law after the bill signing, saying it will hide convictions for violent crimes such as attempted murder and gang assault and also for hate crimes, which he cited because of the recent spike in antisemitic acts.

"Meanwhile, there is no clean slate for the victims and loved ones whose lives have been devastated," Ortt said in a statement. "There should be no question in the minds of New Yorkers: Albany Democrats will always prioritize criminals over victims and law-abiding citizens."

Amended bill: NY Clean Slate bill to seal criminal records passes in NY. What it will do

What are the NY law's exceptions?

The law will hide qualifying convictions from public view, but won't erase them. They can still be seen by police, judges, prosecutors and anyone doing hiring background checks for day care centers and other institutions involving children, the elderly and people with disabilities. They can also be seen during background checks for gun permits or purchases.

In addition to Class A felonies, the law bars sealing convictions for sexual offenses. Those records would continue to be publicized on the state's sex offender registry.

Hilberto Ramos helped campaign for the law, though he can't fully benefit from it after it was amended to exclude Class A felonies. He was released from prison last year after serving 25 years for a 1997 murder conviction, and he knows well how having a record blocks jobs and apartments  even for someone like himself, who earned college and master's degrees in prison.

Hilberto Ramos speaks in support of New York's Clean Slate Act at the state capitol in Albany on Jan. 17, 2023.

"Once they find out that you're formerly incarcerated, its not even a conversation anymore," Ramos said in an interview with the USA Today Network.

Now living in a Westchester County group house, Ramos, 46, works for the nonprofit Hudson Link as an academic coordinator at Shawangunk Correction Facility in Ulster County, guiding inmates to same kind of educational opportunities that he found. He struggled to find work when he got out and still is unable to find an apartment that will accept him and he can afford.

Renewed push: Inside a renewed push for NY Clean Slate law to seal criminal records. How it would work

Two of the three charges on his record can be sealed under the law, but not murder. But he said he hopes the law will lead to a broader acceptance of people with criminal pasts that eventually will extend to crimes it doesn't cover.

"It will help, even if it doesn't affect everyone," Ramos said.

When will existing convictions be sealed in NY?

The law takes effect a year from now. After that, the state Office of Court Administration has three years to wade through criminal records and seal those that are eligible under the law.

New York is the 12th state to enact such a law, starting with Pennsylvania in 2018. The list includes other Democratic-leaning states such as California but also Republican ones like Utah and Oklahoma, as Hochul pointed out at the bill-signing on Thursday.

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and USA Today Network. Reach him at cmckenna@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: NY Clean Slate Act sealing convictions gets gov's signature. What now?
The ultimate aim of Ukraines counter-offensive should be to force Russian invasion forces out of Crimea, former U.S. Army Europe Commander Ben Hodges told Radio NV in an interview on Nov. 15.

"A counter-offensive is much more than just what happens on the battlefield," Hodges said.

Read also: Ukraines attritive counteroffensive and the looming winter

Ukraine is conducting what NATO calls multi-domain operations. This means (that) air, land, sea, space, cyberspace are involved. All these things are integrated to achieve the result. And, of course, the result of the counter-offensive should be, I believe, the liberation of Crimea.

Hodges, the former commander of the U.S. Army in Europe, noted that the ground part of the counter-offensive, which most people focus on, has slowed down, but the offensive in southern Ukraine "should only help isolate Crimea by severing the famous land bridge."

Read also: British intelligence explains static nature of Ukraine's and Russia's offensives

He also recommended asking the commander of Russia's Black Sea Fleet how Ukraine's counter-offensive is going.

"I think he'd tell you that the Ukrainians are doing a great job because his Black Sea Fleet has been forced to relocate from Sevastopol to ports further east," Hodges said.

In early November, Ukrainian Armed Forces Commander-in-Chief Valerii Zaluzhnyi said in an interview with UK weekly news magazine the Economist that there was likely to be "no deep and beautiful breakthrough" on the front.

In his column for magazine, Commander-in-Chief Zaluzhnyi wrote that, according to the command's calculations, the Ukrainian army was supposed to advance at a rate of 30 kilometers per day, breaking through Russian defense lines, and four months should have been enough to enter Crimea.

Read also: Tantalizing pace of Ukraines counteroffensive

On Nov. 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would try to achieve results on the battlefield by the end of 2023.

On Nov. 14, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg announced that Ukrainian forces are successfully pushing the Russian fleet out of Crimea.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A rugs and home furnishings brand, Surya, has announced its acquisition of furniture plant Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams in Alexander County.

The Georgia company said it will preserve Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams designs under Suryas stewardship.

In August, several workers at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams informed Channel 9s Dave Faherty that they learned the plant was closing due to a sign posted on a locked gate. It read, Mitchell Gold and Bob Williams recently and unexpectedly learned that we are unable to continue business operations and told workers not to report to work that Monday.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Job fair held for hundreds laid off from Taylorsville furniture plant

Charles Duncan worked at Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams for 16 years before retiring and said the plant closing hurt the whole community.

It was pretty rough on everybody, he said. I know a lot of people that live week to week who lost their jobs.

Surya said it plans to restart manufacturing and assembly operations at the Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams facilities in Taylorsville, bringing jobs back to Alexander County. Faherty learned that some of the workers who lost their jobs have already gotten letters from the new company about the reopening.

We are dedicated to restoring MG+BW to its former glory and beyond, and we look forward to redefining the standards of excellence in the home furnishings industry, the company president said in a statement. Our acquisition of the MG+BW brand reiterates our ongoing commitment to serve the design community as a complete resource for home furnishings.

At one time, Bobbie York worked in upholstery at the old plant. She said the buyout will be good for her family members who lost their jobs.

PREVIOUS COVERAGE: All employees laid off, Taylorsville home furnishing company shuts down operations

Its a huge deal. Everybody is looking forward to it, she said. Family members who have been laid off are ready to go back to work. A lot of them have other placement, other jobs. But its a big deal for Alexander County.

Surya expects to start shipping products in the first quarter of 2024.

Mitchell Gold, the co-founder of Mitchell Gold + Bob Williams, said he will serve as an advisor to Suryas leadership team as they chart the path forward to transform and optimize business operations.

I am excited that Surya has emerged as the next steward of the MG+BW brand, possessing a profound appreciation for our heritage and a resolute commitment to propel the brand forward, he said in a statement. After navigating through unsettling times, I now see a promising next chapter for the brand we built over 30 years ago. Suryas deep understanding of the market, alignment with our design philosophy, and proven track record to drive future success creates a winning formula. I am enthusiastic about supporting them in any way I can.

Several workers who were laid off have asked Channel 9 about when and where they should start applying for jobs. We have reached out to Surya and are awaiting a response.

The unemployment rate in the area is 3.6%, which is slightly above the state average.

(VIDEO: All employees laid off, Taylorsville home furnishing company shuts down operations)




ESCAMBIA COUNTY, Fla. (WKRG)  A homeless woman entered a plea to Judge Linda Nobles in connection to a 2022 incident where she was accused of pouring gasoline on a store clerk and setting her on fire, according to State Attorney Ginger Bowden Madden.

The incident occurred on March 30, 2022, when Betty Jean McFadden, 31, allegedly poured gasoline on a Circle K store clerk and set her on fire. It happened after McFadden was told she couldnt panhandle outside the gas station.

INCIDENT LOCATION:

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McFadden will be sentenced on Jan. 12, 2024, at 1 p.m. She faces a maximum of life in state prison for attempted first-degree premeditated murder with a weapon, according to a news release from the state attorneys office.

The Escambia County Sheriffs Office handled the investigation. Assistant State Attorney Alvin Trey Myers prosecuted the case on behalf of Bowden Madden, State Attorney for the First Judicial Court of Florida.

ALSO ON WKRG.com: Bid process closes on Daphne road project

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
Dozens of people gather outside the Green Bay Correctional Institution in Allouez to call for an end to a the lockdown at the 125-year-old facility on Nov. 9.

ALLOUEZ  Green Bay Correctional Institution has been locked down for nearly six months.

State lawmakers, families of those incarcerated and prison reform advocates agree the 125-year-old prison should be closed. But it appears there are no plans to make it happen anytime soon.

In the past five years, the prison has been the scene of a homicide tied to a hate crime allegation, hundreds of assaults between staff and prisoners, rodent infestations and at least one death of a prisoner that resulted in a criminal investigation.

"The conditions are horrendous," said Maike Hess, whose son, Nikolas Czysz, is incarcerated at the facility currently. "It's a horrendous, atrocious place that's not fit for a pet shelter, let alone humans."

While Waupun Correctional Institution received national media attention for its ongoing lockdown, Green Bay Correctional has been under lockdown as well. The Department of Corrections says the "modified movement" has only been ongoing since June.

Some incarcerated individuals, however, say they've had restricted movement since the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020. Many of the prisoners have not been outdoors or even seen the sun for a year, according to prisoner letters and advocates.

The Department of Corrections says prison officials have been gradually lifting restrictions at the prison over the past few months. On Tuesday, Gov. Tony Evers announced plans to further lift restrictions at both Green Bay Correctional Institution and Waupun Correctional Institution. At Green Bay, those incarcerated will be permitted to access time with their lawyers, the library and other areas, but recreation is still being limited.

The prison, located in the Green Bay suburb of Allouez, was a former bicycle factory that has been operating continuously as a prison since the 1890s. It has been the subject of complaints for years. A bipartisan group of state lawmakers this year asked that the state shut down the outdated facility, but that proposal was not funded in Evers' biennial budget or the changes made by the Republican-controlled Legislature this summer.

State Sen. Rob Cowles, R-Allouez, said that it's become clear that the facility "could be shut down and should be shut down."

But the state can't simply close the prison without having a plan for where to house the people currently incarcerated there. Cowles said some areas near the lakeshore have expressed interest in providing land, but nothing yet has come to fruition, because building a new facility would likely cost up to $500 million.

Evers was largely silent about the issue, before Tuesday. In his joint announcement with DOC Secretary Kevin Carr, Evers said the recent pay raises for state employees, passed by the Republican-led state Senate in June, should help solve the statewide prison staffing shortage and make it safer to end lockdown restrictions.

During his campaign, he pledged to reduce the prison population, which could translate into being able to move those incarcerated at Green Bay to other facilities, but that hasn't happened.

At the beginning of this month, the prison housed 938 people  more than 30% over its capacity  and more than one in three security staff positions were unfilled, according to DOC data.

The Green Bay prison is more expensive to operate than a modern facility because of its need for regular upkeep and repairs. Overall, Wisconsin taxpayers fund one of the largest state prison budgets in the nation, spending about $220 per resident to fund the prison system in 2020.

One of the strongest advocates for closing the prison is Jim Rafter, president of the village of Allouez. He said he worries about the safety of staff and those incarcerated, as well as residents in the surrounding community.

"You would hope with all the attention that the conditions of GBCI has gotten over the last several years that things would have improved," he said. "Instead they've gotten worse."

Life inside a lockdown: Little sunlight, fresh air and limited time outside a cell

Even before the lockdown, the prison left a visible mark on people incarcerated there.

Dant'e Cottingham, interim associate director of Ex-Incarcerated People Organizing, served about 11 of his 26 years in the state prison system at the facility. When he arrived, he noticed a pallor across the faces of those housed there.

"You can see it in people's skin," he said. "There's a grayness. There's a dullness. There's a coldness."

The prison has clouded windows that block full sunlight from coming in. The ongoing lockdown meant prisoners did not have outdoor recreation time this summer and likely won't have another opportunity for months, given the coming winter.

"I haven't walked outside on the yard since last summer," said Victor Robinson, 64, in a letter from the prison. The pent-up energy, he said, is noticeable, particularly among younger men.

Two people are housed in most cells. The space is so small, it is difficult to do sit-ups or push-ups, Cottingham said.

"You're genuinely, like, stuck in a little small space for months and months at a time," he said. "And it's hard to explain how devastating that is, intellectually, psychologically, emotionally."

Meals and medicine are delivered directly to cells, instead of communal areas. During the lockdown, some prisoners say they have had no recreation time, and only leave their cells for visits to the medical office.

Hess has visited her son at the prison a few times this year. Each trip has left her worried and in tears.

"He's not healthy looking," she said, noting the lack of sunlight and exercise.

"It pains me to see him."

Numerous letters from people inside the prison have described the facility's conditions, including an infestation of mice, water that tastes like iron and toilets with such weak water pressure that waste often cannot be flushed for extended periods of time.

The toilets, multiple prisoners say, are allowed to be flushed once every five minutes. If a second flush is done in that period, they are then locked from flushing for an hour. Sharing cells in tight quarters and poor ventilation makes the situation unsanitary, according to letters.

Kevin Hoffman, the deputy director of communications for the Department of Corrections, said the toilets can be flushed twice in a 10-minute period, a system in place to avoid flooding. Hoffman said in August that the mice issue was handled by pest control, despite prisoners contending that the rodents continue to visit cells.

More coverage: Bipartisan support grows for closing Green Bay Correctional Institution in Allouez

Local law enforcement investigates a prisoner's death, multiple suicide attempts and a homicide

Antonio Whatley asked for a wheelchair to get to a medical exam.

Whatley, 37, was sick and so weak he could hardly stand.But a correctional officer told Whatley he could walk to the Health Services Unit  and if he did not, it would be considered refusing the medical appointment.

Body camera footage showed Whatley slowly sitting up and standing. He tried to steady himself between the bed and wall, before falling back onto the bed and again asking for a wheelchair, according to an incident report from the Brown County Sheriff's Office.

The officer left. A short while later, another officer and a nurse spoke to Whatley at his cell door, both declining to provide him with a wheelchair. They asked him to sign a form that he was refusing medical treatment.

No one examined him. Less than 48 hours later, on May 13, 2021, Whatley died.

In the hours before Whatley's death, prison staff passed by his cell numerous times to pass out meals, medicine and hygiene products, and to offer a phone call. The investigation found Whatley gave little to no response during these interactions. The last time Whatley received anything staff tried to give him through the trap door to his cell was at 10:13 a.m. the day before his death, for medication, according to the incident report.

Multiple prisoners filed complaints related to Whatley's death.

Someone housed in the next cell told sheriff's investigators Whatley had a heart condition and had been yelling for help about 24 hours before his death. Another prisoner said Whatley missed his medication two days before his death. Whatley, the man said, could not get to his cell door quickly enough when staff was passing out medication.

A third prisoner said others in the restrictive housing unit kicked their doors and yelled to try to get the staff's attention to help Whatley.

Shift reports in the hours leading up to Whatley's death were missing, according to the sheriff's office investigation, and there was not proper documentation of Whatley's meal refusals.

Green Bay Correctional Insitution in Allouez.

An investigator from the Brown County Sheriff's Office referred charges of abuse of residents of penal facilities against a correctional officer and a nurse who refused to provide Whatley with a wheelchair. The Brown County District Attorney's Office never filed any charges.

Prison staff also have been investigated after prisoners attempted suicide.

A Brown County Sheriff's investigator referred charges of abuse of residents of penal facilities against two prison staff members after a man with a history of suicide attempts hanged himself in February 2022. The man survived. He was supposed to be under observation by staff. Instead, no one checked on him for more than an hour.

A second prisoner also made suicidal statements that day, and no one checked on him until he made a second call more than an hour later, according to sheriff's records.

A sergeant told an investigator the delays were likely because of another self-harm emergency that occurred earlier in the day.

The investigator's report quoted the sergeant saying communication among prison staff is lacking" and called the six-week DOC training academy "a joke."

I have concerns working at this facility as there is no consistency, communications and documentation, the sergeant said, according to the report.

A year ago, a white prisoner already under investigation by prison staff for "racist activity" was charged with killing a Black prisoner in Green Bay.

Joshua Scolman fatally stabbed Timothy Nabors and injured a second prisoner with a handmade knife in October 2022, prosecutors say.

The knife, crafted from a bedframe, included a carving of a swastika, according to investigative reports. Scolman has a trial set for February.

RELATED: Brown County Sheriff's investigators recommended hate crime charges in prison homicide; DA didn't include them

Prisoners attacking guards and staffers charged with smuggling drugs, contraband

Four weeks after Nabors was killed, a prisoner repeatedly beat a correctional officer in the head and neck with a shower bag.

The blows "posed a high risk of causing death or great bodily harm to him," according to an investigator's report.

The number of assaults on prison staff has fluctuated in recent years after earlier high-profile incidents. In 2015, a prisoner attacked a prison psychologist, grabbing her by the neck. In 2016, a man stabbed and beat two correctional officers. Weeks later, a staff member was seriously burned after a prisoner threw scalding water in his face.

The prison has seen an increase in incidents involving staff and prisoners that resulted in referrals for criminal charges, from eight cases in 2019 to 26 incidents last year, according to records from the Brown County Sheriff's Office.

The majority of these incidents involved prisoners spitting on staff  a Class F felony under assaults that include any throwing or expelling of bodily substances at prison staff. But there were also numerous incidents of incarcerated people hitting and punching guards, making threats and reporting sexual assaults among prisoners.

There also have been allegations of staff misconduct.

In 2019, two female staff members, Rachelle Ritchie and Sharon Pierce, were charged with smuggling marijuana and other contraband to incarcerated men. The women were believed to have had sexual relationships with those men but were not charged with that offense, according to court records. They were convicted and sentenced to probation.

In 2021, correctional officer Justin Maher was charged with smuggling cocaine, marijuana and cellphones to prisoners.

Politicians agree the prison is a problem, but are unsure of solutions

The Green Bay prison has been a problem for decades.

In the '90s, it had the nickname of "gladiator school." Fights were common among the young men held there, many in their late teens and early 20s, Cottingham said.

Calls to close the facility have intensified in recent years.

State and local leaders, Republicans and Democrats, agree the prison should be closed. But they disagree on what should be done with those incarcerated there.

At the rally on Nov. 9, protestors held a vigil to call for the closure of Green Bay Correctional Institution.

Britt Cudaback, a spokeswoman for the governor, said Evers inherited problems from former governors and his proposed solutions have been ignored in the past by the Republican-controlled Legislature.

The lockdowns and facilities were "necessary steps" to keep those incarcerated, workers and visitors safe, and the governor trusts DOC leadership to make those decisions, she said.

Rep. David Steffen, R-Howard, has advocated for closing the prison. He is critical of Evers' plan announced Tuesday, saying moving "dangerous felons" to other facilities doesn't solve the problem.

"Its time for Governor Evers to stop passing the buck and show leadership by closing and replacing our 19th century prisons, Steffens said in a news release.

Democratic state lawmakers recently introduced a package of bills to improve prison conditions. But the bills do not have Republican support at this time, and are unlikely to receive hearings.

In the meantime, those incarcerated continue to navigate life in an aging and overcrowded facility.

"Their mental health is deteriorating, all of them, and I don't just speak for my son, I'm speaking for all the inmates there," Hess said. "They all belong to families that love them, you know, and it's not right. It's not fair for them."

Laura Schulte can be reached at leschulte@jrn.com and on X at @SchulteLaura. Kelli Arseneau can be reached at 920-213-3721 or karseneau@gannett.com. Follow her on X at @ArseneauKelli.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Inside Green Bay prison: A homicide, assaults on staff and lockdown
**Warning: Details of this story are graphic**

OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  A horrible case of animal cruelty in northeast Oklahoma leaves investigators looking for clues to the suspects.

According to police officials in Owasso, two bison were killed on a farm in the area, and a third has been put down due to injuries. Authorities confirm one of the bison had been beheaded.

Gov. Stitts cockfighting stance leads to animal groups signaling out of bounds

Owasso deputies say the person who did it knew what they were doing and the head was removed in the correct way to preserve it.

Evidence including fingerprints, shell casings and a knife used in the crime were collected, according to police.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
Sometimes, it feels like everyone has an anecdote or a trick for financial success. From simple concepts, like spending no more than a third of your monthly income on rent, to savings systems, like only buying things you can afford twice, and everything in between.

With the prices going up for just about everything, the ability to follow strict financial guidelines has only become more difficult for the average person.

Recent analysis by doxo outlines the average monthly bills paid in numerous cities in Washington and nationwide, comparing city averages to other cities, state averages and federal averages.

Average households bills in Washington state

According to the doxo data, the average household in the U.S. pays $2,046 in bills each month. The majority of these payments go toward the mortgage or rent.

In Washington state specifically, the average household pays $2,468 in bills each month, about 37% of their income. This secured the Evergreen State the number eight slot on the ranking of states with the highest monthly household bills.

The average monthly household expenses for all of Washington state compared to the national average.

Breakdown of the average monthly bills for all of Washington state.

doxo also looked at comparisons across specific bills and payment categories. Washingtons averages were about the same as national averages, except when it came to monthly mortgage and rent payments. Washington overtook the national averages there by over $500 and by $285, respectively.

WA average household bills by county

There is also county and city specific data available. The ten counties with the highest monthly household expenses in the state are:

King - $2,988 Snohomish - $2,698 Island - $2,614 Thurston - $2,584 Whatcom - $2,467 Pierce - $2,460 Skagit - $2,277 Chelan - $2,211 Kitsap - $2,187 Benton - $2,156

The average monthly household expense total for Benton County compared to the national average.

Average breakdown of monthly household expenses in Benton County.

Many of the household expenses examined are fairly similar between Benton County and the national average. But there were a few categories with significant difference.

The average mortgage is $112 per month than the national average.

Conversely, rent is $120 less per month than the national average.

Over half of Benton County households are paying auto loans, with an average cost more than double the national average.

Health insurance is nearly half the national average, though this is likely influenced by former employees of the Hanford Nuclear Plant.

Less than a third of households are paying for life insurance. Average payments are almost half of the national average.

The average monthly household bill total for Franklin County compared to the national average.

The average breakdown of monthly household finances in Franklin County.

Not far down the list, Franklin County came out at 16, with households averaging monthly expenses of $1,987, or 36% of their income. All differences between the national averages and Franklin County averages were less than $100.

WA average household bills by city

Individual cities were also examined. The 10 cities in Washington state with the highest average monthly household expenses are:

Sammamish - $3,879 Redmond - $3,631 Mercer Island - $3,513 Bellevue - $3,475 Issaquah - $3,410 Woodinville - $3,365 Kirkland - $3,272 Maple Valley - $3,233 Snohomish - $3,074 Bothell - $3,069

In Tri-Cities, Pasco ranked 60, Richland ranked 65 and Kennewick ranked 68. Here are some fast facts on the data for each city:

 Pasco

Average household spends $2,190 each month on bills, about 39% of their income.

Generally, more than half of the total dollar amount goes to mortgage and auto loan payments.

Standard rent is $200 cheaper than the national average

About 57% of households pay auto loans. Average payment is nearly double the national average.

 Richland

Average household spends $2,091 each month on bills, about 33% of their income

More than half of the total dollar amount goes to mortgage and auto loan payments.

The average monthly mortgage rate is $265 more than the national average.

About 52% of households pay auto loans. Average payment is nearly double the national average.

Monthly phone and cable/Internet bills are about half the national average.

 Kennewick

Fairly equal to the national average in many categories.

Average household spends $2,048 on bills, about 36% of their income.

About 55% of households pay auto loans. Average payment is nearly double the national average.
Fire on the territory of a military unit in the Volgograd Oblast of the Russian Federation

A military base went up in flames after a huge explosion in Kotluban in Russias Volgograd Oblast early on Nov. 16, local Telegram channels reported, noting the presence of numerous special services vehicles at the scene.

The posted footage shows a massive fireball swirling out of the military facility at around 1 a.m.

Some local residents reported that they had heard a kamikaze drone before the unit went up in flames, and the Russian Baza Telegram channel also mentioned reports of secondary explosion sounds.

The fire was promptly localized and extinguished, with no reported casualties or damage to civilian structures, regional governor Andrei Bocharov said, adding that the cause of the fire was being investigated.

Read also:

Meanwhile, the Russian Defense Ministry claimed the alleged destruction of two UAVs over Bryansk Oblast and the Black Sea near the coast of the temporarily occupied Crimea.

However, it did not comment on the explosion in Kotluban.

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
General Mitchell International Airport is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

There, a sign labels the end of the security screening the "recombobulation area."

The funny sign was created by a former airport director to make people smile.

Every time I visit my hometown of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, an understated, humorous sign at the end of the airport security screening makes me chuckle.

Just past the X-ray machines and metal detectors, there are a few benches where people can sit to re-pack their laptops and toiletries, put their shoes back on, and reorganize themselves. In most airports, this area mostly goes unnoticed. In Milwaukee, it is labeled the "recombobulation area."

While "recombobulation" isn't an actual word, its antonym, "discombubulation," means "confusion or disorder," according to Merriam-Webster.

The recombobulation area at the airport in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Talia Lakritz/Insider

The one-of-a-kind term was the brainchild of Barry Bateman, the airport's former director.

Harold Mester, General Mitchell International Airport's director of public affairs and marketing, told Business Insider that Bateman wanted to inject some levity into the arduous process of traveling with silly signs. The Milwaukee airport's in-house shop created the signs and installed them 15 years ago.

"Going through security screening can be stressful for some passengers, so the sign reduces stress by adding a sense of humor," Mester said. "We all sometimes feel a sense of being discombobulated, so why not help passengers recombobulate when they're putting their shoes or belt back on after going through security screening?"

It doesn't get more Midwestern than that.

Bateman retired in 2014, but his legacy lives on. When I landed at the airport during my most recent trip home in November, I posted on my Instagram story that I'd arrived.

"Have fun recombobulating!" a friend who often visits relatives in Milwaukee replied.

Read the original article on Insider
Hundreds of people have attended the funeral of farming pioneer and conservationist Eric Freeman.

One of the founders of the British rare breeds movement, the 91-year-old was instrumental in saving Gloucester cattle.

In 2013, King Charles III presented him with a life-time achievement award for his services to conservation.

Mr Freeman's vintage hay waggon took him through Newent to his final resting place at St Mary's Church.

Mr Freeman's wicker coffin was draped in the flag of Gloucestershire and pulled along by one of his favourite Shire horses, Millie, as per his last wishes.

Eric Freeman had rescued and restored a vintage waggon which was built in Gloucester 100 years ago

He was a nationally-respected breeder of Gloucestershire Old Spots pigs and Cotswold sheep, who also kept heavy horses, poultry and waterfowl.

BBC Radio Gloucestershire presenter Vernon Harwood was friends with Mr Freeman for 30 years and said he was moved by the turnout.

"What does that say about a man at 91 years of age? That he brings his hometown to a standstill, but that's what he did today," Mr Harwood said.

"It was so Eric, it was so wonderful. He had Gloucestershire coursing through his veins," he added.

Vernon Harwood believes Eric Freeman's legacy will live on "in all things Gloucestershire"

Speakers at the service included Libby Henson, who read out the opening chapter of a book written by her brother - Countryfile presenter Adam Henson - about Mr Freeman's work with rare breed conservation.

"He was very much loved by lots of different communities of people, and they've all turned out in full force today. It's wonderful," she said.

Mr Freeman's son, Clifford Freeman, also expressed his gratitude for the turnout and shared his hopes for his father's legacy.

"There's a lot of people that have come a long way and I can't thank them enough," Clifford Freeman said.

Clifford Freeman wants to start a festival in his father's memory

"He has done things for Gloucestershire, traditional stuff, that nobody would have ever thought of doing. I believe, and I hope, that it will carry on," he added.

Clifford Freeman has now taken ownership of his father's cattle herd and plans to host a festival next year to celebrate his life and legacy.

"Traditional Gloucestershire as he knew it when he was a boy is still here because of him," he said.

Follow BBC West on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: bristol@bbc.co.uk
The Rocklin Unified School Board received hundreds of messages from students, teachers, staff, and residents, calling on its five members not to pass a parental notification policy in September, according to 1,350 pages of public records reviewed by The Sacramento Bee.

On September 6, the board voted 4-1 to require school staff to inform parents when their student transitions or experiments with their gender identity. This includes students requesting to go by a different name or pronoun, or to use facilities that do not align with their biological sex at birth. The vote came after hours of protest and public comment, mostly in opposition to the policy.

Many Rocklin parents, teachers, voters, community members, and Placer County residents in the district sent a form letter outlining the reasons they opposed the policy, calling it a waste of district time and dangerous for students who are from unwelcome and LGBTQ-abusive families, which would increase truancy and absence rates.

Others drafted their own letters to the board.

A line wraps around the building as Rocklin teachers, community members, parents and students wait for hours to comment during the Rocklin Unified School District Board meeting Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, where a proposed policy requiring schools to violate state law by outing transgender students to their parents is on the agenda. The board passed the policy that would require staff to notify families within days of a students choosing to be identified as any name, nickname, or gender that does not match enrollment records or is not a common nickname recognized by the school.

I write, as a conservative Rocklin voter, to voice my opposition to the proposed amendment, Phil Scarborough wrote to the board on Sept 6. As trustees, your primary responsibility is to administer our district in a responsible way that prepares Rocklins students for a successful life after high school. But rather than focusing on our districts concrete educational needs, the proposed amendment appears to be following a national political agenda that has little to do with Rocklin or our community.

Other district parents shared similar concerns.

As a parent of a RUSD student, a community member, an educator, a licensed therapist and professional expert in mental health especially in children and adolescent mental health, and as a Christian, I am literally on my knees begging you to reconsider the action item before you today, wrote Colette Booterbaugh the morning of the board meeting.

I understand that many of you have prided yourselves on advocating for parents rights and have made it your mission to restore what you believe was lost to parents. I understand that drive. However, this change to policy oversteps that mission by putting parents desires in front of child safety and it is a reckless decision that will result in harm to our students.

None of the five board members responded when The Bee asked for comment about this story.

Parents rights movement comes to Rocklin

School boards are officially nonpartisan, but four of the five board members ran on a parents rights platform embraced by the Republican Party.

Other school systems in Placer County have also seen newly elected trustees from the parents movement.

One of them is Tiffany Saathoff, elected in 2020. At the time, Saathoff worked as a pastor at Destiny Church (led by conservative pastor Greg Fairrington) which ignored the states public health mandates during COVID-19 shutdowns. She is now the Chief of Staff for Republican Assemblyman Joe Patterson.

Its been said many times tonight that this is a political agenda, a religious agenda, said Saathoff at the Sept. 6 meeting. I will reiterate that Ive had parents, teachers, staff approach me about this policy because theyre very concerned for a variety of reasons.

Rocklin Unified School District Board Member Tiffany Saathoff, left, speaks during a Board meeting Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, in support of a policy requiring schools to violate state law by outing transgender students to their parents. I have had parents, I have had teachers, I have had staff members request this policy, she said. The data is quite clear: involved, caring parents matter, she added, rhetorically. Board President Julie Hupp, right, elaborated on the policy, which would require staff to notify families within days of a students choosing to be identified as any name, nickname, or gender that does not match enrollment records or is not a common nickname recognized by the school.

A Whitney High School student wrote to Saathoff asking her to vote against the policy. The student said two trans classmates have yet to tell their parents about their gender identity, for fear of being disowned.

These students are outstanding people, getting above 4.0s, participating in our community, and being role models to this community we partake in, the student wrote. Just as you were within Destiny Church as a pastor, preaching positive messages, helping the community, being there for people when times are tough, and a role model to many people.

When my parents voted for you, we had the impression that you will fight not only for us, but for all students within (RUSD). I have known these two for my entire time at Whitney High School, and they have been outstanding students and I am glad that I got to know them, and I cant let myself off the hook unless I do something.

The records obtained by The Bee show no response from Saathoff.

Others called out board president Julie Hupp, elected in 2020, for comments she made on her official Facebook page calling for Christ centered parents to get more involved with the school district, and for calling for more faith-based union representatives.

While board members are free to promote their personal religious beliefs however they wish in their personal capacities outside of the school board, as government officials they cannot be allowed to use their position to advance their personal religious beliefs or to show favoritism to those who share those beliefs, Christopher Line, staff attorney for the Freedom from Religion Foundation, wrote to the board in late August, emails show.

Hupp engaged with the public  especially with those in opposition to the policy  more than any other board member.

In a long email exchange with former RUSD principal Karen Huffines, Hupp said she was frustrated with all of the feedback that I have received in opposition as it seems to address more/different issues than the policy covers.

Huffines urged her to vote no.

I reached out to my RUSD high school contacts to ask about the frequency of a student bypassing parents and going directly to a teacher or trusted staff member with this conversation. According to my sources, it almost never happens, she wrote.

Therefore, it seems unnecessary to implement a new policy to address a particularly unusual situation. The amendments put a lot of pressure on teachers who already have way too much on their plates, and in my opinion, targets students at risk who feel like they have nowhere to turn ... Im all for parents rights and I would hope that a child would turn first to their parents for support, but having raised three teenagers, I know first hand that that isnt always the case.

Hupp said the policy covers only students who request a public change to their gender identity.

They still have every ability to speak privately, seek support privately etc. It is only when they ask for a public change that parents are asked to be involved. Please help me understand why that specifically covered issue is distressing?

Have there even been any documented cases at our high schools where parents werent already aware? Huffines wrote back. Why go there if there is little to no need and results in our youth with gender issues feeling so targeted and unsupported?

Hupps response: Thank you Karen.

One local resident and successful non-binary adult said they were suicidal by the age of 14 and subject to abuse of many types at home. They told the board it was their teachers and counselors who helped them survive.

Please turn away from the far-right voices youve been hearing and look inward at your own heart, soul, and experiences to guide you toward the right decision, they wrote. This is clearly part of some larger anti-LGBTQ+political ploy. Please dont let your students be the casualties of this ridiculous false culture war.

Hupp thanked them for sharing their story.

I am so glad that you had the people you needed in your life. Truly, I am. As a teacher myself, I hope that I can always be there for my students when they need me. It is one of the reasons I love my job. I always want to do what is right for families, she said.

She also defended the policy.

We were very careful and thoughtful about the wording of the policy. It does not say that a child cannot have confidants or that a teacher should be looking for gotcha conversations, Hupp wrote.

Parents rights and the religious right

A handful of parents and Christian community members wrote in support.

I understand that there is a board policy change being considered at the Wednesday evening meeting this week that will strengthen parents rights, wrote John Jackson, the president of Jessup University, a private Christian college in Rocklin. Jackson helped co-found the American Council, a nonprofit that seeks to bring biblical values into politics. I understand that the (Rocklin Teachers Professional Association) plans to oppose.

How may I support each of you and the proposed policy? Would you like me to have an increased presence of parents and community members in attendance? Would you like me to speak in favor of the policy in open session? Is there something else I could do that would be helpful to you? You can be assured that I, along with many others, will be praying as a baseline on Wednesday evening...

Jackson sent the email only to Hupp and Saathoff  two trustees with endorsements and donations from the American Council  and trustee Rachelle Price.

Former band teacher Paul Everts, who taught music at Granite Bay and Oakmont high schools in the neighboring Roseville Joint High School District, wrote with the subject line: STAY STRONG.

You can do it! Stand up for parents rights!! Its not just Biblical (it is), its biological! Parents are parents to raise their children. No healthy society is going to take that responsibility away from sane parents. No healthy society is going to believe children should be raised by the government (public schools are government schools). YOU ARE IN THE RIGHT!

In a May email to a reporter at HuffPost, Hupp declined an interview request because she did not wish to call attention to Rocklin in a way that focuses on politics. It is the thing that we are trying to avoid, frankly. Every decision we make is viewed through a microscope of political questioning. (In a subsequent email, she did agree to talk to the reporter on background.)

But parents in the district voiced concerns about the growing political movement  of which some RUSD board members are a part  to impose Christian values in public spaces.

The leaders of this radical fringe movement have been very open about their motivations  they call this a spiritual battle, wrote Joshua Rayburn, a concerned parent and youth minister, to board members.

I beg of you, please do not let politics and spirituality enable and dictate the thought policing of the children under your care. They deserve better. And this action would be wholly unjustified and cruel.

The LGBTQ community speaks out

Members of the trans community and the wider LBGTQ community from across the state and country reached out the Rocklin board.

Im a Sacramento County native and have gone to school here my whole life. Im also transgender, Vincent Gardner said in a letter to the board. I was lucky that my mother supported my transition, but it was just that. Luck. Many transgender kids arent born into that luck. Outing kids to their parents might sound good to you, likely a parent who would like to know what their kid is up to, but these laws are very ill-intentioned. Transgender people are killed for being who they are.

If you oppose safe schools for LGBTQ+ students on the basis of any particular religious or other personal beliefs you might hold, please realize that publicly funded schools are not the place for religious policies of any kind, wrote Daniella Zimmerman, Board President and CEO of the Placer LGBTQ Center.

Whitney High School senior class officer Nayeli Glaude is applauded after speaking against a proposed Rocklin Unified School District Board policy Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, during a Board meeting. The policy, which violates state law, would require staff to notify families within days of a students choosing to be identified as any name, nickname, or gender that does not match enrollment records or is not a common nickname recognized by the school.

In fact, those of you who are affiliated with and/or work for any churches and/or religious based organizations have a special duty to take steps to insure that your religious beliefs do not manifest as an agenda for remaking public schools to fit your personal beliefs.

The Executive Director of Equality California, Tony Hoang, the Reverend Kate Lewis, a queer Episcopal priest from southern California, and Sacramento-based queer therapist Del Phoenix-Wilcox, all encouraged the board to reconsider the policy.

Miriam Mars, non-binary Woodcreek High School graduate, now a law student at Cornell University in New York, told the board that they are happy and successful, as well as close to their family and involved with their religious community.

Much of this is the result of getting to come out on my terms, when I was ready, said Mars.

Please give these students the chance to do that too.
Hungary's Minister for EU Affairs, Janos Boka, stated that European Union policy towards Ukraine should be shaped through considering options and holding a strategic debate, Daily News Hungary reported on Nov. 15.

Read also: Ukraine ready to compromise with Hungary for EU entry  Danilov

Before an EU Foreign Ministers meeting in Brussels, Boka emphasized that without such debate, Hungary could not decide on Ukraines future steps toward EU accession.

Without a strategic debate, we are not in a position to make decisions on further steps in Ukraines accession or the review of the multiannual financial framework, he said.

He suggested that the debate should define EUs strategy on supporting Ukraine, including the resources provided, how these resources have been utilized, and the results achieved, as well as strategies for overcoming challenges.

Read also: Hungarys PM Orban calls for Plan B in Ukraine conflict

On Nov. 8, the European Commission recommended starting negotiations for the accession of Ukraine and Moldova to the EU. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen reported that Ukraine had completed "over 90%" of necessary steps outlined by the commission last year, highlighting judicial reforms and efforts to combat corruption. Brussels expects Ukraine and Moldova to conclude work on reforms by March 2024.

Read also: EU nations consider contingency plan if Hungary vetoes aid to Ukraine  report

Following this, Hungarian PM Viktor Orban stated that the European Union should not begin negotiations on Ukraine's accession to the bloc, underscoring that this is Hungary's "clear position" on the matter.

Read also: Deputy PM Stefanishyna on understanding with Hungary: We have found a way, it will definitely work

Hungary's Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto also asserts that Ukraine would "bring war into the European Union," hence the country "is not yet fit for EU membership."

Oleksiy Danilov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, said that Ukraine is ready to make compromises with Hungary for EU accession.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A hunter stumbled upon a human skull that belonged to a man missing for six years, South Carolina officials said.

Gregory McSwain Morgan was 38 years old when he was last seen leaving a Dollar General store. He was reported missing in July 2017, sparking a yearslong mystery, according to the Laurens County Sheriffs Office and the National Missing and Unidentified Persons System website.

Then, six years after Morgan disappeared from the Joanna area, officials on Nov. 15 announced that he had been found dead.

New clues started emerging in October, when a landowner returning from a hunting trip discovered a possible human skull, the Laurens County Coroners Office wrote in a news release.

Crews took a closer look and found 95% of the persons skeletal remains. Officials reportedly conducted extensive testing and compared dental records to confirm the remains belonged to Morgan.

Morgans remains were taken to a medical examiners office, which determined that there were no signs of trauma. A final report is pending, according to the coroners office.

We know this has been a very trying and stressful time for the family of Greg Morgan, Laurens County Sheriff Don Reynolds wrote in a Facebook post. I hope that this conclusion brings closure to his family. Our sympathy is with them.

Joanna is roughly 55 miles southeast of Greenville.

Crew working in woods stumbles upon remains, SC cops say. They belonged to missing man

Kayaker heading to remote campsite vanishes, SC crews say. Body later found
Iceland remains on high alert as meteorological experts warn that a volcanic eruption is likely in the coming days. Grindavik, a small fishing town in the southwest of the country, has been the center of ongoing seismic activity since Nov. 10.

Residents of Grindavik were forced to evacuate their homes after a state of emergency was declared over a looming eruption from the Fagradalsfjall volcano. Over the past six days, constant earthquakes and tremors have buckled roads and split houses apart. Visitors have been told to stay away from the area, and roads have been closed off.

Whats happening in Iceland?

Last weekend, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) announced that after a sharp rise in seismic activity, a volcanic eruption was likely in the Reykjanes Peninsula. As of Thursday, the possibility of an eruption remains significantly high.

A map of Iceland showing major cities and the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated earlier this week. (Yahoo News) (Yahoo News)

Scientists have said that magma is believed to be just 500 meters below the surface on the edge of the town, meaning an eruption is possible at any moment. In just 12 hours, from midnight to midday on Tuesday, the affected area experienced over 700 earthquakes as a result of magma moving underneath the Earths surface. The largest measured at a 3.8 magnitude; however, the majority were considered to be micro-earthquakes. This could be the sign of a new eruptive cycle, said Matthew Roberts, who works at the IMO.

How has the government responded?

On Tuesday, authorities in Iceland began the process of building defense walls around the Svartsengi Geothermal Power Plant to protect it from lava flows. The power plant provides electricity to the entire country.

Residents were allowed to return to Grindavik for a short period on Tuesday to salvage precious belongings and collect essential items. This is one of the biggest evacuations weve ever had, Aslaug Yngvadottir Tulinius, who works at the Icelandic Red Cross, told the BBC. Its a huge incident. It has a great effect on all Icelanders.

For now, Grindavik remains a ghost town.

Following days of constant earthquakes, homes and roads have split and cracked, leaving some on the brink of collapse. If you talk to Icelandic people who have lived there all their lives, they say they have never felt something like that, local Pedrag said about the tremors that were felt over the weekend.

Residents in their cars wait to get access to their homes in the fishing town of Grindavik, which was evacuated on Wednesday. (Marko Djurica/Reuters) (REUTERS)

The last time that an evacuation of an entire sizable settlement took place was 50 years ago, in 1973, when a volcano unexpectedly erupted on the island of Heimaey off the south coast of Iceland, Dave McGarvie, a volcanologist researching volcano-ice interactions at Lancaster University in England, told Yahoo News.

Last Friday, the Department of Civil Protection and Emergency Management told residents that it was clear that we are dealing with events that we Icelanders have not experienced before. But it asked that they stay resilient. We will face this together, and we will not lose heart.

Could the eruption be dangerous?

In terms of danger, the obvious concern within Iceland is that an eruption occurs within the western parts of the fishing town of Grindavik, McGarvie explained. There is an underground magma-filled crack beneath this part of town, and if the magma reaches the surface and erupts, then it would destroy and damage several houses and other buildings.

Steam rises from a fissure in a road near the town of Grindavik on Monday, following seismic activity. (Brynjar Gunnarsson/AP) (AP)

He added: This is a worst-case scenario and is not considered to be the most likely one given the current understanding of where magma is most likely to reach the surface and erupt.

Have any travel warnings been issued?

Multiple major roads that connect Grindavik to other areas have been temporarily closed as a precautionary measure. The roads included are:

43

428

427

426

425

No flights have been affected as of Thursday. However, Grindavik is located roughly 40 miles from Icelands capital, Reykjavik, and less than 20 miles from the countrys only international airport, Keflavik.

The Blue Lagoon geothermal spa, a popular tourist attraction, has been temporarily closed.

Iceland is preparing for another volcanic eruption on the Reykjanes Peninsula. (Raul Moreno/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images) (SOPA Images/LightRocket via Gett)

When was the last major volcanic eruption?

The last time eruptions like this occurred in this area was circa 800 years ago when the area was sparsely populated, McGarvie said.

The Reykjanes Peninsula has experienced a relatively small eruption every year for the last three years  with all three occurring far from residential areas. The last volcano in Iceland to cause international mayhem was Eyjafjallajokull, which erupted in 2010. A huge ash cloud that blew 5 miles into the sky grounded flights across Europe, forcing its airspace to shut down.
A volcanic eruption could destroy the Icelandic town of Grindavik or lead to extensive ash clouds, experts have warned.

The country has been shaken by more than 800 small earthquakes, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country. Scientists have said an eruption at some point is likely.

It comes as a Caterpillar D11 - said to be Icelands biggest bulldozer - has been dispatched to help build defences. The huge piece of equipment is constructing trenches to reduce the damage caused by any eventual disaster.

Almost 4,000 people were evacuated from Grindavik over the weekend as authorities feared that molten rock would rise to the surface of the earth and potentially hit the coastal town and a geothermal power station.

Ragga Agustsdottir, who lives close to Grindavik, said residents were fearful of what could happen if an eruption struck.

Scientists have warned Icelands south-western peninsula could face decades of volcanic instability following eruptions along the peninsula.

Key Points

Defence walls built around power plant

Fears over flights in and out of Iceland

Eruption fears as magma spreads underground and cracks appear in roads

Where is Grindavik?

High chance of volcanic eruption, scientists warn

07:54 , Alexander Butler

There is a high chance of a volcanic eruption in Iceland, scientists have warned.

The probability of an eruption is still considered high. Signs of shallowing micro-seismic activity and sudden slippage are being monitored, which may be signs that magma is making its way to the surface, the Icelandic met office said.

It comes as a Caterpillar D11 - said to be Icelands biggest bulldozer - has been dispatched to help build defences. The huge piece of equipment is constructing trenches to reduce the damage caused by any eventual disaster.

A police officer talks to a local resident on a road leading to the fishing town of Grindavik (REUTERS)

Over 50 cats rescued after residents asked to evacuate Grindavik

07:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

At least 52 cats have been rescued by an animal shelter in Kattholt after pets were left behind during the emergency evacuation of the Icelandic town of Grindavik.

Nearly 4,000 people in the small fishing town were evacuated last weekend amid fears of an imminent volcanic eruption.

Residents were told they could return the next day to pick up their pets, but that didnt happen.Since the evacuation, a total of 289 animals have been rescued, that is all animals from frogs to horses, Hanna Everson for the animal shelter told The Mirror.

And also a whole chicken farm with 15,000 chicks were rescued.

But charities said so far four cats, nine fish and four canaries were still stranded.

Iceland earthquakes: Huge cracks appear on roads in volcano-threatened town

07:00 , Tom Watling

Roads have begun to crack and buildings buckle under the pressure of underground magma as Iceland prepares for a possible volcanic eruption.

Around 900 earthquakes hit the south of the country on Monday 13 November, with tens of thousands of tremors reported in the region of Reykjanes in recent weeks.

All roads to Grindavik are closed and traffic on them is forbidden, the Road Administration of Iceland wrote on Facebook, sharing footage of the damage.

Huge cracks appear on roads in Icelands volcano-threatened town

No Iceland earthquakes above magnitude 3 recorded in past two days

06:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

While seismic activity continues in the affected region of Iceland, all the earthquakes that have hit the Reykjanes peninsula in the past two days were below magnitude 3 on the richter scale, according to state broadcaster RUV.

Due to the release of tension, it is likely that the magma will have an easy way to the surface, and therefore it cannot be assumed that eruption turbulence will be visible on the meters before the eruption begins, the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) said.

Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears of volcano eruption?

06:00 , Tom Watling

Iceland has declared a state of emergency after hundreds of earthquakes struck the southwestern Reykjanes peninsula in the past 48 hours.

Despite fears of an impending volcanic eruption, flights from the UK to Keflavik international airport 10 miles north of the eruption site are going ahead as usual.

On Sunday 12 November, all scheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester landed without incident.

Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears over volcano eruption?

Icelands famous Blue Lagoon spa temporarily shuts down

05:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Icelands famous Blue Lagoon spa has temporarily shut down, one week after a series of earthquakes led guests to vacate the hotel.

The Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa southwest of Reykjavik, will be closed until 30 November amid fears of an imminent volcanic eruption.

Thousands of alarming earthquakes since late October prompted 40 guests at the spa to reportedly leave the resorts premises earlier this month.

More here.

Icelands famous Blue Lagoon spa temporarily shuts down over volcanic threat

Its like a dystopian movie: Iceland residents describe apocalyptic scenes as they flee volcano threat

05:00 , Tom Watling

Residents from a small Icelandic town under threat from volcanic eruption have described apocalyptic existence as they fear for their future.

Last Friday, thousands of Grindavik residents were ordered to leave as the town was rocked by hundreds of earthquakes. The small fishing town is 34 miles from Reykjavik and is home to the famous tourist attraction the Blue Lagoon.

Many have been unable to return to the danger zone to collect their belongings, as earthquakes continue to strike the town.

Iceland residents describe apocalyptic scenes as they flee volcano threat

Grindavik could be obliterated if volcanic eruption strikes

04:30 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A volcanic eruption could destroy the Icelandic town of Grindavik or lead to extensive ash clouds, experts have warned.

The country has been shaken by more than 2,000 small earthquakes in the past few days, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country.

Thousands have been told to evacuate Grindavik as a precautionary measure, while a magma tunnel stretches below the surface. If an eruption occurs in or close to the town, the consequences will be devastating, volcanologist Armann Hoskuldsson warned.

He told state broadcaster RUV: This is very bad news. One of the most serious scenarios is an eruption in the town itself, similar to that in Vestmannaeyjar 50 years ago. This would be much worse.

Lydia Patrick reports.

Iceland earthquake: Town could be obliterated if volcanic eruption strikes

Biggest volcanic eruptions in the last decade as Iceland town faces devastation

04:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Iceland is highly susceptible to natural disasters because it lies on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge  a divergent plate boundary where the North American Plate and the Eurasian Plate are moving away from each other, leading to volcanic eruptions and earthquakes.

Three eruptions have taken place on the peninsula of Reykjanes near the Fagradalsfjall volcano in the last three years: in March 2021, August 2022 and July 2023.

However, previous eruptions did not cause damage, having occurred in remote valleys.

Maryam Zakir-Hussain has more.

Biggest volcanic eruptions in the last 10 years as Iceland town faces devastation

Massive cracks appear in Grindavik

03:55 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The land has reportedly sunk by five feet in the west of Grindavik, and risen by up to 3 feet to the east.

A police officer stands by the crack in a road in the fishing town of Grindavik (REUTERS)

Couple cling to each other during Iceland earthquake

03:00 , Tom Watling

A couple cling to one another as their house shakes violently in an earthquake during a volcanic eruption in Iceland.

Caitlin McLean, from Scotland, was visiting her boyfriend, Gisli Gunnarsson, 29, in Grindavik when they were forced to flee his home at midnight on Friday (10 November) as his house shook and locals frantically evacuated the area.

Ms McLean, 34, captured the moment the furniture and light fixtures shook violently in Mr Gunnarssons home when the volcano erupted.

Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area moved south towards the town, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Icelands Meteorological Office said.

Couple cling to each other during Iceland earthquake

Iceland residents describe apocalyptic scenes as they flee volcano threat

02:55 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Residents from a small Icelandic town under threat from volcanic eruption have described apocalyptic existence as they fear for their future.

Last Friday, thousands of Grindavik residents were ordered to leave as the town was rocked by hundreds of earthquakes. The small fishing town is 34 miles from Reykjavik and is home to the famous tourist attraction the Blue Lagoon.

Many have been unable to return to the danger zone to collect their belongings, as earthquakes continue to strike the town.

Grindavik resident Andrea varsdottir, 46, told The Independent: Everything just seems so unreal, I feel like Im in a dystopian movie. Im just waiting to wake up from this nightmare.

Lydia Patrick reports.

Iceland residents describe apocalyptic scenes as they flee volcano threat

Iceland earthquakes: Huge cracks appear on roads in volcano-threatened town

02:00 , Tom Watling

Roads have begun to crack and buildings buckle under the pressure of underground magma as Iceland prepares for a possible volcanic eruption.

Around 900 earthquakes hit the south of the country on Monday 13 November, with tens of thousands of tremors reported in the region of Reykjanes in recent weeks.

All roads to Grindavik are closed and traffic on them is forbidden, the Road Administration of Iceland wrote on Facebook, sharing footage of the damage.

Huge cracks appear on roads in Icelands volcano-threatened town

Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?

01:00 , Tom Watling

Given the volcanic situation in Iceland, is it going to be another 2010 in aviation?

Simon Calder answers your questions on aviation, the land of ice and fire, and birthday in Albania.

Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?

Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears of volcano eruption?

00:00 , Tom Watling

Iceland has declared a state of emergency after hundreds of earthquakes struck the southwestern Reykjanes peninsula in the past 48 hours.

Despite fears of an impending volcanic eruption, flights from the UK to Keflavik international airport 10 miles north of the eruption site are going ahead as usual.

On Sunday 12 November, all scheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester landed without incident.

Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears over volcano eruption?

Biggest volcanic eruptions in the last 10 years as Iceland town faces devastation

Thursday 16 November 2023 23:00 , Tom Watling

Icelands town of Grindavik faces a catastrophic countdown to a volcanic eruption that could see its destruction, experts have warned.

Almost 4,000 people were evacuated from Grindavik over the weekend as authorities feared that molten rock would rise to the surface of the earth and potentially hit the coastal town and a geothermal power station.

It comes as the country has been shaken by more than 880 small earthquakes, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country.

Biggest volcanic eruptions in the last 10 years as Iceland town faces devastation

Its like a dystopian movie: Iceland residents describe apocalyptic scenes as they flee volcano threat

Thursday 16 November 2023 22:00 , Tom Watling

Residents from a small Icelandic town under threat from volcanic eruption have described apocalyptic existence as they fear for their future.

Last Friday, thousands of Grindavik residents were ordered to leave as the town was rocked by hundreds of earthquakes. The small fishing town is 34 miles from Reykjavik and is home to the famous tourist attraction the Blue Lagoon.

Many have been unable to return to the danger zone to collect their belongings, as earthquakes continue to strike the town.

Iceland residents describe apocalyptic scenes as they flee volcano threat

Biggest volcanic eruptions in the last 10 years as Iceland town faces devastation

Thursday 16 November 2023 20:30 , Tom Watling

Icelands town of Grindavik faces a catastrophic countdown to a volcanic eruption that could see its destruction, experts have warned.

Almost 4,000 people were evacuated from Grindavik over the weekend as authorities feared that molten rock would rise to the surface of the earth and potentially hit the coastal town and a geothermal power station.

It comes as the country has been shaken by more than 880 small earthquakes, prompting fears that the tremors could disrupt the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes peninsula in the southwest of the country.

Biggest volcanic eruptions in the last 10 years as Iceland town faces devastation

Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?

Thursday 16 November 2023 19:30 , Tom Watling

Simon Calder answers your questions on aviation, the land of ice and fire, and birthday in Albania.

Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?

Grindavik facing electricity outages

Thursday 16 November 2023 18:30 , Alexander Butler

The Icelandic town of Grindavik is facing electricity outages, according to the countrys civil defence authority.

HS Orkas electrical distribution equipment in Grindavik is damaged in several places due to constant earthquakes and ground deformation.

It is unclear if, and when, electricity will be back on in the area. An announcement via text message has been sent to users known to be affected by the power outages, it said.

[English below]... - Almannavarnadeild rikislogreglustjora

Foreign office issues advice to Brits travelling to Iceland

Thursday 16 November 2023 17:30 , Alexander Butler

The Foreign Office has issued advice for British nationals travelling to Iceland amid earthquakes and fears of an imminent volcano eruption.

Earthquakes and indications of volcanic activity have increased above normal levels on the Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik.

The Icelandic authorities continue to monitor the area closely, particularly the area northwest of Mt Thorbjorn near the Svartsengi power plant and the Blue Lagoon.

On 10 November, a Civil Protection Alert was declared after an intense swarm of earthquakes. The town of Grindavik was evacuated as a precaution.

Some roads have been closed and visitors are advised to stay away from the area. Keflavik International Airport is operating as normal.

While there is no current eruption, it is increasingly possible that one could occur. You should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities advice on travel to the area.

Icelands biggest bulldozer deployed to help

Thursday 16 November 2023 17:27 , Sam Rkaina

Icelands biggest bulldozer has been deployed to help build defences in the event of any volcanic eruption.

The Caterpillar D11 weighs more than 100 tons, is 15ft tall and around 36ft long.

It was dispatched to an area near the Svartsengi geothermal power plant on Thursday morning to help create trenches that would reduce the damage caused if Fagradalsfjall erupts.

The largest bulldozer in the country used for the construction of fortifications



Caterpillar D11, the largest bulldozer in the country, is being used for constructing of dikes at #Svartsengi.#Iceland #Grindavik #Selfoss #Kopavogur #Reykjanesbr #ReykjanesPeninsula pic.twitter.com/7Y2qSFquUY  Tay Austin (@Jasamsdestiny) November 16, 2023

Over one thousand tremors before 2pm

Thursday 16 November 2023 16:30 , Alexander Butler

There have been 1,200 tremors between midnight and 2pm today on the peninsula, according to scientists.

However, none of the micro-earthquakes have hit above three on the Richter scale for several days. But despite the reduced seismic activity, the risk of volcanic eruptions remains high.

Due to the release of tension, it is likely that the magma will have an easy way to the surface, the Icelandic Met Office said.

There will likely be an eruption, officials say

Thursday 16 November 2023 15:35 , Alexander Butler

There will be an eruption of some kind in Iceland over the coming days, despite one expert saying the chance of it happening is 30 per cent, Icelandic officials said.

Speaking to reporters, Kristin Jonsdottir, who is monitoring the seismic activity, said: No, we think there is still a chance that there will be an eruption.

When asked about micro-seismic activity underground, she said: Yes, we are very vigilant about that. And we see it in the last eruptions that it is precisely when these signals start to reduce that it starts to shorten to an eruption.

A member of search and rescue team jumps over the crack in a road in the fishing town of Grindavik (REUTERS)

Iceland teachers ask for time and space to process trauma of volcano threat

Thursday 16 November 2023 13:56 , Maira Butt

Iceland teachers have asked for time and space to process the trauma of evacuation amid an impending eruption.

The Icelandic Teachers Union issued a resolution urging privacy for Grindavik teachers affected, RUV reports.

The country is known to have one of the best education systems in Europe.

Red zone return going better than yesterday according to police

Thursday 16 November 2023 13:30 , Maira Butt

Police report that red zone returns are going well today and report the operation has gone much better than yesterday, according to Iceland news source RUV.

According to the police, there arent as many cars waiting at Grindavikurvegur checkpoints this afternoon.

Only one person per household is allowed to enter.

A police officer stands by the crack in a road in the fishing town of Grindavik (REUTERS)

Safety deposit boxes moved from Grindavik bank

Thursday 16 November 2023 13:04 , Maira Butt

Over 150 safety deposit boxes have been moved from Grindavik bank following threats of a major eruption that could obliterate the village.

Iceland news channel RUV reports the boxes have been moved to the banks branch in Mjodd in Reykjavik where they will be available to customers starting tomorrow, November 17th.In an announcement on the banks website, it is said that the transfer of the boxes went quickly and safely.

An aerial view of the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated due to volcanic activity, in Iceland (via REUTERS)

Cars are beginning to enter the 'red zone'

Thursday 16 November 2023 12:31 , Alexander Butler

Residents are being allowed to head into the so-called red zone in Grindavik, Iceland, which is the area considered to be the most dangerous part of the town.

Only people who have been spoken to are allowed to enter, while local media reports some residents have turned up anyway, on the off chance they may be allowed in.

For a brief window, residents of the town will be able to grab belongings and leave again. Everyone else has been asked to email officials for access, according to Sky News.

Cracks emerged in the town (REUTERS)

No change in the situation overnight, police say

Thursday 16 November 2023 11:10 , Alexander Butler

There has been no change in the situation in Grindavik overnight, police chief Ulfar Ludviksson has told local media.

My information is the situation has not changed since yesterday, he said.

Our agreement today is that we let people in from Grindavik and those who are allowed to enter the town are the residents we have contacted.

All the residents who have the opportunity to enter the most dangerous area of aathe town today have been called.

An aerial view of the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated due to volcanic activity, in Iceland (via REUTERS)

Thirty per cent chance of eruption, experts say

Thursday 16 November 2023 09:51 , Alexander Butler

There is a 30 per cent chance of a volcanic eruption in Iceland, according to experts.

Thorvaldur Thordarson, a professor in petrology and volcanology at University of Iceland, said the probability of an eruption was at 30 per cent.

He had previously estimated a 60 per cent chance over the weekend, and a 40 per cent chance on Monday.

A crack in the road following earthquakes in Iceland (via REUTERS)

Blue Lagoon to remain closed until 30 November

Thursday 16 November 2023 08:33 , Alexander Butler

The Blue Lagoon, one of Icelands most famous attractions, will remain closed until the end of this month due to fears of a volcanic eruption.

It was initially set to close until Thursday but it will now remain shut until 30 November. Its surrounding hotels, spa and restaurants will also be closed.

The situation will be regularly assessed, officials said.

The Blue Lagoon is a dream destination for hundreds and thousands every year (Atlas Photography)

Earthquake interrupts Grindavik mayors interview

Thursday 16 November 2023 08:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Iceland faces decades of instability, experts warn

Thursday 16 November 2023 07:43 , Alexander Butler

Icelands south-western peninsula could face decades of volcanic instability, the Icelandic Met Office warned.

We expect to see volcanic eruptions along the peninsula, not just repeatedly in the same location. This instability could last decades, the Icelandic Met Offices Matthew Roberts told the BBC.

It comes as almost 4,000 people were evacuated from Grindavik over the weekend as authorities feared that molten rock would rise to the surface of the earth.

A police officer stands by the crack in a road in the fishing town of Grindavik which was evacuated due to volcanic activity (REUTERS)

Are flights still running amid fears of volcano eruption?

Thursday 16 November 2023 07:00 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Iceland has declared a state of emergency after hundreds of earthquakes struck the southwestern Reykjanes peninsula in the past 48 hours.

Despite fears of an impending volcanic eruption, flights from the UK to Keflavik international airport 10 miles north of the eruption site are going ahead as usual.

More here.

Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears over volcano eruption?

Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?

Thursday 16 November 2023 06:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

In April 2010, the Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted and caused a complete shutdown of aviation for a week. Anyone who has a flight booked imminently may be fretting about a possible repeat.

Thankfully, the circumstances are very different, writes Simon Calder.

Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?

Is it safe to travel to Iceland? Your rights if you have a holiday booked

Thursday 16 November 2023 06:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

The earth is at its most restless in Iceland right now. The Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik, is seething with seismic activity sparking hundreds of small earthquakes.

The town of Grindavik, just 10 miles south of Keflavik International Airport, has been evacuated as a precaution.

Yet flights are continuing to arrive and depart as normal. These are the key questions and answers on consumer rights.

I am in Iceland. Will I be able to leave?

Yes, assuming the international airport remains open. So far operations have been normal. There are 14 arrivals and departures planned for Saturday from and to the UK, with no signs of disruption to flights.

Simon Calder has more.

Is it safe to travel to Iceland? Your rights if you have a holiday booked

Reykjanes peninsula could face volcanic instability for decades

Thursday 16 November 2023 05:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Icelands southwestern peninsula of Reykjanes could face volcanic instability for decades, the Icelandic Met Office (IMO) warned amid fears of an imminent volcanic eruption.

We expect to see volcanic eruptions along the peninsula, not just repeatedly in the same location, IMOs Matthew Roberts told BBC, adding that the instability could last for decades.

It cut beneath the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated over the weekend, almost like an underground freight train, Dr Roberts said about the magma coursing into the ground that fractured rocks.

He told the broadcaster that residents would have to wait for weeks before they could return to the town. Were not expecting an explosive eruption, he said.

If that were to occur there would be lava flow to the south, possibly towards Grindavik, and also possibly north and westwards towards the Svartsengi power station and the Blue Lagoon, Dr Roberts added.

2,000 earthquakes hit Iceland in 24 hours

Thursday 16 November 2023 05:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Nearly 2,000 earthquakes have been recorded in the past 24 hours in the magma tunnel at Sundhnukagiga, according to state broadcaster RUV.

Sigriar Kristjansdottir, a natural disaster expert at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, said the situation remained the same as the last few days.

Authorities were struggling to work on repairs due to the lack of electricity in the eastern half of Grindavik, a town of nearly 4,000 people.

Massive cracks appear on roads in Grindavik ahead of volcano eruption

Thursday 16 November 2023 04:45 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A police officer stands by the crack in a road in the fishing town of Grindavik (REUTERS)

An aerial view of the town of Grindavik, which was evacuated due to volcanic activity, in Iceland (via REUTERS)

A police officer stands by the crack in a road in the fishing town of Grindavik (REUTERS)

Some Grindavik residents briefly allowed to enter town

Thursday 16 November 2023 04:15 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

A small number of residents of Grindavik, the town evacuated due to fears of a volcanic eruption, will be allowed to go into the red zone to collect their belongings.

Officials will accompany each person, according to state broadcaster RUV.

Only one person from each family has been allotted a few minutes to collect basic necessities.

Iceland earthquakes: Huge cracks appear on roads in volcano-threatened town

Thursday 16 November 2023 04:00 , Tom Watling

Roads have begun to crack and buildings buckle under the pressure of underground magma as Iceland prepares for a possible volcanic eruption.

Around 900 earthquakes hit the south of the country on Monday 13 November, with tens of thousands of tremors reported in the region of Reykjanes in recent weeks.

All roads to Grindavik are closed and traffic on them is forbidden, the Road Administration of Iceland wrote on Facebook, sharing footage of the damage.

Huge cracks appear on roads in Icelands volcano-threatened town

Icelands famous Blue Lagoon to remain shut till 30 November

Thursday 16 November 2023 03:21 , Alisha Rahaman Sarkar

Icelands famous Blue Lagoon spa will remain shut till 30 November amid fears of an imminent volcanic eruption.

The geothermal spa southwest of Reykjavik, which is one of the islands most popular tourist destinations, was closed on 9 November following a series of earthquakes that hit the region.

Considering disruptions to our guests experience and the sustained pressure on our employees, these precautionary measures were taken to ensure safety and wellbeing for all, it said in a statement.

The closure will remain in effect until 7am on November 30, at which point the situation will be reassessed, it added.

Grindavik couple fear losing their home after evacuating: Its a pretty grim situation

Thursday 16 November 2023 03:00 , Tom Watling

A man who evacuated from a town in Iceland after earthquakes put the region on alert for a volcanic eruption said he fears he might never see his home again.

Caitlin McLean, from Scotland, was visiting her boyfriend, Gisli Gunnarsson, in Grindavik when they were forced to flee his home at midnight on Friday, packing only a few essential items, to stay with Mr Gunnarssons mother in Reykjavik.

Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area moved south towards the town, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Icelands Meteorological Office said.

Grindavik couple fear losing home after evacuating: Its a pretty grim situation

Couple cling to each other during Iceland earthquake

Thursday 16 November 2023 02:00 , Tom Watling

A couple cling to one another as their house shakes violently in an earthquake during a volcanic eruption in Iceland.

Caitlin McLean, from Scotland, was visiting her boyfriend, Gisli Gunnarsson, 29, in Grindavik when they were forced to flee his home at midnight on Friday (10 November) as his house shook and locals frantically evacuated the area.

Ms McLean, 34, captured the moment the furniture and light fixtures shook violently in Mr Gunnarssons home when the volcano erupted.

Police evacuated Grindavik after seismic activity in the area moved south towards the town, with a corridor of magma, or semi-molten rock, now thought to be extending under the community, Icelands Meteorological Office said.

Couple cling to each other during Iceland earthquake

Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?

Thursday 16 November 2023 01:00 , Tom Watling

Simon Calder answers your questions on aviation, the land of ice and fire, and birthday in Albania.

Could an Icelandic volcano ground flights like in 2010?

Is it safe to travel to Iceland? Your rights if you have a holiday booked

Thursday 16 November 2023 00:00 , Tom Watling

The earth is at its most restless in Iceland right now. The Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik, is seething with seismic activity sparking hundreds of small earthquakes.

The town of Grindavik, just 10 miles south of Keflavik International Airport, has been evacuated as a precaution.

Yet flights are continuing to arrive and depart as normal. These are the key questions and answers on consumer rights.

Is it safe to travel to Iceland? Your rights if you have a holiday booked

Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears of volcano eruption?

Wednesday 15 November 2023 23:00 , Tom Watling

Iceland has declared a state of emergency after hundreds of earthquakes struck the southwestern Reykjanes peninsula in the past 48 hours.

Despite fears of an impending volcanic eruption, flights from the UK to Keflavik international airport 10 miles north of the eruption site are going ahead as usual.

On Sunday 12 November, all scheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester landed without incident.

Iceland earthquakes: Are flights still running amid fears over volcano eruption?
Utility worker Darryl Price secures a cast-iron gas pipe onto the flatbed truck after helping to extract the pipe at Orleans and Hubbard streets on June 28, 2019. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

The Illinois Commerce Commission disallowed funding and paused the multibillion-dollar Peoples Gas pipeline replacement program Thursday pending a new investigation into the best approach to modernization of the century-old underground infrastructure.

The decision pulls $265 million of money earmarked to continue the long-running System Modernization Program out of the 2024 budget for Peoples Gas, but does not relieve the utility of its responsibility to identify and repair leaking pipes that may pose a danger across the city.

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The company offered inadequate record evidence for this level of spending to prudently accomplish SMPs primary objective, which according to the record is to replace all cast iron and ductile iron pipeline, said Doug Scott, chairman of the ICC, which regulates utilities in the state. The ruling does not remove any funding related to emergency response to leaks, pipe breaks or other critically important safety measures, he said.

The ICC also approved smaller-than-requested rate increases next year for Peoples Gas, North Shore Gas and Nicor Gas at Thursdays meeting.

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Peoples Gas had requested a record $402 million rate increase. The ICC cut the increase by $101 million, or 25%.

We will fully review the final order to determine its impact on our customers and operations, Peoples Gas spokesperson David Schwartz said in a statement Thursday. We look forward to actively participating in future proceedings and demonstrating how our energy delivery system is critical to Chicagos clean energy future. We are pleased the Commission shares our concern about safety.

The ICC reduced a $17 million rate hike request from North Shore Gas by nearly $6 million, or roughly 34%. North Shore Gas has 164,000 customers in the north suburbs. Both Peoples and North Shore are owned by Milwaukee-based WEC Energy Group.

A $320 million rate increase request from Nicor Gas was cut by nearly $97 million, or about 30%. Naperville-based Nicor has 2.3 million customers in suburban Chicago and across northern Illinois.

Consumer advocates cheered the pause of the pipeline replacement program as a victory for more than 884,000 Peoples Gas customers in Chicago.

I think its incredibly good news for Chicagoans, said Abe Scarr, director of Illinois PIRG, a nonprofit consumer advocacy organization. The commission is reining in the program, holding it accountable and through this investigation hopefully well finally have a pipe replacement program in Chicago that doesnt overcharge customers and is effective in addressing the real risk of leaking pipes in the Peoples Gas system.

Peoples Gas filed for the $402 million rate hike in January, with more than half of the increase earmarked for its pipeline replacement program after a 10-year legislative surcharge enabling it to pass the costs along to customers expires at the end of this year. While Peoples currently charges customers $15 per month to fund the pipeline program through December, most pay about $50 per month in fixed costs  before using any gas  making it harder for many Chicago residents to afford their heating bills.

The requested increase would have added $11.83 per month to the average residential bill for Peoples Gas customers beginning in January. With the reduction by the ICC, the rate increase will likely be cut in half to about $6 per month for most customers, according to the Citizens Utility Board, a nonprofit Illinois watchdog group.

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We never like to see gas bills go up, said Jim Chilsen, a CUB spokesperson. However, we thank the Illinois Commerce Commission for holding the gas utilities accountable and sending a clear message that its no longer business as usual in Illinois.

Launched in 2011, the System Modernization Program to replace 2,000 miles of aging iron pipes below Chicago streets was plagued from the outset by delays and budget overruns. More than a decade later, the pipeline replacement program is 36% complete, and Peoples Gas says it will take until 2040 and cost about $8 billion to finish.

It was originally projected to cost $2.6 billion and take 20 years to complete.

Consumer watchdog groups have long advocated to end the built-in surcharge, putting Peoples spending under more regulatory scrutiny and forcing the utility to get infrastructure improvements approved through traditional rate cases, such as the proposal before the ICC Thursday.

The groups have challenged the need for a record increase in the wake of six years of record profits by the utilitys parent company, ballooning customer late fees and a massive infrastructure project that is behind schedule and billions above initial budget projections.

While the city has no authority over the rates charged by Peoples Gas, the Committee on Environmental Protection and Energy held a hearing earlier this month where members grilled Peoples Gas President Torrence Hinton about the need for an increase. On Monday, they sent a letter to the ICC asking it to reject the Peoples proposal and significantly reduce the requested rate hike, despite the need for ongoing pipeline replacement.

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We do acknowledge the age of pipes in the Peoples Gas system and that replacement work does need to continue, the aldermen said in the letter. But the program should be reformed to eliminate mismanagement. We support well-run, cost-efficient pipeline replacement. We oppose reckless, irresponsible spending that gouges customers.

The pipeline replacement program was initially driven by pressure from the Obama administration to hold utilities across the U.S. accountable for aging infrastructure following a 2010 explosion in San Bruno, California, that killed eight people, injured 58 and destroyed 38 homes. In 2013, Peoples got approval from state lawmakers to do the improvements, funded by customers over 10 years.

The work involves swapping out century-old iron pipes in neighborhoods across the city for plastic ones to boost pressure and cut down on dangerous natural gas leaks.

As part of its decision, the ICC issued an order for a new investigation into the System Modernization Program to begin by February to determine the best method and investment level to replace high-risk pipes.

The Commission will reexamine how the companys neighborhood approach prioritizes high-risk pipe retirement, Scott said, adding Peoples Gas will need to provide more detailed cost information to determine the reasonableness and prudence of the companys next iteration of the SMP.

The ICC also approved a new discount rate Thursday to directly reduce heating costs for low-income gas utility customers across the state. The program will offer monthly credits to qualifying customers beginning in October.

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rchannick@chicagotribune.com
Iceland has some "ingenious ways" to fight lava, says Dr Roberts, but he concedes "nature always wins if the eruption is long enough"

Iceland's south-western peninsula could face decades of volcanic instability, warns the Icelandic Met Office (IMO).

Earthquakes and fears of an impending eruption have led to the evacuation of the small fishing town of Grindavik.

After an 800-year hiatus, eruptions on the Reykjanes Peninsula began again in 2021, which may mark a new "eruptive cycle", the IMO's Matthew Roberts says.

"We expect to see volcanic eruptions along the peninsula, not just repeatedly in the same location."

This instability, he adds, could last decades.

Huge cracks have appeared on the roads of Grindavik, as the fishing town continues to sink every day

Dr Roberts, who is a managing director in the IMO's Reykjavik headquarters, takes us into a room where staff are intensely monitoring seismic activity 24 hours a day.

Last Friday, the team were shocked to realise magma was coursing into the ground, fracturing rock over a distance of 15km (nine miles).

It cut beneath Grindavik "almost like an underground freight train", says Dr Roberts. A phenomenon unknown in modern times.

The order was quickly given to evacuate, and soon after stark images began emerging of severely cracked roads and damaged houses following repeated earthquakes.

The town will continue to subside, Dr Roberts says, exacerbating damage to buildings and roads.

The western part of Grindavik has sunk by more than a metre (3.3ft) since last Friday, and continues to do so at a rate of about 4cm (1.6in) a day.

The situation is being monitored by IMO experts 24 hours a day

A colour map shows the recent levels to which land has collapsed and in one area the situation remains "highly volatile", with an eruption likely within days or weeks.

If there is an eruption, there could be significant damage to local infrastructure and a release of toxic fumes.

Fascinatingly, aerial photographs suggest that the magma is running underneath a previous, centuries-old, visible fissure.

"The magma intrusion is exploiting this exact same location again," says Dr Roberts.

Iceland is very used to volcanic activity because it sits over the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. The Eurasian and North American plates are pulling apart from each other, a few centimetres each year.

But this kind of evacuation of an entire community has not happened in 50 years.

In 1973, a fissure started spouting molten red lava on Heimaey, the largest of Iceland's Westman Islands.

Currently, within the Reykjanes Peninsula, it is estimated that the magma is now sitting about 800m (0.5 miles) beneath the surface.

Residents may have to wait for weeks, at least, before it is clear whether they can return to the area.

"We're not expecting an explosive eruption," says Dr Roberts, although that is not necessarily a good thing.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

A low-intensity eruption could mean lava pouring from a series of fissures over weeks and weeks.

"If that were to occur there would be lava flow to the south - possibly towards Grindavik - and also possibly north and westwards" towards the Svartsengi power station and Blue Lagoon, says Dr Roberts.

Contingency plans include protective barriers - known as "levees" - which are being built near the geothermal plant while the famous Blue Lagoon spa remains closed.

Iceland has all sorts of ingenious ways to fight lava, says Dr Roberts, but "nature always wins if the eruption is long enough".

Map of Reykjanes peninsula
The situation involving a family illegally camping on public lands in Idaho and ending in law enforcement officers shooting and paralyzing a man in a wheelchair is tragic and horrifying.

The federal and state undercover operation that led to the shooting was a clear case of overreaction that needs a thorough and independent review. How could this type of situation gotten to the point of a shootout that could have ended a lot worse?

It also highlights the need for increased services for Idahoans experiencing homelessness, another ongoing problem.

As reported by the Idaho Statesmans Sally Krutzig, federal and state law enforcement officers conducted an operation in which undercover officers in plain clothes pretended to be campers with a broken-down vehicle needing a jump-start.

When one of the three suspects, Timber Roberts, 35, went to help, officers jumped him and threw him to the ground to arrest him. Timber called for help, apparently thinking he was being attacked and robbed.

When Timbers brother Brooks, 39, responded in a wheelchair carrying a handgun, police turned on Brooks and shot him 11 times, leaving him paralyzed.

There had to be a better way to handle this.

Idaho purports to have strong gun rights and has strong stand-your-ground laws.

No person in this state shall be placed in legal jeopardy of any kind whatsoever for protecting himself or his family by reasonable means necessary, or when coming to the aid of another whom he reasonably believes to be in imminent danger of or the victim of aggravated assault, robbery, rape, murder or other heinous crime, according to Idaho state law.

When Brooks was responding to Timbers cries for help, Brooks said he had no idea that the people attacking Timber were law enforcement officers. Brooks was merely doing what Idahoans are expected to do in such a situation  come to the aid of their family.

How could law enforcement agents not have seen this coming?

Brooks, lying paralyzed in a pool of his own blood, even apologized: Im sorry, Brooks can be heard saying in police body camera footage. I thought my brother was being attacked. You didnt give me a chance to put the gun down. ... I didnt know you guys were cops.

It could have been even worse. Brooks could have  justifiably and legally  begun firing off rounds at the people attacking his brother. The situation easily could have turned into a bloodbath with multiple casualties.

Need for homelessness services

All for what?

Because a family  two of whom are disabled  had nowhere else to go and was living too long on public land. The Robertses were moving from one public campground to the next, but not frequently enough.

In addition to the fact that Brooks was already using a wheelchair because of a workplace injury, Brooks and Timbers mother, Judy, 62, got frostbite in the winter of 2021-22, when her feet froze to the floor of an old school bus they were living in, and the bottoms of both of her legs had to be amputated.

Were not going to canonize the family: U.S. Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management officials had been dealing with the Robertses for years, and things had escalated, with Timber reportedly impersonating a police officer and making threats, according to officials. And the family appeared to be infringing on the rights of others, taking public campsites and reportedly posing a danger to other campers.

But an elaborate ruse that ended in violence clearly was the wrong course of action here.

As the Robertses attorney Craig Durham pointed out, law enforcement could have contacted the familys lawyers and required them to show up in court, at which point they could have taken everyone into custody in a much more controlled setting.

Brooks Roberts spent months in the hospital following the shooting.

Attorneys for Brooks have filed a tort claim (a precursor to a lawsuit) against the U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and the Department of Agriculture  seeking $50 million for, among other things, pain and suffering, lost wages, loss of enjoyment of life, and trauma.

If a lawsuit is successful or gets settled, whatever amount is awarded should be considered in the context of how much it would cost to provide services to people in similar situations  experiencing homelessness and having no viable alternatives.

Regardless, the cost of the undercover operation  involving a dozen agents  should be weighed against spending that same amount of money, time and effort on services to combat homelessness and resolve similar situations so that people like the Robertses dont find themselves relying on camping on public lands to survive.

The FBI is investigating the shooting, which is a good thing. The inquiry needs to be thorough and independent. Not only should an investigation answer the question of whether there was any wrongdoing, but everyone should be seeking to answer an even more basic question:

Wasnt there a better way to handle this entire situation?

Statesman editorials are the unsigned opinion of the Idaho Statesmans editorial board. Board members are opinion editor Scott McIntosh, opinion writer Bryan Clark, editor Chadd Cripe, newsroom editors Dana Oland and Jim Keyser and community members Mary Rohlfing and Patricia Nilsson.
Ive been doing a lot of traveling this month. Autumn in Idaho is a beautiful season, rich with changing colors and the sure signs of winter right around the corner. Driving the state is challenging, just because of its sheer size and geographic diversity, but its also a visual treat.

Every time I travel through our great state, I am grateful to live here. And I want my children and grandchildren  and yours as well  to enjoy the same privilege of living, working, and raising their families right here in Idaho.

The primary goal of my recent travels has been to visit with high school seniors, encouraging them to take advantage of a promising new opportunity  the Idaho LAUNCH program. LAUNCH is an opportunity for qualifying students to receive a grant for 80% of their post-secondary education costs, up to $8,000, to be used at an Idaho-based in-demand career program.

In case you havent heard, Idaho is the envy of the nation. Over the past few years, we have experienced record economic growth. Our conservative guiding principles and responsible policy making, combined with Idahoans hard work, have created one of the strongest economies in the nation. Even with our record back-to-back-to-back income tax cuts and rebates, were still enjoying budget surpluses.

As Ive spent time with high school students the past few weeks, Ive seen an eagerness in them, a desire to find meaningful work right here in Idaho. They want to stay here and be successful, raising a family and pursuing a career choice that will provide for that family in the future. These young people are engaged and involved, and they know their career options will be much brighter with additional training after high school. But post-secondary education may seem out of reach for many young Idahoans and their families.

This is where the Idaho LAUNCH program comes in.

To qualify for LAUNCHs inaugural release, here are the requirements:

Must be enrolled in or have applied to an approved Idaho in-demand career program

Must be an Idaho resident

Must be a graduate of an Idaho high school or GED program from the Class of 2024 or later

Must begin enrollment by the first fall semester after graduation

Must complete a Career Pathway Plan at NextSteps.Idaho.gov

This program is not just for those who are college-bound. LAUNCH is for ALL paths forward. Do you want to be a lineman? A cosmetologist? A plumber? A nurse? This program is not a one-size-fits-all approach. From certain bachelors degrees to truck driving certifications, LAUNCH will connect students with options for in-demand careers and help launch them on a post-secondary path that works for them.

Idaho is in the nations top ten for everything from economic performance to employment growth. A capable, well-rounded workforce is what we need to sustain and even improve our already thriving economy. Many businesses rely on a pipeline of talented young people who are prepared to enter the workforce. I believe the key to continuing our economic growth is to connect Idahos youth to the best opportunities possible here in the Gem State.

Everyone can benefit from a post-secondary education, including Idaho herself. The LAUNCH program is a win-win-win: for Idaho students, Idaho employers, and our beloved state. My hope for the future is that every Idaho kid can always find an Idaho job. Idaho LAUNCH is the states commitment to help them do just that.

Scott Bedke is the lieutenant governor of Idaho.
As South Carolinians prepare to travel for Thanksgiving, police departments and state troopers are gearing up for DUI checkpoints.

Checkpoints for drivers under the influence of alcohol and other drugs are fairly common in South Carolina, but particularly around the holidays. Such checkpoints are legal, as long as they follow certain procedures.

But what are the potential legal ramifications of trying to avoid a checkpoint? If youre driving home and suddenly approach a checkpoint in South Carolina, can you, for instance, simply turn around and drive away without any consequences?

Heres what South Carolina law says on the issue.

Is it illegal to avoid a DUI checkpoint in SC?

If you see a checkpoint, turning down another road or making a legal maneuver to turn around and head the other way to avoid the situation is not against the law, according to the Law Office of James R. Snell, Jr. in Lexington.

However, if you violate a traffic law in order to bypass a checkpoint, a police officer has the right to pull you over, the law office states.

Typical traffic violations

Driving the wrong way





Failure to use turn signal





Making an illegal U-turn





Failure to yield





Disobeying a traffic sign or signal





Crossing a solid white or yellow line





Driving over a divider





The law firm notes that even if you legally turn away from a checkpoint, an officer may still follow you to see if you display any signs of drunk driving.

Your rights at a SC DUI checkpoint

According to Holland Law LLC in Fort Mill, South Carolina residents have several rights at DUI checkpoints.

If you choose to drive through a checkpoint, you must stop if a police officer directs you.





You have the right to remain silent under the Fifth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution, meaning you dont have to answer questions such as, have you been drinking tonight?





You have the right to refuse a field sobriety test, which officers use to assess a drivers balance and coordination. However, just know that refusing to take a test may result in arrest and as evidence of your impairment in court.





The implied consent law in South Carolina requires drivers to submit to a breathalyzer test if they are suspected of DUI. You can refuse to take a breathalyzer test at a DUI checkpoint, but if you do, your drivers license may be suspended and the refusal could be used against you in court.





Legality of DUI checkpoints in SC

DUI checkpoints in South Carolina have been upheld as not infringing on Fourth Amendment rights forbidding unreasonable search and seizure, Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey, LLC Attorneys at Law in Greenville states. However, such checkpoints must meet certain requirements to be considered legal.

Police cannot set up checkpoints at random. For example, a DUI checkpoint may be a valid response in an area that has had an abnormally high amount of drunk driving accidents.





Police officers cannot set up DUI checkpoints on a whim. Law enforcement at the supervisory level must approve the decision to set up a checkpoint, the location and the operational procedures. Also, a uniformed supervisory officer must oversee the checkpoint.





Police are required to publicize the date and location of all DUI checkpoints.





When police set up checkpoints, they cannot stop vehicles at random. Officers must stop drivers in accordance with a neutral pattern, such as every third car.




Two Missouri cities and a town in Illinois were recently named among The 35 Best Thanksgiving Towns in America by Country Living.

The holiday falls Nov. 23 this year, and it should be sunny with a high of 59 degrees Fahrenheit in Belleville, AccuWeather reported as of Thursday.

More than 55 million Americans are expected to travel for Thanksgiving, auto club AAA projects, and while many will visit family in their hometowns, others may be looking for a getaway destination.

Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade 2023: How to Watch https://t.co/vhLG3Nji6t  Country Living (@CountryLiving) October 20, 2023

Heres the spots Country Living magazine considers the best Thanksgiving destinations in Illinois, Missouri and across the U.S.

Thanksgiving in St. Louis

St. Louis snagged the 20th spot in Country Livings ranking. The magazine cited Amerens Thanks-for-Giving Parade as a reason to visit the city for the holiday.

The parade will begin at 9 a.m. Thanksgiving Day and will feature more than 120 parade units, including marching bands, floats and displays, dance groups and more.

The event takes place on Market Street in downtown St. Louis, beginning near Hilton St. Louis at the Ballpark and ending near Stifel Theatre.

Galena, Illinois

This northwest Illinois town is known for its historic Main Street, wineries, bed-and-breakfasts and scenic trails. Country Living put Galena in the 27th spot for best Thanksgiving destinations.

This Thanksgiving weekend, local business owners will host a holiday kick-off at 5 p.m. Nov. 25. The event will feature Mr. and Mrs. Claus and a tree lighting, along with a contest for decorated Jeeps in the parade.

Galena is located about 5 hours and 30 minutes from Belleville by car. The town was also a favorite of Country Living for its recent feature on best U.S. small towns for fall foliage. Galena was ranked 16 of 55 in that feature.

Hermann, Missouri

This small Missouri town, which Country Living named the second best Thanksgiving destination in the country, is known for its wineries and German heritage.

Theres no shortage of festive events this year in Hermann, including a Childrens Lantern Parade Nov. 24, a Christmas concert and market Nov. 25 and a Holiday House Tour Dec. 2.

Hermann is located about an hour and 45 minutes from Belleville by car.

Not to miss on accolades, Hermann and Galena were also named among the most beautiful small towns in the U.S. earlier this year by Travel and Leisure magazine.

Full list of Best Thanksgiving Towns

Heres Country Livings ranking of the best 35 Thanksgiving destinations for 2023:

Charlottesville, Va. Hermann, Mo. Lambertville, N.J. Lake Placid, N.Y. Portsmouth, N.H. Santa Barbara, Calif. Canterbury, N.H. Leavenworth, Wash. Hawley, Pa. Park City, Utah Killington, Vt. Georgetown, Colo. New York City New Paltz, N.Y. Winterset, Iowa Long Beach, Calif. Grapevine, Texas Plimoth Plantation, Plymouth, Mass. Savannah, Ga. St. Louis Estes Park, Colo. Greenbrier Valley, W.Va. Fredericksburg, Texas Kennebunkport, Maine Williamsburg, Va. Wareham, Mass. Galena, Ill. Pawhuska, Okla. Arlington, Texas Gatlinburg, Tenn. Mountain View, Ark. Laurel, Miss. Kiawah Island, S.C. Oaks, Penn. Key West, Fla.
Penny Pritzker, US Special Representative for Ukraines Recovery, has suggested that officials imagine how the country could survive economically without US aid during her first visit to Ukraine.

Source: Ukrainska Pravda with reference to a source familiar with the talks; Andrii Hunder, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine

Details: Pritzker met with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the prime minister and government officials, the chairman of the parliament and American businesses. In addition, she even attended a congress of regional authorities together with Andrii Yermak, Head of the President's Office.

Ukrainska Pravda stated that her first visit to Ukraine had left "a rather disturbing aftertaste in many government offices" here.

One of the sources, familiar with the course of Pritzker's meetings, said that she tried to "lead [them] to the idea" of how Ukraine could survive economically without American aid.

Quote from the source: "At the meetings, Penny tried to get people to think, like, let's imagine that there is no American aid: what do you need to do over the next year to make sure that your economy can survive even in this situation? And it really stressed everyone out."

More details: Andrii Hunder, the president of the American Chamber of Commerce in Ukraine, told Ukrainska Pravda that Pritzker's main question during her visit and meetings with businesses was "What hinders success and who hinders it?"

The UP article reads that perhaps the strongest concern among most people who interacted with Biden's representative was her call not to wait for Western assistance, but to seek areas of growth as if it wouldn't be coming.

This thesis was "anxiously conveyed from mouth-to-mouth in the corridors of Ukrainian politics" after Pritzker departed from Kyiv. Such a call sounded particularly threatening against the backdrop of Republicans in Congress blocking assistance to Ukraine.

However, the Office of the President of Ukraine advised not to dramatise this story. A source of UP in Zelenskyy's team explained:

Quote: "It's inaccurate to say she had messages like there won't be any support. She has an obvious business approach and wants to help us in the opposite direction: let's imagine there's no Western support, what do we and you need to do now to remain resilient and operational under any conditions? Let's look for solutions that will allow you to remain successful."

Support UP or become our patron!
An image claiming that All ICU patients at Al Shifa Hospital died has been spreading rapidly across social media platforms this week. One notable example is an Instagram post uploaded by Omar Suleiman, an American Muslim scholar with 2.4 million followers on the platform. The Ministry of Health has officially announced the death of all ICU patients in the Alshifa hospital due to the outages of electric power and oxygen, the posts caption reads. Slow motion genocide. Slaughter and starvation. Disgusting.

Though there have been casualties at Al-Shifa Hospital, the claim that all of its ICU patients died is incorrect.

The photo features the logo of Quds News Networka prominent Palestinian news site that has a reputation of being affiliated with the terrorist group Palestinian Islamic Jihadand appears similar in style to a number of other Instagram posts made by the outlet. A tweet from the organization in response to a now-deleted post suggests that the original photo was posted on both the Quds News Network Instagram and X pages, but was then deleted.

#BREAKING| Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex told Al-Arabi TV: Two patients were martyred in intensive care, but not everyone was martyred. If the catastrophic situation continues as it is, all intensive care patients will die, and dialysis patients may die tomorrow due to pic.twitter.com/va0keiTPiT  Quds News Network (@QudsNen) November 12, 2023

Two patients were martyred in intensive care, but not everyone was martyred, the updated post reads, supposedly quoting the director of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex. This correction has not stopped the image from further spreading across Instagram, X, and Facebook, however.

Despite the inaccuracies of the Quds News Networks initial post, evidence does suggest that conditions at Al-Shifa Hospital are quickly deteriorating. The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Healthwhich is of questionable reliabilityreported that three newborn babies died in the hospital over the weekend, and Doctors Without Borders has described hostilities around the hospital as non-stop.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have surrounded Al-Shifa Hospital in recent days, and the complex was infiltrated on Tuesday night. Recent reporting indicates that Israeli forces have since uncovered an operational command center and a number of military assets belonging to the Hamas terrorist group within the complex.

Hamas is known to use civilian structures including schools and hospitals as bases of operation, and the IDF has long asserted that Al-Shifa Hospital serves as the terror groups primary headquartersa claim backed by U.S. intelligence officials. Amnesty International reported that Hamas used abandoned areas of Al-Shifa Hospital in 2014including the facilitys outpatient clinicfor detention, torture, and interrogation. I can confirm for you that we have information that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad use some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including Al-Shifa, and tunnels underneath them, to conceal and to support their military operations and to hold hostages, John Kirby, a spokesperson for the U.S. National Security Council, told journalists on Air Force One on Tuesday. IDF spokesman Jonathan Conricus led a video tour through one of the complexs captured buildings showing staches of various weaponry and other Hamas military items.

Article 18 of the Geneva Convention forbids attacks on civilian hospitals. However, Article 19 states that, The protection to which civilian hospitals are entitled shall not cease unless they are used to commit, outside their humanitarian duties, acts harmful to the enemy.

If you have a claim you would like to see us fact check, please send us an email at factcheck@thedispatch.com. If you would like to suggest a correction to this piece or any other Dispatch article, please email corrections@thedispatch.com.

Read more at The Dispatch

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A specialty drill arrived Thursday to help rescue dozens of workers that have been trapped in a collapsed tunnel in India. Photo by Abhyudaya Kotnala/EPA-EFE

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- A specialty drilling machine flown into the mountainous region of Uttarakhand is now being used to drill through a collapsed tunnel to rescue dozens of trapped construction workers on Thursday but results are likely still days away.

The drilling machine was brought in from Delhi on Wednesday as rescuers plan to open a passage large enough for a pipe to be inserted, allowing the 40 workers to crawl out to safety.

Atul Karwal, the chief of India's National Disaster Relief Force, said the the drill being used can cut through 230 feet of rock over 12 to 15 hours. The machine works at a speed of roughly 16 feet per hour.

"The American Augur machine is at work and as per the last update, the first length of the pipe has been inserted through the ruble and they are welding the second section," he said.

Federal minister V.K. Singh said on Thursday told said it may be another two to three days before some 40 workers emerge from the tunnel.

Authorities told the BBC they did not want to speculate how long it would take to clear the debris after a previous drill failed to complete the task and more falling debris further hampered rescue efforts, but said they expected "a positive development" by Thursday evening.

The migrant construction workers have been trapped more than 650 feet inside the tunnels since Sunday and it was reported that some trapped inside have started to become ill, exhibiting symptoms including dizziness, fever and vomiting.

Deepak Patil, who is leading the relief and rescue work, however, told the BBC that sufficient oxygen was being sent into the tunnel and the workers wouldn't experience "any problems in terms of breathing."
FILE - A sign for the U.S. Food and Drug Administration is displayed outside their offices in Silver Spring, Md., Dec. 10, 2020. The Indian manufacturer of more than two dozen varieties of eyedrops subject to a U.S. safety warning officially recalled the products, which were sold by CVS Health, Target, Rite Aid and other national retailers. Kilitch Healthcare India issued the recall on Monday, Nov. 13, 2023, and the FDA published the notice Wednesday, Nov 15. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  An Indian company that recently recalled eyedrops sold in the U.S. had a host of sanitation and manufacturing problems, including barefoot workers, cracked floors and altered records, U.S. health inspectors found.

Food and Drug Administration officials uncovered more than a dozen problems at the Mumbai plant operated by Kilitch Healthcare India, according to a preliminary inspection report posted by the agency. The factory produced more than two dozen varieties of eyedrops that were subject to an FDA safety warning last month.

The products were sold by CVS Health, Target, Rite Aid and other national retailers who said they would be removed from store shelves. New details about the plant's problems emerged after FDA inspectors visited the plant late last month.

Agency inspectors documented factory workers not wearing masks, gloves and gowns and working barefoot in areas that are supposed to be sterile. A manager told FDA officials that this is their standard practice, according to the report.

Elsewhere, FDA staff noted cracked floors, plus water stains and peeling paint on walls and ceilings.

The FDA report also suggests factory officials would routinely omit or falsify contamination test results.

For instance, a factory microbiologist said that a bacterial sample that could trigger an alert or action limit would not be documented. Instead, officials would perform additional cleaning and then record a figure that indicated sterility. This occurred two or three times per month, according to the microbiologist.

The FDA's initial findings are likely to be followed by a formal report and a warning letter to the company.

On Monday, Kilitch Healthcare officially recalled the lubricating eyedrops, sold in 27 different brands and formulations. The agency published the notice to its website Wednesday. The recall is something of a formality, since the FDA had already alerted U.S. stores and consumers to the problem.

FDA officials don't have the legal authority to force drug manufacturers to recall their products, and instead rely on companies to voluntarily do so. The FDA had recommended the recall on Oct. 25 and shortly thereafter blocked imports from Kilitch.

Drugmakers and distributors are responsible for the quality of their products, but the FDA recently asked Congress for the authority to mandate such recalls, an agency spokeswoman said in a statement Thursday.

Kilitch Healthcare said it has not received any reports of adverse events related to its products. The drops could cause vision loss or blindness, according to the FDA.

The lubricating drops were distributed in the U.S. by Velocity Pharma, based in Farmingdale, New York, and carry expiration dates between November 2023 and September 2025.

FDA records show no prior inspections for Kilitch Healthcare.

The FDA is responsible for assuring the safety of foreign products shipped to the U.S., though it has long struggled to keep pace with international pharmaceutical supply chains that increasingly begin in India.

Recently, the agency has been working to make up for missed inspections that weren't conducted during COVID-19. Agency records show FDA didn't conduct any inspections in India during fiscal year 2021, at the height of the pandemic. Inspections rose to 177 in fiscal 2023, but that was still about half the number of inspections that the FDA was conducting the year before COVID-19.

CVS Health said in a statement that it previously stopped the sale in-store and online of all the eyedrops cited by the FDA. Customers can return them to CVS for a full refund.

Target did not respond to emailed questions about the products. Cardinal Health, a medical supply company, also did not respond to emails.

Earlier this year, federal officials linked an unrelated outbreak of drug-resistant bacteria to eyedrops from two different companies, EzriCare and Delsam Pharma.

More than 80 people in the U.S. tested positive for eye infections from the rare bacterial strain, according to the most recent update from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among them, 14 people suffered vision loss, four had to have an eye removed and four died, the CDC said.

After the products were recalled in February, health inspectors visited the manufacturing plant in Indias southern Tamil Nadu state that made those eyedrops and uncovered problems with how they were made and tested, including inadequate sterility measures.

___

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.
By Gayatri Suroyo and Fransiska Nangoy

JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia's leading presidential hopefuls are considering a push to end the state power utility's monopoly as part of efforts to speed up the transition to greener energy, their teams told Reuters.

All three candidates vying to win the Feb. 14 election in Southeast Asia's largest economy have said they will prioritise cleaning up the power sector to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

To do that, Defence Minister Prabowo Subianto and former provincial governor Ganjar Pranowo, running neck-and-neck in recent surveys, would consider ending state-run Perusahaan Listrik Negara's (PLN) monopoly in order to allow renewable power producers to sell directly to customers.

It won't be an easy task. Indonesia lacks the regulations needed to determine fees independent power producers must pay to PLN and the scope of services PLN can offer to them. The geography of the sprawling archipelago also means the grids of major islands are not interconnected, complicating nationwide power sharing.

Former Jakarta governor Anies Baswedan, trailing in opinion polls, has called for improved leadership for the power sector but has not proposed breaking up PLN's monopoly.

Previous talk of opening the sector to competition has faced pushback over the prospect that what are now tariffs fixed by the government could fluctuate according to market forces.

Proponents argue that opening the sector would accelerate adoption of renewables, as independent power producers will be incentivised to offer green power to companies pledging carbon neutrality.

PLN is the sole seller to most customers, managing power plants and also buying from the independent producers, with over half of its supply sourced from coal and 12% from renewables.

PLN did not respond to requests for comment. It has said it plans to develop 31.6 GW of renewable capacity from 2024 to 2033.

Agam Subarkah, chief executive of climate consultancy Cendekia Ikim Indonesia, said pushing through such a reform would require resolve.

"These candidates must remain focused on the purposes of the policy, which are accelerating the adoption of renewable energy, offering competitive pricing to customers and emission reduction," he said.

POWER WHEELING

Ganjar, the ruling PDIP party's candidate, proposes to focus PLN on expanding power lines and connecting islands, allowing renewable producers to "wheel" electricity onto the grid and to customers, his climate policy advisor Alexander Sonny Keraf said.

Keraf, a former environment minister, said PLN had objected to past proposals for wheeling, but if Ganjar wins, "we will force them".

Experts drafting energy policy for ex-special forces commander Prabowo have also discussed wheeling, but with the government maintaining control over tariffs, said Eddy Soeparno, senior official at Prabowo's campaign.

"Multiple buyers and multiple sellers, but within the context of energy security, which means the selling prices to consumers must remain affordable," said Soeparno, who is also deputy head of parliament's energy committee.

Implementing wheeling would require new regulations.

Agam, from the climate consultancy, said delaying renewable power to companies could mean lost investment.

"If these companies cannot secure renewable energy by 2025 or 2030, they could mark Indonesia down as somewhere they cannot expand their business in because of the difficulty in getting renewable energy," he said.

(Reporting by Gayatri Suroyo and Fransiska Nangoy; Additional reporting by Ananda Teresia, Stefanno Sulaiman and Stanley Widianto; Editing by Tony Munroe and Miral Fahmy)
Grand marshals Mickey and Minnie Mouse return to kick off Chicagos 32nd annual Magnificent Mile Lights Festival parade at 5:30 p.m. Saturday. The pair will light up more than 1 million lights along Michigan Avenue and be followed by floats, helium-filled balloons, marching bands, musical performances by Sister Sledge, The Sugarhill Gang, The Funky Bunch and Colin Stough from American Idol. Plus, an appearance by Santa Claus.

Fireworks will end the two days of free, family-friendly activities with a holiday theme.

Heres a sneak peek at what to expect:

[ What to do for the holidays in Chicago: Tree lighting, Christkindlmarket and ice skating all coming soon ]

[ Christkindlmarket mugs 2023: New reindeer and beer stein designs available in Chicago, Wrigleyville and Aurora ]

Whats new?

The most holiday sweaters at a parade: Organizers are attempting to set the record on Michigan Avenue during the parade. Collect a wristband from a record steward from 4-7 p.m. along the parade route.

Organizers are attempting to set the record on Michigan Avenue during the parade. Collect a wristband from a record steward from 4-7 p.m. along the parade route. Go for a ride: A NASCAR race car simulator that speeds along the Chicago Street Race route will be one of the attractions in Lights Festival Lane at Pioneer Court, 401 N. Michigan Ave.







Weather forecast

Sunshine and highs in the 60s will continue today and tomorrow before a cold front sweeps through the area overnight into Friday. A reinforcing cold shot may arrive next week, as well. pic.twitter.com/sc4uNHHRgu  NWS Chicago (@NWSChicago) November 15, 2023

Saturday will be sunny with a high near 50 degrees and lows near freezing at night, according to the National Weather Services Chicago office. Rain is not expected.







Schedule

A dance routine is performed during the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Michigan Avenue,n Nov. 23, 2019. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Saturday

11 a.m.-4 p.m.: Activities, treats, giveaways and photos with Santa Claus in Pioneer Court.

Activities, treats, giveaways and photos with Santa Claus in Pioneer Court. Starting at 3 p.m.: DuSable Bridge (over Michigan Avenue) closes to pedestrians and North Michigan Avenue between Oak Street and Wacker Drive closes to vehicles.

DuSable Bridge (over Michigan Avenue) closes to pedestrians and North Michigan Avenue between Oak Street and Wacker Drive closes to vehicles. 5:30-7 p.m.: The parade marches down North Michigan Avenue from Oak Street south to Wacker Drive.

The parade marches down North Michigan Avenue from Oak Street south to Wacker Drive. 6:55 p.m.: A fireworks show begins over the Chicago River at Michigan and Wacker.

Sunday

6 p.m.: The parade airs on WLS-Ch. 7.







Getting there

Performers work their way down Michigan Avenue during the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival in Chicago, Nov. 23, 2019. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

Parking: Organizers recommend purchasing and reserving in advance through the SpotHero app. Or, buy parking online for Millennium Garages.

Organizers recommend purchasing and reserving in advance through the SpotHero app. Or, buy parking online for Millennium Garages. Street closures: Be advised, nearby roads will be closed to traffic during the festival and may affect travel times.

Be advised, nearby roads will be closed to traffic during the festival and may affect travel times. CTA: If taking a CTA Red Line train, then exit via Chicago Avenue or Grand Avenue and walk east. Weekend service changes for CTA buses and trains are available on the CTA website.

If taking a CTA Red Line train, then exit via Chicago Avenue or Grand Avenue and walk east. Weekend service changes for CTA buses and trains are available on the CTA website. Metra: Schedules are available on Metras website. Metra offers a $7 Saturday Day Pass good for unlimited travel all day and up to three kids age 11 and under can travel free with a fare-paying adult.







Parade

A Santa hat adorns the saxophone of a high school marching band performer at the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Michigan Avenue, Nov. 23, 2019. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

When: 5:30 p.m., Saturday

Where to watch: Organizers recommend that viewers watch the parade on the east side of Michigan Avenue near the northern end of the parade route at Oak Street. The route stretches 1 mile south to Wacker Drive.

If you cant be downtown or want to avoid the crowd: Encore broadcasts will air at 4 p.m., Dec. 3 and 11 p.m., Dec. 10. The broadcast will also be available on-demand at abc7chicago.com. It will also be rebroadcast on networks throughout the United States and in Canada.

Wheelchair access: Plaza of the Americas (just north of the Wrigley Building on the west side of Michigan Avenue) is the recommended spot for those using wheelchairs to watch the parade and fireworks. Drop-off is at the corner of Hubbard Street and Wabash Avenue.







Fireworks

People watch the fireworks display at the Magnificent Mile Lights Festival on Michigan Avenue in Chicago, Nov. 18, 2017. (Chris Sweda / Chicago Tribune)

When: 6:55 p.m. Saturday

Where to watch: The fireworks display will take place over the Chicago River at the DuSable Bridge (Michigan Avenue) at the conclusion of the parade and is best viewed from along Wacker Drive or in Pioneer Court. Access to the bridge closes at 3 p.m.

On the water: Wendella offers a family-friendly Chicago River cruise Saturday with views of the fireworks  though, not the parade.

Sources: The Magnificent Mile Association, Tribune reporting
Another business has opened in the transformed Elm Ridge Center on West Ridge Road in Greece.

Nova Trampoline Park is operating in a portion of an old Tops Friendly Markets space.

Dubbed an indoor family amusement park for all ages, the 45,000-square-foot attraction has trampolines, dodgeball and basketball courts, a zip line, a climbing wall, foam pits, ninja warrior and rope courses, a parkour area, arcade games and a virtual reality ride.

A national chain, Nova has locations mostly along the East Coast; the one in Greece is its first in New York state, said training manager Shamella Bacchus.

Its open from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday; 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday; and 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday.

Nova Trampoline Park has opened in Elm Ridge Center in Greece.

Tickets for people taller than 42 inches (3 feet) range from $19 for an hour to $35 for three hours. Toddler pricing (for children under 42 inches) ranges from $13 an hour to $24 for three hours. Jump socks ($3.50) are required.

There are areas just for toddlers, and the business also hosts parties.

Bacchus said the place has been busy since opening Nov. 9. Over the weekend, we were really busy, she said, and we already have 20 birthday parties booked, so I think were going to do pretty great here.

The Toddler Court at Nova Trampoline Park in Greece.

Wegman Companies, a local real estate development firm unrelated to the grocery store chain, redeveloped the plaza, which is about 3 miles west of The Mall at Greece Ridge and in 2019 was on the brink of extinction.

It now is near full occupancy, and other tenants include Italian restaurant Cotoletta, retailers Goods Galore Overstock and Fastlane Apparel & Accessories, and Paneffort, which makes personal protective equipment.

Jay Wegman, vice president of operations for Wegman Companies, was at the trampoline park last weekend and echoed what Bacchus said about how busy it was.

"It was a good mix of ages," he said. "You had toddlers in the toddler areas and seniors on the virtual reality ride. You had teenagers jumping on the trampolines, and you had parents getting involved as well."

Reporter Marcia Greenwood covers general assignments. Send story tips to mgreenwo@rocheste.gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @MarciaGreenwood.

This article originally appeared on Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: Nova Trampoline Park opens in Elm Ridge Center in Greece NY
Keshawn Bess is on trial this week  again  in the October 2020 shooting death of a 26-year-old Bloomington man.

Bess, 27, from Indianapolis, is charged with murder, felony murder and robbery resulting in serious injury.

The victim, Damon Brown, died after being shot in the chest at his brother's residence in the Arlington Valley Mobile Home Park on North Willis Drive.

At the end of a February 2023 trial, Monroe Circuit Court jurors couldn't agree if Bess was guilty or innocent. A mistrial was declared.

First trial: Jury hung in trial for Arlington Valley murder of Bloomington resident Damon Brown

Judge Valeri Haughton set a new trial date; jury selection was this past Monday and opening statements from the lawyers happened Tuesday morning.

Another 12-member jury is hearing the same evidence in the same courtroom as nine months ago.

Bess is one of three men charged with murder and robbery in Brown's death. Each was held responsible for the killing under state law because Brown died during a robbery all three are accused of participating in. Investigators say Bess fired the fatal shot.

The path to homelessness: How one Bloomington veteran ended up sleeping in his truck

Police said the three men robbed Brown and killed him over five pounds of marijuana found in a Louis Vuitton bag at the scene.

During a bench trial one year ago, Haughton found Jamal McFadden of Indianapolis guilty of murder in the case. She imposed a 56-year prison sentence. McFadden is incarcerated at the state's Miami Correctional Facility with a projected release date of Sept. 5, 2062.

The other defendant, Malik Brian Bennett of Greenwood, is wanted on a murder warrant issued in 2021.

Contact H-T reporter Laura Lane at llane@heraldt.com or 812-318-5967.

This article originally appeared on The Herald-Times: Jury hearing evidence in trial of man charged in Damon Brown killing
DONETSK OBLAST, UkraineIn an empty field just south of the Russian-occupied city of Bakhmut, a half-dozen Ukrainian soldiers waited patiently amid an enemy artillery barrage. They rested in an abandoned Russian trench that had seen little use since its original occupants had been pushed out over the summer. After months of neglect, the entrenchment was overgrown with shrubbery that by happenstance also served as concealment from enemy drones.

The shells, evidently aimed at artillery in the tree line on the fields western edge, exploded behind the soldiers in bursts staggered a few minutes apart.

Zhenya, a 32-year-old lieutenant from Mariupol serving in the 28th Mechanized Brigade, was unfazed. (As is standard practice for Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers speaking with the media, he did not provide his last name to The Dispatch.)

They have two drones flying above us searching, maybe for us, maybe for somebody else, but were too beautiful to die today, the young lieutenant said cheerfully as the shells whizzed above him. Another soldier stood at one of the trenchs entrances, casually watching the shells land as he absentmindedly played a game on his smartphone.

Now were lying here, just chilling, and waiting for the Russians to decide to not to try to kill us, added Zhenya.

Thanks to Ukrainian ingenuity, the soldiers had anticipated the enemy fire before it began. A sergeant with the callsign Producer had brought along a handheld gadget invented by a Kyiv-based startup that alerted him to the presence of the enemy reconnaissance drones.

Known as a Sugarcube, this 3D-printed device that retails for $35 detects ominous radio signals associated with the enemys technology. Thanks to this cheap innovation, soldiers have a chance to take cover before the drone pilots can relay their position to artillery crews.

During a pause in shelling in a field outside Bakhmut, soldiers from the 28th Mechanized Brigade exit the trench to survey the area. (Photo by Justin Yau)

Such devices arent rare: As the Russian invasion of Ukraine grinds on in a bloody stalemate, soldiers on both sides of the war have come to rely on new, inexpensive technology created outside the traditional military industrial complex. Often DIY in nature, such innovations range from racing drones modified to serve as loitering munitions to plastic bombshells crafted near the frontlines with 3D printers.

In this case the tech helped the Ukrainian soldiers withstand a bombardment. After almost an hour in the trench, Producer announced to the men that there was no longer a trace of the Russian drones.

Ill try it on the maximum radius, but even if theyre still flying theyre far from here, Producer told the others.

His words were punctuated by a loud blast and short whistle followed by an explosion a few hundred meters away. Producer recognized the noise as the signature pattern of incoming tank fire. But with no more spotter drones in the sky, the team decided it was safe to emerge from the trench and return to their vehicles, which they had carefully parked underneath trees to avoid detection from the air.

It is the only thing you can hear before it kills you.

At a makeshift workshop in a village near the frontline town of Siversk, Angel of the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade was busy assembling drones. His shed was full of partially assembled drones along with the bombs that some of them would carry into combat.

It is very difficult to find something more convenient and easier to learn, said Angel, referring to drone tech. Its more like a hobby and full of freestyle.

Angel holding a completed FPV drone equipped with high explosives. (Photo by Justin Yau)

While most of his creations thus far have been modifications of the same hobbyist drones that have taken the global consumer market by storm in the past decade, his desk also contained stacks of one of the newestand most potentkillers on the Ukrainian battlefields.

Known as FPVs (first-person view), these drones were originally designed for the new sport of drone racing. Their operators pilot them with headsets and hand controls that work similarly to virtual reality video games. Fast and agile, FPVs are ideal for swiftly and nimbly navigating obstacle courses set up by the racers.

Those qualities also make them well suited to kamikaze attacks when outfitted with explosives. They became a terrifying presence on the battlefield over the summer as both sides began using them at scale. Angel said that the ones in his workshop cost about $500 apiecea great bargain when used against tanks with seven-figure price tags.

For soldiers who hear FPV drones overhead, its already too late: The drones have top speeds above 100 mph. Serhiy, an intelligence officer who works closely with Angel, explained that FPVs are the only type of weapon in Ukraine you can hear before it kills you. You cannot hear your bullet, you cannot your shell, you cannot hear your rocketI know this from experiencebut you can hear when such a thing vrooms, he said.

Samuel Bendett, a researcher at the Center for Naval Analyses in Washington, said the FPVs were the latest development in Ukraine and Russias rapid development of small-drone battlefield use.

Weve seen it first with the use of the Chinese-made quadcopters, which were purchased in large quantities, and now were seeing it with FPVs which are manufactured by the many thousands every month by each side, he said, adding that he expects to see further developments next year, even potentially including semi-autonomous swarms of kamikaze drones operated by a single pilot.

George Barros, who works as the geospatial intelligence team lead at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War, said the proliferation of FPVs in recent months on the Russian side is at least partially responsible for Ukraines minimal progress during the recent southern counteroffensive.

What should be the ideal terrain to do mechanized maneuversflat, open, wide countryis actually now  the ideal terrain for which to be an FPV drone pilot, because theres very little cover or concealment, he said.

In the meantime, Ukraine and Russia are trying to make do with extremely basic obstacles to stop FPV drones from reaching their targets. Nets are often draped above roadways to catch the drones as they close in on vehicles, while tank crews install barred cages on the exterior of their war machines to catch the drones before they can close the final distance and penetrate the hulls. The makers of the Sugarcube are also developing a new version specifically designed to detect FPVs.

For the time being, the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade has yet to deploy FPVs in combat, although it hopes to do so soon. On the day he met with The Dispatch, Angel said he was still trying to get his system operational.

We bought it, and has some problems with the controls, some problems with the signal, he said. So we are trying to fix it, to find the golden middle.

Assisting Angel in his tinkering are three 3D printers used to fabricate drone stabilizers. His team also prints mock bombs as a safer alternative to real explosives when testing the devices and training pilots.

The 3D printers at a drone lab run by the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade near Siversk. (Photo by Justin Yau)

All of their work, said Serhiy, was charting a whole new way to wage war. This is really new stuff, he said. Its a revolution.

The bleeding edge.

As the Russo-Ukrainian War revolutionizes warfare, other combatants are deploying these new tools in conflicts far removed from the battlefields of the Donbas. To Angels dismay, a Hamas-produced video of last months mass terror attack in southern Israel included a clip of a drone dropping a bomb on an Israeli tank that looked an awful lot like war footage from Ukraine.

When I reviewed the video, I saw an American drone that costs $3,000 and a homemade high explosive device that would cost mere pennies in Gaza, said Angel, adding that he foresees a sea change in combat once such weapon platforms are mass produced globally.

Bendett said that in addition to the Hamas quadcopter attacks, FPV usage has been observed in the Sudanese civil war. Mexican drug cartels, he added, are also known to imitate the drone tactics on display in Ukraine.

It wont take much for a determined individual or group of individuals to master this knowledge, he said, adding that the know-how to use these drones in battle is readily available on the internet.

Barros said that mass adoption of these new Ukrainian and Russian tactics is only a matter of time.

Thats been the history of warfare, from siege tactics to Napoleon-created maneuvers, to gunpowder and projectile weapons taking over from traditional melee, he said. What was profound at the bleeding edge very quickly becomes a commonly proliferated capability that everyone realizes they can get.

For Ukraines frontline defenders, the tech is a thoroughly mixed blessing. The same weapons that are greatly appreciated in offensive campaigns against the enemy threaten mortal peril for soldiers in the trenches when they are deployed by a distant Russian drone pilot.

Between drone pilots calling in relentless artillery barrages and the new threat of FPVs, Zhenya of the 28th Mechanized Brigade said that he longs for a more old-fashioned kind of combat. His preferred type of fighting takes place close to the enemy, where he can simply shoot the Russians with the treasured M4 carbine that he purchased and customized himself.

Two hundred meters away, no artillery, he said wistfully. Just a good, honest firefight.

Read more at The Dispatch

The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free.
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Nate Paul, the Austin real estate investor tied to Attorney General Ken Paxtons impeachment, pleaded not guilty Wednesday to four wire fraud charges filed this month.

The four November counts were stacked on top of eight initial counts of making false statements to lending institutions, according to a superseding indictment.

Nate Paul, Austin investor tied to AG Paxton, facing 4 additional federal charges

Paul, 36, asked the court to waive his in-person arraignment scheduled for Thursday on the latest federal charges, and U.S. Magistrate Judge Mark Lane accepted the request. Paul is the head of World Class Holdings  a sprawling, multi-billion-dollar real estate company with high-value properties across Austin and beyond.

In the latest counts related to wire fraud, Paul is accused of sending false statements to partners involved in limited partnerships. Prosecutors allege Paul overstated partnership bank balances, understated how much the partnerships were owed and wrongfully removed money from the companies to use for his other businesses, according to a superseding indictment.

Penalties for the new charges range up to 20 years in prison and $250,000 in fines per count. The eight initial counts are each punishable by up to 30 years in prison and $1 million fine, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

Paul pleaded not guilty to the first eight federal counts in June. Prosecutors allege Paul lied to lenders to obtain $172 million in loans, according to an indictment.

Pauls trial on the initial charges was scheduled for July 2024. It is unclear if the four latest counts will affect that trial date.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
Jeremy Goodale, one of two Iowa teenagers who pleaded guilty to the 2021 murder of their Spanish teacher, was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday. He will be eligible for parole in 25 years.

Goodales co-defendant, Willard Miller, was sentenced in July to life in prison with the possibility of parole in 35 years. Miller is appealing the sentence, according to his case record.

Nohema Graber taught at Fairfield High School for nine years. - Fairfield Police Department/AP

Goodale and Miller pleaded guilty to first-degree murder in the killing of Nohema Graber, which occurred when they were both 16 years old. Graber was a teacher at Fairfield High School, where Miller and Goodale were students, city officials said.

Graber was beaten to death and her remains were concealed under a tarp, wheelbarrow and railroad ties, investigators said.

Im sorry. Truly sorry. What Ive taken can never be replaced, Goodale said in a statement to Grabers family during the sentencing hearing.

Judge Shawn Showers noted Goodales age is the only thing that saved him from a lifetime behind bars.

If you had helped Mr. Miller 18 months later, you would be in prison for the rest of your life, Showers said.

Christian Graber, right, the eldest son of slain Spanish teacher Nohema Graber, listens to testimony during the sentencing hearing of Jeremy Goodale at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Fairfield, Iowa. - Jim Slosiarek/The Gazette via AP

Grabers son Christian also spoke at the hearing, saying he was willing to forgive Goodale because he believes that is what his mother would want.

I have hope that your story can still be something positive, Christian Graber told Goodale, noting he spoke to Goodale in prison before the hearing. I really do believe that you feel bad for what you did, and I believe in you, and I do forgive you.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Evangelical Christian voters will have one of their last opportunities before the Iowa caucuses in January to take a look at the shrinking Republican field Friday in Des Moines.

And while former President Donald Trump has a clear lead in the polls and has had a grip on the White evangelical base since the 2016 general election, faith leaders say this base is still up for grabs.

Influential evangelical leader Bob Vander Plaats' organization, "The FAMiLY Leader," will be hosting Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Nikki Haley for a Thanksgiving Family forum. Sen. Tim Scott, of South Carolina and former Vice President Mike Pence exited the primary race in the last two weeks.

While Trump is the front runner for the GOP nomination, he has been in a feud with Vander Plaats since the party's underperformance in the 2022 midterms. Trump is expected to skip the event, the second time he's been absent from an event hosted by Vander Plaats.

Vander Plaats, a faith leader who has endorsed the eventual winner in every contested GOP caucus since 2008, has not yet said who he'll support  but his coveted endorsement could soon go to DeSantis.

On a Monday call with fundraisers, DeSantis told donors he is expecting an endorsement from Vander Plaats' within a week of the roundtable, according to multiple attendees who were on the call. The DeSantis campaign denies the governor said this.

In an interview with CBS News, Vander Plaats said the "jury's still out" on his endorsement and that he's looking forward to the roundtable Friday, which he will moderate, to help him make a final decision.

He added he'll endorse a candidate between Friday's event and Christmas.

Vander Plaats said he wants to back someone with a "consistency of convictions and a vision of principled leadership," but also says he wants a candidate who can not only win the Iowa caucuses, but the nomination and the general election, too. He believes Trump has hit a "high-water mark" in the Des Moines Register poll showing him at 43%, and predicted "you're gonna start seeing movement" away from Trump now that the field is narrowing.

"That may not be by Dec. 1, but I guarantee you by Jan. 15 there'll be movement," he added.

Vander Plaats has met several times with the Florida governor. And recently, DeSantis was the only candidate to show support for Vander Plaats' event after the Republican National Committee (RNC) threatened to block any candidates who attend it from the debate stage, citing a rule against non-RNC sanctioned debates. Vander Plaats and the RNC came to an agreement over the event last Saturday.

"Iowa's ground zero for a lot of reasons. I think if you beat Trump here, it's game on for the nomination. But there is an argument to coalesce around the winner of the Iowa caucuses immediately," Vander Plaats added. "That's where unity has to happen, you need to get this one-on-one with Trump going into New Hampshire, South Carolina or the other states."

The evangelical Christian voting bloc

White evangelical voters have historically made up a sizable block of Iowa's GOP electorate. In an August Des Moines Register/NBC/Mediacom poll, 55% of respondents described themselves as "devoutly religious."

In that same poll, 42% of respondents listed Trump as their first choice, with DeSantis at second. An October Des Moines Register poll showed Trump's support at 43% and DeSantis tied with Haley at 16%.

In 2016, Trump won the support of White evangelicals in 19 of the 28 states where CBS News primary exit polls were conducted. That support carried into his 2020 re-election bid, where 76% of White evangelical Christians supported Trump, according to Washington Post exit polls.

But some faith leaders say the electorate of evangelical Christians is not as settled on Trump as polls indicate.

"There's not a unanimous candidate that you would say every evangelical Christian has rallied around at this point. There's a lot of discussion going on," argued Iowa state Representative Jon Dunwell, a pastor in Monroe, Iowa, who is backing Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis.

Past Iowa GOP caucus winners have benefited from a last-minute boost from evangelical voters: former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee in 2008, former Sen. Rick Santorum in 2012 and Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas in 2016, who led in support from evangelical Christians according to a 2016 CBS News exit poll (Cruz's 2016 campaign manager, Jeff Roe, runs the super PAC backing DeSantis).

"In the past, [Evangelical voters] usually moved en masse to a candidate. And it's usually been late," said longtime Iowa GOP strategist David Kochel who was a top strategist for Florida Gov. Jeb Bush's 2016 run.

Kochel said in this election, Trump's presence and hold on a portion of the Evangelical base could cause it to be split between the other non-Trump candidates.

But Haley's rise in the polls could also complicate whether Trump or DeSantis can win the full support of these voters.

Kochel said Haley and DeSantis have "different coalitions" in the state. Haley, he said, is more akin to Florida Sen. Marco Rubio, who in 2016 targeted traditional, establishment Republicans in Des Moines and eastern Iowa, while DeSantis' campaign tracks with Cruz's approach, visiting all 99 counties in the state and appealing to evangelical voters.

Haley's campaign said it is "taking nothing for granted" in terms of the evangelical vote and argued her foreign policy record resonates with these voters.

"Evangelicals appreciate Nikki Haley's steadfast support for Israel and her record of standing up to anti-Israel dictators at the United Nations. That's why Nikki is rising in the polls and is now second in Iowa," said a Haley campaign spokesperson.

After Pence and Scott ended their campaigns, DeSantis' team noted both had tried "surging resources in Iowa" to attract evangelical support, and that DeSantis has been "making headway with those voters."

The DeSantis campaign also believes Trump and Haley have vulnerabilities with the Faith electorate on the issue of abortion  especially Trump, who called Florida's six-week ban "a terrible thing." Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds passed a similar bill that is currently stalled in the courts.

"Both Nikki Haley and Donald Trump's records and visions for America are better suited for Gavin Newsom's California than today's Hawkeye State. In contrast, Ron DeSantis shares the values of faith, family, and freedom of hardworking Iowans," said communications director Andrew Romeo.

Earlier this month, Trump began running Iowa radio spots that mention his record on abortion  and his nomination of enough conservative Supreme Court justices to overturn Roe v. Wade.

DeSantis has spent months making overtures to Iowa's evangelical community, and in September announced the support of a "Faith, Family and Freedom" coalition made up of over 55 Iowa pastors and faith leaders.

But he was upstaged by Trump in late October, whose campaign released a list of over 100 faith leaders in Iowa supporting him.

"People of faith truly appreciate what former President Donald Trump did for this country," said Jeremy Higgins, a lead pastor at the Calvary Community Church in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, who is backing DeSantis.

"One of the things I hear most from people is that a great deal of what he accomplished as president was overturned within weeks of Biden's presidency. And people of a faith base really want something more than that. We want our roots to run deeper than that," he added.

Vander Plaats endorsement impact

Huckabee, who is backing Trump, downplayed the impact of a potential Vander Plaats endorsement in this race.

"No doubt it helped," Huckabee said of Vander Plaats' endorsement and work for his 2008 presidential candidacy. "It'll give some people who maybe have not looked at DeSantis that close, to take another look. But it's not gonna be the coup de grace. It's not gonna take Trump down 20 points and DeSantis up 20 points."

A September memo from Trump's pollsters suggested that if Vander Plaats endorses DeSantis, it would have "no significant impact on the Presidential ballot."

"There was no statistically significant change to the ballot other than Undecideds increasing slightly from 7% to 13%" wrote pollsters Tony Fabrizio, David Lee and Travis Tunis.

Faith leaders in Iowa supporting DeSantis disagree. While they don't think a Vander Plaats endorsement would be as influential as the Iowa governor's endorsement, they predicted the two combined would be a huge boost for DeSantis.

"He has resources and a network all over the state of Iowa that can be deployed and push thousands of voters within a matter of days," Mark Doland, a pastor in Oskaloosa, Iowa, said of Vander Plaats.

Mark Dowell, an undecided voter and retired truck driver in Dubuque, Iowa, acknowledged that while Vander Plaats' endorsement is "very important" for western Iowa, "it'll make little" difference for who he votes for.

"Nobody expects Donald Trump to be found in the front row of a church every Sunday"

Huckabee called the Iowa caucuses "Trump's to lose at this point." He voiced confidence that Trump's record of recognizing Jerusalem as Israel's capital and the Abraham Accords will help him keep that base.

When asked to compare the electorate of evangelical voters who helped him win the caucuses in 2008, to those who have supported Trump since 2016, Huckabee said there's little need to support a candidate who can be in their "small group at church on Sunday night," and it's more about whether candidates support smaller government.

"Nobody expects Donald Trump to be found on the front row of a church every Sunday. And I think what they look for is 'will someone bring leadership where they just leave us alone?'" Huckabee said.

Taurean Small and Fin Gomez contributed reporting.

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Palestinians trying to protect West Bank land from Israelis
Iran has executed over 100 people since the Hamas terrorist attack on Oct. 7 drew the worlds attention to Israel and the Gaza Strip, with one report referring to Tehran's "execution spree."

"On Wednesday, November 15, 2023, as the United Nations General Assembly's Third Committee was considering a resolution condemning the systematic and widespread violation of human rights in Iran, the henchmen of the Iranian regime executed six prisoners," the secretariat of the National Council of Resistance of Iran (NCRI) wrote this week after more executions took place.

The NCRI noted that the regime, which the United Nations has condemned dozens of times for "systematic and widespread violation of human rights," has continued to "carry out brutal executions in an increasing manner" and called for the international community to "ostracize" Iran.

"Appeasement with this regime, which has set unprecedented records in executions, terrorism, and warmongering, is a clear violation of all international and recognized human rights standards," the NCRI wrote.

IRANIAN OFFICIAL WHO REPORTEDLY HELPED HAMAS PLAN ISRAEL ATTACK IS SEEN SHAKING HANDS WITH UN AID LEADER

Protesters carry a banner, which shows portraits of the people executed by the Iranian regime, during the rally outside the United Nation's Palais des Nations. They were protesting the appointment of Iran's ambassador to chair the U.N. Human Rights Council's Social Forum.

Independent news outlet Al-Monitor, which focuses on the Middle East, reported this week that Iran had executed 114 people since Oct. 7, committing an "execution spree" for "fabricated crimes," including allegedly vague charges such as "corruption on Earth," "enmity against God" and "membership in Salafi groups."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

NCRI noted that the number of executions is closer to 107 so far, but it is likely to continue rising in the coming days and weeks.

CRITICS SLAM BIDEN ADMIN FOR WAIVER THAT GIVES IRAN ACCESS TO $10B FUND: 'ABSOLUTELY OUTRAGEOUS'

Amnesty International cited Iran as the second-leading executioner in the world behind China in 2022, and this year alone has recorded 649 executions. The watchdog, which also called Irans actions an "execution spree," noted that in May alone the Iranian authorities executed "three people a day on average."

"This arbitrary deprivation of peoples lives must stop," Amnesty International wrote in a statement that also claimed Iran has targeted its Baluchi ethnic minority group, which accounts for 20% of the recorded executions while making up roughly 5% of the countrys population.

PETE HEGSETH SAYS BIDEN ADMIN HASN'T DETERRED ANYTHING, URGES ISRAEL TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST IRAN

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, left, meets Syrian leader Bashar Al-Assad in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, on Nov. 11, 2023.

In a separate statement, NCRIs leader Maryam Rajavi blasted Irans government as a "regime that cannot survive without suppression, killing at home, warmongering abroad."

She further stressed that the regime "does not accord any value whatsoever to the recognized human rights principles and standards, including the right to life, freedom of expression, freedom of assembly, the rights of ethnic and religious minorities, women's rights, and the right to due process, and continuously violates them in the most egregious way." Iran chaired a one-day human rights council at the U.N. this month, drawing condemnation from watchdog groups.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi has tried to take a leading role in responding to the Israel-Hamas war and the ongoing operations in Gaza, which the Hamas-controlled Health Ministry claimed has killed over 11,000 people, though they do not distinguish between civilian and combatant deaths and multiple U.S. officials  including President Biden  have cast doubts on the numbers.

A meeting last week between Middle Eastern and Muslim leaders in Riyadh included not only Raisi but also Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, who is also responsible for the deaths of thousands, including alleged attacks with banned chemical weapons. French courts this week issued an arrest warrant for Assad related to these attacks.





Original article source: Iran on 'execution spree' since start of Israel-Hamas war, killing 107 anti-regime activists, ethnic minority
WASHINGTON  Israel is preventing some Palestinian Americans from entering the country from the West Bank, an apparent violation of a recent agreement in which citizens from the United States and Israel can travel to the other nation without a visa.

The Homeland Security and State departments, which manage the program, said U.S. officials were trying to resolve the issue.

U.S. government officials are working with the government of Israel to address reports of Americans facing issues in traveling to and flying out of Ben-Gurion Airport, said Erin Heeter, a spokesperson for the Department of Homeland Security.

Sign up for The Morning newsletter from the New York Times

The arrangement, announced in late September, before the war began, was part of a larger effort toward improving relations between the two countries. At the time, President Joe Biden was making a push to broker a diplomatic deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Under the visa waiver program, Israel would lift restrictions on Palestinian Americans and other Americans of Arab or Muslim descent, easing the way for them to travel to and from Palestinian territories.

For decades, Palestinian Americans have faced difficulties traveling to the Israeli-occupied West Bank to see family and friends or to do humanitarian work. They have been forced to first travel to Jordan, which shares a border with the territory. They typically fly in and out of the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, the capital of Jordan, rather than entering or leaving from Tel Aviv, Israel.

U.S. officials insisted that the agreement would change that. But shortly after Israels inclusion in the program was announced, Hamas carried out a deadly attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and ignited an Israeli invasion of the Gaza Strip as well as a surge of violence in the West Bank.

Israel, citing security reasons, further restricted the movements of Palestinians in the West Bank, whether they hold a U.S. passport or not. Palestinian Americans found themselves unable to cross in or out of Israel at that border.

It was an early test to an agreement that some had doubted Israel would uphold.

Of course, everybody got excited about this new regulation, allowing us to go through Ben-Gurion because of our citizenship, said Fidah Mousa, a Palestinian American who lives in the West Bank.

During a pilot period over the summer, more than 100,000 U.S. citizens, including tens of thousands of Palestinian Americans, were able to travel to Israel without a visa. At the time, Mousa purchased a ticket to fly out of Tel Aviv to return to the United States in October to attend her daughters wedding.

Deep down, I didnt think it was going to last, she said of the equal treatment.

Days after the Oct. 7 attack, Mousa said her employer, an international nongovernment organization, sent her updates about Israels closure of checkpoints to Palestinian Americans seeking to enter from the West Bank.

Inam Mansor, a Palestinian American lawyer who lives in the West Bank, said she had been told by an Israeli border official Sunday that the visa privilege for Palestinian Americans was no longer available.

It was precisely the situation some feared.

Here we are in the middle of an actual crisis  being told to go to Amman, to fly from Queen Alia International Airport, said Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute, an advocacy organization. Its yet another example of why Israel does not belong in this program.

Civil rights groups including the Arab American Institute raised concerns about Israels entry into the visa waiver program. Some Democratic lawmakers, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, also expressed skepticism.

While he understands the difficult security climate in Israel, all American citizens are guaranteed reciprocity under the visa waiver program, and he has serious concerns about this development, said Francesca Amodeo, a spokesperson for Van Hollen.

After the Oct. 7 attacks, the Biden administration moved up the start date of the program so Israelis fleeing the war could have an easier time entering the United States.

Asked about Palestinian Americans who were unable to leave the West Bank for Israel, State Department officials said they had been trying to help them go overland to Jordan.

To expand the departure options for U.S. citizens in the West Bank, the State Department has begun chartering overland transportation for U.S. citizens and their immediate family members from the West Bank to Jordan, the department said.

Separately, the department arranged charter flights from Oct. 13 to 31 to ferry American passengers out of Israel, even though commercial flights were still running. Dozens of flights destined for Washington and a few European capitals left Tel Aviv mostly empty  or in some cases, entirely empty, a U.S. official said.

Palestinian Americans in the West Bank or in Gaza were unable to get to those flights.

Asked about the lack of passengers, the State Department acknowledged the flights consistently departed at half capacity or less.

Cogat, a department of Israels defense ministry that administers aspects of Israels occupation of the West Bank, cited the outbreak of the war to explain why crossings in the West Bank had been closed to Palestinian residents of the territory.

In regards to Israels international crossings, nothing has changed. Palestinians with U.S. citizenship continue to enter Israel with a tourist visa, Cogat said in a statement.

Once Hamas commenced war on Israel, the crossings from Judea and Samaria into Israel were fully closed  for security reasons, the agency said, using the Israeli term for the West Bank. Israel will allow the entry of Palestinians holding U.S. passports for tourism purposes through the crossings in Judea and Samaria at the end of the closure, in accordance with the agreement signed between Israel and the U.S.A.

c.2023 The New York Times Company
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip  On the eastern edge of Gaza City, hundreds of families march down Salah al-Din road as the sun begins to set Wednesday afternoon. Many carry babies and small children, while others push the elderly in wheelchairs. Some wave large white flags, while all carry what few possessions they can on a journey with no clear end in sight.

Theres tens of thousands of people leaving their neighborhoods in Gaza coming through here going south, said Maj. Shraga of the Jerusalem Brigade, whose last name the Israel Defense Forces asked to be withheld for security reasons.

NBC News was given access to Gaza City on Wednesday to see the main evacuation route that thousands of Palestinians have taken to move south amid Israels offensive in the wake of Hamas Oct. 7 attack. For operational security reasons required to accompany the Israeli troops into Gaza, NBC News agreed to share raw video with the IDF and blur the faces of junior soldiers. It did not allow the IDF to view any completed articles.

Israeli soldier Maj. Shraga Stern of the Jerusalem Brigade in Gaza on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. (NBC News)

Israel has said its evacuation routes from northern Gaza are designed to get Palestinian civilians to safety, which it says is proof of its commitment to protect innocents even as it targets Hamas. More than 11,200 people have been killed during Israels offensive in Gaza since Hamas attack on Israel, according to the Gaza Health Ministry, which is controlled by Hamas.

But for many of the more than 1.6 million people who the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, says have already been displaced in Gaza since the conflict began, the route feels like a forced displacement.

Some who have journeyed north to south have described horrors along the way, including walking past corpses and dismembered body parts, and hearing the sounds of intense warfare nearby. UNRWA has said many are exhausted and dehydrated after having made the trek amid unusually high temperatures.

Tarik Yaghi, who said he was studying IT at the Islamic University of Gaza before the conflict began, recently told NBC News about his trek fleeing from northern Gaza to the south.

"The journey was not even a journey," said Yaghi, 23. "It was basically torture. He said he saw tanks and "bodies thrown left and right," including "dead children."

Palestinians on the edge of Gaza City on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. (NBC News)

Asked how he feels seeing children among those fleeing, Maj. Shraga said he does think about that sometimes.

But Im also very proud of what were doing. Im very proud these innocent children, instead of being in their homes, without any protection, without safe homes, then they have access to leave the town, he said.

I know that when you look around, it looks like there was a lot of fighting  there was  but the responsibility for that is on Hamas that brought hell into our homes and brought us in full force down over here, he said, referring to Hamas Oct. 7 attack, which, according to Israeli officials, killed 1,200 people and left dozens as hostages.

As masses of people flee northern Gaza, Israeli troops from the Jerusalem Brigade have been trying to spot any of Hamas hostages.

Shouting into megaphones in Hebrew, soldiers call out to the crowd, asking whether there are any Israeli hostages among them and telling them to wave their arms and shout if they are being smuggled into the south.

We havent seen any of the hostages yet, but Im really hoping that any time well pull out hostages, Maj. Shraga said, adding that it was heartbreaking to hear soldiers call out for any signs of them.

He also said the military was screening people as they walked along the evacuation route, but he would not expand on what technologies were being used. Were looking for specific people, he said.

Maj. Shraga said he understood that for many Palestinians in Gaza who have lost their loved ones, their homes and the lives they once knew, Israeli forces will be seen as the reason for their suffering.

Hopefully, with a different leadership other than Hamas, these Palestinians here could have a much better life, which is what were hoping for, he said.

Im pretty sure that once were finished with our job of totally eliminating Hamas, then these people here, the ones who want to live peaceful, productive lives, will be able to come here and prosper beside us, he said.

Asked whether Israel could guarantee that displaced Palestinians will be able to return to their homes one day, IDF Maj. Doron Spielman said: I think that will really be in the hands of many different players, and one of the main ones is going to be Hamas.

Raf Sanchez reported from Gaza City and Chantal Da Silva from Tel Aviv.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
Israel ordered more evacuations amid its war with Hamas on Thursday, raising fears the war could become more widespread.

The Israeli military issued evacuation orders overnight for towns in southern Gaza  where thousands of civilians have already fled to escape the airstrikes. More than 1.5 million residents in Gaza have been internally displaced due to the war, which was prompted by the Hamass Oct. 7 attack on Israel that left more than 1,200 people dead.

The Associated Press reported leaflets were dropped overnight in areas east of the southern town of Khan Younis, warning that anyone who remains in the path of military operations is putting their life in danger.

Israel dropped similar leaflets in northern Gaza in the weeks ahead of its ground incursion into the territory.

Further evacuation orders can also escalate the humanitarian crisis unfolding in the area because Israel has only allowed a small amount of fuel to enter on Wednesday  the first to enter Gaza since the war started. The World Health Organization (WHO) has warned of the rapid spread of infectious diseases due to overcrowding in Gaza and the dwindling supply of basic necessities.

This comes just a day after the Israeli military said it carried out a targeted and precise operation inside the al-Shifa hospital in Gaza after days of fighting around it.

Releasing videos of what appears to be weapons and military capabilities inside the hospital, Israel has claimed it was home to the site of Hamass operations.

More than 11,200 Palestinians, including thousands of children and women, have died since the fighting broke out, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

The Associated Press contributed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Turkish president says to bring leaders responsible for killings in Gaza to int'l courts

Xinhua) 03:51, November 16, 2023

ANKARA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Wednesday that efforts are being made to send the political and military leaders responsible for the mass killing of Gaza civilians to the international courts for trial.

Erdogan made the remarks at a parliamentary group meeting of his ruling Justice and Development Party in the Turkish capital of Ankara.

He accused Israel, who launched an indiscriminate strike on Gaza, of breaking the first rule of the laws of war, under which children, women, the elderly and the sick should not be harmed.

The president noted that thousands of Turkish lawyers are making efforts to take all necessary steps to bring related political and military leaders to the International Court of Justice for committing mass killings.

Erdogan added that he would also talk to the leaders of countries who abstained from voting on an immediate humanitarian truce in Gaza at the United Nations.

Turkiye and Israel have recalled their respective ambassadors after the Turkish government strongly condemned Israel over the attacks on civilians of Gaza.

Turkiye and Israel are normalizing their relations after years of enmity. The ties between the two countries were strained in 2010 when a Turkish-led flotilla attempting to break Israel's blockade on the Gaza Strip clashed with Israeli forces, killing 10 Turks on board. In 2022, Turkiye and Israel fully restored their diplomatic ties and re-appointed respective ambassadors.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
With many films ripped from tabloid scandal, I, Tonya being one example, filmmakers approximate a grabby kind of cinematic tabloid energy while toying with the received public image of its notorious subject. That way its exciting to watch, even if it comes up short in finding any interesting psychological layers or ambiguities.

May December succeeds, in its destabilizing way, with a different approach. Director Todd Haynes and screenwriter Samy Burch base their fictional story on a real one: that of middle school educator Mary Kay Letourneau, convicted of second-degree rape of one of her sixth-grade students, who was 12 when the abuse began. Both real-life parties, Letourneau and Vili Fualaau, used words other than rape to rationalize what turned out to be a 22-year relationship, which included two children together, many years of prison time for Letourneau and ultimately a separation in 2019, a year before Letourneaus death.

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Loosely inspired by these events, May December goes its own way, adding a major dramatic complication. Julianne Moore plays the fictional Gracie, married with children, plus children from her previous marriage. In this reworking the scandal begins in a pet store where Gracie works with Joe, played in Haynes film as an adult by Charles Melton. In the films present tense, Joe is in his mid-30s; Gracie is some 25 years older. They live in Savannah, Georgia, and a film biopic (the second, we learn) is in preproduction on the subject of Gracie and Joes saga.

Natalie Portman portrays Elizabeth, the pretty-famous actress playing Gracie. She arrives in Savannah at the start of May December in a huff and on a research outing, having arranged to spend an unusual degree of time in close quarters with Gracie, Joe and their kids.

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Straight off, in a testy, dodgy phone call with her apparent fiance, Elizabeths capacity for manipulation and self-absorption looms large. And when we get to know Gracie, we see that she, too, has created a life of manipulation and controlling instincts.

As Elizabeth insinuates herself, purring one minute, icy-cold the next, Haynes and company play the scenarios machinations for equal parts sly black comedy and pathos that have a way of suddenly bursting into anguish. At one point Gracie, who keeps semi-busy with her life as a cake-baker for friends and neighbors, melts down over the cancellation of an order.

Theres more to it, of course: She knows that Joe has been spending time with the interloper in their midst. Stanislavski wrote the book An Actor Prepares; May December takes it step further, with Elizabeth working from a playbook that might be called An Actor Prepares, Ruthlessly, her research bleeding into a form of vampirism.

There are scenes that truly hurt, as in a dress-shopping sequence (one of Gracies daughters is graduating from high school) that Gracie, and Moore, turn into a master class in damaged-parent undermining. All the while, Elizabeth is taking mental notes for her own interpretive purposes. And with Haynes and cinematographer Christopher Blauvelt evoking framing and cutting strategies from Ingmar Bergmans Persona and Winter Light, among others, theres a layer of homage at work throughout May December.

It wobbles some, particularly when Haynes hits a joke too hard: At one point, with Gracie opening the fridge door and taking a long, fraught pause, she tops it with a line about not having enough hot dogs for a cookout. Here and throughout, the musical score by Marcelo Zarvos riffs on the swoony (and credited) Michel Legrand theme from The Go-Between. Its a bold choice but the romantic froth has a way of dampening this storys twisted contours.

Minor matters, though, with performances as good as Moore and Portmans. Yes, May December exists in an uncomfortable realm. Haynes isnt afraid of that, and American movies are better for it.

May December  3.5 stars (out of 4)

MPA rating: R (for some sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language)

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Running time: 1:57

How to watch: Premieres in limited release Nov. 17; Netflix streaming from Dec. 1

Michael Phillips is a Tribune critic.

mjphillips@chicagotribune.com

Twitter @phillipstribune
The Eitan armoured personnel carriers in action against Hamas - ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES

Israel has rushed a new armoured vehicle capable of shooting down incoming missiles to the front line in Gaza, months before it was due to become operational.

A photograph released by the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) showed the Eitan personnel carrier performing its first combat mission against Hamas terrorists.

The vehicle was used in the Battle of Zikim on Oct 7, when the Islamic terror group overran a small IDF training base.

An Israeli unit used the vehicle to reach the scene of the fighting, on Israels western coast, killing Hamas terrorists on the beach before moving forward to support other units.

It was claimed the all-terrain vehicle hit a speed of 75 mph, higher than the vehicles claimed top speed of 56mph, as it raced to the base, later manoeuvring on the sands of Zikim Beach, where five Hamas gunmen were killed.

Following the attack, Tamir Yadai, the head of Israels ground forces, fast-tracked the Eitan into battle plans for the invasion of the Gaza Strip, despite the personnel carrier not being due to enter into service until next year.

An Israeli soldier told the Walla news outlet: We reached the area the fastest. This is our first advantage.

Then we went to the settlements. We ran into terrorist vehicles and didnt feel anything. Its a powerful tool.

We broke through gates and fences. Then we helped evacuate the wounded and supply the troops.

Eitan, named after the Hebrew word for strong, is an eight-wheeled armoured personnel carrier armed with a 30mm turret and fitted with armour from Israels Merkava tanks.

The new vehicle is designed to replace the ageing M113 armoured personnel carrier - ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES

It is one of the most advanced armoured vehicles on earth, featuring heavy armour and an assortment of weapons and sensors.

Adding to its defences is the Iron Fist active protection system, or ADS, which monitors the vehicles surroundings, and is capable of detecting and intercepting enemy anti-tank rockets and missiles before they can strike the vehicle.

The Eitan was designed to replace the ageing US-made M113 APC used by Israel.

Israeli forces have completed their encirclement of Gaza City, cutting off the Hamas-controlled north from the south of the enclave.

The Eitan armoured fighting vehicle has been used ahead of its scheduled date of deployment - ISRAEL DEFENSE FORCES

Its troops this week began pressing into the city, aiming to capture the Al-Shifa hospital, the largest medical facility in Gaza.

The IDF says Hamas has hidden a network of underground military complexes beneath the hospital, which houses the terrorist groups fighters, a command and control centre, as well as weapon manufacturing sites and munitions stores.

Israeli forces have surrounded the hospital on three sides, according to the US-based Institute for the Study of War.

The ground operation by the IDF has utilised an array of weapons, including tanks, armoured vehicles, fighter jets, helicopters and drones.

The Armada Rotta blog, which tracks Israeli vehicle losses using open source data, estimates that the country has lost 132 vehicles, including 15 Merkava tanks.

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Israel's military says its soldiers have found the body of an Israeli hostage taken into Gaza by Hamas in its attack last month.

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said 65-year-old Yehudit Weiss was discovered in a house near Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.

It said that her family had been informed, and her body would be returned to Israel.

Ms Weiss was kidnapped from her home in Be'eri near the Gaza border.

She had been recovering from breast cancer when Hamas launched its deadly attack on 7 October, but was without her medication when she was taken, according to the Bring Them Home Now group.

Ms Weiss worked in her kibbutz's kindergartens, managed the dining room and specialised in nursing before she retired, the group said.

She was a "loving full-time grandmother", it said, adding she had a love for culture, sports, travelling and baking.

Her husband, Shmulik, a rabbi, was killed in the Hamas assault.

In a statement, the IDF said that Kalashnikov rifles and rocket-propelled grenades were among the weapons discovered where her body was located.

"Unfortunately, Yehudit was murdered by terrorists in Gaza and we did not get to her in time," IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari said in a news briefing on Thursday evening.

He did not give further details on how she was killed.

So far only four of the 240 hostages who were abducted by Hamas last month have been freed.

Israeli officials say that at least 1,200 people were killed in Hamas's cross-border attack on 7 October by hundreds of gunmen.

Since Israel started its counter-attack, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry has said 11,400 people have been killed in the territory.

Al-Shifa, Gaza City's largest hospital, became the focus of fighting at the start of the week, and was raided by the Israeli military on Wednesday morning.

The IDF says Hamas has been using the hospital as a command centre, and has spent two days searching the complex for evidence of this. Hamas denies operating there and the BBC cannot independently verify claims by either side.

Currently more than 650 patients, 500 medical staff and over 5,000 displaced people are taking shelter in the hospital.

Its director Muhammad Abu Salmiya said conditions were "tragic" at the site, and the hospital has run out of oxygen and water.

More on Israel-Gaza war
An Israeli military spokesperson told The Washington Post on Thursday that there is no more publishable evidence to release from Al-Shifa hospitalGazas largest medical facility that Israeli officials claimed for weeks was home to a Hamas command center fitted with underground tunnels. No evidence of a headquarters or tunnels was shared by the Israeli military after it spent two days raiding the facility. The Israeli Defense Forces posted a video to their official social channels on Wednesday that showed small caches of AK-47 rifles and laptops inside the hospital, claiming they were left behind by Hamas. Civilian casualties around the hospitaland a lack of resources to treat those inside of ithave been a major talking point since the outbreak of war last month. The facility ran out of power and ceased to operate as a medical facility over the weekend, the United Nations reported, and it was evacuated entirely this week.

Read it at The Washington Post

Read more at The Daily Beast.
The Israel Defense Forces released photos and video clips Thursday showing what it described as Hamas "terror infrastructure" inside the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, including an "operational tunnel shaft," weapons and ammunition.

The IDF said its troops were continuing to conduct "targeted activity" at the hospital  Gaza's largest health facility  which Israeli officials say Hamas has been using for military purposes in violation of international law.

Photo released by the Israel Defense Forces shows weapons the IDF says were discovered at the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. / Credit: Israel Defense Forces photo

Among the findings, the IDF said "a booby-trapped vehicle that was prepared for the October 7th massacre was discovered, containing a large amount of weapons and ammunition."

Israel Defense Forces say this photo shows the entrance to a tunnel shaft discovered on the grounds of the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. / Credit: Israel Defense Forces photo

Earlier, a BBC News team was brought by Israeli troops on Wednesday night into Al-Shifa hospital, where the forces showed the CBS News partner network 15 guns, some grenades, military booklets and a map with entrances and exits to the hospital.

"We uncovered a lot of computers and other equipment which could really shed light on the current situation, hopefully regarding hostages as well," IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus told the BBC. He said the computers contained images of hostages from Israel taken in Gaza after they were kidnapped.

The BBC team was not shown those images, nor were they permitted to speak with any patients or doctors at the hospital. Hamas has previously denied using the hospital as a base for its operations.

"At the end of the day, this is just the tip of the iceberg," Conricus said, adding that he believed militants had been in the facility "within the last few days," prior to the IDF launching a ground operation at Al-Shifa.

"Hamas aren't here because they saw we were coming. This is probably what they were forced to leave behind. Our assessment is that there's much more," Conricus told the BBC.

An Israeli officer points at what he describes as a grab bag containing a rifle and other munitions belonging to a Hamas fighter that was discovered behind an MRI machine at the Al-Shifa hospital complex in Gaza City, Nov. 15, 2023. / Credit: Israel Defense Forces photo via Reuters

The Israeli military also released photos of soldiers standing inside Al-Shifa beside boxes marked, in large English writing, "baby food" and "medical supplies." The IDF said incubators with their own power sources were being sent in to help infants who had to be removed from hospital incubators due to a lack of fuel to power generators. It said the battery-powered incubators could be used to help move the babies to a safer location.

The BBC said it was unable to confirm that the transfer of infants out of the hospital had occurred.

Israeli forces were still searching Thursday for tunnels beneath Al-Shifa, which they have repeatedly said serve as a Hamas headquarters. The U.S. has backed that assertion, with National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby saying this week that Hamas was believed to be operating a "command and control node" from the hospital.

Witnesses who spoke to the Reuters news agency from inside the hospital compound said soldiers went from building to building after they moved in early on Wednesday, and while some shooting was heard, there were no reports of anyone being injured within the hospital grounds.

Meanwhile, Gaza residents  more than 1.5 million of whom the United Nations estimates have been displaced from their homes in the northern half of the enclave  said the IDF had dropped leaflets Wednesday in southern areas of the territory instructing people to evacuate, The Associated Press reported.

Hundreds of thousands of Gazans have fled from the north to southern Gaza after they were told northern areas would no longer be safe from IDF operations. The new instructions could mean that Israel is planning to expand its military operations to areas that are now crowded with hundreds of thousands of internally displaced people.

The leaflets, which the AP said fell east of the southern town of Khan Younis, instructed civilians to evacuate and said anyone near militants or their positions was "putting his life in danger."

The IDF did not immediately respond to CBS News' request for comment on the leaflets or where civilians in the designated areas might be expected to go.

Palestinian officials in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip, and multiple U.N. officials, have said repeatedly that nowhere in the densely-populated, 25-mile-long coastal region is safe amid Israel's war with Hamas.

On Wednesday, Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Israel's ground operation inside Gaza would eventually "include both the north and south," vowing to "strike Hamas wherever it is."

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KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - The Israeli air force dropped leaflets overnight on Thursday in eastern areas of Khan Younis in the south of the Gaza Strip telling people to evacuate to shelters for their own safety - suggesting imminent military operations in the area.

Similar leaflets had already been dropped about two weeks earlier but this time they were followed by heavy Israeli tank shelling on eastern neighbourhoods.

Khan Younis is located in the southern half of the Gaza Strip. Tens of thousands of people displaced from the north have already sought refuge there in schools and tents, causing severe overcrowding amid shortages of food and water.

"For your safety, you need to evacuate your places of residence immediately and head to known shelters," the leaflets said, naming the neighbourhoods of Khuzaa, Abassan, Bani Suhaila and Al Qarara.

"Anyone near terrorists or their facilities puts their life at risk, and every house used by terrorists will be targeted," the leaflets said.

Two thirds of the Gaza Strip's population of 2.3 million have been made homeless by the war and every available space in Khan Younis and other southern towns is already crammed.

The U.N. human rights chief said on Thursday that outbreaks of infectious diseases and hunger seemed inevitable given the dire living conditions and intensity of crowding.

Israel has also used leaflet drops in northern Gaza to put pressure on civilians to move, and hundreds of thousands have done so, a mass displacement that many Palestinians fear could become permanent.

The war was triggered by Hamas militants who rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people, including babies and children, and taking more than 200 back to Gaza as hostages, according to Israel.

Israel vowed to destroy Hamas and launched an air, sea and ground assault on densely populated Gaza that has killed more than 11,000 people, most of them women and children, according to Gazan health officials.

Israel has come under increasing international pressure to change course in Gaza as the humanitarian crisis in the enclave has escalated.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi; Writing by Estelle Shirbon, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
Through the end of the month, Gaetano Donizettis breezy Daughter of the Regiment and composer Leos Janaceks Jenufa share a stage at Lyric Opera, and not much else.

Jenufa premiered in 1904, a year after the illness and death of Janaceks daughter. That trauma seeped into every brutal detail of Jenufa. When we meet the title character (soprano Lise Davidsen, in a hotly anticipated Lyric debut), shes pregnant out of wedlock and besotted with Steva (tenor Richard Trey Smagur), the alcoholic, immature father of her child. Unfortunately for Jenufa, Stevas brooding half brother Laca (tenor Pavel Cernoch), ever overlooked by their family, also loves her. During a tussle, the embittered Laca cuts a gash in Jenufas face, declaring that he is the only person that would still love her if she were disfigured.

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Laca isnt the only person who has a funny way of showing how much he loves Jenufa. The Kostelnicka (soprano Nina Stemme, last at Lyric for 2019s Elektra)  Jenufas stepmother and a moral paragon in their parochial Moravian village  shelters Jenufa while she comes to term with Stevas baby, ostensibly to shield her from others disapproval. In truth, the Kostelnicka is more concerned with her own God-fearing reputation, not Jenufas. When it becomes clear Jenufa cannot reenter society as a single mother, the Kostelnicka sedates her and drowns her baby boy in an icy stream.

Somehow, the opera ends with Jenufa forgiving both of them  and marrying Laca, too. Go figure.

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Though Jenufa became his first major opera, Janacek was, by then, already a gifted dramatist. He adapted its libretto from Gabriela Preissova's play Jeji pastorkyna (Her Stepdaughter); that, and his dazzling score  whose techniques and orchestration prefigure the rest of the long 20th century  are rife with symbolism. Flowers are a recurring motif in both the libretto and original director Claus Guths production, first seen at Londons Royal Opera House: Guth incorporates yellow flowers into every act, forecasting Jenufas happy-ish ending. (They carpet the floor in Act 3; with the white-walled anonymity and symmetrical furniture placements of the rest of Michael Levines set, it gives deja vu to that designers autumnal Eugene Onegin, seen here in 2017.) Most effectively, the shutters of the Kostelnickas house  symbols of furtiveness, of shame  inspire a set piece which acts as a second curtain throughout.

Lise Davidsen in the opera "Jenufa" by Lyric Opera of Chicago. (Provided by Lyric Opera/HANDOUT)

That about does it for the high points of Guths production. The rest is heavy-handed and cynical. In Act 2, we catch up to Jenufa trapped in a cagelike nest of iron bed frames, a twin reference to her pregnancy and drug-induced slumber  an interesting idea in concept, if not execution. In a matter of minutes, an anthropomorphic crow and bloodied, shirtless child actor process across the stage. Why not just scream Steva Jr. is about to die! through a bullhorn? Itd be more oblique, and cheaper.

By gender-swapping a supporting role in Act 1, Guth eradicates the librettos own subtler foreshadowing. Jano, the adoring shepherd boy Jenufa has taught to read, becomes Jana (Ryan Opera Center soprano Kathryn Henry, her voice sweet and bright). Jano serves no real dramatic function except to represent the boy Jenufas son might have grown into  all the more painful because it is Jano who announces the discovery of the babys corpse in Act 3. Janacek tees Guth up perfectly, but hed rather play pickleball with the giant crow.

Why this Jenufa is still worth seeing, despite a production that makes an Olympic sport of condescending to viewers intelligence, is all due to its musical talent. Its rare for Lyric to gather so many stars under one roof, with Davidsen and Stemme in lead roles and Czech phenom Jakub Hrusa  lately a Chicago Symphony favorite  conducting in the pit.

Davidsen sang Jenufa in a concert version of the opera two years ago but her Lyric appearance marks her staged debut in the role. Industryites are no doubt taking notice: Peter Gelb, general director of the Metropolitan Opera, attended Wednesdays matinee.

May it be a role she lives in for years to come, so others can experience what Chicago audiences did this past week. Davidsens epic voice beams across the Lyrics Ardis Krainik Theatre at any register, wending and limpid as a stream. Jenufa is a bit of a cardboard cutout in Janaceks libretto  one of its few but glaring weaknesses  but Davidsen manages to make her feel whole, touchable. Make the trip to hear her alone.

Pavel Cernoch and Lise Davidsen in the opera "Jenufa" by Lyric Opera of Chicago. (Michael Brosilow/HANDOUT)

One feels for Davidsens fellow principals, who all needed some time to heat up to her wattage. Besides an underwhelming Act 1 entrance, Stemme has nicely transitioned from Jenufa, a role she once sang to great acclaim, to the more russetty Kostelnicka, her voice big and hair-raisingly icy up top. Smagur was both mild and messy in his Act 1 scenes, and not just because of his fake drunkenness. Luckily, he sobered up vocally in the latter two acts, his delivery compacting into a dense cannonball of a tenor.

Cernoch, his foil, is a musical and dramatic magnet, stalking around the stage with a coiled-spring intensity that explodes into a thrilling, refulgent, heartfelt voice. Laca is the hardest of all to render believably, and Cernoch nails it.

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Mezzo-soprano Marianne Cornetti is mighty as Grandmother Buryja  in a welcome splash of personality in this otherwise faceless staging, all Jenufas matriarchs are strong and steely. Tara Wheeker stepped in admirably for Ryan Opera Center soprano Lindsey Reynolds as Barena, a friendly villager who pops up in Act 3. Bass-baritone Wayne Tigges and mezzo Katherine DeYoung eke verve and fine vocalism out of their own brief cameos in the same act as the village mayor and his wife.

Under Hrusa, the Lyric orchestra ratchets up its own high standard, sounding glorious and gutsy. Many great Jenufas out there are skinny and hard-edge, but Hrusas has more meat on its bones. Syncopations fill every inch of their allotted space; dotted rhythms are springy; lyrical lines snuggle around the librettos text like a well-tailored suit. One only wished hed pump the brakes in a couple key scenes: Between Hrusas forward momentum and Guths chaotic stage action, Jenufas stabbing and its fallout, for instance, feels blink-and-you-miss-it abrupt.

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But the Kostelnickas declaration of baby Stevas death in Act 2 hits just as sickeningly as youd expect, with a caesura and savage chords: one, two. They ring in ones ear, long after all has been forgiven.

Hannah Edgar is a freelance critic.

Review: Jenufa (3 stars)

When: Through Nov. 26

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Where: Lyric Opera of Chicago, 20 N. Wacker Drive

Running time: 3 hours, 5 minutes (including two intermissions)

Tickets: $41-$339 at 312-827-5600 and www.lyricopera.org
Hundreds of Jews and Arabs joined relatives of Israeli-Canadian peace activist Vivian Silver Thursday to pay tribute to an "extraordinary woman" and "beacon of hope" who was murdered by Hamas militants on October 7.

They gathered at Gezer kibbutz in central Israel where the 74-year-old had lived in the 1970s. When the Hamas gunmen attacked southern Israel last month, Silver was living in Beeri kibbutz near the Gaza border.

She had been missing since the attack that killed more than 1,200 people in Israel, mostly civilians, and her death was confirmed by the authorities only this week.

"She was an exceptional woman," her close friend Emilie Moatti, a former lawmaker for the Israeli Labour party, told AFP.

She said it was painful there had been no funeral for her friend, as "there is nothing left to bury".

Beeri kibbutz is located less than five kilometres (three miles) from the Gaza border and before the war it had a population of 1,200.

But at least 85 of them were killed during the October 7 attacks and another 30 or so taken hostage by the Islamist militants, or reported missing.

Vivian Silver was named as one of the missing. Israel's consul general in Toronto confirmed her death on Monday.

A feminist activist advocating for peace with the Palestinians, Silver had set up aid programmes for Gaza residents and helped them travel to Israel for medical treatment.

- Peace group symbol -

She won numerous prizes for her peace work, and in 2014 helped found Women Wage Peace, a grassroots Israeli peace movement which now counts more than 45,000 members.

A tearful Ghadir Hani, an Arab-Israeli from the northern port town of Acre who had worked with Silver in WWP, on Thursday recalled the last time she spoke to her friend as the deadly Hamas attack unfolded.

"You told me everything was all right, but that you could hear noises. And then there was no reply to my messages," said Hani, wearing a black veil.

Around her neck was an azure blue scarf -- one of the peace group's symbols.

"You said that only light can repel darkness. How I wish you were here to bring light and hope as you always did," she said.

Gathered on the grass of the kibbutz to remember Silver were Orthodox Jews, Bedouin, women in veils and many wearing the distinctive blue WWP scarf.

"Vivian was a symbol of peace, a bearer of hope," said the group's co-founder Marie-Lyne Smadja.

"We must win this war and then we must change the paradigms and ask ourselves some questions. But first Hamas must be crushed and the hostages freed," she said.

The idea for Women Wage Peace was born during another Gaza conflict, the Israel-Hamas war of July and August 2014.

"The only way to live in security here is to make peace," Silver's son Yonatan Zeigen said on Thursday, quoting his mother.

"We, the living, will continue to shine and persevere and strive to bring about the tomorrow that you always spoke of," he told mourners.

"Now you are gone, I am in love once again with words such as peace, gender equality and brotherhood," he added.

Arab-Israeli parliamentarian Ahmad Tibi described the Hamas attacks of October 7 as "horrors".

He told AFP he had come to the ceremony to pay tribute to an "extraordinary woman... who also thought about the well-being of the people of Gaza".

mib/smk/srm/kir
President Joe Biden didnt flinch Wednesday when asked if he would still refer to Chinese leader Xi Jinping as a dictator. (Watch the video below.)

Well, look, he is! the president told reporters after he met with Xi in Woodside, California.

I mean, hes a dictator in the sense that he is a guy who runs a country that is a communist country based on a form of government totally different than ours.

The honest assessment may have undermined the diplomatic vibe of their face-to-face chat and certainly angered Chinese officials.

Such a remark is extremely wrong and is irresponsible political manipulation, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said, according to The Associated Press. It needs to be pointed out that there have always been people with ill intentions who try to sow discord and undermine the China-U.S. relations.

The wire service had written that the four hours of talks between the two men is seen as putting rocky relations back on course. And Biden said, We made progress. However, the AP emphasized that none of the nations geopolitical conflicts were resolved.

Biden pretty much called Xi a dictator back in June also.

He said Xis reaction to growing tension after the Air Force shot down a suspected Chinese spy balloon over the East Coast was a great embarrassment for dictators.

That also prompted an aggressive response from Mao, who said Bidens words go totally against facts and seriously violate diplomatic protocol, and severely infringe on Chinas political dignity.

Mao added, It is a blatant political provocation. China expresses strong dissatisfaction and opposition. The U.S. remarks are extremely absurd and irresponsible.

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Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) said Wednesday that Donald Trump will destroy democracy in America if the Republican wins a second term as president. The centrist lawmaker made the comment while speaking to West Virginia reporters on a press call days after Manchin announced he would not seek re-election in 2024fueling speculation that he might be considering a third-party run for the White House. Manchin said Wednesday he never wanted to be a spoiler candidate who helped get someone else elected, but nevertheless vowed to do whatever was required to save the U.S. If they said, Youre the only person to do it, Ill do whatever I can to save this nation, Manchin said. He also said that it would be dangerous for Trump to be given another term.

Read it at The Associated Press

Read more at The Daily Beast.
A doctor at Johns Hopkins University has been placed on leave after disparaging Palestinians on X, formerly Twitter. This comes after Dr. Darren Klugman, the director at Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care, became the subject of a Muslim civil rights advocacy groups Tuesday complaint to the Maryland Board of Physicians that called for an investigation into the posts and a demand to have his medical license taken away. According to WMAR 2, the posts were made just after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel, when Klugman called Palestinians blood thirsty morally depraved animals. Zainab Chaudry, the Maryland director of the Council for American-Islamic Relations, said, When you are entrusted with the livelihood of patient populations, then you have a responsibility to demonstrate that you can take care of those individuals in an impartial, objective way.

@HopkinsMedicine how can a leading healthcare institution like Hopkins accept blatant hate speech by one of its staff, @DrKlugs Dr. Darren Klugman.

I dont think it is safe for my family to receive treatment at your institution when people like Dr. Klugman is around. pic.twitter.com/lP6i2DwVzT  Abdulaziz  (@aaziz4) November 14, 2023

Read it at WMAR 2

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Former Louisville Police officer Brett Hankison describes what he saw in the apartment of Breonna Taylor during testimony, March 2, 2022, in Louisville, Ky. A federal judge on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023 declared a mistrial in the trial of the former Louisville police officer who fired stray bullets in the deadly Breonna Taylor raid. Hankison was charged with using excessive force that violated the rights of Taylor, her boyfriend and her next-door neighbors. The 12-member jury struggled over several days to reach a verdict. (AP Photo/Timothy D. Easley, Pool)

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP)  Jurors failed to reach a unanimous verdict on federal civil rights charges Thursday in the trial of a former Louisville police officer charged in the police raid that killed Breonna Taylor, prompting the judge to declare a mistrial.

Brett Hankison was charged with using excessive force that violated the rights of Taylor, her boyfriend and her next-door neighbors. Hankison fired 10 shots into the Black woman's window and a glass door after officers came under fire during a flawed drug warrant search on March 13, 2020. Some of his shots flew into a neighboring apartment, but none of them struck anyone.

The 12-member, mostly white jury struggled fruitlessly to reach a verdict over several days. On Thursday afternoon, they sent a note to the judge saying they were at an impasse. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings urged them to keep trying, and they returned to deliberations.

The judge reported there were elevated voices coming from the jury room at times during deliberations, and court security officials had to visit the room. Jurors then told the judge Thursday they were deadlocked on both counts against Hankison, and could not come to a decision  prompting Jennings' declaration of a mistrial.

The mistrial could result in a retrial of Hankison, but that would be determined by federal prosecutors at a later date.

Federal prosecutors didn't immediately respond to an email afterward seeking comment.

Before the mistrial was declared, the lead federal prosecutor, Michael Songer, said in court that it would take enormous resources  to retry this case. Songer wanted the jury to keep deliberating.

Jennings said she believed the jury would not be able to reach a verdict. I think the totality of the circumstances may be beyond repair in this case," the judge said. "They have a disagreement that they cannot get past.

Lonita Baker, an attorney for Taylor's family, said afterward that Taylor's mother, Tamika Palmer, was disappointed with the outcome but remained encouraged because a mistrial is not an acquittal. And so we live another day to fight for justice for Breonna.

Hankison, 47, was acquitted by a Kentucky jury last year on wanton endangerment charges. State prosecutors had alleged he illegally put Taylors neighbors in danger. Months after his acquittal last year, the U.S. Department of Justice brought the new charges against Hankison, along with separate charges against a group of other officers involved in crafting the warrant.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Taylor, a 26-year-old nursing student, should be alive today when he announced the federal charges in August 2022. The charges that Hankison faced carried a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Hankison was the only officer who fired his weapon the night of the Taylor raid to be criminally charged. Prosecutors determined that two other officers were justified in returning fire after one was shot in the leg.

Songer said Monday in the trials closing arguments that Hankison was a law enforcement officer, but he was not above the law. Songer argued that Hankison couldnt see a target and knew firing blindly into the building was wrong.

Hankisons attorney, Stewart Mathews, countered that he was acting quickly to help his fellow officers, who he believed were being executed by a gunman shooting from inside Taylors apartment. Taylors boyfriend had fired a single shot when police burst through the door. Her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, said he believed an intruder was barging in.

If his perception was reasonable in the chaos of that moment, that was not criminal, Mathews said.

The night of the raid, Hankison said he saw the shot from Taylors boyfriend in the hallway after her door was breached. He backed up and ran around the corner of the building, firing shots into the side of the apartment.

I had to react, he testified. I had no choice.

The single shot from Taylors boyfriend hit former police Sgt. Jonathan Mattingly, who dropped to the ground and fired six shots. Another officer, Myles Cosgrove, fired 16 rounds down the hallway, including the bullet that killed Taylor. Mattingly testified as a defense witness for Hankison in the federal trial, while Cosgrove was called to testify by prosecutors.

Cosgrove was fired by Louisville police along with Hankison. Mattingly retired.

Taylors death didnt initially garner much attention, but after the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police in May 2020 and the release of Taylors boyfriends 911 call, street protests over police brutality erupted around the country. Demonstrators in Louisville shouted Taylors name for months, along with high-profile Black celebrities like Oprah and Lebron James who demanded accountability for the police officers involved in the case.

Taylor's case also cast intense scrutiny on so-called no-knock warrants, which were later banned in the city of Louisville. The warrants allow officers to enter a residence without warning, but in the Taylor raid officers said they knocked and announced their presence. The Louisville police chief at the time was subsequently fired because officers had not used body cameras the night of the raid.

Three other former officers involved in drawing up the warrant have been charged in a separate federal case. One of them, Kelly Goodlett, has pleaded guilty to helping falsify the warrant. She is expected to testify against former detective Joshua Jaynes and former Sgt. Kyle Meany in their trial next year.

Goodletts guilty plea remains the only criminal conviction of a police officer involved in the Taylor case.
A judge has delayed the trials of three men involved in a Montgomery riverfront brawl that attracted national attention.

The trials for Zachery Shipman, Allen Todd and Reggie Ray were originally set for Thursday.

Officials have not filed court documents showing the exact date for their next trial yet.

Shipman and Allen Todd are two of the white boaters seen in a viral video attacking co-captain Dameion Pickett of the Harriot II riverboat. They are both charged with misdemeanor assault.

Videos of Ray, who is Black, show him beating two white people with a folding chair. He is charged with disorderly conduct.

An onlooker left, rushes to help riverboat co-captain Damien Pickett, lying on the dock, against several attackers on Aug. 5, 2023, at Montgomery's Riverfront Park.

Shipman also filed charges against Pickett, accusing him of third-degree assault.

The two other white boaters involved in the assault of Pickett, who is Black, are Richard Roberts and Mary Todd, both of Selma.

Roberts pleaded guilty to two counts of misdemeanor assault.

Roberts will serve 32 days of a four-month suspended jail sentence, which will be served on weekends in a Perry County facility, complete 100 hours of community service and pay court costs totaling $714, records show.

More: Previous Coverage 'Black Aquaman' and the 'Boston Tea Party': World watches Montgomery riverfront brawl

Mary Todd pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor harassment charge.

She was originally charged with misdemeanor assault. Pickett accepted the plea deal. She was ordered to attend anger management class and pay $357 in court costs.

News of the riverfront brawl spread across the globe after videos of the incident went viral.

On the evening of Aug. 5, the riverboat was returning from a two-hour cruise and could not dock because privately owned pontoon boats were moored in the riverboats slip.

Pickett and Warren went ashore to ask the owners to move the boats, and a brawl erupted captured by dozens of cell phones. The footage showed Pickett, who is Black, being repeatedly struck by the group of white boaters as frustrated riverboat passengers looked on.

Alex Gladden is the Montgomery Advertiser's public safety reporter. She can be reached at agladden@gannett.com or on Twitter @gladlyalex.

This article originally appeared on Montgomery Advertiser: Montgomery riverfront brawl: Judge delays trials for three suspects
FILE - Rep. Angie Craig, D-Minn., speaks during a news conference on Capitol Hill on June 24, 2020, in Washington. A man who pleaded guilty to assaulting Democratic Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota in the elevator of her Washington apartment was sentenced to more than two years in behind bars on Thursday. Twenty-seven-year-old Kendrid Khalil Hamlin apologized to Craig and said he wants to get mental health and substance abuse treatment. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

WASHINGTON (AP)  A man who pleaded guilty to assaulting Democratic Rep. Angie Craig of Minnesota in the elevator of her Washington apartment was sentenced to more than two years behind bars Thursday.

Kendrid Khalil Hamlin, 27, apologized to Craig and said he wants to get mental health and substance abuse treatment. He was sentenced to 27 months for the February assault.

U.S. District Judge James Boasberg acknowledged Hamlin's difficult upbringing and frequently unaddressed mental illness was behind much of his behavior. Still, some of this conduct has been extremely problematic, he said.

Craig said Hamlin trapped her in the elevator, then grabbed her neck, slammed her against a steel wall and punched her before she fought him off by throwing her coffee at him. Afterward, she was targeted with death threats and forced to move amid public commentary about her assault, she said in court papers.

While my physical recovery was days, my mental and emotional recovery has taken much longer and is ongoing, she wrote.

Hamlin, for his part, decided to plead guilty quickly and wants to get treatment for his schizophrenia and substance abuse, his attorney Kathryn DAdamo Guevara said.

I really do apologize to Angie Craig for putting my hands on her, and also the officers, he said. His mother and father also spoke tearfully to the judge, calling the attack horrifying and detailing their decades-long, unsuccessful efforts to get him effective treatment, including searching the streets for him while he was homeless.

Defense attorneys had asked for a sentence of a year and a day with inpatient treatment, while prosecutors had pushed for 39 months. Boasberg said he would recommend the sentence be served in a Bureau of Prisons medical facility.

Craig was getting coffee in the lobby of her building in February when she noticed Hamlin pacing, police wrote in court papers. He came into the elevator with her and said he needed to go to the bathroom and was coming into her apartment, the agent wrote.

After she said he couldnt, he punched her in the side of her face and grabbed her neck before she escaped by throwing her cup of hot coffee over her shoulder at him, according to court papers.

Hamlin had numerous previous convictions, including for assaulting a police officer, prosecutors said in court papers. There was no evidence the attack was politically motivated, Craigs chief of staff has said.

Craig represents the suburban-to-rural 2nd District south of Minneapolis and St. Paul. She won a third term last year for a hotly contested seat the GOP had hoped to flip in what was one of the most expensive House races in the country.
In this photo provided by JLTV, Paul Kessler attends a demonstration in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Sunday Nov. 5, 2023. California authorities have arrested a man in connection with the death of a Jewish protester during demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war. (Uncredited/AP)

LOS ANGELES  A Southern California college professor was arrested Thursday in the death of a Jewish protester during demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war.

Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, 50, was booked into jail on suspicion of of involuntary manslaughter  the unintentional killing of another person, the Ventura County Sheriffs Office said. The district attorneys office said it was reviewing the case and expects to make a charging decision later Thursday.

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A man who answered the phone at a mobile number listed for Alnaji in public records said he did not want to comment. He did not give his name.

Paul Kessler, 69, died early Nov. 6 at a hospital following a confrontation the previous day with the suspect during what started as a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Thousand Oaks, a suburb northwest of Los Angeles, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff told reporters on Nov. 7.

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Kessler was among a group of pro-Israel demonstrators who showed up at the event that was advertised as a peaceful gathering to support Palestinians, officials said.

Fryhoff at the time said deputies determined Kessler fell backward and struck his head on the ground but that investigators did not have a clear view from video footage of what they described as a physical altercation between the two men before the fall. He asked the public for help in providing additional footage.

The suspect stayed at the scene and told deputies he had called 911, Fryhoff said, adding that authorities later briefly detained him for questioning and searched his home in Moorpark.

Fryhoff said investigators had received conflicting information from witnesses on both sides about what took place, impairing witness credibility and making it difficult to prove a case beyond a reasonable doubt.

The department did not respond to questions Thursday from The Associated Press as to whether additional footage or other evidence prompted the arrest.

A short video clip surfaced showing Kessler on the ground, but there havent been any videos released showing the actual confrontation.

County Medical Examiner Dr. Christopher Young said at the time that an autopsy found Kessler died from head injuries consistent with a fall. Young also said Kessler had injuries that could be consistent with a blow to the face but that it was unclear what caused his fall.

Edward Obayashi, a former San Diego police officer and special prosecutor, said he is not surprised by the arrest on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, the lowest level charge for a death. Additional charges, including for a hate crime, could still be considered, said Obayashi, who made one of the first arrests in the state under Californias hate crime law more than three decades ago.

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We have a very high profile incident, obviously, given the backdrop of whats going on in the world, he said. So there is a lot of pressure on the authorities. The default position is making an arrest.

Demonstrations have been widespread and tensions are escalating in the United States as the death toll rises in the Israel-Hamas war.

Alnaji, a professor of computer science at Moorpark College, had espoused pro-Palestinian views on his Facebook page and other social media accounts, many of which have since been taken down, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said in a statement that it was grateful for the work of sheriffs investigators.

This arrest shows that violence towards our Jewish community will not be tolerated, the federation said.

Watson reported from San Diego.
South Carolina Judge Clifton Newman, who presided over Alex Murdaughs six-week double murder trial earlier this year, has recused himself from future proceedings and appeals in the murder case.

At the same time, Newman will stay on as the presiding judge in an upcoming trial involving some of Murdaughs numerous financial crimes.

Those were the two significant decrees in a terse, one-page order on Thursday by the S.C. Supreme Court:

Judge Newman has requested that a new judge be assigned to handle the post-trial motions involving the murder charges, said the order, signed by all five high court justices.

In the same order, the justices denied a motion by Murdaughs attorneys to stay, or delay, the Nov. 27 trial, and to remove Newman from that case too.

The trial scheduled to being Nov. 27, 2023, shall go forward as planned, the justices wrote.

The order gave no reason for Newmans self-recusal on the murder cases. Newman is scheduled to retire at the end of December. The financial crimes trial is not expected to last into the New Year.

Last March 2, Murdaugh was found guilty by a Colleton County jury of killing his wife, Maggie, 52, and son Paul, 22, at their Colleton County estate in June 2021. The next day, Newman sentenced him to two consecutive life sentences.

Thursdays order was in response to motions filed in the Supreme Court by Murdaughs lawyers requesting that Newman be removed from hearing motions in the murder cases because he was involved in some of the events that are the basis for their requests for a new trial. Because Newman has stepped down from the case, the issue is now moot, or irrelevant, the justices said.

A financial crimes pre-trial hearing is scheduled for Friday, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m. in the Beaufort County courthouse. Newman is expected to preside.

The subject of that hearing has not been announced.

But on Thursday, Murdaughs attorneys filed a motion in Beaufort County asking that the trial be delayed until well into 2024 and that Newman be removed from that case. Extensive negative publicity from Murdaughs murder trial will make it impossible for him to get a fair and impartial jury, Murdaughs lawyers said. They also seek a change of venue.

Newman has violated judicial canons of ethics because he has expressed his personal opinions in various forums, including on the NBC Today show, that Murdaugh killed his wife and son, the motion said. The motion cited an affidavit by University of South Carolina Law School professor emeritus Gregory Adams that says Newman is biased against Murdaugh.

Prosecutors have disputed that Newman is biased.

Judges are not suppose to express opinions about ongoing cases.

The Nov. 27 trial, if held, will focus on a set of charges involving the 2018-2019 theft of $4 million in inheritance insurance proceeds generated from the death of longtime Murdaugh family housekeeper Gloria Satterfield. She died in February 2018 in a fall at the Murdaughs house, and Murdaugh has pled guilty in federal court to concocting a scheme to divert the money from Satterfields heirs to his own pocket.

State prosecutors are going ahead with separate criminal proceedings against Murdaugh in state court because, they say, Murdaughs victims deserve their day in court. State prosecutors brought the Satterfield charges against Murdaugh in the fall of 2021, more than a year before federal prosecutors brought financial crimes charges against Murdaugh.
DUBLIN, Calif. - A judge sentenced a former correctional officer at the federal prison in Dublin to eight years on Wednesday, in an ongoing sex abuse scandal that has plagued FCI Dublin for at least three decades.

It is the longest sentence imposed by U.S. District Court Judge Yvonne Gonzlez-Rogers so far. During her sentencing, she wondered if that prison sentence was even long enough for what Andrew Jones, 36, a food supervisor at the prison, had done.

"Jones participated in a culture of sexual abuse of female inmates at FCI Dublin that included the warden, the chaplain, and other employees, and he, like them, has now been held to account for his heinous acts," Inspector General Michael E. Horowitz said in a statement. "The DOJ Office of the Inspector General will continue to aggressively investigate this type of egregious criminal conduct, and we will do everything within our authority to pursue justice for victims of sexual abuse."

Jones, who used to live in Pleasanton and now lives in Clovis, had already pleaded guilty to six counts of sexual abuse of a ward involving three women in August. He also pleaded guilty to one count o of lying to federal investigators.

He admitted to receiving oral sex and having sexual intercourse near the kitchen, bathroom, warehouse, and a room where kitchen utensils were kept. The encounters took place in 2020 and 2021.

Prosecutors also argued that Jones "enforced silence and obedience" from the women by using "violence and threats of violence." Women reported he was rude and unprofessional to them, regularly calling them "bitches" and "crackheads."

He saved his "worst of his ire" for Spanish-speaking women, prosecutors said.

One woman told investigators that he said to her: "You fucking Mexican. You piece of shit."

He threatened to beat one woman's ass, prosecutors said, and once, punched her in the chest.

Women also said that Jones often talked about his penis, often referring to it as a "life changer," prosecutors said.

During the sentencing hearing, Jones remained silent, according to Kara Janssen, a lawyer who represents one of Jones' victims.

Jones is the eighth correctional officer charged with sex crimes at FCI Dublin, the most of any prison in the United States. Seven, so far, have been found guilty.

The highest profile case was against former Warden Ray Garcia, who was found guilty and trial. He was sentenced to nearly six years in prison himself.

The same prison was sued in the 1990s by women who alleged the same type of sexual assault. No criminal charges were ever filed back then, but the women were each awarded $500,000.

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Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee presides over a hearing related to the Georgia election indictments, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, at Fulton County Courthouse in Atlanta. Jonathan Miller, an attorney for Misty Hampton, a former elections director charged alongside former President Donald Trump and others over efforts to overturn Georgias 2020 election said Wednesday that he released videos of prosecutors interviews with some of their codefendants because he thought they helped his client and the public had the right to see them. Prosecutors initially asked the judge to impose an order to prevent the release of any evidence in the case. (Arvin Temkar/Atlanta Journal-Constitution via AP, Pool)

ATLANTA (AP)  The judge overseeing the election interference case against former President Donald Trump and others in Georgia issued an order on Thursday that prohibits the release of certain evidence.

The ruling came after news outlets this week reported on the contents of and published clips from interviews that four defendants conducted with prosecutors as part of their plea deals.

Fulton County Superior Court Judge Scott McAfee wrote that allowing parties the unfettered ability to publicly share pretrial materials undermines the discovery process, during which lawyers for both sides share evidence. Potential jurors should be limited from exposure to materials that may be deemed inadmissible at trial, McAfee wrote.

The likelihood of harm in this case is severe, as extensive media coverage guarantees broad dissemination of any disclosed discovery materials, McAfee wrote.

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis had initially asked for an order prohibiting the disclosure of any of the evidence shared with the defense. But prosecutors told the judge during a remote hearing Wednesday they agreed with a more narrowly focused order proposed by one of the defendants.

A lawyer for a coalition of news outlets, including The Associated Press, argued during the hearing against any protective order, saying such a step requires the showing of a substantial threat of physical or economic harm to a witness  and that this burden had not been met.

McAfee also set a hearing for Tuesday on Willis' request to revoke the bond of defendant Harrison Floyd and the judge said Floyd is required to attend. Willis says Floyd has been trying to intimidate and communicate with witnesses and others defendants, in violation of the conditions of his bond agreement. His lawyer, Chris Kachouroff, told The Associated Press on Wednesday that Willis' motion is without merit.

Trump and 18 other people were charged in August with participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally try to keep the then-Republican president in power after his 2020 loss to Democrat Joe Biden. Four people have pleaded guilty after reaching deals with prosecutors. The remaining 15 have pleaded not guilty. No trial date has been set.

McAfee's order instructs prosecutors to review their discovery and designate as sensitive materials anything they believe should not be disclosed. Defendants will have 14 days after receiving the discovery to contest that designation. If the two sides cannot agree on whether it is appropriate, the judge will decide. The evidence would not be disclosed until he has ruled.

The protective order does not apply to information or records that are publicly available, that the defendants obtain in another way or that has been field or received as evidence in another court proceeding.

Defense attorney Jonathan Miller, who represents former Coffee County elections director Misty Hampton, told the judge he had released the videos of the interviews to one media outlet, but did not identify it. The Washington Post and ABC News reported on the videos Monday.

The interviews, called proffers, gave a glimpse into what kind of testimony might be offered at trial by the four people who pleaded guilty: lawyers Sidney Powell, Kenneth Chesebro and Jenna Ellis, and bail bondsman and Trump supporter Scott Hall.

Miller said he believes that the interviews with two of those people  Powell and Hall  could be helpful to his client and argued that the public had the right to see what they said.
WEST PALM BEACH  A Jupiter man convicted of aggravated child abuse after confining one of his children in a windowless, 8-by-8-foot room in his garage for hours at a time received a five-year prison sentence Thursday.

Circuit Judge Howard Coates said Timothy Ferriter also must serve five years of probation once he is released. Coates ruled after hearing statements from Ferriter, the teenage child at the center of the abuse and statements read on behalf of two of Ferriter's other children.

State prosecutors recommended that Ferriter, 48, receive a 15-year prison term, while the defense sought a term of one in year in prison plus probation.

Coates granted a defense motion to depart from the minimum sentencing guideline of 75 months. He also required that Ferriter take both a 40-hour anger management class and a 40-hour parenting course, and that he undergo a mental health evaluation as a condition of his probation.

'It's dehumanizing': Jupiter teen forced to live in garage room tells jurors about experience

Judge: Jupiter dad 'never took time to reflect' on his choices

Timothy Ferriter of Jupiter during his sentencing hearing Thursday for aggravated child abuse.

Ferriter and his wife, Tracy, told Jupiter police prior to their arrests in February 2022 that the teen had lied, stole, attacked family members and threatened classmates. The room was a means to discipline the teen and protect other people in the household from harm, they said.

In addition to the aggravated child abuse conviction, a jury in October found Timothy Ferriter guilty of false imprisonment and child neglect.

In his final remarks before sentencing, Coates said he found that Ferriter engaged in conduct that was "calculating, methodical and planned" in confining the child as a means of punishment.

"There were plenty of opportunities that the defendant had to reflect on whether what he was doing was wrong," he said. "It appears that he never took the time to reflect, and he never concluded that what he was doing was wrong."

Jupiter police arrested the Ferriters after discovering the garage structure in their Egret Landing home when the child was reported as a runaway in January 2022. It had a lock that could be opened only from the outside. The teenage child was provided a bucket to use as a toilet, prosecutors said.

They told jurors that the pattern of abusive actions lasted for about six weeks following the Ferriter family's move to Jupiter from Arizona in late December 2021.

Tracy Ferriter, 48, is awaiting a separate trial on abuse and neglect charges involving the teen. She attended Thursday's sentencing and was present for most of her husband's trial.

Tracy Ferriter sits with supporters in court at her husband Timothy Ferriter's, Jupiter, sentencing hearing.

Coates granted a motion for the couple to be tried separately after Timothy Ferriter's attorneys argued that statements Tracy made to police while he was out of the country on business could prejudice his case.

Teen at center of case urged judge to show leniency

Timothy Ferriter spoke for about 10 minutes during Thursday's hearing, addressing his wife and each of the couple's four children individually and apologizing for what they have had to endure during the past couple of years. He pleaded with Coates to "lean into mercy" in determining his sentence.

Timothy Ferriter of Jupiter looks at his mother before he is taken into custody at his sentencing hearing.

"Everything I did was out of love," he told the court.

The teen at the center of the abuse also spoke, requesting that the court show leniency. The Palm Beach Post is not identifying the teen either by name or gender.

"My father was a good person who just made a really serious mistake," said the teen, now a sophomore in high school. "He was not a bad parent."

'They were in such a rush': After arrests, Florida couple demolished garage room where teen lived

Child testified that being locked in garage was 'dehumanizing'

The teen also testified during Timothy Ferriter's trial, describing being confined to the garage structure as "dehumanizing."

The teen's older sibling, who also was adopted by the Ferriters, told jurors the teen often received harsher punishments than other children in the home.

Ferriter chose not to testify in his own defense. His team relied on testimony from family friends and a child psychologist, who described his behavior as misguided but not criminal.

Defense attorney Prya Murad told jurors that Ferriter and his wife had struggled for quite some time in dealing with the long-standing behavioral issues of the teen, who was adopted as a toddler from an orphanage in Vietnam.

Murad told jurors that Ferriter exhibited poor judgment in responding to the teenager's behavior but did not commit a crime.

What that means: Parents say adopted teen locked in garage room had attachment disorder.

Parents say they used garage room to discipline child, protect others

Egret Landing in Jupiter, where the Ferriters were arrested on aggravated child abuse charges in 2022.

The teen had a history of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and a condition known as reactive attachment disorder, Tracy Ferriter told investigators prior to her arrest.

The reactive attachment disorder can keep children from forming healthy bonds with their family members, and it can lead to the children acting out or making it difficult for them to accept love.

Prosecutors told jurors that the couple began confining the teen while the family lived for five years in Arizona and continued when the family moved back to South Florida in late December 2021.

Murad told jurors that the couple tried to get help from therapists, doctors and schools, to no avail.

"The idea that these parents were not involved and not trying is distant from the facts," she said.

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: Judge sentences Florida dad who locked teen in garage to state prison
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  A jury reached a verdict for the federal trial of David DePape, the man who broke into Nancy Pelosis San Francisco house, asked Wheres Nancy? and bludgeoned her husband with a hammer when police arrived.

Jurors found the 43-year-old Richmond man guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official, and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official with intent to retaliate against the official for performance of their duties. It took the jury less than two full days of deliberations to decide on DePapes guilt.

DePape is now facing a possible life prison sentence for his failed attempt at kidnapping the U.S. House Speaker on October 28, 2022. After DePape realized that Pelosi was not home and police officers were at the front door, he beat Paul Pelosi with a hammer before the officers could stop him, trial evidence showed.

David DePape cries while testifying at his federal trial on Nov. 14, 2023. (Courtroom sketch by Vicki Behringer)

DePape remained calm as he listened to the verdict. He smiled at his defense attorneys and was escorted out of the courtroom.

The jury reached its verdict after listening to three days of testimony. Paul Pelosi and DePape both testified on the witness stand.

Paul Pelosis testimony was the first time he ever spoke publicly about the incident. Mr. Pelosi told the jury that a stranger broke into his Pacific Heights home. He woke up in bed, saw a very large man standing in the bedroom doorway with a hammer and zip ties, and immediately realized he was in serious danger, Mr. Pelosi testified on Monday.

Paul Pelosi, 83, told the court that he tried to remain as calm as possible, and told the intruder, Shes not here. Shes in Washington. After DePape lunged at him with the hammer, Mr. Pelosi woke up in a pool.

A police officers body camera video shows David DePape and Paul Pelosi struggling for control of a hammer.

DePape testified for more than an hour on Tuesday, recounting how his political leanings went from leftist to right-wing after reading a comment on a YouTube video about former President Donald Trump.

DePape testified that he went to the Pelosis home to talk to Nancy Pelosi about Russian involvement in the 2016 election. He planned to wear an inflatable unicorn costume and upload his interrogation of her online, DePape told the jury.

David DePape views an SFPD officers body camera video showing the hammer attack against Paul Pelosi. (Courtroom sketch by Vicki Behringer)

He did not deny attacking Paul Pelosi with a hammer. I reacted because my plan was basically ruined, DePape testified.

Defense attorney Jodi Linker said her client believed in right-wing and QAnon-inspired conspiracy theories. DePapes defense team said he went on a misguided crusade against government corruption. His list of targets included Nancy Pelosi, Rep. Adam Schiff, George Soros, Hunter Biden, and Gov. Gavin Newsom, an FBI agent testified.

According to court documents, Mr. Pelosi was unconscious and bleeding on the floor while DePape ranted to police officers about government lies. DePape said, Im sick of the insane f**king level of lies coming out of Washington, D.C. This was a suicide mission. Im not going to stand here and do nothing, even if it cost me my life.

US Representative Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi arrive for an official State Dinner at the White House on June 22, 2023. (Photo by STEFANI REYNOLDS / AFP via Getty Images)

DePape was found guilty on all counts. U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey told reporters at the courthouse that the jurys verdict sends a strong message to Americans with passionate political beliefs.

In America, one is free to believe whatever they want, and to engage in passionate political debate. Regardless of what your beliefs are, what you cannot do is physically attack a member of Congress, or their immediate family, for their performance of their job. We look forward to the sentence phase, Ramsey said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
A jury has rejected a lawsuit seeking more than $2 million over allegations that a former Sacramento police officer groped and molested a woman he had arrested in 2016.

The unanimous jury verdict Wednesday afternoon in Sacramento federal court found that former Officer Patrick Mulligan did not violate Candida Johnsons right against unreasonable intrusion into her bodily integrity, court documents say.

Mulligan, 56, who was accused in the 2018 lawsuit of fondling and molesting Johnson during an arrest over a missing cellphone, had adamantly denied the allegations and said Thursday in a telephone interview that he was relieved to have the matter resolved.

Im finally starting to get my appetite back, said Mulligan, who retired in 2017 and first learned of the allegations when he was contacted by The Sacramento Bee.

They were dragging my whole life through the mud, I was just sick to my stomach, he said of the three-day trial. Anger, depression. I tell you, I havent felt this much since the last time I got shot at.

Mulligan said the jury deliberated for roughly an hour Wednesday before returning the verdict, and that my heart was thumping.

Senior Deputy City Attorney Sean Richmond had argued that there was no evidence of such behavior by Mulligan, and noted that video from Mulligans in-car camera show that at no time either on video or microphone is Officer Mulligan demonstrating any inappropriate behavior whatsoever.

We had all the video that clearly demonstrated nothing close to this even occurred, Mulligan said.
Texas prosecutors in the murder trial of Kaitlin Armstrong, who is accused of killing a romantic rival in a home invasion shooting before fleeing the country, rested their case Wednesday while she declined to testify in her defense.

Kaitlin Armstrong, 37, is accused of shooting professional cyclist Anna Moriah "Mo" Wilson to death in a friend's apartment on May 11, 2022, after she went on a date with her suspected killer's boyfriend, former pro cyclist 36-year-old Colin Strickland.

Wilson, a Vermont native and emerging star in gravel and mountain bike riding, was visiting Texas for a race. Strickland picked her up on his Harley-Davidson and took her swimming at a public pool. They ate dinner at a bar across the street.

KAITLIN ARMSTRONG TRIAL: COLIN STRICKLAND KNOCKS CAMERA OFF JOURNALIST'S SHOULDER AFTER 2ND DAY OF TESTIMONY

Colin Strickland, left, testified at Kaitlin Armstrong's, right, trial for the murder of Mo Wilson, center. On Wednesday, Armstrong declined to testify in her murder trial.

After the slaying, Armstrong used her sister's passport to fly to Costa Rica and evaded police for 43 days. Once in police custody, she allegedly tried to escape from Travis County jail guards, leading them on a 10-minute foot chase before they captured her a mile away.

Throughout the nearly two-week trial, jurors heard from DNA and firearms experts, as well as photo data and GPS analysts. Defense lawyers have said the prosecution's case is largely circumstantial.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Pamela Mazak, an intelligence analyst with the Texas Attorney Generals Office, testified for the state and showed the jury a timeline of events using location data from Wilson and Armstrong's cell phones.

Strickland testified that he had to hide Wilson's phone number from Armstrong under a fake name in his phone. Two of Armstrong's friends said she told them she wanted to, or could, kill Wilson.

TEXAS LOVE TRIANGLE MURDER SUSPECT KAITLIN ARMSTRONG'S SHORT-LIVED ESCAPE ATTEMPT CAUGHT ON VIDEO

Police interviewed Armstrong, among others, after Wilson was killed. The day after that interview, Armstrong sold her Jeep for more than $12,000 and was soon headed to Costa Rica, where investigators say she had plastic surgery to change her nose, and she changed her hairstyle and color.

Armstrong tried to establish herself as a yoga instructor in Costa Rica before she was finally caught on June 29.

The jury also heard about another escape attempt by Armstrong, on Oct. 11, when she tried to flee two corrections officers who had escorted her to a medical appointment outside jail. Video footage showed Armstrong, in a striped jail uniform and arm restraints, running and trying to scale a fence.

Armstrong's lawyers spent only a few hours presenting her defense Wednesday. When asked by her lawyer in front of the judge and with the jury out of the room, Armstrong declined a chance to testify in her own defense.

Kaitlin Armstrong is accused of killing Wilson when the 25-year-old athlete was visiting Austin for a race in May 2022.

Defense lawyers have argued someone else could have killed Wilson.

They also called an expert on forensic metallurgy, William Tobin, to try to debunk the firearms and tool-marking methods used to match the bullets to Armstrongs gun as faulty, saying they can lead to "false positives" and should not be used to determine guilt or innocence.

Tobin acknowledged he did not review the evidence in this case.

Fox News Digital's Michael Ruiz and The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Kaitlin Armstrong declines to testify in her own defense during Texas murder trial
Closing arguments are set to begin in the trial of Kaitlin Armstrong, who is charged with the 11 May 2022 murder of star cyclist Moriah Mo Wilson.

The two women were reportedly involved in a love triangle with Ms Armstrongs then on-and-off boyfriend and Wilsons fellow cyclist Colin Strickland.

In the aftermath of the shooting, Ms Armstrong fled to Costa Rica and was only captured five weeks later.

The state rested its case on Wednesday morning after introducing testimony from Mr Strickland, friends of Ms Armstrong, and law enforcement personnel.

The defence called experts who sought to discredit the states DNA and ballistics evidence.

Mr Strickland was briefly called back to the stand by the defence.

Then, Ms Armstrong was advised of her right to testify in her own trial, which she declined, leading to the defence resting its case.

According to NewsNation Correspondent Alex Caprariello, Ms Armstrong seemed confused, and even scared during that exchange, a stark contrast from her stoic demeanour in the two and a half weeks of trial.

Key points

The key players in the deadly love triangle at the centre of trial

Former friend of Kaitlin Armstrong recalls death threats against Wilson

Kaitlin Armstrong confronted Moriah Wilson on the phone, ex-boyfriend Colin Strickland says

Armstrongs ex clashes with media at court

Deliberations begin

18:22 , Andrea Blanco

Ms Arsmtrong has left the courtroom after the jury was instructed to begin deliberations.

State wraps up rebuttal

18:21 , Andrea Blanco

If you do, if you look at all the evidence, look at it with common sense, logic. Let the evidence take you where its going. Thats all Im asking. You are going to find that the evidence is right here, Mr Gonzalez says.

Not likely defences DNA transfer theory took place, state says

18:14 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Gonzalez reminds jurors that DNA experts who took the stand said a four-time DNA transfer, how the prosecution argues Ms Arsmtrongs DNA ended on the bike, is extremely unlikely.

State gives rebuttal

17:53 , Andrea Blanco

State attorney Guillermo Gonzalez delivers a monologue about all the what-ifs the defence just laid out. Mr Gonzalez says that those hypothetical scenarios are not relevant to the case and that the evidence presented by the prosecution remains strong.

The defence objects and an argument unfolds but the judge allows Mr Gonzalez to continue.

Take your time, and I trust that when you do that, the evidence points you in one direction, he said.

Defence tells jurors not knowing is not a failure'

17:47 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Puryear resumed his argument reminding jurors that they dont have to believe Ms Armstrong is innocent in order to deliver a not guilty verdict.

The jury is told that they are compelled to deliver a not guilty verdict if they are not completely sure Ms Armstrong is guilty.

Dont feel like you failed, if that is your conclusion,

WATCH: Armstrong Defense attorney waves bike around in court during closing arguments

17:43 , Andrea Blanco

Court takes 15 minute recess

17:35 , Andrea Blanco

The defence will resume its closing arguments shortly.

Defence asks jurors to focus on the I dont knows'

17:33 , Andrea Blanco

Defense Attorney Geoffrey Puryear says the things that remain unknown about the investigation are the most important.

He also tried to make jurors sympathise with Ms Armstrong over her brief May 2022 arrest.

... but is never read her rights, and then they come in and say, oops! Sorry! No warrant, just kidding! But hey, stick around for a few minutes, Mr Puryear said. And then they come back and say, oops! We goofed again! You do have a warrant! How much trust would you have in them? Put yourself in that situation.

Defence says love triangle narrative is misogynistic'

17:16 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Cofer also raised allegations that Mr Strickland had been favoured by local authorities.

He argued that the love triangle narrative had been created by the defence due to misogyny deeply rooted in society.

Defence says Armstrong fled while flee and out of fear

17:09 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Cofer said that the murder warrant had not been entered into the system when Ms Armstrong fled to Costa Rica.

He went on to tell jurors that she was scared whoever killed Wilson would target her next.

Defence claims police did not thoroughly tested evidence

17:05 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Cofer used Wilsons bike as a prop to show the parts where DNA was not collected from.

He criticised the states failure to test a rape kit investigators had collected.

(NewsNation)

What is the evidence that Kaitlin Armstrong is a jealous psycho?

16:46 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Cofer noted that Mr Strickland had not been transparent during their relationship.

The defence attorney said that the call Ms Armstrong had made to Mo Wilson and the threats she had voiced did not make her a murderer.

What is the evidence that Kaitlin Armstrong is a jealous psycho?

16:46 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Cofer noted that Mr Strickland had not been transparent during their relationship.

The defence attorney said that the call Ms Armstrong had made to Mo Wilson and the threats she had voiced did not make her a murderer.

She asked for you to hear her case'

16:41 , Andrea Blanco

Defense Attorney Rick Cofer told the jury that Ms Armstrong had been caught in a nightmare of circumstantial evidence.

He went on to claim that the prosecutions case was built on assumptions and confirmation bias.

Mr Jones asks for justice for Mo Wilson

16:39 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Jones said that Caitlin Cash, who found Wilsons body, had asked him to refer to her by her last name because [K]aitlin was the name of the woman who had killed her friend.

She pumped her friends heart over a hundred times, Mr Jones said. Not knowing that her friend had probably been dead for 45 minutes.

Mr Jones then said the prosecution had met the burden of proof.

We can get out here quickly and find her guilty of shooting Mo Wilson in the head and heart and taking away this prodigy at the age of 25, he said.

The more I talk the more ridiculous [the defences case] gets

16:31 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Jones went on to tell jurors that the defence had failed to explain what the black Jeep was doing near the crime scene.

First, he said, they said the surveillance video didnt prove that was her Jeep.

Then, they refused evidence that the infotainment system of the Jeep placed her near the scene, saying that perhaps someone else was driving.

Do you see the rabbit holes theyre trying to send you down? Mr Jones said.

Mr Jones reminds juror about testimony from Ms Armstrongs former friends

16:25 , Andrea Blanco

According to key testimony from Nicole Mertz, a close friend of Ms Armstrong, the defendant had voiced death threats against Wilson. Ms Mertz recounted that Ms Armstrong once said that if Mr Strickland dated another woman, she would kill [her.]

Thats the evidence you got to work with ... her best friend called the police, Mr Jones said on Thursday.

Prosecutor quips over defence expert whose testimony went on for hours

16:22 , Andrea Blanco

Thats four hours of my life that I will never get back, Mr Jones said about testimony from a defence expert who criticised the states ballistics evidence.

Mr Tobin, a firearm expert who took the stand on Thursday, said that the standards of the AFTE testing ran on Ms Armstrongs guns were not scientific.

Mr Tobin later admitted that he did not review the evidence introduced by the prosecution and that he was only there to contest the validity of AFTE examination.

He later said he was not there to contest the findings of the investigation.

16:14 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Jones tells jurors they have to deliver a unanimous verdict, but their theories behind the verdict they reach do not have to be the same.

Ive never seen so much evidence in my life against one person, Mr Jones said.

Shes running from you'

16:10 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Jones honed in on Ms Armstrongs failed escape 19 days before the trial began.

She was not just running from the sheriffs office, she was running from you and you, and you, Mr Jones said as he pointed to the jurors. She is running from all of you in the back road. Everybody deserves their day in court, and she got it. As you see in this video, she didnt want to face you. 

Closing arguments begin

16:08 , Andrea Blanco

Assistant District Attorney Rick Jones has begun presenting closing arguments for the state.

The last thing Mo Wilson did was scream in terror, Mr Jones says. She stood over her after she shot her in the head twice and put another bullet in her heart.... you heard the medical examiner. That third bullet was in her heart.

Defence likely to use Wilsons bike as prop during closing arguments

16:05 , Andrea Blanco

Wilsons bike is placed in the well of the courtroom, according to NewsNation Correspondent Alex Caprariello.

Kaitlin Armstrongs FAMILY arrive at court

15:17 , Andrea Blanco

Cameras will be in the courtroom for closing arguments, which are expected early this morning.

The judge said before court was adjourned yesterday that deliberations are also expected to begin today.

Closing arguments to begin

13:00 , Mike Bedigan

Closing arguments in the murder trial of yoga teacher Kaitlin Armstrong are due to begin today.

Ms Armstrong is accused of the 11 May 2022 murder of Wilson, who prosecutors have described as her love rival.

The two women were reportedly involved in a love triangle with Ms Armstrongs then on-and-off boyfriend and Wilsons fellow cyclist Colin Strickland.

Jurors have heard testimony from Mr Strickland, friends of Ms Armstrong, and law enforcement personnel, including a US Marshal agent who aided in Ms Armstrongs arrest overseas.

Jurors will hear closing statements from both sides, before being sent to deliberate.

What has the defence argued so far?

12:30 , Mike Bedigan

Defence attorneys accused police of a sloppy investigation that too quickly focused on Ms Armstrong as the sole suspect.

Ms Armstrongs attorneys also have tried to raise doubts among jurors by suggesting someone else could have killed Wilson, and asking why prosecutors dismissed Mr Strickland as a suspect.

The defence tried to poke holes in the prosecutions case, arguing that a lot of evidence in the case was not thoroughly reviewed, NewsNation reports.

The attorneys questioned Austin Police Department detective Richard Spitler on why a rape kit performed on Wilson was never processed, and why Mr Stricklands laptop was returned to him just eight days after the murder without having been analysed forensically.

The defence also sent shockwaves through the courtroom when they raised a mistrial motion mid-procedure, arguing that Det Spitler favoured Mr Strickland and cleared him too soon. The attorneys brought up that Det Spitler had previously met Mr Strickland at a taco deli years before the murder, also asking the detective if he thought of Mr Strickland as a local celebrity.

Elsewhere in their arguments, the defence argued that the prosecution did not have any witness who could place their client at the crime scene and that her fingerprints or DNA were not found at the home where Wilson was found dead. Ms Armstrongs lawyers also asked Det Spitler why he hadnt further interviewed two of Wilsons ex-boyfriends, with the detective saying that phone data and other evidence placed them nowhere near the crime.

Timeline of Kaitlin Armstrongs moves on night of murder

11:30 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Strickland dropped off Wilson at around 8.30pm.

Ms Armstrongs Jeep, which had been parked in an alley near Ms Cashs home, pulls up and parks again.

Wilson uses her phone and sends her last message at 9.13pm.

A surveillance video from a nearby home captured gunshot sounds and a womans scream at 9.16pm.

At 9:43pm, the Jeep stops at a dumpster for three minutes and then heads to Mr Stricklands home.

911 is called at 9.55pm when Ms Cash arrives home.

Kaitlin Armstrong said in so many words that she wanted to kill Wilson

10:00 , Andrea Blanco

Nicole Mertz, a close friend of Ms Armstrong, was called to the stand on Wednesday (8 November).

Ms Mertz said that her friend and Mr Strickland often broke up and got back together and that he referred to Ms Armstrong as his lady friend. Ms Mertz went on to recount that Ms Armstrong once said that if Mr Strickland dated another woman, she would kill her.]

My first thought was that Kaitlin might have had something to do with it, Ms Mertz said about the moment she found out about Wilsons killing.

Jacqueline Chasteen, a friend of Mr Strickland who eventually also befriended Ms Armstrong, said that during a gathering in Bentonville, Ms Armstrong confided in her that Mr Strickland had cheated on her with Wilson.

She had described how Colin had cheated but while she was describing that, she had said in so many words that she wanted to kill her, she said, per NewsNation. That she had thought about it. But how she said it at the time I didnt take it seriously...she said something to the effect that she had bought a gun... I do know the words kill and the words gun were used.

WATCH: Kaitlin Armstrong trial day 8

08:30 , Andrea Blanco

Details about Kaitlin Armstrongs escape revealed

07:00 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Strickland and Ms Armstrong were told about Wilsons murder by Austin Police detectives on 12 May 2022, just a day after the murder. Bodycam footage shown to the court reportedly showed that the two seemed shocked after learning the tragic news.

Mr Strickland later joined investigators at the police station, where he gave a statement for nearly six hours. The following day, authorities served a search warrant and seized weapons from his home.

Crime scene specialist Mirezha Guevara testified on November 3 that while she was taking pictures of the firearms evidence and Ms Armstrongs black Jeep, she also noticed Ms Armstrongs passport and foreign currency inside the home.

An attorney representing both Mr Strickland and Ms Armstrong was present while the warrant was served, but investigators did not ask to interview Ms Armstrong.

However, they did ask Mr Strickland about her black Jeep, the same model of car seen on surveillance footage near the home where Wilson was found. The car had also been spotted near the swimming pool bar that Mr Strickland and Wilson had been at just hours before she was killed.

Mr Strickland suggested during his testimony that investigators knew it belonged to Ms Armstrong.

Mr Strickland said that after he was interviewed and the warrant was served, he and Ms Armstrong were exhausted. He asked her to write a timeline of her activities on the day and reportedly said she went to yoga and visited a healer but made no mention of seeing Wilson.

He then went to his business headquarters in Lockhart and did not see Ms Armstrong again.

On 14 May, Ms Armstrong took a flight from Austin to Houston. She was found in Costa Rica 43 days later.

Love rival murder, a harrowing 911 call and bike DNA: Key revelations in the Kaitlin Armstrong trial

05:30 , Andrea Blanco

Kaitlin Armstrong faces up to 99 years in prison if shes convicted of killing professional cyclist Anna Moriah Mo Wilson after they were allegedly involved in a love triangle.

The Independents Andrea Cavallier and Andrea Blanco explain the most crucial moments so far in her high-profile trial:

Key revelations in the Kaitlin Armstrong love rival murder trial so far

Defence says DNA found on Wilsons bike may have transfered

04:00 , Andrea Blanco

There was DNA from a third, male, individual, on the handlebar of Wilsons bike but DNA analysts were unable to build a profile with it.

A third DNA profile was also found on the seat.

Forensic DNA consultant Matthew Quartaro testified on Wednesday that he can only say with certainty that the unknown DNA does not belong to Wilson, Ms Armstrong, Mr Strickland or Caitlin Cash.

He also admitted that it is impossible to know whether Ms Armstrongs DNA was found on the bike because she touched it, or because it transferred.

The defence has tried to argue before that Ms Armstrongs DNA may have ended up in the bike because Wilson rode Mr Stricklands bike that night.

WATCH: Kaitlin Armstrong trial, summary of evidence

02:30 , Andrea Blanco

What has the state argued so far?

01:00 , Andrea Blanco

The state honed in on evidence connecting Ms Armstrong to the crime, including DNA found on Wilsons bike, as well as cell phone data and the infotainment system of Ms Armstrongs Jeep placing her near the scene.

Prosecutors argued that in the days leading up to the murder, Ms Armstrong had tracked Wilsons movements on her Strava account.

Data pulled from Ms Armstrongs phone showed that she viewed Wilsons Strava profile once on 9 May 2022, two days before the murder, and four times the following day. Vehicle satellite records, phone-tracking data and surveillance video from a nearby home showed Ms Armstrongs Jeep driving around the apartment and parking in an alley shortly before Wilson was killed.

According to key testimony from Nicole Mertz, a close friend of Ms Armstrong, the defendant had voiced death threats against Wilson. Ms Mertz recounted that Ms Armstrong once said that if Mr Strickland dated another woman, she would kill [her.]

My first thought was that Kaitlin might have had something to do with it, Ms Mertz said about the moment she found out about Wilsons killing.

Jacqueline Chasteen, a friend of Mr Strickland who eventually also befriended Ms Armstrong, also testified that during a gathering in Bentonville in early 2022, Ms Armstrong confided in her that Mr Strickland had cheated on her with Wilson.

She had described how Colin had cheated but while she was describing that, she had said in so many words that she wanted to kill her, she said, per NewsNation. That she had thought about it. But how she said it at the time I didnt take it seriously...she said something to the effect that she had bought a gun... I do know the words kill and the words gun were used.

Colin Strickland leaves court with police escort

00:17 , Mike Bedigan

Colin Strickland was seen leaving the courthouse after testifying on Wednesday, flanked by at least four law enforcement officers.

Mr Strickland  who was the defences last witness before resting its case  has previously had several negative run-ins with reporter inside and outside of the court.

WATCH: Colin Strickland leaving the courthouse after testifying on Wednesday. Strickland was the defense's final witness before resting its case.

At least 4 law enforcement officers escort him out today after he had several negative encounters with professional media last week. pic.twitter.com/cVsrHdY3iP  Alex Caprariello (@alcaprari23) November 16, 2023

Closing arguments to begin tomorrow

Wednesday 15 November 2023 23:48 , Mike Bedigan

Proceedings in the murder trial of Kaitlin Armstrong have adjourned for the day.

Jurors were told that closing arguments will begin tomorrow, when they return at 9am local time.

They will then begin their deliberations in the case.

Forensic expert casts doubt on defence DNA claims

Wednesday 15 November 2023 23:42 , Mike Bedigan

Referring back to evidence given by the defence, which discussed how Ms Armstrongs DNA had ended up on a bike ridden by Wilson, Dr Kalafut said he wouldnt have a very high expectation at all for finding the DNA once Wilson and Mr Strickland had been swimming.

Prosecutors counted out how many steps of transfer DNA that would entail  at least four.

Dr Kalafut said had only heard of two studies where transfer DNA has successfully been passed down four times and survived.

He added that it is his opinion that it is more likely that Ms Armstrong placed her DNA on the bicycle, not that Wilson transferred her DNA by accident.

Defence rests its case, new witness called by prosectors

Wednesday 15 November 2023 23:13 , Andrea Blanco

Forensic scientist Tim Kalafut has been called to the stand.

Kaitlin Armstrong will not testify

Wednesday 15 November 2023 23:12 , Andrea Blanco

After Mr Strickland was dismissed, Ms Arsmtrong and her attorneys approached the judge.

She was asked if she understood her right to testify if she wished to do so.

According to NewsNation Correspondent Alex Caprariello, Ms Arsmtrong seemed confused, and even scared during that exchange, a stark contrast from her stoic demeanour in the two and a half weeks of trial so far.

Colin Strickland returns to court

Wednesday 15 November 2023 23:04 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Strickland tells the court that he does not remember buying a second gun lock.

He is confronted by the defence about the fake alibi he provided to Ms Arsmtrong on the night of the murder.

Mr Strickland admits he lied to his then-girlfriend and instead spent time with Wilson.

Expert testifying for the defence under cross-examination

Wednesday 15 November 2023 21:47 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Tobins tells the court that he is being paid $5,000 to testify for the defence and that he has not reviewed the evidence in Moriah Wilsons murder investigation.

He is confronted by the state about research he did in the past which reportedly served as the baseline for Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) practice.

Colin Strickland is in the courtroom

Wednesday 15 November 2023 21:03 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Tobins testimony resumes.

Over the lunch recess, Colin Strickland arrived at the court and is now inside the witness room.

Mr Strickland was dismissed as a witness last week, but was told he could be called to the stand again.

Court take recess

Wednesday 15 November 2023 20:15 , Andrea Blanco

The proceedings will resume after lunch.

Wednesday 15 November 2023 19:57 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Tobin is now going through studies debunking theories about ballistics analysis.

Wilsons family is not in the courtroom, according to Mr Caprariello.

Jury has no reaction to testimony discrediting prosecutions ballistics testimony

Wednesday 15 November 2023 19:08 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Tobin notes that firearm examination is not a science and is very subjective.

Mr Caprariello, who is in the courtroom, says that Mr Tobins testimony does not appear to have an impact on the jury.

Defence argues validity of AFTE-based testimony presented by prosecutors

Wednesday 15 November 2023 19:02 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Tobin is criticising the Association of Firearm and Tool Mark Examiners (AFTE) standards regarding ballistics examination.

He said there is not enough peer review and that terms used, such as sufficient agreement, are flawed, worthless statements and claims.

Expert explains ballistics terms to the court

Wednesday 15 November 2023 18:50 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Tobin is explaining details about gun manufacturing.

He says that while manufacturers intend to make weapons as identical as possible, there are always defects or impressions.

Wednesday 15 November 2023 18:25 , Andrea Blanco

Firearm expert William Tobin is testifying on a Zoom appearance.

Mr Tobin has previously analysed bullet and lead testing that has led to exculpatory evidence.

State redirects

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:24 , Andrea Blanco

The state is now trying to question Mr Quartaro on the possibility and probability of Ms Armstrongs DNA being unknowingly transferred through a second party.

Mr Quartaro says it is more likely to shed DNA when someone is nervous and sweating, but cant say how Ms Armstrongs DNA got there.

The defence redirects and asks Mr Quartaro whether it is possible Ms Armstrongs sweat DNA from the motorcycle helmet could have transferred to Wilsons bike. He says it is.

Defence argues that DNA may have transferred to bike

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:05 , Andrea Blanco

There was also DNA from a third, male, individual, on the bikes handlebar but DNA analysts were unable to build a profile with it.

A third DNA profile was also found on the seat.

Mr Quartaro says he can only say with certainty that the unknown DNA does not belong to Wilson, Ms Armstrong, Mr Strickland or Caitlin Cash.

He also admits that it is impossible to know whether Ms Armstrongs DNA was found on the bike because she touched it, or because it transferred.

The defence has tried to argue before that Ms Armstrongs DNA may have ended up in the bike because Wilson rode Mr Stricklands bike that night.

Forensic DNA consultant Matthew Quartaro takes the stand

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:56 , Andrea Blanco

The defence is honing in on the presence of another DNA profile on the weapon believed to have been used in Wilsons murder.

Mr Quartaro agrees with the defence that DNA samples and testing cant conclude how the DNA got to the item that was swabbed. The expert also notes that only one swab was used for different areas of the weapon and it is impossible to tell where exactly in the weapon was Ms Armstrongs DNA.

Ms Armstrong stone cold throughout trial

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:43 , Andrea Blanco

When asked by prosecutors if Ms Armstrong seems tense, Officer Niels says that she looks as calm and collected as she did on 12 May 2022.

Mr Caprariello describes Ms Armstrongs demeanour during the two and a half weeks of trial as emotionless and stone cold.

APD officer takes the stand

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:27 , Andrea Blanco

APD Officer Niels has now taken the stand. He arrested Ms Armstrong on a theft of service warrant a day after the murder.

Ms Armstrong was released after the arrest after the detective who questioned her claimed there was an error with her date of birth - said detective admitted last week that there was never an error and it remains unclear why she let Ms Armstrong free.

When the defence suggests that Ms Armstrong was handcuffed and arrested by two officers to instil fear in her, Officer Niels said she seemed calmed that day.

Pinneapple juice is a weak acid, will not erase someones fingerprints, witness says

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:09 , Andrea Blanco

The state has brought up Ms Armstrongs searches while on the run in Costa Rica on whether pineapple juice could erase fingerprints.

Ms LaGrone said fingerprints can only be altered through deep scarring.

You would have to hold on to a pineapple for an exceedingly long time for it to wear away your fingerprints, Ms LaGrone says, according to NewsNation Correspondent Alex Caprariello.

Kaitlin Armstrongs print not found at the scene

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:06 , Andrea Blanco

Ms LaGrone says that most of the prints lifted from the doors exterior and interior were inconclusive, meaning they could not be compared to Ms Armstrongs. Other prints were excluded from the defendant.

When asked if she was asked to compare the collected prints with Wilsons or Ms Cashs, Ms LaGrone said she is not sure who they are.

Fingerprint expert first witness for the defence

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:47 , Andrea Blanco

Erin LaGrone, a senior fingerprint examiner with the Austin Forensic Science Department, is the first witness called by the defence.

Ms LaGrone says that she did not collect fingerprints in the case.

She analysed 22 lift cards taken from Caitlin Cashs front door, as well as nine others taken from Wilsons bike.

Ms LaGrone was given Kaitlin Armstorngs fingerprint to match those found at the scene.

She tells the court she realised there was an error when she was handed the prints because the label in the envelope didnt match the number of prints contained. The suggestion is that the accurate label had been switched.

State rests its case

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:23 , Andrea Blanco

Prosecutors have rested their case and the court will now hear from defence attorneys.

The defences witness list is relatively short and closing arguments could begin this afternoon.

Kaitlin Armstrong said in so many words that she wanted to kill Wilson

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:00 , Andrea Blanco

Nicole Mertz, a close friend of Ms Armstrong, was called to the stand on Wednesday (8 November).

Ms Mertz said that her friend and Mr Strickland often broke up and got back together and that he referred to Ms Armstrong as his lady friend. Ms Mertz went on to recount that Ms Armstrong once said that if Mr Strickland dated another woman, she would kill her.]

My first thought was that Kaitlin might have had something to do with it, Ms Mertz said about the moment she found out about Wilsons killing.

Jacqueline Chasteen, a friend of Mr Strickland who eventually also befriended Ms Armstrong, said that during a gathering in Bentonville, Ms Armstrong confided in her that Mr Strickland had cheated on her with Wilson.

She had described how Colin had cheated but while she was describing that, she had said in so many words that she wanted to kill her, she said, per NewsNation. That she had thought about it. But how she said it at the time I didnt take it seriously...she said something to the effect that she had bought a gun... I do know the words kill and the words gun were used.

Moriah Wilsons final screams captured on video

Wednesday 15 November 2023 12:00 , Andrea Blanco

The murder trial began on 1 November with Texas prosecutors telling jurors they would hear Wilsons final screams and the shots that killed her.

The last thing Mo did on this earth was scream in terror, Travis County prosecutor Rickey Jones told jurors in opening statements.

He said nearby surveillance equipment captured the screams.

Those screams are followed by Pop! Pop! Mr Jones said, smacking his hands together for emphasis. You wont hear any more screams after that.

Seconds after those shots, Mr Jones said, Kaitlin Armstrong stood over Mo Wilson and put a third shot right into Mo Wilsons heart.

Love rival murder, a harrowing 911 call and bike DNA: Key revelations in the Kaitlin Armstrong trial

Wednesday 15 November 2023 11:00 , Andrea Blanco

Kaitlin Armstrong faces up to 99 years in prison if shes convicted of killing professional cyclist Anna Moriah Mo Wilson after they were allegedly involved in a love triangle.

The Independents Andrea Cavallier and Andrea Blanco explain the most crucial moments so far in her high-profile trial:

Key revelations in the Kaitlin Armstrong love rival murder trial so far

Missed signs of Armstrongs plans to flee

Wednesday 15 November 2023 09:00 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Strickland and Ms Armstrong were told about Wilsons murder by Austin Police detectives on 12 May 2022, just a day after the murder. Bodycam footage shown to the court reportedly showed that the two seemed shocked after learning the tragic news.

Mr Strickland later joined investigators at the police station, where he gave a statement for nearly six hours. The following day, authorities served a search warrant and seized weapons from his home.

Crime scene specialist Mirezha Guevara testified on November 3 that while she was taking pictures of the firearms evidence and Ms Armstrongs black Jeep, she also noticed Ms Armstrongs passport and foreign currency inside the home.

An attorney representing both Mr Strickland and Ms Armstrong was present while the warrant was served, but investigators did not ask to interview Ms Armstrong.

However, they did ask Mr Strickland about her black Jeep, the same model of car seen on surveillance footage near the home where Wilson was found. The car had also been spotted near the swimming pool bar that Mr Strickland and Wilson had been at just hours before she was killed.

Mr Strickland suggested during his testimony that investigators knew it belonged to Ms Armstrong.

Mr Strickland said that after he was interviewed and the warrant was served, he and Ms Armstrong were exhausted. He asked her to write a timeline of her activities on the day and reportedly said she went to yoga and visited a healer but made no mention of seeing Wilson.

He then went to his business headquarters in Lockhart and did not see Ms Armstrong again.

On 14 May, Ms Armstrong took a flight from Austin to Houston. She was found in Costa Rica 43 days later.

WATCH: Kaitlin Armstrong trial day 8

Wednesday 15 November 2023 22:19 , Andrea Blanco

WATCH: Day 7 of Kaitlin Armstrong trial in Austin

Wednesday 15 November 2023 07:00 , Andrea Blanco

Colin Strickland says he doesnt know Armstrong very well

Wednesday 15 November 2023 05:00 , Andrea Blanco

Mr Stricklands initial remarks to the court about he and Ms Armstrong loving each other but not being compatible long-term took a turn on Monday after he seemingly tried to distance himself from the disgraced yoga teacher.

You know Kaitlin Armstrong very well, dont you? Ms Armstrongs attorneys asked during cross-examination on Monday (6 November).

No, I do not, Mr Strickland answered, prompting an audible gasp in the court, according to NewsNation reporter Alex Caprariello, who was in the room.

Defence says Armstrong fled the country after shooting because she likes to travel

Wednesday 15 November 2023 03:00 , Andrea Blanco

The murder case drew international headlines when Ms Armstrong fled the country after her initial meeting with police just days after the fatal shooting, leading to a 43-day search.

In a short opening statement at trial, defence attorney Geoffrey Puryear suggested Ms Armstrongs sudden flight out of the country was not an attempt to escape justice.

She would have no reason to know about any (arrest) warrant, You will hear Kaitlin is passionate about travelling and passionate about yoga, Mr Puryear said.

He also said that Ms Armstrong was caught in a web of circumstantial evidence and that no video evidence or witnesses can put Ms Armstrong at the scene of the shooting.

Investigators said she sold her vehicle for $12,000 and fled the country using her sisters name, email, credit card and passport.

Federal authorities tracked Ms Armstrong to Costa Rica, where prosecutors said she spent $6,425 for surgery to change her appearance and used several aliases while attempting to establish herself as a yoga instructor.

She also had cut and darkened her hair, and had a bandage on her nose and discoloration under her eyes when arrested at a beachside hostel. She told police when she was arrested that she was injured in a surfing accident.

Items found in Ms Arsmtrongs hiding place in Costa Rica:

Wednesday 15 November 2023 01:00 , Andrea Blanco

-A receipt for a $6,350 rhinoplasty procedure under the name of Allison Paige

-A boarding pass for a flight booked for Christie Armstrong from Newark to San Jose. Prosecutors have previously said it appears Ms Armstrong used her sisters passport.

-Christine Elizabeth Armstrongs passport

-US dollars, foreign currency and medication

-Credit cards, sim cards and phones

Court adjourned for the day

Tuesday 14 November 2023 23:58 , Mike Bedigan

Ms Mazak has been dismissed as a witness and court has adjourned for the day.

Here is a recap of the key revelations from the trial so far.

Key revelations in the Kaitlin Armstrong love rival murder trial so far
KANSAS CITY, Mo.  A Kansas City man is facing charges in the death of a young woman whose body was found in Grandview, Missouri.

Jackson County prosecutors on Wednesday charged 19-year-old Tyheem Anderson with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and kidnapping.

1 dead, 1 injured following shooting in parking lot of Platte City Wendys

According to court records, the victim, identified as 17-year-old Amauri Hughes, went to Andersons house in Kansas City.

Anderson told police he and the victim had been in a long relationship.

On Saturday, Nov. 11, a witness called police and told them she had seen Hughes restrained in a surrender position. The following day officers were tipped that they could find the victim at another residence.

Grandview officers responded and found Hughes in a lot near the area of E. 127th Street and White Avenue. She had suffered trauma, including stab and gunshot wounds. Also a tooth was missing, according to court documents.

Man sentenced for killing, planning to eat American bald eagle; second man sought

Court documents say officers searched a Kansas City residence, where they found mail and other items with the Andersons name on them. They also found blood and a tooth.

Anderson admitted to being with Hughes on Sunday, Nov. 12, when they had an argument.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
Help us work

Registered apprenticeships are the gold standard of work-based learning, where participants can earn as they learn. They place people  like Tina Shonk Little, a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers in Kansas City  on pathways to high-paying careers with better benefits and greater job security. The average salary of an apprenticeship graduate is $80,000 per year.

The U.S. Department of Labors Womens Bureau, Women in Apprenticeship and Nontraditional Occupations grant program helps grantees, such as Kansas Citys Heartland Women in Trades, provide support services and job skills training to prepare women like Tina for promising careers, and helps employers create a work culture that provides women the opportunity to succeed. This work could not be timelier, as Missouri and Kansas are seeing billions of dollars in investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and must fill thousands of skilled trades jobs.

As we celebrate National Apprenticeship Week Nov. 13-19, we need local, state and federal leaders and employers to commit to addressing issues such as pay inequity, access to affordable child care, workplace flexibility, paid leave and training that support parents, and especially women in the workforce, so that all people can share in our nations economic growth.

- Gina Rodriguez, Midwest Regional Administrator, U.S. Department of Labors Womens Bureau, Chicago

Off limits

No one should ever hurt an infant or young child. Innocent babies struggling for life in hospital beds should not be left to die. No one should harm babies, regardless of the parents faith or lack thereof. These are basic pro-life tenets.

It is abhorrent to snatch little ones as hostages. It also seems inhumane to hold babies, toddlers and their parents in virtual captivity via an area-wide siege. I abhor Hamas attack last month on innocent Israelis. Nevertheless, if two wrongs dont make a right, how can the deaths of 11,000 Palestinians, many of them children, ever make right the tragedies of Oct. 7?

Negotiating a cease-fire is never easy, but this must take place immediately. If the warring parties cannot get sufficient fuel or supplies to Al-Shifa and Al-Quds hospitals so that staff can generate fuel, provide sanitation and feed patients, the United Nations or other neutral actors need to deliver this material aid to patients and refugees. Ensure that all civilians have access to food, water and safe havens. Most important, hospitals should be properly supplied and kept strictly off-limits to warring parties  full stop.

- Janice Jean Stallings, Kansas City

Take a stand

Fighting in the Middle East has resulted in massive death in Israel and Gaza. This is a political and religious war. The Red Cross has sent trucks of water, medical supplies and more to help care for the wounded. The United States should demand a cease-fire  or insist that the Red Cross pull out. If the violence does not stop, we should pull out all care and resources, store everything in our ships at sea and wait for the smoke to clear.

It may take days, weeks or months. Only then should the Red Cross continue to provide aid.

- Gene Grillot, Kansas City

Classy listening

I started listening to 91.9 FM, Classical KC, in my car during the pandemic after scanning the dial to find something pleasurable in stressful times.

The more Ive listened, the more I like it. It seems very well programmed and often has interesting thematic classical music. I personally think this station from the University of Missouri-Kansas City is better than the satellite radio classical channel.

Right now, Im listening at home while reading and too lazy to change vinyl records. Plus, I like learning new music.

Thank you to everyone involved in 91.9 FM and bravo for a splendid addition to Kansas City radio. If I were recruiting knowledge workers to Kansas City, Id be sure to pick up candidates at the airport with 91.9 FM playing in the car.

- Brad Johnson, Prairie Village
The historic corruption trial of former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke has begun.

The son of a Democratic ward boss and alderman, Burke, 79, served more than 50 years on the City Council and allegedly ran the Finance Committee like his own personal fiefdom before his office was dramatically raided by the FBI in November 2018.

Burke is charged with 14 counts, including racketeering, federal program bribery, attempted extortion, conspiracy to commit extortion and using interstate commerce to facilitate an unlawful activity.

At the heart of the indictment are more than 100 secretly recorded meetings and phone calls prosecutors plan to play that allegedly show Burke using his elected office to win benefits for himself, mostly through business for his private law firm.

Burkes defense team, meanwhile, will try to show that Burkes maneuvering was nothing more than politics as usual.

The crux of Burkes defense will likely be to knock down Solis, who was caught in his own corruption scheme before agreeing in 2016 to become an FBI mole and secretly record Burke.

The trial is expected to last about six weeks.

Follow our writers  Jason Meisner, Megan Crepeau and Ray Long  for the latest news and see coverage throughout the trial below.







Jurors in ex-Ald. Ed Burkes federal corruption trial on Thursday finally heard, in Burkes own voice, a phrase already infamous in Chicago political history:

So did we land the, uh, the tuna?

The tuna was tax business from developers of the massive Old Post Office  business that Burke had been chasing for months. In conversation after wiretapped conversation, Burke made it clear to then-Ald. Daniel Solis, an FBI mole, that he wasnt inclined to pull any strings for the developers until they agreed to be clients of Burkes private law firm, Klafter & Burke. Read more here.







Ed Burke seen in a secretly recorded video.

One of the most crucial pieces of evidence in the sprawling racketeering indictment against Ed Burke was presented in court Wednesday.

Burke had just finished pitching his private law firm to the developers of the Old Post Office in October 2016 when he asked his assistant to bring in some pamphlets and business cards.

Unbeknownst to Burke, his colleague, then-Ald. Daniel Solis had a hidden video camera pointing right at him as Burke wrote something down on the back of the Klafter & Burke materials and slid it over Harry Skydell and his son, who had flown in from New York to meet Burke face to face. Read more here.







Chicago Ald. Daniel Solis was a newly minted FBI mole in August 2016 when he was instructed to call his then-powerful colleague, Ald. Ed Burke, and talk about the massive $600 million renovation of the Old Post Office.

After some seemingly innocuous conversation about the projects New York-based developers and local contractors whod be vying for work, Burke made an unsolicited comment that surely perked up the ears of the FBI agents listening in the wire room.

Well, while youre at it, recommend the good firm of Klafter & Burke to do the tax work, Burke told Solis on the Aug. 26, 2016, recording, which was played for the jury in Burkes corruption trial Tuesday. Read more here.







The testimony came as the historic trial was supposed to see its first full week starting Monday after an unexpectedly slow jury selection, followed by a COVID-19 diagnosis for one of the defense attorneys and a shortened week for the Thanksgiving holiday put the proceedings behind schedule.

U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall has said that despite the delays, she still expected the trial to finish by the Christmas holiday, which is now just four weeks away. Read more here.







The federal racketeering case against Ed Burke is pure Chicago.

At its core, the Burke trial, which just wrapped its third week, is about a series of alleged shakedowns by the longest-serving alderman in City Council history  a potential highlight reel for the sordid legacy of City Hall. Read more here.







On the morning the FBI raided then-Ald. Edward Burkes City Hall offices in November 2018, four federal agents more than a thousand miles away descended on the home of Houston-area fast food restaurant tycoon Shoukat Dhanani.

When Dhanani answered his door that day in Sugar Land, Texas, the agents immediately assured him he was not in any trouble, but said they were investigating Burke and needed to ask him some questions about a Burger King that Dhanani had purchased and renovated in the 14th Ward, Dhanani told a federal jury in Chicago on Wednesday. Read more here.







Federal prosecutors on Tuesday began to serve up their case that then-Ald. Edward Burke tried to shake down the owner of a Burger King in his Southwest Side ward, playing recordings where the powerful Democrat made clear he was after the companys tax business.

The Burger King scheme is one of four main episodes charged in Burkes federal racketeering indictment, and the only one that involves Burkes co-defendant, former 14th Ward aide Peter Andrews Jr. Read more here.







Deborah Bekken, a onetime Field Museum director, was calling powerful Chicago Ald. Edward Burke to ask for his support for the museums proposal for a fee increase in September 2017 when he caught her off guard with an immediately chilly demeanor.

Well, uh, I was surprised to hear from you to be very frank, a gruff-sounding Burke said to Bekken on the Sept. 8, 2017, call, which was secretly being recorded by the FBI. Burke grew more icy as he explained that hed recommended a good friends daughter for an internship at the Field Museum but never heard back. Read more here.







Jurors in the federal racketeering trial of ex-Ald. Edward Burke got a lengthy crash course in the intricacies of City Hall on Friday, a seminar that a prosecution expert labeled the Schoolhouse Rock of Chicago politics. Read more here.







Even as a heavyweight Chicago leader constantly in the city spotlight, Ed Burke lived a double life, federal prosecutors said.

Outwardly he was the most powerful and longest-serving alderman on the City Council, Assistant United States Attorney Tim Chapman said, leading the Finance Committee for decades.

But secretly, He was something else instead. He was a bribe-taker and he was an extortionist, Chapman told jurors in opening statements Thursday at Burkes landmark racketeering trial.

For the defense, Burke attorney Chris Gair painted Burke as a zealous public servant, a proud lawyer and an enthusiastic Chicagoan who made all those phone calls simply to help people. This is a bribery case without bribes and an extortion case without extortion, he said. Read more here.







Expand Autoplay Image 1 of 64 Former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke arrives at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse with wife Anne Burke on Nov. 30, 2023. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

After a sluggish start to jury selection and a weeklong COVID-related delay, the corruption trial of former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke finally expected headed to opening statements Thursday after a jury was empaneled. Read more here.







The trial had been scheduled to kick off in earnest a week earlier. But soon after convening the fourth day of proceedings on Nov. 9, U.S. District Judge Virginia Kendall announced that one of the lawyers in the case was sick and two others were not feeling well, forcing her to tell everyone to stay away from courthouse.

Sorry for this news, but it is in our time, Kendall said. Stay healthy, and make sure you drink your orange juice and get your sleep. Because we have work to do.

Unlike previous trial days, everyone on Burkes team was wearing masks, including the former alderman, as were prosecutors at the table across from them. Attorneys for one of Burkes co-defendants, Charles Cui, appeared by phone. Read more here.







A total of 54 potential jurors were questioned over three days, with 37 making it through for cause strikes to the next round.

The pace of jury selection was markedly slow.

Potential jurors were asked in granular detail about their social media presence, their gaming habits, their pets and their relationship with some of the entities that figure into the indictment: Binnys Beverage Depot, Burger King and the U.S. Postal Service.

Among those questioned were a man who has a rescue snake named Medusa and two geckos named after anime characters, a homemaker who moderates a Jane Austen fan website and a 20-year-old junior college student who works as a host at a chef Gordon Ramsay restaurant in the suburbs. Read more here.







Former 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke arrives for his alleged political corruption trial at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse Nov. 6, 2023, in Chicago. (Armando L. Sanchez/Chicago Tribune)

Former Ald. Edward Burke arrived at Chicagos federal courthouse Monday looking much like the powerful Democratic politician who ruled City Council for decades, dressed to the nines, silver hair combed back, American flag pin on his lapel.

Only now hes a private citizen in the fight of his life. Read more here.







Jurors in the racketeering trial of former 14th Ward Ald. Edward Burke are going to hear a lot of names, including fellow aldermen, city commissioners, developers, architects and restaurant franchisees.

But one name they will not hear: Donald Trump.

Thats because prosecutors have agreed to redact Trumps name from an undercover recording where Burke talked about how his private law firm had won property tax breaks for Trumps downtown Chicago skyscraper. Read more here.







After a month of legal jockeying, lawyers for former Chicago Ald. Edward Burke confirmed in court Monday they will call alderman turned government mole Daniel Solis as a defense witness at Burkes upcoming racketeering trial.

The announcement by Burkes high-powered defense team comes a month after prosecutors left Solis off their witness list, saying they planned to introduce dozens of undercover audio and video recording Solis made in the bombshell investigation through other witnesses.

Prosecutors had asked that Burkes attorneys be barred from calling Solis simply to try to impeach his credibility and question the unprecedented deal he got from the U.S. attorneys office. Read more here.







A whos who of Illinois Democrats was gathered in Philadelphia in July 2016 for the partys national convention, where Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders were vying for the chance to take on Donald Trump.

Among the Chicago heavyweights in attendance that week was Ald. Daniel Solis, a staunch Clinton supporter who told the Tribune the excitement of potentially having the first woman in U.S. history ever to be nominated for president was a historical moment in the life of this country and in my life.

As it turned out, Clintons nomination wasnt the only history going down in the City of Brotherly Love. Behind the scenes, one of the most significant public corruption cases in Chicago history was about to be born. Read more here.
Robert F. Kennedy Jr.s allied super PAC says its willing to spend millions of dollars on a 30-minute infomercial that will be all about  Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

The idea, outlined by the American Values 2024 PAC at an event in midtown Manhattan this week, is unorthodox. Officials said theyre planning to debut the video early next year at red-carpet premieres in New York and Los Angeles to highlight Kennedys celebrity support on the coasts.

The plan underscores how Kennedys political team is putting his celebrity at the center of his bid, even while presenting the candidate  a scion of Democratic aristocracy  as the anti-establishment, heterodoxical option in the race. Panelists at the event pitched Kennedy, a first-time candidate, as a danger to the 1 percent, a fighter for every child, born and unborn and someone who would close the border if elected.

The infomercial is a 30-minute state-of-the-art compilation thats meant to explain to the public who Bobby Kennedy really is in the face of just an incredible barrage of lies, PAC co-founder Tony Lyons said in an interview with POLITICO.

If we had $100 million, we would run the whole 30 minutes [on television] and pay whatever it costs, he said.





But even if they don't get the $100 million budget, American Values 2024 already has plans to present Kennedys resume as an environmental lawyer and opponent to corporate corruption.

The PAC outlined this strategy at an event launching its African American and Latino voter outreach strategy, hoping to build on Kennedy's historic levels of third-party support (24 percent in the recent poll of six battleground states from the New York Times and 22 percent in the most recent Quinnipiac survey of registered voters). American Values PAC reported nearly $9 million cash on hand in the middle of this year.

Officials with Kennedys super PAC framed their investments not just as part of an effort to win over voters but to defend their candidate from attacks against him.

People have been subjected to this incredible brainwashing. I mean, this is like 1984-level brainwashing, Lyons, who is also the publisher of Kennedys books, said. I don't really know how to quickly explain to [people] that that isnt true  you have to almost feel for them that they just can't really get the truth.

A 30-minute infomercial is not unheard of in presidential politics. Then-candidate Barack Obama aired one at the tail end of his 2008 run for the White House, using his well-stuffed coffers to fund a massive TV onslaught in the campaigns closing days.

When pressed for specifics on how to attract an audience for such a long video, Lyons said the PAC would also make shorter versions ranging from 15 seconds to 2 minutes to share on social media, something that Lyons predicted would make Kennedy's polling numbers "go way up." The PAC also plans to buy or rent the campaigns email list to encourage those supporters to host watch parties for it.

Negative hit pieces and attacks on Kennedy will fade in impact, Lyons said.

After all of this real disinformation, people are sort of at the point  and it happened with Donald Trump, too  they get to a point where they've just been inundated with it, and they don't believe it anymore," Lyons said. "And it begins to have the opposite effect.
A Kent Roosevelt High School student has been arrested and charged for allegedly posting a threat on social media that led to the cancellation of classes Wednesday.

A Kent Roosevelt High School student has been arrested for allegedly posting a social media threat that resulted in the cancellation of classes at the school Wednesday.

In a media release, Kent police said the boy, 17, was taken into custody Thursday morning and has been charged with second-degree felony inducing panic.

"The suspect and his family are cooperating with Kent police," the release says, adding "There is no continued threat to Roosevelt High School."

Police said they were alerted to a "vague threat " on Snapchat late Tuesday evening. As a precaution, classes were canceled the next day.

Police searched the school Wednesday and did not find any indications of a threat. Afternoon and evening school activities were allowed to take place.

More: Police: Man charged with 'terroristic threats' says alleged Kent bomb threat was a 'joke'

Reporter Jeff Saunders can be reached at jsaunders@recordpub.com.

This article originally appeared on Record-Courier: Kent high school student charged for alleged Snapchat threat
A live pipe bomb was found inside an abandoned home in Cynthiana Wednesday, according to the Cynthiana Police Department.

Police received a call shortly after 2 p.m. from a man who said he found the pipe bomb while cleaning out an abandoned house on Springdale Avenue. Police said they shut down Springdale Avenue between Webster Avenue and Old Lair Road. They notified nearby residents and the Harrison County school system for safety reasons.

The Lexington Police Departments Hazardous Devices Unit responded to the scene and safely removed the bomb, according to Cynthiana police. No injuries were reported.

Cynathiana police said theyre conducting an investigation along with the the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives.

The Cynthiana Police Department would like to thank the Lexington HDU unit for responding immediately with their expertise along with the ATF and KSP HDU, Cynthiana police said in a Facebook post. We would also like to thank the residents of Springdale Avenue for being patient and understanding in this situation, as well as the Harrison County School System for taking appropriate measures to ensure the safety of the students and faculty.
Kenyas National Assembly on Thursday approved the deployment of 1,000 police officers to Haiti, clearing a major hurdle in the internationally backed effort to help the volatile country take down violent gangs and restore democratic order with elections.

The vote by the East African nations parliament comes after the High Court in Nairobi in October blocked the United Nations supported deployment after a former presidential candidate challenged its constitutionality and as Haiti experiences a fresh-round of gang related violence and kidnappings. Inter-gang warfare in the capital of Port-au-Prince ignited again this week after the death of a major gang leader when his gun accidentally went off, leading to an attack against a hospital Wednesday in Haitis largest slum, Cite Soleil.

Dozens of pregnant women and babies at the Fontaine Hospital Center had to be evacuated during the deadly attack by heavily armed men who are part of a violent gang coalition known as G-pep-la.

Kenyas High Court, which held a hearing on the deployment Thursday, has set a hearing on the case for Jan. 26, dimming hopes for supporters that forces would be on the ground in Haiti in early January. Though Kenyas Interior Ministry has been working on the security mission and is scheduled to send another team to Haiti this month, its unclear how the courts third delay on a decision will affect the ability to finance and field the operations.

The court challenge was filed by former presidential candidate Ekuru Aukot and the Thirdway Alliance opposition party. As parliament debated the deployment, Aukot posted on social media that his lawyer, Charles Midenga, was addressing the court about the deployment. After the vote, he accused Kenyas parliament of being for sale.

During the debate in parliament, those opposed to the security mission argued that the deployment violates the constitution and that Kenyas police officers are needed at home.

Kenya President William Ruto first offered in July to lead a multinational security force into Haiti, but said a final decision would depend on several factors. One was approval of the mandate by the United Nations Security Council, and another was approval by his nations parliament. He also required an assessment of the security situation in Haiti by a Kenyan team, which has been done. Another visit is expected later this month.

On Thursday, the parliament backed the governments request to send security officers to Haiti after the minority leader Opiyo Wandayi unsuccessfully attempted to halt the debate.

You cannot use our police women and men as guinea pigs, he said during the heated debate.

The speaker, however, ruled that while the court bars deployment, the temporary injunction the high court issued did not prevent lawmakers from voting on the matter. The motion to deploy the officers was brought by the joint Committee on Administration and Internal Security.

Haitians displaced from their homes due to clashes between armed gangs in Cite Soleil walk down a street in the Tabarre neighborhood as they seek refuge in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.

The Biden administration, which co-authored the U.N. resolution supporting the Kenya-led multinational security mission in October, has pledged $200 million and is currently calling on other countries to provide funding and security personnel.

Kenyan Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki has said his country will not spend any money on the deployment of its National Police Service Officers to Haiti.

The cost of deployment will be catered by the United Nations, from the contributions of member states, he said on X. Kenyas participation in the Haiti peacekeeping mission will not in any way compromise or undermine our commitment and responsibility to protect citizens and their property.

READ MORE: Here are the countries offering to help Kenya take on deadly gangs in Haiti

Kindiki also said that it is a great honor for Kenya not only to be considered to contribute troops to a peacekeeping mission in Haiti, but also lead the exercise. We will succeed in Haiti as we have in previous peacekeeping missions.

Chile, Jamaica, Grenada, Burundi, Chad, Nigeria and Mauritius are among countries that have confirmed deployment of their officers to Haiti, he said.

The U.N. estimates that Haitis escalating violence has displaced about 200,000 Haitians, many of whom have had their homes and businesses burned down by heavily armed gangs. Fleeing the killings, kidnappings and gang rapes, Haitians have been forced to seek shelter in public plazas and schools.
Kibbutz Dan, typically home to around 850 people, has become a ghost town since the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7 (John MACDOUGALL)

Mya Pikoos used to leave the door of her kibbutz home in northern Israel unlocked. Now she sleeps with a commando knife and pepper spray under her pillow.

Kibbutz Dan, typically home to around 850 people, has become a ghost town since the Hamas attacks in southern Israel on October 7.

The lanes are lined with citrus trees laden with ripe and unpicked fruit. Untended cats prowl by day, and jackals and boars roam the vacant lots at night.

The community borders Lebanon, where Israel trades daily strikes with Hezbollah, and residents fear it will become a new front in an all-out war.

"It's the place I love and I don't want to let go," said Pikoos, 30, now a volunteer paramedic, as Israeli drones looped lazily overhead.

"I vowed to myself that as long as I can be useful and help out... then I want to stay and do as much as I possibly can."

On her most recent shift with Magen David Adom, Israel's paramedic service, she treated soldiers wounded in a missile attack on the border.

- 'War here now' -

Only around 30 stalwarts remain in Kibbutz Dan, facing the constant threat of Hezbollah attacks from across the border just three kilometres (two miles) away.

They include farmers tending avocado groves, a few essential workers like Pikoos, and the community's armed private security squad.

"There is a war here now," said Yoav Hermoni, a former tour guide and member of the kibbutz rapid response team.

"It's very silent and quiet and calm. But from time to time you can hear the sound of artillery explosions, anti-tank missiles, rockets that are falling here and very close to the kibbutz."

Almost on cue, distant guns thudded. Three Israeli civilians and six soldiers have been killed in cross-border attacks since the war with Hamas broke out.

Cross-border skirmishes have killed at least 88 people in Lebanon, mostly Hezbollah combatants but also 10 civilians, according to an AFP tally.

The Israeli military frequently announces strikes on Hezbollah targets, and on Thursday it army said "fighter jets carried out strikes on Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon".

- Air raid sirens -

Hamas fighters stormed out of the Gaza Strip into southern Israel kibbutzim and towns on October 7 and according to Israeli authorities killed some 1,200 people -- mostly civilians.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says the death toll from Israel's offensive there has now hit 11,500, again mostly civilians and including thousands of children.

An unprecedented attack similar to that of October 7 "can happen at any moment" in the north, Hermoni said.

"Every day they can attack us like in the south. The same thing can happen here and we cannot let it," he said.

Nearby a band of kibbutzniks in drab olive uniforms guarded the main gate of the empty commune, armed with assault rifles and formidable moustaches.

Shortly before Hermoni spoke, rockets from Lebanon landed in open areas nearby.

Hours later, an unidentified aircraft entered Israeli airspace, triggering air raid sirens.

But paramedic Pikoos remains defiant about the looming threat of attacks from across the border.

"The first two weeks were the most tense weeks in my life," she said.

"Even though there's a lot of really scary moments here, people are dedicated and full of love and want to save people or save the place where we live."

ibz/jts/slb/jd/srm/sea/
Jodie Comer has reflected on one of her most critically acclaimed performances to date, with the Killing Eve star admitting she was scared to take on the role.

In a new interview, Comer, 30, confessed she was initially intimidated by the prospect of portraying criminal defense attorney Tessa Ensler in the one-woman play Prima Facie because she had no previous theatre experience.

However, the actor added, Id want to punch myself in the face if she passed on the opportunity because she was scared.

Jodie Comer said she was intimidated by taking on the role (AP)

Explaining her decision to accept the challenge, she told British Vogue: I never got into this for the pay cheque. If I said no to this because I was scared and then they announced another actress, Id want to punch myself in the face.

Suzie Millers award-winning play, which eventually earned Comer both an Olivier Award and Tony Award for Best Actress, enjoyed a spectacular run on the West End following its Broadway premiere in 2022.

The BAFTA winner has previously said Millers play was impossible to say no to, adding she had a guttural instinct about signing up for the project.

Sometimes when things present themselves, its impossible to say no, Comer explained. This piece felt very, very clear to me. There was no hesitation that I felt. Sometimes that kind of guttural instinct really doesnt lie.

Prima Facie is based on lawyer Millers script about how current legislation in the UK proves hopelessly inadequate when it comes to sexual assault cases.

Comer won a Tony Award for Best Actress at the ceremony in New York earlier this year (2023 Tony Awards - Show)

During her acceptance speech at the Tony Awards ceremony at New Yorks United Place this May, Comer declared the Prima Facie role her greatest honour.

Speaking to the crowd about her Broadway debut, the British actor said: This has been my greatest honour, and it continues to be these three weeks left.

On her experience playing Tessa, Comer, who hails from Liverpool, added: It was definitely a challenge. But it was also incredible. I think it really fed into this fact that Tessa was in control of every element of this storytelling.

And that was what really struck me when I first read the piece, she continued. You know, Id explored material before that deals with sexual assault, but it was never told in this manner. And I felt like she had so much control over the narrative.

She also thanked the playwright Miller, while celebrating the play and its protagonist as my greatest teacher.

And I have to thank Suzie Miller for that, who wrote this magnificent piece, Comer said. Without her, my performance would not be here, so this feels just as much Suzies as it is mine.
[Source]

A recent study identified the world's most confusing and mispronounced dishes.

About the study: The study by Remitly, a U.S.-based financial services provider, compiled the names of a total of 2,719 dishes from 167 countries and analyzed search terms like "what is" and "how to pronounce from August 2022 to July 2023. The results purportedly reveal the international delicacies that cause the most confusion and are most often mispronounced among people worldwide.

The most confusing dish: Kimchi, a Korean dish, came in first place on The Worlds Top 25 Most Confusing Cuisines list with a total of 946,090 annual global search volume. Kimchi, pronounced kim  chee, is a traditional banchan (side dish) made by salting and fermenting vegetables, such as cabbage or radish. It is typically served as an accompaniment to rice or alongside a main dish and is known to have a spicy, sour taste.

Other Asian dishes: The top 25 list also includes Vietnams pho at No. 8 with 491,700 annual Google searches, Indias chai at No. 15 with 337,470 and South Koreas soju at No. 20 with 266,720. Japans sushi (No. 18), miso soup (No. 24) and natto (No. 25) also made the list.

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Below is the list of the worlds Top 25 most confusing dishes:

Kimchi (Korea) Falafel (Egypt) Gyros (Greece) Couscous (Morocco) Tahini (Syria) Gnocchi (Italy) Gelato (Italy) Pho (Vietnam) Carnitas (Mexico) Shawarma (Turkey) Peanut butter and jelly (United States) Risotto (Italy) Haggis (Scotland) Hummus (Israel) Chai (India) Kava (The Pacific Islands) Fufu (Ghana) Sushi (Japan) Foie Gras (France) Soju (South Korea) Horchata (Mexico) Sauerkraut (Germany) Ceviche (Peru) Miso Soup (Japan) Natto (Japan)

The most mispronounced dishes: The researchers also listed the 15 most mispronounced dishes in the world based on search terms like how to pronounce and how to say. The list includes Vietnams pho, Chinas gyoza, Koreas tteokbokki and Japans ramen.

Below is the list of the worlds top 15 most mispronounced dishes:

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Gyros (Greece) Yi  ros Pho (Vietnam) Fuh Gnocchi (Italy) No  kee Pizza (Italy) Peet  suh Quesadilla (Mexico) Kay  suh  dee  uh Focaccia (Italy) Fuh  kach  ee  uh Poke bowl (U.S.) Pow  kay bowl Tzatziki (Greece) Sat  see  kee Gyoza (China ) Gee  ow  zuh Baklava (Turkey) Ba  kluh  vuh Paella (Spain) Pai  eh  luh Tteokbokki (Korea) Tok  bo  kee Ramen (Japan) Raa  muhn Shawarma (Turkey) Sha  wuh  muh Beignet (France) Bay  nyay

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Its that time of year!

The KIRO 7 Cares Toy Drive benefiting the Salvation Army and Toys for Tots is underway.

They say even a small gift, can make a big difference for local kids during the holidays.

It just fills me up and tells me Im in the right place doing the right thing, said Janet Francis.

Francis is an ambassador and longtime volunteer with Toys for Tots. She said volunteering is what shes meant to do. Its the reason why shes been coming back every year since 2011.

We had a 10-year-old little girl and her dad and she had just her birthday party she and her dad were driving by, pulled over, opened the trunk she picked out 3 of those presents to donate to Toys for Tots, she said.

During the holidays, you can usually find Francis along the street of the Kirkland Costco along with other volunteers and service people.

They have full-time jobs and theyre doing Toys for Tots. So the amount of time they sacrifice to make all this magic happen is incredible, she said.

Francis works hand in hand with people like Corporal Benjamin Miller, who started volunteering with Toys for Tots 3 years ago.

From seeing the gifts piling into the warehouse to placing them in the hands of families in need, hes been there every step of the way.

So to me, its an opportunity to give back to the community I was raised in, Corporal Miller explained. Im actually from Western Washington. Its an amazing thing to give back to the local, less privileged children in the area.

For at least 30 years, KIRO 7 has been giving back to local kids with the Salvation Army and Toys for Tots and you can too!

We need more joy and love in the world and this is just one way you can contribute to that, Francis said.

The most needed toy donations include items for babies, girls, and boys aged nine to 13, and items for pre-teens and teens.

Suggested teen items include sporting equipment, skateboards, books, cosmetic and bath gift sets, board games, and remote control toys and video games.

Drop off your donation at any Albert Lee Appliance, or at any of our many partner locations listed on the map, below.

Friday, December 8 is our big give day! Drop off a toy at participating Fred Meyer locations, call and make a donation, or donate directly to The Salvation Army here.
BEAVERTON, Ore. (KOIN)  Hapa Pizza is part of the growing food scene in Beaverton, known for cooking up creative pies like Pho pizza or Kalua pork pizza.

For owners Natalie and Aaron Truong, getting to this point feels like a dream.

Its honestly a bit surreal, Aaron told KOIN 6 News. We think back on our journey and we think back on all the evolutions, the stages weve been through. From this being an experimental side thing we do on the weekends to becoming a stall at a big farmers market to moving into our first brick and mortar.

Inside Hapa Pizza in Beaverton, November 2023 (Carter Hiyama)

Theyve been in their space less than a year and loyal customers are already showing their love. Now, the Truongs have a way for fans to wear their support.

We originally just printed out shirts for us and our employees to wear but then weve often gotten requests from people like Hey are you gonna make some Hapa Pizza merch at some point?' Aaron said. We were like, who would want to wear our stuff? But it seems like theres enough people out there interested in what were doing and, like, the little graphics we have in our shop.

Natalie said their friend Stephanie Choi designed the Youll always Hapa Pizza my heart mural thats in their shop along with a shirt that reads, All We Knead is Love, which she said Aaron coined.

With their new line of shirts and tote bags is all because of their team, she said. We are surrounded by really creative people and as people ask for things, we try to accomodate.

Their name, Hapa Pizza, comes from a Hawaiian word meaning half or mixed.

A lot of times people that are half Hawaiian, half Asian or half white, we kind of refer to as hapa,' Aaron said, so it seemed like a perfect description of what were doing  kind of blending Asian cuisine with Italian cuisine. Its an Asian fusion pizza.

Pho pizza from Hapa Pizza in Beaverton, November 2023 (Carter Hiyama)

Over the next few months Natalie and Aaron said they are bringing back some popular flavors  Massaman curry pizza, Thai peanut sauce pizza and Okonomiyaki pizza, which has bonito flakes that dance on the pizza when it comes fresh out of the oven.

And around the holidays they plan to have classes to help people learn how to perfect their own pizzas at home.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
The father of the suspect in a deadly Fourth of July parade shooting in Highland Park turned himself in Wednesday to begin a 60-day jail sentence, but not before the judge reprimanded him for violating court rules.

Robert Crimo Jr. entered a guilty plea to seven misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct last week in Lake County court, in Waukegan, Illinois. Crimo sponsored his underage sons firearm application three years before the July 2022 attack in Highland Park, even though the teenager had recently threatened violence.

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Crimo arrived at the Lake County courthouse wearing a white T-shirt with large black letters reading: Im A Political Pawn. The back said: LAWS, FACTS, REALITY. He turned it inside out before entering the courtroom, but the judge threatened to hold him in contempt of court if he violated court rules again, according to his lawyer, George Gomez, who said he did not know what his clients shirt meant.

Robert E. Crimo Jr., arrives at the Lake County Courthouse, Nov. 15, 2023, in Waukegan. (Nam Y. Huh/AP)

A court decorum order for the case prohibits any spectator from wearing or displaying a message that could affect the orderly administration of proceedings.

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Judge George Strickland on Nov. 6 sentenced Crimo Jr. to 60 days in jail, two years of probation and 100 hours of community service, but agreed to wait until Wednesday to take him into custody.

Illinois offers most misdemeanor offenders the opportunity to reduce their sentence by half for good behavior, meaning Crimo Jr. may only serve 30 days. Although jail time will be brief, the case is significant because it is a rare example of a parent or guardian held criminally liable for the actions of an alleged mass shooter.

The judge also ordered Crimo Jr. to surrender his gun license and ammunition, and banned the former mayoral candidate from sponsoring firearm applications for minors.

Crimo Jr. had been originally charged with seven felony counts of reckless conduct  one for each person his son, Robert Crimo III, is accused of killing.

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Prosecutors said a guilty plea with reduced misdemeanor charges was a good outcome.

Weve laid down a marker to other prosecutors, to other police in this country, to other parents, that they must be held accountable, said Lake County States Attorney Eric Rinehart after Crimo Jr. was sentenced. He knew exactly how dangerous it was for this 19-year-old to have a weapon.

But on Wednesday, Rinehart said Crimo Jr.s decision to make a statement with the T-shirt raises questions about whether he feels remorse for his reckless actions and the pain he caused.

Mr. Crimo has every constitutional right to remain silent. Now, he has spoken and instead of taking any responsibility, he has shown unbelievable callousness, Rinehart said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press. This callousness will follow him into the jail and beyond; it will follow him everywhere.

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Crimo Jr. had no comment on his sentence or charges. Gomez said the plea was made in part to ensure his son received a fair trial, since details and evidence from the shooting would have been widely aired during a trial of his own.

Three years before the attack, the younger Crimo at 19 was not old enough to seek his own gun license, but could apply with the sponsorship of a parent or guardian. His father signed off on the application, even though just months earlier a relative reported to police that Crimo III had threatened to kill everyone.

Crimo III faces 21 first-degree murder counts, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery. Prosecutors say he admitted he was the gunman when he was arrested hours after the shooting in Highland Park. A trial date is expected to be set on Dec. 11.
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  Run-off elections for state and local races will be happening across Louisiana on Saturday, Nov. 18.

Polls across the state will open at 7 a.m. on Saturday and close at 8 p.m. According to the Secretary of States website, voters in line at 8 p.m. will still be able to vote.

To view your polling place and get familiar with whats on your parishs ballot, visit the Louisiana Secretary of State Offices website.

Before heading to the polls to vote, make sure you have one of the following items:

Drivers license

Louisiana Special ID

LA Wallet digital drivers license

United States military identification card that contains your name and picture

Some other generally recognized picture ID that contains your name and signature

Voters who do not have any of the items listed above can vote by signature on a voter affidavit.

After voting, check back with WGNO for live election results.

Declaring Winners

Saturdays election is a run-off. On Oct. 14, voters chose from candidates running for office from all parties.

On Nov. 18, candidates with the most votes who did not receive 50% plus one vote on Oct. 14 will appear on the ballot.

State Races

Statewide elections will include Attorney General, Secretary of State and Treasurer. There will also be four constitutional amendments up for vote.

The position of Attorney General was previously held by Governor-Elect Jeff Landry. Vying for the spot now are Republican Liz Murrill and Democrat Lindsey Cheek.

Running for Secretary of State are Republican Nancy Landry and Democrat Gwen Collins-Greenup.

Running for Treasurer are Republican John Fleming and Democrat Dustin Granger.

Local Races

St. Bernard and Washington parishes will be voting for parish president.

Tangipahoa, St. James and Washington parishes will be voting for sheriff.

Various council seats in St. Tammany, St. John the Baptist, Terrebonne, St. James and Washington parishes will be voted on.

St. John the Baptist Parish will also vote for clerk of court.

Quick Links

Stay updated with the latest news, weather, and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play store and subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

Latest Posts

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
News alert: Missouri Gov. Mike Parson has decided that once upon a time in the Show-Me State, there was a prosecutor who was not in full possession of the facts before sending a man to prison.

Not surprisingly, in Parsons mind, this historic outlaw outlier is Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker, who in 2021 prosecuted Eric DeValkenaere, the first Kansas City police officer ever found guilty of killing a Black man, 26-year-old Cameron Lamb.

Attorneys for DeValkenaeres family submitted a request for clemency to Parsons office last month. Parson says he hasnt yet decided how hell respond, but the one thing that bothered me more than anything about that case, he told KCMO talk radio host Pete Mundo on Wednesday, was the way the prosecutor handled that in Kansas City, by the accusation she was making about guilt or innocence without actually even knowing the facts herself.

Huh? Prosecutors, its true, do tend to make accusations. Very often, they are about guilt rather than innocence.

But without actually even knowing the facts herself is out-of-nowhere talk coming from someone who obviously doesnt know the facts of this case himself.

Baker was at the scene of the crime on Dec. 3, 2019.

She saw Lambs lifeless body right where DeValkenaere shot him, nine seconds after arriving at his home in response to a call about a car that a police helicopter had seen speeding. When DeValkenaere rolled up on that house, he knew nothing else.

Baker followed every aspect of the case from the moment of Lambs shooting. She knows what temperature it was that day, and why Lamb, who was backing into his basement garage when he was shot, could not physically have been holding a gun at the time DeValkenaere claims that he shot him in self-defense, to save the life of his partner, Troy Schwalm.

I know every fact of this case, Baker told me on Wednesday night.

An appeals court ruled that Eric DeValkenaere acted with criminal negligence.

3 governor-appointed judges: Lamb not holding gun

At his trial, DeValkenaere testified that he had to rush in because we had a reasonable suspicion that crime was afoot. He had to go in, too, he said, because Schwalm already had, and Im not going to leave him in there by himself.

If he had stopped to get a warrant, what crime would it even have been for, a prosecutor asked him. He didnt know what might have been happening, he said. Thats why we didnt get a warrant, DeValkenaere said.

He never should have drawn his gun. Even Schwalm said that he saw no gun in Lambs left hand. Which is not surprising, since Lamb was not only right-handed, but had limited use of his left hand after having been shot in the index finger in 2015.

Lambs roommate, Roberta Merritt, testified that she had seen Lambs gun on the basement steps a few feet from where the shooting occurred, right before police arrived. Prosecutors said that the gun found just underneath Lambs left arm, which was hanging out his truck window when he died, had been planted there, though they could not say by whom.

Phone records showed that Lamb was on a phone call, on the cell he was holding in his right hand, at the time he was shot.

If you dont believe Bakers teams findings that the gun must have been planted, then maybe you will believe the downright blistering ruling of the three judges appointed by  my goodness, by Mike Parson  that the victim did not have a gun in his hand when he was shot.

In the appeals courts ruling, the judges upheld the trial judges findings that DeValkenaere and Schwalm had violated Lambs Fourth Amendment rights by running onto his property without a search warrant, that DeValkenaere had acted with criminal negligence and that the circumstances did not justify the use of deadly force.

So again, who is it who does not know the facts?

Convicted because of the political side

Parson, who is a Republican, does not question the findings of the trial judge, or of the three judges who heard the appeal, but only of Baker, who happens to be a Democrat.

Parson told Mundo that you dont ever want anybody convicted because of the political side of things. Baker, he said, set a poor example of setting the stage and making this more of a political issue when she should be doing whats right by the law.

Parson, who has never contacted the family of the victim, who after all is Lamb and not DeValkenaere, is the one who is making this political.

And there are Missouri prosecutors Parson has defended who unlike Baker really have not been in full possession of the facts when they sent someone to prison.

Remember when Kevin Strickland served 43 years for a triple murder that he did not commit? Parson fought his release to the end.

First, Parson said that pardoning someone whod been sleeping on a cot in a cage since he was a teenager was just not a priority for him. Then, he said he was not willing to put other people at risk by freeing someone against whom there was no evidence. At the time, Strickland was a 62-year-old man who used a wheelchair.

Back then, a spokeswoman for the governor said Parson just couldnt in good conscience second-guess a court, since he believes we must give great deference to the judicial process.

Sometimes, anyway.
A 30-year-old Aryan Brotherhood of Texas gang member in Collin County has been sentenced to 30 years in prison on first-degree felony drug charges, according to a news release.

Dakota Carroll pleaded guilty earlier this month to possession with intent to deliver a controlled substance, specifically 58 grams of methamphetamine, according to the news release from the Collin County District Attorneys Office.

Carroll, who was already a known member of the gang, was arrested July 26, 2020, in a traffic stop in Richardson, near Econolodge off North Central Expressway, after he made several traffic violations, according to the news release. After identifying the driver as Carroll, Richardson police Sgt. Benjamin Masters called for a K-9 officer to come to the scene.

The K-9 officer, Cory Wendling, and police dog Falco examined the vehicle and Falco positively alerted to drugs in the car, according to the news release. Officers searched the car and found 58 grams of meth, a digital scale, unused baggies, a small amount of cash and less than a gram of heroin.

As the officers finished their search, the news release says, Carroll tried to bribe the officers by saying he could get them up to a pound of methamphetamine and a bunch of guns if they let him go. Police arrested him and took him to jail. He was held there for 81 days until he was able to post a bond of $25,000.

Carroll was imprisoned in 2015 in Dallas County on a charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, according to the news release.

Today's top stories:

 In killing plot from jail, Fort Worth Crips gangster sentenced to life

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Get free alerts when news breaks.

After his release on bond in Collin County, he returned to Dallas County, where he is accused of possession with intent to distribute, along with robbery, deadly conduct in the non-fatal shooting of a woman, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, abandoning and endangering a child and evading arrest with a motor vehicle, according to the news release.

Dakota Carroll is a known violent gangster with extensive criminal history whos willing to try to bribe police officers. This 30-year sentence holds him accountable and keeps him away from Collin County citizens, Collin County District Attorney Greg Willis said in the news release.
MOSCOW (Reuters) - The Kremlin said on Thursday that the Czech Republic's decision to freeze Russian state-owned properties was illegal and that Moscow may retaliate against what it called a hostile step.

The Czech government said on Wednesday it had frozen Russian state-owned properties on its territory, expanding its sanctions imposed over Moscow's war in Ukraine.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the Czech move was illegal under international law and that Moscow would study it.

"All of our facilities that may be our property there, with the exception of those that have diplomatic status, are of course now under threat. The situation is now being analysed in order to somehow minimise the risks," he told reporters in a briefing.

"Such a profoundly anti-Russian position from the Czech authorities is, of course, absolutely bewildering. We categorically reject this position, which is unacceptable."

Prague said it had widened its national sanctions list to include a Russian company controlled by the presidential administration that was in charge of managing Russian assets abroad.

(Reporting by Reuters; Writing by Andrew Osborn; Editing by Kevin Liffey)
Incompetent actions taken by the Russian occupation administration led to a partial blackout at Zaporizhzhya NPP, Ukraines state nuclear operator Energoatom said in a post on the Telegram messenger app on Nov. 16.

There was reportedly a power outage at the sixth reactor of ZNPP, which automatically triggered the operation of emergency diesel generators and safety systems for 90 minutes.

Read also: IAEA experts access roofs at ZNPP, see no signs of explosives, agency says

Energoatom said that at that time, the occupation management of the plant was investigating the causes of the blackout and deciding what to do with the consequences of their incompetent actions.

The Energoatom report was confirmed by information from the IAEA inspectors who are on the site of the temporarily occupied nuclear facility.

Due to the complete unprofessionalism of the Russians, ZNPP is constantly degrading its main equipment and increasing the number of dangerous failures, Energoatom stated.

Read also: 800 Ukrainian specialists continue working at Zaporizhzhya NPP

At the same time, the presence of Russia at Europe's largest nuclear facility threatens nuclear and radiation safety, Energoatom says.

NV

ZNPP under Russian occupation - What is known

The largest nuclear power plant in Europe, Zaporizhzhya NPP, was seized by the Russians after fighting in Enerhodar on March 4, 2022. The ZNPP buildings were damaged by Russian shelling in several places, and the plant's employees were taken prisoner. The Russian occupation forces deployed materiel, ammunition, and their military at the plant, effectively turning it into a logistics and military base.

Read also: Russian invaders carrying out military drills at occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP  video

On June 22, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that Russia was considering a scenario of a terrorist attack at the seized Zaporizhzhya NPP and had "prepared everything for this."

Ukraines spy chief Kyrylo Budanov also said that the Russians had completed preparations for a possible terrorist attack on the occupied Zaporizhzhya NPP. According to him, equipment with explosives had been placed near four of the six reactors, and a cooler was mined.

On Aug. 4, the IAEA mission gained access to the roofs of two ZNPP reactor buildings after a month of requests, but said it found no traces of explosives.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
On Thursday, 16 November, the mayors of Kyiv and Brussels, Vitali Klitschko and Philippe Close, signed an agreement on cooperation between the two capitals.

Source: Klitschko on Telegram, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The signing of the agreement took place at the Kyiv Investment Forum, which is being held in Brussels.

Quote from Klitschko: "International support is vital to rebuild and develop the Ukrainian capital. The Brussels platform, which was created last year by European cities to help Kyiv, has already launched active processes in important projects for Kyiv."

Klitschko listed, among other things, the creation of a rehabilitation centre for Ukrainian servicemen and the equipping of hospital departments and a laboratory for the production of innovative biomedical products.

According to official data from Kyiv City Council, Ukraines capital has already concluded sister city agreements with over 70 cities, twelve of which were established after the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion on 24 February 2022.

The last two cities were Copenhagen and Berlin.

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After three active-duty personnel and one retired member of the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department died by suspected suicides in a 24-hour span last week, sending shockwaves of emotions through the local law enforcement community, Sheriff Robert Luna is speaking openly about the need for mental health treatment among his ranks.

While the sheriffs department has yet to identify the employees or confirm that their deaths were self-inflicted, the Los Angeles Times cites numerous sources who agreed to talk about the suicides on the condition of anonymity.

The first victim was discovered Nov. 6 at around 10:30 a.m. in Valencia. A little more than two hours later, at 12:53 p.m., LASD detectives responded to another death in Lancaster and a third at 5:40 p.m. in Stevenson Ranch. The fourth victim was discovered Tuesday at around 7:30 a.m. in a Pomona hospital.

Theyre suffering, Sheriff Luna said of the men and women in his department. This is an incredible loss.

According to the Times, the first victim discovered was 25-year career veteran Cmdr. Darren Harris, who was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound that morning. The second victim was retired Sgt. Greg Hovland, who was discovered just hours later.

We lost a Sheriffs Commander, a Deputy Sheriff, a Custody Assistant and a retired employee, who are as just an important part of our family as anybody else, Luna told KTLAs Kareen Wynter.

Asked if the department has ever suffered a similar tragedy, the sheriff said no.

As far as our records reflect, we have not seen anything like this, he responded.

Another unprecedented problem is LASDs suicide rates in 2023, with nine deaths reported so far.

While Luna said he was unable to comment on the specifics of the four cases, investigators do not believe that the four suspected suicides are connected. The deaths are being investigated by homicide detectives and the County of Los Angeles Medical Examiner.

We will dissect each individual employees case and what were doing is were looking for patterns, trends of any kind for the sole purpose of prevention, the sheriff added.

That prevention, according to Luna, starts with ensuring department personnel have the resources and services needed to address mental health issues and employee wellness.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that first responders, particularly law enforcement and firefighters, are more likely to die by suicide than in the line of duty.

Deputies from the L.A. County Sheriff's Department are seen in an undated photo. (Mel Melcon / Los Angeles Times)

Our bureau currently employs more than 20 full-time licensed psychologists that specialize in police psychology, Dr. Steve Seetal, LASDs Director of Psychological Services Bureau, said.

Dr. Seetal explained that employees have access to 24-hour crisis support, as well as two full-time sworn deputies who assist with substance resource programs and offer peer support. In addition, department employees are also provided with free, confidential counseling, as well as counseling for couples and families.

The factors that led to the most recent tragedies are unclear, but LASD is currently in a staffing crisis. The department says its shorthanded by hundreds of deputies, which places more strain on employees.

If you get in that dark spot, it can be detrimental, Retired Santa Monica police officer Cristina Coria, who has endured her own physical and mental trauma, told KTLA.

After being shot in the line of duty, Coria has been a vocal advocate for mental health assistance, especially in the early stages of struggle.

What we do to help officers when they go through a trauma or theyre going through injury, or whatever theyre going through, we make sure we get a hold of them in the right amount of time, she said.

Sheriff Luna said hes unsure if law enforcement agencies have talked about suicide and mental health as openly as the discussion thats being had now.

Its difficult, theyre not easy things to talk about, he said. That reduces that stigma and pushing employees to just seek help.

Luna added that areas like employee workloads, staffing and mandatory overtime policies are being examined with an eye toward improving the work environment and the emotional wellness of all the departments employees.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
PORTSMOUTH  La Carreta Mexican Restaurants liquor license will be suspended for 10 days in December as part of a settlement agreement with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission in connection with serving a "visibly intoxicated" person, leading to "serious bodily injury." The business also agreed to pay more than $3,000 in fines.

The Hanover Street restaurant and cocktail lounge was cited by the Liquor Commission for numerous violations that occurred March 24. La Carreta agreed to the settlement of three violations late Monday, hours before its representatives were scheduled to appear in Concord for a hearing on the case Tuesday.

No information released to public on 'serious bodily injury'

La Carreta Mexican Restaurant in downtown Portsmouth has reached a settlement agreement with the New Hampshire Liquor Commission that will result in fines and a 10-day suspension of its liquor license.

The Liquor Commission has been asked by Seacoastonline multiple times this week to provide information about the incident involving La Carreta and "serious bodily injury," such as where it occurred and what happened. As of this writing, the Liquor Commission has not provided this information.

Seacoastonline filed a Right to Know law request for the information Monday and received a response Wednesday from paralegal Janet Donnelly stating it will take the Liquor Commission 30-60 days to respond.

Commission spokesperson E.J. Powers of the Montagne Powers public relations firm said only the serious bodily injury outlined in the charge did not result in death.

La Carreta's penalty is equivalent to the aggravated maximum penalty the Portsmouth Gas Light Co. restaurant could face in its pending case regarding a driver its staff allegedly served drinks to before a fatal crash early morning Thanksgiving 2022 at the city traffic circle.

More: Liquor Commission says Gas Light served fatal crash driver. Bar blames speeding, not drinks.

What is known about La Carreta's penalty

La Carreta Mexican Restaurant in downtown Portsmouth will lose its liquor license for 10 days starting Dec. 18, 2023.

The heftiest penalty is in connection to an aggravated violation for serving an alcoholic beverage to a person who was visibly intoxicated or who a reasonable and prudent person would know is intoxicated, resulting in a serious bodily injury.

La Carreta will pay an administrative fine of $2,500 for the charge, have its liquor license suspended for 10 days beginning Dec. 18, and four points will be assessed against its liquor license for a full year, according to the Liquor Commission.

The business is also paying a $500 fine and having four additional points assessed against its liquor license for a violation of serving alcohol to a person who was visibly intoxicated or who a reasonable and prudent person would know is intoxicated, the commission reported. The commission added La Carretas liquor license shall be suspended for three (3) days to be held in abeyance for twelve (12) months pending no like violation.

La Carreta is also paying an administrative fine of $100 over a third charge for allowing an employee to consume alcohol while on the job.

The violations were all committed March 24, according to the Liquor Commission. The restaurants attorney, Pierre Chabot of Devine Millimet, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Thursday.

This story may be updated.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: La Carreta gets 10-day license suspension after 'serious injury'
The Scoop

The Los Angeles Times is prohibiting staff from covering the Gaza war for at least three months if they signed a strongly-worded open letter criticizing Israels military operations in the region.

Earlier this month, nearly a dozen staffers at the LA Times signed the open letter condemning the Israeli governments bombing of Gaza, and saying the military operations were harming journalists and threatening newsgathering. The letter also called on newsrooms to use language including apartheid, ethnic cleansing, and genocide when referring to the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

Two people with knowledge of the situation told Semafor that staffers who signed the letter have been told by the papers management that they will not be allowed to cover the conflict in any way for at least three months.

The letter, published earlier this month and signed by over 1,000 current and former journalists, called for an end to Israeli military actions in Gaza which it said represented a slaughter of our colleagues and their families by the Israeli military and government. The letter laid out an estimate of the number of journalists and their families who had been killed in the conflict, saying Israels military actions show wide scale suppression of speech.

But it also expressed strong criticism of mainstream news organizations, which it described as too timid in their coverage of the war.

The letter argued that some news outlets have been hesitant to quote genocide experts and accurately describe the existential threat unfolding in Gaza, and that newsroom leaders often undermined Palestinian, Arab and Muslim perspectives, dismissing them as unreliable and have invoked inflammatory language that reinforces Islamophobic and racist tropes.

We are writing to urge an end to violence against journalists in Gaza and to call on Western newsroom leaders to be clear-eyed in coverage of Israels repeated atrocities against Palestinians, the letter said.

Know More

The LA Times did not respond to a request for comment. But earlier this week, LA Times top editor Kevin Merida reminded staff of the companys ethics and fairness policy, which stated that a fair-minded reader of the Times news coverage should not be able to discern the private opinions of those who contributed to that coverage, or to infer that the organization is promoting any agenda.

Feeling heard and seen are essential to a healthy newsroom, as are civility and collective responsibility. Rigor, fairness, dissent, difference, can all co-exist as qualities that lead to the best journalism, Merida wrote in a company-wide email. But we must maintain the integrity of that journalism, which is core to our reputation. Journalism itself is an agent for change. Having a compass to guide that work ensures that we dont imperil it, or inadvertently cause harm to our colleagues ability to do their jobs, he wrote.
Jeanine Standard has a monarch-mobile  a little off-road utility vehicle covered with images of the monarch butterfly.

She has three meadows planted with monarch-friendly wildflowers.

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She has buses of schoolchildren who come to her in the fall to learn about the beloved and imperiled butterfly.

She even has a title of sorts: Local kids call her the monarch lady.

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What Standard, a psychologist and monarch advocate in rural Canton, still doesnt have  about six years after putting down a $10 deposit  is an official Illinois monarch license plate.

But thats about to change, according to the Illinois secretary of states office, which has announced that new plates with eye-catching monarch decals will finally be available to the 2,500 people who have signed up, as well as anyone else who chooses to apply and pay $54.

After years of delays, the Illinois secretary of states office announced Nov. 16, 2023, that new license plates with monarch butterfly decals will be available. (Illinois secretary of state's office)

Im so excited, said Standard, 67, who sees the news as another hopeful sign for a cause that more Illinoisans have embraced in recent years.

This regions Eastern monarch butterfly population, which includes a super-generation that migrates up to 3,000 miles to Mexico in fall, is estimated to be down by more than 80% since the 1990s.

The main problem, scientists say, is the loss of habitat for milkweed, the only plant on which the butterflies will lay their eggs. The butterflies qualified for federal endangered species status in 2020, but have not yet obtained it, due to a waiting list.

[ Field Museum researchers enlist hundreds of home gardeners in fight to save the iconic monarch butterfly ]

At the Illinois Environmental Council, which championed the monarch plates and pushed for them repeatedly when they stalled, Executive Director Jen Walling said interest has remained strong.

I definitely think that the vast majority that signed up  if they still live here and are still alive  theyll be (getting) these plates, Walling said. Folks are just really excited about this opportunity.

Illinois Secretary of State Alexi Giannoulias recalled that when he was on the campaign trail in 2022, the plates came up repeatedly. There were questions in all corners of the state, he said. Environmentalists were interested, as were Latino groups.

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Giannoulias declined to point fingers regarding the delay but said the butterfly plate got caught in a cocoon of red tape.

I committed on the campaign trail and in the first few months of office that we would do whatever it takes  work with every group  to get it done, said Giannoulias, who is in his first term.

A spokesman for his office said that people who have already signed up for the plates should receive them within a month.

This is about more than just license plates, said Giannoulias. Its No. 1 about an endangered insect that brings enormous environmental benefits and is essential for ecosystems to survive. No. 2 its about a state symbol that has great cultural significance, particularly amongst the Latino community. And No. 3, its about government accountability and making sure that citizens that we serve in Illinois get what they pay for.

The plates will cost $54, which includes a $29 plate replacement fee and a $25 monarch plate fee. Fifteen dollars from the monarch plate fee will go to a Department of Natural Resources roadside monarch habitat fund.

One of the reasons the plates took so long to finalize was that they were the first of their kind in Illinois. Due to concerns that the wide range of colorful specialty plates in the state were creating problems for law enforcement, Illinois went to a new system in 2015.

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The legislature decided that all new specialty plates promoting charitable causes would have the same standardized background, with room for a big decal representing a specific cause.

The monarch plate was the first of the new standardized specialty plates to get legislation allowing it to proceed.

State Rep. Lisa Hernandez, D-Cicero, who sponsored that legislation in 2016, cited the environmental importance of the monarch, as well as the butterflys meaning for the states Mexican Americans, many of whom hail from Jalisco, near where a super-generation of migrating monarchs spend the winter.

[ Millions of monarch butterflies are passing through Chicago as part of their annual 3,000-mile migration ]

Afternoon Briefing Weekdays Chicago Tribune editors' top story picks, delivered to your inbox each afternoon. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

It just fit, Hernandez said of the monarch plate. It was the right time, it was a state insect, and then the fact that it symbolized the migration of families from Jalisco to Chicago.

At the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, which designed the monarch decals, director of communications Jayette Bolinski said via email that there were multiple reasons for delays.

It took a while to work through the design process and specs with the secretary of states office. The first sticker design was deemed too small by the secretary of states office, and they promulgated administrative rule changes to increase the size of the sticker. COVID-19 occurred in the middle of the design process and delayed progress further, Bolinski wrote.

Advertisement

Standard said that when she first heard about the monarch plate, she went to her local Department of Motor Vehicles office, paid her $10 deposit and signed up.

She said she believes she went back for an update, but then she moved on: You pick your battles, right?

As a utility vehicle, her monarch-mobile only needs a sticker, so she plans on affixing her new plates to her Subaru, where she hopes they will spark curiosity about her favorite insect.

nschoenberg@chicagotribune.come
Lawmakers were evacuated from the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters Wednesday night after protesters clashed with police outside the building.

A handful of Democrats revealed on social media that they were among the lawmakers evacuated from the building after protests erupted outside. Capitol Police said its officers were responding to about 150 people who were illegally and violently protesting near the building at about 8:30 p.m.

The law enforcement agency also noted it evacuated all members, including Reps. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) and Sean Casten (D-Ill.).

Was just evacuated from the #DNC after pro-terrorist, anti-#Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building. Thankful to the police officers who stopped them and for helping me and my colleagues get out safely, Sherman wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Casten said that protesters had surrounded the building, blocking all exits and entrances.

We were rescued by armed officers who did not know the protestors intent; they knew only that Members of Congress were inside, could not leave and that protestors would not let police through, Casten wrote on X. Forcing police to guess intent is irresponsible and dangerous.

I am grateful for the [Capitol Polices] professionalism and that all were safely evacuated. Im also keenly aware that it could have been much worse. Americans have a right to assemble and protest. But PLEASE do so at a safe distance and respect local police orders, he continued.

Videos posted to social media suggest the protesters were calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Additional videos show a large number of officers clashing with protesters in varying degrees of intensity. Some of the protesters appeared to have linked arms outside of the building.

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Shortly after 10 p.m., Capitol Police said the large group of illegal protesters were cleared out, but that its officers would remain on the scene. Six officers were being treated for injuries ranging from minor cuts to being pepper sprayed to being punched and one person was arrested for an assault on an officer, according to Capitol Polices latest update.

The demonstrations also prompted the Capitol to be placed on lockdown Wednesday night, prohibiting people from entering the building. People were allowed to move inside the buildings and exit them, according to a Capitol Police alert. The restrictions were lifted at about 10 p.m.

House Republicans also took to social media to weigh in on the incident. Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-Fla.) said her husband and newborn were in her Capitol office when the restrictions were enacted because of these uncontrolled protesters.

Reps. Andy Barr (R-Ky.) and August Pfluger (R-Texas) also commented on the Capitol lockdown.

Violent, anti-semitic protesters have caused all House Office Buildings to be placed on lockdown due to rioting at the Democratic National Committee. I am thankful for the brave men and women of the United States Capitol Police and am praying for their safety, Barr posted on X.

The House Office Buildings in D.C. are on full lockdown due to violent anti-Israel rioters at the Democratic National Committee building near the Capitol, Pfluger wrote on X. Im urging all to go home or peacefully protest. Praying for the safety of our brave Capitol Police officers.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Federal lawsuits paint a picture of a private security police force at Detroits iconic Renaissance Center that is rife with racism and regularly abuses Black people, with numerous allegations dating as far back as 2011.

One Black hotel guest, Demarko Brown, says white officers assaulted him so severely he suffered a brain injury, an incident his lawyer alleges is a part of a pattern that has gone unchecked for years at the Renaissance Center Management Co.

The security company was created by General Motors Corp. to patrol the property and is majority-owned by G4S Secure Solutions, an international security company based in Florida, according to court documents filed last year.

GM's Renaissance Center in Detroit on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.

Other alleged incidents include the experience of a Black woman who, like Brown, says officers illegally held her in a cell in the basement of the Renaissance Center, detaining her so long that she urinated on herself, according to Brown's attorney, Danielle Safran, and his lawsuit against the company, which was filed earlier this year.

In a second lawsuit Safran filed late Tuesday, one of the security firms own current Black employees  a senior use-of-force instructor named Robert Barnes Jr.  details even more allegations of racism, excessive force, assault, harassment and false imprisonment against the company.

Barnes says that in one incident, a white officer, who was then-president of a union representing security officers, passed around a photo of the decapitated head of a Black man, laughing and making racist jokes about it.

"Black hotel guests and visitors to the RenCen are in extreme danger and risk for their lives," Safran wrote in Barnes' lawsuit.

Safran is seeking to make the lawsuit a class action to represent other Black employees, and is asking for monetary damages.

The two lawsuits cite more than two dozen incidents, some with specific details and others with approximate dates, where white officers allegedly harassed or abused Black visitors or fellow Black employees.

The Detroit Free Press has been investigating allegations since August. A 61-year-old, mentally ill Black woman told the Free Press that in August a white officer struck her in the face and beat her after an argument over whether she could bring her bicycle inside the building. She was hospitalized for a month, she said.

A Detroit Police Department official said that the woman allegedly attacked a Renaissance Center officer with a tree branch. A court check found that no criminal charges have been filed against her.

Michigan State Police confirmed last week they are investigating the conduct of officers at the Renaissance Center Management Co.

Valerie Mock, an attorney for the defendants listed in Brown's lawsuit, including RCMC, G4S and GM, declined to comment on the abuse and racism allegations when contacted this week by the Free Press.

In court documents, Mock has argued her clients did not act discriminatorily and properly investigated complaints of racism and excessive force.

She also argued in court filings that Browns injuries were the fault of his own actions and that the companies and individual employees involved are entitled to governmental immunity.

Plaintiff engaged in threatening and intimidating behavior, Mock wrote of Brown.

Any damages Plaintiff claims to have suffered were the result of Plaintiffs own actions.

Brown's lawsuit is ongoing.

Allied Universal, which acquired G4S in April 2021, declined to comment on specific allegations of excessive force and racism against Black people on RenCen property.

"Allied Universal is dedicated to the safety of its team members, its clients, their customers and the public. The incidents occurred approximately three years ago and prior to Allied Universals acquisition of G4S. Allied Universal does not comment on allegations that are resolved during private mediation or on pending litigation," the company wrote in a statement.

When asked about more recent incidents, the company said it does not comment on pending litigation. Calls and emails to G4S were returned by an Allied employee.

The Renaissance Center, commonly called the RenCen, is a sky-scraping complex of glass towers completed on Detroit's riverfront in 1977. GM bought it in 1996 and it has served as the automaker's world headquarters since. The maze of buildings also is home to smaller businesses and a Marriott Hotel.

Renaissance Center Management Co. has a state license to operate as a private security police agency through the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards under Public Act 330, giving their officers the legal authority to carry weapons and make misdemeanor arrests.

GM contracts with G4S to provide the security services through the company, according to an affidavit from the GM employee whose name is on the license.

GM's Renaissance Center in Detroit on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.

When reached for comment, Kevin Kelly, a GM spokesperson, wrote in a statement: While we are not able to comment on the specifics of the case cited, GM has zero tolerance for harassment or discrimination in any form.

Barnes testified last year, as part of another Black officer's lawsuit against the companies, that he repeatedly warned managers and told one supervisor that someone is going to get killed, describing the company as having a history of racism.

I'm trying to find the word to describe the responses. Dismissive and mocking, Barnes said in a 2022 deposition obtained by the Free Press characterizing how two managers reacted on the multiple occasions he reported violations.

Every instance was always a Black civilian or a homeless person.

His lawsuit details numerous alleged incidents in which white officers falsified records to justify using force, including deleting surveillance footage.

MSP Lt. Mike Shaw said his agency, which by state law can investigate alleged criminal activity by licensed private police, hasnt taken any past enforcement actions against the company.

Officers from the security company in 2017 made headlines with the alleged assault of another Black man in a high-profile incident. Detroit rapper Obie Trice III said he was maced, handcuffed, beaten and dragged through the Marriott inside the RenCen to a small room where water was poured over his nose and mouth, choking him.

In a lawsuit he filed, Trice said he had planned to get a room in the hotel when officers began harassing him. He said he believed he was targeted because of his race.

Renaissance Center Management Co. and G4S settled the suit with Trice in 2021, Trices lawyer said. He would not comment on details of the settlement.

'Why is it that none of you look like me?'

Brown, 31, is the only plaintiff named in Safrans lawsuit filed in January, although the lawyer has petitioned the court to also make this case a class action, possibly representing other victims.

Brown was staying in a room at the Marriott located in the high rise in October 2020 to celebrate his birthday with his girlfriend, according to court records. Six white security officers wouldnt let him back in the hotel without a mask after he left to get a birthday cake from his car.

Surveillance video viewed by the Free Press shows Brown talking with the officers in the Marriott driveway before an officer jumps him, joined by several other officers who hold him down. During the incident, Browns head was slammed against the concrete. The video did not include audio of the incident.

The lawsuit alleges a supervisor stood by watching, and did nothing.

Brown, whom the Free Press couldnt reach for comment, was never charged with a crime in the incident, according to the lawsuit.

Moments before the alleged assault, Brown feared for his life, his lawsuit states. The lawsuit says he posed no threat to the officers and did not refuse to comply with them.

When the white officers surrounded Brown, he asked, according to the lawsuit, Why is it that none of you look like me? and whether this was a Black Lives Matter situation.

After the incident, Brown was handcuffed, pushed through the doors with such force that glass shattered, and held for five hours in a basement cell, where he urinated on himself, the lawsuit alleges.

While detained, Brown told the supervisor who had stood by without acting that they had treated him less than human, and asked to call the real police, according to the lawsuit.

The supervisor responded: We are the real police, Brown alleges.

Brown was never given medical care, which they were required to provide, the lawsuit states. He had injuries to his body and head, the suit says.

Safran said she is concerned there will be more victims.

I lose sleep at night worrying that someone is going to get killed if excessive force is allowed to continue. Thats how bad it is, Safran said.

Brown's lawsuit also says an unnamed use of force instructor reviewed video surveillance of the incident and told managers, including Gregory Jenkins and Larry Payne, that the officers involved had used unwarranted and excessive use of force. No disciplinary action was taken, the lawsuit alleges.

GM's Renaissance Center in Detroit on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023.

Brown has also sued Jenkins, who holds the state license for the private police force, and Payne, who was a security director at the time of the Brown incident. The Free Press tried to reach both men but was unable. Mock, who represents them, declined to comment.

In addition, the lawsuit lists six unnamed officers and Marriott International as defendants. An attorney for Marriott, Dora Brantley, did not return a call from the Free Press.

Another officer, who is Black, was on-site at the time of the incident and left right before the officers allegedly assaulted Brown, in order to try to get Brown a mask. The Black officer stated in a sworn affidavit submitted in the lawsuit that one of the officers involved in the incident later falsified the arrest report.

I believe these officers used excessive force as this incident could have been diffused simply by handing him a mask and asking him to wear it, the officer testified in the affidavit.

The Caucasian officers then tried to have me write the report of this incident but I refused as there was no evidence that any use of force was warranted in this case. (An officer) then wrote and falsified the arrest report, concealing the unwarranted use of excessive force.

The Marriott did not have a mandatory mask requirement in effect during the incident, according to the lawsuit.

The Black officer reported the incident to management but nothing was done in response, he said in his affidavit. The officer said he was fired in the summer of 2021, after requesting to go on light duty or part-time under the Family Medical Leave Act.

The firing also happened several months after four employees were overheard by another employee saying they wanted to get rid of all the n-----s in the department, the officer said.

White officer beat Black woman 'like a man' in August, she says

More recently, on the night of Aug. 14, a white security officer allegedly beat a Black woman who suffers from mental illness. The woman recently told the Free Press she was hospitalized for about a month.

Video reviewed by the Free Press shows the security officer slamming the woman into a concrete pillar before forcing her to the ground and punching her in the face repeatedly while on top of her. There is no audio in the video.

Half of her time in the hospital was spent treating injuries related to the beating, the woman told the Free Press. The other half was in the psychiatric ward, she said.

First he called me a b----. Then grabbed me by the neck and started beating me like a man, the woman said. The Free Press is not naming the woman due to her fear for her safety.

A woman sits with her mother at Gathering Co. coffee shop in Detroit on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The woman says she was beaten so badly in August by a white Renaissance Security Management Company officer at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, she was hospitalized for a month. She was never charged with a crime. She is the latest victim amongst an alleged pattern of white private security police officers assaulting and harassing Black people that has gone unchecked for years, according to a recently filed federal lawsuit. The Free Press is not naming the woman, who fears for her safety.

She said the beating followed an argument she had with RenCen officers about her bringing a bike inside the building, and evolved into officers alleging she was impersonating a police officer.

The woman told the Free Press she was trying to explain that she was a volunteer police officer, which the Free Press could not independently confirm.

With the weight of the security officer on top of the woman, she feared for her life, she said, thinking she would be raped.

Handcuffed, the woman said, security officers then dragged her to a holding cell in the basement of the RenCen.

Officers with the Detroit Police Department arrived a little after midnight to transport the woman to the hospital, the department confirmed to the Free Press.

A woman sits with her mother at Gathering Co. coffee shop in Detroit on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023. The woman says she was beaten so badly in August by a white Renaissance Security Management Company officer at the Renaissance Center in Detroit, she was hospitalized for a month. She was never charged with a crime. She is the latest victim amongst an alleged pattern of white private security police officers assaulting and harassing Black people that has gone unchecked for years, according to a recently filed federal lawsuit. The Free Press is not naming the woman, who fears for her safety.

Detroit police spokesperson Officer Jordan Hall said an officer with Renaissance Center Management Co. did strike the woman in the face and neck area with a closed hand, and detained her for impersonating a police officer. The woman was accused of attacking the security officer with a tree branch, he said.

The woman acknowledged to the Free Press she had a stick in her hand and said she tried to fight back after the security officer began whaling on her face.

Detroit police also confirmed that police sought a mental health evaluation for her.

Like Brown, she has not been charged with a crime, according to a search of court records.

The department's Hall said he did not know what prompted the incident and could not say Tuesday whether Detroit police are investigating it.

Former employee says he faced racism on the job

Donald Gambrell, who is Black and is also represented by Safran, said he approached his new job as a RenCen security officer with pride and integrity.

He was hired in March 2017. Every morning hed shine his shoes and iron his uniform, he said. He thought he could provide safety to RenCen guests.

But starting in October that year, colleagues began calling him a b----, b---- ass n----r, black jackal, rusty, n----r, according to a racial discrimination lawsuit Gambrell filed in 2021.

In October 2020, the lawsuit alleges, two white employees cornered Gambrell at work and told him to touch his toes and perform lewd and degrading acts.

In the lawsuit, Gambrell compared the harassment to what was known during times of slavery as buck breaking, in which Black slaves were raped by white slaveowners.

And in December 2020, Gambrell said, two colleagues allegedly asked him if he would perform fellatio if they were naked in the mens locker room, according to an internal complaint. Gambrell demanded they stop, walked out and filed a police report with Detroit police soon after, according to the police report.

The workplace became so toxic for Gambrell, he had to take medical leaves for anxiety he had developed, the lawsuit states. His human resources representative had allegedly told him that medical leave is not a get out of jail free card, according to internal complaints obtained by the Free Press.

Theyre running this place like the mafia, Gambrell wrote in an internal complaint to G4S.

Gambrell stayed in his position until he couldnt anymore, he said. He said he stayed to protect the other Black colleagues who had been experiencing the same racism he had.

I wanted justice. I didnt want them to continue to do this to other people of color. Other people period, Gambrell told the Free Press.

But it eventually became too much. He went on stress leave in May 2022 and never came back, Safran said.

Attorneys for the companies in Gambrell's court case denied many of the allegations and argued that Gambrell failed to exhaust all remedies under his collective bargaining agreement. The companies eventually settled the case in December 2022, Safran said. She would not comment on the details of the settlement.

Renaissance Center Management Co.s attorney in the Gambrell case, Jennifer Pope, did not return a call or email for comment.

The Free Press asked Mock about Gambrells allegations but she declined to comment.

State oversight of private security police

According to the law, PA330, which deals with the licensing of security police officers, the Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards has the authority to revoke an agency's license if there are findings of dishonesty, impersonating a law enforcement officer and assault, among other acts.

Joseph Kempa, deputy executive director of MCOLES, confirmed to the Free Press that there was a May 2022 complaint of racial discrimination and excessive force against Black people by RCMCs security police officers, but admitted the complaint fell through the cracks due to staffing shortages.

Kempa said MCOLES asked Michigan State Police to investigate earlier this month, only after the media began asking questions.

As MCOLES is not a law enforcement agency, it does not have the authority to conduct a criminal investigation into alleged assaultive acts, Kempa wrote in an email to the Free Press.

Andrea Sahouri covers criminal justice for the Detroit Free Press. She can be contacted at 313-264-0442 or asahouri@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: RenCen officers accused of racism, assault against Black visitors
LEANDER, Texas (KXAN)  The Leander Police Department provided more details involving a retired Austin Police officer who died in a crash in Leander over the weekend.

At approximately 11:50 a.m., Nov. 12, officers responded to the 8600 block of Ranch-to-Market Road 2243 for a report of a rollover crash, according to a news release from LPD.

APD confirms retired officer died in Leander crash

According to police, a Ford Excursion driving westbound had a mechanical/tire related issue and crossed the double yellow center lane divider, which struck a Chevrolet Silverado head-on. The Silverado then rolled off the roadway

The retired officer was identified as Ray Shillito Jr., 51, of Austin, according to police.

Shillito had recently retired from APD and was working with the City of Austin Development Services Department, according to LPD.

The crash remained under investigation Wednesday, police said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
LEBANON COUNTY, Pa. (WHTM)  This years 2024 Java Journey in Lebanon County will be kicking off its 5th annual event this January.

According to Visit Lebanon Valley, they will be officially starting this years Java Journey on Thursday, January 11, 2024, and the event will continue until Monday, March 11.

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The Java Journey is an event that partners with several local coffee shops and cafes around Lebanon County and offers customers the chance to collect stamps as they visit each participating location.

This year, the participating coffee shops and cafes include:

This will be our fifth year for the Java Journey and every year it interests more people, Visit Lebanon Valley President Jennifer Kuzo said. Its a great way to discover the best cups of joe while experiencing charming small towns, unique flavors and secret drinks.

If you are interested in participating in this years coffee trail for the chance to win various prizes, you can pick up a passport for your stamps and a mug at any of the participating locations for just $10 once the event begins.

A new addition to this years event is a $30 gift set which will include two mugs, two Java Journey passports, and a reusable thermal tote. The new gift set will be available for pre-sale from November 25 to December 23 while supplies last.

For more information on this years Java Journey event, you can go to Visit Lebanon Valleys website or follow the Java Journey Facebook group.

abc27 news will keep you updated as more information becomes available.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
Police walk in front of Canter's Deli in Los Angeles, where antisemetic graffiti was left on a wall in the restaurant's parking lot on Nov. 1. (Genaro Molina / Los Angeles Times)

To the editor: A few years ago, I was having dinner with two Israeli friends at a beachfront cafe in Tel Aviv. The sound of gentle waves hitting the beach provided a backdrop to our discussion; as usual in Israel, the subject was politics. ("The rising tide of hate crimes cant be ignored," editorial, Nov. 13)

They said their country was more than a refuge for Holocaust survivors; it was a haven for Jews all over the world when things got rough for them (their exact words) in their home countries.

I responded that things would never get so challenging for Jews in the U.S. to the degree that any number of American Jews would feel the need to move to Israel.

Today, I'm not so sure.

Martin Cooper, Encino

..

To the editor: The Times' very disturbing editorial about the rise of hate crimes leaves no one out. Included are Arabs, Muslims, Jews, Latinos, Blacks, Asians, LGBTQ+ people, Indigenous people and immigrants.

If these crimes continue to escalate, who will be left? Will it just be former President Trump, MAGA extremists and white supremacists?

If so, how will they disperse all that toxicity within them? By attacking each other?

Sheryl Kinne, Van Nuys

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
People in support of the Bring Chicago Home ordinance walk from the Wrigley Building to offices of the Chicago Association of Realtors at a rally on Oct. 26, 2023. (Trent Sprague/Chicago Tribune)

Chicago voters will be asked in March to approve a binding ballot referendum to significantly increase the real estate transfer tax for property transactions of more than $1 million to fund a dedicated revenue stream for the unhoused. The cause of fighting homelessness is noble. However, the Bring Chicago Home proposal supported by Mayor Brandon Johnson and progressive aldermen is like a wolf dressed in sheeps clothing.

The referendum is disguised as a tax on high-end property, but in actuality, it likely will result in a more broad tax increase on all residents. Elected leaders could address homelessness by effectively managing the budget. Whenever taxes are increased, it hurts citizens and the economy. Businesses pass increased tax costs on to consumers. Many restaurants will add a surcharge to a customers bill to cover increased labor costs. Likewise, renters will have to pay higher rents if voters approve the referendum.

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The Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning notes that renters make up more than 55% of Chicagos population. Now is not the time to raise taxes on our fragile real estate market. In fact, a study this year by the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and Minnesota Center for Fiscal Excellence found that Chicago has some of the highest commercial property taxes in the nation. Perhaps we could learn something from cities like Atlanta; Austin, Texas; Boston; Dallas; Houston; Indianapolis; and others that do not assess transfer taxes. Are their leaders smarter than ours?

[ Aldermen support March referendum on real estate transfer tax, sending ordinance to full City Council ]

According to Crains Chicago, The office vacancy rate in the heart of the city during the past three months rose to an all-time high of 23.7% from 22.6% midway through the year. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, our downtown businesses have been struggling, and the Bring Chicago Home proposal will only add to that pain if approved by voters. The writing is on the wall: Businesses are already leaving Chicago. For example, meatpacking company Tyson Foods closed its local office. Freight railroad car company TTX is moving its headquarters from Chicago to Charlotte, North Carolina, after being in Chicago for more than 50 years. Additional companies that have exited Chicago include Caterpillar, Citadel and Boeing. And our elected leaders continue to promote anti-business proposals that will crush our city and citizens.

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[ Editorial: Owners are scrambling to unload high-profile buildings. Is this backlash to Mayor Johnsons mansion tax? ]

In response to the passage of the paid time off ordinance by the City Council, a coalition led by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce stated: Businesses cannot withstand the ever-growing financial burden forced upon them with punitive policies, including restrictive scheduling, the elimination of tip credits and efforts to quadruple the real estate transfer tax. They went on to say, With Chicago on the verge of adopting the most complicated and expensive form of paid leave in the country, businesses of every size and sector will be left with no choice but to take their operations  and employees  elsewhere.

Our elected leaders have not even put forward a plan of how they would spend the $100 million in anticipated annual revenue from the tax to address the vague term homelessness. Ald. Maria Hadden, 49th, said that they will provide specifics later. Sounds all too familiar: Trust politicians with a $100 million slush fund to address the unhoused. According to the investigative news outlet Illinois Answers Project, Chicago has budgeted more than $200 million this year to provide services for the unhoused. However, the city has spent only 15% of the $52 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding to help people experiencing homelessness.

The voters would be wise to vote against approving a penny in new taxes without an accounting of how revenue to address the unhoused has been spent. Taxpayers and businesses do not have infinite pockets. What happens when the well runs dry? The idea of citizens living under viaducts, in cars and tents is troubling. However, this occurs when politicians lack a plan or fail to use resources in a collaborative manner to address the underlying causes of homelessness. The hypocrisy of our leaders has been on full display since migrants began arriving in Chicago last year.

The following are suggestions to deal with the unhoused population without levying additional taxes:

1. Johnson should conduct an audit regarding the effectiveness and timeliness of funding dedicated to homelessness.

Chicago Tribune Opinion Weekdays Read the latest editorials and commentary curated by the Tribune Opinion team. By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

2. Johnson and the City Council should develop a plan to deal with the unhoused and share how they would spend an additional $100 million.

3. Johnson should collaborate with all stakeholders including the business community to develop ideas to address the unhoused.

4. Johnson and all aldermen should cut their salaries by 3% in a show of shared sacrifice to fund programs for the unhoused.

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Im a businessperson and raising taxes to address homelessness is not the solution. In essence, the tax aimed at business owners would be shifted to homeowners in Chicago, just after 2022 saw property taxes across Chicago rise by 3%. I urge all citizens to vote against increasing the transfer tax.

I write this commentary to make those comfortable with raising taxes without accountability uncomfortable.

Willie Wilson is a Chicago business owner and a former 2023 mayoral candidate.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.
LeVar Burton attends the National Book Awards ceremony on Wednesday in New York.

LeVar Burton attends the National Book Awards ceremony on Wednesday in New York.

LeVar Burton hosted the 74th National Book Awards on Wednesday and during his opening speech, he took a jab at the right-wing group Moms for Liberty.

Before we get going, are there any Moms for Liberty in the house? Burton asked, while the New York audience laughed. Moms for Liberty? No? Good. Then hands will not need to be thrown tonight.

"Before we get going, are there any Moms for Liberty in the house? No? Good. then hands will not need to be thrown tonight."



Host LeVar Burton kicks off this year's National Book Awards ceremony. #NBAwardspic.twitter.com/tQtLj8azGS  Publishers Weekly (@PublishersWkly) November 16, 2023

Burton, who hosted the childrens show Reading Rainbow for over two decades, has been outspoken about his disgust for Moms for Liberty. The extremist group has described itself as defending parental rights in government while also seeking to have books removed from libraries. During last weeks U.S. elections, Moms for Liberty set out to take over various school boards but ultimately wasnt successful.

In an Esquire interview published Wednesday, Burton said he was thrilled that hardly any candidates backed by Moms for Liberty won their races.

These are people who would rather children not know the truth, Burton told Esquire. Those kids will never know what theyre missing, but its our job to stand up for them, to be their voices and their advocates. Thats what being an elder in this society means to me.

During a 2022 appearance on The View, Burton said its embarrassing that people are trying to ban books in America.

We have this aversion in this country to knowing about our past. And anything that is unpleasant, we dont want to deal with, he said at the time. This is not going away. Nothing goes away, especially if you ignore it. So, read the books theyre banning. Thats where the good stuff is. If they dont want you to read it, theres a reason why.

Related...
More than 700 incidents of violence and threats targeting LGBTQ people have occurred over the past year, including murder, harassment, assault and vandalism, according to an updated tally released Thursday by GLAAD, an LGBTQ media advocacy organization, and the Anti-Defamation Leagues Center on Extremism.

At least 26 transgender people since November 2022 have been killed in crimes motivated by an anti-transgender bias, according to Thursdays count, released three days before the one-year anniversary of a mass shooting carried out at Club Q, a gay nightclub in Colorado Springs.

Five people  including two transgender people  were killed and 18 were injured in the Nov. 19 attack, which came on the eve of Transgender Day of Remembrance, recognized each year on Nov. 20 to honor the lives of transgender people killed in acts of anti-transgender violence.

The shooter, 23-year-old Anderson Lee Aldrich, was sentenced to life in prison without the possibility of parole in June after pleading guilty to five counts of murder and 46 counts of attempted murder.

Its been one year, one heartbreaking year since Daniel, Kelly, Ashley, Derrick, and Raymond were killed, and more than a dozen were injured, in the unthinkable attack in Colorado Springs, GLAAD CEO Sarah Kate Ellis said Thursday, using the victims first names. When GLAAD spoke out in the hours after the devastating violence last November, we had one plea for elected, media and corporate leaders: stop the spread of anti-LGBTQ disinformation, which incites violence.

Ellis accused politicians and others of spreading anti-LGBTQ lies and disinformation in the year following the attack on Club Q in public forums and on social media, inciting violence everywhere from elementary schools and libraries, to places of worship, to school board meetings, to places of business.

Anti-LGBTQ hate speech has surged over the past several years online, and all five major social media platforms received low or failing scores on an annual assessment of LGBTQ user safety released by GLAAD in June. The groups report deemed X, formerly known as Twitter, the most dangerous platform for LGBTQ people.

Anti-LGBTQ hate crimes have also risen sharply, according to an FBI report released last month, and more than 500 bills targeting LGBTQ people were introduced this year in state legislatures across the country, according to the American Civil Liberties Union. At least 84 became law.

Our children are banned from mentioning their two moms at school, Ellis, who is openly gay, said Thursday, referring to education bills passed in a handful of GOP-led states that restrict talk of sexual orientation and gender identity in public school classrooms.

Ellis on Thursday also referenced the murders of Lauri Carleton, who was fatally shot in August after refusing to remove a rainbow Pride flag from the front of her clothing store in Cedar Glen, Calif., and OShae Sibley, who was killed in July for voguing to Beyonce at a New York City gas station.

I dont want to be able to recycle this statement in November 2024, Ellis said. LGBTQ people and our allies need 100% support in words and action, urgently.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Lisa Bunker wants their books to be read by the masses, not just by transgender people like themselves.

The 61-year-old who moved to Sacramento last year had served in the New Hampshire House of Representatives as one of the first openly transgender people elected to that body. They are also the author of five books, the newest and the focus of their recent reading at Capitol books being Almond, Quartz, and Finch, from New Wind Publishing.

Nobody else is going to read it because its one of those books, for those people, Bunker said early in the reading. I find it intensely frustrating, because Im a good writer.

Sacramento marks the latest chapter for a person who has repeatedly reinvented themselves and forged new paths. And if the response at the reading was any judge, Bunker might already be helping people locally.

Lisa Bunkers book Almond, Quartz, and Finch, with cover art by Cygnus Madrose, is a New Wind Publishing fantasy tale that includes gender diverse characters.

Bunkers background

Lisa Bunkers latest book is Almond, Quartz, and Finch.

Before they were an author, an elected official or an out transgender person, Bunker was a longtime program director at WMPG, a community radio station in Portland, Maine.

Through the years, though, Bunker harbored doubts about their gender identity that had been with them since early childhood.

They talked about their upbringing in Southern California during the 1960s for a 2017 interview for an oral history project for University of Southern Maine. I was born with a male body and was raised as a boy and in retrospect looking back I definitely was a trans-girl from the very beginning, Bunker said then.

Sam Bullock got to know Bunker through training under them at the radio station and while Bunker was in the process of their initial transition from male to female. Bunker now identifies as nonbinary, using they/them pronouns as well as three they have created and include in writing: vo, ven and veir. They use the custom pronouns on occasion with people close to them.

Bullock loved Bunker almost immediately.

One thing that I found really awe-inspiring about Lisa  and how I strive to be and never get it right in my own life, but I use Lisa as an example  is that they are unapologetically themselves, Bullock said.

Dr. Wendy Chapkis, a professor of womens studies at University of Southern Maine praised Bunkers approach to conversation, even with potential adversaries.

I tend to be someone that I think, Oh, that person is never gonna get it, or That person is super transphobic, Im going to avoid them, Chapkis said. But Lisa would be the person that would have a conversation in the most disarming way and often create some kind of inroad with that person.

This quality might have helped Bunker get elected to the New Hampshire State House in 2018 after they relocated to be with their wife Dawn Huebner.

Politically, New Hampshire is its own animal, with a well-known role early in the presidential primary cycle. It also has a highly representative form of government, with 400 house reps in a state of about 1.4 million people. That works out to about one rep for every 3,500 residents, a stark difference from the California Assembly, which averages one member per 465,000 residents.

Bunker, who was motivated to run for office after Donald Trumps presidential election in 2016, got to work in their town of Exeter.

I canvassed, Bunker said in a sitdown interview for this article two days before their reading. I walked neighborhoods. I talked to a 10th of my constituents. It was pretty cool.

Bunker took office along with Gerri Cannon, becoming the first two openly transgender women to serve in the New Hampshire State House, according to local reporting at the time.

Of their time in office, Bunker said they were most proud of helping to overturn a gubernatorial veto of ending the death penalty in New Hampshire. Lawmakers overrode the veto by one vote. I feel like that was a really important day to have gotten elected and shown up, Bunker said.

Bunker left office when they and Huebner decided to move to California.

This has been our kind of adventure, Huebner said. We wanted to try something new.

Life in Sacramento

Bunker and Huebner, who are Unitarian-Universalists, chose Sacramento in part because of its faith community. Incidentally, New Wind Publishing co-owner Anara Guard is also board president for the group Bunker and Huebner have joined, the Unitarian-Universalist Society of Sacramento.

Guard said that Bunker and Huebner, who have been in Sacramento for just over a year, were already integral members of the local UU society.

Lisa and Dawn were ready, willing right from the start, Guard said.

Huebner, a psychologist who has authored 14 books and contributed text for a recent Curious George book about calmness, said that her royalties are largely helping to support her and Bunker right now.

In the meantime, Bunker is working to reach new audiences, with the crowd at the Capital Books reading small. Aside from Bunker, Huebner, Guard and a reporter, there were about half a dozen people, with the event drawing transgender people, their family and a man who had questions about how to support a child who had come out.

Those in the room also had plenty to say about the experience of transgender people in the current political climate.

As a trans person, why do you think they care so much, one man asked Bunker.

Because were terrifying to them, Bunker replied.

Nobody is absolutely binary, Bunker added shortly thereafter. And in order to deeply commit to a binary belief system, you have to suppress something inside yourself.

A little while later, the mans transgender daughter spoke up.

Were ordinary, were not scary, she said. Were average people.

Just as the event had ended, Bunker said it hadnt been the first time that the only people whod shown up to one of their events had either been a transgender person or someone who supported them.

Bunker wasnt letting this faze them, though.

Everyone needs to know that theyre supported and loved and not alone in their struggles, they said.
Florida dad who locked adopted son in box to be sentenced

TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA)  A Jupiter father who locked his adopted son in a box will be sentenced Thursday afternoon.

Tim Ferriter, 48, was found guilty a month ago of aggravated child abuse, child neglect, and false imprisonment.

Manatee County school board employee accused of molesting 3rd-grade student, deputies say

According to NBC affiliate WPTV, the father of four went back to court for his sentence hearing where he was given the opportunity to openly speak to his family, apologizing for what he put his children thought, and said that God had a plan for him.

I also plead of you, Judge Coates, to use your discretion to lean into mercy for my family and myself to make your decision, Ferriter said. I ask that you allow me to serve my sentence outside the jail or prison, under house arrest or a monitor under probation so as to be able to support the ones I love and the ones that depend on me.

The father no longer has parental rights and the children are in other care.

Ferriter could face up to 40 years for abusing their then-14-year-old son by locking him in an 88 box in the family garage. The box was equipped with a ring style camera to monitor him.

Tim Ferriter and his wife, Tracy Ferriter, were arrested in February 2022.

WPTV said before the trial started, Ferriter rejected a plea deal that would have imprisoned him for two years.

Tracy Ferriter is still awaiting her trial.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WFLA.
CLEVELAND, Ohio (WJW)  A shooting outside a local elementary school is under investigation.

EMS were called to the scene near St. Francis Catholic School on Myron Avenue at about 9 a.m. on Thursday.

Striking Starbucks workers at these NE Ohio stores

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Police tape could be seen set up in the area.

When we could know exact cause of deadly bus crash

According to officials, a 25-year-old man was transported to University Hospital in critical condition. Police say he died at the hospital.

FOX 8 Photo

FOX 8 Photo

FOX 8 Photo

Police say they have a suspect in custody.

FOX 8 has reached out to the school for information.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
The countdown is underway, with approximately 200 days remaining for Mexicans abroad to vote in their countrys elections on June 2, 2024.

But what do you need to know if you live outside of Mexico?

 First, you can vote from abroad

 Second, you can obtain your voter ID at consulates or your place of origin

 Third, you need to register to vote from abroad

 Fourth, there are three ways to cast your vote

We are here promoting and informing the Mexican, and specifically Guanajuato community, that they can cast their vote. They have to come to the consulate to obtain their voter ID, and there are different voting modalities, said Guadalupe Mendiola Gonzalez, from the Electoral Institute of the State of Guanajuato.

Mendiola Gonzalez is in charge of the voting for Guanajuatenses residing abroad. Mendiola Gonzalez, along with Nora Ruth Chavez Gonzalez, director of political and electoral culture in the state of Guanajuato, visited Fresno on November 7 as part of a tour by the Special Commission for the Vote of Guanajuatenses Residing Abroad to promote the vote of Guanajuatenses living abroad.

Chavez Gonzalez said, We organize local elections, such as the governorship, municipalities, and the local congress. Nationally, the INE (National Electoral Institute) organizes presidential elections, Federal Deputies, and Senators, but we work together.

The scheduled tour from October 28 to November 14 in California included visits to consulates across the state, including Los Angeles, Oxnard, San Jose, Sacramento, and San Francisco.

We know that all Mexicans will be able to vote, said Mendiola Gonzalez, adding that they are informing Mexicans abroad that they will be able to vote on June 2, 2024.

To be able to vote, people have to obtain a voter ID and register on the nominal list of residents abroad, she said. Lets say that this process is the same for everyone, for all Mexicans, said Mendiola Gonzalez.

Mexicans abroad, including those living in the Central Valley, have until February 20, 2024, to register to vote from abroad for federal elections, including the presidency and senators, and some governorships or migrant deputies or other federative entities.

Two of the main candidates for the presidential race are women and would make history if elected.

Mendiola Gonzalez said that the political constitution of several states such as Jalisco, Yucatan, Chiapas, Puebla, and including the state of Guanajuato, establishes that their residents abroad have the right to vote for the governorship of the state in the June elections.

Our message is to promote voting, said Mendiola Gonzalez. And as an electoral authority, we have the constitutional duty to guarantee that all Mexicans residing abroad vote, and this guarantee also implies promotion, said Chavez Gonzalez. And promotion, in simple terms, is to let citizens or Mexicans residing abroad know what the voting methods are. Let them know that they have the right to vote from abroad.

What are the steps to register?

Having a voter ID with a photo is the key to voting for Mexicans residing abroad and Mexicans in Mexico.

With the voter ID, you have the possibility to vote. You can obtain the ID in two ways: through the consulate or by processing the ID in your place of origin, an option for Mexicans residing abroad who have a constant return to Mexico. With that ID, they will be able to vote abroad. In the case of a person with an ID issued in Mexico with an address in Mexico, they will have to inform the electoral authorities that they are abroad and want to vote from there.

They must be registered on the nominal electoral list of Mexicans residing abroad. The intention of the list is for authorities to identify where Mexicans are for the logistical deployment involved in guaranteeing the right to vote.

For registration on the nominal electoral list, people have to choose one of the three voting modalities: postal voting (which has been used in most electoral processes); electronic voting via the Internet, and in the upcoming 2024 elections, for the first time, in-person voting at consulates.

 Postal Vote: Receive the ballots at the registered address on the ID, put them in the envelope, and send them back to Mexico.

 Electronic Voting via the Internet: Register and have an email on hand to receive a series of verifications to your email account. Ten days before the election day, a system opens, and people can enter, and cast their vote until the same day as the election, closing at the same time as all polling stations nationwide.

 In-person voting at consulates. The INE has not confirmed the list of consulates in the United States that will have in-person voting.

In early 2023, in the gubernatorial elections in the State of Mexico and Coahuila, there was a first pilot test of in-person voting in three consulates in the United States Los Angeles, Dallas, and Chicago and also at the consulate in Montreal, Canada.







Nuria Zuniga, Deputy Consul of the Consulate of Mexico in Fresno, stated that obtaining a voter ID is the first important step to voting as a Mexican abroad.

How to process the voter ID at consulates

Nuria Zuniga, Deputy Consul of the Consulate of Mexico in Fresno, said that obtaining a voter ID is the first important step to voting as a Mexican abroad.

As of October 20, consulates have been receiving people who want to process only their voter ID without an appointment, said Zuniga. In Fresno, it is being received from Monday to Friday from 7 to 11 a.m..

It is only for the voter ID, she reiterated. The consulate recommends that once the ID arrives, people activate it.

Some people overlook or do not activate that step, and although it will serve them to vote, it will not serve them as identification in Mexico, Zuniga said. So, it is important to activate the ID so that it indeed has the full potential as identification per se and as an identification specifically to exercise their vote.

The three requirements needed to process the ID are:

 Birth certificates in good legible condition, either security paper birth certificates or those downloaded from the Tramita Tu Acta program, which are on bond paper but consulates can verify.

 A valid official photo ID (It can be a U.S. ID, for example, a drivers license or California ID, but as long as it is valid and the name matches the Birth Certificate).

 And proof of address where the ID will be sent, is important.

Zuniga said that it happens a lot with married women who change their last name to their husbands name. So, additionally, they will have to present their marriage certificate so that the consulate can make the connection between the Mexican person registered with a name in Mexico and the identification presented.

People born abroad to Mexican parents who have Mexican nationality and wish to process their voter ID are asked to present the birth certificate of one of their parents or the father or mother, or the one they choose if they are from different states so that they can be assigned to a specific state so that the INE can integrate them into the nominal list of a state.

And then they have the right in the case that there is a vote for governor in the case of Guanajuato and other states mentioned, said Zuniga.

Once the IDs are processed, they are valid for 10 years.

If you lost your ID, we recommend that you come and process another one, said Zuniga, adding that the deadlines are important since Mexicans abroad have until February 20 to process their ID.

Why? Because the issuance deadlines for the ID are up to 90 days so that people can receive their ID in time, activate it, and register on the nominal list to be able to exercise their vote.

From October 20, 2023, to February 20, 2024, we will be accepting people without an appointment, but it is important that they have this date very present because if they process it on the 21st, it cannot be guaranteed that they can exercise their right to vote, said Zuniga.

The right to vote is something that, for example, women fought for, and 70 years ago we can vote. Also, the vote of Mexicans abroad is the result of social demands and also of electoral institutes that advance in guaranteeing the right, and it is something they must do to choose who represents us, said Chavez Gonzalez.

Yes, we all build democracy, added Zuniga. We have a motto in which democracy is lived every day, wherever you are, right?, concluded Mendiola Gonzalez. It is important, then, that citizens come or cast their votes under the three modalities.

Hugo Morales: If youre indigena in the Americas, youre discriminated against and by many people

Fresno State President Saul Jimenez-Sandoval receives Distinguished Mexicans Award from Mexican Consulate in Fresno
EVANSVILLE  Local law enforcement now have another tool in their own backyard to help them solve gun-related crimes.

The Indiana State Police Evansville post will now house a National Integrated Ballistics Information Network machine, whereas local law enforcement previously had to use ones in Western Kentucky and Indianapolis.

Members of ISP, the Evansville Police Department, Vanderburgh County Sheriffs Office, Prosecutors Office and the ATF gathered at the post Wednesday afternoon to make the announcement, as well as unveil a new joint project.

Prosecutor Diana Moers' office has applied for and received nearly $700,000 to create a Crime Gun Intelligence Center in Vanderburgh County.

Moers said the money will be used over the next three years to form the center.

The NIBIN machine purchased by the Indiana Crime Guns Task Force and placed at the local ISP post officially went live Tuesday, but the ATF has had a mobile unit in place since August.

According to ATF Columbus Field Division Assistant Special Agent in Charge John Nokes, from Aug. 15 to Oct. 31 the mobile NIBIN unit has 509 submissions.

Of those submission, 194 were from local agencies. Out of the local submissions, 15 were linked to other incidents which resulted in a lead from NIBIN, he said.

John Pritchett, a forensic science technician with the Indiana State Police, shows how the National Integrated Ballistic Information Network works during a press conference hosted at ISP Evansville Post Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.

At least four linked to two or more shooting events, he said.

"Without the incredible efforts of your local law enforcement and prosecutors (the tools) wouldn't matter," Nokes said. "But as we've seen, law enforcement in this region is committed to using all available resources to reduce violent crime in your communities.

For Moers, the CGIC will be a way to quickly identify and reduce the amount of gun crime locally.

"The crime rate in Vanderburgh County is unacceptable," she said, "particularly as it relates to shots fired."

Planning is still underway for the center, but Moers said it expands the existing joint task force of the EPD, VCSO and the prosecutors office.

"We will not rest in the fight to make the community safe," she said. "Those that commit crime in Vanderburgh county are not making a wise decision."

ATF Columbus Field Division Special Agent in Charge Daryl McCormick said crime gun intelligence is what drives all of ATF's investigations.

The center will utilize tools like NIBIN and eTrace, which traces firearms in a "rapid way."

McCormick said the tools allow them to zero in on the "very few number" of people committing gun violence.

"We know it's a small percent, it's less than 1%," he said. "It's less than even 1% of our criminals that are willing to pull the trigger and it's often times they'll do so more than once."

The center will have a goal of all evidence submitted and an outcome produced within five days. The standard specifically for Vanderburgh County will be 48 hours, McCormick said.

Dedicated investigators, information sharing and the technology all come together in the CGIC, he said.

"We've got tools and we're going to keep getting better and we're going to come after you and hold you accountable," he said.

This article originally appeared on Evansville Courier & Press: Local law enforcement unveils tool to track guns used in violent crime
A popular restaurant thats recently been through multiple tragedies is still finding a way to help others this holiday.

The staff at El Sombrero, a Mexican restaurant in Troy, is still mourning the loss of its owner, Ruben Pelayo, who died after a battle with Pancreatic Cancer in late October.

>> PREVIOUS COVERAGE: Troy restaurant owner dies after cancer battle

Pelayo had an annual tradition of serving free meals on Thanksgiving Day and the staff is working to keep that tradition alive.

Ruben made a promise to his mom when he left Mexico that he would do this, Murphy Howe, coordinator of the Thanksgiving community dinner and friend of Pelayo, told News Center 7s Kayla McDermott.

Despite the fact that he wont be there with them, the restaurant staff will continue his annual tradition, but theres been another obstacle the restaurant has had to work around; a fire has kept El Sombrero closed since mid-October.

We have so much smoke damage, he said.

Howe said dealing with the aftermath of the fire and Pelayos death has been difficult.

Its been tough. I mean, we have employees that are concerned about whats happening, Howe explained.

Despite juggling all this pain, Howe said the Thanksgiving dinner has to go on.

>> 15-year-old dead after hit-and-run at local park; police still looking to answer lingering questions

For decades, this has been peoples Thanksgiving dinner. I mean, for my wife and myself this is what we do on Thanksgiving, he said.

Theyre gearing up to serve up dinner for 3,000-4,000 people. But since El Sombrero is still being repaired from the fire, theyre taking their annual tradition to St. Patricks Soup Kitchen.

On Thanksgiving Day, meals will be served from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the soup kitchen at 25 N. Mulberry St.

Theyre still looking for additional volunteers to help cook, serve, and clean up. If youre interested in helping, you can contact Volunteer Coordinator, Melody Vallieu at (937) 214-6838.

Updates on the Thanksgiving dinner and the repairs to the restaurant can be found here, on its Facebook page.
Emirati women walk past the tail of an Emirates Boeing 777 at the Dubai Air Show in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Jon Gambrell) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Long-haul carrier Emirates said Thursday it will purchase 15 additional Airbus A350-900s worth $6 billion after a spat between the airline and the European manufacturer went unusually public during this week's Dubai Air Show.

The Emirates' order, far smaller than initially expected, came after the airline and its sister carrier FlyDubai purchased $63 billion worth of aircraft from Boeing Co. at the start of the weeklong show, which comes as international travel has rebounded following the coronavirus pandemic.

So far, Emirates has ordered 65 of the aircraft.

On Tuesday, Emirates President Tim Clark signaled the carrier would hold off on a major purchase of Airbus A350 aircraft over concerns about the Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines on the 350-1000. Rolls-Royce vigorously disputed Clark's comments about what he described as the additional maintenance required for them in Dubai's hot and desert environment.

Thursday's order will see Emirates get the 900 series, which has a different engine. A statement issued by Emirates that also quoted Airbus did not mention the engine dispute, but the airline and the manufacturer notably did not hold a news conference at the Dubai Air Show to discuss the purchase.

We plan to deploy our A350s to serve a range of new markets including long-haul missions of up to 15 hours flying time from Dubai, Emirates chairman and chief executive Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said in the statement. "We will work closely with Airbus and Rolls-Royce to ensure our aircraft deliver the best possible operating efficiency and flying experience for our customers.

For Airbus, the deal represents squeezing out a sale in an air show dominated by Boeing. Airbus discontinued its iconic double-decker A380, which is one of the main workhorses of Emirates' fleet.

With this agreement, we mark another solid step forward in the long-standing relationship agreement between Emirates and Airbus, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer Christian Scherer said in the statement.
A federal appeals court in Louisiana has upheld a lower court ruling that found a revised state congressional map violated the Voting Rights Act of 1965 by diminishing the collective influence of Black voters.

The ruling, handed down by a three-judge panel in the U.S. Fifth Circuit on Nov. 10, orders state legislators to complete a new map with reconfigured voting districts by Jan. 15 for the result to be used for the 2024 Louisiana congressional elections.

The ruling comes as several Republican-led states face legal challenges and increased scrutiny from the NAACP and other advocacy groups that allege the GOP was carrying out racial discrimination through gerrymandering, with the intent of excluding Black voters.

A Vote Here sign directs voters to a polling station set up at the Israel Missionary Baptist Church on May 24, 2022, in Atlanta, Georgia. Election Day in the Georgia primaries allows people to vote on Republican and Democratic nominees for offices. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

The Fifth Circuit justified its decision on the matter by citing a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in June, which determined Alabama had violated the Voting Rights Act by shutting out Black voters from the redistricting process, saying, we now apply the courts reasoning to the Louisiana redistricting.

In September, the federal judge overseeing the Alabama case ordered the appointment of a special master to redraw the congressional map after state lawmakers submitted a second redrawn map that didnt comply with the Supreme Court order to strengthen the states Black and minority voter pool.

Meanwhile, Louisianas newly elected governor, Republican Jeff Landry, said he planned to call for a special legislative session to take up the matter as soon as he takes office in January but expressed doubt about whether there was enough time to complete the map before the Jan. 15 deadline.

But outgoing Democratic Gov. Jon Bel Edwards has shown no desire to launch a special session at the end of his term, saying, I remain confident that we will have a fair map with two majority Black districts before the congressional elections next year.

Separately, a federal judge in Georgia also ordered state representatives there to redraw the congressional map ahead of 2024.

States had to redraw their congressional districts to reflect population changes that emerged as a result of the 2020 Census. In Louisiana, the Census showed nearly 4 percent growth in the Black population.

According to the numbers, roughly one out of every three residents in the state is Black, whereas the white population declined more than 6 percent over the past decade. However, the Republican-majority House approved a map with just one majority Black congressional district out of a total of six.

Gov. Edwards vetoed the map in March 2022, asserting that it violated Section 2 of the Civil Rights-era legislation because it was not in line with the principle of fundamental fairness that should have driven this process.

The Republican majority later overturned the veto, prompting a broad coalition of state advocacy groups, including the NAACP Louisiana State Conference, to file a lawsuit challenging the map.

Last year, a federal judge ruled the Louisiana map had been gerrymandered along racial lines, saying the map created one Black district in a state where a third of the population is Black while ordering lawmakers to establish a second district with a Black-voter majority.

However, a state legal doctrine that prohibits judges from modifying election procedures around Election Day meant the contested map was still utilized during the 2022 election.

Historically, Black voters in Louisiana have been a stronghold for the Democratic Party, and the establishment of a second district with a Black majority could reshape the political landscape in the state for years to come and potentially change the composition of the U.S. House, where Republicans currently hold a narrow majority.

Should Louisiana lawmakers not reach an agreement on a new map by the January deadline, the appeals court recommends a trial in the lower district court to hastily devise a map for the 2024 election.
Mayor Brandon Johnson on Wednesday announced an effort to get migrants out of city-run shelters within 60 days, while offering scant information about what will happen to them if they hit that deadline.

At a news conference marking passage of his first budget, Johnson announced the city is implementing a tiered 60-day shelter stay limit, combined with robust case management and workforce access to move new arrivals through our system to self-sufficiency and economic stability.

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The mayor repeatedly demurred on questions surrounding how the 60-day limit would play out, saying more details would be available Friday. State and federal partners will be providing a more expedited process for migrants to be resettled and put on the pathway to work, he said, and the state will make an announcement about a new partnership Thursday, he said, which state officials confirmed.

The changes signal the citys sharpest curtailment of migrant support since Johnson took office in May with a vow that his administration can provide enough for all Chicagoans, new and old.

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Johnsons deputy chief of staff, Cristina Pacione-Zayas, also offered limited details after the announcement, emphasizing there would be a comprehensive approach to the 60-day limit that will be associated with peoples eligibility for work authorization, temporary protected status, other state benefits.

She pointed to similar limits in New York and Denver.

New York Mayor Eric Adams announced last month the city would provide 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.

Denver officials announced in early October that any new adult migrant would only receive 14 days of shelter, while families with children would get 37 days. With the pressure on the citys existing shelter system, a mayoral spokesman said, We really have no choice.

No one will be kicked out if theyre able to demonstrate that they have made progress with seeking permanent housing, Pacione-Zayas said, adding that there would be comprehensive case management, all kinds of support offered.

Of the more than 20,000 migrants that have landed in the city via bus or plane, 7,000 have been resettled and 3,000 have been reunited with family members or sponsors, Pacione-Zayas said.

Johnson separately announced that there would be added personnel working at the citys landing zone and staging areas to facilitate connections to other destinations for individuals who do not wish to stay in Chicago and reunite them with family members and sponsors outside of our city.

Countless migrants have turned around after reaching the city to head back to their home countries or Texas.

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Shortly after Johnsons announcement, panic broke out among those who help to run the shelters and migrants themselves.

Many shelter workers heard about the mayors vague announcement from social media and hoped asylum-seekers wouldnt find out until they had more clarity, said Gabriela Castillo, a member of the Brighton Park Neighborhood Council that since June has managed the shelter for single males and females in the Gage Park field house.

Upon entry, migrants in shelters are given notice that they have 30 days to leave, but it has not been enforced, she added.

There are currently 388 people sheltering in the field house who have had a very difficult time getting apartments, despite a state rental program that provides six months of assistance, Castillo said.

Few migrants have been able to leave because landlords are not willing to rent to them, concerned how their tenants will be able to make payments after state assistance runs out, she said.

Most migrants still dont have a stable job and stay in shelters for three to five months, according to Castillo, as they begin to apply for temporary protected status or a federal work authorization.

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I hope (city officials) have a plan, even if it means making sure that theyre put in winterized tents, Castillo lamented. Perhaps we dont need to be alarmed, but for now, were all worried.

Meanwhile, temperatures were expected to again drop below freezing this weekend as Johnson hinted at a Thursday announcement with state officials that would address the 1,800 migrants sleeping at Chicago police stations and the 570 others camped out at OHare International Airport. That total is down from last months peak of 3,800 combined, and the pace of buses has also slowed during recent weeks.

Starting this weekend, Johnson said, the city will begin cracking down on bus companies that disregard our curfews, landing zone locations, and loading and unloading rules, an apparent attempt to curtail the sometimes chaotic arrival of buses at all hours.

Over the past six months, escalating waves of buses have spelled the mayors most vexing and unexpected crisis as hes faced pressure from aldermen to prioritize longtime residents, particularly from disinvested Black communities, before racking up towering costs on the migrants.

The budget team has previously projected the citys total costs on migrants from August 2022 to the end of this year topping $360 million, but the mayor only allocated $150 million for the mission in next years budget that passed Wednesday.

Pacione-Zayas said she anticipates expenses to decrease in the coming months: two thirds of those working with the citys shelter contractor, Favorite Staffing, are now local hires from within the region, thats saving the city about $1.5 million a week, she said.

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Efforts are also underway to replace more expensive shelter options with a lower per-person cost, she said. A request for proposals to provide meals to those staying at shelters will close later this month, she added, meaning a more affordable and local option will be in place by January.

Those costs have not only hit the city: in its annual economic and budget forecast Wednesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzkers budget office said potential spending pressures related to asylum seekers and other cost increases would use up nearly $1 billion of an anticipated $1.4 billion revenue increase for the current year.

The state, to date, has allocated about $478 million to the relief effort since migrants began arriving in August 2022, with more to come, Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said, declining to offer more specifics.

Toward the end of the summer, Johnson began to imply the city was out of financial runway while sharpening his calls for the federal and state governments to step up rather than let Chicago bear the brunt of caring for the migrants.

But he has refrained from suggesting, even implicitly, that asylum-seekers should skip Chicago and go elsewhere.

Wednesdays remarks reflect that the mayor is exploring shifting lanes, though he maintained his values remain the same.

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Asked whether the city is trying to get rid of the migrants, Johnson told reporters Were putting some restrictions, right, and some boundaries and parameters in place, but the ultimate goal is to make sure these families are treated with dignity.

This is the balanced approach that I believe that the people of Chicago have been asking for, Johnson said. But he added later, We will always be a welcoming city and a sanctuary city.

aquig@chicagotribune.com

larodriguez@chicagotribune.com

ayin@chicagotribune.com

dpetrella@chicagotribune.com
NEW ORLEANS (WGNO)  The United States Environment Protection Agency announced more than $3 million in grants for Louisiana organizations to advance environmental justice.

A total of $3,149,999 million will be allotted to the following organizations:

Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality

Thrive New Orleans

Micah Six Eight Mission

Groundwork New Orleans

The Louisiana Department of Health

St. Tammany Parish coroner warns of new drug 100 times more potent than fentanyl

New Orleans Congressman Troy Carter said the grant funding is a milestone in the New Orleans journey to a greener and environmentally responsible future.

Im also proud that this grant aims to ensure that federal investments flow to disadvantaged communities that are marginalized, underserved, and overburdened by pollution. Environmental justice must be at the center of any action to address disproportionate health and environmental impacts on communities, especially communities of color. Together, we will make New Orleans a shining example of environmental stewardship, equity, and progress, said Carter.

To learn more about the programs and environmental justice, visit the EPAs website.

Stay updated with the latest news, weather, and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play store and subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

Latest Posts

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Heaven on Earth exists for dog lovers - and a visit there comes complete with cider and snacks.

Golden Dog Farm of Jeffersonville, Vermont, just went viral for their Golden Retriever Experience, one-hour sessions where guests enjoy refreshments in the company of a big group of golden retrievers, also known as a "happy."

Golden Dog Farm partners with Butternut Goldens to make the experience happen.

The Golden Retriever Experience, also called a "happy hour," allows farm visitors to bask in the company of at least 10 dogs from Butternut Goldens, run by local husband-wife duo Dana and Susan Menne.

While bookings sell out quickly, Golden Dog Farm owners Doug and Becca Worple told USA TODAY that the overwhelming success did not seem a given when they first took on the venture earlier this year.

How the happiest of happy hours started

Playing ball, taking photos and snuggles come complimentary with the package.

When COVID hit, Doug Worple's travel-focused job at a global digital advertising agency was interrupted. Like many others during the pandemic, he said he used the moment to take a step back and consider what was next.

He and Becca Worple  who was a photographer and media representative at a radio station  sold their home in Cincinnati, Ohio, in hopes of heading to a family cottage in Ontario.

"Then the border closed," Doug Worple said. "Now we're two weeks out of closing on our house and didn't know where to go, so we decided to buy an RV and traveled to 35 different states, 17,000 miles in the RV with two of the dogs."

Somewhere along the way, they decided to start a golden retriever-based business and plant some new roots in Vermont.

"We've just always loved goldens and always wanted to have a lot of goldens," Worple said. "With what I was doing, I saw the power of influencers and social media and all that and I joked we need to have an Instagram farm full of golden retrievers, and soon we started looking at what that might look like."

Butternut Goldens is run by husband-wife duo Susan and Dana Menne.

It wasn't until they rolled into town to look at a property suggested by their realtor that they saw what Becca Worple called a sign that the location was meant to be. While driving the RV through town, the couple spotted resident Dana Menne of Butternut Goldens and a truck full of golden retrievers that he was trying to socialize on a visit to town.

"(Becca told me), 'If God were to send to me a sign we needed to move someplace, it would be a truckload of goldens,'" Doug Worple said.

The word spread thanks to social media

Each one-hour slot includes playtime with at least 12 goldens.

The Worples began building their farm up as, well, a farm. Currently equipped with vineyards, 4,500 taps making maple syrup, beehives and orchard trees, the property is full of other work to be done. At first, they were focused on getting things up and running. Then, after becoming friends with Dana Menne and Susan, the happy hour idea began to take shape.

"Collectively both of us wanted to do something like this but they didn't have a place to do it and we didn't have enough goldens," Doug Worple said. "But together we could make it happen."

They began by offering experiences for visitors on three Saturdays in the fall. Initially, things were slow, with bookings trickling in here and there.

About eight days before their first booking date, a video about the Golden Retriever Experience made it to the TikTok account of travel influencer @mydarlingpassport, racking up 5.6 million views. Overnight, Worple said things changed.

"We went to bed on a Thursday night and Friday morning we woke up and everything was sold out," he said. "We then immediately added more dates and those sold out then we added more dates."

Have you ever dreamed of playing ball with a dozen golden retrievers? You've found the right place.

'People cry because they're so happy'

The calendar currently has dates until Dec. 17, all of which are sold out, but the farm plans to drop a whole set of openings stretching into April by the end of this week. The one-hour experience runs on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays and costs $75 for adults and $50 for children.

He said visitors include all kinds of people of many ages, including those who live in the city and can't have dogs of their own, people who recently lost their own dogs, or those who simply love dogs and want to see more.

"People are so happy when they're here, they have this childlike joy on their faces," he said. "People cry because they're so happy."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: This farm lets you cuddle a dozen golden retrievers in doggy paradise
(Bloomberg) -- Luc Frieden is set to make a surprise comeback as Luxembourgs prime minister 10 years after the former finance chiefs chances of rising to the top job faded with the collapse of then-leader Jean-Claude Junckers government.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Outgoing premier Xavier Bettels Liberals and Friedens Conservatives struck a coalition deal this week that will form the basis of the countrys government for the next five years. Bettel will become foreign minister and deputy prime minister.

Frieden left politics in 2013 when his Christian Social Peoples Party was pushed out after almost two decades in power. He became vice chairman of Deutsche Bank AG in 2014, based in London, but was back home less than two years later at the law firm, Elvinger Hoss Prussen.

He went on to become president of Banque Internationale a Luxembourg and later head of the Chamber of Commerce, before returning to politics as the Conservatives lead candidate earlier this year.

Read More: Luxembourgs Ex-Finance Minister Frieden Asked to Form Coalition

Frieden was seen by many as a technocrat who lacks Bettels charisma and brings back memories of a spy scandal involving Luxembourgs State Intelligence Service that led to the end of the Juncker era.

Yet his campaign focus on supporting industry, young people and families cut through to voters disillusioned with Bettels Liberals-Greens-Socialist coalition over housing, health and energy crises.

A former justice and finance minister who studied at Pariss Sorbonne, Queens College, Cambridge and Harvard Law School, Frieden also has experience representing his country in Brussels and on the international stage.

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President Andry Rajoelina casts his ballot, as he seeks a third term

Polls have closed in Madagascar following a presidential election that was marred by opposition calls for a boycott and weeks of protest.

Voting took place peacefully, though turn-out was reportedly low, especially in opposition strongholds.

Most opposition leaders called for a boycott of the election.

They denounced President Andry Rajoelina's bid for a third term and raised concerns about the poll's credibility.

Mr Rajoelina dismissed their concerns, and was joined by his family as he voted in the capital Antananarivo's northern neighbourhood of Atmobe.

"A handful of people tried to prevent citizens from expressing their choice. They have the right not to participate but the populations have the right and the duty to vote," Mr Rajoelina said.

Ten of the 12 opposition candidates boycotted the poll.

"We do not recognise these elections and the Malagasy population in its great majority does not recognise them either," said Hajo Andrianainarivelo, who spoke on behalf of the group.

There were six weeks of demonstrations, and clashes with police in the build-up to the election.

A curfew was imposed in Antananarivo on the eve of the poll.

This followed "various acts of sabotage", including the "burning of a polling station", Angelo Ravelonarivo, a police prefect, said.

However, there was a low-key security presence across Antananarivo during Thursday's vote.

Opposition leaders have complained of an "institutional coup" in favour of Mr Rajoelina.

They also said he should be disqualified from the presidency because he acquired French nationality in 2014.

Polling stations in opposition areas were mostly empty, with a a low-key security presence across Antananarivo.

However, people were seen lining up at polling stations in areas regarded as strongholds of Mr Rajoelina and his party.

Roland Ratsiraka, one of the protesting candidates, described the elections to AFP news agency as a "fraud" and a "joke on Madagascar."

A shop vendor in the capital, 50-year-old Mama Pota, told Reuters news agency that she had no intention of voting.

"I am not going to vote because it is an election that doesn't meet the standards, so what's the point," she said.

A 26-year-old labourer, Rija Ralijaona, said she expected whoever wins to reduce unemployment and create jobs for young people.

According to the World Bank, Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, with 75% of people living below the poverty line in 2022.

The country has reserves of cobalt, gold, nickel, uranium and other minerals. However it has struggled with sluggish growth and persistent poverty for decades.

So whoever is going to take over will be expected to address widespread poverty, among others challenges.

With a population of around 30m, just 11m people are registered to vote in Madagascar.

Polls opened at 06:00 local time (03:00 GMT) and closed at at 17:00 (14:00 GMT) on Thursday.

Mr Rajoelina, who officially resigned in September in order to run for re-election, has denied the criticism from opposition leaders and expressed confidence that he will win.

According to AFP, his government has said the protests are motivated by a "desire to overthrow power" and to "sabotage the electoral process".

It has also accused the opposition of "threatening the stability of the country".

After taking power in 2009, Mr Rajoelina became Africa's youngest head of state.

He did not contest the 2013 election but was voted back into power in 2018.

They opposition has vowed to continue protesting until "a fair election" is held.

Results are not expected for at least a week.

More Madagascar stories from the BBC:
Paul Hollywood is a famous British TV personality and co-host of "The Great British Baking Show."

Hollywood is an expert on all things baking. I, on the other hand, am anything but.

I tried his classic scones recipe. They didn't turn out pretty, but they were buttery and moist.

I've been a fan of "The Great British Baking Show" for years, but I could never see myself having what it takes to be one of the bakers selected to compete in the program.

In truth, I'm as amateur a baker as they come, but that doesn't mean I don't love experimenting with new recipes. And for the most part, my attempts have been successful. From beloved family recipes to desserts celebrities have said are their go-tos, I'm all for having fun in the kitchen, even if things don't always turn out perfectly.

With that in mind, I set my sights on a new baking challenge: Paul Hollywood's classic scones recipe. Here's how it went.

Paul Hollywood, often dubbed the "king of bread," is a legend in the world of baking.

Paul Hollywood on "The Great American Baking Show: Holiday Edition" in 2019. Mark Bourdillon via Getty Images

Hollywood, 57, has been a judge on "The Great British Baking Show" since its first episode aired in 2010.

He's known for playing into a "bad cop" persona on the show, delivering the harshest criticism and offering a rare handshake when he's particularly impressed by a contestant's bake. But Hollywood's baking journey kicked off decades before the cooking show premiered. He got into baking after his dad asked him to quit his sculpting career to join his family's bakery, according to his website.

Hollywood went on to forge his own path by becoming the head baker at several reputable hotels before eventually moving into a career in television.

Hollywood said his recipe for classic scones is so good that it once got a royal stamp of approval.

Paul Hollywood said his scones recipe won the approval of the late Queen Mother. Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images, Georges De Keerle/Getty Images

Hollywood's recipe for "classic scones" is just one of dozens that he's shared online and in his seven cookbooks.

On his website, Hollywood said that his recipe might be "surprising" because it uses bread flour. As an amateur baker, I wasn't sure what was too surprising about it, but after a quick Google search, I saw that other recipes for scones (including his former co-host Mary Berry's) tend to use self-rising flour and pastry flour, which are softer and have less protein than bread flour.

Nevertheless, Hollywood stands firm with his choice, saying that bread flour is "actually a popular choice in professional kitchens because the high protein content gives the scones a real boost."

Hollywood also said his scones are so good that the late Queen Mother once told him they were the best she'd ever tasted.

"This recipe is tried and tested over many years, and I've never had any complaints," he said.

Besides bread flour, the recipe calls for a bunch of other pantry staples.

Ingredients used for the recipe and for making homemade clotted cream. Maria Noyen/Insider

To make Hollywood's scones, you'll need:

500 grams of white bread flour, plus extra for dusting a surface

25 grams of baking powder

80 grams of unsalted butter

3 eggs, two for the mix and one to wash over the scones before baking

250 milliliters of milk

80 grams of caster sugar

Powdered sugar

Jam

Clotted cream

If you are making this recipe from the US, like I did, it might not be easy to find clotted cream at your local grocery store. Instead, I made mock clotted cream by following a recipe shared by food blogger Elizabeth Waterson on her website Confessions of a Baking Queen.

Before the baking could begin, I preheated my oven and lined two trays with baking paper.

The oven did not reach the specific temperature. Maria Noyen/Busines Insider

This is where I ran into my first challenge. According to Hollywood's recipe, the oven should be heated to 200 degrees Celsius, or 392 degrees Fahrenheit.

The oven I was using, however, only heated up in increments of five or 10, meaning that I could either heat it to 390 or 395 degrees Fahrenheit.

I opted for 390 degrees Fahrenheit since that was closest to the temperature Hollywood specifies but made a mental note that when it came time to put the scones in the oven, I might need to leave them in a bit longer than the recipe instructs to make sure they were baked enough.

With prep out of the way, I kicked off the baking by putting the dry ingredients into a large bowl.

Mixing flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

The dry ingredients consisted of the bread flour and baking powder. After adding both in, I gave the powdery substance a good mix so that they'd incorporate evenly into each other.

Next, I added the butter.

Adding small chunks of unsalted butter into the bowl. Maria Noyen/Insider

Hollywood advises using unsalted butter and chopping it into small cubes before adding it to the dry ingredients.

He doesn't say why, but I imagine it's to help the butter blend with the flour and baking powder as smoothly as possible.

I worked the butter into the dry ingredients using my hands.

A close-up of the butter mixed in with the dry ingredients. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Following Hollywood's instructions, I rolled up my sleeves and used my fingers to massage the chunks of butter into the dry ingredients.

Eventually, I got it to the point where the contents of the bowl did look more like thick breadcrumbs than powder, which is what Hollywood said you need to look for.

Then it was time to add some liquids and the sugar before mixing everything together until it resembled a giant dough ball.

Add the wet ingredients and turn it into a dough. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

In a separate bowl to the dry ingredients, I mixed two of the three eggs the recipe calls for, milk, and caster sugar. Once the ingredients had blended into an even light-yellow liquid, I poured the contents into the large bowl with the dry ingredients.

It took a good few minutes for the mixture to look like a big ball of dough. I started the process by using a wooden spoon, but resorted to using my hands after a while, which made shaping the dough a lot easier.

The next step involved tipping the dough onto a lightly floured surface and folding it carefully.

Add the dough to a floured surface. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

According to Hollywood, it's important to be super careful not to overwork the dough at this stage. He advises folding the dough over a few times to allow a bit of air to get into it, and he says you should avoid kneading it, which essentially means pressing and pulling it until it forms a smooth, cohesive mass.

If you do that, it's possible the scones can come out chewier and denser than they should be.

To flatten the dough, I used a wine bottle as a makeshift rolling pin.

Flatten the dough using a rolling pin. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Wooden rolling pins might be a staple in your kitchen, but they aren't in mine. So when I got to the step of the recipe where you need to roll the dough out, I was briefly stumped as to how I'd manage it.

That's when I turned to a half-empty bottle of wine left in the fridge. I gave it a quick clean before using it to roll my dough until it was approximately 3 centimeters (roughly 1.1 inches) thick.

Hollywood advises using a "scone cutter" to cut out rounds of dough, but I made do with a mason jar.

The author used a mason jar to cut the shape of a scone out of the dough. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Again, I'm an amateur baker, which means I don't have all the bells and whistles that are used in baking recipes on hand. So instead of following Hollywood's instruction to use a "scone cutter," I simply used a mason jar, which worked just as well to cut the rounds.

You can also use a glass or a cookie cutter if you have one. Another piece of advice Hollywood shares at this step of the recipe is to avoid twisting whatever tool you use to cut the scone shapes out of the dough as it can lead to them not rising properly in the oven.

The last few steps before baking included brushing the scones with a beaten egg and leaving them to rest in the fridge.

Add egg wash to the top of the scones. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Per Hollywood's instructions, I beat the last egg the recipe calls for with a pinch of salt before brushing the mixture onto the top of the scones. I will say I only noticed later on that I did not brush the scones equally with the mixture, which might've left some looking paler and less glossy after baking.

Nonetheless, after brushing the scones with the egg wash, I let them rest in the fridge for 20 minutes.

As the scones rested, I whipped up the mock clotted cream, which only calls for three ingredients.

The faux clotted cream. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

To make Waterson's mock clotted cream, you'll need:

4 ounces or  cup of heavy whipping cream

1 tablespoon of powdered sugar

8 ounces of softened mascarpone cheese

Per the recipe, I started by adding the heavy whipping cream and the sugar to a bowl. Using an electric whisk, I beat the mixture until it formed stiff peaks and then finished by folding in the mascarpone cheese.

The result was delicious, thick, and creamy, much like traditional clotted cream.

Once the scones were done resting, I brushed them with another layer of egg wash before popping them in the oven.

The scones in the oven. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Hollywood's instructions say to bake the scones for 15 minutes. After that allotted time, he says they should be "golden brown" in hue.

But since the oven I was using didn't heat to the exact temperature his recipe outlines, I decided to play it safe and set my timer for 12 minutes and check regularly from then on.

I ended up baking the scones for closer to 17 minutes to try to achieve that "golden brown" hue Hollywood talks about, but it's safe to say I didn't quite get there.

The scones came out in varying shades and heights. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

As soon as I transferred my scones onto a cool wire wrack, I could tell something was off.

They'd come out pretty uneven in color; the tops of some of the pastries had patches of golden brown while others were a weak, unappetizing yellow.

I also noticed that quite a few had cracks visible on the top and had split in the middle. These cracks indicated to me that maybe something went wrong in the way I mixed the ingredients or handled the dough.

As disappointed as I was with the initial look of the scones, it's nothing a dust of powdered sugar couldn't fix.

The scones looked more professional once they were dusted with powdered sugar. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

The final step of the recipe is to dust powdered sugar (also known as confectioner's sugar) across the top of all of the scones.

I went a little heavy on the powdered sugar to cover up what I saw as mistakes in my bake, and honestly, I was pretty pleased with how the scones looked after I did.

I'm a firm believer in preparing a scone with jam first and then cream.

Adding jam and cream to the scone. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Sorry, not sorry to those who disagree, but I stand with Business Insider editor Chloe Pantazi-Wolber, who wrote that preparing scones jam-first is the best way to enjoy them.

For me, it's just logical and the way I've always eaten scones. But there are plenty of other reasons why the jam-first method is the right one. As Pantazi-Wolber reported, it's not as messy as eating it cream-first, and it's the way the late Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed her scones, according to her former chef Darren McGrady.

Visually, my scones might not have been worthy of a Hollywood handshake, but I'm pretty happy with how they tasted.

The scone after the first bite. Maria Noyen/Business Insider

Without the heavy dusting of powdered sugar, I know very well that my scones wouldn't win any medals in the looks department, but I will say they tasted pretty spot-on.

The flavor of the scone itself was buttery but light, which made it the perfect base for the flavors of the clotted cream and jam to shine through.

I did encounter a minor texture-related issue. While the scones were moist, they were also slightly more dense than I was used to. Just as I presumed with the cracks that had formed on a few of the tops and sides of the scones, I believe this likely came from me either not combining ingredients enough during the steps involving mixing or overworking the dough.

Considering this was my first time preparing scones at home, I was pretty proud of the result. They weren't just edible  they tasted good.

I'm pretty sure Hollywood wouldn't give me a handshake for this bake. But maybe he'd crack a smile if I swore to pay closer attention to the things he said to bear in mind before making his classic scones again.

Read the original article on Insider
DAYTONA BEACH  Jaquwon Roberts sported a Class of '24 T-shirt at a career-college fair at Mainland High School this week, but was having a bit of difficulty grasping that graduation  and the rest of his life  looms so close.

"It's, like, starting to stress me already," he said.

The college-career fair, a new legislative mandate of public high schools, meshed with one of Mainland Principal Joseph Castelli's goals for graduates.

"When they get their diploma, they are given a next step, as well," Castelli said. "So many times a kid is like, What is that next step going to be? You can tell me to fill out all of these forms and take all of these questionnaires and I still dont know what I want to do."

Mainland High School students speak with recruiters from businesses as well as Public Safety agencies and Colleges and University's during a career fair at the school in Daytona Beach, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023.

Meeting with an actual person  an employer or a college counselor who can answer questions and suggest next steps  makes a big difference, Caselli said.

For Roberts, that meant moving beyind his notion of becoming a mechanic. He had a chance to meet with a representative from Daytona State College, which has an automotive technology service program.

He was also planning to visit with the Flagler County Sheriff's Office and Chinchor Electric, Inc., just two of the 50 or so businesses, agencies and educational instituions represented at the event, held Tuesday afternoon for high school students and Tuesday evening for the public.

Career, college options abound

Students were able to mingle with recruiters from the Army, Navy and Marines, officials from the Daytona Beach and South Daytona police and fire departments, Volusia County, the Florida Department of Transportation and even Volusia County Schools. Some of the local businesses included Seacoast Bank, Budd Severino Advanced Home Exteriors and Carter Electric Co., Inc.

In addition to the local higher education institutions  Daytona State College, the University of Central Florida, Bethune-Cookman University, Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Stetson University and Keiser University  recruiters were there from the University of North Florida, Florida Southern College, the University of Northwestern Ohio and NVI Institute of Blairsville, Pennsylvania.

Jewel Johnson, counseling director for Mainland High School, said between 250 and 300 of the school's seniors signed up to attend the fair.

Over the last couple of years, we have been real concerned about those students who really dont have plans to go to college, but they want to do something to be able to support themselves after high school," Johnson said.

"Yes, its a mandate, but it is something that weve been wanting to do for a long time," she said. "And we have local vendors here that are begging to hire students that are right out of high school and train them to stay here and give back to our community.

Mainland High School students speak with a representative from the Daytona Beach Police Department about job opportunities when they graduate next spring. The students participated in a career-college fair on Tuesday.

Employers make their pitches

Jarod Montgomery, a Mainland senior who was looking at several options including the Daytona State College welding program, said he had assumed he was going straight to college after high school.

So I wouldnt waste any time, he said. But he said he's now also considering going to work and attending classes along the way.

For many, this is an increasingly appealing option, said Robert Cruz, training director of the Electrical Alliance of Daytona Beach, IBEW-NECA.

Robert Cruz, training director for the Electrical Training Alliance Daytona Beach, said a career-college fair at Mainland High School was a good opportunity to make students more aware of the opportunities apprenticeships offer.

I tell the students the day they graduate, we can give them a job. Not only that, we give them free education," Cruz said. "They have no debt. They can go four years with us without paying college tuition. Thats the beauty of apprenticeship."

Cruz said he was appreciative of the opportunity to meet with potentially hundreds of students to help him fill the 60-70 people he's hoping to recruit by next spring.

Matthew Wittwer, president of Carter Electric in Daytona Beach, said he's seen a societal shift in attitudes toward career guidance.

Matthew Wittwer, president of Carter Electric Co., Inc., Daytona Beach, said he is hiring in a competitive environment for labor.

College, I think, when I was growing up, was really the way everybody was directed. The trades got overlooked and theyve kind of had a resurgence, he said.

Even with this, there remains great demand for workers, both in the field and the office.

We cant find enough people to work in the trade. Were working pretty much every weekend," he said, adding that he holds interviews Tuesdays and Thursday consistently.

Craig Mathis of Budd Severino Advanced Home Exteriors, which installs gutters, soffit and windows, said his pitch to students is simple: If you're 18 years old you'll get an opportunity.

Its hands on. You get to be outside all day. Youre never in the same spot all the time," he said. "You can move up in the company.

Florida law expands career education

Senate Bill 240, sponsored by Sen. Travis Hutson, R-St. Augustine, passed this spring. It provides $102 million to strengthen students pathways to careers and requires public high schools to host college-career fairs.

The bill also provides a tax credit to qualifying businesses that employ apprentices and reimbursement to those businesses for workers compensation premiums for students in work-based learning programs.

It passed both chambers of the Legislature with no opposition and had a wide range of support.

Shan Goff, director of state policy and legislation with the Foundation for Floridas Future, spoke in support of the bill at a Senate Education K-12 Committee hearing in March.

Strengthening pathways to college and career is one of our core policy principles, she said. We strongly advocate for developing a continuum of policy of programs that support all of the student pathways that lead to high-skill, higher-wage and in-demand jobs.

Crowning Achievement: Patricia Troutman named 'Queen of Palm Terrace Elementary,' given keys to Daytona Beach

Images: Mainland torches Satellite, advances to regional semifinals

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Florida expansion of career-tech education requires high school events
Escalating hostilities between Malian forces and separatists have also spilled online as the rivals and their supporters battle to control the narrative via fake social media accounts and state-sponsored "fact-checking".

The army, Tuareg-dominated rebel groups and jihadists have been fighting for territorial control in the north since the summer when the ruling junta ordered UN peacekeepers to pull out of the region.

Tuesday's recapture of Kidal, a strategic Tuareg stronghold, represents a significant symbolic success for the military.

The conflict has further fuelled tensions in the Sahel, which has seen military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in the past three years.

The region's instability has become a hotbed of disinformation, including for Mali.

Pro-rebel accounts published a fake statement in French on X (formerly Twitter) attributed to Mali's prime minister announcing that government troops had "abandoned" Anefis, a village recaptured from the rebels on October 7.

Meanwhile, government partisans shared images from an American film alongside photos of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's hideout and falsely claimed the pictures showed a tunnel housing a "terrorist leader".

A screenshot of a false post shared by a pro-Malian army account (left) and a pro-rebel account's response (right), taken on November 9, 2023

Experts say the warring factions are using social media to try and steer the public narrative in their favour.

"Each side gives its version of what's happening on the ground, discrediting the other's as propaganda," said Seidik Abba, a Nigerien journalist and political analyst specialising in the Sahel.

Competing for audiences

In October, Mali's state TV launched a monthly "fact-checking" programme that, in its own words, "goes through images and documents attributed to the Malian armed forces on social media to see if they're true or false" (archived here).

The show, called "Untangle Facts from Fiction", devoted its first episode to verifying allegedly false images of army equipment destroyed by separatist forces that were widely shared by pro-separatist accounts.

"It's the first time we're seeing state media, which very often shares disinformation, also wanting to fight against disinformation," said Abdoulaye Guindo of Benbere, a fact-checking platform in Mali.

According to the show's presenter Abdoulaye Keita, any suggestion that the broadcast is a propaganda outlet for the Malian army is false.

"(It is) a public television initiative. The authorities did not ask for anything," Keita told AFP

"The first episode was dedicated to the army because it was topical," he said, adding that further episodes would tackle various subjects.

For their part, the rebel camp has also bolstered its communication efforts on social media.

The Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP), an alliance of predominantly Tuareg armed groups, created an X account for "military affairs" in September, with similar accounts popping up on Telegram and Facebook.

In addition, an online radio station named "Radio Azawad International" has been reporting stories in support of the CSP and amplifying news unfavourable to Malian military forces.

Communications 'war'

Against the backdrop of these struggles between local actors, foreign powers including France and Russia have also been fighting for influence in the Sahel.

Anti-French sentiment has been on the rise across the region as countries increasingly turn their backs on Paris in favour of closer ties with Moscow.

Mali's ruling junta, which seized power in 2020, has broken off a historic military partnership with France and demanded the departure of the UN stabilisation mission, MINUSMA.

A map of Mali showing Kidal

In September, Mali signed a military cooperation deal with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger in September.

And at the start of this month, their respective state media outlets agreed to a partnership to combine their resources and co-produce programmes.

"We are at war, not only on the ground but also in terms of communications. So it's important we work hand in hand to take up the communications challenge," Mali's head of state television, Hassane Baba Diombele, told Burkina Faso's information agency.

The military rulers in the three countries have suspended several French media outlets and expelled journalists.

Local journalists are subject to considerable pressure and have difficulty covering sensitive subjects, especially those linked to the army, according to Guindo of the Benbere fact-checking organisation.

Analysts also worry about how the media crackdown will impact ordinary citizens as they try to navigate conflicting accounts.

For Abba, the Sahel expert, this "blackout in banning media will push people to cling to tools that promote misinformation".
Can local malls make a Christmas comeback?

Last year, the researchers at Placer.ai reported a 7.4% year-over-year drop in visits to the Neshaminy Mall during the week of Black Friday. The company uses cell phone data to monitor shopping habits. Visits to the Willow Grove Park mall fell by 8.9% and foot traffic to the Montgomery Mall was down 18.4%, according to Placer.ai data.

Now, some area malls are planning activities to drive holiday traffic. Hot cocoa will be offered and you can get a caricature image of your pet with Santa. Most will be closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas but will have extended hours during the holiday season.

But will it work? Moody's Analytics said it expects middle-income and lower-income Americans to spend more time in discount stores than malls this holiday season.

"This group has eaten away all its savings and is now spending more than they are bringing in, as we are seeing delinquencies on auto and credit cards rising," said Christopher Rosin, an economist at Moody's. "As this group in the lower-income level loses disposable income, they are changing where they shop and the type of stores they are pulling away from most are mid-tier stores such as Target and Walmart."

Here's a look at the state of malls in Bucks County and nearby, and what special events they are offering this holiday season.

More: Thanksgiving is weeks away. Heres when to get the COVID booster so youre protected

More: Malls closing their doors on Thanksgiving. Who's shutting down for the holiday?

Christmas at Oxford Valley Mall

The 10th largest mall in Pennsylvania has gone through dizzying changes since it was first opened 1973. The Gimbel's department store became a Stern's. The Bamberger's anchor store became a Macy's. Then, the Stern's became a Sears. A Woolworth's was transformed into a food court. Now, its down to just a Macy's and JCPenney and apartments are being constructed on the site.

In a recent report to investors, Simon Properties said the mall was 80% occupied and listed as its biggest draws the JCPenney, Macy's and, an United Artist Movie Theater. Oxford Valley boasted a 93% occupancy rate prior to the pandemic in 2019.

A pet-photo day with Santa is scheduled Dec. 10.

Holiday hours: Thanksgiving: Closed; Black Friday: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Christmas Eve: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Christmas: Closed; New Year's Eve and New Year's Day: 11: a.m. to 6 p.m.

Shopping at Neshaminy Mall

Opened in 1968 with Sears and a Strawbridge & Clothier, the Neshaminy Mall once boasted a white-cloth table restaurant on a promenade overlooking a fountain and a kids' clothing store with its own playground.

But that's all gone, now.

In Bensalem, the assessed property value of the Neshaminy Mall has dropped 42%, from $6.3 million, since 2020 to $3.6 million currently, county records show. Even before the pandemic, Brookfield stated that "the retail marketplace was struggling" and noted competition from the nearby Oxford Valley and Philadelphia Mills (formerly Franklin Mills) malls.

While closed on Thanksgiving, the Neshaminy Mall will have extended hours through Dec. 25. Two nights were set aside for pet pictures with Santa.

Holiday hours: Thanksgiving: Closed; Black Friday: 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Christmas Eve: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Christmas: Closed; New Year's Eve and New Year's Day: TBA

Montgomery Mall holiday shopping

Need to get your shopping fix on the holidays?

Montgomery Mall is one of the few shopping centers that will be open on most holidays this season.

The mall has struggled in recent years. The Montgomery Mall was bought in 2021 by the Kohan Retail Investment Group for $55 million, court records show. It was once valued at $195 million.

When it was owned by Simon Properties, that company had reported 73% of its retail space under lease, according to a 2021 10-K annual report for investors. Not a publicly traded company, Kohan is not required to file such reports, and the company did not immediately respond to requests for information about holiday events.

Holiday hours: Thanksgiving: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Black Friday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Christmas Eve: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Christmas: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.; New Year's Eve 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and New Year's Day: 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

King of Prussia Christmas

Our area's largest mall is diving into Christmas with holiday gift giving events at specific stores. Among them, the David Yurman jewelery store promises free champagne and chocolates at an event set for Nov. 18.

King of Prussia boasts a 97.1% occupancy rate with some 450 stores, making it one of the largest retail centers in America.

Santa will be there through Christmas Eve. Pet photos with Santa are are scheduled for Dec. 10.

Holiday hours: Thanksgiving: Closed; Black Friday: 6 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Christmas Eve: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Christmas: Closed; New Year's Eve and New Year's Day: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Willow Grove Park mall holiday events

The Willow Grove Park mall has scheduled five holiday events.

Outside the Macy's department store, shoppers will find a card-making table to send well wishes to children in area hospitals. Free pet-photo-with-Santa caricature days are scheduled for Nov. 27, Dec. 4 and Dec. 11. And, on Dec. 16, the mall is giving out free hot chocolate from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. The mall also plans "Buy Local, Buy Black" holiday pop-up shops.

Located on a former amusement park, the three-story Willow Grove Park mall has a 99.7%, according to annual investor reports submitted by it's owner, the Pennsylvania Real Estate Investment Trust. Current anchors include Bloomingdales, Macy's, Primark, and the arcade Tilted 10.

This article originally appeared on Bucks County Courier Times: With holidays here, malls hope to lure shoppers with special events
An accused killer on the run took a bus from Texas to California  where police were waiting for him, according to officials.

Alvin Charles McKnight Jr., 41, was taken into custody at about 11:30 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, by San Bernardino police, Upshur County Sheriff Larry Webb said in a news briefing, which was shared by KLTV.

McKnight is accused of fatally shooting two women, 35-year-old Mandy Ray and Dermetrica Dashaunda Waters, 37, on the night of Nov. 4, McClatchy News previously reported. Despite widespread search efforts, McKnight eluded capture for about 10 days.

The women were sisters, the Gladewater Mirror reported.

Though officials havent said what may have motivated the killings, the sheriffs office called it an act of domestic violence, McClatchy reported.

Upshur County has been really turned upside by this tragic event. I know many citizens have been on edge about what has happened and concerned about their safety, Webb said.

On the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 14, investigators learned McKnight was taking a westbound bus to California, Webb said, adding that although authorities knew where he was, they didnt immediately pursue him out of concern for the safety of others on the bus.

Instead, officials allowed McKnight to make the full trip  a distance of about 1,200 miles  while getting in contact with local police at his destination, Webb said.

During the investigation, authorities learned of a new phone number belonging to McKnight and were tracking him in real time as he rode west, according to Webb.

When McKnight stepped off the bus in San Bernardino, police sprang into action and arrested him at the bus station, Webb said.

McKnight is currently being held at a jail in San Bernardino, but officials are working to have him extradited to Upshur County, District Attorney Billy Byrd said at the briefing.

Make no mistake, justice will be served in this case, Byrd said.

While the search for McKnight was ongoing, deputies arrested his 38-year-old sister on a charge of hindering apprehension or prosecution, according to the sheriffs office. She is accused of helping her brother evade authorities on the night of the killings, the sheriffs office said.

But investigators say she likely wasnt alone in helping McKnight.

We believe theres other people that have been involved, Byrd said. Rest assured  no matter what rock theyre hiding under, it will be turned over and every person that helped or assisted in any way  I will prosecute each and every one of those people.

Upshur County is about 150 miles east of Fort Worth.

Man sexually assaults 12-year-old cousin and kills her mom and grandma, Texas cops say

Nobody picked up child after school  then came grim discovery at Texas home, cops say

Man holding drink cup full of meth confidently lets warden search truck, officials say

Man accused of choking dog is shot to death by animals owner, Texas police say
Seth Ketelhut, 37, has been accused of beating his mother and threatening to kill his father (Cass County Sheriffs Office)

A man in eastern Nebraska has been arrested for beating his mother and kidnapping his father.

According to county records, 37-year-old Seth Ketelhut has been charged with third-degree domestic assault, false imprisonment, violating a protective order and making terroristic threats. Hes currently being held in Cass County Jail on $750,000 bond.

The Independent reached out to the Cass County Sheriffs Office for comment.

TheOmaha World-Herald reported that the man attacked his father, 67-year-old Kevin Ketelhut, at his home in Eagle, Nebraska.

He allegedly forced his father to sit in a chair for over 20 hours on 5 and 6 November. Authorities say the younger Ketelhut hit his father in the head during that time with a PVC pipe.

He also flashed a gun at him and repeatedly asked his father if he thought he was going to live or die, authorities allege.

According to the outlet, officials saw bruising on the older mans body and head, in addition to bite marks on his ears and head. He was taken from the home once officials arrived and placed into Douglas County Jail.

The defendant also had warrants out of Dodge County and Hall County. His father had an active protective order against him at the time of the arrest.

In Dodge County, Seth Ketelhut has been charged with first-degree assault of 68-year-old Terri Mashka, his mother. Additional charges include abuse of a vulnerable adult and felony theft. He allegedly recently stole his mothers 2021 Ford Escape.

Ms Mashka is currently in critical condition at Nebraska Medical Center after sustaining a cerebellar stroke and vertebral artery dissection in the attack.

She said she made a derogatory comment about one of her grandchildren, which aggravated Mr Ketelhut. He allegedly then began to punch her and slammed his mother to the ground.

According to the affidavit, a neighbour observed that she had her eyes swollen shut when she was taken to the hospital.

The defendant has a history of committing criminal offenses, the outlet said. Hes currently wanted in two counties for other alleged crimes, including vandalism of the Grand Island Independent building and failure to appear.
Democrat state party chairs and executive directors from across the country visit the United Center as part of a trip to Chicago to preview the 2024 Democratic National Convention, Sept. 12, 2023. (E. Jason Wambsgans/Chicago Tribune)

The Democratic National Convention Committee and the Chicago 2024 Host Committee announced Thursday they have awarded their first contract for the presidential nominating event, choosing a firm led by two former state and city officials to be the in-house expert on design, construction and event contracting.

Selected was K + P Advisory LLC, headed by Ayse Kalaycioglu and Anthony Pascente, who were most recently part of Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzkers administration and played major roles in the sale of the James R. Thompson Center and the acquisition of replacement state office property.

Advertisement

The firm, a certified woman-owned business enterprise, was launched in January. Kalaycioglu, the firms president and CEO, previously spent three years as the chief operating officer of the state Department of Central Management Services, the state governments procurement and building management agency. Before that she was deputy city commissioner at the Department of Fleet and Facility Management.

Pascente, the firms executive vice president and chief strategy officer, is a former state CMS director and chief of staff under Pritzker who previously was deputy city chief operating officer in Mayor Rahm Emanuels administration. There he oversaw capital projects, emergency management and communications, cultural affairs and special events.

Advertisement

K + P Advisory brings a wealth of experience to our convention team, said Alex Hornbrook, executive director of the Democratic National Convention Committee. They have a well-documented history of consistently delivering successful projects on time and within budget and we look forward to getting started.

Christy George, the host committees executive director, said the firm has significant experience with developing and executing impactful engagement strategies with the minority business community.

The firms work is to be assisted by a Chicago-based team that includes construction management firm SQN Associates and public affairs firm Rodriguez Media Communications, both certified minority and woman owned businesses, and construction consultant The Concord Group, a small business enterprise.

Officials said K + P Advisory was selected not only for its experience involving large-scale projects but also for incorporating a paid internship program to engage the West Side into the convention process.

Additional request for proposals for event architect, event management and other services are expected within the next few weeks, officials said.

The Democratic National Convention is set for Aug. 19-22 with the United Center as the main event venue and McCormick Place as a location for other activities.

rap30@aol.com
TOWNS COUNTY, Ga. - The Towns County Sheriff's Office recently concluded an investigation into suspected drug activity in the Macedonia area along Highway 288.

The investigation led to the identification of a suspect in possession of Methamphetamine. The substance, which field-tested positive, was promptly confiscated by law enforcement officials. This discovery culminated in the arrest of Justin William Holloway, a 40-year-old resident of Blairsville.

Holloway now faces the following charges:

Felony Possession of Methamphetamine with Intent to Distribute

Felony Possession of Methamphetamine

As of now, he is being held in custody at the Towns County Detention Center without the option of posting bail.
The 27-year-old man who pleaded guilty to assaulting a Democratic congresswoman in an apartment elevator earlier this year was sentenced to 27 months behind bars on Thursday. The judge noted that Kendrid Khalil Hamlins frequently unaddressed mental illness was at least part of the impetus for the February attack on Rep. Angie Craig (D-MN), but noted that his conduct was still extremely problematic, according to the Associated Press. Craig said she is still mentally and emotionally recovering after Hamlin grabbed her neck, shoved her against a wall, and punched her in the elevator. She was eventually able to fend Hamlin off and flee by throwing a cup of hot coffee at him. When Hamlin pleaded guilty in June, his attorneys told the AP that he accepted responsibility for his actions today with the earnest hope of moving towards rehabilitation and the mental health treatment he very much wants and needs. On Thursday, Hamlin offered the lawmaker an apology in court. I really do apologize to Angie Craig for putting my hands on her, and also the officers, he said.

Read more at The Daily Beast.
The man who attacked Rep. Angie Craig in her Washington, DC, apartment complex earlier this year was sentenced on Thursday to 27 months in prison.

Kendrid Hamlin pleaded guilty in June to three counts, including assaulting a member of Congress as well as assaulting two law enforcement officers.

During his sentencing, Hamlins attorney said his client faced a number of issues at the time of the assault, including drug abuse and homelessness, and that hes been diagnosed schizophrenia and mental disabilities.

In a victim impact statement submitted to the court, Craig, a Minnesota Democrat, said the mental and emotional recovery she suffered from the attack is ongoing.

While this case has received much attention because I am a Member of Congress, that morning I was simply a woman followed into an elevator by a man and assaulted there, Craig wrote.

According to a sentencing memorandum filed by prosecutors, Hamlin followed Craig into the elevator of her apartment complex and told Craig to take him to her apartment.

After she told him to get off the elevator, Hamlin blocked Craig from leaving and pushed her before punching her in the jaw, according to the memorandum. Hamlin proceeded to restrain the congresswoman from leaving the elevator, at which point Craig threw the hot coffee she was holding over her shoulder toward Hamlin, who then let her go.

Eventually, Hamlin fled the building and later fought police while being arrested, biting one officer in the shoulder, the memorandum states.

In her letter, Craig said she hoped Hamlin would receive the mental health and additional services that would allow him to become a productive member of society. She added that until such help and services are provided, I believe he would continue to be a further threat to others.

Craig also said that after the location of her apartment building was disclosed following the assault, she had to move for targeted security concerns and received a flurry of death threats following comments by media personalities about my assault.

Family members, including Hamlins mother and father, attended Thursdays sentencing.

His mother, Harriet Hawkins, told the court her greatest fear had been that her son would hurt someone. My family and I definitely apologize to Craig, she said.

Hawkins described how she would go looking for Hamlin in the early morning hours in the streets of DC, and has tried for 27 years to get him help.

Ive lost one child, Hawkins told the judge when asking for Hamlin to receive mental health and rehabilitation treatment as part of his sentence, I dont want to lose another one.

Chief Judge James Boasberg noted the difficulty in sentencing Hamlin during Thursdays hearing, citing his mental health issues, but added: I also need to protect our community.

When handing down the sentence, Boasberg also referenced Hamlins criminal history, which the chief judge said included assaultive behavior.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A Broward State Attorneys Office employee was found dead at the courthouse Wednesday night.

The Broward Sheriffs Office told the Miami Herald that Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue, along with deputies stationed at the courthouse, found a man dead after receiving a call shortly before 9 p.m. on Wednesday. According to police and fire rescue radio transmissions, the man was located on the 13th floor of the west wing of the courthouse. He had been there for a couple hours.

In an email to staff Thursday morning, Broward State Attorney Harold Pryor identified the man as Daniel Miranda, a 55-year-old multimedia specialist in the Digital Evidence Unit.

Danny worked hard and was always happy to offer a helping hand to any of us who needed anything, Pryor said in the message. I also remember Danny as our resident DJ. We are in shock and we are grieving. Danny will be missed in our office, in our community, and our justice system.

The call, according to the transmissions, came in as a cardiac arrest, though officers on the scene radioed in that he was dead when they found him.

BSO will continue investigating the death, though no foul play is suspected at this time, pending an autopsy.

We offer our sincerest condolences to Dannys wife and family and we are praying for them during this very sad time, Pryor said in the email. We also offer our sincerest condolences to all of Daniels close friends and colleagues within the SAO family.

Grief support will be available for staff on Friday when the courthouse reopens. It is closed Thursday because of flooding from Wednesdays heavy rain.
JEFFERSON PARISH, La. (WGNO)  A man, who was 17 at the time, was found guilty of fatally shooting a New Orleans teenager in Terrytown in 2021.

Jefferson Parish District Attorney Paul Connick, Jr. said a jury found Kemon Tut Howard guilty of the second-degree murder of 19-year-old Ronnie Brown on Wednesday, Nov. 15. He was prosecuted as an adult.

Double homicide under investigation in New Orleans East

According to court documents, Howard and Brown, who were childhood acquaintances, met near the Terrytown Library on Jan. 24, 2021. They were supposed to discuss exchanging a pistol.

Brown drove to the West Bank with his 18-year-old girlfriend in the passengers seat. In a nearby parking lot, he asked Howard to get in the car.

Reportedly without provocation, Howard took out a pistol and shot into the opened drivers window. Brown was shot three times, including once in his face.

Brown died at the scene and Howard ran away.

The Jefferson Parish Sheriffs Office later arrested Howard as the suspect.

According to Howards attorneys, he acted in self-defense. They claimed Browns girlfriend was driving a car that Howard didnt recognize, and that Brown was armed and in the back seat.

Howard is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 18.

Stay updated with the latest news, weather, and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play store and subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WGNO.
Nathaniel Veltman is escorted while leaving trial outside Ontario Superior Court in Windsor, Ontario, Tuesday, 5 September 2023 (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

A 22-year-old Canadian man accused of killing three generations of a family in Ontario in 2021 wanted to send a brutal message to all Muslims, a jury was told on Wednesday.

Prosecutors said in their closing argument that Nathaniel Veltman wanted to send the message to Muslims to leave this country or you and your loved ones could be next and made the conscious choice to fill himself full of hate for Muslims ... and to plan and execute a murderous terrorist attack.

Three generations of a Muslim family  high school student Yumnah Afzaal, 15, her parents Madiha Salman, 44, and Salman Afzaal, 46, and family matriarch Talat Afzaal, 74, who was a teacher and artist, were killed while out for an evening walk on 6 June 2021. A nine-year-old boy was seriously injured but survived.

Both defence and prosecution attorneys concur that it was Mr Veltman who drove his pickup truck into the Afzaal family while they were out for a walk.

According to the BBC, Mr Veltmans case marked the first time a Canadian jury heard legal arguments on terrorism related to white supremacy.

Local media reported that over the course of his testimony, Mr Veltman spoke of his Christian upbringing, detailing a troubled childhood with a passive father and a religious fanatic mother.

He pleaded not guilty to the four counts of murder, one count of attempted murder and associated terror charges and claimed that he was battling mental illness. During his testimony, he told the court that there was a process of decline mentally in the months leading up to the attack.

The prosecutors asserted that he killed the family because of their faith. They said that Mr Veltman adopted a far-right ideology after months of online research, which involved watching videos of mass killings and reading manifestos from white supremacists, including right before he left his apartment on the night of the attack.

During the trial, the prosecutors read out parts of Mr Veltmans manifesto, titled A White Awakening, in which he criticised mass immigration, multiculturalism, and what he perceived as crimes against white people.

Mr Veltman had been viewing highly racist content on the dark web as well.

The jury was also told that the accused had taken psilocybin, or magic mushrooms, in the early hours of 5 June 2021.

Canadian Man on Drugs During Attack on Muslim Family, Jury Hears.

FameGlobe TV



The trial of Nathaniel Veltman, a Canadian man accused of murdering four members of a Muslim family, has reached closing arguments. Veltman, 22, faces four first-degree murder charges and one count of pic.twitter.com/wNovbDm4xW  FameGlobe Television (@fameglobetv) November 15, 2023

Defence lawyer Christopher Hicks told jurors that his client did not intend to kill the family, and they should find him guilty of manslaughter, not first-degree murder, which is planned, deliberate and includes the intention to kill.

He is responsible for the deaths of these people. Hes guilty of homicide  of manslaughter. If there is a death but the death is not intended, hes guilty of manslaughter, Mr Hicks said.

A murder that is not planned and deliberate is not first-degree murder. He had no plan, he did not have time to deliberate and he did not intend to kill the Afzaals.

If found guilty, Mr Veltman faces life in prison.
A 25-year-old Texas man is accused of sexually assaulting his 12-year-old cousin and killing her mother and grandmother, according to investigators.

At about 11 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 15, deputies with the Harris County Sheriffs Office responded to an abandoned Chase drive-thru bank on Houstons northwest side, where a caller reported finding a body, Sgt. Ben Beall said during a news briefing.

A witness at the scene told deputies she heard gunshots earlier in the evening and when a family member came to pick her up from work, he found the body, Beall said. Investigators obtained surveillance video from a nearby building and saw a pickup truck with blue boxes in the bed at the scene when the shooting took place, he said.

Deputies were still investigating the scene when another call came in, around 3 a.m., from a girl saying her cousin had shot and killed her mom and grandma, according to Beall. When deputies arrived at the home, Beall said they noticed a pickup truck with blue boxes parked outside  the same truck seen in surveillance video at the abandoned bank.

Deputies were able to get the 12-year-old out of the home without incident, Beall said, adding that her cousin surrendered a short time later, as officers were preparing to enter.

The girl said she had been sexually assaulted by her cousin and that her mom was dead inside of the home, Beall said. Deputies found the mothers body in one of the bedrooms, he said.

The girls cousin had a knife and gun in his possession when he was taken into custody, Beall said. Investigators are seeking capital murder charges against him, Beall added.

Beall said deputies had responded to calls from the home before, including incidents involving the 25-year-old cousin, who was not welcome there.

Officials have not publicly identified anyone involved, and an investigation is ongoing.

Nobody picked up child after school  then came grim discovery at Texas home, cops say

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SAN DIEGO  A 38-year-old man suffered multiple stab wounds during an altercation near a trolley station in San Ysidro Tuesday, authorities said.

According to the San Diego Police Department, the victim got into an argument with an acquaintance around 7:43 p.m. on the 700 block of East San Ysidro Boulevard.

Homeowner shoots suspected burglar in North County

During the argument, the suspect, a 40-year-old man, reportedly stabbed the victim in the neck five times, police said. The victim was transported to a local hospital with non-life threatening neck wounds.

The suspect was taken into custody at a nearby trolley station a short time later. SDPD said the suspect was also transported to a local hospital because he was unresponsive.

Southern Division detectives will be investigating the stabbing. Anyone with information related to the incident is encouraged to call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
A man accused in a church break-in strangled a police dog and bit an officer sent in to arrest him, police in New Hampshire say.

Paul Lopez, 36, of Manchester is facing multiple charges including burglary, animal cruelty and second-degree assault, according to the Manchester Police Department.

Officers arrived at about 9 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12, after a burglar alarm went off at the Our Lady of the Cedars Church, police said in a Nov. 15 news release.

The first officer at the scene spotted a man, later identified as Lopez, pounding on a window from inside the building, according to the release.

Authorities said Lopez continued screaming as more officers arrived. Despite repeated commands to come outside, police said Lopez refused and instead yelled expletives at them.

By this time, a K-9 officer and a New Hampshire state trooper were called in for backup, police said. When the police dog was sent inside, authorities said Lopez grabbed it and began to strangle the animal.

It appeared K9 Ivy was unable to breathe as her body was flailing and her mouth was closed, police said in an affidavit, according to WMUR. Lopez was also accused of punching the dog at least once, the station reported.

Officers arrested him after a brief struggle, which ended with one officer being seriously bitten, police said in the release. A second officer and a state trooper were reportedly also assaulted by Lopez, police said.

Authorities didnt identify a motive for the incident, and the K-9s condition wasnt known as of Nov. 16.

Manchester is about 20 miles southeast of Concord.

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Neighbors hold accused truck thief at gunpoint as he flees traffic stop, Florida cops say
AKRON, Ohio (WJW)  A man surrendered to Akron police after a nearly two-hour standoff Wednesday night.

According to a press release from the Akron Police Department, William Genet, 47, surrendered to police just before 9:30 p.m. at a home on the 1100 block of Herberich Avenue.

Man shot outside school in Cleveland dies

Police originally responded to the home in relation to a domestic incident involving Genet and other family members around 7:15 p.m.

According to the release, it was reported that Genet assaulted a 28-year-old man inside the home and made threats to harm himself and others.

When officers arrived, the victim and a 42-year-old woman were already out of the house. Genet had barricaded himself inside and was believed to be armed, according to the release.

Members of the Crisis Intervention Team helped to de-escalate the situation as Genet was described as being highly agitated. Akron SWAT Team also responded to the scene, according to the release.

Deshaun Watsons contract is disaster for Browns: AP

Eventually, Geney surrendered to police without incident. He was charged with domestic violence and domestic violence menacing and was taken to the Summit County Jail, according to the release.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Migrants wait with their packed up belongings to be relocated from outside of the 8th District Chicago Police Department in the Chicago Lawn neighborhood on Nov. 21, 2023. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

After months of deflecting questions about additional state funding for Chicagos migrant crisis and declaring instead the federal government needed to do more, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday a new infusion of state cash as winter fast approaches and the city struggles to shelter asylum-seekers from the southern border.

While Illinois government is devoting an additional $160 million, the move comes as both the state and city are also unveiling policy initiatives signaling the support is not indefinite.

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The state will start cutting off a rental assistance program for new arrivals who arent already in the citys shelter system and will begin looking to help asylum-seekers relocate to other parts of the country, while the city this week said it is implementing a 60-day limit for migrant stays at city shelters.

Still, Pritzker said the new state assistance will go toward three major initiatives aimed at unclogging bottlenecks in Chicagos shelter system that are slowing down efforts to connect asylum-seekers with more permanent housing and jobs. The $160 million will go for establishing a centralized intake center, creating a state-funded tent encampment, and providing more robust legal and employment assistance, the governor said.

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Migrants from Venezuela and other countries who are sheltering at the Chicago police 1st District station on South State Street wear donated clothing better suited to cold weather on Oct. 31, 2023. (Terrence Antonio James/Chicago Tribune)

When families come thousands of miles to seek refuge from terrible circumstances, who are we as human beings if we cant provide at least temporary refuge? Pritzker said. The state that took my ancestors in, fleeing from pogroms in Ukraine, will not allow asylum-seekers to freeze to death on our doorsteps.

This is where we are right now. Theyre cold, so we will keep them warm. They are hungry, so we will feed them. They need our help, so we must do what we can.

Despite the welcoming rhetoric, the governors announcement still left many unanswered questions about how other state programs will be affected by shifting funds, how quickly the city and state can mobilize the new efforts after months of deliberation and delays, and whether the new funding will be enough.

The city has allocated only $150 million for migrant services in its 2024 budget yet is spending roughly $40 million per month on asylum-seeker relief.

The number of new arrivals in Illinois has dropped substantially in the past month, with 714 coming to the state last week compared with 2,910 during the week ending Oct. 6, according to the state. Still, nearly 2,200 people are currently sleeping at Chicago police stations and at OHare International Airport.

Now that were very close to winter, it is clear that the city needs more help, Pritzker said. And so the state is now stepping in to provide some of that help.

The new state money comes on top of the $478 million the state already has committed to the relief effort, the administration said, including housing thousands of migrants at hotels last fall through spring and providing rental assistance to those moving out of shelters.

[ Mayor Brandon Johnson exploring backup plan to tent cities for migrants as Gov. J.B. Pritzker says more state funding unlikely ]

The governors plan, after Pritzker for months indicated the state already was spending as much as it could, includes $30 million to help the city set up the centralized intake center to process new arrivals and also identify asylum-seekers who want to move to different cities as their final destination.

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That funding will help pay for transportation both within and out of state, according to the governors office.

Based on its analysis of city data, the governors administration estimates about 10% of new arrivals dont intend for Chicago to be their final destination and those migrants can be diverted from the citys overburdened shelter system, which as of Wednesday housed more than 12,000 people across 25 sites.

The state wont be sending busloads of migrants to other cities, as state and city officials have frequently criticized Republican Gov. Greg Abbott and other Texas officials for doing. But, Pritzker said Illinois officials also doesnt have plans to notify leaders in other places as people move on to those destinations.

[ Tension between city and state over migrant crisis on the rise  as are cost estimates ]

That isnt information that were intending to somehow distribute everywhere, he said. People have the right to go anywhere that they want to once theyre legally in this country, and so were not going to monitor them and report them as arriving elsewhere.

The Pritzker administration plans to spend $65 million of the new money to help set up another tent encampment for migrants similar to the kind Mayor Brandon Johnson previously proposed, despite Pritzkers public skepticism of the idea. The state-funded camp could house up to 2,000 people for up to six months, with priority given to families and people with disabilities sleeping outdoors, at police stations or at OHare.

The city would operate the tent encampment, which would be set up through an existing state contract with GardaWorld Federal Services, a controversial contractor that has a separate deal with the city to establish tent base camps.

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Johnsons administration has struggled to find locations in the city to set up its camps, with pushback from both neighbors and local aldermen about sites that have been considered.

The governor said he hoped the state-funded tent site would be a supplement to the base camps the city is planning.

We are providing what we are able to provide for them, he said.

Pritzker deferred to the city on both the location of the proposed state-funded tent encampment and the timeline for its opening.

[ Mayor Brandon Johnson announces effort to get migrants out of shelters within 60 days ]

The shelter situation that were assisting with is going to be dependent on the city turning over a property to us. Thats going to be up to them entirely, he said, though he added the state would have to sign off on the location.

State and city officials have been talking behind the scenes for months about plans to open state-supported shelters at some shuttered retail stores. But Pritzker offered no explanation for why those plans havent come to fruition despite his previously expressed concerns about housing migrants in tents during the winter.

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Youll have to ask the city; they run the shelter system, Pritzker said.

The focus now is ensuring no one is left outside, he said.

The mayors office did not respond Thursday to questions about the states plan.

The state will spend another $65 million on case management and other services to assist new arrivals as they await asylum hearings and attempt to get work authorization through federal programs.

The goals of the program include helping 11,000 asylum-seekers apply for federal work authorization by February and providing assistance with job and housing searches.

But the state also is modifying its existing rental assistance program for asylum-seekers, reducing the time limit to three months from six for those already in the citys shelters and closing the program to newer arrivals.

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The changes should allow the program to provide assistance to everyone now residing in the shelters, said Kirstin Chernawsky, who is overseeing the migrant response for the Illinois Department of Human Services.

This allows us to tell all new arrivals there is no more emergency rental assistance available so that folks who are choosing to come to Chicago understand what it is that they are coming into, Chernawsky said.

The state laid out its plan a day after Johnson announced his administration would be instituting the 60-day limit on stays at about two dozen city-run shelters, though an aide later clarified residents could be permitted to stay longer if they are actively seeking more permanent housing. The city is expected to provide more details Friday.

Of the more than 20,000 people whove arrived in Chicago by bus and plane since August 2022, about 10,000 have either been resettled or united with family or sponsors, city officials said.

[ Illinois leaders tepid about more quick funding for Chicagos migrant crisis ]

Migrants in Chicago on Thursday were still trying to understand the new plans from the state and city.

Brayan Lozano, a migrant from Colombia who arrived in May and now helps lead the volunteer group at the 1st District police station, said the announcements were tough, but the measures are necessary to address the situation.

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But, Lozano said he anticipates that there will be some confusion and even anger from some migrants who had been waiting to be placed in a shelter or to get rental assistance.

The states announcement also comes a week after the legislature adjourned for the year without taking up the issue of more funding for the migrant response. Before lawmakers returned to the Capitol last month, House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, a Hillside Democrat, made clear to Johnson and the public that the issue was off the table for the scheduled six-day fall session.

While indeed no new money was allocated during the fall veto session, the new funding instead is coming from within the Department of Human Services existing budget. The administration intends to ask the legislature to increase the agencys budget for the current year when it reconvenes in January.

If the city is looking for more direct state money beyond the $160 million, Pritzker said, then it needs to go to the General Assembly and make the case for that in Springfield.

They have not done that, the governor said.

Spokespeople for Welch and Senate President Don Harmon, an Oak Park Democrat, indicated both leaders are open to that conversation, though Welch spokeswoman Jaclyn Driscoll said the speaker would remain vocal that the federal government should step in before that.

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A request for more migrant funding could be met with resistance from some members of the Democratic-controlled legislature, particularly some members of the Black Caucus who want more resources for the communities they represent.

The governors latest plan to help asylum-seekers should be a model for helping American citizens who are homeless or living in poverty, particularly those struggling with substance abuse, said state Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Chicago Democrat who represents parts of the West Side.

Streamlining the intake process for people that are homeless should be a part of our process for eliminating homelessness in Chicago and in Illinois, Ford said. Right now, I drive past tents at Columbus Park (in the Austin community) of American citizens living in tents. Whats the intake for that?

Theres no doubt that when we look at the struggling migrants that theyre in plain view.  So are the Americans, he said. And the governor is responding to a crisis that deals with the migrants, but I would be remiss if I didnt praise him for responding and urging him to be inclusive in everything that we do.

The Pritzker administration hopes the legislature will replenish the money it is moving from other parts of the Human Services budget out of an estimated $1.4 billion bump in revenue above what was expected when lawmakers approved the current $50.4 billion state budget last spring. Even with increased costs in several areas totaling nearly $1 billion, the governors office expects to end the budget year with a $422 million surplus.

But if the crisis drags through next summer, the state would face an even more difficult challenge in continuing to provide assistance.

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For the budget year that begins July 1, the governors office is currently projecting a shortfall of nearly $900 million, which would have to be made up through some combination of spending cuts or tax increases.

On Thursday, Pritzker, who spoke privately with President Joe Biden during a visit to Illinois last week, again emphasized the need for more federal help.

This is a federal-sized problem that the city and state both are dealing with, and it requires federal resources, Pritzker said. But it appears that at least the Republican-controlled (U.S.) House so far has been unwilling to provide it.

Chicago Tribunes Laura Rodriguez Presa and Alice Yin contributed.

dpetrella@chicagotribune.com

jgorner@chicagotribune.com
Man wanted by police after theft from unlocked cars at Gaston County high school: Police

MOUNT HOLLY, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS)  Police are seeking the publics help identifying a man seen on video reportedly breaking into cars in the parking lot of a Gaston County high school, according to the Gaston County Police Department.

Officers say the incident happened around 1:12 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 13, in the back parking lot of East Gaston High School on Lane Road in Mount Holly.

In a video released by the Police Department, a gold, older model, 4-door Toyota Camry, can be seen driving onto campus. The suspect is described as a white man.

Officials say the suspect only went into unlocked vehicles. It is unclear if anything was taken from the vehicles.

Anyone with information is asked to call Officer J. Self with the Gaston County Police Department at 704-866-3320 or Crime Stoppers of Gaston County at 704-861-8000.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Queen City News.
Manhattan prosecutors responded Wednesday to former President Trumps attempt to get his hush money criminal case dismissed ahead of trial, pushing back on Trumps contention that he is being selectively prosecuted and other arguments.

Trump has mounted a multi-pronged defense to the indictment, arguing prosecutors impermissibly singled him out for political reasons, the charges were legally deficient, the counts were redundant and the case was brought too late.

Defendants motions to dismiss the indictment and for other relief mischaracterize the factual record and disregard controlling law, prosecutors wrote in their response.

A hearing over the dismissal motion is scheduled in Manhattan for Feb. 15, and Trumps team has indicated he will attend in person. If the case moves forward, a trial is currently slated to begin March 25.

Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg (D) charged Trump in late March with 34 criminal counts linked to hush money payments made ahead of the 2016 election to former adult film star Stormy Daniels and former Playboy model Karen McDougal to cover up allegations of previous affairs.

The charges marked the first indictment against a former U.S. president, and Trump has since been indicted in three other cases. He has pleaded not guilty to all of the 91 criminal counts he faces.

Each count of falsifying business records corresponds to an invoice, check or general ledger entry Trump allegedly made to reimburse his then-fixer, Michael Cohen, in part for making the payment to Daniels. Trump has acknowledged the reimbursements but insists the entries were legal.

Defendant is alleged to have lied in New York business records over and over to conceal the truth about his involvement in an illegal conspiracy to undermine the integrity of the 2016 presidential election, Braggs office wrote. A grand jury decided based on the facts and the law to charge defendant with felony crimes for his conduct. This case should now proceed to trial.

In Trumps dismissal motion, he contended he is being selectively prosecuted, with his lawyers describing the case in court filings as extraordinary and unprecedented while Trump regularly rails against prosecutors and others involved on social media, claiming the cases are politically motivated to keep him out of the White House for a second term.

The offenses defendant is charged with committing are routinely prosecuted by this Office, and this prosecution is based on defendants conduct, not on any impermissible considerations, Braggs office wrote. Indeed, defendant has consistently raised meritless claims of selective prosecution against plaintiffs and prosecutorsincluding against this Office and courts have uniformly rejected those arguments. This Court should do the same.

Trumps lawyers further argued the indictment should be dismissed because Trump did not act with an intent to defraud, he did not have an intent to commit or conceal other crimes and the records in question were not business records of an enterprise  all elements prosecutors must prove beyond a reasonable doubt at trial.

[E]ven if the records did not reflect the Trump Organizations condition or activitywhich they dothe grand jury could still reasonably conclude that they were business records of an enterprise under the Penal Law, because they were also the records of the Trust and defendant himself, prosecutors pushed back in court filings. The evidence is sufficient to establish that both the Trust and defendant himself are each an enterprise.

Trump also argues the charges were brought too late because they normally would be subject to a five-year statute of limitations.

Prosecutors in their new filing cite two reasons for why that timeline should be extended: executive orders issued during the pandemic by then-New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) modifying legal deadlines and a state law that provides extensions when a defendant was continuously outside this state.

Trumps legal team has argued neither of those exceptions apply, noting his whereabouts were meticulously tracked during his presidency.

Defendants contention that he was notand could not bedifficult to apprehend during the limitations period because his whereabouts were well known during his presidencyis both inconsistent with his prior litigation position and legally irrelevant, Braggs office wrote.

The latest batch of filings from prosecutors also indicates the former presidents legal team served Cohen  Trumps former personal lawyer who made the payments  with a subpoena asking for all documents and communications  that are stored on any medium.

Cohen is expected to be a witness in the New York criminal case, which will now proceed in state court after Trumps legal team dropped its bid to move the case to federal court earlier this week. Cohen testified against Trump in the former presidents ongoing civil fraud trial last month. The pair have been rivals since Cohen flipped on his former client after he was convicted of crimes linked to his work for Trump.

Prosecutors argued in the filing that the court should quash the extraordinarily broad subpoena, suggesting that without a protective order barring Trump from disseminating any recovered information, the subpoena is tantamount to witness intimidation and harassment.

Braggs office noted death threats they received, as well as those allegedly levied against other prosecutors and judges involved in Trumps cases. Prosecutors also referenced Trumps recent attacks on his former White House chief of staff, Mark Meadows, after a report emerged he took a plea deal in another of former presidents criminal cases, and Trumps suggestion that former Joint Chiefs of Staff Chair Mark Milley should receive the death penalty.

Trumps New York criminal case is scheduled to head to trial March 25, though that date could change if it conflicts with any of the former presidents other legal woes  in particular, his federal case over efforts to subvert the 2020 election results set for a March 4 trial.

The Hill has reached out to Trumps lawyer for comment.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Mark Esper: Defeating Hamas means dealing with Iran "once and for all"

Former U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper told "CBS Mornings" that Israel should "absolutely" finish its fight against Hamas and root out the Palestinian militant group, but that doing so requires dealing with Iran "once and for all."

"To ultimately defeat Hamas in the extent that we understand it [in] military terms, you have to prevent their ability to reconstitute their military forces," Esper said Thursday. "To do that, that means you have to deal with Iran once and for all. You have to cut off the supply of arms and money and other support. And that's the bigger issue that we're not facing."

The U.S. government accuses Iran of providing Hamas  which Israel has vowed to "destroy"  with the bulk of its funding, weapons and training.

"During periods of substantial Iran-Hamas collaboration, Iran's support to Hamas has been estimated to be as high as $300 million USD per year, but at a baseline amount, is widely assessed to be in the tens of millions per year," the U.S. Treasury said in a 2019 assessment.

Esper, who served as defense secretary under former President Trump, spoke to "CBS Mornings" as Israel is considering a proposal that would see Hamas release some of the hostages it took in its Oct. 7 attack on Israel in exchange for a three-to-five-day cease-fire in the war, CBS News has learned.

Esper said Hamas wants to "trickle" hostages out over a multi-day cease-fire, which would give the militant group time "to regroup, to refit, to rearm, to do all those things they want to do in order to carry on" attacks against Israel.

Around 1,200 people have been killed in Israel after Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, launched an unprecedented terror attack last month on Israel, Israel's foreign ministry said this week, revising a previous estimated death toll of 1,400.

More than 11,070 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children, have been killed since the war started, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

Esper said there is no simple answer when it comes to preventing civilian casualties.

The former secretary also touched on Wednesday's face-to-face meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, in which they made progress on two key objectives: resuming military-to-military communications and cracking down on fentanyl.

Esper said the meeting was a positive step.

"The world's two biggest, most powerful countries meeting is a good thing," he said.

Esper also agreed with Mr. Biden's statement  made after the meeting  that Xi is a dictator, and believes the remark won't halt the progress Mr. Biden and Xi made on Wednesday.

"China needs us right now more than we need them," Esper said. "Why? Because their economy is in the pits, right? They need U.S. investment, they need U.S. consumer sales...they have a real estate sector that's in crisis."

"China is not in a good state of affairs," he said, "and Xi Jinping is rightfully concerned."

8 Las Vegas teens face murder charges after student's deadly beating

Netanyahu says Israel had "strong indications" about where Hamas' hostages were held in Gaza

The Stand | Sunday on 60 Minutes
The Sacramento County Coroners Office on Wednesday released the names of a married couple who died in a double shooting last week in South Natomas, which was determined to be an apparent murder-suicide.

Marilyn Kay Dorsey, 55, died of a homicide Nov. 7 in the 100 block of River Run Circle, according to the Coroners Office. Jack H. Dorsey, 68, died by suicide, the coroner said. Jack Dorsey was a Sacramento resident, the coroner added.

The Sacramento Police Department went to the home on River Run Circle, just west of Truxel Road, after getting a call requesting medical aid, a news release said.

Officers forced their way into the house and found a man and woman each suffering from at least one gunshot wound, police said last week. They were pronounced dead at the scene by Sacramento Fire Department personnel.

The pair were married, police said at the time of the shooting.
The European Commission is warning the Polish government that it must take action to end the blockade of the border with Ukraine by Polish truckers, Polish media outlet RMF24 reported on Nov. 16.

A European Commission spokesperson told RMF24 that the "Polish authorities, under EU law, are obliged to ensure the free movement of Ukrainian trucks at border crossings."

Polish truckers started blocking three border crossing points on Nov. 6, in protest of the liberalization of EU transport rules for Ukrainian trucks.

The Polish authorities are obliged to keep the border open as it is a key "Solidarity Lane," according to an RMF24 journalist in Brussels.

"Solidarity Lanes" between Ukraine and the EU were launched May 2022 as part of a European initiative to keep Ukraine's trade routes open amid Russia's full-scale invasion.

The road and rail border crossings have become increasingly important following Russia's attempts to block Ukraine's Black Sea ports from July 2023 and ongoing attacks on port infrastructure.

"Some in the European Commission believe that the Polish authorities are not doing everything to solve the problem and end the protest of Polish carriers," RMF24 reported.

The European Commission refused to comment on potential measures that may be taken if Poland refuses to act, as discussions with both countries are ongoing.

However, "Brussels is clearly losing patience," the report said.

According to EU rules, Ukrainian trucks do not require permits until June 30, 2024, after the EU and Ukraine signed an agreement in June 2022 to liberalize transport rules.

Polish truckers claim that the lack of entry permits for Ukrainian trucks is hurting business for Polish drivers. They are also calling for a ban on transportation companies from outside the EU.

Ukrainian officials met with Polish truck drivers on Nov. 13 but the talks failed to make progress.

Read also: Slovakia scrutinizes Ukrainian trucks amid long lines at border

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
The death toll among Palestinians in the conflict with Israel is rising, and President Bidens political problems at home are rising along with it.

Biden has offered close to unconditional support for Israel in the aftermath of the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7 that killed around 1,200 people.

But that position is looking increasingly out of step with many Democratic voters amid Israeli reprisals that have killed around 11,000 Palestinians, displaced more than 1 million people and left Gaza in a dire humanitarian crisis.

Almost six weeks on from the original Hamas attack, there is growing evidence that voters take a more ambivalent view of Israels response than the president does  and the trend is especially true for left-of-center Americans.

A new poll released Wednesday found that 56 percent of Democrats  and 38 percent of all Americans  believe Israels military response has been too much. The Democratic figure rose a startling 21 points since a poll from the same organizations  NPR, PBS NewsHour and Marist  roughly a month before.

The poll also found that 34 percent of Democrats disapprove of the way Biden is handling the conflict.

To be sure, its possible that some of those Democrats believe Biden should be even more supportive of Israel. But the working assumption in political circles is that the dissenters are overwhelmingly those who believe Biden has given excessively free rein to the Israeli government led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

This is a terrible miscalculation, Rashid Khalidi, a Columbia University professor and the author of several acclaimed books on Palestine, told this column. Participating to this degree with absolute support for Israel is something most Americans dont agree with.

There are warning signs flashing for the Biden policy in many other polls, too.

A new Economist/YouGov survey, also released Wednesday, found a plurality of Democrats  34 percent  believe Israels response to the Oct. 7 attack has been too harsh, compared to 30 percent who believe it has been about right and 7 percent who believe it has been not harsh enough.

Yet, at the same time, Democrats leaned toward Israel in their overall view of the conflict.

Twenty-three percent of Democrats in the poll said their sympathies were with the Israelis, against 17 percent who favored the Palestinians. A plurality, 39 percent, said their sympathies were about equal, while the remainder declined to express an opinion.

Findings like that point to the arduous political terrain Biden faces on the conflict. Jewish voters are an important bloc of support for Democrats, and they tend to favor Democrats over Republicans by a roughly 2-to-1 margin.

But poll after poll has found younger Democrats tend to be more sympathetic toward the Palestinians. Other important pillars of the Democratic coalition, notably progressive votes and Black voters, also tend to lean more toward the Palestinians than their centrist and white counterparts do.

In the NPR poll, for example, 48 percent of all adults younger than 45 took the view that Israels actions had been excessive, whereas only 31 percent of the older-than-45s took the same view. Forty-eight percent of nonwhite adults said Israels actions had been too much, compared to 33 percent of white people who felt that way.

The intensity of the feeling around the conflict may end up being just as politically important as the raw numbers. The situation is literally one of life and death for thousands of people. As such, it strikes far more viscerally than many domestic political battles.

Usamah Andrabi, communications director for the Justice Democrats, a progressive group, said despite Israel reportedly killing thousands of children and striking numerous medical facilities, the president has yet to call for a cease-fire. He refuses to even condemn those actions. And he still demands the Congress send $14 billion in military aid, in weapons, to Israel. I dont know how anyone can accept that position.

The Biden administration has tempered its rhetoric to some degree recently, stressing the importance of minimizing civilian casualties and protecting hospitals. The presidents aides also highlight their efforts to get some level of humanitarian assistance into Gaza.

The politics of the issue are anything but simple, as well. Washington has seen huge marches in favor of both the Palestinians and Israel within the past two weeks. The overall American population is more sympathetic to Israel than is the Democratic base, and Republicans are eager to seize on any suggestion that Biden is soft on American foes, such as Hamass sponsor, Iran.

Some Democrats argue the president has taken just the right course.

I think most presidents would have done the same thing, said Democratic strategist Jerry Austin, who also noted many Republicans as well as Democrats are united in support for Israel, especially given the horror of the Hamas attacks.

I dont see it as a political decision. I see it as a moral decision, Austin said. This kind of behavior [from Hamas] has to stop. It isnt as if they are soldiers fighting soldiers. They went in there and killed women and children.

But voices more sympathetic to the Palestinians argue that Biden will pay a political price, given the dismay about his position from Arab-Americans, progressives, younger voters and Black voters.

Khalidi said he neither expected people to forget what had occurred nor did he anticipate a change of policy from the administration.

There will be a lot of votes lost, he predicted.

The Memo is a reported column by Niall Stanage.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  State Sen. Brent Taylor is appealing to Tennessees governor to help Memphis fight a recent wave of brazen crimes that have left law-abiding citizens in terror.

Taylor, a Republican who represents east Shelby County and parts of East Memphis, sent a letter to Gov. Bill Lee on Wednesday requesting state aid, including more Tennessee Highway Patrol officers, for Memphis.

My city is under siege, Taylor wrote.

He went on to list several high-profile incidents, including this Sundays shooting death of St. Jude researcher Dr. Alexander Bulakhov during a robbery, smash-and-grab store thefts, the coordinated looting of a FedEx truck, and local interstates being shut down while drivers spin out their vehicles and passengers brandish weapons.

Shots fired in Topgolf parking lot

There are people who live in Memphis, and I hear from them all the time, theyre looking to sell their homes and move to another community they think is safer, Taylor said in a follow-up interview Thursday.

Taylor says the situation is so dire that many constituents are asking for the governor to call the National Guard to Memphis, though he says that would be an ineffective solution. The city is too large geographically and Guard members are not trained in law enforcement, he said.

I am not calling for a police state, he said.

Kroc Center to add security after vehicle break-ins

Instead, he is asking for increased, unannounced THP patrols on interstates and state routes, the creation of a monitoring team to make crime and arrest data public, and the governors support of Republican efforts in the General Assembly to hold our local prosecutors, judicial system, and criminals accountable.

Memphis needs help to save it from future ruin, Taylor wrote. The State of Tennessee cannot be successful if its most famous city is not successful.

New stats show disturbing rise in crime across the board this year

Taylor is awaiting a response from the governor, but he says he has also shared his letter with both Mayor Jim Strickland and Mayor-elect Paul Young in hopes of sending what he calls a consistent message to criminals.

When there is a consistent message when you violate the law and you are prosecuted and youre convicted and serve jail time, then this activity is going to stop, he said.

The number of homicides and murders in Memphis is up sharply in 2023 over the previous year. As of Oct. 9, MPD reported 302 homicides (254 murders) compared to 221 homicides (185 murders) at the same time a year before.

Memphis murder map: Homicides in 2023

The Memphis Shelby Crime Commission said between January and June 2023, theft from vehicles was up 130.3% in Memphis compared to the same time in 2022.

District Attorney Steve Mulroy said this week that bringing in the National Guard  an idea floated by many residents lately  would be at the request of the governor and he hasnt heard anything in the works.

When asked this week whether the governor should call the National Guard to Memphis, Police Chief C.J. Davis dismissed the idea.

Thats not the answer, she said. I dont care if we had the entire army in Memphis. If we continue to see the same individuals, arresting our way out of this is not possible.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Xi expresses firm belief in promising future of China-U.S. bilateral relationship

Xinhua) 04:39, November 16, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping expressed on Wednesday his firm belief in the promising future of China-U.S. bilateral relationship when meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden.

Xi said that it is an objective fact that China and the United States are different in history, culture, social system and development path.

However, as long as the two countries respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation, they will be fully capable of rising above differences and find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other, he added.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Von Heideckes Chicago Festival Ballet presents The Nutcracker on Nov. 26 at Rialto Square Theatre in Joliet. The production, which has been touring the United States since 1990, has featured both internationally acclaimed principal dancers as well as students of VH Dance Center in Aurora. (Rialto Square Theatre/HANDOUT)

Romeoville native Rachel Quinn started training as a dancer at School of the Chicago Festival Ballet at age 4 and later trained as an instructor under founder Kenneth von Heidecke.

She is in her second year of directing Von Heideckes Chicago Festival Ballets The Nutcracker, which returns Nov. 26 to Joliets Rialto Square Theatre.

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Its Kenneths unique choreography. He was trained from (George) Balanchine and Maria Tallchief so he has inspiration from both of them, said Quinn about Von Heidecke, who died in December 2021.

Weve hired a lot of wonderful professionals. With our students, me and the other instructors have been trying to create a wholesome environment for the children that are in our production.

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She has been involved in Von Heideckes The Nutcracker since approximately 2009 from dancing as a demi-soloist in the Snow Scene during Dance of the Reed Flutes and Waltz of the Flowers to serving as childrens director from 2017 until 2021.

The production, which has toured the United States since 1990, is billed as a journey through the land of whirling snowflakes and a visit to the Sugar Plum Fairys kingdom.

Its colorful. Its family-friendly compared to some ballets. It helps that the theme is Christmas, said Quinn, who added that Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovskys ballet starts with a holiday party and leaves audiences wondering if what young Clara experienced was magic or a dream.

Its a great tradition for families to go see around the holidays.

Quinn of Aurora is collaborating with ballet mistress Patricia Kohl Michalowski of Naperville and other VH Dance Center teachers on The Nutcracker, which includes 13 professional dancers and 34 student cast members including Aurora, Montgomery, Naperville and Shorewood residents.

Its a unique opportunity for our students to perform in a production alongside professionals. Thats how Ken always wanted it. He wanted the experience of being in a professional production, said Mary Mytnik, a volunteer at VH Dance Center School of the Chicago Festival Ballet in Aurora.

At age 10 Quinn began assistant teaching at VH Dance Center, which moved to its current location in 2020 after more than 20 years in Naperville. She started teaching her own classes there at age 16.

I trained with (Mr. Von Heidecke) my whole life so my choreography style is obviously influenced by him heavily. He had a specific choreography style. Its heavily inspired by his training, said Quinn, who is now VH Dance Centers director.

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I like to think he would be happy were continuing his choreography and continuing to train the students in the same style. He also was big on scholarships with students.

A big half of my ballet training was on scholarship. Were also continuing that to the best of our abilities. We have several families on scholarships. Some of them are even on full scholarships.

A free shortened performance of Von Heideckes The Nutcracker is slated for 5 to 7 p.m. Dec. 17 in Fox Valley Malls center court at 195 Fox Valley Center in Aurora.

Daily Southtown Twice-weekly News updates from the south suburbs delivered every Monday and Wednesday By submitting your email to receive this newsletter, you agree to our Subscriber Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy >

(Kenneth) was a world-renowned choreographer so its an honor to present his choreography or to continue it, said Quinn, who is also director of the nonprofit VH Ballet.

Von Heideckes Chicago Festival Ballets The Nutcracker

When: 2 p.m. Nov. 26

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Where: Rialto Square Theatre, 102 N. Chicago St., Joliet

Tickets: $23.50-$43.50

Information: 815-726-6600; rialtosquare.com

Jessi Virtusio is a freelance reporter for the Daily Southtown.
MEMPHIS, Tenn.  Starting Thursday, Starbucks workers in Memphis will go on strike, demanding the company fix staffing, scheduling and other issues.

Starbucks union plans largest-ever strike for Red Cup Day

The strike will take place at the Starbucks at Poplar and Highland from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. However, the business will still be open for regular hours.

It is happening on Red Cup Day, which is when the company hands out thousands of free reusable cups. It is one of its busiest days of the year.

For this reason, the strike has been named Red Cup Rebellion.

According to Starbucks Workers United, workers will demand that the company turn off mobile ordering on future promotion days.

Florentino Escobar says he has worked for the company for four years, and making $12 an hour is not enough.

As union workers, we stand united to make it better for ourselves. To have enough workers back there, to get good pay wages just shed even more light on how awful it really is, said Escobar. Everything that is essential to live is going up and up and up and our wages arent doing the same thing.

Starbucks announced earlier this week they will increase wages, and benefits, and give credit card tips to non-unionized employees.

However, employees say they want more. Thursdays strike was designed to hit Starbucks in their pockets.

 Download the WREG App today and stay up to date with breaking news and weather.

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 See more breaking news, local news and weather from WREG.com for Memphis and the Mid-South.

We reached out to Starbucks for a statement. They say, in part: We remain committed to working with all partners, side-by-side, to elevate the every day, and we hope that Workers Uniteds priorities will shift to include the shared success of our partners and working to negotiate contracts for those they represent.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WREG.com.
Despite a history of violent crime, three mental health experts declined to commit the man police say shot and killed Jillian Ludwig months before a stray bullet hit the Belmont student as she walked in a Nashville park last week, records show.

Shaquille Taylor, 29, is charged with aggravated assault and evidence tampering in connection with Ludwig's death, but he could face additional charges because the case has since been bound over to a grand jury for review, officials said.

In the days since Ludwig's death, there's been a ground swell of support for gun and mental health reform in Tennessee. There are also many questions.

Tommy Yoder, a 21-year-old Belmont student, is among those seeking answers and calling for change. The Atlanta native said he barely knew Ludwig. A mutual friend was trying to pair them up to start a band, he said, but her death has shaken him.

He wasn't alone.

Moms and Students Demand Action has also spoken out since Ludwig's death, saying lawmakers didn't pass red flag laws that would keep guns away from dangerous people like Taylor during their August special session.

Going out for a walk shouldnt be a death sentence, but because of our countrys gun violence crisis, it is. Theres no reason Jillian shouldnt be alive today, Isabella Hipp, a gun violence survivor and volunteer with Belmont University Students Demand Action said in a statement.

"Unrestricted access to guns is killing my generation left and right for simply going about our daily lives. It has to stop. We cannot allow Tennessee politicians to continue to choose the guns everywhere agenda over our right to live.

A suspect's troubling past

Nashville police say Taylor was firing at a car on 13th Court shortly before 2:30 p.m. on Nov. 7 when a stray bullet struck Ludwig. The Belmont freshman music business major would lie in the park for more than an hour before being discovered by a passerby. She was 18 when she died on Nov. 8.

Police said Taylor admitted to firing shots and claimed to have given the gun to another person.

It wasn't the first time he'd been in front of investigators.

Taylor was charged with robbery in 2015 and found guilty on a lesser charge of assault, according to court records. He was sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in jail. In 2016, he was arrested on aggravated burglary charges before being convicted on a lesser charge of contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

It was not clear how long he'd been sentenced in that case.

He was most recently arrested in a Sept. 21 grocery store parking lot inside a vehicle that had been carjacked by two men wearing ski masks days earlier on Whites Creek Pike near Dickerson Pike, police said.

Taylor did not admit to being involved in the carjacking, but he was charged with felony auto theft and released on a $20,000 bond, according to court records, which also show that he did not attend a court appearance, scheduled for Nov. 3, and a failure to appear warrant had been issued for his arrest.

It was active at the time of Ludwig's fatal shooting.

Before the September incident, Taylor had been released from police custody on May 19 after three court-appointed doctors unanimously testified that he was incompetent to stand trial for assault with a deadly weapon, records show.

Taylor could have been committed to a mental health facility, only he wasn't because he didn't meet the state standards for involuntary commitment, records show.

To be involuntarily committed, a person must be found by two doctors to suffer from a severe mental illness that causes that person to be a substantial risk of serious harm to themselves or others. There must also be no other less restrictive measures than commitment, Funk explained.

Taylor incompetent, but not committed by evaluators

Dr. Jenny Matthai, psychological director at Tennessee Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities, was one of the doctors who evaluated Taylor and said in her Jan. 5 report that he did not possess, "adjudicative competence due to his intellectual disabilities and language impairment."

Matthai spent five hours with Taylor during five sessions.

She wrote in her report that Taylor did not process information well and was confused at times, but she said he could be restored through competency training, which was subsequently carried out.

During those sessions, Matthai said Taylor understood court personnel and what it meant to be guilty of a crime, but he struggled to retain, recall and integrate any new information he was given.

"Dr. Matthai concluded that Mr. Taylor only minimally meets the requirements for foundation competency in her opinion," court records said.

Dr. Michael Loftin, a forensic examiner for the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse, also met with Taylor.

After interviewing the suspect for 45 minutes, Loftin concluded Taylor did not show signs of increased risk for self-harm, had no suicidal ideations or plans and repeatedly denied any homicidal ideations and found that Taylor did not meet the criteria for involuntary commitment, records show.

Dr. Mary Elizabeth Wood, of Vanderbilt University Medical Center's forensic evaluation team, also concluded Taylor was incompetent and did not meet standards for commitment to mental health hospital, court records said.

Wood previously told The Tennessean that in order to stand trial and face charges, a defendant must be able to understand the court process and assist counsel, which includes rational decision making and the ability to systematically weigh alternatives.

What's happening right now?

Nashville District Attorney Glenn Funk said this week he is working with lawmakers on legislation that deals with mental health.

Funk said having a person voluntarily committed in Tennessee is challenging while the state deals with shortages to address the problem.

"This nearly impossible standard impacts public safety," the district attorney has said in prior statements. "The law must be altered to accurately balance individual needs with public safety. At the same time Tennessee must provide more beds and staffing resources to handle dangerous individuals I will continue to work with the legislature on these serious mental health issues."

Funk is working with Rep. William Lamberth, R-Portland, to pass legislation that would see the state pay for mental health evaluations and treatment rather than the counties for those charged with a misdemeanor and deemed incompetent to stand trial. The bill passed on first consideration in the House but remains tabled by the Senate.

"We are expecting Rep. Lamberth to champion this as soon as possible. It had almost unanimous support from both sides of the aisle as it was being discussed in committee," a spokesperson for Funk said in a statement.

The bill would increase spending by $2.4 million in fiscal year 2023-2024 and $3.3 million in fiscal year 2024-2025, if passed.

State lawmakers will return to the Capitol on Jan. 9.

In the wake of Ludwig's death, Belmont University offered students and staff at the school access to counseling and ministry services and an on-campus memorial service was being planned Thursday to celebrate her life.

Belmont's Chief of Campus Security Pat Cunningham said in a statement that his department works closely with the Metro Nashville Police Department, recently added five officers, provides vehicle, bicycle and foot patrols and has more than 400 cameras installed across campus for public safety.

Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_Shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Could the stray bullet that killed Jillian Ludwig have been prevented?
(Reuters) - The Oversight Board for Instagram-owner Meta Platforms said on Thursday it was reviewing the app's decision to leave up, remove, and then reinstate, a post that showed a man confronting a woman in Iran for not wearing the hijab in public.

The Oversight Board was created in late 2020 to review Facebook and Instagram's decisions on taking down or leaving up certain content and make rulings on whether to uphold or overturn the social media company's actions.

The board can issue recommendations to Meta, which are not binding, but the company has to respond to them within 60 days.

The board, which is funded by Meta but independently run, said it had chosen the post, which was put up earlier this year, to "explore Meta's policies and practices in moderating content that could impact the ongoing protests in Iran".

It invited the public to submit their comments on the case too, as is its usual practice.

Iran saw sporadic protests in mid-September amid a widespread crackdown by security forces a year after the death of young Kurdish woman Mahsa Amini in custody set off some of the worst political unrest in four decades.

In a statement, the board said the Instagram video it was reviewing showed the face of the woman, who was arrested following the confrontation.

The accompanying caption, in Persian, indicates the user's support for the woman and more broadly for Iranian women standing up to the regime, while also commenting on the arrest.

The board said the video had initially been flagged by AI for violating community guidelines, and sent for human review. Meta reviewers could not agree on whether there was a violation, so the post remained up until a member of the public flagged it. The post was then removed, only to be reinstated when the user who posted it said it highlighted the bravery of Iranian women, the board's statement said.

The board said the case of the video falls within its strategic priorities that include crisis and conflict situations and gender.

(Reporting by Gnaneshwar Rajan and Shubham Kalia in Bengaluru and Katie Paul in San Francisco; editing by Miral Fahmy)
Metal detectorists stumbled on two pieces of ancient Roman treasure while searching areas of Wales, according to archaeologists.

Peter Anning was using a metal detector to scan the countryside in the Vale of Glamorgan in April 2020 when he stumbled on something, according to a Nov. 14 news release from Amgueddfa Cymru Museum Wales. He unearthed a small silver fragment.

Archaeologists identified the silver artifact as part of a Roman ring, the release said. The fragment is over 1,700 years old, dating from the second to third century A.D.

A photo shows the thin silver band. The central oval bezel on the ring is inscribed with a stylized palm branch design, officials said.

Annings find wasnt the only ring found by metal detectorists.

The broken Roman ring found in Saint Nicholas and Bonvilston Community, Vale of Glamorgan.

Another metal detectorist, Richard Murton, was searching a pasture in Powys in November 2022 when he uncovered a silver artifact, the release said.

Archaeologists identified Murtons find as a Roman ring from the first or second century A.D.

A photo shows the treasure. The ring has a simple design along its curve, wider on top and thinner near the bottom.

The top of the ring has a broad central setting which originally would have held a semi-precious stone or glass setting, probably bearing an incised motif, the release said.

The broken Roman ring found in Llanfechain Community, Powys.

Several Welsh museums hope to acquire the the rings after theyve been evaluated by independent commissions, officials said.

The Vale of Glamorgan is a county in southern Wales, about 170 miles west of London. Powys is a county in central Wales, about 190 miles northwest of London.

Huge burial mound in Norway stumped archaeologists. Now they know whats inside

Metal detectorists searching forest stumble on mysterious cache of gold, photos show

Metal detectorist searching carrot field stumbles on ancient jewelry set, photos show
The government hopes the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Interoceanic Corridor (CIIT) will see 300,000 cargo containers transit every year by rail, with 1.4 million -- about 33 million tons -- by 2033 (CLAUDIO CRUZ)

At Mexico's narrowest point, linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the government is building a railway rival to the Panama Canal with promises of economic bounty but amid fears of environmental and social harm.

The Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes already dreamed of such a crossing for humans and goods in the 16th century, but most plans came to naught and a prior, rudimentary connection was all but abandoned with the opening of the canal cutting through Panama in 1914.

Then, in 2020, work started on a new coast-to-coast link under the government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

It comprises a 300-kilometer (186-mile) railway line from the Pacific port of Salina Cruz to Coatzacoalcos on the other side of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec -- a region rich in biodiversity and Indigenous heritage.

The government has announced an investment of $2.85 billion.

According to project coordinator Adiel Estrada, it has created 800 direct jobs and some 2,400 indirect ones -- a much-needed injection for a largely impoverished part of the country.

Officials expect that once fully operational, by 2033, the "interoceanic corridor" would boost GDP by three to five percentage points.

"We will go... from one ocean to the other in seven hours," Lopez Obrador boasted of the project in a recent video recorded aboard a brand-new train.

Service is expected to start in December with two daily round trips for passengers, and three for cargo.

By 2028, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Interoceanic Corridor (CIIT) should see 300,000 cargo containers transit every year, with 1.4 million -- about 33 million tons -- by 2033.

The 80-km Panama Canal moved about 63.2 million tons in 2022.

- 'Magnificent' -

Lopez Obrador has said the CIIT comes at a time that "our brothers in Panama are having difficulties due to water shortages" in the canal through which three percent of global maritime trade passes.

The Panama Canal Authority has had to reduce traffic to 25 ships per day starting November 3 -- down from 39 per day on average in 2022. By mid-February it will be down to 20 per day.

The Mexican corridor will be accompanied by the development of industrial parks, for which tenders have been opened, and which the government hopes will attract some $7 billion in investment.

But the corridor has had a mixed response.

"It's a magnificent project!" said Angelica Gonzalez, a 42-year-old craftswoman from Ciudad Ixtepec, one of the stops on the new route she hopes will boost sales to tourists.

Gonzalez was five years old when she last took a passenger train linking the two coasts.

That line was fully operational from 1907 to the 1950s, then declined until the 1990s when it finally closed, leaving only one cargo train on the route.

The cargo service has long been in urgent need of an update as Mexico upgrades capacity at its Atlantic and Pacific ports and the CIIT is meant to do just that.

Salina Cruz green activist Rafael Mayoral told AFP people along the route are "very motivated" for its opening.

But, he warned, that "does not erase its environmental and social impact."

According to another activist, Juana Ramirez of the Ucizoni NGO, the isthmus was likely to become polluted and downgraded by the project, with trees felled and vegetation uprooted.

Ucizoni claims that communities were not adequately consulted on the project, and that several people have already been displaced.

Ramirez said locals were being "harassed." She herself faces a large fine -- yet to be determined by a court -- for taking part in a protest against the CIIT.

Activists also fear a rise of violence in the area with organized crime likely to grow as access improves.

By mid-2024, the train is meant to link up to another line to the border with Guatemala via Chiapas -- a gateway for US-bound migrants without travel documents who frequently fall victim to smuggling gangs.

And observers claim gangs are already seizing land near the railway lines -- uprooting residents -- as they expect its value to rise.

The NGO Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA) recorded three murders of land activists between October 2022 and July 2023 which it said were linked to the corridor.

jla/axm/st/phs/lpa/mlr/md
After leading the pack in an eight-way City Commission race last week but falling short of a majority win, incumbent Sabina Covo faces a challenge from a candidate who would be the citys first openly-gay commissioner in a runoff race to represent Miamis District 2.

Voters on Tuesday will decide between Covo, a former journalist whos seeking her first four-year term on the commission after winning a special election in February, and Damian Pardo, a certified financial planner with a history of activism.

Covo, 44, told the Herald that shes feeling very confident heading into Tuesday. Last week, she led in the general election with 39.3% of the vote, followed by Pardo with 26.4%.

I think the 40% against seven candidates actually shows that the majority of District 2 is actually appreciating our work, Covo said, and thats why I think that on Tuesday were going to win.

READ MORE: Challengers seek to disrupt District 2 Miami Commissioner Sabina Covos reelection bid

Early voting is Friday through Sunday.

LGBTQ issues

If elected, Pardo, 60, would be the first openly-gay commissioner in the city of Miami.

Im from a generation where that was not possible, said Pardo, who came out during the era of Anita Bryant, an anti-gay activist who gained national prominence in the 1970s.

And then, coming on the heels of that, was AIDS, Pardo said. We were basically told, You dont deserve to be here, God is judging you, and youre going to die.... So for me, the idea that I could run and be elected is so glorious.

His advocacy work includes serving on the board for the Stonewall National Museum & Archives in Fort Lauderdale, Care Resource, which is an AIDS service organization, as well as SAGE, a national organization for elders in the LGBTQ community.

Pardo was among the founders of the LGBTQ civil rights organization, SAVE, or Safeguarding American Values for Everyone. He served as a board member from 1993 to 1997, after which he continued volunteering for the organization.

Despite Pardos extensive history with the organization, SAVE endorsed Covo in this race.

Reached by email, SAVEs executive director, Todd Delmay, said that during its research, the organizations endorsement panel found troubling support by Pardo for the Parental Rights in Education bill, known colloquially as the Dont Say Gay bill, and that Pardo was unable to adequately defend his positions in an endorsement interview.

Delmay pointed the Herald to a February 2022 meeting of the citys LGBTQ+ Advisory Board. The meeting minutes, which are sparse, reflect that Pardo called the bill a political ploy and said that we may miss an opportunity to express the values they want to be fostered at home. Later in the meeting, the board voted unanimously to pass a resolution opposing the Parental Rights in Education bill, according to the minutes. The city does not have a recording of the meeting.

Never in my life have I taken a position against any LGBTQ issue that helps the community or the community is backing, Pardo said. That would be contrary to my entire life.

Pardo said he adamantly opposes the bill, and that he made comments during the meeting cautioning against jumping on a hot-button political issue without being strategic about the boards messaging. He told the Herald that much of the Miami City Commission leans conservative, and that it would be irresponsible to put a resolution before them that could easily be voted down.

A week after the advisory board meeting, the City Commission voted down a resolution opposing the Parental Rights in Education bill 4-1.

You cant just throw stuff at the wall and hope it sticks, Pardo said.

Asked why she thinks SAVE endorsed her over Pardo, Covo said shes been an advocate for the organization since the beginning.

Its also worth noting that Covos campaign consultant, Christian Ulvert, was the chair of SAVE Dade from 2009 to 2015. Ulvert said he no longer is involved with the organization and that he had zero role in the endorsement process. Delmay said it is false and scurrilous to suggest otherwise.

Campaign finance and corruption

Some critics consider Covo, who has raised over $237,000 in campaign contributions, to be an establishment pick  a characterization that the incumbent says is incorrect.

I am completely independent, she said, adding that she will not be influenced by campaign contributions.

Pardo has raised about $90,000, according to the most recently-available campaign finance reports from early November, but hes also heavily funding his campaign with his own money, having loaned himself over $165,000.

Either I pony up and I put my money where my mouth is and Im committed to really trying to make this change happen, he said, or Im at the whim of special interest developers and lobbyists.

Covo previously told the Herald that she wants to introduce reform in the city that would restrict who can contribute to campaigns. She now describes a plan that involves bringing on an inspector general, similar to that of Miami Beach, who will independently audit different agencies but not be focused on campaign finance. She also suggested that Miami elected officials have stricter financial disclosure requirements akin to what the Federal Election Commission requires of presidential candidates.

Covo and Pardo expressed concern about corruption in City Hall, with both agreeing that Commissioner Alex Diaz de la Portilla, who was arrested in September on corruption charges, should remain suspended if he is reelected on Tuesday in the runoff for District 1. Covo said the suspension should remain in effect indefinitely, even if the charges are dropped.

As a commissioner, Im not above the law, she said.

Mayor Francis Suarez has also been under scrutiny this year after a buffet of side-gigs were revealed through an FEC disclosure filed as part of his presidential campaign, as well as a lawsuit that said Suarez worked as a $10,000 a month consultant for embattled developer Rishi Kapoor.

Francis would never have been in the situation had we had guardrails, Pardo said.
Copilot, Microsoft's brand of generative AI technologies, promises to be a big moneymaker for the company, with one analyst predicting that it could generate $10 billion in annualized revenue by 2026. Despite a staggered and somewhat confusing rollout, 40% of companies in the Fortune 100 were testing Copilot by fall, according to Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella. Forrester predicts, meanwhile, that 6.9 million U.S. knowledge workers will be using some form of Copilot in 2024.

And so Microsoft's quest to grow the tech continues.

During Microsoft Ignite 2023, the company took the wraps off of three new Copilot offerings across its software and services portfolio: Copilot for Azure, Copilot for Service and Copilot in Dynamics 365 Guides. The company also launched Copilot Studio, a new platform that delivers tools for connecting Copilot for Microsoft 365 -- the Copilot in apps like Excel, Word and PowerPoint as well as Microsoft's Edge browser and Windows -- to third-party data.

Copilot for Azure

Copilot for Azure, which is now available in preview, is Microsoft's answer to the recently announced Duet AI in Google Cloud. Like Google's AI, Copilot for Azure takes the form of a chat-driven assistant for cloud customers, suggesting configurations for apps and environments and helping with troubleshooting by identifying potential issues -- and solutions.

"Microsoft Copilot for Azure is integrated into the Azure platform, right into the Azure portal where IT teams work," Erin Chapple, CVP of Azure core product and design, told TechCrunch in an email interview. "Through a unified chat experience, they can easily ask questions, get insights into their workloads, infrastructure and cloud functionality and take action."

Copilot for Azure

Image Credits: Microsoft

Copilot for Azure can respond to questions like "Copilot, how many cloud resources do I have?" in addition to more complex queries and requests such as "Copilot, what data store should I use for my application?" and "Copilot, create the command-line interface to perform this action." (Imagine OpenAI's ChatGPT, but for Azure-related tasks.) Leveraging a combination of generative AI models, specifically large language models (LLMs), Copilot for Azure pulls in knowledge from technical documentation plus users' individual setups and policies.

"Using the power of LLMs, Copilot reasons over the customers data that we have in Azure ... that defines everything that's been deployed and running for that customer and all of its characteristics," Chapple said. "Were reasoning on top of things like metrics and monitoring data so that customers can ask questions and understand patterns in their data."

But given that generative AI is prone to making mistakes, can Copilot in Azure be trusted? Maybe -- at least depending on your risk tolerance. Chapple says that users can always ask Copilot in Azure how it landed on a recommendation or to explain its reasoning.

Copilot for Azure

Image Credits: Microsoft

"Currently," Chapple said, "we envision customers will use Copilot for Azure in four activities: designing (configuring the right services for their applications and environment), operating (answering questions, authoring ... commands and acting on their behalf), troubleshooting (orchestrating data across Azure services for insights) and optimizing (improving costs, scalability, security and reliability through recommendations for their environment)."

Chapple claims that Copilot for Azure has already been used by more than 15,000 internal users and a "handful" of private preview customers. "Well continually add skills as we learn through the preview, expanding the ways in which it can help," she added.

Copilot for Service

Copilot for Service is a different animal. Designed for customer service use cases, it integrates with customer relationship management (CRM) software including Microsoft's own Dynamics 365, Salesforce, SAP, Workday and ServiceNow to answer sales-related questions and offer next-step suggestions.

Copilot for Service -- which can be embedded at the Windows desktop level or deployed via Microsoft Teams -- can answer commonly asked questions from customer service agents by drawing on a company's websites, knowledge articles, offline databases and more. Those same agents can ask Copilot for Service to provide them with account and case information from CRM systems when -- and in theory, where -- they need it.

Copilot for Service

Image Credits: Microsoft

Functionality seems a bit limited at launch, but Microsoft's promising a lot to come as the service evolves. Soon, the company says, Copilot for Service will be able to make proactive recommendations for creating or updating existing "knowledge assets" (e.g. articles) based on emails, customer service cases, Teams chats and more. And it'll enrich email summaries and drafts in Outlook and meeting recaps in Teams with data from CRMs, giving users the ability to view and update CRM records directly in Outlook and Teams and automate tasks like case wrap-ups, meeting scheduling, task follow-ups and adding new contacts.

Readers might recall Microsoft introduced a customer service-focused Copilot, Copilot in Dynamics 365 Customer Service, in March with a comparable feature set. So what's the difference between the two? Well, minimal -- except that Copilot for Service comes with Copilot for Microsoft 365 and can be customized via the new Copilot Studio. (More on Copilot Studio down below.)

Copilot for Service will be available in public preview in early December, Microsoft says, priced at $50 per user per month. (That's higher than Microsoft's pricing for Microsoft 365 Copilot, which starts at $30 per user per month -- likely reflecting the steep cost of running AI models at scale.) The company's targeting Q1 2024 for general availability.

Copilot in Dynamics 365 Guides

Copilot in Dynamics 365 Guides might be among Microsoft's more ambitious Copilot launches.

Designed to work best on the company's HoloLens 2 headset, with support for mobile devices to follow several preview periods, Copilot in Dynamics 365 Guides taps generative AI to summarize information potentially useful to frontline workers and translate those summaries into overlays on equipment that they're maintaining.

Using Copilot in Dynamics 365 Guides, workers can point to or look at a component and ask questions such as "What's the torque limit for these bolts?," "Which direction does this part fit?" and "Walk me through the steps to disassemble this filtration unit." Copilot will recognize what's being referred to or pointed at and provide answers, projecting instructions on the HoloLens 2's heads-up display.

The more information Copilot in Dynamics 365 Guides can access (e.g. technical documentation, internet of things sensors, service records, operational data, notes, transcripts, training content and so on), the more domain- and company-specific questions it can answer, Microsoft says. The OpenAI generative AI models underpinning the service decipher what's on the HoloLens 2's camera and show diagrams -- or even read summaries aloud -- to elucidate particular steps and solutions.

Copilot in Dynamics 365 Guides

Image Credits: Microsoft

It's all very interesting in a sci-fi, "Minority Report" sort of way. But I'm skeptical that the new Copilot will work quite as well as Microsoft promises. Understanding images and text is tough enough for generative AI, much less dealing with imperfect viewing conditions (dimly lit smokey factories, for instance) and niche machinery.

Microsoft's decision to launch Copilot in Dynamics 365 Guides first in private preview with "a limited set of customers and capabilities" suggests there's indeed some kinks to work out. Color me intrigued, though. I'm curious to see where this Copilot goes -- and how it measures up to attempts from various startups in the field service space.

Copilot Studio

Copilot Studio -- the last of today's Copilot-related announcements -- is Microsoft's attempt to make its Copilot products more extensible for business customers. Microsoft telegraphed Copilot fine-tuning, Copilot Studio's principal feature, some time ago, but the emergence of countless generative AI-powered chatbot builders -- many of which can connect LLMs to proprietary company data -- no doubt put the pressure on.

With the web-based Copilot Studio, which is now available in public preview for existing Copilot for Microsoft 365 subscribers, an enterprise can give Copilot for Microsoft 365 and Copilot for Service access to data in its CRMs, enterprise resource management systems and other databases and data stores using prebuilt connectors or ones that it builds itself. (Microsoft plans to expand Copilot Studio's controls to additional Copilots at some point, but it's starting with just these few.) Through Copilot Studio, customers can also ensure Copilots always respond in a certain way to certain questions (say, onboarding questions), and -- arguably more significantly -- create and publish their own tailored "copilots."

Copilot Studio

Image Credits: Microsoft

"Copilot Studio plays an important role in Microsofts Copilot strategy," Omar Aftab, VP of conversational AI at Microsoft, told TechCrunch via email. "What Microsoft heard from customers is that they want to customize and extend copilots with their unique business processes and data for enterprise-specific scenarios. Now, with Copilot Studio, they can easily do so. Similarly, customers wanting to build their own custom standalone Copilot experience can now do so and publish it to the channel of their choice."

Any user with the proper license can tap Copilot Studio to create a custom copilot -- e.g. a chatbot for expense management -- by describing it in natural language. Copilot Studio will provide a starting point and send the copilot to a "canvas" UI with collaborative tools, among them a commenting system and side-by-side coding views, that can be used to refine it.

Customers can build copilots that filter to specific datasets for particular teams or users. Or they can connect a copilot to an automation, plug-in or third-party service to kick off actions or a workflow.

Copilot Studio

Image Credits: Microsoft

Once finalized in Copilot Studio, copilots can be deployed across a range of channels, including websites and social media platforms. A dashboard shows the status of running copilots and who's building and customizing them, along with controls for securing copilot data using access policies and managing deployment environments.

"Copilot Studio exposes a full end-to-end lifecycle for Copilots within a single pane -- you can build, deploy, analyze and manage Copilots all from within the same web experience," Aftab said. "And since its software-as-a-service, everything you build is live instantly."

One wonders whether Microsoft has the data center capacity to host an untold number of custom copilots, considering the company's recent struggles on that front. But Microsoft's nothing if not confident -- it's offering Copilot Studio as a purchasable capacity-based license, aiming to drive adoption not only of the Copilot ecosystem but of the ever-growing Azure product lineup.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVn57PXoFPE?version=3&rel=1&showsearch=0&showinfo=1&iv_load_policy=1&fs=1&hl=en-US&autohide=2&wmode=transparent&w=640&h=360]

For more Microsoft Ignite 2023 coverage:

This story was originally published at 8am PT on Nov. 15 and updated at 3:15pm PT.
Undocumented migrants tended by emergency personnel after disembarking at La Restinga seaport on the Canary Island of El Hierro this month (STRINGER)

The number of migrants arriving in Spain's Canary Islands so far this year has passed the record number set during all of 2006, official figures showed Thursday.

Between January 1 and November 15, 32,436 migrants reached the Canaries after making the perilous crossing from Africa, compared to the 31,678 who landed in the seven-island archipelago during all of 2006, according to an interior ministry report.

The figure represents a 118 percent jump over the same period in 2022, the report added.

The record influx has overwhelmed the Canary Islands regional government, which has demanded more resources from Spain's central government to care for migrants.

In an address to parliament before the figures were published, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said the central government was doing "everything to redistribute" migrants who arrive in the Canaries to reception centres on mainland Spain.

As controls have been tightened in the Mediterranean, the Canaries route has become a favourite for people fleeing poverty and conflict in Africa, mostly on overcrowded, barely seaworthy vessels.

Boats depart from Morocco and Western Sahara, as well as Mauritania, Gambia and Senegal further south.

The journey from Senegal to the Canaries usually takes a week of difficult upwind sailing for around 1,600 kilometres (1,000 miles).

To avoid border controls, smugglers take longer journeys, navigating west into the open Atlantic before continuing north to the Canaries -- a detour that brings many to the tiny westernmost El Hierro island.

Local officials in El Hierro have likened the increasing numbers to conditions on Lampedusa, the small Italian island in the Mediterranean that has long been a transit point for migrants heading for Europe.

More than 7,800 people died or went missing at sea en route to the seven-island archipelago between 2018 and 2022, according to Spanish NGO Caminando Fronteras, which helps migrant boats in distress and the families of those who have gone missing.

Faced with the extra arrivals. Madrid has stepped up its cooperation with Senegal and Mauritania to try to stop boats from leaving for the Canaries.

Spain's Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska aid last month that over 12,000 migrants had been prevented from reaching the Canaries since the start of the year.

mg/ds/tw
A Marine accused of sexually assaulting a missing 14-year-old girl who was found in his barracks is facing a court-martial, according to a spokesman for the 1st Marine Logistics Group.

The Marine has been identified as Private First Class Avery Rosario, according to NBC News.

He was detained in June after the girl was found at his barracks in Camp Pendleton in California. Military prosecutors brought charges of sexually assaulting a minor against him in August.

PFC Rosario's defence attorneys said he met the girl on Tinder and claimed she had listed her age as 21 on the dating app.

Two of the charges against PFC Rosario were referred to a general court-martial by Brigadier General Andrew Niebel, who commands the 1st Marine Logistic Group, according to a spokesman for the unit.

PFC Rosario appeared before the court-martial on Thursday, according to Captain Virginia Burger.

The entrance to Camp Pendleton Marine Base near Oceanside, California (AP)

The situation began on 13 June when the girl's grandmother reported that she had gone missing. The girl had reportedly left home on 9 June, and had run away before, but had never been gone more than a few days, according to the grandmother.

The girl was located on 28 June, more than two weeks after her grandmother reported her missing. She was found at Camp Pendleton in PFC Rosario's barracks, according to a police report.

Shortly after the girl was found, her aunt told police that her niece had been sold to the Marine for sex, according to NBC 7 San Diego.

In a TikTok video, the aunt claimed that her niece had "learning disabilities" and said the entire facility was complicit in the girl's assault.

The security looked her in the face and allowed this man to bring a minor on to base where he then proceeded to have sex with her" the teen's aunt said. "Due to her age, she could not have given this consent.
There will not be enough time, said transport secretary Mark Harper (PA)

Transport secretary Mark Harper said it is unlikely that legislation to overhaul Britains railways will be passed before the next general election.

The establishment of Great British Railways (GBR), first proposed in May 2021, was included in a draft Rail Reform Bill in last weeks Kings Speech.

But Mr Harper does not expect legislation to be passed during the current parliamentary session, ahead of a general election expected to take place next year.

The cabinet minister told the Commons Transport Select Committee: I think its unlikely that well be able to proceed to full legislation this session.

He said this is because were not going to have time, but also stressed the importance of the bill being scrutinised.

Contributions from committee members and other relevant parties will inevitably produce improvements which will get the bill into as good a shape as possible to ease its passage through Parliament, he said.

Tory MP Iain Stewart, who chairs the committee, put it to Mr Harper that the legislation is fairly simple, adding: There has already been a consultation on it. What else are you hoping to achieve by further scrutiny?

Mr Harper said: Well, given the debate over it, I dont think it is (simple).

I think peoples views about it are not that straightforward.

Theres still quite a bit of difference of opinion about what people are trying to achieve with the legislation and there are different views from different parts of the industry.

Plans for GBR involve it carrying out functions such as awarding operating contracts to train companies and managing rail infrastructure.

Its creation was announced by then-transport secretary Grant Shapps in a White Paper in May 2021.

The Williams-Shapps Plan for Rail was based on the recommendations of a review, carried out by former British Airways chief executive Keith Williams, established in September 2018.
Director Mary Bird Matern of Valparaiso describes A Christmas Story, Northwest Indiana holiday claim-to-fame tale, as being akin to the stage equivalent of an old family friend.

I played one of the mean department story elves back in 2000, the first year Chicago Street Theatre did a run of A Christmas Story for audiences, and my sister Patty played Ralphies mom, with my late husband cast as the dad, Bird Matern said.

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Its not only a popular audience favorite, but also a family favorite, especially for my own family.

After a 16-year holiday vacation from Ralphie, bullies, Red Ryder BB guns, leg lamps and pink bunny pajamas, there is a new production of A Christmas Story with performances 7:30 Fridays and Saturdays and 1:30 p.m. Sundays Nov. 24-Dec. 17 at Chicago Street Theatre in Valparaiso.

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It is based on the 1983 film of the same name, and born from Hammond scribe, the late Jean Shepherd, and his book In God We Trust, All Others Pay Cash.

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of the films premiere in 2023, A Christmas Story captures a nostalgic Christmastime glimpse of family life in the late 1930s in Northwest Indiana.

A thinly disguised Hammond becomes the fictional steel town of Hohman, as the home of 9-year-old Ralphie Parker, played by 12-year-old Jonah Knauff, and his foibles with family, friends Flick and Schwartz, and the pressures of Christmas for an anxious youth.

Produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois, the play is adaptation by Phillip Grecian.

This is my first production Ive been involved with for Chicago Street Theatre since before the pandemic, and since before the passing of husband Dan, who I can still hear in my mind saying many of the lines of the character of Ralphies dad referred to as The Old Man in the story, Bird Matern said.

Im dedicating this holiday stage run to Dan, who embodied this character and was a perennial favorite on our stage.

Knauff said he grew up watching the holiday film and can identify with the back-and-forth bickering of brothers from his own family sibling squabbles, much like Ralphie and little brother Randy.

Im having to get used to wearing Ralphies glasses and that takes some getting adjusted to, Knauff said.

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Im just glad we use a prop bar of soap and not a real bar of soap for the scene when Ralphie gets in trouble and his mom punishes him.

The rest of the cast includes Ron Donahue as adult Ralph/Narrator; Luke Danford as Randy; Jason Summer as The Old Man; Missy Rump as Mother; Scott Monarch, Jr. as Flick; AJ Gabriel as Schwartz; Bryce Fech as Farkas; Abram Fitzgerald as Toadie; June Saavedra as Miss Shields; Rose Tursman as Esther Jane; Ava Meyer as Helen; Jeff Schultz as Santa Claus; Conner Donahue as a Bumpus Hound, Black Bart, and Elf; Audrey Donahue as a Bumpus Hound, Desperado and an Elf; and Valerie Donahue as a Bumpus Hound, a Desperado and Elf; and Corey Caristi as a Ralphie classmate.

Ron Donahue, as the older Ralphie, is making his stage debut along with his three children.

Playing this role has made me reminisce about Christmases when I was a kid, Donahue said.

And when I watch my kids on stage, I think its awesome we can have this experience and build this Christmas memory as a family.

Bird Matern said one of the show challenges is the costuming, which includes many layers of winter coats on the young cast under hot stage lights.

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We already learned long ago in our 129-seat theater that we have to keep the air conditioning cranked up when we do this show, even though itll be in the middle December, Bird Matern said.

A Christmas Story

When: Nov. 24-Dec. 17

Where: Chicago Street Theatre, 154 W. Chicago St., Valparaiso

Cost: $22 adults, $20 military discount, students under age 21 and seniors age 62

Information: 219-464-1636; chicagostreet.org

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Philip Potempa is a freelance reporter for the Post-Tribune.
MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - The Minnesota Department of Revenue is reissuing nearly 150,000 tax rebate checks that have not been cashed.

The department announced this on Wednesday, saying the one-time tax rebate checks that were issued in August and September expired after 60 days, and nearly 150,000 of them went uncashed. Because of this, the department is reissuing the checks - one batch of checks will go out this week and the second will go out in early December.

These new checks will be valid for 60 days from the date it was issued, the Department of Revenue says.

Keep an eye out for the check in your mail because it may look like junk mail. The checks will arrive in a plain white envelope from a company called Submittable Holdings based in Missoula, Montana, and will have a signature from Revenue Commissioner Paul Marquart.

The return address for Minnesota income tax rebate checks lists Montana, which is causing confusion among taxpayers. (Supplied / Supplied)

If a reissued check goes unclaimed, the Minnesota Department of Revenue says it'll work with eligible taxpayers who did not get their rebate after the reissued checks void in early 2024. The department can't issue a rebate check while the check is still valid in an effort to avoid duplicate payments.

Then, after that happens, any rebate checks that are still unclaimed will be given to the Minnesota Department of Commerces Unclaimed Property Division.

The tax rebates, adding up to about $1 billion, are part of legislation signed by Democratic Gov. Tim Walz in May to return a portion of a projected $17.6 billion budget surplus to taxpayers. He previously said at a news conference the aim of the rebates and the rest of the package was to "make life more affordable for middle-class Minnesotans."

Payments of $260 will go to individuals whose adjusted gross income in 2021 was $75,000 or less. Married couples who file jointly and had adjusted gross incomes of $150,000 or less will get $520. Eligible families will also get another $260 per dependent, up to three, for a maximum of $1,300.
Reality Check is a Star series holding those in power to account and shining a light on their decisions. Have a suggestion for a future story? Email tips@kcstar.com.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys office quietly scrubbed from its website an online form that allowed residents to file complaints of public corruption against elected officials.

The form, which previously appeared on a dropdown menu on the homepage of the attorney generals office website, appears to have been removed over the summer  likely in June, according to an archived version of the website available online. An archive from May shows that the online form allowed users to issue complaints of criminal acts by public officials so long as the local police agency had a conflict of interest in investigating the matter.

The offices website, which was revamped in September, still includes forms that allow users to issue a slew of other complaints ranging from animal welfare to utility and digging safety.

The move has raised questions for Bailey, specifically about why his office would remove the form and whether its removal might discourage people from filing complaints in cases of public corruption.

The revelation comes as Bailey, a Republican who was sworn into office this year after being appointed by Republican Gov. Mike Parson, mounts a campaign to be elected to a full term in 2024. Baileys opponents from both parties criticized him for the move.

It concerns me that a form like this is being removed at a time when so many Missourians have deep concerns over public corruption issues in Jefferson City, former Assistant U.S. Attorney Will Scharf, a Republican candidate for attorney general, said in a phone interview. Its incumbent on all office holders to encourage people with information of public corruption and malfeasance to come forward, not effectively dissuade them by making it harder to do so.

Bailey spokesperson Madeline Sieren said in an email that the office took down several forms in the interest of consolidating our processes and making our website more user-friendly.

Constituents, she said, were already submitting public corruption complaints through the offices main line so we went ahead and consolidated the processes officially.

Missourians continue to utilize this method, and we process the complaints in the same manner we did as when the form was up, she said. The Attorney Generals Office thoroughly vets each complaint, and takes them seriously.

The offices government affairs and public safety divisions are in charge of handling public corruption complaints submitted to the office, Sieren said. Because each complaint is different, some require handling by different divisions, she said.

Elad Gross, a former assistant attorney general who is running against Bailey as a Democrat, said he was concerned by the move.

Its very troubling to see the Attorney General entirely scrub his official website of a crucial way for Missourians to report public corruption, Gross said in a statement. We need more, not less, accountability in our state and local governments, and our Attorney General should be playing a big role in that.

State Rep. Sarah Unsicker, a Shrewsbury Democrat who is also running for attorney general, said in a statement that the fight against public corruption is an important one.

I find it concerning that our sitting Attorney General removed a method for the public to report on public corruption, and I hope this removal doesnt discourage people from finding other ways to disclose corruption when they see it, she said.

Chuck Hatfield, a longtime Jefferson City attorney who worked in the Missouri Attorney Generals Office under Democrat Jay Nixon, said in an interview that the office doesnt necessarily have to have a public corruption form. But, he said, the real question is whether Baileys office has de-emphasized the focus on public corruption.

Its at least some indication that maybe they have, he said. So it sort of sends a signal about what the priorities are.

The decision to remove a form that allowed public corruption complaints against elected officials has come under scrutiny in the wake of a series of scandals surrounding House Speaker Dean Plocher, a Republican who faces calls to resign after reports surfaced that he received government reimbursements for expenses paid for by his campaign.

The Missouri House Ethics Committee is also probing the circumstances around Plochers decision to fire his former chief of staff last month, including whether the top aide was a whistleblower.

Bailey weighed in on the controversies for the first time this week, saying in a statement to The Star that the Missouri House has a process in place to examine serious allegations just like these.

Its important to let the process play out, he said. My office has made transparency in government a high priority and any allegations of misuse of taxpayer dollars are deeply troubling. Missourians deserve transparency and accountability at all levels of government, including the Missouri House.

Michael Hafner, a political consultant advising Bailey, also has a minor role working as a communications advisor for Plocher as he mounts a campaign for lieutenant governor in 2024.

Hafner, in an email to The Star prior to Baileys statement, defended the Republicans decision not to immediately weigh in on Plocher and attacked Scharf, who has called for Plocher to resign.

The Attorney General isnt someone who has the luxury of sitting behind a keyboard every day and firing off Tweets for attention, he said. Hes focused on doing the job of Attorney General, as opposed to his opponent who has never set foot in a Missouri courtroom.

When asked about the political connections between Bailey and Plocher, Hafner said his work with clients in Missouri are each unique and separate from the others, pointing out that he also works as an advisor to Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, who has weighed in on the Plocher scandals.

Kehoe, who is running for governor in 2024, issued a statement last month that didnt mention Plocher by name and urged every elected official at every level to practice transparency and responsibility with Missourians tax dollars.
The Missouri Supreme Court building in Jefferson City, which houses the office of the Missouri Attorney General.

Competition abounds in the 2024 race for Missouri Attorney General, with both Republican and Democratic candidates vying for their parties nomination in next year's August primary.

Among Republicans, incumbent Attorney General Andrew Bailey seeks to secure his nomination against challenger Will Scharf, an attorney on former President Trumps legal team, a former assistant U.S. attorney and policy director to former Missouri Gov. Eric Greitens.

Democratic candidates Elad Gross, a civil rights attorney who ran for state Attorney General in 2020, and Sarah Unsicker, a Missouri House representative from Shrewsbury, are competing for their partys nomination.

Andrew Bailey wants to continue earning wins for Missourians

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey talks with the News-Leader at his office in Springfield on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.

The two previous attorneys general, now Senators Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt, pursued higher office prior to the end of their terms in office. When Gov. Mike Parson appointed Bailey to the office a year ago, Bailey  who had served as the governor's legal counsel  promised to pursue a full term in 2024.

Making good on that guarantee, Bailey now looks to build on the accomplishments made while hes been in office. Among those, he counts the resignation of former St. Louis Circuit Attorney Kim Gardner following a lawsuit filed by his office, the findings of which were released Monday.

We are proud of the accomplishments and the wins we've scored on behalf of the people of the state of Missouri, Bailey said. Removing the (George) Soros-backed prosecutor in the City of St. Louis and restoring the rule of law and finding justice for victims. That was an act of courage and tenacity to undertake that opportunity in less than 45 days in office.

This is Baileys first campaign for an elected position following his appointment in the wake of Schmitts departure last November. He has been pleasantly surprised with the reactions of voters hes met across the state during the campaign so far.

They're excited to meet the Attorney General, Bailey said. They're excited to get to support a combat veteran father of four, who's from Missouri, who's made Missouri his home, who, again, has demonstrably fought for the people of this state and delivered real wins on their behalf. That level of enthusiasm and excitement is energizing.

Bailey has picked up several endorsements from elected officials and organizations across the state, most recently from the Missouri Cattlemen's Association, which on Tuesday publicly announced their support of Bailey, due in part to his opposition to the Waters of the United States rule.

When it comes to fighting back against the federal government and the clear, pervasive intrusion on our private property rights, the state attorney general has the power to fight back on our behalf and hold out-of-touch bureaucrats accountable, said MCA President David Dick in a release. We dont have to guess what Andrew Bailey will do. Hes already doing it from the front lines.

Bailey is also endorsed by the Missouri Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), St. Louis Police Officers Association, Kansas City FOP, Missouri State Council of Fire Fighters, and the International Association of Fire Fighters.

I think that my work as a prosecutor and the fact that I've actually tried jury trials and held wrongdoers accountable, and our action to remove the Soros-backed circuit attorney in St. Louis certainly helped earn the support of the Fraternal Order of Police, Bailey said. My work in the public sector and my dedication to the rule of law and to first responders has earned the support of the firefighters.

Among elected officials, he has the support of Gov. Parson, Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe, U.S. House Ways and Means Chairman Congressman Jason Smith, Congresswoman Ann Wagner and Congressman Mark Alford.

Missouri Attorney General Andrew Bailey talks with the News-Leader at his office in Springfield on Thursday, Nov. 2, 2023.

Bailey said he leans on his combat experience in the U.S. Army to wage war in defense of the U.S. Constitution in the courtroom.

I took our fight for freedom to the battlefield in the war on terror and Im proud to be leading that effort in the fight for freedom for Missourians in courtrooms across this nation, Bailey said.

If Baileys military experience provides his discipline, his family is the source of his drive and determination to uphold the responsibilities of his office and his values.

Looking in my children's eyes and realizing that they need to be given an opportunity for the future motivates me every day to get up and work hard for the people, to ensure we hand it off in better condition than we found it, Bailey said.

More: Politician or the people's lawyer? How the role of Missouri Attorney General has evolved

Will Scharf wants to be conservative contrast to lobbyist-driven leadership in Jefferson City

Will Scharf, a Republican candidate for Missouri Attorney General in the 2024 elections.

Baileys primary opponent, Scharf, feels that the people of Missouri are ready for an attorney general who wont be swayed by lobbyists. Scharf has refused to accept campaign donations from registered Missouri lobbyists, and points to Baileys recusal from a case involving lobbyist interests as signs of a conflict of interest.

If you pull his finance reports, like half the registered lobbyists in the state have contributed to him at this point, Scharf said.

In April, Bailey declined to participate in a lawsuit against the Missouri State Highway Patrol that was brought by Torch Electronics and Warrenton Oil, both companies connected to PACs represented by former Missouri House Speaker Steve Tilley, who now works as a lobbyist and political consultant. Bailey received campaign contributions through PACs connected to Tilley.

The lawsuit concerns gray-market video lottery machines, the legality of which has been the topic of debate among legislators and the Missouri Gaming Commission.

I am against any illegal gaming that's going on in the state of Missouri and if there are illegal gaming machines, the police need to seize those as evidence and refer those matters to the prosecutor's office for criminal prosecution, Bailey said.

Scharf feels that lobbyist influence is an issue that spans far beyond the attorney generals office, but permeates the entire Missouri General Assembly. During the states legislative session, lobbyists can be seen lining the third floor of the Missouri Capitol, angling for legislation favorable to their causes.

It's a really dangerous situation when laws aren't being written by people's elected representatives or their staff, but they're being literally written by special interest groups, Scharf said.

Scharf wants to see more accountability for the federal governments overreach into state affairs. Positioning himself as the conservative contrast to the current Jefferson City climate, he wants to address the growing issue of crime and the out-of-control education establishment.

I think we need to build out a culture of conservative leadership in the context of the AGs office, that's about recruiting and retaining talented young conservative lawyers in the hope of building a better government for the future, Scharf said.

Scharf received endorsements from the economic conservative organization Club for Growth; Mark Levin, a conservative news analyst with a show on Fox News; and Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, a conservative student organization.

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, poses with members of student chapters of Turning Point USA from MSU and Southern Baptist University at the Plaster Student Union Theater on the Missouri State University campus in Springfield on October 19, 2023.

Most notably, he is currently part of former President Donald Trumps legal team appealing a gag order placed on Trump, prohibiting him from speaking about the case investigating the former president's role in the Jan. 6, 2021 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

I believe, as most Americans believe, that the prosecution of President Trump is politically motivated, and I think the deep politicization of the Department of Justice needs to be a priority for the conservative movement, just in light of everything that we've seen, Scharf said.

In Scharfs opinion, Baileys office hasnt held the federal government accountable enough for its overreach into state government, unlike predecessors Hawley and Schmitt. He points to the case Missouri v. Biden, which is headed to the U.S. Supreme Court, saying that Louisianas attorney generals office has taken the lead on litigation.

I think under our current attorney general, the office is following more than leading on important conservative legal issues, Scharf said.

However, Bailey contends that his office has added value to lawsuits started by now Sen. Schmitts office, and has taken the lead on a lawsuit filed last week against the FDA and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for approving mail delivery of abortion pills.

We've taken the lead and partnered with other like-minded state attorneys general, and again, the lawsuits that we inherited, many of them we amended the petition to add facts and expand the scope of the claims and legal arguments, Bailey said.

Elad Gross wants to sue scammers, including those in our government

Elad Gross, a Democratic candidate for Missouri Attorney General in 2024, is seen here with his dog, Liberty Belle.

While Scharf has an eye on the federal government, Elad Gross has his sights set on a problem plaguing everyday Missourians  scammers. Advances in technology have only created craftier scammers, and a function of the Missouri Attorney Generals office is to enforce consumer protections.

We are seeing newly developed scams all the time, especially with advancements in artificial intelligence and these fake voices on phone calls, Gross said. So I think we need to do a much better job in going after folks who are scamming Missourians. This is the number one complaint that comes to the Attorney General's office every year.

A lifelong Missourian, Gross worked as assistant attorney general in Missouri from 2014-2016, after which he started the nonprofit organization called Missouri For All, which teaches residents of the state how to have their voices heard in government. In 2020, he joined the St. Louis Mediation Project, which helps renters and landlords navigate disputes.

He currently works as a civil rights and government transparency attorney. Notably, Gross is known for his victory in a 2021 Missouri Supreme Court case that ensured requesters seeking records cant be charged for the time state attorneys spend reviewing documents prior to release.

He is currently involved in a case against the City of St. Louis for the extensive wait times involved in a request for public records from the St. Louis City Justice Center, the downtown city jail. If elected, Gross would like to implement additional transparency in the office of the attorney general.

I think the default should be having these records readily available to the public already without even having to make a request, and I think that takes care of a lot of the backlog as well, Gross said.

The current administration under Bailey has faced criticism for the extended delays in fulfilling Sunshine Law requests. For a request filed on Nov. 3, a response was received on Nov. 8, saying that it may be filled by May 8, 2024. The request asked for Baileys schedule of public activities for the week of Nov. 6. At the time of the response, there were 292 requests yet to be filled, some of those from 2022.

More: Missouri attorney general 'on pace' to clear 2022 Sunshine request backlog by years end

Among his other solutions for statewide problems that could be addressed by the office, Gross hopes to start the first Civil Rights Division within the office of the Missouri Attorney General.

Many other states have them, we do not, and I think the reason we don't is because our last couple (attorneys general) probably would have to sue themselves if they had one, Gross said.

The division that Gross is imagining would offer recourse for those who are afflicted by workplace abuses, discrimination in a variety of spaces and violations of civil liberties from government entities.

We need one that protects rights on the job and protects us from discrimination in the workplace, housing, public accommodations and in so many different places, Gross said. That helps keep our justice system accountable on all different levels, and makes sure that our government is working for all of us and that we're protecting all of our civil liberties.

Elad Gross, a Democratic candidate for Missouri Attorney General in 2024, and his dog Liberty Belle participate in the Labor Day Parade.

An avid animal lover, Gross said there's also a need to immediately halt all puppy mill activities in Missouri.

If I don't mention this, I'm going to get bit by my little dog, but we also need to end puppy mills in Missouri already, Gross said. It's about freakin time that we did that.

Above all, Gross has seen the importance of community engagement in the political process, in both his current and previous bids for Missouri Attorney General.

We're spending a lot of time right now trying to engage as many people as possible, including those who have been disengaged from the process for a long time because they look at government and they think, Oh, this isn't really working for me, and What's the point of me even going and voting, Gross said. We want those people's voices in our government.

Sarah Unsicker wants Missouris government to work for the people

Sarah Unsicker, a Democratic candidate for Missouri Attorney General in 2024.

Vying for the Democratic nomination against Gross is Sarah Unsicker, who represents the states 83rd District in the Missouri House of Representatives. She was elected to the office in 2016 and cannot seek reelection due to term limits.

During her time in office, she feels that state government has gone downhill, and change is needed to protect the interests of everyday Missourians.

It feels like for a long time the government has been focused on protecting itself rather than the residents of Missouri, Unsicker said. The motto of the state is, Let the well-being of the people be the supreme law, and I think that's really what I want to accomplish is making sure the government works for the people in Missouri.

Like Gross, she hopes to bring increased transparency to an office that she feels has historically been a defender of government interests, rather than those of the people.

If there was an agency that did not uphold the Sunshine Law, my office would definitely look at it and determine, Are they right in saying they don't have to give those records or are they wrong about that? Unsicker said. I wouldn't automatically defend the government action, if they're clearly withholding something that they should be putting out there.

Unsicker feels that the focus on federal lawsuits against the Biden administration under Bailey, and Schmitt before him, is not the role of the Missouri Attorney General, whose role it is to represent the interests of Missourians.

The Attorney General needs to be working for the people of Missouri, protecting consumers against fraud, corruption and bad products and working for the people of Missouri, Unsicker said.

That is not to say that she is against filing lawsuits at the federal level. Unsicker supports joining federal suits in the name of consumer protection against deceptive business practices, or the recent lawsuit against Meta for its alleged harm to childrens health.

Unsickers record of defending children includes her successful efforts in conjunction with other lawmakers to close the Agape Boarding School, which was found to be abusing students. Legislation from Unsicker required religious boarding schools to be licensed in the state.

During her time practicing family and education law, Unsicker said, she repeatedly saw the family courts fail the needs of children. It is what led her to run for the Missouri House, and an inspiration for an area to initiate change if she is elected.

A lot of our family courts seem to be a mess and have some significant problems with due process and that needs to be cleaned up, Unsicker said. I would make sure that the laws, the judgments and the custody determinations are enforced, and make sure kids are in safe places and not being put with abusers.

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Candidates for Missouri Attorney General share their goals, if elected
A St. Louis judge is weighing whether to toss a lawsuit from more than a dozen progressive faith leaders arguing that Missouri lawmakers imposed their religious beliefs on Missourians when they passed a near-total ban on abortion.

The lawsuit, brought by Christian, Jewish and Unitarian Universalist leaders, seeks a permanent injunction barring the state from enforcing the near-total ban and a declaration that provisions of the law violate the Missouri Constitution on religious freedom grounds. St. Louis Circuit Court Judge Jason Sengheiser heard arguments in the case on Thursday.

If a laws predominant purpose is to impose religious beliefs, that is clearly unconstitutional, said Kalli Joslin, an attorney representing the plaintiffs.

The lawsuit is part of a national trend from progressive religious leaders, including in Indiana and Kentucky, who are challenging statewide abortion bans.

Thursdays hearing centered on a motion by the defendants, which include the state of Missouri, asking Sengheiser to effectively dismiss the case. The dismissal ruling, which will likely come early next year, could have far-reaching impacts on the legality of a 2019 law that triggered a near-total ban on abortion after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.

An attorney for the defendants argued that Sengheiser should rule against the lawsuit, saying that lawmakers reasoning for voting for a bill does not inherently make a law religious.

Maria Ann Lanahan, the deputy solicitor general in Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys office, said the lawsuits arguments were implausible, stating that the religious leaders were claiming that the only reason a person can be pro-life is because theyre religious.

Sengheiser did not immediately rule on the states motion to issue a ruling in the case, saying he would likely issue an order in January.

The lawsuit, filed in St. Louis Circuit Court in January, argues the abortion ban forces lawmakers religious beliefs on Missourians and violates the separation of church and state. It was filed on behalf of 14 religious leaders from various Christian, Jewish and Unitarian Universalist denominations.

The suit highlights a slew of Missouri lawmakers who made religious comments in favor of enacting the ban in 2019, including state Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder, Sikeston Republican who was then a member of the Missouri House at the time.

I do truly understand the many, difficult choices that have been talked about today, but to me, God doesnt give us a choice in this area. He is the creator of life. And I, being made in his image and likeness, dont get to choose to take that away, no matter how that child came to be, Rehder said on the House floor in 2019. To me, life begins at conception, and my God doesnt give that option.

Traci Blackmon, the associate general minister of justice and local church ministries at the United Church of Christ and lead plaintiff in the lawsuit, said in an emailed statement that the ban on abortion was an unconscionable abuse of religion to oppress all Missourians.

Legislators do not have the right to impose their faith on me or anyone else, she said.

Missouri Senate President Pro Tem Caleb Rowden, a Columbia Republican who has supported the states abortion ban, told reporters in January that the lawsuit was foolish.

We were acting on the belief that life is precious and should be treated as such, he said, referring to the abortion ban. I dont think thats a religious belief. I think people need to understand what separation of church and state is.

Thursdays hearing comes as abortion rights supporters in Missouri are seeking to restore the right to an abortion by getting a constitutional amendment on the ballot in 2024. Many have been energized by victories for abortion rights in surrounding states.

Voters in Ohio this month overwhelmingly approved a measure that protects the right to an abortion in the states constitution.
Missouri marijuana regulators on Thursday stripped the license of a manufacturing company accused of selling unauthorized products in the states new legal market.

The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services announced on Thursday a slew of violations by Delta Extraction, a marijuana products manufacturer based in Robertsville, about 45 miles west of St. Louis. The state had previously issued a recall on the companys products due to their potential threats to public health.

We must be clear on this: Businesses that choose to participate in Missouris marijuana industry do not get to decide which rules and which parts of (the state constitution) they want to follow, said Amy Moore, director of the DHSS division of cannabis regulation.

Thursdays announcement comes amid a bevy of controversies surrounding Missouris new marijuana industry after voters voted to legalize weed last year, including predatory practices involving a state-run program designed to help underserved groups break into the marijuana market.

The revocation of Delta Exctractions license stems from its alleged practice of selling products in Missouris regulated market that were not properly tested. The company is accused of taking THC-A, a non-psychoactive THC concentrate, and converting it into THC, the substance in marijuana that causes users to feel its effects  a practice prohibited by Missouris industry, according to the state.

The state also found a slew of other violations by the company, ranging from falsifying data to failing to comply with various security measures surrounding its products.

Chuck Hatfield, a Jefferson-City based attorney who is representing the company, said in a statement that the states decision was illegal and unfounded. Hatfield previously worked in the Missouri Attorney Generals Office under Democrat Jay Nixon.

The issue, Hatfield said, stems from the company using legal hemp products in its products, which passed state testing before it was sold to consumers.

Deltas compliance officer at the Department knew about this process and Delta specifically asked if it should stop the process. She did not instruct them to stop, he said, saying that internal documents show that the compliance officer told her supervisors that she believed the companys process was legal.

We are perplexed as to why they ignored her and are taking this action, he said.

Missouris legal marijuana industry has been plagued by criticism and controversy, largely stemming from the fact that its been dominated by large companies that were already selling medical marijuana  leaving little room for small-time players to break in.

While the constitutional amendment that voters approved created a program designed to help smaller businesses and marginalized groups to enter the market, critics say its rollout has largely benefited those already in the industry.

An out-of-state company accused of predatory practices, for example, secured two licenses from the program and promptly listed them for sale, The Star reported this week. The state awarded another license to a company based in New Jersey.
A central Missouri firearms dealer who prosecutors said went to the Capitol dressed for war on Jan. 6, 2021, was found guilty Thursday of one felony and four misdemeanor charges.

Matthew Loganbill, 56, of Versailles, was convicted of all charges against him: one felony count of obstruction of an official proceeding and misdemeanor offenses of entering and remaining in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building or grounds; disorderly conduct in a Capitol building; and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

The conviction came after a two-day bench trial last month before U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in the District of Columbia. Loganbills sentencing is scheduled for March 12.

The government said that Loganbill  wearing a helmet, gas mask, backpack and carrying an American flag affixed to a pole  marched with a crowd toward the Capitol at about 1:20 p.m. on Jan. 6 and was among a group of rioters who illegally entered the grounds. Later, prosecutors said, he crawled under scaffolding that had been erected on the Lower West Terrace for President Joe Bidens inauguration and then took the stairs to the Upper West Terrace doors.

Around 2:42 p.m., the government said, Loganbill moved to the front of the mob and came up against a line of officers blocking entrance into the building. When officers realized they were outnumbered and retreated, Loganbill and others in the crowd entered the building.

Once inside, prosecutors said, Loganbill went up the stairs and into the Rotunda. He joined a group that was resisting officers and was in the building until about 3:16 p.m.

After the riot, the government said, Loganbill sent several text messages and made multiple Facebook posts about his participation.

In a Jan. 7, 2021, Facebook post, he wrote: We were trying every means possible to stop these idiots from stealing the presidency and destroying this nation. He added later: They didnt [let us in] at the chamber, we could have over run them, after 10-15 minutes of back and forth, we walked out.

At his trial, prosecutors said the evidence showed that Loganbill believed Biden won the 2020 election through fraud and that Loganbill wanted to stop Congress certification of the Electoral College vote. Photos showed Loganbill inside the Capitol Rotunda on Jan. 6 wearing the helmet and gas mask while carrying the American flag.

He came dressed for war, said Brian Brady, a prosecutor for the U.S. Department of Justice. He saw a war between the police and rioters that day. And he moved in.

Loganbills attorneys admitted that Loganbill had trespassed  the Capitol was closed to visitors that day because of the COVID-19 pandemic  but said there was no proof that he intended to disrupt the certification of the election and was simply following the crowd and the wishes of former President Donald Trump.

His attorneys portrayed Loganbill as a peaceful family man, one of nine children who grew up on a rural Missouri farm. He married his high school sweetheart and has four children and 11 grandchildren.

Hes a grandpa, spouting off on Facebook, frankly mimicking the bellicose language that was being used by the most powerful man in the world, said Elizabeth Mullin, a federal public defender.

Loganbill is among 36 Capitol riot defendants from Missouri and the third to have a bench trial, in which a judge hears and decides a case without a jury. Lloyd Cruz, of Polo, was found guilty of two misdemeanors and sentenced in May to 45 days incarceration followed by one year of supervised release. He also was ordered to pay $500 restitution for damage to the Capitol building.

Isaac Yoder, of Nevada, was found guilty on four misdemeanor counts and sentenced in August to 12 months in prison followed by one year of supervised release. In addition, he was fined $1,000 and ordered to pay $500 restitution.

As of Nov. 6, more than 1,200 people have been charged for their actions on Jan. 6. The majority of defendants have entered guilty pleas, but 127 people have been found guilty at contested trials.

Loganbills case, originally filed in March 2021, has dragged on for more than two-and-a-half years. In August, Jackson granted Loganbills motion to dismiss the case, finding that the government violated his right to a speedy trial by taking too long to prosecute him.

The government quickly refiled the case, and after the judge rejected his motions to dismiss most charges, he opted for the bench trial.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  A grand jury indicted a Mobile man for aggravated child abuse.

According to the indictment, Lionel Pettaway, 35, repeatedly hit a young boy with a cord and burned him with a hot knife on multiple occasions.

Prichard woman arrested, accused of murder

Did willfully torture, willfully abuse, cruelly beat or otherwise willfully maltreat said child by hitting him on or about his body with a cord and/or burning him with a hot butter knife, said abuse having taken place on more than one occasion, in violation of Section 26-15-3.1 (a)(1), Code of Alabama against the peace and dignity of the State of Alabama, the indictment read.

Pettaway was arrested Tuesday and was released on a $15,000 bond.

ALSO ON WKRG.com: Law professor weighs in on MPDs decision to use a SWAT team in a pre-dawn raid that killed a 16-year-old boy

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
MOBILE, Ala. (WKRG)  A Mobile rapper turned himself in Thursday morning for a crime he allegedly committed while in jail in 2021.

HoneyKomb Brazy, whose real name is Nashon Jones, is accused of exposing himself to a corrections officer while in jail on drug and gun-related charges.

Brazy made headlines after his grandparents were killed due to Facebook beef, according to earlier reporting.

Mobile County Grand Jury: officers in Jawan Dallas case not criminally liable

Tony and Leila Lewis were killed in February 2021 after a shooting and fire at their home. Four suspects were arrested: Patrick Lewis, Terrance Watkins, Darrin Southall and Jamarcus Chambers.

The state said the incident arose from a Facebook post from an associate of Jones. The associate was also a rapper, known as OMB Peezy.

In 2022, the state argued that the post angered Watkins, and he felt disrespected, so a plan was hatched. And the home was a target because it would hurt Jones, past reports state.

Watkins, Southall and Chambers are the ones who allegedly went to the Lewis home, while Lewis, who is not related to the victims, was considered an aider and abettor in the case, according to past reports.

Brazy  whose songs include Dead People (2021), Under Pressure (2020), and Mobile Alabama Violence, according to Google  was arrested on indecent exposure.

He posted $1,000 bond, according to the Mobile County Sheriffs Office, and is due in court Nov. 27.

ALSO ON WKRG.com: Cooking with John: Hope Farm

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRG News 5.
An 8-year-old boy was unresponsive when his mother took him to Hialeah Hospital on Tuesday. Two days later, Miami-Dade police said the childs mother strangled him to death.

Shaneka Ann McKinzie, 36, is behind bars Thursday on a first-degree murder charge after police arrested her in connection to the death of her son, Jaisyn Burgos.

Jaisyn was already dead when McKinzie arrived at the hospital, according to police. On Wednesday, the Miami-Dade Medical Examiners Office declared that the boy died from strangulation.

McKinzie, who is from Missouri, agreed to be interviewed by detectives. Police say she told all.

She confessed to the killing, recounting how she had plotted to kill Jaisyn  and how she thought about doing it for the past two days, according to the arrest report.

McKinzie told police she used a black tablecloth to suffocate and strangle her son as he slept in the rear passenger seat of her car. She said she stopped when Jaisyn no longer struggled.

The boys mother then drove around and did errands, with the boys body still in the back seat, police said. Only hours later did she take him to the hospital.

McKinzie is being held at the Turner Guilford Knight Correctional Center without bond.
A Texas mother was arrested after police found her 7-month-old daughter unresponsive near an overflowing bathtub, police said.

The woman, 29, left her daughter unattended in a bathtub in a San Antonio home on Nov. 14, according to a police news release. She left the room to go to the kitchen for several minutes while the water was still running, the release said.

When she returned, she found the tub flooded and her daughter unresponsive, police said.

After a call was made about a drowning, officers responded to the home, where they found the woman performing CPR on the child, according to the release.

Officers took over life saving measures until EMS arrived, police said. The child was then transported to a local hospital in unknown condition.

The woman was arrested for reckless injury to a child, police said.

Police said on Nov. 16 the child remained in the hospital and is in critical condition.

Waitress shot, killed on Christmas Eve in 2014, feds say. Now ex-boyfriend convicted

Man strangles police dog and bites officer in church break-in, New Hampshire cops say

Man accused of killing Texas sisters caught after bus ride to California, cops say
Morton Grove firefighters responded Wednesday, Nov. 15 to a house fire at in the 6300 block of Normandy Avenue in Morton Grove at about 9:30 a.m., they said in a news release.

An male occupant and a pet dog were able to exit the house on their own, and firefighters took the man to Advocate Lutheran General Hospital for evaluation.

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The house was significantly damaged and remains uninhabitable, the department said.

The fire department contacted the Red Cross to provide assistance to the family.

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Fire personnel from Niles, Des Plaines, North Maine, Skokie, Glenview, Northbrook, Wilmette, Evanston and Park Ridge Fire Departments provided assistance. The Morton Grove Police Department assisted with traffic control.

The Morton Grove Fire Department is investigating the cause and origin with assistance from the MABAS Division 3 Fire Investigation Team and the Illinois State Fire Marshal.

At this time, the department said the fire is believed to be accidental in nature.
Mom of Virginia boy who shot teacher gets 21 months in prison for using marijuana while owning gun

A Virginia woman whose then-6-year-old son shot his first-grade teacher inside a classroom earlier this year was sentenced Wednesday in federal court to 21 months in prison for using marijuana while owning a firearm.

Deja Taylor's son, who has not been identified, shot Abigail Zwerner on Jan. 6 at Richneck Elementary in Newport News, Virginia with her handgun, authorities said. Investigators later found nearly an ounce of marijuana in Taylor's bedroom and evidence of frequent drug use in her text messages and paraphernalia.

"This case is not a marijuana case," federal prosecutors argued in court filings. "It is a case that underscores the inherently dangerous nature and circumstances that arise from the caustic cocktail of mixing consistent and prolonged controlled substance use with a lethal firearm."

VIRGINIA 6-YEAR-OLD'S CHILLING WORDS AFTER SHOOTING FIRST GRADE TEACHER DURING CLASS REVEALED IN UNSEALED DOCUMENTS

Taylor, 26, still faces sentencing in December on state charges for felony child neglect. Zwerner, who was seriously wounded, is suing the school system for $40 million, alleging administrators had ignored multiple warnings that the boy had a gun.

Taylor's attorneys had asked the judge for probation and home confinement, according to court filings, arguing that she needs counseling for issues that include schizoaffective disorder, a condition that shares symptoms with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Ms. Taylor is deeply saddened, extremely despondent, and completely remorseful for the unintended consequences and mistakes that led to this horrible shooting," her attorneys wrote.

They also said Taylot needed treatment for a marijuana addiction. Sometime after her son shot his teacher, Taylor smoked two blunts, prosecutors said. She also failed drug tests while awaiting sentencing on the federal charges.

MOM OF 6-YEAR-OLD WHO ALLEGEDLY SHOT HIS TEACHER BREAKS SILENCE

Zwerner was hit in the hand and chest and spent nearly two weeks in the hospital and has endured multiple surgeries. Moments after the shooting, according to search warrants filed in the case, the child told a reading specialist who restrained him: "I shot that (expletive) dead," and "I got my moms gun last night."

Police said the student brought the gun to school in his backpack, which had images of sharks on it. But it remains unclear exactly how the child got the gun.

Taylor previously fired the gun in public, prosecutors wrote. She shot at her son's father in December after seeing him with his girlfriend.

Richneck Elementary School teacher Abigail Zwerner sat down with NBC for an interview a couple months after being shot by her six-year-old student in the classroom.

"u kouldve killed me," the father said to Taylor in a text message, according to a brief from prosecutors.

Taylor's grandfather has had full custody of her son, now age 7, since the shooting, according to court documents.

Fox News Digital's Greg Norman and The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Mom of Virginia boy who shot teacher gets 21 months in prison for using marijuana while owning gun
MONTGOMERY COUNTY, Md. (DC News Now)  The Montgomery County Department of Police arrested four men accused of having a stolen Porsche and three loaded guns.

Police said they tried to pull over a Porsche SUV with a Virginia license plate after finding out that the plate actually was registered to an Acura. The Porsche ended up refusing to stop and sped away.

Former Pentagon officer sentenced to 25 years in prison for fatal double shooting in Takoma Park

During the investigation, police identified the driver of the Porsche as Cornell Kimrane Xavier, 26 of New Carrollton. Police obtained an arrest warrant against him and found out where the Porsche was being hidden.

On Monday, Nov. 13 around 7:30 p.m., police pulled Xavier over in the Porsche near Sheffield Manor Drive and Guilford Run Lane.

He tried to escape and hit four police vehicles. He and occupant Jerome Alante Hilliard, 23, of Chevy Chase, tried to resist arrest but were ultimately taken into custody. Another occupant of the Porsche, 23-year-old Terry Kwaku Sanusi of Gaithersburg, was also taken into custody.

Later, Melvin Johnson, 23, of Silver Spring arrived at the location. Police spoke with him, found out he was a part of the crime and arrested him as well.

They were all taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit.

Brush fire sweeps Lake Needwood in Montgomery County

Police searched the Porsche and found three loaded handguns, and found out that the car was stolen in D.C. back in March.

Xavier, Sanusi and Hilliard are being charged with illegal possession of a handgun, auto theft and other theft related charges while being held without bond. Johnson is being charged with unauthorized use of motor vehicle but was released on a $400 bond.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
GRUNDY COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN)  A Monteagle man has been taken into custody for exploitation of a minor and agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation are working to determine if there are more victims.

TBI agents and officers with the Monteagle Police Department have arrested 24-year-old Austin Olszewski.

Homicide investigation after North Nashville shooting

Detectives contacted TBI special agents on Monday, Nov. 13 after learning on Friday, Nov. 10 about an account user that had been receiving child sexual abuse material from underage girls via Snapchat. Agents developed additional information via a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC).

Through that tip, agents learned Olszewski was engaged in making threats to post photos of a minor if she did not send him more child sex abuse material, according to a TBI release.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Olszewski was taken into custody Tuesday and charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means. He was booked into the Grundy County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond.

Anyone who may have had communication with Snapchat account t_rexbaby21 is asked to contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
A general view shows Terminal C of the Sheremetyevo international airport outside Moscow, Russia, on August 23, 2023. Maxim Shemetov/Reuters

Moscow's international airport is reportedly setting up an AI-powered radar, according to state media.

Sheremetyevo International Airport says the system can spot and jam drones.

But its developer says it's not being installed and anyway doesn't protect against military drones.

Moscow is setting up an AI-powered radar system in its international airport that can detect and jam drones, according to Russian state-owned news agency TASS.

In a Telegram post, Sheremetyevo International Airport said the defense system, dubbed Yenot-SD, can detect low-flying drones, flocks of birds, and ground perimeter violations.

Thanks to its radar, it can also spot drones flying in silence, covering a broad range of potential military threats, the airport said, according to TASS.

Kaspersky Lab operates the system with artificial intelligence software, the outlet reported, citing the airport's material.

But a spokesperson for Kaspersky denied the report, saying that the defense system is not being used at Sheremetyevo International Airport, and anyway can't protect against military drones.

"Media reports about the installation of the new anti-drone defense system, Yenot-SD, at Moscow's Sheremetyevo Airport operated by Kaspersky are not correct," a spokesperson for Kaspersky told Business Insider.

"The usage of Kaspersky's software is considered for the future at the airport," the spokesperson added, while saying that the defense system is not designed to combat military-type drones.

Mikhail Vasilenko, the airport's CEO, presented the new technology alongside Russia's transport minister and the head of Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency on Tuesday, the airport's Telegram post said.

Russia's Federal Air Transport Agency and Sheremetyevo International Airport didn't immediately respond to Insider's requests for comments.

Ukraine has targeted Russian airports with drones, as Business Insider previously reported .

In August, drone attacks forced Moscow to shut down its four airports, CNN reported at the time, citing Russia's Ministry of Defence.

Later that same month, Ukrainian drones forced all four of Moscow's airports to ground flights and delayed operations for hours, TASS reported at the time.

On both occasions, the Russian defense ministry said they repelled the drone attacks either by using electronic warfare equipment or by shooting them down, while accusing Ukraine of carrying out the attacks.

Read the original article on Business Insider
What was the most destructive volcanic eruption in US history?

The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens in Washington is considered the most destructive volcano eruption in U.S. history, killing 57 people and creating the largest landslide ever recorded.

The volcano caused more than $1.1 billion in damages, and it took months to clean up more than 2.4 million cubic yards of ash from highways and Washington airports.

What made Mount St. Helens' May 18, 1980, eruption so destructive was not the amount of material erupted; instead, it was the proximity to people, lives lost and damage to property.

MOUNT ST. HELENS' ERUPTION: SURVIVORS RECOUNT THE 'DARKER THAN MIDNIGHT' FURY IN 1980

The U.S. Geological Survey said the 1912 eruption of the Novarupta volcano in Alaska erupted more material, but because of the isolated area, there were no human deaths and sparse property damage. Over three days, ash blanketed all of southern Alaska and volcanic dust from Novarupta made it as far as Wisconsin and Virginia, according to the Alaska Volcano Observatory.

Smoke and ash billow from Washington's Mount St. Helens during its violent eruption on May 18, 1980. | Location: Washington, USA.

Mount St. Helens' ash fall was also enormous. More than 520 million tons of ash were spread across the country, and the ash cloud circled the Earth for 15 days, according to the USGS. The ash caused Spokane, Washington, to fall as dark as night. Significant ash fell from Mount St. Helens and traveled as far as central Montana, and measurable amounts fell across the Great Plains nearly 1,000 miles away.

When the volcano's summit slid away, it created a massive landslide, the largest recorded on Earth, according to the USGS.

The debris removed the volcano's northern flank, including part of the cryptodome covering hot and highly pressurized magma, which caused the volcano's magma system to depressurize and triggered a series of blasts. The hot blast material overtook the avalanche, moving at 300 miles per hour, according to the USGS.

CAN VOLCANIC ERUPTIONS AFFECT THE WEATHER?

The lateral blast destroyed an area nearly 19 miles from west to east and more than 12.5 miles north. Even beyond the 6-mile inner blast zone, no trees were left standing.

The debris avalanche volume reached 3.3 billion cubic yards, or about as much as 1 million Olympic swimming pools.

According to the Centers for Disease Control, most of the deaths from the eruption were caused by the landslide and lateral blast. Most likely died from inhaling hot ash, while some died from burns and other injuries.

After the initial eruption on May 18, 1980, flowing hot rocks and gas melted some of the snow and ice on the volcano, creating surges of water mixing with loose rock debris and forming what are called lahars.

Lahars dumped down into 135 miles of river channels surrounding Mount St. Helens, ripping out trees and destroying roads and bridges.

WHAT HAPPENS BEFORE A VOLCANO ERUPTS?

According to the USGS, the most destructive lahar increased in size as it moved down the North Fork Toutle River, destroying bridges and homes before flowing into the Cowlitz River.



More than 200 homes and cabins were destroyed in Skamania and Cowlitz counties, and 185 miles of highways and roads were destroyed or seriously damaged, according to the USGS aftermath report.

Mount St. Helens eruption had a major impact on big game, fisheries, and local crops.

After the eruption, thick ash accumulated on crops downwind of the volcano, destroying wheat, apple and potato crops. However, the USGS notes crops in areas with only a thin covering of ash survived, and the ash helped produce a higher-than-average apple and wheat crop that year.

The eruption killed an estimated 7,000 deer, elk and bear and more than 12 million salmon fingerlings were killed when hatcheries were destroyed, according to state departments of game and fisheries.





Original article source: What was the most destructive volcanic eruption in US history?
The Care Quality Commission has been conducting focused inspections because of concerns about maternity care

England's healthcare regulator has told BBC News that maternity units currently have the poorest safety ratings of any hospital service it inspects.

BBC analysis of Care Quality Commission (CQC) records showed it deemed two-thirds (67%) of them not to be safe enough, up from 55% last autumn.

The "deterioration" follows efforts to improve NHS maternity care, and is blamed partly on a midwife shortage.

The government said maternity care was of the "utmost importance".

The Department for Heath and Social Care (DHSC) said 165m a year was being invested in boosting the maternity workforce, but said "we know there is more to do".

The BBC's analysis also revealed the proportion of maternity units with the poorest safety ranking of "inadequate" - meaning that there is a high risk of avoidable harm to mother or baby - has more than doubled from 7% to 15% since September 2022.

The CQC, which also inspects core services such as emergency care and critical care, said the situation was "unacceptable" and "disappointing".

"We've seen this deterioration, and action needs to happen now, so that women can have the assurance they need that they're going to get that high-quality care in any maternity setting across England," said Kate Terroni, the CQC's deputy chief executive.

The regulator has been conducting focused inspections because of concerns about maternity care. These findings are "the poorest they have been" since it started recording the data in this way in 2018, Ms Terroni said.

Injured at birth

Rachel Tustain, whose daughter Eve was injured during her birth in 2016, said she believed maternity services were "massively under-resourced, massively underfunded", which was leading to safety issues.

Eve suffered a bleed to her brain after "the incorrect application of forceps" during her delivery at Pinderfields Hospital, Wakefield.

She died last year, aged five.

"We feel short-changed. The life she had was not the life she should have had," Ms Tustain said.

"Maternity care needs to be the biggest priority within the NHS, it needs to be funded properly."

The Mid Yorkshire Teaching NHS Trust admitted liability and apologised for the poor care Rachel and Eve received.

It added that "significant changes" had been made in the trust's maternity services since Eve's birth.

Graphic showing data in graph

The CQC awards marks in several categories, such as safety, and gives overall ratings.

In just over a year, the number of maternity units it placed into the lowest two of four possible rankings for safety - "requires improvement" or "inadequate" - rose by 12 percentage points, from 55% to 67%.

These figures take into account a rise in the number of units the regulator inspects, from 137 to 178 in that period. This was because of changes in the way the CQC assesses maternity services.

Currently, 10% of maternity units are ranked overall as "inadequate", 40% as "require improvement", 47% as "good" and 3% as "outstanding".

The decline in safety ratings has happened despite several attempts to transform maternity care, including an NHS programme launched in 2016.

This was set up after an inquiry in 2015 into the failures that led to the deaths of babies at the University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay NHS Trust.

The scandal at the trust was among several in recent years in which failures were found to have led to the deaths of babies. These cases led to calls for an England-wide public inquiry into maternity care.

In 2019, the NHS said it was committed to reducing the number of fatalities by 50% by 2025, although maternal deaths, neonatal deaths and stillbirths had been decreasing over the last decade.

However, it is not expected to meet this target.

Joshua Titcombe died because of failures at the Furness General Hospital maternity unit in 2008 - a scandal which led to fresh attempts to transform maternity services

The DHSC declined an interview request from the BBC, but the Minister for Women's Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield, said she wanted to "reassure mothers and families that maternity care is of the utmost importance to this government". She added that the government was "working incredibly hard to improve maternity services, focusing on recruitment, training, and the retention of midwives".

The NHS's chief midwifery officer, Kate Brintworth, said England was one of the safest places in the world to give birth.

"We're not complacent about that because we know it's not this case for everyone."

'Positive changes'

NHS England said it was working closely with trusts to "ensure safer, more personalised and more equitable maternity care for all women, babies and families".

Pippa Nightingale, chief executive at Northwick Park Hospital which was previously rated "inadequate" for safety, said it was not possible to "fix a maternity service overnight", but said there had been positive changes at the north-west London trust.

The rate of stillbirths there has declined to below the national average, but the CQC still believes the unit "requires improvement".

She said she was "determined that we're going to turn things around".

"I think in another year, we will be in a very different place in terms of what our CQC rating will look like."

The Scottish government says it is committed to delivering high-quality care.

In Northern Ireland, a review has called for a new safety strategy.

Wales has delayed the second phase of a maternity review, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The assets and personnel of the Ukrainian Air Force destroyed 16 out of 18 Russian attack drones on the night of 15-16 November. A Kh-59 guided missile was downed in Poltava Oblast. The Russians also attacked Kharkiv Oblast with an S-300 missile system.

Source: Ukrainian Air Force

Quote: "The Russians attacked from the southeast, namely Primorsko-Akhtarsk in Russia, using 18 attack Shahed drones, on the night of 15-16 November.

An air-raid warning was issued throughout the territory of Ukraine. Air defence forces responded in many oblasts.

As a result of combat operations by the forces and assets of Ukraine's Air Force, 16 Russian drones were destroyed. Mobile air defence fire groups, fighter aircraft and anti-aircraft missile units were deployed."

Details: Apart from that, a Kh-59 guided air-to-surface missile was destroyed in Poltava Oblast on the evening of 15 November.

The Russians attacked civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv Oblast with S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles at around midnight.

Early reports indicate that there are no casualties.

      16 

Results of successful response of Ukraine's anti-air systems on the night of 15-16 November

Photo: UKRAINE'S AIR FORCE

Background: On Thursday morning, reports said anti-air defence systems hit the drones attacking Khmelnytskyi Oblast; in particular, residents of Starokostyantyniv were asked to stay in shelters.

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The mother of a 6-year-old student who shot his first-grade teacher in Virginia has been sentenced to nearly two years in prison.

Deja Taylor was sentenced Wednesday to 21 months in prison for using marijuana while owning a firearm.

Virginia elementary school teacher Abigail Zwerner poses for a portrait at an undisclosed location in Virginia on March 20, 2023. (Carlos Bernate for NBC News)

Taylor's son used her gun when he shot Abigail Zwerner, 26, in January at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, prosecutors said.

He fired a 9 mm handgun while Zwerner was sitting at the reading table in their first-grade classroom, officials said.

This was not an accidental shooting, Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew said at the time.

Zwerner was shot in her left hand and upper chest. She had multiple operations and spent nearly two weeks in the hospital. No one else was hurt in the shooting.

Even while she was wounded, Zwerner led her first-grade students to safety. Drew said he believed she saved lives.

Nearly three months after the shooting, Zwerner filed a $40 million lawsuit against school administrators, alleging that they ignored warnings from faculty members and other students who believed the boy had a gun at school the day of the shooting and posed a threat.

Zwerners lawyers have said school leaders were warned at least three times that the student had a gun.

Zwerner said she reported the student's "violent mood" to school staff members that day and told leaders that he had threatened to physically assault a classmate, according to the complaint.

Another teacher reported that two students said they saw a gun in his backpack, the complaint said. She also reported seeing the student place an item in his sweatshirt pocket at recess.

Authorities searched his backpack and found nothing, the complaint said, and dismissed the idea that he could be holding a gun in his sweatshirt.

According to the complaint, a third teacher reported that the boy showed a student the gun at recess and that that student told another teacher the boy "would hurt him if he told anyone."

A fourth staff member asked a school administrator for permission to search the boy, but the administrator would not allow it, according to the complaint.

The boy reportedly exhibited troubling behavior leading up to the shooting.

Two days before the incident, he slammed Zwerner's cellphone into the ground, shattering it, according to the complaint, an action for which he faced a one-day suspension.

When he was in kindergarten, the boy choked a teacher and pulled up the dress of a female student who had fallen and touched her inappropriately, the complaint said.

Teachers concerns with John Does behavior was regularly brought to the attention of Richneck Elementary School administration, and the concerns were always dismissed, the suit says. Often when he was taken to the school office to address his behavior, he would return to the classroom shortly thereafter with some type of reward, such as a piece of candy.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
By Daniel Trotta

(Reuters) - A Virginia mother was sentenced to 21 months in prison on Wednesday after her 6-year-old son shot his school teacher with a gun that she had bought illegally.

The first-grade teacher, Abigail Zwerner, survived the wound from a 9mm semiautomatic pistol and was hailed as a hero for evacuating students from her classroom after she was shot at a Richneck Elementary School in Newport News last January.

Even in a nation regularly rocked by gun violence, the case was especially jarring given the boy's age and the setting.

The investigation quickly shifted to how the boy obtained the handgun, leading to federal charges against his mother, Deja Nicole Taylor, 26. In June she pleaded guilty to possessing a firearm while using a controlled substance and making a false statement while purchasing a gun.

She was also prosecuted in Virginia state court, pleading guilty to a charge of felony child neglect. She is due to be sentenced in that case on Dec. 15.

Defense attorneys had pleaded for leniency and a maximum of six months in prison for Taylor, saying in a court filing that she was "deeply saddened, extremely despondent and completely remorseful" over the shooting and had trouble with addiction and mental health issues that "will only be exacerbated by imprisonment."

But the sentence of 21 months matched exactly what prosecutors sought, which was in the middle of the federal sentencing guidelines of 18 to 24 months, according to another court filing.

U.S. District Court Judge Mark Davis told the sentencing hearing that "this case cries out for imprisonment," according to The Virginian-Pilot, given Taylor's previous run-ins with the law for gun- and drug-related incidents.

"There were too many opportunities, too many off-ramps. This was not a one-off," Davis said.

Taylor wiped away tears as the judge passed sentence, the Washington Post reported.

According to police, the boy had taken the handgun from home, placed it in his backpack and removed it while Zwerner, 25, was teaching class, firing a single shot through her hand and into her chest.

Zwerner endured five hand surgeries to treat the gunshot wound and still has the bullet in her chest, The Virginian-Pilot reported.

Zwerner's lawyer, who filed a $40 million lawsuit against school administrators on her client's behalf, has said that Richneck Elementary officials had been warned three times the day of the shooting that the boy was armed.

(Reporting by Daniel Trotta; Editing by Michael Perry)
A Brooklyn mother announced her own death on Tuesday in a heartbreaking Instagram post after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Casey McIntyre, 38, died on Sunday after a four-year battle with cancer. A note to my friends: if youre reading this it means I have passed away, the post began.

Im so sorry, its horses*** and we both know it, she added. I loved each and every one of you with my whole heart and I promise you, I knew how deeply I was loved.

She continued the past by saying the last five months she spent in home hospice with her family and friends were magical.

The message was accompanied by a series of photos of Ms McIntyre with her family, including her husband Andrew Gregory, and their 18-month-old daughter, Grace.

Mr Gregory noted that his wife was not able to finish her post due to her declining health. Casey meant to finish this post with a list of things that were a comfort and a joy to her during her life, and I am heartbroken that I will never see that list, he wrote.

The grieving husband attempted to finish off his wifes post, saying she would have included their daughter Grace, whales, ice cream, her beloved friends, being at the beach, her niece and nephews she incorrigibly doted on, reading 10 books on a weeklong vacation, her beloved parents and sister and their amazing extended family, swimming, a perfect roast beef sandwich, and me, her sweet sweet honey.

Oh Casey!!!! I dont know how we will do it without you but we will, Mr Gregory added.

The post quickly went viral, receiving thousands of likes and comments.

Ms McIntyre grew up in Upper Manhattan and Tenafly, New Jersey, before attending Agnes Scott College in Georgia.

She worked as a publisher at Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Random House that publishes books for kids and young adults, before being diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2019 while undergoing in vitro fertilisation treatment.

She married her in 2015 and the couple welcomed their daughter Grace in April 2022.

Following the 38-year-olds death, an obituary shared by Mr Gregory described her as an inveterate New Yorker.

Ms McIntyre with her husband Andrew Gregory, and their 18-month-old daughter, Grace (X/@caseyrmcintyre)

She derived great joy from publishing books for a new generation of readers, and saw herself in every child sprawled out on a couch, rug, or bunk bed engrossed in their latest book obsession, the obituary continued.

Her family said she always knew what bodegas had the best magazine selections, what restaurants were best for spotting celebrities on her lunch break, and gave every new New Yorker the advice: make sure you buy a coat that covers your butt, because thats where you lose a lot of warmth.

A memorial service will be held for Ms McIntyre on 2 December at the Prospect Park Boathouse.

Mourners can celebrate McIntyres life by anonymously purchasing medical debt and then anonymously forgiving it via the charity RIP Medical Debt.

More than $76,000 has been raised so far.
The Legislative Council of China's Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday adopted the Stamp Duty (Amendment) (Stock Transfers) Bill 2023 after a third reading.

The stamp duty will be cut from the current 0.13 percent to 0.1 percent of the consideration or value of each transaction payable by buyers and sellers, respectively, as part of efforts to bolster the stock market as announced by Chief Executive of the HKSAR John Lee in the 2023 Policy Address.

A spokesman for the HKSAR government said that the reduction of the rate of the Stamp Duty will lower investors' transaction costs, improve market sentiment, and enhance the competitiveness of Hong Kong's stock market.

The HKSAR government will work with financial regulators and the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited to follow up on other measures recommended by the Task Force on Enhancing Stock Market Liquidity to promote the sustainable development of the market, the spokesman said.

Christopher Hui, secretary for financial services and the treasury of the HKSAR government, said the vigorous development of the stock market plays a pivotal role in consolidating Hong Kong's status as an international financial center, maintaining its international competitiveness and promoting the development of the local financial services industry.

The Amendment Ordinance will be published in the Gazette on Thursday and come into operation on Friday, according to a press release of the HKSAR government.
The mother of a six-year-old boy who shot a teacher in his elementary school in Virginia with an illegal gun has been sentenced to 21 months in prison.

Deja Taylor, the 26-year-old mother of the boy, was sentenced by chief US district judge Mark S Davis for federal convictions related to the weapon used in the shooting.

First-grade teacher Abigail Zwerner survived the wounds from the 9mm semiautomatic pistol in January at the Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, Virginia. The boy fired a bullet through Ms Zwerners upraised hand and into her chest as she was midway through teaching a lesson.

The boy, who is now seven years old, has not faced charges in the case. He recounted that on 6 January, he scaled a dresser to retrieve his mothers gun from her purse. He then took the weapon to school in his backpack. According to both a court filing and the police, he discharged the firearm near the end of the school day.

Taylor pleaded guilty in the federal court in June to one count of possessing a firearm while being a drug user and one count of lying on a background check about her marijuana use while purchasing the handgun that her son used to open fire on his first-grade teacher.

Meanwhile, Ms Zwerner told the judge on Wednesday that she was thrilled to be involved with them [children] but that she would never set foot in a classroom again as a teacher, according to the Washington Post.

She had to undergo five surgeries after the shooting besides battling anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder. She told the judge that she had nightmares of gore, blood and death, always involving firearms.

I feel as if I have lost my purpose, Ms Zwerner said.

In her $40m lawsuit, Ms Zwerner claimed that Richneck assistant principal Ebony Parker neglected multiple warnings on the day of the shooting regarding the boy potentially carrying a gun.

Ms Zwerner further alleged that she informed Ms Parker about the boy being in a violent mood and threatening to harm another child shortly before the shooting occurred.

The lawsuit claimed that Ms Parker did not take any action despite the warnings.

Michelle Price, a spokesperson for the school district, said Ms Parker resigned from the school division in the aftermath of the shooting that stunned the city and reverberated around the country, raising questions about school security and how a child so young gained access to a gun and was able to fire it at his teacher.
The Saturday Night Live comedy trio Please Dont Destroys new R-rated movie  a goofy buddy adventure filmed in and around Charlotte last year and streaming on Peacock beginning Friday  features an array of outrageous visual effects shots.

Theres a hawk with a bad attitude, a menacing hairless bear and a prosthetic, um, private part.

But for anyone familiar with the NoDa neighborhood, the most bonkers scene in Please Dont Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain comes just a few minutes in, when stars John Higgins, Ben Marshall and Martin Herlihy dance on roller skates along North Davidson Street to the beat of Justices disco-pop song D.A.N.C.E.

Its not the fact that Herlihys face has been digitally placed over a stunt doubles in some of the shots (although well tell you more about that in a minute).

Its that off in the distance, behind recognizable joints like Boudreauxs Louisiana Kitchen and The Blind Pig, is an enormous mountain flanked by a couple of smaller peaks. All of which jut up from, oh, roughly where downtown Concord is in real life.

We were like, Oh, we need to have the mountain in the beginning so you see it, like, looming in the distance so it makes sense, says the director, Paul Briganti, an SNL veteran whose film follows three 20-something pals search for a priceless French artifact believed to be hidden on a mountain just outside of their North Carolina town. But there was none of that, he continues, chuckling, in NoDa, or Charlotte, or anything  so we just had to build that. But it worked out great.

In all, Briganti spent about five months in Charlotte and the surrounding areas in 2022, including the roughly seven-week shoot that started in mid-July and generated a fair amount of buzz as the production sprawled across various locations. (Observer reporter Chyna Blackmon identified several of them in this story.)

Heres everything we were able to learn about the making of the movie in a 20-minute video interview with Briganti this week.

Paul Briganti met the Please Don't Destroy guys while working as a segment director at "Saturday Night Live," and says he directed eight or nine of the trio's earlier sketches. "Their stuff just keeps getting sharper and faster and crazier," he says. "Its so fun to see them on the show still. I love 'em." Noam Galai/Peacock

At one point, there was talk of shooting the film in upstate New York. What we needed was very specific, Briganti says. We needed a place with studios, a place with real locations  houses and restaurants  and then we also needed outdoors, and then terrain that was rocky. ... And we also needed to be close to a hub of crew. But after mapping everything out, his production team decided the mountainous areas of New York that they were looking to shoot in were way too far from New York City. Meanwhile, Charlotte is only 60 miles from South Mountains State Park and just 30 from Crowders Mountain State Park. Atlanta  less than four hours away if traffic cooperates  is a massive production hub for the movie industry with plenty of crew willing to drive up to work the shoot. The $7 million rebate grant the movie got from the state of North Carolina didnt hurt, either. That, Briganti admits, was a big part of the reason N.C. wound up making more sense than N.Y.

Shooting in North Carolinas mountains wasnt quite as simple as he imagined. Briganti shares a story behind a scene, which comes about 45 minutes into the movie, thats set in a rocky area with a dramatic view as the three friends share eccentric fantasies about how theyd spend the money they make off the treasure. My thinking, he says, was, If we get one scene thats on a high peak and you see off the horizons ... if we do one day doing that, then you dont have to do anything else like that. Cause then people will be like, OK, theyre actually on a mountain. And everything else can be in the woods and surrounded by trees. But getting that shot, he describes, was insane. To get to that location, it was like a 30-minute Gator ride up the mountain, and then once we were out there, I think it thunderstormed two hours later, so we had like a half-hour of shooting time. ... It ended up looking great. It was so good, he says, pointing out that  unlike the raptor with the tude  the hawk seen flying in the background in that scene was real.

It was  shocker!  hot last summer in North Carolina. That was tough, shooting outside (in) the dead of August, says Briganti, who sweltered with his cast and crew in NoDa but also at Crowders, South Mountains and on a farm in Concord (which well tell you about in just a sec). And speaking of thunderstorms and weather delays: The only time its not extremely hot is when its about to thunderstorm, or when it is thunderstorming. That was an interesting thing. Every day, the gaffer or one of the grips would have this lightning device, where they could tell how far or close lightning was. And if it gets to a certain distance, we had to shut down for like an hour. He says there was one week where lightning suspended shooting every day. Youre trying to direct an action-comedy scene, and some guys just yelling like youre on a ship approaching a wave, he explains, chuckling. It was next-level.

He says the most memorable shooting location, for him, was that aforementioned farm  at Bost Grist Mill. By day, its a historic site and tourist attraction in southeast Concord, not far from Reed Gold Mine. For the production, the mill gave over the farmland to Briganti and his team, who used the property to create the commune belonging to a cult that is revealed to be inhabiting the mountainside in the second half of the film. (Other forest scenes were also shot there, including a wacky one involving several characters trading vicious throat punches.) This enormous farm, he says, basically became our back lot. ... This guy was so accommodating and so nice to us and helpful. I mean, he was like, Yeah, you can do whatever.

From left to right, Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy in "Please Don't Destroy: The Treasure of Foggy Mountain." Anne Marie Fox/Peacock/Universal Studios

Another favorite was the former Dicks Sporting Goods store at Northlake Mall, which the art department and props team outfitted with boats, motorcycles, ATVs, fishing poles, camping equipment, clothes, jackets and boots to create the Bass Pro Shops-esque Trout Plus store owned by Ben Marshalls characters dad (played by Conan OBrien). It was one of those classic things that you love in the film industry, where the production designers just like, I cant do it! Its impossible! And youre just like, Ya gotta do it!,  Briganti says, laughing, referring to production designer Bruce Curtis. And then he does it, and he pushes himself, and hes so happy at the end of the day. But, yeah, it was massive. Even when we were watching the first edit, I remember Judd  thatd be producer Judd Apatow of Knocked Up and The 40-Year-Old Virgin fame  he was just, like, Its so big. He was like, Its hilarious how big this store is.

Conan OBrien was the biggest star on the set. But by and large, he came across as just one of the guys. Briganti recalled one day shooting at Northlake when his sister and his niece visited the set, and OBrien joined them for lunch at Chick-fil-A in the food court (and happily posed for a photo with his sister). Briganti says he also dined with OBrien as part of a group a few times at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill; that OBrien once went with Marshall to buy a backpack at a Northlake store in what Briganti characterizes as a very cute bonding experience; and that the legendary late-night TV host also sometimes would just kind of go and wander around the mall.

Conan O'Brien, photographed in a scene that was shot in the giant space at Northlake Mall that used to be a Dick's Sporting Goods store. Anne Marie Fox/Peacock/Universal Studios

A few more thoughts about working with Conan: It was incredible, Briganti gushes. I mean, hes so funny, and hes kind of this folk hero of comedy, you know? Hes a legend. What I really was so happy with is that he was so motivated and excited to work really hard and to give this everything. He really didnt have an ego at all. He was very much like my favorite people are  people who work so hard, and theyre humble, and they can make fun of you, and you can make fun of them. Thats what the (Please Dont Destroy) guys are, and thats who I am, and thats who he is. So it was really a profoundly positive experience working with him. Hes so smart and so funny.

About Martin Herlihys roller-skating stunt double: The day they were shooting those scenes in NoDa, CharlotteFive sent a photographer out to take some pictures  and wound up capturing an image that has been published alongside a number of stories about the production over the past 15 months or so. When this is all explained to Briganti, he laughs. Thats really funny. I think I remember that actually, seeing that (photo), and just thinking it was so funny. As for why Herlihy needed a stunt double where the other two didnt? Well, Martin, he just wasnt as good at it, and he knew that and I knew that. Basically, I didnt want him to fall and hurt himself. But I think hes in half the shots, and then the other half is a stunt double with face replacement.

John Higgins, center, and Ben Marshall, right, rollerskate through NoDa with a stunt double who was standing in for Martin Herlihy during the Please Dont Destroy movie shoot in July 25. Alex Cason/CharlotteFive

Wait, theres one more location in Charlotte that Briganti really, really liked: Circle G Restaurant on Rozzelles Ferry Road, a few miles northwest of uptown. He says it was recommended to him by his director of photography, Isiah Donte Lee, a North Carolina native who graduated from the UNC School of the Arts in Winston-Salem. Its the setting for one of the closing scenes in the movie. I love diners. I love old diner-restaurants and old-school places. Its always so dramatic. Its always in these mob movies, or, like, Better Call Saul or something, and that was really fun to shoot there. That was a really special location.

And finally, just a few more thoughts about that fake mountain in Charlotte: There was no mountain that was exactly the external look that we needed, Briganti says. It was like, Oh, it needs this really high peak, but it needs these smaller ones to get there. So we did this thing  we had a map of our fake mountain that we built, and we wrote where each scene would happen on this mountain. It was fun to imagine it and build it, and specify. As for how tall Foggy Mountain might be, in his imagination? We thought it was like one of those Colorado peaks. ... But its a funny thing, cause its like just this very flat town, and then this giant mountain, he says, laughing. Its an odd geographical thing. ... Perfectly flat town, and then the biggest mountain youve ever seen 20 miles away.

Local spots you may recognize in SNL comedy trios new movie filmed in North Carolina
Ukraine's National Police allegedly opened an investigation against controversial former presidential advisor Oleksii Arestovych, Ukrainian MP Nataliia Pipa said on Nov. 16.

Although Pipa did not add any further details, Ukraine's National Police reported soon after that it had started an investigation into an alleged charge of "knowingly filing a false criminal report." The report did not mention Arestovych or Pipa by name, it did say that the police had been notified of the case by a group of MPs.

The news agency Unian and others said that the police had confirmed the case involved Arestovych and Pipa.

Earlier, Pipa had publicly reprimanded a teenage street performer in Lviv for singing a song in Russian by the Soviet-era band Kino, who insulted her in response. The boy was later charged with an administrative offense and issued a video apology to Pipa.

Arestovych, who typically writes to his hundreds of thousands of followers in Russian, accused Pipa of "inciting ethnic hatred" and filed a complaint with Ukraine's State Bureau of Investigation, understood to be the "false criminal report" referred to by the National Police.

At the time of this publication, it is unknown if the alleged investigation refers to this accusation.

A popular voice in the early days of the full-scale invasion, Arestovych resigned from his position as presidential advisor in January 2023 after he falsely claimed that a deadly strike against an apartment building in Dnipro that killed 46 people could have been caused by a Ukrainian anti-air missile.

He has remained vocal since his departure and has floated the idea that he might run for president, among other criticisms of President Volodymyr Zelensky and the current Ukrainian government.

The Carnegie Endowment for Global Peace said on Nov. 1 that Arestovych and his political associates are "targeting Russophone voters with an inclusive vision of the nation that could also be described as Russophone patriotism."

During his tenure as presidential advisor, Arestovych made many claims that were false or misleading, as well as controversial statements about Ukrainian culture, LGBT people, Ukrainian servicewomen, and other topics before and after the invasion, quickly damaging his reputation among the Ukrainian public.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia admits Ukrainian troops operate on Dnipro Rivers occupied east bank

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
(Reuters) - At least 29 more Myanmar soldiers entered India on Thursday fleeing an attack by insurgents on their military base close to the Indian border, an Indian police official said, as rebels step up their assaults against the ruling junta .

Earlier this week, 43 Myanmar soldiers entered India's Mizoram state after their military bases were overrun by the rebels. Nearly 40 were sent back by Indian authorities through a different border crossing point a few hundred kms east.

Myanmar's military has battled ethnic minority and other insurgencies for decades but a 2021 coup has brought unprecedented coordination between anti-military forces that are mounting the biggest challenge to the army in years.

The country's military rulers have ordered all government staff and those with military experience to prepare to serve in case of emergency, Tin Maung Swe, secretary of an administrative council in the capital, Naypyitaw said on Thursday, after the junta reported "heavy assaults" in several places.

"If necessary, such a unit might be required to go out and serve for natural disasters, and security," the junta's council said in an order.

Tin Maung Swe confirmed the order while stressing that the situation in the capital, in central Myanmar, was calm.

"This is the plan to help in the event of an emergency," he told Reuters.

A parallel government formed by pro-democracy politicians to oppose the military, and allied with some insurgent factions, has launched a "Road to Naypyitaw" campaign which it says is aimed at taking control of the capital.

Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said late on Wednesday the military was facing "heavy assaults from a significant number of armed rebel soldiers" in Shan State in the northeast, Kayah State in the east and Rakhine State in the west.

Zaw Min Tun said some military positions had been evacuated and the insurgents had been using drones to drop hundreds of bombs on military posts.

"We are urgently taking measures to protect against drone bomb attacks effectively," the junta spokesperson said.

UN CONCERN

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the 2021 coup, when the military ousted a government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, ending a decade of tentative democratic reform.

The military ruled Myanmar with an iron fist for 50 years after seizing power in 1962, insisting it was the only institution capable of holding the diverse country together.

The 2021 coup dashed hopes for reform and triggered a groundswell of opposition that has united pro-democracy activists in towns and cities with ethnic minority forces fighting for self-determination in hinterlands.

Clashes have sent refugees into all of Myanmar's neighbours, including thousands who fled into India in recent days from fighting in Chin State in the northwest.

Lalmalsawma Hnamte, a state police official in Mizoram's Vamphai district, where the latest 29 Myanmar soldiers entered India from the Tuibal military base in Chin state, said the soldiers were handed over to the federal paramilitary border guarding force.

Arindam Bagchi, spokesperson for India's foreign ministry said on Thursday that New Delhi was "deeply concerned" about the situation along the border.

He reiterated New Delhi's position, asking for a cessation of violence and resolution of the situation through dialogue.

Western governments have re-imposed sanctions on the Myanmar junta in response to the coup and crackdowns on protests and demanded the release of Suu Kyi and other pro-democracy politicians and activists.

Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbours have tried to encourage a peace process but the generals have largely ignored their efforts.

U.N. Secretary General Antonio Guterres was deeply concerned by the "expansion of conflict in Myanmar" and called for all parties to protect civilians, a spokesperson said.

"The number of displaced people in Myanmar now exceeds two million," the spokesperson said.

The Arakan Army (AA) rebel group fighting for autonomy in Rakhine State said on Wednesday that dozens of police and military men had surrendered or been captured as its forces advanced.

The junta spokesperson denounced the group saying it was "destroying" Rakhine State.

Separately, a video posted on social media by anti-military forces in Kayah State, and verified by Reuters, showed wounded junta troops surrendering to insurgents, who were seen offering medical help.

(This story has been refiled to fix the word order in paragraph 1)

(Reporting by Reuters staff, Chanchinmawia in MIZORAM; Writing by Kanupriya Kapoor and Krishn Kaushik; Editing by Robert Birsel and Sharon Singleton)
A new sit-down restaurant under the "code name" Central Perk has been approved in Lebanon, but the brand hasnt been confirmed.

The restaurant's name didnt have to be revealed when it went to the planning commission, which ultimately approved the site plan, officials said.

A 7,636-square-foot building has been approved at 1648 West Main Street.

What we know so far

Mayor (Rick) Bell and I have worked on this for quite a while, Lebanon Economic Development Director Sarah Haston said to planning commissioners.

Bell has eaten at the restaurant and described it as a regional brand.

The future restaurant is not connected to the Central Perk Coffee Co. brand, officials have said, noting that the Central Perk name is also used on the television show Friends.

The restaurant would be the first new construction for a "sit-down" restaurant in Lebanon in more than a decade, according to Bell. Recruiting better restaurants have been a priority for the mayor.

The Tennessean will provide more information as details become available.

Controversial car wash voted down

Lebanon planning commissioners voted against a plan to build a 5,434-square-foot Mister Car Wash at 1555 West Main Street.

The plan received pushback from the community, and Haston said the business was not recruited by the city. Officials also didn't view the car wash as the best use of the property, she said.

But the Mister Car Wash plan did appear to meet all of the city's code requirements, according to City Attorney Andy Wright.

(Cities) put codes and regulations and ordinances in place and expect people to meet them. So does the law, Wright said at the planning commission meeting. When people meet those codes and ordinances, that is all the law cares about. The law doesnt care what you want and dont want in your town.

Options developers have include submitting a different site plan to seek approval or file suit in Chancery Court and appeal the planning commission's decision, Wright said.

Efforts to reach a Mister Car Wash representative for comment on this story weren't immediately successful.

Reach Andy Humbles at ahumbles@tennessean.com or 615-726-5939 and on X, formerly known as Twitter @ AndyHumbles.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Move over 'Friends': Mystery 'Central Perk' eatery coming to Lebanon
The NAACP has joined growing calls for political leaders to demand an end to the violence in the Middle East as the Israel-Hamas war rages in the Gaza Strip.

Derrick Johnson, president and CEO of the 114-year-old organization, said in a statement this week that the violence overseas has ripple effects across the entire world.

We know that hate anywhere is a threat to safety everywhere. Black America has, and will continue to stand in solidarity with the communities grieving innumerable loss, both in the Middle East and right here in the United States, Johnson said.

Since the initial Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel that prompted Israels declaration of war, more than 1.5 million residents in Gaza have been internally displaced. And more than 11,200 Palestinians have died since the fighting began, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry. More than 1,200 people in Israel were killed in the Oct. 7 terrorist attack, and 240 hostages were taken from Israel into Gaza by Palestinian militants, according to The Associated Press. Only five have been freed so far.

As the violence continues to unfold overseas, there is also a rising threat in the United States, Biden administration Homeland Security officials told lawmakers Wednesday.

Hamass attack on Israel, along with other recent events, have sharpened the focus of potential attacks on targeted individuals and institutions perceived as symbolic of or tied to the conflict, Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas said.

Our top concern stems from lone offenders inspired by  or reacting to  the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, as they pose the most likely threat to Americans, especially Jewish, Muslim, and Arab American communities in the United States, FBI Director Christopher Wray added.

In his statement, Johnson said the violence must stop.

The NAACP urges our global leaders to reach an agreement that respects all peoples right to peace and security, he said. We will not stop fighting for a world where we are all able to live free from the evils of hatred and violence.

Johnsons statement comes at a time when some leaders and voters alike have been demanding the U.S. call for a cease-fire.

Democrats like Reps. Cori Bush (Mo.), Rashida Tlaib (Mich.), Ayanna Pressley (Mass.) and Jamaal Bowman (N.Y.), among others, introduced the Ceasefire Now resolution last month. Protests have erupted in Washington, D.C., and around the country as voters demand President Biden join in the calls for the violence to end.

Biden has not joined demands for a cease-fire, though this week more than 400 employees of his administration signed an open letter demanding he join the calls.

He has instead backed humanitarian pauses, a more limited suspension of fighting in certain places to allow for humanitarian aid to enter and civilians to exit.

Biden has also warned that longer term Israeli occupation would be a mistake, while largely supporting its military operations aimed at taking out Hamas.

He told reporters Wednesday it was not realistic to expect Israel to stop its military actions, given the ongoing threat posed by Hamas.

This story was updated at 3:08 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
NASAs experimental X-59 supersonic aircraft, designed to fly faster than the speed of sound without the sonic boom, is getting a makeover and will be painted red, white and blue. Image courtesy of Lockheed Martin

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- NASA's X-59 supersonic aircraft, designed to fly faster than the speed of sound without the sonic boom, is getting a makeover.

The experimental aircraft taxied Tuesday to Lockheed Martin Skunk Works' paint barn in Palmdale, Calif., where it will be transformed from its current matte metal and green to red, white and blue.

The X-59's new paint scheme will include a mostly white body, a NASA "sonic blue" underside and red accents on the wings. The final paint job will protect the aircraft from moisture and corrosion, according to the space agency. Once finished, the plane will have final measurements taken, including weight and shape, to improve computer modeling.

The X-59 is part of NASA's Quesst mission, which has been pushed back to 2024. Next year, the space agency will fly the newly painted experimental plane over several U.S. communities to gauge people's perceptions about the sound it makes.

"We are incredibly excited to reach this step in the mission. When the X-59 emerges from the paint barn with fresh paint and livery, I expect the moment to take my breath away because I'll see our vision coming to life," said Cathy Bahm, the low boom flight demonstrator project manager.

NASAs X-59 research aircraft moved from its construction site to the flight line at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works in Palmdale, Calif., in June. It's initial test flight has been pushed back from this year to next. Photo courtesy of Lockheed Martin

Bahm said new data on what NASA refers to as a "sonic thump," which is quieter than the typical sonic boom that occurs when flying faster that the speed of sound, will be provided to regulators who could adjust current rules banning commercial supersonic flight over populated land.

"The year ahead will be a big one for the X-59," Bahm said, "and it will be thrilling for the outside of the aircraft to finally match the spectacular mission ahead."
Two international e-commerce standards were officially released during the eighth plenary meeting of the Technical Committee for Transaction Assurance in E-Commerce, being held in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province.

The two international standards, the "2023 Transaction Assurance in E-commerce -- Vocabulary" and the "2023 Transaction Assurance in E-commerce -- Principles and Framework," fall under the category of basic standards, according to the meeting held by the International Organization for Standardization. The meeting began on Tuesday and will continue until Friday.

China led the formulation of both standards, with the participation of countries such as France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Norway, Japan, Senegal, Singapore and India.

Song Mingshun, chairman of the committee, said that the release of these two international standards is a significant breakthrough in the e-commerce sector.

The standards establish globally unified basic concepts and definitions for e-commerce terms, and outline the main framework, business scope and fundamental principles of transaction assurance in e-commerce, providing technical guidelines for the future development of key international standards, Song said.

Each country operates according to its own standards, which can lead to misunderstandings and friction in cross-border e-commerce transactions due to differences in terminologies, said Zhang Xin, a researcher at the Hangzhou Institute of Standardization.

The two standards will help protect the interests of all parties involved in cross-border e-commerce transactions, Zhang said.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Thursday morning, members of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) voted no on a pair of proposed constitutional amendments that could have removed voting membership status for 24 state-recognized tribes.

Chairman Tony Johnson with the Chinook Indian Nation told KOIN 6 News on Wednesday that, if the amendment had passed, his community would have been among those prevented from being members.

Learn about Native American culture at Multnomah County Librarys November events

To not be members would both be an insult, but also would prevent us from accessing some of those protections, he said.

Johnson said the Chinook have been fighting for federal recognition for more than a century. They were formally recognized by the Clinton administration 20 years ago, only to have that rescinded just 18 months later by the Bush administration.

Tribes federally recognized today: 75% of them were not recognized when I was born in Oregon, 25% of Washingtons tribes were not recognized, Johnson said. No one would argue that those folks shouldnt have been members of NCAI.

According to the proposal, the changes would have updated membership rules to exclude all tribes that are not federally recognized.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
KIRKENES, Norway  The Russian city of Nikel is a ghost town.

Norwegian border guards, from their observation tower a few miles away, peer over into the former factory city, which has seen its decline accelerated by Russias war on Ukraine.

They are the eyes and ears of NATOs northern front line, across from Russias naval nuclear weapons base on the Kola peninsula, hundreds of miles above the Arctic Circle.

This is where Norway starts, this is where NATO starts, said Lt. Col. Michael Rozmara, a commander in Norways border guards, speaking at the Garrison of Sr-Varanger in this tiny Arctic city at the northeastern edge of the Scandinavian state.

Norways border force is made of ruddy-cheeked, teenage conscripts  men and women  trained to survive the punishing physical and mental strain of the freezing, snow-covered and dark environs, where the sun barely crosses the horizon in the hardest days of the winter.

A small team of conscripts lives at the observation tower overlooking Nikel for stretches of three weeks, watching and patrolling a border they describe as having stayed relatively quiet since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Thats despite plenty of saber-rattling from Russian President Vladimir Putin, who has repeatedly suggested red lines in his war against Ukraine and has often referenced the countrys massive nuclear stockpile.

This area also garnered global attention in January, when a fighter with the Russian private mercenary group Wagner slipped past Russias border patrols, seeking asylum in Norway.

But such a case was an exception, with Russia exercising tight security on its side of the border and against deserters.

Norway has been transformed by Russias war in Ukraine, shifting public opinion about relations with Russia and its potential threat and leading governments to boost security spending.

A founding member of NATO in 1949, Norway is undergoing a massive reworking of its security posture after what officials acknowledge was years of complacency toward external threats and naivete about Moscow.

It might be hard to understand how deep the peace has been in Norway  we literally felt that nothing could go wrong for generations, Norway Deputy Minister of Defense Anne Marie Aanerud said in a briefing with a U.S. delegation of government, congressional staff and think tank representatives in early November.

And then all of a sudden Ukraine, and the invasion happened, and I think that opened up this box of new possibilities that most Norwegians never thought was possible, that altered security perception in the population.

However, Norway had already encountered Russias gray zone tactics close to home.

Perhaps the most high-profile harassment was a 2015 border crisis  when Russia facilitated an influx of Middle Eastern migrants to the border with Norway. That came after Oslo joined with other countries, including the U.S., in condemning Moscows invasion of Ukraines east and annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

Norwegian security officials also describe Russian electronic jamming and careless trolling on the seabed floor that damages internet cables and energy pipes.

There have also been manufactured diplomatic crises. Last month, the Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Norwegian ambassador to Moscow in protest after the Russian console picked a fight with the mayor of Kirkenes over a Soviet monument in the tiny city.

Norway has historically sought to manage a careful balance with Russia, with Oslo holding back its military activities on the border as a gesture of reassurance that NATOs Arctic member could never be used as a launchpad of attack.

Lt. Col. Rozmara said the Norwegian troops in the area are equipped with Javelins, but Oslo has held back from dispatching heavily armored vehicles to the border.

But Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine was a watershed moment, and officials say they now recognize the need to scale up their national defense. But politicians and the public are still cautious about becoming too militarized.

A view of Kirkenes at dawn. (Laura Kelly)

For the U.S., Norway is a critical defense partner, with its vast coast facing the Norwegian and Barents Sea and its shared northern border with Russia.

Oslo can raise early alarm about menacing Russian activity in the Arctic  keeping an eye on Russias nuclear-armed Northern Fleet, watching the training of its forces from their base in the Russian city of Murmansk and maintaining direct, if strained, lines of communication between the Russian military and diplomatic officials.

Norway also brings the benefits of an estimated $1.4 trillion sovereign wealth fund bloated by oil and gas revenues, as well as its potential as a critical mineral supplier.

And its been a staunch supporter of Ukraine on the ground, earlier this year committing $7 billion over five years  half to military support and half to humanitarian aid. Norway is one of a few countries that has pledged F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine and offered training for its pilots.

American officials praised Oslos support package at the time, and they hope it will encourage other countries to similarly make long-term commitments.

In Washington, the Biden administration is now fighting an uphill battle to move through Congress a one-year military and economic supplemental package, which includes $60 billion for Ukraine.

And while Norway for 74 years held the distinction of being NATOs only northern land border with Russia, Finlands accession to the alliance  and Swedens upcoming membership  has changed the paradigm.

Russia is in a weaker position compared to an expanded NATO, but shoring up security cooperation between the Scandinavian countries is still a major undertaking. Especially as Moscow looks for opportunities to probe gaps and sow chaos.

We see a Russia that is of course conventionally weakened because of great losses in Ukraine. But those losses are mainly on the land side. Their maritime and air capabilities are intact and so are their strategic capabilities, Aanerud, the deputy defense minister, said.

We have repeatedly seen very dangerous nuclear rhetoric coming out of the Kremlin over the past one and a half years, which is a symptom that a conventionally weakened Russia is leaning more heavily on its strategic capabilities. And some of those strategic capabilities are situated right next to the Norwegian border on the Kola peninsula.

Between August and September, Russia carried out a provocative naval exercise that Aanerud described as practice for isolating the Scandinavian peninsula.

Norway will answer Russia with a massive military exercise in March called Nordic Response, taking place across land, air and sea in Norway, Sweden and Finland, with 20,000 troops from 14 countries.

The exercise is aimed at gaming out critical questions of how the Scandinavian countries will work together in the event of a conflict. How will they take out Russian installations? How will they attack Russian forces? And how deep will these NATO members be able to strike into Russia?

But even while Norway bolsters its military, it isnt giving up on a careful detente with Russia  so-called self-imposed Norwegian restraint  creating some societal tension between those with a sentimental sense of safety, and a national security establishment anxious to bolster its defenses.

The policy of restraint, developed as part of Norways joining of NATO, is meant to reassure Russia that the country could never be used as a base of attack against the then-Soviet Union.

Some of the practical aspects of that policy include that Norway does not allow foreign forces to establish military bases in the country, does not hold nuclear weapons, avoids heavy militarization of its border, and imposes restrictions on its surveillance of Russia.

This is a quite vivid part of the political debate in Norway, said Kari Elisabeth Kaski, a Norwegian parliamentarian from the Socialist Left Party, originally from Kirkenes and a substitute member of the Delegation to the NATO Parliamentary Assembly.

I think that we should see how that plays out in NATO. But I think its important for Norway to still be a voice for trying to have the conflict as low as possible in this part of NATO, and still play that role that we have been, the eyes and the ears, but also to try and keep the conflict low.

Soldiers of the Norway Army take part in the NATO military exercise Iron Wolf 2022-II at a training range in Pabrade, north of the capital Vilnius, Lithuania on Wednesday, Oct. 26, 2022. (AP Photo/Mindaugas Kulbis)

On the other side of the debate, Janne Haaland Matlary, professor of International Politics at the University of Oslo, described the Norwegian governments position as so timid, and based on a perception that the U.S. will be there to defend Norway in a crisis.

Cooperation will force us to be less careful, she said, referring to the integration with Finland and Sweden. Of course we want low tension in the high north  which makes eminent sense at times of low tension  but not, perhaps, if you want to establish a new normal. And the Russians have established a new abnormal.

Back in Kirkenes, Norways armed forces are acutely aware of how quickly things can change.

One 20-something lance corporal who is nearing the end of his tour in Kirkenes, was one month into his service when his commander spread the news on Feb. 24 that Russia invaded, and a new ground war in Europe had started.

The girls were crying, the boys were crying, we didnt know who was at war, he said, asking to speak anonymously. It took a couple hours for his commander to clarify that Russia had invaded Ukraine, and Norway was still at peace, for the time being.

But that experience left a deep impression on the Nordic soldier, who recounted the story to the group stationed at the border tower. I remark to the group that war is a terrible thing.

War is hell, one of the conscripts responds.

The writer was a participant on a study-tour of Norway organized by the Atlantic Council, a Washington-based think-tank, with funding provided by the Norwegian Ministry of Defense.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
A Navy warship in the Red Sea on Wednesday again shot down a threatening drone when it got too close and forced the crew to take defensive actions, according to the Pentagon.

The drone came from Yemen and was heading in the direction of the USS Thomas Hudner destroyer, which was in international waters, when the shoot-down occurred, the Pentagon said in a released statement.

It was the latest in a series of confrontations in the region as the U.S. military deployed forces to deter a regional conflict amid the Israel-Hamas war. Another destroyer fired on drones and missiles from Yemen last month, and there have been near daily drone and rocket attacks by Iran-backed groups on U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria that have caused traumatic brain injuries.

Read Next: Soldier and Family Found Dead in Home at Fort Stewart, Army Investigation Underway

"Our assessment right now is that the intended target was not the Hudner, but that the drone got so close to the crew that the commander did feel it necessary to engage and shoot down the drone," Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters Thursday.

Singh said she could not confirm whether the drone belonged to the Houthis, an Iran-backed rebel group that has waged civil war in Yemen for years and more recently waged strikes on Israel as it wages war on Hamas.

"We're still doing an assessment of the ownership," she said.

Singh said she didn't know how close the drone actually got to the ship, and she wouldn't say what weapons the crew used to take it out. A Navy official told Military.com that the Hudner is now in the Gulf of Aden.

The incident comes just over a month after another guided-missile destroyer, the USS Carney, shot down four missiles and 15 drones over the Red Sea that were launched by the Houthis in Yemen, as well as an ever-growing rate of drone and missile strikes on U.S. bases across the Middle East that the Pentagon has also attributed to groups aligned with Iran.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters while traveling in Indonesia Thursday that he expects to see more of these incidents -- both attacks in Iraq and Syria as well as Houthi weapons launches.

The two at-sea, shoot-down incidents shared a strong resemblance. Neither ship was explicitly targeted but rather found itself along the flight path of drones that may have been headed elsewhere, according to the Pentagon's description.

The missiles and drones shot down by the Carney were launched north along the Red Sea and not directly at the ship but "potentially toward targets in Israel," the Pentagon said in October.

Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder, the Pentagon's top spokesman, also later clarified that the assessment was based largely on the direction of the missiles' flight rather than a deeper understanding of their range and capabilities.

Ryder also wouldn't say whether the threat they posed was to the ship or Israel at the time.

Meanwhile, land attacks against U.S. forces in the region continue. The Pentagon said it was a total of 58 since Oct. 17, despite three retaliatory U.S. airstrikes against Iranian-backed militia targets in Syria meant to deter the activity.

"Is deterrence working? We feel that it is. We have not seen this war spread into a wider regional conflict," Singh told reporters Tuesday.

Austin said that the current attacks hadn't reached the threshold of a wider regional conflict.

Pressed by reporters, Austin added that, "If you saw us in a fight with Iran or if you saw us in a fight with the Houthis, an all-out fight, I think that's a regional conflict."

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on X at @ktoropin.

Related: Navy Shoots Down Missiles, Troops in Iraq and Syria Face Drone Attacks as Israel War Inflames Tensions
WASHINGTON  The Navy secretary on Thursday convened a first-ever meeting of seafaring organizations across multiple federal departments, seeking to improve collaboration to strengthen the shipbuilding and ship repair industries.

Carlos Del Toro assembled the leaders at the U.S. Coast Guards shipyard in Baltimore, Maryland. The Government Shipbuilders Council meeting included the Navy, Army and Department of Defense; the Coast Guard, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security; the Maritime Administration, which falls under the Department of Transportation; and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, which is part of the Department of Commerce.

Our goal in establishing this council is to have a working-level council thats taking a look at all the hard decisions across the shipbuilding industry, both commercial and naval, to be able to work together, share lessons learned, collaborate together, so that we can get to a better place in regards to particularly commercial shipbuilding in this country, Del Toro told Defense News later in the day.

The councils creation is among the first steps Del Toro has taken in support of his maritime statecraft initiative, which seeks to bolster the commercial shipbuilding industry in the U.S. as a means of further enabling the Navy and naval shipbuilding.

Del Toro said the council discussed the state of the shipbuilding industry, congressional authorities they have and still need, labor and workforce concerns, and how to better collaborate among the various departments to modernize shipyards to improve ship construction and repair activities.

He said the council will meet quarterly but that staff-level meetings will take place more regularly. The group will first establish metrics to measure their success and write and sign a charter to explain their mission.

It really is fostering a working conversation between these agencies so that the secretaries and the heads of the agencies as well, too, on a whole-of-government basis can come together and perhaps propose new legislation that can get us to a better place, the secretary said.
An airborne drone launched from Yemen and shot down by the Navy destroyer Thomas Hudner in the Red Sea Wednesday was not targeting the warship, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters Thursday.

A Defense Department assessment concluded that while the Hudner was not the drones intended target, it got so close to the crew that the commander did feel it necessary to engage and shoot down the drone, Singh said.

She declined to comment on how close the drone came to the ship, or which weapons Hudner used to down it.

Thomas Hudner was traveling in international waters Wednesday when it fired on the drone in self-defense, according to a brief Pentagon statement.

Navy warship Thomas Hudner shoots down drone in Red Sea

The Hudners crew engaged and shot down the drone to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, the Pentagon said. There were no U.S. casualties or any damage to the ship.

While the Pentagons investigation into the drones origin is still underway, Singh suggested it was fired by Iran-backed Houthi rebels in Yemen.

The skirmish marked the second time in a month that a Navy ship has shot down potential threats.

Fellow Navy warship Carney intercepted a salvo of missiles and drones Oct. 19 while the destroyer was operating in the Red Sea. Pentagon officials attributed those firings to Houthis and said the barrage was headed toward Israel.

U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria have faced 58 attacks from Iranian-backed militias in the last month, Singh said Thursday.

US military shoots down missiles and drones in the Middle East

Hudner is deployed with the Gerald R. Ford carrier strike group, which the Pentagon sent to the eastern Mediterranean Sea in the wake of the Oct. 7 attack by the Palestinian militant group Hamas that has sparked a larger war with Israel.

U.S. officials have issued stern warnings to Iran-backed proxy forces in the region to avoid compounding the violence. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated a commitment to deter any state or non-state actor seeking to escalate this conflict in a call with Israeli Defense Minister Yoav Gallant last week, the Pentagon said.
When members of the House voted earlier this month on whether Republican Rep. George Santos should remain in office, Rep. Jeff Jackson, a Charlotte Democrat, was among those who voted to keep him.

But on Thursday, Jackson and his colleagues received an ethics report on Santos.

Rep. Santos has received his due process, Jackson said in a written statement. This report is fully damning. I will vote to expel him.

Then-North Carolina Sen. Jeff Jackson addresses the media and others at March for Our Lives in Charlotte on June 12, 2021.

After the first vote, Jackson wrote in a campaign email Santos hadnt been convicted of a crime, and a formal ethics report against the New York Republican hadnt been released. Jackson said voting out Santos would set a precedent of allowing members to be expelled before due process played out.

Jacksons promise to vote for expelling Santos comes after the House Ethics Committees report accused Santos of filing false or incomplete campaign finance reports, using campaign funds for personal use, engaging in fraudulent conduct and violating the Ethics in Government Act. Rep. Deborah Ross, a Democrat from Wake County is part of that committee.

The report released by the House Ethics Committee today is the result of a careful, thorough, bipartisan investigation, Ross said in a written statement. Without a doubt, it conclusively demonstrates Rep. George Santos is unfit to serve in this body. I will vote to expel him from the U.S. House of Representatives when a resolution comes to the floor for a vote.

Santos House Ethics Committee report

The House committee began investigating four particulars about Santos:

whether he acted criminally in regard to his 2022 congressional campaign;

whether he failed to properly disclose required information House statements;





whether he violated federal conflict of interest laws;

whether he engaged in sexual misconduct toward a potential employee.

Santos, whos serving his first term, began his congressional tenure in the midst of scandal. Reports surfaced that he made up most of his biography that helped lead to his campaign successes.

An appendix to the ethics report includes details about how Santos allegedly lied about his degrees, his religion, his work experiences, his family.

The report indicates Santos campaign staff became so concerned about how often he lied that they asked him to seek help. It also states staff concerns about how campaign funds were being used and reported.

The Ethics Committee report accuses Santos of funneling money from his campaign, to a company he owned and then to his personal bank account. From there he would use the money to pay off credit cards, purchase Botox and items from Hermes, OnlyFans and Sephora, among many other things. He is also accused of using his campaign funds for personal vacations, the report alleges.

The report further accuses Santos of falsely reporting or failing to properly disclose nearly $800,000 during two campaigns. It further accuses Santos of reimburse himself for the falsified loans through campaign donations.

He reported fictitious loans to his political committees to induce donors and party committees to make further contributions to his campaign  and then diverted more campaign money to himself as purported repayments of those fictitious loans, the report states.

Santos is charged with 23 felonies in New York, including wire fraud, money laundering and aggravated identify theft, also involving his campaign money.

Representative Santos conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office and has brought severe discredit upon the House, the Ethics committee said in a news release.

Santos defended himself Thursday calling the report biased.

It is a disgusting politicized smear that shows the depths of how low our federal government has sunk, Santos wrote on social media. Everyone who participated in this grave miscarriage of Justice should all be ashamed of themselves.

Santos also announced he would not seek reelection.

North Carolina reaction

The House on Nov. 1 first voted on whether to expel Santos.

At the time, Ross and Rep. Don Davis, a Democrat from Snow Hill, voted present, which means they were at the vote but didnt take a stance. Seventeen others took the same vote.

And 22 representatives, including Greg Murphy, a Republican from Greenville, did not vote at all.

Otherwise, North Carolinas Republicans voted in favor of keeping Santos. Democratic members from NC, besides Jackson, voted to expel him.

The vote failed 179-213. But it was always understood the vote would come up again once the Ethics Committee released its findings,

Immediately after the report was released Ethics Chairman Michael Guest, a Republican from Mississippi, said he planned to file Friday a new resolution for expulsion, as did two Democrats.

Murphy told Politicos Olivia Beavers he will vote to oust Santos.

Given their findings of the facts of this case, I find his behavior reprehensible, and not worthy of a member of Congress, Murphy told Beavers.

The Ethics Committee also announced it referred the investigation to the Department of Justice saying they found substantial evidence of potential violations of federal criminal law.
Several patients at a Massachusetts hospital may have been at risk of contracting harmful infections, according to the hospital.

Nearly 450 endoscopy patients at Salem Hospital were potentially impacted by exposure to diseases such a HIV, hepatitis B and hepatitis C over a two-year period, Adam Bagni, a spokesperson for the hospitals parent company Mass General Brigham, told McClatchy News. There is an extremely small risk for patients, he said, and there havent been any cases reported as of Nov. 16.

Salem Hospital learned of the possible exposure earlier in the year, according to a Nov. 15 statement. The cause of the heightened medical risk was a result of improper use of IV medication that wasnt consistent with our best practice, the hospital said in its statement.

After discovering the potential exposure, the hospital said it conducted a comprehensive review with the assistance of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health and has pursued multiple corrective actions.

All patients who may have been affected were notified by the hospital, Bagni said. The hospital is also providing free screenings for the potential viruses, according to its statement.

Endoscopies involve a tube-like device that doctors use to examine the inside of someones body.

Salem is about 20 miles northeast of Boston.

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The geography of Ukraines exports has changed dramatically since the beginning of Russias full-scale invasion. In 2021, Europe accounted for only 21% of Ukraines agricultural exports, while in the first 10 months of 2023, it accounted for 59%.

Source: Ukrainian Agribusiness Club (UCAB), a business association representing leading Ukrainian agricultural companies

Details: UCAB said that the growth of Europes share in Ukrainian agricultural exports was forced as exports to other parts of the world plummeted due to the Russian invasion. Exports to Africa have dropped from 14% to 7%, to Asia from 19% to 12%, and to Southeast Asia from 13% to 4%.

Infographic shows Ukraine in the centre and major importers of Ukrainian agricultural goods around it, with Europe in the top left corner representing 59% (US$10.5 billion) of Ukrainian exports; Africa in the bottom left corner representing 7% (US$1.2 billion); the Middle East in the bottom centre representing 15% (US$2.7 billion); Southeast Asia in the bottom right representing 4% (US$767 million); Asia in the middle right representing 12% (US$2 billion); and the Eurasian Economic Union in the top right corner representing 1% (US$134 million). Data for January-October 2023.

Source: UCAB, with reference to Ukraines Customs Service

Russias blockade of Ukrainian seaports is the main reason for these changes. Before Russias full-scale invasion, around 7 million tonnes of grain could be exported via those ports every month, whereas only 3.7 million tonnes can be exported per month via the currently available alternative routes.

"The development of alternative routeswhich was only possible with EU countrieshas caused these changes. Ukrainian agricultural businesses have been forced to look for buyers for their goods in European countries," UCAB said.

The creation of the grain corridor as part of the Black Sea Grain Initiative mediated by Turkiye and the UN [which Russia unilaterally withdrew from this summer  ed.], and the current temporary grain corridor, made exports to countries in Africa and Asia possible.

The only way to revive Ukrainian agricultural exports to the markets they have traditionally targeted is to ensure the security of maritime shipping routes and increase shipments by sea, UCAB stressed.

Background:

The humanitarian corridor in the Black Sea which Ukraine launched after Russias unilateral withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative has seen 100 ships leave Ukrainian ports.

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TikTok is now banned in Nepal.

The Government of Nepal on Monday announced an immediate ban on the popular social media app, saying it was disrupting social harmony," the Associated Press reported. The announcement comes just days after authorities issued a 19-point directive tightening content regulation on all social media sites.

Foreign Minister Narayan Prakash Saud said the app would be banned immediately.

The government has decided to ban TikTok as it was necessary to regulate the use of the social media platform that was disrupting social harmony, goodwill and flow of indecent materials, Saud said, according to AP.

The foreign minister said that to improve the accountability of social media platforms, the government has asked the companies to register and open a liaison office in Nepal, pay taxes and abide by the countrys laws and regulations.

This photograph taken in Mulhouse, eastern France on October 19, 2023, shows the logo of the social media video sharing app Tik Tok reflected in mirrors.

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'Encourages hate speech'

Rekha Sharma, the countrys minister for communications and information technology, who announced the ban said that TikTok was disrupting our social harmony, family structure and family relations, reported the New York Times.

More than 2.2 million users are active on TikTok in Nepal, according to the NYT.

The Nepali government said that the ban is being introduced after a large number of people complained that TikTok encourages hate speech, reported The Kathmandu Times. Approximately 1,647 cases of cybercrime were reported on the video sharing app, said the Nepal-based media outlet.

Government officials said that the ban was only introduced after TikTok paid no heed to concerns about troubling content, even after the government reached out multiple times, according to the NYT.

The government said that the decision to regulate social media was made after people complained that the absence of companies' representatives in Nepal made it challenging for authorities to address user concerns and remove objectionable content from the platforms, according to The Kathmandu Times.

Concerns about app

Chinese-owned TikTok has faced scrutiny in a number of countries, including the United States and Canada, because of concerns that Beijing could use the app to extract sensitive user data to advance its interests. It was also among dozens of Chinese apps neighboring India banned in 2020, following a military standoff between the two Himalayan countries that remains unresolved.

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Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at sshafiq@gannett.com and follow her on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter @saman_shafiq7.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Nepal bans TikTok over 'disrupting social harmony'
Washington  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Thursday that there were "strong indications" that hostages held by Hamas were at Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital, but they were no longer there when the Israeli military launched a ground operation there earlier this week.

"We had strong indications that they were held in the Shifa Hospital, which is one of the reasons we entered the hospital," Netanyahu told "CBS Evening News" anchor and managing editor Norah O'Donnell.

"If they were [there], they were taken out," he said.

Netanyahu said his government has "intelligence about the hostages," but declined to be more specific.

"The less I say about it, the better," he told O'Donnell.

BREAKING NEWS: Israeli PM Netanyahu tells me they had strong indications some of the hostages were held in Al-Shifa Hospital. Well have more of our exclusive interview tonight on the @CBSEveningNews pic.twitter.com/xoTD4FdMZC  Norah O'Donnell  (@NorahODonnell) November 16, 2023

The Israel Defense Forces said it carried out a "precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area" of the hospital early Wednesday after it warned the terrorist group against using the medical complex as a base. Israel has accused Hamas of having a command center underneath the hospital. Hamas has denied the charge.

Roughly 240 hostages were taken during the Oct. 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants, according to the Israel Defense Forces. Only four have been released, including two Americans.

Israel is considering a proposal in which Hamas would release some of the women and children it's holding hostage in exchange for a cease-fire that would last between three and five days, CBS News' chief foreign affairs correspondent and "Face the Nation" moderator Margaret Brennan reported earlier Thursday. A number of Palestinian women and children in Israeli prisons could also be released as part of the proposed deal, an official with knowledge of the negotiations said.

Asked about the proposed deal and how close Israel is to securing the release of hostages, Netanyahu told O'Donnell, "We're closer than we were before we began the ground action." He said the ground operation has "put pressure on Hamas to achieve a cease-fire."

"We'll have a temporary cease-fire if we can get our hostages back," he said. "I don't think it serves that purpose for me to elaborate further on that."

He declined to say whether Israel would agree to release Palestinian prisoners in exchange for hostages, saying it's "confidential."

There was nearly a deal at the end of October for a hostage release, but it was scrapped at the 11th hour, as CBS News previously reported.

Netanyahu also insisted Israel is trying to wipe out Hamas "with minimal civilian casualties" and that it is "not seeking to occupy" Gaza.

"We want overall military responsibility to prevent the reemergence of terror," he said. "We're not seeking to occupy. That's not our goal. But our goal is to make sure what happens there is different. To do that we have to [do to] demilitarize Gaza and we have to deradicalize Gaza."

"Just as you had to have a different future after the conquest of Germany, you deradicalize, denazify Germany," he said. "After the conquest of Japan, you make sure that the aggressive policies of Imperial Japan are different. There was a cultural change. We need a cultural change here. We can't have a civilian administration enter Gaza that will not fight terrorists, that is committed to funding terrorists as opposed to fighting terrorists."

He said that liberating Palestinians from Hamas will "give them a real future."

When O'Donnell asked whether that also means moving forward with a two-state solution, Netanyahu said the Palestinians need a leadership change.

"I say let the Palestinians have all the powers to govern themselves, but none of the powers to threaten Israel," he said. "And that means not only making sure that Gaza is demilitarized, but also that Gaza is deradicalized. And if you ask me, we need a different civilian leadership than the one that has been offered to the Palestinians today."

Netanyahu also said that anyone committing violence against innocent Palestinians in the West Bank should be held accountable.

"We hold anyone taking the law into their own hands or committing vigilante violence: that is out," he said. "We cannot accept that."

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You are here: China

Chinese health authorities have recently released a work plan on the prevention and treatment of cardio-cerebrovascular diseases.

The work plan sets the course for relevant work from 2023 to 2030, said China's National Health Commission on Wednesday.

The plan noted that by 2030, a nationwide comprehensive prevention and early-treatment system for such diseases will be established. Medical institutions at all levels will have a greater capacity to combat such diseases, and breakthroughs will be achieved in relevant technological development.

To achieve the goals, the plan proposed thorough monitoring of cardio-cerebrovascular disease risks among people aged 35 and above. It also necessitated boosting primary-level medical institutions' capacity to monitor the levels of blood pressure, blood sugar, and blood fat.
Nevadas attorney general is investigating individuals who acted as fake electors in the state following the 2020 election, a source close to the investigation told CNN.

As part of the plot, six Republicans signed false Electoral College certificates in December 2020 for then-President Donald Trump, who lost the state to Joe Biden  a scheme that spanned several other states: Arizona, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and New Mexico.

Attorney General Aaron Fords office declined to comment. Politico first reported the Nevada Democrats investigation.

Some of the fake electors in Nevada were provided limited immunity in exchange for federal grand jury testimony in the investigation into Trump and others that prompted charges against the former president in Washington, DC. Trump has denied any wrongdoing.

Those electors had declined to answer questions in other settings, such as before the House select committee that investigated January 6, 2021, citing their Fifth Amendment protections.

In Georgia, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has charged multiple individuals involved in the plot to put forth fake electors in that state, along with Trump. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel in July charged more than a dozen individuals who acted as fake electors. And Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes has launched an investigation into the fake elector scheme there.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
(WTTV/WXIN)  If youve ever been locked out of a social social media account, you know how frustrating it is.

Hackers and scammers are getting better all the time at disrupting our lives on social media for their own gain. The sudden frustration of losing access to your account for one reason or another is something the crooks are counting on.

According to the Better Business Bureau, scam artists often rely on victims emotions to lead to impulsive reactions before thinking them through.

The BBB has recently received several reports of a scam that looks like this:

Youve been locked out of your Facebook, Instagram or X account and while searching for a solution, you see an ad for a company that says it can help you recover your account for a fee.

If you feel frustrated and helpless enough, you might just agree to it. However, what you dont realize is that the company offering to help you is the same hacker who locked your account.

One victim told the BBB the scammer said they could recover their Instagram account for $100. The victim paid and the scammer said they performed the service, but they would need another $130 to buy software to complete the task.

Then the hacker said the account couldnt be recovered, but they could delete it for another $50.

Obviously, that was going nowhere as the phony fees kept adding up.

In similar scams, the crook will claim someone is using your compromised account to make purchases and they need your bank account and CashApp information to fix it.

To avoid such scams, the BBB suggests the following:

Never pay someone to recover your social media account. Every social media site has its own account recovery process. Some are more complex than others, but account recovery is always free. Recovering your account is not a service you should pay for. See BBBs tips to restore your account.

Visit the official social media help page. Instead of doing research on third-party sites, go straight to the source. Follow the official account recovery process and contact the platform directly if you have any issues. You can find a list of each social media platforms account recovery links at FTC.gov.

Guard your personal information. Never share your login ID, password, banking information, social security number or other sensitive information with a stranger.

If you spot a social media scam, you can report it to the BBB Scam Tracker.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WTTV CBS4Indy.
GOSHEN - A Newburgh man pleaded guilty to manslaughter on Tuesday in connection with the stabbing death of another Newburgh man earlier this year.

Orange County District Attorney David Hoovler announced Eric McCollum, 28, of Newburgh, pleaded guilty to first-degree manslaughter, a felony, before County Court Judge Craig Stephen Brown.

McCollum was originally charged with second-degree murder, also a felony, in the May 28 stabbing death of Jose A. Soto, 38, of Newburgh.

Hoovler said according to documents filed and statements made in court, McCollum and the victim were engaged in a verbal dispute on Broadway in the city of Newburgh at about 1:45 a.m. on May 28.

During the course of that argument, McCollum stabbed Soto once in the torso, piercing his heart, and then fled the scene.

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City of Newburgh police officers who responded to the scene gave Soto immediate medical attention, but he later died of his injuries.

A subsequent investigation by city police detectives developed McCollum as a suspect, and he was arrested days later.

McCollum's attorney, Peter Green, had no comment.

"Petty disputes should never be resolved with violence," Hoovler said in a statement released by his office. "I hope the outcome of this case gives some degree of closure to the family of the victim."

McCollum is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 21. Based on the plea agreement, he is expected to be sentenced to 15 years in state prison and five years of post-release supervision.

Mike Randall covers breaking news for the Times Herald-Record and the Poughkeepsie Journal. Reach him at mrandall@th-record.com or on Twitter @mikerandall845.

This article originally appeared on Times Herald-Record: Stabbing death in Newburgh: 28-year-old pleads guilty to manslaughter
Equipped with headlamps and torches, a group of researchers trekked through a rainforest in central Peru, listening carefully. Thats when they heard a whistling coming from near a road  it was a new species.

Researchers said they collected four of the small whistling frogs and determined that they are a new species known as Pristimantis loeslein, according to a study published Nov. 14 in the journal Vertebrate Zoology.

The collected specimens measured between approximately 0.8 inches and 0.9 inches, researchers said.

The frogs have a slender body with a wide head, the study said. Their skin is smooth on their backs, bumpy on their sides and coarse on their underside.

Scientists said the specimens varied in size, measuring between approximately 0.8 inches and 0.9 inches. They have long fingers that are not webbed and a tapered, pointy snout.

The creatures are yellow-green to olive green with a bright yellow belly, according to the study. The frogs have dark markings on their backs  including reddish marbling on their heads, a dark line between their eyes, and two curved lines extending down their bodies.

The brightly colored creatures have a green back and yellow belly.

Their large, bulging eyes are bronze with a copper streak, researchers said. Their limbs vary in color, ranging from brown to a gray-pink.

The frogs call sounds like a short pronounced whistle, co-author Jorn Kohler told McClatchy News in an email. It was discovered near a main road that connects the Andes mountains to the Amazon rainforest.

Specimens were found calling from bushes and other low shrub vegetation along the road, according to the study. They are only known from the location where they were discovered, but experts anticipate that they likely live in other areas of rainforests in central Peru.

The new species was named after a German family with the last name Loslein in honor of their support of research and conservation in Peru, researchers said.

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Nigel Farages first trial on Im a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here has been revealed, ahead of the 2023 season premiere on Sunday.

The ITV show hosted by comedy duo Ant and Dec  real names Anthony McPartlin and Declan Donnelly  will return to the Australian jungle for its 23rd season, with a stacked celebrity line-up.

This years contestants include Britney Spearss sister Jamie Lynn Spears, The Guardian food critic Grace Dent, This Morning host Josie Gibson, as well as right-wing politician Farage.

The former Ukip and Brexit Party leader is among this years most high-profile signings, with Farage reportedly receiving 1.5m for his appearance on the survival reality series.

For his first challenge, the 59-year-old will be dropped into the middle of the Australian desert, along with unsuspecting campmates Gipson and YouTuber Nella Rose, where they learn their fellow participants are 2,000 miles away on the Gold Coast.

Im A Celeb campmate Nigel Farage used to dealing with snakes in Westminster (Gareth Fuller/PA) (PA Wire)

The desert teams mission will be to complete various challenges in the scorching heat which will, in turn, give the jungle team more time to complete their own trials.

This will be the first hurdle to the celebrities earning stars, and food, when they reunite in the jungle.

Farage joked about his bumper payday for entering the Australian jungle, in a short video released after the official line-up was confirmed.

I normally say no but Im a bit more thoughtful about it this year, Farage says, appearing to talk to a producer. Oh god, thats short notice. To be honest, Im actually off fishing next week, so [its] a little bit tricky in terms of the dates.

How much?! he then asks incredulously, reacting to his proposed fees.

Weeks before the announcement, Farage said he was giving an offer to join this years celebrity cohort very serious consideration after being approached several times since 2016.

And theyve always offered me really quite substantial sums of money to do so, and I have always thought No, its probably not the right thing for me to do, he said, during his GB News show on 30 October.

Meanwhile, Nadine Dorries, the first sitting MP to participate in the show over 10 years ago, predicted that Farage would do very well on the show.

Hes got the chutzpah, hes got the personality. I think hell do very well in Im a Celebrity, Dorries said, during an interview on Good Morning Britain.

Im A Celebrity Get Me Out Of Here launches this Sunday at 9pm on ITV1 & ITVX.

Additional reporting on wires
After a night of flooding rains, South Florida residents emerged on Thursday to discover swamped roads, a closed pier, downed trees and snapped power lines while remaining under high wind alerts. Throughout South Florida, more than 110,000 were without power at dawn, a number that fell to less than 60,000 in the afternoon.

Broward schools were closed on Thursday, but officials said they would reopen Friday. The state courthouse in downtown Fort Lauderdale also will reopen Friday.

Broward County took the biggest soaking of the South Florida region. According to the National Weather Service, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea received the most rain, at 13.31 inches. Oakland Park, Wilton Manors, Cooper City, Fort Lauderdale Executive Airport and Pembroke Pines all received over 12 inches. Weston picked up 10.36 inches and Miramar 9.89 inches.

After Wednesdays downpour, a total of 102 inches of rain fell in Fort Lauderdale to date this year  more than any other city in the country, Mayor Dean Trantalis said during a news conference Thursday afternoon at the W Fort Lauderdale hotel.

Its been a pretty wet season for all of us, he said. Nonetheless, the city will continue to move forward on its stormwater improvement projects.

In the past three days, parts of Fort Lauderdale saw up to a foot of rain and gusts of wind up to 60 miles per hour, which has mainly led to street flooding, Trantalis said. And while the wet roadways have been a nuisance, he said, we have not seen anything like the devastating flood that we saw back April 12.

Fort Lauderdale Fire Rescue received 80 calls for service relating to the storms, the mayor said.

Directly outside of the hotel, heaps of sand still covered portions of A1A, but it was actively being plowed back onto the beach.

Palm Beach County fared a bit better. Delray Beach topped the list with 6.19 inches. Boca Raton and the Golden Lakes development in the central part of the county both received just over 4 inches, and Jupiter was hit with just over 3 inches.

Miami-Dade County was hard-hit as well: Biscayne Park got 10.12 inches and Coral Gables and Coconut Grove were both soaked with just over 9 inches of rain.

Flood watches in the area have been canceled, but a wind advisory remains in effect until 7 p.m. Thursday for the coastal and metropolitan areas of Broward, Miami-Dade and Palm Beach counties, with forecasters predicting gusts from 25 to 35 mph possible. Tree limbs and power lines may be down because of the overnight wind and rains, so extra care should be used when driving.

During a National Weather Service briefing on Thursday, meteorologist Sammy Hadi said that wind gusts over the region reached 50 to 60 mph, with the highest gusts reaching near hurricane strength. Wind speeds at Port Everglades topped out at 75 mph, Government Cut in Miami saw 75 mph and Dania Pier reached 70 mph.

High winds will continue to produce dangerous marine conditions, such as rip currents and high surf, through Friday, forecasters said, and relatively high tides will slow the drainage process through Friday as well.

The area of low pressure that produced last nights tempest, with wind at near-hurricane strength, was not considered a tropical system, because tropical systems pick up their energy from warm water, Hadi said. This system was connected to a frontal boundary, he said. There was a gradient between warm and cold air, so it wasnt tropical.

Hadi said the system is moving off to the northeast. Sunshine is peeking through the clouds and dry air will be moving in through the weekend.

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As of mid-afternoon Thursday, FPL reported 11,870 sites without power in Broward County, 32,241 in Miami-Dade and 14,853 in Palm Beach County.

Wednesdays storms broke many railroad crossings, according to the Florida East Coast Railway, causing one train in Boca Raton on the tracks at Yamato Road to briefly halt, spurring traffic congestion in the area. The rail line is sending people out to fix the broken crossings.

Brightline reported service delays due to the weather, primarily wind-related.

Traffic lights were down and sand covered State Road A1A in Fort Lauderdale as strong winds battered the coast.

Some of the areas hit hard on Wednesday included those who experienced the bizarre, unprecedented flood in April.

While the nearly 26 inches of rain that fell in Fort Lauderdale in a matter of hours and caused severe flash flooding in April is not in the forecast, the scene Thursday is worse than what Pompano Beach was pummeled with in April, said Pompano Beach city spokeswoman Sandra King. The citys tennis center and dog park are both underwater and are closed, along with the pickleball courts and aquatic centers are closed, and the Fischer Family Pier saw significant damage and is closed until further notice.

The City of Pompano Beach sustained a tumultuous two days, with numerous calls coming in from stranded drivers beginning Tuesday night and continuing into Thursday morning, said city public communications director Sandra King.

The scene at the ocean in Pompano Beach on Thursday is extremely windy with high, rocky waves. Save for the rather unswimmable conditions, the temperature and clear skies dotted with parasailers make it a beautiful beach day.

Alexander Haugen, 26, is a surfer, but stitches on his leg prevent him from going in the water. Instead, he was watching the waves Thursday afternoon as a surfer tried to catch a ride on the crashing waves.

The rain was bad Wednesday night at his parents home in Plantation where he also lives, he said, but the conditions were better by Thursday morning.

Elodie Jovial was also enjoying the beach with her son in Pompano on Thursday afternoon. No one I know, no neighbors, had their houses flooded, she said.

Puddles of standing water are pooled in portions of the neighborhood, but nothing beyond that, she said.

Still, the scariest part of the two-day rainstorms was trying to drive through it. Jovial said she ventured out Tuesday night and Wednesday morning and was met with wet roads

The area of greatest concern as of Wednesday afternoon was near the Fort Lauderdale International Airport  the same area that was hammered in April, resulting in the airport being closed for two days, and highly destructive flooding in nearby Edgewood, River Oaks, Shady Banks and Melrose Park.

Maritza Pagan, 49, lives in Melrose Park, an area hard hit by the record-breaking April flooding. She and her family were upended then when the rains flooded their neighborhood and displaced her and her husband, children and grandchildren for about a month.

I had to do everything pretty much to rebuild, Pagan said. We had to move to two homes, one of our cars flooded. My kids were in two different places, we have one vehicle, we were dealing with my kids and my grandkids, we were taking six kids to six schools.

The National Weather Service has issued hazardous weather condition advisories for the Hollywood area through Thursday into Friday.

Periods of moderate to locally heavy rainfall are possible today across the east coast, which may lead to additional flooding concerns in urban and poor drainage locations.

High tides are expected at 10:03 p.m. Thursday, and at 10:52 a.m. and 10:57 p.m. Friday.

Rip currents will also be a concern along the beaches.

Earlier this month, the weather service called for a relatively wet winter in South Florida, due in part to the influence of El Nino, which causes the subtropical jet stream to shift to the south, carrying moisture from the Pacific, and picking up even more moisture over the Gulf of Mexico while steering storms across the southern U.S.
Presidential candidate Nikki Haley did free speech a great service this week by making a nutty call for social media to be bleached clean of anonymity.

Every person on social media should be verified, by their name. Thats, first of all, its a national security threat, Haley said Tuesday on Fox News, because it can spread misinformation. Banning anonymous accounts would get rid of the Russian bots, the Iranian bots and the Chinese bots, she continued. On the Ruthless podcast that day, Haley reiterated her pitch: They need to verify every single person on their outlet, and I want it by name.

Haley earned immediate broadsides from two of her Republican opponents. Vivek Ramaswamy waved the free speech flag as he denounced her proposal as censorship. Ron DeSantis reminded her that the Federalist Papers were written anonymously. Journalists and activists unloaded with more of the same, including Glenn Greenwald , Charlie Kirk and Dana Loesch.

By Wednesday, Haley had softened her harsh proposal, saying, I dont mind anonymous American people having free speech; what I dont like is anonymous Russians and Chinese and Iranians having free speech.

Haleys proposal crumpled under the most gentle scrutiny. In order to prove that youre an American worthy of anonymous speech under her regime, wouldnt you have to  identify yourself, thereby losing your anonymity? And thats for starters. Would such a government-mandated scheme be legal? Probably not. Is the plague of anonymous misinformation somehow unique to the internet, requiring special rules for it? No. How practical would it be to identify every social media account by name? Not very. And if we said to hell with practicality and deployed the Haley plan, what would we lose?

Haleys education must have forgone not only law but history. The right to anonymous speech goes back to the founding of our country when anonymous pamphleteers made their case for independence. Although not an absolute right, anonymity is bound tightly to the freedom of the press and has proven invaluable to the citizenry, especially the disenfranchised. Haleys scheme would easily violate certain legal rights to privacy established by the courts (although it should be said that nothing bars private social media outlets, acting on their own, from instituting policies that require users to accurately identify themselves).

Setting aside all that, how would it work? Haleys demand that social media companies verify usernames poses several questions. Would this be on the honor system? If so, then it would be useless as it would be easy to give a fake name or, as bars can already tell you, a fake ID. Would it be linked to drivers licenses or passports? If so, youd have to verify 1) that the drivers license or passport is valid but also 2) that it was submitted by its owner. That would prove costly and time-consuming for both users and social media outlets and maybe even bankrupt them. If the site survived, would they turn their backs on international users, who might be too expensive to verify? Does Haley expect social media sites to use facial ID or other biometric data, like fingerprints, which pose monumental privacy problems?

There is no shortage of articles and books denouncing internet misinformation like QAnon and lesser sources for sowing confusion, causing damage and driving people nuts, so theres no need to replicate those findings here. But nobody should pretend that anonymously generated misinformation is unique to the internet. It is a quandary that predates the web by centuries, perhaps millennia.

Anonymous accusations of witchcraft powered the Salem trials of the 1600s. Governments across the world have long depended on the power of anonymity to spread propaganda against their foes. The Soviets and the Russians have long poisoned the truth with their misinformation and disinformation. During the AIDS crisis, the Soviets anonymously planted a conspiracy theory that the virus had been engineered by U.S. Army researchers. The so-called Hitler diaries were packed with misinformation and written in the Fuhrers name by an anonymous writer. At the low and base end, theres bathroom graffiti and word of mouth, often in the form of urban legends.

One primary reason misinformation exists, besides the fact that it can be persuasive where information isnt, is that there is a demand for it. People want to believe in fantastic conspiracies like the Pizzagate hoax or that the Procter and Gamble corporate logo is a satanic image. At one point, the demand for entertaining misinformation was so great in America that the supermarket checkout lanes were filled with tabloids  the Weekly World News, the Star, the Globe, the National Examiner and the National Enquirer. Many of these publications have folded as the web has grown to sate the appetite for misinformation, especially the juiciest kind.

If its a given that anonymous misinformation spreads more quickly and widely on the internet than it did in the pre-internet era, its also true that correctives can be marshaled more quickly and dispersed more widely in that environment. This is no panacea, of course, but it counters Haleys implied position that we are somehow helpless to counter anonymous misinformation unless we zipper hundreds of million mouths.

As a 2016 RAND Corp. paper on Russian misinformation noted, you cant fight a firehose of falsehood with a squirt gun of truth. Misinformation has less of a chance of taking root in a culture if its people have been primed first with correct information, and correct information cant surface and triumph without a lively debate. Misinformation  anonymous or otherwise  must be anticipated and confronted directly, the RANDites preach. Where people cant be convinced that misinformation is misinformation, the papers authors argue its worth the effort to communicate how the misinformation machine works to reduce susceptibility next time.

If the Haley ID plan succeeded, what would we lose? Anonymity lends both courage and a measure of safety to speakers who might otherwise fear retaliation from those who are ruffled by raw speech. It protects you personally from getting fired by a boss or doxxed by an angry mob. It promotes the airing of controversial, unpopular speech and promotes debate that might otherwise be suppressed. And it encourages whistleblowing.

Instead of campaigning against anonymous speech, Haley should bow to her rivals Ramaswamy and DeSantis and endorse it.

******

This piece relied on Jeff Kosseffs 2022 book The United States of Anonymous: How the First Amendment Shaped Online Speech. Send your anonymous speech to Shafer.Politico@gmail.com. No new email alert subscriptions are being honored at this time. My Twitter feed and my Bluesky account crave their anonymity but must concede they are authored by me. My RSS feed believes in neither anonymous nor non-anonymous speech.


Nikki Haley (left) and Donald Trump (right). Joe Raedle via Getty Images; Scott Eisen via Getty Images

Nikki Haley simultaneously criticized and backed Donald Trump during an interview with CNBC.

"I don't think he's the right president going forward," Haley said.

But she later added that she'll support Trump if he clinches the GOP nomination.

GOP presidential candidate Nikki Haley says she doesn't think Donald Trump is the "right president going forward" but will still back him if he's the party nominee.

The former US ambassador to the United Nations offered her mixed assessment of Trump during an interview with CNBC's "Squawk Box" on Wednesday.

"I do think he was the right president at the right time. I don't think he's the right president going forward," Haley told CNBC's Joe Kernen.

"Why? Think about it. Chaos follows him. Everywhere he goes, chaos follows him. And in a time where we need to start getting our act together. Do we really want to go that route? I don't think we do," she continued.

However, Haley later said that she would still support Trump if he clinches the GOP's nomination.

"I'll support the Republican nominee," Haley said when pressed by CNBC's Melissa Lee.

"I think that's important that we support the Republican nominee because I think anybody is better than Kamala Harris at this point," she added, referencing President Joe Biden's running mate.

Trump has continued to command a significant lead in recent GOP primary polls, with rivals such as Haley and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis lagging behind him.

According to several polls this month, Trump has been trouncing Haley in the polls.

A representative for the Trump campaign told Business Insider that "numbers don't lie" and that the former president was beating his political opponents in the polls.

Representatives for Haley did not immediately respond to a request for comment from BI sent outside regular business hours.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Tensions between Prince William and Harry are so bad that there is no going back for either of them, according to the controversial author of a new book about the royal family.

The new release from Omid Scobie, titled Endgame: Inside the Royal Family and the Monarchys Fight for Survival, details the deterioriation of their sibling relationship in the wake of Harrys marriage to Meghan Markle, something he claims was further cemented in the hours leading up to the Queens death in September 2022.

In his follow up to Finding Freedom, the bestseller about Harry and Meghans departure from the royal family, Scobie claims the duke of Sussex has become a threat to the crown because he is willing to think and act in a way contrary to traditional royal expectations.

Among the bombshell claims in the new book, extracts of which have been obtained by US magazine People and shared by The Times, is the allegation that Harry found out his grandmother had died after receiving a BBC News app alert announcing the news.

Its claimed by Scobie that, ahead of this, Harry was forced to travel alone to Balmoral after his father, King Charles, told him to leave Meghan at home.

While Charles is said to have told Harry that Williams wife, Kate Middleton, would not be there either, due to protocol, a palace aide suggested that Kate was given a choice and stayed at home as it was her childrens first day at a new school. They just didnt want Meghan there, a former Palace aide is alleged to have said.

According to extracts from the book, no transport was arranged for Harry, who chartered a plane from Luton for $37,000 (29,000) after learning of the Queens poor health, and it was during this flight, when he was out of contact, that her death was announced.

Harry found out his grandmother had died after receiving a BBC News app alert announcing the news, according to the new book (PA)

While Harry was in the air, his team was allegedly engaged in a tug-of-war with Buckingham Palace about whether the news should be revealed to the world, and Buckingham Palace ultimately decided not to wait for Harrys plane to land.

A friend of Harrys told Scobie for the book that the prince was crushed by this as his relationship with the Queen was everything to him and she would have wanted him to know before it went out to the world.

The friend added: They could have waited just a little longer. It would have been nothing in the grand scheme of things, but no one respected that at all.

Scobie co-wrote Finding Freedom with Carolyn Durand, a book about Harry and Meghans departure from the royal family.

Meghans lawyers previously denied collaborating with Scobie and Durand on the book but, in November 2021, the duchess apologised to the High Court for not remembering that she agreed an aide could provide information to the authors for the biography.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry (PA)

MailOnline highlighted an extract from Scobies book that claims Harry was kept in the dark about the Queens ailing health, and was unaware that Buckingham Palace was already planning for the Queens final hours and the first days of the monarchys new era.

Scobie alleges in the book that William ignored a message from his brother asking if they could travel to Scotland to see their grandmother.

The writer described Harrys memoir Spare, which was published in January, as his last attempt at telling his family how hes felt for years, but said absolutely nothing has changed  and that some within the institution believe Harry to a threat to the crown due to his freedom to exert his own thinking outside of the confines of the institution.

Scobie claims that a source he spoke to for the new book viewed Harry as a defector

Prince William, Kate Middleton and Prince Harry (Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)

Kensington Palace, Buckingham Palace and Archewell have all declined to comment on the claims made in Endgame, which will be released on 28 November.

The claims come a day after Harry called his father to wish him a happy 75th birthday, with The Telegraph reporting the warm conversation marked a turning point.

According to the outlet, Charles also spoke to Meghan, while Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet recorded a video to sing happy birthday to their grandfather.
By Jennifer Rigby

LONDON (Reuters) -The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has given $23.6 million to U.S.-based life science company Micron Biomedical to fund the first ever mass production of needle-free vaccine technology.

The technology works by delivering the vaccine via dissolvable microneedles attached to the skin on a patch-like device.

Global health experts have long argued for the potential of similar technology to boost the uptake of life-saving shots.

It is simpler to transport and administer than traditional injections, particularly in low-income countries where reaching all of the children who need vaccines remains challenging. But scaling up production has been a hurdle.

A trial in Gambia earlier this year showed that Microns device delivered the measles-rubella vaccine, produced by the Serum Institute of India, to adults, babies and toddlers as safely and effectively as syringes, and produced a similar immune response.

The technology "could help overcome some of the most substantial barriers to eradicating measles and rubella globally", said James Goodson, senior scientist in the immunization division at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which has also partnered with Micron.

It reduces the need for a cold chain for distribution, and does not require a trained professional to give the vaccine. It could also help those with a fear of injections, the company said in a statement on Thursday.

The funding will support the development of a manufacturing facility to help make around 10 million devices annually, for larger clinical trials and then wider use, subject to approvals from regulatory authorities.

The company has had several other grants from Gates, to help deliver the technology to "underserved populations around the world", Micron's CEO Steven Damon said.

(Reporting by Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Jan Harvey, William Maclean)
China's Ministry of Education has issued a circular on establishing a national advisory committee on Chinese students' mental health.

Under the leadership of the ministry, the committee will carry out research, inquiries, monitoring and assessments concerning the mental health of university, high school and primary school students, according to the document. Scientific popularization and guidance regarding the issue will also be included among its tasks.

The organization of the committee will feature five work areas based on China's geographic areas, and each work area is required to carry out a major event every school year to assess the mental health status of the students within its area, and accurately grasp the status quo, development trend and problems concerning their mental health, the circular reads.

The findings and suggestions on the work on students' mental health will be reported to relevant local authorities and the secretariat of the national advisory committee, according to the ministry.
This upcoming February will mark four years since the murder of Ahmaud Arbery, the jogger shot and killed by two white men, chasing after him.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

We struggle every day, especially come holiday time. Marcus Arbery Sr. said.

[DOWNLOAD: Free Action News Jax app for alerts as news breaks]

His death sparked a nationwide outrage once video of the shooting was released, about a month after the murder.

The shooters, Greg and Travis McMichael, along with the man who recorded the incident, William Roddie Bryan, will spend life in prison. However, there is still one case left to prosecute.

Former prosecutor, Jackie Johnson, is charged with hindering the police investigation into Arberys death and violating her oath of office. She last appeared in court in September of 2021 when she was indicted. Her last court hearing was December of 2022, but she waived her right to appear.

Read: The killing of Ahmaud Arbery

The question ultimately is whether or not they [attorneys] are slow walking the case in order to allow distance and time to occur between all of these events and a subsequent prosecution, Dale Carson said. Carson is Action News Jaxs law and safety expert. He has decades of experience as a former FBI agent and Miami police officer. He is currently a defense attorney in Duval County.

After the murder, phone records show Greg McMichael called Johnson, who was the Brunswick District Attorney, sixteen different times. McMichael previously worked as an investigator under Johnson. She eventually did recuse herself from the case due to the conflict, and it turned it over to outside prosecutors.

Three days after the shooting, Johnson told the Attorney Generals Office that George Barnhill, the Waycross District Attorney, had accepted the case. Legal filings said Johnson did not disclose that Barnhill had already reviewed the case and declared the shooting was done in self-defense. He eventually recused himself from the case as well.

WATCH: Life sentences for death of Ahmaud Arbery

WATCH: Attorney says Ahmaud Arbery was chased for over 4 minutes

She tried to cover it up, Marcus Arbery said.

Carson believed she handled the case the right away.

I guess people may have a question on whether her favoritism somehow benefited the individuals that ultimately were prosecuted and found guilty, but I dont believe thats the case, Carson said. I dont see where she tried not to prosecute.

Johnson remains an attorney in good standing, according to the State Bar of Georgia website. She is also an attorney in Florida.

[SIGN UP: Action News Jax Daily Headlines Newsletter]

We reached out to the Office of the Attorney General regarding the case. A spokesperson sent us this statement:

This case remains open. The defendant had previously waived arraignment and pleaded not guilty. A December 2022 hearing was continued. Specifically, the continuance was requested by the defense due to a conflict on their part. A new date for this hearing has not been set. Beyond that, while we cannot comment on specific points related to this case, we can note generally that court proceedings take varying periods of time depending on a host of factors, including the case load of the courts, judges and lawyers. We remain fully prepared to present our case in court, and we look forward to the opportunity to do so. Our goal is to secure maximum justice for Ahmaud Arbery and his family, and we have never stopped fighting for them. Kara Richardson, spokesperson for Attorney General Chris Carr

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.
Someone tracking the conflict raging in the Middle East could have seen the following two videos on social media. The first shows a little boy hovering over his fathers dead body, whimpering in Arabic, Dont leave me. The second purports to show a pregnant woman with her stomach slashed open and claims to document the testimony of a paramedic who handled victims bodies after Hamas attack in Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.

Even though these videos come from different sides of the Israel-Hamas war, what they share far exceeds what separates them. Because both videos, though real, have nothing to do with the events they claim to represent. The clip of the boy is from Syria in 2016; the one of the woman is from Mexico in 2018.

Cheap but effective fakes

Recent headlines warn of sophisticated, AI-driven deepfakes. But it is low-tech cheap fakes like these that fuel the latest round of disinformation. Cheap fakes are the Swiss army knife in the propagandists tool belt. Changing a date, altering a location or even repurposing a clip from a video game and passing it off as battlefield combat require little know-how yet effectively sow confusion.

The good news is that you can avoid being taken in by these ruses  not by examining the evidence closely, which is liable to mislead you, but by waiting until trusted sources verify what youre looking at. This is often hard to do, however.

Most people are ill-equipped to detect this kind of trickery. Research that we review in our new book, Verified: How to Think Straight, Get Duped Less, and Make Better Decisions about What to Believe Online, shows that almost everyone falls for it.

In the largest survey of its kind, 3,446 high school students evaluated a video on social media that purported to show election fraud in the 2016 Democratic primary. Students could view the whole video, part of it or leave the footage to search the internet for information about it. Typing a few keywords into their browsers would have led students to articles from Snopes and the BBC debunking the video. Only three students  less than one-tenth of 1%  located the true source of the video, which had, in fact, been shot in Russia.

Your lying eyes

Why were students so consistently duped? The problem, weve found, is that many people, young and old alike, think they can look at something online and tell what it is. You dont realize how easily your eyes can be deceived  especially by footage that triggers your emotions.

When an incendiary video dodges your prefrontal cortex and lands in your solar plexus, the first impulse is to share your outrage with others. Whats a better course of action? You might assume that it is to ask whether the clip is true or false. But a different question  rather, a set of related questions  is a better starting place.

Do you really know what youre looking at?

Can you really tell whether the footage is from atrocities committed by Russian forces in the Donbas just because the headline blares it and youre sympathetic to the Ukrainian cause?

Is the person who posted the footage an established reporter, someone who risks their status and prestige if it turns out to be fake, or some random person?

Is there a link to a longer video  the shorter the clip, the more you should be wary  or does it claim to speak for itself, even though the headline and caption leave little room for how to connect the dots?

These questions require no advanced knowledge of video forensics. They require you only to be honest with yourself. Your inability to answer these questions should be enough to make you realize that, no, you dont really know what youre looking at.

Patience is a powerful tool

Social media reports of late-breaking news are not likely to be reporting at all, but they are often pushed by rage merchants wrapping an interpretation around a YouTube video accompanied by lightning bolt emojis and strings of exclamation points. Reliable reporters need time to establish what happened. Rage merchants dont. The con artist and the propagandist feed on the impatient. Your greatest information literacy superpower is learning to wait.

If there are legs to the video, rest assured youre not the only one viewing it. There are many people, some of whom have mastered advanced techniques of video analysis, who are likely already analyzing it and trying to get to the bottom of it.

You wont have to wait long to learn what theyve found.

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit, independent news organization bringing you facts and analysis to help you make sense of our complex world.

It was written by: Sam Wineburg, Stanford University and Michael Caulfield, University of Washington.

Read more:


This is a photo of a woman sitting outside on a laptop with a baby in a car seat next to her.

This article was originally published in NC Newsline.

Nearly a quarter of undergraduate university and college students are parents, but as they struggle to balance academic and family responsibilities, they are graduating at dramatically lower rates than students without children.

U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02) and U.S. Rep. Lucy McBath (GA-07) are looking to change that with a bill filed Thursday, part of work Ross has been pursuing throughout her lawmaking career.

Ive been working on this issue for decades, Ross, who previously served in the North Carolina General Assembly, told Newsline this week.

Support The 74's year-end campaign. Make a tax-exempt donation now.

Initially I worked on it for pregnant and parenting high school students who were being put out of school, Ross said. Here we have kids who are going to have babies and people are trying to make it so they cant finish high school. Then I worked on trying to get more childcare facilities at community college. And then here in Congress weve learned that more than 20 percent of people getting a college degree are pregnant or parenting. And they have lower graduation rates. So this is a problem basically from adolescence on.

About 22 percent of all undergraduates are parents, according to an analysis of data from the National Postsecondary Student Aid Study. That number is higher at private, for-profit institutions  about 45 percent.

But studies show only about 2 percent of young teen mothers are able to get their undergraduate degree by age 30.

The Aspen Institute, Institute for Womens Policy Research

Related

The Future of College: Redesigning Campus Life to Help Support Incoming Students

Rosss bill, the Understanding Student Parent Outcomes Act of 2023, (see below) would require the US Department of Education to collect data on barriers to graduating college and find best practices for improving graduation rates for university and college students who are also parents or caregivers.

This should be a bipartisan issue, Ross said. Women who have children in their teens or twenties  its not political, its not urban or rural. Its just a fact of life.

The problem is a particularly tough one for lower-income parents, Ross said, who struggle to pay for basic expenses in addition to the cost of higher education and often cant afford child care.

We want higher education and community college to be something that helps raise peoples standards of living, Ross said. Its kind of a double whammy if youre already lower income and youre trying to get that education and you have this additional expense.

The largest percentage of students with children attend community colleges, according to the US Department of Educations National Center for Education Statistics.

As Newsline reported last month, two North Carolina institutions were recently among 34 colleges and universities that received federal grants to support or establish campus-based child care programs for low-income students from the Department of Education.

UNC-Greensboro received $224,102 under the grant program and Carteret Community College in Morehead City received $105,000.

I am a big believer in campus child care programs because Ive seen how they break down barriers to upskilling and attaining postsecondary education for parents with young children bringing the American Dream within reach for families across America, said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a statement on the grants.

Related

Fixing Child Care: What We Can Learn From the Military

Last month, Wake Forest University also announced it will start a child care and early education center in its University Corporate Center, which the university hopes to open for the next fall semester.

Every student deserves equal access to education and the opportunities that come with it, but far too often the challenges of pregnancy or parenting can derail a students educational path, Ross said. The Understanding Student Parent Outcomes Act will help identify those barriers and work to close gaps in graduation rates for student parents so they can unlock a better and brighter future for themselves and their families. Im grateful for the partnership of Congresswoman McBath on this critical issue and promise to keep working to support the education of all students.

the Understanding Student Parent Outcomes Act of 2023

NC Newsline is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. NC Newsline maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Rob Schofield for questions: info@ncnewsline.com. Follow NC Newsline on Facebook and Twitter.
Asylum seekers living in the north-east of England are to perform songs they have written about their experiences seeking sanctuary.

Choir members and musicians are putting on a Stories of Sanctuary concert at Newcastle Cathedral on Thursday.

The performance is to raise money for more community music sessions.

The Citizen Songwriters co-ordinator said: "The music just seems to connect universally and crosses different cultures and languages."

The group started five years ago with funding from an Arts Council England grant.

Project co-ordinator Sam Slatcher, 33, said: "Music speaks to the soul and it puts into words ideas that we can't [otherwise] grasp.

"Sometimes we meet with the music more than we will do with the words."

Original songs include Like a Butterfly and So May We Find Peace

A choir member and asylum seeker living in Sunderland, who wishes to be anonymous, said: "Music is my life.

"I've been singing for a very long time but right now I'm seeking sanctuary here so I had to put that to rest a bit."

She has been in the North East since February and in the UK for just over a year. "It's been a long, nightmare time for me and my children," she said.

"It's been depressing, but I keep going. I keep smiling to keep from crying."

'Their gift can flourish'

It is not only current asylum seekers who form the choir.

Fanni Ngambi is the operations assistant at the Sunderland-based asylum seeker and refugee charity Friends of the Drop In. She sought asylum from Zambia in 2016 and got her papers in 2021.

She will also be performing on Thursday.

"We might not change their story, their situation or their circumstances," she said. "But it's a place where they can enjoy themselves and also learn from each other - like where to find the GP."

Fanni sought sanctuary herself from Zambia in 2016 and got her papers in 2021

"It's more than just singing, but also a place where you find that respite and a place where you make friends," she said.

"These people are going through this limbo, they're going through this trauma. But it's a place where their gift can flourish."

Raghad Haddad is a viola player from Syria, who was granted asylum in the UK in 2017 and who has performed with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra. She will also perform at the concert.

Raghad Haddad has performed with the Syrian National Symphony Orchestra

She said applying for asylum was one of the most challenging times of her life but that she felt music was there for her, to help her get through the difficulties.

"Having a group is very important because refugees will have this safe space to express themselves and tell their stories," she said.

A Newcastle-based Sanctuary Seekers Choir will be established in the New Year.

Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to northeastandcumbria@bbc.co.uk.
The wet and gloomy conditions meteorologists warned would roll into the Sacramento region this week have not lived up to the hype.

Besides a few drizzles here and there, the area has remained relatively dry.

Meteorologist Idamis Del Valle-Shoemaker with the National Weather Service said it could be difficult to forecast weather this time of year because the region is undergoing a transitional period. Rain was expected to wash over Northern California Tuesday through at least Saturday, but conditions have remained isolated along the coast.

Thats why weve only seen only a few showers, she said.

Scattered showers made their way up north of Interstate 80 around 10 p.m. Wednesday and persisted overnight across Northern California, the weather service wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

That was the extent of the rain.

The flurry of snow and rain expected throughout the week in the Tahoe region has also fallen short of its promise.

Del Valle-Shoemaker said because snow levels trended higher  between 7,000 and 8,000 feet  the potential for snow accumulation is limited. The weather service is still forecasting snow this week, with better chances of action Friday through Saturday.

Thunderstorms are also possible for Northern California between 2 p.m. and 11 p.m. Thursday, mainly in the Central Valley, including Sacramento, Stockton and Modesto.

Isolated thunderstorms will be possible this afternoon, with the best chances south of Interstate-80 (15-20% probability of thunderstorm development). When thunder roars, go indoors! #CAwx



Forecast: https://t.co/WjKBsJmkq2 pic.twitter.com/mJkMhWraVV  NWS Sacramento (@NWSSacramento) November 16, 2023

In Sacramento, theres between a 40% and 90% chance of showers through Saturday, according to the weather service. Wind speeds are forecast to be around 6 mph with temperature highs in the low-to-high 60s.

Conditions are expected to return to normal Sunday morning with a high near 67 degrees and a low of 46 degrees.

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.
Northern Ireland has bucked the trend for some seabirds which have shown a decline elsewhere in the UK and Ireland.

Seabirds Count, the fourth census of the 25 regularly-breeding species in the UK and Ireland, show nine species increasing.

They include a 23% rise in black-headed gull numbers and a 33% rise in black-legged kittiwake in Northern Ireland.

However, the puffin has shown a significant decline.

While the Arctic tern is in decline at overall census level, it is considered stable across the island of Ireland.

More than three-quarters of the species that breed in Ireland have shown increases in the past 20 years.

The chief executive of Birdwatch Ireland said puffin numbers are in "very worrying" decline

The survey was carried out between 2015 and 2021 and included more than 10,000 breeding colonies.

It was led by the Joint Nature Conservation Committee (UK) with more than 20 other partners.

The species surveyed include Atlantic puffins, kittiwakes and razorbills, as well as rare breeding species like the yellow-legged gull.

The island of Ireland is particularly important for species such as the roseate tern and European storm-petrel, as 94% and 73% of the total populations are bred here.

Seventeen species in Ireland have increased, with two declining.

There is confidence in the trends for 21 species.

Of those, across the entire UK and Ireland, 11 show a decline since the last survey in 1998 to 2002, with results differing "significantly" by region or country.

Predators such as ferrets play a part in the decline of some species

Conservation efforts are linked to the increasing populations of some species.

The causes for decline vary but predation is a prevalent theme, with both native and invasive predators playing a part.

The chief executive of Birdwatch Ireland said the increase in terns was "heartening", but the decline in puffin numbers was "very worrying".

Linda Lennon called for better monitoring and research to support the "iconic" species.
Emilie Enger Mehl, Norwegian Minister of Justice, has said that her country is ready to decide on the closure of checkpoints on the border with the Russian Federation. She made this statement amid reports of the closure of four checkpoints on the border of Finland and Russia.

Source: Minister's comment to Norwegian news agency NTB, as reported by European Pravda

Details: The Norwegian Minister of Justice stressed that at present there is no increased activity on Storskog, the only land border crossing point with Russia.

Quote: "We are monitoring the situation carefully, and it may be appropriate for us to close the border promptly if necessary," she added.

Mehl added that no situation similar to that observed in Finland is recorded on Norways border with Russia.

Background:

Earlier, it was reported that the Finnish government decided to close some checkpoints on the border with Russia on the night of Saturday, 18 November due to the growing flow of asylum seekers.

Finnish border guards reported that in recent months, an exceptionally large number of people without required entry documents have tried to enter Finland through checkpoints on the country's southeastern border.

After that, Estonia confirmed its readiness to take similar steps.

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Norwich Public Utilities (NPU) formally broke ground on a five-year, $200 million project that will modernize its wastewater treatment plant on Wednesday in front of the former Administrative Building of the Falls Avenue facility.

Over the next five years, the island on which we are all standing will be transformed into a modern, efficient wastewater treatment plant that will dramatically improve water quality in the Yantic, Shetucket and Thames rivers, said Chris LaRose, general manager of NPU. Every community between Norwich and Long Island Sound along the Thames River  Preston, Montville, Ledyard, Waterford, Groton and New London  will benefit from this project.

Chris LaRose, Norwich Public Utilities general manager, talks about NPU's $200 million, five-year project to modernize the Wastewater Treatment Plant off Falls Avenue in downtown Norwich. The digester building behind him and others will be razed. He stands at one of two clarifers there that will see improvements.

How the new plant is funded

Funding for the wastewater treatment plant project will come from both grant funding and a low-interest loan from the Connecticuts Department of Environment & Environmental Protection (DEEP).

The $72 million in grant funding will come through the states Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF), which is administered by DEEP. NPU has worked with its state legislative delegation to secure this level of support.

The $128 million in low-interest (2%) loans from the states CWSRF will be repaid by NPUs 10,000 wastewater customers over the next 20 years.

NPU will continue to advocate for additional sources of funding from both federal and state programs to minimize the financial impact on its wastewater customers.

People listen to speakers during a ceremonial groundbreaking Wednesday for the Norwich Public Utilities' $200 million, five-year project to modernize the Wastewater Treatment Plant off Falls Avenue in downtown Norwich. The digester building behind them, the former Administration and other buildings will be razed. Two califiers there will be improved.

Funding for the CWSRF comes through the U.S. Department of Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Dr. David Cash, the EPAs regional administrator for New England, was on hand for the event.

NPUs new wastewater treatment plant is part of a greater transformative picture, another critical movement to revitalize infrastructure that has long passed its expiration date, said Cash. Thanks to the outstanding investment from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we are focusing on righting past wrongs in historically underserved communities and breaking ground today on a monumental and pivotable project that demonstrates what it means to be Investing in America.

"Every person has a basic human right to clean, healthy water, and this new treatment plant is a commitment to Norwich and surrounding communities for years to come."

Two major construction challenges

NPU estimates that the construction will likely take at least five years, given two major challenges.

First, the demolition of the old plant and the construction of the new plant will take place on a man-made island in the middle of Norwich and adjacent to the citys Transportation Center. All of the new structures associated with the project will be installed on a pile system to support their full weight.

Second, throughout the construction process, NPUs existing wastewater treatment plant must be kept operational and remain in compliance with all conditions of its permit.

NPUs wastewater treatment plant has served the residents of Norwich for nearly 100 years. Originally constructed in the 1930s, upgrades in the 1950s and 1970s were intended to extend its useful life by approximately 25 years.

This article originally appeared on Gardner News: NPU's wastewater treatment project to benefit Yantic, Thames rivers
Trump's New York fraud trial has been punctuated by bizarre eruptions from him and his lawyers.

His other big trial earlier this year  believe it or not  was a model of decorum.

Without a jury, there's little to stop the fraud trial from getting more unruly.

A courtroom is normally a solemn place. At the front of the room is a judge who  as everyone knows  has the power to make or break your case. If you get out of line, they can throw you in jail. If there's any levity in the proceedings, it usually takes the form of a joke about statutory interpretation.

The ongoing Manhattan civil fraud trial against the Trump Organization, however, is anything but, well, civil.

A distinct spirit of kookiness permeates the proceedings. Every few weeks, Donald Trump himself shows up for a couple of days . During each break, he takes the opportunity to stand outside the courtroom and give meandering speeches to the media about how the system is rigged against him. His kids crack jokes with the judge on the witness stand and make sexually charged comments to a courtroom artist in between testifying that they don't remember anything about the family company. Trump's lawyers complain to New York Supreme Court Justice Arthur Engoron that their gag order prevents them from complaining more. Michael Cohen's testimony carried the tone of an ancient Greek drama. A court employee was arrested for trying to talk to the former president , claiming she wanted to "help" him.

For the Trump family, the stakes of the trial are grave . New York Attorney General Letitia James has accused them of falsifying financial records to obtain favorable loan terms and tax breaks. Engoron has already issued a ruling effectively dissolving the Trump Organization (that decision has been held up as an appellate court reviews it). Through the trial, James seeks to convince Engoron to issue an order disgorging the company of at least $250 million in allegedly ill-gotten gains and banning the defendants  Donald Trump, Eric Trump, and Donald Trump, Jr., along with inner-circle members Allen Weisselberg and Jeff McConney  from ever operating a business in the state of New York ever again.

Like any fraud case, the trial veers between thuddingly dull (lots of spreadsheets) and utterly absorbing (the ex-CFO just decided to triple the size of Trump's triplex ?) But the most blaring bombshells have come from the drama between Engoron and everyone else.

With no jury, Trump is the audience

The trial is a bench trial, meaning there's no jury. Engoron, the judge, decides the facts as well as the law.

Normally, bench trials have less showmanship than jury trials. In jury trials, defense lawyers may try to win juror votes by appealing to their sympathies, spinning the facts, or deliberately confusing them.

Trump has whined about not having a jury in the case. And though cases brought under the particular statute the attorney general's office used, New York Executive Law 63(12), are typically bench trials, Trump's legal team failed to file paperwork asking for a jury trial. That would have forced Engoron to at least consider it and would have also allowed Trump to appeal a decision denying it.

"I think that was a mistake on their behalf," Jamie White, an experienced civil and criminal litigator, told Business Insider. "I think they had a better chance at hanging one of the jurors who maybe would be confused on some of the issues."

In a bench trial, a defense lawyer has a different audience: a sober-minded judge who's been presiding over countless pretrial motions and filings, sometimes for years, and who knows the case as well as anyone. It's up to the defense lawyer to present a set of facts that show the case against their client is all wrong.

Trump has inverted those norms. There's no audience of jurors, but there remains an audience of Trump.

"There's certainly nothing wrong with being a zealous advocate, and there's certainly nothing wrong with disagreeing with the court and making a record of that," White said. "But I think casual observers and legal experts both in part believe that this is for a one-man audience."

Former President Donald Trump, center, flanked by his defense attorneys, Alina Habba, left, and Christopher Kise, at his civil fraud trial in New York. AP Photo/Seth Wenig

Engoron appears aware of this dynamic. "Are you talking to me, or the press, or your audience?" he quipped to one of Trump's lawyers, Christopher Kise, who had objected to one of his rulings about how to structure several questions.

When Trump himself took the witness stand and pontificated about how wonderful his company is, Engoron rested his cheek in his palms, looking irritated before striking parts of the ex-president's monologue. Trump pushed further still, insulting James and Engoron during his under-oath testimony.

Can you control your client?" Engoron asked Kise. "This is not a political rally. This is a courtroom."

"Your honor, you're in charge of the courtroom," Kise responded.

Trump's sermons in the hallway outside the courtroom, and on social media, are even more extreme.

He's called Engoron a "rogue judge" and misrepresented his rulings. He has called James, who is Black, a "racist" and attacked her for focusing on his company instead of the state's crime (in New York, the attorney general's office does not oversee criminal cases). He's reposted calls for them to both be arrested. Without evidence, he has alleged the US Justice Department orchestrated the lawsuit to interfere with his presidential campaign. If a jury was present, there's no way those comments would be allowed within earshot.

"Anyone with half a brain and a pulse understands the importance of the sanctity of our justice system, the respect for judges, and the decorum in the courtroom," Randy Zelin, a defense attorney and professor at Cornell Law School, told Business Insider. "Nobody in their right mind would behave like this. Someone going into court to argue a parking ticket knows how to behave in a courtroom."

Engoron is used to the dynamic. Before the attorney general's office filed the lawsuit last year, he presided over battles over enforcing its subpoenas. Trump's team was represented by Alina Habba , who has since been sanctioned in a separate lawsuit , in those proceedings.

Habba often handled her court appearances like she was on Fox News. In one hearing last year, she demanded an investigation into Hillary Clinton . Engoron's principal clerk, Allison Greenfield, told her to "stop speaking" as she interrupted the judge.

Instead of staying cool, Judge Engoron rolls up his sleeves

The destabilizing effects of these forces  Trump, Trump's mutinous lawyers, a judge who's willing to talk back  are multiplied by the courtroom itself.

The trial is taking place in a ceremonial courtroom, normally used for swearing-in ceremonies and staff parties. Greenfield, Engoron's principal law clerk, sits three feet to his right on the bench because the courtroom doesn't have a separate desk for her  an arrangement that has inspired some of the complaints about her frequent chats with the judge. The courtroom vibes are decidedly off.

Engoron, who carries the vibe of someone who will be glad to tell you about Woodstock in '69, doesn't seem too upset with the attention. He allowed pool photographers to take photos of the defendants sitting at the defense table, watching keenly as they work. Sometimes, they turn to him on the bench, and he flashes a grin for history.

Judge Arthur F. Engoron presides over former President Donald Trump's civil business fraud trial at the New York Supreme Court. Mike Segar/Pool Photo via AP

Compare the atmosphere to another civil trial Trump faced earlier this year, in federal court.

In the spring, Trump lost a case against E. Jean Carroll, where a jury found him liable for $5 million for sexually abusing Carroll and defaming her when he lied about it. That trial, held around the corner from his fraud case, in Manhattan federal court, included some of the same lawyers defending him now.

Trump  who would not have the benefit of cameras in the hallways as he does in the state-level court  never showed up, even as he complained about the trial on social media, risking sanctions against him.

US District Judge Lewis Kaplan, who presided over the Carroll case, ran a tight ship with Trump's lawyers. He did not give them much room to derail the proceedings. After Trump's lawyers made a series of arguments asking to bring in evidence related to who was funding Carroll's lawsuit, Kaplan said it was "irrelevant" to the merits of the case. "I may at some point write in more detail, but I don't promise to do so," he said. "That's the ruling. The subject is closed." At another point in the trial, after Kaplan called a Trump lawyer's question to Carroll on the witness stand "inappropriate," he turned his voice to a growl.

"We are going to move on," Kaplan told Trump's lawyer. "In this courtroom, the ruling is the ruling, not the start of an argument."

In Engoron's courtroom, the ruling is often the start of an argument. Trump's lawyers have hemmed and hawed about Greenfield, Engoron's principal law clerk, who has donated to Democratic politicians. Engoron eventually issued a gag orders that covered not only Trump, but his lawyers as well. They have taken issue with his rulings pointing out that, under the law, it doesn't matter if banks got their money back from loans given to Trump if Trump still obtained those loans fraudulently.

Donald Trump Jr. in New York court for his family's civil fraud trial. David Dee Delgado/Getty Images

Engoron has seldom told Trump's lawyers to simply "move on," even though the trial is scheduled to stretch over three grueling months. He japes along with the lawyers, trying to maintain the friendly atmosphere of what he calls a "love fest." He has sometimes circled back to arguments made earlier in the day, to ask more questions and explain his rulings more fully.

His explanations, in part, explain his thinking in the court record for when Trump's lawyers ultimately appeal his rulings. But they also serve the purpose  however pointless  in giving legitimacy to a trial that Trump's fans are already primed to hate.

"This judge, and I think like any judge with a pulse, has to be concerned about not only the appellate record, but the court of public opinion," Zelin said. "No matter what Judge Engoron does, he's going to be lambasted."

Trump has positioned the fraud trial into a familiar framework: That the deep state of government bureaucrats are in cahoots with Democratic politicians to take him down. If he wins the trial, he'll take it. If he loses, it was because it was rigged all along.

"If he's going to lose, he might as well behave as badly as he possibly can. Because what does it matter?" Zelin said. "Because when he does lose, he just turns around and says, 'See? I told you so.'"

Engoron may have allowed Trump some leeway with this kind of rhetoric because  as Kise mentions almost every day of the trial  he's the frontrunner for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination.

"Trump is uncontrollable, and he does have a legitimate claim to some degree that his speech is protected, but there are limits," White said. "And in my opinion, he's caught those limits."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The federal judge overseeing former President Donald Trumps documents case in South Florida on Thursday denied a request from special counsel Jack Smith to set a deadline on issues related to classified materials in the case.

U.S. District Judge Aileen Cannon, a Trump appointee, denied Smiths request to schedule a hearing under Section 5 of the Classified Information Procedures Act (CIPA), where a defendant has to disclose what classified information he intends to use at trial.

Cannon in her order said she would set all remaining deadlines in March 2024.

NEW: Judge Cannon denies request by Special Counsel that she set CIPA Section 5 deadline in Trump classified docs case -- where defendant is required to disclose what classified info he intends to use at trial -- and says it will be set in March 2024 (!) pic.twitter.com/OrxxplLTuq  Hugo Lowell (@hugolowell) November 16, 2023

The order is a clear indication May trial date wont happen, tweeted Brandon Van Grack, a former federal prosecutor on special counsel Bob Muellers team.

DOJ's request was very reasonabledefendants already have 5000 classified docs so let us know which ones they want to use, he added. Refusal to schedule hearing shows the Court is not going to move with urgency.

Former U.S. Attorney Joyce Vance agreed that Cannon is on track to delay past the election.

Some legal experts argued that Smith could turn to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals to try to reverse Cannons scheduling order.

Unreal. Now Im concerned. No way this thing gets to trial in May 2024, tweeted national security attorney Bradley Moss.

I have long been opposed to Smiths team getting the 11th Circuit involved with respect to Cannons scheduling rulings. I just didnt see it as worthwhile and expected any such step would cause the very delay Smith was trying to avoid anyway, he added. At this point, it might be needed.

But Moss said "the problem" is that Cannon "has not done anything (yet) that triggers the ordinary emergency statutory appeal relief afforded by CIPA. Her actions so far have been only procedural and scheduling," meaning that Smith has "limited options."

Former Mueller prosecutor Andrew Weissmann argued that Judge Cannons bias is showing over and over again.

Smith has to be weighing whether, when, and how to seek her reversal by the [Court] of Appeals and her removal, he wrote.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

Not scheduling a CIPA section 5 hearing, which is routine, is a clear sign she is just as much in the bag for Trump as when she issued her horrendous pretrial rulings (both reversed in scathing language by the conservative 11th Circuit), he added. What a piece of work is she.

MSNBC legal analyst Lisa Rubin pointed out that by the time May 2024 rolls around, Trump will be three days away from the opening of his D.C. federal election interference trial, which itself could bleed into May.

I'll predict now that the date for the classified docs trial will slip away like, well, a Trump-held classified doc, she wrote.
You are here: China

Death toll has risen to 26 after a fire broke out Thursday morning at a building of a coal mine company in north China's Shanxi Province, according to rescuers.

The fire ripped through the second floor of the five-story building located in Lishi District of Lyuliang City. Rescue efforts are underway, according to local authorities.

More than 60 people have been sent to a local hospital for treatment.

The building belongs to the private Yongju coal mine company.
The Union of Road Hauliers of Slovakia (UNAS) has threatened to block the border for its Ukrainian counterparts and is demanding that the European Commission reinstate the commercial permits system for transportation within the EU.

Source: Stanislav Skala, the chairman of UNAS, reports European Pravda and the Slovak media outlet Pravda

Details: Skala said hauliers are asking the Ministry of Transport to start cooperating with the European Commission and demanding a return to permits for Ukrainian hauliers. He said that unless the EC does so, "UNAS is ready to support the Polish hauliers immediately and will block the border crossing for Ukrainian hauliers from the Slovak side".

UNAS stated that it does not agree with the EUs decision to scrap permits for Ukrainian hauliers after Russias invasion of Ukraine.

UNAS had previously sent the Ministry of Transport a letter in which they claimed that Ukrainians were "taking away work from our hauliers".

"We would like to point out that Slovak freight transport is on its knees. As you will have noticed, Polish hauliers are blocking their borders because they have the same problem as our hauliers. The Slovak Ministry of Transport has long neglected freight transportation and completely ignores it," the letter says.

Dozens of Polish truck drivers began blocking three border crossings with Ukraine on 6 November.

They are demanding, among other things, that commercial permits be introduced for Ukrainian companies to transport goods, with the exception of humanitarian aid and supplies for the Ukrainian military, that licences for companies founded after the start of the war in Ukraine be suspended, and that inspections be conducted.

Read also: Price of Blockade: Consequences of Protest on Ukrainian-Polish Border

Support UP or become our patron!
An emergency department nurse accessed a hospitals locked drug cabinet over 400 times to steal opioids that were meant for nearly 300 patients, federal prosecutors said.

The woman is accused of taking the drugs  including morphine, fentanyl and hydromorphone  over five months at the Boston area hospital in 2019, according to the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Massachusetts.

She withdrew the medications for 299 patients who had been discharged from the facility, prosecutors said.

Now, the 39-year-old, of Winchester, has been sentenced to three months in prison for diverting the drugs, the attorneys office announced in a Nov. 15 news release.

Her sentencing, which will be followed by one year of supervised release, comes after she pleaded guilty to three counts of unlawfully obtaining controlled substances by fraud, deception and subterfuge, prosecutors said.

McClatchy News contacted Brendan Kelley, a federal defender representing the woman, for comment on Nov. 16 and didnt receive an immediate response.

In a sentencing memorandum submitted on his clients behalf, Kelley wrote she is extremely remorseful for her conduct.

She has paid a steep price for committing these acts, Kelley said.

Kelley added that there is no allegation that any patient suffered as a result of the drug diversions.

The nurses motives for stealing the drugs are unclear, according to prosecutors who wrote in their sentencing memorandum that an investigation could not conclusively establish what happened after (she) stole the drugs from the hospital.

However, there are two clear possibilities, prosecutors wrote.

The first is that she distributed them to third parties. The second is that she administered them to herself, the sentencing memo says.

The woman told her employer and the Board of Registration in Nursing that she used the drugs she stole, but prosecutors said her negative drug tests showed she didnt.

When investigators examined her purported injection site, they didnt find evidence of injections, according to the sentencing memo.

Additionally, there were never any reports that (she) was impaired while on duty  she was a well-regarded member of the nursing staff, the sentencing memo says.

The government suspects the woman was a potential drug dealer based on significant evidence, according to the sentencing memo.

Prosecutors also suggested the stolen drugs may have gone to her boyfriend, who was known to have a history of opioid addiction at the time, according to the sentencing memo.

Meanwhile, Kelley wrote in his clients sentencing memo that the charges against her do not involve allegations of any broader conspiracy seeking the distributing of the drugs within the community.

Winchester is about 10 miles northwest of Boston.

Nurse intentionally gave patients lethal doses when staffing was low, officials say

Patients endure excruciating surgeries after nurse swaps meds with saline, suit says

Nurse swapped anxiety medication used in patients procedures with saline, feds say
Former U.S. President Donald Trump holds a campaign rally in Hialeah

By Jack Queen

NEW YORK (Reuters) -A New York appeals court judge on Thursday paused a gag order that had barred Donald Trump from speaking publicly about court staff amid the former U.S. president's civil fraud trial.

Appeals court Justice David Friedman said the gag order would be temporarily lifted.

"Considering the constitutional and statutory rights at issue, an interim stay is granted," Friedman wrote in a filing.

Trumps lawyers, who are also subject to the gag order, argued that the former U.S. president is entitled to speak publicly about the perceived partisanship and bias of the trial, where he faces hundreds of millions of dollars in penalties and a partial breakup of his real estate empire.

The judge overseeing the case, Justice Arthur Engoron, imposed the limited gag order on Oct. 3 after Trump shared a post attacking his top clerk on social media. He has fined Trump a total of $15,000 for twice violating the order.

Alina Habba, Trump's attorney, said in a statement that she was pleased to see the appellate court "restore some much needed respect for constitutional rights" in what she called a "political circus" orchestrated by New York Attorney General Letitia James.

James' office did not seek the gag order, which Engoron imposed on his own initiative.

James, an elected Democrat, accuses Trump, his two adult sons and 10 of his businesses of inflating their assets by as much as $2.2 billion to secure more favorable loan and insurance terms.

Engoron has already ruled that Trump provided lenders and insurers with fraudulent financial statements and ordered the dissolution of companies controlling crown jewels of his real estate empire, including Trump Tower and 40 Wall Street in Manhattan. The order is on hold pending Trumps appeal.

The trial largely concerns damages. James is seeking at least $250 million in penalties and a New York commercial real estate ban against Trump and his sons Donald Jr. and Eric Trump.

The case is part of a maelstrom of legal troubles Trump faces as he campaigns to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the November 2024 election, though none have diminished his commanding lead over Republican rivals.

He is under indictment in a total of four criminal cases, including two related to his efforts to overturn his loss to Biden in the 2020 election.

(Reporting by Jack Queen, Ismail Shakil, Katharine Jackson; Editing by Caitlin Webber, Eric Beech and Daniel Wallis)
New York Mayor Eric Adams responds to questions during a news conference at New Yorks City Hall, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. Adams deflected more questions Tuesday about an FBI investigation into his 2021 campaign, but defended his ethics and laughed off a question about whether he expected to be indicted. | Richard Drew, Associated Press

New York City Mayor Eric Adams answered questions regarding an ongoing federal investigation into his 2021 mayoral campaign at a news conference on Tuesday.

He told reporters, We dont do quid pro quo. We follow the law. Im very clear on that.

The New York Times obtained a search warrant indicating there is a federal investigation into whether the Adams campaign in 2021 received illegal donations from Turkish nationals and conspired with the Turkish government.

In Brooklyn, the FBI and federal prosecutors are investigating KSK Construction. The company is owned by Turkish immigrants, and it gave donations to the mayors campaign and held a fundraising event for him in 2021, according to Time.

The FBI raided Brianna Suggs home in Crown Heights on Nov. 2, according to the search warrant. During his 2021 campaign, Adams hired then 21-year-old Suggs to lead fundraising. She claimed to have raised $18.4 million during the primary and general campaign, per Politico.

FBI took Adams 2 phones and an iPad

FBI officers exited Suggs home with two laptop computers, three iPhones and a manila folder labeled Eric Adams, the Times reported.

The FBI also took two cellphones and an iPad from Adams. A federal judge allowed the FBI to confiscate the technology and create copies of their content, CNN reported.

Last Friday it was revealed that the FBI had seized your devices, a reporter said during the Tuesday news conference. Your campaign released a statement saying an individual had acted improperly and that was reported to the FBI. Could you tell us who that individual is?

What is a straw donor?

I tell my team all the time, follow the law, Adams responded. And matter of fact I tell the team to the point that Im almost annoying. We dont do the straw donors.

Straw donors use someone elses money to make political donations in their own names, in order to evade campaign finance limits. This violates the Federal Election Campaign Act, and is used to conceal where donations are actually coming from.

A lawyer for the mayors campaign organization, Boyd Johnson, said, After learning of the federal investigation, it was discovered that an individual had recently acted improperly. In the spirit of transparency and cooperation, this behavior was immediately and proactively reported to investigators, PBS reported his statement.

Adams and Suggs have so far not been accused of wrongdoing. Adams has maintained he had no knowledge of improper fundraising.

He said, I spent my life enforcing the law and Im going to continue to tell the team that we follow the law in this administration and in all my administrations.
Three students aboard a chartered bus and three chaperones in an accompanying passenger vehicle died in crash on Tuesday on Interstate 70 westbound in Licking County near the Route 310 interchange in Etna.

The fiery five-vehicle crash, which included a bus of band students, killed six and injured 18 more members of the Tuscarawas Valley Local Schools community.

Three students, a teacher and two parents died. They were driving to a high school band performance at the Ohio School Boards Association in Columbus.

Funeral information: Tusky Valley will extend its Thanksgiving break; funeral services announced for some

'They embodied the word hero': Ohio chief lauds officers who aided bus crash victims

The first obituaries memorializing those six lives are now available. This story will be updated as each obituary is published.

The victims are:

Katelyn Owens, 15, a high school sophomore from Mineral City

Wyatt Mosley, 18, a high school senior from Mineral City

Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, a high school senior from Bolivar

Dave Kennat, 56, a high school teacher from Navarre

Kristy Gaynor, 39, a parent-chaperone from Zoar

Shannon Wigfield, 45, a parent-chaperone from Bolivar, who also was a teacher at Buckeye Career Center

Katelyn Owens, 15, of Mineral City

Katelyn N. Owens, 15, of Mineral City. Everyone is heartbroken & in shock that (youre) gone, Aly Doby, a friend of Katelyn, posted on Facebook Wednesday. You are the sweetest person I know and you gained your angel wings (too) soon and I truly cant understand why if Im being honest. Youre only 15 with so much more to see and experience in the world.

"Katelyn Nicole Owens, age 15, a vibrant and talented young woman, died Tuesday morning, November 14, 2023, the result of a tragic traffic accident in Licking County. Katelyn leaves behind a legacy of determination and joy," the obituary reads.

To read more, visit the TimesReporter website.

Wyatt Mosley, 18, of Mineral City

Wyatt Mosley, 18, of Mineral City. Senior Wyatt Mosley was the schools October 2023 Fine Arts Student of the Month. Wyatt was a member of the TVHS Marching Band, Select Choir, Drama Club and track team.

"John Wyatt Mosley, age 18, of Mineral City, was called home to be with our Lord on Tuesday, November 14, 2023. He was an amazing young man who was instrumentally and vocally talented. He was very humble, caring, funny, intelligent, a very hard worker and seemed always to be ahead of his time throughout his life. Loved deeply by all family and friends, he would lend a hand to anyone in need with great compassion. He enjoyed music, hanging out with his very good friends, programming games and had a love for acting. He will be missed so deeply by all who knew him," the obituary reads.

To read more, visit the TimesReporter website.

Jeffery Worrell, 18, of Bolivar

Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, of Bolivar. Jeffery JD D. Worrell was a junior when he was the May 2023 Tuscarawas Valley Fine Arts Student of the Month.

"Jeffery David Worrell, of Bolivar, also known as JD and 'Kitten,' was taken from the world at the age of 18 on November 14, 2023. Jeff was a senior attending Tusky Valley High School, where he was in the marching band. He loved being in the band, and was a friend to all. He loved acting, performing in a number of school productions, and was very involved with the choir and performing with the speech and debate team," the obituary reads.

Calling hours will be 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Friday at the Wilkshire Event Center, 474 Jeanne Anne Ln., Bolivar. Services will be 11 a.m. Saturday at the event center.

To read more, visit the TimesReporter website.

Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre

Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre. His love for the outdoors is what defined him, according to his LinkedIn profile. As a teacher at Tuscarawas Valley High School for 31 years, the Navarre resident found ways to marry his dual passions for mathematics and nature.

No obituary information has been released yet.

A memorial gathering will be held for Kennat from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday at Sunset Chapel, 6245 Columbia Rd., North Olmstead.

Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Bolivar

Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Zoar. She volunteered her time in the close-knit community of Zoar and Tuscarawas County, including as a parent-chaperone on the bus that crashed Tuesday. When she wasnt volunteering, she was an account representative at Indian River Graphics.

"It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Kristin (Kristy) Marie Gaynor on November 14, 2023. She was 39 years old. Born on March 6, 1984, in Mayfield Heights, Ohio, Kristy was a beloved daughter, sister, wife, and mother. She embodied the values of tradition, faith, and family, leaving an indelible mark on all who had the privilege of knowing her," the obituary reads.

Calling hours for Gaynor will be 3 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday at Bolivar Community Church, 241 Pine St. NW, Bolivar. Services will be 5:30 p.m. Sunday at the church.

To read more, visit the TimesReporter website.

Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Bolivar

Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Bolivar, was a bright light for students at the Buckeye Career Center, Superintendent Bob Alsept said. Students knew they could talk to their English teacher about anything from personal matters to schoolwork, he said. Teaching was her passion.

"Shannon E. Wigfield 46, of Bolivar, died Tuesday, November 14, 2023 in Licking County. Born May 10, 1977 in Dennison, she was a daughter of Ronald L. and Susan Abbuhl of New Philadelphia. She was a 1995 graduate of Claymont High School, a 2000 graduate of Ohio University and was an English teacher the past 24 years at Buckeye Career Center In New Philadelphia. Shannon enjoyed shopping (especially at Target and Dollar General), crafting and most of all she enjoyed helping others," the obituary reads.

Calling hours for Wigfield will be from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday at the Buckeye Career Center, 545 University Dr. NE, New Philadelphia. Services will be at the career center at 11 a.m. Tuesday.

To read more, visit the TimesReporter website.

This story will be updated.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Obituaries for 3 students, 3 adults killed in fiery Ohio bus crash
Huangshan, a city in eastern China's Anhui province and home to the world-famous Mount Huangshan, is set to usher in an era of innovative development while contributing to building a Beautiful China, a local official said Wednesday.



The city has witnessed a tourism boom this year. The latest data shows that the Mount Huangshan Scenic Area has received more than 4 million tourists so far in 2023, as have its UNESCO World Heritage villages of Xidi and Hongcun.

Ling Yun, Party secretary of Huangshan, emphasized that the city is dedicated to showing there is more to it than the famed mountain, and various measures have been put in place to boost tourism, its traditional Hui culture, entrepreneurship and international communication.

The 2023 Innovative Huangshan Development Conference is held in Huangshan, Anhui province, Nov. 15, 2023. [Photo/China.org.cn]

At the 2023 Innovative Huangshan Development Conference, which was convened Wednesday in Huangshan, Ling invited entrepreneurs and investors from all over the world to come to the city, pursue their dreams here and work together for shared prosperity.

The municipal government also released a list of development opportunities for Huangshan at the conference based on its supply and demand, covering high-end services, advanced manufacturing, digital applications, modern logistics, health care and other sectors.

Qiao Biao, vice president of China Center for Information Industry Development, said Huangshan's industrial system has always focused on green-oriented development. It has fostered an array of competitive enterprises in auto parts, eco-friendly flexible packaging, digital creative industry, health care and green food, providing strategic support for the development of the Yangtze River Delta region, he added.

Feng Jianguang, chairman of the Shanghai Yangtze River Delta Regional Elderly Service Center and president of the Zhiku Elderly Care Research Institute, said a preliminary survey on elderly care institutions across the Yangtze River Delta region showed that Huangshan is one of the most favored cities by elderly people.

As the integration of the Yangtze River Delta region continues to advance, Huangshan has great potential to emerge as a new driving force for the high-quality and coordinated development of the elderly care industry in the region, he said.

A total of 79 projects in fields such as new energy, automotive electronics, smart manufacturing and Huizhou-style architecture were inked at this year's Huangshan Development Conference, with combined investment hitting 22.81 billion yuan ($3.15 billion).

During the conference, an international communication forum was also held for the first time to pool strength for promoting the city's development. More than 120 government officials, experts, scholars and representatives of businesses and media outlets gathered at the forum, exploring ways to help Huangshan and its local Hui culture reach a wider audience all over the world.

Adrien Brill, an American expat who has been living in Huangshan since 2016, spoke about his enthusiasm for his second hometown during an interview at the forum. "It's a beautiful place, with great mountains and clear waters; quite a good place to live and hang out," he said.

Adrien Brill, an American expat who has been living in Huangshan since 2016, speaks to China.org.cn during an interview on the sidelines of the First Greater Huangshan International Communication Forum in Huangshan, Anhui province, Nov. 15, 2023. [Photo/China.org.cn]

For Brill, Huangshan is unique compared with other places in China, as it boasts ancient Huizhou-style architecture dating back to the Ming (1368-1644) and Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, as well as many well-preserved ancient villages.

Also a foodie, Brill opened a pizzeria in Huangshan's Nanxinan village this summer. He even took an innovative approach to making pizza, by using smelly mandarin fish and stinky tofu  both famous local delicacies  as toppings. The pizzeria has become a big hit both with consumers and on Chinese social media.

Brill said he hopes that his pizza restaurant will become a cozy place for people from different cultures to share their traditions and enjoy themselves.

Now living a happy and contented life in Huangshan, Brill said he would like to share his stories here with more people and help them learn more about this beautiful city.
A half-dozen House Progressives introduced a bill Thursday to block a $320 million arms sale to Israel amid its war with Hamas in Gaza.

The measure, led by Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.), would revoke the export license of a specific type of guided bomb kit approved for sale to Israel months before the Oct. 7 start of the war in Gaza.

It is co-sponsored by Reps. Cori Bush (D-Mo.), Summer Lee (D-Pa.), Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), Delia Ramirez (D-Ill.) and Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), all of whom have criticized U.S. support for the Israeli military in the conflict.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his far-right ethnonationalist government continue to commit war crimes in their siege of the Gaza Strip, Omar said in a statement. From requests to minimize civilian casualties, avoid a ground invasion, avoid reoccupation of Gaza, and institute a meaningful humanitarian pause, Netanyahu continues to thumb his nose at U.S. policy and requests.

The United States already provides the Israeli government with $3.8 billion of military aid a year, and holds enormous leverage over their actions. It is the responsibility of Congress to exercise oversight over weapons sales, she continued. That is why we must not allow weapons sales that will be used to directly violate U.S. and international law, human rights, and our own moral standing in the world.

Spice Family gliding bomb assemblies are a kit that can turn an unguided bomb into a GPS-guided munition. The State Department notified Congress the transfer of the kits would go forward on Oct. 31, The Wall Street Journal first reported.

In the sale, munitions manufacturer Rafael USA would transfer the bombs to its Israeli parent company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems for use by the Israeli military. Congress approved a $402 million transfer of the same weapons systems to Israel in 2020, according to the Journal.

Omar has been one of the loudest voices in Congress against U.S. military support for Israel amid the war. She has called for a total cease-fire in the conflict, alongside other progressives led by Bush, which the Biden administration and Israeli leaders have rejected.

President Biden and his administration have pressed Israeli leaders to better consider civilian casualties amid Israels ground invasion of Gaza, as well as allow longer humanitarian pauses in fighting to assist civilians.

The war in Gaza began early last month after Hamas militants launched a brutal surprise attack on border communities in Israel, killing 1,200 people. The ongoing Israeli air strike and ground campaign has killed more than 11,100 Palestinians, including more than 4,600 children, according to the Hamas-run Gaza Health Ministry.

The Israeli military demanded that Gazans evacuate parts of southern Gaza on Thursday, expanding previous evacuation demands and raising concerns that the conflict could expand across the Middle East as tensions rise.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Traffic is backed up near the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Wednesday morning after a fatal accident between a car and motorcycle on eastbound Texas 71, just before Spirit of Texas Drive.

Update: The Austin Police Department identified the victim as 19-year-old Zachery Jonaitis. The driver and passenger traveling in the car were not injured and are cooperating with the investigation.

Update: Eastbound Texas 71 reopened around 11:15 a.m. after being closed for several hours, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport has confirmed on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Original story:

A fatal accident between a car and motorcycle on eastbound Texas 71, just before Spirit of Texas Drive, has shut the highway down, affecting commuters and travelers heading to Austin-Bergstrom International Airport Wednesday morning.

The Austin Police Department does not know when the highway will be reopened, said Sam Haynes, spokesperson for the airport.

"Passengers are encouraged to check in with their airlines, and reach out directly to their airlines. Some airlines have delays, but other airlines do not," she said.

Haynes also encouraged travelers to use GPS apps to find the less congested route to the airport.

All traffic is currently being diverted to U.S. 183.

The accident happened shortly before 6 a.m. Austin-Travis County EMS said a motorcyclist was pronounced dead at the scene.

This embedded content is not available in your region.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Texas 71 near Austin airport reopens after fatal crash
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  The amount of money the state is spending in its legal fight over tribal compacts keeps climbing.

A new report from the Legislative Office of Fiscal Transparency (LOFT) shows the Office of Management and Enterprise Services (OMES) is paying over $3.3 million in legal fees for the Governors lawsuits over tribal gaming compacts, as first reported by Oklahoma Voice.

Wasted taxpayer dollars: OK Governor pays private law firms $596k in federal tribal lawsuit  what happens next?

In July, News 4 reported that Governor Kevin Stitts office turned to three private law firms for legal aid located in Washington DC, Georgia, and Oklahoma City.

Those numbers total out to almost $600,000 as of June 2023.

By August, a report by The Frontier found fees from all the lawsuits total out to more than $1.9 million from 2020 to June 2023.

Report: OK Gov. used tribal gaming fund to pay nearly $2M in legal fees

Now, a LOFT report published Tuesday says over $3.3 million of the Tribal and Gaming Revolving Fund has been or will be used to settle the states numerous lawsuits.

But over $3.3 million from the revolving fund has been used or will be used to pay the costs of State-Tribal legal fees from the multiple lawsuits the State is currently involved in. LOFT OMES report

LOC_DRAFT_Priority_Evaluation_OMES_Budget_Review_90d04785cbDownload

In 2021, the Legislature appropriated $10 million to a newly created revolving fund, called the State Tribal Litigation Fund, for the purpose of defending the State in ongoing legal disputes between Oklahoma and tribal governments, the LOFT report notes. Expenditures from the fund are considered restricted and are only available to use if they are approved by the Joint Committee on State-Tribal Relations of the Oklahoma Legislature.

The Tribal and Gaming Revolving Fund, connected to the Model Tribal Gaming Compact and funded through fees collected from tribes, is used to assist the State in administration and oversight of the gaming compacts. However, that fund is listed by OMES as non-restricted and therefore do not have to be approved by the Legislature.

Its not what we set up for this process, whether it is legal or not. That will be a question for the attorney general and others to look into. Its definitely not the process that was agreed to by the speaker, the governor and myself, Greg Treat, the Senate President Pro Tem, told KFOR in July about using the gaming funds for litigation.

In a statement Thursday to the station, the Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association (OIGA), a non-profit organization of Indian Nations with other non-voting associate members addressed the purpose of the fund:

The Tribal & State Gaming Revolving Fund is designed to offset the states costs in implementing the Model Tribal Gaming Compact. Use of these fees, which are paid by tribal governments, to fund litigation that rejects and undermines the Model Compact is misaligned with the clear intent and purpose of the fund. Matthew L. Morgan, Chairman, Oklahoma Indian Gaming Association

DPS Commissioner says non-compacted tribes dont share with OLETS; at least 10 do

Although the report does not give a breakdown of how the $3.3 million is being spent, LOFT says the number includes the total amount of purchase orders, paid or unpaid, relating to tribal legal disputes.

In an email Thursday to the station, Abegail Cave, Director of Communications for the Governor, said his office would review the numbers closely.

Id have to look more closely but were not sure where the $3.3 million number came from, she said.

Its important to remember that these costs arise from legal counsel needed to defend the states in lawsuits that tribal governments have filed against the state. The Governor has never sued any tribal governments, Cave added.

Following the report, Attorney General Gentner Drummond also released a statement:

This revelation in the LOFT report is further proof that the Governor has drained millions of public dollars in his ongoing vendetta against tribal nations. The Attorney General has been strongly opposed to using public money in a futile and seemingly endless effort to invalidate state law in favor of expanded federal authority. Office of the Attorney General Gentner Drummond

The legal spending review was part of a crackdown by LOFT of OMES, which describes itself as the backbone of our state government.

OMES was also criticized for poor budgeting, a lack of transparency and poor organizational structure, all adding up to added costs for multiple state agencies.

In response, OMES Chief Operating Officer said the agency is open to the feedback:

If theres some conflict, lets fix the conflict, if theres some transparency, lets get transparency but I would just ask this group to consider not ruining the efficiency that youve gained over a decades worth of work, said John Suter during the meeting.

LOFT recommended several, general policy changes for OMES, including for budgeting, accountability and billing practices.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
COTTAGE GROVE, Tenn. (WKRN)  There are several tight-knit, rural communities spread across Tennessee, but according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, none are as small as a city found in the western part of the state.

Located just about 20 minutes outside of Paris in Henry County, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that in 2022, only 66 people lived in the states smallest city, Cottage Grove.

Beloved restaurant Carmacks Fish Barn destroyed in Henry County fire

The entire city only encompasses about 0.2 square miles, with the historic Cottage Grove School, which has been vacant for a few years, and the Cottage Grove Cemetery being some of the easiest places to spot on Google Maps.

A church, park, post office, volunteer fire department, general store and small number of homes can also be found amid the six streets that run through the area. While the city is more sparse now, Cottage Grove reportedly flourished in its early years.

According to Paris local newspaper, the Paris Post-Intelligencer, Cottage Grove was settled in the 1820s by the Killebrew and Kennedy families, who came from North Carolina. Soon there were multiple general stores, mills, and even several doctors in the area.

A map of Henry County in 1922 shows Cottage Grove. (Courtesy: Tennessee State Library and Archives)

First named Todd Town, the name was later changed to Cottage Grove when the postal service came to the area in 1864 and there was already a Todd Town in the postal system.

Tennessee towns named among the 150 Best Small Towns in America

Cottage Grove was also one of the first cities in Tennessee to create a volunteer fire department in 1975, the Paris Post-Intelligencer reported. Before that, residents had to wait on firefighters traveling all the way from Paris during emergencies.

By the time Cottage Grove was incorporated into a city in 1909, the population was around 215 people. That number dropped to an estimated 85 residents by 1990. Today, U.S. Census Bureau data indicates there are only a little more than two dozen households in the area.

The median age of Cottage Grove residents is 44 years old, with the majority being married couples. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the median household income is around $44,375, and about 19.7% of the population lives below the poverty line.

Workers typically have a commute of around 39.5 minutes to work, with many likely heading to Paris, or other neighboring cities.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

Other cities that are among some of the states smallest include Hickory Valley, Viola and Salusbury, which in 2022, had estimated populations ranging between 80 and 112 people.

In comparison, the Nashville-Davidson Metro area had the largest population in the state last year, with 683,622 residents. Memphis was the second largest city with a population of around 621,056 people.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Hi OnPolitics readers! Late last night, the Senate approved a temporary plan to avoid a government shutdown that the House passed earlier this week. President Joe Biden is expected to sign the measure, known as a continuing resolution, soon to keep the governments doors open for Americans.

Kicking the can down the road? The continuing resolution isnt a permanent solution. Instead, it sets up another showdown early next year: The bill funds part of the government through Jan. 19 and another through Feb. 2. That's just five working weeks until the first deadline and six until the second, USA TODAYs Riley Beggin reports.

The bar is pretty much on the ground: Lawmakers were eager to pass the resolution on Wednesday and get out of Washington ahead of Thanksgiving. But some leaders were still disappointed that Congress hasnt come together to provide some stability for the American people with a longer-term solution.

Its not like weve accomplished anything. We kept the government open, said Sen. John Neely Kennedy, R-La. The bar is pretty much on the ground. I dont think you can get any lower unless you start digging.

Congress has been extraordinarily divided, and there is not yet agreement between the two chambers on what the final funding levels will be. Lawmakers still have to agree on a slate of funding bills to keep the government running, and Republicans in the House have demanded spending cuts that are dead-on-arrival in the Senate.

Read more here: Senate passes temporary plan to avoid brutal government shutdown before Thanksgiving

Stay in the know on politics: Sign up for the OnPolitics newsletter

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'The bar is on the floor': Senate passes plan to avoid shutdown
Nevadas attorney general is investigating six Republicans, including the state Republican Party chair, who pretended to be state electors in 2020 to hand the election to Donald Trump.

Democratic state Attorney General Aaron Ford had previously said he would not investigate the case. But in recent weeks, investigators from his office have begun asking witnesses about the six operatives efforts to present themselves as legitimate electors, Politico reported Wednesday.



Ford has kept the investigation relatively quiet. Neither he nor his office has yet to publicly comment on the probe.

After Joe Biden was declared the winner of the 2020 presidential election, Republicans in seven highly contested states launched attempts to overturn the results. GOP operatives signed certificates falsely stating they were the states Electoral College representatives and tried to claim that Trump had won their state.

Many of the fake electors were highly ranked state Republicans. The Nevada fake electors included Nevada GOP Chair Michael McDonald.



Nevada is now the fourth state to launch an investigation into the fake electors scheme. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel charged 16 people in July with felonies for pretending to be 2020 electors. The accused include state Republican Party co-chair Meshawn Maddock and state Republican National Committeewoman Kathy Berden.

There are also investigations going on in Arizona and Georgia, where Trump and his allies have also been indicted for trying to overturn the states 2020 election results. The other states where Republicans tried to overthrow the resultsNew York, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsinhave yet to publicly announce whether they will probe the fake elector plot.

The plan to use fake electors was initially thought of by lawyer Kenneth Chesebro, who was indicted in Georgia, and then eventually taken over by Trump lawyer John Eastman. An internal memo reveals that Chesebro knew his bold, controversial strategy would likely be rejected by the Supreme Court.

But the point of Chesebros plan was not actually to pass legal and judicial scrutiny. Instead, the goal was to increase the spotlight on the baseless claims of voter fraud and to give Trumps campaign more time to win its multiple lawsuits challenging the vote results. Judges threw out every single one of those lawsuits because they had no basis.
Editors note: Judi Ketteler writes frequently about life in the Midwest. She is the author of Would I Lie to You? The Amazing Power of Being Honest in a World That Lies. The views in this commentary are her own. Read more opinion at CNN.

Voters in my state of Ohio decisively approved a reproductive rights amendment last week. That vote was monumental, but it wasnt the ballot item that many of us with kids at home were most focused on.

As a parent of two teenagers, I had poured my heart into an election battle for two seats on our local school board. The vote had huge implications for our local schools, but I knew there were school districts all over the country just as on edge that night.

Judi Ketteler - Courtesy Judi Ketteler

For me, the big question was: Could a couple of grassroots, nonpartisan school board candidates in Ohio defeat a pair of contenders backed by the conservative Moms for Liberty group?

To be honest, the odds against us didnt look great at the beginning. The juggernaut conservative interest group, which has substantial backing from Republicans, has been shaking up classroom politics across the US, with a platform of banning books, restricting the rights of LGBTQ students and dialing back diversity initiatives.

After reading stories of turmoil about what happened to districts when Moms for Liberty and other anti-CRT (the often misused acronym referring to Critical Race Theory) candidates took over school boards, my neighbors and I knew we didnt want them running roughshod over our schools.

It turns out voters in districts all over the country were thinking the same thing. Moms for Liberty took a drubbing on election night. In fact, of the eight Moms for Liberty-endorsed candidates in Hamilton county, where I live, only two of them won. And similar results were repeated across the US.

School board elections havent always been the focus of as much energy and attention as theyve gotten the last few years. We didnt pay much attention either in our small suburb of Cincinnati, Madeira, which has about 1,500 kids in the school district  until we saw what happened in a nearby jurisdiction two years ago.

In our neighboring district of Forest Hills, four rightwing candidates who embraced an anti-critical race theory platform similar to the one endorsed by Moms for Liberty swept in during the 2021 election. The first thing the new board did was pass a resolution banning any assignment asking students to consider their race, religion, socioeconomic class, gender identity, or sexuality.

They also canceled Diversity Day, which led to a student walk-out and led to a lawsuit against the board that is still pending. Similar problems happened in the Lakota school district, about 10 miles away. I had friends and relatives in each of those neighboring districts who told me about their frustrations with the new school board. I didnt want changes like that in my district.

Moms for Liberty brands itself as a parents rights group and works to elect school board members across the country. It formed in 2021, initially in opposition to mask mandates that were taken up in some school districts.

When we started seeing signs for school board candidates who had formed a partisan PAC (political action committee) and who we feared might be allying with Moms for Liberty, about a dozen of us got together and decided to form our own PAC.

The first time we met, in mid-August of this year, it seemed like an uphill climb. How could we beat back the tide of something we knew was sweeping the country, especially in our decidedly red state? We knew that we likely couldnt do it just as Democrats and, to be honest, we didnt want to. The school board was supposed to be a nonpartisan body. We wanted to talk to parents on the center, center-right and center-left who care about our schools and our children.

We decided that the goal of our PAC, which we named Madeira United, would be to actively campaign against extremism in general and Moms for Liberty, in particular. We wouldnt be tied to any campaign or political party, financially or otherwise. We would simply share information and talk about common sense candidates, for both school board and city council.

We were a rag-tag bunch of citizens who were willing to stand up and fight: A combination of parents, retired folks, and people with no children, some of us had a history of political activism (mine consisted mostly of writing postcards) and others had been involved in city government. A few worked for nonprofits. Another member knew enough to do basic website design. Someone else had experience helping another school district pass a levy.

Its no exaggeration that the first thing we did was Google, How do you start a PAC in Ohio? Turns out, the first step was to find a treasurer  the only person whose name had to be publicly disclosed. We knew this person would face scrutiny from conservative gadflies in our town. My neighbor, Steve, a longtime resident with grown children, bravely stepped up to do it and schooled himself in financial reporting requirements.

We met weekly and we raised about $7,000 through website donations. We created a brand and a cohesive messaging strategy (This is where being a writer came in handy). We mined public data and learned to do targeted ads on Facebook. We designed and sent out mailers and did literature drops. We trained ourselves how to use texting programs.

As the Ohio Republican Party sent out mailer after mailer, listing the Moms for Liberty candidates as their endorsed candidates we stayed relentlessly focused on our message of No culture wars. No extremism.

Several prominent community members who typically voted Republican started echoing our message, saying that politicizing school boards was bad for our community and bad for our kids. It felt like a coalition, and we leaned into it.

That said, a constant thrum of conservative voices on our neighborhood Facebook page called us a hate group. They accused us of mudslinging and attacking the candidates personally. In fact, we only focused on things the candidates had publicly said and done, like declaring their first order of business was to start a curriculum committee  often the first step in efforts to strip materials that focus on diversity out of the classroom.

In the end, we won. Big. The nonpartisan school board candidates beat the Moms for Liberty candidates by a roughly 3 to 1 margin. Thats not nothing when you live in a town of just over 9,000 and your kids might be friends with kids whose parents vilify you. Its not nothing when your preference is always to get along with your neighbors. And when some of your neighbors align themselves with groups known for bigotry, school disruption and harassment, the time for smiles is gone.

We were not alone in our election success: Of the 130 Moms for Liberty school board candidates across the country, Newsweek and other media outlets reported that the majority of them lost. In fact, every single Moms for Liberty candidate who contended for a school board seat in Minnesota, Kansas, North Carolina and Washington state went down in defeat. Of 14 candidates in Iowa, only one prevailed. And so it went, all across the country.

Would Moms for Liberty have lost in our district either way? Perhaps. But we had wanted to send a clear message, and we did. We may have been mild-mannered Midwesterners with little political experience, but we did not just roll over and hope that everything would work out.

We mapped out a template to turn back future challenges from extreme groups. Because while they may be defeated for now, they wont stop trying. So, if Moms for Liberty is eyeing your district, start getting organized now. Find your pack. Create your PAC. And get ready to fight.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Editors Note: Peter Bergen is CNNs national security analyst, a vice president at New America, a professor of practice at Arizona State University and the host of the Audible podcast In the Room With Peter Bergen, also on Apple and Spotify. The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. View more opinion at CNN.

Fentanyl and other synthetic opioids kill tens of thousands of young Americans a year, and the compound is helping to poison the US relationship with China.

It was one of the issues on the table as the two leaders of the worlds most powerful economies, Chinese leader Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden, met outside San Francisco on Wednesday.

Synthetic opioid overdoses, most of them caused by fentanyl, are a leading cause of death in the United States for 18 to 45-year-olds, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The CDC estimates more than 100,000 people in the US died from drug overdoses in 2022 and most of these deaths were caused by fentanyl or other synthetic opioids.

The precursor chemicals used to make fentanyl primarily originate from China, though some also come from India. Those chemicals are then typically shipped to Mexico, where they are turned into fentanyl by Mexican drug cartels.

Last month, a delegation of US senators led by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer met with Xi in China and demanded action on the Chinese supply of the chemicals that make fentanyl. On the trip, Schumer observed, They are fueling the fentanyl crisis that is poisoning communities across the United States  Every one of us knows families who have lost young men and women to fentanyl.

Chinese state media has said that fentanyl consumption is a US domestic problem.

Under pressure from the Trump administration, the Chinese government did designate fentanyl as a controlled substance in 2019, but that hasnt stopped the precursor chemicals that are used to manufacture fentanyl from still making their way from China to Mexico.

CNNs Phil Mattingly reports that a likely outcome of the Biden-Xi meeting Wednesday is an agreement by China to crack down on the export of the source chemicals used to make fentanyl.

If China can indeed get a handle on the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals, that might help make a difference in preventing the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans succumbing each year to overdoses.

US President Joe Biden meeets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Woodside, California, on November 15. - Kevin Lamarque/Reuters

Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a very powerful painkiller that is legitimately used in surgery. The drug is 50 times more powerful than heroin, according to the CDC.

A minuscule dose as small as two milligrams of the drug can be lethal depending on a persons body size, tolerance, and past usage, according to the DEA.

In May, for the podcast In the Room with Peter Bergen, I spoke to Bidens Deputy Homeland Security Adviser Josh Geltzer, a former New America colleague of mine, who painted a sobering image of the scope of the problem, explaining that the quantity of (fentanyl) pills and powder combined seized by US law enforcement at our border last year was enough to kill every single American, potentially with a few pills left over.

I also spoke to Sam Quinones, a journalist who has written two excellent books about Americas drug problems.Quinones told me, Fentanyl tends to make it almost impossible for you to be whats known as a functioning drug addict. Your entire life is devoted to fentanyl.

Quinones also said that based on his research, even fentanyl users who have developed a tolerance for the drug generally only survive for around two years once they get hooked, given the potency of the drug.

Fentanyl test strips are a low-cost method of helping prevent drug overdoses. - Michael Siluk/Universal Images Group/Getty Images

For drug dealers, fentanyl is particularly appealing compared to drugs like heroin, which require growing poppies to produce opium, which is then refined into heroin. With fentanyl, you dont need to grow anything; it can all be made in a makeshift lab.

The rise of fentanyl originated with the opioid crisis in the United States. Opioid users sometimes turned to heroin and some, eventually, to fentanyl, which first became a serious problem in the US around a decade ago, according to the CDC.

A new trend has amplified the problem, which is the addition of Xylazine, a horse tranquilizer known as tranq, to the fentanyl supply. Tranq can cause severe wounds in users that may require the amputation of limbs. The DEA says that about a quarter of fentanyl powder that was seized in the US in 2022 contained tranq.

While, of course, reducing demand for drugs in the United States is also key to this problem, its worth noting that this is not just an American demand problem; it is also a supply issue. Mexican cartels will often mix fentanyl in with cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine, all to induce Americans to take fentanyl without knowing it and to get hooked on it, according to DEA Administrator Anne Milgram.

As Geltzer observed to me, For years, the kind of inherited wisdom on drug sales was that drug dealers wanted their clients hooked, but not dead. (But now) they seem to think that there are enough potential other buyers out there that if 60% of the fentanyl on the market is potentially lethal, so be it. And if they lose some users, theyll sell to others.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Ukraine has been wreaking havoc on Russias navy in the Black Sea through the use of new homemade sea drones and foreign-supplied cruise missiles. As a result of these suffocating attacks, Russia has been forced to have the bulk of its navy retreat from Sevastopol  a port that was first claimed by Russia in 1783 under Catherine the Great. However, with Russia in retreat, it could result in the war opening up a second front on Georgias occupied coast.

Before Russias full-scale invasion, Russia deployed six amphibious assault ships to the Black Sea, heightening the threat to Ukraine's southern shores. This move allowed Russia to potentially menace Ukraine from three directionsland, sea, and airforcing Ukraine to spread its defenses thinly.

Approximately a fifth of all Russian missile strikes on Ukraine between January and March 2023 came from the sea, placing significant stress on Ukraine's air defenses. Ukraine began destroying Russian warships wherever it could, and pushing the rest out to a distance that makes striking ports, cities and a new sea corridor as difficult as possible.

Sevastopol, in occupied-Crimea, used to be a safe place for Russia's naval fleet. However, with Ukrainian forces becoming more assertive, it's quickly becoming a graveyard for the Russian navy. The loss of the cruiser Moskva to Neptune missiles in April 2022 was a watershed moment for the Russian navy and helped mark the start of Russias rapid naval breakdown.

Read also: Rise of populism in Ukraines neighborhood: Not as gloomy as you think

As a result of constant Ukrainian strikes, Russia is moving its ships, submarines, and landing vessels to the port of Novorossiysk. President Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking at the Crimea Platform in October 2023, remarked that The Russian (Black Sea) fleet is no longer able to operate in the western part of the Black Sea and is gradually fleeing from Crimea.

However, Novorossiysk is only about 100 kilometers away from Crimea. In August 2023, Ukraine successfully launched a naval drone strike on Russia's Black Sea naval base in Novorossiysk. Even as the fleet pushes further out, Russian warships can fire missiles with a range of 2500 kilometers.

One day after the retreat, Russia announced that it is building a permanent naval base on the Black Sea coast in the occupied region of Abkhazia, which is internationally recognized as Georgian territory. Now that Russia is planning to transfer warships to Abkhazia, it could allow for the region to be more easily annexed. Its a slap in the face for Georgias pro-Russian government.

Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Garibashvili stated Russia is already planning to build the third military base, in this case, a naval base on our territory, of course, without our permission. This is the result of occupation.

Badri Japaridze from the Lelo Party went even further suggesting that Russia aims to extend its military reach to Georgia by establishing a front line in Abkhazia, within Georgia's internationally recognized borders. The new base would shelter Russia's naval fleet, currently being targeted in Sevastopol and Novorossiysk, which launches cruise missiles at Ukraine's civilian population.

Read also: Russia, West fight for Kazakhstan as Astana plays both sides

Abkhazia and South Ossetia, two regions in Georgia, have been under Russian occupation since a brief 2008 war, where Russia seized nearly 20% of Georgian territory. Russia views these regions as independent states, contrary to Georgia's stance of unlawful occupation and the international community's condemnation. In both areas, Russia has established substantial military bases.

Russia is now setting up a new naval base in Abkhazia's Ochamchire district, alarmingly close to Georgian-controlled territory and about 700 kilometers from Sevastopol. Following Russia's 2008 invasion of Georgia, Russia relocated part of its Black Sea fleet here, using it to blockade Georgian ports.

Though initially too shallow for larger vessels, recent dredging has made Ochamchire harbor suitable for smaller ships, including missile corvettes used against Ukraine. This could allow Russia to permanently station missile cruisers at the port.

Russian control over Ochamchire port began in 2009, following so-called cooperation agreements on border protection with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. This move strengthens Russia's capacity to disrupt Black Sea commerce, threatening projects like Georgia's Anaklia deep sea port. Georgia, the only South Caucasus country with Black Sea access, lacks a deep-sea port, limiting its transit capabilities. The new base not only elevates the strategic value of Georgia's occupied coastline but also endangers its ambitions to leverage its geostrategic position.

The Anaklia project, reactivated by Georgia after a 2020 suspension, aims to position Georgia as a crucial Europe-Asia trade link, especially given the context of Russia's Ukraine invasion and consequent Western sanctions.

Read also: New Belarusian poetry collection explores revolution, exile, war

David Kezerashvili, Georgia's Defense Minister during the 2008 invasion, fears Russia might aim to capture more Georgian ports, potentially drawing Georgia into the Ukraine conflict. Kyiv's capability to strike distant targets could lead to preemptive actions against Russian forces in Georgia. The Ukrainian government has already demonstrated that it has a long arm as Ukraine struck targets over 600 kilometers from its borders and Moscow itself.

Despite Ukraine's successes against Russian naval power, Russia's Black Sea Fleet remains a threat, capable of launching cruise missiles at Ukrainian civilian infrastructure. The Abkhazian base represents Georgia's most significant security challenge since 2008, signaling Russia's longterm commitment to the war. If Russia continues to fail to secure its fleet, it could retreat even further to the Caspian Sea through internal waters with the Volga-Don Canal.

However, Ukrainian submarines may be able to strike Russias new naval base with drone submarines. Released in August 2023, the Marichka is a prototype unmanned undersea vehicle (UUV) designed to target Russian warships' vulnerabilities as it has the ability to operate stealthily below the waterline presenting a significant advantage, as the Black Sea Fleet is currently ill-equipped to detect and intercept small UUVs. It can cover a distance of up to 600 miles.

The Kremlin's intent to establish a second front on Georgian soil is because Ukraine has a legitimate right to attack Russian military targets in Abkhazia to defend itself. If Russia does begin launching strikes against Ukraine from Georgian territory, Ukraine might very well be forced to strike Russian naval forces there, opening up a new front in the Russo-Ukrainian war.

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You are here: China

Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out efforts to rescue and treat the injured after a fire accident at a building of a coal mine company in north China's Shanxi Province on Thursday morning.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, asked all regions and relevant departments to thoroughly identify risks in key industries to safeguard people's lives, property, and social stability.

Xi, who is visiting abroad, made the instructions immediately after the accident.

The fire that happened in the city of Lyuliang has left 26 people dead and 38 others injured.

The accident caused heavy casualties, and the lesson is profound, Xi said, urging authorities to find out the cause of the accident as soon as possible, and hold accountable those responsible.

Xi stressed that all regions and relevant departments should learn a lesson from the accident, firmly establish the concept of safe development, and strengthen bottom-line thinking.

In view of the high risk of fire accidents in winter, Xi demanded improving emergency plans and preventive measures, making all parties step up to their responsibilities, and resolutely curbing the occurrence of major accidents.

Premier Li Qiang made instructions, urging a fast rescue of the missing personnel, all-out efforts to treat the wounded, minimizing casualties, and properly dealing with the aftermath.

On assignment from Xi, officials from the State Council and relevant departments have gone to the scene to guide the rescue and emergency response work.
Editors Note: Patricia Grisafi, PhD, is a freelance writer whose work has been featured in The Guardian, Salon, NBC, Los Angeles Review of Books, The Mary Sue, The Daily Dot and elsewhere. The views expressed here are her own. Read more opinion on CNN.

Years ago, I was browsing New Yorks Union Square Barnes and Noble when I came across James Francos poetry collection, Directing Herbert White. I was a struggling English PhD student at the time, and so annoyed by Francos program-hopping that I moved the books to the True Crime section. Because it was a crime that he wrote them. Get it?

Patricia Grisafi - Courtesy of Patricia Grisafi

Of course, this dumb protest did nothing but create work for the Barnes and Noble employee who had to re-shelve them (Im sorry). Today, I still have disdain for Franco but because of the sexual misconduct allegations against him not because he wrote poetry (Franco maintains all sexual encounters were consensual). But I am thinking about the phenomenon of the celebrity poetry collection differently  and it has to do with the actress Megan Foxs recent debut collection, Pretty Boys Are Poisonous (Simon & Schuster).

Celebrity poetry is a strange animal. Theres really no point in writing a review or providing a value judgment. Its hard to get angry about their existence unless youre delusional about the economics of publishing.

These books just exist. Fans will be pleased. Skeptics will be mad, like this commenter who was distressed that someone like Fox could get a book deal with a Big Five publisher: Poetry is deadthere is no reason that this bimbo should get published over real poets who actually care about the craft. Simon and Schuster has lost all credibility

Fox, who has starred in Transformers, Jennifers Body and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles is, of course, not the first celebrity to write a poetry collection. Jewel, Tupac Shakur, Billy Corgan, Alicia Keys, Mary Lambert, Florence Welch, Halsey and Lana del Rey, among others, have all penned and published poetry with varying degrees of commercial success.

From a cursory scan, it seems musicians tend to dip into poetry more than actors  most likely because writing lyrics is similar to writing verse. When a celebrity wants to tell their story or set the record straight, they usually turn to memoir or autobiography. Poetry, on the other hand, obfuscates. It gives the illusion of intimacy in a way that no other medium does.

Many celebrities build their brand on the illusion of relatability. Fox was always stupendously not relatable  too beautiful, too cryptic. Shed make movies then disappear. Say something controversial then vanish. Drop little enigmatic crumbs leading to a gorgeous, vaguely menacing, but ultimately inscrutable cottage in the woods.

In an article for NBC, Jude Ellison Sady Doyle ruminated on how Foxs unlikability meant she got left behind when the #MeToo movement was beginning to reckon with abuses in Hollywood. It would have been easier to honor Foxs stories, maybe, if shed framed herself as a devastated victim. But she told her stories the way she told all the others: with confidence, as jokes, Doyle writes. The same is true of her poetry.

Her poems are about victimization but also hint at what happens when a mannequin defies expectation and goes mad. Like every woman / they refuse to listen to my words / instead / they criticize the shape of my mouth / as I speak them reads one poem titled i didnt sign up to compete in your bullst beauty pageant.

In the books introduction, Fox says this book is about making the personal political, the singular collective: And from me poured these poems featuring previously unspoken feelings of isolation, torment, self-harm, desperation, longing, restlessness, rage, and general anguish. These are the experiences of many of us that I now give voice to in these poems.

Fox reflected on her poetic influences in an interview with People: [The poetry] comes from a lot of places. Some of it is literal, while other parts are allegorical. Whether or not shes aware of the confessional tradition shes writing in, she can thank other women for paving the way.

Confessional poetry continues to be a debatable term in academic circles. It specifically refers to a small group of American poets operating between the late 1950s and 1970s. It is used more broadly to categorize any poems that appear to be super personal  the first person I is used and topics address the horrors of everyday life like mental illness, abuse, physical pain, trauma, addiction, relationship problems, parenting and grief. Confessional poetry is genre that is not limited to women but seems to be associated most frequently with them. In particular, Sylvia Plath and Anne Sexton are often invoked when confessional poetry is discussed.

Both Sexton and Plath used their experiences as women to fuel their poetry. They transformed the stuff of their lives into art that criticized a culture seeking to limit them. For example, in Plaths poem The Applicant (1962) she writes about how the cult of domesticity turns women into literal dolls: It can sew, it can cook,/it can talk, talk, talk. The woman in the poem has ceased to be human, reduced to an object without an inner life. It is a collection of performances: household work and small, mindless chatter.

Since confessional poetry evoked femininity and womanhood, and in some cases, pregnancy and motherhood  and eventually became linked with Second Wave Feminism in the 1970s  certain critics mocked or dismissed it as something to be embarrassed by. Depending on who you ask, it still is.

Poetry and its reception have come a long way from when Plath and Sexton were writing. Now, there are Instagram poets and people who argue about whether Instagram poets are good or bad. There are Sad Girls and Plath Girls and poetry tote bags and tattoos. At a promotional reading in New York City, the majority-female audience wanted to ask Fox things like what she would tell her younger self. There were tears.

But there is still a lot of misogyny to contend with when women write about taboo themes, such how patriarchal structures continue to erase or minimize womens pain and suffering. The violence of abuse and the pain of miscarriage are two of Foxs most visceral subjects; in these poems, the male figures inflict physical, emotional and sexual trauma on a speaker who dreams of freedom and is trying to discover her own power: you fall asleep on top of me so that i cant / call my family or the police from the poem oxycodone and tequila is one of the strongest lines, horrific in its simplicity.

There are references to patriarchal violence throughout: the Biblical oppression of Lilith and Eve, the suffering of Mary Magdalene, the sorrow of childrens book The Giving Tree, toxic masculinity satire American Psycho, Marilyn Monroe (need more be said) and the mythological Persephone, who became queen of the Underworld after Hades abducted her from her mother.

Formally, most of the words are written in lower-case, like a whisper. And many of the poems seem to be explicitly intended for meme-ification. The shortest ones, often single sentences, seem primed for Instagram posts. And while sharing poetry on social media or being an Instagram poet isnt new, it is meaningful to participate intentionally in this tradition, to encourage the consumption of poetry on social media. Some poemsserve the same purpose as memes in online culture, Fox explained in an interview.

Foxs poetry matters because women and their stories matter. No matter how often we are told that we need to listen to women, the prevailing message is always that women should shut up. Just last month, rapper Timbaland said that Justin Timberlake needed to put a muzzle on Britney Spears in light of her memoirs recent publication (Timbaland has since apologized for the comment).

Where Fox would be the muse for other artists, she is now a creator and a muse for her own art. Her body, famous subject of the male gaze, becomes a poetic body that is the site of multiple traumas, struggling to speak and make meaning.

One recent critic described the authority asserted by confessional poets in this way: What makes them powerful is that they foreground the experiences of a firmly female speaker, everyday observations that so many women share but are often seen as not valuable or worthy of being called art. Fox is working within that tradition. These are feminist poems, and they carry Foxs message: reject silence.

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Gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger, left, and Gov. Gray Davis at the governor's office in Sacramento after the recall election in October 2003. (Associated Press / Rich Pedroncelli)

Its 20 years ago this week since Arnold Schwarzenegger became governor of California, after the recall of former Gov. Gray Davis. For much of the last two decades, the recall has been remembered mostly as a bizarre media circus, with 135 candidates, a hurried 60-day campaign, and a debate featuring Schwarzenegger and Arianna Huffington trading insults.

This is a shame, because that strange, cataclysmic event shifted Californias political priorities and offers important lessons that might provide some much-needed hope about our power to change the future.

Read more: Gov. Davis Is Recalled; Schwarzenegger Wins

In retrospect, the Davis recall looks like the first of three election earthquakes in the 21st century that shook up American politics. The other two are the elections of Barack Obama in 2008 and Donald Trump in 2016.

For Americans, the recall election, with all its bombast, would preview how politics would grow louder, more populist, more direct. And for Californians, the recall was something more: the beginning of a new era in governance.

In three major policy areas, the recall brought big movements in policies to put California more in line with the preferences of its people.

Read more: Remember Schwarzenegger's Sacramento shakeup? If a Republican wins Tuesday, it could happen again

None of those policies got the same TV coverage that was devoted to populist hot-buttons like Davis raising the car tax, or Schwarzeneggers groping scandal. But the policies were all major proposals during Schwarzeneggers recall campaign in 2003 and his subsequent reelection in 2006.

And these shifts in priorities are ongoing, having outlasted Schwarzeneggers administration because they were embraced by his two gubernatorial successors, Jerry Brown and Gavin Newsom, and by voters.

The first of these issues is childrens programs. Schwarzenegger repeatedly promised more spending on schools, childrens health, the after-school programs that had been the subject of his personal philanthropy and a ballot initiative he championed. Facing budget problems, he struggled to deliver on these promises in office. But he made some progress, and Brown and Newsom have done even better.

Read more: Arnold Schwarzenegger talks bipartisanship and climate change

Today, per-pupil spending in California is more than twice what it was 20 years ago. With the help of Obamacare  which Schwarzenegger strongly supported  all California children, even undocumented immigrants, are eligible for health insurance. And California now spends so much on after-school programs  more than the other 49 states combined  that the Biden administration is trying to convince the rest of the country to adopt our approach.

The second area was the environment. During the recall campaign, Schwarzenegger, assisted by some of his most progressive advisers, offered six major promises on environment and climate change. Through executive orders and legislative compromises, he achieved all six  including solar and alternative energy investment, building efficiency standards, landmark targets for reducing greenhouse gases, and reductions in the carbon intensity of fuel.

State policymakers added more policies to this foundation, and Schwarzenegger in his post-governorship worked with other states and countries to further develop anti-carbon pollution policies.

The third issue area was, appropriately, the power of people in democracy. Near his terms end, Schwarzenegger convinced voters, after multiple failed attempts, to make two changes.

One was to eliminate partisan primary elections, replacing them with a top two system where the top two vote-getters in the first round of an election advance to the second-round election in November, regardless of party affiliation. The other was to end gerrymandering by the legislature and turn the job of drawing electoral districts over to a 14-member, bipartisan commission of citizens who do not have close ties to state government or political parties. This nonpartisan redistricting concept has spread to other states  from Colorado to Michigan  with Schwarzeneggers continued advocacy. One-third of legislative districts in the U.S. are now drawn by such commissions.

These significant changes were possible in part because of the recall. Schwarzenegger, however, doesnt much like reflecting on the recall, or the past in general. When I interviewed him at his L.A. home in September for a new book on the recalls impact, he kept changing the subject to the future, specifically the need for the U.S. to build new infrastructure to meet our economic and environmental needs.

He suggested that President Bidens infrastructure package, of $1.3 trillion over 10 years, was not nearly fast enough. We need action now, said Schwarzenegger. If he were president, Schwarzenegger told me, thered be $1.3 trillion in infrastructure every year.

Only when I questioned whether such an investment was possible did he bring up the 2003 recall. The lesson of that event, he said, is that anything is possible.

Joe Mathews is author of  The Peoples Machine: Arnold Schwarzenegger and the Rise of Blockbuster Democracy  and of a new audiobook , The California Recall: Its First 20 Years. He is the California columnist and democracy editor of Zocalo Public Square .

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Since Hamas attack on Israeli civilians on Oct. 7 and Israels retaliation, global attention has shifted from Ukraine to the Middle East. But while we are transfixed on Gaza, large-scale violence against civilians is also taking place elsewhere.

In the former Armenian enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh nearly the entire population had to flee, becoming refugees in the wake of Azerbaijans decisive victory in a conflict that lasted over two decades. In Ukraine, investigators constantly uncover new and ever more gruesome evidence of war crimes, torture, rape, kidnapping of children and intentional targeting of civilians as part of Russias genocidal campaign. In Israel and Gaza, 1,200 Israelis and more than 11,000 Palestinians lost their lives in a bout of violence that includes atrocities, indiscriminate targeting, bombings and hostage taking, leading to claims about a potential genocide or genocidal massacres committed by the warring parties.

Read more: Op-Ed: War crimes or genocide? Either way, we can't let Russian atrocities go unanswered

In Sudan, more than 360,000 civilians recently became refugees to escape mass violence and crimes against humanity carried out by the Rapid Support Forces amidst the countrys civil war. In the Balkans, Serbia, Kosovo and Bosnia and Herzegovina are on the brink of violent armed conflict. These and other cases of mass violence are all parts of an emerging global wave. A new age of ethnic cleansing and mass murder is upon us, and more horrors are coming.

All these conflicts have unique local causes and dynamics. Yet, different though they might be, they are also connected. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and Vladimir Putins efforts to challenge the U.S.-led global order emboldened and empowered other actors, such as Iran or Serbia. The rupture between Moscow and the West prevents a coordinated international action to restrain and contain emerging conflicts.

Read more: Opinion: Gaza's health system has collapsed, multiplying the war's toll on children

All forces that are perceived by the Kremlin as hostile to the West can now count on Moscows diplomatic backing in the United Nations and are cheered by Russias global propaganda machine. Some might receive financial support and access to Russias military technologies. In places such as war-torn Sudan, the Kremlins involvement is even more direct, with Russian mercenaries arming and training those engaged in crimes against humanity.

Global attention to Ukraine, and now Israel and Gaza, provides other actors, such as Azerbaijan, an opportunity to accomplish their maximalist goals without the fear of being in the spotlight or provoking international reaction. And when the war in Ukraine ends, the masses of Russian soldiers, accustomed to committing atrocities, will provide ready and cheap muscle for armed groups and conflicts elsewhere.

Read more: Sudan conflict brings new atrocities to Darfur as militias kill, rape, burn in rampages

Genocide and ethnic cleansing offer politicians what might seem like an easy solution to complex problems. There is no need to compromise and negotiate  concepts that radicals and populists abhor  if there is no one left to compromise with. In an era of increasingly polarized and intolerant politics and growing perceptions of existential threats  from opposing military alliances, different ethnic groups, religions, ideologies or identities  the eliminationist message becomes appealing. And most crucially, the international community and the U.S. in particular seem both unable and unwilling to do anything about this trend, even as the perpetrators face only minimal consequences or none at all.

The U.N. Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide and the broader framework of the international humanitarian law, which were designed to prevent mass atrocities, never ensured compliance, but now they seem utterly irrelevant and detached from actual events. Scarred by the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S.  the only country with the resources and capacity to stop mass murder anywhere on the globe  has lost the appetite for such actions. But without the U.S., prevention of mass atrocities is doomed. Scholars and experts imploring states and armed groups to stop violating international law and collective statements warning of potential genocide or ethnic cleansing have little effect.

Read more: 'Staying, for us, is impossible.' Thousands of ethnic Armenians flee Nagorno-Karabakh

The record of accountability and punishment for atrocities is no less abysmal. Thus far, Russias well-documented crimes against humanity produced only two indictments by the International Criminal Court and zero arrests of key perpetrators. It is unlikely that Putin, one of the two Russian officials indicted by the ICC, will ever face justice. The main impact of the indictment was just to limit Putins ability to travel abroad. The likelihood of other leaders, Russians and others, to ever face justice is equally low.

Can this global wave of mass violence be stopped or reversed? Probably not. Neither the U.S. nor NATO is likely to start committing resources to saving lives in faraway places. Actors that ignored international law will not suddenly begin abiding by it, and the conflict between Russia and the West precludes a possibility of a broad-based international action.

Read more: Opinion: Even before the bombing of Gaza, generations of Palestinians were displaced from their homes

But the West can still reduce the destructiveness of this violence. The first task is to recognize that while each case of mass violence is different, they are also interconnected, and addressing the sources of one will help reduce others. Limiting the ability of Russia or Iran to export violence will have effects beyond Ukraine or the Middle East. Influencing and, if needed, restraining allies is as necessary as taking action against adversaries. Substantial investment in accountability and punishment is cheaper and less controversial than military intervention, but might force perpetrators to rethink their policies.

At some point, the combined impact of images, testimonies and evidence of unspeakable suffering might make the public more willing to take prevention and intervention against mass violence seriously. Until that happens, even limited policies can save the lives of thousands. We owe them that.

Eugene Finkel is an associate professor of international affairs at Johns Hopkins University and the author of the forthcoming book Intent to Destroy: Russias Two-Hundred-Year Quest to Dominate Ukraine.





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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
By Mai ShamsElDin and Jennifer Rigby

CAIRO (Reuters) -The United Nations is looking for ways to evacuate Al Shifa hospital in Gaza but options are limited by security and logistical constraints, a senior World Health Organization official said on Thursday.

One obstacle is that the Palestinian Red Crescent lacks sufficient fuel for its ambulances within Gaza to evacuate patients, WHO regional emergencies director Rick Brennan told Reuters. There are also not enough ambulances available, a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Jerusalem said.

Egypt was open to having its ambulances cross into Gaza to help evacuate people as long as security guarantees and safe passage could be provided, Brennan said in an interview from Cairo.

The WHO said there were still about 600 patients including 27 in critical condition at Shifa hospital, which Israeli forces entered this week following a days-long siege, Brennan said.

"We are looking at the case for full medical evacuation but there are a lot of security concerns, there are a lot of logistics constraints. Our options are rather limited, but we hope to have some better news in the next 24 hours or so," he said.

Those given priority in an evacuation would include the critically ill and 36 newborn babies who lost access to incubators because of lack of fuel to generate power, he said.

Plans for an evacuation had been complicated by the fact that communications with the hospital had been cut most of the time, Brennan said.

"The idea is that we would bring the majority of patients over days or weeks from Shifa," he added.

"We'd bring the bulk of them to hospitals in southern Gaza but those hospitals are already overwhelmed as well so that's another complicating factor. The other option is of course to bring a number of them to Egypt."

A WHO spokesperson said that Al Arish Hospital in Egypt was likely to be the first referral hospital and it was working with the Egyptian government on "planning and establishing a comprehensive triage, stabilization and medical evacuation system", including providing additional medical supplies and mental health support.

Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry told a briefing in Cairo that efforts to provide medical relief for Palestinians from the Gaza Strip should be concentrated within the besieged coastal enclave.

But he added: "If we have the ability to care for these people at Al Shifa hospital, we will not hesitate."

Other hospitals and countries could take in more patients, the WHO spokesperson said, including those with complex conditions like cancer as well as those wounded in the bombardment.

The first evacuations of patients from Gaza to hospitals outside Egypt took place on Wednesday, when 27 cancer patients were flown to Turkey from Al Arish.

The risk of security incidents during medical evacuations in Gaza remains high, the ICRC spokesperson said. She said an ICRC medical convoy delivering supplies to a separate hospital in Gaza had come under fire last week.

"It is difficult to answer how this would normally take place (medical evacuation in conflict), because this situation is anything but normal," she said.

(Reporting by Mai ShamsElDin and Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Toby Chopra Writing by Aidan LewisEditing by Christina Fincher, Toby Chopra and Lisa Shumaker)
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  Oregon has been named among five leading states using evidence and data to improve lives, according to Results for America, a national nonprofit that promotes evidence-based policymaking. The other four leading states are Colorado, Minnesota, North Carolina and Tennessee.

Results for Americas newly released 2023 Invest in What Works State Standard of Excellence highlighted Oregons data-driven work in the following areas:

Investing in evidence-based services for young people.

Using evidence-based budget targets.

A focus on creating equitable outcomes, including adding racial impact assessments in budget requests.

Implementation of a state data strategy and having transparency among state agencies.

Oregon Coast Aquarium unveils renovation plans

Oregon being one of the five leading states speaks volumes about how dedicated our state agencies are to using data meaningfully to improve Oregonians lives, said Oregons Chief Data Officer Kathryn Darnall Helms. I look forward to seeing Oregon continue to mature while working in partnership with our Governor and state agencies.

Read and view other key findings from the report here.

In red states and blue states, state governments are harnessing the power of evidence and data to deliver better results, said Michele Jolin, CEO and Co-Founder of Results for America. Governors, state legislators and state agency leaders are using the key levers of power  grantmaking, budgeting and direct services  to expand evidence-based solutions and accelerate economic mobility. By building more efficient and effective governments, they are helping restore the publics faith in governments ability to tackle our most urgent challenges.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
OTTAWA COUNTY  Ottawa County's embattled administrative health officer is heading back to court, this time to ask a judge to enforce the $4 million settlement agreement she reached with commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 6, in exchange for her resignation.

Ottawa County's embattled administrative health officer is heading back to court, this time to ask a judge to enforce the $4 million settlement agreement she reached with commissioners on Tuesday, Nov. 6, in exchange for her resignation.

Ottawa County voted to accept the agreement after eight hours in closed session, agreeing to pay Adeline Hambley a total of $4 million to step down 10 months after trying to demote her without cause  the largest settlement in the county's history and nearly the exact amount the board cut from the public health department's budget this year.

Commissioners were expected to formalize the agreement Tuesday, Nov. 14, but no such vote occurred. Instead, representatives immediately went into closed session, where they met for more than 6.5 hours before recessing again until Nov. 28.

More: Ottawa County walks back settlement agreement with Hambley

The settlement was meant to be the culmination of a termination hearing that began for Hambley on Oct. 24. It's now had five separate sessions over the past month, with no conclusion in sight.

Hambley's attorney, Sarah Riley-Howard, wrote in a filing Thursday, Nov. 16: "The parties agreed to settle this matter on Nov. 6, 2023. Now, defendants have remorse and want out of the deal."

More: Ottawa County votes to accept settlement in Hambley case

More: Instead of firing her, Ottawa Impact plans to give Hambley millions to resign

The Ottawa County Board of Commissioners is currently led by an Ottawa Impact majority. OI is a far-right fundamentalist group created by now-Board Chair Joe Moss and Vice Chair Sylvia Rhodea after they unsuccessfully challenged the previous board and county health officer over COVID-19 mitigation mandates in 2020 and 2021.

Howard said, after the board agreed to the settlement and its terms  which included the resignation of Deputy Health Officer Marcia Mansaray  in closed session, Moss made a motion in open session to accept counsels recommendation regarding litigation and settlement activities in the case of Hambley v. Ottawa County."

Sarah Riley-Howard gives comment to the press after a hearing in front of the Michigan Court of Appeals in October.

The board's OI majority voted yes, while three non-OI commissioners  Doug Zylstra, Roger Bergman and Jacob Bonnema  voted no. Commissioner Kyle Terpstra left before the vote.

Howard said emails between the attorneys memorialized the agreement after the board voted. She also said, after The Sentinel reported details of the settlement on Nov. 8, "There was significant public outcry opposed to the agreement."

"On Nov. 9, 2023, defense counsel sent an email to plaintiffs counsel that attached a draft formal settlement document that included the terms of the Nov. 6 agreement," Howard wrote in the Thursday filing. "The text of the email provided the first indication that defendants might attempt to back out of the agreement, stating that 'until the board votes on terms of a final settlement agreement, there is no final resolution.'"

This embedded content is not available in your region.

Howard said, when the board reconvened Monday and went into closed session again, "defense counsel notified plaintiffs counsel that defendants did not intend to honor the Nov. 6 agreement," saying the board failed to consult with its insurance provider.

"Defendants counsel claimed that they did not notify the primary or excess insurer before negotiating or agreeing to the deal, and they had since learned of potential negative consequences as a result, and so defendants wished to start again with negotiations for different terms to resolve the litigation and termination hearing," Howard wrote.

"Again, plaintiffs counsel asserted the Nov. 6 agreement was binding. Neither public outcry, defendants general remorse about the agreement, nor unforeseen potential negative financial consequences are enough to make the Nov. 6 agreement non-binding or unenforceable."

The parties will appear before Muskegon County's 14th Circuit Court Judge Jenny McNeill at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 27, for a hearing on the matter.

Joe Moss listens during public comment made by Health Officer Adeline Hambley on Tuesday, Sept. 26.

Hambley sued the board in February, claiming the attempt to demote her was unlawful and alleging the OI majority has repeatedly interfered with her state-authorized health duties.

In April, McNeill granted Hambley a preliminary injunction that allowed her to remain in her role until a trial could take place later this year, however, the Michigan Court of Appeals partially vacated the injunction, saying the board has the legal right to fire Hambley if state law is followed.

Moss filed notice Sept. 27 that a removal hearing was planned over allegations of incompetence, misconduct and neglect of duty. Moss allegations revolved largely around health department budget negotiations.

And yet, even after several OI commissioners indicated a series of witnesses presented during the termination hearing hadn't changed their mind about Hambley, settlement negotiations began before a vote could be taken to fire her.

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Howard said the negotiations have been quasi-typical in terms of process, but added, Its just not typical you would do it in the middle of a public hearing context like this where everybody is waiting and nobody can see whats happening.

Hambley remains in her position as health officer for now.

 Sarah Leach is the executive editor of The Holland Sentinel. Contact her at sarahleach@hollandsentinel.com. Find her on Twitter @SentinelLeach.

This article originally appeared on The Holland Sentinel: Ottawa County tries to back out of $4M settlement. Hambley heads to court.
A man was left with burns on the majority of his body after a grill outside his Florida home exploded, the fire department told news outlets.

Around 7:45 p.m. on Nov. 15, an elderly man was using a grill next to his house when it exploded, Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue told WTSP.

A neighbor quickly jumped in with a hose to douse the flames, the fire department told the outlet, but the man was still severely burned.

When the fire department arrived they found the man had been burned on about 85% of his body, the department told WFTS.

He was flown by helicopter to the hospital in critical condition, fire officials told the outlet.

The fire department told WTVT there was fire damage to the side of the mans home and the porch, but they were still trying to determine the cause of the explosion.

McClatchy News reached out to the Tarpon Springs Fire Rescue for more information and an update on the mans condition.

Tarpon Springs is about 30 miles northwest of Tampa.

Growing 2,500-acre wildfire prompts closures on Blue Ridge Parkway, Appalachian Trail

Dog dead, another missing after their day care catches on fire, Washington owner says

Fire rips through Civil War-era home in Stone Mountain Park, Georgia officials say

Downed power lines spark huge fire and set cars ablaze in Ohio car lot. See the photos
GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KREX)  Grand Junction Firefighters responded to a house fire early Thursday morning.

Crews responded to a fire report in the 2900 block of Hermosa Court. Firefighters arrived at the scene and found a single-family home with smoke and flames visible on the lower level of the house with everyone safely evacuated. Two dogs remained unaccounted for.

Firefighters extinguished the blaze and found one dog alive, but the other died during the incident.

The Grand Junction Police Department assisted with traffic control and public safety while the American Red Cross responded to assist the family displaced by the fire.

The origin and cause of the fire remain under investigation.

No further information is available at this time.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WesternSlopeNow.com.
The men were killed at a checkpoint on Route 60 after being stopped for questioning and then opening fire on police - AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS

Israeli police said they foiled an attempted massacre after shooting dead axe-wielding Hamas-linked Palestinians in a gun battle at a security checkpoint.

Three gunmen opened fire from their car after being stopped for questioning on the West Banks Route 60, south of Jerusalem.

Six members of Israels security forces were injured in the ensuing shootout, one of them critically.

Kobi Shabtai, the Israeli national police chief, said the attackers were carrying pistols, assault rifles, axes and large amounts of ammunition in order to carry out a major attack or a massacre in Israel.

Members of Israeli special search and rescue unit, ZAKA, attend the scene of the shooting - AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS

Two of those killed were linked to Hamas, according to the Shin Bet security service, Israels MI5 equivalent. A third had yet to be identified.

Witnesses told The Times of Israel that the three attackers had arrived in a white Skoda, opening their doors and each shooting in a different direction. Security forces quickly returned fire.

Eye-witnesses described the gunmen launching their attack from the white Skoda - AMMAR AWAD/REUTERS

Tensions in the West Bank have been high since Hamas gunmen broke from Gaza on Oct 7 and killed some 1,200 people in nearby communities. The attackers also captured around 240 hostages, authorities said.

Israel has since vowed to destroy Hamas and invaded the coastal territory under heavy bombardment, killing more than 11,500 people, according to local officials.

Police said the car that was driven to the checkpoint had false licence plates. Two of the attackers were identified as Abdelqader Qawasmeh, a 26-year-old Hamas member from the Hebron area, and 28-year-old Hassan Qafisha, who was said to be affiliated with Hamas and whose father was the head of the groups military arm in Hebron until he was killed in 2003.

After the checkpoint attack, Itamar Ben Gvir, the national security minister, said the Palestinian Authority and Hamas in the West Bank should be given the same treatment as Hamas in Gaza.

We need to deal with Hamas in the West Bank  and with the Palestinian Authority, which has similar views to Hamas and its heads identify with Hamass massacre  exactly like we are dealing with Gaza, he said.

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SAN FRANCISCO  While there were plenty of major global issues on the agenda for President Joe Bidens summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday, the suggestion of sending new pandas to the U.S. was not on the list and did not come up during the talks, a senior administration official said.

So when Xi announced at a dinner with business leaders later in the evening that China was ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, it came as a surprise to the White House.

Xi indicated that China would do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties" between the two countries, and he even referred to the San Diego Zoo as a potential home for future pandas.

The U.S. viewed the comments as a goodwill gesture, the senior administration official said, after Biden and Xi had spent more than four hours together in their first face-to-face meeting in a year. The official said the panda news was not planned or choreographed beforehand with the White House.

Xi referred to the pandas as envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples, but he did not share additional details about when or how the next steps would take place.

Three giant pandas left the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., last week, traveling from Dulles International Airport on a FedEx flight to Chengdu, China, a roughly 19-hour journey.

I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas and went to the zoo to see them off, Xi said Wednesday.

There are still some pandas in the U.S. at Zoo Atlanta, but they are set to depart next year if the deal is not extended. The panda agreements are made between the Chinese government and American zoos, without the direct involvement of the U.S. government.

The San Diego Zoo said it did not have any kind of heads-up that Xi would refer to them in his remarks.

We are excited to hear of President Xis commitment in continuing the giant panda conservation efforts between our two countries, and his attention to the wish of Californians and the San Diego Zoo to see the return of giant pandas, Paul A. Baribault, the president and chief executive of the San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance, said in a statement.

Conservation starts with people, and our team is committed to working with our partners to welcome the next generation of giant pandas to our zoo, continuing our joint efforts in wildlife conservation, and inspiring millions worldwide to protect the planet we all share, he said.

Two pandas left San Diego and returned to China in 2019 after many years there.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
UN Security Council adopts resolution calling for humanitarian pauses, corridors in Gaza

Xinhua) 05:06, November 16, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors in Gaza.

The resolution won the support of 12 of the 15 council members. Britain, Russia and the United States abstained.

Before the vote on the Maltese-drafted resolution, a Russia-submitted oral amendment, which would have called for "an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities," failed to be adopted as it did not get enough votes in favor.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR)  Chinese President Xi Jinping says China will send new pandas to the United States. President Xi made the announcement during a speech with business leaders on Wednesday night following his face-to-face meeting with President Joe Biden in California.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples, Xi said.

President Xi did not say exactly when or where in the U.S. pandas would be sent, but appeared to hint that the next pair of pandas could come to California.

The announcement comes just over a week after three giant pandas were sent from Washington, D.C.s National Zoo back to China. Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji were loaded onto a Boeing 777, dubbed the FedEx Panda Express, at Dulles International Airport on November 8.

Iconic giant pandas have been living at the National Zoo for more than 50 years dating back to President Richard Nixons term in office. Beijing gifted a pair of pandas to the National Zoo in 1972, which many have seen as a symbol of friendship between the U.S. and China over the years.

Right now, there are only four pandas left in the United States, which are currently located at the Atlanta Zoo. They are scheduled to leave the Atlanta Zoo early next year.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to DC News Now | Washington, DC.
Giant Panda Xiao Qi Ji hangs upside down from a tree in its enclosure at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington on November 7, 2023, on the panda's final day of viewing before returning to China (Jim WATSON)

Chinese President Xi Jinping appears ready to deploy his country's soft power after his summit with US President Joe Biden -- in the form of cuddly pandas.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing mean that only a handful of the black and white bears remain in the United States, with three having left the national zoo in Washington earlier this month.

But Xi told a dinner after meeting Biden in California on Wednesday that China could send new pandas as "envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American people."

The White House said it would be happy to have more bamboo-chewing bears.

"Should the decision be made by the PRC (People's Republic of China) to restore some of the pandas to the United States, we would absolutely welcome them back," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters.

"That's got to be a decision that obviously President Xi makes."

China has been using so-called "panda diplomacy" since 1972, when the first animals were sent to the United States in 1972 as a gift, following then-president Richard Nixon's historic visit to the Communist nation.

Strained relations between the rival superpowers in recent years have however led Beijing to call some of the pandas back home.

All three giant pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington -- Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, who arrived in 2000, and their three-year-old cub Xiao Qi Ji ("Little Miracle" in English) -- flew back on a cargo plane to China earlier this month.

"I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off," Xi said after a dinner with CEOs in San Francisco on Wednesday.

Xi then hinted that new pandas could be coming back to the US west coast.

"I also learned that the San Diego Zoo and people of California are very much looking forward to welcoming the pandas back," he said.

"We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples."

The last remaining pandas currently in the United States, at a zoo in the southern city of Atlanta, are due to return to China by late 2024.

dk/hg/nro
SAN FRANCISCO  Pandas might soon be returning to California, Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested Wednesday at a dinner in San Francisco attended by hundreds of U.S. business leaders.

The return to China this month of the three giant pandas at the National Zoo in Washington has raised concerns that the United States could soon have none of the beloved bears. Pandas, which are endemic to China, have been a symbol of U.S.-China friendship since Beijing sent the first two to Washington in 1972 in what is known as panda diplomacy.

I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off, Xi said. I also learned that the San Diego Zoo and the Californians very much look forward to welcoming pandas back.

Xi did not say how many pandas might be sent to the U.S. or when.

The friendly gesture came after a day of talks between Xi and President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, aimed at easing fears that the worlds two biggest economies could be headed toward conflict. The four-hour summit was the first time the two leaders had spoken in a year.

Madrid Zoo Animals Fight The Heat Wave With Ice Cream (Alejandro Martinez Velez / Europa Press via Getty Images file)

They reached agreement on a number of issues such as the resumption of military-to-military communications and cooperation on counternarcotics, including curbing the flow from China of precursor chemicals and pill presses that contribute to the U.S. fentanyl crisis.

Xi then attended a dinner for U.S. business leaders, hosted by the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, while Biden went to a dinner for APEC leaders.

For Xi, the dinner was a chance to court American businesses as China grapples with an economic slowdown. U.S. executives, meanwhile, were seeking insight on how to do business in an environment they see as increasingly unpredictable.

U.S. lawmakers and others had criticized those attending the dinner as ignoring Chinas human rights record.

It is unconscionable that American companies might pay thousands of dollars to attend a dinner with Xi, said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, citing rights abuses in the Chinese region of Xinjiang that the U.S. government has said amount to genocide. China denies the allegations.

Among the roughly 400 dinner guests were Apple CEO Tim Cook, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal and FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam. Organizers said Tesla CEO Elon Musk attended an earlier reception but was not present at the dinner.

Addressing the room, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the vast majority of the U.S. trade and investment relationship with China is not affected by national security concerns and that the U.S. is committed to promoting reciprocal trade and investment in those areas.

A growing China that plays by the rules is in all of our interests, she said.

Xi then spoke for more than 35 minutes, receiving a standing ovation before and after.

In a world of challenges, he said, the U.S. and China must handle our relations well.

Xi Jinping APEC Summit (Carlos Barria / AFP - Getty Images)

China is ready to be a partner of the United States, and the world needs that relationship, Xi said, adding there was plenty of room for our cooperation as he rejected the view that China is a threat.

We should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people interactions, he said. We must not erect barriers or create a chilling effect.

Xi said pandas had long been envoys of friendship between the American and Chinese people.

The departure of the National Zoo pandas left Zoo Atlantas four pandas as the only ones in the United States, and their loan agreement expires next year.

The San Diego Zoo has not had any giant pandas since 2019, and the last panda at the Memphis Zoo returned to China in April.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, Xi said, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples.

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
MIDDLE SMITHFIELD TWP., MONROE COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU)  State police have filed charges against the parents of a 3-year-old involved in a shooting at a Monroe County school parking lot.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, on October 5 a reported accidental shooting took place in the parking lot of Middle Smithfield Elementary School.

Police say Ana Karen De Los Santos arrived at the school to pick up one of her children and parked her vehicle in the parking lot of the school. De Los Santos left the car, leaving her 11-year-old and 3-year-old children unattended.

PD: Children living in deplorable home with two headless cats

Underneath the front passenger seat was a loaded 9mm Glock handgun which had been stored in an unlocked case, inadvertently left by the father of the children, Winslow Jimenez Zabala, according to state police.

While unattended, troopers stated the 3-year-old unlatched his car seat and began to move freely around the vehicle. He removed the loaded handgun from the case and pulled the trigger, firing a single round within the car, PSP said.

The round traveled under the rear passenger seat and no one was struck or injured.

Both parents have been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, and reckless endangering another person. De Los Santos faces the additional charge of possession of a firearm prohibited on school property.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to PAhomepage.com.
ALLEN, Texas - Parents at an Allen ISD elementary school said they are concerned after they received a letter about an alleged social media threat toward a student.

Police said it wasn't a "credible" threat.

Some parents decided to keep their kids home Wednesday after learning about the threat made by a Cheatham Elementary School student.

They said they want to know more about why police believe the threat is not credible.

"My child did not go to school [Wednesday], nor did about 12 others that are peers because there are concerns about safety," one mother said.

FOX 4 obtained a screenshot that prompted the principal of Cheatham Elementary to notify parents about the alleged threat.

A mother said the image, which shows a boy's hand pointing a gun at a camera, was sent to her daughter's classmate.

"You see a boy with a gun. He's saying don't make me show up and shoot you," she said.

The mother said the student who sent the message previously assaulted her daughter.

"We filed incident reports and are the in process of getting a restraining order," she said.

She says a teacher also told her there was a verbal threat.

"She informed me [Tuesday] the boy told a classmate there he is going to shoot up the school and unalive himself," she said.

She said she also notified the principal.

Wednesday afternoon, a spokesman for the district said Allen ISD was not aware of a threat made to shoot up the school.

The school principal wrote, "We are aware that there has been an alleged social media threat to one of our students. I have been in contact with the Allen Police Department, and they do not believe there is any credible threat to our campus. I wanted to send this letter to reassure parents that our entire campus and school district takes any threats of violence seriously."

"I am concerned that is a classmate of my daughters, and what are we going to do about that?" the mother said.

Criminologist Alex Del Carmen, at Tarleton State University, said threats like this must be thoroughly investigated.

"We have seen in the past few months and few years that many of the schools had prior knowledge of some of these individuals that wanted to cause harm. They either disregarded it, or took it seriously for about a minute and they abandoned it. History has taught us now, through Uvalde, and various others incidents that they have to take it seriously," Del Carmen said.

The principal wrote to parents: "As a proactive measure, I encourage you to continue to talk with your children about the severity of making a threat against another student. This includes verbal or written threats, including text messages or on social media."

"I'm going to keep my daughter home until I can be assured she will be safe at school," the mother said.

The mother said there are 20 parents who want to meet with the principal about their concerns.
The mother of a 28-year-old cruise ship passenger who allegedly jumped overboard has criticised the cruise line, claiming it failed to tell her that her son was missing.

Tyler Barnett, from Louisiana, is believed to have gone overboard the Carnival Glory on Monday. He was first reported missing a day after leaving New Orleans for a weeklong cruise to Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands and Cozumel, Mexico, Carnival Cruise Line said in a statement.

He was on board the cruise ship with his sister and uncle and was last seen at about 11.40pm on Sunday going to his room after visiting the ships casino.

The Coast Guard has now launched two aircraft to search a 200-mile area near where the ship sailed into the Gulf of Mexico to find the missing 28-year-old.

His mother, Elisha Reid, has criticised Carnival Cruise Line, telling Business Insider she found out her son was missing from a family member, not the company.

While Mr Barnetts mother is hopeful he is still alive, a Carnival Cruise Line spokesperson said surveillance footage reviewed by the company appeared to show the 28-year-old jumping from the ship at about 1.40am on Monday, Business Insider reported.

He can be seen climbing on a lifeboat and jumping from there, the spokesperson said.

Carnival Cruise Line said they informed Mr Barnetts family of the surveillance footage, while Ms Reid said the footage shows her son slipped from the ship, rather than jumped.

They hit a wave and he went down off the lifeboat, she said. Tyler was my only son, my firstborn. He was my everything in life! He was the air I breathed. He was the beat of my heart. I feel as if my heart no longer beats.

She added that Carnival initially told her daughter  who is on the ship  there was no footage of what happened to her son.

The company said they are helping the family members of Mr Barnett, who are still on board the ship. Our Care Team will continue to do all they can to support the family in this difficult time, a spokesperson said.

The ship has been cleared by the US Coast Guard to continue with the cruise.

Speaking about her son, Ms Reid said: I have my moments where I break, but Im keeping the faith.

Whats important to me is to know where hes at and to have him home, whether hes alive or not, I want his body to be home, she said.

She added that her son grew up around the water and absolutely breathed being on the river and the sea, working on a tugboat.

My only peace is Tyler loved the water and to fish, Ms Reid said. How ironic that he is where he always loved to be.

At least nine other people have gone overboard on cruise ships this year, only two of whom survived.
Nurmaa, the wife of herder Agvaantogtokh, rounds up their sheep, in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district, in southeast Mongolia, Saturday, May 13, 2023. Nurmaa, who married into this way of life, says, Year by year I have learned a lot of things. Herding and birthing animals. Helping set up camp. Cooking big meals of breads, stews, milk tea and homemade wine. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

SUKHBAATAR, Mongolia (AP)  The half-crescent moon glowed in the predawn Mongolia sky as Agvaantogtokh and his family began preparing for yet another big move with their animals.

On horseback, he rode to a well with nearly a thousand sheep and goats. Occasionally, he and his wife, Nurmaa, stopped to help struggling young ones, weak after a harsh winter  putting a lamb in the warm comfort of a van and hand-feeding a foal rejected by its mother. The animals would need strength for the trek eastward across vast, hilly grasslands.

Thousands of miles away in Senegal, Amadou Altine Ndiayes family led livestock through a sparse African savannah dotted by acacia trees and brush. Horses and donkeys pulled a four-cart caravan along dirt paths in sweltering heat. Cattle followed behind. Ndiaye brought up the rear, wearing a traditional conical hat and contorting his mouth to make sounds only he and his animals could understand.

They were traveling from the town of Nayde in the northeast to a village even further east  they believed it would be richer with vegetation. Ndiaye, a member of the Muslim Fulani ethnic group, learned the ways of animal herding alongside his elders.

I was born into pastoralism, and since then Ive known only that. There were cattle and sheep present at my birth, the 48-year-old said. Its a source of pride.

More than 50 million people in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere practice and treasure this way of life. As nomadic pastoralists, they keep domestic animals and move with them to seek fresh pastures  often selling some of their livestock for meat.

___

EDITORS NOTE  This story is part of The Protein Problem, an AP series that examines the question: Can we feed this growing world without starving the planet? To see the full project, visit https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/the-protein-problem/index.html

___

Although nomadic pastoralism has sustained these populations for millennia, it faces mounting pressures from deteriorating environments, shrinking rangelands, and new generations who seek a less grueling and tenuous life. At the same time, pastoralism is modernizing, with groups leveraging new technology to better care for their animals.

But the practice has survived for so long because it is designed to adapt to a changing environment  pastoralists move with their animals to find fresh pasture and water, leaving behind fallow land to heal and regrow. The broad view is that having mobile animals enables you to leave places that are overused or that have scarce water or food resources and move to places where there are more resources, said Forrest Fleischman, who researches natural resource policy at the University of Minnesota. And that means youre not going to hammer the one place youre stuck in.

Experts say it is a lesson that could help those who raise livestock at much larger scales adapt and reduce the impact of animal agriculture on the environment. Pastoralists arent only trying to outrun climate change; theyre combatting it.

They have the Indigenous knowledge, said Edna Wangui, a geography professor who studies the practice at Ohio University. There is a lot we can learn.

WE NEED MORE RAIN

Perhaps more than any other place, Mongolia is known for pastoralism. The practice is enshrined in the nations constitution, which calls its 80 million camels, yaks, cows, sheep, goats and horses national wealth protected by the state.

For families like Agvaantogtokhs, pastoralism is more than a profession. Its a cultural identity that connects generations across time. And at its heart is the human connection to animals.

Agvaantogtokh and his family sell animals for meat. They also sell dairy products such as yogurt and hard cheeses. While they consider the animals their property, they also see them as living beings working alongside them for a common purpose.

Researchers say herders believe in animal agency. Agvaantogtokh lets his livestock pick what grass, flowers or herbs they eat, and find their own water. To him, fencing an animal and asking it to eat the same thing every day is like putting a person in prison.

Weather extremes are a part of life in Mongolia, and managing them is increasingly difficult as the environment changes. When Agvaantogtokh thinks about climate change, he worries about what it means for humans and livestock.

One spring day, he felt the wind whip up and watched blue skies turn menacingly dark. In the distance, he spotted a wall of dirt rushing toward him.

Dust storm, he muttered. His father, Lkhaebum, left a bowl of soup half-eaten on the table. Both set off on motorbikes to make sure their animals were safe.

We need more rain, said Lkhaebum, who like other Mongolians uses only his given name. If the grass isnt growing, it is very challenging for us.

Chronic drought plagues Mongolia. So does warming. Since 1940, the countrys government says, average temperatures have risen 2.2 degrees Celsius (nearly 4 degrees Fahrenheit)  a measure that may seem small, but for global averages, scientists say every tenth of a degree matters, and a warming world brings more weather extremes.

And dzuds  natural disasters unique to Mongolia caused by droughts and severe, snowy winters  have grown harsher and more frequent and can keep livestock from accessing water or food.

A dzud pushed Agvaantogtokh and his family to move out of a southwestern province after a disastrous winter killed 400 of their animals. Theyve been in the eastern province of Sukhbaatar since 2020.

The family lives simply. They have a sink with a rubber pump to limit water use. They live in a tent called a ger, which has wooden circular frames insulated with sheepskin and felt, and doors facing east to let in the morning sun.

Nurmaa, who married into this way of life, uses a boiler fired with horse dung to cook and stay warm.

Year by year, she said, I have learned a lot of things. Herding and birthing animals. Helping set up camp. Cooking big meals of breads, stews, milk tea and homemade wine.

But every place the family moves its ger, she has a sense of a settled life.

Each belonging is systematically placed in the same spot  something stable and predictable in a world of constant change.

SURVIVING ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA

In Senegal, caravans carry the comforts of a furnished home, such as a metal bed frame and mattress, and water for people and animals.

With the rainy season approaching earlier this year, Ndiaye, his son-in-law Moussa Ifra Ba and the rest of the family prepared for a 170-kilometer (106-mile), 16-day trek.

Water and plentiful grass have become harder to come by. One of the main difficulties related to pastoralism is the lack of grazing, Ndiaye said. The livestock are hungry, and you sometimes have trouble selling one because it is so thin.

Many varieties of tree have disappeared, and even our children are unaware of certain species, Ba said. The best varieties of grass no longer grow in certain areas, and the most widespread grass is more like rubber: It fills the belly but doesnt nourish the animals.

Meals for Ndiayes family rarely include meat and are carefully planned. Only when they pass through certain villages can they stock up on food  vegetables, rice and other essentials.

Overall, per-person meat consumption in Senegal is among the lowest in the world; rates are more than six times higher in Mongolia.

Ndiayes family doesnt sell their animals regularly because meat is mostly for special occasions: weddings, or holidays such as Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. When they do, a few head of cattle can provide enough money to get married, buy rice or even emigrate.

The family has the same deep respect for their animals that Mongolian pastoralists do. Ba is especially drawn to the sheep. Hes noticed that the rams cry when they move away from him, remember the names he gives them and come when theyre called.

Its a real friendship, Ba said.

In their four-cart caravan, young people and young animals both get special care.

Ndiayes 5-year-old daughter, Aminata, and 2-year-old granddaughter, Aissata, ride atop one cart with the women. In another, baby sheep too young to walk for long in the heat are bound together with netting.

Ba said he cant imagine any other life: A village without cows has no soul.

ANCIENT PRACTICE, NEW TECHNIQUES

To keep their practice alive, pastoralists around the world are looking for ways to modernize.

In Mongolia, Lkhaebum recently began using a motorbike to more easily search for horses, which are never kept fenced. One nippy morning, his calf-length tunic billowed around him as he began a search, stopping occasionally to peer through binoculars toward a herd grazing on a faraway hill.

The family also has a solar-powered battery that runs a television and washing machine, a karaoke machine, and a cellphone to keep track of weather and access Facebook groups where herders exchange information.

We now have 4G cellular data, and it helps us a lot in communicating and getting forecasts, Nurmaa said. It really helps us a lot with communicating with our children because theyre far away.

Their 18-year-old daughter studies medicine in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Their two younger children, a 13-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter, are in school. The son spoke about becoming a herder when he was in his early teens. But not anymore.

I wont regret anything if my child wont be a herder, Nurmaa said. I would like them to do what they aspire to do.

Her view is not unusual.

If you asked parents, very few of them want their children to grow up to be pastoralists, professor Wangui said. They want their children to be something else because theyre seeing the life of pastoralists is a tough life.

KEEPING UP IN A CHANGING WORLD

Though modern tools promise to make things easier, many pastoralists run into obstacles. Those in Senegal, for example, often struggle to find signals for their cell phones. They rely mostly on older technology and methods.

One evening, Ndiayes grown daughter, Houraye, peeled onions for the familys meal, stirring a pot of rice illuminated by the glowing embers of her fire. When it was ready, her seven relatives gathered under the stars with small flashlights and turned on the handheld radio they charge off their solar panel. The bleating of sheep nearly drowned out the traditional melodies.

An important advancement in infrastructure has helped the family: water towers known as forages that have sprung up with government assistance. Previously, finding water could require a 35-kilometer (22-mile) trek. Now, the family plots trips along the path of these towers, where they can refill their jugs and replenish their animals in long troughs.

Still, some leaders dont offer help to pastoralists. Conflicts between herders and settled farmers also can erupt surrounding land use and access to water.

A few advocacy groups advise pastoralists to choose settled lives for their own good. In Senegals Sahel region  where the United Nations estimates 65% of meat and 70% of milk sold at local markets come from pastoralists  the head of the Association for Promoting Livestock Farming in the Sahel and Savannah suggests people put their children in school and diversify incomes.

Climate change has caused enormous damage, and people are not aware of the dangers that lie ahead, said Moussa Demba Assette Ba. If you invest all your income in livestock and disaster strikes, you lose everything, and thats what climate change can do.

The former pastoralist built a home in 2006 that has since turned into a sprawling compound that provides solar power to neighbors. He encourages others to settle down as he has and seek ways to increase the quality, not quantity, of their animals.

But perhaps the biggest threat to pastoralism comes from within, as the next generation chooses other paths.

Four of Ndiayes seven living children dont travel with their parents. He relies on help from Ba and a paid family friend to direct the animals to their destination.

Ba, 28, and his wife Houraye, 20, have a 2-year-old daughter and want to expand their family. They mused about a future in which at least one child stays in pastoralism while at least one goes to school.

Id like my children to keep up with the changing world, Ba said.

___

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.

___

Larson reported from Yawara Dieri, Senegal; Ungar, from Louisville, Kentucky.
Nurmaa, the wife of herder Agvaantogtokh, rounds up their sheep, in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district, in southeast Mongolia, Saturday, May 13, 2023. Nurmaa, who married into this way of life, says, Year by year I have learned a lot of things. Herding and birthing animals. Helping set up camp. Cooking big meals of breads, stews, milk tea and homemade wine. (AP Photo/Manish Swarup)

SUKHBAATAR, Mongolia (AP)  The moon glowed in the predawn Mongolia sky as Agvaantogtokh and his family prepared for another big move. On horseback, he rode to a well with nearly a thousand sheep and goats. Occasionally, he and his wife, Nurmaa, stopped to help struggling young ones, weak after a harsh winter.

Thousands of miles away in Senegal, Amadou Altine Ndiayes family led livestock through a sparse African savannah. Horses and donkeys pulled a four-cart caravan along dirt paths in sweltering heat. Cattle followed. The family believed the next village would be richer with vegetation.

I was born into pastoralism, and since then Ive known only that, said Ndiaye, 48, a member of the Muslim Fulani ethnic group who learned the ways of herding alongside his elders. Its a source of pride.

More than 50 million people in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere practice this way of life. As nomadic pastoralists, they keep domestic animals and move with them to seek fresh pastures  often selling some livestock for meat.

___

EDITORS NOTE  This story is part of The Protein Problem, an AP series that examines the question: Can we feed this growing world without starving the planet? To see the full project, visit https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/the-protein-problem/index.html

___

Although pastoralism has sustained these populations for millennia, it faces mounting pressures from deteriorating environments, shrinking rangelands, and new generations who seek a less grueling life. At the same time, pastoralism is modernizing, with groups leveraging technology.

The practice has survived for so long because it is designed to adapt to a changing environment  pastoralists move with animals to find fresh pasture and water, leaving behind fallow land to regrow.

Experts say it's a lesson that could help those who raise livestock at larger scales adapt and reduce the impact on the environment. Pastoralists arent only trying to outrun climate change; theyre combatting it.

WE NEED MORE RAIN

Perhaps more than any other place, Mongolia is known for pastoralism. The practice is enshrined in the nations constitution, which calls its 80 million camels, yaks, cows, sheep, goats and horses national wealth protected by the state.

For families like Agvaantogtokhs, pastoralism is more than a profession. Its a cultural identity that connects generations. At its heart is the human connection to animals.

Agvaantogtokh and his family sell animals for meat. They also sell dairy products such as yogurt and hard cheeses. While they consider animals their property, they also see them as living beings working alongside them.

Researchers say herders believe in animal agency. Agvaantogtokh lets his livestock pick grass, flowers or herbs to eat, and find their own water. To him, fencing an animal and asking it to eat the same thing daily is like putting a person in prison.

In Mongolia, weather extremes are a part of life. When Agvaantogtokh thinks about climate change, he worries about humans and livestock.

Chronic drought and warming plague Mongolia. Since 1940, the government says, average temperatures have risen 2.2 degrees Celsius (nearly 4 degrees Fahrenheit). Dzuds  natural disasters unique to Mongolia caused by droughts and severe, snowy winters  have grown harsher and more frequent.

A dzud pushed Agvaantogtokh and his family to move out after a disastrous winter killed 400 of their animals.

The family lives simply. They have a sink with a rubber pump to limit water use. They live in a tent called a ger, with wooden circular frames insulated with sheepskin and felt, and doors facing east to let in the morning sun.

Nurmaa, who married into this way of life, uses a boiler fired with horse dung to cook and stay warm.

Year by year, she said, I have learned a lot of things. Herding and birthing animals. Setting up camp. Cooking meals of breads, stews, milk tea and homemade wine.

SURVIVING ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA

In Senegal, caravans carry the comforts of a furnished home, such as a metal bed frame and mattress, and water for people and animals.

With the rainy season approaching earlier this year, Ndiaye, his son-in-law Moussa Ifra Ba and the rest of the family prepared for a 170-kilometer (106-mile), 16-day trek.

The livestock are hungry, and you sometimes have trouble selling one because it is so thin, Ndiaye said. Water and plentiful grass have become harder to come by.

Ba said: Many varieties of tree have disappeared, and even our children are unaware of certain species. The best varieties of grass no longer grow in certain areas, and the most widespread grass is more like rubber: It fills the belly but doesnt nourish the animals.

Meals for Ndiayes family rarely include meat. Only when they pass through certain villages can they stock up on food  vegetables, rice. Per-person meat consumption in Senegal is among the lowest in the world; rates are more than six times higher in Mongolia.

Ndiayes family doesnt sell animals regularly. Meat is mostly for special occasions: weddings, holidays. When they do, a few head of cattle can provide enough money to get married, buy rice or even emigrate.

ANCIENT PRACTICE, NEW TECHNIQUES

To keep their practice alive, pastoralists seek ways to modernize.

In Mongolia, Lkhaebum recently began using a motorbike to more easily search for horses. The family has a solar-powered battery that runs a television and washing machine, a karaoke machine, and a cellphone to keep track of weather and access Facebook groups where herders exchange information.

Though modern tools promise to make things easier, many pastoralists run into obstacles. Those in Senegal, for example, often struggle to find cellphone signals. They rely mostly on older technology and methods. An important advancement in infrastructure has helped: water towers known as forages that have sprung up with government assistance.

Perhaps the biggest threat to pastoralism comes from within, as the next generation chooses other paths.

Nurmaa and Agvaantogtokh's 18-year-old daughter studies medicine. Their son spoke about becoming a herder in his early teens. But not anymore.

I wont regret anything if my child wont be a herder, Nurmaa said. I would like them to do what they aspire to do.

Four of Ndiayes seven living children dont travel with their parents. Ba, 28, and his wife Houraye, 20, have a 2-year-old daughter and want to expand their family. They mused about a future in which at least one child stays in pastoralism while at least one goes to school.

Id like my children to keep up with the changing world, Ba said.

___

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.

___

Larson reported from Yawara Dieri, Senegal; Ungar, from Louisville, Kentucky.
A Canadian man who broke into the home of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi and attacked her husband, Paul, with a hammer was convicted for attempted kidnapping and assault on Thursday. File Photo via San Francisco Police Department

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The man who broke into the home of former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., and assaulted her husband, Paul, with a hammer was convicted Thursday of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assaulting the family member of a federal official.

David DePape, a Canadian citizen, broke into the Pelosi's San Fransisco home in October 2022 and confronted Paul Pelosi, threatening him with a hammer.

Police body camera footage shows a confrontation between DePape as Paul Pelosi tries to wrestle the hammer away from him. DePape eventually hit Paul Pelosi with the hammer before being tackled, disarmed and restrained by police.

Police said they found a second hammer, a white rope, a roll of tape, gloves, and zip ties in DePape's possession after detaining him.

Prosecutors said DePape planned to kidnap Nancy Pelosi and that Paul Pelosi told law enforcement that he was asleep when DePape entered the residence.

California lawmaker Nancy Pelosi and her husband, Paul, arrive at a state dinner in honor of Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June. File Photo by Ting Shen/UPI

DePape could face between 20 and 30 years in prison, according to the Department of Justice.
The man who broke into former Speaker Nancy Pelosis (D-Calif.) San Francisco home and violently attacked her husband, Paul Pelosi, was found guilty on federal assault and attempted kidnapping charges on Thursday.

The jury found David DePape, 43, guilty on both counts, according to a spokesperson for the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California, which is prosecuting the case.

Prosecutors had indicted DePape on charges of attempted kidnapping of a federal officer or employee and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official after he entered the former Speakers home in the early morning of Oct. 28, 2022 and attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer.

The jury began deliberating on Wednesday and returned the verdict on Thursday morning local time.

DePape faces up to life in prison, court filings indicate. He also still faces trial on state charges including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and residential burglary.

Both Paul Pelosi and DePape testified during the roughly one-week trial, with the proceedings turning emotional at times.

Top Stories from The Hill

Pelosi reportedly detailed the incident at length, describing his shock upon waking up and finding DePape, who asked Wheres Nancy?

DePape told Paul Pelosi he would tie him up while they waited for the former speaker to return, who was in Washington, D.C. at the time, Pelosi testified. DePape allowed Pelosi to enter the bathroom, where he dialed 911.

Video footage of the incident showed that upon polices arrival at the home, DePape hit him with the hammer.

Testifying in his own defense, DePape admitted to breaking into Pelosis home, describing to jurors show he went there to talk to the former Speaker about alleged Russian involvement in the 2016 election.

A spokesperson for the former Speaker said the family were grateful were the outpouring of support.

Speaker Pelosi and her family are deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and warm wishes for Mr. Pelosi from so many across the country during this difficult time, Pelosi spokesman Aaron Bennett said in a statement. The Pelosi family is very proud of their Pop, who demonstrated extraordinary composure and courage on the night of the attack a year ago and in the courtroom this week. Thankfully, Mr. Pelosi continues to make progress in his recovery.

Updated 3:12 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
 Flash

Representatives vote on a draft resolution during a Security Council meeting at the UN Headquarters in New York, on Nov. 15, 2023. [Loey Felipe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua]

The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors in Gaza.

Resolution 2712 calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip "for a sufficient number of days" to enable the full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access; to facilitate the continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services throughout Gaza, including water, electricity, fuel, food, and medical supplies, as well as emergency repairs to essential infrastructure; and to enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts, including for missing children in damaged and destroyed buildings, and including the medical evacuation of sick or injured children and their caregivers.

The resolution won the support of 12 of the 15 council members. Britain, Russia and the United States abstained.

It demands that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children.

Displaced children are seen at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 15, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children.

It calls on all parties to refrain from depriving the civilian population in Gaza of basic services and humanitarian assistance indispensable to their survival.

It welcomes the initial, although limited, provision of humanitarian supplies to civilians in Gaza and calls for the scaling up of the provision of such supplies to meet the humanitarian needs of the civilian population, especially children.

The resolution underscores the importance of coordination, humanitarian notification, and deconfliction mechanisms to protect all medical and humanitarian staff, vehicles, humanitarian sites, and critical infrastructure, including UN facilities, and to help facilitate the movement of aid convoys and patients, in particular sick and injured children and their caregivers.

It requests the UN secretary-general to report orally to the Security Council on the implementation of this resolution at the next mandated meeting of the council on the situation in the Middle East.

People inspect the damages caused in Israeli airstrikes in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 15, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

The resolution further requests the secretary-general to identify options to effectively monitor the implementation of this resolution as a matter of prime concern.

Before the vote on the Maltese-drafted resolution, Russia submitted an oral amendment, which would have further called for "an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities" -- language contained in the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on Oct. 27 at an emergency special session.

The oral amendment failed to be adopted as it did not get enough support. Five Security Council members voted in favor, and nine abstained. The United States voted against it.

Resolution 2712 was the first product of the Security Council on Gaza after the Oct. 7 escalation. The council had failed to adopt four draft resolutions on the situation in a row.

On Oct. 16, a Russian-drafted resolution failed to get enough votes in favor. On Oct. 18, a Brazilian draft was vetoed by the United States. On Oct. 25, Russia and China vetoed a U.S.-drafted resolution. And on the same day, a competing draft resolution tabled by Russia failed to get enough votes in favor.
NEW ORLEANS  Pechanga Tribal Chairman Mark Macarro, 60, was elected president of the National Congress of American Indians today at the 80th Annual Convention and Marketplace at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center convening in New Orleans.

Long lines weaved through the third floor of the convention center early Thursday morning as voting took place before the opening of the general session at 8:30 a.m.

Macarro, who has served as tribal chairman of the Pechanga Band of Luiseno Indians located in Temecula California, since 1992 defeated his opponents Cheryl Andrews-Maltais, chairwoman of the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head Aquinnah and Marshall Pierite, chairman of the Tunica-Biloxi Tribe of Louisiana.the

Macaroo received 50.31 percent of the vote and was duly elected. The announcment came shortly after 11 am during thhue general assembly session on today.

{source}<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/cljIeo4OrNQ?si=RWm3mIhbo6g0x1QJ" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>{/source}

Macarro also serves as the Pacific delegate on the Indian Gaming Associations board of directors. Macarro has held other important positions in his home state of California. He has served on the California Workforce Investment Act Board. chairman of the Riverside County Sheriff Native American Affairs Commission, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors appointee to the County Historical Commission. Macarro was also elected to the board of directors of Borrego Springs Bank, NA. and was a charter member and chairman of the Advocates for Indigenous California Language Survival (AICLS).

Macarros approach to governing the Pechanga Tribe for the past 28 years has been to strengthen tribal sovereignty, self-determination, and economic self-sufficiency while preserving the tribes cultural heritage.

Macarros academic background includes a B.A. in Political Science, and he has been honored with numerous awards for his unwavering support of Native American communities.

Macarro is now tasked with moving NCAI, the United States largest Native American national organization beyond its 80th year of existence.

About the Author: "Levi \"Calm Before the Storm\" Rickert (Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation) is the founder, publisher and editor of Native News Online. Rickert was awarded Best Column 2021 Native Media Award for the print\/online category by the Native American Journalists Association. He serves on the advisory board of the Multicultural Media Correspondents Association. He can be reached at levi@nativenewsonline.net."

Contact: levi@nativenewsonline.net
US Representative Nancy Pelosi attends the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week in San Francisco, California, on November 16, 2023 (Frederic J. BROWN)

The man who attacked the husband of top US lawmaker Nancy Pelosi with a hammer in the couple's California home was found guilty Thursday in a San Francisco federal court.

Jurors convicted David DePape of assault for the attack in which he fractured Paul Pelosi's skull. He was also found guilty of attempting to kidnap Nancy Pelosi, the then-speaker of the House of Representatives, who was not at home at the time.

"A federal jury has convicted David Depape of Attempted Kidnapping of a Federal Officer or Employee and Assault on the Immediate Family Member of a Federal Official," said US prosecutors in a statement.

"DePape faces a maximum sentence of up to life in prison."

The jury deliberated for less than a day, and returned a unanimous verdict, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

At the time of the October 2022 attack, Democrat Nancy Pelosi was second in line to the presidency and a regular target of far-right conspiracy theories.

Jurors heard how DePape -- a Canadian former nudist activist who supported himself with occasional carpentry work -- had initially planned to target Nancy Pelosi, planning to smash her kneecaps if she did not admit to her party's "lies."

On arriving at their home armed with rope, gloves and duct tape, DePape instead encountered her then-82-year-old husband, and kept asking, "Where's Nancy?"

During what DePape told officers was a "pretty amicable" conversation with Paul Pelosi, the husband managed to call for help from law enforcement.

But moments later, in scenes captured by police bodycam, DePape bludgeoned Pelosi with a hammer before officers rushed at him and took the weapon away.

Pelosi was knocked unconscious and spent almost a week in a hospital, where he underwent surgery.

DePape told jurors Tuesday that Paul Pelosi "was never my target and I'm sorry he got hurt."

- 'Courage' -

DePape sat quietly beside his lawyers for the verdict and did not outwardly react to the decision, according to the Los Angeles Times.

He now awaits sentencing, and also faces separate state charges.

DePape had pleaded not guilty to the charges.

While not denying the attack, his defense rested on contesting federal prosecutors' claims that he had targeted Nancy Pelosi in her capacity as a federal official -- a key factor in their charges.

Instead, his lawyers argued that DePape was driven to target a number of prominent liberal figures, due to his exposure to a web of obscure conspiracy theories.

In social media posts, DePape shared QAnon theories and false claims that the last US election was stolen.

The trial heard how DePape did not intend to stop his supposed anti-corruption crusade with Pelosi, and had drawn up a list of other targets including a feminist academic whom he accused of turning US schools into "pedophile molestation factories."

Other personalities the defendant admitted wanting to attack included California Governor Gavin Newsom, President Joe Biden's son Hunter, and actor Tom Hanks.

But jurors rejected DePape's explanation of the attack, which took place just a few days before the US midterm elections.

DePape's attack itself became politicized, with some members of the Republican party mocking the incident.

A spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi said in a statement following the verdict that the family were "deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and warm wishes," and said Paul Pelosi "continues to make progress in his recovery."

"The Pelosi family is very proud of their Pop, who demonstrated extraordinary composure and courage on the night of the attack a year ago and in the courtroom this week," they said.

bur-rfo-amz/acb
(WHTM)  The Pennsylvania State House will vote on a major piece of what some lawmakers call Pro-labor legislation.

It would extend unemployment compensation to striking workers and New York and New Jersey do this.

Heres why advocates in Pennsylvania say, its time for the commonwealth to as well.

Maurice Cobb, District 10 Steel Workers Response Coordinator said, Its a total loss of income. Its been said that some feel this is an upper hand for labor, that theyll have an advantage over the company at the table. This is the furthest from the truth.

Lawmakers pushing for this say that this is important because striking workers can go months or longer without a paycheck.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
(WHTM)  A Pennsylvania State Police K9 officer will be honored at the 2023 National Dog Show in Philadelphia this Thanksgiving.

K9 Rom, who was heavily involved in the search of escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante earlier this year, will be honored at the show, according to Pennsylvania State Police on Facebook.

Police dog subdues Cavalcante: How are they trained?

Several other K9s were recognized for their roles during the Cavalcante search. K9 Yoda with the U.S. Border Patrol Tactical Unit (BORTAC) was credited with catching Cavalcante.

K9 Loki was hospitalized and later released after suffering a heat-related illness during the search.

Pennsylvania State Trooper Lucious Fludd will sing the national anthem at the shows opening this year alongside the Pennsylvania State Police color guard.

The Thanksgiving Day dog show at The Kennel Club of Philadelphia will be broadcast from noon to 2 p.m.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC27.
When you watch the 2023 National Dog Show on Channel 11 this year, you may see a familiar face.

Pennsylvania State Police K9 Rom, who was heavily involved in the search for Chester County prison escapee Danelo Cavalcante, will be honored before this years National Dog Show.

>>> How they got him: Escaped murderer Danelo Cavalcante arrested after 2-week pursuit in Pennsylvania

Trooper Lucious Fludd will also sing the national anthem at the opening of the show alongside the PSP color guard, state police said.

You can watch the 2023 National Dog Show on Channel 11 after the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade.

>>> 7 local school band directors will march in Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Channel 11 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch WPXI NOW

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WASHINGTON  For the sixth year in a row, the Pentagon failed its annual audit.

The result is not a surprise. The Department of Defenses assets are vast and decentralized, amounting to $3.8 trillion alongside $4 trillion in liabilities. These are located in all 50 states and more than 4,500 sites around the world.

Since the Pentagon began auditing itself in 2018  the last department to do so after Congress required the practice across the government in 1990  its solved some of its easiest accounting problems. Now change each year is more incremental.

If theres change at all, that is  last year, auditors only rated seven of the nearly 30 sub-audits as clean. This year too there were seven.

One other was rated as qualified, the next step down in accounting jargon. Three more audits are still ongoing. The remaining 18 were given failing grades.

Pentagon officials have tried to reassure the public there is progress, despite the same topline rating. Speaking to reporters this week, Comptroller Mike McCord pointed to three areas.

The first is movement toward a resolved fund balance with the Treasury Department, meaning the two departments are getting closer to matching their ledgers. This consistency helps prevent fraud.

The second is the increasing use of automated programs, or bots, for rote tasks, freeing up accountants time for more important work. McCord said that in the Navy and Air Force alone, the use of bots saved around 600,000 hours.

The last is more relevant to the battlefield. Since Russia invaded Ukraine in early 2022, the U.S. Defense Department has put a magnifying glass to its stockpiles while offering support. That effort proved useful when war began between Israel and Hamas this October. When Israel asked the U.S. for aid, McCord said, the U.S. knew what it had, where the capabilities were and what condition they were in.

The Ukraine experience informed the Israeli one because there was already a lot of good practice built up, he said.

Smaller successes aside, audits are still pass-fail tests and the Pentagon continues to fail, McCord acknowledged.

A full half of the Defense Departments assets still dont meet auditing standards. The Pentagon resolved around 500 Notifications of Findings and Recommendations, or specific problems found in last years audit, McCord said. At the same time, he said, there were 2,500 more NFRs identified this year, a total that includes new and recurring issues.

Its not enough, McCord said. The secretary [of defense] feels that we need to be doing better at this and moving faster.

There is just under $5 billion worth of U.S. stockpiles that can still be sent to assist Kyiv, McCord said. At a Pentagon briefing last week, spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said there was $1 billion remaining to replenish those stocks.

The drawdown money leftover is itself the product of an accounting error. Earlier this year, Pentagon officials realized they had often been valuing the aid sent to Ukraine at its sticker cost rather than factoring in age  the equivalent of an insurance company reimbursing a totaled car at its original purchase price rather than its value at the time of a crash.

The funding vehicles being used to aid Israel in its war against Hamas are far different, in part because Israel has a large defense-industrial base and decades-long relationships with American arms manufacturers. But the road to keep funding them without more money approved by Congress is narrow, McCord said

The running room we have to actually help Israel is much more constrained [than it is for Ukraine] because we dont have any action by Congress yet, he said.

Meanwhile, on Capitol Hill, the Pentagons inability to get a passing grade continues to draw lawmakers ire. This summer, House Republicans held a hearing focused on the auditing failures.

This week, the House passed a continuing resolution to keep the government funded through early next year. The Pentagon has said such temporary spending bills make its accounting process more difficult.
(Bloomberg) -- Perus congress over the last seven years has become notorious for its unchecked powers to impeach presidents, putting the nation under seven different leaders in that time while undercutting growth in what had been one of the regions standout economies.

Most Read from Bloomberg

But on Thursday, congress took an initial surprise step to curtail those powers that could improve governance by passing legislation to create a second chamber of congress, diluting the powers of a parliament that currently only has one chamber.

The vote by a super majority of 93 of 130 lawmakers will allow them to push this reform through if they can muster a super majority in a second vote next year. Had lawmakers obtained only a simple majority, they would have had to put the measure to a national referendum. The news came as a shock to most Peruvians given congresss failure to keep the public informed and in the loop.

A broad consensus of Peru watchers agree that the countrys current single-chamber congress has created significant problems for its democracy. The extreme political volatility triggered by the cycle of impeachments has taken a toll on Perus economy, once among the fastest-growing in Latin America, which this year fell into a recession.

Read More: Impeachment Mania Unravels an Economic Miracle in Latin America

I think that in theory this is a good reform, the issue is that congress has a legitimacy problem, said Gonzalo Banda, a Peruvian political analyst. In any decent country, a reform like this would have had public discussions to address the pros and cons, but not in Peru.

In 2018, 91% of Peruvians in a referendum rejected the proposed creation of a Senate. But the move also faces questions of motivation. In the same referendum, Peruvians voted against allowing for the reelection of lawmakers, but the new bill passed Thursday would not place term-limits on senators.

Congressional History

Peru has had two chambers of congress for most of its history. But it was President Alberto Fujimori who in 1992 illegally dissolved congress and then streamlined it into one chamber, after rewriting the constitution.

This newer structure has long been criticized by political scientists, who argue that a single chamber can have too much power and face too little scrutiny. For example, impeaching a president requires a single vote in congress and the whole process can be carried out in less than a week.

The result has given congress great power and has made it deeply unpopular. An Ipsos poll this month found congress only has an 11% approval rating, just slightly better than Boluartes 10% approval rating.

The vote Is a first step towards strengthening the institutional framework. Should be positive for the market, said Gonzalo Navarro, a currency strategist with bank BBVA in an email to clients.

But even political scientists who support the move, have been skeptical that congress will be able to push it through.

A congress with an approval rating this low does not have enough legitimacy to approve constitutional changes this important, said Fernando Tuesta, a professor of political science at Perus Pontifical Catholic University who also headed the committee that proposed the failed referendum to create the senate back in 2018.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines does not have to give China prior notice about resupply missions in its own territory in the South China Sea, saying the operations, including the "upkeep" of a grounded navy ship, are legitimate, its foreign ministry said on Thursday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also called on China to remove all "illegal structures" it built within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), cease reclamation in those areas and be accountable for the damage the activities caused.

China has repeatedly accused the Philippines of illegally entering its waters without its permission during its missions to transport food and water to Filipino soldiers living aboard a navy ship that Manila grounded at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. The atoll is called Ayungin by the Philippines and Renai Reef by China.

"We are being asked to give prior notification each time we conduct a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. We will not do so," DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a statement.

China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, pointing to a line on its maps that cuts into the EEZs of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Taiwan, which China also claims as part of its territory, has said it does not accept Beijing's maps.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said the line on China's maps had no legal basis, which Beijing rejects.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated his support for the court ruling during a meeting with his Manila counterpart in Jakarta. Both have denounced harassment by China towards Philippine vessels conducting the resupply mission.

A spokesperson for the Philippines National Security Council on Thursday flagged a disinformation campaign by "propagandists" and "information operators" that aims to undermine U.S.-Philippines relations and sway public opinion in China's favour.

The narratives include portraying "the relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines as superior-inferior relationship," said Jonathan Malaya.

"It just so happened that in this particular dispute the interests of the United States and the Philippines aligned," Malaya told reporters. "We are cognizant of the fact that there will be a time that the interests of the Philippines and the U.S. will diverge."

Since the grounding of the Sierra Madre ship at the atoll in 1999 in Manila's attempt to assert its sovereignty claim, China has repeatedly called on the Philippines to tow the vessel away, based on an agreement which Manila says does not exist.

"The Philippines has not entered into any agreement abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its EEZ and continental shelf, including in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal," Daza said.

The Second Thomas Shoal lies 190 km (118 miles) off the Philippine island of Palawan, well within the Manila's EEZ.

China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores and Neil Jerome Morales; Additional reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Nick Macfie)
(FOX40.COM)  Deputies in Nevada County are investigating a case of suspected animal cruelty after finding a pig that had been shot with an arrow.

On Wednesday, the Nevada County Sheriffs Office said in a social media post that it had received several reports of the injured pig on Nov. 13 in Alta Sierra, about 55 miles northeast of Sacramento.

Canada goose tests positive for Avian Influenza in Davis

Callers who reported the injured pig said the arrow was still lodged in its hindleg.

On Nov. 14, deputies and a veterinarian were able to catch the pig with the use of tranquilizers.

The sheriffs office shared an image of the moment the pig was captured, with two deputies using a catch pole.

Tree surveyor rescued after falling 20 to 30 ft. into ravine in Sierra County

The agency said that the pig had sustained extensive injuries and was ultimately humanely euthanized.

The sheriffs office thanked the community of Alta Sierra for helping report the crime, and it asked anyone with information about the case to call Animal Control at 530-265-1471.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX40.
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This photo taken on Nov. 14, 2023 shows the opening ceremony of the 2nd Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province. [Photo/Xinhua]

The agricultural cooperation between China and Africa has yielded fruitful results with a prosperous future for a comprehensive win-win partnership, officials have said at the second Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture.



Themed "Food Security for Africa: a New Chapter for China-Africa Agricultural Cooperation," the forum was held in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, from Monday to Wednesday.

In a keynote speech, Tang Renjian, China's minister of agriculture and rural affairs, said that over the past decade, China has set up 24 agricultural technology demonstration centers in Africa, and popularized more than 300 advanced agricultural technologies, which have increased local crops yields by an average of 30 to 60 percent, benefiting more than 1 million farmers in African countries.

By the end of 2021, the agricultural investment by Chinese enterprises in Africa has reached 12.8 billion RMB (1.77 billion U.S. dollars), growing at an average annual rate of 11.4 percent and creating more than 30,000 jobs, Tang added.

Noting that the cooperation in agriculture is a win-win opportunity for both China and Africa, Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, the African Union (AU) commissioner for agriculture, rural development, blue economy and sustainable environment, said: "With China moving and leading the way in agricultural modernization through significant investment in scientific research and technology, it presents a huge opportunity for the AU to tap into and propel Africa's agricultural production, agro-industry and agri-food value chain transformation."

Participants of the 2nd Forum on China-Africa Cooperation in Agriculture plant trees while visiting local agricultural bases in Sanya, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 14, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Over the past 10 years, China has signed 34 cooperation documents with 19 African countries, the AU and the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), and carried out continuous dialogues and exchanges on issues such as food security, poverty reduction and agricultural response to climate change, Tang said.

Expecting considerable opportunities for infrastructure and Chinese agro-food companies, Hailemariam Dessalegn Boshe, chairman of AGRA, said "We believe that working with Chinese companies can create win-win opportunities, and we welcome inputs and engagement to co-design these opportunities."

In terms of personnel exchanges, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has sent more than 400 agricultural experts to Africa and trained more than 10,000 managerial and technical personnel for African countries, said Tang.

Demba Sabally, Gambia's minister of agriculture, applauded that the aid and assistance projects provided by China are "extremely meaningful" and have started to make life-changing activities in his country's agricultural sector and farmer population.

"In the framework of South-South cooperation, Gambia has benefited from China's generous support through the provision of agricultural experts," he said.

Deus Gumba, Malawi's minister of lands, shared a similar view, saying "China has the know-how and technology to assist African countries in modernizing their agriculture to increase production. This includes supporting value addition to enable countries like Malawi to export semi-processed agricultural products."

To help Africa's agricultural modernization, China will focus on initiatives to increase the production capacity of crops in Africa, carry out innovative cooperation programs on agricultural science and technology, and implement demonstration projects on poverty reduction.

"In the last years, China has demonstrated strong will and desire to promote and expand its cooperation with South Sudan and many African countries in the fields of agriculture and food security," said Josephine Lagu Yanga, South Sudan's minister of agriculture and food security.

"We remain ready to lift our agricultural cooperation with China to the highest level," she added.

In 2023, the trade volume of agricultural products between China and Africa is expected to exceed 10 billion dollars, nearly double that of a decade ago, and the goal for the next decade is to surpass 20 billion dollars.
EXETER  A local chocolate maker and a music and arts center have teamed up to create a crunchy and delicious treat that hits all the right notes.

Enna Chocolate, a bean-to-bar shop in Exeter, has launched a new chocolate bar called Play Me A Crunch to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center. The bar features 75% dark chocolate, cornflakes, raw sugar and sea salt, and a portion of the proceeds will support PMACs programs and scholarships.

How can you go wrong with salty, sugary, crunchy, and chocolatey? said Enna Grazier, owner of Enna Chocolate. It's perfect.

The Ritchie family poses with their custom-designed chocolate bar, Play Me A Crunch, in front of the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center. The family created the bar with Enna Grazier, owner of Enna Chocolate, after winning an auction prize at PMACs spring fundraiser.

Grazier said the idea behind the bar came about after PMACs annual spring fundraiser, Spring Fever for the Arts, in April.

One of the prizes at the auction was the opportunity to design a custom bar at Enna Chocolate.

Grazier is the sister-in-law of Russ Grazier, PMACs CEO, and offered the prize to help raise funds for the nonprofit organization.

What The Pho: Why Savannah Kitchen transformed into a noodle/tiki bar in Newmarket

The winning bid was made by Steve Ritchie, the co-founder and CFO of Proof+Geist and PMAC board member. Ritchie enlisted his wife and two daughters, Sophie, 23, and Manu, 20, to help design the flavor profile of their custom bar.

To create their custom bar, the trio embarked on a tasting journey of different chocolates from various cacao-producing countries before settling on 75% dark chocolate from the Philippines. They then experimented with different "inclusions" (technical name for add-ins), such as nuts, seeds, and sugars, until they found the perfect combination of crunch and sweetness.

Enna Grazier, owner of Enna Chocolate, holds a Play Me A Crunch bar, a new product that supports the Portsmouth Music and Arts Center on its 20th anniversary.

We had a wonderful time with Enna, learning about and tasting what goes into making a chocolate bar, said Ritchie. Its an art form in and of itself, and were excited by what she helped us create.

Grazier said she knew right away that the chocolate bar would be delicious and of interest to her customers. While the original auction prize included only 20 chocolate bars for the family to take home and enjoy, Grazier started planning a wider roll-out that would also benefit PMAC.

Grazier said the next step in making the bar was to determine exactly how she was going to pour the mix onto the mold.

Do I put the inclusions on the mold and pour chocolate over it? she said. Do I pour the chocolate and put the inclusions on the back? Do I blend it in?

New owners: Lexies Restaurants owner scoops up Memories Ice Cream

Grazier chose the most time-consuming and difficult process  blending the inclusions into the chocolate  to disperse the pieces throughout the bar.

She said that ensures that each bite is consistent as well as prevents the cornflakes from going stale if they were exposed to air on the outside of the bar.

"Play Me A Crunch bar features dark chocolate, cornflakes, raw sugar and sea salt. It was designed by a local family who won an auction prize at PMACs spring fundraiser.

Ritchies daughter, Sophie, designed the art for the packaging of Play Me A Crunch.

She said she grew up playing the saxophone in PMACs Teen Jazz Band, so it was really cool to pay tribute to that with her art.

Play Me A Crunch chocolate bar has been on sale since Saturday, Nov. 11, at Enna Chocolate.

For every bar sold, $1 will be donated to PMAC.

PMAC has been building community through the arts since 2002. The organization offers music and visual arts education programs and creates ensemble, performance, and exhibition opportunities for students, professionals, and audiences. Learn more at pmaconline.org.

Them Apples: How a 9-year-old girl from Hampton Falls turned her backyard orchard into a thriving business

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Enna Chocolate bar to celebrate PMACs 20th anniversary
Police arrested two people suspected of planting skimming devices on an ATM in Grover Beach on Wednesday.

The Grover Beach Police Department arrested Catalin Constantinescu, 43, and Stefan Costache, 56, on suspicion of planting multiple skimming devices in a ATM, the department said in a news release. The duo is from Romania, police said.

Police said the skimming devices are used to capture personal identifying information of cardholders that is later used to commit fraud and identity theft.

On Tuesday, police officers removed a skimming device from a Bank of America ATM at 1564 West Grand Ave., according to the release. The next day, police found another skimming device planted in the same ATM, which they believe was planted early that morning, according to the release.

While patrolling the parking lot Wednesday afternoon, officers spotted Constantinescu and Costache approaching the ATM.

Officers detained one of the suspects, but the other escaped in his car, according to the release. Officers then stopped him when he entered Arroyo Grande. Police said at that time, they found the necessary evidence to arrest both suspects.

The pair was booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail in lieu of $200,000 bail.

They were arrested on suspicion of charges of theft of identifying information, conspiracy to commit a crime and fraudulent possession or use of a skimming device, according to the jail booking log.

Anyone with information about the investigation can call the Grover Beach Police Departments Detective Bureau at 805-473-4570.

The San Luis Obispo Police Department and San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office assisted with the investigation.
Flowers and candles are left at a makeshift shrine placed at the scene of a Sunday confrontation that lead to death of a demonstrator, Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)

An arrest has been made in connection to the death of a Jewish man who was counter-protesting at a pro-Palestine rally in Thousand Oaks, California.

Loay Abdelfattah Alnajii, 50, of Moorpark, was arrested on Thursday morning and has been charged with involuntary manslaughter, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

His charges stem from the 6 November death of Paul Kessler, 69, who died from injuries he sustained while counter-protesting at a pro-Palestine rally the day before.

Mr Alnajii has been booked into the county's pre-trial detention facility and is being held on a $1m bail.

Earlier reports suggested Mr Kessler was involved in a conflict with a pro-Palestine protester at the event that led to his fall and eventual death. It was not made immediately clear if Mr Alnajii was the protester who clashed with Mr Kessler.

The pro-Palestine demonstrator who encountered Mr Kessler was considered a person of interest immediately after the incident. Police said that individual was one of the ones who made the 911 call to obtain medical assistance for Mr Kessler, and that he had been cooperative with the investigation.

The Ventura County Medical Examiner said Mr Kessler had died from blunt force trauma to the head consistent with a fall, but also had suffered a non-lethal blow to his face.

Witnesses at the scene claim the pro-Palestine protester hit Mr Kessler with a megaphone, which caused him to stumble backwards and fall to the ground.

Police noted early on that they were receiving conflicting reports regarding who instigated the conflict.

Justin Cohen, a family friend, told The New York Post that Mr Kessler was a proud Zionist and readily supported Israels increasingly unpopular military response to a Hamas terror attack on 7 October.

Protests in support of Palestinians, including those in the US, have sometimes been met or counter-protested by demonstrators supporting Israel. Tensions have increased in the weeks since 7 October as Israel continues military operations in Gaza. More than 10,000 Palestinians have been killed since the 7 October attack, according to Gazas Ministry of Health. Those deaths include civilians, children, hospital and aid workers, and members of the press and their families in Gaza.

Mr Kessler had been attending pro-Palestine rallies around Thousand Oaks, where he would wave a large Israeli flag to show his support for Israel. He allegedly became involved in a fight with a pro-Palestine supporter who was carrying a megaphone on 5 November, and that altercation ended with him shoved to the ground.

He died the following day at a nearby hospital from his injuries.
LAS VEGAS (KLAS)  As of Wednesday, eight teenagers faced murder charges in connection with the deadly beating of a student near Rancho High School earlier this month. Now police are asking for the publics help in identifying two more persons of interest.

On Nov. 1 at around 2 p.m., a fight broke out in the 1900 block of Searles Avenue near Rancho High School. Police said the fight was over a pair of stolen wireless headphones and possibly a vape pen.

Police investigate death of teen boy near a high school in Las Vegas

Jonathan Lewis, 17, was on the ground and not defending himself when he became unconscious, LVMPD Lt. Jason Johannson said.

Lewis died following the attack, the Clark County coroners office confirmed. His cause of death was listed as complications of multiple blunt force injuries. His manner of death was listed as homicide.

During a news conference on Tuesday, Johannson said all the people involved  believed to be 10  were students of Rancho High School. Johannson described a video of the incident as void of humanity and said there was no evidence the incident could be considered a hate crime.

As of Tuesday, police had identified eight of the 10, Johannson said. Police and the FBI arrested all eight on Tuesday morning. All eight are between the ages of 13 and 17.

Prosecutors file to move Las Vegas teens suspected of murder to adult court

Now, police have released images of two outstanding persons of interest in hopes that the public can help identify them. The images are shown below.

Police release images of persons of interest in deadly beating of Las Vegas teen. (LVMPD)

Police release images of persons of interest in deadly beating of Las Vegas teen. (LVMPD)

Police release images of persons of interest in deadly beating of Las Vegas teen. (LVMPD)

Police release images of persons of interest in deadly beating of Las Vegas teen. (LVMPD)

Police release images of persons of interest in deadly beating of Las Vegas teen. (LVMPD)

Anyone with any information about these two individuals is urged to contact the LVMPD

Homicide Section by phone at 702-828-3521, or by email at homicide@lvmpd.com. To

remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers by phone at 702-385-5555, or

on their website.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KLAS.
U.S. Capitol Police officers worked to hold back approximately 150 protesters outside the Democratic National Convention (DNC) headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.

The Capitol Police said in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, that its officers responded to approximately 150 people who are illegally and violently protesting near Canal Street and Ivy Street Southeast, which is the location of the DNCs Washington headquarters.

Capitol Police noted in a post on X that six officers were treated for injuries stemming from the protests, ranging from minor cuts to being pepper sprayed to being punched. One arrest was made for assault on an officer, the law enforcement agency added.

Capitol Police said members were evacuated from the area and advised people to avoid it. South Capitol Street between Canal and E streets southeast, and Ivy Street between Canal Street and New Jersey Avenue Southeast are closed, the police added.

D.C.s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) said in a statement to The Hill that its officers were assisting the Capitol Police.

Videos posted to social media suggest that the protesters were calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war. Additional videos show a large number of officers clashing with protesters in varying degrees of intensity. Some of the protesters appeared to have linked arms outside of the building.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) said he was evacuated from the DNC headquarters due to the protests.

Was just evacuated from the #DNC after pro-terrorist, anti-#Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building. Thankful to the police officers who stopped them and for helping me and my colleagues get out safely, he said on X.

Updated at 10:44 p.m. ET

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The driver of the fuel tanker involved in a wreck on Route 3 in Billerica bears no responsibility for the crash that spilled thousands of gallons of fuel and shut down the major highway for hours Wednesday, state police say.

Although dashcam video clears the tanker driver of fault, charges may still be levied against the other drivers involved in the crash, Massachusetts State Police say.

The dashcam video captures a white 2022 GMC Sierra merge in front of and then making contact with a white 2022 Tesla Model Y SUV. The contact of that crash sent the pickup truck spinning across the highway into the side of the tanker, which was driving in the right travel lane.

Crews worked all day and night Wednesday and into early Thursday morning cleaning up after the crash.

As of Thursday morning all lanes of traffic had reopened.

On Thursday, the State Police Commercial, Vehicle Enforcement Section began an inspection of the tanker which is normal procedure for any crash involving commercial vehicles, according to MSP.

MassDOT said environmental cleanup would continue until 3:00 p.m. on Thursday and will resume during the overnight hours from 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. Friday morning.

The pickup that was involved in that, tt didnt look like he was having a good day. The tanker, it looked like he was actually trying to get out of the way, from the little bit I saw. There wasnt anything he couldve done differently, said Jim Davenport.

Drivers like Davenport were stuck for hours. His GPS arrival time kept increasing.

So that 8 minutes turned into 20 minutes, 30 minutes, 40 minutes, he said.

Video shared by Nathalia McGlashing, who was passing by the crash on the opposite of the highway, showed fuel pouring from the tanker and debris scattered in the roadway.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.

Download the FREE Boston 25 News app for breaking news alerts.

Follow Boston 25 News on Facebook and Twitter. | Watch Boston 25 News NOW
A criminal case has been opened against former freelance advisor to the Presidential Office Oleksiy Arestovych following an appeal from a group of MPs, the National Police press service told NV on Nov. 16.

The Kyiv police received a complaint from a group of lawmakers alleging that Arestovych may have committed a criminal offense by knowingly filing a false report of a crime. He had appealed to the State Bureau of Investigation with an accusation of criminal wrongdoing against MP Nataliya Pipa.

Read also: Arestovych aims to grab remnants of pro-Russian electorate  former Ukrainian official

Investigators opened a criminal case under Part 1 of Article 383 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine (knowingly making a false report of a criminal offense).

Earlier, Nataliya Pipa reported on the opening of the case against Arestovych on Facebook.

In October, 29 MPs filed a police complaint against Arestovych after the June scandal with a young man who sang late Russian rock idol Viktor Tsoi's songs on the streets of Lviv. Nataliya Pipa reprimanded the young man, who responded by insulting her, and the lawmaker called the police.

Read also: Ex-presidential advisor Arestovych put on Russian list of terrorists

The young man later recorded a video apologizing. On July 27, the Halytskyi District Court of Lviv found him guilty of an administrative violation (for swearing at Pipa) and issued a warning.

In August, Arestovych filed a complaint with the State Bureau of Investigation about "incitement to national hatred and enmity on the basis of language" by MP Nataliya Pipa over the incident in Lviv. On his social media accounts, Arestovych wrote that the parliamentarian "actually took advantage of her official position and committed something resembling the abuse of a minor."

In a statement on Oct. 24, which was supported by 28 of her colleagues, the MP wrote that "Oleksiy Arestovych is engaged exclusively in self-promotion and hype on the topic of alleged harassment of 'Russian-speaking Ukrainians'."

In September 2018, the Lviv Oblast Council banned the public use of Russian-language cultural products, and the Supreme Court ruled the decision legal. In June 2022, the Verkhovna Rada passed a law banning the public use of music from Russia.

In October, law enforcement officials launched an investigation into Arestovych's remarks at one of his seminars where he said he "wanted to strangle women." After the scandal, Arestovych claimed that his words were "taken out of context."

Read also: Could Arestovych simply be a technical candidate for Zelenskyy in future election?

In November, Arestovych announced that he was going to run in the next presidential election. In an interview with the Russian media outlet Meduza, he confirmed that he was abroad and said that he might "have to be an opposition politician in exile."

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
 Flash

At the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday for a China-U.S. summit and the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.

The visit to San Francisco marks Xi's return to the United States after six-plus years and also signifies another face-to-face meeting between the two heads of state following last year's handshake in Bali, Indonesia.

Eight years ago, in a speech on China-U.S. relations at a welcoming dinner hosted by local governments and organizations in Seattle, the United States, Xi said, "We must foster friendly sentiments among our peoples. People-to-people relations underpin state-to-state relations."

"The foundation of China-U.S. relations lies among the people, the hope is in the people," Xi reiterated during his meeting with California governor Gavin Newsom last month.

With the upcoming Xi-Biden summit, China has once again extended the hand of friendship toward the other side of the Pacific.

From Beijing to San Francisco

San Francisco is the first U.S. city that was directly reached by a Chinese commercial flight. On Jan. 7, 1981, a Boeing 747SP large passenger aircraft flew over the Pacific Ocean, becoming the first flight between China and the United States linking Beijing, Shanghai, San Francisco, and New York.



Over the past 42 years, busy flights have witnessed increasingly close connections between China and the United States.

Earlier this month, Air China and United Airlines successively resumed direct flights between Beijing and San Francisco, signaling improved relations between the two sides.

At the San Francisco International Airport, Roger Jansen, a retired American photojournalist who had just concluded his trip to China, was eager to share his travel experience.

He said he traveled to Shanghai and Beijing on China's high-speed bullet train, and enjoyed good food. "Everybody was friendly and nice. You know we should all get together. Not that fight and feud."

Dennis Simon, a distinguished fellow of the Institute for China-America Studies, is also paying close attention to the upcoming summit.

"They definitely have a very complex agenda that the two men are going to have to address. But first and foremost, they're going to have to figure out a way to stabilize the relationship," he said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"It is incumbent upon both countries and the leaders to find a pathway forward to reduce tensions and to make it worthwhile for the citizenry in both countries to benefit from the engagement between the two governments," he said.

"I'm a big believer in people-to-people diplomacy. I think if we look at the last 40-plus years of U.S.-China relations, the people-to-people dimension has grown far beyond what anyone would have imagined," said Simon, who has over 40 years of experience studying and working in China.

Music as bridge

Just as the Golden Gate Bridge spans across San Francisco Bay, facilitating connectivity among local residents, music has acted as a "bridge" between China and the United States.



Fifty years ago, the Philadelphia orchestra came to China, an ice-breaking journey of cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Five decades later, the orchestra performed in Beijing with the China National Symphony Orchestra alongside vocalists from various countries, together creating harmonious symphonies during its ongoing 13th visit to China.

Xi, in his reply to a letter from Matias Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of the orchestra, said that he hopes the orchestra and artists from China, the United States and other countries will continue their efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties between China and the United States and spread friendship among peoples of the world.

Valuing the orchestra's half-century bond with China, Tarnopolsky said he hopes to see the relationship continue to grow and flourish.

"Cultural exchange is fundamentally important as a path to understanding between peoples," said Tarnopolsky. "Music connects us all, be it across geographic boundaries, languages, cultures and centuries."

Davyd Booth, a violinist and one of the members of the 1973 trip who still plays in the orchestra, said the tour 50 years ago was "one of the most important events" in his life.

"I think we can show people that there is positive hope for everyone everywhere," said the 73-year-old violinist. "Music is a universal language. It is the most abstract art form that can touch people and become a bridge to connect us."

Future roots in youth

During his visit to Lincoln High School in 2015, Xi invited the students to visit China, saying, "Through travel, you will know China better, and hopefully you will like China."

One year later, a delegation of students and teachers from Lincoln High School visited Chinese cities including Fuzhou, Chengdu and Beijing.

Recalling the gift of travel for his students from Xi, former Lincoln High School Principal Patrick Erwin said that students will lead the way to better relationships between our countries.

"Students are the voice of the future, and the more they can visit each other, the better the chances we will have successful futures," he said.

Over the years, Xi has placed significant emphasis on fostering genuine interactions among the youth between the two sides, sowing the seeds of friendship in their hearts, nurturing future ambassadors of goodwill and building bridges for future China-U.S. friendship.

Earlier this month, 23 U.S. college students experienced a five-day China Education Tour organized by Southwest Jiaotong University in China's Sichuan Province.

Tor Parsons, a student from Lewis & Clark College, said that he would like to post about his experience on social media to let more young Americans know about China.

"I hope my students can gain a deeper understanding of all aspects of China," said Drew Kunard, the director of the trip.

"Through the exchanges, the friendship between the young people of China and the United States has grown, and the understanding and respect for each other have deepened," said David Chong, founder and president of the U.S.-China Youth and Student Exchange Association.

As Xi stressed in his reply letter to the U.S.-China Youth and Student Exchange Association, "the hope and foundation of the China-U.S. relationship lie in the people, and its future lies in the youths."
Police in Washington state are searching for a couple determined to be missing after a welfare check at their home.

The missing people have been identified as Davido, a 6-foot-tall White man who weighs about 180 pounds, and Karen A. Koep, a 115-pound, 5-foot 4-inch White woman, according to a news release from the Thurston County Sheriff's Office. They are married, according to the news release, and live in the Lake Forest Development in Thurston County.

The sheriff's office said deputies performed the welfare check after one of them didn't show up to work. They found Koep and Davido to be missing, and "the circumstance surrounding their disappearance" to be "suspicious," according to the news release.

The missing couple. / Credit: Thurston County Sheriff's Office

The couple's car, identified by police in a second news release as a 2015 Toyota Yaris, was missing from the house, and was later located at an intersection in Lacey, Washington. The location provided by police is about a 15-minute drive from the development where the couple live. It is near an elementary school in a residential neighborhood.

The sheriff's office said in the second news release they are not releasing many details "to ensure the integrity of the investigation," but asked that anyone with information about the missing couple contact them.

Detectives have obtained surveillance video and conducted interviews as part of the investigation. Local and state partners are also investigating, the office said.

8 Las Vegas teens face murder charges after student's deadly beating

The Stand | Sunday on 60 Minutes

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SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  Salt Lake City police said officers were searching Wednesday night for a suspect who fled after allegedly driving a stolen car.

ABC4s Anneka Johns said there was a large police presence around 8 p.m. near the intersection of 500 North and 1465 West, in the citys Fairpark neighborhood.

Officials identify victims in fatal canyon plane crash near Provo

Police said officers stopped a stolen car, and the driver ran. While police are looking for the suspect, they said there is no known danger to the community.

A passenger in the vehicle was taken into custody.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to ABC4 Utah.
In a sign of growing concern about President Bidens chances of winning reelection, a majority of potential Democratic primary voters (54%) now say they would like to see another Democrat enter the race to challenge him for their partys 2024 nomination, according to a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll.

Only 28% say they would not like a new Democratic candidate to primary the president.

The survey of 1,584 U.S. adults, which was conducted from Nov. 9 to Nov. 13, found that former President Donald Trump (44%) leads Biden (42%) among registered voters for the first time in months. Nearly two-thirds of Americans (64%)  including 4 in 10 Democrats (39%)  now say they are very or somewhat concerned about the presidents health and mental acuity, up from 48% in June 2020.

Biden, the oldest president in U.S. history, will turn 81 next week.

Perhaps reflecting anxieties around Bidens age, the desire for a new Democratic challenger is much greater among potential Democratic primary voters ages 18 to 44 (64%) than among those 45 or older (46%).

President Biden in the Oval Office on Monday. (Al Drago/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

Biden slips among Democrats as Trump holds steady among Republicans

At this point, the odds that Biden will draw a high-profile primary opponent are vanishingly slim. Some filing deadlines have already passed; others are fast approaching. Party leaders and resources almost always fall in line behind an incumbent president, and Biden is no exception. Any new challenger would be shunned, risking his or her future in Democratic politics.

Its also true that Biden (64%) still leads his two declared primary challengers  self-help author Marianne Williamson (4%) and Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips (4%)  by a wide margin, and potential Democratic primary voters who say they prefer Biden as the partys 2024 presidential nominee (46%) continue to outnumber those who say theyd prefer someone else (39%).

Yet support for Biden versus someone else has fallen by 4 points since October after steadily rising from the low 30s early last year to 50% or higher on six of the past seven Yahoo News/YouGov surveys  a reversal that underscores widespread alarm among Democrats that the president is starting his reelection run as an underdog to Trump, a polarizing figure who has been criminally indicted four times this year.

Asked how big a problem Bidens age is when it comes to his fitness for the presidency, nearly three-quarters of potential Democratic primary voters (73%) say its either a small problem (48%) or a big one (25%).

Trump, meanwhile, maintains his large lead among the potential Republican primary electorate, with majority support (56%) versus someone else (34%) and a similar share of the hypothetical vote (54%) against the full field of declared GOP candidates, including Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis (15%) and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley (10%).

Unlike other recent polls showing Haley ahead of Biden in key swing states, the new Yahoo News/YouGov survey found the South Carolinian (37%) trailing the president (39%) nationally  albeit with more voters saying theyre not sure (14%) than in a Biden-Trump matchup (9%), and more saying they would not vote (11% vs. 5%).

Possible bright spots for Biden

To test the deeper dynamics influencing perceptions of age and competence, Yahoo News and YouGov asked respondents how much they have heard in the media about various political stories over the last few years.

Unfortunately for Biden, less than a quarter of Americans have heard a lot about his signature legislative achievements: Congress passing a law that will enable Medicare to negotiate lower prescription drug prices (23%); Congress passing infrastructure investments in 2021 (20%); Congress passing climate and clean energy investments in 2022 (18%); and Congress passing a gun safety law in 2022 (14%).

In contrast, far more Americans have heard a lot about Biden physically stumbling at public events (47%); making verbal gaffes (41%) and falling asleep at public events (33%).

Its not particularly surprising, then, that just a quarter of Americans (24%) think Biden has accomplished a lot as president.

But after asking how much respondents had heard about various stories, Yahoo News and YouGov also asked them to rate the importance of the same stories when thinking of how you will vote in 2024.

More than twice as many Americans consider Bidens key victories on Capitol Hill to be very important for 2024  including legislation on prescription drugs (52%), gun safety (40%) and climate (37%)  than say theyve heard a lot about them, suggesting a possible opportunity for his reelection campaign to break through and alter assumptions about how much the president has (or hasnt) accomplished in office.

Similarly, more Americans have heard a lot about (69%)  and consider very important (43%)  the fact that Trump is facing four criminal trials in 2024 than say the same about Bidens gaffes, stumbles or public naps. And voters are divided over which is a bigger problem when it comes to their fitness for the presidency: Bidens age (44%) or Trumps criminal charges (44%).

____________

The Yahoo News survey was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,584 U.S. adults interviewed online from Nov. 9 to 13, 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 Nov. 1, 2022, and is weighted to the estimated distribution at that time (33% 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 2.8%.
The overwhelming majority of Florida voters sympathize more with the Israelis than with Palestinians in a statewide poll about the situation in the Middle East.

Florida Atlantic University/Mainstreet Research/PolCom Lab poll released Thursday found 59% of the states voters said their sympathies are more with the Israelis, while 14% said their sympathies are more with the Palestinians.

Another 17% said neither and 9% said they didnt know.

The support for the Israelis was driven largely by middle-aged and older voters and Republicans. Among younger voters and Democrats, the Israelis had notably less support and Palestinians more support.

Support for the Israelis is higher in Florida than nationally and support for the Palestinians is lower.

A nationwide Quinnipiac University poll, also released Thursday, posed an almost identical question. It found 54% of U.S. voters said their sympathies lie more with the Israelis and 24% said more with the Palestinians. Another 22% didnt know or didnt answer.

The FAU/Mainstreet Florida poll posed this question: In the Middle East situation, are your sympathies more with the Israelis or more with the Palestinians?

Florida voters partisan breakdown:

Democrats: 39% Israelis, 25% Palestinians, 24% with neither, 12% dont know.

Republicans: 85% Israelis, 4% Palestinians, 7% with neither, 3% dont know.

Independents: 44% Israelis, 15% Palestinians, 26% neither, 15% dont know.

Nationally, sympathies with the Israelis was a few points lower than in Florida among Democrats and Republicans. Among independents it was slightly higher.

Nationally, sympathies with the Palestinians was 3 points higher than in Florida among Republicans, 7 points higher among independents and 17 points higher among Democrats.

South Floridas Jewish Democratic members of Congress are so strongly supportive of Israel that they parted with President Joe Biden and the Democratic congressional leadership in voting in favor of the Republican version of legislation to provide financial aid to Israel.

The sentiment shown in the both polls could present political problems for the Democratic Party  which has long relied on the allegiance of Jewish voters as one of its key pillars  if it isnt seen as solidly supportive of Israel against the threat from Hamas and its allies.

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There were also significant differences based on age, with the youngest group of voters expressing far less support for Israelis and far more support for Palestinians.

Rachel S. Harris, a professor at FAU who holds the Gimelstob Eminent Scholar Chair for Judaic Studies and directs the Jewish Studies program, focused in a telephone interview on the large share of voters in the youngest group that doesnt have the knowledge or background to parse this conflict.

What is particularly notable here is that the number of these younger voters who have no sympathy for either group or dont know is greater than even those who support Israelis or Palestinians, Harris said in a statement. This suggests that there is a gap in historical knowledge about the conflict and the situation in the Middle East among this younger group.

Older voters, Harris said, have a longer time horizon with more context about what has happened and is happening in the Middle East. Younger voters by contrast, have only known Israel as a country led by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Age and gender breakdowns in Florida:

Men: 66% Israelis, 10% Palestinians, 16% neither, 8% dont know.

Women: 53% Israelis, 19% Palestinians, 19% neither, 10% dont know.

Age 18-34: 35% Israelis, 30% Palestinians, 24% neither, 13% dont know.

Age 35-49: 65% Israelis, 11% Palestinians, 18% neither, 6% dont know.

Age 50-64: 65% Israelis, 13% Palestinians, 16% neither, 7% dont know.

Age 65 and older: 64% Israelis, 10% Palestinians, 16% neither, 11% dont know.

The national results for men and women and voters 50 and older were close to what they were in Florida.

But the national results were notably less sympathetic toward the Israelis and more sympathetic toward the Palestinians among voters younger than 50.

National breakdown:

Age 18-34: 29% Israelis, 52% Palestinians, 19% dont know/didnt answer.

Age 35-49: 48% Israelis, 23% Palestinians, 29% dont know/didnt answer.

Southeast Florida  home to the states largest proportion of Jewish voters and also the most diverse region of the state  also stood out. Support in the region for the Israelis, 61%, was about what it was statewide.

But support for the Palestinians, at 22%, was much higher than the rest of the state. (Neither, at 14%, and dont know, at 3%, were lower in southeast Florida than the entire state.)

A caveat about the regional number: While the margin of error for the full statewide poll is plus or minus 3 percentage points for the full survey, it is higher for smaller groups  such as Republicans, Democrats, men, women and regional of the state  because the sample sizes are much smaller.

The first day of FAUs polling was conducted Oct. 27, three weeks after the Hamas terrorist attacks on Israel that began the Israel-Hamas war. Polling finished on Nov. 11.

The Florida poll was conducted by Mainstreet Research for Florida Atlantic Universitys PolCom Lab, which is a collaboration of the School of Communication and Multimedia Studies and Department of Political Science. The survey used text messages to reach 946 Florida voters who responded to a link to complete the survey online.

Quinnipiacs national question  From what you know about the situation in the Middle East, do your sympathies lie more with the Israelis or more with the Palestinians?  was slightly different from FAUs.

And its methodology and timeframe were different. Quinnpiac used live callers to landlines and cell phones to survey 1,574 registered voters from Nov. 9-13. It also reported a margin of error of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

Anthony Man can be reached at aman@sunsentinel.com and can be found @browardpolitics on Facebook, Threads.net and Post.news.
As the deadly war in Gaza enters its second month, more Americans would now prefer to see the U.S. working to broker a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas (41%) than supporting Israel as it tries to defeat Hamas (34%), according to a new Yahoo News/YouGov poll.

This emerging preference for some sort of peace process going forward reflects a broader public decline in support for Israels aggressive military response to the brutal Hamas attacks of Oct. 7  particularly among Democrats, whose sympathies initially were with Israel but have since shifted away.

A clear majority of Democrats, in fact, now favor the U.S. brokering a ceasefire (56%) rather than continuing to back Israels efforts to eliminate Hamas (22%)  a position that puts them at least somewhat at odds with President Biden, who said last Thursday that there was no possibility of Israel agreeing to a ceasefire before the militant group is defeated (even as his administration has worked to broker humanitarian pauses and urged Israel to minimize civilian casualties).

Support for Israel slips

The survey of 1,584 U.S. adults  which was conducted from Nov. 9 to 13, almost exactly one month after the start of the war  found softening support for Israel across a range of questions:

36% of Americans now say their sympathies lie more with Israel than the Palestinians, down from 43% right after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks.

53% now rate Israel favorably, down from 58%.

29% now say the U.S. is too supportive of Israel, up from 23%.

20% now hold Israel mostly or entirely responsible for the current hostilities, up from 16%.

50% now say it is an important goal for the U.S. to help protect Palestinians, up from 43%.

And 38% (down from 47%) favor Israel taking further military action against Hamas to protect Israeli citizens, while 30% (up from 24%) want Israel to de-escalate military action against Hamas to avoid harming Palestinian civilians.

As these data points demonstrate, Americans have not turned against Israel en masse; majorities or pluralities continue to favor the Jewish state and its position on the war. The combined number of Americans who say the military response from Israel in the Gaza Strip has been about right (25%) or has not gone far enough (16%), for instance, remains higher than the number who say Israels response has gone too far (30%).

Democrats now think Israel has gone too far, prefer de-escalation

Yet the overall gap between pro- and anti-Israel sentiment has narrowed, in large part because sentiment has shifted on the left side of the U.S. political spectrum. A plurality of Democrats now think Israel has gone too far (45%); fewer think Israels response has been about right (23%) or has not gone far enough (6%).

While Republicans' views have remained staunchly pro-Israel  62% now say they are more sympathetic to the Jewish state, essentially unchanged from last months number (65%)  Democratic opinion has fluctuated.

The share of Democrats who expressed greater sympathy for Israel than Palestinians  just 13% during previous hostilities in May 2021  increased by 22 points to 35% right after Oct. 7.

Today, however, it has slipped back down to 22%, while 21% of Democrats now describe themselves as more sympathetic to Palestinians, up from 9% one month ago, and 40% say their sympathies are about equal.

Twice as many Democrats also say they now prefer de-escalation (45%) to further military action (23%), whereas last month slightly more Democrats favored further military action (37% versus 32% in favor of de-escalating to avoid civilian casualties.)

Among independents, the preference for de-escalation has risen 7 points since October (from 23% to 30%).

Overall, two-thirds of Americans (67%)  including 74% of Democrats  favor some sort of pause in Israels military action to allow humanitarian aid to enter and to help protect Palestinian civilians. But they differ on preconditions: 37% of Americans believe such a pause should occur only if Hamas releases hostages, while 30% believe it should occur without preconditions.

Again, political divides are apparent: A plurality of Democrats (46%) want a pause without preconditions; a majority of Republicans (51%) and a plurality of independents (40%) want a pause only if hostages are released.

The challenge ahead for Biden

Evolving opinion among Democrats presents a challenge for Biden. The Israeli-Palestinian conflict is the only specific issue on which his job-approval rating has changed significantly since October, with approval falling by four points (from 36% to 32%) and disapproval rising by 10 (from 40% to 50%). Among 2020 Biden voters, approval of the presidents handling of the war has declined by 9 points (from 59% to 50%) while disapproval has climbed by 11 points (from 20% to 31%).

Partisan dynamics around Israel and the war help account for Bidens especially low numbers on the issue. Just 26% of Americans say the presidents response so far to the situation with Israel and Hamas has been just right, with nearly equal numbers saying instead that he has been either too pro-Israel (19%) or not pro-Israel enough (20%).

In short, Biden gets little credit from either side. Nearly half (49%) of those whose sympathies lie more with Israel (a group that is disproportionately Republican) say Biden has been not pro-Israel enough, while 67% of the (disproportionately Democratic) group whose sympathies lie more with the Palestinians say Biden has been too pro-Israel.

____________

The Yahoo News survey was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,584 U.S. adults interviewed online from Nov. 9 to 13, 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 Nov. 1, 2022, and is weighted to the estimated distribution at that time (33% 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 2.8%.
From the The Collision on The Dispatch

Welcome once more to The Collision! A programming note: Well be taking a break for Thanksgiving next week, and well be back to our regularly scheduled newsletter on November 30.

The Docket

Donald Trumps legal team filed a motion Wednesday for a mistrial in the ongoing civil case in New York regarding claims Trump and others committed fraud. According to NBC News, the motion focuses mostly on the gag order issued by Judge Arthur Engoron following Trumps public comments on social media criticizing Engorons clerk. Trump has already had to pay two fines for violating the order, which he continues to do regularly on his social media accounts.

So many court dates, so little time. That was the crux of the argument in a motion Trumps lawyers filed Monday in the South Florida case involving the retainment of classified documents at Mar-a-Lago. The Trump attorneys requested Judge Aileen Cannon move a scheduled two-day hearing starting February 15 because it conflicts with another hearing scheduled for the same day in Trumps New York hush-money case. On Thursday, Cannon granted the request and moved the hearing, which is concerned with the procedure for how to handle classified material during the trial, up to February 12, the Messenger reports.

By the way, the conflicting hearing in New York is to consider a motion filed by Team Trump last month to dismiss the case brought by Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg. Trump will likely attend that hearing in person. This week, Braggs team responded with a 98-page brief explaining why this isnt the politically motivated prosecution Trump argues it is.

And if you cant tell, were in the midst of dismissal motion season for Trumps trials, so get used to hearing about a lot of these motions now and in the first several weeks of the new year once judges start to consider them.

The impeachment inquiry into President Joe Biden continues to move forward in fits and starts. House Speaker Mike Johnson told Fox News this week that after receiving a briefing from the three committee chairs leading the inquiry that the appropriate step is to place key witnesses under oath and question them under the penalty of perjury to fill gaps in the record. Johnson also reiterated his full and unwavering support for the three Republican chairmen: Rep. James Comer of Oversight, Rep. Jim Jordan of Judiciary, and Rep. Jason Smith of Ways and Means.

Youll notice Johnson has provided no definitive timeline for actually filing articles of impeachment. The Republican speaker said the House is moving forward toward an inflection point on impeachmentwhich is not much different from what he said two weeks ago: I do believe that very soon we are coming to a point of decision on it.

An Unprecedented State of Affairs

Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis speaks during a news conference at the Fulton County government building on August 14, 2023, in Atlanta. (Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

In an interview with the Washington Post this week, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis made a notable prediction about Donald Trumps upcoming trial on charges alleging that he and his co-defendants tried to overturn the 2020 election results in Georgia.

I believe in that case there will be a trial. I believe the trial will take many months, Willis said Tuesday. And I dont expect that we will conclude until the winter or the very early part of 2025.

If youve got your calendar handy, youll note that the very early part of 2025 coincides with the start of a new presidential term, and its a distinct possibility Trump will be back in the White House. How can a criminal trial of a newly inaugurated president, uh, happen? How would this unprecedented situation unfold?

Before we consider this interesting question, though, lets get all the caveats out of the way. This is one hypothetical stacked on top of a series of them; its hypothetical turtles all the way down. The case may not go to trial, for starters, though theres no indication Trump is about to cop a plea or Willis is looking for an excuse to drop the charges. And even if it goes to trial, theres no predicting this early with any certainty how long each side will take to present its case and when it will end. After all, the presiding judge in Fulton County is still figuring out the trials start date, a challenge given that Trump has three additional indictments and a presidential campaign on his plate. That packed schedule could even push the trial start date past the 2024 election. Of course, Trump may not win the presidential election, and he may not even win the Republican nomination. And Trump, like any one of us, could drop dead tomorrow.

Now that weve stipulated that those and numerous other scenarios are possible, lets return to what Willis is suggesting and ask: How would things proceed if Trumps Fulton County prosecution is ongoing as hes being inaugurated on January 20, 2025?

Much of the discussion about Trumps prosecutions has focused on the operative view of the Justice Department that a sitting president is immune from federal indictment and prosecution so long as he is in office. This opinion was first reached by the DOJs Office of Legal Counsel in 1973 and reaffirmed by the same office in 2000 (in an opinion written by the head of the OLC, future Judge Randolph Moss of the D.C. District Court).

The 2000 opinion is worth reading in full, but its conclusion is sufficient for our purposes, namely that the indictment and criminal prosecution of a sitting President would unduly interfere with the ability of the executive branch to perform its constitutionally assigned duties, and would thus violate the constitutional separation of powers. In plain terms, the head of the executive branch cannot be criminally prosecuted by a division of the executive branch. It would undermine the presidents constitutional authority. It just doesnt compute.

So if there are any outstanding federal cases against Trump in the event he begins serving as president, those prosecutions will effectively and practically be over. Thats easy to understand, but it doesnt give us any answer on the question of a state case, which is what Trump faces in Fulton County. The OLC opinion doesnt apply to Willis because shes not a federal prosecutor in the Department of Justice. (The same would go for Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Braggs criminal case against Trump, by the way.) So if the trial in Atlanta is still going while Trump is taking the oath of office, its full steam ahead, correct?

Not likely. We talked to some former federal prosecutors who speculated how Trump would make a similar but different argument: that his prosecution in Georgia would interfere with his ability to execute the office of the presidency. The operative constitutional principle would not be separation of powers but instead federalism and the supremacy of the federal government over state and local governments. A local district attorneys criminal case cannot proceed if it interferes with the ability of the defendant to lead the executive branch.

Practically speaking, the Trump Justice Departmentand most likely the Biden Justice Department before Trump even takes officewould make these arguments in federal court, seeking to enjoin Willis office from continuing its prosecution. If those arguments won the day, the Fulton County case would be put on hold until Trump was no longer in officeor unless and until Willis can successfully appeal.

Our sources on this emphasized over and over how unprecedented this all would be. A former president, facing criminal charges in a state, nonetheless elected to serve as president again? Expect this question, if it ever comes to pass, to find its way to the Supreme Court.

One More Thing

Actually, theres a potentially instructive Supreme Court precedent already involving a state criminal investigation related to Trump back when he was president. In 2019 Cyrus Vance Jr., the district attorney of Manhattan, issued a subpoena to Trumps accounting firm requesting tax returns and other financial documents. This was all a part of Vances investigation into the alleged hush-money payments to Stormy Daniels, for which Alvin Bragg, who succeeded Vance as district attorney in 2021, eventually brought criminal charges against Trump.

But there was no indictment in 2019, and Vance was simply subpoenaing for documents. Trump argued in court that a sitting president had total immunity from any criminal procedures, and at the very least that prosecutors needed to reach a stricter standard for such a request. Neither the district court nor court of appeals accepted this, ordering Trump to comply with the subpoena. Thats when Trump appealed to the Supreme Court.

In a 7-2 ruling, the court held that the president did not have absolute immunity from all criminal proceedings in a state or local court and that the Constitution did not prevent a president from having to comply with a state subpoena or require a higher standard for compliance. Trumps accountant had to comply.

The Vance case gets us a little closer to our hypothetical situation, but Chief Justice John Roberts majority opinion is typically narrow. A document subpoena is one thingand since his accountant was the actual custodian of the documents, turning them over had zero impact on the executives ability to function but a criminal trial? Thats likely something else.

Sarahs View

Could any newsletter better prove that theres no try this one trick to save a republican form of government?

To give you the smallest glimpse into what a nerd I was even as a young child, I have a distinct memory of asking my dad a version of this question in middle school. At the time, it all made perfect sense: When an ordinary citizen takes the oath of office for the presidency, he alone holds the power of the executive branch and is therefore immune from all sorts of pesky citizen things for his time in office. If he commits a crime or does something else fundamentally betraying his office, thats not a problem because the House will impeach him and five minutes after the Senate convicts him, the guys in blue windbreakers can show up because impeachment removes the immunity. This is almost certainly what the Founders envisioned.

But what we are testing now is too bizarre to even make it into a law school hypothetical. What happens when the president commits an act in the final hours of his term such that Congress doesnt really have time to impeach him while hes in office and isnt sure whether it even can impeach him once he leaves? Easy answer! Who cares because its as if he has been impeached anywayhes out of office, immunity is gone, and the criminal justice system can take over. Aha! But by failing to impeach him, he can run again. So what if he then runs for reelection and wins before the end of the criminal process? That would never happen because the American people would never elect someone who keeps playing the floor is lava with the constitution, right? But what if they did?

The true constitutional answer to all of these hypotheticals is that we were never meant to need an answer to them. No constitution for self-government can save a people from voluntarily ending their own reign. A republic, if you can keep it wasnt just a foreboding turn of phraseit was a statement of historical literacy.

And so here we are. Careering toward any number of hypotheticals that have no answer. The generation before us gathered the kindling. Here we are lighting matches out of boredom and mindlessly tossing them over our shoulders. And in the meantime, weve outsourced civic education for our next generation to an authoritarian regime that is convincing them that maybe Hamas isnt the only group of terrorists who know what time it is. (And at the point I need to argue with Americans over whether bin Laden was right, what are we really preserving anyway?)

Read more at The Dispatch

The Dispatch is a new digital media company providing engaged citizens with fact-based reporting and commentary, informed by conservative principles. Sign up for free.
PORTSMOUTH, Va. (WAVY)  A community call to action walk is happening at 3 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16 in Portsmouth.

The Portsmouth Community R.E.S.E.T. Walk will take place at two locations where a total of five people were shot on Saturday, Nov. 11.

The flyer from Portsmouth Police states the walk will start in front of 1114 Virginia Ave. and then move to Commonwealth Ave.

Family of innocent bystander killed in Portsmouth speaks

On Saturday night, police found four people with gunshot wounds on Commonwealth Ave.

Police Chief Stephen Jenkins said one person is still in critical condition. Another victim is recovering at home, and the other two victims are expected to be okay.

The chief believes the shooting is gang-related.

Police: 2 arrested in weekend Portsmouth homicide, other shooting gang-related

Darrio Mundon

That same night, 32-year-old Darrio Mundon, was shot and killed on Virginia Ave. He died near a playground at the London Oaks Apartments. Chief Jenkins said Mundon was an innocent bystander.

On a gofundme page, Mundons family wrote that he was the life of any party and a loving caregiver.

Keep checking WAVY.com for the latest developments.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WAVY.com.
By Sergio Goncalves

LISBON (Reuters) - The resignation of Portugal's prime minister will trigger instability that could delay economic reforms, while making it harder for the country to keep a balanced budget and further reduce debt, bankers warned on Thursday.

Antonio Costa resigned last week over an investigation into alleged illegalities in his government's handling of lithium and hydrogen projects and a large-scale data centre. President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa called a snap election for March 10.

The government remains fully functional for the time being, at least until parliament has had its final vote on the 2024 budget on Nov. 29. From then on, the government will only have day-to-day management powers.

Speaking at a conference in Lisbon, Antonio Horta-Osorio, former chairman of Credit Suisse who was the CEO of Britain's Lloyds Banking Group for a decade until 2021, warned Portugal would enter "a situation of great instability".

"We are not going to have a government in the next five months and that is a big cost in terms of uncertainty for the country," said Horta-Osorio, now a senior adviser at Italy's Mediobanca.

The CEO of bank Millennium bcp, Miguel Maya, noted that at election time countries "tend to favour short-term policies instead of reforms to increase competitiveness in the long term".

"Obviously I am very concerned," he said. "There is an increased risk of delaying some changes that are of the greatest importance."

He said reforms should create an environment for companies to achieve better results and compete more effectively globally.

The 2024 budget projects economic growth will slow to 1.5% in 2024 from 2.2% expected this year and political instability may also delay public investment, such as using COVID recovery funds, and private investment.

"Probably no one wants to invest when there is great instability," said Pedro Castro Almeida, CEO of Santander Portugal.

Paulo Macedo, the head of state-owned Caixa Geral de Depositos, said it was important to keep a balanced budget and reduce debt, "which in nominal terms is still significant, although its ratio (to GDP) has fallen".

The government aims for a surplus of 0.2% of GDP next year, after a surplus of 0.8% in 2023, and wants to cut the public debt ratio to 98.9% of GDP from 103%.

(Reporting by Sergio Goncalves Editing by Catarina Demony and Mark Potter)
Soon after being hired as a mail processing clerk, a Missouri woman began stealing checks from the mail to deposit into her own bank account, according to federal authorities.

An investigation by the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General found that Porcia Denise Rhodes, of St. Louis, stole about 21 checks worth $5,035, authorities said.

Now, the 27-year-old woman has pleaded guilty to charges of bank fraud and theft of mail by a Postal Service employee, according to a Nov. 15 news release from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Missouri.

Her defense attorney did not immediately respond to a request for comment from McClatchy News on Nov. 16.

Rhodes was hired by the Postal Service on July 3, 2022, according to her signed plea agreement. Authorities said she worked as a mail processing clerk at the Metro Annex and St. Louis Processing and Distribution Center in 2022.

While working, Rhodes took envelopes and letters that contained checks, according to the plea agreement. More than 10 people and businesses were affected by her theft, authorities said.

In one example, authorities said a grandmother in Troy, Illinois, mailed a birthday card with a $500 check to her grandson in Oviedo, Florida, around July 21, 2022.

Rhodes stole the check as she was processing mail in St. Louis, according to her plea agreement.

She cashed the stolen checks by scratching out the payees name and writing in her own name, authorities said.

Rhodes faces up to 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine for the bank fraud charge and up to five years in prison and a $250,000 fine for the theft charge, according to the release. Her sentencing hearing is scheduled for Feb. 12.

Postal worker rifles through greeting cards and swipes gift cards from mail, feds say

Postal carrier stole hundreds of checks from her mail route in Illinois, feds say

Postal worker stole packages with weed inside  then made a hefty profit, feds say
A butterfly lands on Edson Polinario as he harvests Acai berries from a forest in the municipality of Nova California, state of Rondonia, Brazil, Thursday, May 25, 2023. Every day a worker comes to Polinarios house to collect bags of acai, then hauls them back to Projeto RECAs campus on the back of a motorcycle. Acai berries spoil quickly and are practically worthless if not processed and frozen within two days. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

TEKOHAW, Brazil (AP)  At dawn in this small Amazonian village in Brazil's Para state, flocks of noisy green parrots soar overhead as children run and play between wooden homes, kicking up sandy soil  in places white and bare as a beach.

The ground reveals one of the paradoxes of the rainforest. Renowned for its beauty and biodiversity, the life-giving nutrients of the forest are mostly stored in the trees and other plants, not the soil.

When the forest is cleared  for a cattle ranch, soybean field or even a small cluster of village homes  the combination of scorching Amazonian sun and intense rainfall combine to leach scarce nutrients from the soil in just a few years, leaving behind surprisingly barren ground.

This impoverished dirt makes it difficult to sustain agriculture in one place.

And in a region with some of the highest poverty levels in Brazil, people with few options have often just abandoned degraded fields and cleared more forest  hastening the cycle of deforestation that threatens the planets climate and the millions of species unique to the Amazon.

The biodiversity is rich, but so many people are very poor, said Judson Ferreira Valentim, a soil scientist for the governments agricultural research agency, Embrapa. We cant protect the rainforest without addressing the poverty of the Amazon.

___

EDITORS NOTE  This story is part of The Protein Problem, an AP series that examines the question: Can we feed this growing world without starving the planet? To see the full project, visit https://projects.apnews.com/features/2023/the-protein-problem/index.html

___

The only way to meet both goals is to find more paths for people to make a living in the Amazon without further destroying the rainforest, say experts who have long worked in the region. That means using already deforested land more efficiently  to reduce pressure to clear more forest  as well as supporting businesses that sustainably harvest native products such as acai and cacao.

The scale of abandoned farm and pastureland across the Brazilian Amazon is massive  covering an area larger than Portugal, according to an AP analysis of data derived from satellite imagery by the Brazilian research collaboration Mapbiomas.

Other researchers estimate that ranching, which accounts for between 60% and 80% of deforestation in the Brazilian Amazon, is only a third as productive as it should be, and that increasing the efficiency on the same land area would more than meet increasing demands for meat through 2040. Brazil is a major exporter of beef to global markets, and currently 43% of Brazils cattle are raised within the Amazon region, according to an AP analysis of government data.

You have to enforce laws against deforestation, but thats only part of the solution. You also have to give people alternatives to improve their livelihoods, said Rachael Garrett, a researcher at Cambridge University whos conducted fieldwork in the Amazon since 2006.

There are 28 million people living in just Brazils portion of the Amazon  including Indigenous farmers, ranchers who migrated from other parts of the country, and settlers forcibly relocated decades ago when the government took their old land for infrastructure projects like the Itaipu Dam.

SUPERCHARGING THE SOIL

Dairy farmer Edson Cesar de Oliveira has been experimenting with planting a native legume called forage peanuts alongside grass in his pastures in Acre state. This plant attracts bacteria to its roots that can pull nitrogen from the air into the ground, essentially acting as a low-cost natural fertilizer.

While grass-only pastures may degrade in just two or three years, adding legumes may extend the soils fertility to ten or more years. Its also higher in protein than grass alone, which helps livestock grow faster.

De Oliveria, who said he cant afford chemical fertilizers, has noticed that pastures with forage peanuts dont turn as yellow during the dry season. And cows that graze there for at least two nights produce about 20% more milk, he said.

TASTES OF THE RAINFOREST: ACAI AND CACAO

Cesar De Mendes is trying to grow a business in the rainforest without cutting any trees at all.

Walking through the forest along a tributary of the Amazon in Para, he points out bright yellow fruits that sprout, sometimes in pairs, from the middle of tree trunks. Its cacao, the plant responsible for one of the worlds great joys: chocolate.

His company, De Mendes Chocolates, uses cacao harvested from virgin rainforest. Hes hoping customers will appreciate how different microclimates and soil conditions across the region subtly impact the flavor of the chocolate.

The idea of harvesting rainforest fruits is simple, but scaling up a sustainable business isnt always easy. Just getting fruit to market before it spoils can be a huge challenge. Last year during the rainy season, one road was closed for 90 days.

One solution is to build small processing factories near the forest, as the longstanding agricultural collective Projeto RECA has done in Brazils northern state of Rondonia.

Workers collect acai berries from local pickers, then haul them back to Projeto RECAs campus on the back of a motorcycle so they can quickly be transformed into jams, syrups and frozen fruit pulp before they go bad.

THE FOREST SUSTAINS US

The impacts of climate change are already being felt locally in the Amazon region, forcing other adaptations.

For as long as their stories tell, the Indigenous Tembe people of Tekohaw village have used fire to clear small plots of land to grow cassava, beans and other subsistence crops. After farming for three years, theyd clear new land.

Because their plots were small, the overall impact on the forest was minimal. But now the village chief wants to find other ways to manage the soils fertility.

We want to improve agriculture here, in one specific place, not keep burning fields and pushing nature back, said Kaparai Tembe, setting his hoe on the ground and mopping the sweat from his brow. We need to nurture the soil.

Earlier this year, the villagers treated the field with a powder made from grinding up limestone. Its a technique to reduce the natural acidity of the Amazonian soil. Tembe has also begun planting another legume, called the pigeon pea, to add nitrogen to the soil.

As he walked back to the village, Tembe heard the raucous shriek of a scarlet macaw.

Its a reminder of where I am, he said. The forest sustains us, the animals, the plants  we want to protect it.

___

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.
 Flash

A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called for the implementation of the Security Council resolution on Gaza that was just adopted.

The effectiveness of Security Council resolutions lies in their implementation. The key is for the parties concerned to implement the provisions of the resolution to the letter, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

It is necessary for the Security Council to establish a necessary mechanism to take follow-up actions to monitor and report on the implementation, he said in an explanation of vote after the adoption of the Maltese-drafted resolution.

Resolution 2712 calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip "for a sufficient number of days" to enable the full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access; to facilitate the continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services throughout Gaza, including water, electricity, fuel, food, and medical supplies, as well as emergency repairs to essential infrastructure; and to enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts, including for missing children in damaged and destroyed buildings, and including the medical evacuation of sick or injured children and their caregivers.

Zhang said the Security Council should have adopted a more comprehensive and robust resolution much earlier.

Resolution 2712 can only serve as a first step based on minimum consensus. Despite this, the resolution is still of significance as it constitutes an initial step toward a cease-fire and a minimum requirement to save lives, and helps avert a greater humanitarian crisis and catastrophe, he said.

Resolution 2712 was the first product of the Security Council on Gaza after the Oct. 7 escalation. The council had failed to adopt four draft resolutions on the situation in a row.

Zhang said China has always supported all efforts aimed at promoting a cease-fire and an end to the fighting and restoring peace. China welcomes any initiative conducive to the protection of civilians and the easing of the humanitarian crisis.

"We look forward to the immediate realization of durable humanitarian pause as called for in the resolution to ensure a sufficient number of days of cessation of hostilities to allow UN humanitarian agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and others to carry out full-scale humanitarian operations, to urgently search for and rescue missing children, to transfer and treat the seriously ill and seriously injured, and to rehabilitate critical infrastructure," he said.

China is gravely concerned about and strongly opposes the clear violations of international humanitarian law taking place in Gaza. China urges Israel to immediately cease its military operations against civilian facilities, including hospitals, and to restore basic supplies of water, electricity, and fuel, among others, as soon as possible. China is strongly against the forced displacement and transfer of the Palestinian people, said Zhang.

He reiterated China's call to guarantee the safety and humanitarian needs of the hostages and to support active diplomatic efforts to facilitate their early release.

The Security Council must assume its responsibility and take further meaningful and responsible actions in a timely manner, he said. "We must continue to make an immediate cease-fire an overriding goal in order to prevent further casualties and destruction as the fighting rages on. We must make the opening of humanitarian space a priority, clearing the way for adequate humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza and creating the conditions necessary for humanitarian agencies to operate in a safe and unhindered manner. We must take the revitalization of the prospects for the two-state solution as the way forward and galvanize diplomatic efforts to promote a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine."

China would like to emphasize that any arrangements on the future of Gaza must respect the will and the independent choice of the Palestinian people, he added.

On issues bearing on war and peace and long-term stability and security of the Middle East, the Security Council must stand on the side of justice and make choices that stand the test of history. As president of the Security Council for the month of November, China will continue to work with all parties to strengthen coordination, build consensus, and push the Security Council toward its due responsibilities, said Zhang.
For a previous report on this story, view the video player above.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH)  Indiana deputies who arrested a Powell man were tipped off that their suspect, arrested on separate charges, was possibly connected to a murder in Delaware County.

Brandon Toleque (Courtesy/Marshall County Sheriffs Office)

Brandon Toleque, 31, has a warrant for his arrest for the Nov. 13 murder of Arazeia Richardson of Columbus. However, he remains in jail in Marshall County, Indiana, on charges of resisting law enforcement, possession of cocaine or narcotic drugs, operating a vehicle with a suspended license and criminal confinement. His arrest stems from an incident on U.S. 30 near Michigan Road in Plymouth, where deputies attempted to pull him over for speeding.

Man in serious condition after being shot outside of a party in the Hilltop

According to Lt. Det. Les McFarland, Toleque attempted to evade authorities and led a pursuit that ended at a gas station about three miles away. During the investigation, deputies learned a passenger in the car Toleque was driving was there against her will.

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Investigators believe Toleque fled to Indiana shortly after Richards died from a single gunshot wound. Powell Interim Chief of Police Ron Sallows said officers found Richardsons body in The Chase subdivision at Thornbury Lane and Ascot Court. Sallows noted Richards and Toleque were friends, and the victim may have been alive as recently as Sunday night.

Marshall County authorities relayed the information to the Delaware County Sheriffs Office, which then notified Powell police. An arrest warrant was then issued for Toleque, who has twice served sentences out of the Franklin County Court of Common Pleas. In 2019, he pleaded guilty to weapons charges and received a sentence of 12 months of community control. In 2021, he was sentenced to two years in prison after pleading guilty to burglary.

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Toleque, who is also facing an aggravated menacing charge from September, is expected to be extradited to Ohio.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to NBC4 WCMH-TV.
Marion Ritchie's husband was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 65

When Marion Ritchie's husband was diagnosed with dementia at the age of 65, she did not realise how quickly his entire personality would deteriorate before her eyes.

Dave, who was a pilot in the Navy in his younger years and had two daughters with Marion, was "devastated" when he received the news but they tried to carry on as normal for as long as possible.

He survived for nine years after his diagnosis before passing away in 2019 but Marion says their lives became a "nightmare" as the disease progressed.

She says she and her daughters received little formal support to cope with the emotional toll of watching someone they loved change beyond recognition.

"We were grieving all of the things that were not now going to happen," she told BBC Scotland News.

"My daughters, who were in their twenties at the time, were probably grieving for not having their dad at graduations, at weddings, or to see his grandchildren.

"I was just grieving for the future that was gone. We were married within a year of meeting, and I thought we were going to be there until the end."

Marion and Dave were married for more than 40 years and had two daughters

About 90,000 people in Scotland are living with dementia at any one time.

Among Dave's symptoms as his condition progressed was delirium, which meant he eventually forgot who his family were.

"He would wake in the night and ask me why I was there, how I got in his house," Marion said.

Dave was later admitted to hospital, which left Marion struggling to cope with guilt.

"You don't know who to ask for help," the 69-year-old said.

Despite this profound ongoing trauma, Marion says that social work and the health service did not offer her any emotional support.

"Any support we did get we were seeking out, rather than being offered," she said.

"He was the patient, hospitals don't tend to think of the family and what's happening around them and look at the emotional distress you're in."

It is for people like Marion and Dave that Health Improvement Scotland (HIS) has now released guidelines calling for health and care professionals to be better aware of dementia patients and their loved ones experiencing "pre-death grief".

It is the first new guideline relating to dementia for healthcare professionals in nearly 20 years and urges more linked-up working between different services and better signposting to resources to ensure that the quality of support across Scotland is to a higher standard.

There is also a guideline for patients and their loved ones.

"Pre-death grief is really about the loss of the person before their actual death," said Dr Adam Daly, chair of HIS' guideline development group and a consultant in old age psychiatry.

"Dementia is a condition which is progressive unfortunately, and people will see their relative fading away over the course of months or years," he told BBC Scotland News.

These guidelines aim to improve awareness of that, and try to make sure that patients and their loved ones receive better support.

Like Marion, Willy Gilder has so far had to seek out emotional support himself from charities and online activities.

Diagnosed with dementia in 2021, 70-year-old Willy, who lives in Leith, believes the system is "a bit guilty of diagnosing people and forgetting them".

"I am at a stage before I pass away, I just don't know how long that stage is," he said.

Although Willy tries to stay positive and active, the anticipatory grief of potentially losing his faculties or personality is "terrifying" to him.

A former radio journalist who made a living by talking, he dreads losing the power of speech "more than anything".

"I've met somebody who within a year went from being lively and vivacious and active, to dying," he said.

"That is terrifying. My great fear is I'll lose my independence and my faculties.

"Nobody has ever talked to me about the fact this is a terminal illness, or gone into depth with me about the emotional impact of what this might mean."

Dave Ritchie was a pilot in the Navy in his younger years

It is hoped that the new recommendations will change this for Willy and dementia patients across Scotland.

"It will mean that they can expect a more uniform high standard of care across Scotland, regardless of where they live or who is seeing them at that time," Dr Daly said.

"By making sure those standards are predictably high, we can better measure what we do and make sure we continually improve what we deliver to people, and make sure people are aware of and expecting a high level of care across Scotland."

This will include more training and education for healthcare professionals on pre-death grief to improve communication skills and planning, better awareness of pre-death grief at significant "trigger" events - such as the person with dementia being moved into care - and training for staff in care homes to support patients with understanding the distress caused by pre-death grief.

Marion, from Bearsden in East Dunbartonshire, didn't have the support to recognise herself as experiencing pre-death grief at the time.

She welcomes the new guidelines and hopes to see them available "anywhere that a carer has to sit for hours looking at bare walls".

"Having something you can pick up or look at online to get that information instead of searching through endless websites is amazing," she said.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkles $9.26 billion budget for 2024 unanimously cleared its final hurdle Thursday, free of new taxes, fines and fees.

But while the 17-0 vote was marked by kind words from commissioners, the Chicago areas continuing migrant crisis took center stage, thanks to a late budget amendment setting aside $100 million dedicated almost entirely to asylum-seekers health care.

Whatever tomorrow and the day after may bring, this fund is aimed at increasing the countys capacity to compassionately respond to emergencies, Preckwinkle said shortly after the budgets passage, which she said reflects our values, priorities and principles, as well as the progress were making.

The purpose of the new fund, sponsor Kevin Morrison, D-15th, said, is to ensure a dedicated funding source can be accessed immediately in case of a declared disaster, which would have been useful in the first months of the COVID-19 pandemic, before federal money made its way to local governments.

I was surprised to learn we did not already have a disaster fund, Morrison said. An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

While funds can also be used for natural disasters, including flooding or storms, the vast majority of funding is supposed to go to the migrant mission: $70 million would be allocated for new arrival health care costs, according to the budget amendment, $20 million would be allocated for municipal or local government costs related to the migrant mission, and $10 million would be allocated for other disasters that may happen in 2024.

The countys health system has provided care to more than 13,000 new arrivals at a cost of roughly $2 million per month. The state stopped reimbursing the county for that care in February. Cook County Health budgeted $24 million for migrant health care costs next year. Once those funds are spent, CCH can tap the emergency fund.

Though finance officials faced some pointed questions about when and how the funds could be used, the amendment still passed the Finance Committee unanimously. Even the boards lone Republican, Sean Morrison, said the plan is sound.

To pay for the new emergency fund, the county will shift planned spending around, tapping leftover funds from 2022 to seed it.

While that money was initially supposed to shore up pensions, the county will draw down its Pension Stabilization Fund instead. The change of plans doesnt impact the countys efforts to fully fund its pensions by 2047, budget officials say.

This is the fifth county budget in a row that does not include any new taxes or fees. Combined with the fact that proposed job cuts only hit vacant positions, the proposal made for an easy final vote.

Compared to their neighbors in Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnsons office and the Chicago City Council, Preckwinkle and the board are facing far fewer budget pressures.

Reforms passed in Springfield this summer have put Cook County worker pensions on a path to full funding in the coming decades. Roughly two thirds of the countys $1 billion in federal American Rescue Plan Act dollars are still unspent. At the end of the 2022 fiscal year, the county also had $1.2 billion left over in unrestricted general operating reserves, allowing officials to carve a staircase into the expected fiscal cliff when ARPA funds run dry. The countys debt service burden is also considerably lower than the city.

In all, the number of full-time positions at the county will shrink to roughly 23,350, a decrease of about 400 compared to this year. The county has struggled to fill vacancies and instituted a number of sweeteners to recruit and retain employees. Almost 20% of the entire budgeted workforce  about 4,650 positions  were vacant when Preckwinkle introduced her budget.

Those sweeteners include across-the-board raises, added back pay for county employees and a more expansive vacation policy. Retroactive raises dating back to December 2021 cost $101.6 million in 2023, and other raises will cost $84.2 million in 2024, according to county budget officials. Another 5% pay hike for county employees will land in June 2025.

County employees will be able to bank vacation days at a higher rate and with fewer years of service next year. Under the change, those with one to four years of service could accrue a maximum of 30 working days of vacation. Those working for the county for five to nine years could accrue a maximum of 40 working days, and those with 10 or more years of service could accrue a maximum of 50 working days off.

Cook County Health has struggled in particular with vacancies, fueling a reliance on contract workers. The hospital system is expected to spend $175 million on registry services by the end of this year, and budgeted nearly $200 million for similar costs next year, according to budget watchdog the Civic Federation.

Preckwinkles budget proposes spending close to $240 million in ARPA funds next year, including $40 million on a relaunch of a small business grant program, $20 million for local infrastructure projects, and $118 million on expanded services at Cook County Health, including offering new mental health services.

Even after the ARPA funds are all spent, Preckwinkles proposal for next year sets aside $158 million to continue funding special projects after 2026, including the countys guaranteed income program.

The county board separately agreed to pay three major settlements totaling nearly $27 million on Tuesday. The largest is due to Victoria Marin, who filed a medical malpractice lawsuit after her son, Sebastian, developed neurological disabilities following his birth at St. Anthonys Hospital and care at Cook Countys Stroger Hospital. According to the familys 2019 lawsuit, Sebastian developed motor and mental deficits, cerebral palsy, and requires extensive medical and therapeutic services. The board agreed to pay $13 million.

The board also voted to pay a $3.1 million settlement to the estate of Taft Simmons, whose family sued after Simmons fell, hit his head and later died from a massive stroke and cardiac incident while being treated for heart problems at Stroger Hospital. A lawsuit claimed because of his condition, he should have been helped by a nurse when getting up to use the bathroom.

In the third case, the board approved a $10.75 million settlement to Adam Gray for an alleged violation of civil rights. Earlier this year, Gray was awarded $27 million by a federal jury that found Chicago police officers coerced a false confession, fabricated evidence, and violated his civil rights to frame him for a 1993 arson that killed two people on Chicagos Southwest Side.

aquig@chicagotribune.com
An unborn child died after a man shot his pregnant wife while driving, Illinois police say.

The shooting happened Monday, Nov. 13, in the Chicago suburb of Des Plaines, the Des Plaines Police Department said in a Nov. 15 news release.

Officers said the 30-year-old man was having an argument with his wife, also 30, about their finances. The fight began at their home and carried over when the husband began driving them.

The argument escalated as the husband approached an intersection. He fired multiple shots at his wife, who was sitting in the backseat, police said.

He stopped the van in the nearby parking lot of St. Zachary Church, where he flagged down someone to call 911, police said. Officers eventually found the Honda Odyssey with its rear window broken.

Police said the woman was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds and she was taken to a hospital.

She remains in the intensive care unit as of Tuesday, but her unborn child of 14 weeks died, police said.

Police found a loaded 9mm handgun in the car, and the husband was taken into custody.

The husband, of Des Plaines, was charged with intentional homicide of an unborn child.

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On Thursday, U.S. President Joe Biden Thursday signed off on a U.S.- Philippines peaceful nuclear energy agreement, instructing the secretary of State to begin implementing it. Biden last welcomed Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos (L) to the White House in May. File Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- President Joe Biden on Thursday signed off on a cooperation agreement with the Philippines that would promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy.

The deal will be signed during Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s San Francisco visit this week during the ongoing Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

"I have determined that the performance of the proposed agreement will promote, and will not constitute an unreasonable risk to, the common defense and security," Biden said in a White House statement. "I hereby approve the proposed agreement and authorize the Secretary of State to arrange for its execution."

The 123 agreement, named after Section 123 of the U.S. Atomic Energy Act of 1954, is a binding cooperation between the two nations on use of peaceful nuclear energy.

Biden's action gives the go-head on implementing the agreement to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

U.S. President Joe Biden Thursday signed off on a U.S.- Philippines peaceful nuclear energy agreement. Biden last welcomed Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos (2nd from L) to the White House in May. File Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

The deal will allow transfers of nuclear material or equipment from the United States and will facilitate technical exchanges, along with scientific research and safeguard dialogues.

According to the Energy Department, the United States has 23 of these nuclear agreements in place with governing peaceful nuclear cooperation with 47 countries.

U.S. President Joe Biden last met with Philippines President Ferdinand Marcos in May at the White House to reaffirm Southeast Asia defense commitments between the nations and to discuss ways to strengthen the U.S.-Philippines expanding military alliance in the face of increasing Chinese power in the region. File Photo by Michael Reynolds/UPI

Marcos will spend four days in San Francisco with a larger than usual Filipino delegation traveling with him because several significant deals will be signed with the U.S. and other nations in addition to the nuclear agreement.

Marcos, speaking during a Filipino event in San Francisco, said, "This is perhaps one of the biggest delegations that we brought for the conference because it is very important. We need to discuss with our friends not just from America, but also from other countries several topics."

Among the topics under consideration are trade and investment, the war in Ukraine, the Israel-Gaza war and the South China Sea dispute.

Marcos is attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders Meeting in San Francisco.

President Biden met with Marcos in May at the White House to reaffirm Southeast Asia defense commitments between the nations and to discuss ways to strengthen the U.S.-Philippines expanding military alliance in the face of increasing Chinese power in the region.

On Wednesday the Philippines House advanced creation of the Philippine Atomic Energy Regulatory Authority that provides a legal framework for nuclear safety, security and other safeguards for peaceful use of nuclear energy.

According to Special Committee on Nuclear Energy Chairperson and Pangasinan Rep. Mark Cojuangco, the measure would make sure the Philippines complies with International Atomic Energy Agency recommendations on use of nuclear energy.
Chef Jeff Henderson strode into the tiny kitchen of the Orange County prison and showed a half-dozen inmates how to prepare his famous jailhouse tuna  a recipe that starts with croutons made from a bag of crushed Doritos.

As the would-be gourmets looked on in their prison-blue uniforms Wednesday, Chef Jeff demonstrated how to fashion a kitchen knife out of the folded lid of an albacore can  a prison-friendly tool for dicing red onions, dill pickles and cilantro.

And while he sprinkled his invention with balsamic vinegar  the only ingredient not available in a prison commissary  he explained that this make-do method is good not only for a flavorful meal behind bars, but also a step toward a richer life.

He should know. He learned it all in prison.

Bureau of Prison recipes

Half of these recipes are federal Bureau of Prison recipes, said Henderson, holding up his best-selling book Chef Jeff Cooks. These are my famous cinnamon rolls. I call them Correctional Cinnamon Rolls.

In January, Orange Correctional Center in Hillsborough will restart its pandemic-stalled culinary arts program, which teaches cooking skills to 15 inmates looking for job skills on the outside. The classes provided through Durham Tech Community College add to the job-prep mindset already in place at the minimum-security prison, where most of the 200 inmates leave for work-release jobs each day.

Chef Jeff Henderson shows inmate Bernard Massenburg how to dice onions and cilantro using a folded tuna can lid as a knife, a trick he learned while in prison himself.

Chef Jeff made a perfect guide for that journey, having grown up selling crack in Los Angeles and San Diego, making $35,000 a week as a drug dealer, coming to prison with scars from stab wounds.

He landed on dish-washing duty after a stint in the hole, but soon found that inmates eat better in the kitchen, especially by keeping a secret pot on the back burner or stuffing food for later in their tighty-whitey underwear.

Inside, he said, he stayed out of trouble on the yard by staying in the kitchen. In about 1991, he committed a murder behind bars  his old self, he explained.

From behind bars to top kitchens

But then came a transformation and quick success at the end of Hendersons 10-year sentence: the first Black chef de cuisine at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas, then executive chef at Cafe Bellagio, then best-selling cookbook author who is a favorite of Oprah Winfrey.

Ive taken this prison seasoning into some of the top resort hotel restaurants in the world, he said, holding a jar of his secret creation, which may or may not have had some help from Top Ramen. Ive cooked for celebrities, and they didnt even know this was prison seasoning. So Im all about flipping game.

Chef Jeff Henderson shows off his jailhouse tuna recipe, made entirely from ingredients available in a prison commissary -- except balsamic vinegar. He visited Orange Correctional Center, where a culinary arts program restarts soon.

For his Orange County demonstration, Henderson met a pair of inmates with long experience in prison kitchens: Joseph Perry, who will be released in January after 50 years, and Bernard Massenburg, not far behind him with 39 years.

As top NC corrections officials looked on, Chef Jeff appointed Massenburg sous chef, handing him a tuna lid and a pickle: Youre doing small dice, brother. I dont want them this long.

He had Perry squeeze lemons over the tuna, but he offered little instruction: Pop, you know how to work that fork. Fifty years in the system, youve seen a lot.

I can taste the flavors

Once the pair helped him mix the tuna with the cilantro, onions and pickles, he showed them how to dress it up with avocado and drizzle it with balsamic vinegar.

And once finished, he held up a spoon to Brooke Wheeler, a state corrections superintendent, who raved.

I can taste the different flavors, she said. I love the Doritos idea. The onions are diced beautifully  not too big, not too small.

When he was young, Chef Jeff told the inmates, he was just the kid who talked too much  often scolded for it. Now, as a speaker, he can earn $25,000 for a single speech  earnings that led to his house in Las Vegas with his wife and six children, where he can enjoy the swimming pool he always wished for.

Inmates rarely hear praise, he said. Hearing well done in a prison kitchen can furnish the confidence to succeed outside  all the more reason to take advantage of job training inside.

Man, you better soak this up, Henderson said. You go out in this world and you dont bring your A-game, if you dont hit top-notch, you aint going to make it.

Just weeks from release, Perry smiled back.

Im already investing in me, he said. Im going to invest more.
Police evacuated the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., after a pro-Palestinian protest erupted in front of the building on Wednesday evening.

Members of the progressive groups IfNotNow, Jewish Voice for Peace Action and the Democratic Socialists of America gathered with others outside the headquarters for a vigil calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war, which has raged for more than a month.

The U.S. Capitol Police said on X (formerly Twitter) that a crowd of approximately 150 people were illegally and violently protesting in front of the headquarters on Wednesday. Officers evacuated members of the DNC from the building. Protesters were cleared out of the area by about 10 p.m.

In a statement Thursday morning, the Capitol Police said that officers got physical after the crowd failed to obey orders to move back.

When the group moved dumpsters in front of the exits, pepper sprayed our officers and attempted to pick up the bike rack, our teams quickly introduced consequences  pulling people off the building, pushing them back, and clearing them from the area, so we could safely evacuate the Members [of Congress] and staff, the police said.

Six officers were treated for injuries, including from pepper spray and getting punched, the police said. A 24-year-old from New York was arrested after allegedly slamming an officer into a garage door and punching an officer in the face.

We have handled hundreds of peaceful protests, but last nights group was not peaceful, Capitol Police said.

IfNotNow spokesperson Eva Borgwardt told reporters Thursday that she didnt see anyone move a dumpster in front of an exit, and that organizers saw only police using pepper spray, not demonstrators. Multiple organizers said that police did not order demonstrators to disperse before they got violent.

The moment that a dispersal order was given the police had all the tools that they needed to peacefully and to non violently and safely remove protesters, organizer Jessica Rosenberg told HuffPost. And instead they chose to push people and shove people and hit and pepper spray.

Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Calif.) tweeted that the evacuation happened after pro-terrorism, anti-Israel protests grew violent, claiming that protesters pepper-sprayed officers and tried to break into the building, echoing similar statements on CNN later that evening.

Semafor reporter David Weigel, who was reporting outside the protest, said in a tweet that the demonstrators did not try to enter the building and instead had their backs turned to the entrance to block it off.

In a statement Wednesday night, IfNotNow said that Sherman spread dangerous and reckless misinformation about the nonviolent protest, adding that police officers were the ones who responded violently to the gathering.

The protest at the DNC was a nonviolent, moral act of civil disobedience to call on Democrats to support a ceasefire and an end to our governments funding of violence against Palestinian civilians by Netanyahus far-right government, the American Jewish group said in a statement, referring to the Israeli prime minister.

Another Democrat in the building, Rep. Sean Casten (D-Ill.), said that demonstrators should not have blocked doors.

You have the Constitutional right to peaceably assemble and protest, Casten wrote on social media.

But blocking all entries to a building with multiple members of Congress in it, protected by Capitol Police officers who have lived through January 6 is putting you and other innocent people at risk, he added, referring to the 2021 Capitol riot.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) slammed the protesters in a statement Thursday morning, characterizing them as pro-Hamas.

Last night, pro-Hamas protesters outside the U.S. Capitol violently attacked the Democratic National Committee headquarters, Johnson said. I condemn this criminal activity, which injured six brave Capitol Police officers, in the strongest terms.

Video footage posted to X by IfNotNow shows protesters linking arms and singing in front of the building. In a second video posted later that night, two protesters are seen being pushed down the stairs by police officers. Additional footage shows police shoving protesters, who continue chanting Let Gaza live! and Cease-fire now!

Tonight, hundreds of peaceful anti-war activists came to the DNC to call for an end to bombs and violence in order to save Palestinian and Israeli lives. They were met with brutal assaults by the police, Beth Miller, political director of Jewish Voice for Peace Action, said in a statement obtained by HuffPost. The Democrats need to decide: will they stand on the side of peace and justice, or will they continue to support war and genocide?

The protest outside DNC headquarters reflects similar events held across the country urging lawmakers to press for a cease-fire. It follows a large March for Israel rally Tuesday in Washington against antisemitism, NBC News reported.

Organizers of Wednesdays protest had also staged an October demonstration inside a Capitol office building in which 300 people were arrested, though Capitol Police did not describe that protest as violent.

President Joe Biden said last week that he sees no possibility of Israel stopping its military attacks on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

The war began with a surprise attack by Hamas on Israel on Oct. 7, in which an estimated 1,200 Israelis were killed and more than 200 taken hostage. Since then, more than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed by Israeli forces, according to Gazas Health Ministry.

Earlier this month, Biden said he thought there should be a humanitarian pause to the war. Following Hamas initial attack last month, Biden vowed the U.S. would support Israel, and he has not urged the longtime U.S. ally to stop its attacks, despite growing calls for a cease-fire and the rising Palestinian death toll.

Related...
Police have arrested a pro-Palestinian California college professor in the death of a 69-year-old Jewish man at concurrent pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations on Nov. 5.

Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, 50, was taken into custody on Thursday, charged with involuntary manslaughter and battery causing great body injury and incarcerated at Ventura County Jail on $1,000,000 bail, according to a Ventura County Sheriff's Department press release. Both charges have "special allegations that Alnaji personally inflicted great bodily injury," the release said.

"We're not providing any additional information at this moment in time, however there will be additional information released later today," Sgt. Rob Yoos told Fox News Digital on Thursday morning.

Investigators with the department allege that Alnaji caused pro-Israel protester Paul Kessler to knock his head onto the concrete when he fell, which resulted in brain hemorrhaging that would kill him hours later in the hospital.

PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTER 'TRIED TO BAIT' ELDERLY JEWISH MAN BEFORE FATAL ALTERCATION, WITNESS SAYS

Loay Alnaji, left, can be seen carrying the megaphone allegedly used to strike Paul Kessler, knocking the Jewish man to the ground.

Although police previously obtained a warrant to search Alnaji's vehicle and home in Moorpark on Nov. 6, detaining the then-suspect for about two hours, they had insufficient evidence to carry out an arrest.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

It is unclear what new evidence led to Alnaji's arrest. In the weeks preceding his arrest, some witnesses have told Fox News Digital that the pro-Palestinian protester struck Kessler with his megaphone. An autopsy carried out by Ventura County Medical Examiner Christopher Young showed minor abrasions to the left side of Kessler's mouth in addition to the brain swelling and bruising that killed him.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Department and District Attorney's office have scheduled a press conference Friday on the investigation, the agencies said.

HUNDREDS HONOR JEWISH MAN PAUL KESSLER KILLED IN CLASH WITH PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTER: 'WE WANT JUSTICE'

A booking picture of Loay Alnaji.

The department wrote that they are still crowdsourcing photos and video from 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. at the intersections of Westlake and Thousand Oaks Boulevards, and offering a $1,000 reward for any pertinent footage or information.

Alnaji is a full-time professor teaching computer science at Ventura County Community College's Moorpark campus. The school did not immediately return Fox News Digital's request for comment.

He was born in Kuwait, according to the Ventura County District Attorney's office. His citizenship status is not currently clear.

JEWISH MAN'S DEATH AT CALIFORNIA RALLY COMPLICATED BY CONFLICTING WITNESS ACCOUNTS

Alnaji has taught college students since 2003 and holds bachelor's and master's degrees in computer science and a doctorate in business administration, per his since-removed faculty page and linked YouTube introduction that has since been removed.

ELDERLY JEWISH MAN DIED IN CONFRONTATION WITH PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTESTER AT CALIFORNIA RALLY

Loay Alnaji has taught college students since 2003, per his bio on the Ventura County Community College website, and currently teaches computer science.

On his now-deleted Instagram, Alnaji reposted a video in which activist Shahid King Bolsen compares the Hamas terrorist group to civil rights leaders Nelson Mandela and Mahatma Gandhi:



"If someone asked me to condemn Hamas I would say, what's the rush?" Bolsen said in the video Alnaji shared. "Let's let history decide."

NBC NEWS CHANGES HEADLINE AFTER OMITTING MAN KILLED AT PRO-PALESTINIAN PROTEST WAS JEWISH

"Let's wait to see because you might change your mind on this, too  you condemned Mahatma Gandhi until you didn't," Bolsen said in the video shared by Alnaji.

In footage capturing the aftermath of the altercation between Alnaji and Kessler, the latter man can be seen bleeding on the ground.

Alnaji sits feet away on a curb, and can be seen answering a police officer's questions. At a press conference on Nov. 7, Ventura County Sheriff James Fryhoff said that the then-unnamed suspect was cooperative.

Later, Alnaji can be seen looking on as Kessler is pulled into a waiting ambulance on a gurney.

ISRAEL PUSHES DEEPER INTO GAZA AS UN ESTIMATES 15,000 FLEE SOUTH

Witnesses at the scene have told Fox News Digital that Alnaji "tried to bait" Kessler before their altercation and was using a megaphone to shout directly into the faces of pro-Israel protesters.

"[Alnaji wanted] to maybe not kill or hurt [Kessler], but to get in his face and get into an altercation," the man, who asked not to be named, told Fox News Digital.

Alnaji's first appearance at Ventura County Superior Court is scheduled for Nov. 20.





Original article source: Pro-Palestinian protester arrested in death of Jewish man Paul Kessler
Police in the nation's capital responded to the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee as pro-Palestinian demonstrators grew violent as they called for an immediate cease-fire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

U.S. Capitol Police (USCP) said about 150 people were "illegally and violently protesting" near the DNC headquarters building in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington.

Protesters told Fox News Digital that there were 300 people protesting the war.

"Officers are making arrests," USCP said on X. It advised people to stay away from the area.

WATCH: ISRAEL FINDS WEAPONS, MILITARY EQUIPMENT USED BY HAMAS IN KEY GAZA HOSPITAL AFTER RAID, IDF SAYS

Members of U.S. Capitol Police take a protester away from the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee during a demonstration against the war between Israel and Hamas on November 15, 2023 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

Protesters block the entrance of the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee during a demonstration against the war between Israel and Hamas on November 15, 2023 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.

USCP confirmed on X that six officers were injured during the clash on Wednesday evening.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Authorities said that the officers suffered injuries ranging from minor cuts, pepper spray burns or being punched by protesters who turned violent alongside peaceful protesters.

Approximately 150 officers and at least 50 police cruisers from The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) were seen at the protest, with videos showing protesters violently clashing with officers.

Videos on social media showed protesters shoving police officers and trying to grab hold of metal barricades at the DNC headquarters as the officers forcefully removed the individuals.

TENS OF THOUSANDS 'MARCH FOR ISRAEL' IN WASHINGTON, DC

The U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department did not immediately confirm to Fox News Digital how many protesters were arrested during the evening.

The group was heard shouting "Ceasefire Now!" while standing against officers.

Protesters included members of If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace, who have organized other demonstrations in Washington D.C. since Hamas' unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7.

Many of the protesters were wearing black shirts that read "Cease Fire Now."

Olivia, a protester at the DNC headquarters, insisted that the protesters were peaceful.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, a pro-Palestinian protester insisted that they were peacefully protesting, and that officers were reacting violently.

"We were peacefully saying, ceasefire now, and the cops violently pushed us to the ground, threw us to the ground," Olivia said. "The violence happening around the world is happening in our backyard."

BIDEN PUTS CONDITION ON HUMANITARIAN AID TO GAZA AS ISRAEL ALLOWS EGYPT TO DELIVER SUPPLIES

The protester declined to share how the protesters were organizing, saying that they were "concerned citizens."

"We're demanding a ceasefire now," Olivia said. "Eleven-thousand people have been murdered. Millions of our taxpayer dollars go to Israel to carry out this genocide."

Members of U.S. Capitol Police lead protesters away from the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee during a demonstration against the war between Israel and Hamas on November 15, 2023 in Washington D.C.

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., told The Associated Press that initially about 100 people  House leaders, lawmakers and Democratic candidates running for the House  were at a reception at party headquarters, and speeches were interrupted by the chants outside.

About seven lawmakers were huddled in the basement and evacuated into police SUVs.

Sherman took to social media following his evacuation, calling the protestors "pro-Hamas."

"Was just evacuated from the DNC after pro-terrorist, anti-Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building. Thankful to the police officers who stopped them and for helping me and my colleagues get out safely," Sherman wrote in an X post.

HAMAS TERRORISTS LIKELY USED NORTH KOREAN WEAPONS DURING BRUTAL ATTACK ON ISRAEL, EVIDENCE SHOWS

"Apparently, these pro-Hamas demonstrators want Republicans to prevail in the next Congressional election," Sherman added.

Illinois Rep. Sean Casten wrote that he was also evacuated from the DNC headquarters, thanking police for safely evacuating the members of Congress.

Former Michigan Representative and Senate candidate Peter Meijer was quick to point out the difference between the protesters at the DNC and the "March for Israel" event on Tuesday.

"A quarter-million folks rallying on the Mall yesterday to support Israel? Peaceful, orderly, strong," Meijer wrote. "Two hundred anti-Israel protesters outside DNC tonight? Chaos, weakness, Capitol buildings locked down. Says a lot!"

Arkansas Senator Tom Cotton wrote that President Joe Biden should treat the "pro-Hamas insurrectionists" the same as they have treated the January 6 cases.

"Biden admin must use every law-enforcement tactic against these pro-Hamas insurrectionists that it has used in the January 6 cases," Sen. Cotton wrote on X. "Track them down, arrest them, convict them, and lock em up."

The Associated Press contributed to this report.





Original article source: Pro-Palestinian violent protest erupts outside DNC headquarters in Washington DC, Capitol police injured
U.S. tensions surrounding the Israel-Hamas conflict are continuing to boil.

On Wednesday, a Democratic congressman opted to describe a lock-on protest at the DNC calling for a cease-fire in Gaza with inflammatory language, snubbing it as pro-terrorist.

Was just evacuated from the #DNC after pro-terrorist, anti-#Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building, said California Representative Brad Sherman on X, formerly known as Twitter.

Sherman immediately received blowback online from journalists and protesters alike, who categorically refuted the claims in Shermans post and argued that the mass-recorded event at the Democratic National Committee headquarters illustrated no evidence of protesters spraying police, but rather the other way around.

Yeah, Sherman is wrong. I was outside the building and saw a USCP officer spray protesters, not vice versa, responded Semafors David Weigel, linking a video that shows officers shoving and spraying an aerosol into a tightly packed crowd several times before walking into their own line of fire.

They blocked the entrances; they didnt try to storm the offices, Weigel continued in another post.

A Democratic strategist also questioned the validity of a statement issued by Capitol Police following the protest, which noted that officers were treated for injuriesranging from minor cuts to being pepper sprayed to being punched.

So did the police at the DNC protest injurethemselves? pic.twitter.com/JDlw0xqIXT  Waleed Shahid  (@_waleedshahid) November 16, 2023

So did the police at the DNC protest injure  themselves? posted senior Democratic strategist Waleed Shahid, who had previously worked for Senator Bernie Sanders and Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, sharing a clip documenting a Capitol Police officer hitting another officer in the back while setting up a metal blockade.

Protest organizers estimate that at least 90 people were injured in the clashes with police.

This is dangerous & reckless disinformation, Congressman.



We were peacefully linking arms, singing, and calling for a ceasefire.



As you can see with your own eyes in this video.



Then Capitol Police rushed in, threw us down the stairs, and pepper sprayed us.



Retract this now. https://t.co/FqOc8ZfCd4 pic.twitter.com/Xerx1cSDXy  IfNotNow (@IfNotNowOrg) November 16, 2023

The war between Israel and Hamas is now halfway through its sixth week. Only 31 members of Congress have called for a cease-fire, and a report indicated that many Democratic congressmen are actively ignoring phone calls from constituents asking for a cease-fire.

Gazas Health Ministry has reported that more than 11,100 Palestinians have been killed in the conflict so faror one out of every 200 peoplewith most of the dead being women and children. Approximately 240 hostages still remain in Gaza after Hamass October 7 attack, killing 1,200 people.
 Flash

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in San Francisco, the United States, Nov. 16, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for fostering new growth engines for China-Peru cooperation in digital economy and green development.

Xi made the remarks when meeting his Peruvian counterpart, Dina Boluarte, on the sidelines of the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting. He also said that the two sides should synergize their development strategies, and strengthen cooperation in traditional areas such as economy, trade, energy and mineral resources.

Since China and Peru established diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, the two countries have given each other understanding and support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

Bilateral cooperation between the two sides has developed steadily, Xi said, adding that the Belt and Road cooperation, in particular, has promoted the development and revitalization of the two countries and brought benefits to the two peoples.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said the two sides should deepen political mutual trust, strengthen strategic communication, firmly support each other in pursuing a development path suited to their national conditions, and work for more achievements under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi said that China is ready to import more high-quality Peruvian agricultural products, and to encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in major Peruvian projects in accordance with market principles.

Both China and Peru have splendid civilizations and profound cultures, and the two sides should step up cooperation in education, culture, tourism, science and technology and youth exchanges, so as to set an example for exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations, Xi said.

Xi stressed that under the new circumstances, developing China-Peru relations is not only in line with the common interests of the two countries, but also of great significance to building an open world economy.

China supports Peru in hosting the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and stands ready to engage in close communication and coordination with Peru to reap new results in APEC cooperation, making new contributions to the economic recovery and long-term development of the Asia-Pacific region and to the building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, Xi said.

China is ready to work with Peru to promote the continuous development of China-Latin America relations in the new era, Xi added.

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in San Francisco, the United States, Nov. 16, 2023. [Photo/Xinhua]

Noting that both Peru and China are ancient civilizations and their peoples enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges, Boluarte said that since the establishment of their comprehensive strategic partnership 10 years ago, the two sides have adhered to mutual respect and support.

Peru is committed to deepening relations with China and give better play to bilateral cooperation mechanisms, continuously upgrade the level of comprehensive strategic cooperation and strengthen practical cooperation in green economy and other fields, she said, adding that Peru abides by the one-China principle and actively participates in Belt and Road cooperation.

Saying Peru is ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with China, Boluarte said that Peru will take over the rotating chair of APEC next year and her country looks forward to working with China to promote inclusive and sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific region and the development of Latin America-China relations.
COTTONWOOD HEIGHTS, Utah (ABC4)  Cottonwood Heights Police are currently looking for a suspect who allegedly made a large withdrawal from a local bank recently.

Police said on Oct. 27, the individual went into a local Credit Union and made a significant withdrawal from an account that was not his.

Woman saves Utah student from carbon monoxide poisoning after noticing him passed out in vehicle

The man reportedly used false identification to gain access to the victims account.

Police believe this individual is part of a professional fraud ring, traveling from state to state and victimizing multiple unsuspecting victims across the country, according to the release.

If you know who this person is, please contact Detective J. Comber with the Cottonwood Heights Police Dept. at 801-944-7006 (Desk) or 385-368-7091 (Cell).

No further information is available at this time.

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This is a photo of a meeting at the Oklahoma City Board of Education.

This article was originally published in Oklahoma Voice.

OKLAHOMA CITY  With efforts underway to boost businesses and housing in Oklahomas Citys northeast side, LaTasha Timberlake saw a need to strengthen another core piece of the historically Black area  its schools.

Thats why the longtime educator and nonprofit director is part of a group trying to found a charter middle school in her home community.

Willard C. Pitts Academy is one of four potential charter schools seeking approval from Oklahoma City Public Schools to open in 2025. Three of the charter schools plan to operate in the northeast quadrant of the city.

Support The 74's year-end campaign. Make a tax-exempt donation now.

Any time when you are talking about expanding a specific part of town and creating more opportunities, I think that you have to look at it holistically, Timberlake said. You cant just look at it from a space of just housing and just commercialism, but also education.

Like Timberlake, Carma Barlow said she hopes to give back to her home community by founding a northeast-area charter school, Rise STEAM Academy.

The academy would incorporate its core disciplines of science, technology, engineering, arts and math throughout the school day. An example is learning to read by completing an engineering project, said Barlow, who was a founding principal at an Oklahoma City elementary in Santa Fe South Charter Schools.

Both Barlow and Timberlake said northeast Oklahoma City needs greater variety in educational models. Most schools in the area use teaching methods that are common to traditional public schools.

Related

Alaska Leads States in First-Ever Rankings of Charter Performance on NAEP

I think one thing we can all agree on in education is every child is different, Barlow said. I think providing options for those different bands of students is an exciting thing. And to be able to do that in a community where there arent any options that stray from the traditional model is something Im excited about.

Timberlake called her charters concept a school without walls. Willard C. Pitts Academy would invite local nonprofits and businesses to take part in educating students, like having an area YMCA host gym class, she said.

The two other applying charter schools would deviate even further from teaching norms by implementing the Montessori method.

Montessori schools are known for their nontraditional classroom design and a student-driven structure of the school day with emphasis on individual, hands-on learning.

P3 Urban Montessori proposes enrolling students ages 3-5 primarily from the northeast Oklahoma City ZIP code 73111. Its founding group is led by the superintendent of Millwood Public Schools, Cecilia Robinson-Woods, who declined to comment this early in the application process.

The Oklahoma Montessori Initiative would enroll students in pre-K through fourth grade mostly from the northwest side of Oklahoma City. Representatives of the school did not return requests for comment.

Having as many as four charter applicants at one time was a bit of a surprise, said Paula Lewis, the Oklahoma City Board of Education chairperson. She said the board is open to the possibilities the schools present.

But, this is a district where at least three charter schools have closed in the past 10 years for poor academic or fiscal performance. A fourth charter school that the district rejected, Sovereign Community School, opened in Oklahoma City with the state Board of Educations permission and closed three years later because of financial failure.

With that history in mind, Lewis said the district school board wants to see a strong financial plan from the new charter applicants.

Related

Oklahoma Tax Commission Approves Rules for School Choice Tax Credits

We want whats good for kids, and if charter schools bring forward an option that were not providing that would provide opportunities for kids, then well get behind that as a board, Lewis said. When it comes to charter schools, were responsible to make sure they have their finances in place and that its just a workable plan.

The school districts board and staff have raised questions about a lack of details in the applications about where the schools would locate and their start-up funding.

The board has until Dec. 1 to decide whether to accept or reject the applications, after which the applicants could reapply or seek out another charter authorizer.

Barlow said shes exploring start-up grants and potential sites for Rise STEAM Academy, but she cant secure either until the charter is officially approved. She and Timberlake said being authorized by OKCPS could be a beneficial partnership for both their charter schools and the district.

But OKCPS isnt the only entity that could approve these schools. They could seek out authorization from the state government or a university.

Im willing to partner with whoever is willing to partner with me, Barlow said.

The groups behind the four charter applications all were part of a new school design program from the Oklahoma Public School Resource Center, which provides training and services to public schools.

The organizations founder, Brent Bushey, said the program gathers educators and community members to develop new, innovative models of schooling. Although it was a coincidence that all four groups created Oklahoma City charter schools, Bushey said they would bring needed diversity to the citys public-school landscape.

Thats the benefit here is we have a growing city, we have a thriving city at so many different levels, and I think theyre trying to provide another option for families, Bushey said.

Oklahoma Voice is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Oklahoma Voice maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Janelle Stecklein for questions: info@oklahomavoice.com. Follow Oklahoma Voice on Facebook and Twitter.
ST. JAMES PARISH, La. (WGNO)  Environmentalists are pushing back against a proposed jet fuel plant in St. James Parish.

The company says it will use solar power to turn sugar cane into fuel and bring hundreds of jobs.

Entergy New Orleans launches Power of Prosperity initiative to support HBCU students

By us buying up that sugarcane trash, and it not being burned, we are actually cleaning up the atmosphere. We are also a zero-emissions process. So, we emit nothing back into the river, says CEO and Chairman of DG Fuels Micheal Darcy.

Darcy added that the facility will create 650 permanent jobs, with 200 permanent positions going to local St. James Parish residents.

We have a minimum payroll of $48,000 a year plus benefits. These are good jobs, says Darcy.

Yet, Founder and Director of Louisiana Bucket Brigade Anne Rolfes says the proposals sound too good to be true.

We have no idea what they would be burning on that site. Its supposed to be a site that burns agriculture products is what they are saying, but they are not saying specifically what that is. What would it smell like? What are the carbon emissions? says Rolfes.

Darcy said DG Fuels wants the community to know they have their best interest at heart by producing only sustainable aviation fuel and a clean energy source with minimal environmental impact.

The key to our technology is everything that comes in from the biomass goes out as fuel. We are both green and clean. We omit so little from our facility, says Darcy.

Rolfes believes if this were so great, it wouldnt be put in St. James Parish.

In general, in the state of Louisiana, they put pollution in Black communities. Communities that dont have the resources to fight back and I suspect that DG Fuels are just the same, says Rolfes.

Stay updated with the latest news, weather, and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play store and subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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On Wednesday, a federal judge sentenced Deja Taylor, a 26-year-old Virginia woman whose 6-year-old son used her pistol to shoot a teacher last January, to 21 months in prison for owning a gun while using marijuana. In June, Taylor pleaded guilty to violating 18 USC 922(g)(3), which makes it a felony, punishable by up to 15 years in prison, for an "unlawful user" of a "controlled substance" to possess a firearm. She also admitted that she falsely denied drug use on the form she filled out when she bought the pistol, a felony punishable by up to 10 years in prison.

"This case is not a marijuana case," Assistant U.S. Attorney Lisa McKeel wrote in the government's sentencing memorandum. "It is a case that underscores the inherently dangerous nature [of] and [the] circumstances that arise from the caustic cocktail of mixing consistent and prolonged controlled substance use with a lethal firearm."

McKeel is partly right: Strictly speaking, this is a firearm case, not a marijuana case. Yet there would be no firearm case without federal marijuana prohibition. And while the evidence indicates that Taylor was neither a model gun owner nor a model cannabis consumer, her federal firearm offenses do not hinge on the details of her behavior. Survey data suggest that millions of Americans are gun-owning cannabis consumers, meaning they are guilty of the same felony that earned Taylor a prison sentence, even if they pose no danger to anyone. As a federal appeals court recently noted, that situation is hard to reconcile with "the right of the people to keep and bear arms."

According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, over 60 million Americans used illegal drugs (mainly marijuana) in 2021. Based on surveys indicating that roughly one-third of American adults own guns, we can surmise that something like 20 million people violated Section 922(g)(3) that year. Yet on average, federal prosecutors file just 120 charges under that provision each year. In other words, only a minuscule percentage of the potential defendants will ever become actual defendants.

It is no mystery why Taylor ended up being part of that tiny minority. First, her marijuana use attracted official attention as a result of the investigation that followed her son's January 6 assault on Abigail Zwerner, a teacher at Richneck Elementary School in Newport News, who underwent five surgeries to repair the damage that the bullet he fired did to her hand and lung. Second, that investigation also revealed a pattern of irresponsible conduct, which was not legally necessary to prosecute Taylor's firearm offenses but surely played a role in the decision to pursue a federal case.

According to Taylor's lawyers, she is a heavy marijuana user who needs treatment for drug addiction. Prosecutors said she smoked two blunts after the shooting and repeatedly failed drug tests prior to her sentencing. They also "cited a series of text messages between Taylor and the boy's father, which appear to show that Taylor opened fire on him with the same weapon about a month before the shooting at Richneck Elementary," The Washington Post notes. "The shooting followed a dispute over whether the father was cheating on Taylor with another woman, according to text messages included in the memo. The father was not hurt in the incident."

And then, of course, there is the matter of how Taylor's son managed to get his hands on her pistol and bring it to school in his backpack, which does not reflect well on her parenting. In August, Taylor pleaded guilty to felony child neglect in state court. As part of that plea deal, prosecutors dropped a misdemeanor charge of failure to secure her firearm. They are recommending a jail term of up to six months, although Taylor's actual sentence could be longer: up to five years in prison.

Since the state case addresses the reckless conduct that enabled the shooting, why is the federal case necessary? According to McKeel, her office is sending a message about "the inherently dangerous nature" of "mixing consistent and prolonged controlled substance use with a lethal firearm." But that message is highly misleading, since millions of Americans 1) own firearms and 2) consume cannabis but nevertheless do not handle guns while intoxicated, let alone shoot at people in a jealous rage or let their children take pistols to school.

The danger that McKeel perceives is logically indistinguishable from the danger posed by Americans who 1) own firearms and 2) drink alcohol. Yet that is not a crime, and the only reason for this arbitrary distinction is marijuana's status under federal law, which makes cannabis consumption "unlawful" in any circumstance. Virginia, by contrast, is one of the 24 states that have legalized both medical and recreational marijuana use.

If Taylor had not pleaded guilty to the firearm charges, she could have challenged them on Second Amendment grounds, as Hunter Biden's lawyers are expected to do in his federal gun case. Two months after Taylor's guilty pleas, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit ruled that Section 922(g)(3) is not "consistent with this Nation's historical tradition of firearm regulation"the constitutional test that the Supreme Court established last year in New York State Rifle & Pistol Association v. Bruen. The appeals court explicitly rejected McKeel's premise that gun-owning cannabis consumers are dangerous by definition.

"Our history and tradition may support some limits on an intoxicated person's right to carry a weapon, but it does not justify disarming a sober citizen based exclusively on his past drug usage," Judge Jerry E. Smith wrote for a unanimous 5th Circuit panel. "Nor do more generalized traditions of disarming dangerous persons support this restriction on nonviolent drug users."

The post Prosecutors of 6-Year-Old Shooter's Mother Claim Gun-Owning Pot Users Are 'Inherently Dangerous' appeared first on Reason.com.
A Kansas City man is accused of three felonies, including kidnapping and assault, after his 17-year-old girlfriend was found dead with gunshot and stab wounds in a Grandview apartment complex on Sunday.

Jackson County prosecutors have charged Tyheem V. Anderson, 19, with first-degree assault, armed criminal action and kidnapping stemming from an investigation into the death of Amauri Hughes, of Grandview, who had been reported missing by family.

Anderson was arrested by Kansas City police Tuesday and placed on a 24-hour hold for suspected homicide. Additional criminal charges were being explored Wednesday night as the case remained an active investigation, according to the Jackson County Prosecutors Office.

On Saturday afternoon, Kansas City police officers were dispatched to an address in the 3300 block of East 75th Street in response to a reported disturbance. The 911 caller told police that Hughes had been sneaking out of the house to visit Anderson, according to an affidavit prepared by a Kansas City police detective.

Officers were told a friend of Hughes had witnessed a concerning exchange followed by sounds of a struggle while they were on Facetime with her.

The officers knocked on the door and walked around the house but did not make contact with anyone. They also called the 17-year-olds employer and were told she had taken the day off work. Police opened a missing persons investigation.

The following day, the person who first contacted Kansas City police received a phone call from Hughes and reported she sounded lethargic or possibly under the influence. She received other texts and calls asking her to pick up Hughes at two separate locations.

After arriving home, the person who reported Hughes missing saw Grandview police near her residence and learned they were investigating a report of a dead body found near a carport. The body was identified as Hughes.

Detectives noticed several traumas to Hughes, including apparent stab wounds, bruises, cuts and broken teeth. A preliminary autopsy had yet to be completed at the time charging documents were filed.

On Monday, Kansas City police searched Andersons residence in the 3300 block of East 75th Street, roughly eight miles from where her body was found.

Tests performed by crime scene investigators showed the presumptive presence of blood throughout the residence, including on a wall, the kitchen floor and the laundry room. Police also collected an apparent human tooth and a spent .45 caliber shell casing.

During a police interview on Tuesday, Anderson said he had been in a relationship with Hughes for three years. He said they had been in an argument Sunday about something seen on her phone and that he confronted her.

After becoming aware she had been reported as a missing person, Anderson said he arranged for her to be picked up by an Uber. He denied ever becoming physically violent with her or killing her.
Police do not have the powers to arrest protesters for climbing on war memorials, the Met Commissioner has said, despite Rishi Sunak saying it was an affront to our Armed Forces.

Footage of pro-Palestinian demonstrators clambering on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner on Wednesday evening sparked widespread condemnation.

But Sir Mark Rowley defended his officers for not arresting the culprits, insisting that while it was unfortunate and inflammatory in certain ways, it was not against the law.

He added: Thats the nature of policing. Its contentious. What the officer didnt do was make up a law that its illegal to do something and make an arrest which would have been illegal, clearly.

The incident occurred as thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators descended on Parliament to lobby MPs ahead of a vote on whether there should be calls for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Footage on social media showed one protester sitting astride the 30ft-high stone monument waving a Palestinian flag, while another spoke to a police officer at the base.

After coming down from the war memorial the protesters were allowed to go on their way and no arrests were made.

The Met Police says it does not have the power to arrest protesters such as these who climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Its an affront to our Armed Forces, it goes against our British values, its not acceptable.

We will look at what further measures are needed so that the police can have confidence in taking action on this.

We do believe there are extensive powers available to them but the public will have been shocked and Im sure appalled by what they saw.

Sir Mike Penning, the former policing and justice minister, condemned the lack of action by the officers, insisting there was tons of legislation available to take action.

He described the behaviour of the protesters as a desecration of a war memorial and suggested officers on the ground were being prevented from acting by overcautious police chiefs.

They are literally lions led by dinosaurs, he said.

A former Cabinet minister added: It is appalling what is happening. The police need to justify the decisions they have made.

But public order policing experts insisted there is no specific legislation preventing people from climbing on monuments and said the application of other laws would not have been appropriate in this situation.

Graham Wettone, a retired Met officer with many years of experience in dealing with protests said: Section 5 of the Public Order Act allows an arrest for disorderly behaviour but as the protesters complied with the request to come down from the monument, it would not really apply in this case.

Breach of the peace may also not be appropriate with the law describing it as actions which cause harm to another individual or their property in their presence.

Following the scenes at Hyde Park Corner, James Cleverly, the new Home Secretary, who was a Territorial Army Officer in the Royal Artillery, pledged to examine whether the police needed new powers.

He said: Im not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgement on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials.

He added: I will look at what further measures need to be taken so the police can take action on this.

Chief Constable Chris Noble, the National Police Chiefs Council lead on protests, said the introduction of new legislation needed to be balanced against democratic rights.

He said: However offensive something might be, it needs to have a basis in law for police to be able to act around it, so I suspect some more detail may arise around that in terms of specifics in slower time.

A Home Office source said that the incident was a motivator to review how they should be policed as part of the wider investigation into the policing of protests.

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Organizers of the protest outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters Wednesday night said 90 of its demonstrators were injured after skirmishes broke out with police.

Members of the Ceasefire Now Coalition said hundreds of people attended a candlelight vigil outside the DNC building in Washington to demand a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war and to pray for those taken hostage by the Hamas militants and for all who have died in both sides of the conflict.

Capitol Police said they responded to the demonstration to evacuate lawmakers from the building and said the group gathered was illegally and violently protesting protesters.

Speaking at a press conference Thursday, organizers accused the police of forcefully shoving the protesters down the steps, pepper-spraying them and choking one of their members without warning. They said at least one person was being treated for a concussion.

Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, who was at the headquarters Wednesday night, said her congregants are devastated this morning, not only from the lives lost in the Israel-Hamas war, but now because of the violence from the police.

We were there lighting candles for all who have died, honoring the lives lost, to call for a cease-fire to honor those lives in prayer and in song. And instead, instead of being able to actually talk to our elected officials and pray with them and sing with them and ask them for a cease-fire, the police shoved our people down the steps, Rosenberg said at the press conference.

Those in attendance included members from Jewish Voice for Peace Action. Dani Nobles, a member who was at Wednesdays protest, said she does not know how the situation escalated so quickly outside the DNC.

I mean, from my personal perspective, I dont know, like we were doing  we were engaging in civil disobedience, Nobles said when asked about why the situation escalated. Ive been at many protests this month, where weve engaged in like, nonviolent tactics of civil disobedience. And I personally have never seen such a like fast and violent escalation by police with no warning.

Nobles said attendees wanted to engage with lawmakers to discuss a cease-fire in Gaza. She also accused lawmakers and Capitol Police of spreading misinformation about what happened at the incident.

And absolutely, in no instance did anyone try to enter the building, and spreading misinformation to the contrary is extremely, extremely dangerous. We were there peacefully singing and chanting, waiting for Democratic officials to show up so that we could actually engage, she said.

Capitol Police, organizers and lawmakers have provided conflicting information about what happened Wednesday night. Organizers disputed claims from lawmakers and Capitol Police that protesters used pepper spray on officers and blocked entrances to the building.

On Thursday morning, Capitol Police released an updated statement about the incident, saying approximately 200 people gathered failed to obey the orders to move them back from the DNC. Organizers said no such order was given.

We have handled hundreds of peaceful protests, but last nights group was not peaceful. The crowd failed to obey our lawful orders to move back from the DNC, where Members of Congress were in the building, Capitol Police said in a statement.

Capitol Police claimed the group moved dumpsters in front of the building and used pepper spray on officers  which the organizers denied seeing anyone do. Capitol Police said its officers quickly introduced consequences afterward, which included pulling people off the building, pushing them back, and clearing them from the area.

Capitol Police said six officers were injured from minor cuts, being pepper-sprayed and being punched.

Police said they arrested 24-year-old Ruben Arthur Camacho of Woodbridge, N.Y., for assault on an officer after others witnessed him slam another officer into a garage door and then punch the female officer in the face.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Dozens of protesters parked on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on Thursday and tossed their keys into the bay, shutting down all westbound lanes and forcing authorities to tow vehicles one by one off the bridge, KRON4 reported. Protesters, some of whom chained themselves to the bridge, called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war amid the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in the city. Dozens were arrested at the scene. Protesters held banners urging a ceasefire amid the widespread destruction and loss of life in Gazaa call that has largely been rejected by Israeli leaders and Western officials who have left the door open to shorter, days-long pauses in fighting in exchange for the release of dozens of hostages. Protests have sprouted up around the city, where President Joe Biden and Chinas Xi Jinping met for talks on Wednesday. Biden arrived at the convention center far behind schedule on Thursday, passing by demonstrators on his drive through San Francisco, per a pool report.

Read it at KRON4

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Teri Ostlie drained much of her retirement savings to fix her home, which was severely damaged in last winter's snowstorms in Crestline. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

For the record:

6:05 p.m. Nov. 16, 2023: An earlier version of this story said that Crestline homeowner Jeffrey Walker faced $15,000 in home repairs following last winters storms. He actually faces $150,000 in repairs.



As the snow piled up in late February, Teri Ostlie did her best to continue shoveling.

The 71-year-old tried to keep her deck clear and maintain a route to the road  what she started to call a "gurney path"  as she worried about keeping up with the task of heaving shovelfuls of snow over shoulder-high banks.

She held strong. But her Crestline home did not.

Under the weight of almost 10 feet of snow from back-to-back, unprecedented winter storms, her walls started buckling, pulling off beams and granite countertops. Cracks grew across her ceiling, the house creaking loudly as it fractured.

San Bernardino Mountain residents are used to snow, but the magnitude of those late-season storms was unlike anything the region has seen in recent history.

Eight months later, recovery is ongoing. And worry is spreading that a predicted strong El Nino winter may bring more punishment, along with anxiety about how the local infrastructure can hold up against climate whiplash and whether officials can fix the errors that left so many vulnerable.

For weeks last winter, many San Bernardino Mountains residents remained trapped in their homes, buried under as much as 12 feet of snow, some without power for as long as six days. Almost 350 residences and businesses were damaged or destroyed  including one of the area's largest grocery stores, whose roof collapsed, and several houses that exploded because of buried gas meters. An estimated $143 million in losses to private property was tallied.

When the roads finally cleared, more than a dozen people had died, many found in their homes.

Kadyn Wheat shovels snow in early March as he works to free the family car, entombed after successive snowstorms in the San Bernardino Mountains. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

I know I have PTSD for snow," Ostlie said, a sentiment echoed by many neighbors. A few weeks after the blizzard left her home red-tagged, a minor snowfall in early May triggered a daylong panic attack, she said.

It was awful. I couldnt trust that I was safe."

Read more: Tales of frustration and fear as crews slowly clear snow in San Bernardino Mountains

A review of hundreds of emails from San Bernardino County and state officials, as well as interviews with local leaders and residents, found that much of the emergency response was slow and disjointed  affecting the availability of snow-clearing equipment and food as well as hospital access.

Officials have acknowledged gaps in their response. But as forecasts show this winter could again bring heavy snows, they say they are better prepared.

"We have the lessons learned," said San Bernardino County Supervisor Dawn Rowe, who represents most of the mountain communities. "You cant be perfect on your first time experiencing the first of anything, but weve done a good job of trying to quantify the areas where we fell short  and making sure we have backstops in place.

One main downfall of last winter's response, officials said, stemmed from inexperienced and decentralized leadership in the county Office of Emergency Services, which takes charge during crises. Historically, first responders  typically the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District  lead emergency responses, but that process shifted to county administrators during the COVID-19 pandemic.

There was no one spot to go for information, and that one aspect of the storm response created additional problems," Rowe said.

Many residents turned to social media or volunteer groups for help or the most up-to-date information.

A few days into the response efforts, the sheriff's and fire departments established their own incident management team, while working in conjunction with county administrators. They cited the need for "a more localized operational approach," according to the sheriff's after-action report. At the same time, trapped residents and their families were reaching out to state officials for help, requests that were relayed back to the county, emails show.

Rowe said she would like the county to have one website for all emergency updates, and have the Office of Emergency Services return to the purview of first responders  the latter also a recommendation from the Sheriff's Department.

During the storms, it also took time for the county's emergency operations to get running. It wasn't until March 2  six days after the National Weather Service issued its first-ever blizzard warning for the region  that the county's OES began holding daily briefings to coordinate responses with different agencies, records show.

Read more: Desperate mountain residents trapped by snow beg for help; 'We are coming,' sheriff says

County spokesperson David Wert declined to comment on much of the emergency response, citing an ongoing external review expected to be published in December. However, he said the county had met with various agencies before the storms to coordinate efforts.

An internal review by the Sheriff's Department noted how the county's OES did not manage volunteers, so deputies and firefighters "had to step in."

"It took almost 24 hours to coordinate and establish effective communications between the various volunteer groups," the report said. "This caused frustration within the volunteer groups and initial ineffective management of the groups.

In Wrightwood  where residents saw historic snowfall but didn't face as many issues as their eastern neighbors  Tamie Keen said she repeatedly tried to get updates and resources as manager of the Wrightwood Community Services District. On March 1, days after the storms began, Keen's team wrote to county officials expressing worry that the town wasn't even mentioned in the latest update.

Is there a plan in place for our community as well? the community services district asked in an email to San Bernardino County Supervisor Paul Cook, records show.

"It was a lot of miscommunication and just unorganized," Keen said recently. Although Wrightwood eventually got supplies and support, she said, "it was just a little late."

We need the help when its happening and not after, when we can get up and down the mountain," Keen said.

A sign for Highway 18 in the San Bernardino Mountains is nearly obscured by snow on March 3. (Brian van der Brug / Los Angeles Times)

The other major issue was the mountain roadways, many of which took more than two weeks to reopen  and that didn't include clearing hundreds of private roads.

Rowe said two key challenges inhibited plowing.

First, she said, the area's major utilities  Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas Co.  didn't have their own plows and had to ask the county to help them access outages, a request that county officials made a priority but that diverted key equipment from clearing operations.

Dave Eisenhauer, a spokesperson for SoCal Edison, said the utility has snow vehicles but noted it's typical to partner with county or California Department of Transportation officials to access locations for repairs. SoCalGas did not respond to requests for comment.

The second issue, Rowe said, was the weather itself, which quickly required different snow-clearing equipment than the county had  a challenge exacerbated by the diversion of plows to the utility companies.

This is really the first time that the county has experienced an operation that went so rapidly from a plowing operation to what they call a 'scoop and dump,' " Rowe said. Plows were overwhelmed by the depth and weight of the snow, rendering typical equipment ineffective, she said.

The county then had to play catch-up, working to get front-end loaders and dump trucks up the mountain as well as secure specialty drivers, Rowe said. By the time officials realized how bad the storms were, it was too late to get outside help.

Mountain residents criticized Caltrans, which handles the plowing of state roads, saying that the agency  as well as the California Highway Patrol  opened and closed roads abruptly and left some people stranded in their cars as mounds of snow were cleared.

Ahead of the storms, Caltrans pulled resources from nearby districts to the San Bernardino Mountains to take "a very proactive approach" to the blizzard warning, the agency said in a statement.

Caltrans also used private contractors to help with snow removal, according to the statement. The agency is currently working to finalize a new snow plan for the upcoming season that will allow for quicker turnarounds on closed roads.

Rowe and Wert said the county has now purchased its own plowing equipment specifically for the mountain communities.

"However, snowfall of the magnitude we experienced in February and March will always result in many residents being unable to leave their homes and property for some period of time, no matter how well-equipped the county is and how quickly the county acts," Wert said.

Teri Ostlie shows photos of her home under construction after it was damaged in last winter's snowstorms in Crestline. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

The latest forecasts show a growing likelihood of significant snow this winter. The National Weather Service's Climate Prediction Center expects slightly above-average precipitation across Southern California and effects from a lingering El Nino, which typically indicates wetter weather. The Farmer's Almanac also predicts "above-normal mountain snow" for the southwest U.S.

In light of that, many residents are on edge.

"Your house is your safe place  you close the door and youre safe. But that wasnt the case," Ostlie said.

Her roof never fully collapsed, but it required massive repairs. Her insurer declined her claim, and a Small Business Administration loan covered only about half the necessary repairs. Ostlie ended up draining much of her retirement savings to finish the work.

The retired teacher knows she's among the lucky few who were able to expedite rebuilding. Of the hundreds of homeowners who incurred structural damage, many are still waiting on loans or permits to be approved, contractors to become available or insurance battles to be resolved.

Goodwin's market, a mainstay for mountain dwellers that collapsed during the storms, remains under construction, with the most optimistic completion date not until early summer. The county's Board of Supervisors waived plan review and permit fees for property owners repairing damage from the winter storms, Wert said, but it wasn't immediately clear how many had taken advantage of that.

The SBA and Federal Emergency Management Agency have offered loans, but many residents said they were not approved  or if they were, the amount didn't cover all the damage.

Once you fall off the news cycle, everybody thinks everything is great, Ostlie said. I know of people who are still waiting to get funded by SBA so they can begin [repairs], and winters coming soon. ... I dont know what those people are going to do.

Jeffrey Walker is still fighting his homeowners insurance company, hoping to get repairs to his deck, which was damaged by last winter's snowstorms. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

Some remain in unsafe homes, financially constrained but hoping for the best.

If the support beams collapse, its going to pancake, said Jeffrey Walker, looking at his two-story wooden deck in Crestline. It's very concerning to me that I cant do anything at this point. ... What do I do? How do I save the deck and possibly the front of my house?

He's worried the cracked and now-leaning deck, which sits up the hill from his street and other homes, could give way at any moment  especially under the weight of more snow.

Walker's homeowners insurance also denied his claim. With no other options to pay the estimated $150,000 in repairs after losing his job as a truck driver, Walker filed a lawsuit against Bamboo Insurance.



I dont want to fight [my insurance company]. I want them to do the job, said Walker, 54. "I could lose my house over this.

Bamboo Insurance declined to comment, citing the litigation.

Read more: 'A shameful situation': Angry mountain residents trapped by snow ask why help took so long

Kristy Baltezore, 45, another Crestline resident, helped set up an emergency food bank and database for mountain residents to request help during last winter's storms. But she hasn't been able to get much support for herself as she struggles to bounce back.

A snow plow dented Baltezores car, and she doesnt have enough money to pay her deductible. A couple of posts on her porch collapsed, but she cant afford those fixes either.

Baltezore, who works as a film and TV production designer, had to get by without a steady income because of the Hollywood writers' strike. She worked for minimum wage as a waitress during the winter but had to use all of her savings and cash out her retirement investments to stay afloat. Even after all that, she's still a couple of months behind on her mortgage.

Im on the edge of foreclosure every single month, Baltezore said. I think a lot of us are still really struggling to get by. We didnt get revenue from the tourist industry that we were expecting. A lot of us had our homeowners insurance almost double, which is another huge chunk of money. Its just been a lot for a lot of us.

Megan Vasquez, who lives in Crestline's Valley of Enchantment neighborhood, started a food distribution center after Goodwin's grocery collapsed.

Vasquez, 58, whose home was also damaged in the storms, kept the food bank running until a few months ago, when the county stopped delivering supplies. She said 25 to 30 people showed up every day to the distribution center, which also stocked clothing, blankets and medical supplies.

"This is a low-income area, demographically speaking," she said. "If people don't have a car or if they don't have money for gas or snow tires, where are they going to go? They're heading to the liquor store to buy really expensive cereal or frozen pizza, nothing fresh. The biggest problem still is just trying to get a viable supermarket."

Megan Vasquez stands on her damaged deck in Crestline. She started a food distribution center in her neighborhood after Goodwin's market collapsed. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

At Mountains Community Hospital in Lake Arrowhead, staff members are hoping they never have to relive the nightmare from last winter's blizzard.

Julie Davis, the director of acute care nursing, said she couldn't leave the hospital  and neither could patients, even after being discharged. Paramedics could transport patients by Snowcat up to the hospital doors, but without the roads cleared, no one could leave.

Hospital staff slept on cots in offices, with 10 nurses rotating through shifts, while other staff maintained cleaning and food services, said Davis, who couldnt get home to her 5-year-old son and husband for six days.

It took twice that long for snowplows to clear the side roads leading to the hospital, Davis said.

Looking ahead to this winter, hospital staff have a plan. They will prepare to have more fuel for snow removal equipment in the event of another emergency, add cots and pillows in case they need to stay overnight and have a better line of communication with county officials, Davis said.

I know everybody has a little PTSD from the last storm. But I know that the community is going to do better this year because we've already been planning for the entire year, she said.

But repairs, lost wages and insufficient short-term housing options are keeping some people in the red, said Rhea-Frances Tetley, 72, a longtime Crestline resident.

On the outside, the town looks like its recovering. But all the people I talk to are having problems."

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This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Russian President Vladimir Putin may face a new war crime case as experts and international lawyers have gathered evidence that shows that Russia began preparations for a famine in Ukraine even before the military invasion.

Source: The Independent

Quote: "Purchases by a Russian defence contractor suggest Moscow was planning to steal vast quantities of Ukrainian grain months before troops ever crossed the border," the newspaper writes.

According to new evidence collected by human rights experts, Russia was actively preparing to steal grain stocks that would deprive the Ukrainian population of food. Preparations for this began and continued for several months before Putin gave the order to invade Ukraine in February 2022.

Quote: "When Russian tanks did roll across the border on 24 February 2022 they deliberately targeted grain-rich areas and food production infrastructure first," says a new report by international human rights law firm Global Rights Compliance (GRC).

The GRC found that as early as December 2021, a Russian defence contractor began purchasing grain trucks as well as three new 170-metre dry cargo ships, indicating a pre-planned looting of Ukraine's food resources "on an unprecedented scale."

And less than a week after the invasion, Russia began seizing Ukrainian farms, stealing 12,000 tonnes of grain a day.

Evidence of a "highly coordinated level of pre-planning" will be provided to the International Criminal Court.

The GRC hopes it will lead to the first international prosecution against Putin for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.

It is highly likely that Russia will be found guilty, believes Catriona Murdoch, a partner at Global Rights Compliance.

And if that happens, Putin could face yet another ICC arrest warrant in addition to the one issued in March of this year for the illegal deportation of children from occupied Ukrainian territories.

"Russia not only deployed a multi-pronged approach by besieging civilian populations, destroying critical infrastructure, but it also pre-planned the seizure and pillage of agricultural commodities in an insidious plan. Moscow has sparked a global food crisis and attacked Ukraines agriculture sector as a warfare tactic," Murdoch said in an interview with The Independent.

Looted grain in Ukraine is currently estimated at US$1 billion per year. Several private Ukrainian grain companies were forcibly incorporated into the Russian state operator, the GRC reported.

In addition to affecting Ukrainian citizens, Russia's invasion has affected millions of people around the world, exacerbating global food insecurity as Ukraine was the world's largest producer of wheat before the conflict.

Satellite images shared by the GRC with The Independent show grain trucks at the facility in Melitopol with licence plates registered in occupied Crimea. In other pictures, it can be seen that the trains consisting of wagons with the inscription "grain" leave the Berdiansk railway station.

The GRC also noted job ads being posted in Russia that suggested the government was looking for truck drivers to transport vast quantities of stolen food.

The investigation into the grain theft continued until August of this year.

The GRC said that while Russia has not seized any grain-rich territory since then, it still controls the entire Crimean peninsula, one of the main regions from which grain is transported by sea to Russia and abroad.

GRC senior lawyer Yusuf Sayed Khan called Russia's use of Ukraine's grain industry an "unprecedented weapon in modern history."

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UNION GROVE, Wis. - A Racine County sheriff's deputy is being recognized for going the extra mile to serve the public.

Racine County Deputy Sheriff Preston Kite is the only law enforcement agent in the county who knows American Sign Language, and on Nov. 2, he saw an opportunity to spread the word.

"The other day I was in Union Grove I was patrolling, and I saw the signs that say for deaf children," said Kite.

SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News

A post on the Racine County Sheriff's Office Facebook page says on Nov. 2, Deputy Preston Kite: "went to the house, knocked on the door, and contacted the childs father. Deputy Kite explained that he is proficient in American Sign Language, and if his son would like to meet him, Deputy Kite offered to stop by later when the child was home. Deputy Kite provided the father with his business card and contact information. Deputy Kite encouraged the father to reach out to him if he could ever be of assistance with his son."

"I use it pretty often, actually," said Kite. "Youd be surprised. My supervisor said he was surprised at how many deaf people live in the county before I worked here. He was surprised."

Kite also serves as a resource office for neighboring counties, stepping in with his ASL skills when needed. "

"Whenever they encounter somebody who is deaf or hard of hearing that I can help with assisting with sign language," he added.

In the Facebook post, Racine County Sheriff Christopher Schmaling issued the following statement:

"Deputy Kite is an excellent example of how deputies use their unique skills and talents to serve the community."

The Union Grove family also took to Facebook to post a thank-you to Deputy Kite.

Deputy Kite encourages more law enforcement to learn how to communicate with the deaf or head of hearing with techniques such as visible lip-reading.
Less than three months ago, Republican presidential hopeful Vivek Ramaswamy was gaining traction in the polls, backed by a populist outsider message and an attention-grabbing performance at the first primary debate. Today, the Ohio entrepreneur is still stuck in the single digits in a thinning GOP primary pack.

Former President Donald Trump  whom Ramaswamy has defended and praised repeatedly  remains the front-runner for the GOP nomination. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley are competing to be seen as the main Trump alternative in a field that has grown smaller with the recent exits of former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott.

At the most recent Republican debate in Miami, Ramaswamy bet that attacking Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel, interrogating moderator Kristen Welker instead of answering the question posed to him and trying to ding Haley over her daughters use of TikTok would shift the national political spotlight on to him. It didnt. A 538/Washington Post/Ipsos poll of potential GOP primary voters who watched the debate found his unfavorability rating rising 12 points to 47%.

Ramaswamy and his team have recently moved to redistribute staff and resources. The campaign relocated most of the staff from Columbus, Ohio, to New Hampshire and Iowa  a move campaigns often make as a strategic Hail Mary to build momentum around a strong performance in an early nominating state. The staffing shift came days after the campaign announced an approximately $10 million ad buy in Iowa and New Hampshire, its first major one of the cycle.

The Ramaswamy campaign believes these moves, coupled with his confrontational rhetoric at the Miami debate, will translate to improvements in the polls  but not right away.

At this third debate, he definitely came out swinging, which I think everyone saw, and I think thats kind of the tone hes going to continue for the rest of the campaign, campaign senior adviser Tricia McLaughlin said. Weve been purely reliant on earned media and on-the-ground events. Were going to shift tactics in New Hampshire and Iowa. Were optimistic that between a strong debate performance and earned media, that hes going to start seeing some bumps. I dont think were going to see the difference until January.

McLaughlin pointed to internal campaign data that suggests polls of likely Republican primary voters may be underestimating Ramaswamys appeal. In the previous fundraising quarter, 38% of contributions came from donors who had never contributed to a Republican candidate before Ramaswamy, McLaughlin said.

Most telling to observers, though, has been Ramaswamys inability to retain the outsider message he used to break into national politics. Initially, the Ohio businessman framed his campaign as an America First outsider operation focused on recognizing the common man a la Trump. Ramaswamy and his team set aside time he could have spent in the early GOP nominating states to instead embark on a Michigan Unforgotten American Tour through the Wolverine State with stops in Flint, Saginaw and Big Rapids.

An Ivy League graduate, Ramaswamy, however, also has a tendency to engage in discussions that veer further into the academic and away from the red-meat appeals that conservative base supporters love. Regularly, Ramaswamy talks about foreign policy priorities such as strengthening space-based military capabilities and super-EMP weapons. He often goes deep on bolstering US trade relationships with countries such as India, Japan and Chile as a way to counter Chinas influence on the American economy. On Thursday, Ramaswamy is rolling out his policy on cryptocurrencies at the North American Blockchain Summit in Texas.

Michael Duncan, a Republican strategist and co-host of the Ruthless podcast, said Ramaswamy has veered too far into ShamWow conservatism in which a candidate tries to one-up his competitors on anything from speeches and intensity to policy proposals.

Its sad to see a candidate so smart and talented debase himself with trite sloganeering, Duncan said. I think its a symptom of following whats on Twitter all the time. If youre into cryptocurrencies and trading NFTs, you probably are really into what Vivek is having to say. But I think theres an upper limit to that audience. They may be very loud online but they do not represent anything close to a majority of the Republican electorate.

On Wednesday, the campaign doubled down on attacking McDaniel, launching a petition that called on the chairwoman to resign from the RNC. Ramaswamys argument is that McDaniel has presided over the committee during multiple campaign cycles that have seen Republican candidates fare poorly or underperform expectations.

Weve become a party of losers at the end of the day, Ramaswamy said during the Miami debate. I mean, since Ronna McDaniel took over as chairwoman of the RNC in 2017, we have lost 2018, 2020, 2022  no red wave that never came. We got trounced last night in 2023. And I think that we have to have accountability in our party.

Ramaswamys attacks on McDaniel and the RNC speak to a broader messaging strategy that prioritizes breadth and volume over a more tailored approach to campaigning. Hes spent extended portions of multiple public appearances articulating his views on the ongoing conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia. As part of his proposal to address abortion, hes repeatedly called for sexual responsibility for men to be codified into law, a policy he says would place a greater financial burden on fathers confirmed via paternity tests. On Veterans Day, he announced a plan to authorize veterans suffering from PTSD symptoms to use psychedelic drugs as part of their treatment.

Ramaswamy also spent time in New Hampshire in a one-on-one debate with Democratic Rep. Ro Khanna of California, a move that offers little strategic upside during the Republican primary.

Theres been little evidence that any of that has done him any favors. Where Haley has steadily gained in the polls amid a series of strong debate performances, the Ohio entrepreneurs position has remained stubbornly static.

For his part, Ramaswamy says his feuds and tangents allow him to present at his most comfortable self, which he believes will pay dividends with voters.

Im unrestrained in speaking what needs to be spoken that the other people are not saying about the Republican Party, about the Democrat Party, about the media. And my bet is that thats going to be the winning political strategy, he told CNNs Dana Bash following the debate last week. So, well go with the truth of where Im at my best, which is being unvarnished, being unshackled, speaking the truth, not just when its easy, but when its hard. And I think that our bet is that will be the successful approach.

One thing Ramaswamy is sticking to is running a unique campaign. After the third debate, he cut out time to go wakeboarding in Miami with social media influencer Kaz Sawyer. The two promised to do something even crazier before the next debate if the video of their wakeboarding excursion went viral.

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Illustration: Lex Villena

"When I first heard about the debate [over the origins of COVID-19]I assumed that the scientists were being honest with us," says Sen. Rand Paul (RKy.). But his mind changed after reading a May 2021 article self-published on Medium by former New York Times science journalist Nicholas Wade. "As I began looking at this, the evidence, I think, was very, very strong that it came from a lab."

Paul, who has a new book called Deception: The Great COVID Cover-Up, famously clashed with former National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) Director Anthony Fauci in multiple Senate hearings over the question of whether his agency funded risky "gain-of-function" research in Wuhan, China, that Paul believes may have resulted in the creation of the virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic. Gain-of-function research involves enhancing the transmissibility or deadliness of viruses in human tissue. Fauci denied ever funding such research, telling Paul in July 2021, "You do not know what you're talking about."

But Paul tells Reason that the evidence that Fauci was lying has been piling up since then.

"It's a felony to lie to Congress," says Paul. "It's punishable by up to five years in prison."

He referred the matter to Attorney General Merrick Garland for criminal prosecution but says he's received no reply.

"It is a huge cover-up [by] not just Anthony Fauci, but throughout the government. Eight different departments of government," says Paul. "The [National Institutes of Health (NIH)] is more secretive at this point than the CIA."

Paul has introduced multiple bills and amendments to cut public funding for gain-of-function research, to reform how the federal government funds scientific research, and to prohibit government officials from meeting with social media companies for the purpose of censoring legal speech.

"If Twitter wants to censor me or YouTube wants to take my speech down because I say masks don't work, that is their prerogative," says Paul. "But I do think that a consistent libertarian position is telling the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention], [President Joe] Biden's spokesmenthat they can't be meeting on a weekly basis with either overt or implied threats of, 'You need to do this or else.'"

Watch the full interview here and find a condensed transcript below.

Reason: A central question in your book is, "Did the U.S. government fund research in Wuhan that directly led to the COVID-19 pandemic?" How strong do you think the evidence for that is at this point?

Paul: Well, you know, when I first heard about the debate or the debate began in spring of 2020, I assumed that the scientists were being honest with us, that previously pandemics had started in animals and been transmitted to humans. The first SARS epidemic in 2002, 2003, came from civet cats. They found the cats. They found that the handlers had antibodies, and then a group of scientists in the spring of 2020 said this is what happened. I really didn't pay much attention to it. But gradually, over about a year's time, particularly reading Nicholas Wade's article on Medium and other articles about this. Alina Chan's work and her book, [Viral].

As I began looking at this, the evidence, I think, was very, very strong that it came from a lab. First of all, they checked 80,000 animals in China and found no animals that had the virus. They checked the blood of the people who handled the animals to see if they had antibodies to the virus. That didn't occur either. They also looked at the genetic diversity of the original people that were getting ill. If a virus is coming from animals, it usually tries to take multiple leaps because it's not very contagious in the beginning. And so you have multiple different genetic varieties from the get-go. This one seemed to have a single source and a single genetic variety, very homogenous. Most people think that that also adds strength to the argument that it came from the lab. So the evidence, really, as I began to look at it, looked as if it probably came from the lab.

Then we found evidence that Anthony Fauci and the other scientists weren't being honest with us, that they were saying in private exactly what I was beginning to conclude, and that's that the virus, the evidence looked like the virus was manipulated and that they were very concerned because they do gain-of-function research in that lab. But in public, they were still telling me, and Fauci responded angrily to me, that the NIH never funded gain-of-function research in Wuhan. It turns out in private, though, he was saying the opposite. He was acknowledging that it happened and that they had indeed funded it. So these things began to add up. But, in particular, the conversations [where] the scientists were saying one thing privately and saying another publicly is what really got me involved, intrigued in this issue, and really motivated me to bring it all together into this book.

How do you reflect on one of your famous exchanges with Fauci from July 2021, where you're asking him to correct the record after he denied that the government ever funded gain-of-function research?

Well, it's a great clip in the sense that his response is that his experts at the NIH have judged this up and down the chain, have judged this not to be gain-of-function research. Well, this is very intriguing. So what we have been requesting for two years is the discussion. If his scientists discussed and debated and concluded that this was not gain-of-function research, let us see the deliberations.

So one of two things are possible. Either he's overstating the case and the deliberations never took place or the deliberations took place and aren't quite as clear-cut as he's making it. And so far, the NIH has refused to reveal any of these documents. So these are not classified documents. But still, the NIH is more secretive at this point than the CIA. We can't get NIH documents or [Department of Health and Human Services] documents. There are several different articles or descriptions of discussions that we want. We have the name of them. They send it to us and it'll be 250 pages long, all redacted. So it's making it impossible for us to assess the truth, to have oversight. But it's also impossible for us to fix the problem if they don't let us examine what happened this time around.

There was a redacted email that really made me start to consider the level of deception that might be at play here. It was this February 2020 email that Fauci sent. This was with his inner circle of scientists talking about this phone call where they all agreed they were concerned early on that this was a lab leak. That concern was heightened by the fact, they say, that scientists in Wuhan University are known to have been working on gain-of-function experiments. It's clear in your book that you believe there's likely a level of deception here. If that proves to be true, what sort of consequences should there be?

You know, it's a crime, it's a felony to lie to Congress. It's punishable by up to five years in prison. After we determined that Fauci did lie to Congress, that indeed he had funded gain-of-function research, we submitted the evidence to the attorney general, to Merrick Garland, but unfortunately, he's not done anything with it.

A year later, when more evidence accrued, we referred him again for criminal prosecution. And yet nothing has been done. But the thing is, is that everything that he's saying there in private in that email, he's basically admitting it was gain of function. He knows that they funded it. He knows that the virus looks manipulated. And yet, at the same time, he was saying that this is essentiallyFebruary 1 of 2020, four days later, he commissions an article to be written in a journal by his cohorts. In the paper that they publish at Fauci's behest, they say explicitly that a lab-constructed virus is not a plausible idea at all. Not even plausible, not really to them, virtually possible. They in fact conclude in the abstract of that paper that COVID is not a laboratory constructnot that it probably isn't, it is not a laboratory construct. Meanwhile, saying privately, they think it's most likely. We have several of these scientists saying 80:20, 80 percent lab, 20 percent nature, you know, 50:50 some of them are saying.

Meanwhile, in public, they're acting with surety, they're acting with complete confidence. But really what they're doing is issuing a "nothing to see here" notice. It's a "cover your ass." Basically, they don't want people to draw the linkage because they know they're responsible for funding this research and that ultimately, culpability for the pandemic will attach to them. So it is a huge cover-up [by] not just Anthony Fauci, but throughout the government. Eight different departments of government were funding this type of research, and that's just the nonclassified. We think there's still more to be found.

One of the research papers that was leaked by a whistleblower is from 2018, where Dr. Shi [Zhengli] from Wuhan, Dr. [Ralph] Baric from UNC, and Dr. Peter Daszak [from] EcoHealth were asking for money and they wanted to take the coronavirus and insert a special cleavage site into it that makes it more infectious in humans. It's called a furin cleavage site. Well, that one didn't get funded, but that's exactly what COVID is. It is a coronavirus with a human cleavage site in it [that's] never been seen in nature. And yet when they saw COVIDyou'd think if you were one of the people on that grant, you would have immediately called Fauci and said, holy cow, this new virus has the same sequence as the same grant that we're looking for in 2018 that we were going to help them with, beware, this is more evidence. And yet nobody told the public this. If they told Fauci, he suppressed it and we only found out about it not from record releases, but from a whistleblower who actually came forward and gave us this information. This is the real problem.

There's this enormous cover-up within the government, and we still have to have the information come out because Democrats still need to be convinced that there is a problem, that we need to do something about gain-of-function research to try to prevent this kind of accident from happening again.

You write at length about the whistleblower, U.S. Marine Major Joseph Murphy. Can you tell us about that?

The best theory is that the Chinese created a virus, COVID, in order to try to create a vaccine, to oppose it, to try to create a vaccine that would work for all coronaviruses. The person who was working on these vaccines, we know his nameGeneral Zhou Yusenand he's developing this vaccine sometime in 2019. But he has to have somebody develop a mutant coronavirus that actually infects humans well. We think that's what COVID wasdeveloped in the lab to create the vaccine. We also know that Zhou Yusen got a vaccine, and he has it created by February of 2020. And most people think there's no way he could have gotten it that quickly unless he had been working on it for some time. We also know that this general dies mysteriously two months later. So there's a lot to be said here that what was going on is the creation of a virus, creating a gain-of-function coronavirus that would infect humans easily, and then creating a vaccine from that. And what happened is that it accidentally got out of the lab.

We also actually know the names of the three scientists who got sick in November of 2019. We actually know the names. Some people say these are patient zero and they got sick in November 2019. And yet the Chinese didn't admit to anything going on till January. Even in January, second week of January, the Chinese are still saying, "Oh, nothing to see here." We don't think it's transmittable between humans. Meanwhile, it's been cooking and growing for three months and they knew that wasn't true.

How should science funding in this country change, given the facts we've learned through this discovery?

We know this debate has been going on a long time. Some scientists engineered avian flu and made it transmittable through the air among mammals. And people were very concerned because avian flu is very deadly in humans. But fortunately, it doesn't infect humans very easily. So they had a big debate and they shut down gain-of-function research between 2014 and 2016. The problem was Anthony Fauci kept giving exemptions to all the people that were doing this research. And then in 2017, the pause on gain-of-function funding expires, and they set up a new committee, a pandemic pathogen committee that's supposed to review things for safety. All those things sound good, but then none of the Wuhan research ever went before the committee. In fact, the chair of the committee told me they only looked at three projects out of probably possibly hundreds of these gain-of-function grants that they were looking at.

I think you probably need a committee of scientists as well as people in the national security theater who are aware of what kind of weapons can be made from these viruses. You need them looking at it and trying to decide whether the taxpayers should fund this. I think rather than a blanket ban of just saying no gain of function, the problem is if you say no gain of functionAnthony Fauci already says all of these experiments, which were obviously gain of function, were not. So he just defines himself out of the rules, and I think they'll continue to do that.

But I think you need a committee. And the other thing about the committee is it has to be independent. They have to be able to review any grant throughout government. And they also can't be the same people getting the money. So, for example, there's Kristian Andersen, who does Fauci's bidding to write a paper, saying, "Nothing to see here." He got a $9 million grant the next month. So you can't have the people involved with determining whether something [is] safe also be getting grants from the people that are judging the safety. That's too incestuous to be a real oversight, but we think it can be done. Our hope still is that we could get a bipartisan bill out of this. We continue to try to work with Democrats every day to get them interested in the issue. The hardest part is just the lack of curiosity. The Democrats haven't really cared much about this. A million Americans died, and Democrats seem to be blase about doing anything about it.

You also suggest in the book some sorts of controls over the actual materials that are used in labs to manipulate viruses, or bacteria, or other life forms. We're in the synthetic biology age now. How do you think about trade-offs in terms of not stifling scientific progress while at the same time making sure we don't have rogue groups creating super viruses that cause a global pandemic?

Most research goes to universities and to grant agencies giving to the universities. And so I think that can be policed through some sort of safety committee application of judging what is safe and what is not safe. But we live in an era, you're right, an era of synthetic biology. You can order, on the internet, the RNA to create the poliovirus. You can literally get on the internet right now and order the bits of it. If you know how to put it together, you can create the poliovirus from nothing. It's almost as if you're creating life. Now, a virus may not really be life because it has to live in a living cell, but essentially you're creating something that you can put into and basically bring alive from nothing. So I think there should be some rules on ordering this. We don't let you buy centrifuges online. We don't let you enrich uranium in your basement. This is, I think, equivalent to nuclear weapons and how many people can die from this. And so even being a libertarian and not believing in many government rules, this is one of the exceptions that I think the government could participate in.

The other thing is that since the government funds so much of this, even as a libertarian, there's no real restriction on how much you want to regulate government or regulate the expenditure of government funds. So I think there needs to be a great deal more done to this. And probably 9599 percent of it will be government funds that need to be regulated more strictly.

One of the major frustrations throughout this entire ordeal is the way that speech was suppressed during the pandemic. I know you experienced that yourself. You were kicked off YouTube for your comments about masks. And we now know thanks to the Twitter Files, the FBI paid about $3.4 million to Twitter between October 20, 2020, and February 19, 2021, for its efforts to comply with their information requests. And you recently asked FBI Director Christopher Wray about that in a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee meeting. He said that they simply are compensating Twitter for taking actions to address criminal activity, not to engage in censorship. Do you believe him?

Well, he may be telling the truth. I think it's an open question, but there's the FBI. But there's also the Department of Homeland Security. We do know that they were working with Stanford University on internet oversight of all kinds of things, not just whether elections are being influenced by Russians, but whether or not what people are saying about vaccines [is true].

We do know from the Twitter Files that they have acknowledgedand also from the Missouri v. Biden depositionsthat they have acknowledged that even things they felt to be true but harmful to the government position deserve to be censored.

The important part of this debate, though, is that we not get carried away. Many people on the right are carried away with how terrible Big Tech is, and they now want to regulate Big Tech or force Big Tech to take their opinions. I don't believe in that at all. Where I've decided to place my emphasis is on the government half of this equation. If the government is meeting with Twitter and paying Twitter to encourage them to take down constitutionally protected speech, we should limit government from that interaction. Government shouldn't be involved with trying to limit constitutionally protected speech. However, if Twitter wants to censor me or YouTube wants to take my speech down because I say masks don't work, that is their prerogative. They're a private company and I would never want to stop them. But it's important that we make this distinction because there are many on the right-wing populist part of particularly the Republican Party, who are saying, let's just tell Twitter they have to take conservative viewpoints or let's mandate [that]. I don't want that at all.

But I do think that a consistent libertarian position is telling the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, CDC, and the Biden White House that they can't be meeting on a weekly basis with either overt or implied threats of, "You need to do this or else." We know from the Missouri v. Biden case that there actually were threats of antitrust action being brought against Big Tech or getting rid of their liability protection if they didn't toe the line. That, to me, is a clear infringement of the First Amendment, and I think is going to be the decision that will be agreed upon by the Supreme Court hopefully in the near future.

This interview has been condensed and edited for style and clarity.

The post Rand Paul on the Lab Leak 'Deception' appeared first on Reason.com.
An archery deer hunter shot and killed a protected cougar while fearing for his safety, according to the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources.

Randy Johnson, a large carnivore specialist with the department, told Wisconsin Public Radio the hunter was in a tree stand with his bow on Saturday, Nov. 11, when he spotted movement.

The last thing I think he was expecting was a cougar, Johnson told the outlet. He said the hunter tried to scare off the creature, but it didnt leave.

At some point, the hunter felt unsafe and decided to shoot the cat, according to a Nov. 15 news release from the state department. The hunter in Buffalo County reported the shooting to wildlife officials, who then collected the carcass and opened an investigation.

Cougars, also called mountain lions, are protected in Wisconsin, officials said. Because of their protection status, state conservation wardens investigated the shooting and presented findings to the Buffalo County District Attorney.

After careful review and consideration, no charges will be filed, officials said.

Cougars can only be shot in Wisconsin if the animal is threatening someones safety or preying upon livestock, according to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

Cougars are native to Wisconsin, officials said, but they were extirpated in the early 1900s. Since then, state wildlife officials have not found evidence of a breeding population.

In the last 20 years, observations of cougars have been increasing but are still rare, with an average of 15-20 reports verified by the (state) annually, according to the release. All evidence to date suggests that most, if not all, of these observations are of dispersing individuals from established populations out west. Dispersing cougars also do not tend to stay in one location for long and have been recorded traveling up to 1,600 miles.

It is believed this is the first time a hunter has killed a cougar in Wisconsin in about 115 years, according to Wisconsin Public Radio.

Buffalo County is on the western edge of Wisconsin, about 100 miles southeast of Minneapolis.

What to do if you see a mountain lion

Mountain lions are typically calm, quiet and elusive, according to the National Park Service. While attacks involving mountain lions are rare, they are possible.

Even so, the potential for being killed or injured by a mountain lion is quite low compared to many other natural hazards, the National Park Service said on its website. There is a far greater risk, for example, of being killed in an automobile accident with a deer than of being attacked by a mountain lion.

Officials said there are some things you do take to prevent a mountain lion encounter from becoming an attack.

Stay calm and back away slowly.

Face the lion and stand up straight.

Dont approach a mountain lion, especially if its with kittens.

Dont run. It could stimulate a mountain lions chase instincts.

Pick up small children so they dont panic or run away.

Dont bend over or crouch down.

Throw things at the mountain lion if it continues to move toward you.

If the mountain lion attacks, fight back using anything around you.

Report all sightings, encounters or attacks to local park rangers or law enforcement.

Wait, thats not a buck. Trail camera captures a wild first for Oklahoma county

Mountain lion scratches hiker as it lunges at dog on California trail, officials say

Mountain lion disrupts golf tournament, is killed after 2-day hunt, NE officials say
About two miles from downtown Myrtle Beach at the Ocean Woods Cemetery, Wilford Harrelson rests below a nondescript marker that gives no clue about the thousands of memories he helped create.

Not only was Harrelson the citys first mayor, but in 1927 he opened Delta Drug Co., the Grand Strands first pharmacy inside the six-block Chapin Company complex, which closed its doors in 1992.

This 1951 pocket calendar was from Delta Drug Co., located for years in Myrtle Beach as the Grand Strands first pharmacy

I remember in our days in Myrtle Beach how much of our community business was simply showing up and dropping off or picking up, Sandy Scrantom said of his childhood memories. No money was transferred then. It was billed out to the parents/business . You never had to tell them who you were. They knew you. You knew and trusted them all.

Chapins decades-long run as a premier one-stop shop destination in the citys heart helped get Myrtle Beachs downtown added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2019.

In 1960, the then Myrtle Beach and Ocean Beach News lauded Chapins.

The history of Chapin Company is the life story of Myrtle Beach, demonstrating the immense impact the store had on the community, according to an excerpt included in the National Register application.

Edwards 5-cent, 10-cent and $1 store carried a rich cultural legacy

By the time Edward Kronsberg opened his 819 N. Kings Highway shop in 1952, the College of Charleston-educated businessman had seven other branches running across the state, including in Conway.

When the store opened in May 1952, it was described as modern in every respect, including air conditioning, color-right lights, chrome display fixtures, and an open storefront, a description in the National Register application states.

A Kronsberg grand opening was front-page news: an estimated 15,000 people attended the start of business at a Charleston store in 1949 according to the Jewish Merchant Project.

The Kozy Korner emerged as one of Myrtle Beachs go-to eateries in the citys early days

Anchoring 815 Main Street for nearly a century, the once-booming Kozy Korner restaurant still holds a place as one of the citys most distinctive buildings with its flatiron shape. It was also one of the citys first eateries to boast air conditioning.

Eventually, Kozy Korner would become Kings Kastle  Myrtle Beachs first fast food joint. In the 1960s, the space was subdivided and used for retail including womens clothing stores. Its 8,220 square feet of retail space offers income sources and is zoned for commercial, mixed use and as art space.

Today, Kozy Korner is occupied by Willas Kitchen.

Main Street was also home to Helen Mates elegant formal wear business thats being renovated as part of the citys efforts to revive the Broadway Theater.

Her dress shop closed in 1970 after a 23-year run, just as the era of big box stores and super-sized malls was beginning to draw consumer attention away from the locally owned businesses that powered Americas urban economies for more than a century.

The headquarters of a former lumber company is on track to become an arts haven

In 1957, the Myrtle Beach Lumber Company opened at 801 Broadway Street, eventually expanding in 1968. Although it merged with Seacoast Building Centers in the early 1970s, the company was able to show how versatile the citys economy could be. The brick building, with a flat roof and large street-facing windows also had a slanted sign common among mid-century architecture.

It also served as the long-time home of downtown instrument shop Star Music and today the 8,844-square-foot site falls under the citys new ART zoning code:

As a year-round destination for both residents and visitors, the districts primary uses are supported by a wide range of businesses that help to maintain a vibrant atmosphere. Building design is in harmony with the character of the area and establishes a continuity of pedestrian-oriented frontages between adjacent buildings, the citys zoning ordinance explains.
Isabel Johnston, left, and John Papandrea carry signs supporting Starbucks workers outside a Starbucks on New Yorks Upper West Side on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. Thousands of workers at more than 200 U.S. Starbucks stores plan to walk off the job Thursday in what organizers say is the largest strike yet in the two-year-old effort to unionize the companys stores. | Richard Drew, Associated Press

The Workers United union targeted Starbucks Red Cup Day to stage a one-day walkout at more than 200 of the coffee retailers locations across the U.S. in an action organizers said was the biggest strike yet in an ongoing unionizing effort.

The union scheduled the event to coincide with one of the busiest days of the year for Seattle-based Starbucks outlets where customers can get a free reusable cup with the purchase of a specialty holiday beverage. Workers United expected 5,000 workers to participate in a day that included picketing and visits with employees at non-union stores.

Starbucks employees were early in during a period of U.S. labor activism that has seen strikes by workers at Amazon, U.S. auto manufacturing plants and by Hollywood writers and actors. More than 360 company-operated Starbucks stores in 41 states have voted to unionize since late 2021, according to a report from The Associated Press. And, at least 457,000 workers have participated in 315 strikes in the U.S. just this year, according to Johnnie Kallas, a Ph.D. candidate and the project director of Cornell Universitys Labor Action Tracker.

Related

This is the second consecutive year that Workers United has staged an action on Red Cup Day with employees at about 110 stores participating last year. CNN reports that most stores remained open through previous work stoppage actions, bringing in employees from non-union stores to maintain operations amid the strikes.

Juniper Schweitzer, who has worked for Starbucks for 16 years, said she loves the company and its ideals but believes its not living up to those ideals in an interview with AP.

They have promised the world to us and they have not delivered, said Schweitzer, who was picketing outside her Chicago store on Thursday.

Frequent promotions like Red Cup Day or buy one, get one free offers put added stress on workers, she said, who have no ability to switch off mobile orders or otherwise control the workflow.

I mean, you can imagine the Starbucks orders. Decaf grande non-fat, three-and-a-half Splenda mocha with no whip. Multiply that by 100 and you have just drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, drink, she said. We just have basically an infinite amount of drinks and were understaffed and were underpaid and were sick of it.

There are about 10,000 company-owned and operated Starbucks outlets in the U.S. and while about 9,000 employees work at locations that have union representation, the company has not negotiated a labor contract and continues to push back against ongoing labor organization efforts.

We remain committed to working with all partners, side-by-side, to elevate the everyday, and we hope that Workers Uniteds priorities will shift to include the shared success of our partners and negotiating contracts for those they represent, said a statement from the company, which uses the term partners to describe its employees. Starbucks remains ready to progress in-person negotiations with the unions certified to represent partners.

But the union insists it is the company that is the obstacle to reaching its first contract, per a report from CNN. The union earlier this fall filed an unfair labor practice charge with the National Labor Relations Board over Starbucks refusal to bargain around promotion days.

Promotion days like Red Cup Day and Buy One Get One Free offers cause a flood of customers to stores, without any additional staffing to cover the influx in orders, said the unions statement. On Red Cup Day, drink orders pile up and are abandoned, lines are out the door, and Starbucks workers are left to handle angry customers who have had to wait as much longer than usual for their beverages and food all while trying to make complicated holiday specialty beverages as fast as possible. When the supply of red cups runs out, customers get disappointed and often take their anger out on workers.
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announced it has welcomed a new red panda.

A two-year-old female red panda named Marcy arrived at the zoo on Oct. 24 from North Dakota.

Marcy joins another female red panda, Xia, who has been at the zoo since 2012. Both can be seen in the Forest Passage red panda exhibit toward the front of the park.

The initial goal when receiving a new red panda is to acclimate the animal to the many new experiences her new home provides, from meeting and understanding her new keepers and the daily activity of the space to learning every square inch of her home; location of food, water, and bathrooms; the movement of our guests; and the new sights, sounds, smells, said Lead Keeper Ray Bamrick. It is a great change to her life, and we work very hard at making these changes gradual and comforting.

Back in July, the zoos male red panda, Kovu, died. At the time, Bamrick said he was a representative for his endangered wild cousins.

According to the zoo, maintaining the presence of red pandas in zoos is of the utmost importance to learn about their biology and guard against extinction as humans continue to encroach on their ideal habitat.

The goal is to provide comfort and opportunity for each panda, to coexist peacefully, to interact with their keepers, and have a long, exceptional quality of life, said Bamrick. We look forward to guests getting to know her better.

Download the FREE WPXI News app for breaking news alerts.

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Body of man who jumped from Hulton Bridge found in Ohio River 6 Pittsburgh area Starbucks to strike on Red Cup Day Nobody had my permission: Mother speaking out after her sons hair was cut by barber at school VIDEO: Brentwood Borough plans to consolidate 2 elementary schools, build new one DOWNLOAD the Channel 11 News app for breaking news alerts
FILE- A Myanmarese looks towards the Indian side at the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram, India, Saturday, March 20, 2021. More than half of the estimated 5,000 refugees who had fled the heavy fighting in Myanmars western Chin state and had entered Indias northeastern Mizoram state have begun returning home, Indian officials said Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. (AP Photo/Anupam Nath, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

GUWAHATI, India (AP)  More than half of the estimated 5,000 refugees who had fled the heavy fighting in Myanmars western Chin state and had entered northeastern India have begun returning home, Indian officials said Thursday.

Sunday and Monday saw heavy fighting between the rebels and the Myanmar military in the Chin state across the border from Zokhawthar, a village of around 600 households, in India's Mizoram state. The military junta lost control of some areas after rebels, largely belonging to the Chin National Front, seized two military posts.

Since Wednesday, we have not heard sounds of airstrikes or gunfire across the border. We presume the situation across Mizoram border in Myanmar is returning to normal, leading to most of the 5,000 refugees returning back, James Lalrinchhana, the Deputy Commissioner of Champhai district in Mizoram, told The Associated Press.

The fighting also forced 40 troops from the Myanmar army to cross over and take shelter in India.

The troops crossed to India on Monday, and the Indian Air Force airlifted them to neighbouring Manipur state from where they crossed into Myanmar the next day, according to an Indian defense official who requested anonymity because he wasnt authorized to speak publicly.

India shares a 1,643-kilometer (1,020-mile) border with Myanmar, and is home to thousands of refugees from Myanmar in different states.

The Arakan Army, one of the many ethnic insurgent groups active in Myanmar, along with the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Taang National Liberation Army, launched a coordinated offensive on Oct. 27 in northern Shan state in northeastern Myanmar along the border with China.

The groups called themselves the "Three Brotherhood Alliance."

The alliance has claimed widespread victories and Myanmar's military government has acknowledged losing control of three towns, including a major border crossing for trade with China.

The attacks took place despite a yearlong cease-fire with Myanmars military government, which the Arakan Army called off Tuesday.

The Arakan Army is the well-trained and well-armed military wing of the Rakhine ethnic minority movement seeking autonomy from the central government.

Rakhine is also known by its older name of Arakan. Its the site of a brutal army counterinsurgency operation in 2017 that drove about 740,000 minority Rohingya Muslims to seek safety across the border in Bangladesh.

Anti-junta rebels across Myanmar appear to have been emboldened to target symbols of the junta-led government in Myanmar, experts say.

Forces like the CNF were obviously monitoring the situation in the northern Shan state bordering China where the rebels were attacking the government soldiers. Rebels in the western Chin state, bordering India, also intensified their offensive, said Arunav Goswami, a researcher with the Guwahati-based Centre for Development and Peace Studies.

The offensive in the northern part of Shan state was already seen as a significant challenge for the army, which has struggled to contain a nationwide uprising by the members of Peoples Defense Force. The pro-democracy resistance organization was formed after the army seized power from Aung San Suu Kyis elected government in February 2021. It also set up loose alliances with several of the ethnic armed groups.
A logistical hub and dry port to export grain, named the Horonda Platform, will be created in the western Zakarpattia Oblast, the regional administration said on Nov. 16.

The Horonda Platform will be constructed partially using funding from Italian investors and will create over 200 jobs.

"This project is especially important in war conditions," said Zakarpattia Oblast governor Viktor Mykyta.

Before the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the vast majority of grain shipped out of Ukraine was shipped out of ports on the Black Sea.

After Russia unilaterally withdrew from the Black Sea Grain initiative in July 2023, which allowed ships to transport grain out of Ukrainian ports, the transit of grain has significantly slowed.

Ukraine opened a humanitarian corridor in August to allow some traffic to continue, but it is a fraction of the pre-war total. As a result, overland routes have become increasingly important.

The planned Horonda Platform will include storage facilities for grain and oil, multi-gauge railway tracks, and other terminal services, according to the project's website.

Situated less than 30 kilometers from both the border with Hungary and Slovakia, it will be "the largest European-Ukrainian intermodal logistics center and dry port in Transcarpatia."

Mykyta said that it will be an important opportunity for regional economic development, as well as increasing the transport and logistics ties with neighboring countries.

Construction of the first stage of the Horonda Platform, the intermodal port, will begin in 2024, with the project aiming to be fully completed by 2030.

Read also: Is Ukraines new Black Sea corridor working? Experts say it has potential

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
ST. LOUIS  A major Missouri marijuana manufacturer is having its license revoked. Regulators say that Delta Extraction was using out-of-state cannabis and violating other rules. The revocation will take effect on Dec. 2, 2023.

Missouri recalled more than 60,000 marijuana products sold in dispensaries by the company in August. No one has reported any adverse reactions to the products. But, regulators are likely more concerned about businesses following the rules outlined in the state constitution.

Amy Moore, director of the Missouri Division of Cannabis Regulation, stated, Businesses that choose to participate in Missouris marijuana industry do not get to decide which rules and which parts of Article XIV they want to follow.

Stolen, found, sold: Auto tow lot auction shock

A suspension order was issued this August. Delta Extraction admitted to violating regulations by sourcing THC-A from outside the state. Delta Extraction was given an opportunity to address the violations. The DCR proceeded with the revocation, emphasizing the importance of following regulations in Missouris marijuana industry.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 2.
Much Ado

A London-based smartphone startup dubbed Nothing  yes, just Nothing  is readying to launch an app called Nothing Chats, a messaging service that turns tragic green Android texts into blue-bubbled iMessages, The New York Times reports.

Green bubble stigma exists. Those with Androids are cursed with the anxiety of ruining group chat vibes, not being able to seamlessly press the little heart and exclamation reacts on messages, and oft-wretched photo and video quality. Nothing Chats, which is powered by blue bubble-ifying tech from Sunbird, seeks to remedy green bubble stressors for its users  sans the need to actually succumb to the pressure of buying an iPhone, that is.

"We understand that the blue bubble vs. green bubble dilemma, especially in North America  although seemingly ridiculous  is real," Carl Pei, Nothing's CEO and cofounder, told the NYT in a statement. "Nothing Chats allows for freedom of communication between anyone regardless of their brand of smartphone  which is how it should be."

Nothing

Per the NYT, Nothing Chats does have some drawbacks. Those adorable and convenient react buttons don't quite work yet, and sometimes it apparently takes several tries to successfully send a message. It's also not exactly open-invite, either: for the time being, Nothing Chats will only be available for users of Nothing's Phone (2). Yes, it's called the Phone (2).

But if you're a non-Nothing Android user, you're not totally out of luck. Although the waitlist is astronomical, an open-source app called Beeper also allows Android users access to iMessage. And for the tech-savvy Android users among us who don't want to hang out in Beeper's waiting room for the foreseeable future, another open-source platform, BlueBubbles, might also be a good option.

Should apps like this climb in popularity, it'll be interesting to see what action Apple takes. The folks behind Nothing Chat don't seem too worried, though. They say it's perfectly legal, and after all, according to them, they're making texting better for everyone  Apple and Android users alike.

"There's nothing illegal about this setup," Pei told the NYT, adding that the company is "so small that it will look really bad if Apple takes any action."

"We don't see a scenario where Apple tries to, or can, block these messages," added Danny Mizrahi, CEO of the app developer, Sunbird. "Apple's focus has openly been on providing the best experience to their end users and both Nothing Chats and Sunbird help with that."

More on Android: Android App Busted Secretly Recording Users' Lives
Thirty years since the passage of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, religious liberty rights remain essential, but theyre increasingly devalued and misunderstood, according to Sen. James Lankford, a Republican from Oklahoma.

For some lawmakers and community leaders, issues like ending anti-LGBTQ discrimination and protecting abortion rights now take precedence over defending people of faith, which puts religious freedoms future at risk, Lankford said Thursday during a webinar on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act hosted by the Orrin G. Hatch Foundation.

There are some folks whose highest value is abortion or sexual orientation and gender identity issues  that trumps everything else. And theyd say, If you disagree with my opinion on those things, you need to be silent and you need to be isolated, he said.

To defend religious freedom today requires consistently making the case that conscience rights benefit everyone, said Lankford and other panelists.

Elected officials on both the left and right have constituents who need (the Religious Freedom Restoration Act) in order to live out their religious beliefs, said Eric Baxter, vice president and senior counsel at Becket. Preserving its basic structure really is important for everyone.

Related

Religious freedom and gay rights

In 1993, when the Religious Freedom Restoration Act was passed, there was a stronger consensus around the value of faith-based protections.

Democrats, Republicans and a wide variety of faith groups, including The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, worked together on the law, which passed the House unanimously on a voice vote and the Senate 97-3, as the Deseret News previously reported.

But by the late 1990s, it was already becoming more difficult to pass faith-related laws. Early debates about legalizing same-sex marriage and ending anti-LGBTQ discrimination exposed how difficult it can be to protect religious freedom and LGBTQ civil rights at the same time.

Today, some Americans worry that religious liberty laws are causing harm, Lankford said.

People will stop me and say, You can either be supportive of religious liberty or supportive of the LGBTQ community, but youve got to pick a side, he said during the webinar.

Beliefs like those explain why some gay rights bills currently in front of Congress aim to limit the scope of the Religious Freedom Restoration Act, he added.

And its not just more liberal leaders who sometimes see people of faith as an impediment to their policy goals, Lankford said, noting that hes seen legislation on building a border wall that would have created a carveout in the Religious Freedom Restoration Act to avoid lawsuits from Native Americans who worry about the wall cutting across sacred lands.

I would push people to ... think about this deeply and not just go for what their preferences are, he said, noting that, the right of conscience is the most precious possession you have in your soul.

Educating the public

Modern efforts to strengthen religious freedom protections, or at least to maintain existing laws, are threatened by more than ongoing culture war battles, panelists said. The rise of the nones, or people who dont affiliate with a religious community, also leads to confusion about and, in some cases, discomfort with religious liberty rights.

Religious liberty has a big PR problem, said Jennie Bradley Lichter, deputy general counsel for The Catholic University of America. People who arent personally religious often struggle to see the continued importance of religious liberty.

Christopher Bates, deputy solicitor general in the Utah attorney generals office, agreed, noting that supporters of laws like the Religious Freedom Restoration Act need to proactively explain to people why those policies matter and what theyve achieved.

The acts application across all issues and areas is something thats important and needs to be protected, he said.

Although the Religious Freedom Restoration Act is often associated with lawsuits brought by Christians, its strength is that it protects everyone equally, Baxter said.

Cases brought under the act have protected a wide range of beliefs, he said. The people protected most often are from minority religions.

All Americans should be able to see the value in allowing everyone to have a faith, change their faith, live their faith in public or private, or have no faith at all, as the Founders did, Lankford said.
A man who attacked Rep. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) in her apartment building earlier this year was sentenced Thursday to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty.

Kendrid Khalil Hamlin, 27, followed the Minnesota congresswoman into an elevator in her apartment building Feb. 9, according to court documents. He told her he planned to use her restroom, and when she declined, he punched her in the face and tried to stop her from reaching the elevator key pad. Craig threw a cup of hot coffee on Hamlin, after which he let her go and she ran from the elevator.

Craig sustained injuries including an abrasion on her lip, bruising and pain around where Hamlin hit her. In a victim impact statement filed with the court earlier this week, the Democratic lawmaker said her mental and emotional recovery is ongoing.

While this case has received much attention because I am a Member of Congress, that morning I was simply a woman followed into an elevator by a man and assaulted there, Craig wrote.

Craig continued that her sense of safety and security has been significantly impacted, causing her to seek professional help to address anxiety and self-defense training.

I sincerely hope Mr. Hamlin, during his incarceration and subsequent conditions of release, is provided the mental health and addiction services that will allow him to become a productive member of society, Craig wrote. Until that occurs, given his history of previous convictions and my own experience, I believe he would continue to be a further threat to others.

During his sentencing Thursday, Hamlin apologized to Craig and said he intends to seek schizophrenia and substance abuse treatment, according to The Associated Press.

I really do apologize to Angie Craig for putting my hands on her, and also the officers, he said.

Hamlins parents also addressed the court, calling the attack horrifying and describing unsuccessful efforts to get Hamlin effective treatment for more than a decade.

Hamlin pleaded guilty in June to assaulting Craig and law enforcement officers who later confronted him. U.S. District Judge James Boasberg addressed Hamlins mental health issues and said he would recommend the sentence be served in a Bureau of Prisons medical facility, The Associated Press reported.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Scoop

Rep. George Santos will not run for reelection following a damning report from the House Ethics Committee, Santos told Semafor on Thursday.

The committee released the report after a months-long investigation into Santos, who has been indicted for fraud, credit card theft, and lying to the FEC, among other charges.

Santos conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office, and has brought severe discredit upon the House, the committee said Thursday. House Ethics Committee Chairman Michael Guest told CQ Roll Call said he would file a motion to expel Santos this week, setting up a vote for when lawmakers return from Thanksgiving recess. The ranking Democrat on the committee, Rep. Susan Wild, D-Pa. announced she would support it.

Santos confirmed his future plans on X, calling the probe a disgusting politicized smear but adding that he would resign because his family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time.

I am humbled yet again and reminded that I am human and I have flaws, but I will not stand by as I am stoned by those who have flaws themselves, he posted.

The Investigative Subcommittee found evidence that Santos knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission; used campaign funds for personal purposes; engaged in fraudulent conduct in connection with RedStone Strategies LLC; and engaged in knowing and willful violations of the Ethics in Government Act as it relates to his Financial Disclosure (FD) Statements filed with the House.

The House committee unanimously agreed to adopt the Investigative Subcommittees report and refer the evidence of Santos alleged federal violations to the Justice Department.

The report reignited calls for Santos resignation, especially from his Republican colleagues who recently introduced an unsuccessful expulsion resolution.

George Santos should end this farce and resign immediately, Rep. Mike Lawer, R-N.Y. told Semafor. If he refuses, he must be removed from Congress. His conduct is not only unbecoming and embarrassing, it is criminal. He is unfit to serve and if he had any dignity, he would resign today.

Rep. Nick LaLota, R-N.Y. told Semafor that Santos was never running for re-election and predicted that the legal and ethics probes would reach their conclusion long before campaign season.

The question now is: Will he take a plea deal that includes resignation before November 28th when the House returns to session and can expel him? LaLota said.

Santos had escaped two votes to remove him from Congress which requires a vote of two-thirds of his colleagues. The House voted to refer his expulsion to the House Ethics Committee in May which had been investigating Santos since March. This month, Republicans from New York introduced a privileged resolution that would immediately force Congress to vote on Santos expulsion. The vote failed 213-179 with both Republicans and Democrats opposing the measure.

In New York Federal court, Santos faces 23 federal charges including conspiracy, wire fraud, false statements, falsification of records, aggravated identity theft and credit card fraud. Two former staffers who worked on Santos campaign have already pled guilty to related charges.
Republican Senator Blaise Ingoglia has proposed a Florida House Bill that could have significant consequences for college students in the state.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

The proposed bill (HB 465), aims to push colleges to report students to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security if they are suspected of promoting terrorist organizations. The repercussions for such students would make them ineligible for tuition, fee waivers, and scholarships.

While the bill does not explicitly define the term promoting, it outlines that students allegedly promoting a foreign terrorist organization are ineligible for out-of-state fees and rendered ineligible for various financial aid options, including fee waivers, institutional state grants, and scholarships.

The bill designates foreign terrorist organizations as those identified by the United States Department of State, engaging in or having the capability and intent to engage in terrorist activity that threatens U.S. defenses, foreign relations, or economic interests.

The list mentioned in the bill includes but is not limited to supporters of organizations like Hamas and Palestine Islamic Jihad.

The legislation appears to be aligned with efforts to disband pro-Palestinian groups on Florida college campuses, especially in light of the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Hamas has been designated as a terrorist group by the U.S. State Department since 1997.

READ: Florida orders state universities to disband pro-Palestinian student groups, saying it backs Hamas

The National Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), established in 2001 at the University of California, Berkeley, has been cited as one of the target groups in previous statements by the Florida Gov. DeSantis administration. The loosely connected network says it has more than 200 chapters across the United States.

The organization has faced scrutiny, with allegations of fundraising for a pro-Palestinian group that had its assets frozen by the federal government due to suspicions of allegedly funding Hamas, as per an Influence Watch report.

While some universities have recently taken action against SJP, temporarily suspending or banning the group from their campuses, concerns have been raised by free speech advocacy groups.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has openly challenged similar measures in Florida, asserting that forcing colleges to punish students may violate the First Amendment.

Any commentary on Hamass attack or Israels response is, of course, fair game for criticism and condemnation. That exchange of views is what the First Amendment protects. FIRE has long defended the free speech rights of speakers on all sides of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the organization stated.

If the bill is signed into law, it is set to take effect on July 1, 2024, raising questions and concerns about the potential impact on free speech rights and the broader implications for students involved in political activism on college campuses.

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The News

Bipartisan talks on border enforcement are getting more turbulent over a Senate GOP demand to sharply reduce border crossings  and possibly hold up delivery of Ukraine aid as a way to compel the White House to stick to any agreement.

Illegal crossings at the US-Mexico border have reached record highs, surpassing two million this year so far with Venezuelans making up the largest group of migrants.

Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C. told Semafor that any acceptable deal would seek to cut those by at least half, which would still leave them higher than under the Trump administration. I try to be a reasonable guy, he said.

Two Senate aides briefed on the talks said discussions are hitting a snag over how reductions in border crossings would be measured. In addition, Republicans have discussed imposing penalties, like withholding the delivery of military supplies to Ukraine, if the White House fails to hit its border crossing targets.

If you dont reduce the numbers of illegals coming across the border, theres no money for new Stinger missiles or F-16s or whatever the case might be, Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., told Semafor, adding the measure would be meant to discipline enforcement with the White House.

Top Republicans, including Minority leader Mitch McConnell, have warned that the GOP is unlikely to back another round of military aid to Kyiv unless the bill also includes a significant border security measures for the U.S. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the second-ranked Senate Republican, told Semafor that there isnt anything that has been settled when it comes to the idea of tying Ukraine assistance to specific border benchmarks.

There is a concern  and a valid one  that anything we pass wont be enforced by this administration, he said. And if you dont have some appropriate metrics and consequences, you can put all the best policy out there but theyll just ignore it.

Josephs view

In some ways, Republicans are proposing a new twist on an old Capitol Hill idea. During the Gang of Eight immigration talks in 2013, Senators discussed including a trigger that would open up a path to citizenship for undocumented residents only once the administration could certify that the border was secure. But tying something unrelated to immigration, such as Ukraine aid, to a measurable decline in border crossings would be a novel move.

Ive never heard anything like that before, Tom Jawetz, a former deputy general counsel of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security whos now a senior fellow at the liberal-leaning Center for American Progress, said.

Democrats would also be taking a major gamble if they agreed to condition aid to Ukraine on a sharp drop in border crossings that might never materialize. Its not clear many have an appetite for such an unusual bet.

Ukraine is on the front lines for us and we have to find a way not to fail in our obligation to ourselves and to the rest of the world to fund Ukraine in our own interests, Sen. Michael Bennet, D-Colo., a Democratic negotiator, told Semafor. The battlefield Putin is trying to win on is Capitol Hill.

Room for Disagreement

Tillis suggested that, while Democrats might not love it, adding a border security trigger to the package could help win votes in the GOP-controlled House, where Republicans are less gung ho about Kyivs war effort.

Keep in mind, this is not Chuck Schumer setting the agenda for the House. Weve got to deal with the House, Tillis told reporters. And if people want this funding, they got to take that into consideration.
Republican lawmakers criticized Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich, over her membership in a secret Facebook group where individuals praised Hamas after their terrorist attack on Israel that left more than 1,000 of its citizens dead.

Tlaib has quietly been a member of the Palestinian American Congress group on Facebook for several years. The private group, which only its members can find and access, includes members who heaped praise on the terrorist group after its bloody Oct. 7 invasion, which Fox News Digital reported Wednesday after gaining entry to it.

Following the report, Republican politicians denounced Tlaib over her membership in the group.

RASHIDA TLAIB MEMBER OF SECRET FACEBOOK GROUP WHERE HAMAS TERRORISTS GLORIFIED

Rep. Rashida Tlaib is a member of a private Facebook group where members praised Hamas following its Oct. 7 attack on Israel.

"This is repulsive. Every member of Congress, Republican and Democrat, needs to condemn [Rashida Tlaib] for being a member of this pro-terrorist group," Florida Republican Sen. Tim Scott wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

California Republican Rep. Darrell Issa told Fox News Digital that he believes the Democratic Party has a worsening "antisemitism problem."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"These reports only add to my conclusion that the Democrat Party  including in the House of Representatives  has a clear and present antisemitism problem," Issa said. "And it looks to be getting worse."

Republican Tennessee Sen. Marsha Blackburn commented that such associations for congressional members are worrisome.

"Rashida Tlaib appears to be part of a group that has glorified the horrific October 7th terrorist attacks on Israel," Blackburn said on X. "These associations by sitting members of Congress continue to elevate concern."

Tlaib initially joined the Palestinian American Congress group in 2018 and has been active in it in the past. Its founder, Maher Abdel-qader, has longstanding ties to Tlaib and has faced scrutiny for his antisemitic social media posts.

HOUSE VOTES TO CENSURE RASHIDA TLAIB OVER ANTI-ISRAEL COMMENTS

Tlaib has a long history of anti-Israel comments.

After the Hamas attack, several individuals took to the forum in the Palestinian American Congress group to share messages backing the terrorist group.

On Oct. 10, one of its members opined about the American media naming Hamas a terrorist organization but not mentioning "the killing of Palestinian women, children and entire families killed on a daily basses (sic) by the [peace-loving] state of Israel using American gifts of weapons and jet fighters."

"Yesterday I didn't see Hamas I saw the grand kids (sic) of the refugees that ethnically cleansed from their homeland attacking the grand kids (sic) of the colonists whom sent them to diaspora," they wrote.

Days later, on Oct. 12, another member wrote, "We don't want to throw you in the sea...we want you to ride it back from where you came." The message contained a photo of an elderly Israeli woman and a Hamas fighter holding her captive.

Another member of the group praised the "achievements" of the "resistance in Northern occupied Palestine," which referenced dozens of dead Israeli soldiers.

Other individuals in the private group posted pro-Hamas pictures and messages throughout the year.

Tlaib, meanwhile, has a long history of anti-Israel remarks and recently found herself in hot water over her comments after Hamas' invasion, leading the House of Representatives to vote to censure her in a largely symbolic denunciation.

RASHIDA TLAIB'S TOP CAMPAIGN FUNDRAISER ACCUSES ISRAEL OF WANTING TO ETHNICALLY 'CLEANSE' PALESTINIANS

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., calls for a cease-fire in Gaza during a demonstration outside the U.S. Capitol on Oct. 18, 2023.

Tlaib and the founder of the secret Facebook group, Abdel-qader, also have an extensive history.

Abdel-qader has been a crucial fundraiser for Tlaib and formerly acted as chairman of her finance committee during her 2018 congressional campaign. During that time, Tlaib introduced him by the title at a campaign event and offered him a medal to show appreciation for his help with her campaign.

CLICK TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Abdel-qader has also faced scrutiny over his past statements and social media posts, which included his sharing of a video that called Jews "satanic" and questioned whether 6 million of them had died in the Holocaust. He later walked back those comments.

Tlaib's congressional office and Abdel-qader have yet to respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment on the group and her membership in it.





Original article source: Republicans slam Tlaib over membership in secret Facebook group where Hamas was praised
By Saurabh Sharma

SILKYARA, India (Reuters) -Rescue workers renewed efforts on Thursday to reach 40 men trapped for a fifth day inside a collapsed highway tunnel in India, though progress was slow as they began drilling through rock and soil debris.

Authorities said they were confident an advanced drilling machine flown in from New Delhi will speed up the rescue at the site in the northern state of Uttarakhand.

The plan is to drill and create space for a pipe that can be used by the trapped men to crawl to safety.

The 4.5 km (3 mile) tunnel is part of the Char Dham highway, one of the most ambitious projects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. The $1.5 billion project aims to connect four Hindu pilgrimage sites through 890 km (550 miles) of roads.

Authorities have not said what caused the tunnel to cave in but the region is prone to landslides, earthquakes and floods.

Drilling had penetrated about 12 metres (40 ft) of debris on Thursday evening, officials said, adding that they had to cover a total distance of about 60 metres.

The machine can drill through about 2-2.5 metres of rock per hour and had faced "obstructions in the form of boulders or rods and small cement blocks", they said.

"There is a major challenge of keeping the alignment straight, which is the reason that it is taking a lot of time," Devendra Singh Patwal, a disaster management officer, told Reuters.

The process will have to begin afresh if the alignment changes, he added.

"There is electricity, water and we are sending food. The new machine which is more powerful and speedy, is deployed," V.K. Singh, federal deputy minister for road transport and highways, and a retired army chief, told reporters at the site.

"Our priority is to save them all. The morale of people trapped inside is high. We are very optimistic of bringing them out," he said, adding that the outer limit is to "complete this in two or three days but it could be done faster too".

Singh said Indian agencies involved in the rescue effort were consulting experts in Austria, Norway and Thailand, but did not elaborate.

HEALTH COMPLAINTS

Since the tunnel collapsed, the trapped men have been supplied with food, water and oxygen via a pipe and they are in contact with rescuers via walkie-talkies.

A six-bed medical facility has been put in place near the tunnel and hospitals nearby are on standby.

"The food items are providing them enough calories and it can help them for up to nine days," R.C.S. Pawar, chief medical officer of the district, said when asked how long the 40 men could survive on dry fruits that were being provided.

They were also given medicines for fever, headache and nausea as some of them had complained about these issues and "it could be due to various factors", he added.

The highway project has faced some criticism from environmental experts and some work was halted in January after hundreds of houses along the routes were damaged by subsidence.

The federal government has said it employed environmentally friendly techniques in the design to make geologically unstable stretches safer.

(Additional reporting by Tanvi Mehta in NEW DELHI; Writing by YP Rajesh; Editing by Sharon Singleton)
The man was seen falling from a height of 32 feet (MSC Cruises)

Coast guards have been searching for a man who is believed to have fallen overboard from a cruise ship.

The missing 30-year-old is a crew member on MSC Seascape, a 5,000-capacity ship operated by MSC Cruises.

He was seen falling from a height of approximately 32 feet into the Atlantic Ocean north of Aguadilla, a city in Puerto Rico, according to the US Coast Guard. The vessel was on its way to Puerto Plata in the Dominican Republic

The cruise ship reported throwing a lifeline and three life rings with the cruise ships name on them and launched the cruise ship rescue boat to search. Watchstanders coordinated the launch of a Coast Guard MH-60T Jayhawk helicopter diverted the Coast Guard cutters Joseph Napier and Joseph Doyle to the scene, the US Coast Guard said.

Once on scene, the Coast Guard aircrew commenced searching and deployed a self-locating datum marker buoy that measures sea currents to assist with the search. Shortly thereafter the Coast Guard cutters arrived on-scene.

Emergency service personnel were able to find the three life rings in the search area but have not located the man, who was said to be wearing a white shirt and red shorts.

MSC Seascape continued its sailing to the Dominican Republic after being released from the search.

The Independent has contacted the cruise operator for further information.

Last month, a passenger was rescued after falling overboard on a Royal Caribbean cruise shortly after the ship left Barcelona.

The incident occurred aboard Symphony of the Seas on 29 October; the guest was found and rescued after the ship turned around.

Data from the Cruise Lines International Association shows that, on average, 19 people per year fell overboard in the years between 2009 and 2019. Of a total 212 incidents throughout that period, only 48 passengers  a total of 28.2 per cent  were rescued.
In a trial run by Verve Therapeutics , a Cambridgebased biotech company, researchers discovered that a single infusion of a gene-editing treatment called VERVE-101 was able to reduce cholesterol levels in patients. This treatment was tested in individuals with hereditary conditions that made them susceptible to developing clogged arteries and heart attacks. Scientists were able to use CRISPR editing techniques to tweak liver gene cells. The researchers turned off a cholesterol-raising gene called PCSK9, which is found in the liver, in order to lower LDL-C  sometimes called "bad" cholesterol  which causes plaque to build up in arteries in the first place.

PCSK9 was lowered by as much as 84 percent in the cohorts that received higher infusion rates of the treatment. At those higher treatment doses, Verve scientists said that the reduction of those LDL-C-related proteins lasted 2.5 years in previous studies on primates.

VERVE-101 explained visual. (Verve Therapeutics)

From a clinical standpoint, this gene editing therapy has the potential to disrupt the current standard treatment for high cholesterol. The current go-to's include prescription statins and PCSK9 inhibitors, but they require strict adherence and can have bad side effects like muscle pain and memory loss.

CRISPR, while seemingly miraculous, is a long way from replacing daily medications though. According to Nature , two of the 10 participants in the study suffered from a cardiovascular event that coincided with the infusion. Verve says one was not related to the treatment at all and the second was potentially related to treatment due to proximity to dosing. The use of a gene-editing technology will always carry some risk because the edits could occur elsewhere in the genome .

Before a single infusion therapy for high cholesterol can reach consumers, the FDA mandates that the treatment will need to be studied for up to 15 years. Verve recently received FDA clearance for an Investigational New Drug Application for VERVE-101, meaning that the company can begin to conduct trials in the US. The current trials in New Zealand and the United Kingdom will look for willing clinical trial participants to expand the study.
The Barstow Police Department announced the passing of their colleague and friend, retired Barstow Police Sgt. Andrew Espinoza Sr.

Barstow Police Department announced that colleague and friend, Retired Barstow Police Sgt. Andrew Espinoza Sr. has died.

Espinoza joined the Barstow Police Department as a reserve officer in 1974 and remained with the department until retiring in 2012. He was considered a skilled investigator, working homicide and major crimes cases in the city for 12 years, the department said.

On behalf of the Barstow Police Department, we send our condolences to Espinozas family, a department head stated. We thank the family for sharing Espinoza with our department. We will never forget the sacrifices he and his family made in his exceptional service to this community.

A memorial service for Espinoza is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 2571 Barstow Road in Barstow.

Espinoza cared deeply for this community and was an amazing mentor to me and other young officers," Capt. Christopher Kirby said. He has left a lasting impression on many of us and the department.

Andrew Espinoza Sr. is the father of Barstow Police Chief Andrew Espinoza Jr.

The Barstow Police Department announced the passing of their colleague and friend, retired Barstow Police Sgt. Andrew Espinoza Sr.

Becoming Barstow's top investigator

In 1978, Espinoza was sworn in as a full-time officer.

He later became a detective with the department's detective bureau. It was while serving as a detective that he found his true calling," according to police officials.

Espinozas ability to solve complex cases earned him a reputation with the San Bernardino County District Attorneys Office and the surrounding law enforcement community, police officials stated.

He was also assigned to the departments hostage negotiations team and was lead negotiator on multiple critical incident scenes.

Espinoza received multiple commendations including multiple chiefs commendations and officer of the year. He was honored by the district attorneys office for his distinguished and dedicated service.

Espinoza also received the departments Meritorious Service medal for his investigation into the murder of Randy Lutz, police said.

Lutzs parents would later thank Espinoza for never giving up and bringing those responsible for their sons murder to justice, according to police.

Infamous High Desert cases

In 2004, Espinoza was promoted to the rank of sergeant.

He served as a watch commander on patrol, leading a team of officers for a year. He was then assigned back to the detective bureau as detective sergeant. He led the detective team and evidence technicians until his retirement.

Espinoza and his team investigated the 2009 murder of Leisa Hurst that led to the arrest her boyfriend for the crime.

The investigation was featured on an episode of Desperate Measures on Investigation Discovery Channel. In the episode, Espinoza, Detective Keith Libby, and Deputy District Attorney Sean Daughtery detailed the investigation and subsequent conviction.

The investigation was also covered by CBS News 48 Hours Mystery: Body of Lies, which highlighted the extensive search for Hurst in the High Desert.

Over his career, Espinoza worked on over 55 homicide cases.

Espinoza embodied his mantra: The assigned detective serves the victims, who cannot speak for themselves, department officials said.

Police Corporal Rudy Perez

"It is with great sadness that we mourn the loss of our colleague and friend, retired Barstow Police Corporal Rudy Perez.," police officials announced on Friday, Nov. 17.

Cpl. Perez joined the Barstow Police as a police officer in 2008. During his career there, he was a "Crime Impact Detective, School Resource Officer and Field Training Officer," police said.

In 2021, Cpl. Perez was promoted to the rank of corporal where he held the positions of the administrative corporal and patrol corporal.

During his career, Cpl. Perez earned a 10851 award, which recognized his ability to locate and recover numerous stolen vehicles. He retired from the Barstow Police Department in 2023 after 15 years of dedicated service to the Barstow community.

"On behalf of the Barstow Police Department, we send our condolences to Corporal Perezs family. We thank the family for sharing Corporal Perez with our department," police officials said. "We will never forget the sacrifices he and his family made in his exceptional service to this community."

Daily Press reporter Rene Ray De La Cruz may be reached at 760-951-6227 or RDeLaCruz@VVDailyPress.com. Follow him on Twitter @DP_ReneDeLaCruz

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Retired Barstow Police Sergeant Andrew Espinoza remembered
AUSTIN (KXAN)  Astronauts, scientists and explorers are flying to Texas this weekend to discuss the future of life in space. Theyre attending the New Worlds 2023 conference. The event will host discussions on space travel, award members of the science community and raise funds for Texas schools.

This is Revenge of the Nerds, in a sense, right? I mean, this is, this is those kids who studied science and went into engineering, education tracks and those kinds of things, who are living the dream, said Rick Tumlinson, founder of Earthlight Foundation and the New Worlds conference.

The event has been around since 2016. Past award recipients include Jeff Bezos and SpaceX COO Gwynne Shotwell. This year, Inspiration4 commander Jared Isaacman will be awarded the Space Cowboy award for his work in bringing civilians to space and raising money for cancer research.

I generally feel very unworthy of any of these types of recognitions. I just know that it takes like an army to pull this off, Isaacman said.

Awarding space travel

Inspiration4 launched in 2021. The mission was the first to be operated entirely by civilians in space. That crew included Isaacman, Hayley Arceneaux, a Physician Assistant and cancer survivor, Chris Sembroski, a veteran who now works for Blue Origin, and Dr. Sian Proctor, an artist.

Proctor will also be speaking at the New Worlds 2023 conference.

Gwynn Shotwell receives the Space Cowboy award from Rick Tumlinson. (Credit: Rick Tumlinson)

You get to spend three days in orbit seeing the world from an incredible perspective. So it was, I mean, one of the best times in my life, Isaacman said.

Not only did the crew spend three days in orbit but they raised upwards of $250 million for cancer research at St. Judes Research Hospital.

It was actually after we came back that I really reflected on the best moments. The best moments were when we surpassed the fundraising goal for St. Jude and, and then really seeing everybody be themselves in space, Isaacman said.

When he had the chance to fly into space, he didnt just take it himself. He invited three other people, Tumlinson said.

Isaacman isnt the only award recipient at this years event. Rod Roddenberry, son of Star Trek creator Gene Rodenberry, Frank White, author of The Overview Effect, Teddy Tzanetos, who flew a helicopter on Mars, and Dr. Mark Wagner, author of Space Education, will also receive awards.

We believe that as we break out and start going out there, people are gonna go in all kinds of directions, Tumlinson said.

The possibilities of space

New Worlds 2023 will host a variety of sessions. We have everything from hardcore space policy to sessions on inclusion, to sessions on empowering every gender to be able to be involved in space, Tumlinson said.

The Space Cowboy Ball on Saturday night will not only be a costume ball but it will raise money to place telescopes in schools across the state.

I dont know if you remember the first time you look through a telescope. But its world-changing, literally world-changing. Tumlinson said theyve already placed telescopes in schools in Victoria, Texas.

Tickets are still available. You can register on New Worlds 2023 website. Prices start at $75. The event will be held at the Bullock Texas State Museum on Friday and Saturday.

Whats next for Issacman?

With the success of Inspiration4, Isaacmans next mission will take him further than any previous commercial spacecraft. He will serve as Commander of the Polaris Dawn mission next year.

Not everybody goes and climbed Mount Everest or was brave enough to cross the seas of the oceans, you know, hundreds of years ago, right? But when they do it, they do it for everyone, Isaacman said about this and other missions.

Polaris Dawn Crew Visits St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital and Inspires Patients to Reach for the Stars. From left to right  Anna Menon, Scott Poteet, Jared Isaacman, Sarah Gillis (Photo: ALSAC/St. Jude Childrens Research Hospital)

The mission will test new space suits, attempt the first commercial space walk and perform tests on human health in deep space, where radiation is more abundant.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KXAN Austin.
SAN DIEGO  San Diego police and Crime Stoppers have released photos of a vehicle suspected to be involved in a fatal hit-and-run in early November, and Crime Stoppers is offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to an arrest.

On Saturday, Nov. 4 around 7:09 p.m., a 57-year-old man was hit by a vehicle in the 300 block of N. 47th Street in the Lincoln Park neighborhood. The man was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Man killed in hit-and-run; police search for suspect

The vehicle fled the scene north on N. 47th Street, according to police.

Crime Stoppers is offering up to a $1,000 reward to anyone with information that leads to an arrest in this case.

Suspect arrested in July City Heights killing

The vehicle is described as a white, older model Ford F250 extra cab pickup truck. The truck may have had an A frame-type rack in the bed. Police noted the truck will likely have some damage to the front bumper, grille and hood area.

Photo Courtesy: Crime Stoppers. Vehicle suspected in fatal hit and run in Lincoln Park

Photo Courtesy: Crime Stoppers. Vehicle suspected in fatal hit and run in Lincoln Park

Photo Courtesy: Crime Stoppers. Vehicle suspected in fatal hit and run in Lincoln Park

Anyone with information on the identity or location of the suspect and/or the suspects vehicle is asked to call SDPDs Traffic Division at (858) 495-7823 or the Crime Stoppers anonymous tip line at (888) 580-8477.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
The Richland County administration announced that it has hired two separate law firms to conduct an independent review of the claims against the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center.

The move, announced in a press release Thursday, comes two weeks after the U.S. Department of Justice announced that it was opening a civil rights investigation into the troubled jail.

South Carolina-based Wyche Law Firm and the national firm Maynard Nexsen have been hired by the county. They will investigate claims against the jail and provide information to Justice Department investigators, according to a statement released Thursday.

The County has nothing to hide, the statement read.

Former federal prosecutors Mark Moore, from Maynard Nexsen, and Jim May, from the Wyche Law Firm, will be involved in the investigation, Moore confirmed Thursday. Both attorneys prosecuted cases for the U.S. Attorneys Office of South Carolina before entering private practice.

Since 2021, Richland County has poured millions of dollars into remedying problems at the jail. The funds



include roughly $3.6 million for staffing, $15 million for improvements to facilities and an additional $8 million for security.

But violence remains pervasive at the jail. Since the Justice Departments investigation was announced, there have been multiple stabbings. This week, 40 inmates were arrested following a riot that broke out Sunday where part of a dorm was set on fire.

The two firms are very good, said attorney Bakari Sellers, a former state representative who has filed ten lawsuits against the jail. But, why didnt county council do something 12 months or 18 months ago? Sellers asked.

The justice departments investigation of the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center will examine whether the jail failed to protect incarcerated people from violence and subjected them to dangerous living conditions. Among the reasons cited by the Justice Department for beginning the investigation were six deaths at the Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center since 2021, in addition to two alleged rapes, 16 confirmed assaults and two escapes.

The public should be aware that Richland County takes its responsibilities seriously and will continue to take all necessary and appropriate steps to improve the conditions at Alvin S. Glenn Detention Center, according to the statement.
Employment lawyers weigh in on your protections, and employees share why they chose to speak up about the Gaza-Israel conflict despite the job risk.

Employment lawyers weigh in on your protections, and employees share why they chose to speak up about the Gaza-Israel conflict despite the job risk.

On Oct. 13, Michael Eisen shared a satirical article from The Onion on X (formerly Twitter). The headline said, Dying Gazans Criticized for Not Using Last Words to Condemn Hamas. Eisen then re-shared the satirical article and added: The Onion speaks with more courage, insight and moral clarity than the leaders of every academic institution put together. I wish there were a @TheOnion university.

Eisen, who is Jewish and has family in Israel, was the editor-in-chief of eLife, a nonprofit science journal, at the time of his post. He said his post was not an off-the-cuff comment but an informed political opinion that was shaped by a life in which the Israeli-Palestinian conflict was topic number-one that his family talked about.

For Eisen, it was a personal reaction to the kind of impossible bind the Palestinian civilians were put into, of people being more concerned about them condemning Hamas than they were about them dying, he said.

Eisen said his intended audience for his post was academic institutions that make statements on global events that sound like chatGPT and that do not acknowledge everyones humanity.

Eisen went to bed after posting and woke up to all hell breaking loose as scientists online called for his resignation and people accused him of being antisemitic.

Eisen said he was asked to explain his post in a board meeting a week later and was later asked to resign by a board member. He refused, then got fired. At least seven editors have since quit in solidarity.

Since the Oct. 7 terrorist attacks on Israel by Hamas militants and Israels escalating war against Hamas in the Gaza Strip, sharing views in a social media post have become fraught for employees who must weigh their personal beliefs with professional consequences.

The eLife journal declined to comment about discussions Eisen had with the board and his firing. It instead referred HuffPost to its public statement: Mike has been given clear feedback from the board that his approach to leadership, communication and social media has at key times been detrimental to the cohesion of the community we are trying to build and hence to eLifes mission.

Eisen questions the validity of this vague reasoning. They could have said, Its not appropriate to issue support for Palestine or to use satire to do it or something specific, he said. They fired me because I was detrimental to cohesion of the community. And so what does that mean? It means that anybody who views anything I say as something that they dont like, if they make a ruckus about it, now the cohesion of the community has been questioned.

Posting about the Israel-Hamas war has had far-reaching job consequences across industries. An art magazine editor-in-chief was fired for publishing an open letter in the magazine that supported Palestinian liberation and criticized the institutional silence around the ongoing humanitarian crisis that 2.3 million Palestinians are facing. A Hollywood talent agent was made to step down from a leadership role on an internal board after sharing Instagram posts that called Israels attack on Gaza a genocide. Law students have had their job offers rescinded after being linked to statements that blamed Israel for the ongoing violence with Hamas.

This kind of professional backlash is not new. Palestine Legal, an advocacy group that represents activists who speak up for the Palestinians, said it has responded to 1,707 incidents from 2014 to 2020 that target speech supportive of Palestinian rights, including disciplinary investigations, censorship and accusations of antisemitism. But the number of job reprisals and disciplinary actions has reached a heightened tenor.

Ive been explaining to people that my existence doesnt mean that I hate Jewish people. I have Jewish friends that I love very deeply  Ive been explaining that to people for 30 years, said Amanda Ghannam, a civil rights attorney in Detroit who is Palestinian American. But she said the uptick of backlash she has seen people face for advocating on behalf of Palestinian rights is like nothing Ive ever seen in my life, let alone my career as an employment and civil rights attorney.

If your employer doesnt like what you say, you can be easily fired as an at-will employee.

Ghannam said people can mistakenly believe that free speech rights under the First Amendment apply to private employment, but they do not.

If you work for a private employer as an at-will employee, you can be fired for any reason unless you have a collective bargaining agreement that says otherwise or you can prove that the employers actions were discriminatory.

Generally, private employers are free to rescind any offer if you engage in speech that is contrary to the employers values.

The law does not currently distinguish between right or wrong here: If the employer is offended, then they usually have sufficient justification to rescind the offer, said California-based employment lawyer Ryan Stygar.

Re-sharing social media posts can count as a reason to be fired even if you didnt write the original post and never said anything out loud. Employees should presume that anything they share online, even if [it is] not their own original words, can be seen as an endorsement of that content, and you can expect to see consequences flow as if it were your own words, Stygar said.

Im just so mad that Im scared to speak out because I dont want to lose my job.Anonymous tech professional

A tech professional in New York City, who asked to stay anonymous because they feared job reprisal, said they have seen co-workers like LinkedIn posts supportive of Israel and Zionism, but this tech worker is afraid to like posts that could be construed as supportive of Palestinian rights, such as ones that call what is happening in Gaza a genocide. (The United Nations defines genocide as trying to destroy a group by killing its members, inflicting serious physical or mental harm, imposing harsh living conditions, preventing births or taking children away.)

Theres a very clear double standard of Palestinian lives being too political, too polarizing, the tech worker said. They are stopping themselves from liking and posting because they are the most junior position on their team.

Im just so mad that Im scared to speak out because I dont want to lose my job, the tech employee said.

They have already faced consequences before for sharing their views at work. A Slack message in a work chat on the current rise of Islamophobia was construed as insensitive by a manager because it did not also call out the rise of antisemitism.

Thats why, in some cases, being a job seeker or freelancer can be more freeing than having to contort yourself to fit your employers perspective. Farida Habeeb, an internal communications professional who also does work on diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives, has been openly posting on LinkedIn in support of the safety and freedom of Palestinians as she hunts for full-time work.

My mother was concerned that me speaking up might jeopardize potential job offers, Habeeb said. But I told her ... that I dont want to work for an employer who sees me speaking up about this issue as a problem.

Habeeb said shes always been involved with Palestinian activism as a Muslim person who is part Arab, but after being laid off from her job in August, she became more vocal. As a freelancer, Habeeb said, she is lucky that her main client is Jewish who is open to debate, open to discussion and very supportive of me speaking out.

But Habeeb acknowledged that if she were still employed by her previous company, I dont think I would even say anything publicly.

I very much do not judge any other job seeker for whether they are or are not speaking out about it, Habeeb said. I think everybody has to assess their own level of risk, especially if they come from a historically excluded background.

Employees can fight back if they can prove an employers actions were discriminatory.

If you are in private employment, you basically only have the right not to be discriminated against or retaliated against for some sort of protected activity, Ghannam said.

And depending on where you live, participating in political activities related to the Israel-Hamas war in your off-time would be protected in certain states and cities. Stygar noted that the California labor code prohibits employers from forbidding or preventing employees from engaging with or participating in politics, as one example.

Therefore, a letter to your state senator urging them to take a certain position in the conflict may be protected under this law, Stygar said.

And there are federal protections, too. Under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, workers are protected from discrimination based on race, religion, skin color, sex and national origin. Thats why if you are an employee of Middle Eastern descent or from a Muslim religious background who is being punished at work for speaking up about issues related to your identity, you could potentially have a stronger legal case that you are being discriminated against, Ghannam said.

Were seeing a rise in this racist Islamophobic rhetoric about supporting terrorism, Ghannam said. If thats something where co-workers are harassing you, youve got to report that. You have the right to not have that happen in the workplace as well.

But if its not linked to that persons identity or to any discriminatory conduct, that person is going to have a tough time arguing that they were wrongfully terminated, she added. She gave the example of a case in which a white person got investigated and suspended for wearing a Free Palestine T-shirt to work.

Because that message was not linked that to that persons identity, you dont have an argument that that person is being discriminated against because of who they are as a person, Ghannam said.

Robert Baldwin III, founder and managing attorney at Virtue Law Group, said that company statements explaining terminations are strategically brief because the more information an employer shares, the more it can reveal discriminatory behavior. If youre picking a side between two races, two nations, two national origins, then we start talking about discrimination, he said.

But there is also a strength in numbers, should you choose to call out your companys response to the Israel-Hamas war. Ghannam gave the example of a group of workers she recently advised that noticed how their employer publicly offered support to Jewish employees who were being affected by the events of the past few weeks but did not offer any support to Palestinian or other Arab employees.

They wrote sort of an open letter describing how they felt overlooked and unsupported, and treated differently than their colleagues because of their background and ethnicity. And even though they werent in a union, they got over 80 people to sign this open letter explaining how they felt, and the company was receptive, Ghannam said. If ... the employer knows that theyre going to have to deal with all 80 of you, then youre building a lot more collective power to make sure that your workplace is equitable.

And if you are speaking as an individual, ask yourself first: Is this statement really something that I want to risk my job over? And sometimes the answer is yes, Baldwin said.

Eisen, who is also a tenured professor at the University of California, Berkeley, said being the editor-in-chief at eLife for more than four years was important to him but not his only job. Eisen said he has no regrets about what he posted. I do feel more sad and depressed for the state of institutions and our academic community and the world than I do a sense of personal unfairness.

In his view, the firings related to supporting the Palestinians are not typically because a company wants to stake out a particular political position but because the employer wants to avoid controversy and that concern for Palestinian lives is seen as intrinsically controversial.

In some ways, thats worse than if the organization says, Hey, this is our political view. If you differ from it, thats bad. ... I dont like it, but, like, at least thats a navigable position for employees, Eisen said. Thats the real problem to me. Its creating a climate where just the only safe thing to do is nothing.

Related...
A Coldplay concert in Indonesia on Wednesday was marred by violent clashes between riot police and conservative Muslims, who protested the bands support for the LGBT+ community.

More than 200 conservative Muslims demonstrated outside the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta, where Coldplay was performing on Wednesday (16 November), and demanded the event be cancelled.

Protesters jeered at concert-goers and clashed with police outside the venue where Chris Martin and the band were performing.

The demonstrators reportedly held a large banner that read: Reject, cancel and disband Coldplay concerts. Protesters said the bands pro-LGBT+ views were in conflict with the countrys faith and morals.

The same protest group had also organised demonstrations last week at multiple sites in Jakarta, including outside the British Embassy, reported the Associated Press.

Various Islamic groups had earlier called for the cancellation of the British bands inaugural concert in predominantly Muslim Indonesia. Again they cited the bands perspective on LGBT+ rights, which they said clashed with their beliefs.

Lead vocalist Martin is known for donning rainbow colours and displaying gay pride flags during his performances.

At least 4,000 security officials were deployed in and around the Coldplay venue. Local police said the demonstrators calling for the cancellation of the concert did not have permission to stage a rally.

We know that Coldplay supports LGBT+, but now the question is, is the LGBT+ behaviour in line with... our constitution? Anwar Abbas, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Indonesias most powerful Islamic regulatory body, said in a statement on Wednesday.

There are six religions recognised in this country, and not one of them allows and tolerates LGBT+ practice.

In Indonesia, a Muslim-majority nation, homosexuality is a taboo topic even though it is banned only in the countrys Sharia-ruled Aceh province.

Earlier this year The 1975 cancelled planned shows in Taiwan and Indonesia, calling it impossible to proceed with their Asia tour dates after frontman Matt Healy criticised the Malaysian governments stance on LGBT+ rights and kissed a male bandmate on stage. Malaysias government called Healy rude and said the band was banned from ever playing in the country again.

In 2012 Lady Gaga called off a concert in Jakarta, citing security concerns, amid protests by Indonesian religious groups. The pop star said at the time that she was devastated by the decision.

Indonesian police, responding to objections from Islamic groups who deemed her tour shows too vulgar, had declined to issue a permit for Lady Gagas concert.

In July this year, the southeast Asian LGBT+ event Asean Queer Advocacy Week was cancelled in Indonesia due to security threats.

Reuters reported that other LGBT+ related events have also been cancelled in Indonesia due to objections from Islamic groups.

In December last year, the US called off a visit by its LGBT+ special envoy after an influential clerical body denounced the trip.

Additional reporting by agencies
The River Severn Partnership covers an area across eight English and Welsh councils

A scheme to boost digital connectivity and wireless innovation across eight English and Welsh councils has been given 3.75m of funding from the government.

The River Severn Partnership (RSP) said the award would help "accelerate commercial investment in 5G and other advanced wireless technologies".

The scheme is part of the government's Innovation Region project.

The technology would help transform public services, said the government.

The RSP involves Shropshire, Gloucestershire, Herefordshire, Monmouthshire, Powys, Telford & Wrekin, Warwickshire and Worcestershire unitary councils and county councils.

Shropshire Council's Mark Barrow, who chairs the partnership, said the funding would "drive adoption of new digital products and services that support public services, while helping key enterprises in water management and rural industries to explore and exploit digital innovation".

Follow BBC West Midlands on Facebook, X and Instagram. Send your story ideas to: newsonline.westmidlands@bbc.co.uk
Questions have been raised about why a former rugby boss got a Welsh government job after he stepped away from Museum Wales over a bullying row.

Arts minister Dawn Bowden appointed Roger Lewis to lead a review of Cadw after he recused himself as president of the charity in late 2022.

Plaid Cymru called for Wales' top civil servant to review the matter.

The Welsh government said a report found he had not breached the terms of his employment.

The statement referred to an investigation which, according to a report from the Auditor General, Adrian Crompton, last week, which said his behaviour "had not always reached the highest standards".

Roger Lewis, who was also asked for comment, previously also said an investigation had not found he had breached the Nolan Principles of Public Life.

After a career as a senior figure in broadcasting, Mr Lewis was chief executive of the Welsh Rugby Union between 2006 and 2015, and later chair of Cardiff Airport. He was appointed by the Welsh government to Museum Wales in 2019.

Mr Lewis recused himself from his role as president on 17 November 2022 as part of a settlement severely criticised by Mr Crompton, and which cost Welsh taxpayers more than 600,000.

He left the job on 31 December, three months earlier than scheduled.

On 14 December, weeks after Mr Lewis recused himself, it was announced that Mr Lewis was appointed to chair a task and finish group looking at how heritage body Cadw is governed.

In his report Mr Crompton had significant doubt payments worth 325,698 made to the former director general David Anderson - effectively its chief executive - by Museum Wales complied with charity law.

He said Museum Wales, also known as Amgueddfa Cymru, had not been able to demonstrate it had acted in the best interests of the charity, or that the settlement represents value for money.

According to the Auditor General's report, released last week, Mr Anderson and another official had made complaints about Roger Lewis, alleging bullying and discriminatory treatment. Mr Anderson had also made claims to an employment tribunal.

The Welsh government held its own investigation into the allegations, which reported in November 2021.

While it did not find that Mr Lewis had clearly breached the terms of his appointment, the audit report said it found his behaviour "had not always reached the highest standards and that his actions had left him open to accusations that he had not always been as objective and open as he could have been".

A further independent investigation, conducted in February 2023, did not find that the former president breached the Nolan principles for public offices, but did uphold "some aspect" of complaints "in part or in full".

'Perplexed'

Plaid Cymru MS Mabon ap Gwynfor told BBC Wales that the appointment of Mr Lewis to the task and finish group was "at best negligent and at worst indefensible".

He added: "Knowing that the independent inspector's report deemed that the individual's behaviour had 'not always reached the highest standard' while at Amgueddfa Cymru, and having known of the circumstances in which he recused himself at great expense to the museum, why did the deputy minister for culture bring him back onto the Welsh government books?

"The Welsh government must now instruct the permanent secretary to conduct a review into this case."

The permanent secretary, Andrew Goodall, is Wales' most senior civil servant who oversees the day-to-day running of the Welsh government.

The Welsh Conservatives', Tom Giffard MS, said he was "perplexed" by the government's decision making.

He said: "Welsh taxpayers will be rightly shocked by the huge sum being forked out at their expense following the museum's row with Roger Lewis.

"It is clear that at least some of the complaints against him have been upheld, which is deeply troubling."

A Welsh government spokesperson said: "The independent investigator's report found that Mr Lewis had not breached the terms of his appointment at the museum or any of the Nolan Principles of Public Life."

In a statement last week Mr Lewis said: "I am reassured to note that the auditor general, in his report, stated twice that during my tenure of office as president of Amgueddfa Cymru that I had not breached any of the Nolan Principles, the "Seven Principles of Public Life", and the auditor named them: selflessness, integrity, objectivity, accountability, openness, honesty, and leadership."
SALINE COUNTY, Ark.  Eastbound lanes on Interstate 30 have reopened hours after an overturned tractor-trailer caused a motor oil spill in Saline County Thursday morning.

Officials with the Arkansas Department of Transportation reported that the crash happened west of Benton just before 5:25 a.m. Around 11 a.m., ARDOT officials had reported that the backup from the crash was about 13 miles long.

New radar in southeast Arkansas addressing gap in severe weather coverage

ARDOT officials said that traffic had to be diverted to Highway 67 at Exit 106 near Glen Rose. Eastbound traffic was also diverted at Exit 111 to Highways 70, 128 and 5 back to Benton.

Little Rock airport getting ready for Thanksgiving travel ramp-up: What to know

Traffic crews have not released information on possible injuries or the cause of the crash.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KARK.
President Joe Biden greets Chinas President President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, Calif., on Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023, on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference. | Doug Mills, The New York Times via Associated Press

Sen. Mitt Romney expressed his concerns about the lack of a comprehensive U.S. strategy on China ahead of President Joe Bidens meeting with his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping, who is visiting the U.S. to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit this week.

The administration must deliver this strategy  as mandated by law  without delay, Romney, R-Utah, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Our government cannot continue to chase China with offers of concessions without concrete action from the Chinese Communist Party, especially in instances where they have no interest in making meaningful changes to their own behavior in the first place, he said.

The Utah senator said he hoped that, amid the global battle between authoritarianism and democracy, Biden would send Xi a clear message for China to back down from campaigning against the U.S. and its allies.

But while Biden said he planned to have a candid conversation with Xi, administration officials said they dont expect any substantial agreements to come out of this exchange. The biggest goal is to open up communication lines with China, Biden had said ahead of his departure to San Francisco.

Related

Biden focused on having a candid conversation with Xi

Biden welcomed Xi to California on Wednesday. The pair shook hands on a red carpet rolled out in front of the Filoli Historic House.

They engaged in a bilateral meeting at the estate, which is roughly 20 minutes away from South San Francisco, where the APEC Summit is being held.

Sitting on opposite sides of a long conference table, Biden and Xi gave their opening remarks where they spoke about managing competition between the U.S. and China while addressing challenges that come with climate change and artificial intelligence.

As always, there is no substitute to face to face discussions. Ive always found our discussions straightforward and frank, Biden said.

He said that he has known Xi for a long time, admitting theyve not always agreed, but their meetings have always been candid, straightforward, and useful.

Biden said the competition between the two countries should be managed responsibly, adding that a candid exchange is what the world expects from both leaders.

While no substantial agreements are expected, the two countries reportedly plan to launch a joint working group to address the issue of fentanyl, allegedly created in Chinese labs, which is illegally pouring into the U.S., as Bloomberg previously reported.

What did Xi say to Biden during their bilateral meeting?

Xi began his remarks by recalling his first meeting with Biden in China when both Xi and Biden were vice presidents. I still remember our interactions very vividly, Xi said, as translated by the White House.

He noted the impact the pandemic has had on industrial sectors and the supply chain, which still faces challenges, as well as the global economy, which is recovering, but its momentum remains sluggish. Xi called them grave problems.

While Xi acknowledged the tumultuous relationship the two countries have had for the last half-century, he said that turning their backs on each other isnt an option.

Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed, he said. Despite the differences in American and Chinese history and culture, the two countries can coexist and work together as long as there is mutual respect, Xi added.

To Biden, he said, We shoulder heavy responsibilities for the two peoples, for the world, and for history.

Their initial meeting lasted two hours, followed by lunch. They ate ricotta ravioli, artichoke crisps, roasted chicken, rice pilaf, broccolini and Brussels sprouts for the main course, with almond meringue cake and praline buttercream for dessert, as CNN reported.
Republican National Committee Chair Ronna McDaniel is bearing the brunt of her partys frustrations, with conservative activists calling for her ouster and Donald Trump privately criticizing the organizations handling of the debates and its election year priorities.

But party insiders say they still expect McDaniel to survive. Even her critics inside the committee say trying to replace her now would be too chaotic in the middle of a presidential election cycle.

I think it would make some people happy  maybe a lot of people happy  but I think in the end it would probably be detrimental to the party to try to have her removed by vote, said Oscar Brock, the GOP national committeeman from Tennessee. Brock, who was one of 55 RNC members who voted against McDaniels chair reelection in January, noted that it would take two-thirds of the 168 committee members to oust her from her post.

Frankly, he said, I dont think theres any way in the world you can get a two-thirds vote to replace her.

Lori Hinz, the North Dakota national committee woman who also opposed McDaniels reelection campaign, said she has been hearing from grassroots activists in her state that theyre unhappy with McDaniels leadership. But Hinz also acknowledged that it appears to be a losing battle.

There is definitely frustration with repeated losses. I think everyone in the party feels that way, Hinz said. But as for what the committee can do to turn things around? Thats entirely up to Ronna. Thats her decision. She generally does not bend to outside sources very well.

McDaniels fate at the RNC has long been a subject of fascination, in part because she is the longest serving chair in more than a century. She has survived frictions with Trump and poor election nights before. But the pile on she faces now is growing and threatens to add a layer of uncertainty to the GOPs campaign operations, right as the general election season comes into focus.



While several presidential candidates have been upset with the thresholds the RNC set for debate qualifications  whether they were too high or too low  Trump and his allies have registered an entirely different set of complaints. The ex-president has pressed McDaniel to cancel the debates altogether and devote more resources to election integrity efforts, according to two people briefed on the conversations. Trump allies say the former president has been hearing complaints from donors in recent weeks about the committee, and one of those allies said he had soured on McDaniels performance.

A spokesperson for the Trump campaign did not comment.

Other Republicans note that Trump and McDaniel speak frequently. And in a statement, an RNC spokesperson noted that the committee has filed over 70 election integrity lawsuits and has Election Integrity directors in 15 states.

Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel and the entire Republican National Committee is laser-focused on beating Biden next fall, said the spokesperson. The RNC will continue to communicate with all campaigns and candidates as we look forward to putting our battle-tested infrastructure behind our Presidential nominee.

The committee also sent along supportive statements of McDaniel from state party chairs in Nevada, Alabama, Iowa, California and North Carolina, as evidence of the depth of her backing.

"Having worked with Chairwoman Ronna McDaniel over the past two election cycles, I could not ask for a better partner to help us ensure historic up-and-down ballot Republican victories in Iowa, said Iowa GOP Chair Jeff Kaufman. Without her support, Iowa and the Iowa Caucus would not be first in the nation. She has my full confidence as we head into the thick of caucus season.

Trump could have avenues to make changes at the RNC, should he become the presumptive nominee. One option being floated in Trumps orbit is to install a loyalist at the committee who would play a key role in overseeing the RNCs operations. The Trump campaign has hinted that it plans to make changes at the committee should he win the primary, saying in a memo earlier this month that it would refocus the organization.



The former president is being egged on by conservative activists to do so. Dissatisfaction with McDaniel, in particular, has been driven by the conservative group Turning Point USA, whose founder, Charlie Kirk, urged Trump to push for a change of leadership at the committee.

There is still time to correct course on many of the structural problems at the RNC, Kirk said in a statement, but we need to move fast.

Kirk and Turning Point USA tried to unseat McDaniel in that last RNC election only to watch her coast to a fourth term. But in the aftermath of last weeks election losses in Virginia and Kentucky and Ohio, the simmering frustration with McDaniel has become far more pronounced.

The chair of the Virginia GOP, Rich Anderson, claimed the RNC denied his request for financial assistance. McDaniel maintains the RNC was told by Virginia officials in the summer they did not need the cash and said Republicans in the state were outspent on the issue of abortion.

Members of Congress have begun joining the chorus of critics, too. And on Wednesday, biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamys campaign launched FireRonna.com, an online petition calling for her ouster. At the third primary debate, just days earlier, Ramaswamy had gone after McDaniel while on stage  a surprise attack he had brainstormed at home earlier that day with conservative commentator Benny Johnson, one of the top contributors to Turning Point USA.

I think I should just say that, Ronna McDaniel should resign, there needs to be some accountability, she should get up on stage right now. Shes here, Ronna come up here and resign, Ramaswamy said to Johnson, according to a video that Johnson posted to his social media feed.

McDaniel responded to Ramaswamy and criticisms of her on Sunday saying the circular firing squad of blame is hurting the GOP.

I was disappointed [with Ramaswamys statement], North Carolina GOP Chair Michael Whatley said in a statement provided by the RNC. What the RNC is trying to do is to give every one of these candidates an opportunity to communicate their message out to the American people.

Ramaswamys complaints may have been more personal and direct. But other candidates on the stage have been critical of the RNC for its criteria for getting on stage and its ban on participating in other non-GOP sanctioned debates. In an interview with POLITICO, North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum criticized McDaniel and RNC debate chair David Bossie by name for trying to winnow the field before Iowa based on their debate rules.

"What's the purpose of trying to reduce competition?" Burgum said. He added: "This is a backroom, lick-your-finger, stick it in the air and come up with some arbitrary thing to try to nationalize the primaries."

McDaniels performance as chair has been a topic of conversation among southern RNC members gathered for a regional training this week at the Beau Rivage Resort & Casino in Biloxi, Miss. But nearly no one believes a majority, let alone two-thirds, of RNC members would be willing to hold a special vote to oust her a year before her term is up.

Obviously, we would like to be winning more. I think thats a collective agreement, Brock said. I dont think theres much of a collective appetite for replacing her this time.

Laura Ingraham and those guys can say whatever they want, but you're not going to convince her to step down.
Dominic Patton, left, and Jamel Perry, right, pose for a photo on a Patton family vacation in Pigeon Forge sometime around 2016.

Update: Jamie Wells received a sentence of 122 years in the Indiana Department of Correction for the December 2021 stabbing deaths of Dominic Patton and Jamel Perry, according to a news release issued Nov. 15 by the Marion County Prosecutor's Office.

Wells was convicted of two counts of murder by a jury after a four-day trial in October.

The courtroom was filled with family and friends in a tremendous show of support for Dominic and Jamel at todays hearing, said Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears in a news release. It is a reflection of who they were as people and the impact they had on those around them. The significant sentence marks finality to this chapter, but it will not fill the immense void of their loss.

Update: Marion County Prosecutor Ryan Mears announced Oct. 19, 2023, that Jamie Wells was convicted of two counts of murder for the December 2021 stabbing deaths of Dominic Patton and Jamel Perry. Wells was convicted by a jury after a four-day trial.

Todays verdict is an accumulation of the diligent work of the investigators, deputy prosecutors, victim advocates, community members, and witnesses who played an intricate part in obtaining justice on behalf of Dominic and Jamel, Mears said in a news release.

Original article:

Dominic Patton and Jamel Perry always had each other.

They always said that since their relationships never worked out, they would just be two old men sitting with each other on the front porch in rocking chairs, said Gail Phillips, Patton's mother.

Patton, 30, and Perry, 35, were found stabbed to death Dec. 15 inside their home in the 2300 block of Adams Street on Indianapolis east side.

A man who may have been living in a third bedroom of the home, Jamie Wells, was arrested in connection to their deaths and charged with two counts of murder, according to the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

Longtime friends

Phillips doesnt remember how her son and Perry met, but they were friends for about 12 years.

Patton had a big personality and loved singing at karaoke bars and dancing. He would go out of his way to help others, Phillips said.

Dominic was a hot mess, Phillips said. He was loud, funny and quick-witted. He could give you attitude all day long, but at the same time he would give you the shirt off his back.

Jamel Perry, left, Gail Phillips, center, and Dominic Patton pose for a photo at Patton's home in Indianapolis around 2019.

Patton helped a co-worker and their family when they were facing homelessness, would provide rides to and from work for his friends and one time dropped his plans and re-arranged his work schedule to help his aunt move hundreds of miles to Tennessee, Phillips said.

Patton worked at Churchs Chicken and styled hair as well. He had a cosmetology license, an esthetician license and planned to become a cosmetology instructor, Phillips said. He would call and check in with his mother almost everyday.

I just called to see what you was doing, Phillips said. That's always what Dominic would say when called me."

Previous coverage: Man arrested in connection to December Adams Street double homicide after fleeing

Perry, whose nickname was Buster, would go on vacations with Patton and his mother and became part of their family. They went to Myrtle Beach and Pigeon Forge together.

"Buster was more reserved than Dominic, Phillips said. He would speak up at certain times and it would just be hilarious. On your birthday he would call and sing this stupid birthday song. He would go, 'Birthday, birthday. It's your birthday.

Perry liked to make up goofy names for his friends and family and worked at Eagle Valley Meadows nursing home for the past five years. He was born and raised in Gary, Phillips said.

Dominic Patton, who was found dead on Dec. 15, 2021, is photographed at various stages in his life.

More: Coroner identifies men found dead in Adams Street home

Perry was dedicated to his work, especially if it involved making life more pleasant or manageable for residents at the nursing home, said RobbyGee Lucas, who knew Perry for 15 years.

(Perry) kept a caretaker's spirit ..., Lucas said. He always had a positive word for anyone he'd come across.

Wells was arrested in connection with the deaths of Patton and Perry on Thursday.

More crime news: Man and woman dead after apparent murder-suicide on city's east side, police say

It's nice to know that he was booked into the Marion County Jail and they've got enough evidence to charge him, Phillips said.

Building the case

The friends were found by police after a co-worker of Pattons contacted them because he had not shown up for work and wasnt answering his phone, according to probable cause affidavit filed in the case.

Investigators found Patton and Perry with trauma to their heads and chest in separate bedrooms at the home. A large knife was found under Perry, according to affidavit.

Police interviewed two witnesses, who identified Wells as a third roommate living at the house on Adams Street, according to the affidavit.

Dominic Patton, left, and Jamel Perry, far right, celebrate their birthdays with a friend in Indianapolis a few weeks before they were found dead on Dec. 15, 2021.

Indianapolis crime: So many people died in 2021 the coroner ran out of money to investigate

A woman who knows Wells told police that during the early hours of Dec. 14, he knocked on her apartment window and asked to come inside. Wells had gashes on the outer edges of his hands, she told police, according to the affidavit.

Wells told her he got into a fight, and she told him he wasnt allowed to stay at her apartment and that he should go stay with another woman who lived nearby, according to affidavit.

Wells went back and forth between the apartments of the two women, according to the affidavit.

The second woman told police Wells came to her front door about 5:30 a.m. Dec. 14 with blood on his clothes and gashes on his hand, according to the affidavit.

The woman told police she was scared of Wells and on Dec. 16 agreed to take him to the Greyhound station and he went to Chicago, according to the affidavit.

Wells was arrested on an unrelated warrant Dec. 29 in Chicago before being charged in connection with the deaths of Patton and Perry, according to Indianapolis police.

Phillips is asking people to come forward if they know anything about the killings of her son and Perry.

"If we don't start speaking up, things like this are going to continue to happen," Phillips said.

Patton and Perry were hard working and enjoying their lives before they were killed, Phillips said.

My son touched so many people, Phillips said. It didn't matter if you were young, old, straight, gay, white or black. My son and Buster had an effect on everybody, and they were not doing anything wrong."

Anyone with information about this incident is asked contact Detective Jose Torres at the IMPD Homicide Office at 317-327-3475 or email him at Jose.Torres@indy.gov.

Those with information also can call Crime Stoppers of Central Indiana at 317-262-8477 or (TIPS) to remain anonymous.

Contact Jake Allen at jake.allen@indystar.com. Follow him on Twitter @Jake_Allen19.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Indianapolis crime: Best friends killed in Adams Street stabbings
Israels military said it found the body of a Hamas hostage in a building close to the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza  but it has yet to produce evidence proving its claims that the militant groups headquarters lie in tunnels beneath the health facility.

Yehudit Weiss, 64, was one of around 240 hostages taken by Hamas gunmen when they stormed into southern Israel on October 7. She was suffering from breast cancer.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said her body had been identified by forensic examiners and taken to Israel, and the family had been informed.

Yehudit Weiss was among the hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October (Supplied)

In the structure in which Yehudit was located, military equipment including Kalashnikov rifles and RPGs were also found, it said.

The IDF has justified focusing on the hospital by alleging that the beating heart of Hamas operations lies in and under the facility. It stormed the hospital early on Wednesday in what it called a precise and targeted operation.

Medics evacuate patients from al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City hours before the Israeli raid (Reuters)

The Israeli military displayed guns it said had been found hidden in one building  but it is still yet to release proof of its claims that Hamas has a sophisticated command centre underneath al-Shifa and uses connected tunnels to conceal military operations and to hold hostages.

On Thursday, the US insisted it was confident in its intelligence assessment that Hamas was using the hospital as a command centre and possibly as a shortage facility.

But the raids drew criticism from UN aid chief Martin Griffiths who said he was appalled. The hospital has become the focus of Israels war on Hamas, launched in retaliation for the militants bloody 7 October massacre, as fears have grown for the thousands of patients, displaced people and medical staff trapped.

A cache of weapons the IDF says were found in a closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City (Israeli Defense Forces)

Details from the raid remain vague, and officials from Israel and Gaza have presented different narratives about what was happening at the hospital.

The Israeli military said soldiers killed several Hamas militants at the outset of their operation as they were confronted by explosive devices and terrorist squads.

In footage that could not be independently verified, the IDF also released video from inside Shifa showing three duffel bags it said it found hidden around an MRI lab, each containing an assault rifle, grenades and Hamas uniforms, as well as a closet that contained a number of assault rifles without ammunition clips.

Watch as LTC (res.) Jonathan Conricus exposes the countless Hamas weapons IDF troops have uncovered in the Shifa Hospital's MRI building: pic.twitter.com/5qssP8z1XQ  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 15, 2023

These weapons have absolutely no business being inside a hospital, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesperson said, adding that he believed the material was just the top of the iceberg as troops continued to search for traces of the militants inside and beneath the facility.

Earlier, Israeli army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner claimed to CNN that the hospital and compound were for Hamas a central hub of their operations, perhaps even the beating heart and maybe even a centre of gravity.

Palestinians wounded in the Israeli bombardment wait for treatment in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City (AP)

All communication services across Gaza are now down due to a lack of fuel, Palestinian telecoms provider Paltel said, cutting off the besieged territory from the outside world.

But earlier on Thursday, Medical Aid Palestinians received its final message from a colleague, an Irish-Palestinian surgeon at al-Shifa, before the blackout. The Independent was told by the charity that Dr Ahmed El Mokhallalati said he had seen tanks break through into the hospital compound and that the buildings had been shot at. Those inside are avoiding going near windows, he added.

Munir al-Boursh, a senior official with Gazas Hamas-run Health Ministry inside the hospital, said Israeli troops ransacked the basement and other buildings, and questioned and scanned the faces of patients, staff and people sheltering in the facility. The Health Ministry said Israeli troops also detained technicians responsible for running the hospitals equipment.

After encircling al-Shifa for days, Israel faces pressure to prove its claim that Hamas used the patients, staff and civilians sheltering there to provide cover for its militants. The allegation is part of Israel's broader accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.

Israeli soldiers carrying out operations inside Al-Shifa hospital (Israeli Army/AFP/Getty)

Hamas and Gaza health officials have denied militants operate in Shifa  a hospital that employs some 1,500 people and has more than 500 beds. Palestinians and rights groups have accused Israel of recklessly endangering civilians.

Hamas has said 650 patients and 5,000 to 7,000 other civilians have been trapped inside the hospital grounds, under constant fire from Israeli snipers and drones. Amid shortages of fuel, water and supplies, it said 40 patients have died in recent days.

Smoke billows following an Israeli strike on Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza strip on Thursday (AFP/Getty)

Thirty-six babies are left from the neo-natal ward after three died. Without fuel for generators to power incubators, the babies were being kept as warm as possible, lined up eight to a bed.

Human Rights Watch on Thursday cautioned that hospitals have special protections under international humanitarian law. Hospitals only lose those protections if it can be shown that harmful acts have been carried out from the premises, the watchdogs UN director Louis Charbonneau told Reuters. The Israeli government hasn't provided any evidence of that.

The World Health Organisation said it was trying to arrange a medical evacuation of patients from al-Shifa, but was hindered by security concerns and the inability to communicate with anyone there.

Palestinians look at destruction after Israeli strikes on Rafah, Gaza Strip on Wednesday (AP)

All hospitals in northern Gaza have effectively been shut down by Israeli forces.

It comes as Israel ordered civilians to leave four towns in southern Gaza, raising fears war could spread to areas where it had told people they would be safe. Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement that Israeli forces had cleared the entire western part of Gaza City and that the next stage has begun.
As the sixth season of The Crown is set to hit Netflix on 16 November, much of the final installment is expected to follow Prince William as a young adult and his days at the University of St Andrews in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Although the trailer for part one of The Crown mainly depicted Princess Dianas final months before her untimely death, part two  which will be released 14 December  is likely to portray the fateful moment William met his future wife, Kate Middleton, while studying at university together.

As many royal fans are aware, the now-Prince and Princess of Wales sparked a romance as students at the University of St Andrews in 2001. Just 10 years later, the pair were married in a lavish royal wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Since then, theyve gone on to welcome three children to the royal family: Prince George, now 10; Princess Charlotte, eight; and Prince Louis, five.

Before the first four episodes of The Crown season six hits Netflix, lets take a look back on William and Kates fairytale romance  from classmates to husband and wife.

After he graduated from Eton College, Prince William furthered his education at the University of St Andrews in 2001, where he enrolled simply as William Wales and studied art history. It was there he met Catherine Elizabeth Middleton from Bucklebury, Berkshire  the eldest daughter of Michael and Carole Middleton, a former flight dispatcher and flight attendant at British Airways.

Her mother founded Party Pieces, a company selling supplies for childrens parties, in 1987. While Kates family was already well connected to members of the royal family and the British aristocracy, they found financial success with their party supplies business.

Its rumoured that Kate first caught Williams eye when she modelled a sheer dress at a charity show runway in March 2002. While the two met in their first semester at school, William didnt see Kate as more than a friend until she walked the runway in the see-through dress, which was later auctioned for 78,000. William reportedly paid 200 for a front-row seat at the fashion show.

(PA)

However, some royal experts have suggested that Kates enrollment at St Andrews was entirely related to meeting her future husband. Robert Lacey, British biographer and historical consultant for The Crown, wrote in his 2020 book Battle of Brothers: William and Harry - The Inside Story of a Family in Tumult that Kate wasnt supposed to be enrolled at St Andrews at all.

Kate was very strategic, Lacey told Elle in 2020. She gave up her place at one of Britains premier universities, Edinburgh, and opted for another one [St Andrews] that probably didnt have the same academic standard. She had already been to Edinburgh to get her flat accommodations sorted out but switched universities and switched her courses to history of art because that was Williams. She delayed her own education by a year and even takes the chance she wont get into St Andrews.

According to Laceys book, applications for St Andrews skyrocketed by 44 per cent after it was announced William was to attend the university in Scotland. The pair began dating shortly after the charity fashion show and lived together in an off-campus apartment with two friends, before moving to a cottage outside the town for their final year.

(Getty Images)

In their 2010 engagement interview, William and Kate finally opened up about how their romance blossomed as students at St Andrews. I actually think I went bright red when I met you and sort of scuttled off, feeling very shy about meeting you, Kate said about William. It did take a bit of time for us to get to know each other but we did become very close friends from quite early.

William added: We moved in together as friends. We lived with a couple of others as well, and it just sort of blossomed from there, really. We just saw more of each other, and you know, hung out a bit more and did stuff.

Both William and Kate graduated from St Andrews on 23 June 2005. To mark their nuptials just six years later, the Middleton family would share a now-iconic photograph of the couple posing together on their graduation day.

Following their graduation, Kate slowly became inducted into royal life when she attended her first royal wedding - the nuptials of Laura Parker-Bowles, Queen Camillas daughter, and Harry Lopes in 2006. It marked William and Kates first public appearance together, but by 2007, the couple sparked breakup rumours.

Kate Middleton and Prince William after their graduation ceremony at St Andrews in 2005 (Michael Dunlea/Daily Mail/PA) (PA Media)

The two briefly split, reportedly because Kate was frustrated with Williams lack of commitment, according to The Guardian. During this time, she moved to London and worked several jobs in retail and marketing.

When asked about the breakup during their engagement interview, Kate shared further detail about their split. At the time I wasnt very happy about it, but it made me a stronger person, she said. You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadnt realised, I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you are younger and I really valued that time for me, although I didnt think it at the time.

However, the two seemed to have rekindled their romance in July that same year when Kate attended a Princess Diana tribute concert with her younger sister, Pippa Middleton. By April 2008, Kate was by Williams side when he received his RAF wings after training to become an RAF pilot.

In 2010, following a visit by Kates parents to Birkhall - then King Charless private residence on the Balmoral estate - Clarence House confirmed that William had presented Kate with his mothers sapphire ring and the couple were to wed the following year.

Britain Prince William (AP2010)

During his recent state visit to Kenya, King Charles shared details about how William popped the question to Kate. It was here, in sight of Mount Kenya, that my son, the Prince of Wales, proposed to his wife, now my beloved daughter-in-law, he said in his speech.

On 29 April 2011, they exchanged vows in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey and became known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Two years later, their first son and second in line to the throne - Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge - was born on 22 July 2013. The pair welcomed their second child, Princess Charlotte, on 2 May 2015, and their third child, Prince Louis, was born in April 2018.

While the family of five made Kensington Palace their official residence for many years, William and Kate relocated their family to Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate last year, in an effort to put their children first and give them more freedom outside of city life.

The first four episodes of The Crown season six hits Netflix on 16 November in the US and UK. The final six episodes will be released on 14 December.
Prince William and Catherine, the Prince and Princess of Wales, have been married for more than 12 years, and share three kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

After Queen Elizabeth II died in September 2022, the former Duke and Duchess of Cambridge inherited their new royal titles as the Prince and Princess of Wales and updated their social media accounts to reflect the change.

As part of the royal family, their lives will be told in Season Six of The Crown where the show will depict the events leading up to Princess Dianas tragic death in 1997, as well as the beginning of William and Kate's love story.

Read on to find a full timeline of William and Kate's relationship, in their own words.

William and Kate met while college students in 2002

Prince William and the former Kate Middleton met while attending St. Andrews University  and thanks, in part, to a 2002 fashion show.

The future king first caught sight of Kate when she wore sheer see-through dress at a college fashion show called The Art of Seduction." The dress was later auctioned off for more than $125,000 per People.

In their first joint interview together after their 2010 engagement, conducted with ITV Newss Tom Bradby, Kate said that she remembered William telling her that she actually turned "bright red" when she met him for the first time and "sort of scuttled off."

(I was) feeling very shy about meeting you, she said.

Kate and William become 'very close friends' first

After their first encounter, the pair became "very close friends," William said in their first joint interview after their engagement.

We were friends for over a year first, William explained. It just sort of blossomed from then on.

(We) realized we shared the same interests, he added. (We) just had a really good time.

William and Kate move in together

We moved in together as friends, William said in his first joint interview with Kate since their engagement, adding, We lived with a couple of others, as well, and it just sort of blossomed from there, really, we just saw more of each other, hung out a bit more and did stuff.

Kate also talked about their early days together when she filmed "A Berry Royal Christmas" with baking expert Mary Berry in 2019.

According to Insider, Kate said that William used to "cook all sorts of meals" for them when they were in their "university days."

"I think thats when he was trying to impress me, Mary, Kate said. Things like Bolognese sauce and things like that.

However, in the book "A Taste of Home," William admitted that his cooking skills are subpar.

When I was trying to impress Kate, I was trying to cook these amazing, fancy dinners and all that would happen was that I would burn something, something would over spill, something would catch on fire. And shed be sitting in the background just trying to help and basically taking control of the whole situation. So I was quite glad she was there at the time, William wrote.

William and Kate briefly break up

William confirmed that he and Kate briefly broke up in their early stages of dating during their first joint interview.

We did split up for a bit, but that was just, we were both very young, it was at university, and we were both sort of defining ourselves as such and being different characters and stuff, he said. It was very much trying to find our own way and we were growing up.

Kate and William get engaged in 2010

In October 2010, William popped the question to Kate during a private holiday in Kenya, Clarence House announced in a statement.

Prince William and Kate Middleton on November 16, 2010 in London, England. (Chris Jackson / Getty Images)

Clarence House also announced that Prince William "informed the queen and other close members of his family" of their engagement and he "sought the permission of Miss Middletons father" before he asked for his girlfriend's hand in marriage.

As for the ring? Buckingham Palace confirmed that William gave Kate his late mother Princess Dianas sapphire engagement ring.

Giving it to her was my way of making sure my mother didnt miss out on today, William said at a press conference, according to The Guardian, adding that the engagement ring was "very special" to him.

The timing is right now, we are both very, very happy," he said. "We both have a very good sense of humor and we take the mickey out of each other a lot.

William and Kate get married in 2011

In April 2011, onlookers watched as Kate and William walked down the aisle together at Westminster Abbey in London.

Royal Wedding - Carriage Procession To Buckingham Palace And Departures (Chris Jackson / Getty Images)

For their nuptials, Kate wore a gown designed by Sarah Burton with lengthy sleeves and a long train.

On that same day, Queen Elizabeth II gave William and her new granddaughter-in-law new royal titles: the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge.

After their wedding, William and Kate jetted off to Seychelles in East Africa for their honeymoon.

Kate and William move into Kensington Palace

In July 2011, Kate and William made their big move into Kensington Palace, their first official royal home as a couple.

The couple chose to move into a two-bedroom, one-bathroom apartment in the Hyde Park-enclosed palace.

Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge take a Game drive at Kaziranga National Park. (Heathcliff O'Malley / Getty Images)

The duo stayed there for a few months before they moved into a larger apartment in Kensington Palace, which was last occupied by the queen's late sister Princess Margaret, according to People.

The outlet reported that their new space was the size of a "small mansion," which is perfect for them to start a family. In 2022, they relocated to a house on the grounds of Windsor Castle.

Kate and William announce they're expecting their first child in 2012

In December 2012, palace officials happily announced that Kate was pregnant with her first child with William.

While pregnant with George, Kate was hospitalized with hyperemesis gravidarum, a severe type of morning sickness.

William and Kate welcome Prince George in 2013

In July 2013, William and Kate became parents when they welcomed their first child, son Prince George Alexander Louis.

A statement released at the time said that George would be known as His Royal Highness Prince George of Cambridge, and that he was born at St. Marys Hospital in London at 4:24 p.m. local time.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge with their newborn son. (Chris Jackson / Getty Images)

During a 2020 interview on the Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, Kate said that she didn't know if she was going to have a boy or a girl.

It was a surprise, she said, according to Insider. But also seeing  you know, your husband, William ... seeing the pure joy of his face, it was really special.

William and Kate announce they're expecting another child a year later

In September 2014, Kensington Palace announced that Kate and William were expecting their second child. "The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news," the palace said in a statement.

As with her first pregnancy, Kate experienced hyperemesis gravidarum, an extreme pregnancy sickness.

On May 2, 2015 at 8:34 a.m. local time, Princess Charlotte Elizabeth Diana was born at 8:34 a.m. local time at Londons St. Marys Hospital, per NBC News.

After their little girl was born, NBC News reported that William left the hospital in the afternoon and returned a little while later with Prince George.

Hows your daughter? Hows she doing? a woman in the crowd yelled to him, according to the outlet.

I am very happy, thank you, William responded.

Kate becomes pregnant with baby No. 3 in 2017

In September 2017, Kensington Palace announced that Kate and William were going to expand their family once again.

"The Queen and members of both families are delighted with the news," the palace said in a statement.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are very pleased to announce that The Duchess of Cambridge is expecting their third child pic.twitter.com/DZCheAj1RM  The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) September 4, 2017

As with her previous two pregnancies, The Duchess is suffering from hyperemesis gravidarum, the statement continued.

In a 2020 interview on Giovanna Fletchers Happy Mum, Happy Baby podcast, Kate talked about the morning sickness she experienced in her pregnancies and said shes never been the happiest of pregnant people.

Lots of people have it far, far worse. It was definitely a challenge. Not just for me, but also for your loved ones around you and I think thats the thing  being pregnant and having a newborn baby and things like that, impacts everybody in the family, she said.

William didnt feel he could do much to help and its hard to see youre suffering without actually being able to do anything about it, Kate continued.

William and Kate welcome Louis in 2018

In April 2018, William and Kate welcomed their third child, a son named Louis, at St. Marys Hospital in London. At the time of his birth, Louis weighed 8 pounds and 7 ounces, the palace confirmed.

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, accompanied by their parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. (PA Images / Alamy Stock Photo / Alamy Live News.)

"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, Prince Harry and members of both families have been informed and are delighted with the news. Her Royal Highness and her child are both doing well," Kensington Palace said.

Shortly after he was born, his siblings, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, came to visit him at the hospital.

William and Kate celebrate their 10-year anniversary

The couple commemorated their 10-year anniversary on Instagram, posting a clip of them and their kids having fun together outside. In the caption, they thanked their fans for all the "kind messages" they received on their special day.

"We are enormously grateful for the 10 years of support we have received in our lives as a family," the caption read.

The family moves to Windsor in the summer of 2022

William, Kate and their three kids moved to Adelaide Cottage in Windsors Home Park in August 2022, according to Londons PA Media.

William and Kate get new royal titles in 2022

After Queen Elizabeth II's death, William's father, King Charles III  formerly known as Prince Charles  rose to the throne and announced that William and Kate would inherit the titles of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

In his first public statement issued after her death, William wrote that he was "incredibly grateful" for his grandmother.

I have had the benefit of The Queens wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade, he wrote. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives. She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life.

I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real, the statement continued.

William and Kate match at the BAFTAs

In February, William and Kate dazzled fans when they walked the red carpet at the British Academy Film Awards (BAFTAs), both wearing black-and-white outfits.

Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales attend the EE BAFTA Film Awards 2023 at The Royal Festival Hall on February 19, 2023 in London, England. The Prince of Wales, President of the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA), and The Princess will attend the Awards ceremony before meeting category winners and EE Rising Star Award nominees. (Chris Jackson / Getty Images)

For the event, William wore a black velvet tuxedo, while Kate opted for a white Alexander McQueen gown that she originally wore to the BAFTAs in 2019.

William and Kate celebrate their 12-year wedding anniversary

In April 2023, William and Kate celebrated their 12th wedding anniversary when they shared a photo of themselves riding bikes together on Instagram.

In the caption they wrote, "12 years ."

William and Kate attend King Charles III's coronation

In May 2023, William, Kate and their kids attended the coronation of King Charles III, where Charles was crowned the new monarch.

King Coronation (Leon Neal / Pool / AFP via Getty Images)

The day kicked off with Charles and Camillas procession to Westminster Abbey, then the coronation ceremony at the church and the procession back to Buckingham Palace.

At the palace, the royal family headed to the balcony where they waved to onlookers and watched the Royal Air Force perform a pared-down fly-over in the area.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Xi calls on China, U.S. to find right way to get along

Xinhua) 06:09, November 16, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on China and the United States to find the right way to get along with each other.

It is an objective fact that China and the United States are different in history, culture, social system and development path, Xi said in his opening remarks during a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden at Filoli Estate, a country house approximately 40 km south of San Francisco, California.

"However as long as they respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation, they will be fully capable of rising above differences and find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other," Xi said, expressing his firm belief in a promising future of the bilateral relationship.

Noting that a year has passed since their last meeting in Bali, Indonesia, and a lot has happened since then, Xi said the world has emerged from the COVID-19 pandemic, but is still under its tremendous impacts.

"The global economy is recovering, but its momentum remains sluggish; industrial and supply chains are still under the threat of interruption; and protectionism is rising. All these are grave problems," Xi said.

The China-U.S. relationship, which is the most important bilateral relationship in the world, should be perceived and envisioned in the broad context of the accelerating global transformations unseen in a century, he said. "It should develop in a way that benefits our two peoples and fulfills our responsibility for human progress."

The Chinese president pointed out that the China-U.S. relationship has never been smooth sailing over the past 50 years and more, and that it always faces problems of one kind or another. Yet it has kept moving forward amid twists and turns.

"For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other. And conflict and confrontation have unbearable consequences for both sides," he said.

Xi underscored his consistent view that major-country competition is not the prevailing trend of current times and cannot solve the problems facing China and the United States or the world at large. "Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed, and one country's success is an opportunity for the other," he noted.

The Chinese president also noted that being at the helm of China-U.S. relations, he and President Biden shoulder heavy responsibilities for the two peoples, for the world and for history.

Xi looks forward to having an in-depth exchange of views and reaching new understandings with President Biden on strategic and overarching issues critical to the direction of China-U.S. relations and on major issues affecting world peace and development.

For his part, Biden said he values his conversation with Xi because he thinks it is paramount that the two leaders understand each other clearly, adding that they have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict and have to manage competition responsibly.

The critical global challenges the two countries face, from climate change to counternarcotics to artificial intelligence, demand joint efforts from both sides, Biden said.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Russian officials claim to have taken measures to protect critical infrastructure and have strengthened air defence systems in Moscow and 16 other oblasts.

Source: Kremlin-aligned news agency RIA Novosti, citing Nikolai Patrushev, Secretary of the Security Council of the Russian Federation.

Quote: "Operational headquarters in the regions (Central Federal District  ed.) have implemented measures to protect the population and critical infrastructure, reinforcing air defence.

Patrols have been organised in areas close to critically important and potentially dangerous facilities."

Details: Russian media claims that air defence systems have been strengthened "against the backdrop of attacks by Ukrainian drones".

Patrushev added that necessary "measures had been taken to enhance mobilisation readiness and civil defence".

For reference: The Central Federal District of the Russian Federation includes, among others, Moscow, Belgorod, and Kursk oblasts.

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A Russian court on Thursday sentenced artist Alexandra Skochilenko to seven years in prison for spreading "false information" about the army after she swapped supermarket price tags with slogans criticising Russia's offensive in Ukraine.

The 33-year-old, known as Sasha, is the latest among thousands of Russians to be detained, jailed or fined for speaking out against Moscow's military intervention.

Supporters shouted "shame" and "we're with you Sasha" after the judge, Oksana Demiasheva, read out the verdict, an AFP journalist in court reported.

Some, mainly young people, pulled out banners saying "she should not go to prison", while her lawyers left without giving any comment.

Skochilenko wore a colourful T-shirt with a large red heart printed on it. She made a heart shape with her hands and smiled to supporters during the hearing.

"Every person in this room wants only one thing: Peace. Why fight?" she said in a closing statement.

Skochilenko had said in an earlier hearing that she "just wanted to stop the war. That was my motivation".

- 'They give less for murder' -

"It's not Sasha who should go to prison, but the people who convicted her," 20-year-old Anton, who declined to give his full name, citing security concerns, told AFP after the verdict was announced.

On March 31 last year -- as Russia pursued a brutal siege of Ukraine's port city of Mariupol -- Skochilenko replaced five price tags in a branch of one of Russia's largest supermarket chains in Saint Petersburg.

One of the messages included claims about a Russian strike on a theatre in Mariupol that was reported to have left hundreds dead.

"The cost of this war is the life of our children" and "Putin has been lying to us from television screens for 20 years" were written on other tags.

An elderly shopper reported the swapped tags to police.

Human rights group Memorial -- now banned in Russia -- said police spent 10 days interrogating supermarket staff and inspecting security camera footage before arresting Skochilenko.

"They sometimes give less for murder than for five price tags in a supermarket," said Boris Vishnevsky, a politician linked to the opposition Yabloko party, describing the ruling a "reprisal".

"Hopefully someday the pendulum will turn the other way," he told AFP.

- Health 'catastrophe' -

"How weak is our prosecutor's faith in our state and society if he thinks our statehood and public safety can be ruined by five little pieces of paper?" Skochilenko said in court.

She has admitted to swapping the tags, but denied that the text written on them was false.

"Everyone sees and knows that you are not judging a terrorist. You're not trying an extremist. You're not even trying a political activist. You're judging a pacifist," she said.

Skochilenko's supporters, who include exiled Russian artists and opposition activists, have said the trial is absurd.

Skochilenko, who is openly gay, has also said that "hatred towards minorities" in deeply conservative Russia could help explain the trial against her.

She suffers from health issues -- including coeliac disease and a congenital heart defect. Her mother recently told AFP that a long prison term would be a "catastrophe".

An illustrator and musician, Skochilenko joined street protests in Russia in the first days of Moscow's offensive.

One of her illustrations against the intervention depicted stickmen hugging, painted in the colours of the Russian and Ukrainian flags.

"Her persecution has become synonymous with the absurdly cruel oppression faced by Russians openly opposing their countrys criminal war," rights group Amnesty International said after the verdict.

Memorial has designated Skochilenko a political prisoner and has launched a campaign calling for her release.

Most of Russia's high-profile opposition figures have fled the country or are behind bars, including Alexei Navalny.

bur/tw
New evidence compiled by human rights law firm Global Rights Compliance shows that Russia prepared to steal grain supplies, target food infrastructure, and starve the Ukrainian population months before the full-scale invasion, the Independent reported on Nov. 16.

GRC found that Russia's defense contractor started buying bulk carrier cargo ships and trucks to transport grain as early as December 2021.

Following the launch of the full-scale invasion in February 2022, Russian forces attacked grain-rich regions and food infrastructure first as part of a deliberate starvation campaign, GRC's report says.

Russia not only deployed a multi-pronged approach by besieging civilian populations, destroying critical infrastructure, but it also pre-planned the seizure and pillage of agricultural commodities in an insidious plan," Catriona Murdoch, a partner at GRC, told the Independent.

"Moscow has sparked a global food crisis and attacked Ukraines agriculture sector as a warfare tactic."

Read also: Holodomor: Soviet Unions man-made famine in Ukraine

Farmers in southern Ukraine said Russian troops took over their farms just days after the full-scale invasion.

Multiple convoys of vehicles were seen carrying grain in the direction of the Crimean Peninsula in the following weeks, and GPS trackers on farmers stolen trucks show them driving through Crimea and into Russia, the GRC said.

GRC intends to share their new evidence with the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The ICC has already issued an arrest warrant for Putin and Russian politician Maria Lvova-Belova for their role in the forced deportation of Ukrainian children. GRC hopes the ICC will prosecute Russian dictator Vladimir Putin for an additional war crime: using starvation as a tool of warfare.

Russia's war against Ukraine has also threatened food security worldwide. Ukraine was the world's largest wheat producer before the invasion. After Russia's withdrawal from the Black Sea Grain Initiative in July 2023, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called Russia's war an "assault" on the global food system.

Since the withdrawal, Russian forces have continued to pummel port and grain infrastructure in southern Ukraine with aerial attacks.

In the 1930s, the Ukrainian population suffered a genocidal starvation campaign, now known as the Holodomor, under the leadership of Josef Stalin. Millions died of starvation, while Soviet authorities also targeted the language, culture, and national identity of Ukraine.

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Vladimir Putins troops are attempting a pincer movement to encircle the eastern Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, according to the UKs ministry of defence.

Russian forces have continued attacks towards outlying villages of the contested Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast. Russia is almost certainly attempting a pincer movement to encircle the town, the MoD said.

The Russian army has also closed in on the Ukrainian-held Coke and Chemical plant in the area, which is a key tactical position to the north, it said.

It comes as Ukraines forces have gained a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in a significant step for Kyivs counteroffensive.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff said on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had crossed onto the east bank of the river in the Kherson region against all odds.

The river has been one of the key battlegrounds of the conflict, with Russia crossing from the eastern bank to seize Kherson city in the early days of the invasion only to abandon the regional capital late last year.

Key Points

Russia raining 'Hell fire' on Ukrainian forces

Ukraine declares major breakthrough in southern counteroffensive against all odds

Zelensky warns Ukrainians to prepare for winter onslaught from Russia

Russia intensifies attacks in Avdiivka

Medical volunteer urges people to keep supporting Ukraine

13:27 , Maira Butt

In an armoured vehicle moving closer to the town of Bakhmut, medical volunteer Anna Filippova urged the international community to keep supporting the Ukrainian army.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the volunteer medic said:

Im observing reactions of the soldiers around me. Some are quiet, some are nervously vaping. One soldier did a little meditation and amygdala breathing, and then was cracking jokes for the rest of the way.

All I can say at this stage is that they operate in conditions that are not only lethally dangerous, but also detrimental for mental health. Every bit of support for our soldiers helps their morale. Please keep supporting #UkrainianArmy

Armoured vehicle is taking us closer to #Bakhmut and Im observing reactions of the soldiers around me.

Some are quiet, some are nervously vaping.

One soldier did a little meditation and amygdala breathing, and then was cracking jokes for the rest of the way.



I was low-key pic.twitter.com/AgaO79n3H7  Anna Filippova (@AnnaFil_Ukraine) November 16, 2023

Death toll from Donestky Oblast attack rises to 4

13:13 , Maira Butt

Emergency services have recovered more bodies at the site of the missile attack on the city of Selydove bringing the death toll to four, according to the Kyiv Independent.

A four story apartment building was hit in the attack by Russia on Wednesday. Initial reports suggested one person had been killed, but more bodies have since emerged from under the rubble.

The State Emergency services confirmed workers were still at the scene of the aftermath.

Local services workers remove debris near the crater, after a Russian missile strike at the site of damaged residential houses. (REUTERS)

Russian court convicts a woman for protesting the war in Ukraine in latest crackdown on free speech

12:55 , Maira Butt

AP reports:

A Russian court on Thursday convicted an artist and musician for replacing supermarket price tags with antiwar slogans and sentenced her to seven years in prison, Russian media reported.

Sasha Skochilenko, 33, has been held in her home city of St. Petersburg since April 2022 on charges of spreading false information about the military.

She was arrested a month after Russia adopted a law effectively criminalizing any public expression about the war in Ukraine that deviates from the Kremlins official line. The legislation has been used in a widespread crackdown on opposition politicians, human rights activists and ordinary Russians critical of the Kremlin, with many receiving lengthy prison terms.

She has been sentenced to seven years (EPA)

Ukraine grateful to UK for its support'

12:45 , Maira Butt

President Zelensky said in a post on X, formerly know as Twitter that Ukraine was greateful to the UK for its support.

After Lord Cameron made his first visit to the region following his appointment as foreign secretary, President Zelensky said:

We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.

Hosted @David_Cameron on his first visit to Ukraine as Foreign Secretary of the UK.



We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.



I am grateful to the UK for its support!



 pic.twitter.com/zElLHsSaQT  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 16, 2023

Court convicts activist of organising armed incursions from Ukraine into Russia

12:33 , Alexander Butler

A Russian court has convicted Ukraine-based Russian activist Denis Kapustin of state treason and terrorism for organising armed incursions from Ukraine into Russias Bryansk region, the state TASS news agency has reported.

Kapustin, also known as Denis Nikitin, is a former mixed martial arts fighter and a member of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC).

The RVC is an armed opposition group in Ukraine which has carried out several incursions into Russia this year.

Russia 'loads intercontinental ballistic missile into launch silo'

12:00 , Alexander Butler

Russia has loaded a nuclear-capable Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle into a launch silo in the south of the country, its defence ministry said.

Vladimir Putin announced the Avangard vehicle in 2018, saying it was a response to Americas development of a new generation of weapons.

As it approaches its target, the Avangard glide vehicle detaches from the rocket. It is then able to manoeuvre sharply outside the rockets trajectory at hypersonic speeds of up to 27 times the speed of sound.

An intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with the nuclear-capable

Russia planned to 'weaponise' Ukrainian grain

11:30 , Alexander Butler

Russia planned to pillage and weaponise more than $1bn of Ukrainian grain, a new report has said.

Global Rights Compliance (GRC) - a not-for-profit organisation specialising in international humanitarian law - said Moscow intended to use the proceeds to fund its military and fuel global food insecurity.

Upon capturing territory, Russian forces seized grain facilities from Ukrainian farmers and corporations, taking control of the surrounding transport networks and rapidly establishing safe and fast passage for stolen Ukrainian grain into Russia, it said.

Ukraine 'shoots down one Russian missile and 16 drones'

11:00 , Alexander Butler

The Ukrainian military says it shot down a missile and 16 of 18 attack drones launched by Russia overnight.

Civilian infrastructure in the eastern region of Kharkiv was damaged by S-300 missiles, authorities said.

The S-300 was developed by the Soviet Union. No deaths or injuries have been reported.

Ukraine and UK 'determined to work together'

10:15 , Alexander Butler

The United Kingdom and Ukraine are determined to work together, according to Ukraines foreign minister.

Dmytro Kuleba has posted a picture of him and Lord David Cameron, the new British foreign secretary, in Kyiv.

Mr Kuleba added: The UK remains steadfast in providing Ukraine with weapons, increasing their co-production, and ridding the Black Sea of Russian threats.

Welcome to Ukraine, @David_Cameron!



Our talks at @MFA_Ukraine proved that Ukraine and the UK are determined to work together toward victory.



The UK remains steadfast in providing Ukraine with weapons, increasing their co-production, and ridding the Black Sea of Russian threats. pic.twitter.com/k3ZGNo3RcN  Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) November 16, 2023

More than two thirds of Russians still support war in Ukraine, poll finds

09:43 , Alexander Butler

More than two thirds of Russians still support their countrys war in Ukraine, according to a US think tank.

The Levada Centre - an independent Russian polling organisation - has reported that 76 per cent of respondents said they support Russias military operations in Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War said.

It also said 62 per cent of those surveyed believe the invasion is progressing well, while 21% think it is going reasonably or very poorly for Russia.

Local services workers remove debris near the crater, after a Russian missile strike at the site of damaged residential houses in Selydove (REUTERS)

David Cameron praises Boris Johnson

08:42 , Alexander Butler

David Cameron has visited Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine in his first overseas trip as foreign secretary.

The former prime minister joked about his disagreements with Boris Johnson, but said support for the Ukrainian president was the finest thing his government did.

In a video of the meeting posted on X by president Zelensky, Lord Cameron said: I had some disagreements with my friend Boris Johnson, and we have known each other for 40 years, and his support for you was the finest thing that he and his government did.

David Cameron meets Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine in first visit as foreign secretary

Watch: New foreign secretary David Cameron meets Zelensky

08:16 , Alexander Butler

Lord Cameron visits Ukraine

08:15 , Alexander Butler

New British foreign secretary Lord Cameron has visited Ukraine and said the UK would continue to provide moral, diplomatic, economic and military support to the country.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said: Hosted David Cameron on his first visit to Ukraine as Foreign Secretary of the UK.

We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure. I am grateful to the UK for its support.

Hosted @David_Cameron on his first visit to Ukraine as Foreign Secretary of the UK.



We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.



I am grateful to the UK for its support!



 pic.twitter.com/zElLHsSaQT  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 16, 2023

Russian attempting pincer movement on Avdiivka

07:57 , Alexander Butler

Russian troops are attempting a pincer movement to encircle the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, according to the UKs ministry of defence.

Russian forces have continued attacks towards outlying villages of the contested Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast. Russia is almost certainly attempting a pincer movement to encircle the town, the MoD said.

It added that Russian troops had closed in on the Ukrainian-held Coke and Chemical plant in the area, which is a key tactical position to the north.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  16 November 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/ZelMQmkAgF



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/uLXQlx6VsU  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) November 16, 2023

Russian defences 'down three Ukrainian drones'

07:45 , Alexander Butler

Russian missile defences have reportedly downed three Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea.

One was near Crimea, with two more over the Bryansk region, according to Russias defence ministry.

Kremlin forcing Ukrainians to become Russian'

07:29 , Alexander Butler

The Kremlin is forcing Ukrainians in occupied territories to become Russian, according to reports.

One resident, named as Larysa, told the European Broadcasting Union that one of her friends was not provided with insulin for her diabetes unless she applied for a Russian passport.

Another friend had to become a Russian citizen before getting treatment for a broken arm, she added.

Bombs, betrayal and burying loved ones: Plight of one Ukraine village illustrates toll of Russias invasion

07:00 , Tom Watling

Kim Sengupta returns to Kamianka in eastern Ukraine  the scene of one of the most extraordinary exchanges he has witnessed during the 21-month war  to hear about the struggle to rebuild amid accusations of Russian collusion and vast destruction.

Bombs and betrayal: Plight of one Ukraine village highlights toll of Russian invasion

Russian woman goes on trial in a cafe bombing that killed a prominent military blogger

06:00 , Tom Watling

A woman went on trial Wednesday in the bombing at a St. Petersburg cafe that killed a prominent Russian military blogger after he was given a bust of himself that later exploded.

Darya Trepova, 26, is charged with carrying out a terrorist attack, illegal trafficking of explosive devices and forging documents in the April 2 blast at the cafe in which Vladlen Tatarsky was killed and 52 others were injured.

She was arrested shortly after the bombing and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted, according to Russian news reports.

Tatarsky, 40, was an ardent supporter of the Kremlins military action in Ukraine and filed regular reports on the fighting from the front lines.

Russian woman goes on trial in a cafe bombing that killed a prominent military blogger

Blow for Putin as Ukraine takes major step in bid to outflank Russian troops

05:00 , Tom Watling

A top Ukrainian official said its troops have established a beachhead on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River near Kherson, an important advance in bridging one of Russias most significant strategic barriers in the war.

Andriy Yermak, head of the presidents office, provided no details but confirmed the development that has been widely discussed in military forums over the past month.

Against all odds, Ukraines defense forces have gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnieper, Yermak told the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank, in a speech Monday.

Blow for Putin as Ukraine takes major step in bid to outflank Russian troops

Russian convicted of Kremlin critics murder pardoned after fighting in Ukraine

04:00 , Tom Watling

One of five men convicted of killing a Russian journalist critical of the Kremlin has been pardoned halfway through his 20-year sentence after a stint fighting in the special military operation in Ukraine.

Sergei Khadzhikurbanov was sentenced in 2014 for his role as an accomplice in the killing of Anna Politkovskaya, 48, in 2006.

The journalist worked for the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta and wrote stories critical of Kremlin policies during the early years of president Vladimir Putins term, the war in Chechnya and human rights.

She was shot and killed in the elevator of her Moscow apartment block, triggering outrage at home and in the West.

Her death on 7 October, which is Putins birthday, led to suggestions the shooting was done to please the president.

Russian convicted of journalists murder pardoned after fighting in Ukraine

NATO to buy more eyes in the sky planes to monitor Putins war on Ukraine

03:00 , Tom Watling

NATO announced Wednesday it has opted to buy six new E-7A Wedgetail surveillance planes built by U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing as the 31-nation military alliance looks to update its eyes in the sky in coming years.

NATOs fleet of 14 Airborne Warning and Control System, or AWACS, aircraft are outdated and expensive to maintain. But their large fuselage-mounted radar domes can detect aircraft hundreds of miles away and they remain useful to monitor Russias war on Ukraine from NATOs eastern flank.

NATO said that production of the six new Wedgetails  a militarized version of the Boeing 737 jetliner  will begin in coming years, with the first planes expected to be ready for duty by 2031. No cost was provided for the planes, but based on U.S. and U.K. contract information the price could hit $5 billion.

NATO to buy more eyes in the sky planes to monitor Putins war on Ukraine

EU moves closer to imposing a new set of sanctions on Russia for its war on Ukraine

02:00 , Tom Watling

The European Unions executive said Wednesday it proposed to the member states a new package of sanctions targeting the Kremlin and its associates, seeking to tighten previous measures approved since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine as well as adding dozens of economic operators.

The proposal sets in motion final talks between the 27 member states to reach the necessary unanimity on the issue and officials have said they hope to have the 12th package operational by the end of the year.

Even though Wednesdays statement did not go into details, preparatory talks centered on imposing export restrictions on Russias lucrative diamond industry.

EU moves closer to imposing a new set of sanctions on Russia for its war on Ukraine

Ukraine troops applying pressure on Putins forces having gained foothold along Dnipro River, says Kyiv

01:00 , Tom Watling

Russia has conceded for the first time that Ukrainian forces have crossed the vast Dnipro River into occupied areas of the Kherson region  as Kyiv tries to open up a new line of attack against Vladimir Putins forces.

Ukraine said on Tuesday it had secured a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro against all odds, in a potentially major setback for Russian occupation forces in the south where Kyiv is trying to open a new line of attack.

A Ukrainian military spokesperson said on Wednesday that Ukrainian troops were trying to push Russian forces back from the eastern bank of the river, which serves as a formidable natural barrier on the battlefield.

Ukraine troops pressuring Putins forces along Dnipro River

US nearing end of the road on Ukraine support without more funding, White House warns

00:00 , Tom Watling

The White House is warning that America could soon lose the ability to provide Ukraines defence forces with needed weapons and munitions if Congress doesnt act to pass the supplemental funding bill proposed by President Joe Biden last month.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on Wednesday told reporters that Mr Biden still wants Congress to move funding for Ukraine, Israel, defence needs in the Indo-Pacific and US border security in the single package which the president submitted on 20 October, the day after he delivered an Oval Office address in which he urged the US legislature to maintain American leadership in the world by supporting Ukraine and Israel in their defensive struggles against Russia and Hamas.

US near end of the road on Ukraine support without more funding, White House warns

Bombs, betrayal and burying loved ones: Plight of one Ukraine village illustrates toll of Russias invasion

Wednesday 15 November 2023 23:00 , Tom Watling

Kim Sengupta returns to Kamianka in eastern Ukraine  the scene of one of the most extraordinary exchanges he has witnessed during the 21-month war  to hear about the struggle to rebuild amid accusations of Russian collusion and vast destruction.

Bombs and betrayal: Plight of one Ukraine village highlights toll of Russian invasion

Russian oil tankers not targeted in EU sanctions proposal

Wednesday 15 November 2023 22:00 , Lydia Patrick

Russian oil tankers are not targeted in the European Commissions proposal for tightening the implementation of a price cap on the countrys crude oil, EU diplomats said on Wednesday.

The Financial Times reported earlier on Wednesday that Denmark will be tasked with inspecting and potentially blocking Russian oil tankers sailing through its waters under new European Union plans as a way of enforcing a $60 per barrel price cap on Moscows crude.

The FT said that Denmark would target tankers carrying Russian oil that did not have Western insurance, a step that would hit Russian oil export income hard while snarling up the entire Russian oil production and refinery business.

We have seen nothing about it in the Commission proposal,one EU diplomatfamiliar with the Commission text said and two others confirmed they found no such reference in the proposal.

Russia sends about a third of its seaborne oil exports, or 1.5% of global supply, through the Danish straits so any attempt to halt those supplies would send oil prices higher and trigger a confrontation with Russia.

ICYMI - Zelensky tells Ukrainians to brace for enemy Putins winter attacks

Wednesday 15 November 2023 21:00 , Lydia Patrick

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Ukrainians to prepare for an increase in Russian attacks on the countrys infrastructure.

The war-time president said his country could suffer attacks similar to the ones carried out by Vladimir Putins troops last year.

About 10 months into Russias invasion, a string of attacks were carried out on power stations and other plants linked to the energy network, prompting rolling blackouts in widely separated regions.

We are almost halfway through November and we must be prepared for the possibility that the enemy may increase the number of drone or missile strikes against our infrastructure. Russia is preparing for winter, the Ukrainian president said in his nightly address on Sunday.

Zelensky tells Ukrainians to brace for enemy Putins winter attacks

Ukrainian group says more than 30,000 troops have died in Russia's invasion

Wednesday 15 November 2023 20:00 , Lydia Patrick

A Ukrainian civic group said it has confirmed the deaths of nearly 25,000 Ukrainian soldiers since Russias February 2022 invasion by using open sources, and puts the total toll at more than 30,000.

Kyiv treats its losses as a state secret and officials say disclosing the figure could harm its war effort. A report in August by the New York Times, citing anonymous U.S. officials, put the Ukrainian death toll at close to 70,000.

Writing in the Ukrainian journal Tyzhden, historian Yaroslav Tynchenko and volunteer Herman Shapovalenko said Shapovalenkos Book of Memory project had confirmed 24,500 combat and non-combat deaths using open sources.

The real figure was likely higher, they added, noting that many of the 15,000 troops listed as missing were likely dead.

A woman seen through a hole in a Ukrainian flag mourns at a makeshift memorial for fallen soldiers at Independence Square in Kyiv, (AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine says troops have foothold on eastern bank of river

Wednesday 15 November 2023 19:00 , Lydia Patrick

A top Ukrainian official said the countrys troops have established a beachhead on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River near Kherson, an important advance in bridging one of Russias most significant strategic barriers in the war.

Andriy Yermak, head of the presidents office, provided no details but confirmed the development that has been widely discussed in military forums over the past month.

Against all odds, Ukraines defence forces have gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnieper, Mr Yermak told the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank.

Ever since Russian forces left the city of Kherson and the territory around it in November 2022, the only area they controlled on the west bank of the Dnieper, the river became a natural dividing line along the southern battlefront, preventing Ukrainian troops from advancing further into the Kherson region and towards Russian-annexed Crimea.

The barrier also allowed Russia to concentrate more troops in the heavily mined and fortified Zaporizhzhia region and eastern Ukraine.

Blow for Putin as Ukraine takes major step in bid to outflank Russian troops

Wednesday 15 November 2023 18:00 , Athena Stavrou

A top Ukrainian official said its troops have established a beachhead on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River near Kherson, an important advance in bridging one of Russias most significant strategic barriers in the war.

Andriy Yermak, head of the presidents office, said: Against all odds, Ukraines defense forces have gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnieper.

Read more:

Blow for Putin as Ukraine takes major step in bid to outflank Russian troops

NATO to buy more eyes in the sky planes to monitor Putins war on Ukraine

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:30 , Athena Stavrou

NATO announced Wednesday it has opted to buy six new E-7A Wedgetail surveillance planes built by U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing as the 31-nation military alliance looks to update its eyes in the sky in coming years.

NATOs contract with Boeing  one of the military organizations biggest ever purchases  is set to be signed next year.

Read more:

NATO to buy more eyes in the sky planes to monitor Putins war on Ukraine

Pictures of the day

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:00 , Athena Stavrou

People shelter in an underground metro station during an air raid alarm in Kyiv (AFP via Getty Images)

A woman seen through a hole in a Ukrainian flag mourns at a makeshift memorial for fallen soldiers at Independence Square in Kyiv, (AFP via Getty Images)

Local resident removes the broken glass from his window damaged by a Russian missile strike (REUTERS)

EU executive submits proposal for 12th packaged of Russia sanctions

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:15 , Athena Stavrou

The European Commission on Wednesday said it would submit its draft 12th sanctions package against Russia - including measures against military and IT actors linked to the country - to the Council.

The Commission said its proposal aims to sanction over 120 additional individuals and entities for their role in undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Russia says new EU sanctions are part of a 'hybrid war'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:45 , Athena Stavrou

Russias foreign ministry said on Wednesday that the European Unions 12th sanctions package against Russia was part of a hybrid war waged by the West.

Due to the endless sanctions flow against Russia, the EU has become Washingtons useful idiot, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry said.

Zakharova said the United States was using Europe as a stick in what she cast as Washingtons anti-Russian policy.

Zakharova said the EUs new sanctions would achieve nothing and said the Wests sanctions had damaged the EU itself.

Russia says Ukrainian NATO membership is unacceptable in any form

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:11 , Athena Stavrou

Russia said on Wednesday that Ukrainian accession to the U.S.-led NATO military alliance was unacceptable to Russia, whether in part or in any other form.

Whether in parts or in any form, Ukraines accession to NATO is unacceptable for Russia, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russias foreign ministry, told reporters.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a former NATO secretary general, has put forward a proposal for Ukraine to join the military alliance but stripped of the territories controlled by Russia, the Guardian newspaper reported.

Zelenksy thanks Italian prime minister

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:00 , Athena Stavrou

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude after speaking with Italys prime minister, Giorgia Meloni.

In a post on X, Zelensky said they coordinated their joint efforts and agreed to start working on bilateral security guarantees.

The Ukrainian president also held a call with Slovakias president, whom he thanked for recognising Ukraines progress toward EU accession talks.

I spoke with @GiorgiaMeloni to express gratitude for her and Italys strong support for Ukraine.



Italy is demonstrating powerful leadership, and I anticipate that its 2024 G7 Presidency will yield even more important results.



We coordinated our joint efforts and agreed to start pic.twitter.com/bdg34AwD6x  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 15, 2023

Publishers to stop selling Putin books amid Russian payment claims

Wednesday 15 November 2023 14:30 , Athena Stavrou

A German publishing house is to stop selling books about Russian President Vladimir Putin by an award-winning journalist following reports that he allegedly received at least 600,000 euro (522,600) in offshore payments linked to Russian sources.

Publisher Hoffmann und Campe said in a statement it would no longer sell two non-fiction books about Putin by German journalist Hubert Seipel following reports by German magazine Der Spiegel and public German Television ZDF, saying it was not previously aware of the allegations.

The reports on Tuesday claimed that Mr Seipel accepted money indirectly linked to a sanctioned Russian oligarch to report Mr Putin in a favourable light in the published books.

The two books are Putins Power from 2021, and Putin: Interior Views Of A Power from 2015, the publishing house said.

The allegations, which were also published by other international media outlets including The Guardian, are based on information that emerged from the Cyprus Confidential financial data records that were leaked to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

Pictures: Aftermath of Russian attack

Wednesday 15 November 2023 14:00 , Athena Stavrou

Here are the latest pictures of the aftermath of Russias attack on Selydobve.

At least one person was killed in an overnight Russian missile strike that hit an apartment building in eastern Ukraine, authorities said on Wednesday.

Local services workers remove debris near the crater, after a Russian missile strike at the site of damaged residential houses. (REUTERS)

Local resident, whose mother died under the rubble of a house damaged by a Russian missile strike, looks at the result of the attack. (REUTERS)

Ukraine pushes back on fluid frontline

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:30 , Athena Stavrou

Ukrainian troops are trying to push back Russian forces along the Dnipro River along what the military described as a fairly fluid frontline.

Ukraine said on Tuesday it had secured a foothold on the Russian-occupied eastern bank of the vast river in southern Kherson region.

Along the front line, which runs along the Dnipro... The pushback from our side is taking place on a line from 3 to 8 km along the entire bank from the waters edge, Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for the southern military command, said.

For now, we will ask for informational silence ... which would allow us to report later on great successes, she said in televised comments.

Reuters could not independently verify Kyivs account.

Hungary call for review of EU policy on Ukraine

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:04 , Athena Stavrou

Hungary has sought to review European Unions policy towards Ukraine, disagreeing with Germany, Lithuania, Finland and Ireland.

On Wednesday, other nations backed bringing Kyiv closer to the bloc swiftly and granting Ukraine more aid - but Hungary disagreed.

Ukraine is hoping to begin formal membership talks with the EU once it meets all conditions - but those decisions require unanimity of the 27 countries in the bloc.

We need a period of reflection and a strategic discussion on the policy of the European Union towards Ukraine, Hungarys European affairs minister, Janos Boka, said as he arrived for talks with his EU peers to prepare a December summit of the blocs leaders.

But Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban - who touts his ties with Moscow - has since said the blocs strategy of sending money and military aid to Ukraine has failed, and that he opposed starting membership negotiations with Kyiv.

Zelensky says Russia stockpiling missiles to attack energy system

Wednesday 15 November 2023 12:30 , Athena Stavrou

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he believes Russia is stockpiling missiles to attack Ukraines energy system, as it did last year.

Speaking at the German-Ukrainian Municipal Partnerships Conference, he urged for further assistance as Ukraine approaches its second winter of full-scale war.

I reminded the German-Ukrainian Municipal Partnerships Conference that the second winter of this full-scale war is approaching. Russia is stockpiling missiles to attack Ukraine's energy system, as it did last year.



Germany is already providing significant assistance in pic.twitter.com/i5L4KyNySK  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 15, 2023

One killed, seven injured in Russian strikes

Wednesday 15 November 2023 11:56 , Athena Stavrou

One person has been killed and a further seven people have been injured in a Russian missile strike on Wednesday morning, the Ukrainian regional governor said.

Governor Yuriy Malashko said Russia fired three missiles at Ukraines Zaporizhzhia earlier and hit a civilian facility.

He added that houses, cars and outhouses near the strike sites were damaged by a blast wave and debris in an attack that lasted about half an hour.

As of this moment, we know of one person killed and seven injured, including women, Mr Malashko said on Telegram messenger.

Moscow denies targeting civilians.

Latest pictures from Ukraine

Wednesday 15 November 2023 11:30 , Athena Stavrou

The latest pictures from Ukraine show residents of Selydove - a town in eastern Ukraine - in the aftermath of Russian bombing.

At least one person was killed in the shelling overnight.

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

Putin likely to announce presidential candidacy before end of the year, says UK

Wednesday 15 November 2023 11:00 , Athena Stavrou

President Vladimir Putin is expected to announce his presidential candidacy before the end of 2023, Britains Ministry of Defence said.

Russia is set to hold elections in March 2024, with sources telling Reuters that Putin is expected to run and stay in power until at least 2023.

In their latest defence intelligence update, the UK said Putin is likely to announce his candidacy before the end of 2023.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  15 November 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/QEOsaicDO4



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/Lcs64e1wDO  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) November 15, 2023

Russia trying to regain theatre-level initiative, think-tank says

Wednesday 15 November 2023 10:33 , Athena Stavrou

Russian forces are likely trying to regain the theatre-level initiative un Ukraine, according to a war-monitoring think tank.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said Putins army will attempt this by conducting several simultaneous offensive operations in eastern Ukraine.

A theatre in warfare is an area in which important military events occur or are in progress

The ISW says it remains unclear if Russian forces will be able to fully regain the initiative as Ukrainian forces maintain pressure on critical areas of the front.

Several Ukrainian officials noted that the situation along the frontline is complex but that Ukrainian forces maintain control of the battlespace.

NEW: Russian forces are likely trying to regain the theater-level initiative in #Ukraine by conducting several simultaneous offensive operations in eastern Ukraine. (1/3) https://t.co/khyMVG0tyd pic.twitter.com/B36RJvovbC  Institute for the Study of War (@TheStudyofWar) November 15, 2023

Russia raining 'Hell fire' on Ukrainian forces pinned down on east bank of River Dnipro

Wednesday 15 November 2023 10:30 , Athena Stavrou

The Russian military has pinned down Ukrainian forces who crossed onto the eastern bank of the River Dnipro in southern Ukraine and is raining Hell fire on them, Vladimir Saldo, a Russian-installed official, said on Wednesday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiys chief of staff said on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had secured a foothold on the east bank of the Dnipro River in the Kherson region.

Ukrainian food exports fall amid drivers strike

Wednesday 15 November 2023 10:00 , Athena Stavrou

Ukraines shipments of food by road decreased 2.7% in the first 13 days of November due to difficulties on the Polish border caused by a drivers strike, brokers said on Wednesday.

Spike Brokers, which regularly tracks and publishes export statistics in Ukraine, said on the Telegram messaging app that 220,000 metric tons of agricultural goods were exported by truck from Nov. 1-13, versus 226,000 tons in same period in October.

The passage of vehicles through customs checkpoints on the border with Poland decreased to 4,000 tons of cargo per day, compared to the peak of 7,500 tons per day a month earlier, Spike Brokers said.

Polish truckers last week blocked roads to three border crossings with Ukraine to protest against what they see as government inaction over a loss of business to foreign competitors since Russias invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

Ukrainian officials said on Tuesday Kyiv and Warsaw again failed to reach an agreement to stop the protest.

Pope calls on faithful people to pray daily for peace in Ukraine

Wednesday 15 November 2023 09:29 , Athena Stavrou

Pope Francis on Wednesday called on the faithful to pray regularly for peace in Ukraine, the Middle East, Sudan and all other war-torn places.

Let us pray, brothers and sisters, for peace, in a special way for martyred Ukraine, it is suffering a lot. And then the Holy Land, Palestine and Israel, and lets not forget Sudan, Francis said during his weekly audience in St Peters Square.

Let us think (about) all places where there is war, there are many wars. Let us pray for peace, every day someone should take some time to pray for peace, he added.

The Vatican has offered to mediate in both the Russian-Ukrainian and Israeli-Palestinian conflicts, but its efforts have so far not proved successful.

(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

Ukraine declares major breakthrough in southern counteroffensive against all odds

Wednesday 15 November 2023 08:27 , Athena Stavrou

Ukraines forces in the south have gained a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in a significant step for Kyivs counteroffensive against Russia, according to president Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff.

The Dnipro River in the Kherson region has been one of the key battlegrounds of the conflict, with Russia crossing from the eastern bank to seize Kherson city in the early days of Mr Putins invasion only to abandon the regional capital late last year.

Though they lost ground in the area and retreated back across the river, Russia has maintained a consistent troop presence on the eastern bank, hemming in the Ukrainian counteroffensive.

Against all odds, Ukraines Defence Forces have gained a foothold on the left (east) bank of the Dnipro, said Mr Yermak.

Step by step, they are demilitarising Crimea. We have covered 70 per cent of the distance. And our counteroffensive is developing, he told the Hudson Institute think-tank in the US in remarks posted on Mr Zelenskys website.

One killed in Russian missile strike on east Ukraine town

Wednesday 15 November 2023 07:59 , Athena Stavrou

At least one person was killed in an overnight Russian missile strike that hit an apartment building in eastern Ukraine, authorities said on Wednesday.

Five others, including a child, were rescued but at least one person is believed to be trapped under the rubble, Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko said on the Telegram messaging app.

The attack on the town of Selydove, northwest of the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, heavily damaged a four-storey building, Klymenko said.

Rescuers early on Wednesday were clearing the rubble and warned residents against approaching the building, which appeared to have been obliterated by the impact.

Russia lose top 300,000 in Ukraine

Wednesday 15 November 2023 07:36 , Athena Stavrou

Russias military personnel losses in its invasion of Ukraine have crossed 300,000, showed estimates by the UK that also said thousands more have deserted the battlefield.

James Heappey, minister of state for the armed forces, revealed the UKs estimates of losses faced by Vladimir Putin since the start of the invasion in February last year.

We estimate that approximately 302,000 Russian military personnel have been killed or wounded, and tens of thousands more have already deserted since the start of the conflict, he said on Tuesday in response to queries from John Healey, the shadow secretary of state for defence.

The UKs estimate of casualties is similar to the assessment made by Kyiv, that said Russia had lost a total 313,470 military personnel in combat as of Tuesday.

Russia has not released any official casualties suffered by it since the start of the war in Ukraine. Moscow and Kyiv have guarded their own battlefield losses and treated them as state secrets.

(via REUTERS)

Russian convicted of Kremlin critics murder pardoned after fighting in Ukraine

Wednesday 15 November 2023 07:00 , Tom Watling

One of five men convicted of killing a Russian journalist critical of the Kremlin has been pardoned halfway through his 20-year sentence after a stint fighting in the special military operation in Ukraine.

Sergei Khadzhikurbanov was sentenced in 2014 for his role as an accomplice in the killing of Anna Politkovskaya, 48, in 2006.

The journalist worked for the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta and wrote stories critical of Kremlin policies during the early years of president Vladimir Putins term, the war in Chechnya and human rights.

She was shot and killed in the elevator of her Moscow apartment block, triggering outrage at home and in the West.

Her death on 7 October, which is Putins birthday, led to suggestions the shooting was done to please the president.

Russian convicted of journalists murder pardoned after fighting in Ukraine

Germany's support for Ukraine is to be 'massively expanded' next year

Wednesday 15 November 2023 06:00 , Tom Watling

Germanys aid for Ukraine will be massively expanded next year, the foreign minister said Monday as Kyiv heads into its second winter since Russia launched its full-scale invasion.

Germany has become one of Ukraines top military suppliers since the war started in February 2022, sending material that includes tanks, armored personnel carriers, air defense systems and Patriot missile systems.

Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock said as she arrived Monday at a meeting with European Union counterparts that, even as Europe grapples with the war between Israel and Hamas, its still important to face the geopolitical challenge here.

Germany's support for Ukraine is to be 'massively expanded' next year

Zelensky tells Ukrainians to brace for enemy Putins winter attacks

Wednesday 15 November 2023 05:00 , Tom Watling

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Ukrainians to prepare for an increase in Russian attacks on the countrys infrastructure.

The war-time president said his country could suffer attacks similar to the ones carried out by Vladimir Putins troops last year.

About 10 months into Russias invasion, a string of attacks were carried out on power stations and other plants linked to the energy network, prompting rolling blackouts in widely separated regions.

Zelensky tells Ukrainians to brace for enemy Putins winter attacks

From Gaza to Ukraine, China to the EU: The major issues piling high in David Camerons in tray

Wednesday 15 November 2023 04:00 , Tom Watling

The former prime minister is re-entering frontline politics during a tumultuous time. Chris Stevenson looks at what he will need to tackle first and where his instincts may take him.

From Gaza to Ukraine, China to the EU: The major issues facing Cameron in new role

Russian UN envoys shoot back at Western criticism of its Ukraine war and crackdown on dissidents

Wednesday 15 November 2023 03:00 , Tom Watling

Western countries on Monday repeatedly called on Russia to end domestic repression of dissident voices and end its war in Ukraine  and human rights violations related to it  as Russia came under a regular review at the U.N.s top rights body.

A delegation from Moscow, led by State Secretary and Deputy Justice Minister Andrei Loginov, defended Russias right to ensure law and order by restricting some forms of protest or voices that might threaten domestic security. He also said Russias special military operation in Ukraine had no relation to the subject matter at issue in the review.

Mondays 3 1/2-hour hearing in Geneva was part of an exercise known as the universal periodic review, or UPR, which all U.N. member states face about every four or five years in connection with the U.N.-backed Human Rights Council.

Russian UN envoys shoot back at Western criticism of its Ukraine war and crackdown on dissidents

EU struggles to produce and send the ammunition it promised to Ukraine

Wednesday 15 November 2023 02:00 , Tom Watling

European Union nations acknowledged on Tuesday that they risk failing to provide Ukraine with the ammunition they pledged to help Kyiv stave off the Russian invasion and win back its territory.

Early this year, EU leaders promised to provide 1 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraines front line by spring next year in what would have amounted to a serious ramp-up of production. But the 27-nation bloc, for over half a century steeped in a peace, not war message and sheltering under a U.S. military umbrella, is finding it tough to come up with the goods.

The 1 million will not be reached, you have to assume that, said German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius, ahead of a meeting of EU defense and foreign affairs ministers in Brussels.

EU struggles to produce and send the ammunition it promised to Ukraine

Why Russia retracted state media reports on its Ukraine frontline movements

Wednesday 15 November 2023 01:00 , Tom Watling

The fog of misinformation around the war in Ukraine thickened on Monday after Russias state news agencies claimed Vladimir Putin was withdrawing troops from the Dnipro river frontline  and then immediately retracted the update.

The potentially significant bulletins were available for about 10 minutes, after which two state news outlets withdrew them without any follow-up.

The agencies  TASS and RIA Novosti  said that the Russian Ministry of Defence had announced relocations of troops to an unspecified more advantageous positions east of the Dnipro river.

Why Russia retracted state media reports on its Ukraine frontline movements

Russian court fines Google for failing to store personal data on its users

Wednesday 15 November 2023 00:00 , Tom Watling

A Russian court on Tuesday fined Google for failing to store personal data on its Russian users, the latest in a series of fines on the tech giant amid tensions between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine.

A magistrate at Moscows Tagansky district court fined Google 15 million rubles (around $164,200) after the IT company repeatedly refused to store personal data on Russian citizens in Russia.

Google was previously fined over the same charges in August 2021 and June 2022 under a Russian law that obliges foreign entities to localize the personal data of their Russian users.

Russian court fines Google for failing to store personal data on its users

Ukraine warns Putin is stepping up assault on Avdiivka as Zelensky reveals where fighting is fiercest

Tuesday 14 November 2023 23:00 , Tom Watling

War-time president Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed the areas where Ukraines forces are facing a challenging time repelling Russian troops as air bombardments intensified over a strategic city in the east.

Ukrainian forces repelled a total of eight attacks on the battered, strategic city of Avdiivka by Vladimir Putins troops in the past 24 hours, said Ukraines military spokesperson Oleksandr Shtupun.

It was earlier reported that Mr Putin was going to make a third attempt at capturing the city known for its large coking plant after failing twice before.

Fighting is still going on. Over the last two days, the occupiers have increased the number of air strikes using guided bombs from Su-35 aircraft, said Mr Shtupun.

The enemy is also bringing in more and more infantry. But when they tried to deploy armoured vehicles the day before yesterday two tanks and 14 other vehicles were burned out, he said.

Ukraine warns Putin is stepping up assault on Avdiivka as Zelensky reveals hotspots

Giuliani ally in Ukraine charged with treason

Tuesday 14 November 2023 22:00 , Tom Watling

A Ukrainian MP who previously helped Donald Trumps lawyer Rudy Giuliani allegedly find dirt on Joe and Hunter Biden has been charged with treason.

Oleksandr Dubinsky was charged after he allegedly joined an organisation formed by the chiefs of Russias Military Intelligence (GRU), Ukraines Security Service (SBU) said in a statement on Monday.

The SBU claimed that the organisation aimed to take advantage of the tense political situation in Ukraine and discredit our state in the international arena.

Giuliani ally in Ukraine charged with treason

EU struggles to produce and send the ammunition it promised to Ukraine

Tuesday 14 November 2023 18:00 , Athena Stavrou

European Union nations acknowledged on Tuesday that they risk failing to provide Ukraine with the ammunition they pledged to help Kyiv stave off the Russian invasion and win back its territory.

Early this year, EU leaders promised to provide 1 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraines front line by spring next year in what would have amounted to a serious ramp-up of production.

But the 27-nation bloc, for over half a century steeped in a peace, not war message and sheltering under a U.S. military umbrella, is finding it tough to come up with the goods.

Read more:

EU struggles to produce and send the ammunition it promised to Ukraine

Russian court fines Google for failing to store personal data on its users

Tuesday 14 November 2023 17:00 , Athena Stavrou

A Russian court on Tuesday fined Google for failing to store personal data on its Russian users, the latest in a series of fines on the tech giant amid tensions between Russia and the West over the war in Ukraine.

A magistrate at Moscows Tagansky district court fined Google 15 million rubles (around $164,200) after the IT company repeatedly refused to store personal data on Russian citizens in Russia.

Google was previously fined over the same charges in August 2021 and June 2022 under a Russian law that obliges foreign entities to localize the personal data of their Russian users.

However, Russia can do little to collect the fine, as Googles Russia business was effectively shut down last year after Moscow sent troops into Ukraine.

Read more:

Russian court fines Google for failing to store personal data on its users

Finland considers closing border crossings with Russia to stem an increase in asylum-seekers

Tuesday 14 November 2023 16:10 , Athena Stavrou

The government in Finland is considering whether to close some crossing points on the countrys long border with Russia to prevent people from trying to enter without proper documentation, the prime minister said Tuesday.Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the number of migrants at Finlands southeastern border crossings has risen substantially since August due to what the government suspects is a change in Russias border policy and enforcement.Finnish and Russian border authorities have for years cooperated in stopping people without the necessary visas or passports before they can attempt to enter either of the two countries.

But Russia has started allowing undocumented travelers to access the border zone and enter crossing stations where they can request asylum in Finland, Rantanen said.It is clear that these people get help to get to the border. This seems like a very conscious decision, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters. The governments message is clear: We must take this seriously and safeguard the security of our border.

Britain agree to discounts on insurance for Ukrainian Black Sea exports

Tuesday 14 November 2023 15:11 , Athena Stavrou

Ukraine and Britain have agreed a special mechanism for discounts on war risk insurance for Ukrainian goods exports, including through the Black Sea corridor, the Ukrainian Prime Minister said on Tuesday.

It will make it possible to make a discount on the cost of insurance against military risks for exporters of all products from Ukraine. This will make the Black Sea corridor more accessible to a wider range of exporters, Denys Shmyhal said on Telegram messenger.

He said the mechanism involved a pool of British insurance companies.

(AP)

Why Russia retracted state media reports on its Ukraine frontline movements

Tuesday 14 November 2023 14:25 , Athena Stavrou

The fog of misinformation around the war in Ukraine thickened on Monday after Russias state news agencies claimed Vladimir Putin was withdrawing troops from the Dnipro river frontline  and then immediately retracted the update.

The potentially significant bulletins were available for about 10 minutes, after which two state news outlets withdrew them without any follow-up.

You can read more about this here:

Why Russia retracted state media reports on its Ukraine frontline movements

NATO secretary general discusses importance of continued support to Ukraine.

Tuesday 14 November 2023 13:55 , Athena Stavrou

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg participated in a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council of the European Union with EU Defence Ministers in Brussels on Tuesday,

On the situation in Ukraine, Mr Stoltenberg highlighted that intense fighting continues. The situation on the battlefield is difficult. And that just makes it even more important that we sustain and step up our support for Ukraine because we cannot allow President Putin to win, said the Secretary General.

Ukraine must prevail as a sovereign independent nation in Europe and its in our interest to support Ukraine, he said.

(NTB/AFP via Getty Images)

Weather conditions impacting battlespace'

Tuesday 14 November 2023 13:22 , Athena Stavrou

Ukrainian and Russian sources have noted that weather conditions are impacting the battlespace, according to a war-monitoring think-tank.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) said that factors such as falling leaves have complicated efforts but not halted operations.

They reported that the Ukrainian ground forces spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Volodymyr Fityo noted on November 13 that rain and mud in Donbas impede the speed of ground maneuver advances.

Ukrainian 14th Mechanized Brigade Spokesperson Nadiya Zamryha stated on November 12 that fog and rain complicate both Russian and Ukrainian aerial reconnaissance efforts and lead to reduced numbers of attacks.

Meanwhile, Russian milbloggers claimed that recent heavy rains led to reduced shelling and that strong winds and rain interfere with Russian drone operations and complicate offensive operations in western Zaporizhia Oblast

Russian sources also circulated footage purporting to show mud and rain filled Ukrainian trenches.

(Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.)
The Russian army launched a massive artillery attack on Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast, killing one person and injuring four others, the head of the Kherson Oblast Military Administration, Oleksandr Prokudin reported on Nov. 16.

The wounded included three women, aged 28, 56 and 34, and a 62-year-old man. All the victims were taken to the hospital.

Read also: One person killed in Kherson following intense Russian shelling attack

The attack destroyed a critical infrastructure facility, leaving Bilozerka and the surrounding villages without electricity, the governor said.

Power engineers will begin restoration work as soon as the security situation allows to restore electricity to residents' homes as soon as possible.

 /Telegram

 /Telegram

The Office of the Prosecutor General reported that the deceased was a man; his body was removed from the rubble of a private house by rescuers.

The Russian attack damaged residential buildings, vehicles, an administrative building, and a grocery store.

Read also: Massive Russian shelling of Kherson killed 3 and injured 6 civilians, including a 2-month-old girl

Under the procedural supervision of the Oleshky District Prosecutor's Office, a pre-trial investigation was initiated into the violation of the laws and customs of war, combined with premeditated murder (Part 2 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

/Telegram

/Telegram

Russian invasion forces are systematically shelling Kherson and the region. On Nov. 15, the Russians fired 94 times at Kherson Oblast, launching 531 shells from mortars, artillery, Grad, tanks, multiple rocket launchers, S-60, UAVs, and aircraft.

The Russian army also fired 45 shells at the city of Kherson.

Read also: Russian missile hits apartment building in Kherson  for the third time  video

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A Russian overnight attack damaged a thermal power plant in one of Ukraine's front-line regions, Ukraine's largest private energy company DTEK said on Nov. 16.

This is reportedly the fourth time the DTEK plant has been damaged as a result of shelling. DTEK did not reveal the exact location of the facility.

There were no casualties, but "equipment was seriously damaged" and nearby residents were cut off from electricity and water during the night.

Power has since returned, but workers are still trying to reconnect the water supply.

DTEK "continues to do everything possible to maintain the reliable operation of the Ukrainian energy system" amid ongoing Russian attacks, the company said.

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As Ukraine braces for an uptick in Russian strikes against the energy grid in winter, preparations are being made to mitigate the damage and defend critical infrastructure.

President Volodymyr Zelensky approved a plan on Nov. 7 by the National Security and Defense Council to stabilize Ukraine's energy sector in preparation for the coming winter months.

Andrii Cherniak, a representative of Ukraine's military intelligence (HUR), told Ukrainian media outlet Liga on Nov.14 that Russia's special services were actively gathering information, including attempting to recruit collaborators, in order to better strike Ukraine's energy infrastructure this coming winter.

Read also: DTEK contracts another 70,000 tons of coal imports from Poland





Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian attacks on Nov. 16 on the town of Bilozerka in Kherson Oblast, killed one man and injured four other people, regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin reported.

Rescue workers found the man's body under the rubble of a house. The four people injured, three women aged 28, 34, and 56, and a 62-year-old man, were taken to a hospital for treatment, Prokudin said.

It is unknown at the time of this publication if there were other casualties or what the extent of the damage was. Prokudin did not specify what type of weapon was used in the attack.

Bilozerka, with a pre-war population of under 10,000, lies around 10 kilometers west of Kherson on the Ukrainian-held western bank of the Dnipro river.

The area suffers regular attacks from the Russian-controlled eastern bank. A 50-year-old woman was killed by Russian attacks in Bilozerka on Nov. 9.

Read also: Ukraine war latest: Russia admits Ukrainian troops operate on Dnipro Rivers occupied east bank

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Russian air defense shot down five "Ukrainian" drones over Bryansk Oblast and Crimea overnight on Nov. 15-16, the Russian Ministry of Defense has claimed in a post on Telegram.

The department claims that air defense systems destroyed two UAVs over Bryansk Oblast. Three more drones were allegedly intercepted over the Black Sea off the coast of temporarily occupied Crimea.

At the same time, the governor of Kursk Oblast, Roman Starovoit, reported shelling allegedly from "the side of Ukraine."

Read also: Russia reports second drone attack on gunpowder plant in Tambov Oblast in one week

"The Sudzhansky district was shelled with rockets from Ukraine. Hits were recorded near the village of Martynovka," Starovoit wrote on Telegram.

He noted that "house-to-house visits are being conducted to clarify information about the destruction."

Starovoit added that there is no electricity supply in Martynovka and the neighboring villages of Cherkasskoye Porechnoye and Kazachya Loknya.

There have been several alleged drone attacks in Russia and in Russian-occupied parts of Ukraine in recent days.

Read also: Drone attack reported on Russian military site in Bryansk Oblast

On Nov. 16, local Telegram channels reported that an explosion had occurred in Sevastopol.

On Nov. 14, the Russian Defense Ministry reported a drone attack. Later, reports emerged of an attack on a chemical plant in Bryansk Oblast.

On Nov. 11, Russians reported a drone attack on Kolomna, Moscow Oblast. Local media reported damage to the buildings of the Design Bureau of Mechanical Engineering, which produces Kinzhal areo-ballistic missiles.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A Russian howitzer firing toward Ukrainian positions at an undisclosed location. Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP

A Russian soldier lost an arm and was told he'd get prosthetic replacements, a report said.

It took months, and one of them was just "a metal stick with a plastic tip," he told the outlet.

He told the outlet he was suing Russia's Social Insurance Fund.

A Russian soldier who lost an arm fighting in Ukraine said he was promised two prosthetics for it but waited months only for one of them to be a metal stick, a report said.

The man spoke to the Siberia outlet of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and was identified in the report as Vadim Sharipov.

RFE/RL reported that the man's left arm was amputated after he was hit by machine-gun fire in October last year.

He told the outlet that after he left the hospital, he was sent to St. Petersburg for rehabilitation and went back home in January.

He then contacted Russia's Social Insurance Fund about getting prosthetics, he told the publication.

But nothing happened for months, RFE/RL reported. The man told the outlet the prosthetics were finally issued in May.

One prosthetic was supposed to essentially be a replacement hand, while the other was to enable various tools and attachments to be added, RFE/RL reported.

But he told the publication neither of them worked for him, saying the one that grasped like a hand was too large, meaning the stump dangled in it, while the other was rudimentary.

"It's just a metal stick with a plastic tip!" The Daily Beast translated from his words in the report.

"Why should I be happy with a stick instead of a prosthesis?!" it also quoted him as saying.

Sharipov told RFE/RL he was suing Russia's Social Insurance Fund.

He said in the report he was aware Russian veterans had not always been well-treated by the state, but he expected better given that prosthetics are cheaper than land or payments that other veterans had been promised.

Russia has been widely criticized for its treatment of its soldiers since it started its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.

The UK Ministry of Defence said in July that about half of Russia's fatalities in Ukraine were preventable and had been caused by things such as slow evacuations of the injured.

Injured Russian soldiers have also reported being sent back to the front lines without getting proper medical treatment.

John Kirby, a spokesperson for the National Security Council, said in October that Russia continued to have "no regard for the lives of its soldiers."

Read the original article on Business Insider
The Russians in search of informers are conducting raids on educational institutions in the temporarily occupied territories of Kherson Oblast.

Source: National Resistance Center

"Investigative department" personnel are searching for teenagers who assist the Defence Forces of Ukraine in liberating from occupation. The Russians conduct 'preventive discussions' with students in colleges and institutes.

The Russians are seeking teenagers who are assisting the Defence Forces of Ukraine in the occupied territories of Kherson Oblast. Photo: alexraths/Depositphotos

During such conversations, Russians encourage teenagers to report those considered "disloyal" to the occupying authorities. Additionally, the Russians exert psychological pressure on teenagers and make threats.

Students are also informed about criminal charges for "disloyalty" and assisting the Defence Forces of Ukraine, with warnings about potential "consequences".

Background: The Russians plan to take 10,000 Ukrainian children from the temporarily occupied territories of Zaporizhzhia, Kherson, Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts on a "trip" to the Russian cities of Moscow and St Petersburg by the end of the year.

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This week, Tim Anderson is helping inspire awe in San Francisco.

Timed to coincide with the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Conference of international leaders, including President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Anderson deployed an array of laser cannons he and his Folsom-based company designed  shooting variable colors of brilliant lights up Market Street from cannons based near the San Francisco Ferry Building.

The stunning array can be seen from Telegraph Hill and throughout the city.

If something feels familiar to folks in Sacramento about the San Francisco beam  dubbed Illuminate San Francisco  there is good reason. Anderson, founder of the Folsom-based company, Nu-Salt Laser, designed the now internationally renowned Sacramento Kings Beam.

As I move on Market Street, I have never seen so many people smiling. People are dancing, exchanging numbers, and making friends. Its transformational, Ben Davis, the founder of the non-profit Illuminate SF told The Bee.

Illuminate SF and Anderson are collaborating on the laser cannon display, which has been nightly since Monday. The SF version of the beams final performance is tonight until dawn Friday.

Red and blue beams of light are cast over San Francisco from downtown as part of a weeklong light show for the APEC summit. Nu-Salt Laser Light Shows International of Folsom partnered with Illuminate SF to create a weeklong light show for the APEC summit. Tim Henshaw Plath

Anderson has become a celebrity of sorts (at least in laser circles) because of the popularity of the Kings beam. At one point, though, he thought he was destined to be the fifth generation in his family working in Michigans upper peninsula in iron ore mines. Instead, looking to serve his country, Anderson joined the Coast Guard in 1989. Thats where he developed a love of electronics.

After he was honorably discharged in 1993, Anderson became fascinated with lasers. He first showed up at a company called Las Vegas Laser and began working on live music performances, which involved lasers  for free.

Anderson helped hone his knack for transforming cityscapes by working on past projects with Illuminate SF in the San Francisco art scene.

First, in 2021, Anderson and SF Illuminate worked together to project poetry on the facade of the San Francisco Academy of Science for an entire month.

Davis said he was fascinated with the potential of lasers to transform the city.

Im not a technical person, Davis said. Thats Tim. So I asked a million questions.

Can you shoot them through windows? What about water? What kind of permission would we need to go big, really big?

A year later, Anderson came back to Davis, with answers and the news that he had received FAA permission to deploy laser cannons in downtown San Francisco. Months later, they launched the Pride Week City of Awe spectacle.

We shot six lasers directly up Market Street and over Twin Peaks, Anderson said. It was really interesting and nerve-racking. We knew we could do it safely. We had FAA approval. But it had never been done before, slicing through a metropolitan city like that.

Its not lost on Davis or Anderson that the APEC conference is happening in the shadows of war in the Gaza Strip, Ukraine and amid other troubling international issues such as climate change.

A rainbow of light beams across San Francisco from above Market Street on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Nu-Salt Laser Light Shows International of Folsom partnered with Illuminate SF to create a weeklong light show for the APEC summit. Peter Dering

I think San Francisco has always been a city where people can protest and get their beliefs and ideas across, Anderson said. We have seen a lot of that going on in San Francisco this week, including right here at the ferry building.

But, ultimately, Anderson and Davis say they hope, at a time of conflict, their laser cannons deliver messages of peace and unity.

Ben and I are hoping that with the world leaders in San Francisco for APEC they will address ending some of these wars. That is why we are here to display a beautiful piece of laser artwork for the community of San Francisco and the world to enjoy. Its a very important historical moment, and were proud to be involved.

Anderson said that he and his team at Nu-Salt Laser are brainstorming about bringing a project to Sacramento as well, perhaps emanating from the Capitol dome.

Im not sure yet, Anderson said. Were looking at different locations.
The Sacramento Zoos anticipated relocation to the city of Elk Grove continues to develop, as officials have shared a more detailed vision of what the site, a 65-acre potential location in Elk Grove at Lotz Parkway and Kammerer Road, will look like.

The City of Elk Grove and the Sacramento Zoological Society this week released a series of illustrations that paint a picture of how a state-of-the-art zoological park serving the greater Sacramento area may ideally look.

The drawings, prepared by SHR Studios and Mangolin Creative, feature a multi-phased, modern zoo featuring expansive savannas where guests can learn about various animals that will be housed there including the white rhinoceros, Masai giraffe, hippopotamus and flamingos.

The drawings also illustrate zoo-goers dining alongside animals, giraffe feeding, an animal vet center and an overnight stay in a luxury tent-cabin with views of the parks hippopotamus lake.

A conceptual rendering released in November 2023 by Sacramento Zoological Society shows a giraffe feed at the proposed relocated zoo in Elk Grove.

The next steps, which could take another year to complete, involve coming up with a schematic design, a financing plan and completing an environmental impact review.

Elk Grove City Council could make a formal consideration of the zoo and approve the start of the construction as early as the end of 2023, according to the Sacramento Zoological Society.

A conceptual rendering released in November 2023 by Sacramento Zoological Society shows a vet center procedure at the proposed relocated zoo in Elk Grove.
The school run from Ardfern is now taken by boat

It is dawn on the rugged shores of Loch Craignish and two little boats are setting off into the sunrise.

This is the school run with a difference.

For six weeks, a handful of students have been unable to take the bus to Lochgilphead High School after a landslide cut off the community of Ardfern during the wettest two-day period ever recorded in Scotland.

A trip by sea is, for now, their commute.

We have become used to seeing the fight against climate change fought by the young. Greta Thunberg has become the voice of a generation demanding action, and action now.

Here in Argyll we can see the effects sudden and violent weather events can have. It is daily life for the kids on these boats.

One of them, Morven, puts it gently: "We should definitely try to be active in climate change to stop stuff like that happening," she says.

The boat trip to Lochgilphead cuts out a long journey by car

Is this what living with the effects of climate change looks like?

"Quite possibly," says Jim Smith, head of roads and infrastructure at Argyll and Bute Council. He is standing on a hill above the A816 near Ardfern. Below, a yellow digger is shifting great piles of mud.

Jim says a month's worth of rain fell in 36 hours on 6 and 7 October. His teams had to cope with landslides, damaged roads and destroyed bridges at 20 locations. The situation was unprecedented.

"In living memory, there's been no significant movement on this hillside," he says, pointing to the scarred slope above the A816.

Several sheep were killed by rockfall, and motorists had a lucky escape when debris missed them by seconds.

"There were vehicles trapped in the flow of material. Fortunately, everybody got out."

The landslip on the A816 came after a month's worth of rain fell in just 36 hours

There is a clear consensus among climate scientists about what is causing this.

They calculate that "due to human-induced climate change," every one degree of warming creates around seven per cent more moisture in the air. And that means more frequent and more powerful rain storms.

The Met Office says while rainfall is highly variable in the UK, intense downpours have become more common between October and December.

That has a massive effect. The clear up after October's storms has been arduous and the effects painful.

"From a business point of view, obviously it's been crippling," says Andrew Stanton, owner of the Galley of Lorne Inn in Ardfern.

At first the village was completely cut off. The road north to Oban is now open but the route south to Lochgilphead remains blocked.

To avoid a two-and-a-half-hour round trip to visit the doctor, get to work, or go to school, Argyll and Bute Council has chartered the boats, which link up with a bus at Crinan.

"The most important thing to me, and everyone else in this community, is getting back to some kind of normality and being able to get to the towns and the villages we rely upon," Andrew says.

The council hopes to open an emergency road bypassing the dangerous cliff face by mid-December, which in time will probably become a permanent diversion.

Brechin was one of the areas worst hit during Storm Babet

A fortnight after Argyll was battered, it was the turn of Angus and Aberdeenshire to break rainfall records as Storm Babet left three people dead and hundreds of homes flooded.

"This has really punched us straight in the face," says Graeme Dailly, director of infrastructure and environment at Angus Council, surveying the damage to the flood defence scheme in Brechin.

"We are facing a climate change emergency," he adds.

Here too, yellow machines are clanking, beeping and juddering as they scoop up debris from the worst flood anyone in the town can remember.

The torrent which swept down the River South Esk was so severe that it is still not clear exactly how high the water reached.

The town's flood protection scheme, which opened in 2016, was designed to cope with levels up to 3.8m above normal - described as a one in 200 probability.

But in the early hours of Friday 20 October, a measuring gauge was overwhelmed at 4.4m.

Now council engineers are trying to establish the true peak so they can recalculate the probability of the defences being breached again.

That process may well lead to difficult discussions about the long-term viability of 335 vulnerable properties in Brechin as well as an additional 87 households in the nearby villages of Tannadice and Finavon.

When the flood defences were formally opened in October 2016, Roseanna Cunningham, then environment secretary, spoke about "the effect of climate change" leading to "sudden and much sharper" rainfall and flooding events.

She said locals should feel assured that "their homes, businesses and roads are safe from hereon in."

Angus Council now insists the scheme was never intended to take climate change into account.

"In 2011, when it was designed, there wasn't a climate change allowance included in there", says Graeme Dailly.

Dr Sarah Halliday believes we cannot just depend upon building higher flood defences

For Dr Sarah Halliday, head of environmental science at Dundee University, building higher and higher flood barriers misses the point.

As the world warms, she says, we should prepare for more flooding in autumn and winter but also for periods of drought during hotter summers, forcing us to reconsider where we can safely live.

"When we're building in the floodplain we are restricting the natural ability of that river to cope with extreme events and so we do need to think critically about where it is appropriate to build," she says.

The Rottal Burn near Brechin has been re-routed to slow the flow of water

Human history is partly the history of how we re-shape landscapes to suit our needs.

In the 19th century, farmers straightened the Rottal Burn, a tributary of the River South Esk above Brechin.

Ten years ago, concerned that the straightened burn was making flooding worse, Angus Council and partners decided to 're-wiggle' it to slow the river flow. Dr Halliday says more such projects are going to be needed in future.

We can't stop the climate becoming more extreme, she says, but we can try to make ourselves more resilient.

But re-routing rivers and roads, rebuilding bridges and chartering boats doesn't come cheap, and local authorities say they will need more financial help from the Scottish government.

Ministers say they have provided additional funding for those affected by the impact of Storm Babet.

They say this is on top of annual funding of 42m, and an additional 150m for flood risk management over the course of the current parliament.

As the work continues to clean up these two storm-struck corners of the country, the message from Storm Babet is simple, according to Graeme Dailly: "Climate change is real and this is what it looks like here at home in Scotland."
A salon owner in Michigan banned certain LGBTQ customers, referring them to pet groomers instead, officials said. Now, the establishment faces a discrimination charge.

If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman, please seek services at a local pet groomer, Christine Geiger, the owner of Studio 8 Hair Lab, LLC, wrote on Facebook in July, according to previous reporting from McClatchy News. You are not welcome at this salon. Period.

I am not willing to play the pronoun game or cater to requests outside of what I perceive as normal Geiger, whose salon is in Traverse City, about 140 miles north of Grand Rapids, wrote in a separate post.

After investigating multiple complaints, the Michigan Department of Civil Rights filed a formal discrimination charge against the business on Nov. 15, according to a department press release.

A person who answered the phone at the salon declined to comment on the charge when contacted by McClatchy News.

Turning away customers on the basis of sex violates Michigan civil rights law, specifically the Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, passed in 1976, officials said.

The salon openly and repeatedly violated the act when Geiger said she would refuse services on the basis of sex  specifically gender identity, officials said.

This is not a complicated case, John Johnson, the executive director of the states Department of Civil Rights, said in the release. It is not a case that relies on complex legal concepts or requires expansive or convoluted arguments to explain.

The department is requesting that the salon pay compensation to complainants for emotional distress and mental anguish.

A hearing will be scheduled before an administrative law judge, who will determine whether discrimination occurred and what penalties, if any, should be applied.

The states Civil Rights Commission will then evaluate the decision and come to a final determination, which can be appealed to the circuit court, officials said.

Nobody picked up child after school  then came grim discovery at Texas home, cops say

Clothes dryer sparks overnight house fire, killing 3, Georgia officials say

Man trying to break into home shoots resident, then gets shot himself, CO police say
House investigators found "substantial evidence" that Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., knowingly violated a number of ethics and criminal laws, a House Ethics Committee report released Thursday said, according to The Washington Post.

Representative Santos conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office, and has brought severe discredit upon the House, Reps. Michael Guest, R-Miss., and Susan Wild, D-Pa., the committees chairman and senior Democrat, said in a joint statement.

The report recommended that the allegations against Santos be referred to the Department of Justice but did not call for his expulsion from the House or another form of discipline. Guest told reporters Wednesday that it would have taken the panel several more months to recommend punishment for the New York congressman. Instead, he said, the report would be released publicly to allow legislators to read it and take whatever action that they felt necessary.

In order to reach its conclusion, investigators compiled more than 170,000 pages of documents and testimony from dozens of witnesses, including financial statements, the committee said in the report. After a month-long investigation into the Republican representative, the report concluded that Santos "knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission; used campaign funds for personal purposes; engaged in fraudulent conduct in connection with RedStone Strategies LLC; and engaged in knowing and willful violations of the Ethics in Government Act as it relates to his Financial Disclosure (FD) Statements filed with the House, Guest and Wild said.

Santos released a lengthy statement in response to the report on X/Twitter Thursday.

"If there was a single ounce of ETHICS in the 'Ethics committee', they would have not released this biased report," he began. "The Committee went to extraordinary lengths to smear myself and my legal team about me not being forthcoming (My legal bills suggest otherwise)."

He went on to dub the report a "disgusting politicized smear" and declared that all the participating investigators should be "ashamed" of themselves. Santos also called for an Article V Constitutional Convention, which would convene legislators to propose amendments to the Constitution, pointing to a slew of hot-ticket Republican topics, including the nation's debt, the government's potential to shut down, the southern border and the unsubstantiated claims of the Biden family's improper business dealings.

"I will remain steadfast in fighting for my rights and for defending my name in the face of adversity," Santos continued. "I am humbled yet again and reminded that I am human and I have flaws, but I will not stand by as I am stoned by those who have flaws themselves."

While stating that he'd continue to serve his constituents for as long as he allowed, he announced that his time in Congress would end with this term.

"I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024 as my family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time," he said, concluding his statement by reiterating his commitment to his conservative values during his remaining time in office.

If there was a single ounce of ETHICS in the Ethics committee, they would have not released this biased report. The Committee went to extraordinary lengths to smear myself and my legal team about me not being forthcoming (My legal bills suggest otherwise).



It is a disgusting  George Santos (@MrSantosNY) November 16, 2023

Among the findings alleging Santos' misuse of campaign contributions and fraudulent conduct outlined in the attached 55-page report was that the representative used $50,000 donated from two contributors to make payments toward personal credit card bills and other debt, make a $4,127.80 purchase at Hermes and pay for smaller purchases at Only Fans and Sephora, meals and parking.

The report said that Santos also put campaign funds toward personal travel expenses  including $2,281.52 spent at resorts in Atlantic City in July 2022  spa services and cosmetic procedures, highlighting $1,400 spent on the campaign debit card at Virtual Skin Spa in Jericho, New York in July 2022 and a $1,500 purchase on the card at Mirza Aesthetics during his 2020 campaign. The latter expense, according to the committee, was not reported to the Federal Election Committee and was noted as "Botox" in expense spreadsheets turned over to the Investigative Subcommittee by Santos' ex-campaign treasurer Nancy Marks, who pleaded guilty to filing false reports with the FEC.

Yikes. Rep. George Santos used campaign contributions to pay for OnlyFans.



Also: Botox, Sephora, Atlantic City trips, and more. https://t.co/dkMOtVsF0a pic.twitter.com/jGRn2BHayC  Sawyer Hackett (@SawyerHackett) November 16, 2023

The ethics panel's report also described Santos' lack of cooperation with its investigation and how he "evaded" straightforward requests for information, The Associated Press reports. What information he did provide, the committee wrote, included material misstatements that further advanced falsehoods he made during his 2022 campaign.

Federal prosecutors charged Santos in May with 13 counts, including defrauding his donors, using their money for his personal benefit and wrongfully claiming unemployment. A superseding indictment made public in October revealed Santos faced 10 additional charges, including stealing his family members' identities and using donors' credit cards to spend thousands of dollars. He has pleaded not guilty to all charges.

Santos relieved himself of his committee assignments in January and had previously announced in April that he would run for reelection.

Want a daily wrap-up of all the news and commentary Salon has to offer? Subscribe to our morning newsletter, Crash Course.

The initial indictment and Santos' proclivity for telling untruths  including claims that he's the grandson of Holocaust survivors and that he worked at companies that never employed him  prompted Democrats to pursue his expulsion from the House. The issue was referred to the House Ethics Committee, where a panel with an equal split of Republicans and Democrats had already launched an investigation into the New York conservative.

The committee expanded its probe in June to include allegations that he fraudulently obtained unemployment insurance benefits, and at the end of October, it said in a statement that the investigation's jurisdiction included the 23 counts charged over two indictments, as well as multiple allegations of criminal and ethical violations that are beyond the scope of the indictments.

The federal charges  the second round of which came as House Republicans sparred over electing a speaker to replace Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., after his ouster  also pushed five Republican freshmen from New York to introduce what became a failed expulsion resolution to be considered by relevant committees.

"The House's 55-page report WILL trigger another effort to expel Santos. This one could... actually succeed," Politico's Sarah Ferris reported on X. "House Ethics Chair Michael Guest will file privileged motion tomorrow  guaranteeing a vote after Thanksgiving break."

The House's 55-page report WILL trigger another effort to expel Santos. This one could... actually succeed.



House Ethics Chair Michael Guest will file privileged motion tomorrow -- guaranteeing a vote after Thanksgiving break, sources tell me & @Olivia_Beavers  Sarah Ferris (@sarahnferris) November 16, 2023

During his time as House speaker, McCarthy repeatedly said that Santos deserved due process. Newly elected House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has echoed that sentiment while acknowledging the difficult position House Republicans are in because of their "razor-thin majority" in the chamber.

Heres the reality  we have a four-seat majority in the House, Johnson told Fox News' Sean Hannity the day after his election to the speakership. It is possible that number may be reduced even more in the coming weeks and months and so well have what may be the most razor-thin majority in the history of the Congress. We have no margin for error and so George Santos is due due process, right?

We have to allow due process to play itself out, he continued, referring to Santoss case. Thats what our system of justice is for  if were going to expel people from Congress just because theyre charged with a crime, or accused, thats a problem.

In addition to Santos' former treasurer, another individual in the New York congressman's circle pleaded guilty to campaign-related charges. One of his aides took a plea deal earlier this week to a federal fraud charge related to a scheme that included impersonating the then-chief of staff for McCarthy to attract donors to Santos' campaign.
Russian Energy Minister Nikolay Shulginov has been served a notice of suspicion for assisting the Kremlins top military and political leadership in illegally connecting its military bases and administrations to electricity from seized Ukrainian power plants, the SBU reported on Telegram on Nov. 16.

Read also: Kyiv blames partial shutdown at Zaporizhzhya NPP on Russian gross incompetence

Shulginov visited the temporarily occupied Crimea in Jul. 2022, where he announced the "integration" of the peninsula's energy system with the seized power plants on the left bank of Kherson Oblast. High-voltage power lines run in the Kakhovka  Dzhankoy and Kakhovka  Ostrovsk directions, supplying electricity to Russian military personnel and administrative facilities in the Russian-occupied territories of southern Ukraine. The power facilities were also connected to the Russian unified power system.

SBU investigators served Shulginov with a notice of suspicion under two articles of the Criminal Code of Ukraine: Part. 2 of Art. 110 (violating the territorial integrity and inviolability of Ukraine), and Parts 1 and 2 of Article 332-1 (violation of the procedure for entering and leaving the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine).

He faces up to ten years of imprisonment. Since the minister is on the territory of the Russian Federation, comprehensive measures are being taken to bring him to justice for crimes against Ukraine, the SBU said.



Read also: SBU reportedly proposes sanctions against Yanukovych team for NSDC approval, NV investigation

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
Ukraines SBU security service is reportedly preparing to submit proposals to the National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) to impose sanctions on several high-profile close associates of runaway former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych, NV has reported, citing sources.

The targets for sanctions would include Andriy Portnov, the former deputy head of the Yanukovych Presidential Administration, and many others, sources said.

Read also: Ukrainian government approves sale of Medvedchuks yacht abroad

While the SBU is not ready to disclose information about its plans, it has hinted that the agency is likely to submit recommendations for sanctions against key figures associated with the Yanukovych regime, the November issue of NV's monthly magazine reveals.

In October, NV sent a second request to the SBU regarding its plans to add Andriy Portnov, Andriy Klyuev, a former NSDC secretary and later Yanukovychs administrations head, Raisa Bohatyriova, former health minister, Serhiy Arbuzov, former deputy prime minister and acting PM, Eduard Stavytsky, former energy minister, and many others to the sanctions list for NSDC approval.

Read also: NV investigates why Ukraine has yet to impose sanctions on dictator Lukashenko

In response, the agency said that "information on the collection, preparation and submission of such proposals is classified information. However, they assured that "they are continuously carrying out a number of counterintelligence and operational search activities against relevant individuals and legal entities in order to submit to the NSDC substantiated proposals for the introduction of new sanctions and the extension of previously applied sanctions".

The SBU has probably already submitted the list of the above-mentioned individuals to the NSDC, an NV source in the government said. The document also reportedly addresses the renewal of sanctions against individuals who were subject to restrictions before the law was amended to allow the return of assets to the state budget.

According to a senior anonymous national security source, everything else depends on the NSDC and its secretary, Oleksiy Danilov, who is said to be responsible for setting the agenda for the meetings.

The NSDC did not provide NV with any information on the matter.

Were bringing the voice of Ukraine to the world. Support us with a one-time donation, or become a Patron!

Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
A school board member in Tuolumne County threatened to kill children and others in documents that also had anti-government rantings, an official said.

Jason Vassar, a trustee for the Belleview Elementary School District, was detained after the alleged threats, according to a Nov. 9 report from MyMotherLode.com. No charges have been filed.

The district has a single campus about six miles west of Twain Harte for students from preschool through eighth grade. The administration is looking into removing Vassar from the three-member board, the local news site reported.

The suspect continues to be held for a mental health evaluation, the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Office said.

Superintendent/Principal Carmel Portilllo described the situation in an email to families and staff members. She said the documents were addressed to the district administration and the director of the Tuolumne Joint Powers Authority, which handles insurance for schools.

The nature of the documents contained numerous statements of a concerning nature, namely, referencing threats to kill children, kill people, denigrate humans and incite violence, with distinct anti-government rantings, Portillo wrote. No statement, however, was directed towards any specific person or entity at Belleview, rather, the statements reference generalized acts that extend beyond the boundaries of the Belleview School District.

The email added that the district obtained a temporary restraining order against Vassar. Portillo said the effort to remove him from the board must adhere to specific processes to ensure school governance is conducted in a manner that best supports school safety.
If a handful of Utah school districts and charter school boards determine a school library book or other materials contains pornography or are otherwise indecent, the material could be removed from public school libraries statewide under amendments approved by a legislative committee Wednesday.

The Utah Legislatures Education Interim Committee approved a number of amendments to current state law that created a mechanism for Utahns to challenge books and other materials in public schools. Committee members voted to approve the legislative proposal and send it to the House of Representatives for consideration during the 2024 general session.

Under the amendments to Utahs sensitive materials law, a book would be required to be removed statewide if at least three school districts or two school districts and five charter schools voted to remove it from circulation after determining it contained objective sensitive material  pornographic or otherwise indecent material.

Sen. Kathleen Riebe, D-Cottonwood Heights, who is a public school teacher and congressional candidate, said the proposed legislation, as currently drafted, would allow a small number of school boards  district and charter  to effectively deselect books or other materials statewide.

My struggle is, that there are many, many very small school districts, said Riebe, singling out Tintic and Piute districts as examples. According to new state enrollment figures the districts fall 2023 enrollments were 177 and 262 students, respectively.

I think that giving that much power to small school districts and charter schools is not really beneficial to the people of Utah and its government overreach into peoples schools, she said.

There are 41 school districts statewide and about 145 charter school campuses statewide.

The proposal would also expand those who may initiate book challenges to elected officials who represent all or part of a school district or where a charter school is situated. Otherwise challenges can be lodged by school employees, students or parents of a child enrolled in a relevant district or charter school.

Sen. John Johnson, R-North Ogden, said the original legislation and proposed amendments are not about burning books or banning books. This is about protecting the innocence of children and I think thats important. Nothing in this bill limits the access to these books in public libraries, doesnt limit the sale of these books. The state simply takes them out of school libraries.

The proposed amendments also state if an individual makes three unsuccessful challenges during a given school year, they wouldnt be able to trigger another sensitive material review for the rest of that academic year.

Rep. Carol Moss, D-Holladay said school districts developed workable policies and procedures after West Jordan Republican Rep. Ken Ivorys sensitive materials legislation, HB374, passed in 2022.

My school district, the third largest in the state, Granite. Ive seen their spreadsheet. Ive seen the work that review committees have done. Its been very thorough. They removed some books, the challenged books, they moved some of them to high school only. Theyve involved parents and its working well. I think we should stay with that model if we have anything at all, said Moss, a retired high school English teacher.

Educators and school librarians are leaving the profession, and its difficult to encourage others to enter the profession under the current political climate, she said.

Related

Related

This is government overreach. We put in place a policy that is working and now were going to make changes that dont make any sense, she said.

The overarching goal of the legislation and amendments is protecting our children and for individuals who are victims of sexual abuse, said Rep. Candice Pierucci, R-Herriman.

Porn is not classic literature. Its not and thats what were targeting here. This is about whether or not taxpayers should be funding pornographic books in the K-12 setting, she said.
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR)  With winter quickly approaching, Science Museum Oklahoma (SMO) has several interactive camps planned for kids in pre-K through 6th grade in December.

These camps bring all of the museums resources into the hands of children with age-appropriate activities and special themes, said Annie Bewley, assistant director of education at SMO.

Well have hands-on fun experiments, unique demonstrations and, of course, all of our immersive exhibits and a state-of-the-art planetarium.

Darla Z to perform Christmas concert at OK History Center

The camps are broken up into three groups based on grade level: Early Explorers (pre-K and kindergarten), Explorers (grades 1-3) and Innovators (grades 4-6). Each age group will participate in activities of different themes.

Camps will be held Dec. 21-22 and Dec. 28-29. Advance registration is required to attend the winter camps; the deadline to register for the first session is Dec. 14 and Dec. 21 for the second session.

For a full list of camp activities and registration information, visit www.sciencemuseumok.org/winter-camps.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KFOR.com Oklahoma City.
The driver of a scooter was seriously injured in a crash late Wednesday afternoon in Kansas Citys Western 49-63 neighborhood, according to police.

Officers responded to the crash around 5:47 p.m. at East 57th Street and Rockhill Road, according to a written statement by Kansas City police. It involved a white Volkswagen sedan whose driver reported not seeing the scooter before pulling out onto 57th Street.

The driver of the Vespa scooter struck the drivers side of the Volkswagen and was thrown over its hood before landing on the pavement, police said.

The driver of the scooter  who was wearing a helmet  was taken to the hospital with critical injuries. Police said the other driver was not injured.
Washington state police are asking for the publics help in the suspicious disappearance of a local couple.

Chiropractor Karen Koep and her husband, identified by police as Davido, have been missing since 13 November, according to a statement from the Thurston County Sheriffs Office. The couple live in Lake Forest development, south of Seattle, Washington.

While we understand there are not many details, if you are aware of this incident, or the whereabouts of the missing people, please contact us, the statement read.

Police discovered the couple were missing under suspicious circumstances after performing a welfare check for a person who did not show up for work. Police later found the couples car in a nearby town, according to a later statement.

During the last several days, interviews have been conducted, surveillance video obtained and additional follow-up interviews conducted, Thurston County police wrote in a 15 November statement.

Police said they have not released further details to preserve the integrity of the investigation.

As with many people, Karen is my much loved chiropractor, one commenter wrote on Facebook. I am heartbroken and praying for their safety.

This article was amended on 17 November 2023. It originally said that the Lake Forest development was north of Seattle, Washington, but it is south of the city.
Black hotel guests and visitors to the RenCen are in extreme danger and risk for their lives, wrote attorney Danielle Safran, representing a client whos filed a lawsuit against its security firm.

A private security police force at Detroits historic Renaissance Center is allegedly plagued with racism and often abuses Black people, from guests to employees, claims contend.

The Detroit Free Press has been investigating the allegations against the Renaissance Center Management Company since August, some dating back to 2011. Court filings indicate General Motors Corp. established the security company to monitor the facility, and it is majority-owned by G4S Secure Solutions, an international security firm located in Florida.

In one of at least two dozen incidents, Black hotel guest Demarko Brown said white Renaissance Center Management officers attacked him so violently, he sustained brain damage. Browns attorney, Danielle Safran, recalled another alleged incident in which a Black woman, who, like Brown, claims officers illegally held her in a cell in the RenCens basement for so long, she urinated on herself, per a lawsuit filed earlier this year.

General Motors Renaissance Center in Detroit, Michigan is shown. The facilitys security police force is allegedly plagued with racism and often abuses Black people, from guests to employees, lawsuits claim. (Photo by Mandi Wright and Junfu Han/USA TODAY NETWORK)

Allied Universal, which purchased G4S in April 2021, declined to comment on specific complaints of excessive force and racism on the RenCen premises.

Allied Universal is dedicated to the safety of its team members, its clients, their customers and the public, the company shared in a statement. The incidents occurred approximately three years ago and prior to Allied Universals acquisition of G4S. Allied Universal does not comment on allegations that are resolved during private mediation or on pending litigation.

The Renaissance Center is a glass skyscraper complex constructed on Detroits riverfront in 1977 and also consists of smaller companies and a Marriott hotel. GM purchased it in 1996 and has used it since as the automakers global headquarters.

In a second lawsuit Safran filed Tuesday, one of the security firms current Black employees, senior use-of-force instructor Robert Barnes Jr., alleges even more racism, excessive force, assault, harassment and false imprisonment against it.

Barnes claims that on one occasion, a white Renaissance Center Management officer  who was then-president of a security officers union  circulated a photo of a decapitated Black mans head, laughing and making racial jokes about it.

His complaint alleges that white officers fabricated documents to justify using force, including deleting surveillance footage.

Black hotel guests and visitors to the RenCen are in extreme danger and risk for their lives, Safran wrote in Barnes complaint, the Free Press reported.

Safran, who expressed fear there will be more victims if excessive force is allowed to continue, is attempting to turn the complaint into a class action to represent other Black RenCen employees. She is demanding monetary damages.

According to the Free Press, attorney Valerie Mock, representing the defendants listed in Browns ongoing lawsuit, including RCMC, G4S and GM, argued that her clients did not act discriminatorily and properly investigated complaints of racism and excessive force. She alleged Browns injuries were the result of his actions and says the companies and staffers involved are protected by governmental immunity.

Donald Gambrell, who Safran also represents, said he approached his new job as a RenCen security officer in March 2017 with pride and honesty. However, beginning in October of that year, coworkers began referring to him as a b-, b- ass n-r, black jackal, rusty and n-r, per a racial discrimination complaint Gambrell filed in 2021.

Michigan State Police confirmed last week they are investigating the officers conduct.

Joseph Kempa, deputy executive director of Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards, asked MSP to investigate early this month following media inquiries.

MCOLES has the right to revoke an agencys license if there are findings of dishonesty, impersonating a law enforcement official and assault, among other offenses, according to the statute PA330, which deals with the licensing of security police personnel.

Gambrell compared the harassment to buck breaking, which occurred during slavery and wherein white enslavers raped enslaved Black people.

His lawsuit alleges that the environment became so toxic, he had to seek medical leave due to anxiety. Internal documents reportedly indicate that his human resources representative allegedly told him medical leave is not a get out of jail free card.

Gambrell said he stayed to protect other Black coworkers subjected to the same racism, but he went on stress leave in May 2022 and never returned.

Attorneys representing the corporations in Gambrells court action rejected the allegations and said he failed to exhaust all options under his collective bargaining agreement. Safran noted that the parties settled in December 2022.

I wanted justice, Gambrell told the Free Press. I didnt want them to continue to do this to other people of color. Other people, period.

Never miss a beat: Get our daily stories straight to your inbox with theGrios newsletter.

The post Security team at Detroits Renaissance Center accused of racism, assault appeared first on TheGrio.
Yonkers firefighters, police, local officials and employees on Thursday participated in Stew Leonard's 44th Annual Turkey Brigade.

Over 3,000 turkeys, to feed more than 50,000 people, were given out to organizations in the New York, Connecticut and New Jersey Stew Leonard's stores.

Yonkers firefighters and police lent a hand during the brigade by filling the trunks and back seats of the vehicles lined up for the donations.

The turkeys will be delivered to homeless shelters, food pantries, community centers, churches and other institutions that help feed and clothe those in need.

This article originally appeared on Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Stew Leonard's employees, volunteers give away turkeys in Yonkers NY
UPDATE 11:12 a.m.- Lake City PD announced that Evans was found safe.

Lake City Police Department is asking for the communitys help in locating Eugene Evans Jr.

>>> STREAM ACTION NEWS JAX LIVE <<<

Evans was last seen on Nov. 16 at around 1:15 a.m. in the area of HCA Florida Lake City Hospital in Lake City. He is a 45-year-old Black man who stands at approximately 6 feet tall, weighs around 200 pounds and has short, dark hair.

Evans was last seen wearing blue patient scrubs with no shoes. Police believe he is heading west.

If you see Evans, call Lake City PD immediately at 386-752-4343 or call 911.

Action News Jax will continue to follow the story and update you as events unfold.

Read: Marissa Lawrence, wife of Jaguars star quarterback, calls out nasty comment: This is not okay

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Workers at Sega of America are accusing the video game company of "bad faith bargaining with workers" for its plan to lay off dozens of temporary workers. The publisher known for franchises that include Sonic the Hedgehog and Yakuza is now facing an unfair labor practice complaint filed by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). In April, 200 people in various departments across the company overwhelmingly voted in favor of unionization and formed the Allied Employees Guild Improving Sega (AEGIS-CWA) under the CWA. Now, Sega allegedly intends to lay off 80 of those unionized workers.

In its complaint, the CWA explained that it's been in bargaining with Sega since September. On November 6, Sega apparently presented the organization with a proposal to phase out of all its temporary employees by taking their work offshore to the company's offices in Europe and Japan by February 2024. Those temporary employees make up 40 percent of the union's bargaining unit and mostly work in quality assurance and localization, which the group describes as "critical to Sega's success."

The afternoon after their meeting, the CWA said Sega presented its proposal to the affected employees through captive audience meetings. "We believe this is a clear case of bad faith bargaining," the CWA wrote in its complaint, since Sega dealt directly with the union members and "violated status quo" by telling them they're losing their jobs.

"Sega will not be allowed to get away with this unlawful behavior," Elise Willacker, Senior QA Tester Temp, said in a statement. "We call on the company to make all temporary employees permanent and return to the bargaining table in good faith. There is no other just alternative." As Kotaku notes, the organization's complaint is now in the hands of the National Labor Relations Board, but it may take a while to resolve and may not prevent the layoffs from taking place.
Days after a researcher at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis was fatally shot, state Sen. Brent Taylor has requested Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee augment  and monitor  crime-fighting efforts in Memphis.

The letter from Taylor, R-Memphis, came three days after the researcher, Alexander Bulakhov, was killed in what court documents have described as a robbery turned to a killing when Bulakhov tried to defend his wife and 2-year-old child in Downtown Memphis on Sunday.

Taylor also included three days of crime data from the Memphis Police Department, and highlighted other crimes that took place over the weekend that went viral  including multiple shootings, smash-and-grab burglaries at gas stations and stolen packages from a FedEx truck that was allegedly stopped by the people carrying out the theft.

"Many of my constituents are calling for deployment of the National Guard," Taylor wrote in the letter to Lee. "The guard is not a law enforcement agency, however. Many people associate the Guard with lawlessness because of their deployment during natural disasters and civil unrest."

"As you know, the National Guard serves more as a deterrent to criminal activity in small, localized areas of a city like a downtown area," Taylor wrote. "Moreover, criminal arrests, ensuring defendants are aware of their Miranda Rights, processing of evidence, etc. should be left to full-time professional law enforcement agencies."

State Senator Brent Taylor speaks to the media after taking part in a summit with other state and local officials and community organizers to talk about reducing crime in Memphis at the Urban Child Institute in Crosstown Concourse on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Taylor, instead, requested Lee approve "unannounced, periodic" Tennessee Highway Patrol "surges" along Memphis interstates, specifically mentioning the I-240 loop  in addition to the current patrols from THP already occurring in Memphis.

The Memphis Police Department has previously said THP supplementing traffic enforcement on interstates allows officers to respond to calls about break-ins and shootings quicker, and was welcomed by the department.

Monitoring team requested

In addition to adding law enforcement to Memphis and Shelby County, Taylor also requested a "monitoring team" be created to track and publicize the number of arrests and the status of prosecutions.

"Memphians have a right to know this information so data from the local prosecutors and judicial system may be challenged or validated," Taylor wrote.

He also requested "support of Republican efforts in the General Assembly to hold our local prosecutors, judicial system and criminals accountable," though he did not specify any pending legislation.

In late September, The Commercial Appeal reported that quarterly data from the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission, which tracks and publicizes crime data submitted from MPD to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, indicated that Memphis could reach its highest crime rate since that data was first collected and published by the FBI in 1995.

Analysis of those reports, both from the FBI and the TBI, indicated Memphis police were clearing fewer cases, even as cases qualified as cleared when a single person was arrested and charged with that crime. A person, according to the FBI and TBI definitions of a clearance, does not have to be convicted and all persons tied to a crime do not have to be arrested.

More: Memphis is on pace to set a new crime record, but Memphis police are solving fewer crimes

That reporting came as some Memphis leaders placed blame on the courts, bail system and Shelby County District Attorney's Office for the rising crime rate.

The City of Memphis and MPD pushed back on the numbers of clearances provided by TBI and the FBI, though both reports came from data submitted by MPD to each bureau.

Officers from departments around the Mid-South gather for a Sea of Blue in honor of MPD Officer Darrell Adams who was killed Saturday when he was struck by an 18-wheeler while investigating a two-car crash on Interstate 40 West near North Watkins, according to the Memphis Police Department. Adams, 34, had worked with the department since April 2016.

The number of homicides in Memphis city limits has far outpaced previous years through the end of September, with 269 reported by the Memphis Shelby County Crime Commission in its latest data release. That outpaces the previous record-setting year, 2021, by 63 homicides  and is a 32% increase when accounting for population changes.

That data, according to one expert on crime statistics, tends to vary between departments and different agencies because there is no independent monitoring of that data across the country, so definitions for crimes and clearances vary. That same expert also said the data is not independently audited on a regular basis.

Shelby County's bail hearing room, and the process for assessing affordable and unaffordable bail, has also drawn political ire from state legislators  including Taylor  and local officials.

The new bail system was updated under former Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich's administration  brought by threat of a lawsuit after the ACLU, Tennessee ACLU, Just City, local attorney Alex Wharton and Black Lives Matter said the old system violated the state and U.S. constitutions. The bail hearing room heard its first cases in February.

However, data from the Shelby County District Attorney's Office from March showed that since Jan. 1, 2021, about 12.5% of all offenses were alleged to have been committed by people out on bail. Less than 1% of offenses were violent crimes while out on bail.

Other concerns in the court system, which have routinely been pointed to by Shelby County Criminal Court Judge Lee V. Coffee, include the time it takes to get a case from indictment to trial. Coffee has said that timeline used to be within a year in his courtroom, but the pandemic increased it to multiple years for some defendants.

Coffee also has pointed to attorneys not being ready for trial, and requesting reset dates in many high-profile cases, as reasons for pushing trials or guilty pleas down the road.

Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy speaks to the media surrounded by state and local officials and community organizers after holding a summit to talk about reducing crime at the Urban Child Institute in Crosstown Concourse on Thursday, August 31, 2023.

Closed-door meetings held in hopes of crime solutions on the way

In early September, state and local officials met for a closed-door crime summit hosted by the Shelby County District Attorney's Office. Though all the details of the summit were not publicly discussed, the general consensus from the officials that spoke to media after was that it was productive and had the "right level of tension."

Taylor was present at that summit, and said he plans to reintroduce a blended sentencing bill when the legislature reconvenes in January. The bill would allow juveniles convicted of a crime and later turn 19 would be able to serve the rest of their sentence in juvenile court until they turn 25, in hopes of reforming and creating a solid foundation for kids convicted of a crime.

A reporter with The CA asked officials after the summit if more judges were needed to handle the influx of crimes in Shelby County. Taylor voiced general support for the idea, but said a study would need to be commissioned to assess the workload each judge is taking on, which concerned him. That study, he said, could result in Shelby County having fewer judges instead of more if the workload each judge takes on is found to be too little.

New leadership will come into the city after the new year, including a new Memphis mayor. In the wake of Bulakhov's shooting death, Downtown Memphis Commission President and Mayor-Elect Paul Young called the killing "senseless" and said he was in regular communication with MPD and his transition team is working to develop a "hard-hitting crime plan" to launch within the first 100 days of his administration.

"I am appalled and saddened by the events of this weekend and the senseless murder of Alexander Bulakhov," Young said in a statement. "Today, I am a Memphian, a father, a husband and a parent first. Today, I am just like you. I feel the anger, frustration and grief that has enveloped our community. And even though the suspects have been arrested and charged, this will not change the outcome of this tragedy. My heart goes out to his family and the families of all of those impacted by violence in our community. My prayers are with them."

Though the details for that plan are not yet public it, according to Young, will bring together law enforcement leaders and community leaders to discuss the best way to bring Memphis forward.

"Crime is, unfortunately, an American problem, not specific to Memphis, and it's going to take a multi-pronged, hard-hitting and focused effort to turn it around. We are ready," he said.

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: TN senator asks Gov. Bill Lee for law enforcement support for Memphis
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, is pictured at the Capitol in Salt Lake City on Friday, April 14, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

As FBI director Christopher Wray asked congressional leaders to reauthorize legislation that allows for large-scale surveillance of digital communications, including of American citizens, three senators have asked the Department of Justice to respond to allegations they spied on congressional staffers.

Wray appeared before the House Homeland Security Committee Wednesday to ask lawmakers to reapprove the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, including Section 702, which gives the FBI and other intelligence agencies the power to surveil digital communications without a warrant, which critics say affects Americans privacy.

Just imagine if some foreign terrorist organization overseas shifts its intentions and directs an operative here whod been contingency planning to carry out an attack in our own backyard  and imagine if were not able to disrupt the threat because the FBIs 702 authorities have been so watered down, Wray said during the committee hearing, according to PBS.

Meanwhile, Sen. Mike Lee and others have introduced a Government Service Reform Act. The legislation, co-sponsored by Lee, a Republican, and Sen Ron Wyden, a Democrat from Oregon, also in addition to other privacy protections, would reauthorize FISA and Section 702 but only after significant reforms.

Related

Sens. Lee, Cruz and Grassley ask for info about subpoenas

Lee was also among three senators on the Senate Judiciary Committee who sent a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland earlier this month requesting documents related to allegations that the Department of Justice and FBI used subpoenas to spy on congressional staff and their families with little or no legitimate predicate.

The letter alleges the surveillance began during the DOJ and FBIs investigation into former President Donald Trumps connections to Russia.

In their letter, Lee and fellow Sens. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, and Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, referenced a letter sent to Freedom of Information Act officers on Oct. 23 by Empower Oversight.

The senators request said that over a dozen employees of the House and the Senate have been notified by Google and Apple that the DOJ requested their personal data from the private companies in 2017 through subpoenas.

It also includes a copy of a DOJ subpoena to Google, labeled exhibit A, requesting all customer or subscriber account information for any and all accounts associated with the following identifiers listed below from: December 1, 2016 to May 1, 2017. Underneath that text, the DOJ listed the congressional staffers phone number.

Specific information requested was, Names, addresses, local and long distance telephone connection records, text message logs, records of session times and durations, length of service and types of service utilized.

The senators asked the DOJ to provide documents falling under eleven categories by Nov. 22 including:

Names of officials who were involved in the subpoenas.

Names of any congressional staff related to the subpoenas.

Legal justification for issuing subpoenas accessing personal communication.

All companies/organizations subpoenaed for information on congressional staff.

Empower Oversight also asked for the following records:

Grand jury subpoena information and communications between members of the press regarding Michael Flynn, Carter Page, Grassley and others.

Communications between the Deputy Attorney Generals Office and the FBI with Verizon.

These records are requested to shed light on possible DOJ wrongdoing as well as law enforcement policy regarding using subpoenas to collect personal data of congressional staff.

Republican and Democratic staffers were included in subpoenas

Former chief investigative counsel to then-Judiciary Committee Chairman Grassley, Jason Foster received a notification on Oct. 19, 2023, that the Department of Justice subpoenaed Google in 2017 for records of a Google Voice telephone number that connected to his familys telephones, according to the Oct. 24 Freedom of Information Act request.

Accounts listed in the subpoena belonged to both Republicans and Democrats in the House and in the Senate. Other staffers who received notices of subpoenas include Kashyap Patel, who then served as staff for the U.S. House of Representatives Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence.

Targeting Democratic members of Congress and staff, the DOJ allegedly sent subpoenas to Apple seeking information on HPSCI aides and their families. The request included that one account belonged to a child.

Contributing: Suzanne Bates
Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, speaks during a rally at the American Preparatory Academy in Draper on Thursday, Oct. 27, 2022. | Jeffrey D. Allred, Deseret News

Sen. Mike Lee has reintroduced a bill that would try to keep children from seeing online pornography.

The bill, the Shielding Childrens Retinas from Egregious Exposure on the Net, or SCREEN, Act, would require pornography websites to use age verification technology to verify that users are over the age of 18.

The bill would allow pornography websites to choose what verification measures they use, but requires transparency of the measures implemented and says the verification must include the persons IP address. It also lists privacy requirements for the verification process.

A companion bill was sponsored by Rep. Mary Miller, R-Ill., in the House.

It is time for our laws to catch up with technology, said Lee, R-Utah, in a press release about the bill.

The SCREEN Act addresses the urgent need to protect minors from exposure to online pornography and stop those who profit from stealing the innocence of Americas youth, he said.

Several states have passed age verification laws for pornography websites, including Utah, which passed a bill earlier this year. The porn industrys trade association, the Free Speech Coalition, sued the state after the bill was signed into law. The porn website Pornhub subsequently blocked traffic from Utah.

The lawsuit was later dismissed.

Related

The bill is trying to find a mechanism to protect children that could pass muster in the Supreme Court, the press release says. It points out that prior legislative measures have been challenged and overturned by the Supreme Court on the grounds of not meeting the least-restrictive-means test. Nonetheless, the Court acknowledged the governments compelling interest to protect children.

But, the release says, since past Supreme Court decisions, it has become apparent traditional methods like blocking and filtering software have fallen short. ... The repercussions on minors are profound, contributing to a spectrum of psychological issues, unhealthy sexual behaviors, and broader societal harms.

In background information provided by Lee, he notes nearly 80% of teens ages 12 to 17 have been exposed to pornography on the internet, and that 17 states have declared porn a public health hazard.

Supporters of the legislation include the National Center on Sexual Exploitation, Culture Reframed, National Decency Coalition and Enough Is Enough.
People attend the March for Israel rally on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, on the National Mall in Washington. | Jacquelyn Martin, Associated Press

Tens of thousands gathered in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday to show support for Israel. Amid the sea of supporters marching with Israeli and U.S. flags were Utahs Sen. Mitt Romney and Rep. John Curtis.

The historic gathering was called the March for Israel. Members of Congress were invited to speak as were the families of the more than 200 hostages held by Hamas, as the Deseret News reported.

At the rally, Curtis, a Republican who represents the 3rd District, said in a post X, formerly known as Twitter, that he met Ruby Chen, the father of Itay Chen, an Israeli-American dual citizen who is being held hostage by Hamas. Chen asked Curtis how many children he has. The Utah representative said he has six.

Related

Then, Chen asked, Do you know where they all slept last night? Curtis responded that he did know.

He became emotional describing that he didnt know where Itay slept last night and he didnt know what type of treatment his son was getting, Curtis wrote in his post.

I attended the march yesterday to prove our unwavering support for Israel, stand up against antisemitism, and bring these hostages home safely.

Yesterday at the #MarchForIsrael, I met Ruby Chen, the father of Itay, who's being hostage held by Hamas. We talked about our families and Ruby asked me two questions:



Ruby: How many kids do you have?

I have six

Ruby: Do you know where they all slept last night?

I did



He became pic.twitter.com/6rMWDKpQBr  Rep. John Curtis (@RepJohnCurtis) November 15, 2023

Romney also took to X and wrote that the U.S. wholeheartedly supports Israel, which, he said, has the right to defend its democracy from Iran-backed Hamas terrorists.

Joined thousands of marchers on the National Mall to condemn antisemitism, call for the release of hostages, and proudly #StandWithIsrael, he tweeted.

The United States wholeheartedly supports our ally Israel, which has the right to defend its democracy from Iran-backed Hamas terrorists. Joined thousands of marchers on the National Mall to condemn antisemitism, call for the release of hostages, and proudly #StandWithIsrael. pic.twitter.com/L1G0CdhYXd  Senator Mitt Romney (@SenatorRomney) November 14, 2023

Related

The same day as the rally, the House Committee on Education and the Workforce held a hearing on confronting antisemitism on college campuses.

As The New York Times reported, researchers say antisemitic content rose more than 919% on X and 28% on Facebook in the month since the Oct. 7 attack.

Utah Republican Rep. Burgess Owens, who chaired the hearing, said that the problem of antisemitism isnt new.

It has taken on various forms throughout history, the most noted prior to October 7th, were the horrors of the Nazi Holocaust. Both will forever remain a stain in the annals of human history, Owens said in his opening remarks. While antisemitic speech might be free, it deserves our moral condemnation.

Later in a post on X, Owens, who represents the 4th District, said that he was proud to see the gathering in Washington.

America must send a message to the world: We stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel today, tomorrow, and always, Owens said.

So proud to see thousands gathered in Washington, D.C. for today's historic #MarchForIsrael.



America must send a message to the world: We stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel today, tomorrow, and always.  pic.twitter.com/HYkoLuaO1i  Rep. Burgess Owens (@RepBurgessOwens) November 14, 2023
Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., hailed the chamber for passing a continuing resolution to keep the government open on Wednesday. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The Senate easily passed a House bill that will keep the government funded through January, averting a possible government shutdown at the end of the year.

The bill passed with a vote of 87-10 late Wednesday night, sending the measure to President Joe Biden for his signature.

"I have good news for the American people," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said. "This Friday night there will be no government shutdown. I am pleased that Speaker Johnson realized he needed Democratic votes to avoid a shutdown.

"If the speaker is willing to work with Democrats and resist the siren song of the hard right in the House, then we can avoid shutdowns in the future."

The bill marked the first victory for new House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who risked angering ultra-conservatives in his own party to pass the bill that did not include the poison pill of deep government spending cuts.

The spending plan was crafted by new House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., who was able to win a convincing 336-95 vote to pass it in the House. Photo by Ken Cedeno/UPI

Johnson was able to win a convincing 336-95 vote for the continuing resolution to keep the government funded with both Republican and Democratic votes in the House while only 10 Republicans and one Democrat -- Sen. Michael Bennett, D-Colo. -- opposed it in the Senate.

The bill did not include a package covering aid for Israel and Ukraine, humanitarian assistance, or border security.

The spending bill now goes to the desk of President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign it. Photo by Chris Kleponis/UPI

Despite the bipartisan passage of the bill in both chambers, the House Freedom Caucus remained defiant and has vowed to oppose the resolution.

"The House Freedom Caucus opposes the proposed 'clean' Continuing Resolution as it contains no spending reductions, no border security and not a single meaningful win for the American people," the statement said. "Republicans must stop negotiating against ourselves over fears of what the Senate may do with the promise 'roll over today and we'll fight tomorrow.'"
The Senate voted overwhelmingly Wednesday for legislation spearheaded by Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) to fund the government until early next year, wiping out the possibility that Congress will vote on another massive omnibus funding package before Christmas.

The bipartisan vote was 87-11, with 10 Republicans and one Democrat  Sen. Michael Bennet (D-Colo.)  voting in opposition.

Senate and House conservatives pledged they would do everything in their power to avoid having to consider another omnibus spending package right before Christmas and New Years, something that has become a Washington tradition.

Johnsons two-step continuing resolution, which he unveiled last weekend, would do that by funding two tranches of government programs until Jan. 19 and Feb. 2.

As a result, lawmakers wont face the usual end-of-year brinkmanship and the threat of a government shutdown right before the Christmas recess.

But House conservatives, led by Rep. Chip Roy (R-Texas), a member of the Freedom Caucus, did not get the steep spending cuts they wanted attached to the stopgap measure, which would freeze government funding at current levels for two more months.

The legislation, which President Biden has indicated he will sign, would fund military construction, the departments of Veterans Affairs, Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and energy and water programs until Jan. 19.

It would fund all other programs including the Department of Defense and many nondefense social programs until Feb. 2.

The legislation does not include the $105 billion in emergency spending requested by President Biden to fund the war in Ukraine, provide military aid to Israel, fund security measures for the Indo-Pacific, provide humanitarian assistance to Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, and fund additional security measures along the U.S.-Mexico border.

Nevertheless, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) declared passage of Johnsons funding stopgap a victory.

I have good news for the American people. This Friday night there will be no government shutdown, Schumer said, referring to the expiration of government funding at 11:59 pm Friday under current law.

I am pleased that Speaker Johnson realized he needed Democratic votes to avoid a shutdown. If the Speaker is willing to work with Democrats and resist the siren song of the hard right in the House, then we can avoid shutdowns in the future, he said.

Senators considered and rejected only one amendment, a proposal sponsored by conservative Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) to cut 1 percent of budgetary spending. It lost by a vote of 65-32.

Senate leaders hope to pass a separate emergency foreign aid package later this year, but Republicans are insisting that it include major immigration policy reforms to stem the flow of migrants across the Southern border. Democrats have rejected many of the asylum and other policy reforms Republicans are pushing.

Senate passage of the bill was delayed for several hours Wednesday as lawmakers wrangled over the details of a motion to begin a conference negotiation between the two chambers on the annual defense authorization bill. The Senate and House passed their respective defense bills in July.

Wednesdays vote ends weeks of speculation about how Johnson, who was just elected Speaker on Oct. 25, would avoid a government shutdown, given the demands by House conservatives for spending cuts that couldnt pass the Senate or get Bidens signature.

Johnson managed to get the bill through the House by relying on Democratic votes. It passed the House 336-95, with 209 Democrats and 127 Republicans voting yes. Ninety-three Republicans and two Democrats voted no.

Congressional passage of the funding stopgap avoids the threat of a government shutdown for the rest of this year but sets up a difficult negotiation on the annual spending bills at the start of next year.

House Republicans remain deeply divided on fiscal policy, and Johnson has already been forced to pull two appropriations bills from the House floor because of those divisions in his conference.

A group of House conservatives defeated a procedural measure Wednesday to govern floor consideration of the bill funding Commerce, Justice, Science and related agencies. The rebellion forced the chamber to adjourn for the rest of the week.

Still, Schumer, after the Senate vote, called the continuing resolutions passage a good omen for the future.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
WASHINGTON  The Senate approved a plan Wednesday to extend government funding through early next year, narrowly averting a government shutdown for the second time in recent months.

The upper chamber fast-tracked the plan and approved it 87-11, less than a full day after it passed in the House. The deadline for lawmakers to keep the government's doors open is the end of the day Friday, and officials in both chambers were eager to avoid a debacle and head home early for the Thanksgiving holiday.

But the move is only temporary, setting up another showdown early next year: The bill funds part of the government through Jan. 19 and another through Feb. 2, with just five working weeks until the first deadline and six until the second. Congress has been extraordinarily divided, and there is not yet agreement between the two chambers on what the final funding levels will be.

Its unclear whether the new House Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., will adhere to a deal struck between his predecessor, Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., and President Joe Biden to limit spending to 1% growth in 2025, or attempt to cut it further. House appropriators are writing the bills at lower levels after McCarthy instructed them to do so, while their Senate counterparts are writing their bills at the maximum agreed-upon level.

"Keeping the government open is a good outcome. But we have a lot more to do after Thanksgiving," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y. said on the Senate floor Wednesday night. He cited the many hurdles ahead: Aid for Israel and Ukraine, the National Defense Authorization Act, and 12 appropriations bills passed in concert with the House.

The White House has said the president will sign the temporary funding extension because it maintains funding levels and does not include additional conservative policies. Democrats in both chambers have made the same argument for why they feel they can support the two-tiered extension.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters following a closed-door lunch meeting with Senate Democrats at the U.S. Capitol. House lawmakers hold a vote to elect a new speaker in Washington on Oct. 17.

Senate leaders from both parties signaled Tuesday that the measure would be greeted warmly in the upper chamber, but it wasnt a given they could pass it in time. All 100 senators must agree to bypass the rules and consider it before the funding deadline.

GOP Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul introduced an amendment that would cut overall spending by 15%  except for the Department of Defense, military construction and the Department of Veterans Affairs  and claw back $30 billion from the Internal Revenue Service. It was defeated 65-32 ahead of the vote.

To continue spending money at the current rate will inevitably lead to the bankruptcy of our great nation, Paul said introducing his amendment Wednesday night.

The vote was initially expected to happen Wednesday afternoon, but it was delayed due to a last-minute holdout from Sen. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., who wanted assurances from Schumer that the Senate would work on a formal conference with the House on the National Defense Authorization Act, one of the big-ticket items members are hoping to complete before the end of the year. A conference is a temporary committee that works out differences in legislation between the two chambers, rather than sending a bill between the two for consideration.

While members were eager to get out of Washington, many seemed frustrated by the need for an extension and already had their eyes locked on the budget fight ahead.

Its not like weve accomplished anything. We kept the government open, said Sen. John Neely Kennedy, R-La. The bar is pretty much on the ground. I dont think you can get any lower unless you start digging.

What happens next?

The House has already left town for Thanksgiving, and the Senate is likely not far behind. When they return the following week, work begins in earnest to square their visions for a budget that was first due at the end of September.

Funding for federal transportation programs, housing programs, agriculture and food programs and military and veterans programs will expire on Jan. 19. The deadline for the Departments of Health and Human Services, Commerce, Labor, State and Defense comes just two weeks later on Feb. 2.

The path to make both those deadlines is rocky.

Johnson, who passed the funding extension in the House with more Democratic votes than Republican ones, faces continued infighting in his caucus. Ultraconservative members defected en masse from his first major move as speaker, and the House has already failed to pass three appropriations bills  two were defeated on the House floor, and two others were pulled when it was clear they would be rejected.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., talks with reporters ahead of the debate and vote on supplemental aid to Israel, at the Capitol in Washington on Nov. 2.

McCarthy was booted from the speakership for doing the same thing Johnson did, passing a so-called "clean" funding extension without policy add-ons. Members of the conservative Freedom Caucus have said they don't plan to challenge Johnson's hold on power but made it clear that they are willing to go against him.

The Senate has passed only three funding bills (compared to the House's seven), and leaders are debating whether to pass the other nine as one big bill that would put pressure on the House to agree to their funding levels.

Adding to the mess, members on both sides of the aisle would like to send additional aid to Ukraine and Israel. Biden has requested a single budget bill that would send money to both, but House Republicans have attached Israeli aid to an IRS budget cut, and Senate Republicans are demanding changes to border policy in exchange for Ukraine funding.

"The consequences are dire" if Congress can't send Ukraine aid until January or February, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Conn. said. "Russia is plussing its defense industry by orders of magnitude. It is turning its economy into a wartime footing and Ukraine needs this support desperately."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Government shutdown: Senate passes temporary plan before Thanksgiving
Senate Republicans failed in their efforts to pass a resolution to overturn President Bidens new student loans income-driven repayment (IDR) plan Wednesday.

All present Republicans and Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin (W.Va.) voted in support of a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would have halted the Saving on Valuable Education (SAVE) IDR plan, ultimately falling one vote short of the 50 needed to overturn the plan.

The CRA makes it so only 50 votes would have been needed to pass the resolution instead of the 60 that is typically needed to beat a filibuster. The final tally of Wednesdays vote was 50-49 against the effort, with Republican Tim Scott (S.C.) the lone senator not voting.

This is irresponsible. This is deeply unfair, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, said of Bidens plan before the vote.

The SAVE plan is being implemented in two parts. This fall, borrowers are seeing a rise in income exemption for student loan payments from 150 percent to 225 percent above the federal poverty guidelines. Borrowers will also not see their unpaid interest grow.

Next year, borrowers will receive other benefits such as monthly payments getting cut from 10 percent of discretionary income to 5 percent.

Republicans highlighted that the plan will cost taxpayers $559 billion, saying individuals who never went to school or already paid off their student loans would wind up paying for others.

Previously, opponents in both the Senate and House were able to pass a CRA measure against Bidens broader student debt relief program before the plan was struck down by the Supreme Court over the summer, but that resolution was ultimately vetoed by the president.

Democratic Sens. Manchin and Jon Tester (Mont.) and Independent Sen. Kyrsten Sinema (Ariz.) all voted in support of the resolution to stop the student debt relief plan back in June.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
The Senate passed a stopgap funding bill Wednesday night to stave off the threat of a government shutdown until early next year. The bill had been approved by the House on Tuesday, with Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) refusing to include steep spending cuts in order to obtain Democratic support. The measure is now expected to be signed by President Joe Biden. Without it, the federal government would have shut down early Saturday morning. The legislation funds about 20 percent of the governmentincluding the Agriculture, Housing and Urban Development, Transportation and Veteran Affairs departmentsthrough Jan. 19, and everything else through Feb. 2. It does not include aid to Ukraine or Israel. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) seemed pleased by the development. No spending cuts, no right-wing extreme policy changes, no government shutdown, no votes tomorrow, he told reporters. Happy Thanksgiving.

Read it at NBC News

Read more at The Daily Beast.
A Republican Senator who challenged a union boss to fist fight during a Senate Committee hearing says he stands by his sudden outburst, claiming that the other man had started it.

Oklahoma representative Markwayne Mullin, a former mixed martial arts fighter, said he did not deal good with bullies and said people need to be held accountable for running their mouths.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, during a session of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, which was being presided over by Bernie Sanders.

Mr Mullin got into a heated argument with the President of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters Sean OBrien during the hearing  which was centred around how unions can help working families  at one point leaping up from his chair to challenge the witness.

He was admonished by 82-year-old Mr Sanders, who chairs the committee, who told him: Hold it. No, no, no, sit down. Sit down! Youre a United States senator, sit down.

Markwayne Mullin (@MikeSington/Twitter/CSPAN)

Speaking to Fox News on Wednesday, Mr Mullin was asked if, had Mr Sanders not intervened, he would have actually jumped over the dais and started a fight with Mr OBrien.

Absolutely. I wouldnt have started the fight, he started it, he said.

The fact is that, you know, people say this isnt incumbent of a Senator, but I remind people, Im a guy from Oklahoma first, and you just dont run your mouth like that.

And unfortunately, he did. And I called him out on it. I mean, I dont like bullies. Ive never dealt good with bullies at all.

He continued: Ive raised my boys not to deal with bullies, they stand up for other people and a guy like that - when you run your mouth, you need to be called out on it every now and then if that requires you getting, unfortunately punched in the face.

Thats whats going to happen every now and then because theres consequences for your actions, and Ive raised my kids understanding that.

Cavuto: If Bernie Sanders hadn't intervened, do you think you would have jumped over that dais and started a fight?



Sen. Mullin: Absolutely. Wait, I wouldn't have started the fight. He started it. pic.twitter.com/4R7sg6f4xY  Republican Accountability (@AccountableGOP) November 15, 2023

Mr Mullin faced social media mockery for his outburst, and was even described as a disgrace to Senate and the country.

The altercation began after Mr Mullin read a tweet posted by Mr OBrien in June in which the union boss called the senator a clown and a fraud before going on to say that he pretends like hes self-made.

In reality, just a clown and fraud. Always has been, always will be. Quit the tough guy act in these senate hearings. You know where to find me. Anyplace, Anytime cowboy, he wrote at the time.

Sir, this is a time, this is a place. You want to run your mouth, we can be two consenting adults, we can finish it here, Mr Mullin told Mr OBrien during the hearing.

Okay, thats fine. Perfect, the union leader responded. You want to do it now? Stand your butt up then, the Oklahoma senator said, standing up.

Multiple people commented on the exchange in the aftermath, including Ben Collins of NBC News, who wrote: Normal stuff, normal country!

Mr Mullin challenged union boss Sean OBrien (pictured) to a fist fight during the hearing (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The widely followed Angry Staffer account added: Senator Mullin hid under a chair on January 6, but hes real tough when he knows nobody is going to let him fight a witness.

Former Hillary Clinton and Pete Buttigieg strategist Jennifer Holdsworth tweeted out a reminder that big time coward @SenMullin hid in fear from the insurrectionists he helped foment. Hes a disgrace to the Senate and to the country.

Mr OBrien appeared on CNN on Tuesday afternoon, where he was asked if he was concerned that his tussle may have drawn attention away from the real issues being discussed.

Not at all. I mean, we had some great dialogue about issues that affect working people about organizing collective bargaining  unionizing America, he responded. And there was a lot of different opinions, a lot of different debate. And it was great until Markwayne Mullin  obviously were renting space in his head  decided to erupt.

Unfortunately today, Mark chose to not act like a US senator and hes gonna have to pay the consequences for that, Mr OBrien said.
Shelling is ramping up Thursday between the Israel Defense Forces and the Lebanese terrorist group Hezbollah as both sides trade strikes along the Israel-Lebanon border, a report says.

The Iranian-backed terrorist group claimed in several statements that it has struck eight targets so far in Israel Thursday, including Israeli soldiers and a barracks, "in support of our steadfast Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip," according to Reuters.

Israels military responded by saying it hit a site in Lebanon that has tried launching anti-tank missiles toward its territory and that artillery strikes have been directed at other locations, the news agency adds.

A security source in Lebanon told Reuters that Israels counterattack has impacted at least a dozen villages along Lebanons southern border, adding that it has been one of the most violent days in the area since the onset of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7.

LIVE UPDATES: ISRAEL AT WAR WITH HAMAS

Smoke rises following Israeli artillery shelling on the outskirts of the village of Kfarshuba, along Lebanon's southern border with northern Israel, on Thursday, Nov. 16.

There were no immediate reports of injuries from the shelling that targeted Israel.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Since Hamas launched its war on Israel, more than 70 Hezbollah fighters and 10 civilians have been killed in shelling in Lebanon, Reuters reports.

In early November, Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah said during a televised speech that the Oct. 7 terrorist attack in Israel carried out by Hamas was "heroic."

"Some claim Hezbollah is about to join the fray. I tell you: We have been engaged in this battle since Oct. 8," Nasrallah said. "Some would like Hezbollah to engage in an all-out war, but I can tell you: What is happening now along the Israeli-Lebanese border is significant, and it is not the end."

BIDEN SAYS ISRAEL WILL STOP FIGHTING IN GAZA WHEN HAMAS NO LONGER MAINTAINS THE CAPACITY TO MURDER

The fighting between Israel and Hamas has now been going on for nearly six weeks, with President Biden saying Wednesday that he thinks Israel's military operation in Gaza will stop when Hamas "no longer maintains the capacity to murder, abuse, and do horrific things to the Israelis."

Biden called on the Israeli military to exercise caution as they pursue Hamas military targets near civilian infrastructure.

He said the Israel Defense Forces has "an obligation to use as much caution as they can in going after their targets."

However, he added, "Hamas said they plan to attack Israelis again and this is terrible dilemma."

Fox News Adam Sabes and Chris Pandolfo contributed to this report.





Original article source: Shelling ramps up at Israel-Lebanon border with Hezbollah, IDF trading missile strikes: report
Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) is leading hypothetical match-ups with his potential GOP rivals in Ohios Senate race as he tries for reelection in 2024, new polling shows.

An Emerson College Polling/WJW-TV Fox 8 Cleveland survey of Ohio voters found Brown leading 42 percent support to 32 percent in a match-up with Republican businessman Bernie Moreno.

Against Republican Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Brown leads by 5 points, with 41 percent to LaRoses 36 percent. Back in October, LaRose was up by 1 point.

The closest match-up tested in the poll was against state Sen. Matt Dolan (R), but Brown still pulled ahead with 41 percent to Dolans 38 percent.

Support for Brown grew by at least 3 points in each match-up compared with October polling.

Republicans are readying for a competitive primary as the party looks to unseat the Democratic incumbent next year.

Dolan ran for Ohios other Senate seat in last years midterms, but lost in the Republican primary to Sen. JD Vance, who had the backing of former President Trump and went on to win in the general election.

Moreno also ran for the Senate in the midterms but dropped out of the primary. He now has Trumps backing.

The new polling also shows Trump beating President Biden in a hypothetical 2024 presidential match-up in Ohio, which he won in both 2016 and 2020. Trump got 50 percent support to Bidens 38 percent, with 12 percent undecided in the new poll.

While Trump outperforms his 2020 vote in Ohio, Brown still leads the Republican candidates, though within the polls margin of error, Kimball said. About 1 in 10 2024 Trump voters plan to split their ticket and vote for Brown in the Senate match-up against any of the three leading Republican candidates.

The Emerson College Polling/WJW-TV Fox 8 Cleveland poll was conducted Nov. 10-13 among 1,000 registered voters, with a credibility interval of plus or minus 3 percentage points.

WJW-TV Fox 8 Cleveland and The Hill are both owned by Nexstar Media Group.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Two unrelated incidents of college students hit by stray bullets within a week have left students and their families on edge over campus safety at colleges across the country.

The shootings near different campuses involved one student out for a jog and another walking to class. One died and one survived in the latest violence that has raised questions over security near college campuses.

Additionally, a Secret Service agent fired her gun while protecting President Biden's granddaughter in the Georgetown area, and Temple University administrators continue to grapple with ways to protect students amid violence in north Philadelphia streets.

"Recently, there have been innocent people who were going about their day and minding their own business when they were injured by stray bullets," retired Reno Police Lt. Joey Walker told Fox News Digital. "Those innocent people were not the intended targets of the person firing the gun, but nevertheless became victims."

NEW JERSEY PARENTS OF TENESSEE COLLEGE STUDENT KILLED BY STRAY BULLET SAY LAWS PROTECT REPEAT CRIMINALS

Jillian Ludwig died Wednesday night after being shot while walking in a Nashville park, according to police. Shaquille Taylor was arrested in the shooting.

Most of these incidents  particularly stray-bullet shootings  are tucked into a catch-all category of "unintentional" gun violence in statistics provided by major national sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit that's been tracking gun violence in real time since 2013.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"Unintentional" gun violence accounted for about 1-2% of gun deaths in 2022, and 37% of gun-related injuries, according to the CDC and Johns Hopkins Center for Gun Violence Solutions.

OHIO STATE STUDENT STRUCK IN BROAD DAYLIGHT BY UNKNOWN SHOOTER WHILE WALKING HOME NEAR CAMPUS

There's little research on this topic. A 2012 study that analyzed "stray bullet incidents" from March 1, 2008, to Feb. 28, 2009, is often cited.

The study found 81% of people hit by stray bullets "were unaware of the events leading to the gunfire that caused their injuries."

That was the case Nov. 7, when Belmont University student Jillian Ludwig, 18, went for an afternoon run near her school and a stray bullet hit her in the head.

The alleged shooter, Shaquille Taylor, had been in jail earlier this year, and the local prosecutor said three doctors found him mentally incompetent to stand trial, meaning he couldnt be prosecuted and was set free.

CHARGES FILED IN MYSTERIOUS DEATH OF COLLEGE STUDENT LEFT ON SIDE OF ROAD

"Her roommate said she had been going [jogging] three to four times a week," the New Jersey native's mother, Jessica Thorn Ludwig, told Fox News Digital. "She had pretty recently taken up jogging, running, just for some exercise. It was a healthy habit that she was forming, as ironic as that is."

Less than a week later, on Nov. 13, an unnamed Ohio State student was hit by a stray bullet in the leg, but the victim is expected to survive. The shooter is still unknown.

Jillian Ludwig, 18, was fatally struck by a stray bullet while she was jogging in Nashville Tuesday afternoon between classes.

Walker, the CEO of Leading Edge Threat Mitigation who provides training on active shooter defense, said gunmen "usually fire" at "threats," like rival gang members or drug dealers.

"When shots are fired by these criminals, everyone is at risk," Walker said. "Even in an area where crime is less likely to occur, gun-toting criminals have invaded those areas and made their presence known.

"When criminals fire their weapons, they dont care who is struck by their rounds, whether they hit their intended target or some innocent person of any age."

MISSING ILLINOIS POLICE CHIEF'S BODY FOUND AFTER STOMACH-TURNING COMPLAINT AGAINST GIRLFRIEND: DOCS

Other colleges are located in "high risk/crime areas," Walker said.

That includes Temple University, which is surrounded by a high-crime area in north Philadelphia that has been plagued for years by gun violence, muggings, robberies and home invasions.

In February, Temple University Police Sgt. Christopher Fitzgerald, 31, was fatally shot near campus while trying to stop a teen robbery suspect from the nearby suburb of Buckingham Township.

A Temple University Police officer was killed in the line of duty Saturday night near the Philadelphia campus, Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro said.

Earlier this week, a Secret Service agent fired her weapon to protect the president's granddaughter, Naomi Biden, in the Georgetown neighborhood of Washington, D.C.

Secret Service agents encountered three individuals breaking a window on a parked and unoccupied government vehicle, the agency confirmed in a statement obtained by Fox News.

SECRET SERVICE AGENT FIRES GUN AMID CAR BREAK-IN WHILE PROTECTING BIDEN GRANDDAUGHTER

Fortunately, in this case, the weapon was fired by a trained law enforcement official, according to Walker, adding, "They're responsible for every round that is fired.

"There was no threat to any protectees, and the incident is being investigated by the DC Metropolitan Police Department and the Secret Service," the Secret Service said in a statement.

But it still doesn't diminish the terrifying reality that another violent crime resulting in the discharge of a weapon happened so close to another college campus.

Naomi Biden, granddaughter of President Biden, prior to the launch of the Global Music Diplomacy Initiative in the Benjamin Franklin Room of the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C., Sept. 27, 2023.

Walker said his specialty is finding proactive steps law enforcement can take to prevent casualties.

Students and faculty of every campus should be taught about the areas near campus "that have a known history or a propensity towards violent criminal activity," Walker suggested.

POLICE HUNT COSTUMED GUNMAN, ACCOMPLICE AFTER STRANGERS' ARGUMENT TURNS DEADLY

"Knowledge of the areas a person will need to traverse through is of vital importance. Having that information in advance will allow individuals to make different choices to totally avoid those areas or significantly reduce their time traversing through those areas.

"Some of these incidents have occurred in areas that border high-crime neighborhoods or areas that run adjacent to college campuses or worksites a person may be required to traverse through."

Walker stressed the benefits of knowing when neighborhoods are notorious for criminal activity around campus and suggested planning different escape routes if gunfire is heard.

REAL-LIFE DEVIL MADE ME DO IT CASE OF ARNE CHEYENNE JOHNSON SCARED US S---LESS: LAWYER

"If the presence of any person or group gives off the impression of a threat to their safety, students should immediately and expeditiously leave the area," Walker said.

Gun Violence Archive statistics, as of Nov. 15, 2023, which show 1,381 "unintentional" shootings, including stray-bullet incidents.

"And if the sound of gunshots is heard, knowing the direction of where the shots are being fired from, and especially fired towards, can provide key information that can add to their safety."

That's great in theory, but under the stress of a life-or-death situation, or when adrenaline is spiking, thought processes can become clouded, the expert admitted.

As a backup plan, Walker suggested knowing which buildings students enter that are safe. Once inside, he said, it's imperative to stay away from doors and windows, where bullets can pierce.

"In these times, law enforcement can only do so much," Walker said. "Police may be hampered by many things such as lower staffing levels or politics that that may prohibit their ability to be proactive in patrols that would seek out potential issues before they erupt into violent episodes.

"All these factors are critical to staying as safe as possible."





Original article source: Shootings around college campuses leave students, families on edge: 'Everyone is at risk'
Target's CEO said shoppers are happy items are locked up in stores and protected from theft.

This contrasts with customer feedback on social media.

Target said it would lose $500 million in profits this year due to missing inventory.

Target's CEO said that shoppers are saying a "big thank you" to the company for protecting items from theft by locking them up behind glass panels, but customer complaints online suggest otherwise.

Target's CEO Brian Cornell was discussing the company's Q3 earnings in a media call.

He was asked by a CNBC reporter whether there had been a measurable drop in sales due to frustration from shoppers who have to wait for employees to unlock items locked behind glass cases.

Cornell said he had visited stores across the East Coast and West Coast the previous week where items had been locked up.

"And actually what we hear from the guests is a big thank you, because we are in stock with the brands that they need when they're shopping in our stores," he said in the call, according to CNBC.

When asked again whether there was a drop in sales he responded: "It's the opposite. The fact that we're in stock is what's most important for the guests."

Shoplifting and organized retail crime have become major issues for companies like Target  though there is evidence to suggest that some companies may be using shrink as a scapegoat to justify weaker profits.

Last year, Target said it lost $400 million in profits over the course of the year due to missing inventory. It estimated that the company will take a further $500 million profit hit this year from shrink.

As a result, Target has beefed up security in affected stores including locking up aisles of items behind glass cases, that can only be unlocked by employees.

Shoppers have been venting about the new measures online.

One TikToker went viral this month after complaining that "the era of Target runs," is over. The TikToker made a video saying it took her an hour to shop for basic items like body wash, deodorant, and razors because she had to ask staff to unlock the glass casings where the items were being held.

She said she would have spent more time in-store and shopped for more items, but the experience put her off.

Other shoppers have taken their complaints to X , describing the shopping experience as "ridiculous" and "dystopian."

Business Insider reached out to Target for comment but did not immediately hear back.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Michael Fife removes ballots from a bag as election workers process ballots at the Salt Lake County Clerks Office in Salt Lake City on Nov. 3, 2020. | Scott G Winterton, Deseret News

This story has been updated.

While Utahns plan their Thanksgiving spread, Salt Lake County Clerk Lannie Chapman is prepping for the states unusually timed general election.

This year, Utahs municipal elections are two weeks later than normal, on Tuesday, just two days before Thanksgiving.

The rescheduled vote comes after the state legislature convened in June to map out the 2nd Congressional District special election after former Rep. Chris Stewart announced his resignation.

While postponing the off-year election will fill the vacant congressional seat quicker and is cheaper than any alternative, it also pushes county election offices into unfamiliar  and possibly holiday-shattering  territory.

Related

How to vote on Election Day

Utah relies heavily on mail-in voting, but state residents had to drop their ballot in the mailbox on Monday in order for it to count.

To vote on Election Day, voters can put their ballots in a secure ballot drop box or they can vote in person. Locations for drop boxes or polling places can be found on the Vote.Utah.gov website.

Voters are able to register to vote on Election Day, and they then can vote using a provisional ballot.

Lt. Gov. Deidre Henderson, whose office oversees voting, has been posting on social media, reminding voters to turn in their ballots. She also expressed gratitude for election workers who are giving up their holiday prep time.

Thanks for the reminder @UtahDOT! Last day to turn in your ballot. Drop in secure dropbox or vote in person if you prefer. 



More at https://t.co/jYavxtQIxb 



You may also register in person and vote with provisional ballot.



Last day to mail in via USPS was yesterday.  pic.twitter.com/rMDgEneFzV  Lt. Gov. Deidre M. Henderson (@LGHendersonUtah) November 21, 2023

Will election workers have to work on Thanksgiving?

Given the unusual timing of the election, election workers may not be finished counting votes before Thanksgiving.

Im going to try really hard to make sure we dont have to work on Thanksgiving Day, Chapman said. But my teams ready for whatever we need to do here.

Chapman said her office has been processing ballots since the day after they were sent out on Halloween. But election workers are still expecting a really large drop to come on Election Day.

Whether county election workers will be kept counting ballots into Wednesday and Thursday just depends on when people turn in their ballots, Chapman said.

The earlier people get them to us  as soon as they know who they want to vote for  we can process them and have them available for election night results, Chapman said, adding, thats super helpful, not only for my staff, but for the voters and for the candidates too.

How many people have already voted so far?

In a normal election, Chapman said, about two-thirds of voters cast their ballots early and a third wait to submit their mail-in ballot or vote in person until the last day. As of Monday night, 25% of active registered voters in Salt Lake County had submitted their ballots, she said.

But Chapman says shes hoping that number will climb to 35% or 40%  which would make it a good turnout for a regular off-year municipal general election. But this is not a regular election, Chapman noted.

As of Monday night, the turnout for Salt Lake City residents was 36%. The city is choosing between three candidates for mayor this year.

The turnout in the 2nd Congressional District race as of Monday morning was 29.7%, according to Henderson.

What is ranked choice voting?

Another factor making this years election unusual is the use of ranked choice voting  a ballot design that allows voters to select multiple candidates for each race, ranking their preferences 1-2-3, or more.

This will be the first time a Salt Lake City mayors race uses ranked choice voting. However, the city used the voting method for city council races in 2021 along with several other cities across the state.

While ranked choice ballots take slightly longer to be tabulated by voting machines, Chapman said, the process is not any more complicated or burdensome for election workers.
The sighting of a mysterious big cat in the Phoenix Mountains Preserve has left officials puzzled as to what it could be.

On Nov. 9, a YouTube account under the name of Jen Fletcher posted a 23-second video of an ominous creature lurking in the mountain range near a home. The video has since garnered over 15K views as of Wednesday, with several users taking to the comments to identify the animal.

Some suggest that it could be a jaguar, a panther, a jaguarundi or maybe just a fat house cat. Experts with the Arizona Game and Fish Department share their confusion as well, only being able to rule out what it isn't.

"It's not one of our native big cat species, mountain lion, bobcat, ocelot or jaguar," Arizona Game and Fish Department spokesperson Tom Cadden told The Arizona Republic. "It's pretty big for a house cat."

One theory, according to Cadden, however, is that it could be an exotic cat that someone obtained and somehow escaped.

"But that's just speculation," Cadden noted.

As officials continued to try to identify the creature, Cadden said that their radio dispatch center had not received any additional calls regarding the sighting.

The Game and Fish Department will be looking for more reports of sightings and encounters. All big cat encounters, attacks or sightings in urban areas should be reported to dispatch at 623-236-7201.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Mysterious animal seen in Phoenix Mountains Preserve
The painting above depicts the open area in front of Bara Imambara, a historical building complex in Lucknow, the capital city of the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh.

Built in 1784 as part of a famine relief works project by Nawab Asaf-ud-Daula, the prince of the royal house of Oudh, it is one of the last great and palatial buildings constructed in the Mughal style. The complex includes several structures, including the Bhool Bhulaiya (a labyrinth) and the Asfi mosque.

Look at the painting again. You can see the outer gate of the complex, and the Imambara itself is out of view. To reach the imposing building, visitors have to pass through this gate and two large courtyards before reaching the central hall, which is one of the world's largest arched constructions without the support of beams or pillars.

In the painting, straight ahead, there's the Rumi Darwaza, the imposing gateway to old Lucknow. Then there's a solitary elephant and some scattered people.

This evocative watercolour drawn by the once-obscure and long-anonymous Indian artist Sita Ram will feature in an exhibition organised by art company DAG in Delhi later this month.

From June 1814 to early October 1815, Sita Ram travelled extensively with Francis Rawdon, also known as the Marquess of Hastings, who had been appointed as the governor general in India in 1813 and held the position for a decade. (He is not to be confused with Warren Hastings, who served as India's first governor general much earlier).

Sita Ram drew a similar painting, this time depicting a long procession approaching the Rumi Darwaza

As art historians tell the story, Lord Hastings sailed upstream with a vast retinue - his wife, and staff and a painter who he mentions only as a "Bengal draftsman" - in a flotilla of 220 boats over 15 months from the city of Kolkata (then Calcutta) to the distant reaches of Jind, now situated in Haryana.

The purpose of the long journey was to "meet the rulers in northern India, with a view to possible expansions of British control, and to monitor more closely an ongoing war in Nepal", according to art historian Giles Tillotson.

During the journey, Sita Ram painted 229 large water colour paintings portraying the buildings and landscapes that unfolded along the way. Together, they amount to a "continuous visual narration of the expedition and complement Hasting's written account", says Mr Tillotson.

JP Losty, a former curator of the British Library in London, wrote that "some of the paintings illustrating the river journey are among the most tranquil and beautiful creations in Indian painting".

The paintings - averaging 40 by 60cm - were pasted into 10 annotated albums which Hastings took back home at the end of his term in India. They were passed down to his descendants and for a century and a half - 1820s to 1970s - Sita Ram's works were "unseen by the outer world, and his name was unknown".

In 1974, Hasting's family sold two of the albums containing 46 paintings in an auction at Sotheby's in London. As the album covers bore Sita Ram's name, the world got a glimpse of this previously unrecognised artist and his work, according to Mr Tillotson.

Sita Ram's water colour of the Rumi Darwaza

"On this evidence alone, specialists of Indian paintings saw Sita Ram as one of the most important Indian artists of this period," he says. "But still very little was known about him".

As the paintings were offered for sale anonymously, there was no way of connecting Sita Ram with Hastings.

Twenty years later, the family decided to sell the remaining eight albums along with three others containing more paintings made by Sita Ram on later journeys in Bengal in 1817 and 1821. The collection was acquired by the British Library.

"It now appears that Hastings was not the artist's only patron. After Hastings left India, he continued to work for other patrons, or he made other versions of his works, either to keep himself or sell to others," says Mr Tillotson.

Sita Ram's artworks contribute to the genre known as Company Paintings, distinguished by their use of watercolour, a departure from the conventional gouache, and executed on paper, assembled into folio-bound albums.

The paintings took their name after The English East India Company, founded in 1600, which was established for trading. But as the powerful multinational corporation expanded its control over India in the late 18th Century, it commissioned many remarkable artworks from Indian painters - Sewak Ram of Patna and Ghulam Ali Khan of Delhi were notable names - who had previously worked for the Mughals.

Not much is still known about Sita Ram. Hailing from Bengal, he seems to have been trained in the late Mughal school of Murshidabad, the capital of the prince of Bengal. "When the school fell by the wayside, artists like Sita Ram moved on to find patrons in the new cities emerging under British rule," says Mr Tillotson.

Was Sita Ram a trained draughtsman? Losty seemed to think so. He wrote that Sita Ram's work was "overlaid by exposure to a precise style of draughtsmanship" which he could have probably acquired through being trained as a botanical draughtsman or an architectural draughtsman "as well as his training in the English watercolour topographical style".

Losty said many of Sita Ram's paintings "promised to be of great interest in the discovery of India's past before the advent of photography and the Archaeological Survey".

Mr Tillotson says Sita Ram was "one of the most versatile and inventive of Indian artists working for European patrons in the early 19th Century".

"Scenes such as this courtyard before the Imambara in Lucknow [in the painting] seem familiar to us 200 years later; all that has changed is an increasingly urban landscape that is now encroaching on the setting."

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:
An outdoor gym erected last month in Maurice A. Ferre Park by the city of Miami must be removed, a city board ruled Wednesday night, marking a victory for neighboring residents who have fought projects erasing green space in the downtown bayfront park.

The gym, installed at the behest of the Bayfront Park Management Trust and its chair, Miami commissioner Joe Carollo, is not included in the citys master plan and should not have been approved, said members of the Planning, Zoning and Appeals Board, who voted 5-2 to reverse the planning departments decision to grant permission for the gym and the pavement surrounding it.

Unless city commissioners overrule the board, the exercise equipment will have to be ripped out, a planning department official acknowledged.

Heres something that was thrown together without community input, and its a slap in the face to every resident in the city, board member Adam Gersten said. Look at South Pointe Park in Miami Beach, which was heavily master planned. Why cant we have nice things like that in Miami? Its never going to happen if we dont do something about the changes occurring in Ferre Park.

Board chair Chris Collins and vice chair Andy Parrish asked Miguel Ferro, interim director of the Trust that runs the downtown parks with Carollos oversight, how Trust members make decisions, such as the ones to build the gym, create the walkway lined with large dog and cat statues, chop down a 35-foot ficus tree and place Microtheater Miamis shipping container performance spaces in the park.

Ferro said the unanimous vote to install the exercise equipment was made before he became interim director and he couldnt say whom the Trust consults with or what process the Trust uses to determine what projects are undertaken.

The residents dont want this gym, said board member Robert W. Rodriguez. A group like the Downtown Neighbors Alliance serves as a watchdog for the area, and without them we would not have found out about this. You cant let the government run willy-nilly over the wishes of the people who live there.

Board member Paul Mann defended Carollo and said the gym was a good addition.

I know Commissioner Carollo is a park lover. I dont think he wants to ruin this one, Mann said. If we deny this gym wed be saying we dont want anything else.

The board is an advisory board and its decision is a recommendation that city commissioners can accept or reject.

We will ask the commission to reconsider, Carollo said. Im surprised that an outdoor gym just like the gyms that exist in scores of our parks and in parks of every major American city would generate opposition. Its because Joe Carollo is chair of the Trust and because a tiny group of maybe 15 elitists dont want it; they have state-of-the-art gyms in their condos.

But hundreds upon hundreds of people are going to use that equipment, which was approved in public meetings two years ago. Weve received positive feedback from residents and visitors who look forward to exercising outside in a beautiful park that serves the whole city, not just the people who think they own it.

LED billboards coming

Residents at the meeting said they worry about whats coming next to Ferre Park. A soccer field is on the list of proposed capital improvements. A pickle ball court has been discussed. Two LED billboards, previously approved by the city, will be installed adjacent to the Biscayne Boulevard sidewalk at the north and south ends of the park.

When the gym appeared all of a sudden, we filed an appeal and thought construction would stop, said Brian Kern, vice president of the 900 Biscayne Bay condo board. It never did.

Downtown Neighbors Alliance President James Torres, who has complained to the Trust about unpermitted, sloppy and hazardous work in Ferre Park, said people deserve a say in how their tax money is spent in our premier public park. Torres suggests moving the gym to a Boys and Girls Club.

Tree removal angers parkgoers

The removal of an old shade tree in the park without advance notice or a permit provoked an outcry by park users.

READ MORE: A giant tree in Miami waterfront park was chopped down by the city  without city approval

Miami, Florida, Oct. 6 2023 - A black-and-white photo of the 35-foot ficus tree that was cut down in Maurice Ferre Park in downtown Miami by the city of Miami in July. The city contends its roots were a tripping hazard. The neighbors point to the city not securing a proper permit for tree removal.

Theres been a complete disregard of city code, Miami 21, the master plan and Florida law, said Steve Smith, president of the 900 Biscayne Bay condo board. We are not opposed to all new development but it cannot be done in a vacuum. The idea that the Trust encourages public input is laughable.

Michael Feuling, who lives across the street, has been battling Carollo since 2019, when security patrols in the park were cut. They were restored last year.

This decision has repercussions beyond the gym because it forces the Trust to abide by the master plan, Feuling said. The biggest win we have today is community involvement. The people stood up and said Joe Carollo can no longer run the parks like a dictator.
SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4)  The Utah Pride Center was a victim of vandalism yesterday, and the Salt Lake City Police Department is asking for the communitys help in the investigation.

A Pride Center volunteer noticed hate speech on the main sign around 4 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14 and notified the police. After the police investigation, staff members at the center removed the hate speech.

Proposed bill seeks harsher penalties for road rage in Utah

SLCPD is asking anyone who may know about the vandalism to call 801-799-3000.

In a press release from the SLCPD, the community was reminded of a public service announcement from Chief Mike Brown from Oct. 2023.

In Utah, a hate crime is a criminal offense committed against a person or property that is motivated by the offenders bias or prejudice against the victim. The Salt Lake City Police Department recognizes our responsibility to investigate hate crimes thoroughly and impartially to hold offenders accountable and ensure justice for victims. The Salt Lake City Police Department educates its officers and works with the community to recognize and condemn hate crimes and works to prevent them from occurring in the future. The effects of a hate crime can be devastating and long-lasting for both the individual victim and the larger community. If you are the victim of a hate crime or witness a hate crime, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities so the case can be investigated, and support and resources offered. Chief Mike Brown, SLCPD

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You might think youre looking at a couple of pieces of driftwood on the sandy shores of Hawaii in this photo, but theres actually a sleepy sea creature napping there, too.

A double take might be needed to spot the seal napping on  and perfectly blending in with  the black sand in the photo Haleakala National Park posted to Facebook on Nov. 14.





Do you see what I see? park officials said in the post. A sleepy seal on the shores of the Kipahulu District!

The Hawaiian monk seal, also known as Ilioholoikauaua  the dog that runs in rough waters  was spotted on the Oheo Gulch in October, officials said in the post.

The playful creatures get their name from the roll of fat on top of their round heads, which give the appearance of a hood  just like a monk wears, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration said on its website.

Adults backs are dark gray or brown and their bellies are silver or tan, which explains why the seal camouflages so well with the sand as it lies on its back.

They can get up to 7 feet long and can weigh between 400 and 600 pounds, the NOAA said.

Its one of two native mammals in Hawaii, and one of the worlds most endangered species, officials said. Theres only about 1,400 left in the wild.

Monk seals are skilled hunters, but their young have very low survival rates because of declining food levels, and they rarely make it to reproductive age, officials said. They also get tangled in fishing gear or are eaten by Galapogos sharks at the seals largest breeding site in the Northwestern Hawaiian Islands.

They are solitary animals that spend most of their time at sea, officials said. You may find them catching some much-needed rest along the shoreline. It is important to allow them a significant amount of space to molt, rest, give birth, and care for their pups.

Wildlife officials want park visitors to call the Marine Mammal Center at 808-292-2372 if anyone sees one out in the wild.

An elusive creature is staring at you from Joshua Tree in this photo. Do you see it?

A great white shark hides in this photo taken off Cape Cod. Most cant find it

Massive Arctic creature spotted for first time in 25 years along coast of Scotland
SLIDELL, La. (WGNO)  A Slidell man will serve time in prison for the illegal manufacturing and selling of devices used on semiautomatic weapons.

In May this year, 21-year-old Rene Ladmirault pleaded guilty to charges related to manufacturing machine gun conversion devices, also known as glock switches.

According to court documents, when attached to a Glock firearm, it converts semi-automatic firearms to fully automatic firearms. It was also revealed that hed created the pieces using a 3D printer and milling machine and sold them via Instagram.

Former New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board employee sentenced for theft scheme

According to the United States Attorneys Office for the Eastern District of Louisiana, after learning of Ladmiraults actions, the FBI issued a search warrant for his home. As they entered, investigators say he flushed a device down the toilet in an attempt to avoid its seizure.

Ladmirault was charged with possession of a machine gun and obstruction of justice. He is set to serve 30 months in prison with two years of supervised probation to follow. He will also be ordered to pay a mandatory special assessment fee of $200.

Stay updated with the latest news, weather, and sports by downloading the WGNO app on the Apple or Google Play store and subscribing to the WGNO newsletter.

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The man who was arrested on suspicion of making terrorist threats after a standoff with San Luis Obispo Police Department earlier this month pleaded not guilty to one misdemeanor on Thursday.

On Nov. 3, Kona Wilson, 37, allegedly got into a physical altercation with his girlfriend then threatened to kill her while brandishing a knife in his home on South Street, police said at the time.

Police said the woman fled the scene shortly after 1 p.m. and called 911. Wilson had barricaded himself in the house while his girlfriend was outside by the time officers arrived on scene.

Police surrounded the house with guns drawn, and surrounding neighbors were asked to shelter in place, police said.

After hours of negotiation, officers deployed a flash bang device in the side yard, police said, and Wilson surrendered shortly after.

Around 4:11 p.m., Wilson was arrested and booked into San Luis Obispo County Jail on suspicion of felony terrorist threats and misdemeanor domestic violence and exhibiting a deadly weapon, police said.

Despite police recommending a more serious felony charge, the San Luis Obispo County District Attorneys Office ultimately charged Wilson with one misdemeanor count: Resisting, obstructing or delay of a peace officer or EMT, court documents show.

Wilsons next court date is scheduled for January, according to his lawyer Trace Milan.
Representatives of the Union of Road Hauliers of Slovakia (UNAS) blocked the Vysne Nemecke border crossing point with Ukraine on Thursday from the Slovak side for an hour, expressing solidarity with the Polish protesters.

Source: European Pravda with reference to the Slovak agency TASR

Details: Slovak protesters blocked the road to the border crossing with cars from 13:00 to 14:00. Representatives of Polish hauliers, who blocked the border with Ukraine on the territory of Poland, also took part in the protest.

Quote: "If there is no progress, the Poles will continue to block the border, and we will join in by blocking the entire Vysne Nemecke. We will be forced to, because there is no other way," UNAS head Stanislav Skala said in a comment to TASR.

Skala said that his Hungarian counterparts are already making similar appeals.

The Slovak Customs Office later said the hour-long blockade had not affected their work. The police also did not report any violations and stated that they were monitoring public order in the area of the border crossing.

Background:

Slovak hauliers have previously threatened to completely block the border with Ukraine if the European Commission does not intervene in the situation.

They are demanding that Brussels reinstate the commercial permit system for transportation within the EU, as European companies cannot compete with them. This is the same thing that the protesters on the Polish-Ukrainian border are demanding.

At the same time, the European Commission has already managed to warn that one of the key demands of Polish hauliers blocking the border with Ukraine is not legally possible.

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Slovakia's police, labor inspectors, and Transport Department officials are conducting checks on Ukrainian trucks stuck at the Slovakian border, the Slovak Transport Ministry said in a statement on Nov. 15.

The queue is "mainly made up of Ukrainian vehicles," many of which are believed to "not meet "legislative requirements or have incomplete documents," the ministry said.

The authorities are checking documents, the condition of the vehicles, customs documents, whether the trucks are overloaded, "whether drivers observe the mandatory breaks," and "whether the drivers comply with the ban on alcohol consumption."

Huge queues of Ukrainian trucks formed at the Slovakia-Ukraine border after Polish truckers started blocking three border crossing points on Nov. 6, in protest of the liberalization of transport rules for Ukrainian trucks.

Polish truckers claim that the lack of entry permits for Ukrainian trucks was hurting business for Polish drivers. They are also calling for a ban on transportation companies from outside the EU.

After the protest at the Polish border started, trucks diverted to Slovakia's Vysne Nemecke border crossing, causing an 18-kilometer queue on Nov. 11.

Ukraine's State Customs Service reported on their website that as of the morning of Nov. 16, trucks have to wait 41 hours on average to enter Ukraine from Slovakia.

Volunteers from the local branch of the NGO Malteser International are providing water, hot drinks, snacks, and an place to stay warm to the truck drivers and officials carrying out the checks, the Slovak Transport Ministry said.

The heightened checks come after the Union of Road Hauliers of Slovakia (UNAS) also threatened to block the border crossing completely if the European Commission does not decide to re-issue permits for Ukrainian trucks, Slovakian media outlet Pravda reported on Nov. 13

UNAS Chairman Stanislav Skala said that the issue must be discussed at the next Council of Ministers meeting in Brussels at the beginning of December, and that UNAS has asked Slovakia's Transport Minister to propose changes to the rules.

According to EU rules, Ukrainian trucks do not require permits until 30 June, 2024, after the EU and Ukraine signed an agreement in June 2022 to liberalize transport rules.

If the permits are not reinstated, "then UNAS is willing to immediately support Polish carriers at the border and will block the border crossing for Ukrainian carriers from the Slovak side," Pravda quoted Skala.

Ukrainian officials met with Polish truck drivers on Nov. 13 but the talks failed to make progress.

The negotiations failed to end the dispute as the requests of the Polish drivers are "unrealistic at the moment," Deputy Infrastructure Minister Serhii Derkach said on Facebook.

"It was clear that the issue of further blocking the border is not so much to solve urgent issues and problems, but to make a big communication campaign or a political story out of it and keep the border closed for as long as possible," said Derkach.

Derkach emphasized that the border blockade was "a violation of a number of agreements" and called on the Polish strikers to unblock cargo movement immediately.

After the negotiations, Rafal Mekler, a leader of a protest in the Polish border town of Dorohusk, said that "the Ukrainian side does not take our demands into account," the Guardian reported, citing AFP.

Read also: Not backing Ukraine is disastrous for Slovak security, says former defense minister

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The European Union Ambassador to Ukraine, Katarina Mathernova, has received assurances from Slovak officials that the country will support starting negotiations on Ukraines eventual EU membership, Mathernova said in a Facebook post on Nov. 15.

During her recent visit to Slovakia, she met with President Zuzana Caputova, Deputy Prime Minister Peter Kmec, Defense Minister Robert Kalinak, and Foreign Ministry State Secretary Marek Estok. Mathernova also spoke with Slovak MPs.

Read also: Slovakia will not ban arms sales to Ukraine  PM Fico

Everyone assured me that Slovakia will continue to support Ukraine, politically and financially, said Mathernova.

Read also: Slovakia the most pro-Russian EU country, says Ukrainian diplomat

It will support EU initiatives, including support for the opening of negotiations on Ukraine's membership in the European Union.

Read also: Czech President Pavel hints at 'negotiations' as Ukraine 'can't achieve advantage' in war

Mathernova added that the visit to Slovakia left her with a good feeling.

On Nov. 8, the European Commission recommended opening EU accession negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
Its 10 a.m. on a Monday in Clover, S.C., and about three dozen customers hankering for a Southern breakfast fill up the booths in busy Victorias Diner.

A painted chalkboard takes up an entire wall with the days specials. Included among them is Victorias Benedict  its a homemade biscuit with a choice of bacon, sausage or livermush topped with two eggs and gravy for $6.99.

On this day, lifelong Clover resident Bo Legg walks in the front door, and immediately, people notice. He waves at some and nods at others with a smile. On his way to a booth, family friend and customer Carol Jenkins laughs and takes him by the arm, offering him a hug. Hows your mama doing? she asks.

Legg is Clovers new mayor-elect. He ousted incumbent Mayor Greg Holmes, who has been in office since 2017, on Nov. 7 by collecting 567 votes out of 890 ballots cast  nearly 64%.

Legg said he ran for the office because its his civic duty to represent his town.

Im trying to teach my children that if you want to change something, you have to do it by using your muscle, he said.

Legg has served on the town council since January 2022.

I love this town, he said. Im trying to protect it for my kids and for everyone elses children so they can have the same experience I did.

Mayor-elect of Clover, S.C., Bo Legg, said he wants to focus on industrial growth in the small town.

Active in the community

Legg said he likes to stay active in the community. An example: On a recent weekend, Legg went to a Veterans Day event, followed by the towns Highland Games and then to a Joy 4 Tots motorcycle rally.

Monday, after coffee at Victorias, Legg took down about two dozen American flags he put out for Veterans Day.

Clover mayor-elect Bo Legg rolls up an American flag he put out on Main Street for Veterans Day.

Legg said he loves being a voice for the town of Clover  but not a voice for housing developers.

The 44-year-old said he wants the town to stop high-density residential growth, mainly because of the stress he believes its causing schools.

Go by any school in town at dismissal time and look at the lines around the building, he said. Our schools are going to be overrun and thats not good for anybody.

The Clover school district will build a new high school and an elementary school by 2026. Currently, the Clover school district has seven elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school.

On the school districts website, an FAQ stated projections from an independent, outside firm show that student enrollment in the Clover School District will exceed this projection in the 2026-2027 school year.

District spokesman Bryan Dillon referenced schools that are at capacity or near capacity, but said the district has schools that have space for students.

Clover, a town of about 7,300 residents 30 miles southwest of Charlotte, encompasses a 4.5-mile radius. Even though Lake Wylie residents attend Clover schools, the Clover mayor does not represent the busy Lake Wylie area, which is not incorporated.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Clover has grown nearly 11% from 2020 to 2022..

Other Clover concerns

Schools are not the only things Legg is concerned about.

Legg said he would also like to bring infrastructure up-to-date, including fixing broken water mains and addressing problems with sewer lines.

Legg said he would like to grow business in the community.

He said he wants to focus on bringing industry to the town, namely to Westgate Industrial Park, which he says is overgrown.

If you look at the comprehensive plan and where we want to be  we are very residential top-heavy, he said. We dont have that commercial and industrial to balance that out.

Case in point: Legg said he had been to one ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new business over the past two years he has been on town council, but has been to three over the past month.

He wants to see more.

I wish I was at a ribbon-cutting every week, he said.

For current mayor Holmes, this is not the last time the community will see him, he said on a Facebook post.

My head is not down and (I) remain high because I dont need a title to make a difference in my community, he wrote.
Gidon Lev, Lily Ebert, Tova Friedman, and Rosie Heilbrun shared their stories of surviving the Holocaust with younger generations via TikTok. Courtesy of Gidon Lev, Lily Ebert, Nechama Birnbaum, and Tova Friedman; Isabel Fernandez Pujol/Business Insider

Lily Ebert is staring intently into the front-facing camera of a phone. In a serene cream-colored living room, she sits on a golden chair that matches both the curtains and the fully stocked bookshelf behind her.

Ebert, wearing a pale pink button-up shirt and satin flowered pants, has turned her living room into a makeshift set, answering questions from near-anonymous people who want to know the horrors that she's been through.

On the TikTok video she's filming, a question appears on the screen: "Did Lily know where she was being taken to?"

"I had not the faintest idea," she responds slowly, her hands clasped together. "Nobody in your worst, very worst, imagination. You could not believe that something like  even something similar like  can happen."

"It was an impossible possibility," she added.

At 99, Ebert is among the oldest Holocaust survivors in the world.

In 1944, she was 20 when she was brought to Auschwitz-Birkenau, the concentration-camp network in Nazi-occupied Poland, and separated from her mother, Nina, and two youngest siblings, Bela and Berta. Ebert never saw them again and believes they were probably killed in gas chambers.

For a horrid year, Ebert suffered in inhumane living conditions. She was forced to work for the German military machine, assigned to mend men's uniforms, and later worked in a munitions factory near Leipzig, Germany.

Survivor Lily Ebert first used TikTok to help find the US soldier who had liberated her during the war. Courtesy of Lily Ebert

Over the past two years, Ebert has found a new purpose for her painful memories: sharing her stories with young audiences on social media.

With help from her 19-year-old great-grandson, Dov Forman, Ebert fields questions from their 2.1 million followers and random TikTok viewers about what it was like growing up in Hungary, surviving Auschwitz, and then living in Israel and England after the war.

Business Insider talked to three survivors and their families, and the granddaughter of a fourth survivor who died in 2022, who are committed to detailing their lives during the Holocaust on TikTok. While they've counteracted the toxic denialism that flourishes on the app, they're also worried their stories will die with them.

"After my generation is gone, there'll be no more witnesses," Tova Friedman, who at 85 is among the younger living Holocaust survivors and who discusses her experience on TikTok, told BI. "So this is very important."

Today's levels of Holocaust awareness feel dire to survivors

Antisemitism on and off of TikTok has both highlighted the stakes and added a feeling of urgency for Holocaust survivors seeking to document their stories. Forman told BI he'd seen a ton of antisemitic clips on the app firsthand.

"It's incredibly worrying when I see these videos," he said, "knowing that the predominant amount of users on TikTok are young children."

Holocaust literacy among younger generations isn't particularly encouraging. As part of a 2019 survey, the Pew Research Center asked 1,800 US teenagers multiple-choice questions about the Holocaust. Only 38% of the respondents, ages 13 to 17, correctly identified how many Jews were killed (about 6 million), and just a third identified how Hitler became Germany's chancellor (through a democratic political process). More than half could identify which of several broad time periods the Holocaust took place during (between 1930 and 1950) and what Nazi-created ghettos were (parts of town where Jews were forced to live), but they still lagged behind adults who were asked the same questions.

Though TikTok's community guidelines prohibit antisemitism, the app's algorithm has also allowed for problematic content, like far-right disinformation campaigns and neo-Nazi propaganda, to evade consequences. In 2022, UNESCO and the World Jewish Congress found that 17% of the TikTok content related to the Holocaust denied or distorted the genocide.

Aron Goodman helps his grandmother Tova Friedman film TikTok videos. Courtesy of Tova Friedman

Oren Segal, the vice president of the Anti-Defamation League's Center on Extremism, told BI that people's ability to spread antisemitic hate online has become "greater than in any other time in human history."

Recorded incidents of antisemitism offline have also been on the rise. A March report from the ADL tallied 3,697 instances of harassment, vandalism, and assault linked to antisemitism in 2022, a 36% increase from 2021  and a record high since the group began tracking such incidents in 1979.

Segal said the ADL had tracked dozens of attacks that specifically mentioned Kanye West, the rapper now known as Ye, who in December praised Hitler on Alex Jones' Infowars show. Nechama Birnbaum, 29, the granddaughter of a survivor, told BI that in the immediate aftermath of Ye's rant she was inundated with hundreds of messages saying her grandmother was lying and calling the Holocaust a hoax.

Ignorant questions are often thrown at survivors

Ebert stumbled on virality somewhat accidentally, Forman told BI.

During a family dinner early in the coronavirus pandemic, Ebert showed her great-grandson a banknote an American Jewish soldier gave her in 1945 shortly after she was freed in a German village called Pfaffroda. The note had a promise for the future: "The start to a new life  good luck and happiness!" It had no signature.

Curious about its author, Forman told Ebert they might find the person if they posted the note online.

The resulting post went viral in July 2020, and in less than 10 hours they had identified the liberator as Pvt. Hyman Schulman, who died in 2013.

Forman realized just how powerful the internet could be when harnessed for good. He used X (then still known as Twitter) for several months before moving to TikTok, uploading the first video with Ebert in February 2021. Within three months, they had amassed over a million followers.

Forman and Ebert's channel has amassed over 2.1 million followers. Courtesy of Lily Ebert

Ebert's channel is guided by a promise she made to herself in 1944, after she had been taken from her home in Hungary and imprisoned at Auschwitz. It was Yom Kippur, and she was with two of the surviving members of her family  her sisters Piri and Rene. That day, she swore that if she survived, she would make it her life's mission to ensure nothing like that would ever happen again.

"I thought I could do it single-handedly," Ebert reflected in "Lily's Promise," the 2021 bestselling memoir she cowrote with Forman about her experiences. "Perhaps I was a little optimistic. A little naive. But I really believed it."

After marrying in 1948 and having three children over the next decade, she began speaking publicly about the Holocaust. In the 1980s, she helped form a group for survivors struggling with the trauma.

Today, the popularity of the channel has allowed them to reach people around the world. Forman said he was shocked by the ignorance revealed in some TikTokers' questions, such as "What was the Holocaust?" or "Why did you choose Auschwitz concentration camp? Why didn't you choose a different one?"

Despite these challenges, Ebert said she's grateful to have the community and an outlet.

"If you are quiet, people don't know what you think about things," Ebert told BI. "So you have to talk, and in TikTok you get the opportunity to talk anything in your life, what you feel comfortable with, and that helps a lot."

In her book, Ebert wrote that she was proud her great-grandson had discovered "new ways" to share her life history with the younger generation.

"I know  I don't kid myself  I won't be here forever," she mused. "To be certain that Dov will take over my story, even when I'm gone, gives me peace of mind."

An emotional toll lingers for survivors who relive their worst days

Having your horror recounted for millions of people every week is likely to wear on Holocaust survivors, an expert in trauma told BI.

Tova Friedman was only 5 when she was taken to Auschwitz, and said some moments were distressing to remember. She added that her grandson Aron Goodman, 18, was "very careful not to prolong that" so she could " share everything openly."

In one of Friedman's most harrowing videos, she described being sent to a gas chamber, only to be inexplicably allowed to leave.

"We stood there naked for a number of hours, freezing, absolutely freezing," she said in the 43-second clip uploaded in October 2021. "And then they just sent us back."

Friedman said in the video that the guards were "screaming and yelling at each other" at the time but that she never learned what happened.

Her most popular video, with over 8 million views, shows the tattoo she received at Auschwitz. In the video, uploaded in October 2021, Friedman holds a white dog on her lap as she calmly recounts the experience.

"I was tattooed by a young woman whose hands trembled because she wasn't happy to tattoo children," she said as the camera panned over to her arm, revealing the scrawl of faded digits.

At Auschwitz, which consisted of both a series of labor camps and the death camp Birkenau, most arriving children were sent immediately to the gas chambers. Only prisoners selected for work were given tattoos, which were used to identify their bodies as they died under the daily brutal conditions.

Sharing such memories can be retraumatizing, and make a person feel as if they're experiencing the moment again, Nancy Smyth, a University of Buffalo professor who specializes in traumatic stress, told BI. Smyth added that when some survivors retell stories, it can feel less like a cut-and-dried past experience and more like vivid "flashbacks."

"As they're trying to tell their stories, they're probably reactivating some of those memory networks," Smyth said, though she noted she hadn't treated any of the Holocaust survivors BI interviewed. "When that comes up, sometimes you actually feel like you're back there."

Antisemitism adds to the emotional toll. By taking on hate in a medium like TikTok, survivors might expose themselves to fresh waves of it if they read the comments. Sporadically, there are still insidious dog whistles and overt Holocaust denialism in the comments on some survivors' videos.

This could activate survivors' trauma reactions and also make them fear society is heading down the same path again, Smyth said. "They would likely be experiencing a lot of physiological and psychological stress associated with that awareness," she added.

Many of the survivors' family members try to shield them from hateful comments. Forman, for instance, said he had received "thousands of hateful comments," which he deletes or reports.

Still, it doesn't mean survivors' family members aren't having emotional reactions to the hate speech they've just seen. Birnbaum said her grandmother's Instagram account got so filled with hateful comments that she had to delete it.

"Having worked with family members of Holocaust survivors, those folks have their own issues about this because it's this horrific event that has shaped the family," Smyth said.

TikTok's most recent Community Guidelines Enforcement Report, which covered January to March of this year, says about 2.5%  or 2.23 million  of all videos were removed from the platform for violating its hateful-behavior policy, under which antisemitism falls. That was up from the previous time period, October to December of last year, when about 1.97 million videos were removed for violating the same policy.

According to Andrea Rungg, a senior director of communications at TikTok, the company does not have a further breakdown of how many of those videos specifically dealt with antisemitism. Still, TikTok told BI that it was aware of antisemitism on the platform and had long tried to combat its spread by offering various hate-screening tools. According to Friedrich Enders, who works on TikTok's trust-and-safety team, these include informational banners on every Holocaust video and stopword functions that let accounts block hateful phrases. Creators and cultural institutions are also paired with liaisons, like Enders, who serve as direct contacts in the event they're spammed with hateful messages.

But these tools don't seem to be working as effectively as they should. Several survivors' family members told BI they continued to be subjected to antisemitic abuse and rhetoric on the app.

Enders acknowledged the platform has content-moderation flaws as his team tries to improve the technology to detect hate. He also said, however, that coded hateful lingo develops so quickly online that it's likely TikTok will "never be able to 100% get it right."

"We're always looking for new ways to improve," Enders said. "And we do have to get better, that's no question."

A network of survivors tell their stories to a young audience

Ebert's TikTok presence inspired other survivors to join the platform. One of them, Gidon Lev, and his partner, Julie Gray, who comanages their joint account, @thetrueadventures, began posting in July 2021, and they have amassed 450,000 followers. On TikTok, the 88-year-old shares about the four years he spent at the Theresienstadt concentration camp in what is now the Czech Republic.

At 6 years old, Lev was taken to the camp with the rest of his family and imprisoned there until the Red Army liberated it in 1945. He lost 26 family members in the war, and the only one who survived with him was his mother, Doris.

It can be difficult, Gray said, to know whether the videos she and Lev make are really making an impact  the TikTok algorithm can flatten sensitive topics, putting them on par with viral dance trends and influencers looking for notoriety.

"On good days, I tell myself that Gidon's TikTok presence might be an invitation to learn more for some young people," she wrote in an essay for The Times of Israel last fall. "On not-so-good days, I wonder if this is really it  the last chance  the one way we can get a young person, woefully ignorant about the Holocaust, to pay attention, even for 30 seconds."

Gray told BI that seeing a survivor like Lev living life  swimming breaststroke, browsing at the grocery store, and vibing to his favorite tune (Don McLean's 1971 folk-rock hit "American Pie")  helps create a connection with viewers, who may have never met a Holocaust survivor. "He is not in a museum or behind a lectern," she added.

Rosie Heilbrun joined TikTok in October 2021 with Nechama Birnbaum, her granddaughter. Known as the "Redhead of Auschwitz" on Instagram and TikTok, Heilbrun charmed viewers by offering beauty tips ("Don't be scared of a bold lip," she says in one) and date-night ideas ("Get your grandma dressed up and take her out to dinner"), along with recollections of her Holocaust experiences.

Birnbaum, who co-ran the account before Heilbrun died in 2022 at the age of 96, described her to BI as a feisty, loving, happy person  the type who "always dressed to go out."

Friedman joined the platform not long after Lev, thanks to the suggestion of her grandson, Goodman. The teen was inspired to start a channel after witnessing a slew of antisemitism online. He pointed to one video in which a woman claimed a Skittles bag with a kosher symbol on it was proof Jews were "secretly controlling things," he told BI.

The first time Goodman asked his grandmother to film a TikTok, they were at the traditional Jewish family Shabbat dinner in 2021. He told her he needed only two minutes of her time because that's all TikTokers could handle.

"He said nobody's going to watch it  maybe 10, 15 people," Friedman recalled of the video, which received 1.4 million views. "We were shocked at how many people were interested, and just from those two minutes."

Support gives survivors hope for an uncertain future

While antisemitism persists on social media, survivors say they've also received an influx of support.

The comment sections of their videos are overflowing with gratitude from strangers around the world: "I am so grateful to Tova for telling us her stories," one comment reads, while another writes, "Your survival is an inspiration Gidon, bless you from Sydney."

That support extends offline, too.

Friedman hopes that her grandson will continue her legacy. Courtesy of Tova Friedman

Birnbaum said her grandmother received hundreds of letters in the mail for her 96th birthday. Her family plastered the walls around her shiva, a seven-day period when Heilbrun's family mourned her death, with those letters.

"Social media really made her dream come true," Birnbaum said. "She died feeling like, 'There's people that heard me and people that heard my story,' and that gave her a lot of comfort."

These digital legacies give survivors' families hope  that even as the number of living survivors dwindles, descendants will pick up the mantle to continue to raise awareness. Both Forman and Goodman said they planned to keep spreading their elders' message.

Friedman told BI she was well aware that once the last people who experienced the atrocities are gone, "deniers can have a field day," making the work of her grandson more important than ever.

"It's an absolutely fabulous and scary thing that he's doing," Friedman added. "I hope he does it for the rest of his life  and then his children."

Mara Leighton contributed reporting to this story.

Read the original article on Insider
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the death of Paul Kessler, a Jewish protester who fell after a confrontation at dueling rallies in California for Israel and Palestinians this month.

Loay Alnaji, 50, was taken into custody Thursday morning and is charged with involuntary manslaughter and battery causing serious bodily injury, officials said.

Kessler, 69, was at a pro-Israel gathering Nov. 5 in Thousand Oaks when he got into a physical altercation with a pro-Palestinian protester, the Ventura County Sheriffs Office said. He fell backward and hit his head on the ground during the altercation and died the next day.

Alnaji, of Moorpark, was being held Thursday night on $1 million bail, according to online records.

Both charges he faces are felonies, the Ventura County District Attorney's Office said. It said both counts have special allegations that Alnaji personally inflicted great bodily injury,which is a type of enhancement.

A news conference with the district attorney and the sheriff is expected Friday morning.

California penal code defines involuntary manslaughter as when someone is killed by an unlawful act less severe than a felony or by a lawful act that might produce death in an unlawful manner or without due caution.

Officials said that though an arrest was made, anyone with information about the incident should still come forward and share video if possible.

A person draws a Star of David on the side walk in front of a gas station among candles and flowers. (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

Kesslers and Alnajis wives could not immediately be reached for comment Thursday.

Online court records did not list an attorney for Alnaji on Thursday afternoon.

The Ventura County Community College District, where Alnaji was employed as a computer science professor, said he will be placed on administrative leave effective immediately. It said that it has been in communication with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

Investigators previously said conflicting statements from witnesses made it difficult to piece together what happened.

The suspect remained at the scene and called 911 for medical help, the sheriffs office said last week, without naming him.

Investigators were waiting to see evidence of what occurred in that interaction, and whether or not there was a blow to the face that caused the fall, or if Mr. Kessler fell without that being the precipitating event, Sheriff James Fryhoff said last week.

An autopsy determined Kessler's cause of death to be blunt force head injury and the manner of death to be homicide.

The lethal injury "was the impact to the back of the head from Mr. Kessler falling and striking his head on the ground," Young said last week.

Kessler also had nonlethal injuries to the front of his face that could be consistent with a blow, Young said.

Tensions have been high in the U.S. and other countries as a result of the Israel-Hamas war.

It has been more than a month since the surprise Hamas terrorist attack that Israel estimates killed 1,200 people, with 239 still held hostage in the Gaza Strip. More than 1.6 million people have been displaced in the impoverished Gaza Strip, and health officials there say more than 11,000 have been killed in the Israeli bombing campaign.

A man waves an Israeli flag in a park space along a city street (JLTV via AP)

While some  including Israeli politicians  were quick to call Kessler's death an act of antisemitism, a local rabbi and the Los Angeles-area office the Council on American-Islamic Relations called for patience and calm and for a thorough investigation first.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said Thursday: This arrest shows that violence towards our Jewish community will not be tolerated. We will continue to monitor the case to help ensure justice is served."

This article was originally published on NBCNews.com
WARRENSBURG, Mo.  Johnson County, Missouri prosecutors have charged a 20-year-old man in connection the a double homicide last week in Warrensburg.

Jonathan Neil Goodwin Jr. is charged with two counts of second-degree murder, two counts of armed criminal action, two counts of felony murder and one counts of unlawful use of a weapon.

I-70 shut down near Grain Valley due to deadly crash

The homicide was reported on November 9 at a trailer in the 200 block of 13 Highway, just outside Warrensburg city limits.

Two two victims who were shot and killed have been identified as 24-year-old Alexis Rietbrock and 40-year-old Kevin Totty.

Goodwin was taken into custody on November 11 near the intersection of Franklin and Maguire Streets in Warrensburg.

One man killed during shooting in downtown Kansas City

Investigators arent saying what led to the shooting at this time but neighbors tell FOX4 it happened in a scary spot. Authorities said that they are still trying to figure out the full scope of the incident and understand how all of the people are connected.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 4 Kansas City WDAF-TV | News, Weather, Sports.
PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN)  A suspected Portland drug trafficker was caught with over 100 pounds of fentanyl on Interstate 97 through Klamath Falls, officials say.

Jothan Barrios-Chable, 20, made his first appearance in federal court on Wednesday. He was charged by criminal complaint with possession with intent to distribute fentanyl.

MAX and Streetcar crash in NE Portland, derailing cars, pinning driver

Court documents say that Barrios-Chables vehicle was stopped on Nov. 8 by a Medford police officer near Collier Memorial State Park.

Detectives searched Barrios-Chables vehicle and located two suitcases, a backpack, and a small satchel. Each suitcase contained approximately 20 heat-sealed kilogram bricks of a narcotic later confirmed to be fentanyl. The backpack contained seven additional kilogram bricks of fentanyl and the satchel contained a loaded semi-automatic pistol. Further analysis determined that together the heat-sealed bricks contained approximately 117 pounds of fentanyl, including packaging, the U.S. District Attorneys Office said.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOIN.com.
SAN FRANCISCO (KRON)  Car burglars who targeted victims in San Franciscos Alamo Square were followed by undercover officers and arrested in Oakland on Tuesday, according to police.

The San Francisco Police Department wrote, At approximately 10 a.m., a vehicle burglary occurred in the area of Alamo Square. A description of the suspect vehicle was broadcast over police radio.

Seventeen minutes later, officers with the SFPDs Street Crimes Plain Clothes Unit spotted the suspects vehicle.

The vehicle stopped in the area of 24th Street and Alabama Street while undercover officers continued watching. They saw Jose Carreno, 51, approach the vehicle and buy stolen items from someone inside it, police said.

List of bipping auto burglary hot spots in San Francisco released

After the suspect vehicle left, officers detained Carreno. Items from the initial vehicle burglary were recovered. Carreno was placed under arrest and booked at San Francisco County Jail on charges of buying or receiving stolen property, SFPD wrote.

Officers then followed the suspect vehicle to Oakland and detained two people: 23-year-old Daevon Hudson of Antioch, and 22-year-old Armani Tolliver of Pittsburg.

Inside the vehicle, officers said they found a gun, a large amount of cash, burglary tools, and more items stolen from Alamo Square. SFPD wrote, The recovered items were returned to the auto burglary victims.

Hudson was booked into jail on charges of: burglary, possession of burglary tools, receiving stolen property, felon in possession of a firearm, felon in possession of ammunition, carrying a concealed weapon in a vehicle, being armed with a firearm in commission of a felony, driving with a suspended or revoked license, failure to display both license plates, and conspiracy.

Tolliver was booked at San Francisco County Jail on charges of burglary, receiving stolen property, conspiracy, and grand theft.

Police Chief Bill Scott said, I want to thank our officers for their diligent police work that led to three arrests and the recovery of the victims property.

Scott continued, We will not tolerate people breaking into vehicles in our city. We will continue to employ strategies such as bait car operations, various types of police officer deployments, and use of video surveillance technologies to combat car burglaries and fencing operations that profit off of car burglaries. Anyone who makes the poor decision to commit these crimes in San Francisco will be held accountable.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KRON4.
The Swedish government has announced that it will give 75 million Swedish kronas (approximately 6.5 million) to the UNESCO fund for the rebuilding of schools and kindergartens in Ukraine that have been damaged or destroyed as a result of the full-scale Russian invasion, with bomb shelters being the funds top priority.

Source: European Pravda, with reference to the Swedish government

Details: The funds will be used to winter-proof shelters in schools and kindergartens and to ensure shelters have running water and toilets.

UNESCO also places emphasis on schools inclusiveness and wants to ensure that shelters are accessible to children with disabilities and that schoolchildren and preschoolers receive psychological support.

"It is crucial that children and pupils are able to continue their education without long interruptions and that schools and kindergartens are as safe as possible. This support to the UNESCO Crisis Fund for their work in Ukraine contributes to this," Swedish Minister of Education Lotta Edholm said.

According to the Swedish government, more than 3,000 educational establishments have been damaged and 360 have been completely destroyed since the beginning of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

Sweden is not the only country helping to rebuild schools and kindergartens in Ukraine.

Last summer, Portugal said it would help rebuild schools damaged as a result of Russian attacks on the city of Zhytomyr.

In October, the Lithuanian government approved a 68,000 project to renovate a school in Snihurivka; the works will begin in six months.

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Switzerland has supported the idea to create a special tribunal for prosecuting Russian aggression against Ukraine.

Source: a corresponding statement at a meeting in Berlin of the group of countries which act in favour of creating such a tribunal, as reported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Confederation and European Pravda

Details: "Switzerland firmly believes that the aggression against Ukraine must not go unpunished," the statement reads. It also contains the information that 38 countries, including France, Germany, Norway, Guatemala, Japan and Canada, have supported this initiative within the last months.

The Swiss Foreign Affairs Ministry stated that even though the International Criminal Court is authorised to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine, it lacks jurisdiction concerning the crimes of aggression in this conflict since neither Russia nor Ukraine ratified the Rome Statute.

Background:

Earlier, Dmytro Kuleba, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, reported that the EU had presented its vision of a possible form of special tribunal for holding Russia accountable for the crime of aggression.

The Ukrainian authorities have admitted that it would not be able to seek the support of the tribunal format based on the resolution of the UN General Assembly suggested to it, but agreed to a slightly altered format of the so-called hybrid tribunal.

Kuleba thinks that the hybrid tribunal does not provide a response to how to improve the top leadership of Russia.

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Switzerland supports the creation of an international special tribunal to investigate Russia's "crime of aggression" against Ukraine, the Swiss foreign ministry said on Nov. 16.

"Switzerland is firmly convinced that the aggression against Ukraine must not go unpunished," the ministry said.

Switzerland would join 38 other countries that currently support the initiative, including many of Ukraine's allies in Europe, as well as Japan, Guatemala, and other countries.

In order for the special tribunal to succeed, the FDFA said, it should be internationally based and have broad international support, its actions should be grounded in international legal standards, and it should serve as a complement to existing international legal institutions, namely the International Criminal Court (ICC).

Although there is an existing basis for prosecuting human rights violations and war crimes through the ICC, it does not have jurisdiction to act on the crime of aggression because neither Russia nor Ukraine has ratified the ICC's Rome Statue.

Ratification of the statute establishes crimes that fall within the jurisdiction of the court. Ukraine is a signatory but has not ratified the statute.

In an announcement in June 2023 affirming Estonia's support for the tribunal, the Estonia Parliament likened it to the Charter of the International Military Tribunal of Nuremberg, which tried the crimes of the European Axis Powers after World War II.

Switzerland, a historically neutral country, has supported Ukraine with economic and humanitarian aid since the beginning of the full-scale invasion but has refrained from sending military support.

A Swiss law prevents the export of Swiss weapons to combat zones, even when supplied by an intermediary country.

Attempts to change the law since the full-scale invasion have been repeatedly voted down by the Swiss Parliament.

Read also: Not backing Ukraine is disastrous for Slovak security, says former defense minister

Weve been working hard to bring you independent, locally-sourced news from Ukraine. Consider supporting the Kyiv Independent.
Sympathy among U.S. voters for Israel in its war with militant group Hamas plunged among young voters, with more than half now expressing more sympathy for the Palestinians, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll.

The nationwide poll released Thursday found 54 percent of those surveyed said their sympathies lie more with Israelis while 24 percent said their sympathies lie more with Palestinians.

Overall sympathy for Israelis is down 7 percentage points from the last Quinnipiac University poll taken Oct. 17, when 61 percent said they sympathize with Israelis and 13 percent said the Palestinians.

But among voters aged 18-34, sympathy for Israelis plunged from last month and shifted to Palestinians.

The poll found a slight majority, or 52 percent, said their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians, while 29 percent said Israelis. This is a significant reversal from October, when 41 percent of these voters said Israelis and 26 percent said Palestinians.

The newest poll numbers come about five weeks since Hamass bloody assault on Israel on Oct. 7 that left more than 1,200 people dead, including hundreds of civilians. Israel launched a major campaign to eliminate Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist group, including airstrikes, bombings and more recently ground attacks in Hamas-ruled Gaza.

More than 11,470 Palestinians have died in the conflict, according to the Hamas-ruled Health Ministry in Gaza.

Israels continued bombardment of Gaza has sparked growing global pressure on Israel to halt its retaliatory attacks on the Hamas-controlled territory to allow civilians to leave or aid to be delivered.

Pollsters found 46 percent of voters approve of Israels response to Hamass Oct. 7 attacks, while 40 percent disapprove and 14 percent did not say.

This approval rating is slightly lower than Quinnipiac Universitys poll from Nov. 2, when 50 percent approved of the response, 35 percent disapproved and 15 percent did not say.

The approval numbers are divided among party lines, with 73 percent of Republicans approving of Israels response and 18 percent disapproving, compared to 27 percent of Democrats who approve and 60 percent who disapprove. Independents are more evenly split, with 44 percent disapproving and 40 percent approving.

One of the biggest shifts came among young voters aged 18 to 34, with 66 percent disapproving of Israels response and 20 percent approving. Compared to Nov. 2, 52 percent disapproved and 32 percent approved.

While Americans overwhelmingly believe that Hamas lit the fuse that set the region on fire, support for Israels devastating counterattack deteriorates with younger voters, Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy said.

When it comes to the U.S.s support for Israel, a majority of voters, or 73 percent, said they think supporting Israel is in the national interest of the U.S. and 19 percent said it is not in the national interest. Quinnipiac University said this is largely unchanged since its Oct. 17 poll.

The polls findings are similar to those published in a Reuters/Ipsos poll the day earlier that showed Americans have less support for Israel than at the start of the conflict. The poll also found a majority of Americans now back a cease-fire in the war, which the Biden administration opposes.

The Quinnipiac University poll surveyed 1,574 registered voters from Nov. 9-13. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 2.5 percentage points.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Israeli army raids Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital despite int'l calls for cease-fire

Xinhua) 06:54, November 16, 2023

JERUSALEM/GAZA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari said on Wednesday that IDF troops had raided Al-Shifa Medical Complex, Gaza's largest hospital, adding evidence was found there "proving beyond any doubt that Hamas operated a military command center inside."

However, video footage and photos released by the army on the social media platform X only presented some weapons and ammunition, with limited evidence suggesting the hospital housed military headquarters, contrary to Israel's repeated claims.

The photos of the findings showed rifles and rifle cartridges, vests and uniforms, shoes, and a green headband believed to be used by Hamas's military wing.

In a video released by the IDF, its spokesman Jonathan Conricus toured the hospital's MRI unit, displaying what he claimed was military equipment found there, as well as a laptop which he said provided "a lot of incriminating evidence."

The video also showed damage to the hospital building, including a completely shattered door.

In response, Hamas said the Israeli army's saying of weapons found in the Al-Shifa Complex is "a blatant lie that serves to justify its crime aimed at destroying the healthcare sector in the enclave."

The hospital director, Mohammed Abu Selmeia, told reporters that the Israeli army forces withdrew on Wednesday evening from inside Al-Shifa Complex, 16 hours after storming it, "but tanks and forces are stationed completely in its vicinity."

Earlier today, Abu Selmeia said dozens of Palestinian employees were detained by Israeli troops who entered the hospital in an alleged "targeted and precise operation" against Hamas.

Speaking to soldiers in southern Israel on Wednesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu warned that Israel's forces might expand the fighting in the Gaza Strip from the northern part to other areas. "They told us not to enter Al-Shifa -- we entered it. It is in this spirit that we say something simple: There is no place in Gaza that we cannot reach," he said.

His warning came despite calls for a cease-fire by international humanitarian organizations and a new Qatari proposal for the release of women and children hostages in exchange for the release of Palestinian women and children prisoners held in Israel.

Also in the day, about 500 relatives of Israeli hostages continued their march from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem for the second day.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu's wife Sara urged the immediate release of hostages held in Gaza and requested the Red Cross to visit them promptly.

The spokesperson for the Qatari Foreign Ministry, Majed bin Mohammad Al Ansari, said on Wednesday that despite Qatar's efforts to mediate the release of hostages, Israel's continued bombing in the Gaza Strip complicates the efforts to rescue hostages held there.

Israel has been carrying out an all-out attack on Gaza over the past weeks and has imposed a siege on the enclave to retaliate against the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, during which Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people and took more than 200 hostages. The conflict has also led to the deaths of over 11,500 Palestinians in Gaza.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
GABORONE, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Health authorities in Botswana on Thursday said the country is on high alert following an outbreak of anthrax in neighboring countries.

"The ministry wishes to inform members of the public that the outbreak did not extend to Botswana," said Christopher Nyanga, a spokesperson of the Ministry of Health, in a statement.

Nyanga said through the Botswana Public Health Institute (BPHI), Botswana has activated its surveillance mechanisms and strengthened its detection and early warning systems, to ensure that the disease does not spread to Botswana, adding that the health, agriculture authorities and other stakeholders have put in place all the necessary precautions and safeguards, to ensure their safety.

Anthrax is a disease largely found in animals and predominantly spread to humans through eating infected animals.

Nyanga said the ministry is optimistic that the possibility of spreading to Botswana and to humans is minimal.

"The public is, however, advised to remain vigilant and avoid touching or eating animals that are found dead," said Nyanga.

Anthrax broke out in Botswana's neighboring Zambia in early November. 
Israel's air strikes and ground invasion in response to an attack from Hamas have destroyed buildings and sent civilians in the Gaza Strip fleeing for safety, but a photo of a woman descending a ruined structure's exposed stairs with a toy in her hand predates the conflict. A freelance photographer took the picture in Homs, Syria, in 2016.

"You CANNOT BREAK the Palestinian spirit," says a November 12, 2023 post on X, formerly Twitter, from Jackson Hinkle, an American conservative influencer who has repeatedly amplified disinformation about the war in Gaza and other topics.

Screenshot from X, formerly Twitter, taken November 14, 2023

Similar posts spread across X more than a month into the conflict between Israel and Hamas, the Palestinian militant group whose fighters stormed across Israel's highly militarized border in a bloody October 7 assault, killing about 1,200 people and taking approximately 240 hostages, according to Israel's latest estimates.

Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry has said Israel's bombardments have killed more than 11,500 people in the Palestinian territory.

The conflict has displaced more than 1.5 million people and destroyed nearly one house in two, according to the United Nations, leaving parents and children sleeping amidst the rubble and hungry families struggling to finance and make the trek south.

But the photo of a woman stepping down the stairs of a demolished building with a toy car in her hand is years old -- and from Syria.

A reverse image search revealed the photo on the website for the Siena International Photo Awards, a contest run by the nonprofit Art Photo Travel, where it was recognized as a "remarkable artwork" in the 2020 "Documentary & Photojournalism" category (archived here and here).

"Homs, Syria's third largest city, had been involved in war for four years. A mother, who returned home after the end of the conflict, found her child's toy car in their destroyed house," says the caption under the photo, which is titled, "Mother."

The shot is credited to Hassan Ghaedi, a freelance photographer from Iran, according to his bio on the competition's website.

Ghaedi shared the image to his Instagram account, which is private, in February 2020, writing that it was taken in June 2016.

"The #mother, who returned home after the end of the conflict and has found her child's toys," the post says. "#Homs #Syria. On June 2016."

Reached by AFP via a direct message, Ghaedi confirmed the details in his post, including the photo's date.

Screenshot from Instagram taken November 16, 2023

The civil war in Syria erupted in 2011 after President Bashar al-Assad's crackdown on pro-democracy protests.

The ongoing conflict has killed more than half a million people, reduced cities to rubble and displaced half of the country's pre-war population while pulling in foreign powers and global jihadists.

AFP has debunked other misinformation about the Israel-Hamas war here.
Standing in a Fort Lauderdale hotel on Wednesday night, Maayan Sigal-Koren described the moments before her family was kidnapped by Hamas on Oct. 7 from a safe room inside a home in Kibbutz Nir Yitzhak.

Five members of my family, she said. I dont have a big family. They are the few I have.

She hasnt heard from her mother Clara Merman, 63, her mothers partner Lusic Norberto Har, 70, her uncle Fernando Merman, 60, her aunt Gabriella Liemberg, 59, and her 17-year-old cousin Mia Leimberg  since then.

Sigal-Koren was among those who spoke at the North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism, which kicked off Wednesday evening at the W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale with testimony from family members of hostages in Hamas captivity.

The two-day summit was planned before the Israel-Hamas conflict in Gaza and will feature sessions Thursday on what antisemitism is, how it manifests and what mayors can do to combat antisemitism and protect Jewish residents in their city.

Family members of hostages and victims of Hamas violence pose with posters of their missing or killed family members during the North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, at the W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale. From left to right: Natalie Sanandaj, survivor of a music festival where many Jewish people were killed, Diego Engelbert, whose family members are hostages of Hamas, Shemesh Casarotti Kalfa, 17, whose brother was killed by Hamas, Natalia Casarotti, her mother, and Maayan Sigil-Koren pose with posters of their missing or killed family members.

At least 11,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza in Israels response to the attack by Hamas, according to the Associated Press. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed in Hamas original attack.

The summit comes as antisemitic hate crimes have increased in the U.S. According to the FBI, antisemitism rose by 37% with 1,122 incidents in 2022.

Natalia Casarotti, 50, lost her son Keshet, 21, during Hamas attack on the Nova Festival in Israel. He was found between the bodies of the party, she said. Im lucky, I have an answer. Some of the people got the answer one month after they didnt even have a body to bring for burial.

She described Keshet, whose name means rainbow, as someone who manages to connect everyone in a room. That was his special light to connect people, to connect hearts.

Fort Lauderdale Mayor Dean Trantalis said he got the idea to bring an antisemitism conference to the city after attending one in Athens last year.

This conference is cities against hate, he said, and weve been trying to tackle that issue as much as we can. Weve got a broad cross-section of representatives from around the world, as far as Italy, and certainly other parts of the country. So were excited about whats going to happen.

Sacha Roytman, CEO of Combat Antisemitism Movement, said he wants attendees to walk away with the tools needed to prevent antisemitism and hatred in their communities. Roytman said part of that means celebrating Jewish culture.

I think that the first step is really dealing with interfaith relations, by bringing people together different communities get to know each other, Roytman said. And you can use so many tactics  food, music, and educational materials  around the world, but the mayors needs to put the community together under the umbrella of the city.

At a press conference last week Fort Lauderdale Police Chief William Schultz said within 24 hours of the war, the department reached out to houses of worship in the Jewish community.

All the leaders were contacted. We immediately began working on any type of security concerns they have, especially if they were having events, and that weekend was a holy weekend, he said.

The city has also seen protests in light of the events in Gaza. Trantalis said he wants the focus to be on fighting antisemitism. Antisemitism started long before October 7, he said. But it certainly spiked the issue and brought it to more peoples attention. He added that South Florida has seen more evidence of antisemitism including swastikas painted on public places.

I dont know whether these kids are just being mean or whether theyre their true acts of people who are finally showing their face that [they] want Jews to leave our community, he said. And thats not the message we have. Fort Lauderdale is a very diverse community. We embrace the diversity of the people that live here and everyone should feel comfortable where they live.

Diego Engelbert, left, whose family members are hostages of Hamas and Natalia Casarotti, whose son was killed by Hamas, speak to the media during the North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, at the W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale.

For his part, Miami Mayor Francis Suarez announced at the summit that the city purchased $20 million in Israeli bonds.

To speak the truth, you must act, and we call upon every American city and state to do the same, he said. We can no longer allow others to spin their lies and their narratives. This goes beyond the State of Israel and the fate of the Jewish people.

As the war continues, Diego Engelbert, 45, still isnt giving up finding his older sister Karina, her husband and their two girls. I cant sleep, he said. Every day, Im crying.

And time is essential: Engelbert said Karina is recovering from breast cancer.

He also emphasized that the fight is not with Palestinians, but with Hamas. This isnt just an Israel problem, its a world problem.

City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez, second from the left, speaks to family members of hostages and victims of Hamas violence along with other mayors with during the North American Mayors Summit Against Antisemitism on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, at the W Hotel in Fort Lauderdale.

Sigal-Koren urged people to help in sharing her story with the hopes of getting help.

Please, share my story on social media. Share with all the people you love. Please help me bring my family home.

Natalie Sanandaji, 28, a Long Island, New York, resident who survived the Nova Festival attack said it is key to educate younger people about antisemitism and what is happening in Gaza.

This isnt a war between Israeli people and the Palestinian people, she said. This is a war between Israel and Hamas, a terrorist organization whos just as complicit in the deaths of innocent Palestinians as they are the deaths of innocent Israelis.
TEHRAN, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Iran and Kazakhstan agreed to strengthen cooperation in various sectors and interactions within regional organizations.

The discussions were held between Iran's Deputy Foreign Minister for Political Affairs Ali Bagheri Kani and Kazakhstan's Deputy Foreign Minister Alibek Bakayev in the Iranian capital Tehran on Wednesday, according to a statement published on the Iranian Foreign Ministry's website on Thursday.

The two sides discussed boosting trade, cultural and scientific exchanges, tourism cooperation and parliamentary interactions, the statement said.

The Iranian deputy foreign minister said the two countries' cooperation can play an important role in improving multilateral mechanisms, including their interactions within the framework of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia.

The Kazakh deputy foreign minister stressed his country's firm determination to promote all-out bilateral cooperation and interactions at regional and international levels. 
People attend the International Date Fair in Algiers, Algeria, on Nov. 15, 2023. The fair kicked off on Wednesday here with the participation of more than 150 exhibitors from different countries. (Xinhua)

An exhibitor arranges dates during the International Date Fair in Algiers, Algeria, on Nov. 15, 2023. The fair kicked off on Wednesday here with the participation of more than 150 exhibitors from different countries. (Xinhua)

People attend the International Date Fair in Algiers, Algeria, on Nov. 15, 2023. The fair kicked off on Wednesday here with the participation of more than 150 exhibitors from different countries. (Xinhua)

An exhibitor arranges dates during the International Date Fair in Algiers, Algeria, on Nov. 15, 2023. The fair kicked off on Wednesday here with the participation of more than 150 exhibitors from different countries. (Xinhua)

People attend the International Date Fair in Algiers, Algeria, on Nov. 15, 2023. The fair kicked off on Wednesday here with the participation of more than 150 exhibitors from different countries. (Xinhua)
KUALA LUMPUR, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Enovix Corporation, a U.S. silicon battery company, will invest 5.8 billion ringgit (1.2 billion U.S. dollars) to establish its first high-volume manufacturing facility in Malaysia.

Enovix and the Malaysian Investment Development Authority (MIDA) said in a joint statement on Thursday that the firm will make the investment in Malaysia over a period of 15 years, which includes the first manufacturing line amounting to 315 million ringgit, which will co-partner with YBS International.

MIDA Chief Executive Officer Wira Arham Abdul Rahman said Enovix's presence in Malaysia will act as a catalyst for nurturing mutually advantageous partnerships with local stakeholders, especially in the battery technology industry.

"As Enovix lays down its foundations in Malaysia, we foresee its transformation into a key industry collaborator and contributor to our economic progress and development," he added.

Enovix Chief Operating Officer Ajay Marathe said Malaysia's deep pool of technical talent, business-friendly environment and close proximity to their vendors and customers' manufacturing facilities, makes the country an ideal location for them to help develop the battery supply chain ecosystem and manufacture and scale their next-generation batteries.

Enovix Malaysia Sdn. Bhd is in the process of machinery installation and is projected to initiate full operations in 2024. 
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN)  A 31-year-old man was charged with aggravated assault of a first responder after he allegedly tried to flee from a traffic stop along Interstate 24 Wednesday with a Tennessee Highway Patrol trooper hanging out of the vehicle.

The Metro Nashville Police Department said the driver, identified as Michael Moore, was stopped by the trooper around 1 p.m. near the Interstate 440 interchange.

The trooper reportedly initiated the stop because the vehicle was following another vehicle too closely.

Homicide investigation after North Nashville shooting

Michael Moore (Courtesy: Metro Nashville Police Department)

According to an arrest report, the trooper approached the vehicle to speak with Moore and noted the vehicle was not in park. The trooper asked Moore to exit the vehicle, after which he became fidgety and allegedly started reaching under the drivers seat.

The trooper opened the drivers side door and attempted to turn the vehicle off, which is when he put the vehicle in drive and drove away with the trooper hanging out of the vehicle, according to court documents. The trooper said he had to hang on to avoid being run over.

At some point, the vehicle stopped and the trooper and Moore reportedly struggled within the vehicle.

 Read todays top stories on wkrn.com

According to an arrest report, Moore managed to continue driving again and the trooper was able to pull his legs into the vehicle and steer it into a concrete wall. The trooper was then able to handcuff Moore to the steering wheel and call for assistance.

Authorities said a search of the vehicle yielded a loaded handgun under the drivers seat, marijuana, hash and cocaine.

Moore was booked into the Metro jail and charged with assault of a first responder, weapon possession, drug possession and driving under the influence.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WKRN News 2.
Groups of Tibet activists and pro-China supporters staged opposing demonstrations in San Francisco on Wednesday as Chinese President Xi Jinping visited the city for an APEC summit.

A protest organized by the city's Tibetan diaspora was held outside the hotel where US business leaders attended a dinner with Xi, whom they accuse of human rights violations in Tibet.

The protest was met by a counter-demonstration of pro-China supporters waving the country's flag, while police separated the two groups with fencing.

Xi met with US President Joe Biden on Wednesday before the dinner, their first tete-a-tete in a year, in which the two countries agreed to restore military communications.

"US CEOs... are hosting President Xi Jinping, the guy who's responsible for millions of deaths. Tibetans, Hongkongers, even Chinese people themselves -- he's killing them," said Chemi Lhamo, a member of the Students for a Free Tibet organization, outside the hotel.

The demonstration drew around 1,000 people in the morning, with some stepping on the Chinese flag and dancing on it.

One protester climbed up a flagpole outside the hotel to wave the Tibetan flag.

"We are going to force Xi Jinping to see the Tibetan flag. That Tibetan flag is illegal inside our own home country, inside Tibet," Lhamo said.

"Tibetans cannot speak Tibetan. Tibetans cannot hold the Tibetan flag."

"We came because we want freedom... in Hong Kong," said Stanley Tang, of the US Hongkongers Club.

"We cannot do everything over there, and we want to express ourselves," he added. "We want Xi Jinping to know we want freedom."

AFP tried to speak to several Xi supporters, but they declined to comment.

China has administered Tibet since the 1950s.

Tibet's spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, who has lived in exile in India since 1959, has raised global awareness of the region.

The United States imposed visa sanctions on Chinese officials in August for pursuing the "forced assimilation" of children in Tibet, where UN experts say one million children have been separated from their families.

mav/ag/dhw/mca
The social media platform TikTok said it is aggressively removing content that praises Osama bin Ladens 2002 Letter to America.

The letter, published about a year after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, was bin Ladens attempt to justify the targeting and killing of American civilians. It has been recirculating online recently.

Bin Laden was killed by U.S. forces in 2011.

Many videos supported bin Ladens argument and urged others to read the letter in the wake of the United Statess support for Israel in its war against Hamas.

Content promoting this letter clearly violates our rules on supporting any form of terrorism, TikTok Policy posted on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter. We are proactively and aggressively removing this content and investigating how it got onto our platform.

TikTok said the number of videos supporting bin Ladens message is small, although some videos have reportedly received hundreds of thousands of views and thousands of likes.

This is not unique to TikTok and has appeared across multiple platforms and the media, the post said.

In the post, the media references frustration from users aimed at The Guardian, which released a statement Wednesday that it removed a previously displayed document that contained the translated version of bin Ladens letter.

The news organization said it published the letter the same day that bin Laden released it  Nov. 24, 2002  and removed it Wednesday after the transcript had been widely shared on social media without the full context.

Therefore we decided to take it down and direct readers instead to the news article that originally contextualized it, The Guardians statement said.

The letter is a critique of American foreign policy and contains antisemitic and violent language. It criticizes American support for Israels occupation of Palestine.

TikTok is an app that is widely popular with young Americans, many of whom were born after the 9/11 attacks.

A nationwide poll released Thursday by Quinnipiac University, found that among voters aged 18-34, sympathy for Israelis sank from last month. About half  52 percent  of young voters said their sympathies lie more with the Palestinians, a significant reversal from an October poll when more said they supported Israelis than Palestinians.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to The Hill.
Tim Scott, the junior U.S. Senator from South Carolina, is like the proverbial tree that falls in the forest. If he suspends his campaign for president and no one notices, did he really have one? He called it quits Nov. 12 on a Fox News show (of course), surprising his own staff. In other non-news, there will be more cold days in December than there have been in November.

While Scott was making official his disappearance from a campaign season that he never seemed an actual-serious participant in, the man he helped make president in 2016 was making real news by mimicking a pre-Holocaust Adolf Hitler.

Issac Bailey

In honor of our great veterans today, we pledge to you that we will root out the communist, Marxist, fascist, and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country, that lie and steal and cheat on elections, Donald Trump told a New Hampshire crowd on Veterans Day.

Those who dare oppose or disagree with Trump are bigger threats to the U.S. than the authoritarians in Russia, North Korea and China, the former president boldly told a crowd of Republican voters he was courting, hoping theyd help him get another crack at the White House.

Vermin, he called them.

Vermin.

Use of such labels to describe fellow human beings has echoes of how some of historys worst actors paved the way for historic destruction and evil that would follow. The first step is to dehumanize your opposition, declare their lives dont matter so neither would their deaths or suffering.

It came before the Holocaust and Hitlers declaration that he should have the right to eliminate millions of an inferior race that multiplies like vermin before he carried out that evil plan. Before the Rwandan genocide in 1994, during which roughly one million people were murdered during a 100-day-long onslaught, radio broadcasters with huge audiences repeatedly referred to the Tutsi minority as cockroaches and snakes.

That these words are being proudly spoken by the leading candidate for the presidential nomination of one of our two major parties makes it that much more disturbing, especially given that Trumps former chief of staff, John Kelly, said the former president praised Hitler for doing a lot of good things. Its disturbing that Trumps target audience  most of whom consider themselves good Christians, or just good people  is receptive to that kind of blatant hatred.

But the real problem isnt Trump, though a problem he is. Its that tens of millions of Americans are backing him and will no matter what he does, no matter what he says, no matter how ugly he gets.

It doesnt matter that he plans to implement what would amount to concentration camps and a rerun of Operation Wetback if re-elected. All they want is to feel re-empowered  to stop the march of progress and make the country sound and look like it did when their granddaddies were young. And they believe Trump is the best vessel to make that a reality.

Trump, for his part, is busy readying an army of people who would serve in another Trump administration with more loyalty to him than the U.S.

His staunchest supporters dont care that when their granddaddies were young, thousands of Americans, mostly but not only Black, were lynched in the public square in horrific ways as large crowds of self-declared God-fearing people cheered and took home body parts of the victims as souvenirs. As they seem unbothered by such lessons of history, there are plenty of other Americans complacent, convinced such things cant be repeated because we are a great country filled with good people.

But they can. Even if our system of checks and balances makes it difficult for Trump to make real his worst desires, a man like that can still do enormous damage to a country he doesnt love nearly as much as he loves himself. That becomes clearer as Republicans such as Scott, whose calling card had been their love of country over self before they began kneeling before a madman, bow out or refuse to even challenge Trump and his dictatorial goals.

Issac Bailey is a McClatchy Opinion writer in North and South Carolina.
Researchers hope the new invention will save the lives of both elderly patients, as well as premature infants.

The common stethoscopes recognizable design has remained largely unchanged for decades for good reasontheres really not much to improve at this point. When it comes to listening in on a patients internal soundtrack, the standard, adjustable bell connected via short rubber tubing to binaural earpieces is perfectly suited for helping assess respiratory and cardiac health.

Of course, a stethoscope can only relay vitals in person based on its specific placements; long term monitoring often requires extended clinical stays alongside bulky, wired devices. To solve these problems, a team of medical experts, researchers, and engineers at Northwestern University set out to design a new wearable capable of providing highly detailed, continuous, real-time information regardless of a patients environment. After painlessly adhering to specific areas of the chest, the resulting soft devices not only accomplish these goals, but already show immense promise for both adults, as well as premature babies often dealing with gastrointestinal complications and apneas .

[Related: Pill cuts lung cancer deaths in half, study says .]

Currently, there are no existing methods for continuously monitoring and spatially mapping body sounds at home or in hospital settings, John Rogers, a bioelectronics expert who oversaw the new tools design and development, said in a recent Northwestern University profile .

As detailed in a new study published in Nature Medicine , Rogers and fellow researchers placed a miniature battery, electronics, Bluetooth relay, flash memory drive, and two microphones within a 40mm long, 20mm wide, and 8 mm thick soft silicone casingroughly the size of a stick of gum. Each microphone is positioned in opposing directions, into and outside the patient, to filter exterior ambient noises from a wearers bodily sounds. The team notes this is particularly helpful in situations such as lung monitoring, since the organ is simply too quiet when compared to noisy hospital surroundings.

Ankit Bharat, a thoracic surgeon who oversaw adult subject clinical device trials, describes it pretty succinctly in Northwesterns November 16 announcement:

Simply put, its like up to 13 highly trained doctors listening to different regions of the lungs simultaneously with their stethoscopes, and their minds are synced to create a continuous and a dynamic assessment of the lung health that is translated into a movie on a real-life computer screen.

[Related: Almost everyone in the world breathes unhealthy air .]

Aside from adult lung and gastrointestinal health monitoring, the tiny wearables show incredible promise for infantsparticularly those born with potential medical issues. Babies respiratory systems only fully mature during the third trimester of pregnancy, meaning many apnea and breathing disorders often accompany premature deliveries. Given these infants physical size, traditional stethoscopes are both impractical and too large to provide accurate, prolonged monitoring. And even for healthy delivered children, breathing and gastrointestinal issues are major concerns during their first five years. The teams new wearables, however, account for these issues by providing a new, size-appropriate tool.

Every human body is host to a wide array of acoustic and tonal signatures. Once the particular sounds are documented, the team hopes their wearable will make it much easier to pick out irregularities stemming from serious, overlooked health issues. If detected early enough, such discoveries could potentially save countless lives.
Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich, refused on Wednesday to answer multiple questions about the pro-Palestinian rallying cry "from the river to the sea" and whether she is antisemitic  after the White House said the use of the phrase can be antisemitic.

Fox Business correspondent Hillary Vaughn quizzed the Palestinian-American lawmaker, asking her if she regrets using the phrase.

"Congresswoman, do you regret using the phrase "from the river to the sea"? It's used by terrorists to call for the genocide of the Jewish people. Do you regret using it?" Vaughn said.

Tlaib did not respond.

RASHIDA TLAIB PRESSED TO EXPLAIN FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA PHRASING AFTER HOUSE VOTES TO CENSURE HER

Vaughn then noted comments by the White House this week, in which press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called the phrase divisive and hurtful and that "many find it antisemitic."

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Vaughn then asked Tlaib, "Are you antisemitic, Congresswoman Tlaib" five times, each time receiving no answer.

Tlaib posted to social media recently and said the phrase was about "peaceful coexistence."

"From the river to the sea is an aspirational call for freedom, human rights, and peaceful coexistence, not death, destruction, or hate. My work and advocacy is always centered in justice and dignity for all people no matter faith or ethnicity," she wrote on X.

Tlaib was censured in the Republican-controlled House in a 234-188 vote last week, on a resolution in which she was accused of "promoting false narratives regarding the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel and for calling for the destruction of the state of Israel."

Critics have said the "from the river to the sea" phrase implicitly involves the destruction of Israel.

Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., left, and Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., released a joint statement with Rep. Andre Carson, D-Ind., calling out "anti-Palestinian hate."

"It is fundamentally a call for a Palestinian state extending from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, territory that includes the State of Israel, which would mean the dismantling of the Jewish state," the Anti-Defamation Leagues website says. "It is an antisemitic charge denying the Jewish right to self-determination, including through the removal of Jews from their ancestral homeland."

In 2020, the antisemitism watchdog StopAntisemitism blasted Tlaib for retweeting the phrase, calling it "code for eradicating the State of Israel and its millions of Jews."

The phrase has also received sharp criticism from others, including former counterterrorism expert Nathan Sales, who said last month that when protesters chant "Palestine from the river to the sea," they are really calling for the "extermination of the Jewish state."

"They think that Israel shouldn't exist at all," Nathan Sales told Fox News' "Sunday Night in America." "This is exterminationist rhetoric and our First Amendment means that we have to tolerate this kind of speech, but the antidote for that kind of abhorrent speech is more speech. We need to expose what these Hamas sympathizers are really all about."

Fox News' Aubrie Spady, Brandon Gillespie and Hanna Penreck contributed to this report.





Original article source: Tlaib refuses to answer reporter's questions on controversial phrase defined as 'code for eradicating' Israel
Were officially a week out from the big day  the food holiday to end all food holidays, turkeys time to shine, the Super Bowl of side dishes  Thanksgiving.

So, as you start defrosting your turkey  National Thaw Day is the Thursday before Thanksgiving!  its time to figure out your Thanksgiving menu.

Youre going to need to decide how to cook your turkey, which cocktails to shake up, which appetizers and side dishes to serve, which wines to pair with everything, with which desserts to end the meal and which things to prep ahead to make your life easier.

In the spirit of simplification, weve compiled a list of 20 of our most popular Thanksgiving recipes from all-star chefs. Many of these tried-and-true recipes have been on our website for years, becoming Thanksgiving staples in many of your homes.

Martha Stewart, queen of Thanksgiving, is kicking off the festivities with her roasted turkey in parchment, a moisture-locking technique she swears by. She usually prepares it with stuffing, but you could also pair it with Bobby Flays cornbread dressing and Elizabeth Heiskells quick turkey gravy.

Spice up your spread with Priyanka Naiks chile-infused cranberry sauce (then use the leftovers to make Alejandra Ramos cranberry sauce margarita) and Jordan Andinos habanero-studded sweet potato casserole. Speaking of casseroles, Siri Daly knows how to make a mean green bean one, and Melissa Clark turns mashed potatoes into a cheesy one. To make sure you get your greens, JJ Johnson offers up his collard green salad, while Marcus Samuelsson brings his caramelized Brussels sprouts to the table.

Of course, youve got to save room for dessert  even if that means taking a quick, tryptophan-induced nap between courses  because youll to want to sample Christina Tosis pumpkin pie bars (if you dont feel like making a whole pie) or Maya-Camille Broussards German chocolate pecan pie (if youre feeling up to the task).

With these chefs and home cooks recipes  many of which can be made ahead  this Thanksgiving will be the best ever.

Appetizers and drinks

Cranberry Bacon Cheese Ball by Rick Martinez

Use the leftover ingredients from other dishes youre making for Thanksgiving to make this flavorful appetizer. Its a great make-ahead dish, as it can sit in the fridge for up to 48 hours, allowing the flavors to meld.

Cranberry Sauce Margarita by Alejandra Ramos

Tart cranberry sauce and a cinnamon sugar rim add a fall twist to the classic margarita cocktail. Note that this recipe works best with jammy or whole-berry cranberry sauces  not the jellied variety.

When entertaining, you can multiply the cocktail into a larger batch and keep it chilled in a pitcher without ice until its time to serve. You can also make the cinnamon sugar for the rim a few days in advance so everything is ready to go when your guests arrive.

Alejandras tip: When shaking this (or any!) cocktail, the trick is to shake until the cocktail shaker is fully frosted. Always use metal cocktail shakers, which are more effective than glass or plastic shakers.

Turkey and gravy

Roasted Turkey in Parchment with Gravy by Martha Stewart

Heres an unexpected but totally genius way to cook your turkey for Thanksgiving. Martha Stewarts parchment bag technique yields moist meat and crisp, golden skin every time. (She uses her Classic Stuffing in this recipe.)

State Fair-Style Roasted Turkey Legs by Matt Abdoo

If youre like me and cant get enough of the turkey legs at the Thanksgiving table, why not cook up some extra? says Matt Abdoo. This state fair-style roasted or smoked turkey leg recipe is a great option to add to your Thanksgiving feast. They are economical, cook quickly and are always juicy and delicious!

Matts tips: Unwrap the turkey the night before to get the crispiest skin. Brine turkey legs for extra moisture and seasoning.

Quick Turkey Gravy by Elizabeth Heiskell

This easy gravy is great, whether or not you have pan drippings from your turkey. Even if you fried it or bought your turkey precooked, you can still have amazing gravy.

Side dishes

Wild Mushroom Cornbread Dressing by Bobby Flay

Cooking this mushroom-cornbread dressing in a cast-iron pan gives it a wonderful golden-brown crust. Plus, you can serve it right in the pan, saving you another dish to clean at the end of Thanksgiving dinner.

Green Bean Casserole with Crispy Shallots by Siri Daly

While a green bean casserole is a classic Thanksgiving staple, this version gets elevated by ditching the canned soup for a homemade mushroom stock thats full of umami flavor, says Siri Daly. And while theres nothing wrong with store-bought crispy onions, youll never go back once you realize how easy and delicious these fried shallots are. Its a dish that always finds its way onto our table, and I hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

Siris tip: Shock the beans in an ice bath to stop the cooking process and help retain their bright green color.

Sweet Potato Mac and Cheese by Darnell Ferguson

This is the best spin on a classic Thanksgiving dish that Ive ever made, says Darnell Ferguson. Everyone talks about it, everyone asks for it, and it combines two of my favorite Southern staples into one dish.

Darnells tip: Make sauce ahead and freeze in containers. Thaw the day before cooking, then toss with noodles and bake day of.

Indian-Spiced Cranberry Sauce by Priyanka Naik

Thanksgiving in the Naik household looks very different from any other household  you wont find a turkey and you likely wont even find any meat, says Priyanka Naik. I am vegan and I grew up vegetarian, so my family is primarily vegetarian. We use this time to make dishes that have the essence of Thanksgiving but with a spicy Indian flavor (because who doesnt like some spice in their life?). And that is how this cranberry sauce was born  a little sweet, a little tang from the tamarind and a little spice from dried red chiles.

Priyankas tip: This sauce can be made weeks in advance and kept in the fridge until ready to use.

Collard Greens and Bacon-Cheddar Cornbread by Will Coleman

Will Coleman gives his moms cornbread recipe a smoky and spicy twist with cheddar, bacon and jalapeno. It pairs perfectly with collard greens.

Wills tip: Make your life easier by pouring the cornbread batter into muffin tins to avoid the need for cutting. You can use different size muffin tins to create different portion sizes.

Spinach Noodle Casserole by Ayesha Nurdjaja

This is one of my favorite recipes that my mom makes every year. Coming from an Italian family, pasta was always a course on the Thanksgiving menu, says Ayesha Nurdjaja. We usually had lasagna, but by the time we got through the pasta course, no one had any room for the turkey (my favorite part)! So my mother had to pivot, and she came up with this recipe. It has the same crispy edges that are the best part of the lasagna, but is lighter, which leaves room for us to enjoy the bird.

Ayeshas tip: The secret ingredient in this recipe is store-bought onion soup mix, which adds major flavor.

Mushroom Potpie by Alison Roman

(On a) gray chilly day, I am imagining a creamy mushroom filling made of many mushrooms (as advertised), baked between two pieces of flaky, perfectly salty, almost-too-buttery pie crust, Alison Roman says about her hearty side dish that doubles as a vegetarian main. I am thinking of how creamy the filling is, how rich and meaty it tastes without any meat at all and how despite my obsession with chicken potpie, this mushroom potpie is admittedly better.

Alisons tip: Baking the pie crust enough underneath is important to avoid a soggy bottom  this is where a glass pie plate comes in handy.

Caramelized Brussels Sprouts by Marcus Samuelsson

While Thanksgiving is an admittedly carb and protein-rich meal, most people would agree that the menu isnt truly complete for this holiday without something green included. This recipe is a new take on an old holiday favorite: Brussels sprouts. This isnt your grandmas recipe, we promise. This side dish tastes great warm but can also sit at room temperature, so it wont take up precious space in your oven in the lead up to your meal!

Marcus tip: Make sure the Brussels sprouts are spread out in one layer, cut-side down and not too crowded on the baking tray so they evenly caramelize, not steam.

Spicy Sweet Potato Casserole by Jordan Andino

This is Jordan Andinos take on his dads signature stuffing recipe hes been devouring for 25+ years. Its sweet (thanks to the sweet potatoes), spicy (thanks to the habaneros) and savory (thanks to the pork). The best part about it is that you can make it days in advance, freeze it and it reheats perfectly. You can also use the leftovers the next day for a great breakfast hash.

Jordans tip: Generously coat your casserole dish with melted to butter to avoid sticking and add flavor.

Collard Green and Black Rice Salad with Coconut-Lime Dressing by JJ Johnson

Traditionally, collards are braised and simmered, but in this case, the greens are served raw, making it a light, bright addition to an otherwise rich and heavy meal. Simply balance the natural bitterness of collard greens with a bright, sweet and spicy dressing for a delicious change.

JJs tips: Remove the stems from the collards and slice the greens very thinly. Rinse the rise to avoid a starchy salad.

Mashed Potato Casserole with Gruyere and Browned Onions by Melissa Clark

These rich and cheesy potatoes have plenty of flavor from herbs and the browned onions, and can be easily made ahead of time.

Melissas tip: Make the mashed potatoes up to three days in advance and add the crumb topping right before baking.

Desserts

Easy-As-Pie Pumpkin Bars by Christina Tosi

When fall strikes, I long for cozy, gooey treats, but I am not always down to make a full pie, says Christina Tosi. These little squares deliver big on dessert magic.

The crust doubles as a crumb topping, so the whole thing comes together in no time. By turning your pie into bars, everybody gets a small portion, leaving room for more dessert.

Caramel Apple Pie by Gesine Bullock-Prado

Making the dough for this all butter pie is easy as, well, pie! It only requires six ingredients and comes together in just a few quick minutes. By adding just one additional ingredient (the heavy cream) to a traditional apple pie filling, this dessert becomes a glorious, gooey caramel apple pie.

Gesines tips: Instead of a labor-intensive top crust, use a seasonal shaped cookie cutter to cut out fun shapes for a decorative top.

Flourless Soy Sauce Brownies by Hetty McKinnon

The use of this yeasty, salty condiment in a brownie is surprising, but it brings a complex depth of flavor to this classic sweet treat. The soy sauce amplifies the chocolaty flavors, bringing a rich caramel glow. The taste very much resembles salted caramel. This brownie is gluten-free, by way of nutty almond meal and a gluten-free soy sauce.

Hettys tips: Make it the day before. It actually tastes better the next day  it becomes firmer and the flavors develop further. You could even make in advance and freeze it. Use a double boiler to gently melt the butter and chocolate.

German Chocolate Pecan Pie by Maya-Camille Broussard

A popular dessert at Thanksgiving, this pie is an interpretation of a beloved classic, rich in chocolate filling with nutty undertones from the pecans and sweetened coconut flakes. In other words, its an absolute dream.

Maya-Camilles tip: Slowly and continuously pour the batter so the pecans are evenly distributed in the pie crust.

This article was originally published on TODAY.com
Delegates attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting Closing Session in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 15, 2023. The 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) concluded on Wednesday with members continuing to work for a consensus statement. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) concluded on Wednesday with members continuing to work for a consensus statement.

APEC members have reached a consensus on nearly all paragraphs while continuous efforts are underway to finalize the statement, said U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who chaired the two-day meeting with Secretary of State Antony Blinken.

"Consistent with the approach taken last year in Bangkok, I have instructed my team to continue working with your officials toward reaching consensus on the AMM text, with the aim of releasing the AMM statement once our leaders reach consensus on the outstanding language," said Tai in the closing session of the meeting on Wednesday afternoon.

The consensus paragraphs reflect APEC's common commitment to a robust agenda across the common goals of building an interconnected, inclusive, sustainable, and resilient Asia-Pacific future, Tai added.

The leaders of APEC members are scheduled to participate in various dialogues and activities in San Francisco from Wednesday to Friday.

Meanwhile, the United States also started to hand over the APEC host year responsibilities to Peru.

Peruvian Foreign Affairs Minister Javier Gonzalez-Olaechea said Peru would move forward with all the achievements of this year in order to empower more vulnerable populations with a special note for women, young people, and small and medium-sized enterprises.

"We're going to look to foster proposals in order to be able to incorporate them in our global economy in a sustainable and inclusive way," said Gonzalez-Olaechea. 

Delegates attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting Closing Session in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 15, 2023. The 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) concluded on Wednesday with members continuing to work for a consensus statement. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai (C, Front) speaks at the APEC Ministerial Meeting Closing Session in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 15, 2023. The 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) concluded on Wednesday with members continuing to work for a consensus statement. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Delegates attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting Closing Session in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 15, 2023. The 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) concluded on Wednesday with members continuing to work for a consensus statement. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Delegates attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting Closing Session in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 15, 2023. The 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) concluded on Wednesday with members continuing to work for a consensus statement. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai (C) speaks at the APEC Ministerial Meeting Closing Session in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 15, 2023. The 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) concluded on Wednesday with members continuing to work for a consensus statement. (Xinhua/Li Rui)

Delegates attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting Closing Session in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 15, 2023. The 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) concluded on Wednesday with members continuing to work for a consensus statement. (Xinhua/Li Rui)
PROVIDENCE  Ernest P. Ricci, who lied and schemed and taunted federal investigators in obscenity-laced emails that they were too witless to catch on to his bankruptcy scam, on Wednesday changed his plea to guilty.

Do you admit the facts that the government has stated are true? asked Chief U.S. District Judge John J. McConnell Jr.

Ricci, a self-employed contractor from North Kingstown who tried numerous criminal ways, the government contended, to hide property in his bankruptcy and illegally obtained money through pandemic relief funds, waffled at first.

There are some things there that I would explain or give my side of the story to, Ricci began. But I dont want to do any of that if its going to jeopardize the plea agreement.

McConnell suggested Ricci speak again to his lawyer Edward C. Roy, who for months has tried to withdraw from the case, citing deteriorated differences with his client.

After a few minutes Ricci came around. The judge asked again if he agreed to the facts. This time Ricci said, Yes, judge.

Background on the case

Ricci, who flipped houses with his wife, Brenda, faced charges of bankruptcy fraud, suborning perjury, obstruction of bankruptcy proceedings, wire fraud and money laundering.

If all the penalties for the charges he has now pleaded guilty to are imposed consecutively, he faces a potential of 65 years in prison and a fine of $1.5 million, said McConnell.

Ricci admitted that in October 2017, prior to filing a Chapter 7 Bankruptcy petition in an attempt to protect a $1.5-million home in Florida used as a vacation home and rental property  and on which he had failed to make any mortgage payments for about five years  he transferred all his business assets in Premier Home Restoration LLC (Premier) to his wife.

But on Wednesday, Ricci admitted that he in fact continued to control Premier and run its day-to-day operations, and that he made use of income from the company to maintain his lifestyle. He disclosed none of it to the bankruptcy court.

Ricci, who is 62, appeared more agreeable in U.S. District Court on Wednesday than he did in April when a federal prosecutor told the court Ricci was still attempting to intimidate witnesses in his case after a judge had ordered him to avoid all contact with them.

When the judge said she was therefore prepared to hold him behind bars, Ricci broke in and addressed the judge as his lawyer Roy advised him to keep quiet. When Ricci ignored his lawyers advice, Roy suggested he should get a new lawyer.

In earlier situations Ricci did not seem too concerned about a case that threatened to put him behind bars.

In April 2020, as investigators began their probe into his bankruptcy claim, he wrote an email to them that said Im sure you realize now Ive been three steps ahead of you Bozos all the way and thats because Im smarter than all of you combined.

Weeks later, when a federal bankruptcy trustee pressed Ricci to turn over financial records from the couples business, Premier Home Restoration, Ricci distinctly announced his non-cooperation:

Heres my response. GO [expletive] YOURSELF Charlie. Hows that?

The partys over [expletive], his email continued, court documents show. Move on and admit you [expletive] with the wrong guy. ITS OVER!!! Lololol Ernie Ricci.

FBI agents arrested the Ricci pair in March 2023.

Federal authorities charged them with years of unlawful scheming to conceal substantial assets from the U.S. Bankruptcy Court, including a boat, rental money from properties in New Hampshire and Florida, personal income and COVID relief money.

Prosecutors said the couple used the relief money to buy rental property in Warwick through a straw buyer to hide their ownership.

More: Charged with bankruptcy fraud, Ernest Ricci shows disdain for the court, prosecutors say

Ernest Ricci even presented a fake Rolex watch to a bankruptcy trustee so he wouldnt have to surrender a real one, the government contends.

In arguing last April that Ricci be held without bail after he violated the judges no-contact order, Assistant U.S. Attorney John P. McAdams said: "This behavior is in utter contempt of the courts release order. It is also completely consistent with Riccis flagrant disregard for court rules and orders throughout the bankruptcy proceedings.... There are no conditions of release which can prevent Ricci from attempting to obstruct justice because Ricci does not respect court orders.

On Wednesday, McAdams said Ricci had harassed and threatened bankruptcy officials, and masqueraded as a co-conspirator, using that persons email to contact his lawyer and try to direct the case in the best light for him.

Hes now scheduled to be sentenced on Feb. 22, 2024.

Contact Tom Mooney at: tmooney@providencejournal.com

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: N. Kingstown contractor defied US officials investigating him. Now he's admitting all
SAN DIEGO  Several San Diego-area elementary and middle schools were recently ranked among the best in California, according to U.S. News & World Report.

Seven local elementary schools and three middle schools placed in the top 50 in California.

For elementary schools, the following made the list: La Jolla Elementary in La Jolla (No. 2), Pacific Rim Elementary in Carlsbad (No. 10), Ocean Air in Carmel Valley (No. 24), Jerabek Elementary in Scripps Ranch (No. 33), Carmel Del Mar Elementary in Carmel Valley (No. 44), Solana Highlands Elementary in Carmel Valley (No. 47) and Torrey Pines Elementary in La Jolla (No. 49).

The top public high schools in San Diego County, according to Niche

For middle schools, the following made the list: Pacific Trails Middle School in Carmel Valley (No. 25), Carmel Valley Middle School in Carmel Valley (No. 32) and R. Roger Rowe Middle in Rancho Santa Fe (No. 35).

The media outlet analyzed 103,099 pre-K, elementary and middle schools from the U.S. Department of Education, basing its rankings on student performance in core subjects.

For each state, schools were assessed on their shares of students who were proficient or above proficient in their mathematics and reading/language arts state assessments. Half of the formula assessed the scores themselves and the other half incorporated the test results in the context of socioeconomic demographics, U.S. News said in its study.

Did your school make the list?

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to FOX 5 San Diego.
This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2023 shows a scene at the ninth round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue in Tokyo, Japan. Business leaders and former high-ranking officials from China and Japan have called for building bilateral relations suiting the new era at the ninth round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue held in the Japanese capital. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

TOKYO, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Business leaders and former high-ranking officials from China and Japan have called for building bilateral relations suiting the new era at the ninth round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue held in the Japanese capital.

A joint statement issued after the two-day dialogue concluded on Wednesday said that creating a free and open business environment is indispensable to post-COVID-19 economic recovery, and that it is necessary to uphold and strengthen international economic order and reform the World Trade Organization (WTO) for it to play an improved role.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a video address that over the past 45 years, economic exchanges have become the cornerstone of Japan-China relations, and he looks forward to more concrete cooperation projects through this dialogue.

Bi Jingquan, executive vice chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), expressed the hope that the entrepreneurs on both sides would earnestly implement the principled consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, jointly identify the challenges facing bilateral economic and trade ties, and further expand cooperation in green development, new energy vehicles, and medical and healthcare, among other fields.

Masakazu Tokura, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, the country's most powerful business lobby group better known as Keidanren, said that Japan and China should expand economic cooperation in the new era, with actively carrying out dialogues engaging all sectors of the society to enhance mutual understanding.

Launched in November 2015, the dialogue is jointly sponsored by the CCIEE and Keidanren, aimed at providing a platform for communication between entrepreneurs and former officials of the two countries. 

Bi Jingquan, executive vice chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), speaks at the ninth round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 15, 2023. Business leaders and former high-ranking officials from China and Japan have called for building bilateral relations suiting the new era at the ninth round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue held in the Japanese capital. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  Former Senator Leila de Lima on Wednesday called on the Marcos administration to reconsider its position in the International Criminal Court's (ICC) investigation into the bloody Duterte drug war.

Aside from her "unimaginable" bail grant, De Lima said the issuance of a subpoena against former President Rodrigo Duterte for his threats against a lawmaker demonstrates the independence of the judiciary system.

"We can now see the workings of the justice system. We can now see that because the independence of the judiciary is being respected," she told CNN Philippines' Politics As Usual. "The issuance of the subpoena against the former president, that's part of the process."

"So it's really time for this administration to rethink their position in so far as the issue of whether this government will cooperate with the ICC investigators," De Lima stressed.

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. has said the country will no longer engage with the ICC after it denied the government's appeal to stop the drug war investigation.

READ: Marcos: PH ending all involvement with ICC

The current administration is also adamant that since the Philippines withdrew from the Rome Statute of the ICC in 2019, the court no longer has jurisdiction over the country, even over crimes allegedly occurring when it was still a state party to the treaty.

However, De Lima said the Philippines should now consider rejoining the ICC, "and then cooperate with the ICC investigators in order to ensure justice for the thousands of victims of the deadly drug war."

READ: DOJ not keen on creating independent commission to probe drug war

De Lima, one of the most vocal critics of Duterte, was detained in 2017 for allegedly benefitting from the illegal drug trade inside the New Bilibid Prison when she was the justice secretary. She allegedly used the drug money to fund her senatorial bid in 2016.

She has consistently denied the allegations, saying her detention was the Duterte administration's way to silence her for her criticisms of its bloody war on drugs.

A Muntinlupa court on Monday allowed De Lima to post bail for her third and remaining drug case, giving her provisional liberty.

The former senator had been acquitted in the two other cases in February 2021 and in May this year.

READ: De Lima: There has to be a day of reckoning
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) on Thursday called on China to remove all of its illegal structures from Manila's exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and cease all land reclamation activities there following Beijing's latest incursion in the West Philippine Sea.

On Nov. 10, the China Coast Guard blasted a Filipino vessel with a water cannon and endangered two others with what Philippine officials described as reckless maneuvers in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal.

A day after the incident, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin justified China's actions, claiming that Beijing's sovereignty was violated and that it "took necessary enforcement measures against the Philippine ships in accordance with law." It also reiterated its demand for the Philippines to remove the BRP Sierra Madre outpost from the shoal.

The DFA said the BRP Sierra Madre was deliberately grounded at Ayungin Shoal in 1999 as a response to China's illegal occupation of Panganiban Reef or Mischief Reef in Manila's EEZ. In 1995, Beijing constructed what it claimed was a "fisherman's shelter" in the waters, promising that it would remain as such. It is now a militarized artificial island, the DFA added.

"We call on China to remove all these illegal structures, cease reclamations in the South China Sea, and be accountable for the damages caused by these illegal activities," the DFA said.

Justice Secretary Jesus Crispin Remulla said in October that the Philippines would file an environmental case against China over its alleged coral harvesting and environmental damage in the West Philippine Sea, which lawmakers suspect is a prelude to even more land reclamation activities.

Furthermore, the DFA said that China asked the Philippines to give prior notification each time the country had plans to conduct a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal.

"We will not do so," the department said. "The resupply missions are legitimate activities within our EEZ, in accordance with international law."

In 2016, an arbitral tribunal constituted under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea nullified Beijing's nine-dash line claim, which covered most of the South China Sea, including the portion Manila calls the West Philippine Sea.

The same ruling said Ayungin Shoal is a low-tide elevation that is within the Philippines' continental shelf and 200 nautical mile exclusive economic zone (EEZ), over which the country has sovereign rights and jurisdiction.

The feature is located 106.3 nautical miles from Palawan and 617.3 nautical miles from the Chinese mainland.

"The Philippines remains guided by UNCLOS and the Arbitral Award as the twin anchors of our policy and actions in the South China Sea," the DFA said.

"We reiterate that creating and maintaining a favorable and conducive environment is essential to the peaceful resolution of the South China Sea situation," it added.
UCLA and its health system have filed a lawsuit against Mattel, the company behind popular toy franchises like Barbie, Hot Wheels and American Girl, claiming the toy company failed to make good on its pledge to donate $49 million to the universitys childrens hospital.

The lawsuit states that in 2017, Mattel agreed to donate $49 million in installments over 12 years to the UCLA Mattel Childrens Hospital.

The two organizations have had a partnership since 1998, when Mattel donated a separate $25 million to the UCLA Foundation to help support the construction of the childrens hospital Westwood campus, the Los Angeles Times reported. In exchange, the hospital agreed to include Mattel in its name.

The deal seemed to proceed smoothly, with Mattel delivering the initial funds by 2004 and agreeing to host an annual party at the Santa Monica Pier to raise money for the hospital, according to the publication. Thousands of children have been treated at the hospital in the years since.

But after the 2017 deal was reached, Mattel tried to offer the pediatric hospital just a few million dollars, plus a bunch of Barbie dolls, Hot Wheels cars and other in-kind donations instead of donating the full amount, according to UCLAs lawsuit, as reported in the L.A. Times.

California lawsuit says oil giants deceived public on climate, seeks funds for storm damage

The lawsuit was filed on behalf of the regents of the University of California and the UCLA Foundation and accused the El Segundo-based company of breaching its contract. UCLA is seeking the total amount from the original pledge along with damages for financial difficulty stemming from Mattel walking back its original pledge.

As a last resort, UCLA Health has taken legal action to compel Mattel, Inc. to honor its $49 million pledge under a 2017 contractual agreement. Litigation is not the Universitys preferred path. UCLA Health made multiple good faith attempts to resolve this matter through meaningful dialogue, and those efforts were unsuccessful, a UCLA spokesperson said in a statement to KTLA.

In 2018, UCLA Health agreed to Mattel, Inc.s request to temporarily suspend scheduled payments on the pledge. UCLA Health is disappointed that the company since then has repeatedly declined to renew the payments, including in 2021 when the Mattel, Inc. reported a net income of more than $900 million.

However, Mattel disputes UCLAs claims that the company breached its contractual obligations.

Mattel deeply values its longstanding relationship with UCLA Health and we are proud that UCLA Mattel Childrens Hospital (UMCH) bears our companys name. Our $25M endowment of the hospital in 1998 was the single largest gift made to any U.S. childrens hospital by a corporation or corporate foundation at the time, a Mattel spokesperson said in a statement to KTLA.

More than two dozen cities have sued to end L.A. Countys zero-bail policy

In 2017, Mattel and UCLA Health entered into a separate pledge agreement specifically for the construction of a new hospital tower. Our agreement expressly allocates funds for the new tower and provides that funding cannot be allocated for any other purpose by either party alone. UCLA Health has unilaterally abandoned its plans for the construction of its new hospital tower. As a result, the conditions for the pledge under the 2017 Agreement have not been met.

The spokesperson also mentioned that the company continues to support the hospital through fundraising, toy, cash and in-kind donations, and community activations and that doing so is important to the company.

A spokesperson for UCLA Health said that the hospital will continue to provide high-quality care to its patients as legal matters proceed.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KTLA.
FILE - This microscope photo provided on Oct. 25, 2023, by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows crescent-shaped red blood cells from a sickle cell disease patient in 1972. Britain's medicines regulator has authorized the world's first gene therapy treatment for sickle cell disease, in a move that could offer relief to thousands of people with the crippling disease in the U.K. In a statement on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency said it approved Casgevy, the first medicine licensed using the gene editing tool CRISPR, which won its makers a Nobel prize in 2020. (Dr. F. Gilbert/CDC via AP, File ) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

LONDON (AP)  Britain's medicines regulator has authorized the world's first gene therapy treatment for sickle cell disease, in a move that could offer relief to thousands of people with the crippling disease in the U.K.

In a statement Thursday, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency said it approved Casgevy, the first medicine licensed using the gene editing tool CRISPR, which won its makers a Nobel prize in 2020.

The agency approved the treatment for patients with sickle cell disease and thalassemia who are 12 years old and over. Casgevy is made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Europe) Ltd. and CRISPR Therapeutics. To date, bone marrow transplants, extremely arduous procedures that come with very unpleasant side effects, have been the only long-lasting treatment.

The future of life-changing cures resides in CRISPR based (gene-editing) technology, said Dr. Helen O'Neill of University College London.

The use of the word cure in relation to sickle cell disease or thalassemia has, up until now, been incompatible, she said in a statement, calling the MHRA's approval of gene therapy a positive moment in history.

Both sickle cell disease and thalassemia are caused by mistakes in the genes that carry hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen.

In people with sickle cell  which is particularly common in people with African or Caribbean backgrounds  a genetic mutation causes the cells to become crescent-shaped, which can block blood flow and cause excruciating pain, organ damage, stroke and other problems.

In people with thalassemia, the genetic mutation can cause severe anemia. Patients typically require blood transfusions every few weeks, and injections and medicines for their entire life. Thalassemia predominantly affects people of South Asian, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern heritage.

The new medicine, Casgevy, works by targeting the problematic gene in a patient's bone marrow stem cells so that the body can make properly functioning hemoglobin.

Patients first receive a course of chemotherapy, before doctors take stem cells from the patient's bone marrow and use genetic editing techniques in a laboratory to fix the gene. The cells are then infused back into the patient for a permanent treatment. Patients must be hospitalized at least twice  once for the collection of the stem cells and then to receive the altered cells.

This is so exciting. Its a new wave of treatments that we can utilize for patients with sickle cell disease, said Dr. James LaBelle, director of the pediatric stem cell and cellular therapy program at the University of Chicago. He said Britain's approval suggested the U.S. authorization was likely imminent.

Casgevy is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; the agency is expected to make a decision early next month, before considering another sickle cell gene therapy.

LaBelle said officials at the University of Chicago are already moving forward to build not only the clinical infrastructure but also the reimbursement infrastructure to get these patients this treatment.

Britain's regulator said its decision to authorize the gene therapy for sickle cell disease was based on a study done on 29 patients, of whom 28 reported having no severe pain problems for at least one year after being treated. In the study for thalassemia, 39 out of 42 patients who got the therapy did not need a red blood cell transfusion for at least a year afterwards.

Gene therapy treatments can cost millions of dollars and experts have previously raised concerns that they could remain out of reach for the people who would benefit most.

Last year, Britain approved a gene therapy for a fatal genetic disorder that had a list price of 2.8 million ($3.5 million). England's National Health Service negotiated a significant confidential discount to make it available to eligible patients.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals said it had not yet established a price for the treatment in Britain and was working with health authorities to secure reimbursement and access for eligible patients as quickly as possible.

In the U.S., Vertex has not released a potential price for the therapy, but a report by the nonprofit Institute for Clinical and Economic Review said prices up to around $2 million would be cost-effective. By comparison, research earlier this year showed medical expenses for current sickle cell treatments, from birth to age 65, add up to about $1.6 million for women and $1.7 million for men.

Medicines and treatments in Britain must be recommended by a government watchdog before they are made freely available to patients in the national health care system.

Millions of people around the world, including about 100,000 in the U.S., have sickle cell disease. It occurs more often among people from places where malaria is or was common, like Africa and India, and is also more common in certain ethnic groups, such as people of African, Middle Eastern and Indian descent. Scientists believe being a carrier of the sickle cell trait helps protect against severe malaria.

__

AP Science Writer Laura Ungar in Louisville, Kentucky 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.
London remains steadfast in providing Ukraine with weapons, increasing their co-production, and ridding the Black Sea of Russian threats, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said after talks with David Cameron, who arrived in Kyiv for the first time as head of the UK Foreign Office.

Welcome to Ukraine, @David_Cameron! Our talks at @MFA_Ukraine proved that Ukraine and the UK are determined to work together toward victory, Kuleba posted on X (Twitter) on Nov. 16.

Read also: Sunak urges support for Ukraine, calls on allies to help arm Kyiv to finish the job

Cameron, on his first working visit to Ukraine just days after being appointed, reaffirmed the UK's support for Ukraine and pledged moral, diplomatic and "above all military support for... however long it takes".

Read also: Berlin to double its military aid to Kyiv to $8.5 billion in 2024

Zelenskyy congratulated Cameron on his new post, which he took in a cabinet reshuffle on Nov. 13, making an unexpected return to the UK government. Cameron, now a member of the House of Lords, the unelected upper house of the UK parliament, served as prime minister from 2010 to 2016, resigning after the UK voted to leave the EU as he had backed the Remain campaign.

"We are grateful for the unwavering support of Ukraine from the United Kingdom, Zelenskyy told Cameron.

We are grateful for the warm welcome of Ukrainian citizens in the UK. And we are glad that you came to Ukraine.

The Ukrainian president posted a short clip of their meeting on social media, during which Cameron can be heard saying "I wanted this to be my first visit."

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine
David Cameron, the new UK Foreign Secretary, has made his first working visit abroad in his new post to Ukraine.

Source: Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media, reported by European Pravda

Quote from Zelenskyy: "David Cameron, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs, made his first working visit to Ukraine."

Hosted @David_Cameron on his first visit to Ukraine as Foreign Secretary of the UK.



We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.



I am grateful to the UK for its support!



 pic.twitter.com/zElLHsSaQT  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 16, 2023

Details: Zelenskyy said he had discussed weapons for the front, strengthening air defence and "protecting our people and critical infrastructure" with the new UK Foreign Secretary.

At the meeting, Zelenskyy stressed that the world is not currently focused on the situation in Ukraine, and "dividing the focus does not help". He thanked the UK for "always supporting Ukraine".

Quote from Cameron:"I wanted this to be my first visit. Personally, I admire the strength and determination of the Ukrainian people. What I want to say by being here is we will continue to give you the moral support, the diplomatic support, the economic support, but above all the military support that you need, not just this year, and next year, but however long it takes," David Cameron said.

Details: He added that he had "some disagreements" with former Prime Minister Boris Johnson, but Johnsons support for Ukraine was "the finest thing".

Cameron assured Zelenskyy that the UK will work to maintain its focus on Ukraine.

Zelenskyys Office separately reported that the security situation in the Black Sea and the further work of the alternative grain corridor were brought up at the meeting.

Cameron and Zelenskyy coordinated their positions on the implementation of joint multilateral and bilateral initiatives, in particular in the context of promoting the Ukrainian Peace Formula and developing security guarantees in the development of the Joint Declaration of Support for Ukraine adopted by G7 at the NATO Summit in Vilnius.

Particular attention was paid to Euro-Atlantic integration and the UK's support for Ukraine's progress towards NATO membership.

Background:

On Monday, London announced changes in the UK government. In particular, former UK PM David Cameron became Foreign Secretary, and his predecessor in this position, James Cleverly, moved to the Home Office to replace Suella Braverman, who has been known for her controversial statements in recent years.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba joined his European counterparts in congratulating former UK Prime Minister David Cameron on his appointment as the Foreign Secretary.

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Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom House of Commons voted against an amendment demanding its government call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

The amendment was added to the government's legislative agenda for 2024 on Wednesday, but wasn't passed by Members of Parliament.

According to Reuters, the Scottish National Party introduced the amendment which reads, "(We) call on the government to join with the international community in urgently pressing all parties to agree to an immediate cease-fire."

Two-hundred-ninety Members of Parliament voted against the amendment, with 183 in favor of the call for a cease-fire.

NETANYAHU TELLS BRET BAIER CEASE-FIRE 'MEANS SURRENDER,' INSISTS SQUAD MEMBER IS CALLING FOR 'GENOCIDE'

Fifty-six members of the Labour Party voted for the amendment, in what's being considered a major blow to its leader Keir Starmer, who wanted to make his party appear united ahead of a national election next year.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

"I regret that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight. But I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand," Starmer said in a statement after the vote.

REP. JAMAAL BOWMAN TAKES HEAT FOR SAYING SUPPORTING A CEASE-FIRE IS 'WHAT IT ACTUALLY MEANS TO BE JEWISH'

Keir Starmer, leader of Britain's Labour Party, speaks during the Prime Minister's Questions, at the House of Commons in London, on Wednesday.

Similar to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, Starmer has called for "humanitarian pauses" in order for aid to get to Gaza.

Eight members of a "shadow" ministerial team run by Starmer left their roles after the vote.

"On this occasion I must vote with my constituents, my head and my heart," Member of Parliament Jess Phillips wrote in a letter to Starmer.

Reuters contributed to this report.





Original article source: UK House of Commons votes against cease-fire amendment, over 50 labour lawmakers go against leader
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  Former President Rodrigo Duterte was again on the offensive threatening ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro after a court issued a summons in relation to the lawmaker's complaint against him.

"Kaya ikaw, France (Castro), how do you solve the problem now? Kaya 'yong statement kong komunista patayin, kasali ka  dapat!" Duterte said in a televised interview late Wednesday as he red-tagged Castro and the Makabayan bloc again.

[Translation: How do you solve the problem now, France? That's why my statement to kill communists, including you  it should be!]

The second sentence was edited out of the episode aired on television and live-streamed on Facebook and YouTube. It was, however, part of his statements posted Thursday morning on the program's Facebook page.

Castro sued the former president after he made death threats against her on national television where he talked about his daughter, Vice President Sara Duterte, and her request for confidential funds in next year's proposed budget.

Quezon City prosecutors issued a subpoena on Wednesday ordering Duterte to appear before the Office of the City Prosecutor on Dec. 4 and 11.

The grave threat complaint is the first for Duterte since stepping down from office in 2022 that ended his presidential immunity from suit.

When asked if he would appear before Quezon City prosecutors, Duterte said: "Magpakulong na lang ako kasi gina-oppress ako ni France. Pero paglabas ko talagang, paglabas ko sa, magpakulong ako, paglabas ko, hanapin [muted]. Alam mo nakikinig lahat ng military, intelligence community. Akala mo happy yan sila?"

[Translation: I would rather face imprisonment because I am oppressed by France. But once I go out of jail, I will look (muted). The military and the intelligence community are listening. Do you think they are happy?]

Dante Ang II, president and CEO of broadsheet The Manila Times, asked the question and was seen wincing during the muted part of Duterte's statement.

The former chief executive has consistently argued that his daughter, who is concurrent education secretary, needs confidential and intelligence funds to fight communist insurgents supposedly infiltrating schools.

Among the topics during his interview on Sonshine Media Network International was the supposed plan of the Makabayan bloc to file an impeachment complaint against the vice president.

Duterte then said: "Do not ever think, France na may armor ka na dahil congresswoman, member ka ng Congress, na you are no longer vulnerable sa galit ng karami na namatay diyan na sundalo pati pulis dahil sa inyo."

[Translation: Do not ever think, France, that you have already armor just because you are a member of Congress, that you are no longer vulnerable against the anger coming from the deaths of the military and police.]

In a statement on Thursday, House Majority Leader and Zamboanga City Rep. Manuel Jose Dalipe dismissed rumors that House leaders were planning to impeach the vice president, calling it "unfounded."
(Bloomberg) -- The UK is planning to overhaul how it prioritizes connections to the countrys power grid, according to people familiar with the matter, part of a strategy to break the backlog thats holding up crucial new infrastructure and placing a drag on economic growth.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Under a plan dubbed the Great Grid Upgrade, the government is considering offering households compensation for grid infrastructure projects in their neighborhoods as an incentive to reduce local objections and speed up construction, said the people, who requested anonymity discussing unannounced policy.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks government is trying to tackle the years-long queue thats both holding back the UKs transition to greener power and slowing the construction of new housing developments, hospitals, offices and factories. The government plans to replace the current queue system, which operates on a first-come-first-serve basis, with a new process expediting projects which already have planning permission, the people said.

The plan builds on new rules approved earlier this month by Ofgem to remove zombie projects from the queue to connect.

The strategy will be published alongside Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunts autumn fiscal statement on Wednesday, the people said, an event when hes expected to lay out a new plan to boost growth and investment. It will come at the same time as the governments response to Electricity Networks Commissioner Nick Winsers report earlier this year that warned that efforts to decarbonize the power sector would be wasted if we cannot get the power to homes and businesses.

The government is seeking to address an issue that the Labour Party has also identified as a barrier to growth. At the UK oppositions annual conference last month, shadow chancellor Rachel Reeves said Labour planned to fight the election on the economy  typically political ground claimed by the Tories  and would prioritize a rebuild of Britains ailing infrastructure, including the electricity grid, if it wins power.

In order to cultivate local consent for large pylons and cables, the government is considering how to compensate people who live close to grid infrastructure projects. Measures may include money being taken off their energy bills and investment in the impacted local area, the people said.

The governments Department for Energy Security and Net Zero said it will shortly publish a joint action plan alongside energy regulator Ofgem, setting out how it will accelerate connections to the grid.

We want to go further and faster on grid connections  bringing even more capacity online, reducing timescales, and ensuring clean, affordable and secure energy sources reach more homes, the department said.

The government is responding to repeated calls from the industry to address grid limitations. Ministers expect demand for electricity to double by 2035 amid the increasing electrification of road transport and domestic heating.

As a result, more generation will be needed, alongside all the added network infrastructure that entails. So far, the rapid rise in renewable energy investment has not been accompanied by matching spend on the power network, according to BloombergNEF.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

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Steve Lamacq has warned of the challenging time faced by the live music sector, as grassroots venues face massive rises in running costs and ongoing closures.

The veteran DJ and BBC Radio presenter was recently appointed chair of LIVE, a trade body representing the UKs live music industry.

Ahead of the impending Autumn Statement, LIVE is urging chancellor of the exchequer Jeremy Hunt to provide vital financial support to help safeguard grassroots venues and boost the economic potential of the live music sector.

You cannot underestimate the importance and value of live music to the UK, both culturally and economically, Lamacq said in a statement.

It is part of the fabric of who we are, producing world class artists and providing enjoyment for millions of people. But this is still a very challenging time for promoters, especially at the grassroots level where venues are increasingly struggling to cope with massive rises in running costs.

Lamacq said it was essential to act now and recognise just how important these venues are, not just as the breeding ground for the next generation of young musicians, but also as proud, creative, hubs for the communities they serve across the country.

Without targeted financial support and understanding, we run the immediate risk of seeing hundreds of these venues shutting for good, which would be devastating for fans, artists and local economies, he said.

Steve Lamacq, BBC 6 Music presenter and chair of industry body LIVE (BBC/Ray Burmiston)

Post-pandemic, the UK music industry has been showing steady signs of growth, generating 5.2bn last year and employing over 228,000 people.

However, British musicians and others working in the creative industries are still being impeded by post-Brexit red tape, which makes touring in the EU a more complicated and costly endeavour.

While LIVE worked closely with the government during the pandemic to ensure support for the UKs music industry, it says that this support has not been sustained.

This is despite the lingering effects of the pandemic on businesses being exacerbated by Brexit, the cost-of-living crisis, and soaring costs in the industrys supply chain.

A new manifesto, launched today (Wednesday 15 November), calls for a number of changes, including the introduction of a cultural visa waiver for creative workers touring in the EU.

Jon Collins, CEO of LIVE, said: The LIVE Music Manifesto launched today presents a huge opportunity for our political leaders to supercharge a cultural and economic powerhouse.

It is estimated that for every 10,000 people at a gig in the UK, there is an additional 1 million spent in other local businesses including restaurants and bars, transport networks, shops, and hotels. Its crucial that the voice of the live music sector is heard at the next general election.

Ed Sheeran started out playing many of the UKs grassroots music venues, many of which now face permanent closure (Getty)

Collins said that simple interventions, such as the extension of the business rates relief and a return to lower VAT, would help align the UK with its international competitors.

We need to wake up to the reality that the grassroots venues where artists like Ed Sheeran and Adele honed their craft are closing at an alarming rate, he said.

We need urgent action from the government now, or we risk losing out on future generations of British superstars.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 15)  The influence of the Dutertes in Congress is waning, according to a party-list lawmaker.

"Siguro na-realize din ng kaniyang mga kapartido na hindi na siya presidente, at wala na siyang influence rin," ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro told CNN Philippines' The Final Word on Wednesday.

[Translation: Maybe his party members have realized he's no longer president, and that he no longer wields influence.]

From 65 at the start of the 19th Congress in 2022, former President Rodrigo Duterte's Partido Demokratiko Pilipino-Lakas ng Bayan (PDP-Laban) now has just 15 members in the House of Representatives.

Castro said this was mainly because of the controversy surrounding the confidential and intelligence funds (CIFs) of the Office of the Vice President (OVP) and the Department of Education (DepEd)  both headed by the former leader's daughter, Sara Duterte.

READ: Dong Gonzales resigns from PDP-Laban over ex-Pres. Duterte's 'rotten' remark vs. House

Castro also said scrutinizing the CIFs of the OVP and DepEd prompted the elder Duterte to come out and attack her.

"I think he was very hurt doon sa pagtatatanggal [by the removal], or the realignment of the CIFs of the OVP and DepEd," she said.

"Itong mga Duterte na 'to mukhang sanay sila sa discretionary funds through confidential funds kaya talagang galit na galit," she added.

[Translation: It appears the Dutertes are used to having discretionary funds through confidential funds, so they are really angry.]

In 2022, the Commission on Audit found out that the former president used 4.5 billion for confidential and intelligence funds during his last year in office.

On Wednesday, Quezon City Senior Assistant City Prosecutor Ulric Badiola issued a subpoena ordering Duterte to appear before the Office of the City Prosecutor on Dec. 4 and 11.

The subpoena was in relation to the threats he made against Castro on national television.
Hong Kong: Untruthful remarks rejected

The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government said it strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects the untruthful remarks, slanders and smears against Hong Kong in the 2023 report issued by the US-China Economic & Security Review Commission.

It also stressed that it strongly disapproves of and firmly rejects the commissions manoeuvre with politics prevailing over the rule of law and its interference with the Hong Kong SARs affairs.

As Hong Kong is an inalienable part of China, it made it clear that it will continue, in accordance with the law, to effectively prevent, suppress and punish acts and activities that endanger national security, and safeguard the rights and freedoms enjoyed by Hong Kong people.

Moreover, it strongly urged certain US politicians to immediately stop acting against international law and the basic norms that govern international relations, and cease from interfering in the affairs of the Hong Kong SAR, which are purely Chinas internal affairs.

Separately, the Hong Kong SAR Government noted that under one country, two systems, Hong Kong enjoys the strong support of the motherland while being closely connected to the world. With this unparalleled connectivity, it said Hong Kong will continue to play its unique role as a super-connector and super value-adder.

With the motherlands strong support, as well as the wide room for development brought about by the National 14th Five-Year Plan, Greater Bay Area development and Belt & Road high-quality development, the city embraces unlimited business opportunities, the Hong Kong SAR Government pointed out.

It added that it will create strong impetus for growth at full steam, forge a better integration of a capable government and an efficient market, and proactively compete for enterprises and talent to strengthen the citys competitiveness, with a view to steadily advancing from stability to prosperity.

This story has been published on: 2023-11-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Xi calls on China, U.S. to jointly manage disagreements effectively

Xinhua) 08:00, November 16, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged China and the United States to jointly manage disagreements effectively.

Disagreements should not be a chasm that keeps the two countries apart. Instead, the two sides should look for ways to build bridges to help them walk toward each other, Xi said at a summit with U.S. President Joe Biden at Filoli Estate, a country house approximately 40 km south of San Francisco, California.

It is important that both sides appreciate each other's principles and red lines, and refrain from flip-flopping, being provocative, and crossing the lines, Xi said, adding that the two countries should have more communications, more dialogues and more consultations, and calmly handle their differences as well as accidents.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. invited technology stakeholders to invest in the Philippines as the government works to boost the development of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in the country.

"The Philippines is ready to become your partner in navigating the AI future. As we look to the horizon, let's 'Make It Happen in the Philippines,' where, the promise of a future defined by technological inclusivity and shared growth is not just envisioned but actively realized," Marcos said in a meeting with technology investors on the sidelines of the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting in San Francisco, California.

According to the Presidential Communications Office (PCO), Marcos revealed during the roundtable discussion that the Philippines is crafting a National AI Strategy, which aims to augment the existing skill set of Filipino talents through AI and position the country as a center of excellence in Artificial Intelligence.

"We believe AI can uplift the lives of Filipinos, increase the productivity of our enterprises, and enhance the competitiveness of our economy. And I'm certain our discussions here today will help the Philippines steer our roadmaps in a direction that maximizes the skills of Filipinos and helps them achieve their aspirations," he added.

Marcos also told private companies, investors, and venture capitalists in attendance that the event was a momentous occasion after the Philippine economy grew by 7.6%, while also recording $9.2 billion in Foreign Direct Investments both in 2022.

Introducing generative AI in PH

In the same meeting, the Philippines and Silicon Valley firms agreed to work together on improving AI and cybersecurity in the country.

Nightdragon chief executive officer (CEO) David Dewalt, a leading venture capital firm for cybersecurity, security, safety, and privacy, said his company and other firms are looking forward to bringing different technologies to the Philippines, particularly generative AI. He added this will be beneficial to the country considering its young and powerful workforce.

Generative AI is a tool that allows users to produce different types of content, like text, audio, or other media.

This technology will be a leveling force for small businesses'' as consumers most of the time use bigger platforms when purchasing online, said Visa CEO Ryan McInerney. Generative AI will allow small enterprises to provide Filipinos a rich, shopping, and commerce experience, he added.

Meanwhile, Marcos also emphasized the role of platforms like APEC in preventing conflicts through "sustained economic prosperity" during a speech at the APEC CEO meeting.

He urged member states to leverage the organization's core values, work with the private sector, and align efforts with global economic initiatives.

The president cited factors that lead to a successful collaboration, namely expanding representation, strengthening government-business partnerships, addressing protectionism, intervening in market failures, and enhancing cooperation on a broader scale.
[Trigger warning: Violence, death]

Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  The police are still looking at possible angles in the bus shooting that left two passengers dead on Wednesday, with a family dispute being considered in the investigation.

The victims were a 60-year-old businesswoman from Cauayan City, Isabela, and a 55-year-old man from Koronadal, South Cotabato, the chief of police of Carranglan, Nueva Ecija told CNN Philippines on Thursday.

The two, whom relatives said were live-in partners, were on board a Victory Liner bus bound for Manila when they were fatally shot by two gunmen while traversing Brgy. Joson, Carranglan, Nueva Ecija.

The brazen attack has raised safety concerns on public transportation.

"Parang tutol dun sa relasyon ng mga biktima 'yong anak (ng biktimang babae), 'yon 'yong isang anggulo. Pangalawa, 'yong kinasuhan ng biktimang babae 'yong kanyang anak ng carnapping at robbery," PMaj Rey Ian Agliam said in an interview over Balitaan.

[Translation: It looks like the woman's son was against their relationship, that's the first angle. Second, the woman filed a complaint against her son for carnapping and robbery.]

PCol Jean Fajardo, the Philippine National Police (PNP) spokesperson, told reporters that the woman's son has denied involvement

Agliam said the police have yet to interview the child of the man. The victim was living with his child in Tarlac City.

The attackers have yet to be identified, with Fajardo calling on the public for any information that could help in the investigation.

Agliam said the police would be enhancing the bus dashcam footage as one of the killers wore a face mask. The other shooter can be clearly seen.

Police Chief Master Sergeant Vincent Castaneda of Carranglan police on Thursday said the man and the woman seated in front of the bus, who seemed asleep in the videos circulating online, were shot a total of six times in the head and neck by two male assailants.

In a phone interview with CNN Philippines, Castaneda said the victims were dead on the spot. The killers used a .45 caliber gun, he added.

He said the victims boarded the bus in the terminal in Cauayan City, Isabela, while the two gunmen got on board in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya.

No items were stolen from the victims, he added

The Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board is conducting its own investigation into the case and will be issuing a show cause order to Victory Liner.

CNN Philippines correspondent Agatha Gregorio contributed to this report.
The Navy has requested an increase on the capped number of marine mammals it is allowed to unintentionally harm during Pacific training after the services vessels struck a number of whales in recent years off the coast of Southern California.

The sea services proposal seeks to raise the limit of approved whale-related incidents, set in a government agreement, before an authorization period ends in December 2025, according to a public notice posted to the Federal Register last month.

With the public comment period on the proposal closing Friday, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration told Military Times it anticipates making a decision on whether to finalize the suggested update in the spring of next year.

And while the Navy sees its request as justified, environmental groups are not happy.

The Navys main response to hitting and killing whales is to ask for permission to harm more whales. Its nonsensical and extremely disappointing, Kristen Monsell, an attorney with the nonprofit Center for Biological Diversity, told Military Times via email.

The number of accidental hurtful actions permitted against whales is currently set at three through 2025. But with the service already reaching that number between 2021 and 2023, officials from the Navys Pacific Fleet and Navy System Commands are looking to raise the ceiling to five unintentional takes, an action the Marine Mammal Protection Act defines as to harass, hunt, capture, or kill, or attempt to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal.

The Navy struck two whales during summer 2021 off the coast of San Diego, California. Earlier this year, one of the services ships struck what it determined was either a fin whale or sei whale.

Those events followed an incident in May 2021, during which an Australian Navy ship, the destroyer HMAS Sydney, struck and killed a mother fin whale and her calf as it approached the naval base in San Diego ahead of a U.S. Navy-led exercise. Although that fatal episode did not count toward the U.S. Navys sanctioned limit of incidental takes, it did encourage the service to review its authorized number.

The U.S. Navy stands by its probability of strike analysis explained in the proposed rule, a spokesperson from U.S. Pacific Fleet told Military Times.

The spokesperson added that the Navy submitted its request after a revised analysis of future incident probability and as a cautionary acknowledgement that some probability of ship strike, although low, could still occur before its permit period for vessel strikes within the Hawaii and Southern California training and testing area ends.

Prior to 2021, the only U.S. Navy incidents since 2009 involving the marine mammals were two recorded vessel strikes on endangered fin whales.

The spokesperson for U.S. Pacific Fleet said the Navy takes many steps to ensure the protection of marine mammals, including posting trained lookouts on ships, implementing annual marine species awareness training for operational units and utilizing notification procedures in areas with high overlap of whales and Navy vessel traffic.

If a ship spots a group of whales, other ships in the immediate area get notified to be especially vigilant, the spokesperson said.

But environmental groups remain concerned over the Navys interactions with the marine mammals.

Were pretty disappointed with the Navys decision, Shalin Gala, the vice president of International Laboratory Methods at the nonprofit People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, told Military Times.

I do think its likely the Navy will have another incident before 2025, Monsell added. Without more meaningful mitigation, well only see more dead whales. That the Navy is asking for permission to kill more shows it has little faith in the efficacy of existing requirements.
By John Kruzel

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday declined to revive a Florida law signed by Republican Governor Ron DeSantis banning the performance of "lewd" drag shows in the presence of children.

The justices denied a request by Florida officials to narrow a judge's pause on the law to just a single plaintiff - an Orlando restaurant called Hamburger Mary's - rather than maintain his temporary statewide halt of the measure.

Three of the court's six conservative justices - Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito and Neil Gorsuch - indicated they sided with Florida officials and would have granted their request.

Orlando-based U.S. District Judge Gregory Presnell blocked the measure in June, deciding that it likely violates the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment promise of free speech because its sweeping prohibitions were poorly defined and risked outlawing constitutionally protected expression.

Hamburger Mary's stages what it has called family-friendly drag performances. The restaurant filed suit against DeSantis and other state officials in May to halt enforcement of the law, which would punish restaurants and other venues that stage performances of drag shows deemed to be indecent with children present.

DeSantis, a candidate for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Joe Biden in the 2024 U.S. election, signed the measure in May as part of a package of bills he said were aimed at protecting children that also included a law banning gender-changing surgeries for minors.

A page on the official Florida governor website said the bills aimed "to protect the innocence of Florida's kids," adding that "Florida's children deserve to have a childhood free from indoctrinating and confusing concepts like gender identity, forced pronouns and males competing in women's sports."

The anti-drag show measure, called the Protection of Children Act, allowed the state to fine or revoke the liquor license of any establishment that admits minors to a performance that "simulates nudity, sexual conduct or specific sexual activities" or depicts "lewd conduct."

Drag often involves "exaggeratedly feminine clothing, makeup, and hair" worn by a man, Hamburger Mary's said in its lawsuit. The suit described drag as a tradition dating back to ancient Greek theater and early stage productions of William Shakespeare's plays, one that has been "specifically linked with the LGBTQIA community" for nearly a century before it entered "mainstream culture."

Presnell, an appointee of Democratic former President Bill Clinton, halted the law statewide on First Amendment grounds.

Florida officials asked the Atlanta-based 11th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals to partially lift the lower court's statewide block on the law - applying the relief only to Hamburger Mary's - while the state pursues a formal appeal of Presnell's order. The 11th Circuit rejected the request, prompting officials to seek emergency relief at the U.S. Supreme Court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority.

Lawyers representing the restaurant urged the justices to reject the application, noting among other things that "Florida already has constitutional laws in place that prevent children from viewing sexually explicit materials."

Florida's law is one of dozens of measures enacted around the country this year - virtually all introduced by Republicans - that were deemed to be anti-LGBT by the Human Rights Campaign (HRC), the largest LGBT advocacy organization in the United States.

(Reporting by John Kruzel; Editing by Will Dunham)
An Ethiopian man carries a sack of wheat on his shoulders to be distributed by the Relief Society of Tigray in the town of Agula, in northern Ethiopia in 2021. Earlier this year, the United States aid agency USAID suspended all food assistance to the region of Tigray until further notice while it investigates the theft of humanitarian supplies. | Ben Curtis, Associated Press

Months after halting food aid in Ethiopia following a massive theft of aid by local officials, the U.S. Agency for International Development will restart aid donations in December.

In the northern region of Tigray, site of a brutal two-year civil war, 5.4 million out of a total of 6 million people rely on international food aid. Over 20 million in the country at large need assistance with food. The situation since aid was stopped earlier this year is dire. Some eat barely once a day. Others in a refugee camp told Washington Post reporters they had been forced to sell themselves in order to feed their children.

The Associated Press has verified more than 1,300 deaths from hunger in Tigray. Since a cease-fire between the Ethiopian army and Tigray forces was signed a year ago, hunger now accounts for more than two-thirds of all the deaths in the region.

What happened

On April 20, 2023, the World Food Program informed its humanitarian partners that it was suspending deliveries of food aid to the Tigray region because it had uncovered widespread theft. Less than two weeks later, the United States Agency for International Development said they were also suspending aid.

According to The Associated Press, the grain was stolen from the Tigray region, after fighting between government troops and Tigrinya fighters slowed in November and February.

From a single warehouse in Tigray, enough food to feed more than 130,000 people was stolen, then sold. Bags of grain still marked with the U.S. flag were found for sale in local markets, at prices out of reach for the people it was meant to help.

The theft of U.S. and U.N. food aid included the manipulation of beneficiary lists that the Ethiopian government has insisted on controlling, looting by Ethiopian government and regional Tigray forces and forces from neighboring Eritrea, and the diversion of massive amounts of donated wheat to commercial flour mills in at least 63 sites, a senior USAID official earlier told the AP.

After implementing some security changes, the World Food Program began aid distribution on a small scale in August and increased the number served in October. USAID officials, however, said at the time that they were not yet comfortable with the proposed changes. On Tuesday, officials announced that they were ready for a one-year nationwide trial period with newly agreed upon reforms.

Related

New safeguards

After months of diplomatic engagement and negotiation, USAID wrote in a press release on Tuesday that there had been widespread and substantial reforms of the food assistance structure. Those reforms will fundamentally shift Ethiopias food aid system, said Jessica Jennings, USAID spokesperson.

New security measures include GPS tracking of food delivery trucks and spot checks of grain warehouses and mill. USAID and its third-party monitors will also have unimpeded access to review sites throughout the country.

The World Food Program and the Catholic Relief Services will take over handling of warehouses, commodities and distributions in programs and regions formerly handled by the Ethiopian government, reports the AP. Drawing up lists of community members who need food will also be handled by aid agencies.

Additional safeguards include a photographic identity card for each household that will be scanned when collecting food, and no longer allowing one person to collect food for large groups of families, reports The Washington Post.

USAID places the highest priority on taking every possible measure to make sure that U.S. humanitarian assistance is used for its intended purpose, reaches the most vulnerable, and ultimately saves lives, said Jennings.

Given the significant number of people in need of food assistance in Ethiopia, we are pleased these important reforms will allow the delivery of food assistance to those who need it most.

Holly Richardson is the editor of Utah Policy
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 17)  Former Palace spokesman Salvador Panelo branded the criminal complaint filed by ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro against former President Rodrigo Duterte as just "political propaganda."

Castro filed a grave threat complaint against Duterte on Oct. 24 over alleged death threats he made on national television.

"The only reason why that complaint was filed is for political propaganda," Panelo told CNN Philippines' The Final Word on Thursday.

Duterte has been summoned to appear before the Quezon City prosecutor's office on Dec. 4 and 11.

Panelo, however, said Duterte is "completely ignoring" Castro's complaint.

"If I were to be the prosecutor, I would outright dismiss [the complaint] because there is absolutely no basis," the former chief presidential legal counsel added.

READ: Ex-President Duterte threatens Castro again after court summons

In his interview on Sonshine Media Network International earlier this month, Duterte red-tagged Castro and the rest of the Makabayan bloc. He said the first target of his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte's proposed secret funds should be Castro.

"Ikaw France, kayong mga komunista ang gusto kong patayin [You France, you communists, are the ones I want to kill]," he said.

But Panelo defended Duterte's statement, calling it a mere "expression of an idea or a desire."

"That is not a threat insinuation is not a crime," he said. "We should read his remark in the context of communists being the enemies of the state and they should be legally eliminated."
Ron DeSantis doesnt do empathy. Hes a governor who likes to talk tough on the presidential trail; such a foreign concept appears to get computed in his head as left-wing mindset.

Speaking to a South Carolina radio host this week, DeSantis blasted the states former Gov. Nikki Haley for her response to the 2020 death of George Floyd at the hands of a police officer whos since been sentenced to more than 20 years in prison.

Its important to understand that the death of George Floyd was personal and painful for many. In order to heal, it needs to be personal and painful for everyone, Haley wrote on Twitter, now known as X, on May 30, 2020, five days after Floyd died.

DeSantis, whos battling Haley in early GOP primary states to be the main alternative to Donald Trump, accused Haley of adopting this left-wing mindset.

I remember when the George Floyd riots were happening, I called out the National Guard, he said, as Fox News reported.

I said Im standing with police, she was tweeting that it needed to be personal and painful for every single person. Im thinking to myself, Why does that need to be personal and painful for you or me? We had nothing to do with it.

Floyds death was indeed painful and personal for Americans, not only Black Americans and Democrats, but millions who watched then-officer Derek Chauvin kneel on Floyds knee for over nine minutes. His death, unlike other deaths of Black men by police, was condemned across party lines and galvanized even Republicans to look at police reform.

Ironically, it was the same DeSantis who said, We need leaders who are going to fight back against the left who also signed into law a bipartisan police reform bill in 2021. He also pushed for an anti-riot law in the aftermath of Black Lives Matter protests in the summer of 2020 that civil liberties groups say can chill peaceful demonstrations.

The police reform legislation was the product of months of negotiations between Black lawmakers and Republican legislative leadership. Many reform advocates said it didnt go far enough, but in a Legislature the GOP controls with a super majority, it was a historic achievement. The new law requires, among other things, that police officers intervene if another officer uses excessive force.

DeSantis did the right thing by allowing these overdue reforms to become law. But police reform doesnt jibe with his brand of callousness and division. DeSantis tried to move to the right of Trump to peel off some of the former presidents voters. Now he seems to be trying the same tactic to take down Haley, who represents the biggest threat to the second-place standing hes struggling to achieve in the polls.

Her performance in the three presidential debates has propelled her in polls in Iowa and New Hampshire  and Trump continues to lead by wide margins. DeSantis campaign, on the other hand, has stagnated despite a good showing in the most recent debate, held in Miami.

Its expected that DeSantis will deploy any imaginable attack against this unexpected rival. Likewise, Haley has thrown jabs against the governor, including a misleading claim that hes against fracking for oil and natural gas. Hes said hes for it but not in Florida, where theres wide opposition to it.

Can DeSantis defeat Haley by painting her as too empathetic to Americans concerned with police brutality? He will certainly try, but his own record on police reform makes it harder to land that punch.
Ryan M. Newcomb, the new executive director of the Utah Pride Center, speaks at the center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News

The Utah Pride Center on Wednesday announced new leadership and a pathway forward after mounting debt forced over two dozen layoffs.

The Utah Pride Center says it spent approximately $1.5 million more on the 2023 Pride Festival than in previous years, despite revenues remaining flat and leaving the organization hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt. The mounting debt resulted in the furlough and layoffs of over two dozen employees of the Utah Pride Center and the board, it said in a statement.

Ryan Newcomb was announced as the new executive director of the Utah Pride Center; a new board of leadership was also announced. Newcomb began his role at the end of September and says he has begun working with the newly established board to chart a sustainable path forward.

"UPC has been a community voice and leader in the fight for equality, queer visibility and pride for so long and I'm honored to be in this role and taking it on the way of delivering to the needs of an incredibly diverse community," Newcomb said.

"The new board leadership and I join public calls for full accountability and take full responsibility for correcting the mistakes of the past. We are charting a new, clearer path with a relaunched organization that will ensure this never happens again," Newcomb added.

The organization will be launching an internal review of all finances in the last year to ensure there were no irregularities and to determine the cause of the debt. The center's new leadership will also undergo the task of creating new financial and ethical guardrails, according to Newcomb. In addition to the review and new policies, the organization will be reviewing its role in the LGBTQ community.

The Utah Pride Center says it will work to stop duplicative programming that competes with other nonprofits in the same space. The organization will cease direct programs for seniors or direct mental health services going forward, but will continue to provide youth and transgender programming. The details of the programming are still being finalized, according to the nonprofit.

"Of paramount importance is our intent to deliver a 2024 Pride that is responsive to our community and continues to be the conduit for all UPC programming that is done going forward, including keeping UPC and our communities that are here open and operating as a space for peer support groups, community members to congregate, meet and just be themselves," Newcomb said.

In planning the 2024 Pride Festival, the new leadership will be conducting roundtable discussions with diverse members of the community to understand concerns regarding accountability, policing and pricing.

"We recognize and value the complex and multifaceted needs and experiences of the many diverse groups in our queer movement. We aim to listen more ... while being a unifying force for progress in a time when hate crimes and scapegoating of marginalized communities are at an all-time high," said Newcomb, adding that the center's sign had been vandalized Tuesday. "That heightens and continues to remind us of what we are facing."

Ryan M. Newcomb, the new executive director of the Utah Pride Center, speaks at the center in Salt Lake City on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. | Spenser Heaps, Deseret News
Woodside, California (CNN)  President Joe Biden hopes to walk away from his closely watched summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday having put the US-China relationship on steadier footing after months of tension between the two superpowers.

With conflicts raging in the Middle East and Europe as he prepares to fight for reelection, Biden hopes to prevent another crisis from exploding on his watch. He is not only looking to demonstrate to Americans  but also to Xi directly  why an improved relationship with Beijing is in everyones interests.

I think its paramount that you and I understand each other clearly, leader to leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunication, Biden told Xi as their talks got underway in a secluded estate south of San Francisco.

Speaking afterward, Xi offered his own view of the complex moment in US-China ties.

Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed, he said.

Biden welcomed his Chinese counterpart warmly outside a Georgian revival-style mansion. The optics of the summit were carefully negotiated between the two sides and the formal welcome to the estate was highly choreographed.

As host of the meeting, Biden walked out of the building first to welcome Xi. A red carpet had been rolled out, with Marine guards and flags from both countries. Xis black sedan pulled up and stopped at the end of the carpet. The Chinese leader emerged with a smile and the two men shook hands, each grasping the others wrists.

As the meeting got underway, Biden told Xi it is essential the two men have a frank understanding of each other.

Biden said the leaders had a responsibility to their populations to work together, including on issues of climate change, countering narcotics trafficking and approaching artificial intelligence. He added competition between US and China could not tilt toward conflict.

As always, there is no substitute to face-to-face discussions. Ive always found our discussions straightforward and frank, Biden said.

Speaking after Biden, Xi offered starker view of US-China ties.

The China-US relationship has never been smooth sailing over the past 50 years and more, and it always faces problems of one kind or another. Yet it has kept moving forward amidst twists and turns, he said through a translator.

For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option, he went on. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other and conflict and confrontation has unbearable consequences for both sides.

Seeming to reject Bidens view of competition between the US and China, Xi said he was still of the view that major country competition is not the prevailing trend of current times and cannot solve the problems facing China and the United States or the world at large.

Ahead of the talks, US officials were careful to manage expectations, saying they did not expect a long list of outcomes or even a joint leaders statement, as is customary following summits between leaders.

Instead, the primary objective for the talks appeared to be restoring channels of communication, principally through the military, to avoid the type of miscommunication or miscalculation US officials fear could lead to open conflict.

Biden said ahead of his departure for California that he would define success for the sit-down as getting back on a normal course with China. He said that included corresponding, being able to pick up the phone and talk to one another if theres a crisis, being able to make sure that our militaries still have contact with one another.

A summit long in the making

For the better part of the last year, US officials have been laying the groundwork for this weeks Biden-Xi summit. With the aim of reestablishing diplomatic channels between the two countries, national security adviser Jake Sullivan has met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi three times, while Secretary of State Antony Blinken, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and US climate envoy John Kerry have all traveled to Beijing.

The overtures have been extended in the other direction too, with Chinas senior-most officials  including its foreign minister  traveling to the US to meet with their American counterparts.

US officials said that working-level consultations had been established with Beijing on especially sensitive topics like arms control and maritime issues.

Sources familiar with those efforts say that Washington has seen signs in recent months that the Chinese are beginning to accept the wisdom of both countries working together to strengthen their lines of communication and mitigate misunderstandings.

Now is precisely the time for high-level diplomacy, a senior administration official said. Intense competition requires and demands intense diplomacy to manage tensions and to prevent competition from verging into conflict or confrontation.

Trying to keep tension from tipping into conflict

The atmospherics surrounding the summit matched the high-stakes moment. The precise location of the meeting in the Bay Area  a historic estate south of San Francisco  was only divulged a few hours ahead of time for security reasons. And US officials said theyd spent hours in discussions with their Chinese counterparts about the choreography of how the meeting would unfold.

Despite a deep and apparently warm personal relationship cultivated during their time as vice presidents, Biden and Xi have overseen a deterioration in US-China relations to the lowest level in decades.

China severed military communication with the US following the visit then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi made to Taiwan last summer. Biden administration officials have been working ever since to restore the channel, but those efforts were hampered by the tense episode involving a Chinese spy balloon that Biden ordered shot down earlier this year. One source familiar said Biden was likely to raise the issue with Xi in passing.

The last time Biden spoke face-to-face with Xi was a year ago in Bali, where the objective was described by American officials as establishing a floor for the relationship. The meeting was cordial but also did not produce a list of significant outcomes.

This year, officials have been even more careful to set expectations, suggesting the US-China relationship is simply in a different place than it was when summit talks between leaders produced lengthy sets of deliverables.

Long list of topics to address

The list of topics aides expected the two men to discuss was long. It included major areas of disagreement and strain, like military tensions around Taiwan, Chinas disinformation campaigns and human rights violations, as well as potential spots of cooperation, including efforts to combat narcotics trafficking.

Also on the agenda were Chinas nuclear buildup, economic issues and work toward curbing climate change.

On Taiwan, the two men were hardly likely to forge major agreement. Chinas Communist Party claims the self-governing island as its own and has vowed to take it by force if necessary.

Biden has committed at various points to use US military force to protect Taiwan in the event of a Chinese attack even as his own aides frequently walk those statements back later. And American officials have watched carefully as China scales up its military exercises in the water and air around the island.

Taiwan will hold an election in January, ramping up sensitivities around its status. Biden is expected to present Xi with clarity on the US position, senior administration officials said, meaning hes likely to reiterate existing policy under which the US acknowledges Chinas claim of sovereignty over Taiwan.

On the eve of the summit, Biden told donors that China has serious issues, in an apparent reference to the countrys economy, where youth unemployment has soared and a real estate crisis has spooked investors.

President Xi is another example of how reestablishing American leadership in the world is taking hold, Biden said in San Francisco Tuesday, according to a pool report. Theyve got real problems, folks.

The president has previously used off-camera fundraisers to question Chinas economic strength, once likening it to a ticking time bomb, which drew Beijings ire.

Aside from his summit with Biden this week, Xi will headline a dinner with top American executives, eager to court US businesses amid sliding foreign investment in China  and to signal to the US government the importance the private sector still places on China.

A political tight rope

As Biden was preparing for Wednesdays summit, Republicans questioned his decision to seek a meeting with Xi. Nikki Haley, the former South Carolina governor seeking the GOP presidential nomination, claimed Biden had begged for the meeting.

Republicans on a House select committee on China sent Biden a letter spelling out areas they believe he must challenge Xi, including wrongful detention of Americans and the production of fentanyl.

Biden and his aides are acutely aware of the political backdrop for his meeting. Sullivan said Biden was looking for  practical ways to show the American people that sitting down with Xi Jinping can defend American interests and also deliver progress on the priorities of the American people.

To that end, US officials were finalizing an agreement with China to crack down on the export of the source chemicals used to make fentanyl ahead of the Biden-Xi talks.

The deal, which has been a priority for the Biden administration, would target companies that produce and export the source material to make the deadly synthetic opioid. The goal would be to significantly limit the flow of precursor materials to Mexico, the people said.

It could also mark an important domestic political win for Biden, whose administration has grappled with trafficking of lethal illicit drugs like fentanyl in an ongoing crisis at the southern border that has weighed down his administration.
Paris (CNN)  France has issued an arrest warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad over the alleged use of banned chemical weapons against civilians in Syria, a judicial source told CNN on Wednesday.

According to the source, two investigative judges on Tuesday issued four warrants against Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two other senior officials, for complicity in crimes against humanity and complicity in war crimes.

Anwar al-Bunni, a Syrian human rights lawyer and a founder of the Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research, told CNN the decision was unprecedented. It is believed to be the first time a nation has issued an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity for a sitting head of state in another country.

An Interpol Red Notice is expected to follow, according to Michael Chammas, one of the plaintiffs lawyers, who spoke to CNN from Germany.

A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest someone pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action, according to Interpol.

All Interpol member states should then comply with the arrest warrant, Chammas told CNN.

The legal case was brought forward by the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) and the Syrian Archive in March 2021 over the use of banned chemical weapons against civilians in the town of Douma and the district of Eastern Ghouta in August 2013, in attacks which killed more than 1,000 people, the plaintiffs said in a statement Wednesday.

The Syrian government was accused of using poison gas in Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, then a rebel stronghold that the regime had been desperately trying to take back for more than a year. It in turn accused opposition forces of carrying out the attacks themselves.

An investigation was opened in response to a criminal complaint based on the testimony of survivors of the August 2013 attacks, the plaintiffs statement read.

Lawyer Mazen Darwish, founder and director-general of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), said in a statement Wednesday that the decision constitutes a historic judicial precedent.

It is a new victory for the victims, their families, and the survivors and a step on the path to justice and sustainable peace in Syria, Darwish said.

Hadi al Khatib, founder of the Syrian Archive, said: With these arrest warrants, France is taking a firm stand that the horrific crimes that happened ten years ago cannot and will not be left unaccounted for. We see France, and hopefully, other countries soon, taking the strong evidence that we have gathered over years and finally demanding criminal responsibility from the highest-level officials.

CNN is trying to reach the Syrian government for comment.

The Syrian government has long been accused of war crimes, but it has repeatedly insisted its strikes target terrorists. It has denied using chemical weapons.

We have never used our chemical arsenal in our history, Assad said in 2017. He added that morally the Syrian government would never do this because its not acceptable.
(CNN)  Israel said its military launched a targeted operation against Hamas early Wednesday morning inside Gazas largest hospital, where thousands of Palestinians are believed to be sheltering.

Conditions at Al-Shifa Hospital, which has run out of fuel and is no longer considered operational, have deteriorated rapidly in recent days amid intense fighting, with doctors warning of a catastrophic situation for patients, staff and displaced people still inside. Wednesdays raid sparked international criticism.

In a statement posted online, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it had begun a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the Shifa Hospital.

Khader Al-Zaanoun, a reporter for the Palestinian news agency Wafa, described scenes of heavy fighting to CNN.

Explosions are shaking the buildings of Al-Shifa Hospital  which is besieged from all four directions, following the launching of rocket and artillery shells in the vicinity of the hospital, he said in a text message.

Al Zaanoun said Israeli forces had invaded the hospital with large numbers of soldiers and military vehicles, including tanks, armored vehicles, troop carriers, and bulldozers, adding they were preventing anyone from leaving.

A senior Israeli defense official, speaking with journalists earlier on Wednesday, said Israeli soldiers were in the buildings conducting search and interrogation operations with the young men amidst intense and violent gunfire inside the hospital. He added that the Israeli army is calling on the young men through megaphones to raise their hands, come out, and surrender themselves.

Hamas government media office has since claimed that Al-Shifa is under the control of Israeli forces. We hold the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the lives and safety of medical personnel, the wounded, the sick, premature children, and the displaced, it said in a statement.

Israel has not commented on whether it has full control of Al-Shifa.

However, in a briefing delivered almost 12 hours into the raid, a senior Israeli defense official said soldiers had uncovered weapons at the hospital, a claim Hamas dismissed as a blatant lie and cheap propaganda.

Israeli radio said in a report earlier in the day that the army has so far found no indication of hostages inside the hospital.

Israel accuses Hamas of using the large hospital complex for military purposes which, it claimed in a statement Wednesday, jeopardizes the hospitals protected status under international law.

Hamas and hospital officials have consistently rejected Israels claims that Hamas has built a command center under the hospital.

Hours before the raid, the White House and the Pentagon said Hamas is storing weapons and operating a command center from the hospital.

The Pentagon said the US has newly declassified intelligence that claims to show that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad were using hospitals  including Al-Shifa  as a way to conceal and support their military operations and hold hostages.

However, John Kirby, a National Security Council spokesman said later that Washington had not signed-off on the specific operation around Al-Shifa Hospital and nor did it approve any of Israels military plans. It was not a focus of US President Joe Bidens phone call on Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Kirby said.

He reiterated that the US believes Israel should not target hospitals in Gaza from the air and that civilians should be protected from the crossfire.

Human rights bodies fiercely condemned Israels raid on Al-Shifa, as the World Health Organization and Palestinian health officials warned they have lost communication with staff inside the hospital.

International pressure on the Israeli government has hardened in recent days amid accounts of dire circumstances at Gazas other fuel-starved hospitals, and severe shortages of food and water.

The United Nations Emergency Relief Coordinator Martin Griffiths said he was appalled by reports of military raids in Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza.

The protection of newborns, patients, medical staff and all civilians must override all other concerns. Hospitals are not battlegrounds, Griffiths said on the platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

Meanwhile, the Ramallah-based Palestinian Minister of Health, Mai Al-Kaila, said the Israeli militarys storming of Al-Shifa is a crime against humanity, while the Jordanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called it a violation of international humanitarian law.

30-minute warning

The IDF said in a statement on Wednesday that it had warned for weeks that Hamas continued military use of the Shifa hospital jeopardizes its protected status.

It said it had also notified the relevant authorities on Tuesday that all military activities within the hospital must stop within 12 hours.

But a doctor inside Al-Shifa told CNN they were given just 30 minutes warning before the Israeli operation began.

We were asked to stay clear of the windows and the balconies. We can hear the armored vehicles, they are very close to the entrance of the complex, Dr. Khaled Abu Samra said.

Neonatal babies in Al-Shifa hospital are in severe danger as conditions deteriorate further, Gaza hospitals director general Zaqout said.

On evacuating the hospitalwe have said numerous times there is no place to move 40 incubators outside the hospital, Zaqout said.

CNN could not independently confirm his assessment of the situation. But CNN previously reported on pictures released by Al-Shifa that showed newborn babies taken off failed incubators and wrapped in foil in a desperate bid to keep them alive after oxygen supplies ran out.

Hundreds of staff and patients are still inside Al-Shifa, according to the most recent reports from the hospital, along with several thousand who have sought shelter from Israels air and ground offensive.

The Israeli statement said, The IDF is conducting a ground operation in Gaza to defeat Hamas and rescue our hostages. Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the civilians in Gaza.

A statement from Hamas blamed both Israel and the United States for the Israeli army raid on the hospital. By supporting what it called Israels false narrative  that Hamas was using Al-Shifa as a command and control base  it said the US had given Israel, a green light  to commit more massacres against civilians.

Israel declared war on Hamas, the Palestinian militant group that controls Gaza, and launched a complete siege of the enclave following Hamas terror attacks in Israel on October 7. An estimated 1,200 people were killed in Hamas attacks, and about 240 taken hostage, most of whom remain captive in Gaza.

Since then, the Israeli response has killed at least 11,255 Palestinians  including 4,630 children  according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in Ramallah, which draws on medical sources in Gaza.

Screams of older people and cries of children

People inside Al-Shifa have lost contact with other buildings in the complex, jeopardizing efforts by humanitarian workers and Palestinian officials to receive updated information about the catastrophic conditions faced by terrorized patients and medical staff.

Omar Zaqout, the supervisor of the ER department, said people were sheltering inside the buildings and staying away from windows and doors.

We dont know what is going on outside, all were hearing are explosions, gunfire, screams of older people and cries of children, Zaqout added.

He said Israeli soldiers were present in buildings around the ER and that he had earlier witnessed people handcuffed, stripped from their clothes and blindfolded. CNN is not on the ground and cannot independently verify his account. CNN has also reached out to the IDF for comment on these allegations but has yet to hear back.

Zaqout, the director general of hospitals in Gaza, alleged the IDF interrogated medical teams, patients and their escorts.

Some of the escorts were forced to take their clothes off, said Zaqout, who is not at the hospital but spoke to the doctors inside.

IDF spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari claimed Israeli forces include medical teams and Arabic speakers, who have undergone specified training to prepare for this complex and sensitive environment with the intent that no harm is caused to the civilians. CNN cannot verify Hagaris claims.

For his part, Zaqout insisted that all the people inside the hospital are civilians. The situation is currently horrific.

Earlier this week, doctors and journalists described desperate efforts to keep premature babies alive and limited procedures taking place by candlelight, as food, milk and water runs out.

Hospital director Mohammad Abu Salmiya told Al Jazeera there are plans to bury more than 150 bodies, but he was worried the grave would not be large enough. Al-Zaanoun, the Wafa reporter told CNN, the smell of dead people is unbearable, most of the bodies are of women and children.

In recent days, 15 patients have died at Al-Shifa, among them six newborns, due to power outages and a shortage of medical supplies, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Ramallah, which draws its figures from the Hamas-controlled territory.

Egyptian health minister Khaled Abdel Ghaffar said Tuesday they are working to bring 36 newborns from Al-Shifa to Egypt, though such a transfer would be dangerous.

The World Health Organization has recorded at least 137 attacks on health facilities in Gaza, which it said resulted in 521 deaths and 686 injuries.

Other protected sites, like schools, civilian shelters, and United Nations facilities have already been damaged or destroyed in over a month of Israeli airstrikes. On Monday, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced that over 100 UN staffers had been killed in Gaza since fighting began  the most in the United Nations history.
Patrons couldnt grab a peppermint mocha from the Overland Park Starbucks off 75th Street and Interstate 35 on Thursday.

Or any drink, for that matter.

The coffee shop at 10201 W. 75th St. closed after its baristas walked out in protest over working conditions. The strike began at 7 a.m. and fell on Red Cup Day (Nov. 16), a day in which customers who order a holiday drink receive a free, reusable red cup.

But some employees view the promotional holiday as infamously hard and often understaffed, according to a statement from Starbucks Workers United. So baristas in more than 200 stores across the nation chose Red Cup Day to strike after two years of attempting to bargain with the company, which has yet to sign a contract with any of its unionized stores, according to the Associated Press.

(A statement from Starbucks contends that the number of stores affected by the walkouts is under 100.)

Union organizers have said Thursdays walkouts are the largest Starbucks strikes yet and estimate 5,000 workers participated across the country, according to AP. The strike was expected to last one day.

UAW members are standing with striking @SBWU75 workers in Overland Park, Kansas, for today's #RedCupRebellion pic.twitter.com/5MhumwOTbg  UAW (@UAW) November 16, 2023

Among Starbucks Workers Uniteds demands: higher wages, expanded paid time off and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.

Stores in Lawrence and St. Louis also participated in the strikes.

Just before noon Thursday, cars pulling into the Overland Park drive-thru were met with silence. Signs posted around the store said it was temporarily closed. A few managers remained inside but declined to speak to The Star.

75th I-35 SBWU  the Overland Park stores union  posted numerous photos and videos of workers holding up signs outside the cafe that read, No contract no coffee, and Honk for workers rights.

The union did not return The Stars request for comment. Employees at that store participated in a walkout in March 2022, as well as the national Red Cup Day protest last year, which affected 110 stores.

At the March protest, workers said they felt management was trying to intimidate them after they unionized that year.

When theyre talking to us, theyre talking about us losing our hours, which means losing our benefits and possibly not being able to pay our bills, a barista told The Star then.

On Thursday, Starbucks sent The Star a statement in response to questions about the protest, which read, in part: We have nearly 10,000 stores open right now delighting our customers with the joy of Red Cup Day.  Our stores are often provided additional labor hours to augment staffing in support of planned promotional days, including for Red Cup Day.
(CNN)  Since Hamas launched its brazen October 7 attacks and Israel responded with intensive air strikes and a ground offensive, both sides have been accused of war crimes.

The conflict is covered by a complex system of international law developed after World War II, which attempts to balance humanitarian concerns and the military requirements of states. Delivering justice would be the work of many organizations over many years, but the process has already begun.

So who will decide if war crimes have been committed, what will the criteria be, and will anyone ever be held to account?

Which laws apply to the conflict?

Conflicts are governed by two bodies of law. The first, the law on the use of force, aims to prevent conflict by dictating the conditions under which states may resort to force.

The second, called the law of armed conflict (LOAC) or international humanitarian law (IHL), regulates the conduct of states during war and seeks to limit suffering once they have begun.

Modern IHL is built around the 1949 Geneva Conventions, which have been ratified by almost all UN members. The conventions have since been supplemented by Additional Protocols and by rulings at international tribunals.

Israel, however, has not ratified the first and second additional protocols, which were introduced in 1977 to cover areas like collective punishments and the use of new weapons. But since these provisions are considered a norm of customary international law, they are nonetheless binding on all states.

Some dispute whether international law applies to non-state actors like Hamas. But the State of Palestine  which is how the Palestinians are represented at the UN as a non-member observer  has acceded to the Geneva Conventions and its three additional protocols. Given this, Hamas  which governs a Palestinian territory  must comply with their terms. The State of Palestine is also a signatory to the Rome statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC), meaning Hamas leaders are accountable for war crimes.

Is there evidence of war crimes in the fighting between Hamas and Israel?

Not all violations of international humanitarian law constitute a war crime. A war crime is an especially grave violation of IHL. A UN report said last month said it was collecting evidence of war crimes in the wake of Hamas indiscriminate massacre of civilians and its abduction of more than 200 hostages.

The report said Israel may be committing the war crime of collective punishment, after officials ordered the complete siege of Gaza. A number of prominent human rights groups concur with the UNs assessment.

When he visited the Rafah Crossing from Egypt into Gaza, Volker Turk, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, called the October 7 attacks atrocities, saying they  and the holding of hostages  were war crimes.

But he added the collective punishment by Israel of Palestinian civilians amounts also to a war crime, as does the unlawful forcible evacuation of civilians.

Some have argued Israels actions in Gaza constitute genocide. In an open letter, a group of UN experts said they remain convinced that the Palestinian people are at grave risk of genocide, although the crime is harder to prove under international law.

Other experts warn that Israels response, which has involved the displacement of more than a million Gazans from the north of the strip, poses a danger of becoming ethnic cleansing. However, ethnic cleansing still lacks a precise legal definition, and it is not recognized as an independent crime under international law.

What does proportionality mean?

Article 51 of the UN charter, which governs the use of force, gives states the right of self-defense, provided the force they use is necessary and proportionate. Proportionality is not about inflicting symmetrical harm. It means the defending state cannot use more force than is needed to respond to a threat.

Legal experts argue that Israel has considerable scope to respond to Hamas October 7 attack, and that its stated aim to destroy Hamas can be justified under international law.

The incidents of October 7 alone triggered the right of Israel to resort to military force and to put an end to the fighting wing of Hamas, Michael Schmitt, a professor of international law at the University of Reading in the United Kingdom, told CNN.

Hamas has shown no intention to relent. Its founding charter mandates the killing of Jews and the destruction of the state of Israel. In an interview shortly after October 7, Ghazi Hamad, a senior Hamas leader, told a Lebanese TV channel: We will do this again and again. He said the attack was just the first time, and there will be a second, a third, a fourth.

While many consider Israels aim to destroy Hamas legitimate, others fear the force required to achieve this would be disproportionate.

The mainstream view in international law is that the only legitimate aim of self-defense is halting and repelling an ongoing armed attack, or perhaps preventing an imminent armed attack. Typically, the total destruction of the enemy would not be necessary to achieve that goal, Adil Haque, a law professor at Rutgers University in the United States, told CNN.

Some would argue that Hamass intent and capacity to launch future attacks makes it necessary to destroy it completely. But I would argue that the total harm this path would inflict on civilians renders it disproportionate. Israel has to settle for less than total victory.

Israel must abide by a second type of proportionality under international humanitarian law. Under IHL, all states must minimize civilian casualties. Intentionally directing attacks against civilians is always illegal, but an attack that kills civilians incidentally can be legal if it achieves a military purpose, provided the harm caused to civilians is not excessive in relation to the military advantage anticipated.

When deciding whether to strike a target, Schmitt said commanders consult lawyers to complete proportionality calculations. Here, officials weigh expected civilian harm against expected military advantage. The greater the military advantage, the greater harm to civilians can be considered proportionate.

Schmitt, a former targeting officer and judge advocate in the US Air Force, said this calculation is the hardest decision a commander can make on the battlefield, because theres no bright-line test.

Aurel Sari, a law professor at the University of Exeter in the UK, told CNN that, in his experience, the IDF engages lawyers from the very beginning in pre-planned attacks. They would have a lot of intelligence and then therefore be able to have a fairly robust understanding of the military advantages that theyre seeking to achieve and, equally, also have a fairly robust understanding of the civilian harm that they may be causing, he said.

The legality of a strike must be judged on the basis of information available at the time, rather than with hindsight. This makes forming a judgment on a particular strike a fraught task, due to the lack of information about how the IDF assesses the threshold for civilian casualties.

The sheer scale of Israels bombardment  which has destroyed nearly half of Gazas housing  could suggest Israels definition of military targets is at best loose and at worst potentially criminal.

The amount of destruction is very, very significant, said Sari. I think its important and entirely appropriate to ask questions, robust questions, as to whether Israel is in all of these cases complying with its obligations. That is ultimately something for the IDF to answer.

Can Israel target hospitals and refugee camps?

Israels targeting of civilian areas like hospitals has caused unimaginable suffering and drawn fierce criticism. After its strikes on the Jabalya refugee camp, which destroyed several buildings and, according to the Hamas-controlled Interior Ministry, killed hundreds, the UN said the attack could amount to a war crime, given the high number of civilian casualties and the scale of destruction.

While none dispute the horror of such attacks, legal experts are divided over whether they necessarily violate IHL.

It is entirely legitimate and completely understandable to abhor the catastrophic consequences inflicted upon the civilian population as a result of the attack on the Jabalia refugee camp, wrote Brian Cox, an adjunct law professor at Cornell University in the US, in a recent paper. As unimaginably horrifying as those effects are, this reality alone does not render the attack illegal.

Civilian buildings are protected under IHL, but protection is not unconditional. They can lose their protection if they are used outside of their humanitarian function to commit acts harmful to the enemy, Cordula Droege, chief legal officer of the International Committee of the Red Cross, explained in a video. Using buildings like hospitals to house combatants and weapons can turn civilian objects into legitimate military targets.

Hamas has long been known to station military operations inside buildings like hospitals  a practice known as human shielding. Human shielding is a war crime  but also a common military tactic during asymmetrical warfare.

Its clear that Hamas is outgunned by the Israelis  in a big way, Schmitt told CNN. Unable to match the IDFs strike capabilities, it aims instead to deter it from striking at all. The more civilians that can be put in harms way, the less likely is an attack to be proportionate  and so the more likely it is to be unlawful. Hamas tactic apparently is to make it as hard as possible for Israel to strike them without violating  or at least without appearing to violate  international law.

Human shielding is a horrific practice, but there is military utility to it, said Schmitt, the law professor. That is exactly why Hamas is encouraging people not to leave Gaza City. 

And so it is possible for both sides to violate IHL in the same instance: Hamas by using human shields, and Israel by launching a disproportionate strike. The former violation does not excuse or permit the latter; any strike must abide by the principle of proportionality.

In response to the Jabalya strikes, the IDF said it achieved significant military advantages, damaging Hamas tunnels and killing dozens of its operatives, including Ibrahim Biari, a commander the IDF said was responsible for the October 7 attack. But whether the civilian harm caused by the strike was greater than the IDF expected, or whether it decided ex ante that such a level of destruction was nonetheless proportionate, is not clear.

Ultimately, however, the conflict may reach a point where such distinctions seem beside the point. An act can be legally justified and morally abhorrent. And even if the IDF can justify particular strikes under IHL, its actions may become constrained by public opinion. Huge pro-Palestinian demonstrations have been held across the globe, causing even Israels staunchest allies to temper their support as its window of perceived legitimacy shrinks.

Even if a targeted strike may be justifiable from a legal perspective, first impressions frame the narrative, noted a 2019 NATO report on Hamas use of human shields in Gaza. Public opinion tends to be influenced more by images depicting the suffering of innocent civilians than by well-thought-out legal arguments.

Who will rule on whether war crimes have been committed?

The ICC is an international court established to investigate individuals accused of committing the most serious crimes, such as war crimes. It steps in when governments are unable or unwilling to investigate alleged crimes committed on their soil. It opened in The Hague in 2002, but many of the worlds major powers  including the US, China and Russia  are not members.

Israel is not a member of the ICC and rejects the courts jurisdiction. That has not stopped the court from investigating its actions in the occupied Palestinian territories. Fatou Bensouda, then the ICCs prosecutor, spent five years conducting a painstaking preliminary examination and concluded she was satisfied that war crimes have been or are being committed in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, and the Gaza Strip. But no arrests were made, and Bensouda left office in 2021.

While every government and military decision-maker must ensure they abide by international law, it is the job of the ICC to prove they have failed to do so.

Karim Khan, the current ICC prosecutor, said the acts committed by Hamas on October 7 are serious violations, if proven, of international humanitarian law. But he stressed Israel has clear obligations in relation to its war with Hamas: Not just moral obligations, but legal obligations Its there in the Geneva Conventions. Its there in black and white.
From the The Morning Dispatch on The Dispatch

Happy Thursday! As you and yours begin to put together your Christmas lists this year, let us offer a little unsolicited advice. A recently sterilized hippopotamusdescended from the very creatures brought to Colombia by the late drug kingpin Pablo Escobarwill not do.

Quick Hits: Todays Top Stories

President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met Wednesday for the first time in a year at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco and held conversations in whichaccording to Bidenreal progress repairing their relationship was made. The White House announced a resumption of military-to-military communications with China, as well as a bilateral agreement to combat illegal drug trafficking and a shared commitment to working together to tackle climate change. Still, Biden underscored the divide that remains between the two leaders. Well, look, hes a dictator in the sense that he is a guy who runs a country that is a communist country thats based on a form of government totally different than ours, Biden said in a press conference after the meeting. Anyway, we made progress.

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported Wednesday on Irans nuclear activity, detailing the growth in the countrys weapons-grade enriched uranium stockpile. The reportshared confidentially with IAEA member states and seen by the Associated Presssaid that Iran has an estimated 128.3 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60 percent purity, an increase of 6.7 kilograms since the September report. The current stockpileonce enriched to 90 percent puritycould fuel three nuclear weapons.

A U.S. Navy destroyer in the Red Sea on Wednesday shot down a drone headed toward the ship. Military officials say the drone originated from Yemen, but did not indicate whether the Houthi rebels were responsible. The [USS Thomas] Hudners crew engaged and shot down the drone to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, the Defense Department said in a statement. There were no U.S. casualties or any damage to the ship. Last week, the Houthis shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Red Sea.

Former President Donald Trumps lawyers on Wednesday requested a mistrial in the New York civil fraud case involving Trumps real estate and financial statements, citing a tangible and overwhelming bias against their client. Given the demonstrable partisan bias present on the bench at trial, the only way to maintain public confidence in a truly independent and impartial judiciary and the rule of law is to bring these proceedings to an immediate halt, Trumps attorneys wrote in their filing. Judge Arthur Engoron, who presides over the case and will ultimately rule on a mistrial, gave the New York attorney generals office until Thursday to respond to the request.

Retiring Sen. Joe Manchin of West Virginia said Wednesday that he is absolutely considering running for president in 2024 and will travel the country in the coming months to see if there is a desire for a moderate option in the presidential contest. Im totally, absolutely scared to death that Donald Trump would become president again, Manchin told NBC News. Manchin also addressed concerns that he could siphon votes away from President Joe Biden. Ive never been a spoiler in my life of anything, he said, and I would never be a spoiler now.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie announced Wednesday that he had met the donor threshold80,000 unique individualsto qualify for the fourth GOP presidential debate to be held at the University of Alabama on December 6. His campaign pointed to two national polls where Christie met the 6 percent polling threshold, but its unclear if the Republican National Committee will accept the polls as valid to fulfill the qualifying criteria. Trump, Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, former U.N. Ambassador Nikki Haley, and businessman Vivek Ramaswamy also appear to have qualified for the upcoming debatethough it is once again unlikely that Trump will participate.

New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy announced yesterday that she will run to unseat Democratic Sen. Bob Menendez in 2024. Murphy joins Rep. Andy Kim as the second well-known Democrat in the state to challenge Menendez in the wake of the senators indictment on bribery charges.

Post-Panda Diplomacy

U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk together after a meeting during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' week in Woodside, California, on November 15, 2023. (Photo by BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images)

Striking up a conversation with someone you havent spoken to in a year can be a little awkward under any circumstances, but its probably worse if that person also flew a spy balloon over your country and took your pandas.

Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Franciscotheir first meeting in a yearin an effort to mend a relationship that has deteriorated in recent months. Biden announced modest agreements on several issues during a solo press conference following the summit, including the resumption of some military-to-military communications, cooperation to stem the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals and pill presses to the Western Hemisphere, and setting guardrails around military applications of artificial intelligence. But despite limited success around the edges of the relationship, intractable disagreementslike the reality of Chinas aggressive posture toward Taiwanremain.

The last time Biden and Xi spoke was in November 2022 during a three-hour meeting in Bali, Indonesia, at a Group of 20 leaders summit. That tete-a-tete was colored by discord over Beijings suspension of communications with the U.S. military in retaliation for then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosis August 2022 visit to Taiwana self-governing island China claims as its ownand relations between the two countries only worsened from there. In February, the U.S. shot down a Chinese spy balloon after it traversed the entire North American continent, causing Secretary of State Antony Blinken to cancel a planned visit to Beijing.

But the balloon wasnt the only instance of reported Chinese spying in the last 10 months. This past April, federal prosecutors pressed charges against two men accused of running a Chinese police outpost in New York City aimed at intimidating Chinese dissidents living in the U.S. The next month, the world learned of the existence of a Chinese listening station in Cuba, which almost scuttled Blinkens rescheduled trip to Beijing. Over the summer, the U.S. government discovered a widespread Beijing-directed hack of unclassified State Department computer systems and those of key figures managing the U.S.-China relationship in the Biden administration, including Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo (whose department is behind export controls on various Chinese goods). Separately, prosecutors in August indicted two U.S. sailors stationed on naval bases in California for sharing sensitive military informationincluding the specs of ships and plans for U.S. military exercises in the Indo-Pacificwith their Chinese handlers in exchange for cash bribes. Only days after the indictments, a flotilla of 11 Russian and Chinese ships came shockingly close to U.S. sovereign waters off the coast of Alaskas Aleutian Islands.

The provocative patrol was itself part of a much larger trend of risky Chinese military maneuvers involving U.S. military planes and vessels. Last month, the Pentagon declassified the details of more than a dozen coercive and risky maneuvers by Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA) pilots against U.S. aircraft since the beginning of 2022, including encounters that had Chinese jets some 10 feet away from American planes performing lawful flights in international airspace. Several PLA ships have cut it similarly close with U.S. vessels in international waters, and last month a Chinese vessel rammed a Filipino coast guard boat and a supply ship bound for a contested shoalin the Filipino exclusive economic zone but which China claimsin the South China Sea.

Amid all of this activity, the Biden administration spent the summer performing a diplomatic blitz to try to get the relationship back on a stable footing. Blinken, Raimondo, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, CIA Director William Burns, climate envoy John Kerry, and others at lower levels of the federal bureaucracy made trips to Beijing that seemed to yield few concrete results.

At the outset of Wednesdays meeting, the two leaders seemed to still be on different pages about the very nature of their countries relationship. We have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict, Biden said. Just moments later, Xi remarked, I am still of the view that major-country competition is not the prevailing trend of current times and cannot solve the problems facing China and the United States or the world at large.

If they were talking past each other when the meeting started, Biden suggested in a solo press conference following the bilateral summit that the two had nevertheless reached some agreements, calling their discussion their most constructive and productive yeteven as he later referred to Xi as a dictator.

China curtailing military-to-military communications had proved a vexing issue for the Biden administration, especially as Chinese jets and vessels instigated near-miss after near-miss with U.S. planes and ships, increasing the likelihood of a serious mishap. But Wednesday, Biden announced the resumption of communications between the Pentagon and Chinese defense ministry, including eventually at the defense secretary and defense minister level. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is currently without a counterpart after the previous defense minister, Li Shangfu, was removed last month with little official explanation.

The Chinese reversalmore than a year in the makingcould be a course correction after the U.S. proved less risk-averse in international waters and airspace than originally estimated. Beijing may have previously assumed that, if they make the cost high enough [to operate in the region], that it would change the calculus for either the U.S. or its allies in the region, explained Jeremy Chan, a China and geopolitics analyst at the Eurasia Group. If they thought that this was going to drive out the U.S. and its allies from the theater, they have been in for a rude awakening.

But the importance of reestablishing those crisis hotlines could be overstated. Its something thats good to havetalking to one another is better than not talking, David Sacks, a fellow for Asia Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, told TMD. But we have fundamentally different conceptions of what military-to-military talks are and what they should be used for. And thats not going to change. So if there is a crisis between the United States and China, I wouldnt bet on anybody picking up the phone on the other end.

Biden also announced the pair had agreed to reestablish counternarcotics cooperationwhich China originally halted after Pelosis August 2022 Taiwan tripon fentanyl, the potent synthetic opioid responsible for 107,000 American deaths in 2021. The Biden administration is looking to encourage Beijing to crack down on companies that export fentanyl precursor chemicals and counterfeit pill presses that disguise fentanyl-laced drugs as legitimate medications to Mexico, the largest exporter of fentanyl to the U.S. Though publicly released details on how the Biden administrations plans are thin, several outlets reported they may include lifting some restrictions placed on Chinas Institute of Forensic Science. The Commerce Department in 2020 placed the institute on its so-called entity list, which functionally barred it from receiving any U.S. exports, for what the U.S. considers the institutes involvement in persecuting Uyghurs and other minorities in China. After a bipartisan delegation to China last month, GOP Sen. Bill Cassidy told The Dispatchs Haley Byrd Wilt that Chinese officials were adamant sanctions on this agency be lifted before any progress on fentanyl was made.

But Sacks, the fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, doesnt see yesterdays agreement as likely to last. This is something that China clearly views as a favor that it gives to the United States, he told TMD. Thats why China quickly suspended all cooperation on this issue after Speaker Pelosi visited Taiwan. And so, in that sense, if theres another major kind of issue in U.S.-China relations, I would expect China to do the same thing again. So I think that all of these deliverables are quite fickle, and things that China will cancel and then kind of dangle again to resume them.

Though Biden also touted setting up artificial intelligence guardrails as another area of agreement, the two countriesas well as 25 other signatorieshad acknowledged the potentially catastrophic effects of the technology already this month at a summit in the United Kingdom.

The question remained whether Xi could be trusted to fulfill his end of the deal on these areas of purported agreement, given everything thats happened in the last year alone. Trust but verify, as the old saying goes, Biden said during last nights press conference, during which he often stumbled over his words and frequently seemed to be reading from cue cards.

While not at top of mind in Bidens presser, the island of Taiwanwhich Biden has several times said the U.S. would defend, in seeming contradiction of the U.S.s own policy of strategic ambiguity on the questionis nonetheless a major sticking point in the U.S.-China relationship. Beijing has increased military and economic pressure on the island democracyconducting exercises in the Taiwan Strait that runs between the island and mainland Chinaover the last several years, while Washington has increased its cooperation, including weapons sales, with Taipei.

Taiwanese presidential elections set to take place in January could ratchet up tensions even more. The current frontrunner, Vice President Lai Ching-te, who goes by the English name William, is more hawkish than his opponents and even than his own partys president when it comes to the question of the islands independence. Lai Ching-te clings stubbornly to the separatist position for Taiwan independence, the Chinese Foreign Ministry said of him earlier this year. He is a troublemaker through and through.

Biden himself was less explicit yesterday than hes been in the past in affirming his support for the island, underscoring the U.S. One China Policy, which acknowledges the Chinese position. He dodged the question of whether the U.S. would defend the islandand that subtle shift may be noticed in Beijing and Taipei, Sacks argues: If he doesnt say it, itll be seen as a softening of the U.S. position on that, and raises questions about U.S. resolve and, in my view, weakens deterrence.

The disconnect between the U.S. and China on the question of Taiwan may illustrate how the meeting was only able to nibble around the edges of the problems in the bilateral relationship. Even if the meeting temporarily succeeded at lowering the temperature between the two countries, American and Chinese leadership remain far apart on a host of vital issues. When you look at any of the major geopolitical issues in the world, were on opposite sides of pretty much all of them, Sacks said. And thats not going to change because of this meeting. Chinas not going to stop supporting Putin, and Chinas not going to stop its coercion of Taiwan, and its not going to stop supporting North Korea. I think thats just a fact of life, and it will be for the foreseeable future.

Worth Your Time

Kite & Keys latest explainer video envisions a world in which China has launched an invasion of Taiwan, and wonders if the United States military is adequately equipped to respond: In several wargame simulations of the conflict, America lost. In the more optimistic ones  we fought to a stalemate. How did we get here? First, theres the matter of our military hardware. The Navy, for instance, is so backlogged on maintaining its fleet that its the equivalent of 15 ships being out of service each year. Then theres the question of manpower. The Army, Air Force, and Navy are all falling short of recruitment goals. And thats all before we get to the fact that even the Pentagon admits that China has surpassed the U.S. on several important measures of military strength. Where does that leave us? Vulnerable.

Presented Without Comment

White House pool report: Biden wished Xis wife a happy birthdayshe and Biden share the same birthday. Xi said he was embarrassed, had been working so hard and had forgotten that his wifes birthday was next week. He thanked Biden for reminding him, per the [senior administration official].

Also Presented Without Comment

NBC News: Police and Pro-Palestinian Demonstrators Clash at DNC Headquarters

Also Also Presented Without Comment

Bloomberg: Half of Russians Want Putin to End War in Ukraine, Poll Shows

Toeing the Company Line

In the newsletters: Scott explored () the demographic challenges of our aging population, the Dispatch Politics crew covered the beginning of Dean Phillips presidential campaign in New Hampshire, Jonah argued that () calls for a ceasefire implicitly support Hamas, and Nick unpacked () how Kevin McCarthy is dealing with the loss of the speakership.

On the podcasts: Jonah is joined by Alexandra Hudson on The Remnant to discuss her new book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, Sarah and David respond to comments on Bari Weiss Federalist Society speech and discuss the new SCOTUS ethics code, and Steve and Sarah return to their bet on the latest episode of High Steaks ().

On the site: Bennett Murray, reporting from the trenches outside Bakhmut, explains how do-it-yourself (DIY) tech is changing the battlefield in Ukraine and Emma Rogers breaks down how U.S. oversight of Ukraine aid works.

Let Us Know

Should the Biden administration continue its attempts to thaw relations with Xis government? Do you think a larger conflict between China and the United States is inevitable?

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Chinese President Xi Jinping hinted on Wednesday night that he may send more pandas to the U.S., referring to them as envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. According to ABC7, China lends pandas to more than 20 nations as signs of friendship in an effort sometimes called panda diplomacy, but the country has not made new offers to the U.S. for two decades. The Associated Press reported that when relations between the two nations worsened in recent years, allegations that U.S. zoos were mistreating the pandas emerged on Chinas social media platforms. But in a speech delivered in San Francisco, just hours after Xi had positive meetings with President Joe Biden on topics such as anti-narcotics efforts and the resumption of military communications, the Chinese president said: We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two people.

Read it at Associated Press

Read more at The Daily Beast.
Chinese leader Xi Jinping suggested Wednesday China could send new pandas to the United States, calling them envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples, in the latest gesture aimed at easing fraught ties between the two powers.

Ilearned that the San Diego Zoo and the Californians very much look forward to welcoming pandas back, Xi told American business leaders during a speech in San Francisco on Wednesday.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples.

Xi delivered the remarks hours after he held extensive talks with US President Joe Biden, where the two leaders made positive steps in stabilizing rocky relations between the worlds top two economies.

China loans pandas to more than 20 countries around the world as envoys of friendship from Beijing  a program thats often referred to as panda diplomacy.

Over the past decade, Xi has approved new panda loans across Europe, including to Germany, the Netherlands, Denmark and Finland. Last year, China sent a pair of pandas to Qatar, in the first loan to a Middle Eastern country.

In contrast, China has not granted any new panda loans to the US for two decades.

Pandas have served as something of an unofficial barometer of China-US relations since 1972, when Beijing gifted a pair of the bears to the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C. following US President Richard Nixons historic ice-breaking trip to China.

Earlier this month, three last remaining pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo  Tian Tian, Mei Xiang and their youngest cub, Xiao Qi Ji  were returned to China, marking the end of more than 50 years of Chinese pandas being housed at the zoo.

Their departure leaves Zoo Atlanta as the only other US zoo to feature pandas from China. The contracts for Atlantas four bears is set to expire next year, with no word on an extension.

Recently, the three pandas at Smithsonians National Zoo in Washington D.C. have returned to China. I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off, Xi said at the dinner event Wednesday.

The Chinese leader did not offer additional details on where any future Chinese pandas might be sent, but suggested California would be the most likely destination.

The San Diego Zoo returned its last two pandas to China in 2019, after the loan agreement concluded.

Xi arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday for a four-day visit that includes his attendance at the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation international forum. Its also the Chinese leaders first trip to the US in more than six years.

The four-hour long meeting between Xi and Biden on Wednesday was the first time the two leaders have spoken since November 2022, when they met on the sidelines of another international gathering in Bali, Indonesia.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
(CNN)  A 65-year-old Israeli woman who was kidnapped by Hamas militants on October 7 has been found dead near Gazas Al-Shifa hospital, the Israeli military said Thursday.

The body of Yehudit Weiss, a resident of kibbutz Beeri, was found by Israeli soldiers in Gaza City and brought back to Israel, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said in a statement.

The statement did not detail how or when she had been killed, but said military, medical and rabbinate personnel had identified the body and informed her family.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a televised news briefing that Hamas had killed Weiss. He did not offer further details of the precise cause of her death.

Unfortunately, Yehudit was murdered by the terrorists in the Gaza Strip, and we didnt reach her on time, he said.

The IDF sends its heartfelt condolences to the family, the earlier IDF statement said. The national task before our eyes is to locate the missing and return the abducted persons home.

Weiss was among more than 200 people taken hostage by Hamas during its terror attack on October 7, when its fighters poured into southern Israel and killed more than 1,200 people. Weisss husband, Shmuel, was among those killed.

The IDF said her body had been recovered from what it called a structure near to the Al-Shifa hospital, where the IDF on Wednesday launched what it called a precise and targeted operation against Hamas, which it says has been using the hospital for military purposes.

Hamas and hospital officials have consistently rejected Israels claims that Hamas has built a command center under the hospital.

The IDF also claimed in its statement that in the structure in which Yehudit was located, military equipment including Kalashnikov rifles and RPGs were also found.

The Israeli military also said Thursday that it had found an operational tunnel shaft inside the Shifa hospital complex and published a statement that included a photo and video purporting to show it.

CNN is unable to verify the claim.

Israel is under significant international pressure to prove its claims about Hamas infiltration of the hospital, in order to justify some of its military decisions, which could otherwise constitute a possible serious violation of international humanitarian law.

Kibbutz Beeri lies just a few kilometers from the Gaza Strip and its liberal community has been a frequent target of Hamas rockets fired from the enclave  usually intercepted by Israeli defenses.

But the kibbutz became the site of a massacre on October 7, as Hamas militants breached the compound and murdered more than 120 of its residents, including children, and kidnapped others.

The Hostages and Missing Persons Families Forum, a group established by the families of those abducted by Hamas, said Weiss was a 65-year-old grandmother.
UPDATE: Bedford County Public Schools announced that due to air quality concerns from the Matts Creek wildfire all county schools will be closed Friday. Amherst County Public Schools also announced that all county schools will be closed Friday and remote instruction will not take place.

EARLIER: The Matts Creek wildfire near Big Island has spread to 3,600 acres and is 2% contained, according to the U.S. Forest Service.

About 200 firefighters and support staff, eight fire crews, eight fire engines and three helicopters are resources responding, the latest update from the Forest Service states.

The fire started Sunday, its cause currently is undetermined, and it has caused smoke across the Lynchburg area, causing 911 call centers in Bedford and Amherst counties to be overwhelmed. Officials in Bedford and Amherst counties advise residents to only call 911 if they directly see flames or know the source of the fire.

The wildfire has caused a number of closures, including sections of the Appalachian Trail and the Blue Ridge Parkway. The parkway is closed from milepost 66.3 near U.S. 501 and milepost 85.9 at Virginia 43. Motorists should plan for detours from the north and south using adjacent routes and Interstate 81.

The wildfire is located within the James River Face Wilderness and is currently entirely on national forest land. Use caution, obey all road signs and be alert for firefighter vehicles and smoke while driving, the U.S. Forest Service advises.

Due to air quality issues Bedford County Public Schools dismissed Big Island Elementary School at 10:30 a.m. Thursday and will dismiss Liberty High School and Liberty Middle School at 1 p.m.
The Matts Creek wildfire five miles northwest of Big Island has grown to about 2,500 acres and is 0% contained as of Wednesday evening, according to a U.S. Forestry Service update.

The cause of the fire, which was first reported Sunday, is undetermined, according to the latest update from the U.S. Forest Service website for the George Washington and Jefferson National forests. Smoke has left a haze over parts of Bedford and Amherst counties as well as in Lynchburg.

About 80 firefighters and support staff have responded to the blaze, located south of U.S. 501 and the James River within the Jefferson National Forest. No structures have been threatened thus far.

The James River Face Wilderness and all associated trails, including a section of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, are closed to the public.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is now closed from milepost 66.3 near U.S. 501 to milepost 85.9 at Virginia 43 until further notice. Park visitors must detour using adjacent routes and Interstate 81, according to a National Parks Service news release. The closure is in place to help U.S. Forest Service crews as they battle the blaze.

Worsening smoke has affected the area and the parkways closure allows for crews to stage equipment and work to the south of the fires boundary, using parkway lands for access, the release said.

The Parkway is closed for all uses  including motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Jefferson National Forest officials are working with multiple area agencies in response to current and predicted weather and fuel conditions. Visitors should use extra caution recreating on public lands including national parks and national forests in Virginia and North Carolina when fire danger is increased.

The following areas are temporarily closed to allow for public and firefighter safety:

Appalachian Trail (Forest Trail #1) from James River Foot Bridge to Petites Gap Road (FR #35)

James River Foot Bridge Parking Lot

Matts Creek Trail (FT #4/Old A.T.)

Piney Ridge Trail (FT #2)

Balcony Falls Trail (FT #7)

Gunther Ridge Trail (FT #8)

Belfast Trail (FT #9)

Sulphur Springs Trail (FT #3001)

Crews will be onsite for the next several days working to contain the fire and make water drops via helicopter, according to a post on Amherst Countys official Facebook page. While smoke will affect Amherst County in upcoming days, there is currently no threat of the fire jumping the river into the county, the post said.

Bans on all outdoor burning are in effect in Bedford and Amherst counties, as well as the city of Lynchburg. Bedford Mayor Tim Black urged residents to adhere to the burn ban at Tuesdays Bedford Town Council meeting.

Its a very dangerous situation out there right now, very dry, Black said. Keep that in mind and help protect our community and surrounding area ...

For updates, visit https://inciweb.wildfire.gov/incident-information/vavaf-matts-creek-fire.
TOKYO, Nov 16 ( News On Japan ) - A Kabukicho host with the highest monthly sales in Tokyo's red light district has been arrested for assaulting a female customer who owed him money.

The 35-year-old host is suspected of punching the woman in her 30s in the face inside a car in September, threatening her with "You still have money, right?", before stealing 100,000 yen that he forced her to withdraw from an ATM.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the suspect became the number one host at his club in August. However, the woman had spent about 5 million yen in a month to contribute to his sales.

The host met with the woman to collect the debt and, after receiving 200,000 yen from her, he forced her to withdraw an additional 100,000 yen.

During the investigation, he admitted to hitting her and taking the cash but denied that he had intimidated her.
(CNN)  A sitting Ukrainian lawmaker who helped Rudy Giuliani smear Joe Biden during the 2020 US presidential campaign has been jailed on suspicion of treason, Ukraines State Bureau of Investigation announced Tuesday, in a statement accusing him of carrying out a Russian disinformation operation.

The statement did not name the lawmaker, but a source with the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) confirmed it was investigating Member of Parliament Oleksandr Dubinsky on suspicion of treason. The statement said the lawmaker carried out information-subversive activities in favor of the Russian Federation intended to destabilize and discredit Ukraine.

The SBU has also implicated two former Ukrainian officials in the pro-Russia scheme: ex-lawmaker Andrii Derkach and former prosecutor Kostiantyn Kulyk, who coordinated closely with Giuliani and other allies of former President Donald Trump to peddle false information about Biden and his familys dealings in Ukraine during the 2020 campaign.

The US government previously sanctioned Dubinsky, Derkach and Kulyk, accusing them of being affiliated with a Russia-linked foreign influence network that tried to interfere in the 2020 election in favor of Trump and to undermine Biden. That sanctions announcement came during the final weeks of the Trump administration.

When Giuliani went to Ukraine in 2019 to try to dig up dirt on then-candidate Biden and his son Hunter Biden, Dubinsky was one of the people he met with. Giuliani has also met with Derkach, who was featured prominently in a conspiracy-tinged documentary released by the right-wing network OAN about the Biden familys dealings in Ukraine.

For his part, Kulyk wrote a dossier of disinformation about the Bidens, including claims about Hunter Bidens role on the board of Burisma, a major Ukrainian energy company. Kulyk also gave interviews to pro-Trump journalists and hired former Trump lawyers to help him spread his message to US officials during Trumps first impeachment.

Their activities dovetailed with Trumps impeachment pushback. Trump embraced their claims, despite concerns that they were working for Moscow. With House Republicans now considering impeaching Biden, some of the GOP claims against him can be traced back to the smears promoted by the three Ukrainian officials now accused of treason.

The SBU said on Telegram that Derkach fled Ukraine on the eve of Russias full-scale invasion last year, and that Kulyk is in hiding, outside of the country. Neither has been arrested.

Anti-Biden information operations

Taken together, these developments add to existing allegations that Trumps inner circle worked with accused Russian operatives to smear Biden, his 2020 opponent. The US and Ukrainian governments have now both said these three Ukrainian officials participated in the Kremlins efforts to interfere with the 2020 US election.

The SBU on Monday released a video of testimony from Igor Kolesnikov, a former parliamentary aide who has been convicted of treason, saying that he managed a Russian intelligence operation overseen by the GRU (Russian military intelligence) that included Dubinsky and others aimed at undermining Ukraines relations with its allies.

In the video, Kolesnikov says he met a top GRU official in Moscow in 2019 and was directed to implement a set of information operations as press conferences, six in total, aimed at discrediting the current government, undermining Ukraines relations with strategic partners.

Dubinsky and Derkach later held a series of news conferences that amplified false narratives about corruption by the Biden family in Ukraine. They also promoted the untrue conspiracy theory that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 US presidential election to undermine Trump, contrasting with the reality that Russia meddled to help Trump win.

In his statement released by the SBU, Kolesnikov said he reported back to his Russian handlers after each news conference and they used their resources to maximize the dissemination of the press conference materials in the media and on the Internet.

This included translating the news conferences for foreign audiences. And the efforts to spread the material in the US paid off: In August 2020, Trump retweeted a post containing a propaganda audiotape released by Derkach as part of the effort to denigrate Biden.

In a statement on Telegram, Dubinsky denied the allegations and claimed the charges were politically motivated. Dubinsky accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his chief of staff Andriy Yermak of being responsible for a campaign to silence him.

I am convinced that Yermak-Zelenskys chaotic attempts to put me under arrest and ban me from running social networks are connected not only with my criticism of the president and his entourage, but also with the desire to prevent this information from reaching foreign media, Dubinsky said.

Derkach has previously denied working for the Kremlin. Kulyk has not commented publicly about the allegations.
Standing on some vacant ground at the Council Bluffs Municipal Airport recently, Andy Biller pointed to a nearby large mound of dirt being removed for a proposed development.

Here is the future of the airport, he said. This will accommodate future needs of airport hangar space in the metro area.

Biller was referring to a building offering much-needed hangar spots for private aircraft.

Were developing the ground for future hanger development, privately built, said Biller, executive director of the Council Bluffs Airport Authority.

The hanger expansion is just one example of how the airports growth for improved service has taken off.

Were one of the busiest airports in Iowa, Biller said, adding that the airport averages between 40,000 to 50,000 operations annually  such as an airplane taking off or landing.

The airport is located at 101 McCandless Lane near Iowa Western Community College. Its campus spans more than 600 acres, far larger than when it was built in the 1960s.

Biller said the airports mission statement is to serve general aviation as a regional airport in a safe and responsible manner. It aims to promote economic development while meeting customer needs.

The airport is by no means grounded when it comes to helping the local economy.

In its 2022 Aviation Economic Impact Report, the Iowa Department of Transportation found that the airport brings in $22 million in annual economic activity, which providing more than 70 on-airport jobs and 208 job impacts.

For every $1 invested in the airport, it generates multiple dollars in value, Biller said.

Airport operations attracted more than 14,600 visitors in 2022, the Iowa DOT report said.

Even the dirt removal for that proposed hanger building is providing a cost-saving benefit to the community. The airport is removing that dirt down to a runway level, Biller said, with the City of Council Bluffs using that excess dirt for its street improvement project on Stevens Road.

We had extra dirt and they need dirt, he said. We thought it was a tax-friendly effort.

Besides the proposed hangar project, the airport is nearing completion of a 50- foot-by-75-foot equipment storage building with 3,750 square feet of space.

All airport owned equipment, including snow plows and tractors, will be stored there replacing the multiple buildings for that purpose currently, Biller said.

We hope to have it completed around the first of the year, he said.

Besides planes landing and departing, the airport offers important learning opportunities for aircraft-related occupations.

The airport is home to an Iowa Western facility where students are trained for aircraft mechanics and maintenance. The University of Nebraska at Omahas Aviation Institute also uses the airport for pilot training.

Biller said these classes, along with the proposed hanger project are addressing three concerns in the current aviation industry: shortage of pilots, shortage of maintenance and mechanic workers, and limited hanger space.

The industry is grappling with this reality, he said.

The airport is home to the Great Plains Wing Commemorative Museum featuring World War II-era airplanes, plus thousands of military artifacts.

While located in Council Bluffs, the airport is an independent entity from the municipal and state governments.

We are an airport authority, and there are 13 airport authorities in the state, Biller said. We are not a department of the city.

The airport also belongs to the National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems.

We are a heavily regulated facility by the federal government and the state, Biller said.

Revenue comes from various sources like fees, hangar rentals and grants.

The City of Council Bluffs levies on behalf of the Council Bluffs Airport Authority, and it remits the aviation levy funding to the authority's control.

This levy cant be used by the city, Biller said.

The Council Bluffs Airport Authority board consists of seven members from the community. The citys mayor nominates the members, Biller said.
A coalition of rural Pottawattamie County residents is calling for more stringent oversight of the Office of Planning and Development, which oversees zoning and land use ordinances for the county government.

Their main issue centers around the states agricultural exemption law, which they attest is not being applied properly, costing some landowners thousands of dollars in permit fees and unnecessary construction.

The group confronted the Board of Supervisors during the public comment portion of the board's Oct. 2 meeting.

Since then, the Pottawattamie County Board of Supervisors has been looking into clarifying the language for some of the zoning regulations that are causing concerns, although there's no specific timeline for amending the regulations.

The farm office

Heath Hoppes  who, along with his family, has owned and operated Hidden Hollow Farm since 2015  filed for a agriculture exemption with the county in June 2021 because he wanted to build a repair shop for farm equipment, with storage space for parts, supplies and products they sell at the farmers market, and an office with a shower.

I came to the zoning department, Hoppes told The Nonpareil in an interview. They said, Show us your plans, what do you intend to use this for, etc., and being the law-abiding citizen that I am, I just said, This is what we're intending to do, its used for this, it's used for that. They said, No, that doesn't qualify for ag exemption. I didn't really understand why, but I got building permits.

The Iowa agricultural exemption statute is part of state law pertaining to county zoning. Iowa Code 335.2 specifically applies to land, farm houses, farm barns, farm outbuildings, or other buildings or structures that are primarily adapted, by reason of nature and area, for use for agricultural purposes.

The code states that no ordinance adopted under Chapter 335 applies to the aforementioned land and structures. It further states that a county shall not require an application, an approval, or the payment of a fee in order for an ordinance to be deemed inapplicable.

Hoppes received a letter from Planning and Development Director Matt Wyant, denying the exemption, stating that the described construction is not exempt, and that obtaining a building permit would be required prior to starting construction.

Heath came in and originally applied for a building permit, but he wanted to construct a shouse (a combined shop and house)  and he wanted to put an office area in this pole barn that he was building, so by the building code, you've now created habitable space, Wyant told The Nonpareil.

It has to meet the state energy codes, there's a lot more design detail that has to go into it in order to do this," Wyant said. "Well, he was very adamant that, Listen, this is just an office space and I want a shower, or a tub-shower combo, whatever it was at the time, and so we recommended to him, Why don't you just apply for an ag exemption?

Wyant said that if Hoppes wants to build a farm office that will primarily be used for farm work, he should fill out an agricultural exemption form.

You say it's a farm office, you say that this is what you're doing, fill out the form for an ag exemption and it'll be ag exempt, Wyant said. Which is what we did, and we accepted the ag exemption for it.

The county accepted the agricultural exemption on July 7. However, by that time, Hoppes had already applied for and been granted the building permits the county told him were necessary.

The permits were $2,500 or something like that, and I had already received those permits, Hoppes said. After learning more and getting an attorney involved, then they had to issue me the agricultural exemption and refund the permits.

Unfortunately, Hoppes contractors had already begun construction on the farm shop. Due to the requirements laid out by the building permits, the cost of construction was $20,000 to $30,000 more than it otherwise would have been, he said.

Inspections a key difference

County Board of Supervisors Chair Brian Shea has a different understanding of the situation.

One of the things these people want is to be able to get an ag exempt, do their building and their homes without a permit, which saves them some money, Shea told The Nonpareil.

When you build a home on your property, not all of them can do it just cash out of pocket," Shea said. "Then they come to us and they go, Well, the bank wants us to have a certificate of occupancy from the county. We don't do that, not unless we inspect. And they go, Well, what do you mean you don't do that? You don't do it when you get an ag exempt. You got to hire an engineer to get a certificate of occupancy.

A certificate of occupancy is a legal form issued by a local government that certifies a building's compliance with applicable building codes and other laws, and indicates that it is in a condition suitable for someone to live.

Basically, if you claim an agriculture exemption for a building on your property, the county says, OK, and lets you construct your building without seeing architectural plans or requiring inspections.

The tradeoff is that if a third party, like a bank, requires a certificate of occupancy before agreeing to a loan, the only way to get that certificate is to get an engineer to sign off on your building, which can cost hundreds or thousands of dollars more than if you had just gotten a permit in the first place.

When they build under ag exemption, we do not inspect, we do not give a certificate of occupancy, and most banks require a certificate of occupancy before they can sign off on a house, Shea said. Then they have to go get an engineer to sign off on it and that costs them way more than if they went through the building process, but that's their choice.

The dog breeder

Pottawattamie County business owner Karen Davis has had a different problem with the county zoning commission.

Davis has run a dog breeding business for more than 40 years, first in La Vista, Nebraska, and then in Council Bluffs. She moved her business about 20 years ago to a spot along Dogwood Road, east of the Council Bluffs Municipal Airport.

We bought the house and we've been breeding and raising horses, breeding and raising dogs, Davis told the Nonpareil.

Davis says that after a recent noise complaint from neighbors brought a sheriffs deputy to her property, the deputy told her she wasnt licensed for commercial dog breeding in the State of Iowa.

I had no idea that there was supposed to be a license in the State of Iowa because there wasn't one when I moved over here, Davis said. That license for the State of Iowa for having dog kennels never started until the dog track stuff.

Having never had a problem with the county before, Davis thought her business had been grandfathered in after the passing of the state law in 2019.

I had no idea that there was supposed to be a license in the State of Iowa because there wasn't one when I moved over here, Davis said.

Davis contends that she should receive an agriculture exemption because shes breeding livestock  specifically, dogs. But Iowa Code 717 does not list canine in its definitions of what constitutes livestock.

I dont like all the rules either, Shea said. I do not. Im gonna be the first one to tell ya  but its just the way the process works.
Congress took steps this week to avert a year-end cliff for key farm and food assistance programs as lawmakers have struggled to reauthorize a new farm bill this year.

The U.S. House voted Tuesday to extend the current farm bill for one year while negotiations continue on a new farm bill.

House lawmakers passed a short-term funding bill to keep the federal government operating and avert a shutdown, sending the bill to the Senate days before a Friday deadline. The Senate was expected to quickly approve the bill, which would allow President Biden to sign it into law before the deadline.

The legislation extends funding for the U.S. Department of Agriculture at current spending levels until Jan. 19 and extends all programs at levels provided in the 2018 Farm Bill through Sept. 30, 2024.

It provides funding for a handful of small-ticket programs that were orphaned at the end of fiscal year 2023, including feral swine eradication, urban agriculture and a reserve fund for overseas food aid. The outlays would be offset by rescinding $177 million in unobligated funds in the Biorefinery Assistance Program and savings in USDA internal operations, Politico reported.

Without an extension, farmers would see commodity policies revert to permanent law with controls on production and costly price supports adopted in the 1930s and 1940s.

Under the House-passed stopgap spending bill, dairy subsidies would be extended through Dec. 31, 2024, to avert the looming dairy cliff on Jan. 1, when the government-guaranteed price of fresh milk would more than double, potentially driving up grocery-store prices.

Iowans in Congress want new farm bill passed

While good news for farmers, Iowa Republican U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley and U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, of Marion, said the extension is not a substitute for a reauthorization.

There was no way I would have let the Farm Bill expire, and Ive already urged Speaker Johnson to put passing a strong Farm Bill at the top of our priority list, Hinson said in a statement to The Gazette.

She said she'd continue working with her colleagues to strengthen voluntary conservation programs, lower input costs, provide regulatory certainty and ensure an affordable food and fuel supply for Iowans.

Ill continue working to ensure the final legislation strengthens risk management tools like crop insurance, preserves and expands market access for ag products, promotes precision ag and other farmer-led conservation and modernizes USDA conservation programs to improve resiliency against flooding and drought, she said.

Iowa Republican U.S. Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, of Ottumwa, said in a statement to The Gazette that it was essential that the House move forward and swiftly pass a Farm Bill that is written by and for our farmers.

As Iowa leads the United States in corn and ethanol production, it is vital that we advocate for provisions to grow the industry, Miller-Meeks said. We must also work to safeguard commodity and conservation programs, rural broadband funding, and crop insurance initiatives."

Grassley, speaking to reporters by phone Wednesday, said the House bill had a good chance of passing in the Senate.

The extension will provide certainty, but just for one year, and thats obviously not as good as if we got a five-year program through, he said.

Grassley added program pricing that provides financial protections to farmers from substantial drops in crop prices included in the 2018 Farm Bill do not reflect increased input costs for fertilizer, chemicals, seed and fuel.

The sprawling legislative package thats reauthorized every five years supports several key farm and safety net programs, like crop insurance, as well as agriculture research, rural development, conservation, SNAP benefits  once called food stamps  and more.

Uncertainty lingers

Chad Hart, an economist and crop markets specialist for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, said passage of the House bill would provide farmers with some certainty about whether key farm commodity support would continue.

But, he said, they still face the uncertainty of whether the government is going to be able to administer those programs, as it still leaves open the possibility for a future shutdown if lawmakers cant come to an agreement on long-term spending measures.

We now know when farmers plant in the spring the support programs they will have in place to support them through the year, he said. What we didnt get out of last nights vote was certainty on the long-term funding for government operations.

Hart noted some mandatory expenditures and others marked as discretionary that fund food assistance programs could go forward, but that funding for food assistance for women and children who rely on the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children  commonly called WIC  would run out and cease operations if a shutdown runs long enough.

"Theres not been a lot of forward-thinking discussion of what changes might be made in either existing programs or new programs created in the next Farm Bill, Hart said.

This buys them another year to basically have that discussion.  Income support programs will be in effect for the 2024 crop year. Before the extension, those programs stopped with 2023. But will the government be able to run the programs and cut the checks?

Which colleges have produced the most legislators in the 118th Congress? #12. Brown University (tie) #12. Dartmouth College (tie) #12. The George Washington University (tie) #12. University of California, Berkeley (tie) #12. University of Florida (tie) #9. Brigham Young University (tie) #9. University of California, Los Angeles (tie) #9. University of Missouri (tie) #5. United States Military Academy (tie) #5. United States Naval Academy (tie) #4. Princeton University #3. Georgetown University #2. Stanford University
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel and Hamas agreed at the last minute Thursday to extend their cease-fire in Gaza by another day to allow more hostages and prisoners to be released. But any further renewal of the truce, now in its seventh day, could prove more daunting since Hamas is expected to set a
Nebraskas 41st legislative district will be represented by a new senator in the states Unicameral for the remainder of the current term. On Wednesday, Gov. Jim Pillen appointed Fred Meyer of St. Paul to fill the seat vacated by Tom Briese, who resigned in October after his appointment to the state treasurer's seat.

Meyer, who also has served as chairman of the state board of education, will fill the seat for the upcoming 60-day session. In his comments on the appointment, Pillen said that there was no doubt that Meyer was the right man for the job.

There is not a shadow of a doubt that youll hit the ground running, Pillen said of Meyer.

Meyer served on the state board of education from 1999 through 2011. He was appointed initially and then elected in 2002 and 2006. During his tenure, he was chosen as vice president and then president.

Sixteen individuals applied for the vacant seat, many of whom Pillen said he knew personally. Ultimately, however, Pillen said he was confident in the process for selecting Meyer.

I believe in recruiting, not hoping, and thats how we did it, Pillen said, speaking of the selection process.

In accepting the appointment, Meyer said that while he had a lot to learn, he was eager to get involved in representing constituents in the 41st District.

I am truly humbled to have this opportunity, Meyer said. I am blessed to have been a Nebraskan my whole life.

Meyer outlined some of his initiatives for the brief upcoming legislative session, saying that hes been active in education and I am very passionate about that.

He added that he is also eager to address agriculture- and natural resources-related issues facing the Unicameral.

Although no specific word was given as to Meyers intent to seek election to the seat after the expiration of the current term, Pillen said that there were already two other candidates who were seeking election as the 41sts next state senator and that the people in the district should decide who that should be. As such, Pillen said he had no plans to endorse a specific candidate in the race.

District 41 encompasses all of Boone, Greeley, Howard, Sherman, Valley and Wheeler counties and parts of Buffalo and Hall counties.
The Government of Budapest has reaffirmed its unwavering backing to the realistic autonomy plan offered by Morocco for the Sahara under its sovereignty for a lasting and peaceful resolution of this regional dispute.

The supportive stand was expressed by Hungarys Minister of Foreign Affairs Peter Szijjarto at a press conference held in Rabat following his talks with Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita.

The Autonomy Plan proposed by Morocco offers a way out of this conflict in line with UN Security Council resolutions, said the Hungarian top diplomat, noting that his country attaches great importance to the respect of territorial integrity and sovereignty of States.

Hungary defends the Moroccan autonomy plan in international fora, added Mr. Szijjarto, citing in this regard his countrys stand voiced during the Appeal to the EU Court of Justice on this issue.

The Hungarian official also highlighted Moroccos role as a responsible player and as a key partner of Hungary for peace and stability in the region and in Africa.

He likewise insisted on the Kingdoms responsible policy in the fight against irregular migration and its efforts to combat irregular migratory flows, and emphasized its clear and firm stance against terrorism, which is one of the reasons for illegal migration.

Pointing out that stability and peace in Africa depend on peace and security in Europe, the Hungarian minister stressed the importance of Morocco as a key partner of the European Union in these areas.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita expressed Moroccos condemnation of Israeli actions in the Gaza Strip, the latest of which is the bombing of the headquarters of the Qatari Committee for Gaza Reconstruction, in violation of international law rules and international humanitarian law.

There is, of course, great concern about what is happening, particularly the human losses among civilians due to Israels actions in the Gaza Strip, the latest of which is the bombing of the headquarters of the Qatari Committee for Gaza Reconstruction, Bourita said during a joint press conference with his Hungarian peer, Peter Szijjarto, Wednesday in Rabat. He pointed out that Morocco condemns such acts.

Bourita added that the death of a large number of civilians, as King Mohammed VI stressed in his speech at the Arab-Islamic Summit held last weekend in Riyadh, is unacceptable, whatever the party behind these acts. Morocco clearly condemns that Israeli forces continue to kill children and women in Gaza, he said.

He recalled that the Sovereign called for urgent and tangible de-escalation, to stop military attacks to pave the way for a permanent and verifiable ceasefire, and to ensure the protection of civilians and prevent their targeting.

Bourita also stressed that a political perspective relaunching the two-State solution paves the way for achieving a just and comprehensive solution to the Palestinian issue.

In the absence of a political perspective, the region will always remain in a phase of crisis management with its share of tension, violence and counter-violence, the minister added.

In this regard, he noted that the international community and influential countries shall go beyond this stage concerning the Palestinian cause to move on to the stage of restoring confidence with a view to launching serious negotiations leading to a just, comprehensive, and lasting solution to this issue, in accordance with international legality resolutions and on the basis of the two-State solution.

This situation requires that everyone demonstrate rigor and responsibility to put an end to Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people and to make the logic of reason and wisdom prevail with a view to establishing a just and lasting peace in the region and to guaranteeing security and stability for all its peoples, he argued.
King Mohammed VI has reiterated Moroccos unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people, notably the establishment of an independent State with Al Quds-East as its capital.

In a message of congratulations to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on his countrys national day, King Mohammed VI also stressed the need for a solution on the two-State basis, as agreed upon by the international community and in accordance with international legality resolutions.

In his message, the Sovereign expressed his warm congratulations and sincere wishes of health to President Mahmoud Abbas and of further progress and prosperity in security, freedom, and stability for the valiant Palestinian people.

The Sovereign implored the Almighty to renew such an opportunity for President Mahmoud Abbas and the brotherly Palestinian people in well-being, security, understanding and peace.

In a speech to the Extraordinary Arab-Islamic Summit, held last Saturday in Riyadh on the tragic situation in Gaza, the King affirmed that there is no alternative to genuine peace in the region, a peace which guarantees the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people on the basis of the two-State solution.

The Sovereign also underlined that there is no alternative to an independent Palestinian State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and there is no alternative to strengthening the Palestinian Authority, under the leadership of my brother President Mahmoud Abbas Abu Mazen.
The UN Security Council extended Wednesday November 15 for a year the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) until Nov. 15, 2024.

The extension came under resolution 2709, approved by 14 of the 15 Security Council members bar Russia which abstained.

The resolution also decides that the peacekeeping mission, known by its French acronym as MINUSCA, shall maintain its current personnel level  14,400 troops and 3,020 police officers.

It also indicated that the Missions mandate is designed to advance a multiyear strategic vision to create the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to national reconciliation and durable peace through the implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation and the elimination of the threat posed by armed groups.

Also, as part of priorities, the MINUSCA is tasked to protect civilians, support the extension of State authority, deploy security forces, and preserve territorial integrity; good offices and support the CAR peace process; facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance; and protect UN personnel, installations, equipment and goods, as well as the security and freedom of movement of UN and associated personnel.

The UN Security Councils 2149 resolution in 2014 gave birth to the Mission for an initial period until 30 April 2015. The resolution came following internal civil war between factions knows Muslim Seleka (meaning alliance in the local Sango language) rebel coalition and Christian anti-Balaka (anti-machete) movement took up arms.

The conflict has caused the death of thousands of people and left more than 2.5 million into a humanitarian crisis.
Senegals President Macky Sall inaugurated Wednesday November 15 Kedougou airport, in South-East of the country, as part of his economic tour in the build-up to his exit from power.

The airport had been rehabilitated and saw the upgrade of the security. Seydou Ba, CEO of regional airports told media that the airport is now fully fenced (5,000m).

The runway had deteriorated. It used to be 1,800 meters long, but now it is 2,000 meters. Its a runway that can accommodate certain types of aircraft, he added.

The ceremony is part of Salls national economic tour that he kick-started Monday November 13. The Senegalese leader reportedly boarded a military jet from Kedougou airport and headed to Kaolack region for the second leg of his tour.

The tour to take him to four regions will wind up on November 18. It aims at spurring the development of the remote regions of the country.

The tour is likely the last by the Senegalese President who announced to the Army this month his exit from power as his second term in office ends in February 2024.
Moroccan utility system construction company Falcon Capital Dakhla has signed a partnership deal with French HDF Energy to build a green hydrogen production plant for a total investment of $2 billion in the kingdom coastal region of Dakhla.

Dubbed White Dunes, the project seeks to produce some of the most competitive green hydrogen in the world and to reach a capacity of 10 GW in wind energy, 7 GW in photovoltaic energy and 8 GW in electrolysis.

It also aims at becoming a benchmark operator in Moroccos renewable energy sector.

The deal was signed by Majid Slimani, founder and president of Falcon Capital Dakhla and Damien Havard, Chief Executive Officer of the French company.

To bring this project to fruition, we devoted almost two full years to the feasibility study. Over the last two years, we have been able to define a preliminary design for the project, as well as a phasing plan for a projected overall surface area of 150,000 ha. This design was made possible by the installation of a measuring mast and the implementation of a preliminary environmental and social impact study, to determine the regions sensitive flora and fauna zones, Slimani said.

Slimanis Managing Partner Anas Belmamoun indicated that White Dunes will contribute to shaping the future of green energy in the kingdom and internationally, especially as Dakhla stands out for its average wind speed of 10 m/s at a height of 100 meters, making it one of the Class I sites for wind energy production.

HDF is co-developer of the project. Damien Havard argued that the partnership deal represents the perfect synergy between two complementary entities, enabling Morocco to produce some of the most competitive green hydrogen in the world.

The French company, founded in 2012, is a pioneer in large-scale green hydrogen infrastructure and high-power fuel cells. The company announced in October 2023 during the Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi (Kenya) the commencement of development studies for the first green hydrogen power plant in the eastern African country.
South Africas top diplomat has called on Israel to stop this real crime against humanity unfolding in Gaza, pointing to very clear similarities between Israels occupation and the system of apartheid in her country, just as experts highlight the hypocrisy in the largely failed push by the United States to cajole African governments into taking sides in the Ukraine war.

The world has seen enough of the tragedy in Gaza and it is time for countries to use their influence over Israel to put a stop to this real crime against humanity, South African Foreign Minister Naledi Pandor has said. On 6 November, Pretoria became one of the few countries to cut ties with Israel, citing civilian deaths in Gaza and what Pandor called collective punishment of Gazans by Israel and what her government has also framed as genocide. Two days earlier, Chad had recalled its charge daffaires from Tel Aviv, calling for a ceasefire leading to a durable solution of the Palestinian question. We are appalled at how this horror and tragedy that is unfolding continues to get worse and worse, Pandor also said and noted that Pretoria may refer Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for its actions in Gaza.

Meanwhile, as an increasing number of countries are breaking or at least downgrading ties with Israel, further alienating the Global South  including Africa  is high on the US list of the many diplomatic risks Washington is facing amid the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza. According to Alex Thurston, Professor of Political Science at the University of Cincinnati, African governments have virtually all voiced their opposition to Israels bombardment and invasion of Gaza, which stands in sharp contrast with their sometimes ambivalent attitudes on the Russian aggression against Ukraine. Meanwhile, amid both the Ukraine war and the crisis in Gaza, some Africans feel that the continents own conflicts and tragedies have been ignored, a dynamic that veteran observers have warned about as well, Thurston argues.

Unlike the more distant war in Ukraine, the situation of Palestine evokes numerous solidarities all across Africa: ethnic, religious, political, and more. Those solidarities are growing amid the present conflict, undoing some of Israels diplomatic gains and posing long-term challenges to Washingtons own diplomatic clout. To that end, Washington may thus find it increasingly difficult to convince African leaders and the public that the US represents a particular set of universal values, Thurston concludes.
Ghanas President Nana Akufo-Addo has called for a united front with African leaders on demands for reparations for transatlantic slavery and colonial-era damages, as they gathered on Tuesday (14 November) in Accra for a four-day conference that aims to explore how to address such historical injustices.

Speaking at the opening session hosted by Ghana, its president declared the trans-Atlantic slave trade as the most barbaric episode in human history, emphasizing its devastating effects on Africa, highlighting its economic, cultural, and psychological stifling of the continents progress. Held under the theme Building a United Front to Advance the Cause of Justice and the Payment of Reparations to Africans, the inaugural Accra Reparations Conference (ARC) explores legal and moral grounds for reparations and discusses different models of reparatory justice.

African leaders attending the conference have issued a collective call for reparations and restitution to address the historic crimes of the trans-Atlantic slave trade, with Akufo-Addo stressing that the call for reparation is not a plea for arms but a call for justice. They argued that the enduring injustices and inhumane treatment inflicted during this dark period continue to reverberate in both African societies and the diaspora, eroding self-esteem, dignity, and identity. The leaders are expected to come up with an African-led action plan to push for reparatory justice, establish an African committee of experts to oversee the plans implementation. Though some Western leaders have recently acknowledged the wrongs of the colonial era in Africa, the concept of paying financial reparations over the slave-trade remains vague.
Austrian packaging leader Alpla announced on Thursday the acquisition of a majority stake in Atlantic Packaging firm of Moroccan Diana Holding and the setting up of a joint venture ALPLA Morocco to meet growing demand.

In a press release issued Thursday, Alpla group said the transaction will enable it to enhance its presence in North Africa with its market entry in Morocco and setting the course for growth in the Maghreb and Western africa.

At its plant in Tangier Free Zone, Atlantic Packaging produces PET preforms for the beverage industry, plastic pallets and packaging films. Preform production has recently been tripled through investments in new machinery.

By acquiring a majority stake in Atlantic Packaging and establishing a joint venture with Diana Holding, Alpla is contributing its expertise and experience to the production of PET preforms for the regional markets in the Maghreb and for Western Africa, said the Austrian group.

Alpla pledges to increase in the coming years the portfolio of the Moroccan site through further local activities, potentially including bottle and closure production.

With our strategic partner Diana Holding, we want to exploit the enormous potential of the regional markets, open up new segments and contribute our expertise as a global system provider for preforms, bottles and closures, said Christian Fessler, Managing Director Middle East and North Africa at ALPLA.

In addition to its packaging subsidiary, Diana Holding is primarily active in the agro-industrial sector. Through this joint venture, the family-run group is strengthening its packaging division, which was founded in 2007, by capitalising on its substantial bottling experience garnered over nearly 50 years as the former Coca-Cola Company bottler in the northern region of Morocco.

Our joint vision is to be one of the leading suppliers of high-quality plastic packaging in Morocco and for Western Africa, and to offer innovative solutions, said Rita Maria Zniber, CEO of Diana Holding.
Auburn University has been awarded a $2 million grant that will go toward funding an initiative to combat health care disparities across rural Alabama, the university announced on Wednesday.

The Alabama State Department of Finance granted Auburn University $2 million to fund its health care access project, the Rural Health Initiative. The initiative is aimed at addressing the significant health disparities that rural communities in Alabama are facing. The initiative uses a health care access model that combined telehealth technology, provided by OnMed, with a team of Auburn faculty and students in specialized fields delivering hands-on wellness care.

The project was created through a collaboration between Auburn University Outreach, the colleges of Pharmacy, Nursing, Human Sciences and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System. The technology used in the project helps patients in underserved areas get in contact with licensed clinicians.

The model has already been put to use in the Chambers County Wellness Center, which opened in February 2023 and served as the projects inaugural site.

Our center in Chambers County has touched so many lives in that community. Our vision was to learn from this experience alongside the community so we could continue expanding the work through our partnership with Alabama Cooperative Extension System, other disciplines across campus and university and community partners across the state, said Hollie Cost, assistant vice president for University Outreach and Public Service and project director for the initiative. These funds will enable us to do that with the anticipated outcome of remapping the rural health landscape and improving the quality of life across rural Alabama.

The grant will help expand the projects health care model to various rural Alabama communities, which will be selected based on the following factors: accessibility limitations, availability of facilities, community support and low rankings on health factors and health outcomes.

According to an AU news release, a conservative estimate for the project said that the funds would sustain four health and wellness centers for two years, and the project is being supported, in part, by federal funding through federal award number SLFRP2635, which was awarded to the State of Alabama by the U.S. Department of the Treasury. There are also additional funding sources being considered.

The funds provided by the Alabama Department of Finance through ARPA will enable us to work toward our goal of equitable health care access across rural Alabama, said Royrickers Cook, vice president for University Outreach and associate provost. The center weve established in Chambers County collaboratively with the Alabama Cooperative Extension System, other colleges across campus and Chambers County community members and leaders enabled us to refine a model to replicate in these underserved areas throughout the Black Belt. We are especially enthusiastic about the opportunity to partner with other universities and health care service providers to deliver high-quality health care and health education to our neighbors.

As for choosing the locations for expansion, leaders within the Alabama Cooperative Extension System are working with local leaders in communities across Alabama.

The $2 million grant will support the installation and leasing of the telehealth station, staffing needs, health and wellness programming, community engagement, program promotion and project administration. Any communities chosen for the project are expected to address necessary facility improvements, internet and utility expenses.

A key component of the OnMed telehealth station is providing affordable and efficient health care access for patients. OnMed care stations allow residents to meet virtually with medical care professionals, who instruct the patients on how to check their vitals. After the information on vitals is received, the doctors can diagnose the patients and write them prescriptions.

Each station that is established will work to address the unique health care needs and challenges within their communities.

According to the AU news release, the services provided through the initiative cover a wide range of health care needs including COVID-19 and infectious diseases testing and vaccinations, speech and hearing evaluations, nutrition planning, diabetes management, maternal health care education and medication management.

Health services in rural environments have a profound impact on the well-being and quality of life of residents, Linda Gibson-Young, a nursing professor, outreach coordinator and the initiatives health services director, said. This model adds accessible and high-quality health care to improve health outcomes by addressing preventive care, early intervention and management of chronic conditions.

For more information about the Auburn University Rural Health Initiative, you can contact Hollie Cost at (334) 740-2897 or hac0043@auburn.edu.
We Are China

Xi, Biden agree to work toward significant further increase in scheduled passenger flights

Xinhua) 08:31, November 16, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed Wednesday to commit to working toward a significant further increase in scheduled passenger flights early next year.

They reached the agreement during a summit at Filoli Estate, a country house approximately 40 km south of San Francisco, California.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
Last week, oil prices logged a third straight weekly decline, sinking to the lowest level since mid-July as concerns about demand continue to replace the fear of production outages related to the Middle East conflict. Oil markets have been experiencing a shift in sentiment, with a significant decline in speculative buying also putting pressure on prices.

According to commodity analysts at Standard Chartered, the shorts have returned to the oil markets with a vengeance. Money-manager shorts across the four main Brent and WTI contracts rose w/w by 31.7 mb to 209.5 mb in the latest positioning data, while money-manager longs fell by 16.0 mb to 456.4 mb. In contrast, the volume of long positions in crude oil has decreased due to macroeconomic fears overshadowing traditional supply and demand factors. The long-short ratio in the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) WTI contract has fallen to 2.0 in the latest data, a sharp decline from 11.4 six weeks ago.

According to StanChart, concerns about weakening demand stem from confusion about seasonality and the relationship between exports and production. The analysts note that demand for air conditioning in the Middle East is lower now since the northern hemisphere summer is over, which has freed up higher volumes for export. Traders and speculators are [incorrectly] interpreting this increase in export availability as being indicative of higher supply and a loss of producer discipline. However, the analysts say that the scale of the current speculative move in oil is not justified by fundamental data.

For one, Indias oil demand remains robust, climbing 211 kb/d in October to 5.004 million barrels per day (mb/d). Diesel demand was particularly strong, rising 9.3% y/y to 1.88 mb/d, while gasoline demand was up 4.8% y/y to 861kb/d. StanCharts proprietary demand model shows global demand rising 2.02 mb/d y/y in October and have forecast demand growth will stay above 1.5 mb/d in November, December and January, while 2024 growth is likely to clock in at 1.5 mb/d. Related: Saudi Aramco Starts Tight Gas Production At South Ghawar Field

Good news for the oil bulls: StanChart notes that the extreme demand pessimism in the oil market back in May proved to be unfounded, and the undershoot in prices laid the ground for a rally that extended to over USD 25/bbl. The analysts have argued that the current price weakness is also a significant undershoot, and oil markets may soon record a big rally comparable to the May bull run.

India Takes Over From China

The strong demand growth being recorded in India might not be a fluke. Several analysts have predicted that India will replace China as the main driver of global oil demand growth in the near future. A rapidly growing population, which has likely surpassed Chinas, is expected to be the main driver of consumption trends in India. Meanwhile, the countrys transition from traditional gasoline and diesel-fueled transport is expected to lag other regions, in sharp contrast to Chinas skyrocketing adoption of electric vehicles and clean energy in general.

India was always going to exceed China in a matter of time in terms of being the global demand growth driver, mainly due to demographic factors like population growth, Parsley Ong, the head of Asia energy and chemicals research at JPMorgan Chase & Co. in Hong Kong, has told Bloomberg.

Chinas adoption of electric vehicles has been lightning fast, a trend that does not bode well for gasoline demand in the worlds biggest car market. EV sales in China nearly doubled to 6.1 million units in 2022, compared with just 48,000 units sold in India, according to BloombergNEF. BNEF has revealed that EVs are already displacing over 1.4 million barrels a day of oil use globally.

On its part, India is in no hurry to ditch traditional fossil fuels. Earlier in the year, Indias coal minister Pralhad Joshi announced that coal will continue to play an important role in the countrys energy sector until at least 2040, referring to the fuel as an affordable source of energy for which demand has yet to peak in India.

"Thus, no transition away from coal is happening in the foreseeable future in India," Joshi said, adding the fuel will continue to play a big role until 2040 and beyond.

However, India is unlikely to replicate the mammoth scale of Chinas expansive oil network any time soon, with the latter currently consuming three times as much oil. Indias oil consumption grew by ~255,000 barrels per day (bpd) during the first seven months of the current year, helping to grow total consumption to 135 million metric tons in the first seven months of 2023 compared to 128 million metric tons for last years corresponding period. However, that growth clip was considerably slower than 415,000 bpd posted in 2021/22 as economies rebounded from the coronavirus pandemic and lockdowns.

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Russia is set to slash its crude oil export duty by 5.7% for December as the price of its Urals blend drops, Bloomberg reported on Wednesday, citing the Russian Finance Ministry.

The new duty starting in December is reportedly set to the equivalent of $3.37 per barrel or $24.7 per ton, according to Bloomberg.

Last week, Bloomberg cited Argus Media as assessing Russias flagship Urals crude blend at $66.19 at the Baltic port of Primorsk, signaling the lowest prices for Urals since late July this year, when Urals topped the G7-imposed price cap.

The Russian Finance Ministry, however, said Urals was selling for $79.23 between mid-October and mid-November, down from $83.35 in the previous period.

The government will lower the duty to $24.7 a ton next month as the price of the countrys key export blend Urals declined, the Finance Ministry said Wednesday. Thats down by 5.7 percent from November and equates to about $3.37 a barrel.

According to Trading Economics data, Urals has seen a 24.61% increase so far in 2023, based on data on trading on a contract for difference (CFD) tracking Urals. The highest price Urals ever achieved was nearly $118 per barrel in Q1 2013. On Tuesday, the International Energy Agency (IEA) said Russias oil export revenues had declined by $25 million to $18.34 billion in October, in tandem with declining oil prices. The IEA suggested that lower crude oil prices more than offset the shrinking discount for Urals in defiance of the G7 price cap. The international agency said Russian oil exports fell by 70,000 bpd in October, month-on-month.

The G7 price cap mandates that Russian crude oil shipments to third countries can only use Western insurance and financing if Urals is sold below the $60 price cap. On Tuesday, a European Union official told the Financial Times that almost none of Russias October crude shipments were executed below the price cap.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Italian energy giant Eni has won another victory in allegations of oilfield deal corruption in Nigeria, with the Nigerian Justice Ministry moving on Thursday to withdraw $1.1 billion in civil claims against the company, as reported by Bloomberg.

A spokesperson for Eni later confirmed the official withdrawal of claims to Bloomberg.

The claims were withdrawn unconditionally and will take effect immediately.

Withdrawal of the claims follows a 2021 court ruling in Italy, which acquitted Eni of wrongdoing in relation to corruption allegations concerning Eni and Shells acquisition of the OPL 245 oilfield license.

The withdrawal of claims technically paves the way for Eni and Shell to develop the field, which, according to the Italian energy giant, contains 560 million barrels of recoverable reserves.

In 2013, the British police probed the allegation that the $1.3-billion oil license deal had contained elements of corruption and money laundering, concerning payments allegedly made to a company linked with Nigerias former Minister of Petroleum Dan Etete, who was convicted of money laundering in France in 2007. A UK judge dismissed the case.

In 2021, a court in Milan also found Eni and Shell not guilty.

OPL 245 is a deep-water offshore oil play approximately 150 km off the Niger Delta.Two major oil and gas discoveries were made here (Etan and Zabazaba) in 2005 and 2006. Wood Mackenzie estimates the block contains some 1 billion barrels of oil equivalent, discovered and prospective resources. The subsea oil wells would be tied to an FPSO vessel, while the gas would be transported via a new pipeline, according to WoodMac, either to an offshore system or to Bonny Island for export as liquefied natural gas (LNG).

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On Thursday, Eni told Bloomberg it would now work with the Nigerian government to consider the way forward for converting the oil license to allow for development of the block.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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A U.S. court of appeals has vacated the emissions permit for Sempras Port Arthur LNG in Jefferson County, Texas, potentially delaying the timeline for one of Americas future LNG export plants.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled that when granting the emissions limits permit to the project, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) did not apply the same emissions standards as in other similar projects such as the Rio Grande LNG project which NextDecade is constructing in Brownsville, Texas.

The Commission is not forever bound to the emissions limits that it set for Rio Grande LNG for all subsequent permits, the appeals court said in the ruling. But it added that in making those individualized determinations, the Commission must demonstrate that it is treating permit applications consistently.

The Commissions order granting Port Arthur LNGs PSD permit application is VACATED and the matter is REMANDED to the Commission for proceedings consistent with our opinion, the appeals court concluded.

Sempra announced in March this year the final investment decision (FID) for the development, construction, and operation of the Port Arthur LNG Phase 1 project. Phase 1 is estimated to cost $13 billion and is designed to include two natural gas liquefaction trains, two LNG storage tanks, and associated facilities with a nameplate capacity of around 13 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa).

Commenting on the court decision, Sempra Infrastructure Senior Communications Manager Kym Butler told the Beaumont Enterprise,

We are continuing construction on the project under existing permits and remain committed to working with the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality and other stakeholders and are evaluating our next steps.

Environmentalists hailed the appeals court decision as a victory for clean air advocates in Texas.

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For Texas, this legal opinion is a clear message to stop bending over backwards to accommodate the whims of fossil fuel corporations like Sempra or Exxon, said Ilan Levin, Texas Director of the Environmental Integrity Project.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The United States will tighten sanctions on Irans oil industry amid the Israel-Hamas conflict aiming to bring exports down by more than 1 million bpd, White House energy security adviser Amos Hochstein told Bloomberg.

We are going to enforce those sanctions, Hochstein said. Those numbers will come down.

I think the best anecdote to revenues in Iran is keeping their exports at a lower level, but also to make sure prices are lower, he said.

Talk about tighter sanctions against Irans oil industry intensified in the wake of the latest war in the Middle East with hawks in Congress blaming Iran of helping plan the Hamas attacks and advising pre-emptive action against Tehran before it became more involved in the conflict.

Tehran has denied any involvement in the Hamas attacks on Israel that ignited the war. At the same time it has repeatedly warned that the violence will escalate.

"If the Zionist aggressions do not stop, the hands of all parties in the region are on the trigger," Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian said last month.

Meanwhile, Congress recently passed legislation aimed at entities helping Iran export its oil. Dubbed the SHIP bill (Stop Harboring Iranian Petroleum) would sanction foreign ports and refineries processing Iranian petroleum illicitly exported. The bill requires passage by the Senate and presidential signing to become law.

The bill "sends a clear and strong message to bad actors like China, Russia, and others  do not help Iran avoid sanctions and assist them in their funding of terror, or face the consequences," one Republican representative said, as quoted by Reuters, at the time.

There are also other bills that U.S. legislators are discussing, all aimed at pressuring Iran.

Iranian oil exports declined for the second consecutive month in October, with the country loading 1.43 million barrels per day of crude and condensate, Bloomberg reported earlier this month, citing TankerTrackers.com data. The volume loaded for export in October was 194,000 bpd lower than September and reportedly the lowest export-loading volume since July.

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The Douglas County Health Department held the first of three days of clinics at the Westview YMCA in northwest Douglas County on Wednesday in the second phase of an effort to test more than 550 children and staff who may have been exposed to tuberculosis.

The Health Department was notified of an active case of tuberculosis in the county Nov. 6 and linked it to the drop-in child care center at the YMCA near 156th and Ida Streets the next day. An investigation identified children and staff who may have been exposed to the ill person between late May and Oct. 30.

Health Director Lindsay Huse told the Douglas County Board of Health on Wednesday that the response was complicated by the sheer number of potential exposures and the fact that so many were young children. The drop-in center provides short-term care for children ages 3 months to 12 years while their parents or guardians are using gym facilities.

Huse declared a public health emergency on Monday in response to the exposure, a move that will not affect the public but will allow for the mobilization of additional resources, such as assistance from other area health departments.

In the first phase of the response, Childrens Nebraska saw 272 children over the weekend, mostly younger children and those with more recent exposures, Huse said.

All were tested, and those 4 years of age and younger with exposures between Aug. 21 and Oct. 30 were offered preventive treatment with antibiotics. Young children are more likely to progress more quickly to active disease after being exposed to the bacteria that causes tuberculosis than older children and adults. Theyre also more likely to become seriously ill if theyre infected.

Its really just a way to prevent severe disease from developing in those kids, she said.

The Health Department had received results for 150 children late Tuesday and all were negative, Huse said. Children with recent exposures, however, will require a second test in eight to 10 weeks, given the time it can take for an infection to develop.

Were going to hope that they stay negative, Huse said, noting that the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services is looking into ways to help ensure coverage for families unable to pay for testing and treatment.

The Health Department clinics that began Wednesday are intended for those who wont need preventive treatment, namely older children and those with exposures between late May and Aug. 21. Those children need only one test.

Tuberculosis is caused by airborne droplets expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes or speaks. But Huse noted that tuberculosis is not as easily transmitted as COVID-19, influenza or the common cold. Transmission typically requires prolonged exposure to an infected person in an enclosed area, not brief exposures in a hallway, gym or restroom.

Not everyone who is infected becomes sick, she said. Some people may be infected and develop latent tuberculosis, meaning they carry the bacteria but are not sick and cannot infect others. In some cases, that latent infection can become active and a person not only becomes ill but also can infect others.

Tuberculosis is treatable, but it can be fatal if its not treated. The vaccine for tuberculosis is not widely used in the United States.

Raccoon rabies response

Huse also updated the health board on the response to a case of the raccoon variant of rabies, identified last month in a stray kitten that died from the infection.

The raccoon variant until last month had not been identified west of the Appalachian Mountains. The discovery spurred an ongoing local, state and federal effort to seek out, contain and eliminate it.

Federal wildlife biologists trapped, vaccinated and released 750 raccoons, 41 skunks, four cats and a skunk for rabies, Huse said. They also distributed 18,000 oral rabies vaccine packets, baited to attract raccoons, over a 64-square-mile area centered on east-central Omaha, where the kitten was found.

Local and federal responders also have collected and tested 245 dead animals, mostly roadkill. All have tested negative for rabies. That surveillance will continue until sometime between December and February, with testing shifting to the Nebraska Veterinary Diagnostic Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Officials seek to test between 400 and 600 animals, she said, enough to provide a representative sample and ensure the virus isnt present in local wildlife.

At this point, Huse said, health and wildlife officials suspect that the kitten was imported into the area from the East Coast and that the variant has not become established here.

We could not have had a more smooth and well-run event, she said.

Our best Omaha staff photos & videos of November 2023
Jacob Eitzen and most everyone else at Bellevue West High School didnt know why they were being ushered into the gym for an impromptu assembly Wednesday, except that they were in for a surprise.

Eitzen, a math teacher, figured it was an academic celebration and waited in the back as a crowd of state education officials flocked into the center of the room. It wasnt until he heard his name being called did he realize that he had been selected to receive the Milken Educator Award, with a prize of $25,000.

We were guessing all week (about) what the surprise will be. There were a lot of rumors going around the school that it could be a whole bunch of crazy things, he said. When I heard my name, I was very surprised. I was shocked.

Only a select group of educators around the U.S. receive the annual award, which comes from the Milken Family Foundation. The honor, which is kept secret until the actual ceremony, is usually given to early to mid-career education professionals for their achievements in the classroom.

Teachers cant apply for the recognition, but they are instead selected by the organization. Last year, a special education teacher in the Omaha Public Schools received the award.

First of all, congratulations  not only to represent Bellevue, but to represent the Bellevue Public Schools. And to represent the state of Nebraska and represent our country as a phenomenal teacher, said Brian Maher, the states education commissioner. What hes done in his AP courses and his statistics courses is to be honored today. But really beyond that, his ability to engage all of you in the study of mathematics.

Eitzen, who has been teaching for a decade, said AP statistics has been his favorite course to teach. He was saddled with the course several years ago when he didnt know anything about it.

Thats something that I took on, and eventually just put enough hard work that it became a passion of mine, Eitzen said. Statistics wasnt a passion of mine eight years ago, but it is one of my biggest passions now and I love teaching that class.

His first group of 13 students learned statistics at the same time he did. Eventually, he began to incorporate his love for the Nebraska Cornhuskers into the class as a way to connect with students. AP Statistics and Algebra 2 became examples of Husker trivia and game day stats.

Jacob Eitzens story is one of passion, innovation and commitment, said Stephanie Bishop, a representative with the Milken Family Foundation. Through his ability to connect with students using creative teaching methods, coupled with his leadership roles within the school and community, Jacob creates a positive and impactful learning environment for all.

Beyond the classroom, Eitzen also serves as the youth pastor at his local church and sponsors the Bellevue Wests National Honor Society and Fellowship of Christian Athletes chapters. He is also the head of Bellevue Wests multi-tiered system of support (MTSS) team.

After the surprise ceremony, Eitzen declared it was time to return to teaching and learning and his students followed him back to his classroom. As they settled in their desks, Eitzen started scrawling equations on the markerboard as if nothing had happened.

Thank you to all the students that I currently have, all the students Ive had in the past, Eitzen told the crowd on Wednesday. It is truly a pleasure to be a part of your educational journey.

Photos: Bellevue West High School teacher surprised with Milken Educator Award, $25,000
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LOUISVILLE, Ky.  A federal judge declared a mistrial Thursday afternoon after a jury deadlocked on civil rights charges against a former Louisville police officer who fired stray bullets in the deadly raid that left Breonna Taylor dead.

Brett Hankison was charged with using excessive force that violated the rights of Breonna Taylor, her boyfriend and her next-door neighbors. Hankison fired 10 shots into Taylors window and a glass door after officers came under fire during the flawed drug warrant search on March 13, 2020. Some of his shots flew into a neighboring apartment, but none of them struck anyone.

The 12-member, mostly white jury struggled to reach a verdict over several days. On Thursday afternoon, they sent a note to the judge saying they were at an impasse. U.S. District Judge Rebecca Grady Jennings urged them to keep trying, and they returned to deliberations.

The judge reported that there were elevated voices coming from the jury room at times during deliberations this week, and court security officials had to visit the room. Jurors told the judge Thursday they were deadlocked on both counts against Hankison, and could not come to a decision.

The mistrial could result in a retrial of Hankison, but that would be determined by federal prosecutors at a later date.

Hankison, 47, was acquitted by a Kentucky jury last year on wanton endangerment charges. State prosecutors had alleged he illegally put Taylors neighbors in danger. Months after his acquittal last year, the U.S. Department of Justice brought the new charges against Hankison, along with a group of other officers involved in crafting the warrant.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said Taylor, a 26-year-old Black woman studying to be a nurse, should be alive today when he announced the federal charges in August 2022. The charges Hankison faced carried a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Hankison was the only officer who fired his weapon the night of the Taylor raid to be criminally charged. Prosecutors determined that two other officers were justified in returning fire after one was shot in the leg.

Federal prosecutor Michael Songer said Monday in the trials closing arguments that Hankison was a law enforcement officer, but he was not above the law. Songer argued that Hankison couldnt see a target and knew firing blindly into the building was wrong.

Hankisons attorney, Stewart Mathews, countered that he was acting quickly to help his fellow officers, who he believed were being executed by a gunman shooting from inside Taylors apartment. Taylors boyfriend had fired a single shot when police burst through the door. Her boyfriend, Kenneth Walker, said he believed an intruder was barging in.

If his perception was reasonable in the chaos of that moment, that was not criminal, Mathews said.

The night of the raid, Hankison said he saw the shot from Taylors boyfriend in the hallway after her door was breached. He backed up and ran around the corner of the building, firing shots into the side of the apartment.

I had to react, he testified. I had no choice.

Read more:

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SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico  The tiny Caribbean island of Dominica is creating the worlds first marine protected area for one of earths largest animals: the endangered sperm whale.

Nearly 300 square miles of royal blue waters on the western side of the island nation that serve as key nursing and feeding grounds will be designated as a reserve, the government announced.

We want to ensure these majestic and highly intelligent animals are safe from harm and continue keeping our waters and our climate healthy, Dominica Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit said in a statement.

Scientists say the reserve not only will protect the animals, but it will also help fight climate change.

Sperm whales defecate near the surface because they shut down non-vital functions when they dive to depths of up to 10,000 feet. As a result, nutrient-rich poop remains along the ocean surface and creates plankton blooms, which capture carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and drag it to the ocean floor when they die. And sperm whales in Dominica are believed to defecate more than whales elsewhere, said Shane Gero, a whale biologist and founder of the Dominica Sperm Whale Project, a research program focused on sperm whales in the eastern Caribbean.

Its unclear why sperm whales seem to defecate more in Dominica. Gero said it could be theyre eating twice as much, or maybe theres something particular about the type of squid theyre eating.

In some respects, sperm whales are fighting climate change on our behalf, Gero said in an interview.

Fewer than 500 sperm whales are estimated to live in the waters surrounding Dominica, part of a population that moves along the Lesser Antilles chain, swimming as far south as St. Vincent and north into Guadeloupe. Unlike sperm whales elsewhere in the world, the ones around the eastern Caribbean dont travel very far, Gero said.

He noted that sperm whales are a matrilineal society, with young males leaving and switching oceans at some point in their lives. As a result, protecting the species is key, especially if few female calves are born, he said.

One calf being entangled can mean the end of a family, he said.

Sperm whales can produce a single calf every five to seven years.

In waters around Dominica and elsewhere, sperm whales have been hit by ships, entangled in fishing gear and affected by agricultural runoff, limiting their survival. In the pre-whaling days, an estimated 2 million sperm whales roamed the Earths deep waters before they were hunted for oil used to burn lamps and lubricate machinery. Now, some 800,000 are left, Gero said.

The government of Dominica said the reserve will allow sustainable artisanal fishing and delineate an international shipping lane to avoid more deaths of sperm whales, which have the largest brain in the world and can grow up to 50 feet.

Once the reserve is created, the prime minister said his administration will appoint an officer and observers to ensure the area is respected and that whale tourism regulations are enforced. Visitors can still swim with sperm whales and see them from a boat, but in limited numbers.

The move was praised by scientists and conservationists including Enric Sala, an explorer-in-residence at National Geographic.

The government of Dominica has realized that the sperm whales, which were probably here before humans, are also citizens of Dominica, he said. These whales will spend most of the year offshore the island. So, they are taking care of some of their citizens in a way that few nations have ever done before.

An estimated 35 families of sperm whales spend most of their time in waters surrounding Dominica. Gero said some are likely more than 60 years old, and they communicate via clicking sounds in a vocalization known as codas.

Thats kind of like asking, Im from Dominica, are you? Gero said. Its a symbolic marker.

Gero and his team of researchers also have named individual whales. One is dubbed Snow because one scientist was reading a Margaret Atwood book with a character named Snowman." Another sperm whale was nicknamed Fruit Salad because a researcher happened to be snacking on that at the time. That whales calf was named Soursop, in keeping with the theme.
A former nursing assistant is serving life in prison for killing seven elderly veterans in West Virginia. A registered nurse is accused of killing four patients and trying to kill 18 others at Pennsylvania nursing homes, and another RN has been charged with murdering two patients at a North Carolina hospital.

The alleged murder weapon in all three cases: lethal doses of insulin.

In those states and in Canada, Germany and England, police have accused nurses and nursing assistants of killing patients with excessive doses of insulin. It was also one of the drugs that nurse Charles Cullen injected into IV saline bags to kill at least 29 patients in New Jersey and Pennsylvania over 16 years, according to news reports.

You are the monster that no one sees coming, U.S. District Court Judge Thomas Kleeh told Reta Mays when he sentenced her to seven life sentences in 2021.

Mays was convicted of murdering World II, Korea and Vietnam veterans ranging in age from 81 to 96 at the Louis A. Johnson VA Medical Center in Clarksburg, West Virginia.

On Nov. 2, Pennsylvania Attorney General Michelle Henry announced new charges against RN Heather Pressdee, 41, saying 17 patients died in Pressdees care when she gave them excessive doses of insulin. The victims ranged in age from 43 to 104, Henry said.

It is hard to comprehend how a nurse, trusted to care for her patients, could choose to deliberately and systematically harm them, Henry said.

The spate of cases raises questions of how insulin is regulated, stored and administered in hospitals and nursing homes and how those with evil intent have skirted the safeguards that experts recommend to reduce insulin medication errors. The Institute for Safe Medication Practices guidelines for insulin use say that hospitals have overlooked and inadequately addressed the risks of insulin.

Tony L. ODell, a Charleston, West Virginia lawyer who represented the families of ten of Mays victims, said insulin is not as tightly controlled as narcotics in many hospitals. That might be because narcotics have a street value, and federal and state controls have been tightened amid a national opioid addiction epidemic, ODell said.

Insulin isnt addictive or recreationally abused, but it is dangerous, he said.

North Carolina RN Johnathan Howard Hayes, 47, is accused of bypassing one of the recommended safeguards  a dual-verification medication process  when, Winston-Salem police, say he allegedly killed two hospital patients with large doses of insulin last year.

His hospital, the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, requires two nurses to sign off on medication doses, but police say he skirted that requirement by claiming that the doses had been verified as Given by Other. That designation is supposed to be rarely used and only when a drug had been administered in a different part of a hospital, such as the emergency department, police said. They say that Hayes used the designation 88 of the 130 times it was used at the hospital.

Police also say Hayes was the top insulin dispenser, facility-wide, by seven times the average of the facility.

The federal government and many states have regulations on how medication should be handled in hospitals and nursing homes, but often stop short of dictating that the facilities track the top administrators of drugs.

The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), which lists insulin as a time-critical medication, has extensive regulations about how it should be administered and monitored in hospitals. It requires tracking the name of the patient, the date and time of the dosage, the size of the dosage, the type of insulin and the signature of the person who administered the drug, a CMS spokesperson said. But CMS says there are no federal laws or regulations that require hospitals to use bar codes, an automated medication dispensing system or other technology for insulin.

If a violation is found, a hospital must file a correction plan, and if the hospital has serious patient safety concerns or doesnt implement its plan, it can be terminated from the Medicare and Medicaid programs, the spokesperson said. That can be costly for hospitals.

In North Carolina, hospitals are inspected every three years and concerns about how medication is stored or dispensed can be referred to the North Carolina Board of Pharmacy, health officials in that state said. Mark ONeill, a spokesman for the Pennsylvania Department of Health, said it has regulations that govern how medications should be stored and administered at both hospitals and nursing homes. State laws allow his department to impose financial sanctions on facilities that violate the regulations, he said.

The non-profit medication safety institute is one of several organizations, including pharmacist groups, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the American Diabetes Association, that recommend stringent insulin safeguards in hospitals.

The safeguards include the dual-verification process, locking up insulin, not storing it in patient areas and having bar codes on insulin pens that nurses must scan before administering the drug. Many hospitals also use automated systems that link each drug to specific nurses for specific patients.

In the West Virginia VA case, an Inspector General report found that as a nursing assistant, Mays, who is now 48, was not supposed to have access to the medication room or carts where she got the fatal doses of insulin. The lapses upset Norma Shaw of Wallace, West Virginia, whose husband of 58 years, George Nelson Shaw Sr., was killed by Mays in 2018. When his body was exhumed and autopsied, four injection sites were found and tests confirmed that he died of insulin doses, court records show.

There has to be stricter controls, Shaw, 83, said. There needs to be security cameras. Insulin needs to be locked up. There needs to be more than one person administering these medications.

She said her husband, 81, was not diabetic and was hospitalized for dehydration and mild dementia.

There was no reason for him to die, she said.

Catching errors, not killers

Some health organizations declined to comment on the accused murders since the safeguards are designed to reduce medication errors and not to catch a determined killer. But police and court records describe how the workers exploited weaknesses at their facilities.

A North Carolina district attorney called Hayes, 47, a rogue nurse in October when announcing the murder charges against him.

In a search warrant affidavit, Winston-Salem police described his use of the Given by Other designation, but they did not draw a conclusion that his use of the designation should have been caught sooner. Hayes said he wasnt aware of the dual-verification policy, and that the Given by Other designation was commonly used by all nurses, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, the warrant said.

In May, Henry, Pennsylvanias attorney general, announced homicide charges against Pressdee, for allegedly giving two patients fatal doses of insulin at the nursing home where she worked.

On Nov. 2, Henry said Pressdee has now been charged with two more counts of first-degree murder, 17 more counts of attempted murder and 19 counts of neglect of a care-dependent person. While working at five nursing homes in Pennsylvania, Pressdee typically administered insulin during overnight shifts when staffing was low and the emergencies would not prompt immediate hospitalization, Henry said. Some of the patients had diabetes and required insulin while some did not. Henry called the allegations disturbing.

Pressdee, the former acting director of nursing at Quality Life Services in Chicora, Pennsylvania, was the only nurse with keys to the medication cart on her shift at the nursing home when, according to a criminal complaint, she injected insulin in three patients who didnt need it. One, aged 73, survived; the other two, 55 and 83, died.

Instead of caring for them, she intentionally and maliciously injected them with insulin to kill them, Henry said.

Pressdee was arraigned on the new charges Nov. 2 and remains in prison without bail.

Dangers of insulin

Insulin is a life-saving drug for people with diabetes, but it can also cause dangerously low or high blood sugar.

Insulin is prevalent in U.S. hospitals because diabetes is becoming common in America. In 2022, 37.3 million Americans  or 11.3% of the population  had diabetes, according to the CDC. Researchers studying the challenges of insulin use in hospitals say about 25% of hospitalized patients have a confirmed diagnosis of diabetes at admission, and 12% of patients have unrecognized diabetes or hospital-related hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar.

Diabetes is a complex condition to manage as providers must balance and time a patients insulin doses around their carbohydrate intake and monitor their blood sugar levels. There are also different types of insulin, including slow-acting and longer-acting forms of the drug, and it comes in vials or pens or is inserted in a pump.

Years of studies have found that errors with insulin abound in hospitals. A 1998 study found that insulin was associated with 11% of all harmful medication errors in hospitals. Later U.S. and British studies found that insulin errors account for more errors in hospitals than any other drug.

Insulin errors remain one of the most frequent and often significant medication safety issues faced by practitioners today, according to the safe medication institute. Since insulin is a high-alert drug, those errors can be devastating for patients, RN Susan Paparella, the institutes vice president for services, said.

Still Paparella cautioned against making comparisons between hospitals because of the widely different ways they report errors.

Unfortunately, there is no national, centralized error reporting program or database, Paparella said. Some states have mandated error reporting programs, butreporting is so variable, it is near impossible to definitely determine the number of insulin-related errors in U.S. hospitals each year.

The American Society of Health-System Pharmacists in 2013 called for tighter restrictions on insulin storage in hospitals, better training of nurses and better monitoring of hypoglycemia, low blood sugar, and hyperglycemia.

Missed chances to catch a killer

VA Inspector General Michael Missal issued a scathing report on the day of Mays sentencing in in 2021, saying that a series of missed opportunities allowed her to keep killing as long as she did.

While responsibility for these heinous criminal acts lies with Reta Mays, an extensive healthcare inspection by our office found that the facility had serious and pervasive clinical and administrative failures that contributed to them going undetected, Missal said.

Mays in 2020 told investigators that she deliberately injected the patients because they were suffering and she wanted them to die gently, the inspector general report said. She added that she had a lot of stress and chaos in her life and these actions gave her a sense of control, the report said.

Inspectors found that security was lax in Ward 3A, where Mays worked.

Some medication carts were unlocked and unattended, the report said. Given the unexplained hypoglycemic events, open access to insulin stored in the medication room and medication carts was concerning.

The report also said:

 The hospital pharmacy was not tracking its stock of insulin or D50, a medication that was being heavily used to reverse the unexplained cases of low blood sugar.

 The cases were never reported to the patient safety manager, and employees were never trained on what incidents should be reported.

 Doctors failed to consider that nefarious actions might be behind the deaths.

 There were nine spikes in the patient mortality rate from 2015 to 2018 when Mays was working at the VA hospital, but no review of them was conducted.

Norma Shaw said her husband was never the same after he suffered hypoglycemia on March 26, 2018. He died 15 days later.

He couldnt talk. He would get agitated, she said. It just hurt to see him like that.

George Shaw, an Air Force veteran of 28 years, loved to bowl and spend time with his large family.

I still havent been able to forgive her for what she took away from me and my family, Norma Shaw said.

ODell, her lawyer, said the federal government reached several million dollars worth of settlements with 15 families in cases involving Mays. Prosecutors only brought charges in eight cases.

ODell said hospitals need to enforce their protocols and use automated dispensing systems to reduce errors and stop predators. He said the lapses at the VA made it easy for Mays to kill.

You know, if she doesnt have access [to the insulin], maybe this never starts, he said.

VA officials replaced the medical centers director in 2020 and pledged to make many changes after the deaths, but a spokesman did not respond to a request for an update on the reforms.

I gave it to her

The police warrant in the case of Hayes, the Winston-Salem RN, details how he allegedly caused the deaths of two patients and nearly killed a third.

In January 2022, Gwen Crawford, 60, died three days after going to intensive care for hypoglycemia, according to the affidavit. Hayes was seen on camera leaving a secure medication room with a vial of insulin that contained 300 doses, the warrant said. Police say doctors determined that Crawford was given more than 100 doses of insulin when 12 units is typically the maximum dose.

Hayes told police that Crawford was very sick and needed to go. He later clarified that needed to go meant that she needed to be transferred to intensive care, the warrant said.

The same month, Vicky Lingerfelt, 61, a non-diabetic, suffered a hypoglycemic episode and died. An endocrinologist attributed her death to more than 100 units of insulin, the warrant said. Hayes was recorded accessing Lingerfelts medical record and was seen on video removing a full vial of insulin from the medication room, the warrant said.

He first denied administering the fatal doses of insulin, but later said, I guess I gave it to her, that would make sense, the warrant said. When police said they needed to know the truth, he said, I gave it to her, the warrant said.

A third patient, Pamela Little, 63, survived a hypoglycemia episode in December 2021 and told police she was scared of a male nurse because he was sneaky, the warrant said. Her description generally fit that of Hayes, the warrant said.

In response to the alleged murders, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services surveyed the hospital in November 2022 for CMS. CMS did not impose any sanctions related to the insulin injections, Bailey Pennington Allison, a spokeswoman for the health department, said.

An Atrium Health spokesman declined to comment, but Denise Potter, the vice president for marketing, communications and media, said in October 2022 that as soon as the hospital learned of Hayes actions, he was fired. She added that the hospital apologized to the patients families and contacted the police.

We conducted an in-depth analysis to ensure that we have done everything possible so an event like this can never happen again, she said.

Better off dead

Pressdee, the Pennsylvania nurse accused in connection with the 22 cases, was hired as assistant director of nursing at Quality Life Services in Chicora, Pennsylvania in 2022 despite being disciplined for abusive behavior at other facilities in the state, according to the criminal complaint against her. She was acting director of nursing at the nursing home before her firing in November 2022.

The relative of a patient who died complained to the attorney general that Pressdee was improperly giving insulin to patients, the complaint said. The patient, a 55-year-old man who was not diabetic, was twice hospitalized with critically low blood sugar, the complaint said.

A doctor concluded his hypoglycemia was caused by doses of insulin, the complaint said. The mans suitemate, an 83-year-old man who was diabetic, but who did not require insulin, was hospitalized for hypoglycemia within a half hour of the first patient, the complaint said. He died about a month later.

A nurse practitioner was suspicious and spoke with Pressdee about the patients. The complaint says that Pressdee told her that the first patient would be better off dead.

Investigators said a third patient, a 73-year-old man who was not diabetic, had hypoglycemia two hours after Pressdees shift ended in August 2022, the complaint said. He recovered.

On May 24, Pressdee admitted that she gave the first two patients insulin because she felt bad for their quality of life and she had hoped that they would just slip into a coma and pass away, the complaint said.

She said she took doses of 60 or 100 units of insulin from the cart and injected it in the patients shoulder or stomach, the complaint said.

Kelley Denny, a spokeswoman for Quality Life Services, said the company is unable to respond to questions about Pressdee while the attorney generals investigation is continuing.

ONeill, the Pennsylvania health department spokesman, there were no findings of violations as part of investigations done by his agency in response to the allegations against Pressdee.

Henry, the attorney general, said Nov. 2 that Pressdee was charged with first-degree murder in the cases where physical evidence supported the cause of death. She was charged with attempted murder in cases where the victims survived excessive doses of insulin or where the cause of death could not be determined. She called Pressdees actions the callous abuse of incredibly vulnerable patients by a professional nurse.
After delaying college for two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, Jaden Todd wasnt sure a four-year school was the right place to start.

I was extremely concerned that I forgot how to learn, he said.

Community college appealed as a stepping stone, but he also had heard stories of students who had to start over when they transferred because their credits didn't count at the new school.

Todd, 21, was relieved to wind up at Northern Virginia Community College's ADVANCE program, a partnership with George Mason University that put him on a clear path to his goal of a bachelors degree in computer science.

Such established arrangements between two- and four-year colleges and universities have shown promise in helping more community college students go on to earn bachelors degrees, according to data released Thursday by U.S. Education Department.

Only 13% of federal financial aid recipients who enrolled in community college in 2014 received a bachelors degree within eight years, the data found.

Hundreds of thousands of those who enroll annually at the more affordable two-year schools plan to transfer to a four-year program at a college or university, but obstacles get in the way. Frequently, students lack the guidance they need to navigate the transfer, and their credits don't transfer the way they planned.

Our current higher education system stacks the deck against community college students who aspire to earn four-year degrees, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said ahead of a gathering of 200 higher education leaders convened Thursday by his department to examine state and school transfer policies.

The new data tracked roughly 620,000 federal financial aid recipients. The outcomes are especially concerning for Black, Hispanic and low-income students, who are more likely to start at community colleges.

Colleges in New Jersey, New York and Illinois graduated the most transfer students, with schools in South Dakota, Delaware, Indiana and New Mexico recording the lowest numbers.

One of the things that I think has really played a pivotal role in transfer student success is our goal to make as much information transparent, said Alicia Alvero, associate vice chancellor for academic and faculty affairs at the City University of New York.

CUNY relies on an online transfer explorer, known as T-Rex, that makes it easier for students to see which of their courses will transfer between campuses, Alvero said.

The State University of New York is experimenting with artificial intelligence to let students map courses between any of the community and four-year campuses in the system, said Dan Knox, a director at the National Association of System Heads, an organization of 48 public higher education systems across the country formed to advance innovation in higher education.

At SUNY, that's 30 community colleges and ... 64 campuses in total, so the choice sets in a system that large for students are just overwhelming, Knox said.

It's just very tough to map all that out manually, he said.

The Education Department data also found widely varying results when it looked at pairings between two- and four-year institutions in each state to evaluate how often community college students graduated from the four-year institutions they would most likely attend.

Among the highest-performing pairings were those with established partnerships designed to ease the transfer process, like the one at George Mason.

Todd, a 2020 high school graduate in Woodbridge, Virginia, said he liked that the co-enrollment program set from the start the classes he would take in community college and at George Mason. He'd heard of others paying thousands for tuition only to lose credits and find themselves behind when they transferred.

I mean, I could spend $15,000 a year and want to try another college out, he said.

Researchers said evaluating why certain pairings do better than others would help improve transfer systems as a whole. The findings are expected to guide higher education leaders who are struggling with declining enrollment and students concerned about adding to the $1.77 trillion in student loan debt.

We have never before had national data that look at how well students do when they move among colleges and universities, said James Kvaal, undersecretary of education, so this study weve done, looking at people who get student aid, is really groundbreaking and has shed new light onto the role that both community colleges and four-year colleges play in helping their students get that college degree.

The summit also is expected to address statewide policies such as assigning codes to courses to create consistency across schools and guaranteed admission for certain students.

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Experts say new steps China has agreed to will eventually reduce the flow of the deadly opioid fentanyl into the U.S., but that alone will not stem the overdose crisis killing Americans at a record rate.

President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping announced at a meeting Wednesday in California that China is telling its chemical companies to curtail shipments to Latin America and elsewhere of the materials used to produce fentanyl, which is largely finished in Mexico and then smuggled into the U.S.

China has also resumed sharing information about suspected trafficking with an international database.

Its a step in the right direction because not doing this would be negligent, said Adam Wandt, an associate professor of public policy at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. If this is a diplomatic option that we did not take, every fentanyl death over the next decade would be on our heads.

But he and others described the steps as necessary in addressing the overdose crisis in the U.S.  but not sufficient.

Wandt said the steps should reduce the amount of fentanyl in the U.S., though when that happens depends on how much of the chemicals are already in possession of Mexican cartels. And even if fentanyl is eradicated, he said, they will switch to another drug, which I predict will be even more lethal.

Kevin Roy, the chief public policy officer at Shatterproof, a national group dedicated to combatting the addiction and overdose crisis, said that the steps announced were crucial, but they still have to be carried out.

Its only one part of a bigger picture, Roy said.

He was also concerned that the nations did not reach any agreements on how to deal with laundering drug money through China, an issue that Rahul Gupta, director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy, identified at a congressional hearing this year as another major problem.

Fentanyl emerged as a widespread problem in the U.S. about a decade ago as there were crackdowns on prescribing opioid painkillers, which were linked to soaring death numbers already.

In the early days, it was largely shipped from China to the U.S., easily concealed in envelopes and small packages. Fentanyls potency makes it appealing to drug suppliers because its easy to ship. And because its made from chemicals in labs, it doesnt rely on growing crops for drugs such as heroin, cocaine or marijuana.

Pushed by then-President Donald Trump, China agreed in late 2018 to crack down on shipments of finished fentanyl and some of its precursors. After that, more production moved to Mexico  with the raw materials still coming largely from China.

Synthetic opioids are now the biggest killers in the deadliest drug crisis the U.S. has ever seen. In 2014, nearly 50,000 deaths in the U.S. were linked to drug overdoses of all kinds. By last year, the total was more than 100,000, according to a tally by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than two-thirds of those deaths  more than 200 per day  involved fentanyl or similar synthetic drugs.

The powerful drugs are showing up in different places in the nation's supply of illicit substances. It's in counterfeit pills and cocaine, in some cases causing overdoses in people who have no idea that they're using fentanyl. It's also sought out by some people with opioid use disorder. In many areas of the country, it's mostly replaced the supply of heroin.

Xi said at a dinner in San Francisco on Wednesday: China sympathizes deeply with the American people, especially the young, for the sufferings that fentanyl has inflicted upon them.

Biden said of the agreement: Its going to save lives, and I appreciate President Xis commitment on this issue."

The tone has changed from earlier this year. In April, Wang Wenbin, a spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry criticized the U.S. for blaming China for the precursors, saying they're ordinary chemicals sold through normal trade. And China blasted the U.S. over the summer for imposing sanctions on Chinese anti-drug efforts rather than praising their efforts.

A key part of the new announcement from China is that it is sharing information on the drug trade. It's resumed submitting information to the International Narcotics Control Board for the first time in three years and agreed to launch a counternarcotics working group with the U.S.

As we know only too well, the supply piece of this is just one part and were not going to solve the fentanyl overdose issue solely by reducing the supply, said Regina LaBelle, who directs the Addiction and Public Policy Initiative at Georgetown Universitys ONeill Institute and served as acting director of the Office of National Drug Control Policy under President Biden.

She said that it's significant that China and the U.S. are dealing with fentanyl, but it's an issue that demands cooperation from other countries, too. Xi was meeting Thursday with Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez and Biden was scheduled to meet with him on Friday.

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ELLWOOD CITY, Pa.  When a health care startup dreamed of building a network of rural hospitals several years ago, it turned to Jim Biden.

Though he wasn't a public health consultant or a medical expert, Jim Biden was the brother of Joe Biden, who recently finished his term as vice president. The company's chief executive believed Jim Biden would help provide the enterprise with "serious horsepower."

But Jim Biden wasn't the secret weapon Americore Health Services was counting on. The company imploded in 2019, filing for bankruptcy amid a pile of lawsuits and a federal investigation into fraud allegations. Americore also accused Jim Biden of failing to repay $600,000 in loans.

Some of the Florida-based company's hospitals closed, including one in Ellwood City, near the western edge of Pennsylvania.

The fallout extended to Washington, where Republicans are hunting for evidence that could be used to impeach Democratic President Joe Biden. It's a playbook they've used on Joe Biden's son Hunter, whose checkered history includes controversial overseas deal-making, accusations of tax evasion and a struggle with addiction.

Republicans have not uncovered evidence directly tying the president to any wrongdoing, but his brother and son face accusations of leveraging their last name into corporate paydays. House Republicans subpoenaed them last week as part of their investigation into transactions and relationships in the Biden family.

The latest focus has been on payments that Republicans claim show the president benefited from his brother's work, including more than $600,000 that Americore sent Jim Biden when the company was struggling to stay afloat.

Republicans highlighted a $200,000 personal check from Jim to Joe Biden on the same day  March 1, 2018  that Jim Biden received an equal amount from Americore.

House Democrats point to bank records they say indicate Jim Biden was repaying a loan provided by his brother, who wire transferred $200,000 to him about six weeks earlier. The money changed hands while Joe Biden was a private citizen before announcing his successful White House bid.

"There is nothing more to those transactions, and there is nothing wrong with them," said Paul Fishman, an attorney representing Jim Biden. "And Jim Biden has never involved his brother in his business dealings."

He accused Republicans of pursuing "an unnecessary and intrusive review of Jim's private banking records."

White House spokesman Ian Sams said "extreme House Republicans won't let the truth get in the way of abusing their power to conduct a smear campaign against the president."

Jim Biden last year repaid Americore $350,000 to settle a lawsuit filed by the company's court-appointed trustee. His lawyers for that proceeding said he played no role in the company's collapse and all the money he received was for consulting work, not loans as the trustee alleged.

Biden's political adversaries vowed to press forward with their investigations.

Rep. James Comer, chairman of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, said he's "troubled that Joe Biden's ability to recoup funds depend on his brother's cashing in on the Biden brand."

Comer, R-Ky., is also scrutinizing transactions beyond those involving Americore. The lawmaker claims records show that Joe Biden benefited from "laundered China money" when Hunter and Jim Biden began working with a politically connected Chinese energy company in 2017.

Jim Biden's wife, Sara, cut a personal check to Joe Biden for $40,000 on Sept. 3, 2017, weeks after a payment from Chinese interests.

House Democrats said bank records show Joe Biden wired $40,000 to his brother a little more than a month earlier, suggesting the subsequent check was to repay a loan.

Representatives for Joe and Jim Biden did not provide explanations for the loans, which were made during a lucrative intermission in the president's career as an elected official. In the two years after leaving the vice presidency, Joe Biden and his wife, Jill, made $15 million in book deals, speaking fees and university work.

Jim Biden's varied career included stints working as a nightclub owner, selling health and pension benefit services to labor unions and working for a construction company seeking contracts in the Middle East. Jim Biden also has a checkered financial history that includes lawsuits over unpaid bills, trouble with mortgage payments and liens for unpaid federal, state and municipal taxes, court and land records show.

After Joe Biden was elected to the Senate in 1972, Jim Biden ran a Delaware nightclub called Seasons Change that eventually shut down with roughly $600,000 in unpaid debts, according to local newspapers.

Jim Biden received some loans for the club because officials at one bank believed his last name "would attract a trendy free-spending crowd," the Delaware News Journal reported in 1977. One of the officials tried to pressure Jim Biden to repay the money by telling him that delinquency could embarrass his brother.

According to a newspaper interview that the bank's chairman gave at the time, Joe Biden angrily called to complain. "Look," the senator said, "whatever goes on with my brother, it's his problem, and don't bring my name into it."

Jim Biden's personal financial troubles played a role in his brother's decision to quit his first presidential campaign in 1988, according to the book "What It Takes."

And his ties to lawyers entangled in a Mississippi bribery scheme became a target for Republicans in the 2008 race, when Joe Biden was Barack Obama's running mate.

The negative publicity doesn't seem to have driven a wedge between the brothers, and the president tapped Jim Biden to pick out furnishings for the Oval Office. He also attended a state dinner at the White House honoring Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in June.

Photos: Biden impeachment inquiry hearings
A Carter Lake man was sentenced on Wednesday to more than nine years in federal prison after he pleaded guilty to conspiracy to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine throughout Omaha and Carter Lake.

According to a press release from the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa, 35-year-old Jeremy Bothwell conspired with others to sell and distribute cocaine from his Carter Lake residence from June 2021 to March 2022. He was indicted in November 2022 and pleaded guilty in June 2023.

Bothwell faced a mandatory minimum of five years in prison and a maximum of 40 years. He was sentenced to 114 months, which is about nine and a half years.

The Omaha Police Department assisted in the investigation along with the Council Bluffs Police Department, the Southwest Iowa Narcotics Task Force and the Drug Enforcement Administration.
BLOOMINGTON  Seedling Theatre will present "Honk! JR.", the story of the ugly duckling, this week at Bloomington's First Christian Church, 401 W. Jefferson St.

This is artistic director Donna Anhalt's 15th year with the program, with help from co-directors Catie Sokal-Borland and Grace Irvin, and music director Paula Collins.

The show features 21 special-needs kids and adults with a varying range of abilities, and they have been busy preparing since rehearsals began in August. They started practicing three times a week, then moved to four times a week, and increased to five times a week in the two weeks leading up to the show.

Among the participants are Megan Ensminger, 29, Tommy Telegenhoff, 20, and Niki Griffin, 21. Ensminger has been with the program for nine years, Telegenhoff for 11 years and Griffin for three years.

"I love it because I love bringing joy to people and knowing that my friends and family see it. It just brings me joy and (brings) them joy as well," said Griffin, who plays the role of "Ugly."

Anhalt said she also has a "mom squad" helping out with the production, as well as dads and families, and her husband, who calls himself "Mr. Donna."

"It's not technically Christmas (the show), but it has a blizzard in it, so it counts. It seems to have a bit more songs than dialogue, but the songs are so cute," Anhalt said. "They have worked their butts off because this is, it's not easy to memorize ... but they do it. They love it and we give them all the chances we can to enjoy it."

The show has over 10 songs, including "A Poultry Tale," the opening number that features the entire cast.

In addition to Ensminger, Telegenhoff and Griffin, the cast includes Daniel Johnson, Steven Talsma, Bella Levine, Lindsey Bates, Titiana Sands, Emily Mitchell, Andrew Parkin, Matthew Sands, Nate Alexander, Addie Owen, Jamie Martin, Gavin Bowers, Bella Levine, Katie Meginnes, Lauren Hornbrook, Tori Nelson, Isaac Sands, Andrew Parkin and Connor Byrd.

Telegenhoff is playing the villain in the show, "Cat."

"This is the first show that I've done with them ... where I get to be the villain," he told The Pantagraph during rehearsal on Monday night. "I haven't actually been a villain without the entire thing (show) being about villains."

Seedling Theatre is a project of Illinois Voices Theatre, a group that also assists with the Evergreen Cemetery Walk in October.

Seedling began in 2009 with a Christmas show and later added a summer "Lovin' Theatre" camp, winter and spring workshops, and their Seedling Encore program, which features special-needs individuals 18 and older who perform live theater shows twice a year.

Ensminger is particularly excited for this year's show.

"I was super excited because I was getting to do a scene of the blizzard. And I was super excited that I would memorize the lines for Dot and Penny," she said, referring to goose and swan characters, respectively.

The show begins with a pay-what-you-can preview at 7 p.m. Thursday and continues at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets are $5 for youth and $10 for adults.

Tickets can be purchased online at ilvoicestheatre.org.

"They're a great group. And I've watched literally and figuratively, watched them grow," Anhalt said. "So we get a lot of really talented, and some kids that they don't really say too much. I encourage them, but we get them out there, too. And they've been with us for along time. And we've got a really good mixture of kids and adults; we say kids, but they're also adults. They're my kids."

39 Photos from Dueling Pianos Jen Bras, Marlene Rutherford, Karen Miller, Janelle Payne, Amy Eberly, Annie Swanson Jen Bras, Annie Swanson Catherine Dunlap, Christina Rogers, Jen Hooker Kandi Smith, Nancy Wisted Project Oz Leadership Team Jon and Ed Voegele Andrea Arduini, Sherry Quinlan, Christina Rogers Heather MacDonald, Alicia Turner Joe and Heather Dehn, Beth and Mark Fasse Lainey Whitaker, Blake Dehn Andrea Arduini, Lisa Thompson, Sherry Quinlan Kristi and Greg Zook, Joe Tidei, Rachel Blumenthal, Mo Dittmar, Tony Tider John and Christine Street Diane and Scott Black Beth Stufflebeam, Larum Dean Matt Coates,Jay Shannon, Andrew Bennett Andrew Bennett, Kristen Kubsch Checking out the silent auction Patty Smudde, Tim Bayley, Roger Laramee Tim Glancy, Doug and Nancy Braun Trevor Ragle, Caleb and Jorri Poindexter Todd and Gail Musick Brian and Stephanie Barisch Matthew Hoyle, Rose Ortega Joel and Hailey Ramseyer, Allison Kroesch, Elisa Palmer, Chris Ramseyer Julia Mendez, Regan Ragle, Jeannie Bullock Lizzy and Joe Johnston Tara and Randy Csecsinovits Kyleigh Tinervin, Alexis Curtis, Vicki Tinervin, Emma Payne Melissa Remolina, Noel Scott Rob Lipic, Kim Ensign Jen Bras, Kate Burcham, Tracy Patkunas, Erin Jennings Ronda Gates, Brionna Pratt Julie, Steve and Kristen Kubsch Julie, Steve and Kristen Kubsch, Tracy Patkunas Project Oz team Dueling Pianos Julie Kubsch making a song request Steve and Cathy Haas, Nancy and Steve Snyder
BLOOMINGTON  Developers wishing to drill wells to bury climate-changing carbon dioxide deep under McLean County may have to comply with an all-new set of rules before their projects can begin.

On Tuesday, the McLean County Zoning Board of Appeals approved an amended set of zoning requirements for such sequestration wells. The decision came after comments, questions and testimony from the public that spanned three different three-hour zoning board meetings.

The board also heard testimony on an unrelated proposal to drill three injection wells for carbon sequestration on the county's east side. The developer, One Earth Sequestration, is pursuing state approval for plans to build a roughly 7-mile pipeline between the wells and Gibson City ethanol producer One Earth Energy.

The application for that project was made under the preliminary zoning requirements for sequestration drilling approved by the McLean County Board this spring. The McLean County Land Use and Development Committee presented a more detailed list of requirements in September.

One of the most debated requirements was that wells must be 1,500 feet from an occupied residence, livestock shelter, community building or commercial or manufacturing building.

Proponents of sequestration suggested a setback requirement of 330 to 660 feet, which would be in line with setbacks for oil and gas wells.

One of the concerns over higher setbacks was a 2020 sequestration pipeline rupture in Mississippi that caused dozens of people to experience shortness of breath, confusion and loss of consciousness.

Lea Cline, chair of the Land Use and Development Committee, said that while there are industries where setbacks are more established, there are no setback requirements for sequestration wells.

"Unlike gas wells, there is little to no agreement about who will be legally responsible for regulating CO2 wells long term," Cline said. "The companies proposing wells often speak of a 30-year monitoring commitment but will also explain that injected carbon will not solidify for approximately 100 years if that."

Don Carlson, executive director of Illinois Peoples Action, a downstate faith and community organization, concluded his testimony by saying that there needs to be additional language to protect human health and safety.

These requests included a financial assurance plan to detail an applicant's commitment to pay for any accidents at a project site and the prohibition of carbon sequestration below or near U.S. drinking water aquifers or designated water sheds that recharge aquifers.

A number of speakers raised concerns about the drilling of a well near the Mahomet Aquifer, which provides drinking water to hundreds of thousands of Illinois residents across 14 counties.

Cline said her committee and the work group involved in the drafting of the new zoning requirements have made public commitments to opposing any sequestration application with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that seeks to drill a CO2 well through the Mahomet Aquifer.

"The (zoning board) and the County Board have just one card to play in this situation: We have the right to determine proper zoning for the siting of these wells," Cline said. "Our rights are limited in that they cannot supersede federal authority but they do specifically state that we should use our zoning authority to, among other things, preserve and protect property rights, provide safety from danger and to conserve natural resources."

Although aquifer protections and financial assurance requirements were not added, the board agreed to include language that an applicant must have an evacuation plan in the event of a serious incident.

The applicant would be required to provide necessary equipment and training for first responders.

Dawn Dannenbring, climate and environmental justice organizer for Illinois People's Action, said that although her group wanted longer setbacks and the inclusion of leaked-gas dispersion studies, the addition of evacuation requirements was a win for everyone who provided testimony against sequestration.

"You heard members of the zoning board say we have to understand the emergency response plan before we give a special use permit," Dannenbring said. "And that the emergency plan for first responders has to be approved locally and funded by the applicant and those are all things that we think are critical."

One Earth Sequestration proposal

The board also heard additional testimony on a special use permit application from One Earth Sequestration LLC to allow for the drilling of three carbon sequestration wells: two in Anchor Township and one in Cheney's Grove Township.

A Nov. 7 public hearing on the application had been continued due to the county's Government Center closing before all registered speakers had a chance to provide comment.

In October, One Earth Sequestration LLC submitted an application to the Illinois Commerce Commission to authorize the construction, installation, operation and maintenance of a roughly 7-mile-long CO2 transportation pipeline in McLean and Ford counties.

A special use application to the county also was submitted in October.

The pipeline would transport captured and compressed gas from the One Earth Energy ethanol-manufacturing facility in Gibson City to an injection well in McLean County. From there, the CO2  a byproduct of the grain fermentation that produces ethanol  will be injected into the Mount Simon geological formation for permanent underground storage.

Doing so would require a state-of-the-art CO2 capture, dehydration and compression facility; a pipeline transportation system, three CO2 injection wells and three monitoring wells, according to the ICC application.

Although the application will not be subject to the zoning requirements recommended by the zoning board on Tuesday because it predates any action on those recommendations, the County Board can require that the applicant comply with some or all of these provisions.

If approved, the pipeline would be estimated to compress, transport and store around 420,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide annually.

Public reactions to the application were mixed.

Sally Lasser, who owns property in the target area of the proposed wells, said the advancement of the project could affect her ability to insure her home, buildings and farm and would affect her ability to have lending opportunities at a nearby bank.

"Disclosures are required in real estate to make buyers aware of what they're getting," Lasser said. "I feel it would be unethical, immoral and perhaps illegal to not disclose the proximity of wells, caps and plumes on or near my property to interested buyers."

However, Anchor Township Highway Commissioner Rodney Landau said as a farmer, he would like to see the project advance due to the expansion of the ethanol industry and its impact on the market for corn.

"And when that ethanol plant closes, the money that is going to leave our farming area because of five billion bushels of corn rotting on the ground because nobody's going to use it is going to be a detriment to McLean County, to Illinois and to Anchor Township," Landau said.

Should the application gain regulatory approval in a timely fashion, construction is anticipated to commence in 2024.

The public hearing for the One Earth application was continued to Nov. 21.

The states producing the most carbon dioxide emissions States Producing the Most Carbon Dioxide Emissions Globally the US ranks 2nd in total and per capita carbon emissions US CO2 emissions continue to decrease despite population and GDP growth 15. New Mexico 14. Alabama 13. Arkansas 12. Texas 11. Oklahoma 10. Iowa 9. Kentucky 8. Nebraska 7. Indiana 6. Montana 5. Louisiana 4. Alaska 3. West Virginia 2. North Dakota 1. Wyoming
How Time Flies is a daily feature looking back at Pantagraph archives to revisit what was happening in our community and region.

100 years ago

Nov. 16, 1923: The rooms of the McLean County Historical Society in the new McBarnes Memorial building have attracted hundreds of people. The general sentiment of the community is expressed by a city businessman when he said, "My, I never realized that you had such a wonderful exhibit of interesting things as you have here."

75 years ago

Nov. 16, 1948: Operations at the Bloomington General Mills plant have nearly ceased. Alan Brantingham, plant manager, was out of town and the actual plant closing date could not be determined. According to previous announcements, the plant here will be used temporarily as a warehouse.

50 years ago

Nov. 16, 1973: Dr. Gene A. Budig, president of Illinois State University, will move his family into the controversial university residence on campus as requested by the Illinois Board of Regents. He said he would honor the board's decision. He had refused to live in the quarter-million-dollar house.

25 years ago

Nov. 16, 1998: Musicians of all ages and skill level are invited to join the Heartland College Community Jazz Band. The idea is to bring together students, professionals, teachers, amateurs and musicians of all kinds to play various types of jazz big band music, according to band organizer Doug Tidaback, who is the music supervisor at Central Catholic High School.
U.S. Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer joined Ashanti Regional Minister Simon Osei-Mensah today to break ground for a new state-of-the art maternal and child center at the HopeXchange Medical Center in Kumasi.



The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has invested $3.5 million in the HopeXchange Medical Center Ghana to date.



A healthy start is the first step to a lifetime of good health, said Ambassador Palmer. In addition to the support to HopeXchange, every year, the United States invests over $12 million to improve the health and lives of mothers, babies, and children across the country.



This investment in quality maternal and antenatal care means healthier mothers and newborns, she added.



The United States launched a Womens Cancer Center at HopeXchange Ghana in 2019 that serves as a regional hub for medical training, research, and patient care to address public health priorities in sub-Saharan Africa.



The new maternal and child center launched today will include a labor and delivery suite, neonatal and pediatric intensive care units, inpatient and outpatient wards, and an adolescent clinic. The HopeXchange Medical Center serves approximately four million people.



The United States is Ghanas largest bilateral development partner. In 2023, bilateral assistance totaled over $150 million dedicated to supporting health, economic growth and agriculture, education, governance, and security.



The HopeXchange Medical Center Ghana is a unique collaborative effort between the United States Government, Ghanas Ministry of Health, the Christian Health Association of Ghana, Ghana Health Service, the Government and People of Malta, the Catholic Church of Ghana and Italy, Yale University, HopeXchange Foundation, and NGOs.



USAIDs support is made possible through the USAID American Schools and Hospitals Abroad (USAID/ASHA) initiative. These grants support schools, libraries, hospital centers, and centers of excellence across the world.



Since its inception in 1947, the USAID/ASHA initiative has supported 300 institutions globally, spanning across 28 U.S. Congresses and 19 U.S. Presidential administrations.

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









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President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has revealed that Former Deputy Chief of Staff at the Jubilee House, Francis Asenso-Boakye is already missed by workers at the Presidency.



''He does everything appropriately. He will always bring you good news whenever I send him to do something on my behalf. He became the Deputy Chief of Staff at the Jubilee House and till date, people still call his name and praise him for his hard work, the president disclosed.



President Akufo-Addo also noted that, he developed love Hon Francis Asenso-Boakye right from the times he met him at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) when he (Asenso-Boakye) was a student.



(Bantama) ''Thanks for grooming Asenso-Boakye for me. He does things best'', the President added.



The First Gentleman said this at Bantama today, Wednesday, 15th November, 2023, during the commissioning of a modern Library and Technology Hub in the Bantama constituency named after him.



The new library at Bantama is the 127th in the country.



Commenting on the project, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stated that he really appreciates and commends the efforts of Mr. Asenso-Boakye and his decision to name the project after named after him (President).



He noted that he was more happy because the project named after him is an educational one.



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo asked the people of Bantama constituency in the Ashanti Region to retain Hon Francis Asenso-Boakye as their Member of Parliament in the 2024 general elections.



He stressed that it would hurt him much if the people Bantama do not retain Mr. Asenso-Boakye.



"It will hurt me so much if people of Bantama throw him away. Give him the opportunity to represent you again and he will come and continue the good job he has been doing".



Touching on 2024 presidential election, President Nana Akufo-Addo urged Ghanaians to eschew ethnocentric politics and religion-based politics against the flagbearer of the NPP, stressing that his competence is what maters. He expressed the hope that Dr. Bawumia would an excellent president.



The President also jabbed former President and flagberer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama saying his intension to come back to the presidency is a deceit to Ghanaian.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also told Ghanaians to ignore the NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama because he has nothing better to offer them.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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A cosy and intimate atmosphere welcomed the students who had finished a three-month attachment programme with Aseyegold Designs in Accra. The mini graduation ceremony was friendly and celebratory, reflecting the close-knit community that had established between the students and Aseyegold Designs



The event was held in Aseyegold Designs' wonderfully decorated shop, at Adabraka in Accra which had witnessed the creative energy aspiring students. Mrs. Christine Aseye Darkey, Aseyegold Designs' creative founder, beaming with delight as she addressed the student and their families.



Mrs. Darkey said, her eyes filled with delight and success. "I am genuinely impressed by your incredible responsiveness and dedication during your three months with Aseyegold Designs." Your enthusiasm and dedication to your studies and job have been incredibly encouraging."



Mrs. Darkey's comments struck a chord in the hearts of the pupils, who listened intently. Her words of encouragement served as a compass, pointing them in the direction of a future where their creativity and dedication would bloom.



The students' works were showcased in a mini exhibition within the shop space. The atmosphere buzzed with excitement as attendees marveled at the tangible fruits of the students' labour. Each design, a testament to the growth and improvement achieved during their attachment program, elicited nods of approval and smiles of pride.



The proud guardians of the students expressed their delight at the visible progress their wards had made. The mini graduation ceremony became a platform not just for recognizing completion but for celebrating the transformation of these aspiring designers into skilled artisans.



As certificates were presented to each graduate, the room filled with applause and cheers. It wasn't just the end of a program; it was the beginning of a journey into the wider world of fashion, armed with the skills and insights gained at Aseyegold Designs.



Students and their families experienced moments of joy in the aftermath of the event, reminiscing on the friendships created and the lessons learnt. A sense of accomplishment pervaded the air, a monument to Aseyegold Designs' success in cultivating the next generation of outstanding designers.



The mini graduation ceremony was small in scope, but its impact was profound in the hearts and minds of all who attended.



Contact: +233246382378



Website: www.aseyegolddesigns.com



Facebook: aseyegolddesigns



Instagram: aseyegolddesigns



Tiktok: aseyegolddesigns

























Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Tributes are pouring in for popular Nigerian rapper Oladips, following his death at the age of 28.



"We are still in shock as we speak," his management said in an Instagram post.



The cause of death is unclear but the post read he "kept his battles within himself" for two years.



Oladips was a talented musician who rapped about political issues like the ENDSars protests against police brutality.



He also touched on the subject of mental health and depression in his songs.



"His story telling rap was top notch" one fan wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.



Big Brother Naija contestant Hermes Iyele expressed his shock over the young rapper's death saying: "May God grant the family the grace to carry this grief."



The rapper was due to release his new album titled SUPERHERO ADUGBO (The Memoir) on Thursday. His last single was called Die Young.



Oladips rose to fame when he won a rap competition called the King is Here hosted by Nigerian music giant DBanj in 2015.



Oladips's death comes a few months after another popular musician, Mohbad, died in September, leading to countrywide protests.

Source: BBC









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Diminutive Ghanaian actor, Don Little has revealed that he has lost count of the number of ladies he has slpt with since he became popular.



Sharing his experience in a recent interview with Delay, Don Little revealed that it is usually the women who approach him. He added that most of these women are from social media; Facebook and Instagram especially.



The actor also disclosed that he usually makes out with them in a guest house to prevent people from talking. He also disclosed that he can get a cheap guest house for 30ghc for a short time.



When asked if the ladies enjoyed it, he stated that all he wants is to ej@culate and once he reaches that limit, he doesnt care about how the ladies feel.













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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Waste incinerator. Credit: CC0 Public Domain

As waste-to-energy incineratorsa mainstay of garbage disposal in economically advanced countriesfind their way into the developing countries of the Asia Pacific, questions are being asked about their suitability for the region.

In December 2022, the Maldives legislated to open the remote, Indian Ocean archipelago, which is threatened by rising sea levels, to incineration technology to manage its local waste and possible waste importation.

The Asian Development Bank, which supports waste incineration projects across the region, says the Maldives project will be designed to "reduce disaster risk and improve climate change resilience while creating a cleaner environment and decreasing greenhouse gas emissions."

But the experience with waste-to-energy plants has been mixed.

For a start, waste as a fuel can be more polluting than even the dirtiest feedstocks such as coal, gas or oil.

To stem pollution, plants need to install adequate filters to comply with high emission standards to ensure that toxic gases do not escape into the air. There needs to be tight and constant monitoring to protect the environment.

In many developing countries in the region there is little confidence around this happening, given their poor environmental track record.

In the high-income countries of the colder northern hemisphere, such as Denmark, Germany, Japan, South Korea and Sweden, waste-to-energy plants produce electricity and hot water for district heating and steam for industrial use. This works well in those countries because they start out with segregated waste that has high calorific value.

However, many lower-income countries in the Asia Pacific do not have proper waste segregation.

Plastics are an important component of the waste fed into incinerators. Plastics generate the high temperatures needed to drive the turbines to produce electricity. However, burning plastic is also a major source of dioxin emissions, rated among the most toxic of substances and a known human carcinogen.

Interestingly, the world's leading plastic waste exporters include Japan which is also a major developer of waste-to-energy plants in the region.

China used to buy a significant portion of the global plastic waste to incinerate until 2018 when it imposed a ban on imports, forcing exporting countries to search for new markets. Like Japan, China is now emerging as a major supplier of funds, technology and equipment for waste incineration in the Asia Pacific.

With funds and technology available, incineration is gaining acceptance in many Asia Pacific countries, the Maldives among the latest.

Thailand has waste burners in Bangkok and Phuket and has plans to build 79 more. Indonesia, plagued by plastic waste clogging its rivers and drains, has incinerators in Jakarta and Surabaya, plus ten more in the pipeline. In the Philippines, there are 13 incinerator projects, six of them operational.

Governments in Asia Pacific countries are promoting waste-to-energy plants following the lead of India where the mass-burning of mixed waste with high organic content and plastic in so-called "moving grate" incinerators have become the norm. These produce large volumes of toxic smoke and ash, which need to be filtered out and disposed of.

India's experiments with waste incineration go back to 1987 when a plant using advanced Danish technology came up in Delhi. But that plant failed within a week thanks to the city having no provision to segregate waste, a prerequisite for waste to energy plants.

With segregation unenforceable, India shifted to direct incineration of mixed waste using moving grate technology, which requires costly filters to take care of dioxins and other harmful pollutants.

Monitoring emissions

Grate incinerators are cheap to build and operate and capable of dealing with the unsegregated waste typically found in developing countries. Between 2003 and 2020 around 200 grate incinerators were built around the world.

Delhi now burns 7,000 tonnes of mixed waste per day in four incinerators and is building a fifth, although the plants add to the severe air pollution woes in the capital.

Grate incinerator projects in the Philippines can be seen in a 36-megawatt Dutch-aided project in Cebu and a 19-megawatt plant U.K.-backed plant at Pangasinan. A Danish-aided, 1517-megawatt plant coming up at Semarang, Indonesia and an 8.7-megawatt plant being built at Chonburi, Thailand by French entities also use similar technology.

If moving grate waste-to-energy plants are to be sustainable they must, as in Singapore, enforce stringent emission monitoring. Plus, they are using sophisticated electrostatic precipitators and filters to remove pollutants from emissions released through tall chimneys.

Cleaner technologies that burn unsegregated waste, like gasification and fluidized bed incineration, are available but require greater capital investment.

Sending plastic waste along with dirty moving grate technology to developing countries is to simply, cheaply export the problem. It is an invitation to environmental and public health problems in receiving countries that lack the necessary monitoring and regulatory mechanisms.

If the European Union and the OECD are pursuing the circular economy, so too can the developing countries of the Asia Pacific. After all, they have an early start on the "reuse, recycle, reduce" concept instead of getting locked into linear waste incineration models, which are unsustainable.

Provided by SciDev.Net
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Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Year-end debates about 2024 budgets have already begun across Canada, with cities like Waterloo and Ottawa proposing spikes in police budgets.

Despite public calls to "defund the police" in 2020, the budgets of Canadian police departments have continued to rise. In fact, when it comes to public safety budgets in Canada, the last five years have seen increasing investments in policing and under-investment in the social services and programs that contribute to safer cities.

The continued over-investment in policing is a limited and contradictory approach to safety. For one thing, police forces don't address the root causes of violence and other harms.

Research has shown the "deterrence effect" of policing to be weak, while aggressive policing often impairs the social relations and institutions that normally keep violence and conflict in check.

It should be obvious that preventing violence and other harms is better than punishing perpetrators after the fact. However, as numerous studies have shown, this requires an investment in a range of non-police services and programs. It means recognizing the inherent limitations of policing and adopting a broader approach to public safety.

Too often, however, city leaders equate safety with policing, and throw public money at an institution that actually creates unsafety for many people while failing to prevent violence and other harms.

Contradictions in policing

Policing is also a contradictory approach to safety.

While promising safety to some, policing is a source of "unsafety" for many communities. This is evident in police carding and violence against Black people, the brutal repression of Indigenous people and especially land defenders, the harassment of unhoused people and the destruction of their property, the killing of people experiencing mental health crises, the criminalization of sex work and much more.

This is nothing new. Police forces were created specifically to enforce a particular, white and bourgeois sense of order and safety, and police "reforms" like multicultural training and hiring more racialized police officers do not alter that core mission.

Various studies and reports since 2020 have provided further evidence of anti-Black racism in police stops and use of force, but none of this has stopped city leaders from further investing in the institution that causes these harms.

If we view the police only as a source of safety, we are occupying a particular social position: a position of racial and class privilege.

Policing spending: Before and after 2020

In the spring of 2020, when the police killed Breonna Taylor in Louisville, Ky., George Floyd in Minneapolis and Chantel Moore in Edmundston, N.B., new attention was brought to the contradictions and limitations of policing.

Historic protests filled the streets in the United States and around the world. The phrases "Black Lives Matter" and "Defund the Police" became synonymous.

The rhetoric of defunding the police may have been new, but the core demand was consistent with longstanding critiques of policing and racial injustice. The core demand, as Black feminist scholar and organizer Robyn Maynard explains, is to reallocate funding, power, equipment and force "away from agents of state violence and repression, and committing to invest instead in community-centered forms of safety."

However, police budgets have continued to increase by an average of three percent per year, adding to an almost 20 percent increase over five years. Budgets for 2023 saw an especially large increase: an average of six percent, with increases of more than eight percent in Montreal, Vancouver and Peel Region.

Therefore, the 2020 protests had little impact on police budgets in Canada. In fact, police spending actually increased at a greater rate in the three years after 2020 than in the three years before it. In some cities, the change was especially significant. Montreal's budget, for example, increased by 19 percent after 2020.

As always, police spending is determined not just by what cities decide to provide, but what police forces themselves decide to spend. Police forces generally adhere to their budgets, but there are exceptions.

Between 2018 and 2022, Ottawa and Vancouver exceeded their budgets by $8.7 million and $12.2 million, respectively. The glaring outlier is the Montreal police, which exceeded its budget by $35.7 million per year and $178.6 million overall.

Choosing safety, not policing

The political message these budget choices sends is clear. Whatever statements city leaders might have made in 2020, Black lives do not matter to them in practice.

More broadly, cities have failed to incorporate the key argument that progressives have always made, reinforced in 2020: services and programs other than policing are required to prevent violence and other harms.

There have been some moves in this direction. Both Toronto and Edmonton have introduced crisis response teams that see health workers, rather than police, respond to calls related to mental health. Ottawa will follow suit next year.

The amount invested in these teams, however, is much less than the new money provided to police.

As the end of 2023 approaches, Canadian urban leaders need to recognize that the safety of their cities means investing in safety, not police.

There is no shortage of guidance for this shift, from Mariame Kaba and Andrea Ritchie's book No More Police to the excellent report by Halifax Board of the Police Commissioner's Subcommittee and the alternative city budget from the Montreal Defund the Police Coalition.

The broad imperative is to significantly reduce police budgets for 2024, while reallocating funding to some of the many services and programs that give people more safety and police less work to do.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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CDR risks and climate outcomes. A given net-emissions pathway (and climate outcome) can result from gross emissions of different levels, balanced by corresponding dependence on different levels of CO2 removal (CDR). For a given climate outcome, greater dependence on CDR to balance larger gross emissions entails additional risks (top two panels). Delayed reductions in net emissions create increased reliance on CDR to remove excess emissions produced in peak-and-decline pathways, resulting in increased climate change impacts during (and for many impacts, after) the temperature overshoot period (bottom two panels). Credit: Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adi9332

Governments that over-rely on carbon dioxide removal (CDR) to meet their climate targets may be breaching international law, says a new study.

The research team, at the University of Oxford and Imperial College London, are calling for faster cuts in greenhouse gas emissions to limit countries' dependence on CDR, and warn that they will otherwise risk legal challenges. The study is published today in Science.

To limit the effects of global warming, carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) emissions from human activities must decline to "net zero"where the amount of CO 2 we emit into the atmosphere is equal to the amount we remove from it. To keep within the 1.5 C limit of the 2015 Paris Agreement, many states have drawn up plans that include removing CO 2 alongside reducing emissions.

CDR is any process that captures CO 2 from the atmosphere and stores it, whether on land, in the ocean, in geological formations, or in products. While some CDR projects have demonstrated progress, the technologies remain in their early stages. Yet the failure of many governments to cut emissions fast enough will leave them heavily reliant on CDR to meet their climate targets. The authors demonstrate how this presents a number of risks, including:

CDR not being deployed at expected levels in the futurea risk amplified by the lack of legally binding commitments to scale up CDR to necessary levels

CO 2 removed by CDR leaking back into the atmosphere over time

removed by CDR leaking back into the atmosphere over time An overreliance on CDR in the long term, leading to Paris Agreement targets being temporarily overshot and exposing the world to greater climate change impacts and burdening future generations with retrieving excess emissions from the atmosphere while battling increased climate change impacts

Social, economic and environmental problems, including competition with agriculture for land.

These risks jeopardize the Paris Agreement target, the authors say, and are not in keeping with countries' commitments to make "fair" and "ambitious" contributions to net zero "in line with the best available science." Because of this, countries that rely heavily on CDR may not be aligned with the norms and principles of international law.

A costly legacy

Co-author Professor Joeri Rogelj, from the Centre for Environmental Policy and the Grantham Institute at Imperial, said, "Inadequate near-term action creates a long-term dependence on removals. If the emissions leading up to net zero are too high, future generations are handed down a costly legacy that exposes them to additional risks. Without legal guidance and limits on CDR use in climate targets, over-reliance on removals may be the next aspect of climate action failure to be challenged in court."

Lead author Dr. Rupert Stuart-Smith, from the Oxford Sustainable Law Programme at Oxford's Smith School, said, "There is no way to meet the Paris Agreement target of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees without removing some CO 2 from the atmosphere.

"However, there is a big difference between pathways to net zero that fail to cut emissions adequately in the near term and leave us with little choice but to retrieve vast quantities of emissions from the atmosphere in subsequent decades, and those that entail steep and immediate cuts in emissionsat least 50% this decadeand do not leave such a heavy cleanup burden for future generations. Policymakers must recognize this point, and failing to act accordingly could see climate targets challenged in the courts."

More ambitious reductions

The study gives examples of previous court cases they believe have already set a precedent for legal action, including Urgenda Foundation vs. State of the Netherlands, which compelled the Dutch government to reduce emissions by 25%.

Co-author Professor Lavanya Rajamani, from the Law Faculty at Oxford, noted, "States that seek to avoid the hard work of near-term mitigation by relying on extensive removals in future will likely breach the norms and principles of international law. We need to see more ambitious near-term greenhouse gas emission reduction commitments from states, followed by rigorous implementation and robust accountability."

Co-author Dr. Thom Wetzer, co-author and Associate Professor of Law and Finance and Director of the Oxford Sustainable Law Programme, added, "Climate policies of many countries are incompatible with the Paris Agreement unless vast quantities of CO 2 are removed from the atmosphere in the future. As governments head into the COP28 climate negotiations in December, they should focus on near-term actions to reduce emissions rather than promises of future removals, or risk being challenged in court."

More information: Rupert F. Stuart-Smith et al, Legal limits to the use of CO 2 removal, Science (2023). DOI: 10.1126/science.adi9332 Journal information: Science
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Credit: Vlada Karpovich from Pexels

Deep inside a forest in Oregon's Willamette Valley stands a dead "Tree of Life."

Its foliage, normally soft and green, is tough and brown or missing altogether. Nonetheless, the tree's reddish bark, swooping branches and thick, conical base identify it as the Pacific Northwest's iconic western red cedar.

Christine Buhl, a forest health specialist for the Oregon Department of Forestry, plunges a tool called an increment borer into the dead tree's trunk. Twisting the handle of the corkscrew-like borer, Buhl extracts a long, thin sample of the tree's inner growth rings.

The rings become thinner over time, indicating the tree's growth slowed before the tree finally died, a sign that this red cedar, like thousands of others in Oregon and Washington, died from drought.

"That's why it's the canary," says Buhl. "Any tree that's less drought tolerant is going to be the canary in the coal mine. They're going to start bailing (out)."

For thousands of years, people have used red cedar to make everything from canoes to clothing.

Red cedar's many uses have earned the species endearing names, including the "Tree of Life." More recently, scientists have started calling this water-loving relative of redwoods by a less flattering name: "the climate canary."

Last year, Buhl and colleagues reported that red cedars were dying throughout the tree's growing range not because of a fungus or insect attack, but due to the region's "climate change-induced drought."

Red cedars aren't alone.

In recent years, at least 15 native Pacific Northwest tree species have experienced growth declines and die-offs, 10 of which have been linked to drought and warming temperatures, according to recent studies and reports.

Many researchers, Buhl included, are now arguing that these drought-driven die-offs are the beginning of a much larger and long-predicted shift in tree growing ranges due to climate change.

Trees, and plants generally, have growing ranges that are largely determined by climate factors, namely moisture and temperature.

For decades, scientists have argued that as atmospheric warming continues, growing ranges in the Northern Hemisphere will shift upslope in elevation and farther north, leaving many trees stranded in a warmer, drier world.

As climate mismatch sets in, trees are expected to die-off and not grow back, according to predictions.

Daniel DePinte, Forest Service aerial survey program manager, suspects range changes are driving "Firmageddon." A term coined by researchers, including DePinte, "Firmageddon" refers to the more than 1,875 square-mile (4,856-square-kilometer) die-off of five fir species in Oregon, Washington and northern California.

"The forests are moving uphill," said DePinte.

DePinte and colleagues first identified and named the massive, drought-driven fir "mortality event" last year while surveying area forests via airplane.

According to tree-range predictions, climate-induced die-offs are expected to start at the edges of growing ranges, including at lower-elevation locations that are predicted to become too warm and dry for many species.

DePinte's survey revealed that the largest die-offs associated with Firmageddon are occurring at lower-elevation sites.

Buhl and colleagues found a similar pattern with western red cedar. Mortality was greatest at sites less than about 650 feet (200 meters) in elevation west of the Cascade Range, according to their analysis.

Scientists have also observed a similar pattern for Douglas fir, the region's leading commercial timber species. Douglas fir is currently experiencing a 720-square-mile (1,865-square-kilometer) die-off, the majority in the Klamath Mountains near the southern Oregon cities of Ashland and Medford.

The die-off is limited to the lower elevations but is likely to move uphill as temperatures warm in the coming decades, according to a study in the Journal of Forestry.

"Our analysis concluded that if climate change continues as predicted, we could see increased Douglas fir mortality at higher elevations," said study co-author, David Shaw, a professor and forest health specialist at Oregon State University.

Shaw called the die-off "consistent with predictions for climate change."

But whereas red cedar is believed to be dying from drought alone, the Firmageddon and Douglas fir die-offs have been linked to a combination of drought weakening trees and insect pests moving in for the kill.

"These insects are not normally tree killers," said DePinte. "This is evidence that the forests are reacting to climate change and droughts."

Douglas fir is not considered a true fir and is not officially part of Firmageddon, according to DePinte.

The combination of drought-induced stress and pests, said Patrick Tobin, associate professor of disturbance ecology at the University of Washington, is analogous to a person with a weakened immune system dying from the flu.

"Drought-stress opens a window for biotic agents that might otherwise not be able to overcome a healthy, well-defended tree," said Tobin.

Tobin is a co-author of a 2021 study in the journal Forest Ecology and Management on the widespread decline of big leaf maples in western Washington. Tobin's study was unable to determine whether drought alone or drought in combination with disease-causing fungi was killing the native maples.

As for the climate canary, Buhl believes red cedar is unlikely to disappear from the landscape entirely but probably won't grow back in areas where it's dying off.

"Unless we turn back climate change, there is no reason to hope western red cedar is going to make a comeback," said Buhl.

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Hatched salmon with yolk sacs swim alongside unhatched eggs at the Atlantic Sapphire Bluehouse indoor salmon farm in Homestead, Fla., Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The company's system relies on an uncommon feature of the groundwater near the warehouses location: Salmon need both fresh and salt water, and both are found nearby. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

If it still seems strange to think of fish growing on farms, it shouldn't.

Aquaculture has been the fastest growing food sector in the world for decades, and people now eat more farmed fish than wild fish.

The industry has had to grow. Demand for seafood is soaring and will continue to rise. But the oceans are giving up all they can: Production of wild fish has been flat since about 1990.

Fish farming and shellfish production usually spew far less greenhouse gas emissions than production of beef and other animal protein, but aquaculture can still cause serious environmental problems.

And as it has grown, the problems with large-scale farming have grown with it. Many are like problems that face massive chicken, pig and cattle operations. The farms and the waste from them can degrade and pollute nearby ecosystems, diseases can quickly sweep through the tightly packed fish, and gathering the feed for the animals can cause distant environmental problems.

Faced with stinging criticism and tighter regulationsand eager to meet demandfish farmers are trying new ways to boost production and minimize harm.

Salmon school inside a tank at the Atlantic Sapphire Bluehouse indoor salmon farm in Homestead, Fla., Thursday, June 29, 2023. Large indoor tanks are designed to mimic the natural environment of salmon by establishing the right temperature, the right salinity and the right lighting. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

AQUACULTURE VILLAGES IN INDONESIA

Indonesia's rise to become the world's third-largest producer of farmed seafood brought destruction to nearby shorelines. Mangroves, which protect the coast and act as nurseries for a host of aquatic species, were ripped out.

Untreated waste polluted watersheds. Massive fish die-offs shook local economies.

"Every year we faced the same problem, especially when seasons changed," said Jono, an aquaculture farmer who like many Indonesians only uses one name. "We had so many dead fish."

Jono was trained as part of a larger plan by the Indonesian government that will establish over 100 aquaculture "villages" around the country that are designed to reduce the impact of fish farming and expand production.

He's learned how to better prevent and treat disease, new feeding techniques, better pond construction and proper waste disposal.

"Previously we used to harvest every eight or nine months, now it can be every four to five months," he said.

Two-story cement tanks seen from the air are part of a major expansion under construction at the Atlantic Sapphire Bluehouse indoor salmon farm in Homestead, Fla., Thursday, June 29, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

CHINA TAKES FISH FARMING OFFSHORE

China, by far the world's biggest aquaculture producer, is also trying to lessen the environmental impacts of fish farming.

One way: Take it offshore, where currents can deliver clean water and waste can dissipate quickly.

Two kilometers (1.2 miles) off the coast of the city of Yantai in northeast China, three round cages 80 meters (260 feet) across sit below the surface of the sea.

Sea bream, Korean rockfish and other fish wiggle and swim in a mesh made of a durable, lightweight plastic that can withstand extreme weather and keep barnacles at bay.

The facility's platform is equipped with a monitoring system that constantly senses water temperature, water quality and oxygen levels, said Zhang Zhuangzhi, who is in charge of fish farming at Shandong Ocean Harvest Corporation, which runs the operation.

So far, costs and technical challenges have slowed wide adoption.

Young salmon school in a tank at the Atlantic Sapphire Bluehouse indoor salmon farm in Homestead, Fla., Wednesday, June 28, 2023. The company says it doesnt need to vaccinate or medicate their salmon and has lowered the mortality rate of the fish to around 3%  much lower than the industry average of 20%. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

A SALMON FISHERY IN A FLORIDA WAREHOUSE

In a warehouse near Miami, large indoor tanks are designed to mimic the natural environment of salmon by establishing the right temperature, the right salinity and the right lighting.

The idea: Grow the salmon indoors to reduce exposure to parasites, warming waters and algae blooms that threaten the fish grown in farms in open waters near shoreand in turn reduce the fish's impact on the shoreline.

The technology "removes some of the downside that you could have in nature," said Damien Claire, the chief sales and marketing manager of Atlantic Sapphire, the parent company of Bluehouse Salmon.

Claire said the company doesn't need to vaccinate or medicate their salmon and has lowered the mortality rate of the fish to around 3%much lower than the industry average of 20%.

Salmon in the final growth stage before harvest swim in a two-story tank inside the Atlantic Sapphire Bluehouse indoor salmon farm in Homestead, Fla., Wednesday, June 28, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Raising fish in an indoor, tightly controlled environment has also led to other benefits, he said.

The company produces about 3 million salmon a year and hopes to eventually produce 65 million.

It's a promising model, but not easy to follow because the system relies on an uncommon feature of the groundwater near the warehouse's location: Salmon need both fresh and salt water, and both are found nearby.

FRENCH FLY FACTORY

When the fish grown in farms are fed wild-caught fish such as sardines and anchovies, a major benefit of fish farmsless stress on ocean ecosystemscan evaporate.

At Innovafeed, based in France, protein-rich black soldier flies are being raised as a feed alternative.

The company chose the fly for three main reasons: It doesn't get sick, eats almost anything and has a short lifecycle that allows it to be bred and harvested quickly.

Salmon wait in a vat of ice to be filleted, inside the Atlantic Sapphire Bluehouse salmon processing division, in Homestead, Fla., Thursday, June 29, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

An employee oversees the start of a line where salmon are cleaned and filleted, inside the fish processing division at the Atlantic Sapphire Bluehouse, in Homestead, Fla., Thursday, June 29, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Employees inspect, sort, and pack salmon filets inside the Atlantic Sapphire Bluehouse salmon processing division, in Homestead, Fla., Thursday, June 29, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

A raw salmon dish prepared by a chef is seen at a test kitchen at the Atlantic Sapphire Bluehouse indoor salmon farm in Homestead, Fla., Thurssday, June 29, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell

Sujono, a fish farmer, walks between ponds at his farm as he prepares to feed catfish in Belitang, South Sumatra, Indonesia, Sunday, July 23, 2023. The Indonesian government plans to establish over 100 aquaculture villages around the country that are designed to reduce the environmental impact of fish farming and expand production. Credit: AP Photo/Dita Alangkara

"There's a joke saying that black soldiers fly larvae will eat everything except concrete and steel," said Nizar El Alami, chief business officer at Innovafeed.

The company's fly protein is feeding salmon, sea bream, shrimp and other species with food producers across Europe, the Americas and Southeast Asia, according to Alex Diana, a product manager at Innovafeed. It has two factories now and is planning 10 more by 2030 that will produce insect protein for fish, chicken and even pets.

"We are trying to reproduce what happens in nature, but at industrial scale," he said. "We're trying to minimize the impact of the food chain on the planet's resources."

 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
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Before and after: A former residential property in Woodbridge, N.J., is redesigned according to the principles of a new primer. (Top) Rutgers personnel apply herbicide to an invasive species, Phragmites. (Bottom) One year later, native trees grow in special shelters and wildflowers bloom, freed from the onslaught of invasive species. Credit: Kathleen Kerwin/Rutgers University

For years, Rutgers ecologist Brooke Maslo has studied how to redesign flood-prone landscapes so they can best protect the communities they border from the ravages of swollen brooks and rivers and rising seas.

State and federal programs that enable the acquisition of flood-prone properties from willing homeowners at fair market value and then clear the land represent powerful first steps toward resilience, said Maslo, an associate professor with the Rutgers Department of Ecology, Evolution and Natural Resources in the School of Environmental and Biological Sciences (SEBS).

But how can communities transform this vacant land, so it is better able to withstand flooding and rebound when the waters recede? Maslo, a founding member of the newly established Rutgers Climate and Energy Institute (RCEI), has an answer for the leaders of all 564 of New Jersey's municipalities.

"Creating Flood-Resilient Landscapes: A Primer for New Jersey Communities" is the product of eight years of research and practical experience by Maslo and her resilience team, which includes an interdisciplinary group of collaborators from both Rutgers, including Project Coordinator Kathleen Kerwin, and researchers from South Dakota State University, including Jeremiah Bergstrom, Shelbie Smith, Emma Martin and Alyssa Faber.

"With more than 1,800 miles of coastline and 6,450 miles of rivers in New Jersey, much of New Jersey's developed land is at risk of being severely affected by flooding over the next 30 years," Maslo said. "These challenges can be overcome through resilient landscape designs, which is an ecologically centered approach that combines principles of engineering, ecology and landscape architecture with social science to transform acquired properties into public assets."

Maslo and her interdisciplinary team have written and produced a free, comprehensive guide available online and in print.

"More New Jersey communities than ever before are grappling with severe flooding and looking for solutions for their flood-prone properties," said Nick Angarone, NJ DEP's Chief Resilience Officer. "Landscape design is one option, and this primer will be invaluable to municipalities seeking to restore vacant land in a way that will enhance the resilience of the entire community."

The manual not only explains how municipal leaders can make flood-prone landscapes more resilient but also how to fund those efforts, said Maslo, who also is an extension specialist with the New Jersey Agricultural Experiment Station.

Until now, all-inclusive guidelines or best practices for such an approach haven't existed, Maslo said.

"We present here a primer that will serve as a guide for creating flood-resilient landscapes across the communities of New Jersey," she said. "The primer applies to any landscape resilience project regardless of size or jurisdiction and can be applied to landscape transformation of buyout areas or a flood-prone area within existing open space."

Floodingdefined as the inundation of typically dry land, occurring when the amount of water exceeds the ability of the land to absorb itisn't just a coastal problem, nor does it occur only because of severe storms. Nearly all of New Jersey's 564 municipalities have been flooded. Because of climate change, rain

and coastal storms are predicted to increase in frequency and severity in the future, leading to the potential for lasting impacts on entire neighborhoods, landscapes and natural resources, Maslo said.

The primer is the result of Maslo's work and a need for technical guidance identified through the DEP Resilient NJ program, which is an assistance program to support local and regional climate resilience planning, and the Blue Acres program, a flood protection program that includes relocating families whose homes are subject to repeated flooding and acquiring flood-prone property for use as natural flood storage, parks, and community open space.

Restoration involves enhancing a formerly developed parcel through soil enrichment and plantings as well as engineering interventions to reduce flooding. Native plants and trees can be used to produce pocket parks, meadows or woodlands. The primer outlines specific methods and techniques for designing, implementing and maintaining a sustainable, ecologically based landscape resilience project.

"Resilient landscapes contribute to overall climate resilience by supporting the plants and animals that perform important ecological functions," Maslo said. "Biodiverse landscapes mitigate flooding, retain soils, and protect critical infrastructure, such as hospitals and power stations.

Maslo said she hopes the guide will serve as a national model for action.
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US Army Air Forces (USAAF) 2nd Lt Gilbert Haldeen Myers, the co-pilot. Credit: DPAA / Cranfield University

On a summer's day in July 1943, a U.S. B-25 Mitchell bomber left Tunisia in North Africa on a mission to attack the Sciacca Aerodrome in Sicily, Italy.

On board was a crew of six including 27-year-old US Army Air Forces (USAAF) 2nd Lt Gilbert Haldeen Myers, the co-pilot. Myers of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was assigned to the 381st Bombardment Squadron, 310th Bombardment Group.

But as the aircraft approached its designated target, the B-25 bomber was struck by anti-aircraft fire, causing it to lose altitude and crash in a field about one and a half miles from the aerodrome.

Witnesses at the time said one crew member bailed out of the B-25 before it crashed, but Myers' remains were never recovered, and he was subsequently declared missing in action. There were no survivors, or any record of passengers being taken prisoner.

Painstaking work to recover 2nd Lt Myers

It is estimated that around 72,000 American personnel are still unaccounted for from World War II alone, with around 39,000 deemed to be recoverable. For years, Myers was one of those individuals. In 1947, investigators conducted search and recovery operations near Sciacca, but could not locate anything linking back to Myers.

But then last year, nearly 80 years on from the B-25 crash, that changed. Forensic experts from Cranfield University's Recovery and Identification of Conflict Casualties team (CRICC) worked in partnership with colleagues from the US Defense Prisoner of War/Missing in Action Accounting Agency (DPAA), traveling to Sciacca to undertake a painstaking investigation. In October 2023, investigators announced they had located human remains belonging to Myers, and through DNA analysis in the U.S., he has now been accounted for.

The Cranfield team consisted of a team of 20 peopleeach assigned to scouring the vicinity surrounding the impact zone. Such an undertaking entailed meticulous examination of tons of soil, aiming to recover fragments of human remains or personal effects crucial for identifying crew members.

Specialist process used to analyze remains

Dr. David Errickson, Senior Lecturer in Archaeology and Anthropology at Cranfield Forensic Institute, emphasized the challenges they faced during the excavation in Sicily, highlighting their use of wet screening to analyze items found. "This deployment was our longest yet," he said.

"During our operations, we systematically excavated the ground, meticulously examining every piece that could possibly be bone or other evidence. In challenging environments like the excavation site in Sicily, our team utilized wet screening, a process where excavated material is passed through water to separate and analyze human remains and artifacts."

He added, "This year has seen our forensic team involved in the investigation of several significant aircraft crashes in Europe, including a Lockheed P-38 Lightning, a Douglas A-20 Havoc, a Martin B-26 Marauder, and a forthcoming mission to the recovery site of a Boeing B-17."

He further emphasized the significance of such work, stating, "The recovery of 2nd Lt Myers' remains not only facilitates a proper full military honors burial but also allows the family to receive any personal effects found. Most importantly, it brings closure for the families of those missing or killed in action."

The human remains were sent to the DPAA Laboratory for examination and identification and on August 10 this year, DPAA identified them as belonging to Myers. They also recovered plane wreckage parts.

Identification at the DPAA involved DNA analysis, in addition to anthropological and circumstantial evidence found by the Cranfield team.

A privilege to locate a missing serviceman

Myers' name is recorded on the Walls of the Missing at Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy, along with others still missing from WWII. There are now plans to place a rosette next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.

Ahead of Remembrance Day this year, he was buried in St. Petersburg, Florida, on November 10.

Dr. Nicholas Marquez-Grant, a Forensic Anthropologist at Cranfield Forensic Institute, added, "Sometimes excavations like these can yield nothing or remain ambiguous."

"Additionally, circumstances are influenced by the post-incident land usage. In areas where plowing has occurred or the terrain has altered, discoveries are often confined to minuscule fragments. However, one small piece of evidence can be crucial in identifying an individual."

"In this case, playing a role in the quest to locate a missing serviceman was a profound privilege, bringing closure to Gilbert Haldeen Myers' family."

The team from Cranfield University included graduates of the Forensic MSc program.

Specialists from Cranfield Forensic Institute (CFI) also assisted with the recovery and identification earlier this year of U.S. Army Air Forces Staff Sgt. Edgar L. Mills, who was killed in action over Germany during the Second World War. This is part of Cranfield University's continued dedication to recover the missing who have died in conflicts.
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Starship, which stands 394 feet (120 meters) tall, produces 16.7 million pounds (74.3 Meganewtons) of thrust, more than double that of the Saturn V rockets used to send Apollo astronauts to the Moon.

The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on Wednesday authorized SpaceX to carry out its second launch of Starship, the most powerful rocket ever built, after a first attempt in April ended in a spectacular explosion.

In a statement, the FAA said Elon Musk's company had now "met all safety, environmental, policy and financial responsibility requirements" following the mishap that marred the first orbital test flight of its next-generation spaceship.

"Targeting Friday, November 17 for Starship's second flight test," SpaceX posted on X shortly after the authorization. A two-hour launch window opens at 7:00 am local time (1300 GMT) from the company's Starbase in Boca Chica, Texas.

Space watchers can follow a live webcast on X and SpaceX's website beginning thirty minutes before lift-off.

On April 20, SpaceX blew up the uncrewed rocket four minutes after it blasted off. Starship experienced multiple engine failures, and its first-stage booster did not separate from the spacecraft above it.

The rocket disintegrated into a ball of fire and crashed into the Gulf of Mexico, sending a dust cloud over a town several miles (kilometers) away.

The FAA quickly launched an investigation, while conservation groups announced they would sue the regulator for not doing enough to protect the environment given the proximity of a vital habitat for protected species.

"We are concerned that the second launch will once again cause significant environmental harm," Jared Margolis, a lawyer for Center for Biological Diversity, told AFP, adding it was likely the groups would add a new claim to their lawsuit.

Starship, which stands 394 feet (120 meters) tall, produces 16.7 million pounds (74.3 Meganewtons) of thrust, more than double that of the Saturn V rockets used to send Apollo astronauts to the moon.

Starship is designed to be fully reusable, with both stages meant to return to Earth, thus greatly reducing costs.

SpaceX foresees it as the vehicle that will one day carry cargo and crew to Mars, while NASA has contracted a version of Starship to function as a lander craft for its Artemis program to return astronauts to the moon by the middle of this decade.

Since the first test from Boca Chica, Starship's separation system has been overhauled, Elon Musk said during a conference in early October, adding that testing this new system would be the "riskiest part of the flight."

"I do want to set expectations not too high," the SpaceX CEO said.

The flight plan will be similar to the one in April. After separation, Starship is to continue to an altitude "a scooch below orbit," according to Musk, completing a near-circle of the Earth before splashing down in the Pacific Ocean near Hawaii.

 2023 AFP
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Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia have been lashed by unrelenting downpours since the beginning of the month due to the El Nino weather phenomenon.

More than 100 people, including 16 children, have died and over 700,000 been forced out of their homes in the Horn of Africa due to flash flooding, the British charity Save the Children said Thursday.

The region, particularly Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia, has been lashed by unrelenting downpours since the beginning of the month due to the El Nino weather phenomenon, inundating homes and farmland.

About 46 people had died in Kenya, 32 in Somalia and another 33 in Ethiopia, Save the Children said, warning the rains were "showing no signs of slowing down".

The Horn of Africa is one of the regions most vulnerable to climate change and extreme weather events are occurring with increased frequency and intensity.

The region is emerging from the worst drought in four decades after multiple failed rainy seasons that left millions of people in need and devastated crops and livestock.

"Heavy flooding and displacement have cut off families and children from basic services including access to food, health care, water and hygiene services," said Xavier Joubert, Ethiopia director for Save the Children.

"With that comes the real risk of waterborne diseases including cholera and measles."

Humanitarian groups have warned that the situation is only likely to worsen and called for urgent global intervention as El Nino is expected to last until at least April 2024.

El Nino is typically associated with increased heat worldwide, as well as drought in some parts of the world and heavy rains elsewhere.

Between October 1997 and January 1998, devastating floods caused by El Nino led to more than 6,000 deaths in five Horn of Africa countries.

At least 1,800 people died in Somalia where the Juba River burst its banks.

At the end of 2019, 265 people died and tens of thousands were displaced during two months of relentless rainfall in several countries in East Africa.

 2023 AFP
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Cars drive out of Grindavik, a town of 4,000 people which has been evacuated over fears of a volcanic eruption.

A town has been evacuated in southwestern Iceland after hundreds of earthquakes caused by shifting underground magma sparked fears of a full-blown volcanic eruption.

While experts fear the town could be badly damaged by a potential eruption, they do not expect a repeat of the global travel chaos caused by ash from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in 2010.

Here are a few key questions answered:

What and where?

The hundreds of earthquakes have been caused by a massive build-up of magma in a 15-kilometer (nine-mile) fissure between two to five kilometers underground.

The fissure is around 3.5 kilometers northwest of Grindavik, a town of 4,000 people on the Reykjanes peninsula. The town has been evacuated as a precaution.

On Wednesday, residents told AFP the seismic activity had damaged roads and buildings.

Previous eruptions near the Fagradalsfjall volcano on Reykjanes peninsula took place in 2021, 2022 and earlier this year, though in less populated areas.

Situated in the North Atlantic, Iceland straddles the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, a crack in the ocean floor separating the Eurasian and North American tectonic plates.

How likely is an eruption?

The Icelandic Met Office said on Wednesday that the "probability of an eruption is still considered high".

Map showing the earthquakes detected in Iceland over the last 48 hours as volcanic eruption looms.

Vidir Reynisson, head of Iceland's Civil Protection and Emergency Management agency, told AFP on the weekend that "anywhere on that fissure we can see that an eruption could happen".

John Smellie, a volcanologist at the UK's Leicester University, said guessing when the eruption might take place was like guessing "how long is a piece of string".

Smellie told AFP it could be days or weeksor "despite all evidence, it might just subside and go away".

How bad could it be?

Reynisson said Icelandic experts were "really concerned about all the houses and the infrastructure in the area".

Smellie said any eruption would most likely be similar to the one on the peninsula earlier this year, which created lava fountains and flows that mostly just attracted tourists.

If a new eruption occurs near Grindavik, it could cause significant damage to homes and infrastructure, he added.

However lava flows "relatively slowly, and people can generally at least drive away or run away from it," he said, meaning that deaths were unlikely.

Another possible threat is toxic gas released during an eruption. A 1783 eruption at Iceland's Laki volcanic fissure killed enough livestock to cause widespread famine.

However Phil Collins, a geologist at Brunel University London, said that "it doesn't look like a Laki-scale disaster is likely".

Residents of Grindavik grab their belongings as they evacuate due to the looming threat of a volcanic eruption.

One way the eruption could be more violent is if it blows through ice or water.

If the eruption occurs in the southern tip of the fissure, which is underwater, it could cause ash clouds that would affect flights at Iceland's international airport.

Different to Eyjafjallajokull?

But any eruption is not expected to have anywhere near as much impact as the one from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano in 2010.

That eruption shot huge amounts of ash into the atmosphere, forcing the cancellation of some 100,000 flights and leaving more than 10 million travelers stranded.

It exploded through 200 meters of ice, making it "highly violent", Smellie said. The interaction with the water created more fine ash particles that would then drift across Europe.

Marc Reichow, a geochemist at Leicester University, said that "this is unlikely to happen this time as there is no substantial amount of ice in the area where an eruption is expected to occur".

The latest eruption threat is "completely different situation" Smellie said.

 2023 AFP
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Climateagriculturegender inequality hotspot LMICs across the globe. Credit:  2023 Lecoutere, Mishra, Singaraju, Koo, Azzarri, Chanana, Nico and Puskur

Threats posed by the climate crisis disproportionally affect certain communities and social groups that are more exposed. People living in low- and middle-income (LMIC) countries are at heightened risk. Within these countries, women typically face higher climate risk than men.

To show where women working in agri-food systemssystems that encompass production, but also post-harvest handling and distributionare most threated by climate change, an international team of researchers has developed a hotspot map that identifies and ranks localities by threat level.

"We show that significant climate hazards, high exposure faced by women in agri-food systems, and high vulnerability faced by women due to systemic gender inequalities converge particularly in central, east, and southern Africa, as well as in west and south Asia," said the study's first author Dr. Els Lecoutere, who is a researcher at the CGIAR GENDER Impact Platform in Kenya.

"The maps are potentially impactful as they can inform decision- and policymaking around gender-responsive climate action and guide the allocation of scarce resources to populations at highest risk," Lecoutere added.

The results were published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems.

Subnational level climateagriculturegender inequality hotspot map for livestock in Mali. Credit:  2023 Lecoutere, Mishra, Singaraju, Koo, Azzarri, Chanana, Nico and Puskur

Subnational level climateagriculturegender inequality hotspot map for perennial crops in Zambia. Credit:  2023 Lecoutere, Mishra, Singaraju, Koo, Azzarri, Chanana, Nico and Puskur

Hotspots for different reasons

"The climate-agriculture-gender inequality hotspot risk index captures the convergence of climate hazards, exposure, and vulnerability because of gender inequalities faced by women in agri-food systems," said Lecoutere. The team of researchers involved in the study calculated each country's risk based on these indicators. "We plotted the resulting 'hotness' score for each LMIC country into a color-coded map, which makes it possible to compare and contrast risks in different countries."

The researchers also applied their methodology within four LMIC countries: Bangladesh, Pakistan, Zambia, and Mali. In the global ranking, they took places 2, 4, 13, and 18, respectively. Multiple drivers of risk contributed to these rankings.

"For the two focus countries in Asia, high climate hazards and women farmers' exposure drives climate risks, whereas in the two focus countries in Africa structural inequalities play a larger role," Lecoutere explained.

In Mali and Zambia, secondary resources confirm that women are restricted by norms that hinder their access to land ownership, information, and economic empowermentlimitations that negatively affect their ability to adapt to climate hazards. In Pakistan and Bangladesh, women contribute significantly to agricultural activities, but do so mostly informally. Their work often remains unrecognized, unpaid, or underpaid, which leaves them dependent on agriculture, and vulnerable to the adverse aftereffects of ever more frequent and severe climate hazards.

Subnational level climateagriculturegender inequality hotspot map for cereals, leguminous crops and oilseeds in Pakistan. Credit:  2023 Lecoutere, Mishra, Singaraju, Koo, Azzarri, Chanana, Nico and Puskur

Subnational level climateagriculturegender inequality hotspot map for rice in Bangladesh. Credit:  2023 Lecoutere, Mishra, Singaraju, Koo, Azzarri, Chanana, Nico and Puskur

Starting points for policymaking

The researchers pointed to certain limitations of their study, for example a lack of data that has made it impossible to calculate a 'hotness' score for some countries, including small island development states. Yet, it is often these locations that are the most poverty- or conflict-stricken, and therefore vulnerable, making it plausible that women in these environments face significant climate risks.

While the team pointed out that in some cases data might not be available or sufficiently recent to be effectively used for policy making, their findings offer insights for other localities. One possible starting point is reducing women's sensitivity to harm from climate hazards by addressing systemic gender inequalities and supporting the adaptive capacities of all agri-food system actors in gender-responsive ways.

"Another key use for the results of our study is the upcoming COP28 and ongoing negotiations around a loss and damage fund, and other climate investments. The hotspot maps can help decisionmakers and investors target finance and investments to the areas where women are hardest hit from climate change risks," Lecoutere pointed out.

More information: Where women in agri-food systems are at highest climate risk: A methodology for mapping climate-agriculture-gender inequality hotspots, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems (2023). DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2023.1197809 Journal information: Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems

Provided by Frontiers
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Albania and Northern Macedonia, which both border Lake Ohrid, have signed agreements to ensure the survival of the 'Ohrid Trout' indigenous to the lake.

Along the picturesque shores of Lake Ohrid, things have taken on a frantic pace at the Lin Hatchery in Albania's Pogradec, as a team of specialists races to release the final batch of newly spawned trout this season.

The hatchery specializes in breeding the "Ohrid Trout"an indigenous species in the ancient lake that has struggled for years to maintain a healthy population amid habitat destruction, overfishing, and rampant pollution.

Albania and Northern Macedonia, which both border Lake Ohrid, have signed agreements to ensure the trout's survival, as a major uptick in tourism in the area has seen large amounts of development along the banks.

Known as "Koran" in Albania and "Ohridska pastrmka" in North Macedonia, the Ohrid Trout has long been a staple in the lake's crystal-clear waters.

"It doesn't matter what Albanians or Macedonians call it," said fisherman Artan Male.

"They all agree: this fish, which needs neither a passport nor an identity card to cross borders, is known as the King of Lake Ohrid, one of the oldest in the world."

'Any mistake could be fatal'

To maintain the population, Albanian public and private organizations have increased operations at fisheries to produce 1.7 million hatchlings this year alone.

Albanian public and private organizations have increased operations at fisheries to produce 1.7 million hatchlings this year alone.

"You have to take care of everything. You have to respect schedules and dates. Any mistake could be fatal and could lead to the death of the small fish," said Kopi Bici, who works at the hatchery.

The work to repopulate Lake Ohrid along its Albanian shoreline is a year-round affair. From December 1 to early March, fishing is prohibited in Lake Ohrid to prevent the disruption of the trout's breeding cycle.

During this period, a group of around 60 specially trained fishermen are authorized to cast nets to help harvest the eggs of the females and the sperm of the males.

"Mixed with fresh water, this fertilizes the eggs," said Martin Jace, who oversees Albania's Fishermen's Association.

The fertilized eggs are then allowed to incubate, followed by the hatching of the larvae that are then carefully raised to the fry stage, which live for six months in the freshwater of the breeding center's ponds before being released back into the lake.

The cycle from egg to a newly spawned trout is a delicate journey with every step of the process carefully monitored, including oxygen levels, food intake, and water temperature.

But there is still a risk of death to the spawns.

This year, to produce 1.7 million spawns, farmers and fishermen recovered 200 kilograms of eggs to produce just 3,000 kilograms of adult fish.

The hatchlings are released into the lake at six months.

'Our babies'

To bring the young fish back into the lake, employees from the hatchery brave Ohrid's choppy waters and often heavy showers to release the spawns.

"These are our babies, and they need to be in good physiological condition to withstand their new life in the lake," said Jovan Bale, as he scooped up young fish at the hatchery's pond and that are later placed in plastic containers filled with water.

The fish are then transported to the edge of the lake, hoisted onto a boat and released into its deeper waters.

Time is of the essence during the tripthe containers that carry the new spawns are stuffed with the young fish, meaning there is little oxygen for the hatchlings.

"It's a race against time, the fish have to be released very quickly. Any delay would be fatal. If the water heats up and they lack oxygen, they die," said Jace, adding that the cool waters during October and November were optimal to release the spawn.

But any effort to preserve the trout's population will likely be futile if the underlying issues threatening the fish and the lake's other 145 endemic species are not addressed.

The Ohrid trout is not only a local delicacy, but has long been rumored to have been a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

"If we don't want to lose the Ohrid trout forever, we need to join forces," said Blerina Turshina, a chef at a restaurant in Tushemisht on the Albanian side of the lake.

The trout remains a culinary delicacy in the area and has attracted tourists from across southeastern Europe who are keen to sample the tasty, red-spotted fish, which has long been rumored to have been a favorite of the late Queen Elizabeth II.

"Grilled or baked, with onions, spices and nuts or with a white lemon sauce, [the trout] is the king of dishes," said Turshina.

And in a region where nationalism is often at a low boil, fights over the fish's true origins have been known to be a topic of conversationsomething Turshina and others are quick to laugh off.

"It doesn't matter," said Turshina. "It's the Ohrid trout".

 2023 AFP
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Technicians work with bioreactors at the Believer Meats facility in Rehovot, Israel on Feb. 13, 2023. Animal cells are placed inside bioreactors and bathed in a nutrient-rich broth where they multiply. The paste of cells is harvested and mixed with plant proteins, then pressurized and pushed out to create meat fibers. Credit: AP Photo/Emma H. Tobin

A familiar aroma wafted through the Believer Meats test kitchen earlier this year as Research and Development Chef Andres Voloschin flipped sizzling strips of chicken conjured from cells.

Scientists, not farmers, produced this chicken. More than 150 startups are chasing an ambitious goal: meat that doesn't require raising and killing animals that is affordable and tastes and feels like the meat we eat now. They are part of a young industry aiming to use cell biology to reduce the environmental impact of the world's ever-increasing demand for meat and change global protein production the way electric cars are shaking up the auto industry.

"We are addicted to meat as a species. It's part of our evolution. It's part of our culture," said Believer founder Yaakov Nahmias, whose country, Israel, is an industry hub along with California and Singapore. But "we thought about quantity rather than the environment, rather than sustainability."

Companies making so-called "cultivated," or "cultured" meat, which is also popularly known as "lab-grown" meat, are trying to scale up quicklypartnering with traditional meat companies, drawing more and more investors and breaking ground on new production facilities in the U.S. and elsewhere.

Cultivated chicken is processed at the Believer Meats facility in Rehovot, Israel on Feb. 13, 2023. The company is one of over 150 startups aiming to use cell biology to reduce the environmental impact of the worlds ever-increasing demand for meat and change global protein production. Credit: AP Photo/Emma H. Tobin

Wide adoption of meat from cells is nowhere near assured, however. This meat is expensive to make. There are scientific challenges, such as learning how to mimic the complex structure of steak. Government regulation is another obstacle. Only Singapore and the U.S. allow sales of cultivated meat.

And while many people who have tried it say they like it, others find the idea distasteful. An Associated Press-NORC poll found that half of adults in the meat-hungry U.S. would be unlikely to try it. A majority of those who said they wouldn't said "it just sounds weird."

Even Nahmias' 10-year-old son Oren says he will only eat traditional meat. "I feel bad" for the animals, he said, "but they are yummy!"

HOW CELLS CAN BE TURNED INTO A CUTLET

The science behind this new meat comes from the medical world. The process starts with cells. Depending on the company, the cells may come from a piece of tissue, a fertilized egg or a cell "bank." Various sorts can be used; scientists choose cells that can self-renew and turn into the muscle and fat cells that make up meat tissue. From starter cells they create "cell lines" so they don't have to keep going back to animals.

Believer Meats Research and Development Chef Andres Voloschin works on dishes made from the company's products at a test kitchen in Rehovot, Israel on Feb. 13, 2023. Believer is one of a growing number of companies making cultivated meat, which can be produced without raising and killing animals. Credit: AP Photo/Laura Ungar

These cells are placed inside vessels of various sizes called bioreactors and bathed in a nutrient-rich broth where they multiply. Thick, structured meat also requires a scaffold that helps cells organize into a shape. Changes in the composition of the broth, or media, and cues from the scaffolding, tell immature cells to turn into muscle, fat and connective tissue.

Producing meat this way could dramatically reduce the impact of meat on the environment because it would reduce the need for land for the animals and for feed.

"The most important thing is that this field move forward and start reducing the destruction to our environment associated with current animal agriculture techniques," said Glenn Gaudette, a biomedical engineering specialist at Boston College.

But transforming the ecosystem is a distant vision. Scientists and industry experts say cultivated meats have a way to go before they're indistinguishable from conventional meats, especially when it comes to the texture of products other than burgers or nuggets.

Believer Meats Research and Development Chef Andres Voloschin diplays a dish made from the company's cultivated lamb product at a test kitchen in Rehovot, Israel on Feb. 13, 2023. Believer is one of a growing number of companies making cultivated meat, which can be produced without raising and killing animals. Credit: AP Photo/Laura Ungar

There are vexing scientific hurdles. Gaudette said scientists are still trying to find the best scaffolds for structured meat, which must include a way for oxygen to get to all the cells. Options include animal-based scaffolds such as gelatin and, increasingly, decellularized vegetables like spinach.

Experts expect scientists to overcome the remaining scientific hurdles. But they say shaping human perception may be more difficult.

MEAT GROWN IN A LAB JUST SOUNDS STRANGE

Most people connect meat production with farms rather than science labswhich influences how they view these new products.

In the AP-NORC poll, just 18% of U.S. adults said they are extremely or very likely to try cultivated meat, and 30% said they are somewhat likely. Those under 45 years old are more likely than older adults to try it and men are more likely than women. When those unlikely to try it were asked to choose from a list of reasons why, half said they didn't think it would be safe.

Cultivated chicken is processed at the Believer Meats facility in Rehovot, Israel on Feb. 13, 2023. More than 150 startups are chasing an ambitious goal: meat that doesnt require raising and killing animals that is affordable and tastes and feels like the meat we eat now. Credit: AP Photo/Emma H. Tobin

That's a concern for respondent Nora Bailey, 31, a mother of three in rural Arkansas.

"I would obviously want to do more research as far as the long-term effects," since early products deemed safe may later be found to be unsafe, she said.

A World Health Organization report noted several potential safety issues, such as microbial contamination at various points in the process, biological by-products and scaffolding that some people might be allergic to. Experts acknowledged a lot more safety testing is needed but noted that conventional meat carries significant food-safety risks, such as potential bacterial contamination during slaughter.

At this point, relatively few people have tried cultivated meat. But since its approval in the U.S. this summer, a small number of diners are eating it for the first time at particular restaurants and special events. People who recently tried cultivated chicken at U.S. company Good Meat's headquarters in Alameda, California, said they liked it and would eat it again.

Employees at Believer Meats work in labs at the company's headquarters in Rehovot, Israel on Feb. 13, 2023. Believer is one of a growing number of companies making cultivated meat, which can be produced without raising and killing animals. Credit: AP Photo/Laura Ungar

Chef Zach Tyndall carries plates of cultivated chicken at GOOD Meat's Alameda, Calif., headquarters on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The company is one of over 150 startups aiming to use cell biology to reduce the environmental impact of the worlds ever-increasing demand for meat and change global protein production. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

Tayeba Chowdhury tastes cultivate chicken at GOOD Meat's Alameda, Calif., headquarters on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The company's cultivated chicken, which is grown from animal cells, is approved for sale in the United States and Singapore. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

Ryen Anderson tastes cultivate chicken before sampling it at GOOD Meat's Alameda, Calif., headquarters on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The company's cultivated chicken, which is grown from animal cells, is approved for sale in the United States and Singapore. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

Dave Pirazzini smells cultivate chicken before sampling it at GOOD Meat's Alameda, Calif., headquarters on Thursday, Sept. 28, 2023. The company's cultivated chicken, which is grown from animal cells, is approved for sale in the United States and Singapore. Credit: AP Photo/Noah Berger

Karen Hunt, who joined the taste test because she works nearby said she's not bothered by how it's made, especially when she thinks about how traditional chicken is made.

"When you bite into it, it was moist. It wasn't dry. It did have that kind of feel of chicken, taste of chicken," she said. "I was pleasantly surprised, and it tasted great."

 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:

Nurmaa, the wife of herder Agvaantogtokh, rounds up their sheep, in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district, in southeast Mongolia, Saturday, May 13, 2023. Nurmaa, who married into this way of life, says, Year by year I have learned a lot of things. Herding and birthing animals. Helping set up camp. Cooking big meals of breads, stews, milk tea and homemade wine. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

The half-crescent moon glowed in the predawn Mongolia sky as Agvaantogtokh and his family began preparing for yet another big move with their animals.

On horseback, he rode to a well with nearly a thousand sheep and goats. Occasionally, he and his wife, Nurmaa, stopped to help struggling young ones, weak after a harsh winterputting a lamb in the warm comfort of a van and hand-feeding a foal rejected by its mother. The animals would need strength for the trek eastward across vast, hilly grasslands.

Thousands of miles away in Senegal, Amadou Altine Ndiaye's family led livestock through a sparse African savannah dotted by acacia trees and brush. Horses and donkeys pulled a four-cart caravan along dirt paths in sweltering heat. Cattle followed behind. Ndiaye brought up the rear, wearing a traditional conical hat and contorting his mouth to make sounds only he and his animals could understand.

They were traveling from the town of Nayde in the northeast to a village even further eastthey believed it would be richer with vegetation. Ndiaye, a member of the Muslim Fulani ethnic group, learned the ways of animal herding alongside his elders.

"I was born into pastoralism, and since then I've known only that. There were cattle and sheep present at my birth," the 48-year-old said. "It's a source of pride."

A neighboring herder talks to Agvaantogtokh, left, sitting on a livestock fence in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district in southeast Mongolia, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

More than 50 million people in Asia, Africa, the Middle East and elsewhere practice and treasure this way of life. As nomadic pastoralists, they keep domestic animals and move with them to seek fresh pasturesoften selling some of their livestock for meat.

Although nomadic pastoralism has sustained these populations for millennia, it faces mounting pressures from deteriorating environments, shrinking rangelands, and new generations who seek a less grueling and tenuous life. At the same time, pastoralism is modernizing, with groups leveraging new technology to better care for their animals.

But the practice has survived for so long because it is designed to adapt to a changing environmentpastoralists move with their animals to find fresh pasture and water, leaving behind fallow land to heal and regrow. "The broad view is that having mobile animals enables you to leave places that are overused or that have scarce water or food resources and move to places where there are more resources," said Forrest Fleischman, who researches natural resource policy at the University of Minnesota. "And that means you're not going to hammer the one place you're stuck in."

Experts say it is a lesson that could help those who raise livestock at much larger scales adapt and reduce the impact of animal agriculture on the environment. Pastoralists aren't only trying to outrun climate change; they're combatting it.

"They have the Indigenous knowledge," said Edna Wangui, a geography professor who studies the practice at Ohio University. "There is a lot we can learn."

Herder Lkhaebum, left, talks to his assistant herders as they take a tea break on their way to settle in a new location in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district in southeast Mongolia, Saturday, May 14, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

'WE NEED MORE RAIN'

Perhaps more than any other place, Mongolia is known for pastoralism. The practice is enshrined in the nation's constitution, which calls its 80 million camels, yaks, cows, sheep, goats and horses "national wealth" protected by the state.

For families like Agvaantogtokh's, pastoralism is more than a profession. It's a cultural identity that connects generations across time. And at its heart is the human connection to animals.

Agvaantogtokh and his family sell animals for meat. They also sell dairy products such as yogurt and hard cheeses. While they consider the animals their property, they also see them as living beings working alongside them for a common purpose.

Researchers say herders believe in "animal agency." Agvaantogtokh lets his livestock pick what grass, flowers or herbs they eat, and find their own water. To him, fencing an animal and asking it to eat the same thing every day is like putting a person in prison.

The sister of herder Lkhaebum feeds a young foal while driving to a new pasture in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district in southeast Mongolia, Sunday, May 15, 2023. Pastoralism has survived for so long because it is designed to adapt to a changing environment - animals moved to find fresh pasture and water, leaving behind fallow land to heal and regrow. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

Weather extremes are a part of life in Mongolia, and managing them is increasingly difficult as the environment changes. When Agvaantogtokh thinks about climate change, he worries about what it means for humans and livestock.

One spring day, he felt the wind whip up and watched blue skies turn menacingly dark. In the distance, he spotted a wall of dirt rushing toward him.

"Dust storm," he muttered. His father, Lkhaebum, left a bowl of soup half-eaten on the table. Both set off on motorbikes to make sure their animals were safe.

"We need more rain," said Lkhaebum, who like other Mongolians uses only his given name. "If the grass isn't growing, it is very challenging for us."

Chronic drought plagues Mongolia. So does warming. Since 1940, the country's government says, average temperatures have risen 2.2 degrees Celsius (nearly 4 degrees Fahrenheit)a measure that may seem small, but for global averages, scientists say every tenth of a degree matters, and a warming world brings more weather extremes.

A sandstorm covers a railway track in Sainshand, east of Gobi desert, in Mongolia, May 19, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

And dzudsnatural disasters unique to Mongolia caused by droughts and severe, snowy wintershave grown harsher and more frequent and can keep livestock from accessing water or food.

A dzud pushed Agvaantogtokh and his family to move out of a southwestern province after a disastrous winter killed 400 of their animals. They've been in the eastern province of Sukhbaatar since 2020.

The family lives simply. They have a sink with a rubber pump to limit water use. They live in a tent called a ger, which has wooden circular frames insulated with sheepskin and felt, and doors facing east to let in the morning sun.

Nurmaa, who married into this way of life, uses a boiler fired with horse dung to cook and stay warm.

"Year by year," she said, "I have learned a lot of things." Herding and birthing animals. Helping set up camp. Cooking big meals of breads, stews, milk tea and homemade wine.

Lkhaebum, 71, checks some of his animals which mixed with a neighboring herd in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district in southeast Mongolia, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

But every place the family moves its ger, she has a sense of a settled life.

Each belonging is systematically placed in the same spotsomething stable and predictable in a world of constant change.

SURVIVING ON THE EDGE OF THE SAHARA

In Senegal, caravans carry the comforts of a furnished home, such as a metal bed frame and mattress, and water for people and animals.

With the rainy season approaching earlier this year, Ndiaye, his son-in-law Moussa Ifra Ba and the rest of the family prepared for a 170-kilometer (106-mile), 16-day trek.

Water and plentiful grass have become harder to come by. "One of the main difficulties related to pastoralism is the lack of grazing," Ndiaye said. "The livestock are hungry, and you sometimes have trouble selling one because it is so thin."

"Many varieties of tree have disappeared, and even our children are unaware of certain species," Ba said. "The best varieties of grass no longer grow in certain areas, and the most widespread grass is more like rubber: It fills the belly but doesn't nourish the animals."

Lkhaebum holds his cap as a sudden dust storm swirls outside his ger in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district, in southeast Mongolia, Saturday, May 13, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

Meals for Ndiaye's family rarely include meat and are carefully planned. Only when they pass through certain villages can they stock up on foodvegetables, rice and other essentials.

Overall, per-person meat consumption in Senegal is among the lowest in the world; rates are more than six times higher in Mongolia.

Ndiaye's family doesn't sell their animals regularly because meat is mostly for special occasions: weddings, or holidays such as Eid al-Adha and Eid al-Fitr. When they do, a few head of cattle can provide enough money to get married, buy rice or even emigrate.

The family has the same deep respect for their animals that Mongolian pastoralists do. Ba is especially drawn to the sheep. He's noticed that the rams cry when they move away from him, remember the names he gives them and come when they're called.

"It's a real friendship," Ba said.

Herder Agvaantogtokh saddles a horse for his wife, Nurmaa, in preparation for a 24-kilometer (15-mile) journey with their livestock to a new location in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district, in southeast Mongolia, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

In their four-cart caravan, young people and young animals both get special care.

Ndiaye's 5-year-old daughter, Aminata, and 2-year-old granddaughter, Aissata, ride atop one cart with the women. In another, baby sheep too young to walk for long in the heat are bound together with netting.

Ba said he can't imagine any other life: "A village without cows has no soul."

ANCIENT PRACTICE, NEW TECHNIQUES

To keep their practice alive, pastoralists around the world are looking for ways to modernize.

In Mongolia, Lkhaebum recently began using a motorbike to more easily search for horses, which are never kept fenced. One nippy morning, his calf-length tunic billowed around him as he began a search, stopping occasionally to peer through binoculars toward a herd grazing on a faraway hill.

The family also has a solar-powered battery that runs a television and washing machine, a karaoke machine, and a cellphone to keep track of weather and access Facebook groups where herders exchange information.

Goats and sheep run towards a water point before undertaking a 24-kilometer (15-mile) journey to a new location in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district, in southeast Mongolia, Sunday, May 14, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

"We now have 4G cellular data, and it helps us a lot in communicating and getting forecasts," Nurmaa said. "It really helps us a lot with communicating with our children because they're far away."

Their 18-year-old daughter studies medicine in the capital city of Ulaanbaatar. Their two younger children, a 13-year-old son and a 9-year-old daughter, are in school. The son spoke about becoming a herder when he was in his early teens. But not anymore.

"I won't regret anything if my child won't be a herder," Nurmaa said. "I would like them to do what they aspire to do."

Her view is not unusual.

"If you asked parents, very few of them want their children to grow up to be pastoralists," professor Wangui said. "They want their children to be something else because they're seeing the life of pastoralists is a tough life."

Nurmaa, the wife of herder Agvaantogtokh, packs her belongings to move to a new location in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district, in southeast Mongolia, Monday, May 15, 2023. Every time the family moves its ger, each belonging is systematically placed in the same spot  something stable and predictable in a world of constant change. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

KEEPING UP IN A CHANGING WORLD

Though modern tools promise to make things easier, many pastoralists run into obstacles. Those in Senegal, for example, often struggle to find signals for their cell phones. They rely mostly on older technology and methods.

One evening, Ndiaye's grown daughter, Houraye, peeled onions for the family's meal, stirring a pot of rice illuminated by the glowing embers of her fire. When it was ready, her seven relatives gathered under the stars with small flashlights and turned on the handheld radio they charge off their solar panel. The bleating of sheep nearly drowned out the traditional melodies.

An important advancement in infrastructure has helped the family: water towers known as forages that have sprung up with government assistance. Previously, finding water could require a 35-kilometer (22-mile) trek. Now, the family plots trips along the path of these towers, where they can refill their jugs and replenish their animals in long troughs.

Still, some leaders don't offer help to pastoralists. Conflicts between herders and settled farmers also can erupt surrounding land use and access to water.

A family photograph of herder Agvaantogtokh, his wife, Nurmaa, and their children hangs in their ger along with a teddy bear and some books in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district, in southeast Mongolia, Saturday, May 13, 2023. I wont regret anything if my child wont be a herder, Nurmaa says. I would like them to do what they aspire to do. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

A few advocacy groups advise pastoralists to choose settled lives for their own good. In Senegal's Sahel regionwhere the United Nations estimates 65% of meat and 70% of milk sold at local markets come from pastoraliststhe head of the Association for Promoting Livestock Farming in the Sahel and Savannah suggests people put their children in school and diversify incomes.

"Climate change has caused enormous damage, and people are not aware of the dangers that lie ahead," said Moussa Demba Assette Ba. "If you invest all your income in livestock and disaster strikes, you lose everything, and that's what climate change can do."

The former pastoralist built a home in 2006 that has since turned into a sprawling compound that provides solar power to neighbors. He encourages others to settle down as he has and seek ways to increase the quality, not quantity, of their animals.

But perhaps the biggest threat to pastoralism comes from within, as the next generation chooses other paths.

Four of Ndiaye's seven living children don't travel with their parents. He relies on help from Ba and a paid family friend to direct the animals to their destination.

Lkhaebum, left, with his daughter-in-law, Nurmaa, right, and others shelter inside their ger during a sudden dust storm in the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district, in southeast Mongolia, Saturday, May 13, 2023. The family has a solar-powered battery that runs a television and washing machine, a karaoke machine, and a cellphone to keep track of weather and access Facebook groups where herders exchange information. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

Stars light up the night sky over Lkhaebum's ger, a portable, round tent insulated with sheepskin, in the remote Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district, in southeast Mongolia, Tuesday, May 16, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

The remains of a horse lie on the grasslands of the Munkh-Khaan region of the Sukhbaatar district, in southeast Mongolia, Saturday, May 13, 2023. Credit: AP Photo/Manish Swarup

Ba, 28, and his wife Houraye, 20, have a 2-year-old daughter and want to expand their family. They mused about a future in which at least one child stays in pastoralism while at least one goes to school.

"I'd like my children to keep up with the changing world," Ba said.

 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:

Reconstruction of the giant eagle (Dynatoaetus pachyosteus), as part of new artwork at the Naracoorte Caves in SA's Limestone Coast region. Credit: John Barrie

Australia's only vulture, and a fearsome extinct eagle, are among the earliest recorded birds of prey from the Pleistocene period more than 50,000 years agoand now Flinders University researchers are bringing them to life again.

Along with new scientific information published in Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology, a bold new pictorial reconstruction of a newly named eagle and the only known Australian vulture will be unveiled at the World Heritage-listed Naracoorte Caves in South Australia's Limestone Coast this month.

"Imagine these majestic birds competing for food in landscapes across southern Australia ruled by megafauna such as the giant wombat-like Diprotodon optatum and the 'marsupial lion' Thylacoleo carnifex," says Dr. Ellen Mather, from the Flinders University Paleontology lab

The project follows the Flinders team's extended work on now extinct megafaunaincluding the largest eagle that ever flew in Australia, recently named Dynatoaetus gaffae, by Dr. Mather, Associate Professor Trevor Worthy, Dr. Aaron Camens and others.

In their latest paper, Dr. Mather and Associate Professor Worthy join fellow Flinders paleontologists Dr. Diane Fusco, Professor Mike Lee (Flinders and SA Museum) and Dr. John Hellstrom (University of Melbourne), in publishing details of the second largest eagle, aptly called Dynatoaetus pachyosteus, described exclusively from fossil bones found in the Victoria Cave at the Naracoorte Caves.

"This new eagle species, Dynatoaetus pachyosteus, would have been similar in wingspan to a wedge-tailed eagle, now Australia's largest living eagle of prey, but its bones seem much more robustespecially its leg bones, suggesting it was even more powerful and heavily built," says Dr. Mather.

"This genus (Dynatoaetus) was endemic to Australia, meaning it was found nowhere else in the world.

"Now we have found two species and know this genus is not particularly closely related to any eagles outside Australia, we suggest that this group of raptors must have been in Australia for quite some time, rather than being a relatively recent arrival."

"However, our analyses suggest they may be related to the large Crested Serpent Eagle and Philippine Eagle, top predators in the tropical jungles Southeast Asia and New Guinea."

The team also first described the Australian vulture (Cryptogyps lacertosus), a bird the size of a modern-day wedge-tailed eagle from bones including an almost complete pair of wings from a single individual previously recovered from an underwater cave, known as the Green Waterhole or Fossil Cave, near Mount Gambier.

In the latest article, the Flinders University team connect these SA remains to bones they studied from a Nullarbor cave in Western Australiasuggesting Cryptogyps was more a primitive vulture than previously thought.

"Most vultures in the Aegypiinae (Old World vultures related to the Griffon Vulture) subfamily have extremely light wing bones filled with air cavities, thought to help with long periods of soaring flight," says Dr. Mather. "But Cryptogyps seems to have lacked this adaptation."

This could indicate that Cryptogyps was not as efficient a soarer compared to its living relatives.

Both species of Dynatoaetus were found in Victoria Fossil Cave deposits and so lived in the area between 500,000 and 200,000 years ago.

Eagle fossils are rare, so precisely when these birds went extinct is unknown. However, the researchers were able to place a date on the fossil vulture from Green Waterhole Cave.

Co-author Dr. Hellstrom led uranium-series dating of the calcite rafts (calcite crystals that form on the surface of still water in caves) that the fossils were buried in suggests that Cryptogyps lacertosus was alive around 60,000 years ago. This means it had survived right up to Australia's megafaunal mass extinction.

It is quite likely that the extinction of the large marsupials played a key role in the demise of Cryptogyps, and possibly the giant eagles as well, says Dr. Mather.

"Whatever caused the extinction of at least the vulture and two other eagles, the result is that Australia has only one largish raptor in its inland fauna today. This is unusual in the world, as most continents have several eagles and vultures.

"We now know that extinction not only removed large groups from the mammal fauna but that absence of vultures is a recent loss and that Australia had two other eaglesboth able to take rather larger prey than the wedge-tailed eagle."

More information: Ellen K Mather et al, Pleistocene raptors from cave deposits of South Australia, with a description of a new species of Dynatoaetus (Accipitridae: Aves): morphology, systematics and palaeoecological implications, Alcheringa: An Australasian Journal of Palaeontology (2023). DOI: 10.1080/03115518.2023.2268780
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Dechen, 40, grew up in Thimphu, the capital city of Bhutan. Her native language was Mangdip, also known as Nyenkha, as her parents are originally from central Bhutan. She went to schools in the city, where the curriculum was predominantly taught in Dzongkha, the national language, and English.

In Dechen's house, everyone spoke Dzongkha. She only spoke her mother tongue when she had guests from her village, who could not understand Dzongkha and during her occasional visits to her village nestled in the mountains. Her mother tongue knowledge was limited.

However, things have now changed.

With 90% of Bhutanese people using social media and social media penetrating all remotes areas in Bhutan, Dechen's relatives in remote villages are connected on WeChat.

She is in three WeChat groups where people usually communicate through voice messages in their native language. Most WeChat users in rural parts of the country communicate in their oral native language.

"I learn many words. I learnt how to say a lot of things in my own language," the mother of two now living in Western Australia told me.

Dechen's story is not isolated. Social media is giving a new lifeline to Bhutan's native languages, which do not have written script and lack proper documentation. By communicating through voice messages, social media is giving Bhutanese people in both urban and rural areas a new opportunity to use their local language.

Losing Bhutan's languages

Bhutan is a tiny Himalayan nation with a population of under 800,000 people. Internet and television was introduced only in 1999 and mobile phones in 2004.

The country has more than 20 local languages, but only Dzongkha has written text and is promoted as the national language.

The country struggles to promote the national language and its usage against English. Today most urban residents, especially the elites, speak English as their primary language.

Many languagesespecially minority languagesare vanishing or becoming endangered as younger generations switch to Dzongkha and English.

The medium of instruction in schools is mostly in English; Dzongkha is taught only as grammar and literature. Students are shamed and often punished for using their local languages.

The preservation and promotion of local languages, therefore, depends on the speakers. A language faces extinction when its speakers die out or switch to another language.

Linguist Pema Wangdi has researched languages in Bhutan, and he told me many people are losing their native language.

"When we lose our language, we lose a piece of our national identity," he told me.

Wangdi has identified there are no longer any speakers of Olekha, an indigenous dialect of Rukha in Wangdu Phodrang.

"The loss of a single language is a loss of a piece of our national linguistic heritage and identity," he said. "When a language is lost, cultural traditions which are tied to that language such as songs, myths and poetry will be lost forever."

Other Bhutanese languagesincluding Tshophu language of Doyaps in Samtse, Monpa language of central Bhutan, and Gongdukha of Mongarare endangered and at the brink of extinction.

Preservation of local languages

The future of the minority languages are at threat. The Constitution of Bhutan mandates the preservation and promotion of local languages, but there are no official efforts to preserve native languages.

But encouraging people to speak their native languages can have far reaching benefits in preserving and promoting Bhutan's rich culture and tradition. Language embodies identity, ethnicity and cultural values: a thriving local language would help transfer this intangible wealth to the younger generation.

Social media could be an invaluable tool in this preservation.

Bhutan could save its languages from becoming extinct with promotion of social media usages and language education could be done on the social media platforms. With both young and old people glued to social media, encouraging more people to use local languages in social media could generate interest among the youth to learn their local languages.

It could also help in documenting the endangered local languages as the older generation can record their voices on WeChat.

Many elder citizens feel strongly about their language and emphasize teaching their mother tongue to the younger generation and their grandchildren. Social mediajoining the younger generation on platforms where they feel at homecould be the way forward.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Relationships between authoritarian predispositions, media attention, and identifying issues as threats. Credit: Politics and the Life Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1017/pls.2023.12

Those with authoritarian political views are more likely to be concerned about terrorism and border control than a future new health pandemic, new research shows.

During the pandemic, rather than a desire for a stronger government with the ability to impose measures to address the pandemic and its consequences, people with authoritarian views rejected this and embraced individual autonomy.

Researchers analyzed public perceptions of security threats in 2012 and in 2020. They believe COVID-19 belongs to a distinct category of threats of which those with authoritarian views are less concerned and may even minimize.

The study says COVID-19 did not seem to disproportionately affect authoritarian concern about social divisions in British society.

The study, by Professor Dan Stevens and Professor Susan Banducci from the University of Exeter, and Dr. Laszlo Horvath from the Birkbeck, University of London, is published in the journal Politics and the Life Sciences.

Professor Stevens said, "This research shows different security threats should not be treated as alike. Security threats connected with health and infectious diseases such as avian flu in 2012 and COVID-19 in 2020 didn't seem to concern those with authoritarian views in the way you would expect. This seems to be due to the nature of the threat.

"When an issue threatens social norms or damages social cohesionwhich is how authoritarians tend to view immigrationthey respond differently. COVID019 was not seen as this kind of threat. However, with emerging infectious diseases increasing in frequency over the past five decades such perceptions could develop with future pandemics."

The surveys were the June 2012 Perceptions of Security in an Age of Austerity online survey conducted by ICM for Stevens and Vaughan-Williams and an online survey conducted for researchers by Opinion Research Business (ORB) in July 2020.

Each survey asked about ten issues and whether respondents viewed them as national and personal threats. The ten issues were: immigration; terrorism; weak border control; health pandemics, such as avian flu (2012) or COVID-19 (2020); environmental issues, such as global warming or greenhouse gas effects; resource scarcity; economic depression, financial crisis, and unemployment; burglary; crimes against women; and racial or religious hate crimes.

Perceptions of the five issues of terrorism, the economy, immigration, weak border control, and racial or religious hate crimes as threats were stable across the two surveys, while the new issues of health pandemic, environmental issues, and racial and religious hate crimes loomed larger in the later survey. There were increases in perceptions of almost all issues as personal threats compared to 2012only burglary showed a small decrease.

While the economy and terrorism were among the top-ranked personal threats in both years, some of the increases in perceptions of threats from other issues were large, particularly a health pandemic and environmental issues. Reasons for the increase in the personal threat from terrorism could be related to the number of relatively small-scale attacks that were not a feature of Islamic terrorism in the United Kingdom up to 2012, such as those at Westminster, the Manchester Arena, and London's Borough Market in 2017.

Researchers compared changes in perceptions of the ten threats with the amount of newspaper attention to them in the year prior to the survey, using Nexis, as a measure of increased or decreased threat for each issue. Media coverage of terrorism with a more personal frame increased considerably in 2020 over 2012.

Immigration, for which there was increased threat in the context of the 2020 survey, was disproportionately more likely to be seen as a threat by authoritarians than in 2012. Those with authoritarian views were also more likely to identify terrorism and border control as threats in both surveys than respondents without authoritarian views.

More information: Daniel Stevens et al, Authoritarianism, perceptions of security threats, and the COVID-19 pandemic: A new perspective, Politics and the Life Sciences (2023). DOI: 10.1017/pls.2023.12
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Elea Abisamra (at left) and other Virginia Tech students teach elementary school kids about science through writing and self-publishing books. Credit: Clark DeHart / Virginia Tech

Elea Abisamra published her first book in fifth grade. Before she became a Virginia Tech College of Science student majoring in cognitive and behavioral neuroscience, Abisamra's grade school years were focused on her love of writing.

A family friend introduced her to Amazon's CreateSpace, now known as Kindle Direct Publishing. With her mother's support and editing, a young Abisamra published a book. She felt seen and heard, something she longed to share with other kids. This seed would continue to grow into a global nonprofit called Kids Can Write.

"I love science, but I feel there's always been a mindset where people think, 'Okay, you're an English person' or you're going to be a lawyer or doctor or engineer, and in my head, storytelling is the thread between everything," said Abisamra, now a junior. "You can go be a scientist, but you also have to communicate and you also have to be compelling when you communicate. You have to make scientific methods, which is like planning your story. Stories are everywhere."

Once Abisamra became a college student, she pursued her love of science and writing. With new resources and opportunities, her earlier dream to help kids publish took form.

Abisamra formed Kids Can Write in the summer of 2022. The first chapter was at Virginia Tech, and the first program ran that fall with 15 students at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School in Blacksburg and 34 tutors from all majors. By the end of this month, the program will have helped 95 kids publish books with more than 150 tutors as editors.

"As a neuro major, I wanted to find a way to give back to the community and the School of Neuroscience while also creating a community with other neuro majors who would be tutors in the program," said Abisamra.

The first Kids Can Write program allowed student to write and publish a story on a topic of their choice. In January, Abisamra created an additional program that taught students about the brain through storytelling. She incorporated neuroscience majors as tutors and editors to support the process by teaching lessons on neuroscience and helping students create their own interpretation of the information.

How it works

Students choose how they will write about the brain, such as book of poems, a story that takes place inside the brain, a treasure hunt, etc.

Tutors ask questions to help students build character summaries.

Students create a timeline map of their story as a writing guide.

Students produce illustrations for their book.

The final product is published and celebrated at a closing ceremony.

"What started out as only writing is now a teaching tool for science. We want to show that storytelling is connected with neuroscience and all fields, and that students can use storytelling to learn. Then they publish their work, and it's with them forever," said Abisamra.

Karen Schendel, the E2 director at Gilbert Linkous Elementary School, worked with Abisamra to develop a description of her class and coordinate registration. Schendel said Kids Can Write is "a very popular class," both with students and parents, who are enthusiastically supportive. One student told Schendel she had been working on a story in her head before she even knew about the class and was very excited to turn it into a "real book."

"I get the sense that kids have stories to tell, and they love the idea of sharing their stories with others," said Schendel. "To be able to turn their story into a real book is so enticing."

Sharing her story

Abisamra was invited to write a paper about this innovative way to teach STEM concepts to students for the science research journal Cell. The work, titled "The Power of Storytelling in STEM," was published Nov. 9.

Kids Can Write moved beyond Blacksburg's borders well before Abisamra published her Cell article. There is a chapter at George Mason University as well as international groups in Lebanon and Jordan. Over the summer, Abisamra spoke to students at Johns Hopkins University who would like to start a club next semester, and she plans on traveling to Tanzania to teach a workshop in May 2024.

Abisamra has adapted the writing program to do more than teach science. Through collaborations with Virginia Tech and other external groups, there is an initiative for cancer patients, seniors with cognitive decline, people in prison, kids in Lebanon and Jordan, and refugees in Poland. Writing gives a voice to underrepresented groups who Abisamra said can "benefit from self-expression, self-confidence, mentorship, and publishing."

Some collaborations are personal. Abisamra lost a cousin to cancer and a grandmother to Alzheimer's disease. Her family roots are in Lebanon, and she spent early years living in Jordan, where she remembers people living in poverty. Abisamra is grateful for the opportunities her parents gave her by moving. She takes nothing for granted and sees Kids Can Write as a way to give back. Impact is her goal, not profit.

"I'm making an online course in the spring that will also function with some tutoring. Some schools don't have the option for in person programs and a lot of schools are experiencing teacher shortages, so I think this would be great for those kids," said Abisamra.

Looking forward, Abisamra hopes to see Kids Can Write reach around the globe and maybe inspire a school for kids without a home or connections. For now, she continues to spread the word in hopes of inspiring others to join her cause.

"None of this could happen without the tutors and the partners we have," said Abisamra. "The more partners and collaborators, the more we can do. I want this to be big."

More information: Elea-Maria Abisamra, The power of storytelling in STEM, Cell (2023). DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.10.010 All of the resources Abisamra creates are free, and information about creating a chapter is available on her website kidscanwrite.net. Journal information: Cell
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Modeling framework highlighting the main analyses and modeling steps. Panel (1) shows step 1 of the modeling approaches related to first finding the best data structure and modeling algorithm. Panel (2) shows the final global model. Red ellipses in panel (3) delineate the area of data origin for the regional models that correspond with step 2 of our modeling approach to assess non-stationarity in habitat selection during the range expansion . Credit: Diversity and Distributions (2023). DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13789

The return of the gray wolf (Canis lupus) to Germany, which began 23 years ago in the region of Lusatia in Eastern Germany, is a process of great ecological and social significance. Therefore, a precise understanding of the recolonization of the original habitat by the gray wolf and a reliable prediction of its future potential distribution are highly valuable. A detailed comparison of different approaches to spatial modeling using 20 years of distribution data has now unraveled the complexity of the recolonization process.

A team led by scientists from the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW) shows in a paper in the journal Diversity and Distributions that gray wolf habitat selection changed from the early (when they cherry-pick the finest locations) to late phases of recolonization (when they are much less selective) in a particular area. These results are a refinement of the team's earlier habitat modeling from 2020, originally published by the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation.

Gray wolves prefer habitats with plenty of cover at a substantial distance from people, their settlements and roads. These preferences were demonstrated during their return to Germany in the 21st century, when they recolonized the habitat from which they had been extinguished 200 years earlier. Knowledge of such habitat requirements and associated preferences also allows predicting the further expansion of their current range in Germany in the future.

In 2020, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation (BfN), in collaboration with a scientific team from the Department of Ecological Dynamics at the Leibniz Institute for Zoo and Wildlife Research (Leibniz-IZW), published a study on modeling suitable habitats. In this study, the team calculated that there could potentially be space for around 700 to 1,400 wolf territories in Germany's natural areas. The scientists have now taken a closer look and tested a variety of approaches to spatio-temporal modeling with regard to different phases of recolonization.

"There is reason to believe that the recolonization of Germany by the gray wolf is not a so-called stationary process, but is characterized by changing framework conditions," explains Prof Stephanie Kramer-Schadt, Head of the Department of Ecological Dynamics at the Leibniz-IZW. "Stationary processes in this case would mean that the wolves find the same or very similar environmental conditions in the regions into which they newly enterand that they respond to the environmental conditions in the same way during all phases of the process."

Both assumptions appeared to be doubtful in the case of the recolonization of Germany by the gray wolf. On the one hand, eastern Germany and the Rhine-Ruhr area in the west, for example, considerably differ in terms of the density of human infrastructure. On the other hand, wolves may show different or varying degrees of habitat preferences depending on whether they move in during the early, first phase or during the late, saturation phase of recolonization.

"These questions are highly relevant for the quality of the predictions," says first author Dr. Aimara Planillo, a scientist at Kramer-Schadt's department at the IZW. "If models are developed on the basis of the specific environmental conditions of a particular region, they could underestimate the suitability of another, very different region to which such a model might be applied.

"At the same time, models created with data from early recolonization phases may underestimate the suitability of habitats during the late phasesbecause the wolves during the early phase have a free choice to cherry-pick particular places and habitats and thus appear to be considerably more selective than they will be during the later phases. The reverse is also true: data from late recolonization phases might suggest that wolves appear to be less selective, which is why the selectivity of their choice and use of habitats in newly colonized areas would probably be underestimated."

This investigation was conducted by a team led by Dr. Planillo and Prof Kramer-Schadt, in collaboration with scientists from LUPUSthe German Institute for Wolf Monitoring and Researchthe Eberswalde University for Sustainable Development, the Technical Universities of Dresden and Berlin, the Humboldt University Berlin, the Federal Agency for Nature Conservation and the University of Veterinary Medicine Vienna.

They tested a variety of modern modeling methods and algorithms with data from more than 20 years of wolf monitoring in Germany with particular attention to the potential pitfalls arising from the actual dynamics of the recolonization process. They developed the models on the basis of a combination of radio telemetry and observation data and tested how well they could predict subsequent phases of the colonization process.

"The new models confirmed our previous work in two ways," conclude Planillo and Kramer-Schadt. "On the one hand, our projections from 2020 were proven to be largely accurate. Second, the sometimes significant differences to model forecasts of the various spatial phases of the process show that it is indeed non-stationary," say the authors.

"When recolonizing an area, wolves always secure the best habitats first. It therefore appears that they are considerably more sensitive to environmental variables. Neighboring second class sites are colonized just as reliably in later phases, as we were able to demonstrate in many regions of eastern Germany." The team was thus able to validate their predictions and refine them in a more differentiated manner. "Spatio-temporal projections of habitats of expanding species should be carried out with great caution," they conclude.

The most important factors for habitats to be suitable for wolves are close proximity to forests or cover-rich areas and a large distance from roads. The best habitats for wolves are found in the north and northeast as well as in the south of Germany, whereas habitats of lower quality tend to be found in the west. In the south of Bavaria and in some forest areas of central Germany (in the Harz Mountains as well as in the Spessart, Odenwald and Rhon), larger habitats of high quality are still unoccupied by wolves at the time the team ran the analysis.

It is likely that the first wolves to arrive there will first settle in prime locationswhich by now has already happened according to the most recent dataand colonize medium-quality locations over time. "With regards to our latest modeling and similar experiences from other European countries, where habitats of lower quality are also used permanently when wolf densities are high, previous habitat modeling tends to be too conservative," says Kramer-Schadt. "However, they provide a good spatial forecast for the initial colonization of new habitats."

More information: Aimara Planillo et al, Understanding habitat selection of rangeexpanding populations of large carnivores: 20 years of grey wolves (Canis lupus) recolonizing Germany, Diversity and Distributions (2023). DOI: 10.1111/ddi.13789 Journal information: Diversity and Distributions
ATLANTIC CITY  A handful of city residents and local civil rights advocates rallied Wednesday afternoon in support of a federal takeover of the Atlantic City Housing Authority.

Those calls echoed those of U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, who, on Monday, called for the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development to assume control over the authority as its residents say it continues to fail to meet basic living needs.

Steve Young, president of the National Action Networks South Jersey Chapter, said the federal government must intervene amid what he called human rights violations.

A lack of heat, hot water or both has been reported in recent weeks at authority properties Altman Terrace, Inlet Towers and Stanley Holmes Village, which is also undergoing court-ordered daily monitoring for potential gas leaks.

Its about accountability, Young said outside City Hall.

A HUD spokesperson did not immediately return a request for comment.

The Housing Authority board is scheduled to meet Thursday. Included on its agenda is a resolution to proceed with the demolition of part of Stanley Holmes Village, New Jerseys oldest public housing complex. In a court filing in late September, the authority said it was considering moving people out of one-third to one-half of the units in Stanley Holmes and demolishing them, then installing a new heat and hot water system in the remaining units.

In a response to Van Drews request, authority board Chair Stephanie Marshall said the fault lies with previous commissioners on the board.

Van Drew calls for immediate federal takeover of Atlantic City Housing Authority U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew, R-2nd, called Monday for a federal takeover of the Atlantic City Housing Authority due to unsafe living conditions in its properties.

Young said the chapter lobbied for Van Drew to address the issue with HUD. It also lobbied U.S. Sens. Corey Booker and Bob Menendez, both D-N.J., but has not heard from them, he said.

As long as theyre in office, were going to hold them accountable, Young said. They dont get a pass. Were still waiting for them to say the same thing that Van Drew said, agree with it and move forward.

Neither office for Booker nor Menendezs immediately returned a request for comment.

During the rally, a group of Housing Authority residents repeated demands for greater accountability and transparency on the issues not being rectified.

Housing Authority Commissioner Charmaine Hall, a resident of the Walter J. Buzby Homes development overseen by the authority, urged residents of the properties to lobby for the board to take action.

We have to come in numbers, said Hall, who recently fought her brief removal by the authority board after she left a meeting in frustration.

Over the past year, tenants of the Housing Authority have questioned its ability to provide basic needs. About 100 residents of Stanley Holmes Village are suing the authority over unsafe living conditions there. Last week, an attorney representing the tenants asked a judge for rent abatements ranging between 60% and 100%. The Housing Authoritys lawyer must present his recommendations by Friday.

The requests come a week after HUD officials issued a scathing rebuke of the Housing Authority during a meeting with the local agencys residents, board members and former staff, who described poor conditions in the authoritys communities.

Stanley Holmes tenants' lawyer asks for 3 years of rent abatements of 60% to 100% The attorney representing about 100 Stanley Holmes Village tenants in a lawsuit against the Atlantic City Housing Authority over conditions there asked a judge Friday for a 100% rent abatement for her clients for heating months over three years.

This has been a complete and total failure by government, Richard Monocchio, HUDs principal deputy assistant secretary for public and Indian housing, said during the online meeting last week.

A recent HUD-commissioned audit of the local authority is one of the worst audits that Ive ever read in my life, Monocchio said then.

Matt Doherty, who was the Housing Authoritys executive director before being ousted by the board in September, said Wednesday he is fearful of the living conditions there as winter looms. He was particularly fearful for at-risk tenants, including older people and those with mental health conditions.

God forbid whats going to happen if it gets into the 30s, the 20s, the teens, and thats really what I worry about, said Doherty, who was fired after only four months on the job. There are residents of your city whose lives are at risk going into this winter, and thats not right.
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MAYS LANDING  When retired Army Sgt. 1st Class Richard Grimsley received the keys to his new home Wednesday on White Oak Way, he was speechless.

Grimsley received the home mortgage free thanks to Building Homes for Heroes, a nonprofit that builds and gifts homes for veterans, emergency responders and their families across the nation.

"It's overwhelming," said Grimsley, 51, who was somewhat in disbelief that he was receiving a new home, where he and his fiancee, Lydia Lechliter, would start the next chapter of their lives together. "I'm at a loss for words."

"I don't even know what to say," added Lechliter, who was also in awe of the newly furnished, four-bedroom, 2-bathroom home they will be moving into in a few months from their apartment in Pine Hill, Camden County. "It truly is a blessing."

The organization is working to give away 40 homes in 2023, which equates to about one home every 11 days, on average, according to the organization's website.

This will be the organization's second home given away in South Jersey, with a third one planned for next year. The last home the organization gifted locally was about two years ago in Egg Harbor Township.

"It's so rewarding," said Cody Brannon, construction and events manager for Building Homes for Heroes. "The most important thing is giving back to those making the ultimate sacrifice, their families ... they're able to plant their roots here."

Grimsley joined the military in 1999. He served in the South Carolina National Guard from 1999 to 2002, and the U.S. Army Air Corps from 2003 to 2019.

Atlantic City veteran, father of five, faces $442,000 water bill An Atlantic City man who says he pays his water bill regularly has been hit with a $442,000 lien on his property by the Municipal Utilities Authority.

He was a squad leader with the 82nd Airborne Divisions Troop A, 5th Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team.

In 2007, during his deployment in Diyala, Iraq, an improvised explosive device blew off the front end of his vehicle, knocking him unconscious and resulting in a significant head injury, embedding shrapnel in his face and forehead.

The decades of dealing with combat, air assaults and other war scenarios resulted in Grimsley suffering from traumatic brain injury, post-concussion syndrome, major neurocognitive disorder, memory loss, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and other issues.

Ken Katter, Grimsley's friend who served with him in Iraq, drove from Sarasota, Florida, to Grimsley's new home Wednesday.

Katter also received a home from Building Homes for Heroes about nine years ago, and sympathized with his friend, with whom he was deployed during his 15-month Iraq tour in 2007 (and was injured a day after Grimsley from a roadside bomb) in feeling like maybe he didn't deserve the home.

"I felt like I didn't want to take it away from someone else that was more deserving," said Katter, 56. "I didn't want anything from anybody else, but to have someone else help ... it wasn't about me, but it was about how to better take care of my family. I was able to finally save money, and I was able to enjoy my family without any stress."

There are more than 18 million veterans living in the United States, making up about 10% of the country's population, according to data from Statista. More than 33,000 veterans experience homelessness in the United States, according to last year's Point-in-Time data from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

The Biden administration reported Nov. 2 that the number of veterans experiencing homelessness had dropped by 11% since 2020.

Cape May Army National Guard's first 'ruck march' benefits hungry families The Cape May Army National Guard held its first annual ruck march on the Ocean City Boardwalk on Sunday, carrying non-perishable food for a 4-mile journey before donating the goods to families in need.

Building Homes for Heroes was able to supply more than just a place to sleep for Grimsley and his family, with the help of sponsors. Lowe's donated a new riding lawn mower, flooring installation and landscaping, while JPMorgan Chase gifted Grimsley the home.

"The most important thing today is that this is your new home," said David Weingrad, director of communications for Building Homes for Heroes, when he handed Grimsley the keys.
Years ago, The Press had an executive editor who banned reporters from using the terms South Jersey and North Jersey," requiring them to say southern or northern New Jersey instead. Imagine how hed react now, when state government has ordered the creation of a new region, Central Jersey.

Today, we settle the decades-old debate once and for all: Central Jersey exists, Gov. Phil Murphy said as he signed a bill in August creating it as a new state tourism region.

We dont know what debate Murphy was referring to. People dont use the name, let alone discuss its possible merits. This does put the state government on the wrong side of the great debate over whether dictionaries should be descriptive of language in use or tell people what and how they should use words. The bossy state has introduced Central Jersey, declared it legitimate and will put money into getting the public to use it.

The new official Central Jersey region will take effect the day before Thanksgiving. People might want to give thanks that their government wasnt heavier handed. The state hinted it may shift some Jersey Shore counties into Central Jersey.

According to the law, Central Jersey includes four counties: Hunterdon, Mercer, Middlesex and Somerset. Left out for now are others in the middle of the state such as Union County and the popular beach-vacation destinations of Monmouth and Ocean counties at the Jersey Shore.

However, the law anticipates including more counties in Central Jersey in the future, and Murphy has made it clear hed like to see that.

The state recently put a map online titled Central Jersey Borders that made Monmouth and Union counties part of the made-up region and called Ocean County central debatable.

The proposal to create a Central Jersey tourism region was prompted by the coming 250th anniversary of the 1776 signing of the U.S. Declaration of Independence, said state Sen. Andrew Zwicker, the bills main sponsor. He said New Jerseys importance in the Revolutionary War rivals that of Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, and should be used in tourism marketing.

There were crucial battles in New Jersey, Dr. Philip C. Mead, chief historian and curator of the Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia, told The Wall Street Journal. He named Gen. George Washingtons wins at Trenton and Princeton in particular. Neither of those battles decided the conflict, but both dramatically improved American chances of victory.

History is just as likely to open the can of worms further as to provide support for imposing a new region. Before the American Revolution, the Province of New Jersey was divided into West Jersey and East Jersey based on royal grants of property. Disputes about the border between East and West Jersey were so violent that the rights to govern them were turned over to Englands Queen Anne in 1702.

We understand how the four counties now in Central Jersey must have felt neglected, lacking the tourism region designation that can bring marketing money from the state. But do they have the existing or potential tourism to justify such money? We think funds are better spent where the tourism payoff will be bigger for the state and its residents.

Murphy and the Legislature should have simply enlarged two of the existing seven tourism regions to include those counties. Hunterdon and Mercer would fit nicely into the Delaware River region. Middlesex and Somerset should be among the Gateway counties around New York City.

Putting those counties in a new Central Jersey region is OK if it doesnt divert for political purposes tourism marketing funds that should be spent elsewhere. That is what Jersey Shore counties must try to guard against.
Reconciliation meeting of the SPPU controversy to take place in the presence of the Chancellor and Police Commissioner

A controversy that struck Pune's Savitribai Phule Pune University (SPPU) will now be reconciled in the presence of the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and Pune Police Commissioner.

A debatable statement against PM Narendra Modi was written on the walls of SPPU's hostel, due to which a dispute arose between BJP supporters and the workers of an organization. The Vice-Chancellor of the varsity, Dr. Parag Kalkar, stated that a meeting would be held with students, teachers, and other staff in the presence of the Chancellor and Police Commissioner to find a solution to this problem.

BJP supporters protested against the controversial statement written on the wall. Due to a tense atmosphere in the university, Pune Police have imposed Section 144 from 7 November 2023 to 21 November 2023.

In the wake of the controversy, a meeting of student representatives has been organized in the presence of the Vice-Chancellor, Chancellor, and Police Commissioner at Dnyaneshwar Auditorium in the main building of the University on Saturday morning at eleven o'clock to maintain academic sanctity in the university premises and create an atmosphere of harmony with ideological freedom. A maximum of three to five organization representatives can attend the meeting.
The current Interstate 80 bridge in the Quad-Cities would be demolished under the preferred plan to replace it, a blow to supporters of repurposing the bridge into a park for a herd of bison.

The 1967-built bridge crosses the Mississippi River between LeClaire and Rapids City. Studies began in 2020 on how to improve or possibly replace the bridge, which transportation officials say is outdated as traffic grows, associated with more crashes and prompting recurring and costly bridge maintenance.

The Iowa and Illinois Departments of Transportation have been evaluating several options for the location and alignment of a new bridge. On Wednesday, transportation officials presented their findings and preferred alignment.

A group, the Bison Bridge Foundation, has advocated to the state departments to spare the current bridge and repurpose it into a land bridge and public park space for pedestrians and a herd of bison. But under the National Environmental Policy Act, state transportation officials have said they can't consider the potential of a bison bridge in deciding where the new bridge goes.

The Iowa and Illinois Departments of Transportation evaluated five options for replacing the bridge, which the departments called preferred alternatives.

The departments picked the fifth alternative, which would build new spans immediately to the west of the current bridge. The current bridge would then be removed.

Another three options were considered for replacing the Interstate 88 interchange.

More than 900 people registered to be on the fourth public meeting by the state transportation departments to hear the study and preferred alternative.

Steve Robery, an Illinois Department of Transportation official, told listeners that bison arent currently part of the environment and therefore cant be considered in selecting the route of the new bridge under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Alternative 5, Robery said, has the fewest impacts on environmental and human resources, such as disturbing wetlands or relocating residents or businesses. It would require two residential relocations, which was fewer than building the new bridge east of the existing one or building the bridge farther away.

The Bison Bridge Foundation told its followers on social media the decision is a "significant setback."

"As we navigate this difficult juncture, we call upon you, our incredible community, to share your support for the Bison Bridge," the post reads. "Your comments hold the power to advocate for our vision in the public record and emphasize the importance of preserving the existing bridge."

The public can leave comments on he proposed plan at i80mississippibridge.com until Nov. 29. Also on the website will be materials and a video recording of the Wednesday meeting.

State officials said current estimates put Alternative 5's cost at $288 million, but they emphasized during the meeting that that estimate could go up in the years ahead.

The study included about 6 miles from the I-88/I-80 interchange in Illinois to 35th Street SW in LeClaire, Iowa.

Another public meeting is scheduled for early- to mid-2024 to present refinements of the preferred alternative. It would be another two to three years of engineering and public right-of-way acquisition before construction would start.
Authorities have released the name of the man who died Saturday in a two-vehicle crash in Muscatine County.

Iowa State Patrol investigators said that a 6 a.m. Saturday, a 2015 Ford Explorer driven by Mikyaela Shari Niquolette Bacon, 33, of Ainsworth, Iowa, was northbound on Iowa 70 at 200th Street south of Nichols when her vehicle crossed the center line.

Bacons Explorer then struck a 2011 Chevrolet Malibu driven by James Gregory Falconer, 43 of West Liberty.

Falconer was not wearing a seatbelt and suffered fatal injuries.

A 2-year-old child in the Malibu was restrained in a car seat and suffered minor injuries. Bacon also suffered minor injuries. Both Bacon and the child were taken to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics, Iowa City, for treatment.

The crash remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.
The current Interstate 80 bridge in the Quad-Cities would be demolished under the preferred plan to replace it, a blow to supporters of repurposing the bridge into a park for a herd of bison.

The 1967-built bridge crosses the Mississippi River between LeClaire and Rapids City. Studies began in 2020 on how to improve or possibly replace the bridge, which transportation officials say is outdated as traffic grows, associated with more crashes and prompting recurring and costly bridge maintenance.

The Iowa and Illinois Departments of Transportation have been evaluating several options for the location and alignment of a new bridge. On Wednesday, transportation officials presented their findings and preferred alignment.

A group, the Bison Bridge Foundation, has advocated to the state departments to spare the current bridge and repurpose it into a land bridge and public park space for pedestrians and a herd of bison. But under the National Environmental Policy Act, state transportation officials have said they can't consider the potential of a bison bridge in deciding where the new bridge goes.

The Iowa and Illinois Departments of Transportation evaluated five options for replacing the bridge, which the departments called preferred alternatives.

The departments picked the fifth alternative, which would build new spans immediately to the west of the current bridge. The current bridge would then be removed.

Another three options were considered for replacing the Interstate 88 interchange.

More than 900 people registered to be on the fourth public meeting by the state transportation departments to hear the study and preferred alternative.

Steve Robery, an Illinois Department of Transportation official, told listeners that bison arent currently part of the environment and therefore cant be considered in selecting the route of the new bridge under the National Environmental Policy Act.

Alternative 5, Robery said, has the fewest impacts on environmental and human resources, such as disturbing wetlands or relocating residents or businesses. It would require two residential relocations, which was fewer than building the new bridge east of the existing one or building the bridge farther away.

The Bison Bridge Foundation told its followers on social media the decision is a "significant setback."

"As we navigate this difficult juncture, we call upon you, our incredible community, to share your support for the Bison Bridge," the post reads. "Your comments hold the power to advocate for our vision in the public record and emphasize the importance of preserving the existing bridge."

The public can leave comments on he proposed plan at i80mississippibridge.com until Nov. 29. Also on the website will be materials and a video recording of the Wednesday meeting.

State officials said current estimates put Alternative 5's cost at $288 million, but they emphasized during the meeting that that estimate could go up in the years ahead.

The study included about 6 miles from the I-88/I-80 interchange in Illinois to 35th Street SW in LeClaire, Iowa.

Another public meeting is scheduled for early- to mid-2024 to present refinements of the preferred alternative. It would be another two to three years of engineering and public right-of-way acquisition before construction would start.

Photos: Buffalo Roundup draws crowd to South Dakotas Custer State Park
Moline council members are moving forward with a $144.8 million dollar balanced budget for fiscal year 2024.

The final vote on the budget is expected on Tuesday, Nov. 21.

The budget includes all operating and revenue expenses. New funding sources, rate increases, capital improvement projects and updates to the city's strategic plans and priorities are laid out in the budget.

Council members decided on three pillars, or priorities, to help guide the city on deciding what needs to be address. The three priorities are infrastructure, quality of place and the economy.

Below is an overview of the budget, highlighting revenues and expenditures, the different fund balances, projects and rate increases.

Rate changes

The city expects its property tax rate to decrease, due to increased equalized assessed value of properties. Utility rates are set to see a slight increase.

Property taxes levied will increase to $16.35 million  up almost $527,500, or 3.3%, from 2023. The city's tax levy rate will decrease from $1.8475 per $100 equalized assessed value to $1.77725 in 2024.

Finance Director Carol Barnes said that council will take up to 50% of the EAV growth and levying increased in property taxes to fully fund new projects.

"It will go back to the residents to address council's number one concern of infrastructure," Barnes said.

The enterprise fund, which consists of city utilities such as water, stormwater, wastewater, and sanitation, will see slight rate increases.

Wastewater treatment plant fees were last increased in 2018. Water Pollution Control, or wastewater treatment, fees will increase to $3.35 per month. The increase is mandated by the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency for the $68 million improvement project at South Slope Wastewater Treatment Plant.

Moline received a state revolving loan fund from the Illinois EPA. It is a low-interest loan which funds wastewater and stormwater projects.

Stormwater fees will increase to $1.46 for medium-sized lots. The last increase for stormwater was in 2005. Sanitation fees will increase to 71 cents per month. The last increase for sanitation was in 2018.

The utility fee increases are to address budget gaps and will be reviewed annually by city council moving forward, Barnes said.

The city also is aiming to implement monthly utility billing sometime next year.

Expected revenue

Intergovernmental revenue, funds transferred from one level of government to another, is projected as the top source of revenue for the city. It will account for $36.4 million, or 24.78%, of the budget.

These fund transfers consist of grants, shared taxes, or allocations made to support specific projects or programs.

Charges for services account for $26.6 million; other city taxes account for $20.4 million; taxes for $16.3 million; and internal service funds for $21.5 million.

Other revenue sources include American Rescue Plan Act funds accounting for $5.4 million; tax increment financing districts account for $2.7 million; and miscellaneous accounts for $2.7 million.

New revenue streams for 2024 include natural gas and electric franchise fee and amusement taxes.

The city will charge MidAmerican a fee for the operation of a natural gas system and franchise for 25 years.

Fees will be collected at a rate of of 1.5%.

Money collected from the fees will be used towards new special capital projects.

Projects with ARPA funds allocated include infrastructure investments of $1.5 million to reduce flooding $1.5 million; bikeways and multi-modal plan at $700,000; water infrastructure at $1.3 million; arsenal bridge decking at $1 million; and other small projects at $744,500.

The city has until December, 2026, to spend all of the ARPA funds.

Expected expenditures

About $46.4 million is set to be spent on employee salaries and benefits. For 2024, the city also will aim to hire 11 new personnel.

The top expenditures are public safety, or police and fire, accounts for $30.7 million; business/enterprise funds accounts for $23.8 million; internal service funds account for $20.7 million; and capital projects account for $20.3 million.

Other expenditures include debt service at $8.5 million; community and economic development at $7.9 million; and culture and recreation at $8.2 million.

The budget consists of 52 funds altogether that are broken into eight categories, the largest of which is the general fund.

Upcoming projects

A majority of taxpayer money, Barnes said, is serving taxpayers through capital projects such as the riverfront/I-74 land redevelopment, central fire station and Spiegel Building.

City Administrator Bob Vitas said council's "pillars" of infrastructure, quality of place ,and economy are one of the keys to success and help chart a financial course for the city.

One big ticket item includes the redevelopment and reimagining of downtown. City officials have coined the downtown redevelopment as a "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity" and have already begun tentative plans of what could come to fruition.

Earlier this year, MKSK design firm was selected to help reimagine downtown. Vitas said he expects the firm to come back with some design plans and ideas next year. Downtown redevelopmen will need to become a public-private partnership to tackle the different costs associated with redeveloping, Vitas said.

Renew Moline, a private nonprofit that partners with the city, has taken the helm on a few downtown redevelopment projects such as the former JCPenney Building on 5th Avenue and the Spiegel Building.

President/CEO of Renew Alex Elias has previously told the Quad-City Times/Dispatch-Argus the former JCPenney Building is likely to become housing.

Elias also has presented possible plans for the Spiegel Building to city officials. The 36,000-square foot, four floor building could have a mix of food halls, shared kitchen space, spaces for art and art studios and offices and could serve as a business incubator.

For 2024, no funds are allocated for possible downtown redevelopment plans as the city is waiting on what MKSK comes back with for designs and ideas. Downtown plans also include a skatepark and pump track under the old I-74 bridge.

Parks and recreation hired New Line Skateparks, Inc to design the proposed skatepark.

Council members also planned 10 years out for when to fund certain projects such as the central fire station.

The fire department hired a firm to do a study location and found that the area of 7th Street and 13th Avenue near Stephens Park is the best location for a central station. Fire Chief Steve Regenwhether previously said there is city-owned land near the park and that the new fire station would also consist of the fire administrative offices.

The new facility is expected to cost up to $28 million and will require bonding, Barnes said. Council is planning to move forward with design and construction in 2026-2027, with $2 million budgeted for 2026 and $26 million budgeted in 2027.

About $104,000 will be allocated in 2024 towards public works and city hall security enhancements. About $245,000 will come from ARPA for security enhancements.

Other future projects include renovating city hall, residential developments, and other infrastructure improvements.

Close A demonstration cone shows how the water tanks, or ClariCones, help clean the water. A look at the water tanks, or ClariCones, in the Moline Water Treatment Plant Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. A graph shows how the water tanks, or ClariCones, at the Moline Water Treatment plant work when collecting and discharging sludge. A look at a water tank, or ClariCone, at the Moline Water Treatment Plant Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. This step in the process helps discharge slurry, or sludge, in the water. A look at two different pipes that flow water into one of the labs in the Moline Water Treatment Plant Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Raw water is untreated water directly coming into the lab. A look one of the water treatment areas in the Moline Water Treatment Plant Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Particles in river water have a negative electric charge and this step in the process helps break up the charge. Moline water plant employee Susan Grau does fecal testing on water in the lab Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Moline water plant employee Susan Grau does fecal testing on water in the lab Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Moline water plant employee Susan Grau does fecal testing on water in the lab Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. A look at one of the areas in which water is treated and monitored in the Moline Water Treatment Plant Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. A city of Moline water plant employee tests a sample of water Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Moline's Water Treatment Plant A demonstration cone shows how the water tanks, or ClariCones, help clean the water. A look at the water tanks, or ClariCones, in the Moline Water Treatment Plant Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. A graph shows how the water tanks, or ClariCones, at the Moline Water Treatment plant work when collecting and discharging sludge. A look at a water tank, or ClariCone, at the Moline Water Treatment Plant Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. This step in the process helps discharge slurry, or sludge, in the water. A look at two different pipes that flow water into one of the labs in the Moline Water Treatment Plant Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Raw water is untreated water directly coming into the lab. A look one of the water treatment areas in the Moline Water Treatment Plant Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Particles in river water have a negative electric charge and this step in the process helps break up the charge. Moline water plant employee Susan Grau does fecal testing on water in the lab Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Moline water plant employee Susan Grau does fecal testing on water in the lab Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. Moline water plant employee Susan Grau does fecal testing on water in the lab Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. A look at one of the areas in which water is treated and monitored in the Moline Water Treatment Plant Monday, Oct. 30, 2023. A city of Moline water plant employee tests a sample of water Monday, Oct. 30, 2023.
Presiding Judge Craig Pfeifle denied the state's request Wednesday to revoke NDN Collective President and CEO Nick Tilsen's bond after he travelled out of state without the court's permission and picked up a misdemeanor charge.

On June 30, the Pennington County State's Attorney's Office filed a criminal complaint against Tilsen accusing him of aggravated assault against a law enforcement officer and obstruction for allegedly lurching his vehicle at an officer who spoke with an intoxicated man on Saint Joseph Street on June 11, 2022.

A magistrate judge issued an arrest warrant the same day the state filed the complaint and set bond at $5,000 cash only. Tilsen posted the bond and cleared the warrant on July 5. On Aug. 2, a Pennington County grand jury formally charged Tilsen in an indictment. He pleaded not guilty.

In September, Tilsen travelled to Washington, D.C. for a protest. He was arrested for "crowding, obstructing, or incommoding." His defense attorney, John Murphy, described the violation as essentially blocking a sidewalk. Murphy said his client pleaded guilty to the charge and paid a $50 fine.

On Oct. 12  ahead of Tilsen's Oct. 26 arraignment  the state filed a motion asking the court to revoke Tilsen's bond based on the D.C. trip and related arrest.

At the arraignment, the judge tabled the bond discussion and approved Tilsen's requests to travel to Chicago on Oct. 26 and Oct. 27; to Washington, D.C. from Nov. 3 to Nov. 10, and to Atlanta from Nov. 10 to Nov. 14.

At the Wednesday hearing, the court heard Deputy Pennington County State's Attorney Olivia Siglin argue there was evidence Tilsen violated two conditions of his bond by travelling outside the Seventh Judicial Circuit and by violating a law.

Siglin asked the judge that Tilsen "be treated the same as any defendant."

Murphy argued the purpose of bond is to ensure defendants show up for their court hearings, which Tilsen has done. He argued Tilsen's violations  the validity of which he did not argue  were not material or substantial.

"It's a minor offense," Murphy said of the D.C. charge.

The attorney argued his client "cured" the issue by resolving the charge and asking for the court's permission to travel after the September trip.

"Ms. Siglin is asking you to take $5,000 from him and lock him up over a $50 ticket and a travel out of county issue," Murphy said.

Siglin rebutted that Tilsen is facing a "very serious offense" and knew the terms of his bond.

"He did read through those terms," she said.

Pfeifle ultimately denied the state's request. The judge said he did not feel the violations supported revoking bond "at this time."

However, he warned Tilsen if there are future violations, the court could treat those hypothetical situations differently.

Tilsen is scheduled to appear in court for a motions hearing at 9:45 a.m. on Jan. 11, 2024.

Tilsen also faces a misdemeanor charge for allegedly making threatening or harassing contact against a Rapid City man in May.

Both the aggravated assault case and the harassing contact case materialized about seven months after the state dismissed charges against Tilsen for his involvement in a protest of President Donald Trump's Independence Day 2020 visit to Mount Rushmore.

Protestors used vans and their bodies to block a checkpoint. The National Guard arrived and deployed smoke grenades and pepper spray, a Journal reporter witnessed. Three hours after the blockage began to form, Tilsen and 15 others were arrested.

Tilsen was specifically accused of taking a guardsman's shield and driving at a sheriff's office investigator.

He faced seven charges: second-degree robbery, two counts of simple assault against law enforcement, obstruction, impeding a highway, disorderly conduct, and unlawful assembly. A month after the incident, the state dismissed the unlawful assembly charge.

Former Pennington County States Attorney Mark Vargo originally prosecuted the case, but it was transferred to the Minnehaha County Deputy State's Attorney after Tilsen alleged prosecutorial misconduct on Vargos part in 2021.

After two-and-a-half years, the state agreed to drop the remaining six charges. According to Tilsen, he agreed to serve 30 hours of community service in exchange for the dismissal.
In a significant move for the Christian music festival scene, LifeLight, a globally recognized evangelical ministry, announced Wednesday they will be incorporating Hills Alive as a major LifeLight Festival. Hills Alive will be the Rapid City addition to the LifeLight Festival held in Sioux Falls.

Hills Alive, a cornerstone event in Rapid City for over 38 years, is celebrated for its inspiring environment and outstanding musical talent. The festival draws thousands annually, combining faith and music in a vibrant community setting. LifeLight, known for its worldwide influence in evangelism and Christian music, has been instrumental in hosting major Christian music events since its inception in 1998 in Sioux Falls.

"We've been looking across the state at Hills Alive and admiring them from afar," Josh Brewer, CEO of LifeLight, said. "This partnership allows us to join forces, bringing together our resources, expertise, and networks to enhance and diversify the festival's impact."

The community's involvement is a key aspect to ensuring the continuity of Hills Alive, Rapid City Mayor Jason Salamun said.

"I'm very excited by the fact that LifeLight has agreed to come and take it on, because events of this magnitude really take on not just giant production values but also the ability to book artists, the ability to recruit volunteers and get sponsors, Salamun said. And that is just a tremendous effort.

The merger of these two festivals signifies a blend of global influence and local appeal. While Hills Alive retains its unique identity, it will benefit from LifeLight's expertise and reach Brewer said. The fusion promises a dynamic and spiritually enriching experience for attendees.

Hills Alive will maintain its traditional venue at Memorial Park. The partnership is expected to bring new elements to the festival, including a variety of speakers, music, and action sports, thereby attracting a broader audience. The festival is in addition to the LifeLight Festival in Sioux Falls.

The first Hills Alive under the LifeLight banner is scheduled for 2024. It is anticipated to feature an extraordinary lineup of speakers and artists, and a commitment to fostering faith through music. With a strong desire to continue the Hills Alive legacy, LifeLight has called for community support to achieve their end-of-the-year fundraising goal of $300,000.
Seven years ago, a Google search sparked an idea in Genevieve Skidmores mind. Her desire to help homeless children through Native American ministry led to the creation of the Oglala-based NAOMI House.

Skidmore, an Oglala Sioux Tribe citizen, didnt always know what her calling was. As an adult she moved to Arizona, where she said she felt drawn to ministry. This is how she found a little House in the Navajo Nation, a shelter for Indigenous children called the Native American Outreach Ministries (NAOMI) House.

Growing up Skidmore experienced many of the same struggles that Indigenous youth face every day.

Youth ages 10 to 19 account for the highest percentage of Pine Ridges population at 21%, followed by 0 to 9-year-olds at 20%. Of those under 18, 55% live below the poverty line, more than four times the U.S. average of 12.6%.

Additionally, Native children are heavily overrepresented in the South Dakota foster care system, despite making up just 13% of the state's overall child population. As of 2020, Native kids accounted for 74% of those in the foster care system.

As time went on, Skidmore became immersed in the NAOMI House and its mission to help children. When she told her grandmother Alma Sauser on Pine Ridge what she was doing in Arizona, Sauser offered her 600 acres of land in Oglala to bring a shelter to her home community.

In August, her grandmothers vision became reality. Seven years after learning about the NAOMI House in Arizona, Skidmore now serves as the executive director of the Pine Ridge NAOMI House.

The location of the NAOMI House allows Oglala Lakota foster children to stay in their own communities and often in the same school districts. This kind of structure is crucial for children, said house manager Katie Ford.

Structure and routine are so important, especially for kids who have experienced trauma, she said.

In 2017, the tribal council unanimously voted to approve the new shelter. Now in 2023, the Pine Ridge Reservation-based shelter has finally opened its doors.

The overall goal of the NAOMI House is the reunification of children with their families.

Success in general for us is not about more houses or more beds, its about the healing and unification of biological families and systemic transformation for communities, Skidmore said.

The NAOMI house can be many things for a child in need. It can be a home for foster children, a shelter for abused children or those experiencing homelessness. Workers also can provide food, safety, clothing and more on an emergency basis. The current facility is capable of housing up to eight children.

Immediately after opening, children began walking through the doors. Since August, 10 children have been through the shelter and four currently live there.

Ford, who is of Eastern Band of Cherokee Nation descent, strives to keep kids engaged with their culture as house mother. Her goal is to make sure every child leaves with a ribbon skirt or ribbon shirt, something many of them dont have, Ford said.

We strive to preserve and honor their culture, Ford said. Its so cool for them to be a part of (creating items) too.

Ford was drawn to the NAOMI house to help Native kids. In 2020, she spent 36 hours volunteering at the Navajo Nation NAOMI House and was immediately hooked. Two hours after getting home from volunteering, she applied to live in the house.

The NAOMI House is a faith-based nonprofit, meaning Christianity is central to the organization and its mission. Christian teachings are offered at the NAOMI House.

In 2022, the Oglala Sioux Tribe voted to limit Christian ministries that visit the reservation after a pamphlet was distributed by the Jesus is King Mission organization claiming that Tunkasila, the Lakotas creator, was a demon. That ministry was promptly banished, and new measures were put in place requiring religious organizations to register with the tribal council.

While the NAOMI House hasnt experienced any community pushback, Skidmore understands religion is a sensitive subject in Indian Country.

Theres been so much damage done to First Nations people by those who claim to represent Jesus. I understand the politics of it and I can understand the world around it, she said.

Skidmore wasnt always a Christian. In Arizona, she had what she described as a powerful encounter that led to her faith in Christianity.

Coming from my perspective, (Christianity is) not a denomination, its not a church, Skidmore said. Jesus had been misrepresented, we had an entire group of people (boarding school leaders) misrepresenting Jesus. That was not Jesus.

Several community members have donated goods, services and an entire school bus to the NAOMI House. The organization strives to meet the tribes needs by working directly with the tribe.

This is a firm perspective that Im coming in with, and it's a perspective that has carried the NAOMI house for over 30 years in the Navajo Nation, Skidmore said.

Children can regularly attend Lakota ceremonies and have access to cultural programming.

Ford said once the NAOMI House is settled she plans to invite Oglala Lakota citizens to teach classes on beadwork, regalia making and pow-wow dancing. The Navajo Nation NAOMI House does its own form of cultural programming, and that model will be applied to the new Oglala house.

We strive to be one big family. Kids are able to come and go, and were providing all the basic necessities of an emergency shelter and even into long-term foster care-type situation, Skidmore said.

Some kids may stay a few hours, others a decade. It all depends on the situation.

In the future, the house will expand to offer several different buildings, including a cultural center and volunteer bunkhouses.

Skidmores goal for the future is to establish a NAOMI House on South Dakotas eight other reservations.

Correction: An earlier version misspelled Alma Sauser's last name as Sauserback.
Welcome back to The Mortal Reader! My name is Marisa Neyenhuis and I worked at the bookstore way back in the late '90s. It was my first real job and after trying out lots of others, it has proven to be my favorite.

I left Montana for college in 2001 and 19 years later returned to become one of the owners of Chapter One. My favorite things to read are dystopian novels, works in translation, narrative nonfiction and anything thats a little off-beat. I also love getting immersed in giant door stop novels that keep me reading late into the night and I always carry a collection of short stories in my bag, just in case.

November is Indigenous Peoples/Native American Heritage Month and we have a wealth of truly excellent books on our shelves written by Native American and Indigenous authors. Our Indigenous Voices section is growing and most members of our staff have at least one book by an Indigenous author on our Staff Picks shelves. We also have an Indigenous Voices Book Club that meets the first Monday of the month at 6 p.m.

Its incredibly hard to narrow down, but here are my current top five books by Indigenous/Native American authors:

1. "VenCo" by Cherie Dimaline: This was such a fun read! Once I picked it up I was so annoyed I had to put it down to do things like work and parent and sleep. Great premise, great characters, all around rollicking good time.

2. "Night of the Living Rez" by Morgan Talty is somewhere between a novel and a collection of short stories. It follows two young Penobscot men in Maine and is in turns breathtaking and devastating. The narrative jumps around in time and when you put it all together it will split your heart wide open.

3. "Calling for a Blanket Dance" by Oscar Hokeah is a beautifully written collection of connected short stories written in different voices so you get many perspectives on the whole story. This won the 2023 Reading the West Award for debut fiction and it was well deserved.

4. "The Round House" by Louise Erdrich. If you want a lighter read, Id recommend "The Sentence," but if youre ready to feel all of the feelings, go straight to "The Round House." Erdrich is a great writer and honestly, any title you pick up by her will be a winner.

5. "The Firekeepers Daughter" by Angeline Boulley: This is technically a young adult title, but its so engaging and will keep you up reading past bedtime to see what happens next. As a bonus, Boulleys second book came out earlier this year and its a continuation of the story of the women in the Firekeeper lineage.

I have some co-workers who will be mad if I dont mention these other truly excellent titles and authors: "The Lost Journals of Sacajawea" and "Perma Red" by Debra Magpie Earling, "There, There" by Tommy Orange, "The Healer of the Water Monster" by Brian Young, "Sand Talk" by Tyson Yunkaporta, "Winter Counts" by David Heska Wanbli Weiden, "Braiding Sweetgrass" by Robin Wall Kimmerer and anything by Stephen Graham Jones. This is just a small selection of the titles we have on our shelves, so come into the store to check out the rest and get some spot-on recommendations from our whole crew.
Smiles Across Montana is caring for children and staff at Victor School this week.

On Monday and Tuesday, Smiles Across Montana (SAM) met with and examined the mouths of 33 patients at Victor School.

Stephanie Baldry explained that Smiles Across Montana tries not to double dip tooth care for students who already receive care from a local dental clinic.

We check the teeth out, take inter-oral pictures (actual photos of each tooth) and give fluoride, Baldry said. We are super good at checking with clinics on when the last time the childs teeth have been cleaned, if they provide that information. If they have insurance we dont want to mess that up.

Dentists work through tele-dental and images are shared with them for further action like a referral.

Baldry said this may be the first time for the students to have a dental experience.

We try to make it fun, and help them not be afraid of the dentist because it is a stigma that starts at a very young age, she said. It is generational. Weve had a lot of older patients who are deathly afraid of the dentist because of how they were treated as kids. This is a new experience for a lot of our young kids.

The pop-up dental area with a tooth camera, dental chair and counter full of tools was just inside Victor High School. Paraprofessionals brought the youngest children from the primary school and set them up in the waiting area.

When it was their turn, students were asked their names and photos were taken of each tooth.

Next they went to the dental hygienist who handed them a mirror for watching her work and fun sunglasses to keep the bright head lamp out of their eyes.

The dental hygienist examined their mouths, counted their teeth, assisted them in brushing, applied fluoride, and sent a tooth brush, sticker or pen and letters home with the results of the examination.

Michelle Strange, a dental hygienist for 20 years, has been with Smiles Across Montana for five months.

Im the person who works with clinics who are already established if they are shorthanded or have a lot of kids, I call myself a roving hygienist, she said. My mission aligns with SAM to give access to care. Everyone deserves healthy teeth, everyone deserves a healthy mouth and everyone deserves access.

She said that across the country teeth are seen as luxury.

In the school-based settings and rural settings there are a lot of barriers to care, Strange said. I think distance, finding someone to see kids and their type of insurance plans are just a few reasons that would keep someone from seeing a dental provider  so we bring it to them.

Strange said this was her first experience working with younger kids.

I usually work in long-term care facilities or in an elderly practice and it is a lot more fun here, she said. It is a good time. This is a new skill set for me, learning to say germs verses plaque and bacteria, Im just changing my words up a bit.

She said that one of her goals is to set kids up to like dentists.

The mouth is a very intimate place to be, Strange said. Putting your fingers inside their mouth is a weird, intimate place. I dont care what age they are, I always want to be sure it is a positive experience.

Victor first-grade educator Jessica Hageman said she arranged with program with Smiles Across Montana because access to dental care is important.

The teeth lead to so many other things, she said. If your teeth are healthy that leads to having a healthier body. It is the same for your eyes, if you cant see, you cant learn. If you dont have good dental care you cant learn either. It is crazy how dental care is linked to so many other things in your body.

We are on well water so dont have the fluoride in the water that most cities have, Hageman said. This provides some of our students with the care they need.

Hageman said she found the Smiles Across Montana program on Facebook, made the connection and had the dental clinic scheduled within two months of initial contact.

It was really easy to get them here, it was really nice, she said. They are seeing pre-K through grade 12 and even some of our staff are getting their teeth cleaned too. SAM will come back and will return until there is no more need for dental care.

She is hoping more families will sign up.

It is right here, they dont have to miss school, there is no gas money cost and it is free if they need it, Hageman said. SAM has a grant through their program so everybody gets care. Im super excited about it.

She would like to see the dental care as part of the school registration and sign-up packet.

Even if they didnt participate this time SAM will be back for more care, Hageman said. I hope we can get more schools participating throughout the valley.

Smiles Across Montana is a nonprofit program committed to providing equitable, affordable and quality preventive treatment, education, and community outreach to the most vulnerable populations in Montana, according to their website smilesacrossmontana.com.

Its mission is, centered on enhancing the oral health outcomes of Montanans by fostering collaboration and inter-professional partnerships.

SAM reaches out to rural and tribal locations to provide access to dental care and is committed to improving not only the oral health but the overall health of our Montanans.

Victor Principal Jamie Standaert praised Hageman.

She is an outstanding teacher and a veteran educator who moved here from Oregon, Standaert said. She helps the school counselor with resources for families at the holiday time in the elementary. She is supporting with the Camp Kindness afterschool program and has added Smiles Across Montana to our school.

Standaert said Victor will also be adding services with Sapphire Health and a school nurse.

It will make it possible for students, staff, and Victor families to be able to access affordable and high quality health care, Standaert said. This includes telehealth doctor visits and an onsite nurse. It will run four days per week and will officially start on Dec. 4.
MAMOUDZOU, Mayotte  Drop by disappearing drop, water is an ever more precious resource on Mayotte, the poorest place in the European Union. Taps flow just one day out of three in this French territory off Africa's eastern coast, because of a drawn-out drought compounded by years of underinvestment and water mismanagement. Diseases like cholera and typhoid are on the rebound, and the French army recently intervened to distribute water and quell tensions over supplies. The crisis is a wakeup call to the French government about the challenges and cost of managing human-caused climate change across France's far-flung territories.

Racha Mousdikoudine, a 38-year-old mother of two living in Labatoir, washes dishes with bottled water, when she can get it. When the water taps run, she says, "I have to choose between taking a shower or preserving my water supply.''

"This shortage will be global in a few years. This is an opportunity for all French people to stand in solidarity with us. To be with us, to find solutions and make visible the situation happening in Mayotte," she said. "Because this can happen in all French departments."

She is helping coordinate a protest movement called "Mayotte is Thirsty" that is demanding accountability for alleged embezzling, leaks and lack of investment in sustainable water supplies. At one recent protest, residents sang, shouted and banged empty plastic bottles as they marched into the Mayotte water management company.

The government is pinning its hopes on the upcoming rainy season, though residents say it won't be enough to fix the deep-seated water problems. On a crisis visit last week, France's minister for overseas territories thanked the people of Mayotte for "accepting the unacceptable."

The water taps determine the rhythm of life in Mayotte, an island territory of about 350,000 people northwest of Madagascar.

Once every three days, water flows between 4 p.m. and 10 a.m. Families rush to prepare food, wash dishes, clean their homes and anything else involving water. Those living in Mayotte's poorer neighborhoods without plumbing line up at public taps with paint buckets, plastic jerrycans, reused bottles  anything to collect water.

Then for 48 hours, they're dry again.

"It is important to keep talking with the authorities, but we are not going to sit idly by," said Mousdikoudine. "If we stay at home, politicians will still say that the population is resilient, that we can manage this situation. But we cannot do it, lives are at stake, our physical and mental health, as well as our children's lives."

The most disadvantaged communities are hit the hardest by the water crisis in Mayotte, where the population is majority Black and many are struggling migrants from neighboring Comoros facing a new government crackdown.

Previously, water was among Mayotte's rare riches. The mountainous and forested district of Combani, in central Mayotte, is full of springs and interspersed with rivers. The reservoirs of Combani, and Dzoumogne further north, provide 80% of the water distributed on the island.

Now the bare banks of the reservoir at Combani are cracked by the sun. Its capacity is 1.75 million cubic meters, but it now stands only 10% full. The Dzoumogne reservoir is at 6.5% capacity.

Mayotte is in its sixth year of drought, and just had its driest year since 1997, according to the national weather service. Scientists say human-induced climate change has made drought more frequent and extreme in some parts of the world.

But even without drought, Mayotte's water system wasn't capable of fulfilling local needs.

Overseas Affairs Minister Philippe Vigier said during a visit last week that 850 leaks have been spotted since September. Residents regularly film facilities of water network management company Smae, a subsidiary of big French utility Vinci, spewing water into the void and share them online. And only one new water borehole, delivering a few hundred cubic meters per day, has been put into service so far as part of an ambitious "Marshall Plan" for water announced in September.

The local water union blames the water rationing on lack of production capacity, not lack of water.

The central government is promising emergency work on drilling for new springs, the renovation of a desalination plant, and extending state distribution of bottled water to all residents and not just the most vulnerable.

Residents worry it won't come fast enough, and have heard such promises before. The desalination plant has already faced years of delays, missed deadlines and allegations of pocketed subsidies.

It doesn't have to be this way.

In the neighboring Comoros, with a similar volcanic terrain and wet and dry seasons, the U.N. Development Program has a $60 million water management project aimed at better capturing rainwater and tracking usage.

While Comoros is one of the world's poorest countries, France is one of the world's richest and shouldn't need U.N. aid. But Mayotte's water crisis underlines inequalities and often awkward relationships between the central government in Paris and former colonies that remain part of France.

On Mayotte, richer residents invest in personal water tanks at a cost of $1,700 for each installation, to ensure water flows continuously.
A few Mondays ago, guests gathered around one long communal table in the bright and airy dining room at Natalies Taste of Lebanon (2825 Hathaway Road).

Aromatics wafted from the kitchen  but instead of the expected Mediterranean zaatar, cumin and sumac, bright peppers, herby cilantro, and tropical pineapple notes tantalized taste buds.

It was the first of a new type of pop-up Natalies is hosting. Executive chef Alex Vazquez and his brother, sous chef Adrian Vazquez, designed a 7-course menu honoring their Puerto Rican heritage. Crispy bacalaito fritters, tangy ceviche, mofongo and coconut flan were just a few of the generously portioned courses they served up, along with Puerto Rican cocktails.

As a restaurant and a business, one of our big emphases is on community, Vazquez said. We launched our new menu in June and that was all about communal eating. It goes back to our mission of helping to support and educate the community. We also wanted to do something that celebrates different cuisine and how it impacts the community.

The revamped Natalies menu that debuted over the summer features Lebanese mains for one or two people that come with a set of mezze starters that are meant to be shared  Vazquez says the goal was to honor the Lebanese tradition of gathering and sharing food to connect and socialize. In his new series of dinners, hes looking to celebrate foods from other cultures and how they bring people together.

For the Puerto Rican dinner, he focused on dishes that are more labor intensive like pasteles  a tamale made with plantain and yucca. The ingredients they have to use require a lot of prep, so the community aspect is more about making food together, Vazquez said.

Hell likely do another Puerto Rican pop-up next year, but in the meantime, later this month on Nov. 27, Vazquez is collaborating with another of his chefs, Aya Triaa, who is from Tunisia to create a Tunisian menu that celebrates the country and the cuisines cultural influences. After that, hes planning a two-part series delving into the history and influences of Cajun and Creole cuisine.

To some it might sound crazy to try to tackle all these different types of food, but its what Vazquez loves about his job.

It can be daunting because food and cuisine means so much to people and you want to make sure youre respecting the culture, he said. But I love learning about the ingredients and techniques, what they grow and the tools. Its all fascinating  the history and culture of everything.

Along with these multicultural meals, Natalies is also hosting monthly wine dinners with different focuses like it did with seafood in October and Vazquezs take on Thanksgiving flavors most recently. Instead of turkey, guests dined on rack of lamb with turnip greens, pumpkin cream sauce, almonds and pumpkin blossom and duck with saffron couscous, plus wine pairings from Barboursville Vineyards.

Natalies has also officially partnered with Thai pop-up Nam Prik Pao to host monthly Thai-inspired dinners and provide a spot for chef Brennan Griffith to prep for other events. Vazquez is also designing cocktails to match the flavors for these dinners.

Were really trying to celebrate Richmond and the diversity of our staff, Vazquez said, adding that part of Natalies mission is to provide a place of employment for young adults with disabilities and these meals are another way to raise awareness. There are a lot of resources for kids with disabilities, but when they become adults, a lot are just left to fend for themselves. We want to educate about supporting them through us and other nonprofits.

You can find dates and menus for Natalies upcoming menus on their website www.nataliesrva.com or on their social media.

PHOTOS: Natalie's Taste of Lebanon
Breeze Airways announced Wednesday that it had launched its twice-weekly seasonal service from Richmond International Airport to Fort Myers, Florida, slated to last through the winter and into spring 2024.

Our expanded service will give guests in Richmond an easy and affordable way to travel to Southwest Florida and enjoy the beautiful beaches there, said Breeze Airways President Tom Doxey.

One-way fares on nonstop flights from Richmond to Fort Myers start at $39 if purchased by Nov. 21 for travel between Jan. 8 and Feb. 7, according to a spokesperson for the airline.

Fort Myers becomes Breeze Airways 12th nonstop destination out of Richmond. The airline also offers direct service to Charleston, South Carolina; Cincinnati; Hartford, Connecticut; Jacksonville, Florida; Las Vegas; Islip-Long Island, New York; Los Angeles; New Orleans; Phoenix; Providence, Rhode Island; San Francisco; and Tampa.

Fort Myers joins a growing list of destinations with direct service to and from Richmond.

I am excited for the introduction of new direct flights to our region, said Brian Anderson, president and CEO of ChamberRVA, the chamber of commerce office for the Richmond metro area. These additional air connections not only enhance our communitys accessibility but also serve as a catalyst for economic growth.

The convenience of direct flights attracts business travelers, stimulates tourism, and opens up new opportunities for local businesses to expand their reach, Anderson added. We believe that these developments will contribute significantly to the prosperity of our entire region.

The Richmond airport has already set new monthly records on at least two occasions this year. The traffic increases come as new routes have been added and COVID-19 restrictions have eased.

Perry Miller, CEO of the Capital Region Airport Commission, also noted population growth and economic development as key reasons for the passenger surge.

PHOTOS: Richmond International Airport
Richmond police said a boy was taken to a hospital Thursday morning after he was accidentally shot in the Whitcomb neighborhood.

Police said officers responded to the 1900 block of Raven Street at around 9:43 a.m. for the report of a person shot. Officers found a 3-year-old male who had been brought to the walkway of an apartment complex, suffering from an apparent gunshot wound.

The child was transported to a hospital with injuries that are not considered life-threatening, according to police.

The scene is in a cul-de-sac north of Fairview Way. The area has had several shooting incidents this year.

The investigation into the Thursday shooting is ongoing. Police said no suspect is being sought at this time.

Anyone with information about this shooting is asked to call Major Crimes Detective D. Davenport at (804) 646-4494 or contact Crime Stoppers at (804) 780-1000. The P3 Tips app for smartphones may also be used. All Crime Stoppers reporting methods are anonymous.

31 photos from the Times-Dispatch archives
Gov. Glenn Youngkins signature lab school initiative is moving forward with two new lab schools approved by the Virginia Board of Education on Wednesday: Germanna Community Colleges Future Educators Academy and University of Mary Washingtons Academy of Technology and Innovation.

Lab schools are partnerships between universities, school divisions and sometimes businesses that provide nonreligious education to K-12 students. They are open to the public and do not charge tuition. Similar to charter schools, they can set their own budgets and curricula. Although lab schools receive public funding, they are expected to be financially self-sufficient.

The state designated $100 million for lab school startup grants, and approved lab schools can earn up to $1 million to pay for one-time costs.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement Wednesday that the approval of the two new lab schools is the first step in giving parents new options for their kids to learn in innovative and creative ways and break the status quo of a one-size-fits all education.

Germanna Community Colleges Future Educators Academy is a collaboration with Germanna Community College, Laurel Ridge Community College and James Madison University focused on an acceleration track for aspiring teachers. The lab school aims to streamline the teacher pipeline by prioritizing an associates degree in high school and allowing students to complete their bachelors degree in as little as two years after high school graduation.

The second lab school approved Wednesday, University of Mary Washingtons Academy of Technology and Innovation, will focus on computer and data science. Students will participate in hands-on learning experiences, project-based learning and performance-based assessment.

Both lab schools are expected to open in August 2024.

They were the second and third lab schools the board approved following its decision in July to approve a collaboration between Virginia Commonwealth University and CodeRVA Regional High School.

Youngkin touted his lab school initiative as a win for his administration at a campaign rally in Henrico with Republican candidates on Nov. 5, before this years elections.

We have pressed forward for choice in our school system, he said. Theres 25 lab schools in motion today  we had none [before]  25 in motion today that provide multiple pathways for our kids.

Although Youngkins gubernatorial campaign focused on advancing school choice in Virginia, his lab school program has been the only significant school choice initiative to take off.

Youngkin won a partial victory for his lab school proposal in 2022, when Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears broke a tie vote in the Senate to rescue his amendment to triple the number of higher education institutions that can partner with local school divisions. The Senate then voted to block his proposal to use state per-pupil funds to pay for them.

Youngkin before his inauguration announced a plan to launch up to 20 charter schools in his first year in office. The plan did not come to fruition last year when the Senate rejected administration-backed legislation to clear a path for more charter schools. With its restrictive charter school laws, Virginia is home to only seven charter schools while neighboring states North Carolina and Maryland both have upward of 100.

Earlier this year, Senate Democrats shut down an administration-backed school choice bill that would have allocated a portion of per-pupil state funding to a savings account for parents to spend on private school tuition or other specified education expenses.

Because Virginia Democrats regained full control of the General Assembly in the Nov. 7 elections after two years of divided power, it is unlikely that any other school choice legislation will pass next legislative session.

From the Archives: The Virginia state Capitol building
Helmer, a member of the House since 2020, and Subramanyam, a delegate since 2020 who was just elected to a Loudoun Senate seat, join Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax; Del. David Reid, D-Loudoun; and former state Speaker of the House Eileen Filler-Corn, D-Fairfax, among Democrats seeking the 10th District seat, which is based in Loudoun and Prince William counties.

Although Democrats hold margins of just 21-19 in the state Senate and 51-49 in the House of Delegates, all of the Democratic candidates currently in the General Assembly hold what are likely safe seats for their party. Republican Mike Clancy, a lawyer who has been a political commentator on conservative news outlets, has also announced for the seat.

Last week we flipped the Virginia legislature blue, Helmer said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, adding, I am proud to announce that I will be running for Congress to keep Virginias 10th Congressional District blue.

Helmer asserted that The House of Representatives, and democracy itself, is on the line. We need all hands on deck to flip the House blue and stop MAGA extremists.

Subramanyam, a son of Indian immigrants, is a former policy aide on Capitol Hill. He earned a law degree with honors from Northwestern University and was a White House technology adviser to President Barack Obama. After leaving the Obama administration, he started a small business in Loudoun.

Ive taken on fights that some said were impossible  forcing pharmaceutical companies to be more transparent in their pricing, taking on private toll companies who tried to hike tolls on hardworking families, and forcing utility companies to refund more than $300 million to Virginians after years of overcharging, Subramanyam said in a statement. I work every day to tackle the issues that matter to Virginia families, no matter how difficult.

Subramanyam notes that he was the first Indian American, South Asian and Hindu to be sworn into the assembly.

During the recent election campaign in which Democrats gained control of the House, Helmer canvassed with candidates around the state. A West Point graduate, he wrote his Rhodes Scholar thesis on Israels 18-year incursion in Lebanon and worked in counterterrorism in 11 years of active duty in the U.S. Army.

After the Hamas surprise attack that killed hundreds of Israelis, most of them civilians, Helmer noted his familys ties to Israel.

Helmers grandfather, Mike, came from a Zionist family that had put down roots in the British Mandate for Palestine more than a century ago, joined the Haganah paramilitary group and fought in Israels war of independence in 1948. His grandmother, Mary, fled from Poland to Palestine as a stowaway with her sister  the only members of their Jewish family to survive the Holocaust  after World War II began in 1939. His father, Yaron, immigrated to the U.S. from Israel in 1962.

Today in history: Nov. 16 1914: Federal Reserve Banks 1961: Samuel T. Rayburn 1981: C. Everett Koop 1989: El Salvador 1991: Edwin Edwards 2001: Patrick Leahy 2004: Condoleezza Rice 2006: Nancy Pelosi 2017: Al Franken 2018: Mohammed bin Salman 2020: Joe Biden 2021: Michelle Wu
Virginias congressional delegation has called for an investigation of the federal governments decision to build a new FBI headquarters in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, D.C., instead of a site in Northern Virginia.

The General Services Administration, which manages federally owned property, selected a proposed site next to a Washington Metro station in Greenbelt, Maryland, last week, overriding a unanimous recommendation by a three-member panel to build the $4.1 billion project on federally owned property in Springfield.

Both Virginia senators  Mark Warner and Tim Kaine, Democrats and former governors  joined with nine of Virginias 11 congressional representatives in asking Robert Erickson, acting inspector general of the GSA, to investigate the site selection process and allegations of a conflict of interest in the final decision. Warner and Kaine called for an investigation last week and indicated a formal request would be coming from Virginia.

There is overwhelming evidence suggesting that the General Services Administration (GSA) administered a site selection process fouled by political considerations and alleged impropriety  one that was repeatedly curated to arrive at a predetermined outcome, the delegation said in the letter.

Virginia leaders cited the concerns raised by FBI Director Christopher Wray, who objected to the process used to select the Greenbelt site.

Wray, in a candid message to FBI employees the morning after the decision, noted that a panel of two veteran GSA employees and one FBI employee had unanimously recommended the Springfield site in Fairfax County. However, he said a GSA administrator, described as a political appointee, overrode the panel recommendation to select the Greenbelt site, owned by the Metro system, the administrators previous employer.

Almost immediately after directing the final site selection to Greenbelt, the political appointee promptly left the federal government, implicating Congresss ability to engage with this individual in an oversight capacity, the Virginia delegation said in its letter. In defending the indefensible, GSA has decided to proceed with the selection of Greenbelt over the objections of its client agency, the FBI.

These facts, when taken together, paint an ugly picture of a fatally flawed procurement that demands further investigation, the letter states.

GSA Director Robin Carnahan strongly defended the site selection process in a lengthy congressional oversight hearing Tuesday, at which Rep. Gerry Connolly, D-11th, explicitly asked for an investigation. Maryland officials also have pushed back hard against the accusation by Wray and Virginia leaders.

I am disappointed that Director Wray and my colleagues in the Virginia Delegation would call into question the integrity of this process simply because they preferred a different outcome, former House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, D-Md., said in a statement last week.

In addition to Warner, Kaine and Connolly, the Virginia representatives signing the letter are: Reps. Bobby Scott, D-3rd, Rob Wittman, R-1st, Don Beyer, D-8th, Abigail Spanberger, D-7th, Jennifer Wexton, D-10th, Jennifer McClellan, D-4th, Jen Kiggans, R-2nd, and Morgan Griffith, R-9th.

Reps. Bob Good, R-5th, and Ben Cline, R-6th, are the only members of the delegation who did not sign the letter.

Good, Cline and Griffith voted last week against appropriating money for the FBI headquarters, which will employ about 7,500 people.

Good, in a social media post last week, stated his objections to the project, which stem in part from opposition among conservative Republicans to the FBI investigations of former President Donald Trump.

We ought not build a new FBI building, borrowing & spending taxpayer money for a multibillion dollar facility larger than the Pentagon, he said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. Instead, we ought to be SCRUTINIZING the money spent by a compromised FBI that targets conservatives, parents, & faith groups.

See how much land in Virginia is owned by the federal government See how much land in Virginia is owned by the federal government
Newly elected state Sen. John McGuire, R-Goochland, announced Wednesday that he plans to challenge Rep. Bob Good, R-5th for the partys congressional nomination next year.

Im running for Congress against Never Trump politician Bob Good, McGuire said in a Facebook post. On the day our president was wrongly indicted, Bob abandoned Trump by endorsing another candidate.

Im a father, a Navy SEAL, a Day One Trump supporter, a Christian conservative and a pro-life, pro-gun business owner running to save America and help the people, McGuire wrote. Join me if you agree we can do better than good.

Trump endorsed Good in 2020, when he was first elected to Congress after ousting Rep. Denver Riggleman, R-5th, in a convention. In May of this year Good endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president, saying, in part: Governor DeSantis gives us the best opportunity to win and restore the conservative America-first agenda.

The sprawling 5th District includes all or part of 24 counties and cities. It stretches from Albemarle County south to Danville and Halifax counties and from Bedford County on the western edge, to Amelia and Nottoway counties to the east.

Good, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, is one of the eight Republicans who voted Oct. 3 to oust Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif. This week Good voted against new Speaker Mike Johnsons two-tier spending plan to avert a federal government shutdown.

McGuire, a former Navy SEAL, has served in the House of Delegates since 2018, representing Louisa County and parts of Goochland, Henrico and Spotsylvania counties.

In 2020 he sought the GOP nomination for Congress in the old 7th District, then based in the Richmond suburbs. He lost the nomination in a convention to Del. Nick Freitas, R-Culpeper. He considered another run for the 7th District congressional seat before the state Supreme Court imposed new legislative and congressional boundaries in December 2021.

McGuire announced in February 2022 that he would instead run for state Senate in the newly drawn 10th District that includes all or part of 11 counties west of Richmond, including parts of Hanover and Louisa counties and all of Powhatan, Goochland and Fluvanna counties.

McGuire, who had Gov. Glenn Youngkins endorsement for the Senate seat, easily topped three rivals in May to win the nomination. He was unopposed in the Nov. 7 general election.

Today in history: Nov. 15 1806: Pikes Peak 1864: "March to the Sea" 1939: The Jefferson Memorial 1959: The Clutter Family 1966: Gemini 12 1969: Vietnam War Protest 2003: Iraq 2011: Occupy Wall Street 2016: Barack Obama 2016: Paul Ryan 2017: Robert Mugabe 2019: Roger Stone 2020: Dustin Johnson 2021: Alex Jones 2021: Patrick Leahy
SpaceXs Starship and Super Heavy rocket system, the tallest, most powerful rocket ever built, launches April 20 from the companys Boca Chica launch site. The FAA has granted a license for a second launch, currently scheduled for Friday. William Luther/Staff SpaceXs Starship leaves the launch pad April 20. A few minutes later, it tumbled out of control and exploded. The troubled launch led the FAA to yank the private space companys launch license for investigations into what went wrong. The FAA has granted a license for a second launch, currently scheduled for Friday. William Luther/Staff SpaceXs Starbase facility at Boca Chica in Cameron County produces and launches the companys Starship and Super Heavy rockets, shown in this July photo. William Luther/Staff The sun rises over SpaceXs Boca Chica Starship and Super Heavy launch facility in late July. William Luther/Staff A person works at SpaceXs Starbase facility at Boca Chica in Cameron County. William Luther/Staff Sections of SpaceXs Starship and Super Heavy rockets are seen in late July at the companys Starbase assembly and launch facility at Boca Chica in Cameron County. William Luther/Staff SpaceXs Starship spacecraft and Super Heavy rocket explode after their April 20 launch from South Texas. The FAA has granted a license for a second launch, currently scheduled for Friday. The Washington Post/The Washington Post via Getty Im People work on SpaceX's Boca Chica Starship and Super Heavy launch tower at Starbase in Cameron County. William Luther/Staff

The final countdown for SpaceXs Starship, which was set to launch from South Texas on Friday morning, has been pushed out another day.

Saying the ship isnt quite ready to go, SpaceX announced Thursday afternoon its set to launch at 7 a.m. Saturday.

We need to replace a grid fin actuator, so launch is postponed to Saturday, CEO Elon Musk said via social media. Grid fins are structures on Starships Super Heavy first stage that help the booster steer its way back to Earth.

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Musks private space company received the Federal Aviation Administrations license for a second launch of the 400-foot-tall rocket Wednesday, seven months after its first flight from the companys facility near Boca Chica Beach outside Brownsville.

Heres what else you need to know before the launch that SpaceX promises has excitement guaranteed.

Starship? Like in Star Trek? 

Nope, not Star Treks Enterprise  or the one Johnny Cash sang about. SpaceXs Starship is a two-stage reusable spacecraft that Musk envisions will soon carry people to the moon and, eventually, to Mars and further into space.

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When is the launch?

SpaceX says a 20-minute launch window opens at 7 a.m. Saturday. If that doesnt work out, it also has a backup launch window at the same time Sunday morning. In April, Starships first launch was delayed for a few days because of a valve problem in the booster.

Can I go see it?

Yes. Many people go to Isla Blanca Park, on the southern point of South Padre Island, which is also where SpaceX sets up a viewing spot for media and dignitaries. Be prepared for long lines and to pay a $12 cash-only fee to enter the county-owned park. Many people gather elsewhere across the island, at Port Isabel, Brownsville and other nearby communities.

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Is it online, too?

SpaceX said its livestream  which will be available both on its website and X  will begin 35 minutes before the launch. Various social media channels such as Everyday Astronaut and Spaceflight Now also will be broadcasting the launch.

What else has flown from Starbase?

This is the second test flight with the Starship and the Super Heavy booster flying together. The first one was April 20. Before that, the company test launched 10 earlier prototypes that flew to lower altitudes. Some of those tests ended in spectacular crashes.

What happened with Starships first launch?

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It didnt go well. The boosters engines obliterated the launch pad, throwing chunks of rock and debris thousands of feet and touching off wildfires in protected areas nearby. It also created a plume of powdered concrete and sand that rained down on residents miles away.



Three of the crafts 33 engines werent operational as the spacecraft lumbered skyward. Starship flew to 24 miles above the Gulf of Mexico, but failed to separate from its booster and began tumbling. It exploded and fell into the Gulf of Mexico after a 40-second delay in its flight termination system.

Why is SpaceX doing this?

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has long said his goal is to help humanity become multiplanetary. The company has pioneered development of reusable rockets that are making space travel less expensive and more accessible. Musk said he sees the Starship as the next step in that development.

So does NASA and the Department of Defense. SpaceX holds billions in government contracts, including more than $4 billion in NASA contracts to develop a specialized Starship that can land on the moon. The Starship Human Landing System is an important part of NASAs $93 billion Artemis program to explore the moon, create a lunar base and prepare for future Mars missions.

What is Starbase?

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Thats the name Musk gave his rocket factory and launch site near Boca Chica Beach in 2021. It had grown around a village of 30 homes formerly known as Kennedy Shores and later as Kopernik Shores. SpaceX has been buying up real estate across the area for years. Most residents of the village have moved, and the company now owns most of the homes.

Wheres Starship going this time?

After it gets off the rebuilt and redesigned launch pad, SpaceX plans for the upper-stage Starship to separate from its booster, which is to splash down in the Gulf about 20 miles off the coast of Boca Chica Beach. The upper-stage Starship will continue across the Gulf between Florida and Cuba, across the southern Atlantic Ocean, parts of Africa and the Indian Ocean on its journey to what SpaceX is calling an exciting landing about 62 miles off the coast of Kauai.

How many people will be on board?

There will be no people or payload, but Musk said last month he thinks Starship could start carrying the companys Starlink satellites to orbit next year. He said uncrewed Starships could reach Mars in four years.

Is it safe?

On Friday, the FAA said SpaceX met all safety, environmental, policy and financial responsibility requirements to fly. Still it is a massive rocket that carries tons of explosive propellants, and space operations are inherently dangerous. The first launch created what Musk termed a rock tornado around the launch pad that scarred the beach, knocked down structures and destroyed nearby vehicles.

Are rocket launches from Texas common?
Officials in Madison County on the scene of the Quaker Run Fire said Wednesday that the blaze is under control, though parts of the fire line remain uncontained and the press was denied access anywhere near the burned area.

The largest active wildfire in the state had consumed just under 4,000 acres as of Wednesday, three weeks and a day after it first started near the village of Syria on Oct. 24. What ignited the blaze remains under investigation.

While the fire was still burning and roughly 40% of the fire line remained uncontained as of Wednesday, officials said they were confident that the blaze was under control. Their attention, they said, had turned to the Matts Creek Fire farther south in Bedford County, which was first reported Sunday and had grown to encompass more than 1,000 acres as of Wednesday.

The presence on the ground Wednesday had diminished tremendously from 24 hours prior. As of Wednesday morning, there were 160 personnel, four fire engines, a bulldozer and a single helicopter on the scene. Just the day before, there were 211 personnel, eight engines, six dozers and two helicopters.

Pumps and hoses installed at Rapidan Camp, the historic landmark and White House retreat in the Hoover administration, have been dismantled as the area is no longer at risk. A map of the fire area provided Wednesday showed the fire line closest to Rapidan Camp had been contained.

Today, there is an increased fire danger due to dry conditions. Low humidity levels and already dry fuels will increase fire danger, especially in the afternoon. Use caution when handling any potential ignition source. Report grass fires or illegal burning by calling 9-1-1. pic.twitter.com/pzfuT5P94e  City of Richmond, VA (@CityRichmondVA) November 15, 2023

A crew with the U.S. Forest Service out of London, Kentucky, on Wednesday afternoon was removing a cache of equipment  sprinklers, hoses, bottled water, clothes  dropped at Syria for firefighters.

The Virginia National Guard deployed Black Hawk helicopters to dump water on the fire. Aviation crews assigned to the Sandston-based 2nd Battalion, 224th Aviation Regiment, 29th Infantry Division assisted.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin last week declared a state of emergency, which allows the state to mobilize additional resources, staff and equipment to help with the response.

In Bedford County, various trails have been closed as crews respond and a burn ban has been put in place.

Its a very dangerous situation out there right now, very dry, Bedford Mayor Tim Black said. Keep that in mind and help protect our community and surrounding area.

November is the peak season for fire danger, which has increased because of an extremely dry fall and above-average temperatures.

Multiple fires also are reported in North Carolina, where Gov. Roy Cooper declared a state of emergency, as well as in Tennessee and Kentucky.

Richmond Times-Dispatch meteorologist Sean Sublette said only small showers are expected in the fire area late this week, with shifting winds on Friday and Saturday. Dry conditions are forecast for Monday and Sunday.

Better chance of rain is going to wait until Tuesday of next week, he said.

Virginias fall fire season runs thorough Nov. 30.

Richmond also warned residents about the increased fire danger Wednesday fueled by dry conditions and low humidity.

Residents are urged to exercise caution handling any potential ignition source, the statement said.

From the archives: Remembering Ukrop's through the years 1958 Ukrop's 1963 Ukrop's 1963 Ukrop's 1965 Ukrop's 1972 Ukrop's 1981 Ukrop's 1983 Ukrop's 1984 Ukrop's 1985 Ukrop's 1985 Ukrop's 1986 Ukrop's 1987 Ukrop's 1987 Ukrop's 1987 Ukrop's 1987 Ukrop's 1987 Ukrop's 1987 Ukrop's 1988 Ukrop's 1988 Ukrop's 1988 Ukrop's 1989 Ukrop's 1990 Ukrop's 1990 Ukrop's 1990 Ukrop's 1990 Ukrop's 1991 Ukrop's 1991 Ukrop's 1991 Ukrop's 1992 Ukrop's 1992 Ukrop's 1996 Ukrop's 1996 Ukrop's 1996 Ukrop's 1996 Ukrop's 1996 Ukrop's 1996 Ukrop's 1997 Ukrop's 1997 Ukrop's 1997 Ukrop's 1997 Ukrop's 1998 Ukrop's 1998 Ukrop's 1998 Ukrop's 1998 Ukrop's 1998 Ukrop's 1999 Ukrop's 1999 Ukrop's 1999 Ukrop's 1999 Ukrop's 2000 Ukrop's 2000 Ukrop's 2000 Ukrop's 2000 Ukrop's 2000 Ukrop's 2001 Ukrop's 2002 Ukrop's 2002 Ukrop's 2004 Ukrop's 2004 Ukrop's 2005 Ukrop's 2006 Ukrop's 2007 Ukrop's 2007 Ukrop's 2007 Ukrop's 2008 Ukrop's 2008 Ukrop's 2008 Ukrop's 2008 Ukrop's 2008 Ukrop's 2008 Ukrop's 2008 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2009 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2010 Ukrop's 2011 Ukrop's 2011 Ukrop's 2012 Ukrop's 2012 Ukrop's 2014 Ukrop's 2014 Ukrop's 2015 Ukrop's 2015 Ukrop's 2015 Ukrop's 2015 Ukrop's 2015 Ukrop's 2016 Ukrop's 2016 Ukrop's 2016 Ukrop's 2016 Ukrop's 2017 Ukrop's 2017 Ukrop's 2017 Ukrop's 2017 Ukrop's 2017 Ukrop's 2017 Ukrop's 2018 Ukrop's Ukrop's
Natalies Taste of Lebanon is hosting a new pop-up dining series featuring different types of cuisines from a variety of cultures such as Puerto Rico, Tunisia, and more.
Government of Mexico rejects Texas approved anti-immigrant laws

Mexico City, Mexico  The Government of Mexico, through its Ministry of Foreign Affairs, rejects the anti-immigration laws approved in Texas.

In relation to Bill SB4 approved by the Congress of the state of Texas, the Government of Mexico, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expresses its rejection of these anti-immigrant measures that seek to stop the flow of migrants, through their criminalization, which will result in family separation, racial discrimination and profiling.

The Government of Mexico recognizes the sovereign right of any country to decide the public policies that should be implemented in its territory. However, it respectfully expresses its legitimate right to protect the rights of its nationals in the United States as well as to establish its own immigration policies into its territory.

In this sense, the Government of Mexico categorically rejects any measure that allows state or local authorities to detain and return nationals or foreigners to Mexican territory.

Mexico recognizes the importance of a uniform and consistent policy on immigration matters. Consequently, it supports joint work with the Federal Government of the United States to ensure that migration happens in an orderly, safe, orderly, regular manner and with respect for the human rights of people in situations of mobility.

Mexico also expresses its concern about the package of legislative measures that will affect the human rights of the more than 10 million people of Mexican origin who reside in Texas by fostering hostile environments that can lead to hate acts or crimes against the communities. migrants.

Furthermore, the Government of Mexico reiterates its rejection of any measure that contemplates the involuntary return of migrants without respect for due process.

Upon learning of the presentation of these legislations that violate the rights of the Mexican population, the Foreign Ministry, through the North American Unit and the General Directorate of Consular Protection and Strategic Planning, have provided instructions to the eleven consular representations in Texas.

The Government of Mexico will maintain its efforts with the Government of the United States of America to respond to migratory phenomena and reiterates its commitment to protecting the rights of Mexican people who are abroad.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through its network of consulates in the state of Texas, will be attentive to respond to any violation by the authorities and will explore supporting strategic litigation to safeguard your human rights.
Renovations ongoing for the Riverdale project in Roanoke began with taking out the trash, and millions of pounds of it, developer Ed Walker said Wednesday.

We stopped counting at 2 million pounds of debris that was removed and recycled, Walker said. It's been 30 weeks, and the mantra has been demonstrable progress every week.

Those weeks of progress at the former American Viscose Plant site on about 100 acres off Ninth Street Southeast are just a fraction of the time needed to repurpose the old rayon factory for arts, culture, food, drinks, sports, recreation, professional and living spaces, and more, Walker said during a news conference.

We're at least six months ahead of schedule from where I thought we might be, Walker said. Our goal is to turn Riverdale into an amazing place that welcomes folks from every background, from every part of the city.

Walker on Wednesday introduced a lead planning firm for the Riverdale project, Baskervill. The Richmond-based architecture firm was chosen out of eight options, Walker said.

Burt Pinnock, Baskervills principal and board chair, said community engagement toward a Riverdale master plan will start in early 2024.

There's a lot of homework to do, Pinnock said. I am a lover of existing fabric  there is a quality in these kinds of places and spaces that we dont necessarily build from scratch anymore, we cant recreate it.

Community meetings in 2024 will be essential to figure out what everybody wants from Riverdale, and how that will all fit together, said Thomas Barnes, Baskervill's director of planning.

One hundred acres in Roanoke, this can change the city and give it so much more vitality, Barnes said. We need the input from the people in the community, and everyone, that makes our design that much better.

Already, interest in Riverdale is amassing, stakeholders said. This fall, consultants from Artspace, an affordable housing nonprofit that caters to artists, visited Roanoke from Minnesota to explore the local creative scene and check out potential sites for a mixed-use arts community development project.

Among these sites, Riverdale Southeast stands out as the most promising location for an Artspace project, said an October blog post on the nonprofits website. From our perspective, this site represents an opportunity to ensure affordability for both the existing community and those who may have faced displacement due to recent real estate pressures.

Like any project of its size, there are challenges for Riverdale, the planner Barnes said. But comparable sites elsewhere have surmounted challenges and successfully redeveloped communities, he said.

One of the initial challenges is environmental, because of Riverdales location at a defunct rayon factory, Walker said.

Were in the middle of the process of cleaning up any environmental issues, which are more favorable than we feared, Walker said. Theres a solution and a remedy for everything we found.

American Viscose operated at the industrial plant in southeast for decades before closing in the 1950s.

Riverdale has enrolled in a voluntary remediation program with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality. The program aims to identify and clean up past contamination from the Viscose plant and a variety of other industries that have occupied the area over the years.

Another concern is a chemical plant, still in operation, next to the proposed development. In 2014, Chemsolv Inc. was cited by the U.S. Environmental Protection agency for the improper storage of hazardous waste in an underground tank known as "the pit."

The company later negotiated a consent order with DEQ to officially close the pit and clean up the surrounding area.

Tests of soil and groundwater initially detected contaminants above acceptable levels, and raised concerns that they may have spread underground into parts of the Riverdale site.

More recently, tests conducted for Chemsolv show that "decreasing trends continue to be observed in groundwater related to the release from the 'pit,'" DEQ spokeswoman Irina Calos wrote in an Nov. 3 email.

Additional tests and evaluations will be conducted before a final decision is made on the consent order.

Pinnock said Baskervill has a long history working projects in Roanoke.

"This is by far going to be our biggest crown jewel for the firm," Pinnock said. "From Richmond, we look at Roanoke with a little envy sometimes. I think they understand a little bit better how to build a place focused on quality of life."

Roanoke City Manager Bob Cowell said people in the past have called Walker crazy for some of his development efforts.

"And I can affirm that he is still crazy," Cowell joked. "Thank goodness that he is, because no one else would take on a project like this."

Staff writer Laurence Hammack contributed to this report.
One of six individuals involved in an early morning shootout at a northeast Roanoke gas station in June entered a plea agreement Thursday and was sentenced to two years of incarceration.

Judge David Carson said that if any of the other dirtbags involved in the shootout ever find themselves in his courtroom, hell hammer them.

At about 3:20 a.m. on June 21, Roanoke police responding to shooting reports located broken glass and multiple cartridge casings in the parking lot of a Shell gas station in the 3600 block of Plantation Road Northeast, Chief Assistant Commonwealths Attorney John McNeil said Thursday.

Officers contacted the store clerk, McNeil continued, and reviewed the gas stations surveillance video, which captured the shooting.

The prosecutor said that earlier that evening, Donnell Eugene Early Jr., 22, of Roanoke had entered the stations store in an orange hoodie. Surveillance video shows a handgun in his hoodie pocket, with the firearms handle hanging out.

McNeil said Early left the store, returned to his vehicle and left the scene. He returned later and parked by a gas pump.

Surveillance video captured other individuals approaching Earlys drivers side window. One of them leaned into Earlys vehicle, and a struggle ensued.

Earlys attorney, Kevin Gick, said Thursday that had the case gone to trial, evidence would have shown that the subject that leaned into Earlys car tried to take Earlys firearm and threatened to shoot him.

The struggle ended, McNeil said, and as the individuals began to back away from Earlys vehicle, Early extended his arm out of his window and fired his handgun, striking a man identified in a grand jury indictment as Aundele Burwell II.

Then, McNeil continued, another person on scene fired an assault-style rifle towards Early, who was shot in his arm.

McNeil said that at the time of the shooting, Early was on probation for three Botetourt County felony drug distribution charges and had been for about two years.

Gick said his client has accepted responsibility for unlawfully choosing to arm himself while on probation, but added that Early did so because one of his friends had recently been robbed and he feared for his safety.

Gick also said that had Earlys case gone to trial, his client would have testified that he was a victim of an assault by five other men, four of which were armed.

The defense attorney told Carson that when Early leaned out of his window, Burwell had already drawn a weapon and was pointing it at Early.

He only shot the man who had a gun drawn in his face, Gick said.

Gick added that the person who fired the assault rifle had been standing by, observing the incident, and did not return to his vehicle to retrieve the firearm before unloading about 12 rounds, one of which struck Earlys bicep.

Gick said none of the other five men involved have come forward to cooperate with police. McNeil said Burwell has been completely uncooperative this entire time.

Carson sentenced Early, in accordance with his plea agreement, to five years of incarceration, suspended after he serves two years, the mandatory minimum sentence for the charge in Virginia. Once released, Early will spend three years on unsupervised probation.
Correction Nov. 16, 2023, 8:45 a.m.: The cost of a room at the Suites By TLOT will not be based on a person's income. An earlier version of this story contained incorrect information. The story has been updated.

A ministry that works with the regions homeless population is alarming some Roanoke County residents with a plan to convert a former motel into affordable temporary housing.

We cant put our kids at risk to help out homeless people, said Gregory Matthews, who spoke against the project at a county supervisors meeting Wednesday.

Matthews and other residents predicted the redevelopment of the long-closed Apple Valley Motel, located at 5063 Franklin Road near the countys Clearbrook Elementary School and a private school, would bring Roanokes problems into the county and threaten community safety. But officials said that since the propertys zoning allows a motel, there was nothing they could do to stop the project  even if they wanted to.

Supervisor David Radford spoke in favor of the motel plan, calling it a very worthy measure to help a segment of society that is in need. He said that his wife had volunteered to help with painting there.

And after the supervisors left the room, about 10 critics faced off with the motels redeveloper, Dawn Sandoval of The Least of These Ministry. The tense exchange was interrupted several times by county police officers, who warned Sandovals antagonists to keep the talk civil.

Much of the sparring was over what to call the project, which is to be named Suites By TLOT and which Sandoval said she hoped to open by Jan. 1.

Residents said it would be a homeless shelter. Sandoval, the ministrys founder and executive director, denied this, saying the new facility would offer daily, weekly or monthly rooms to anyone, just like many motels, but that rates would be more affordable than what is presently offered in the area.

Sandoval said that she was ashamed to see people coming out to speak against a plan to help those who were less fortunate.

Labeling us as haters because were concerned about our kids isnt helpful, said one of the residents confronting Sandoval.

From this community, Ive received a lot of hate, Sandoval said.

At the meeting, County Administrator Richard Caywood described the project and said that since zoning already allowed it, the county had little say over whether it proceeded or not, other than routine inspections tied to building permits or similar matters.

Sandoval spoke to supervisors, saying that while the re-vamped motel was aimed at people who could not afford shelter, anyone could stay there. The motel will have a manager who lives on-site and will provide a shuttle to give guests more transportation options, she said.

In the discussion with opponents after the meeting, Sandoval said that the motel would have nine single and nine double rooms for guests, and that rates had not been decided on but would be cheaper than the $600 per two weeks that she said some area facilities offered. Pressed by residents about what sort of vetting would be done before someone was allowed to stay at the motel, Sandoval said that a process had not been worked out yet.

As an example of the people that she said the motel would serve, Sandoval described a veteran in his 70s who she said had to sleep in his car because his disability payment was not enough to pay rent. Sandoval said that since she began the ministry in 2011, it had helped about 400 people find affordable housing in apartments.

She said that Suites By TLOT would cater to a different population than the one targeted by the ministrys facility on Roanokes Luck Avenue, which has showers, lockers, a laundry and a warming bus, among other resources.

Three residents spoke during the meetings public address section, drawing applause as they said the motel project should be stopped.

Any reasonable person would say this is the wrong use for this building, said Earl Dodson, adding that he lived near the motel and was worried about his grandchildrens safety, not any effects on property values that might come from the project.

Elijah Widener described himself as a very concerned citizen and said he was worried about his four children who attend the Clearbrook school.

Matthews said that he was glad to donate money or otherwise support efforts to help homeless people. But the motels location near schools was wrong for the project, he said.

Theres children involved. Lets remember that, Matthews said.

The Least of These ministry has a web page describing the project at: www.theleastoftheseministry.org/suites-by-tlot.html.
DANVILLE  With a focus on workforce development, Sen. Tim Kaine spent Nov. 13 Monday morning meeting with Averett University officials and touring the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

Kaine was in town to discuss higher education and job training with Averett representatives and, with institute officials, the importance of preparing the next generation of workers for increased submarine construction for the countrys defense and through an agreement with Australia and the United Kingdom.

Were right now producing 1.3 Virginia-class submarines a year in the U.S. to do what we need to defend our country and to meet our obligations under this agreement with Australia, Kaine said during his tour of the institute. In about a decade, we have to get to a point where were producing about 2.3 and thats going to be workforce and thats also going to be innovation around additive manufacturing.

During his visit, Kaine toured its Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program and Center for Manufacturing Advancement (which houses the U.S. Navys Additive Manufacturing Center for Excellence).

As the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research strives to be Virginias go-to partner for diverse business and economic growth, one of our targeted sectors remains advanced manufacturing, a field we have been pleased to support, Institute President Telly Tucker said in a prepared statement. It is with critical advocates like Sen. Kaine, the office of the secretary of defense, ... that impactful programs like accelerated training in defense manufacturing and the Navys Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence are growing in Southern Virginia, advancing this technology hub for companies and job seekers while aiding national security.

The Democratic senators visit comes just after the U.S. Economic Development Administration selected the Virginia Additive Manufacturing and Applied Materials Strategy Development Consortium  of which the Institute is a partner  for a $500,000 grant to strengthen Americas supply chain.

Danville was connected to the grant due an innovative technology that a small company in Blacksburg, MELD, is starting, Kaine said during an interview outside Averett on Monday morning.

The idea was, well maybe MELD, working together with the Institute and this Navy Center for Additive Manufacturing, could really grow into something much more significant not just for one company, but there may be other spin-off companies in the area, Kaine said. It was smart that the Danville folks and the Blacksburg-Christiansburg folks realized, you know, were working in some compatible areas, why dont we put in a proposal together?

The initial $500,000 grant will help the two areas figure out what more they can do, Kaine added.

MELDs technology is a three-dimensional-type printing for metals at a lower temperature to enable the production of parts for ships and submarines quicker and cheaper and in a more environmentally friendly way, he said.

Thats why MELD is quite a darling with defense right now, because they are doing a technology that nobody else has, but it ties in very, very well with the Additive Manufacturing Excellence Center that the Navy is funding here in Danville, Kaine said.

The grant was made possible by the Tech Hubbs Program created by the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, which Kaine helped pass.

During his tour, Kaine stopped by several labs and talked to instructors and trainees about the latest technologies used in those classrooms. He also emphasized the need for training for more workers in ship- and sub-building.

Were trying to figure out how to get more workers into the ship and sub industrial base, Kaine told reporters. Weve just announced this historic partnership with Australia and the UK.

Virginia will build submarines and sell them to the Australians in the 2030s and then help them learn how to construct their own nuclear submarines in the 2040s, he said.

The accelerated training in defense manufacturing programs goal is to provide training for skilled trades including welding, CNC machining, additive manufacturing or 3-D printing and non-destructive testing.

Theyre going to need 10,000 people over the next 10 years to meet those skilled-trade needs, said Institute spokesperson Allison Moore, referring to support needed for rebuilding of the nations Navy submarine fleet.

A 100,000-sqaure-foot facility is being built for the program, which will graduate 800 to 1,000 workers per year starting in 2025.

As for Averett, Kaine discussed with university officials the state of higher education and how the school is training the next generation of workers.

Kaine is pushing for inclusion of $670,000 in the Senate draft of the 2024 fiscal-year funding bill for Averett to strengthen job training and enhance its online programs.

Theres such workforce shortages across the commonwealth and country, Kaine said, adding that universities are innovating to help people get the necessary skills.

Those two items are contingent on getting the budget approved, he said.

As long as we get this budget deal done, and thats what were working on right now, I feel like its going to be a really good opportunity for Averett to build on what theyre already doing well, Kaine said.
CHARLOTTESVILLE  There have been new developments in the prosecutions of participants in the racist torch-bearing mob that roiled the University of Virginia Lawn six years ago.

A new defendant was named and promptly pleaded guilty, an angry face that went viral disappeared from prosecution and a pair of upstart lawyers has pushed two local judges off the case.

Seeing the judges recuse themselves kind of takes me by surprise, defendant Jacob Joseph Dix told The Daily Progress. I was worried that I wasnt going to get a fair shake. I feel more optimistic about getting a fair trial now.

Dix, a resident of Clarksville, Ohio, was among the estimated 300 people who carried burning tiki torches across UVa Grounds on Aug. 11, 2017, the night before the fatal and infamous Unite the Right rally-turned-riot in Charlottesville. Now, hes one of nine men charged with using fire to intimidate.

Prosecutions against the torch-bearers began earlier this year after the unsealing of felony indictments, alleging violations of Virginias so-called cross-burning law, which can result in a five-year sentence. So far, four men have pleaded guilty and two have been sentenced to six-month terms.

However, Dix and several other defendants recently started attacking the process.

This is not a criminal prosecution, Dix contended in an Oct. 18 motion. This is a political vendetta.

While the shouts of Blood and soil and Jews will not replace us brought the event almost as much condemnation as the next-day car attack that killed anti-racist counterprotester Heather Heyer and injured many others, lawyers for Dix and fellow defendant Augustus Sol Invictus have filed motions trying to stymie the prosecution.

The defense attorneys claim the Virginia statute doesnt apply to tiki torches, and they assert the local judges cant fairly oversee the cases. The first judge to recuse himself was Claude Worrell.

Potentially, you could be a witness, said Terrell N. Roberts III, lawyer for Invictus, in court on Sept. 27.

Roberts was noting the fact that while attending an interfaith service that night at St. Pauls Memorial Church, across the street from the torch march, Worrell reportedly called the police.

I saw some things that were quite a distance away, and then I left, replied Worrell.

Despite downplaying his involvement, the judge quickly agreed to step aside.

Not a problem, said Worrell. I will grant your motion to recuse.

Longtime local court-watcher and veteran defense attorney David Heilberg said that Worrell made the right call.

If there can even be an appearance of an impropriety, a judge should recuse himself, Heilberg told The Daily Progress. If in doubt, recuse.

After Worrell bowed out, fellow 16th Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins stepped in to consider a defense motion alleging that the tiki torches, as a prior prosecutor had argued in declining to push the cases, were not burning objects under the scope of the law and that the torches were protected speech under the First Amendment. Higgins rejected both of those arguments on Oct. 11, delivering a blow to the defense.

By early November, however, Higgins gave the defense a victory of sorts, recusing herself from both the Dix and Invictus cases over her concern that Worrells wife, Kathryn Laughon, might be called as a witness. A nurse, Laughon is also a crusader against racism who, until the recent motions were filed, often posted messages pushing for social justice and civil rights on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Laughons X account is no longer active.

While quitting those two cases, Higgins revealed during a mid-November hearing that she does not intend to recuse herself from two other cases, those of Ryan Roy of Enosburg Falls, Vermont, and William Henry Fears IV of Pasadena, Texas. Her persistence brought some pushback from Fears lawyer Bryan Jones.

If the court recuses itself from one case but not others, theres a concern, said Jones.

Appearing frustrated, Higgins distanced herself from Worrell and his family.

We are colleagues, but we dont do anything socially together, said Higgins. I am not an appendage of Judge Worrell.

Noting that Fears goes to trial in late December, Higgins suggested that she may have further thoughts by the time of a Dec. 4 hearing.

However, the lawyers for Invictus and Dix are not content with just getting a new judge. They claim that the prosecution is tainted because the assistant commonwealths attorney who has been handling the cases, Lawton Tufts, has an improper bias. They say Tufts attended at least two left-wing protests, bragged about fighting Nazis and served as a pre-rally liaison between anti-racist activists and law enforcement.

Never in Virginias four-century history has a prosecutor participated in counterprotests against a lawful demonstration then subsequently prosecuted the demonstrators, wrote Peter Frazier, Dixs lawyer.

While Frazier has demanded Tufts turn over electronic records, Tufts filed a motion to quash that effort, calling it a fishing expedition and an attempt to harass.

While all this has been happening, one of the highest-profile torch-marchers has gone silent. Peter Cytanovic of Reno, Nevada, became the face of White terror, as he once put it, after an angry, open-mouthed, torch-toting image of him went viral. In July, he outed himself as an indictee awaiting extradition to Virginia, and a court record from the Nevada jail where he was held seemed to confirm his story. However, Cytanovics name has disappeared from the Nevada jail and never appeared in the public record in Albemarle County Circuit Court, where the cases have been prosecuted. Albemarle Commonwealths Attorney Jim Hingeley has declined to discuss the case.

In September, Colton Fears of Pasadena, Texas, the younger brother of William Fears, was extradited to Virginia. He received bail when he tendered his guilty plea in late October.

Last week, Higgins appointed a pair of retired judges to take over the cases with recusals. She tapped H. Thomas Padrick Jr. to oversee the Dix case and Richard E. Moore to oversee Invictus.

Those judges may soon need to handle motions including one that attempts to disqualify the prosecutors office and another asserting that in waiting nearly six years the prosecution has violated the constitutional guarantee to a speedy trial. Dix sounded a hopeful tone speaking with The Daily Progress.

Were the first ones to mount any kind of defense really, said Dix. I will be in great shape to receive a fair trial once the prosecutors office has been disqualified.
An old murder case from our area is getting new attention through a Netflix documentary. Til Murder Do Us Part is an interesting series, bringing back memories for those of us old enough to remember the case, but theres a problem. The new documentary hints at an old  and thoroughly debunked  story, and the convicted murderer remains just as guilty now as he was in 1985.

It was April 1985 when Derek and Nancy Haysom were found murdered in their home in Bedford County, victims of unthinkable violence that shocked the community. It did not take long before investigators settled on two prime suspects: the Haysoms daughter Elizabeth and her boyfriend, German student Jens Soering. As evidence was being gathered and it was clear they were in jeopardy, the pair suddenly fled the country. The following spring they were arrested in London for check fraud; British investigators soon uncovered their connection to the Bedford slaughter.

Space wont allow a full recounting of the sordid story, but suffice it to say that both soon confessed to involvement in the deaths of the Haysoms. Soering especially was fulsome in providing details of the crime. By 1987 Elizabeth Haysom had severed her relationship with Soering, decided to plead guilty to being an accessory to her parents murder, and had returned to Bedford to stand trial. She convincingly testified that, while she remained in Washington, D.C., to provide him an alibi, Soering drove to Bedford and committed the murders. Elizabeth was sentenced to 90 years in prison, and never has changed her story to any appreciable degree.

Jens Soering, however, has. Held in Britain for years, he battled against extradition to Virginia because he could face the death penalty if tried here. Eventually Bedford officials agreed to take the death penalty off the table, and Soering was successfully extradited. Suddenly he began to sing another song, and continues to carry the same tune today.

His confession, he began saying about 1990, was false, contrived only to protect Elizabeth. He said he believed he had diplomatic immunity (through his father, a career diplomat from Germany, although never once from 1986 until 1990 did he ever actually appeal to diplomatic immunity), and that he could not be prosecuted; whereas Elizabeth could. Suddenly he claimed (and would maintain throughout his well-publicized trial) that he alone knew who the killer was: Elizabeth Haysom herself.

Despite later protestations to the contrary, its worth noting that Soering did not confess only once or under duress. Multiple times he admitted to being the murderer, to British, German and American investigators, to medical personnel, to other inmates. Many of these on-the-record statements were made after his relationship with Elizabeth had ended and she had returned to Virginia, when he no longer had impetus to protect her.

He consistently provided details about the crime scene that, while imperfect as all memories are, only someone who was there could know. Physical evidence at the scene, though arguably not conclusive in isolation, pointed to his guilt: blood of his type, a sock print that matched his foot.

That sock print gets much attention in the Netflix documentary, and Soering has spent years trying to debunk it. But it is not as easily dismissed in the end as his many defenders in Virginia and around the globe claim. Nor does supposed DNA evidence uncovered long after his trial prove that he was absent from the crime scene, or that anyone else was present.

Soering was easily found guilty in 1990 and sentenced to two life sentences. He spent subsequent decades maintaining his innocence, appealing for clemency, seeking new trials on the basis of spurious evidence. Flocks of gullible allies across the globe supported his crusade. Sympathetic news reports, fawning magazine articles, and who-know-how-many Facebook posts trumpeted the unfairness of it all. Finally, in 2019, Soering and Haysom were both released from Virginia prisons on the condition that they leave the U.S. (her citizenship is Canadian). Since then, Soering has continued to maintain his innocence. I am one of many who remain unconvinced by his protestations.

No trial attempts, or can ever accomplish, proof beyond any possible doubt. In the end, no one can know exhaustively what happened that fateful night. But the investigation and the trial of Jens Soering, despite endless critiques, were fair, properly conducted, and reached the unavoidable conclusion: that he was guilty beyond all reasonable doubt, Netflix sensationalism notwithstanding. Though free and a martyr to many misguided supporters, he remains equally guilty today.
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Workers prepare medical tools for sterilization at Brooke Army Medical Centers Sterile Processing Division in late July. The medical center, which is the military's biggest, and Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital in San Antonio are both dealing with problems caused by unsanitary surgical instruments. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News Brooke Army Medical Center Chief of Operative Services Col. Lance Taylor, right, explains the operation of the Sterile Processing Division. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News Workers prepare medical tools for sterilization at Brooke Army Medical Centers Sterile Processing Division. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News Brooke Army Medical Center Chief of Operative Services Col. Lance Taylor walks by steamers used to sterilize medical equipment. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News Contractors work with surgical tools in the Sterile Processing Division at Brooke Army Medical Center. The medical center, which is the military's largest, is trying to overcome a problem with unsanitary surgical tools. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News Robots like Johnny-5 are used to take sterile medical equipment to surgical wings at Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News Brooke Army Medical Center Deputy Chief of Sterilization, Processing and Distribution Maj. Shawn Ashpole discusses the units operations. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News Brooke Army Medical Center Chief of Sterilization, Processing and Distribution Lt. Col. Duane Zaricor. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News Workers prepare medical tools for sterilization at Brooke Army Medical Centers Sterile Processing Division in late July. Jerry Lara/San Antonio Express-News

The Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans Hospital is dealing with problems caused by unsanitary surgical instruments, an issue that Brooke Army Medical Center also has been facing since last spring.

At Audie L. Murphy, some veterans surgeries are being delayed or canceled as the hospital addresses the situation.

In an Oct. 31 email to area members of Congress, Dr. Julianne Flynn, executive director of the South Texas Veterans Health Care System, wrote that quality control checks identified some nonconformance in the hospitals sterile processing department and that they may be hearing from constituents expressing concerns about potential delays.

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We continue to work with additional experts to examine and evaluate the issue so that we may resume to full capacity for operating room procedures, she wrote.

The disclosure came less than a week after the San Antonio Express-News reported on the effect of tainted surgical instruments at BAMC, the militarys largest hospital. There, some surgeons said they had stopped doing elective surgeries and accepting certain transfers from other hospitals to conserve instruments and equipment for the many trauma cases the hospital receives daily.

Flynn said Audie L. Murphy, which is in the South Texas Medical Center, had brought in a mobile sterilization unit in an effort to get back to full capacity in its operating rooms. However, she wrote, patients still were facing delays because of slow production due to the size of the temporary unit.

In response to the problems, the hospital suspended instrument-intensive neurosurgical, orthopedic, cardiothoracic and robotic surgeries, said Nanette Madla, a spokeswoman for the South Texas Veterans Health Care System. But with the late October setup of the mobile sterilization unit, such cases are being scheduled again.

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We also scaled back the total number of surgeries we are performing daily, Madla said. Emergency cases that Audie L. Murphy cant handle because of sterilization problems are being transferred to other hospitals.

No bioburden

The hospitals tests found no blood or human tissue  called bioburden  in its surgical tool sets, Madla said. That was reportedly a problem at BAMC.

Audie L. Murphy discovered what it called nonbiologic particulates, which it said come from two substances. One was consistent with carbon-based materials such as plastics subjected to high heat. The other was consistent with polypropylene, a kind of plastic.

The hospital has not been able to identify the root cause, but specialists from the Veterans Affairs Department and the private sector have been brought in to work on it, Madla said. Because it appears to be connected to suspect sterilization equipment, the hospital has ordered new equipment thats expected to arrive by late December.

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So far this year, the hospital has had five cases in which patients time under anesthesia was extended because surgeons needed to obtain additional instruments, Madla said. Most of the cases were earlier in the year. One of the surgeries was aborted prior to incision.

At 1%, the hospital's reported surgical site infection rate was slightly lower than the national rate for the Veterans Affairs hospital system, which is 1.1% to 1.2%. Audie L. Murphy had 17 surgical site infections out of 1,674 cases from January through Oct. 8.

The hospital hasnt made clear when it suspended surgeries but it said it rented the mobile sterilization unit Oct. 5 and began using it Oct. 26. Its described as a fully integrated, mobile central sterile processing department to help resume instrument-intensive cases.

Its set up adjacent to the hospital, Madla said, with all the major equipment required for washing, disinfecting and sterilization of surgical instruments.

We are doing all we can to get our ORs back up to maximum capacity as soon as possible but will not open fully until we are certain that all anomalies have been resolved, she said.

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BAMC stays mum

The VAs public confirmation of its situation differs from BAMCs response. BAMC has declined to confirm or comment on the situation that drove the hospitals entire orthopedic surgery staff  19 surgeons  to sign a 10-page memo to hospital commanders in July detailing the problem and the measures surgeons were taking to lessen the risk to patients.

The memo describes how, over 41 days this summer, BAMCs sterile processing problems resulted in the delivery of at least 49 unusable sets of surgical tools and the cancellation of more than two dozen surgeries. In addition, some surgeries already in progress had to be paused for periods ranging from 90 minutes to 4 hours.

BAMC officials declined to comment on the memo but said hospital operations continue largely unhindered despite staffing shortages throughout the facility, including in its sterile processing department.

Since the Express-News reported in October on the problem at BAMC, members of Congress have confirmed the situation and are seeking to learn more about it.

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As recently as Thursday morning, some who work in BAMCs operating rooms said the problems remained unresolved.

They said a sterilization backlog remains and that they continue to find debris or bioburden on surgical instruments. Such discoveries render the tools unusable for surgery.

Statement to patients

A statement that BAMC officials prepared for patients appears to confirm the shortcomings.

After your recent operation, it was discovered that a routine test performed during the initial phase of our instrument sterilization process did not meet the established criteria, the statement said. Two subsequent tests that are used to assess the sterility of the instruments both passed quality control standards."

We realize this could possibly be concerning however, there is no evidence that any of the surgical instruments used during your operation were compromised or contaminated, it said.

BAMC officials declined to comment on the statement, a draft of which was obtained by the Express-News. It's unclear whether the hospital sent the message to any patients.

The Joint Commission, the main accrediting body for the health care industry, made an unannounced visit to BAMC on Oct. 30. Neither the hospital nor the commission has shared details of the visit.

Officials from the Defense Health Agency, the organization that oversees the military medical system, didnt respond to requests for comment.
" " Sci-fi movies have given us some incredible depictions of spaceships that were out of this world. Colin Anderson Productions pty l / Getty Images

We like to think that we arent alone in saying a spaceship was the one and only thing we truly yearned for as children. After all, many spent years locked in front of a television, captivated by remarkable space battles, galaxies far, far away, aliens, black holes, and the like.

Weve seen things you couldnt believe, man. All of it possible thanks to the amazing technology located in whichever spaceship was carrying our fragile heroes on their quest to better the galaxy, universe, or even lonely little planet Earth. Whatever the mission, we trusted the spaceship to get our heroes where they needed to be  and fast.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The abundance of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere once again reached a new record last year and there is no end in sight to the rising trend, according to a new report from the World Meteorological Organization (WMO).

Global averaged concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), the most important greenhouse gas, in 2022 were a full 50% above the pre-industrial era for the first time. They continued to grow in 2023.

The rate of growth in CO 2 concentrations was slightly lower than the previous year and the average for the decade, according to WMO's Greenhouse Gas Bulletin. But it said this was most likely due to natural, short-term variations in the carbon cycle and that new emissions as a result of industrial activities continued to rise.

Methane concentrations also grew, and levels of nitrous oxide, the third main gas, saw the highest year-on-year increase on record from 2021 to 2022, according to the Greenhouse Bulletin, which is published to inform the United Nations Climate Change negotiations, or COP28, in Dubai.

"Despite decades of warnings from the scientific community, thousands of pages of reports and dozens of climate conferences, we are still heading in the wrong direction," said WMO Secretary-General Prof. Petteri Taalas.

"The current level of greenhouse gas concentrations puts us on the pathway of an increase in temperatures well above the Paris Agreement targets by the end of this century. This will be accompanied by more extreme weather, including intense heat and rainfall, ice melt, sea-level rise and ocean heat and acidification. The socioeconomic and environmental costs will soar. We must reduce the consumption of fossil fuels as a matter of urgency," said Prof. Taalas.

Just under half of CO 2 emissions remain in the atmosphere. Just over one quarter are absorbed by the ocean and just under 30% by land ecosystems like forestsalthough there is considerable year-to-year variability in this. As long as emissions continue, CO 2 will continue accumulating in the atmosphere leading to global temperature rise. Given the long life of CO 2 , the temperature level already observed will persist for several decades even if emissions are rapidly reduced to net zero.

The last time the Earth experienced a comparable concentration of CO 2 was 35 million years ago, when the temperature was 23C warmer and sea level was 1020 meters higher than now.

"There is no magic wand to remove the excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere. But we have the tools to strengthen our understanding of the drivers of climate change through WMO's new Global Greenhouse Gas Watch. This will greatly improve sustained observations and monitoring to support more ambitious climate goals," said Prof. Taalas.

Global Greenhouse Gas Watch

The WMO Bulletin devotes its cover story to the Global Greenhouse Gas Watch, which was approved by the World Meteorological Congress in May. This ambitious initiative envisages sustained greenhouse gas monitoring in order to be able to account for both human activities related and natural sources and sinks. It will provide vital information and support for the Paris Agreement goal of limiting global warming to well below 2C and aiming for 1.5C above pre-industrial levels.

Although the scientific community has a broad understanding of climate change and its implications, there are still some uncertainties about the carbon cycleand the fluxes in the ocean, the land biosphere and the permafrost areas.

"These uncertainties, however, must not deter action. Instead, they highlight the need for flexible, adaptive strategies and the importance of risk management in the path to net-zero and the realization of the Paris Agreement's goals. Provision of accurate, timely, and actionable data on greenhouse gas fluxes becomes more critical," says the Greenhouse Gas Bulletin.

It cites the need for greater information about:

Feedback Mechanisms: The Earth's climate system has multiple feedback loops, for example, increased carbon emissions from soils or decreased carbon uptake by oceans due to changing climate as illustrated for Europe for the droughts in 2018 and 2022.

Tipping Points: The climate system may be close to so called "tipping points," where a certain level of change leads to self-accelerating and potentially irreversible cascade of changes. Examples would include the potential rapid die-back of the Amazon rainforest, slowing of the northern ocean circulation or the destabilization of large ice sheets;

Natural Variability: The major three greenhouse gases have substantial variability driven by natural processes superimposed on anthropogenic signal (e.g., driven by El Nino). This variability can either amplify or dampen observed changes over short periods;

Non-CO Greenhouse Gases: Climate change is driven by multiple greenhouse gases, not just CO 2 . These gases have different atmospheric lifetimes, greater Global Warming Potential (GWP) than CO 2 and uncertain future emissions.

The new Global Greenhouse Gas Watch is intended to be operational by 2028.

Greenhouse Gas Concentrations in 2022

The (NOAA) Annual Greenhouse Gas Index (AGGI) shows that from 1990 to 2022, the warming effect on our climatecalled radiative forcingby long-lived greenhouse gases- increased by 49%, with CO 2 accounting for about 78% of this increase.

Global annual surface mean abundances (2022) and trends of key greenhouse gases from the GAW in-situ observational network for GHG. Units are dry-air mole fractions, and uncertainties are 68% confidence limits.

Carbon dioxide is the single most important greenhouse gas in the atmosphere, accounting for approximately 64% of the warming effect on the climate, mainly because of fossil fuel combustion and cement production.

The 2.2 parts per million (ppm) increase in the annual average from 2021 to 2022 was slightly smaller than 2020 to 2021 and for the past decade (2.46 ppm yr). The most likely reason is increased absorption of atmospheric CO 2 by terrestrial ecosystems and the ocean after several years with a La Nina event. The development of an El Nino event in 2023 may therefore have consequences for greenhouse gas concentrations.

Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas which remains in the atmosphere for about a decade.

Methane accounts for about 16% of the warming effect of long-lived greenhouse gases.

Approximately 40% of methane is emitted into the atmosphere by natural sources (for example, wetlands and termites), and about 60% comes from anthropogenic sources (for example, ruminants, rice agriculture, fossil fuel exploitation, landfills and biomass burning).

The increase from 2021 to 2022 was slightly lower than the record rate observed from 2020 to 2021 but considerably higher than the average annual growth rate over the last decade.

Nitrous Oxide is both a powerful greenhouse gas and ozone depleting chemical. It accounts for about 7% of the radiative forcing by long-lived greenhouse gases.

N 2 O is emitted into the atmosphere from both natural sources (approximately 60%) and anthropogenic sources (approximately 40%), including oceans, soils, biomass burning, fertilizer use, and various industrial processes.

For N 2 O, the increase from 2021 to 2022 was higher than that observed any time before in our modern time record.

Provided by World Meteorological Organization (WMO)
FLORENCE, S.C.  In six months, the city of Florence will begin rounding up water and sewer bills to help those struggling to pay, despite multiple no votes from Mayor Teresa Myers Ervin.

In that six-month timeframe, the city will advertise the roundup program to its water and sewer customers. Those who do not wish to have their water and sewer bill rounded up to the nearest whole dollar can opt out within that six-month period or any time after, but they will not be eligible for financial assistance provided by the program.

Mayor Pro Tem George Jebaily said at Mondays Florence City Council meeting that water is one of the most basic services a community needs.

We have seen over time so many people having difficulty making those payments, living paycheck to paycheck, and so if this is a way to provide some assistance to those living paycheck to paycheck, then I think it is something worthy on the part of our city council, and its something that I am proud of, Jebaily said.

The program passed its final reading at the meeting on Monday with a vote of 6-1, with Ervin voting against. She said she agrees with the general idea of the program but believes it should be opt-in, not opt-out, which is why she voted against it.

Many people have called her about the program and feel that the city is requiring them to be a part of it, she said.

Ervin also voted against the program at the Oct. 9 meeting of the Florence City Council.

The program is to be called the CARE program, which stands for Coins that Add Relief and Enable. Through it, city of Florence water and sewer customers will see their bill rounded up to the next whole dollar.

Because bills will only ever be rounded up to the next whole dollar, no customer will pay more than $12 a year toward the program.

Funds raised through the program will be given to a nonprofit, which will use the citys requirements to help pay for the water and sewer bills of those struggling to make ends meet.

A household cannot receive more than $150 in assistance through the program within six months. Applicants will be prioritized if they:

Are over the age of 60.

Have a documented disability.

Have one or more children under age five

Make less than 120% of the area median income, or AMI.

Only residential accounts are eligible for assistance. Applications need to be made at least five days before any disconnection or shut-off date.

Water and sewer rates are set to increase, according to an amended five-year fee schedule passed in August.

Under the amended schedule, water and sewer bills will increase by 4% for city residents and 6% for county residents next year.

In 2025, fees will rise by 9% in the city and 11% in the county. Yearly increases for the following three years are 8.5% for city residents and 10.5% for county residents.

The water and sewer fee increases are going to pay for three bonds, totaling around $446 million, that the city plans to take out over the next four years.

These bonds will pay for an upgrade and expansion of the citys entire water and sewer system.

The first bond will go towards the planning and design of the surface water treatment plant expansion, the AESC economic development project, a utility system engineering master plan and automated water meters for billing.

Other business

The first reading of an ordinance that would formalize council committees and their procedures failed to get the two motions it needed to be discussed or voted on. However, the proposed ordinance sparked an argument between Ervin, Jebaily and Councilwoman Lethonia Barnes about meeting procedure.

Scott Garner, who recently founded the American Fentanyl Association in honor of his son who died after taking what he thought was a muscle relaxer for a hurt back, protested outside the citys administrative building ahead of the meeting. Others from his organization joined him.

Garner also spoke during the meeting and said he was disappointed by the citys lack of action on fentanyl since speaking at the meeting in October. He left as soon as he was finished speaking.

Afterward, Councilman Bryan Braddock said people need to understand the dangers of fentanyl even to those who are not drug addicts. He said that, similar to Garners son, anyone could take a medicine they got from a trusted friend and overdose.

Braddock recommended that everyone with children have fentanyl test strips and Narcan, a medicine that can reverse the effects of an opioid overdose.

City council members unanimously approved on second reading an ordinance that named a pocket park on North Dargan Street between West Darlington Street and East N B Baroody Street after the Rev. William Thompson, who started the first school for barbers in the Pee Dee area, the Thompson & Sons Barber College, in 1989.

A portion of 2000 Marsh Ave., the property of John Calvin Presbyterian Church, was rezoned to accommodate single-family homes after a unanimous vote from Florence City Council members. The church intends to sell that part of the property to a developer of the proposed homes, according to the ordinance.
A member of Colombia's National Liberation Army (ELN) rebel group is seen near the Baudo river -- AFP was invited to interview a rebel commander in an ELN stronghold (Daniel Munoz)

Unidentified men approach from the river.

"Soldiers or paramilitaries?" the rebel commander barks into his walkie-talkie.

Colombia's ELN guerrillas may be in peace talks with the government in Bogota, but in the thick jungle where they live, weapons are the law of the land.

It has been three months since the National Liberation Army (ELN), a leftist group that has battled the government since 1964, reached a ceasefire deal with the administration of President Gustavo Petro, a former rebel himself.

That six-month accord -- the longest cessation of hostilities in the ELN's nearly 60-year insurrection -- came within the framework of peace negotiations launched last year.

In late October, a senior ELN commander -- identified here as 35-year-old Lucas -- granted an interview with a team from AFP in the lush wilds of Choco, one of the most troubled departments in the country, on the Pacific coast.

Lucas says despite the ceasefire, the violence has not abated. He blames the unrest on an "alliance" between government security forces and the powerful paramilitary Gulf Clan drug cartel.

- 'Ceasefire under fire' -

"As long as there is such collusion... it will be very difficult to move the political process forward," says Lucas, his face disguised by a red and black scarf and a semi-automatic weapon always at his side.

AFP's team traveled for several hours by canoe under ELN guard from the area near the city of Quibdo to reach the rebel encampment, in a mountainous area where the heat was oppressive.

This ELN contingent is made up of mainly Afro-Colombian or Indigenous men and women. They say they are fighting against the "enemy," the army and "paramilitaries" who are working together to seize their territory.

Such accusations of collusion are roundly rejected by authorities in Bogota.

According to the Colombian think tank Indepaz, the rebels also have violated the ceasefire multiple times, especially in Choco -- violence that has forced residents to hole up for days in their homes.

Story continues

The region is the stronghold of the ELN's so-called Western War Front, one of the group's main units that has openly criticized the ongoing peace talks.

In Choco, "we talk about a ceasefire under fire," says Lucas.

"There are still offensive operations targeting our units."

- 'From head to toe' -

The ELN is now the oldest guerrilla group still operating in Latin America, since the Marxist Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) surrendered their weapons in 2016.

With some 5,800 combatants, the group is primarily active in the Pacific region and along the 2,200-kilometer (1,370-mile) border with Venezuela, meaning it operates in nearly 20 percent of Colombian municipalities -- double its footprint in 2018.

The group, which also has a presence in urban areas and university communities, says it wants to establish a "democratic government for the people" -- one that would nationalize certain industries and redistribute land holdings.

Its units on the ground are relatively autonomous.

Negotiations or attempts to launch talks have failed on five occasions with various governments in Bogota. Lucas says this time, the ELN does not wish to negotiate "hastily."

Experts say the ELN's decentralized organization could complicate peace talks, but Lucas rejects that idea, saying the group is unified "from head to toe" -- from the negotiators, who have lived in Cuba for five years, to fighters in the jungle.

The Western War Front "never wanted... to be a dissident group. The ELN's decision-making is centralized. But we reserve the political right to express our opinions," he says.

- Tiger without claws? -

The rebel commander also categorically rejects the claim that the ELN engages in extortion, charging locals with illegal "taxes," and any role in cocaine trafficking or illegal mining activities.

Earlier this month, the ELN's leader conceded that it had made a "mistake" when it kidnapped the father of Liverpool striker Luis Diaz. He was released last week after 12 days in captivity.

The incident recalled the days of the FARC, when kidnappings for ransom were commonplace, and thousands of civilians were abducted to finance their operations.

On Monday, ELN leader Antonio Garcia said the group -- currently holding about 30 hostages -- would not stop the abductions unless the government could promise another method of financing.

For the ELN members met by AFP, disarmament is a cause for concerns. Lucas says he believes the FARC surrendered their weapons too readily.

"We believe that the people should always have arms at their disposal... how can anyone accept declawing a tiger, when those claws allow it to defend itself?"

das/vd/hba/sst/bgs
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  A hair salon in northern Michigan is facing a discrimination charge from the states Department of Civil Rights after its owner posted on social media earlier this year that anyone identifying as other than a man or a woman is not welcome at her business.

The department claims in the charge filed Wednesday that Traverse Citys Studio 8 Hair Lab violated the states civil rights act in a Facebook post in July from its owner, Christine Geiger, by unlawfully discriminating against three claimants.

The post, which is no longer available, read, If a human identifies as anything other than a man/woman please seek services at a local pet groomer. You are not welcome at this salon. Period. Should you request to have a particular pronoun used please note we may simply refer to you as hey you.

A hearing will now be scheduled before an administrative law judge, who will issue a recommendation after hearing the merits of the complaint, according to the civil rights department. The recommendation will then go before Michigans Civil Rights Commission to either adopt or make their own ruling.

Penalties, according to the complaint, could include monetary compensation for the claimants emotional distress and mental anguish sustained by the discrimination. The department allows for any other relief as the commission seems just and proper, which could include additional fees and a recommendation that the business license be suspended.

Geiger, who did not respond to a request for comment by email, filed her own complaint against the city of Traverse City and the three individuals on Oct. 25. The complaint accuses the city and three of its residents of violating the salons First Amendment rights for filing civil rights complaints, according to the lawsuit obtained by The Associated Press.

Christine Geiger cuts a customer's hair at her salon in Traverse City, Michigan.

Christine Geiger cuts a customer's hair at her salon in Traverse City, Michigan.

Her attorney, David DeLaney, told AP that Geiger was exercising free speech and that the comments reflected her religious beliefs. He added that Geiger never physically blocked anyone from entering her business.

Story continues

In a July interview with The Associated Press, Geiger stood by her posts and said small business owners should be free to serve whomever they wish.

I just dont want the woke dollar. ... Id rather not be as busy than to have to do services that I dont agree with.

Michigans Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act prohibits discrimination in employment, housing and public services based on religion, race, color, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, familial status or marital status.

John E. Johnson Jr., the executive director of the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, told reporters Wednesday that Studio 8 violated the law by denying their services based on sex.

The civil rights act was amended earlier this year by the Michigan Legislature to further add protections for sexual orientation and gender identity and expression. The legislation was not given immediate effect, which would have required Republican lawmakers to side with the Democratic majority, and wont take effect until February 2024.

Marcelina Trevino, the director of enforcement for the Michigan Department of Civil Rights, said Wednesday that the department has been taking complaints and have jurisdiction under sex for both sexual orientation as well as gender identity or expression under case law, defined by previous rulings from Michigans Court of Claims and state Supreme Court.

Related...
Roger Waters has been accused of anti-Semitism, which he has repeatedly denied (MIGUEL ROJO)

A complaint of "anti-Semitism" was filed against Roger Waters in Argentina Wednesday as the former Pink Floyd frontman, on tour, accused "the Israeli lobby" of barring him from hotels in South America.

Waters, just off several concerts in Brazil as part of his "This Is Not a Drill" tour, is scheduled to perform in Montevideo on Friday, followed by Buenos Aires next Tuesday and Wednesday.

But the British-born performer, a known critic of the Israeli government, told Argentina's Pagina 12 newspaper he has no choice but to stay in lodgings in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

"Somehow these idiots of the Israeli lobby managed to co-opt all the hotels in Buenos Aires and Montevideo and organized this extraordinary boycott based on the malicious lies... about me," Pagina 12 quoted him as saying in an article published in Spanish.

Waters added: "I have not had a single anti-Semitic thought in my entire life," and insisted his criticism was of the Israeli government's actions.

Nevertheless, lawyer Carlos Broitman told AFP he had filed a complaint against Waters with a federal court, considering his visit was an opportunity for the artist to "spread his message of hate and to incite or aggravate anti-Semitism."

Argentina has Latin America's largest Jewish population, with some 250,000 individuals.

In neighboring Uruguay, the presidents of the Central Israelite Committee, Roby Schindler, and of the Jewish NGO B'Nai B'Rith, Franklin Rosenfeld, accused Rogers of being a "propagator" of Jewish hatred, in letters addressed to Sofitel and disseminated on social media.

Schindler called Waters a "misogynist, xenophobe and anti-Semitic" while Rosenfeld threatened an anti-Sofitel campaign if the hotel hosted the "anti-Semitic artist."

Approached by AFP, hotels in Montevideo declined to comment on Waters' claims that he was being excluded.

- 'Not a single anti-Semitic thought' -

Story continues

Waters, one of the highest-grossing touring artists of all time, has urged a cultural boycott of Israel and has flown an inflatable pig emblazoned with the Star of David at his concerts.

The rocker, born in Britain and a longtime New York resident, recently also appeared to cast doubt in an interview on the veracity of Israel's statements about the October 7 attack by Islamist group Hamas.

That attack, the worst in Israel's history, killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, with Hamas taking about 240 hostages back into Gaza, according to Israeli officials.

Twenty-one of those kidnapped were Argentine citizens, according to Buenos Aires.

In Gaza, some 11,500 people, also mostly civilians, have been killed in an intense Israeli bombing campaign and ground invasion in response to the attack, health officials in the Hamas-run territory have said.

Berlin police opened an investigation after Waters donned a seemingly Nazi-inspired costume at a concert in May.

He said it was a statement against fascism, but the US State Department accused Waters of using "anti-Semitic tropes to denigrate Jewish people," while the European Union's anti-Semitism official said he had belittled the Holocaust.

Waters, 80, also has performances scheduled in Chile, Peru, Costa Rica, Colombia and Ecuador in the coming weeks.

burs-mlr/st
Hisyam Hamid at the gala premiere of La Luna in Singapore on 9 November. (PHOTO:Golden Village Pictures) (Golden Village Pictures)

Much like the long-running television series Greys Anatomy (with 20 seasons), the debate between Singaporeans and Malaysians about which country has the best food doesnt seem to have an end in sight.

This time, a slightly more objective voice is sharing his thoughts on the matter. After all, Singaporean actor Hisyam Hamid is based in Kuala Lumpur for work and spends a good portion of his time there.

The 38-year-old was in town last week to promote his new comedy film "La Luna", where a newly opened lingerie shop sends a conservative (and religious) village into a frenzy.

Hisyam plays an abusive husband (Paat) while Malaysian actress Nadiya Nisaa plays his wife, Yam. The Singapore-Malaysia co-production also stars Shaheizy Sam and Sharifah Amani in the lead roles.

Malaysian food comforts as halal variety flourishes

When asked if the food in Malaysia is actually better than Singapores, during an interview with the local media, the 38-year-old admitted that he feels more comfortable over there because of the wider variety of food choices available to him as a Muslim.

He explained to Yahoo Southeast Asia, For example, you go to a Japanese sukiya steamboat restaurant, its halal there, but here its not, you see. Theres so many food outlets that are halal there and its not halal here.

Hisyam also pointed out that Mamak cuisine is readily available in Malaysia and its something he prefers.

Mamak is like the way of life, its like a lifestyle there. Like, you can be hungry at 12, 1am, and you can just go and lepak mamak and have like probably roti canai, your roti prata, and your teh tarik. But, thats not really available here so much, he added.

Singapore holds the crown in select dishes

Its all about the balance, though, as he shared that there are still certain dishes  such as chilli crab  which Singapore does better.

This isnt the first time a celebrity has weighed in on the food debate with Malaysia coming out on top.

Story continues

Back in August, Malaysian rapper Namewee published a YouTube video ranking popular holiday destinations based on five categories. While he ranked both Malaysia and Singapore equally in terms of overall holiday appeal, the rapper felt that the former had better food.

But, he also credited Singapore with making Malaysian and Singaporean cuisine famous globally.

"Their promotion is really good. Malaysians can't do it. We only quarrel online with people everyday," he quipped.

La Luna opens in cinemas Thursday (16 November).

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.
Spize outlets in Bedok fined over $7,000 from multiple food safety lapses after raw and cooked food were placed side by side (left) and a stained chopping board was used for cooked food (right). (PHOTOS: SFA)

SINGAPORE  Two companies operated by local eatery chain Spize were each fined $3,600 on Wednesday (15 November) for food safety lapses.

The Singapore Food Agency (SFA) said in a media release that it had received reports of gastroenteritis (stomach flu) in July last year, involving 15 people after they had consumed food prepared by Spizes food establishments along Bedok Road. None were hospitalised.

A joint investigation conducted by SFA and the Ministry of Health found the western food stall at 336/338 Bedok Road, licensed under Spize Bedok Pte Ltd, to have improperly segregated raw and cooked food at its serving station. It also used a stained chopping board for cooked food.

Meanwhile, the outlet at 284 Bedok Road, licensed under Spize Concepts Pte Ltd, had failed to provide hand soap in the kitchen toilet, and conducted food processing in its premises without authorisation.

SFA has since directed Spize Bedok and Spize Concepts to rectify the lapses, and take necessary measures to improve the food safety practices and the cleanliness of its premises. The food hygiene grades of both stalls have also been adjusted from A to C.

Past incidents

Spize had previously made headlines for serious lapses in food preparations.

In 2018, a 38-year-old Sats employee died from gastroenteritis after eating bento-box meals prepared by Spizes former River Valley outlet. A total of 72 people suffered gastroenteritis in that incident.

The death was later deemed by the State Coroner to be "an unfortunate misadventure" in August 2019. Two companies under Spize were later fined $32,000 for the incident in December 2020.

The River Valley outlet was initially suspended in November 2018. Subsequently, it had its licence revoked, and was instructed by the National Environment Agency (NEA) to shut down in December 2018.

Food safety a 'joint responsibility'

SFA said that food safety is a "joint responsibility" as food can be contaminated anywhere along the food chain. It reminded all food operators to ensure their premises are clean and well-maintained, and their staff members are adequately trained on proper food safety management.

Story continues

If convicted, offenders may face a fine up to $2,000. In the case of a continuing offence after conviction, a further fine of up to $100 per day or part thereof may be issued.

Members of the public who come across poor hygiene practices in food establishments are advised not to patronise them, and provide feedback via SFA's online feedback form for the agency to follow up with investigations.

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.
Pumpkin Pie Sale

St. John Lutheran Church, 2801 Jackson St., will be selling homemade pies for $12. Pies can be ordered from Nov. 1 to Nov. 18 by going to the church on Sundays or calling Jeanne at 712-204-4005 on afternoons and weekends. Pies will be available for pickup at the church from 1 to 5 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 21, and 2 to 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22. Pies will be baked on Monday, Nov. 20. Proceeds will go to the St. John Food Pantry Ministry.

Thanksgiving Service

Redeemer Lutheran Church, 3204 S Lakeport, invites the public to Thanksgiving Day worship services on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at 11:30 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. with Holy Communion. Please join for giving thanks to God for all His blessings He has bestowed.

Eleven churches - St. Thomas Episcopal, Faith United Presbyterian, Grace United Methodist, Augustana Lutheran, First Lutheran in South Sioux City, First Lutheran in Sioux City, Trinity Lutheran, St. John Lutheran, St. Luke Lutheran, St. Mark Lutheran, United Lutheran - will share in Thanksgiving Eve Worship at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov. 22, at First Lutheran Church, 3939 Cheyenne Blvd. The community is invited to attend. A combined choir, under the direction of Diana Wooley, will rehearse at 6 p.m. All are invited to sing. Pie will be served following worship.

GriefShare for the Holidays

GriefShare for the Holidays presentation will be held at host-church Calvary Lutheran, 4400 Central St., 51108, on Monday, Dec. 4, at two different times, 10:30 a.m. to noon, and 6:30 to 8 p.m. All are welcome to join for this 1.5-hour presentation that is filled with coping strategies for dealing with the loss of a loved one at Christmas. The presentation is free, and includes a free, informative, exercise booklet for all participants. You may register at www.calvaryleeds.com. Call 712-389-5226 if questions. There is HOPE for this journey of grief.

30th Annual Cookie Walk and Craft Fair

Westminster Presbyterian Church, 2915 Glenn Ave., will host their 30th Annual Cookie Walk and Craft Fair from 9 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9. Homemade cookies, candies, and crafts will be available for sale at $7 per pound.

Lutefisk and Meatball Dinner

St. Paul Lutheran Church, 31903 475th Ave., Elk Point, S.D., will host a lutefisk and meatball dinner from 4 to 7:30 p.m. on Dec. 9 (in case of inclement weather, Dec. 11). Holiday baked goods will be available. All proceeds benefit the St. Paul Restoration Fund and Community Missions/Charities. Tickets are $30 for adults and $10 for kids 4 to 12 years old. Kids 3 years old and under are free. For tickets, visit the Lewis Drug in Elk Point or find the event link in Facebook.

Citywide confessions

In an effort to encourage the Catholic faithful to participate in the sacrament of reconciliation (confession), the four Catholic parishes in Sioux City are collaborating on citywide confessions throughout the next year.

Each parish will host one of four come and go confessions in the next 10 months to remind Catholics that the sacrament is available throughout the year  not just during the liturgical (church) seasons of Advent and Lent.

Confessions will be available at the following locations from 7 to 8 p.m. and the Blessed Sacrament will be exposed for confession participants to pray in adoration if they wish. Multiple priests will be present at each citywide confessions event.

Dec. 19 at the Cathedral of the Epiphany at 1000 Douglas St.

March 19 at Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ Church at 4241 Natalia Way

June 18 at Sacred Heart Parish at 5010 Military Rd.

Pastors of the four parishes include: The Rev. David Hemann of Holy Cross Parish, which includes Blessed Sacrament and St. Michael churches; The Rev. David Esquiliano of Cathedral Parish, which includes the Cathedral of the Epiphany, St. Boniface and St. Joseph churches; The Rev. Brad Pelzel of Mater Dei Parish, which includes Immaculate Conception and Nativity churches, and The Rev. Tim Friedrichsen of Sacred Heart Parish

Food pantry

St. Thomas Episcopal Church, 1200 Douglas St., will have its food pantry open from 10 a.m. to noon Mondays.

The Man of the Shroud

Siouxland Catholic Radio will host an up-close experience of the most studied artifact of all time  The Shroud of Turin, what many believe to be the authentic burial cloth of Christ. The Man of the Shroud exhibit will include 42 beautifully designed panels. The exhibit will be on display at Siouxland Catholic Radio, located at 701 West Fifth St. (located in the historic St. Boniface Rectory and Social Hall) from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 14-16. This exhibit will raise the questions, Could the Shroud be the most important archaeological artifact ever found? Does it provide clues to what happened during the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus?

On Nov. 16, Shroud expert Jim Bertrand, M.Ed. of the American Confraternity of the Holy Shroud, will give two special presentations, at 1 p.m. and 6:30 p.m., plus a rare viewing of a Shroud replica. The replicas of the Crown of Thorns, whips, nails, and Holy Sponge used in the Passion of Our Lord will also be on display from Spirit Catholic Radio, KVSS, from Omaha.

The exhibit is being held in conjunction with Siouxland Catholic Radios fall pledge drive. The exhibit and presentation are free and open to the public. A free-will offering will be taken on Nov. 16 for the American Confraternity of the Holy Shroud and to help offset Bertrands expenses.

For more information on this exhibit, visit siouxlandcatholicradio.com/shroud-of-Turin or contact Siouxland Catholic Radio at 712-224-5342.
Thanksgiving Day dinner takes a lot of preparation. You dont wake up on Thanksgiving Day and say to yourself, I guess I should get ready for my company. No, you prepare ahead of time for the big day. You clean the house. You plan the meal. You make a list and then go to the grocery store. You make pumpkin pie and salads the day before. You plan out the timing of the different hot dishes and the turkey so that everything gets done at the same time. You set the table. A lot of preparation for the big event.

But what if your preparations are not for a single day, but for a lifetime? And what if those preparations are not only for yourself but also for others benefit? Thats John the Baptists life.

Johns parents, Elizabeth and Zechariah, are old. They have no children because Elizabeth is barren. One day when Zechariah, a priest, is inside the temple burning incense, an angel of the Lord appears before him and tells him that their prayers are answered. He and Elizabeth will have a son they are to name John. John will be set apart for Gods service.

The angel also says, For he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous  to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:15-17).

Zechariah asked the angel, How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is already well along in years (verse 18).

The angel answered, I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and tell you this good news. And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their proper time (verses 19-20).

And of course, thats exactly what happens to Zechariah. He doesnt speak again until John is born. I guess the moral of the story is dont disrespect Gabriel. No, actually one important point is that if an angel who stands in the very presence of God speaks to you, listen to him and believe. And realize that God can do anything.

Look at the difference between Mary and Zechariah. Marys young, but she listens to Gabriel and she believes. Zechariah is an old man, and a priest, yet he doubts the truth.

John the Baptist is Jesus cousin. He meets Jesus before either one is born. How is this possible? Marys cousin Elizabeth is six months pregnant when the angel Gabriel visits Mary. After he tells her not to be afraid and that God favors her, he says, You will conceive and give birth to a son, and you will name him Jesus. He will be very great and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give him the throne of his ancestor David. And he will reign over Israel forever; his kingdom will never end! (Luke 1:31).

Mary visits Elizabeth. When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the baby leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth was filled with the Holy Spirit. Thats when Elizabeth knew that Marys baby was the Lord, the son of God. Elizabeth tells Mary, As soon as the sound of your greeting reached my ears, the baby in my womb leaped for joy (verse 41). That baby was John the Baptist.

Johns purpose in life is to prepare the way of the Lord. To point others to Jesus. John is faithful to his calling. He lives a life of obedience to God. John calls people to repentance. He baptizes them as a symbol of their repentance. Hes a wild looking character living in the wilderness, wearing strange clothes and eating weird food. He has no political power or standing, but when people hear him preach, they are reminded of the prophet Elijah and they are moved to action.

What do we prepare for in our lives? We prepare for our careers by thinking about what we want to do when we grow up. We prepare for marriage by planning a wedding and a life together with the person we love. We prepare for children by buying the things we think theyll need. We prepare for retirement by saving money and making plans for how we want to spend these years.

We prepare for many things in life. We prepare for death by making out a will. But do we make the most important preparation of all? Do we prepare for eternity?

Do you know how you will spend your time after death? We can prepare for eternity now by praying a simple prayer. Lord, I know that Im a sinner. Please forgive me. I believe that you died on the cross and rose from the dead. I want to follow you and spend eternity with you. Amen.

Dont be unprepared. By not choosing Jesus, you choose separation from God for eternity, the definition of hell. Be prepared by choosing to serve the Lord today, while theres still time.

Kathy Yoder is a devotional writer. She may be reached at Kathyyoder4@gmail.com.
Home sellers QJ Team LLC and Five Points Holdings LLC accuse multiple Texas real estate associations and brokerages of conspiring with the National Association of Realtors to artificially inflate the commissions that sellers pay to buyers brokers. William Luther/Staff A "For Sale" sign in front of a house in Windcrest on Thursday, April 8, 2021. Marvin Pfeiffer/Staff Photographer

The homebuying process in Texas could be in for a shake-up.

After a $1.8 billion verdict against the National Association of Realtors and several large brokerages last month, two home sellers in North Texas have filed a potential class-action lawsuit against multiple real estate associations and brokerages in the Lone Star State, including the San Antonio Board of Realtors.

The sellers, QJ Team LLC and Five Points Holdings LLC, accuse the real estate agents groups and companies of conspiring with the national association to artificially inflate the commissions that sellers pay to buyers brokers.

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Under the National Association of Realtors mandatory offer of compensation rule introduced in 1996, sellers listing their home on a Multiple Listing Service must make a nonnegotiable commission offer to brokers representing buyers, according to the lawsuit. The commission paid by the seller  usually up to 6%  is shared between the buyers agent and the sellers agent, with 3% typically going to each.

As a result, QJ Team and Five Points allege, home sellers are paying more than they would pay in a competitive market and they are pressured to agree to higher commissions out of concern that buyers brokers wont show their houses to their clients.

The practice has led to significant confusion regarding the functioning of commissions within the real estate market such that many sellers do not understand how and why they are paying the buyers agent a 3% commission, the lawsuit filed Monday in federal court in Dallas states. QJ Team sold a house in Granbury in August and paid a 3% commission to the buyers broker, as did Five Points Holdings with a house it sold in Dallas in 2020.

The system violates antitrust laws by keeping buying agents compensated despite offering limited services, the lawsuit states. Indeed, in the age of the internet where a buyer is able to search and locate their next house on their computer or smartphone without the assistance of a real estate agent  and they often do just that  a competitive market should have forced lower buyer broker commissions as a reflection of the decreasing need for their services.

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The defendants named in the lawsuit include the Texas Association of Realtors; local market realtors groups in Austin, the Dallas-Fort area and Houston; and brokerages and companies such as Keller Williams Realty Inc. and Ebby Halliday Real Estate LLC. Keller Willis San Antonio Inc. and San Antonio Legacy Group LLC are among them. The National Association of Realtors is not included.

A spokesperson for the San Antonio Board of Realtors said the group is still reviewing the complaint and declined to comment.

The MetroTex Association of Realtors told agents the lawsuit is among several copycat lawsuits filed following the verdict against the national groups and advised them to communicate their value and role in transactions to clients.

NARs position  which MetroTex supports  is that the practice of cooperative compensation makes efficient, transparent, and accessible marketplaces possible. Sellers can sell their home for more and have their home seen by more buyers while buyers have more choices of homes and can afford representation, the association said.

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The potential plaintiffs class would include people who sold a house using a real estate agent or broker affiliated with the defendants in the last four years. Such lawsuits become class actions only after a judge certifies the class is valid.

In October, a federal court jury in Missouri found that the National Association of Realtors and several brokerages worked together to force sellers to pay excessively high commissions  a verdict that sent shock waves through the industry and spurred more lawsuits. The groups are liable for $1.8 billion in damages, an amount that could triple. The association and some of the other defendants plan to appeal and have denied wrongdoing.
SIOUX CITY -- When SunRose IronShell was growing up in Denver, she accompanied her mother to college classes at Iliff School of Theology. While her mother learned, the 10-year-old sat quietly in a corner coloring for hours.

Today, IronShell's dining room serves as her studio. It's where the contemporary artist and designer creates ledger art -- narrative drawing or painting on antique paper from discarded record-keeping books.

IronShell, who is Sicangu and Oglala Lakota of the Titowan Band of the Oceti Sakowin, said there are "a lot of layers" to her artwork, which she makes with colored pencils, acrylic paint, watercolor markers and gold leafing pen. Each of her pieces tells a story.

"I'm fighting against a mentality where people think we don't exist," IronShell said of Native Americans.

IronShell, who moved to Sioux City during the pandemic, is one of five Native American artists whose work is being celebrated in a "New Artist Showcase" Friday at Gallery 103 and 3 Rivers Art Gallery in the Ho-Chunk Centre. The works of IronShell, Henry Payer, Ed Encinas, Ernest Ricehill and Savannah Anderson, join those of Tani Russell, another local Native American artist whose photography and encaustic artwork has been displayed at Gallery 103 for a couple of years. Both galleries are seeking to increase the diversity of artists being spotlighted.

"It's inspired by the fact that there are five new artists in our shared galleries; and it's exciting, because the five new artists are all Native American artists," Terri Parish McGaffin, a Gallery 103 artist, said of the showcase. "This is a way for us to acknowledge Native American Heritage Month, but also feature their artwork, which is unique."

IronShell said she draws inspiration from the works of the late Oscar Howe, who was a renowned Yanktonai Dakota painter and longtime University of South Dakota professor.

"A lot of his pieces were very breaking the mold in being contemporary with that cubist-type of movement. With my pieces, I'm using the lines of the paper, the grid of the ledger paper to create those different blocks or squares," IronShell explained.

In "Born of a Star" IronShell tells the origin story of her people with geometric shapes and dentalium shells, which were associated with wealth and used as a popular dress embellishment, as well as a source of trade on the prairie.

"Our DNA has those star particles. We come from the stars. We're a star nation. We come from a cave. So, after the moon smashed into the earth, we were microorganisms and, then, eventually, we come out," she said. "But as human beings we came out of a cave; and they say that's in Minneapolis."

IronShell said she was thinking about the issue of abortion while creating "The Portal is Opening, Thamni." The Lakota word for womb is "thamni."

"At first, it didn't start out as a womb. I had initially done these circles. These circles are really prominent in the design," IronShell said as she stood by the framed ledger artwork, which hung on a wall just inside the main entrance of Gallery 103. "The womb, they call this a portal to another world."

Art as an escape

Plains Indian men traditionally painted winter counts, pictorial calendars or histories, on bison hides. IronShell likened the images they painted to a mnemonic device that "triggers your memory to tell a story."

However, in the late 1800s, the Plains Indians were forced to use ledger books as their canvases, instead of the hides, amid a mass slaughter of bison herds by white settlers. By the close of the 19th century, bison had been hunted almost to extinction.

"When these (ledger) papers were being made in the 1800s, there was a lot of illegalization of our people. We couldn't sing. We couldn't dance. We couldn't do our ceremonies. We couldn't even wear our clothes," IronShell said. "A big part of why we switched from the hides to the paper was also because of the extermination of the buffalo. The United States government sent out the ammunition and everything. One dead buffalo, they said, was like one dead Indian. If you kill a buffalo, you kill an Indian. So, now, we don't have any hides. We have to use canvas and the ledger paper."

Most of the ledger paper IronShell uses in her artwork comes from old businesses. Finding it can be difficult and the books are often costly, but IronShell has had success locating it at antique shops and, sometimes, on eBay.

"The quality of the papers are just so much thicker. They actually have those cotton fibers and linen fibers. The color of the colored pencils are supposed to come out more vibrant," she said.

IronShell has her eye on stacks of ledger books containing Sioux City Police Department logins. She said she could make "really awesome designs" by utilizing the stamps on the pages. The books also lead her to think about how law enforcement treated Native Americans back in in the 1800s. The Sioux City Police Department was founded in 1857.

"It's really interesting to think, what was the timeframe? What were Indians doing? And, then, now, how do I thrive?" said IronShell, who said she wants to "reclaim" that era. "I touched all those police ledger books, because that was like counting coup."

Ledger art is "prisoner of war art," according to IronShell. She said reservations are considered "prisoner of war camps." Since IronShell is still linked with the reservation, she said she is "still a prisoner of war," citing the ongoing erasure of Native Americans -- monetary sanctions, persistent stereotypes and underrepresentation in society.

"I do art as my escape from all those issues. At the end of the day, I can't solve all those issues. We can just talk about it. But you have something pretty on your wall that makes you feel good," she said.

Meet the other new artists

Savannah Berlyn Anderson (Ricehill), a Winnebago Tribal member, grew up on Omaha Indian Reservation. Her passion for photography was kindled at age 11, when her father gifted her her very first camera.

"I am dedicated to capturing meaningful photographs that possess the power to transform lives," she said. "Whether I'm documenting the untold stories of my tribe, preserving the ephemeral beauty of nature, or striving to make a difference through my lens, I am driven by the belief that photography has the ability to shape perceptions, influence hearts, and spark meaningful conversations."

Ed Encinas, of the Omaha Nation, is a ledger artist, muralist, craftsman and traditional Hethuska dancer. He teaches high school art and beginning band at UmoNhoN Nation Public School.

Encinas takes the ledger art form in new directions with paintings on old checks, sheet music and other pages from history. These documents, which are often of local origin, lead to conversations about our common history.

Henry Payer is a Ho-Chunk artist who works primarily with collage and mixed media.

Payer's bold and contemporary narrative compositions utilize Indigenous cartographic methods with traditional aspects of spatial representation and symbolism, while appropriating European modernist models of cubism, spatial distortion and collage. Each work offers a visual narrative of symbols and appropriated voices from American consumer society that reconfigures history, references the altered landscape or the identity of a portrait.

Ernest Ricehill is a curator, exhibit designer and photographer. He curated exhibitions at the Sioux City Art Center, showcasing his meticulous attention to detail and innovative exhibit design. In the 80s, Ricehill was considered the only Native American art curator.

Ricehill ventured into photography, capturing the essence of the urban Native American experience in his project, "Moccasins On Pavement - The Urban Indian Experience: A Denver Portrait Photographic Exhibit" at the Denver Natural History Museum.

If you go

What: New Artist Showcase -- meet the artists and celebrate Native American Heritage Month

When: 5 p.m. Friday

Where: Gallery 103 and 3 Rivers Art Gallery in the Ho-Chunk Centre, 600 Fourth St.
SIOUX CITY  Funeral services were held Thursday morning for longtime Sioux City businessman and developer Paul Braunger.

Braunger, who died at age 87 on Nov. 9, headed Braungers Foods for decades. The wholesale food distribution company was founded by his grandfather, Anthony, in 1887.

The company, which distributed food items to restaurants and other companies within a 150-mile radius of Sioux City, was owned by the Braunger family until it was sold in August 2001 to a Grand Island, Neb.-based firm. A subsequent owner, US Foods, closed the Braunger Foods location at 2101 Murray St. in 2018.

Paul Braunger retained his retail meat business, Braunger's Retail Market, which moved in 2004 into a new retail center at 14th Street and Hamilton Boulevard. Braunger developed the $3 million Plaza on the Boulevard, which is home to 11 businesses.

Over the years, the real estate developer also helped bring a number of other businesses, homes and apartments in the tri-state area.

In 1992, Braunger, with other local investors, helped bring the first riverboat casino to Sioux City after the state legalized betting on the Missouri River.

Services for Braunger were held Thursday, Nov. 16 at Holy Cross Parish, Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Burial was at Calvary Cemetery.

He is survived by his wife Mary, sons Beau and Jake, daughters Antonia, Theresa, and Brigitte, sisters Jane and Joan, brother Bill, and eight grandchildren.
When I was in college there was a song that played on the radio called "Stuck In The Middle." The lyrics went "Clowns to the left of me, joker
Do you prefer your Thanksgiving turkey dinner consisting of thigh meat, breast meat, a zesty cranberry sauce, grilled asparagus, potatoes and gravy, with plenty of grandmas stuffing?

Or would you prefer much of the above served on top of a turkey sausage flatbread?

At Hard Rock Hotel & Casinos Main + Abbey, you will have a choice between going traditional on Turkey Day or going hardcore rocker.

Thanksgiving is one of those classic food holidays, explained Hard Rock Chef De Cuisine Kelly Bunkers. You can either go grandma-friendly or have a meal with a bit more edge.

Hard Rock Thanksgiving preview Grilled Marinated Sakura Pork Chop is one of the many entrees on the menu for Thanksgiving at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Main + Abbey.

Hard Rock Thanksgiving preview Kelly Bunkers, Chef de Cuisine at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, preps a grilled marinated Sakura pork chop at Main + Abbey. Known for its deep

At Main + Abbey, you wont even have to eat your T-Day feast on T-Day.

In fact, Bunkers special menu  outside of the full-on turkey, a 16-ounce garlic & herb-roasted Prime Rib  will be available from Tuesday through Saturday.

So, that means high rollers will have a chance to snack on such unorthodox holiday fixins as Lamb Barbacoa Empanada (with a bright green Peruvian sauce) or Crispy Shrimp (served Vermicelli-wrapped, drenched in an orange chili marmalade, along with grilled pineapple and pickled veggies).

Even a perennial staple like deviled eggs get a Madonna-like reinvention, according to Bunkers.

One of our deviled eggs come with chopped bacon, pickled jalapenos and chives, he explained. The other one has smoked salmon, fried capers, dill red onion and an everything seasoning.

Hard Rock Thanksgiving preview Butternut squash ravioli is a vegetarian option on the menu for Thanksgiving at Main + Abbey at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

Hard Rock Thanksgiving preview Kelly Bunkers, Chef de Cuisine at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, grates parmesan cheese over a plate of butternut squash ravioli at Main + Abbe

Indeed, M+As Thanksgiving spread does have a bit of everything on it.

That included entrees such as a Grilled European Bass (with a harissa Romesco sauce, lemon orzo and baby carrots), a Grilled Marinated Sakura Pork Chop (with a sweet potato hash, pork au jus and apple mosatarda) and a vegetarian-friendly Butternut Squash Ravioli (roasted squash, Honeycrisp apples, peas, toasted walnuts, brown butter and grated Parmesan cheese).

If a lot of this stuff sounds unusual for a casino restaurant, well, thats the way Bunkers likes it.

A Sioux City native, he was a culinary and restaurant management student at Council Bluffs Iowa Western Community College while working in the kitchens at an area casino.

Back then, casinos were very traditional, Bunkers remembered. Chefs wore checkered pants and big toques on our heads while creating a very conservative type of menu.

Upon graduation, he was named executive chef at Omahas French Cafe before relocating to Las Vegas.

Hard Rock Thanksgiving preview Hard Rock Hotel & Casino's Chef De Cuisine Kelly Bunkers said the secret ingredient to his Butternut Squash Ravioli is butter and plenty of it.

Hard Rock Thanksgiving preview Crispy Brussels Sprouts is one of the appetizers for Thanksgiving at Main + Abbey at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino.

While in Vegas, Bunkers accepted a position as chef de partie of LAtelier De Joel Robuchon, a French eatery inside of the MGM Grand, where he served from 2006 to 2008. In fact, he was part of the culinary team when celebrity chef Joel Robuchon captured his Michelin one-star status.

After working at various restaurants along the Vegas Strip for nine years, he relocated to Washington, D.C., to work at Le Diplomate, a popular French bistro in the nations capitols famed Dupont Circle.

D.C. was having a culinary revival when I was there, Bunkers said. There were so many chefs who were making terrific food at the time.

Returning to Sioux City nearly five years ago, he admitted to experiencing a bit of culture shock.

On the one hand, life is less hectic in the Midwest, Bunkers said. But on the other hand, our food palates arent as adventurous as in other parts of the country.

Hard Rock Thanksgiving preview Hearty Corn Chowder, upper left, Elote Creamed Corn, upper right, and French Onion soup, below, are on the Thanksgiving Menu at Main + Abbey a

Hard Rock Thanksgiving preview Kelly Bunkers, Chef de Cuisine at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, plates a holiday salad, at Main + Abbey. Currently in his fourth year at Hard 

Which is why working as Hard Rocks Chef De Cuisine offers unique challenges.

During Thanksgiving week, well have guests staying at the hotel from all around the country, Dave Chubb, Hard Rocks Food & Beverage director, explained. But we also have local families who want a nice Thanksgiving dinner without actually having to make a nice Thanksgiving dinner.

We do the hard work for you, he added. We want people to sit back while enjoying the food and their guests in an elegant surrounding.

Hard Rock Thanksgiving preview A deviled egg duo, Elote creamed corn, lamb barbacoa empanadas, and turkey sausage flatbread are some of the appetizers for Thanksgiving at Ma

Hard Rock Thanksgiving preview This Deviled Egg Duo is one of the appetizers for Thanksgiving at Main + Abbey at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Sioux City, Iowa, Thursd

This mirrors the thoughts of Bunkers, who likes to take the traditional and elevate it, Hard Rock-style.

For instance, a side of cream corn gets a south-of-the-border twist with the addition of cream cheese, jalapeno, Cotija cheese and a dash of Tajin seasoning.

Non-turkey eaters might even prefer a 20-ounce Prime Porterhouse, topped with grilled lobster tail for a rock n roll Thanksgiving.

After all, who said you had to eat turkey on Turkey Day?
Widespread expectations that Prime Minister Netanyahu's premiership will not outlast the war in Gaza are unfounded. His prewar coalition need not face Israeli voters until the next scheduled Knesset election in October 2026. Unless Likud's popularity soars following a successful military campaign against Hamas, no coalition faction would benefit from early elections. Moreover, because Netanyahu and his religious-Zionist coalition partners reject Opposition Leader Yair Lapid's proposed postwar political arrangements for Gaza, ceding power before sabotaging those arrangements appears unlikely.



Those predicting Netanyahu's imminent political demise assume Israel will hold elections immediately after Operation Swords of Iron and the opposition will win. A November 3 Camil Fuchs survey found 64 percent of Israelis agree that "Israel must hold elections at the war's end." Furthermore, every poll since October 7 shows Benny Gantz's National Unity winning a large Knesset plurality, almost entirely at Likud's expense. Even if this sentiment persists, Netanyahu is not obligated to call an election after the military operation.

Netanyahu's Haredi (i.e. Shas and United Torah Judaism) and religious-Zionist coalition partners (i.e. Religious Zionism and Otzma Yehudit) learned during Israel's 2018-2022 political crisis that Likud remains the only secular party still willing to include them in government. Panic about religious population growth drove Yisrael Beiteinu, followed by Gantz and Lapid's then-existing Kahol Lavan joint list, to boycott them. Accordingly, Shas and United Torah Judaism will favor delaying elections until Likud's polling numbers improve.



Demographic change further encourages religious parties to defer elections as long as possible should Likud's political fortunes not recover because the Orthodox percentage of the electorate grows every year. Labor Minister Yoav Ben-Tzur (Shas) promptly retracting his call for early elections illustrates the Haredi parties' unbreakable bond with Likud. Ben-Tzur initially told Maariv, "At the end of the war, Netanyahu will be forced to go to the elections within 90 days... The public will have its say and then we will see if Netanyahu gets a mandate." Less than 24 hours later, Ben-Tzur clarified, "These things do not at all represent the position of the Shas movement, which is determined by the Council of Sages and presented by the chairman of the movement only. In war, you do not talk about politics and I made a mistake in my judgment."



The desire to shape Gaza's postwar regime will further motivate Likud and its religious-Zionist allies to postpone elections. They each oppose Palestinian statehood, the former on security grounds and the latter also for theological reasons. Prime Minister Netanyahu has always believed that Israel must retain "overriding security responsibility in the area west of the Jordan" while Palestinians can exercise civil control over their territory.



However, last Saturday he ruled out the Palestinian Authority (PA) administering postwar Gaza. Netanyahu's stance contradicts that of the Biden administration, most European states, Western-aligned Arab countries, and Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid. When Lapid demanded Netanyahu's resignation during a Nov. 15 interview, a Likud statement accused him of plotting to replace the current coalition "with a government that will establish a Palestinian state and allow the Palestinian Authority to control Gaza."



Fears that a Gantz and Lapid-led government may invite the PA to run Gaza, making a fully sovereign Palestinian state more likely, incentivizes the current coalition to delay Knesset elections until it can implement postwar policies sabotaging such an outcome. Those policies' content remains to be seen.
Wednesdays meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping went as well as anyone could have expected. That is to say, the leaders of the worlds two most powerful countries resolved none of their major disputes, but they reactivated diplomatic relationswhich had been moribund for nearly a yearand secured some political goodies that will help them at home.

The most important outcome of the session was the resumption of communications between U.S. and Chinese military officersnot just the top generals but also theater commanders. These channelswhich China had cut off more than a year agowill allow both sides to manage crises more carefully and minimize the chance that misperceptions trigger conflict.

The political goodies concerned hot-button topics in both countriesdrugs and trade. As Biden summed it up at a press conference after their meeting, Xi will significantly reduce Chinas export of fentanyl, the leading source of death among 18- to 49-year-old Americans and a major issue in many U.S. electoral districts. Xi had agreed to cut the flow of the drug a few years ago, but continued to ship precursor chemicals, which can be used in many products. At this meeting, Xi said he would drastically cut back on the precursors as well.

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For his part, Xi was allowed to go straight from the meeting to a dinner with more than 300 U.S. business executivespart of his campaign to revive foreign investment in China, which is at its lowest level in a quarter century. The pullout of Western capital is one cause of Chinas current economic downturnwhich Xi desperately wants to reverse. One reason for the investors pullout is growing leeriness of Chinas aggressiveness toward its neighbors in the Pacific region and toward Western businesses inside China.

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So Xi was keen to put on an affable face. At the business dinnerattended by the top executives of Apple, Bridgewater, Citadel Securities, and other corporate giants that have done, and in most cases still do, business in Chinahe emphasized, China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States.

In fact, Xi agreed to meet with Bidenat a side session during this weeks Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in San Francisconot only to keep rising U.S.-China tensions from spiraling out of control but also to keep Chinas economy from tanking any deeper.

In the weeks leading up to the summit, Chinas state-run news media, which have painted the United States as a treacherous foe over the past year, reversed course dramatically, portraying the U.S., its leaders, and its people in the remarkably positiveeven glowingterms.

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Amid this setting, Biden had to walk a bit of a tightrope. On the one hand, eager to cool tensions, especially with all the other conflicts around the world, he was happy to accommodate Xis turnaround, whatever its motives. He called their talkswhich lasted an astonishing four hourssome of the most productive and constructive discussions weve had.

Yet at the same time, a bipartisan majority of Congress and a majority of Americans in opinion polls have a negative view of China. The House recently formed a special committee to investigate, and for the most part castigate, the Chinese Communist Partys myriad misdeeds. (Its chairman, Rep. Mike Gallagher, denounced Wednesday nights business dinner with Xi as unconscionable.)

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And so Biden couldnt lean over too far in Xis direction. Asked by a reporter if he trusted Xi to follow through on the fentanyl agreement, Biden replied, Trust but verify, as the old saying goesquoting former President Ronald Reagans line during his early meetings of postCold War harmony with Soviet reform leader Mikhail Gorbachev.

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As Biden was walking away from the podium, he was asked if he still considered Xi to be a dictator. Look, he is, Biden replied. Hes a dictator in the sense that hes a guy who runs a country that is a Communist country thats based on a form of government totally different than ours. Back in June, when Biden called Xi a dictator during a news interview, the Chinese media reacted with outrage. This time, not so much. A foreign ministry spokesman called the remark extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation, but didnt even call out Biden by name. Clearly, at least for now, Xi doesnt want to tarnish the finely crafted message of superpower bonhomie.

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On the larger issues, Biden frankly acknowledged that he and Xi merely exchanged views on Russias war in Ukraine, the conflict in Gaza, and Chinas unfair trade practices, human rights record, and aggressive tactics in the South China Sea. Nobody expected any progress to be made on these fronts, and expectations were met.

Related From Slate A Lot Is Riding on Bidens Meeting With Xi Jinping Read More

At the same time, Biden also said he reassured Xi that the U.S. still respected the One China policy and does not regard Taiwan as an independent countrythough he also said he would continue to arm Taiwan for self-defense. No changes here, either.

On more positive notes, the two sides agreed to accelerate steps in combating climate change, with China even agreeingfor the first timeto reduce carbon emissions. They also said they would form teams of experts to discuss ways to regulate and control artificial intelligence. Biden said at his press conference that more talks will soon be held, on the full range of issues, with the various diplomatic teams. Biden and Xi also agreed that they should call each other directly to resolve any ambiguities or deal with any crises. Until this week, the two leaders had not spoken with each otherin person or on the phonefor a year.

This was the key accomplishment of this meeting, regardless of the intentions going into it: The worlds two most powerful countriestheir leaders, diplomatic corps, and military officersare talking again. After more than a year of growing tensions, against a backdrop of diverging interests but a few converging interests as well, that is a welcome development.
If theres one thing Ive learned from covering Donald Trump, its that he doesnt keep his agenda secret. Take abortion. Before he became president the first time, he was clear about the plan: appoint conservative Supreme Court justices, have them overturn Roe v. Wade, send the issue back to the states. And you know what? Thats exactly what happened.

Now that hes running for a second term, its useful to listen in. In just the past few months, hes pledged to root out the communist, Marxist, fascist, and the radical left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country, to carry out the largest domestic deportation operation in American history, and to end automatic citizenship for children of illegal aliens. Hes also said, If I happen to be president and I see someone whos doing well and beating me very badly, Id say, Go down and indict them. They would be out of business, out of the election.

Susan Glasser says Trump is the politician whos famous for saying the quiet part out loud. Glasser reports on politics over at the New Yorker. Shes been following along as day by day a Trump doctrine seems to be coming together. His plans are very explicitly anti-constitutional, unconstitutional, she said. He already has a long list of people he wants to be targeted by the Justice Department, by the IRS, and on it goes.

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But are Americans paying enough attention? Its pretty striking, Glasser said, that one year out from the presidential election, every national public indicator that we have suggests that Donald Trump is running dead even with [or better than] Joe Biden, despite this extraordinary flood of extremist promises and rhetoric coming from Trump, despite his radical record, despite Jan. 6, despite four criminal indictments.

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On Wednesdays episode of What Next, we looked at the preview Trump is giving for what a second term could look like. Are you listening? Our conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

Mary Harris: Its worth asking what Trump learned from his first stint in office. Susan Glasser says, listening to Trump campaign, its clear he hasnt learned the same lessons a milder candidate might have. For instance, while a phalanx of lawyers worked to protect Trump from some of his less democratic instincts last time around, its clear that should he move back into 1600 Pennsylvania Ave., those advisers wont be coming with him.

Susan Glasser: Donald Trump saw himself as needlessly constrained in his term in the White House by a whole category of officials, including his White House counsels, his attorney general Bill Barr, as well as his first attorney general, Jeff Sessions. Its fascinating because both of those would be considered certainly by many independent observers and many Democrats to be quite radical Republicans in terms of their views about executive power, in terms of what they were willing to go along with. But both of them drew the line at certain kinds of conduct. And Trumps approach to a second term seems to be much more grounded in loyalty-testing and assembling a cadre of like-minded officials who essentially will do whatever he wants, not even so much ideologically, but personally.

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His first time he was really supported and buffered by conservative lawyers whod been brought up in the Federalist Society. And it was notable when I saw one of Trumps allies quoted, basically saying, The Federalist Society doesnt know whats up. Were going to just blow them out of the water with how we proceed next. Its hard to get more conservative than the Federalist Society.

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Were in the revolution-eating-its-own stage of Trumpism, which is to say that the previous generations radicals are now deemed not radical enough. Trump already, from the very beginning of his time in public life as a politician, has talked about using and abusing instruments of federal power like the IRS and like the Justice Department to target his political opponents. Remember, Lock her up, lock her up, the chant in the 2016 campaign against Hillary Clinton. People forget this: In the 2020 campaign, he publicly ordered and lamented to Bill Barr, Wheres the indictments? Wheres the charges against Joe Biden? This was in the fall of 2020, before the election, before his effort to overturn the election, before Jan. 6. And so, again, is it new that Donald Trump would be seeking to personalize power? No. Is it much more threatening that he has four years of experience under his belt and a group of people around him now who seem much more focused on how to facilitate those desires should he get back into office?

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The Washington Post had this reporting with people close to Trump speaking anonymously but saying theyre pretty clear that Trump wants to punish his enemies using the Department of Justice. Do we have any idea who those people are and how he might think about punishing the people who used to work with and for him?

Most of the most damning testimony against Donald Trump, either in court or on the public record, is from people who he himself appointed. Theres a long history of him ultimately causing people to break with him. And those are now the kinds of enemies that he wants targeted. I dont think it takes a supersecret leak for us to know that he wants to go after people he considers to be traitors and betrayers. Hes called them that publiclypeople like the former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley. Trump literally called for his death in capital lettersD-E-A-T-Hin a social media posting about Milley. Hes on the list, presumably. John Kelly, the former White House chief of staff who has publicly opposed Trump and privately allowed very, very damaging things about Trump to emerge on the public record.

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Reportedly, Trump also has pretty extreme plans for the Southern border if he assumes the presidency again. And this reporting really stood out to me because so much of it was on the record. Stephen Miller talked to the New York Times, and the things they were ticking off in this article were things like trying to get rid of DACA, which traditionally has been a bipartisan program; getting rid of asylum for people; sprawling detention camps; ending birthright citizenship; no more humanitarian visas; and even kicking out immigrants who protested against Israel. It was just one after another of these pretty shocking things that would be major changes. Did this shock you?

No. And it shouldnt shock you either, because whether people were paying attention or not, these are all thingswith the exception of the current protests around Israel, which are newthat Stephen Miller advocated and pushed for, and Trump, in many cases, advocated and pushed for even when Trump was in the White House. Theyre not shocking in the sense that this is literally what his agenda was. He was unable, for various reasons to enact parts of this agenda, but with some notable exceptions, if you want to know what Donald Trump wants to accomplish thats extreme and radical and disruptive in his second term, just look to the unfinished agenda of his first term.

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Talk to me about Trumps foreign policy, because youve highlighted that as a major change that would come should Trump assume the presidency. Talk to me about how that would look different, because were already seeing how Republicans are having second thoughts about funding Ukraine. And theres been trouble even getting funding for sending aid to Israel. So how do you think a Trump presidency would change the dynamic here?

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It would be quite a radical shift again. If you look back to the unfinished radical agenda of the first term, youll see things like a preference for adversaries over alliesstrongmen and dictators like Xi Jinping, Vladimir Putin, and even Kim Jong-un of North Korea. Those are the kinds of people that Trump publicly praises. But its not just rhetorical. Trump was quite serious about undermining or even possibly pulling out of NATO, which takes on a whole different context and meaning now that theres this extraordinary Russian invasion of Ukraine. He talked very seriously and pushed the military very seriously in the direction of withdrawing from South Korea, where the United States has had troops for literally decades and is a key cornerstone of regional as well as international security there.

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Trump is serious about things like that and would be pursuing those very actively in his second term. Presidents have a much freer hand to act directly when it comes to foreign policy and national security in our system. So, in some ways, thats where you can see Trumpism in its most undiluted and pure form.

Part of what youre saying is that if the last presidency was like the Terminator, the next presidency would be Terminator 2. And we all know that in Terminator 2, the Terminator was much harder to kill.

There was a really indelible image that stuck with me when we were doing interviews for the book. I spoke with a former very senior U.S. national security official who spent a lot of time in the Oval Office with Trump personally. And I asked about a Trump second term. And this person said to me, Trump, looking to a second term, its like the velociraptors in the first Jurassic Park movie. And you remember, of course, when the children run away from the dinosaurs, and they think theyre safe when they get into the kitchen, and they lock the door, and they hide under the cabinets there, and then click, you hear the velociraptors turning the door handle. They learned to open the door.

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It was a pretty scary moment for me to have a very senior U.S. national security official use that image for what a Trump second term would be like. And by the way, this person wasnt talking about Donald Trump learning the keys to health care policy. They were talking about Trump learning how to operate the machinery of government on his own behalf.

The velociraptors have learned how to open the door.  Susan Glasser

Donald Trump isnt the only one laying out his plans for his second term. Other groups are also working to support Trumpor, really, any Republican should they reach the Oval Office. Notably, a group of conservative think tanks, led by the Heritage Foundation, launched a plan called Project 2025. It lays out specific conservative policy goals, including executive orders, that could be enacted if a Republican becomes president. Theyve also created a database of potential hires and appointeesthink right-wing LinkedIn.

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The Heritage Foundation, which has been around for a long time, operating out of Capitol Hill, a key conservative Republican bastion, became famous for providing the intellectual framework behind the Reagan revolution back in the 1980s. Well, flash forward: Project 2025 is this modern, even more radical project that Heritage has now undertaken.

So if this isnt new, what makes it more alarming?

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First of all, its with the prospect of a Trump presidency. Again, hes outlining in public for us all to hear that this isnt even an ideological agenda so much as a personal agenda of grievance and retribution and a series of personal loyalty tests that ultimately are the main factor that Trump seems to want to impose on those who would serve in his government.

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No. 2, Trump already, late in his term in office, issued an executive order that would transform thousands of U.S. government civil service employees into political employees who could be hired and fired at the will of the president. Those surrounding him have said that they would seek to immediately reimpose this executive order were Trump to become president. So in and of itself, that is a radical shift that was not contemplated by George W. Bush or Barack Obama. And that would be a huge difference in the politicization and personalization of the federal government around the whims and preferences of Donald Trump and his advisers.

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If Trump wins, its not going to be a secret, the things that he wants to do. The question will only be how far will the system allow him to take it?

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When he was transitioning the first time to the presidency, it was chaotic. He didnt anticipate winning, so he didnt have a transition team in place. What I think is catching my attention this time is that theres a transition team in place. In fact, there are a whole lot of transition people who are just getting ready to get back into office.

The velociraptors have learned how to open the door.

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So now that we have this information, what do we do with it? Do Democrats have a clear countermessage theyre offeringan argument for why the Department of Justice should be run not as the presidents personal law firm or why aggressively turning back immigrants is not in Americans best interests. Are they seeing this and responding in a way thats useful?

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One of the critiques that weve heard articulated in recent weeks as these bad polls have come in for President Biden is a concern among many Democrats that he has been wary of focusing too much on Trump yet and too much on what Trumps agenda for a second term would be. There is a view among many Democrats, and Biden seems to share it, that voters want to hear what your plans are for office, and that that was part of the reason for some of Democrats success in various midterm elections of the Trump era. Think about Nancy Pelosi focusing on health care in 2018 as a way of Democrats winning back the House, which they did that year. Or think about the many campaigns around the country that Democrats have been successful in, where theyve emphasized the threat to reproductive freedom and abortion rights since the Supreme Courts Dobbs decision. Theres this tug of war around what kind of strategy Democrats should have going into 2024. Is it about agenda and ideology or is it about the dangerous radical personality and challenges posed by Donald Trump?

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Do you feel like Trump is basically daring them to shift strategies?

Donald Trump prefers nothing more than people to talk about him, even if its in the negative. He thrives on negative attention. He thrives on anger and enemies, and he seeks always to bait his foes into a punching contest. We know Donald Trumps M.O. So, of course, the answer is Donald Trump wants the campaign to be all about him. But that doesnt mean that there arent good reasons for why Democrats ultimately will have to make the campaign about him. Doug Emhoff, the second gentleman, was recently quoted at a private fundraiser as telling the audience that in the end, the 2024 campaign will be about the two DsDobbs and democracy. And I suspect thats about right.

Maybe there should be a third D, Donald.

Well, I guess hes covered in the first two Ds as well.
On Tuesday, tens of thousands (almost 300,000, according to organizers) of American Jews gathered in Washington, D.C., for a March for Israel, the stated aims of which were to show support for Israel, call for a release of the more than 200 people held hostage by Hamas, and fight antisemitism.

These are not particularly specific calls, and the fact that they were vaguevague enough for lots of people to see themselves inwas intentional. The march was meant to allow lots of different types of American Jews to come together, each with their own interpretations of what it means to support Israel and fight antisemitism. We must stand together as one, and we can put aside our differences, big differences and small differences, and focus on the commonality of our connectivity to Israel and our connectivity to each other as Jews here and around the world, William Daroff, CEO of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, which co-organized the rally, said ahead of the event. There was a peace bloc, composed of liberal pro-Israel groups like Americans for Peace Now and J Street, which are not calling for a cease-fire, but nevertheless held up signs that said, for example, I stand with Israelis, I stand with Palestinians, I stand with humanity. So, too, were there people in attendance who cheered Christian Zionist Pastor John Hagee, who likened Hamas to Adolf Hitler.

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The march got media coverage and had bipartisan political attendance. And I know, from media reports and anecdotally from conversations I have had since, that attendees felt good about being there, surrounded by other Jews.

There were some prominent voices, however, who, during and afterward, pointed to the march as proof that this is where most American Jews stand on Israel. But what is this, exactly? If the point was to bring lots of Jews together even though they disagree, including on what support for Israel looks like, then the point cannot (or at least should not) be to use the march as proof of policy preference.

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It is true that this was the largest march of American Jews since Hamas attack on Oct. 7 and Israels war in Gaza. It is probably true that most American Jews do not, at present, want a cease-fire. Setting aside the boos against a call for an end to killing at Tuesdays march (a call that was apparently cheered in the peace bloc), the Jewish-led protests for cease-fires happening across the country have been smaller than Tuesdays rally. Leftist Jewish groups like Jewish Voice for Peace and IfNotNow exist at least in part as a counter to the mainstream Jewish position, to offer another Jewish perspective; that they are pushing for something other than the mainstream, majority view has always seemed to me to be part of their point.

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Related From Slate American Jews Are Scared. We Also Have to Be More Than That. Read More

But what is that mainstream, majority view? I would be shocked if anyone attending Tuesdays march took exception to the idea that Hamas should release the hostages. They almost certainly disagreed, however, on how much the Israeli government bears responsibility for the hostages getting taken in the first place, and with what the government has done in the weeks since to get them back (including reports that Hamas and Israel are nearing a deal to trade dozens of Israeli hostages for roughly the same number of Palestinian women and children in Israeli prisons). I am sure everyone there agreed that antisemitism was bad, but so, too, am I sure that there are some who considered the inclusion of speakers like Hageewho, as I have explained elsewhere, in the past has said that God sent Hitler to carry out the Holocaust to help Jews reach the promised land, that Hitler was a half-breed Jew, and that Israel is the only home God ever intended for Jewsan insult to the very idea of fighting antisemitism.

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And it is true that the people in attendance on Tuesday, and indeed most American Jews, support Israel. It is also true that people have a wide range of opinions as to what that means. There were signs recognizing the dignity of Israelis and Palestinians, but there were also signs that essentially said that there was no such thing as a civilian in Gaza. Which of these are we to take as the position of attendees of the march? Which of these represents American Jews?

One could perhaps fault liberally minded American Jews for showing up in the first place to a rally where their presence would be used as proof of support for a war on terms that they are not dictating. Alternatively (or additionally), one could say that it is incredibly cynical to tell people to put aside their differences to come together only to then use the fact that that many people are together as proof that they agree, or to further any one position as the Jewish position. House Speaker Mike Johnson spoke at the march. Johnson tried to help overturn the 2020 U.S. presidential election results, a move that would have kept former President Donald Trump in office over current President Joe Biden. Johnson also believes that the separation of church and state is misunderstood, and has what has been described as a Christian nationalist flag hanging outside his office. I am sure some were elated to hear from him. But this past June, a poll showed that more than 70 percent of Jewish voters prefer Biden. And few Jews would want to live in the Christian nation of Johnsons dreams. Are we to take their presence at the march as proof that they now support Johnson? There is no Jewish positionwhich is precisely why the rallys organizers had to make the stated aim of the march so vague in the first place. This is to say nothing of the millions of American Jews who were not at the march, or the 41 percent of American Jews who have no emotional attachment to Israel, per the 2020 Pew study on American Jewish attitudes.

Another way of putting it is that the March for Israel has shown us that most American Jews believe Israel should be supported, that antisemitism should be fought, and that Jews do not agree on what either of those things mean. Thats not nothing. But its nothing we didnt know before the march, either.
This is Totally Normal Quote of the Day, a feature highlighting a statement from the news that exemplifies just how extremely normal everything has become.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians. Xi Jinping during this weeks Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference

Last week was a sad week for American panda lovers. Crowds bid teary farewells to the last three pandas at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington, D.C., before they were flown back to China. The pandas departure marked the end of a 50-year era in which panda bears lived, iconically, in the nations capital. Considering the rather frosty relations between the U.S. and China, many people worried that their send-off might foreshadow a future with no pandas in the U.S.

Now, a mere seven days later, Chinas President Xi Jinping has signaled that China may send some more of the fluffy cuties our way. Oh joyous day!

The statement of continued cooperation on pandas came during a conference this week in San Francisco, in which Xi and President Joe Biden met one-on-one for the first time in a year. Their conversations will be consequential for U.S.-China relations, which have been kind of rocky over the past year. The talk of pandas, then, might seem like small potatoes. But Xis willingness to consider sending more furry ambassadors to the U.S. gives us a peek into how the discussions are going, especially since Xi started talking pandas shortly after he finished up extensive one-on-one time with Biden.

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Pandas have been a sort of barometer of Chinas feelings toward other countries since the 1940s, giving us the fun term panda diplomacy. The National Zoo received its first gift of bears back in 1972 following U.S. President Richard Nixons historic trip to China. (In return, Nixon gifted China two musk oxen, which, no offense to musk oxen, is way less cool.) In recent years, China has continued to deliver bears to several countries, including last year to Qatar, the first Middle Eastern country to receive the honor.

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So its notable that its been two decades since China last loaned new pandas to the U.S. And as their leases have run outyes, there are panda leasespandas in the U.S. have been slowly disappearing: San Diegos bears left in 2019, and Memphis bear went back earlier this year. Now there are only four left in the country, all at the Atlanta Zoo, and their lease is set to expire next year.

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At this weeks conference, Xi explicitly recognized the gesture of a panda offering, calling them envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. He went on to say to American business leaders during a speech that he learned that the San Diego Zoo and the Californians very much look forward to welcoming pandas back. He also seemed to be moved by the news of sad families in D.C., saying, I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off. Xi made no mention of bringing bears back to the National Zoo and instead seemed to suggest that California would be the next state to receive any future panda gifts, which is a bummer for East Coasters.

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There were no other specific details about when or where we might expect pandas in the future, but at least theres a reason to hope. One thing to note: If more pandas do come our way, they wont be the same pandas. This whole diplomacy act is a bit like someone lending you a house cat (for $500,000 a year), waiting until you fall in love, taking the cat back, and then giving your friend a new one. So, thats bittersweet. But we can take solace knowing that the beloved bears that lived in D.C. have been returned to a flocker, embarrassment (?)of pandas in a nice nature preserve in the mountains.
Reasons why more young Chinese graduates opt for manufacturing jobs

Xinhua) 08:33, November 16, 2023

* Entering manufacturing was once seen by many as taking up blue-collar work, which was hardly a preferred choice for college graduates.

* At the end of April 2023, AIGC, intelligent manufacturing and large-scale AI model were the three most popular sectors in terms of the number of job applications received from the graduates.

* Despite the high enthusiasm of college graduates for manufacturing jobs, some enterprises still find it difficult to find employees equipped with the right expertise to meet corporate needs in intelligent and digital development.

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese college graduates have shown greater willingness to work in the manufacturing industry, with emerging and high-tech sectors particularly favored.

Data from Chinese job-seeking website Liepin showed that at the end of April 2023, AIGC (artificial intelligence generated content), intelligent manufacturing and large-scale AI model were the three most popular sectors in terms of the number of job applications received from the graduates.

Year-on-year growth in the number of job applications in the three sectors hit 303.12 percent, 297.27 percent and 235.25 percent, respectively.

Another survey by Liepin showed that the proportion of applications from the upcoming graduates submitted to the internet and real estate industries decreased from 28.92 percent and 12.86 percent in 2021 to 19.39 percent and 7.85 percent in 2023, respectively.

The ratio concerning the machinery manufacturing sector increased from 4.47 percent in 2021 to 9.14 percent in 2023, a remarkable rise among surveyed industries.

College graduates are seen at a job fair in Shanghai University of Engineering Science in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

INCREASING APPEAL

Sun Piwu, head of the organization department of the Party Committee of Shaanxi Automobile Group Co., Ltd., was impressed by college students' greater willingness to work in the manufacturing industry.

"The number of applications we received increased markedly in 2023 to exceed 10,000," Sun said.

Sun attributed the shift to college students adapting to changes in the job market as well as the growing appeal of high-end manufacturing.

Previously, entering manufacturing was seen by many as taking up blue-collar work, which was hardly a preferred choice for college graduates.

Nowadays, jobs in advanced manufacturing and strategic emerging industries, especially leading businesses in sectors of new energy, integrated circuits, and industrial automation, are much sought after, said Liepin vice president Ba Ran.

Rather than traditional manufacturing jobs, young Chinese college graduates are mostly drawn by posts related to the construction, management, operation and maintenance of digital workshops and intelligent factories, Ba said.

At Shanghai's largest autumn job fair for graduates on Oct. 25, nearly half of the 1,325 recruiters were high-tech enterprises, which received 25,000 job applications.

"I prefer offers from promising industries and sci-tech innovation enterprises which have more potential and offer good salaries as well," said a postgraduate student surnamed Yuan, who majors in energy and materials at Shanghai Polytechnic University.

A worker is busy at a workshop of Chongqing Hongjiang Machinery Co., Ltd. in Yongchuan District of southwest China's Chongqing, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

GROWING DEMAND

Li Zhiqiang, who entered a new energy car company last year after graduating from Hefei University, said he saw his department in the company rapidly expanding from dozens of people to more than 100 within a year.

In the photovoltaic industry, another popular employment destination, demand for talent is also growing.

Ma Fuhai, deputy general manager of the human resources department of LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a leading enterprise, said the company's business has continued to grow rapidly, and the demand for new talent, especially engineers, was increasing.

In 2023, more than 9,000 graduates were recruited on campus by LONGi, a 50 percent increase compared with 2022, Ma said.

Liepin data also showed that advanced manufacturing jobs pay better, with the average annual salary of jobs in intelligent manufacturing, AIGC, and large-scale AI model standing at 330,200 yuan (about 46,020 U.S. dollars), 303,600 yuan, and 279,900 yuan, respectively.

Technical workers work on a production line at a future factory of Unisplendour Corporation Limited (UNIS) in Xiaoshan District of Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Chuanhao)

TALENT SHORTAGE

Despite the high enthusiasm of college graduates, some manufacturing enterprises still find it difficult to find employees equipped with the right expertise to meet corporate needs in intelligent and digital development.

Companies said there is a mismatch between the needs of enterprises and the knowledge structure and technical cognition of applicants. Multidisciplinary and crossdisciplinary talent are in short supply.

According to a research report on industry talent, the overall shortfall of digital talent in China is about 25 million to 30 million.

"We are accelerating the training of digital technology engineers, focusing on smart manufacturing, big data, blockchain, integrated circuits and other related new occupations," said Li Jinsheng, an official with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
A rendering of the Monument, Colo., Whataburger location. Handout | Whataburger

Whataburger recently broke ground on a new location in Monument, Colo.

While Texans already complain that the San Antonio-based chain has been stretched too thin, this location will feature a new look.

The restaurant, set to open in 2024, includes a spacious outdoor dining area with a turf yard, which is meant to host events like live music and community gatherings. The exterior will still feature Whataburgers signature orange and white while attempting to blend with Monuments rustic charm.

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With our unique outdoor dining area setting a new standard for the brand, were eager to transform this location into a vibrant gathering place, said William Tamminga, owner of the franchises parent company BurgerWorks Colorado, in a statement. Offering fresh, bold flavors alongside a warm, inviting space that truly fosters community spirit and extraordinary hospitality.

The location will feature a double drive-thru and hopes to bring up to 100 jobs to the community.
Its been just a clutch of days since former President Donald Trump and his allies made clear that if he wins reelection, he plans to gut the existing U.S. government and install a pre-vetted, pro-Trump army of up to 54,000 loyalists to take over senior legal, judicial, defense, regulatory, and domestic policy jobs in the civil service. Its been under a week since he announced in an interview on Univision that hed cheerfully weaponize the power of the Justice Department to indict his rivals for no other reason than that they were beating me very badly. Also less than a week ago, he delivered his chilling Veterans Day promise to root out the communists, Marxists, fascists, and radical-left thugs that live like vermin within the confines of our country, lie, steal, and cheat on elections, and will do anything possible, whether legally or illegally, to destroy America and the American dream. The news of his plans to carry out mass deportations while rounding up millions of undocumented immigrants and interning them in sprawling detention camps, as well as his hope to cancel U.S. visasfor lawful green-card and student visa holderswho harbor anti-American views is also very recent. All of this is to be achieved by installing armies of lawyers, judges, and functionaries who will not erect roadblocks to such projects, as they did when he was president the first time, because they dont believe in the rule of law as we understand it. As Trump openly described his rationale for his plans last week in the most spine-chilling language yet, undocumented immigrants are poisoning the blood of our country. And yes, the week is only half done.

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We further learned, just a week ago, that Ohio Republicans plan to try to block a constitutional amendment protecting reproductive freedom by stripping state judges of the power to decide such cases. And we have learned in recent days of plans by allies of the new Republican House speaker to reinstate the brutally repressive Comstock Act so as to further limit sexual autonomy. And today we cant seem to take our eyes off the now-violent physical altercations happening in the very same Capitol building that was stormed by violent extremists trying to overturn the 2020 election. The cogs and the wheels of democratic governance sound janky as hell right now.

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The piece suggesting that all of the above represents an objective, verifiable, and historically predictive set of preconditions for authoritarianism, or fascism, or the end of free and fair elections has been said or written, succinctly and brilliantly, in recent days by Jamelle Bouie, Joyce Vance, Ruth Ben Ghiat, Rachel Maddow, John Cassidy, Seth Meyers, Jason Stanley, Zack Beauchamp, Chris Lehmann, Michael Tomasky, Scott Lehigh, and who knows how many others. And, perhaps paradoxically, the piece suggesting that the press has failed utterly to meet this perilous moment has been done, also brilliantly, by Margaret Sullivan, Brian Stelter, and Dan Froomkin, all of them echoing the call of New York University professor Jay Rosen, who continues to demand that the media cover the 2024 campaign by emphasizing not the odds but the stakes.

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Related From Slate The One Set of Trump Lawsuits That Should Just Not Be Happening Read More

The stakes, we can probably agree, are in no way in doubt. As Bouie and others suggest, the Stephen Millers and Jeffrey Clarks and Steve Bannons are counting the minutes before Flood the Zone With Shit becomes the new E Pluribus Unum. Indeed, it almost seems as if not the odds but the stakes no longer captures a media failure alone; it actually also encapsulates the scope of a bitter political failure. We may actually have moved into the realm of journalism adequately covering the stakes, with the sad reality emerging that nobody seems to care much about the stakes at the present moment.

The horse race we are describing? The odds we are clocking? The contest we are all betting on? Its now just fascism vs. democracy. These stakes we are, all of us, fretting about, this question of whether democracy survives the next 12 months, is the very thing everyone is watching like its the NCAA playoffs. Im no longer completely convinced that voters dont fully understand the stakes; not when youre hearing Trump talking of executing his former Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley, not when youre hearing of mass deportations without due process, and not when family separations at the border is a future promise, as opposed to a recent lawless tragedy.

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What if the media is actually covering the spectacle precisely because the stakescasual brutality, violence, callousness, lawlessness, and the descent into anarchyare perfectly visible, legible, and clear? Its hard to read any other way the current threats by sitting senators who promise to beat up committee witnesses, or former speakers of the House who elbow their political opponents, or congresspeople who say they will impeach everyone who makes them mad while dabbling in the recreational threat to shut down the government. What if the problem isnt that consumers of media fail to understand the actual stakes of losing democracy? What if the problem is really that watching this MMA smackdown between fascism and representative democracy is, in fact, the 2023 version of good, clean fun? As Bouie puts it in his New York Times piece on the subject this week, The mundane truth of American politics is that much of what we want to know is in plain view. You dont have to search hard or seek it out; you just have to listen. And Donald Trump is telling us, loud and clear, that he wants to end American democracy as we know it.

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There is going to come a momentand for many of the writers cited above, that moment has already arrivedin which the media appropriately reports on the enormity of the stakes and nobody flinches.

When youve been contending with such enormous stakes for as long as this country hassince at least that golden escalator ride eight years agoit can be hard to keep flinching at the risks, even as they become ever more undeniable. Heres hoping that our reflexes start to kick in over the next 12 months, lest were once again reminded of what happens when the stakes have been staring us in the face all along and we choose instead to roll the dice on democracy itself.
Last Friday, a crack in the earth began to spread through a small Icelandic town called Grindavik. Roads broke in half and grassy hills split apart, causing a great deal of damage. But the real concern is what might come next.

The town sits within the Reykjanes Peninsula, a hot spot of volcanic activity that has experienced three eruptions in the past two years. But those were in remote areas (and were huge tourist attractions). This one threatens people and infrastructure, including homes, a geothermal plant, and a popular lagoon.

The towns 3,500 residents were required to evacuate over the weekend amidst warnings that a volcanic eruption was due within days. As of this morning, it hasnt happened yet, but the likelihood remains high, according to scientists at the Icelandic Meteorological Office.

To learn the latest, we checked in with Vincent Drouin, a scientist at the IMO who has been helping to monitor the fissure. Our conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.

Anna Gibbs: I imagine things are crazy busy for you right now!

Vincent Drouin: It was extremely busy for me this past weekend. Now its getting a bit more quiet because the dike stopped propagating. But we still need to analyze a lot of data on a daily basis to see whats happening.

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Wait, whats a dike? Is that what caused this big crack in the ground?

Yup, the cracking was caused by the dike. A dike is a vertical sheet of magma within the crust. Magma can move horizontally or vertically. When sheets of magma are horizontal, they wont reach the surface. But when theyre vertical, they can move horizontally along the crust, or they can decide to go up, and then they will reach the surface and cause an eruption.

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In videos of the crack, it looks like its literally steaming. Is that the magma simmering below the surface?

No, the magma would have to be extremely shallow to start to see something like that, probably within a few meters. Sometimes steam can happen because the crack is near a geothermal area and geothermal fluid finds a way to the surface. But what you see in the town, as far as I know, is just caused by broken water pipes.

So how far down is the magma now?

Its sitting about 1 kilometer below the surface.

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How long would it take for the magma to get to the surface?

When it started, the dike was very big, and the magma was moving fast. It was traveling, I think, more than 2 kilometers per hour horizontally in the crust. And if its at a 1-kilometer depth and it started to move vertically, then it would have taken only half an hour to reach the surface.

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OK, that explains why reports this past weekend said that the eruption could occur within hours. But then why hasnt it erupted yet?

If the pressure in the dike stayed as high as it was at the beginning, the magma would have erupted very quickly. But now it seems that the pressure and the momentum have stopped. So it might actually take a few days or even a couple of weeks. For the eruption we had in 2021, a dike formed, and it wasnt until four weeks later that we had the eruption. So its probably going to take a while.

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So the magma is literally moving through the ground? Is that whats causing the hundreds of constant small earthquakes that are happening every day?

Yeah, the magma is cracking its way through the crust. It creates earthquakes as its advancing. So at the front of the dike, you have seismicity there.

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Did you have any idea that this crack in the earth was coming? Or was it a total surprise?

It wasnt a total surprise. For the last two weeks, we had noticed increased deformation in the area. Then, on Friday morning, one of our seismologists noticed a cluster of seismic activity in a very repeated pattern. If you have an earthquake due to normal stresses in the crust, you have a big one followed by smaller ones. But in this case it was small, constant earthquakes. Usually that means that the magma is trying to crack the crust in this area.

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And thats what happened. It finally managed to push out of the crust to start cracking.

So you had been keeping a close eye on things. How does monitoring for volcanoes work in Iceland?

We have constant monitoring around Iceland. One technique we use is the Global Navigation Satellite System. Instruments are placed on the ground. They measure location very precisely, down to centimeters or millimeters, so they can capture deformation over time.

In this case, we had two GPS stations, one on each side of the dike. We noticed that they were being pulled apart very fast because the magma was making its way into the crust and pushing the stations apart. Within a few hours, they moved about 1 meter.

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Another technique, which Im the expert on in the Iceland Met Office, is called synthetic aperture radar interferometry. The satellite takes pictures of the ground with a radar instrument, and by comparing images, you can see how much the area has moved between two images.

So whats happening now with the dike?

Theres still constant earthquakes happening all the time. Not very big ones, but its still active. If you look at a seismic activity graph, you can see its slower than it was on Friday evening. But the concern has not gone down for the risk of eruption. We still think its very likely. On Tuesday afternoon, some gases were detected near the dike, which could indicate that the magma is shallow. But nothing since then [as of 12 p.m. EST Wednesday].

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Iceland is pretty well known for its volcanoes. How common of an occurrence is an issue like this?

In this area, weve had three eruptions, one every year, since 2021. Maybe now we will experience this kind of event once or twice every year. We cant know for sure. But what weve seen from history in the Reykjanes Peninsula is that it seems to have a pattern of 700 to 800 years of nothing happening, and then you have one or two centuries of volcanic activity all around this peninsula, and then it stops for 800 years. And its been a long timeI think it was 700 years since the last eruption. So maybe we are now at the start of this phase where there will be a lot of volcanic activity for the next decade or centuries. Only the future will tell.

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This all sounds very scary. How alarming is this to Icelandic folks, who have more experience with volcanoes?

In general, eruptions arent too much of a concern. We normally average an eruption every five years, so its not like a daily occurrence. In the past three years, this area has been very active, as I mentioned. But those three eruptions, we werent overly concerned. They were in the middle of nowhere, no one lives there, and it was a tourist attraction for people from abroad. So it was overall a plus.

But this one is much more of a concern. People in Reykjavik are safe, but for the people that live in this town, its a big concern. Half of the town is 1 meter lower compared to the other half. There is a lot of damage, and many houses will probably be destroyed. So even if the event stops here, its already a big problem. And like I said, if it starts to be more active in this particular area, it might be that it happens again in a year, and this town is in the path.
Are you looking to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs? The possibilities for small business ideas for kids have never been greater! With the right guidance and resources, a kid-friendly business could be a potentially life-changing experience.

So lets explore 15 of the best options out there for kid business ideas in 2023!

Can a Kid Start a Successful Small Business?

Believe it or not, kids are indeed capable of starting a successful small business.

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With an entrepreneurial spirit, applying the right knowledge, and having access to the necessary resources, it can set them apart from other kids and they can realize their business dreams.

Why Should a Young Entrepreneur Start Their Own Business?

Starting your own business as a young entrepreneur offers many advantages, a chance to earn money, and the opportunity to gain valuable experience.

Additionally, setting up a business can provide you with a platform to express yourself creatively and advance your business skills. With dedication and hard work, the rewards of being an entrepreneur are limitless.

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Learning New Skills  Starting a business can help kids develop important skills such as problem-solving, communication, decision-making, and organization.

 Starting a business can help kids develop important skills such as problem-solving, communication, decision-making, and organization. Exploring Passions & Interests  Business ownership gives kids the opportunity to explore their passions and interests in a meaningful way.

 Business ownership gives kids the opportunity to explore their passions and interests in a meaningful way. Gaining Confidence & Self-Esteem  Engaging in the world of business encourages self-confidence and aids in boosting self-esteem.

 Engaging in the world of business encourages self-confidence and aids in boosting self-esteem. Acquiring Financial Independence  Kids can learn how to save, invest and make money by starting a business and becoming financially independent.

 Kids can learn how to save, invest and make money by starting a business and becoming financially independent. Supporting The Community  Kids who start businesses are often at the forefront of helping their community through donations or services.

Selecting the Top Business Ideas for Kids: Our Methodology

When evaluating business ideas suitable for kids, its essential to focus on aspects that are both engaging and educational, while also being feasible for their age group. Heres an assessment of key criteria with their respective importance ratings:

Safety and Age-Appropriateness Importance: Essential (10/10)

The business idea must be safe and appropriate for the childs age, ensuring no risk to their well-being. Educational Value and Skill Development Importance: Essential (10/10)

The idea should offer educational value, helping kids develop skills like financial literacy, creativity, or problem-solving. Feasibility and Simplicity Importance: High (9/10)

The business should be simple enough for kids to understand and manage with minimal adult supervision. Fun and Engagement Importance: High (9/10)

The idea must be engaging and fun to keep the child interested and motivated. Market Demand and Practicality Importance: Moderate (7/10)

While market demand is less critical for kids businesses, the idea should still have a practical application or audience. Cost and Investment Importance: Moderate (7/10)

The required investment should be minimal and within the financial means of the family. Growth and Learning Opportunities Importance: High (9/10)

The business should offer opportunities for growth, learning, and the development of entrepreneurial skills. Community and Social Interaction Importance: Moderate (7/10)

Opportunities for social interaction and community involvement can enhance the childs social skills and network. Environmental and Social Responsibility Importance: Moderate (6/10)

Encouraging responsibility towards society and the environment can be a valuable part of the learning process. Flexibility and Time Management Importance: High (8/10)

The business should be flexible enough to not interfere with the childs education and other activities.

Popular Small Business Ideas for Kids

Kids have the potential to be amazing entrepreneurs, so why not give them a foundation for success by introducing them to some good business ideas?

From pet sitting and tutoring to baking cupcakes or making crafts, there are plenty of creative, fun, and profitable small business ideas for kids. Lets take a look at some of the most popular businesses for kids.

1. Lemonade Stand

With help from a parent or trusted family members, a lemonade stand can be a fun way to introduce young minds to the entrepreneurial spirit and make some decent money.

2. Party Planning Business

Parties and special events are so much fun but a lot of people are unaware of how much work goes into making them perfect. Its a job and a great opportunity for a young person to learn some work ethic and make a little money.

3. Online Store

Creating an online store and popular goods for sale is a fabulous opportunity for a young business person to make some extra money

4. Pet Sitting Business

People love their pets and often need a trusted person to take care of them while they are away. Pet sitting is a great business opportunity and who wouldnt love to play and snuggle with a fluffy puppy or kitten for a few days and earn some spending money at the same time?

5. Dog Walking Business

If your young business person loves animals becoming a dog walker could be a wonderful way for your child to spend their time learning some responsibility to customers as well as earning a little cash.

6. Tutoring Services

There are many schools age children who have trouble in one subject or another. Your child could offer his or her tutoring services for a small fee.

7. Car Washing Service

Running a car wash in your neighborhood is a great business idea to make some extra cash. There is definitely supply and plenty of demand making it a fantastic business venture.

8. Baby Sitting Services

Parents everywhere are always looking for a trustworthy person to watch their little ones whether it is for relaxation or so they can work. Babysitting is the perfect way for middle school-age children to make their own money.

9. Painting Faces

Whether it is at a carnival, street fair, or other local events face painting delights children everywhere. This also makes it a wonderful opportunity for a first business.

10. Musical Performer

Does your child play a musical instrument or love to sing? Offering your services for a special event, such as a birthday party, can pay well. They can even offer music lessons for a fee.

More Great Business Ideas for Young Entrepreneurs

As you can see there are a plethora of business opportunities for young entrepreneurs. Here are some more ideas to browse before you get your new business started.

11. Create A Blog

Creating a blog is an online business that kids can enjoy even at a young age.

12. Design T-Shirts

Fashion is always changing with the times but t-shirts are evergreen. They can be sold online or even in a local store.

13. Sweets and Treats

If you have a knack for baking or making candies you can offer your services at birthday parties or other events.

14. Write a Book

Does your child have a vivid imagination? He or she can write a childrens book and have it published on an online platform or even find a good publisher and illustration services.

15. Create a YouTube Channel

If your child has the gift of gab and personality to spare then creating a YouTube channel is a great childhood business idea. Not only can they share what they love but they also can earn a bit of money from the site.

Business Idea Advantages Disadvantages Skills Needed Lemonade Stand Easy to start, fun and social, teaches basic math skills Seasonal, depends on foot traffic Math, customer service Party Planning Encourages creativity, good organizational skills Requires strong organizational skills, can be stressful Organization, creativity, communication Online Store Flexible, wide customer base, encourages entrepreneurship Requires digital skills, may need initial investment E-commerce, marketing, customer service Pet Sitting Fun for animal lovers, flexible hours Requires responsibility, unpredictable pet behavior Responsibility, love for animals, patience Dog Walking Great for animal lovers, provides exercise Requires responsibility, need to be physically fit Responsibility, love for animals, physical fitness Tutoring Services Helps reinforce academic skills, can be done online Requires expertise in a subject, requires patience Academic expertise, patience, communication Car Washing Easy to start, requires little investment Physically demanding, requires space and supplies Physical fitness, attention to detail Babysitting Flexible hours, builds responsibility Requires responsibility, might need first aid knowledge Responsibility, patience, first aid (optional) Face Painting Encourages creativity, fun at events Requires artistic skills, some investment in supplies Artistic, creativity, customer service Musical Performer Encourages creativity, can be rewarding financially Requires musical talent, might need to manage bookings Musical talent, organization, performance Create a Blog Encourages writing skills, can be done on any topic Requires good writing and digital skills, building audience Writing, digital skills, creativity Design T-Shirts Encourages creativity, can sell online or locally Requires design skills, may need initial investment Creativity, design skills, marketing Sweets and Treats Encourages cooking skills, can cater to local events Requires baking skills, may need initial investment Cooking/baking, creativity, business skills Write a Book Encourages writing and creativity, can be published online Requires writing skills, process may be long Writing, creativity, patience YouTube Channel Encourages creativity, can generate income Requires video editing skills, building audience can be slow Video editing, public speaking, creativity

What Is the Easiest Business Idea for Younger Kids to Start?

Starting a lemonade stand is the easiest business to start. It provides a great opportunity to bond and teach your child valuable business skills.

Not to mention that it is a deliciously refreshing treat on a hot day.

What Life Skills Do Kids Learn by Starting a Business?

Starting a business can offer children a wealth of life skills and knowledge that will serve them well into adulthood. These include but are not limited to:

Communication Skills : When running a business, its crucial to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, and anyone else involved in the business. This can help children enhance their speaking, writing, and listening abilities.

: When running a business, its crucial to communicate effectively with customers, suppliers, and anyone else involved in the business. This can help children enhance their speaking, writing, and listening abilities. Teamwork : Running a business often requires working with others. This could mean collaborating with family members, friends, or other young entrepreneurs. This teaches the importance of cooperation and respecting others ideas and opinions.

: Running a business often requires working with others. This could mean collaborating with family members, friends, or other young entrepreneurs. This teaches the importance of cooperation and respecting others ideas and opinions. Problem-Solving Skills : Starting a business comes with its fair share of challenges and obstacles. These could range from logistical issues to managing customer complaints. Dealing with these situations can help children develop problem-solving skills and resilience.

: Starting a business comes with its fair share of challenges and obstacles. These could range from logistical issues to managing customer complaints. Dealing with these situations can help children develop problem-solving skills and resilience. Financial Literacy : Having a business provides kids with a real-world context to learn about money management, budgeting, and basic accounting principles. Its a hands-on way to teach children about the value of money, saving, investing, and even concepts like profit and loss.

: Having a business provides kids with a real-world context to learn about money management, budgeting, and basic accounting principles. Its a hands-on way to teach children about the value of money, saving, investing, and even concepts like profit and loss. Negotiation Skills : Whether its bargaining with suppliers for better prices or negotiating a deal with a customer, business ownership can help children improve their negotiation skills. This is a critical skill that can benefit them in many aspects of life.

: Whether its bargaining with suppliers for better prices or negotiating a deal with a customer, business ownership can help children improve their negotiation skills. This is a critical skill that can benefit them in many aspects of life. Networking : Kids can learn how to build and maintain professional relationships. They can meet new people and learn to create a network, which can be beneficial in their future careers.

: Kids can learn how to build and maintain professional relationships. They can meet new people and learn to create a network, which can be beneficial in their future careers. Public Speaking : Business can often involve presenting ideas to others, whether its pitching to potential investors or speaking about their products or services to customers. This can help children improve their public speaking skills.

: Business can often involve presenting ideas to others, whether its pitching to potential investors or speaking about their products or services to customers. This can help children improve their public speaking skills. Time Management : Owning a business requires juggling many tasks at once, which can help children improve their time management skills. Theyll learn to prioritize tasks, set goals, and create schedules.

: Owning a business requires juggling many tasks at once, which can help children improve their time management skills. Theyll learn to prioritize tasks, set goals, and create schedules. Empathy: Interacting with a diverse range of customers can teach kids about understanding and catering to different needs and perspectives, thereby cultivating empathy.

Starting a business can equip children with a wide range of life skills and experiences that are not only beneficial for their immediate project but can also be a valuable foundation for their future careers and personal life.

What Are the Legal Considerations When Kids Start Businesses?

Its vital to keep in mind legal considerations when kids start a business. Here are some of the main points:

Establishing a Legal Entity : Depending on the scale of the business, it might be necessary to establish a legal business entity such as an LLC (Limited Liability Company) to protect personal assets. Since minors generally cant form legal entities, a parent or guardian may need to do this.

: Depending on the scale of the business, it might be necessary to establish a legal business entity such as an LLC (Limited Liability Company) to protect personal assets. Since minors generally cant form legal entities, a parent or guardian may need to do this. Permits and Licenses : Depending on the type of business and local regulations, certain permits or licenses may be required. For instance, a lemonade stand might need a vendors permit, or a pet sitting business might need a license. Parents or guardians should research local and state laws to ensure the business is legal.

: Depending on the type of business and local regulations, certain permits or licenses may be required. For instance, a lemonade stand might need a vendors permit, or a pet sitting business might need a license. Parents or guardians should research local and state laws to ensure the business is legal. Taxes : Even a small business run by a child may have tax obligations. The childs parents or guardians will typically be responsible for these. Its crucial to keep accurate financial records and understand which business expenses can be deducted.

: Even a small business run by a child may have tax obligations. The childs parents or guardians will typically be responsible for these. Its crucial to keep accurate financial records and understand which business expenses can be deducted. Funding : Since minors cannot legally sign contracts or apply for business loans, adults may need to assist with initial startup costs. They can also guide kids in exploring other funding options, such as crowdfunding or savings.

: Since minors cannot legally sign contracts or apply for business loans, adults may need to assist with initial startup costs. They can also guide kids in exploring other funding options, such as crowdfunding or savings. Contracts : If the business involves any agreements (like with suppliers or customers), these usually need to be signed by an adult. Parents or guardians can help their children understand the basics of contracts.

: If the business involves any agreements (like with suppliers or customers), these usually need to be signed by an adult. Parents or guardians can help their children understand the basics of contracts. Child Labor Laws : In some cases, especially if the business requires significant time or physical labor, child labor laws may come into play. These laws vary by location and the childs age, so its important to understand the relevant regulations.

: In some cases, especially if the business requires significant time or physical labor, child labor laws may come into play. These laws vary by location and the childs age, so its important to understand the relevant regulations. Insurance : Depending on the nature of the business, it might be necessary to have liability insurance. For instance, if the business involves pet sitting or babysitting, its advisable to consider an insurance policy that covers any potential damages or accidents.

: Depending on the nature of the business, it might be necessary to have liability insurance. For instance, if the business involves pet sitting or babysitting, its advisable to consider an insurance policy that covers any potential damages or accidents. Online Privacy Laws: If the business is online and collects any personal data from customers (like names, email addresses), its essential to be aware of online privacy laws. For example, in the U.S., the Childrens Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) applies to online businesses that collect data from kids under 13.

While theres a lot to learn when it comes to legal considerations for kid entrepreneurs, parents or guardians can use this as an opportunity to teach their kids about these important aspects of running a business. Its always a good idea to consult with a legal professional if you have specific questions or concerns.

Conclusion

The landscape of entrepreneurship is evolving rapidly, and young minds today have more opportunities than ever to embark on exciting and potentially life-changing business ventures. The year 2023 presents a unique moment in time where small business ideas for kids have reached new heights. With the right guidance, resources, and a touch of youthful creativity, the possibilities for young entrepreneurs are virtually limitless.

The question of whether a kid can start a successful small business is answered with a resounding yes. While age may seem like a barrier, its often an advantage. Children possess a natural curiosity, boundless creativity, and an eagerness to learn that can set them apart. By nurturing these qualities and providing them with the necessary tools and knowledge, we can empower kids to realize their entrepreneurial dreams.

But why should a young entrepreneur start their own business? Beyond the potential for financial gain, there are several compelling reasons:

1. Learning New Skills: Starting a business equips kids with essential life skills such as problem-solving, communication, decision-making, and organization. These skills are not only valuable in business but also in various aspects of life.

2. Exploring Passions & Interests: Business ownership offers kids a meaningful way to explore their passions and interests. Whether its turning a love for animals into a pet-sitting business or a passion for baking into a cupcake enterprise, they can follow their hearts.

3. Gaining Confidence & Self-Esteem: Engaging in the world of business fosters self-confidence and boosts self-esteem. As kids witness their ideas turning into reality and experience the positive impact of their efforts, their belief in themselves grows.

4. Acquiring Financial Independence: By starting a business, kids learn the fundamentals of saving, investing, and making money. This early financial education sets them on the path to becoming financially independent adults who understand the value of money.

5. Supporting The Community: Kid entrepreneurs often find themselves at the forefront of helping their communities through donations or services. They learn the importance of giving back and making a positive contribution to society.

The list of popular small business ideas for kids presented in this article offers a diverse array of opportunities. From the timeless charm of a lemonade stand to the digital realm of an online store, each idea has its unique appeal. These businesses not only provide kids with enriching experiences but also pave the way for financial independence and self-expression.

In addition to these business ideas, there are more avenues for young entrepreneurs to explore, such as creating a blog to share their interests, designing custom t-shirts that reflect their creativity, crafting sweets and treats to delight taste buds, writing childrens books to spark imaginations, and even venturing into the world of YouTube to share their passions with a global audience. The possibilities are as diverse as the interests and talents of the young entrepreneurs themselves.

Starting a business offers more than just monetary rewards; it imparts a wide range of life skills and experiences. Kids who embark on entrepreneurial journeys develop communication skills through interactions with customers and suppliers. They learn the value of teamwork, problem-solving, and time management as they navigate the complexities of running a business. Financial literacy becomes second nature as they manage finances and budgets, and negotiation skills are honed through various business transactions.

Furthermore, the act of starting a business is an exercise in empathy. Kids learn to understand and cater to the needs and perspectives of their customers, fostering a sense of empathy and customer-centric thinking that can be invaluable in any career or endeavor.

However, its crucial to remember that starting a business, even for kids, comes with legal considerations. Establishing a legal entity, obtaining permits and licenses, understanding tax responsibilities, securing funding, and abiding by child labor laws are all essential aspects of ensuring that the business operates within the boundaries of the law. Parents, guardians, and mentors play a pivotal role in guiding young entrepreneurs through these legal considerations.

In conclusion, the landscape of entrepreneurship is evolving, and the opportunities for young entrepreneurs in 2023 are boundless. Kids can indeed start successful small businesses, provided they have the right guidance, knowledge, and resources. By nurturing their entrepreneurial spirit and supporting their endeavors, we can inspire the next generation of business leaders and innovators. These young entrepreneurs have the potential to not only shape their own futures but also make a positive impact on their communities and the world at large.

As we look ahead to the future, let us continue to encourage and empower our young entrepreneurs, providing them with the tools and knowledge they need to turn their dreams into reality. In doing so, we not only inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs but also contribute to a world where innovation and creativity know no age limits. The journey of a young entrepreneur is not just about business; its about self-discovery, growth, and the limitless possibilities that lie ahead.

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If youre looking for a great business, the tech business ideas are worth exploring. From cloud technology to 3D printing, there are numerous opportunities for tech entrepreneurs to build a successful business. Read on for some of the best tech startup ideas for entrepreneurs.

What is a Tech Business?

A tech business, at its core, is a company focused on leveraging technological advancements to cater to consumer needs or solve specific problems.

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This expansive definition encompasses a wide range of offerings. Some entrepreneurs in the tech domain, especially those with a digital inclination, provide online services, which may include cloud computing, digital marketing, or e-commerce platforms.

Conversely, those with a hands-on approach might be inclined to establish businesses centered on the repair, maintenance, or direct sale of hardware, such as laptops, smartphones, or smart home devices.

The Tech Industry in 2023

In past year the tech industry witnessed exponential growth and adaptation across numerous sectors.

Individuals and businesses alike now deeply embed technology into their daily routines, from the reliance on search engines for instant information to the use of social media platforms for communication and brand building.

Small Business Deals

This rapid technological evolution saw the introduction of a plethora of devices, gadgets, and solutions almost every day. A notable trend in technology has been tools and platforms that support remote work and digital collaboration, as the world adjusts to new ways of working.

Yet, 2023 may face more consistency, where tech businesses could focus more on refining existing technologies rather than constantly churning out the new.

Read more: 10 Ways to Integrate Big Data, AI, and Other Top Tech Trends into Your Business

Selecting the Top Tech Business Ideas: Our Methodology

For tech business ideas, its crucial to evaluate them based on specific criteria that cater to the rapidly evolving tech industry. Heres an outline of the key factors we considered, along with a scale indicating their importance:

Innovation and Technological Advancement Importance: Essential (10/10)

The idea should be at the forefront of technological innovation, offering new or significantly improved solutions. Market Demand and Consumer Needs Importance: High (9/10)

Understanding and responding to current market demands and consumer needs is critical for the ideas relevance and success. Scalability and Growth Potential Importance: High (9/10)

The business idea should have the potential to scale up and expand in various markets without losing effectiveness. Revenue Model and Profitability Importance: High (9/10)

A clear, sustainable revenue model that promises profitability is key to the long-term success of the tech venture. Competitive Advantage Importance: High (9/10)

The idea should offer a unique advantage or value proposition that sets it apart from competitors. Compliance with Legal and Ethical Standards Importance: Essential (10/10)

Adherence to legal regulations, especially in data protection and privacy, is non-negotiable in the tech industry. Investment and Funding Requirements Importance: Variable (5-8/10)

The initial and ongoing investment needs should be realistic and align with the entrepreneurs financial capabilities. Team and Expertise Requirements Importance: High (9/10)

The idea should be feasible with the teams expertise or require attainable skills and knowledge acquisition. Impact on Society and Environment Importance: Moderate to High (8/10)

Positive societal and environmental impacts can significantly enhance the businesss value and appeal. Adaptability to Technological Changes Importance: High (9/10)

The ability to adapt and evolve with technological advancements is crucial for sustained relevance and success.

Best Tech Business Ideas

Tech startups provide plenty of opportunities for entrepreneurs to start a profitable business. But first, you need to find the right niche. If youre looking for tech businesses that suit your skills, consider the following options.

1. Web Design Business

Pretty much every business needs a website. As a web design business, you design the pages and set up everything your clients need to get started.

2. Social Media Consulting Business

A social media consulting business would work with businesses to develop an online marketing strategy. Provide expertise so your clients can handle the day-to-day management.

3. Computer Training Business

A computer training business provides guidance to those who want to learn how to use their devices. You may focus your efforts on specific types of businesses or offer individual guidance to users.

4. Tech Video Channel

Video content is becoming increasingly popular. And you can monetize your video content streaming service or online podcasting platform with ads or subscription fees.

5. Online Marketing

There are tons of online platforms that businesses can use for marketing. Help them manage all these options by offering comprehensive services or specializing in just one or two platforms.

6. Online Education Platform

If you have knowledge in a specific area, share your expertise in your own digital educational materials, or start your own platform where other teachers can also share their expertise online.

7. Online Video Platform

An online video platform is a site that hosts videos on a particular subject or allows users to upload their own content. For example, you may post videos about gaming or DIY tutorials.

8. Data Entry Business

A data entry business can serve a variety of clients that want to save time on repetitive tasks like filling out forms or spreadsheets. You just need some time and basic software knowledge to get started.

Read more: Small Business Ideas for Beginners

9. Software Development Service

If youre skilled with software development, you can create new programs for clients. You may offer software for sale or create internal solutions for enterprise users.

10. Tech Repair Services

For those that want to work with actual hardware, offer repair services for smartphones, computers, or other tech in your local area.

11. Mobile Shopping Platform

If you have some mobile development skills, create your own mobile store or shopping solutions to connect sellers with buyers.

12. Computer Setup Service

Lots of consumers dont want to set up their own computers once theyve bought a new device. A computer setup service installs the hardware and gets essential programs up and running, so users can simply start using their new device right away.

13. Mobile Device Management

Mobile device management involves connecting or controlling mobile connections for various devices used within an organization. For example, you may provide IT support for enterprise clients to keep employee smartphones secure.

14. Website Owners

Instead of building websites for other clients, create your own. Then earn income through sponsored content, ads, affiliate links, or subscription fees.

15. Web Design Company Resource Shop

You could also offer DIY templates or design elements that website owners can use on their own. Simply offer these digital products online, so they can download the resources they want for a fee.

16. Robotics Company

A robotics company offers automation equipment that manufacturers and other businesses can use to improve operations. You need specialized knowledge and access to high-tech hardware to produce these items.

17. Music Streaming Service

A music streaming service provides access to various songs for a monthly fee. You may start your own that serves a niche market, like classical songs or royalty-free music.

18. Mobile App Developers

These professionals develop mobile apps for clients. You could also create your own apps and sell them in mobile app stores or offer in-app purchases.

19. Freelance Software Developer

A freelance software developer produces software for clients. So you wouldnt sell the programs yourself. But you would get paid by various clients to complete the work.

20. Social Media Marketer

Unlike a social media consulting business, a social media marketer actively posts and manages accounts for clients. You may also monitor mentions and respond to customer inquiries online.

21. Tech Gadget Rentals

Most consumers dont own specialized gadgets like video projectors or 3D printing devices. But they may want to rent these items periodically. Invest in the equipment and offer them to local consumers for a daily or weekly fee.

22. Online Dating Site

If you have some website building or mobile app skills, create a dating service that connects local singles. There are plenty of niches still open in this market.

23. SEO Services

An SEO service makes websites more visible to search engines. Create content, add keywords, and improve the back end to increase traffic for clients.

24. Niche Social Media Platform

Theres always room for more social media channels, especially those that serve a specific niche. For example, create a platform just for moms or students at a local university.

25. Sharing Economy Platform

The sharing economy is impacting everything from vehicle rentals to grocery shopping. Come up with a way you could facilitate connections between service providers and consumers. Then create a site or app to bridge that gap.

26. Tech Business Consultant

If you have experience with multiple tech startups, offer consulting services to other small businesses. You can help them come up with a business idea and provide business advice delivered straight to each client.

Tech Startup Ideas: an Overview

Navigating the tech business landscape can be overwhelming. This table provides a quick snapshot of the feasibility, required investment, and potential profitability of various tech startup ideas. Use it as a guide to pinpoint opportunities that best match your expertise and resources.

Tech Startup Idea Feasibility Initial Investment Potential Profitability Web Design Business High Low High Social Media Consulting Business High Low High Computer Training Business High Low Medium Tech Video Channel Medium Medium High Online Marketing High Low High Online Education Platform High Medium High Online Video Platform Medium Medium High Data Entry Business High Low Medium Software Development Service Medium High Very High Tech Repair Services High Medium Medium Mobile Shopping Platform Medium Medium High Computer Setup Service High Low Medium Mobile Device Management Medium Medium Medium Website Owners Medium Low High Web Design Company Resource Shop Medium Low High Robotics Company Low Very High Very High Music Streaming Service Low High Medium Mobile App Developers High Medium High Freelance Software Developer High Low High Social Media Marketer High Low High Tech Gadget Rentals Medium High Medium Online Dating Site Medium Medium High SEO Services High Low High Niche Social Media Platform Medium Medium Medium Sharing Economy Platform Medium Medium High Tech Business Consultant High Low High

What Is The Most Profitable Tech Business Idea?

Its challenging to pinpoint one universally profitable tech business due to the vast diversity in the industry. However, based on market analysis, initial capital requirements, and potential return on investment, online businesses emerge as a favorable avenue.

For instance, web design, especially tailored for mobile optimization and user experience, can be highly lucrative.

This is due to the increasing number of companies and individuals looking for a digital presence, leading to an ever-growing demand for sophisticated and responsive websites.

What Is The Best Business Idea in Technology?

The ever-evolving tech landscape offers a myriad of opportunities for innovative entrepreneurs. However, to decide the best startup idea, it is vital for individuals to consider market demands, their core competencies, and the longevity of the technology in question.

Currently, mobile app development, especially for health, finance, and e-commerce, is seeing a surge in demand.

Similarly, artificial intelligence (AI) solutions, ranging from chatbots for customer service to AI-driven analytics for businesses, are gaining traction.

Moreover, automation, be it in manufacturing processes or in everyday gadgets, remains a promising and lucrative sector for tech-based ventures.
Join hikers on their trip to Sandberg, or visit a concert in Old Town this Friday.

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Nature | Concert | Classical music

Nature

Sandberg

Hike to Biele Skaly

Meeting point: Saturday, at Patronka stop at 10:00

This week the hikers will set out for a short from Dubravka to Sandberg, calling at Biele Skaly and other points of interest along the way.

They will meet at Patronka bus stop for the departure at 10:07 to Zatevna, and will start walking at 10:20.

The route is almost entirely on unmarked forest trails until the group reaches Sandberg, however, there are lots of interesting sites and fresh trails to see along the way.

As it is getting colder do not forget to wear warm clothes and bring hot drinks with you, and good walking shoes as usual.

If you would like to follow the hike later, see the map below.

https://sk.frame.mapy.cz/s/jucocosecu

Concert

(Source: BKIS)

Concert for Attentive People

November 17, at 17:00 on Primacialne Namestie 1 (square)

During Fight for Freedom and Democracy Day, on November 17, a live concert will be held in Bratislava's Primacialne Namestie square. The Ukrainian band, electro-folk phenomenon Go_A will be performing on this stage.

Czech musician Michael Kocab from the famous band Prague Selection, musician Brano Jobus and the group Karpatske Chrbaty will play a joint concert, which will also include songs from Prague Selection. Trap project FVCK_KVLT will also be there, to demonstrate their brand of lively and raw punk energy.

https://sk.frame.mapy.cz/s/mavunotoma

Classical music

(Source: VSMU)

VSMU Chamber Orchestra concert

November 22 at 19:00 in Dvorana concert hall on Zochova 1

The students of three musical interpretation departments will present themselves in a chamber orchestra, and as soloists in a varied program.

You can reserve a place free of charge by e-mail: info-htf@vsmu.sk

https://sk.frame.mapy.cz/s/jonesufojo

If you have tips for free events in Bratislava or you would like to share your hiking or cycling trip ideas with readers, let us know at kseniia.husieva@spectator.sk.
Why it's hard to punish communist symphatisers, free Bratislava events, and Slovak hauliers' threats.

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Good evening. Here is the Thursday, November 16 edition of Today in Slovakia - the main news of the day in less than five minutes.

Friday, November 17, is a public holiday in Slovakia. Slovakia will commemorate the Velvet Revolution, which brought an end to the communist regime.

Communist symphatisers remain unpunished

Smer MP Lubos Blaha. (Source: TASR)

Although 34 years have passed since the student demonstrations against the communist regime, while the manifestations of its sympathisers remain unpunished.

Since 1996, when then prime minister Vladimir Meciar's coalition approved the Law on the Immorality and Illegality of the Communist Regime, the courts have not issued a single decision finding the communist propagandists guilty.

More stories from The Slovak Spectator website

Politics: A deputy culture minister hopes to see Jesus crowned Slovak king.

A deputy culture minister hopes to see Jesus crowned Slovak king. Opinion: Let's take a moment this month to give thanks and share our abundance with others.

Let's take a moment this month to give thanks and share our abundance with others. Advertorial: Changes to the Public Procurement Law  Take Six.

If you like what we are doing and want to support good journalism, buy our online subscription with no ads and a print copy of The Slovak Spectator sent to your home in Slovakia. Thank you.

SLOVAK MATTERS

Englovak? Slovlish? English in Slovak

Fortunately everyone understands the word party. (Source: Image by Freepik)

Slovak has one big boogieman of a reality: six cases, singular and plural, with twelve declensions, a total of 144 possible endings. If that's not enough to scare off beginners, there's this frightening fact: strc prst skrz krk (stick your finger down your throat) is a complete, grammatically sound and vowel-less sentence. Can you say it (and repeat it as fast as possible)?

EVENT (s) FOR FREE

IN BRATISLAVA

video //www.youtube.com/embed/gp2-YHRODgs

On November 17, a live concert will be held in Bratislava's Primacialne Square. The Ukrainian band, electro-folk phenomenon Go_A will perform on the stage.

Learn more about two more free events in the city.

In other news

If Speaker of Parliament Peter Pellegrini (Hlas) fulfils his pre-election promises, Slovensko leader Igor Matovic says he will give up his parliamentary seat. Pellegrini should pay the 13th pension of 640 to all orphans, widows, people with disabilities and pensioners before Christmas, and also not take the parental pension of 315 million from pensioners, Matovic has said.

The European Commission decided to open an infringement procedure by sending a letter of formal notice to Slovakia for failing to correctly apply the interoperability requirements of Directive 2008/57/EC ; the document establishes a framework for ensuring interoperability between railways in the EU through harmonising technical requirements and establishing a process for their verification. The Commission also identified the incorrect transposition of the fourth and fifth Anti-Money Laundering Directives, which is why the EC has opened another infringement procedure.

The media will have limited opportunities to record or broadcast live inside the parliament following an incident between Slovensko MP Igor Matovic and Smer MP Jan Mazgut. Matovic disrupted Mazgut's appearance on TV earlier in the week. Matovic claims that Speaker Peter Pellegrini, who announced the temporary ban, is bullying journalists and others.

Dangerous content is being spread through the WhatsApp platform, the National Security Office announced. The group "Add as many people as possible" makes pornographic content and explicit videos of murders or suicides available, mainly to Slovak and Czech primary school students.

The Union of Slovak Road Hauliers (UNAS) blocked the Vysne Nemecke - Uzhgorod border crossing for one hour on Thursday. Ukrainian lorry drivers use the crossing after Poland shut down its border crossings with Ukraine for lorries. UNAS has called on the European Commission to fix the problem with suspended permits for Ukrainian lorries entering the EU. UNAS is prepared to block all the Slovak-Ukrainian crossings open to lorries, and for a longer period of time.

Slovak President Zuzana Caputova laid flowers and lit a candle at the Velvet Revolution Monument on Narodni Street in Prague on Thursday, November 16, 2023. (Source: TASR)

WEATHER FOR FRIDAY: Thick cloud cover will rule the day. Rain or sleet can be expected in most places. The daytime temperature will range from 2C to 10C. It will be a windy day. Wind, snowdrifts and ground ice warnings have been issued for Friday and Saturday in a number of Slovak regions. Temperatures will drop at the weekend, clouds and rain (or sleet) will not go anywhere. Snow is expected in the north of Slovakia. (SHMU)

Thank you for subscribing and reading. It means a lot to us.

P.S. If you have suggestions on how our news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

Follow The Slovak Spectator on Facebook and Instagram (@slovakspectator).
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/biden-calls-xi-a-dictator-hours-after-meeting-meant-to-repair-relations-with-china-1114991684.html

Biden Calls Xi 'Dictator' Hours After Meeting Meant to Repair Relations with China

Biden Calls Xi 'Dictator' Hours After Meeting Meant to Repair Relations with China

US President Joe Biden called his Chinese counterpart a "dictator" on Wednesday, putting at risk any progress he made repairing relations with the country during a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping Earlier in the Day

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Hours after a meeting designed to restore US-Chinese relations between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Biden called the Chinese leader a dictator during a press conference about the meeting.Biden and Xi met in San Francisco during the APEC Leaders Summit on Wednesday. The highly anticipated meeting was hyped as a critical opportunity to restore Chinese-US relations following years of heightened tensions between the two countries.During a press conference following the meeting, Biden touted the progress made, saying that they reached a deal to combat fentanyl precursor chemicals from China entering the United States, resuming direct communications between the worlds two largest militaries and a plan to have experts from both countries meet on the dangers of AI.He said they also discussed Ukraine, Gaza, Taiwan and the South China Sea.After Biden stated he would take no more questions he started walking towards the exit but then stopped and announced that he would take another question, Who can holler the loudest? the President asked the crowd of supporters.The reporter, whose name and outlet were not clearly audible in the video, first asked if Biden could share the evidence he had that Hamas hid a headquarters in Al-Shifa hospital, something Biden said was a fact earlier in the press conference.Biden said he was confident in the evidence he saw, but declined to provide it. No, I cant tell you. I wont tell you.The same reporter then asked if Biden still calls Xi a dictator as he did earlier in the year. Biden confirmed that he still does.The Chinese government has not yet responded to Bidens latest description of the Chinese President as a dictator. In June, one day after Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited Beijing in an effort to ease tensions between the countries, Biden harmed those discussions by calling Xi a dictator and implying that he did not know what was going on in his country.Mao Ning, a spokesperson for Chinas Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Bidens June comments were extremely absurd and irresponsible, seriously contradicting the basic facts, while stressing that China was strongly dissatisfied.At the start of the press conference, Biden called the meeting he had with Xi the most productive discussion he had with the Chinese leader, noting that their relationship goes back to when they were both Vice-Presidents of their respective countries.Biden was also asked about Gaza, saying that he is deeply involved in the hostage negotiations and remains mildly hopeful.When asked if he gave Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu a deadline for the conflict, Biden stressed that he had not. I believe its going to stop when Hamas no longer maintains the capacity to murder and do horrific things to the Israelis.Outside the building where APEC is taking place, hundreds of protesters gathered in the streets, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231115/chinese-president-xi-jinping-arrives-at-apec-summit-in-san-francisco-1114969599.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230622/us-senior-officials-taken-aback-by-biden-labeling-xi-a-dictator---reports-1111378181.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/boeing-e-7a-how-can-russia-counter-natos-new-awacs-aircraft-1115005964.html

Boeing E-7A: How Can Russia Counter NATO's New AWACS Aircraft?

Boeing E-7A: How Can Russia Counter NATO's New AWACS Aircraft?

The new E-7A would allow NATO to see deep into Russias territory (up to 300 kilometers) without entering Russian airspace, and the new upgraded equipment aboard these planes would let NATO officers better identify the types of aircraft and ground units they spy on, says Russian military analyst Dmitry Kornev.

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military

dmitry kornev

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early warning radar aircraft

boeing e-3 sentry

a-50

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The construction of six Boeing E-7A aircraft equipped with powerful radars is expected to begin soon, with the first of these planes slated to be ready for service by 2031, according to a recent NATO statement.Commenting on this development, Russian military analyst Dmitry Kornev suggested that this move by NATO likely wasnt meant as some sort of signal to the nations the bloc regards as adversaries.The new E-7A would allow NATO to see deep into Russias territory (up to 300 kilometers) without entering Russian airspace, and the new upgraded equipment aboard these planes would let NATO officers better identify the types of aircraft and ground units they spy on, Kornev said.According to Kornev, there are several ways Russia can counter the deployment of these NATO early warning aircraft near its borders.For example, Russia's military can obfuscate its activities by actively using camouflage and electronic countermeasures to hamper the E-7A's intelligence-gathering activities.Also, if it becomes necessary, Russian forces formidable surface-to-air and air-to-air missile capabilities afford them the ability to shoot down such planes out of the sky, Kornev suggested.Describing these scenarios as direct countermeasures, the analyst also mentioned the indirect countermeasures that essentially amount to Russia developing a similar aircraft.Having noted that Russia has already upgraded somewhat its existing A-50 early warning aircraft, Kornev pointed out that the Beriev Aircraft Company is expected to soon roll out the new A-100, which is expected to succeed the A-50.Kornev also remarked that the Russian military is well aware of how foreign countries signal intelligence works and has been drilled to counter such eavesdropping attempts: If a satellite passes overhead, hide your hardware under some kind of roof; If a Western aircraft passes nearby, stop all radio communications.It was a bit easier during the Soviet era when there were fewer satellites in space. Nowadays, theres always some kind of satellite above you, not to mention commercial satellites, he said. You cannot hide from all of them, but you still need to constantly enact countermeasures. Such activities help tremendously in concealing from enemy intelligence the preparations of our army and navy for any kind of operations.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230710/australia-to-deploy-awacs-aircraft-in-germany-to-patrol-natos-eastern-flank---scholz-1111794072.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/frances-move-to-issue-arrest-warrant-for-assad-manifests-judicial-bias---lavrov-1114998730.html

France's Move to Issue Arrest Warrant for Assad Manifests Judicial Bias - Lavrov

France's Move to Issue Arrest Warrant for Assad Manifests Judicial Bias - Lavrov

France's decision to issue an international arrest warrant for Syrian President Bashar Assad is a manifestation of judicial bias.

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russia

un security council (unsc)

hamas

sergey lavrov

bashar assad

france

syria

palestine-israel conflict

palestine

israel

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On Wednesday, media reported, citing a judicial source, that France had issued arrest warrants for Assad, his brother Maher Assad, and two other senior officials in connection with the alleged use of banned chemical weapons against civilians in Syria. A decade ago, a grave false flag operation by anti-government forces in Syria nearly precipitated a US military intervention. On August 21, 2013, militants opposed to Bashar Assad's government launched an assault on Eastern Ghouta, a heavily populated region on the eastern fringes of Damascus, the Syrian capital. This assault involved the use of sarin-filled shells.The incident tragically resulted in casualties estimated between 300 and 1,700. It occurred in the context of then-US President Barack Obama's stern warning that the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian government would cross a "red line" and provoke a response from the United States. Following the attack, Western nations were quick to hold the Syrian government responsible, leading to discussions in the United States about potentially invading the Middle Eastern nation. However, a diplomatic resolution was reached, averting further escalation, thanks to Russia's efforts. The settlement led to the agreement that Syria would dispose of its chemical weapons. This process was successfully carried out under the oversight of the United Nations and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). In 2016, the OPCW confirmed that Syria's chemical weapons had been completely destroyed.Russia Condemns UN for Failing to Agree on Humanitarian Ceasefire in Middle EastMoscow condemns the UN Security Council for being unable to pass a resolution calling for a humanitarian ceasefire in the Palestine-Israel conflict, the minister stated.On Wednesday, the UN Security Council approved a resolution on Gaza that calls for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days to enable, consistent with international humanitarian law, the full, rapid, safe and unhindered humanitarian access for United Nations humanitarian agencies." In addition, the resolution calls for the unconditional release of hostages by the Palestinian group Hamas as well as other groups.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230821/ghouta-chemical-attack-showed-how-west-will-do-everything-to-disrupt-others-1112744495.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231018/russia-says-masks-are-off-after-us-vetoes-unsc-resolution-on-israel-palestine-ceasefire-1114294854.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/how-usaid-spends-american-tax-dollars-in-ukraine---gop-senator-demands-accountability-1114995782.html

How USAID Spends American Tax Dollars in Ukraine - GOP Senator Demands Accountability

How USAID Spends American Tax Dollars in Ukraine - GOP Senator Demands Accountability

Recent months have seen growing congressional strife over the US policy on funding Ukraine, with the Senate recently blocking the Houses $14 billion Israel-only aid package.

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Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa has called on Samantha Power, the administrator of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), to clarify where American taxpayer dollars are going in Ukraine.The senator added that shes unwilling to agree to dole out almost $25 billion in hardworking Americans tax dollars for so-called economic aid to Ukraine."Ernst urged Power to provide a complete list of businesses in Ukraine that have received American support via USAID programs, funded in whole or in part by Washington since February 2022.The remarks come after Erin McKee, USAID's assistant administrator, said that the White Houses direct budget support for Ukraine had run out in testimony to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.This comes as the House and the Senate remain at odds over whether Washington should continue funding Ukraine. In early November, the lower chamber passed a bill to send emergency aid worth $14.2 billion to Israel only, a document that was then blocked by the Senate.The US, along with its NATO allies, ramped up assistance to Ukraine shortly after the beginning of the Russian special military operation there. Moscow has repeatedly warned that such assistance adds to the prolongation of the conflict in Ukraine.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231114/ukraines-top-general-tells-us-chief-of-staff-about-difficult-situation-in-ukrainian-armed-forces-1114937705.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231114/us-desire-to-pay-ukraines-way-hits-new-low-as-israel-and-border-issues-take-priority-1114952320.html

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231114/ukrainian-media-threatens-west-with-refugee-tsunami-unless-us-provides-more-cash-1114956917.html

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The menu includes Tuna Salvaje with mango (top), Guacamole con Masitas with fried pork (bottom right) and Ceviche Tropical with red snapper, mango and kiwi (bottom left) at Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba, a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff Posta de Huachinango is a red snapper filet with mojo Paladar chimichurri over plantain-and-pork fufu at Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba, a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff A Sandwich Paladar is made with lechon, ham, avocado and Oaxaca cheese and served with a side of fried yuca at Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba, a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff Tostones Rellenos are fried plantain bowls filled with marinated tuna at Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba, a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio. The restaurant doesn't serve alcohol yet, but they make alcohol-free cocktails such as this mango mojito and allow customers to bring their own alcohol. Mike Sutter/Staff The menu includes Cuban rice-and-beans called Congri con Masitas and a soup flight including corn soup, red pepper soup and squash soup at Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba, a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff The menu includes Guacamole con Masitas with fried pork (front), Ceviche Tropical with red snapper, mango and kiwi (back left) and Tuna Salvaje with mango (back right) at Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba, a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff Chilaquiles can be ordered with eggs and red or green sauce  or an even split of each one  at Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba, a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff Fish tacos are made with grilled red snapper on corn tortillas at Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba, a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff

The last time I saw Arturo Villegas, he was a face in the window of a taco truck.

Fonda Nostra was parked near St. Paul Square in July 2021, making tacos that were smarter than the corner they called home. That truck went on to become a brick-and-mortar called Fonda Nostra Bistro, an off-Broadway nook in a low-slung office park in front of the Witte Museum parking garage.

It closed this summer, the tight little space in transition, scattered with upturned tables and sheets of drywall and something else: a courthouse certificate showing a new business moving into that space, something called Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba.

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Thats where the story takes us, a story with Villegas still at the center of the narrative, this time joined by Ricardo Zamora and Ian Sam, both of whom worked with Villegas as part of the powerhouse Mexican and Spanish operations Cuishe and Toro.

Flautas de Lechon come with fried plantains at Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba, a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff

Top 25 Mexican Restaurants: The best Mexican food in the countrys best Mexican food city

Since Paladar opened in September, the three men have found common ground with the foods of Mexico and Cuba, two cuisines more different than youd think, but with more in common than youd imagine.

Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba  The mailing address is 3615 Broadway, Suite 4. But its easier to get there by navigating to the front of the Witte Museum parking garage at 3501 Avenue B,; 210-267-1329; paladarfusion.com Quick bite: Small bistro combining Mexican and Cuban influences Hours: 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sunday Price range: Appetizers, $13-$19; soups, $8-$10; entrees $12-$28; desserts, $7-$8 Alcohol: None; BYOB allowed  Excellent  Good  Fair  Poor  Bad Express-News critics pay for all meals.

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Paladar has charm, a sense of place, solid restaurant protocol, a generous BYOB policy and food that would forgive the absence of all those other things, with the potential to be even greater than the sum of its parts.

For now, thats a modest sum, tallied in a room with eight striated brown marble tables in close quarters and a few more on the patio out front. Its spartan but clean and warm, like the household restaurants of Cuba. Big dreams start small, because small is where the little details come to life.

Those details include the lush suckling pig that animated Flautas de Lechon from the fusion side of the menu, combining the crunch of Mexican taquitos with the sour orange twang of Cuban-style pork, finished with a side of sticky-sweet fried plantains. The fusion part comes naturally to the group. All three partners were born in Mexico. Sams father is Cuban, as is Villegas brother-in-law.

Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba is a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio that's owned by Ricardo Zamora, left, Arturo Villegas and Ian Sam. Mike Sutter/Staff

On the Mexican side of the equation, Paladar kept things simple with solid renditions of chilaquiles, grilled red snapper tacos on robust corn tortillas, a trio of open-face tacos with chorizo and beans called Pellizcadas, and an Arroz Cremoso experiment with creamy risotto-style rice and salty nuggets of grilled chicken that leaned too far in the direction of macaroni and cheese to fulfill its more satisfying aspirations.

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Villegas flexed his Veracruz seafood influences in a fusion dish called Posta de Huachinango, a smartly grilled red snapper filet with tart mole Paladar chimichurri over a bed of fufu made with mashed plantains and bites of pork, the Cuban manifestation of a dish that came to the island by way of the African diaspora that continues to shape the Cuban experience.

The fusion tour rolled on with a torta incorporating that lechon with ham and melted Oaxaca cheese like a more refined Cubano sandwich; Guacamole con Masitas with fried plantain tostones on one side, tortilla chips on the other and fat pieces of fried pork on top; and a trio of taqueria-caliber tostadas dressed with lechon, grilled chicken tinga and Cuban ropa vieja.

Camarones Crocantes are crunchy shrimp over fried greens with black salsa at Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba, a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio. The menu also includes corn tortillas with chorizo, beans and queso fresco called Pellizcadas. Mike Sutter/Staff

That ropa vieja was worth an entree of its own from the Cuban side, an ungainly tangle of shredded beef that made up for its ugly-ducking presentation with a deep but simple braise breathing aromas of cumin and bell pepper. In that same brawn-over-beauty spirit, Congri con Masitas lent a noble glow to the grassroots staple of black beans and rice, fortified with fried pork.

More good things in small packages: Leche de Tigre breathes fresh life into San Antonio scene

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Cuba got its turn in the sun and sea with Ceviche Tropical, an ultra-fresh melange of red snapper marinated in lime with bright flashes of chopped mango and kiwi. Ceviche is having its moment on San Antonios culinary stage right now, with Southtowns Peruvian newcomer Leche de Tigre at the forefront. Paladars close on its tail.

In fact, two ceviche-influenced dishes shuffled off the restraints of national influence and charted their own courses. First it was a curiosity of fried plantain cups filled with marinated raw tuna, pico de gallo and avocado called Tostones Rellenos that called to mind a starch-heavy bar snack working hard to climb the social ladder. The second was the best thing I ate at Paladar, a paddle-shaped plate of crazy called Tuna Salvaje  appropriately translated as savage  with flashed-seared tuna and avocado over flat oval slices of mango luxuriating in a tang-fest bath of ponzu-style sauce.

Paladar Fusion Mexico Cuba is a new restaurant on Broadway north of downtown San Antonio. Mike Sutter/Staff

Speaking of uncategorized, add two more rogues to that gallery. A bowl of flash-fried shrimp called Camarones Crocantes, meant to be eaten shells and all, proved as light and agile as puffed shrimp chips. And Villegas indulged his own love and command of soup with a three-bowl flight that included corn, bell pepper and squash soups that demanded to be thrown back like shots so as not to miss a drop.

Its good to see Villegas, Zamora and Sam in this new context, brave enough to venture out in a new direction in a quirky office-park boutique box. As critics, we look for small places with big potential that we can lift up without high-five hyperbole, without the everybody gets a gold star civic boosterism of social media. Paladar is that place.
Gaza's Largest Hospital Left Without Water, Food, Electricity Amid Israeli Raid - Director

Muhammad Abu Salmiya, director of the Shifa hospital, the largest hospital complex in the Gaza Strip, on Thursday called the situation inside the facility "catastrophic," saying that it had run out of water, food, electricity and oxygen reserves amid the ongoing Israeli military operation there.

Earlier in the day, Israel expanded its operation against Hamas at the Shifa hospital. The International Committee of the Red Cross and the UN urged the evacuation of Shifa patients to other facilities. The leadership of Gaza hospitals decided to transfer the patients to the enclave's European Hospital, saying, however, that it lacked beds. Mohammad Zaqout, the director general of Gaza hospitals, urged Egypt to host the patients.

"The hospital has turned into a large prison without water, electricity and food," Abu Salmiya told Al Jazeera, adding that "the patients are crying for water and food."

The Israeli military has bombed the hospital's main water pipe, he said. The oxygen reserves have also run out, but hospital workers have refused to leave the building without the patients, Abu Salmiya stated.

"We will not leave the patients alone: we will live and die together. Water shortage is making it hard for us, but we will try our best to survive," he told Al Jazeera.

Abu Salmiya also denied the Israeli army's claims about alleged shooting from the hospital's territory, saying that "there was no gunfire from inside the hospital toward the Israeli soldiers.

He also stressed that medical staff could not anymore provide any care to the patients and move between the hospital's buildings as there were snipers operating on the facility's territory, with the area also being patrolled by Israeli drones.

On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said it was carrying out a precise and targeted military operation against Palestinian group Hamas in the Shifa hospital.
https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/moscow-calls-substitution-of-concepts-bidens-remark-on-need-to-create-palestinian-state-1114995436.html

Biden's Remark on Need to Create Palestinian State is 'Substitution of Concepts' - Moscow

Biden's Remark on Need to Create Palestinian State is 'Substitution of Concepts' - Moscow

MOSCOW, November 16 (Sputnik) - The statement by US President Joe Biden about the need to create a sovereign Palestinian state is a substitution of concepts... 16.11.2023, Sputnik International

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On Wednesday, Biden said that a Palestinian state, existing alongside Israel, must be the endpoint of the current conflict in the Middle East. He added Washington itself avoided serious discussion of the problems of the Palestinian-Israeli settlement based on the 'two-state' formula.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231115/nearly-7-in-10-americans-support-ceasefire-in-gaza-poll-finds-1114989603.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/nearly-100-protesters-calling-for-israeli-ceasefire-injured-in-clash-with-dc-police-1115011221.html

Nearly 100 Protesters Calling for Israeli Ceasefire Injured in Clash With DC Police

Nearly 100 Protesters Calling for Israeli Ceasefire Injured in Clash With DC Police

On Wednesday night, at least 90 people were injured following a clash with police during protests outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters, according to the demonstrators.

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At least 90 people were injured late Wednesday following a clash between Capitol Police and protesters outside the Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, DC.Protesters at the scene were calling for a ceasefire in the ongoing Palestine-Israel conflict that broke out on October 7 following a surprise attack by the Palestinian Hamas group. Hostilities have remained at an all-time high as Israel has dismissed calls for a ceasefire.Reports have indicated that Democratic representatives and candidates were present inside the DNC building during the protest, some of whom include House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark and US Rep. Pete Aguilar (D-CA).At least six officers were injured and treated for minor abrasions, with officers arresting a 24-year-old individual who reportedly punched a female officer in the face. According to the US Capitol Police, officials had worked to keep back approximately 150 people" who were illegally and violently protesting in the area; activists have disputed this claim, according to one report.The police, who were attempting to evacuate lawmakers from the building, also claimed that protesters moved dumpsters in front of exits, as well as pepper sprayed police officers.Members of the Ceasefire Now Coalition said hundreds of people were present during the candlelight vigil. Members from the Jewish Voice for Peace Action were also present during the vigil. Demonstrators have accused the police of forcefully shoving protesters down the steps of the building, pepper-spraying demonstrators and choking one member, according to a separate report.We were there lighting candles for all who have died, honoring the lives lost, to call for a ceasefire to honor those lives in prayer and in song. And instead, instead of being able to actually talk to our elected officials and pray with them and sing with them and ask them for a ceasefire, the police shoved our people down the steps, Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg said at a news conference. Rosenberg had attend the demonstration on Wednesday night.Dani Noble, a member from the Jewish Voice for Peace Action, stated she doesnt understand why the demonstration escalated into a violent clash between demonstrators and police.I mean, from my personal perspective, I dont know, like we were doing  we were engaging in civil disobedience, Noble said, who added that those present were hoping to talk to lawmakers about a ceasefire when the escalation came from police. And absolutely, in no instance did anyone try to enter the building, and spreading misinformation to the contrary is extremely, extremely dangerous. We were there peacefully singing and chanting, waiting for Democratic officials to show up so that we could actually engage, Noble added.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/north-koreas-warning-roars-offensive-actions-promised-in-face-of-us-provocations-1114998972.html

North Korea's Warning Roars: 'Offensive' Actions Promised in Face of US 'Provocations'

North Korea's Warning Roars: 'Offensive' Actions Promised in Face of US 'Provocations'

The DPRK condemned the recent visit of top US defense officials to South Korea on Wednesday, promising intensified and "offensive" responses to what it perceives as military threats from the United States and its allies.

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Pyongyang has blamed the White House for escalating tensions in the region, referring specifically to the visit of US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to Seoul this week, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).In the statement, North Korea reaffirmed its commitment to robustly control and manage all perceived threats to its national security. The statement emphasized the use of more aggressive and overwhelming countermeasures, including visible strategic military deterrence.During Austin's visit, South Korea and the United States revised a bilateral security agreement aimed at countering the DPRK's advancing nuclear and missile capabilities. South Korea's Defense Ministry underscored the need for the revision, citing inadequacies in addressing rapid advances in North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.Pyongyang claims that the United States and its allies are responsible for exacerbating military tensions on the Korean Peninsula. The reasons cited include large-scale military exercises and the increased presence of US strategic assets in the region.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/pepe-escobar-xi-outmanuevers-biden-in-san-francisco-1115004577.html

Pepe Escobar: Xi Outmaneuvers Biden in San Francisco

Pepe Escobar: Xi Outmaneuvers Biden in San Francisco

On one side of the table, a Global South leader at the top of his game. On the other side, a mummy selling the illusion hes the leader of the free world.

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That was bound for a cliffhanger  before, during or after the crucial bilateral involving the worlds top two powers. Already during the introductory remarks, US Secretary of State Tony Blinken, sitting on the right side of the mummy, was as terrified as James Stewart afraid of heights in Hitchcock's "Vertigo" - sensing doom would dawn at any second.Then it did - at the final presser. Joe Biden, the actor playing The Mummy, following a proverbial smirk, said Chinese President Xi Jinping is a dictator. Because he is the leader of a communist country.All those previous elaborate plans unraveled, in a flash. A tentatively rosy scenario turned into a film noir. The Chinese Foreign Ministrys response was as sharp as a Dashiell Hammett one-liner  and contextualized: this was not only extremely wrong but an irresponsible political manipulation.All of the above of course assumed The Mummy knew where he was and what he was talking about, off the cuff, and not dictated by his ubiquitous earpiece.The White House gives away the plotThe Xi-Biden drama, lasting a little over two hours, was not exactly a remake of Vertigo. Washington and Beijing seemed quite cozy jointly promising the proverbial promotion and strengthening of dialogue and cooperation in various fields; an intergovernmental dialogue on AI; drug control cooperation; back to high-level military-to-military talking; a maritime security consultation mechanism; significantly increasing flights by early 2024; and expanding exchanges in education, international students, culture, sports, and business circles.The Hegemon was far from having a priceless Maltese Falcon (the stuff dreams are made of) to offer Beijing. China is already solidified as the worlds top trading economy by PPP. China is advancing at breakneck speed on the tech race even under nasty US sanctions. Chinas soft power across the Global South/Global Majority increases by the day. China is co-organizing with Russia the concerted drive towards multipolarity.The White House readout , as bland as it might seem, actually gives away the key part of the plot.Biden  actually his earpiece - underscored support for a free and open Indo-Pacific; the defense of our Indo-Pacific allies; the commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight; adherence to international law; maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and East China Sea; support to Ukraines defense against Russian aggression; and support for Israels right to defend itself against terrorism.Beijing understands in detail the context and the geopolitical overtones of each of these pledges.What the readout does not say is that Bidens handlers also tried to convince the Chinese to stop buying oil from their strategic partner Iran.Thats not gonna happen. China imported an average of 1.05 million barrels of oil a day from Iran over the first 10 months of 2023 - and rising.US Think Tankland, always excelling in misinformation and disinformation, believed in their own childish projection of Xi playing tough guy against the US in Asia, knowing that Washington cant afford a third love affair, sorry, war front on top of Ukraine and Israel/Palestine.The fact is Xi knows all there is to know about imperial, rotating Hybrid War fronts, plus others that can be powered on at the flick of a switch. The Hegemon continues to provoke disturbance not only in Taiwan but in the Philippines, Japan, South Korea, India, and continues to flirt with possible color revolutions in Central Asia.There has been no direct US-China confrontation yet thanks to millenary Chinese diplomatic expertise and long term vision. Beijing knows in detail how Washington is simultaneously in Full Hybrid War mode against BRI (the Belt and Road Initiative) and BRICS  soon to become BRICS 11.Only two options for China and the USA Sino-American reporter, after the introductory remarks, asked Xi, in Mandarin, if he trusted Biden. The Chinese President perfectly understood the question, looked at her, and did not answer.Thats a key plot twist. After all, Xi knew from the beginning he was talking to the handlers controlling an earpiece. Moreover, he was fully aware of Biden, actually his handlers, qualifying Beijing as a threat to the rules based international order, not to mention relentless accusations of Xinjiang genocide plus the containment tsunami.Not by accident, last March, in a speech to Communist Party notables, Xi explicitly stated that the US is engaged in comprehensive containment, encirclement and suppression against us.Shanghai-based scholar Chen Dongxiao suggests that China and US should engage in ambitious pragmatism. That happened to be exactly the tone of Xis key takeaway in San Francisco:That is as serious as it gets. Xi added context. China is not engaged in colonial plunder; is not interested in ideological confrontation; it does not export ideology; and it has no plans to surpass or replace the US. So the US should not attempt to suppress or contain China.Bidens handlers may have told Xi that Washington still follows the One China policy  even as it continues to weaponize Taiwan under the twisted logic that Beijing might invade. Xi, once again, provided the concise clincher: China will eventually, inevitably be reunified with Taiwan.$40,000 for dinner with XiAmid all the barely concealed tension, relief in San Francisco came in the form of business. Everyone and his corporate neighbor  Microsoft, Citigroup, ExxonMobil, Apple  was dying to meet with leaders from several APEC nations. And especially from China.APEC after all accounts for nearly 40% of the global population and nearly 50% of global trade. This is all about Asia-Pacific  not Indo-Pacific, an empty rules-based international order gambit that no one knows anything about, much less uses anywhere across Asia. Asia-Pacific will account for at least two-thirds of global growth in 2023  and counting.Hence the sterling success of a business dinner at the Hyatt Regency, with tickets costing between $2,000 and $40,000, hosted by the National Committee on United States-China Relations (NCUSCR) and the US-China Business Council (USCBC). Xi, inevitably, was the star of the show.Corporate honchos well knew in advance that the US opted out of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP); and that the new trade gambit, the so-called Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) is basically D.O.A. IPEF may deal with supply chain issues but it does not hit the heart of the matter: lower tariffs and wide market access.So Xi was there to sell to investors not only China but a great deal of Asia-Pacific as well.One day after San Francisco, the heart of the action moved to Shanghai and a high-level Russia-China conference; thats the kind of meeting where the strategic partnership formulates paths ahead in the Long March to Multipolarity.In San Francisco, Xi made a point to stress that China respects the historical, cultural and geographical position of the US, while hoping that the US would respect the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics.And heres where the film noir plot approaches the final shootout. What Xi hopes will never happen with Straussian neocon psychos running US foreign policy. And that was starkly confirmed by The Mummy, a.k.a. Joe Dictator Biden.So much for realpolitik practitioner Joseph soft power Nye, one of the few realists that believe China and the US, like James Stewart and Kim Novak in Vertigo, need each other, and should not be separated.Well, unfortunately, in Vertigo the heroine plunges into the void and dies.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231013/chip-race-how-us-desperately-tries-to-hinder-chinese-semiconductor-industry-1114181936.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20230201/beijing-says-aukus-fuels-arms-race-in-asia-pacific-undermines-nuclear-non-proliferation-1106883565.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/russia-repels-14-attacks-in-donetsk-direction-ukraine-lost-up-to-310-soldiers-1115000905.html

Russia Repels 14 Attacks in Donetsk, Ukraine Loses Up to 310 Soldiers

Russia Repels 14 Attacks in Donetsk, Ukraine Loses Up to 310 Soldiers

The Russian military has repelled 14 Ukrainian attacks in the Donetsk direction in the past 24 hours, where Kiev lost up to 240 soldiers, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

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"In the Donetsk region, units of the Yug Battlegroup in cooperation with aviation and artillery, repelled 14 attacks In total, in this direction in one day the enemy lost up to 310 military personnel as killed and injured, a tank, three cars," the ministry said in a statement.The ministy added that Ukraine also lost up to 170 soldiers in the Zaporozhye and Kherson areas. The Russian forces launched strikes at the Ukrainian units in the areas of Rabotino, Uspenovka, and Malaya Tokmachka settlements in Zaporozhye.Moreover, the Russian soldiers warded off three attacks from Ukrainian troops in the areas of Sinkovka and Zagoruikovka around Kupyansk. Russian forces also repelled one attack in the area of Chervonaya Dibrova in the Krasny Liman region. The total losses of the Ukrainian troops in the two areas amounted to 285. In addition, Russian fighters shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 near Krasnoarmeysk (Pokrovsk), as well as intercepting two HIMARS shells and a JDAM bomb during the day.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231110/ukraine-risks-losing-entire-fleet-of-leopard-tanks-1114870287.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/russia-set-to-record-75-billion-account-surplus-amid-booming-energy-sales-1115008524.html

Russia Set to Record $75 Billion Account Surplus Amid Booming Energy Sales

Russia Set to Record $75 Billion Account Surplus Amid Booming Energy Sales

Thanks to an increase in exports of petroleum, gas, and other energy products this year, the Russian governments current account is expected to post a surplus of some $75 billion this year, based on new central bank data.

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The Central Bank of the Russian Federation said on Tuesday that the current-account surplus amounted to $53.8 billion as of November 1, about four times the level it was at just a year prior. October followed September as the second straight month in which the account had an $11 billion surplus.As a result, a US business newspaper has updated its projection for the year, estimating Russias account will have $75 billion in it by the end of next month, assuming the trend continues.The worlds largest energy exporter, Russia has benefited from high prices for oil and gas, despite Western attempts to smother the Russian economy with trade boycotts and other sanctions in response to the conflict in Ukraine. Russian exports that formerly flowed into Europe have largely been redirected toward Asia and Africa, although some customers, such as the United States, have continued to buy Russian enriched uranium for their nuclear power plants and European buyers have sometimes resorted to quietly buying Russian gas through third parties.Standard & Poors reported recently that Russian seaborne oil exports hit a four-month high in October.Trade has especially bloomed with the Peoples Republic of China, which Russian President Vladimir Putin estimated would hit $200 billion this year, having risen by one-third in the first eight months of 2023. China is the recipient of 47% of Russias petroleum exports and 45% of its coal exports, and new projects to link Russian and Chinese gas pipelines were announced, including the Power of Siberia 2 pipeline.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231114/iea-suggests-russias-oil-production-up-in-october-by-30000-bpd-to-953mln-bpd-1114942605.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/shanghai-conference-russian-and-chinese-experts-meet-to-decode-global-transformation-1114995652.html

Shanghai Conference: Russian and Chinese Experts Meet to Decode Global Transformation

Shanghai Conference: Russian and Chinese Experts Meet to Decode Global Transformation

The scientific conference on "Crisis and Global Transformation: China and Russia Facing the Challenges of a Changing World Order" is organized by the Valdai International Discussion Club and East China Normal University (ECNU).

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The conference will be attended by more than 40 representatives of academic circles from both countries at ECNU, one of China's leading universities specializing in the study of Russia and the entire post-Soviet space.The thematic sessions will cover such issues as the political dialogue between Russia and China, multilateral cooperation in Greater Eurasia and the Asia-Pacific region, information and communication in the modern world, as well as globalization and regionalization.One of the speakers at the opening ceremony was Russian Ambassador to China Igor Morgulov, who participated in the first session of the conference. In his welcoming speech, the diplomat noted that the strengthening and further development of Russian-Chinese relations will bring good news to all nations that support constructive and peaceful initiatives.The Valdai Discussion Club has been at the forefront of promoting active expert dialogue between Russia and China. Over the past decade, it has played a leading role in organizing the most important Russian-Chinese political discussions and shaping the agenda for bilateral expert cooperation.From 2010 until the outbreak of the pandemic, the Russian-Chinese conference was held regularly. In November, after a four-year hiatus, the conference will be held again in a face-to-face format. This will be the first Valdai Club expert meeting with partners from China after a series of high-level Russian-Chinese negotiations.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231005/putins-valdai-speech-multipolar-future-has-arrived-and-russia-is-here-to-stay-1113965925.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/staring-at-the-end-of-western-domination-1114994534.html

Facing End of Western Domination

Facing End of Western Domination

The looming defeat in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza are finalizing the end of Centuries of Western dominance.

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Staring at the end of Western Domination The looming defeat in Ukraine and the conflict in Gaza are finalizing the end of Centuries of Western dominance.

Robert Fantina, journalist and Palestine activist, joins us to discuss the Middle East. Robert Fantina discussed a letter, signed by hundreds of US officials, opposing Joe Biden's Israel policy. He says that lobbyists are a big part of the problem.Kim Ives, journalist and editor at Haiti Liberte, joins us to discuss Haiti and the Global South. Kim discussed an attempt by the US empire to insert notorious Kenyan death squads into Haiti.George Koo, journalist, social activist, and international business consultant, joins us to discuss China-US relations. George discussed today's meeting in California between the Presidents of the US and China along with the related protests in San Francisco.Mark Sleboda, Moscow-based international relations security analyst, joins us to discuss Ukraine and Russia. Mark discussed recent revelations that the US blocked peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine. He argues that Ukraine was never negotiating in good faith.Craig Jardula, co-host of The Convo Couch & AM Wakeup on Rockfin, joins us to discuss US elections and cultural issues. Craig discussed the lawfare that is being used to stop Donald Trump from running for President and the culture wars in Hollywood movies and advertisements.Jim Kavanagh, whose work can be found at Jim Kavanagh's Substack and thepolemicist.net, joins us to talk about domestic politics. Dr. Kavanagh discussed former CIA Chief Mike Pompeo taking a job in Ukraine and a lawsuit that has been filed against the Biden administration over the Gaza conflict.Mohammad Marandi, Professor of English Literature and Orientalism at the University of Tehran, joins us to discuss the multipolar world order. Professor Marandi discussed how the world is shifting towards a multi polar order and how the violence of the current conflict in Gaza is speeding up the change.Jon Jeter, journalist and author, joins us to discuss US imperialism and the Ukraine conflict. Jon discusses the Biden administrations role in sabotaging the Russia/Ukraine peace deal in 2022 and he says that Joe Biden is a warlord, just like Barack Obama and George Bush.The views and opinions expressed in this program are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the position of Sputnik.We'd love to get your feedback at radio@sputniknews.comCatch us in the US at 105.5FM, 104.7FM, 102.9FM, 1390AM, 1140AM

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/us-house-ethics-panel-says-found-substantial-proof-of-wrongdoing-by-congressman-santos-1115006916.html

US House Ethics Panel Says Found Substantial Proof of Wrongdoing by Congressman Santos

US House Ethics Panel Says Found Substantial Proof of Wrongdoing by Congressman Santos

The US House Ethics Committee stated on Thursday that it found substantial evidence of criminal conduct by Congressman George Santos, following an investigation into the lawmaker by the panels Investigative Subcommittee (ISC).

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The ISC found substantial evidence that Santos filed fraudulent reports with the US Federal Election Commission, used campaign funds for personal purposes and willfully violated the Ethics in Government Act as it relates to financial disclosure statements to the House of Representatives, the panel said in a statement. The panel also concurs with the ISCs determination that Santos conduct warrants public condemnation and has brought discredit upon the lower chamber of Congress, the statement added. Earlier this month, Santos survived an attempt to oust him from the House of Representatives. However, Santos will not seek reelection following the Ethics Committees findings, the lawmaker told US media on Thursday.The investigation into Santos began in January, even before he took office, with the New York Times and other media outlets claiming that he falsified a significant part of his resume and life story. While Santos colleagues have distanced themselves from him, the senators postponed his expulsion, needing the seat to protect their narrow 221-213 majority.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20230120/us-congressman-santos-denies-past-as-drag-queen-as-resum-scandal-deepens-1106521047.html

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The Bexar County Sheriff's Office arrested 10 people during a drug raid at an East Side home on Wednesday. Salazar said it was the fourth time in the last year that the home had been raided by law enforcement. Jacob Beltran/San Antonio Express-News

County deputies arrested 10 people during a drug raid at an East Side home on Wednesday, according to Sheriff Javier Salazar.

It was the fourth time this year that the home in the 2200 block of Houston had been raided by law enforcement, Salazar said.

The sheriffs office executed a search warrant after its organized crime group learned people at the home were selling cocaine, Salazar said. A SWAT team was then called, and deputies entered through one of the outside walls of the home using a tactical vehicle.

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As we were coming through the front, several suspects tried to run out the back door, but we had units in the back, anticipating their moves, and they were taken into custody, Salazar said.

Salazar said not everyone arrested will be facing charges. At least one of the suspects had cocaine, and another was wanted on a felony warrant. Some juveniles also were arrested, Salazar said.

Deputies had to pause their search temporarily after gaining entry into the home after tear gas particles from a previous drug raid done by SAPD were stirred up during the raid, irritating deputies, Salazar said.

A dog with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms was also at the scene to look for weapons.

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/us-lawmaker-renews-call-for-tiktok-ban-after-osama-bin-ladens-letter-to-america-goes-viral-1115010524.html

US Lawmaker Renews Call for TikTok Ban After Osama bin Ladens Letter to America Goes Viral

US Lawmaker Renews Call for TikTok Ban After Osama bin Ladens Letter to America Goes Viral

A US federal lawmaker has issued a new call for the social media app TikTok to be banned, after a historical document penned by a top international terrorist leader unexpectedly went viral on the platform earlier this week.

2023-11-16T21:05+0000

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The latest cultural phenomenon to sweep TikTok is a 2002 document by the then-leader of the Al-Qaeda* terrorist group, Osama bin Laden. Titled Letter to the American People, the document is an attempt by bin Laden to justify his organizations terrorist attacks against the West, including the September 11, 2001, attacks on the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon in Virginia, which killed nearly 3,000 people.According to analysts, many shared the letter on TikTok, expressing their shock at the cogency of some aspects of his message, especially with regard to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians, with some feeling they had misjudged the terrorist leader.The subject of an international manhunt for over a decade, bin Laden was killed in northern Pakistan in May 2011 by a US special forces raid. Despite killing bin Laden and launching a so-called War on Terror, the US has failed to destroy bin Ladens organization, which became a major influence on certain rebel groups in the Syrian Civil War and continues to operate in countries from Afghanistan to Yemen.However, the letter seems to have gone viral after being rediscovered recently as part of a reckoning with Western nations long-standing support for Israel amid the highly destructive war in Gaza, where the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have launched an air assault and ground invasion that has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians in the last six weeks. Support for Israel has evaporated among Western youth, who have taken to the streets in protest in unprecedented numbers to demand a ceasefire and an end to their governments support for Israel, whose anti-Arab policies they have labeled apartheid, following United Nations human rights experts.The Guardian, whose 2002 publication of the letter was being linked to in the posts, has since deleted the article, although it remains in the Wayback Machine internet archive.US Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) on Thursday called such users massive idiots and said the incident was evidence that TikTok should be banned in the US, or otherwise forced to sell its US assets to a US-based company."So for someone on TikTok to somehow suggest this is Americas fault or that bin Laden, who killed thousands of innocent Americans, was right is absolutely disgusting and further evidence that we need to ban TikTok or force a sale before a Chinese-controlled app, before the Chinese Communist Party, checkmates the free world by controlling the dominant media platform in America that can spread this dangerous, disgusting nonsense, Gallagher continued.It is time for a ban or forced sale before it is too late, he added.A TikTok ban has long been Gallaghers pet project, cosponsoring a bill last year alongside US Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (R-IL) based on the idea that the app poses a national security risk because it is being manipulated by the Communist Party of China.Officials in Beijing and in ByteDance, TikToks owner, have denied that any such connection exists, including in congressional testimony by CEO Shou Zi Chew, who is ethnically Chinese but has Singaporean nationality.Previously, former US President Donald Trump considered a ban or forced sale of TikTok alongside his administration's attacks on other leading Chinese tech companies, and his successor, Joe Biden, has continued to support such efforts.As of April 2023, at least 34 US states have enacted some kind of ban on government employees having the app on their government-issued devices, and Montana has attempted to enact a complete ban on TikTok in the northern state. On Wednesday, a federal judge in Austin, Texas, heard arguments about whether the Lone Star States ban is a violation of its state constitution.*Al-Qaeda and al-Nusra Front (Hayat Tahrir al-Sham) are terrorist organizations banned in Russia and many other countries

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231115/pentagon-quietly-ramps-up-ammo-for-israel-1114970857.html

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https://sputnikglobe.com/20231116/us-senate-passes-temporary-funding-bill-to-avert-government-shutdown-sends-to-biden-1114993670.html

US Senate Passes Temporary Funding Bill to Avert Government Shutdown, Sends to Biden

US Senate Passes Temporary Funding Bill to Avert Government Shutdown, Sends to Biden

The US Senate on Wednesday passed legislation to temporarily fund the federal government into next year to avoid a government shutdown, sending the bill to US President Joe Biden for final approval.

2023-11-16T04:57+0000

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Senators passed the legislation on Wednesday in a 87-to-11 vote. The House of Representatives passed the continuing resolution earlier this week with bipartisan support. The legislation, which funds separate portions of the government through January 19 and February 2 in a so-called "laddered" approach, now heads to Bidens desk to be signed into law. The US Congress had until the end of the week to pass a government funding measure, lest a government shutdown would have begun. The two-step continuing resolution gives lawmakers until after the winter holiday season to complete the appropriations process. The legislation, championed by House Speaker Mike Johnson, did not feature spending cuts or other policy riders to win the support of the White House and Democratic-majority Senate.

https://sputnikglobe.com/20231114/countdown-to-shutdown-new-speaker-haunted-by-mccarthys-ghost-in-us-spending-bill-battle-1114942774.html

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Jo Ann Looney-King's Curtsyforpurrseco ($2.40) became the lone two-year-old pacing filly with a shot at sweeping the Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund (DSBF) series at Bally's Dover after winning her $20,000 second-round preliminary division on Wednesday (Nov. 15) in a lifetime best 1:56.4.

Curtsyforpurrseco, who squared off against fellow first-round winners Smalltown Bad Girl and Designs On You in the first of three second-round splits, was parked in third early after Smalltown Bad Girl (Victor Kirby) secured the lead over American Marvel (George Dennis) through a :28.1 first quarter. Tim Tetrick drove on with Curtsyforpurrseco with a lap to go, and the Roddys Bags Again-Purrfectly Bad filly strode clear and controlled middle splits of :58.3 and 1:28.1. After rebuffing a first-over challenge from Designs On You (Allan Davis) through the far turn, Curtsyforpurrseco evaded a late rally from runner-up Smalltown Bad Girl to win by a length. Designs On You faded to third.

Jim King Jr. trains the Winbak Farm-bred Curtsyforpurrseco, whose fifth career win brought her total earnings to $49,771.

In the second division, Bad Nella Monella ($10.60) and Ross Wolfenden endured an eventful journey en route to a maiden-breaking 1:58.1 score over 3-5 favourite Slipinsidewayz (Victor Kirby). The daughter of Badlands Hanover-Nellas Bus sprinted clear to a 2-1/2-length lead in the first sixteenth before yielding to Grace Omalley (Tony Morgan) at the completion of a :28.3 first quarter. Up the backstretch, Slipinsidewayz surged out of midfield into the lead, and Wolfenden angled Bad Nella Monella out of a failing pocket to protect second at three-quarters in 1:29.1. Bad Nella Monella then closed a three-length gap through the final three-sixteenths and lunged to just nab Slipinsidewayz in the final stride. Salma (Pat Berry) was third.

Trainer Andrew Stafford owns Bad Nella Monella, who has earned $16,400 in five starts, with Bonnie Benson, Thomas Ireland and Brian Martin.

Bellas Dream ($3.20) and Tony Morgan also won in 1:58.1, brushing from third to clear Jett Propelled (Art Stafford Jr.) with a lap to go before parrying an outside bid from Makemymommaproud (Eric Davis) up the backstretch and evading Jett Propelled by 2-1/4 lengths in the final division. Classic Diamond (Corey Callahan) was a ground-saving third.

Steve LeBlanc trains Bellas Dream, a two-time winner in 11 starts with $46,230 in the bank, for LeBlanc Racing Inc., Count De Money Stable, William Lutz Jr. and Douglas Johnson.

The eight fillies who qualified for the $110,000 Ramona Hubbard DSBF final, to take place next Wednesday (Nov. 22), are as follows: Curtsyforpurrseco, Smalltown Bad Girl, Bad Nella Monella, Bellas Dream, Designs On You, Jet Propelled, American Marvel and Slipinsidewayz.

Feeling Sweet surged late to win the $25,000 Fillies & Mares Winners-Over/Open Handicap Pace at Ballys Dover on Wednesday night.

Driver Tony Morgan launched Tae from post eight and rumbled to the quarter in :26.2. The 2-5 betting favourite, Feeling Sweet, gladly accepted the pocket trip with Tim Tetrick in the early stages. Tae held an uncontested lead at the halfway point in :55.1. Misty Coast and Art Stafford Jr. pulled from fourth to lead the charge first-over and engage the leader at three-quarters in 1:23.2. Feeling Sweet vacated the pocket on the far turn before tipping out three-wide and surged home with a :28.4 final quarter to score the victory by a length-and-a-half in 1:52.2. Misty Coast held for second, with My Kiwi Lady N and Trae Porter rallying for third. Feeling Sweet paid $2.80 for the win.

Trained by Joseph Columbo, Feeling Sweet is owned by George and Tina Dennis Racing of Wyoming Delaware. The six-year-old daughter of Sweet Lou-Feel Life notched her seventh victory in 28 seasonal outingd and has now banked $585,170 for her career.

On Thursday, Nov. 16, there will be two $35,000 Progress Pace elimination races for three-year-old colt and gelding pacers. The first four finishers in the official order of finish of the two elimination races will return for the $260,000 Progress Pace final on Wednesday, Nov. 22. The 15-race Thursday night card also features the $110,000 DSBF final for two-year-old colt and gelding pacers set to go as race 12 on the card. The Thursday card will get underway with a first post of 4:30 p.m at Bally's Dover.

(With files from Delaware Standardbred Breeders' Fund & Bally's Dover)
A Gering woman has been displaced after a fire Wednesday destroyed her home.

Gering firefighters were called to a fire on Ridge Drive at about 10:18 am., Fire Chief Nathan Flowers said. Arriving firefighters found the mobile home completely engulfed by flames. Firefighters determined that no one was in the residence as the resident of the home had left about an hour prior to the neighbors noticing the fire, he said. Firefighters provided defensive tactics to keep the fire from spreading to a neighboring mobile home and providing water to the fire until it was cool enough for firefighters to make an interior attack.

Once firefighters entered the home, he said, they found that the floor had been burned through, so it limited their overhaul processes in battling the blaze. He estimated firefighters fought the fire for about two hours before it was completely extinguished.

Twenty-two firefighters from Gering and Scottsbluff were on scene for about four hours, he said.

They did an exceptional job protecting other structures and getting a really good knockout of the fire, he said, noting he was proud of their work.

Investigation of the fire has been turned over to the Nebraska State Fire Marshals Office, however, he said preliminary indications are that the cause of the fire may be electrical and involve a space heater.

Damages are estimated at $50,000 for the home and its contents. The Firefighter Ministry is assisting the woman who lived in the home.

Unfortunately, this individual lost everything, Flowers said. It is an unfortunate reminder that we need to be mindful in our use of space heaters.

People who use space heaters are reminded of a few recommendations that Flowers shared:

Connect your space heater directly to an outlet using its cord; do not use an extension cord and make sure it is plugged all the way in.

If your space heater is tripping your electrical outlet, stop using it. Have an electrician inspect your circuits.

Follow the manufacturers recommendations, including those regarding distance of combustible materials from your space heater.

If you leave the room or the house, make sure your space heater is fully turned off.
Gering will be kicking off its annual holiday celebrations following Thanksgiving.

The annual Gering Holiday Parade is scheduled to take place Nov. 24 at 6 p.m. in downtown Gering. The Gering Merchants annual Santas Village will also kick off that evening from 6-9 p.m. in the Gering Civic Center Parking Lot.

The parade will start at the Loaf N Jug on 10th Street in Gering and will continue to the Civic Center where the conclusion of the parade will lead into Santas Village.

Lineup will take place at Gardner Park on T Street in Gering. Organizer Renae Garton said those who are interested in joining the parade should reach out on the Gering Merchants Facebook page.

Those participating in the parade can line up at Gardner Park starting at 4:30 p.m. Garton noted that there is no registration fee to join the parade.

They can even just show up and that would be great, too, Garton said.

The parade will once again feature live reindeer, sponsored by Runza. The reindeer are provided by Stable Pro Ranch out of Seneca. While the reindeer will not stay at Santas Village the night of Nov. 24 they will be there on Nov. 25 from 10-1 p.m.

Garton said she was also excited because while the reindeer are at Santas Village, kids would be able to pet them.

Santas Village will be begin its weekly events on Nov. 25 from 10-1 p.m. It will be hosted at the same time for the following three Saturdays before its conclusion on Friday, Dec. 22, when it will be open from 5-7 p.m.

Santas Village will include hot cocoa and sugar cookies as well as the opportunity for attendees to have their picture taken with Santa. Some weeks will have other special events like the delivery of letters to Santa by the Pony Express via the Legacy of the Plains Museum.

As always, Garton said that there are a number of organizations involved in maintaining the village and sponsoring the events.

Garton said, The community support is amazing, when we ask people to help we usually get a pretty good response, but were always looking for volunteers.

While they are usually able to find help, she said, they will not turn away extra hands especially as they work on getting all the buildings ready for this holiday seasons events. Those interested in volunteering can also reach out through the Gering Merchants Facebook page.

Kim Skinlo, acting as chairman for Santas Village, said she was also happy to bring back some of the costumes and characters they were able to debut at last years events. Those characters included Frosty the Snowman, a penguin and the Abominable Snowman.

The people who volunteer for those are very energetic and they like to really get involved, Skinlo said.

Garton said she hoped that people who are making floats or planning on participating or attending the Gering parade should make sure to register for the Scottsbluff parade on Nov. 26 as well.

She hoped that people planning on attending or participating in the Scottsbluff parade would do the same.
The Western Community College Area Board of Governors welcomed former state senator John Stinner as its new at-large representative and approved an amended budget for the current fiscal year on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

An ad hoc committee composed of board members William Packard, Margaret Crouse, R.J. Savely and board vice chair Karen Anderson put Stinners name forward to the board from a field of four candidates.

We had candidates from throughout the whole area, which was great, Anderson said. The four candidates were phenomenal. They were very passionate about the college. It was very uplifting to see four people willing to serve on the board that were that excited about it.

Stinner was selected to fill the vacancy left by the retirement of Thomas Perkins, who sat on the board for 33 years.

Other business for the board included approving the payment of membership dues to the Nebraska Community College Association. NCCA seeks to represent the interests of the Nebraska Community College System across the state, including in the legislature.

The dues for membership were just under $76,000. Savely spoke in favor of the cost, citing the benefits of NCCA membership. Board chair Lynne Klemke said uncertainty about the financial future of Nebraskas community colleges made the decision a necessity.

At this point, with all of the legislative issues that were dealing with, I dont think we can be without membership in the organization, Klemke said.

The board also approved an amended 2023-2024 budget and changes to student charges related to tuition, fees, room and board.

The amended budget made minor changes to the colleges General Fund and Capital Improvement/Bond Fund. Those changes amounted to a total operating budget reduction of around $230, resulting in a budget of about $64.5 million.

Notable changes to the colleges student charges include a $3 increase in tuition costs for all students. That increase raises tuition costs to $109.50 per credit hour for Nebraska residents, $119.50 per credit hour for residents of border states (Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota), and $128.50 per credit hour for non-residents.

Prices also rose for room and board at WNCC, with required meal plans all increasing in price due to increased operating expenses. Other fees saw small increases, such as 50 cent increases to the colleges facility and technology fees.

The student fee approval also included the removal of a refundable housing deposit for on-campus residents. The deposit was replaced by a non-refundable activities fee of $150.

The board also heard an annual report from WNCC librarian Allison Reisig highlighting the librarys recent initiatives to promote student engagement along with providing data about the library and the use of its resources.

Reisig said that the library recently extended its evening and weekend hours in response to a student survey, and has seen increased traffic as a result. It also implemented an easier method of requesting interlibrary loans, which has led to an increase in loan requests of more than 500%.

The report also informed the board that use of the librarys resources continues to increase, with book, DVD and equipment borrowing seeing significant growth in the 2022-2023 school year.

The next meeting of the WCCA board will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 20 at 1 p.m. in the Coral E. Richards Boardroom on WNCCs Scottsbluff campus.
At a recent meeting, The Rotary Club of Greater Statesville hosted N.C. Rep. Jeff McNeely as a program speaker.

McNeely gave several updates on current activity in Raleigh. He also talked about many of the nonprofits that have benefited from the North Carolina budget just recently passed, bringing much needed funding to assist in programs and services that give back to the local community in Iredell County.

McNeely said he is encouraged with the work that the General Assembly has been able to get completed but stated that there was much more work to be done.

The Rotary Club of Greater Statesville meets Thursdays at noon at Twisted Oak. The club welcomes anyone to attend a club meeting to learn more about Rotary and its service to the community.
A 2-year-old North Texas girl was rushed to a Fort Worth hospital after a pit bull mauled her at another family's home. Douglas Sacha/Getty Images

A North Texas 2-year-old is recovering from severe facial injuries after being attacked by a family friend's pit bull.

McKenna Martin has been in the hospital for two weeks since the attack, which ripped tissue from her skull and left her facial bones crushed, her parents told WFAA-TV, a Dallas ABC affiliate.

McKenna was in the custody of family friends at the time of the attack, after her parents temporarily relinquished custody due to a drug addiction relapse.

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Her parents told WFAA-TV that only days before the brutal attack, they had contacted Child Protective Services about an aggressive pit bull in the home, notifying the agency that the dog had attacked someone only two months prior.

Two weeks after McKenna was placed in the home, the dog rushed her and attacked.

She was taken to Cook Children's Medical Center in Fort Worth, where she has undergone surgery to sew back her lips, nostrils and left tear duct.

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The toddler was also bit in the leg and suffered nerve damage during the attack, according to a GoFundMe started for her medical costs.

McKenna is under the care of the Department of Family and Protective Services, according to WFAA-TV, but her parents said they are working to regain custody.
South River Baptist Church and Mountaire Farms are teaming up to distribute 3,500 Thanksgiving meals this Saturday as part of the latters efforts to help feed 152,000 next week as part of its Thanksgiving for Thousands event.

Pastor Chris Thompson said the church partnered up with the organization for a number of reasons.

First and foremost, Gods word commands it. Proverbs 21:13 says He who shuts his ear to the cry of the poor will also cry himself and not be answered. We believe the church should be keenly aware of community needs and find compassionate ways to respond to those needs, Thompson said. We forget that some children while out of school during the holidays will not receive their normal free breakfast and lunch each day. Families struggle to make ends meet and need assistance.

But the government and another program are not the solution. During this time our nation celebrates Thanksgiving, we embrace the opportunity to remind others that every good gift comes from a gracious God to whom we owe our appreciation for life. We need to turn to Him for help and hope.

South River Baptist Church provides the space to make the meal possible while Mountaire manages all of the registrations, boxes, and food. Thompson said the food will be delivered to the church this week and on Friday, there will be a box building party to prepare 3,500 boxes for packing. On Saturday, more than 125 volunteers from Mountaire and South River will be at the church to distribute 3,500 boxes all over the western part of North Carolina. Volunteers will load boxes into vehicles for organizations with reserved boxes and those organizations will distribute in their local areas.

This will be the third Thanksgiving for Thousands event in Statesville, Mountaire said.

Mountaire is an agricultural food production and processing company providing work for more than 10,000 people at facilities in Arkansas, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, and North Carolina. According to its Thanksgiving for Thousands website, more than 1.5 million people have been served by the program since 1994. Mountaire is a privately owned family business over a century old.

Sasha Duncan, the Cares Manager for Mountaire Farms in North Carolina, said being a private, Christ-centered company, meant the company values giving back to those in need. She said with the rise of food insecurity, inflation, and other factors, being able to come together to give back to provide for those in need was timely as well.

Thompson said the church has a wonderful partnership with Mountaire as they both look to meet the food insecurity needs in the community.

Since COVID, South River has become increasingly involved to identify and address critical community needs including food insecurity. This involvement has created a network of like-minded organizations and companies, Thompson said. Mountaire is a leading company that enables us to meet critical needs in communities throughout the greater Western part of North Carolina.

Thompson said the church must and has been stepping up to meet the needs of the community, including a 12,000-square-foot missions warehouse he said would be used to meet both physical and spiritual needs.

The Lord has blessed us over the past years to meet the needs of thousands of people. Whether those needs are food, clothing, or even a bed for a child to sleep on, we have been blessed to meet those needs and help families and children at risk. We believe God wants us to increase our efforts and truly make a difference in our community, Thompson said.
Some sidewalks in Marjeh Square in the capital, Damascus, have been transformed into makeshift hotels, with stalls and cars occupying the space.

Some sidewalks in Marjeh Square in the capital, Damascus, have been transformed into makeshift hotels, with stalls and cars occupying the space. One individual took advantage of this situation, renting out sections of the sidewalk for various services.

During the closing session of the Damascus Governorate Council, Jalal Qasas, a council member, highlighted the uncivilized practice of people sleeping on the sidewalks and turning them into a combined hotel and restaurant. He revealed that the rental fee for sleeping mattresses was 100,000 Syrian pounds, while a chair and a cup of tea cost 50,000 Syrian pounds.

In response, Iyad al-Shamaa, the head of the Damascus Provincial Council, contested the figures presented by Qasas, stating that the reported rental rates (100,000 per mattress) were exaggerated and did not reflect the actual situation. Shamaa clarified that this phenomenon was an individual endeavour driven by investment motives. The person responsible was promptly identified after the council session, and measures were taken in collaboration with the Damascus Governorate Police Command to deter such practices. Shamaa assured that those involved would be apprehended to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

Malak Hamsho, a member of the Executive Office of the Services and Utilities Sector in Damascus Governorate, informed Athr Press that the presence of stalls constituted a violation, and a daily campaign was underway to remove these unauthorized occupancies. She emphasized that all stall owners, whether existing or removed, would be relocated to interactive squares. Any individual meeting the conditions set by the governorate for market space allocation would be accommodated. In case of specialization preferences and insufficient space, additional interactive squares would be opened to meet the demand.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The French judiciary's issuing arrest warrants against a sitting head of state and top officials represents a historic legal precedent.

In a groundbreaking development, French criminal investigative judges have issued arrest warrants for Syrias President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two other senior officials in connection with the use of banned chemical weapons in the town of Douma and the district of Eastern Ghouta in August 2013. These attacks resulted in the deaths of more than 1,000 people.

The French judiciarys issuing arrest warrants against a sitting head of state and top officials represents a historic legal precedent. The move has been hailed as a victory for the victims, their families, and survivors, and a significant step towards justice and sustainable peace in Syria.

Lawyer Mazen Darwish, founder and director-general of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), expressed the importance of the French judiciarys decision to hold those responsible for such crimes accountable, emphasizing that no one is immune from justice.

The arrest warrants target President Bashar al-Assad, Maher al-Assad, General Ghassan Abbas (Director of Branch 450 of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center), and General Bassam al-Hassan (Presidential Advisor for Strategic Affairs and liaison officer between the Presidential Palace and the SSRC). The charges against them include complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes.

This judicial action follows a criminal investigation initiated by the Specialized Unit for Crimes against Humanity and War Crimes of the Paris Judicial Court into the chemical weapons attacks of August 2013. The investigation was prompted by a criminal complaint filed in March 2021 by the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) and Syrian victims, with support from the Syrian Archive and the Open Society Justice Initiative, among others.

The complaint was accompanied by extensive first-hand testimonies from survivors, as well as a comprehensive analysis of Syrian military chains of command, the governments chemical weapons program, and numerous items of documentary evidence, including photos and videos.

Hadi al-Khatib, the founder of the Syrian Archive and Managing Director of Mnemonic (the projects host organization), welcomed Frances actions and stressed the importance of holding officials accountable for crimes committed a decade ago.

Steve Kostas, Senior Managing Lawyer at the Open Society Justice Initiative, noted the historic nature of the case, as it marks the first time a sitting head of state has faced an arrest warrant in another country for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Aida Samani, Senior Legal Adviser at Civil Rights Defenders, expressed hope that the arrest warrants would send a clear message to survivors and victims of these attacks, assuring them that the world has not forgotten them and that the pursuit of justice continues.

The principle of extraterritorial jurisdiction has been invoked in this case, allowing French courts to investigate and prosecute international atrocity crimes committed on foreign territory under specific circumstances.

This development follows similar complaints filed in Germany and Sweden regarding other chemical attacks in Syria, with evidence from extensive investigations forming the basis for these legal actions.

The victims and civil parties in the current case are represented by Paris-based lawyers Jeanne Sulzer and Clemence Witt, with additional victims represented by Clemence Bectarte.
President Assad emphasized the deep and robust relations between the two countries, according to al-Baath.

President Bashar al-Assad welcomed an Armenian delegation from the National Assembly, led by Deputy Speaker Hakob Arshakyan, on Wednesday.

President Assad emphasized the deep and robust relations between the two countries and the Syrian and Armenian peoples. He stressed the need to strengthen these ties in the face of the challenges both nations are currently experiencing and the global instability caused by Western policies seeking to dominate and control the destinies of countries and peoples.

Foreign and Expatriates Minister Faisal Mekdad noted that the relations between Syria and Armenia have deep historical roots, evident in their unity of positions on various international issues, particularly their mutual respect for the sovereignty of states. Mekdad received the Armenian delegation from the National Assembly, headed by Deputy Speaker Hakob Arshakyan, on Tuesday. He underscored the importance of the Turkish regime ceasing its escalatory actions and conflicts in the region and refraining from interfering in the domestic affairs of sovereign nations.

In this context, Mekdad highlighted the inhumane impact of the unilateral coercive measures imposed on the Syrian people by the U.S. and EU.

Arshakyan, in response, reiterated his countrys rejection of all forms of occupation and expressed appreciation for Syrias unwavering support of Armenia. He affirmed Armenias backing for Syrias sovereignty and territorial integrity.

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.

Reports indicate that Russia and Syria have considerably intensified their attacks on Idleb and rural Aleppo, taking advantage of the fact that the war in Gaza is monopolizing global attention. At the same time, a study has shed light on the role of Cyprus in helping the Syrian regime bypass global sanctions.

France issues arrest warrant for Syrias President Assad  source

Reuters reports that French judges have issued arrest warrants for Syrias President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two other senior officials over the use of banned chemical weapons against civilians in Syria, a judicial source said on Wednesday.

The arrest warrants  which refer to charges of complicity in crimes against humanity and complicity in war crimes  follow a criminal investigation into chemical attacks in the town of Douma and the district of Eastern Ghouta in August 2013, attacks which killed more than 1,000 people.

It is the first international arrest warrant that has been issued for the Syrian head of state, whose forces responded to protests that began in 2011 with a brutal crackdown that U.N. experts have said amounts to war crimes.

These are also the first international arrest warrants that have been issued over the chemical weapons attack in Ghouta, said Mazen Darwish, lawyer and founder of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), which filed the case in France.

Syria denies using chemical weapons but a previous joint inquiry of the United Nations and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons found that the Syrian government used the nerve agent sarin in an April 2017 attack and has repeatedly used chlorine as a weapon.

The Syrian presidency and information ministry did not immediately reply for comment.

The president is responsible for many crimes in Syria  but with this type of weapon in particular  sarin gas  its impossible to jump over the gap (of his involvement), Darwish told Reuters, noting that approval from the president as commander of the armed forces would be mandatory.

Up to seven killed in US air strikes in Syria -US official

The U.S. believes its latest air strikes on Sunday against Iran-linked militia in Syria killed up to seven people, a U.S. official said on Tuesday, speaking on condition of anonymity to disclose the assessment.

The deaths would be the first since the U.S. started carrying out retaliatory strikes in the past month against militia whom Washington blames for attacking American troops at bases in Iraq and Syria. The other strikes have hit unoccupied facilities, including for storage of weaponry.

U.S. and coalition troops have been attacked at least 55 times in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17, injuring 59 personnel, though all have returned to duty.

Statements, purportedly from the militant groups responsible, have said the assaults are in response to U.S. support for Israel in the war in Gaza.

The U.S. official said the people were killed during one of the strikes on the training facility near the city of Al Bukamal.

A second strike that the Pentagon says was carried out at a safe house near the city of Mayadeen may have killed an additional person, the official said.

The U.S. military assesses that no women or children were killed in the strikes, the official said.

At the Pentagon, spokesperson Sabrina Singh said an assessment was ongoing.

We are aware that there were IRGC-affiliated members in the proximity of the facilities that were struck by our aircraft. But I dont have more on casualty numbers or anything else to read out, Singh told reporters, using an acronym for Irans Revolutionary Guards.

Russia, Assad step up Syria bombing amid world focus on Israel-Gaza war

Al Jazeera reports that Syrian government forces and Russia have stepped up the bombardment of northwest Syria, killing dozens of people, including children, and wounding hundreds of others, opposition leaders and emergency volunteers have said, at a time when Israels war on Gaza is holding the worlds attention.

Russian and Syrian attacks in October focused on cities and villages in the countryside of Idleb and Aleppo. This escalation resulted in the total deaths of 66 civilians, including 23 children and 13 women, and left more than 270 people injured, with 79 children and 47 women among the casualties, according to a Syrian volunteer emergency rescue group.

While the pace of aerial and artillery bombardment in northwest Syria has decreased since the beginning of November, Syrian regime forces have shifted their attention to targeting civilian vehicles using guided missiles.

Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, said that from the beginning of the current year until November 8, their teams responded to 17 guided-missile attacks by regime forces. These attacks resulted in the deaths of four civilians, including a White Helmets volunteer, and injured 15 civilians, including two children.

The military escalation by the Assad regime, the Russians, and the Iranians against civilians in northern Syria has not stopped for a single day, but it intensifies and weakens from time to time based on international, regional, and local circumstances, said Mustafa al-Bakour, a leader in Syrian opposition factions in northwest Syria, referring to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.

What role does Syria play in the Hamas-Israel conflict?

Deutsche Welle published a report which discusses Syrias role in the ongoing Hamas-Israel conflict. Despite being in the midst of its own civil war and enduring over a decade of violence, Syria has found itself entangled in the regional dynamics of the conflict.

According to the report, Syrian activists who had previously participated in anti-government protests were appalled to see Syrian President Bashar Assad attending a special summit in Saudi Arabia focused on the Hamas-Israel conflict. Many hold Assad responsible for the brutalities committed during the Syrian civil war, including the displacement of millions, torture of thousands, and an estimated half a million deaths.

During the summit, Arab leaders accused Israel of violating international humanitarian laws and committing war crimes against the civilians of Gaza. Assad, in his speech, criticized the normalization agreements between other Middle Eastern countries and Israel. His participation drew condemnation from many, given his own history of alleged war crimes.

Syrias relationship with the Palestinians and Hamas is long and complex. While Syria has traditionally supported the Palestinian cause and hosted a significant number of Palestinian refugees, it has also had a turbulent relationship with Hamas. The Muslim Brotherhood, from which Hamas originated, opposed the Assad familys decades-long rule. In the past, Syria has both cooperated with and clashed with Hamas, often using the group to advance its foreign policy goals.

However, the report adds, that during the Syrian civil war, relations between Hamas and the Syrian regime soured. Hamas refused to take sides in the conflict, and its leader-in-exile, Khaled Mashaal, left for Qatar. Nevertheless, some reconciliation between Hamas and the Syrian regime occurred after Assad was invited back to the Arab League.

In the current Hamas-Israel conflict, Syria has expressed solidarity with Gaza and signed resolutions calling for a ceasefire and the end of Israels siege on Gaza. However, Syria has not played a significant military role in the conflict and has limited its actions to occasional cross-border shelling and rocket attacks on the Golan Heights. Most of the military activities have been carried out by Hamas and Israel.

In summary, while Syria has historical ties to the Palestinian cause, its role in the current Hamas-Israel conflict is somewhat limited. It has not been a central actor in the military aspects of the conflict but has expressed political support for Gaza and called for international action against Israels actions in the Palestinian territories.

A pariah regime used a Cyprus middleman in a bid to evade oil industry sanctions

The International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) published a report which delves into the role of Cyprus in helping authoritarian actors evade Western law. Specifically, it focuses on how Syrias state-owned oil company, Syrian Petroleum Co. (SPC), sought assistance from a Cyprus-based import-export firm, H.A. Cable Export Co. Ltd., in purchasing drilling equipment from an American oil equipment giant, NOV Inc.

In June 2014, during the bloodiest phase of Syrias civil war, the Syrian government sought to evade U.S. sanctions on its oil industry by using a Cyprus-based middleman. The Syrian Petroleum Co. (SPC), a state-owned oil company in Syria, reached out to H.A. Cable Export Co. Ltd., an import-export firm registered in Cyprus, to help purchase drilling equipment from the American oil equipment company NOV Inc.

The correspondence between the SPC and H.A. Cable Export, which has been revealed through leaked documents as part of the Cyprus Confidential investigation, sheds light on Cypruss role in aiding authoritarian actors to bypass Western sanctions. The SPC and the Cyprus middleman discussed the procurement of equipment from NOV over the course of five years, despite the fact that the United States had imposed sanctions on Syrias oil industry since 2011.

These leaked documents raise questions about the involvement of NOV, as they show Syrian officials seeking to buy equipment through the Cypriot import-export firm to circumvent sanctions. While NOV publicly claimed to comply with U.S. law, the documents suggest a different reality.

The SPCs efforts to acquire equipment through a middleman, if completed, would have violated both U.S. and EU sanctions and potentially contributed to the Syrian regimes crackdown. NOV Inc.s chief compliance officer, Brent Benoit, stated that the company had no record of sales to H.A. Cable Export during the relevant period and suggested that the equipment mentioned in the documents could have been secondhand or counterfeit goods.

Syrias oil revenue was crucial for the regimes survival, especially as its economy collapsed during the civil war. The Assad regime was accused of using front companies to evade sanctions, and Cyprus was implicated as a facilitator in these illicit transactions.

The leaked documents indicate ongoing discussions between the SPC and the Cypriot firm until at least 2019, showcasing the Syrian regimes determination to access the equipment it needed to keep its oil revenue flowing. The outcome of these discussions remains unclear.

Overall, this investigation reveals how the Syrian government, with the assistance of a Cyprus-based middleman, sought to evade U.S. sanctions and acquire vital drilling equipment to maintain its grip on power during a tumultuous period in Syrias history.
Iran aims to reinforce its forces in its areas of presence in Syria, according to Baladi News.

Informed sources have disclosed that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard militias have withdrawn thousands of Syrian members affiliated with them from the Aleppo governorate. These members were relocated to positions in the governorates of Hama, Deir-ez-Zor, and Homs.

According to the sources, the Iranian militias transferred a force, along with military equipment, from the city of Aleppo to their military positions on the Athria road in the southeastern side of Aleppo, heading towards central Syria.

The command of the Iranian forces in Aleppo directed approximately 2,000 Syrian fighters, who were part of its ranks, to a base called al-Malaf. Additionally, 8,000 fighters in the countryside of the cities of Hama and the Homs desert, specifically in the Sukhna and Taybeh area, were mobilized to points in the countryside of Deir-ez-Zor.

Iran aims to reinforce its forces in its areas of presence in Syria, leveraging the support it has received from Russian forces at Palmyra military airport. This airport, controlled by the Russian Wagner forces, strategically facilitates the supply of weapons and equipment, as well as the transportation of personnel between Syria and Iran.

In a recent development, an Iran Air cargo plane landed at Palmyra airport in central Syria, carrying figures within the Iranian leadership operating in Syria.

Observers suggest that the supply routes of Iranian militias to Syrian locations have been significantly impacted by repeated Israeli air strikes on Damascus and Aleppo airports.

Recent reports indicate that the IRGC air force has resumed its activity in the ancient city of Palmyra, utilizing the military airport handed over to the Russian Wagner militia in early March 2021.

It was noted that the Russian Wagner militia, in control of the airport, permitted the Iranian Air Force to use it without altering its presence. This usage is part of its efforts to protect Russian investment companies for the al-Jazel and al-Shaer gas fields. Furthermore, it involves the extraction of phosphate ores from mines since 2018, in agreement with the Syrian regime.

Equipment transported from Palmyra military airport to Iranian forces in the past days reportedly arrived through the Athriya-Raqqa road, reaching warehouses of the Iranian forces east of the city of Aleppo after relocating old points and warehouses.

The Eye of Euphrates website had previously uncovered that the Iranian Revolutionary Guard militia and Lebanese Hezbollah had rehabilitated the Mayadeen agricultural airport. This airport is situated on the southern outskirts of the city near al-Rahba Castle, as well as the camps of Iranian militias in the Haidariya area, east of Deir-ez-Zor.

This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
The Port of Woodland is asking for community feedback on public access, recreation and habitat at Austin Point.

Anyone can complete a survey about the updates aiming to provide areas for fishermen, horse riders, walkers, swimmers and boaters at surveymonkey.com/r/JDYMVCG through Nov. 30.

Plans for Austin point separate the area into segments: north, central and south.

The north access area has an initial plan of a minimal parking lot with a pedestrian path from the parking lot to the beach area close to the Woodland Islands. Improvements to the site are considered minimal, preserving the wetland and beach areas and accommodating tidal influences along the shore, a press release from the port states.

The central access area will be the main public access area, with a parking lot, bathroom facility, fish cleaning station, playground and park area and pedestrian trail that will link to the south access area. The central segment is the current public access area at Austin Point. The site will have the most significant changes with septic, water and lighting added to serve the amenities. Additionally, picnic shelters and benches will be added.

We have heard from the public who want public access. We feel that public access desires can and will be met even with any future industrial development at Austin Point. One does not preclude the other, as we have seen successfully with ports in Kalama, Vancouver, Bellingham and Everett. This is what we want to bring to Woodland, Commissioner Paul Cline said in the press release.

The south access area will be located from the current wetland buffer area through to the point. This will feature a mix of mitigation and public access. Plans include removing invasive species, excavating channels for fish stream development, loosening trails, planting native species, and creating a trail system with a boardwalk through the critical areas to ensure the surrounding habitat will be minimally impacted. These trails will be wide enough to accommodate people and horses. Pavilions, picnic shelters and other amenities will be added to areas along the shore that are outside the critical habitat and wetland areas, according to the press release.

The port is seeking to solidify plans to apply for Washington State Recreation and Conservation grant funding in 2024. People can provide comments, concerns, support and questions through the port at AustinPoint@portofwoodland.com.
Salesforce collaborated with the Ministry of Education in India leveraging Trailhead, Salesforces free online learning platform, to skill 1,00,000 students in the next three years (by 2026). This collaboration focuses on making Salesforce skills accessible to next generation Trailblazers and creating new talent in the Salesforce ecosystem.

According to IDC, the global Salesforce economy, powered by AI, will create a net gain of 11.6M jobs and $2.02T in business revenues between 2022 and 2028. In alignment with these global objectives, Salesforce is actively collaborating with academia in India to enhance the availability of skilled talent.

The program will be made available with industry-relevant, National Occupation Standard, recognized course content. This includes train-the-trainer engagements for the educators, mentorship and employment connections to Salesforce partners and customers looking to hire Salesforce skilled talent and Salesforce supported Virtual Internship. Modules will be customized on Trailhead based on requirements of the programs through the Ministry of Education, affiliated departments, organizations and agencies so that the learners can benefit from these programs.

Arundhati Bhattacharya, CEO and Chairperson, Salesforce India, said, Indias race toward technological dominance is inextricably intertwined with the depth of its talent pool, digital adoption and the scope of technological innovation with a long-term focus on global reach. Talent is at the core of this journey, and with over 500,000 software engineers and technologists graduating each year, India is posed to be a global hub for tech talent. Ive always believed in the immense talent opportunity that India offers, but no amount of talent will make a difference unless it is properly skilled. Hence, we are delighted to be partnering with the Ministry of Education, supporting skilling and leveraging the power of collaboration to drive change.

Mr Govind Jaiswal, Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Education, said, The Ministry of Educations Department of Higher Education has decided to offer industry-related courses on the SWAYAM platform in collaboration with Salesforce with an objective to increase the employability of the students. By combining our resources, expertise, and network, we can create a comprehensive program that empowers students with the skills they need to succeed in the job market. I believe that this collaboration will not only benefit individual students but also contribute to the overall growth of any person participating in these courses.
This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies . Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility:

The government hopes the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Interoceanic Corridor (CIIT) will see 300,000 cargo containers transit every year by rail, with 1.4 million -- about 33 million tons -- by 2033.

At Mexico's narrowest point, linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the government is building a railway rival to the Panama Canal with promises of economic bounty but amid fears of environmental and social harm.

The Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes already dreamed of such a crossing for humans and goods in the 16th century, but most plans came to naught and a prior, rudimentary connection was all but abandoned with the opening of the canal cutting through Panama in 1914.

Then, in 2020, work started on a new coast-to-coast link under the government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

It comprises a 300-kilometer (186-mile) railway line from the Pacific port of Salina Cruz to Coatzacoalcos on the other side of the Isthmus of Tehuantepeca region rich in biodiversity and Indigenous heritage.

The government has announced an investment of $2.85 billion.

According to project coordinator Adiel Estrada, it has created 800 direct jobs and some 2,400 indirect onesa much-needed injection for a largely impoverished part of the country.

Officials expect that once fully operational, by 2033, the "interoceanic corridor" would boost GDP by three to five percentage points.

"We will go... from one ocean to the other in seven hours," Lopez Obrador boasted of the project in a recent video recorded aboard a brand-new train.

Service is expected to start in December with two daily round trips for passengers, and three for cargo.

By 2028, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Interoceanic Corridor (CIIT) should see 300,000 cargo containers transit every year, with 1.4 millionabout 33 million tonsby 2033.

The 80-km Panama Canal moved about 63.2 million tons in 2022.

Map of Mexico showing the planned route of the interoceanic corridor -- a road project that crosses the country linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, and is proposed as an alternative to the Panama Canal -- and the location of the industrial parks to be built along the way.

'Magnificent'

Lopez Obrador has said the CIIT comes at a time that "our brothers in Panama are having difficulties due to water shortages" in the canal through which three percent of global maritime trade passes.

The Panama Canal Authority has had to reduce traffic to 25 ships per day starting November 3down from 39 per day on average in 2022. By mid-February it will be down to 20 per day.

The Mexican corridor will be accompanied by the development of industrial parks, for which tenders have been opened, and which the government hopes will attract some $7 billion in investment.

But the corridor has had a mixed response.

"It's a magnificent project!" said Angelica Gonzalez, a 42-year-old craftswoman from Ciudad Ixtepec, one of the stops on the new route she hopes will boost sales to tourists.

Gonzalez was five years old when she last took a passenger train linking the two coasts.

That line was fully operational from 1907 to the 1950s, then declined until the 1990s when it finally closed, leaving only one cargo train on the route.

The cargo service has long been in urgent need of an update as Mexico upgrades capacity at its Atlantic and Pacific ports and the CIIT is meant to do just that.

Salina Cruz green activist Rafael Mayoral told AFP people along the route are "very motivated" for its opening.

There are fears about the project's environmental and social impacts.

But, he warned, that "does not erase its environmental and social impact."

According to another activist, Juana Ramirez of the Ucizoni NGO, the isthmus was likely to become polluted and downgraded by the project, with trees felled and vegetation uprooted.

Ucizoni claims that communities were not adequately consulted on the project, and that several people have already been displaced.

Ramirez said locals were being "harassed." She herself faces a large fineyet to be determined by a courtfor taking part in a protest against the CIIT.

Activists also fear a rise of violence in the area with organized crime likely to grow as access improves.

By mid-2024, the train is meant to link up to another line to the border with Guatemala via Chiapasa gateway for US-bound migrants without travel documents who frequently fall victim to smuggling gangs.

And observers claim gangs are already seizing land near the railway linesuprooting residentsas they expect its value to rise.

The NGO Mexican Center for Environmental Law (CEMDA) recorded three murders of land activists between October 2022 and July 2023 which it said were linked to the corridor.

 2023 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A study aimed at improving the accuracy and reliability of grid electricity meters, particularly under challenging on-site conditions is published in the International Journal of Information and Communication Technology. The research offers practical suggestions for assessing and optimizing measurement performance.

Chencheng Wang of the State Grid Sichuan Electric Power Company Marketing Service Center in Sichuan, China, explains how he has developed a measurement error estimation method utilizing big data analysis technology. His method integrates environmental and electrical factor data collected during on-site operations, providing real-time measurement error assessment for intelligent energy meters.

Smart energy meters are subject to mandatory national verification and management. Errors in the readings they produce not only affect the interests of millions of households, but also affect the safety, stability, and economic operation of smart grids themselves. A prediction tool built on the Shapley combination model and a neural network was demonstrated to be more accurate at making predictions about demand than other approaches based on tests with historical data, according to Wang.

However, a hybrid model constructed using the Shapley approach to bring together the BP neural network and RBF neural network demonstrated fast convergence and high accuracy, outperforming the conventional Holt Winters model.

The findings could be used in the reliable evaluation of smart meters with a view to improving operational decision-making and maintenance based on their real-time status. The work, by integrating and analyzing maintenance and abnormal data, also offers a lifespan survival probability model for smart meters.

The practical implications of this work lie in the improvement of error verification for electric energy meters operating on the grid. The researchers provided a conversion relationship curve between on-site measurement errors and laboratory reference conditions, aiding in identifying electric energy meters with larger measurement errors.

This approach facilitates the efficiency of error inspections in on-site operations and enables the prediction of out-of-tolerance failures in measuring equipment in advance. Overall, these advancements contribute to the reliability and performance of smart meters on the grid.

More information: Chencheng Wang, A method for identifying and evaluating energy meter data based on big data analysis technology, International Journal of Information and Communication Technology (2023). DOI: 10.1504/IJICT.2023.134852
Cars enter Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on San Antonios Northeast Side through the East Gate, which reopened this month. It had been closed since 2020, which contributed to traffic congestion at the bases three other entry points. About 14,000 military and civilian personnel and their dependents work or live at Randolph. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Cars enter Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on San Antonios Northeast Side through the East Gate, which reopened this month. It had been closed since 2020, which contributed to traffic congestion at the bases three other entry points. About 14,000 military and civilian personnel and their dependents work or live at Randolph. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Cars enter Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on San Antonios Northeast Side through the East Gate, which reopened this month. It had been closed since 2020, which contributed to traffic congestion at the bases three other entry points. About 14,000 military and civilian personnel and their dependents work or live at Randolph. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News Cars enter Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph on San Antonios Northeast Side through the East Gate, which reopened this month. It had been closed since 2020, which contributed to traffic congestion at the bases three other entry points. About 14,000 military and civilian personnel and their dependents work or live at Randolph. William Luther/San Antonio Express-News

Getting in and out of Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph can be a hassle, and the resulting congestion affects businesses and commuters in the surrounding area as well as the people who live and work on the base.

So its no surprise that the reopening of Randolphs East Gate, which had been shut since 2020, has been greeted with cheers.

RELATED: Joint Base San Antonio opens its roads to Uber

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The entry point at One 5th St. in Universal City reopened Nov. 1 for a two-week test to assess the effect on congestion during peak traffic hours.

Things went so well that the gate now will be open permanently from 6 to 8 a.m. Monday through Thursday for inbound traffic and from 3 to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday for outbound traffic.

The news was greeted with huzzahs on JBSAs Facebook page.

Yaaassss!! About time. Its been closed far too long. Thank you for opening this gate again! wrote one user.

Wonderful!!! It saved me 15 mins the other day, said another.

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The reopening has meant significantly reduced wait times at Randolphs three other entry points, the South, West and Main gates, said Lana OConnor, a spokeswoman for the base.

Tha Main Gate at Joint Base San Antonio-Randolph is one of four entry points. The East Gate, which closed in 2020, recently reopened, easing traffic congestion at the three other gates. About 14,000 military and civilian personnel and their dependents work or live at Randolph. Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

JBSA closed the East Gate during summer 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic cut sharply into traffic entering the facility.

The joint base comprises three major military installations: Randolph AFB, Lackland AFB and the Armys Fort Sam Houston. Collectively, theyre San Antonios largest employer, with more than 82,000 military and civilian employees. Thats 7% of all jobs in the city.

About 14,000 military and civilian personnel work and live on Randolph alone. About 4,000 of them are in the military. An additional 5,000 are dependents, and 5,000 are civilian Defense Department workers.

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The base is home to numerous units, including the headquarters of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC), the 19th Air Force, the Air Force Personnel Center and the 12th Flying Training Wing. AETC oversees all Air Force training, while the 19th Air Force is responsible for pilot training.

Congestion around Randolph can be a torment, and not just for base employees.

A construction project in 2019 temporarily closed the Main Gate, diverting traffic to the other entry points. Congestion got drastically worse on Pat Booker Road, a north-south thoroughfare that cuts through Universal City, and FM 78, a four-lane road that borders Randolph on the north.

Base employees were reluctant to venture out for lunch, and that hurt mom-and-pop restaurants, fast-food chains, automotive shops and barbershops lining Pat Booker.

To ease access to and from Randolph and San Antonios other military installations, JBSA now is allowing Uber drivers through its gates for the first time, subject to security restrictions.

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Uber drivers must be pre-vetted by JBSA security and must obtain a Defense Biometric Identification System ID. Thats not all: To get through the gates, everyone in the vehicle must be in possession of a valid Defense Department credential.
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The Al Dhafra solar power plant is one of the world's biggest, covering an area about one-fifth the size of Paris.

The United Arab Emirates inaugurated on Thursday one of the world's biggest solar plants, two weeks before the oil-rich Gulf state hosts UN climate talks.

The Al Dhafra plant, south of the capital Abu Dhabi, stretches over 21 square kilometers (eight square miles) of desert, an area about one-fifth the size of Paris.

Its rows of photovoltaic panels rotate to follow the sun and are kept clear of sand and dust by robotic cleaning modules.

"This project... will bring low-carbon electricity to the Emirates," said Bruno Bensasson, CEO of France's EDF Renewables, one of the partners in the project.

The UAE is on a drive to triple its renewable energy over the next seven years as it attempts to achieve "net zero" in domestic carbon emissions by 2050.

At the same time, state oil company ADNOC plans to increase its crude production from around three million barrels per day to five million by 2027. Emissions from exports are not included in domestic carbon tallies.

The argument over phasing out fossil fuelsthe main driver of wealth in the Gulfagainst targeting their emissions is expected to be a key battleground at the COP28 climate talks in Dubai from November 30.

COP28 president and UAE climate envoy, Sultan Al Jaber, is also CEO of ADNOC and chairman of renewable energy group Masdar, which together with another public company, TAQA, owns 60 percent of the Al Dhafra project.

The remainder is held by EDF Renewables and China's Jinko Power Technology.

The plant will save CO 2 emissions to the tune of "over two million tonnes a year, which is equivalent to 800,000 cars off the road", said Jinko president Charles Bai.

Al Dhafra, about 30 kilometers (20 miles) from Abu Dhabi, has a production capacity of two gigawatts and will provide carbon-free energy to 160,000 homes, its website says.

The UAE's carbon-reduction efforts are rated as "insufficient" by Climate Action Tracker, which says plans to increase hydrocarbon production and consumption means the country will miss its targets.

The website, which describes itself an independent scientific project, tracks government action to stick to the 2015 Paris Agreement of keeping global warming well below two degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, and pursue a 1.5C threshold.

 2023 AFP
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

As Australia heads into an El Nino summer, UNSW's Dr. Negin Nazarian, an expert in urban climate, explains five crucial strategies to keep citiesand peoplecooler.

There are several factors that interact when we think about heat in the urban environment.

"First, there's urban heat itself," explains Dr. Nazarian, "which is the change brought about by urbanization, buildings, roads, infrastructure and the like. This is often referred to as urban heat island. Then, there's the impact of climate change, which means that average temperatures globally, as well as in cities, are increasing across the board.

"Finally, climate extremes such as heat waves, are becoming more frequent, longer, and intense due to global warming. And in El Nino years, like now, the risk of climate extremes is also increased. Considering all these drivers, our cities are faced with an increasingly pressing problem of how to manage heat and care for the people living in them. This includes mitigating urban heat in our cities as well as helping our people adapt to them to reduce the negative impacts on their lives."

1. Cool materials

Urban areas, like cities, are warmer than natural areascreating what people talk about as the Urban Heat Island effect. And that's mostly because the types of materials used to create buildings have different properties than natural land cover.

"In the natural environment you have trees, grass and soil, which provide shade, absorb heat and retain water in the environment. However, most materials which create the built environment absorb more heat, trap more radiation, and have no way of retaining moisture for cooling," explains Dr. Nazarian.

To keep cities cooler, it's important for developments to increasingly utilize cool materials that radiate heat, rather than absorbing it. "This can range from light-colored paints that are suitable on roofs, through to the use of advanced super cool (retroreflective) coatings on pavements. The more advanced 'super cool' materials reflect most of the striking radiation backwards to the sky, reducing the heat trapped within the urban canopy, which means they won't be affecting thermal comfort of people in our streets," says Prof. Nazarian.

Recent developments in some areas of Sydney have seen a proliferation of dark colored roofs, which accentuates heat accumulation in these new suburbs. "Revisiting the ban on black roofs and requiring the use of light colored roofing materials by councils would be one way to start to mitigate heat in these green-field developments," says Prof. Nazarian.

2. Green spaces

Increasing urban greenery helps keep cities livable as temperatures rise.

"Heat mitigation is nuanced," says Prof Nazarian. "Just planting lots of trees will not cool our cities as we are also facing climate change and its impact on extremes. And most trees only have cooling benefits when they are sufficiently mature, so the impact is medium to long-term impact. However, trees have significant benefits such as providing shade, which reduces our exposure to heat, and helps us endure hotter temperatures. They also have a positive impact on people's well-being, and air quality."

Parklands, operate in the same way, on a larger scale, creating a "thermal oasis." "They may not fully mitigate urban heat at the city scale, but they provide local cooling and, more importantly, minimize the impact that heat will have on people. Creating more of these thermal oases will help manage the impact of increased urban temperatures," says Dr. Nazarian.

"Green roofs and facades are another good option for cities as they reflect rather than absorb heat," says Dr. Nazarian, "Green facades and roofs also contribute to energy saving of buildings though they are easier to implement in new buildings, where specific water-proofing and irrigation needs can be included in the design."

3. Climate-responsive urban planning

Urban design and planning decisions have a significant impact on temperature regulation. "Street canyons configured to promote shade and ventilation reduce local air and surface temperatures and improve outdoor thermal comfort, and are key to cooling our cities and people."

Dr. Nazarian also suggests careful consideration of the ratio of impervious surfaces to "natural" and "porous" land needs to take place. And with newer developments, such as those in Western Sydney, the recommended ratio (for instance in the Cool Suburbs Tool used in NSW) is a minimum 50% site perviousness, which can include green roofs and porous pavements.

Moreover, urban design that includes open spaces and positions buildings to facilitate natural ventilation can help dissipate heat in cities. In Sydney's eastern suburbs, the sea breeze effectively cools the area, while in the western suburbs creating ponds and parks which then cool the breezes that flow through the area can work in the same way.

Singapore's network of wind corridors exemplifies how thoughtful planning can create a symbiotic relationship between thermal oases and ventilation.

4. Blue infrastructure

Like green spaces, blue infrastructure, involving water bodies like ponds, rivers and dams, can be a powerful tool for temperature reduction. Integrating water features with green spaces can also help lower the temperatures of surrounding areas. Blue infrastructures can also be strategically placed together with greenery and wind corridors: as breezes blow over bodies of water they are cooled and then transport this cooling effect over nearby areas.

In western Sydney, the Norwest City project combined ponds and green areas with a great cooling effect and deployed a detailed cooling guide to integrate blue and green infrastructure in a multi-use precinct.

In a smaller way, water fountains in shopping areas, parks and boulevards, help cool people when temperatures are high.

5. Reduce human-created heat

The final piece of the puzzle is reducing heat generated by human activities, which is part of a larger project of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In cities, Dr. Nazarian underscores the need to rethink air-conditioning, car use and industrial practices.

"While air-conditioning gives people relief from heat, it simultaneously releases condensation and heat out into the environment, creating more demand for cooling, releasing more heat into the environment in a vicious cycle. Singapore, for instance, is shifting towards more energy-efficient, centralized cooling systems to mitigate localized heat. And some researchers are looking at ways to encourage the increased use of fans, which require far less energy to operate and don't add heat to the atmosphere."

There is no silver-bullet to reduce heat in our cities, but cool materials, green spaces, thoughtful urban planning, blue infrastructure and a reduction in human-generated heat will all need to be part of the picture.
A San Antonio Water System employee holds a puppy that was rescued from a sewer line on Brunswick Boulevard on Wednesday night. San Antonio Water System San Antonio Water System employees located and rescued a puppy trapped in a sewer pipe Wednesday night using televising camera equipment. San Antonio Water System San Antonio Water System employees and an Animal Control Officer pose for a picture with a puppy that was rescued from a sewer pipe Wednesday night. San Antonio Water System

San Antonio Water System employees rescued a puppy that fell into a sewer main Wednesday night.

The puppy  named Damsel by staffers with the citys Animal Care Services  is under observation and recovering after receiving medical treatment overnight. She was rescued from a pipe on Brunswick Boulevard, on the citys South Side.

Five-week-old Damsel was one of three puppies that somehow found themselves trapped in a sewer pipe, ACS spokeswoman Lisa Norwood said. It wasnt clear how they got inside the pipe, which was a private line that connects to the city utilitys sewer mainline.

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While the other two dogs were able to be removed quickly, Damsel moved farther into the pipe. When an ACS officer arrived, the puppy couldnt be seen, but was heard crying and yelping, Norwood said.

SAWS crews use camera equipment to locate and rescue a dog San Antonio Express-News

They tried to lure her to the entrance of the pipe with some food and she wasnt having it, likely because she was scared and in a tight space, Norwood said. Instead, Damsel moved farther back into the pipe. When she entered the sewer main, she might have been pushed farther by water flowing through the pipe, Norwood said.

Firefighters were called to the scene first and attempted to get the dog out of the pipe but were unable to locate her.

Thats when our heroes from SAWS got there, Norwood said.

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Crews from SAWS used camera equipment to locate the dog, then were able to push her about 200 feet to a nearby manhole, communications manager Anne Hayden said. A net and bucket were lowered into the manhole and used to bring the pup to the surface.

Norwood said Damsel was showing signs of hypothermia, and because she was exposed to and may have ingested wastewater, she was taken by Animal Care Services to an emergency veterinarian. Shes now recovering in the ACS clinic.

This little adventurer is sitting in our clinic now; were just observing her and making sure that shes OK, Norwood said.

The other two puppies who were rescued from the pipe were returned to their owner, but the person felt they couldnt afford the veterinary care Damsel would need, Norwood said. They legally relinquished ownership to Animal Care Services, so we could ensure that she received medical care.

A lot of people are obviously expressing interest in her, but shes not ready for adoption yet, Norwood said.

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She praised the SAWS employees who worked to rescue Damsel.
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
Russian threat actors have been possibly linked to what's been described as the "largest cyber attack against Danish critical infrastructure," in which 22 companies associated with the operation of the country's energy sector were targeted in May 2023.

"22 simultaneous, successful cyberattacks against Danish critical infrastructure are not commonplace," Denmark's SektorCERT said [PDF]. "The attackers knew in advance who they were going to target and got it right every time. Not once did a shot miss the target."

The agency said it found evidence connecting one or more attacks to Russia's GRU military intelligence agency, which is also tracked under the name Sandworm and has a track record of orchestrating disruptive cyber assaults on industrial control systems. This assessment is based on artifacts communicating with IP addresses that have been traced to the hacking crew.

The unprecedented and coordinated cyber attacks took place on May 11 by exploiting CVE-2023-28771 (CVSS score: 9.8), a critical command injection flaw impacting Zyxel firewalls that was disclosed in late April 2023.

On the 11 companies that were successfully infiltrated, the threat actors executed malicious code to conduct reconnaissance of the firewall configurations and determine the next course of action.

"This kind of coordination requires planning and resources," SektorCERT said in a detailed timeline of events. "The advantage of attacking simultaneously is that the information about one attack cannot spread to the other targets before it is too late."

"This puts the power of information sharing out of play because no one can be warned in advance about the ongoing attack since everyone is attacked at the same time. It is unusual  and extremely effective."

A second wave of attacks targeting more organizations was subsequently recorded from May 22 to 25 by an attack group with previously unseen cyber weapons, raising the possibility that two different threat actors were involved in the campaign.

That said, it's currently unclear if the groups collaborated with each other, worked for the same employer, or were acting independently.

These attacks are suspected to have weaponized two more critical bugs in Zyxel gear (CVE-2023-33009 and CVE-2023-33010, CVSS scores: 9.8) as zero-days to co-opt the firewalls into Mirai and MooBot botnets, given that patches for them were released by the company on May 24, 2023.

The compromised devices, in some cases, were used to conduct distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks against unnamed companies in the U.S. and Hong Kong.

"After the exploit code for some of the vulnerabilities became publicly known around 30/5, attack attempts against the Danish critical infrastructure exploded  especially from IP addresses in Poland and Ukraine," SektorCERT explained.

The onslaught of attacks prompted the affected entities to disconnect from the internet and go into island mode, the agency further added.

But it's not only nation-state actors. The energy sector is also increasingly becoming a focus for ransomware groups, with initial access brokers (IABs) actively promoting unauthorized access to nuclear energy firms, according to a report from Resecurity earlier this week.

The development comes as Censys discovered six hosts belonging to NTC Vulkan, a Moscow-based IT contractor that's alleged to have supplied offensive cyber tools to Russian intelligence agencies, including Sandworm.

Furthermore, the research uncovered a connection to a group called Raccoon Security via an NTC Vulkan certificate.

"Racoon Security is a brand of NTC Vulkan and that it is possible that Raccoon Security's activities include either previous or current participation in the previously-mentioned leaked initiatives contracted by the GRU," Matt Lembright, director of Federal Applications at Censys, said.
A zero-day flaw in the Zimbra Collaboration email software was exploited by four different groups in real-world attacks to pilfer email data, user credentials, and authentication tokens.

"Most of this activity occurred after the initial fix became public on GitHub," Google Threat Analysis Group (TAG) said in a report shared with The Hacker News.

The flaw, tracked as CVE-2023-37580 (CVSS score: 6.1), is a reflected cross-site scripting (XSS) vulnerability impacting versions before 8.8.15 Patch 41. It was addressed by Zimbra as part of patches released on July 25, 2023.

Successful exploitation of the shortcoming could allow execution of malicious scripts on the victims' web browser simply by tricking them into clicking on a specially crafted URL, effectively initiating the XSS request to Zimbra and reflecting the attack back to the user.

Google TAG, whose researcher Clement Lecigne was credited with discovering and reporting the bug, said it discovered multiple campaign waves starting June 29, 2023, at least two weeks before Zimbra issued an advisory.

Three of the four campaigns were observed prior to the release of the patch, with the fourth campaign detected a month after the fixes were published.

The first campaign is said to have targeted a government organization in Greece, sending emails containing exploit URLs to their targets that, when clicked, delivered an email-stealing malware previously observed in a cyber espionage operation dubbed EmailThief in February 2022.

The intrusion set, which Volexity codenamed as TEMP_HERETIC, also exploited a then-zero-day flaw in Zimbra to carry out the attacks.

The second threat actor to exploit CVE-2023-37580 is Winter Vivern, which targeted government organizations in Moldova and Tunisia shortly after a patch for the vulnerability was pushed to GitHub on July 5.

It's worth noting that the adversarial collective has been linked to the exploitation of security vulnerabilities in Zimbra Collaboration and Roundcube by Proofpoint and ESET this year.

TAG said it spotted a third, unidentified group weaponizing the bug before the patch was pushed on July 25 to phish for credentials belonging to a government organization in Vietnam.

"In this case, the exploit URL pointed to a script that displayed a phishing page for users' webmail credentials and posted stolen credentials to a URL hosted on an official government domain that the attackers likely compromised," TAG noted.

Lastly, a government organization in Pakistan was targeted using the flaw on August 25, resulting in the exfiltration of the Zimbra authentication token to a remote domain named "ntcpk[.]org."

Google further pointed out a pattern in which threat actors are regularly exploiting XSS vulnerabilities in mail servers, necessitating that such applications are audited thoroughly.

"The discovery of at least four campaigns exploiting CVE-2023-37580, three campaigns after the bug first became public, demonstrates the importance of organizations applying fixes to their mail servers as soon as possible," TAG said.

"These campaigns also highlight how attackers monitor open-source repositories to opportunistically exploit vulnerabilities where the fix is in the repository, but not yet released to users."
Research

NCES Survey Examines Public School Summer and After-School Academic Programs

According to data released by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the vast majority of public schools offer summer and after-school programs, many with an academic focus, taught by full-time teachers, and most at no cost to families, but overall participation is low.

The experimental data was collected from 1,442 K12 schools in every state and the District of Columbia in September 2023, based on the year's summer and after-school programs, and compiled into a "School Pulse Panel" report.

Key findings on summer programs showed that:

Eighty-two percent of schools offered some kind of program, with 78% of those being academically focused, including summer school, learning and enrichment, bridge, and other programs.

Overall, 15% of all public school students took part in summer programs, and of that number, a higher percentage were students of color (SOC) (19%) in schools and in cities (18%) with large SOC populations compared to schools with smaller SOC populations and located in rural areas.

Of schools offering academically focused summer school, 90% did so at no cost to families, and a third or more financed their programs with public funds. Also, most summer school programs (88%) met four or more days a week and were taught by full time teachers (90%).

Key findings for after-school programs for the 2023-24 school year show that:

They are offered by 87% of public schools, with 64% being academically focused.

Overall, 13% of all public school students are expected to participate this year.

As with summer school, SOC in cities are expected to have a higher percentage of attendance than their rural counterparts in schools with lower SOC.

Most after-school programs (92%) are being offered at no cost to families, are financed by public funds, meet four or more days per week (45% for academic assistance or enrichment), and are taught by full-time teachers (85%).

The data suggest that opportunity and cost are not significant factors in whether students participate, as about 75% of schools said they were able to provide these programs for students who wanted or needed them.

"The new data tell an important story about the additional opportunities available to help students beyond the school day, especially at a time when academic recovery from the pandemic remains a top concern," said NCES Commissioner Peggy G. Carr. "We are grateful to public school leaders that allow NCES to provide timely insights in the availability of summer and after-school opportunities."

Visit this School Pulse Panel page to view the findings and download the survey questions and data.
BAMBERG -- On Nov. 11, 2023 at 11 a.m., Bamberg County Council joined Bamberg Mayor Nancy Foster and Bamberg City Council at Bamberg Veterans Park to commemorate Veterans Day and to celebrate the grand opening of the park, a collaboration between the county, city, and state that has been years in the making.

Foster presided over the ceremony that featured:

 Presentation and retirement of the Colors by Bamberg-Ehrhardt JROTC Color Guard

 Invocation by the Rev. Evert Comer, Bamberg County Council Vice Chairman

 Patriotic musical selections from 1st Lt. Jordan D. Smith

 Special guest speaker Maj. Gen. Van McCarty, South Carolinas 29th Adjutant General

 Recognition of all veterans in attendance with a medley of the official service songs from each military branch

 Quilts of Valor Wrapping Ceremony

 Official dedication of Bamberg Veterans Park with a prayer by City Councilman Corey Ramsey

 Benediction by Ramsey

 Lunch

Additionally, Bamberg County Council adopted two resolutions at their last meeting: one to honor South Carolina Veterans and one to honor the South Carolina National Guard. Both resolutions were framed and included Bamberg County 125th Anniversary Challenge Coins. County Administrator Joey Preston and Comer presented the SC National Guard Resolution to McCarty and the Veterans Resolution to Bamberg County Veterans Affairs Director Craig Walker. Preston also said Bamberg County will add a memorial brick to the Bamberg County Memorial Trail in honor of McCarty.

During his Veterans Day message, McCarty, a 1982 graduate of The Citadel with more than 36 years of service including his current post as South Carolinas 29th Adjutant General, thanked everyone for coming out despite the cold and rainy weather conditions. He quoted an old military adage, If it aint raining, we aint training, which drew laughter from the audience. McCarty also acknowledged and congratulated Bamberg City and County Council on the park dedication and Veterans Day celebration, stating, Things dont generally happen by themselves; someone has to make them happen. McCarty said, Its an honor to be in beautiful Bamberg County. This is what America and Veterans Day is all aboutsmall towns where people know each other, work together, and help each other.

Reflecting upon the original Armistice Day on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918, McCarty noted that despite the intention of that day to mark the end of all wars, there are still about 30 ongoing wars across the world today, acknowledging our nations imperfections and inability to always get it right as was the case with the Vietnam War. He recognized Vietnam War veterans and apologized for how some of them were treated when they returned home from combat and then ardently thanked them for their service. Additionally, he recognized Marines in attendance, wishing them a happy 248th birthday and emphasized the importance of also thanking the family members and spouses of service members.

Foster said one of the highlights of the program is the wrapping of veterans by the Quilts of Valor Foundation. Including one veteran who had a homebound ceremony, 10 veterans were honored with a quilt. Members of the Anderson Quilts of Valor Foundation made the trip to Bamberg to personally present and wrap the veterans with their handmade, 100% cotton quilts that were meant to be treasured but also used.

Despite the cold, it is a privilege to be here to welcome and thank our veteransand we must also thank God that we still have the ability to FEEL something whether its a chill in our bones or gratitude to those who have put it all on the line for our country, said Comer, who is also a United States Army Veteran.

During his Veterans Park Prayer Dedication, Ramsey said, Just as the fathers of this nation said all men are created equal, we dedicate this ground to be one of hope and peace, and we boldly declare we will have a bright and prosperous future.

Preston said Veterans Park is a beautiful haven that will serve as a symbol of unity and gratitude and stands as a testament of the collaborative efforts of various government entities and businesses that have come together to create a space that honors the service and sacrifice of our veterans. He elaborated, Before this park became the tranquil haven we see today, it was the result of the dedication and cooperation of Bamberg County, the City of Bamberg, Bamberg Board of Public Works, Bamberg County Forfeited Land Commission, SC Parks and Recreation, the Bamberg C-Fund Committee, Rep. Justin Bamberg, Sen. Brad Hutto, SC DOT, Keck and Woods Engineering, Alliance Consulting Engineers, Craig, Gaulden, and & Davis Architecture, STANTEC Planners, Walls Landscaping, Evans Electrical, and yes, even the IRS. Together, they made it possible to clear and revitalize this space, transforming it into the Veterans Park we are proud to call our own.
Orangeburg Department of Public Safety

An employee at Guardian Transport, a private ambulance company, was surprised to see an SUV crashed into the business at 1681 Chestnut Street.

The discovery was made around 9 a.m. Sunday.

An unoccupied blue Ford Expedition had crashed into the building and the hood of the SUV was cool to the touch.

Someone had recently reported the theft of the SUV to the Orangeburg County Sheriffs Office.

An officer noticed small shoe prints by the drivers side door.

Also, the drivers seat was very close to the steering wheel, as if a small person had been driving it, according to the incident report.

The damage to the building is estimated at $20,000 and the damage to the SUV is estimated at $10,000.

In other reports:

 An unsecured 2013 silver Nissan Altima was stolen Saturday from the parking lot of The Keg, located at 409 John C. Calhoun Drive.

The driver of the Altima left the engine running while he went inside to make a purchase, according to an incident report.

When he returned to the Altima, it was no longer there.

Security cameras show a stranger exiting the business, then getting inside the Altima and driving away.

The value of the car is $13,000.

 A 9 mm black Taurus GC3 handgun was stolen from an unlocked car parked on Hampchase Circle on Friday night.

The value of the gun is $350.
The family of a Bamberg County Detention Center inmate is suing the county following his death, claiming he didnt receive the mental health or medical help he required.

Edwin Thibodeau filed a 17-page complaint against Bamberg County that alleges inmate Alan Ronald Thibodeau died under the custody of the jail. Edwin Thibodeau is the brother of the deceased, according to court records.

The complaint alleges grossly negligent and reckless acts led to the death of Thibodeau, who had mental health issues and should have been transferred to a psychiatric care facility.

The lawsuit claims he was never transferred and eventually died under the jail's custody.

Bamberg County Administrator Joey Preston said Tuesday that the county had not yet been served with the lawsuit.

Preston said he learned about the lawsuit from a news story.

The county cannot make any comments at this point, Preston said. Once the county receives service, the suit will be forwarded to the Insurance Reserve Fund for defense and an attorney will be assigned to answer.

The brother has also filed a notice of intent to file suit in a medical malpractice case, naming Southern Health Partners, Inc. Southern Health Partners, Inc., which provided services at the jail, could not be reached for comment.

According to the complaint, the 51-year-old Thibodeau, a Virginia resident, was diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar at the age of 20 and was later diagnosed with diabetes and required insulin and metformin to control blood sugar.

Thibodeau's mental health condition rendered him disabled and unable to work outside the home, but he was able to control his mood and demeanor with mood stabilizers and antipsychotic medications, according to the complaint.

In 2021, Thibodeau started to wean himself off his psychiatric medicines and admitted himself to a medical center in Petersburg, Virginia where he was admitted to the hospital's behavioral health unit.

Upon being discharged from the medical center on Feb. 10, 2022, Thibodeau went missing. Four days later, Thibodeau was found sleeping in the spare bedroom of a Bamberg home.

The complaint says Thibodeau entered the residence to have a place to stay and to keep warm.

He was arrested by the Bamberg County Sheriff's Office on a first-degree burglary charge and transferred to the Bamberg County Detention Center.

Due to this mental condition, it was determined at his bond hearing that it would not be safe to release Thibodeau into the community and he was assured that he would be properly fed and 'taken care of' by the nice people at the jail, according to the complaint.

The South Carolina Department of Mental Health determined Thibodeau lacked the capacity to stand trial and on April 19, 2022 a circuit court judge confirmed he could not stand a trial.

A Bamberg County probate judge ordered Thibodeau to be committed to the G. Werber Bryan Psychiatric Hospital in Columbia.

He was never transferred.

The complaint alleges that from Feb. 14, 2022 through July 10, 2022, Thibodeau was in the Bamberg County jail and he was not administered any mental health medications or given any medicine for his diabetes.

Thibodeau's physical health deteriorated catastrophically the complaint claims.

The complaint alleges Thibodeau was kept in an isolated cell where records indicate he spent the bulk of his time naked and covered in excrement.

It also alleges Thibodeau was subjected to unreasonable and excessive force, including the use of stun guns and chemical munitions. The complaint alleges these were used as a form of punishment due to Thibodeau's mental health condition and caused his condition to further deteriorate.

The complaint claims Thibodeau refused meals because he believed he was being poisoned by staff at the jail. As a result, he suffered from weight loss and life-threatening malnutrition.

Local areas fall into first stage of drought Some areas in The T&D Region have entered the first stage of drought following a dry, late summer and fall.

On July 10, 2022, Thibodeau was found breathing but unresponsive in his jail cell, according to the complaint.

He was transported to the Bamberg-Barnwell Emergency Medical Center where he was found to be in critical condition and suffering from hypothermia, lactic acidosis and hypoglycemia.

At the time of his transport to the BBEMC, Thibodeau was 101 pounds. He previously weighed 178 pounds in November 2021, according to the lawsuit.

Thibodeau was then transferred to the Lexington Medical Center for a higher level of care, allegedly in handcuffs despite being unconscious and near death.

The LMC determined Thibodeau was experiencing active heart failure, circulatory failure, liver failure, kidney failure and respiratory failure. He was also considered to be dehydrated and in septic shock, according to the complaint.

Thibodeau died July 23, 2022.

The autopsy showed Thibodeau suffered from emaciation as well as stage 2 ulcer. The cause of death was determined to be multisystem organ failure, according to the lawsuit.
A former Holly Hill Academy teacher is facing felony criminal charges over accusations of an illicit sexual relationship with a student, according to a letter from Holly Hill Academy.

Reagan Mobley Anderson, 27, of Holly Hill, is charged with two counts of sexual battery of a student age 16/17 without coercion, according to Orangeburg County court records.

An Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office incident report notes Anderson denied the allegations.

A letter sent to parents by head of school Brandy Mullennax said Anderson is no longer employed at the school.

Mullennax said the school was made aware of the allegations and contacted law enforcement. The school has cooperated with law enforcement as they continue the investigation, according to the letter.

"As a school community, we strive to always provide a safe and secure learning environment for all our students," the letter said. "We cannot comment on this matter further at this time, other than to assure you that we will continue to work with law enforcement and provide the needed supports for our students and staff as we deal with this situation."

"As we navigate this difficult time, please keep our Raider family in your prayers," the letter concludes.
My 8-year-old granddaughter Gracie and I have been hunting together for the last three or four years.

The first couple of years we spent several Sunday afternoons riding around in the country hunting for the elusive South Carolina unicorn. We never actually saw one, although we did manage to snatch the horn off one in the back yard in an old-fashioned rope trap.

Two years ago, Gracie decided she was ready to sit in a deer stand with me. She made clear her rules for deer hunting before we ever went. We couldnt shoot baby deer because that would make the momma deer sad. We couldnt shoot momma deer because then the baby deer wouldnt have anyone to take care of them. We couldnt shoot daddy deer because the baby and the momma deer would miss him. We could, however, shoot granddaddy deer because they were old and grumpy.

We went several times both seasons and while we saw several deer, none of them met Gracies criteria. So we didnt shoot anything. Once as we were leaving, I said something about we didnt shoot anything but I had fun anyway. Gracie replied, We got to spend time together, so thats what counts.

I swear Ive been blessed beyond anything I have ever deserved.

The two of us have been three or four times this season and while we had fun and saw and heard some interesting stuff, we didnt see a deer, much less get a shot at one. I was worried she might start to get bored, but Gracie seemed to stay enthused about going, asking me every Friday, Are we going hunting this weekend?

We decided to hunt on Saturday, Nov 4. On the way to the club, Gracie said, "I think Im going to shoot a Grandmamma deer today since they dont have babies or a daddy deer if we see one."

We made the short walk from the truck to the stand, pulled the empty gun up behind us and got settled in to wait. Thirty minutes later, I heard footsteps coming from behind us. I touched Gracie on the knee to get her attention and pointed in the direction of the crunching leaves.

Sure enough, here came a little buck. Thirty yards away, standing broadside, on the wrong side for Gracie to be able to shoot. It didnt take long for him to figure out something wasnt quite right and he trotted on off. Well shoot.

We got settled back down and talked about what we could have done differently. We pretty much decided it was just his lucky day and if he was dumb enough to come back, he wouldnt be so lucky next time.

Thirty minutes later, just as the shadows were creeping in, I saw a deer easing through the hardwood bottom out in front of us. It was a doe who started feeding directly in front of us about 75 yards away. A minute later a cow horn-buck joined her. Both were completely unaware we were there, feeding and wandering around.

I asked Gracie if she wanted to shoot, which is when we realized I had left her hearing protection in the truck. She said she didnt want to shoot because of the noise. I told her we could just watch them and if she changed her mind, she was welcome to shoot, but it was up to her.

Twice over the next 10 minutes we would ease the rifle up to the shooting rest and Gracie would change her mind. I guess she was having to build her courage up because she finally said, Im ready to do this. I eased the rifle up to the rest; she made herself good and solid and touched it off.

A perfect shot. Right in front of the shoulder and Gracies first deer was down. She looked up at me and said, Papa my heart feels like its about to jump out of my chest.

Truth be told, so did mine.
A Casper woman pleaded guilty to criminally negligent homicide in the death of her 366-day old boy, as part of an agreement with state prosecutors.

Elizabeth Sterkel also pleaded guilty Thursday morning to one felony count of child endangerment in Natrona County District Court. She faces up to six years in prison for both charges. The maximum sentence for criminally negligent homicide is one year, while felony child endangerment carries a maximum of five years.

The autopsy conducted on the child showed fentanyl exposure, District Judge Catherine Wilking said in court Thursday. The theory is that fentanyl was crushed up in the kitchen, and there were traces of meth in the sink. Sterkels friend is believed to have made a bottle for the child and put him down for bed after handling the drugs.

Sterkel mostly delivered one-word answers in response while the judge and state prosecutors laid out the factual basis for her guilty plea.

As part of the agreement, Sterkels sentence in another case  a third strike felony drug possession  will run at the same time as the sentences in this case.

State prosecutors could still argue for the maximum sentence because it was not negotiated in the deal.

Its a criminally negligent failure of a parent, Assistant District Attorney Blaine Nelson said in court Thursday.

Casper police responded to a report of a dead toddler on the evening of May 18, 2022, the affidavit in the case states. There were no obvious signs of trauma on the child.

Authorities found drug paraphernalia that appeared to be used in the consumption of meth, the affidavit states. Many items were sent to the Wyoming State Crime Lab for testing including two baby bottles shown to contain traces of meth.

There was fentanyl and meth detected in the childs blood samples, the affidavit states.

An autopsy showed that [the child] had been exposed to the Fentanyl well before he was found to be deceased, the affidavit states. It is believed [he] died within 1/2 to 1 hour after his exposure to the fentanyl.

Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in Wyoming, and our new mobile app is designed to make sure you dont miss breaking news, the latest scores, the weather forecast and more. From easy navigation with the swipe of a finger to personalized content based on your preferences to customized text sizes, the Star-Tribune app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
A photo of Matthew Davis, 32, with his mother, Leigh Anne, used in a GoFundMe set up to cover funeral costs. Davis was fatally shot at a Sonic in North Texas. Courtesy of GoFundMe

After a Texas 13-year-old was found guilty last month in the murder of a Sonic worker, a judge in Johnson County has sentenced the teen to spend over a decade behind bars.

The 12-year sentence was handed down Tuesday after days of hearings considering evidence for sentencing ranging from probation to 40 years of incarceration, according to the Associated Press.

He will begin serving his sentence in a juvenile justice center, but could later be transferred to an adult prison, the AP reported.

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The teen, whose identity has been withheld due to his age, was found delinquent in October in the May shooting death of 32-year-old Matthew Davis at a Sonic restaurant south of Fort Worth.

Seth Fuller, the boys attorney, said in a video on social media that his young client did not have any criminal history.
Across the U.S. there are hundreds-of-thousands of abandoned mineral mines, which have left behind pock-marked landscapes, dangerous subterranean cavities, and polluted waterways. Its the result of an industry that went virtually unregulated for over two centuries.

Almost fifty years after the landmark Surface Mining Control and Reclamation Act (SMCRA), which created a fund to help reclaim abandoned mines, the issue is still far from resolved. And as sprawl and development increasingly run up against historically rural mining areas, abandonment has become a growing concern.

Theres not enough money to mitigate every coal mine. Theres no way. Theres just too many mines, said Don Newton, who oversees the Wyoming Department of Environmental Qualitys Abandoned Mine Lands (AML) program.

The AML program found a booster in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law (BIL), which set aside $11.3 billion for remediation projects across the country and could octuple reclamation resources for some states. Although leaders in Wyoming and elsewhere say federal administrators are keeping the money penned up in a cage of red tape.

The new requirementsplaced on states are going to take their attention away from the important work of mine reclamation, said Sen. John Borrasso last week during a Natural Resources Committee hearing, referring to stipulations requiring states to provide data on economic gains and greenhouse gas emissions. They may be interesting data points, but they have nothing to do with the mission of the program.

The funding is administered by the Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSMRE), whose Acting Director Glenda Owens was grilled by senators accusing her office of filibustering on grant applications.

We put in $11 billion for AML funding but we only have a 10 year window. And [at this rate] it wont get done. It wont even get out the door, and as bad as we need it, itll just lay dormant and get reverted back to Treasury, said Sen. Joe Manchin, Committee Chair.

Don Newton testified before the committee and said the relationship between states and the federal government was breaking down over AML issues. As an example, he cited OSMREs unilateral decision to alter the guidance language for reclamation grants without including states.

Altering agreed upon language, without giving their partners the opportunity to review and comment erodes trust and does not comply with the principles of cooperative federalism, he said.

Newton also expressed frustration with what his department sees as burdensome metrics, which include things like projected economic benefits and greenhouse gas emissions.

Trying to evaluate how much greenhouse gas emissions are coming off a two-mile long highwall? He asked rhetorically of the committee. I dont know that anyone could do that, and I dont really see the value of it because youre generating data, not closing off the mine.

In an interview with the Star-Tribune, Newton said, All of our projects have potential economic benefit because were saving somebodys house, were repairing a road or saving a building from collapsing. Our job is to go fix problems, and if we have to be tracking all these additional metrics then were going to be fixing less problems.

The metrics are related partly to pressure put on OSMRE to show program success, according to those familiar with the issue. Director Owens said the protracted vetting is partly meant to ensure federal dollars are not being spent wastefully, and also to preclude litigation in the future.

One of the requirements of us to administer this program is to ensure that the federal funds we award are getting used for the purpose that theyve been granted, Owens said. Its not our goal or intent to throw hurdles and obstacles up.

Another factor in slow processing is the programs own growth, which appears to be outpacing OSMREs administrative capacity. What began as a pilot, the Abandoned Mine Lands Program, a ramification of SMACRA, has evolved and changed in scope. Its reclamation projects have become intertwined with economic revitalization initiatives that implicate the private sector. This creates additional administrative work for OSMRE, and may slow down the processing of even simple applications.

Wyoming has received BIL funding for a reclamation in Hanna, which repaired a collapsing highway. It is currently seeking another grant to infill a mining cavity beneath I-80 in Rock Springs.

Weve been doing this for 40 years. And just because theyre putting more money into it doesnt mean that were going to be working any differently, right. We know how to put the money on the ground, we know how to fix problems, said Don Newton.
THE current financial imbalance, which has the potential to deplete the National Insurance Boards assets by 2035, is not rooted in investment issues but rather stems from the challenges posed by this countrys ageing population, the acting chief operating officer, Business Services at NIBTT, Andy Edwards has said.
A nursing manager waiting for two years to get an echocardiogram (ECG) appointment for an urgent heart condition is the reality and experience of patients in the public healthcare system.

Members of the public ventilated several negative experiences they have had at health centres and hospitals to a Joint Select Committee (JSC) town hall meeting on Social Services and Public Administration on Wednesday at the Parliament Complex, Cabildo Building, St Vincent Street, Port of Spain.
Ultimately, the fate of the Report of the Commission of Enquiry (CoE) into the Paria Diving Tragedy is as important as the report itself.

From all indications, the Commissions report contains a cauldron of hard truths. We can easily extrapolate from comments by CoE chairman Jerome Lynch, KC, that those truths will rock many a boat. But we too agree that the public interest demands immediate public view of its contents.
FBI and law enforcement search a shed and house in the 2400 block of Basse Road on Wednesday as part of a federal investigation. The shed is on a property that includes two residences or duplexes, which also were searched during the raid. Guillermo Contreras/Staff Paul Anthony Chacon, one of two suspects arrested on murder and robbery charges, arrested during an FBI raid Wednesday in San Antonio. Courtesy BCSO Esteban Xavier Flores, one of two suspects arrested on murder and robbery charges, arrested during an FBI raid Wednesday in San Antonio. Courtesy BCSO FBI and law enforcement search a shed and house in the 2400 block of Basse Road on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, as part of a federal investigation. The shed is on a property that includes 2 residences or duplexes, which were also searched during the raid. Guillermo Contreras/Staff FBI and law enforcement search a shed and house in the 2400 block of Basse Road on Wednesday as part of a federal investigation. The shed is on a property that includes two residences or duplexes, which also were searched during the raid. Guillermo Contreras/Staff

A search Wednesday by federal agents and San Antonio police on the near North Side was related to last years slaying of a man who was tortured and dumped in a ditch, court records show.

Hours after the search, San Antonio police arrested Esteban Xavier Flores, 23, and Paul Anthony Chacon, 29, charging them with murder in the death of Joe Anthony Guerra, 30, who was found in April 2022.

Guerra was tortured and beaten unconscious in a residence in the 2400 block of Basse Road, a triplex where Wednesdays search took place and where Flores lived, according to affidavits supporting the arrests of Flores and Chacon.

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Guerras body was identified through his fingerprints. Bexar Countys medical examiner was unable to determine the cause or manner of death, the affidavits said. The documents do not say where in San Antonio Guerras body was found.

Flores also has been charged with the March 19, 2022, aggravated robbery of a 21-year-old man from Uvalde. Flores and another man allegedly beat the man and dumped him on Commercial Avenue on San Antonios South Side, according to another court document. The same filing shows that the FBI is part of the investigation of Flores and his alleged accomplices.

The Uvalde victim survived.

The investigation, which yielded witness accounts of both incidents, led to Wednesdays raid at the triplex on Basse Road, which startled neighbors  with the roar of a hovering helicopter and exploding flash-bang cannisters  and drew extensive media coverage.

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Court records said San Antonio police arrested Flores in an unrelated case in June 2022. Detectives got a search warrant for his phone, and police found video of him and two other people assaulting Guerra on April 17, 2022, at the Basse Road residence, according to the affidavits.

The affidavits said Guerra went to Flores residence to sell him Xanax on April 17, 2022. A witness accompanied Guerra to the triplex but left without him. The witness returned to the house hours later but couldnt find Guerra, the affidavits said.

Videos obtained by police show Guerra sitting at a table shortly before 9:30 p.m. that day. Flores walked up to him and punched him, knocking him to the floor. Chacon then joined in the assault of Guerra, who appeared to have been knocked unconscious, according to the affidavits.

Flores, Chacon and another unidentified man then removed Guerras clothing, leaving him with only his boxers on. Chacon and the man held Guerra down as Flores placed a cloth over his face and poured water on the cloth in waterboarding fashion, the affidavits said.

Waterboarding is a form of torture that leaves victims gasping for air and feeling as though theyre drowning.

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The affidavits said Guerra can be seen squirming in the video as he attempts to breathe.

Another video obtained by police shows Guerra with blood on his face while Flores points a gun at him as if he was about to shoot him. Flores holds Guerra at gunpoint for a short time before putting the gun down, according to the affidavits.

A picture recovered from Flores phone showed Guerra with blood on his face lying and wearing black shorts inside a bathtub believed to be in Flores home.

The picture was taken shortly before 1:30 a.m. on April 18, 2022.

San Antonio police found Guerra in the ditch on April 22, 2022. He was wearing black shorts like those seen in the picture in Flores phone, the affidavits said. Investigators learned through Flores cell phone location data that his phone had been a block away when Guerras body was dumped on April 20.

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The other victim

The Uvalde man drove his Ford F-150 truck to Flores residence on March 17, 2022, with passenger Shawn Garza, 22. After letting them in, Flores and another man then took out guns and pistol-whipped the victim, said an affidavit supporting the aggravated robbery charge against Flores. They beat his head, face and body, knocking him temporarily unconscious, the document said.

The pair ripped off the victims earring, took his phone and wallet, with $300 in cash, and stripped off his jeans, shirt and shoes. They dragged him out of the home, put him in his truck, drove him to Commercial Avenue, dumped him in a ditch and drove off in his F-150, the affidavit said.

The man sought help from passing motorists, and police eventually responded, the affidavit said.

On Sept. 18 of this year, an FBI agent and San Antonio police detective drove to Uvalde, where they interviewed the man at the Uvalde County Ssheriffs Office. He identified his alleged assailants from a lineup.

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Flores remained in the Bexar County jail early Thursday, with bail totaling $400,000, records show. Chacon also remained in jail with bail set at $250,000.

Flores and Chacon may have been arrested as the FBI, the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives and San Antonio police searched the Basse Road property. Law officers could be seen searching the other two units of the triplex, a storage building on that property and a home next door, in addition to Flores' residence.

Agents and police also detained four other young men during the raid, and questioned them for hours at the scene, but later released them. Those men, who declined to give their names or ages, told the San Antonio Express-News they had done nothing illegal.

The owner of the triplex said neither Flores nor Chacon were tenants at his property, and that he did not know any of the four men the FBI detained for questioning and released.
A Border Patrol agent was killed Tuesday night in Douglas when he crashed the ATV he was riding into a light pole, officials say.

Agent Freddy Ortiz, 44, was responding a call just after 7 p.m. when he swerved off the road and smashed into the pole, said a news release Wednesday evening from the Cochise County Sheriff's Department.

Ortiz was pronounced dead at the hospital, the release said.

Ortiz was assigned to the Douglas station within the Border Patrol's Tucson sector, officials said.

U.S. Border Patrol Agent Freddy Ortizs on-duty death is a tragedy and a stark reminder of the dangerous nature of our mission," John Modlin, the sector's chief patrol agent, said in the news release. "I am grateful for all the Border Patrol Agents, first responders, and medical staff who attempted to save his life. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and loved ones.

The Cochise County Sheriffs Office and U.S Customs and Border Protections Office of Professional Responsibility continue to investigate, the release said.
Tucson Police have made a second arrest in the the stabbing death late last month of a 24-year-old man on Tucson's south side.

Mario Antonio Avechuco, 24, was arrested Tuesday in connection with the Oct. 30 killing of Daniel Flowers, Tucson police said Wednesday in a news release.

Avechuco is the second man arrested in the killing. He was booked into the Pima County jail on one count of first degree murder. Bond was set at $1 million, the release said.

On Nov. 10, police arrested Robert Faustino Hance, 23, in connection with the killing.

Flowers was found mortally wounded in the 700 block of W. Idaho St, near South 12th Avenue, police say.

Detectives continue to investigate. Anyone with information is asked to call 911 or 88-CRIME, the anonymous tip line.
Two college of education professors at the University of Arizona have been suspended with pay for the rest of the semester after a student released audio recordings of a classroom discussion about the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Professors Rebecca Lopez, director of the early childhood education program, and Rebecca Zapien, community liaison, are being investigated by the university while they are suspended. They were teaching a class called cultural pluralism for young children when the audio was recorded.

The audio clips were shared by the X (formerly Twitter) account @IsraelWarRoom, a pro-Israel platform with more than 260,000 followers.

In an education class at (the UA), these professors chose to discuss the current Israel-Gaza war and the broader Israeli/Palestinian conflict, the tweet reads. What was shared was an entirely BIASED, ANTISEMITIC, BLATANTLY FALSE, and TERRORISM-SUPPORTING narrative.

Posted in the thread were recordings of Lopez and Zapien speaking about the conflict. At one point, they conflated Hamas to the Black Panther party in the United States. In another, they shared ways students could boycott Israel.

The pro-Israel account ended the thread with a message directly for UA President Robert Robbins.

Your professors are gaslighting Jewish students, endorsing terrorism, and spreading blatantly false information, the tweet read. We DEMAND you do something about it.

In a statement to the Arizona Daily Star, UA spokeswoman Pam Scott wrote that the college and university will determine how to proceed after they have completed an ongoing investigation.

She added that in the meantime, alternative instructors will be taking on responsibilities for the course in question.

Alex Morey, the director of campus rights advocacy at the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, said her organization has seen a dramatic increase in students and professors sharing pro-Palestinian viewpoints being punished by their colleges and universities.

There are many polarized debates right now but almost no debate is more polarizing than Israel-Palestine, she said. These debates are getting to core identities, core rights, and people are feeling really fired up about these issues because the outcomes impact their core identities and rights.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, also known as FIRE, has reached out to both Lopez and Zapien but has not heard back, Morey said Wednesday.

This is a situation where we need to know more about what was on the syllabus for this class, she said. Is talking about this issue something that would be relevant to the coursework?

Because she has not been in contact with either of the professors, Morey said it is hard to determine whether being immediately put on suspension was a just sentencing from university officials.

Im curious why administrators jumped to a suspension here, she said. Even if they think that this crossed the line and these professors had a real substantial digression their class, is it reasonable to suspend them?

Maha Nassar, the faculty advisor for the Students for Justice in Palestine group, says it was not.

This suspension, which was enacted without due process, sends a chilling message to UA students, staff and faculty who believe in Palestinian freedom, dignity and human rights, she said.

Education students themselves were mixed in their reactions to the recorded lecture. Samantha Paredes, a senior in the college of education who was not present in the class recorded but did engage in a separate class discussion about the conflict with Lopez, said she was really disappointed that someone had recorded the lecture.

I was just really disgusted and really sad to see how some people are utilizing their privilege and their wealth and power in the country to punish others because they dont agree with what theyre saying, Paredes said.

Paredes and her classmate Dominique Barnes, also a senior, said these conversations are student led and just based on background to the issue. Its important to discuss, they both agreed, because they need to prepare to teach students of all backgrounds.

We are educators, and we are working with children, Barnes said. As educators, we dont get to pick and choose where our children in class come from.

Both Paredes and Barnes said they were nervous to participate in future discussions of real-world issues for fear they might be recorded in the same way.

Its crazy to see the power that a recording can hold, especially if its taken out of context, Barnes said. Are we going to be able to have these genuine learning moments?

But for some, sharing the contents of the classroom discussion was important. Avery Garnets, a sophomore in the college of education who was not present for the class, said it was honestly outraging to hear the recording.

The professors are spoon feeding lies to their students and the students are blindly accepting these lies to be facts, she said.

Garnets said she doesnt feel safe as a Jewish student on the UA campus with this rhetoric being spread. Though she did not like hearing the recording, it affirmed the way shes felt about being Jewish on campus lately.

I do not wear my Star of David necklace because my parents have begged me not to, she said. I even started tearing up and had to walk out of class once because I was at a table with a group of students talking about their backgrounds and I was too scared to share with them that I am Jewish.

University officials have not said when their investigation into Lopez and Zapien will conclude. Even if the professors are reinstated in their roles, Barnes, the senior education student, said she has lost some of her faith in the college.

I really valued the college of education, Barnes reflected, sitting on the lawn outside of the colleges main building. She glanced up at the towering brick walls. Now that completely changed for me because they werent supportive of our professors.

Social media has undoubtedly impacted the sanctity of the college classroom, according to Morey, the director of campus rights advocacy at FIRE.

The social media world has changed the classroom fundamentally, she said. Its basically taken down the four walls of the classroom that historically existed and made what faculty and even fellow students say in class potentially available to the rest of the world.

Her statement rings true at the UA. Earlier this year, a faculty member in the college of nursing stepped down after a student shared a slide about gender affirming care she presented to the class. The photo ended up being shared on multiple conservative social media platforms and was even retweeted by Elon Musk.
Three new city staff hires have vastly improved what was previously a weak to non-existent effort to enforce Tucsons 15-year-old law requiring new businesses to harvest rainwater outdoors, officials say.

Since the staffers were hired starting about a year ago, compliance has been widespread with the city requirement for new businesses to rely heavily on water harvesting for outdoor landscaping, says City Manager Michael Ortega and the citys Planning and Development Services Department, which enforces the law. At this time, all 137 new projects that have been reviewed by the city and built in that year are under compliance, said Ina Ronquillo, a Development Services spokeswoman.

Thats a sharp contrast with past findings by outside experts and city staff of widespread non-compliance in reports done in the late 2010s and early 2020s.

The ordinance requires new businesses to obtain at least half the water they need for their outdoor landscaping from rainwater. Its passage in 2008 helped put Tucson on the map, nationally, as a hotspot for the restoration of the ancient practice of capturing rainwater to nourish landscapes.

City officials estimate that about 30% of Tucsons water supplies are used outdoors. So rainwater harvesting is seen as one of several possible ways to curb outdoor watering.

One way rainwater can be harvested is for a business to install cisterns or other tanks to capture and store runoff streaming down from rooftops. Or, a business can slope and contour its outdoor grounds in a way that directs rainfall straight to the trees, cacti and shrubs on its property.

But a 2018, city-financed study  which wasnt released to the public for nearly three years  found that nine of a sample of 12 businesses that its authors inspected were using Tucson drinking water for more than half their landscape water supply. Most were using city water for well over half of their landscape watering, the study said.

Worse, no citations had been issued to violators, said the study, prepared by two independent experts including longtime Tucson rainwater harvesting pioneer Brad Lancaster.

A broader investigation by city staff echoed the experts findings, by concluding that the vast majority of 41 commercial projects examined that were built from 2016 to 2020 exceeded the 50% threshold. Nearly half were grossly out of compliance with the ordinance, said an early 2022 memo to the City Council by Tim Thomure, then an assistant city manager who is now deputy city manager.

But from Oct. 31, 2022, just after the first of the three new city staffers was hired, to Oct. 31, 2023, the Planning and Development Services Department has reviewed and approved 137 plans for new commercial development and inspected them once they were built.

The first new staffer, a landscape architect, was hired in September 2022, said Development Services spokeswoman Ronquillo. Two inspectors to help enforce the ordinance were hired in April 2023.

While there will always be pushback to new regulations, the compliance and the submitted plans have improved considerably, with most projects complying with the ordinance from the onset rather than requiring multiple iterations to meet the requirements of the ordinance itself, Ortega wrote in a Nov. 14 memo to the council.

Often, the projects exceed the ordinances requirements by 20-30%. That translates to upwards of 75-80% of the required water usage of the plant materials being met by rainwater harvesting, he wrote.

Asked by the Star to clarify Ortegas estimates, Ronquillo said at least 60% of the commercial developers plans met the ordinances requirements at the time that city staff gave them their first review.

About 40% of the initial plans submitted have missing components of the plan, arent meeting the minimum rainwater harvesting requirements of the plan, or dont match the submitted grading plans and need revisions to them, Ronquillo said in an email.

When the new developments were actually built, however, city inspectors found that eventually, all 137 businesses inspected met the ordinance requirements upon completion of construction, she said.

"If they failed a commercial rainwater harvesting ordinance inspection, the developer had to bring that portion of the project into compliance prior to the inspection being passed," Ronquillo told the Star.

Overall, less than 40% of the projects inspected were not originally constructed to meet the requirements of the CRWHO and needed minor changes to meet compliance.

Roughly 10% of submitted projects exceed the rainwater harvesting ordinances 50% mandate by 20-30%, Ronquillo said.

City officials havent said what percentage of the new commercial developments met the 50% rainwater harvesting requirement once they were built and operating.

At the very beginning of this effort, it was a struggle to get plans in compliance, City Planning and Development Services Director Kristina Swallow  who was hired in June  told the council Tuesday. Now, we find many are in compliance in their first submittal. If not, its not hard to get them into compliance.

City Councilman Kevin Dahl said hes overjoyed with the progress in enforcing the ordinance.

A lot has changed in a year. Im so happy to hear this update. Many thanks for getting it right, Dahl said.

Back in March 2022, Dahl spearheaded the effort to hire the three staffers by pushing for a council vote to create the new positions at a cost of $284,000. He won on a 4-3 margin.

Those who opposed it said they agreed that staffing and enforcement needed beefing up, but that a decision to create new jobs should wait until the city considered and adopted a new city budget for the then-upcoming fiscal 2022-23 year, so all city needs could be considered simultaneously.

But one of the three to vote no at the time, Mayor Regina Romero, was effusive at Tuesdays council meeting in her praise for the recent efforts to bring businesses into compliance.

I just wanted to thank you for pursuing this ordinance we instituted a long time ago that for one reason or another was not put into compliance, said Romero, one of two council members to vote for the 2008 ordinance who remains on the council. Congratulations to Planning and Development Services for moving in leaps and bounds for doing this.

Its very, very exciting. Im really happy to hear it is moving in a great direction. Weve already seen the product of what the commercial rainwater ordinance really was meant to be, Romero said.

Looking ahead, city planners are also evaluating all past commercial developments approved since the 2008 ordinance passed to try to improve how future such developments are reviewed, Ortega and Swallow said. This allows the Planning and Development Services Department to see what deficiencies in plan review exist, where strategic goals are not being met, and how to institute/implement better enforcement tools, Ortega wrote.

Swallow said this work allows the department to make sure we are applying the best practices.

But in response to a question from Dahl about whether the earlier projects could now be improved, she said, If were talking about projects constructed from the early years of the ordinance, its really nearly impossible to bring those projects into compliance.
The Sonoran Desert  which stretches south and west from Phoenix into southeastern California and northwestern Mexico  is a place where life has adapted to harsh conditions in the most beautiful ways. It is thought to be the most biodiverse desert in North America, with some 350 bird species, 60 mammals, 20 amphibians, 100 reptiles, and 2,000+ plant species. This rich place, which I have been lucky to call home for my entire life, has been shaped by a long history of resilience and impressive survival strategies of the plants, animals, and people who have lived off the land for millenniaand will play an invaluable role in our future.

To those who live here, its no surprise that Arizona is one of the fastest growing and water-consumptive states: In the Phoenix area alone 2.2 billion gallons of water are used per day  more than twice as much as New York City, despite half as many people. As private lands that contain precious groundwater sources are gobbled up for development, that leaves public lands more vulnerable and more valuable for wildlife and the health of the ecosystem as a whole.

As a recent graduate of Arizona State Universitys School of Sustainability, I spent years learning and understanding the importance of maintaining healthy biodiverse ecosystems, as they are essential to sustaining life on earth and combating climate change. For example, saguaro cacti, which are only able to grow in the Sonoran, play an important role in sequestering and storing carbon. A mature saguaro cactus stores the carbon equivalent of about 40 gallons of gasoline, even after it dies.

The Sonoran Desert is a valuable region that will help protect climate-critical species like the saguaro cactus for years to come, and its important that we Arizonans work to conserve healthy, intact ecosystems.

A gem of the Sonoran is the Great Bend of the Gila, a stretch of river valley that follows the Gila River through public land between the cities of Phoenix and Yuma. Since 2008, Congressman Raul Grijalva has been working alongside tribes to permanently protect the Great Bend of the Gila by way of congressional legislation.

In the Great Bend, you are surrounded by some of the Sonorans richest biodiversity, by reminders of millennia of human history, and by the sweet smell of creosote. Here the perennial waters of the Gila River support an abundance of life, from the endangered Sonoran pronghorn to Gila monsters, from carbon-sequestering powerhouses like saguaros to Mexican poppies, and from the great egret to the little cactus wren. This area also functions as a safe wildlife corridor for animals traveling throughout the desert. In an area experiencing habitat fragmentation due to roadways and urban sprawl, corridors like these are essential for ensuring the survival of many wildlife species.

These same lands and waters have provided physical and cultural sustenance to Indigenous communities in the southwest for thousands of years. Their descendants include members of the Ak-Chin Indian Community, Cocopah Indian Tribe, Colorado River Indian Tribes, Fort McDowell Yavapai Nation, Fort Mojave Indian Tribe, Fort Yuma-Quechan Indian Tribe, Gila River Indian Community, Hopi Tribe, Pueblo of Zuni, Salt River Pima-Maricopa Indian Community, Tohono Oodham Nation, Yavapai-Apache Nation, and Yavapai-Prescott Indian Tribe. Protecting this culturally significant landscape respects and honors the people who have lived here since time immemorial, and provides access needed to continue Indigenous practices and traditions.

The Great Bend of the Gila has withstood the test of time and continues to provide invaluable climate and cultural benefits to this day, but it cannot be expected to endure in the face of relentless urbanization. Permanently protecting the Great Bend is essential so that we may continue to benefit from, and enjoy, these irreplaceable resources far into the future. Its time to permanently protect the Great Bend of the Gila.
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

Leonardo DiCaprio says it was an honor to be part of Killers of the Flower Moon.

Based on David Granns bestselling book about serial murders that occurred within the oil-wealthy Osage Nation in the 1920s  murders described as the Osage Reign of Terror  Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon was released Oct. 20.

Cast members refrained from doing film promotion during the SAG-AFTRA strike, but with an agreement in place, DiCaprio joined Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro, Jesse Plemons and Scorsese to answer submitted questions during a virtual press event that lasted just over 30 minutes Wednesday.

DiCaprio was asked about the challenges of playing a conflicted and complex character like Ernest Burkhart. Under the influence of powerful uncle William Hale (DeNiro), Burkhart married and betrayed his Osage wife, Mollie, who was played by Gladstone.

While answering the question, DiCaprio pivoted to this: The residue and the remnants of the Osage Reign of Terror is generational, and its still evident within the communities there in Oklahoma. And we were there a century later. A lot of the injustices are still occurring to this day.

Getting to play Ernest and trying to bring truth to that character was, again, just simply about listening to those stories and trying to get to as truthful a moment as we possibly could in portraying Mollie and Ernest.

Continuing, DiCaprio said what is fascinating to him about the Killers of the Flower Moon story is that places rich in the most resources are most often drenched in blood.

And we see this not only in America but all around the world, he said. This story is a microcosm for a much larger story about Indigenous people and lands, and its still happening today. That, to me, was one of the most shocking revelations in telling this story.

In the films original screenplay, the relationship between Ernest and Mollie was kind of a footnote in a story about who had committed the murders, according to DiCaprio.

And oftentimes, having worked with Marty (Scorsese), you realize that the story is kind of secondary to him and the exploration of the human condition and who people are is first on his priority list, DiCaprio said.

The films story was revised to place the Ernest-Mollie relationship at the core. DiCaprio was originally going to play Tom White, the FBI agent summoned to investigate the murders, but he shifted to Ernest and Plemons became the lawman.

By the time I showed up, it was so apparent how much work had already been done before I got there, Plemons said. I was sent this research packet with pretty much everything I could ever want to know about Tom White along with David Granns book.

Gladstone was asked the importance of the Killers of the Flower Moon team working hand-in-hand with the Osage Nation. De Niro and DiCaprio answered questions about their frequent collaborations with Scorsese. DiCaprio and Gladstone answered questions about how they worked through the dynamics of their characters relationship. They met with descendants of their characters to get a better feel for Ernest and Mollie.

As farfetched as it may seem to others who see this movie who are shocked at the atrocities that Ernest continues to commit and Mollies understanding of whats going on, this is based in hard evidence, DiCaprio said.

And its based in a sense of community from the Osage of a story that, in a lot of ways, they have not openly talked about. And so here we were a hundred years later, sort of bringing up these ghosts and these stories from the past in the actual locations and working with direct descendants of this tragedy.

All I can say is it was an honor to be a part of this movie, telling this story.
Andrea Eger Tulsa World Staff Writer Follow Andrea Eger Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The Oklahoma State Department of Education released the 2022-23 school report cards on Wednesday.

Report cards for each school site are published on an interactive online dashboard at oklaschools.com.

At the state level, academic achievement was unchanged from the year prior with a C grade; academic growth fell from a B to a C; English language proficiency progress was unchanged at a B; chronic absenteeism fell from a D to an F; postsecondary opportunities was level at a C and graduation was unchanged at a D.

In a press release, State Superintendent Ryan Walters claimed that the data was from previous years, even though all of the academic achievement indicators are from state tests administered just seven months ago.

While these scores show data from previous years, they are simply unacceptable, Walters said in the written statement. I will not allow Oklahoma to continue to fail, thats why we are taking a Back to Basics approach. We are implementing robust school choice options for parents, have rolled out the greatest teacher recruitment program in the country, and are reinstituting accountability for discipline in the classroom.

The Oklahoma Legislature is investing record amounts to address education in our state, but for too long, our schools have focused on social experimentation rather than educational outcomes. My message to the people of Oklahoma is clear: we are righting this ship, and we will make Oklahoma a leader in education again.

Chronic absenteeism refers to students who miss 10% or more of the school year for any reason, including absences excused based on local school district policy, because chronic absenteeism places students at academic risk.

According to the state, the percentage of students in good attendance fell from 80.5% in 2021-22 to 79.96%.

National research has shown chronic absenteeism has soared in U.S. schools since the pandemic, and those trend lines have been reflected across Oklahoma, with data even worse at the local level in Tulsa Public Schools.

Statewide, reading proficiency showed a decline overall, from 27.2% to 26.3%  a net decrease of 0.9 percentage points from spring 2022 tests. In eighth-grade reading, only 19.3% of Oklahoma students were considered proficient in spring 2023 tests, a 5.7 percentage point decrease.

Math proficiency rates increased ever so slightly, from 24.9% to 25.1%

The state dashboard is meant to allow users to analyze and compare data among different student groups  such as students with disabilities, different races and ethnicities, and English learners  with schools across the state.

Oklahoma grades its public schools using a bell curve. That means every year, 5% of schools will receive an A, 25% will receive a B, 40% will receive a C, 25% will receive a D and 5% will receive an F.

In a written statement issued Wednesday afternoon, officials with Tulsa Public Schools said they were still reviewing the results.

We recognize that while the Oklahoma State Department of Education report cards are an important metric by which school progress is measured, the district continues to work toward improving all outcomes for students, the statement reads in part. As our teams carefully analyze the data reflected in the state report cards, our academic and teaching teams continue to align the urgent work already underway with the challenges highlighted by the State Department of Education.

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A proposed Tulsa City Council resolution that would express support for Israel and the Jewish community in Tulsa in light of the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas will undergo more work  if it comes back at all  after concerns were aired that it would do more harm than good.

Councilor Grant Miller, during a council committee meeting Wednesday, said he authored the resolution in light of the massive rise in antisemitism that has occurred in recent years.

The proposed resolution mentions the Oct. 7 attack, offers support for Israel and the Tulsa Jewish community, and notes that the city of Tulsa vehemently opposes the unwarranted attacks by Hamas, while offering condolences to the victims of the attack and their families.

Miller noted that Mayor G.T. Bynum has sent a letter to one of the citys sister cities in Israel, Tiberias, offering the citys support, but Miller said there are plenty of people that live here in Tulsa, here in the Jewish community, who are fearful and who deserve to have us speak up on their behalf.

But several councilors expressed concerns about the need for the resolution and whether it would cause more antisemitism and Islamophobia. The proposed resolution, while noting the Oct. 7 attack, does not mention the ongoing Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

Councilor Laura Bellis said Miller approached her about two weeks ago regarding potentially co-sponsoring the resolution.

He only came to me because I am a Jew, Bellis said. He doesnt know anything about me or my personal thoughts on this topic.

I was a little taken aback, Bellis said. We dont usually talk outside of these meetings. We dont have a trusting relationship as colleagues.

Bellis said she wrote Miller an email Oct. 27 asking him to not bring the resolution to the council for consideration. She said Miller never responded to her email.

In the email to Miller, which Bellis read, she said those in the Muslim and Jewish communities to whom she has spoken were opposed to the resolution.

Bringing this topic into a municipal setting would, despite positive intention, have the harmful impact of elevating local antisemitism and Islamophobia, thereby escalating threats to the safety and well being of our communities, Bellis said.

Councilor Jayme Fowler said he has received tons of emails on the issue.

How many are really genuine, I dont know, Fowler said. Its not for me to say which ones are.

He said there has been a lot of loss from the Muslim community also in Gaza.

If we do go forward with this resolution,  I would like to make sure we do recognize there has been a loss of lives there in the Muslim community, Fowler said. And maybe we ought to slow this process down and make it more deliberative. Weve got time.

Councilors Lori Decter Wright and Crista Patrick both expressed opposition to the resolution.

Wright said the City Council has traditionally not engaged in geopolitical conflicts.

I dont feel comfortable with pursuing this, Wright said. She said the Council spent six months on a resolution in support of the Tulsa Race Massacre.

It was very intentional and very deliberate, Wright said of that resolution. She recommended that more input be sought on Millers measure.

But I am not interested in taking my time to pursue something that I dont think the city should make a statement about, Wright said.

No other council members volunteered during the meeting to serve on a committee or working group regarding the proposed resolution.

Patrick said the city already has made a statement that addresses the issue with its passage of a hate crime ordinance.

I appreciate all of those comments, Miller said toward the end of the discussion on the matter.

The community engagement, I feel, begins at this table, he said, acknowledging that he doesnt have a good working relationship with Bellis.

Its clear that there is more research to be done, Miller said. He hailed Wrights suggestion of bringing in experts and faith leaders to discuss the issue more.

Maybe at the end of the day this doesnt go forward, Miller said. Thats possible this body could decide that. But I think we should at least have the discussion. I dont necessarily think that nine people at a table could speak for an entire community.

Any resolution approved by the council is nonbinding and would be subject to approval by the mayor.

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Metal Sanchez speaks in support of Palestinians and calls on the city to end its friendship status with Tel Aviv at a recent San Antonio City Council meeting. To walk away from a relationship with another city like Tel Aviv because some object to our federal governments decisions is a betrayal of what San Antonio is at its core: a community dedicated to friendship. Carlos Javier Sanchez/pixelrefle Manny Pelaez Courtesy City of San Antonio

The war in the Middle East has motivated many San Antonians to demand that City Council dissolve our friendship city relationship with the Israeli city of Tel Aviv.

While I understand the sentiment, I disagree.

The televised carnage is difficult to witness. Like you, I am struggling to understand the magnitude of the war and death count. However, anger over the horrors of this war or any other conflict must never lead to the abandonment of a sister city relationship.

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I bring a unique perspective to this conversation. I serve as a member of the executive board of Sister Cities International, or SCI, an organization created by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Eisenhower knew that after World War II people were hungry for more meaningful friendships with people in other countries. He posited that people from different cultures could appreciate and celebrate their differences while building partnerships that would lessen the chance of new conflicts. He was right.

As an SCI leader, I help lead a network of cities that unites thousands of citizen-diplomats in nearly 500 communities and in more than 140 countries. The Sister Cities network includes 28 U.S.-Israel and five U.S.-Palestinian city partnerships, with many having celebrated decades of mutually beneficial exchanges and cooperative work.

San Antonios network of 11 sister cities and four friendship cities helps students, researchers, NGOs, artists, doctors, entrepreneurs and many others create lasting friendships with foreign counterparts. Participants have seen firsthand how peaceful engagement and communication can enhance their personal and professional lives, as well as the lives of others. They have learned that continued communication is necessary because of our differences, not in spite of them.

A sister city relationship also creates a space for us to engage our friends in difficult conversations about immigration, border security, human rights, climate change, economic inequities and refugee migration. Such important conversations would not happen without SCI, which is often the congregator of people to discuss painful topics and seek resolution.

SCI was intentionally designed to create opportunities for more people-to-people diplomacy instead of government-to-government diplomacy. We craft these relationships knowing that sometimes they will be difficult. That is why sister cities have never been an explicit or implicit endorsement of policies or actions of the partner cities national governments. Rather, they serve to keep channels of communication open  even when political or cultural differences damage country-to-country relationships.

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A sister city relationship must endure country-to-country conflict; it should never be severed. Conflicts between nations have an increased chance of resolution when individual stakeholders at the grassroots level work with their foreign counterparts. Post-conflict healing will only happen if individuals, with the help of partner communities, play an active role in that healing.
The pace of Palestinian civilians fleeing the combat zone in northern Gaza has picked up as Israels air and ground campaign there intensifies. The pace appeared to be greater Wednesday, after the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said about 15,000 people fled Tuesday, compared to 5,000 on Monday and 2,000 on Sunday.

The densely populated northern area of Gaza, specifically Gaza City and adjacent crowded urban refugee camps, are the focus of Israels campaign to crush Hamas, the militant group that has ruled Gaza for 16 years. The war, now in its second month, was triggered by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel.

The number of Palestinians killed in the war passed 10,500, including more than 4,300 children, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza said.

In the occupied West Bank, more than 160 Palestinians have been killed in the violence and Israeli raids. More than 1,400 people in Israel have been killed, most of them in the Oct. 7 Hamas attack that started the fighting, and 239 hostages were taken from Israel into Gaza by the militant group.

Currently:

 US launches airstrike on site in Syria in response to Iranian-backed militia attacks on bases housing U.S. troops

 Israel pressured by allies over plight of civilians in Gaza as thousands flee enclaves north

 Americans divided over Israel response to Hamas attacks, AP-NORC poll shows

 U.S. House of Representatives censures only Palestinian American in Congress

 Blinken urges united future Palestinian government for Gaza and West Bank, widening gulf with Israel

 Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war.

Heres what is happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:

US LAUNCHES STRIKE ON SITE IN SYRIA IN RESPONSE TO ATTACKS BY IRANIAN-BACKED MILITIAS

WASHINGTON  The U.S. launched an airstrike Wednesday on a facility in eastern Syria used by Iranian-backed militias, in retaliation to an increasing number of attacks over the past several weeks on bases housing U.S. troops, the Pentagon said.

Two U.S. F-15 fighter jets carried out the strike on a weapons storage facility linked to Irans Revolutionary Guard.

President Joe Biden "directed todays action to make clear that the United States will defend itself, its personnel, and its interests, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said in a statement.

This is the second time in less than two weeks that the U.S. has bombed facilities used by the militant groups, many operating under the umbrella of the Islamic Resistance in Iraq, which U.S. officials say have carried out at least 40 such attacks in the region since Oct. 17.

UN RIGHTS CHIEF SAYS GAZA TURNED INTO A LIVING NIGHTMARE BY ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

GENEVA  The U.N. human rights chief said collective punishment by Israel of Palestinian civilians and their forced evacuation, as well as atrocities committed by Palestinian armed groups on Oct. 7 and their continued holding of hostages, amount to war crimes.

Volker Turk, standing in front of Egypt's Rafah border crossing into Gaza, told reporters Wednesday: These are the gates to a living nightmare.

We have fallen off a precipice. This cannot continue, he said later in Cairo.

Turk said international human rights and humanitarian law must be respected to help protect civilians and allow desperately needed aid to reach Gazas beleaguered population of some 2.3 million people.

He said the U.N. rights office received reports in recent days about an unspecified orphanage in northern Gaza with 300 children who need urgent help, but communications were down and access were impassable and unsafe, so we cannot get to them.

I feel, in my innermost being, the pain, the immense suffering of every person whose loved one has been killed in a kibbutz, in a Palestinian refugee camp, hiding in a building or as they were fleeing, Turk said. We all must feel this shared pain  and end this nightmare.

GAZA HOSPITALS STRAIN UNDER ISRAELI SIEGE, WITH PREMATURE BIRTHS ON THE RISE

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza City  Hospitals in Gaza are nearing collapse under Israel's wartime siege, which has cut power and deliveries of food, fuel and other necessities to the territory.

Inside the maternity department at Nasser Hospital in the southern city of Khan Younis, the workload has doubled because of the mass displacement from Gazas north. That's according to neonatal specialist Dr. Asaad al-Nawajha, who said Wednesday his team has seen an increase in premature births as the monthlong war intensifies.

Shouq Hararah is one of those mothers. She says her delivery took place with no proper birth procedures, no anesthesia, painkillers or anything.

I gave birth to twins. The boy was discharged, but the girl remains in the maternity ward, she said.

Standing before a row of beeping incubators, al-Nawajha emphasized the war's life-threatening consequences.

All of our work depends on electricity; all the machines you see here rely on it, the doctor said. When the electricity is cut, these devices stop working, and all the babies will face certain death.

SYRIA SAYS ISRAELI AIRSTRIKES HIT MILITARY POSITIONS

Israel airstrikes hit several Syrian military positions late Wednesday, Syrian state media reported.

Quoting an unnamed military source, state news agency SANA said the strikes caused material damage, and did not mention any casualties nor the locations where the airstrikes took place. Pro-government radio station Sham FM said the sounds of explosions could be heard in southeast Sweida province and in some suburbs of the capital, Damascus.

Meanwhile, Britain-based opposition war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the strike in Sweida province targeted an air defense and radar unit, while at least three strikes in suburbs near Damascus were not far from Syrias military airbase and wounded three people, without giving further details.

Israel, which has vowed to stop Iranian entrenchment next door, has carried out hundreds of strikes on targets in government-controlled parts of neighboring Syria in recent years, but it rarely acknowledges them. Israel did not immediately comment on the alleged airstrikes.

93 ROMANIANS WHO ESCAPED GAZA FLY TO BUCHAREST

BUCHAREST, Romania  A group of 93 Romanian citizens landed Wednesday evening at an airbase near Romanias capital on a flight from Egypt after being evacuated from the Gaza Strip.

The specially chartered flight touched down at Base 90 at Bucharests Otopeni Airport around 10.00 p.m. local time. The plane also brought back 36 Moldovan citizens, according to Romanias foreign ministry.

Romanias Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu had flown to Egypt earlier on Wednesday to meet the evacuees and returned with them on the flight to Romania.

I was overwhelmed to see the joy and hope in the eyes of the children who escaped the hell in Gaza, Ciolacu wrote on Facebook after arriving in Egypt. The Romanian Government will continue to act to facilitate the evacuations by all the means at our disposal.

Another 51 Romanians have also been granted permission to leave Gaza into Egypt through the Rafah border crossing, the foreign ministry said, but did not specify when.

Six Romanians who hold dual Romanian-Israeli citizenship are among the hostages held by Hamas. Since Hamas launched its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, at least five Romanian citizens have been confirmed killed.

BRAZIL STOPS TERROR PLOT AGAINST JEWISH COMMUNITY, OFFICIAL SAYS

RIO DE JANEIRO  Authorities in Brazil foiled a terror plot on Wednesday when they arrested two people in Sao Paulo state, the Federal Police said in a statement.

The two suspects were recruited and financed by the Lebanese militia Hezbollah and planned to target buildings tied to the Jewish community, according to an official with information about the plot who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

The police statement did not give details about the suspects. It said police also executed 11 search warrants in Sao Paulo, Minas Gerais and the Federal District that were aimed at obtaining proof of possible recruitment of Brazilians for carrying out extremist acts in the country, adding that it was targeting both recruits and recruiters.

Local paper O Globo reported that police arrested one of the two suspects when they returned to the international airport in Sao Paulo, with information in hand to carry out the attack. There are two additional targets for arrest in Lebanon, the paper reported, without saying how it obtained that information.

The Brazilian Israelite Confederation celebrated the police operation on X, formerly Twitter.

The tragic conflicts in the Middle East cannot be imported into our country, where different communities live peacefully, harmoniously and without fear of terrorism, the group said.

Brazil has one of the worlds largest Lebanese populations; most estimates put their total well above that of Lebanon itself.

Associated Press writer David Biller contributed.

US DRONE SHOT DOWN BY YEMEN'S HOUTHI REBELS

WASHINGTON -- A U.S. drone was shot down by Yemen's Houthi rebels on Wednesday, according to the Iran-backed groups military arm and a senior U.S. military official.

The Houthis said it was an MQ-9 Reaper drone that was in Yemeni air space and was shot down by air defenses. The senior U.S. official said the military is still analyzing the episode, including whether the drone was in international airspace or over Yemen. A second U.S. official said the MQ-9 Reaper was over international waters when it was shot down. The two officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss details not yet made public.

The Houthis have fired at least four batches of drones and missiles toward southern Israel since Oct. 7. The group controls the capital and much of northern and western Yemen where the majority of the county's population lives.

Associated Press writer Lolita Baldor contributed.

ISRAEL SAYS IT DESTROYED 130 HAMAS TUNNELS IN GAZA AND RELEASES VIDEO FROM INSIDE UNDERGROUND NETWORK

Israels military released video on Wednesday of what it says are combat engineers locating, entering and blowing up Hamas-built tunnels in the Gaza Strip.

Israel has destroyed 130 tunnels since the war began, according to Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, the chief military spokesman.

The videos show a soldiers body camera footage inside what Israel said was a Hamas tunnel, its walls lined with cement and the shaft partially filled with sand. Another clip shows the mouth of what appears to be a tunnel in an open area near damaged buildings. There are clips of armored excavators and bulldozers digging in the dirt, as well as explosions apparently destroying tunnel entrances.

The Israeli military did not provide locations where the videos were filmed, and the images did not include any visible landmarks except for one shot showing the sea in the background, so The Associated Press could not independently confirm the videos.

Hamas is believed to have a massive underground network throughout Gaza, allowing it to transport weapons, supplies and fighters.

Israeli warplanes have bombed crowded urban neighborhoods, saying the strikes target the tunnel system or Hamas commanders. But airstrikes can inflict only limited damage on the subterranean network.

WHITE HOUSE SAYS ISRAEL TO KEEP MILITARY IN GAZA AFTER WAR, BUT RE-OCCUPYING IS A MISTAKE

WASHINGTON: U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said it was likely that Israel would maintain a military presence in Gaza for a period of time after the ongoing war, but said the U.S. believes it would be a mistake for Israel to re-occupy the territory.

I think all of us can foresee a period of time after the conflict is over where Israeli forces will likely still be in Gaza and will have some initial security responsibilities, Kirby told CNN on Wednesday. But for how long and where and to what size and scale and scope, I think its too soon to know. Kirby said the U.S. was focused on devising a long-term governance structure for Gaza after the current conflict, but said that as yet there has been little prospect of a viable plan.

I think where we are is: a lot of questions, and not a lot of answers, he said. We know what we dont want to see in Gaza post conflict, we dont want to see Hamas in control, and we dont want to see a re-occupation by Israel.

He added: We know that the United States cant solve this alone, and that the U.S. was engaging with regional and international partners on the matter.

PALESTINIANS FLEE ON FOOT FROM NORTHERN GAZA, DESCRIBING HUNGER, THIRST AND RELENTLESS BOMBING

BUREIJ REFUGEE CAMP, Gaza Strip  A long line of thousands of Palestinians fled on foot from northern Gaza Wednesday  families, children and older adults, crying babies  carrying only what they could take in their arms or on their backs.

They were seen in Associated Press video walking down Gazas main north-south highway, heeding the Israeli military's orders to evacuate during a five-hour window as its troops battled Hamas militants deep inside Gaza City. Some evacuees were pushing relatives in wheelchairs, with one older adult wheeled down the road in a hand truck.

Abeer Akeila left her home in Gaza city after relentless strikes forced all her neighbors to flee southward. She said life in the city has become increasingly difficult amid dwindling water and food supplies.

There was shelling and bombardment overnight, she said. We didnt have food or drinking water ... They struck the bakeries. There is no life in Gaza.

About 15,000 people fled northern Gaza on Tuesday  triple the number that left Monday  according to the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

Many of the people walking south are refugees or their descendants who fled or were expelled from their homes in what is now Israel in 1948.

ITALY TO STATION HOSPITAL SHIP OFF GAZA'S COAST

ROME  Italy is sending a hospital ship that will be stationed off the coast of Gaza to aid the Palestinian population, Defense Minister Guido Crosetto announced Wednesday.

Crosetto said the mission is a concrete sign of Italys closeness to the Palestinian people, distance from the Hamas terrorists.

The ship Vulcano has 170 people on board, including medical and military personnel, and includes operating rooms. It will first head to Cyprus and then as close as possible to the conflict zone to provide emergency medical support, Crosetto said.

ISRAEL TO LAUNCH FORMAL INVESTIGATION INTO HAMAS ATTACK

JERUSALEM  Israels attorney general and state attorney are working with police and military to formally investigate the Hamas attack on Oct. 7, they announced Wednesday.

Our goal is to investigate and initiate legal proceedings against those who perpetrated, planned and otherwise took part in these heinous acts - wherever they are, the statement said. It said Israel would punish the Hamas militants with the utmost severity, commensurate with their crimes.

Police are working to collect evidence from towns across the south as attorneys for the Ministry of Justice decide how best to proceed with the investigation.

SPAIN SAYS CITIZEN MISSING AFTER HAMAS ATTACK IS DEAD

MADRID  Spains Foreign Ministry said Wednesday that a Spaniard missing in Israel following the Hamas attack in October is dead. The ministry identified him as Ivan Illarramendi. It declined to give any further details.

In a message on X, formerly known as Twitter, Israels ambassador to Spain, Rodica Radian-Gordon, said: Our hearts are torn by the news of the brutal murder of Ivan Illarramendi. He has been identified a month after the terrorist massacre committed by Hamas in Israel, along with his wife Dafna Garcovich.

The Israeli Embassy was unable to say where the death occurred.

Spains state news agency Efe and other Spanish news outlets have reported that Illarramendi and his Chilean wife had been living in a kibbutz near the Gaza Strip.

The ministry confirmed the death of another Spaniard with Israeli citizenship, Maya Villalobo Sinvany, on Oct. 11.

Following the attacks, the ministry would only say that two Spaniards had been affected in the attacks.

Villalobo was reported to have been in military service at an Israeli miliary base at the time of the attack.

HEZBOLLAH SAYS IT STRUCK ISRAELI INFANTRY UNITS

BEIRUT, Lebanon  Lebanese militant group Hezbollah claimed two attacks on Israeli infantry units in the areas of Shomera and Dovev on Wednesday which it said inflicted casualties on Israeli forces. There was no immediate confirmation of the casualties from the Israeli military.

Following the strikes, Lebanons state-run National News Agency and an Associated Press journalist in south Lebanon reported heavy shelling in several border areas in Lebanon.

Hezbollah said in a statement that the attack on Dovev was in retaliation for Israeli forces targeting an ambulance in Lebanon. On Sunday, local Lebanese officials said an Israeli drone had struck near two ambulances on their way to pick up casualties from overnight strikes in southern Lebanon, wounding four paramedics. The Israeli army said it had launched strikes on a terrorist cell that was attempting to fire missiles toward Israel and hadnt intentionally targeted the vehicles.

Another Israeli airstrike in south Lebanon on Sunday evening hit a car driving between the towns of Ainata and Aitaroun and killed three children and their grandmother and wounded the children's mother. An Israeli military statement later said the car had been identified as transporting terrorists and that the military was reviewing allegations that there were civilians in the vehicle.

Israeli troops and Hezbollah militants and their allies have been clashing along the border since the start of the Israel-Hamas war a month ago. While the clashes remain largely contained, they have increased in intensity as Israel conducts a ground incursion in Gaza against Hezbollah ally Hamas.

UKRAINE EVACUATES 43 OF ITS NATIONALS AND 36 MOLDOVANS FROM GAZA

KYIV, Ukraine  Ukraine has evacuated 43 of its nationals from the Gaza Strip and helped 36 Moldovan citizens reach safety in Egypt, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

Ukrainian diplomats helped the two groups get out of the war zone, Zelenskyy said Wednesday on X, formerly known as Twitter.

He said Ukraine was working with embassies in Israel and Egypt to get more of its citizens out of Gaza.

ISRAEL CABINET TO MEET IN WEST BANK FOLLOWING WARNINGS OF MORE VIOLENCE

JERUSALEM  Israels wartime security Cabinet will meet late Wednesday in the West Bank offices of the militarys Central Command due to warnings by security officials about the potential for a serious escalation in violence in the territory, the Ynet website reported, citing a statement from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus office.

Israeli media reported last week that the Shin Bet security agency issued such a warning, noting an increase in violence by Jewish settlers.

Deadly violence has been surging in the Israeli-occupied West Bank as Israels military pursues Hamas militants following the groups bloody Oct. 7 incursion into Israel from the Gaza Strip. The violence threatens to open another front in the war Israel launched against Hamas after it killed more than 1,400 people in southern Israel and took more than 240 people hostage.

As of Tuesday, 167 Palestinians had been killed in the West Bank over the past month, mainly in clashes with Israeli troops. The toll since the beginning of the year was 371.

Some of the dead have been killed in violent anti-Israel protests, and Palestinians have said eight people were killed in attacks by settlers, who have intensified assaults and provocations since the war began.

Daily Israeli military arrest raids in the territory have intensified, with once-rare aerial attacks becoming much more common. The military said Wednesday that 1,430 wanted men have been arrested in the West Bank since Oct. 7, including more than 900 from Hamas.

G7 NATIONS ANNOUNCE A UNIFIED STANCE ON ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR

TOKYO  Top diplomats from the Group of Seven leading industrial democracies announced a unified stance on the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday after intensive meetings in Tokyo, condemning Hamas, supporting Israels right to self-defense and calling for humanitarian pauses to speed aid to desperate civilians in the Gaza Strip.

In a statement following two days of talks, the nations sought to balance unequivocal criticism of Hamas attacks against Israel and the need for urgent action to help civilians in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

All parties must allow unimpeded humanitarian support for civilians, including food, water, medical care, fuel and shelter, and access for humanitarian workers, said the statement, hammered out by U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and foreign ministers from Britain, Canada, France, Germany, Japan and Italy. We support humanitarian pauses and corridors to facilitate urgently needed assistance, civilian movement and the release of hostages.

MORE PALESTINIANS FLEEING COMBAT ZONE IN NORTHERN GAZA

JERUSALEM  The pace of Palestinian civilians fleeing the combat zone in northern Gaza has picked up as Israels air and ground campaign there intensifies, U.N. monitors said Wednesday. About 15,000 people fled on Tuesday, compared to 5,000 on Monday and 2,000 on Sunday, said the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs.

The civilians flee during a four-hour window set daily by the Israeli military that assures safe passage from Gaza City and its surroundings to the south. Most of those fleeing were children, the elderly and people with disabilities, the U.N. agency said. Many arrived on foot with minimal belongings.

In a new development, some of those fleeing reported that they had to cross Israeli checkpoints to reach the south and that they had witnessed some arrests by Israeli forces. Others have said they had to walk past Israeli tanks with raised hands while waving white flags.

The densely populated northern area of Gaza, specifically Gaza City and adjacent urban refugee camps, are the focus of Israels campaign to crush Hamas, the militant group that has ruled Gaza for 16 years. The war, now in its second month, was triggered by the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on southern Israel.

Tens of thousands of Palestinian civilians remain in the combat area, many sheltering at hospitals or U.N. schools. Some said they were deterred from moving south because of dire humanitarian conditions in the evacuation zone and ongoing Israeli airstrikes across Gaza, including the south.

U.N. monitors say some 1.5 million of Gazas 2.3 million people have been displaced.

ISRAELI GOVERNMENT TO CONVENE JUDICIAL SELECTION COMMITTEE

JERUSALEM -- After months of refusal, Israeli Justice Minister Yariv Levin said he will convene the judicial selection committee on Nov. 16 to fill empty slots in the Supreme Court and lower benches.

The committee has been a central battleground in Levins plan to weaken the countrys judiciary because he wanted to change its makeup to give the government control over appointments. The proposed judicial overhaul touched off months of mass protests across the country by demonstrators who accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus government of seeking to weaken the only serious check on politicians.

Levin said earlier this week that he would convene the panel soon. In a letter Sunday to the Supreme Court, he said, wartime is not the time to deal with controversial subjects, and that he would bring before the panel candidates who have broad support.

The government maintains the courts have overstepped their powers and need to be reined in. The demonstrations against the proposed overhaul were put on hold after Hamas militants from the Gaza Strip infiltrated southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing more than 1,400 people and taking over 240 hostages, touching off a fierce Israeli assault to crush Hamas.

ISRAELI AIRSTRIKE HITS RESIDENTIAL AREA IN SOUTH GAZA

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza  An Israeli airstrike struck a residential area in the Zannah neighborhood east of Khan Younis on Wednesday, destroying at least one house and damaging surrounding buildings.

First responders were searching the rubble for dead or wounded from the strike. At least three people - two women and a child  were killed, according to an Associated Press journalist. Ambulances were transporting injured people to a hospital, the journalist said.

Khan Younis is in southern Gaza where Israels military ordered people in Gaza City and its surroundings to move.

EXPLOSIONS REPORTED ACROSS GAZA CITY AND SHATI REFUGEE CAMP

CAIRO  Residents reported loud explosions across Gaza City and the adjacent Shati refugee camp overnight into Wednesday, as Israels military said its troops were battling Hamas forces deep inside the densely populated urban area.

The Hamas-run Interior Ministry said an airstrike Wednesday morning hit a house near the Jabaliya refugee camp, also part of that built-up area.

The bombings were heavy and close, said Mohamed Abed, who lives in Gaza Citys Sheikh Radwan neighborhood. He said people around him panicked when they heard the news late Tuesday that Israeli ground forces were fighting deep in the city.

Gaza City is the focus of Israels military campaign, now in its second month, to crush the Hamas militant group, which has ruled Gaza for 16 years. The war was triggered by a deadly Hamas attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7.

40 FILIPINOS FLEE GAZA THROUGH RAFAH CROSSING INTO EGYPT

MANILA, Philippines  Dozens of Filipinos fled from the war-ravaged Gaza Strip into Egypt through the Rafah crossing after Filipino diplomats negotiated for their safe passage and Qatar mediated for the border to be opened, Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said Wednesday.

The 40 Filipinos were traveling to the Egyptian capital of Cairo, where they planned to take flights back to the Philippines, Marcos said in a video message in Manila. Two Filipino doctors managed to leave the Gaza Strip into Egypt last week.

I hope the rest of our countrymen who also wanted to return home can also exit properly with their spouses and loved ones, Marcos said.

Most of at least 134 Filipinos in Gaza, many of whom are married to Palestinians, have sought help to leave the besieged territory and are waiting for an opportunity to leave, the Department of Foreign Affairs in Manila said.
Anna Codutti Tulsa World Breaking News Editor Follow Anna Codutti Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

The spotlight was on Oklahomas potential first female Native American federal judge as the Senate Judiciary Committee questioned Sara Hill along with two other U.S. district judge nominees in Washington on Wednesday.

Hill was asked about tribal sovereignty, her time as Cherokee Nation attorney general and her response to the U.S. Supreme Courts McGirt ruling while she advocated for the tribe as a client.

She was introduced by Sen. James Lankford, who remarked upon the rigorous process of interview Hill had already gone through as Oklahomas two senators came on board with President Joe Bidens nominee for the Northern District judgeship.

Over the many years that my staff have worked with Sara, we have found her to be one of the smartest people in the room in just about any room she walks in, Lankford said in his prepared remarks. She is highly respected in Tulsa for her legal knowledge and insight and her ability to not only discuss the law but be able to walk through complexities in the law.

Later on in questioning, Hills law expertise was put to the test by Sen. John Kennedy, who used all his allotted time on Hill. That line of bar review course questions, as Committee Chairman Dick Durbin later called it, at first left Hill at somewhat of a loss.

Kennedy began his time: Congratulations to each of you. Ms. Hill, what is collateral estoppel?

For the record, law.com says its the situation in which a judgment in one case prevents (estops) a party to that suit from trying to litigate the issue in another legal action.

It wasnt the only reference made during the nomination hearing to double jeopardy, an issue in the Oklahoma v. Castro-Huerta case that brought clarification after the McGirt decision.

Victor Castro-Huerta was among a handful of inmates who challenged their state convictions on McGirt grounds. The Supreme Court, however, ruled that the state of Oklahoma shares concurrent jurisdiction to prosecute non-American Indians who victimize American Indians on tribal land.

Utah Sen. Mike Lee expressed concern that Hills negative remarks about the Castro-Huerta decision show a misunderstanding of double jeopardy and sovereignty.

Hill responded that in advocating for the Cherokee Nation, her job was to represent the tribes position that the state not retain jurisdiction in cases with Native victims.

On behalf of my client, I was critical of the decision in Castro-Huerta because it was a decision that had other ramifications in Indian law, she said.

Federal and tribal courts began prosecuting cases involving tribal citizens after the U.S. Supreme Court found in its 2020 landmark McGirt v. Oklahoma decision that Congress had never disestablished the Muscogee Nation reservation.

At the time of the ruling, the Cherokee Nation had one criminal prosecutor for about 100 cases annually, Hill told the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Post McGirt, that completely changed. The jurisdictional rules applied throughout the reservation. So we had around 3,700 criminal and traffic matters filed that first year post-McGirt, she said.

As attorney general, she led the expansion to nine full-time criminal prosecutors and support staff.

It was quite the effort. Thats what the law required, Hill said. The Nations jurisdiction was larger than what had previously been understood until the opinion in McGirt v. Oklahoma.

The nominations of Hill and Tulsa attorney John Russell go to a committee vote and, if approved, move to the Senate floor for action.

Hill has a long history serving the Cherokee people, and its difficult to overstate the historic nature of her nomination to be the first Native American woman to serve as a federal judge in Oklahoma, Cherokee Nation Principal Chief Chuck Hoskin Jr. said in a news release Wednesday. The Cherokee Nation also supports Russells nomination.

Cherokee Nation Deputy Principal Chief Bryan Warner was among representatives of the tribe who were in Washington on Wednesday.

Sara Hill has more than demonstrated her love and respect for the law and dedicated her career to seeking truth and justice. If confirmed, she will make a great addition to the federal bench. The Cherokee Nation could not be prouder and showed our support by attending her nomination hearing, Warner said.

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Jim Gray served as the Osage Nation chief from 2002 to 2010 and is the principal consultant at D.B.A. Gray Consultants. "I cant escape from this history," Gray wrote in a guest column. "As an Osage, my great-grandfather, Henry Roan, is murdered in this film. As a former Chief of the Osage Nation, I had to deal with many unresolved issues that are associated with this period."
Vietnam organized a financial investment promotion conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday, with the participation of more than 50 major U.S. firms and investment funds, according to the State Securities Commission of Vietnam.

The conference, chaired by Minister of Finance Ho Duc Phoc, was meant to bring U.S. financial firms to Vietnam to strengthen the capital and stock markets in the Southeast Asian nation.

Minister Phoc said that Vietnam has emerged as a potential nation for sustainable and stable economic growth despite global uncertainties.

Vietnam's gross domestic product (GDP) is expected to expand over five percent in 2023, and 6-6.5 percent in 2024, he said.

The country is focusing on three breakthrough strategies, including perfecting and improving the legislative system; scaling up the workforce; and completing synchronous economic infrastructure.

To achieve these goals, Vietnam needs both domestic and international investments, Phoc said.

Phoc underscored that the ministry would start implementing all commitments related to financial cooperation aimed at fostering the Vietnam-U.S. comprehensive strategic partnership that was set up during U.S. President Joe Bidens visit to Vietnam in September.

Through the event, many U.S. firms showed their interest in Vietnams tax incentives for foreign investors and its efforts in upgrading the status of the stock market from frontier to emerging.

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U.S. firms offered numerous recommendations to make Vietnam an attractive destination for foreign investment during their meeting with Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong in San Francisco on Wednesday (local time).

President Thuong is on a working visit to the United States through Friday to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Week and bilateral activities.

The meeting was attended by Ted Osius, president and CEO of the U.S.-ASEAN Business Council, and leaders of major enterprises active in various fields such as Apple, Boeing, BowerGroupAsia, Cargill, Chubb, Citi, East West Bank, FedEx, Google, KKR, Meta, Microsoft, Moody's, Pfizer, Procter & Gamble, PwC, UPS, Visa, Walmart, and Western Digital Corporation.

Vietnam was advised to ramp up its investment in local airports and infrastructure, and speeding up digital customs clearance.

Some American companies encouraged Vietnam to be more determined to bolster digitalization, one-touch payments, state spending management, and healthcare.

Speaking at the meeting, President Thuong said that Vietnam is striving to improve its investment climate and create favorable conditions for foreign firms, especially U.S. companies.

Leaders of U.S. groups attend a meeting with Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

He also underscored that it is time for American investors to expand their cooperation with Vietnamese firms, mainly in the innovation, infrastructure development, healthcare, and research fields, as Vietnam and the U.S. upgraded their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September.

Vietnam always encourages investors to roll out community-driven programs that benefit women, children, as well as people in remote and mountainous areas, while the country is willing to collect opinions on policies from U.S. firms, he said.

He urged U.S. groups to sound out investment opportunities in Vietnamese localities to make the two countries partnership highly efficient.

Furthermore, he proposed that U.S. firms give voice to cooperation barriers facing Vietnam and the U.S..

In particular, he hoped that the U.S. will recognize the market economy status of Vietnam as soon as possible, and remove Vietnam from its watch list of semiconductor support.

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Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong expected Stanford University to expand its partnerships with Vietnamese organizations, with Vietnamese students at the school acting as the link for cooperation, he said during a visit to the Stanford University School of Medicine in California on Wednesday (U.S. time).

President Thuong applauded the collaboration between the Stanford University School of Medicine and Vietnams Tam Anh Hospital.

The top Vietnamese official highly valued the history of the U.S. university and praised it for its achievements of training countless scientists, politicians, lawyers, and entrepreneurs.

President Thuong was glad to see many young Vietnamese studying at the school, especially several holding various positions at the university.

I hope that Vietnamese students will be active and effective contributors to cooperation between Stanford University and Vietnams organizations, he said.

The upgrading of the Vietnam-U.S. ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership in September covers some commitments to stronger cooperation in health and human care, Thuong underlined.

Therefore, the cooperation between Tam Anh Hospital and ViRx@Stanford to conduct research on disease prevention and medicine production was welcome, he said.

The two sides signed a cooperation agreement on the same day, witnessed by President Thuong.

The partnership is expected to generate new achievements in healthcare, he said, adding that Vietnam will throw its support behind the collaboration.

Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong (C) visits the Stanford University School of Medicine. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

President Thuong is on a working visit to the United States through Friday to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Week 2023 in San Francisco, California at the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden.

Stanford University admitted its first students in 1891 and has quickly become one of the worlds leading universities. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese State President Vo Van Thuong (R, 5th) attends a ceremony to mark the cooperation between Tam Anh Hospital and ViRx@Stanford. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

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What city in the world lays claim to 'The City That Never Sleeps'? Well, if you have lived in Ho Chi Minh City, you will know that the bustle of daytime traffic is only half of the true spirit of this amazing city. As night falls, the hive of activity seems to increase with many areas exploding with people right through until sunrise.

On a visit to Auckland, New Zealand a few years ago, I was amazed at the crispness and cleanliness of New Zealands biggest city. I wandered through the pristine streets with people walking calmly and not a horn to be heard. It was like heaven on earth. But come 7:00 pm, the streets were empty. Hardly any shops and restaurants appeared to be open and I had to walk for 30 minutes to find a place to have a beer. Auckland seemed to become a ghost town after dark.

In contrast, the first time I visited Ho Chi Minh City I was overwhelmed by the activities of the city. Not only was it the hustle and bustle of the traffic in the sunshine of the day, but it seemed to become more intense at night as workers commuted home whilst passing young people heading out for food and to have a good time. In Ho Chi Minh City, a good time is a good time like no other city in the world.

Let me tell you the obvious. Ho Chi Minh City is a hot city and always has been. But with the heat comes the wet season that, most years, is as regular as clockwork. And with the weather conditions comes a need to continue living that has morphed the local culture into something that is admired around the world.

All across southern Vietnam, the heat of the day drives people indoors. Construction sites and other businesses often close down because the blistering heat is just too much to handle for any human, even locals. In far-reaching places like Vung Tau, the middle of the day turns the city into a ghost town, with hardly a person seen on the street. The markets are mostly closed and many shops will shut for a long lunch break because there is simply nobody around.

However, Vung Tau and Ho Chi Minh City are just two cities in Vietnam that have this amazing revival mid-afternoon. Whilst Ho Chi Minh City continues to operate during the day, Vung Tau seems to have an explosion of people around 3:00 pm. As soon as the heat of the sun dissipates, people come out in their droves and this starts a new part of the day that seems to run well into the early hours of the morning.

In Ho Chi Minh City, the quiet time of the hot midday heat is a little less obvious. Taxis, cars, and motorbikes still get around the city and many people can be seen walking short distances to get to their destinations. This is partly why Ho Chi Minh City is considered a city that never sleeps. Even in the heat of the day, the bustle of the city can still be seen in most districts.

But it is the nightlife of Ho Chi Minh City that brings out a vibrant feeling of the city. The weather is pretty extreme, but the good part is that most rains and storms roll through the city by 6:00 or 7:00 pm and this leaves the remainder of the night open to adventures and experiences for locals and tourists of all ages.

Passengers queue for a night water bus on the Saigon River in Ho Chi Minh City, December 10, 2021. Photo: Hoang An / Tuoi Tre

Many Western cultures have a custom of children being in bed by 7:00 pm, but this is not the case in Ho Chi Minh City. The city is filled with as many young children as it is with adults. The concept of 'adults only' venues is not part of this culture and children are often seen with their parents or friends experiencing almost everything the night has to offer.

The offerings in Ho Chi Minh City are vast and a must-see for any tourist. As a start, places like Nguyen Hue Street in the center of the city are filled with young people just enjoying the fresher night air and doing the things that teenagers and young people do. Most nights you will see kids out making dance videos, taking selfies, and just enjoying some simple street food on this dynamic and vibrant street. There are also a raft of cafes to experience here so just as much happens off the street as it does on the street. It is a great place to take in real Vietnamese modern culture.

South Korean tourists take a photo in the Nguyen Hue pedestrian zone in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

Restaurants in Vietnam are also unique to the culture. Across the city, there are a range of restaurants serving anything from a quick meal, like pho (beef noodle soup) or bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup), to unique experiences such as lau ca keo (goby fish hotpot), BBQ goat and frog. All of these places have a special place in the hearts of locals and are mostly well priced, so going to a restaurant three or four times a week is often a common thing for most Ho Chi Minh City locals.

There is something special about restaurants that is a little different to most other Western countries. Whilst there are a range of restaurants that are focused on serving dinner at a range of prices, there is also a unique diner or more-cafe-style place, some open 24 hours a day, that aims at serving quick meals for people to eat any time of the day or night. These places, called quan, will usually offer one or two dishes and serve you from breakfast to dinner, and sometimes all night.

One place I particularly enjoy eating at is Tan Dinh Market in District 1. Here, 24 hours a day, people serve a variety of Vietnamese foods. Late nights are a special experience with younger and older people getting a late-night snack on the way home or coming together after a late shift to enjoy a cheap and simple meal before going home. My favorite late-night meal is com tam (broken rice) served with pork and a fried egg. The fish sauce and chili make it a meal you will never forget.

A 'com tam' booth in front of Tan Dinh Market in Ho Chi Minh's District 1 has its light on at midnight. Photo: Dong Nguyen / Tuoi Tre News

Western bars are slowly spreading across the city with more and more opening outside the key foreign areas. Most of them open later in the afternoon and will stay open to the early hours of the morning. Whilst each bar is different, you can get a range of great Western meals, drinks and some may have games like darts and pool to help you enjoy the night. They are often a safer alternative because there are always English speakers there and the food is familiar.

The more unspoken part of the city is restricted to some parts of District 1. Originally, Bui Vien was known as the center of the backpacker nightlife in Ho Chi Minh City but in recent years many young locals have flocked to this precinct and much has changed. Now the bars are more focused on young Vietnamese adults enjoying food and drinks rather than its original purpose of accommodating travelers and backpackers. Currently, across the city in places like Le Thanh Ton and Pasteur Streets, bars are open all night to cater for the traveling party-goers who enjoy the wilder side of life. These bars are not to everyones taste and some have developed a reputation that might suggest you be careful when choosing which one to visit.

People enjoy their drinks on Bui Vien Walking Street in District 1, Ho Chi Minh City, January 16, 2022. Photo: Ngoc Phuong / Tuoi Tre

But as the city beats away in every corner until the markets open for the breakfasters and morning yoga participants, there is one special thing I like to do most to take in the feeling of the Ho Chi Minh City that never sleeps. Occasionally, I will just get on my bicycle or motorbike and ride. I dont have a destination or a plan. I just ride around the city, slowly, and take in all the sights of people having fun, the smells of the food cooking on the street, and the sounds of people enjoying time together. It brings to me a sense of peace and connection with a vibrant city that never sleeps. And, in that moment of peace, I know my choice to make Ho Chi Minh City my home was right.

As you plan your next visit to Ho Chi Minh City or a night out with friends, make sure you explore the road less traveled. Check out the lanes, streets, and any location where people are gathered. Experience street food and coffee, but most of all, experience a vibrant city that never sleeps.

People take part in the District 1 Midnight Run 2023 in Ho Chi Minh City, March 25, 2023. Photo: Phuong Quyen / Tuoi Tre

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Intersections with tunnels, roads, and overpasses have become an efficient solution for relieving traffic jams in cities with huge traffic like Ho Chi Minh City, Luong Minh Phuc, director of the Transportation Works Construction Investment Project Management Authority of Ho Chi Minh City, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper.

Ho Chi Minh City constructed steel overpasses at overcrowded intersections but suspended the solution due to some obstacles to design and procedures.

The municipal authorities have recently green-lighted the development of steel overpasses and tunnels.

The authority has proposed building a similar three-level model at the Cong Truong Dan Chu Roundabout and the Bon Xa Intersection to deal with the traffic congestion there, Phuc said.

The under-construction An Phu Intersection. Some existing three-level intersections have helped ease traffic congestion in Ho Chi Minh City, including the Nguyen Huu Canh - Thu Thiem Bridge Intersection and the My Thuy Roundabout. The under-construction An Phu Intersection and another planned intersection of Pham Van Dong Boulevard and Ring Road 2 are also expected to contribute to relieving congestion. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

The An Suong Intersection which separates District 12 and Hoc Mon District used to be known as a congestion hotspot in Ho Chi Minh City. By September 2020, the intersection had been turned into a three-story facility with two tunnels for vehicles from Truong Chinh Street to National Highway 22. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre

The facility has helped improve traffic circulation, thus significantly reducing traffic congestion and accidents and revitalizing the urban landscape in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre

A three-level intersection connecting District 1, Binh Thanh District, and Thu Duc City includes a four-lane underpass with a length of 460 meters; Nguyen Huu Canh Street, a road leading to the Thu Thiem 1 Bridge, and an approach road to Ngo Tat To Street in the middle; and the Thu Thiem 1 Bridge at the top. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre

It was opened to traffic in 2009 to become the first three-level intersection in Ho Chi Minh City. The underpass was equipped with three water pumps to prevent flooding. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

My Thuy is an important intersection leading to District 7 and Cat Lai Port, the Saigon Hi-Tech Park, and Phu Huu Port in Thu Duc City. Work on the intersection, carrying a price tag of nearly VND2 trillion (US$82.6 million), started in 2016 but only six out of the 10 items have been completed, namely the Ky Ha 3 Bridge, an underpass from Beltway No. 2 to the Cat Lai Port, an overpass on Beltway No. 2, and the My Thuy 3 Bridge. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre

The project is at a standstill due to obstacles to site clearance, which was separated from the intersection project and assigned to the Thu Duc City Construction Investment Project Management Board. The entire My Thuy Intersection is expected to be completed by 2025. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

The planned construction site for the Pham Van Dong  Ring Road 2 intersection, which was designed to be a three-level one. Photo: Le Phan / Tuoi Tre

The Hoang Hoa Tham Overpass in Tan Binh District. In addition to three-level intersections, steel overpasses are a solution to overcrowded intersections in Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre

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Employees of An Hoa Cultural Park in Kien Giang Province, southern Vietnam on Thursday morning caught one more crocodile which is among the eight ones escaping from the park last month.

Some local inhabitants previously spotted the creature in a big lake in the provincial capital city of Rach Gia on Wednesday afternoon, according to Le Quang Nghia, director of the park.

After that, the park employees set up a fishing net near the lake to catch the croc.

Around 6:00 am on Thursday, they checked the net and discovered a one-meter-long croc, weighing some 10 kilograms, was trapped in it.

As the croc was dead, the park will destroy it as per prevailing regulations.

The park was taking care of 44 crocodiles in a manmade reservoir to serve visitors, but a number of them escaped due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the aging cages, and a lack of funding to renovate them.

On October 13 this year, the provincial forest protection department teamed up with local authorities to drain the reservoir in the park and confirmed that eight of the crocs had escaped.

Until now, six of them have been found.

Authorities are searching for the remaining two.

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Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- State President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse will pay an official visit to Japan from November 27 to 30 at the invitation of the Japanese state, spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on Wednesday.

-- Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son proposed three priorities for the APEC cooperation at the 34th APEC Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco on Wednesday.

Society

-- Moderate to heavy rains are forecast to continue lashing the central region on Thursday, with a rain volume of up to 500 millimeters, according to the national weather center. Several central localities such as Quang Nam, Thua Thien Hue, Binh Dinh, and Khanh Hoa are facing severe flooding triggered by torrential rains.

-- Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railways No. 1 Company, which is in charge of managing and operating the citys first metro line, has been allowed to increase its charter capital to VND268 billion (US$11 million), well above the VND14 billion ($574,000) granted when the firm was established in 2015.

-- Three were killed and another injured in Dak Lak Province in the Central Highlands region after a tree fell on Wednesday. The incident happened when these victims were taking shelter under the tree during a heavy rain.

-- A parent jumped on a school bus to insult and repeatedly beat the driver of the vehicle in Binh Thuan Province, south-central Vietnam on Tuesday afternoon. The driver told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday night that he had submitted a denunciation letter against the man to the provincial police.

-- An ambulance with six people on board hit the median strip of a street in Luong Son Town under Bac Binh District in Binh Thuan Province, and continued crashing into a local house on Wednesday afternoon, leaving one dead and five others wounded.

Business

-- Vietnam organized a financial investment promotion conference in Los Angeles on Wednesday, with the participation of more than 50 major U.S. firms and investment funds.

-- President Thuong told Vietnamese representative agencies in San Francisco and Houston to boost cooperation between Vietnamese and U.S. localities, and encourage overseas Vietnamese to invest in the homeland, heard a meeting between the top Vietnamese official and some representatives of the Vietnamese community in the U.S. on Tuesday (local time). He is on a visit to San Francisco to attend the APEC Leaders Week and bilateral activities at the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden.

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Jason Holt, descendant of Pfc. Thomas Hawkins, is hugged by Under Secretary of the Army Gabe Camarillo on Monday. Perhaps, Holt said, their souls will find peace. Elizabeth Conley/Staff Photographer A historical marker describing the hanging of 19 Black soldiers is dedicated in 2022 at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. At long last, clemency has been granted to the Black soldiers who were wrongfully convicted for a deadly Houston riot in 1917. Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

Before the wrongs of the past can be corrected, they must first be acknowledged. Justice denied need not remain buried if generations of diggers work to unearth it.

These are two of the lessons gleaned from the saga of 110 soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, U.S. 24th Infantry Regiment, a group created in 1869 and better known as the Buffalo Soldiers.

These were the soldiers at the center of the Houston Riot of 1917. The racial confrontation was precipitated by the U.S. Armys controversial decision, early in World War I, to station Black troops in Houston, a Southern city with a police department notorious for its racism and brutality. The 3rd Battalion arrived in July to guard the construction of Camp Logan, a future Army training facility.

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Black soldiers and Houston police already had clashed before the stormy night of Aug. 23, 1917, when two Houston police officers beat two soldiers in separate incidents.

A false rumor that one of them had been killed fueled talk of revenge among the soldiers. After setting up a defensive perimeter around their camp out of fear theyd be attacked by a white mob, more than 100 soldiers left in search of police officers. During the two-hour riot, 20 people were killed, 15 of them white and four of them police officers.

On Nov. 1, 1917, the largest court-martial in U.S. history convened at Fort Sam Houston when 118 soldiers were charged with mutiny, willful disobedience of orders, murder and assault. All but 15 were tried at Fort Sam Houstons Gift Chapel. All but eight were convicted.

Thirteen men were sentenced to death, and on the morning of Dec. 11, 2017, without appeal or review of the case, they were hanged along the banks of Salado Creek. Within a year, in two other courts-martial, six more soldiers would be hanged there. More than three dozen others were sentenced to life, including those who had never left their barracks.

Due process for these men was an illusion. Their legal defense was nonexistent. Their advocate, who wasnt even a lawyer, was praised by prosecutors for not bringing up race during the trial, although race was undeniably at the center of a trial involving Black soldiers in a segregated Army in a Southern city in 1917. The targeting of Black men in uniform for racist attacks would continue during World War II.

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The courts-martial, and quick executions led to the War Department issuing an order that any court-martial in the continental United States was suspended until the case had been reviewed by the judge advocate-general and the president.

On Monday, at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum in Houston, the Army granted clemency to the soldiers of the 3rd Battalion, U.S. 24th Infantry Regiment, clearing their convictions and changing their service records to show they had served honorably. Also, the 17 soldiers buried in Fort Sam Houston with headstones listing only their name and dates of death will receive new ones listing their rank, unit and where they were deployed.

Survivor benefits will also be given to descendants.

This only happened because the families of these men, with the help of the South Texas College of Law Houston, refused to let them be forgotten and pushed the Army to correct its wrongs. As Jason Holt, whose uncle was among the men who were hanged, told Express-News reporter Sig Christenson of the importance of the clemency: Its an acknowledgment that what took place was wrong and that justice was not served, and it serves to help to clean up any besmirchments on their record  and not just their record in the service but their record as human beings. So perhaps in some respects their souls will find peace.

However distant in years, historical wrongs must be corrected when possible. Justice delayed is justice denied, but we should never stop working toward justice delivered.
Consul General of Italy in Ho Chi Minh City Enrico Padula and President of the Consular Club in Ho Chi Minh City Milena Padula paid a visit to the headquarters of Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Wednesday.

During the visit, Consul General Padula shared his habit of reading Tuoi Tre daily.

The diplomat affirmed that Tuoi Tre is a vibrant newspaper with diverse sections, reporting on various events in an engaging manner.

Notably, Consul General Padula expressed his appreciation for Tuoi Tre's education section.

He noted that Italian media rarely cover this topic, highlighting Vietnam's broad and profound interest in this field.

In his role as the consul general, Padula emphasized his responsibility in fostering higher education connections between Ho Chi Minh City and various regions in Italy, aiming to attract more Vietnamese students to study in his country.

He highlighted three factors that make Italy an attractive destination for study.

First, Italy boasts high educational standards with numerous English-taught programs.

Second, despite the high quality of education, Italy offers reasonably priced tuition compared to other European countries.

Last, students in Italy experience a culturally rich environment with beautiful architecture.

Italy has excelled in training fields such as architecture, engineering, economics, and healthcare, with a recent surge in Vietnamese students pursuing fashion-related courses.

Milena Padula, the wife of Consul General Padula and President of the Consular Club in Ho Chi Minh City, expressed her admiration for the traditional Vietnamese ao dai.

Milena Padula, the wife of the Consul General of Italy and President of the Consular Club in Ho Chi Minh City, speaks during their visit to Tuoi Tre newspaper's headquarters on November 15, 2023. Photo: Quang Dinh / Tuoi Tre

She considers ao dai the most elegant traditional clothing, in contrast to Italy's lack of traditional attire.

Aside from the ao dai, Padula shared her passion for Vietnamese cuisine, particularly its abundant use of fresh vegetables.

She praised Vietnamese cuisine for its unique characteristics, comparable to other globally renowned culinary traditions such as Japanese cuisine.

Furthermore, Vietnam's serene countryside is a point of appeal for Italians, with Ninh Binh and Ha Long Bay being two particularly impressive locations.

Tuoi Tre's Deputy Editor-in-Chief Le Xuan Trung expressed gratitude to Consul General Padula for his interest in the newspaper and extended his best wishes for the philanthropic activities led by Milena Padula.

Looking ahead, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the Italian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City (September 2014 - September 2024), Trung proposed that Tuoi Tre and the Consulate General jointly organize events to celebrate Italian culture and promote cultural exchange between Vietnam and Italy.

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Three more Friends have paid tribute to the late Matthew Perry in heartfelt social media posts.

In an Instagram post Jennifer Aniston wrote: Oh boy this one has cut deep Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that Ive never experienced before. We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Loss of life or loss of love. Being able to really SIT in this grief allows you to feel the moments of joy and gratitude for having loved someone that deep. And we loved him deeply.

Aniston continued, He was such a part of our DNA. We were always the 6 of us. This was a chosen family that forever changed the course of who we were and what our path was going to be. For Matty, he KNEW he loved to make people laugh. As he said himself, if he didnt hear the laugh he thought he was going to die. His life literally depended on it. And boy did he succeed in doing just that. He made all of us laugh. And laugh hard. In the last couple weeks, Ive been pouring over our texts to one another. Laughing and crying then laughing again. Ill keep them forever and ever. I found one text that he sent me out of nowhere one day. It says it all. (See second slide)

David Schwimmer and Lisa Kudrow have now also posted tributes.
Bumper episodes of Travel Guides will screen on Nine from next week.

Denise Scott narrates three episodes which includes new trips to South Africa and Great Britain.

A third episode looks back at favourite trips from across seven years.

From the wilds of Africa to the cultured streets of Great Britain, our favourite Guides, the budget-hunting Fren family, fun-loving Matt and Brett, jetsetters Kevin and Janetta, best mates Kev, Dorian and Teng, and cowgirl Stack and younger brother Josh, are back with two new, side-splitting overseas adventures  plus a look back at their best trips ever.

Join our outspoken travellers as they head off the beaten track for a super-sized, self-drive safari through spectacular South Africa, delivering breathtaking views and adrenaline-pumping adventure. Deep in the pristine African wilderness, our Guides get up close and personal with the majestic endangered white rhino in one of the largest conservation parks, before a flying visit to Zambias magnificent Victoria Falls where theyre faced with a death-defying experience.

The epic adventures continue when our Guides fly to the United Kingdom for an unforgettable sightseeing tour that takes in buzzing London, the not-so-relaxing English countryside, the incredible ancient peaks and valleys of Scotland, and the medieval culture of Edinburgh.

Then its time to take a look at some of the best trips ever, as our groups of intrepid Travel Guides walk down memory lane for a nostalgic journey and reflect on all the amazing holidays and heart-racing adventures theyve enjoyed over the past seven years.

From cultures that knocked their socks off to unglamorous and uber-luxurious accommodation, places that made them lose their inhibitions and adventures theyll never forget, our Guides will reveal which trips scored the ultimate five stars out of five and are their favourite of all time.

South Africa 7:30pm Tuesday November 21

Great Britain 7:30pm Tuesday November 28

My Favourite Trips 7:30pm Tuesday December 5 on Nine.
The rise of drug-resistant infections is one of the biggest global threats to health, food security and development. Antibiotic-resistant superbugs were estimated to kill 1.27 million people in 2019, and the UN projects that drug-resistant diseases could cause 10 million deaths a year by 2050.

In this episode of The Conversation Weekly podcast, we hear from a microbiologist at a hospital in Nigeria working on the frontlines against antibiotic resistance, and find out about the new scientific techniques, including artificial intelligence (AI), being deployed to find new potential antibiotics.

Nubwa Medugu began her medical career in 2008 working in a paediatric unit in Kano, northern Nigeria. A lot of the children had typhoid and had taken antibiotics for it, but had come to hospital because the drugs werent working. The fact that a lot of patients have infections that are very difficult to treat, I didnt know it was just the tip of the iceberg then, she says.

Today, Medugu is a clinical microbiologist at the National Hospital Abuja in Nigerias capital, and also teaches microbiology at Nile University of Nigeria. Her work involves analysing the hospitals lab results for drug-resistant infections, and the problem seems to have gotten worse. She says its now almost impossible to find infections that are not resistant to at least one antibiotic.

Medugu recently published research analysing the level of antibiotic resistance in hospitals in Nigeria, and the types of antibiotics that are proving least effective. Whats most worrying is the number of infections that are resistant even to antibiotics of last resort  those drugs used to treat cases where other antibiotics have failed. If nothing works, carbapenems usually work, but in this research, resistance to the carbapenems was pretty high  over 60% resistant.

Read more: Will we still have antibiotics in 50 years? We asked 7 global experts

The hunt for new antibiotics

Inequality and poverty are a big part of the problem. If people arent able to access vaccinations, diagnostic testing, medical advice and the right drugs if theyre infected, this can exacerbate antibiotic resistance. But even in a world where everybody had access to the healthcare they needed, bacteria would still develop resistance to antibiotics.

Story continues

And so, as the problem deepens, the hunt continues on for new antibiotics. One of the scientists doing that searching is Andre Hudson, a professor of biochemistry at Rochester Institute of Technology in New York. He uses traditional bio-prospecting techniques to culture potential antibiotics from natural samples such as soil. But Hudson explains that others are now using new techniques to find potential antibiotic compounds.

With AI, it allows it to go faster. It provides us with things that we cannot even think about, or we dont even know how to do yet in the lab.

Another approach is called metagenomics, which involves sequencing an entire community of bacteria found in an environmental sample, such as soil or even the human gut. Rather than cherry-picking a particular bacteria, I extract all DNA that is present in the soil and sequence the entire community, explains Hudson.

In September, a group of scientists in Germany, the Netherlands and the US published a paper announcing theyd discovered a potential antibiotic using this method called clovibactin, isolated from uncultured soil bacteria.

Find out more about the fight against antibiotic resistance, and the solutions on the cards, by listening to the full episode of The Conversation Weekly. A transcript will be available soon.

And read more about this topic in a special series, The dangers of antibiotic resistance, in which experts explore how we got here and the potential solutions.

This episode was written and produced by Mend Mariwany and Gemma Ware with assistance from Katie Flood. Eloise Stevens does our sound design, and our theme music is by Neeta Sarl. Gemma Ware is the executive producer of the show.

You can find us on X, formerly known as Twitter @TC_Audio, on Instagram at theconversationdotcom or via email. You can also subscribe to The Conversations free daily email here.

Listen to The Conversation Weekly via any of the apps listed above, download it directly via our RSS feed or find out how else to listen here.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.

The Conversation

Andre O. Hudson receives funding from the National Institutes of Health. Nubwa Medugu 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.
Year 10 students from Oakgrove Integrated College get ready to board the Translink Foyle Metro bus during Wednesday's Zero Heroes Roadshow at the school. (Photo: Translink)

This comes with the roll-out of Translinks new Foyle Metro zero emissions bus fleet.

The new initiative provides pupils with insights into the new features of Translinks new all electric buses.

Pupils from Ardnashee School take part in Translink's Zero Heroes Roadshow, Derry. (Photo: Lorcan Doherty)

The roadshow included tailored sessions, which ensured that every child could understand the benefits of zero emission buses.

The new programme also features educational presentations, interactive demonstrations, and hands-on experiences which the aim to create a lasting impression on the minds of young people.

Translink Area Manager Sarah Simpson said: "We are extremely pleased with the success of the school roadshow so far, as it allows us to showcase all the benefits of our new Foyle Metro zero emissions bus fleet.

"Seeing so many children embrace their new roles as Zero Heroes reflects our commitment to driving modal shift for a cleaner, greener future for generations to come.

Mrs Simpson continued, saying how vital it is that we educate our young people about how important sustainable transport is and help empower our young people to make eco-friendly choices.

Mr John Devenny, geography teacher at Oakgrove Integrated College, said: The roadshow was fantastic and had a positive influence on our students. It's essential for them to understand the importance of reducing their carbon footprint, and this initiative encourages them to consider public transport as a practical and sustainable choice for a better future.

Earlier this month, the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Patricia Logue, embraced Translinks new zero emission fleet by attending a full day of engaging in the use of the citys new zero emission bus.

Translinks Foyle Metro Zero emissions bus fleet now makes the city one of the very first cities in the UK and Ireland to operate a fully emissions-free urban bus service.

Translink said the new Foyle metro zero emissions bus meet the necessities of the highest comfort, safety, and accessibility standards by offering leather seats, CCTV, Wi-Fi, USB charging, and audio-visual next stop announcements for those with vision and hearing impairments.

The new and improved buses also provide the very much needed ramp access, induction loops and dedicated spaces on the bus for wheelchairs and prams.

For more information, please visit www.translink.co.uk/zerohero.
Mayor of Causeway Coast and Glens, Councillor Stephen Callaghan along with Joanne Honeyford (Community Engagement Officer, Museum Services), Isobel Gamble, Sarah Calvin (Museum Services Development Manager),Sally Forwood and Ronnie Gamble. Credit Causeway Coast and Glens Council

Sally Forwood donated an 18th century flax seal and a First Company of Coleraine Volunteers belt buckle to the Museum recently. These amazing artefacts have been handed down through each generation of Sallys family.

The artefacts originated with William Robb, born in 1729 at Magilligan. He married Ann Neilson of Portstewart in 1760 and they lived in Camus, Macosquin. The brass linen seal which has been donated to the collection is thought to date to around 1762 and belonged to William Robb, as noted on the inscription. Linen was a big industry at the time in the area and Coleraine was known as a very fine linen producer.

In 1779 William Robb was listed as a member of the First Coleraine Volunteers where he gained the belt buckle that was donated to Coleraine Museum.

Cllr Callaghan said: I want to thank Sally and her family for looking after these precious and important artefacts and for bringing them home to Coleraine. This generous donation will greatly enhance the museum collection and help to reveal more about life in Coleraine during the 18th century.

Local historian, Ronnie Gamble, who attended the handover, described the formation of the First Coleraine Volunteers. During the American Revolution, the English army experienced a shortage of regular troops at home, he explained.

To meet the shortfall, a part-time military force of volunteers was raised in 1778. These Volunteers served without pay and supplied their own uniforms and equipment until 1779. By 1782 there were 60,000 Volunteers in Ireland.
George Osborne hopes the British Museum can reach an agreement with Greece that would see the Elgin Marbles temporarily returned in exchange for ancient artefacts that have never been seen in the UK.

The chairman of the British Museum trustees, 52, said we may well not succeed, but we think its worth trying during his speech at the annual trustees dinner in the Duveen Gallery  home of the Parthenon sculptures.

Greece has been campaigning for decades for the return of the artefacts, which once adorned the Parthenon atop the Acropolis in Athens.

George Osborne, chairman of trustees at the British Museum (Danny Lawson/PA)

The country has long claimed they were illegally acquired during a period of foreign occupation, while British officials have rebuffed repeated demands for their return.

I hope we can reach an agreement with Greece, former chancellor Mr Osborne said during his speech.

An agreement that enables these great sculptures to be seen in Athens, as well as London.

An agreement that allows other treasures from Greece, some that have never left those shores, to be seen here at the British Museum.

As trustees we look for a partnership with our Greek friends that requires no one to relinquish their claims, asks for no changes to laws which are not ours to write, but which finds a practical, pragmatic and rational way forward.

A section of the Parthenon Marbles in Londons British Museum (Matthew Fearn/PA)

Mr Osborne said the sculptures have always been controversial.

We should not shy from that controversy, he said. I think too often weve thought lets keep quiet, if we dont talk about things that are difficult, then no one else will.

Mr Osborne said the museum welcomed controversy when announcing many precious objects have been stolen from our stores, over probably several decades, and most likely by someone who worked here and we trusted.

We cant pretend it didnt happen, or it doesnt matter, or that some years ago we werent warned, he said.

It was our duty to look after these objects and we failed in that duty.

Thats why we made news of the thefts public. Its why we commissioned a far-reaching, independent review into what went wrong and how to fix it.

Story continues

Its why we will publish its conclusions in the coming months and its why Ive apologised for what has happened.

British artist Tracey Emin (Aaron Chown/PA)

The high-profile theft drew renewed attention to the disputed Elgin Marbles, with some questioning their safety in the institution.

The annual trustees dinner also announced that British artist Tracey Emin will be the first female Royal Academician to join the museums board of trustees.

Emin said: Its one of my favourite museums in the entire world.

I love everything Egyptian. Im very proud to be a trustee and I hope my presence will be a positive contribution.
FILE PHOTO: Logo of National Bank is seen outside a branch in Athens

ATHENS (Reuters) - Greece on Thursday sold a 22% stake in National Bank (NBG), its second-biggest lender by market value, with the sale oversubscribed by more than eight times, a source close to the process told Reuters.

After injecting about 50 billion euros ($54 billion) to prop up Greece's four largest lenders in return for shares during the country's decade-long debt crisis which ended in 2018, state-controlled bank bailout fund HFSF started divesting its stakes last month.

Eurobank was the first to end the state's participation in its share capital in October, days before S&P Global became the first among the big three rating agencies to upgrade Greece to investment-grade status, which it lost in 2010.

On Monday, HFSF concluded the sale of a 9% stake in Alpha Bank to UniCredit and announced plans to sell a 20% stake in NBG.

A book-building process and a public offering for the sale of the NBG stake which started on Nov. 14 concluded on Thursday, with the final offer price set at 5.30 euros a share, the source said.

HFSF, which owns 40% in NBG, sold a total of 201,237,334 shares, raising more than 1 billion euros, according to Reuters calculations.

Earlier on Thursday HFSF said that orders at less than 5.30 euros would "most likely not be considered" for allocation, having announced that it planned to increase the stake on offer to about 22% from 20% on the back of strong demand.

Fidelity, Blackrock, Norges, Lazard, RWC and Allianz were among the investors who bought NBG shares.

($1 = 0.9211 euros)

(Reporting by Lefteris Papadimas; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Rodri has reportedly suffered an injury while on international duty.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri is reportedly set to miss tonights (Thursday) international fixture between Spain and Cyprus due to injury.

The midfielder, who has scored four goals in 15 appearances for his club this season, wont be involved in the Euro 2024 qualifier due to discomfort, and Spanish outlet COPE report that Martin Zubimendi will take his place in midfield at the Alphamega Stadium.

If Rodri does miss the Group A fixture, he would be the fifth City player to suffer an injury during the current international break. Nathan Akes knock, which forced him to sit out the trip to Chelsea last weekend, resulted in him pulling out of the Netherlands squad.

Ederson, Mateo Kovacic and Matheus Nunes also dropped out of the respective Brazil, Croatia and Spain camps this week due to injuries. They join John Stones, Sergio Gomez and Kevin De Bruyne on Citys mounting list of absentees, with the latter not expected to play again in 2024.

With potentially up to eight players currently out through injury, it could leave Pep Guardiolas squad stretched for the upcoming Premier League matches against Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Aston Villa after the break, with only 13 outfield players definitely fit at present.

The absence of Rodri and Stones could be particularly significant for City, with the European champions losing all three matches earlier this season when the pair were absent, with Rodri suspended and Stones injured.

Speaking after last weeks Champions League win over Young Boys, Guardiola admitted it would be a concern if the pair were to be missing at the same time. The problem is we play John and Rodri at the same time - now we are in trouble, because we have to play a bit differently, like happened in Arsenal," explained the City boss. "We do not feel comfortable still, we are not prepared to change many variations."
In pics: displaced people at temporary shelter in southern Gaza Strip

Xinhua) 08:42, November 16, 2023

A displaced child is seen at a temporary shelter converted from a school in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

A displaced child is seen at a temporary shelter converted from a school in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

Displaced people are seen at a temporary shelter converted from a school in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

Displaced people are seen at a temporary shelter converted from a school in the southern Gaza Strip city of Rafah, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Khaled Omar/Xinhua)

Displaced people prepare food at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

Displaced people are seen at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

Displaced people are seen at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Yasser Qudih/Xinhua)

Displaced people are seen at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Displaced children are seen at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Displaced people are seen at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Displaced people are seen at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

A displaced child is seen at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

Displaced children are seen at a temporary shelter in the southern Gaza Strip city of Khan Younis, on Nov. 15, 2023. According to the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), almost 1.5 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since October 7, when Hamas carried out a surprise attack on southern Israel. (Photo by Rizek Abdeljawad/Xinhua)

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
A Palestinian boy stands among the destruction after Israeli strikes on Rafah, Gaza Strip. A reader calls on the U.S. government to withdraw its support of Israel's response to Hamas' brutal Oct. 7 attack. Hatem Ali/Associated Press

Fight domestic terrorism

We need to establish an organization to combat domestic terrorists' threats to democracy.

Former President Donald Trump is provoking threats to election workers and volunteers. They are not paid well, and if threatened they may not work our elections. The constant harassment of these volunteers is a problem.

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Additionally, the domestic terrorism response will serve as a deterrent to these radicals. This problem will not disappear without corrective action. We will hear that these protective organizations are being used against normal citizens for no reason.

Hamilton Cook Jr.

Don't back Israel's actions

Re: "Abbott among states leaders visiting Israelis," Front Page, Saturday:

Gov. Greg Abbott met Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and learned firsthand about the anguish of the people victimized by the horrific attack Oct. 7 on Israel by members of Hamas. More than 1,200 people were killed and about 230 hostages were taken.

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However, let us remember that the bombings and other military actions by the government of Israel have already killed more than 10,000 innocent people in Gaza and also destroyed much of the infrastructure and homes. More than 4,600 children have been killed in Gaza.

What did Abbott learn during his meetings with the victims of the horrific bombings in Gaza? What did he learn when meeting with the victims of the vigilante shootings by squatters from Israel on the West Bank? Did Abbott even bother to meet with victims from Gaza or the West Bank?

The United States seems complicit in the killings and devastation taking place in Gaza and the West Bank. Our stated policy is to fully back Israel as long as Israel claims its actions are necessary for its self-defense. U.S. policy is to provide Israel with financial support and military weapons.

We should not be supporting Israel's repressive policies toward the Palestinians, particularly their horrific military actions in Gaza.

Roger Bergman, Helotes
Support staff at Lismore College, Craigavon are on strike over pay and conditions. Some of the workers took to the picket line this morning. They are some of the thousands of union members from NIPSA, GMB, Unison and Unite which are taking industrial action across Northern Ireland today. (Photo: Carmel Robinson)

Thousands of school staff held a day-long strike across Northern Ireland over pay with unions including UNISON, Unite, NIPSA and GMB all with members taking industrial action.

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Workers including cleaners, catering staff, caretakers, classroom assistants, administrators and technicians were on the picket lines at hundreds of schools across the country.

Unison representative at Lismore College in Craigavon, Noreen Halfpenny, said many of her members were out on strike as theyve had enough. She revealed that many have had to take on a second job to survive.

"Its come to the stage where we dont have a choice anymore. We have given all our goodwill out. Its about time the Education Authority honoured what they promised us back in 2019. It is to the detriment of the pupils in the school.

"We love our kids here. We will do anything for our kids here. But there has to be a stop. Our members are scraping the barrel. We have members here going to food banks. They are finding it so hard at the minute. A lot of them are one-parent families. A lot of them are the only bread-winners in the house and this is making a big impact on them.

"They are finding it hard with the increase in gas and electric, especially coming up to Christmas. We dont know if some of our kids are going to have to get food donated, whether they are going to have to get presents donated for their kids.

"We are asking, please make this agreement so that we can move on, get a pay rise and get the proper pay grading we are entitled to, said Noreen.

Shauna Lynas, who works in Lismore College and is a member of NIPSA, said: From 2019 we have been waiting on our pay grading to be sorted so its just not on anymore. Theres a lot of us have to work two jobs now to make ends meet. We dont want to be standing here. We want to be in our places of work. We want to be helping our students. Enough is enough.

Story continues

"I am working two jobs at the minute to make ends meet and Christmas is just around the corner. Nobody can afford the luxuries we would have had years ago. We dont have the option to do overtime in schools.

Caitriona Connolly added: The cost of living is going up but our wages arent. Enough is enough.

The workers are taking action over the Education Authoritys failure to update the grading structure, which UNISON says must be changed to recognise the roles and responsibilities of staff so theyre paid fairly. A spokesperson for UNISON NI said it is calling for an overhaul as swiftly as possible.

UNISON Northern Ireland head of bargaining Anne Speed said: Staff are still not being paid fairly for their work because of the delays in sorting out this mess. Reform of the pay structure in schools is long overdue. This strike will send a strong message that it must be addressed without further delay. The Department for Education in Northern Ireland cant continue to wring its hands and do nothing. Officials must allow the Education Authority to begin talks to settle this dispute.

Department of Education Permanent Secretary, Dr Mark Browne, said the strike will undoubtedly cause significant disruption to services right across the education sector and have a major impact on parents and pupils, including our most vulnerable children and young people.

This is particularly disappointing given that on 1 November 2023 the NJC Pay award, which covers non-teaching staff in Northern Ireland, was agreed for 2023-24. This award increases each pay point on the NJC scale by 1,925 or a minimum of 3.88% and will be backdated to 1 April 2023. The average increase for non-teaching staff in Northern Ireland is expected to be 8.1%. The pay award means an employee on the lowest pay point in April 2021 will have received an increase in their pay of 4,033 (22.0%) over the two years to April 2023 (pro-rata for part-time employees). Approval has been provided to the Education Authority to allow the award to be implemented as soon as possible, said a spokesperson for DENI.
Viet Nam News reporters talk to International Finance Corporation's Regional Vice President for Asia and the Pacific, Riccardo Puliti about the corporation's latest project in Viet Nam's rice sector and its strategy for the Southeast Asian country in the years to come.

The IFC has signed an advisory project with A An Food, a subsidiary of Tan Long Group, a key food producer in Viet Nam. What are IFC's objectives for the project?

We have been very lucky and grateful to be able to work with CEO Truong Sy Ba of Tan Long Group (TLG), who is committed to sustainability in his business operations. IFC's advisory project with A An Food, the rice subsidiary of TLG, aims to support the company in developing a sustainable rice production strategy to realise its goal of supplying up to five million tonnes of green, safe, and high-quality rice within the next 10 years.

We are also trying to help Tan Long Group accomplish that goal while adopting low-carbon production practices in line with international standards, reducing the rice sectors emissions and boosting the countrys climate and economic resilience. By supporting local agribusinesses like Tan Long Group to develop local food systems that are greener, more productive, and resilient to a changing climate, we are not only helping strengthen the countrys food supply chain but also reducing emissions from agriculture, enabling Viet Nam to achieve net-zero by 2050.

IFC is seeing climate business opportunities in the agricultural sector as the sector is promoting sustainability and lowering emissions. Could you please elaborate more on this?

I think Viet Nam's agriculture sector has a lot of potential, especially its rice-producing capacity. Viet Nam has established itself as one of the world's major rice producers and as rice is a staple food for three to four billion people, the country certainly has a lot of growth potential in agriculture. Our mission objective is to support Viet Nam in producing more rice, of higher quality and doing so in a sustainable manner.

The agriculture sector is also a main employer, creating about 14 million jobs in the country. Sustainable growth in the agriculture sector will give people good job opportunities without having to abandon the rural areas and move to the cities, so the issues of urbanisation, which we have seen all over the world, will be less critical. So, I think Viet Nam is realising that rice needs to be produced in a sustainable environment, with environmental and social issues well taken into account and the agriculture sector is in a good position to do so.

In addition, Viet Nam is a large country with a young and dynamic population of over 100 million, and a growing middle class and there are great opportunities here not just in agribusiness but also in tourism, hospitality, manufacturing and financial services in the future. I also believe that Viet Nam has the ability to sustain rapid growth in the years to come.

How can Viet Nam better attract financial resources from the private sector? How is it doing on this front compared to regional peers?

In my opinion, Viet Nam can do better in attracting financial resources from the private sector in two areas. The first is to ensure an appropriate legal and regulatory framework that is clear, transparent and predictable. It should be clear how policy decisions are made and it's important for both domestic and international investors. The second is Viet Nam should employ all available financial instruments including green bonds, sustainability-linked bonds, and green equity. It is critical to find a way to make sure financing can reach small and medium enterprises which can grow in the future.

One of the traditional ways of doing this is working through banks. With a set of lending criteria and financial tools, commercial banks can lend money to SMEs and not just focus on large companies, which usually can access the financing they need. As for comparison, I think that Viet Nam has been doing it quite well, compared to other countries in the region.

Given Viet Nam's opportunities and challenges, what's IFC's long-term strategy for the local market?

As a development institution, IFC has worked to help promote sustainable economic growth and job creation in Viet Nam since the early 90s. Given the countrys transition to a productive, high-value and low-carbon growth model, climate and sustainability are now a key focus for IFCs programme in Viet Nam, encompassing all aspects of our operations. We are going to continue our work with the Vietnamese Government and private companies to make sure financing from domestic and international investors will come in to accelerate the countrys green transition. We believe that Vietnamese companies have the potential to grow into regional, and even global economic powerhouses and they have an important role in driving Viet Nams stronger, greener and inclusive growth.

We at the IFC are confident in Viet Nam, and our ambition is to increase our investment programme in Viet Nam from US$2 billion to $5 billion in the next three years but to do so, we must look at ways to mobilise international capital to support the private sector, especially SMEs. We will work to make sure capital markets are developed enough so that funding can arrive through every possible pathway. For example, we just committed the local currency sustainability-linked bonds (SLBs) of up to VND 3,500 billion (around $150 million) issued by BIM Land and its subsidiary Thanh Xuan Joint Stock Company  the first of its kind in Viet Nam. We strongly believe the IFC investment will signal the viability of innovative green financing instruments as an alternative source of capital for climate-smart projects in the country and encourage developers to align their interests with responsible investment and mobilise funding from green capital markets.

The IFC has been working alongside many commercial banks in Viet Nam, especially on governance and risk assessment because the more they understand risks, the more they can loan out money in longer maturity, and we'd like to see the private sector having greater financial support. We are in discussion with several local commercial banks to issue green bonds to increase funding for climate-friendly projects. To date, we have provided over $300 million in green financing to local banks in Viet Nam, accounting for about 35 per cent of the total $950 million climate-tagged long-term finance IFC has committed in the country so far. VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam needed to redefine its competitive advantages in the new period to be ready to receive foreign direct investment flows from the United Kingdom (UK), experts have said.

Despite cheap labour costs and abundant personnel resources, Viet Nam should rely on new factors including an attractive and transparent investment environment, simplified and digitalised administrative procedures, and infrastructure development, they said.

In addition, the UK is a country with a developed high-tech industry, so to effectively attract FDI from the UK, Viet Nam should establish an ecosystem that could effectively support domestic suppliers with sufficient management capacities so that they could meet the needs of tier 1 and tier 2 suppliers of British foreign-invested enterprises in Viet Nam.

According to experts, the UK's investment in Viet Nam will likely increase thanks to many favourable factors. These include close relationships in multiple areas such as education, science and technology, industry, and energy as well as the UK's applause for Viet Nam's commitment to achieving net-zero energy emissions by 2025. The UK then vows to provide Viet Nam with technical support, expertise as well as establish partnerships and energy transition and climate change programmes for Viet Nam.

As of August 20, 2023, the UK had 542 direct investment projects in Viet Nam with registered capital of about US$4.29 billion, ranking 15th out of 143 countries and territories investing directly in Viet Nam.

The processing and manufacturing industry lured the lion's share of UK investment with 117 projects worth $1.59 billion, accounting for 38.1 per cent of the total investment capital.

The property sector came next with seven projects, valued at $701.44 million or 16.7 per cent of the total. It was followed by the mining sector, wholesale and retail, car and motorbike repair, accommodation and food services, water supply and waste treatment, science and technology, and education.

UK investors poured their investments into 36 localities and offshore areas in Viet Nam. Of which, HCM City took the lead with 244 projects with capital totalling over $909 million or equivalent to 21.6 per cent of the total UK investment in Viet Nam. Offshore areas came next with five projects capitalised at $688 million and ong Nai Province with 11 projects valued at $670.8 million. Others were Hai Duong, Long An and Binh Duong provinces.

Over the past eight months of 2023, the UK had a total of 34 new investment projects in Viet Nam with registered capital reaching $48.3 million. Among European countries, the UK is now the second-largest foreign investor in Viet Nam, just after the Netherlands.

According to Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Sinh Nhat Tan, the UK-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA), taking effect since May 2021, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), which the UK joined on July 16, 2023, would be strong drivers to further develop two-way relations, especially in investment in the future.  VNS
SAN FRANCISCO, US  President Vo Van Thuong attended and delivered a speech at a roundtable connecting Vietnamese and US businesses and localities in San Francisco on November 15 (local time) as part of his trip to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Week and bilateral activities in the US.

The event gathered crowds of officials from agencies and localities, and representatives from businesses of the two countries.

In his remarks, President Thuong said Viet Nam welcomes US investors to invest in areas of its interest such as high technology, chip manufacturing, semiconductor production, green economy, digital economy, and cashless payment.

He added that the Southeast Asian nation is doing its utmost to innovate and improve its institutions to create the most favourable investment and business environment for US enterprises to invest and expand their production in Viet Nam.

Issues that businesses are not satisfied with, feeling uneasy about administrative procedures and how to resolve difficulties, are also the priorities that Viet Nam is actively addressing, the President noted.

The Vietnamese leader reiterated the milestone in the bilateral relations with the establishment of the comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and the US in September this year, which encompasses cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, investment, education, training, science-technology, and local-level collaboration.

He expressed his belief that cooperation between the two countries will be more positive and stronger, stressing that high-level agreements and cooperation only come true and bring results when there is a close connection between businesses, educational institutions and localities in both nations.

The impressive successes of many leading US companies that have invested in Viet Nam since the two sides normalised their relations are clear evidence of investment opportunities and the potential for expanding investments in Viet Nam, he said.

Assistant Secretary for the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs at the US Department of State Ramin Toloui highly evaluated issues raised by the Vietnamese President to advance cooperation between the two countries, saying that the newly-established comprehensive strategic partnership serves as a basis for developing cooperation in the semiconductor industry.

Viet Nam's strengths and cooperation from the US will help build skills for the workforce of both countries, and fully tap their potential, he noted.

The increasingly robust change in Viet Nam signals promising prospects for future cooperation between the two countries, he said, adding that US companies have invested billions of US dollars in Viet Nam to establish new supply chains, create high-quality jobs, and provide goods and services with world-class standards.

He suggested the Vietnamese side create a more favourable investment environment, allowing US businesses to invest stably in the country.

Providing examples of successful opportunities for US investors in Viet Nam, Toloui noted that in HCM City, Intel is a pioneer in developing the semiconductor industry, helping Viet Nam deeply join the global value chain in a sustainable manner.

Additionally, the two countries have also collaborated in many important projects on infrastructure construction and alloy production in Hai Phong and a Nang cities, he added.

At the event, President Thuong and US officials witnessed the exchange of cooperation agreements between ministries, sectors, and localities of the two countries in a number of fields such as education  training; greenhouse gas emission reduction; developing industrial parks, urban and eco-tourism areas, and seaport infrastructure; consumption of agricultural products; incubating human resources for microchip design; artificial intelligence and renewable energy development.  VNS
The UK's Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday (November 15) that the British government's Rwanda asylum policy was unlawful.

Rishi Sunak's government said its plan to deport asylum seekers to East Africa and ban them from returning was needed to deter illegal small boat crossings.

The five justices of the top British court unanimously ruled that it was possible the Rwandan government would send the refugees back to the country they had fled from, the BBC reported.

It also said the policy breached human rights laws by potentially leaving people sent there open to such a risk, a perception opposition politicians, refugee groups, and human rights organizations concur with.

Read Also: Former British Home Secretary Issues Scathing Letter to Rishi Sunak, Accuses Prime Minister of Betraying Promises

UK's Apex Court Upholds Prior Appellate Court Ruling

Last June, the Court of Appeal ruled the policy - which the British and Rwandan governments signed a deal about in April 2022 - was unlawful.

The legal case against the policy hinged on the principle of "non-refoulement," where a person seeking asylum should not be returned to their country of origin if doing so would put them at risk of harm. The principle of non-refoulement was established under both UK and international human rights law.

The Supreme Court's ruling effectively upheld the Court of Appeal's decision on the matter, saying that there were "substantial grounds" to believe people deported to Rwanda could then be sent to places they would be unsafe by the Rwandan government.

Related Article: Ex-UK PM David Cameron Returns to Tory Cabinet as Foreign Secretary

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SAN FRANCISCO, US  President Vo Van Thuong had a working session with representatives from the US-APEC Business Coalition on November 15, as part of his ongoing US trip to attend the APEC Leaders Week and bilateral activities in San Francisco.

The event drew Ted Osius, President & CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council, along with representatives from dozens of major businesses of the US.

Representatives from US firms hailed the achievements and development potential of the Vietnamese economy, and showed their interest in seeking investment opportunities and expanding business in Viet Nam.

They gave recommendations on areas Viet Nam needs to improve to lure more foreign investors, including strengthening investment in the airport system and hard and digital infrastructure system, speeding up the application of electronic customs clearance, and exerting more efforts in realising policies regarding digital transformation and one-touch payment.

President Thuong updated US businesses and investors on Viet Nams policies and orientations in economic development, highlighting that the US has been Viet Nam's important trade partner.

Viet Nam is working hard to improve its investment environment, creating more favourable conditions for foreign investors, including those from the US to effectively operate in the country, benefiting themselves and the Vietnamese people, the leader said.

He underlined that Viet Nam always listens to the voice of US businesses on their operation in Viet Nam, and held that the upgrading of the Viet Nam-US relations into a comprehensive strategic partnership is a chance for US businesses to strengthen collaboration with the Vietnamese peers, especially in the fields of the US strength.

Viet Nam encourages programmes and projects to care for women and children as well as people in far-flung areas, and stands ready to listen to new ideas and policy recommendations from US enterprises, stated the President.

He said that his entourage to San Francisco includes leaders of some Vietnamese localities with great potential and advantages, suggesting US firms explore investment opportunities in these localities.

Thuong said he hopes US firms will contribute their voices to persuade the US administration to soon recognise Viet Nams market economic mechanism and remove it from the list of semiconductor support restrictions to create favourable conditions for cooperation programmes and projects between the two sides.  VNS
SAN FRANCISCO  Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong on November 15 (local time) hosted a reception for CEO of Apple Tim Cook, during which the Vietnamese leader appreciated Apple for expanding its business and production in Viet Nam, saying that Apples products have provided many opportunities for Vietnamese youths to access and use high-tech devices.

He welcomed Apple's proposals and business strategies, stressing that the upgrade of Viet Nam-US bilateral relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership is a great opportunity for Apple to expand its investment activities in the Southeast Asian nation, especially in high-tech industry which is a priority of Viet Nam.

For his part, Cook said Viet Nam is part of Apple's special business strategy as several products of the firm have been produced in the Southeast Asian nation, including Macbook, Ipad, Apple Watch.

He held that Viet Nam's digital economy is thriving, and many leading global electronics and technology companies, including those from the US, are increasingly investing in production and business in the country. Viet Nam also possesses high-skilled engineers and technology professionals, Cook said.

The Apple CEO recommended several issues for development in Viet Nam, stating that Viet Nam needs to continue improving the system of standards for the application of 5G technology, refining the legal framework to support digital economic development, and carefully consider factors related to the application and development of artificial intelligence.

President Thuong affirmed that the Vietnamese State and Government have worked hard to perfect mechanisms and policies, especially improving the country's investment and business environment to facilitate foreign businesses investment.

Viet Nam has made efforts to upgrade telecommunications standards, and improve the legal framework to support digital economic development, digital infrastructure, and digital workforce training, he said, suggesting Apple support Viet Nam in these endeavors.

The President called on Apple to pour more investments into Vietnamese localities, especially major provinces and cities, adding that US firms can join the development and application of 5G technology in the country.  NS
SAN FRANCISCO  President Vo Van Thuong called on the business community to continue accompanying APEC member states in fulfilling commitments to sustainable development and pursuing long-term socio-economic and environmental goals, while addressing the APEC CEO Summit 2023, which is taking place in San Francisco from November 14-16.

The event brought together nearly 2,000 leaders from major businesses in the world and the Asia-Pacific, international organisations, research institutes, and universities in the region.

This is the most important event of the regional business community held annually on the occasion of the APEC Economic Leaders Week, aiming to create an opportunity for enterprises to exchange ideas and raise recommendations to APEC leaders.

The summit programme's focus of Creating Economic Opportunity features a lineup of dynamic and diverse speakers who highlight the potential of collaboration and fresh thinking to build the future through a focus on sustainability, inclusivity, resilience, and innovation.

President Thuong is among the honorary guests at this years summit, together with his counterparts from the US, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Chile, Peru, Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and Malaysia.

In his remarks, Thuong pointed to four major contradictions of the world economy: the widening rich-poor gap and environmental destruction against increasing economic growth and wealth; the growing protectionism and separatism after more than three decades of globalisation; institutional frameworks remaining limited at the national level despite the global influence of scientific-technological development, and science-technology posing unpredictable dangers apart from great development opportunities; and economies pursuing the growth model that encourages consumption, even overconsumption, yet being unable to mobilise enough resources for sustainable development goals.

To continue pursuing the set targets, there should be an inclusive, harmonious, and humane mindset, the President said, stressing the need to ensure reciprocity between economic growth and social justice and environmental protection; maintain an open, connected world economy in tandem with ensuring the economic security of countries; ensure that the global governance of technology aims not only to manage the development of various types of technologies but also to address socio-economic-cultural-political consequences from this process; and prioritise resources for sustainable and inclusive development goals.

Highlighting APECs role as an incubator for economic connectivity initiatives that lay the foundation for global agreements, and its pioneering role in promoting green growth, disaster response, and gender equality, supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises, and improving healthcare and education quality, Thuong attributed these successes to contributions by the regional business community.

He called on them to step up investment in science-technology, and build inclusive and resilient communities.

The leader briefed the participants on Viet Nams development viewpoints and policies, saying the country is striving to maintain sustainable economic growth while ensuring social progress and quality, and environmental protection.

Thuong expressed his hope that businesses will further support Viet Nam by proposing policies and ideas; transferring solutions, cutting-edge technologies, and new economic models; and attracting investment flows.

Viet Nam prioritises projects in such sectors as science-technology and innovation; green economy, digital economy, circular economy, and knowledge-based economy; electronic components and electric vehicles; semiconductor manufacturing, new energy, and renewable energy; financial centre building and green finance; and biotechnology, and healthcare, he said.

Viet Nam stands ready to join other APEC members and the Asia-Pacific business community in building a bright future for all, the leader said.  VNS
HA NOI  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has suggested Hungary cooperate and support Viet Nam in institution building and perfection, digital transformation, and personnel training to serve the judicial sector.

At a reception for Hungarian Minister of Justice Bence Tuzson in Ha Noi on Wednesday, PM Chinh highlighted the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries, and thanked Hungary for its support to Viet Nam in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, thus helping the country recover in all spheres.

The host and guest noted with pleasure positive development steps of the Viet Nam-Hungary relations across fields, including the judicial sector, especially after the two countries elevated their relationship to a comprehensive partnership on the occasion of the Hungary visit by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam's Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong in 2018.

PM Chinh expressed his hope that the two sides will deepen the partnership in a more practical and effective way, and maintain their cooperation and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums, especially the United Nations (UN).

For his part, Tuzson noted his admiration for Viet Nam's outstanding development steps over the past time, and informed the PM about the outcomes of the talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Le Thanh Long, during which they agreed on orientations and solutions to boost cooperation between the two Ministries of Justice and signed a letter of intend on cooperation in personnel training.

PM Chinh emphasised that the Party and State of Vietnam always create conditions for ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, to tighten bilateral relations with the Hungarian Ministry of Justice in law and justice.

On this occasion, Tuzson conveyed the invitation of the Hungarian PM to PM Chinh to pay an official visit to Hungary. The host leader accepted the invitation with pleasure, and asked the minister to convey his invitation to the Hungarian PM to visit Viet Nam.  VNS
HA NOI  Viet Nam upholds basic principles of international law, especially the principle of peaceful resolution of international disputes while the world is facing instability, conflict and confrontation.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu made the statement at the opening session of the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) Viet Nam conference on Wednesday in Ha Noi.

The conference was co-organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Viet Nam, the Permanent Court of Arbitration and the Viet Nam International Law Association.

The conference was attended by more than 100 delegates representing Viet Nams ministries, agencies and sectors, as well as foreign diplomatic representative agencies in Ha Noi, representatives of law firms, and domestic and foreign experts operating in the field of international law.

Vu also said the policy of perfecting the socialist rule-of-law state was requiring Viet Nam to build an effective legal system with a team of qualified lawyers and extensive international integration, as well as a dynamic legal environment.

On that basis, Vu said that the conference was expected to be an opportunity for Vietnamese agencies, organisations, arbitrators and lawyers to gain more experience in preventing and handling international disputes.

The conference was expected to be a forum to effectively connect the Vietnamese legal community with the international legal community, contributing to making Viet Nam the selected location for countries and corporations when resolving disputes in the future, he said.

Speaking at the conference, PCA Secretary General Marcin Czepelak thanked the Vietnamese Government, ministries and sectors for the support and companionship during the operation of the PCA Office in Ha Noi over the past time; especially the visits of senior leaders to the PCA headquarters at the Peace Palace in the Netherlands.

He also added that the conference reflected the basic values of the PCA which were peace, legal principles and prosperity, creating opportunities for policymakers, experts and legal practitioners as well as businesses discussing deeper recent developments in conciliation procedures between countries, arbitration dispute resolution procedures between countries and investors, as well as between businesses.

He announced the PCA Office in Ha Noi has handled nearly 30 dispute resolution cases; and organised activities connecting with the lawyer and arbitrator community in Viet Nam, and training activities on dispute resolution for ministries, sectors and State corporations this year.

He hoped to turn the PCA  Viet Nam Conference into an annual event, aiming to turn Viet Nam into a location to deal with cases handled by the PCA.

PCA, through its office in Ha Noi, wanted to coordinate with Vietnamese agencies to continue perfecting regulations on arbitration proceedings, meeting international standards, creating a favourable environment for international arbitration in Viet Nam in the future, he said.  VNS
SAN FRANSCISCO Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son proposed three priorities for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) collaboration at the 34th APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) in San Francisco on November 14.

Son stressed the need to strengthen cooperation in climate change and green growth. APEC members need to accelerate collaboration programmes on trade in goods and environmental services, green-bio-circular economic models, smart agriculture, just energy transition and management of natural resources, he stated.

Secondly, the Vietnamese minister emphasised the importance of making the most of advances in science and technology to serve sustainable growth. APEC cooperation must aim to support economies in building infrastructure and a digital workforce, applying modern technology in agricultural and industrial production, natural disaster prevention and control, and health care and education.

Thirdly, it is essential to take people as the centre of APEC cooperation, Son said. APEC projects and activities need to contribute to building equitable education and health systems, supporting small- and medium-sized enterprises to expand markets, and enhancing the role of women in the economy and society.

The conference was co-chaired by US Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and US Trade Representative Katherine Tai, and attended by Foreign Ministers, Economic Ministers and Heads of delegations from 21 APEC member economies, and representatives from international organisations.

APEC ministers emphasised the need to continue promoting regional economic integration towards the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP), enhancing member capacity to implement comprehensive and high-quality trade agreements, and to strengthen safe, resilient, sustainable and open supply chains.

They approved recommendations on APEC structural reform, and called on members to accelerate the implementation of APEC commitments, especially the Food Security Roadmap towards 2030, the APEC Internet and Digital Economy Roadmap, and the Roadmap for Women and Inclusive Growth. VNS
SAN FRANCISCO  President Vo Van Thuong attended a policy discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) in San Francisco, the United States, on November 15 morning (US time), as part of his trip to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Week and bilateral activities in the US.

President Thuong briefed attendants at the discussion on Viet Nam's situation, highlighting the countrys great achievements after nearly 40 years carrying out the oi moi (renewal) cause. Viet Nam has become the 11th biggest economy in Asia and one of the 40 biggest economies in the world. The country is also among the top three destinations of foreign investment in ASEAN for the past decade. Having joined 16 free trade agreements, Viet Nam is one of the 30 countries and territories with biggest foreign trade.

At the same time, the household poverty rate based on UN standards has dropped from over 50 per cent in 1986 to 4.3 per cent at present. The political situation in the country has stayed stable, national defence-security has been strengthened. The country has promoted institutional reform and developed infrastructure and human resources. Judicial reform, law enforcement and corruption prevention and control have been intensified, bringing about important results. People have been placed at the centre of the oi moi process, being both the subject and the target of development.

To realise the aspiration to become a developed high-income country by the middle of this century, Viet Nam is focusing efforts on rapid and sustainable development on the foundation of science-technology and innovation along with developing culture and protecting the environment, building and completing a rule-of-law State of the people, by the people and for the people and actively pushing international integration. President Thuong stressed that throughout the process, people with their human rights and citizen rights are the centre of all policies and future plans.

He went on to affirm that Viet Nam has defined and consistently pursue a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, and diversification and multilateralisation of relations. The country actively and proactively promotes comprehensive and extensive international integration, and strives to be a friend, a reliable partner and an active and responsible member in the international community.

Viet Nam follows a four no-s defence policy, that is no partaking in military alliance, no siding with one country to act against another, no foreign military bases in the Vietnamese territory or using Viet Nam as leverage to counteract other countries, and no using force or threatening to use force in international relations, the President stressed.

He said Viet Nam backs the strengthening and enhancement the effectiveness of bilateral and multilateral cooperative mechanisms and international coordination to ease tension and prevent and end conflicts, to address issues related to economic, cultural, social, scientific-technological development, and to respond to non-conventional security challenges.

Viet Nam is ready to contribute to the international communitys joint efforts in climate change response and environmental protection, and to participate in UN peacekeeping and international relief activities.

Regarding the Viet Nam-US relationship, Thuong said the relations are now at its best ever, with the two countries from former enemies becoming comprehensive strategic partners. This is truly a model in international relations.

Viet Nam's motto is to shelf the past, overcome differences, optimise similarities and look toward the future, the President said, adding that mutual understanding, mutual trust, respect for each others legitimate interests and no interference into each others internal affairs always bear great importance. Vietnam considers the US a partner with strategic importance in its external relations, he affirmed.

In reply to a question about the US-Viet Nam agreement to promote cooperation in semiconductor production, President Thuong said Viet Nam wants the Viet Nam-US Joint Leaders Statement on elevating the Viet Nam-US ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership to be fully implemented, including cooperation in semiconductor, chip and high-technology. However, for the cooperation to be effectively realised, the US should recognise Viet Nam's market economy status and remove Viet Nam from the list of countries subject to limited cooperation in chips and semiconductor, he said, adding that Viet Nam also hopes for the USs help in training manpower in this field.

Asked about the role of Vietnamese Americans in promoting bilateral cooperation, President Thuong underlined that Vietnams policy always considers overseas Vietnamese, including those in the US, an integral part of the Vietnamese nation. He said the overseas Vietnamese have contributed to the great achievements of the country in the past 40 years. Viet Nam always welcomes OVs in the US to return to Viet Nam regularly to witness the great changes in the home country and have a better understanding of the national development cause, he said.

Asked about the development of the Vinfast automobile brand, Thuong said Viet Nam is a latecomer, and the rate of domestically-made cars sold in the country remains low. But the country advocates green and clean technology in automobile production, so Vinfasts electric vehicles represent an effort of Vietnamese enterprises in this direction, towards the goal of zero emission by 2050.

Regarding difficulties that Viet Nam is facing in responding to climate change, the President said as one of the countries most vulnerable to climate change, Viet Nam has rolled out many measures to address the issue. However, the country needs support in both political resolve and specific actions from the international community. He expressed the wish that the US government will continue to support Viet Nam in this important field.

The Council on Foreign Relations (CFR) is an independent, nonpartisan membership organisation, think tank, and publisher dedicated to being a resource for its members, government officials, business executives, journalists, educators and students, civic and religious leaders, and other interested citizens in order to help them better understand the world and the foreign policy choices facing the United States and other countries.  VNS
HA NOI  The Vietnamese Government recently introduced a new decree, marking a significant step in the fight against domestic violence, particularly focusing on the protection and support of foreign residents in Viet Nam.

The recently issued Decree No 76/2023/N-CP details the implementation of certain provisions of the Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence.

This decree specifically addresses measures to prevent domestic violence against foreign residents in Viet Nam. This decree will take effect from December 25, 2023.

Accordingly, foreign residents in Viet Nam who experience domestic violence will be provided temporary shelter and support for their essential needs, care, treatment, legal assistance, and psychological counselling, as well as guidance on coping with domestic violence (as stipulated in points d, , and e of Article 22, Clause 1 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence).

The application of these measures for foreign residents in Viet Nam will be similar to their application for Vietnamese nationals, except in cases where international agreements, of which Viet Nam is a member, prescribe different regulations.

Foreign residents in Viet Nam committing domestic violence will face measures aimed at putting an end to such behaviour. These measures include requiring the offenders to report to the local police station where the incident occurred, restricting contacts with the victims, educating and supporting the 'reforms' of their violent behaviour, community's feedback and criticism, and carrying out community service (as stipulated in points a, b, c, g, h, and i of Article 22, Clause 1 of the Law on Prevention and Control of Domestic Violence).

Individuals committing domestic violence are responsible for covering expenses such as hiring interpreters for translation between Vietnamese and foreign languages, legal representation, security personnel, and other related expenses for the victims of domestic violence.

The financial provisions will follow legal regulations, and in cases where financial regulations are not defined, expenses will be based on actual invoices and documents.

The implementation of the regulations for foreign residents in Viet Nam will be similar to that for Vietnamese nationals, except in cases where international agreements may dictate otherwise.

Foreign residents in Viet Nam involved in domestic violence or victims of domestic violence have the right to invite representatives from their workplace or legal representatives to participate in the implementation of the aforementioned measures.

The authorities responsible for deciding on measures to prevent domestic violence and for protecting and supporting victims of domestic violence among foreign residents in Viet Nam are responsible for monitoring, managing, and supervising the implementation of these measures in accordance with the regulations mentioned above.  VNS
JAKARTA  Viet Nams Ministry of Defence will actively and responsibly engage in cooperation initiatives and mechanisms in the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM+) for a constructive, comprehensive and effective security structure, said defence minister General Phan Van Giang.

He is leading the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 10th ADMM+ with defence officials of ASEAN and its eight partner countries, which are Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, Russia and the US.

Speaking at the event, General Giang proposed to continue highlighting the central role of ASEAN, strengthening strategic trust on the basis of laws, mutual respect and benefit, and equality.

Conflicts and disputes should be addressed through peaceful means and open, practical dialogues, he said, adding that ADMM+ should always be the point of connection for all stakeholders.

The Vietnamese defence minister hoped to further integrate ADMM+ and other cooperation frameworks in the three pillars of the ASEAN community, which are the ASEAN Political-Security Community (APSC), the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) and the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC).

He also called for favourable conditions to fully and stringently implement the DOC, or Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea).

He also expected that a practical and effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) would soon be achieved in alignment with international laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, contributing to peace, stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea.

Many other officials in attendance also shared the same perspective.

Addressing the meeting in his opening speech, Indonesian defence minister Prabowo Subianto underlined that with a spirit of openness and tolerance, ASEAN hoped to work with its partners in resolving the emerging security challenges.

The mechanism of ADMM+ is a platform to strengthen collaboration for a peaceful and secure environment in the region, he said.

Following the ASEAN cooperation report by the blocs secretary-general Kao Kim Hourn, country representatives exchanged their views on regional and international security concerns, including the Ukraine, Israel-Hamas, Myanmar and Korean Peninsula issues, while focusing on the values of peace and stability.

Defence ministers and officials also highlighted the importance of the fundamental principles and objectives stated in the UN Charter, the ASEAN Charter, the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Bali Process, as well as compliance with international laws in maintaining peace, prosperity and security in the region.

Partner countries also affirmed their support for the central role of ASEAN in cooperation mechanisms in the area, while stressing the significance of maritime security, particularly regarding the vital maritime routes in the East Sea.

The list of countries participating in the 2024-2027 ADMM+ Experts Working Group was also announced at the event on Thursday.

The meeting also issued a joint declaration of the ADMM+ on women, peace and security.

A handover ceremony for the ADMM and ADMM+ chairmanship was also held on the same day, officially announcing Lao Ministry of National Defence as the chair for the two meetings in 2024.  VNS
SAN FRANCISCO  President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception for Governor of California Gavin Newsom on November 15 (local time) as part of the Vietnamese leader's trip to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Week and bilateral activities in the US.

During the meeting, Newsom said California is committed to building long-term and sustainable relationships with Asia, including Viet Nam.

According to him, California is the state with the largest number of Vietnamese people in the US, and its San Francisco has established a twining relationship with HCM City.

President Thuong praised the Governor, and generations of leaders in California for prioritising promoting relations with Viet Nam in accordance with the demand, potential, and advantages of both sides. He said he believes that as the two countries have just upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development, California will be the pioneer in enhancing bilateral relations with Viet Nam.

The President called for the Governor's support to have more pairs of twinning cities, firstly Hanoi and Los Angeles.

Newsom affirmed that California values and is willing to further strengthen friendship and effective and practical cooperation with Viet Nam, thus contributing to further intensifying the bilateral relations between the two countries.

The two sides acknowledged with pleasure that California has effective cooperation with Viet Nam, especially in economy and trade, as many large corporations and businesses of the state have invested in Viet Nam and vice versa.

Newsom also affirmed that establishing a direct flight between Ha Noi and San Francisco offers a great opportunity for people-to-people exchanges.

President Thuong suggested the US State's administration continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to do business in the state, thus contributing to enhancing the relationship between the two countries.

While receiving Deputy Mayor of Los Angeles Erin Bromaghim on the same day, President Thuong applauded the potential and development achievements of Los Angeles, the famous technology and seaport hub of the US and the world.

The President said he was pleased to witness the signing of cooperation agreements between businesses and localities of the two countries to develop seaports in Hai Phong City. He expressed his belief that cooperation between the Port of Los Angeles and Vietnamese businesses and localities will create a premise for other cooperation activities between the two sides.

Bromaghim said a US business delegation will visit Viet Nam to explore investment cooperation opportunities in the Southeast Asian nation, adding that the US city has also welcomed many delegations of Vietnamese businesses and localities to seek partnerships here.  VNS
Israel Defense Forces (IDF) entered Gaza's largest hospital on Wednesday, November 15, and were reportedly investigating the facility's rooms and basement. This now marks the end of a blockade that had generated worldwide concern for the safety of thousands of residents trapped inside the hospital.

The Israeli military claimed Hamas members have their headquarters in tunnels under the Al Shifa hospital in Gaza City, an assertion that Hamas disputes. The hospital has been the primary focus of the ground offensive.

Hundreds of patients without electricity to run basic medical equipment and thousands of displaced people who found sanctuary there have garnered global attention. Officials in Gaza claim that the Israeli blockade of the hospital has caused the deaths of several patients, including three newborn infants.

Israel said its soldiers killed militants in a firefight before entering and bringing medical treatment to the people inside. "Before entering the hospital, our forces were confronted by explosive devices and terrorist squads, fighting ensued in which terrorists were killed," according to the Israeli army.

Also Read: Israel Urges Hamas To Stop Using Al Shifa Hospital as Command Center as Dozens of Babies' Lives Are at Risk

Tanks, Soldiers Storming The Hospital

The IDF has confirmed that Israeli tanks have delivered incubators, baby food, and medical supplies to the Al Shifa hospital. They assured the public that medical professionals and Arabic-speaking troops were already on the ground to guarantee the distribution of help.

Surgeon Dr. Ahmed El Mohallalati told Reuters over the phone that staff had to hide overnight as violence broke out outside the hospital. "So yesterday early evening, it started ... shooting around the hospital and within the hospital. And the sound was really horrible."

El Mohallalati claims that the hospital staff has seen tanks in the area. From the main entrance on the hospital's eastern side, one of the large tanks drove inside and parked in front of the emergency room. "All kinds of weapons were used around the hospital. They targeted the hospital directly. We try to avoid being near the windows," he added.

Another hospital employee confirmed that tanks had entered the hospital grounds at about 3:00 AM local time. The Israeli forces dismounted and fanned out around the yard before beginning a systematic search of the basements and structures.

Apparently, the hospital management notified the staff that the army had informed them of their intent to conduct a room-by-room search of the facility. The source said that the military and the hospital's patients, staff, and displaced residents were all free to go about their business.

According to a statement released by the IDF, it is "carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the Shifa hospital, based on intelligence information and an operational necessity."

Israel gave Hamas 12 hours to stop its military operations near the hospital, but the group did not.

Also Read: Israeli Military Releases Video Allegedly Showing Evidence of Hostages in Gaza Hospital

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HA NOI  Politburo member and Minister of Public Security To Lam held talks with visiting Minister for National Security of Singapore Teo Chee Hean in Ha Noi on Thursday.

Cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and Singapores law enforcement agencies has been sustained, Lam said, noting that the ties have made progress across such areas as all-level delegation exchange, crime prevention and control, fire prevention, search and rescue, digital transformation, and the building of the national population data centre.

The two sides have coordinated to effectively implement outcomes of ASEAN ministerial meetings on cybersecurity, built related legal documents, and signed a memorandum of understanding on collaboration regarding cyber safety, cybercrime prevention, and personal data protection.

To further develop the teamwork, the two ministers agreed to sign agreements on extradition, the transfer of sentenced persons, and mutual legal assistance concerning criminal matters, and a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in digital transformation and the construction of the national population data centre between the Vietnamese ministry and the Prime Minister's Office of Singapore. The stage is set to combine forces in combating transnational crimes, and to enhance bilateral engagements in the field of national security and crime prevention.

The officials discussed cyber safety, administrative management, non-traditional security, and e-governance. The Vietnamese side hoped the Singaporean side would share experiences and offer it advanced equipment to fight crime and develop a big data platform.  VNS
HA NOI  According to the recently released 2023 Open Doors Report by the Institute of International Education, the United States continues to be the top destination for Vietnamese students studying overseas.

This is reaffirmed by a noteworthy 5.7 per cent increase in the number of Vietnamese students at US universities and colleges during the academic year 2022-2023, totalling 21,900, which still falls short of pre-pandemic high of 23,777 students in the 2019-20 academic year.

The number of Vietnamese students makes for the fifth-largest group of foreign students in the US, the same as the last academic year.

The report highlights Viet Nam as the second-leading country of origin for international students at community colleges, constituting 7.6 per cent of all international community college students. Additionally, Viet Nam ranks as the fourth-largest source of international undergraduate students, contributing 14,295 students.

Notably, the fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), along with business and management studies, remain the preferred areas of study for Vietnamese students in the US.

The data reveals that 47.6 per cent of Vietnamese students are pursuing STEM majors, while 24.7 per cent are focused on business and management studies.

The US has experienced a robust two-year rebound in international student enrolments following the COVID-19 pandemic, with a 14 per cent growth in new enrolments for the academic year 2022-23.

International students now comprise about six per cent of the total student population across US campuses, representing over one million students from more than 230 countries.

The Open Doors data underscores the pivotal role of education in the bilateral relationship between the US and Viet Nam.

In its commitment to strengthen educational cooperation as per the US-Viet Nam Joint Statement on upgrading ties to Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in September 2023 between the two countries' leaders, the US Agency for International Development (USAID) has initiated a five-year partnership with the Ministry of Education and Training (MoET) to modernise and internationalise Viet Nam's higher education sector. The project aims to enhance education quality, particularly in STEM fields, facilitate digital transformation at policy and institutional levels, and upgrade academic programmes to meet industry workforce qualification requirements and academic accreditation standards.

The US Mission to Viet Nam is also launching a dedicated exchange programme designed to foster innovation in technical training at Vietnamese community colleges. The initiative also includes expanded English language programs and STEM education activities for students in K-12.  VNS
ABU DHABI  The second day of the Global Media Congress (GMC) has drawn to a close after a series of groundbreaking announcements, discussions and exhibitions that set further new benchmarks in the world of media and communications.

The day was packed with engaging panels, keynote speeches, and interactive sessions led by some of the most prominent figures in the industry.

Under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Vice President, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Presidential Court, the GMC continued its focus on nurturing innovation and enabling professionals to benefit from knowledge exchange between decision-makers, thought leaders, experts and professional on the emerging trends shaping the sectors future.

Mohammed Jalal Al Rayssi, Director-General of Emirates News Agency (WAM) and Chairman of the Higher Organising Committee for the Global Media Congress, said: The Global Media Congress has continued to offer unparalleled value on its second day as we strengthen our global media network through strategic partnerships and collaborations that offer great promise for the future. We were delighted to host so many youth today and their valued presence enriched the excellent discussions and exhibitions that we witnessed. As the Congress continues to shape the future media agenda, we are making every effort to nurture outstanding new creativity and accelerate innovative start-ups in the sector.

Day two of the Congress, which gave special attention media education and youth engagement, also welcomed a diverse group of students from 100 universities pursuing they interest in the sector.

Humaid Matar Al Dhaheri, Managing Director and Group CEO of ADNEC Group, said: Todays sessions at the Global Media Congress demonstrated our commitment to empowering youth to help shape the future of the media sector. Through fostering innovation and collaboration in the media industry, we are also equipping the next generation to play their full part as creators and entrepreneurs. In bringing together such a diverse array of thought leaders and experts with our youth, the Congress is not just a platform for dialogue, but a catalyst for imaginative new ideas and practices.

ADNEC Group is honored to provide a venue where groundbreaking ideas are shared, and new horizons in media and technology are explored.

With participants from across the government, media, academic and industry sectors, the Global Media Congress is hosting a world-class programme of speakers, panelists and discussants commenting on and discussing a range of emerging challenges and the full potentialities of the media industrys future development. The Congress exhibition features leading international and local brands showcasing and demonstrating the latest media-focused tech, products, and services. Both leading companies and innovative new startups are participating at the exhibition, which has a range of platforms, including live stages and media labs, to facilitate commercial partnerships between tech companies and media outlets.

H.E. Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, UAE shared his expertise on AI's pivotal role in future innovation. The Minister commented that as generative AI would soon make up more than 90% of Internet content, truth matters more than ever. The growth of AI has profound implications for creativity, and it is likely that those entities that could be trusted with the truth would be more valued in the future. Above all, there was a crucial need to ensure AI would have a positive impact.

H.E. Ali Rashid Al Nuaimi addressed the imperative of equipping the youth for a tech-forward tomorrow. His Excellency commented that we should reassess our approach towards the emerging generation, acknowledging that they possess unique skills and capabilities that empower them to tackle, comprehend, and effectively utilise modern technologies. We must have a clear vision for engaging with this generation, respecting their choices, recognising their accomplishments, and positioning ourselves as partners rather than guardians. This will help prevent the development of conflicting identities within them."

In a deep-dive session, Mark Whitehead, CEO of TwoFour54 in Abu Dhabi, provided firsthand insights on the evolving landscape of media production complemented by an engaging moderation by Youmna Naufal. Whitehead spoke about the supportive ecosystem in Abu Dhabi for the content and film industry and how this ecosystem was situated in a strong global market place that included other major players such as the US and the Republic of Korea. He noted that the presence of a large number of international production companies reflected TwoFour54's goal of further strengthening Abu Dhabis position as a global destination for producers, directors, creatives, filmmakers and programme makers.

The following panel discussion on AI Technology-Dominated Media: Looming Threat or Opportunity?, featured Neil Maiden, Professor of Digital Creativity - Faculty of Management at Bayes Business in the UK, Jessica Groopman, Director of Digital Strategy & Innovation at Intentional Futures in the USA, Noel Tock, Speaker, Technologist, and Founder of Human Made in the UK, and Michael Bayler, International Brand Marketing Pioneer, Published Author and Speaker from the UK.

The panel discussed whether AI is a threat or an opportunity in the media sector and how the industry might adapt to new technologies. Maiden commented that while generative AI has been perceived as a threat that may replace human ingenuity, its potential to enhance peoples creative skills would draw new investment and business. Groopman observed that one of the most significant dilemmas lies in the fact that, with generative AI, we possess the language of intelligence, even though there is little consensus on what intelligence truly is. Tock added that generative AI is neither a trick nor mere software, and should be regarded as a strategic tool to optimise ideas while holding the promise of opening up new opportunities.  WAM/VNA
List of 11 best destinations in Asia to travel in 2024 voted by American travel magazine CN Traveler.

Greater Asia always has much to offer, and new experiences, events and accommodation options await travelers around the world in 2024Sri Lanka is emerging like a phoenix from the economic crisis and is responding with a new food festival, wellness retreats and hiking trails through 186 miles of mountainous terrain. Mongolia is easing visa restrictions to allow more tourists to experience its vast landscapes... Below is a list of the 11 best destinations in Asia in 2024 that tourists must visit.

Chinatown in Bangkok, Thailand

With traditional noodle shops, incense-filled temples and tuk-tuks clinking through centuries-old alleys, Chinatown is one of the busiest places in Bangkok.

Kathmandu Valley, Nepal

Atop the picturesque ridges of the Kathmandu valley lie the emerging destinations of Dhulikhel and Chandragiri, full of hidden trails that are unexpected alternatives to Nepal's more strenuous trekking routes.

Kobe, Japan

Sandwiched between steep mountains and choppy seas in southwestern Japan, the port city of Kobe is always an attractive destination for international tourists.

Kochi, India

Kochi's drawings are both modern and classic. First, Kochi's 10 islands will be fully powered by solar energy by 2024. However, local festivals such as Thrissur Pooram temple festival and Kochi-Muziris Biannale maintain ancient customs that make this place a special

Mongolia

Adventurous travelers looking for thrills will always find something to love in Mongolia, especially since, in 2024, the country will be visa-free for many countries worldwide.

Ras Al Khaimah, United Arab Emirates

Adventure tourism is taking off in the Rocky Mountains of Ras Al Khaimah (along the coast), with Jebel Jais playing host to hiking and zip-lining...

Red Sea, Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia's Red Sea has both pristine deserts and vibrant coral reefs. Both will be part of the destination's ambitious plan to develop sustainable tourism by 2024.

Singapore

Singapore's charms are timeless, but things will be taken to a new level next year when Belmond returns with the long-awaited Eastern & Oriental Express - a new journey that will take passengers from Singapore to Malaysia and return in February.

Also read: Singapore eager to welcome Vietnamese tourists back as COVID-19 is under control  Vietnam News - Latest Updates and World Insights | Vietreader.com

Silk Road, Uzbekistan

Samarkand is one of four cities in Uzbekistan to benefit from renewed interest in the Silk Road, with Afrosiyob, a new high-speed rail network connecting its towers and turquoise-tiled roofs to the country's capital, Tashkent. Routes to Khiva, the tourist capital of the Muslim world in 2024, will be operational next year.

Southern and Central Sri Lanka

Sri Lanka's tourism industry is rising from economic turbulence amid a luxury and wellness boom, from tea-studded highlands to palm-fringed shores.

Da Nang, Vietnam

It is a modern coastal city among the world heritage sites recognized by UNESCO in the country's center: Hoi An ancient town, Hue, the ancient capital and My Son's holy land. Da Nang is one of Asia's great post-pandemic success stories. In 2023, international arrivals will exceed pre-pandemic numbers, thanks partly to new routes that make getting here easier than ever. In 2023, Vietnam Airlines reopens its famous Tokyo route, Taiwan's China Airlines begins direct flights from Taipei, and several low-cost airlines in Southeast Asia have launched flights to the city, along with many other flights being deployed. More than 150 daily flights bring eager tourists to witness the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival every June.

Also read: Da Nang Vietnam tourism welcomes nearly one million visitors in the month of fireworks  Vietnam News - Latest Updates and World Insights | Vietreader.com

Son Tra Peninsula, located just 20 minutes by car from the city center, is a tourist attraction, home to a 17-storey Buddha statue and the endangered, red-shanked douc langur living in the peninsula's nature reserve. Central Vietnamese specialties, such as Quang noodles, the region's official vermicelli dish, and banh xeo, will be another feature of any travel itinerary.

Hotel and resort developers are taking notice of Da Nang's newfound popularity. On the Son Tra Peninsula, the Bill Bensley-designed InterContinental Sun Peninsula resort recently completed a massive renovation to celebrate its 10th anniversary...
With 80 partner factories and 240,000 related workers, Uniqlo's General Director said Vietnam is one of Asia's key manufacturers.

The information was just supplied by Mr. Nishida Hideki, General Director of Uniqlo Vietnam. "From local partner factories, 'Made in Vietnam' products are distributed to more than 2,400 stores worldwide, playing an important role in our global value chain," he stated. Over half of the products sold at Vietnamese Uniqlo stores last year were made by Vietnamese manufacturers.

Mr. Nishida's comments were made in the context that fashion products, in general, produced in Vietnam are increasingly gaining a significant market share in major world markets.

According to Mirae Asset Securities company data, the market share of Vietnamese-made fashion in the US and Japan in 2022 will be 18.3% and 15.6%, up from 17.6% and 14.1% by 2021. In Korea, the market share accounts for 31.1%.

Also read: 5 Vietnamese Sustainable Fashion Brands

Mr. Nishida Hideki, General Director of Uniqlo Vietnam. Photo provided by the company

Before the brand launched its first location in Ho Chi Minh City in 2019, Uniqlo produced its clothing in Vietnam. Accordingly, the parent company, Fast Retailing, Mr. Nishida Hideki, General Director of Uniqlo Vietnam has been ordering from Vietnamese suppliers for over 20 years. About 240,000 Vietnamese workers are directly and indirectly involved in this production process.

Vietnamese partners are considered highly capable. This Japanese firm manufactures many main items that call for sophisticated processes. For instance, the product line offers faux-sheep fleece jackets made entirely of recycled PET plastic bottles, ultra-light down puffer jackets (ULD), and thermal apparel with exclusive technology (HEATTECH).



To deploy, Fast Retailing dispatched Takumi (the group's textile experts) to share knowledge and experience and ensure partners meet independent global standards for product quality and safety. Mr. Nishida reaffirmed his commitment to keep growing and raising the percentage of Vietnamese goods in the Vietnamese shop chain, but he did not provide any specifics regarding plans.

Despite the uncertain economic climate, Uniqlo added 7 more stores this year, for a total of 22. The latest is an independent store in a prime location overlooking Hoan Kiem Lake (Hanoi), created from an ancient building.

Mr. Nishida Hideki says business outcomes align with Fast Retailing's long-term development objective. According to the recent business results report for the fiscal year ending August 2023, Fast Retailing had a net profit of 296 billion yen (more than 1.9 billion USD), an increase of more than 8% over the same period thanks to record revenue of 2,770 billion yen (nearly 18.6 billion USD), an increase of 20%.

As for Uniqlo Korea, Southeast Asia, India and Australia, the overall results were announced, with revenue of nearly 450 billion yen (about 3 billion USD) and operating profit of more than 78 billion yen (over 518 million USD), growing by 46.1% and 36.4% respectively.

"Southeast Asia, especially Vietnam, is showing impressive growth potential. We are still optimistic about the prospects here," Mr. Nishida Hideki assessed.

This brand has about 1,000 employees operating the retail chain in Vietnam, of which 70% of store managers are Vietnamese. General Director Nishida aims to increase this rate in the coming time and wants each store to have one disabled employee to create an inclusive workplace and development opportunities for everyone.

As of the end of February, Mr. Nishida Hideki has become the second General Director of Uniqlo Vietnam, succeeding Osamu Ikezoe in the executive role. About 4 years ago, he made his first visit here. "It so happened that thousands of people lined up for days to visit the first store when it opened. That picture of Vietnam has always motivated me," the man remarked.

He aimed to make this fashion retailer the most prestigious brand during his tenure. He applies the 4C formula to implement this: customer service, confidence in LifeWear, contribution to society and challenge spirit).

"I think reliable friends always surround me. I appreciate my experience in Vietnam instead of feeling compelled to do otherwise," he remarked.

Uniqlo is the largest brand among eight of the Fast Retailing retail group, founded by Japan's richest billionaire, Tadashi Yanai. As of November 15, Fast Retailing had a capitalization of 11,749 billion yen (77.8 billion USD). The total number of stores of all brands under Fast Retailing currently reaches nearly 3,600 stores, of which Uniqlo has 2,400.

If calculated by the capitalization scale of global fashion retailers as of February this year, Fast Retailing ranked 2nd in the world after Inditex (Zara's parent company).

Read more: Garment industry in difficulty as global market shrinks

Textile industry adapts to new development trends
The conference, themed Taking Responsibility, Taking Action, is a response to climate change and the need for sustainable development among the Vietnamese authorities and business community.

Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong highlighting the pressure created by transforming development methods

Speaking at the opening session of the conference, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong highlighted the pressure brought by transforming development methods, especially the commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. This comes in the context of resource and energy shortages, low levels of sci-tech development, and the associated economic risks.

However, new development methods and models, including green growth, eco-economic development, and the circular economy, along with scientific and technological progress, are bringing much to the Vietnamese economy in terms of faster and more sustainable growth, Phuong said.

VIRs editor-in-chief Le Trong Minh said that the world is going through unprecedented difficulties. The pandemic, strategic competition between major countries, the Russia-Ukraine conflict, natural disasters, and climate change have all caused the global economy to stagger.

VIRs editor-in-chief Le Trong Minh at the opening session

In such a situation, implementing the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals and the net-zero commitment becomes an even greater challenge. For Vietnam, this road is even more bumpy and difficult, Minh said.

But green growth and sustainable development are inevitable trends that any country must implement to mitigate climate and environmental problems while ensuring socioeconomic development.

Vietnam is no exception. With only 27 years left to realise its ambitions, if it does not act now, it will fall behind globally, he added.

As a developing country, there are still many difficulties. However, Vietnam has made commitments to respond to climate change, so it needs appropriate roadmaps and support. This includes assistance from developed countries and partners in terms of capital, human resource training, institutional building, technology, and administration.

At the same time, we also need a business community with a strong awareness of responsibility and the need to be proactive, even when facing great difficulties in terms of finances and manpower, Minh added.

Deputy Minister Phuong outlined key measures to promote and transform the implementation of sustainable development, including improving the quality of socialist-oriented market economy institutions and enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of policy implementation through public administration reform and the participation of disadvantaged groups in the decision-making process.

He also stated the need to continue to prioritise investments in human resource development, sci-tech, innovation, and the completion of a synchronous and modern infrastructure system to improve productivity, stabilise the macroeconomy, and mobilise the financial resources that are required for sustainable development.

The country also needs to continue promoting the reform of the social security system to ensure increased resilience and support for vulnerable groups, developing both the culture and society to realise social justice.

Finally, focus should be placed on the effective management and use of resources, strengthening environmental protection and the climate change response to mitigate natural disasters. This must be achieved while promoting the development of a green and circular economy, strengthening international cooperation, and enhancing awareness to promote cooperation among relevant parties and create a spillover effect when implementing the sustainable development goals.

Sustainable development conference to take place in Hanoi On November 16, Vietnam Investment Review will host its Sustainable Development 2023 conference, themed Taking Responsibility, Taking Action.
Nguyen Duy Thuan, CEO, Loc Troi Group

In 2030, Vietnam is forecast to generate 120 million tons of carbon emissions, of which rice cultivation accounts for half of the emissions. Loc Troi as well as farmers in the Mekong Delta have the role to take action because we know that we contribute greatly to Vietnam's greenhouse emissions, and we have the obligation to limit this.

Loc Troi is currently growing rice on 2 million ha and more than 1 million farming households are working in Loc Troi's agricultural management system. We have five business units including agricultural research institute, fertiliser, pesticide, and seed production facilities to supply for to farmers.

In addition to those are units providing agricultural services and crop care, a breed provider that supplies about 50 per cent of seeds to the Mekong Delta area, and a food manufacturing company that produces about 2 million tons of rice every year.

Loc Troi's goal is to create 10 million carbon certificates in the Mekong Delta.

Loc Troi has made a commitment to the Ministry of Agriculture to balance the three elements -- chemical, biological and organic -- in our crop care products. In addition, we plan to increase the production of circular products such as bioplastics produced from rice husks and sticky rice.

For green development, Loc Troi has achieved carbon criteria and commercialise it for the international market.

Rice exporters gear up to penetrate EU arena Vietnamese companies have been stepping up investment to boost rice exports to Europe  however, it remains a challenging task penetrate the market efficiently.

Loc Troi and FMO sign $90-million credit package to advance sustainable rice production On November 2, Loc Troi Group JSC (LTG) announced the signing of a Letter of Intent for a $90-million credit package between LTG and the Dutch Entrepreneurial Development Bank (FMO).
In this context, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) practices have transitioned from optional to essential for companies to thrive and align with global environmental goals.

Luu Thi Thanh Mau,

CEO, Phuc Khang Corporation

Since its inception, Phuc Khang Corporation (PKC), a green building developer in Vietnam, has been committed to leading and promoting the creation of a better lifestyle for community health and sustainable ecological environment in line with global green standards.

PKC has consistently delivered high-quality real estate products, enhanced living standards while ensuring harmony with the environment. Over its 14-year journey, PKCs corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives have evolved in quantity and quality. In 2021, it launched community campaigns which included free vaccination programmes, support for the Young Entrepreneurs Associations ATM programme, donations of protective gear and medical equipment, and thousands of gift packs, test kits, beds, and meals for vulnerable communities.

Last year, focusing on a green and sustainable environment, PKC intensified its environmental initiatives through activities like greenification, clean-up, ecological protection, sponsoring research on climate change impacts, and promoting green education through green study tours with universities and research institutes.

Building on years of such practices, PKC has seamlessly transitioned to integrating ESG strategies into its operations. The companys CSR activities already align with ESG metrics, laying a solid foundation for future ESG practices. This transition signifies PKCs evolution in keeping with global trends.

In its ESG journey, PKC aligns closely with the 17 Sustainable Development Goals of the United Nations. The companys specific ESG strategies target distinct goals, contributing to broader community objectives. In the first half of 2023, PKC implemented concrete activities under its ESG framework. Environmentally, the company is applying circular economy principles in its operations, pursuing international green building certifications, and organising more green study programmes.

Socially, PKC ensures compliance with wage, bonus, and mandatory insurance regimes, conducts comprehensive health check-ups for employees, maintains gender equality assessments using the GEARS tool, and continues internal training programmes. In governance, it focuses on digital transformation projects like E-Office, specialised training for management, and refining policies and procedures for stakeholder engagement.

Vietnams commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050 is accelerating the shift towards sustainable practices in various sectors. Companies like PKC are at the forefront, demonstrating how integrating CSR into a broader ESG framework can lead to sustainable and meaningful business development.

This transition is not just a corporate effort but a journey towards a sustainable future for the entire community. As more businesses in Vietnam adopt this approach, it sets a promising trend for the nations path to achieving its climate goals and sustainable development.

ESG practices do not fundamentally alter PKCs essence, strategy, or operations; rather, they provide a clearer direction for sustainable and appropriate growth. It serves both as a yardstick and a catalyst for corporate advancement. Most businesses, including PKC, are not starting from scratch with ESG but are at various stages of its implementation.

This journey is a long one, requiring systematic and serious investment by enterprises. It stands as a sound strategy that helps businesses build a set of common standards, promoting sustainable growth and contributing to society and the community.

A successful ESG strategy will lay a vital foundation for sustainable development, creating significant value not just for businesses and entrepreneurs, but also for the community and stakeholders. With that, the company has set clear goals: to create green buildings, a green community, and a green future.

PKCs journey from CSR to ESG represents a strategic elevation, with a focus on creating sustainable impacts across all its operations. The integration of ESG into the companys core strategies reflects its commitment to not only financial success but also to making a positive impact on the environment and society. This approach is essential for businesses looking to thrive in todays increasingly socially conscious market.

Phuc Khang applies green building standards to reduce carbon emissions Phuc Khang Corporation (PKC) paid early attention to green construction. The projects invested and developed by the business aim to optimise energy consumption, reduce carbon emissions, and benefit the environment.

Phuc Khang Corporation focuses on green buildings and sustainable development Developing green buildings aiming for smart living spaces with low emissions is not only limited to policies and efforts from agencies and authorities, but has been replicated as a trend among businesses, entrepreneurs and the wider community.
The success story of the plant was also applied to other projects of ours, such as Ham Thuan-Da Mi Hydropower Plant (completed in 2001), and Dai Ninh Hydropower Plant (completed in 2008). Both were also utilised for irrigation, which contributed to the promotion of agriculture in the southern region.

Kubo Yoshitomo,

Senior Vietnam office representative Japan International Cooperation Agency

In order to achieve ambitious net-zero targets, Vietnam requires huge development including large investments in new and renewable energy as well as capacity building.

Due to the low rainfall this year which dried hydroelectric dams in the north, severe power outages have occurred in various places, especially at industrial parks. Since there would be no plan for new coal-fired plants despite the need for baseload expansion, Vietnams Power Development Plan VIII aims to increase power generation to 22,400MW by 2030 through gas power.

Besides this, the potential for additional development in hydropower generation is limited as solutions, including expansion of the existing storage dams and irrigation dams for power generation, have been mostly carried out.

Under these circumstances, renewable energy has widely been introduced on a private-sector basis, and offshore wind will be important for further expansion. For the realisation of offshore wind, the establishment of a legal framework and pricing mechanism must be seriously considered as soon as possible.

We have also been supporting projects in new renewable energies such as solar and wind power generation in recent years using a private sector investment finance scheme. Together with other development agencies and private banks, we co-financed a solar power generation project in Phu Yen province and wind power projects in Quang Tri and Ninh Thuan provinces.

Regarding the increase in storage capacity, such as battery storage and pumped storage for power generation, the key issue is the development of an appropriate pricing mechanism for ancillary services. For this, the promotion of private investment by institutionalising an appropriate price mechanism based on market principles is strongly advised.

In addition to that, the power grid network needs to be strengthened in line with the increase in renewable energy. In consideration that power shortages are occurring mainly in the north and renewable energy development progresses are being made in the south, the backbone transmission between the two regions is required. This would help to enable the usage of surplus power from the south in the north, and create a nationwide development impact.

Different from the development of power plants, it is difficult for the private sector to develop power grid reinforcement. In this context, the support of official development assistance (ODA) to this area is considered essential.

As a matter of fact, the complicated procedures determined by Decree No.114/2021/ND-CP, which limit the areas where donors can provide support, is a substantial bottleneck for the efficient use of ODA. In particular, according to the decree, the executing agency of each project needs to specify a line agency in their proposal for the implementation of ODA projects.

Nevertheless, the line agency for subsidiaries of Vietnam Electricity, including the National Power Transmission Corporation, which is responsible for the development of the nationwide power grid, has not been legally recognised in the current situation. Eventually, there are frequent cases where development opportunities are missed as ODA cannot be applied by the stipulations of Decree 114.

Currently, grid network capacity does not match the large-scale introduction of renewable energy. Therefore, the Vietnamese government has been asked to clarify its direction in promoting energy transition specifically in areas that show urgent needs for grid enhancement, since this would help the absorbance of excess electricity generated by wind and solar photovoltaic energy.

Although the Vietnamese government considers it too early to develop high-capacity north-south power transmission lines, given the required period for project preparation and lengthy approval process, the discussion about the new project of strengthening the power grid network nationwide should be put on the table soon.

Since Vietnam has achieved steady economic growth lately, it is essential to establish a stable power supply system to meet the rapid increasing demand of electricity. Considering the geographical characteristics of Vietnam, the development potential of renewable energy is highly evaluated, and it is strongly expected that the aforementioned issues would be promptly solved with strong action from the government.

Singapore to import 1.2GW of low-carbon energy from Vietnam Singapores Energy Market Authority (EMA) on October 24 announced that it has given tentative approval for plans to import 1.2 gigawatts (GW) of primarily wind-generated electricity from Vietnam.

24 renewable projects show interest in direct power purchase agreement 24 renewable energy projects with a combined capacity of 1,773MW have expressed interest in participating in a pilot scheme for a direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) in Vietnam, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) in a report submitted to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh las week.
An official ceremony for the Go-live of the CRM system of RongViet, KPMG Vietnam and Microsoft

Nguyen Chi Trung, a member of the Board of Directors and head of the CRM Project Steering Committee at RongViet Securities, underscored the system's importance.

CRM is not just a tool but a critical component in our journey towards delivering superior customer experiences at every touchpoint. This collaboration sets high expectations for RongViet and KPMG in Vietnam to enhance our customer engagement through this advanced system, he said.

Ross Macallister, managing partner and head of the Consulting department at KPMG in Vietnam and Cambodia, highlighted the project's broader implications. "Our goal goes beyond streamlining procedures and technological upgrades. We are focused on fostering meaningful relationships with RongViet's customers, which is pivotal for their business success," he commented.

CRM system

Nguyen Mien Tuan, chairman of RongViet Securities Corporation, congratulated and highlighted the significance of implementing the CRM system, "The CRM system can be considered a critical platform in RongViets digital transformation strategy to enhance customer experience and optimise operations."

Nguyen Mien Tuan, chairman of RongViet Securities Corporation

The CRM system's integration with RongViet's Data Warehouse and Business Intelligence reporting system is set to revolutionise customer management.

It will enable RongViet to compile, consolidate, and analyse all interactions and transactions with clients, building comprehensive customer profiles. This enhanced understanding is expected to empower RongViet in efficiently managing and maximising the potential of its customer portfolios.

The CRM also provides a robust platform for RongViet to manage internal information, analyse data, and develop strategies in response to market changes, bolstering the company's competitive edge.

A collaboration that stands apart

This collaboration between RongViet, KPMG in Vietnam, and Microsoft Vietnam is not merely about implementing a customer management system. It represents a powerful blend of vision, technological strength, and a commitment to customer satisfaction.

This journey helps RongViet expand its market and strengthen relationships with customers. It is also a significant step in the comprehensive digital transformation strategy of the company.

Ross Macallister, managing partner, head of Consulting Department of KPMG in Vietnam and Cambodia at the Go-live CRM ceremony

The RongViet team is demonstrating that customer care is not just a task but a continuous mission, aiming to provide the best results and excellent experiences for each customer.

By operationalising CRM, we are elevating RongViet's customer experience to new heights and supporting them in becoming a pioneering financial enterprise in digital transformation. This collaboration among RongViet, Microsoft, and KPMG Vietnam, represents a confluence of vision, technological prowess, and dedication to customer satisfaction. It marks a pivotal stride in RongViets broader digital transformation efforts and exemplifies our commitment to ongoing customer care and delivering exceptional experiences, said Do Khac Cuong, director of Customer Relationship Development at Microsoft.

On behalf of RongViet, Tuan extended gratitude to the project team and partners at KPMG in Vietnam.

The success of this project within the expected timeframe is a testament to our collective hard work and dedication. We anticipate further collaborations with KPMG in Vietnam and Microsoft in future initiatives, aligning with RongViet's mission of Creating a prosperous future for our customers and partners, Tuan said.

SSI Securities Corporation crowned Best Securities House in Vietnam for sixth time Vietnam's SSI Securities Corporation has been celebrated as the Best Securities House in Vietnam by Asiamoney magazine, marking its sixth recognition for excellence in the financial sector.

Vietnams impressive vision for a cleaner energy future Vietnams power development plan outlines a comprehensive energy blueprint for the country. Mishra Kumar Sameer, director of Deals Advisory for KPMG in Vietnam, explains how a diversified energy mix with supporting infrastructure will be crucial in meeting environmental commitments and energy security.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle - the Duke and Duchess of Sussex in self-imposed exile in the US - have reportedly called King Charles III on the occasion of his 75th birthday on Tuesday (November 14) despite not being invited to the monarch's birthday party at Clarence House.

Warming Relations Between Father and Son

Harry and Meghan's phone call marked the first time they spoke with the king in the past six months.

The king also received pre-recorded videos from his grandchildren, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet, who both sang "Happy Birthday," The Telegraph reported.

There were speculations that the phone call went very well and was described as friendly and cordial that Charles and Harry have planned to have another over-the-phone conversation next week in what could be considered a "turning point" in their relationship.

"The King was extremely busy but is polite and loves his son and his grandchildren, and not so mean that he would not take a call on his birthday," a source told The Sun on the condition of anonymity.

Read Also: UK Supreme Court Rules Government's Rwanda Asylum Policy Illegal

Charles's Birthday Engagements

Charles's 75th birthday also became the official launch of his Coronation Food Project, where he and Camilla on Tuesday visited a surplus food distribution center in Didcot in Oxfordshire. The program aimed to create distribution hubs to connect surplus food with food banks and charities providing food parcels, according to the BBC.

Earlier on Monday (November 13), the king and queen also shared the celebrations for his birthday with other people of the same age who were invited to a party at his house at Highgrove in Gloucestershire.

Another birthday engagement included him meeting with around 400 nurses and midwives attending a reception at Buckingham Palace.

Meanwhile, William and Catherine, Prince and Princess of Wales, and Queen Camilla were present in Tuesday night's private and scaled-down birthday party at Clarence House, traditionally the official residence of the Prince of Wales but has been Charles's current one since ascending to the British throne.

Other working members of the royal family were also reported to be present.

Related Article: King Charles Leads UK's Remembrance Sunday Commemorations

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Le Viet Anh (left) and Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga

A United Nations report in April on progress towards its Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) warned that many of the goals are way off track.

On a global level, according to a preliminary assessment of around 140 targets, only about 12 per cent are on track. Nearly half of the targets are moderately or severely off track, and approximately 30 per cent have either stagnated or regressed below the 2015 baseline.

Under current trends, in 2030, 575 million people will be living in extreme poverty; 84 million children will be out of school, and of those in school, 300 million will leave unable to read and write. Renewables will make up a mere fraction of global energy supplies, 660 million people will live without electricity, and nearly two billion will have no access to clean cooking.

However, Vietnam is making progress. The multidimensional poverty rate declined from 9.2 to 4.3 per cent between 2016 and 2022. Some 98.3 per cent of households using improved water sources in 2022, from 93.4 per cent in 2016.

Expanded investments in infrastructure, export-oriented industrialisation, and enabling environment for innovation contributed to progress; while continued progress was made in job creation, expansion of social protection, and enhanced support for vulnerable groups.

The rate of population and organisations showing their satisfaction with public services increased from 80.9 to 87.2 per cent in 2017-2021.

After approximately three decades of global and regional integration, being a responsible member of the international community, Vietnam has secured solid improvements in a vast number of its development goals

The country needs to maintain the pace of progress. For the remaining targets, it has made important progress; for example, there has been a reduction of child mortality and over 92 per cent of the population had health insurance in 2022. The rate of transition from primary to lower secondary schools was 99.9 per cent, and the percentage of students graduating from lower secondary schools was 98.1 per cent in 2022. The percentage of households with access to electricity was 99.5 per cent in 2022.

Vietnam stands out for fast recovery from the pandemic, with a GDP growth of 8.02 per cent in 2022 while maintaining a low unemployment rate. The population living in temporary houses declining from 2.6 to 0.9 per cent between 2016 and 2022. It also continues to advance its net-zero commitments, and the country is making fantastic steps in meeting its SDGs.

SDG momentum can be enhanced, Source: Shutterstock

Supportive environment

The strong results achieved in implementing SDGs in Vietnam come from many factors. Firstly, Vietnam has created a policy system and supportive environment. General policies in Vietnam have been issued promptly, including the National Action Plan to implement the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development; government resolutions; statistical indicators to monitor development; guidance on integrating SDGs into socioeconomic development plans; and much more.

At the same time, policies across sectors/fields have fully integrated towards the countrys targets, well-integrating disadvantaged groups such as the poor, ethnic minorities, children, and women to ensure no-one is left behind, with global goals and commitments on protecting the environment, natural resources, biodiversity and response to climate change.

Secondly, Vietnam has mobilised the entire political system, society, and peoples community to implement its objectives effectively. Accordingly, the National Assembly and the government play a leading role in implementing the SDGs nationwide, while the business community, social organisations, and development partners accompany and join hand to implement these aims.

Thirdly, monitoring, supervising, and evaluating these aims are organised regularly to provide timely directions and solutions to overcome shortcomings, and limitations and boost the implementation of the UN objectives.

However, besides the achievements, there are still many difficulties and slow progress such as on sustainable production and consumption patterns; on conservation and proper use of the oceans; and on protecting and developing forests, and biodiversity conservation.

In addition, the pandemic along with global fluctuations over the last three years has greatly affected the implementation of socioeconomic-related targets on health, education and on economic growth.

Key solutions required

With only seven years left to complete the SDGs successfully, the UN calls on countries to recommit to transformative actions and accelerate them nationally; promote specific and integrated actions and to end poverty, reduce inequality, and end war; and strengthen national and local capacity, accountability and public institutions.

The country must also mobilise resources and investments needed for developing countries, and facilitate the continued strengthening of the UN system and enhance the capacity to address emerging challenges and address gaps and weaknesses.

To accelerate the process in the remaining half of the journey, Vietnam must focus on several groups of solutions. It must improve the quality of socialism-oriented market economy institutions; strengthen the effectiveness of policy implementation through public admin reform; and promote participation of the vulnerable in decision-making. It is also crucial to continue to prioritise investment in human resource development, sci-tech, and innovation; as well as modernise and synchronise economic and social infrastructure to improve productivity and promote sustainable growth.

The economy must also be stabilised to support post-pandemic recovery, and to mobilise and use financial resources efficiently for sustainable development.

Added to this, reforms of the social security system are needed to boost the resilience to shocks, support the vulnerable, and facilitate social and cultural development. There has to be efficient management and use of resources to strengthen environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and mitigation of natural disasters to promote the green and circular economy.

Finally, it is critical to strengthen international cooperation; improve availability of data to strengthen the evaluation of the set goals; and to raise awareness and promote cooperation among different stakeholders to accelerate and ensure inclusive and universal SDG implementation.

Vietnam SDG Investor Map highlights opportunities The Vietnam SDG Investor Map built by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has identified 14 investment opportunity areas across six Sustainable Developmemt Goals (SDG) priority sectors that match government policy and require funding.

MPI and GIZ hold workshop on SDGs The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) and the Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) today organised a joint workshop in Hanoi to discuss a draft of the National Voluntary Review, concerning the implementation of the UN's Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for 2023.
At the Sustainable Development 2023 conference on November 16, Doan Vu Uyen Duyen, deputy general director of Thanh Thanh Cong - Bien Hoa (TTC AgriS), discussed the importance of investing in technology platforms for sustainable agricultural development.

"Inaccurate farming practices contribute significantly to agricultural emissions. Precise farming requires a different approach to resource utilisation, where high-tech applications play a crucial role," Duyen said.

She also emphasised the impact of these technologies at TTC AgriS.

With our model of precise cultivation and fermentation, we can calculate and then eliminate unnecessary excesses in our input factors, she said, highlighting the company's commitment to efficiency and sustainability.

TTC AgriS has been proactive in transforming its business and management models since late October 2022. Speaking about the new AgriS brand, Duyen said, The brand signifies three key concepts: Solution, Sustainability, and Smart. 'Smart' represents our development of an Integrated Smart Agricultural Business Model, supplementing the sustainable agriculture sector.

Doan Vu Uyen Duyen, deputy general director of TTC AgriS

Since 2020, TTC AgriS has embarked on its digital transformation journey by integrating various subsystems onto a single platform, automating business operations across countries, thereby enhancing corporate governance transparency.

This integrated smart agricultural model benefits all stakeholders, including farmers who can use applications to determine optimal farming timelines and access agricultural research. While the technology platform incurs costs, the long-term benefits are substantial. The journey towards digitalisation, though costly, is more confident with the support of various partners, Duyen said.

Meanwhile, Dao Xuan Lai, head of Climate Change and Environment Unit at UNDP in Vietnam, noted the importance of initial investments for sustainable development.

"While the initial investment is significant, in the long run, these efforts are expected to lead to substantial business cost savings," he said.

Le Viet Anh, head of the Science, Education, Natural Resources and Environment Department at the Ministry of Planning and Investment said, Businesses should see these expenditures not as costs but as investments in the future. Clear vision and perseverance will yield far greater returns than the initial outlay.

Coca-Cola reaffirms almost 30-year commitment to investment and sustainable development Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with James Quincey, chairman and CEO of Coca-Cola Company, on September 20 in New York during the PM's trip to attend the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly.

Marriott is committed to sustainable investment in Vietnam President and CEO of Marriott International Inc. Anthony Capuano talked with VIRs Bich Ngoc about the group's investment plan in Vietnam.
At a consultation workshop on the issue on November 9, technical expert Nguyen Tien Hai offered an assessment and projections of growth in the cooling sector in Vietnam.

This was a major energy consumption area in 2022, accounting for one-quarter of the total energy consumption of the country. The total number of air-conditioners in Vietnam reached over 20.7 million, and this is expected to reach 75 million by 2050, Hai said.

Bulding a robust cooling action plan will help tackle issues such as greenhouse gas emissions, Photo: Shutterstock

The workshop was co-organised by the Department of Climate Change under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE), the United Nations Office for Project Services, and the Southeast Asia Energy Transition Partnership.

The consultant units are to conduct an in-depth study and survey to assess the current state of the cooling sector, including the technology available, market status, and to stocktake both international and national policies.

Based on such analysis, through this assignment, proposals will be made to develop the National Green Cooling Action Plan (NGCAP) to promote conversion to high-energy efficiency and low carbon technologies, and increase energy savings in the sector.

The schedule to build NGCAP combines three periods. The first phase is an assessment of the current situation and the development of a plan, and the second phase is an assessment of demand, which includes the assessment of the current and future demand per sector and suggestions tailored to each. In the third phase, the parties will complete and develop NGCAP report and implementation guidelines.

According to the MoNRE, Vietnam is undergoing rapid urbanisation due to the drastic increase in the population. Besides that, the extreme heat also adds to the demand for cooling. Food security also raises the demand for refrigeration in terms of cold chain logistics and infrastructure.

The development of the NGCAP will assess and reflect the effects of increasing cooling activities and reducing GHG emissions on vulnerable groups, ensuring an inclusive and gender-balanced approach.

This development will align with Vietnams latest GHG emissions targets and commitment to the net-zero target by 2050, ensuring that the proposed strategies and interventions are consistent with the countrys goals, added Hai.

Nguyen Dang Thu Cuc, deputy head of the GHG Emission Reduction and Ozone Layer Protection Division under the MoNRE said, The result of in-depth study and survey will be the basis for not only building NGCAP, but also be important data for the ministry to develop a plan to eliminate substances that deplete the ozone layer and cause the GHG effect.

The MoNRE recommends that to establish an effective NGCAP, it needs the integration of both active and passive cooling. It clarified specific measures to promote active cooling within the NGCAP. Accordingly, the government can implement incentive policies to encourage businesses and individuals to use highly energy-efficient cooling equipment and systems.

The ministry added it is necessary to enhance the design and construction of green buildings, and the government needs to support businesses and individuals in constructing green buildings that incorporate passive cooling solutions. In addition, it also needs natural solutions such as green roofs, while urban landscaping can help reduce the urban heat island effect and create more comfortable outdoor spaces.
At the Sustainable Development 2023 conference that was organised by VIR on November 16 at the Pullman Hanoi, a convergence of national and international experts, policymakers, and business leaders discussed the theme Taking Responsibility, Taking Action.

In his speech at the conference, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong emphasised the global trend towards sustainable development.

"The digital economy, circular economy, and green growth are increasingly becoming the chosen development models globally. Sci-tech and innovation are becoming decisive factors in each country's competitive ability," DM Phuong stated.

Focusing on Vietnam's ten-year Socioeconomic Development Strategy for 2021-2030, the conference reflected the nation's aspiration for a sustainable economy.

However, Phuong highlighted the upcoming challenges, "The global economy is expected to change rapidly with complex developments. Domestically, economic growth confronts challenges including urbanisation pressures, environmental pollution, sustainable resource usage, and the escalating severity of natural disasters and climate change."

Resource mobilisation for future needs, especially in the post-pandemic context, is expected to be challenging.

"Compared to before the pandemic hit, the national budget revenue to GDP ratio has shown a declining trend. Post-2010, as Vietnam entered the lower-middle-income group, the official development assistance significantly reduced. The domestic private sector's role in driving economic growth and sustainable development has not met our expectations," he added.

In this challenging environment, achieving green growth and sustainable development is seen as both a challenge and an opportunity for the business community and its investors.

Deputy Minister Phuong proposed key solutions from the Ministry of Planning and Investment on the national focal point for green growth.

"To drive and transform the implementation of the sustainable development goals, we need to improve and enhance the quality of our socialist-oriented market economy institutions and strengthen the effectiveness and efficiency of policy implementation through public administrative reform," he explained.

Further emphasising the need for continuous investment in human resources, sci-tech, innovation, and the completion of modern and synchronised economic and social infrastructure systems, Phuong stressed, "These are essential to enhance productivity and promote sustainable economic growth."

Other focus areas include macroeconomic stability, post-COVID recovery support, the efficient mobilisation and use of financial resources for sustainable development, and social security system reform. Environmental protection, climate change response, disaster prevention, and the promotion of green and circular economies are also key priorities.

"These solutions focus on raising awareness and promoting coordination among stakeholders to achieve the sustainable development goals; ensuring they become everyone's business," Phuong concluded.

Sustainable development conference to take place in Hanoi On November 16, Vietnam Investment Review will host its Sustainable Development 2023 conference, themed Taking Responsibility, Taking Action.
Pham Duy Khiem, general manager, Supply Chain Management, DKSH Vietnam

DKSH is doing business in four main industries including fast-moving consumer goods, chemical raw materials, healthcare and technology. Vietnam is one of the group's anchor markets, so we are offering a full range of these sectors to Vietnam.

DKSH is a leading Swiss market development service provider with over 150 years of experience. We have accompanied and grown with various companies in Asian markets as well as other markets. We provide comprehensive market development packages, integrating all services such as sourcing, market analysis, marketing and sales, logistics services, and after-sales services. However, we are also very flexible in adjusting these services to meet the diverse business requirements of our partners.

DKSH defines the vision of always being a trusted partner for our suppliers and customers. Our goal is to better the lives of the people and communities where we do business. As a member of the United Nations Global Compact, we are strongly committed to strategic planning and operations with the highest standards in human rights, labour, environment, anti-corruption and action for the common goals of the community.

Every year, DKSH publishes a sustainable development report. We have reviewed and evaluated various environmental, social, and governance criteria. In 2022, DKSH was awarded an EcoVadis Gold Rating for Sustainability, where it ranked among the top 5 per cent of all companies rated.

DKSH growing sustainably in Vietnam Market expansion services are more important to investors to make success in the local market. Kim Le Huy, vice president of Business Unit Consumer Goods at DKSH Vietnam, talked to VIRs Bich Thuy about its development journey and future plans to contribute more to sustainable development.

DKSH, Roche extend partnership in Vietnam DKSH Business Unit Healthcare, a market expansion services provider for companies seeking to grow their healthcare business, in June signed an extended agreement with Roche Vietnam to strengthen its business growth.

DKSH, Hoa Linh, and Thai Minh partner up on development journey With nearly 160 years as a trusted partner supporting hundreds of business developments in 37 markets, DKSH has been accompanying Hoa Linh Pharmaceutical and Thai Minh Pharmaceutical in their journey of development and expansion in the domestic market with plans to go beyond in the future.
Nguyen Anh Tuan, chairman of VINABAI

The Vietnam National Bureau of Automobile Insurance (VINABAI) has implemented Protocol No.5 of the ASEAN Compulsory Motor Insurance programme, announcing Vietnams successful connection to the ACMI system on November 15.

From now on, motor vehicle owners from ASEAN member states travelling to Vietnam must register for compulsory civil liability motorist insurance.

The ACMI  the ASEAN compulsory motor insurance database system  is used as a data hub for member states participating in the system to issue insurance policies. This system is used in 10 ASEAN countries that have already implemented Protocol No.5. This paves the way to facilitate vehicles and goods transportation across ASEAN border gates.

In addition, The ACMI will then be connected with the ASEAN Customs Transit System to create an electronic one-stop mechanism for goods in transit procedures, promoting the implementation of the ASEAN Framework Agreement on the Facilitation of Goods in Transit (AFAFGIT).

Thanks to the successful connection to the ACMI system, Vietnam has become one of the leading countries in this respect, along with Thailand  the manager of the ACMI system  and Singapore.

Motor vehicle users can access this ACMI system to register for a blue card, which serves as proof that a motor vehicle has been issued an insurance policy that meets the minimum insurance requirements according to the regulation of civil liability insurance of motor vehicle owners in transit or destination countries in ASEAN.

At the press conference on Vietnam successfully connecting to the ASEAN Compulsory Motor Insurance system

Nguyen Anh Tuan, chairman of VINABAI said, "Vietnams successful connection to the ACMI system has a special significance. In addition to confirming that ASEAN motor vehicles transiting into Vietnam need to register for compulsory motor insurance, this connection will help effectively promote the transportation of goods and vehicles between ASEAN member states, including Vietnam."

Tuan added that the insurance documents will have to be carried in the vehicle for inspection at the border by the authorities of the countries involved in the transit movement (hard or electronic copy). The competent authorities entrusted to enforce the insurance requirements are authorised to inspect the insurance certificates at any point along the designated routes.

Two years ago, an MoU on applying the ACMI system between 10 ASEAN countries was signed, aiming to realise the AFAFGIT content that was signed-off by the ASEAN finance ministers in April 2001 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

AFAFGIT requires each member state to establish a national agency to issue insurance policies, namely blue cards, and assist in handling accidents  including investigations, loss assessments, compensation settlements, and dispute resolutions in accordance with the regulations  caused by a vehicle possessing a blue card in the territory of that member country.

Current VINABAI chair Tuan is also vice chairman of the Insurance Association of Vietnam and chairman of the Board of Directors of Vietnam National Reinsurance JSC. VINABAIs members are representatives from other relevant agencies such as the Insurance Supervisory Authority, Ministry of Finance, Traffic Police Department, Ministry of Public Security, National Traffic Safety Committee, Vietnam Road Administration, Border Guard Command, Insurance Association of Vietnam, and Bao Viet Insurance Corporation.

Bao Viet Insurance Corporation is the only Vietnamese insurance enterprise assigned to implement Protocol No.5. The company has discussed and agreed on the technical and professional issues to deploy electronic blue card issuance through the ACMI system.

In Vietnam, connecting to the ACMI system is an important premise for motor vehicles in implementing Decree No.67/2023/ND-CP regulating the compulsory civil liability insurance of motor vehicle owners. This decree was issued by the government on September 6 (replacing Decree No.03/2021/ND-CP).

Specifically, motor vehicle owners in Vietnam must register for compulsory civil liability insurance for motor vehicle owners. This is also a common practice in many countries in the region and around the world to cover both people and property in the event of traffic accidents caused by motor vehicles, while also helping to minimise the financial burden on vehicle owners.

In Vietnam, VINABAI was established by the Minister of Finance in 2007 in accordance with the provisions of Protocol No.5.

In addition to participating in the signing of the aforementioned MoUs and working minutes, VINABAI has signed MoUs with the national agencies implementing Protocol No.5 in Laos and Cambodia, and cooperated with the Thai national agency to implement the protocol.

Banks juggle bancassurance quandary Some Vietnamese commercial banks have reported a dramatic dip in their bancassurance sales for the first half of the year as the sector navigates controversies and a historically low number of active life insurance contracts.

Japanese firms take part in dialogue on social, health insurance Vietnam Social Security (VSS) on October 24 held a dialogue on social insurance and health insurance policies with 130 Japanese-invested enterprises operating in the north of Vietnam.

Non-life insurance to engage customers The insurance landscape in Vietnam is undergoing massive change. The risks Vietnamese people are exposed to on a daily basis are on the rise and becoming increasingly unpredictable.
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WASHINGTON (AP)  Americas Black and Latino students are at a disadvantage in nearly every measure of educational opportunity, with less access to advanced classes, counselors and even certified teachers, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Education Department.

The findings reflect inequities that have lasting implications for students' ability to learn effectively, go on to college and earn degrees.

We view education as the springboard that puts the American dream within reach. Yet access to educational opportunity in this country remains unequal, Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said.

The data was released as part of the Civil Rights Data Collection, a federal survey of nearly every public school in the nation. It was gathered during the 2020-2021 school year, when many schools remained at least partially closed for the COVID-19 pandemic.

America's education system has long had deep educational disparities. Nearly seven decades after the Supreme Court ordered schools to desegregate, the new data offers a glimpse of basic differences that endure in schools serving predominantly Black and Latino students.

For example, a growing body of evidence has tied instruction from certified teachers to better outcomes from students. Yet Black and Latino students are more likely to attend schools with lower percentages of certified teachers, according to the new data.

About 522,000 students, or about 1% of all students, went to schools where fewer than half the teachers met all state certification requirements. In those schools, 66% of students were Black or Latino.

There was a similar divide when it came to school counselors. Overall, 77% of public schools had at least one counselor, and 43% had at least one police officer or security guard.

But compared with their white peers, students of color were more likely to be in schools that had security staff but no counselor. Black students and those of more than one race were 1.2 times more likely to attend those schools, while the rate was 1.4 for Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islanders, American Indians and Alaska Native students, the Education Department found.

Cardona called it an appalling disparity in light of rising rates of mental health challenges for young people.

Barriers extended to students' access to higher level classes. Taking advanced classes improves a students chances of going to college, studies find. But Black and Latino students were far less likely have access to or enroll in those classes.

Black students represented 15% of all high school students, but they made up just 8% of students in Advanced Placement science and 6% in AP math. Latino students represented 27% of all high school students but made up 20% in AP science and 19% in AP math.

White and Asian students, by contrast, were overrepresented in AP classes.

The percentage of Black and Latino students in AP math and science is mostly unchanged from 2017-18, the last school year covered by the survey, with a slight increase in Latino enrollment in both tests.

Im a person of color, and it often makes me wonder why people of color always get the bottom of the barrel, said Sonya Thomas, executive director of Nashville PROPEL, an organization that works with parents to advocate for students of color. Its so disheartening. Our children deserve the very best and we need to hold the state and federal government accountable.

Advocates have been pointing out inequity in advanced course offerings for years. Research has shown that low-income students and students of color are less likely to take advanced math and science courses, even in schools where AP courses are offered.

These new CRDC data reflect troubling differences in students experiences in our nations schools, said Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights Catherine E. Lhamon. We remain committed to working with school communities to ensure the full civil rights protections that federal law demands.

At many schools with larger rates of minority students, taking advanced courses wasnt even an option. The number of courses in math, science and computer science was fewer at the 5,500 public high schools where Black and Latino students represented more than 75% of all students.

In 35% of schools with high Black and Latino enrollment, calculus wasnt offered, while it was available at 54% of schools with low Black and Latino enrollment.

The Education Department found that students with disabilities and those learning English also faced unequal access. Students in both groups had lower enrollment in math and science classes compared with enrollment among all students, for example.

During the 2020-2021 school year, 26% of all high schoolers took biology, a common class for ninth graders. But just 13% of high schoolers with a disability took the class, and only 7% of students learning English.

The Civil Rights Data Collection is seen as an important gauge of equality in public schools. Started in the 1960s, it can offer a long view on efforts to close gaps.

Data on some topics was skewed in a year upended by the pandemic, which kept many students away from the classroom for long stretches. Arrests in schools, for example, fell from 54,000 in 2017-18 to just 8,900 in the 2021-21 year.

Of the 97,000 schools included in the survey, 88% were offering a hybrid of in-person and virtual classes in the 2020-21 school year, with 5% offering virtual classes only. About 7% were entirely in-person.

The Associated Press education team receives support from the Carnegie Corporation of New York. The AP is solely responsible for all content. ___ Associated Press writer Sharon Lurye in New Orleans contributed to this report.
LEWISTON, Maine (AP)  Medical staff lined the hallways this week as another victim of last month's Lewiston mass shooting was released from Central Maine Medical Center, leaving only two of the wounded in the hospital.

Doctors, nurses and team members paid silent tribute to the patient, who was not identified, after a two-and-a-half week stay in the hospital in Lewiston, the city where 18 people were killed and 13 others injured on Oct. 25 in the deadliest shooting in state history.

The hospital staff "wanted to acknowledge this milestone, while at the same time remain mindful that this patient, and many of us, have a long road ahead, said Kris Chaisson, chief nursing officer.

The patients departure Monday leaves two patients, both in stable condition, at Central Maine Medical Center, an official said.

Most of the injured were taken to Central Maine Medical Center, while one each went to other hospitals in Lewiston, Portland and Boston.

The others have been discharged, including 16-year-old Gavin Robitaille, of Auburn, Maine, who left Mass General for Children in Boston a week ago, an official said.

Robitaille's family issued a statement Wednesday thanking the medical teams for saving Gavin and seeing all of us through our darkest moments.

Central Maine Medical Center went on lockdown and tens of thousands of residents were urged to shelter in place after the shootings at a bowling alley and a bar. The body of the gunman, 40-year-old Army reservist Robert Card, was found two days later. An autopsy indicated he died by suicide.

An independent commission established to review all aspects of the tragedy, including how warning signs that Card was in a mental health crisis were not acted upon, will meet for the first time Monday.

The panel created by Democratic Gov. Janet Mills will use the meeting to get organized and discuss the path forward in determining the facts that led to the tragedy and the law enforcement response, officials said.
TRENTON, N.J. (AP)  New Jersey is dropping its requirement that candidates for office sign an oath that includes the words so help me God in filing paperwork for their candidacy.

NJ.com reported Wednesday that the state Division of Elections is no longer requiring candidates to sign that oath, allowing them to make a solemn affirmation or declaration instead.

The state was being sued by James Tosone, a 70-year-old northern New Jersey man who said he plans to run for Congress in 2024 as a Libertarian. But as a nontheist, he said, he cannot sign part of the petition including a religious oath.

In an Oct. 24 memo to all county clerks in New Jersey, Lauren Zyriek, acting director of the states Division of Elections, said the religious oath is no longer required.

"In the affirmation or declaration, the words so help me God shall be omitted, the memo reads.

Tosone, who lives in Washington Township in Bergen County, dropped his lawsuit against the state this week.
A court source in France said on Wednesday, November 15, that four high-ranking Syrian government officials, including President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two more officers, have all been handed arrest warrants for their roles in the usage of prohibited chemical weapons against civilians.

The criminal investigation into the August 2013 chemical strikes in Douma and the region of Eastern Ghouta, which killed over a thousand people, resulted in the issuing of arrest warrants. These reference to the allegations of involvement in crimes against humanity and complicity in war crimes.

Allegation of War Crimes

It is the first time that an international arrest warrant has been issued for the leader of Syria, whose military reacted to demonstrations that started in 2011 with a ruthless crackdown that experts from the United Nations have concluded amounts to war crimes.

In a report by Reuters, Mazen Darwish, a lawyer and founder of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), which launched the lawsuit in France, said these are the first foreign arrest warrants that have been filed in connection with the chemical weapons assault in Ghouta.

Syria claims it does not use chemical weapons, but a previous investigation conducted by the UN and the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) revealed that the country's government used the nerve agent Sarin in an assault in April 2017 and that it has constantly used chlorine as a weapon.

"The president is responsible for many crimes in Syria - but with this type of weapon in particular - Sarin gas - it's impossible to jump over the gap (of his involvement)," Darwish said. He said that consent from the president as commander of the armed forces would be essential for this type of decision.

Due to the fact that relying leaders of state normally have immunity from prosecution, arrest warrants for them are very unlikely. However, when a head of state is accused of war crimes, crimes against humanity, or genocide, international law allows exceptions to such immunity.

In fact, both the current president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and the previous president of Sudan, Omar al-Bashir, are the subjects of arrest warrants issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).

See Also: UK Supreme Court Rules Government's Rwanda Asylum Policy Illegal

Involvement of Three Other Key Officials

Ghassam Abbas, the head of Syria's Scientific Studies and Research Centre (SSRC), the organization that founded Syria's chemical weapons program, and Bassam al-Hassan, Syria's chief of security and liaison officer, both have had warrants issued for their arrests.

Maher, the president's brother, was thought to have been involved as he was in charge of the Fourth Armored Division.

Since 2011, the Paris Tribunal's section that investigates crimes against humanity has been issuing arrest warrants for Syrian government leaders in connection with crimes that were committed in that country.

In October, French authorities issued arrest warrants for two ex-defense ministers related to a bombing in Daraa in 2017 that killed a French-Syrian man living there.

See Also: US Extends Sanctions Waiver That Would Allow Iraq To Continue Buying Electricity From Iran

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HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP)  A Texas man convicted of strangling a 5-year-old girl who was taken from a Walmart store nearly 22 years ago and burning her body was executed Thursday evening.

David Renteria, 53, was pronounced dead at 7:11 p.m. CST following an injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville for the killing of Alexandra Flores. Renteria prayed, sang and asked for forgiveness before his execution.

Im sorry for all the wrongs I have done. And for those who have called for my death, who are about to murder me, I forgive you, he told those present in a loud, clear voice. He was pronounced dead 11 minutes later after receiving a lethal dose of pentobarbital, a powerful sedative.

Renteria sang a hymn in Spanish, then prayed with a spiritual adviser standing next to him, and sang another hymn in English after witnesses, including relatives of his victim, entered the death chamber and watched through a window a few feet (meters) from him.

There is not a day that goes by that I do not think about the fateful events of that day and what transpired, he said, looking at his victim's relatives. There are no words to describe what you're going through, and I understand that.

He told his sister and a friend, watching through another window, that he was good ... strong.

I love you all, I truly do. I'll see you in the next life.

He then began reciting The Lord's Prayer as the drugs began flowing. Our father, who art in heaven is as far as he got. I taste it, he said of the drug, mumbled something, took two loud breaths and snored twice before all movement stopped.

Ignacio and Sandra Frausto held a photo collage of their slain sister, the baby among eight children in their family, while speaking with reporters after they had watched Renteria die.

I want to recognize her, not forget about her, Ignacio Frausto said through sobs. It took 22 years but the time came. It is done. We can finally and really begin to heal  22 years of wondering what was going to happen.

Prosecutors said Flores was at the El Paso store on Nov. 18, 2001, during a Christmas shopping outing when she was abducted from the store, strangled and her body set on fire. The body was found the next day in an alley some 16 miles (25 kilometers) away.

Renterias execution proceeded after the U.S. Supreme Court declined two separate defense requests for a stay earlier in the day.

One request stemmed from efforts by Renterias attorneys to gain access to evidence they said could have shown he was not responsible for her death. Another appeal rejected by the high court without comment late Thursday focused on claims the states supply of pentobarbital, the execution drug, had degraded and would cause him terror and severe pain" in violation of the Eight Amendment's ban on cruel and unusual punishment.

Authorities said evidence showed Renteria, a convicted sex offender, carried out the abduction and killing alone and that his lawyers did not raise that defense at his trial. Blood found in Renterias van matched the slain girls DNA, according to prosecutors, who added that his palm print was found on a plastic bag put over the girl's head before her body was set on fire.

Renteria was accused of patrolling the store for about 40 minutes before zeroing in on the 5-year-old girl. Grainy surveillance video showed her following Renteria out of the store.

The execution was one of two carried out Thursday in the United States. In Alabama, inmate Casey McWhorter received a lethal injection Thursday evening for a murder conviction in the fatal shooting of a man during a 1993 robbery.

Renteria had long claimed that members of a gang called Barrio Azteca, including a person using the nickname Flaco, forced him to take the girl by making threats to his family  and that it was the gang members who killed her.

In August, state District Judge Monique Reyes in El Paso granted a request to stay the execution and ordered prosecutors to turn over their files in the case. The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals later overturned Reyes orders.

In 2006, the Texas Court of Criminal Appeals threw out Renterias death sentence, saying prosecutors provided misleading evidence that gave jurors the impression Renteria was not remorseful.

During a new resentencing trial in 2008, Renteria was again sentenced to death.

Renteria was the eighth inmate in Texas put to death this year. There have been 23 executions in the U.S. this year, including the two carried out on Thursday.

Lozano reported from Houston.

Follow Juan A. Lozano on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Gov.-elect Jeff Landry appointed on Wednesday a former wildlife official from Donald Trumps administration to lead the state agency tasked with safeguarding Louisiana's environment.

Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto, who previously served as the director of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, was named as Landrys secretary of the Department of Environmental Quality in Louisiana. Giacometto, a biologist and lawyer who spent more than six years at agrochemical giant Monsanto, is the first Black woman to lead the state agency.

Landry called the appointment historic and said Giacometto understands the balance between protecting our environment and ensuring job creation.

Giacometto will be responsible for ensuring the citizens of Louisiana have a clean and healthy environment to live and work in. Among other things, the state department regulates pollution sources and responds to environmental emergencies.

Throughout his gubernatorial bid, Landry has been a major defender of Louisianas fossil fuel industry, an ally of his. Landry reiterated that support for the oil and gas industry on Wednesday.

Its important that we have a highly qualified team of experts in both the industry and the environment and ... that we are able to balance both, Landry said. Worrying about one over the other is counterproductive to growing Louisiana.

The state, which shares its southern border with the Gulf of Mexico, has tens of thousands of jobs tied to the oil and gas industry. In 2021, Louisiana was ranked third among the top natural gas-producing states  accounting for nearly 10% of the United States natural gas production that year, behind only Texas and Pennsylvania.

I promised the voters of this state that we are going to concentrate on the businesses and industries that grew this state, Landry said.

Additionally, Louisiana had the fourth most energy-related carbon dioxide emissions per capita in 2021, according to data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The Deep South state has had a front-row seat to the impacts of climate change. Hurricanes are making landfall more frequently, coastal areas being eaten away by erosion, subsidence and rising sea levels, and the Mississippi River is reaching record-low water levels, causing barges with agricultural exports to get stuck and allowing a mass influx of salt water that has threatened drinking supplies.

Along with President Joe Bidens aggressive goal of 100% clean electricity nationwide by 2035, Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards  a Democrat, who was unable to seek reelection this year due to consecutive term limits  has a goal for the state to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to net zero by 2050.

When asked by reporters Wednesday about Edwards climate action plan, Landry said everything hes read about carbon neutral plans show they are extremely destructive to the economy.

This is the first in a series of cabinet appointments that Landry will announce ahead of his inauguration on Jan. 8.
Elijah Jamal Craven was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison for the 2019 murder of Aquarius Tyrone McPhaul, 17, near Oakwood Cemetery in South Waco.

A jury convicted Craven in August, and Judge Susan Kelly of Wacos 54th State District Court set his sentence Wednesday after a presentence investigation and hearing.

Craven, now 21, was 17 years old when he was initially charged. McPhaul was found dead with multiple gunshots wounds near Oakwood Cemetery on the afternoon of Sept. 10, 2019, and Craven was arrested a month later.

During Cravens trial, prosecutors presented evidence and witness testimony that showed Craven and Daezion Watkins, 21, tried to rob McPhaul of his gold watch at gunpoint. After picking up McPhaul from the New Road Inn motel and driving him to Oakwood with two other friends, Watkins handed a pistol to Craven, who pistol-whipped McPhaul after he refused to give up his watch, witnesses said. McPhaul then ran from the vehicle before Craven followed him and shot him seven times, killing him, according to trial testimony.

Witnesses testified that McPhaul, who was friends with Craven, begged for his life before Craven shot him, and said Craven laughed like it was funny when he got back into the car after shooting McPhaul dead.

In addition to witness testimony, a mask recovered at the scene of the shooting was tied to Craven, and videos recovered from Cravens Instagram account linked him to a stolen truck seen picking McPhaul up from the motel and fleeing the scene of the killing. Messages from the same account also showed Craven and McPhaul had spoken about meeting up just prior to the killing.

At the end of a four-day trial, a jury took 48 minutes to find Craven guilty of murder.

Watkins, who was also 17 at the time of the shooting, was arrested in November 2019 and charged with capital murder. Last month, he accepted a plea deal with the McLennan County District Attorneys Office. He pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, receiving 12 years in prison.

Because both Craven and Watkins were 17 at the time of McPhauls death, they were ineligible for death sentences or sentences of life without parole, prosecutors said. Watkins must serve six years of his sentence before being eligible for parole, while Craven must serve 30 years before he is eligible.

The case was prosecuted by anti-gang prosecutor Christi Hunting Horse and First Assistant District Attorney Ryan Calvert. Craven was represented by Waco attorney and former DA Abel Reyna and Ben Rothchild.

During the sentencing hearing Wednesday, prosecutors painted Craven as a member of a local gang. Waco Police Detective Cassie Price, who investigated the case and testified during Cravens trial, said Wednesday that messages from Cravens Instagram account showed he communicated with other individuals in the days following the murder to attempt to purchase firearms and talked about committing other shootings in response to a friend of his being shot.

Price also said the stolen truck used to drive McPhaul to the scene of his murder was recovered by police the week after the killing when it flipped over and crashed as the driver attempted to escape the scene of a drive-by shooting. Multiple firearms were recovered from the truck, Price said.

McPhauls father, a local minister, testified Wednesday that his sons killing has been a nightmare that never ends. He said the date of McPhauls murder has been etched into his familys minds forever. On the day of the killing, his family was returning from a family members funeral when they learned a young man had been found dead in Waco, McPhaul's father said. He and his wife prayed for the young mans family, not realizing they were praying for themselves.

Later, Waco police contacted them and informed them their son had been murdered.

McPhauls father said his son had made bad choices in his life, but he was only 17 and had plenty of time to turn his life around. He said he felt he failed to protect his son from bad friends like Craven, who he said tore his family apart.

You brutally murdered my son and left him on the side of the road like he was a piece of trash, McPhauls father said to Craven.

Cravens attorney Reyna brought several friends and family members of Cravens to the stand, who each testified they believed Craven to be a good person who had helped them in their lives in various ways. But state prosecutor Hunting Horse verbally sparred with several of the witnesses, questioning how a good person could stand over someone begging for his life and shoot him several times.

In closing, Reyna asked Judge Kelly for mercy for Craven. He said it was difficult to make an argument for mercy given McPhauls father's testimony about the impact his sons murder has had on their family, but he said there was another young life in front of Kelly.

Im asking for at some point for Mr. Craven to come back, Reyna said.

In her closing argument to Kelly, Hunting Horse said Craven was a callous individual who did not deserve to walk the streets of Waco ever again. She said in order for the flood of gang violence to be stopped, a life sentence must be handed down.

When handing down the sentence, Kelly said no matter what sentence she gave, Craven would have a chance at parole, but that he needed to take accountability for his actions.

You can define your future, Kelly said before sentencing Craven to life in prison.

As he was led out of the courtroom, Craven said he did not commit the murder.

I didnt do it. This s---- crazy, he said. Ill be back.

In a statement, McLennan County District Attorney Josh Tetens said Kelly sent a strong message to the community that gang violence will not be tolerated.

We appreciate her diligence in making this decision and we are grateful that this cold blooded killer will be off our streets, Tetens said.

In a statement, Calvert said the sentence was the closest thing to justice allowed by law.

No verdict can replace what Elijah Craven stole from Aquarius McPhaul and his family, Calvert said. We are grateful for the message the jury and Judge Kelly sent to the community, to those who would commit gang violence and most importantly to the McPhauls.

Reyna said after the trial that he intends to appeal.

While disappointed in the sentence, we have a tremendous amount of respect for the courts decision, Reyna said. Todays decision simply requires us to continue our fight in the appellate courts, which we intend to do.
A McLennan County grand jury has cleared a China Spring man who claimed self-defense in the fatal shooting of a man at a downtown hotel in July.

The grand jury on Nov. 9 no-billed, or declined to indict, Jason Nelson, 44, in the shooting, Nelsons attorney, Bryan Cantrell, said.

Nelson was staying with his wife at a hotel in the 200 block of Clay Avenue in the early hours of July 15, when he got involved in an altercation in a nearby room and shot the alleged assailant, 31-year-old Jared Searles.

My thoughts and prayers continue to be with Jason and his wife as they are still healing from this incident, Cantrell said by phone Wednesday. Jason is still recovering from surgery following severe physical injuries he sustained during a struggle over his weapon. He and his wife are still healing (emotionally) from the events that evening that led to him taking a mans life. No one plans to kill someone else.

The trouble began when Nelson heard screaming from the hallway outside his room, Cantrell told the Tribune-Herald in the weeks after the shooting. A woman told Nelson another man was attacking her and two other women in a nearby room.

Nelson secured his gun from within his own room and went to confront Searles. After two verbal attempts by Nelson to get Searles to leave the women alone, Searles turned on Nelson and a significant struggle followed, Cantrell said at the time.

Cantrell said Wednesday that Searles threw Nelson against a wall by his neck that night. During the struggle Nelson fired one round at Searles and then rendered first aid.

I really appreciate the hard work of the Waco Police Department and our elected District Attorney Josh Tetens, who worked to bring this case to a quick resolution, Cantrell said Wednesday. The (Nelson) family and I are very grateful to Josh and his staff attorneys for their work.

Nelson challenged Congressman Pete Sessions in the 2022 Republican primary but is not running for office in this election cycle, Cantrell said.
Waco ISD will use a new $1.5 million grant from the Texas Education Agency to continue its efforts to beef up security measures at its campuses.

The grant comes as a result of House Bill 3, a school safety bill signed into law in May. The legislation sets aside $1.4 billion over the next two years for school safety improvements the measure requires, according to a Waco Independent School District press release.

Waco ISD in June received a $658,000 TEA grant, which it used to upgrade windows, fencing, exterior doors and locks and install entry resistant film on windows at several schools in the district, in accordance with new state standards, Waco ISD officials said.

The new funds will continue those kinds of projects, though the extent of the work will not be determined until the funds are received and the projects are put up for bid, district spokesperson Wendy Sledd said.

Sledd said the grant money can only be used for physical upgrades, not school security officers or mental health initiatives, though district officials hope that legislators will approve more funding for security personnel.

The new funding will enhance what has already been done to address school safety in the district, Waco ISD safety coordinator Suzanne Hamilton said in the press release.

Our schools were already as safe as we could possibly make them, Hamilton said. This additional funding allowed us to further enhance the measures that we had already implemented and add to those layers of security already in place.

Waco ISD had used $318,000 of the previous grant to purchase and install new security fencing at Cedar Ridge, Mountainview and Hillcrest elementary schools. The fencing needed to be either 8 feet high or 6 feet high with anti-scaling design features and also needed to be equipped with emergency exits, under new TEA guidelines.

The district also spent $238,000 installing security film on windows and glass doors at all Waco ISD campuses, the press release says. The new TEA standards also dictate that windows or glass doors located near the ground floor of a building must be reinforced to prevent someone from smashing the glass to gain entry to the school, the press release says.

Waco ISD also spent about $108,000 on new entrance and exterior doors. The doors meet requirements to remain locked, while allowing for emergency exits from the inside.

The district has almost completed the installations funded by the $658,000 grant and will soon begin working through the needed upgrades funded by the new $1.5 million grant, said Gloria Barrera, Waco ISD chief of operations and facilities.

Our maintenance staff, in partnership with contractors, are on track to have all of the current safety grant-funded improvements completed by the winter break, Barrera said in the press release. We all understand that this is critical work for our schools and community.

The press release also says the district received a separate $47,600 grant to install panic alert systems, which allow an alert to be triggered manually by campus staff or automatically with a 911 call. The alerts notify authorities of the location where the alert was triggered, notify administrators and are able to notify all staff that an alert was triggered.

Waco ISD Chief Technology Officer Jerry Allen said in the press release the district worked to get each of the grants based on needs assessments conducted by the district.

Preventing school violence means addressing the factors that may put our students or staff at risk, Allen said. Waco ISD has always been proactive in these areas. But these new measures resulted in new costs to the school district. Every penny of this grant money ensures school safety remains a top priority in Waco ISD.

In addition to Waco ISD, Robinson ISD also received a $322,000 federal grant earlier this month meant to improve violence prevention trainings, and fund the installation of metal detectors and panic alert systems on campuses. The money was funded through the U.S. Department of Justices School Violence Prevention Program, of which a large portion of funding was authorized by legislation written by U.S. Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas.
Chief Justice Tom Gray of the Waco-based 10th Court of Appeals announced Thursday he will retire at the end of his term next year, confirming he will not seek reelection for a fourth time.

Gray, 67, was first elected to the 10th Court of Appeals in 1999, and in 2003 then-Gov. Rick Perry appointed him to the chief justice position. Gray won a special election for the post the next year and has since been reelected three times, in 2006, 2012 and 2018.

Gray first informed his staff of his retirement decision Thursday, but he said in an interview that his plan was always to retire after he felt the court was in a better position than when he first took the post. However, he said if no other candidates had stepped up for the 2024 election, he would have run again.

Last week, Matt Johnson, former judge of Wacos 54th State District Court and a justice on the 10th Court of Appeals for the past three years, announced he is running for the chief justice position in the March 5 Republican primary. Candidate filing remains open through Dec. 11.

When asked if he felt Johnson would be a suitable replacement for him as chief justice, Gray said he had no comment.

Johnson said last week his goals as chief justice would include implementing changes to make the court operate more efficiently and move through cases more quickly.

Gray said the court has improved in his time as chief justice, with the number of pending cases being reduced from close to 500 to about 200. He said many justices place an emphasis on speed whereas he prefers to take as much time as necessary to reach the right verdict.

Gray said if he would have been unopposed, he would have run for reelection then retired midway through his term so that his replacement would have been appointed by the governor as opposed to his replacement being elected unopposed.

The governors office would get to vet in-depth the qualifications of my replacement, Gray said. Because my greatest fear now is that there will be no vetting process.

Gray said there has been much strife and disagreement in the court over the last two years. He said he did not want to leave the court further damaged and preferred to step aside for his replacement.

Johnson said via text he wishes Gray the best in his retirement.

I wish Tom the best in his retirement, Johnson said. But I will continue to campaign district wide in all 18 counties for the position of Chief Justice of the court.

The 10th Court, an intermediate appellate court with three justices, serves 18 counties in the Central Texas area: Bosque, Brazos, Burleson, Coryell, Ellis, Falls, Freestone, Hamilton, Hill, Johnson, Leon, Limestone, Madison, McLennan, Navarro, Robertson, Somervell and Walker.

Before being elected to the 10th Court of Appeals, Gray worked as a private practice attorney in Corsicana and Dallas. A graduate of Sam Houston State University, he received a Master of Business Administration degree from Texas A&M University and a law degree from Baylor University. Prior to entering law school, he was an accountant in Houston.
PRESS RELEASE via www.raf.mod.uk

Personnel from RAF Global Ennoblement have been working alongside the Dutch Military to recover a submerged WWII Lancaster bomber and the remains of its lost crew. Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transport Squadron (JARTS), part of the Support Force, were invited to work alongside their Dutch Air Force counterparts to recover parts of the Lancaster bomber which was shot down over Ijsselmeer , Northern Netherlands. JARTS welcomed the unique and important training opportunity offered by the complex recovery of the RAF Lancaster Bomber ED603. It crashed in 1943 with seven members of crew on board whilst on route back to the UK following a bombing raid over Germany.

Sgt Parker of the Joint Aircraft Recovery and Transport Squadron said This was a once-in-a-lifetime, unique, and engaging opportunity which was a privilege and an honour for all involved. The site was an impressive feat of engineering and the hospitality from all of our Dutch friends and colleagues was unequivocal. It was important to recover the aircraft and remains of the aircrew so that closure could be provided to their respective families. It was a sobering and tasteful reminder of those that fought and lost for our futures in the war and provided an opportunity to pay our respects.

With a Cofferdam built around the area of the Aircraft and leaving the Lancaster remains exposed on the seabed, the team from JARTS assisted with the recovery of parts of the aircraft, delicately lifting, washing, and inspecting components. The aim of the recovery was to find the missing crew members and to provide closure for their families. Human remains were found, and painstaking work is ongoing to confirm the details and identities of those recovered.

The recovery of the British Lancaster ED603 is part of a 15m Dutch national aircraft recovery project that aims to retrieve numerous aircraft and their crew that crashed across Holland, ensuring proper burials for the aircrew who have been missing for so long.

The bodies of Flight Lieutenant Eric Tilbury (Pilot), Pilot Officer Harold E. Howsam (Navigator), Pilot Officer Gordon Fletcher (Bomb Aimer), and Flying Officer Gordon R. Sugar (Air Gunner) were found on the lake shore weeks after the crash, however, Pilot Officer Arthur Smart (Flight Engineer), Pilot Officer Charles Sprack (Mid-Upper Gunner), and Flight Sergeant Raymond Moore (Wireless Operator) were registered as missing.
Immigrants in the U.S. have huge contributions to the American economy. This was revealed by the new 2023 Map of the American Immigration Council.

The non-profit organization, which focuses on assisting immigrants in the United States, published the new interactive map that Americans can freely use.

Aside from their contributions, the American Immigration Council's 2023 Map also shows other details about immigrants that U.S. residents should know about.

American Immigration Council Map 2023: Immigrants' Contributions to the US

According to Forbes' latest report, the new American Immigration Council (AIC) 2023 Map showcases the contributions that immigrants in the U.S. made.

The interactive map provides details about them in all 50 U.S. states, as well as different industry sectors. Here are some of the key findings that the AIC 2023 Map revealed:

Around 22% of American entrepreneurs are immigrants.

One in eight U.S. residents is an immigrant.

Over $500 billion in taxes have been paid by immigrants in 2021.

More than 13% of U.S. residents are immigrants.

These main findings clearly show that immigrants are greatly contributing to the United States despite facing criticism from some Americans.

"Immigrants support the U.S. economy in many ways, accounting for 22.2 percent of entrepreneurs, 22.8 percent of STEM workers, and 15.2 percent of nurses," said the American Immigration Council via its official website.

"As workers, business owners, taxpayers, and neighbors, immigrants are an integral part of the country's diverse and thriving communities and make extensive contributions that benefit all," AIC added.

Read Also: Texas Man Sentenced to Life After Sexually Assaulting, Impregnating a Girl at Party

Other Details Revealed by AIC 2023 Map

Based on the 2023 Map of AIC, there are over 45 billion immigrants in the United States; this is based on the 2021 data that the council analyzed.

The immigrant spending power in 2021 is estimated to be more than $1 trillion. But, immigrants are not only greatly contributing to the U.S. economy as consumers.

The American Immigration Commission explained that immigrants in the U.S. are more likely to be working-age compared to their U.S.-born counterparts.

This means that immigrants are more active in the labor force compared to Americans, making them a greater contributor to the economy when it comes to labor.

These are just some of the details revealed by the latest AIC 2023 Map. If you want to learn more, you can click this link or search for the map on Google.

After that, you will be directed to the 2023 Map. Once you are there, you can check the information about immigrants in the entire U.S., in each state, county, metro area, or district.

Related Article: Massachusetts Governor Announces Shelter for Migrants No Longer Guaranteed as Capacity Reaches Limit

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
We present this feature article from the July 1998 archives of Warbirds Worldwide Journal No.45 as a tribute to the late Colonel Frank Borman, USAF and astronaut who passed away in November 2023. [EAA Statement. We carry an article on his contribution to vintage aviation by Stephen Chaps here.] The article features an interview with Simon Brown, then of Square One Aviation, and currently a major supporter of Vintage Aviation News with Platinum Fighter Sales. Imagery by Patrick Bunce and Tom Smith. Re-editing by James Kightly.

Rebuilding a Kingcobra  Simon Brown of Square One Aviation tells the story of a remarkable project. By the late Paul A. Coggan

Compared to the Mustang, the Bell P-63 Kingcobra is a rare aeroplane indeed. In the summer of 1996 Colonel Frank Borman commissioned Elmer Wards company, Square One Aviation, to restore a Bell P-63 to add to his growing collection of warbirds.

Following the presentation of the award of Grand Champion Warbird at the Experimental Aircraft Associations Sun N Fun event at Lakeland, Florida some weeks ago Paul Coggan posed several questions to the General Manager at Square One, Simon Brown. Here are the answers 

Where was the Kingcobra discovered?

Van Nuys Airport in California. It had apparently been there since 1947 when it was flown in to be converted for the Thompson Trophy Races. The story goes that the Cobra had a bad Centre of Gravity problem due to the removal of the guns and ammunition from the nose section. Apparently the pilot landed hard and blew all three tyres. The aircraft was then pushed into the weeds and stayed outside until 1973 when it was simply given up for tie down fees to the owner of an FBO. Amazingly, a minimal attempt was made at restoring it but it soon went back into storage. We first saw it in a T-Hangar when we did the pre-buy inspection in June 1996.

How complete was it when you started the project?

Structurally it was complete. Many of the bolt on items out the cockpit had been taken by souvenir hunters. The instruments were missing and of course the armament had too. The structure was in pretty good condition. All the magnesium skins (control surfaces) and castings were brittle unusable. However, Lots of cool original stuff was installed in the airframe. As you might expect, damage was limited to the areas of the machine where kids had crawled over it for all those years.

How does the P-63 compare to the P-51 Mustang structure wise?

Both planes are rather simple in their design. Much less complicated than a Grumman Bearcat or Vought Corsair. The P-51 is extremely well laid out. The P-63 is much more  in fact very cramped and difficult to work on. I understand that Be,. idea was to put the Cannon in the nose and then figure out how to build the plane around it!

Are spare parts difficult to get hold of for the P-63? Are that any that are impossible to obtain?

Yes and yes! Spares that are peculiar to Bell are difficult  and some really are impossible to obtain. We had to have missing parts made  indeed we kept the machine shop busy for months. Jay Wisler found some very neat pieces for us as well. I guess the hardest thing to find would be the 37mm cannon. After considerable research we made ours in the machine shop. We started from scratch  no documentation etc. After spending two solid days at the National Air and Space Museum at Silver Hill MD. documenting their P-63 we had al the information required to proceed.

How much detail was required in the project? What Colonel Borman specify?

Frank Borman was certainly specific and his instruction was straightforward  though I hesitate to say simple: He wanted it to be the best warbird in world! Quality was to be only to the highest standard  all original. The goal was to make the 3 look like it had just rolled off the wartime production line at the Bell factory. In order to achieve this detail work was extensive.

We had all the blueprints which showed everything we needed. For example all the stencilling, decals, parts location. You name it  it is in blueprints  simply the best source we could for. We spent months going through these wings gleaning information and putting into practice to ensure the Cobra is as accurate as humanly possible. The mission was to try and make look exactly as it was as it came off that line.

To finish the airframe we painstakingly had the paint colours matched, and rubber stamps were made to stamp on the part numbers  everything. Chuck Cabe even stamped the electrical wiring with the original World War II markings  and routed the wires as per the original drawings.

Mike Nixons Vintage V-12s made us a great engine. The only Allison that has the auxiliary supercharger hooked up and functioning. Ill go out on a limb and say that this is the most original plane flying.

Who at Square One worked on the aircraft?

Everyone worked on the P-63. It was a team effort and the team consisted of: Myself  as General Manager I oversaw the entire project and made all the decisions, liaising directly with Colonel Borman as the project progressed. Paul Marak: Shop Foreman: responsible for actually building the Kingcobra. Ingo Moos: Project Leader: Tony Bocephus Corbo: Historical accuracy. George Skropos: Armament. Systems: Jimmie New and Greg Laird. Mechanics on the project: Randy Roy, Tom Michna, Art Jasso, Kirk Nelson, Concordio Allasada, Chris Convert, Bob Zeller, Don Smit, Wayne Tucker, Creel Carroll. Responsible for paint: Eric Jett, Jose Estrada, Dave Robbins, Rene Sauceda. Parts acquisition: Ken Smith and Mike Nightingale Secretary: Diann Morales. Chuck Cabe: tackled the electrical wiring.

Simon also spoke highly of the people the aircraft belongs to: I guess the most important people were Frank and Susan Borman  the most enthusiastic people in warbirds. They are the greatest people to build aircraft for because they appreciate the detail work and also the historical aspect. They are also our greatest supporters Also, in the nicest possible way the boss  Elmer Ward  although having no hands on involvement helped out with advice and guidance on the real engineering  and also  since he owns Square One gave us the opportunity to be here to build these warbirds.

Many enthusiasts would like to know how long the project took 

Simon volunteered 15,000+ hours (the exact number is secret). At a guess Id say that if we just had to get it flying we could have done it in half the time. We spent a lot of time and maximum effort to put the Kingcobra in a class of its own  as perfect as possible  even to the point where we detailed areas where no one will ever see, and then more time ensuring it cuts the mustard historically. It took a while to get all the information to make it accurate. We had to spend a lot of time either searching for the parts or making replacements.

What awards has this aircraft won so far?

So far  1998 Sun N Fun Grand Champion Warbird. We hope to add to this list in the near future!

Is there anything youd do differently if you did another P-63?

Not really. On reflection the one thing that surprised us was the amount of work it took to research the information and material required to make it truly accurate. The next one would be a whole lot easier because we have all that documented

Are their any companies or individuals outside Square One that you would like to mention?

Indeed  Mike Nixons Vintage V- 12s  built a good engine. U.S. Propeller of California  did the prop overhaul. Jay Wisler  Warbirds Parts and Memorabilia in Florida  supplied lots of neat original stuff that made the difference. The National Air and Space Museum at Silver Hill  gave us access to their P-63 which was a great help. Chuck Cabe  this guys a genius  he did the avionics and wiring. Last but not least Bill Anders  for not buying the P-63 before Frank Borman did! There are lots of other vendors too. It literally takes an Army to build a warbird like this.

And the headaches?

None really. It was a blast to build this. Fun too, since it is different to a Mustang.

How many hours flight test did the aircraft need?

Ten: No major problems.

Square One Aviations next project is another Mustang, and no doubt they will rise to the occasion!

The Editor [Note: the late Paul A Coggan] would like to thank Simon Brown for his invaluable assistance and patience during the preparation of this article, Colonel Frank Borman for his help securing the air to air pictures (and of course for making the whole project possible in the first place!) and Steve Hinton at Fighter Rebuilders for taking time out of a busy schedule to fly the camera ship for Patrick Bunces aerial sortie. [Frank Borman passed away in November 2023. We feature his historic aircraft collection in this article.]
By Stephen Chapis.

The Warbirds & Vintage Aircraft of The Late Col Frank Borman Astronaut

In the minds of the general public, Frank Borman, Colonel, USAF (Ret), will be remembered as the Commander of Apollo 8, when he, along with Command Module Pilot James A. Lovell, Jr., and Lunar Module Pilot William A. Anders, became the first humans to leave low Earth orbit, to see the Earth as a whole, and to witness and photograph the far side of the Moon. This along with their dramatic reading from the Book of Genesis during a television broadcast from the spacecraft as they orbited the Moon on Christmas Eve 1968, was regarded, as stated in a telegram to NASA as the moment that saved 1968.

To warbird enthusiasts, however, Colonel Borman is also remembered as a founding member of the USAF Heritage Flight, and the owner of several meticulously restored warbirds. Simon Brown (of our supporting business Platinum Fighter Sales) who worked closely with Borman said: If the world had more Frank Bormans, it would be a much better place.

One might think that a former test pilot and astronaut would predominately fly heavy iron, but one of Bormans early acquisitions was a rare Convair L-13A utility aircraft, which he owned from 1991 through 1995. Then, of course, no warbird hangar would be complete without the venerable Pilot Maker to keep the reflexes sharp, so Borman kept a Harvard Mk.4 on hand from 1991 through 2005. In 1999, Borman briefly owned and flew a product from the other side of the Iron Curtain in the form of an Aero L-39C.

Then there were the fighters. Ever the consummate fighter pilot (in his USAF service, he predominantly flew Lockheed F-80s, Republic F-84s, and swept-wing F-84Fs as well as T-33s) Borman flew a trio of North American fighters throughout the late 90s and early 2000s. They included a pair of Mustangs: P-51D USAAF #44-84850, an ex-Indonesian AF Cavalier (which was the first of Bormans aircraft to bear the SU SU after his wife Susan) and an Australian-built CA-18 Mustang, serial A68-187. He sold the former in 1996, but the latter, SU SU II, remained in Bormans care for nearly a decade. His final acquisition was a Sabre, a Canadair CL-13B Mk. 6, C/No 1461 to be specific. Once part of the well-known Flight Systems, Inc, Borman acquired this Sabre in 1999 and flew it extensively until it was passed on to fellow Heritage Flight pilot Ed Shipley. All three fighters were seen by millions while participating in the USAF Heritage Flight. (The Sabre is now with Tom Friedkins Comanche Warbirds.)

Into the mid-2000s and beyond, Col. Borman owned at least two other warbirds that bore the SU SU name. Close to the thirty-ninth anniversary of Apollo 8s Christmas Eve broadcast, Borman was at the shop of Joe VanInwagen at Mercer County Regional Airport (HZE) in Hazen, North Dakota to pick up his freshly painted Cessna L-19 SU SU III. In the December 23, 2007, edition of the Bismarck Tribune, Lauren Donovan wrote:

Does that look beautiful, he said strolling around the plane. VanInwagen pasted a red Christmas bow on the side of the plane, which Borman said had looked disreputable. Now its amazing.

Nearly a dozen years later, again near the Apollo 8 anniversary, Borman was 90 when he was pictured on the cover of the Billings Gazette. In the photo, the nonagenarian Borman was leaning on the wing of his T-34A  and there on the fuselage was the name SU SU IV.

Borman also operated a number of civil vintage types as well as the warbirds, including an executive-configured Waco SRE, NC58785. Others included a Stinson V-77 and a C-45 Expeditor. Many of his teams aircraft restorations won air show prizes, both his P-51 and P-63 gaining top awards at the EAA Sun n Fun show, and the Kingcobra was the Grand Champion Warbird at the Oshkosh air show in 1998. Borman was an EAA Lifetime member, No.300174. (The P-63 is now owned by John Bagley. See our Archive Feature on it from Warbirds Worldwide.) Plans to fly his SIAI-Marchetti SM.1019 to the EAA Airventure in 2008 were sadly thwarted by the weather.

As recently as 2016, at the Heritage Flight Museum, the three Apollo 8 astronauts flew together again, aboard three T-6 Texans. Frank Borman was in the back seat of the first T6 (flown by Greg Anders), Jim Lovell in the second (flown by Craig Nelson), and Bill Anders in the third T6 (flown by Alan Anders).

His other notable aviation interests ranged from the very big (running Eastern Airlines into profit for a period) and the very small, a pre-air force career as an aero modeler, which he re-started in the 1970s. Professionally, as a CEO of a number of organizations he flew Cessna Citations as well. But beyond that, he was widely known, and now remembered, as a supportive, encouraging, and inspirational leader to many, many aviators over many years.

The news of Col. Bormans passing was met with great sadness across our nation and around the world, but for Simon Brown of Platinum Fighter Sales, the former General Manager of Square One, who meticulously restored Bormans beloved P-63 King Cobra [See the feature on that aircraft here] it was especially difficult. In a statement to Vintage Aviation News, Mr. Brown said: One of the greatest men Ive ever known. I worked with Frank Borman six to seven days a week from 1995 until 2000. We built a TF-51, P-63, and a F-86 for him. Had so many great adventures with him. Airshows from California to New York, Wisconsin to Florida. We traveled all across the U.S., and went to Germany and the Czech Republic together on business. The most memorable event was him taking me to the Kennedy Space Center in Florida where we got a VIP tour of Cape Canaveral. We kept in regular communication and most recently did a lot of reminiscing about building and flying warbirds. He was a mentor, customer, and friend. Godspeed Col. Borman.

There were 36 astronauts assigned to the Apollo flight crews. The passing of Frank Borman leaves just eleven, and it would be difficult to name another astronaut who embraced the beauty, power, grace, and nostalgia more the Colonel Frank Borman. Stephen Chapis.
WATERLOO  One hundred Waterloo residents received free vouchers for the areas newest grocery store on behalf of Molina Healthcare.

Molina presented a $5,000 check to All-In Grocers to help address food insecurity for those living in the 50703 ZIP code. This allowed for 100 $50 vouchers at a giveaway event on Tuesday.

In Black Hawk County, poverty rates are above the state average and 34% of its residents are eligible for SNAP benefits, according to Feeding America. Data from the State of Iowa shows one in four people identifying as Black or African American are considered to be living in poverty, which is higher than any other ethnic group in the area.

These vouchers not only meet an immediate need but can help create healthy food habits in the future, Jennifer Vermeer, plan president for Molina Healthcare of Iowa, said in a news release.

Food insecurity and a lack of access to affordable, nutritious food is associated with increased risk for multiple chronic health conditions such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease, mental health disorders and other chronic diseases.

The people of this community deserve access to the same fresh, nutritious food options as all Iowans, All-In Grocers developer Rodney Anderson said in the release. Im thankful Molina is investing in the health of our neighbors.

All-In Grocers is the first new grocery store in the area in more than 50 years and was constructed to address the food desert in the high-poverty Walnut Neighborhood.

In 2022, Mayor Quentin Hart joined mayors across the U.S. in launching the Mayors Alliance to End Childhood Hunger. He also attended the voucher giveaway.

No one should go hungry in Waterloo, yet systemic poverty in the Walnut neighborhood puts residents at an unnecessary risk for malnutrition, Hart said in the release. I commend Molina Healthcare of Iowa for valuing this community and making its well-being a priority.
TAMA  A Tama woman has been sentenced to prison for allegedly stealing from the accounts of a disabled relative.

Judge C.J. Williams sentenced 69-year-old Nancy Lee Johnson to two years and nine months in prison on one count of wire fraud during a Nov. 2 hearing in U.S. District Court in Cedar Rapids. After prison, Johnson will be on supervised release for three years.

She was also ordered to pay $387,213 in restitution.

Johnson had been appointed guardian and conservator for the victim  identified by the initials L.J.  who had a $360,000 trust fund and received Social Security benefits and per capita payments from the Meskwaki tribe.

Prosecutors said she drained the trust fund account  burning through 18 years of savings in just under two years  and set up a debit card in L.J.s name that she used to purchase two purebred American Bully dogs and 13 pieces of diamond and gold jewelry in 2017 and 2018.

By the time the tribal court terminated the guardianship, L.J.s funds had been reduced to $1,871, according to authorities.

The case was prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Kyndra Lundquist and investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
WATERLOO  Krystal Madlock was appointed to the Board of Education Monday following the death of Endya Johnson last month.

The four board members present unanimouly approved her appointment to the Director District 4 seat, which covers northwest Waterloo. Madlock is the associate dean of inclusive community at Wartburg College in Waverly.

Im so happy to be here and Im so humbled and honored to serve in this position, especially after my dear friend Endya, Madlock said after being sworn in. I will definitely try to keep her legacy going. Shes a dear family friend of ours.

Johnson resigned Oct. 20 for health reasons and died days later.

Waterloo Community Schools Superintendent Jared Smith praised Madlock.

We had a very good conversation with her with a few members of our board and our district leadership team, he noted. And we were totally impressed with her commitment to the community, commitment to the students, her pedigree. Her background is incredible.

We talk a lot about Endyas legacy and I think Krystal is going to just jump right in and do whats best for kids and whats best for families of her ward, said Smith.

Madlock earned a bachelors degree in communication arts and a masters degree in postsecondary education student affairs from the University of Northern Iowa.

Ive been at Wartburg for 26 years, she said, noting her excitement to work at the K-12 school level. Education is a passion of mine and this is a differnt way for me to share that.

Photos: House fire, Trail Ave., Evansdale Nov. 14, 2023 111423jr-fire-edale-1 111423jr-fire-edale-3 111423jr-fire-edale-2 111423jr-fire-edale-5 111423jr-fire-edale-4
Israel police have launched an investigation into allegations of sexual violence during the deadly October attack by Hamas gunmen on Israeli communities around the Gaza Strip, officials have said. However, the probe was complex and would likely take months, Chief Superintendent David Katz said, with fighting having lasted for days at some of the suspected crime scenes.
Days before it made national headlines and drew condemnation from her opponents, former South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley tested a new line in an Iowa tele-town hall about banning anonymous accounts on social media.

During the phone-in town hall, Haley was asked about online misinformation. Part of her solution, she said, was to ensure users on X (formerly Twitter), Facebook and other sites should be verified by name, cutting out anonymous accounts.

"We're going to say that they have to make sure every person on social media is verified, meaning if Nikki Haley is on there Nikki Haley has to prove it's her," she said.

Haley called the proposal a national security solution to misinformation on social media, arguing it would root out bot accounts operated by foreign governments like Russia and China.

After Haley proposed the same idea on Fox News this week, she took quick criticism from opponents Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy, along with conservative commentators like Tucker Carlson and Matt Walsh, arguing the proposal was a violation of free speech rights.

"This is a flagrant violation of the Constitution and straight out of the Democrats playbook," Ramaswamy said on X. "Any politician who thinks its OK for the government to use the private sector as its censorship bureau shouldnt be allowed anywhere near the White House."

Haley's campaign walked back the comments some in a statement, saying the problem is with Iranian, Russian and Chinese disinformation projects, not anonymous Americans.

"Americans have a right to free speech, including having anonymous accounts on social media," a campaign spokespoerson said. "What Nikki doesn't support is letting the Chinese and Iranians create anonymous accounts to spread chaos and anti-American filth among our people. They're doing that as we speak, and it's a national security threat. Social media companies have to do a way better job policing that. Clearly, Ron DeSantis wants to let Chinese propaganda machines run wild on social media without any restrictions.

That is certainly happening: Russian interference in past elections is well-documented, and they often use droves of anonymous accounts to drive up polarization online.

The deluge of attacks on Haley over the position  specifically from DeSantis and Ramaswamy  signal the eagerness of the campaigns to find a weak spot for the candidate who has so far avoided major controversy.

Whether the blow-up over the social media issue will last beyond a few-day media cycle remains to be seen. The stance pits two dueling issues for Republicans: taking on foreign adversaries and restricting online speech.

While Republicans may be largely sympathetic with the framing of opposing China and Iran, it's certainly a hard sell in a party that messages as stalwart defenders of free speech and against social media censorship.

In a 2023 Pew survey, 39% of Republican voters said they favored restricting "false information online, even if it limits freedom of information," and 59% opposed it.

Caucus candidates ramp up ad spending

Get prepared to see a lot more presidential candidate ads over the next several weeks.

Candidates' super PACs have been reserving ads regularly over the past few months, but now the campaigns themselves are jumping into the fray.

This week, DeSantis' campaign put out an ad highlighting his endorsement by Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. It's part of a $2.3 million media buy that will run through the caucuses.

The ad is taken up mostly by Reynolds saying good things about DeSantis, a move that will likely play well among Iowa Republicans who may just now be tuning into the Republican primary.

If you're an undecided caucus-goer, knowing that Reynolds has endorsed DeSantis is one thing. But being able to see Reynolds, who is largely popular among Republicans, explain why she supports DeSantis could add to his credibility. It will be interesting to see how much Reynolds' visibility alongside DeSantis on the campaign trail affects his ability to attract voters.

And expect to see more of Haley, too: Along with announcing a slate of new endorsements this week, her campaign announced it had reserved $10 million in advertising in Iowa and New Hampshire across TV, digital and radio media.

"Nikkis campaign is built to win the primary against Donald Trump, and all polls show she is by far the strongest Republican against Joe Biden in the general," Haley's campaign manager, Betsy Ankeny, said in a statement.
Israel has some of the most advanced armed forces in the world, but in its war against Hamas it lacks an equally sophisticated political strategy. The humanitarian catastrophe occurring in Gaza is taking on frightening dimensions.

Bread is running out. Scabies and diarrhea rip through crowded shelters. Brackish water is making people sick. Even U.S. officials now admit the civilian death toll is likely to be far higher than the 10,000 reported. It is talking, not fighting, that will end the war.

The absence of a sustainable peace plan divides Israel and its allies. When Benjamin Netanyahu suggested Israeli forces could be in Gaza indefinitely, Washington made it clear it wanted no permanent reoccupation. Netanyahu backed down. But he has not ruled out shrinking Gazas territory to create a  buffer zone  or forcibly displacing Palestinians. ...

Israel, which lost 1,400 people in a single day of horrific Hamas violence, remains in a deep state of shock. It is not only the loss of life that Israel is dealing with. Many Israelis also personally feel they are in danger, no matter where they live in the country. Netanyahu was wrong to reject a ceasefire-for-hostages deal in Gaza. Freeing innocents from Hamas clutches need not stand in the way of making sure the militants pay for their atrocities.

What is also at stake is whether Israels leadership can continue with a policy of active and unrelenting hostility toward the Palestinians. This political strategy sought through unassailable military strength to end claims for an independent Palestinian state over the West Bank and Gaza with a capital city in East Jerusalem. Paradoxically, this meant strengthening the extremist elements among the Palestinians, who also rejected the two-state solution.

Netanyahu has said for years he will never permit a Palestinian state. Much of the world had given up on the conflicts honorable resolution, in view of Israels steady building of illegal settlements in the West Bank and a divided Palestinian leadership. Just a week before Oct. 7, U.S. officials were boasting that the region is quieter today than it has been in two decades. Those words ring hollow today.

The longer the fighting, the more likely war spreads to nearby countries and the higher the Palestinian civilian death toll. The latter statistic is a recruiting sergeant for Hamas, prompting President Joe Bidens top military adviser to warn that time is short in Gaza for the Israelis.

But it is not clear if these are the voices that Netanyahu is listening to. Unfortunately, he is more likely to hear the words of his younger brother, Iddo, who recently wrote that only the urgent terrible fear of our power could pacify Palestinians, rather than Israel waiting for them to rid themselves of abysmal hatred. It is this approach that has failed both Israelis and Palestinians -- and needs to change.
As part of CEO Jane Fraser's corporate revamp, layoffs at Citigroup are expected to begin shortly. Employees will be notified beginning on Wednesday, November 15, and further layoffs will be disclosed daily until early next week, according to CNBC's sources who are familiar with the matter.

Imminent Layoffs Amid Corporate Reconstruction

The action conforms to the schedule outlined by Fraser in a document dated September 13. In her announcement, she created five new departments whose managers would report directly to her, leading to the departure of many high-ranking officials.

Fraser previously said that the next round of disruption will be communicated and implemented by the end of November, with final adjustments completed by the end of March 2024.

There is a lot of pressure on Fraser to improve Citigroup, which has been trapped in a stock collapse since headcount and costs have risen over the last several years. The current CEO, who assumed her position in March 2021, is at a crossroads since major investors are very skeptical that the bank would be able to meet the performance objectives that she stated last year.

The head of human resources at Citigroup informed employees last month that those who lost their jobs as a result of the layoffs may be entitled to seek new positions and that severance money would be provided to those who qualified.

While the final number of layoffs is still being established, CNBC reported last week that managers and consultants working on the operation known internally as "Project Bora Bora" have proposed firing at least 10% of staff across many sectors.

According to the sources, who requested anonymity as they were discussing personnel concerns, workers have rushed to internal chat platforms with inquiries about the upcoming layoffs.

See Also: China's Foreign Business Partners Pull Out Money at Alarming Rate, But Why?

Link to Discrimination Claim in Lawsuit

Just last week, Citigroup was cited in a complaint that involves an allegation of discrimination.

In a report by the New York Post, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) claimed that Citigroup engaged in purposeful discrimination against Armenian American credit card users. Applicants were referred to as "bad guys" or associated with organized crime, and the bank stated internally that Armenians were more likely to commit fraud.

According to the CFPB's investigation, Citigroup workers were instructed not to approve applications from customers with surnames ending in "yan" or "ian," the most prevalent suffix for Armenian surnames, or from the city of Glendale, California, where around 15% of the country's Armenian American community resides.

Citigroup will pay $24.5 million in penalties and $1.4 million in remedies to affected consumers as part of the ruling.

Citigroup said that some of its workers took steps to stop a "well-documented Armenian fraud ring operating in certain parts of California."

See Also: Biden Admin to Unveil Federal 'Junk Fee' Bans for Business, Banking Sectors

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
 A few days ago, our compatriot, a 73-year-old woman who, due to her health condition, could not move independently, was brought to the door of the consular department of the Russian Embassy in Mexico City and left to the mercy of fate.

 For the first time I see how their own mother, who cannot walk, is thrown to the doors of those who are considered unworthy. This example, this terrible manifestation of misanthropic logic, reflects everything that is happening now.

Her children, representatives of the relocants , decided to move first to Mexico, and from Mexico to the United States. They left their mother in the care of Russian diplomats.

The staff of our Embassy, with the assistance of the Association of Russian Compatriots, responded promptly and clearly . Every effort was made to enable the elderly woman to safely make the long transatlantic flight back to her homeland.

Let me remind you that these are the same flights that are carried out literally contrary to the decisions made by the collective West to close direct air traffic with our country. These are the very countries whose values were bought by those who left their immobilized mother in the care of those whom they do not love and hate.

 A doctor from a Russian foreign institution in Mexico provided the woman with the necessary assistance. An air ticket was purchased with funds from representatives of the diaspora. The woman arrived this morning in the capital of Russia . Now she is in the care of the Moscow Department of Labor and Social Protection. She has no relatives in Russia. Her family sold the apartment when they decided to move to the American continent for a residence permit

I am proud that I am part of a team in which there is no concept of this very segregation. And all those who require help, those who need it, regardless of their nationality, religion, can receive this help from their country and with the help of Russian representatives who work abroad.

Everything that led to this safe return was done as quickly, cordially and humanly as possible.

WtR
Russian Defence Ministry report on the progress of the special military operation(15 November 2023)

The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continue the special military operation.

In Kupyansk direction, units of the Zapad Group of Forces, supported by aviation and artillery, have repelled two attacks by assault groups of the 57th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were up to 30 servicemen, one tank, two pickup trucks.

During the counter-battery warfare, one M777 artillery system and one M114 howitzer manufactured by the U.S., one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one D-20 gun, as well as one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar.

One ammunition depot of the 1st Special Purpose Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed near Volchansk (Kharkov region).

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, helicopters, and artillery have repelled three attacks by assault groups of the 12th Special Purpose Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the 5th Brigade of the National Guard close to Grigorovka and Serebryanka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 180 servicemen, two motor vehicles, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery, have eliminated enemy manpower and hardware near Razdolovka, Andreevka, Kleshcheevka, Nikolayevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 220 military personnel, one tank, and seven motor vehicles.

In addition, during the counter-battery warfare, French-manufactured Caezar and Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery systems, two Msta-B howitzers, as well as one MT-12 cannon have been destroyed.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, in cooperation with helicopters and artillery, have inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware concentration areas of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 102nd and 127th territorial defence brigades near Ugledar, Rovnopol (Donetsk Peoples Republic) and Chervonoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 140 soldiers, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles.

During the counter-battery warfare, one M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system and one M777 artillery system manufactured by the U.S., one Giatsint-S self-propelled gun, two D-20 howitzers, as well as one MT-12 cannon have been destroyed.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, aviation and artillery have repelled one attack of an assault group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and inflicted a fire damage on manpower and hardware concentration areas of the 33rd Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were over 40 servicemen, three pickup trucks, as well as one U.S.-manufactured M119 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were over 60 servicemen and three motor vehicles.

In addition, during the counter-battery warfare, one Msta-B howitzer, two D-30 howitzers, as well as one Cobra counter-battery radar station have been destroyed.

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 145 areas.

In addition, one radar station of the S-300 surface-to-air missile system, as well as three control points of the 67th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 31st Operational Brigade, and the 50th Regiment of the National Guard have been hit near Serebryanka (Donetsk Peoples Republic).

Air defence facilities have shot down one MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force near Pavlograd (Dnepropetrovsk region).

Seven HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectiles have also been intercepted.

In addition, 30 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been hit close to Tokarevka (Kharkov region), Svatovo, Kolomiychikha (Lugansk Peoples Republic), Vasilyovka, Belogorovka, Kirillovka (Donetsk Peoples Republic), and Romanovskoye (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 535 airplanes and 254 helicopters, 8,934 unmanned aerial vehicles, 441 air defence missile systems, 13,396 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,184 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,105 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 15,273 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.

Tags:

WtR
This past Thursday, Nov. 9, the Wisconsin State Assembly was in session. There were a barrage of bills heard regarding, most importantly, election integrity. Election integrity has been a growing concern for many voters not just in Wisconsin but around the nation. A variety of states have taken steps to improve confidence in their elections, and Wisconsin is finally taking those steps.

One of the bills we took up was Assembly Bill 567. AB 567 was focused heavily on allowing central count voting districts to start processing votes the Monday before Election Day. During the 2020 election, many citizens around our state were concerned about the amount of votes that seemingly came in late election night. Central count voting requires that all votes be tallied and then released at the same time, which is why so many of the votes were released later because, as stated previously, central count voting districts release all of their results at the same time. There is nothing illegal or illegitimate about it. AB 567 would allow processing to begin on Monday, and if the tallying is not finished, that processing would continue on Tuesday. Results from districts would be released at an earlier time and not in the middle of night. An important note to make is that it will be against the law to release actual polling data on Monday; it must still be released on Tuesday after polls are closed.

One other bill that I want to focus on is Assembly Bill 577. This bill would protect whistleblowers who alert authorities to potential election irregularities. Currently, election workers or municipal clerks are often discriminated against, ridiculed, harassed and berated if they bring up any suspicious activities in terms of election counting. This bill would allow workers to come forward without fear of varying levels of persecution. This bill is so crucial in restoring integrity in our elections. We must have people come out to vote, and growing confidence in the election process is a wonderful step to ensure a large turnout.

These two bills especially will be crucial in reassuring faith to every voter throughout Wisconsin. We have heard the concerns of Wisconsin voters everywhere, and that is why these bills were heard last week and will be signed by Gov. Tony Evers. Bills and session days like these are the reason I continue to want to represent you down in Madison.

As always, feel free to contact my office at (608) 237-9192 or email me at Rep.Pronschinske@legis.wi.gov with questions, comments or concerns.
Students in the Beaver Dam Unified School District will begin school on Aug. 27 for the 2024-25 school year in order to make room during the summer of 2025 for work on Washington and Wilson elementary schools that will allow for a new early education center.

The Board of Education approved the calendar during its meeting on Monday. The students last day of the 2024-25 school year will be May 30. Superintendent Mark DiStefano said during the meeting there would be the normal breaks and in-services during the year.

Other than the start date adjustment, we are looking at a very traditional calendar, DiStefano said.

The district will convert Wilson Elementary School into an early childhood center, which could serve up to 120 children from infants to 4-year-olds. Washington Elementary School would have an addition for the influx of Wilson Elementary School students.

For the current school year, students returned to school on Sept. 5 and will have their last day on May 31.

The board also announced the positions that will be up for election in the fall, which are those currently held by Gary Spielman, Marg Jorgensen and John Kraus Jr. The deadline for filing non-candidacy papers is 5 p.m. on Dec. 22. Papers for people seeking the positions must be turned in by the end of the business day on Jan. 2.

The district has a board workshop with the architectural firm and construction manager at 6 p.m. Monday at the Educational Service Center, 400 E. Burnett St.
School districts in Dodge County scored in the meets or exceeds expectations categories on the latest Wisconsin Department of Instruction report cards, with Beaver Dam Unified School District meeting expectations.

The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction released the 2022-23 report card for every public school in Wisconsin on Tuesday.

A majority of districts in the state met, exceeded or significantly exceeded expectations, according to the Wisconsin Department of Public Instructions. Of the 378 public school districts in Wisconsin, the passing grades were received by 357 districts.

The report cards offer measures and indicators that provide school districts insight into areas to celebrate and areas that need improvement, according to Beaver Dam Superintendent Mark DiStefano.

Schools are evaluated on four priority areas: student achievement in reading and mathematics on statewide assessments; student growth in those assessed areas; the performance of each schools state identified target group of students; and postsecondary readiness, which uses several measures as predictors of college and career readiness.

Each district and school are given an overall accountability score and rating category. The Overall Accountability Score is calculated on a score of zero to 100. The rating categories range from Fails to Meet Expectations to the highest category, Significantly Exceeds Expectations. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects, the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction cautions comparing School Report Cards scores to past years and between districts.

While the amazing work that is done in our schools on behalf of students and families cant be accurately measured on the report card, we are pleased with the improvements we have seen in several areas and continue to use the data that we have to support our efforts in providing the best education we can for all of our students, DiStefano said in a statement. Our mindset is one of continuous improvement and we will continue to work toward further enhancing our performance.

Through a continued commitment to excellence, belief in all children, and partnerships throughout the whole BDFam, we will continue our upward trajectory.

Overall performance scores at most Beaver Dam sites saw increases from the previous rating year, DiStefano said. The Beaver Dam Unified School District is identified as Meeting Expectations. Prairie View Elementary School scored in the highest category, earning the distinction of Significantly Exceeds Expectations. Washington and Wilson elementary schools scored in the Exceeds Expectations category. Beaver Dam High School and Beaver Dam Middle School as well as Jefferson and Lincoln elementary schools meet expectations.

All of our schools and staff are committed to doing our very best for students each and every day, Prairie View Elementary Principal Brandon Krause said. We are very pleased with how that has translated for us at Prairie View, and there are celebrations to be had across all of our schools.

Other local districts listed as meeting expectations include Horicon, Columbus, Randolph and Waupun. Mayville, Fall River and Dodgeland exceeded expectations.

Dodgeland Superintendent Jessica Johnson said the gains Dodgeland has seen with the rating were not from one year nor is it the only benchmark the district uses in assessing itself.

We believe they are testament to years of unwavering commitment and dedication to the growth of our students, Johnson said. The report card is just one measurement that we utilize to inform our work at Dodgeland.

Close Beaver Dam celebrates at fall downtown festival Beaver Dam's fall downtown fest was held on Saturday. Event included downtown casket races, trick or treating at downtown businesses, witches procession and dance, costume contests, arts and crafts for kids, scavenger hunts, Chamber of Mystery, games and activities, vendor market, dance and music performances, food trucks and local fare and DJs.
Professor Ebrahimian and Professor Lareau are teaming with researchers at the University of Hawai'I and University of Buffalo to gather data and figure how to be two steps ahead of future wildfires.
An SI (Sports Illustrated) model and a celebrity dermatologist talked about Botox misconceptions that many people have believed for the past few years.

They shared their opinions-supporting them with facts-about Botox (botulinum neurotoxin) injections during the Botox Cosmetic Day 2023, which was celebrated on Nov. 15.

Here's what Dr. Anna Guanche, MD, and SI swim model Kristen Loulle Gaffney specifically said about Botox injections.

Swim Model, Celeb Dermatologist Explain Botox Isn't Only About Wrinkles, Women

Botox injections are usually associated with women who are in their mid-40s and 50s and just want to get rid of their wrinkles; on their faces and necks.

Now, several studies have shown that Botox injection usage is on the rise as more and more people (younger than 40-50 years old individuals) make their bookings to feel younger and improve their physical appearances.

SI model Gaffney explained that during the past years, influencers and celebrities avoided sharing that they were getting Botox injections, which led to misconceptions.

But, Gen Z celebrities and online influencers are different from them since these younger generations tend to openly admit that they are undergoing Botox and other cosmetic procedures.

Brianna Vance Fago, the MSN and APRN at Marlow Med Aesthetics, also shared her opinion regarding Botox.

"A couple of misconceptions about Botox are that it is only used for wrinkles and only for women. Botox can be used for excessive sweating, headaches, teeth grinding - or TMJ - and neck spasms," explained Fago via Fox News.

She added that although Botox injections are thought to be only for women, these cosmetic treatments can also help men, allowing them to have a natural appearance.

Read Also: Study Finds New Gene Editing Treatment Can Permanently Reduce Dangerous Cholesterol

Botox Doesn't Make Face Freeze, Cause Pain

Dr. Anna Guanche, MD, also explained misconceptions about Botox injections making the face freeze or causing pain to consumers.

She said that these side effects are actually gone four hours after the procedure. Guanche, a dermatologist to former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo, shares her knowledge about Botox and other cosmetics via TikTok and other social media platforms.

Guanche also shared other benefits of getting Botox, such as feeling more serene because injections can reduce frowning. Aside from Guanche, other doctors and organizations also believe that Botox injections can benefit people's physical, as well as mental health.

The National Geographic even claimed that Botox can treat depression and anxiety. Based on the American magazine's recent report, more than 53% of men and women who are receiving Botox injections are less likely to have depression or other similar mental illnesses.

If you want to learn more about the mental health benefits of Botox injections, you can click this link.

Related Article: 'Vampire Facials' Linked to HIV Infection in New Mexico

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Other organizations have found comparable success. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) began using robotic pets during the COVID-19 pandemic. In North Carolina, robotic pets at the Salisbury VA Community Living Center have brought comfort, connection and therapeutic benefits to veterans with memory loss, dementia and depression, the VA reported in 2022. Patients tend to calm down when they have someone or something to nurture.

Numerous studies support the benefits. The University of Plymouth conducted an eight-month study before and during the COVID pandemic at eight care facilities in Cornwall, England, and released the findings in September 2022: Residents with mechanical pets showed decreased neuropsychiatric symptoms, including delusions and depression, compared with those who didnt have robotic animals.

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A 2022 study published in the Journal of Holistic Nursing observed similar results. In a six-week study involving 18 men and women with dementia in a residential care facility in the Northeastern U.S., it was reported that loneliness was significantly reduced and there was a significant improvement in depression after participants interacted with the robotic cats and dogs.

Companion animals might even provide mental stimulation. In a 2021 study from Florida Atlantic University, dementia patients with robotic cats showed improved moods  several caregivers noted that their loved ones often slept with the cats  and more than 50 percent showed slight to moderate improvement in areas such as attention and language (researchers found that participants frequently talked to their pets). Mechanical animals can also help residents engage in reminiscence therapy  which involves using prompts such as photos and music to stir memories and conversation  by evoking recollections of their childhood pets, a report from the VA states.

Although she is nonverbal, resident Iris Pierce sings and hums to the animatronic dog; Veteran Gerardo Sotelo loves holding the robotic animals because they are so soft and even move around just like a real animal. Courtesy Ambrosio Guillen Texas State Veterans Home

Thinking about buying a robotic pet for a loved one? A company called Ageless Innovation manufactures the companion animals used by Capital Caring and other organizations. You can expect to pay $100-$140 for a dog, $125-$140 for a cat and around $47 for a bird on major retail sites. Similar products include MetaCat ($189), a robotic cat that makes realistic motions and sounds, and Perfect Petzzz ($40), synthetically furred cats and dogs that breathe with the aid of a battery.

Another option: Contact your state or county agency on aging  some distribute the animals for free to residents. In Washington, for example, senior services agencies throughout the state have distributed more than 700 robotic dogs and cats to older people dealing with dementia or loneliness. The New York State Office for the Aging distributed about 4,000 animatronic pets during the pandemic; it plans to provide an additional 17,000 to older residents through local agencies in the coming years.

Although the pets can help ease loneliness and anxiety, they are not a four-legged panacea, particularly for those with dementia, warns Monica Moreno, senior director of care and support at the Alzheimers Association. Some people may respond positively to the animals, some wont. To improve the odds of success, it helps to understand an individuals background.

It's about connecting with the person where theyre at, trying to see the world through their eyes and understanding what they are feeling, and then identifying the best approach to provide comfort, Moreno says. That intervention may be a robotic pet. But you have to know the person and their history and their likes and dislikes. An example: If someone had a bad experience with a dog when they were young or theyve had a lifelong fear of animals, giving them a robotic dog could backfire.

Instead of calming them and providing them with comfort, it may cause them to become more anxious and more upset, Moreno says. Conversely, some dementia patients may become too attached to their robotic Fido, and if it gets lost, it may cause anxiety.
Marvel Studios Movie

The Natasha Romanof depicter, whose character was killed off in 'Avengers: Endgame', shares an idea for her to reprise the role, though she admits that it would be 'a real Marvel miracle.'

Nov 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Scarlett Johansson would like to play a zombie version of Black Widow. The 38-year-old actress first appeared as the Marvel character, also known as Natasha Romanof, in 2010's "Iron Man 2" and reprised the role in eight films. The character was killed off in "Avengers: Endgame" but returned for solo prequel "Black Widow" in 2021 and now Scarlett fears she's run out of ways to play Black Widow.

During an appearance on the "Today" show, she was asked if she could possibly revive the character and she replied, "Like a loophole? I feel like that's kind of the end, right? Like can you come back? Could it be a vampire version of the character? Cause I'm here for that, like a zombie version, maybe."

Host Al Roker then asked whether she had been approached by movie bosses about the possibility of a return and she responded by saying, "You really ask the hard questions. I feel like I have to tell you, but I actually dont have to tell you, Al. I do not, but I want to so bad."

In another conversation with host Savannah Guthrie, Scarlett admitted she couldn't see a way back for the character but a return would not be impossible. She conceded, "It would be a real Marvel miracle. It would be a marvel, but who knows? I'm not sure."

It comes after fellow Marvel star Tom Hiddleston hinted his time-travelling character Loki could make a return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe despite being killed off onscreen. During an appearance on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon", the actor, who reprised Loki for a spin-off series on Disney Plus, explained, "I mean ... time-slipping technically gives Loki some interesting moves he can make. Speaking for myself, Loki's died a few times. I'm still here. I don't know that death is necessarily ... I mean death is - death is up for grabs, as an existential question! That's all I can give you!"

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The veteran rocker and his band are set to perform the 'Substance' albums by Joy Division and New Order in full at the upcoming shows, which kick off at the Opera House in New Zealand.

Nov 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Peter Hook & The Light have announced a massive world tour for next year. The veteran rocker and his band will perform the "Substance" albums by Joy Division and New Order in full at the upcoming gigs, which kick off at the Opera House in Wellington, New Zealand on May 16 before heading to Australia.

The North American leg begins in August in Toronto, Canada taking in cities including Boston, Chicago, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Seattle before heading to the U.K. and Ireland in October and November.

Announcing the tour on Instagram, a message from the band read, "We are delighted to announce the return of our 'Substance' live show to North America, the UK Ireland from August to November of 2024. We will perform both Joy Division New Order 'Substance' LPs live and in their entirety at each show, alongside selected extra 'Substance' era tracks."

Hook added in a statement, "It still amazes me how enjoyable it is to play the 'Substance' LPs. The contrast between Joy Division and New Order is very apparent but both complement each other very well. My only frustration is not being able to play more of our records each night. I am totally looking forward to the next phase. So, let's enjoy some Substance and get ready for the future. Lots of love, Hooky."

Hook released 'Substance' as a collection of New Order's single in 1987 and it was following by the Joy Division singles compilation of the same name in 1988. The tour concludes in Galway, Ireland on November 16.

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A prominent German journalist and Russia specialist had reportedly received at least 600,000 (around $730,000 at the time) in unreported offshore payments from firms connected to a businessman close to Russian leader Vladimir Putin. Due to this leak, a German publisher has stated that it would cease sales of the author's books.

Hubert Seipel, an acclaimed filmmaker and author, has revealed that he was financially supported to write two books that are seen to be favorable to Putin and which detail his ascent to power.

The data originated from the Cyprus Confidential project, an archive of 3.6 million offshore documents that were released to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) and Paper Trail Media in Germany. The ICIJ and Paper Trail Media then made the data available to other news organizations.

Books Are Off the Shelves

Hoffmann und Campe, a Hamburg-based publishing house, said on Wednesday, November 15, that it would be pulling Seipel's books off shelves. Two books were written on the Russian president, and the journalist received payments from firms tied to the oligarch Alexei Mordashov, a steel and financial mogul who was sanctioned last year for his close links to the Kremlin.

According to the Guardian, Seipel's books would no longer be available for purchase from Hoffmann und Campe Verlag, said a company representative, who added that they had no idea of the actual events described in the reports.

NDR, the German broadcasting company for which Seipel made a documentary in which he conducted a series of one-on-one interviews with Putin, said in a statement that it had begun an inquiry with an external adjudicator. It said that it was putting the films on hold indefinitely and that it was exploring legal action against Seipel.

See Also: Russia Recruiting Wagner Veterans to Fight Ukraine

The Author's Ties to Putin and His Ally

Seipel admitted that he had accepted money from Mordashov. He clarified that he had never accepted payment from outside sources for movies or TV appearances and that Mordashov's backing pertained only to the book initiatives. Also, he was quite emphatic about the fact that he had been given complete control over the content he published.

Seipel met Putin nearly 100 times and interviewed him many times, gaining prime-time airing spots for his 2012 documentary. His close relationship with Putin and his status as one of Germany's leading independent experts on Russia made him a popular journalist on mainstream television following the 2014 takeover of Crimea and much more so since the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Both works, a biography published in 2015 titled Putin: Inner Views of Power and a political analysis titled Putin's Power: Why Europe Needs Russia, were written in German and have now been translated into a number of other languages.

See Also: How Russian Oligarchs Are Using Their Private Jets to Skirt European Sanctions

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Instagram Celebrity

More than one year after being in a romantic relationship with his girlfriend, the former 'One Tree Hill' star pops the question to the NASCAR host during their trip to Rome.

Nov 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Congratulations are in order for Stephen Colletti and Alex Weaver. More than one year after being in a romantic relationship with his girlfriend, the former "One Tree Hill" star proposed to the NASCAR host and reporter with a massive diamond ring during their trip to Italy.

On Wednesday, November 15, the 37-year-old actor and his 27-year-old now-fiance made use of Instagram to upload a series of photos from the engagement in a joint post. In one of the snaps, it could be seen that he presented her with a silver band that came with a sparkling huge oval-cut diamond.

Stephen and Alex also let out a PDA-filled picture from the special moment. The newly engaged couple was photographed sharing a sweet kiss while sitting down with a jaw-dropping view of Rome, Italy behind them. She was seen wrapping her arm around his shoulder and placing her hand on his face. In the meantime, he put one of his hands on her back. Along with the snaps, she simply penned, "Yes! Forever."

For the engagement, Stephen looked clean in a white tee and unbuttoned long-sleeved navy blue shirt. He also donned a pair of long black pants and black sneakers with matching laces. To complete the look, he added a pair of black sunglasses and a matching wrist watch.

Similarly, Alex opted to wear a casual ensemble, consisting of a pair of long black pants and a light blue sweater that came with white flower patterns all over it. She put on a pair of white-and-gray Adidas sneakers with black stripes as well as white laces. Her long blonde hair was let loose and styled into waves.

It did not take long for the post to be flooded with congratulatory messages from Instagram users. Among them were Stephen's former "One Tree Hill" co-star Jana Kramer who voiced her excitement in the comments section, "AHHHHH !!!! Congrats!!!!!!!! So happy for you both." Another joined in, "The BEST ever. I'm so happy for you two cuties love yall," adding a white heart emoji.

Stephen and Alex went public with their romance back in August 2022. He uploaded a selfie of the two on his Instagram account. Along with the snap, he penned, "Magic hours are a bit more magical this year. @al_weave." Later on, Alex replied in the comments section of the post, "Luckiest girl."

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The 'Bullet Train' actor, who stars in and produces the upcoming race drama, is reportedly forced to dump the scenes already shot for the film due to a row over sponsorships.

Nov 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Brad Pitt has reportedly been forced to dump millions of dollars of footage from his upcoming race car drama. The "Fight Club" star, 59, has taken the lead role in and is producing the upcoming sportscar movie, but it's now said he has had to axe the valuable scenes in a row over sponsorships.

A source told The Sun, "It really is a nightmare for Brad and the team. A lot of events had been earmarked for filming throughout the year which would have helped reduce costs rather than having to recreate high-speed moments and wide shots. However, with all the sponsors changing it now makes the footage defunct. It's gutting for Brad and Lewis who see this project as their baby. Apple Studios, who are helping make the film, are far from impressed but at the end of the day, there isn't a lot they can do."

Brad is said to have spent weeks including the first half of the Formula 1 season shooting at Grand Prix events across the world for the movie before the SAG-AFTRA actor's strike ground Hollywood to a standstill. The Sun reported now work has started again after the walk-out ended, sponsorships in the film have "all changed," meaning the scenes already shot have been rendered unusable.

It was also reported the glitch is a "disastrous" blow to the movie's co-producers Jerry Bruckheimer, 80, and British race champion Lewis Hamilton, 38, who, like his new friend Brad, stars in the film and is producing the movie. The film is being directed by Joseph Kosinski, 49, who recently teamed up with Tom Cruise, 61, on "Top Gun: Maverick".

It's believed the footage row could delay Brad's film beyond its scheduled release date of 2024. It follows Brad's fictional racer character Sonny Hayes, who suffers a nightmare smash that forces him to give up the sport before he's brought out of retirement to mentor a young hot-shot driver.

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In new legal documents filed by Cheryl Augustine, the 'Terminator: Dark Fate' actor is accused of driving his Yukon SUV 'recklessly' before smashing the car in Los Angeles in January 2022.

Nov 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Arnold Schwarzenegger is facing a legal problem following his alleged reckless driving. A few months after being involved in a nasty four-car accident, the "Terminator: Dark Fate" actor has been slapped with a new lawsuit by a woman, who claims she was left "permanently disabled" due to the car crash.

On Wednesday, November 15, Cheryl Augustine submitted the legal documents in Los Angeles County Superior. In the court papers, which were obtained by The Blast and Radar Online, she claimed that she was left "permanently disabled" following the accident, which took place at Sunset Boulevard and Allenford Avenue in January 2022.

Cheryl accused Arnold of driving his Yukon SUV "recklessly." She wrote, "At said time and place, defendants, and each of them, so negligently, wantonly, unlawfully, wrongfully and recklessly drove, operated, serviced, maintained, entrusted, repaired and managed said vehicle to cause said vehicle to collide with plaintiff's vehicle and to proximately cause the hereinafter described injuries and damages to the plaintiff."

In the legal docs, Cheryl also elaborated that she suffered "injury to her body and shock and injury to her nervous system and person all of which have caused and continue to cause plaintiff great physical and nervous pain suffering." She was "required to, and did, employ physicians and surgeons to examine, treat and care for her," which needed "medical and incidental expenses, the amount of which is presently unknown" to her.

Cherly additionally explained that she "suffered out-of-pocket property damage, loss of use of her automobile, and incurred other out-of-pocket expenses in an amount not known." She alleged that she spent more than $25,000 in damages, including "general damagesall medical and incidental expensesall loss of earnings" since she couldn't go to work following the collision. The amount of money also included all damages to her car.

Back in January 2022, Arnold was driving the Yukon SUV when he smashed it into a red Prius. His luxury car rolled and ended up on top of the Prius. Prior to the collision, he allegedly was turning left when the left turn arrow was still red. Though so, it was reported that he was not ticketed. At that time, he came out of the car unscathed.

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A palace insider calls the Duke and Duchess of Sussex 'total hypocrites' for not keeping the phone call under wraps after their phone call to the British monarch got leaked.

Nov 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Prince Harry and Meghan Markle face backlash after their phone call to King Charles on his 75th birthday got leaked. A palace insider called the Duke and Duchess of Sussex "total hypocrites" for not keeping the phone call under wraps.

"Harry and Meghan fight for privacy when it suits them, and yet the minute Harry gets on the phone to the King, it's in a newspaper," the source told Page Six. However, a Sussex source insisted that the couple wasn't involved in the leak in any way.

The phone call was reportedly the father and son duo's first time speaking to each other again amid their rift. "Of course Harry wants to have a better relationship with Charles. He is his father after all," the source explained.

During the phone call, which was leaked to the U.K.'s Daily Telegraph, Meghan allegedly jumped on the call. The pair's two kids Archie and Lilibet were also said to be sending a sweet video message of them singing "Happy Birthday" to their grandfather.

The tension between Harry and Charles got worse after the former released his tell-all book "Spare". In the memoir, Harry made shocking allegations against the British royal family and criticized his stepmother, Queen Camilla.

In other news related to Harry, biographer Omid Scobie claimed that Harry and Prince William's relationship is "beyond repair." The Prince of Wales allegedly "doesn't want to know" his "defector" brother. William said that his brother has become "oh so California" after being "brainwashed by an army of therapists."

As for Harry, he was reportedly "crushed" by his family who didn't update him about his grandmother. Omid added William "refuses to even properly talk with him" but has accepted "things are unlikely to change."

A recent report claimed that King Charles "was extremely busy but is polite and loves his son and his grandchildren, and not so mean that he would not take a call on his birthday." However, the source said that "there is still a long way to go to mend the rift created over many years - and the deeper issues caused by allegations in the Netflix series and 'Spare' are not healed with a phone call."

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Instagram Celebrity

One day after teasing her 'Anyone But You' co-star about his sizzling photos, the 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood' actress showcases her hourglass figure in a skin-tight swimsuit.

Nov 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Sydney Sweeney has showcased her jaw-dropping curves in new photos. The "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" actress flaunted her figure in a skin-tight bodysuit shortly after commenting on Glen Powell's risque photos.

On Wednesday, November 15, the 26-year-old actress' new pictures from a photoshoot for Women's Health magazine were published. In one of the photos, she could be seen showcasing her hourglass figure in a green bodysuit that came with short sleeves, a high neck design and huge cut-out on the wearer's back.

In the photo, Sydney was striking a pose at an outdoor swimming pool. She was pictured appearing from the water and stepping her feet on pool stairs. While facing the sky, she closed her eyes as she smiled from ear-to-ear. In the meantime, the lower part of her legs were dipped in the water.

Still wearing the same eye-catching green swimsuit, Sydney, who accessorized the look with a matching ring and white sporty wrist watch, struck another pose on the side of the pool. She was sitting down and dipping one of her feet in the blue water. Looking straight to the camera, she strategically placed her other foot in front of her crotch to cover it.

In an accompanying interview, Sydney opened up about working with Glen in their romantic comedy movie "Anyone But You". "Getting to work with Glen, I'll never forget this one I hope the audience can actually feel the love and fun we all shared making this film," she shared.

The actress portraying Bea in the movie further explained, "That's something I always feel from my favorite rom-coms, the joy and energy shared amongst the cast and crew." She continued, "And I was lucky enough to experience that on this film."

Sydney's new interview with Women's Health magazine came one day after she teased Glen about his risque pictures. On Tuesday, Glen made use of his Instagram page to release a series of snaps from his photoshoot with Men's Health magazine. He exposed his toned abs in most of the photos.

Along with the pictures, Glen wrote in the caption of the post, "You know they have to spray tan EVERYWHERE before these things, right?" Later on, Sydney replied in the comments section, "Just heating up everybody's winter, huh?"

Sydney Sweeney commented on Glen Powell's recent Instagram post.

Previously, Sydney and Glen sparked romance rumors after showing off their chemistry during the production of "Anyone But You" in Australia in March. At that time, the two were in relationships with Jonathan Davino and Gigi Paris respectively. Glen and Gigi eventually broke up while Sydney and Jonathan remain engaged.

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Joining the Alpha Kappa Alpha organization in her sophomore year, the 18-year-old daughter of Angelina Jolie ditches her father's last name when introducing herself in front of her peers.

Nov 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Zahara Marley Jolie-Pitt has apparently snubbed her father Brad Pitt in public. After reportedly being estranged from the actor following her parents' divorce, the 18-year-old seemingly dropped her dad's last name during a sorority ceremony.

On Wednesday, November 16, a video went viral of Zahara joining the Alpha Kappa Alpha organization at Spelman College. In the clip which was posted online by Essence, she put on a dramatic show to introduce herself.

The teen enthusiastically came forward from a line of her sorority sisters to take the center stage. Wearing a black midi dress, she said, "My name is Zahara Marley Jolie," while shaking her hair and performing a series of moves.

"Coming all the way from the Golden State in the city that is full of angels, Los Angeles, California ... I am this line's number seven," she continued to loud cheers from her peers, before returning to her line.

In the comments section of Essence's Instagram post, Zahara received praises for embracing her "roots." One of the commenters wrote, "Girl! She found her tribe.. Angelina did a great job. Culture and dynamics."

Another weighed in, "This makes me want to cry. This baby girl was raised insuch a way that she could connect as much as possible to her roots. That is soooo commendable." A third similarly added, "Love that she representing her roots with the Shoa Oromo dance."

Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. is the first historically black sorority. In August 2022, Angelina Jolie went emotional as she dropped Zahara off at Spelman College in Atlanta. The Oscar-winning actress also made a trip to Spelman for homecoming in October last year.

Brad, meanwhile, previously gushed about his "smart" daughter when she was about to enter college. "[Zahara's] going to flourish even more at college. It's an exciting and beautiful time to find her own way and pursue her interests. I'm so proud," the "Bullet Train" actor told Vanity Fair in August 2022. "Where does the time go, right? They grow up too fast. It brings a tear to the eye."

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Shortly after being accused of undergoing plastic surgery due to her different appearance, the former Victoria's Secret model sarcastically thanks critics for their 'concern.'

Nov 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Adriana Lima has broken her silence on criticisms of her appearance. Shortly after being accused of undergoing plastic surgery due to her unrecognizable look, the former Victoria's Secret model has clapped back by sharing a makeup-free photo via social media.

On Wednesday, November 15, the 42-year-old beauty made use of Instagram Story to upload a selfie, wherein she proudly showed off her face without makeup and photo filters. Over the snap, she penned, "The face of a tired mom of one teenage girl, two pre-teens one active boy, a 1-year-old learning to walk, and three dogs . . . thanks for your concern."

In the snap, Adriana could be seen striking a pose in what appeared to be the kitchen of her house. While styling her long dark-colored hair into a sleek ponytail, she looked stunning despite not wearing any makeup. She was sporting a black hoodie that came with white graphics on its front side and carried a seemingly black bag on her shoulder.

Adriana Lima responded after being accused of undergoing plastic surgery.

The new photo came only one day after Adriana appeared unrecognizable while attending a public event. On Tuesday, November 14, she made an appearance at the premiere of "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" in Los Angeles. She hit the red carpet of the event with heavy makeup, including red lipstick, long lashes, bold eyeshadow and thick eyeliner.

The model was wearing a black-and-red stylish ensemble, consisting of a body-fitted black dress that came with long-sleeves, red veils on its ruffles, a high neck design and red line on its bodice. She completed the look with a pair of sheer black tights, red earrings and matching pointed-toe high heels. Her hair was styled into a simple straight hairdo and parted to the side.

Instead of praises, Adriana was bombarded with unpleasant responses regarding her look. In the comments section of an Instagram post, one naysayer penned, "She was probably getting a face-lift and missed the ozempic memo." Another joined in, "Looks like a facelift. My mom looked like that for months after hers. It'll settle. Her body. Her choice."

A third wrote, "Big mistake some people do is getting Botox days before an event she looks swollen. But still beautiful." Similarly, a fourth stated, "This feels like a mental illness honestly. Why is everyone getting facelifts to look like this?"

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The SKIMS founder has settled a legal dispute with multiple former employees and the lawsuit previously lodged against her is expected to be dismissed soon.

Nov 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Kim Kardashian has struck a deal with seven housekeepers who were suing her for unpaid wages. "The Kardashians" star was slapped by a lawsuit in May 2021 from a number of former employees who had worked at her Hidden Hills mansion and accused her of being late with their pay, refusing to pay overtime and to give them food breaks and despite previous attempts to have the case dismissed, she has now reached an agreement with the group.

Kim and the defendants have told the court they have "reached an agreement in principle to resolve this action," according to RadarOnline.com, and the former housekeepers said they would file a dismissal of the action within 60 days.

The terms of the deal are being kept private.

The update comes after they agreed to call off a scheduled trial in July to work on a settlement. A filing at the time confirmed, "The Parties in this matter have entered into settlement discussions and have agreed to mediate this matter."

When the suit was first filed with Los Angeles Superior Court, Andrew Ramirez and six other employees claimed they had been hired to work at Kim's mansion and were promised full-time jobs with benefits, but were then branded independent contractors and therefore received no benefits.

They also claimed they were not provided with proper meal breaks, not given their paystubs, and not properly reimbursed for expenses. In addition, Andrew's son, Andrew Jr., claimed he was allowed to work for the SKIMS founder while underage.

The 43-year-old beauty had denied responsibility and claimed she hired the staff through a third-party company. Speaking after the lawsuit was filed, her spokesperson said, "These workers were hired and paid through a third-party vendor hired by Kim to provide ongoing services."

"Kim is not party to the agreement made between the vendor and their workers, therefore she is not responsible for how the vendor manages their business and the agreements they have made directly with their staff. Kim has never not paid a vendor for their services and hopes that the issue between these workers and the vendor who hired them can be amicably resolved soon."

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A new book reveals how the Duke of Sussex was ruthlessly snubbed by his royal family the day his grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, passed away in September 2022.

Nov 16, 2023

AceShowbiz - Prince Harry was said to be left "completely by himself" during Queen Elizabeth's final hours, a new book has claimed. In September 2022, the Duke of Sussex and his wife Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, were in the UK for a series of engagements when the 39-year-old prince received a surprise call from his father, now-King Charles, informing him he needed to make his way to Scotland to see his grandmother "immediately."

According to Omid Scobie's new book "Endgame", however, Harry was unable to arrange travel with the rest of his family because his brother, Prince William, allegedly ignored his messages.

In an extract from the book obtained by People magazine, the author wrote, "William, whom Charles had just spoken to, was supposedly working on arranging travel. Harry sent a text message to his brother asking how he and Kate planned to get to Scotland and whether they could travel together. No response."

"With no further information from other family members or Palace aides, the Sussexes and their team had to operate in the dark. Harry was informed that William had already secured a flight with his uncles Andrew and Edward (and Edward's wife, Sophie), but he couldn't get in touch with anyone about joining that flight. 'It was upsetting to witness,' said a source close to the Sussexes. '[Harry] was completely by himself on this.' "

Harry was then told to make the trip without Meghan and was still "ignored" by his brother when he reached out again, eventually booking a private charter flight.

The book continued, "Though rumours of the Queen's passing were rife at this point, Harry had no way of knowing whether it was true. His father doesn't carry a cell phone and his brother wasn't acknowledging his existence."

"When William and the others landed at 3:50 p.m. to discover the news that the Queen had passed away at 3:10 p.m., Harry still had no idea what was going on when his own plane finally took off at 5:35 p.m. And, as his phone service cut out after takeoff, he remained in the dark for the duration of his 70-minute flight."

According to the author, Harry's team "begged" Buckingham Palace not to announce the queen's death before the prince's plane landed. However, he wrote, "But as stormy weather over Aberdeen International forced Harry's plane to circle the airport numerous times before landing, patience at the Buckingham Palace press office wore thin - they could wait no longer and the announcement went live at 6:30 p.m."

"When Harry's plane finally touched tarmac twenty minutes later, he received a text from Meghan urging him to call ASAP followed by a breaking news alert via the BBC News app with the announcement of the Queen's death..."

" 'Harry was crushed,' said a friend of the duke. 'His relationship with the Queen was everything to him. She would have wanted him to know before it went out to the world. They could have waited just a little longer, it would have been nothing in the grand scheme of things, but no one respected that at all.' "

Arriving at Balmoral, Harry was greeted by his aunt, Princess Anne, and spent a quiet moment in the queen's room, but didn't see his father, brother, or stepmother Queen Camilla. The book revealed, "He had hoped to see his father - who had made it to Balmoral Castle in time to see his mother alive - to express his sympathies, but he was informed that Charles, William, and Camilla had already left for Birkhall together."

"Again, no invite was extended to Harry. That night after eating he retired to his room, exhausted by the day's emotional roller coaster. He was glad to have had a private moment to say goodbye to his grandmother, but there was no point in sticking around."

"With no offer to return with William and the others in the morning (all of his texts, including a thoughtful message about the loss of their grandmother, continued to be ignored), Harry booked his own British Airways ticket on the first available departing flight."

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The 'American Sniper' actor reveals he needed years of preparations before taking on the lead role in a movie about real-life Jews composer Leonard Bernstein.

Nov 17, 2023

AceShowbiz - Bradley Cooper needed six years to learn how to conduct a six-minute piece of music for "Maestro". The 48-year-old actor helms and takes on the lead role in the Netflix biopic as composer Leonard Bernstein and revealed the extreme lengths he went to for a scene that captures his character conducting the 1976 London Symphony Orchestra in Ely Cathedral.

"That scene I was so worried about because we did it live. That was the London Symphony Orchestra. I was recorded live, I had to conduct them. And I spent six years learning how to conduct six minutes and 21 seconds of music," Bradley said at a Q&A in New York City.

The "A Star Is Born" actor thanked his "wonderful teachers" for helping him to recreate Bernstein's style with the baton. Bradley explained, "I was able to get the raw take where I just watched Leonard Bernstein (conduct) at Ely Cathedral with the London Symphony Orchestra in 1976. And so I had that to study. And Yannick Nezet-Seguin made videos with all the tempo changes, so I had all of the materials to just work on."

Bradley - who was joined at the event by co-stars Carey Mulligan and Matthew Bomer -explained that he worked tirelessly on the scene as he was "terrified" about not enjoying his performance as the famed composer.

He said, "It was really about dialing exactly what I wanted cinematically and then inviting them to inhabit that space and trusting that they have all done the work. Because I think that I knew, I was terrified, absolutely terrified that if I hadn't done the work I wouldn't be able to enjoy myself in these scenes. And everybody did."

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US public support for Israel's war against Hamas in Gaza has been declining as the days and weeks roll on, while most Americans think Israel should consider a ceasefire to not worsen the humanitarian crisis in the strip.

According to a Reuters/Ipsos poll this week, some 32% of the respondents said that the US should "support Israel" when asked what role the US should take in the fighting. The figure was down from 41% in a similar poll conducted on October 12 to 13.

Meanwhile, the percentage saying the US should be a "neutral moderator" rose to 39% in the latest poll from last month's 27%.

The latest poll also showed that 4% of Americans said the US should support the Palestinian cause instead of the Israelis, while 15% said the US should not be involved at all. Both figures were similar to last month's poll.

The poll also found that more than 40 Americans were more willing to support Ukraine by sending them weapons against Russian aggression, while less than a third backed weapons for Israel.

The Reuters/Ipsos poll questioned about 1,000 people online this month and had a magin of error of 4 percentage points.

Read Also: Israel Raids Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza Following Gunfire at Gates

Factors Affecting Decreased Support for Israel

The Hill reported that the drop in public support for Israel was most apparent among older residents after weeks of relentless airstrikes and a ground campaign in Gaza by the Israel Defense Force (IDF), which drew criticism from much of the international community.

According to the Hamas-controlled Gazan health ministry, over 11,000 Palestinians - including 4,600 children, have died in the war as of last week, prompting international humanitarian organizations like the United Nations to call for a ceasefire.

While four-hour humanitarian pauses were ensured to allow civilians to flee Gaza, Israeli authorities have refused any calls for a ceasefire.

Despite this, nearly 70% of Americans said the Israeli government should pursue a ceasefire, including three out of four Democrats and half of Republicans participating in the poll.

Marist Poll Suggests Similar Sentiments

Meanwhile, a recent Marist poll found a larger proportion of Americans disapproving Israel's military strategy in Gaza, saying that it has gone "too far."

The poll found that 38% of Americans believed Israel had gone "too far" in its response to the October 7 attacks, compared to 26% holding such a sentiment at the beginning of the war.

The Marist poll also observed a significant split among Democrat respondents. A 45% share of Democrats have the most sympathy for Israel, while another 45% said the same for Palestinians.

Related Article: Pro-Israel Supporters to Conduct Rally in DC

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Global favorite Charlotte Tilbury is thrilled to announce the launch of three breathtaking bridal looks in collaboration with Nykaa for the Indian market. These iconic bridal looks are set to redefine wedding beauty with a touch of magic. Banita Sandhu, the captivating British-Indian actress, serves as the face for this campaign, while celebrated bridal makeup artist Tanvi Chemburkar has brought these looks to life.

Renowned for its ability to create bridal magic, Charlotte Tilbury boasts an illustrious history of beautifying international celebrity brides, including Britney Spears, Amal Clooney, and Kate Moss. The choice of Banita Sandhu as the face for Charlotte Tilbury's bridal campaign is a testament to her status as the new 'IT GIRL' in India, seamlessly blending international charm with a stellar career trajectory. Each of the three looks is synonymous with the brands legacy; The Dreamy Pillow Talk Wedding Look: A bridal rendition of Charlotte Tilbury's iconic Pillow Talk look, The Enchanting Wedding Look: An ode to India, Charlotte Tilbury's Enchanting Wedding Look encapsulates the brand's commitment to timeless elegance and beauty traditions, The Golden Goddess Wedding Look: Translating Charlotte Tilbury's trademark GLOW into a wedding look!

Talking about being the face of the campaign, Banita Sandhu said, I'm absolutely thrilled to be the face of Charlotte Tilbury's new bridal campaign in India. Its so exciting to be a part of something that can make brides across India feel even more beautiful and confident on their special day. I had so much fun playing dress-up during the campaign! We had the opportunity to create some amazing looks, and I felt like a real-life princess. It was a dream come true, and I can't wait to share it with all of you."

Having been a longtime Charlotte Tilbury loyalist, it was an honor to translate my passion for minimalist beauty into three distinct wedding looks, said Tanvi Chemburkar, the makeup artist behind the campaign. Each look from the campaign was crafted with distinct features. 'Dreamy Pillow Talk Wedding Look' focused on radiant skin and a monochromatic palette. 'Enchanting Wedding Look' embodied the classic Indian bride with kohl-rimmed eyes and a reddish tint. In the 'Golden Goddess Wedding Look', the emphasis was on luminous skin, sparkling eyes, and a nude lipa celebration of timeless radiance.

How to get the looks?

The Dreamy Pillow Talk Wedding Look:

Banita Sandhu's "Dreamy Pillow Talk Wedding Look" epitomizes natural beauty amplified. This look features Charlotte's Magic Cream and Airbrush Flawless Foundation, providing an airbrushed, flawless complexion. The soft, dreamy eye look is achieved with the Luxury Palette in Pillow Talk, Eyes To Mesmerize in Pillow Talk, Pillow Talk Eyeliner, and Pillow Talk Push Up Lashes Mascara. The finishing touch is the iconic Matte Revolution Lipstick in Pillow Talk Medium, complemented by Pillow Talk Lip & Cheek Glow for love-blushed cheeks.

The Enchanting Wedding Look:

Banita's "Enchanting Wedding Look" is a traditional bridal beauty dream come true. Airbrush Flawless Foundation and Airbrush Flawless Finish create a fresh complexion, while the Matte Beauty Blush Wand in Dream Pop adds the perfect pop of color to the cheeks. The sultry smokey eyes are achieved with the Luxury Palette in Bella Sofia and Rock 'N Kohl in Bedroom Black. The look is elegantly completed with a berry red lip using Lip Cheat in Walk of No Shame and the newly launched Airbrush Flawless Lip Blur in Walk of No Shame.

The Golden Goddess Wedding Look:

Banita stuns in the "Golden Goddess Wedding Look," featuring Charlotte's beauty secrets. This radiant look is crafted with Charlotte's iconic Hollywood Flawless Filter, Airbrush Flawless Foundation, and Airbrush Flawless Finish. Banita's cheekbones are gently contoured with the Hollywood Contour Wand, while her eyes mesmerize with the Luxury Palette in Golden Goddess and the Beauty Light Wand in Spotlight. The final touch is a gorgeous nude-pink pout with Matte Revolution in Wedding Belles.

These three iconic bridal looks, inspired by the magic of Charlotte Tilbury and brought to life by Banita Sandhu and Tanvi Chemburkar, are set to transform Indian weddings and redefine bridal beauty. Discover the dreamy, enchanting, and golden goddess looks exclusively on Nykaa and embark on your journey to the most beautiful version of yourself on your special day. Shop products from the look
The Free Press Journal, a cornerstone of Mumbai's media landscape for nearly 95 years, has unveiled its latest brand campaign - 'Free Press For A Better Mumbai.' The campaign underscores the newspaper's distinctive approach of advocating for the city and persistently addressing issues until constructive actions are taken to provide effective solutions.

This initiative will target readers through online media and include an outreach program at Mumbai's Chhatrapati Shivaji International Airport's domestic terminal. Additionally, prominent billboards featuring the newspaper's unique emblem will be displayed. LadyFinger Creative Agency is the creative force behind the campaign.

The Free Press Journal, aiming to be more than just a recorder of events, has long strived to be a catalyst for change and progress in the city. Abhishek Karnani, Director of The Free Press Journal, stated, "Our new brand campaign succinctly encapsulates our mission of embracing responsibility as agents of change in our cherished city."

The company's new tagline, 'We See What Others Dont,' is described not merely as a statement but as a promise. Karnani emphasized its significance, stating, "It symbolizes our commitment to uncover hidden stories, express unspoken fears, and address issues concerning our readers." The campaign aligns with the newspaper's legacy of responsible journalism and reinforces its vision for a better future for Mumbai.

Karnani highlighted that the ongoing and upcoming editorial initiatives will uphold this commitment, resonating with all citizens. Following a highly successful editorial campaign advocating for pothole-free roads in Mumbai, current and future campaigns aim to spark impactful conversations on public amenities, services, and the city's quality of life, including issues like air pollution and public transport.

Representatives of The Free Press Journal noted that the new initiative caters to the selective preferences of its readers, thereby fortifying the newspaper's mission to remain at the forefront of influential and accountable journalism in Mumbai.
Some things aren't meant to be shared. Like the crunchy, cheesy KFC Chizza. The fan fav menu item from KFC brings together two things chicken lovers absolutely adore and find very difficult to share with anyone else - crispy chicken and gooey cheese. The iconic Colonel Sanders re-affirms this universal truth in a brand-new campaign film.

Picture this: a bustling KFC restaurant, where two hungry friends are engaged in a hilarious standoff. One is holding the cruncheesy KFC Chizza, while the other is eagerly waiting for his share. Yaar bhai ke saath share nahi karega? is the question hanging in the air. Kaisi baat kar di yaar tune comes the hurt reply as the first friend pulls out his phone. He then proceeds to share the KFC Chizza  through a picture!

The film then seamlessly transitions to the heart of the action  the KFC kitchen, where the OG Celebrity Chef Colonel Sanders is seen working his magic with crispy chicken fillets, delectable pizza sauce, molten cheese, a smattering of onions and mixed peppers, and a drizzle of herb sprinkle. As the cheese bubbles over the saucy and juicy chicken, Colonel says enthusiastically "Sabko dikhane ka. Khud khane ka."

Aparna Bhawal, CMO, KFC India & Partner Countries said, "KFC Chizza is an iconic, cult favourite that the KFC tribe of chicken lovers just can't get enough of. They are constantly waiting for it to come back on the menu. KFC Chizza has the perfect balance of crunch and cheese and thats what makes it so irresistible and hence tough to share with anyone, even your best friends. So, you find innovative ways to get around the sharing, no sharing conundrum. Like sending them a virtual Chizza! We are thrilled to bring back this cruncheesy product on the menu for a limited time. We are already seeing great response from chicken lovers across the country, whether existing Chizza fans or those trying it for the first time.

Ritu Sharda, CCO, North, Ogilvy India said, We bond over food all the time. It's a cultural phenomenon that can be seen all around us, all the time. But hiding in there somewhere, is also a very natural, instinctive feeling we harbour. If the food is just too good, we just don't want to share it.

KFC Chizza is that crazy, cult product. When you have it at the table, you're happy to let people see it, as long as you don't have to share it. And that's the feeling we took a bite out of to come up with our latest KFC Chizza Campaign. "Sabko dikhane ka, khud khaane ka".

The campaign will run on TV and digital platforms, along with a robust 360-degree plan. Order the limited edition KFC Chizza now - visit a nearby KFC restaurant or order online using the all-new convenient KFC App, available on Google Play and the App Store, or through the website (https://online.kfc.co.in/).
Kotak Private Banking has partnered with Vision Foundation of India to provide eye surgeries to visually impaired children and transform their lives, this Diwali. Through a unique initiative, Kotak Private Banking will support eye surgeries for children up to 18 years old in various cities across the country, including Hubli, Sangli, Nashik, Valsad, and Bengaluru. This initiative will enable a brighter future for the lives of young children.

This initiative also covers comprehensive support through initial eye check-ups, addressing various eye conditions, including pediatric cataracts, refractive errors, amblyopia, posterior segment diseases, Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP), and corneal opacities.

Oisharya Das, CEO  Kotak Private Banking, Kotak Mahindra Bank Ltd. said, On behalf of our clients and in alignment with our brand philosophy of Live Your Purpose, we endeavor to do our bit to transform lives of children through our Light of Sight initiative as we celebrate Diwali in a meaningful way. We are delighted to associate with Vision Foundation of India to provide eye surgeries to underprivileged children across the country.

For the past three years, Kotak Private Banking has been trying to make a difference by touching lives in a meaningful way during the festival of lights, Diwali. In 2020, it collaborated with Make-A-Wish foundation, India to fulfill the wishes of children courageously battling cancer. In 2021, the organization extended scholarships to 20 high-achieving students through the Angel Xpress Foundation, supporting their 11th-grade education. In 2022, Kotak Private Banking continued its unwavering dedication by renewing the scholarships for the same 20 students and committing to support an additional 35 new students.
Adgully has been turning the spotlight on the entrepreneurs who fought against all odds to bring their dreams to fruition in our special series  START-UP STARS. We at Adgully wholeheartedly support the Vocal for Local movement and have been featuring numerous local/ homegrown businesses, brands, and Apps in the country.

Deconstruct, founded by Malini Adapureddy, is a skincare brand known for its dedication to consumer education and transparency. Their products feature powerful combinations of active ingredients, addressing multiple skincare concerns, and undergo rigorous research and development before launch. With $2 million seed fund and numerous accolades, Deconstruct has quickly gained recognition in the skincare industry.

RootCos, another venture by Adapureddy, specialises in hair and scalp care. They offer tested formulations with a scalp-first approach, ensuring their products are easy to apply, non-oily, and free from product buildup. RootCos, like Deconstruct, focuses on consumer education and transparency, aiming to provide comprehensive information about products and empower consumers to make informed decisions in the skincare industry.

In conversation with Adgully, Malini Adapureddy, Founder & CEO, Deconstruct & RootCos, speaks about setting up her two ventures, customer acquisition strategy, prioritising transparency and customer trust, establishing a science-based skincare brand for Indian consumers, and much more.

On the companys inspiration and problem-solving objective

The inception of Deconstruct and now RootCos was driven by a combination of personal experiences and business insights. On a personal level, I was dissatisfied with the opaque marketing practices of many skincare brands in the country and their lack of innovative, trustworthy products. This inspired the desire to create a brand that prioritized transparency and customer trust. On a business front, I observed that the Indian skincare market was inundated with natural and Ayurvedic products, often lacking detailed information about their ingredients and compositions. This led to the vision of establishing a science-based skincare brand tailored to address specific skincare issues for Indian consumers. Additionally, over time through our journey and interacting with new age customers, we came to the realization that 90% of our consumers are either using substandard products or don't have access to good products to treat their hair and scalp concerns. That is how RootCos was also born and we intend to achieve the same love for superior & unique formulations for this brand, as we did for Deconstruct over the years.

On overview of products and unique features

Deconstruct: Deconstruct distinguishes itself by promoting an information-based decision-making process, providing customers with valuable knowledge before making a purchase. Our products feature power combinations of active ingredients, enabling each product to address multiple skincare concerns effectively. Unlike many skincare brands, Deconstruct follows a rigorous research and development process that can span up to 18 months before a product is launched.

RootCos: RootCos stands out for its tested formulations, a scalp-first approach, and proven ingredients. Their products are easy to apply, ensuring they have no side effects, aren't oily or greasy, and don't result in product buildup.

On competitive differentiation

Deconstruct and RootCos set themselves apart by prioritizing consumer education and transparency. They place information and knowledge above impulse buying, providing extensive details about ingredients and product formulations. This approach aims to bridge the gap between consumers and the production processes in the skincare industry.

On milestones and growth plans

Deconstruct was launched with a $2 million seed fund from investors such as Kalaari Capital, Binny Bansal and Beenext.

Malini was selected to be a part of Kalaari Capitals flagship program - CXXO (Batch 2022), which is an initiative for women-founder CEOs building an early-stage disruptive technology.

Deconstruct was ranked 12th in the YourStory '500 Challenger Brands' 2022 list and was also featured in Inc42's list of India's 42 Fastest Growing D2C Brands

We also won the Bronze at the Social Samosa SAMMIE Awards 2022 for 'Best Use of Branded Content and Creators and were featured in Femina Power Brands 2023

Additionally, Malini was featured in Social Samosa Superwomen of the Year 2023

On evolution and challenges faced

Our journey has been marked by various challenges. Initially, building a team and establishing credibility were significant hurdles. Overcoming the impact of COVID-19, growing the brand, and finding ways to differentiate in a competitive market were also challenging. However, with a dedicated team, these obstacles were successfully surmounted.

On contributions to the industry and community

We aim to address the gap in the Indian skincare market by providing extensive information about ingredients and scientific methods and to educate consumers empowering them to make informed skin care decisions, contributing to the development of a more knowledgeable consumer base in the beauty and personal care industry.

On problem solving

Deconstruct and RootCos address the problem of consumer confusion in the crowded skincare space by prioritising education and providing detailed information about products. We aspire to guide consumers toward making informed decisions rather than impulsive purchases.

On funding and investors

The company has secured a total of $2.4 million in funding from investors, including Kalaari Capital, Binny Bansal, and BEENEXT.

On target customers and acquisition strategy

The target audience for Deconstruct and RootCos includes individuals aged 25-35 in urban and rural India, with a preference for content consumption in both native languages and English. We acquire customers primarily through online channels, leveraging their strong online presence.

On current challenges

The challenges currently faced by the company include managing inventory reserves, expanding marketing efforts across various channels to increase product awareness, and addressing expertise gaps within the team.

On founding teams background and expertise

The founding team brings a wealth of experience, including an MBA from INSEAD, dual degrees in engineering from IIT Kharagpur, and previous roles at major companies such as Flipkart, Procter & Gamble, and The Kraft Heinz Company.

On growth plans and vision

We envision building a portfolio of brands for the knowledge economy, focusing on providing customers with comprehensive information about products and their ingredients. Growth plans include channel expansion, category extension, global expansion, mass market reach, and significant revenue growth.

On Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

The company measures success through key performance indicators such as total revenue, customer acquisition cost, customer lifetime value, customer retention rate, average order value, website traffic, and social media engagement.
Signify India (earlier known as Philips Lighting) is one of the world leaders in the lighting industry. Signify is often known for their energy efficient lighting products, systems and services which enables its customers to enjoy a superior quality of light, make peoples lives safer and more comfortable, businesses more productive and cities more livable.

With 2020 sales of EUR 6.5 billion, approximately 39,000 employees and a presence in over 70 countries, Signify promises to unlock the extraordinary potential of light for brighter lives and a better world.

In conversation with Adgully, Nikhil Gupta, Head of Marketing, Commercial Operations and CSR, Signify India, speaks at length about Signifys journey, how Signify is leveraging innovation to maintain a competitive edge in the market, aims and strategies for improving profitability in the coming years and more.

Could you elaborate on Signifys journey as it evolves into a technology company while carrying forward the legacy of Philips Lighting?

Signify has always been a technology company. Since 1891 weve been pioneering breakthroughs in lighting and our track record in innovation is strong. We continue to transform ourselves in a transforming industry that has seen multiple waves of transformation, from incandescent to CFLs to LEDs. Were now seeing the latest wave with the shift to LED integrated luminaires and systems, marked by stronger growth in connectivity and data services. The landscape of our industry is also transforming through acquisitions and consolidation and new entrants.

To position ourselves for success, we continue to invest heavily in R&D to stay at the forefront of technological developments. With LEDs being digital, our lights can connect to networks so that they can be controlled remotely and provide information on their performance. Sensors embedded in our luminaires can also acquire data from the environment around them. Data from our lights can link to apps, devices and people, redefining what lighting can do.

In line with the digitalisation of our products, we are also digitalizing our processes and creating connectable offers. For example, we are using the predictive power of Artificial Intelligence for products, systems and services, and digitalising our supply chain. All of this requires operations and workforce skills to evolve drastically and rapidly.

What is Signifys go-to-market strategy, and how does the company leverage innovation to maintain a competitive edge in the market?

Signifys strategy is centered around delivering smart, connected lighting solutions that enhance peoples lives while ensuring cost and energy efficiency. In India, our business is equally split between our consumer and professional lighting business. We have an enviable distribution network that is leveraged to make our products reach end consumers and we also work closely with our professional customers to supply lighting for multiple applications. We also have a significant presence in the home lighting market with more than 250 exclusive branded stores known as Philips Smart Light Hubs across India, that enable customers to get a first-hand experience of our decorative home lighting range.

Innovation is at the core of Signifys competitive advantage. We continuously invest in research and development to drive advancements in lighting technology. Our focus on innovation enables us to introduce cutting-edge products and solutions that set us apart from our competitors. We leverage Internet-based solutions to stay smart and connected, that enable us to analyze data points generated by our in-built technology. This allows us to optimize lighting systems for maximum efficiency and deliver tailored solutions that meet our customers unique needs.

One such product is our Philips Smart WiFi lighting range with WiZ technology, which has gained significant traction in the Indian market due to its advanced features and economical pricing. It enables consumers to experience the benefits of smart lighting without compromising on quality or functionality.

What factors do you believe are driving the increased adoption of innovative and advanced technology-based products and services in the lighting industry?

With the advent of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, lighting solutions have become more intelligent, efficient, and convenient. Some of the factors driving the increased adoption of such products include the increasing demand and awareness about energy efficient solutions, a heightened need for convenience and well-being and an appetite for data analytics and insights about energy usage.

The countrys rapid urbanization and infrastructure development have created a growing demand for LED lighting solutions. The Indian governments focus on promoting energy-efficient lighting solutions through initiatives such as the Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme drove mass scale adoption of LEDs in the country. In the next phase of this growth, the government is eyeing digital technologies that can further enhance energy efficiency across road lighting, public buildings and infrastructure. Buildings consume a huge amount of energy, a substantial part of which is towards lighting. We have noticed that both private and public buildings are now increasingly adopting smart building technologies that enable energy savings through usage of sensors and connected devices. These technologies also provide a large amount of data insights and analytics, that can enable further energy optimisation and efficiency.

In homes, connected lighting offers both convenience and enhanced well-being. As we now spend more time at home, it becomes important to choose lights that are optimal for both work and relaxation. Connected lights can mimic natural lighting to support our bodys circadian rhythm. They are colour tunable and can be adjusted to cool white tones to boost productivity during daytime and warm tones to induce rest and sleep in the evening hours. They can also be controlled remotely from anywhere in the world. This need for convenience, increasing disposable incomes and willingness to allocate more budgets towards interior design have created opportunities for connected home lighting solutions.

In the context of Signifys growth as a technology-focused company, how does the company attract and retain the right talent to drive its innovations and strategies forward?

Signifys growth as a technology-focused company is driven by its ability to attract and retain top talent. We recognize that our success depends on the expertise and dedication of our employees. To attract the right talent, we have implemented several strategies. Firstly, we have established a strong employer brand that highlights Signifys commitment to innovation, sustainability, diversity and equity and creating a brighter and a better world. This is helping us attract individuals who are passionate about making a positive impact in the world.

Secondly, we actively engage with educational institutions and industry forums to identify emerging talent and provide them with opportunities to grow and develop their skills. We offer internships, apprenticeships, and training programs that enable young professionals to gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge lighting technologies.

To retain talent, we foster a culture of continuous learning and development, providing our employees with access to training programs, mentorship opportunities, and career advancement pathways. We encourage a collaborative work environment that values diversity and inclusion, and by creating a supportive and inclusive workplace, we ensure that our employees feel valued and motivated to contribute their best.

What can we expect in Signifys next phase of growth, and what are the company's aims and strategies for improving profitability in the coming years?

Signifys next phase of growth is focused on strengthening its leadership in connected digital lighting and expanding into systems and services. We aim to achieve technology-driven growth on multiple dimensions, with sustainability remaining at the heart of everything we do. We will also seek to address some of the world's pressing challenges such as climate action, food availability, safety and security and health and well-being with our lighting solutions.

We are confident that we will improve profitability because we see a lot of opportunities for improvement in the near future. We are already seeing cost reductions in logistics and components, driven by increased volumes and cooling down of commodity prices.

While the current recessionary environment will have some impact on our top line growth in the short term, we are confident that the steps we are taking will address this challenge and enable us to further accelerate the pace of growth in the future. We will continue investing in R&D, our people and systems to increase our innovation pipeline in the future and maintain our market leadership.
APEC set for leading role in globalized economy: China Daily editorial

Chinadaily.com.cn) 09:09, November 16, 2023

The Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Week in San Francisco from Nov 11-17 has caught worldwide attention. Not only are the APEC members some of the fastest growing and most dynamic economies in the world, but also the Asia-Pacific region is at the center of the global economy, driving both growth and innovation.

A regional economic forum established in 1989 to leverage the growing interdependence of the Asia-Pacific economies, APEC, with 21 members today, has become a leading proponent of economic globalization, free trade and multilateral governance.

It has effectively strengthened macro coordination among economies in the region, accelerating regional economic integration and advancing balanced, inclusive, sustainable, innovative and secure growth.

During the week, delegates will take part in high-level meetings and side events with key stakeholders covering a wide range of topics, including: supply chain resilience; science, research, and innovation; critical and emerging technology; clean energy; high-standard infrastructure; women's economic empowerment; and inclusivity.

The meeting takes place against the backdrop of some developed countries turning to protectionism and unilateralism to help boost their economies, along with the challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic and escalating geopolitical tensions. In this context, this week's discussions under the overarching theme of"creating a resilient and sustainable future for all" are pertinent not only for the region, but for the world as a whole.

Over the past decades, China has closely integrated its own development with regional development, and it is a staunch supporter and active promoter of economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. Through its continual opening-up, the Chinese economy has become closely linked with the other economies in the region and an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future is gradually being formed. In 2022, China's trade with the Asia-Pacific region reached $3.1 trillion, accounting for 36.8 percent of its total foreign trade that year.

At this week's meeting, participants should oppose all forms of protectionism and reaffirm the region's commitment to uphold a free, open and nondiscriminatory multilateral trading system and a regional cooperation framework that fosters interconnected growth and converging interests in the Asia-Pacific.

It is a common wish of people in the region that the leaders of the 21 APEC economies, including the three largest in the world, can take full advantage of the multilateral platform to explore ways to work together to boost the region's post-pandemic recovery. The Asia-Pacific should not be viewed as a theater for zero-sum political games, but rather as a stage that is set for mutual achievement and win-win development.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Xian Jiangnan)
Family members who are fighting to have North Dakota's restriction on gender-affirming health treatment for children declared unconstitutional have suffered an early setback when a court decided not to immediately lift the ban.

On Monday, November 13, the plaintiffs' plea for a temporary restraining order was turned down by District Judge Jackson Lofgren, as reported by ABC News. Also, they have requested a preliminary injunction to halt the law's implementation temporarily until the outcome of their case. In January, there will be a hearing on their petition.

The lead attorney for the three families and pediatrician who filed the lawsuit, Brittany Stewart of Gender Justice, expressed her clients' disappointment with the decision. Still, she remained confident that the court would ultimately rule that lifting the healthcare ban permanently was the only just, equitable, and constitutional resolution.

The almost five-month delay in bringing the case, as well as the plaintiffs' assertion that they belong to a protected class that the North Dakota Supreme Court has not recognized or that requires a novel application of state constitutional principles, were highlighted by Judge Lofgren.

Prohibition on Children's Gender-Affirming Care

Notably, it is illegal for a doctor to conduct gender confirmation surgery on a juvenile and to prescribe or administer hormone therapy or puberty inhibitors to them.

The ban's proponents contend that the risks of some medical procedures and treatments for children are too high to be dangerous. It has been argued that the prohibition would have a negative impact on transgender adolescents since they are at a greater chance of depression, self-harm, and suicide and because no surgeons were offering these procedures in North Dakota prior to the ban.

The Republican governor of North Dakota, Doug Burgum, signed the measure into law in April, but not before lawmakers added a "grandfather clause" protecting children already undergoing therapy. However, Stewart claims that providers are not willing to risk it because of the vagueness of that phrase. The families have been venturing out of state to seek treatment that is more inclusive of their children's gender identities.

Also Read: Texas School Board Reverses Course, Allowing Transgender Student To Sing in Lead Role in Musical

Similar Legislation Across the United States

Nearly a dozen other states with Republican-led legislatures have approved similar restrictions on gender-affirming treatment for children in recent years, spawning multiple challenges that are still being litigated. North Dakota is one of these states.

While legal proceedings are ongoing, courts in Arkansas, Georgia, Indiana, and Montana have blocked the implementation of comparable care prohibitions.

A Florida court has upheld the ban's validity in general but only for individuals who did not contest it.

Although judges temporarily halted enforcement in the three states of Alabama, Kentucky, and Tennessee, federal appeals courts have already ruled that the law may go into effect.

Also Read: Ohio: Students Concerned About School's Transgender Bathroom Policy

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency on November 15 announced that the State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of AIM-9X Block II and Block II+ Sidewinder missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $52.1 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale.

Follow Air Recognition on Google News at this link



Raytheon AIM-9X Sidewinder air-to-air missile (Picture source: Aerocontact)

The Government of the Republic of Korea has requested to buy forty-two (42) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ Tactical Missiles; ten (10) AIM-9X Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); five (5) AIM-9X Block II+ Sidewinder Tactical Guidance Units (GU); and three (3) AIM-9X Sidewinder CATM Guidance Units (GU). Also included are missile containers; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor representatives technical assistance and engineering and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total program cost is $52.1 million.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RMD), Tucson, AZ. Implementation of the proposed sale will require U.S. Government and contractor personnel to visit the ROK on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements, including program and technical reviews, as well as to provide training and maintenance support in the country.

The Raytheon AIM-9X Block II and Block II+ represent a significant improvement over their predecessors in terms of range, maneuverability, and target acquisition capabilities. Equipped with a blast-fragmentation warhead, this missile maximizes damage upon detonation.

For guidance, the AIM-9X Block II relies on an advanced infrared homing seeker (Imaging Infrared or IIR) to track and acquire targets by detecting their heat emissions. Its propulsion system consists of a solid rocket motor that provides the thrust needed for its flight. Notably, it boasts a maximum engagement range of approximately 22 miles (35 km), making it effective in both short-range and beyond-visual-range engagements. Enhanced aerodynamics and thrust vectoring control enable the missile to perform high-G maneuvers, effectively tracking and intercepting agile targets. The missile also features an advanced digital fuze for better target impact accuracy and improved seeker capabilities, making it more resistant to countermeasures.

The AIM-9X Block II+ is an upgraded version of the Block II, featuring improvements in lethality and reliability. It retains the same basic dimensions and characteristics but introduces new capabilities:

 Lock-on After Launch (LOAL): The AIM-9X Block II+ allows for launching before target acquisition, enhancing its flexibility.

 Increased Off-Boresight Capability: It offers an expanded high off-boresight engagement envelope, allowing engagement at wider angles relative to the launching aircraft.

 Improved Counter-Countermeasures: The Block II+ has enhanced resistance to electronic countermeasures and is better suited for tracking and engaging targets in challenging environments.

 Enhanced Target Discrimination: With improved seeker technology, it can better distinguish closely spaced targets and reduce the likelihood of false target acquisition.
Pratt & Whitney, an RTX business, was awarded a long-term TF33 engine sustainment contract valued up to $870 million by the Defense Logistics Agency. The TF33 engine powers a range of aircraft, including Boeing's B-52 Stratofortress and E-3 Sentry.

Follow Air Recognition on Google News at this link



Since its first flight in 1952, the TF33 engine has accumulated more than 72 million flight hours, most while powering the B-52 Stratofortress bomber (Picture source: Pratt & Whitney)

Representatives from the Defense Logistics Agency (DLA), the U.S. Air Force and Pratt & Whitney attended a signing ceremony where Tracy Ruland, contracting officer for DLA Aviation, and Chris Johnson, vice president of Fighter & Mobility Programs for Pratt & Whitney, signed a long-term holistic sustainment solution for TF33 engines powering B-52 and E-3 aircraft.

This agreement is a culmination of the Defense Logistics Agency's decades-long partnership with the 448th Supply Chain Management Wing, Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., and Pratt & Whitney to establish a holistic sustainment solution. This first-of-its-kind approach will reduce obsolescence, supporting the U.S. Air Force's wartime readiness today and into the foreseeable future.

"An engine's sustainment phase is a critical but often underappreciated portion of military readiness," said Jill Albertelli, president of Military Engines at Pratt & Whitney. "The TF33 enterprise is maturing beyond the conventional approach to a more complete, advanced sustainment process that will maximize the TF33's support to many missions across the globe through 2050."

Under this contract, Pratt & Whitney will provide comprehensive engine sustainment services for a global fleet of nearly 1,000 engines over a six-year period, with an option of extending for another four years. Services under this contract include maintenance, spare parts, program management, field service, repairs and engineering support.

Sustainment work will run through April 2034 at Tinker Air Force Base, Okla., additional U.S. Air Force locations, and Pratt & Whitney's Southern Logistics Center located in Atlanta, Ga.

The TF33 is the United States Air Force designation for the Pratt & Whitney JT3 commercial engine which boasts decades of proven performance in both military and civilian service. First flown 60 years ago, more than 1,000 engines are still in service today with the U.S. Air Force and other customers around the world. Since its first flight, the TF33 engine has accumulated more than 72 million flight hours, most while powering the B-52 bomber.

Eight Pratt & Whitney TF33 engines power the U.S. Air Forces B-52 Stratofortress long-range, heavy bomber that is capable of flying at high subsonic speeds at altitudes up to 50,000 feet. It can carry nuclear or precision-guided conventional ordnance with worldwide precision navigation capability. The B-52 can perform strategic attack, close-air support, air interdiction, offensive counter-air and maritime operations. The use of aerial refueling gives the B-52 a range limited only by crew endurance. It has an unrefueled combat range in excess of 8,800 miles.

Pratt & Whitney has exclusively powered the B-52 bomber since its first flight in 1952  more than 65 years ago  and we are committed to providing propulsion solutions that keep the B-52 mission capable in the decades to come.
Landing, the Birmingham-based company that rents apartments with flexible leases, laid off more employees today after previous rounds last year.

Bill Smith, the companys founder and CEO, told AL.com in an email on Wednesday evening that the company laid off nine employees in Birmingham. He declined to share more details.

We laid off a small number of roles today, he said. Some of the roles were temporary employees.

Landing operates a nationwide network of fully-furnished apartments through a membership model, providing access to leases as short as a month in exchange for a $199 annual fee in addition to monthly rent.

In 2021, the companys leadership moved its headquarters from San Francisco to Birmingham, Smiths hometown.

Landing CEO Bill Smith told AL.com that nine Birmingham employees were affected by Wednesday's layoffs. (William Thornton / wthornton@al.com)

Since then, the company has had at least two rounds of layoffs at the end of last year.

In October 2022, Landing announced it was laying off 110 employees nationally, and reshuffling another 70 positions to different locations Then, more layoffs  an undisclosed number  came in December. Its unclear how many of those roles were based in Birmingham.

Landings headquarters is in the John Hand Building downtown, at 17 20th St. N. The company also has two other offices, in San Francisco and Mexico City, Mexico. Smith, who is also the founder of shopping app Shipt, founded Landing in 2019.
Two members of a group of teachers protesting against Chambers Countys school consolidation plan were arrested for disorderly conduct at a school board meeting Wednesday evening.

A live video shared to Facebook shows a 5-minute clip of two Valley police officers preparing to arrest two people wearing Good Trouble shirts near the front row of the Langdale Auditorium in Valley.

AL.com confirmed one of the individuals was Valley High teacher Tytianna Smith. Smith did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but a relative told AL.com she was bonded out Wednesday night.

Chambers County Schools Superintendent Casey Chambley and Valley Police Chief Mike Reynolds did not immediately respond to requests for comment. Reynolds confirmed to the Valley Times-News, however, that protesters were arrested for disorderly conduct for disrupting a lawful meeting.

The board typically meets at the districts central office in LaFayette, but moved to a different jurisdiction because it was recognizing Teacher of the Year nominees and needed a larger space, according to the Times-News.

Smith is a leader of LaFayette Teachers Against Displacement, a group thats been protesting a judges recent decision to allow the board to close and merge two high schools.

As part of a decades-old desegregation order, the district will close majority-Black LaFayette High and majority-white Valley High to build a new, consolidated high school in the Valley community. Smith previously taught at LaFayette High.

The district has already closed several elementary and middle schools across the county, most of which were located in LaFayette.

Were not done fighting for the school to be here, Smith said at a rally outside the school board office in August. Thats equity. Highway 50 is equality. Valley is oppression.

Wednesdays video, posted to LTADs Facebook page, begins with the board discussing personnel decisions. About a minute into the video, Smith takes a seat on the floor. An officer approaches her and asks her to sit in a chair, citing board rules.

Smith attempts to explain her constitutional rights when the officer tells her that hes going to ask her to leave if she doesnt get off the floor. She agrees to sit in the chair, and then says youll hear from my lawyer.

Smith and another LTAD member then take out flyers that show a 1960s mugshot of late Representative John Lewis and say Be Hopeful. Be Optimistic and Get in Good Trouble.

The officer asks them to put their signs away, stating that the board asked for no signs to be brought into the meeting. According to the LaFayette Sun, the district began enforcing a no signage rule in October.

Smith tells him the flyers arent signs; theyre pieces of paper. The officer then tells her that shes disturbing the meeting.

Are we violating the law? another LTAD member asks.

Yes maam, the officer says, stating that they were being disorderly.

The other member told the officer that they were not violating Alabama law, to which the officer disagrees.

So either put the signs away, or he says, before one of the women says or youre going to arrest us?

Yes maam, he said.

Im asking you to leave, he said again, before turning to another officer and asking him to call more officers.

Go and pick up your items and go with these officers, he told the women, then saying to an individual off-screen: These two refused to abide by the rules and so theyre getting charged with disorderly conduct.

Smith said she was again confused about the rules.

Youre being disorderly. Ive asked you to leave. You refused to leave. Youre being placed under arrest for disorderly conduct. Gather your equipment  the officer says, before the video ends.

This is a developing story.
U.S. News and World Report is out with its ranking of the best elementary schools and middle schools in Alabama.

This years rankings were determined by the proficiency of students in mathematics and reading based on state assessments scores and how well students from different socioeconomic backgrounds performed. The list also took into account the ratio between students and teachers if there was a tie between equally proficient scores.

The report did not list schools nationally as it does with high schools, and instead created rankings at the state and district levels, as well as state rankings specific to charter and magnet schools.

The 2024 Best Elementary and Middle Schools rankings offer a way for parents to get a snapshot of their childs school and how well its doing within its community, said LaMont Jones, managing editor for education at U.S. News. Easily accessible data on student-teacher ratio, district spending, and the number of school counselors available at the school can keep parents informed and involved.

In Alabama, Crestline Elementary School in Mountain Brook was named the best elementary school in the state, while Pizitz Middle School in Vestavia Hills was named the best middle school.

Notably, Crestline has the second lowest poverty rate of any school in the state at 2%, while Pizitz has the 16th lowest rate at 16%, according to 2023-2024 school-level poverty data from the Alabama State Department of Education. High proficiency levels are typically correlated with low student poverty levels, and these rankings reflect that with few exceptions.

Here are the top-ranked 10 elementary schools in Alabama:

Crestline Elementary School - Mountain Brook City Eichold-Mertz School of Math and Science - Mobile County Mt Laurel Elementary School - Shelby County Forest Avenue Elementary School - Montgomery County Cherokee Bend Elementary School - Mountain Brook City East Elementary - Vestavia Hills City Barkley Bridge Elementary School - Hartselle City Saraland Elementary School - Saraland City Cahaba Elementary School - Trussville City Brookwood Forest Elementary School - Mountain Brook City

Here are the top-ranked 10 middle schools statewide:

Pizitz Middle School - Vestavia Hills City Liberty Park Middle School - Vestavia Hills City Fairhope Middle School - Baldwin County Homewood Middle School - Homewood City Oak Mountain Intermediate School - Shelby County George W Long High School (Grades 7-12) - Dale County Phillips Preparatory Middle School - Mobile County Liberty Middle School - Madison City Mountain Brook Junior High School - Mountain Brook City Jefferson County International Baccalaureate School - Jefferson County

See AL.coms analysis of how proficient students in different school districts are on science, math and reading here.

Among Alabamas charter schools, University Charter School in Livingston was ranked as the states best elementary charter school followed by Davis Elementary School in Montgomery and Legacy Prep in Birmingham. University Charter was also ranked 74 overall in the list of best Alabama middle schools.

The top magnet middle schools were Phillips Preparatory Middle School in Mobile followed by Baldwin Art and Academics Magnet in Montgomery and Tuscaloosa Magnet Middle in Tuscaloosa City. The top magnet elementary schools were Eichold-Mertz School of Math and Science in Mobile, followed by Forest Avenue Elementary in Montgomery and Tuscaloosa Magnet Elementary in Tuscaloosa City.

The rankings include more than 79,000 public elementary and middle schools across the country. See all rankings here.
Ever wondered what Calpurnia was thinking and feeling, during the events that took place in To Kill a Mockingbird? The Finch family housekeeper is an important figure in Harper Lees novel, but shes not outspoken on matters of race and social justice, and we certainly never see her take Atticus Finch to task.

Aaron Sorkin, a playwright and screenwriter, gives Calpurina a much stronger voice in his theater adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, now touring the country after a successful Broadway run. Its a major change to Lees storyline, and this new, tell-it-like-it-is Calpurnia has been hailed by actors and theatergoers alike for her blunt honesty.

Jacqueline Williams, a Chicago-based actress with a long list of credits in theater, TV and film, is in Birmingham this week, portraying Calpurnia on the Mockingbird tour. Shes part of a cast that includes Richard Thomas as the upright lawyer Atticus Finch, and Birmingham native Mary Badham as the Finches mean-spirited neighbor, Mrs. DuBose. The show opened here on Tuesday at the BJCC Concert Hall, and will run through Sunday, Nov. 19.

READ: Richard Thomas on To Kill a Mockingbird tour: To do it in the South is absolutely thrilling

Williams shared her thoughts on Sorkins play, and the pivotal role of Calpurnia, during a phone interview with AL.com. Here are some excerpts from that conversation, lightly edited for length and clarity.

When you were asked to play Calpurnia in Aaron Sorkins adaptation of To Kill a Mockingbird, what was your reaction?

Jacqueline Williams: It was a no-brainer. I was absolutely, positively 500 percent interested. Im a lifelong fan of the book and the film. Theyve both been favorites of mine for most of my life, and I just never imagined this kind of live theater event treatment done on the story. So yes, I was very excited, right from the jump.

Calpurnia is a force to be reckoned with in Sorkins play, and she has a chance to speak her mind, especially in her conversations with Atticus, where the go two go toe-to-toe. What are your thoughts on that?

How does it feel playing such an iconic character in literature and film?

I never thought about it that way, because iconic is not anything one can play. It really isnt. So none of that ever, ever popped into my head at all. My main thing was (Calpurnia) connecting to Atticus, our relationship is really the central relationship, and foundation of this live event. So my whole thing was finding my relationship with Atticus. I was a lifelong fan of Mr. (Gregory) Pecks, but my Atticus is Richard Thomas, so thats the relationship I had to form, that I had to find and build. Of course, we hit it off right away and it was no work at all. And to find my relationships with Scout and Jem.

Melanie Moore as Scout Finch, left and Jacqueline Williams as Calpurnia in the national tour of "To Kill a Mockingbird." (Courtesy photo/Julieta Cervantes)

Does Sorkins play give us new talking points for Mockingbird, new things to consider and discuss?

The relationship between Calpurnia and Atticus will be new and fun and fulfilling (for audiences). But in terms of the other characters, I wouldnt say so much. And thats part of the reason were still out here, because this story is still needed and we have made very little progress and we still have a lot of work to do. These characters, whats happening, the events that are taking place, the injustices that are taking place, are not from an era long ago. They are still right now. And thats why this story is still quite relevant.

Does it have any special meaning or resonance for you to perform To Kill a Mockingbird in Alabama?

It does, absolutely. A lot of history there in Alabama, particularly in Birmingham, good history and bad history. I still think about a lot of it quite often, and its not forgotten. Its still felt.

Any thoughts on having Mary Badham, the original Scout in the 1962 movie version of Mockingbird, as part of the cast, playing Mrs. DuBose?

The analogy that Richard (Thomas) came up with is perfect, and really how we feel: In a way, shes sort of our good luck charm that we have in tow on this tour. Its a really wonderfully beautiful thing to have her with us, and definitely full circle for her. Its pretty special.

READ: To Kill a Mockingbird star on Atticus Finch, book bans and her Alabama hometown

Theatergoers have said that Aaron Sorkins writing style is evident in the script, and audience members who know his work will be reminded of it while seeing Mockingbird. Do you agree?

He has not abandoned Miss Harper Lees story or the feel, temperature of the storytelling, but he is just that brilliant that he was able to do this adaptation and absolutely still honor her story and her voice. Its truly a brilliant gift. You will hear and feel both. Theres a certain kind of rhythm, tempo, to a lot of his stuff, but it works well, because theres a certain rhythm and tempo and musicality to Southern dialect anyway. Its really quite a beautiful marriage.

Its still the same story. Its not quite laid out the same way in Aaron Sorkins adaptation, and I think thats exciting for an audience. Its this story they know but its not always unfolding in a linear way.

Its a serious play, but theres humor, too, correct?

People who come are surprised by how much laughter there is. There truly is a lot of laughter, a lot of joy, and still a lot of nostalgia, and wonder, and discovery. And there is pain, and there are tears. But theres also hope. Its really a beautiful full evening at the theater.

When people come up to you after the show, is there one thing they always say to you? One comment you always get from audience members?

Mainly that they have been really enjoying the character of Calpurnia. Calpurnia has a lot of zingers that Mr. Sorkin has so greatly placed in her path, so often there is some comment about her wit and her timing, and all that kind of thing.

Melanie Moore, left, as Scout Finch and Jacqueline Williams as Calpurnia in the national tour of "To Kill a Mockingbird." Photo by Julieta Cervantes(Courtesy photo/Julieta Cervantes)

Whats the thing youd like audiences to leave with after they see the show? What would you like them to be thinking about?

The main thing I hope audiences leave with is conversation  if not only with each other, with themselves. And reflect on what have they done in their past to make things better. What can they do moving forward to make things better? That is my greatest hope, because if we can get to some place of just having some common respect and understanding  or an attempt at understanding each other  that will take us a long, long way to progress. That will take us quite far.

Are we making progress in the theater with strong, important roles for Black women to play?

We are trying. I must say, as one who often plays those roles, its not for a lack of those roles always existing, its getting them produced. But there has been progress. Not enough, but there has been progress for sure.

IF YOU GO: The national Broadway tour of To Kill a Mockingbird comes to Birmingham on Nov. 14-19 at the BJCC Concert Hall. Eight performances are planned that week, Tuesday through Sunday. Prices range from $34-$129, plus service charges, via Ticketmaster. The series is presented by American Theatre Guild at the 3,000-seat concert hall, which is part of the Birmingham-Jefferson Convention Complex downtown. The concert hall is off 11th Avenue North, between 19th and 22nd streets North.

In 2024, To Kill a Mockingbird will stop in Auburn at the Gogue Performing Arts Center (Feb. 13-14) and in Huntsville at the Von Braun Center Concert Hall (Feb. 16-18).
Alabama will have a chance of seeing a few severe storms early next week, according to forecasters.

It is the first time Alabama has had the possibility of severe weather in the forecast for quite a while. And Alabama has entered what is known as its secondary severe weather season.

According to data from the National Weather Service, November is the third most active month for tornadoes statewide. No. 1 on the list is the month of April, and No. 2 is March.

Alabama has has more tornadoes in April than any other month, but November is actually the third most active month for twisters.NWS

NOAAs Storm Prediction Center has outlined an area in western and central Alabama to watch for the potential for severe weather next Monday (see the map at the top of this post).

The National Weather Service said a strong storm system is expected to move from southwest to northeast across Alabama from Monday night into Tuesday morning. Some of the storms it brings along with it could be strong to severe.

The weather service said damaging wind gusts up to 60 mph will be possible, along with hail and isolated tornadoes.

However, the system could also bring some much-needed rainfall to Alabama, which is in the midst of its worst drought since 2016.

The seven-day rainfall outlook from NOAAs Weather Prediction Center shows Alabama could get an inch or more of rain over the next week, which will not get rid of the drought but could help it from getting any worse.

Here is the rainfall outlook for the next seven days.Weather Prediction Center

The weather service said drier and cooler conditions are expected after Tuesday.
Alabama schools continued paddling students during the 2020-21 school year, though in much fewer numbers than previous years, according to new data from the U.S. Department of Education.

In that year, the most recent year for which data is available, 2,312 Alabama public school students were paddled 2,649 times, meaning some students were paddled more than once. Thats down from the 2017-18 school year, when 9,116 students were paddled 10,870 times.

The drop in total number, according to senior education department officials, is likely in part due to remote learning that year. Many schools that reported zero incidents still have policies on the books that allow corporal punishment.

Alabama allows local boards of education to decide whether to allow the use of corporal punishment, which typically involves hitting part of a students body with a paddle.

In a call with reporters Wednesday, senior education department officials cautioned against comparing the 2020-21 school year data with previous years data.

Which schools still paddle students in Alabama?

Nearly all of the schools that paddled students during the 2020-21 school year are located in rural areas of the state. Greenville Middle School in Butler County paddled students the most, clocking 125 incidents among 126 students, according to the data.

Some schools that reported hundreds of paddling incidents in 2017-18 reported zero during the 2020-21 school year. Many schools that reported zero incidents, including schools in Lawrence County, Choctaw County and Selma City, have policies that still allow corporal punishment.

A full list of schools that reported one or more paddling incidents during the 2020-21 school year is at the end of this article.

Who gets paddled the most?

As for who gets paddled the most in Alabama, that hasnt changed. Boys of all races are more likely to be paddled than girls. The rates of paddling dropped significantly from the 2017-18 school year, but as education officials cautioned, AL.com is avoiding direct comparisons of the data.

Among boys, American Indian and Native Alaskan boys are paddled at the highest rates relative to their percentage of the student population, followed by white boys and Black boys.

Among girls, American Indian and Native Alaskan girls are paddled at the highest rates, followed by Black girls and white girls.

Students with disabilities also were overrepresented. Students with disabilities comprised 13% of all public school students in 2020-21 but accounted for 17% of all students who were paddled.

The chart below shows the number of students in each group that were paddled during the 2020-21 school year along with enrollment.

The percentage of Alabama students in public schools who received corporal punishment during the 2020-21 school year. Trisha Powell Crain / AL.comTrisha Powell Crain / AL.com

How Alabama compares to other states

The majority of U.S. states prohibit the use of corporal punishment, but it is still allowed in all Southeast and many Midwest states.

Among the 16 states that reported using corporal punishment during the 2020-21 school year, Alabama paddled the third-highest number of students behind Texas and Arkansas. Thats up from fourth-highest among states in the 2017-18 school year.

The map below shows the number of instances of corporal punishment during the 2020-21 school year. Click here if you are unable to see the map.

During the call Wednesday, U.S. Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said his department has called for an end to corporal punishment. In March he issued a Dear Colleague letter urging state leaders to move swiftly toward condemning and eliminating it.

In the March letter, which noted academic research backing up the claim that corporal punishment causes harm to students, Cardona wrote:

[Corporal punishment] is also associated with higher rates of mental health issues, including mood, anxiety, and other personality disorders, drug and alcohol use disorders, higher rates of aggression, antisocial behavior, and other externalizing problems, and lower cognitive ability relating to verbal capacity, brain development, and academic achievement.

A movement to end paddling in Alabama schools gained steam in 2016, when the Obama administration urged schools to stop using it. Alabamas superintendent at the time, Michael Sentance, said it was time to acknowledge that no research supported the use of corporal punishment to improve achievement. Then the Alabama Education Association moved to ban corporal punishment during its Delegate Assembly.

A year later, the Alabama Association of School Boards moved to adopt a position statement to encourage local authorities to discourage or end corporal punishment.

The table below shows the number of times corporal punishment was administered during the 2020-21 and the 2017-18 school years. Direct comparisons between years shouldnt be made because the 2020-21 school year was affected by the pandemic.

Click here if you cannot see the table.
A new poll revealed that almost 50% of Russians want Russian President Vladimir Putin to end the Ukraine invasion.

Experts who conducted the survey claimed that these Russian citizens possibly outnumber those who support Russia's attacks in Ukraine.

The Russian Field company was the one that conducted the poll; calling thousands of Russians between Oct. 21 and Oct. 29. Here's what their latest survey revealed.

[POLL] Almost 50% of Russians Want Putin to Stop Ukraine Invasion

According to The Straits Times' latest report, the Russian Field talked to 1,611 Russians via telephone.

Based on the survey's findings, around 48% of respondents said that the Russian government should send the war to Ukraine and negotiate a peace deal.

On the other hand, roughly 39% of surveyees said that they support Vladimir Putin in pressing on with the invasion of the European country.

The Russian Field's survey also showed that three-quarters of Russian participants said they would definitely support Putin if he signs a peace accord anytime this 2023. This is higher compared to the record in September 2022.

Aside from Russians wanting to end the Russia-Ukraine war, the new poll also showed that concerns about future drafting are on the rise; over 58% said that they will oppose Russia conducting a second mobilization.

Although the survey's findings that Russians who want to end the war are higher than those who support the invasion, experts said that Vladimir Putin is unlikely to listen to their pleas.

This is because the Russian ruler has shown no interest in ending the war ever since it began in February 2022. Vladimir instead wants to further push Ukrainian troops in order to take their land, despite the Russian military suffering from huge casualties.

Read Also: Russia Recruiting Wagner Veterans to Fight Ukraine-Allegedly Offering New Contracts

More Russians Want to End War Based on Other Surveys

Aside from the poll conducted by the Russian Field Company, Newsweek recently reported that another poll was published by Russia's Levada Center; an independent research organization.

Based on this recent survey, around 70% of Russians are urging Vladimir Putin to end the invasion of Ukraine.

However, this number decreased to 34% if ending the war means that Russia has to return territories it has occupied and annexed since the invasion began.

This just shows that many Russians who want to end the war also want the acquired territories to remain under the country's rule.

Related Article: Russia Allegedly Sending Ukrainian POWs to Front Lines Against Ukraine's Troops-Forcefully or By Choice?

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An Alabama man charged earlier this year with felony aggravated stalking of Clearwater City Council member Mark Bunker accepted a plea agreement with Pinellas-Pasco State Attorneys Office for a lesser charge that includes no jail time.

Ricky James Myers, 58, pleaded guilty on Nov. 2 to misdemeanor disorderly conduct and was ordered to pay $1,479 in restitution to the Pinellas County Sheriffs Office to cover his extradition from Alabama for his arrest. He also faces $500 in fines and costs.

Myers was booked into the Pinellas County Jail on April 30 on the felony stalking charge and released the same day on bond. In the plea agreement, he was sentenced to time served.

The state attorneys office did not respond to a request for comment.

The case stemmed from a series of phone calls and Facebook messages Bunker received in October 2022, including threats to kill him and cut off his head.

In one voicemail left for Bunker, a male with a heavy southern accent stated he would mess up Bunkers face and called him a stupid, fat son of a b----, according to a Clearwater Police Department affidavit. In a second voicemail two minutes later, the same person stated I will kill you and threatened to cut off Bunkers head, according to the affidavit.

Three days later, Bunker received Facebook messages from a user named Ricky Myers.

The sender told Bunker, U didnt realize who you were dealing with, and Im getting even, watch and learn. Through a subpoena to Facebook, police matched the senders email address, phone number and Internet Protocol address to Myers.

At the request of Clearwater police, the Dekalb County Sheriffs Office interviewed Myers in Alabama in November 2022. According to the affidavit, Myers gave an investigator permission to look in his phone, and the investigator found calls to Bunker in the call log.

Myers could not be reached for comment. His public defender did not return a request for comment.

Bunker said he told the state attorneys office that he was comfortable with the plea agreement. He said it was a little scary to receive the threats, which is why he reported them to police. But the ordeal was more confusing because he had no connection to Myers. Bunker said the threats also have no apparent relation to his work as a longtime critic of the Church of Scientology.

I wish I knew what had motivated him to make these threats to begin with, Bunker said. Im just curious about that, but Im sure what hes gone through in dealing with this is most likely punishment enough, and I dont want to make his life more difficult.

2023 Tampa Bay Times. Visit tampabay.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Alabama executed Casey A. McWhorter by lethal injection Thursday night, imposing the death penalty for killing and robbing Edward Lee Williams in Marshall County in 1993.

The execution of McWhorter appeared to proceed according to the states protocol. The curtain giving reporters a view opened at 6:30 and was drawn closed at 6:47.

McWhorter was strapped to a gurney with his legs bound together by a confining fabric, and his bare arms extended to either side and strapped down. He appeared calm, looking at the ceiling and rubbing his curled fingers against his thumbs as the proceedings began.

Asked if he wished to say anything, he began by saying I would like to say I love my mother and my family. To the victims family, he said he was sorry and he hoped they had found peace.

He then added, Its not lost on me that a habitual abuser of women is carrying out this procedure. A prison spokesperson had no comment on the remark.

He kept his eyes mostly closed after that, adjusting his position slightly and continuing to rub his fingers. His spiritual advisor, the Rev. Jeffery Hood, spoke to him and touched his feet as he finished at 6:35, and McWhorter nodded in response.

From there, he seemed to settle gradually into unconsciousness. At 6:38 a guard tested his responses, speaking to him loudly, touching his head and then pinching his arm. McWhorters only responses were minimal movements. At 6:39 his breathing became more visible, then faded. By 6:40 he had become completely still and the color had begun to fade from his face.

McWhorter had been completely still for at least seven minutes when the curtain was drawn at 6:47, ending reporters view of the process. The official time of death was announced as 6:56 p.m.

Afterward, ADOC Commissioner John Hamm read a statement from April Williams, daughter of Edward Lee Williams Sr. The victims brother, Gilbert Williams, also spoke briefly, calling McWhorter a murderous dog.

April Williams statement said that she was only 16 at the time of her fathers murder and that he was only 33. She described the lifelong grief of being deprived of every influence and milestone her father should have been there for, and said the trauma of his violent death stayed with her in adulthood. He would now have been nearing retirement.

She said that McWhorter had had several hours in that house to change his mind from taking the life of my dad from me and the family around me. And she did not believe McWhorter had truly repented, she said: Casey McWhorter has had 30 years just to say that he was sorry to me and my dads family. Theres been no show of remorse from him even seeing him on the stand at court hearings.

Gilbert Williams began by thanking the state and Gov. Kay Ivey for making sure this had happened. It had taken 30 years for justice to be served, he said.

Its kind of unfortunate we had to wait so long for justice to be served, but its been served, he said. And although this man killed my brother in a most vicious, violent and heinous way, he died in his sleep not more than an hour ago, [a] peaceful death to a murderous dog.

Where some executions in recent years have been marked by difficulties finding viable veins for the IVs used in the process, Hamm said McWhorter received one stick in each arm.

McWhorter, 49, had been on Alabama Death Row since 1994, when a Marshall County jury convicted him of capital murder.

The execution was carried out at Holman Correctional Facility in Atmore. McWhorter is the second inmate put to death by Alabama this year. James Barber was executed by lethal injection in July.

On Thursday afternoon, the U.S. Supreme Court denied the requests by McWhorters lawyers for a stay of his execution and to review the case, requests they had made twice since Nov. 1.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall filed briefs with the Supreme Court opposing those requests.

The court did not release any opinions or breakdown on how the justices voted.

Marshall said McWhorters execution was overdue.

Justice is the value we place on the life that was wronged, Marshall said. I regret that Mr. Williamss family had to wait for over three decades for this finality. Most of us will never understand the agony that families like the Williams faced, waiting to see if the justice system really is just.

As you might expect, the usual suspects are claiming that this just punishment is cruel and atrocious. I find it contemptible that so-called advocates have neglected to mention the details of Mr. Williamss murder and the agony that his family has suffered since that terrible day. Edward Williams was shot 11 times, and as he lay on the ground fighting for his life, this murderer shot him in the head to ensure he was dead. In my book, that is cruel and atrocious.

I ask the people of Alabama to join me in praying for Edwards family and friends, and that they might at last find peace and closure.

In a statement Thursday night, Gov. Kay Ivey said after the Supreme Court legally cleared the way for the execution, she told ADOC Commissioner Hamm that she would not exercise her clemency powers.

Edward Lee Williams life was taken away from him at the hands of Casey A. McWhorter, and tonight, Mr. McWhorter answered for his actions, the governor said. In February 1993 in Marshall County, Mr. McWhorter joined two others in ambushing and shooting to death Mr. Williams. After Mr. Williams was struck at least 11 times with .22 caliber rifles, each with makeshift silencers, Mr. McWhorter fired at least one round into Mr. Williams head to assure his death.

Despite the fact that Mr. McWhorter managed to delay his date with justice for over three decades, his guilt of Mr. Williams premeditated robbery and murder was never in question. In Alabama, we uphold the rule of law and hold accountable those who take the lives of others. Casey McWhorter has finally paid for his heinous crime.

Prior to the beginning of the execution, the ADOC released some information about Casey McWhorters activities over the previous 24 hours.

On Wednesday, McWhorter refused breakfast, according to an account of his activities provided by ADOC. He spoke by phone with spiritual advisor Jeffery Hood and several friends, and tried to call two other people who did not answer. He was visited by Hood; his stepfather, Marshall Bearden; his mother, Carolyn Rowland; a sister, Kiersten Ferguson; and two friends. He received a lunch tray.

On Thursday, according to ADOC, He was visited by Hood, his stepfather and his mother. He spoke by phone with attorney Ben Rosenburg and two friends.

He refused breakfast and his lunch tray but was observed drinking a peach soda. For his final meal, he had Turtles candy.

McWhorter, who was 18 at the time of the crime, was one of three teens from Albertville charged with capital murder in the case. The victims son, Edward Lee Williams Jr., who was 14 at the time, and Steven Daniel Miner, who was 16, pleaded guilty to a lesser offense of murder and were sentenced to life with the possibility of parole. Williams and Miner remain in prison.

Read more: Casey McWhorter, Alabama death row inmate facing execution: I didnt think one mistake could put you here

The trial courts sentencing order for McWhorter described the crime.

McWhorter and the two other teens conspired to rob and kill Williams, the order says, discussing their plan for several weeks. On Feb. 18, 1993, a fourth person dropped McWhorter and Miner off a few blocks from Williams home at about 3 p.m. The fourth person and Williams son then drove around in anticipation of a rendezvous later.

McWhorter and Miner walked to Williams house, which was unlocked. They knew Williams was not expected home for several hours.

McWhorter and Miner made silencers for two .22 rifles that were in the home. They made one from a plastic jug filled with napkins and duct-taped to the rifle. They used duct tape and electrical wire to wrap a pillow around the second rifle. They test-fired the rifles into a mattress.

When Williams came home, he tried to take the rifle from Miner. During the struggle, McWhorter shot Williams, the first of 11 shots to strike the victim. After Williams was on the floor, McWhorter fired at least one shot into his head. Williams was 33.

McWhorter and Miner stole Williams wallet and other items from the home and left in Williams truck. They met Williams son and the fourth person at a pre-arranged spot. They took Williams truck into the woods, stripped it for parts, and divided up the stolen goods.

McWhorter was tried in Marshall County in March 1994. After a five-day trial and one day of deliberations, the jury returned the guilty verdict. The jury voted 10-2 to recommend the death penalty. Circuit Judge Bill Gullahorn sentenced McWhorter to death.

McWhorter has lost appeals in state and federal courts.

On August 9, Attorney General Marshall asked the Alabama Supreme Court to authorize the state to carry out McWhorters death sentence. The court granted that request on Oct. 13.

On Oct. 18, Gov. Ivey announced the 30-hour time frame for the execution.

McWhorters attorneys filed their first request for a stay with the U.S. Supreme Court on Nov. 1. They raised the issue of McWhorters age at the time of the crime, 18, and noted that 18-year-olds are minors under Alabama law and cannot serve on juries.

Alabamas treatment of 18-year-olds is not just arbitrary but unconstitutional, McWhorters attorneys wrote in their request for a stay. If 18-year-olds are competent to be tried as adults and subject to capital punishment, there is no rational reason for them to be excluded from state jury service. By systematically excluding 18-year-olds from jury venires, Alabama deprives criminal defendants of their right under the U.S. Constitution to a jury drawn from a fair cross-section of the community. Alabama also deprives 18-year-olds of their right to serve on juries. But if 18-year-olds are juveniles, as Alabama law has deemed, then they should not eligible for the death penalty for crimes committed as juveniles.

Marshall, in his response, told the U.S. Supreme Court that there is no constitutional right protecting 18-year-olds from capital punishment, even in states where the minimum age for jury service is 19. Marshall also said McWhorter was raising the issue too late and that it should have been brought up at the time of McWhorters trial.

A 2005 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court prohibits the death sentence for people who were under 18 at the time of their crimes. McWhorter was three months past his 18th birthday at the time he killed Williams, according to his request for a stay.

In a second request for a stay on Nov. 14, McWhorters lawyers claimed the state failed to give what they said was a required 30-day notice for McWhorters execution date. Ivey announced the execution time frame on Oct. 18, 29 days in advance. McWhorters lawyers claimed failure to provide the 30-day notice violated McWhorters due process and equal protection rights.

Marshall, in his opposition to McWhorters request for a stay, said Alabama law does not require a 30-day notice of an execution date. Marshall said the requirement is at least a 30-day period between the state Supreme Court issuing the execution warrant and the execution date. In this case, that period was more than 30 days because the state Supreme Court issued the execution warrant on Oct. 13.

Thursday nights execution came one year after a series of problems with lethal injections caused Ivey to call for a hold on executions in Alabama to review the process.

The moratorium came after the prolonged execution in July 2022 of Joe Nathan James Jr., followed by the failed attempts to execute Alan Eugene Miller in September and Kenneth Eugene Smith in November. The execution of James started three hours late because of difficulty starting the IV lines. The ADOC called off the executions of Miller and Smith after 11 p.m. because of concerns they would not be finished when the execution warrants expired at midnight.

The moratorium ended in February. One change that resulted from the pause was a new rule by the Alabama Supreme Court allowing the governor to set a time frame for an execution rather than limiting the death warrant to a single date. Under that rule, Ivey has scheduled the 30-hour timeframes, meaning that the state no longer faces a midnight deadline for completing an execution.

The execution of James Barber in July, the first one to follow the moratorium, was not delayed by problems connecting the IV lines. Alabama Department of Corrections Commissioner John Hamm said after the execution that the execution team needed three sticks of Barber to secure two IV lines within six minutes. Barber had IV lines in each hand.

Alabama plans to try a new execution method next year, one never used by any state. The state is scheduled to execute Kenneth Eugene Smith by nitrogen hypoxia in January.

The Legislature authorized nitrogen hypoxia in 2018 as an alternative to lethal injection. The state released almost no information about how it would work until a redacted protocol that was attached to the request to the state Supreme Court to issued the execution warrant for Smith.

Read more: Death with a gas mask: Court ruling moves Alabama closer to using untried execution method
One of Auburns unofficial mascots, Tiger Jake, is missing, and his owner is asking for help.

Jake, a mainstay at SEC Media Days and home games, has been missing since Nov. 10. He got out of a screened porch at his home in Pelham, according to owner John Ronald Sanford.

Jake is a small white Maltese with dyed orange ears and tail. He has a tag and collar on him and he is known to be very friendly, Sanford said.

Sanford has offered a $1,000 reward for Jakes safe return.

He has always come right back when he has gotten out but no one has seen him and we have been looking around all the areas here, Sanford said Nov. 16. I will not give up on this and I will hope I get him back soon.

Sanford said anyone who finds the dog can call Altadena Valley Animal Clinic or contact him directly at (205) 492-6956.
Black residents of a fast-growing city in north Alabama say they are suffering from years of neglect with no street lights, flooding problems that cause mold growth, and sewer problems in their older neighborhood.

Army veteran Bobby Sledge, 72, joined other residents in calling the City of Athens to rescue their community as they addressed the city council meeting on Monday.

Sledge this week told AL.com that he had to replace the floor of his house in Athens in October following flood damage. Sledges house is on Strain Road, where he said mold was growing in the house built in 1965.

Weve always had a problem with it, so recently, we just took all the floor joists and things out because they were full of mold and stuff, Sledge said. And it comes from the water; so many problems with the flooding and the mold.

Sledge said prevailing problems in the predominantly Black neighborhood in Athens dissuaded him from building a house there and that his sister left her home in the area because mold got so bad in it because of flooding.

Sledge joined other residents in complaining that two sewer lines had passed through the area, but the city has not allowed anyone to connect to them.

Another resident, Willie Hardy, told the city council that he has sewage problems and that the water in his house produces a foul odor. Hardy lives in a house built in 1965. He also said has repeatedly run into deer because of the lack of street lights in the area.

But my main concern is water that you drink in the house; it stinks, Hardy said. Its just a bad smell. So we had to buy water to cook with.

Residents complained to the Limestone County chapter of NAACP and the organization then got involved in April of last year. Monday marked a new effort to gain attention after the chapter first organized residents to attend a council meeting in June 2022.

A spokesperson for the city said in an email to AL.com that the city began conducting surveys in the neighborhood last month.

The City of Athens has been conducting door-to-door surveys with residents, starting with the west side of Strain Road, the emailed statement said. That next step is to conduct door-to-door surveys on the east side of Strain Road and to make contact with a couple of residents on the west side who were missed during past visits. Some issues noted during the surveys, the City has already started addressing, such as a public nuisance on Luke Street.

Once all the surveys are complete, the City of Athens will proceed with addressing public improvement needs.

Sharon Wilson brought her 74-year-old mother Betty in a wheelchair to the Monday council meeting. They live on Luke Street in a house built in 1992. Wilsons mother, Betty Edwards, goes for dialysis thrice a week.

Wilson said the water she gets in her house stinks and that affects the smell of laundry

And every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, when I get my mom up, I make sure I smell her shoes and clothes, she told the media at a press conference that Limestone County NAACP organized Monday evening after the city council meeting. Ive been washing them, but I double-check and smell them to make sure that they dont stink.

She wondered why the City had not responded to calls for help. They dont try to help you with anything, she said.

Wilson told the city council that she was concerned about the effect of the mold on her mothers health. I am worried about my mother, wondering if this black mold is going to kill my mother and its going to be the city that caused my mothers death, she said.

Diane Steele, a spokesperson for Limestone County NAACP, wrote in a statement she provided to the media on Monday that the concerns go back years.

For years on different occasions, residents individually have complained by contacting the City of Athens about public services, in particular, sewer services, said Steele.

She said, earlier in 2022, the city rejected some residents requests to tap into the sewer system running through their Luke Street neighborhood.

Residents repeatedly try to get the city to include their Black community, yet the city is unresponsive, Steele said. In fact, the city has installed sewer lines through this neighborhood to bring water and sewer services to newly constructed housing.

In addition, other served communities in proximity to these residents have had public sewer services for many, many years, as have most if not all city residents.

Steele accused the City of not repairing the private property damage following the sewer line installation in Luke Street that residents cannot tap into. The construction ended in 2022, she said.

There is failure to address hazardous and noxious conditions, and failure to respond to residents complaints; together with the disrespect of different treatment compared to other, better-served communities, the statement added.

Athens Mayor William Ronnie Marks is recovering from surgery after returning home Monday and could not attend the city council meeting, said District 4 Councilwoman Dana Henry during the meeting.

The Limestone NAACP is demanding that the City develop a drainage and sewage system plan for the area by January 2024, a representative, Ollie Turner, said while addressing the press after the Monday meeting.

He called on city leaders to respect all Athenians, not just those associated with the new developments and new growth, but we need them to remember their old developments still need city services as well.

Athens was the third fastest-growing city among Alabama cities with population of at least 10,000 in 2022. Athens added 1,500 residents between 2021 and 2022, after adding only 3,500 people the previous ten years. The citys population is now over 28,000.

Turner said he welcomes the growth but said the Limestone County chapter of the NAACP believes the city needs an equity specialist.

And this is to help our city to enforce equity throughout the city of Athens, he said. The Limestone County NAACP will want to help with recommendations and interview processes. We need this. We need to be a part of the system that is running our community.
What started as a high school students Eagle Scout project to provide habitats for fish and improve water quality on the Gulf Coast has expanded exponentially with the help of a city, a university and an environmental group.

John Shell, 17, a senior at St. Pauls Episcopal School in Mobile, decided after he witnessed first-hand the decline of fish populations to place artificial reefs in Mobile Bay. He initially aimed to place 50 reefs, but he announced in July 2023 that he placed 175 reefs and raised over $52,000.

I wanted to change that because everyone should be able to come down to Mobile or to coastal Alabama, whether they live here or (are a) tourist, and be able to enjoy the amazing experience of catching a fish, Shell said at a July press conference in Point Clear.

Now, the city of Fairhope has gotten in on the project and plans to deploy 14 Eagle Reefs at city-owned locations to foster habitats for fish, crabs and oysters. The man-made reefs, which measure a little more than two cubic feet, will also be installed under the piers of 36 homeowners along the Bay.

The Eagle Reef project also partnered with The Partners of Environmental Progress (PEP) and The University of South Alabama (USA) in July, and they have plans to expand Shells impact.

The reefs installed this week have helped us hit the first milestone of the expanded Eagle Reef project, said PEP Executive Director Jennifer Denson in a Nov. 16 release. Our member businesses are committed to funding more reefs to improve the quality of our waters and fisheries.

PEP is continuing its goal of installing 1,000 total Eagle Reefs across the Alabama coast, which they say will filter up to 10 billion gallons of water each year.

The projects partnership with USA is also allowing their school of marine and environmental sciences to help monitor and report on the health of the Eagle Reefs and the quality of the water around them.

While they may not look like much, these reefs made of plastic, PVC pipes and rope have a meaningful impact on the Mobile Bay ecosystem by giving sea creatures a place to call home.

When the project began, Shell purchased the reefs from the Florida company Ocean Habitats preassembled. Within six months of installation, the reefs teem with the oysters, barnacles, fish and crabs of Mobile Bay.

John Shell, a 17-year-old Boy Scout, poses with some of the artificial mini reefs used in his project after a press conference at the Grand Hotel on July 18, 2023.

Coral reefs have been in decline around the world for years. According to the United Nations, there was a loss of about 14% of the coral on the ocean floor between 2009 and 2018. This is primarily due to bleaching, which occurs when coral becomes exposed to high temperatures and sunlight.

On the Alabama coast, however, reefs harboring oysters have been depleted due to erosion and sedimentation, drought, predation, and harvesting, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation says. The Deepwater Horizon oil spill and related cleanup efforts also took a toll on Mobile Bays reefs.

Reef restoration projects have been ongoing by many organizations in Mobile Bay long before Eagle Reef came along, this allows anyone with Bay access to help improve the environment in which they live.

Sometimes adults can over complicate situations. Sometimes we cant get out of our own way. Sometimes we need a new angle, said George Hunter, economic development manager for Spire Energy, a company that provides natural gas service along the coast.

Those who are interested in getting their hands on an Eagle Reef, including businesses, nonprofits and individuals, can purchase or use donations to adopt one on the PEP website.

Updated at 2:55 p.m. to reflect a scheduling change for the reef installments that were set to take place. The 50 Eagle Reefs were intended to be deployed this week, but the person who was setting them up fell ill and needed to reschedule.
Dexter Wade, the Mississippi man fatally run over by a police SUV and buried in a paupers field without his family knowing for seven months, had his ID card on him when he was killed, according to his familys attorney.

Ben Crump said Thursday the independent autopsy of Wade showed the Mississippi mans jeans contained a wallet with Wades state identification card with his home address, a credit card and a state insurance card.

The autopsy also showed Wade was not embalmed, his body was in an advanced state of decomposition.

Wade sustained multiple blunt force injuries to his skull, ribs and pelvis, Crump said, citing the autopsy.

Wades left leg was amputated; his body was completely ran over by the police vehicle, according to the attorney.

The tragic news we received from the independent pathologist today was heartbreaking for everyone who knew and cared for Dexter Wade, especially his mother, Crump said in a statement, referring to Bettersten Wade.

The fact that Dexter had a state identification card and several other identifying items shows us that there was a concerted effort to keep the truth and manner of his death from his family. There is no excuse, not even incompetence, for not notifying a next of kin of an identified mans death.

A full autopsy report is expected soon, Crump said.

Bettersten Wade went seven months not knowing her son, who she believed was missing, was struck and killed by an off-duty officer in a police SUV in Jackson.

Dexter Wade was buried in a paupers field in a Mississippi penal farm.

Dexter, a young Black man, was buried with no more dignity and respect than an animal, which no human being deserves, Crump continued. This case has shown us time and time again that the local officials cannot be trusted in this matter and there are clear conflicts of interest. Now, louder than ever, we renew our calls to the Department of Justice to investigate all of the local entities involved in Dexters death and what his mother suspects is a coverup.

Dexters grave was marked number 672, the attorney went on to say. We can only pray that there arent hundreds of other families out there unknowingly suffering this same fate.

On Monday, the Wade familys grief was compounded when his body was exhumed without them being present.

Crump sent AL.com a letter from Hinds County Board of Supervisors Attorney Tony R. Gaylor to another lawyer representing the Wade family indicating that Wades body was to be exhumed at 11:30 a.m. Monday.

But when Wades family and attorneys showed up for the exhumation, they learned Wades body had been taken 8 a.m. Monday without any family being present, Crump claimed.
Republican Senators debated into the early morning hours on Thursday as Sens. Dan Sullivan of Alaska, Joni Ernst, Iowa, Lindsey Graham, S.C., and Todd Young, Ind., fought to bring an end to Sen. Tommy Tubervilles months-long hold on military promotions over a military abortion travel policy.

Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, spoke at length in defense of Tuberville as the proceedings stretched from just before midnight until nearly 4 a.m.

The discussion came as the four GOP Senators mounted a repeat of an earlier effort to confirm military nominees.

Graham threatened to temporarily change the Senate rules if Tuberville doesnt find another solution, CNNs Morgan Rimmer tweeted. Graham suggested Tuberville could fight the policy in court.

I promise you this  this will be the last holiday this happens. If it takes me to vote to break loose these folks, I will, Graham said.

If you do not believe these holds are having an effect on the military, I dont question your sincerity, I question your judgment, Graham said. This is like a car wreck on I-95. It keeps backing up....There were 300. were up to 450 (military nominees).

Efforts by AL.com to reach Tubervilles office for comment were not immediately successful and he was largely silent through the early morning debate.

This isnt getting fixed in a court of law, Lee said. Weve got the remedy here ... dont spit on me and tell me its raining.

Lee said the Senators were blaming the wrong culprit. It is not Tommy Tuberville. It is Lloyd Austin, Joe Biden and Chuck Schumer.

Since mid-February, Tuberville has held up the promotions over a new Department of Defense policy that reimburses service members for travel-related expenses for abortions if the procedure is illegal where they are stationed.

The Senate Rules Committee on Tuesday advanced a resolution in a 9-7 party line vote which would allow all the nearly 400 promotions blocked by Tuberville to be considered en bloc, or in large groups, to the full Senate.

Alabamas junior Senator, Katie Britt, said the vote sets a dangerous precedent for how the Senate operates.

The action taken today by my Democratic colleagues on the Senate Rules Committee is an ill-advised erosion of the institution of the Senate and the core Constitutional role the chamber should play in providing appropriate advice and consent, Britt said in a statement following Tuesdays vote.
One of two men charged in the 2021 shooting death of a beloved American Red Cross worker was sentenced to prison today on his murder conviction.

St. Clair County Circuit Judge Billy Weathington Jr. sentenced 22-year-old Andray LaQuarn Pope Jr. to 30 years in prison for the shooting death of 67-year-old Brian Shaw at his Odenville home.

Pope was also sentenced to 20 years for first-degree theft of property, and five years for possession of a forged instrument. The sentenced are to run concurrently.

Pope was asked in court Wednesday if he had anything to say, and he did not.

A jury convicted Pope of both crimes on Aug. 25.

His co-defendant, 36-year-old Charles Lawrence Grimmett of Homewood, pleaded guilty Oct. 27 to the same charges, court records show. Grimmetts sentencing is set for Nov. 20.

According to friends and family, Shaw was in the three-bay, industrial-style garage behind his home working on one of his cars that Tuesday. He loved to buy and sell cars, take them apart and rebuild them.

Brian Shaw, 67, was shot to death in St. Clair County on May 25, 2021.

Most recently he had bought Babe, the 2002 convertible Camaro that had logged only 16,000 miles.

It was shortly before 8 p.m. when his neighbors heard what sounded like gunfire.

They heard, pop pop, and his wife said, that sounded like gunfire,' Shaws sister, Carole Tatum, told AL.com in a previous interview. He came out of his house and saw Brian laying there and told his wife to call 911. He grabbed his shotgun and went back outside.

Shaw was pronounced dead at his home within 30 minutes of the shooting.

Grimmett was running down the street. Pope had driven off as soon as the neighbor appeared brandishing a long gun.

Grimmett was captured shortly after Shaws killing. Pope later surrendered to authorities.

Friends and family said Shaw did not know the suspects and was targeted for robbery.

District Attorney Lyle Harmon said the investigation revealed that Pope and Grimmett had spent the day and evening of driving the same silver car going into various businesses in the area. Both were identified as driving the silver car during the day and in the stores at night.

Both were also charged with the theft of $6,200 from Shaws account and possession of a forged instrument based on forged checks cashed by the defendants on the day of the killing and the day after.

The family of Brian Shaw expressed gratitude to the St. Clair County Sheriffs office, the District Attorneys office, and Judge Bill Weathington,' Harmon said.

During the sentencing hearing, Judge Weathington asked the reason for the murder,' the district attorney said. Though the state is not required to prove motive, the family of Brian Shaw also wanted an answer. Judge Weathington did not receive a response from the defendant or his attorneys.

Chief Assistant District Attorney Mike Anderton, who prosecuted the case, said Shaws family is relieved to be able to move on with their lives now that Shaws killer had been convicted and sentenced.

Shaws sister, Carol Tatum of Atlanta, spoke directly to Pope in her victim impact statement to Judge Weathington.

Originally from Canada, Shaw and his family eventually ended up in Birmingham via Florida where Shaw graduated from Homewood High School and went on to study computers at a trade school.

Brian Shaw, 67, was shot to death in St. Clair County on May 25, 2021.

He lost two wives and his 12-year-old son to cancer, but those closest to him said he didnt let his tragedies deter him in bring joy to others.

When he retired from computer work, he became a handyman of sorts, traveling all over the country to help with a deck, or a kitchen, or a whole house. He bought a van and outfitted it with a bed and electricity. Friends called it the Hippy Van.

He often spent time with his Canadian friends who wintered in Florida, and he regularly housesat for friends in New Mexico. He visited about 47 states, and often posted pictures of his travels. He had friends everywhere, and hed just go visit them and hed be gone two or three weeks, Tatum said. He was always on the go. He had a zest for life.

He had a lot of tragedy in his life beginning with his mom dying when he was young, but thats just who Brian was, said best friend Kay Channell in an earlier interview. Hes going to pick it up and move on down the road. He was the very best man you could meet.

Three years prior to his murder, Shaw began his Red Cross volunteer work and eventually became a Disaster Action Team Duty Officer/Supervisor. He logged more than 8,000 hours with the agency.

Brian treated everyone with kindness and was a gentle soul, said Debbie Looney, Disaster Program Manager.

He treated all people with compassion, empathy, dignity and respect. This was especially important when some were having the worst day of their lives as a result of a disaster such as a fire, tornado or flood.
The Oklahoma senator who challenged Teamsters boss to a fight is defending his actions during a Senate hearing, saying maybe we should bring back canings to Congress to keep people from thinking theyre so tough.

Republican U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin, a former MMA fighter, confronted Teamsters President Sean OBrien during a Senate committee hearing on Tuesday. Mullin challenged Charlestowns OBrien to a physical fight after OBrien had ripped the senator on social media.

Mullin doubled down on his antics after the chaos in front of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

This isnt anything new, the senator said on Fox Business. Andrew Jackson challenged nine people to a duel when he was president, and he also knocked one guy out at a White House dinner. Theres been canings before in the Senate, too.

Maybe we should bring some of that back, Mullin added. Keep people from thinking theyre so tough, and make us sit at a table and we can actually work out our differences without poking at each other and want to run to cameras and call people names.

In the 1850s before the Civil War, Massachusetts U.S. Sen. Charles Sumner  who was anti-slavery  was savagely attacked by a House member. U.S. Rep. Preston Brooks repeatedly struck Sumner with a metal-topped cane in the Senate Chamber.

Maybe if we have some type of respect because we know theres going to be consequences for your actions, then maybe we can move on with all this, I dont know, jargon that happens around this place, Mullin said on Fox Business.

The shouting match between Mullin and OBrien never turned physical on Tuesday, but it led to Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders getting in the middle of the battle as he started yelling and banging his gavel.

The beef between Mullin and OBrien has been building for months.

What went through my mind was, Youre one of 100 of the most powerful people in the country, and youre acting like a 12-year-old in a schoolyard because you didnt get your way, " OBrien said about Mullin on CNN.

Look, he actually has the ability, hes one of 100 of the elite to actually effectuate change in this country, and hes focused on being a bully, OBrien added. Were not going to stand for it, and we definitely were brought up differently.

The battle between Mullin and OBrien wasnt the only fracas in Congress on Tuesday. Former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy was accused of elbowing Republican Congressman Tim Burchett  who had voted to remove McCarthy as speaker  in a Capitol hallway.

McCarthy said he didnt elbow Burchett, telling reporters, I guess our shoulders hit I did not run and hit the guy. I did not kidney punch him.

Republican Congressman Matt Gaetz filed an ethics complaint against McCarthy following the alleged elbow.

_____

2023 MediaNews Group, Inc. Visit at bostonherald.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
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Crime and punishment

Two convicted murderers were sentenced Wednesday in notable cases in St. Clair County, reports AL.coms Carol Robinson.

Tapero Carleone Johnson was sentenced to death for killing Moody Police Sgt. Stephen Williams in June 2020.

Johnson claimed the killing was an accident, but the jury wasnt having it after 43 rounds were fired at Sgt. Williams through a motel room door and wall.

Also on Wednesday, A circuit-court judge sentenced Andray LaQuarn Pope Jr. to 30 years in prison for shooting and killing 67-year-old Brian Shaw in 2021 in Odenville.

Movin on out

A recent study indicates that members of the millennial generation have been moving out of their parents homes in force, at least in Birmingham, reports The Birmingham Ledes Heather Gann.

The rental database RentCafe used Census data to determine that in Birmingham there was a 50-percent decrease of Millennials living at home with their parents over the past five years.

Of course, economic factors affect the decrease in multigenerational households. Birmingham placed high -- ninth in the nation -- for its decrease in Millennials still living at home over that five-year period, and a possible reason for that is the Magic Citys lower-than-average housing costs.

Millennials, by the way, are between 27 and 42 years old, which means we can expect a LOT of mid-life crisis Instagram stories over the next few years.

Turkey Day marching

The state of Alabama will be represented Thanksgiving morning in New York City.

AL.coms Haley Laurence reports that the Alabama A&M University Marching Maroon and White will be marching in the Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade. Make sure you turne in early because its supposed to be the first marching band featured. Coverage starts at 8:30 a.m. on NBC or Peacock TV.

Also, the Dancing Divas from Alabama A&M will perform with the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.

Itll get you warmed up for turkey and ballgames.

More Alabama news

Born on this date

In 1873, Father of the Blues W.C. Handy of Florence.

In 1931, major league second baseman Frank Bolling of Mobile. He was with the Braves when they moved to Atlanta.

On the calendar

Today is International Check Your Wipers Day. (If Im lyin Im dyin.) And its not a bad idea to celebrate today with a chance of rain still in the forecast at various times over the next few days.

The podcast
Meta's 2024 U.S. election ads guidelines have been updated. The giant tech firm confirmed that it is now allowing advertisements about the 2020 election being rigged on Facebook and Instagram.

Although Meta now allows ads saying that past elections were stolen, the company will still prevent content questioning if ongoing or future U.S. elections are legitimate.

Here are other details about Meta's 2024 U.S. election ads guidelines update that American voters need to know.

Meta 2024 US Election Ads Guidelines Update

The Guardian reported that it isn't the first time Meta allowed ads claiming that previous U.S. elections were rigged.

For example, in August, Donald Trump was able to post a Facebook advertisement, in which he said that the 2020 election was stolen from him.

"We won in 2016. We had a rigged election in 2020 but got more votes than any sitting president," said the former American ruler.

In 2022, the social media giant firm also allegedly implemented the policy "quietly" after the U.S. midterm primary elections. Not announcing the new rule prevented Republican candidates from running ads claiming that the 2020 election was stolen from Donald Trump.

However, the announcement of Meta raises concerns since election advertisements are now easier to create and mass-produce.

"Today you can create hundreds of pieces of content in the snap of a finger and you can flood the zone," explained Tech for Campaigns Chief Executive Gina Pak.

Another issue here is that Meta already terminated 21,000 of its employees, who were mostly working on election policies.

Read Also: [SURVEY] Over 58% of Americans Believe AI Will Lead to US 2024 Election MisinformationWhat Can Voters Do?

Recent Meta Election Ad Guideline Changes

The Associated Press recently reported that Meta also made another adjustment to its 2024 U.S. election ad guidelines. The update focuses on requiring more transparency from advertisers who use artificial intelligence.

Under the new Meta policy, AI-generated ads are required to disclose that they used AI tools to create their content. The message should appear whenever users click on the ads.

This decision came as Meta and other American tech firms are being criticized for not taking enough safety measures to protect online consumers from AI-generated content, especially election advertisements.

Since the U.S. 2024 election is just a few months away from happening, Meta and other social media companies are expected to release more election ad guidelines.

Related Article: Meta Prohibits Usage of Generative AI in Political Advertising

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A grand jury cleared Mobile police of criminal wrongdoing in the death of Jawan Dallas, the district attorney announced today.

Dallas, 36, died on July 2 after being Tased twice by police who were trying to subdue him while investigating a burglary at a mobile home park.

Keith Blackwood, the district attorney in Mobile County, said an autopsy determined that Dallas death was caused by underlying medical conditions, not the Tasing.

He said the grand jury heard from an eyewitness and associate of Dallas who testified that he was experiencing symptoms of his medical condition prior to his encounter with police that day. Blackwood did not disclose the medical condition.

Mr. Dallas suffered from some serious underlying medical issues. Those issues were exacerbated by drug use, Blackwood said. When Mr. Dallas initiated the struggle with police, that situation also exacerbated the underlying medical conditions.

He said that toxicology testing detected two different drugs in Dallas system.

One was mojo, which is a synthetic cannabinoid, and the other, I believe, was an amphetamine of some kind, Blackwood said.

The district attorney said he had a very cordial conversation with Dallas mom, Christine Dallas, to tell her about the grand jurys decision.

Harry Daniels, attorney for Dallas family, declined to comment, saying they have not yet received a transcript of the grand jury proceedings.

The grand jury convened on Monday and made the decision this morning after hearing testimony, watching body camera footage and reviewing other evidence, Blackwood said.

Their job was to determine whether there was any criminal liability on the part of officers, Blackwood said. They made that determination that there was not.

The names of the officers involved in the case have not been released to the public. Speaking at a city council meeting last month, Mobile police Chief Paul Prine said they are all back at work and not a threat to the community.

The district attorney said he will not release the bodycam footage to the public, but noted that Dallas mother can view the footage now that the grand jury investigation is completed.

Dallas family has sought more information about the incident from Mobile city officials  repeatedly asking to see the footage and speaking about the case at nearly every city council meeting since his death.

There was a lot of community interest in this, Blackwood said. I did prioritize this investigation for the good of the community. Nothing was rushed about this investigation. Nothing was rushed about the presentation to the grand jury. We gathered a complete case before we put this in front of the grand jury.

Story updated at 12:30 p.m. with new information throughout.
An Alabama man was sentenced today on a felony charge for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021.

Kaleb Dillard, 28, of Mountain Brook, was sentenced to 10 months in prison, followed by one year of supervised released, according to a Thursday announcement by the FBI.

Dillard, who was arrested last year in Columbiana, was also ordered by U.S. District Judge Jia Cobb to pay $36,238.55 in restitution.

Dillard pleaded guilty on July 18 to assaulting to assaulting, resisting, or impeding law enforcement officers.

Dillards LinkedIn profile says he graduated from Briarwood Christian High School, and served in the U.S. Marines for five years as a videographer and public affairs correspondent and attended Samford University.

He is one of a roughly a dozen Alabama residents charged in connection with Capitol breach during a joint session of Congress which had convened to ascertain and count the electoral votes related to the presidential election.

According to court documents, Dillard traveled from his home in Alabama to Washington, D.C., to attend the rally near the Ellipse and illegally entered the Capitol building on Jan. 6, 2021.

The former Marine illegally entered the restricted grounds of the Capitol, heading to the East Front of the Capitol. Dillard went to the front of the crowd at the Rotunda Door, where he used a metal tool to smash a window of the doors.

At around 2:26 p.m., Dillard forced his way past officers attempting to close the Rotunda Door and entered the Capitol building.

Dillard then approached a U.S. Capitol Police officer who was attempting to close the doors and stop rioters from entering. Dillard grabbed the officers protective vest from behind and threw the officer backward onto the marble floor.

Dillard then helped more rioters enter the Capitol through the Rotunda Door before approaching a second U.S. Capitol Police Officer who was trying to secure the door from the rioters.

He repeatedly shoved the second officer away from the doors so more rioters could enter.

Kaleb Dillard, 26, was arrested Tuesday, Aug. 23, 2022, on felony and misdemeanor charges for his actions during the breach of the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021. (Federal Court Records)

Unable to move the officer away from the door, Dillard continued to harass him, sticking his fingers in the officers face and at one point screaming, Thats a poor excuse! I got a job to do. Give me a f***ing break!

At around 2:30 p.m., Dillard walked through the Capitol building into the Rotunda, Statuary Hall, and the Statuary Hall Connector. He remained in the Capitol until approximately 2:51 p.m.

Dillard was taken into custody on Aug. 23, 2022, in Columbiana, Alabama.

This case was investigated by the FBIs Washington and Birmingham Field Offices, which identified Dillard as #166 on its seeking information photos. Significant assistance was provided by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department.

The case was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the District of Columbia and the Department of Justice National Security Divisions Counterterrorism Section. The Northern District of Alabamas U.S. Attorneys Office assisted in the probe.

In the 34 months since Jan. 6, 2021, more than 1,200 people have been charged in nearly all 50 states for crimes related to the breach of the U.S. Capitol, including more than 400 individuals charged with assaulting or impeding law enforcement, a felony.

The investigation is ongoing.
Last week, the Lede spoke with Deann Servos, executive director of Prodisee Pantry, the largest food bank in Baldwin County for the Sunday Q&A. Servos discussed what might be a surprising amount of food insecurity in Baldwin County, the fastest growing county in Alabama, and how readers can help out around the holidays.

Here are five takeaways from that conversation, in no particular order:

1. There is plenty of food available for Thanksgiving.

Servos said that volunteers filled 1,404 Thanksgiving feast boxes that will be paired with turkey or another holiday meat. Thats almost 200 more boxes than they made last year.

Some people go, well, its just a turkey. But if you are struggling and your kids come home, and theyve drawn turkeys in school, they talk about Thanksgiving or they see it on TVthat Norman Rockwell dinner thats so advertised everywhere it doesnt make you feel good if you cant help your family have that, she says.










English News To pass down friendship between American, Chinese people from generation to generation

Alwihda Info | Par pd - 15 Novembre 2023



The U.S.-China relationship holds significant importance for world peace, stability, and development. While facing some challenges at present, both countries can draw inspiration from history. Just as the Flying Tigers went all out to assist the Chinese people during World War II, and the Chinese people fearlessly rescued endangered Flying Tigers members, the American and Chinese people should join hands with mutual trust

By Jeffrey Greene Recently, I led a delegation of the Flying Tigers to China to attend an event to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the U.S. 14th Air Force's participation in China's war of resistance against Japanese aggression. We visited Beijing, Chongqing, Kunming, Liuzhou, and other cities. Among the members of our delegation were Flying Tigers veterans Harry Moyer and Melvin McMullen, as well as relatives and descendants of Flying Tigers veterans. Together, we reviewed the history of the American and Chinese people fighting shoulder by shoulder during the war and encouraged the younger generation to inherit and carry forward the spirit of the Flying Tigers. The spirit of the Flying Tigers is a shared legacy of the American and Chinese people, and we believe that this visit to China will promote greater understanding of the Flying Tigers story and better inheritance of their spirit among the people of both countries, particularly the younger generation, so that the friendship between the two nations will be passed down from generation to generation.



The story of the Flying Tigers is well-known in China. In 1941, General Claire Lee Chennault established the American Volunteer Group, also known as the Flying Tigers, to assist China in its fight against Japanese aggression. My first visit to China in 1995 was related to the Flying Tigers. At that time, a group of Flying Tigers veterans were invited to China to participate in an activity commemorating the 50th anniversary of the victory of Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War. I was producing a documentary about the Flying Tigers and had the privilege of accompanying them. During that time, we were considering how to ensure that more people would remember this history and promote the spirit of the Flying Tigers. Eventually, we decided to establish the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, with the aim of deepening Americans' understanding of this history and encouraging more young people to carry on the spirit of the Flying Tigers.



Since its establishment in 1998, the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation has financed nearly 500 Flying Tigers veterans and hundreds of their relatives to visit China. Over the years, the foundation and the Flying Tigers veterans have been telling the story of the Flying Tigers in the U.S. and China, promoting the understanding of the history and deepening friendship between the young generation of the two countries. Last year, the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation launched the Flying Tigers Friendship Schools and Youth Leadership Program, and facilitated the establishment of a "Flying Tigers Friendship School" relationship between Jack Lund Scofield Middle School in Nevada, U.S. and two middle schools in China. This has created a new platform for passing on the Flying Tigers spirit and enhancing friendship among young people from both countries.



The Flying Tigers symbolizes the mutual assistance between the people of the U.S. and China, and the spirit of the Flying Tigers represents friendship and cooperation. During their operations in China, over 2,000 Flying Tigers members sacrificed their lives, and thousands of Chinese people gave their precious lives when rescuing endangered Flying Tigers pilots. During this trip to China, we saw many monuments and museums in different cities that tell the stories of how our two countries' military and civilians fought side by side. We were deeply moved. As time goes by, there are now only around 20 surviving Flying Tigers veterans. Therefore, we have invited many veterans' families and descendants to participate in our programs, allowing them to share the stories of the Flying Tigers and promote the Flying Tigers spirit with the younger generation. They will return to the U.S. with fascinating stories and share their experiences in China with their friends, ensuring the continuous inheritance of friendly exchanges.



Earlier this year, Moyer, McMullen and I wrote a letter to President Xi Jinping, introducing the efforts of the foundation and Flying Tigers veterans in helping promote U.S.-China friendly exchanges, and expressing our willingness to inherit and carry forward the precious spirit of U.S.-China cooperation. We were honored to receive a reply from President Xi Jinping. His reply conveyed to the American people and the people of the world at large that China will never forget old friends. In his reply, President Xi Jinping said that to grow China-U.S. relations, the hope and foundation lie in the people, and its future lies in the youths. I fully agree with this. The youth are of utmost importance in cultural exchanges between the two countries and are the hope for the healthy and stable development of U.S.-China relations. By letting more young people understand the story of the Flying Tigers, the spirit of the Flying Tigers will be passed down, and the younger generations of the U.S. and China will become closer with each other and be envoys of friendship between the two countries.



The U.S.-China relationship holds significant importance for world peace, stability, and development. While facing some challenges at present, both countries can draw inspiration from history. Just as the Flying Tigers went all out to assist the Chinese people during World War II, and the Chinese people fearlessly rescued endangered Flying Tigers members, the American and Chinese people should join hands with mutual trust. We will work together with Flying Tigers veterans, their families, and like-minded partners to tell the story of the Flying Tigers to more young people in both the U.S. and China. We will encourage them to become a new generation of Flying Tigers dedicated to fostering friendly relations between the two peoples, ensuring that the spirit of the Flying Tigers is passed down from generation to generation, and making contributions to the friendship between the two countries.



(Jeffrey Greene is the chairman of the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation.)



Dans la meme rubrique : < > China voices to lead global AI governance A glimpse into express packaging box's carbon reduction journey in China Strengthening partnership the right choice for future of China-U.S. relations Pour toute information, contactez-nous au : +(235) 99267667 ; 62883277 ; 66267667 (Bureau N'Djamena)
On October 7, 2023 the words never again rang hollow for the first time since the Holocaust when 6 million Jews perished at the hands of the Nazis. Employing a level of barbarism that should cause even the most fervent anti-Semite to recoil in disgust, Hamas terrorists systematically tortured and murdered over 1200 Jews. Many of those who watched the video footage of these events will never fully recover and those who do now have unimaginable horrors permanently etched in their memories. Hamas redefined what is meant by mans inhumanity to man.

This attack was a massive intelligence failure on the part of the Israelis, but it was also an unforgivable moral failure on the part of some of this countrys most prestigious universities, including Harvard and the University of Pennsylvania. Not only is there an absence of moral outrage for what occurred, but there is inexplicable pro-Hamas support voiced by many students and faculty. Perhaps these schools were taking their cue from former President Obama, who opined after the attack that we are all complicit. This is yet another example of Obama falling back on his old bad habits of voting present when asked to take a stand. Neville Chamberlain would be proud. Nor should we forget United Nations general-secretary Antonio Guterres who in observing that the massacre did not occur in a vacuum left the door ajar that Hamas may have been justified in its actions. Similar thoughts were no doubt expressed in countless faculty lounges across the country, and herein lies the problem. The college students who support Hamas action are the product of an educational system that has failed to teach them the lessons of history. Universities should actively encourage the free exchange of ideas. There can be legitimate and well-informed differences of opinion about Israels role in the plight of the Palestinian people without supporting Hamas and fomenting antisemitism.

In the immediate aftermath of the attack, Israels prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, invoked the term moral clarity to underscore the fact that what happened on October 7 was not some Rorschach test in which individuals could reasonably draw different inferences from the blood spatter as to the morality of Hamas actions. There is no gray area here -- there is only good and evil. Too many of our universities and their feckless administrators find themselves on the wrong side of history. As a result, they have unwittingly set in motion a chain of events from which they are unlikely to recover -- nor should they.

This is not altogether a bad thing. One can view what is about to take place on our college campuses through the lens of what the renowned economist Joseph Schumpeter famously referred to as the perennial gale of creative destruction -- the idea that dynamic forces work incessantly to destroy existing business models and institutions and replace them with superior alternatives. He was referring specifically to the marketplace for new products and services, but it applies with equal force to the marketplace for ideas. The universities in this country have been peddling inferior goods at grossly inflated prices for far too long. Saving them may no longer be possible; toppling the Ivory Tower may be the only viable path forward.

We did not arrive at this inflection point in higher education overnight. The creative destruction we are about to witness is not unlike the gradual movement of tectonic plates that causes pressure to build until an earthquake occurs.

Universities conflate indoctrination with teaching -- college students are taught not how to think but what to think. This absence of critical discourse has allowed mistruths to flourish in the vacuum. A recent survey finds that 80 percent of college students self-censor so as to placate the political and social leanings of their peers and professors. Too much emphasis is placed on the (racial/sexual) diversity of the faculty and the student body and too little emphasis is placed on the diversity of ideas. To wit, less than 1.5 percent of Harvards faculty identifies as conservative.

Yet it is the economic forces that will be the genesis for reshaping higher education in this country. The average college student in the United States today puts in less than 60 percent of the study time per week that their counterparts did in 1961 (14 hours versus 24 hours). The most plausible explanation for these findings is that standards have fallen at post-secondary institutions in the United States. Even students in the more technical fields, such as engineering, are not able to perform the jobs that they were hired to do. This has forced employers to commit additional resources to supplemental training for new employees. This may explain why an increasing number of major corporations have eliminated college degrees as a prerequisite for employment. These include Apple, Google, IBM, and Tesla.

At least one major law firm has withdrawn job offers to students at Columbia and Harvard who participated in pro-Hamas demonstrations. Frustrated with university leadership, Jewish benefactors at a number of Ivy league schools have resigned their board positions and withdrawn their financial support. Lawsuits are pending against several high-profile universities for failing to protect Jewish groups on campus in the aftermath of the attacks. These include Harvard, Cornell, Columbia, New York University, MIT, Stanford, the University of Pennsylvania, and UC-Berkeley.

Will we see a mass migration of Jewish professors out of universities that support Hamas? This prospective flight of human capital poses a serious problem for the Ivy league and other prominent universities. (The Yiddish term is Tsuris and we should probably capitalize it.) Jews comprise approximately 2.4% of the adult population in the U.S., but they are significantly overrepresented in being awarded Nobel Prizes. Jews were awarded 38% of the total U.S. Nobel prizes in Physiology and Medicine. In Chemistry, Economics, and Physics, the corresponding values are 27%, 51%, and 38%, respectively. Lest this be dismissed as hyperbole, it important to recall that the Third Reichs persecution of the Jews led to a mass exodus of prominent German physicists which, in turn, enabled the United States to develop the atomic bomb before the Nazis.

We stand at a crossroads in higher education in this country today that is emblematic of what the physicist and philosopher of science Thomas Kuhn referred to as a paradigm shift.

Political revolutions are inaugurated by a growing sense, often restricted to a segment of the political community, that existing institutions have ceased adequately to meet the problems posed by an environment that they have in part created Their success therefore necessitates the relinquishment of one set of institutions in favor of another

The world is forever changed as a result of the events of October 7th and pari passu, so are our universities. Out of the darkness comes light.

Dennis L. Weisman, Ph.D. is professor of economics emeritus, Kansas State University, and former director, strategic marketing, SBC (now AT&T). His research has been cited by the United States Supreme Court and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit.

Image: Ted Eytan
Double, double toil and trouble;

Fire burn and caldron bubble.

Fillet of a fenny snake,

In the caldron boil and bake;

Eye of newt and toe of frog,

Wool of bat and tongue of dog,

Adders fork and blind-worms sting,

Lizards leg and howlets wing,

For a charm of powerful trouble,

Like a hell-broth boil and bubble. William Shakespeare from Macbeth

Background regarding the modern Middle East crisis can be said to have begun with a letter written (by British PM Lloyd George) in 1917 to Baron Rothschild, with the approval of American President Woodrow Wilson and other allies, proposing a national home for the Jewish people in Ottoman Palestine. The proposal was finally supported by the United Nations in 1948, after the devastation to European Jews in WWII, and immediately all hell broke out in the region. To stem the panic, the UN immediately appointed Swedish Count Folke Bernadotte to mediate the crisis. He was assassinated in Jerusalem by an extremist Jewish militia opposed to his ideas. The beginnings, one might say, of hell-broth boil and bubble.

While even the most conscientious scholar has difficulty factually following subsequent events in this saga, protesters from all over the world seem to know all the twists and turns, all the national motives, all the attempts at peace, all the eyes of newt and toes of frog included in the bubbling caldron, and have come to the conclusion that the answer lies in exterminating one of the sides in the conflict. With lightning speed, after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, thousands of signs were printed, Palestinian flags and scarves produced, and marches organized. Former President Obama opined that one has to be comfortable with the complicated to have an intelligent opinion. Okay; here are the complications the demonstrators purport to know:

They know that the original UN Resolution created a two-state solution as did the proposal by Count Bernadotte that added provisions for an open seaport, shared airports, and special provisions for historic Jerusalem. Palestine was to include part of Galilee, Samaria, Gaza, and the West Bank; Israel was to include a large portion of the desert in the south. Count Bernadotte proposed a right of return for Palestinians who fled in panic and also a United Nations Commission on Refugees.

They know that modern Israel was immediately unsuccessfully attacked by its Arab neighbors. Attacks on Jews and retaliatory attacks on Arabs continued for years. They must know of Egypts hostility regarding the Suez; of the 1967 Six-Day War in which Israel was completely surrounded by hostile actors and had to take preemptive action; of the 1969 War of Attrition in which the Soviet Union participated; and of the 1973 Yom Kippur War and the role America played in it. With each victory Israel acquired more land.

Image: Kibbutz Beeri. YouTube screen grab.

They know that the UN in 1975 declared that Zionism is equivalent to Racism, though they rescinded the Resolution in 1991. They know that Arab Oil sanctions in the 1970s devastated Israels economy and they turned, in the 1980s, from Marxism to capitalism to thrive. They know of the 1978 Camp David Accords for comprehensive peace that failed; of Israels necessary preemptive strike on Iraqs nuclear reactor that the UN condemned; of the Arab Summit rejecting any Arab-Israeli peace; of the bombing of a UN peace-keeping force in Beirut; of a 1983 belligerence pact between Lebanon and Israel that the Syrians forced Lebanon to renounce; of the 1988 US recognition of the PLO; of the 1993 Oslo Accords for peace opposed by Hamas; of the Hebron Agreement to limit settlements near Jerusalem; of the Wye River Memorandums that were not honored; of Hamas taking over Gaza in 2007; of endless rocket attacks on Israel and subsequent cease-fires; and of Palestine declaring an Islamic Jihad against Israel. Finally, they know that Hamas attacked Israeli settlers on October 7, 2023, with such brutality and inhumanity that pictures of it cannot be shown to the public. Two-hundred plus hostages were also taken and are still in captivity awaiting rescue.

Heres what the demonstrators might not know:

They might not know the United States, by current policy, does not support Israels existence. The United States, by current policy, supports an Iranian regime that funds the terrorist groups that have attacked Israel and will do so again. All rhetoric to the contrary by the State Department is disingenuous. The protesters, on behalf of the Palestinian Islamic Jihad, are supporting a hell-broth in the Middle East.

They might not know Israel herself has changed. When formed she had no Constitution or Bill of Rights. Her religious matters were controlled by the extreme orthodox. She was a Marxist-Zionist state. But Israel made a decision to become more entrepreneurial, more free market, less socialistic and she began to thrive. When the Soviet Union fell in 1991 professional Russian Jews emigrated to Israel to her benefit. Israels Zionist beginnings, the boil and bubble of lizards leg and howlets wing, her rejection by the Arab world, the assassinations of her leaders, countless massacres and revenge massacres, all have taken their toll on the Israeli people and her Arab neighbors, and while she will defend herself from attack, seems ready to share prosperity with her neighbors.

They might not know the entire world-wide Evangelical Christian community is deeply attached to the Holy Land, Ancient Israel, and the precious history discovered there. Archaeological digs have confirmed many historic aspects of the Bible. Scientists and scholars of all religions find the region priceless.

What can we conclude?

Factually, we can conclude that what the UN created in 1948 has been mostly abandoned by that international body. We can conclude that at the present time the government of the US has also abandoned Israel, although the US official position is the opposite. It is also possible that many Arab states are weary of the 75-year-old religious battle and are ready to support a new path.

One might infer that the programmed demonstrations against Israel are partly a product of flash mob social media, particularly Communist Chinas TikTok. America has also slipped from the rational and empirical to an elevation of the meritless. Our entire system of education, from once-great universities to K-12, needs to be re-examined. Double, double toil and trouble. . .like a hell-broth boil and bubble. It is possible to cool this hell-broth  all it takes is honesty, savvy, and strength  all qualities America has traditionally had, and a willingness to turn the ship of state around and return to a moral path. Lets hope Israel and the Palestinians can find that path, as well, as shared stewards, along with the entire international community, of a very important part of the world.
The Vatican's doctrine office released a document on Wednesday (November 15) reaffirming its position that Catholics are discouraged and forbidden from becoming Freemasons.

In a document signed by Pope Francis and Vatican doctrine chief Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez, the Catholic Church responded to a concern raised by a bishop from the Philippines regarding what EWTN reported as "the growing number of Catholics in his diocese who are taking part in Freemasonry."

The bishop - identified as Julito Cortes of Dumaguete in the central Philippine island of Negros - also asked the Holy See for suggestions on how to respond in a pastoral manner.

The Philippine Star revealed that Cortes's concern was rooted in 2020 after Freemasons in his city broke ground for a Masonic obelisk dubbed the "Dumaguete Tower" on a public park opposite the cathedral.

The cathedral's parish council petitioned the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP) to disallow the construction of the 18-story tower, which the Manila-based commission considered.

NHCP chair Rene Escalante was quoted by local media saying that the commission already declared "all Spanish and American colonial period plazas and public squares in the country as national historical sites."

Recommendations from the Vatican

The Vatican's response - dated November 13 and available in English and Italian - called for a "coordinated strategy" involving all of the members of the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) to promote catechesis "in all parishes regarding the reasons for the irreconcilability between the Catholic faith and Freemasonry."

The Freemasons are the largest worldwide oath-bound secret society which was founded in England in 1717. Freemasonry promotes ideas and rituals incompatible with the Catholic faith, including indifferentism, or the position that a person can be equally pleasing to God while remaining in any religion, and a deistic concept of a "Great Architect of the Universe."

The society also swears oaths of secrecy, fellowship, and fraternity among members and has accumulated a vast catalog of rituals, ceremonial attire, and secret signals between masons, as well as using Christian imagery for non-Christian rituals, Fox News reported.

The document from Rome effectively reaffirmed the Vatican's position that "those who are formally and knowingly enrolled in Masonic Lodges and have embraced Masonic principles" fell under the church's 1983 "Declaration of Masonic Associations," which was signed by then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI.

In part, the declaration said that Catholics who enrolled in Masonic associations were "in a state of grave sin and may not receive holy Communion."

Cardinal Fernandez's office added that the declaration also applied "to any clerics enrolled in Freemasonry," and urged Filipino bishops to consider making a public statement on the Vatican's stance on Freemasonry.

"Membership in Freemasonry is very significant in the Philippines; it involves not only those who are formally enrolled in Masonic Lodges but, more generally, a large number of sympathizers and associates who are personally convinced that there is no opposition between membership in the Catholic Church and in Masonic Lodges," the document said.

"On the doctrinal level, it should be remembered that active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is forbidden because of the irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry."

Read Also: Vatican Grants Philippine Bishops' Conference Request to Ordain Married Men as Deacons

Filipino Connection to Catholicism and Freemasonry

The Catholic Church's prohibition on Freemasonry could be traced back to Pope Clement XII, who formally condemned it in the papal bull "In eminenti apostolatus" in 1738.

The Philippines, despite its deep Hispanic Catholic roots since the 16th century, had a Masonic underside due to the affiliation of some of the nation's key revolutionary and republican figures at the tail-end of the 19th century and the turn of the 20th.

In particular, many reckon that the ophthalmologist and key Filipino intellectual named Jose Rizal was a Freemason until he allegedly retracted his affiliation to the forbidden society - at the behest of his Jesuit mentors - prior to his execution in 1896.

In the early 1900s, American Catholic soldiers who were stationed in Manila founded the first council of the Knights of Columbus, a Catholic society founded in New Haven, Connecticut in 1882 by the Rev. Michael McGivney as a mutual aid society for Catholic men in the New England region in the aftermath of the American Civil War. Subsequently, the organization became the Catholic response to Freemasonic societies in the US, Canada, Mexico, and beyond.

McGivney was beatified by Pope Francis in 2020.

Since then, the Knights of Columbus flourished as a key Catholic men's society in the country. At four jurisdictions strong, the Philippines has the largest membership outside North America.

Earlier this year, UCA News reported that Filipino Catholics raised concerns that some of the participants in the diocesan and national consultations of the recently initiated Synod on Synodality were Freemasons, which some reported had created confusion regarding the church's teaching on the matter.

Last March, the CBCP issued a clarification declaring that bishops in the Philippines have "always maintained and defended the official Catholic (magisterial) position on the unacceptability of Masonry, given its serious errors both in doctrine (philosophical tenets) and practices."

Cardinal Fernandez also recommended Cortes refer to the CBCP's 2003 pastoral guidelines on the matter.

According to the Vatican's 1983 Code of Canon Law, it stated that a person joining an association "which plots against the Church" would be punished with a "just penalty," and those promoting or taking office in such associations were to be "punished with an interdict," which banned the individual to participate in certain Catholic rites, including the Mass.

Related Article: Pope Francis Fires Texas Bishop Joseph Strickland

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A 25-minute Tucker Carlson interview with Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy about the current conflict in Israel is very disturbing. Carlson raised the issue of national interests in the outcome and Americas decision to intervene beyond offering token sympathies to Israel despite the barbarity of the October 7 attacks. Ramaswamy appeared to concur, although he came across more sincere in his expression of sympathy than Carlson, who seemed to be saying what he thought was necessary given the circumstances.

Carlson and Ramaswamy agreed that moral depravity does not justify U.S. intervention. It is not an unreasonable proposition. Before the Biden administration, I joined many others in believing that America could beat anyone but not everyone. Its common sense that America does not have infinite resources to cure the worlds ills. Thus, we must choose carefully where we invest our efforts and spend our money.

We fought ISIS (The Islamic State of Iraq and Syria) because we perceived that their medieval barbarism, inspired by fanatical religious ideology, threatened Western civilization as well as the stability of the Middle East. Our slogan was, If we do not fight them over there, then we will have to fight them here. Slogan aside, our leaders got it right in that instance.

That same slogan applies to whats happening in Israel right now. But an even stronger reason to stand with Israel is best expressed in an old retailing axiom: You break it, you bought it.

The Barack Obama and Joe Biden administrations, which some call the Obiden Administrations, are directly responsible for the current Nazi-like atrocities being committed against Israel. These two leftist administrations financed this terrorism. Even after revelations about war crimes committed against Israeli civilians, the Biden administration is proposing a new package of aid to Gaza! The Biden administration (along with most Americans) knows full well who will be the beneficiary of the $100 million dollars of new humanitarian aid. Secretary of State Blinken has admitted that the administration cannot be sure that the aid/funds will not fall into Hamass hands.

Trumps Director of National Intelligence, John Ratcliffe, spoke with Fox News Business hosts Maria Bartiromo and Larry Kudlow, sharing that Intelligence knew from monitored conversations throughout 2020-2021 that the Iranians had no funds to finance terrorism. Both Ratcliffe and Senator Ted Cruz indicated that as much as $100 billion has flowed to Iran since Joe Biden took office. Ratcliffe further reminded us that, because of Obamas 2015 Nuclear Accord with Iran, $150 billion was freed for Iran.

Image: Burning the American flag in New York. X screen grab.

Whether or not American Thinker readers or Tucker Carlson voted for Obama or Biden is not the issue.

We are still American citizens liable for our governments actions worldwide. It then follows that, at a minimum, we need to support the people of Israel both politically and with military armaments, just as President Richard Nixon did in 1973 during the Yom Kippur War. Then, Nixon was concerned that the Middle East could become a Soviet sphere of influence.

Today, Americans must ask if we want the Middle East to become a sphere of influence for the Russo-Chinese partnership that embraces Iran. The process is already underway as Saudi Arabia has agreed to sell China oil and negotiate for Chinese currency in payment.

Too many Americans think of history as what happened last week. They do not know that Islamic genocide of non-believers is as old as the religion itself. The Armenian genocide of 1915 saw one-and-a-half million Armenian Christians murdered by the Ottoman Turks, followers of Islam.

During the Obama administration, we learned of fanatical Muslims across North Africa (Boko Haram) and the Middle East carrying out Christian genocide. Few mainstream political figures spoke of it, either lacking courage or humanity. It is still ongoing.

Europe today is awash in Islamic terrorism. Remember the Charlie Hebdo massacre in France? These are just a few of the almost limitless examples of Islamic barbarism. The atrocities committed in the name of Allah date back to the time of its founding in the sixth century. No better indication of Islams true nature is found than the followers of Muhammad becoming allies with Hitlers Nazi Germany in World War Two. Raymond Ibrahim has written extensively about Islamic barbarity and its current attempt to destroy the Christian world.

The ongoing Hamas atrocities in Israel should be a warning to the Western world that this could happen here. Why wouldnt Hamas, with its Jihadist allies in Hezbollah (founded by Iran), come to the United States and do similar horrific butchery of innocent civilians? Hamass leaders have declared, We are ISIS. We know they are already here. FBI Director Wray has previously warned of this danger created by our porous southern border.

It is difficult to understand how Tucker Carlson and Vivek Ramaswamy can engage in a twenty-five-minute dialogue (some of it thoughtless) on the current situation in Israel without considering any of this historical information, much of it very recent.

We are at a Gates of Vienna moment. Then, in 1683, the Christian world, with its back to the wall, repelled the brutal Ottoman Turks Islamic invasion. Western Civilization was saved when brave soldiers led by the Christian King of Poland, Jan Sobieski, drove back a far superior number, causing them to quit the battlefield and return home. The alternative to victory would have been atrocities across the European continent, like the ones we saw in Israel on October 7.

Retreat was not an option then and is not now. We are at a civilizational crossroads and must act wisely but boldly. Our adversaries only respect force. You can reason with them afterward when they are afraid. Then, they might listen.

The United States of America is in a de facto state of war with Iran now after its state-sponsored proxy, Hamas, took American hostages (approximately three dozen) and killed others. This is on top of Irans thirty-plus direct attacks on US Military personnel now in the Middle East.

It would be great if Tucker could get an interview with Netanyahu. That would be a must-watch!!!
Before creating another Palestinian state, lets consider its chance of success.

Weve had several different Arab states in and around Palestine. All failed, some disastrously.

Will yet another Palestinian state envisioned by Anthony Blinken or some think tank become just one more failed state, indeed a state destined to fail?

Yasser Arafats PLO operates a corrupt and failing state-in-waiting on Israels eastern flank, in an area commonly called the West Bank. It has failed in everything but terror for 30 years.

Well-meaning Israeli leftists, backed by well-meaning U.S. think-tanks and State Department officials, believed Arafat and the PLO had become moderates. They gave them Gaza and the West Bank, offering them a ready-made Palestinian state.

The PLO-Israel agreements of 1993-95 -- were meant to bring an era of peace. Instead, they brought an era of terror: 2,000 Israelis were murdered in less than a decade.

From Day One, the PLO violated all pacts with Israel, smuggled weapons, staged terror attacks.

Arafats successor, Mahmoud Abbas, pretends to be moderate, as he pays bonuses to terrorists who attack Israel, including Hamas terrorists in Gaza.

Some naive Westerners suggest a few Arab states should run Gaza, maybe the West Bank, too. History suggests that option would fail, as it failed in the past.

Jordan is already a sort of a fiction, a trans state with identity problems. Most Jordanians identify as Palestinians. Jordan is already scared of Palestinians and does not want any more. The same is true of Egypt. They know why.

Jordan ruled the West Bank from 1949-1967 as Egypt occupied the Gaza Strip. Both areas, meant to be Arab Palestine, were treated harshly, not given independence.

Strangely, nobody demanded freeing Palestine from occupiers from the river to the sea.

After Arab states attacked Israel in 1967 (and lost), Israel retook Gaza and the West Bank, stifling terror. Israel hounded Arafat, who fled to Jordan where he re-established PLO bases.

The PLO unleashed a global age of terror. It hijacked planes and tried to abduct entire Arab states, nearly destroying them. The Palestinians became pioneers in terror. That is why today, in 2023, not one Arab state offers to resettle them.

The PLO ripped apart Jordan in 1969-70, trying to erect a PLO state in Amman. King Hussein defeated the PLO and saved his country, evicting the terrorists. They went to Lebanon, where they ignited a civil war and built another Palestinian terror state headquartered in Beirut.

From there, Arafat launched more hijackings and the fatal attack on the 1972 Olympiad. Afterwards, PLO terrorists were often let go by Western governments afraid of more attacks.

The PLO terror state grew. Local attacks on Israels northern border increased, until, in 1982, Israel defeated the PLO in Lebanon, evicting them to Tunisia. A decade later, Israeli leftists rescued Arafat, bringing him back to Israel/Palestine in 1993.

In another peace move heralded by Israeli leftists, Ariel Sharon evicted Israels tiny civilian population from Gaza in 2005. Peace never came. Arab terror skyrocketed. Literally.

Rocket attacks sped up after Hamas beat the PLO in elections. Putting Hamas on the ballot was a well-meaning peace move pushed by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. There have been no elections in Gaza since, and also none in PLO-run territory.

One Man-One Vote, one time only.

Gazas exports went from home-grown Israeli flowers and citrus to home-grown Arab terror, what Hamas called muqawwama sarwakhiyya -- rocket-propelled resistance.

What have we learned? Why does Arab Palestine fail while Jewish Palestine  Israel -- succeeds? From Arafat/Abbas to Jihad/Hamas, Palestinian states become failed states, terror bases.

A successful nation-state requires a unifying national idea, a history, and an operational plan that is a vision of a hopeful national future. Palestine is a fiction. Palestine is a foreign word in Arabic, and it never appears in the Quran.

The Palestinian Cause (Al-Qadiyya Al-Filastiniyya in Arabic) was never a coherent Idea. Palestine was an artificial symbol for Arab League summits, a Pan-Arab banner under which Arab states pretended to be unified.

Palestine was never conceived as a positive vision but as a vision to negate Israel.

One thing unites the PLO and Hamas: the idea of erasing Israel. They differ on tactics.

Hatred is enough to burn your neighbors home but not enough to build a home of your own.

Dr. Michael Widlanski is the author of Battle for Our Minds: Western Elites and the Terror Threat (Threshold-Simon and Schuster, 2012), and Can Israel Survive A Palestinian State? (1990). He was strategic affairs advisor in Israel s Ministry of Public Security, editing captured PLO documents. Earlier he advised Israeli negotiation teams at the Madrid and Washington talks in 1991-92. Dr. Widlanski was a visiting professor at Washington University in St. Louis in 2007-8 and at the University of California, Irvine in 2014. He taught political communication for two decades at The Hebrew University and Bar Ilan University. Earlier he was a reporter at The New York Times and Cox Newspapers, war correspondent for Israeli Army Radio and Diplomatic Correspondent for Israel Television in English (IBA).

Image: Sete Ruiz
With the U.S. Capitol in the background, musicians performed and speakers including actors, politicians and activists addressed the crowd from a stage bedecked with the flags of Israel and the United States. One by one they recounted the history of the Jewish people, called for unity and support in the fight against Hamas, and expressed resolve for Israels future.

It was joyful, mainstream, and nobody got a car window kicked out, a wall graffitied with swastikas, or a porch smeared with ketchup. Nobody gtot arrested. Nobody was filmed spewing anti-Semitic slogans, or ripping down 'Missing' posters.

Attended the #MarchforIsrael rally in DC today. Glorious gathering. No violence. No hate. No masks. pic.twitter.com/0zmZrj7wBQ  Christina Hoff Sommers (@CHSommers) November 14, 2023

There were probably 150,000 women there, apparently not counting you, since you were busy trying to continue the destruction of our educational system while having a nice acai bowl. https://t.co/lgClRDntlm  John Podhoretz (@jpodhoretz) November 15, 2023

Which was a man-bites-dog story right there. In a normal world, the Post would have put this huge rally on its front page and above the fold.

While the article itself was not bad, its placement in the paper left a lot to be desired.

They ran it in the D.C., MD, and VA section. Local news. Local story.

Yet the details do not support that.

They kicked off with the president of Israel, Isaac Herzog, stating his support and gratitude for their rally from his home country of Israel:

Speaking remotely from Jerusalem, Israeli President Isaac Herzog thanked the protesters for gathering in support and marching for good over evil, for human morality over bloodthirst, for light over darkness.

That makes the story international.

Some of the rally goers from other countries (emphasis added):

Adam Halioua and Jack Benaim walked along the Mall on Tuesday morning with large Israeli flags wrapped around their shoulders. The childhood friends drove overnight from Toronto to join thousands of others.

More international.

They were also transcontinental Americans (emphasis added):

Protesters from across the country joined the rally, with many traveling by bus or flying from as far away as California. Organizers anticipated that 100,000 people would attend the event, according to a permit issued by the National Park Service. The demonstrators waved Israeli flags, wore Jewish fraternity shirts and stickers that read Am Yisrael Chai  The people of Israel live  and held signs of support from Philadelphia, Miami, Milwaukee, Chicago, Memphis, Cleveland, Boston and Canada.

That makes the story at least national.

Yet this story got relegated to the local pages? Maybe they had a space to fill. But more likely, they sought to downplay this great groundswell of global support for Israel in order to ensure that Americans didn't get too many ideas.

That's a crummy bit of censorship or news repression.

Why did they do that?

Image: Twitter screen shot
Sara E. Hill has one of the most important qualifications for a future member of the federal judiciary. Its not that shes a brilliant, successful attorney, which seems to be questionable. What matters is that the former attorney general of the Cherokee Nation ticks off the right box on the lefts diversity hierarchy, for Hill is of Cherokee descent. However, when this litigation attorney was asked about two very basic judicial principles, she flailed badly.

When you are a litigator, there are two things that you do constantly: You ask the court for stays, and you ask the court to issue temporary injunctions that you hope will turn into permanent ones. Both motions ask the court to stop something from happening, but they are very different in purpose and effect.

A stay request is one that asks the court to halt judicial proceedings. Its a purely procedural motion that goes to the courts management of events unfolding before it. The most common circumstance is when a judge issues an order, and one of the parties takes the matter to the appellate court. At the same time, that party will ask the trial court to stay its order pending the appeals outcome.

An injunction asks the court to make a substantive, legal decision to enjoin (or stop) one of the parties from the case from acting outside the court, in the real world. For example, if someone claimed a right to tear down my house, I would rush into court seeking a temporary injunction stopping the person from doing so pending a proceeding examining the facts and law of the case.

If the court determines that my claim could prevail and that refusing to issue the temporary injunction means my case will be mooted because my property will be irreparably harmed or destroyed, Ill get that temporary injunction. Then, after a full trial of the matter, if I win, the court will issue an order permanently enjoining the other party from destroying my house.

As I said, these are two of the most basic things attorneys do: They ask for stays of proceedings or for injunctions against the other party in a case.

Yet Sara Hill, when asked to define the two terms, couldnt do so:

President Bidens district judge nominee Sara Hill was unable to explain to @SenJohnKennedy the difference between a stay order and an injunction.



How can an individual who wants to be a federal judge possibly not know this?



Senator Durbin even congratulated Hill pic.twitter.com/6oJAKqhN3I  Carrie Severino (@JCNSeverino) November 15, 2023

I actually feel a little sorry for Hill. Shes clearly nervous and, seemingly, her mind went blank. But this is such basic stuff that, even with a blank mind, she should have been able to dredge up an answer. That she couldnt suggests that Bidens only concern when appointing her was her racial heritage.

Since Im not a fan of judges, Im actually unimpressed by yet another marginal person sitting on the bench. So many are. Its a sad, bad thing for America, but its reality.

However, I want you to think about the fact that this same racial algorithm is being applied across the board in American society. American Airlines, for example, has made it clear that race is a priority when it makes its hiring decisions:

[T]he airline has admitted that it weighs race as a factor in hiring and in contracting, according to materials reviewed. In a shareholder meeting last June, the NCPPR reported that AA CEO Doug Parker said the airline absolutely weighs diversity, equity, and inclusion in its hiring process for pilots.

When people board that plane, they dont want to know that their pilot has the right skin color. They want to know that he or she was hired for competency. They understand that the persons race should be irrelevant to the hiring decision.

The same, of course, should be true for judges but, again, we dont live in a perfect world.

Image: Twitter screen grab.
Like scam artists everywhere, leftists and the nations socialist media (but thats being repetitive and redundant) are well practiced in the art of deception and misdirection in deceiving people about what is happening right in front of their faces. While one hand is waving clickbait around to catch the eye, the other is quickly hiding away what they dont want everyone to see.

Anti-liberty leftists have been out in the streets everywhere acting like a certain national socialist organization that had antisemitism as one of its core beliefs along with the collectivist ideal of Common Good Before Individual Good (Gemeinnutz vor Eigennutz in the original German), screaming slogans that were all too common even back in Bavaria in 1922 from a swashbuckling little politician and his manure-colored mob.

It was the new paper of record that framed the situation with the satirical (but all too true) story: Palestine Protester Tries To Argue With Skinhead But They Just Agree On Everything.

DALLAS, TX  A tense situation was avoided today, as a Leftist pro-Palestine protestor attempted to get into an argument with a Skinhead but found they really are on the same page about pretty much everything.

There is just something about satire that is perfect for cutting through the Bolshevik BS, even as the nations socialist media sources are performing all manner of mental gymnastics to unsuccessfully explain this away.

The problem for the fascist far left is that there is a growing number of unsettling similarities between its members and the Nazis, starting with rank antisemitism. So what can they do to maintain their 100-year-old illogical and evidence-free big lie that a certain National Socialist Workers Party that was based on collectivism and a strong central authority belongs on the side of the political spectrum set in the fundamental principles of individual liberties and limited government?

From the criminalization of free speech and weaponization of the government against political opponents (got Gestapo?) to the people who used to pretend to be liberal protecting the administrative state, declaring that We Need a Few Good Dictators, to exit taxes and eugenics, the similarities go on forever. Socialist George Bernard Shaw, an advocate of depopulation schemes, called for people to justify their existence and appealed to chemists to discover a humane gas that will kill instantly and painlessly.

(Take note that the Ku Klux Klan was closely associated with the far left and the Democrat party, having been revived by the Wilson administration.)

But watch out! President Trump used the word vermin!

With the spectacle of their acting like that National Socialist Workers Party going full antisemitic in front of the whole world, with people taking notice, the fascist far left simply started screaming that President Trump is a Nazi and the second coming of Adolf Hitler.

To say that it was a pile-on is a severe understatement:

Im starting to think Donald Trump is sounding like Hitler on purpose

Tired of Winning review: Jonathan Karl on Trump as Hitler wannabe

How Trumps rhetoric compares with Hitlers

Accused of Echoing Fascists, Trump Campaign Warns Its Critics Will Be Crushed

Trump threatens to handle the vermin: MAGA has got a hold of the Nazi playbook

Joe Scarborough Warns Trump Is Going Full-On Hitler After Weekend Rhetoric

Biden campaign says Trump echoed Hitler with use of word vermin

Trump calling opponents vermin draws rebukes from White House, some in GOP

Take Trump at his word when he threatens to punish his enemies

Its Official: With Vermin, Trump Is Now Using Straight-up Nazi Talk

Trumps Veterans Day message draws comparisons to Hitler

Retired 4-star general compares Trump loyalists to Hitlers Nazis

That is just a sampling of the fascist far-left firehose from the nations socialist media over the use of one word  the proverbial speck in our eye, while they cant see the lumber yard in theirs.

No wonder only 32% of Americans have any confidence in the media. Everyone else trusts the media about as far as they can throw the equivalent of Hunter Bidens annual cocaine habit.

Theres a reason they called the party of projection, and with only a small percentage believing their lies, they have to scream louder to get any attention, like a baby with a full diaper and a similar output.

What are they going to do when no one listens to their lies anymore?

D Parker is an engineer, inventor, wordsmith, and student of history, the director of communications for a civil rights organization, and a longtime contributor to conservative websites. Find him on Substack.

Image: Gage Skidmore via Flickr, CC BY-SA 2.0.
In Israel, its emerged that when the Gazastanians attacked on October 7, they brought their kids with them. Worse, it seems that the kids enjoyed themselves.

Over and over, one reads that the attack on the Israelis was incredibly sadistic. For example (serious content warning):

Eyewitness describing how she saw a woman being raped by several Hamas terrorists, pulling her hair as they raped her and took turns. One of them cut her breasts off - the others played with them like a toy. The last terrorist to rape her shot her in the head and continued to rape her until her [sic] finished. Eyewitness also says some terrorists were carrying heads in their hands (beheaded) as trophies, saying there wasnt a thing the[y] didnt do to the heads. She also saw a Hamas terrorist carrying a naked girl over his shoulder.

This is Stone Age barbarism, completely unburdened by the civilizing influences of modernity. Its also not the stuff of take your kids to work dayand yet thats exactly what Hamas did:

Eran Smilansky, a 28-year-old potato farmer, watched Gazan children go from house to house in his kibbutz on Oct. 7. Hamas terrorists followed. The boys laughed as the gunmen shot or dragged away Israeli families. They were like young, young kids, said Smilansky, who defended his home from terrorists for more than six hours that day. They were going in front of the terrorists, laughing with their friends and looking very calm. I remember thinking, What the fuck? Smilansky was one of a dozen survivors of the Nir Oz massacre who told the Washington Free Beacon they witnessed boys or women from the Gaza Strip looting the kibbutz, helping the armed terrorists, and apparently enjoying themselves. The youngest children were around 10 years old, according to several of the survivors, one of whom provided photographs of some of the women and children he saw. The survivors spoke at a hotel in Eilat, Israels Red Sea resort town, where most of them have been temporarily relocated.

This shouldnt surprise anyone. Hamas educates its children in hatred from the cradle (often with UN funding paid for by American tax dollars). While your children are lisping about flowers and friendship when they graduate from kindergarten, this is whats happening amongst the Gazastanians as their parents proudly film them:

This toxic education continues as the kids grow older. To understand whats happening, you should know that the schools receive material from the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNWRA), which gets the largest chunk of its money from U.S. taxpayers (who are the UNs largest funders) has existed for 75 years solely to support so-called Palestinian refugees. This is an unusual arrangement.

After World War II, the people displaced by a continent-wide war lasting six years were resettled within about five years. The new state of Israel, despite being impoverished and under perpetual siege, took in as many Jews as it could hold, almost all of whom were incredibly damaged death camp survivors.

Indeed, after every war, there have been refugees who have been absorbed into other countries, usually surrounding nations with similar cultural values. Only the Arabs who moved to Ottoman Palestine beginning in the 1830s are different, for they have bureaucrats who are willing to keep them in a perpetual state of refugee-hood.

To avoid the peace that will deprive these bureaucrats of their sinecures, UNWRA perpetuates hatred. The alleged educational materials UNRWA allows in schools in Gaza and the West Bank would have fit nicely in Nazis schools in 1930s Germany. In addition to allowing the antisemitic tyrants in Gaza and the West Bank to provide their own educational materials in UNWRA-run schools, UNWRA also provides its own materials that align with the Islamists virulent ideology. This report details whats being fed to young minds in Gaza and the West Bank. For example:

One example is an UNRWA-created Arabic reading comprehension exercise for 9th graders at UNRWAs AlMaghazi Middle School for Boys B (Gaza), which celebrated a Palestinian firebombing attack on a Jewish bus as a barbecue party. Another example from UNRWAs Al-Zaytun Elementary School (Gaza) shows that fifth graders were taught to glorify Dalal Mughrabi as a role model for children, a terrorist who carried out the 1978 Coastal Road Massacre in which 38 Israeli civilians, including 13 children, were murdered on a civilian bus.

This material, and much more like it, inflames the children, imprinting on their minds the idea that the best thing they can do with their lives is to kill Jews:

Palestinian children talk about the education they get in @UNRWA  schools.



It's all about killing the Jews. I want to stab them again and again, I want to become a suicide bomber, etc.



Thanks @UN  for raising the next generation of terrorists.

pic.twitter.com/4XMbMGHgF9  Dr. Eli David (@DrEliDavid) November 14, 2023

When I look at children like this, all I can think of is how the children of Israel were consigned to wander in the desert for 40 years until the slave and idol-worshipping generation had died. God understood that the Jews who left Egypt were not fit for their own nation. The same is true for these benighted children, trained in the ways of hatred, murder, and all that is evil. The whole risible notion of a two-state solution rests with people like theseand they are not fit for their own nation.

Frankly, I dont know what you do with a generation like this. Can these values be untaught? Maybe for some, but children who will happily laugh and help out as they see women raped to death, babies cooked, and children their own age tortured, murdered, and kidnapped seem pretty unsalvageableand remember that all of this done with your tax dollars helping to foot the bill.

Image: X screen grab.
Its very exciting to see that the alphabet narcissist brigade has decided to stand with Hamas.

The reason its so exciting? Hamas will finally be educated about microaggressions, pronouns, gendered language, systemic racism and all their cisgendered heteronormative privilege!



Woke couldnt happen to a finer group of troglodytes! And religious fanatics also couldnt happen to a finer group of troglodytes!

Gays are not welcome in Palestine

how do people not understand that?

how many more need to die?

But the gay community will stay silent for diversity or as we call it cowards. pic.twitter.com/eJG3YxBRJZ  sledge81 News and Opinions (@sledge81NEWS) November 10, 2023



What happens when #metoo meets honor killings? I cant wait to see the linguistic gymnastics that MSNBC will be doing over that!



And when the queers (or the Yale Divinity Institute or both) write a comic book explaining how Muhammad was actually a trans woman of color? What a glorious day that will be for tolerance and diversity!



Even better, Marvel and Kathleen Kennedy could make a franchise about the prophet and put Brie Larson in the title role! It would be an updated take of Muhammad, designed for todays audiences; with lots of tolerance, inclusion, man bashing, and strong women characters waging Jihad without any training, religion, or practice!



Shopkeepers in the Middle East are going to have to learn how to lock up merchandise they wont be able to chop the hands of shoplifters unless they steal $900 worth of frankincense and myrrh!



The Soros-funded mullahs and clerics will be another fun adjustment that folkx in the Middle East will have to make. New speeding ticket cameras and safe injection sites will have to be installed. Cash bail will need to be implementedso it can be eliminated. And only white men will be able to be taken to chop chop square.



Also, the Middle Eastern governments are going to have to give the people some rights, so the new woke citizens can scream about how their rights are being violated on TikTok.



The Kaaba will need to host a Pride night and supply Narcan for any revealers who indulge a bit too much. Oh yeah, its going to be family-friendly and clothing optional with a performance by Lady Gaga, Madonna, and Pink on top of the rock! The Strong Woke Women of Wahhabi Festival!



If Trump wins in 24 obviously Gaza would welcome all the marginalized and oppressed refugees who have to leave America!



Tucking hijabs and abayas that show off cleavage can be found at (ironically named) Targets that will soon open in Gaza and throughout the new provinces of Wokeran.



If Hamas plays their cards right (and pays $40,000), Dylan Mulvaney might even do a video promoting their cause!



Hamas had better fully embrace their new LGBTQBLM allies and allow them to transition children, otherwise they will get called names and get blocked on Twitter!



The whole alliance really needs a theme song maybe R. Kellys I believe I can fly?

Image: Twitter screen shot
As a real Beatles fan, I'm disappointed when so-called "new recordings" come out. I'm sad because there is nothing new, especially since they were in the studio 50 years ago. Nothing new, trust me.

My brother, and several school friends, sent me the new Beatles' single flying up the charts everywhere. Every message came with the same question: "Did you hear the new one from the Fab Four"?

Sorry, but I'd rather keep the Beatles in my closet collection of LPs or some of those digital recordings that came out when we started trading our vinyl for CDs.

Who remembers going out and buying all of those CDs only to find out that the tracks on Rubber Soul were different than the U.S. versions? I think that they fixed that later by issuing the U.S. versions on CD as well. After all, how can you listen to Rubber Soul and not hear "I've Just Seen a Face" as the first song on side A? What's wrong with those Brits? Of course, an English friend in high school once told me that it was we over here who messed up the track listings.

I've been reading a few reviews of "Now and Then" and this is the one that comes closest to my feelings about the song. This is from Gil Kaufman:

Probably, but this feels like such a unique, one-off kind of thing I hope we dont start digging into the crates for unfinished songs from beloved artists that wont significantly add to their legacies, if not outright despoil them. A good friend who is a major rock band manager once told me, If they didnt release it as a single or even include it 11 tracks deep, you probably dont need/want to hear it.

Yes, John did not include this on his last solo album. It took 45 years to get around to releasing it. Maybe it was meant to be unreleased and that's the best way to say it.

Want to hear the Beatles? Check out Rubber Soul or Revolver this weekend. Or find that scratchy 45 version of Paperback Writer and go really loud. It will remind me of my late Cuban mother banging on our door saying that stuff would mess up our hearing.

P.S. Check out my blog for posts, podcasts and videos.

Image: Noord-Hollands Archief / Fotoburo de Boer
On November 7th, The Washington Post ran an article titled, What is the two-state solution for Israelis and Palestinians? The item, which encompasses almost a half-page, doesnt once mention that the Palestinians have been offered a state at least a half-dozen times over the last 75 years, and have refused each time.

In 1948, when Israel declared independence, the local Arabs now known as Palestinians launched a genocidal war along with five neighboring Arab countries, with the explicit intent to push the Jews into the sea (their words). In one of the greatest upsets in history, the tiny Jewish state won. No other time in history has a loser of a war demanded so much from the winner. Israel offered more and more, eventually relenting in 2008 with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert offering almost 100% of what the Palestinians wanted. They still said no.

Then in 2017, as the authors of the article note, then-leader of Hamas Khaled Meshaal said the militants were ready to agree to a two-state solution but that would not include recognizing Israel.

Even with that, The Post article blames Israel, saying this:

Israels construction of settlements in the West Bank represented one of the most pressing obstacles toward peace for Palestinians.

But Palestinians have been murdering Israelis and otherwise trying to destroy Israel since long before the dispute over settlements. In any event, if Israel can be a country with 20% of its inhabitants being Arab, why cant a Palestinian state include 20% Jews?

The crux of the conflict is demonstrated by the shouts at each and every Palestinian protest throughout America: from the river to the sea. The Palestinians want their state to extend from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea with no Jewish state existing at all. Moreover, from what they have said, they want it to be Jew-free.

Image: Free image, Pixabay license, no attribution required.
The Recount is a prominent hard-left online news site. It promotes itself as a No bull**** site but, somehow, the absence of BS always resolves itself into a completely pro-Democrat agenda. Currently, though, The Recount is lacking its usual leadership because Slade Sohmer, its Editor in Chief, just lost his job. It wasnt because he was bad at being editor. Its because he got arrested on child pornography and pedophilia charges.

The charges are pretty heinous:

Sohmer was arrested at his residence in Otis, Mass., on Friday, several weeks after law enforcement obtained a search warrant and confiscated his personal electronic devices. An investigation into Sohmer was started after authorities received a tip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. Authorities later traced the content in the lead to the IP address of Sohmers home internet. After searching through Sohmers phones, laptops, and tablets, investigators initially uncovered 1,300 files, with hundreds that included child sexual abuse media. One of the pictures depicted the rape of a child around four years old. The Berkshire Eagle reported that Sohmer was released on $100,000 bail Monday after he was charged and arraigned in Berkshire District Court. He allegedly disseminated "hundreds of child pornography images and videos," some of which included toddlers, court documents showed. The district attorneys office said some of the materials were sent to others via Telegram and Snapchat. In 2021, Sohmer allegedly discussed how to lure, kidnap and rape children with another individual.

In addition, Sohmer is alleged to have filmed a video in which he was instructing a minor to perform sexual acts.

AI image of a bearded with a young boy.

As noted, Sohmer no longer works at The Recount, which parted ways with him around the time of his arrest. However, leftists still have a problem with Sohmer, which is that hes also part of the LGBTQ+ contingent, which feeds into the long-held belief that gay men shouldnt be around children. Buzzfeed is already doing clean-up, having removed a 2018 feature story about Sohmer telling school children he was gay.

Leftism has always been obsessed with child sexuality. If you want to control children, you must capture them young, and one of the best ways is to deny them the sense of agency over their own bodies. Thats why, for example, in the 1960s and 1970s, German leftists made a huge push for childhood sexual liberation, which was a great vehicle for pedophiles. The goal, though, was politics:

Revolution der Erziehung (The Revolution in Education), a work published by Rowohlt in 1971, which quickly became a bestseller, addresses sexuality as follows: The de-eroticization of family life, from the prohibition of sexual activity among children to the taboo of incest, serves as preparation for total assimilation -- as preparation for the hostile treatment of sexual pleasure in school and voluntary subjugation to a dehumanizing labor system.

In Europe, even the Church was affected. Although its very difficult to find information about it now, European Leftists infiltrated the Catholic Diocese in Mechelen-Brussels, in Belgium, and actively promoted pedophilia. This was no longer an individual pedophilic priest here or there. Instead, the entire church, led by a liberal Belgian church hierarchy, sought to normalize pedophilia.

Notably, Barack Obamas childhood mentor, Frank Marshall Davis, was obsessed with deviant sexuality, including with young people. To this end, he wrote about disturbing sexual practices such as bondage, simulated rape, undinism, and pedophilia (or, at the very least, pederasty). Its interesting to pair those facts with Larry Sinclairs allegation that Barack Obama used crack and engaged in homosexual sex.

Looking at people caught engaged in pedophilia, my suspicion is that, when non-leftists, including avowed Christians and conservatives, are caught having sex with children and doing other dire and dirty deeds, they know its wrong. Leftists, however, dont seem to have a moral compass here. For them, Childhood sexuality is a path to power. And by the way, when are we going to see Epsteins list?
The first truck carrying fuel into Gaza since the beginning of Israel's war against Hamas crossed from Egypt via the Rafah crossing on Wednesday (November 15) to deliver diesel to the United Nations outposts inside the strip.

While humanitarian aid supplies have been allowed to cross into Gaza - and dual nationals and a limited number of the sick and injured into Egypt - since late October, the fuel run was only allowed at this point of the war as an early fuel run could embolden Hamas to intercept and fuel trucks and use the supplies to withstand a siege by Israeli forces.

A humanitarian source told Reuters, on the condition of anonymity, that the delivery was made possible by Israel giving its approval for 24,000 liters of diesel for two days to be allowed into Gaza for UN aid distribution trucks, but not for hospital generators.

"This is not enough for anything - not for hospitals, not even for aid deliveries," the source added. "It's meant to be enough only to bring some of the aid that has been outside - and got rained on for example - indoors to the warehouses."

Two other fuel trucks were on standby on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing, but it was unclear when they would be allowed to enter.

Read Also: Israel Raids Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza Following Gunfire at Gates

UNRWA: Approved Fuel Run Not Enough

In addition, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) director Tom White said the fuel run would do little to prevent relief efforts in the area, which has already been running on fumes since the war broke out.

"This is only 9% of what we need daily to sustain lifesaving activities," he wrote on X, formerly Twitter, also confirming that just over 23,000 liters - or half a tanker - had been received.

"Our entire operation is now on the verge of collapse," UNRWA commissioner Philippe Lazzarini added. "It is appalling that fuel continues to be used as a weapon of war."

Aside from relief distribution, aid workers said that the fuel was also vital for hospital generators, provision of water, sewage treatment, and keeping communication lines open. The lack of such, they added, contributed to what they deemed as a sharp deterioration of conditions for Gaza's 2.3 million residents.

The UN had warned in the past few days that it would soon have to halt humanitarian operations as its fuel stocks became fully depleted. This was in addition to the closure of hospitals and other vital facilities due to the fuel shortage.

UN Asks Israel to Speed Up Aid into Gaza

On Tuesday (November 14) 91 trucks carrying food, medicine, bottled water, blankets, and tents entered Gaza from the Rafah crossing, but the UN maintained that the total supply run of 1,187 trucks since October 21 could only meet a fraction of the strip's needs, with distribution grinding to a halt since fuel ran out.

In response, the UN has called on Israel to open its Kerem Shalom crossing to allow in larger quantities of aid.

Related Article: Several Polls Say US Support for Israel Declining as Siege of Gaza City Continues

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Gen-Z might argue that Facebook is a bygone social media platform. However, it remains the most popular social media platform even in 2023, according to a Statista report. Although Meta decided to discontinue payments to news publishers on Facebook News Tab, it remains the go-to source for news in the U.S.

Every 3 out of 10 U.S. adults read news from Facebook

Despite the rise of other social media platforms, Facebook remains the most popular source of news among adults in the U.S. Over 30% of users regularly consume news on the platform, per Pew Research.

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YouTube follows closely behind with 26% of users, while Instagram secures third place with 16%. While not as widely used for news, TikTok, X, and Reddit still play a role in informing the US population, with 14%, 12%, and 8% of users, respectively.

Although, the percentage of users getting news from Facebook has declined from 54% in 2020 to 43% in 2023. It still remains the most popular social media platform for news consumption.

TikTok has experienced a surge in news consumption, with 43% of users now turning to the app for news, up from 22% three years ago. Among all the social networks surveyed, X (formerly, Twitter) has the highest percentage of users (53%) who go to the website for news.

Men mostly read news from Reddit; women prefer Nextdoor

The study reveals a gender divide in social media news consumption. It notes that Men primarily use Reddit, X, and YouTube for news. Meanwhile, women prefer Nextdoor, Facebook, and Instagram. Despite the decreasing reliance on social media for news, a significant portion still uses social media for daily news. And with great power, comes great responsibility.

Thats why social media companies must remain vigilant in combating the spread of misinformation, even if their focus shifts away from news delivery. Social media has previously been accused of spreading misinformation in the past, especially during times of conflict or global tension. These accusations have focused on social medias role in promoting fabricated reports and undermining public trust.
Samsung may soon unveil the Galaxy A25 5G. A few days back, we exclusively revealed the phones official renders and key specs while the company worked on regulatory approvals. The firm has now listed the unannounced handset on its website, hinting at an imminent launch.

Samsungs Galaxy A25 5G nears its launch

The Galaxy A25 5G has been in the news regularly over the past week or so. Alongside our exclusive leaks, the device picked up certifications from the FCC, TUV Rheinland, BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards), and Bluetooth SIG during this time. All of this suggested a nearing launch. While we still dont have a launch date, Samsungs latest move may be a big hint that the wait wont be much longer now.

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The Korean behemoth has put up an official support page for the phone on its website in India. The Indian version of the Galaxy A25 5G will bear the model number SM-A256E. Other model variants include SM-A256B, SM-A256N, SM-A2560, and SM-A256U, with the latter being the US version. As usual, the newly published support page doesnt reveal anything notable. All we get is a confirmation for dual-SIM support in the country.

Nonetheless, its an indication that Samsung is preparing for the phones market release. Unlike some other mid-range Galaxy handsets, the Galaxy A25 5G will seemingly be available globally. The company may not open sales everywhere on the same day but it should eventually reach all markets where the Korean firm has operations. We should have soon more information.

The new model will bring a few upgrades

The Galaxy A25 5G will succeed Samsungs Galaxy A24, a 2023 mid-range smartphone that lacked 5G support. Since we already have the new models key specs, we know that it will bring a few upgrades to the table. Apart from 5G connectivity, it will give you a 32MP selfie camera and an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The current model has a 13MP selfie camera and lacks an IP rating.

Other known specs include a 6.44-inch display, Samsungs in-house Exynos 1280 processor with 6GB/8GB of RAM and 128GB/256GB of storage (plus microSD card support), 5,000mAh battery, 25W fast charging, 50MP main camera, Bluetooth 5.3, Wi-Fi 5, NFC, side-mounted fingerprint scanner, and USB Type-C 2.0. The phone will run Android 14-based One UI 6.0 out of the box and get updates up to Android 18. The Galaxy A25 5G is expected to cost around $300 at launch.
A sad fact of tech is that most technology is meant to benefit people with eyesight. However, people who are visually impaired rely on technology as much as anyone else. Well, Microsoft has adopted a new AI technology that will help its blind customers better navigate its services, according to a new report.

Theres a service called Be My Eyes that helps people who are blind and visually impaired get through their every tasks. Well, Microsoft partnered with Be My Eyes and integrated its technology into its own Disability Answer Desk. It will help Microsoft customers with any sort of troubleshooting they need to do. Since this involves Microsoft, it should come as no surprise that this is an AI tool.

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Microsoft will use AI to help its blind customers

Be My Eyes has been around since 2015, and the company just started working on implementing AI into its service. Called Be My AI, this service uses OpenAIs GPT-4 to ascertain images taken with a phone. It will then give the user a verbal description of whats in the picture. So, a person could take a picture of their medication or a user manual for a device. The app will give them verbal feedback on what they took a picture of.

This way, they have a way to know whats going on around them. Right now, this function is in beta testing for iPhone users. If you want to learn more about this, you should go to the Be My Eyes page.

Microsoft is going to implement Be My AIs technology into its Disability AnswerDesk. Its essentially creating an AI-powered assistant that will help them with their technical problems. So, if a user is having trouble with one of the companys services, they can use the AI assistant to solve their problems.

In fact, after some limited testing, it turns out that people prefer to go about it this way instead of talking to a human agent. About 90% of the people involved in the test chose using AI over a human being.

Microsoft is one of many companies gearing up to use Be My Eyes in their services. Other companies like Sony, Hilton, OpenAI, and Procter & Gamble are also looking to implement the technology into their services. This could be a game changer for people who are visually impaired.
Google has rolled out an experimental feature through Search Labs for Android and IOS users in the US and India. This innovative addition introduces a Notes section beneath webpage search results, enabling users to provide comments on the presented content. Highlighted by 9to5Google, Google envisions the Notes feature as a platform offering helpful tips about an article or topic from both experts and everyday people.

In the latest round of Google updates, search results now prioritize content from Reddit. This was in response to Googles analysis showing a growing trend among users to include reddit in their search queries. The data underscores a preference for concise, human-written answers. While the new Notes feature doesnt replicate Reddits dialogue, it serves a similar purpose by allowing users to quickly gauge others opinions on an article.

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Googles new Notes feature lets users share quick tips and insights directly on webpage search results

The introduction of the Notes feature effectively establishes a comment section beneath web pages. Users can now utilize this as a reference point to assess the usefulness of a webpages content. Google adds, Notes might help you uncover tips about which neighborhoods might be best for you in an article about a new city, or how to tone down the spice level on a recipe. Or maybe a baking guide helped you create the perfect color frosting  you can leave a note to help other people avoid first-timer mistakes.

Crucially, Google clarifies that the Notes feature is not intended to replace existing content or compete with native comment systems. It is designed as a value-adding feature rather than a type of social media platform. Certain restrictions, such as disallowing links and direct replies in the Notes section, aim to maintain the features simplicity.

The Notes feature aims to enhance web pages usefulness through human interaction. Users can engage with notes by liking, sharing, and saving them. The engagement data from Notes will be utilized to rank them based on their relevance to search terms.

The Notes feature is part of a Google Labs experimental trial and not a permanent addition. Google will analyze user feedback and assess the features contribution to the platform before deciding on its future. In related news, Google plans to launch a feature in the coming weeks that allows users to follow specific searches and receive updates through app notifications.
YouTube is rolling out its 1080p Premium streaming quality to users on Android, smart TVs, and the web client. It is also bringing the Continue watching reminder to Premium subscribers on tablets and TVs. The new features are expanding to more devices amid an international price increase for YouTube Premium.

YouTube Premium users get enhanced 1080p and more new features

Earlier this year, YouTube debuted an enhanced 1080p streaming quality for Premium users. Aptly called 1080p Premium, it upgrades the bitrate of the video rather than its resolution. This makes the image look sharper with more detail and better overall quality. The Premium-exclusive tier was initially only available on iOS.

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YouTube later rolled it out to the web version but didnt formally announce the expansion. The firm has now revealed that the enhanced bitrate version of 1080p streaming resolution is available on the web, as well as the Android app and smart TVs. The new tier kicks in automatically based on your connection and viewing settings. You can always manually change the streaming quality.

YouTubes blog post also confirms a wider availability of the Continue watching reminder for Premium users. The feature lets you seamlessly switch between devices without interrupting your video. If you watch a portion of a video on your phone and open YouTube on your TV, you will get a reminder to continue watching the video on the big screen. It will begin from the point you left off on the phone.

Start your favorite podcast on the subway during your morning commute, switch to the web on your laptop as you take a break at work, and end your day by watching on your smart TV at home, YouTube says. The company adds that Premium badges are now available to all Premium users who are 18 years and older. You can find these badges on the Your Premium benefits page.

Premium users get early access to experimental features and promotions

YouTube Premium users also get other exclusive benefits such as early access to experimental features and promotional offers from partners. In the US, paid members can currently take advantage of an in-game loot bundle for Genshin Impact, 3-month trial of Discord Nitro, 3-month trial of Walmart+, 4-month trial of Calm Premium, and 3-month trial of PC Game Pass. Head over to Your Premium benefits page to pick up these deals.

As far as experimental features are concerned, YouTube is currently testing a Conversational AI tool. It adds an Ask button below videos and lets you ask questions about the video. You can select a suggested prompt to begin the conversation. The tool is available to Premium users in the US using the Android app in English. Slots for this experiment are limited, so head over to youtube.com/new and sign up quickly.
(Photo : Kena Betancur/Getty Images)

NEW YORK, NY - OCTOBER 31: NYPD officers respond after reports of multiple people hit by a truck after it plowed through a bike path in lower Manhattan on October 31, 2017 in New York City. According to reports up to six people may have been killed.

Maine's yellow flag law, designed to restrict access to guns during mental health crises, has seen increased utilization.

The updated figures, released during a recent law enforcement training session, reveal that the yellow flag law has been invoked at least 13 times since the deadly incident on October 25th, making it a total of 94 times since its implementation in July 2020, as per The Independent.

Maine's Yellow Flag Law Addresses Mental Health, Firearms

The yellow flag law allows law enforcement to respond to warnings about individuals who may pose a threat due to their mental health condition. An officer visits the individual in question and assesses whether temporary protective custody is warranted.

If deemed necessary and approved by a judge, this process can result in a 14-day weapons restriction. Furthermore, a full court hearing could extend these restrictions for up to a year.

What makes this situation even more perplexing is that some individuals whose guns were temporarily removed under the yellow flag law referenced the name of the Lewiston gunman, Robert Card, responsible for the mass shooting.

Four individuals either mentioned Card's name or expressed intentions to become the "next mass shooter." These alarming statements underscore the importance of proactive measures to address potential threats and protect public safety.

The October 25th mass shootings in Lewiston were the deadliest in Maine's history, claiming the lives of 18 individuals and injuring 13 others. The gunman, Robert Card, was an Army reservist who opened fire at a bowling alley and a bar.

The incident triggered a massive law enforcement response, with tens of thousands of residents ordered to shelter at home. At the same time, hundreds of officers conducted a search that ultimately ended with the discovery of Card's body in nearby Lisbon. An autopsy later confirmed that he had died by suicide, according to Fox News.

Read Also: Israeli Military Releases Video Allegedly Showing Evidence of Hostages in Gaza Hospital

The Lead-up to the Lewiston Mass Shootings

Before the mass shootings, there were warning signs concerning Card's mental health and access to firearms. Family members and fellow reservists had expressed concerns about his well-being, with one reservist even messaging, "I believe he's going to snap and do a mass shooting."

Despite these red flags, when deputies visited Card's home in Bowdoin about a month before the tragedy, he did not respond to their attempts to contact him. At the time, law enforcement did not possess the legal authority to enter his residence forcibly.

The chain of events leading up to the mass shootings remains unclear. However, it is known that the sheriff's office had issued a statewide alert seeking help locating Card, which was subsequently canceled a week before the devastating rampage.

The implementation of the yellow flag law in these cases highlights the critical need for proactive measures to address potential threats related to mental health and access to firearms.

The law seeks to strike a balance between individual rights and public safety, and its recent use underscores the importance of early intervention to prevent tragic incidents like the Lewiston mass shootings, ABC News reported.

Related Article: Canadian-Israeli Peace Activist Vivian Silver Found Dead, Killed in Hamas Attack

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(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 16 - An Italian teacher proposed to his partner of 12 years and colleague in the school they had met in with the help of his students, who brought her the flowers after playing romantic music in Puglia this week.

After a moment's hesitation, the man came into the classroom, knelt and asked for his girlfriend's hand holding out the ring in an institute at Peschici near Foggia.

She said yes immediately and the two kissed to loud applause from the students, in a video that has gone viral on TikTok.

"They had already been together for 12 years," said the student who shot the video, "and finally he got up the courage to propose in the place where they met". (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 16 - The government's new security package includes prison terms of u to six years for for riots in prisons or migrant processing pre-removal centres (CPRs), Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi told a press conference after the measures were approved by cabinet Thursday.

He recalled that in the past facilities for the detention of migrants have often been the scene of fires and acts that have endangered the safety of the detainees themselves.

Rioting in Italian prisons increased in recent years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. (ANSA).


(see related) (ANSA) - ROME, NOV 16 - Premier Giorgia Meloni said via social media that she was "proud of the important security package" her cabinet approved on Thursday.

In a post on X, she listed some of the main elements of the package, including "more protection for the police" and faster procedures for the liberation of illegally occupied properties, as well as the introduction of a new crime which foresees two to seven years in prison for illegal occupants.

She said the bill also features a "crackdown on scams committed against the elderly and the most vulnerable people, with an increase in the prison sentence from two to six years for the crime of aggravated fraud".

The premier said the bill includes specific measures to combat pick-pockets and punish people who use minors in begging, particularly in metro and train stations.

There is the introduction of a new crime to punish those who participate in and-or organize prison riots, she said.

Meloni added that the package also features a clampdown on protestors who halt traffic on roads, something groups highlighting the need to combat the climate crisis have started doing frequently.

Before Thursday's cabinet meeting Meloni said the measures contained in the bill aim to "overcome an anachronistic structure and recognize the need to adjust the armed forces' workforce in line with the increased commitments in the national and international arena".

The bill "will make it possible to enhance the professionalism required to meet the new challenges, also to protect the new domains, and to recruit specialized and highly specialized permanent service professionals," added Meloni.

Interior Minister Matteo Piantedosi said the the bill on defence, security and public rescue "significantly improves the quality of work of those who are engaged in protecting the security of citizens on a daily basis".

"The government has prepared an important package of regulations, concrete measures that are all oriented towards and aimed at enhancing the role of those working in the security, defence and public rescue sectors," said Piantedosi. Meloni on Thursday told unions representing the police and people in the armed services that the 1.5 billion euros the government has set aside for the renewal of the collective contract of the defence and security sector in the 2024 budget bill will ensure a pay rise of 5.8%, the sources said. (ANSA).


(ANSA) - ROME, NOV 16 - Taxes will soon be suspended in the parts of Tuscany that were hit by devastating floods killing eight people earlier this month, the office of Premier Giorgia Meloni at Palazzo Chigi said Thursday.

"Yesterday, 15 November, the Region of Tuscany sent a request to the Presidency of the Council for the suspension of tax and social security contribution deadlines in relation to the state of emergency declared on 3 November last for the floods that hit the territory of the provinces of Florence, Livorno, Pisa, Pistoia and Prato," it said.

"At the outcome of the preliminary investigation that is necessary to complete the list of municipalities affected, in the presence of a reservation by the Region to indicate others, the postponement of deadlines for tax and contribution obligations will be included in the first useful regulatory vehicle." (ANSA).


A tax is typically adding nearly 100 to the annual cost paid by consumers for motor and combined buildings and contents home insurance policies, according to an industry body.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) released the figures as it urged Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to reduce the rate of insurance premium tax (IPT) in next weeks autumn statement.

It argued that doing this would help millions of households and businesses manage their rising insurance costs.

IPT is a tax levied on insurers, but in practice it is passed on to customers as it feeds into the amounts charged for policies.

For motor and home insurance alone, IPT typically equates to an added cost approaching 98 per year, the ABI said, made up of 60 for motor insurance and just over 37 for a combined home buildings and contents policy.

It added that IPT equates to around 46.50 being added to a pet insurance policy and 13.50 to an annual travel insurance policy, typically.

IPT applies to most general insurance policies including motor, home, pet, and private medical insurance. The standard rate has doubled to 12% since October 2015.

The ABI said it is likely to hit the poorest the hardest who spend proportionately more on insurance, such as home and motor cover.

The costs of some insurance policies have been surging amid jumps in costs for raw materials, labour and energy. Rising second-hand car prices and the increasing sophistication of cars have also been factors pushing up insurance prices.

The ABI calculated that a single person with a car (paying motor insurance) who is renting a flat (paying contents cover) and paying travel insurance could be paying around 87 in IPT.

For a couple with two cars (paying two motor insurance policies), their own home (paying combined building and contents cover), a pet (paying pet insurance) and both with travel cover (two travel policies) could be paying around 231 annually in IPT.

If one person in the couple also has private medical cover, not supplied through work, they could be paying around 500 annually in IPT, the ABI said.

Last year, the tax made 7.45 billion for the Government, the association added.

Mervyn Skeet, the ABIs director of general insurance policy, said: Insurers are doing all they can to offer competitively priced insurance, despite facing some substantial increases in costs outside of their control.

Now has never been a better time for the Government to show its support to the millions of homeowners and businesses who do the right thing by protecting their families and livelihoods against sudden financial shocks, than to reduce insurance premium tax.

A Treasury spokesperson said: Insurance premium tax, which contributes over 7 billion towards vital public services, forms just one part of the overall cost of insurance and the extent to which it is passed on to customers is a decision for insurers.

Other factors affecting the price of insurance include the level of competition in the market.
The Baillie Gifford Prize for Non-Fiction 2023 has been given to a book that covers the impact of wildfires on a Canadian community.

John Vaillants Fire Weather: A True Story From A Hotter World was announced as a winner of the 50,000 prize at a ceremony held at the Science Museum in London on Thursday.

The book chronicles the wildfires at Fort McMurray, Alberta, in 2016 where an estimated 90,000 people were forced to flee their homes and uses the event to look into the oil industry and climate science.

John Vaillants book chronicles the wildfires at Fort McMurray, Alberta, in 2016 (John Sinal/Baillie Gifford/PA)

Financial Times literary editor Frederick Studemann, who is chairman of the judges, said: Fire Weather brings together a series of harrowing human stories with science and geo-economics, in an extraordinary and elegantly rendered account of a terrifying climate disaster that engulfed a community and industry, underscoring our toxic relationship with fossil fuels.

Moving back and forth in time, across subjects, and from the particular to the global, this meticulously researched, thrillingly told book forces readers to engage with one of the most urgent issues of our time.

This is the first time that climate change has been the subject of a book honoured, organisers say.

The news comes amid investment management firm Baillie Gifford being accused of making huge profits from global disaster in August by authors who threatened to boycott a literary event over the company being a sponsor.

Historian and author Andrea Wulf, the Guardian theatre critic Arifa Akbar, writer and historian Ruth Scurr, journalist and critic Tanjil Rashid and chief executive of the Royal Society of Arts Andrew Haldane joined Mr Studemann in awarding the prize.

Vaillants previous non-fiction books include The Golden Spruce: A True Story Of Myth, Madness, And Greed which also focuses on a human story amid the backdrop of peoples relationship with nature.

The Canadian-American author won the prize ahead of a profile of the NHSs flagship gender service for children, titled Time To Think: The Inside Story Of The Collapse Of The Tavistocks Gender Service For Children by British writer Hannah Barnes.

US author Jeremy Eichlers debut book Times Echo: The Second World War, The Holocaust, And The Music Of Remembrance and British writer Tania Branigans book titled Red Memory: Living, Remembering And Forgetting Chinas Cultural Revolution were also among the shortlisted books.

Nick Thomas, partner at Baillie Gifford, said: The six shortlisted books are thoroughly researched and marvellously diverse.

We at Baillie Gifford are grateful to the authors for their genius and effort. Many congratulations to John Vaillant for winning with this brave and timely book.

Author Hannah Barness book Time To Think: The Inside Story Of The Collapse Of The Tavistocks Gender Service For Children also made the shortlist (Baillie Gifford/PA)

Authors threatened in August to boycott the Edinburgh International Book Festival in 2024 as the event had Baillie Gifford as a sponsor.

The letter, signed by Ali Smith, Zadie Smith and Gary Younge along with other writers, came in the wake of climate activist Greta Thunberg pulling out of an appearance after accusing the company of greenwashing.

The firm rejected Ms Thunbergs claims that it invested heavily in fossil fuels, saying just 2% of its clients money was invested in the sector.

During a press event, Mr Studemann dismissed suggestions that controversy surrounding the company was behind the decision to award the prize.

He said the panel were aware of the events in Edinburgh and none of the judges work for the company.

Mr Studemann also said: I never met anyone in the process of this prize from Ballie Gifford.

He also said it would have been cheap for a book about the environment to be chosen instead of the judges reading through hundreds of submissions.

The Baillie Gifford Prize shortlisted authors will receive an increased prize fund of 5,000  up from 1,000  as part of the celebrations marking the awards 25th anniversary.

Last year, British author Katherine Rundell won the award for her modern biography documenting the many sides of poet, scholar and member of the clergy John Donne, titled Super-Infinite: The Transformations Of John Donne.
Las Vegas authorities announced the arrest of eight high school students who were allegedly involved in the fatal beating of a 17-year-old boy who was trying to protect his friend from a group of bullies.

The suspects' ages range between 13 and 17 and Las Vegas police homicide Lt. Jason Johansson said that investigators are still working to identify two more students. They believe that they also participated in the Nov. 1 fight that occurred over a pair of wireless headphones and a vape pen.

Las Vegas Police Arrest 8 High School Students

The law enforcement official said that the local Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) office helped with the initial arrests on Tuesday morning. He added that the two outstanding students will also face murder charges.

Authorities have not yet identified the high school students because they are juveniles and Johansson said that he and his team were working with the local district attorney's office to determine whether or not they will be charged with murder as adults, as per the Associated Press.

He noted that the 17-year-old victim was identified as Jonathan Lewis Jr. who remained hospitalized following the beating with severe "head trauma" and other injuries. He was declared dead after a week of trying to recover. The Las Vegas coroner's office ruled the beating of the teen a homicide.

Johnasson said that the fight had been pre-arranged after the headphones and vape pen were stolen from Lewis Jr.'s friend. He said that investigators believe that the victim originally was not supposed to be involved in the fight but had accompanied his friend to a nearby alleyway.

That was where the brawl was scheduled to take place after classes ended for the day at Rancho High School located in eastern Las Vegas. Following the teen's death, his father, Jonathan Lewis Sr. said that his son was attacked while standing up "for one of his smaller friends."

Law enforcement officials said that the 10 students immediately swarmed the victim, pulled him to the ground, and began kicking, punching, and stomping on him in the alley. After the brawl, he said that a citizen in the area found the victim badly beaten and unconscious in the alleyway and carried him back to campus, where school staff immediately called 911, according to USA Today.

Read Also: Georgia Couple Arrested in 1988 Death of Toddler Found Encased in Concrete

Brutal Beating of 17-Year-Old

Video footage of the incident was later shared on social media platforms that police officials called "extremely disturbing" and "void of humanity." Investigators used the videos to identify eight of the 10 suspects.

Johansson added that clothing worn by the teenagers during the brawl and cellphones were recovered during the arrests. Las Vegas police will later release photos of the two other suspects and urged the public to assist investigators in identifying them.

Lewis Sr. said that his son was a "loving, kind, and protective young man who cared deeply about his friends and family." He added that the teenager was a hero who was only trying to help one of his smaller friends who was being bullied.

In a statement, the Clark County School District said that the entire school district "grieves the loss of every student." It added that District leadership and School Police were working with the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the District Attorney's office in the case, said CNN.

Related Article: Denver: Motorcycle Bar Shooting Suspects Finally Identified

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Sacked home secretary Suella Braverman has called for an end to self-deception in Government about its Rwanda plan as she laid out her five tests to ensure deportation flights can take off.

Mrs Braverman, who was dismissed during a reshuffle this week, said the Prime Ministers proposals to overcome the Supreme Courts verdict that the Rwanda policy is unlawful is unlikely to succeed in removing asylum seekers before the next election.

She predicted that Rishi Sunaks two-part plan would likely get bogged down in both domestic and European courts as she proposed introducing legislation that excludes all avenues of legal challenge.

In an article for The Daily Telegraph, Mrs Braverman said a solution to the challenge of stopping migrants crossing the English Channel demands of the Government an end to self-deception and spin.

There must be no more magical thinking. Tinkering with a failed plan will not stop the boats, she said.

Mr Sunaks response to the Supreme Court judgment on Wednesday saw him announce that his administration plans to lay down emergency legislation to have Parliament deem Rwanda a safe country.

He also intends to broker a new legally binding treaty on top of the 140 million deal already struck with Kigali to take migrants arriving in Britain via small boats.

The yet-to-be-published treaty with Rwanda is expected to attempt to address the Supreme Courts concerns around refoulement  the potential for refugees whose applications for asylum are rejected by Kigali to be sent back to the country they are fleeing from.

Suella Braverman said the Prime Ministers tinkering with the Rwanda policy was likely to end up back in the courts (James Manning/PA)

But Mrs Braverman, in her newspaper article, said that amending our agreement with Rwanda and converting it into a treaty, even with explicit obligations on non-refoulement, will not solve the fundamental issue.

Instead, she proposed that ministers address concerns raised by the five senior judges about Rwandas asylum and legal system by embedding UK observers and independent reviewers of asylum decisions.

New legislation should be laid in Westminster to exclude all avenues of legal challenge so that international obligations, such as the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), are disapplied by way of clear notwithstanding clauses', she said.

The right-wing Conservative also suggested Parliament sit over Christmas to ensure the new emergency law can be passed before next year.

The Fareham MP said a new treaty with Rwanda would still require going back through the courts, a process that she predicted could take at least a year.

And even a victory in domestic courts would only mean the saga would simply relocate to Strasbourg where the European court would take its time deciding if it liked our laws, she added.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has committed to stopping the boats ahead of the next election (Gareth Fuller/PA)

That is why the plan outlined by the PM will not yield flights to Rwanda before an election if Plan B is simply a tweaked version of the failed Plan A, said the former Home Office chief.

The Prime Minister has said he is aiming for the first removal flights to leave in the spring following the delivery of the reforms to his flagship policy.

But Chancellor Jeremy Hunt refused to commit to migrants who arrive via unauthorised means being sent to the east African country in 2024.

Speaking to broadcasters on Thursday, Mr Hunt said: We are hopeful that because of the solutions that the Prime Minister announced yesterday we will be able to get flights off to Rwanda next year.

We cant guarantee that.

New Home Secretary James Cleverly, during broadcast interviews on Thursday, said he was absolutely determined to get a removal flight off the runway before the next election.

A general election is expected to be held next year, with Mr Sunak needing to call a vote by January 2025.

(PA Graphics)

The British leader has made stopping the boats one of his five pledges to the electorate ahead of the next election.

The threat of being deported to Rwanda has been regularly touted by the Conservative Party leader and other senior Government figures as one of the ways that can help deliver the commitment.

The new treaty with Kigali could be published as soon as Monday, with the emergency legislation tabled a week later, according to The Guardian.

The Governments next steps on the Rwanda policy is expected to face opposition to its plans in the House of Lords.

Lord Sumption, a former Supreme Court judge, told the BBC the plan to use a law to declare Rwanda as safe is constitutionally really quite extraordinary and would effectively overrule a decision by the UKs highest court.

Under pressure from the right of the party, Mr Sunak has kept the threat of pulling out of the ECHR on the table for the future in his battle to deport migrants.

Mrs Braverman, however, did not call for such action in her five tests.
A British former civil servant who has been described in Parliament as a pro-Russian propagandist is waiting to see if he has won a High Court fight with Foreign Office ministers after being sanctioned.

Graham Phillips, who is living in Ukraine, was made the subject of an asset freeze in July 2022  a decision upheld on ministerial review in February, a judge has been told.

Lawyers representing Mr Phillips have taken legal action against Foreign Secretary David Cameron  and say the decision was Orwellian and should be quashed.

The Royal Courts of Justice in central London, where Mr Justice Swift oversaw the hearing (Aaron Chown/PA)

Mr Justice Swift, who heard that Mr Phillips had expressed political opinions on YouTube and social media to a primarily UK domestic audience, finished overseeing a High Court hearing, in the Royal Court of Justice complex, on Thursday.

He said he aimed to deliver a ruling in the near future.

The judge was told that Liz Truss had been Foreign Secretary when the decision was taken and James Cleverly was Foreign Secretary when it was upheld on review.

Ministers are fighting Mr Phillips bid to lift sanctions.

Lawyers representing Mr Cameron argued that decisions taken were correct and said Mr Phillips claim should be dismissed.

Mr Phillips was the first mono-British national to be subjected to sanctions by the British Government, a barrister leading his legal team told the judge.

Joshua Hitchens said ministers had not accused Mr Phillipa of any crime, of being part of Russian State apparatus, of advancing the Russian war effort in Ukraine, or of supporting the Russian economy.

He said Mr Phillips designation stemmed entirely from political opinions expressed on YouTube and social media to a primarily UK domestic audience.

Mr Hitchens argued that Mr Phillips designation was disproportionate and Orwellian.

The power the (Foreign Secretary) claims to possess is expansive and unprecedented in modern British political and legal history, he said in a written case outline.

The defendants position is that he has the power to designate British citizens lawfully exercising their right to freedom of expression on matters of political controversy.

The effect of such designation is to deprive the subject of access to their possessions, their ability to earn a living and their capacity to meet even their most basic needs.

A British national subject to an asset freeze is effectively excommunicated from the economy.

This serious interference with the rights of a British Citizen, brought about by an act of executive fiat purely for expressing their views, is Orwellian

irrespective of the offensiveness of the views concerned.

Mr Phillips, who watched the hearing from Ukraine via video link, was mentioned in a debate in the Lords in June 2022.

Labour former defence secretary Lord Browne of Ladyton was asked whether the Government had launched an investigation into Mr Phillips.

He described Mr Phillips as a British former civil servant and pro-Russian propagandist.

Maya Lester KC, who led the Government legal team, told the judge that the claim should be dismissed.

The claimant was not designated, as he suggests, for engaging in political debate, for his political views, or for criticising the foreign policy of the Government, she said in a written case outline.

He was designated (and his designation was maintained) for supporting the Russian war by producing, principally in occupied eastern Ukraine, and publishing propagandist video content which glorifies the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its atrocities, and promotes disinformation advanced by Russia as a justification for the invasion.

She said the designation had significant consequences for Mr Phillips but added:  he is incorrect to contend that he has been deprived of his possessions and of the capacity to meet his basic needs and excluded from the UK.
The Ministry of Defence has been urged to investigate following reports that 60 senior women at the department have complained of a hostile and toxic environment amid allegations of sexual assault and harassment.

The Guardian has reported that the senior civil servants have written to the Ministry of Defences permanent secretary detailing claims that the women have been propositioned, groped and touched repeatedly by men working in the department.

The paper reported that the letter saw officials claim their day-to-day professional lives are made difficult thanks to behaviours that would be considered toxic and inappropriate in public life, but that are tolerated at the MoD.

They also said that the workplace was hostile to women as equal and respected partners.

An MoD spokesperson said: We are taking action to tackle the deeply concerning issues raised. No woman should be made to feel unsafe in defence and this behaviour will not be tolerated.

We also continue to encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed this kind of inexcusable behaviour to report it immediately.

The FDA, which represents senior civil servants, called on the Ministry of Defence to launch an immediate investigation in the wake of the allegations.

The unions national officer, Gareth Hills, said: The accounts of these womens experiences are deeply worrying. Everyone has the right to be treated with dignity and respect in the workplace.

The MoD must now take action, including an immediate investigation of these allegations.

The FDA, along with other unions representing staff at the MOD, has requested an urgent meeting with the permanent secretary to discuss this.
Lord David Cameron has assured Volodymyr Zelensky that Britain will support Ukraine for however long it takes as the new Foreign Secretary used his first overseas visit to go to Kyiv.

Ukraines president said he discussed the supply of weapons for forces fighting against the Russian invasion during his meeting with the former prime minister on the first day of a two-day trip.

In a video released by Kyiv, Lord Cameron sought to reassure Mr Zelensky over fears that attention has diverted from Ukraine to the war in the Middle East.

There are also concerns surrounding the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House and cutting off support for Ukraine.

Lord Cameron said: We will continue to give you the moral support, the diplomatic support, the economic support, but above all the military support that you need  not just this year and next year, but for however long it takes.

I had some disagreements with my friend Boris Johnson, weve known each other for 40 years, and his support for you was the finest thing that he and his governments did.

Lord Cameron was updated on Ukraines slow counter-offensive against Russia and held talks on Kyivs aspirations to join Nato.

Writing on social media, Mr Zelensky said: We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defence, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.

I am grateful to the UK for its support!

Lord Cameron, third from right, met with Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky, third from left, in Kyiv (Ukrainian Presidential Press Office/PA)

Former prime minister Lord Cameron became Foreign Secretary on Monday and the early visit to Ukraine was intended to demonstrate the UKs continued support for the country.

His predecessor James Cleverly had been scheduled to make the visit before being moved to the Home Office in Mondays reshuffle.

Lord Cameron also became the first British minister to visit Odesa since Russias invasion, travelling to the Black Sea port city as part of the trip.

It comes as efforts to restore the Black Sea grain initiative  which Russia withdrew from in July of this year  have so far failed to make progress.

The Foreign Secretary said: Russia thinks it can wait this war out, and that the West will eventually turn its attention elsewhere.

This could not be further from the truth.

In my first discussions with President Zelensky in my new role, I made clear that the UK and our partners will support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes for them to achieve victory.

As winter approaches, we continue to stand with the Ukrainian people as they resist Putins illegal invasion.

In the last three months, they have pushed Russia back in the Black Sea and are opening vital sea trade routes for the Ukrainian economy and global food supplies.

The Foreign Secretary announced further financial support for people affected by the war in Ukraine.

The UK will provide 10 million to Ukraines Red Cross Society, 7 million to a consortium led by Nonviolent Peaceforce and 1.4 million to Mercy Corps.
Police could be given new powers to protect war memorials after pro-Palestinian protesters were accused of desecrating a monument by climbing on it.

The Metropolitan Police said the behaviour of the protesters in London was unacceptable but no laws had been broken.

Protesters climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in London after a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday night.

Responding to footage of the event online, veterans affairs minister Johnny Mercer, a former artillery officer, said: I will not stand idly by whilst individuals think this is the correct way to treat these memorials.

He said police had a difficult job with mobs and protesters but weve got to stop thugs clambering over war memorials.

The Met has a lot of powers they can use, and should be using, and Ill work with colleagues to toughen the law, he said.

Lets see those thugs dishonouring our war dead in handcuffs.

James Cleverly wore his medals and Royal Artillery tie at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph (Yui Mok/PA)

Home Secretary James Cleverly, who was a Territorial Army officer in the Royal Artillery, said he would examine whether the police needed new powers.

Im not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgment on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials, he told LBC.

On ITVs Good Morning Britain, he added: We are looking at what additional powers the police may need.

These  and the police have said this  are deeply disrespectful actions. The war memorials recognise the sacrifice people have made for our freedom, and abusing, desecrating behaviour like this is deeply, deeply offensive.

I will look at what further measures need to be taken so the police can take action on this.

I have no doubt the vast majority of the British population, and indeed, I suspect, the vast majority of people in those marches, would find that behaviour completely unacceptable and they would want us to give the police the power to take action.

Ill be looking at that as part of my new job.

This evening, pro-Palestinian protestors were able to climb on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner. We regret that officers were not able to respond quickly enough to stop it happening. Below is our statement. pic.twitter.com/6RORNCVW9p  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 15, 2023

In a statement, the Met said: There is no law explicitly making it illegal to climb on a memorial so officers cannot automatically arrest, but they can intervene and make it clear the behaviour isnt acceptable.

The videos shared online show them doing that.

Police said the protesters who climbed on the memorial were a breakaway group who had been dispersed at Hyde Park Corner.

Most people would agree that to climb on or otherwise disrespect a war memorial is unacceptable, the statement said. That is why our officers have made every effort to prevent it happening in recent days.

While officers were on scene quickly, we regret they were not there quickly enough to prevent the protesters accessing the memorial.

A dispersal order was in place across parts of the City of Westminster from 7.50pm on Wednesday to 2am on Thursday.

Police said one arrest had been made at the protest for possession of an offensive weapon.
Sir David Attenborough has described the never-before-filmed comical dance routine developed by a rare bird seen in an upcoming episode of Planet Earth III.

The naturalist and TV broadcaster, 97, said bird courtship is just one of the most dramatic sequences you can get when explaining a segment set to appear in the new Forests episode of the BBC programme airing on Sunday.

It shows the male Temmincks tragopan pumping up a pair of horns and a multicoloured bib in the hope of impressing a female in the mountainous forests of central China.

Sir David said: In tropical circumstances there is a superabundance of food, hes got time to spare and therefore what he does with it is to say Im now going to show you something, honey, that youve never seen before. And its true.

Its nature sort of showing off. And the way in which, in this rather demure way, she says I think youre rather boring and Ill go somewhere else is really very engaging.

The mating ritual has never before been filmed in the wild.

Forests producer and director Sarah Whalley told the PA news agency: Capturing this magnificent courtship display in the wild was a real challenge because the birds are so elusive and live in remote difficult terrain.

Our crew waited six weeks to get the shot, and wow was it worth it.

David was certainly impressed, and we cant wait to share this charming behaviour with everyone at home.

Sir David Attenborough (Victoria Jones/PA)

The episode is billed as Sir Davids journey into the hidden world of forests where lives are entwined in the most unexpected of ways.

It is set to include the temperate rainforests of Canada, where rarely seen spirit bears fish for salmon, to the teak forests of India, where whistling wild dogs work together to bring down prey three times their size.

Meanwhile, in the dense tropical rainforest, treehoppers form surprising alliances to fight off assassin bugs and oriental pied hornbills go to incredible lengths to protect their young, the BBC previously said.

Sir David said: This is a world where nothing is quite as it seems  full of strange connections, often hidden from us.

Only now are we beginning to see life in the forest from a new perspective.

Planet Earth III continues on BBC One at 6.20pm on Sunday, November 19.
Dwayne Johnson visited Capitol Hill to address military recruitment issues after admitting he was approached out of the blue by political parties to run for president last year.

The Hollywood star was pictured with the US Capitol Police on Wednesday, as well as having a sit-down with senators including Jon Tester, during his trip to Washington DC.

Mr Tester, who is chairman of the Senate veterans affairs committee, wrote on Twitter: From pickin rock on the farm to meeting with the big guy himself.

From pickin rock on the farm to meeting with the big guy himself. I was glad to host @TheRock today to talk about how we can better address military recruitment issues. pic.twitter.com/4baXvGsdz6  Senator Jon Tester (@SenatorTester) November 15, 2023

I was glad to host @TheRock today to talk about how we can better address military recruitment issues.

The US Capitol Police also tweeted: We talked to a potential new recruit today and we think he will pass the fitness test.

Johnson spoke about being approached by political parties in 2022 to run for US president on comedian Trevor Noahs new podcast What Now?, describing the visit as out of the blue.

We talked to a potential new recruit today and we think he will pass the fitness test.#JoinUSCapitolPolice pic.twitter.com/KSLlEyzmqo  The U.S. Capitol Police (@CapitolPolice) November 15, 2023

The 51-year-old also appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, saying: Its crazy, its wild. This run for president talk has been in the ether for the past couple of years and it never stops being surreal.

It was incredible, it came from (Washington) DC. We sat down, the poll was almost 50% of Americans would support me running for president, it was just crazy.

Johnson admitted down the road for sure he would consider running for president.

The former wrestler said that at the moment he is a proud girl dad with the youngest of his three children aged five and knows what it is like to have an occupation that takes me away from being a daddy which is currently the most important thing to me.
Elizabeth Debicki said it felt like groundhog day filming the car chase scene in her role as Diana, Princess of Wales, for the final series of The Crown.

The scene depicts a paparazzi-led pursuit that took place before Diana and Dodi Fayeds chauffeur crashed the car in a Paris tunnel, leading to all three of their deaths.

Speaking about what it was like to film the car chase for the Netflix series, Australian actress Debicki told the PA news agency: I always was very clear that, rather than feeling like a victim in it, I was really just trying to get from A to B.

Diana, Princess of Wales, played by Elizabeth Debicki, and Dodi Fayed, played by Khalid Abdalla (Daniel Escale/Netflix/PA)

Its just about getting somewhere, and that should be a set thing but because of the way the media were pursuing them so relentlessly and aggressively, what happens is the energy around your journey is just so panicked, its so kind of frazzled.

Its really uncomfortable and especially being stuck in traffic when you cant move and they (the media) were, by all accounts very aggressive, sort of banging on the cars and yelling and flashing.

Its just completely invasive. And it sort of feels like a stunt. Your body reacts to it quite strongly.

You have this very strong fight or flight response. You want to be able to, sort of like, escape whats going on, but you just need to get to your destination.

So we shot those sequences a lot.

Obviously, they happened over weeks of re-entering that kind of environment where were in a car and were moving and people (are) sort of yelling and then, stop, start, stop, start.

After a while you sort of feel like youre in this kind of groundhog day experience and its super unpleasant.

One thing that becomes immediately clear to you is that nobody should ever have to endure that.

People should be able to be protected from that kind of behaviour.

In 2022, Netflix said the sixth and final series of The Crown would not depict the Paris car crash that killed Diana in August 1997, contrary to media reports.

Elizabeth Debicki plays Diana, Princess of Wales in season six of The Crown (Jennifer Graylock/PA)

The final series of The Crown depicts the blossoming relationship between Diana and Dodi, played by Khalid Abdalla.

It also explores the relationship between a young Prince William, played by Ed McVey, and the-then Kate Middleton, played by Meg Bellamy, when they attended the University of St Andrews.

The hit royal drama will be released in two parts, with the first instalment of four episodes launching on Thursday and part two airing on December 14.
The Government has overruled a local council by overturning its decision to deny planning permission for a new prison.

The application by the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) for a new 1,700-capacity prison on land adjacent to HMP Gartree in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, had been previously rejected by Harborough District Council and deemed unsuitable by the Planning Inspectorate.

But after an appeal by the MoJ to the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC), the scheme has now been given planning permission after a review by the Communities Secretary, Michael Gove.

The MoJ said that the decision was critical in its bid to build 20,000 modern prison places, but the district council said the decision was disappointing.

Councillor Phil Knowles, leader of Harborough District Council, said: This is deeply disappointing news. The planning committee refused this.

The community have real and justified fears for the infrastructures ability to cope.

Those who have held the position of Secretary of State throughout this consideration have declined my personal invitations to come here and see just how unsuitable this site is.

I still maintain my view that this is the wrong place to build this.

The Government are intent on pushing this through  they will need to provide huge investment into the community and the infrastructure to help offset some of the negative impact on our community. I will be pushing for an early meeting to discuss this.

A council spokesperson said that it acknowledged the Secretary of States decision and that it would seek to understand how the developments impact could be mitigated.

The MoJ had originally submitted an outline application to the council in September 2021 to build the new Category B training prison with seven house blocks containing up to 245 prisoners.

It comes as the UKs prison population has increased substantially since the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, with more than 88,000 prisoners incarcerated according to recent figures.

Figures show the number of people held on remand is up by more than 60%, from 9,500 before the pandemic to 15,500 at the end of June, with plans announced in the Kings Speech to increase the use of electronic tags.

But in a report written to the DLUHC in January this year, Hayley Butcher, an inspector for the Planning Inspectorate, concluded that the proposed site would cause harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area and was not a suitable location for the proposed development in terms of accessibility.

She also said that the planning harms were not outweighed by the material benefits of the prison, and the need for further prison spaces.

Several local residents had also objected to the scheme, as had Neil OBrien, the Conservative MP for Harborough, Oadby & Wigston.

However, in a report issued by the DLUHC, it was said that the Secretary of State agrees with the Inspectors conclusions but disagrees with the Inspectors recommendation, instead granting permission to build the prison.

An MoJ spokesperson said: Todays decision at Gartree is critical to delivering the 20,000 extra places we need to keep dangerous offenders off the streets and will boost the local economy by creating hundreds of new jobs.
The Irish Government has faced claims of double standards on Israel and Russia after it voted down calls for sanctions against the Israeli state over its actions in Gaza.

Sinn Fein and People Before Profit (PBP) both laid that charge to Finance Minister Michael McGrath during sometimes heated scenes in the Dail on Thursday.

Opposition motions calling for a range of economic and diplomatic sanctions, including the expulsion of Israels ambassador in Dublin Dana Erlich, were defeated in the Dail on Wednesday evening.

Proposals for Ireland to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) were also voted down.

Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty accused the Government of double standards (Brian Lawless/PA)

While the Government did not expel Russias ambassador after the invasion of Ukraine, it did back EU sanctions against Vladimir Putins regime and also referred its actions to the ICC.

Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty asked why Ireland was not making a similar referral about Israel. He accused Mr McGrath of double standards.

So last year, this government rightly joined with others in referring Russia to the International Criminal Court for war crimes, he said.

Palestinian lives, minister, are just as worthy of our attention as Ukrainian lives.

In the pursuit of justice and accountability for the Palestinian people, will this government now change direction and join with South Africa and refer Israel to the ICC for the crimes, that you say are difficult to watch in the news, but war crimes we see before our eyes every single day.

Mr McGrath insisted the situation in Ukraine was fundamentally different.

Ireland did refer to the ICC prosecutor because in that case Ukraine was not a party to the ICC statute, and a prosecutor could not therefore begin an immediate investigation without a state party referral, he explained.

He said the chief prosecutor for the ICC had already confirmed that an ongoing investigation in the Middle East covered the events of recent weeks in Israel and Gaza.

Earlier, during Leaders Questions, PBP TD Richard Boyd Barrett also drew a comparison with the Governments response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Setting aside the ambassador, why sanctions on Putin for his war crimes, but nothing, no sanction whatsoever ever, ever imposed on Israel, even when theyre slaughtering thousands and thousands of children? he asked.

People Before Profits Richard Boyd Barrett also drew a comparison with the Governments response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine (Brian Lawless/PA)

Mr Boyd Barrett added: Last night, 55 deputies in here voted to expel the Israeli ambassador, to sanction Israel, to refer them for war crimes and for genocide, but still you voted against.

Now could you please explain to me what level of atrocity Israel has to commit, how many babies they have to murder, how many hospitals they have to bomb, how many houses they have to bomb, how many people they have to ethnically cleanse before you think it would be time to impose the sorts of sanctions that you were very quick to impose on Russia, for Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Are Palestinian babies and lives less valuable than those of Ukrainians that you dont feel it is justified in the face of the slaughter to sanction them for the crimes they are committing?

Mr McGrath reiterated the Governments view that maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel was important.

He said such relations were particularly vital given ongoing efforts to secure safe passage through the Rafah crossing into Egypt for Irish citizens who remained in Gaza, and in regard to attempts to secure the release of Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand, eight, who is believed to be being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

International diplomacy and maintaining channels of communication is not about staying close to your friends or about endorsing policies, its about keeping channels open for when you need them, Mr McGrath said.

And we need them because in trying to secure the safe access out of Gaza of the remaining of our citizens there, and in trying to be heard in advocating for peace, its important that we continue to communicate and we continue to have dialogue with all of those in the region.

And we have about 400 (UN) peacekeepers, Irish men and women in the region.

So Ireland has to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.

But we also will call out when we see it, the level of force that has been used in our view is completely disproportionate.

Civilians should be protected. Gaza and Hamas are not the same thing, the civilians in Gaza should not be the subject of collective punishment by the Israeli Defence Force.

So Ireland is an important actor. We have a voice, we are being listened to.
Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley has ignited a new controversy with her proposal to require all social media users to be verified for "national security" purposes.

During a recent appearance on Fox News, the Republican presidential candidate vowed to make social media companies reveal their algorithms and insisted that every user should be identified by their real name, as per Fox News.

Nikki Haley's Controversial Social Media Policies

While she argues that this move would enhance national security and promote civility, critics have vehemently condemned the idea, calling it dangerous and unconstitutional.

Haley's assertion that unveiling social media algorithms is necessary for transparency has been met with skepticism. Many see it as a thinly veiled attempt to gain insight into the inner workings of tech giants like Facebook and Twitter, raising concerns about government overreach and potential censorship.

The demand to "let us see why they're pushing what they're pushing" has been interpreted by some as an infringement on the freedom of expression and a dangerous precedent.

However, Haley's call for mandatory user verification has triggered the most passionate responses. While she argues that it's essential for national security and combating foreign bot activity, critics believe it would have a chilling effect on free speech. Journalist Yashar Ali labeled the proposal "outrageous and dangerous," asserting that it would stifle dissident voices, particularly those opposing authoritarian regimes in countries like Iran, China, and Russia.

Haley's Republican presidential rivals, Ron DeSantis and Vivek Ramaswamy, quickly condemned her ideas. DeSantis, the current Florida governor, criticized the proposal as "dangerous and unconstitutional," emphasizing that anonymity in political discourse has a long history, citing the Federalist Papers' authors as examples.

Ramaswamy accused Haley of promoting censorship, arguing that allowing the government to use private tech companies as a "censorship bureau" violates the Constitution.

The debate over anonymity on social media platforms as a fundamental aspect of free speech has also emerged, according to Mail Online.

Read Also: Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre Announcing the Next White House Tribal Nations Summit

Kirk Defends Anonymity Amidst Haley's Social Media Plan

Charlie Kirk, founder of Turning Point USA, emphasized that anonymous speech is a core element of free expression, drawing parallels to the Founding Fathers, who often wrote anonymously. He argued that Haley's proposal could undermine the foundations of democratic discourse.

Amid this controversial proposal, Nikki Haley is actively campaigning to secure her position as the top alternative to Donald Trump in the upcoming Republican caucuses.

While Trump still leads the field significantly, Haley has gained traction in Iowa, where she is tied for second place with Ron DeSantis. Her recent endorsements from prominent Iowa figures and business leaders reflect a growing support base in the state.

As the race intensifies, Haley's campaign invests heavily in advertising to overtake DeSantis, who recently received an endorsement from Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. The clash between the two candidates is becoming increasingly fierce, with both camps aggressively vying for the Republican nomination.

The proposal put forth by Nikki Haley to mandate social media user verification is a subject of considerable controversy in a political environment marked by polarization and intense rivalry.

Contrary to her assertion that preserving civility and national security is imperative, detractors contend that it may infringe upon the freedom of expression and result in excessive governmental intervention.

With the escalation of the campaign season, Haley's position on this matter will continue to be a central subject of deliberation and contention within the Republican Party, USA Today reported.

Related Article: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Increases NYPD Funding To Expand Social Media Surveillance Amid Rising Hate Crimes

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A letter written by Joe Lycett to the former home secretary Suella Braverman has been read out at the Royal Albert Hall.

Stephen Fry gave a rendition of the communication, on behalf of Lycett, at the 10th anniversary of Letters Live  which is held in association with a charity supporting refugees.

Mrs Bravermans name being mentioned on Thursday night attracted shouts of boos from some in the audience.

'With my newly invented company HomoHunters, I will spearhead this project'@stephenfry joins us to read @joelycetts hilarious offer to help former Home Secretary Suella Braverman weed out asylum seekers pretending to be gay to abuse the immigration system. pic.twitter.com/6rnbUNNbpI  Letters Live (@letterslive) November 16, 2023

Before being ousted as home secretary, the Conservative MP attracted criticism over her comments about rough sleeping being a lifestyle choice, people from the LGBT+ community seeking asylum in the UK and the Metropolitan Polices managing of pro-Palestine protests.

The letter from Lycett, who has identified as pansexual, was previously revealed by the comedian in October.

Fry read it out saying: Dear Home Secretary, I am contacting you on an urgent matter as I was very interested to read your claim that asylum seekers are attempting to abuse the immigration system by pretending to be I too am disgusted by men pretending to be gay and think we should weed out this scourge from our society.

He added a radical plan has been devised that would involve Lycett monitoring applications through setting up a company to help the Government with asylum claims.

The Lycett letter also read: Just because you or your family have benefited from a system doesnt mean that system should not be smashed to bits.

For example I am vehemently against people pretending to be gay simply to achieve a better life, despite that being exactly what I did to progress in showbusiness.

Following Frys rendition, there were cheers and claps from the audience.

Ahead of performances at the event, Choose Loves chief executive Josie Naughton said: We dont believe in deporting people to Rwanda.

The reference to the Governments immigration policy attracted applause.

Earlier this month, Lycett referenced Mrs Bravermans remarks as part of a campaign to raise 50,000, which he reached, for homelessness charity Crisis UK.

Elsewhere, Jodie Whittaker performed a letter sent by fellow Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi to a nine-year-old fan of the BBC science fiction series.

Everything begins again Jodie Whittaker joins us to read Peter Capaldis letter to a 9-year-old Doctor Who fan who was sad to see his favourite Time Lord leave the show. The next month, Capaldi was to be replaced by Jodie! pic.twitter.com/R0QV9QQPJm  Letters Live (@letterslive) November 16, 2023

Whittaker had followed Capaldi in playing the Time Lord, known as the Doctor.

Benedict Cumberbatch also dramatically rendered George Bernard Shaws voice as he read out his letter of complaint to the Times about an opera event.

Putting on a voice, Cumberbatch as Shaw objected to a woman wearing a bird on an outfit.

Oscar winner Olivia Colman, Outlander star Tobias Menzies and Sex Education star Gillian Anderson also performed other letters.

Anderson read out American writer Anais Nins letter to a client who was paying her for erotic fiction.

Colman, who starred in an BBC adaption of Great Expectations, read a letter written to the corporation in which childrens author Jackie Morris objected to being asked to pay the licence fee when she had no TV aerial.

The actress also soliloquised a letter of complaint to a funeral parlour by novelist Lydia Davis.

American actor Woody Harrelson, who is performing in the Ulster American at the Riverside Studios in London, read letters from novelists Kurt Vonnegut and John Cheever.

The show supports Choose Love, which help refugees and displaced people.
Lisa Kudrow has thanked late co-star Matthew Perry for the best 10 years a person gets to have while filming Friends.

The US actress, who played Phoebe Buffay in the hit US sitcom, was the last Friends star to pay tribute to Perry following David Schwimmer, Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Matt LeBlanc who all praised him for his laughter and creativity.

Sharing a Polaroid photograph of the pair on Instagram, Kudrow said: Shot the pilot, Friends Like Us, got picked up then immediately, we were at the NBC Upfronts. Then

You suggested we play poker AND made it so much fun while we initially bonded. Thank you for that.

Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY.

Thank you for your open heart in a six way relationship that required compromise. And a lot of talking.

Thank you for showing up at work when you werent well and then, being completely brilliant.

Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have.

The Friends reunion special (left to right) Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc, Matthew Perry and David Schwimmer (Terence Patrick/HBO Max/PA)

Kudrow also thanked Perry, who died on October 28 at the age of 54, for trusting her, and for all I learned about grace and love through knowing you.

She added: Thank you for the time I got to have with you, Matthew.

Her solo statement marked the last of the Friends stars to honour Perry, following on from Schwimmer and Anistons statements on Wednesday.

Schwimmer, who played Ross Geller on the US sitcom, said: Thank you for ten incredible years of laughter and creativity.

I will never forget your impeccable comic timing and delivery.

You could take a straight line of dialogue and bend it to your will, resulting in something so entirely original and unexpectedly funny it still astonishes.

And you had heart. Which you were generous with, and shared with us, so we could create a family out of six strangers.

Alongside the tribute, Schwimmer posted a photo of the pair, which he selected as it was one of his favourite moments with Perry.

It makes me smile and grieve at the same time, he said.

I imagine you up there, somewhere, in the same white suit, hands in your pockets, looking around  Could there BE any more clouds?'

While Aniston told her 44.5 million Instagram followers this one has cut deep.

She continued: He was such a part of our DNA. We were always the six of us.

This was a chosen family that forever changed the course of who we were and what our path was going to be.

For Matty, he knew he loved to make people laugh. As he said himself, if he didnt hear the laugh he thought he was going to die.

His life literally depended on it. And boy did he succeed in doing just that. He made all of us laugh. And laugh hard.

Stars of the American sitcom Friends (Neil Munns/PA)

Aniston went on to say that she had been looking over their texts to one another in the last couple of weeks, laughing and crying then laughing again.

She shared a screenshot of a text that showed Perry had messaged her a black and white photo of the pair together, where Aniston could be seen laughing.

The text from Perry read: Making you laugh just made my day. It made my day.

Ending her tribute, Aniston said: Matty, I love you so much and I know you are now completely at peace and out of any pain. Rest little brother. You always made my day

It comes a day after Friends co-stars LeBlanc and Cox also shared their favourite memories with the late actor in separate social media posts.

LeBlanc said it was an honour to share the stage with Perry, while Cox said she was grateful for every moment she had with the actor.

The five stars gathered for Perrys funeral service at the Forest Lawn Memorial Park on November 3, according to US reports.

In a joint statement to US publication People, Perrys fellow co-stars said they were utterly devastated and described their relationship as more than just cast mates. We are a family.

Los Angeles police had responded to a radio call just after 4pm on October 28 for a death investigation of a male in his 50s, the PA news agency understands.

A statement from Captain Erik Scott of the Los Angeles Fire Department to PA said they found a male unconscious in a stand-alone Jacuzzi.
One in five LGBTQ+ people have been harassed or faced abuse and violence while travelling on public transport in London in the past year, new research suggests.

Four out of five respondents to a survey by London TravelWatch said they change their behaviour or appearance to fit in so they avoid abuse or harassment when travelling.

Two out of three of those who had experienced abuse or harm when travelling in London said bystanders witnessed the incident but did not intervene.

The passenger watchdog said many LGBTQ+ people it spoke to have little confidence or trust in the police, so incidents on Londons public transport network often go unreported.

Two-thirds of the 600 people surveyed felt there was always a possible threat of violence or harassment when using public transport.

Some felt this more than others, with trans+ people, Deaf and Disabled LGBTQ+ people and LGBTQ+ People of Colour more likely to express this view than the overall sample.

More than four in five respondents who said they were victimised on public transport in the past year did not report their experiences to the police, either because they felt they would not be able to do anything, or for fear about how they or their report might be handled.

Michael Roberts, chief executive of London TravelWatch, said: We already knew that LGBTQ+ people had serious concerns about their personal security on public transport, but our findings lay bare the scale of the problem.

Two-thirds of LGBTQ+ people reported that they had experienced at least one form of victimisation on public transport in the last year. Worryingly, more respondents said London had become less safe in the past five years, than those who thought it had become safer.

Our report highlights a community on constant alert when travelling around the capital, unable to express its identity and feeling unsupported by the wider public and the police.

This situation should not be accepted anywhere in a tolerant society and certainly not in a vibrant, diverse world city such as London.

Siwan Hayward, Transport for Londons director of security, policing and enforcement, said: We want everyone to feel safe and be safe when travelling around London at all times without fear of abuse, and hate crime has absolutely no place on our network.

We are committed to ensuring all passengers and staff are protected from harm and we have a bold and clear campaign across our network which encourages customers and staff to stand in solidarity against hate and abusive behaviour.

We will continue to work closely with LGBTQ+ groups and stakeholders in response to the London TravelWatch recommendations to ensure that no one ever faces abuse or discrimination for who they are.

Detective Chief Superintendent Paul Furnell of British Transport Police said: Preventing and tackling hate crime is a British Transport Police priority. Everyone has a right to travel without fear and no-one should be subjected to violence or harassment because of who they are.

We work closely with LGBT charities and the community to ensure that we understand the issues that they face and can take proactive steps to prevent hate crimes.

We conduct highly visible patrols and dedicated operations across the railway to ensure the safety and security of passengers and staff.

Our officers are ready to respond to incidents of hate crime immediately, and with access to more than 150,000 CCTV cameras across the rail network they can quickly identify offenders and make arrests.
Parcel firms have delivered a miserable service to consumers for the third year running, according to an annual survey by Citizens Advice.

Evri and Yodel ranked at the bottom of the charitys league table, both managing an overall score of just two stars out of a possible five.

However, none of the major parcel firms managed to secure even a three star rating, with Royal Mail and Amazon achieving joint best position with a meagre 2.75 stars.

Meanwhile, 13.3 million people  or 34% of consumers  experienced a delivery problem in just the last month, such as parcels left in insecure locations or arriving late, a survey for the charity suggests.

Citizens Advice said there had been no improvements on delivery problem scores since last year, with the rate of parcel problems remaining far too high across the board.

The worst offenders were Yodel, with 40% of customers reporting a problem, DPD (37%), and Evri (34%).

The Citizens Advice parcels league table looks at the top five delivery companies by parcel volume and measures their performance against criteria including customer service, delivery problems and accessibility needs, such as people needing longer to answer the door.

Of those consumers that experienced a problem with their delivery, nearly half (43%) then had a further issue when trying to resolve the problem, such as not being able to find the right company contact details or not receiving a response.

In the end, more than half of those that had further issues (53%) found it difficult to resolve their problem. This figure rose to 60% of people with a disability.

Almost all parcel firms scored two stars or below when it came to meeting the needs of disabled customers or individuals who require adjustments to how they receive parcels.

An estimated 7.2 million people had an accessibility need they would like to share with their parcel delivery company, but 45% of these people were unable to do so, the survey found.

Our advisers can give people the help and support they need to find a way through the cost-of-living crisis. But our services are stretched to the limit. Give the gift of good advice and help us be there for more people this winter https://t.co/qXTevWzTyg pic.twitter.com/zp78lx4YFC  CitizensAdvice (@CitizensAdvice) November 8, 2023

Citizens Advice said its online advice page, titled: If something you ordered hasnt arrived had been viewed almost 222,000 times in the last 12 months, a 78% increase in views since 2019.

It urged regulator Ofcom to review its new complaints and accessibility guidance by April next year, and consider enforcement action on firms if there had been no significant improvements by this date.

Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: For the third year running our league table reveals online shoppers are being let down by a substandard delivery service. This is an issue we feel has been neglected for far too long.

We continue to hear from consumers that are chasing up lost, late or damaged parcel deliveries. Its become an unfair and, at times, costly burden to bear.

With a seasonal surge of deliveries on the horizon, parcel companies must take action to protect shoppers and get to the root cause of these persistent failings.

Evri chief customer officer Chris Ashworth said: We are disappointed with where Citizens Advice has placed us in its parcels league table after a year of significant investment and listening to our customers to improve our service.

Royal Mail came joint first of the league table (Rui Vieira/PA)

We have invested more than 130 million to improve our UK operations in the last two years with 99% of the 730 million parcels we handle annually delivered on time.

We are the only parcel delivery company to mandate proof of delivery photos for every parcel and our AI-enabled Parcel Vision provides direct feedback to couriers on the quality of images or if a parcel appears to be in an unsafe location.

An Amazon spokesman said: The vast majority of deliveries make it to customers without issue. In the rare case something occurs, we work with customers directly to make it right.

A Royal Mail spokesman said: We are pleased to come joint first of Citizens Advices parcels league table. We are working hard to further improve our quality of service and continuing to introduce more convenient options for customers to access our services, including automatic redelivery and safe place delivery preferences.

We understand the importance of meeting the needs of disabled customers and since this survey was carried out. We have introduced an option for households to register their accessibility needs for parcel deliveries or collections via Parcel Collect.

Yodel said: We welcome feedback and invest heavily to continuously improve our service. However, this report is not reflective of our own parcel data, which indicates that 98.7% of the 200 million parcels we handled over the last 12 months were delivered correctly on the first attempt.

Opinium surveyed 8,164 UK adults online between September 19 and October 13 who had received a parcel in the last month from Royal Mail, DPD, Yodel, Amazon Logistics or Evri.
Samsung has confirmed the personal contact information of some UK customers has been unlawfully obtained in a data breach.

The technology giant said no financial data, bank card details or customer passwords were involved, but in an email sent to affected customers the company said the data may include their name, phone number, address and email address.

The breach has affected some people who made purchases from Samsung UKs online store, but the number of customers has not been disclosed.

In its message to affected customers, Samsung said it had seen an unauthorised individual exploit a vulnerability in a third-party business application the company uses, and, as a result, the information of certain customers who made purchases on Samsungs e-commerce site between July 1 2019 and June 30 2020 was exploited.

We were recently alerted to a cybersecurity incident, which resulted in certain contact information of some Samsung UK e-store customers being unlawfully obtained, a Samsung spokesman said.

No financial data, such as bank or credit card details, or customer passwords, were impacted.

We have taken all necessary steps to resolve this security issue, including reporting the incident to the Information Commissioners Office and contacting affected customers.

In response to the incident, a spokesman for the Information Commissioners Office (ICO) said: Samsung has made us aware of an incident and we will be making inquiries.

Javvad Malik, lead security awareness advocate at cybersecurity firm KnowBe4, said: Its good that Samsung has responded and notified customers in a timely manner.

Although its concerning that a vulnerability in a third-party application was exploited, its a reminder for organisations to thoroughly assess and secure their entire digital supply chain.

Additionally, customers should remain vigilant against potential phishing attempts or scams that may arise as a result of this breach.

While the focus is on the fact that no financial information was compromised, oftentimes personal information can be more valuable to criminals as they can use the information repeatedly to attack individuals, which is why continued user awareness training is key, because, as long as breaches continue to occur, individuals will remain the primary target of attack.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer will travel to Aberdeen where he will pledge to make Britain a clean energy superpower.

His trip comes after a bruising week for the Opposition leader, having suffered a major rebellion over his decision not to back a ceasefire in the war in Gaza.

While in Scotland on Friday, Sir Keir will meet energy industry bosses and confirm that key North Sea industries will be eligible for the British Jobs Bonus  estimated to create 29,000 UK jobs by 2050 by rewarding clean energy developers.

Labour said its plans to make Britain a clean energy superpower will support up to 50,000 jobs in Scotland by 2030.

Sir Keir will be joined by Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar and shadow energy secretary Ed Miliband.

He will also meet trade unions and energy sector workers.

The emphasis on clean power is in contrast to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak signing-off on granting new North Sea oil and gas licences every year as part of his shift on environmental policies.

The licences announcement was included in the Kings Speech last week, with the Conservative Party leader accused by his critics of watering down a host of commitments designed to help the UK meet its target of having a net zero carbon economy by 2050.

Labour, as part of the party leaders visit to Scotland, will confirm that the British Jobs Bonus will apply to hydrogen, carbon capture and storage (CCS), and floating offshore wind (Flow)  three of the core technologies for a jobs-rich transition in the North Sea.

The bonuses will come from a 2.5 billion fund of catalytic public investment, to attract additional private sector investment, and help create thousands of jobs for Scotlands energy communities.

Labour has already announced that GB Energy, a new publicly-owned company to invest in clean homegrown power and make Britain energy secure, will be headquartered in Scotland.

Speaking ahead of the trip, Sir Keir said: The road to making Britain a clean energy superpower, slashing energy bills and creating tens of thousands of quality jobs runs through Scotland and the North Sea.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has been accused of watering down net zero pledges (Leon Neal/PA)

This Conservative Party has zero ambition, zero plan and zero concern for the millions of British families suffering sky-high energy bills as a result of the Governments abject failure.

Every day that they play political games, causing uncertainty and investment risk for the sector, they are costing jobs and hitting peoples pockets.

My Labour government will rise above short term gimmicks, put the country before our party, and deliver the long-term future of our energy industry.

From establishing GB Energy, our publicly owned energy company headquartered in Scotland, to delivering the most significant investment in Scotlands ports since privatisation, and securing the future of technologies like CCS, hydrogen and offshore wind, with Labour, Scotland and the North Sea will power Britains clean energy future.

Only Labour can deliver lower bills, good jobs, and energy security for our country.

The focus on energy policy comes after a bruising week which saw the partys divisions over the Israel-Hamas war play out in public.

Jess Phillips was one of the shadow ministers to leave their post to vote for the SNPs Gaza ceasefire motion (Yui Mok/PA)

During a vote in Parliament on an amendment to the Kings Speech on Wednesday, 56 Labour MPs defied their party leaders position of advocating for pauses in the fighting so they could support a cessation in hostilities.

Ten shadow ministers and parliamentary aides quit or were sacked in order to vote for the Scottish National Partys (SNP) motion.

The Guardian reported that there could be further frontbench resignations, citing sources who said some would be willing to walk away from their positions if Sir Keir does not push the Prime Minister to take a tougher line on Israels military retaliation in Gaza.

Since Israel started striking back at Hamas after its deadly raids on October 7, the Gazan health ministry  run by the Palestinian militant group  says more than 11,470 people have been killed in the territory.

Rushanara Ali, the small business shadow minister, obeyed the three-line Labour whip not to vote for the SNP ceasefire wording but said afterwards that leaving the shadow government is something I am always willing to do.

The moment I feel my presence is less positively impactful than my absence, I will do so, the Bethnal Green and Bow MP said in a statement.

Jess Phillips, the shadow minister for domestic violence, was one of those to leave her post to support a ceasefire call in the Commons.

The Birmingham Yardley MP has since said that she wants to be an asset to Sir Keir from the backbenches and hinted that he could bring her back onto the front bench.

She told The News Agents podcast: One of the things Keir Starmer, did say to me yesterday was I need people like you to help me deliver the missions that we have coming up with together you and I, Jess.

And I said Then you have me.
A 19th-century cannon from the Royal Armouries collection has been stolen, it has been disclosed.

Police were called after a nine-pound bronze gun, which is 64.5 inches (1.64 metres) in length and dated to 1859, was taken from a remote location in February, the institution said.

Such artillery pieces are named for the weight of the cannonball they fired, and the stolen object would be considerably heavier.

The theft, which did not take place at any of the bodys museum venues, was revealed on Thursday as part of a freedom of information (FOI) request by the PA news agency.

A bronze cannon being cleaned at the Tower of London. This is not the cannon that has been stolen (Peter Jordan/PA)

It is believed that the incident was a metal theft, meaning the cannon was thought to have been taken for its scrap value, rather than stolen as a collection object according to Royal Armouries.

The body, which houses the national collection of arms and armours at the Tower of London, the Royal Armouries Museum in Leeds and Fort Nelson near Portsmouth, also disclosed that other items are missing.

Royal Armouries said that a pair of mounted sword bayonets, worth 500, disappeared while on loan and police officers were called.

As a result of an investigation, other parts of the bodys collection were recalled, the institution said.

The cannon, described as a smoothbore cannon barrel made of bronze, was removed by thieves from a remote location, offsite from any of the Royal Armouries venues, according to the institution.

It added: No monetary valuation was specified for this object.

This incident was considered metal theft rather than the object being stolen for its value as a collection object.

The Royal Armouries staff acted swiftly to escalate the incident to the Executive Board and Board of Trustees in line with our policies.

The police were notified and involved, and the Royal Armouries took immediate action to investigate the incident taking remedial action, as necessary.

The bayonets, dated to 1837, were discovered missing by the Royal Armouries in May last year as part of a routine audit.

The museum said: A full investigation was carried out and the police were informed, but the items could not be located.

As a result, other items on loan on display at the same location were deinstalled and are now back at the museum.

The Royal Armouries houses the national collection of arms and armours across three venues across the UK, including at the museum in Leeds (Alamy/PA)

The Royal Armouries has not said where any of the items were housed.

The institution has a more than 700-year-old history at the Tower of London and one of the largest collections of historic arms and armour in the world.

Originally a manufacturer of weapons, it has had visitors since 1498 and later became part of the Government before becoming a public body in 1983.

Royal Armouries issued a statement after being asked by PA why the theft was not disclosed, for more information about the locations that the items went missing and for more detail on why all items out on loan were recalled.

The body said: The Royal Armouries followed all process and procedures relating to the thefts, including disclosing the information to all relevant external parties.

In relation to the canon which involved metal theft, there was a risk that publicising this more widely could precipitate an increase in further incidents. There were no staff members involved in either incident.

The body also said: In relation to the cannon theft, the police case isnt closed but were not aware of any active investigation at the moment. We are not able to confirm the location as it did not take place at a Royal Armouries site.

Police forces have been contacted for comment.

The theft follows the British Museum revealing in August that an unnamed member of staff was sacked and more than 2,000 items  including gold jewellery, semi-precious stones and glass  have been stolen, missing or damaged.

About 350 of the artefacts have since been recovered, the London museum said in October as an investigation by the Metropolitan Police continues.
The Metropolitan Police said no laws were broken when pro-Palestinian protesters climbed on a war memorial in London.

Protesters climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner after a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday evening.

A video posted online of people on the memorial sparked criticism, but a statement from the police said the protesters had not broken any laws by their actions.

This evening, pro-Palestinian protestors were able to climb on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner. We regret that officers were not able to respond quickly enough to stop it happening. Below is our statement. pic.twitter.com/6RORNCVW9p  Metropolitan Police (@metpoliceuk) November 15, 2023

The statement said: We know some online have asked why the protesters were not arrested.

There is no law explicitly making it illegal to climb on a memorial so officers cannot automatically arrest, but they can intervene and make it clear the behaviour isnt acceptable.

The videos shared online show them doing that.

Police said the protesters who climbed on the memorial were a breakaway group who had been dispersed at Hyde Park Corner.

Most people would agree that to climb on or otherwise disrespect a war memorial is unacceptable, the statement said. That is why our officers have made every effort to prevent it happening in recent days.

While officers were on scene quickly, we regret they were not there quickly enough to prevent the protesters accessing the memorial.

A dispersal order was in place across parts of the City of Westminster from 7.50pm on Wednesday to 2am on Thursday.

Police said one arrest had been made at the protest for possession of an offensive weapon.
A protester who harassed and stalked former education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson has been spared jail but handed a restraining order.

The Conservative MP said he felt incredibly threatened by Simon Parry, who persistently followed him on two occasions near the Houses of Parliament on May 24 and June 14.

Parry, 45, of Walworth, south London, voiced anti-vaccination views and spoke of conspiracy theories about Bill Gates and the World Economic Forum.

Simon Parry was sentenced at Westminster Magistrates Court for harassing and stalking Conservative MP Sir Gavin Williamson (Aaron Chown/PA)

At Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday, he was handed a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, having been convicted last month of one count of stalking.

Sentencing Parry, deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram said: It is an aggravated feature that public servants who are trying their best are harassed and stalked in this sort of way.

It deters good people from entering public service.

He went on: You do not fully accept youre wrong and think that this is an appropriate way to challenge Members of Parliament.

Let me be clear, it is not.

Simon Parry was handed a restraining order, prohibiting him from contacting Sir Gavin Williamson and his office for five years (Aaron Chown/PA)

Parry was ordered not to contact Sir Gavin or his office or knowingly be within 100 metres of him for five years.

Mr Ikram added: It is necessary and proportionate to deal with the risks in this case.

The defendant, who is on benefits, was also ordered to pay legal costs of 654 and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Giving evidence at a City of London Magistrates Court trial in October, 47-year-old Sir Gavin said Parry had begun following him along streets in Whitehall on two occasions after the MP walked past a protest area opposite Downing Street.

Sir Gavin said that in May he heard Parry making comments about vaccinations while walking close to him.

Of the June incident, Sir Gavin told the court he again heard Parry making remarks about vaccinations and also about genocide, realising the comments were directed at him.

Sir Gavin Williamson called Simon Parrys persistence in following him quite disturbing (Jordan Pettitt/PA)

He called Parrys persistence in following him from the Parliamentary estate towards Euston for around 20 minutes quite disturbing.

The defendant denied intending to harass, distress, humiliate or intimidate the politician over the two dates when he gave evidence.

He was originally accused of impersonating a police officer on June 14 but Mr Ikram found there was no case to answer in relation to that charge during trial.

Piers Corbyn, the brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, was among supporters attending Parrys sentencing.

Sir Gavin has been MP for South Staffordshire since 2010 and served in Cabinet as defence secretary before becoming education secretary under Boris Johnson in 2019.
Downing Street has described protesters climbing on a war memorial after a pro-Palestinian march as an affront and suggested police could be given new powers to take action.

The Metropolitan Police said the behaviour of the demonstrators in London was unfortunate and inflammatory in certain ways but that no laws had been broken.

Members of a breakaway group scaled the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner on Wednesday night after a protest demanding a ceasefire outside Parliament, the force said.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Its an affront to our armed forces, it goes against our British values, its not acceptable.

We will look at what further measures are needed so that the police can have confidence in taking action on this.

We do believe there are extensive powers available to them but the public will have been shocked and Im sure appalled by what they saw.

It comes after Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said arresting protesters for scaling the memorial would have been illegal.

Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley defended the actions of officers on the ground (Jonathan Brady/PA)

He described the move by demonstrators as unfortunate and inflammatory in certain ways but not against the law, as he was questioned about the forces response to the event on Wednesday.

Police must be able to enforce the law impartially rather than pandering to public opinion, he told an Institute for Government (IfG) event on Thursday.

Asked about the police response, Sir Mark said: What the officer didnt do last night was make up a law that its illegal to do something and do an arrest which would have been illegal, clearly.

He defended the actions of officers on the ground, describing them as sensible in the circumstances, adding: The officers intervened, as officers often are doing, to try and de-escalate risk of conflict, even when there isnt explicit power to do it.

The commissioner suggested there were elements of current police powers which do not work very well and that the Met would be discussing these with Government.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said he would examine whether the police needed new powers (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

But wider issues, like the balance between the right to protest and the impact it may have on others, were a matter for Parliament, he said.

Sir Mark refused to be drawn into whether sacked home secretary Suella Braverman had interfered with the polices job by writing an op-ed in The Times suggesting officers play favourites with pro-Palestinian protesters.

He said he would not get into the politics of the issue but that officers were used to contention surrounding their work and dont worry unduly.

But the police chief stressed the centuries-old principle of police being able to act impartially and without pandering to public opinion.

Referring to the 19th-century Peelian principles, he said: The fifth one I think captures the issues of the day, to seek and preserve public favour, not by pandering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolutely impartial service to the law, in complete independence of policy, and without regard to the justice or injustice of the substance of individual laws.

Its interesting that that could have been written down 200 years ago and be so apposite today.

The IfG event was rescheduled after a last-minute meeting in Downing Street between Sir Mark and the Prime Minister over the response to a pro-Palestinian protest, which clashed with the original date.

It comes after Home Secretary James Cleverly, who was a Territorial Army officer in the Royal Artillery, said he would examine whether the police needed new powers.

Im not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgment on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials, he told LBC.

On ITVs Good Morning Britain, he added: These  and the police have said this  are deeply disrespectful actions. The war memorials recognise the sacrifice people have made for our freedom, and abusing, desecrating behaviour like this is deeply, deeply offensive.

I will look at what further measures need to be taken so the police can take action on this.
Accused killer Rex Heuermann has transferred his Long Island home to his estranged wife, Asa Ellerup. This move comes as Heuermann, 60, remains incarcerated, facing charges for the murders of three women over a decade ago.

Heuermann and Ellerup, married for over two decades, have found themselves at the center of a case gripping the nation. On September 22, Heuermann filed paperwork to make Ellerup the sole owner of their Massapequa Park house, which they initially shared with their two adult children and bought from Heuermann's parents, as per New York Post.

Unusual Property Transfer in Gilgo Beach Case

Interestingly, the transfer was made without financial exchange, raising eyebrows among observers and legal experts.

This property, acquired by Heuermann in 1994 for $170,000 and now valued at around $530,000, has been more than just a family home. Over the summer, it became a focal point of the police investigation into the long-unsolved murders, drawing attention from media and residents alike.

The house has been scrutinized for any potential evidence that could link Heuermann to the crimes he is accused of, including the deaths of Melissa Barthelemy, Megan Waterman, and Amber Lynn Costello, who disappeared between 2009 and 2010. Heuermann is also a prime suspect in the killing of Maureen Brainard-Barnes.

Amidst these developments, Ellerup's actions have also come under scrutiny. She visited Heuermann in jail last week, a move confirmed by her attorney, Robert Macedonio. Macedonio stated that Ellerup intends to attend her husband's trial, seeking to witness the proceedings firsthand and form her own opinions, separate from the media narrative and speculations by others, including John Ray, a lawyer for the families of two victims, according to Mail Online.

Read Also: 3 Indian Cities Listed as Part of 10 Most Polluted Areas Worldwide After Celebrations of Diwali Festival

Controversy in Gilgo Beach Case

The property transfer has been subject to controversy. Attorney John Ray has accused Heuermann and Ellerup of concocting a 'scam' to defraud creditors, potentially including families of the victims.

Ray says this could be an attempt to shield assets from legal claims. He has even called for an investigation into Ellerup, questioning her role and innocence.

Ellerup, meanwhile, appears to be maintaining a semblance of everyday life. She was recently seen at the home, now legally hers, along with her children and a television or production crew. Reports suggest she may be working with a primary streaming service on a documentary about the case.

Macedonio's attorney has spoken on her behalf, emphasizing her resilience and adjustment to new circumstances since Heuermann's arrest.

He highlighted that Ellerup's recent jail visit, her first since the day before Heuermann's arrest, was conducted under standard procedures and did not indicate special treatment.

Heuermann's next court date is set for Wednesday as the case unfolds, although no hearings are expected. This case, with its blend of mystery, legal maneuvering, and public interest, continues to evolve, leaving many questions unanswered.

The focus now shifts to the trial, where more details are anticipated to emerge, shedding light on this complex and intriguing saga, Newsday reported.

Related Article: UK's Post-Brexit Chemical Regulations To Be Loosened

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Former RTE star Ryan Tubridy has been announced as the new host of Virgin Radio UKs mid-morning show.

Tubridy, who was the long-time host of RTEs flagship Late Late Show on Irish TV, left Irelands national broadcaster in the summer following weeks of controversy related to revelations the organisation had publicly underreported payments to him.

The news of his new job was unveiled on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Thursday.

The new-look mid-morning show will air from January. It will be broadcast simultaneously on Irish radio outlet Dublins Q102.

Tubridy will also present a dedicated Irish weekend show across the Wireless Ireland station network, covering Dublins Q102, Corks 96FM, Live 95 in Limerick and LMFM.

Ryan Tubridy announced as Virgin Radio's brand new mid-morning host https://t.co/yQTOTBCXuD#RyanTubridy #VirginRadioUK  Virgin Radio UK (@VirginRadioUK) November 16, 2023

I couldnt be more excited to start this new chapter with Virgin Radio, Tubridy said in a statement.

New city, new station, new beginnings. I love radio and what a joy to be following the legendary Chris Evans every morning. Its been a pleasure getting to know my new friends at Virgin Radio, all of whom have been warm, engaging and very entertaining.

And big thanks to the London Irish who have made me feel so welcome in recent weeks. On a personal note, this is a big day for my wonderful family who I hope to make proud, and also the people who advised me so well recently and got me to this moment.

To the listeners, wherever they might be, I urge you to join us on this adventure every weekday morning, there is much fun to be had.

Tubridy stood down as Late Late Show host earlier this year but was continuing to present his weekday show on RTE Radio One when the furore over incorrectly disclosed payments RTE made to him erupted in the summer.

At that point negotiations over a new radio contract for Tubridy were halted and he was taken off air amid the crisis that engulfed the organisation.

RTE director-general Kevin Bakhurst later re-entered negotiations with a view to securing Tubridys return to the airwaves on a new contract but those talks broke down in August after the director-general claimed the presenter was not taking sufficient responsibility for his role in the payments controversy.

Ryan Tubridy (right) with his agent Noel Kelly leaving parliament in Dublin after giving evidence to two committees on the RTE payments controversy (Niall Carson/PA)

Tubridy has insisted he was not overpaid by RTE, but rather RTE underdeclared his agreed remuneration.

Virgin Radio UK content director Mike Cass welcomed the Irish presenter to the station.

I am beyond delighted that Ryan is joining the amazing roster of presenters on Virgin Radio UK, he said.

He has been the pre-eminent broadcaster in Ireland for years and Virgin Radio will bring his warmth, humour and unique charisma to the UK audience properly for the first time.

He will be the perfect mid-morning companion and the ideal tag-partner for Chris Evans.
Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has attacked the UK Governments unforgivable trade strategy during a visit to a Scottish distillery.

Sir Keir travelled north of the border just hours after a revolt within his party over a ceasefire in Gaza resulted in the resignation of eight of his frontbenchers.

The Labour leader highlighted what he described as the failure of the UK Government to negotiate a trade deal with India, a key exporter for Scotch whisky.

Visiting the InchDairnie distillery in Glenrothes, Fife, on Thursday, Sir Keir said a government he leads would put in place a trade strategy that would back Scotch producers to the hilt.

He added: Scotch should be something were knocking back, not knocking down. The nations number one export, Scotland is the beating heart of the worlds whisky industry.

From Skye to Stirling, Scotlands 140 distilleries put the nation on the map around the world.

Nowhere is Scotch whisky more popular than India. We should be celebrating that fact.

But instead of backing the industry with a coherent strategy for international trade, successive Conservative governments have broken promises, failed to negotiate a deal with India, and watched opportunities for growth drain away.

Thats unforgivable.

Sir Keir said Labour would put growth at the heart of government (Jane Barlow/PA)

The industry is crying out for certainty.

Whether its micro distilleries scaling up, or larger businesses reaching new international markets, they need stability to make that happen.

Hearing from staff at InchDairnie today, the importance of that is not lost on me. It brings much-needed security for working people.

A Labour government, Sir Keir said, would have a trade strategy allowing British businesses to increase exports, while the Scotland Office under his party would act as Scotlands window to the world.

He added: My Labour Party will put growth at the heart of our mission-led approach to government.

Labours plan for trade will back British business to export more and fit hand in glove with our industrial strategy.

Our pro-growth and pro-business trade strategy will back Scotch producers to the hilt and ensure Scotland thrives.

Well promote key Scottish products and exports like whisky so that we can unlock the full potential of the Scottish economy.

The Labour leader said Scotland is the beating heart of the whisky industry (Jane Barlow/PA)

With Labour, the Scotland Office will be Scotlands window to the world.

By backing Scotch, well build a better Scotland, and build a better Britain.

But UK trade minister Greg Hands said Sir Keir cannot be trusted to back our world-leading Scotch whisky industry.

He added: Labour has failed to support our free trade agreements  like those with Australia and New Zealand  which abolish tariffs completely. Labour has been lukewarm about joining CPTPP, which would further unlock markets in fast-growing Asian and Latin American countries.

We have already secured trade deals with 73 countries plus the EU, which have brought huge benefits to Scotch and Irish whisky.

Only the Conservatives will back British businesses and provide long-term certainty for our world-leading whisky industry.

Mark Kent, the chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association who accompanied Sir Keir during his visit to Fife, said the industry needs support at home to be a global success.

He added: That means a competitive business environment, and with the highest spirits duty in the G7, currently the UK is out of step with other developed economies in how it treats Scotlands national drink.

Next weeks autumn statement, he said, will be a key indicator of how Scotch whisky is supported, as he pushed for a freeze on the tax.
Three more Irish citizens have been able to leave Gaza, Irelands deputy premier has said.

It comes a day after 23 Irish citizens, including families with children, crossed into Egypt.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who is visiting the area, said he believes more will be able to leave by Sunday amid the ongoing war.

He said he has been given assurances by Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen that the majority of Irish citizens still in Gaza will be able to leave within the next three days.

This morning in Israel I witnessed the devastation caused by the Oct 7 attack in Sderot and Kibbutz Beeri, where Emily Hand was taken hostage, w/ Israeli FM @elicoh1 I unreservedly condemn the brutal attack by Hamas & call for the immediate & unconditional release of hostages pic.twitter.com/gj751Qw4fz  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 16, 2023

Mr Martin visited two towns in southern Israel on Thursday which had been attacked by Hamas in October.

They included Kibbutz Beeri where eight-year-old Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand was taken hostage.

He said he unreservedly condemned the brutal attack by Hamas, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

He said he expressed his concern at the catastrophic situation in Gaza to Mr Cohen and reiterated calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Mr Martin also met Israeli president Isaac Herzog, and said he stressed to him the urgent need to dramatically increase the supply of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Very good to meet with Palestinian Authority PM @DrShtayyeh in Ramallah. I expressed my sympathy to the Palestinian people over civilian deaths in Gaza We discussed the role the international community must play in the path to peace & Irelands support for the two State solution pic.twitter.com/aXQn15ElsM  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 16, 2023

Mr Martin told RTE that his impression from discussions with Israeli leaders is that there is a determination to continue with its military campaign in Gaza.

I get the sense this morning that Israel wants to believe that it can eliminate Hamas militarily. We dont share that view, he said.

Im very clear that we we do need humanitarian ceasefire.

Mr Martin later travelled to the West Bank where he held an hour-long meeting with Palestinian Authority prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh.

He said he expressed his sympathy with the Palestinian people over civilian deaths in Gaza in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

We discussed the role the international community must play in the path to peace and Irelands support for the two-state solution, he added.
The UK would be following Vladimir Putins lead it if took the absolutely outrageous step of withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, an Irish parliamentary committee has heard.

Such a move would undermine the human rights protections that are central to Northern Irelands landmark Good Friday peace agreement, Amnesty International warned.

Amnestys Northern Ireland programme director, Patrick Corrigan, was giving evidence to an Oireachtas committee tasked with assessing the implementation of the 1998 peace accord. MPs from Northern Ireland sit alongside Irish TDs and senators on the committee.

Mr Corrigan was providing his analysis of the UK Governments Illegal Migration Act and its potential consequences for the Good Friday deal.

Patrick Corrigan, of Amnesty International, was providing his analysis of the UK Illegal Migration Act and its potential consequences for the Good Friday Agreement (Liam McBurney PA)

The hearing came a day after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the Governments flagship Rwanda asylum policy was unlawful.

The UKs highest court rejected the Governments appeal over its policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda if they arrive by unauthorised means.

The ruling has prompted renewed calls from the right of the Conservative Party for the Government to withdraw from the ECHR to remove one of the main legal obstacles facing the Rwanda policy.

Russia left the Convention in 2022 as a consequence of its expulsion from the Council of Europe.

Human rights protections guaranteed within the Good Friday Agreement are based on the ECHR framework.

Mr Corrigan said the Irish Government needs to be vigilant to the potential consequences of what he described as a UK move to step away from its international human rights obligations.

While the UK Government may not withdraw from the European Convention and that obviously would be an absolutely outrageous step to take, sort of following Putins Russia in withdrawing from the European Convention, but nothing can be ruled out given some of the noises that we hear at least on the (Conservative) back benches  they used to be on the front benches as well, maybe its on the back benches now  around withdrawing from the European Convention, he said.

And thats still a threat that hangs over all of the debate around this.

Obviously, there is an Irish interest there in protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, including the chapter on human rights and equality safeguards for people on the island.

Mr Corrigan also expressed concern about the potential fate of non-Irish citizens living in the Republic of Ireland who, while not having a visa to be in the UK, travel north of the border, potentially just to do some shopping.

Patrick Corrigan said visa nationals entering Northern Ireland from the Republic could face severe consequences if they do not have the right documentation (Brian Lawless/PA)

He said that, under the Illegal Migration Act, they could find themselves being detained and sent back to their home country of origin or a third country, with limited legal avenues to challenge it.

There is a de facto hardening of the border for people moving from one side of the border to the other, he said.

And while there are protections in place for people who have UK or Irish citizenship, who hold those passports, for people who do not there are new realities that they have to face.

He added: The consequences now are extraordinarily severe; say, being removed to a third country or removed to a country from which you had fled and that there are risks to your rights  to safety, right to life.

And, crucially, one of the rights that is removed is the right to adequately challenge the decisions that are made about you and your removal and your detention first of all, and then your removal, that that legal challenge to which one is entitled under the European Convention and also entitled under EU law has now been swept aside by the Illegal Migration Act.

So not only can you find yourself caught up in this sort of Kafkaesque situation of being detained and facing deportation, that your opportunity to challenge that has also effectively been removed or massively diminished, so that you enter into this netherworld of UK immigration policy and theres very little way out of it again.
An urgent appeal for information to find Disappeared victim Columba McVeigh has been made as the latest search for his remains ends.

The Co Tyrone teenager was abducted, killed and secretly buried by the Provisional IRA in 1975.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) has conducted six unsuccessful searches at Bragan Bog in Co Monaghan since 1999, covering more than 26 acres.

In a joint statement, the UK and Irish Commissioners Rosalie Flanagan and Tim Dalton said it is very disappointing that the latest search has ended without finding Mr McVeighs remains.

Columba McVeigh, who was murdered and secretly buried by the Provisional IRA (Family handout/PA)

We are conscious that this is a very distressing and difficult time for the McVeigh family who have shown remarkable courage and resilience over many years, they said.

But they can be assured that the commission will never close the book on a case while there is still the possibility that the information we need can be brought forward and acted upon.

They said they are urgently renewing their appeal for information to help to find Mr McVeigh.

All information that comes to the commission is treated in the strictest confidence and can only be used to locate and recover the remains of those still missing, they said.

Our mission is entirely humanitarian on behalf of the families who will continue to suffer until the remains of their loved one are found and returned to them for Christian burial.

That is why we want to urgently renew our appeal for information.

ICLVR lead investigator Jon Hill described having to take the decision to end the search as bitterly disappointing.

This was a particularly frustrating search for all concerned, he said.

Jon Hill, of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains, stands besides excavators at Bragan bog near Emyvale in Co Monaghan (Liam McBurney/PA)

While we started over a year ago on what turned out to be an area of just over four acres of difficult terrain we lost several months due to the severe weather last winter and this summer.

The final phase when we reached the tree line was particularly challenging.

But every day we started in the hope that that would be the day we would find Columba and the disappointment that we havent is deeply felt by everyone on the search team whose hearts go out to the McVeigh family.

Mr Hill said he believes Mr McVeigh was buried at Bragan Bog, and urged anyone with any further information that can help in a future search to come forward.

I remain convinced that Columba was taken to Bragan Bog nearly 50 years ago and was buried there, he said.

Equally, I have no doubt that the information we have been working on was given in good faith.

But we havent found him which can only mean that hes not where we were told to look.

We will review our work as we always do in these circumstances but clearly we need those who have information to think again to see if there is anything further that they can tell us that will get us to the place we need to be.

If credible information is forthcoming and the Commissioners accept that there are good grounds for us to search again then we will be back.

But we cant make that case until we have more to go on.

Seventeen people were disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.

Disappeared victims Columba McVeigh, Joe Lynskey and Robert Nairac (PA)

Aided by the ICLVR, which was set up by the UK and Irish governments to investigate their whereabouts, 13 have been found over the last two decades.

The remains of Mr McVeigh, former monk Joe Lynskey, British Army captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh, have never been recovered.

Co Down hairdresser Lisa Dorrian, who vanished in the post-Troubles era from a caravan park in Ballyhalbert, Co Down, in 2005, is now considered one of the remaining five Disappeared victims whose bodies are yet to be found.

Republican paramilitaries were not suspected in her case.

The ICLVR can be contacted by telephone: 00800-55585500 International: +353 1 602 8655, email to Secretary@iclvr.ie or by post to: ICLVR PO Box 10827

CrimeStoppers can also be contacted on 0800 555 111 and the untraceable anonymous online form is at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
A pandemic-era chief scientist whose diary entries contained revelations that Boris Johnson described coronavirus as natures way of dealing with old people is set to appear before the UKs public inquiry.

Sir Patrick Vallance is expected to give evidence on Monday followed by Englands chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty and his former deputy, Sir Jonathan Van-Tam later in the week.

Extracts from Sir Patricks diary during his time in office have already been the subject of much of the inquirys examination of other key figures, including ex-Downing Street director of communications Lee Cain and former cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill.

Sir Chris Whitty is also due to appear before the inquiry next week (Victoria Jones/PA)

One entry recorded that the former PM had referred to the Treasury as the pro-death squad when he wanted the ministry to back him in arguing for a path to eased restrictions.

Another contained an allegation that Mr Johnson had suggested he believed the pandemic was natures way of dealing with old people as he resisted lockdowns.

Sir Patrick, who served as the Governments chief scientific adviser from 2018 to 2023, also wrote about his own frustrations in dealing with the then-prime minister.

(Mr Johnson is) obsessed with older people accepting their fate and letting the young get on with life and the economy going, he said.

Quite bonkers set of exchanges, he wrote, referring to a WhatsApp group including the former PM.

Chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett said it would be premature to make a decision on whether the entries should be disclosed in their entirety (James Manning/PA)

Sir Patrick said that he and Sir Chris felt Number 10 officials were trying to strong-arm them into appearing by Mr Johnsons side at a Downing Street press conference following the then-PMs ex-chief adviser Dominic Cummings press conference on his lockdown trip to Barnard Castle.

The journey was clearly against the rules and Mr Cummings televised appearance before the media was a car crash, the former chief scientist said in an entry in May 2020.

Sir Patrick has objected to the publication of his pandemic-era diary in full, describing the notes as a brain dump written at the end of immensely stressful days to protect his mental health.

Chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett has said it would be premature to make a decision on whether the entries should be disclosed in their entirety.

But further extracts could be put before the inquiry as he answers questions from lawyers about his time in office during the Governments response to the virus next week.

His evidence will be followed by Sir Chris on Tuesday and Sir Jonathan next Wednesday, according to a timetable published by the inquiry on Thursday.

Dame Angela McLean will also appear next Wednesday, while Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Dame Jenny Harries, a former deputy chief medical officer for England are expected next Thursday.
The Prince of Wales has joined forces with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to support a project tackling youth violence with 100,000 of funding.

William arrived in Manchesters Moss Side to hear about the work of the Manchester Peace Together Alliance which will receive 50,000 from his Royal Foundation, a figure matched by Mr Burnham, who took part in the visit.

The funds will be used to create an employment, skills and training programme for young people at risk of violence, a first for the Alliance, a community-led initiative combating the underlying causes of youth violence with targeted mentoring and activities.

William speaks to service users at The Hideaway Youth Project (Anthony Devlin/PA)

Mr Burnham said: Im delighted to be working with the Prince of Wales in this effort to support our young people into a brighter future.

We know that working with partners and communities to provide opportunities for young people to engage in positive activity is the most effective way to ensure young people do not get involved with crime or violence.

Were committed to doing all we can to stop crime and violence, and the development of a dedicated employment, skills, and training programme for young people at risk of violence, and partnership between the Alliance, Manchester City Council, the business community and Royal Foundation will certainly support this.

The three-year project has seen the alliance working for the first time with the private sector, which has committed to providing work shadowing, apprenticeships and employment for young people.

The Prince of Wales visited Moss Side to hear about the work of the Manchester Peace Together Alliance (Danny Lawson/PA)

William began his day in Manchester by meeting volunteers from the Hideaway Youth Project, lead partner of the Manchester Peace Together Alliance, to hear more about the impact that the programme will have on young people.

Julie Wharton, director at the Hideaway Youth Project and a senior member of the Alliance, said: All of us at the Manchester Peace Together Alliance are absolutely delighted by the initiative being launched today.

At the Hideaway we place ourselves at the centre of the community in Moss Side so we can understand the needs of our young people and ensure we are doing all we can to prevent them from being impacted by the devastation that youth violence can bring.
Christie Graham

VERANDA presents: Designing the Dream with Summer Thornton. In this series, she'll walk us through her step-by-step process of building and designing Casa Rosada, her new home in Sayulita, Mexico. Here, all of the architectural details that make her vacation home sing.



A few weeks ago, my 10-year-old daughter joined me on a trip to Sayulita to check on the progress of Casa Rosada. The days were a blur of activity and installations. Before we left, she convinced me to take a break and join her in a test run of our newly installed infinity pool. It was a moment of peace. Warmed by the sun, we splashed our toes in the cool water as it tumbled over the edge and spilled into the Pacific.



Anyone whos ever built a house in a (very) natural habitat knows that achieving a feeling of one with nature takes a lot of work. Im thrilled that the infinity pool is sleek and seamless; I love that it feels cool and effortless, but getting there was the result of months and months of design, redesign, and back-and-forth between my team, the architect, and the builder.

Working hard to appear effortless is often the case when it comes to architectural details. Fundamental building blocks of a homethings like the windows, built-ins, and railingsanchor the fun stuff. When you get it right, they often go unnoticed, but these details are worth a shout-out. So, lets take a moment to celebrate a few unsung architectural heroes.

The Front Door

Josh Thornton

When we bought our Sayulita lot, a small, run-down house stood on the property. It wasnt much to behold, but from the moment I laid eyes on that original, dilapidated front doorwhich led to the original, crumbling courtyardI knew for a fact I wanted to preserve it.

The door was too small to fit Casa Rosadas grand scale, but our architect had an inspired solution: Out of concrete, he created an architectural arch around that original door. I love the result because it looks like we found an ancient courtyard and built a modern home around it.

Windows

Christie Graham

If youve been following along with us on this series, you know that the arch feature has been a hot, and sometimes contentious, topic. Our architect is not a fan, but I think they can be beautiful and functional. After hours of debate, we laid some To-Arch-Or-Not-To-Arch Ground Rules that helped guide future decisionsand curb future debate.

Heres where we landed: All the really big windows that open to the ocean are rectangular and incorporate pocketed glass doors. All the interior openings are arched. It works because rectangles provide maximum exterior views, and arches soften the interior transitions. (As with every rule, theres an exception. The smaller-scale windows on the sides of the home are framed-steel arches.)

Enrique, our architect, and I are calling the home our love childits a little bit him and a little bit me.

Balcony Railing

Josh Thornton

When you build a home on the ocean, your building options become limited in many ways that other homes arent. This extends to exterior features like the balcony railings, where metal would rust and wood would rot. Enrique suggested a glass railing to preserve the view and keep a clean aesthetic, but to me, a glass railing is way too modern and sterile.

Josh and I found the answer on the side of the highway. When youre driving down the road in Mexico, youll see a traditional Mexican zig-zag pattern all over the place, including on really basic Mexican buildings. Its a common breeze block, which is a cement or concrete screen that provides some shade and promotes ventilation.

Enrique was horrified when we suggested incorporating this pattern into a concrete railing, but we knew we could use it as inspiration and make it more elegant. After increasing the scale and changing the proportion so that it balances the rest of the structure, it feels very chic!

Lighting

Imagine taking an 8x10 sheet of paper, holding the edge up to your wall so that the paper is parallel with the floor, and curving the sides down. Now imagine forming that out of concrete and plastering it over it. Thats what we did for Casa Rosadas lighting, and I could not love it more.

Covered with the same chukum as the walls, these quiet, built-in sconces emit light in a moody, romantic way that is just perfect at night. Above, the concrete sconce and "lampara palma" details illuminate the hallway.

Arched Wall Niches

This architectural design feature comes in handy for two of my favorite things: throwing parties and accessorizing. Built into the wall, theyre like little interchangeable display shelves that you can use to showcase anything from flowers to sculptures to pottery.

These niches vary in size throughout the house; the smallest is about a foot tall, and the largest is around 4 feet. The one in the powder room is pretty large, and I intend to have a large floral arrangement in there most of the time. A tiny light at the top of each niche makes them especially pretty at night.

Fireplace

Josh Thornton

Maybe its weird to have a fireplace in a beach house, but I love a fireand at night in Sayulita, it can get chilly. Unlike most fireplaces that are level with the ground, we positioned ours in the dining room, about 30 inches off the ground at the end of our 20-foot-long dining room table.

The fireplace is inset into the concrete wall, covered in plaster and chukum, so that it blends with its surroundings but has a dramatic but sensual shape. When I dream of vacations with family and friends at Casa Rosada, this is one of my favorite visuals: As the sun sets over the ocean, the fire gives off an intimate warmth, fanning the flames of conversation and laughter.

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Donna Adelson was reportedly just steps away from freedom on a jetway ramp at Miami International Airport about to board an International flight with her husband, Harvey Adelson heading to Dubai, and then to Vietnam, which does not have an extradition treaty with the United States.

But, law enforcement, including FBI Special Agent Pat Sanford, intercepted their flight plans and arrested Donna on the jet runway for murder, conspiracy and solicitation for the murder of Professor Dan Markel.

Donna and Charlie have seemingly learned little since 2016 when the FBI obtained a Title 3 wiretap and intercepted their calls after the FBI bump. During those calls the two talked in suspicious coded language. It was their calls, along with other recorded conversations/evidence that led to Charlies arrest for the murder.

It is unclear from the probable cause arrest affidavit whether they spoke in coded language on the recorded jail calls. The affidavit lacks any direct quotes attributed to Donna and Charlie on the calls.

All jail calls inform the parties prior to the conversation that the conversations are recorded. There is no mistake that both Donna and Charlie knew the calls were recorded.

According to the arrest affidavit, Donna tells Charlie she is getting her things in order, including making trusts for her grandkids. She further states she has considered taking her life and or fleeing to a country without extradition. It should be noted these recorded calls took place after Charlie was convicted on all three counts for the murder of Professor Markel.

Moreover, these calls took place after Prosecutor Cappleman said the investigation is ongoing and stay tuned.

These facts are highly relevant in assessing the context of these comments from Donna to her incarcerated son. In essence, this could be considered her final goodbye to her doting son before she was fleeing the United States.

A tight timeline as law enforcement intercepts Adelsons at airport

After her arrest, State Attorney Jack Campbell indicated that the events above described said: Thats what forced our hand. He indicated that extradition from Dubai and Vietnam would be a very complicated and lengthy process.

Donna Adelson was arrested Monday, Nov. 13, 2023 and booked into a Miami-Dade detention facility.

He also stated the state had enough evidence to prosecute Donna prior to her attempted flight to avoid prosecution. Notably, Campbell stated they did not have enough evidence to arrest her husband, Harvey Adelson.

It cannot be overstated that State Attorney Campbell and law enforcement had to make a quick and calculated decision in determining their next step against Donna Adelson. Leon Circuit Judge Stephen Everett signed the arrest warrant for Donnas arrest around 5:45 p.m., Nov. 13.

Donnas flight departed from Miami at 8:15 pm. the same day. Thus, law enforcement, including FBI Agent Sanford had to hurry to intercept Donna at the terminal.

It should be noted, international passengers normally check in 3 hours before takeoff. Consequently, we can assume prosecutors and agents knew when they sought the arrest warrant for her that Donna and Harvey had already checked in for their international flight.

The first court appearance of Donna Adelson: Flight and the 'consciousness of guilt'

Donna made her initial appearance in Miami and was informed of the murder conspiracy and solicitation charges against her. She also was informed there would be no bond and she will be transferred to her not-so favorite place, Tallahassee and Leon County.

Consciousness of guilt is a powerful and highly incriminating inference that a judge or jury may draw from the statements or conduct of an accused defendant after a crime has been committed. It suggests that the defendant knows he/she is guilty of the charged offense.

State Attorney Jack Campbell, center, talks with Jason Newlin, left, as they wait with Pat Sanford for the verdict in the Charlie Adelson trial to be read on Monday, Nov. 6, 2023.

Read Donna Adelson arrest warrant: Talk of fleeing, suicide and 'getting things in order'

Examples of consciousness of guilt, may be evinced by a false alibi, intimidation of a witness, destruction or concealment of evidence and flight.

The law is well settled that evidence of flight is admissible as being relevant to infer consciousness of guilt where sufficient evidence exists to establish that the defendant fled to avoid prosecution of the charged defendant.

The burden is on the state, though. International flight alone does not create a presumption of guilt and is not sufficient to conclude that he/she is guilty. At most, it may provide an inference of consciousness of guilt. A jury decides.

Where there are two conflicting theories as to the meaning of evidence tending to show consciousness of guilt, the trial judge does not abuse its discretion in admitting such evidence, as the conflict in the theories goes to the weight of the evidence not its admissibility.

The gears of justice grind slowly, but they can be lethal

Donna Adelson was not facing charges at the time of her international flight. As such, the state will have to prove not only the international flight, but that such a flight was to avoid prosecution thereby inferring a consciousness of guilt on her behalf.

Even though the murder occurred nine years earlier, the state has been investigating and prosecuting her co-conspirators for the last six years. During her son's trial this month, Donna's name and conduct was an integral part of the state's case. Clearly, Donna was about to be charged in the murder case rather soon.

More importantly, the timing of the flight, location of the destination, and her statements on the recorded jail calls will establish that Donna was leaving to avoid future prosecution that she knew was imminent. She bought a one-way ticket to Vietnam (no extradition) the day after Charlie was convicted of the murder of Professor Markel.

Her words of getting things in order, possible suicide, and a flight to a destination without extradition demonstrate that she possessed a conscious of guilt for the murder of Professor Markel. As such, the court will allow such powerfully and highly incriminating evidence into her trial.

The state has strong circumstantial evidence against Donna for the murder of Professor Markel. This was proven by the highly incriminating evidence admitted in Charlie's trial. Prosecutor Campbell disclosed that they still had more evidence that has not been made public. Now, the state will introduce her flight to avoid prosecution as consciousness of guilt.

Once again, Donna and Charlie's conversations could be her undoing also.

The state has methodically proceeded with a scalpel in the prosecution of those responsible for the murder of Professor Markel. Is there more to come? Time will tell us that answer. People complain it took too long. I say: Justice is slow sometimes, but it can be lethal when given time! Just ask the Adelsons and their co-conspirators!

Tim Jansen

Tim Jansen, partner in Jansen & Davis, P.A., is a prominent criminal defense attorney in Tallahassee and former assistant U.S. attorney who worked major white collar crime cases as senior fraud prosecutor. He has represented numerous high-profile clients for years and is offering daily analysis on the Charlie Adelson trial to readers of the Tallahassee Democrat.

This article originally appeared on Tallahassee Democrat: Adelson arrest legal analysis: A fight and 'consciousness of guilt'
There was a DJ dance party and photo booths, a gala dinner and cocktail hours. But its an awkward time for a party at the annual convention of the National Association of Realtors, underway in Anaheim this week and bringing together nearly 12,000 of the trade associations 1.5 million members from across the country.

Only two weeks ago, an industry-shaking $1.8 billion verdict in an antitrust class-action case was handed down in Missouri, finding NAR and two brokerage firms, Keller Williams and HomeServices of America, liable for conspiring to keep commissions artificially high. NAR said it will appeal the verdict.

Since then, several similar larger lawsuits have been brought against NAR and brokerages across the country, with a suit in Texas even naming an individual broker. The Department of Justice has shown renewed interest in getting involved. And thats all in addition to several top leaders and executives leaving NAR in recent months following allegations of sexual harassment and a toxic workplace.

All this has real estate agents on edge. At stake is their way of doing business and ultimately their income.

Last week, Tracy Kasper, the NAR president and a broker-owner of Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Silverhawk Realty in Boise, Idaho, who is the voice for member agents, acknowledged agents concern in a video message.

While saying that she was incredibly disappointed by the verdict, she noted that NAR was in the midst of a very complex legal situation, and we dont have all the answers about how the future will play out.

Tracy Kasper, National Association of Realtors' president, speaks at the 2023 general session at NAR NXT convention. - Courtesy National Association of Realtors

Kasper echoed those sentiments in a keynote address to agents at the convention on Tuesday, telling agents: We will continue to listen closely to your feedback. Our decision-making remains rooted in what is best to strengthen our organization and move NAR forward.

What is at stake for agents

Renee Roque, an agent with Alexis McGee Group in Stevenson Ranch, California, was at the convention and thrilled to be supporting women real estate agents.

At first I was nervous, but then I realized it was Missouri, she said of the verdict. Its so different in California.

She said any changes to the commission structure  which could include more homebuyers paying an agent themselves rather than the seller paying a 6% commission that is typically split between the sellers and buyers agents, as is common now  are likely to make people more aware of the work agents do.

We can do what a machine cant do, she said.

While some real estate agents earn millions of dollars a year selling homes, they are the outliers. The median income for NAR members was about $56,000 in 2022, according to the organization. And agents with two years or less of experience earn a lot less, with a median gross income of $9,600 a year.

Real estate agents generate about $100 billion in commissions a year, according to the Department of Justice. And about half of that, plaintiffs in the recent case argue, goes to buyers agents.

A for sale sign hangs in front of a home on August 22, 2023 in San Mateo County, California. - Liu Guanguan/China News Service/VCG/Getty Images

When asked about changes to their commission structure, many agents (including several who did not want to be named because they said their firms asked them not to speak on the topic) say one way or another they will get paid for their services.

The bigger question will be whether buyers will pay for the service to begin with. A typical 3% commission on a $500,000 sale means buyers will need to pay their agent $15,000. That is in addition to tens of thousands of dollars a buyer already paid upfront for a downpayment and closing costs.

Most will not do that, said John Natale, a broker in New Jersey, in a recent TikTok video. Agents who cant make a living will have to leave the industry, something Natale isnt crying about, saying there are too may agents.

Of greater concern to him is that when fewer buyers are represented by agents, fewer people are going to become homeowners.

A very long road ahead for NAR

While dozens of sessions at NARs convention focused on sales strategies and entrepreneurial success stories  like How to Create Your 12-Month Social Media Plan and 20 Team Meeting Ideas in 20 Minutes  there were also some that appeared designed to address changes and ease concerns about a drop in pay.

Visitors at the National Association of Realtors convention on November 14 in Anaheim, California. - Courtesy National Association of Realtors

One session, How to Get a Buyer Representation Agreement Signed, speaks to a future in which it may become less common or potentially not allowed to split a commission between a selling and a buying agent. In that case a buyer will need to pay for their own agent  and it would be in an agents interest to spell that out in a contract.

The session, presented by Lynn Madison, a professional real estate educator from Illinois, was so well attended there were not enough seats.

Madison said some states already mandate buyer representation agreements and reminded agents that commissions are always negotiable. She said that buyers agreements may have to have wording that says that if a seller doesnt agree to pay the buyers agent commission, the buyer is on the hook for that money.

Chuck Simons, a broker in Valencia, California, who was also at the convention, said agents are very good at adapting to change.

The next generation of Realtors will adapt and they wont even realize that there was an old way of doing things, he said. Its going to be a turning point because a lot of agents dont use buyers agreements now.

The National Association of Realtors has 1.5 million members across the country. - Courtesy National Association of Realtors

A session on Monday was entirely dedicated to the recent lawsuit verdict; at another, agents could make recommendations that might ignite cultural change that endures beyond this moment of crisis, according to the program notes.

Matt Troiani, director of legal affairs at NAR, said in an open meeting of NARs Risk Management Issues Committee that the association is unwavering in fighting these lawsuits. He said the current commission system ensures an efficient, transparent and equitable marketplace where sellers can sell their homes for more and have their homes seen by buyers.

But Troiani added that this is not the end of the road for these challenges. With an appeal ahead and lawsuits still being filed, its closer to the beginning.

Were here to say, Keep calm and carry on, Troiani said. We still have a very long road ahead.

Be prepared for the discussion on commission

Jim Flanagan, broker and owner of Coldwell Banker Flanagan Realty with two offices in Ocean County, New Jersey, said he waited for a week after the verdict to have a sales meeting with his agents to give them time for the noise and dust to settle.

I told them that for us it is business as usual, but be prepared for the discussion on commission, particularly with sellers, he said.

Flanagan said he asked his agents to highlight the disclosure and transparency of the commission to clients, even though it is spelled out in black on white on the agent agreements. Since the pandemic, many documents are signed digitally and the agents and their clients may be emailing documents back and forth.

Because it has been a strong sellers market in Flanagans area, commissions have dropped below 6% since the pandemic, he said, with the typical commission around 4% with a 2% split for the buyers agent and the sellers agent. He said he isnt expecting much of a change.

For the good agents, it is just talking to people, explaining how things are and figuring it out together, he said. Its the agents who are, unfortunately, not busy enough who are speculating about what this means and going down a rabbit hole.

NAR is going to appeal the recent verdict and, as other cases come in, NAR will be vigorously defending itself, said Nate Johnson, an agent with RedKey Realty Leaders in St. Louis, Missouri, and NARs 2024 vice president of advocacy, a volunteer position.

The Burnett case doesnt require a change in our rule, he said. It doesnt change the choices buyers or sellers have about the decision to hire a Realtor. It could change how they pay for it or the contracts they sign with agents.

Going forward, he said hes encouraging agents to think about the hits NAR has taken this year as opportunities, or challenges.

What the lawsuit has brought to light is that there are some practitioners that havent done a good job of explaining how compensation works, said Johnson.

If part of the outcome is that some agents leave the industry because they cant rise to the level set, Johnson said, thats okay; we are a stronger, more professional organization because of it.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Russian oil is reportedly penetrating the US Pentagon's supply chains, posing a significant challenge to the efforts of curtailing Russia's economic capabilities amidst its invasion of Ukraine.

This intriguing development, highlighted by a Washington Post analysis, uncovers a complex global trade scenario that raises questions about the effectiveness of sanctions against Russian energy products, as per Yahoo News.

US Military Supplier's Russian Oil Concerns

At the core of this situation is the Motor Oil Hellas refinery in Greece, an essential fuel supplier to the US military. The refinery had declared a shift to alternative fuel sources after the West imposed a ban on Russian oil exports.

However, an analysis of shipping data by the Washington Post suggests a different story. The data indicates that Russian oil was rerouted and changed hands multiple times, being initially shipped to Dortyol, a Turkish storage terminal, and then forwarded to Greece.

The extent of Russian-origin crude oil acquired by the US military is unknown. However, since the onset of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict in 2022, the Department of Defense has awarded Motor Oil Hellas contracts nearing $1 billion, marking a significant increase compared to previous years.

This information comes from the Project on Government Oversight, a watchdog group investigating the issue.

The investigation revealed that at least 56% of oil shipments to Motor Oil Hellas came from Dortyol, and about 69% of Dortyol's shipments were of Russian origin. This convoluted supply chain places the Pentagon in a paradoxical position.

On the one hand, the US government is actively supporting Ukraine with military aid against Russian aggression. On the other hand, it seems to be inadvertently buying products containing Russian fossil fuels, a significant economic driver of Russia's military endeavors, according to Business Insider.

Read Also: Georgia Couple Arrested in 1988 Death of Toddler Found Encased in Concrete; 'Baby Jane Doe' Identified as Kenyatta Odom

Russia's Clever Tactics to Evade Energy Sanctions

This situation suggests that Russia has effectively thwarted the West's attempts to limit its war revenue by circumventing restrictions on its energy trade. Reports indicate that Moscow has established a secret fleet of "shadow tankers" to disguise the origin of its oil.

Furthermore, some financial analysts believe that Russian crude is being sold significantly above the West's imposed price cap of $60 per barrel, attributed to the shadow fleet and inflated shipping costs that mask the actual amount paid by the buyers.

The implications of these revelations are multifaceted and significant. They underscore the complexities and challenges in implementing and enforcing economic sanctions, particularly in a globalized and interconnected world.

The use of intermediaries and transshipment points, as seen in the case of Dortyol, complicates the tracking of the trustworthy source of oil supplies, thus undermining the effectiveness of sanctions.

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, the international community, and particularly the United States, faces the critical task of tightening enforcement mechanisms. This is essential to ensure that sanctions against Russia remain effective and do not inadvertently support the entity they intend to weaken.

The findings also call for a reassessment of the global oil trade and supply chain dynamics, emphasizing the need for increased transparency and accountability in international trade, especially in sectors crucial for geopolitical stability and security, Markets Insider reported.

Related Article: UK's Post-Brexit Chemical Regulations To Be Loosened

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Detectives in California arrested a suspect in connection with the death of Paul Kessler, a Jewish man who suffered a fatal head injury during an altercation earlier this month amid dueling demonstrations over the Israel-Hamas war.

Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji, a 50-year-old college professor, was taken into custody Thursday on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, according to a news release from the Ventura County Sheriffs Office.

He has been booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility and his bail will be set at $1 million, the sheriff's office said. The district attorney will decide whether there is enough evidence for a formal charge. It remains unclear what led the sheriff's office to arrest Alnaji.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles in a statement said the arrest of Alnaji shows that violence towards our community will not be tolerated.

With the flag of Israel behind him, Jonathan Oswaks speaks Tuesday, Nov. 7, 2023, about Paul Kessler, 69, of Thousand Oaks, who died after an incident that happened at simultaneous demonstrations in support of Israel and Palestine at the intersection of Thousand Oaks and Westlake boulevards Sunday.

What happened to Paul Kessler?

Kessler, 69, died at a hospital on Nov. 6 from injuries he received during a confrontation with a pro-Palestinian demonstrator a day earlier in Thousand Oaks, a suburb northwest of Los Angeles.

At a news conference earlier this month, Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said Kessler "fell backward and struck his head on the ground" sometime after the altercation started. Fryhoff said investigators were reviewing footage of the incident to determine what had led to Kessler's fatal fall.

Around 75 pro-Palestinian and pro-Israel demonstrators were protesting at the corners of a busy intersection in Thousand Oaks, authorities said. Kessler was seen in photos waving an Israeli flag before he was injured.

A person places flowers at a makeshift memorial at the site of an altercation between 69-year-old Paul Kessler, who was Jewish, and pro-Palestinian protester on Nov. 7, 2023 in Thousand Oaks, California. Kessler died of a head injury he sustained from falling during the confrontation at dueling Israeli and Palestinian protests on November 5. The death was ruled a homicide by the Ventura County Medical Examiners Office. (Credit: Mario Tama, Getty Images)

Alnaji placed on leave from college, district spokesperson says

In a statement Thursday morning to the Ventura County Star, part of the USA TODAY network, a Ventura County Community College District spokesperson confirmed that Alnaji is a district employee and said the district has been in communication with law enforcement "throughout this process."

Alnaji had been placed on administrative leave, the statement said.

He taught computer science classes at Moorpark College, according to a June version of the college webpage that has since been removed. The profile was no longer accessible on the public site on Nov. 9, days after Kesslers death.

Representatives for the Ventura County Community College District, including Moorpark College President Julius Sokenu, did not to respond to multiple emails and phone calls and text messages sent since Nov. 9 requesting information on Alnajis employment status.

Suspect detained while investigators searched home

An unnamed 50-year-old suspect, who was described by Fryhoff as a pro-Palestinian demonstrator, stayed at the scene and was interviewed by law enforcement, Fryhoff told reporters. The man was "cooperative" and told detectives he was one of the people who called 911 requesting medical attention for Kessler. It's unclear if it's the same man taken into custody on Thursday.

After Kessler died, deputies temporarily detained the man while detectives searched his home in Moorpark. The results of the search have not been made public.

The incident prompted the sheriff to increase deputy patrols around local mosques and synagogues, citing rising tensions since the war between Israel and Hamas broke out last month.

Contributing: The Associated Press; The Ventura County Star

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Paul Kessler case: Man arrested by authorities in California
Pandas might soon be returning to California, Chinese President Xi Jinping suggested Wednesday at a dinner in San Francisco attended by hundreds of U.S. business leaders.

The return to China this month of the three giant pandas at the National Zoo in Washington has raised concerns that the United States could soon have none of the beloved bears. Pandas, which are endemic to China, have been a symbol of U.S.-China friendship since Beijing sent the first two to Washington in 1972 in what is known as panda diplomacy.

I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off, Xi said. I also learned that the San Diego Zoo and the Californians very much look forward to welcoming pandas back.

Xi did not say how many pandas might be sent to the U.S. or when.

The friendly gesture came after a day of talks between Xi and President Joe Biden on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, aimed at easing fears that the worlds two biggest economies could be headed toward conflict. The four-hour summit was the first time the two leaders had spoken in a year.

Madrid Zoo Animals Fight The Heat Wave With Ice Cream (Alejandro Martinez Velez / Europa Press via Getty Images file)

They reached agreement on a number of issues such as the resumption of military-to-military communications and cooperation on counternarcotics, including curbing the flow from China of precursor chemicals and pill presses that contribute to the U.S. fentanyl crisis.

Xi then attended a dinner for U.S. business leaders, hosted by the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations, while Biden went to a dinner for APEC leaders.

For Xi, the dinner was a chance to court American businesses as China grapples with an economic slowdown. U.S. executives, meanwhile, were seeking insight on how to do business in an environment they see as increasingly unpredictable.

U.S. lawmakers and others had criticized those attending the dinner as ignoring Chinas human rights record.

It is unconscionable that American companies might pay thousands of dollars to attend a dinner with Xi, said Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wis., chairman of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, citing rights abuses in the Chinese region of Xinjiang that the U.S. government has said amount to genocide. China denies the allegations.

Among the roughly 400 dinner guests were Apple CEO Tim Cook, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, Boeing Commercial Airplanes CEO Stan Deal and FedEx CEO Raj Subramaniam. Organizers said Tesla CEO Elon Musk attended an earlier reception but was not present at the dinner.

Addressing the room, Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the vast majority of the U.S. trade and investment relationship with China is not affected by national security concerns and that the U.S. is committed to promoting reciprocal trade and investment in those areas.

A growing China that plays by the rules is in all of our interests, she said.

Xi then spoke for more than 35 minutes, receiving a standing ovation before and after.

In a world of challenges, he said, the U.S. and China must handle our relations well.

Xi Jinping APEC Summit (Carlos Barria / AFP - Getty Images)

China is ready to be a partner of the United States, and the world needs that relationship, Xi said, adding there was plenty of room for our cooperation as he rejected the view that China is a threat.

We should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people interactions, he said. We must not erect barriers or create a chilling effect.

Xi said pandas had long been envoys of friendship between the American and Chinese people.

The departure of the National Zoo pandas left Zoo Atlantas four pandas as the only ones in the United States, and their loan agreement expires next year.

The San Diego Zoo has not had any giant pandas since 2019, and the last panda at the Memphis Zoo returned to China in April.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, Xi said, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples.
Talk about commitment.

Bradley Cooper has revealed more about some of his preparation to play composer Leonard Bernstein in the film, Maestro.

According to IndieWire, the actor discussed it during a Los Angeles screening for the film that included a conversation moderated by Hamilton Tony-winner Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Cooper broke down a scene in which Bernstein famously conducted the 1976 London Symphony Orchestra in Ely Cathedral.

That scene I was so worried about because we did it live, he said. That was the London Symphony Orchestra. I was recorded live, I had to conduct them. And I spent six years learning how to conduct six minutes and 21 seconds of music.

Whew. Now that is method acting.

Cooper, who also directed the film and co-wrote the script, said he watched raw footage of Bernstein conducting at the event to replicate it as authentically as possible.

It was really about dialing exactly what I wanted cinematically and then inviting them into then inhabit that space and trusting that they have all done the work, he said. Because I think that I knew, I was terrified, absolutely terrified that if I hadnt done the work that I wouldnt be able to enjoy myself in these scenes. And everybody did.

Cooper has faced criticism for the prosthetic nose he wears in the film to portray Bernstein, who was Jewish, despite members of the composers own family defending the choice.

Maestro will have a limited theatrical release on Nov. 22 before it starts streaming on Netflix in December.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
AccuWeather meteorologists say the door for a tropical rainstorm to become the next named system in the Atlantic basin had slammed shut by Saturday as the feature raced away from the northern Caribbean islands.

The feature was designated by the National Hurricane Center (NHC) as Potential Tropical Cyclone 22 at 4 p.m. EST Thursday due to the system's better organization. By Friday evening, the final advisory was issued as the storm lost that organization well to the northeast of Montego Bay, Jamaica. The feature was tracking to the northeast at over 20 mph as of early Saturday morning.

AccuWeather forecasters will continue to refer to the system as a tropical rainstorm through Saturday to emphasize the risks to lives and property as a result of heavy rainfall.

By Saturday night, the risk of tropical downpours will greatly diminish across eastern Cuba, Hispaniola and the southeastern Bahamas as the rainstorm races northeastward.

During the end of the week, wind shear became too disruptive for the rainstorm to organize and become a tropical depression or storm, despite the feature sitting over an area of very warm waters.

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

AccuWeather meteorologists had warned the public days earlier that wind shear could ultimately be an inhibiting factor to the feature becoming a full-blown tropical system and that, regardless, flooding rainfall would be the main risk to life and property across the northern Caribbean islands.

The next storm to take shape in the Atlantic will be named Vince, and then only the name Whitney will be left on this season's list of names.

AccuWeather meteorologists are projecting a wide swath of 4-8 inches (100-200 mm) of rain across Jamaica, southeastern Cuba and western Haiti. The AccuWeather Local StormMax is 20 inches (510 mm).

The combination of heavy rain and mountainous terrain on the larger islands of the Caribbean will raise the risk of dangerous flash flooding and mudslides.

Cruise and fishing interests from Jamaica to the southeastern Bahamas may want to follow the system's progress as there is the potential for sudden gusty thunderstorms that could make for rough seas and dangerous conditions.

The system in the Caribbean is not expected to affect the United States as steering winds and a cold front will push the system out into the Atlantic later this weekend to early next week.

Meanwhile, a separate system from the one in the Caribbean unloaded heavy rain and triggered strong winds in South Florida from late Tuesday to early Thursday. The rainstorm dropped more than a foot of rain and produced wind gusts to hurricane-force, or 74 mph, in some locations.

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.
Editors Note: Sign up for CNNs Meanwhile in China newsletter which explores what you need to know about the countrys rise and how it impacts the world.

China is willing to be a partner and a friend of the United States, Chinese leader Xi Jinping told American business leaders in San Francisco on Wednesday, as he sought to court US businesses amid a decline in foreign investment in China.

In a speech evoking decades of shared history and laden with symbols of warm US-China ties, Xi told a dinner event on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum that the most fundamental question shaping bilateral relations is whether they the countries are rivals or partners.

If we regard each other as the biggest rival, the most significant geopolitical challenge and an ever-pressing threat, it will inevitably lead to wrong policies, wrong actions and wrong results, Xi told an audience that included Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla CEO Elon Musk.

China is willing to be a partner and friend of the United States, he added.

Xi was given a standing ovation by the executives. His speech came a few hours after he held extensive talks with US President Joe Biden, where the two leaders made positive steps in stabilizing rocky relations between the worlds top two economies.

Hosted by the US-China Business Council and the National Committee on US-China Relations, the evening offered Xi a chance to appeal directly to American executives, who have grown increasingly wary of Chinas economic slowdown and Xis tightening grip on the economy, including a widening national security crackdown that has spooked foreign businesses.

In his speech, Xi struck a conciliatory tone, saying China and US should not engage in a zero-sum game, in which one wins at the expense of the other.

China has never bet on the United States to lose, has never intervened in US internal affairs and does not intend to challenge or replace the US. China is happy to see a confident, open and prosperous US, Xi said.

Similarly, he said, the US should welcome a peaceful, stable and prosperous China.

Xi dedicated a significant part of his speech to highlighting long-standing relations between the American and Chinese people  and the important role they played in fostering diplomatic relations.

He reached deep into history to name check the Flying Tigers  a group of American pilots who helped China fight Japan during World War II.

He also cited his own unforgettable experience staying with an American family in Iowa during his first trip to the US nearly four decades ago. To me, they are America, he said of his host family.

Xi recalled entering the US on that trip through San Fransisco, which he said formed his first impression of America. The then 31-year-old also posed for a photo in front of the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, a picture he says he has kept to this day.

This morning President Biden dug (the photo) out from somewhere and showed it to me, he said to a ripple of laughter in the room.

In an effort to foster personal ties between the two countries, China will invite 50,000 young Americans to visit China for exchanges and studies over the next five years, Xi said.

We need to build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people exchanges, instead of erecting various obstacles and creating a chilling effect, Xi said.

Economic challenges

Dexter Roberts, director of China affairs at the Mansfield Center at the University of Montana, said Xis overtly friendly tone was a reflection of Chinas economic troubles.

Chinas economy enjoyed a solid start to 2023 after emerging from three years of Covid restrictions, but the recovery fizzled out in the second quarter. It is now grappling with mounting challenges, ranging from weak consumer spending and a deepening property crisis to a slump in foreign investment.

Earlier this month, a gauge of foreign direct investment into China slipped into the red for the first time since 1998, underscoring the countrys failure to stem capital outflows.

This isnt a good time, given the state of the economy, to have hostile relations with American businesses and with the United States, said Roberts. When the economy goes south, top Chinese leaders start to say: We want to work with foreign businesses and our own private companies.

Liu Dongshu, an assistant professor focusing on Chinese politics at the City University of Hong Kong, said China needs to signal its willingness to open amid its economic woes.

China wants to have a better diplomatic, international environment to boost (business) confidence, Liu said.

This is why China wants to shift its narrative a little bit and wants to be nicer and have a warmer tone and attitude, to signal that China is still a good place to invest, he said.

While rising geopolitical tensions are partly to blame for the exodus of capital, with the US imposing investment restrictions on Chinas high-tech sector, foreign companies and investors have also grown wary of increasing risks within the country, including the possibility of raids and detentions.

Under Xi, China has further expanded the scope of its anti-espionage law, raided US consultancy and due-diligence firms and detained executives in the name of national security, sending a chill through the foreign business community.

Meanwhile, an intensifying regulatory crackdown has also shaken the Chinese business community, where more than a dozen top executives from sectors including technology, finance and real estate have gone missing, faced detention or been subjected to corruption probes this year.

Fred Hu, founder and CEO of Primavera Capital Group, told the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in Singapore last week that Chinese entrepreneurs are lying low, or lying flat.

This sense of insecurity, in my observation, in the Chinese entrepreneur community, is really  I have not seen it like this since 1978, Hu said, referring to the year China embarked on a path of reform and opening in the aftermath of the Cultural Revolution.

The single biggest priority in my mind is legal reform, is really to establish true rule of law that is essential for the healthy function of (a) modern market economy, which China is, he said, stressing the importance of protecting entrepreneurs from arbitrary political interference and worse, even prosecution.

If China really commits to rule of law and market reforms, I do think the confidence will slowly but surely come back, then the animal spirit will be rekindled, he added.

CNNs Simone McCarthy and Michelle Toh contributed reporting.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad greets Chinese President Xi Jinping in Seattle in 2015.

President Xi Jinping, the longest-serving head of state in the Peoples Republic of China, carried out a list of high-level meetings on Wednesday in California with U.S. lawmakers, including with President Joe Biden. But also on the agenda  and part of what has become a tradition for the leader  was a visit with some "old friends" from the state of Iowa.

Nearly 40 years ago in 1985, Xi  then a junior official, according to China  visited the small farming community of Muscatine, Iowa on what has been called an agricultural exchange. Xi stayed in a modest house while on the trip. which was later reportedly bought by an investor and named the "Sino-U.S. Friendship House."

Xi has made several personal visits to Iowa over the years, including in 2012, when the then-Chinese Vice President Xi visited the family of Natalie Kimberley, who invited Xi to her family farm in Maxwell, Iowa.

On Wednesday, President Xi planned to meet with his friends from Iowa again for dinner. The Des Moines Register reported that China's president would spend time with Iowans who visited with him during his visit to the state all those years ago. Meeting invitees included former U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, who was a first-term governor in Iowa when he met Xi during that first visit.

"We all thought Xi Jinping would be a reformer like his father, with further opening up, and it's gone the other way, with him becoming more authoritarian, and hes consolidated power and given more authority to the Communist Party," Branstad said.

Ken Quinn, a former U.S. ambassador to Cambodia and the former president of World Food Prize, based in Des Moines, said the U.S. and China have the opportunity to work together to provide food for people in developing nations. Quinn was also invited to the dinner with Xi.

"Every time Ive spoken in China and in the U.S., I stress theres an opportunity for China and the U.S. to work together to uplift Africa and Earth," Quinn said.

SEE MORE: Biden-Xi meeting aims to stabilize US-China relationship

Xi's first trip to the U.S. in 1985 was with a delegation from Hebei, considered the sister state to Iowa in China. The trip's mission was to bring back knowledge about farming technology and learn about tourism. The visit boosted the economy in Muscatine as well. In 2018 a Chinese businessman prepared to open the Merrill Hotel and Conference Center in the city's small downtown after investing $4 million into the project. The relationship between Iowa and China appears to remain closely rooted in agriculture.

Between 1969 and 1975 Xi worked as an agricultural laborer in Liangjiahe, Shaanxi. He was among millions of young Chinese from cities to be instructed by the Communist government to depart cities and work in the countryside. Xi joined China's Community Party in 1974.

Also at Wednesday's dinner was Des Moines businessman Luca Berrone, an Italian immigrant who is credited with facilitating the Xi delegation's visit to Iowa. He started the Hebei Province partnership with the Iowa Sister States program in 1983. The two parts of the world claim soybeans and corn as major crops for their farmers.

Berrone holds ties with Xi and has met with him before, including in 2012 in Beijing. Berrone said the home stays he planned for the delegation all those years ago in Iowa have helped build the longstanding relationships with influential Iowans that still appear to be holding on today.
SAN FRANCISCO  A federal jury on Thursday convicted the man who attacked Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, with a hammer during a break-in last year at the couple's San Francisco home.

David DePape looked down and showed no emotion as the panel found him guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official.

The 12 jurors were pulled from a pool of 15 jurors and alternates comprising 12 men and three women. They deliberated for seven hours over two days, about 4 hours on Wednesday and 2 hours on Thursday.

DePape, 43, faces up to life in federal prison, and he still faces state charges  attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary, false imprisonment and threatening the life of or serious bodily harm to a public official  connected to the terrifying invasion of the Pelosis' Pacific Heights home.

Paul Pelosi, 83, sustained a fractured skull in the Oct. 28, 2022, attack.

David DePape in Berkeley, Calif., in 2013. (Michael Short / San Francisco Chronicle via Getty Images file)

"The Pelosi family is very proud of their Pop, who demonstrated extraordinary composure and courage on the night of the attack a year ago," the Pelosi family said in a statement Thursday. "Thankfully, Mr. Pelosi continues to make progress in his recovery."

U.S. Attorney Ismail Ramsey said he hopes the verdicts will serve as a statement against political violence.

"What this guilty verdict on all counts sends is a clear message that regardless of what your beliefs are, what you cannot do is physically attack a member of Congress or their immediate family for their performance in their job," Ramsey told reporters outside the courthouse in downtown San Francisco.

The prosecutors declined to answer reporters' questions.

DePape's lead defense attorney also declined to answer questions as she left the courthouse.

DePape is due back in federal court Dec. 13, when the sides will set a date for sentencing.

The verdict came at the tail end of a chaotic Thursday morning in San Francisco.

Commuters faced roadblocks and closures throughout Californias fourth-biggest city as it hosted the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

And about 6 miles northwest of the courthouse, protesters demanding a cease-fire in Gaza took over inbound lanes of the Bay Bridge  the famed span that connects Oakland and San Francisco.

DePapes next date in state court is Nov. 29, and San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins seemed to hint that her case might not go forward in the wake of the successful federal prosecution.

We will confer with the federal prosecutors, and with the victim in this case, as we determine what our next steps in the state case will be, Jenkins said in a statement.

Mr. DePape is facing a different set of charges in our case, including attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and false imprisonment. We are confident in our case and are prepared to move forward to trial," she said.

In the federal case, DePape and his defense never contested that he broke into the Pelosis' home and hit Paul Pelosi with a hammer.

Instead, the defense tried attempted a narrow argument that DePape never intended to kidnap anyone and that his actions that late night and early morning were not tied specifically to Pelosi's work as a federal lawmaker.

The defense tried to claim that DePape wanted to use Pelosi and her husband to help him reach a person the government has labeled Target 1. That person has been identified as Bay Area scholar and Gayle Rubin, a University of Michigan professor who is a leading academic in feminist theory and queer studies.

Body cam footage of David DePape, left, moments before he attacked Paul Pelosi at his San Francisco home. (San Francisco Police)

Before closing arguments began Wednesday, a member of U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley's staff and a juror were in the same elevator when they overheard two people discussing the case, the court employee said.

The elevator riders apparently supported the defense's contention that Rubin, not Pelosi or her husband, was DePape's true target, the court employee said.

The panelist, juror No. 3, was allowed to remain on the case, and Corley reminded the jury to consider only evidence heard in court.

The trial in downtown San Francisco laid bare the corrosive impact of conspiracy theories and misinformation in modern politics.

DePape surprisingly took the witness stand in his own defense Tuesday and rattled off a long list of baseless allegations and grievances  many of which regularly echo through far-right circles  that motivated him to break into the Pelosis home.

Chris Young reported from San Francisco and David K. Li from New York City.
Dean McDermott is opening up about the cause of his split with Tori Spelling.

The actor and "Chopped Canada" host spoke out for the first time since his separation from Spelling in an interview with Daily Mail, published Wednesday.

McDermott, 57, says the couple, who have slept separately for a few years, began the sleeping arrangement when Spelling, 50, brought pets into their bedroom, including a pig and dogs.

"We know dogs have accidents, and our particular dogs were having a lot. And I just couldn't deal with that anymore," he told the outlet. "So, I created a healthy boundary for myself and I said, 'I can't do this. I can't live and sleep in this kind of condition.' I drew that boundary for myself and moved to another room and things just progressed from there. There were no efforts to sort of remedy the problem to get back into the room."

Tori Spelling's husband Dean McDermott opens up about their split.

McDermott also told the publication that his longtime substance abuse issues also contributed to the breakdown of their marriage, with the "Beverly Hills, 90210" star spending more time with their five children as a result. McDermott has one child from a previous marriage.

"I just isolated more and more and more and she isolated with the kids. We were roommates. Rarely did we eat together. We'd sit down and have a family meal but it was always disjointed," he said. "It made me feel worse because I knew I was a big part of (the problem) and I was at a place where I felt there was nothing I could do about it.

"The relationship suffers greatly," he said. "When you're in a roommate situation and there's no connection or intimacy, what do you expect is going to happen?"

USA TODAY has reached out to Spelling's reps for comment.

The "Open Range" actor also revealed the failing relationship led to dark thoughts.

"I've never been so lonely in the same house with six other people, never been so lonely in my life," he said. "I didn't know how to get out of the situation I was in. I was hurting. I was heartbroken. I was depressed. I hated myself. I didn't want to live."

In the interview, he also blamed "Hollywood" and his mother-in-law, Candy Spelling, as contributing factors in the dissolving of their marriage. But McDermott still took some accountability.

Jodie Turner-Smith files for divorce from husband Joshua Jackson, asks for joint custody

"It's going to be living the rest of my life making amends because I took something that was really beautiful and I just tore it down year after year, day after day," he said.

McDermott announced his split from Spelling on social media in June in a since-deleted Instagram post. Various media reports have spotted the couple out with other people.

In July, Spelling told TMZ that she "always looked better on my own." The couple has weathered ups and downs since first tying the knot in 2006, including McDermott's infidelity.

Hugh Jackman and wife Deborra-lee separate after 27 years of marriage

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Dean McDermott on Tori Spelling split: 'We were roommates'
San Francisco welcomes APEC gathering

Ecns.cn) 09:17, November 16, 2023

(ECNS) -- The 2023 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting will be held from Wednesday to Friday in San Francisco, the United States.

San Francisco represents a story of resilience, innovation, and inclusivity, the core themes of APEC this year, according to the official website of APEC 2023.

A road near Union Square is cleaned ahead of the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' Week in San Francisco, California, the United States, Nov. 13, 2023. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Guangan)

Notable attractions in this city include Chinatown, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Fisherman's Wharf.

San Francisco's cuisine, scenic spots, and unique culture make it one of the most attractive tourist destinations globally, often hailed as the "most popular city among Americans."

This city is both a financial and trade hub in the Western U.S. and a melting pot of diverse cultures, with Asian Americans representing 33 percent of its total population.

It is also the first city that Chinese immigrants set foot on American soil. Its Chinese name reflects the initial impressions of Chinese immigrants about the country: a place of wealth and opportunity.

In the mid-19th century, Chinese immigrants went to the U.S. during the California Gold Rush, and their hard work and intelligence helped them establish themselves, and they gradually became a relatively prosperous community.

San Franciscos Chinatown is the first and oldest in North America and one of the largest Chinese communities outside of Asia.

Photo taken on Nov. 10 shows the bustling Chinatown in San Francisco. (Photo: China News Service/Liu Guanguan)

As one of the U.S. cities with the largest Chinese populations, San Francisco has maintained close ties with China.

On Sept. 28, 2018, Chinese Consul General Wang Donghua and San Francisco Mayor London Breed hosted the Chinese national flag-raising ceremony at the City Hall to celebrate the 69th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China. Breed declared Oct. 1 as Chinese-American Friendship Day.

On Feb. 4, 2019, the eve of Chinese Lunar New Year, Breed visited Chinatown, interacting with the local Chinese community, buying festive goods, distributing Spring Festival couplets, and offering New Year greetings in Cantonese.

On Feb. 25, 2022, the Bay Area Council of San Francisco and Yangpu District of Shanghai held a celebration for Chinese Lunar New Year via video link. The Shanghai Office of the Bay Area Council also organized exchange activities at the Shanghai Knowledge and Innovation Community.

On Feb. 4, 2023, San Francisco hosted a grand Chinese Lunar New Year Parade. California Attorney General Rob Bonta, Mayor Breed, officials and representatives from other U.S. states and cities, all extended New Year greetings to the audience.

On Oct. 26, 2023, the Chinese Consulate General in San Francisco and China National Tourism Office in Los Angeles jointly hosted the cultural and tourism promotion event themed "Hello, China!" in San Francisco. Representatives from sectors of culture, tourism, and media in the San Francisco Bay Area attended the event.

San Francisco convened the San Francisco Conference, the grandest international conference of the 20th century, and the signing of the United Nations Charter, which led to the establishment of the United Nations 78 years ago.

Today, this city is welcoming a globally significant event again.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Xian Jiangnan)
The US Education Department reported that Black and Latino students faced unequal access to educational opportunities as they lacked certified teachers and advanced classes on Wednesday.

The data showed that the inequities have long-lasting effects on students' ability to learn effectively, attend college, and acquire degrees.

Unequal Access to Educational Opportunities

Education Secretary Miguel Cardona said they visualize education as the springboard that puts the American dream within reach. However, the educational opportunity in America remained unequal.

The Civil Rights Data Collection, a federal survey of nearly every public school nationwide, released the data in the 2020-2021 school year when the COVID-19 pandemic partially closed the schools.

The Supreme Court ordered the combination of schools nearly seven decades ago, and deep educational disparities in the American education system still progressed. The new data showed fundamental differences that endured in schools serving predominantly Black and Latino students.

The new data reported that Black and Latino students were more likely to attend schools with lower percentages of certified teachers.

A total of 522,000 students, or about 1% of the students, went to schools where fewer than half the teachers fulfilled all state certification requirements, and about 66% of students in the schools were Black or Latino.

Attending advanced classes showed a higher chance of going to college. However, Black and Latino students were far less likely to have access to or enroll in advanced courses.

There are 15% of all Black high school students, but 8% of the Black students could attend Advanced Placement science and 6% in AP math. Latino students were the 27% of all high school students but made up only 20% of AP science and 19% of AP math.

In contrast, White and Asian students overperformed in AP classes. Calculus was not offered in 35% of schools with high Black and Latino enrollment, while the subject was available at 54% of schools with low Black and Latino enrollment.

"I'm a person of color, and it often makes me wonder why people of color always get the bottom of the barrel," Sonya Thomas, executive director of Nashville PROPEL, an organization that worked with parents to advocate for students of color, said.

She said the unequal treatment was disheartening as their children deserve the best, and they must hold the state and federal government accountable.

Read Also: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Increases NYPD Funding To Expand Social Media Surveillance Amid Rising Hate Crimes

Discrimination to Students With Disabilities

The Education Department revealed that students with disabilities and studying English faced unequal access to educational opportunities as well. Both students had lower enrollment in math and science classes compared with enrollment among all other students.

In the 2020-2021 school year, 26% of all high schoolers took biology, a standard ninth-grader class. However, only 13% of high schoolers with a disability took the course, and only 7% of students for those who were learning English.

The Civil Rights Data Collection plays a significant role in achieving equality in public schools, which began in the 1960s.

Related Article: Canada: Thousands of Montreal Teachers on Strike for Higher Wages, Adequate Students' Resources





@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
A girl learns to hoop dance during the South Dakota Urban Indian Health summer culture camp in Sisseton.

Editor's note: This is the eighth piece in a six-installment series about Native American children in South Dakota's foster care system, produced in partnership between the Argus Leader and South Dakota Searchlight.

Jennifer Johnson wondered if her boys hated her.

She and her husband fostered and adopted the three brothers  all under 3 years old  in the early 2000s. The couple provided a safe, stable and loving home for the children, she recalled, but it seemed like the boys would try to sabotage their relationships at every corner.

Theyd steal, or theyd lie, or theyd hide.

They didnt trust each other and they didnt trust their adopted parents. The two eldest boys were placed in four foster homes before being officially adopted by the Johnsons  none of the brothers had lived under the same roof until the Johnsons fostered them.

They tested their familys limits, anticipating that itd break apart and theyd be sent somewhere else  just like before.

Its very damaging, Johnson said, explaining children in foster care often develop attachment disorders, which can later turn into anxiety and behavioral issues. You have situations where kids go into foster care and theyre torn away from parents and homes theyre attached to. Thats traumatic, and they dont understand it.

More: The Lost Children: Effects of decades-long overrepresentation of Native American children in the SD foster care system

Shortly after adopting the boys, the Johnsons moved to Kansas City, hundreds of miles from the Pine Ridge reservation in western South Dakota, where the brothers are enrolled tribal members. Johnson and her husband are white, and their sons barely know their biological relatives.

The instability of the boys early childhood still affects their lives as adults. They fear change and find it hard to adjust to unfamiliar surroundings, like college or a new job. Theyve struggled with their identity, just as other Indigenous children whove been through the foster and adoptive system do.

"Now my sons are grown, and they feel like they are strangers, Johnson said. They are Native, they're enrolled members of the tribe, but they are so disconnected. And that is directly as a result of a white family adopting them."

An Argus Leader/South Dakota Searchlight investigation examined the issues Native families and children face inside South Dakotas child welfare system. Native American children accounted for nearly 74% of the foster care system at the end of fiscal year 2023  despite accounting for only 13% of the states overall child population.

With just 11% of foster homes being Native American families, most of the children are placed in non-Native homes.

Such removal and placement can disrupt a childs sense of security and identity, leading to mental and physical health problems throughout their lifetime. But keeping a child connected to their cultural beliefs and practices are protective factors after they are separated physically from their home.

Children who are removed from their homes and placed into foster care are more likely to have post-traumatic stress disorder, depression and anxiety disorders; they are more likely to be incarcerated, homeless and die earlier.

Experts say these lasting effects are due not only to the trauma that led to foster care placement, but also the removal of children from their families, the severing of cultural connections and their loss of identity.

The state does not require foster families or adoptive families to take in-person cultural or traditional parenting classes, which has failed to keep children connected to their cultures, feeding into a cycle of removals, Johnson said.

Potential foster parents are required to watch an online panel discussion about the importance of culture, and the federal Indian Child Welfare Act is explained to all families before theyre required to sign a statement of understanding, according to the state Department of Social Services.

Jewel Bruners grandchildren play in her living room in Eagle Butte on Sept. 20, 2023.

Other states, such as Oklahoma, require each foster parent go through ICWA training and offer cultural programming for foster children.

Johnson, who has a Masters degree in cultural anthropology, said South Dakota is obligated to facilitate access to cultural connections for foster children. She said cultural parenting classes werent available to foster parents in the early 2000s.

When the state takes custody and then doesnt act in the full best interest of the child, in that way, it is destructive, Johnson said.

Foster children more likely to die before 60, studies show

Children are removed from their families and placed into foster care in an attempt to protect them from adverse childhood events (ACEs), types of abuse and neglect including parental substance abuse, physical abuse, domestic violence and incarceration.

Michaela Seiber, CEO of South Dakota Urban Indian Health in Sioux Falls

But not understanding why they cant return to their loved ones is an adverse childhood experience in itself, said Michaela Seiber, CEO of South Dakota Urban Indian Health in Sioux Falls.

The emotional and psychological harm caused by removal can lead to deep-seated feelings of rejection and abandonment, attachment disorders, substance abuse problems, aggression, learning disabilities and suicidal tendencies.

The more ACEs a child experiences, the more it can affect their mental and physical health  so much so that adults with high ACE scores may die earlier than their counterparts. But the ACE test doesn't take into account a child's sensitivity to experiencing such events, and it doesn't take into account any protective relationships put into place to shield the child from such stress.

More: Waiting for life to start again: Family agonizes over parental termination

Increased ACEs may contribute to a cycle of violence as well, Seiber explained. ACEs can impact a child's genes and the way the body handles stress, all of which can be passed down through generations.

"The fact that we are still seeing kids being ripped out of their homes for all different reasons by Child Protection Services and the state when we don't know the outcomes that are going to happen is really scary, Seiber said.

Cultural connections serve as protective factor, anchor for children

One way to lower a childs ACE score is to add protective factors or preventative measures, Seiber said. Establishing connections to the childs cultural background is one way to do that.

A sense of connection to culture is correlated to emotional well-being for Native American foster kids, studies show, whereas mere participation in cultural activities (like attending a powwow but not understanding the importance of drum songs and dancing) had mixed results.

Natasha Eagle Star pushes her son Noran on a swing at the Winner City Park on Tuesday, Aug. 29, 2023.

Natasha Eagle Star maintains one of the 98 Native foster homes in South Dakota and lives in Winner, near the Rosebud Indian Reservation. She tells her foster kids to think of her as an auntie, not as a traditional foster mother, to maintain family connections.

"I found that when kids see that we're Lakota, they come out of their shell a little bit quicker while they're in foster care, knowing that they have that connection, Eagle Star said.

Toni Handboy, a former foster child turned addiction counselor, struggled with drug and alcohol addiction for years after aging out of the foster system. Reconnecting with her spiritual traditions as an adult helped her overcome her addiction.

Handboy left the system 30 years ago but still keeps in contact with her foster mom and siblings. Her foster mother, who is white, currently cares for six siblings from the Pine Ridge Reservation in her Hot Springs home. Handboy explains traditional Native practices while her foster mother has the children in her care, such as not cutting childrens hair unless theres a death in the family.

Toni Handboy, a certified peer recovery specialist and a counselor for Wakpa Waste Counseling Services, stands outside of Inka Najin Oti (The Red House) addiction recovery house in Eagle Butte on the Cheyenne River Reservation on Sunday, June 16, 2023.

Handboy travels from Eagle Butte to check in on the children, comb their hair, share stories and cultural knowledge with them, and to be another person to talk to. Its important to her that she offers that lifeline, especially given the importance cultural connections had in her recovery.

"I want them to know that they're loved and that they have a connection to me as an Indigenous person, because I don't think they really have that in Hot Springs," Handboy said. "I want them to have an identity, to be able to connect with their identity and let them know they still belong to our culture, our spirituality and our people."

Some non-Native families say theyre isolated from accessing cultural practices and knowledge for their Native foster or adopted children.

More: Where the money goes: Foster families get paid, relatives caring for children get nothing

Holly Christensen has served as a foster parent in South Dakota, Idaho and Oklahoma. She said South Dakota is the worst at supporting foster families and children and keeping children connected to their tribal cultures.

Christensen participated in her daughters Native American graduation ceremony at Washington High School in Sioux Falls this spring, where she and her daughter struggled to understand the ceremonial customs and traditions.

Holly Christensen stands next to the donated shoe shelves of different sizes for foster children at the Foster Network office in Sioux Falls on Tuesday, Sept. 12, 2023.

Organizers assumed participating adults were Native and knew what to do, Christensen said. She had to ask other adults questions during the ceremony and felt uncomfortable with the process. The event left her daughter tearful and confused about her identity as a mixed-race, Native American adopted child.

Im trying to work so hard to make sure my child fits in that day with everybody else there and she has the same things that everybody else has, Christensen said. But yet, when you ask the questions, you don't get answers. When you get an answer, you feel judged.

Christensen said it would be helpful if Native foster children could have access to their culture, even if its through language flash cards, tribal flags or merchandise sent to the child from their tribe. Her daughter has a Comanche flag that helps her remember where she came from in Oklahoma.

How other states have found success keeping Native children culturally connected

Christensen explained while in Oklahoma, the state made it a priority to keep Native kids connected to their culture, with methods including language practice and hosting a statewide powwow for foster families with tribes collaborating on the event.

"Not having that here definitely makes it harder because it would also keep you connected on what's going on within the tribe, Christensen said.

Dancers participate in the Native American Day parade on Monday, October 10, 2022, on Phillips Avenue in Sioux Falls.

The Oklahoma Department of Human Services has its own tribal program, which acts as a liaison between tribes and the state, said Keitha Wilson, program administrator for the Oklahoma tribal program. In addition to the annual powwow and other events, Oklahoma requires foster parents of Native children to have cultural and Indian Child Welfare Act training.

Just having that as a foundation or springboard into ICWA, it allows those applying to be foster and adoptive parents to ask questions about how to keep these children connected to their tribe, said TeAta Loper, executive director of Oklahoma Indian Child Welfare Association.

Most of the programming has been funded for the last seven years through a federally-funded ICWA partnership grant with the state working alongside the tribes, courts and child welfare system to improve foster care and ICWA compliance. Oklahoma has had a tribal-state workgroup on ICWA since the early 2000s.

This work is not fast, but the relationships and commitment are key, Loper said. When you have these relationships first, youre able to have the difficult discussions and make changes.

South Dakota lacks cultural connection, protective factors

Department of Social Services Secretary Matt Althoff said his department would consider cultural programming if they came at the recommendation of foster families or tribes.

Those certainly would be things that we would consider in a heartbeat, Althoff said.

A discarded backpack lays at the bottom of the Pine Ridge skatepark bowl on Wednesday, Aug. 23, 2023.

While its important that the content and programming come from tribal suggestions, Johnson said, South Dakota must play a part to facilitate such programming.

Because its clear the state doesnt prioritize cultural connections for foster children, she said. She felt cut off from support while raising her children in Kansas City, not having a state worker or a tribal liaison to contact back in South Dakota.

Johnson attended a graduate program for cultural anthropology and has read books regarding Lakota teachings, but she said she is not in a position to teach her boys how to be Oglala Lakota. She attempted to bring them to programming and powwows in Kansas City, but those focused on local tribal customs; not Lakota traditions.

Not much has changed since then, said Johnson, who recently moved back to South Dakota with her husband.

South Dakota does not require foster families to receive in-person cultural training or traditional parenting classes, and the state does not provide cultural programming for its foster children and families.

Instead, the state requires prospective foster parents to listen to a recorded panel discussion about the importance of culture with emphasis on language, identity and ways families can support keeping cultural connections, according to the state DSS. Some Native American foster parents might be referred to specific cultural Unity training by tribes.

More: Staffing and funding problems leave tribal child welfare offices scrambling

Simply Smiles foster care, a foster village on the Cheyenne River Reservation that temporarily closed earlier this year, required foster parents receive 70 extra hours of training than what is required by the state, including education about Lakota culture. The village also used trauma-informed and culturally relevant evidence-based methods for mental health evaluations.

State licensing specialists can also connect foster families with resources in their areas for cultural connection, according to the Department of Social Services, such as Red Horse Healing, the Ateyapi mentoring program and Connecting With Our Youth in Rapid City. The state also offers virtual training that can incorporate traditional parenting or cultural programming to foster parents  all of which is optional.

That only scratches the surface, and doesnt provide enough resources for foster and adoptive parents, Christensen and Johnson agreed.

The state should make clear to foster parents that it is important that kids be connected to their culture, but you cant place that all on foster parents, Johnson said.

(Left to right) South Dakota Department of Social Services Matt Althoff, Department of Tribal Relations Secretary David Flute and Gov. Kristi Noem speak with the Argus Leader and South Dakota Searchlight in her office at the South Dakota Capitol in Pierre on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. (Samantha Laurey, Argus Leader)

Having families  Native or non-Native, biological or fostered or adopted  take part in cultural parenting classes is a protective factor, Seiber said. The Department of Social Services does host free Positive Indian Parenting classes across the state, which are open to foster parents. The course was developed by the National Indian Child Welfare Association for Native parents.

South Dakota Urban Indian Health is taking on the role of providing cultural trainings for foster parents, biological parents, and children in the Sioux Falls area. The health network is teaching the same traditional parenting curriculum, and started a free, weeklong summer camp this year where nearly 70 Native children from the Sioux Falls area, including a handful of foster children, learned about Native American culture on the Lake Traverse Reservation.

The children built tipis and learned about praying, sweat lodges and smudging  the ceremonial burning of sacred herbs, such as sage, to purify a space or person. Boys learned songs on the drum while girls learned about ribbon skirts and how to hoop dance. Seiber said children returned home watching YouTube videos on dances and other things they learned, which motivated organizers to plan more cultural programming for the future.

Kids prepare to play tug of war during the South Dakota Urban Indian Health summer culture camp in Sisseton.

We honed in on the basics because we know a lot of our kids had never been exposed to the culture or coming together, Seiber said.

Johnson added those kinds of cultural connections would help non-Native foster families learn more about the history of Native Americans in South Dakota and increase their understanding about the Oceti Sakowin, or the tribes that make up the Great Sioux Nation.

She said she and her boys would have benefitted from such programming: culture camps, in-depth parenting classes and more.

The state should be motivated to help facilitate these programs coming into practice, Johnson said. Whether its a hands-off approach just providing funding or its offering transportation or facilitating access, thats what the state needs to do.

This article originally appeared on Sioux Falls Argus Leader: Cultural connection for Native children in SD foster care lacking: Foster parents
Eleven documentary projects from 11 countries have been selected for the Intl. Documentary Assn.s annual Enterprise Documentary Fund Production Grant.

Selected from 371 applicants, the 15 directors behind the 11 docus will receive a total of $435,000 in production grants.

More from Variety

Established in 2017, the IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund supports in-depth explorations of original, contemporary stories that integrate journalistic practice into the filmmaking process. The fund is financially supported by John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, with additional support from the Jonathan Logan Family Foundation. In its seven-year history, the fund has given over $5 million in grant money to nonfiction filmmakers.

The selected projects are currently in production in 11 countries including the U.S., Philippines, Brazil, France, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Italy and Afghanistan. Of the 15 directors behind the docs, 46% are filmmakers of color, 69% are women or gender-non-conforming filmmakers, 12% identify as members of the LGBTQIA+ community, and 8% identify as a D/deaf or disabled person or have long-term health conditions.

Each year that we are able to award the Enterprise Production Fund is an opportunity for us to improve our processes and adapt to meet the ever-changing needs of the field, says Keisha Knight, IDAs director of funds and Enterprise program. This year, in recognition of the labor required to complete funding applications, we introduced honoraria to all finalist projects. We also increased access to international projects and commissioned fact-checking memos on all finalist projects in order to put into action the Enterprise Funds commitment to facts-based nonfiction storytelling from around the world.

This years selection panel included Gary Byungseok Kam (documentary filmmaker), Jacqueline Olive (director/producer/writer), Lucila Moctezuma (documentary consultant), Mohamed Said Ouma (DocA-Documentary Africa executive director), Sigal Yehuda (Close Up founder and executive director), and Susanne Reber (executive producer).

We, as panelists of this years IDA Enterprise Production Fund grant round, were impressed by the high level of the projects presented that convinced us with their great access, international scope, intimacy, urgency, and hope, the panel noted in a group statement. The courage of the film crews in pushing boundaries politically, socially, and cinematically is refreshing. In a complex and critical period for our Humanity, the bravery in raising voices that challenge official narratives has inspired the committee, and we hope they will activate audiences around the world. We were encouraged by the meticulous approach and care shown to the filmmakers by the IDA Funds team.

2023 IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund Production Grant Recipients:

#Nunstoo

Director: Lorena Luciano | Producer: Filippo Piscopo

Country: Italy, Vatican, USA

In a revelation never before spoken, a small group of nuns exposes a tormented truth within the Catholic Church: the harrowing tales of predatory priests abusing nuns. Shockwaves ripple through religious women determined to defy their second-class status as they ignite a movement to demand the justice they have long yearned for.

Confidential Project

Director: Petra Costa | Co-director & Producer: Alessandra Orofino Country: Brazil, USA

Hawa

Director: Najiba Noori | Producer: Christian Popp, Hasse van Nunen

Country: France, Netherlands, Afghanistan

Forty years after her arranged marriage as a child, Hawa is eager to finally begin an independent life and to be literate. However, with the return of the Taliban to power, her dreams, and those of her daughter and grand daughter are shattered.

Life After (working title)

Director: Reid Davenport | Producer: Colleen Cassingham | Executive Producer: Jess Devaney Country: USA

Life After interrogates the contradictory political ideologies surrounding death and disability while coalescing the missing voices of the disabled community in the contemporary debate around medically assisted suicide.

The Phantom Pain of Rojava

Director: Maryam Ebrahimi | Producer: Stina Gardell

Country: Sweden, Norway

In post-war Rojava five friends live in a house for wounded guerrillas. With a personal touch and a unique access the director depicts the hope and dreams of the soldiers who once were the heroes of the world but now stands abandoned in their struggle for equality in the Middle East.

The River

Director: Caitlyn Greene | Producer: Sara Archambault

Country: USA

The River is a vivid, character-driven film about Louisianas complicated relationship with the Mississippi River.

The Strike

Director/Producer: JoeBill Munoz and Lucas Guilkey

Country: USA

A generation of California men endure decades of solitary confinement and, against all odds, launch a protest to regain their freedom.

This is How it Ends (working title)

Director/Producer: Ramona Diaz and Raney Aronson Rath

Country: Philippines, USA

Can kindness, truth, and hope for democracy emerge victorious in an epic battle with fear, lies and surrender to autocracy? Can light conquer darkness? However it ends, the story serves as a testimony to the power of volunteerism and a cautionary tale about the consequences  for better or worse  of choices made.

To Use a Mountain

Director: Casey Carter | Producer: Colleen Cassingham

Country: USA

Physics, geology, and democracy collide across the expansive American interior, in a series of vignettes from six candidate sites for a sacrificial nuclear dumping ground.

Untitled Policing Documentary (working title)

Director: Charles Burnett | Director & Producer: Nicole Lucas Haimes

Country: USA

Untitled Policing Documentary is a film like no other, an explosive confessional told from behind the thin blue line, it examines police crime and the personal and political consequences of law enforcement wrongdoing on officers and their victims.

When They Were Here

Directors: Ivan MacDonald and Ivy MacDonald | Producer: Mridu Chandra

Country: USA

When They Were Here is a documentary about the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls crisis on the Blackfeet Reservation in northern Montana, told through the eyes of the families and community members left behind. The film traces experiences through time, place, and memoryand examines the legacy of violence in the place they call home.

2023 IDA Enterprise Documentary Fund Production Special Mentions

The Queendom

Director: Otilia Portillo Padua | Producers: Paula Arroio Sandoval, Otilia Portillo Padua, Elena Fortes

Country: Mexico

July, Liz, and Belen are unlikely heroes: instead of weapons and shields, they carry baskets to collect mushrooms. These indigenous scientists and foragers lead this immersive docu-sci fi journey through Mexicos forests to unveil secrets from the Queendom  the world of fungi and those whose lives intertwine with it.

The Star

Director: Alejandro Alonso Estrella | Producers: Daniela Munoz Barroso, Luis Gutierrez Arias, Boris Prieto, Zaina Bseiso

Countries: Cuba, USA

Pitufo, a young Cuban shipbreaker, dreams of escaping the remote bay where he spends his days between metal and fire. In search of his freedom, he embarks on a labyrinthine journey to the swamps of Southwest Florida. An uncanny territory where he must face his deepest fears.

















Best of Variety

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Once you've popped a bottle of celebratory bubbly, the clock starts ticking.

Gualtiero Boffi / Shutterstock

Like all styles of wine, Champagne begins to break down once the cork is popped, though in the case of bubbly, effervescence levels also begin to deteriorate, too. Contrary to popular belief, your bottle of sparkling will likely last longer than you may think. Weve enlisted the help of four industry experts to learn just how long a bottle of Champagne will last once popped, as well as the factors that play into said shelf life.

Across the board, most industry professionals agree that once opened, a bottle of Champagne will last anywhere from two to five days, so long as its stored correctly. An open bottle of Champagne can last for three to five days if stored properly in the refrigerator, says Akio Matsumoto, sommelier and general manager of Restaurant Yuu. However, Matsumoto notes that the flavors and effervescence may diminish over time. John Gergeos, general manager and sommelier at Caviar Russe, shares that without sealing or storage, a bottle of Champagne will generally last through the course of an evening, though once opened, the carbon dioxide  also known as bubbles  will begin to dissipate.

Marek Trocha, beverage director and bartender at Artesano, a Peruvian restaurant in New York City, recommends enjoying Champagne on the same day you first open it. As soon as you open a Champagne bottle, the clock is ticking to enjoy it at its peak effervescence and flavor profile, he says. To preserve the wine for longer, Trocha recommends using a quality Champagne stopper and placing the bottle inside of a very cold refrigerator.

Related: How to Build the Perfect Champagne Tower

Alexander LaPratt, master sommelier and director of operations for Aska Group, states that there are many factors that go into how long a bottle of Champagne will last, including the original pressure inside the bottle. He notes that most Champagne clocks in between four and six atmospheres of pressure, and that bottles starting out with lower overall levels of pressure will dissipate more quickly.

Additionally, LaPratt notes that age, as well as disgorgement date, can also play into how Champagnes bubbles sit on the palate  as well as how long they will hold up after opening. It is not only possible, but common occurrence, that [bottles] of non-vintage Champagne from the same producer have different disgorgement dates, and will therefore show markedly different characteristics, he says.

Related: Sparkling Wine vs. Champagne: What's the Difference?

Overall, Gergeos shares that sparkling wines, like all other styles of wine, end up battling with oxygen exposure upon opening. Once Champagne is exposed to air, it slowly begins to oxidize and lose its characteristics, he says. To make open Champagne last as long as possible, Gorgeous recommends simply covering the bottle with a piece of aluminum foil or plastic wrap after serving, revealing that this will also help decrease the level of oxidation within the wine. Be sure to stick with foil or plastic wrap, as using corks or solid objects will explode out from the top of the bottle due to pressure build up!

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Read the original article on Food & Wine.
A Belfast-born man whose wife and other family members were killed in Gaza has told BBC News NI of his happiness after learning that his children will leave the Palestinian territory.

Khalid El-Estal, 30, had appealed for help reuniting with his children after the loss of his family members.

His four-year-old son Ali and one-year-old daughter Sara are now included on an evacuation list to leave Gaza.

They are due to enter Egypt via the Rafah crossing in the next day.

The children are currently situated at the crossing and will travel to Ireland with his brother-in-law, he added.

"You can't imagine how I felt, I was very happy and excited about that... I was thinking 'what should I bring for the kids?'

"I hope they will make it, if not today than please tomorrow," he said. "They have a good chance [in Ireland]."

'Years of love, gone'

Mr El-Estal was born in Belfast and attended primary school in the Botanic area while his father worked as a lecturer at Queen's University.

When he was aged eight, the family relocated to Gaza, where he met his wife, Ashwak Jendia, at university.

He told BBC News NI it was a "very long love story" with his "beautiful, talented" wife.

Israel began striking Gaza after Hamas's 7 October attacks, in which 1,200 people were killed and more than 200 hostages were taken.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says more than 11,500 people have been killed in the territory since 7 October - of whom more than 4,500 were children.

Mr El-Estal was working in Saudi Arabia when his wife was killed along with his mother, brother, uncle and two cousins.

"Everything was going in the right path, we were expecting to come [to Ireland] together," he said of his wife. "Years of love, happiness... all of it is gone."

Mr El Estal said he is now worried for his father and brothers who remain in the Gaza Strip.

"My brothers are Irish citizens, they didn't want to come to Ireland because they [didn't] want to leave my father and mother, but now it's different.

"I'm really hoping they can figure something for my father, because he's not Irish, to join me here... I can't imagine leaving my father alone.

"How can he face all of this, and I am his eldest son? I should be with him."

Evacuations

On Wednesday, Tanaiste (Irish deputy prime minister) Micheal Martin said 23 Irish citizens had crossed into Egypt from Gaza.

He said it was "very welcome news" that some families with children had successfully crossed the Rafah checkpoint.

Speaking to Irish broadcaster RTE, Mr Martin said there is another group of about 40 Irish citizens and dependents due to leave the war zone.

On Thursday, the tanaiste travelled to southern Israel, following a visit to Egypt on Wednesday.

He told reporters the Israeli foreign minister, Eli Cohen, has assured him that the majority of Irish citizens remaining in Gaza will be able to exit within the next three days.

Foreign passport holders are exiting Gaza via the Rafah crossing

On Wednesday evening, a motion which called for the expulsion of Israel's ambassador to Ireland was rejected in the the Dail (Irish lower house of parliament).

Meanwhile, in the UK Parliament, MPs voted to reject a call for an immediate ceasefire.

Among the Northern Ireland's MPs, the SDLP and Alliance voted in favour and four DUP MPs who were present in the chamber voted against the move.

The DUP also voted against a separate Labour amendment which stopped short of calling for a ceasefire.

More on Israel-Gaza war
Fulton County Judge Scott McAfee indicated that he is inclined to issue a protective order in the election interference case against Donald Trump and others, based on a request from District Attorney Fani Willis' office following the publication of confidential proffer interview videos by ABC News and other outlets.

ABC News was first to report on portions of videos exclusively obtained showing Fulton County prosecutors confidentially interviewing two attorneys, Sidney Powell and Jenna Ellis, who helped Trump try to overturn the 2020 election results in the state.

"On November 13, 2023, confidential video recordings of proffers conducted by the State with certain witnesses pursuant to guilty plea agreements were published by ABC News and other media outlets," the Tuesday filing from the Fulton County District Attorney's Office said.

MORE: 'The boss is not going to leave': Proffer videos show ex-Trump lawyers telling Georgia prosecutors about efforts to overturn 2020 election

During Wednesday's hearing, the state and nearly all defendants in the case agreed to to a proposal under which the DA's office would designate which discovery material they consider sensitive and give defendants an opportunity to challenge that. Material designated as sensitive would then fall under a protective order to keep it from being made public.

"Everything that we've turned over, we believe were prepared to go through it to say what's sensitive and what's not," special prosecutor Nathan Wade told the judge.

An attorney for co-defendant Harrison Floyd said that his client opposed a protective order entirely. An attorney representing multiple media outlets, not including ABC News, argued against a protective order in the case, saying the standard for such an order had not been met.

Still, Judge McAfee indicated he would issue some sort of protective order, saying that it would "mitigate" any issues surrounding the potential jury pool and keep the discovery process flowing.

Ellis and Powell were originally indicted alongside Trump and 16 others this summer on charges they worked to overturn the state's election results. Both later took plea deals, allowing them to plead guilty to reduced charges in exchange for their cooperation. The Washington Post later reported on those proffer videos in addition to videos of two other defendants who also took deals, Kenneth Chesebro and Scott Hall.

In her proffer interview, Ellis told prosecutors she was informed at a 2020 White House Christmas party by one of Trump's top aids, Dan Scavino, that Trump "is not going to leave under any circumstances."

"And he said to me, in a kind of excited tone, 'Well, we don't care, and we're not going to leave,'" Ellis said of the alleged Dec. 19 conversation with Scavino. "And I said, 'What do you mean?' And he said 'Well, the boss', meaning President Trump -- and everyone understood 'the boss,' that's what we all called him -- he said, 'The boss is not going to leave under any circumstances. We are just going to stay in power.'"

Ellis said she told him, "'Well, it doesn't quite work that way, you realize?' and he said, 'We don't care.'"

The videos obtained by ABC News do not appear to depict Ellis and Powell's full proffer sessions, but rather appear to be excerpts that total nearly an hour and a half.

A spokesperson for the Fulton County District Attorney did not respond to a request for comment on ABC News' story. Attorneys for Ellis and Powell declined to comment when reached by ABC News. Scavino also did not respond to a request for comment.

State attorneys denied any involvement in the release of the videos and said the material had been turned over to the numerous defendants in the case as part of the discovery process. They said they would no longer hand out copies of the videos, and would instead offer viewings in their office.

The state further claimed the release was "clearly intended to intimidate witnesses in this case, subjecting them to harassment and threats prior to trial."

The state had originally asked for a protective order in September, though it was never ruled on.

Also Tuesday, Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis said "there will be a trial" in her criminal case against Trump that will likely last "many months," predicting it won't wrap until "the winter or very early 2025."

That timeline for a trial would mean it could be underway in the heat of the 2024 presidential election.

MORE: Timeline: Criminal probe into Trump's efforts to overturn Georgia election results

"I believe in that case there will be a trial. I believe the trial will take many months. And I don't expect that we will conclude until the winter or very early part of 2025," she said during a live televised interview as part of The Washington Post's Global Women's Summit in Washington, D.C.

In a separate motion filed on Wednesday, the Fulton County DA's office requested that Floyd's bond be revoked, alleging that he repeatedly violated the conditions of his bail, including by engaging in "a pattern of intimidation" toward known co-defendants and witnesses.

In the filing, the DA pointed to multiple tweets and a podcast interview Floyd gave in which he mentions other defendants and witnesses in the case -- including Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and former election worker Ruby Freeman -- which the DA said "constituted an act to intimidate known witnesses and direct communication with known witnesses about the facts of the case."

Fulton County judge indicates he'll issue protective order in Trump case after confidential video disclosure originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
.

Google is expanding its artificial intelligence capabilities to help consumers shop for gifts during the holiday season.

Beginning Nov. 16, Google will update its Search Generative Experience (SGE), which brings generative AI capabilities into search, to help customers shop.

Google is also expanding its virtual try-on tool to include mens tops. A feature to generate photorealistic images of what youre shopping for will also be available in December.

This is the first holiday season where generative AI is really a part of the larger cultural conversation, Julie Black, Google director of shopping product, told USA TODAY.

What is Search Generative Experience?

Search Generative Experience is different than a regular Google search as it uses generative AI technology in the search. It is a feature that consumers can opt into in Search Labs on the Google app, the Google home page or on Chrome desktop.

Beginning Nov. 16, the experience will be upgraded to include shopping. Consumers can put in search terms like great gifts for home cooks to see results of products to buy or experiences like a cooking class, said Black.

Through our research, we find that 28% of people find holiday shopping for others difficult because they just dont know where to shop, said Black.

The search will also include articles from publishers for consumers to read more about the subject or product, she said.

To opt in, go to goo.gle/sge-gifts

Virtually try on clothes for a variety of body types

Google launched a virtual try-on option earlier this year for womens tops, but is now expanding it to include mens tops, said Black.

Generative AI has created opportunities to help bring the traditional fitting room to life and help you understand what a piece of clothing will look like on you, said Black.

Google research has found that 80% of online apparel shoppers are more likely to buy a piece of clothing online if they feel confident about how it will look on them, she said.

Beginning Nov. 16, the virtual try-on experience is expanding to include mens tops with a try-on icon at brands like Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, J. Crew and Under Armour. A photo library of virtual male and female models range from size extra small to 4XL and represent a variety of body types, ethnicities, hair types and skin tones, Black said.

Photorealistic images coming in December

Another new feature, which will be available in December, will use AI to generate photorealistic images using words put in the search tool to find products based on those images.

The search will be combined with 35 billion shopping listings on Google.

It allows me to really quickly and iteratively explore visually the space of products and more easily move from whats in my minds eye to whats in my shopping cart, said Black.

Betty Lin-Fisher is a consumer reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at blinfisher@USATODAY.com or follow her on X, Facebook or Instagram @blinfisher.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Google is expanding use of AI to help with holiday shopping. Here's how
The body of one of the approximately 240 people kidnapped in Israel during the Oct. 7 Hamas rampage was recovered in a building near Gaza City's Al Shifa Hospital, the Israeli military said Thursday.

Yehudit Weiss was abducted from the Beeri kibbutz, Israel said on the platform X, when Hamas launched the brutal attack that killed about 1,200 people and provoked Israel's reprisal seeking to dislodge the militant group from Gaza. No cause of Weiss' death was given. She was 65 and her husband, Shmulik Weiss, was killed in the Hamas assault.

The Israel Defense Forces tweeted that Weiss' cadaver was identified by forensic experts and her family was notified. In the same building her body was discovered, Israeli troops also found military equipment and weapons that included rocket-propelled grenades, the IDF said.

"The national mission before our eyes is to locate the missing and return the abducted home,'' the IDF said, according to a translation of its tweet. "The IDF works closely and in full coordination with the relevant national and security bodies in order to meet these tasks, and will not let up until they are completed.''

Hamas has released four hostages, and another one was rescued by Israeli forces. Weiss is the second hostage from the war known to have died. On Tuesday, the IDF confirmed Noa Marciano, a 19-year-old female soldier captured Oct. 7, had perished, but did not say how. Hamas said she died in an Israeli airstrike on Gaza.

Hamas at hospital: Israel says weapons on video 'totally confirm' Gaza hospital was Hamas fortress

Palestinians donate blood at Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, southern Gaza Strip, on Nov. 16, 2023.

Developments:

 On the second day of searching through the sprawling Al Shifa Hospital complex, Israeli troops displayed what they said were a tunnel entrance and weapons found in a pickup truck at the compound. The IDF has yet to show evidence of a Hamas command center Israel has said is hidden under the facility, which Hamas and hospital staff deny.

 Shifa Hospital has not had electricity for nearly a week, and staff say they have been struggling to keep alive 36 premature babies and 45 dialysis patients without functional equipment. Gazas Health Ministry said 40 patients, including three babies, died before the raid after the emergency generator ran out of fuel on Saturday.

 Laptops seized by Israeli troops during their raid of Gaza's Shifa Hospital included photos and videos of some of the more than 240 hostages taken by militants, the Israeli military told a BBC News crew provided access to the hospital.

 At least 80 protesters were arrested Thursday after blocking traffic for hours on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge, demanding President Joe Biden call for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

 Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government isn't functioning and urged him to resign: Netanyahu needs to go now during the fighting.

 Israel seized control of the Gaza harbor from Hamas, which had used it as a training facility for naval commando forces, the Israeli military said. Ten tunnel shafts and four structures "used for terror" were destroyed and 10 militants were killed, the military said.

Israel to show UN 'horrors' of Oct. 7 rampage

Israel will play footage from the Hamas rampage into Israel for U.N. envoys in New York next week as the isolated Middle East country attempts to rally support for its war in Gaza.

Israeli Ambassador to the U.N. Gilad Erdan said Thursday that he has invited ambassadors, U.N. officials and representatives of the Jewish community in New York to view the horrors of the massacre committed by Hamas.

The U.N. has not yet condemned Hamas, Erdan said in a statement. I hope that, following the screening of the film, some of the ambassadors and U.N. officials will understand what moral distortion they are complicit in.

Erdan said Mosab Hasan Yosef, the disowned eldest son of a Hamas co-founder, will also address the gathering. Yosef, a Palestinian, worked undercover for Israels internal security service for a decade and has frequently spoken out against the militant group.

Israel has faced severe global scrutiny for its assault on Gaza, which the U.N. says has forced internal displacement of more than 1.5 million Palestinians. They remain trapped in a 140-square mile territory where much of the infrastructure has been bombed into submission since Israel began its offensive right after the brutal Oct. 7 attack by Hamas ravaged Israeli border communities and stunned the world.

Israel says more than 1,200 were killed that day and 240 taken hostage by militants. The Gaza Health Ministry says more than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed since.

Fuel shortage shuts down communications across Gaza

All communications across the Gaza Strip shut down Thursday because of a lack of fuel, the Palestinian telecommunications company Paltel announced.

"Dear people in our beloved homeland, we regret to announce a complete interruption of communications services (fixed, cellular and Internet) in the Gaza Strip," Paltel said on social media. The company said it had been unable to obtain fuel and that backup energy sources to operate the network had been exhausted.

Absent means of communications, humanitarian aid deliveries won't take place Friday, said the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNWRA. The agency said almost every person in Gaza lacks enough food, and more than two out of every three dont have clean drinking water.

Children are pleading for a sip of water and a piece of bread at the 153 UNRWA facilities now jammed with 800,000 displaced Palestinians, said Juliette Touma, UNRWA communications director.

Philippe Lazzarini, the agency's commissioner-general, confirmed the "total communication blackout" at a press conference in Geneva, the Times of Israel reported. Lazzarini has been warning for days that the entire aid mission would soon "grind to a halt" unless Israel eased its blockade and allowed more fuel into Gaza. Israel partially lifted the embargo this week, but officials say the amount of available fuel is not nearly enough.

Iran general says Israel won't 'reach its dirty goals' in war

Iran, which sponsors Hamas and other militant groups, wont let Israel reach its dirty goals in the current war, according to a letter from the head of the Iranian Quds Force, a branch of the country's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps.

Gen. Esmail Ghaani doesnt say in the letter that Iranian forces will join Hamas in battle, but tells its military commander Mohammed Deif that, along with other allies, Tehran will carry out all our duties in this historic battle.

Hamas fighters invaded Israeli territory Oct. 7 and claimed 1,200 lives in a stunning assault, but Israel has since pulverized large parts of Gaza with its aerial campaign, emptying out much of north Gaza and taking control of the strips half considered the Hamas power base.

Still, Ghaani praises the Hamas invasion and tells Deif that Israel is weaker than a spiders web in the letter, published by Irans state news agency, IRNA.

Department of Education probes campuses over antisemitism, Islamophobia

As tensions boil over at campuses across the nation, the U.S. Department of Educations Office for Civil Rights announced Thursday it is launching investigations into six colleges and one school district over complaints of antisemitism and Islamophobia.

The department is looking at the Maize Unified School District in Kansas, Lafayette College in Pennsylvania, Cornell University and Columbia University in New York, Wellesley College in Massachusetts, the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, and the University of Pennsylvania. Five of the complaints allege antisemitism, and two allege Islamophobia.

"Hate has no place in our schools, period. When students are targeted because they areor are perceived to beJewish, Muslim, Arab, Sikh, or any other ethnicity or shared ancestry, schools must act to ensure safe and inclusive educational environments where everyone is free to learn, said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona.

The investigations were launched under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color and national origin  including harassment based on a persons shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics  in programs and activities receiving federal funds. Schools that violate the law can lose money or face other disciplinary action.

Suspect arrested in death of Jewish protester outside LA

A suspect in the death of a Jewish counter-protester was arrested Thursday in a Los Angeles suburb.

The Ventura County Sheriff's Office said in a statement it had detained Loay Abdelfattah Alnaji on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter "for the death of Paul Kessler,'' and his bail would be set at $1 million.

Alnaji, 50, teaches computer science at Moorpark College in Ventura County and has expressed support for the Palestinian cause on social media, the Los Angeles Times reported.

Kessler, 69, was part of a group protesting a pro-Palestinian rally Nov. 5 in Thousand Oaks, a suburb northwest of Los Angeles, when the sides clashed. Kessler fell backward in a confrontation with a demonstrator and hit his head against the ground, causing a bloody injury. He died in a hospital several hours later.

Israel bombs home of Hamas political leader

Israeli jets bombed the Gaza home of Hamas political bureau Chairman Ismail Haniyeh, the Israeli military said. The military shared a video of fighter jets bombing the building, which Israel says was part of the Hamas military infrastructure and a meeting place for Hamas senior leaders to direct terrorist attacks against Israel. The fate of Haniyeh, one of the highest-ranking officials in Hamas, was not immediately revealed.

Israel warns Palestinians in some parts of southern Gaza to flee

Many Palestinians who fled northern Gaza on orders from the Israeli military were being warned to evacuate parts of southern Gaza, a turn in the war threatening to aggravate the severe humanitarian crisis already unfolding in the embattled enclave.

Residents and journalists said the Israeli military was dropping leaflets near the southern town of Khan Younis warning people to evacuate and that anyone found near Hamas militants was "putting his life in danger." Similar leaflets were dropped across northern Gaza in the weeks prior to the start of Israel's ground attack.

Hundreds of thousands of Palestinians who fled the battering in northern Gaza have packed homes and U.N.-run shelters in the south.

The Israeli military has called on people to move to a safe zone in Al-Mawasi, a town on the Mediterranean coast where humanitarian aid could be delivered. Al-Mawasi is less than one mile wide and 9 miles long.

The heads of 18 U.N. agencies and international charities on Thursday rejected the creation of a safe zone, saying that concentrating civilians in one area while hostilities continue was too dangerous. They called for a cease-fire and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and fuel for Gazas population.

Holocaust survivor says he was bullied off TikTok by antisemitism

An 88-year-old Holocaust survivor using TikTok to make sure a new generation does not forget says hes being bullied off the social media platform by resurging antisemitism and Holocaust denial. Gidon Lev, a TikTok celebrity with nearly half a million followers, plans to deactivate his account after the flood of hateful comments and messages after the Oct. 7 Hamas attacks made him fear for his safety. Lev, a retired dairy farmer who for years lived on the Gaza border, says hes taking refuge from TikTok on Instagram.

A survivor of the Holocaust had to leave TikTok after the worst massacre against the Jews since the Holocaust. Imagine that, his partner Julie Gray told USA TODAY. Read more here.

 Jessica Guynn

UAE to build desperately needed water plants in Gaza

The United Arab Emirates announced plans to build three desalination plants in the Gaza Strip. The resulting 600,000 gallons of water daily could provide for about 300,000 people, the UAE Defense Ministry said, but did not say when the plants would come online.

The announcement came the same day the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics issued a report warning that Gaza faces a severe water crisis. Israeli bombings have left much of Gaza's infrastructure, including the water system, in ruin. The bureau said 55% of Gaza's water supply systems are in urgent need of repair.

Muslim, Arab leaders discuss rise in Islamophobia with Biden administration officials

Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona and other senior Biden administration officials met Wednesday with national Muslim, Arab and Sikh organization leaders to discuss efforts to counter an uptick in instances of Islamophobia, antisemitism and hate-fueled threats in schools and on college campuses. Earlier this month, the White House announced that the administration will develop the first-ever National Strategy to Counter Islamophobia.

Contributing: The Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Israel Hamas war live updates: Hostage's body found near Gaza hospital
Thousands of Starbucks workers at hundreds of stores went on strike Thursday, as they protested the lack of their first contract despite a nearly two-year organizing drive.

The strike at Starbucks, which some have dubbed the Red Cup Rebellion, was intended to last just one day, unlike recent strikes by the United Auto Workers union at the nations three unionized automakers or strikes by SAG-AFTRA and the Writers Guild of America, which shut down production of many movies and television shows.

But the union said the limited-duration strike on a key promotion day for Starbucks is important in its efforts to win their first contract at the chain. And it is a sign that even with more than 200,000 strikers leaving picket lines in the last month, that there are levels of union activism at Americas workplaces that havent been seen in decades.

The union, Starbucks Workers United, won its first representation vote at the company in December 2021, at a store in Buffalo, New York. Since then, it has won more votes at 368 other stores out of 454 elections. But there are still no contracts for any of the more than 9,000 union members spread across the stores.

Starbucks Workers United union members and supporters on a picket line outside a Starbucks coffee shop in New York, US, on Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023. Thousands of Starbucks Corp. baristas went on strike Thursday, claiming the coffee chain refuses to fairly negotiate with their union. - Victor J. Blue/Bloomberg/Getty Images

This is the second year in a row that the union has staged widespread walkouts and protests to coincide with the companys Red Cup Day promotion, when it sells its re-usable holiday cups.

But many of the stores on strike remained open in past strikes, because management replaced the unionized striking workers with workers from nearby non-union stores and managers. Thats possible because of the close proximity of many Starbucks stores to one another. The union said even if the unionized stores stay open, the picket lines allow them to get their message out to Starbucks customers, many of whom they said are sympathetic to their cause.

Moe Mills works at a unionized Starbucks location in St. Louis, Missouri. Seven unionized locations in the city are planning to shut down on Thursday, Mills, who uses they/them pronouns, told CNN Tuesday.

We plan for our store to not even open, on Thursday, they said. The workers will not be there.

Mills participated in the Red Cup day protest last year, scheduled to coincide with a promotional event run by the company, during which it gives out the reusable holiday cups with certain drink purchases.

The experience allowed Mills to talk to customers about what they say the union is fighting for. Looping [customers] in on whats going on is wildly important, they said. Starbucks doesnt listen to their workers, but they have to listen to their customers, Mills added.

While the company continues to challenge some of the votes and is seeking new votes to oust the union at some stores, the National Labor Relations Board, the federal agency which oversees labor relations at most business, has certified 363 stores as being union represented, or more than one every other day since the first election. And the NLRB has so far rejected efforts to oust the union at some stores, citing the lack of progress on negotiating a new contract.

The company and union blame one another for the lack of progress in negotiations.

We remain committed to working with all partners, side-by-side, to elevate the everyday, and we hope that Workers Uniteds priorities will shift to include the shared success of our partners and negotiating contracts for those they represent, said a statement from the company, which uses the term partners to describe its employees. Starbucks remains ready to progress in-person negotiations with the unions certified to represent partners.

But the union insists it is the company that is the obstacle to reaching its first contract. The union earlier this fall filed an unfair labor practice charge with the NLRB over Starbucks refusal to bargain around promotion days.

Starbucks workers hold signs as they participate in a strike organized by Starbucks Workers United during the company's Red Cup Day Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at the company's first Reserve roastery in Seattle. - Lindsey Wasson/AP

Promotion days like Red Cup Day and Buy One Get One Free offers cause a flood of customers to stores, without any additional staffing to cover the influx in orders, said the unions statement. On Red Cup Day, drink orders pile up and are abandoned, lines are out the door, and Starbucks workers are left to handle angry customers who have had to wait as much longer than usual for their beverages and food all while trying to make complicated holiday specialty beverages as fast as possible. When the supply of red cups runs out, customers get disappointed and often take their anger out on workers.

Limited duration strikes like the one at Starbucks, or the three-day strike at Kaiser Permanente last month have become a major tool in unions efforts to flex their muscles. And while the deals havent resulted in a contract at Starbucks, they did win a labor deal for more than 75,000 union workers at Kaiser Permanente, and 30,000 non-teaching employees who went on strike in March at Los Angeles schools

Besides the auto deals and the actors and writers labor agreements that ended those strikes, some other major work stoppages have been averted by 11th hour labor deals, most notably the deal that covered 340,000 Teamsters at UPS in late July ahead of an August 1 strike deadline. A series of deals earlier this month covering nearly 40,000 workers at 18 casinos along the Las Vegas Strip.

But there are still other workers remaining on strike, including nearly 4,000 union members at three casinos in Detroit and more than 1,000 workers at Michigan Blue Cross-Blue Shield. Both groups have been on strike for more than a month.

Meanwhile, a number of major contracts due to expire in the next year include one covering 30,000 assembly line workers at Boeing and another covering 45,000 dockworkers at East Coast ports, both expiring in September.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
Google is launching its new personal search experience by testing community-sourced search results with a new follow button, personalized rankings, and other new features.

The tech giant seeks to show searchers more information about what they actually care about directly in the search results. This is being done by adding several new features, including search results tailored to users, perspectives results updates, creator snippets, and others.

Google's New Features

The new follow button in Google Search aims to keep users up to date on topics that they want to keep coming to search for. The Senior Director of Engineering at Google Search, Brad Kelle said that the new feature allows searchers to practically subscribe to certain topics where Google can show them the content of that topic.

In order to subscribe, you would have to do a search and when you see the "Follow" button, you need to click on it. Then, Google will tell you that are following that particular topic and you can "look for updates in your home feed and when you revisit this search, as per Search Engine Land.

Additionally, the tech giant will enable notifications that if you are using the Google App, would push new content to you regarding the topic that you followed. Users will always have the option of unfollowing and unsubscribing from topics.

One thing to note is that the new feature does not work for "sensitive" topics and would first launch in the U.S. English search results within the Google App and mobile search results in the following weeks.

Google may also opt to add a section named "News for you" that shows users news topics and new content around the particular topic that they followed. This would include an update on how the perspectives feature works in that section.

There would also be a new "Notes" feature where users can add their own annotations to search results that they find. The experimental feature, which launches on Wednesday, will be an opt-in feature through Search Labs, according to The Verge.

Read Also: China Allegedly Harassing Americans Using World's Largest Disinformation Scheme

Adding Personalized Notes

For those who have opted in for the Notes feature, buttons to add and see notes will appear under search results and under articles on Discover in the Google app. Whenever users create a note, they can add creative fonts and images.

Google showed a note for an article about different kinds of frosting that had green text, an image of a cake, and a heart sticker. Also, at the bottom of the note was a link to the article that the note was about.

Google VP Cathy Edwards said during an interview that if users post a note, it should show up "within minutes" unless it is flagged for human review. When users look at all of the notes for a certain link, they will be dynamically ranked based on things such as the user's query and a note's relevance to the content of the page.

The tech giant said that it would be using a "combination of algorithmic protections and human moderation" to ensure that notes are safe, helpful, and relevant. This comes as concerns have risen due to the age of rampant misinformation and trolling, said Edgadget.

Related Article: Microsoft Releases New Patch in Response to Dozens of Reports of Security Gaps, Zero Day Vulnerabilities

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Jarol Sobalvarro, 18, left Nicaragua at 15 seeking a better future in the U.S. He has found a new home in Milwaukee and an anchor at St. Patrick Catholic Church on the city's south side.

By the time he was 15 years old, Jarol Sobalvarro couldnt imagine spending the rest of his life in Nicaragua.

Sobalvarro grew up in a coffee-producing region in the northern countryside. He enjoyed singing and playing the guitar in his church choir.

But the country has a history of strife and corruption, and Daniel Ortega, the only president Sobalvarro had known, began cracking down on political dissidents and taking aim at Catholic institutions. In a presidential election two years ago widely viewed as rigged, Ortega imprisoned opposing candidates and criminalized dissent.

Its a very ugly dictatorship, Sobalvarro said.

Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education.

In 2021, at age 15, Sobalvarro set off for the U.S. His mother didn't want him to go alone, so his older brother, then 28, joined him. Their father had headed north six months earlier.

Today, Sobalvarro, 18, has found a new home in Milwaukee and an anchor at St. Patrick Catholic Church on the city's south side. The Spanish-speaking church, at S. 7th and W. Washington streets, once was a hub for Irish immigrants. Now it is mostly made up of immigrants from Mexico, Puerto Rico and central America. Sobalvarro sings and plays instruments in the church choir, and he hopes one day to go into real estate or to become a religious brother  he doesnt know which, yet.

The church makes a habit of helping newly arrived immigrants who need it, connecting them with charitable organizations, food pantries and counseling services.

Fr. Timothy Manatt, pastor of St. Patrick, said there are a lot of people he sees for one Sunday Mass, and never again. But two years ago, he noticed Sobalvarro kept returning. Manatt has become a mentor, and the two talk about faith, education, the future, even the challenges of the American health care system. They joke that Manatt  el Padre Timoteo  is like his second father.

Im very attached to this church, Sobalvarro said. Since I came here, Ill be here forever.

Major cities like New York and Chicago are struggling to keep up with a surge of migrants who are crossing the U.S.-Mexico border seeking asylum, a heavily backlogged system in which people are given court dates years away. Nicaraguans fleeing Ortega's regime are increasingly among them. American border officials have encountered Nicaraguans more than 130,000 times in the last year  compared to just 3,000 times in 2020.

Milwaukee hasnt seen an influx on a dramatic scale, but there has been an uptick in Nicaraguans and Venezuelans in the area.

Sobalvarro and his brother last winter delivered boxes of donated food to newly arrived immigrants, a little act of charity for the Nicaraguan community, Manatt said.

Sobalvarro, his brother and the other immigrants at St. Patrick's reflect the new face of immigration in Milwaukee. Like generations of immigrants, they are finding their way in a new land. Research shows their presence is necessary if the city is to grow and thrive.

After a rough journey, teen has a difficult transition

The journey to Milwaukee took 24 days.

Sobalvarro and his brother took a series of buses, then walked through desert land until they encountered border agents. Sobalvarros feet were covered in thorns.

I dont want to think about it, he said. It was very terrible.

He was sent to a processing center for minors in California. Although separated from his brother, he was never too scared, he said.

I thought, if I respect the rules, everything will be fine, he said.

Everyone at the processing center was friendly and knew how to interact with children, he said. He laughs now that they gave him a doll for comfort.

After 15 days, two immigration officials flew with Sobalvarro to Milwaukee to reunite with his father. At the airport, his dad cried. Maybe he did too, he admitted, sheepishly.

Driving to his dads home, he was incredulous that houses looked just like ones hed seen in American movies. When he fell asleep, though, he dreamed of Nicaragua. Everything was so different.

After some time, Sobalvarro fell ill with a stomach problem. As a teenage applicant for asylum with no insurance, doctors appointments were costly and difficult to secure, and the clinics he visited couldnt figure out what was wrong.

His stomach became distended, and his back hurt so badly he couldnt stand. He was having trouble breathing. At one point, his father asked if he wanted to go back to Nicaragua. He was in so much pain, physically and emotionally, he almost said yes. But then, finally, a doctor came up with the right diagnosis and prescribed medication. He quickly healed.

If it hadnt been for the clinic, he wouldve died, he said.

Church community is at the center of new life

Today, Sobalvarro is allowed to stay in the U.S. with his dad as he awaits his asylum hearing, which could be scheduled for the coming years. He received permission to work earlier this fall and began working at a factory.

He is also taking English classes at Milwaukee Area Technical College to strengthen his language skills before beginning studies for a future career.

He hopes one day his mother and 10-year-old sister can join the rest of the family in Milwaukee. His mother is loving and caring, and he misses her terribly. On the phone, sometimes his mother gets emotional. He tries to be strong and cheer her up.

There isnt a future in my country, he said this fall. My future is here.

For now, the center of his world is St. Patrick Parish and its choir. The members, and Manatt, have helped him feel settled and supported.

They look out for me, he said. They respect people for who they are. For me, thats worth a lot.

For this story, Journal Sentinel staff writer Sophie Carson interviewed Jarol Sobalvarro in Spanish, then translated his comments to English.

This project is supported by a grant from Marquette University Law School's Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education, to make possible journalism on issues of importance to the Milwaukee area. All the work was done under the guidance of Journal Sentinel editors.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Nicaraguan asylum seeker finds home at Milwaukee's St. Patrick Parish
The Leonid meteor shower is back for another year of space glitz caused by the Earth passing through the debris field left behind by the comet 55P/Tempel-Tuttle.

Every November, the dust and rock particles create a dazzling display of meteor streaks across the night sky as they incinerate in the atmosphere.

Here is everything to know about the 2023 Leonid meteor shower, including the peak viewing dates and where and when in New Mexico you'll have the best chance of seeing the peak display.

What is the Leonid meteor shower?

The Leonids are a rather active meteor shower that is easily seen in the Northern and Southern hemispheres every November.

As comets orbit the sun, they leave dust behind in their orbits, said Theodore Kareta, a postdoctoral researcher at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.

Meteor showers occur when the Earth crosses one of these cometary dust trails and the dust burns up in our atmosphere. How much dust is in the trail, at what angle the Earth crosses it and what time of year this happens are all factors in where to look, when to look, and whether or not a meteor shower is really stunning or a real dud.

A long exposure photograph shows a tree standing under the starry sky during the Leonid meteor shower in Villanueva de la Pena, Spain, on Nov. 15, 2017.

What are the best days to watch for the Leonid showers?

The Leonids will be active Nov. 3 through Dec. 2, 2023.

They will peak on Nov. 17 and 18.

What's the best time to watch the meteor shower?

Wladimir Lyra, associate professor of astronomy at New Mexico State University, said in New Mexico you must rise in the small hours to get the best view of the Leonids.

The Leonides get their name from the Leo constellation, which rises after midnight Lyra said.

What is the best place to observe the Leonid meteor shower?

Dark sky areas  national parks, forests, camp grounds and desert areas  are the best viewing spots.

New Mexico has several designated dark sky parks:

Capulin Volcano National Monument

Clayton Lake State Park

Chaco Culture National Historic Park

Fort Union National Monument

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Cosmic Campground

Valles Caldera National Preserve

The Leonids will rise in the eastern sky.

How long do the Leonids last?

The peak can be brief, lasting a few hours or so, and it's often during the predawn hours when the radiant point of the Leonids is high in the sky.

Views are advised to give their eyes at least 30 minutes to adjust to dark sky conditions for the best viewing. Binoculars and telescopes certainly help.

When is the next meteor shower?

There will be two more meteor showers in 2023:

Geminids: Nov. 19-Dec. 24, peaking Dec. 13-14.

Ursids: Dec. 13-24, peaking Dec. 21-22.

Tiffany Acosta, a reporter for azcentral.com contributed to this article.

This article originally appeared on Las Cruces Sun-News: Watch the Leonid meteor shower in New Mexico
Bindi Irwin

Bindi Irwin was one of many people around the world celebrating her father, Steve Irwin, on Nov. 15, which is internationally known as Steve Irwin Day.

To mark the occasion, Bindi took to Instagram, posting a photo of herself when she was a little girl. In the picture, Steve smiles at the camera while holding Bindi, who rests her cheek on his shoulder with her eyes closed.

She wrote alongside the photo, "November 15  Steve Irwin Day To the world, he will be remembered as the greatest Wildlife Warrior. To our family, he will be remembered as our world."

Many people celebrated Steve with Bindi, leaving kind notes or memories about him in the comments. One wrote, "I genuinely believe if he was around, the world would be a far better place. Natures strongest voice is sorely missed :(."

"Such a beautiful picture Bindi.  Theres a lot to be said about the fact that he died doing the work that he loved, that he lived for. Im sure there are very few people in the world that can say the same.," said another.

A third wrote to Bindi, "The world loved him and the world loves your beautiful family! Thank you for doing what you do every day. He is proud of you- absolutely not doubt about it."

Steve Irwin Day is reportedly celebrated on Nov. 15 as it is the birthday of Harriet the Galapagos tortoise, whom Steve allegedly loved dearly as he helped care for her at the Australia Zoo. Harriet lived to be 175 years old, passing away in June 2006, only a few months before Steve's death on Sept. 4, 2006.

Bindi was eight years old when her father passed away, while her younger brother, Robert Irwin, was almost three at the time. Together with their mother Terri Irwin, the family continues to work with Australia Zoo on conservation efforts.

Next, Bindi Irwin Details the Terrifying Moment She Thought She Miscarried: "Excruciating Pain"
Thanksgiving dinner.

America is a country of immigrants. And that includes your food. Immigration is the pulse of our nation. The heartbeat that drives almost all of culture It's in our language, our music, our customs, and especially on our plates. We're getting a taste of our melting pot and salad bowlwhatever your preferred metaphor.

When it comes to Thanksgiving, most Americans are used to a storyline that isn't entirely true. So that's why we're bringing you to Plymouth, Massachusetts, where it all began.

The true story goes a little something like this:

In 1621, the Pilgrims in New England had their first successful harvest, and their governor, William Bradford, called for a celebration. At the time, the colony had some Native American allies, including the Wampanoag tribe chief, Massasoit. During the celebration, guns were fired. And Massasoit got word, thought there was a fight going on, and he and about 90 of his men came to help. Instead, they found the Pilgrims rejoicing about their harvest.

"There isn't a ton of food there, so Massasoit sends five of his warriors out and they bring back five deer," said Timothy Turner, a Cherokee native. "So we know that they had venison, and we know that they had fowl. What type of fowl we don't know, and we know that they had fresh vegetables, and that's what we really know about Thanksgiving. And it happened for three days and it never ever happened again. And it was probably not in November because you're not harvesting anything in November."

If you think of American food as a timeline of foods traveling here with immigrants, then some of the foods we eat at Thanksgiving are at the very beginning of that timeline.

"Many of them are foods that don't belong here and were brought here, and the foods that were here were cooked in ways that would be unrecognizable to both the English and the native people of 1621 Plymouth colony. What's more American than apple pie? And actually I would contend that nothing is more American because apples aren't indigenous here. Apples were brought over," said Kathleen Wall, a Colonial food culinarian. "Nobody mentions turkey, in Thanksgiving in 1621, the meal we call Thanksgiving, they dont call Thanksgiving and Massasoit called sent his men out to bring deer, so venison is the meat we know is on the table, and everything else is speculation."

So what would you want Americans today to know when they're eating Thanksgiving dinner, and what to just think about when it comes to the history of what's on their plates?

"There's no one right Thanksgiving dinner. What's right about it is that we pause and give thanks. We forget that we're a colonial nation. There were people here for thousands of years before there were colonies, and we need to remember them, too. And they've been a forgotten part of the story for a long time," said Wall. "One of the ways that we can honor native people is to recognize the food that we got from native people."

SEE MORE: Thanksgiving meals expected to be cheaper this year
Longtime NASCAR announcer Ken Squier was a member of the 2018 class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images) (Jared C. Tilton via Getty Images)

Longtime NASCAR announcer Ken Squier died Wednesday. He was 88.

Squier is the most recognizable voice and face in NASCAR television history. He was the announcer for the 1979 Daytona 500, the race that put NASCAR on the national map.

The famous race was the first NASCAR race to be broadcast live on television in its entirety. As a massive snowstorm had hit much of the United States, 16 million people watched Richard Pettys win as Donnie Allison and Cale Yarborough crashed while racing for the lead on the final lap.

Its Squier who viewers hear exclaim and theres a fight, between Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison as the two drivers tangled near their crashed cars. The moment is one of the most iconic in NASCAR history.

"Though he never sat behind the wheel of a stock car, Ken Squier contributed to the growth of NASCAR as much as any competitor," NASCAR chairman Jim France said in a statement. "Ken was a superb storyteller and his unmistakable voice is the soundtrack to many of NASCAR's greatest moments. His calls on TV and radio brought fans closer to the sport, and for that he was a fan favorite. Ken knew no strangers, and he will be missed by all. On behalf of the France family and all of NASCAR, I offer my condolences to the family and friends of Ken Squier."

Squier served as the voice of CBS NASCAR coverage from 1979 through 1997 before current NASCAR on Fox announcer Mike Joy took over. Thursday morning, tributes to Squier from fellow NASCAR Hall of Famers started pouring in on social media.

Ken Squier was there when Nascar was introduced to the rest of the world in 1979 for the Daytona 500. Im convinced that race would have not had its lasting impact had Ken not been our lead narrator. We still ride the wave of that momentum created on that day. Kens words and  Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) November 16, 2023

Ken Squier was a true legend in the sport. He will be greatly missed. pic.twitter.com/WNL2PF1IwG  Dale Jarrett (@DaleJarrett) November 16, 2023

Before getting into broadcasting, the Vermont native built Thunder Road Speedway in his home state as a weekly site for short-track racing in the Northeast. Squier is also one of the co-founders of the Motor Racing Network, one of the two networks that broadcast NASCAR races on the radio.

Squier was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of its 2018 class and is the only member of the NASCAR Hall who is enshrined primarily because of his duties as a broadcaster. The NASCAR Hall of Fame also created the Squier-Hall Award in 2012 named in honor of Squier and longtime radio broadcaster Barney Hall. The two were the inaugural recipients of the award.
Balanced on two halves of a crumbling cinder block, the last step rolled out under Candy Lauderdale. Her foot snapped when she hit the basement floor of the house she's renting in Akron.

Lauderdale pushed down so hard that the bone in her foot popped back into place. She dragged herself to the top of the rickety stairs, left a message for her boyfriend, Stepfon Brooks, and passed out from the pain on the couch.

Candy Lauderdale broke her ankle while walking down her basement steps of the Akron home she was renting.

The April injury cut the couples income in half. Lauderdale paid $900 in rent that month and $500 in May, not the $1,000 per month her landlord, Ross Thomas, expected.

He said, 'Pay whatever you can,' Lauderdale said of the weeks she needed to get back on her feet, physically and financially.

Thomas told the Beacon Journal he had a repairman fix the step months ago. But a visit to the home in September confirmed it still wasn't fixed.

Candy Lauderdale shares a photograph of her injured leg and foot after she fell down her broken basement steps earlier this year in the Akron house she and her boyfriend were renting.

He grew impatient waiting for the full month's rent while his tenants began complaining about other repairs needed at the Grant Street apartment home: stripped flooring in the upstairs bathroom; watermarked, sagging ceiling tiles below it downstairs; a foul stench from a sealed bedroom; towels stuffed under kitchen cabinets to keep their cat in and wild animals out; a wire dangling chest-high across the backyard; inoperable garage doors; tape holding walls from crumbling; and a load-bearing wall on the front porch that swings like it holds nothing.

Stepfon Brooks shows where a leak has stained his dining room ceiling.

Stepfon Brooks points out the gap in the back doorframe of the Akron house he and Candy Lauderdale were renting.

Lauderdale kept every rent check receipt and text message from Thomas in case their tenant-landlord relationship got worse, and it did.

Candy Lauderdale kept printed screenshots of her text conversations with her landlord Ross Thomas.

In late August, Thomas filed an eviction. A judge in October denied the request, ruling that no one should pay what Thomas was charging to live like Lauderdale and Brooks.

Lauderdale didnt realize at first that she was dealing with the son of Gary Thomas, a landlord with a history of dodging housing code violations and tax collectors while squeezing profits from blighted rental units.

Thousands of tenants in the marginalized pockets of Akrons rental market know Gary Thomas, his son or the dizzying number of shell companies at their disposal.

The Grant Street apartment where Lauderdale and Brooks lived is one of 17 Gary Thomas or his son manages with active housing code violations. Another unit four blocks east on Wilbur Avenue is in even worse shape but not yet documented by city housing inspectors.

Three sets of tenants whove lived in the Grant Street or Wilbur Avenue properties have all faced evictions by Gary or Ross Thomas this year. The Thomases manage these two rental units for the retirement account of Jeffrey and Socorro Magaziner, a married couple from California.

Tape covers the crumbling plaster over the staircase in the Akron house Candy Lauderdale and Stepfon Brooks were renting.

On Wilbur Avenue, a single mother faces eviction after refusing to pay rent because Gary Thomas won't properly fix anything, including the busted front door and holes in the walls big enough for her children to fall through. The tenant before her, who made and paid for some repairs, said Gary Thomas duped him into thinking the property might one day be his on a rent-to-own contract.

They, like other previous tenants interviewed by the Beacon Journal over the years, share a similar story of exploitative landlords who aggressively evict and fail to repair property.

Now, the Thomases are working for property owners who live hundreds or thousands of miles from the troubles of their tenants and rental units.

The Magaziners wouldnt answer phone calls and texts from a reporter. Gary Thomas said he wont talk to the Beacon Journal. And Ross Thomas wont comment on the $164,000 in back taxes, the blighted units or anything else involving his fathers business.

I can't speak for him, nor will I, Ross Thomas said. All my taxes are paid.

We dont want this happening to other people

Ross Thomas said hell comply with the city-ordered repairs on the Grant Street property but not while Lauderdale and Brooks live there.

And we'll get the house vacant," Ross Thomas said while pursuing the eviction. "And then we will proceed and fix every single one of those things. And you better believe the housing department isn't going to let us go on that.

Lauderdale was considering living out of a car or voluntarily moving out, even if they survived the eviction notice Ross Thomas posted Aug. 25 on their front door.

Landlord Ross Thomas, left, and his attorney Tyler J. Whitney speak in the hallway outside of the court of small claims and evictions in Akron.

At one point, she came home and found her landlord's father, Gary Thomas, standing in the kitchen, demanding the the money she owed Ross Thomas.

She told him shed pay him once she drained a 401k retirement account from her days as a temp worker. She came home that night from work and found the eviction notice.

Then, she started searching online for Ross and Gary Thomas.

She discovered multiple Beacon Journal stories from 2017 to 2020 about Gary Thomas, the ruin he's caused tenants and an exploitative business model that prompted Summit County Fiscal Officer Kristen Scalise to label Thomas a "slumlord."

Candy Lauderdale sifts through paperwork related to her eviction.

Lauderdale found no comfort in knowing she wasn't alone.

We dont want this happening to other people. And its going to keep happening until someone finally puts their foot down and says, Look, this guy has to stop'. Hes putting [his properties] in other names," she said. "And nobody has caught onto that.

Candy Lauderdale sifts through paperwork related to her eviction.

In early 2002, Gary Thomas transferred a rental property on Girard Street from a company with his initials into his wifes name. Then, five months later, he used his name when filing to evict Lauderdales ex-husband from that property.

The sad part is, I didnt know it at the time, but I dealt with Thomas back in the day, Lauderdale said.

A judge threw out the eviction.

A decade later, in one of their financial downturns marked by bankruptcies and bad credit, Gary Thomas and his wife at the time defaulted on the Girard Street mortgage, and the bank foreclosed.

Why they stayed: He took advantage of our situation

In September 2022, Lauderdale and Brooks started renting from Ross Thomas on Grant Street after her daughter moved out. The daughter left the unit in bad shape, but Lauderdale agreed to clean it up in exchange for no security deposit.

He took advantage of our situation, Brooks said. The unmarried couple, who consider themselves husband and wife, wanted out of Timber Top Apartments. Tenants there were complaining of disrepair, flooding, mold and aggressive evictions even before a carbon monoxide leak killed one person and sent others to the hospital last October.

Lauderdale and Brooks loved the Grant Street house on the relatively safe Firestone Park side of Archwood Avenue, even though the unit was out of code the entire time they lived there. When they moved out of the Grant Street house in late October, there were still no state-mandated smoke alarms or carbon monoxide detectors, which the city has required in all gas-burning dwellings since the Timber Top incident.

Any repairs to the Grant Street house only happened when ordered and with a bare minimum effort, the couple said. A utility company, for example, wouldnt turn on the gas until Ross Thomas got rid of an outdated hot water heater, which he replaced with a newer but used unit. A man sent out by the landlord couldnt keep the pilot flame lit, so Lauderdale and Brooks said they had to figure it out.

Nothing else ever got repaired, they said. Early on, when Lauderdale called about a hole in the heating and cooling system in the basement, she said Ross Thomas told her to put duct tape around it.

Still, Lauderdale and Brooks cleaned up the house and lived there the last months of 2022. But nothing was ever in writing  which was another early red flag.

A lease was finally signed in January because I begged him for it, Lauderdale said. It was a month-to-month agreement, meaning rent  which was upped from $900 to $1,000  could be increased whenever Ross Thomas said so. And the landlord could tear up the agreement at will, giving the couple as little as 30 days under state law to get out.

Eviction filing limits options for tenants

Ross Thomas told the Beacon Journal he prefers to use an oral month-to-month lease. You still have the right to reclaim your property, he said, meaning the right to evict.

If they hadn't asked for [a written lease agreement], we would have just continued on the oral [agreement]. It doesn't bother me either way, he said.

County records show that Ross paid an $862 delinquent tax bill on the property the same day he posted the three-day notice to evict Lauderdale and Brooks. Its standard for magistrates to check for back taxes before moving forward with an eviction.

Before the case was filed, on the fourth day the notice was on the door, Lauderdale finally had the money from her emptied 401k account, she said, but refused to pay if her landlord wouldnt back off the eviction. Shed be better off, she and Brooks figured, using the cash to find somewhere else to live.

But landlords screen tenants for past evictions. And active cases are hard to ignore.

If youre trying to kick us out, how are we supposed to find someplace else to go if every time we try to apply to places, we cant get in nowhere because this [eviction filing] is on our background? Lauderdale asked two weeks before her eviction hearing on Oct. 3. Thats the thing. We got nowhere to go right now because everyone is denying us.

Brooks was furious. How could they get thrown out when his girlfriend broke her foot because their landlord wouldnt fix a basement step? It was one of 22 code violations an Akron housing inspector found after Lauderdale called the city to complain.

Youre beating people out of their hard-earned money. You dont want to fix nothing, Brooks said. All you do is come over here and collect rent. Thats it."

Two properties, one owner, three evictions

Four blocks east on Wilbur Avenue, a single mother still doesnt have a key to the house Gary Thomas has been renting to her since July.

She cant lock the door when she leaves. And she never bothered to unpack because she quickly realized this was no safe or healthy place for her kids.

She said she's refused to pay rent because Gary Thomas won't fix major hazards like missing grate covers for the cold air return. The hole, which she covered with an ottoman flipped against the wall, is big enough to swallow any of her three children.

The backsplash in the kitchen has separated from the wall. The tiles, which would otherwise fall into the sink, lean against the faucet.

Layers of paneling have come apart on the front door. And the newest window in the house was installed improperly. It doesnt stay up.

The tenant said Gary Thomas had someone cover a hole in the sink with a large washer that just rattles around, leaving an opening for bugs to come and go. Plaster under a window air conditioner crumbled to the floor.

Thomas is trying to evict her, like he did the tenant who lived there before her. The woman is not being named because she doesnt want to suffer the stigma of being evicted.

She has text messages that prove Gary Thomas refused to make repairs or work with her on getting rental assistance. Its standard now for magistrates to pause eviction cases with open applications for rental assistance, and tenants have won cases by proving poor living conditions.

The two-story rental home with an unfinished basement is also owned by the Magaziners' retirement account.

A mother of three that lives in a rental house on Wilbur Avenue managed by Gary Thomas says she hasnt been able to get Thomas to make any repairs.

When she moved in, the woman was told she would have to pay the outstanding water bill, even though municipal water is the responsibility of property owners in Akron. But she and her kids needed to bathe and drink. She got a $500 voucher from her church so municipal workers would reconnect service.

The woman found the apartment from a friend on Facebook whose brother thought he had a claim to the property through a land contract, or rent-to-own agreement, which Gary Thomas dismissed.

The verbal land contract deal sowed confusion. The former tenant received the new tenant's $1,100 security deposit and $1,100 for the first months rent  not Gary Thomas.

Nonetheless, Gary Thomas signed a lease July 7 saying he received the $2,200.

Seven days later, and every week afterward like clockwork, Gary Thomas texted and called for the rent. The woman sometimes responded with a list of repairs.

Why would I pay you $1,100 a month and you wont fix anything? she asked.

Prior tenant beats eviction because there was no lease

Reached by phone, the former tenant asked that he not be named because he doesnt want everybody to know my business, which includes a denied eviction and a frustrating experience with Gary Thomas.

I never seen a lease in like two years, the man said. So, I didn't even say nothing about that. But then when he tried to write me an eviction, they said I didn't even have a lease.

The judge would not approve the eviction for a tenant who Gary Thomas could not even prove was living there.

The former tenant said he put $1,500 down for a verbal rent-to-own contract. Even then, the front door never latched and was missing windows. The upstairs bathroom was leaking down through the kitchen ceiling around the light fixture, which is anchored by a sloppy and massive patch of drywall compound.

I'm like, 'Dang, Gary. The front door don't work. The carpet is filthy. The paint is chipping on the walls,'" the former tenant said.

The man said Gary Thomas told him to make necessary repairs and that they would sort it out later. "My money. No refund. No nothing, the man said of how that deal turned out.

Thomas always called about the rent, sometimes days in advance of the due date. The landlord otherwise wouldn't answer his phone, the former tenant said.

But the man, 23 when he moved in, was enticed by the hundreds of properties Gary Thomas said he wanted to offload.

I can rent-to-own, have a house in my name by the time Im 28," the young man thought. "I can own me a crib. Im wit it.

Then, I started noticing hes just putting up to get his rent. He dont want to talk about nothing else, said the young man. I felt like I was played because I feel like I was supposed to own a house in a couple of years.

Their day in court

In October, the single mother went to court with a friend for support by her side. Over the objection of Gary Thomas, her case was continued until mid-November.

Meanwhile, Lauderdale and Brooks had their day in Akron Municipal Court a week earlier.

Ross Thomas gave a sharp glare as he passed his tenants in the hallway, where they'd been waiting an hour for their hearing.

An affirmation hangs on the living room wall as Candy Lauderdale discusses the declining living conditions of the home she and her boyfriend were renting in Akron.

Moments later, Gary Thomas passed through the entrance marked "small claims and evictions." The father and son took their usual route, walking by other landlords seated with their tenants in the waiting room and disappearing into a conference room with their attorney, Tyler Whitney.

Landlord Gary Thomas, left, and his attorney Tyler J. Whitney listen as Thomas' tenant speaks during an eviction hearing Oct. 12 in Akron.

Another hour passed. A court employee called Lauderdale's name.

In a cramped room down the hall, Lauderdale and Brooks took their seats opposite Whitney and Ross Thomas, who spoke first after Magistrate Scott Newman read in the case.

The landlord explained the terms of the lease and how he hadnt collected rent since posting the three-day eviction notice Aug. 25. He never got a full month's rent, he alleged.

When the magistrate turned toward her, Lauderdale unfolded her hands resting on a manilla folder bulging with documents and photographs.

Whitney objected to the use of some text messages. Lauderdale flipped that evidence face down and moved on to the rent check receipts, which refuted the landlords claim of not getting paid.

Then she talked about the wobbly step and her broken foot. She shared photographs of someone else's belongings piled in the basement the entire time they lived there. Whitney said he wasnt sure why that was relevant but didnt object.

Then, Lauderdale explained that theyve made some repairs out-of-pocket. They bought cleaning products before moving in and pest control products while living there.

She noted the 22 code violations housing inspectors found  and how they all still needed fixed.

The judge asked Lauderdale if she and Brooks filed for an escrow account, which allows tenants who serve landlords with lists of repairs to deposit their rent with the court. The court only releases the rent to landlords for repairs. Sometimes, as has happened to Gary Thomas before, months of escrowed rent is returned to the tenant, who gets to keep the money because the landlord failed to fix anything.

No, sir, Lauderdale said of the escrow account. This is kind of new" for us, she added.

Next, Brooks showed how Ross Thomas used a business with an address for a chiropractors office in Wadsworth, instead of his personal address, on the lease. Nowhere is Magaziner mentioned. Brooks told the magistrate that Magaziner told them he did not know whats going on. He said he never got the lease.

Ross Thomas said fixing roofs and porches is not something we can physically do with tenants present. He also stated that his current tenants should owe what the former tenant, who is Lauderdales daughter, did not pay. But Whitney, the attorney, confirmed to the magistrate that the eviction dealt only with money owed by Lauderdale and Brooks.

A half hour into the hearing, Magistrate Newman said he didnt feel comfortable ruling from the bench on the writ of restitution, which is a legal document granting the eviction. He would need time to review materials and arguments.

But he cautioned Lauderdale and Brooks that they could lose this war even if they won this case.

Landlords can immediately refile cases they lose, the magistrate explained.

If you dont have somewhere else to go, I would start looking, Newman told Lauderdale and Brooks.

The magistrate issued his order, which was approved by the presiding judge, to deny the eviction the next Tuesday. By Friday, Ross Thomas had posted another three-day eviction notice on the front door. The landlord never re-filed his case, though.

His tenants, wary of going back to court and too exhausted to initiate the rent escrow process, were able to find a new place to live and left the Grant Street house at the end of October.

He never fixed anything at the house, and we couldn't take a lot of stuff with us due to the condition of the house," Lauderdale said. Ever since we moved, we can sleep better and breathe better.

Reach reporter Doug Livingston at dlivingston@thebeaconjournal.com or 330-996-3792.

This article originally appeared on Akron Beacon Journal: Akron tenants of Gary and Ross Thomas beg for repairs, fight evictions
WASHINGTON  David DePape, the man accused of breaking into former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis house and assaulting her husband, apologized for the incident and voiced conspiracy theories during testimony on Tuesday.

Paul Pelosi, 83, testified on Monday that he was asleep when the door to his bedroom opened in the early morning hours of Oct. 28, 2022, and DePape, 43, came in with a hammer and zip ties. The suspect allegedly asked, wheres Nancy?

Police body camera footage shows that DePape at one point struck Paul Pelosi with the hammer. DePape pleaded not guilty to attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault charges last year.

DePape testified this week that he went to Pelosis house because he wanted to discuss Russian involvement in the 2016 election with the former speaker and get her and other officials to admit their purported corruption, according to the Associated Press.

If she lied, I would break her kneecaps, he said. The choice is on her.

He said he then wanted President Joe Biden to pardon the officials he targeted so we can move forward as a country."

He said he had sympathy for Paul Pelosi after hearing testimony from his neurosurgeon on how he had two wounds on his head, including a fracture to the skull.

He was never my target, and Im sorry that he got hurt, DePape said.

He added that, I reacted because my plan was basically ruined.

DePape has previously said he believed the media lied about former President Donald Trump and echoed the baseless QAnon conspiracy theory, which claims there is a global cabal of Satan-worshipping, cannibalistic child sex traffickers, on blogs and online forums.

Contributing: Associated Press

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: David DePape apologizes for attacking Nancy Pelosi husband with hammer
Jesus Ociel Baena Saucedo is pictured.

The first openly nonbinary person to hold a judicial position in Mexico and Latin America was found dead in their home Monday next to another deceased person, who was later identified as the magistrate's romantic partner.

Jesus Ociel Baena Saucedo had around 20 wounds when authorities in Aguascalientes found them and the body of Dorian Herrera in the couple's shared home.

The Aguascalientes state prosecutor's office said the causes of the death of the two are currently unknown. However, they called the case a murder-suicide Tuesday, saying it seemed as though Herrera murdered Baena using razor blades  including a cut to their jugular  and then committed suicide, according to the Associated Press.

"It may seem like a not very credible hypothesis to many, but we're being very careful to leave a record and preserve all evidence," state prosecutor Jesus Figueroa Ortega said, per AP.

SEE MORE: 5 family members found dead by police performing welfare check

Mexican officials said they ruled out the "presence of a third person" in the deaths and that there were no signs of forced entry. The office also noted there was blood on the bed and footprints across the home, and that "one of the lifeless bodies found was holding a cutting instrument," according to CNN.

But Ortega saying that the murder-suicide hypothesis may not appear as a "very credible hypothesis" is a nod to the many LGBTQ+ activists who believe the case was perpetrated as a hate crime after Baena had reported receiving hateful messages and death threats due to their standing as one of the most visible LGBTQ+ figures in Mexico.

Family and friends immediately disputed the murder-suicide hypothesis and called it "completely unthinkable," according to AP.

A longtime friend of both Baena and Herrera, Maximo Carrasco, said he and other close friends never saw the couple be anything but loving and respectful, AP reported. He claimed the current detectives are just trying to get the case to go away and that loved ones want it to be handled by federal investigators instead.

One LGBTQ+ activist said the officials' handling of the case is "loaded with prejudice," while thousands of others took to Mexico City Monday to protest, according to AP, shouting "We won't stay silent" and demanding further investigation into the case.
In this Jan. 21, 2018, file photo, tourists ride the Staten Island Ferry to get a view of the Statue of Liberty in New York. In a national Gallup poll conducted in June of this year, 68% of those surveyed said that immigration is a good thing for the country today. Just 27% said it was a bad thing.

A small woman with a warm smile and wry sense of humor, 46-year-old Nang Kham arrived in Milwaukee more than a decade ago, a refugee from a place halfway around the world. Kham was born in Burma, the southeast Asian country also known as Myanmar. The daughter of a Burmese politician and a nurse, political turmoil in her country had forced her family to flee to a refugee camp on the border between Burma and Thailand.

We lived in a tent, Kham recalled. Food was rationed and water was scarce. Travel outside the camp was not allowed. No one had a job.

Kham applied for refugee status and in 2007 she was allowed to come to the United States. She initially settled in southern California. Her parents remained behind to help others at the refugee camp.

I came here alone, Kham told us. It was scary.

After living in California for three years, she moved to Milwaukee in 2010. Her brother, also a refugee, had moved here the year before. Three months after her arrival, Kham had her first job, making sandwiches at Subway. Kham chuckled as she remembered that time. I dont know, what is salami, what is pepperoni?

But unlike many of her fellow refugees, Kham spoke English as well as two different languages common in Burma. She began working as an interpreter, and then spent six years at Neighborhood House as a bilingual assistant.

Today, she is a realtor. Because of her language skills, the close-knit Burmese community asked her to get a real estate license, so she could help the newcomers become homeowners. Kham agreed, eager to make a difference. She said Milwaukees Burmese community is growing, attracting even those who first settled in other American cities.

The first thing is, its easier to find a job, to get around town, go shopping, go to work, Kham explained. She said she is much happier in Milwaukee than she was in California.

I think Milwaukee is the best, compared to the other states.

Share of immigrant population in Milwaukee lagging

Milwaukees history with immigration is long and rich. The 1850 census the first after Wisconsin achieved statehood found that 55% of the population was born outside the U.S. While America was still a young country at the time, Milwaukees experience was hardly the norm. Nationwide, about 10% of residents were foreign born.

Today, the census estimates that roughly 119,000 immigrants live in the four-county Milwaukee metropolitan area, and there are 47,000 kids being raised by at least one immigrant parent. The number of Milwaukee area residents born outside the country is now double that of 1980.

But those facts overshadow another important truth, one with major implications for our region. The share of the immigrant population in metro Milwaukee is now barely half that of the nation. In 2022, about 14% of Americans were born outside the U.S., compared to fewer than 8% of those living in our area. And that raises an important question; could attracting more immigrants help address two of our regions serious challenges: stagnant population growth and a rapidly aging workforce?

At first glance, this may not seem like the right time for a conversation about greater immigration in metro Milwaukee. Social services in some cities, including Chicago and New York, are currently overwhelmed by record numbers of asylum seekers arriving from the southern border. On Capitol Hill, comprehensive immigration reform remains a pipedream.

Given that backdrop, it is important to clarify the sources of immigration. Asylum seekers mostly arrive in the country without existing connections, and they are generally prevented by federal law from working for at least six months after filing their applications. As Chicagos experience shows, resolving this situation will require concerted federal action. Cities cannot go it alone.

Still, most immigrants arrive through more standard forms of legal immigration, which is largely based on family relationships and targeted work skills. Another common source, especially in Milwaukee, is refugee resettlement where vetted individuals and families are already paired with support from community groups before arriving. These forms of legal immigration present a potential opportunity for Milwaukee. Immigration totals in the U.S. are climbing again. The census estimates that last year the number of people born outside the U.S. grew by nearly 1 million to more than 46 million.

People head down South 6th Street during a march for immigration reform in Milwaukee on Sunday, May 1, 2022. The event included immigrant essential workers and families, as well as allies in the faith, labor, LGBTQ, reproductive justice, and social justice communities supporting immigration reform.

The Wall Street Journal reported recently that the historic rise in immigration is the result of the U.S. catching up on a backlog of visa applications and the Biden administration accelerating work permits. The result, the paper noted, has been a boost to the U.S. economy, as labor shortages and wage and price pressures ease.

The newcomersthe majority of whom are here legallywork in a wide range of jobs: in restaurants and hotels, on production lines and dairy farms, in the technology sector, and on university campuses. While many begin their lives in America in big cities like New York, Chicago, and Houston, they often migrate to mid-sized cities and their suburbs. Should Milwaukee be one of them?

Where do immigrants hail from? Answer might surprise you.

Most immigrants arrived in metro Milwaukee in two waves: before the 1920s and after the 1960s. The 40-year gap in significant immigration was largely the result of federal legislation that sharply curtailed the number of people allowed into the country.

Immigration here reached its peak in the 1880s, fueling the citys rapid population growth. By 1910, Milwaukee had become the 12th largest American city (we are now 31st), a place known for its industrial and political innovation. Approximately six out of every 1,000 American residents lived in the area. In contrast, roughly 11 out of every 1,000 foreign-born residents in the U.S. lived here.

But the city did not remain a magnet for immigrants. After 1970, immigration to the U.S. began to soar, but not in metro Milwaukee, where the share of the foreign-born population fell to less than 4% in 1990, an all-time low. Since then, the immigrant share of metro Milwaukees population has risen steadily but remains less than cities like Columbus, Ohio, Rockford, Illinois, and Des Moines, Iowa.

The face of immigration in metro Milwaukee has changed considerably over time. In its first century, the newcomers were largely from Europe, with German and Polish immigrants leading the way. In 1900, fully 64% of immigrants living in the metro hailed from Germany, followed by 15% from Poland.

In this November 1954 archive photo, some 200 were sworn in as United States citizens Thursday morning at the federal building in Milwaukee. Federal judge Robert E. Tehan administered the oath in his courtroom. The ceremony was part of a country-wide mass naturalization program in which 50,000 persons became citizens.

Today, immigrants come from around the world. Mexico provides the largest share at 31%. Those 36,000 Mexican immigrants are joined by about 2,600 from Central American nations, 3,900 from South America, and 3,000 from the Caribbean. All told, about 46,000 Milwaukee metro residents are from Latin America  39% of all immigrants. These statistics do not include Puerto Ricans, because they are not foreign-born. It is worth noting that the same census data estimates 15,000 current metro Milwaukee residents were born in Puerto Rico.

Latin Americans may make up the largest group of immigrants to Milwaukee, but the Latin American immigrant population share is still less than half the national average.

The other primary source of immigrants to our area is Asia. Most come from the south central or southeastern parts of the continent. They constitute 38% of immigrants to metro Milwaukee, or an estimated 44,000 residents.

The largest number of Asian immigrants were born in India, about 12,700 residents. They represent 11% of the metros total immigrant population.

Metro Milwaukee is also home to 5,900 Chinese immigrants. But the Chinese-born population here is far below the national average, while the percentage of Indian immigrants in metro Milwaukee is similar to the national average.

While their numbers are smaller, four southeast Asian countries Burma or Myanmar, Laos, Malaysia, and Thailand  contribute far more immigrants to the Milwaukee metro than is typically found in the rest of the U.S.

Well over a century ago, Europeans flocked to Milwaukee in large numbers. Today, 16% of the immigrants in the area, or approximately 19,000, were born in a European country. They come mainly from Eastern Europe, but in a nod to Milwaukees past, the largest single source of European immigrants is still Germany. About 3,400 German-born residents live here.

Only about 6% of area immigrants, or roughly 6,600 residents, are from African nations. Milwaukees share of African immigrants is about 44% smaller than the national average.

Even though metro Milwaukee lags the nation in terms of overall immigration, the metro has held its own when it comes to refugee settlement, with the pace picking up during the past decade. During the 1990s, refugees most often came from the former Soviet Union and Yugoslavia. More recently, the most common country of origin has been Burma, or Myanmar. By 2018, the metro had resettled about 5,300 refugees from Burma. The peak year was 2016, when more than 1,400 refugees arrived.

Cities with strong economies have growing immigrant populations

Why do these numbers matter, especially in a place like Milwaukee?

A 2021 analysis produced by the Brookings Institution noted that cities with the fastest growing immigrant populations over the period 2010-2019 were all medium-sized cities with thriving economies, led by Charleston, South Carolina, Des Moines, Iowa, Louisville, Kentucky, Columbus, Ohio, and Nashville, Tennessee.

In many of these cases, the analysis stated, immigrants reversed long-standing population declines. More important, immigrants high rates of entrepreneurship and labor force participation helped boost local economies that had been stagnant for decades.

A 2022 study published by the George W. Bush Institute at Southern Methodist University found that metros and counties with relatively large immigrant population shares performed better in household income, innovation, overall productivity, and startup businesses. Cities that succeed best in attracting newcomers  immigrant and native-born alikeand creating conditions for them to thrive will likely achieve outsized prosperity in coming decades, as they have always done, the report concluded.

There is no secret sauce to population growth. Metros grow in one of three ways. They have more births than deaths. More Americans move to a place than away from it, or what is called domestic migration. And finally, there is international immigration.

Eman Hala, who immigrated to the United States from Egypt, takes the Oath of Allegiance to the United States of America, during a naturalization ceremony in 2018 at at Milwaukee Area Technical College, Cooley Auditorium in Milwaukee.

From 2010-2019, immigration accounted for 44% of Wisconsins population growth. Nearly half of the immigrants moved to metro Milwaukee. And yet, the four-county areas population only grew by about 19,000 residents over the past decade.

Our sluggish population growth has been the result of declining birthrates and people leaving. In fact, without the influx of immigrants, the metros population would have shrunk considerably, with serious implications for the regions economy.

To our northwest, immigrants are playing an increasing role in the Minneapolis metro and Minnesota economies, which face some of the same workforce challenges seen in Milwaukee and Wisconsin. Recent census data now estimates that 11% of the residents in the Minneapolis metro are foreign-born, or 399,000 people. Again, in Milwaukee, 8% were born outside the U.S. If immigrants came to the Milwaukee metro in the same proportion as they do Minneapolis, our population would be 55,000 larger. Keep in mind, the rate of immigration in the Minneapolis metro is still less than the national average.

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development highlighted the importance of the regions newcomers to the areas economy in a recent report. Wherever they work, the report concluded, these new Minnesotans are a vital part of the state and regions economy, providing rapid growth to an otherwise aging and slowing labor force. 

Several factors, including economic opportunity, existing immigrant communities, housing costs, and good schools, play a role in where immigrants choose to live. But so does public policy, which can make a metro more welcoming to new arrivals. For example, the city of Minneapolis has created an office for immigrants and refugee affairs to help make immigrants transition to their new home smoother.

Buffalo offers another example of intentional outreach. In 2015, Buffalo launched the Office of New Americans to serve its growing refugee and immigrant communities. According to the citys website, the offices mission is to promote access to city services, area resources and to implement policies that facilitate the successful integration of newcomers into the civic, economic, and cultural life of Buffalo.

What does that mission look like in practice? In September, Buffalos mayor announced a program to reduce language barriers for new arrivals, with city communications in the six most common languages spoken in Buffalo, besides English: Spanish, Arabic, Bengali, Burmese, Karen, and Swahili.

There have been efforts to do something similar in Milwaukee. In 2021, the city requested bids to create the Milwaukee Immigrant and Refugee Welcome Center. It was evident that there is no single point of access to services for new arrivals to get information on services available, the request explained. Even when newcomers know about different services available, connecting them can be difficult, due to barriers such as language, transportation and childcare.

Milwaukee Mayor Cavalier Johnson speaks outside U.S. Senator Ron Johnsons office, at the Federal Courthouse on East Wisconsin Avenue during the march for immigration reform in Milwaukee on Sunday, May 1, 2022. The event included immigrant essential workers and families, as well as allies in the faith, labor, LGBTQ, reproductive justice, and social justice communities supporting immigration reform. Photo by Mike De Sisti / The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel

Two years later, the welcome center has yet to materialize. But in response to a question, Mayor Cavalier Johnson said the city remains interested in developing one, with support from private sector partners.

Using a variety of metrics, the Bush Institute report ranked cities where immigrants were thriving best. Some of the places where foreign-born residents were faring well were not surprising. They included tech hubs like San Jose, San Francisco, and Seattle. But the report found that immigrants also thrived in metros like Baltimore, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Cincinnati and noted that a number of the cities had enacted explicit welcoming policies for immigrants. Metro Milwaukee finished in the middle of the 100 metros that were ranked.

Recent census data puts the median income of an immigrant household in Wisconsin at about 94% that of native-born households. Outcomes tend to improve the longer immigrants live here. For instance, when Hmong refugees began arriving in Wisconsin in the 1970s and 1980s, many were poor. In 1990, the average Hmong immigrants household income was just 39% of the state average. Our analysis of the most recent census data found that the median household income for Hmong immigrants now exceeds the state average.

More from Gousha and Johnson: Here's how Milwaukee can reach Mayor Cavalier Johnson's ambitious goal to grow to 1 million people

Mayor Johnson, who has set has set an ambitious goal for population growth, called Milwaukee a welcoming community for immigrants, with the citys block grant agency investing in church and community agency efforts to help those who settle here. He also said the city needs more immigrants to grow its population and economy.

Ultimately, Milwaukee welcomes immigrants who are looking to make their lives here, who want their families to grow here, and who want to be hardworking additions to our local economy, Johnson said. That is a tradition that has served Milwaukee well for more than 175 years.

Johnson said Milwaukee has largely avoided the rancorous debates over asylum seekers and said it is up to states and federal governments to create sensible and reasonable policies to address the issue.

Gallup poll: Most Americans say immigration good thing for country

In todays highly charged political environment, even having a conversation about greater immigration is likely to produce opposition. Our metro has pockets of deep poverty and there are serious resource questions that would need to be answered. It is also possible that more restrictive immigration policies could return depending on future election outcomes.

But the public still views immigration in a favorable light. In a national Gallup poll conducted in June of this year, 68% of those surveyed said that immigration is a good thing for the country today. Just 27% said it was a bad thing.

Mike Gousha, left, distinguished fellow in law and public policy, and John D. Johnson, research fellow at the Marquette Law School.

Talk to an immigrant family, and you often hear of the struggle. The challenge of finding adequate housing. Of learning a new language. Of adapting to a new culture. Nang Kham described the transition of her fellow Burmese refugees, as very hard.

Still, she said most in her community have found jobs. They are buying houses and, like Kham, becoming U.S. citizens. Kham even helped her community purchase two churches so they would have places to worship, one at 24th and State in Milwaukee and another in Brown Deer.

Kham smiled wistfully as she talked about her former home, Burma, or Myanmar. She said she still thinks about it often. But just like the Germans and Poles who came before her, she has built a new life in Milwaukee.

To be an American dream, she said, you have to risk a lot."

Mike Gousha is a senior advisor in law and public policy at Marquette University Law School. Email: michael.gousha@marquette.edu. John D. Johnson is research fellow at the Lubar Center for Public Policy Research and Civic Education at the Law School. Email: john.d.johnson@marquette.edu.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Immigrants can help Milwaukee reverse declines, thrive economically
Kari Lake's campaign for a Senate seat in the 2024 elections has the Arizona Republican seeking to shore up support from GOP colleagues by tapping moderate lawmakers.

The GOP lawmaker has given up the fire-and-brimstone approach that she has taken in her failed gubernatorial bid last year. She has now adopted a different track in her current Senate campaign; diplomacy.

Kari Lake's Senate Campaign

The Arizona lawmaker has also started to reach out to Republicans whom she attacked last year and is trying to repair the relationships that she broke. However, the prospect of her successfully doing so, or if her attempts to do so could simply anger her loyal base, may be the determining factor in how she fares in a potentially three-way race for Sen. Kyrsten Sinema's seat.

Lake's biggest attempted detente so far is regarding Karrin Taylor Robson, who is her 2022 primary opponent. She was the one whom she once strongly insinuated was a gold digger using her husband's money to try and buy Arizona's governorship, as per Politico.

The two lawmakers previously met in October to discuss putting their 2022 race behind them and agreed to stay in contact with each other. Two people familiar with the discussions talked about the meeting and remained anonymous because they were not authorized to speak about it.

An individual close to Lake also described the conversation as "productive" while another person close to Robson said it was "cordial." The move is a sharp reversal after a brutal midterm where Lake bragged after her primary win. She said that she "drove a stake through the heart of the McCain machine.

Lake's shift to a play-nice approach could pay off if it at all weakens Sinema's appeal with the more moderate wing of the GOP. The latter has not yet decided whether she will run in the Senate race. However, she has strong relationships with centrist Republicans in the state, particularly those in the mold of the late Sen. John McCain.

Read Also: House Passes Bipartisan Bill To Fund Government, Averting Potential Shutdown

Winning Over Moderate Republicans

House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik said that Lake is a proven conservative fighter who will work to secure the border, reduce the cost of living, protect values, and save America, according to Fox News.

Stefanik added that control of the Senate and the fate of the Republicans will be determined in the state of Arizona. She expressed her price in fully endorsing Lake for Senate, making her the first E-PAC Senate endorsement of the 2024 cycle.

In response to the endorsement, Lake said that she was "humbled" and praised Stefanik as a "proven conservative warrior and leader for the American people." She said that the chair has stood in the breach against the Radical Left over various issues, including the impeachment attempt against former President Donald Trump.

Republican consultants, including Barrett Marson, argued that Lake has a lot of work to do if she wants to win over moderate Republicans such as Robson and others. She added that the Arizona lawmaker has previously said awful things about them and even to independent voters who leaned to the right, said AZ Family.

Related Article: Nikki Haley Branded 'Fascist' After Urging Social Media Users To Verify Identity Over National Security Concerns

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LONDON (AP)  Former two-time world heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua will face Otto Wallin of Sweden on Dec. 23 in Saudi Arabia, promoters said Wednesday.

The date was initially set for an undisputed heavyweight showdown between Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk but that bout was postponed after Fury barely beat Francis Ngannou last month.

Deontay Wilder, who lost his WBC belt to Fury in 2020, is scheduled to fight former champion Joseph Parker on the undercard next month in Riyadh.

The 34-year-old Joshua last fought in August when the Briton beat Finland's Robert Helenius in a seventh-round stoppage at the O2 Arena in London.

Joshua and Wilder  both looking for another title shot  could fight each other next if they win in Saudi Arabia. Fury and Usyk are expected to fight in early 2024.

I cant predict the future, but I know what I want to do, Joshua said at a press conference. I believe Im going to be a three-time heavyweight champion and the first step is to put a demolition job on Otto Wallin.

The 32-year-old Wallin's only loss was to Fury in a 12-round unanimous decision in 2019.

Joshua lost his WBA, WBO and IBF heavyweight belts to Usyk in 2021 and was defeated in their rematch last year.

___

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports
The search for a man who went overboard on a cruise ship heading from Louisiana to Jamaica has been suspended, the U.S. Coast Guard announced on Thursday.

Tyler Barnett, 28, was on a family vacation on the Carnival Glory cruise ship when he was reported missing just after midnight on Monday, the Coast Guard said. The search for the missing passenger began shortly after noon that day, following the ships path from Southwest Pass, Louisiana.

A Carnival Cruise spokesperson said Tuesday that the cruise's security team on Tuesday evening found surveillance video of Barnett at 1:40 a.m. Monday, which they said showed him climbing onto a lifeboat and jumping from there.

But members of Barnett's family think that he slipped by accident.

From what my granddaughter could tell from the poor quality of the footage, it looked like he went to move and slipped off. I know Tyler wouldnt deliberately jump, Barnett's grandmother Dirlean Tate Mason told NBC News on Thursday. She said her granddaughter Destiny Barnett reviewed the video of Barnett on the ship.

Tyler Barnett worked on the river barges in his hometown of Houma, Louisiana, Mason said. She said he has 3-year-old twin daughters waiting for him at home with Barnett's father and stepmother.

Coast Guard crews searched over 5,600 square miles, an area larger than the size of Connecticut, using three different air crews, according to a Thursday press release. They also broadcast the man-overboard alert to mariners across the Gulf of Mexico.

Our crews battled severe weather conditions for multiple days and made every effort to find Mr. Barnett, Lt. Cmdr. Sean DiGeorge, Coast Guard District Eight search and rescue mission coordinator, said in the press release.

Suspending an active search is never a decision we make lightly, and we offer our most sincere condolences to Mr. Barnetts family and friends, DiGeorge said.

Barnett was on the cruise with 13 of his family members when he went overboard. His sister Destiny Barnett said on Tuesday that she felt trapped on the cruise, unable to enjoy the vacation, but also unable to leave without knowing what happened to her brother.

Mason said Destiny Barnett has since left the ship, which docked in Montego Bay in Jamaica on Wednesday. It took her multiple tries to get the cruise line to show her the surveillance video, she told NBC News on Tuesday.

Mason said she cant understand why it took the cruise line as long as it did to locate the correct surveillance video and notify the Coast Guard. It took more than 24-hours to locate the video of Barnett going overboard. Previously, the cruise line only found surveillance video of Barnett entering the cruises casino and his room on Sunday night.

A spokesperson for the cruise line said the delay occurred because the crew was only advised that Barnett could be wearing a different shirt on Tuesday. The security team was able to change the search profile of onboard video afterward, the spokesperson said.

Our thoughts are with the family as they grieve during this very difficult time, said Matt Lupoli, a spokesperson for the cruise line. We are not going to get into a back-and-forth with certain family members through the media out of respect for them, but we stand by our statement.

A spokesperson for the Coast Guard, Petty Officer 2nd Class Jose Hernandez, said that video of Barnett going overboard revealed on Tuesday meant they had to redirect search efforts to a different area approximately 30 miles southwest of the Southwest Pass.

When Barnett went overboard, the winds were at 35 mph or higher, with 8- to 12-foot waves, Hernandez said.

Mason said she isnt ready to make memorial arrangements for Barnett because she does not want to believe the search is over.

I guess Im still hoping for a miracle, said Mason. Maybe there was something out there for Tyler to hold onto  some debris floating. You think all kinds of thoughts when youre not ready to give up.
David Cameron has visited Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine in his first overseas trip as foreign secretary.

The former prime minister joked about his disagreements with Boris Johnson, but said support for the Ukrainian president was the finest thing his government did.

And Lord Cameron promised Britain would maintain moral, diplomatic, economic and military support to the war-torn country for however long it takes.

In a video of the meeting in Odesa, shared by president Zelensky, Mr Cameron said: I had some disagreements with my friend Boris Johnson, and we have known each other for 40 years, and his support for you was the finest thing that he and his government did.

The newly-appointed foreign secretary added: I wanted this to be my first visit. Personally, I admire the strength and determination of the Ukrainian people.

And what I want to say by being here is we will continue to give you the moral support, the diplomatic support the economic support, but above all the military support, not just this year and next year, but for however long it takes.

Ukraines president said the pair discussed the supply of weapons for his forces fighting against the Russian invasion when they met in Kyiv.

Mr Zelensky said: We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defence, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure. I am grateful to the UK for its support!

Lord Cameron, the former prime minister, became foreign secretary on Monday and the early visit to Ukraine will be intended to demonstrate Britains continued support. His predecessor, James Cleverly, had been scheduled to make the visit before being moved to the Home Office in Mondays reshuffle.

Mr Johnson, Lord Camerons long-time rival, was a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, striking up a close relationship with president Zelensky after Russias invasion.

Lord Cameron is the first British minister to travel to the Black Sea port city since the war began. It has come under fire since Russia declined to renew a grain export deal with Ukraine in August.

However, a new corridor in the Black Sea, close to the shoreline, has allowed 91 ships to export cargo. In the last three months, Ukraine has made remarkable progress in the Black Sea to drive the Russian Navy eastwards and open critical export corridors for Ukraines economy and global food supplies, Lord Cameron said.

Meanwhile, a campaigner and host for Ukrainian refugees has voiced concerns after a government minister declined to rule out visa fees for those who have fled to the UK amid the ongoing war. The first visas issued as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, launched last year following the Russian invasion, will expire in March 2025.

In a written response to a question in parliament, immigration minister Robert Jenrick said: We keep the need for a possible extension of UK sanctuary, beyond March 2025, under consistent review. This includes whether to require a fee.

Kitty Hamilton, co-founder of the advocacy group Vigil for Visas, has hosted a number of Ukrainian refugees, said: They are not here because they want to be, they are here because there is a war in their country and they can't go back yet. It seems unfair to add to this insecurity with a lack of clarity on whether our guests can stay here in the UK.

It came as Finland closed four crossing points on its long border with Russia to stop the flow of Middle Eastern and African migrants that it accuses Moscow of ushering to the border in recent months. Finnish authorities say Russia has started allowing undocumented travellers to access border zones and enter crossing points where they can request asylum in Finland.

Separately, Washington imposed sanctions on 10 individuals in the western Balkans in a bid to contain Russian influence there. They include Savo Cvijetinovic, a senior official of the political party led by Milorad Dodik, the pro-Russia leader of Republika Srpska (RS), the Serb-dominated half of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
By Essi Lehto

HELSINKI (Reuters) -Finland will on Saturday close four of the nine crossing points on its border with Russia to stem a flow of asylum seekers to the Nordic nation, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said on Thursday.

Finland's president said on Wednesday a rise in the number of asylum applicants arriving on the country's eastern border appeared to be Russian revenge for Finland's defence cooperation with the United States.

Finland, a European Union country whose accession to the NATO alliance earlier this year after decades of non-alignment angered Moscow, shares a 1,340-km (833-mile) border with Russia that also serves as the EU's external border.

The four crossings are all in the south-east of Finland and normally the busiest points of travel between the two countries.

"The government has today decided that Finland will close some eastern border crossing points. The eastern border for that part will close on the night between Friday and Saturday," Orpo told a press conference.

This week dozens of asylum seekers from countries such as Iraq, Yemen, Somalia and Syria have arrived each day via Russia, Finland's border guards have said, up from fewer than one per day on average earlier in the autumn.

The accumulated number of arrivals since September now stands at 280 asylum seekers, the Border Guard Authority said on Thursday.

Asylum seekers arriving via Russia will from Saturday onwards only be allowed to hand in their applications at two northern border crossings, the government said.

Some 3,000 people use Finland's south-eastern border crossings on a daily basis. Orpo said he understood that the closures would make everyday life more difficult for people who are allowed to travel between Finland and Russia.

Finland said it would reverse course if the asylum arrivals ended.

"Our message is strong, we want this phenomenon to end so we can continue the border traffic like we have until now," he said.

Aside from Finland, Russia also shares a border in the Arctic with Norway where over 1,200 asylum seekers, mostly Syrians, arrived during a sudden influx in 2015.

The number of arrivals from Russia to Norway has been "low" in the autumn and so far in November, a spokesperson for the local Finnmark police district told Reuters, declining to give further details.

The Norwegian justice ministry and the immigration authority did not immediately reply to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Essi Lehto in Helsinki, additional reporting by Gwladys Fouche in OsloEditing by Terje Solsvik and Mark Potter)
A historical marker displayed outside the Statehouse in Concord, New Hampshire.

Defying an attempt by President Joe Biden and national Democrats to restructure the election calendar, New Hampshire has set a date to remain as the first state in the nation to hold its primary elections. New Hampshire Secretary of State Dave Scanlan announced Wednesday that his state will hold its 2024 presidential primaries on Jan. 23.

Under the advice of President Biden, the Democratic National Committee voted in February to radically alter the election calendar and make South Carolina the first state to hold primaries, citing a lack of voter diversity in New Hampshire and breaking away from historical precedent. But New Hampshire law requires the state's Republican and Democratic primaries to be held at least one week before any others in the United States and gives the secretary of state sole authority to choose the date.

SEE MORE: Breaking down Biden's campaign strategy as he runs for reelection

Speaking before a crowd flanked by state leaders from both parties, Scanlan said New Hampshire's 2024 primary date would stick by tradition and fulfill the state's statutory requirement.

"New Hampshire has held the first-in-the-nation presidential primary election for over 100 years," he said. "And we will vigorously defend it."

President Biden and top Democrats were pushing for South Carolina to go first, primarily because its a state that helped propel him to the nomination in 2020. But the dispute between Democrats and New Hampshire also means President Biden won't even appear on the ballot this year after failing to file in time. Instead, Democrats are hoping a write-in campaign can still secure him the nomination.

New Hampshire's primary date falls one week after the Iowa caucus, and 11 days before the South Carolina primaries. In total, Scanlan said 21 Democrats and 24 Republican candidates filed to appear on New Hampshire's ballot.
By Parisa Hafezi, Laila Bassam and Arshad Mohammed

DUBAI (Reuters) - Iran's supreme leader delivered a clear message to the head of Hamas when they met in Tehran in early November, according to three senior officials: You gave us no warning of your Oct. 7 attack on Israel and we will not enter the war on your behalf.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Ismail Haniyeh that Iran - a longtime backer of Hamas - would continue to lend the group its political and moral support, but wouldn't intervene directly, said the Iranian and Hamas officials with knowledge of the discussions who asked to remain anonymous to speak freely.

The supreme leader pressed Haniyeh to silence those voices in the Palestinian group publicly calling for Iran and its powerful Lebanese ally Hezbollah to join the battle against Israel in full force, a Hamas official told Reuters.

Hamas didn't respond to questions sent by Reuters before the publication of this report. After publication, the group posted a statement on Telegram saying it denied the validity of the report, which it described as "baseless". The post didn't specify what was inaccurate, and Hamas didn't immediately respond to a request for clarification.

Iran's foreign ministry didn't respond to a request for comment about the meeting, which both Tehran and Hamas announced publicly, and the country's response to the crisis. Iranian officials, including Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian, have said publicly several times that they don't want the Israel-Hamas war to spread across the region.

The unfolding crisis marks the first time that the so-called Axis of Resistance - a military alliance built by Iran over four decades to oppose Israeli and American power in the Middle East - has mobilised on multiple fronts at the same time.

Hezbollah has engaged in the heaviest clashes with Israel for almost 20 years. Iran-backed militias have targeted U.S. forces in Iraq and Syria. Yemen's Houthis have launched missiles and drones at Israel.

The conflict is also testing the limits of the regional coalition whose members - which include the Syrian government, Hezbollah, Hamas and other militant groups from Iraq to Yemen - have differing priorities and domestic challenges.

Three sources close to Hezbollah said the Lebanese group was also taken by surprise by Hamas' devastating assault last month that killed 1,200 Israelis. They said its fighters were not even on alert in villages near the border that were frontlines in its 2006 war with Israel, and had to be rapidly called up.

"We woke up to a war," said a Hezbollah commander.

Mohanad Hage Ali, an expert on Hezbollah at the Carnegie Middle East Center think-tank in Beirut, said Hamas' Oct. 7 assault on Israel had left its axis partners facing tough choices in confronting an adversary with far superior firepower.

"When you wake up the bear with such an attack, it's quite difficult for your allies to stand in the same position as you."

HAMAS CALLS FOR AXIS HELP

Hamas, the ruling group of Gaza, is fighting for its survival against an avenging Israel, which vows to wipe it out and has launched a retaliatory onslaught on the tiny enclave that's killed more than 11,000 Palestinians.

On Oct. 7, Hamas' military commander Mohammed Deif called on its axis allies to join the struggle. "Our brothers in the Islamic resistance in Lebanon, Iran, Yemen, Iraq and Syria, this is the day when your resistance unites with your people in Palestine," he said in an audio message.

Hints of frustration surfaced in subsequent public statements by Hamas leaders including Khaled Meshaal, who in an Oct. 16 TV interview thanked Hezbollah for its actions thus far but said "the battle requires more" .

Nonetheless, alliance leader Iran won't directly intervene in the conflict unless it is itself attacked by Israel or the United States, according to six officials with direct knowledge of Tehran's thinking who declined to named due to the sensitive nature of the matter.

Instead, Iran's clerical rulers plan to continue using their axis network of armed allies, including Hezbollah, to launch rocket and drone attacks on Israeli and American targets across the Middle East, the officials said.

The strategy is a calibrated effort to demonstrate solidarity for Hamas in Gaza and stretch Israeli forces without becoming engaged in a direct confrontation with Israel that could draw in the United States, they added.

"This is their way of trying to create deterrence," said Dennis Ross, a former senior U.S. diplomat specialising in the Middle East who now works at the Washington Institute for Near East Policy think-tank. "A way of saying: 'Look as long as you don't attack us, this is the way it will remain. But if you attack us, everything changes'."

Iran has repeatedly said that all members of the alliance make their own decisions independently. Axis of Resistance is a term of disputed origin that has been used by Iranian officials to describe the coalition.

HEZBOLLAH'S HOME PROBLEMS

Hezbollah, the most powerful group in the axis, boasting 100,000 fighters, has exchanged fire with Israeli forces across the Lebanon-Israel border on an almost daily basis since Hamas went to war with Israel and more than 70 of its fighters have been killed.

Yet, like its backer Iran, Hezbollah has avoided an all-out confrontation.

The group has calibrated its attacks in a way that has kept the violence largely contained to a narrow strip of territory at the border, even as it has escalated those strikes in recent days, according to the people familiar with its thinking.

One of the sources said Hamas wanted Hezbollah to strike deeper into Israel with its massive arsenal of rockets but that Hezbollah believed this would lead Israel to lay waste to Lebanon without halting its attack on Gaza.

Hezbollah, which is also a political movement deeply involved in Lebanese government affairs, knows Lebanon can ill afford another war with Israel, more than four years into a financial crisis that has driven up poverty and hollowed out the country's governing institutions.

Lebanon took years to rebuild from the 2006 war, during which Israeli bombardment pounded the Hezbollah-controlled south of the country and destroyed swathes of its stronghold in the southern suburbs of the capital Beirut.

Hezbollah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah said in a Nov. 3 speech that Hamas had kept its attack on Israel a secret from its allies and this had ensured its success and not "upset anyone" in the axis. Hezbollah attacks at the Israeli border were unprecedented and amounted to "a real battle", he said.

AMERICA COMES UNDER FIRE

The United States, too, is keen to avoid the war spiralling beyond Gaza. Having fought two costly and ill-fated wars in Iraq and Afghanistan over the past two decades, it now finds itself bankrolling Ukraine's defence against Russia's invasion.

President Joe Biden has so far sought to limit the U.S. role in the Gaza crisis mostly to ensuring military aid to Israel. He has also moved two aircraft carriers and fighter jets to the eastern Mediterranean, partly as a warning to Tehran.

The temperature is rising; at least 40 drone and rocket attacks have been launched at U.S. forces by axis militias in Iraq and Syria since the Gaza war began in response to American support for Israel, according to the Pentagon. U.S. officials say America has conducted three sets of retaliatory strikes against facilities in Syria used by militias linked to Iran.

On Monday, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin stressed the risk of another major front being opened in the conflict.

"What we've seen throughout this conflict, throughout this crisis, is tit-for-tat exchanges between Lebanese Hezbollah and Israeli forces," he told a news conference in Seoul. "No one wants to see another conflict break out in the north."

ISRAEL LOOKS TO THE NORTH

Austin emphasised the need to avoid any regional escalation when he spoke to his Israeli counterpart Yoav Gallant over the weekend, according to a readout of the call.

The Israeli prime minister's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment for this article.

Two Israeli security sources, who declined to be identified, said that Israel didn't seek any spread of hostilities but added that the country was prepared to fight on new fronts if needed to protect itself. They said security officials deemed the most potent immediate threat to Israel came from Hezbollah.

Enmity runs deep between Israel and Iran.

Iran does not recognise Israel's existence, while Israel has long threatened military action against Iran if diplomacy fails to curb its disputed nuclear activity.

In the current crisis, real politik may prevail for Tehran, according to Karim Sadjadpour, an Iran specialist at the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace think-tank.

"Iran has shown a four-decade commitment to fighting America and Israel without entering into direct conflict. The regime's revolutionary ideology is based on opposition to America and Israel, but its leaders are not suicidal, they want to stay in power."

(Reporting by Parisa Hafezi in Dubai, Laila Bassam in Beirut and Arshad Mohammed in Saint Paul, Minn; Additional reporting by Tom Perry in Beirut; Jonathan Saul in Jerusalem, Idrees Ali in Washington and Phil Stewart in Seoul; Writing by Parisa Hafezi; Editing by Tom Perry and Pravin Char)
By Nidal al-Mughrabi and Emily Rose

GAZA/JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Palestinian medics said on Thursday they are increasingly afraid for the lives of hundreds of patients and medical staff at Gaza's biggest hospital, cut off from all links to the outside world for more than a day after Israeli forces entered.

Israel said its commandos were still searching through Al Shifa hospital on Thursday, more than a day after they entered its grounds as part of an offensive Israel says aims to wipe out Hamas militants in the Palestinian enclave.

"The operation is shaped by our understanding that there is well-hidden terrorist infrastructure in the complex," an Israeli official said, declining to be identified.

Israel has so far released pictures of what it says were rifles and flak jackets found on the premises, but no evidence of a vast underground Hamas command headquarters it said was operating in tunnels beneath it.

Human Rights Watch cautioned that hospitals have special protections under international humanitarian law.

"Hospitals only lose those protections if it can be shown that harmful acts have been carried out from the premises," the watchdog's U.N. Director Louis Charbonneau told Reuters.

"The Israeli government hasn't provided any evidence of that."

The director of Al Shifa Complex, Muhammad Abu Salamiya, said the hospital was "under occupation authority for 48 hours and every minute that passes" more patients will die.

"We are waiting for slow death," he told Al Jazeera TV.

Israeli forces brought a BBC film crew into the hospital overnight and showed it some rifles they said were found there, but the British broadcaster said Israeli escorts had barred its team from interacting with patients or staff.

Gaza's health ministry said Israeli soldiers had removed bodies from the hospital grounds and destroyed cars parked there, but they were not letting staff or patients leave.

Ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra said there was no water, food nor baby milk in Shifa, which was packed with 650 patients and about 7,000 people displaced by weeks of Israeli air strikes and artillery bombardments.

"Medical teams, patients and displaced people are fighting death due to the lack of any basic life necessities. The occupation forces are now present in the complex, but they did not provide any fuel for the hospital to continue work," he said in a statement.

He demanded that the Israeli troops leave.

Medics have previously said dozens of patients including three premature babies had died from of a lack of fuel and basic supplies during a days-long siege that culminated with Israeli forces entering the hospital early on Wednesday.

TELECOMS DOWN

Reuters journalists have been unable to reach anyone inside Shifa for more than 24 hours.

Gaza's main telecommunications companies, Paltel and Jawwal, said all telecom services in Gaza had gone down, as all energy sources supplying the network had run out.

Dr Nahed Abu Taaema, director of the Nasser Hospital in Gaza's main southern city Khan Younis, told Reuters all contact with colleagues inside Shifa had been cut off since Wednesday.

"The situation in Al Shifa is very dangerous and catastrophic. Now our patients in the ICU and the premature babies are being subject to danger."

The World Health Organization said it was trying to arrange a medical evacuation of patients from Shifa, but was hindered by security concerns and the inability to communicate with anyone there. WHO officials understood around 600 patients were still inside, including 27 in critical condition.

"Our options are rather limited but we hope to have some better news in the next 24 hours or so," WHO regional emergencies director Rick Brennan told Reuters.

All hospitals in northern Gaza have effectively been shut down by Israeli forces, who have ordered the evacuation of the entire northern part of the enclave, home to more than half its 2.3 million people. The area around Shifa, in Gaza City, has been the central focus of Israel's ground offensive that began at the end of October.

Israel maintains that Hamas fighters were operating a command headquarters in a complex of tunnels under the hospital, a claim backed by Washington.

White House spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday the United States was confident in its intelligence assessment that Hamas used Shifa as a command centre.

On Wednesday Israel released a video in which a soldier toured a hospital building, showing three bags with guns and flak jackets he said had been found stashed there, as well as several other rifles in a closet and a laptop computer, but no tunnels.

"Israel will have to come up with a lot more than a handful of grab and go rifles to justify shutting down northern Gazas hospitals with its enormous cost for a civilian population with urgent medical needs," Kenneth Roth, a former head of Human Rights Watch who now works as a visiting professor at Princeton, said on social media platform X.

Hamas said the Israeli video was staged.

Elsewhere, Israel ordered civilians to leave four towns in the southern part of the Gaza Strip on Thursday, raising fears war could spread to areas where it had told people they would be safe.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement Israeli forces had cleared the entire west part of Gaza City and that the "next stage has begun".

The United Nations says around two-thirds of Gaza's population have been made homeless, most of them sheltering in towns in the south, since Israel began retaliation against Hamas for a deadly rampage in southern Israeli towns.

Hamas militants burst through the fence around Gaza on Oct. 7 in an assault that Israel says killed 1,200 people in the deadliest day in its history. Around 240 hostages were taken back to Gaza.

Israel has pounded Gaza with air strikes and cut off food and fuel. Gaza health authorities deemed reliable by the United Nations say more than 11,000 people have been confirmed killed, more than 40% of them children.

(Reporting by Nidal al-Mughrabi in Gaza and Emily Rose in Jerusalem; Writing by Peter Graff and Nick Macfie, Editing by Angus MacSwan and Toby Chopra)
(Reuters) - Singapore Telecommunications (SingTel), the parent of Australian telecoms provider Optus, said on Thursday a fault in Optus' safety mechanisms, and not a routine software upgrade triggered by SingTel, led to the 12-hour long outage last week.

More than 10 million Australians were hit by the network blackout at the Singapore Telecommunications-owned (SingTel) telecom firm on Nov.8, frustrating customers and raising wider concerns about its telecommunication infrastructure.

SingTel conducts routine software upgrades for its infrastructure through its internet exchange, STiX. Multiple telecom firms including Optus use STiX's international networks that connects to the global internet, the Singaporean telecom giant said.

"We are aware that Optus experienced a network outage after the upgrade when a significant increase in addresses being propagated through their network triggered preset failsafes," SingTel said.

"However, the upgrade was not the root cause," it added.

Optus earlier in the week said an initial investigation found the company's network was affected by "changes to routing information from an international peering network" after a "routine software upgrade".

SingTel's statement comes a day before Optus CEO, Kelly Bayer Rosmarin faces an Australian senate inquiry into the massive outage.

(Reporting by Sameer Manekar in Bengaluru; Editing by Dhanya Ann Thoppil and Nivedita Bhattacharjee)
A man has been arrested after over two dozen horses were killed during an arson attack on a racetrack and casino complex in New York.

Boyd H Fenton, 32, was arrested on November 9 in connection with the fire at a barn structure at the Tioga Downs Casino complex.

Mr Fenton, of Athens, Pennsylvania, was charged with arson, burglary, criminal mischief and assault. He entered the barn and intentionally set a fire, causing thousands of dollars worth of damage, according to the New York State Police.

A GoFundMe page, set up to support the horsemens community, described the incident as an unimaginable loss.

Tioga Downs suffered an unimaginable loss this morning as many horsemen lost horses, belongings and years of memories in a tragic barn fire, the pages description read.

This place is home to many of us. Every little bit counts. Lets show them as a Horsemens community, what we can do to help in this time of need.

As of Wednesday, the page had raised over $175,000.

Jessica Hallett, a member of the community, said the media had dropped the ball when reporting on the tragic incident and the deaths of the animals.

They write them as just numbers and just horses. As if they were property. They had stories and lives. They were a part of something so much bigger and deserved to be recognized as such, she wrote on Facebook.

In a statement, Jeff Gtu-al, Chairman of American Racing and Entertainment, said: We are deeply saddened by todays tragedy, it was a loss no one could have imagined or expected.

The fire was started at the Tioga Downs Casino resort complex in New York (WETM 18 News)

It is an active investigation so we are not able to comment any further at this time. We would like to express our sincere gratitude for all of the first responders who rushed to our aid. We have a wonderful community and we are honored to be a part of it.

Police said that during the incident, another individual, who had entered the burning barn in an attempt to save horses suffered second-degree burns and was transported to Robert Packer Hospital for treatment.

Mr Fenton was arraigned before a judge on 9 November and remanded to the Tioga County Correctional Facility. The investigation is ongoing.

The New York State Police would like to offer condolences to affected individuals and families that lost their beloved animals during this tragic incident, the police statement added.
Billie Eilish requested a restraining order after a man named Shawn Christopher McIntyre, 53 years old, sent disturbing messages to her family and friends.

Eilish has grown worried for her safety, along with her family and friends, who have received a series of threats.

Billie Eilish Requests Restraining Order Against Dangerous Fan

According to TMZ, the legal documents noted that McIntyre has been sending hundreds of messages to her and her family since September. McIntyre also professed his love for Eilish, and his brother, Finneas, also received violent threats.

Eilish has requested a restraining order from a judge requiring McIntyre to stay away from her family and friends for at least 100 yards away. The man was also prohibited from contacting her close friend, Zoe Donahoe, on her social media accounts.

According to the court documents, McIntyre said in the messages, "I'm hunting your brother and his friends." He sent disturbing profession of his love through voicemails and threatened to kill her brother and Elon Musk.

He also apologized for what could have happened to his brother, and he said he tried, and she knows what it means.

Eilish also claimed that McIntyre have been stalking her outside her home and even to her family's home. She said she was extremely worried that the pattern of harassment would continue if he were not restrained.

She said she was more worried that he would act on his threats and go to even more extreme lengths to act upon his wild fantasies that could endanger her, her family, and friends.

Read Also: Magnitude 3.6 Earthquake Struck Northern Illinois, Police Department Receives Voluminous Amount of 911 Calls

Eilish Suffers From Emotional Injury

Eilish admitted that she suffered from severe and substantial emotional injury. She was scared for the safety of her family and friends and continued to suffer from loss of peace, tranquility, and personal space resulting from the repeated instances of harassment.

"It is also particularly distressing to me that (he) knows where I maintain a private residence and has visited my residence (and apparently my parents' home as well) attempting to find me," Eilish said. Furthermore, McIntyre also knows where Finneas and Zoe live.

On November 4, McIntyre showed up at her house in Los Angeles and rang the intercom bell several times around 2:12 a.m.

Eilish said that she saw McIntyre waiting outside her house, wandering in front of the driveway gate while talking to someone on his phone, and eventually sitting in front of the gate.

Around 3:04 a.m., the City of Glendale Police Department arrived, talked to the stalker, and searched his pockets and bag. The police sent him away, and Eilish's security team also interacted with the police and revealed that the stalker personally visited her.

She lamented that her success has resulted in random individuals previously unknown to her stalking, harassing, and threatening her and also personally contacting her that could potentially harm her.

The judge decides to turn the request into a permanent restraining order.

Related Article: Benedict Cumberbatch's Home Attacked by Former Chef Armed With Knife





@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The parents of mass shooting victims are criticising The Washington Post for releasing a report on the aftermath of devastating shootings that contains extremely graphic images depicting destruction and blood.

The report, released on Thursday, was intended to show Americans the full scope of an AR-15s destructive power to illuminate the danger of the increasingly popular firearm, The Post explained in a separate article.

We realize this story will be disturbing to readers, but we believe that publishing these images gives the public a new vantage point into the pattern of AR-15 mass killings in the United States, the news outlet wrote.

However, some parents felt that showing the images of the scenes where their children were killed was not necessary and triggering.

Fred Guttenberg, whose 14-year-old daughter Jaime was killed in the Parkland high school shooting said that he told reporters the articles impact would be traumatic to gun violence victims.

I spoke with the reporters months ago and shared my opinion that this was unnecessary and will be traumatic to those of us who have been impacted by gun violence, Mr Guttenberg wrote on X.

Kimberly Garcia, whose 10-year-old daughter Amerie Jo was killed in the Robb Elementary School Shooting in Uvalde, Texas, asked people not to share the article.

We would like to issue a statement asking everyone NOT TO SHARE instead share our loved ones pictures [sic], Ms Garcia wrote on X.

While The Posts article does not feature any images of identifiable dead bodies, it does contain images of Uvalde victims sealed in body bags and a picture, taken from a distance, of dead and injured victims of the Route 91 Harvest Festival shooting in Las Vegas.

Many images contain extremely graphic images of the bloody aftermath of some of the USs deadliest shootings including the Newton Elementary School shooting, the Sutherland Springs church shooting and others.

Before publishing, The Post said they provided advance notice to many families of the victims, their representatives and community leaders so they could choose to avoid the coverage if they preferred.

As mass shootings become a part of life in the US, there have been debates about how news organisations should cover the aftermath with concerns that too much detail can spark copycat shooters while not enough coverage downplays the severity of the violence.

However, some gun control advocates say that publishing horrific images will not advance legislation to restrict access to AR-15-style rifles.

Shannon Watts, the founder of Moms Demand Action, wrote on X: Sharing images of the damage an AR-15 does to the human body wont change GOP lawmakers minds. Making the sacred profane wont change GOP lawmakers minds. Only consequences will.

Sharing images of the damage an AR-15 does to the human body wont change GOP lawmakers minds. Making the sacred profane wont change GOP lawmakers minds.



Only consequences will.



And that means we ALL own the hard and heavy work of activism to make it so.  Shannon Watts (@shannonrwatts) November 16, 2023

But others believe that sharing the horror of mass shootings will help people understand their impact and motivate lawmakers to enact change.

Brett Cross, a father whose 10-year-old son Uziyah Uzi Garcia was killed in Uvlade, said he advocates for more public attention to the horrors of mass shootings, despite the disturbing photos.

The blood you see in the photos are the result of childrens lifelines, painting the floor because our government deems my sons life less than a gun. The body bags containing 10 year olds is a hallway our congress passes through daily, looking away in disgust, Mr Cross wrote on X.

Enacting gun control legislation has been an uphill battle in the US as Second Amendment advocates have managed to block any sweeping federal laws that restrict AR-15 purchases or large-capacity magazines  which many studies cite as a major contributor to deadlier mass shootings.

Over the last few years, some federal gun control measures have been adopted including implementing background checks, prohibiting firearms near schools and more. Most recently, the Biden administration has cracked down on the manufacturing and selling of ghost guns.

But still, anti-gun violence advocates have called for greater restrictions  using the devastating consequences of mass shootings to depict the urgency and need for more legislation.

It is this exact reason that The Post said they were publishing the graphic images.

While many types of firearms, including other semiautomatic rifles, are used to commit violent crimes, the AR-15 has soared in popularity over the past two decades and is now the gun used more than any other in the countrys deadliest mass shootings, The Post said.

They added: In the end, we decided that there is public value in illuminating the profound and repeated devastation left by tragedies that are often covered as isolated news events but rarely considered as part of a broader pattern of violence.
Imports of diamonds and liquid petroleum gas from Moscow were among commodities set to be banned as per a proposal by the European Commission as the bloc looked to tighten implementation of a price cap on Russian oil as part of new sanctions.

The sanctions  12th such by the European Union on Russia for invading Ukraine  is set to be discussed on Friday and will include import bans on a number of metals and a ban on the transit through Russia of goods and technologies that could bolster Moscows industrial strength, diplomats said on Wednesday.

The EU is mulling a ban on direct diamond imports from Russia starting from 1 January 2024 and the implementation from March of a traceability mechanism that would prevent imports of Russian gems processed in third countries, EU diplomatic sources said.

All 27 EU states will be required to agree on a final package which can take weeks for a unanimous decision.

The country which invaded Ukraine in February 2022 is known as the biggest producer of rough diamonds, taken from swathes of mines beneath the Siberian permafrost.

An employee shows the main 51.38-carat round-cut diamond, the Dynasty, among other gems from Russian diamond miner Alrosas Dynasty polished diamonds collection in Moscow (AFP via Getty Images)

For months, the Group of Seven advanced economies and the EU have been working on a way to trace and restrict the trade in Russian diamonds to prevent it from skirting the sanctions. Russia exports about $4bn worth of rough diamonds a year, nearly a third of the worlds total, according to various estimates.

The Commission said in a statement that the package would have new import and export bans, actions to tighten the oil price cap and to counter circumvention of EU sanctions and target actors from the Russian military, defence and IT sectors, as well as other important economic operators.

Furthermore, the proposal calls for shipping companies to detail the shipping and insurance costs incurred on the Russian oil cargoes moving around. This will aid tightening the implementation of the oil price which is at $60 per barrel of crude by the EU.

A view of polished white diamonds during a media event of Russias diamond miner Alrosa in Moscow (AFP via Getty Images)

However, Russia has comfortably bypassed the price cap using a shadow fleet of tankers, shipping analysts say.

"The logic of imposing more transparency is to prevent shipping companies from hiding the real price of the oil carried by the tanker by merging it with shipping and insurance costs," one EU diplomat said.

The EU has imposed export controls on old and new tankers to Russia in order to rein back Moscow from growing its shadow fleet. It is not immediately clear if major shipping countries like Greece or Cyprus would agree.

The proposal also broadens the list of goods that cannot be sold to Russia because they could help Moscows war against Ukraine, and bans the sale of software for managing companies and for industrial design and production, diplomats said.

If approved, the Commission said the proposal would also "sanction over 120 additional individuals and entities for their role in undermining sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine."
Mia Hall stood on a bustling stretch of South Hulen Street Wednesday afternoon, holding an orange sign reading Honk for public schools!

As a passing car coming from the nearby Interstate 20 exit ramp blew its horn, Hall and the dozen or so people who were protesting alongside her cheered.

The group was protesting outside the office of state Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Fort Worth, calling for an end to efforts in the Texas Legislature to create an education savings account program, a school voucher-like plan that would give families public money to pay for educational expenses like private school tuition or homeschooling costs.

Hall, a school board member in the Crowley Independent School District, said she worried the plan would only serve students from wealthy families. In some other states that have instituted voucher programs, most recipients have been students who are already enrolled in private schools. Hall also noted that private schools dont have the capacity to take in every public school student if the voucher program prompts a mass exodus from local school districts.

I dont think that its a well-intentioned idea, she said.

Goldman didnt return calls seeking comment.

School voucher protests held in cities across Texas

The demonstration was one of several protests organized in cities across the state by the interfaith education advocacy group Texas Impact. Among other protests, demonstrators also gathered this week outside the office of state Rep. Lynn Stucky, R-Denton. Since the beginning of October, the Austin-based organization has gathered letters from about 4,000 Texans calling on lawmakers to vote the voucher proposal down.

Another of the Fort Worth demonstrators, the Rev. Allison Lanza, said she worries a voucher program would put the states public education system at risk, jeopardizing educational opportunities for all but the states most affluent students. Lanza, a Disciples of Christ minister, said Christians are called to show compassion for their neighbors, even if those neighbors make them uncomfortable. That means advocating for students who might not be able to find a seat in a private school, she said.

Clearly, private schools wont accept every kid, Lanza said. Kids of every religion, kids with different abilities, kids who love differently, live differently, wont all get a safe space to be.

Texas school voucher bill passes key legislative hurdle

In its current form, the voucher bill, which is House Bill 1, would set aside money to give families $10,500 per student, per year to pay for private school or other expenses. The program would give priority to students with disabilities and those from low-income families. The House Select Committee on Educational Opportunity and Enrichment approved the bill by a 10-4 vote last week, marking the furthest a voucher bill has advanced in the House this year. The bill now goes to the House Calendars Committee, which is responsible for sending bills to the House floor for a full vote.

While the proposal is a top priority for Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, efforts to create an education savings account program have faced headwinds in the state House of Representatives, where Democrats have banded together with rural Republicans to block such proposals.

Democrats argue the plan would exacerbate educational inequities across the state, and Republicans from rural districts say it wouldnt help residents in the communities they represent because public schools are generally the only option in those areas. Lawmakers from both sides say a voucher plan would drain resources from public schools at a time when many are already struggling to keep their bills paid.

The House of Representatives is scheduled to reconvene Friday.
By Jonathan Landay

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States on Thursday targeted 10 individuals in a new round of sanctions aimed at containing Russian influence in the Western Balkans, the U.S. Treasury said.

The Treasury also imposed sanctions on 20 entities, including 11 based in Russia, in line with executive orders related to the Western Balkans and Russia, according to a Treasury website.

Other sanctioned entities are based in North Macedonia, Liberia, and the United Arab Emirates. Three Liberia-registered oil tankers also were targeted.

The Western Balkans-related sanctions are the latest imposed by the United States on politicians, other individuals and organizations designed to contain Russian efforts to prevent the region's integration into international institutions, the Treasury said.

The sanctions freeze all property and other assets those targeted have in the United States or are controlled by U.S. citizens and generally prohibit Americans from doing business with them.

Those hit with sanctions are individuals from Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and North Macedonia.

They include Savo Cvijetinovic, a senior official of the political party led by Milorad Dodik, the pro-Russia leader of Republika Srpska (RS), who already is under U.S. sanctions for alleged corruption and promoting the secession of the Serb-dominated half of Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Cvijetinovic is the RS representative of a firm owned by a former Russian Air Force deputy chief that "facilitated the illegal transfer" of Ukrainian-made helicopter engines to Russia, the statement said.

Cvijetinovic told Bosnian Serb news agency SRNA that he suspected the U.S. sanctions were politically motivated, and that the company that he represented has legal business with Ukraine and Russia. He said it had supplied spare engine parts, rather than engines.

Also targeted was Petar Djokic, Dodik's minister of industry, energy and mining, who signed an agreement with a Croatian counterpart to build a pipeline from Croatia to a Russia-owned refinery in RS, it said.

Djokic's Socialist Party said in a statement that the sanctions were "the biggest strike" against the accords that ended the 1992-95 Bosnia war "and the future cooperation and dialogue" in the country.

Dodik's Moscow representative, Dusko Perovic, was sanctioned for lobbying for meetings between Dodik and Russian President Vladimir Putin, serving as a go-between the RS government and an unidentified Russian billionaire and working for two of the billionaire's firms, Treasury said.

Perovic denied to SRNA being involved in any business in Russia and said that his main duty was to lobby for the RS and Dodik, and "if this is a sin for Americans...I have no objections."

In 2022, Dodik said the United States was accusing him of corruption despite the absence of any criminal proceeding against him.

(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; additional reporting by Daria Sito-Sucic in Sarajevo; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
By Jeff Mason and Trevor Hunnicutt

WOODSIDE, California (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Joe Biden during their four-hour meeting on Wednesday that Taiwan was the biggest, most dangerous issue in U.S.-China ties, a senior U.S. official told reporters.

The official quoted Xi as saying China's preference was for peaceful "reunification" with the Chinese-claimed island of Taiwan, but that he went on to talk about conditions in which force could be used.

Xi was trying to indicate that China is not preparing for a massive invasion of Taiwan, but that does not change the U.S. approach, the official said.

"President Xi ... underscored that this was the biggest, most potentially dangerous issue in U.S.-China relations, laid out clearly that, you know, their preference was for peaceful reunification but then moved immediately to conditions that the potential use of force could be utilized," the senior U.S. official told reporters, referring to Xi's comments on Taiwan.

Biden responded by assuring Xi that Washington was determined to maintain peace in the region.

"President Biden responded very clearly that the long-standing position of the United States was ... determination to maintain peace and stability," the official said.

"President Xi responded: look, peace is ... all well and good but at some point we need to move towards resolution more generally," the official said.

China has long taken a carrot and stick approach towards Taiwan, both promising to work for peaceful "reunification" at the same time as threatening force. In the past year and a half China has staged two large-scale war games around the island.

Taiwan's foreign ministry, responding to the Biden-Xi meeting, said the government has never sought to predict whether or when China might attack but was concentrating on boosting its defenses and winning international support.

This is to "let China understand the high importance the international community attaches to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the high price of starting a war, and to not act blindly without thinking," ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu said in Taipei.

Taiwan will neither provoke nor "advance rashly" but will also not succumb to pressure, Liu said.

Biden and Xi met for the first time in a year on Wednesday for talks aimed at easing friction between the two superpowers over military conflicts, drug-trafficking and artificial intelligence, and said they had made "real progress."

China has stepped up military activity to try and force democratically governed Taiwan to accept Beijing's sovereignty, despite strong objections from Taipei government, which says only the island's people can decide their future.

Senior U.S. military officers have said that Xi has ordered the People's Liberation Army to be prepared to invade Taiwan by 2027. Beijing has not ruled out using force to take the island, though it has never shared details about war preparations.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Jeff Mason; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Writing by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Sandra Maler, Stephen Coates and Tom Hogue)
After U.S. Sen. Markwayne Mullin threatened to physically fight Teamsters Union leader Sean O'Brien Tuesday at a Senate hearing, comedians have stepped in with their hot takes.

During the hearing, the discussion escalated between O'Brien the Oklahoma senator, who was formerly an MMA fighter. It ended when Mullin asked O'Brien if he wanted to fight and stood from his chair, but he was stopped by Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vermont, who was chairing the hearing.

More: OK Sen. Markwayne Mullin defends Senate fight, tells Sean Hannity it's 'Oklahoma values'

Jimmy Kimmel: Mullin fight like watching UFC-SPAN

Late night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel called Mullin a "meathead" and said it was like watching "UFC-SPAN."

That isnt the first time Bernie Sanders was forced to play the role of peacemaker," Kimmel said. "You know, when he was originally elected to the Senate, he tried to convince Aaron Burr and Alexander Hamilton to hug it out, and that didnt work, either. That didnt end well at all.

Leslie Jones on The Daily Show: 'Calm down, Markwayne' belongs in an episode of COPS

Leslie Jones said she wants in on the Senate Fight Club during a segment on The Daily Show on Tuesday night. Jordan cheered at the chance to see the former MMA fighter take on other civil servants, and teased Mullin's uncommon name.

"Markwayne. All one word. His parents didn't even love him enough to pick one single name for him," she said.

"Calm down, Markwayne' isn't some (expletive) I want to hear on C-SPAN. It's what you hear when you watch an episode of COPS."

Stephen Colbert: An embarrassing day in Congress

Stephen Colbert called it "an embarrassing day down in Congress," and prefaced the clip with "I want to warn anyone with young children, what we're about to show you is extremely stupid."

"If there's gonna be a fight, I'd like to warn that Senator, you look pretty big," Colbert said. "But historically, people who take on the Teamsters end up with season tickets to Giants Stadium, underneath the end zone. Luckily before things came to blows, cooler heads prevailed  and for once the cooler head belonged to Bernie Sanders."

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Oklahoma senator's fight mocked by late night hosts
By Soo-hyang Choi

SEOUL (Reuters) - North Korea on Thursday criticised a recent visit to South Korea by top U.S. defence officials and vowed more "offensive" responses to what it called military threats from the United States and its allies, state media reported.

In a statement carried by the KCNA news agency, a spokesperson for the North's defence ministry blamed the United States for raising tensions in the region, referring to U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin's Seoul visit this week.

"The armed forces of the DPRK will strongly control and manage all threats to its national security and interests with more offensive and overwhelming counteraction capabilities and through visible strategic deterrent military actions," the statement said.

DPRK are the initials of the North's official name, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea.

During Austin's visit, South Korea and the United States revised a bilateral security agreement aimed at deterring North Korea's advancing nuclear and missile threats.

South Korea's defence ministry said the revision was necessary because the existing strategy did not adequately address rapid advancements in North Korea's missile and nuclear programs.

North Korea has said the United States and its allies were responsible for aggravating military tensions on the Korean peninsula, citing their large-scale military drills and the increased presence of U.S. strategic assets in the region.

This week, the Pentagon announced that the U.S. State Department has approved a potential sale of Sidewinder missiles and the Standard Missile 6 Block I to South Korea in a move it said would improve the security of the United States' major ally.

"The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea's capability to meet current and future threats while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies," the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in a statement, using South Korea's official name.

Austin's visit followed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's trip to South Korea last week. In their back-to-back visits, the top U.S. officials sought to provide reassurances on Washington's commitment to the region, while voicing concerns over growing Russia-North Korea ties.

North Korea and Russia have denied any arms deals, though their leaders pledged closer military cooperation at their September summit.

On Tuesday, South Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin held talks with his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa, in San Francisco and agreed to continue cooperation to address North Korea's nuclear threats, Seoul's foreign ministry said.

(Reporting by Soo-hyang Choi; Editing by Chris Reese, Cynthia Osterman and Gerry Doyle)
Results tallied so far from last weeks school board races show that movements to inject parental influence and conservative values in K-12 public schools took a beating in some districts but maintained control in others, as culture wars continue to polarize school elections.

Candidates campaigning on the parental rights platform ran against opponents who call themselves pro-public education in hotly contested races in some of the states nearly 600 school districts.

Nationally, too, parental rights groups such as Moms for Liberty suffered losses in several states, including Iowa and Kansas. In the famously partisan Central Bucks County school district in Pennsylvania, Democrats flipped the Republican school board.

New Jerseys school board races are nonpartisan, so partisan win tallies are unofficial and posted by local groups. Pro-public education candidates have performed strongly this year compared with 2022, but neither side demonstrated sweeping wins.

Parental rights candidates adopt a wide range of issues, from promoting school vouchers to opposing sexual themes in curricula and in school libraries. They object to policies mandated by state law that prevent schools from informing parents about a students gender expression without the childs permission.

Meanwhile, pro-public education candidates support teachers unions, oppose vouchers and say school trustees should focus on operating schools, leaving decisions about classroom material to the administrators.

NJ: Murphy says federal dollars will be channeled to these NJ pre-K projects

Two of the most polarized school board races in North Jersey  Westwood Regional in Bergen County and Sparta in Sussex County  saw parental rights candidates losing. In Sparta, two incumbent candidates on a parental rights slate that swept the school board last year lost to a candidate they routed.

In Basking Ridge in Somerset County, a four-member parental rights slate with one incumbent was defeated.

Parental rights controls Ramapo-Indian Hills board

In the Ramapo-Indian Hills Regional School District, parental rights candidates won two seats, ousting pro-public education incumbent Vivian King and her running mate. But voters also reelected an incumbent, Brian DeLaite, who has opposed the boards parental rights members.

It changes everything for us, board member Aaron Lorenz said after DeLaite was reelected. Just watching this board drive out incredibly talented administrators  was really disconcerting, Lorenz said. The districts business administrator, Tom Lambe, resigned in July because of the atmosphere on the board, he said. The superintendent, Rui Dionisio, resigned in August. Both have taken positions in other districts.

Ramapo Indian Hills School Superintendent Rui Dionisio was named superintendent of the Fair Lawn School District Aug. 15.

The boards parental rights majority has been maintained at 5-4. Lorenz has publicly criticized initiatives that included racking up high legal bills, firing the boards longtime law firm, and engaging in conversations that excluded the boards minority members, resulting in surprises on the agenda, Lorenz said.

The two winning parental rights candidates, Audrey Lynn Souders and Melissa Kiel, ousted pro-public education board member King, who votes with Lorenz on most issues.

Melissa Kiel, Oakland candidate for Ramapo Indian Hills Board of Education

Moms for Liberty in Morris County

The Morris county chapter of national parental rights group Moms for Liberty saw three endorsed candidates win by a tight margin in Parsippany, with one projected winner leading by just 50-odd votes.

But another Moms for Liberty-endorsed slate in the Pequannock school district was losing by a nearly 10% margin to three winning candidates by over 200 votes. Chapter head Nikki Lois declined to comment for this story or say how many of its endorsed candidates won.

Mail-in and provisional ballots were still being counted in some counties; the deadline for receipt of timely mailed mail-in ballots to county boards of election was Monday.

Parental rights candidates also won in Chester and Roxbury school board races, with Moms For Liberty having a strong presence in Republican-leaning Morris County, said Darcy Draeger, executive director of the political action committee Districts for Democracy.

New Jersey news: Remote work has been a boon for people with disabilities. Will employers keep it going?

Districts for Democracy, formed by former Democratic Rep. Tom Malinowski, released an unofficial analysis of wins on both sides. The pro-public education organization tracked candidates endorsed by New Jersey Project and Moms For Liberty, both parental rights groups.

Of 20 candidates Moms for Liberty endorsed, eight won, Draeger said, based on lists the organization published on its website before the elections. Those lists are no longer on the organizations site, and the numbers could not be independently verified.

Of 327 candidates supported by Districts for Democracy, 65% won, Draeger said in an interview.

The group supported candidates only in contested races.

New policies to 'reflect what the parents want'

Another pro-public education group, the New Jersey Public Education Coalition, joined hands with Democratic-aligned SWEEP New Jersey. Of 536 candidates it supported statewide, 61% won, it said.

We're very pleased, because this is the first time that the coalition and SWEEP NJ have been totally active for an entire election cycle, and it is a huge improvement over last year, said Michael Gottesman, founder of the New Jersey Public Education Coalition.

Michael Mike Gottesman the founder of the New Jersey Public Education Coalition, a Coalition of educators, administrators, education professionals, municipal leaders and representatives as well as concerned and involved parents

Still, the parental rights group New Jersey Project endorsed 470 school board candidates and 68% won, said Nicole Stouffer, who founded the group.

Where the races were contested between parental rights candidates and their opponents, 58% of 311 candidates endorsed by New Jersey Project statewide won, according to Draegers analysis.

Stouffer said her group had big wins in Monmouth and Hunterdon counties. Candidates took over at least one seat in many other towns, she said, including Ringwood, Teaneck and New Milford.

I see the news stories about how parental rights candidates had devastating losses, but that isnt the case in New Jersey," she said in an email. "This will be proven next year when the schools start changing policy to reflect what the parents want. We are already working on that plan now.

Parental rights candidates overall were quite successful again compared with last year, said Joshua Aikens, who won as a parental rights incumbent on Sussex Countys Lafayette Township school board.

Aikens, a former consultant for the parental rights group Arise NJ in 2022, said he would be fully engaged next year and not on partisan issues.

Statewide, a total of 1,804 candidates ran for 1,487 open school board seats, and there were 745 uncontested seats, according to the New Jersey School Boards Association  so the percentage of candidates endorsed by advocacy groups was still relatively low.

Partisan groups involved in nonpartisan elections

Even though school elections in New Jersey are nonpartisan, candidates on both sides of the culture wars have leaned on partisan and politically affiliated groups for support.

Districts for Democracy did not make financial contributions to pro-public education candidates but used funds to support them, Draeger said. It also sent out about 450,000 text messages in two waves to 250,000 voters in the week before the election, encouraging them to vote for school board candidates who will fight back against censorship and book bans, she said.

The text messages, provided by Draeger, said, Extreme MAGA groups who support banning books are trying to take over school boards.

Districts for Democracy tried to discredit candidates with their highly partisan text messages, Stouffer said.

Several Republican Party organizations and politicians campaigned on parental rights platforms, including the Monmouth County Republican Organization, which posted ads for school board members on its social media pages.

Groups like New Jersey Project gave some Democratic-leaning candidates the moniker bad apple for adopting the black apple logo used by the pro-public education group Action Together New Jersey.

The states largest teachers' union, the New Jersey Education Association, which funded legislative races using its political action committee, hailed legislative wins. It said 96% of NJEA PAC-endorsed state Senate candidates and nearly 90% of Assembly candidates won. Whether a candidate is running for school board or Senate, the votes they take and the policies they pursue will affect what happens in our public schools, the union said in a statement.

Sen. Vin Gopal, D-Monmouth, reelected in a district where parental rights is a big issue, is also the chair of the Senate Education Committee. The Republican machine tried hard to confuse parents that inappropriate things were being taught in the classroom," he said. "What these politicians missed is that New Jersey parents know everything thats going on with their children  and cant be tricked.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Parental rights candidates mixed results in NJ school board races
On Wednesday night, current lawmakers and candidates were mingling inside the Democratic National Committee's headquarters.

The guest list included top party leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and House Democratic Caucus Chair Pete Aguilar of California.

But the quiet Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee was unexpectedly thrust into the national spotlight when it was interrupted by pro-Palestinian protesters who came to the doorstep of the DNC.

A lawmaker who was inside the building said about 50 people were at the event. The person said that they heard chanting and tried to leave but that police said the building was on lockdown and no one could leave.

The lawmaker said it soon became clear that something was out of the ordinary when a U.S. Capitol Police officer was brought in, suffering from pepper spray.

It reminded me of Jan. 6, this person said. It rattled me.

NBC News has confirmed that Democratic Reps. Sean Casten of Illinois, Brad Sherman of California and Debbie Dingell of Michigan were also at the DNC event.

Eventually the Democratic leaders were able to leave the building in their cars through the basement garage, and the lawmaker who spoke to NBC News was able to get a ride in one of the leaders cars.

Im very grateful, the lawmaker said of Capitol Police.

In a statement Thursday, the White House said President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden had called into a DNC and campaign staff meeting: "They expressed appreciation to law enforcement who kept everyone inside the DNC safe last night, including staff and Members of Congress."

Police and demonstrators clash Wednesday at the entrance to the Democratic National Headquarters in Washington. (Getty Images; Reuters )

Capitol Police said Wednesday night on X that a large group of illegal protesters ... have cleared out, but USCP officers will stay on scene out of an abundance of caution. They previously put the number of demonstrators at about 150, who they said were violently protesting.

Police said that six officers were treated for injuries as a result of the demonstration and that one person was arrested and accused of assaulting an officer.

Sherman tweeted Wednesday that he was evacuated from the DNC after pro-terrorist, anti-#Israel protestors grew violent, pepper spraying police officers and attempting to break into the building.

In a joint statement Thursday, Jeffries, Clark, Aguilar and campaign committee Chair Suzan DelBene of Washington thanked Capitol Police and alleged that "some protesters escalated their activity in a manner that exceeded a peaceful demonstration."

Protesters have repeatedly disputed the claim that protesters pepper-sprayed police.

During a virtual news conference Thursday morning, organizers of the protest alleged that about 90 demonstrators were injured by police. Organizers alleged that a peaceful protester was hit by, hit with bicycles by two different cops," another "was pepper-sprayed directly in the face by police" and at least two peaceful protesters glasses were smashed by the police," among other violent incidents.

Eva Borgwardt, a spokesperson for IfNotNow  a group that describes itself as American Jews organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israels apartheid system  disputed Sherman's account, saying he is spreading dangerous and reckless misinformation about our nonviolent movement.

She added that protesters had engaged in nonviolent acts of civil disobedience "to call on Democrats to support a cease-fire and an end to our governments funding of violence against Palestinian civilians."

I personally have never seen such a, like, fast and violent escalation by police with no warning, Borgwardt said. Protesters were singing in front of the door to the DNC, and almost immediately, the police were trying to, like, tear them off of each other and shove them down the stairs.

And then the peaceful protesters that were assembled in the street  again, we were holding candles to represent the Palestinian lives lost  and officers were shoving everyone out of the street with their bicycles, with no warning or explanation, she added.

Capitol Police alleged in a statement Thursday morning that the group moved dumpsters in front of the exits and pepper sprayed our officers. Asked by NBC News to respond to the statement, Borgwardt said she did not see anything like that and maintained that protesters did not pepper-spray officers.

Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, one of the organizers of the rally, said that police had the tools needed to carry out a dispersal order peacefully and nonviolently to safely remove protesters but that instead they chose to push people and shove people and hit and pepper spray.

The police have tools to deal with nonviolent civil disobedience, and last night they chose not to use them, she said. And I want to know why.
The court approved the death sentence of David Renteria, a Texas inmate convicted for the November 2001 abduction and suffocation of a five-year-old girl, Alexandra Flores, and scheduled for execution on Thursday evening.

The prosecutors reported that Flores was strolling at a Walmart store with her family for Christmas shopping when Renteria abducted her. Flores' body was found the next day in an alley 16 miles (26 km) from the store.

Court Approves Renteria's Death Sentence

In August, state District Judge Monique Reyes in El Paso permitted a request to reschedule Renteria's execution and ordered prosecutors to turn over their files in the case.

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals later repealed Reyes' orders.

On Tuesday, the Texas Board of Pardons and Paroles voted 7-0 against reducing Renteria's death sentence to a lesser penalty. Board members also voted and rejected granting a six-month acquittal.

Renteria's attorneys filed an appeal asking the state and federal court to terminate the execution. However, the appeal was unsuccessful, and the execution was already set for Thursday at the state prison in Huntsville.

The attorneys argued that they had been denied access to the prosecution's file on Renteria, which they discussed violated his constitutional rights. The legal team said that the trial hindered the investigation into proving Renteria's claims that gang members were responsible for the girl's death.

Renteria was accused of patrolling around the store for about 40 minutes before aiming to abduct the girl, which was shown in the surveillance video that he followed Renteria out of the store.

Read Also: Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson Says Political Parties Ask Him To Run for US President in 2024 Election

Renteria's Delayed Execution in 2006

The Texas Court of Criminal Appeals junked Renteria's death sentence in 2006 due to the prosecutors providing misleading evidence that gave jurors the impression Renteria was not remorseful.

Renteria's attorneys argued that Renteria was remorseful and said that Renteria expressed his sympathy towards the girl's family. He said that the death of the girl was a tragedy that should have never happened.

The appeals court recognized the statement of Renteria as remorseful, which minimized his responsibility for the offense.

Furthermore, Renteria claimed that a member of the Barrio Azteca gang named "Flaco" forced him to take the girl by making threats to his family and said he did not kill the girl.

However, prosecutors found blood in Renteria's van that matched the girl's DNA. Renteria's palm print was also found on a plastic bag that was used to cover the head of the girl before she was burned to death.

The prosecutors said that Renteria was already convicted as a sex offender during the killing of the girl.

In 2008, a resentencing trial occurred, and Renteria was again sentenced to death.

Renteria would be the eighth inmate in Texas to be put to death this year. Furthermore, Renteria would receive a lethal injection execution, which resulted in 23 executions this year in the US.

Related Article: Texas Man Sentenced to Life After Sexually Assaulting, Impregnating a Girl at Party



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Washington  The Senate easily passed a stopgap funding bill late Wednesday night, averting a government shutdown and punting a spending fight in Congress until early next year.

The bill heads to President Biden's desk after it passed the Senate in an 87-11 vote. Only one Democratic senator voted against the measure, Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado.

The House passed the bill, known as a continuing resolution, Tuesday night, sending it to the Senate ahead of a Friday deadline. Without a funding extension, the government was set to shutdown Saturday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson unveiled the measure less than a week before funding from a short-term bill passed in September was set to expire.

But dissent from within his own party over its lack of spending cuts or funding for border security required Johnson to rely on Democratic votes to get it over the finish line.

What's in the continuing resolution?

The two-step bill extends appropriations dealing with veterans programs, transportation, housing, agriculture and energy until Jan. 19. Funding for eight other appropriations bills, including defense, would be extended until Feb. 2.

It does not include supplemental funding for Israel or Ukraine.

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries originally called the two-step plan a nonstarter, but later said Democrats would support it given its exclusion of spending cuts and "extreme right-wing policy riders." All but two Democrats voted to pass the measure, while dozens of Republicans opposed it.

In the Senate, Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said he hoped there would be a strong bipartisan vote for the House bill.

"Neither [Senate Minority Leader Mitch] McConnell nor I want a shutdown," Schumer said Tuesday.

Mr. Biden is expected to sign the bill.

Why is the government facing another shutdown?

Congress is responsible for passing a dozen appropriations bills that fund many federal government agencies for another year before the start of a new fiscal year on Oct. 1. The funding bills are often grouped together into a large piece of legislation, referred to as an "omnibus" bill.

The House has passed seven bills, while the Senate has passed three that were grouped together in a "minibus." None have been passed by both chambers.

In September, Congress reached a last-minute deal to fund the government through Nov. 17 just hours before it was set to shutdown.

Hard-right members upset by the short-term extension that did not include spending cuts and who wanted the House to pass the appropriations bills individually moved to oust House Speaker Kevin McCarthy as their leader.

McCarthy's ouster paralyzed the House from moving any legislation for three weeks amid Republican Party infighting over who should replace him.

By the time Johnson took the gavel, he had little time to corral his members around a plan to keep the government open, and ended up in the same situation as McCarthy  needing Democratic votes to pass a bill that did not include spending cuts demanded by conservatives.

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Senegals Supreme Court will soon rule on Ousmane Sonkos eligibility for the presidential election.

DAKAR, Senegal (AP)  Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko has returned to prison after weeks of undergoing medical treatment in the hospital during a hunger strike to protest his detention on charges he says are politically motivated.

The announcement comes just days before Senegals Supreme Court is due to rule on whether Sonko can take part in the upcoming February election despite being struck from the countrys voter rolls after his conviction on charges of corrupting youth earlier this year.

Prison authorities said Sonkos transfer back to Cap Manuel prison in Dakar on Tuesday took place as the result of a recommendation by his attending physician.

Senegalese opposition leader Ousmane Sonko addresses journalists following his release from police custody in Dakar, Senegal, on March 8, 2021. Senegalese authorities say that opposition leader and presidential hopeful Ousmane Sonko is back in jail after being hospitalized for weeks during a hunger strike. (Photo by Sylvain Cherkaoui, AP, File)

Wherever he is detained, the result is the same: President Ousmane Sonko remains a favourite candidate in the presidential election, arbitrarily detained and deprived of his rights by his political opponents, said El-Malick Ndiaye, the press officer for Sonkos opposition party.

Sonko finished third in the last presidential election, and his supporters believe that the slew of criminal allegations brought against him since 2021 are part of an orchestrated campaign to derail his political aspirations ahead of a presidential election in February.

In June, Sonko was acquitted on charges of raping a woman who worked at a massage parlor and making death threats against her. But he was convicted of corrupting youth and sentenced to two years in prison, which ignited deadly protests across the country.

In late July, Senegalese authorities formally dissolved Sonkos political party and placed him in detention. He is now facing charges of calling for insurrection, conspiracy against the state and other alleged crimes.

Senegals Interior Ministry removed Sonko from the voter rolls after his conviction earlier this year on charges of corrupting youth. However, the decision was later overturned by a judge in the southern city of Ziguinchor, where Sonko serves as mayor.

The judge ordered that Sonko be allowed to have sponsorship forms for the presidential election in the same way as other candidates. But his chances of taking part in the presidential election is uncertain. The Supreme Court is due to rule Friday on the Ziguinchor judges ruling.

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The post Senegalese opposition leader Sonko sent back to prison after weeks in hospital during hunger strike appeared first on TheGrio.
SHEBOYGAN  German immigrant Charles T. Roenitz arrived in the United States in 1850. Born in Saxony, Germany, he united with his brother, William, after working in Milwaukee for six months to begin what is known as the Roenitz Tannery in 1853.

The brothers' capital consisted of a few hundred dollars saved from their earnings after coming to this country, according to an article written by Jan Hildebrand.

Charles T. and William E. Roenitz purchased an Eighth Street lot in December 1861 and constructed a two-story building. The building's original purpose was to be the Roenitz tannery, shoe business and housing.

The buildings were totally completed by 1865. It was at the southeast corner of Wisconsin Avenue and Eighth Street. People would gather in front of the stores to discuss the news of the day.

To see the slider larger,click here.

At the time, the Civil War was a big topic of discussion, according to Sheboygan Press clippings provided by the Sheboygan County Historical Research Center.

The Eighth Street factory was a 25-foot-by-40-foot building for the tannery. Besides themselves at the time they employed one other man. The building was located where the H.C. Prange's store once stood.

Next door to the tannery was their two-story, two-family home with a basement where the brothers and their families lived.

Upon the death of Charles T. Roenitz, his brother became the sole proprietor of the tannery.

Business was soon to get bigger.

A receipt from the Roenitz Leather company was full of ornate details as seen in this scan of an original.

From those humble beginnings, William Roenitz associated with him his sons, Frank L. and Charles H., and eight years later the C.T. Roenitz Leather Company was incorporated, with a capital stock of $100,000, which has since been increased to $200,000. The company would build on the Sheboygan riverfront.

The first officers were C.T. Roenitz, president; Frank L. Roenitz, vice president; and Charles H. Roenitz, secretary. The only official change was made at the death of the father in 1892, when Frank L. became president.

From the "Portrait and Biographical Record of Sheboygan County": "The Roenitz Leather Company is recognized as one of the substantial and important industries in Sheboygan. The grounds comprise a whole block, and the main building is 100 x 471 feet, with an addition 77 x 126 feet, all four stories in height. Besides, they have a pump-room, boiler-room and engine-room."

The Roenitz Tannery as it appeared in 1900.

The company employed 300 men, turning out a finished product of 350,000 sides of leather for 1893.

From a very small beginning, this vast enterprise had been built up by the Roenitz family, father and sons.

When the first telephone wires arrived in the city, those wires caused a problem for the arrival of tan bark by ship near Penn Avenue. A sailor would, using a pitchfork from the top mast, hold the wires higher to permit the passage of the boat to the company, according to a historical story by Alfred Jung in a 1962 Press advertisement.

RELATED - Sheboygan celebrates end of World War I

Working the tannery was dangerous back in the 19th and 20th centuries, according to a Press article by Jan Hildebrand in 2002. In 1900, 35-year-old German immigrant Frank Reif, a mason repairing a wall, was critically injured at the Roenitz Tannery during a horrific accident when his clothing got caught in a machinery belt. He was hurled around the shaft and was dashed to the floor. He was conscious and spoke to people around him, until he died a short time later.

The razing of the riverfront Roenitz Tannery in 1962 which would pave way for the Garton Toy Company.

In the 1880s, H.C. Prange leased the original tannery building. By 1898, H.C. Prange purchased one of the buildings from the Chas. T. Roenitz estate. Soon after, the building was then transferred to the H.C. Prange Company when that company was organized. By 1903, Prange would have a majority of the block. The buildings were torn down in 1923 to make way for the new modern four-story structure that Sheboygan would embrace.

That four-story building would serve as the H.C. Prange Company for many years, until 1982, when a water main leak forced the building's demolition of that 1923 store. A new store was built on that site and would eventually be owned by several different department store chains until 2014 when Boston Store closed the store. That store would be torn down and used as an open concert venue until a new apartment complex and storefronts were built that would use most of the site.

Gary C. Klein can be reached at 920-453-5149 or gklein@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @leicaman99.

This article originally appeared on Sheboygan Press: Roenitz Brothers built a tannery factory in Sheboygan in the 1860s
BRISTOL  Six years have passed since members of the federally unrecognized Pokanoket Tribe launched a month-long occupation of land owned by Brown University, calling on the Ivy League school to recognize their historic claim to the property.

And while Brown ultimately agreed to place a portion of that land in a trust that would allow permanent access for Native Americans, that hasn't happened yet.

But both sides say that they're still committed to moving forward with the land transfer  they just need to get the details ironed out. As it turns out, the high-minded idea of giving land back to the area's original inhabitants can be extremely complicated in practice.

"It took us generations to get here, so we don't expect to undo it quickly," said Taino Palermo, the legal director of the Center for Indigenous Peoples Rights, who is representing the Pokanokets.

Brown says it's prepared to hand over about 60% of Bristol lands

Brown owns approximately 375 acres of land in the Mount Hope area of Bristol, donated to the university by the Haffenreffer family. Aside from a small apartment house, a single-family residence, and the Haffenreffer Museum  which is moving to Providence  most of that land is undeveloped. The Pokanoket tribe has said they consider it sacred ground.

Though there's no question that Brown legally holds the title to the property, the university acknowledged in its 2017 agreement with the tribe that the lands "are historically Pokanoket" and contain sacred sites "that are important to the present-day Pokanoket Tribe and Pokanoket people, who are dispersed among many tribes, and other Native American, American Indian and aboriginal peoples of New England.

Today, the university is "ready and eager" to place about 230 acres of land in a trust that will guarantee both the conservation of the land and "sustainable access by Native tribes in the region," spokesman Brian Clark said in an email.

That amounts to about 60% of Brown's land holdings in Bristol. The 2017 agreement didn't specify exactly how much land would change hands, but Brown has since worked with the Public Archaeology Laboratory to conduct a cultural resources survey and identify land to transfer, Clark said.

More: What you learned about the first Thanksgiving isnt true. Heres the real story

This spring, he said, the university informed Pokanoket leaders that it was "prepared to undertake the process of an orderly transfer" of that land, which includes "areas of great cultural and historical importance."

Before the transfer can happen, though, the terms of the agreement require the Pokanokets to reach consensus with other tribes that might have an interest in the property, and come up with "a viable governance and organizational structure that will enable the university to transfer the land into a preservation trust."

That's where things can get tricky: The ink on the 2017 agreement had barely dried before a spokesman for the Pokanoket Tribe disputed the notion that any other group had a claim to the land.

Over the intervening years, Brown has paid for the Pokanoket and other Native groups to engage in mediation sessions. But the Pokanoket tribe is ultimately responsible for "leading the process to determine governance," Clark said.

"Ultimately, we remain ready and fully committed to transferring the land to a preservation trust, once that has been successfully established by the Pokanoket and the other tribes with a historical interest in this land," he wrote.

Attorney says Pokanokets 'have carried the water up to this point'

Palermo, who recently began representing the Pokanoket Tribe, told The Providence Journal that he submitted a draft of a proposed governance structure to Brown last week.

"Now the ball is in their court," he said.

Putting together that proposal took a while because the Pokanokets needed to find an attorney with expertise in Indian law who could help them navigate the process, but had limited resources, Palermo said. His organization is the East Coast's only full-service pro bono legal support center for Indigenous people, and has been around for less than two years, he said.

While he declined to provide specific details about the governance structure that the tribe is proposing, Palermo said the overarching goal was to have Brown deed the land to the Pokanokets.

In the 2017 agreement, Brown indicated that the Wampanoag Tribe of Gay Head (Aquinnah), the Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, the Assonet Band of the Wampanoag Nation, the Herring Pond Wampanoag Tribe and the Pocasset Tribe of the Pokanoket Nation also had "a historical interest in the land."

Since then, Palermo said, the tribe has done its due diligence to "make sure that anyone who may have a historical interest on the land has an opportunity to engage in this process."

"Some have, and then some have fallen off," he said.

Demonstrating a tribe's historical ties to a piece of land requires copious research, Palermo acknowledged: "Not every tribe has the ability or capacity to do that, but it doesn't mean they lose interest in their ancestral lands."

At the same time, he said, the Pokanokets "have carried the water up to this point."

If other tribes that haven't "put in the effort and the work over the years" emerge later and say that they also have a historical claim to the lands, there are "contingencies" built into the proposed governance model, Palermo said. He also suggested that deeding the land to the Pokanokets would not necessarily translate to a loss of access for other tribes.

"The Pokanokets know there are other tribal communities that have historical ties to that land, so if they want access and use, that's what the land is for," he said.

A new mural honoring the Pokanoket Tribe is completed in East Providence

'A model to be replicated'

The Pokanokets are not a federally recognized tribe, which means that their claims to tribal identity haven't undergone the vetting process required for certain government benefits. (A group of people who hold Native American ancestry aren't necessarily considered a tribe.)

Leaders of the Narragansett Indian Tribe, Rhode Island's only federally recognized tribe, have expressed doubt that unrecognized groups like the Pokanoket are legitimate tribes.

Palermo credited Brown for being willing to work with the Pokanoket, saying that other institutions often seem to "hide behind the fact that a tribe isn't federally recognized" and use that as an excuse to not engage.

"Brown University, to its credit, has been very forthright in acknowledging the lands that they are on," he said.

Palermo also said that the question of which lands should become part of the trust hasn't been settled and would be the subject of future negotiations. But he said that the university had been "dealing in good faith," and that the plan to transfer the land was "a very important, monumental thing."

In 2021, the Rhode Island Historical Society returned about 5 acres of land to the Narragansett Indian Tribe where the Great Swamp Massacre took place. But there are few other local precedents, making it hard to know exactly what the future of the Bristol land might look like.

Could the Bristol land become a casino, or be developed?

Asked whether the property could one day house a casino or be developed into subdivisions, Brown spokeswoman Amanda McGregor pointed to language in the 2017 agreement that states that the land will be placed in a trust "which will ensure appropriate stewardship and management of this unique historical, sacred and natural resource for generations to come."

"The goal of Brown Universitys commitment is the conservation and preservation of and sustainable access to the land that is placed in preservation trust," that agreement states.

While there could be difficult negotiations ahead, Palermo described Brown's willingness to work with the tribe as "a model to be replicated."

"Brown doesn't have to engage, to be quite honest," he said. "There is a little bit of credit due to the institution for willingly engaging, and that's not lost on the tribe."

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: Brown University still working on land-trust deal with Pokanoket Tribe
The new speaker may have averted a government shutdown this week, but the major showdown over spending has merely been punted till January.

Now, Speaker Mike Johnson has just two months to forge consensus within his fractious conference over a series of spending bills that dont have the full GOP support and are already dead on arrival in the Senate and White House  all while contending with conservatives who already ousted one speaker and swing district members who are tired of walking the plank and taking tough votes on bills that arent going to become law.

Its a recipe for yet another spending showdown, more Republican infighting, and a series of complicated decisions for Johnson that members warn could have a much more lasting impact on his ability to govern his conference.

Freedom Caucus Chairman Scott Perry explained that hardliners are willing to give Johnson more time to get this right, but that time is not unlimited.

We understand the situation is not of his making, but moving forward we expect to see tangible results to move us down the field in the right direction, the Pennsylvania Republican said.

Rep. Chip Roy, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, warned Johnson already has two strikes against him for moving a spending bill that didnt cut funding and using a process to pass the bill that required a large number of Democrats backing it.

The swamp won and the speaker needs to know that, the Republican from Texas told CNN. Look, hes good man. Well sit down, we talked last night on the floor. Well go figure out whats next, but I can tell you Republican voters are tired of promises to fight. We want to actually see change. And so you know, well see what happens  but our approach shouldnt be assumed when theyre needed and then get rolled on a suspension.

A short-lived honeymoon

For months, hardliners have argued they wanted regular order on spending, meaning passing bills one by one out of committee and on the House floor with a robust amendment process. But despite sticking largely to that model, Johnson is confronting the same problems Speaker Kevin McCarthy contended with: Republicans arent even able to coalesce around their own spending bills because of deep divisions over what conservatives and moderates prioritize and thats before the hard work of negotiating with the Senate and White House begins.

This week alone, House Republican leaders ditched plans to move ahead with a bill to fund the Justice and Commerce departments after conservatives and a handful of members from New York tanked a rule governing debate of the bill. They also left town before voting on a bill to fund the Labor, Education and Health and Human Services departments. That came after leadership had to pull two other spending bills last week because they lacked the votes.

Rep. Nick LaLota, a Republican from New York, voted against the procedural rule Wednesday arguing that Republicans should start focusing on passing spending bills that are not wasting time.

The amendments are going to fail, the bill is going to fail, it wont get sent to the Senate, it wont be signed by the president, LaLota said. We should regroup. Get back to the kitchen maybe choose some new ingredients, cook it a different way to ensure that the appropriations bills, which will not only fund our government but cut spending in the right places, are done with better deliberation, more intellectual honesty and not just for show.

So far, House Republicans have been able to pass seven of their 12 annual appropriations bills. Each of those remaining bills presents a unique set of challenges with provisions that some parts of the party are demanding be included and other factions say are enough to sink the bill.

Whats played out over the course of the last several weeks is almost an impossible game of arithmetic for the new speaker. Leadership pulled a bill to fund financial services and general government last week after swing district Republicans rebelled over a provision that would have defunded a Washington, DC, law that protected employees from discrimination for their reproductive choices. But, the provision was an important priority for more than 50 Republicans, one source told CNN, making it impossible to simply pull out of the bill without cratering support.

Conservatives also were prepared to vote against the bill because it didnt include an amendment they wanted to take away funding for the new FBI headquarters, meaning support was hemorrhaging on both sides.

Veteran appropriators have made the case that if Johnson cant pass all 12 bills because of Republican infighting, he will have to go straight to conference with the Senate on the bills that have passed and then try to work out a path forward on the other contentious measures there. But, its possible that move could imperil Johnson with members of the House Freedom Caucus.

If they want to pass the remaining five bills, then hopefully they will help us pass the remaining five bills, said Rules Chairman Tom Cole, an Oklahoma Republican. At the end of the day, we dont have a lot of time. Its important we get these bills done.

Members of the House Freedom Caucus have argued they havent backed some of the bills because they havent gotten their amendments added. But appropriators have argued that those same members have had ample chances to vote on their policy riders only to find that the support isnt there to do what they want.

We have tried many of these amendments in committee, they didnt pass. Now, they try them on the floor, they dont pass, Rep. David Joyce, an Ohio Republican, said. They were promised an open rule and amendments. They have had the opportunity.

A complicated dance with the Senate

For Johnson, his Republican conference is only one part of his challenge. Even if the House could pass all their bills. Theyll have to be negotiated with the Senate, which has passed just three appropriations bills, but passed the other nine on a bipartisan basis in committee. The Senates bills are at a higher spending threshhold that more closely track with the agreement McCarthy and President Joe Biden negotiated back in the spring as part of the deal to increase the countrys borrowing limit.

Times a-wasting, Sen. Lisa Murkowski, a Republican from Alaska, said. On both sides.

Schumer has yet to bring the other nine spending bills to the floor, which Senate GOP appropriators have warned could also make things harder in January.

I think he wants to process judiciary (nominations) at the expense of appropriations bills, which I think they need to address, Murkowski said.

The reality is there wont be much time for leaders to find a solution. Passing individual spending bills with a robust amendment process takes time, and Congress has a lengthy to-do list in December that includes conferencing and passing the annual National Defense Authorization Act, passing the FAA bill, trying to find a way forward to renew section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act, which expires at the end of the year, and also negotiating a package to send aid to Israel, Ukraine, Taiwan and the southern border of the United States.

The first deadline for spending will come January 19 just two week after Congress returns from their holiday recess. The second deadline will comes shortly after on February 2.

Weve just delayed the decision on whether or not there will be a shutdown, said Republican Sen. Mitt Romney of Utah.

CNNs Manu Raju, Sam Fossum and Haley Talbot contributed to this report.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
SPOILER ALERT: This note divulges plot developments in the Legal Lynching series and is meant to be read after the stories.

Reporting of this story began in December 2022, while we were working on another story that required reading several years worth of Barrington Town Council meeting minutes.

Among those records was a July 7, 1931, entry:

The Chief of Police was granted a leave of absence to go to Albany, N.Y. to assist and plead for the life of Herbert Johnson, a former resident of this Town, sentenced to die during the week of July 20th.

We knew there had to be a story behind that! Our first stop: our own archives, which held the original stories of the chief's trip from 1931.

Barrington Police Chief Al Pearson in 1931, the year he went to Albany, N.Y., in an effort to save Herbert Johnson from execution.

The reporting adventure that followed took us through dozens of hours of research at archives in Rhode Island, Massachusetts and New York State, plus dozens more searching online archives that covered those states, plus Connecticut, Ohio and Illinois.

In all, we reviewed thousands of pages of documents.

The reporting took us to the upstate New York courthouse where Sheriff Henry Steadman was shot, to the beach where Willie Egan was shot, and to the ravine where Herbert Johnson was captured.

The hills outside New York's Schoharie village are laced with ravines and streams, such as Stony Brook, shown here. Herbert Johnson was captured in a ravine somewhere near Stony Brook in July 1930.

We searched cemeteries in Barrington and Providence, looking for the elusive final resting place of Herbert Johnson, and visited cemeteries in Newport, Middletown, Central Falls, Barrington and Middleburgh, New York, for the graves of others mentioned in this series.

We read the files of newspapers covering Schoharie and Schenectady counties, New York; Pawtucket; Barrington; Warren; Fall River; Newport; Cleveland; Chicago; and Providence, which was served by several daily papers a century ago in addition to The Providence Journal and its sister paper, The Evening Bulletin.

We met, in person or by phone, with relatives of Charles Bradley Smith, Herbert Johnson, Al Pearson and Robert Greene Elliott, the executioner who ended Johnsons life.

Brad's son, Albert L. Smith, 96, reviews papers about his father in his Providence home on July 24. Albert served in the Army and later had other jobs, including nine years at Hasbro as a designer, where he worked on Weebles, among other toys.

We hunted down records of Brad Smiths pardon, of Herbert Johnsons time at the State Home and School, of police logs of Brad Smiths near-lynching at Eastons Beach and of Al and Angie Pearsons divorces, including a handwritten letter from Angie to her first husband after she left town with Al.

We pored over court files in Pawtucket, Providence, Cranston and Newport, as well as Albany, New York.

We read Herbert Johnsons intake records from Sing Sing Prison and his entry in the execution diary.

Herbert Johnson "went to the chair quietly" on July 23, 1931, according to this entry in the personal diary of executioner Robert G. Elliott, who recorded notes on the 387 people he put to death in six Northeastern states, including New York, from 1926 to 1939.

We hiked through the woods and marshlands of Barrington, searching for the place Herbert Johnson once called home.

We took all that we learned and forged it into the stories of Herbert Johnson and Charles Bradley Smith. They are presented here as stories, the way they would have been recounted by those who were there, with little interruption to cite sources and discuss how we know what we know.

But nothing in this retelling of those stories has been invented. It all comes from contemporaneous accounts from the 1910s through the 1940s, as found in official records and newspapers, as well as the stories passed down to the families of those who lived them.

We would like to acknowledge a debt of gratitude to:

Barrington Town Clerk Meredith J. DeSisto, who repeatedly offered guidance with the towns tax, cemetery, land, probate, vital and Town Council records.

Kenneth Carlson, of the Rhode Island State Archives, who helped with a host of records, but especially the Newport police log books from 1913, Charles Bradley Smith's pardon and Carlson's knowledge of where to find several records that were not in the states collection.

Andrew B. Smith, of the Rhode Island Judicial Records Center, who made repeated trips into the archives searching for historical case records relating to the Johnson, Smith and Pearson families.

Veronica Denison, special collections librarian at Rhode Island Colleges Adams Library, repository of the records of the State Home and School, which were key to opening the story of Herbert Johnsons early years.

Rebecca Valentine and her colleagues at the Rhode Island Historical Society for their help finding dozens of historical newspapers.

April L. Schmick, deputy chief clerk of the Schoharie County Supreme and County Courts, who showed us around the courthouse, including the room where Sheriff Steadman was shot.

Pete Lindemann, of the Cobleskill Times-Journal in Schoharie County, New York, who arranged local history contacts and who provided access to the papers bound archives.

Schoharie County Sheriff Ronald R. Stevens, who provided jail records and led a tour of the hills around Schoharie, New York, including the creek where Herbert Johnson was captured.

Anne Brannen, who provided a copy of entries from her great-grandfathers executioners diary.

Cindy Elder, of the Barrington Land Conservation Trust, and a Barrington resident who wishes to remain anonymous, who facilitated access to the land where Herbert Johnson once lived.

Kaela Bleho, of the Newport Historical Society, for help finding photos of Charles Bradley Smith in the societys Newport Daily News glass plate collection.

The City of Fall River; its city clerk's office, which helped sort out the mystery of Herbert Johnson's birth certificate; and its Board of Elections, which helped in the search for the truth about Beecher Taft, Herbert Johnson's purported father.

This article originally appeared on The Providence Journal: How The Providence Journal reported and wrote the Legal Lynching series
A suspect has been arrested in connection with the death of Paul Kessler, a Jewish protester who fell after a confrontation at dueling rallies in California for Israel and Palestinians.

Loay Alnaji, 50, was taken into custody Thursday morning and will be booked on a charge of involuntary manslaughter in connection with the death of Kessler, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office said.

Kessler, 69, was at a pro-Israel gathering on Nov. 5 in Thousand Oaks, California, when he got into a physical altercation with a pro-Palestinian protester, the Ventura County Sheriffs Office said. He fell backward and hit his head on the ground during the altercation, and died the following day.

Alnaji, of Moorpark, will be booked at the Ventura County Pre-Trial Detention Facility and bail will be set at $1 million, the sheriff's office said.

While involuntary manslaughter is just a booking charge at this point, the Ventura County District Attorneys Office said Thursday it has received the sheriffs office investigation and a charging decision is expected later today.

Throughout their investigation, prosecutors have been in daily consultation with the Sheriffs Office and are finalizing review of the evidence, the district attorneys office said.

Officials initially said they hadnt ruled out the possibility of a hate crime. The sheriffs office wouldnt say Thursday morning if such a charge may still come.

Under California penal code, involuntary manslaughter is defined as when someone is killed by an unlawful act less severe than a felony or by a lawful act which might produce death in an unlawful manner or without due caution.

Officials said that, though an arrest was made, anyone with information on the incident should still come forward and share video if possible.

A person draws a Star of David on the side walk in front of a gas station among candles and flowers. (Mario Tama / Getty Images)

The wives of Kessler and Alnaji could not be immediately reached for comment Thursday.

The Ventura County Community College District, where Alnaji was employed as a computer science professor, said he'll be placed on administrative leave effective immediately.

The district said that it has been in communication with law enforcement throughout the investigation.

Officials investigating Kessler's death previously said conflicting statements from witnesses made it difficult to piece together what happened.

A 50-year-old man whom authorities initially described as a suspect called 911 for medical help, remained at the scene and was interviewed by deputies. His name was not released during the investigation.

A search was conducted at the suspect's Moorpark home on Nov. 6, the same day Kessler died, Fryhoff said.

An autopsy determined the cause of death to be blunt force head injury and the manner of death as homicide  which is defined as death at the hands of another person, but doesnt suggest wrongdoing.

"Manner of death of homicide does not indicate a crime has been committed  thats determined by DAs office," Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Christopher Young said.

The autopsy found injuries consistent with a fall, according to the medical examiner.

Kessler had injuries to the left side of his face, but "the lethal injury was the impact to the back of the head from Mr. Kessler falling and striking his head on the ground," Young said.

The injuries to the front of the face "could be consistent with a blow to the face," he added.

Investigators were "waiting to see evidence of what occurred in that interaction, and whether or not there was a blow to the face that caused the fall, or if Mr. Kessler fell without that being the precipitating event," Fryhoff said last week.

Tensions have been high in the United States and other countries as a result of the Israel-Hamas war.

It has been more than a month since the surprise Hamas terrorist attack that Israel estimates killed 1,200 people, with 239 still held hostage in the Gaza Strip. More than 1.6 million people have been displaced in the impoverished Gaza Strip, and health officials there say more than 11,000 have been killed in the Israeli bombing campaign.

While some in Israel were quick to call Kessler's death an act of antisemitism, local officials called for patience and calm and for a thorough investigation first.

We are deeply saddened by this tragic and shocking loss, the Greater Los Angeles Area Office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations said last week. We join local Jewish leaders in calling on all individuals to refrain from jumping to conclusions, sensationalizing such a tragedy for political gains, or spreading rumors that could unnecessarily escalate tensions that are already at an all-time high.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said Thursday: This arrest shows that violence towards our Jewish community will not be tolerated. We will continue to monitor the case to help ensure justice is served."

A man waves an Israeli flag in a park space along a city street (JLTV via AP)

Kyle Jorrey, a former editor at the Thousand Oaks Acorn, remembered Kessler on X as an ardent Democrat with a sharp wit who loved a good takedown.

He was also one of the newspapers longest active letter writers, Jorrey said in an interview Tuesday. Kessler wrote to editors consistently for more than 20 years on topics ranging from climate change to the Covid vaccine. His last contribution was in September.

"He wasnt afraid to let people know how he felt," Jorrey said.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.
A California man has been arrested in connection with the death of Paul Kessler at a rally in Thousand Oaks on Nov. 5, according to law enforcement.

Loay Alnaji, 50, will be booked on a charge of involuntary manslaughter with a bail set at $1 million, according to the Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

Kessler, a 69-year-old Jewish man, died from blunt-force head trauma following a confrontation with a counterprotester, amid simultaneous pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations, the Ventura County Sheriff's Office said.

PHOTO: In this photo provided by JLTV, Paul Kessler attends a demonstration in Thousand Oaks, Calif., Sunday Nov. 5, 2023. (JLTV via AP)

The Ventura County Medical Examiner's Office said Kessler suffered from skull fractures and swelling and bruising of the brain and determined his death to be a homicide.

In the days following the incident, the Ventura County Sheriffs Office said they did not have enough evidence to make an arrest in his death.

"Though an arrest has been made, we continue to encourage community members who may have information about this criminal investigation and have yet to come forward to please contact Detective Stump at (805) 384-4745," the sheriff's office said in a statement Thursday.

MORE: Footage sought in deadly altercation at dueling pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian rallies

The sheriff's office asked that anyone who drove a vehicle with video recording equipment through the area of Westlake Boulevard and Thousand Oaks Boulevard between 3 and 4 p.m. local time on Nov. 5 to submit any footage they have.

Multiple people called the Ventura County Sheriff's Communication Center to report an incident of battery at that corner, where pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian demonstrations were taking place. About 75 to 100 people total were present, according to Ventura County Sheriff Jim Fryhoff.

Among those to call 911 was the suspect in the incident, who was attending the pro-Palestinian demonstration, according to Fryhoff.

PHOTO: A person places flowers at a makeshift memorial at the site of an altercation between 69-year-old Paul Kessler, who was Jewish, and pro-Palestinian protester on Nov. 7, 2023, in Thousand Oaks, Calif. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Authorities arriving on the scene located Kessler and noted he was bleeding from the head and mouth, the sheriff said.

He was transported to a local hospital for what authorities said was "advanced medical treatment," but he died from his injuries early on Nov. 6, officials said.

MORE: Not enough evidence for arrest so far in Jewish protester death: Police

Fryhoff said the suspect remained at the scene and was interviewed.

"The suspect was cooperative and indicated he was involved in an altercation with Mr. Kessler," Fryhoff told reporters last week.

The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles said it was "grateful for the swift work" of authorities in response to Kessler's death.

"This arrest shows that violence towards our Jewish community will not be tolerated," the organization said in a statement. "We will continue to monitor the case to help ensure justice is served."

Suspect arrested for manslaughter in death of protester at California rally over Israel-Hamas war originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
By Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee

TAIPEI (Reuters) - Lai Ching-te, the frontrunner for Taiwan's presidency, has picked Taipei's envoy to the United States - a fluent English speaker with deep connections in Washington - to be his running mate for January's election, sources with direct knowledge said.

Lai, vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has almost consistently led opinion polls ahead of an election taking place amid increased Chinese pressure on Taiwan to accept Beijing's sovereignty claims.

Hsiao Bi-khim, 52, who has been Taiwan's de facto ambassador to the United States since 2020, has been considered by party officials, diplomats and Taiwanese media for months to the most likely running mate for Lai.

Now, that decision has been made, with a formal announcement coming on Monday once Hsiao returns to Taiwan from the APEC summit in San Francisco, four sources briefed on the matter told Reuters.

Hsiao, well known in the U.S. capital, can act as a key go-between for Taipei and Washington, the island's most important arms seller and international backer despite the absence of formal ties, one of the sources said.

"It's a crucial role and she has the needed international experience," said the source, speaking like the others on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak to the media.

Vincent Chao, spokesperson for the Lai campaign, declined to comment on Hsiao's role but said an announcement on a running mate would be made on Monday.

"This candidate will reinforce our commitment to the people of Taiwan and the international community that democracy, peace, and prosperity will continue to be our guiding values," he said.

Ivan Kanapathy, who regularly met with Hsiao when he was Deputy Senior Director for Asia at the U.S. National Security Council, told Reuters that Hsiao is a "tireless advocate" for Taiwan.

"If Ambassador Hsiao becomes Vice President, her knowledge, experience, and relationships would be invaluable for national security and foreign policy in the next Taiwanese administration," said Kanapathy, now an adjunct professor at Georgetown University.

Hsiao has been "very engaged on Taiwan's defence reform efforts, which are drawing on lessons from Ukraine," he said, pointing to examples such as initiatives for Taiwan to acquire more munitions, including Patriot missiles and drones.

Randall Schriver, the former U.S. assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, described Hsiao as a "good partner in promoting U.S.-Taiwan relations."

"If Ambassador Hsiao becomes Vice President, there is no doubt this will be to the benefit of U.S.-Taiwan relations," said Schriver, leads the Project 2049 Institute, a think tank. Schriver added that he takes no position in the Taiwan campaign.

The DPP champions Taiwan's separate identity from China. The DPP-led government says only Taiwan's people can decide their future, and has repeatedly offered talks with Beijing but been rebuffed.

Lai has during the past week talked up Hsiao in interviews with local media, without directly confirming he had picked her, calling her "very principled" and "thorough" and that he had always admired her.

Hsiao was born in Japan to a Taiwanese father and American mother and initially worked in the office of then-president Chen Shui-bian, also from the DPP, and then as a DPP lawmaker.

Like Lai, Hsiao is detested by China, which has on two occasions placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she is an "independence diehard".

China's Taiwan Affairs Office on Wednesday referred to Lai and Hsiao as an "independence double act" and that Taiwan's people are "very clear" about what them teaming up means for the "situation in the Taiwan Strait". It did not elaborate.

(Reporting by Ben Blanchard and Yimou Lee; Additional reporting by Michael Martina in Washington. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Decades before things that they did easily became so difficult  such as walking, talking and even in some cases remembering their past  they did something remarkable: They saved the world.

Now, with the youngest of the survivors of the Greatest Generation in their 90s, they are gradually fading away, but not without a little fanfare, especially for the women who didn't receive as much attention as the men.

At the Ford Willow Run bomber plant riveter Thelma Ross (left) and her partner Ann Sierminski (right) build a B24 bomber in December of 1942. The plant, like hundreds of war factories across the country, employed many women in manufacturing jobs.

During World War II, the Rosies  so-called because of a then-popular song and Hollywood movie in which the central character was a young woman who worked in an aircraft factory  toiled to support the men at war and quietly went back to being homemakers in peacetime.

However, in the twilight of their years, and much to their surprise, they are connecting to one another through the American Rosie the Riveter Association and to younger generations, who are eager to find ways to honor their efforts and preserve their legacy.

"Were losing them," said Jeannette Gutierrez, 64, who helped organize a birthday bash Thursday at the Bomber Restaurant, near the former B-24 Bomber plant in Ypsilanti, for Delphine Klaput, a Rosie turning 99 this year. Initially, Gutierrez, the association's local chapter president, said she was going to wait until she turned 100, but, she reconsidered, because "a lot can happen in a year."

Millions of women, like Klaput  Tedeski before she married  stepped up to help out, in some cases, quitting school and moving hundreds of miles away to do their part in factories for the "war effort."

Delphine klaput in her Ypsilanti home on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. klaput, who is 98, is one of many women still living who were known as Rosie the Riveters during World War II. She worked at Glenn L. Martin Company, an aircraft business in Maryland and carried and moved from one department to another top secret plans and blueprints of various kinds of airplanes during the war.

It wasnt just the men who volunteered to leave home to fight fascism far away on other continents and, in many cases, never came home. The women pitched in, too. They helped churn out the planes, tanks and bombs that were vital to winning the war.

They also, unintentionally, inspired and paved the way for future generations of women in the workplace.

2 wars, 2 pandemics

The oldest of the Greatest Generation were born in the early 1900s. Some would have been old enough to have lived through two world wars. Others through two global pandemics. They faced the Great Depression and the Great Recession.

Last year, one of the association's members, Clara Doutly, celebrated her 101st birthday.

But it was a 1940s song, and later, a movie, both titled "Rosie the Riveter," that immortalized the mothers, daughters, sisters, wives, and girlfriends, who kept the home fires burning and went to work, in place of the men. The song, by Redd Evans and John Loeb, is about a fictional, young woman named Rosie.

Rosie makes history "working for victory" on an aircraft assembly line. She looks out "for sabotage" as she sits on "the fuselage." She has a boyfriend named Charlie, a Marine, and she protects him by "workin overtime on the riveting machine."

Rosie is as "proud as a girl can be," is true "red, white and blue" and can do the job the same as any man.

More: Westland couple who served as WWII defense workers celebrates 75th anniversary

Throughout the war, the government, companies like Westinghouse and magazines used all kinds of images of Rosies to encourage women to temporarily do manual labor jobs which, until then, were mostly done by the soldiers, sailors and Marines who were at war.

This poster symbolized all U.S. women who worked in manufacturing jobs to support the World War II effort.

A Rosie the Riveter poster, which has since become a feminist allegory, shows a woman with her hair in a red-and-white, polka-dot scarf, and long eyelashes. Her blue shirt sleeve is rolled up as she shows off a little muscle. A speech bubble above her head, declares: "We Can Do It!"

A Thanksgiving blessing

Born on Nov. 23, 1924, in Cadogan, Pennsylvania, about an hour northeast of Pittsburgh, Klaput was the oldest of three. The story goes  according to her mother  was that it was at 8 a.m.

The church bell rang, a priest came over to bless her, her mother told her. Years later, Klaput said, that same priest, by then much older, would marry her to George Klaput, a World War II B-17 gunner, the love of her life.

Delphine Klaput with her husband George who served in World War II in a family picture she keeps at her home on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. This image was taken in Freeport, Pennsylvania on October 17, 1944, the day after they were married. Klaput who is 98, is one of many women still living who were known as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II. She worked at Glenn L. Martin Company, an aircraft business in Maryland and carried and moved from one department to another top secret plans and blueprints of various kinds of airplanes during the war.

When war broke out, Klaput was just a teenager.

At 17, she quit high school to go with her uncle to Baltimore, where she went to work as a clerk in a B-24 factory for almost two years. She didn't think much of it, she said, until decades later, when she met other women who also took up similar jobs.

On leave  after 32 dangerous missions  George Klaput, whom she dated before he enlisted, took her to a dance in their hometown, and out of the blue asked her to marry him. She said yes.

They moved to a couple of different states, and before the Army gunner was sent to the Pacific, the war was over. They eventually settled in a new house in Royal Oak, where Delphine Klaput became a homemaker and raised five children, Sandra, Jerry, Diana, Cheryl and Mary Jane, who tragically died at 30.

Delphine Klaput with her husband George who served in World War II in a family picture she keeps at her home on Wednesday, November 15, 2023. This photo was taken at Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, Colorado in 1944. Klaput who is 98, is one of many women still living who were known as a Rosie the Riveter during World War II. She worked at Glenn L. Martin Company, an aircraft business in Maryland and carried and moved from one department to another top secret plans and blueprints of various kinds of airplanes during the war.

But not all the Rosies gave up their jobs. Some liked really what they were doing.

Elinor Otto, who died earlier this week at 104 in Las Vegas, stayed in her airplane factory job in Long Beach, California. At 95, she finally retired  or as she told the Press Telegram, was laid off  when the factory closed in 2014.

Inspiring new generations

Gutierrez, who is in advertising, said Klaput and the other Rosies inspire her.

Gutierrez said her mother was a Rosie, and her father was a vet. Gutierrez joined the association, she said, because when she first met the members, they reminded her of her mom, and now hopes to raise awareness about what they did to open doors for other women.

"The Rosies went to work to support the war effort," Gutierrez said. "However, in the course of that, they proved that, as women, we can do it. They proved they could do what was considered mens work and fill roles that nobody at the time imagined women could."

In this Feb. 10, 1943, file photo, employees of International Harvester inspect ball bearings in Chicago, the smallest being one-eighth of an inch in diameter. The bearings must be sorted according to size within 25 millionths of an inch. Not since World War II when factories converted from making automobiles to making tanks, Jeeps and torpedos has the entire nation been asked to truly sacrifice for a greater good.

They also witnessed tremendous change and technological innovation.

For folks even half Klaputs age  and younger  it can be challenging to conceive of life a century ago.

Consider how many things have been invented since then: air conditioners, teddy bears, Cornflakes, movies, frozen food, fast food, TVs, computers, nuclear bombs, microwave ovens, bikinis, VCRs, Valium, Kevlar, the Internet, caller ID, cellphones, email, cloning, Facebook, iPhones and self-driving cars.

Sitting in her living room, Klaput recalled seeing the Hindenburg, a marvel at the time, fly. Technology has advanced so much, that she can ask Alexa, a virtual assistant that always seems to be listening, to turn up the lights for her without leaving her chair.

Seven years ago, Delphine Klaput's husband died, and a couple of years after that, she joined the American Rosie the Riveter Association. Through it, the energetic, 4-foot-10 great-great-grandmother has made new friends  and because of her age and status as a Rosie, she has become a kind of celebrity.

Klaput now lives with her daughter and son-in-law, Diana and Jerry Kelley, in Ypsilanti.

She also loves the spotlight, where strangers want to hug her, and journalists want to interview her.

"I'm so happy to be living, and seeing all the things that have been going on for almost 100 years," she said. "A lot of it, I really don't understand. It is mind-blowing. And sometimes sit back and think about it all and ask: How did I get through all this?"

Contact Frank Witsil: 313-222-5022 or fwitsil@freepress.com.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: WWII Rosie the Riveters, in their 90s, treasure birthdays even more
Finland is now accusing Russia of making its asylum seeker crisis worse, claiming that the Russian government is sending more migrants as an act of revenge.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto shared this opinion after a Finnish border guard confirmed that asylum seekers at the border crossing points in south-east Finland have further increased in the past few days. Now, what will Niinisto do to fix this issue? Here's what the Finnish leader said.

Finland Blames Russia for Asylum Seeker Crisis

According to The Guardian's latest report, Niinisto believes that Russia is sending more asylum seekers to Finland's southeast border crossing points because of the country's cooperation with the U.S.

He said that because the Kremlin wants to have its revenge against Finland, it is sending more migrants to negatively affect the European country's economy.

On Wednesday, Nov. 15, the Finnish president accused the Russian government of guiding asylum seekers toward Finnish crossing points.

Sauli said that the Kremlin is doing this to retaliate against Helsinki's plans to sign a defense cooperation agreement with the U.S. government.

"I think that this time, maybe it was the DCA [defense cooperation agreement] that triggered the situation," explained the Finnish president.

"I don't see the border traffic ending in any other way than with very clear Finnish action," he added.

Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova denied Sauli's accusations, saying that his comments are absolutely groundless.

Meanwhile, Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said that they are regretting the decision of Finland to distance itself from good bilateral relations it had with Russia.

Related Article: More Chinese Migrants Are Trying To Cross US-Mexico Border as Economy Falters

How Finland Deals With Asylum Seekers

The Associated Press reported that Finland is considering closing some of its border crossing points to ease the migrant crisis it faces.

This effort is expected to prevent asylum seekers from Russia from trying to enter without proper documentation.

Before the Russia-Ukraine war happened, Finnish and Russian border officials had been cooperating to prevent migrants without necessary passports or visas from entering Russia and Finland.

However, after Finland started cooperating with the U.S. and joining NATO, Russia allegedly began allowing undocumented asylum seekers to access the border zone and enter crossing stations.

Related Article: Biden Admin to Resume Venezuelan Migrant Deportations After TPS Expansion-Here's What Antony Blinken Says

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The White House denied Wednesday that U.S. confirmation of intelligence that Hamas uses Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza as a control center had anything to do with the timing of the Israeli military operation there, which began just hours earlier.

"My delivery of some downgraded information yesterday, that, the timing of that really came after work by the intelligence community to prepare that information for downgrade. It has nothing to do with any operational timing or any decision making by the Israeli Defense Forces," White House spokesperson John Kirby insisted, referring to the declassification of information.

Kirby also denied the U.S. gave any "OK" for the Israeli operation at Al Shifa Hospital.

"We did not give an OK to the military operations around the hospital in similar fashion to the fact that we didn't, you know, we don't give OKs to their other tactical operations. These are Israeli military operations that they plan and they execute on, you know, in accordance with their own established procedures that the United States is not, was not involved in," Kirby said.

PHOTO: Men walk past patients at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Nov. 10, 2023. (AFP via Getty Images)

Kirby also said the operation was "not a focus" of President Joe Biden's conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday night, and wouldn't say if the U.S. got a heads up about the operation.

"I won't go into a great detail about the conversation that the president had with the prime minister. I can tell you that this was not a focus of that conversation. Again, we don't, we don't expect the Israelis to advise us or inform us when they are going to conduct operations. ... We talked to them routinely every day, and certainly we talked to them about our continued concerns over civilian casualties and sharing our perspectives on the best way to minimize, but these are their operations," Kirby said.

Kirby was asked about the evidence Israel and the IDF is providing to prove Hamas was using Al Shifa as a command center, but Kirby simply stuck to the U.S.'s own assessment.

"I would say we are comfortable with our own intelligence assessment about the degree to which Hamas was and is using Al Shifa Hospital as a commanding control node, as a storage facility underneath. We're, we're very comfortable with our own intelligence," he said.

PHOTO: Patients and internally displaced people are pictured at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City on November 10, 2023. (Khader Al Zanoun/AFP via Getty Images)

Israel has been criticized for fighting near Gaza hospitals -- especially the Al Shifa Hospital.

Kirby did emphasize the care that needs to be taken when it comes to conducting military operations in hospitals in particular.

"We have been very consistent, very clear with our Israeli counterparts about how important it is to minimize civilian casualties. We have also been very clear about the special care that must be taken when you're talking about hospitals because there are patients and even pediatric patients and medical staff and that hospital is an active, legitimate hospital, and [it's] serving the legitimate medical needs of the people of Gaza," Kirby said.

White House denies US OK'd Israeli raid on Al Shifa Hospital in Gaza originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Start planning your 2025 trip to the Bra Cheese Festival now.

Courtesy of Cheese Journeys

I dont care if my body gets wet, but I need to protect my cheese.

It had just started raining when I overheard the passionate sentiment on the street as a fellow festival-goer was fervently trying to stuff a wax paper-wrapped wedge of Gouda under his coat. I was in Bra, a town of about 30,000 people in the northern Italian province of Piedmont, about two hours southwest of Milan. Over the next few days, though, it would swell to 300,000, all coming to attend the Bra Cheese Festival, and all equally as passionate about their cheese as the person protecting their product at all costs.



The international festival started in 1997 and takes place over three days every two years. The brainchild of Slow Food, the global organization with a mission to preserve local food cultures and traditions, its the worlds largest festival dedicated to raw milk cheese. Here, attendees can meet renowned cheese producers from around the world with an opportunity to taste and buy spectacular cheese, says Anna Juhl, the founder of Cheese Journeys, a boutique travel company that curates food tours in Europe and the U.S., including tours to this very festival.

Related: How to Talk About Cheese Like You Know What You're Talking About

The Bra Cheese Festival is like the Burning Man of Cheese, says Tenaya Darlington, a cheese educator and author who also goes by Madame Fromage. It attracts the wild cheese people of the world  from Sicilian shepherds to village cheesemakers to families carrying on nearly extinct mountain traditions. During the festival, the Italian town of Bra is completely overtaken by stands and street musicians, and you can wander around tasting cheeses youll never find anywhere else, like Montebore  a famous triple-layer robiola thats now only produced by one maker.

While most attendees just gleefully roam around stalls, stopping to sample and buy, I experienced the worlds biggest cheese festival alongside Cheese Journeys, providing a richer experience than I could ever muster on my own.



A former cheese shop owner, Juhl started the company more than a decade ago out of a desire to connect travelers increasingly interested in where their food comes from with legendary, sometimes centuries-old producers. Until Cheese Journeys, there had not been an opportunity for [non-professional] food enthusiasts to have this back door glimpse into the amazing world of artisan cheese, she says.

Courtesy of Cheese Journeys

Juhls back door glimpses happen on group tours that span iconic dairy destinations, like the Jura and Savoie Regions of France and the Swiss Alps, Belgium and the Netherlands, and London, Somerset, and Bath. The tours typically entail staying in one beautiful place (like a chateau or an English manor) where meals are prepared by a private chef. Itineraries are full of fun cooking demos and a slate of cheese and wine tastings and classes (some led by Darlington and Emilio Mignucci, a third-generation owner at the Philadelphia cheese shop DiBruno Bros.) interspersed with the main draw: visits to private and off-the-beaten-path cheese producers and agers.

Her tours give cheese enthusiasts access to spaces that are not open to the general public  like Fort Saint Antoine (a labyrinthine Comte cave in the Jura Mountains) and the private home of James Montgomery of award-winning Montgomerys Cheddar in Somerset, England, says Darlington.

This particular Bra Cheese Festival tour took place in September 2023, with an eight-day itinerary that went beyond the three-day Slow Food fest. There was a private tour of the Cravero aging facility, where we walked down aisles lined with pine shelves to the ceiling, holding nearly 100-pound rounds of buttery Parmigiano-Reggiano. We visited Slow Foods University of Gastronomic Sciences, where a staff sommelier led us through a tasting of Piedmont varieties like Barbaresco and Barolo before a peek into the Universitys Wine Bank, where thousands of bottles of Italian wine are cataloged for education and preservation. During a visit to her vineyards, we met the winemaker Chiara Boschis, who took a break from harvesting grapes to say hello, before we climbed down into an 18th-century wine cellar to see the storage tanks.

Courtesy of Cheese Journeys

The Cheese Journeys tour particularly shined at the festival, though, with Juhl and her team crafting a thoughtful, insiders-only itinerary that used the same backdoor key to access private tastings, meet and greets with cheese world luminaries (they exist!), and lunch with the makers of Italys best butter.

The streets of Bra were lined with stalls from producers, mongers, and affineurs (agers), not to mention musicians and mimes, and folks selling pink balloons and hand-carved cutting boards. With the Cheese Journeys team, though, we wove through gleeful festival goers of all ages  from kids eating buffalo milk gelato to locals sipping plastic cups of orange spritzes and clutching travel coolers to bring home their milky haul  to taste English blue cheese Stichelton, a raw milk version of Stilton. Cheesemaker Joe Schneider has long been a fan of the festival, telling me, You can walk down the street and have a global cheese experience, meeting makers, tasting cheese  and theres no cost to enter. Its a sea of makers from Italy, France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, but also from Macedonia, Portugal, Uruguay, Turkey, and beyond. Theyre sampling and selling cheeses made with raw cow, sheep, and goat milk, and also milk from yak, camel, and water buffalo.

We met the maker of a pungent and creamy Spanish sheeps milk cheese made with thistle rennet, and tried slices of Gotthelf Emmental, cut from a 200-pound wheel that was made in the Swiss Alps using raw milk from cows that were left to graze in wild fields. Betty Koster, the luminous founder of the Dutch cheese shop Fromagerie LAmuse, known as the Julia Child of cheese, talked to us about some of her favorite goudas. We sampled from a board of Frances most delicious cheeses, including Reblochon, a gooey raw cows milk. Lunch was with the team from Italian cheesemakers Beppino Occelli: boards of reserve cheeses, wrapped in chestnut leaves or barolo grapes, followed by plates of silky, handmade pasta dressed only in that award-winning, thick-as-frosting butter, and shaved truffle.

When it came time to shop for edible souvenirs, I opted for a massive, crumbly wedge of Cravero parm, wrapped in paper and a thin sheet of plastic, which is the only reason I wasnt worried about a little rain ruining my cheese. Its an experience you can have too. Youll just have to wait until the next festival in 2025. But that gives you plenty of time to get your all-weather gear ready.



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Read the original article on Food & Wine.
Chinese president Xi Jinping hinted that China was willing to send new pandas to the US following a meeting with his American counterpart Joe Biden that lasted nearly four hours.

The pandas were "envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American people", Mr Xi said on Wednesday during a dinner speech with business leaders in San Francisco.

"We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples," said the president, who is on his first trip to the US in six years due to sour bi-lateral ties between the two nations.

Mr Xi did not share additional details on when or where pandas might be provided but appeared to suggest the next pair of pandas are most likely to come to California, probably San Diego.

The statement comes after three giant pandas  Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji  were returned to China from the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington.

The bears have long been the symbol of US-China ties and were first gifted by Beijing to the zoo in 1972. The pandas were later loaned by Beijing to other US zoos and the proceeding went back to conservation programs.

The pandas, Mei Xiang, 25, and 26-year-old Tian Tian, were brought to the US in 2000. Their cub was born in 2020.

The panda family embarked on a 19-hour-long flight to Chengdu on 8 November. "I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off," Mr Xi said.

He added that he learned the San Diego Zoo and people in California "very much look forward to welcoming pandas back".

Mr Xi and Mr Biden sat down together on Wednesday one year after their last in-person meeting to discuss Taiwan, military ties, trade and fentanyl. Mr Xi agreed to help curb the production of the illicit fentanyl that is a deadly component of drugs sold in the US.

A senior administration official told the Associated Press that the shift will be a setback for Latin American drug dealers.

"It's going to save lives, and I appreciated President Xi's commitment on this issue," Mr Biden said at a press conference after his meeting.

In addition, Mr Biden and Mr Xi reached an agreement to resume military-to-military communications. That means defence secretary Lloyd Austin will speak with his Chinese counterpart once someone is named to the job, the official said.

Similar engagements will take place up and down the military chain of command.

The official said Mr Biden was "very clear" to Mr Xi that such communications between US and China should be institutionalised and that they are "not done as a gift or as a favor to either side".

Mr Biden said the US and China would talk more about artificial intelligence as well. "We're going to get our experts together and discuss risk and safety issues," he said.

Additional reporting by agencies
Ohio State University College Democrats, from left, Thom DiPaola, Luke Evans, Nathan Davis and Katie Seewer check election results on their phones during a gathering for supporters of Issue 1 at the Hyatt Regency Downtown in Columbus.

Brianna Mack's phone was ringing off the hook when last week's election results came in.

Mack teaches political science at Ohio Wesleyan University, and she said students flooded her phone with emails when Ohioans approved Issue 1 and Issue 2. The next day, all they wanted to talk about in class was the outcome. The energy was palpable.

Over at Ohio State University, poll monitors with the League of Women Voters of Ohio said the Ohio Union's polling location was busier than ever.

It's too early to say how many young voters  generally defined as Ohioans 18 to 29  participated in the Nov. 7 election. But exit polling shows they helped get the abortion rights amendment and recreational marijuana law across the finish line.

"We dont want our future kids and generations to have fewer rights than we did," said Nick Linder, chief of staff for Ohio State's College Democrats.

Representatives for Ohio Young Republicans and the University of Cincinnati College Republicans did not respond to interview requests.

Voters under 30 surveyed in a CNN exit poll approved the abortion amendment 77-23%, while 84% of Ohioans in that age group said yes to Issue 2, the marijuana law. The measures were also popular with voters ages 30 to 44, most of whom are considered millennials.

Looking ahead to 2024, Gen Z could play a key role in electing the next president and deciding whether Sen. Sherrod Brown, D-Ohio, gets reelected to the U.S. Senate. Over 8 million people nationwide have become eligible to vote since the 2022 election, according to the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement.

But it remains to be seen whether enthusiasm for the abortion and marijuana issues will translate to the 2024 election.

What motivated young voters in 2023 elections?

The Nov. 7 election, along with the August special election, resonated with young voters for a few reasons.

The U.S. Supreme Court decision to overturn Roe v. Wade last year was a big one. Eryka Harper, who served as a youth representative on the League's board, said young voters saw that ruling and the decision to strike down affirmative action as attacks on their civil liberties. She said frustration has been growing ever since.

Its not just, young people want to smoke weed and get abortions," Harper said. "I think its a lot deeper than that."

The Aug. 8 election also primed young voters for the issues on the November ballot, Mack said. In that election, Ohio voters rejected a measure to make it harder to amend the state constitution. The proposal aimed to erect obstacles for the abortion rights amendment, along with future progressive ballot questions, and observers say young voters made the connection.

Young voters remain an elusive bunch, even when engagement seems higher than normal. About 21% of 18- to 30-year-old registered voters in Ohio cast ballots for the Aug. 8 election, according to data provided to the League of Women Voters by Catalist. Just 5.8% of Ohioans in that group voted in the November 2021 election, while 27% turned out in November 2022.

Maria Cancel, center, talks with her daughters Jaylene Cancel, 14, left, and Analise Wilson-Cancel, 16, about the issues as she votes at the Saint Stephens Community House in the Linden neighborhood of Columbus.

Voting rights organizations know there's still plenty of work ahead to get those turnout figures up. Local chapters of the League work closely with college campuses to register voters and provide them with information about how to vote. They also try to give Ohioans an opportunity to engage with democracy before they turn 18.

Ohio's new law requiring photo IDs at the polls does not allow voters to use student IDs, so many college students opt to vote absentee. Critics of the voter ID law have said it stifles participation, particularly among college-age voters who are transient and may not have an Ohio driver's license if they came from out-of-state.

"I think there is a risk of apathy towards civic participation in general that stems from the fact that our elected officials aren't listening to young people and don't make it easy for them to participate fully in our democracy," said Nazek Hapasha, the League's policy affairs manager.

Will young Ohioans turn out in 2024?

Another factor that could depress youth participation sits at the top of the ticket.

One of Mack's classes surveyed Ohio Wesleyan students and found that, if the presidential primary were tomorrow, most of them would vote for Marianne Williamson over President Joe Biden. The poll also showed more support for former United Nations Ambassador Nikki Haley over former President Donald Trump, who's considered the likely Republican nominee. Biden won out in the general election, but Mack said many young voters she knows aren't enthused with him.

The younger Democratic base, they desperately want new leadership," Mack said.

So, what do young voters need to turn out in 2024? Harper said actions matter, and candidates must show they've worked on issues that are important to young Ohioans. Abortion, racial discrimination and the war between Israel and Hamas will continue to be top of mind as the election cycle heats up, she said.

Linder echoed that sentiment, saying Ohio's U.S. Senate candidates need to focus on issues instead of politics or personalities. He noted that Brown advocated for Issue 1 and said it will be important for the senator to keep talking about reproductive rights and other topics that are salient with young voters.

Brown will face the winner of the March Republican primary in his bid for a fourth term: Either Secretary of State Frank LaRose, Cleveland businessman Bernie Moreno or state Sen. Matt Dolan, R-Chagrin Falls.

Linder also believes the proposed redistricting reform amendment  which is still far from making the ballot  has the potential to energize younger Ohioans, if the messaging is right.

I think its going to be important to communicate to young people what exactly that will mean for their lives," he said.

Haley BeMiller is a reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: Ohio November 2023 election: Young voters back abortion, marijuana


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Myanmar junta admits to facing "heavy assault" from insurgents in three separate states as rebel forces claim to have captured towns and outposts.

The anti-coup forces were said to have staged a coordinated offensive at the end of last month and made claims that they had recaptured border areas and dozens of military bases. In a statement, spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said that military troops were being sieged by a significant number of armed rebel soldiers.

Myanmar's Regional Conflict

These attacks were being conducted in Shan State in the north, Kayah State in the east, and Rakhine State in the west. The rebel forces were also said to have used "hundreds" of drones to drop bombs on several military outposts and the official said that some sites were forced to order evacuations.

The Asian country was plunged into a crisis when the nation's generals seized power from the elected government of civilian leader Aung San Suu Kyi in a coup that was held in February 2021. Millions of people took to the streets to protest the coup and called for the restoration of democracy, as per Aljazeera.

However, when the military responded to the demands with force, some civilians subsequently took up arms and joined forces with ethnic armed groups. The latter have long been fighting for self-determination.

There were at least 4,185 civilians and anti-coup activists who have lost their lives in the violence since the start of the regional conflict. The statistic was released by a Myanmar non-profit organization, the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners which is tracking the crackdown.

The rebel forces' latest offensive code-named Operation 1027 started in Shan State located near the border with China on Oct. 27. It was led by the Three Brotherhood Alliance, which is a grouping of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA), Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA), and Arakan Army (AA).

Read Also: Taliban's Recognition of Afghan Women's Rights Illegitimate, UN Assessment Claims

Fighting Against the Military Junta

Zaw noted that they were quickly taking measures to protect against the drone bomb attacks effectively. Government staff in the capital, Naypyidaw, were ordered to form units to respond to "emergency" situations. The order was announced by Naypyidaw Council secretary Tin Maung Swe who denied that it was in response to the security situation, according to Reuters.

Tin said that it was a plan that was made in case of an emergency, particularly providing natural disasters as an example. On the other hand, a parallel government that was formed by pro-democracy politicians to oppose the military has launched a "Road to Naypyidaw" campaign.

This was done in alliance with some insurgent factions within the country that they said sought to take back control of the capital. The military's State Administration Council (SAC) said in an order on Wednesday that all individuals with basic military training should be prepared to go and serve.

On that same day, the commander in chief of the armed forces Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing called a meeting of the defense and security council. He said that the military had already lost control of three towns in Shan State, said the New York Times.

Related Article: Vladimir Putin Restricts Media Coverage Ahead of Russia's 2024 Presidential Election

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YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. On November 16, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia the official signing ceremony of the Framework Agreement on the Establishment of the International Solar Alliance by Armenia was held, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

According to the source, the signing ceremony was attended by Gnel Sanosyan, Minister of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure of the Republic of Armenia and the Ambassadors of co-founding countries of the International Solar Alliance - Ambassador of France Olivier Decottignies and Ambassador of India Nilakshi Saha Sinha.

The Agreement was signed by Deputy Foreign Minister Mnatsakan Safaryan, and the signed original copies were officially handed over to Nilakshi Saha Sinha, Ambassador of India - the Depositary State of the Agreement.

''The Agreement will then undergo an internal ratification process and enter into force on the thirtieth day following the handover of the instrument of ratification by Armenia to the Depositary.

Armenia's accession to the International Solar Alliance is an important step towards combating climate change, developing renewable and green energy resources, ensuring energy access and energy security,'' reads the statement.

The International Solar Alliance was established through the joint efforts of India and France towards working together to combat climate change and harness solar energy resources. The concept of the Alliance was developed in 2015 within the framework of the 21st Conference of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP21) held in Paris. In 2020 The Alliance made changes to the Framework Agreement, according to which all UN member states have the opportunity to join the Alliance. Currently, 116 states have signed the Framework Agreement of the Alliance, 94 of which have submitted the necessary ratification documents to become full members of the Alliance. The decision-making body of the Alliance is the Assembly, convened once a year at the level of relevant ministers from the member states. The Alliance is headquartered in India.

Renewable energy is one of the most important directions of the development of the energy system in Armenia, where solar energy has developed particularly well during recent years. Today, more than 5 percent of the total electricity produced comes from solar plants; the strategic program on energy development foresees by 2030 to increase the share of solar energy in the total to 15 percent.
The eight Indians were on October 26 given death sentences by Qatar's Court of First Instance

New Delhi: India on Thursday said the appeal process against the death sentence handed down to eight former Indian Navy personnel by a Qatari court is under process and it was hopeful of a positive outcome from it.External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India is engaged with the Qatari authorities on the matter and that the government will continue to extend all legal and consular assistance to the Indian nationals.

The eight Indians were on October 26 given death sentences by Qatar's Court of First Instance. India described the ruling as "deeply" shocking and vowed to explore all legal options in the case.

Days later, an appeal was filed against the death sentence.

"The case is currently in a legal process there. As we mentioned, an appeal has been filed in Qatar's Court of Appeal. We are also engaged with the Qatari authorities on the matter and we will continue to extend all legal and consular assistance (to them)," Bagchi said.

"I would again urge everyone not to engage in speculation considering the sensitive nature of the case," he said.

The judgement in the entire process has been made confidential by the Qatari side.

"The appeal process is underway and we would hope for a positive outcome," Bagchi said replying to a question on the matter at his weekly media briefing.

He also described as "factually incorrect" some reports that suggested the appeal in the case has been adjudicated.

The Indian nationals, who worked with private company Al Dahra, were arrested in August last year reportedly in an alleged case of espionage.

Neither the Qatari authorities nor New Delhi made the charges against the Indian nationals public.

In its reaction to the ruling by the Qatari court, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) last month said that it is attaching "high importance" to this case and is exploring all legal options.

The charges were filed against the eight Indian navy veterans on March 25 and they were tried under Qatari law.

All of the former Navy officers had "unblemished stints" of up to 20 years in the Indian Navy and had held important positions including that of instructors in the force, former military officials had said.

In May Al-Dhara Global closed its operations in Doha and all those working there (primarily Indians) have since returned home.

In the past, the Navy had taken up the case of the former naval personnel with top brass of the government for securing their release.

Asked about some reports of Diwali holiday being removed from the calendar of Indian schools in Qatar, Bagchi said the schools operate under local rules and regulations.

The spokesperson said that he was not in a position to confirm if the matter will be taken up with the authorities.
A CISF jawan and a polling official who were deployed in their respective assigned polling booths in Madhya Pradesh died on Thursday

While Madhya Pradesh is set to make a crucial choice between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress in a single-phase election, Chhattisgarh gears up for the second and final phase of polling on the day. (Photo: AP/Representational Image)

Bhopal: Voters in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh are all set to exercise their franchise on Friday.

While Madhya Pradesh is set to make a crucial choice between the ruling BJP and the Opposition Congress in a single-phase election, Chhattisgarh gears up for the second and final phase of polling on the day.

A CISF jawan and a polling official who were deployed in their respective assigned polling booths in Madhya Pradesh died on Thursday.

CISF jawan Janral Singh deployed on polling duty in Tikamgarh in the state suddenly fell ill and was rushed to the nearby government hospital, where he died during treatment, officials said.

The polling official, Bhim Rao (55), deployed in the Multai Nagar polling booth under the Betul Assembly constituency in MP, died of cardiac arrest, officials said.

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, state Congress president Kamal Nath and three Union ministers -- Narendra Singh Tomar, Prallhad Patel and Faggan Singh Kulaste -- and four BJP MPs are among the 2,533 candidates who are seeking election to the 230-member MP Assembly in the polls.

The political parties in the two states have turned to door-to-door canvassing to woo the voters after the campaign for the November 17 Assembly polls ended on Wednesday evening.

On Thursday, Mr Chouhan broke bread with some beneficiaries of the "Ladli Behna" scheme, billed as a game changer for the BJP in the polls in Madhya Pradesh, by visiting their homes.

I accepted an invitation from Hemlata to visit her home to have lunch with her family, Mr Chouhan said.

He also visited some families in the Sunhari Bag and Tila Jamalpur areas of Bhopal city to share food with their family members and discuss the scheme with them.

In the last Assembly polls, the Congress had formed the government in Madhya Pradesh by securing 114 seats, two short of the majority in the house.

The BJP had bagged 109 seats.

However, the Congress government headed by Kamal Nath lasted only 15 months because of the resignation of 22 Congress MLAs from the party and later from the House in March 2020.

They later joined the BJP. The majority of them were re-elected to the House in the by-elections. This paved the way for the BJP to return to power in the state.

In the second and final phase of polling in Chhattisgarh, 70 Assembly seats are going to polls on Friday.

Chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, BJP national vice-president and former chief minister Raman Singh, state BJP president Arun Sao, who is also a Lok Sabha MP, and BJP MP Vijay Baghel are among the 958 candidates who are seeking election to the 90-member Chhattisgarh Assembly in the polls.

The first phase of polling in Chhattisgarh, in which 20 seats went to the polls, was held on November 7.

In the last Assembly elections,the Congress stormed to power in Chhattisgarh after a gap of 15 years by securing 68 out of 90 seats.

The BJP had bagged 15 seats then.
In Thailand, 150 delegates attended the meeting promoted by the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue together with some important Buddhist organisations. The colloquium focused on the ways of compassion (Karuna) and charity (Agape) to bring hope in today's context. The next event is set for 2025 in Cambodia.

Bangkok (AsiaNews)  The Seventh Buddhist-Christian Colloquium ended today. The four-day event was held at the Baan Phu Waan Center in Bangkok on the theme "Karuna and Agape in dialogue for the healing of a wounded humanity and the earth.

In the colloquiums final statement, participants write: Yet, in these troubled times, we refuse to give in to despair, for we strongly believe that in the midst of dark clouds, those who are deeply rooted in their respective religious traditions and willing to work together with everyone can bring a ray of hope to a desperate humanity.

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue organised the meeting with Mahachulalongkornrajavidyalaya University, Mahamakut Buddhist University, Chinese Buddhist Order of Sangha in Thailand, Wat Phra Chetuphon, the Sirivadhanabhakdi Foundation, and the Catholic Bishops Conference of Thailand

About 150 Buddhists and Christians came together from Cambodia, Hong Kong, India, Japan, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Singapore, Sri Lanka, South Korea, Thailand, Taiwan, the United Kingdom and the Holy See, as well as a representative of the Federation of Asian Bishops' Conferences.

Local authorities and representatives of other religions present in Thailand, such as Hinduism, Islam and Sikhism, also attended the inaugural session.

Starting from the look at the meeting points between the Buddhist value of compassion (Karuna) and the Christian idea of charity (Agape), participants accepted the need to address the challenges that humanity is facing today.

"We recognize that both Buddhism and Christianity share a deep commitment to the well-being of humanity and the Earth, said Card Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot, Prefect of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue. We are aware that our world is wounded in many ways  socially, economically, ecologically  and it demands to be healed. In this shared recognition of our collective responsibility, we find common ground that transcends religious boundaries."

As Buddhists and Christians, we see the Buddha and Jesus as Great Healers, reads the final statement. The Buddha pointed to greed and Jesus to sin as the cause of suffering. On many levels, Jesus and the Buddha proposed love and compassion as medicine to drive out the darkness in the human heart and the world. Nourished by their respective spiritual teachings, Buddhists and Christians, for thousands of years, have adopted compassionate ways of living to address the suffering of life.

Given this, the final statement picks seven verbs to inspire joint action: acknowledge that we all belong to one human family; dialogue to prevent violence and heal both the victim and the perpetrator; cultivate empathy for the suffering of others and the environment; innovate in order to ensure that the spiritual patrimony of one's own religious traditions speaks to today's wounded humanity; educate especially the little ones to encounter the other; pray to purify hearts and minds.

At the end of the colloquium, participants also made the symbolic gesture of planting two trees: a ratchaphruek, the symbolic tree of Thailand, and a payung plant, which in the Thai language means "to support".

Finally, it was decided that the Eighth Buddhist-Christian Colloquium will be held in 2025 in Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
by Sumon Corraya

The announcement of the election round in early 2024, however, does not quell political and social tensions in Bangladesh. Since the end of October, 160 cars, party headquarters and police stations have been burnt down, including several deaths

Dhaka (AsiaNews) - It's official: the elections to install the twelfth National Assembly of Bangladesh will take place on 7 January 2024. The last date for submitting documents for parties and movements to the Returning Officer is 30 November, while the symbols on the ballot papers will be assigned on December 18th.

Bangladeshi voters will be asked to express their votes at 300 polling stations located throughout the country. This was announced by Chief Election Commissioner Kazi Habibul Awal on Wednesday evening.

Although there is now a date for the election, the friction between Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, who promised free and fair elections, and the Bangladesh Nationalist Party led by Hasina's arch-enemy, former Prime Minister Khaleda Zia, does not stop. who says he doesn't trust the government.

The opposition party has held several demonstrations across Bangladesh in recent weeks to call for the appointment of a non-partisan caretaker government for elections, leading to deadly clashes that have heightened fears of instability in the South Asian nation.

The 11th Parliament had started on January 30, 2019 and its term officially ends on January 29 next year. There can be ideological divisions in the country's multi-party politics. But if differences turn into conflict and violence, the resulting instability can have negative effects on the electoral process.

Solutions are needed. As a representative of the Election Commission, I call on all political parties to avoid conflicts and violence and instead find peaceful solutions, said Kazi Habibul Awal.

After the Election Commission announced the schedule on Wednesday evening, BNP general secretary Ruhul Kabir Rizvi informed the media that the party rejects the election schedule. Rizvi said that, ignoring the expectations of Bangladesh, public opinion and the international community, the Election Commission announced the calendar of unilateral elections.

It is impossible for us to believe in free elections under Hasina. Rizvi concluded by demanding that Hasina resign and that elections be held under a caretaker, non-partisan government.

On the other hand, the governing political group, the Awami League - in power for 15 years - has argued that there is no alternative provided by the Constitution to the elections as they have been organised. At a press conference in Dhaka, Awami League general secretary Obaidul Quader said that "the election commission will conduct the elections according to the Constitution".

From 28 October to 16 November, due to political tension, at least 160 fires occurred across the country, of which 150 were linked to car fires, the fire brigade and civil protection reported. But political offices and police "cabins" were also targeted. Meanwhile, the international community is pressuring the government to guarantee "free and fair elections".
by Nirmala Carvalho

Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Hoi, superior of the community in the Vietnamese capital, issued an appeal for prayer and solidarity with the congregation after the district administration began renovation work without asking permission from the fathers, who are in retreat with the clergy of the archdiocese. The Redemptorists have long been demanding the return of the building.

Hanoi (AsiaNews) - Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Hoi, superior of the Redemptorist community of the Vietnamese capital, has launched an appeal on the fate of the congregation's convent in the Dong Da district, where the local authorities - while the religious were on a retreat with the clergy of the archdiocese - have arbitrarily started renovation work in the hospital which they have long established in the building. The priest sent a letter to brothers, sisters and faithful around the world explaining the situation and asking for prayers of support in their efforts to restore the original function.

Renovations both inside and outside the building began on November 6 without the fathers' permission. Consequently, he writes, p. Joseph Nguyen Van Hoi, I have sent a representative of the Thai Ha Parish Pastoral Council to urgently meet with the hospital administrators and ask that they stop the repairs and renovation works.

Already on two other occasions - continues the letter dated 11 November - the hospital director and the board of directors had visited our parish and discussed with us the necessary repairs to the neglected sections of the hospital. We had implored them to ask the higher authorities to build a new hospital elsewhere, explaining that the building was originally built as our convent and is completely unfit to function as a hospital."

Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Hoi continues: "We said that for any urgent and immediate repairs (such as cracks in the ceiling or peeling paint that could harm patients), they must provide clear written requests specifying the precise nature and location of the repairs, and we will submit them to the ecclesiastical authorities superior".

However, the renovation work continued and the hospital director provided only a vague response to the complaints of the Redemptorist fathers.

The convent seized for this hospital is the material and spiritual heart of our congregation in Vietnam, built and inhabited by generations of our Redemptorists in the last century, underlines Fr. Joseph Nguyen Van Hoi. As we approach the 100th anniversary of our ministry in Vietnam, we fervently hope that the congregation will unite in calling for the return of our sacred home.

The Redemptorists, who landed in Vietnam in 1925 (the 100th anniversary of their arrival will be celebrated in 2025), began using the site for the novitiate and as a study center in 1928 after purchasing 61,455 square meters of land and building several structures there .

We never sold them, said the priest, referring to the buildings there. Local Catholics have reported that they are deeply saddened that the renovation is going ahead without their permission, because at least in the past, management used to seek approval from the congregation before repair work was carried out.

Fr Joseph Nguyen Van Hoi finally underlined that these actions violate religious freedom and discourage the population from having trust in the communist-led government while the Vatican and Vietnam are trying to improve bilateral diplomatic ties.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

For poet Aziz Isa Elkun - an exile in London - 'it is important to talk about Xinjiang, and the problem is not the Muslim faith, it is human rights'. The Uyghurs want to live as free as their Kazakh or Uzbek 'cousins', and do not recognise China's right to ownership of their soul and identity.

Almaty (AsiaNews) - At the beginning of November the book "Uyghur Poems" in English translation, edited by Aziz Isa Elkun, a well-known Uyghur poet of emigration, was presented at the University of London. Humanitarian activist and scientific collaborator of the university, Aziz was born and raised not far from the Chinese nuclear range on Lake Lob-Nor, and throughout his childhood he saw a strange dust that darkened the sky.

In 1999 he was arrested by the security services for his stance against the policy of "assimilation of the Uyghurs", but he later managed to escape from China, obtaining political asylum in Great Britain, without however severing ties with his " small homeland of Xinjiang.

The People's Republic of China had triumphantly announced that it had successfully tested a 22-kiloton nuclear warhead in 1964, feeling itself the "fifth great world power". The test took place near the dried-up lake of Lob-Nor, in the area of the Uyghurs who call it Karakosukkol.

Precisely in the region of area as a base for nuclear tests, so much so that the Uyghurs in the area have become accustomed to the "mushroom clouds" that stand out on the horizon.

Aziz Isa Elkun visited the city of Almaty in Kazakhstan in recent days, taking part in an international conference. He told journalists about his childhood "among the four nuclear polygons", and how the Uyghurs of Xinjiang had long hoped to become Uyghurstan, the sixteenth republic of the USSR, after the "cultural revolution" which had reduced the Chinese population, with millions of victims. I was lucky to be born healthy  remembers Aziz  while some of my classmates were missing ears, some were missing fingers, or were growing something too large, and in any case everyone was missing bread.

In one of his memoirs, Aziz wrote that he did not see khantsy [Uyghur-speaking Chinese] until I was 10, and I didn't even know what electric current was. The Chinese Communists had invaded the region in 1949, with Soviet support, and the local Uyghurs welcomed the Russians and even learned their language, while the Chinese remained strangers to them.

In 1955 the autonomous Xinjiang-Uigursky district was established, hoping that it would become a Soviet republic, like the Turkish-speaking border republics of Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan. The 1964 quarrel between China and the USSR created a lot of havoc in the area: many Uyghurs managed to escape to Soviet Kazakhstan, concentrating mainly in the cities of Zarkent and Almaty. The Soviets supported Uyghur separatism with radio propaganda, promising to welcome all Uyghurs to their territories.

Aziz learned Chinese in middle school, taught by Uyghur teachers who did not themselves know the language, which was compulsory for enrolling in university, where Chinese students did not communicate with Uyghur students, they went to eat in different canteens and slept in hostels separated.

The poet believes that "it is important to talk about Xinjiang, and the problem is not the Muslim faith, we are talking about human rights". The Uyghurs want to live free like their Kazakh or Uzbek "cousins", and do not recognize China's right to ownership of their soul and identity.

In a poem to his deceased father, Elkun recalls:

Dear father, you were a green-fingered gardener / Now the garden has grown, but you are not there to prune the plants / You were a doctor and an angel of souls / Now my heart is broken, and you are not there to heal it.

His father's body was removed from his site, because in Xinjiang, "East Turkestan", all the traditional cemeteries were destroyed, along with most of the mosques. Colonialism has been overcome almost everywhere in the world, but not in Western China.
An anti-Muslim Canadian man killed three family generations just to send a fearful message to Muslims. This is what prosecutors said in their closing argument with the accused murderer.

The man was identified as Nathaniel Veltman, who allegedly killed four people on the evening of June 6, 2021. The 22-year-old Canadian resident has been charged with four first-degree murder charges, as well as one count of attempted murder.

Here are other details shared by prosecutors handling Veltman's case on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

Anti-Muslim Canadian Man Kills Three Family Generations

According to Independent UK's latest report, Nathaniel Veltman told prosecutors that his crime was a message to Muslims that they should leave Canada.

Law enforcement officials said that Veltman is trying to inflict fear among Muslims, warning them that if they don't leave the country, then they could be the next ones dying.

They added that Nathaniel "made the conscious choice" to fill himself with hate towards Muslims and to do a murderous terrorist attack against an innocent family.

The three Muslim family generations that he killed were 15-year-old Yumnah Afzaal (a high school student), 44-year-old Madiha Salman, and 46-year-old Salman Afzaal (the student's parents), as well as 74-year-old Talat Afzaal (the family matriarch who was an artist and a teacher).

Aside from these innocent Muslims, Veltman's murderous attack also injured a 9-year-old boy, who luckily survived.

Read Also: PM Narendra Modi's Party Tied to Most Muslim Hate Speech Incidents in India: Report

Anti-Muslim Man Admits He Was on Drugs

BBC News reported that during his testimony to defend himself, Nathaniel Veltman admitted that he had consumed a large quantity of magic mushrooms 40 hours before killing the Muslims.

He used this information to argue that he was in a "dream-like" state when he "accidentally" ran over his victims in London, Ontario, while the family was going on an evening walk.

However, Veltman admitted that after taking the drugs, he thought of running over Muslims several times. The killer confirmed that when he saw the Muslim family, he couldn't stop his urge to run over them.

Veltman testified that the drugs he was taking likely exacerbated his existing "mental health conditions," forcing him to kill the three generations of the Muslim family.

Nathaniel's lawyer Christopher Hicks argued that he should not be charged with first-degree murder, but he is guilty of manslaughter.

"He is responsible for the deaths of these people. He's guilty of homicide - of manslaughter. If there is a death but the death is not intended, he's guilty of manslaughter," said a defense lawyer.

Related Article: Jewish Organization Requests Resignation of Montreal Anti-Racism Commissioner, Denounces Inexcusable Behavior

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Twinned with the Patrol, the Armada has entered MY24 with little in the way of changes. The biggest one, however, is pricing. How come the last hurrah of the Y62 costs $4,750 more than the 2023 model?

4WD

Photo: Nissan

As it happens, Nissan discontinued the S 2WD and Strim levels. At press time, said trims are listed by the automaker's configurator at $50,700 and $53,700 (excluding the $1,695 destination freight charge). The 2024 model kicks off at $55,450 and $58,450 for the SV 2WD and SV 4WD, and guess what? Destination and handling is $200 more than before, because why wouldn't it be?When it comes to 2024 model year SV versus 2023 model year SV, the pricing difference is much smaller. Think $150 for the MSRP and $200 for the DFC ($350 in total). However, the question is, why did Nissan streamline the lineup so late in the Y62's production life cycle? As you might have guessed by now, the automaker is gingerly preparing prospective customers of the Y63 for higher prices.Originally believed to launch for the 2024 model year, the 2025 Nissan Armada will switch to a twin-turbo V6 engine for increased gas mileage, power, and torque. Although the displacement remains a mystery at press time, dealer sources have suggested 424 ponies from said powerplant. By comparison, Toyota's full-size pickup comes with a 3.4 that develops up to 389 horsepower and 479 pound-feet (527 Nm) of twist. With hybrid assistance, that would be 437 horsepower and 583 pound-feet (790 Nm).The Tundra-based Sequoia full-size sport utility vehicle comes with the hybrid-assisted sixer. There is no indication whatsoever that Nissan intends to gift the Y63 with an electric motor, although 424 horsepower is more than plenty compared to the outgoing V8 engine. Internally referred to as VK56VD, the 5.6-liter mill is officially rated at 400 horsepower and 413 pound-feet (560 Nm) of twist.Formerly codenamed ZH, the VK engine family will be discontinued for good after the 2024 model year Nissan Armada and Titan pickup truck, along with the Infiniti QX80, run their course. It premiered more than a decade ago in the Infiniti Q45, a full-size luxury sedan heavily based on the JDM-only Cima.A naturally-aspirated V8 with aluminum heads, the VK56VD is a development of the VK56DE before it. Assembled in Decherd, Tennessee, this lump enables a towing capacity of 8,500 pounds (3,856 kilograms) in the Armada. Other highlights include a humongous infotainment system touchscreen (12.3 inches), wireless Apple CarPlay, wired Android Auto, a wireless charger, as well as Amazon Alexa Built-In.When it comes to available features, the Midnight Edition stands out thanks to black exterior and interior garnish. 22-inch wheels and 13 audio speakers from Bose need to be mentioned as well, together with the Intelligent Around View Monitor camera system.Not available on SV trims, the Midnight Edition adds $1,990 to the tally. Other noteworthy extras include a dual camera drive recorder ($360), carpeted floor mats ($390), roof rail cross bars ($410), special paint ($395), and second-row captain's chairs ($750).
SUV

While Toyota is posting a tidal wave of novelties this fall  including the all-new XV80 ninth generation Camry mid-size sedan and the first-ever Crownat the Los Angeles Auto Show, Subaru is a bit subtler and only has one big novelty for this year's edition. Of course, it's anyone's guess about what's coming.As far as Subaru is concerned, the Japanese automaker is tightlipped about the premiere  they only said that an "all-new fully redesigned vehicle will make its global debut at 9:40 AM PT (12:40 PM ET) on November 16 at the 2023 Los Angeles Auto Show ." Naturally, that's a cause for ample speculation across the rumor mill.And when that happens, the imaginative realm of digital car content creators is never too far behind. You see, Subaru has already updated to 2024 model year characteristics most of its nameplates  Crosstrek, Forester, Outback, Ascent, Impreza, Legacy, BRZ, and WRX. The all-electric Solterra is still a 2023 model year, but we don't think it will make a case for itself at the LA Auto Show  maybe they're just going to have it there in 2024MY form, too.Instead, everyone speculates about the all-new model that Subaru of America will have on stage  some think it's the next Ascent, others think it might be a fresh Impreza, and so on. For what it's worth, the latest ideas across the vast parallel universes of vehicular CGI speculate about the impending release of the next Subaru Legacy or Forester  the good folks over at the AutomagzPro and PoloTo channels on YouTube have decided to take a look at what comes next from Subaru - in CGI.First, the resident pixel master from AutomagzPro believes the eighth-generation Subaru Legacy mid-size sedan is just around the corner and has the virtual design to prove it. He or she is also not shy of proposing futuristic styling for the Toyota Camry rival  all with a little bit of help from AI software, of course.Secondly, the CGI expert behind PoloTo would instead focus on the next 2025 Subaru Forester crossover SUV. The AI-assisted design is much less exaggerated here, though, and it's almost like the model is getting a subtle refresh instead of a complete revamp. Now, of course, it is time to choose  would you rather give our CGI hall pass to the modern Subie Legacy, although there's a slim chance it will look like this, or go with the blander but potentially more accurate portrayal of the next Subaru Forester. If you want our two cents on the matter, we will choose both of them since they're wishful thinking.
Photo: Lamborghini

First and foremost, we must remember that Lamborghini and Audi go a long way back. The Volkswagen Group acquired the Raging Bull of Sant'Agata Bolognese in 1998. Be that as it may, the V10 we all know and love can trace its roots back to when Chrysler was calling the shots in the 1980s.Under the American juggernaut's control, the Italian automaker produced the P140 in 1987, a V10-powered concept with a 4.0-liter V10. Said engine also powered the Cala from the 1995 Geneva Motor Show, yet the Volkswagen Group didn't give Lamborghini the green light for series production.This very powerplant was enlarged to 5.0 liters for the Gallardo, a naturally-aspirated V10 unrelated to Audi's 4.2-liter FSI V8. It's also important to note that Lamborghini's 5.0-liter V10 is a Lamborghini design through and through, whereas the subsequent 5.2 is derived from the aforementioned 4.2-liter FSI V8.Due to ever-stringent emission and fuel economy regulations, as well as the 5.2's sheer age, it shouldn't come as a surprise that Lamborghini will switch to eight cylinders and forced induction for the successor of the Huracan. The newcomer is due in late 2024 as a 2025 model with Revuelto-inspired styling cues and some kind of hybrid setup to boot. Until the inevitable happens, Lamborghini will celebrate its V10 heritage with countless limited editions of the Huracan, including the one-off before your eyes.Enter the Huracan STO SC 10 Anniversario, with STO meaning Super Trofeo Omologata, SC standing for Squadra Corse, and 10 Anniversario referring to the 10th anniversary of the motorsports department. What's kind of curious about the Huracan STO SC 10 Anniversario is that the STO is inspired by the Super Trofeo EVO and Huracan GT3 EVO racing cars.The racing influences of the STO are topped with more go-faster stuff by Squadra Corse, namely more downforce, mechanical grip, and a titanium exhaust from Akrapovic. Due to increased downforce both up front and out back, there's no denying this fellow has a lower top speed than a fully stock Huracan STO.Top speed, however, is irrelevant to those who understand that handling matters the most in this kind of vehicle. Being a Lamborghini, the Raging Bull couldn't abstain from giving the SC 10 Anniversario a look-at-me livery. Inspired by the Aventador-based SC63 track toy, the livery brings together Verde Mantis, Nero Noctis, racing stripes in the colors of the Italian flag, and some writing on both doors.Because of its one-off nature, Lamborghini hasn't shared the sticker price of the SC 10 Anniversario. Even so, we do know that the STO used to retail at 249,412 euros in the spring of 2021. Over in the United States, the original MSRP was 327,838 bucks. With this level of personalization, chances are the SC 10 Anniversario clocked at least half a million.
More often than not, custom projects will start with a donor recently purchased from the second-hand market, but there are times when clients and their machines go way back. The modded Honda VF1000 F2 pictured below is a perfect case in point, as it had been purchased new by the current owners grandfather all the way back in 1985. It served as his trusty daily rider up until 2005.

Photo: Christian Schreiner via Pipeburn

Photo: Christian Schreiner via Pipeburn

A long period of dormancy had followed, yet the V4-powered Honda was destined to eventually undergo an invigorating makeover. Its present-day owner is none other than Ralf Eggl, the founder and lead mastermind of Woidwerk from Bodenmais, Germany. The shop was established as a family business around 2014, and Ralfs inherited VF1000 came out of storage a year later.It has, over time, morphed into the striking one-off youre looking at here, but theres no word on how long it took to attain its current form. What we can tell you is that Woidwerk revealed it rather recently, so the transformation process may have taken place over an extended time. This seems like a fair assumption given the projects personal nature, which mightve caused it to take a back seat when client commissions and strict deadlines got involved.Regardless of when it was completed, this build will most certainly be worth talking about for a long time to come! The VF1000 F2 provided a very solid basis from a mechanical standpoint, with the ability to spawn up to 116 hp at 10,000 rpm and 64 pound-feet (86 Nm) of torque lower down the rev range. This force is delivered by a liquid-cooled 998cc V4 mill, with dual overhead cams and a quartet of 36 mm (1.4-inch) Keihin carbs.Hondas old-school sport bike is far from light, though, weighing in at 245 kilograms (540 pounds) without any fluids. A fair bit of this mass was due for removal during the Woidwerk treatment, as Ralf sought to expose the machines V4 powerplant by deleting its lower fairings. That was only the start of his overhaul, and a lot more work still had to be done here. First things first, he needed to tighten up the motorcycles proportions at the back.That was achieved with some clever tweaking of its subframe, which is now shorter than stock by about eight centimeters (3.15 inches). Its slightly narrower, as well, but all this would mean nothing if the tail section wasnt modified to suit the updated anatomy. The projects author had it shortened and trimmed down on the flanks, while ditching the stock saddle in favor of a tailor-made alternative.It features a raised construction for the passenger portion, with the added benefit of more stability for the rider. The top section is cross-stitched with white threads, providing ample contrast from the black Alcantara upholstery. Theyre encircled by two-tone stitching that matches the highlights on the bodywork, but well get to those a bit later on.Although the front fairing was retained, Herr Eggl had it repositioned in order to fit its hosts updated proportions. It now sits approximately 10 centimeters (3.9 inches) lower than before, held in place by way of tailor-made mounting hardware. This relocation revealed a couple of unsightly gaps at the front of the fuel tank, so Ralf had them filled in with bespoke aluminum air scoops.The VF1000 F2s half-fairing got topped with a low-profile tinted windshield, and the chunky OEM turn signals made room for flush-mounted LED replacements. Out back, modern aftermarket blinkers are attached to a custom license plate holder, which sits right below the factory taillight. Woidwerk also kept the standard headlamp and front fender, but the latter has been downsized to reduce visual heft at the front end.For a considerable upgrade in the handling department, the specimen was blessed with high-grade Wilbers suspension technology fore and aft. Even though theres no word on what sort of mods occurred in the cockpit, we clearly see that Ralf got rid of the bulky fairing-mounted mirrors. In their stead, you will now find a single bar-end unit on the left-hand side.As far as the powertrain-related work is concerned, the German artisan performed an extensive rebuild of the 998cc V4 motor. He subsequently added red silicon hoses for its cooling system, while revising the airbox to help it breathe a little more freely. Of course, some fresh exhaust pipework was a must-have, so our protagonist got his hands on an Aprilia part and adapted it for the VF1000 Finally, the creature gained a stunning color scheme to make it all come together. A shiny silver base has been used for the upper bodywork, while the accompanying highlights nod to both HRC and Martini. The front fender was finished in red, and things like the coolant hoses and seat stitching do a great job at providing visual continuity throughout this bike
The U.S. Capitol Police clashed with pro-Palestine and pro-Israel protesters during a rally outside the Democratic National Committee (DNC) headquarters in Washington.

The incident happened on Wednesday evening, Nov. 15. What was supposed to be a peaceful demonstration turned to a violent protest after some police officers in riot gear clashed with dozens of protesters.

Protest organizers claimed that they weren't violent, but the U.S. Capitol Police officials say the opposite.

US Capitol Police Vs. Pro-Palestine, Israel Protesters

The protest, which was organized by three advocacy groups, was held near the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.

Since the demonstrators were rallying just outside the DNC, lawmakers who were inside the headquarters had to be evacuated by the police.

But, pro-Palestine and pro-Israel demonstrators decided to link their arms in front of the DNC's entrance, blocking the way of U.S. officials. While doing this, some of them were singing "Which side are you on?"

The U.S. Capitol Police pushed and pulled protesters to clear a path. One protester was even shoved down a staircase leading to the entrance.

ABC News reported that the police had to keep around 150 protesters, who they claimed were illegally and violently protesting outside DNC headquarters.

However, only one arrest was made by law enforcement. The protester who was detained allegedly assaulted an officer during the protest.

"One person has been arrested for assault on an officer," said the Capitol Police via The Guardian.

Read Also: North Dakota Judge Rejects Plea to Temporarily Suspend Gender-Affirming Care Ban for Minors

DNC Protest Leads to Violent Clash

The U.S. Capitol Police claimed that six of their officers were injured after protesters cut, pepper sprayed, and punched them.

Since the situation on Wednesday was very chaotic, responders had no choice but to treat the injured cops on the scene.

But, people who organized the protest outside the DNC denied the allegations that demonstrators were violent.

What they claim is very different from what U.S. officials shared. One of them is Congressman Sean Casten, who confirmed that protesters blocked all modes of ingress and egress.

"We were rescued by armed officers who did not know the protesters' intent; they knew only that Members of Congress were inside, could not leave, and that protesters would not let police through," said the American lawmaker.

Related Article: March for Israel: Jewish Groups Gather in Washington DC To Call Out an Antisemitism

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Fighting fires is tricky business, and the people in the business turn to all available means and methods to get the job done. More recently that includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) that are nimble enough to reach otherwise hard to get to places.

kW

There are several such solutions on the market already, but one made by a company called AutoFlight is described as a breakthrough in terms of "load capacity, flight duration, coverage, flight efficiency and firefighting effectiveness." And if you ask me, it is also the sexiest of its bunch.AutoFlight has been in the news for a while now as it is working on no less than two electric vertical take-off and landing machines. One is called Prosperity I and it's meant to carry up to four passengers and a pilot on medium, urban distances.The second is the cargo variant called CarryAll, and although it can be piloted, in some versions it comes with autonomous capabilities. One such self-flying variant is meant for fighting fires, and it was just shown by AutoFlight this week in the United Arab Emirates as a fully functional prototype.In its normal configuration the CarryAll can fly for 250 km (155 miles) while carrying in excess of 500 kg (1,100 pounds) of cargo at speeds of up to 250 kph (155 mph). The aircraft uses 13 propellers to take flight and stay airborne (ten for lift and three for push), spun by electric motors which in turn are fed by a 160battery pack.The firefighting version is slightly less impressive, but for good reason. The eVTOL's specs sheet reads a top speed of 200 kph (124 mph) and a distance just as large. The cargo capacity is a tad lower as well, at 400 kg (882 pounds), bringing the aircraft's maximum takeoff weight to two metric tons.In this case the cargo comes as four fire-extinguishing canisters that weigh 100 kg (220 pounds) each. Every single one of these canisters has the capacity to put out fires over an area of 200 square meters (2,153 square feet).AutoFlight says it has already conducted demonstrations with potential customers, and the feedback is "encouraging." But whereas the cargo version of the CarryAll is expected to be certified by the Civil Aviation Administration of China (CAAC) next year, we're not told anything about when the firefighting variant will be suitable for use.Before that happens the company has to first turn the aircraft from prototype to production version, and develop the needed ground station and supporting systems. It is likely development prototypes will enter service with various firefighting organizations as soon as next year.AutoFlight does not say where those organizations are based or where the tests will be conducted. We also don't get any piece of info on the cost of the special CarryAll eVTOL.
If you're familiar with Google Maps' feature lineup, you probably know already that the application allows you to create lists of places you'd like to visit.Each place can be added to a different list, and starting recently, Google Maps enables users to add different emojis to each list. The concept is brilliant, as you can then see the places on the map with the selected emoji, so it's easier to distinguish them by simply looking at the map.Now, Google is getting ready to roll out another massive update for the list integration.Google Maps will allow users to collaborate on a list. When you share a list with your friends, you'll get an option to create a collaborative mode allowing everybody who can access the list to add places and even vote on the existing items. Google says it wanted to move the planning phase of a trip from the group chat to Google Maps, so instead of never-ending chatter on which places to visit, users can just add their ideas to the list and let everybody else vote.The voting options support hearts and thumbs-down emojis, so it'll be easy to see which place has everybody's approval and which should be removed from the list. Everything happens in Google Maps, with the feature to be available on mobile devices running Android and iOS.Google says it plans to begin the rollout in the coming weeks, so keep Google Maps up-to-date and look for the new collaborative mode in the lists sharing menu.Meanwhile, Google Maps is also getting lots of other goodies. For example, the application is expanding the support for eco-friendly routes , which has so far worked like magic to reduce vehicle emissions worldwide. Google says the first numbers are amazing, as the eco-friendly mode took drivers on routes that helped cut emissions by the equivalent of taking 500,000 vehicles off the road.The eco-friendly routing, now expanding to India, provides users with alternatives to the fastest route typically suggested by the application. The big difference is that Google Maps takes into account different factors when looking for the best route, including the road incline and traffic conditions. The goal is to allow the driver to reach the destination in a reasonable time (not too different from the ETA of the fastest route) with reduced fuel consumption and vehicle emissions.However, users can still choose the fastest route and disable the eco-friendly suggestions completely from Google Maps' settings menu if they want to use the application the classic way.
There will only be electric cars in the Vatican City State in the near future. This is what authorities are targeting. And to help them achieve the goal, Volkswagen will deliver around 40 EVs next year as part of the Vaticans plan to reduce carbon emissions.

Photo: Volkswagen

kWh

Almost 40 ID.3, ID.4, and ID.5 examples will arrive in the Vatican City State at the beginning of next year. The move is part of the decarbonization plan that the VCS rolled out, in an attempt to make its entire fleet climate-neutral by 2030.It is based on the Ecological Conversion 2030 program, which aims to reduce the carbon dioxide footprint of the states fleet. Therefore, all cars will be progressively replaced by electric ones.Volkswagen is one of the partners chosen for this goal, together with Skoda , which also supplies electric cars to the state. Therefore, the Vatican employees will be driving ID.s starting January around the 109-acre city-state in the heart of Rome, where authorities are also planning to increase the number of charging stations to keep up with the growing number of EVs.There are no details referring to the number of vehicles that Volkswagen will supply or the value of the contract. The delivery deadline is not public either.Back in September 2022, Pope Francis said that we should ditch fossil fuels in favor of greener alternatives. In 2017, Lamborghini gifted the Pope with a Lamborghini Huracan in white over a white leather interior.But His Holiness never used it, and the City of Vatican eventually auctioned off the supercar via RM Sothebys. Instead, the Pope was seen driving a Fiat 500, a model that he used on his journey to the United States in 2015. Pope Francis will be the first pope to address a UN climate conference when he attends the COP28 meeting in Dubai, set to take place between November 30 and December 12. For years, the Pope has been challenging world leaders to commit to targets in order to slow down climate change, saying that the humanity is inching closer to "the point of no return."The first models to arrive were two ID.3 Pro Performance units. They are powered by a single motor, mounted on the rear axle, in a rear-wheel drive setup. The motor generates 201 horsepower (204 PS) and 229 lb-ft (310 Nm) of torque. The battery pack with a capacity of 58provides it with a range of up to 264 miles (425 kilometers).The car can go from 0 to 62 mph (0 to 100 kph) in 7.3 seconds and reach a top speed of 99 mph (160 kph). We are probably not going to see the Vatican employees testing the top speed around the city-state.
One of the most important cities in the world now has another historic achievement to add to its record. A major air mobility event brought not just one but several eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) flights to the public. One of the aircraft starring in this unique event was the German-designed Volocopter 2X.

For the past few years, eVTOL manufacturers around the world have teased us with the bold vision of high-performance, fully-electric aircraft that could replace the dreaded car commutes. It's now time for some of them to give us a taste of what that experience would look and feel like.The mayor of New York City, Eric Adams, and the New York City Economic Development Corporation (NYCEDC) recently attended what was claimed to be the first and the largest event of its kind in the world. What made it so special? It wasn't just a public flight demonstration of eVTOL flights, but one that took place in a city, and not just any city. For the first time ever, several electric air taxis took to the sky with the famous Brooklyn Bridge and the Manhattan skyline as their background.The Californian Joby Aviation and the German Volocopter both made their New York City debut during this event. It wasn't just about the aircraft but also about the future of air mobility infrastructure. In the not-so-distant future, the Downtown Manhattan Heliport (DMH) is set to become electrified and ready for air taxi commercial operations.Volocopter has already secured multiple impressive debuts under its belt. Its aircraft prototype recently became the first to complete an eVTOL flight in Florida successfully. It was also one of the first to fly at a pioneering vertiport in Italy. Earlier this year, it was also the first electric air taxi to fly in Saudi Arabia, gearing up for future operations in the spectacular city-state named Neom.

Volocopter has a special connection to the United States. It completed its first US flight back in 2018 in Las Vegas. Over the years, the German aircraft made its debut in places like Oshkosh and the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Now, it has added Tampa and New York City to this impressive list.A few months ago, the German air taxi maker also inaugurated its first production facility in Bruchsal, including a hangar that is set to become the final assembly line for the VoloCity commercial air taxi. When completed, the new plant will be able to roll out up to 50 units per year. Volocopter is also close to the finish line in terms of certification. It aims to get it from both EASA (the European Aviation Safety Agency) and FAA (the Federal Aviation Administration). EASA is expected to give Volocopter the green light as soon as next year.
The West has a beastly grip on Armenia after it failed its policy in Ukraine, Maria Zakharova, an official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, said during a press briefing on Wednesday.

The West, whose plans in the Ukrainian direction have completely failed, has grabbed onto Armenia with the same beastly grip, trying to tear it away from Russia, she continued.

Zakharova referred to the latest steps of the Armenian leadership, including Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians refusal to attend an upcoming summit of the Russia-led Collective Security Treaty Organization in Minsk, the expansion of Western arms supplies to Armenia, and the friendship of Yerevan and Kyiv as to links of the same chain.

Only, it seems to me that this is a chain of enslavement, the Russian diplomatic representative said.

Zakharova further claimed that it is recommendations from the West that prevent the Armenian leadership from completing the work on unblocking transport links in the South Caucasus.

She noted that representatives of Moscow, Yerevan and Baku involved in a trilateral working group achieved significant progress in June regarding the restoration of a railway link between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

But again, something prevented the Armenian leadership from finalizing the agreements on paper. We know very well what prevented it  it was the good advice of the Western friends of the current leadership in Armenia, Zakharova said.

The official representative of Russias Foreign Ministry denied any pressure on Armenia in the matter, but reminded that under the 2020 and 2021 trilateral agreements it is Russias Federal Security Service (FSB) that is to exercise control over transport links between Azerbaijan and its Nakhichevan exclave that would pass via Armenia.

Officials in Yerevan have not concealed their frustration with Russia, considering that as a formal ally it has failed to fulfill its obligation to Armenia to secure its borders and protect its sovereign territory against incursions by Azerbaijan.

Tensions between Armenia and Russia rose further after Azerbaijans September 19-20 military offensive in Nagorno-Karabakh that led to the exodus of the regions virtually entire ethnic Armenian population. Armenia, in particular, blamed Russian peacekeepers deployed in Nagorno-Karabakh under the 2020 ceasefire agreement between Moscow, Baku and Yerevan for failing to protect the local Armenians.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian defended the policy of his government aimed at diversifying security relations as he spoke in parliament on Wednesday.

We are looking for other security partners. And we are looking for and finding other security partners, we are trying to sign contracts, acquire some armaments. This is our policy, the Armenian leader said.

Despite the provision in the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement that Russias FSB is to exercise control over future transport communications via Armenia, it is increasingly being viewed in Yerevan as a moot point given the failure of the Moscow-brokered deal to protect ethnic Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.

In their public statements officials in Yerevan have insisted that it is the Armenian side only that should exercise control over all transport links passing through Armenian territories.

The Armenian government recently set up a special unit at the National Security Service tasked with ensuring the safe transit of people, goods and other cargo through the country.

Zakharova said that the latest reaction of Armenian authorities to the matter came as a surprise to her. Russian border guards have been protecting Armenias borders with Iran and Turkey for many years in accordance with bilateral agreements, she said.
According to Anokhina, Armenian police subsequently transferred Fatima Zurabova to the Armenian capital, Yerevan, where they confiscated her telephone and told her that she was suspected of an unspecified crime in Ingushetia and will be deported back to Russia.

Anokhina added that Zurabovas uncle and another person appeared at the police station in Yerevan and the police left Zurabova in a room with the two men, who demanded she return to Ingushetia.

Zurabova tried to explain to the Armenian police that she needs their help and protection from her relatives, adding that she fled Ingushetia to escape the domestic violence she regularly faced, but the police said that since the alleged crime was committed in Russia, they couldn't help her.

Anokhina also said that Zurabova refused to leave the police station, fearing that she would be immediately taken back to Ingushetia by her relatives.

All her rights were blatantly violated -- they locked her in a room with her uncle, while she begged them not to do so, confiscated her telephone, did not allow her lawyer to meet her, Anokhina said.

Anokhinas Marem human rights group helped Zurabova flee to Armenia on November 8 after the woman asked for assistance in late September, saying that she was regularly beaten at home for behavior that did not correspond to the traditional Ingush society, namely for having her own opinion on different issues.

Domestic violence has been a problem in Russias mostly Muslim-populated North Caucasus region for decades. Victims who manage to flee often say that they may face punishment, including honor killings, if they are forced to return.

Human right defenders say families in the North Caucasus often file complaints, accusing fugitive women of crimes, usually theft, to legalize their detainment and return to their relatives. Once back, the women face violent abuse.

Local authorities usually take the side of the alleged abusers.

The Marem womens rights organization told RFE/RL on November 16 that Armenian police released the 21-year-old woman. According to the watchdog, Zurabova left a police station in Yerevan with human rights activists and is currently in a safe place.
Azerbaijans Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement on Thursday describing some of the statements made by James OBrien, assistant secretary at the U.S. State Departments Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, as one-sided and biased.

A one-sided approach by the United States could lead to the loss by Washington of its role as a mediator, the ministry said, as quoted by Azerbaijans APA news agency.

Under these circumstances, it is important to note that we do not consider possible to hold the proposed meeting at the level of the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington on November 20, 2023, it added.

Addressing the House Foreign Affairs Committees Subcommittee on Europe during a November 15 hearing on the future of Nagorno-Karabakh, OBrien said that Washington made clear that nothing will be normal with Azerbaijan after the events of September 19 until we see progress on the peace track.

He referred to Bakus one-day military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of which virtually the entire local Armenian population  more than 100,000 people  fled to Armenia.

OBrien said that Washington canceled a number of high-level visits to Azerbaijan in response to that action and that we dont anticipate submitting a waiver on Section 907 until such time that we see a real improvement.

Section 907 of the United States 1992 Freedom Support Act bans any kind of direct United States aid to the Azerbaijani government.

The U.S. official also warned Azerbaijan against using force to open a land corridor to its western exclave of Nakhichevan via Armenia. A transit corridor created some other way  by force or with the involvement of Iran  will, I think, be met with a very strong reaction and will not be a success, OBrien said, in particular.

In its commentary the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs spoke about reciprocal steps by Baku after the U.S. officials statements.

Concerning the statement that the U.S. has cancelled high-level bilateral meetings and engagements, which were initiated by the U.S. with Azerbaijan, and that there cannot be business as usual in our bilateral relationship, it should be noted that the relations could not be one-sided. Consequently, the same approach will be applied equally by Azerbaijan. In these circumstances, we consider the possibility of high-level visits from the United States to Azerbaijan inappropriate as well, the Azerbaijani ministry said.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev had withdrawn from multilateral talks involving Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian that were scheduled to take place on the margins of the European Unions October 5 summit in Granada, Spain. Pashinian had hoped that the sides there would sign a document laying out the main parameters of an Armenian-Azerbaijani peace treaty. Baku explained its refusal to attend the meeting in Granada by the attitude of France that has been supplying Armenia with weapons recently.

The Azerbaijani leader also appears to have cancelled another meeting which EU Council President Charles Michel planned to host in Brussels later in October.

Earlier this week, Armenian officials said Yerevan was ready for talks with Baku both in Brussels and Washington.

Meanwhile, EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said on Thursday that Brussels continues to make efforts to restart negotiations between Armenia and Azerbaijan without delay. He said that the ultimate goal of the negotiation process is the conclusion of a peace treaty between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
The short title of the bill (S.3000) introduced by Senator Gary Peters (D-MI) is the Armenian Protection Act of 2023.

The bill passed on November 15 will be introduced in the House of Representatives, then, if passed, presented to the United States president for signing to become a law.

Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act passed along with the adoption of the legislation in 1992 bans any kind of direct United States aid to the Azerbaijani government. In subsequent years, however, American lawmakers amended Section 907 to allow presidents to provide military assistance to Azerbaijan for counterterrorism operations.

The adoption of the Armenian Protection Act of 2023 came amid a congressional hearing on the future of Nagorno-Karabakh held the same day.

Speaking to members of the House Foreign Affairs Committees Subcommittee on Europe, James OBrien, assistant secretary at the U.S. State Departments Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, said that Washington made clear that nothing will be normal with Azerbaijan after the events of September 19 until we see progress on the peace track.

The official referred to Bakus one-day military operation in Nagorno-Karabakh as a result of which virtually the entire local Armenian population  more than 100,000 people  fled to Armenia.

OBrien said that Washington canceled a number of high-level visits to Azerbaijan in response to that action and that we dont anticipate submitting a waiver on Section 907 until such time that we see a real improvement.

Azerbaijan reacted angrily to the remarks by the U.S. State Department official that its Foreign Ministry described as a blow to relations between the two countries.

It said that Baku would, therefore, not send a delegation to Washington for talks between the foreign ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia around a peace agreement that it said were planned for November 20.
16 November 2023 08:30 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

Green energy, the promising sector of the future, gradually gaining momentum in Azerbaijan's agenda. As is known, Baku kicked off the initiative to supply 30 percent of its electricity from renewable sources and to export 4 GW of energy to Europe through the cables passing the Black Sea by 2030. Regarding the issue, the Agreement on a strategic partnership in the field of green energy development and transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary was signed in Bucharest on December 17, 2022.

It seems Azerbaijan is not going to limit itself only to generating and exporting green energy, but also the country intends to turn into the hub of green energy by transferring the electricity produced in Central Asia through its territories. Regarding it, on November 14, 2023, Azerbaijan signed a joint communique with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan over transferring electricity generated from renewable sources in the said countries to Europe.

This sector is very important for Azerbaijan to diversify its exports heavily dependent on oil and gas, but it is so ambitious project that poses some questions as well.

As is known, previously the Central Asian countries faced big challenges when they tried to export their oil and gas to the European Markets. Could these countries encounter the same problems in the future? Besides, China and India are emerging markets with over US20 trillion in Asia. If somehow, Azerbaijan connects with the Central Asian electricity grid, can it export its electricity to said countries?

Commenting to Azernews on the issue, economic expert Natig Jafali emphasized the importance of the project, saying that many international financial institutions, organizations, and banks are interested in this type of project as it looks much more attractive to them.

That is why there will not be a serious problem in finding financial sources. It will even be possible to get access to credit in very favorable conditions. Also, this initiative is one of the directions of joining the South Caucasus to the European [market] or greater cooperation of the South Caucasus with Europe in energy and other fields. Therefore, the countries of the European Union take a deep interest in this project, and I think that this project has a better future, Natig Jafarly said.

He also underscored that in the future, it is possible to ensure the participation of all South Caucasus countries in the same projects. For example, if Armenia will not hesitate to sign the peace treaty I think that it also has the opportunity to join this project through Azerbaijan in the future. For this, Armenia needs to establish normal neighborly relations with Azerbaijan.

As for obstacles before the Central Asian countries to export energy to the European Markets, the economist noted that it is inconvincible. He pointed out that Russia hindered the delivery of oil and gas produced from Central Asia to Azerbaijan and its transport to Europe through the infrastructure created and moderated by Azerbaijan. He reminded that in addition to the the status of the Caspian Sea, the environmental protocol was signed regarding the construction of communications with the bottom of the Caspian Sea. Based on this environmental protocol, Russia tried to obstruct the access of Central Asian oil and gas to the European market.

But this is a different project. Because certain cables such as internet lines, pass under the Caspian Sea. It is also possible to lay electric lines along with them. I do not think that Russia will object to it because oil and gas are a strategic issue for them. However, it is worth noting that as a result of the steps taken by Azerbaijan together with other countries, it was able to evade the obstacles related to oil and gas. For example, Kazakh oil is brought to Baku by tankers and then transported to Europe through BTC. Besides, Azerbaijan inked reverse gas contracts with Turkmenistan via Iran, and so on. All this indicates that Azerbaijan can overcome these obstacles as a result of its successful policy, N. Jafarli said.

Regarding exporting Azerbaijans green energy to China and India, the economist said that it is technically impossible. However, he added that cooperation in other energy sectors is possible. Natig Jafarli thinks that the Azerbaijani state can take certain steps in this regard.

But when it comes to electricity, it can be a more expensive project. However, it should be noted that those countries have the opportunity to join the routes provided by Azerbaijan. If a big hub emerges here in the future, those countries can join this hub, but in the opposite direction is not very logical. Because the power and volume of electricity produced by Azerbaijan can only be enough to deliver it to Europe, the expert concluded.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

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16 November 2023 16:45 (UTC+04:00)

Qabil Ashirov Read more

It will take a long time for Armenians to forget the consequences of the 44-day war because they were not only defeated in the said war but also the Armenian image, which had been created for hundreds of years, was destroyed. They had developed the illusion of an "intelligent, smart, industrious, and cultured Armenian" against "nomadic, barbarian, laggard, and illiterate Azerbaijanis". As time is a great healer, it showed the generations that Armenian illusions are futile in due time. Unfortunately, getting caught up in the modernist philosophy that was popular throughout the world at that time, some pro-Soviet and pro-Armenian authors supported such a fabricated Armenian image.

Nevertheless, the 44-day war proved that all of them are just myths. With its position, Armenia once again appeared as an ally of a group of Western politicians who are more inclined to war and aggression than protecting political and economic values. Take the Armenian reaction to the speech of James OBrien, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, for example. Armenian media outlets gave the speech with this headline: "State Department signals pause in U.S. military aid to Azerbaijan." As it is understood, the point is the Section 907 Amendment, which bans any kind of direct United States aid, especially military aid, to the Azerbaijani government. On the one hand, it seems the speech of James OBrien rejoiced Armenians very much; on the other hand, it confirmed their state of being ignorant. Because Azerbaijan assists poor countries, let alone getting any kind of aid from other countries. As the World Bank confirms "In the past 30 years, Azerbaijan has achieved remarkable economic growth and welfare gains, transforming from a low-income to an upper-middle-income country that helps the poorest countries through contributions to the World Bank's International Development Association". On the contrary, it was Armenia that lived and lives with alms and donations from the West.

Some could claim that since Armenia is a poor but bellicose country, the people do not get proper information and cannot judge relevantly due to their poor education. But it is not the reality. For example, the Armenian National Committee of America starts the article by commenting on the speech of James OBrien with this wording: "In an overdue and still inadequate response to Azerbaijans U.S.-armed genocide of Artsakhs indigenous Christian Armenians,..." Either the author is an idiot or he/she is an alien who has fallen from space. Because, following the Section 907 Amendment, the USA has never either sold or donated any weapons to Azerbaijan. If we look through the open sources probing into the military powers of countries, we can see that the main weapon supplier of Azerbaijan is Armenia's strategic ally Russia, which does not give a damn about any US amendments and sanctions. So, the USA can submit a waiver or even adopt new amendments. It does not concern us.

As for speeches made at Congress on October 15, I should say that it was a disgrace to the name of America. First of all, American politicians and statespersons should understand that Azerbaijan has no obligation to the US or its Congress. Azerbaijan is a mighty country that can protect its interests and is a dominant country in its region in terms of economy and military. In a nutshell, we do not need the USA, but Washington needs Baku to implement its policies in Azerbaijan.

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Qabil Ashirov is AzerNews staff journalist, follow him on Twitter: @g_Ashirov

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Florida's flooding leaves hundreds of thousands of residents without power. As intense rain flooded some parts of the state, many roads became rivers.

The extreme rainfall partnered with strong winds now concerns millions of residents, especially since the National Weather Service (NWS) announced that the heaviest rainfall was expected to happen late Wednesday, Nov. 15, to early Thursday, Nov. 16.

If you are living in Florida, here are the latest details you need to know about the intense flooding.

Florida Flooding Leaves Hundreds of Thousands Without Power

NBC News reported that the heavy rainfall in Florida is caused by the slow-moving storm system over the Gulf of Mexico. The affected areas include Melbourne, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, and Miami.

NWS warned that the state could experience 1-3 inches of rain and localized 4-6 inches of rain by the coast. When it comes to strong winds, the weather forecast provider said that wind gust of 25-35 mph-with possible gusts exceeding 40 mph in coast areas-is expected.

NWS further stated that the weather system and scattered intense rainfall are expected to move towards Florida's Atlantic coast by Nov. 16, as reported by USA Today.

As of writing, residents in Florida (estimated to be around 7 million) are advised to plan ahead. Officials also said that people in affected urban areas must ensure that they have multiple ways to receive weather alerts.

Read Also: China Flood: At Least 20 Dead, 27 Others Missing After Days of Heavy Rain

What's Happening in Florida

Because of heavy rainfall, extreme winds, and intense flooding, Florida's officials decided to close schools since over 108,000 residents already have no power at their residences.

Here are flooding situations in some areas of Florida that citizens need to know about:

Cache (9.35 inches)

Miami (4.90 inches)

Coral Gables (7.58 inches)

Plantation (8.30 inches)

Some parts of Ford Lauderdale (2.48-5.85 inches)

Because of these floods, Broward County Schools announced that classes were closed on Thursday. Meanwhile, the Metromover transit system in Miami-Dade County was out of service.

Instead, a free bus shuttle service was provided in the area to help residents who need to evacuate. However, other modes of public transportation were experiencing delays because of the heavy rainfall and flood.

These are just some of the happenings in Florida during the intense rainfall. You can click this link to learn more.

Related Article: [VIDEOS] New York Extreme Weather Causes Floods, Airport Delays, and Subway Chaos

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
16 November 2023 23:28 (UTC+04:00)

Elnur Enveroglu Read more

The current posture shaped by the US House of Representatives is a clear and serious blunder in the history of the US legislative branch. With this action, taken by the US House of Representatives and members of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, we have once again witnessed a clear provocation of risking and opening a new frontline at the doorstep of Europe, an American researcher, and journalist Peter Tase told AZERNEWS in his comment on the biased anti-Azerbaijan rhetorics of the US politicians and decision of the US Congress.

This is a situation that requires serious scrutiny from the US intelligence community as well as from the Biden administration knowing that the Armenian lobbying organisation in Washington is conducting an aggressive and very harmful campaign against Azerbaijan.

And above all, against the regional security in the eastern flanks of Europe, taking this into account, the US Congress with the recent hearings in the Committee on Foreign Affairs, has committed a serious blunder. I think that this day will remain a day of infamy in the history of the US capital, the Tase added.

He also touched on Armenian lobbying organisations that produce fake information and feed the US Congress against Azerbaijan. He urged the US intelligence community to further investigate the truthfulness of all information that is spread as disinformation.

At the same time, we have to point out that the intelligence community of the United States needs to conduct serious investigations so that the fabricated information provided to members of the US Congress by the fascist government of Armenia does not cause major consequences in the Transatlantic partnership and doesn't amplify the harmful actions that are taking place from the belligerent regime of Armenia.

Peter Tase added that Armenian lobbyism is a potential threat to the US policy which in fact poisons the minds of people and members of the political structure and most importantly, leads to worsening US-Azerbaijan relations.

The egregious abuses committed by the Armenian regime in Yerevan and abroad are a serious threat to European security, European Union integrity as well as the US Transatlantic partnership. These actions led by Yerevan should be condemned by the speakers of the US House of Representatives and should be rejected unanimously by the members of the US House of Representatives, the pundit added.

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Elnur Enveroglu is AzerNews Deputy Editor-in-Chief, follow him on @ElnurMammadli1

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
16 November 2023 10:15 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The heads of railway departments of the participating states of the international multimodal transport and transit route CASCA+ (Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Turkiye) discussed issues of increasing cargo transportation in Ashgabat, citing to report by the official newspaper "Neutral Turkmenistan", Azernews reports.

The meeting was attended by delegations of line ministries and relevant departments, as well as logistics companies and enterprises from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

It is noted that the multimodality of the route, passing through two seas and the territories of numerous countries, makes it possible to effectively use the capabilities of this corridor. Since the launch of the route in 2019, about 30 thousand containers have been transported. The participants of the event noted that their goal is to increase the volume of container traffic to 30 thousand containers this year. In their opinion, this will also contribute to the intensification of transportation and the expansion of the range of goods along the North-South and East-West transport corridors.

The CASCA+ route was created in 2019 in Tashkent at a meeting of the heads of the state railways of these countries. Turkiye joined the project in December 2021. The "+" sign in the name of the route indicates readiness to accept new potential participants interested in transportation along the route, the ultimate goal of which is to connect the states of Southeast Asia, in particular China, with Europe.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
16 November 2023 12:26 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

A meeting was held between Minister of Economy Mikail Jabbarov and Minister of Economic Development of Hungary Marton Nadom in videoconference mode, Azernews reports.

Referring to the information disseminated by the Ministry of Economy, the meeting emphasized the important role in the development of Azerbaijani-Hungarian relations, as well as the important role of mutual visits and events in the expansion of economic partnership.

The sides exchanged views on the current state of trade and economic relations between our countries and vectors of development of mutual trade and investment cooperation.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
16 November 2023 17:26 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The event, organized with the support of the Ministry of Economy, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), and the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), was attended by government officials, representatives of international organizations, business associations, and businessmen, Azernews reports.

The aim of the event is to study best practices in the field of SME support and development, expand institutional partnerships, identify new opportunities for cooperation between stakeholders, promote young entrepreneurship, as well as introduce Azerbaijan's favorable business environment and potential investment opportunities to a wide audience.

Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov, ICSB President and CEO Ayman El-Tarabishi, ICSB Chairman of the Board Ki Chang Kim, KOBIA Chairman of the Board Orhan Mammadov, Director of the Entrepreneurship Development Organisation of Moldova Dumitru Pintia, entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan spoke at the forum.

National Confederation of Organisations (Employers), Manuela Traldi, President of the Italian-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce, Yasar Dogan, President of the Turkish Association of Industrialists and Businessmen (TUMSIAD), discussed the development of entrepreneurship in the world and in our country, the growing role of SMEs in GDP, employment and exports.

Within the event, panel discussions will be organized on the topics "Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan", "Digital Transformation of SMEs and Foreign Trade", and "Strengthening Entrepreneurial Activity of Women and Youth".

It should be noted that within the framework of the World Forum of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship held in Baku on 13-16 November, the "International Centre for Education and Innovation of the XXI Century" organized an event on "Training of Future Entrepreneurs". The event was organized at the "International Centre for Education and Innovation of the XXI Century" within the framework of the World Forum of Small and Medium Enterprises held in Baku on 13-16 November.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
16 November 2023 19:21 (UTC+04:00)

By News Centre

Turkish Transport and Infrastructure Minister Abdulkadir Uraloglu attended the 7th Transport Ministers Meeting of the Organisation of Turkish States (OTS) held in Zangilan, Azerbaijan.

Uraloglu gave a speech and noted that OTS countries are a community that has the potential to become a global power with a young and dynamic population of 160 million and an economic size exceeding 1 trillion dollars.

"In order to realise this great potential, we must increase our common power with the will of cooperation and solidarity," he said.

Talking about Turkiye's investments and efforts in the field of transportation, Uraloglu noted that they aim to increase the capacity of the Central Corridor passing through the countries with enormous investments.

"We should not allow these problems, especially transition documents, to hinder trade between OTS countries. In order to remove obstacles to transportation and trade and reduce transportation costs, we must adopt and implement a holistic approach within the organisation that will be in our common interest. In this regard, we should liberalise transportation between our friendly countries, and for this purpose, we need to abolish bilateral and transit land pass document quotas," the minister said.

Emphasising that the Combined Transportation Agreement signed within the organisation should come into force as soon as possible, Uraloglu said, "When we implement the agreement, we will significantly encourage combined transportation operations and Caspian crossings, and we will significantly increase the share of the Caspian East-West Central Corridor, which we all attach importance to, in Eurasian transportation."

Uraloglu pointed out that the Baku-Tbilisi-Kars (BTK) railway is of great importance for the economic development and welfare of the Turkic world.

"We need to complete the necessary work on this route as soon as possible. Besides, we should also focus on making the Caspian crossing, which is another important component of the Central Corridor, effective, efficient, and economical for the countries in the region. High tolls and irregular flights, which pose a problem in logistics operations. I am confident that we will quickly resolve these issues with our joint efforts and turn the Caspian crossings into the competitive route we desire."

Talking about the Zengazur Corridor, which will connect the western provinces of Azerbaijan with the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic, Uraloglu said that the corridor is of vital importance for the normalisation of the situation in the South Caucasus. The realisation of this connection, which will provide direct railway and road transportation between Turkiye and Azerbaijan, will connect the entire Turkic world.

"I believe that it will be an important step that will connect the region. We are working very closely with Azerbaijan to complete this route as soon as possible with its connections, which will benefit all the countries in the region," he said.

Uraloglu listed the things that need to be done for the common economic development of OTS countries and increasing the welfare of the people as follows:

"We should act in a manner that facilitates and encourages trade between our countries, rather than making it difficult. As a country that attaches great importance to digitalization in transportation, we are ready to share our experience with member countries. We need to popularize the Electronic Pass Document System. A small part of the cargo going from China to Europe passes through the Middle Corridor. There are opportunities and tasks before us to increase this rate much higher with a broad vision. However, in order to realise this, we must not have a competitive approach. The trade volume between Asia and Europe is much higher than the land transportation capacity that we can provide on land, " the minister said.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
16 November 2023 13:34 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

A film "Qaragh" (Wake up), has premiered at Nizami Cinema Centre as part of the 14th Baku International Short Film Festival.

Produced by Azerbaijani-British filmmaker Suad Gara, the film narrates about an ex-soldier suffering from PTSD who decides to visit his mother in his remote home village to find peace of mind, Azernews reports.

There, he participates in a mystical spring cleansing ritual set around a temple inside a 13th-century cemetery in the middle of the forest, where he encounters a mysterious little girl. His innocent alter-ego brings him face-to-face with his inner demons and sets him on a difficult path to acceptance and redemption.

After the premiere of the movie, director Suad Gara spoke about the history of its creation:

"I went to one of Ismayilli's villages for vacation. While walking through the countryside, I came across a cemetery dated back to the 13th century. People who lost their lives in the war were buried there. I had different feelings when I saw this scene and decided to make a film about it, as well as about the local customs and traditions. How many people live with trauma from war? When these people return from war, we call them heroes. But along with heroism, they also carry these traumas. When a person seeks peace of mind, he goes to his family and thinks that he can find peace there. But not everything is so simple... Before we started filming the film, we read a lot of interviews on this topic and had conversations with war participants. The main message of the film is that the traumas of war are never forgotten, and people are forced to live with them," said the film director.

The short film was shot by Astar Productions. The film cast includes Orkhan Iskandarli, Suri Huseyn, Rahila Shirinova, Rivka Khripunova, and others.

Note that Suad Gara is currently working on her debut feature, Hotel Diana, which was selected for the WEMW Trieste Co-Production Forum. The film won the Pop-Up Film Residency Award and the Less Is More European Development Lab.

Media partners of the event are Azernews.Az, Trend.Az, Day.Az, Milli.Az.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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16 November 2023 14:58 (UTC+04:00)

Laman Ismayilova Read more

The International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation has presented a book dedicated to prominent Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov at Baku Expo Center.

The book titled "Ana Tarla" (Mother Field) was published by the foundation in Azerbaijani to promote Chingiz Aitmatov's rich legacy, as well as to further strengthen the literary and cultural relations between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan, the founding member countries of the organization, Azernews reports.

The work was translated by Teymur Elchin, a prominent representative of Azerbaijani literature, poet, publicist, translator.

The publication contains photos from the drama staged based on Chingiz Aitmatov's story "Mother Field" organized and supported by the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation, and photos from the play presented by the Baku Municipal Theater in April, 2023.

Well-known culture and art figures, representatives of the diplomatic corps of Turkic-speaking countries accredited in Azerbaijan, and public and media representatives took part in the presentation.

Speaking at the event, the president of the International Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation Gunay Afandiyeva outlined that the dedication of the 9th Baku International Book Fair to the 100th anniversary of National Leader Heydar Aliyev has a great symbolic meaning.

In her speech, Gunay Afandiyeva noted that the National Leader Heydar Aliyev had friendly relations with Chingiz Aitmatov, a great figure of Kyrgyzstan and Turkish literature.

Talking about Heydar Aliyev's special love for culture and art, she drew attention to the sincere relations of the National Leader with the artists, poets and writers of Azerbaijan and the Turkic world as a whole.

Gunay Afandiyeva stressed the importance of Chingiz Aitmatov's book, published by the foundation, as well as the relevance of the subject of the work in the modern world, including Azerbaijan.

"While reading the work, the hero who sacrificed his life for the restoration of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity under the leadership of the Azerbaijani president, Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces, the images of the sons and the mothers who gave them to us come alive before our eyes. This book is a dedication to brave mothers who raised brave sons who rose to the height of martyrdom for the Motherland," she said.

The Kyrgyz Ambassador to Azerbaijan Kayrat Osmonaliyev evaluated the publication of the book in the Azerbaijani language as a contribution to the development of historical friendly relations and literary relations between Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan.

Head of the Working Group for Azerbaijan-Kyrgyzstan Inter-Parliamentary Relations Musa Guliyev spoke about Chingiz Aitmatov's literary and artistic creativity, which includes worldly themes.

He emphasized that the foundation, as a young organization, plays a key role in the promotion of the historical and cultural heritage and literature of the Turkish people, and in the strengthening of social and political ties.

Executive director of the Nizami Ganjavi Institute of Literature Mehman Hasanli spoke about Chingiz Aitmatov's life and work.

The speaker pointed out that the preparation and publication of the book by the foundation is of great importance for the Turkish world as a whole.

In the artistic part of the event, the actors of the Baku Municipal Theater Elmaddin Zabitli and Zulfiyya Gurbanova, performed fragments of the writer's works, as well as poems dedicated to the writer by Azerbaijani poets.

Later, scenes from the play based on "Ana Tarla" were shown as part of the foundation's cooperation with the Baku Municipal Theater. The production director is People's Artist of Azerbaijan Merahim Farzalibayov.

Initiated in 2012, the Turkic Culture and Heritage Foundation focuses on the preservation of the Turkic heritage in member countries as well as conducting projects in collaboration with partners in third nations.

The foundation provides assistance in the protection, study, and promotion of Turkic culture and heritage through supporting and funding various activities, projects, and programs.

The organization carries out its activities in cooperation with TURKSOY and the Turkic Academy.

---

Laman Ismayilova is AzerNews staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @lmntypewriterrr

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16 November 2023 12:45 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

Armenia's political will to conclude a peace treaty with Azerbaijan in the coming months remains unshakeable, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in the country's parliament, Azernews reports.

"The three main principles of peace, in fact, have been agreed upon with Azerbaijan, and this agreement was reached during negotiations, particularly during trilateral meetings in Brussels," he said.

The Minister noted that it is about mutual recognition of each other's territorial integrity on the basis of maps of the USSR General Staff. The next principle of the peace treaty is to unblock regional communications on the basis of recognising sovereignty and jurisdiction.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had told the European Parliament in Strasbourg that 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. The Armenian PM added in his statement that his country's policy was ready to end more than three decades of hostilities and to guarantee the safety of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Armenia.

However, later, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry accused Pashinyan of undermining the peace process with aggressive rhetoric, in which it resorted to blunt falsification of facts and history.

---

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16 November 2023 18:06 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The senator from Saint Petersburg and the chairwoman of the Federation Council, Valentina Matviyenko, has said that Western countries were only determined to foment the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Azernews reports.

"Russia, from its first steps, has always taken the most active part in making the South Caucasus stable and peaceful," she said during a meeting with Azerbaijani Parliament Speaker Sahiba Gafarova.

According to her, "Western states were determined, only fueling the conflict."

"We have not seen positive steps in promoting a peaceful agenda," Matviyenko emphasised.

---

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16 November 2023 10:59 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

In accordance with the instruction of President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev, the return of former internally displaced persons to the restored village of Zabukh in the Lachin district took place, Azernews reports.

On November 16, 20 families (71 people) living in the capital city and Absheron left the Gobu Park 3 residential complex in the Garadagh district of Baku for Zabukh.

5 families (23 people) living in the Terter, Barda, Gakh, and Lankaran districts will also join the migration caravan in the city of Goradiz. The number of families who will join the migration caravan from these regions is as follows: 2 families from the Terter district (10 people), 1 family from the Barda district (5 people), 1 family from the Gakh district (4 people), 1 family from Lankaran (4 people).

A total of 25 families - 94 people - will be relocated to the village this time.

The migrant caravans will be met by representatives of the special delegation of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan and Baku Improvement Service LLC in the Lachin district, and the necessary measures will be taken to settle them in residential areas.

It should be noted that the customer of the design and construction of the village of Zabukh is the Social Development Fund of the Internally Displaced Persons of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

Thus, the number of families resettled in the village of Zabukh, Lachin district, reached 46 (188 people).

To recall that the first migration to Zabukh took place on August 25 this year.

---

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China shares development dividends with APEC economies

China Daily) 09:49, November 16, 2023

SHI YU/CHINA DAILY

Unwavering support also shown for trade liberalization and WTO

At several wharves owned by New Times Shipbuilding Co in Jingjiang, Jiangsu province, engineers and workers are busy welding steel hulls and testing equipment.

Their mission is to ensure that their work meets standards set by various ship classification societies and the specific demands of clients.

But the majority of the container ships and oil and chemical tankers built at the shipyard will not be delivered to domestic buyers.

Instead, they will go to shipowners in many Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economies, including Singapore, Indonesia and the United States, as these countries are experiencing a significant surge in demand for new vessels equipped with dual-fuel engines, and offered at competitive prices. Deliveries of these vessels address the rising need for ocean shipping services.

Du Haiming, assistant director of the sales department at New Times Shipbuilding Co, said, "Even though many parts of the world still face uncertainty and challenges in the global economy, including fragile supply chains and subdued investment sentiment, orders placed by our clients in the Asia-Pacific region have remained high since last year."

Government officials and experts noted China's precedent-setting role in fostering mutually beneficial cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region and encouraging APEC economies to bolster their economic and technological exchanges.

They emphasized that China, as a major trading nation, has not only supplied a significant quantity of manufacturing products to other APEC markets, but has also distinguished itself for unwavering support of trade liberalization, the World Trade Organization and its rules.

China's foreign trade with APEC economies amounted to $3.74 trillion last year, representing 59.7 percent of the country's total import and export value. Among China's top 10 trading partners, eight of them are APEC economies, Ministry of Commerce data show.

Wu Haiping, director of the general operations department at the General Administration of Customs, said that after more than three decades of development, cooperation among APEC economies has evolved beyond the two traditional pillars of trade liberalization and investment facilitation, as well as economic and technological cooperation. It has extended into new domains, including technology innovation, modern agriculture, trade in services, inclusive growth, and digital and green economies.

An economic analysis published by the APEC Policy Support Unit shows that economic growth in the APEC region is expected to reach 3.1 percent this year, following a 2.6 percent moderation last year.

With APEC playing a key role in supporting the world's economic recovery, He Yadong, spokesman for the Ministry of Commerce, said early this month that China will take proactive steps to advance its accession into the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership and the Digital Economy Partnership Agreement.

He said China looks forward to joining these two trade deals at an early date, and is willing to make joint efforts with all parties to actively promote regional economic integration and the liberalization and facilitation of trade and investment in the Asia-Pacific region.

Zhao Ping, dean of the academy at the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade, said multilateral mechanisms for economic cooperation and free trade deals, such as APEC, the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership agreement, and the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific, are practical in promoting free trade and consolidating the achievements of globalization. This is especially the case in view of a slowdown in global economic growth, Zhao said.

Kok Ping Soon, CEO of the Singapore Business Federation, which represents more than 29,000 Singaporean companies globally, said China has the dual advantages of rapid economic growth and technological progress, coupled with the mature development of its businesses.

"We welcome Chinese companies to set up regional hubs in Singapore to extend their reach into other APEC economies, especially countries in Southeast Asia," Kok said.

Naja Aki, vice-president of Toshiba (China) Co, said numerous valuable experiences can be shared with other countries in the Asia-Pacific region, such as China's support for technological innovation, fast development of tech-intensive green products, and the provision of human resource training for the public and private sectors in the region.

Trade development

Many APEC economies are seeking ways to advance free trade in the global economy during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders' Meeting in San Francisco, amid the proliferation of trade and economic groups.

As a result, market watchers and business leaders from China and the US believe that improved bilateral economic and trade relations will be conducive to the economic development of both countries and contribute to the stability and growth of the global economy.

Chen Wenling, chief economist at the China Center for International Economic Exchanges, said stable business ties between the world's two largest economies will serve to counteract anti-globalization sentiments and growing protectionism.

Efforts by the US to facilitate the reconfiguration of supply chains in the Asia-Pacific region have already encountered substantial obstacles. Supply chains have become longer, more complex, and costlier structures, potentially yielding outcomes contrary to their intended objectives, Chen said.

Craig Allen, president of the US-China Business Council, said: "The US and China have benefited considerably from their long-standing economic integration. We remain committed to expanding the US-China commercial relationship by advocating for the US companies doing business in China, and look forward to continuing to support that growth in the long run.

"US businesses continue to be optimistic about the size and dynamism of China's markets. In an evolving world, we need to work together to safeguard strong, stable and resilient global industrial supply chains for the future."

Lance Rezac, vice-chairman of the US Soybean Export Council, said it has always firmly believed that the Chinese and US economies are deeply intertwined, and that there is a great deal of potential for cooperation. Steady growth in agricultural trade can be observed between the two countries.

Rezac predicted that China's demand for soybeans will drive continued growth in the US' soybean trade. From the 2024 marketing year to the 2033 marketing year, China's soybean imports are expected to rise from 101.5 million metric tons to 134.1 million tons, an average annual growth rate of 3.1 percent.

Data from the US Department of Agriculture show that China's soybean imports from the US totaled 31.5 million tons in the 2023 marketing year  which ran from September last year to August  accounting for 59 percent of US annual soybean exports, a rise of 2.3 percent year-on-year.

Deep involvement

Eager to secure more market share in China, more than 200 US exhibitors took part in the sixth China International Import Expo in Shanghai this month. They included a wide range of agriculture, automotive, technology, consumer goods, pharmaceutical and healthcare companies. It was the largest US delegation in the expo's history, information released by the American Chamber of Commerce in Shanghai shows.

Arnold Li, senior vice-president of Ingersoll Rand, a US industrial goods manufacturer and six-time participant in the Shanghai expo, said well-aligned China-US business relations contribute to the expansion of US companies conducting operations in China.

"With strong determination and long-term confidence, we will continue to increase investment in local research and development capabilities in China, especially in digitalization and technologies for the new energy sector," Li said.

He said China has progressively bolstered its innovation and production capabilities, which will enable Ingersoll Rand to export more of its products made in China, particularly to economies in the Asia-Pacific region and countries and regions taking part in the Belt and Road Initiative.

Tapestry, the luxury goods group headquartered in New York, is upbeat about its Chinese market, and plans to open 60 more stores in the country by the end of 2025.

Yann Bozec, Tapestry's president for Asia-Pacific, said: "China is not just a market, but also a source of inspiration for breakthroughs and fashion innovation. We will continue to explore opportunities for local collaboration to bring more innovative products and experiences to Chinese consumers."

Liu Zhenmin, former UN undersecretary-general for economic and social affairs, said in an interview with China Daily last month that China's development presents opportunities, not threats, to the rest of the world. Western countries need to increase their understanding of China and be more accommodating to the nation's development, Liu added.

Chinese Commerce Minister Wang Wentao told media last week that the Chinese path to modernization is a way of common prosperity for all the people, and China welcomes companies from all countries to share the dividends of its market.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Xian Jiangnan)
The Biden Administration recently announced a major crackdown against pharmacy middlemen. Now, the government is taking its first step by implementing limits against pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs).

For those who are not familiar with them, these people are the ones who act as the price negotiators in the drug industry. Although the intent of the U.S. government is good, many pharmacists claim the crackdown might not work.

Some of them even warned that the pharmacy middlemen crackdown is already backfiring. Here's what they explained.

Why Biden Admin's Pharmacy Middle Men Crackdown Might Not Work

According to the Fortune, PBMs have been taking fees from pharmacies weeks or months after a drug is released; these fees are called "clawbacks."

Statistics showed that the clawbacks of PBMs in the U.S. have increased from $9 million in 2010 to a whopping $12.6 billion in 2021. This is not a small increase if you look at these numbers.

The Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, an agency that advises Congress on the program for 65 and older patients (including those with disabilities), said that performance fees of PBMs also make prescription costs more expensive.

Because of this, CBS News reported that a new rule, which governs Medicare's drug program, will soon be implemented by the Biden Administration (specifically on January 1, 2024). This new regulation will require pharmacy benefit managers to take most of their clawbacks at the time prescriptions are filled.

However, pharmacists said that the major crackdown might not work because of the workaround that PBMs discovered.

Read Also: Fake Ozempic? Austria Reports Multiple Hospitalizations Linked to Suspected Counterfeit Diabetes Medication

PBMs' Response Will Make Crackdown Useless

Numerous pharmacy organizations, that support the new Medicare rule, said that they were not expecting a response from pharmacy benefit managers.

They said that PBMs now demand that pharmacies accept new contracts with draconian cuts to their payments for dispensing drugs.

National Community Pharmacists Association's Vice President Ronna Hauser explained that if pharmacies refuse the new contracts offered by PBMs, they will likely lose their Medicare customers.

As of writing, pharmacy benefit negotiators are considered to be at the center of the U.S. medicine supply chain. They are the ones who tell what the patients owe to the pharmacy after a prescription has been filled.

PBMs are the ones who will aggregate payments and send checks to pharmacies. However, they commonly deduce performance fees from small pharmacies.

"When you're filling the prescription, the PBM tells you the patient pays $20 for this drug, we'll pay you $100," said NCPA CEO Doug Hoey.

"As the pharmacist, I say, OK, I get a total of $120 for a drug that cost me $110 from the wholesaler. Then three months later, the PBM says, 'Actually, I'm only going to pay you $83.' So I lost $17 on the sale and I have no ability to object,'" he added.

Related Article: Mental Health Problems Among Healthcare Professionals Is Becoming More Prevalent, CDC Warns

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
16 November 2023 09:23 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

An Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Sahiba Gafarova headed to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Wednesday for a working visit. The delegation will participate in the events of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, Azernews reports.

The Azerbaijani delegation includes MPs Mikhail Zabelin, Rasim Musabayov, Nizami Safarov, Emin Hajiyev, and other officials.

The visit is part of a series of visits by Azerbaijani parliamentary delegations to other countries. In October 2020, Speaker Gafarova and a delegation of Azerbaijani officials visited Turkiye, and in November 2020, the delegation visited Russia. In April 2021, the delegation visited Ireland, and in May 2021, the delegation visited Romania.

The Commonwealth of Independent States Interparliamentary Assembly is a permanent inter-parliamentary body of the Commonwealth of Independent States, established in 1993. The Assembly is composed of members of the parliaments of the CIS member states. The Assembly meets annually, and its main objectives are to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation, ensure the implementation of the decisions of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Council, and consider issues related to the development of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The visit to Kyrgyzstan is expected to further strengthen the ties between Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth of Independent States.

---

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16 November 2023 11:52 (UTC+04:00)

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Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Azerbaijan to Honduras, Mammad Talibov, has presented his credentials to President Mrs. Iris Xiomara Castro Sarmiento, citing the Azerbaijani Embassy in Mexico, Azernews reports.

It was reported that at the ceremony held at the Presidential Palace located in the capital, Tegucigalpa, M. Talibov first conveyed to President Xiomara Castro the sincere greetings of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev. Expressing gratitude, the Honduran President asked to convey his deep respect and best wishes to President Ilham Aliyev.

It was noted at the meeting that there are permanent contacts, effective dialogue, and mutually beneficial cooperation between Azerbaijan and Honduras both in bilateral format and within international organisations, including the Non-Aligned Movement.

It was also stated that there is potential for inter-parliamentary, humanitarian, cultural, educational, trade-economic, and mutual investments between the two countries.

M. Talibov said that our country highly appreciates the fact that Honduras took a position based on international law in the period when the internationally recognised territories of Azerbaijan were under the military occupation of Armenia for many years.

President Castro emphasised the successful activity of the Non-Aligned Movement of Azerbaijan during his presidency. He also stated that his government is interested in further strengthening the existing relations of friendship and cooperation between Honduras and Azerbaijan and wished Ambassador Talibov success in his future activities in this direction.

At the end of the ceremony, a separate meeting between Ambassador M.Talibov and J.Torres took place on the basis of the assignment given by President S.Castro to Honduran Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Gerardo Torres Zelaya, who took part in the ceremony. At the meeting, they exchanged views on the current state of relations between the two countries and other issues of mutual interest.

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16 November 2023 11:36 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

The delegation, headed by Minister of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan Teymur Musayev is on a business trip to the Republic of Cuba. The delegation headed by Minister of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan Teymur Musayev was received by Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba Manuel Marrero Cruz, Azernews reports.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba noted the significant influence of relations between the historical national leaders of Azerbaijan and Cuba on the level of relations between the peoples and expressed satisfaction.

The Prime Minister emphasized that under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the reputation of the Non-Aligned Movement in the international arena has increased and it has turned into an organisation with a leading political force.

Manuel Marrero Cruz noted that recently, contacts between the countries have intensified, and there are wide prospects for joint cooperation in various spheres.

The Minister of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Teymur Musayev expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, Manuel Marrero Cruz for their sincere reception and hospitality. The Minister noted that this visit is a natural outcome of relations between the leaders of the country.

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16 November 2023 15:20 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

"The one-sided and biased remarks made by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James OBrien at the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Europe hearing on November 15, 2023, are counterproductive, baseless, and unacceptable," the statement of the Foreign Ministry reads, Azernews reports.

We consider the hearings and delivered remarks a blow to Azerbaijan-U.S. relations in bilateral and multilateral formats. The groundless accusations voiced against Azerbaijan are irrelevant and undermine peace and security in the region.

While touching upon the latest situation in the region and circumstances that led to the 19-20 September counter-terrorism measures by Azerbaijan, the State Department representative ignored to mention the major challenge that led to such an action by Azerbaijan, namely the illegal stationing of more than 10,000 Armenian armed forces in contravention of the norms and principles of international law and the Tripartite Statement of November 10, 2020. Furthermore, the Azerbaijani side has repeatedly stated in all the meetings, including with the U.S. side, that the mentioned forces are a source of threat in the region and urged an immediate withdrawal of these forces.

Moreover, the U.S. side, while mentioning the importance of taking forward the peace process, forgets to mention that for more than two months, Armenia has not been responding to Azerbaijans proposals on the peace agreement, thus delaying the process. Despite the fact that it was Azerbaijan that initiated the peace process with basic principles and the necessity of signing the peace agreement, including the need for demarcation/delimitation of borders and opening up communication lines, the Assistant Secretary of State refrained from noting that the efforts in these areas were undermined and derailed by Armenia for the last three years. Contrary to Armenia, Azerbaijan has always respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, which was also re-confirmed in the Prague meeting on October 6, 2022.

Azerbaijan, not only following the 2020 44-Day War but also for almost 30 years of occupation of its lands, has been committed to the norms and principles of international law and the peace process. On the contrary, the U.S. side, being a mediator, has never urged Armenia, as an aggressor and a destabilising source in the region, to act in line with international law, withdraw from the territories of Azerbaijan, and end the occupation, which lays a responsibility on the U.S. side as well. Additionally, it was also an accountability of the U.S. side that it has not prevented the double-standard approach, while being a side supporting the separatist regime, was the only country to officially fund this regime and facilitated their representative visits and meetings with the officials in the United States on a regular basis.

The United States, as a non-regional country, is, through its actions and statements, undermining the transportation security efforts of the regional countries. It is well known to the U.S. side that Armenia has not fulfilled its obligations arising from paragraph 9 of the 2020 Tripartite Statement, which led Azerbaijan to decide to build alternative roads. It is the sovereign right of Azerbaijan to agree with neighbouring countries on how to build a communication line, which also includes an agreement with Iran related to a route to its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic.

Against this backdrop, Azerbaijan also reconfirms the priority of the 3+2 format (Azerbaijan-Armenia-Turkiye-Russia-Iran) for the security of the region. Therefore, any comments that undermine these efforts are inappropriate.

With regard to remarks by James OBrien about the waiver to the 907 Section, it seems that the U.S. side is again repeating the same mistake it made in 1992, when Azerbaijan was sanctioned with this amendment, despite being a state that faced aggression and occupation. It was also the U.S. side that decided to waive the 907 Section in 2001 when Azerbaijan supported the U.S. counter-terrorism efforts worldwide following the 9/11 attacks.

It was Azerbaijan that extended a helping hand to the U.S. side by opening up its air space routes, the Northern Distribution Network, and its logistics capabilities. It was Azerbaijan that was among the first nations to fight shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. side in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan was also the last partner nation to leave Afghanistan. Therefore, it turns out that the U.S. side has always considered the support of Azerbaijan as occasional, while it should be remembered that history has always repeated itself. Such an indifferent action by the U.S. side not to waive the 907 Section is an ill-disposed step toward Azerbaijan.

Additionally, the remarks that Azerbaijans use of force eroded trust and raised doubts regarding Bakus commitment to a comprehensive peace with Armenia have no value bearing in mind that it was Azerbaijan who was the victim of aggression and use of force for almost 30 years. Azerbaijan once again underlines that, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter, it had the legitimate right to use force to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Concerning the statement that the U.S. side has canceled high-level bilateral meetings and engagements, which were initiated by the U.S. side with Azerbaijan, and there cannot be business as usual in our bilateral relationship, it should be noted that the relations could not be one-sided. Consequently, the same approach will be applied equally by Azerbaijan. In these circumstances, we consider the possibility of high-level visits from the United States to Azerbaijan inappropriate as well.

Moreover, such a unilateral approach by the United States could lead to the loss of its mediation role. Under these circumstances, it is important to note that we do not consider it possible to hold the proposed meeting on the level of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington on November 20, 2023.

International law norms and principles have always been a priority for Azerbaijan in its foreign policy. Azerbaijan will always act in line with its international obligations. At the same time, Azerbaijan will resolutely and adequately address all the negative steps against its national interests.

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16 November 2023 17:19 (UTC+04:00)

Abbas Ganbay Read more

On November 16, 2023, Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received the President of the Eurasian Patent Office (EAPO) Grigory Ivliev, Azernews reports.

According to the Foreign Ministry, during the meeting it was brought to the attention of the other side that the development of the intellectual property institute in Azerbaijan is the focus of attention of the country's leadership, large-scale structural reforms are being carried out in this area and management is being optimized.

The directions of development of the intellectual property sphere are given a separate place in such state-important documents as "Azerbaijan 2020: A Vision of the Concept of Future Development", "Azerbaijan 2030: National Priorities of socio-economic Development" and "Socio-economic Development". Economic Development Strategy of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026".

It was stressed that cooperation relations between the Intellectual Property Agency of Azerbaijan and EAPO-EPO, as well as mutually beneficial activities within the framework of international organizations, are of great importance.

EAPO President Grigory Ivliev agreed with the above-mentioned and noted that possible cooperation in the field of intellectual property has a wide scope, such as training of relevant personnel, registration of patents, and application of common standards.

In order to promote the development of relations in the field of intellectual property, the importance of continuing contacts at the level of management and staff, meetings through such events as conferences and round tables, as well as discussion of issues of both bilateral and multilateral cooperation was expressed.

During the meeting, other issues of mutual interest were also discussed, including the EAPO's cooperation relations with other international organizations, recent trends in the field of global patent applications, and elections to the relevant structures of the EAPO.

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16 November 2023 17:39 (UTC+04:00)

The delegation of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the National Defense University. The Rector of the National Defense University, Professor, Lieutenant General Heydar Piriyev welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The visitors were presented with a briefing on the history of the National Defense University, its educational system and teaching process, as well as its scientific contributions.

The meeting discussed the current situation and development prospects of cooperation in the field of military education between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Then the Uzbek delegation visited the Military Administration Institute under the National Defense University. Rector of the Military Administration Institute, Doctor of National Security and Military Sciences, Professor, Colonel Babir Guliyev informed about the institutes activity.

As part of the visit, the guests also visited the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev of the National Defense University.

The memorial complex laid in memory of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, and Shehids (Martyrs) of the Patriotic War was visited, and flowers were laid.

The Uzbek delegation got acquainted with the photo board depicting the life and political activities of the Great Leader in the museum on the territory of the institute and signed the memorial book.

The Rector of the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev, Major General Fizuli Salahov, and the guests discussed a number of issues of common interest in military education.

In the end, the sides exchanged gifts, and a photo was taken.

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16 November 2023 10:00 (UTC+04:00)

Armenian Secret Army for the Liberation of Armenia (ASALA) has claimed responsibility for an attack on a Jewish community center in Yerevan, Azernews reports.

The youth wing of ASALA has set the synagogue in Armenian capital on fire.

In its statement, following this barbaric act, ASALA claims that they are not going to stop, and that the next attack on the Jewish community will be carried out outside of Armenia.

This is not the first anti-Semitic stance in Armenia. Back in October this year, the same youth wing of ASALA doused a synagogue with liquid and knocked out windows.

ASALA has then openly threatened war, saying that it "will wage a war against Israeli Jews in Europe, America, Canada, Georgia. No Israeli jew will feel safe coming to these countries".

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
16 November 2023 18:19 (UTC+04:00)

Kazakhstan National Statistics announced that the 20 millionth Kazakh citizen was born on November 14. According to the statement of the institution, five children, 3 boys and 2 girls, were born on November 14 at 08.10, and they became the 20 millionth citizens of Kazakhstan.

Kazakhstan, which is the ninth-largest country in the world by area and has a common border with countries such as China and Russia due to its location in Central Asia, has been pursuing a policy aimed at solving the population problem for about 30 years.

According to the information of the National Statistical Institute, the population of Kazakhstan, which declared its independence in 1991, fell from 16 million 793 thousand to 14 million 867 thousand in a short time as a result of the dissolution of the Soviet Union. In the country, where only 40 percent of the total population is Kazakhs, the majority of people of Russian, German, Ukrainian, and Belarusian origin began to migrate to their historical homeland.

Faced with a major demographic crisis, the Kazakhstan government developed a population policy aimed at bringing back nearly 5 million Kazakhs from more than 40 countries, known to be the descendants of those who left due to political oppression and famine during the Soviet Union in the 1920s and 1930s.

Kazakhstan, which decided to cover the return of ethnic Kazakhs living abroad to their historical homeland from the state budget, launched the "Bright Migration" program under the instructions of Founding President Nursultan Nazarbayev.

Within the framework of the program, the annual quota given to ethnic Kazakhs migrating to the country was increased from 10 thousand to 20 thousand, and many priorities were provided, such as being employed with state aid, gaining the right to enter university, and benefiting from health services and social payments.

In 2020, by the decision of President Kasm Jomert Tokayev, ethnic Kazakhs were allowed to simultaneously apply for citizenship of the country in addition to a residence permit.

Thanks to the measures taken, the proportion of ethnic Kazakhs in the demographic structure of Kazakhstan exceeded 70 percent. Approximately 15 percent of the population is of Russian origin.

---

Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
16 November 2023 20:35 (UTC+04:00)

Russia and North Korea signed a protocol on expanding cooperation in trade, science, technology and other field, state-run media said on Thursday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The agreement was reached during the 10th meeting of the two countries inter-governmental committee for cooperation in trade, economy, science, and technology held at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on Wednesday.

Officials from the two sides agreed to expand the multi-faceted bilateral exchange and cooperation in different fields, including trade, economy, science, and technology, under the agreement reached at the North Korea-Russia leaders summit held in September this year, according to the agency.

Relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have grown following an official visit by Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Russia in September.

North Korea warns US of tough response

Meanwhile, North Korea again accused the US of escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula and warned of a tough response for any "military provocation."

In a statement, a spokesman for the National Defense Ministry said that recently a top US official visited Seoul and amended the "tailored deterrence strategy" aimed at a preemptive nuclear strike against North Korea.

"This year, too, the enemies escalated their nuclear threat to the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) by starting the operation of the Nuclear Consultative Group aimed at using nuclear weapons against it, staging the large-scale joint military exercises of aggressive nature, the ministry said in the statement published by KCNA.

Pyongyang also warned that its armed forces will respond with "more offensive and overwhelming counteraction capabilities and through visible strategic deterrent military actions" to any attempt to create instability on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korean military drills

South Korean Navy and Marine Corps on Thursday began its weeklong military drill near the eastern coast.

Some 3,400 troops have joined the exercise that mobilized naval vessels, helicopters, and assault amphibious vehicles, including the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula further grew after Kim Jong-un visited Russia in September. The US, South Korea, and Japan claimed that North Korea delivered weapons to Russia, and Seoul warned of retaliation if Moscow transferred its missile technology to Pyongyang.

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Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz
Japanese Police have arrested a 53-year-old man named Shinobu Sekiguchi after he rammed his car into a barricade near the entrance of the Israeli embassy in Tokyo on Thursday morning (November 16).

According to Reuters, the suspect, a member of a local right-wing group, sped through the barriers near the embassy, which has been the site of several pro-Palestinian demonstrations in the Japanese capital in recent weeks.

A police officer in his 20s was injured during the incident.

In response, Israeli Ambassador to Japan Gilad Cohen said on a social media post that he was "shocked" by the events and said local police are investigating the matter.

"I would like to express gratitude to the Japanese government and Tokyo Police for their commitment to ensuring our security," he added. "Wishing a speedy recovery to the injured police officer."

Read Also: First Fuel Convoy Enters Gaza, but UN Says Supply Not Enough

A Man involved with an Extremist Japanese Right-Wing Organization has reportedly been Arrested in Tokyo, Japan after he Rammed his Car into a Barrier near the Israeli Embassy in the City, resulting in the Injury of at least 1 Police Officer. pic.twitter.com/LiUnMQd7Cs November 16, 2023

Israel-Hamas War Reverberating Across Asia

Since October 7, police have stepped up security in the area, including the erection of the barricades.

There were also similar incidents of pro-Palestinian action across Asia.

A month ago, a staffer at the Israeli embassy in Beijing was assaulted in a knife attack and was eventually taken to hospital for treatment.

Meanwhile, pro-Palestine protesters in the Philippines, mostly from progressive and left-wing youth groups, gathered outside the US embassy in Manila to protest against American support for Israel earlier this week.

Related Article: 6 Injured After 3 Gunmen Attack West Bank Checkpoint Near Jerusalem

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
16 November 2023 21:40 (UTC+04:00)

China has no desire for hegemony and will not wage either a cold or hot war against anyone, Chinese President Xi Jinping said after talks with US President Joe Biden in San Francisco, Azernews reports, citing TASS.

"Whatever stage of development it may reach, China will never pursue hegemony or expansion, and will never impose its will on others," Xi Jinping said at a meeting arranged by a number of US organizations.

"China does not seek spheres of influence, and will not fight a cold war or a hot war with anyone," Xinhua quoted the Chinese leader as saying.

The talks between the Chinese and US presidents are their seventh official interaction since January 2021, when Biden became president. The two countries' heads met in person for the second time (the first meeting was last November on the Indonesian island of Bali). Xi Jinping is visiting the US for the first time in six years. During the visit, he is scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

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Elon Musk started another debate on X (formerly known as Twitter) after he agreed to an antisemitic post. The billionaire said that what the X user said about Jewish communities in the U.S. is the "actual truth."

Because of this, many X users condemned the billionaire for his statement. However, there are also those who agreed with the tech executive.

Here's what the X user said about Jews in the United States and why Elon Musk claimed he is spitting facts.

Elon Musk Agrees to Antisemitic X Post, Claiming It's 'Actual Truth'

Charles Weber, a Jewish conservative in South Florida, posted a video about people who are saying that "Hitler was right." If you watch the video, the father was lecturing his son about his post, saying that if will claims that Hitler was right, then he should say it in front of Jews in the U.S.

According to Forbes, the video was created by the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism.

However, X user The Artist Formerly Known as Eric said that just like antisemitic people, Jewish communities are also spreading hatred against white individuals.

Okay.



Jewish communties have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them.



I'm deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest shit now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing November 15, 2023

"Jewish communities have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them," said the X user.

"I'm deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest shit now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realization that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country don't exactly like them too much," he added.

What The Artist Formerly Known as Eric said got the attention of the platform's owner. After reading what he said, Elon Musk simply replied that the X user "said the actual truth."

Read Also: US Capitol Police vs. Pro-Palestine Protesters: DNC Protest Leads to Violent Clash

Is Elon Musk Correct? Netizens Share Their Opinion

Some X users wish Elon Musk "good luck" since they expect Jewish supporters will now focus on the billionaire. One of them was quite neutral, saying that Musk should let it go.

The netizen added that now is the time to support and embrace Jewish people in the U.S. and that Americans should not let old grudges from "left-wing segment" affect their relationship with one another.

But, there are those who also agree with Elon Musk. Some netizens said that many Jews are not taking a stronger stance against their fellowmen who spread anti-white hatred.

To prove their point, one of them even posted a video showing two Jews discussing that whites are the "worst enemies" of Jewish communities.

Related Article: Elon Musk Has 24 Hours to Handle Israel-Hamas War Propaganda, Disturbing Footage on X

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Tom Campbell

The new redistricted congressional and legislative maps passed by our legislature are not surprising to those who have followed this hyper partisan General Assembly. But they are disappointing. Lawmakers are more interested in keeping their jobs and party control than in doing their jobs.Why were they even redrawing maps? Let's attempt to make a lengthy explanation brief. After every decennial census our constitution requires congressional and legislative district maps be redrawn to reflect new population data and each district is to have roughly the same number of people.Our General Assembly has virtually unlimited power drawing those districts. Traditionally, the political party in power has gerrymandered districts to safeguard party dominance and protect incumbent legislators. There are two primary checks to this unlimited power.The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA), based on the 15th Amendment to the US Constitution, outlawed discriminatory practices such as literary tests, to prevent Blacks and minorities from voting. North Carolina was subject toof districts before implementing them, but a 2013 US Supreme Court decision essentially negated preclearance requirements. The VRA is no longer theit once was.Courts have been the other check in avoiding racial or partisan discrimination. Our State Supreme Court has often determined that congressional and legislative districts were unconstitutional. Following the 2020 census the legislature was required to draw new districts. The NC Supreme Court declared the 2021 maps lawmakers drew as unconstitutional on the grounds of extreme partisan gerrymandering. Lawmakers submitted new maps. Our high court again said the congressional maps were unconstitutional and, in frustration, hiredto draw new districts. They permitted the revised legislative maps to stand, but ruled that both congressional and legislative maps be redrawn prior to the 2024 elections.The special masters' congressional maps, which more accurately reflected voter registrations in the state, resulted in 7 Democrats and 7 Republicans elected to Congress. Legislative maps predictably produced Republican majorities in both the NC House and Senate, however Republicans were one vote shy of a veto-proof majority in the House. That changed in April of this year when Representative Tricia Cotham changed her party affiliation from Democrat to Republican. Since that date both houses have used veto-proof margins to consistently overturn Governor Cooper's vetoes.But a more important change occurred in the 2022 election. Our state Supreme Court flipped from having a 4 to 3 majority of Democrats to a plurality of 5 Republicans and 2 Democrats. Since court decisions are almost as partisan as legislative actions, the new maps just passed are unlikely to be overturned.The new congressional maps jeopardize 3 or 4 current congressional Democrats. Analysts are predicting these maps will elect 10 Republicans and 4 Democrats to congress, possibly even an 11 to 3 margin. Duke math professor Jonathan Mattingly, head of a research team reviewing them said,They are worse than the ones proposed in 2021.Chris Cooper, political science professor, from Western Carolina University, said the legislative maps,The respected political observer added,With the current partisan makeup of the high court that isn't likely.Ralph Hise, head of the Senate Redistricting committee, boldly proclaimed that race was not a factor in drawing maps, however he did acknowledge that political affiliations were strongly considered. The new maps, crafted behind closed doors was the least transparent process, with less public feedback, than ever experienced.If you carefully study the newly drawn Republican maps you will find continued evidence of the stacking, packing and cracking of districts. Stacking is the process of combining communities of interest (especially minority voters) to create a perceived voting majority, while also including many high-income, better educated (usually white voters), knowing they traditionally turn out in higher numbers. Packing combines minorities or Democrats in one district, preventing them from affecting outcomes in other districts. Cracking spreads out these minority or Democratic voters into several districts, diluting their power to elect candidates.I'm tired of hearing Republicans respond by claiming that Democrats did the same for many years. It's true. But does that make it right? And when Democrats did it, they had both the Voting Rights Act and less partisan courts to hold them somewhat accountable. And they were infinitely more transparent.If we want more representative districts we are going to have to respond to this legislative gerrymandering by- producing just the opposite result from what lawmakers intended. And that will require work in explaining the problem, registering voters and making sure they get out to vote. In other words, it is up to each of us.
Considering the deep morass of complete incompetence at the Federal level, in the executive branch of our self-governed People, unarguably the worst in modern times; if certain changes could be made by Impeachment of those most qualified: Who would be your best choice because of abject Corruption, incompetence, or both?

40.82% Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas12.24% Attorney General Merrick Garland20.41% President Joseph R. Biden2.04% Are you a MAGA Extremist, and do not know any better? These are our best of days, not our worst.24.49% FBI Director Christopher Wray
The House GOP plan to offset billions of dollars in aid for Israel by cutting the same amount of money to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) would end up being a costly one, said the head of the agency.Backed by House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA), the proposal would provide $14.3 billion to Israel - which is fighting Iran-backed Hamas following its deadly terrorist attacks on Israeli soil earlier this month - while rescinding $14.3 billion in funds made available to the IRS.IRS Commissioner Daniel Werfel reportedly said the offset would cost $90 billion, according to Washington Post reporter Jacob Bogage, who conveyed the comments in a post to X on Tuesday.Werfel said, adding that the IRS would beThe critique aligns with what Democrats in Congress have said in opposing the measure, which aims to further cut the budget of the IRS after President Joe Biden secured $80 billion through the Inflation Reduction Act to bolster and modernize the agency over 10 years - with an agenda to commit more than half of the money to enforcement, particularly in going after wealthy tax evaders - only for roughly $21 billion to get clawed back as part of a debt ceiling deal in June.In remarks on the Senate floor on Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) said he wasby the House Republicans'legislation not having funds for Ukraine, humanitarian assistance for Gaza, and the Indo-Pacific. Schumer also said the House GOP plan containedthat benefit the wealthyand would increase the deficit.Johnson, who is less than a week into the job as speaker, told Fox News that he hoped for bipartisan support for the House GOP plan, but acknowledged that the proposal was aHe also said the United States isand that he believes the American people would say thatThe plan has the support of conservatives. One person who praised Johnson was former House Speaker Newt Gingrich.Gingrich said in a post to X.President Joe Biden has asked Congress to approve roughly $106 billion in national security-related funds, including $14.3 billion for Israel, $61.4 billion for Ukraine, as well as money for Taiwan and the Indo-Pacific, humanitarian assistance, and border security. Two of his top Cabinet officials, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, testified before a Senate committee about the request on Tuesday.At the White House, National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said that Israel and Ukraine, which is engaged in armed conflict against Russian invaders, areSenate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) similarly said threats to the United States areand should not be ignored while calling for Washington to rally behind allies such as Israel and Ukraine.House Democrats sent a letter to Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Director Phillip Swagel on Tuesday seeking an analysis on the GOP proposal. The Republican measure had a provision that sought toa CBO score, noted Punchbowl News co-founder Jake Sherman.
Judicial Watch is reporting:

Mass illegal immigration resulting from the Biden administrations open border policies is costing American taxpayers hundreds of billions of dollars to provide an unprecedented number of migrants with medical treatment, housing, education, and other welfare services, not to mention law enforcement. A new congressional report that includes federal and state figures reveals the shocking price of supporting an estimated 16.8 to 29 million illegal aliens currently living in the United States. The net cost of illegal immigration is greater than the annual gross domestic product (GDP) of 15 different states, according to the lengthy report, published this week by the House Committee on Homeland Security. Illegal immigration costs every American taxpayer a net average of $956or $1,156 before the taxes paid by illegal aliens are factored in.

Healthcare is among the biggest expenses with Medicaid costs for emergency services for undocumented aliens exceeding $12.4 billion in the last two years, according to figures provided to committee members by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. In fiscal year 2022, which ended in September, improper Medicaid payouts across the U.S. totaled more than $80 billion with around $8 billion going to illegal aliens. In New York City hospitals recorded about 30,000 visits by illegal immigrants in the past year along with approximately 300 births. A Yuma County, Arizona lawmaker recently testified before Congress that the maternity ward and emergency room at Yuma Regional Medical Center has incurred over $26 million in uncompensated costs for illegal immigrants.

Housing migrants is another huge expense that is forecasted to reach as much as $451 billion, according to figures cited in the congressional report. New York City alone is on track to spend over $12 billion by 2023 to provide shelter for tens of thousands of illegal aliens that have arrived since spring 2022. Chicago is spending north of $20 million a month to house and support illegal aliens and Washington D.C. is doling out more than $52 million to house the large groups of migrants that have settled into the capital area recently. Because [DHS Secretary Alejandro] Mayorkas refuses to follow the law requiring him to detain and remove illegal aliens, towns and cities across the country have been forced to pick up the costs of housing and providing shelter for the hundreds of thousands that have been released into their communities, the report states. This reality has been documented everywhere from small towns thousands of miles from the border, all the way to Americas largest cities.

Education and law enforcement are two other major expenses for the U.S. government, states, and local municipalities nationwide. Nearly four million illegal aliens attend public schools around the country and most receive special services for Limited English Proficiency (LEP) costing American taxpayers nearly $59 billion. New York City alone is spending around $440 million to educate about 11,500 illegal aliens who will likely remain in the system next year. Police expenditures provided by the National Institute of Corrections reveal that illegal immigrants cost states nearly $9 billion in 2022 with judicial expenses around $3.72 billion and prison costs about $6.2 billion. Department of Justice (DOJ) statistics cited in the report disclose that 25,000 criminal aliens are in federal prisons at an annual price tag of approximately $40,000 per incarcerated individual, which means taxpayers are doling out nearly $1 billion to lock up criminal illegal aliens.

Other migrant costs include billions of dollars for transportation and welfare benefits such as food stamps. In fiscal year 2022 the government spent around $5.8 billion to provide millions of illegal immigrants with food stamps, according to figures provided in the new congressional report. Another welfare program known as Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) that gives low-income pregnant women and their children up to the age of five nutritious food disperses over $1.3 billion in benefits each year to illegal immigrants. Transportation costs listed in the document include more than $75 million in Texas to transfer migrants from the state, around $3.5 million for dozens of buses that departed Arizona to Washington D.C. and $12 million to the Florida Department of Transportation for illegal alien relocation. Additionally, the federal government spent at least $340 million transporting illegal immigrants into the interior last year and $660 million to relocate alien family units and minors, which are classified as Unaccompanied Alien Children (UAC).
Free speech triumphed over a "hate speech" law in Finland as the Helsinki Court of Appeals unanimously dismissed the three "hate speech" charges brought against Finnish member of parliament and former Minister of the Interior Paivi Rasanen for tweeting Bible verses related to marriage and gender. The charges had previously been dismissed by the trial court, and the prosecution appealed. Rasanen has served in parliament for almost 30 years.

When she was arrested, Rasanen was subjected to 13 hours of police interrogation. The Appeals court ordered the government to reimburse her for her defense costs.

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/news/finnish-politician-cleared-of-hate-speech-charges-for-second-time/

https://europeanconservative.com/articles/commentary/why-was-finnish-mp-taken-to-court-for-tweeting-bible-verses/

Free speech is under serious attack in Europe. In France, two feminist leaders have criminal charges pending for "hate speech" for posting that allowing biological men into some womens spaces created a danger to women. The left would like to do the same here in America, and it is only our First Amendment that is stopping them so far.
Here are six Amazon moves expanding its healthcare presence that Becker's has reported on since Oct. 18 that ASCs should know:

1. Edison, N.J.-based Hackensack Meridian Health partnered with One Medical, an Amazon subsidiary providing virtual and in-person primary care. One Medical members will have access to in-person care via Hackensack Meridian Health and on-demand virtual care through One Medical. The health system and One Medical are planning to open multiple locations over the next several years, with the first expected to open by the end of 2024.

2. CommonSpirit Health's Virginia Mason Franciscan Health and One Medical inked a deal allowing CommonSpirit's specialists to provide care to Amazon's primary care patients. Virginia Mason will be One Medical's referral partner for eight clinics and will give members in the Seattle area access to more than 2,000 specialists from the hospital.

3. Discounted memberships to One Medical are now available to Amazon Prime members, giving them access to offerings including video chats with licensed providers and an in-app "Treat Me Now" feature that offers care for common concerns and conditions including cold and flu, skin issues, allergies and urinary tract infections.

4. Amazon Clinic launched a service in November 2022 that shows patient prices up front; it went nationwide in August.

5. One Medical rebranded its Iora Health older adult care clinics, which the company acquired in 2021. Iora Health older adult care clinics will be renamed One Medical Seniors.

6. Amazon implemented its medical drone delivery in College Station, Texas, so patients can receive their prescriptions in less than an hour. The delivery is available for more than 500 medications and at no extra charge to pharmacy customers.
The U.S. physician group market is valued at $292.3 billion in 2023 and is expected to hit $397.1 billion by 2030, according to a report from Fortune Business Insights.

Here are five transactions involving physician practices and physician-owned groups to know, as reported by Becker's since Sept. 28:

1. Medical Specialists of the Palm Beaches acquired Boca Raton, Fla.-based concierge medicine practice Colton and Kaminetsky. MSPB includes 110 providers spread across more than 37 offices in Palm Beach and Broward counties in Florida. The acquisition includes three physicians and more than 1,500 patients.

2. Marlton, N.J.-based Consensus Health added five physician practices to its medical group. The newly acquired independent medical practices comprise seven physicians and five locations. The new additions increase the medical group's total practices to 58 across New Jersey.

3. Physician-owned BayCare Clinic in Green Bay, Wis., purchased more than 25 acres of undeveloped land for $3.3 million. The clinic acquired the property for future growth and development. However, there is currently no specific plan for the site.

4. Healthcare-focused private equity company Ascend Capital Partners acquired a majority stake in Seoul Medical Group, an independent physician association. Ascend will provide Seoul Medical Group with capital, infrastructure and support to empower physicians and optimize operations.

5. UnitedHealth Group expressed interest in taking a majority ownership stake in Guilford (Conn.) Surgery Center. The surgery center sold a 49 percent non-controlling interest to Surgical Care Affiliates, which is part of UnitedHealth's Optum division, in 2022. Now the surgery center is seeking permission from state regulators to sell an additional stake to SCA and UnitedHealth to give it 58 percent controlling interest. Twenty-three physicians have ownership interest in the ASC.
Greensburg, Pa.-based Excela Health will pay $10 million to settle civil lawsuits from two cardiologists who held staff privileges at Excela's Westmoreland Hospital, according to a Nov. 15 report from Trib Live.

The suits were brought by cardiologists George Bou Samra, MD, and Ehab Morcos, MD, who claim they suffered damages due to statements made by Excela executives.

The statements in question were made in letters and news conferences more than a decade ago and questioned the necessity of coronary artery stent procedures performed by Dr. Morcos and Dr. Samra.

More than 100 patients filed lawsuits against the physicians following a 2011 letter sent by Excela to 192 patients disclosing they may have received unnecessary stents based on a review of Dr. Samra and Dr. Morcos' work.

Excela will pay the full settlement amount on behalf of all defendants in the case, according to the report.

"Nothing in the settlement agreement should be construed as an admission by the parties of any liability to each other," David Strassburger, Excela's attorney, told Trib Live. "It should also be stressed that the vast majority of the monetary component of the settlement is covered by insurance and will have no material effect on Excela."

Dr. Samra and Dr. Morcos filed the suit against Excela in 2011 and have faced 11 years of litigation and multiple appeals. The physicians claim their use of stents was proper and Excela conducted the reviews and made the related announcement "with improper motives related to its business operations."

The physicians claimed "great reputational harm and inability to function in their practices as well as great hardship to their families."
Two of the largest hospital systems in Chattanooga, Tenn., have partnered to build a $23.2 million ASC inside a former U.S. Xpress office building, according to a Nov. 15 report from the Chattanooga Times Free Press.

Parkridge Health System, an affiliate of HCA Healthcare, purchased the property for $36 million in August. HCA is forming a general partnership with Erlanger Health, its largest competitor, for the new facility, in which the ASC will be 51% owned by HCA and 49% owned by Erlanger. No physicians will own more than 5% of the practice.

A joint venture of this scale has never been undertaken by two competing health systems in Chattanooga, according to the report.

The 24,000-square-foot facility will house five operating rooms and four procedure rooms, specializing in orthopedics, plastic surgery, gynecology, endoscopy and urology.

Currently, 35% of surgeries in the Chattanooga area are performed in the ASC setting, and only about 16.5% of outpatient procedures that would be performed at the new Chattanooga East Surgicenter are conducted at an existing ASC. Relocating these cases to the center will free up space for more complex surgeries at nearby hospitals, according to the report.

The facility is projected to open in 2025 and is estimated to perform 7,100 cases in the first year and more than 12,100 cases in the second year.






The Ventura County Sheriff's Office has arrested a 50-year-old Moorpark man in connection to the death of 69-year-old Jewish man Paul Kessler last week.

Loay Abdelfattah Alnajii was charged with involuntary manslaughter after he allegedly hit Kessler with a megaphone during dueling protests in Thousand Oaks on November 5 before the Jewish man slipped and hit his head on the pavement.

Kessler eventually died in hospital the next day.

Alnajii, a computer science professor at the Ventura County Community College, has been detained before facing trial at a later date. He is currently being held in custody on a $1 million bail.

The Daily Mail was the first to name Alnajii as the prime person of interest in the incident.

Read Also: California: Elderly Jewish Man Killed in Competing Pro-Israel, Pro-Palestine Protests in LA

Remembering Paul Kessler

The New York Post reported that Kessler's close friends remembered him as a proud Jew.

"He was not a closet Zionist - he wore it like a badge of honor. He was a proud Jew and proud Israel supporter," Kessler family friend Justin Cohen said.

It was previously reported that coroners from Ventura County ruled Kessler's death as a homicide, with the cause of death being a blunt-force head injury.

The charge was upgraded to involuntary manslaughter.

Related Article: Suspect in Death of Elderly Jewish Man 'Cooperative' in Homicide Investigation

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Memorial Hermann Health System has tripled its GoHealth footprint in the last year and is now Greater Houston's largest urgent and on-demand care network, according to a Nov. 15 news release.

Memorial Hermann-GoHealth opened its 29th location on Nov. 15 and three Prime Urgent Care facilities transitioned to the network.

"Patients will find many of the same friendly faces and the customer-first experience they've come to know and trust," Maneesh Mehra, founder of Prime Urgent Care, said, "Now, they'll also benefit from the innovative and connected care experience Memorial Hermann-GoHealth Urgent Care offers."

The newest Memorial Hermann-GoHealth centers, located in busy retail hubs, are in Pearland, Sugar Land and Missouri City, Texas. The new facilities are open 365 days a year, including holidays, and provide a range of services to patients ages 6 months and older.

Health systems understand that urgent care is not going away, leading many to acquire more facilities or establish joint ventures to reduce market competition and serve as a funnel for their specialty care services.

GoHealth currently operates about 250 urgent care centers across the U.S., according to its website.
The COVID-19 pandemic shuffled up trends in emergency department volume, but many systems are seeing hundreds of thousands of patients a year.

Jeffery Metzger, MD, chief of emergency services at Dallas-based Parkland Health, which had 210,152 ED visits in 2019, told Becker's 2019 was their busiest year, followed by low numbers during the pandemic. Since then, numbers have been steadily climbing back to their pre-COVID-19 volumes, which Dr. Metzger attributes to two factors: A growing Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex and fluctuations in insurance coverage.

Jimmy Lao, MSN, RN, director of nursing for Reno, Nev.-based Renown Regional's emergency department, which is on track to reach 110,000 ED visits this year, said the growing economy is bringing new clients into their hospital, but their expanding services have increased volume for patients who do not have other options.

With increased volumes come increased unnecessary utilization of the emergency department.

"For people who are working or need multiple tests or consults, they find that the emergency department can serve as that 'one stop shop,'" Nilesh Patel, DO, chair of emergency medicine at Patterson, N.J-based St. Joseph's University Medical Center, which had 150,615 visits in 2019, told Becker's. "While this is not the intention of an emergency department, volumes increase due to perceived flexibility and convenience."

Each hospital has a different strategy for optimizing their resources to treat the sickest, and healthiest, of patients.

Dr. Metzger said Parkland is working to eliminate barriers to care to prevent its community from needing emergency department services. They provide resources and education around other options for care, but, he said, "I think there's still a large amount of population that we just don't reach. They don't know until they access the system, and the emergency department is the obvious front door."

Parkland has created a system for low acuity patients that allows 25% of their volume to be cycled through 12% of its space. The system created a rotating process patients move through: Patients are seen in a room for one step of the process before moving to special waiting rooms while tests are performed and results are processed. The movement, Dr. Metzger said, helps the patients feel they are receiving care and frees rooms so more patients can be treated.

Renown Regional takes a different approach: focusing on keeping patients out of the emergency department after discharge. Mr. Lao said they focus on readmissions to the hospital within 72 hours. A multidisciplinary team reviews the cases and develops process improvements to prevent them from coming back while providing referrals that keep patients out of the hospital.

They are also utilizing telehealth to provide patients care without requiring in-person resources. Mr. Lao also credits the hospital's interdisciplinary team of case management, social work and alert (behavioral health) teams with reducing volume by performing evaluations and assessments to ensure appropriate referrals are given.

Despite careful planning, there are still thousands of patients who enter the emergency department looking for nonmedical or unnecessary services. Both Renown and Parkland told Becker's they regularly treat patients who need something as simple as a prescription refill and members of the homeless population who come seeking shelter.

"We're sort of the one place that they can come to and get a roof over their head," since some of them have been banned from shelters due to behavioral issues, Dr. Metzger said.

But Dr. Patel argues there is no such thing as an unnecessary visit. "Whether a patient is at the highest or lowest level of acuity, that individual requires access to care providers for assessment and treatment. Quite simply, everyone who comes through our emergency room doors needs to be cared for."
Sacramento, Calif.-based UC Davis Health has partnered with BioIntelliSense, a company specializing in continuous health monitoring and clinical intelligence, to introduce a new initiative for in-hospital monitoring.

The initiative is specifically designed for patients undergoing hospitalization for bone marrow transplant and hematology/oncology services, according to a Nov. 16 news release from BioIntelliSense.

The program will use BioIntelliSense's BioButton wearable devices, along with algorithm-based data analytics and a clinical intelligence system. The goal is to combine the monitoring of subtle changes in vital sign trends and early signs of potential patient deterioration to provide actionable clinical insights and facilitate proactive interventions based on the gathered data.
Atchison, Kan.-based Amberwell Health may be stepping in to operate a rural Kansas emergency department that is due to close Dec. 20, according to a KCUR/NPR report.

Ascension Via Christi said last month it will cease operations at its emergency department in Fort Scott, Kan., due to a steady decline in patient visits and its overall average daily census.

Local authorities are seeking to get a licensing agreement in place for Amberwell Health to operate the facility. Amberwell Health is seeking a $1.5 million subsidy to begin operations, according to the report.

City officials are also investigating the possibility of turning the facility into a rural emergency hospital to improve reimbursements, the report said.
The health system C-suite continues to evolve as organizations navigate today's changing healthcare environment and focus on key areas to ensure long-term success. This evolution has involved adding new roles to executive teams, as well as eliminating or opting not to fill a certain position. Some organizations have also combined roles.

Health systems that have added new roles are looking to these leaders to help tackle an array of issues, from data analytics to infection control.

For example, Cleveland Clinic named Albert Marinez as its first chief analytics officer. Mr. Marinez began the new role Aug. 28 and is tasked with overseeing data strategies. Other roles added by systems have included chief of infection control, chief physician executive, chief technology officer and chief external affairs officer. These and other new roles are added so organizations can tackle issues such as lowering costs, improving patient care, and strengthening relationships with medical group and community physicians.

"As Cleveland Clinic works to responsibly expand our use of healthcare technology and data, we need a leader who will ensure the consistent gathering and application of analytics across our enterprise," Rohit Chandra, PhD, chief digital officer for Cleveland Clinic, said in an Aug. 7 news release shared with Becker's. "Albert has a history of success in driving the analytics strategy for healthcare organizations and is the ideal choice to guide the efforts that will benefit Cleveland Clinic's patients and caregivers."

While some organizations have added roles to their C-suite, some have also eliminated or opted not to fill certain positions, including the COO role, amid financial and other challenges. Both Confluence Health in Wenatchee, Wash., and Sovah Health in Danville and Martinsville, Va., cut the COO role earlier in 2023. However, this isn't happening across the board, and many hospitals and health systems have named new COOs. Overall, Becker's has reported on more than 100 COO moves this year. And in some instances, systems have evolved the COO role.

For example, ThedaCare in Neenah, Wis., combined the CFO and COO roles this year, and Chesapeake (Va.) Regional Healthcare created a hybrid COO and chief nursing officer role.

Additionally, Cary Medical Center in Caribou, Maine, combined the CFO and COO roles into one position. Chelsea Reynolds Desrosiers assumed the new role Aug. 21. The promotion came with the departure of COO Leslie Anderson. Ms. Desrosiers has served as CFO since 2018.

"I think it's a great decision for the organization as well as next steps in the ever-changing healthcare industry," Ms. Desrosiers told Becker's. "I think it provides a bridge between financial and operations."

The COO role is not the only role evolving. While some big health systems have appointed their inaugural chief AI, analytics or data officers, others have eliminated or opted not to fill the chief digital officer position. Some major systems don't have that position.

"Digital is still the broadest term that encapsulates what I do (by example, IT, AI, innovation, analytics, and consumer experience)," Jeffrey Sturman, senior vice president and chief digital officer at Hollywood, Fla.-based Memorial Healthcare System, told Becker's. "The industry is certainly grappling with how to define AI and digital still. I think this largely depends on the unique needs of a health system as to what roles are believed to be needed and what they are called."

Another note regarding the C-suite: Chief diversity, equity and inclusion positions are dwindling in many industries, but the role and its evolution are more complex in healthcare specifically.

Yolanda Wimberly, MD, senior vice president and chief health equity officer at Atlanta-based Grady Health System, and Lois Greene, DHA, BSN, RN, senior vice president of wellness, diversity, equity and inclusion at Newark, N.J.-based University Hospital, spoke with Becker's about this evolution earlier this year. They concurred that the role is largely reliant on conversations among leadership: fleshing out how equity aligns with the strategic mission, can be beneficial financially, and can be infused into other parts of the organization. Dr. Greene also noted that even amid the role's evolution, it's not going away.

There is no one-size-fits-all when it comes to the health system C-suite, and many factors drive decisions related to adding or evolving roles, including organizational size and strategy. However, as organizations assess their own needs and strategies, it's likely the new C-suite era will continue.












Three executives are joining the management team of Duly Health and Care, the Downers Grove, Ill.-based medical group with more than 1,000 physicians in the Chicago area.

Ryan West is the new president of Chicagoland operations, a role in which he is accountable for the daily operations of Duly's more than 120 clinic sites in suburban Chicago. Mr. West has fulfilled this role on an interim basis after joining Duly in June 2021 as vice president of operations.

Dana Rye is Duly's chief value based care officer, a role in which she is accountable for the medical group's value-based care strategy and program management. Ms. Rye most recently served as senior vice president of value based care at U.S. Renal Care with time throughout her career spent at OneOncology, McKinsey and Credit Suisse.

Charleen Phillips is the medical group's new chief accounting officer, the leader responsible for Duly's accounting and financial framework. Ms. Phillips most recently served as senior vice president of accounting at HealthComp, a private equity-backed third party administrator, and spent time as vice president and controller at Advicent.

Duly is made up of three medical groups  DuPage Medical Group, Quincy Medical Group and The South Bend Clinic. The organization includes more than 1,000 primary care and specialty care physicians at more than 150 locations, with a team of more than 7,000 employees.

Duly appointed Dan Greenleaf as its CEO in June. Mr. Greenleaf previously served as CEO of numerous companies: Modivcare, a platform of integrated supportive care solutions; BioScrip, a provider of infusion and home care management solutions, and Home Solutions Infusion Services, where he led the successful sale of the company to BioScrip.

"Our leadership appointments come at a time when our industry and the delivery of healthcare services face unprecedented challenges," Mr. Greenleaf said of the new executive appointments. "I have confidence that Ryan's promotion and the strategic additions of Dana and Char to our team will position us to continue to navigate these challenges and allow us to emerge stronger and more resilient than before to best serve the needs of our patients."
Steen Trawick, MD, will step down from his role as CEO and chief medical officer of Christus Shreveport-Bossier Health System on Dec. 1, the health system confirmed to Becker's.

Dr. Trawick has led the Shreveport, La.-based health system in a dual capacity since 2019, according to a Nov. 16 statement from Dallas-based Christus Health. No reason was given for his departure.

"During Dr. Trawick's tenure, he has advanced the quality of medicine at all of our North Louisiana ministries and successfully led the organization through the pandemic," the statement said. "We thank him for his dedication and wish him well in his future endeavors."
Cooperstown, N.Y.-based Bassett Healthcare is beefing up its 60-person security team that oversees safety at five hospitals and more than 24 regional medical centers with new protective K-9s.

In 2023, the health system added two pups to its team. There are now a total of four dogs aiding with patrols. While they are not therapy dogs, they still bring joy to patients, according to the Nov. 15 news release, and each has their own trading card and stuffed animal for purchase in gift shops.

The latest addition, Hutch, an 18-month-old German Shepherd, landed a full-time gig and will be stationed at A.O. Fox Hospital in Oneonta, N.Y., to patrol the night shift with his partner, Officer Jeffrey Bever, according to a Nov. 15 news release. Earlier this year, the health system also added Remi, a 15-month-old Rottweiler and his handler, Officer Lynda May.

Hutch and Remi trained with more seasoned K-9s on Bassett Healthcare's team, Hudson, a now 7-year-old Belgian Malinois  the first dog employed by the system in 2019  and Coal, a bicolor German Shepherd, who joined in 2022.

Bassett Healthcare announced in January that it was looking to expand its K-9 security capabilities in 2023.
In conversations about the nursing shortage, healthcare leaders often underscore the importance of building a pipeline by stirring interest among younger generations, and getting in front of high schoolers and middle schoolers. But is the industry fully ready to embrace more young nurses?

Over the summer, a 16-year-old Arizona State University graduate made headlines when she earned her BSN. Elliana Tenenbaum is thought to be the youngest nurse in America, having earned her high school diploma in just a year-and-a-half and doubling up on college courses. She completed an accelerated 16-month BSN program at ASU's Edson College of Nursing and Health Innovation. Ms. Tenenbaum graduated in August and soon plans to start a DNP program.

Generally speaking, anyone under the age of 18 would not be able to secure full-time employment as a hospital nurse, but in the coming years, healthcare organizations could see a rise in the number of nurse applicants who've earned their degrees in their late teens or early 20s, particularly as they ramp up efforts to market the profession to especially young populations.

While Ms. Tenenbaum's story may be the exception rather than the rule, it sparked attention among those in the nursing industry on social media. Reactions were mixed, with some noting this as a positive example of the possibilities when the industry invests more in the next generation, while others shared concerns about whether people in their late teens to early 20s would be ready to grapple with the emotional toll that comes with working in patient care, and on hospitals' ability to fully support younger nurses.

"I see the concerns and I see the interesting debate out there, and I can appreciate all sides," Jennifer Mensik Kennedy, PhD, RN, president of the American Nurses Association, told Becker's. "What this demonstrates is, how do we support individuals going into nursing?"

If hospitals and health systems are turning more to middle schools and high schools to attract young peoples' interest in the profession, it's fair to assume ambitious individuals might act on that interest early, and want to participate in career pathways connecting them to college programs while they may still be finishing up high school.

"It's also about the holistic admission process," Dr. Mensik Kennedy said. "This is important because not every 16-year-old is a 16-year-old, and not every 25-year-old is a 25-year-old, so it's up to schools of nursing through their admission process to look at the whole of the candidate who is applying and understand those unique circumstances for each person, and admit people based on that."

As far as Ms. Tenebaum's case, "It's important to point out that she completed a rigorous program and graduated, so she's demonstrated the competencies that she needs to, to be a registered nurse," she said.

The nursing industry tends to have a "get more experience first" mindset that can in some cases be self-limiting for new nurse graduates who want to go directly into pursuing an advanced practice degree or complete a PhD program.

"I can't think of any other profession that does that," Dr. Mensik Kennedy said. "As a nursing profession, we really do need to support each other and to support the individual. If someone wants to go through and become a nurse practitioner sooner or nurse researcher sooner, that's great  it's really important for us to put age aside."

When it comes to hospital nurse residency and training programs, the ANA leader said they should all focus on supporting a new nurse's transition from novice to expert, regardless of a person's age.

"I know nurses who've graduated in their 60s  these are individuals who might have decided to stay home and raise their families and now they're entering the workforce. There is a place for everyone at the table," Dr. Mensik Kennedy said. "Just because we graduate someone who is 21 or 25 doesn't mean they're going to contribute any more or any less than maybe someone who is 16 or someone who is 60."
Novo Nordisk reimburses its staff who've been prescribed the drugs it develops  including its expensive weight loss drug Wegovy, Bloomberg reported Nov. 15. The drugmaker employs about 21,000 people in Denmark.

Novo Nordisk has long offered to reimburse employees who are treated with its other drugs for conditions such as diabetes and hemophilia, though the perk has generated renewed attention as Wegovy has gained popularity. Employees are taxed on the benefit, and the drugmaker said it does not have a designated supply from which it pulls drugs for staff.

"Employees must of course meet with the general practitioner, be diagnosed and get a prescription, like any other Danish citizen," the company said in an email to Bloomberg. "These pharmaceutical benefit practices also exist in other global organizations."
South Korea claims that having nuclear-capable submarines in its arsenal is necessary against China, Russia, and North Korea. However, this may be difficult for the Asian country to achieve because it is still under the ROK-US nuclear agreement.

Because of this, two major parties of South Korea are now requesting to revise the nuclear agreement with the U.S. If the Biden Admin accepts their requests, it could allow SoKor to obtain nuclear submarine capabilities.

South Korea Says Nuclear-Capable Submarines are Needed

Admiral Kim Myung-soo, the new SoKor military's Joint Chief of Staff chairman, said that the country needs to have nuclear submarine capabilities (SSN).

"While those capabilities are needed, there are clear limitations as to what South Korea can do due to the current ROK-US nuclear agreement restricts the use of nuclear materials in military use," said the South Korean admiral via Naval News.

SSN capabilities are no longer new to South Korea. However, it is expected that Myung-soo will ask for more since North Korea's threat is getting more intense; both in qualitative and quantitative ways.

Many experts agree that SSN capabilities are definitely essential to South Korea. One of them is Prof. Jeeyong Kim at the South Korean Naval Academy.

He explained that Korean nuclear submarine capabilities (K-SSN) are "second to none," claiming that this military technology will be an effective deterrent against threats posed by North Korea, China, as well as Russia.

Jeeyong Kim further stated that if the ROK Navy gets a sizable fleet of nuclear-capable submarines, then North Korea will have a hard time threatening their country.

As of writing, multiple South Korean admirals, as well as the Minister of Defense himself, expressed their interest in getting more K-SSN capabilities. However, since restrictions are still imposed by the ROK-US nuclear agreement, the SSN effort of SoKor still has a long journey ahead.

Read Also: US, Japan, South Korea to Begin Real-Time Data Sharing on North Korean Missiles Upon Conclusion of Multi-Year Drill

North Korea's Nuclear Arsenal Intensifies

While SoKor is having a hard time expanding its K-SSN, The Japan Times reported that North Korea successfully tested new solid-fuel engines for its IRBMs (intermediate-range ballistic missiles).

This just shows that NoKor's nuclear arsenal is intensifying further. Because of this achievement, many military experts shared their concerns regarding the country's expanding nuclear capabilities.

Some of them said that the successful test could be a sign that the next step of North Korea is to conduct a flight test of the new IRBMs.

Related Article: North Korea Successfully Tests Solid-Fuel Engines for Intermediate-Range Nuclear Ballistic Missiles

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Orthopedic surgeon Brian Grawe, MD, said he's optimistic about the trajectory of artificial intelligence in medicine.

Dr. Grawe, of the University of Cincinnati, shared his insights on AI and the research he's excited about.

Note: Responses were lightly edited for clarity.

Q: What are you most proud of from the last year?

Dr. Brian Grawe: This past year the University of Cincinnati and I have launched a multi-center study investigating the effects of a novel treatment option for the augmentation of meniscal repairs. Through bench-top research we have been able to demonstrate the positive effects of adding 'simvastatin' to the repair construct. The safe, low cost and readily available cholesterol drug can modulate BMP-2 synthesis and thus promote chondrogenesis. The multi-center study is being funded by the Department of Defense with a budget of $1.9 million.

Q: What are the biggest trends you're following in healthcare right now?

BG: The biggest trend in orthopedics right now is the arms race that is artificial intelligence. This arms race includes better, more efficient delivery of patient care, as well as decreasing the cost burden of medical care. I believe that harnessing the power of AI will allow surgeons to better meet the expectations of their patients, more effectively communicate about the point of care options, and ultimately maximize the work flow of getting patients in the door and out the door. We are at the tip of the iceberg and the ceiling is high.

Q: What are you excited about for 2024?

BG: I am most excited about the rapidly evolving ways surgeons can now share. The advent of virtual meetings and virtual reality simulation/learning is something that is truly wonderful. Surgeons are going to begin to be able to exponentially leverage their own expertise to help take care of difficult pathologies.
Shipbuilder Harland & Wolff is to collaborate with an Australian business to pursue shipbuilding opportunities in the UK.

The Belfast-based plc announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Austal Australia at the Indo Pacific Maritime Exposition in Sydney.

The companies said the non-inclusive partnership covers the transfer of technology, skills, and shipyard capabilities required to build the next generation of patrol vessels for the UK for maritime security agencies.

Both have identified openings in the UK market, including the Border Force vessel replacement programme.

Paddy Gregg, chief executive of Austal, said it was its first step towards winning new business in the UK.

Harland & Wolff is an ideal partner for Austal in the pursuit of defence opportunities in the UK with the facilities, expertise and capabilities to effectively pursue and help deliver new vessels for organisations such as the UK Border Force.

"We look forward to collaborating with Harland & Wolff on new opportunities that leverage Austals proven leadership in aluminium patrol boat design and construction.

John Wood, group CEO of Harland & Wolff, said: As we embark on the next phase of the companys growth and development, we will be partnering with Austal not only for the transfer of technology to build aluminium vessels but to also join hands with them when bidding for contracts.

"Austals skills and decades of experience in the aluminium build space and border security vessels are second to none. I look forward to working closely with them to build the next-generation shipyard capability for aluminium vessels in the UK.
Secretary of State using same language about Stormont return since September

The Secretary of State has said talks with the DUP to restore Stormont are in their final phases.

Chris Heaton-Harris has been describing the talks as being in their final stage since September.

Speaking yesterday, he said Westminster is invested in restoring the Executive in Northern Ireland.

The DUP withdrew from power-sharing last year in protest at post-Brexit trading arrangements between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson has previously said talks are continuing with the UK Government about his partys concerns around the Windsor Framework and that he wants to find a solution to allow a return to the Assembly.

Speaking to Cool FM, Mr Heaton-Harris said Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is well engaged in the process of restoring devolution and we are in the final phases.

The Secretary of State added that he hopes to see a return to Stormont soon, although he hasnt ruled out other possibilities.

As Ive said before and will continue to say, the best game in town for Northern Ireland is getting that Executive back, no matter how long that might take, but obviously things will evolve if it doesnt happen sooner rather than later, he said.

The DUP has refused to support the return of the Assembly at Stormont until their concerns around the so-called Irish Sea border are addressed.

The NI Protocol was set up during the Brexit negotiations between the UK Government and the European Union to prevent the need for a hard border on the island of Ireland.

However, unionists have argued that checks introduced have effectively created a trade border between Northern Ireland and Great Britain.

They argue Northern Ireland is being treated differently to other parts of the UK by being subject to some EU rules.

Mr Heaton-Harris was speaking at an event where British Business Bank launched a 70m Investment Fund for Northern Ireland.

He said he felt that the political situation here often hinders business opportunities.

I think Northern Ireland business is doing quite well, he stated.

I think it could do a lot better if we had a stable political foundation to build on and lots of investment does hold back because its unsure of that.

However, he is pleased with British Business Banks investment and hopes there is more to come.

Id like to think its a really big positive for the business community here, said Mr Heaton-Harris.

What this fund brings is another source of potential capital for growing businesses in Northern Ireland and its on the back of the investment summit we had where 200 investors came to look at what Northern Ireland can offer and indeed on the back of the Joe Kennedy the Third visit.
The Sean Connery Talent Lab is a newly established arm of the Sean Connery Foundation (NFTS/PA)

A film school is expanding in Scotland with support from a foundation that honours acting legend Sir Sean Connery.

The National Film and Television School (NFTS) has opened applications for a training programme for 30 emerging filmmakers in Edinburgh.

The programme has been set up through the Sean Connery Talent Lab  a newly established arm of the Sean Connery Foundation.

The training course will begin in April and aims to provide a platform for upcoming Scottish filmmakers, with 70% of fees underwritten by the foundation.

The 12-month programme will take on 30 filmmakers in five roles within the industry  writing/directing, producing, cinematography, editing, and production designers.

It will offer them the chance to bring their own short films into fruition, with the support of BBC Film.

Located in Leith, the participants will be split into six teams with a budget of 25,000 each and access to the best equipment and training facilities provided by NFTS.

The course will be part-time, allowing participants to continue other work and professional commitments.

After completing the course, participants will receive an NFTS diploma in filmmaking.

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Their films will be submitted for UK and international film festivals and will premiere at a prestigious showcase event, with industry figures from across Scotland, the UK and beyond invited to attend.

Stephane Connery, chairman of the Sean Connery Foundation and stepson of the late actor, said: From the inception of the Sean Connery Foundation, our vision has been to expand access to the film and TV industry for talented Scots who may never have dreamt they could access the film industry, especially those who have faced challenges or deprivation.

As a life-long learner himself, and someone driven by a commitment to hard work and excellence, Sir Sean would be gratified that we have partnered with the NFTS, a world-renowned film school, to bring this extraordinary training programme to Edinburgh, the city of his birth.

We believe this is just the beginning of an exciting journey together.

The Sean Connery Foundation was set up in the James Bond legends name (Danny Lawson/PA)

Speaking on behalf of the foundation, Sir Seans son Jason Connery said: As a director and actor, I know the difference world-class training combined with a network of support can make in terms of building confidence and opening up opportunity.

I couldnt be happier that through this programme, we are bringing both to Scotland.

Dad always believed that education was a vital investment for anyone to achieve their full potential, and so supporting a programme that will enable emerging Scottish filmmakers to realise their own unique vision and hone their particular talent within a collaborative environment, with a view to benefiting the wider Scottish film industry, is a dream come true.

Sir Sean, best known for his portrayal of 007 in the James Bond films, died in October 2020, aged 90.

Applications for the Sean Connery Talent Lab are open until midnight on January 29, and more information can be found at nfts.co.uk/sean-connery-talent-lab.
Former RTE star Ryan Tubridy has been announced as the new host of Virgin Radio UKs mid-morning show.

Tubridy, who was the long-time host of RTEs flagship Late Late Show on Irish TV, left Irelands national broadcaster in the summer following weeks of controversy related to revelations the organisation had publicly underreported payments to him.

The news of his new job was unveiled on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Thursday.

The new-look mid-morning show will air from January. It will be broadcast simultaneously on Irish radio outlet Dublins Q102.

Tubridy will also present a dedicated Irish weekend show across the Wireless Ireland station network, covering Dublins Q102, Corks 96FM, Live 95 in Limerick and LMFM.

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I couldnt be more excited to start this new chapter with Virgin Radio, Tubridy said in a statement.

New city, new station, new beginnings. I love radio and what a joy to be following the legendary Chris Evans every morning. Its been a pleasure getting to know my new friends at Virgin Radio, all of whom have been warm, engaging and very entertaining.

And big thanks to the London Irish who have made me feel so welcome in recent weeks. On a personal note, this is a big day for my wonderful family who I hope to make proud, and also the people who advised me so well recently and got me to this moment.

To the listeners, wherever they might be, I urge you to join us on this adventure every weekday morning, there is much fun to be had.

Tubridy stood down as Late Late Show host earlier this year but was continuing to present his weekday show on RTE Radio One when the furore over incorrectly disclosed payments RTE made to him erupted in the summer.

At that point negotiations over a new radio contract for Tubridy were halted and he was taken off air amid the crisis that engulfed the organisation.

RTE director-general Kevin Bakhurst later re-entered negotiations with a view to securing Tubridys return to the airwaves on a new contract but those talks broke down in August after the director-general claimed the presenter was not taking sufficient responsibility for his role in the payments controversy.

Ryan Tubridy (right) with his agent Noel Kelly leaving parliament in Dublin after giving evidence to two committees on the RTE payments controversy (Niall Carson/PA)

Tubridy has insisted he was not overpaid by RTE, but rather RTE underdeclared his agreed remuneration.

Virgin Radio UK content director Mike Cass welcomed the Irish presenter to the station.

I am beyond delighted that Ryan is joining the amazing roster of presenters on Virgin Radio UK, he said.

He has been the pre-eminent broadcaster in Ireland for years and Virgin Radio will bring his warmth, humour and unique charisma to the UK audience properly for the first time.

He will be the perfect mid-morning companion and the ideal tag-partner for Chris Evans.
Pupils from Co Fermanagh were thrilled after a visit from David Walliams.

They got to meet and question the childrens author and TV personality when he paid a visit to the area.

Children from a series of primary schools across the Enniskillen area were at Castle Crom for the event, part of a tour by the popular author to promote his latest book.

Walliams already has a catalogue of best sellers in his locker, with many of his works already turned into TV programmes and stage plays, including Gangsta Granny, Mr Stink, Billionaire Boy and The Boy in the Dress.

Louise McGorman, P4 teacher at St Ronans Primary School in Lisnaskea, said all 30 children from her class who attended the event last week were left inspired.

It was definitely a once in a lifetime opportunity for the children to meet the man whose books they all read and love, she said.

Now that theyve all met him in person theyre straight back into reading the books again.

Even getting to visit Castle Crom was a real treat for the children.

David Willaims shares a laugh with the NI schoolchildren

Walliams was quizzed by the audience on where he gets his ideas from for his stories.

I think they all came away wanting to write their own stories, said Miss McGorman. But thats what the day was all about. Inspiring them all to read and feed their own imaginations.

They all really enjoyed it, particularly some of the stories he told them about where his ideas come from.

The one that got the most laughs was about his first book, The Boy in the Dress. He told them all how he loved dressing up as a child and often went parading up and down the high street dressed just like the boy he was writing about.

Watch: David Walliams spotted on the Falls road in Belfast

Walliams is no stranger to the Castle Crom estate, having been in the cast of BBC programme Blandings there when it filmed in 2013.

He seemed very much at home there, and the children were anxious to know if hed be back to film his latest book if it makes it to television, she added.

Read more NI authors on the books that bring them back to their childhood

The latest Walliams story, The Blunders, features the most blundersome family in the blundering history of blunderdom, upper-class twits live in a crumbing stately home named Blunder Hall. When their home comes under threat, they must embark on a series of comic misadventures to save it.

Its the 35th book for children Walliams, who starred in Little Britain with Matt Lucas and has been a regular judge on Britains Got Talent in recent years, has published.

As a special surprise the author had a signed copy for all the children who attended. They were thrilled at that, said Miss McGorman. They also asked him how he had managed to write so many books for children and he told them it was all about the quality, not the quantity! And they were all delighted when he posed for photographs with the class at the end. Thats one that will be hanging on the wall for years to come.

Children from St Ronans PS, Lisnaskea were joined by others including from Holy Trinity PS, Enniskillen; Newtownbutler PS, St Marys PS, Newtownbutler; Moat PS, Lisnaskea and Willowbridge special education school.
A 42 year old man has appeared in the dock of Belfast Crown Court where he denied murdering a Co Down man.

Denis Curtis Shearer (25) was subjected to an assault in his Fernmore Road home in Bangor in the early hours of February 28, 2021 and passed away in hospital nine days later from his injuries.

Timothy Walker, who is currently housed in HMP Maghaberry, confirmed his identity to a court clerk and was then charged with the single offence.

The Holywood man was charged with murdering Denis Curtis Shearer on March 9, 2021 and when the single offence was put to him, he replied not guilty.

Appearing alongside Walker today was Natalie Brannigan who was charged with assisting an offender on February 28, 2021.

It was claimed that the 41 year old, from The Green in Holywood, knowing Timothy Walker had committed an offence, drove her car to collect him in the Glencairn area of north Belfast then on to Holywood and onwards to Newtownards.

When charged with the offence, Brannigan replied not guilty.

After both defendants entered their pleas, Mr Justice OHara enquired about setting a trial date and was asked by Walkers barrister if the case could be paused for a period.

This, he said, was to allow a clinical psychiatrist to examine Walker with a view to compiling a medical report should be available just after Christmas.

The defence barrister added: We do think the psychiatric report will have an affect on how the case progresses.

No date for a trial was fixed yesterday but Mr Justice OHara said he would review the case on January 19, 2024.

The hearing concluded when Walker was remanded back into custody and Brannigan was released on continuing bail.
Muckamore Abbey Hospital, run by the Belfast Health Trust, provides care for adults with learning difficulties and mental health issues.

The inquiry into alleged abuse at Muckamore Abbey Hospital is lawfully entitled to seek confidential medical records without first notifying patients, a High Court judge has ruled.

Mr Justice Scoffield rejected claims that requests for disclosure were procedurally unfair and breached privacy rights of those being treated at the facilities in Antrim.

But he also identified a need to inform patients if their records are obtained.

The judge held: Parliament has struck a balance which allows public inquiries properly investigating matters of significant public concern to abrogate obligations of confidentiality because of the overriding public interest in such inquiries being able to carry out their work.

Muckamore Abbey, run by the Belfast Health Trust, provides care for adults with learning difficulties and mental health issues.

The hospital has been at the centre of a major police investigation into claims that vulnerable patients were subjected to ill-treatment.

An ongoing public inquiry chaired by Tom Kark KC is examining the allegations of abuse separately.

Earlier this year the tribunal issued the Trust with a patient document request (PDR) for the notes and records of a man at the centre of the legal challenge.

Lawyers representing his mother claimed they were given no say in the process.

A judicial review challenge was launched in a bid to have the PDR declared unlawful.

The request is incompatible with Article 8 of the European Convention on Human Rights, it was contended.

Counsel for the family stressed they were not fundamentally opposed to any disclosure, but wanted to work with the inquiry and be part of the process.

But he disputed the procedural fairness in attempting to obtain the medical documents without the familys knowledge, consent or involvement at any stage.

The Inquiry emphasised that it exercised powers to require the production of the requested documents to just its panel and no-one else.

Dismissing the legal challenge, Mr Justice Scoffield highlighted the investigative powers provided to ensure a searching and thorough investigation within the relevant terms of reference.

Fairness did not require the applicant to be given the various procedural rights which he seeks in these proceedings before the Inquiry served a PDR on the Trust requiring provision of medical notes and records relating to him, he stated.

His rights are adequately protected by the safeguards relating to the Inquirys holding and use of the records, and his opportunity to engage with or challenge the Inquiry, after the relevant records have been received.

According to the judge, the hearings have been set up to respond to issues of significant public concern and, provided they do not go beyond their remit, any interference with privacy rights will be proportionate.

I do not consider that fairness required the applicant to have notice of the PDR relating to his records or to have the opportunity to make representations to the Inquiry in relation to this, he confirmed.

I do not consider the limited disclosure sought to represent a substantive breach of the applicants Article 8 rights.

However, Mr Justice Scoffield said he was troubled by the suggestion that notes and records could be acquired without any indication ever to the individual concerned.

I would be prepared to hold there is an obligation that a public inquiry which so obtains medical records must inform the patient that it has done so, he added.

Following the ruling a solicitor representing the man at the centre of the case expressed encouragement due to the obligation identified.

Ciaran OHare of McIvor Farrell said: Whilst the court ultimately did not find in my clients favour, it emphasised that the protection of the privacy of medical records has a special significance in the context of Article 8 of the European Convention of Human Rights.

It appears that this judgment will have a significant and systemic effect on the conduct of not only this inquiry, but inquiries generally.
A serving police officer charged with assault and drink driving following an alleged drunken fight at an upmarket hotel will find out in two weeks what he will be prosecuted for.

During a brief mention of the case against constable Marcus brush at Ballymena Magistrates Court on Thursday, a prosecuting lawyer said the directing officer had asked for a two week adjournment as they go through a wealth of statements.

At the moment constable Brush, 30, whose address is given as c/o PSNI Brooklyn, knock Road in Belfast, faces four charges of common assault of two men and two women, using disorderly behaviour on licensed premises, namely the Galgorm Hotel and driving with excess alcohol on the Fenaghy Road in Cullybackey on 22 September this year.

It is understood the charges arise following an incident at a wedding which the constable, who was off duty at the time and who has been suspended pending the outcome of the court case and a PSNI professional standards investigation, was attending with fellow officers.

His legal team had argued the officer should not be named in the media due to alleged threats on his life but ruling in favour of the media two weeks ago, District Judge Nigel Broderick said despite eloquent defence submissions and oral evidence from a senior police officer, he was not satisfied that the evidence meets the high test to depart from the principle of open justice, thereby allowing the media to name Constable Marcus Brush as the defendant.

Media groups who opposed the anonymity order included Mediahuis UK Limited, as publisher of the Belfast Telegraph and Sunday Life.

Refusing the defence application for 30-year-old conatble Brush to be anonymised, the judge handed down a written ruling where he outlined that despite the major data breach by the PSNI involving thousands of police officers names and details being released in error, there is no evidence that he is the subject of any threat.

Nor is there evidence that naming him and that he is a police officer would present a real and immediate risk to life, declared DJ Broderick.

In court on Thursday defence counsel Neil Moore did not raise any objections to the adjournment and accordingly, District Judge Broderick put the case back to 30 November for a decision.
SpaceX has been planning to launch its second-ever test flight of its giant Starship rocket on Friday (November 17) after receiving its permit to fly from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

The flight test was approved after the explosive first attempt last April after the FAA determined that SpaceX "met all safety, environmental, policy and financial responsibility requirements."

As a result, public notices were issued to mariners indicating that there was a backup launch window from November 18 to 20 should Friday's launch attempt be scrubbed.

The Starship spacecraft and its Super Heavy booster - launching out of Starbase, SpaceX's facility in Boca Chica, Texas - is a vital part of the company's plans to eventually put humans on Mars, and in the short-term, ferry humans back to the Moon after Apollo 17 more than 50 years ago.

Read Also: Elon Musk Agrees to Antisemitic X Post, Claiming It's 'Actual Truth'

How the Launch Would Happen

According to Space.com, liftoff is scheduled to occur during a two-hour window that opens at 08:00 Eastern Time (13:00 UTC).

SpaceX would begin its webcast 30 minutes before launch (07:30 Eastern/12:30 UTC), followed by a sequence where all of its engines would begin to chill ahead of ignition.

Ten seconds before the launch, the Starship launch pad would activate its water deluge system to dampen the power of Super Heavy's 33 Raptor engines, as well as protect the launch mount and surrounding infrastructure.

The flight plan for Friday's launch was reportedly similar to the previous flight test last April, which involved the Super Heavy falling into the Gulf of Mexico. As for Starship, it would be expected to almost complete a full orbit of the Earth before re-entering and - if it survives reentry - splash down off the coast of Hawaii in the Pacific.

The said flight plan did not happen in April's flight test since the rocket failed to accurately meet flight milestones, prompting SpaceX to intentionally detonate the vehicle four minutes after liftoff.

Starship and Super Heavy were designed to eventually be fully reusable, similar to SpaceX's current workhorses, Dragon capsules, and Falcon 9 and Falcon Heavy first-stage boosters, respectively.

"This rapid iterative development approach has been the basis for all of SpaceX's major innovative advancements, including Falcon, Dragon, and Starlink," The company's mission description stated.

"Recursive improvement is essential as we work to build a fully reusable transportation system capable of carrying both crew and cargo to Earth orbit, help humanity return to the moon, and ultimately travel to Mars and beyond."

Related Article: Heavy Metal Ride: NASA Launches Space Probe to Metallic Asteroid Psyche

@ 2023 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Persistent and predatory sex offender sentenced for abusing teenage boy in public park

A former top amateur boxer  now branded a predatory sex offender  was today jailed for abusing a teenage boy in a public park and other sex crimes.

One of Ciaran McAuleys victims came forward as a result of a story in the Belfast Telegraph about the dangerous paedophile, Newry Crown Court was told.

Judge Peter Irvine KC jailed McAuley for 32 months and told him he was such a danger to the public, and especially to teenage boys, that he was imposing an extended jail sentence.

He described the 35-year-old as a persistent and predatory sex offender.

The extended sentence means McAuleys release will be a matter for the parole commissioners and when he is eventually released, he will be subject to supervised licence conditions for an extra three years.

McAuley, originally from Belfast and who boxed for Northern Ireland at the Commonwealth Games, had earlier entered guilty pleas to meeting a child following sexual grooming.

He also admitted two charges of sexual activity with a child and one of attempting to meet a second boy following sexual grooming, all committed between August 2011 and January 2012.

Read more Sex attacker who drove to court because he thought he would walk free is jailed

In an agreed statement of facts, prosecuting counsel David McNeill said that as a result of a story in the Belfast Telegraph the first victim came forward in February 2021 to report that he recognised the defendant as the man who had sexually assaulted him 10 years earlier when he was just 14-years-old.

McAuley had contacted the boy through social media out of the blue and asked the schoolboy to meet him at the Waterworks in north Belfast on December 9, 2011, paying the boy some kind of compliment.

The defendant told the victim he was 17 or 18, but he could see that he was older, said Mr McNeill.

He added that the boy was scared because the defendant was older and bigger than him.

Although initially planned for December 9, the pair met earlier on December 8 and the 14-year-old agreed to have sex with McAuley behind bushes at the Waterworks.

When it was over, there were people walking past the bush so the defendant waited for a while and then beckoned the victim to say it was safe to come out, he told the court.

That incident related to the first three charges listed but the court heard that the victim disclosed the incident to one of his friends and that McAuley also tried to make arrangements to meet that boy as well.

The defendant started by asking him questions about his sexuality and whether he was attracted by men, then wanted to meet him at the Waterworks, said Mr McNeill.

There was an arrangement made but instead of going, the boy went home after school, but McAuley sent him messages asking where he was.

That boy saw the same Belfast Telegraph report and recognised McAuley who was questioned by police in prison but who refused to answer questions.

Read more Cookstown sex abuse accused who met girl on Snapchat believed she was 18, court told

Mr McNeill revealed that McAuley has been convicted of nine sex offences and four breaches of a Sexual Offences Prevention Order.

McAuley was first caged for two years in December 2015 after carrying out a sex attack on a nine-year-old boy in the New Lodge area of Belfast as he was walking home from a funfair, chasing the boy down an alley and abusing him.

During his sentencing remarks today, Judge Irvine revealed that on the day he got out of prison from that sentence, McAuley grabbed a 14-year-old boy and dragged him down an alleyway, holding a knife to his throat while he carried out a number of sex acts on him".

McAuley declared from the dock that I didnt have a knife but Judge Irvine sternly told him be quiet and sit down now.

The judge said it was clear from the various reports that McAuley is a persistent and predatory sex offender who has expressed no remorse for his actions.

He said the ex-boxer was assessed as having a high likelihood re-offending and he clearly poses a significant risk of causing serious harm, especially to boys aged 9 to 16 years.

In addition to the extended jail sentence, Judge Irvine also ordered McAuley to sign the police sex offenders register for the rest of his life and made him the subject of a lifelong SOPO.
Coca-Colas iconic Christmas lorry is returning to Belfast next month as part of its Real Magic Christmas Experience.

The tour will visit the Titanic Slipway from December 8 to December 10. 

Guests can also experience a 360 degree bird's eye view of the truck from Coca-Colas giant ferris wheel while enjoying seasonal snacks from local food vendors and live performances.

With the theme of this year's campaign focused on spreading Christmas kindness, a percentage of the proceeds will be donated to YouthAction Northern Ireland.

The rest of the donations will be used to bring the Coca-Cola Christmas Magic to youth centres across the island of Ireland.

Read more Worth the weight: NI teacher sheds 14 stone and turns her life around

Speaking on behalf of Coca-Cola, Aisling Wilde, senior manager brand experiences for GB&I said: This Christmas, Coca-Cola is celebrating the spirit of Santa in all of us.

"Santa Claus is a symbol of kindness, generosity, and goodwill, whether it's making sure our loved ones get home safely or lending a hand to a stranger in need, real magic multiplies when we embrace our inner Santa.

"At Coca-Cola weve always tried to bring people together to celebrate in the magic of Christmas and we're delighted to announce the return of the Coca-Cola Real Magic Experience and start to spread the festive cheer across the island of Ireland through this year's call to action that Ireland Needs More Santas.

"As well as our incredible festive Christmas experience for consumers, were thrilled to partner with the Irish Youth Foundation and YouthAction Northern Ireland to spread a little Christmas magic through our meals experience from the truck tour to selected youth centres across the island of Ireland.

Tickets for the event, which will run from 2pm to 5pm and 6pm to 9pm, cost 2 per person  euros to sterling for ticket purchases will be automated by your bank.
Robert Black took Jennifers life but the one thing that Pat and I ensured was that he wasnt going to take our lives.

Andy Cardy waited for 30 years to see the man who murdered his nine-year-old daughter sentenced for the crime that shocked Northern Ireland.

Jennifer was abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered by Black in August 1981 near Ballinderry, snatched as she rode her bike to a friends house.

He was convicted of the murder in 2011, when he was already serving life for killing three young girls in the UK.

In The Crime I Cant Forget, focusing on the mammoth police investigation into the killing dad Andy describes the chilling moment in the trial when tapes of Black describing his sexual fantasies about young girls were played in court.

For six odd weeks I had to sit and look at the man who I knew had killed my daughter, the last living person she had seen, he says.

All of a sudden they played tapes of Robert Black being interviewed in Antrim Crime suite. He explained how and why he liked little girls and he explained other things he did to himself when he was with these little girls and it was such a shock.

In my imagination I could never imagine a man wanting to do what he wanted to do on a little girl and it was absolutely shocking and I just sat and wept.

Jennifer Cardy who disappeared from Ballinderry in August 1981.

But he and wife Pat, who died last year, refused to let the multiple murderer cause them any more sorrow.

If I wanted to destroy myself I could say if I never bought her that bike she wouldnt have been abducted, so you have decisions to make, he says.

I could have destroyed my life thinking about that. And then Pat could have destroyed herself by saying it was my fault in letting her go down to Ballinderry on her bike so you have big decisions to make in your life.

Robert Black took Jennifers life but the one thing that Pat and I ensured was that he wasnt going to take our lives.

Jennifer Cardy's father Andy and mother Pat, who passed away last year

Detective Superintendent Raymond Murray, the senior officer whose team solved crime took over the case 21 years after Jennifers body was found in McKees dam near Hillsborough, six days after she went missing.

They had no witnesses to the abduction, no CCTV and only a few scraps of DNA evidence after the bulk of the items recovered were destroyed in the IRA bombing of the Forensic Science Laboratory in Belfast in 1992.

There were striking similarities however between Jennifers murder and those of three young girls Black had killed  Susan Maxwell, 11, from the Scottish Borders, five-year-old Caroline Hogg from Edinburgh and Sarah Harper, 10, from Morley, near Leeds.

The delivery driver was found guilty of their murders in 1994, when he was already serving life for the abduction and sexual assault of a young girl in Stow in Scotland in 1990.

Robert Black

Det Supt Murray requested all of the evidence on Black, which amounted to 20 tonnes of documents including 60,000 statements and 250,000 vehicles traced during eight years of police work across six forces in Scotland and England.

Despite the passage of time his team found a witness in Newry whod had a delivery from Black on the day of Jennifers murder, which put him on the route where the little girl disappeared.

During questioning the serial killer described a sexual fantasy which matched the details of Jennifers disappearance, and he explained why he was driven to kill.

Black told officers:  I might see a girl on her own someplace and say, could I, should I, will I? Im not exactly proud of the way I feel toward young girls. Theres a part of me that knows Im wrong, that its wrong. I shouldnt be doing things like that. I shouldnt even be thinking things like that. But this other part of me says, you like it, go on.

Andy Cardy says listening to the killers taped admissions was an ordeal.

That was probably one of the most horrendous memories of the trial, listening to them tapes, he says.

Black was convicted of Jennifers murder and later sentenced to 25 years, but died in Maghaberry Prison in 2016 after serving just four years.

Robert Black (Picture: Colm Lenaghan/Pacemaker Press)

Raymond Murray says meeting the Cardy family was one of the few positive moments that came out of the tragic case.

Having the experience of talking with them, seeing how they lived their lives, it does leave a very positive mark on you about how this family has survived this absolute horror, he says.

The series, which also looks at the killings of Lisburn man Paul Gault, Eamonn Magee Jnr and the IRA kidnap of businessman Don Tidey begins on Wednesday on BBC1 at 10.40pm.
A man has been slashed by a broken bottle during an assault in west Belfast.

Following the assault the man, in his 20s, was taken to hospital with a head wound.

The incident occurred in the Divis Street area of the city.

Sergeant Ellison said: Shortly before 9:30pm, it was reported that a man in his 20s was assaulted by another man outside a property in the area. It was reported the man was slashed by a broken bottle during the incident and was taken to hospital with a wound to his head.

A police spokesperson asked anyone with information related to the assault to contact the police on 101.
There was said to be overwhelming support in favour of retaining the route (stock image)

Belfasts Twelfth of July parade will proceed along its traditional route next year after members of the Orange Order were up in arms over plans to shorten it.

It was reported earlier this year that the order was considering cutting the distance and axing the gathering in the field at Barnett Demesne, on the outskirts of the city.

Those recommendations stemmed from an internal report commissioned into the 2022 Twelfth which described it as probably the worst for decades.

It is understood the decision to stick to the traditional route was agreed on Tuesday night after the order considered feedback from members strongly opposed to plans to shorten it.

There was said to be overwhelming support in favour of retaining the longer route.

Belfast UUP councillor and Orange Order member Jim Rodgers said: I warmly welcome the decision for them to continue with the route that theyve used now for many years.

Ive been aware that some members within the institution have felt that the route is too long, but I dont accept that.

You just have to look along the roads and the avenues to see how many people watch the parade.

At times its up to six deep, so its important that people have enough space to spread out and enjoy the parade rather than everybody bunching up.

A lot of people have spoken to me, both members and non-members, and theyre very happy that well continue with the route, and its important that people appreciate that.

Youll find the organisers always do everything possible to ensure that they adhere not only to the route that has been submitted, but also that members of the institution, along with the bands, enjoy their day.

At 10 miles, Belfasts Twelfth route is one of the longest. It leaves Carlisle Circus in the north of the city at 10am, passing through the city centre and arriving at Barnett Demesne at around lunchtime. It then retraces its steps back to north Belfast in the late afternoon.

Had the plans been accepted, it would have turned down Elmwood Avenue in the south of the city and finished at 2PM.

If adopted, the 2024 route would have been shortened by six miles, with the event to become a circuitous march.

Mr Rodgers said the march would be reviewed yearly and the wishes of members respected.

He added: I had quite a lot of people complaining to me who thought maybe it was only a rumour, but it wasnt  it was being considered.

The review was launched after the Orange Order was left disappointed with last years parades, described as abysmal and unacceptable.

It is thought the suggestions were prompted by anti-social behaviour and disruption caused by crowds at Shaftesbury Square in Belfast city centre on the parades return leg.

Commenting on those concerns, Mr Rodgers said: All of that is taken into consideration, and I always appeal to people to adhere to the rules and regulations, and not do anything that would attract criticism of the Orange Order.

Yes, there have been large numbers year after year at Shaftesbury Square, and the Orange have done everything in their power to make sure members of the public dont try and break through the procession or cause any difficulty or problems.

Mr Rodgers was also able to confirm that next years would be led by Ballymacarrett LOL No 6, which has the biggest membership of Orange Order members in the capital.
More than half of 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland believe that violence against women and young girls is common here, according to new research.

The updated report  Ending Violence Against Women and Girls: Experiences and attitudes of 16-year-olds in Northern Ireland in 2023  published by the Executive Office on Thursday, includes survey answers given by almost 1,000 teenagers across the country.

Female respondents experienced significantly higher levels of online violence, sexual violence and psychological violence in the last year, while males experienced significantly higher levels of physical violence.

Results also showed that 51% of young people agreed that violence against women and girls is common in Northern Ireland and 34% agreed that violence against men and boys is common.

Some 24% of respondents think that women are more likely to become victims of gender-based violence now than two years ago; 16% think it is less likely.

Seven in 10 female respondents reported that they would likely intervene if their peers were making a sexist joke (69%), significantly more than male respondents (30%).

The SDLPs Claire Hanna said: Though shocking, the findings of this report are sadly not all that surprising.

"We know that Northern Ireland has a serious problem with violence against woman and girls. This is shameful and demoralising. It isnt a coincidence that this is so prevalent in this region, because we have failed to take steps to address it.

Frustratingly, we know much of what needs to be done. We have a consulted-upon strategy that needs to be implemented, and we also have a proven advocacy partner  Womens Aid  who need to be funded to allow them to help the strategy be delivered.

"I have raised this directly with the Prime Minister in the recent past.

For this strategy, and for other building societal problems, we need a government. If the DUP insist on making vulnerable people carry the can for their political failings, the UK Government need to establish a process to find ways for people here to have basic good government.

"Women are facing violence and harassment and we are being prevented from dealing with it because individuals in the DUP are cross about the Brexit problem they have created - its absolutely sickening actually."

The DUPs Emma Little-Pengelly said her party has been to the forefront of highlighting abuse and harassment online, and tackling violent pornography which must be part of this solution too.

It is an area which will require a long-term focus but we cannot lose sight of why action against this scourge is necessary, she added.

In the last year, a third of 16-year-olds across all genders said they experienced online violence (32%), 26% experienced psychological violence, 19% experienced physical violence and 16% experienced sexual violence.

Seven in 10 felt that young people may be concerned that reporting violent acts or behaviours might make the situation worse.

Respondents with disabilities experienced disproportionately more violent acts and behaviours in the last year than those who do not have disabilities, and 16-year-olds who identify with a sexual orientation other than heterosexual experienced disproportionately more violent acts and behaviours in the last year than those who identity as heterosexual.

In 2021, the Executive directed that a Strategy to End Violence Against Women and Girls be developed, and this summer a public consultation on the framework was conducted.

Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK and Ireland to not have such a strategy and with the lack of a functioning government currently here, the strategy cannot yet be implemented.

Recent research from Ulster University suggests 98% of women in Northern Ireland have experienced at least one form of violence or abuse in their lifetime, with half (50%) experiencing this before they were 11 years old.

Elaine Crory, from Belfasts Womens Resource and Development Agency, noted that the newest statistics dont surprise her and that unfortunately this has been the case for a really long time.

We are getting better at having conversations about what violence is and what abuse looks like, and so younger people are more equipped to recognise it where it happens. But that doesnt mean that this isnt a very old problem, she continued.

Its depressing just how normalised against women and girls in particular is. Absolutely, men experience violence too, but theres a particular violence against women that is often highly sexualised.

Were talking as well about girls who are too young to be in serious relationships or domestic partnerships. Domestic abuse is a big part of it, but its things such as sexual harassment on the street.

If you have been affected by domestic abuse or coercive control, contact Womens Aid on info@womensaidni.org or call the 24 Hour Domestic & Sexual Violence Helpline on 0808 802 1414.
Criticism was also made around the amount of information given to businesses trying to work with the post-Brexit trading arrangements (Liam McBurney/PA)

The Windsor Framework did not correct an underlying mistake in the Northern Ireland Protocol, a Westminster committee has heard.

The House of Lords European Affairs Sub-Committee on the Windsor Framework heard the claim during a public evidence session in its inquiry into regulatory divergence.

It also heard criticism around the amount of information given to businesses trying to work with the post-Brexit trading arrangements.

Unionists in Northern Ireland strongly criticised the protocol, with the DUP withdrawing from the Stormont Assembly in protest.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak earlier this year re-entered negotiations with the EU and agreed the Windsor Framework.

But DUP leader Sir Jeffrey Donaldson is maintaining his partys protest, and seeking further action from the UK government on unionist concerns at trading arrangements, and the separation of Northern Ireland from the rest of the UK.

James Webber, a partner at the legal firm Shearman and Sterling, said he was pessimistic about what the Windsor Framework had achieved.

He said he believed the framework embeds a fundamental analytical error that was made when the Northern Ireland Protocol was first conceived.

The practical effects of that error will worsen I think, over time, he told peers, describing Northern Ireland as a no-mans-land not exactly replicating either Great Britain or the EU.

This fundamental analytical error Im referring to is to accept as the Windsor Framework does, and as the protocol did before it, the application of foreign law and foreign courts over parts of the United Kingdom.

He went on: Much of the work of the Windsor protocol is in easing east/west trade flows.

None of it actually alters the fact that EU law, essentially a foreign system of law, is applying to the production of goods inside Northern Ireland, and I think the deadweight costs of trying to work out which rules apply to you and in which direction divergence is affecting your business is likely to discourage investment and reduce trade volume and favour those incumbents who are finally able to thread the needle and work out how the system works over new entrants, and that will over time reduce competitiveness, productivity, economic and wage growth.

So Im a pessimist Im afraid in respect of what the Windsor Framework has achieved, doesnt mean its achieved nothing, but I think it reflects an underlying mistake, which remains uncorrected.

In the same session, Anton Spisak, head of political leadership at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, said the regulatory divergence was now a fact of life simply because the UK has left the European single market and the customs union, and it is not under an obligation to follow EU legislative changes.

The committee was being chaired by Lord Jay of Ewelme (PA)

In an earlier session, Joel Reland, research associate at UK in a Changing Europe, was asked about the capacity of a future Stormont Executive to align when there are rules changes in either the UK or the EU.

Theres currently no Executive, which means that were not really able to make any assessment of it, he said.

So when the Executive, at some point presumably comes back to power, it is going to have to learn how to make policy if it wants to maintain alignment with Great Britain and that is a really, really, really hard thing to do.

Committee chair Lord Jay of Ewelme agreed with that point, adding: I think your last point is something which has bothered the committee quite a lot over the last few months.

Meanwhile, there was also criticism of government over the amount of information for businesses.

Mr Reland said there were some flagship pieces of divergence, such as new state aid and procurement regimes where government had engaged with businesses.

But when in more everyday policy-making, things are happening and there is a potential divergence element Im not sure business has been consulted anywhere near as much as it should be, he said.

Dr Lisa Claire Whitten, a research fellow in post-Brexit governance at Queens University Belfast, said the process of dealing with regulatory diversions had been reactive rather than strategic.

To date, it is piecemeal and ad hoc in terms of how its being dealt with, she said.

From a Northern Ireland perspective, there isnt even an official comprehensive record of what law is applicable under the protocol and framework because thats not a service that legislation.gov.uk are providing at present.

She added: But were at a point now when we have got relative legal certainty on the arrangements and on the wider UK/EU relationship so now is the time to develop that strategy and address this issue so that it doesnt get worse, and there is possibility for that.
Sean Quinn writes to all 90 of NIs MLAs in bid to address perpetual untruths

The former business tycoon last week also wrote to TDs in the Republic

Sean Quinn

Liam Tunney Thu 16 Nov 2023 at 16:10

Former business tycoon Sean Quinn has written to all of Northern Irelands MLAs asking for help investigating allegations of illegality and fraud around the takeover of his companies.
Justice minister Helen McEntee said she had hoped the latest search would have discovered Columba McVeighs remains (Brian Lawless/PA)

Irelands Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee, has expressed her sadness as the sixth search for disappeared teenager Columba McVeigh ended without success.

The 19-year-old from Donaghmore, Co Tyrone was abducted by the Provisional IRA, killed and secretly buried in 1975.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) has now conducted six unsuccessful searches at Bragan Bog in Co Monaghan since 1999, covering more than 26 acres.

A fresh appeal for information has been made in a bid to narrow down where he may have been buried.

Dympna Kerr, sister of Columba McVeigh, at Bragan Bog near Emyvale in Co Monaghan (Liam McBurney/PA)

Mr McVeighs sister Dympna Kerr said she is totally heartbroken, adding: I dont know how many more times I can go through this.

All we need is for people to come forward with the correct information  there is nothing for them to fear, she told the BBC, adding she cannot give up hope that one day her brother will be found.

Ms McEntee said she had held out hope that the latest search would find Mr McVeigh, despite extremely challenging conditions at the isolated Bragan Bog site.

I am saddened that, in spite of the substantial efforts of the commission, the remains of Columba have not been located at Bragan Bog, she said.

I want to acknowledge the unwavering and sustained determination of the Commission to locating Columba since the first search at Bragan Bog was conducted in 1999. I would like to thank the investigators, forensic archaeologists and machine contractors for their painstaking and sensitive work.

Today, my thoughts again are with the family of Columba who have endured this particular cruelty for so many years.

Columba McVeigh was murdered and secretly buried by the Provisional IRA (Family handout/PA)

She added: Irelands national Missing Persons Day will fall on December 6 this year and at this time we think of all families of The Disappeared who still await the return of their loved ones remains.

The role of the commission is a critical humanitarian one: to support these families who have suffered the devastating loss of their loved ones.

This government remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the ongoing work of the commission.

Seventeen people were disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.

The remains of Mr McVeigh, former monk Joe Lynskey, British Army captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh, have never been recovered.

The ICLVR can be contacted by telephone: 00800-55585500 International: +353 1 602 8655, email to Secretary@iclvr.ie or by post to: ICLVR PO Box 10827.
By Park Han-sol

It was during her trip to Gwangju in Korea in early 2020 when artist Gala Porras-Kim came across a peculiar object in the collection of the citys national museum  the human remains from a 1st-century BCE shipwreck.

The bodies, originally found inside a millennia-old pot on the sunken vessel, were now housed in the museums storage, organized by size and dimension of each of the parts  femur, arm, head  instead of as a whole, as she recalled in a recent interview with The Korea Times.

Her eyes turned to the existence of these once-living individuals within the aseptic environment of todays cultural institution. What does it mean for these bodies to be removed from their final resting place and turned into preserved relics for archaeological study, with no regard for the afterlife they might have desired?

Yes, the remains are an antiquity, but they never stop being a person, she said.

She wrote a letter to the director of the Gwangju National Museum, proposing that we, as living people, will have to negotiate between our desires to think of them as historical objects, and the respect for the individual person.

And as an artist, she decided to produce a work that could somehow visually reflect the spirits preferred resting place outside of the museums storage. For this to happen, the image could not be completed by her hands alone; it had to be a collective creation involving elements beyond her control.

She borrowed the practice of encromancy, an ancient form of divination by ink stains, so that the swirling patterns of yellow green and aquamarine on paper were dictated by invisible forces  as if the spirits were arranging the pigment to reveal their wishes.

The resulting panel of marbled paper summons an abstract geographical landscape that could, in theory, indicate the ideal setting for their remains. While its exact location remains illegible to our eyes, this gesture could be a first step to acknowledge the agency of the deceased, she noted.

The series, titled A Terminal Escape from the Place that Binds Us, is part of Porras-Kims ongoing interest in investigating the fraught relationship between historical objects  including human remains  and present-day museums conservation doctrines, as well as their cataloging, indexing and display practices.

When ancient objects enter such a highly controlled, often bureaucratic, environment, can they still perform their originally intended function?

Essentially, every museum is subject to these questions. Theres a conflict between the current way these institutions maintain history and the artifacts original function, like, what an ancient person would have wanted for that object.

Her interest lies in proposing different compromises that cultural institutions can make with the past to be able to accommodate both the relics intangible, spiritual function and their contemporary life inside the storage or in display cases. And to achieve this, she often collaborates with the museums themselves.

One of her projects, Sunrise for 5th-Dynasty Sarcophagus from Giza at the British Museum, involved creating a full-size replica of the stone coffin, with an arrow marked out on the ground to propose that the tomb be rearranged eastward. Ancient Egyptians had the dead face east to the rising sun, and the artist reminds the museum of the way it can better honor the past in its display simply by shifting the angle of the relic.

At Harvard Universitys Peabody Museum, Porras-Kim encountered thousands of objects extracted from the Chichen Itza cenote, a sacred sinkhole cave used by the Mayans as a place of worship. Originally placed in the cave as offerings to the Mayan god of rain, Chaac, these items were now being housed in the moisture-free, temperature-controlled environment.

In Precipitation for an Arid Landscape, she combined copal, prominently found in cenotes, with dust extracted from the museum's storage, where the Mayan objects are stored, to create a block that can be doused with rainwater, thus reuniting the artifacts with Chaacs power.

This year, the Korean-Colombian artist has been named one of the four finalists for the Korea Artist Prize, a major contemporary art award co-organized by the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA) and SBS Foundation.

In her latest triptych, The Weight of a Patina of Time, on view at the national museums group exhibition, Korea Artist Prize 2023, in central Seoul, Porras-Kims archaeological reimagining extends to the numerous dolmens found in Gochang, North Jeolla Province.

Each of its three panels represents different perspectives of the megalithic tomb  one from the viewpoint of the person buried when dolmens still served as grave markers, another from the present-day point of view where the stones hold UNESCO historical site status, and the third from a natural standpoint, indicated by the moss covering the monoliths surface.

Like other projects, the work is a reminder of how an antiquity that was supposed to spiritually function forever is leading a current life in conflict with its original intent.

Concurrently taking place in another corner of central Seoul, at the Leeum Museum of Art, is Porras-Kims solo show, National Treasures, where her new works engage in a compelling dialogue with 10 national treasures drawn from the museums collection.

In her photorealistic drawing, 530 National Treasures, the artist summons state-designated treasures from both North and South Korea, arranged in the order of their registration numbers. Her other piece, 37 Korean Objects Uprooted During the Japanese Occupation, brings together relics presumed to have been extracted from Korea during the 1910-45 Japanese colonial rule.

These works do far more than simply reuniting objects that can no longer be physically present in one place. By laying bare the modern systems of cultural heritage classification, they reveal how the state evaluates and categorizes centuries-old artifacts whose perceived functions have changed in the contexts of colonization and national division.

All of the depicted historical objects were made before the nation (Korea) split. What does it mean to have national treasures and decide these different categorizations for them when the (idea of) nation is always moving around? And who decides what becomes a treasure? she said.

Although her works can be viewed in line with the current push to repatriate the museums looted cultural heritage around the world, Porras-Kim noted that her artistic mission to honor the ancient objects intangible, sacred functions in todays institutions is much broader than that.

Restitution is prioritizing geography. Its like physically moving the relics from one place to another. But I think when the objects were brought to the institution, it brought its context as well. So museum conservators can be regarded as their contemporary caretakers, she added.

Im trying to deal with how the ancient past can be better represented in these establishments.

Porras-Kims pieces can be viewed at the MMCAs Korea Artist Prize 2023 and the Leeum Museum of Arts National Treasures until March 31 next year.
Police must be able to enforce the law without pandering to public opinion, Sir Mark said (PA)

Arresting protesters for climbing on a war memorial after a pro-Palestinian march would have been illegal, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has said.

Sir Mark Rowley said the move by demonstrators was unfortunate and inflammatory in certain ways but not against the law as he was questioned about the forces response to the event on Wednesday.

Police must be able to enforce the law impartially rather than pandering to public opinion, he told an Institute for Government event on Thursday.

Home Secretary James Cleverly has suggested officers could be given new powers to protect war memorials after protesters scaled the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in London last night.

Asked about the police response, Sir Mark said: What the officer didnt do last night was make up a law that its illegal to do something and do an arrest which would have been illegal, clearly.

He defended the actions of officers on the ground, describing them as sensible in the circumstances, adding: The officers intervened, as officers often are doing, to try and de-escalate risk of conflict, even when there isnt explicit power to do it.

The commissioner suggested that there are elements of current police powers which do not work very well and that the Met will be discussing these with Government.

But wider issues, like the balance between the right to protest and the impact it may have on others, are a matter for Parliament, he said.

Sir Mark refused to be drawn into whether sacked home secretary Suella Braverman had interfered with the polices job by writing an op-ed in The Times suggesting officers play favourites with pro-Palestinian protesters.

He said he would not get into the politics of the issue but that officers are used to contention surrounding their work and dont worry unduly.

Home Secretary James Cleverly said he will look at how the police can take action on this (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

However, the police chief stressed the centuries-old principle of police being able to act impartially and without pandering to public opinion.

Referring to the 19th-century Peelian principles, he said: The fifth one I think captures the issues of the day, to seek and preserve public favour, not by pandering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolutely impartial service to the law, in complete independence of policy, and without regard to the justice or injustice of the substance of individual laws.

Its interesting that that could have been written down 200 years ago and be so apposite today.

The IfG event was rescheduled after a last-minute meeting in Downing Street between Sir Mark and the Prime Minister over the response to a pro-Palestinian protest, which clashed with the original date.

It comes after Mr Cleverly, who was a Territorial Army officer in the Royal Artillery, said he would examine whether the police needed new powers.

Im not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgment on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials, he told LBC.

On ITVs Good Morning Britain, he added: These  and the police have said this  are deeply disrespectful actions. The war memorials recognise the sacrifice people have made for our freedom, and abusing, desecrating behaviour like this is deeply, deeply offensive.

I will look at what further measures need to be taken so the police can take action on this.

Police said the protesters who climbed on the memorial were a breakaway group from the main march, who had been dispersed at Hyde Park Corner.
Protective glass housing the stone was damaged in the incident (Historic Environment Scotland/PA)

Three people have been charged after activists targeted the Stone of Destiny at Edinburgh Castle in a protest against food poverty.

The Crown Room and Royal Apartments at the castle have been closed since the incident shortly before 11am on Wednesday in the Crown Room.

Historic Environment Scotland (HES) said there was some damage caused to the protective glass housing the stone.

Activists claimed to have spray-painted the words Is Treasa Tuath Na Tighearna  Gaelic for The People Are Mightier Than A Lord  on to the glass, alongside the logo of protest group This is Rigged.

Police Scotland said two women aged 21 and 25 and a 21-year-old man have been charged in connection with the incident.

The Stone of Destiny is housed at Edinburgh Castle (Jane Barlow/PA)

They are expected to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday.

The stone is housed in a case which includes the Crown of Scotland and other regalia, which are referred to as the Honours of Scotland.

HES said there was some damage to the protective glass housing the Honours but the casing was not breached and the Honours themselves were not damaged.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, This is Rigged said: Food is a human right. Hunger is a political choice. The times we live in are defined by crisis, by instability, by greed.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: Around 10.45am on Wednesday, we were called to a report of a small protest within Edinburgh Castle.

Officers attended and two women aged 21 and 25 and a 21-year-old man were arrested and charged in connection with damage caused.

They are due to appear at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Thursday. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said the potential extension of the visa period for Ukrainians in the UK is being kept under consistent review (James Manning/PA)

A campaigner and host for Ukrainian refugees has voiced concerns after a Government minister declined to rule out bringing in a fee for those who have fled to the UK amid the ongoing war.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick said the potential extension of the visa period for Ukrainians in the UK is being kept under consistent review, adding that this includes whether to require a fee.

The first visas issued as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme  launched last year following the Russian invasion  will expire in March 2025.

Scottish National Party MP Patrick Grady had asked a question in Parliament about whether the Home Office would ensure there are no fees chargeable for any extension to the Ukrainian visa schemes.

In a written response earlier this week, Mr Jenrick said: In line with the situation in Ukraine, working closely with the Ukrainian Government, as well as our international counterparts, we keep the need for a possible extension of UK sanctuary, beyond March 2025, under consistent review. This includes whether to require a fee.

We are mindful that permission will start to expire, for the first arrivals under our Ukrainian schemes, from March 2025, and their need for certainty beyond that point to help them to plan ahead.

Kitty Hamilton, co-founder of the advocacy group Vigil for Visas, has hosted a number of Ukrainian refugees, and said that so long as the reasons for Ukrainians needing to come to the UK do not change, I dont see why the rules for their stay should change.

She told the PA news agency: They are not here because they want to be, they are here because there is a war in their country and they cant go back yet.

As we said right from the beginning, the vast majority arent going to stay much beyond the end of this war. The problem is that we dont know when that will be. It seems unfair to add to this insecurity with a lack of clarity on whether our guests can stay here in the UK.

A report by the National Audit Office last month said Ukrainians must be given certainty over their futures including around visa extensions.

The report said: 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.

The Government, responding to the report, said it will give an update on the future of the scheme well before the first visas expire.
Migrants arriving from Russia board a van to be taken to the Joutseno Reception Centre at the Nuijamaa border station between Russia and Finland (Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva via AP)

Finland is to close four crossing points on its long border with Russia to stop the flow of Middle Eastern and African migrants that it accuses Moscow of ushering to the border in recent months.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the south-eastern crossing points  Imatra, Niirala, Nuijamaa and Vaalimaa  will be closed at midnight on Friday.

The Finland-Russia border runs a total of 832 miles, mostly in thick forests in the south, all the way to the rugged landscape in the Arctic north. There are currently nine crossing points with one dedicated to rail travel only.

Operations of the Russian border authorities have changed, Mr Orpo told reporters.

He referred to dozens of migrants, mostly from the Middle East and Africa, who have arrived in recent days at the Nordic nation without proper documentation and have sought asylum after allegedly being helped by Russian authorities to travel to the heavily controlled border zone.

This represents a major change since Finnish and Russian border authorities have for decades cooperated in stopping people without the necessary visas or passports before they could attempt to enter either of the two countries.

Finnish authorities said this week that Russia has in recent months started allowing undocumented travellers to access the border zone and enter crossing stations where they can request asylum in Finland.

The Finnish Border Guard says migrants have in the past days arrived mainly from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Turkey and Somalia, and nearly all have arrived at the border zone on bicycles that Finnish and Russian media reports say were provided and sold to them.

Most of them have used Russia only as a transit country to enter Finland and the EU, officials said.

Migrants have been entering Finland from Russia without proper documentation (Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva via AP)

Some 280 third-country migrants have arrived in Finland from Russia since September, border officials said on Thursday.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Wednesday linked Russias actions to Finlands Nato membership in April after decades of military non-alignment, something that infuriated Moscow, which has threatened Helsinki with retaliatory measures several times.

He noted that Finland must be prepared for certain malice from Russia due to its decision to join the Western military alliance as a result of Moscows attack on Ukraine in February 2022.

Yes, were constantly being reminded (by Moscow) that Finland has joined Nato, Mr Niinisto told reporters during a visit to Germany.

Finlands Foreign Ministry announced last month that the country of 5.6 million has concluded a deal on a new bilateral defence agreement with the United States.

Among other things, the so called DCA-pact allows Washington to send US troops and store equipment, weapons and ammunition in agreed locations in Finland.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, when asked about Finland considering the closure of the border crossings, that Russian authorities deeply regret that the leadership of Finland chose the path of deliberate distancing from the previously good nature of our bilateral relations.
The move signals a possible expansion of Israels offensive to areas where hundreds of thousands of people who heeded earlier evacuation orders are crowded into UN-run shelters and family homes.

They displayed guns they say were found hidden in one building but have yet to release any evidence of the central Hamas command centre that Israel said is concealed beneath the complex. Hamas and staff at the hospital, Gazas largest, deny the allegations.

Broadening operations to the south, where Israel already carries out daily air raids, threatens to worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory.

Israels bombardment has destroyed many buildings (Leo Correa/AP)

Over 1.5 million people have been internally displaced in Gaza, with most having fled to the south, where food, water and electricity are increasingly scarce.

It is not clear where else they could go, as Egypt refuses to allow a mass transfer on to its soil.

The leaflet drop came as Palestinian telecoms provider Paltel said all communications services across Gaza are down due to a lack of fuel.

The war, now in its sixth week, was triggered by a wide-ranging Hamas attack into southern Israel on October 7 in which the militants killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and captured 240 men, women and children.

Israel responded with a weeks-long air campaign and a ground invasion of northern Gaza, vowing to remove Hamas from power and crush its military capabilities.

More than 11,200 Palestinians have been killed, two-thirds of them women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Another 2,700 have been reported missing, with most believed to be buried under the rubble. The official count does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths, and Israel says it has killed thousands of militants.

(PA Graphics)

The war has inflamed tensions elsewhere. On Thursday, gunmen shot and wounded four people at a checkpoint on the main road linking Jerusalem to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Police said three attackers were killed and a search for others was under way.

Israeli troops stormed into Gazas largest hospital on Wednesday, searching for traces of Hamas inside and beneath the facility, where newborns and hundreds of other patients have suffered for days without electricity and other basic necessities.

Troops searched the underground levels of the hospital on Thursday and detained technicians responsible for running its equipment, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said in a statement.

The military said its soldiers were accompanied by medical teams bringing in incubators and other supplies.

After encircling Shifa for days, Israel faces pressure to prove its claim that Hamas used the patients, staff and civilians sheltering there to provide cover for its fighters. The allegation is part of Israels broader accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.

The military released video from inside Shifa showing three duffel bags it said it found hidden around an MRI lab, each containing an assault rifle, grenades and Hamas uniforms, as well as a cabinet that contained a number of assault rifles without ammunition clips.

The IDF says weapons were found in the MRI centre at al-Shifa hospital (Israel Defence Forces via AP)

The Associated Press could not independently verify the Israeli claims that the weapons were found inside the hospital.

Hamas and Gaza health officials deny militants operate in Shifa  a hospital that employs some 1,500 people and has more than 500 beds. Palestinians and human rights groups accuse Israel of recklessly endangering civilians.

Munir al-Boursh, a senior official with Gazas Health Ministry inside the hospital, said troops ransacked the basement and other buildings, and questioned patients, staff and people sheltering in the facility.

Israeli forces battled militants outside the hospital for days but there were no reports of militants firing from inside Shifa, or of any fighting within the hospital after Israeli troops entered.

At one point, tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing Israeli bombardment were sheltering at Shifa, but most left in recent days as the fighting drew closer.

The Health Ministry said 40 patients, including three babies, have died since Shifas emergency generator ran out of fuel on Saturday. There was no word on the condition of another 36 babies, who the ministry said earlier were at risk of dying because there is no power for incubators.

The leaflets, dropped in areas east of the southern town of Khan Younis, warned civilians to evacuate and said anyone in the vicinity of militants or their positions is putting his life in danger. Similar leaflets were dropped over northern Gaza for weeks ahead of the ground invasion.

Palestinian have again been warned to evacuate (Hatem Ali/AP)

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday the ground operation will eventually include both the north and south. We will strike Hamas wherever it is.

The military says it has largely consolidated its control of the north, including seizing and demolishing government buildings. Video released by the army on Thursday showed soldiers moving between heavily damaged buildings through holes blown in their walls.

The military said it had blown up a residence belonging to Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader based abroad. It was unclear if anyone was inside the building.

With most of Gazas 2.3 million people crowded into the territorys south, residents say bread is scarce and supermarket shelves are bare. Families cook on wood fires for lack of fuel. Central electricity and running water have been out for weeks.

The worsening fuel shortage threatens to paralyse the delivery of humanitarian services and shut down mobile phone and internet service.

Israel allowed a small amount of fuel to enter Gaza on Wednesday, for the first time since the war began, so that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees could continue bringing limited supplies of aid.

The fuel cannot be used for hospitals or to desalinate water, and covers less than 10% of what the agency needs to sustain lifesaving activities, said Thomas White, the agencys Gaza director.
President Joe Biden speaks during a news conference after his meeting with Chinas President President Xi Jinping (Doug Mills/The New York Times/AP)

US President Joe Biden has said he believes Israels war against Hamas in Gaza will only stop once the militant groups ability to kill and injure Israelis is degraded.

He said he was urging Israel to exercise caution as it carried out military operations in Gazas largest hospital.

Mr Biden was speaking at a news conference on Wednesday after meeting Chinas leader Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative (Apec) conference in California.

I think its going to stop when Hamas no longer maintains the capacity to murder, Mr Biden said of the war, which was sparked by Hamass October 7 assault on Israel.

An Israeli flag stands on the top of a destroyed building in the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel (Leo Correa, AP)

Mr Biden said he had discussed with the Israelis their need to be incredibly careful as they worked to clear Shifa Hospital, where the president said he was absolutely confident sharing Israels assessment that Hamas maintains a significant military presence intermixed with civilian infrastructure.

He maintained that the only ultimate answer here is a two-state solution with Israel and Palestinians living side by side.

Israeli forces searched a hospital on Wednesday where they claim Hamas militants operate.

Mohammed Zaqout, the director of hospitals in Gaza, said Israeli tanks were inside the medical compound and soldiers had entered buildings, including the emergency and surgery departments, which house intensive care units.

Shifa Hospital has become a symbol of the suffering of Palestinian civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas.

The Israeli army claims the militant group uses hospitals as cover for its fighters and has set up its main command centre in and beneath Shifa Hospital, the largest in the besieged territory. Both Hamas and Shifa Hospital staff deny the allegations.

More than 11,200 Palestinians  two-thirds of them women and minors  have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths. About 2,700 people have been reported missing.
A man casts his vote in the presidential election in Antananarivo (Alexander Joe/AP)

People in Madagascar have trickled to polling stations as voting opened in a presidential election boycotted by the majority of candidates following weeks of unrest and court battles.

In the capital of Antananarivo, where a night-time curfew ended two hours before voting started, many people said they were heeding calls by a collective of 10 candidates to stay away from polling stations.

Opposition leaders and civil society groups had called for a postponement of the election.

The situation was calm in the capital despite weeks of unrest but tension was palpable at some polling stations where some people refused to talk to journalists.

People wait for a polling station to open in Antananarivo (Alexander Joe/AP)

Voters choices were limited to three men after 10 candidates announced they were pulling out of the election this week, alleging that conditions for a legitimate and fair vote have not been met.

Andry Rajoelina is seeking re-election for a second term and is riding on a record of being the Builder President for infrastructure projects that some say have turned into white elephants.

A violent crackdown on protests by security forces ahead of the election has tainted his democratic credentials while a struggling economy, lack of social services and widespread poverty weigh down his popularity.

The 49-year-old former DJs biggest challenge comes from a former ally-turned-foe, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko.

President Andry Rajoelina addresses supporters at an election rally (Alexander Joe/AP)

Mr Randrianasoloniaiko is a wealthy 51-year-old businessman who is also the deputy for Tulear city under Mr Rajoelinas IRD party in the islands far south. He distanced himself from Mr Rajoelina ahead of the election.

A third candidate is Sendrison Daniela Raderanirina, a relatively unknown 62-year-old who has lived mainly in France to pursue a career in information technology.

Mr Rajoelina says he is confident, declaring that no one can take victory away from me.

Opposition figures boycotting the election, including two former presidents, say he should have been stripped of his Malagasy nationality and disqualified because he obtained French citizenship in 2014.

Mr Rajoelina said he took up dual citizenship to secure his childrens education in former coloniser France. The countrys highest court ruled in his favour.

They also allege that the national electoral commission and judiciary lack independence.

Most of Madagascars 30 million people live in poverty in a country whose economy is anchored in agriculture and tourism and but is largely dependent on foreign aid.
Spains acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has been chosen by a majority of legislators to form a new government.

Socialist leader Mr Sanchez was backed by 179 lawmakers in the 350-seat lower house of parliament. Only right-wing opposition deputies voted against him.

The vote came after nearly two days of debate among party leaders that centred almost entirely on a highly controversial amnesty deal for Catalonias separatists that Mr Sanchez agreed to in return for vital support to get elected prime minister again.

A parliamentary vote backed Pedro Sanchez to return as PM (Manu Fernandez/AP)

Mr Sanchez clinched the support of six smaller parties, allowing him to achieve the majority of lawmakers needed to be re-elected and form another minority coalition government with the left-wing Sumar (Joining Forces) party.

Spains inconclusive national elections on July 23 left a highly fractured parliament. The centre-right Popular Party received the most votes in the elections but failed to get enough support to form a government because of its alliances with the far-right Vox party.

The Socialists finished second with 121 seats but now have the support of the 179 lawmakers following a series of pacts.

It remains to be seen if Mr Sanchez can maintain their support over the next four years.

The amnesty deal that the Socialists signed with two key Catalan separatist parties that command 14 votes would clean the slate for hundreds of separatists in legal trouble following the north-east regions illegal 2017 secession bid that sparked Spains biggest crisis in decades.

The amnesty law would benefit former Catalan regional president Carles Puigdemont, who is a fugitive from Spanish law.

Despite lingering disagreements, the two Catalan parties as well as two Basque ones said they would back Mr Sanchez on Thursday but let him know that he must fulfil the economic and political deals reached with each of them.

The two Basque parties pointed out that their support was also key to keeping a progressive government in power and making sure the right wing remained out of office.

People protest against the investiture of Spains acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez (Andrea Comas/AP)

Spains judiciary has criticised the proposed amnesty while the European Union is reviewing it.

The proposal sparked street protests backed by the Popular Party and Vox, which accuse Mr Sanchez of betraying the nation just to stay in power. Protests outside the Socialist partys headquarters in Madrid turned ugly last week and again on Wednesday night.

The only real reproach that the right makes against us is that with these agreements we will have won the government. Which is what is going to happen today, Mr Sanchez said prior to the vote.

The speaker of the house will now convey the result to King Felipe VI. Once published in the State Gazette, Mr Sanchez will be sworn as the new prime minister before the king, most likely on Friday.
Rohingya refugees react after reaching the beach by swimming as others are stranded on a boat after villagers decided not to allow them to land but gave them water and food in Bireuen district, Aceh province, Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2023.

More than 200 Rohingya reached Indonesias Aceh province in a boat on Thursday, bringing the number of new arrivals this week to nearly 600, but villagers in separate locations forced the latest batch to return to sea, officials said.

The foreign ministry said people smugglers had exploited Indonesias generosity over the years in allowing in members of the stateless and persecuted minority group from Myanmar, while police said that locals were complaining about bad behavior by some among the 1,000-odd Rohingya sheltering in Aceh.

The wooden boat, which had been adrift for several days, first made its appearance on Thursday near the shore of Bireuen district, where police and the military tried to persuade villagers to let the refugees land on humanitarian grounds, said a spokesman for the Bireuen police.

But the villagers refused, saying they had unpleasant experiences with Rohingya who arrived on previous occasions and had been troublesome, said spokesman Marzuki, who goes by one name.

We negotiated, but the locals refused to accept them, the police official told BenarNews.

The police and the military have the power to override the locals, but Marzuki didnt say why officials did not use that authority.

Jolly Ronny Mamarimbing, an intelligence officer for the Bireuen police, said the Rohingya were given food and drinks, and five of them who appeared very unwell were allowed to disembark and stay on in the village.

The boat then left and attempted to dock at Lhokseumawe, in northern Aceh, but was met with similar resistance from locals there, said Salman Alfarisi, a local police spokesman.

They were going to [set] sail again, but their boat had engine trouble, he said.

Newly arrived Rohingya refugees are stranded on a boat as locals decide not to allow them to land in Bireuen district, Aceh province, Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2023. [Amanda Jufrian/AFP]

This latest group of Rohingya followed the more than 400 others who arrived in Aceh by sea on Monday and Tuesday. The Aceh police and the local fishing community said they provided food, water, medical care and temporary shelter to the people who disembarked from the first two boats.

According to fishermen, Rohingya on those boats had sailed from the refugee camps in southeastern Bangladesh. One of the refugees on the boat that was turned away on Thursday, told the Agence France-Presse news agency that its passengers had also left Bangladeshs Coxs Bazar district near the Myanmar border, where the crowded camps are located.

The camps host some 1 million Rohingya, nearly 740,000 of whom escaped a military crackdown in 2017, which the U.N. later described as a textbook example of ethnic cleansing. A Muslim minority, the Rohingya have faced decades of systematic discrimination, statelessness and targeted violence in Buddhist-majority Myanmar.

Indonesia, the worlds most populous Muslim-majority country, has a history of welcoming Rohingya, who are considered one of the most persecuted minorities in the world.

In 2015, Indonesia allowed thousands of Rohingya to disembark on its shores, along with migrants from Bangladesh, after they were stranded at sea for months.

Indonesia has no legal or practical obligation to host refugees, nor can it offer them a permanent solution, because it is not a signatory to the 1951 Refugee Convention, said Lalu Muhammad Iqbal, a spokesman for Indonesias Foreign Ministry.

Ironically, many countries that are parties to the convention have closed their doors and even implemented push-back policies against the refugees, he said in a statement Thursday.

Indonesias kindness in providing temporary shelter has been exploited by people smugglers who seek financial gain from the refugees without caring about the high risk they face, especially vulnerable groups such as women and children, he said.

UNHCR ready to assist

The U.N. refugee agency (UNHCR) urged the Indonesian government to keep its borders open to refugees.

UNHCR is ready to assist the government, the authorities and the community in carrying out efforts to save the lives of refugees, Mitra Salima, spokeswoman for the agency in Indonesia, told BenarNews.

But we hope they will still provide assistance, considering there are many vulnerable women and children.

In January, Jakarta called for regional cooperation to conduct rescue operations for Rohingya stranded at sea, so that Indonesia wouldnt have to disproportionately bear the burden of this task.

Indonesia does not grant asylum or legal status to refugees.

Refugees who arrive in Indonesia are usually confined to temporary shelters or detention centers, and face an uncertain future, as they have no access to formal education and jobs.

Meanwhile, human rights groups have said that the numbers of Rohingya leaving for third countries further highlight the dire conditions at the Coxs Bazar camps and the deteriorating situation in Myanmar after the February 2021 military coup.

Many Rohingya have grown desperate because they see no hope of being repatriated to Myanmar, which is convulsed with violence following the coup, human rights advocates and NGOs in the region have said.

In Bangladesh, the refugees cannot work or properly educate their children.

To flee what feels like a hopeless situation, many undertake perilous journeys by sea, often on ramshackle boats, so they can lead a better life in one of the Southeast Asian nations, where they can access schools and jobs.

Last year was the deadliest since 2014 for Rohingya attempting such sea voyages. At least 348 individuals died or went missing at sea, the U.N. refugee agency UNHCR said.
By Yoon Ja-young

Hana Financial Group Chairman Ham Young-joo participated in the Zero Disposable Challenge, which aims to reduce the use of disposable products in daily life by making the use of reusable products a daily habit.

The challenge is a national environmental protection campaign that the Ministry of Environment has been promoting since February. As environmental problems caused by the use of disposable products have recently arisen as a social issue, it was launched as a social media service relay campaign, whereby members of society are encouraged to reduce the use of disposable products and voluntarily participate in environmental protection.

After being recommended as the next participant by Dongwha Group Chairman Seung Myung-ho, who is also the chairman of The Korea Times and its sister paper, Hankook Ilbo, Ham shared with Hana employees the importance of environmental protection activities in their daily lives.

Ham then picked E1 Chairman Koo Ja-yong and CNCITY Energy CEO Hwang In-kyu as the next participants in the relay campaign.

Hana Financial Group noted that it will actively promote the campaign through its official social media to encourage not only group executives and employees but also all citizens to participate in eco-friendly activities.

I hope that small daily practices for eco-friendliness will become a part of daily routine through this challenge. We will continue our efforts for the creation of social value through diverse ESG management practice activities, Ham said.

Hana Financial Group has been engaged in diverse eco-friendly campaigns, including encouraging the use of tumblers instead of paper or plastic cups, maintaining an appropriate indoor temperature and turning off unused electronic devices, as well as donating used clothes.

It started using reusable cups at the in-house cafe located in the group's Myeong-dong office building in October, as a part of a collaboration with SK Telecom's eco-friendly activity, the Happy Habit Project.
Every morning, Abter Tendesabu puts on his boots, grabs his machete and heads to his farm in the forest.

As he nears the edge of the woods, he hears the cicadas  their loud buzzing, chirping, squawking sounds.

They alert me that I have entered the forest, Abter, of the Lindu tribe, tells BenarNews, as he walks through the dense greenery. They also warn me if there is danger.

The Lindu tribe of about 5,000 people lives in the heart of Lore Lindu National Park, a UNESCO biosphere reserve in Indonesias Central Sulawesi province that is a model of how humans and nature can co-exist in harmony.

In a country that faces a deforestation crisis and attendant habitat loss, the sprawling park, therefore, stands apart. It is home to some of the worlds most diverse and endangered wildlife, including hornbills, tarsier and babirusas.

The 217,991-hectare (538,667-acre) park is a beneficiary of the Lindu communitys distinctive approach to forest conservation, which stems from customary law thats been passed down from their ancestors, said Manya Rambangudu, another Lindu villager.

The way we apply it in Lindu I think is very special because it can prevent conflicts between residents and the government regarding forest management, he told BenarNews.

What further helps is that the state has a buy-in, and helps impose these customary laws, or rules, Abter said. Administration officials work with a customary council of elders and village representatives, called Totua Ngata, to ensure that rules are respected and enforced.

Abter Tendesabu shows vanilla plants growing on his farm in Langko village, in Sigi regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, June 22, 2023. [Taufan Bustan/BenarNews]

Customary laws are also taught to children in elementary schools, so they can learn the values of their ancestors from an early age.

The customary rules divide the forest into four zones, each with different levels of access and management, said Nurdin Yabu Lamojudu, chairman of the Lindu Tribal Council.

The first zone, Wanangkiki, is off-limits to all  it is the home of the spirits and the ancestors.

The second zone, Suakantodea, is where the Lindu people can collect some plants and wood, such as rattan, bamboo, and herbs, for their daily use.

In the third zone, Pangale, they practice shifting cultivation, growing rice, corn, cassava, and other crops using traditional methods.

Main crops, such as cocoa, coffee, fruits, and vegetables, which they sell in the market, are grown in the fourth zone, Pobondea, Popampa, and Polida.

A resident travels on a wooden boat on Lake Lindu, in Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, June 21, 2023. [Taufan Bustan/ BenarNews]

The parks lake is also divided into three zones. Fishing is banned in the core zone, the deepest part of the lake.

In the buffer zone, which is the middle part of the lake, fishing is allowed only using traditional equipment and methods.

In the lakes shallow part, or the utilization zone, fishing is allowed with any equipment and methods.

Sanctions, known as givu, are imposed on those who disobey these customary rules. The penalties include a buffalo or cash or even expulsion from the Lindu community.

The park officials and the tribal council work together to patrol and monitor the forest, and to punish anyone who violates the rules, Abter said.

And yet, according to UNESCO, the park has suffered from massive illegal logging, hunting and poaching in recent times. Unauthorized gold mining also contributed to the damage, according to park Director Titik Wurdiningsih.

According to a 2022 land cover analysis, all these illegal activities have affected nearly 12% or about 60,000 acres of the park.

The destruction has harmed the habitat of wildlife and reduced the function of the park as a catchment area for water resources, Titik said to BenarNews.

The mining activities use harmful chemicals, such as cyanide and mercury, which pose health risks for the people around the mining sites.

Abter said other threats to the forest include theft of various forest yields, including rattan and wood, as well as poaching of endemic animals that are protected.

Nurdin Yabu Lamojudu, chairman of the Lindu Traditional Council (second from right), gives a talk about the customary forest area in Anca, a village in Sigi regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, June 21, 2023. [Taufan Bustan/BenarNews]

Despite the challenges, the Lindu people are determined to preserve their way of life.

We are grateful that customary law is still obeyed, Abter said.

Mohamad Irwan, the regent of Sigi, said that the Lindus forest management practices were an extraordinary gift. The forests in Sigi and Poso regencies are part of Lore Lindu National Park.

Lindu is very rich in tradition. Thats why the forest there can be preserved well because there are customary rules that are highly respected. And the people are afraid to violate them, Irwan told BenarNews.

He said 75 % of Sigis territory was forested and most of it was conservation and protected forest managed by the National Park Authority.

In general, the people in Sigi know how to manage the forest. They know which rules to follow and which not to, Irwan said.

A view of Lake Lindu from a boat crossing in Langko, a village in Sigi regency, Central Sulawesi, Indonesia, June 22, 2023. [Taufan Bustan/BenarNews]

Often, when the state and indigenous peoples have different interests and views on how to manage a forest, the two sides may have a conflict, said Syaiful Taslim, a researcher at Karsa Institute, a forest conservation organization in Central Sulawesi.

But in Poso and Sigi, there is a harmonious relationship between the government and the local communities.

The Lindu people have a deep-rooted philosophy about the forest, which they express as Ginoku katuhuaku, which means, This place is my life, Nurdin, the Lindu tribal councils chair, told BenarNews.

If you want to live, dont destroy the place where you live, he said.
Bennington, VT (05201)

Today

Partly cloudy early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain this afternoon. High around 50F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 37F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
ARLINGTON  The federal government has recognized the Battenkill Valley Health Center as being in the top 10 percent in the nation of such centers for the quality of its clinical care.

The award provided an opportunity for BHVC officials to detail the growing number of services it has provided in nearly 10 years of existence.

With this recognition, BHVC and other recognized programs will receive a Gold Health Center Quality Leader badge for their achievements in improving health outcomes and providing high-quality care for patients in rural and underserved communities. The digital badges, part of the Community Health Quality Recognition (CHQR) badge program, honor the health centers across the country that have attained the best overall clinical quality performance.

I would like to say that receiving the award is the direct result of our entire staffs hard work to make sure that our patients receive the absolute best care, said Kayla Davis, BVHC co-executive director on Wednesday. And BVHC is committed to continuing to grow. Well be turning 10 in February. And weve grown from seven employees and 2,000 patients to 43 employees and over 4,000 patients in the last 10 years.

Weve expanded services from just medical to dental, behavioral health, substance abuse disorder, Davis said. So, were just very committed for the next ten years trying to fill any unmet needs that come into our community and trying to continue to grow to meet the demand for medical, dental and behavioral health services inside Bennington County.

Battenkill Valley Health Center is among the 149 health centers nationwide to receive this recognition, and the only health center in Vermont to receive it.

We receive a base grant from the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), and that helps us to provide the services to anyone regardless of ability to pay, Davis said. We provide services to all, whether youre insured, uninsured. It doesnt matter.

Kate Bryan, director of development and community relations, spoke Wednesday of the importance of community partnerships BVHC has developed over the years.

The community partnerships that we have allow us to address the need for medical, dental and mental health services in our area," she said. "Weve partnered with schools, daycares to get toothbrushes into the hands of kids who are not able to see a dentist because they just dont have enough dentists in the area.

We are able to provide patients and community members with food through our Hannahs Pantry which is here in the health center and our partnership with the food shelf, Grateful Hearts, and the Vermont Food Bank," Bryan said. "Theres so much more were doing out in the community and bridges that we are building between other organizations that are doing such amazing work for the people of our community."

The CHQR badge

The CHQR badge program recognizes outstanding performance in a variety of clinical areas, including behavioral health, maternal health, diabetes health, heart health, cancer screening, and HIV prevention and care, as well as overall quality performance.

Health centers are an essential part of Americas health care safety net, providing access to high-quality preventive and primary care in the highest need communities across the country, said HRSA Administrator Carole Johnson. We at HRSA are proud to support and partner with these health centers, which not only provide care to patients regardless of their ability to pay but also consistently deliver excellent care that exceeds national quality standards.
BENNINGTON  A bold and complex real estate scam has prompted words of caution from Vermont brokers and government and law enforcement officials.

The ruse involves a seller contacting a real estate office asking to list their property for sale, complete a sale remotely and then abscond with the proceeds under a fake name.

Since many real estate transactions are now concluded with little or no face-to-face interaction among the parties, it is possible the scammers could sell property that someone else actually owns and have the money wired to them.

Coming to Vermont

While it is not a big scam in Vermont right now, we are seeing more and more of it in all parts of the state, and I expect this will continue, said Kathleen Sweeten, CEO of the Vermont Association of Realtors. Weve been telling our members to practice due diligence when communicating with potential sellers. The properties are generally vacant or land parcels.

This form of scam was reported on by the Banner just a couple of weeks ago after Jenifer Hoffman of Hoffman Real Estate, spoke about a scam artist who  communicating via email and phone - tried to get her to list a home lot in Bennington for sale.

Impersonating the real property owners, who once lived in Bennington but now reside in Pennsylvania, the scammers had acquired information about the real owners and even sent her copies of fake passports, Hoffman said.

But she became increasingly suspicious and eventually tracked down the real owners and called to warn them.

The question remains, however, whether there is much that legitimate owners can do to ensure their property isnt sold in this way to someone else.

Law enforcement officials also acknowledge it is difficult to track down and prosecute scammers when there is no local operator.

Vermont Attorney General Charity Clark said scammers  often from outside of Vermont  use public records to identify mortgage-free properties and then contact realtors offering to sell quickly for below market prices.

She added, Often, they will claim some emergency has caused them to want to sell fast, without even posting the land. Like the old saying goes: if it seems too good to be true, it probably is."

The AGs Office has posted information for residents or businesses on how to deal with a scam or scam attempt.

The office helps track and coordinate responses to scam reports and has a page on the website ago.vermont.gov/cap/scam-prevention-through-awareness-and-education with information on how to report or respond to an attempted scam and how to avoid being scammed or seek assistance if a scam has occurred.

Hard to track

Unfortunately, by the time it gets to me to record [a sale] in the land records, the damage has been done, said Bennington Town Clerk Cassandra Barbeau. I spoke with [the intended victim of the proposed parcel sale in Bennington] when she was in town and she is doing everything she can by bringing it to the authorities.

The clerk added, There are very rare circumstances where I can refuse to record a document. I think the most important thing is for buyers to make sure they are using an attorney. It could trip up a transaction that is fraudulent, and title insurance can protect a buyers interest. The more professionals involved in the transaction, the better the chances someone can catch these red flags before it is too late.

Barbeau added that she learned of a system being developed to notify property owners when there is activity involving their property deeds. Otherwise, information a scammer might use to impersonate the real owner can commonly be found online, including from posted town grand lists or tax bill information.

I learned about it from my [online property records management] vendor when I went to the Vermont Municipal Clerks Conference in September, Barbeau said. My rep was explaining they are trying to make it more cost-effective so that towns can sign up for it. It is in early stages, and I dont know of any Vermont towns that are using it yet. Luckily, we havent seen a lot of the type of fraud in Vermont that may be more prevalent in larger cities and states, but times are changing!

Bennington Police Chief Paul Doucette said last week, Scammers know these types of cases may be difficult for law enforcement agencies to investigate, especially small town municipal agencies. In Bennington, we do have state and federal law enforcement partners we can rely on. These cases are difficult to investigate and require many resources.

Unless there is a local connection (perpetrator) regarding the scam, which is rare, most cases get referred to the [Attorney Generals] office, said Capt. Roger Farmer, commander of B Troop with the Vermont State Police.

He added, It is common practice to use fictitious phone numbers from foreign actors making follow up difficult for local and state agencies, Farmer said. Other types of fraud, such as home improvement fraud, often have a local connection with known individuals and in these instances, can often be investigated using local resources.

Bennington Assessor John Antognioni said, I do not think I could add anything more than [Hoffman] or [Barbeau] have offered. We will get calls here from potential tenants who are inquiring about ownership regarding online rental offerings for apartments or single family dwellings but sale scams not so much.

Sweeten said the National Association of Realtors recently posted a video with information on how to avoid land scams, which can viewed at nar.realtor/videos/window-to-the-law/avoiding-vacant-land-scams

"In addition to the contact information at the end of the article, we encourage our members to contact the Vermont Attorney Generals Office as they have been monitoring this as well," she said.

Attorney general's recommendations

Clark said this week her office recommends five precautions those working in real estate can take to avoid a scam:
Fadu case to be first class action over IPO process in Korea

By Anna J. Park

Korea Investment & Securities and NH Investment & Securities are to be mired in a class action lawsuit due to the controversial IPO of Fadu, a fabless semiconductor unicorn company that went public in early August.

According to Hannuri Law Firm, which will represent the shareholders of Fadu in the IPO lawsuit, the case will be brought against three defendants  Fadu, Korea Investment and NH Investment. The two securities firms are the main underwriters of the public offering procedures.

The case will be Korea's first collective lawsuit related to IPO procedures that will be brought against a company that went public in a controversial manner as well as the key underwriters of the IPO.

On Thursday, the law firm officially started receiving applications both online and offline from would-be plaintiffs among Fadu shareholders wishing to join the class action.

"The law firm is now receiving a lot of calls from victims  Fadu shareholders. The lawsuit is expected to be filed as early as within a month," Park Phil-seo, partner at Hannuri Law Firm, told The Korea Times on Thursday.

He explained that this case shows many elements of violation concerning the Financial Investment Services and Capital Markets Act.

"An investment prospectus is written by an underwriter, after conducting due diligence in good faith over a company that aims to go public. While the prospectus should provide detailed information on the company's earnings and growth forecasts to investors who do not have much information about the company's financial status, the documents of Fadu failed to serve their supposed purpose in this case," the law firm partner said.

The senior attorney explained that Article 125 of the capital markets act, which addresses false representation, and Article 178, which covers socially unfair transactions, fraudulent plans and manipulative techniques, seem to have been violated during Fadu's IPO process.

"According to the capital markets act, if there are false statements in an investment prospectus, both the company and the underwriters of the IPO process are to be held legally accountable, as they failed at assuming their gatekeeping role in their due diligence," he said.

Fadu's corporate value at the time of the IPO in August was acknowledged at around 1.5 trillion won ($1.1 billion) yet it plummeted by nearly 40 percent in just three months to 914 billion won, as of 2 p.m., Thursday.

Its stock price began its nosedive when Fadu released a shocking quarterly result earlier this month. The company's second- and third-quarter revenues stood at only 59 million won and 300 million won, respectively, which drew a huge contrast from the prospectus's rosy outlook. The investment prospectus submitted during the IPO process stated that the fabless chip maker would garner 120 billion won this year, followed by 371.5 billion won in 2024 and 619.5 billion won in 2025.

As the firm's first-quarter revenue stood at only 17.6 billion won, there's no way the earnings estimate for this year could be realized.

Given that a total of 276,692 people invested 193.7 billion won in Fadu's IPO, the number of affected shareholders could easily exceed tens of thousands.
This Story in History has been selected from the archives by Jeannie Maschino, The Berkshire Eagle.
Kaitlin Armstrong enters the courtroom during the first day of her trial at the Blackwell-Thurman Criminal Justice Center, Wednesday, Nov. 1, 2023, in Austin, Texas.. Armstrong is charged with murder in connection with the shooting death of pro cyclist Anna Moriah Wilson.
PITTSFIELD  Two organizations working to help immigrants in Berkshire County will get a welcome boost from a new grant program from the state Attorney Generals Office.

The Berkshire Immigrant Center and Community Legal Aid are among 13 nonprofit legal service organizations throughout the state to receive a total of $780,000 to support their work helping immigrants navigate the legal system. The announcement was made Wednesday by Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.

Community Legal Aid in Berkshire, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire and Worcester counties will direct its share  a little more than $80,000  to the Central West Justice Center. That organization provides immigration assistance to people who are survivors of domestic violence and other crimes, unaccompanied children and refugees fleeing violence.

Central West Justice Center plans to use the new money to hire a paralegal who will take over the planning and logistics of legal clinics for new arrivals in central and Western Massachusetts.

Berkshire Immigrant Center has something similar in the works, and is planning to host six legal clinics. Executive Director Melissa Canavan said the grant represents a long-needed helping hand.

Were just at capacity and were trying to do as much as we can, Canavan said. The point of this money was to be able to expand capacity in whatever lens that looks like.

Last fiscal year, the Berkshire Immigrant Center helped 856 people with two staff caseworkers and one volunteer caseworker. The money the center will receive this month will allow it to pick up where casework leaves off.

Over the next year, the center will host six clinics with immigration attorneys to give their clients an opportunity to talk through green cards, work authorizations or their other unique legal situations.

The $70,000 from the grant will cover the cost of finding and staffing the clinics with an attorney or two, the travel costs of the attorneys to the county and the cost of hiring the attorneys to take on individual cases. The goal is to make what can often be yearslong legal processes more accessible for immigrants trying to start fresh in Berkshire County.

Canavan said theres still planning to be done on the centers part, but the hope is to make the clinics a kind of one stop-shop for services  with an inaugural clinic in February or March.

If it all goes to plan, then immigrants will be able to meet with an attorney, as well as representatives of local organizations focused on providing housing, health care, education and employment opportunities.

A portion of the funds will be used to remove some of the traditional barriers of entry like child care concerns and distance. Grant money will cover child care during the clinic, and organizers plan to host clinics around the county so that transportation  or lack thereof  doesnt become a problem.

Canavan said that the center is fortunate that we were able to help that many people, but we also know that in general this county has so much need for the support that were offering. Thats why the center plans to call on its partners at Volunteers in Medicine Berkshires to help reduce the number of new residents that fall through the gap.

VIM will identify new arrivals to the county through its patient network and connect them with Berkshire Immigrant Center and its clinics, Canavan said.

She said she hopes the clinics can bring the sense of relief to know that some of the costs are going to be covered or the relief to know that their case is going to be taken on.

I wish wed be able to promise all these things to everybody and say youre going to see someone, youre going to see someone and were going to be able to cover everything, Canavan said. But something is something.
Editor's note: This story was updated at 5:30 a.m. Friday to reflect that Kathleen McCormick represents Sandisfield Fire Department, Inc.

SANDISFIELD  About six weeks after the crash of a tanker with defective brakes, fire Chief Ralph Morrison has resigned his post.

In his letter of resignation, effective Monday, Morrison cited no reason for stepping down.

He recommended two people he said were qualified to replace him: Eric Pachulski, the town's emergency management director, who is a deputy fire chief, and his brother, Michael Morrison, who is the police chief and assistant fire chief.

And his brother, who was at the wheel of the tanker when it crashed Sept. 26, will be the subject of a Select Board meeting in executive session on Friday to discuss complaints or charges brought against a public employee.

This is the second executive session for the three-member board this week.

At Mondays meeting, the board cited the same section of Massachusetts General Law regarding Ralph Morrison, who attended the closed-door session with lawyer Kathleen McCormick, who represents Sandisfield Fire Department, Inc.

Prior to that executive session, at its regular meeting Monday, the board reviewed an inspection of the towns emergency fleet conducted by fire department equipment supplier Bulldog of Albany, N.Y.

That inspection revealed deficiencies on several vehicles, with the most serious involving the brakes of the towns remaining tanker, causing it to be pulled from service until it can be repaired. The inspection also revealed that the siren on another fire department vehicle wasnt working.

The town had two tankers until one was totaled Sept. 29 in Tyringham when the brakes failed while heading to a mutual aid call in Otis. The driver, Michael Morrison, was given poor directions from a fellow firefighter against protocol. He was not injured, but the crash took out power in part of Tyringham for several hours and drew a mutual aid response from several emergency agencies.

The crash spurred calls for an inspection of the wrecked tanker, but the state police refused, noting the chain of custody was lost when Ralph Morrison had the totaled tanker moved from a towing yard to his personal property in Tolland.

The Select Board, after learning that the tanker in the crash bore a rejection sticker, voted on Oct. 12 to end the town's practice of having Ralph Morrison's shop, A & M Auto Repair LLC, maintain and inspect all emergency vehicles.

Ralph Morrison's resignation came almost exactly three years to the day after residents of the town in secret ballot voted to approve a petition to the Legislature to seek a waiver to a law that forces public safety officials to retire at age 65, pushing it to 70. He is 69.

State lawmakers approved the home rule petition, allowing Morrison to remain as chief.

McCormick could not be reached immediately Thursday.

Town refutes report

Earlier this week, The Sandisfield Times put out a News Extra regarding the Morrisons and the future of the Sandisfield Police Department that Select Board Chair Steve Seddon felt the need to refute.

In a statement posted on the towns website Wednesday, he wrote, The Sandisfield Times wrongly and injuriously asserts that Police Chief Michael Morrison will be dismissed on Monday and suggests that the Police Department is to be scrapped.

This news is extra false. There is no growing sentiment that the Town does not need a Police Chief or a Police Department; such a notion has never been discussed by the Select Board, Seddon wrote. The tanker truck accident continues to be under investigation. It is the duty of the Board to make sure the town does a thorough review of what led to it, and to make recommendations and policies to limit liability to life and property.
President John F. Kennedy waves from his car in Dallas moments before he was fatally shot on Nov. 22, 1963. Questions about his death have fueled conspiracy theories  about his assassination and myriad other events  for six decades.
Seth Brown is an award-winning humor writer, the author of "From God To Verse," and has always liked anvils. His website is RisingPun.com.
Korea's beer imports from China plunged more than 40 percent last month from a year earlier following the release of a viral video showing a man urinating into a tank at Tsingtao Brewery, the customs office said Thursday.

The amount of beer imports from China fell 43 percent on-year to 2,281 tons in October, and the value of beer purchases from the neighboring country declined 38 percent to $1.93 million, according to the Korea Customs Service.

The video released on Oct. 19 shows a uniformed man climbing over a high wall and urinating into a tank at Tsingtao Brewery.

Tsingtao said the batch of malt had been sealed off from use, and BK, which imports Tsingtao beer for distribution in Korea, said the plant in the video produces beer for local consumption in the Chinese market.

But the pee incident has raised concerns among consumers over the safety of Chinese food and beverage products.

In contrast, beer imports from Japan soared 302 percent on-year to 7,243 tons last month in terms of amount and surged 377 percent to $6.14 million in value, the customs data showed.

In October, Korea's overall beer imports rose 9.4 percent on-year to 18,753 tons and jumped 24 percent to $17.34 million.

The country's total beer exports increased 18 percent to 7,494 tons and climbed 48 percent to $5.74 million during the same period, resulting in a trade deficit of $11.61 million in the beer segment. (Yonhap)
The Massachusetts state flag flies in front of Boston City Hall in 2016. A Legislative commission created to develop a new state seal and motto ended its work Wednesday without achieving its goal.
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Globally, the concept of embedded insurance has become increasingly popular in the short-term insurance industry, by making the purchase of insurance more attractive, streamlined, personalised, and an intuitive part of the buying process for various products and services. Embedded insurance allows consumers to purchase insurance on the website or app they are using, without having to directly approach insurance companies. General examples of this trend include purchasing travel insurance when booking a plane ticket and giving consumers the option to purchase insurance tailored to the specific car they are buying.

Insight Surveys latest South African Short-Term Insurance Industry Landscape Report 2023 carefully uncovers the global and South African short-term insurance landscape, based on the latest intelligence and research. It describes the latest global and local market trends, innovation and technology, drivers and challenges, as well as a detailed competitor analysis, to present an objective insight into the South African short-term insurance market environment and its future.

In terms of the Global Insurtech market specifically, significant growth is again expected, with the market projected to reach US$13.5 billion in 2023* and forecast to grow at a massive compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 30.7% to reach $39.4bn in 2027*, as illustrated in the graph below. Growth of the global InsurTech market is being driven by the incorporation of artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning (ML), and cloud computing to enable better consumer demand predictions, planning, and decision-making.

Source: ReportLinker. Graphics by Insight Survey

According to the InsurTechDigital website, the African InsurTech market continues to thrive, with startups on the continent continuing to attract a large amount of funding, with $744.1m in funding being raised to date. This includes several major South African InsurTech companies, such as Naked, Pineapple, Nomanini, and Inclusivity Solutions, which have raised $22.4m in funding to date.

In terms of embedded insurance globally, a growing number of these products are being offered by major insurance players, via partnerships with InsurTechs. For example, in Canada, Duuo by co-operators launched a new embedded insurance application programming interface (API) that allows businesses to integrate insurance purchases into websites, apps, and platforms. The first product available is Duuo event insurance, which allows consumers to purchase event cover, whilst booking a venue.

Additionally, Allianz Partners recently partnered with bolttech, an international InsurTech, to provide embedded device and application protection insurance for business partners, such as retailers and e-tailers for electronic products and household devices, telecommunication providers, and banks, amongst a variety of other sectors. Another example includes Airbnb offering host protection and host guarantee insurance.

In South Africa, embedded insurance is becoming a major trend, and an opportunity to bridge the current insurance gap in the country, by providing insurance at the point of sale, and allowing consumers to get immediate coverage for goods and services. As an example, in September 2023, Aura partnered with the integrated consumer and business services company, Hello Group, to embed its business insurance and emergency response services into Hello Groups merchant terminal service, Hello Pay. This offering was indicated to be extremely beneficial for the estimated 200,000 spaza shops and small businesses across South Africa that utilise Hello Pays services, by shielding them from economic harm.

This is also making its way into the car insurance space, with Tiger Wheel & Tyre introducing a new tyre and wheel insurance offering, namely X-Sure, in partnership with Hollard Insurance Company Limited and Motorite Administrators. This offering also incorporates a user-friendly mobile app, allowing consumers to seamlessly manage their policies and benefits.

Furthermore, vehicle manufacturer Chery, partnered with Absa and the insurance technology platform provider, the Innovation Group, to launch an extended motor warranty plan that assists vehicle owners in managing the costs of owning a vehicle by automatically activating as soon as the factory warranty has expired. This partnership aims to ensure that customers remain adequately covered for breakdowns or problems.

The South African Short-Term Insurance Industry Landscape Report 2023 (164 pages) provides a dynamic synthesis of industry research, examining the South African and global short-term insurance industry from a uniquely holistic perspective, with detailed insights into the current market dynamics and stakeholder positioning  market environment and size, industry trends, industry innovation and technology, industry drivers and challenges; as well as key competitor and product analysis.

Some key questions the report will help you to answer:

What are the current market dynamics (overview, market environment, and key regional markets) in the global short-term insurance industry?



What are the latest news and developments in the South African short-term insurance industry, as well as the current market dynamics (overview, market environment, and key industry statistics)?



What are the latest Global and South African short-term insurance industry trends (including tech and Insurtech), innovation, drivers and challenges?



How did South African short-term insurance companies perform in 2033/2023?



What is the latest company news for each South African short-term insurance player, in terms of products, services, new launches, and marketing initiatives?



What is the latest marketing and advertising news for each of the key short-term insurance players?

Please note that the 164-page report is available for purchase for R50,000.00 (excl. VAT). Alternatively, individual sections for the report are also available, including our Global/South African Industry Section for R20,000.00 (excl. VAT), or our detailed South African Competitor Analysis Section for R32,500.00 (excl. VAT).

For additional information, please email az.oc.yevrusthgisni@ofni, call our Cape Town office on (021) 045-0202 or Johannesburg office on (010) 140- 5756.

For more information or a brochure: SA Short-Term Insurance Industry Landscape Report 2023

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Revitalisation is on the horizon for 4th Avenue Parkhurst as the Parkhurst Residents and Business Owners Association (PRABOA) teams up with Tito's Handmade Vodka and CLM, the brand's local distributor, to upgrade infrastructure in the area for pets and their people. The programme will kickstart an essential fencing replacement project at Verity Park and along the 6th Avenue Parkhurst Bridge.

Titos Handmade Vodka and CLM showcase their spirit of giving by donating the fencing for dogs and their owners to be able to enjoy the suburb more safely. Also, from 1 October 2023 to 31 January 2024, R30 from every bottle of Titos sold or consumed in participating businesses in Parkhurst will be donated to regular 4th Avenue clean ups.

Sisa Mkandla with Lola and Charlie enjoying the outdoors at Verity Park

With a vision to continuously improve the lives of pets and their families, Titos is known as the Vodka for Dog People. The Parkhurst initiative intends to support not only Titos key stockists (the retailers, bars and restaurants) but also all dog-loving visitors to Parkhurst.

We knew that we had to do something reallyimpactful when launching Titos in South Africa to communicate our brand purpose. 4th Avenue Parkhurst was a natural fit, says John McDonnell, managing director, international at Titos Handmade Vodka. Titos is known as the Vodka for Dog People because of our widespread commitment to supporting animal and pet welfare in communities across the world, and were very excited to bring this important effort to South Africa.

PRABOA is a volunteer-based NGO that works tirelessly to maintain and promote a clean, safe environment and the quality of life of our Parkhurst Village, says Mike Rosholt, PRABOA chairman. This partnership demonstrates how it is possible to build a brand, drive sales and do good all at the same time. We are very grateful to Titos and CLM brands for driving this initiative, he adds.

Titos is Americas favourite vodka and arguably the most exciting vodka brand in the world, says Mark Louw, managing director at CLM. What also makes the brand unique is its unwavering commitment to their brand purpose of improving the lives of dogs and their families," he concludes.

If youd like to assist, all you need to do is visit Parkhurst, drink Titos Handmade Vodka, or kindly donate to PRABOA.

Bank details:

Account holder: Parkhurst Residents And Business OwnersAssociation

Account type: Current

Account number: 42 226 334 6

Branch: Rosebank

Branch code: 4305

For more information on PRABOA, contact Theresa du Preez at az.gro.tsruhkrap@snoitacinummoc or 082 712 5680.




Soldiers load air-defense missiles

China Military Online) 09:50, November 16, 2023

Soldiers assigned to an army missile element operate a crane to hoist and load air-defense missiles onto a launching truck during a training exercise on November 9, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Song Shilei)

Soldiers assigned to an army missile element operate a crane to hoist and load air-defense missiles onto a launching truck during a training exercise on November 9, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Song Shilei)

Soldiers assigned to an army missile element operate a crane to hoist and load air-defense missiles onto a launching truck during a training exercise on November 9, 2023. (eng.chinamil.com.cn/Photo by Song Shilei)

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
Ruling party, financial authorities to create level playing field in short selling system

By Anna J. Park

The ruling People Power Party and financial authorities have announced plans to apply the same conditions for the local short selling system for both retail and institutional investors.

The move is seen as the ruling party and government's joint response to a long-held complaint by individual investors that the local short selling system creates an unlevel playing field due mainly to differentiated rules of collateral ratio and periods of borrowing stocks applied to retail and institutional investors.

We decided to create more favorable conditions for individuals in the short selling trading system," said Rep. Yu Eui-dong, the head of the ruling party's policy committee.

According to a draft plan unveiled during Thursday's consultative meeting, the repayment period for borrowed stocks used in short selling for both individual and institutional investors will be the same at 90 days plus alpha  an extension option allowed.

So far, individual investors have complained that foreign and institutional investors have an indefinite repayment period, which they can extend anytime through mutual agreement when borrowing stocks.

In addition, the loan-to-collateral ratio for individual investors  currently 120 percent  will also be lowered to 105 percent, the same as that for institutions and foreigners.

It was also a point of major criticism by retail investors, who cry foul over the current ratio of 120 percent applied to individual investors. They say this is discriminatory, as it means retail investors should hold more collateral than foreign or institutional investors, who are subject to the 105 percent rule, when it comes to short selling transactions.

The draft plan also includes an obligatory system setup that entirely prohibits naked short selling on institutional investors' internal computing systems. Further discussion will follow on whether such plans could be feasible.

The proposed plan will be confirmed after additional consultations between the ruling party and government. Financial Services Commission (FSC) Vice Chairman Kim So-young said during the meeting, If the short selling system is not improved sufficiently, we will extend the short selling ban further.

Financial Supervisory Service (FSS) Governor Lee Bok-hyun vowed to strengthen penalties for those who violate short selling regulations.

"On top of what was revealed externally in the investigation of illegal short selling, the FSS is investigating three to four other companies internally against their short selling violations," Lee said during the meeting. "The FSS is also closely cooperating with overseas authorities, such as Hong Kong."

Earlier this month, financial authorities announced a complete, temporary ban on short selling, which will continue until the first half of next year. The government vowed to take drastic measures to root out illegal short selling practices during the hiatus.
At the forefront of sustainable-fashion advocacy, Twyg's annual Sustainable Fashion Awards strive to celebrate and support designers, creators, thought leaders and innovators who use best practices to help change fashion.

Image supplied

After thoughtful consideration by our panel of esteemed judges  Nigerian entrepreneur and founder of Lagos Fashion Week Omoyemi Akerele, Swiss creative consultant, writer and editor Mimma Viglezio, CEO of textile startup Rewoven Esethu Cenga, head of the department for design studies at Tshwane University of Technology Dr Sipho Mbatha, fashion magazine stylist, director and editor Sharon Armstrong, and Tanzanian-born curator and founder of Industrie Africa Nisha Kanabar  31 finalists have been selected from the pool of outstanding candidates.

Here are the award categories, what they're about and the finalists of the 2023 Twyg Sustainable Fashion Awards.

Emerging Designer Award, presented by SKYY Vodka and Pantone Sundays

This award is given to a current student or young emerging designer who is challenging fashions status quo, and engaging with environmental and social responsibilities in a playful and creative way.

Finalists!>

Bash Studios



Khumo



VNTU

Accessories Award

In recognition of the craftsmanship of sustainable accessories, this award is given to a brand or designer who implements ethical labour practices, limits the use of toxic chemicals and utilises sustainable materials.

Finalists!>

Orange Juice Spaces



Plasticity



Verse

Footwear Award

A new category for 2023, this award recognises a brand, cobbler or designer who makes quality, durable footwear using sustainable materials, implements ethical labour practices and limits the use of toxic chemicals.

Finalists!>

Ifele



Reefer



SoulShooz

Innovative Design and Materials Award presented by Polo South Africa

Celebrating innovation in fashion, this award seeks to recognise a designer who uses innovative techniques to reduce textile waste and the negative environmental impact of the industry.

Finalists!>

Heru- shezi



SinCHUI



SIXX6 (Pty) Ltd

Trans-seasonal Design Award presented by Country Road

This award rewards quality design that aspires to be timeless and made to last; through versatility and multi-functionality, the winning brand/designer is invested in the life of their garments and supports slower production cycles.

Finalists!>

Munkus



Sipho Mbuto



Thabo Makhetha

Farm-To-Fashion Award

This category celebrates brands or designers committed to cultivating transparent and traceable supply chains and advocating for regenerative textile practices, making garments from 100% natural fabric, and using no fossil-fuel-based synthetics and as few toxins and chemicals as possible.

Finalists!>

Botanical Nomad



Inke



Yarnh

Nicholas Coutts Artisanal Fashion Award presented by V&A Waterfront

In honour of the late designer Nicolas Coutts, who beautifully used and explored traditional crafts and techniques in his designs, this award recognises a designer who uses artisanal craft techniques to create fashion that foregrounds, celebrates and values the skills of garment workers and local communities.

Finalists!>

UNI FORM by Luke Radloff



Fred Rich



Mors

Social Impact Award

Open to organisations working in the fashion and textile system, this category honours those who have a direct positive impact on people, such as raising awareness about social concerns, creating employment opportunities, and encouraging good and fair working conditions.

Finalists!>

Patch & Stitch



Taking Care of Business



Mo-hey by Chommies



Urbanflock

Retail Award

This award recognises a retailer or retailing initiative that prioritises sustainability by including pre-loved and gently worn clothes, swap shops, garment rental and similar activities, as well as supporting local producers, vertical and regional supply chains, and sustainable design and manufacturing.

Finalists!>

99 Design



Style Rotate



Wisi-Oi Marketplace

Tastemaker Award

Recognising those who decide or influence what is, or will, become fashionable, this award goes to a photographer, stylist, influencer or content creator who has actively promoted slow sustainable fashion and/or slow living over the last 12 months, and who has sparked relevant conversations.

Finalists!>

Felipe Mazibuko



Odwa Zamane



Ulindelwe Ratsibe

The Changemaker Award presented by Foschini

This overall prize, whose winner is selected by the judges from the highest scorers in the various design categories, recognises a designer whose career has embraced sustainable and circular design practices.

The 2023 category winners will be announced at an awards ceremony on 23 November 2023 in Cape Town.
On Friday, 27 October 2023, students from national universities battled it out to be crowned the winners of the second National SDG Challenge in South Africa. This platform by Soapbox South Africa, connects businesses and university students to work on solutions for some of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.

Brandon van Rooyen, Amelia Francis, Robyn Mellett, Lizaan Pelser, Daniel Naude.

During the SDG Challenge SA, multi and interdisciplinary student teams from different South African universities- Stellenbosch University (SU), University of Cape Town (UCT), University of the Western Cape (UWC), University of the Free State (UFS) and the University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) worked to solve sustainability issues of four leading organisations in South Africa. The issues and solutions generated are linked to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. This year's pioneering organisations included Burgan Cape Terminals (BCT), STANLIB, NCS and Ivanhoe Mines.

It all began with a rigorous recruitment and selection of students followed by pairing them with the participating organisations. From there the organisations described their current sustainability focus areas in detail with student site visits. Thereafter the student consultancy teams, for four to six weeks, researched, ideated and pitched their solutions in a Shark Tank style in front of a jury panel of sustainability experts at the Grand Finale. The jury panel consisted of representatives of organisations like WWF, Green Cape & Story Room who decided who crowned UFS and Ivanhoe Mines as the SDG Challenge SA winner of 2023. Besides being upskilled and inspired to pursue a purposeful career the students walked away with a R15,000 cash prize.

Commenting on the experience, Brandon Van Royen of UFS said, Participating in the SDG Challenge really taught us that everyone can make a difference. No matter how big or small, we can stand up as a community to address today's worlds needs. Together with his fellow students Brandon looked at innovative ways of managing waste while uplifting communities for Ivanhoe Mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

In 2015 The United Nations launched the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to the world. The seventeen goals are there to enable businesses and governments to address major development issues relating to people and the planet. Tackling challenges like poverty, gender inequality and better management of the vital water and land resources we all depend upon.

We couldn't be more proud of the amount of the sheer talent, hard work and thinking that was put behind all the solutions presented by the consultant teams. This coupled with the commitments from the companies in this years edition is a true reflection of the ideals of the Global Goals. I think there is so much more that is possible with this kind of spirit and positivity," said Amelia Francis, head of programme SDG Challenge SA.

The planning for the SDG Challenge SA 2024 is already underway with the search of new organisations and universities to pair up and solve more global challenges, as we race to reach the UNs goals by 2030. Companies and organisations are encouraged to heed the call by participating in this ambitious initiative, so that we may future-proof students, communities and companies for sustainable development.

Sanlam Investments Lindiwe Mtshali, showcased, in a keynote, how the solution developed by last years Stellenbosch students, focusing on SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), has been fully integrated into their strategy and daily operations. I wanted to encourage students today that their fresh minds on solutions matter and can be implemented.

The SDG Challenge mobilises students and organisations since 2018 in The Netherlands, Portugal, Miami and South Africa to work together on the implementation of the SDGs in the corporate sphere. It is a win-win situation, where students are introduced to working as a student sustainability consultant and companies work towards a future-proof business model. Organisations can partner in the National Challenge or participate in an exclusive Company Challenge. Challenge Today, Improve Tomorrow.
Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023) attendees have witnessed the signing of financing and other agreements exceeding $1bn between the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank) and various leading business entities from across the continent.

The Bank signed a $150m trade-finance facility agreement with United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc.

This agreement, under the Ukraine Crisis Adjustment Trade Financing Programme for Africa, will support UBA clients in financing trade-related transactions to mitigate the adverse effects of the Russia-Ukraine crisis on the Nigerian economy.

Signed by Denys Denya; executive vice president; finance, administration and banking services, Afreximbank; and Oliver Alawuba; managing director of UBA Plc, the facility is expected to enhance confidence in the settlement of international trade transactions for strategic imports.

Another facility agreement, for $10m, was signed with FDH Bank Malawi to support trade finance in Malawi.

Gwen Mwaba; director, trade finance, signed for Afreximbank while George Chitera; deputy managing director, signed for FDH Bank Malawi.

$55m agreement with Bancobu

Under a facility agreement with Banque Commerciale du Burundi (Bancobu), Afreximbank will provide $55m trade-facilitation limits to Bancobu to support importation of essential commodities, such as petroleum products, which are important for Burundis trade and manufacturing sector.

Rene Awambeng; global head, client relations, signed for Afreximbank while Sylvere Bankimbaga; deputy managing director, signed on behalf of Bancobu during a ceremony witnessed by Audace Niyonzima, minister of finance, budget and economic planning, of Burundi.

Banque de Credit de Bujumbura  $40m

Afreximbank also signed an agreement under which it will provide a $40m Aftraf facility to Banque de Credit de Bujumbura (BCB) to support trade finance in Burundi. Signers were Rene Awambeng, global head, client relations, for Afreximbank and Roger Guy Ghislain Ntwungeye; managing director for BCB.

A term sheet for a $141m intra-African investment finance facility was signed with Exodus and Company.

Denys Denya; executive vice president, finance, administration and banking services, signed for Afreximbank while Progress Mambo; chief executive officer, signed for Exodus and Company.

Another term sheet for an 140m intra-African trade investment facility was signed with Ora SPV/Vista group for funds to be deployed in Burkina Faso.

Kanayo Awani; executive vice president, Intra-African Trade Bank, signed for Afreximbank while Simon Tiemtore; chairman of Lilium Capital, signed for Ora SPV/Vista group.

ADI SPV/Vista Bank  113m

The Bank also signed a term sheet with ADI SPV/Vista Bank for a 113m facility to be deployed in Burkina Faso. The term sheet was signed by Kanayo Awani; executive vice president, Intra-African Trade Bank, for Afreximbank, and Simon Tiemtore; chairman of Lilium Capital, for ADI SPV/Vista Bank.

Another term sheet signed during the day was with Lilium Gold for a $75m senior debt facility for a strategic investment that will significantly enhance Burkina Faso's mining infrastructure through the acquisition of the Boungou and Wahgnion gold mines.

Helen Brume; director, project and asset-based finance, signed for Afreximbank while Simon Tiemtore; chairman of Lilium Capital, signed for Lilium Gold.

Sapro Mayoko  $96m

The Bank also signed a term sheet with Sapro Mayoko for a $96m iron-ore mine-development facility in Congo. The document was signed by Kanayo Awani; executive vice president, Intra-African Trade Bank, for Afreximbank and Paul Obambi; chief executive officer, for Sapro Mayoko.

An additional document inked during the day was a memorandum of understanding with the International Centre for Regional Integration and Trade Research (ICRITR) signed by Kanayo Awani; executive vice president, Intra-African Trade Bank, for Afreximbank and Charles Okechukwu Esimone; vice chancellor, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Nigeria, for ICRITR.

Anambra State  $200m

Earlier on the second day of the trade fair, Afreximbank signed a mandate letter to provide capital-raise financial advisory services to the Anambra

State Government of Nigeria for an estimated $200m facility to support the development of three major projects in the state, covering the Ikenga mixed-use industrial city project, the Anambra Export Emporium and the Akwaihedi Unubi Uga automotive industrial park.

#Afreximbank and Griner Engenharia signed a USD 30 million Corporate Loan Facility, at the #IATF2023. The deal aims to create over 1,500 jobs and contribute over USD 100 million to intra-African trade, enhancing Griner's commitment to trade-supporting infrastructure in Africa.  pic.twitter.com/JRvc0eaJN5  Intra-African Trade Fair (@iatf2023) November 15, 2023

The Bank also signed an agreement to provide the state government with financial advisory services for the development of an operational and governance framework for the Anambra Diaspora Fund, including capital-raise financial-advisory services for the Anambra Intra-City Rail Master Plan project and the Anambra Diaspora Fund.

Kanayo Awani; executive vice president, Intra-African Trade Bank, signed for Afreximbank while Mark Okoye; chief executive officer, Anambra State Investment Promotion and Protection Agency, signed for the state government.

Central Africa Building Society - $40m

Afreximbank also signed an agreement with Central Africa Building Society (Cabs), Zimbabwe's largest building society, to provide a $40m line of credit to help build capacity among hundreds of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).

Signed by Denys Denya; executive vice president, finance, administration and banking services, Afreximbank, and Mehluli Mpofu; managing director of Cabs, the agreement is for three years and is aimed at fostering the growth of the SME sector by supporting productive sectors, such as agriculture, manufacturing and mining.

Furthermore, the Bank signed a heads of terms agreement with Arise IIP for the implementation of African Quality Assurance Centres (AQAC) projects in Benin and Gabon.

Under the heads of terms, Afreximbank will develop AQACs to offer conformity assessment services such as testing, inspection and certification services in Benin, Gabon and, possibly, other African countries in collaboration with Arise IIP within industrial parks developed by Arise to support park tenants and other industries outside to enable them to meet local and export market requirements.

The AQAC initiative was created by Afreximbank to support African countries to improve their capacity in complying with international standards and technical regulations so as to promote exports and facilitate intra- and extra-African trade while ensuring the safety of products for consumption in Africa.

Gagan Gupta; founder and chief executive officer of Arise IIP, signed for the company while Oluranti Doherty; director of export development, signed for Afreximbank.

Co-operation agreements

The Bank also announced the conclusion of co-operation agreements with the Comoros National Investment Promotion Agency (ANPI  Invest in Comoros), the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (Kepsa) and the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (Kam), aimed at accelerating intra-African trade and investment.

The agreements, signed, seek to deepen collaboration with the institutions through sharing of ideas, exchange of business-oriented information to facilitate trade and investment, business matchmaking, grants, training, technical assistance and capacity building, interinstitutional co-operation and other agreed activities.

They are intended to increase the impact of Afreximbanks Tradar Club, a member-driven network set up to empower international businesses and executives to transform trade and investments in Africa through trusted trade intelligence and advisory services.

IATF2023, Africas largest trade and investment fair, opened on Thursday, 9 November and ends on Wednesday, 15 November 2023.
The Democratic Alliance (DA) is scheduled to undertake a parliamentary oversight visit to the location where a Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) student was attacked and stabbed over the weekend.

A female student was stabbed multiple times on Saturday, 11 November at South Point, a private student residence in Belhar. The incident was caught on camera and shows the perpetrator stabbing the woman while she is bloodied on the floor.

The footage has been making the rounds on social media.

The assailant is identified as a male student from the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The 30-year old is believed to be the victim's husband, and has been arrested. He is currently being held under police guard in a hospital.

Chantel King, a Member of Parliament (MP) from the Democratic Alliance (DA), stated that CPUT denied the party's request for an oversight visit on Monday, 13 November.

She said the university's refusal to allow the DA to conduct its oversight visit was disconcerting. Despite this, the DA said it would visit the private residence on Wednesday, 15 November.

King said it is imperative that CPUT prioritises transparency in addressing the safety concerns related to the incident. King says as elected representatives, it is their responsibility to conduct a thorough oversight.

CPUT spokesperson, Lauren Kansley says the institution has been inundated with requests from politically aligned individuals to accommodate site visits at short notice.

Kamsley says the university is focused on supporting the victim and her family. She added that thinly veiled attempts at politicking at the young woman's expense would not be entertained.

She says ad hoc requests of this nature places a burden on CPUT's management who are focused on the victim and the 40,000 CPUT students completing their academic year.

Championing anti-GBV measures

Meanwhile, The Portfolio Committee on Higher Education, Science and Innovation has welcomed the arrest of the University of the Western Cape student who stabbed the female student .

The committee calls for a multipronged approach to addressing gender-based violence (GBV) in society and at institutions of higher learning. It expresses deep concern about the persistent prevalence of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in society, reaching unacceptable levels, with institutions of higher learning being no exception.

The committee further urges the complete implementation of the National Strategic Plan on GBV, aiming to establish a comprehensive, multi-sectoral strategic policy and programming framework to enhance a co-ordinated response to the GBV crisis.

In a statement, it said it appreciates the efforts of the Department of Higher Education and Training in implementing programmes like the Higher Health Civic Education and Health Skills Programme, along with the inclusion of the Transforming MENtalities programmes into the curriculum.

Transforming MENtalities initiative

The Transforming MENtalities initiative is a programme specifically designed for men in the higher-education sector, encouraging them to actively champion a world free of gender-based violence and stand against all forms of discrimination. The committee applauds the incorporation of these programmes into the post school education and training sector, recognising their valuable contribution to shaping the social mindset of students.

in addition, the DA in a statement said this tragic event is a stark reminder of the urgent need for heightened security measures on campuses and student residences across South Africa.

Gender-based violence remains a scourge in our society, and our educational spaces should be sanctuaries, free from violence and harm, it said.

"We advocate for increased security measures, counselling services, and educational programmes that address the root causes of GBV. We call on the Minister of Higher Education, Blade Nzimande to roll out the Mentalities programme in collaboration with the Department of Health," it said.

The DA called on authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into this incident and to take decisive action against the perpetrator.

Kansley says CPUT has offered counselling services to students who may have been traumatised by the incident.

The CPUT student who was stabbed is recovering in hospital.
Ethiopian Airlines on Tuesday placed an order for Boeing 737-8 MAX narrow-body jets, nearly five years after the fatal 2019 MAX aircraft crash that led to the grounding of the global fleet...

An Ethiopias Airlines Boeing 737 Max 8 plane to take off on a demonstration trip to resume flights from the Bole International Airport in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia February 1, 2022. REUTERS/Tiksa Negeri/File Photo

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In March 2019, an Ethiopian Airlines 737 Max plane crashed shortly after take-off from Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, killing all 157 passengers and crew on board. The accident followed a Lion Air 737 Max crash in Indonesia's Java Sea five months earlier which killed all 189 people on board.

The accidents exposed a problem with a system on the plane, and the model was grounded worldwide, costing the U.S. planemaker some $20 billion and prompting court cases that exposed shortcomings in the certification process.

"We believe we have checked and confirmed that the design defect of that aircraft has been fully corrected by Boeing," Ethiopian Airlines CEO Mesfin Tasew told reporters, announcing an order for 20 737 jets and 11 787-9 Dreamliners.

"We have renewed our confidence in that aircraft."

Ethiopian Airlines announced the order on the second day of the week-long Dubai Airshow, where order announcements have been dominated by US planemaker Boeing.

Tasew said Ethiopian Airlines expects to exercise options to purchase another 21 of the narrow-body planes. It also has purchasing options for a further 15 787-9 Dreamliner jets.

The airline will announce an order for wide-body jets, either the Boeing 777X or Airbus A350, in the coming months, he said, declining to say how many wide-body jets it would order.

Tasew added that Ethiopian Airlines had been interested in buying the Airbus A220 jet to replace turboprop aircraft but that it would not consider the jet until engine issues were "corrected".

"Until we see the engine problem solved, we are not encouraged to place an order," he said.

Airbus and Pratt & Whitney, which makes the engine on the A220, did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment.

A220 operators have had to grapple with some durability issues, compounded by a shortage of spare engines and maintenance bottlenecks that have collectively reduced the supply of working engines and left some planes grounded.
In a crowded media space, advertisers have to do the hard yards to grab hold of viewers' attention.

One need only see your children or younger work colleagues' flick through their mobile device loaded with apps, to know we are in an attention deficit market. Marketers must continuously think outside of the box to generate impactful campaigns.

Advertiser-funded programming (AFP) is a unique way that is starting to gain more traction. TV-led, this branch of marketing presents a solution to the intersection of creative advertising and engaging content. What it does is simple: it sets out to transform the viewer experience, with brands embedded into the narrative of popular programming.

It's not just about product placement or brand mentions. It's about creating a storyline where the brand's identity acts as a secret protagonist. This is a significant, underutilised tool for advertisers to craft content and execute ideas that resonate in new and interesting ways.

What is Advertiser-Funded Programming?

Advertiser Funded Programming (AFP) is a marketing strategy where brands fund content production partially or wholly, typically as an alternative to traditional promotion.

This form of marketing gained traction worldwide when video on demand (VOC) and personal video recorders (PVRs) were introduced, allowing viewers to skip through scheduled advertisements and leaving platforms with a conundrum to give brands the same or better ROI.

There are numerous models to play with. The "domestic" model - for instance, involves a brand contributing a proportion of the production costs, usually anywhere from 30 to 100%.

A key nuance to grasp here: sponsoring a program and branded content is one approach, but AFT funds content partially or wholly with a view towards the long term. The brand effectively becomes the backbone of the content, with room to collaborate with producers to engage its target audience.

Direct Impact

Where traditional television advertising has the possibility of falling into the dreaded "spray and pray" category at times, AFP offers a paradigm shift in the opportunity it creates for brands to connect directly with audiences.

Done well, the marketing avenue presents a storytelling revolution, bringing brands into the homes and hearts of viewers like never before. Brands ingrain themselves within the narratives of popular shows, leading to innovation possibilities within their digital strategies, too.

AFP allows products to inhabit a natural context within the show's environment. A seamless integration is easy to spot: it enhances the viewer experience and removes the often disruptive nature of more conventional advertising (especially prevalent on social media platforms).

Top-level benefits of AFP

There are numerous top-level benefits of Advertiser Funded Programming (AFP), each of which is integral for brands to keep in mind when exploring this branch of marketing.

Trust by association

By integrating into a program's editorial fabric, brands can align themselves with the show's values and inherit its established audience trust and loyalty. Specific characters that people love "endorsing" a brand's message - even in unscripted formats like judges, hosts or celebrity guest appearances - are a great way to uncover additional value without a direct thrust aimed at the viewer.

In some ways, this approach emulates the precise nature of how pay-per-click campaigns target their viewers. The core difference is that the brand taps into a particular audience segment more naturally, grabbing the full attention of a viewer engaged in a program they have chosen to watch, rather than trying to catch someone in while in the YouTube rabbit hole.

A direct investment into quality content

Advertisers contribute directly to the production budget when they sign an AFP deal. The investment, in turn, boosts the chances of higher-quality programming.

The cash injection should not, however, make editorial influence the brand's top priority. Instead, marketers must figure out how to embed themselves alongside the creative team in telling a story to engage audiences nationwide, ultimately with enhanced visibility and impact.

Content ownership possibilities

Depending on the agreement, advertisers can request a stake in content ownership. A more significant stake in its success can be lucrative but may result in a level of control that shifts the dynamic between production and the brand.

The golden rule: Always draw clear distinctions between ownership and creative control, regardless of the splits. Legal agreements are essential so everyone stays on the same page.

Rights and distribution deals

It's also worth mentioning that negotiating AFP deals creates a possibility of addressing rights to licence and distributing the content, creating new post-airing profit-sharing opportunities.

The same golden rule from earlier applies, to keep the relationship between the show and its funder happy in the long-term.

Additional promotional opportunities

Additional marketing avenues created from AFP deals extend to in-store experiences and promotions, strengthening consumer connection.

Product placement is typically worked into the agreement too, but brands must be careful not to fall into the hard-sell domain. They're paying for a soft landing, after all.

A (thriving) South African example

MediaHeads 360 recently partnered with Trace Studios to produce the 9th season of 'The Ultimate Braai Master,' a popular local cooking show boasting 8 million viewers as of 2022. A distribution deal with Netflix has meant an explosion of viewers - making it even more of a household name - with no signs of slowing down.

The program offers exciting AFP-led campaign possibilities, creating a dynamic stage for brands to display their unique identity, connect genuinely with viewers, and enhance brand awareness.

The agency is also pursuing additional opportunities for its clients to tap into AFP opportunities with local television properties. Additional agreements are in place for extended exposure across the E-Media network and on social media, sweetening the pot for brands looking to amplify what they're doing outside of more traditional avenues.

Elevated television advertising has landed

Advertiser-Funded Programming transcends the conventional, inviting brands to be part of and drive the story.

It offers a dynamic, multi-dimensional platform to captivate and retain consumer attention in a way traditional advertising continues to struggle to do in a fast-changing world.

The future of television advertising is here.

AFP has yet to mature fully in South Africa, so there is innovation potential aplenty. Hop on board now, or you may end up watching regretfully from the sidelines.
Hazen Audel travels to South Africa for integrated launch campaign for Primal Survivor: Extreme African Safari

Zuraida Jardine at Primal Survivor launch

In celebration of Africa and the Great Rift Valley being the setting for the latest season of National Geographics Primal Survivor, titled Extreme African Safari, Disney Africa hosted its first National Geographic talent press tour with the shows host, Hazen Audel, in South Africa last week. The week-long press campaign kicked off with a special event premiere screening and survival-themed brand immersion in the Cradle of Humankind, followed by a jam-packed press junket and tour, activities with pay-TV broadcaster DStv, capped off with a filmed content day for owned digital and linear channels.

Hazen Audel in South Africa

On Wednesday, 8 November, 90 press, influencers and ad sales partners travelled to the Cradle of Humankind World Heritage Site. In the heart of the bushveld and the warmth of the South African summer, guests were welcomed to an eventful launch. On arrival, they were immediately immersed into the programming as they had to identify animal droppings and tracks, before heading into the venue.

Hazen at Primal Survivor ESA launch

The MC, popular radio and TV host Zuraida Jardine, welcomed the budding explorers before they watched the exciting first episode of Primal Survivor: Extreme African Safari. Thereafter a question-and-answer session with Hazen provided behind-the-scenes information and storytelling nuggets, after which guests were sent out into the fresh air for their own Primal Survivor experience. Four stations greeted the party where they had to learn survival skills and test their mettle with seasoned local survivalists at themed stations: fire-starting, water purification, navigation-by-the-sun and knot-tying.

Margo Fargo and Tansey Coetzee learning to tie knots.

Participating influencers included Matthew Stone, Martin Meyer, Thobeka Mthembu, Tansey Coetzee, Adre Muller, Nicole Bessick, Jo Judnick-Wilson, Leroy Marc, Rozanne McKenzie, Margo Fargo, Catherine Constantinides, Nina Lambrakis, Taryn Louch and Angela Yeung. Hazen participated in various interviews with travelling media before the excited guests departed for home (with new-found survival skills!).

See the event video here:

The following day, Hazen was the special live interview guest on Breakfast with Martin Bester on regional radio station Jacaranda FM, which brought out the light side of filming in the wild (and avoiding lions!). Thereafter, he did a second breakfast interview on coastal regional station East Coast Radio. This feature focused on the fun Hazen had had while shooting a full season for the first time in Africa and what viewers can look forward to.

Guests purifying water.

He then journeyed to the head office of affiliate broadcast partner DStv, for a jam-packed pan-African press junket. Hazen was interviewed by 15 titles from across Africa, including a series of journalists from Botswana, Namibia, Ghana, Nigeria and Mozambique, delivering extra reach to viewers across the continent.

Thereafter Hazen took part in a special Q&A with National Geographic Society regional lead for Africa, Shivan Parusnath, in front of an audience of DStv staff, Nat Geo Explorers, NEWF fellows, filmmakers and guests. A live interview on national youth radio station 5FM with plenty of fun moments, rounded up a very busy, but fruitful, day.

Guests learning to tie knots.

On the last day, Hazen spent the morning at the Lesedi Cultural Village on Friday morning, filming a profile piece for a local television magazine show. The week finished with a shoot of content pieces and inserts for Nat Geo Africas owned channels, that will be used in the promotion of the series premiere and run from 22 November across Africa. An additional fun content piece was shot with Nat Geo Explorer paleoanthropologist Keneiloe Molopyane.

When asked what he had enjoyed about his time in South Africa, Hazen was most enthusiastic about the people, astounded by the friendly nature and concern for each other, which he had subsequently learnt was driven by Ubuntu. Somehow, the western world embraces the lone wolf mindset, but I think were missing the picture because none of us can go it alone. I am inspired by the collective mindset and care people show for each other here, he shared.

Fun with navigation.

Primal Survivor: Extreme African Safari will premiere on National Geographic across Africa (DStv 181) from Wednesday, 22 November 2023, at 21h00 (CAT).

Watch the trailer here:

Four previous seasons of Primal Survivor with Hazen Audel are currently streaming on Disney+.




Private investment firm Menar, MTN, and Huawei have joined forces to bring 5G technology to the Gugulethu mine. This strategic memorandum of understanding (MOU) paves the way for a technological revolution in South Africa's mining sector, just as Gugulethu, a newly established mine in Mpumalanga, gears up to commence production in early 2024. The mine is operated under the stewardship of Canyon Coal, a subsidiary of Menar, marking a significant stride in the industry's digital transformation.

MOU signing, Menars CIO Cleavon Moothoosamy, MTNs Tumi Chamayou and Huawei South Africas Jason Shao pen a 5G smart mine agreement for Gugulethu mine. Source: Supplied

Menars chief innovation officer Cleavon Moothoosamy said the MOU symbolises companys drive to embrace technology across its operations. We want to be at the forefront of mining innovation, and this partnership is a bold step towards a future where technology and connectivity redefine the mining landscape, said Moothoosamy.

The companies involved now look forward to further discussions after the signing of the MOU, which entails the possibility of rolling out a three-phased project to install 5G connectivity on the mine campus and shafts amongst other elements.

With MTN's leadership in telecommunications, the operations aims to enhance communication onsite, ensuring peoples safety and well-being, and operational efficiency.

Huawei's technological infrastructure serves as the backbone of this venture and could enable us to leverage cutting-edge solutions to drive productivity and sustainable practices within our operations, Moothoosamy added.

Excited to play a lead role

Tumi Chamayou, chief business enterprise officer at MTN commented, 5G technology is increasingly being adopted in South Africa. At MTN, we are excited to be playing a leading role in this space by using our world-class network and systems to promote the growth and sustainability of our enterprise customers.

Chamayou added, our bold investment toward network puts MTN in a greater position to offer state of the art, faster and seamless connectivity to its customers. The partnership will see all parties involved reaping the benefits of our best network.

Speaking at the MOU signing, Huawei MTN KAD account director Jason Shao, said 5G had proved successful in improving operational efficiency and mine safety.

Real-time analytics

Importantly, 5G supports artificial intelligence based real-time analytics, thus enabling data driven decision making which is critical in the mining environment, he said

Through the MOU, Gugulethu has become the second mine under the Menar stable to form a partnership with MTN and Huawei. In December 2022 Canyon Coals Phalanndwa Colliery also based in Mpumalanga, signed an agreement that saw the mine adopting 5G technology.

The team at Phalanndwa registered improvements when it comes to enhanced communication, safety, and real time monitoring. Moothoosamy said Menar was looking forward to seeing Gugulethu achieve the same milestone upon the conclusion of a formal commercial agreement with MTN and Huawei.
Ghana plans to introduce a more flexible oil royalties regime as soon as next year to spur investment and reduce risk for energy companies, the head of the state oil sector regulator said on Thursday.

Egbert Faibille Jr delivered a public lecture on Ghana's energy sector at the University of Ghana 75-year anniversary in January. Source: x.com

Egbert Faibille Jr, CEO of Ghana's Petroleum Commission, said that the energy minister had agreed to the new royalties regime, clearing the way for it to be submitted to the cabinet for adoption next year.

"A carefully calibrated, flexible and progressive scheme would replace the current "non-flexible and regressive" fiscal regime that stifles investments and crude oil production in the West African nation," Faibille said, adding that a two-tier royalty rate scheme will be proposed.

He added that the new scheme will consider risk factors such as water depth, production volume and crude oil price.

Ghana's current royalty regime is a fixed 4%-12.5% of gross oil production, and 3%-10% of the volume of gas exported.

"A sliding scale royalty scheme is progressive and incentivises field development of all sizes, water depth and in volatile price environments without having to re-negotiate fiscal terms," Faibille said.

Shorten exploration

Ghana, the world's second biggest cocoa producer, became an oil producer in 2010. Output is currently at around 160,000-170,000 barrels-per-day of crude oil and about 9.2bn litres per day of natural gas.

Oil companies operating in Ghana include Eni, Tullow and Kosmos

Faibille said that the commission also plans to invest in seismic data acquisition to help derisk Ghana's offshore and shorten exploration and production time for firms.

He said estimates show that Ghana will need about $200m for seismic data on every 31,000km2 and it will take six months to gather relevant data on the countrys territorial waters.
Teraco announced its follow through on the planned expansion of its CT2 hyperscale data centre in Brackenfell, Cape Town. The facility's critical IT load is set to increase by 30MW, reaching a total of 50MW by early 2025. This expansion is in response to the growing demand for data centre capacity from enterprise customers and hyperscale cloud providers.

Teraco CT2 render. Source: Supplied

The new facility will incorporate the latest in sustainable cooling and water management designs. Teracos CEO, Jan Hnizdo, emphasised the strategic importance of the CT2 facility, highlighting its scalability, reliability, security, and extensive network service provider options.

Teraco is committed to growing its capacity footprint across its core hubs. We ensure our clients have the flexibility to scale and take advantage of the digital transformation across sub-Saharan Africa. We continue to invest significantly in the regions ICT infrastructure and have built out Africas largest data centre platform. We take pride in enabling open access interconnection and providing world-class data centre infrastructure for our clients, he said.

CT2 Phase 2 construction has commenced with the new capacity scheduled to be available in the first quarter of 2025. CT2 Phase 2 will comprise four data halls of 5.3MW, two data halls of 3.1MW, and a further two data halls of 2.2MW. Set to be built over three levels upon completion, the entire CT2 facility will support a total IT load of 50MW.

Rich ecosystem

As part of Teracos broader Cape Town Campus, CT2 is connected to CT1 with diverse fibre routes and provides enterprises with direct access to Platform Teraco; a rich ecosystem of over 250 network providers, global cloud on-ramps, subsea cable systems, access to over 50 managed service providers, and direct peering at NAPAfrica. Clients deployed in either of these facilities can connect directly to AWS Direct Connect and Microsoft Azure ExpressRoute or via Teracos Africa Cloud Exchange.

As one of Africas most digitally connected cities, Cape Town is a logical destination for Teracos continued investment into data centre infrastructure on the continent.

The city benefits from its enviable location at the southern tip of Africa and is the confluence point for major subsea cable systems such as Equiano, ACE, WACS and SAT-3/SAFE. The abundance of subsea cables landing in Cape Town continues to gain momentum, with the 2AFRICA cable system landing expected soon.

Sustainability first

CT2 has been designed to put sustainability first and minimise its environmental footprint. Incorporating state-of-the-art cooling designs with a closed-loop chilled water system that offers 100% free air cooling. This design introduces industry leading PUEs, minimising energy consumption and reducing to zero water used in the ongoing cooling process.

CT2 is the latest expansion to Teracos growing data centre platform. It increases the critical power load capacity at Teraco facilities to 185MW, which includes the Isando Campus JB1/JB3/JB5 (70MW), Bredell Campus JB2/JB4 (64MW), Cape Town Campus CT1/CT2 (50MW), and Durban (1MW).

Organisations working to accelerate their digital transformation use Teraco to scale their IT infrastructure dynamically, adopt hybrid multi-cloud architectures, and interconnect with strategic business partners within the Platform Teraco ecosystem of global and local clients.
Efforts to shed light on suffering of 100,000 victims gain traction after decades

By Jung Min-ho

South Korea's Truth and Reconciliation Commission has recently launched an investigation into North Koreas resettlement program, under which nearly 100,000 people were tricked into moving there between 1959 and 1984.

According to an official from the commission and human rights activists on Thursday, the independent investigative state body is looking into North Koreas rights abuses against more than 93,000 people, mainly ethnic Koreans living in Japan, who went there dreaming of a new life in a socialist utopia based on the lies of the regime.

This is the first investigation initiated by a governmental organization on that case. Activists representing more than 20 victims, who later escaped North Korea, and their families, said they submitted an official request for investigation in December 2022.

Years of our efforts have not been in vain. We are deeply grateful for the decision, Lee So-ra, a director of a Japanese NGO supporting the survivors, told The Korea Times. I hope this investigation will help the South Korean public understand more about the rights violations caused by the resettlement program and, based on the outcome, will lead to proper measures for the victims.

The revelation of the commissions move comes after the Tokyo High Courts verdict against the regime and Chongryon, a pro-North Korean group that played a major role in promoting the program in Japan. The appeals court ruled on Oct. 30 that Japan has jurisdiction over the case and found the North Korean government violated the four plaintiffs rights by enticing them with disinformation and then confining them within its territory.

All this means that the efforts to shed light on the sufferings of the victims are finally gaining traction, after being ignored by both Japanese and South Korean governments for decades, said Lee Ji-yoon, a program manager at the Citizens Alliance for North Korean Human Rights, an NGO in Seoul.

For too long, authorities in both South Korea and Japan shifted the blame onto the victims, who were deceived by the North Korean government, Lee said.

The tragedy began following Koreas independence from Japan and the subsequent 1950-53 Korean War. While their country was divided, ethnic Koreans in Japan lost their Japanese citizenship as a result of the Treaty of San Francisco in 1951.

When North Korea started to promote the resettlement program mainly targeting them  as it sought to fill a labor void after the war  many Koreans in Japan fell for its false promises of a paradise on Earth, where they would not have to pay for anything. But their illusions of communism were shattered by the brutal reality of life in North Korea as soon as they arrived, by which time it was too late to change their minds.

Yet there is little government information available about the victims' personal details, the rights violations they suffered in North Korea and what the South Korean government did to stop the resettlement program. Rights groups said they rely mostly on public information from the Red Cross, one of the parties involved in the program.

Citing witnesses accounts, Lee said rights violations started the moment the ships departed from the port of Niigata in Japan.

There was a case in which a teenage boy who said he wanted to return home to Japan was later separated from his parents over his mental problem, she said. Yet we still dont have detailed data about what happened to them in North Korea.

She said her group asked the commission to look deeper into each abuse case and publish a comprehensive report. For now, records from state departments and agencies are scattered and many of them remain confidential, she added.

All this will require close collaboration with the government and activists in Japan as well as the Red Cross. I hope this fact-finding mission will become a starting point of the two countries cooperation for the common goal of improving human rights in North Korea, she said.
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===Leave policy

* etc etc

===Study leave

===Pregnancy

Section 30 of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act requires the employer to display a summary of the employees rights in the workplace. This summary serves this purpose and the following nine pages can be placed in a prominent area to familiarise all employees with the Act.

BASIC CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT ACT, 1997  SUMMARY OF THE PROVISIONS

SUMMARY TO BE KEPT BY AN EMPLOYER IN TERMS OF SECTION 30

The following is a summary of the provisions of the most important sections of the Basic Conditions of Employment Act, 1997

1. APPLICATION OF THE ACT : Section 3

1.1. The Act applies to all employees and employers except members of the National Defence Force, National Intelligence Agency, South African Secret Service and unpaid volunteers working for an organisation with a charitable purpose.

1.2. The Act takes precedence over any agreement.

2. REGULATION OF WORKING TIME : Chapter Two

2.1. APPLICATION

This chapter does not apply to senior managerial employees, employees engaged as sales staff who travel and those employees who work less than 24 hours a month. Certain exclusions apply to employers employing fewer than ten (10) employees.

2.2. ORDINARY HOURS OF WORK : Section 9

No employer shall require or permit an employee to work more than-

2.2.1. 45 hours in any week;

2.2.2. nine hours in any day if an employee works for five days or less in a week; or

2.2.3. eight hours in any day if an employee works on more than five days in a week.

2.3. OVERTIME : Section 10

2.3.1. An employer may not require or permit an employee-

2.3.1.1. to work overtime except by an agreement;

2.3.1.2. to work more than-

2.3.1.2.1. ten hours overtime a week;

2.3.1.2.2. such agreement above shall not permit the employee to work longer than 12 hours in any day (inclusive of overtime);

2.3.2. Overtime must be paid at 1.5 times the employees normal wage or an employee may agree to receive paid time off. A small employer (less than 10 employees) shall pay overtime at time and a third.

2.4. COMPRESSED WORKING WEEK : Section 11

2.4.1. An employee may agree in writing to work up to 12 hours in a day without receiving overtime pay.

2.4.2. This agreement may not require or permit an employee to work-

2.4.2.1. more than 45 ordinary hours in any week;

2.4.2.2. more than ten hours' overtime in any week; or

2.4.2.3. more than five days in any week.

2.5. AVERAGING OF HOURS OF WORK : Section 12

2.5.1. A collective agreement may permit the hours of work to be averaged over a period of up to four months. A small employer (less than 10 employees) can average hours by way of individual agreement in writing.

2.5.2. An employee who is bound by a collective agreement may not work more than-

2.5.2.1. an average of 45 ordinary hours in a week over the agreed period;

2.5.2.2. an average of five hours overtime in a week over the agreed period.

2.6. MEAL INTERVALS : Section 14

2.6.1. An employee must have a meal interval of 60 minutes after five hours work.

2.6.2. A written agreement may-

2.6.2.1. reduce the meal interval to 30 minutes;

2.6.2.2. dispense with the meal interval if worked fewer than six hours on a day.

2.7. DAILY AND WEEKLY REST PERIOD : Section 15

An employee must have a daily rest period of 12 consecutive hours and a weekly rest period of 36 consecutive hours, which, unless otherwise agreed, must include Sunday.

2.8. PAY FOR WORK ON SUNDAYS : Section 16

2.8.1. An employee who occasionally works on a Sunday must receive double pay.

2.8.2. An employee who ordinarily works on a Sunday must be paid at 1.5 times the normal wage.

2.8.3. Paid time off in return for working on a Sunday may be agreed upon.

2.9. NIGHT WORK : Section 17

2.9.1. Employees who work at night between 18:00 and 06:00 must be compensated by payment of an allowance or by a reduction of working hours and transport must be available.

2.9.2. Employees who work regularly after 23:00 and before 06:00 the next day must be informed

2.9.2.1. of any health and safety hazards; and

2.9.2.2. the right to undergo a medical examination.

2.10. PUBLIC HOLIDAYS : Section 18

2.10.1. Employees must be paid for any public holiday that falls on a working day.

2.10.2. Work on a public holiday is by agreement and paid at double the rate.

2.10.3. A public holiday is exchangeable by agreement.

3. LEAVE : Chapter Three

3.1. APPLICATION

The chapter on leave does not apply to an employee who works less than 24 hours a month for an employer and if an agreement provides for leave in excess of the leave entitlement under this chapter.

3.2. ANNUAL LEAVE : Sections 20 & 21

3.2.1. Employees are entitled to 21 consecutive days' annual leave or by agreement, one day for every 17 days worked or one hour for every 17 hours worked.

3.2.2. Leave must be granted not later than six months after the end of the leave cycle.

3.2.3. An employer must not pay an employee instead of granting leave except on termination of employment.

3.3. SICK LEAVE : Sections 22 - 24

3.3.1. An employee is entitled to six weeks paid sick leave in a period of 36 months.

3.3.2. During the first six months an employee is entitled to one day's paid sick leave for every 26 days worked.

3.3.3. An employer may require a medical certificate before paying an employee who is absent for more than two consecutive days or who is frequently absent.

3.4. MATERNITY LEAVE : Sections 25 & 26

3.4.1. A pregnant employee is entitled to four consecutive months' maternity leave.

3.4.2. A pregnant employee or employee nursing her child is not allowed to perform work that is hazardous to her or her child.

Family responsibility leave: Section 27

Full time employees are entitled to three days paid family responsibility leave per year, on request, when the employee's child is born or sick, or in the event of the death of the employee's spouse or life partner, or the employee's parent, adoptive parent, grandparent, child, adopted child, grandchild or sibling. This section does not apply to an employer employing fewer than 10 employees.

3.4.3. An employer may require reasonable proof.

4. PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT AND REMUNERATION : Chapter Four

4.1. APPLICATION

This chapter does not apply to an employee who works less than 24 hours a month for an employer.

4.2. WRITTEN PARTICULARS OF EMPLOYMENT : Section 29

4.2.1. An employer must supply an employee when the employee commences employment, with the following particulars in writing:

4.2.1.1. full name and address of the employer;

4.2.1.2. name and occupation of the employee, or a brief description of the work to be undertaken;

4.2.1.3. various places of work;

4.2.1.4. date of employment;

4.2.1.5. ordinary hours of work and days of work;

4.2.1.6. wage or the rate and method of calculating;

4.2.1.7. rate for overtime work;

4.2.1.8. any other cash payments;

4.2.1.9. any payment in kind and the value thereof;

4.2.1.10. frequency of remuneration;

4.2.1.11. any deductions;

4.2.1.12. leave entitlement;

4.2.1.13. period of notice or period of contract;

4.2.1.14. description of any council or sectoral determination which covers the employer's business;

4.2.1.15. period of employment with a previous employer that counts towards the period of employment.

4.2.1.16. list of any other documents that form part of the contract, indicating a place where a copy of each may be obtained.

4.2.2. Particulars must be revised if the terms of employment change.

4.3. INFORMING EMPLOYEES OF THEIR RIGHTS : Section 30

A statement of employees' rights must be displayed at the workplace in official languages used at the workplace.

4.4. KEEPING OF RECORDS : Section 31

Every employer must keep a record containing the following information:

4.4.1. employee's name and occupation;

4.4.2. time worked;

4.4.3. remuneration paid;

4.4.4. date of birth if under 18 years of age; and

4.4.5. any other prescribed information.

4.5. INFORMATION ABOUT REMUNERATION : Section 33

The following information must be given in writing when the employee is paid:

4.5.1. employer's name and address;

4.5.2. employee's name and occupation:

4.5.3. period of payment;

4.5.4. remuneration in money;

4.5.5. any deduction made from the remuneration;

4.5.6. the actual amount paid; and

4.5.7. if relevant to the calculation of that employee's remuneration

4.5.8. employees rate of remuneration and overtime rate;

4.5.9. number of ordinary and overtime hours worked during the period of payment;

4.5.10. number of hours worked on a Sunday or public holiday during that period; and

4.5.11. if an agreement to average working time has been concluded, the total number of ordinary and overtime hours worked in the period of averaging.

4.6. DEDUCTIONS AND OTHER ACTS CONCERNING REMUNERATION : Section 34

No unlawful deductions may be made unless agreed to in writing.

4.7. CALCULATION OF REMUNERATION AND WAGES : Section 35

4.7.1. Wages are calculated by the number of hours ordinarily worked.

4.7.2. Monthly remuneration or wage is four and one-third times the weekly wage.

4.7.3. If calculated on a basis other than time, or if the employee's remuneration or wage fluctuates significantly from period to period, any payment must be calculated by reference to remuneration or wage during-

4.7.3.1. the preceding 13 weeks; or

4.7.3.2. if employed for a shorter period, that period.

5. TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT : Chapter Five

5.1. APPLICATION

This chapter does not apply to an employee who works less than 24 hours in a month for an employer.

5.2. NOTICE OF TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT : Section 37

5.2.1. A contract of employment may be terminated only on notice of not less than-

5.2.1.1. one week, if employed for six months or less;

5.2.1.2. two weeks, if employed for more than four weeks but not more than one year;

5.2.1.3. four weeks, if employed for one year or more, or is a farm worker or a domestic worker who has been employed for more than four weeks.

5.2.2. Notice must be given in writing except when it is given by an illiterate employee.

5.2.3. The notice on termination of employment by an employer in terms of the Act does not prevent the employee challenging the fairness or lawfulness of the dismissal in terms of the Labour Relations Act 1995 or any other law.

5.3. SEVERANCE PAY : Section 41

An employee, dismissed for operational requirements, is entitled to one week's severance pay for every year of service.

5.4. CERTIFICATE OF SERVICE : Section 42

On termination of employment an employee is entitled to a certificate of service.

6. PROHIBITION OF EMPLOYMENT OF CHILDREN AND FORCED LABOUR : Sections 43 - 48

6.1. It is a criminal offence to employ a child under 15 years of age.

6.2. Children under 18 may not be employed to do work inappropriate for their age or that places them at risk.

6.3. Forced labour is a criminal offence.

7. VARIATION OF THE BASIC CONDITIONS OF EMPLOYMENT : Sections 49-50

7.1. A collective agreement concluded by a bargaining council may replace or exclude any basic condition of employment except the following:

7.1.1. the duty to arrange working time with regard to the health and safety and family responsibility of employees (S.7,9 and 13);

7.1.2. reduce the protection afforded to employees who perform night work (S. 17[3] and [4] );

7.1.3. reduce annual leave to less than two weeks (S. 20);

7.1.4. reduce entitlement to maternity leave (S. 25);

7.1.5. reduce entitlement to sick leave to the extent permitted (S. 22-24); and

7.1.6. prohibition of child and forced labour (S. 48).

7.2. Collective agreements and individual agreements may only replace or exclude basic conditions of employment to the extent permitted by the Act or a sectoral determination (S. 49).

7.3. The Minister of Labour may make a determination to vary or exclude a basic condition of employment. This can also be done on application by an employer or employer organisation (S. 50).

7.4. A determination may not be granted unless a trade union representing the employees has consented to the variation or has had the opportunity to make representations to the Minister. A copy of any determination must be displayed by the employer at the work place and must be made available to employee's (S. 50).

8. SECTORAL DETERMINATIONS : Section 51

Sectoral determinations may be made to establish basic conditions for employees in a sector and area.

9. MONITORING, ENFORCEMENT AND LEGAL PROCEEDINGS : Sections 63-81

9.1. Labour inspectors must advise employees and employers of their rights and obligations in terms of employment laws. They conduct inspections, investigate complaints and may question persons and inspect copy and remove records and other relevant documents (S. 64 - 66).

9.2. An inspector may serve a compliance order on an employer who is not complying with a provision of the Act. The employer may object against the order to the Director-General: Labour, who after receiving representations, may confirm, modify or set aside an order. This decision is subject to appeal to the Labour Court (S. 68 - 73).

9.3. Employees may not be discriminated against for exercising their rights in terms of the Act (S.78 - 81).

10. GENERAL

It is an offence to

10.1. obstruct or attempt to influence improperly a person who is performing a function in terms of the Act;

10.2. obtain or attempt to obtain any prescribed document by means of fraud, false pretences, or by presenting or submitting a false or forged document;

10.3. pretend to be a labour inspector or any other person performing a function in terms of the Act;

10.4. refuse or fail to answer fully any lawful question put by a labour inspector or any other person performing a function in terms of the Act;

10.5. refuse or fail to comply with any lawful request of; or lawful order by, a labour inspector or any other person performing a function in terms of the Act;

10.6. hinder or obstruct a labour inspector or any other person performing a function in terms of the Act.(S.92)
Thales et Hassan Allam Construction signent un accord de cooperation

Thales et Hassan Allam Construction signent un accord de cooperation













16 novembre (Reuters) - Thales SA: * THALES ET HASSAN ALLAM CONSTRUCTION SIGNENT UN ACCORD DE COOPERATION POUR DEVELOPPER UNE PLATEFORME NUMERIQUE INTELLIGENTE EN EGYPTE ET DANS LA REGION Pour plus de details, cliquez sur (Bureau de Gdansk)
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Wednesday praised Korean residents in San Francisco for playing a large role in developing the alliance between Korea and the United States.

Yoon met with a group of around 150 Koreans living in the city shortly after arriving here to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

"The history of the development of the Korea-U.S. alliance is equivalent to the history of the development of the Korean community in the United States," he said during the luncheon at a hotel.

"I believe the contributions of all of you here played a large role. The Koreans who arrived in Hawaii 120 years ago went through San Francisco before settling on the U.S. mainland. San Francisco was the starting point of the history of Koreans on the U.S. mainland," he added.

Yoon noted that this is his fourth visit to the U.S. this year and relayed the results of his previous trips, such as the adoption of the Washington Declaration in April that calls for strengthening the U.S. extended deterrence commitment to Korea.

"During the upcoming APEC summit, Korea and the United States will send a message that we will band together with the international community by cooperating on challenges and through innovation and tolerance," he said.

Yoon also noted the many Koreans working in the IT and advanced technology fields in and around Silicon Valley, saying their accomplishments not only enhance the rights and interests of Koreans in the U.S. but also help Korean advanced technology firms enter the U.S. market.

"I ask you to continue to lend your support to developing the science and technology alliance between Korea and the U.S. by conducting exchanges and cooperating with talented people around the world," he said. (Yonhap)
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The top diplomats of South Korea and Japan have agreed to continue consultations to hold a joint meeting with their Chinese counterpart at the earliest possible date, South Korea's foreign ministry said Thursday.

The consensus was reached in a meeting between Korean Foreign Minister Park Jin and his Japanese counterpart, Yoko Kamikawa, on Wednesday (local time) on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, the ministry said.

The three countries are working out details to hold talks among their foreign ministers in South Korea's port city of Busan later this month, according to the ministry.

The possible ministerial talks could pave the way for a trilateral summit of their leaders, which last took place in the southwestern Chinese city of Chengdu in December 2019.

Also Wednesday, Park and Kamikawa welcomed the "in-depth discussions" made at last month's vice-ministerial "strategic dialogue," which marked the first such meeting since 2014.

The two sides agreed to continue cooperation to counter global challenges as they discussed North Korea's nuclear issue, as well as the Ukrainian war and the Israel-Hamas conflict, according to the ministry. (Yonhap)
Ryan Tubridy has been announced as the host of a new mid-morning show on Virgin Radio UK.

The former Late Late show presenter, who was dropped from his 9am slot on RTE Radio One in the wake of the payments controversy, will begin the show on January 4th.

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Tubridy made the announcement on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on the station, describing it as quite surreal and saying he was desperately excited.

His new programme, which will air from 10am to 1pm on weekdays, will be simultaneously broadcast on Dublins Q102.

Tubridy will also present a dedicated Irish weekend show from London through the Wireless Ireland Groups network of regional stations  Q102 and FM104 in Dublin, Corks 96FM, Limericks Live95FM and LMFM.

Advertisement View this post on Instagram A post shared by Virgin Radio UK (@virginradiouk)

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I couldnt be more excited to start this new chapter with Virgin Radio, Tubridy said in a statement.

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New city, new station, new beginnings. I love radio and what a joy to be following the legendary Chris Evans every morning. Its been a pleasure getting to know my new friends at Virgin Radio, all of whom have been warm, engaging and very entertaining.

And big thanks to the London Irish who have made me feel so welcome in recent weeks. On a personal note, this is a big day for my wonderful family who I hope to make proud, and also the people who advised me so well recently and got me to this moment.

To the listeners, wherever they might be, I urge you to join us on this adventure every weekday morning, there is much fun to be had.

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The announcement followed an Instagram post on the former RTE broadcasters account on Thursday morning, in which he told his 255,000 followers that he was in the back of a London cab heading to a building near the river Thames where Ill be making quite a big announcement.

Tubridy left RTE in the summer following weeks of controversy related to revelations the organisation had publicly underreported the salary he was paid.

Virgin Radio UK content director Mike Cass welcomed the presenter to the station.

I am beyond delighted that Ryan is joining the amazing roster of presenters on Virgin Radio UK.

He has been the pre-eminent broadcaster in Ireland for years and Virgin Radio will bring his warmth, humour and unique charisma to the UK audience properly for the first time.

He will be the perfect mid-morning companion and the ideal tag-partner for Chris Evans.
Hollywood star Sarah Jessica Parker has praised Donegal for its great pubs.

The Sex and the City actress has been holidaying in Kilcar for 30 years with her husband, Matthew Broderick, and their children.

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Parker was speaking on Instagram with wine expert Kevin OCallaghan about her new wine which is launching in Supervalu stores.

She said she and her family love potatoes when they stay in Ireland and she likes to visit the Rusty Mackerel pub near Sliabh Liag.

Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick stop for a Guinness in Foley's Pub on May 21st, 2004 in Dublin. Photo: ShowBizIreland/Getty Images

We have some great pubs in our neighbourhood there. Every time we are there I try to have a glass of Guinness, Parker said.

However, the 58-year-old said she loves the "ceremony" of watching people pour pints. Parker also discussed Irish food.

The ceremony around the way we cook in Ireland has absolutely affirmed my love for food and it has changed my expectations of what I want when I come home."

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Parker's collection of red, white and rose wines in Supervalu is marked with an 'X' on the label.
Two children of an Irish-Palestinian man are being evacuated from the Gaza Strip and are en route to join him in Ireland.

Khalid El Estal's children, Ali (4) and Sara (1), are included on an evacuation list to leave Gaza and travel to Egypt on Thursday.

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Mr El Estal, who is based in Naas, Co Kildare, confirmed that his two young children will travel with his brother-in-law, who has an Irish visa.

The childrens mother, Ashwak, was killed from injuries sustained during Israeli shelling of Gaza last month.

Mr El Estalk told RTEs Morning Ireland that the Department of Foreign Affairs had contacted him to tell him that the children were included on the list to leave on Thursday along with their uncle.

I am really excited. I want to take care of them. That is the will of my wife, he said.

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I hope they can be safe, you know, between travelling.

Mr El Estalk said his wife would always be in his heart and that the continued to send her WhatsApp messages telling her how beautiful Ireland was and how good people were to him when everything happened.

She is with us. She is. I can feel her with me. All the time.

On Wednesday more than 20 Irish citizens left the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing into Egypt.

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Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said arrangements are in place for staff from the countrys embassy in Cairo to provide consular assistance to them, including travel back to Ireland.

He told a meeting of Fine Gaels parliamentary party on Wednesday night that diplomatic relations are being maintained with all countries and ambassadors to ensure Irish people get out of Gaza safely.

Israel-Hamas War Israeli president says country 'cannot leave a vac... Read More

Mr Varadkar said he was glad to see this has resulted in up to 30 Irish citizens and their dependants gaining entry to Egypt.

He said every effort is ongoing across Government to ensure the safety of all Irish people in Gaza, the release of Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand from Hamas and the security of 450 troops in the region.

Around 35 to 40 Irish passport holders were understood to be in the enclave prior to Wednesdays crossings.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin travelled to Egypt on Wednesday as part of intense diplomatic efforts and will visit Israel and Palestine on Thursday.
A 46-year-old woman who pleaded guilty to stealing more than 45,000 from an elderly woman with dementia for whom she was acting as a carer has been jailed for two and a half years.

Catherine Gregg of The Cottage, Ballinaclashet, Belgooly, Co Cork previously pleaded guilty to 17 different theft charges. Ms Gregg left just eighty cents in a bank account of the injured party who is now in a care home.

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Cork Circuit Criminal Court heard that the offences occurred on various dates from September 1st, 2018 to September 30th, 2021. A total of 45,773.93 was stolen from the vulnerable woman.

Det Garda Hugh Byrne told Judge Colin Daly that Ms Gregg had been hired by the adult children of an elderly couple in Kinsale, Co Cork.

The children of the couple lived overseas and brought in extra help for their parents. The assistance was needed as their father broke his leg in a fall and their mother deteriorated with dementia.

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Ms Gregg was able to access the couples Bank of Ireland debit card to pay for items such as groceries. Her activity on this card was monitored by one of the couples adult children. Nothing untoward occurred in relation to this account.

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When the man Ms Gregg cared for died in mid 2019 his wife moved to a care home in the UK to be near her daughter. The house was cleared out to go on the market and documents found on site were looked at by a solicitor employed by the family.

The solicitor found an Ulster bank account in the name of the mother of his clients which they did not know existed. The pension of the woman was paid in this account.

Transactions

It emerged that substantial sums of money had been withdrawn from the account even though the elderly woman was mentally and physically unable to carry out such transactions.

This raised suspicions and matter was reported to gardai. Gardai launched an investigation and determined that 103 payments had been paid in electronic transfers to Greggs bank account. One of the transactions was as large as 3500. Ms Gregg had spent the monies on her own personal grocery shopping, refuse charges and electricity bills.

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Det Garda Byrne said Ms Gregg had also made 16 ATM withdrawals from the account. On one occasion she had taken out 4000 to pay for tack for a pony. The family of the injured party were at a loss of over 45,000 arising out of the actions of Ms Gregg the court was told.

The offending behaviour of Ms Gregg occurred within two months of the death of the elderly man who had been charge of the finances in the house. It continued until January of last year. Dt Garda Byrne said by the time Gregg was finished there was just 80 cent in the Ulster Bank account.

The court heard that Ms Gregg made full admissions when she was arrested in connection with the case. She had a number of previous convictions for theft from over twenty years ago when she stole small sums of money from people she shared a house with.

She also stole a small amount money when she was a babysitter.

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Dt Garda Byrne was cross examined by defence barrister Paula McCarthy. He agreed that Gregg was contrite. He readily accepted that she was under the care of the a doctor for anxiety.

Ms McCarthy, BL, said her client was a single mother who was also caring for an elderly parent with dementia.

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She (Gregg) is under the care of a GP and her medical report shows that she has suffered from anxiety and depression, but she has met these charges fairly, making admissions and coming forward on a signed plea of guilty which has saved the state a trial which could have proven complex.

She expresses her remorse and her shame for her actions. I am instructed she would have liked to repay the money, but she is not in a financial position to bring the money before the court. She expresses her full, unequivocal apology to the family, for whatever that is worth.

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Judge Daly said that there was clearly an element of premeditation in the case.

She (Gregg) deprived an elderly couple  certainly an elderly woman  of a significant amount of money  money this woman may yet need. The breach of trust to the entire family who entrusted the care of their mother to the accused was extreme.

She took advantage of an elderly woman at the most exceptionally and extremely vulnerable time of her life, he said, adding the crime involved a high level of culpability and caused serious harm in that it deprived the woman of funds for her future care in a nursing home.

There was an enormous breach of trust, and she comes before the court with previous convictions for similar offences. They may have been historical, but they showed a similar lack of regard and abuse of trust that others might place in her and that is an aggravating factor.

She is a single mother caring for her daughter and caring for her own father who has dementia. The irony of this case  where she is now going to have to place her trust in somebody else to look after her father  is not lost on this court, he said.

He noted that Gregg had apologised for her actions. A victim impact statement was presented to Judge Daly. However, it was not read out in court.

Judge Daly jailed Ms Gregg for three years. However, he suspended the last six months of her sentence. He agreed to a request from the defence to defer the sentence until January of next year to allow Gregg time to put arrangements in place for her father and daughter.
A young Dublin girl who took her own life was being bullied by other children in her school about her weight, an inquest has heard.

The family of Sophia Gray has called for greater efforts to be made to tackle the problem of cyberbullying given the background to how she ended her life two years ago.

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Sophia (13) was discovered with a ligature around her neck in the bedroom of her home at Wellview Terrace, Mulhuddart, Co Dublin on May 6th 2021.

Her mother, Charlene Gray, who was pregnant with twins at the time of her daughters death, provided a harrowing statement to a sitting of Dublin District Coroners Court about how she discovered Sophias body after becoming alarmed when she was not getting up to go to school.

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Crying uncontrollably as she answered questions from coroner Clare Keane, she recounted how her daughter started becoming concerned about her weight around the time of her confirmation about a year before her death.

Ms Gray said her daughters school, which is located in Dublin city centre, also became aware around the same time that she had stopped eating her lunches.

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The inquest heard the schoolgirl was referred to the Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services in Blanchardstown as an urgent priority but was told that she would have to wait around six months for an appointment.

Ms Gray said her family had arranged for Sophia to see a psychiatrist privately because of their concerns, although her daughter was very good at hiding stuff about how she was feeling.

She recalled that Sophia had been watching one of her favourite programmes, Friends, on TV on the evening before her death before going to her room at around 9pm.

She outlined how she would normally check on Sophia before going to bed herself but did not that evening as they had been annoyed with each other because her daughter had not gone to the shop to get messages for her earlier.

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Ms Gray said she became worried when she woke the following morning at around 7am as Sophias bedroom door was still closed while she would normally be getting ready to go to school at that time.

She described how she woke her partner, Karl Cahill, with her screaming when she found the bedroom door locked and got no response when she called her name.

Ms Gray recounted how her daughters body fell to the floor when they eventually managed to open the door,

She described how she had brought Sophia and her daughters boyfriend on a trip shortly before her death. She said it was the happiest day of her life, Ms Gray.

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She also told the inquest that she had noticed marks on Sophias legs in May 2021 and when questioned her daughter had promised it would not happen again.

She said I was the best mam in the world, and she was dead four days later. It makes no sense to me, she remarked.

Bullying

In other evidence she said that Sophia was being bullied through text messages from a girl who was giving her hassle.

Ms Gray acknowledged that her daughter felt she was putting on weight, but she always reassured her that was not the case and that she looked great.

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However, she informed the inquest that after her daughters death, she discovered one of her notebooks in which she appeared to write messages to herself such as dont eat today.

Ms Gray said her daughter would sometimes appear snow white from the lack of food.

She was also aware that a boy had told her daughter to kill herself in a text message but she had thought nothing of it at the time. One message sent to Sophia about a month before her death read: You would be hot if you were skinnier.

In reply to questions from Dr Keane, Ms Gray said she was 100 per cent sure that her daughter was bothered by such bullying.

She wouldnt have been starving herself if she wasnt, she replied.

Ms Gray said one of the worst things she ever did was to get a smartphone for her daughter. Sophia was one of the strongest people I knew. That is why it is such a shock, she observed.

She continued: She was a good kid and no trouble. She was witty, funny and just amazing. This is absolutely devastating. It has broken my heart. I will never get over this, she sobbed.

Concerns

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The victims grandfather, Justin Gray, told the inquest that his granddaughter would not share any of her concerns with her family.

I didnt see any signs that she was going to do what she done, said Mr Gray. However, he said her family were concerned about her being bullied by other pupils at her school.

Mr Gray said that one text message sent to her by someone whom she had regarded as a friend had read: Why dont you kill yourself, you fat c**t.

Id like to see this so-and-so brought to justice and get a wrap on his knuckles, said Mr Gray.

Fighting back tears as he gave evidence, he admitted his family were also concerned that Sophia was forcing herself to get sick after eating meals.

He expressed belief that the Covid-19 pandemic had not helped his granddaughter as she had been unable to meet other relatives on a regular basis as well as being more isolated and getting less exercise.

Mr Gray said he and his wife, Audrey, felt guilty after her death that they had not brought her to their home more often as they had done in pre-pandemic times.

The inquest heard efforts by Mr Cahill, a neighbour and paramedics to resuscitate Sophia after she was found in her bedroom were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at 9.48am.

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Garda Emmet McGonigle told the hearing on Thursday that a note was found on a desk in Sophias bedroom which read: Im sorry  XX.

Garda McGonigle said gardai had been unable to examine the girls phone because they did not have its PIN code.

Medical records

The coroner said medical records from visits to a psychiatrist showed that Sophia had no suicidal ideation and she was described as a happy and easy going girl with close relationships with her mother and brother, Justin.

Dr Keane said she had been informed that CAMHS in Blanchardstown had received an unprecedented 114 referrals including one for Sophia over a four-month period in a post-Covid surge which had placed large pressure on its services.

The inquest heard the young schoolgirls favourite things including dancing, singing, TikTok, videos, make-up and playing chess with her grandfather.

Returning a verdict of self-inflected death, the coroner said she would not make a finding of death by suicide as there are question marks over whether children aged 13 can fully understand the consequences of their actions.

Offering her deepest condolences to Sophias family, Dr Keane said the circumstances of her death were shocking and devastating.

The coroner said the impact of an eating disorder and the isolation caused by the pandemic could not be denied.

Addressing the issue of messages left on Sophias phone, Dr Keane said there were challenges for all parents because of the widespread access that vulnerable young children had to such technology.

We need to encourage children to think before hitting the send button, the coroner stated. She also said she would notify CAMHS about the circumstances of the girls death.

The coroner also reassured Sophias family that they had not missed anything.

Dr Keane added: There is no way of knowing. These things are often impulsive and in a moment. It is really difficult to predict.

Speaking after the verdict, Mr Gray expressed hope that lessons could be learnt from his granddaughters death.

Something more really needs to be done to tackle the problem of cyberbullying. Everyone needs to know the danger it presents and the devastating consequences it can have, he remarked.

If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this article, you can freephone the Samaritans 24 hours a day for confidential support at 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org.

You can also freephone the national Bereavement Support Line run by the HSE and Irish Hospice Foundation at 1800-80 70 77 (Monday-Friday 10am-1pm), and the contact information for a range of mental health supports is available at mentalhealthireland.ie/get-support/.

In the case of an emergency, or if you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self-harm, dial 999/112.
The Government has faced claims of double standards on Israel and Russia after it voted down calls for sanctions against the Israeli state over its actions in Gaza.

Sinn Fein and People Before Profit (PBP) both laid that charge to Finance Minister Michael McGrath during sometimes heated scenes in the Dail on Thursday.

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Opposition motions calling for a range of economic and diplomatic sanctions, including the expulsion of Israels ambassador in Dublin Dana Erlich, were defeated in the Dail on Wednesday evening.

Proposals for Ireland to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) were also voted down.

Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty accused the Government of double standards Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

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While the Government did not expel Russias ambassador after the invasion of Ukraine, it did back EU sanctions against Vladimir Putins regime and also referred its actions to the ICC.

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Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty asked why Ireland was not making a similar referral about Israel. He accused Mr McGrath of double standards.

So last year, this government rightly joined with others in referring Russia to the International Criminal Court for war crimes, he said.

Palestinian lives, minister, are just as worthy of our attention as Ukrainian lives.

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In the pursuit of justice and accountability for the Palestinian people, will this Government now change direction and join with South Africa and refer Israel to the ICC for the crimes, that you say are difficult to watch in the news, but war crimes we see before our eyes every single day.

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Mr McGrath insisted the situation in Ukraine was fundamentally different.

Ireland did refer to the ICC prosecutor because in that case Ukraine was not a party to the ICC statute, and a prosecutor could not therefore begin an immediate investigation without a state party referral, he explained.

He said the chief prosecutor for the ICC had already confirmed that an ongoing investigation in the Middle East covered the events of recent weeks in Israel and Gaza.

Earlier, during Leaders Questions, PBP TD Richard Boyd Barrett also drew a comparison with the Governments response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

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Setting aside the ambassador, why sanctions on Putin for his war crimes, but nothing, no sanction whatsoever ever, ever imposed on Israel, even when theyre slaughtering thousands and thousands of children? he asked.

People Before Profits Richard Boyd Barrett also drew a comparison with the Governments response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Photo: Brian Lawless/PA.

Mr Boyd Barrett added: Last night, 55 deputies in here voted to expel the Israeli ambassador, to sanction Israel, to refer them for war crimes and for genocide, but still you voted against.

Now could you please explain to me what level of atrocity Israel has to commit, how many babies they have to murder, how many hospitals they have to bomb, how many houses they have to bomb, how many people they have to ethnically cleanse before you think it would be time to impose the sorts of sanctions that you were very quick to impose on Russia, for Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Are Palestinian babies and lives less valuable than those of Ukrainians that you dont feel it is justified in the face of the slaughter to sanction them for the crimes they are committing?

Mr McGrath reiterated the Governments view that maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel was important.

He said such relations were particularly vital given ongoing efforts to secure safe passage through the Rafah crossing into Egypt for Irish citizens who remained in Gaza, and in regard to attempts to secure the release of Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand, eight, who is believed to be being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

International diplomacy and maintaining channels of communication is not about staying close to your friends or about endorsing policies, its about keeping channels open for when you need them, Mr McGrath said.

And we need them because in trying to secure the safe access out of Gaza of the remaining of our citizens there, and in trying to be heard in advocating for peace, its important that we continue to communicate and we continue to have dialogue with all of those in the region.

And we have about 400 (UN) peacekeepers, Irish men and women in the region.

So Ireland has to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.

But we also will call out when we see it, the level of force that has been used in our view is completely disproportionate.

Civilians should be protected. Gaza and Hamas are not the same thing, the civilians in Gaza should not be the subject of collective punishment by the Israeli Defence Force.

So Ireland is an important actor. We have a voice, we are being listened to.
Minister for Justice Helen McEntee has expressed her sadness as the sixth search for disappeared teenager Columba McVeigh ended without success.

The 19-year-old from Donaghmore, Co Tyrone was abducted by the Provisional IRA, killed and secretly buried in 1975.

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The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) has now conducted six unsuccessful searches at Bragan Bog in Co Monaghan since 1999, covering more than 26 acres.

A fresh appeal for information has been made in a bid to narrow down where he may have been buried.

Dympna Kerr, sister of Columba McVeigh, at Bragan Bog near Emyvale in Co Monaghan (Liam McBurney/PA)

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Mr McVeighs sister Dympna Kerr said she is totally heartbroken, adding: I dont know how many more times I can go through this.

All we need is for people to come forward with the correct information  there is nothing for them to fear, she told the BBC, adding she cannot give up hope that one day her brother will be found.

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Ms McEntee said she had held out hope that the latest search would find Mr McVeigh, despite extremely challenging conditions at the isolated Bragan Bog site.

I am saddened that, in spite of the substantial efforts of the commission, the remains of Columba have not been located at Bragan Bog, she said.

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I want to acknowledge the unwavering and sustained determination of the Commission to locating Columba since the first search at Bragan Bog was conducted in 1999. I would like to thank the investigators, forensic archaeologists and machine contractors for their painstaking and sensitive work.

Today, my thoughts again are with the family of Columba who have endured this particular cruelty for so many years.

Columba McVeigh was murdered and secretly buried by the Provisional IRA (Family handout/PA)

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She added: Irelands national Missing Persons Day will fall on December 6 this year and at this time we think of all families of The Disappeared who still await the return of their loved ones remains.

The role of the commission is a critical humanitarian one: to support these families who have suffered the devastating loss of their loved ones.

This government remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting the ongoing work of the commission.

Seventeen people were disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.

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The remains of Mr McVeigh, former monk Joe Lynskey, British Army captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh, have never been recovered.

The ICLVR can be contacted by telephone: 00800-55585500 International: +353 1 602 8655, email to Secretary@iclvr.ie or by post to: ICLVR PO Box 10827.
A former employee of Anglo Irish Bank has told the trial of former solicitor Michael Lynn that he doesn't think the then chairperson of the bank, Sean Fitzpatrick would have had intimate knowledge of any one customer.

Mr Lynn (55), of Millbrook Court, Redcross, Co Wicklow is on trial accused of the theft of around 27 million from seven financial institutions. He has pleaded not guilty to 21 counts of theft in Dublin between October 23rd 2006 and April 20th 2007.

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It is the prosecutions case that Mr Lynn obtained multiple mortgages on the same properties, in a situation where banks were unaware that other institutions were also providing finance.

The financial institutions involved are Bank of Ireland, National Irish Bank (later known as Danske Bank), Irish Life and Permanent, Ulster Bank, ACC Bank, Bank of Scotland Ireland and Irish Nationwide Building Society (INBS)

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David Casey, formerly a manager in the lending department of Anglo Irish Bank gave evidence on Thursday. He confirmed that the institution used external solicitors to perfect its security.

Mr Casey confirmed to Mark Lynam SC, defending, that he was not involved at the time but took over management of these loans at a later stage.

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Loan refusal

He told Mr Lynam that it would have been common practice in any institution to refuse a loan where there was lending with other banks.

Mr Lynam put it to Mr Casey that this is his opinion. I dont think so. I think its a statement of fact, he replied.

Mr Lynam noted that his client faces no charges in relation to Anglo Irish Bank and suggested that the prosecution will say Mr Lynn's intentions were effectively scuppered by the use of external solicitors.

Mr Casey said he didn't believe that Mr Lynn asked to use his own solicitors, but accepted Mr Lynn would have been aware of the bank's requirements as it had lent to him in 2005.

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Mr Lynam told the witness that his client would give evidence that he had a good personal relationship with the then chairperson of Anglo Irish Bank, Sean Fitzpatrick, and he was aware of Mr Lynn's lending.

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Mr Casey said he didn't know, but added, I wouldnt have thought the chairman [of the bank] would have had intimate knowledge of any one customer.

Mr Lynam noted that the bank provided loans of 11 million to his client in one year. Mr Casey replied that was a significant amount of money, but it wasn't unusual or high value for the time.

He accepted that his answer was based on his sense of procedure, and he was not aware of any conversations between Mr Lynn and Mr Fitzgerald.

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Mr Casey told prosecuting counsel a loan of 11 million during the period in question, while significant, wouldnt have stood out.

Sean Alger, former head of commercial division at Permanent TSB, told Mr Finnegan that he was a member of the bank's internal credit committee, which approved a loan to Mr Lynn in May 2007.

Lending facilities

Mr Alger was taken through a mixture of documents, including credit committee memos and emails. He agreed that the memo of a credit committee meeting on May 30th 2007, stated that they approved two lending facilities of 3.72 million for residential investment and a 5.5 million commercial mortgage facility.

The memo stated that the bank had an existing exposure of around 4.9 million to Mr Lynn, meaning that these proposed new loans would bring the bank's total exposure to approximately 14 million.

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Mr Alger agreed the 5.5 million loan facility was not necessarily for residential mortgage investment. The jury was told this loan for 5.5 million was never drawn down.

Mr Alger said the loans were approved on certain conditions, including the registration of a first legal charge over the particular properties.

Mr Alger told Mr Comiskey-O'Keeffe that he absolutely did not accept that he, his colleagues or the bank were negligent in its lending to Mr Lynn.

Mr Comiskey-O'Keefe noted that the jury had been shown an unsigned version of the credit committee memo, but Mr Alger told Mr Lynn's last trial that there is also a signed version.

The witness said he expected there was also a paper version of the memo, but wasn't familiar with the bank's processes for archiving records.

He told defence counsel he was not asked to take part in any internal investigation or audit about the bank's lending to Mr Lynn.

Personal lending discretion

Mr Alger agreed with Mr Comiskey-O'Keeffe that he could approve loans up to his personal lending discretion without escalating them to the credit committee. He said he thought he had authority to approve up to 2 million, but said he could not recall specifically. He agreed he had approved a loan of 1.9 million to Mr Lynn in 2005.

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He told Mr Comiskey-O'Keeffe that he could not delegate his personal lending discretion to a credit assessor, nor could someone with a higher discretion delegate theirs to him. He said the structure around delegated authority was decided at board level.

Mr Alger said he was a member of the credit committee in 2007, which sat once a week, and its members were separate from the managers presenting a proposed loan for approval.

He outlined some of the issues considered by the credit committee, including creditworthiness and a borrower's repayment capacity.

Creditworthiness

He said the committee would assess a borrower's creditworthiness from a risk perspective using several factors. They would also consider any loans a borrower may already have with the bank.

Mr Comiskey-O'Keeffe noted that one of the conditions of a loan approved in April 2007 for 4.9 million was that his client had to clear an existing loan to the bank, but there was no specific undertaking in relation to this, suggesting the debt was cleared using another method.

Mr Alger said generally, the solicitor's letter of undertaking would include a requirement to discharge any outstanding debts, but he didn't know the details in this case.

Mr Comiskey-O'Keeffe put it to him that he was mistaken and there was no requirement in the solicitor's undertaking to clear outstanding debt. Mr Alger said he had worked in banking for a long time and was aware of the security process.

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He agreed with Judge Martin Nolan that it was his understanding that part of the April loan was to repay an existing loan to Mr Lynn.

He said it would be an obligation on the borrower to fulfil the conditions of a loan approval. Mr Comiskey-O'Keeffe told Mr Alger that his client would give evidence that he took various loans from the bank between the late 1990s and 2005, some of which included conditions to repay earlier lending, but this wasn't done.

He said his client will say he met two bank officials before 2005 and challenged them on this condition. Rather than repay the loans, he carried the payments, and these two bank officials were aware of this situation.

Mr Comiskey O'Keeffe suggested that if an outstanding balance on existing loans should have been cleared on two or three occasions in the past, this should have been brought to the attention of the credit committee.

He put it to Mr Alger that the documents show that his client did not have a good track record as he had not complied with conditions to repay his earlier loans.

Mr Alger disputed this and said the loan documents show Mr Lynn was not in default on his earlier loans, but that these were incorporated into his later lending with the bank. He said the loan in April 2007 incorporated earlier lending of 1.9 million.

He agreed with Mr Finnegan during re-examination that it was not suggested to the credit committee that the loans to Mr Lynn were for another purpose, such as overseas property development.

He agreed and said the documents he was shown while giving evidence showed the facility was to purchase residential investment properties and to clear existing debt.

Mr Finnegan also showed Mr Alger an internal email between other bank officials from April 2007, which stated the redemption of an earlier loan for 1.9 million was delayed due to confusion in Mr Lynn's office, and he was embarrassed and annoyed by this.

Mr Alger said he couldn't recall if this email was disclosed to the credit committee at the time.

James Brady, assistant manager in Permanent TSB's financial crime and loss unit, confirmed to Karl Finnegan SC, prosecuting, that the bank received a court order earlier this year in relation to the bank's internal reports on its dealings with Mr Lynn in 2007.

He said he checked the systems I had access to but could not find any internal reports of this kind.

Mr Brady said he also instructed the bank's IT department to check for email correspondence between the bank and email addresses for Mr Lynn at Kendar between January 2007 and June 2008,

He said the IT department advised him they were unable to locate any email correspondence between the bank and these email addresses during that time period.

Under cross-examination by Paul Comiskey-O'Keeffe, Mr Brady said he checked the systems he had access to, including a database of file storage.

He said he didn't come across any information about an internal investigation and didn't know if this would generate an internal report.

Mr Brady said he didn't know if an internal investigation had taken place between the dates of the last trial and last February. He also confirmed that his search did not include looking to see if documents were given to third parties, including external solicitors involved in the bank's civil case against Mr Lynn.

Deirdre Byrne told Mr Finnegan she was working as a commercial underwriting manager in PTSB in 2007 and was involved in some of Mr Lynn's loan applications to the bank.

Mr Comiskey-O'Keeffe asked Ms Byrne about her delegated authority to approve loan applications. Ms Byrne said she would have a lending limit, and anything above this was escalated to someone more senior.

The trial continues before Judge Nolan and the jury.
The UK would be following Vladimir Putins lead it if took the absolutely outrageous step of withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, an Oireachtas committee has heard.

Such a move would undermine the human rights protections that are central to the Good Friday peace agreement, Amnesty International warned.

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Amnestys Northern Ireland programme director, Patrick Corrigan, was giving evidence to an Oireachtas committee tasked with assessing the implementation of the 1998 peace accord. MPs from the North sit alongside TDs and Senators on the committee.

Mr Corrigan was providing his analysis of the UK governments Illegal Migration Act and its potential consequences for the Good Friday deal.

Patrick Corrigan, of Amnesty International, was providing his analysis of the UK Illegal Migration Act and its potential consequences for the Good Friday Agreement (Liam McBurney PA)

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The hearing came a day after the UK supreme court ruled that the British governments flagship Rwanda asylum policy was unlawful.

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The UKs highest court rejected the British governments appeal over its policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda if they arrive by unauthorised means.

The ruling has prompted renewed calls from the right of the Conservative Party for the UK to withdraw from the ECHR to remove one of the main legal obstacles facing the Rwanda policy.

Russia left the Convention in 2022 as a consequence of its expulsion from the Council of Europe.

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Human rights protections guaranteed within the Good Friday Agreement are based on the ECHR framework.

Mr Corrigan said the Irish Government needs to be vigilant to the potential consequences of what he described as a UK move to step away from its international human rights obligations.

While the UK government may not withdraw from the European Convention and that obviously would be an absolutely outrageous step to take, sort of following Putins Russia in withdrawing from the European Convention, but nothing can be ruled out given some of the noises that we hear at least on the (Conservative) back benches  they used to be on the front benches as well, maybe its on the back benches now  around withdrawing from the European Convention, he said.

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And thats still a threat that hangs over all of the debate around this.

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Obviously, there is an Irish interest there in protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, including the chapter on human rights and equality safeguards for people on the island.

Mr Corrigan also expressed concern about the potential fate of non-Irish citizens living in the Republic who, while not having a visa to be in the UK, travel north of the border, potentially just to do some shopping.

Patrick Corrigan said visa nationals entering Northern Ireland from the Republic could face severe consequences if they do not have the right documentation (Brian Lawless/PA)

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He said that, under the Illegal Migration Act, they could find themselves being detained and sent back to their home country of origin or a third country, with limited legal avenues to challenge it.

There is a de facto hardening of the border for people moving from one side of the border to the other, he said.

And while there are protections in place for people who have UK or Irish citizenship, who hold those passports, for people who do not there are new realities that they have to face.

He added: The consequences now are extraordinarily severe; say, being removed to a third country or removed to a country from which you had fled and that there are risks to your rights  to safety, right to life.

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And, crucially, one of the rights that is removed is the right to adequately challenge the decisions that are made about you and your removal and your detention first of all, and then your removal, that that legal challenge to which one is entitled under the European Convention and also entitled under EU law has now been swept aside by the Illegal Migration Act.

So not only can you find yourself caught up in this sort of Kafkaesque situation of being detained and facing deportation, that your opportunity to challenge that has also effectively been removed or massively diminished, so that you enter into this netherworld of UK immigration policy and theres very little way out of it again.
The UN Security Council has approved a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip after four failed attempts to respond to the Israel-Hamas war.

The vote was 12-0 with the US, UK and Russia abstaining.

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The final draft watered down language from a demand to a call for humanitarian pauses.

It also watered down a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.

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The resolution makes no mention of a ceasefire.

It also does not refer to Hamass surprise attack on Israel on October 7, during which the militants killed around 1,200 people and took some 240 others hostage.

Nor does it cite Israels retaliatory air strikes and ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which Gazas health ministry says has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians, two thirds of them women and children.

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Russia proposed an amendment to the resolution before the vote that would have called for durable humanitarian pauses leading to a ceasefire. But it was rejected by a vote of 5-1 with nine abstentions because it failed to get the minimum nine yes votes.

But the resolution, sponsored by Malta, did bring the 15 members of the UNs most powerful body together in a first response to the ongoing war that is having catastrophic humanitarian consequences in Gaza.

The resolution asks that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children.

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Palestinians in a tent camp in Khan Younis (Fatima Shbair/AP)

UN Security Council resolutions are legally binding, but in practice many parties choose to ignore the councils requests for action.

Richard Gowan, UN director for the International Crisis Group, said the Security Council has called for ceasefires in wars from the Balkans to Syria with little or no impact.

The Security Council, which has the responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, has been paralysed since the war began by its internal divisions.

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This is especially the case between China and Russia, which want an immediate ceasefire, and the US, which has called for humanitarian pauses but objects to any mention of a ceasefire, which its close ally Israel strongly opposes.

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The resolution calls for humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days for unhindered access by the UN, Red Cross and other aid groups to get water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies to all those in need.

It says the pauses also should allow for the repair of essential infrastructure and enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts.

In the four previous tries for Security Council approval, a Brazil-drafted resolution was vetoed by the US, a US-drafted resolution was vetoed by Russia and China and two Russian-drafted resolutions failed to get the minimum yes votes.

After the fourth failure, frustrated Arab nations turned to the 193-member General Assembly and succeeded in getting wide approval for a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza meant to lead to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

It was the first United Nations response to the war. But unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they are a barometer of world opinion.

The vote was 120-14 with 45 abstentions. Of the five veto-holding Security Council members, Russia, China and France voted in favour, the United States voted against and Britain abstained.

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The General Assembly resolution was adopted on October 27, and Israel agreed on November 9 to four-hour pauses. But only very limited aid has been delivered to Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and a humanitarian catastrophe has been brewing.

Mr Gowan said US opposition to a ceasefire is a gift that keeps on giving for Russia diplomatically.

He said that while many diplomats think Russia is demanding a ceasefire for largely cynical reasons to make the Americans look bad, Moscows position is closer to the mainstream of council thinking, and the US looks isolated.

A UN ceasefire call would embarrass but not really constrain the Israelis, he said. But the US clearly feels that even such a symbolic move is too much of a political risk.
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol vowed Wednesday to further nurture young Korean scientists and researchers in the United States and other countries to help them become leading experts in the world.

Yoon made the pledge during a meeting with a group of around 100 Korean entrepreneurs, researchers, developers, students and interns working in the San Francisco area, hours after arriving in the city to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

"Our government is changing our country's R&D policies so that our future-generation researchers can take on innovative research that aims for the world's best without worrying about failure," he said during the meeting at a hotel.

"In particular, we're greatly expanding opportunities for global research cooperation with the world's top researchers and removing restrictions that banned overseas researchers from participating in R&D conducted by the Republic of Korea government," he added, referring to Korea by its formal name.

Yoon appeared to be defending the large cut his government made in the R&D portion of its 2024 budget proposal by suggesting it was a restructuring aimed at better supporting young researchers.

"By doing so, we will support future-generation Korean researchers working everywhere in the world, including here in San Francisco, regardless of nationality, so they can grow into world-class researchers," he said.

Yoon also vowed to better support Korean startups entering overseas markets by establishing a government portal where they can easily access information on the various assistance offered by 13 different organizations in San Francisco.

The president has held similar meetings on his previous overseas trips, including in New York, Vietnam and Indonesia, to demonstrate his commitment to supporting innovations and challenges by future generations. (Yonhap)
Sir Keir Starmer has lost eight frontbenchers after he suffered a major rebellion in a UK House of Commons vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Four shadow ministers, including Jess Phillips, Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan and Paula Barker, quit on Wednesday evening after deciding to support an SNP amendment to the Kings Speech backing a ceasefire.

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Other frontbenchers Rachel Hopkins, Sarah Owen, Naz Shah and Andy Slaughter have also left the frontbench after breaking the party whip to back the amendment.

Parliamentary private secretaries Dan Carden and Mary Foy have also left their positions.

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MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the SNPs Kings Speech amendment calling for all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

But 56 Labour MPs backed the position, rejecting their party leaders stance.

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Labour MPs had been ordered to abstain on the SNP move and were told instead to back Mr Starmer's position calling for longer humanitarian pauses rather than a ceasefire.

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In a statement following the vote, Mr Starmer said he regretted that party colleagues had not backed his position.

Alongside leaders around the world, I have called throughout for adherence to international law, for humanitarian pauses to allow access for aid, food, water, utilities and medicine, and have expressed our concerns at the scale of civilian casualties.

Much more needs to be done in this regard to ease the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in Gaza.

And in addition to addressing the present, every leader has a duty not to go back to a failed strategy of containment and neglect, but to forge a better and more secure future for both Palestinians and Israelis.

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I regret that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight. But I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand.

Ms Phillips, a high-profile frontbencher, said it was with a heavy heart that she was quitting.

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I have tried to do everything that I could to make it so that this was not the outcome, but it is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving my post in the shadow Home Office team.

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On this occasion I must vote with my constituents, my head, and my heart which has felt as if it were breaking over the last four weeks with the horror of the situation in Israel and Palestine, she said in a letter to her party leader.

Some of the MPs had signalled their intention to break with Mr Starmer in the Commons debate preceding the vote, after already having called publicly for a ceasefire.

Ms Shah warned of a humanitarian catastrophe, while Mr Khan told the chamber that his constituents have demanded a ceasefire.

The scale of the rebellion will be a blow to Mr Starmer, who had hoped to avoid further damaging splits within his parliamentary party over the issue.

The party has been riven with internal divisions over Israels response to the deadly incursion by Hamas that sparked the conflict.

The leadership has backed the UK governments position of pushing for humanitarian pauses in the fighting to allow aid to reach Palestinians trapped in the bombarded territory but has stopped short of calling for a total cessation of hostilities.

Several of the frontbenchers made clear why they believed Mr Starmers stance was wrong.

Ms Qureshi, who represents Bolton South East, said: The situation in Gaza desperately requires an immediate ceasefire to address the humanitarian catastrophe and to advance moves towards a political solution that brings freedom, prosperity and security.

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Some in Labour had accused the SNP of intentionally using the amendment to exploit divisions in the party.

But SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn said that his MPs will be able to look themselves in the mirror knowing they did the right thing.

It is clear that support for a ceasefire would have been even stronger tonight if Keir Starmer had not threatened Labour MPs with punishments if they voted for peace, he said.
Three more Irish citizens have been able to leave Gaza, the Tanaiste has said.

It comes a day after 23 Irish citizens, including families with children, crossed into Egypt.

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Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who is visiting the area, said he believes more will be able to leave by Sunday amid the ongoing war.

He said he has been given assurances by Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen that the majority of Irish citizens still in Gaza will be able to leave within the next three days.

This morning in Israel I witnessed the devastation caused by the Oct 7 attack in Sderot and Kibbutz Beeri, where Emily Hand was taken hostage, w/ Israeli FM @elicoh1



I unreservedly condemn the brutal attack by Hamas & call for the immediate & unconditional release of hostages pic.twitter.com/gj751Qw4fz Advertisement Advertisement  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 16, 2023

Mr Martin visited two towns in southern Israel on Thursday which had been attacked by Hamas in October.

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They included Kibbutz Beeri where eight-year-old Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand was taken hostage.

He said he unreservedly condemned the brutal attack by Hamas, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

He said he expressed his concern at the catastrophic situation in Gaza to Mr Cohen and reiterated calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Mr Martin also met Israeli president Isaac Herzog, and said he stressed to him the urgent need to dramatically increase the supply of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

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Very good to meet with Palestinian Authority PM @DrShtayyeh in Ramallah. I expressed my sympathy to the Palestinian people over civilian deaths in Gaza



We discussed the role the international community must play in the path to peace & Irelands support for the two State solution pic.twitter.com/aXQn15ElsM  Micheal Martin (@MichealMartinTD) November 16, 2023

Mr Martin told RTE that his impression from discussions with Israeli leaders is that there is a determination to continue with its military campaign in Gaza.

I get the sense this morning that Israel wants to believe that it can eliminate Hamas militarily. We dont share that view, he said.

Im very clear that we do need humanitarian ceasefire.

Mr Martin later travelled to the West Bank where he held an hour-long meeting with Palestinian Authority prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh.

He said he expressed his sympathy with the Palestinian people over civilian deaths in Gaza in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

We discussed the role the international community must play in the path to peace and Irelands support for the two-state solution, he added.
An Audi RS6 that was first used by Britain's Prince Harry as his personal car is currently up for sale.

The 2017 Audi RS6 was delivered to Harry shortly after the car was registered, with the royal covering around 4,500 miles with the car during his 15-month ownership. He also had the car during the time of his marriage to Meghan Markle in May 2018.

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Though likely leased by Audi to Harry, the Audi RS6 had a list price of 91,530 (104,365) when new, including additional extras such as a Daytona Grey Pearl paint, Alcantara seats and carbon interior trim.

This RS6s number plate KX17 ZBN can be seen in pictures with Harry behind the wheel of the car.

Harry used the RS6 as his personal car when it was new. (Pistonheads)

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The RS6 is of a C7 generation, sold between 2013 and 2018, and uses a 552bhp 4.0-litre V8 engine that allows for a 0-60mph time of under four seconds.

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The dukes Audi RS6 is currently up for sale with a private seller in Grantham, England, on the online automotive marketplace Pistonheads for 42,000. Despite the royal connections, its priced similarly to those without the provenance.

This Audi RS6 last came up for sale in August 2018 shortly after Harry had returned the car, when the car was advertised for 71,900.

Matt Bird, deputy editor of Pistonheads, said: The Audi RS6 is a firm favourite among performance car enthusiasts, and rightly so. Even with royal blood running through its fuel lines, this example is now available for less than half the cars original purchase price.

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The RS6 is now up for sale for 42,000. (Pistonheads)

While most people would be forgiven for mistaking the RS6 as any other Audi-badged estate, the RS6 is genuinely capable of going toe-to-toe with most supercars when it comes to straight-line performance.

The listing arrives just days after a 2004 Range Rover specified and used by the late Queen Elizabeth II sold for a record 132,750 at an auction over the weekend after the previous keeper  who only bought the car in July 2023 for 33,000  managed to unearth its incredible provenance.

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While the British royal family are known for their connection to Land Rovers, they also frequently use Audis courtesy of a deal the German brand has with the household.

Harry and his brother William have been spotted in various Audi models over the years, while Princess Diana was known for using a 1994 Audi 80 Cabriolet.
A top Ukrainian official said the countrys troops have established a beachhead on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River near Kherson, an important advance in bridging one of Russias most significant strategic barriers in the war.

Andriy Yermak, head of the presidents office, provided no details but confirmed the development that has been widely discussed in military forums over the past month.

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Against all odds, Ukraines defence forces have gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnieper, Mr Yermak told the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank.

Ever since Russian forces left the city of Kherson and the territory around it in November 2022, the only area they controlled on the west bank of the Dnieper, the river became a natural dividing line along the southern battlefront, preventing Ukrainian troops from advancing further into the Kherson region and towards Russian-annexed Crimea.

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Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  15 November 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/QEOsaicDO4



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/Lcs64e1wDO Advertisement  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) November 15, 2023

The barrier also allowed Russia to concentrate more troops in the heavily mined and fortified Zaporizhzhia region and eastern Ukraine.

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Since the summer, Ukrainian forces have crossed the Dnieper in small groups to create a foothold near the Kherson bridge and more recently sought to expand their presence in nearby villages on the east bank, including Krynky.

The Institute for the Study of War (ISW) in Washington said Mr Yermaks comments confirm its own assessments over the past month that Ukraine was conducting larger-than-usual ground operations on the eastern bank of the river and appeared to be holding its positions and supplying troops in the Russian-controlled Kherson region.

Satellite imagery from Monday showed forces advancing on Krynky, one of the areas on the eastern bank of the Dnieper about 22 miles north-east of the city of Kherson, the ISW said.

Russian military bloggers have reported intense fighting near Krynky.

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The Moscow-appointed governor for the Russia-occupied part of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said Ukrainian forces lost up to two battalions crossing the Dnieper and trying to maintain their foothold on the left bank.

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On his Telegram channel, he claimed that Ukrainian forces holed up in Krynky were facing a fiery hell of intense bombardment and were being destroyed on a large scale.

The Ukrainian forces have long established positions in several areas on the eastern bank of the Dnieper and sought to expand them, using boats to ferry supplies.

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Two boats of Ukrainian marines navigate along a river close to the front line near Kherson (Alex Babenko/AP)

Ukraine lost control over almost the entire Kherson region, including the city of Kherson, in March 2022, right after the full-scale invasion started.

Russian troops advanced from the Crimean Peninsula, which Moscow illegally annexed from Ukraine in 2014, facing almost no resistance even though the Ukraine border was supposed to be heavily guarded.

Crossing the Dnieper could allow Ukraine to outflank Russia without having to break through the heavily mined and fortified front line in the Zaporizhzhia region.

It would also provide the most direct land route to Crimea, where Armiansk, one of the two gateways to the peninsula, lies about 50 miles to the south without any significant fortifications in the way.

In other developments, at least two civilians were killed and 14 wounded in Ukraine in the past day, the presidents office said.

In the eastern Donetsk region, Russians launched a massive missile attack on Selydove that wounded three people and damaged eight high-rise buildings and others.

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In the Kherson region, seven people were wounded during shelling of residential areas of Beryslav and the city of Kherson.

Drones killed a 26-year-old man in Nikopol, on the opposite bank of the river from the area near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

In the Kharkiv region, shelling near Izium struck a car and killed a 33-year-old driver and wounded a passenger.
David Cameron has assured Volodymyr Zelenskiy that Britain will support Ukraine for however long it takes as the new UK foreign secretary used his first overseas visit to go to Kyiv.

Ukraines president said he discussed the supply of weapons for forces fighting against the Russian invasion during his meeting with the former UK prime minister on the first day of a two-day trip.

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In a video released by Kyiv, Mr Cameron sought to reassure Mr Zelenskiy over fears that attention has diverted from Ukraine to the war in the Middle East.

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There are also concerns surrounding the prospect of Donald Trump returning to the White House and cutting off support for Ukraine.

Mr Cameron said: We will continue to give you the moral support, the diplomatic support, the economic support, but above all the military support that you need  not just this year and next year, but for however long it takes.

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I had some disagreements with my friend Boris Johnson, weve known each other for 40 years, and his support for you was the finest thing that he and his governments did.

Mr Cameron was updated on Ukraines slow counter-offensive against Russia and held talks on Kyivs aspirations to join Nato.

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Writing on social media, Mr Zelenskiy said: We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defence, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.

I am grateful to the UK for its support!

Former prime minister Cameron became UK foreign secretary on Monday and the early visit to Ukraine was intended to demonstrate the UKs continued support for the country.

His predecessor James Cleverly had been scheduled to make the visit before being moved to the British Home Office in Mondays reshuffle.
Finland is to close four crossing points on its long border with Russia to stop the flow of Middle Eastern and African migrants that it accuses Moscow of ushering to the border in recent months.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the south-eastern crossing points  Imatra, Niirala, Nuijamaa and Vaalimaa  will be closed at midnight on Friday.

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The Finland-Russia border runs a total of 832 miles, mostly in thick forests in the south, all the way to the rugged landscape in the Arctic north. There are currently nine crossing points with one dedicated to rail travel only.

Operations of the Russian border authorities have changed, Mr Orpo told reporters.



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He referred to dozens of migrants, mostly from the Middle East and Africa, who have arrived in recent days at the Nordic nation without proper documentation and have sought asylum after allegedly being helped by Russian authorities to travel to the heavily controlled border zone.

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This represents a major change since Finnish and Russian border authorities have for decades cooperated in stopping people without the necessary visas or passports before they could attempt to enter either of the two countries.

Finnish authorities said this week that Russia has in recent months started allowing undocumented travellers to access the border zone and enter crossing stations where they can request asylum in Finland.

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The Finnish Border Guard says migrants have in the past days arrived mainly from Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Turkey and Somalia, and nearly all have arrived at the border zone on bicycles that Finnish and Russian media reports say were provided and sold to them.

Most of them have used Russia only as a transit country to enter Finland and the EU, officials said.



Migrants have been entering Finland from Russia without proper documentation (Vesa Moilanen/Lehtikuva via AP)

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Some 280 third-country migrants have arrived in Finland from Russia since September, border officials said on Thursday.

Finnish President Sauli Niinisto on Wednesday linked Russias actions to Finlands Nato membership in April after decades of military non-alignment, something that infuriated Moscow, which has threatened Helsinki with retaliatory measures several times.

He noted that Finland must be prepared for certain malice from Russia due to its decision to join the Western military alliance as a result of Moscows attack on Ukraine in February 2022.

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Yes, were constantly being reminded (by Moscow) that Finland has joined Nato, Mr Niinisto told reporters during a visit to Germany.

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Finlands Foreign Ministry announced last month that the country of 5.6 million has concluded a deal on a new bilateral defence agreement with the United States.

Among other things, the so called DCA-pact allows Washington to send US troops and store equipment, weapons and ammunition in agreed locations in Finland.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on Wednesday, when asked about Finland considering the closure of the border crossings, that Russian authorities deeply regret that the leadership of Finland chose the path of deliberate distancing from the previously good nature of our bilateral relations.
German police have raided 54 locations across the country in an investigation of a Hamburg-based organisation suspected of promoting the Iranian leaderships ideology and possibly supporting activities of Hezbollah.

The Interior Ministry said the Islamic Centre Hamburg, or IZH, has long been under observation by Germanys domestic intelligence agency.

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It said the activities of the group are aimed at spreading the revolutionary concept of Irans supreme leader which is suspected of violating Germanys constitutional order.

Authorities are also looking into suspicions that it supports banned activities in Germany by Lebanons Iran-backed Hezbollah militant group, which has repeatedly traded fire across the Israel-Lebanon border since Hamas attacked Israel from Gaza last month.



Police raided the Imam Ali Mosque in Hamburg (Daniel Bockwoldt/dpa via AP)

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The IZH runs a mosque in Hamburg. The Interior Ministry said German intelligence believes it exerts significant influence or full control over some other mosques and groups, and that they often espouse a clearly antisemitic and anti-Israel attitude.

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It said authorities are examining whether it can be banned, and material seized during the searches will be evaluated.

Wednesdays raids were carried out in Hamburg and six other German states  Baden-Wuerttemberg and Bavaria in the south, Berlin, and Hesse, North-Rhine Westphalia and Lower Saxony in the west and north west. In addition to IZH, the investigation is targeting five other groups suspected of being sub-organisations.

Our measures show that we have the Islamist scene in our sights, Interior Minister Nancy Faeser said in Berlin. I want to say very clearly that we are acting against Islamist extremism, we are not acting against a religion or another state.

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But it is just as clear that we dont tolerate any Islamist propaganda, antisemitic and anti-Israel agitation here, she added.

On November 2, Ms Faeser implemented a formal ban on activity by or in support of Hamas and dissolved Samidoun, a group that was behind a celebration in Berlin of Hamass attack on Israel, following up on a pledge made by Chancellor Olaf Scholz shortly after the attack.

The IZH said last month that it condemns every form of violence and extremism and has always advocated peace, tolerance and interreligious dialogue.

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The German federal prosecutors office said separately that about 20 locations in the Hannover region were searched on Thursday in an investigation of five alleged members of Hezbollah who are accused of taking leading roles in two local groups steered by the militant organisation.

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They are being investigated on suspicion of membership of a foreign terrorist organization, prosecutors said. There were no arrests.
A heavily armed gang has burst into a hospital in Haiti and taken hundreds of women, children and newborns hostage, according to the director of the medical centre who pleaded for help via social media.

Jose Ulysse, founder and director of the Fontaine Hospital Centre in the sprawling Cite Soleil slum in the capital of Port-au-Prince, confirmed the incident in a brief message exchange with the Associated Press.

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We are in great difficulty, he said.

The hospital is considered an oasis and a lifeline in a community overrun by gangs that have unleashed increasingly violent attacks against each other, with civilians who live in Cite Soleil routinely raped, beaten or killed.



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Mr Ulysse identified those responsible as members of the Brooklyn gang, led by Gabriel Jean-Pierre, best known as Ti Gabriel. He is also is the leader of a powerful gang alliance known as G-Pep, one of two rival coalitions in Haiti.

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The Brooklyn gang has some 200 members and controls certain communities within Cite Soleil including Brooklyn. They are involved in extortion, hijacking of goods and general violence against civilians, according to a recent UN report.

The G-Pep coalition and its allies strongly reinforced co-operation and diversified their revenues, in particular by committing kidnapping for ransom, which has enabled them to strengthen their fighting capacity, the report stated.

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When the Associated Press visited the Fontaine Hospital Centre earlier this year, Mr Ulysse said in an interview that gangs had targeted him personally twice before.

Gangs across Haiti have continued to grow more powerful since the assassination of president Jovenel Moise in July 2021, and the number of kidnappings and killings keep rising.

Earlier this year, at least 20 armed gang members burst into a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders and snatched a patient from an operating room.

The criminals gained access after faking a life-threatening emergency, the organisation said.
A convicted murderer has offered to return to the UK from Trinidad to show his victims daughter where he put her mothers body 54 years ago.

Muriel McKay, the wife of a newspaper executive, was kidnapped and held ransom for 1 million by a pair who had mistaken her for Anna Murdoch, the then-wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

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Ms McKay (55) was the wife of Mr Murdochs deputy Alick McKay, who like Mr Murdoch was Australian.

She disappeared and her body was never found.

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Nizamodeen Hosein, then aged 22, and his older brother Arthur were convicted of her murder and handed life prison sentences.

Now living in his native Trinidad, where he was deported after serving his jail sentence, 75-year-old Nizamodeen Hosein has been in touch with Ms McKays daughter Dianne (82).

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He has offered to return to the UK to show her where he buried her mothers body.

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In a letter seen by Sky News, Hosein asked the Home Office to lift a deportation order which still bars him from the UK.

His brother Arthur died in prison in 2009.

David Dyer, son-in-law of missing Muriel McKay, at a press conference at Wimbledon Police Station 54 years ago (PA)

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He wrote: I admit my involvement in the kidnap and death of Muriel McKay, and I have been attempting to assist her daughter Dianne in locating her body.

I believe I am the only living person who knows where Muriels body is and would like her body to be found before I myself die.

A deportation order requires an individual to leave the UK.

It also prohibits them from re-entering the country for as long as it is in force and invalidates any leave to enter or remain in the UK given to them before the order is made or while it is in force.

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A person can apply at any time for revocation of a deportation order made against them.

Dianne told Sky News, after speaking to Hosein by video call, that he was a man of few words.

Asked what it was like having to speak to the man convicted of her mothers murder, and rely on him for help, Dianne told the broadcaster: Its been very hard having so many years of nobody to talk to, no leads and no hope of ever finding her body.

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Its actually a relief to talk to him.

A Home Office spokesperson said: We express sympathies with Muriel McKays loved ones.

While we do not comment on individual cases, we work with the police on any requests pertaining to ongoing investigations.

London's Metropolitan Police said: We most recently met some members of Muriels family in May 2023 and continue to keep in contact with them.

An extensive search for Muriels remains was conducted in March 2022 at a site in Hertfordshire, unfortunately it concluded unsuccessfully.

We continue to review any opportunities to recover Muriels body and return her to her family.
The man who broke into former US House speaker Nancy Pelosis San Francisco home seeking to hold her hostage, and attacked her husband with a hammer, has been convicted of federal charges of attempted kidnapping and assault.

The jury on Thursday deliberated for about eight hours before finding David DePape guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official.

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He faces up to 50 years in prison.

The attack on then 82-year-old Paul Pelosi that was captured on police body camera video just days before last years midterm elections sent shockwaves through the political world.

DePape, 43, admitted during trial evidence that he broke into the Pelosis home on October 28, 2022, intending to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and break her kneecaps if she lied to him.

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He also admitted bludgeoning Paul Pelosi with a hammer after San Francisco police arrived at the home, saying his plan to end what he viewed as government corruption was unravelling.

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Defence lawyer Angela Chuang told jurors during closing arguments that DePape was caught up in conspiracies.

She said he was motivated by his political beliefs, not because he wanted to interfere with Nancy Pelosis official duties as a member of Congress, making the charges against him invalid.



Paul Pelosi, right, fights for control of a hammer with David DePape (San Francisco Police Department/AP)

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Prosecutor Helen Gilbert said the defence had made a false distinction between Ms Pelosis politics and official duties and that DePape did not differentiate between the two.

DePape, a Canadian citizen who moved to the US more than 20 years ago, is also is charged in a state court with assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and residential burglary.

A state trial date will be set during a November 29 hearing, said Randy Quezada, a spokesman for the San Francisco district attorneys office.

Defence lawyer Jodi Linker said DePape believed with every ounce of his being that he was taking action to stop government corruption, the erosion of liberty in America, and the abuse of children by liberal politicians and actors.

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During his evidence DePape echoed right-wing conspiracy theories and told jurors he had planned to wear an inflatable unicorn costume and record his interrogation of Nancy Pelosi to upload it online.

Prosecutors say he had rope and zip ties with him. Detectives also found body cameras, a computer and a tablet.

DePape said his plan was to get Nancy Pelosi to admit that she had been lying to the American people. If she lied, I would break her kneecaps, he said. The choice is on her.

He said he would then move to other targets, including California governor Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks and President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden.

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More than a year after the attack, Paul Pelosi said he still has not fully recovered (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Paul Pelosi also gave evidence, recalling how he was awakened by a large man bursting into the bedroom door and asking, Wheres Nancy?

He said that when he said his wife was in Washington, DePape said he would tie him up while they waited for her.

It was a tremendous sense of shock to recognise that somebody had broken into the house and looking at him and looking at the hammer and the ties, I recognised that I was in serious danger, so I tried to stay as calm as possible, Pelosi told jurors.

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Pelosi said how called 911 with DePape watching, urging Pelosi to tell police that he was a friend. Pelosi said he tried to tell police what was happening without aggravating DePape.

Pelosi recalled being thankful when the police arrived, only for DePape to then hit him with the hammer. He said he woke up in a pool of his own blood.

More than a year after the attack, he still has not fully recovered, Pelosi said.

A spokesman for Nancy Pelosi, speaking after the verdict was announced, said Paul Pelosi continues to make progress in his recovery and that the family was grateful for the outpouring of support for him from people across the US.

DePape gave evidence that he thought Paul Pelosi was dead until he saw he was charged by San Francisco prosecutors with attempted murder.

He was never my target and Im sorry that he got hurt, DePape said.

He told jurors he believed news outlets repeatedly lied about former president Donald Trump.

In rants posted on a blog and online forum that were taken down after his arrest, DePape echoed the baseless, right-wing QAnon conspiracy theory that claims the US government is run by a cabal of devil-worshipping paedophiles.

He repeated QAnon-like conspiracies during his testimony, referring to a cabal and the ruling elite and saying they are eroding Americans liberty and allowing the abuse of children.
KAF encourages Korean youths' interest in Africa, seeks cooperation in new technologies

By Jung Da-hyun

The Korea-Africa Foundation (KAF) hosted the 2023 Korea-Africa Youth Forum, Nov. 9, in the Anniversary Museum at Banpo Hangang Park in Seoul, aiming to facilitate discussions and explore avenues for collaboration between Korean and African youths, with a focus on leveraging startups.

The forum, which has been held annually since 2018, serves as a platform to ignite young people's interest in Africa. An active role and participation by young people is increasingly vital in building and maintaining friendly relations between Korea and Africa, according to KAF. Furthermore, the forum has emerged as a space for the exchange of innovative ideas aimed at promoting and enhancing Korea-Africa relations.

This years forum centered around the theme of "Unlocking the new possibilities  the spark of change with Korean and African startups," inviting two authorities on startups in Korea and Africa to share their experiences and insights with 100 Korean and African youths who attended the forum.

Jin Seug-hyuk, CEO of the Korean AI startup Klleon, shared valuable insights on fostering cooperation for the mutual prosperity of Korean and African youths. Notably, he was recognized as one of Forbes' 30 Asian leaders under 30 last year.

Jin emphasized the case of applying Klleon's proprietary AI-based technologies, KLone and KLing, in providing educational content to the nation of Burundi in East Africa. He showcased the potential of these technologies in delivering high-quality educational content.

KLone, a virtual chatbot service utilizing AI, allows users to create customizable virtual characters, a technology already employed by companies like Hyundai Motor for virtual tour guides.

Another highlight of Klleons technology is KLing, an automatic video dubbing service available in five languages  Korean, English, Japanese, Chinese and Spanish. This service stands out by learning the voice of the original speaker to generate multilingual voices and synchronizing mouth movements with the voices, eliminating the awkwardness associated with conventional dubbing services.

Klleon's advancements in these technologies led to its inclusion in the top 100 for the Korea AI Award and securing of three CES Innovation Awards this year.

On the African front, Andreas Valavanis, the vice president of the investments department at MNT-Halan, shared insights into fintech startups in Africa.

MNT-Halan, established in 2018, stands as Egypt's pioneering fintech startup, providing digital financial services through mobile wallets and cards, approved by the central bank and boasting 4 million users in Egypt alone.

Valavanis underscored the potential and growth opportunities within fintech startups in Africa and emphasized the effectiveness of collaboration between Korean and African startups.

In particular, he introduced the African fintech market to young Koreans and domestic fintech startups attending the forum. He stressed the importance of digital innovation in delivering financial services such as mobile wallets and cards, expressing hope that the forum would encourage young Koreans to actively engage with the burgeoning fintech market and startups in Africa.

"We hope that this forum has provided a significant opportunity to share creative and innovative ideas related to startups, a shared interest among the youths in Korea and Africa. We aim to inspire more young Koreans to take an active interest in Africa as well, said Lyeo Woon-ki, the president of KAF.
A man who killed six children in a house fire can be released from prison, the British Parole Board has ruled.

Paul Mosley was jailed for 17 years for manslaughter in 2013, alongside Mick and Mairead Philpott, after helping to start the fire that killed six of the Philpotts children in Victory Road, Derby in 2012.

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Mosley, now aged 56, helped to start the blaze that killed Jade Philpott, 10, and her brothers John, nine; Jack, eight; Jesse, six; and Jayden, five. Duwayne, 13, later died in hospital.

Following a hearing on October 24th, the Parole Board said on Wednesday that Mosley could be released.

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It said: After considering the circumstances of his offending and time on licence, the progress made while in custody and the evidence presented at the hearing, the panel was satisfied that imprisonment was no longer necessary for the protection of the public.

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Under his licence conditions, Mosley must live at a designated address, disclose any developing relationships and adhere to a curfew.

He must also avoid contact with victims and children in general and adhere to conditions of his internet and social media use.

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Mosley was previously released from prison in 2021 but returned to custody in 2022 after breaching the terms of his parole.

However, the Parole Board said the recall was inappropriate and said there had since been no significant problematic behaviour.

Mosley and the Philpotts were convicted of six counts of manslaughter following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.

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Mick and Mairead Philpott at a press conference prior to their arrest (Rui Vieira/PA)

Mick Philpott was jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years after starting the fire at his and his wifes home on May 11th, 2012.

Mairead Philpott was sentenced to 17 years and was released in 2020 having served half of her sentence.

A Ministry of Justice spokesperson said: This was a horrific crime and our thoughts remain with the victims and their families.

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Paul Mosley will be under the close supervision of the Probation Service and can be recalled to prison if he breaches the strict conditions of his release.
Democratic senator Joe Manchin, who last week announced he will retire from the US Senate at the end of next year, added to his party's woes on Wednesday when he said he "absolutely" would consider running for US president in 2024.

In an interview with NBC News, Mr Manchin said: "Every American should consider it if they're in a position to help save the country."

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The West Virginia senator, one of the most conservative Democrats in the 100-member Senate, has had close ties with the "No Labels" group that is flirting with putting up a third-party presidential candidate. Last summer, Mr Manchin participated in a No Labels event in New Hampshire on the topic.

Democrats fear that a Manchin presidential run could draw votes away from president Joe Biden and hand former president Donald Trump a victory if he is the Republican nominee for the third presidential election in a row.

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The Democratic Party already was lamenting Mr Manchin's refusal to seek another Senate term in 2024, likely handing the seat - and the party's narrow majority - to Republicans given his home state's conservative shift in recent years.

Mr Manchin told NBC that before deciding whether to mount a run for president he would have to gauge whether there is enough voter support for him.

No Labels has insisted it will only get into the race if its yet-to-be-named candidate has a good chance of winning. Mr Manchin could also run as an independent, but would have to work fast to get on all 50 state ballots.
The parent company of Hard Solo will change the name of the controversial alcoholic drink to Hard Rated after an industry body found the product breached the industry code by appealing to minors.

The alcoholic version of the popular soft drink has been under review for months after Hard Solo sparked several complaints that it would be alluring to minors by using similar branding elements as the soft drink.

Hard Solo will change its name to Hard Rated.

On Thursday, the Alcohol Beverages Advertising Code (ABAC) released its decision into the complaints, and concluded the company breached part 3 (b)(i) of the code in its strong or evident appeal to minors.

Beverages giant CUB said in a statement it was disappointed by ABACs decision, but accepted it and assured customers that while the name would change, the drink itself would be the same.
Add articles to your saved list and come back to them anytime.

When The Boathouse Rose Bay was suddenly renamed Rose Bay House this week, the clientele of this waterfront restaurant in the eastern suburbs wouldve been forgiven for a degree of trepidation.

The site was associated with Sydney restaurant royalty in the 90s and 2000s when it was home to Greg Doyles Pier, which closed in 2012. After that, it had a short stint as The Sailors Club. New owners opened Regatta there in 2014, and by the time it closed in 2020, theyd poured nearly $8 million into the flailing venture.

When The Boathouse Group dropped anchor and took over the site in 2021, it appeared to be back on track, successfully transplanting the Boathouse brand that has been rolled out from Patonga to Shelly Beach.

Rose Bay Houses new Mediterranean-inspired dishes include whitebait, mixed olives, vongole, taramasalata and Turkish bread. Kitti Gould

There was just one small problem.
A volunteer firefighter has been killed after being struck by a falling tree in the states north.

The NSW Rural Fire Service said the man was killed while fighting the Hudson Fire in the Walgett region near Lightning Ridge on Thursday afternoon.

The Walgett fire has burnt through more than 21,000 hectares since it began on Monday. Credit: NSW RFS

The fire is currently at watch and act level and has burnt through more than 21,000 hectares since it began on Monday.

In a statement, the RFS said other workers performed first aid on the man until paramedics arrived. He was taken to a medical facility in Lightning Ridge before he died.
Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick has spoken on national radio today to continue his governments push against their federal Labor counterparts decision to drop or cap support for some infrastructure projects in a nationwide spending overhaul pitched at fighting unworthy plans, blowouts and inflation.

Dick was asked on ABC Radio National Breakfast about comments from federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King that his government was confused in suggesting the review, which has lifted overall federal investment in the states projects to meet cost increases for some, had resulted in cuts.

An artists impression of a station along the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, proposed to link commuters from Maroochydore into the existing North Coast Line toward Brisbane. Credit: The Department of Transport and Main Roads

Well, thats simply not true. Costs have blown out for projects and the Federal Minister says were not going to pay for cost overruns, Dick said. If projects cost more and you dont invest more than into them, that is a cut because you cant simply deliver that project.

Theyre shifting the entire funding profile for road programs in Queensland from 80:20 to 50:50. Thats going to be a cut. All those projects that the federal governments now capping, that means all the cost increases, they wont be funded. Well have to work out what has to be cut as a consequence.

After strong words in response to Kings announcements yesterday and rejection of additional Qatar airlines flights to and from Australia, Dick was asked if she had his confidence. He would not be drawn into a direct response, but said: We think the judgment of the Minister is wrong when it comes to investing in Queensland.
Perth has become the epicentre of Australian property investment, with new figures showing the average distance between where landlords lived and where they invested was 1502 kilometres.

MCG Quantity Surveyors managing director Mike Mortlock said this years figure was nearly double that from the same analysis in 2022, which showed an average of 857 kilometres between a landlords home and their investment.

The Perth property market has been popular with east coast investors. Credit: Ross Swanborough

In pre-pandemic times, the average remote investing distance was 294 kilometres.

Buyers are incredibly mobile when it comes to securing a desirable property investment and will park their capital in whichever investor-friendly national location and asset type offers the greatest possibility of maximising their return, Mortlock said.
A key state government planning body has recommended Satterleys 1000-lot housing estate in the Perth Hills be rejected on the grounds it poses too great a bushfire risk.

The Satterley Property Group wants to build a sprawling suburban-style town site for thousands of people on 535 hectares of land owned by the Perth Anglican Diocese.

Wayne Gregson was WAs Assistant Police Commissioner for seven years and WAs inaugural DFES Commissioner for five years. He has been an outspoken critic of the proposed housing estate. Credit: Zac Williams/ZW Photography

The site, surrounded by an extreme bushfire zone, is 150 hectares bigger than Kings Park, and larger in area than Londons Hyde Park and New Yorks Central Park, combined.

The Department of Planning recommendation released on Thursday in a more than 1200-page report said the plan did not demonstrate that the threat of bushfire risk to people, property and infrastructure could be properly mitigated.
Far-right threats against Lidia Thorpe have forced her to live out of home for months and sparked a major security review whose delay is keeping the firebrand MP away from parliament, an absence that exposed the government to a defeat in the Senate on its flagship industrial relations bill.

The independent senator said she had been in exile for more than four months, living out of a suitcase, and one of her three children and her dog had been put into separate accommodation following a series of violent threats.

Senator Thorpe said the government had been slow to act on security concerns. Credit: Rhett Wyman

She said these threats led to four people being arrested and charged, including former young Liberal and alleged neo-Nazi, Stefanos Eracleous, who fronted Heidelberg Magistrates Court last week, charged with creating a threatening video aimed at Thorpe.

His legal team were given another month to respond to the charges.
The Australian government will pour $1.75 billion more into faster rail between Brisbane and the Gold Coast and lift spending on other key south-east road projects as part of its long-awaited infrastructure pipeline review.

But funding for other projects has been pulled or capped, including a direct Sunshine Coast rail line and the M1 upgrades between Daisy Hill and the Logan Motorway.

The RACQ wants urgent intervention to avoid gridlock in south-east Queensland. Credit: Dan Peled

After federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine Kings overnight suggestions in media that the plan had been worked through with the co-operation of the states, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick was blunt.

This is not true. Our government has not and will not co-operate to support Catherine Kings cuts. The minister should retract this statement and retract these cuts, he wrote on social media.
President calls for stronger interconnectivity at APEC CEO Summit

By Nam Hyun-woo

President Yoon Suk Yeol met Apple CEO Tim Cook in San Francisco, Thursday (local time), and pledged South Korea's support to help the U.S. tech giant expand its partnerships with suppliers here.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in the U.S. city. Yoon arrived in San Francisco early Thursday.

According to senior presidential secretary for economic affairs Choi Sang-mok, Yoon recognized the contributions South Korean companies have made to Apple's innovation so far, and stressed the necessity of strengthening the supply chain between Apple and its South Korean vendors.

"Apple is the world's largest info-tech company in terms of sales, and more than 200 South Korean partners are playing key roles in the company's smart products," Choi said. More than 30 percent of Apple product components are supplied by South Korean firms.

Cook said Apple could not have consolidated its current market status without assistance from South Korean suppliers and the South Korean government, according to Choi. The CEO also said that Apple's trade with South Korean companies surpassed $100 billion, and it will continue cooperation and investments in the South.

Yoon replied that South Korean firms have the world's leading technological capabilities and pledged his government's support for Apple's cooperation with South Korean partners.

Throughout the meeting, Cook expressed gratitude for supply chain cooperation with South Korean vendors and promised to expand partnerships with them, according to Choi. Yoon also said that he hopes the partnerships can contribute to South Korea's efforts to build an innovative industrial ecosystem.

The CEO noted that his father is a Korean War veteran, and that he has a special bond with the country. Yoon expressed his gratitude for the service of Cook's father.

Despite the positive engagement, Apple is now butting heads with South Korean regulators over its monopolistic in-app purchase policies. But Yoon and Cook did not touch on those issues, according to Choi.

Before the meeting, Yoon delivered a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit at Moscone Center and highlighted the importance of the connectivity of the world economy.

"To recover the dynamics of the world economy and enable sustainable growth, APEC should play a pivotal role in accelerating the connectivity of the world economy," Yoon said.

The president noted the wars in Ukraine and the Gaza Strip, hegemonic practices in technological competition and supply chain disruptions are expediting economic fragmantation, and stressed that supply chain disruptions are "a threat to Asia-Pacific nations whose economies expanded through free trade."

To address those challanges, Yoon proposed strengthening the connectivity of trade, investment, and supply chains; enhancing the mutual connectivity of digital systems; and expanding exchanges between future generations. In doing so, the president stressed that APEC, whose members account for more than 60 percent of the world's gross domestic product, should play a leading role.

Yoon also noted that the world should ensure digital access without discrimination, saying "data must be seamlessly connected across borders, and digital disparities between nations must disappear." For this, he stressed that new norms and orders suitable for the digital age are needed.

Meeting with Japanese prime minister

The South Korean leader is anticipated to meet the leaders of Seoul's key regional neighbors during his stay in San Francisco.

Japan's Kyodo News Agency reported that Yoon and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida will hold a summit on Thursday (local time), although Seoul's presidential office has yet to confirm this. If it takes place, it will be their eighth summit.

Yoon and Kishida are also scheduled to attend a roundtable on technological cooperation at Stanford University on Friday. On the occasion of their meetings, the leaders are expected to recognize the recent improvements in bilateral relations and reaffirm their commitment to hold a trilateral summit involving China.

Chances are also high that Yoon will have a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping. If so, it would be their first summit in a year, following their one-on-one meeting in Indonesia, Nov. 15, 2022.

Their potential talking points are expected to be peace on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea's nuclear and missile threats and economic cooperation. In doing so, Yoon will likely ask China to play a constructive role in curbing military cooperation between North Korea and Russia. Seoul's efforts to host the trilateral summit is also a possible subject of any talks that may take place.
Helsinki: Finland will close four crossing points on its long border with Russia to stop the flow of Middle Eastern and African migrants that it accuses Moscow of ushering through in recent months.

Finnish Prime Minister Petteri Orpo and Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the south-eastern crossing points  Imatra, Niirala, Nuijamaa and Vaalimaa  would be closed at midnight on Friday on the Finland-Russia land border that serves as the European Unions external frontier.

Migrants arriving from Russia board a van to be transported to the Joutseno Reception Centre at the Nuijamaa border station between Russia and Finland in Lappeenranta, Finland. Credit: Lehtikuva

It runs a total of 1340 kilometres, mostly through thick forests in the south, all the way to the rugged landscape in the Arctic north. There are nine crossing points, with one dedicated to rail travel only.

Operations of the Russian border authorities have changed, Orpo told reporters, adding that the four crossings would remain closed until February 18.
Washington: US President Joe Bidens son Hunter asked a judge on Wednesday to approve subpoenas for documents from former president Donald Trump and former Justice Department officials related to whether political pressure wrongly influenced the criminal case against him.

Bidens attorneys allege there were certain instances that appear to suggest incessant, improper, and partisan pressure applied by Trump to his then-attorney general William Barr and two top deputies, Jeffrey Rosen and Richard Donoghue.

Joe Bidens son Hunter. Credit: AP

While charges against Hunter Biden were not brought until this year, the investigation into his taxes and a gun purchase began in 2018, while Trump was still president.

The court filing cites public comments made by Trump, information from the House panel that investigated the attack on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, and details from Barrs book in which he described bubbling tension after Trump tried to pressure him over the status of the Hunter Biden probe.
In anticipation of Scams Awareness Week 2023, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank is sounding the alarm on the escalating threat of impersonation scams, urging heightened customer awareness.

Scams Awareness Week, which will run Nov. 27-Dec. 1, illuminates the growing menace of impersonation scams amid a nationwide campaign thats asking customers, Whos really there?

Surge in impersonation scams

In 2022, ScamWatch has documented a staggering 14,603 reports of bank impersonations, resulting in reported losses exceeding $20 million.

Cybercriminals often impersonate cybersecurity or fraud specialists from banks, including Bendigo Bank, employing increasingly sophisticated and convincing tactics across communication channels such as phone calls, SMS, emails, social media, search engines, and advertisements.

Jason Gordon (pictured above), head of fraud at Bendigo Bank, said these new phishing scams are meticulously crafted to deceive recipients into transferring money, or into divulging their personal information or banking details.

Criminals are getting adept at carefully constructing often complex communications that convincingly mirror those of the brand they are impersonating, Gordon said in a media release.

The Bendigo Bank leader said bank impersonation scams significantly undermine trust in bank communications, making it challenging for banks to reach out to customers, who face the additional pressure to differentiate between whats real and whats a scam.

Identifying impersonation scams

Gordon said Scams Awareness Week is a timely opportunity to reinforce the importance of staying vigilant and informed.

We encourage everyone to be cautious and verify the legitimacy of any communication, especially when it involves their bank and their finances, he said.

Bendigo Bank identified the signs of a bank impersonation scam:

Conveys urgency or threats, such as your bank account has been accessed, your bank account has been locked, a payment has been made from your account. If this was not you, please call (phone number)

Looks different compared to usual communications, such as in wordings or phrases used

Contains suspicious links and verifying the legitimacy of messages

Includes a telephone number to call; be sure to find your banks number yourself

Tells you to move funds to unfamiliar accounts; genuine banks never make such requests

Combating impersonation scams

Gordon is encouraging customers who may have fallen victim to a bank impersonation scam to visit the banks website to report and get support.

For Bendigo Bank customers who are unsure if a call claiming to be from Bendigo Bank is legitimate, they are urged to hang up and contact the bank directly at 1300 236 344.

Please remember the bank will never ask for your details, or to transfer money, download software or login via a link sent through email or SMS, Gordon said.

To stop scammers in their track, Australians are urged to follow ScamWatchs advice:

Stop. Refrain from providing money or personal information if unsure.

Think. Question the authenticity of messages or calls and avoid clicking on suspicious links.

Protect. Act swiftly if something feels amiss. Report unusual activity or scams promptly.

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Remote investing has surged in 2023, with the distance between landlords homes and their property investments nearly doubling in the past year, according to new research from MCG Quantity Surveyors.

Mike Mortlock (pictured above), managing director of MCG Quantity Surveyors, revealed that the average distance between landlords homes and their property investments has now soared to a whopping 1,502 km in the year to date, based on the companys analysis of its client data.

This is a substantial uptick on last years result and shows that buyers are incredibly mobile when it comes to securing a desirable property investment, Mortlock said.

This year's outcome nearly doubles the 2022 analysis, which reported an average distance of 857 km. The trend has been consistent, with the distance being 559 km at the end of 2021 and 294 km before the pandemic in January 2020.

Key takeaways from the MCG study

Mortlock identified key insights from the analysis.

WAs pivotal role

He said Western Australia has emerged as the centre of Australian property investment.

Western Australia, and more specifically Perth, has seen a substantial uptick in investor participation for several reasons, Mortlock said. WA is now considered among the nations most investor-friendly jurisdictions. Price is a factor too as some big capital city markets are now beyond the reach of everyday buyers.

MCG Quantity Surveyors analysis revealed that the average price an investor pays for a property is roughly $615,000.

That amount will go a lot further in Perth than it will in Sydney or Melbourne, Mortlock said.

Investor flexibility

Mortlock said property investors remain agile, investing in locations and assets in whichever investor-friendly national location and asset type that promise the best chance to maximise returns.

This mobile agility of investors, he said, should serve as a warning to east-coast politicians.

There remains a raft of ill-conceived legislative moves among east-coast political parties which is playing to Western Australias advantage, Mortlock said. Talk among investors is that tenancy legislation, compliance costs, and increased tax burdens in our most populous states are forcing their hand when deciding where to purchase or build an asset.

Evolution of Australian investment

Mortlock said the fundamental shift in Australian investment over the last five years is pivotal to the current landscape.

We are all aware that its easy to conduct business over long distances nowadays  and that convenience extends to property investment. Engaging with almost any buyers agent,

conveyancer or building inspector in Australia is a very simple matter, he said.

This has opened up all Aussie markets to smart investors. They can conduct their own analysis while employing professionals in their areas of interest to complete their work at ground level.

Looking forward, Mortlock is expecting remote investing to continue to gain momentum, although the average distance is likely to level off.

Investors will continue to grow comfortable with buying remotely and sight unseen as the calibre and quality of data improves, he said. That said, I suspect that when the current WA investment flurry eventually cools, we may find the distance between home and investment plateaus.

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UB remains Top 25 destination for international students

UBs continued advance in the ranking of universities with the largest number of international students is very gratifying but not surprising, given our strong record in attracting excellent international students and supporting their success. 

UB, long known for its global student body, continues to move up the rankings as one of the top universities in the nation for hosting international students.

The Institute of International Education ranked UB No. 23 this year in its latest census of international students on U.S. college campuses.

This is the 21st straight year that UB has ranked among the Top 30 institutions in the annual Open Doors Report on International Education Exchange, which is considered a benchmark for higher education. UB ranked No. 25 on the list in 2022 and No. 27 in both 2021 and 2020.

UBs continued advance in the ranking of universities with the largest number of international students is very gratifying but not surprising, given our strong record in attracting excellent international students and supporting their success, says Nojin Kwak, vice provost for international education.

The release of the report this week by the Washington, D.C.-based organization coincides with UB celebrating International Education Week, which runs from Nov. 13-17.

This is an added reason to celebrate International Education Week and UBs exceptional international community, Kwak says. We take great pride in our international students and all they contribute to UB.

UB reported a total of 7,696 international students as of fall 2022, which includes more than 2,000 students who continued in the U.S. with postgraduate Optional Practical Training. OPT allows for a period of temporary employment in their field of study.

That total was up 14.5% from the previous year, as the number of international students has continued to climb after the COVID-19 pandemic allowed so few international students to travel to the U.S. during fall 2020.

In fact, across the U.S., the number of international students  including those on OPT  grew 11.5% from the previous fall to more than 1 million students, the report shows. It was the fastest growth rate in more than 40 years, with the number of international students who enrolled for the first time at a U.S. college or university soaring beyond pre-pandemic levels to near-record highs, according to the report.

The Open Doors 2023 Report emphasizes that international education is resilient and also integral to universities and countries looking to support global innovation, collaboration and peace, Allan E. Goodman, chief executive officer for the Institute of International Education, said in a prepared statement.

Other data points:
India is committed to freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters in accordance with global norms, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh said on Thursday against the backdrop of China's increasing military muscle flexing in South China Sea.

In an address at a meeting of 10-nation ASEAN and some of its dialogue partners in Jakarta, Singh also underlined the importance of dialogue and diplomacy to ensure enduring peace and stability in the world.

The defence minister reaffirmed India's message to the world at large, that "this is not an era of war", and spoke about the imperative to give up the "us versus them" mindset.

Singh said India is commitment to freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in the international waters in accordance with international laws, including United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.

There have been growing global concerns over China's sweeping claims of sovereignty over all of the South China Sea, a huge source of hydrocarbons.

Several countries in the region including Vietnam, the Philippines and Brunei, have counterclaims.

In his remarks at the meeting of ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), the defence minister described terrorism as a serious threat to international peace and security and called for concerted efforts to deal with it.

The ADMM-Plus is a platform comprising 10-nation ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations) and its eight dialogue partners -- India, China, Australia, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Russia and the United States.

Indonesia is hosting the meeting as the current chair of ADMM-Plus.

The defence minister called for regional security initiatives that are consultative and development-oriented to reflect the larger consensus among various stakeholders.

He committed towards nurturing practical, forward-looking and result-oriented cooperation with ADMM-Plus for enhancing maritime security in the region, the defence ministry said here.

India became the dialogue partner of the ASEAN in 1992 and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened in Hanoi in October 2010. Since 2017, the ADMM-Plus ministers have been meeting annually to bolster regional security cooperation.
South Korea and other negotiating members of the United States-led Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) have reached a consensus on two additional sectors of the agreement, energy and fair economy, Seoul's trade ministry said Thursday.

The IPEF was launched by U.S. President Joe Biden in 2022 in a move to counter China's growing influence in the region, which involves a total of 14 member nations, including South Korea, Australia, India, Japan, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.

Among the initiative's four sectors, the agreement on the supply chain resilience pillar was reached in May.

The clean energy pillar is anticipated to pave the way for participating nations to enhance collaboration in the pursuit of sustainable energy sources and reducing gas emissions.

The fair economy segment focuses on strengthening protection for whistleblowers against corruption and taking punitive actions against illegal activities in government procurement.

Members now have only the trade pillar remaining in the IPEF negotiations and have agreed to continue talks on the segment next year, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy.

"Currently, we have made significant progress in detailed sectors of the trade pillar through a series of negotiations," the ministry said in a statement. "However, there was consensus among the participants that additional talks are needed."

The IPEF members represent around 40 percent of global gross domestic product, and 28 percent of global goods and services trade, according to government data. (Yonhap)
Migrants with criminal records in Australia will face up to five years in prison for breaching their visa conditions under emergency legislation introduced Thursday in response to a High Court ruling that foreigners can't be detained indefinitely.

The government said it has released 84 foreigners most of whom have convictions for crimes including murder and rape since the court ruled last week that indefinite detention of migrants is unconstitutional.

The decision reversed a High Court ruling from 2004 that had allowed stateless people to be held in migrant centers for any length of time in cases where there were no prospects of deporting them from Australia.

The legislation introduced in Parliament by Immigration Minister Andrew Giles would let the government order certain migrants to wear electronic tracking bracelets and to comply with curfews. Failure to comply with those visa conditions could be a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison.

The released migrants include certain individuals with serious criminal histories, Giles told Parliament.

These measures are consistent with the legitimate objective of community safety, and the rights and interests of the public, especially vulnerable members of the public, Giles said.

Human rights lawyers argued that the measures could be challenged in court as punitive and excessive.

Any new conditions must meet some basic tests. They must be necessary, they must be reasonable, proportionate, they must not be punitive or deprive people unnecessarily of their liberty, said David Manne, a lawyer who represents several of the released migrants.

We shouldn't readily be handing to the government extraordinary powers to impose severe restrictions on our lives without proper scrutiny. It's hard to see how there has been proper scrutiny given how urgently this has all been introduced, Manne added.

The government has given assurances that migrants have been released under strict visa conditions, with some required to report to police daily. Manne said some of his clients were initially freed from detention centers without visas in the government's haste to comply with the court verdict.

The legislation was pushed through the House of Representatives on Thursday morning and will now be considered by the Senate.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton, whose conservative party could ensure that the center-left government's measures are passed by the Senate, described the proposals as inadequate to ensure community safety.

"These are people who have committed serious offenses and the likelihood of them reoffending is very, very high, Dutton said.

Opposition senators are likely to propose their own amendments.

The minor Greens party opposed what they described as anti-refugee laws.

These are draconian laws that provide the minister with powers never before seen in Australia and the Greens will not be supporting them, Greens immigration spokesperson Sen. Nick McKim said in a statement.

Giles said further legislation would be considered once the High Court's seven judges publish the reasoning for their decision.

All the released migrants previously had their visas canceled or had been refused visas because of their criminal records or other evidence of poor character. They were ordered into indefinite detention because they had no reasonable prospects of being deported to a country that would accept them.

They include Afghans, a nationality that Australia has stopped deporting since the Taliban seized power in their homeland. They also include Iranians, because Iran will only repatriate Iranians who return voluntarily.

The test case was brought by a member of Myanmar's persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority, identified in court as NZYQ, who was convicted of raping a 10-year-old boy in Sydney and sentenced to five years in prison. He was put in indefinite detention after prison.
Cambodia on Thursday inaugurated its newest and biggest airport, a Chinese-financed project meant 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.

The Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport is located on 700 hectares (1,730 acres) of land about 40 kilometers (25 miles) east of Angkor Wat and boasts a 3,600-metre long runway. It can handle 7 million passengers a year, with plans to augment it to handle 12 million passengers annually from 2040.

The airport began operations October 16, with the first flight to land coming from neighbouring Thailand. The old airport it replaces was about 5 kilometres from the famous tourist site.

Thursday's inauguration was presided over by Prime Minister Hun Manet, Chinese Ambassador to Cambodia Wang Wentian, the governor of China's Yunnan province, Wang Yubo, and other officials.

Speaking at the ceremony, Hun Manet said the old airport was located too close to the Angkor temples and it was feared that vibrations from passing flights were damaging their foundations.

Tourism is one of the main pillars supporting Cambodia's economy. 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.

Hopefully, 2024 will be the year of the beginning of the advance and rebirth of the tourism sector in our Siem Reap province, Hun Manet said.

China is Cambodia's most important ally and benefactor, with strong influence in its economy, shown by numerous Chinese-funded projects, hotels and casinos in the capital, Phnom Penh, and elsewhere around the country. China's state banks have financed airports, roads and other infrastructure built with Chinese loans. More than 40 per cent of Cambodia's USD 10 billion in foreign debt is owed to China.

The new airport, built at a cost of about USD 1.1 billion, was financed by Angkor International Airport (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., an affiliate of China's Yunnan Investment Holdings Ltd, under a 55-year build-operate-transfer deal.

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Yunnan governor Wang Yubo, speaking for the Chinese government, said the airport's launch showed the deep friendship between the people of the two countries, while promoting bilateral economic ties.

The project is part of the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI), the ambitious programme that involves Chinese companies building transportation, energy and other infrastructure overseas funded by Chinese development bank loans. Its goal is to grow trade and the economy by improving China's 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.

Another Chinese-funded airport is being constructed at a cost of USD 1.5 billion to serve the capital. 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.
The European Union has provided a EUR 2 million aid package to Nepal to support the victims of the earthquake which rattled the remote mountain areas in the Himalayan nation earlier this month.

On November 3, a 6.4-magnitude earthquake jolted western Nepal's Jajarkot and Rukum districts, killing 153 people and injuring over 260 others. Days later, on November 7, three tremors of over magnitude 4 hit Jajarkot, injuring at least 16 people. The quakes damaged around 8,000 buildings, both public and private.

The grant assistance provided by the EU is equivalent to around Nepalese Rs 290 million. It will help provide shelter, access to clean water and sanitation, and health care, among other services, to support the earthquake-affected people in the Jajarkot and Rukum districts of Nepal, a press release issued by the EU Representative Office in Nepal said.

In addition, EUR 200,000 has been allocated to the Nepal Red Cross Society via the Disaster Response Emergency Fund (DREF) of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Complementing the financial contribution, the EU has said that it will mobilise in-kind assistance worth EUR 1.2 million from its European Humanitarian Response Capacity (EHRC).

It will include tents and winterisation kits that will be sent from the EU's stockpile in Kuala Lumpur to address the crucial shelter needs of vulnerable families whose homes were destroyed.

Nepali people have once again been hit by a deadly earthquake," said the Commissioner for Crisis Management, Janez Lenarcic.

" As in previous disasters, the EU stays ready to help those most in need. This new aid package will bring shelter to people that have lost their homes, so they can be prepared to face the upcoming winter while helping with other pressing needs, Lenarcic said.

The funding comes in addition to the EUR 2 million already allocated to Nepal at the beginning of this year to respond to natural hazards and strengthen disaster preparedness, the European Commission said in a press release.

The November 3 quake caused the worst human and infrastructure losses since the devastating jolt of April 2015.
Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida voiced hope for closer cooperation between their countries as they met on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on Thursday.

The two leaders met at a hotel in San Francisco, marking their seventh summit this year as Seoul and Tokyo have been pushing to mend badly frayed ties following the Yoon administration's decision in March to compensate Korean victims of Japan's wartime forced labor without asking for contributions from the Japanese companies involved.

"This year bilateral cooperation is deepening with the reactivation of exchanges at each level, including at the summit level, and the restoration of consultation bodies between our governments," Yoon said in his opening remarks, referring to the resumption of a series of security policy, economic security and vice foreign ministerial talks.

"Going forward I will continue to work together with Prime Minister Fumio to enable our two countries to communicate closely in each sector, including through high-level economic consultations," he added.

Kishida also noted they were meeting for the seventh time this year, and only two months after their previous summit in India.

He said he felt "reassured" by the close cooperation between Korea and Japan in flying their nationals out of Israel amid its war with Hamas.

"Until now I have worked with President Yoon for bilateral cooperation in various areas, including politics, security guarantees, the economy and culture," Kishida said. "I hope to further push forward with these steps."

Noting that the world is at a historical turning point, the prime minister expressed his strong commitment to leading the world toward cooperation, not division and conflict, saying he believes Japan and Korea can work together as partners in that respect. (Yonhap)
The U.S. Department of State has approved a potential sale to South Korea of AIM-9X air-to-air missiles and related equipment to help improve the East Asian ally's defense capabilities, a government agency said Wednesday.

The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) under the Department of Defense made the announcement on the potential government-to-government Foreign Military Sale (FMS) estimated to cost $52.1 million.

The South Korean government has made a request to buy 42 AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ Tactical Missiles, 10 AIM-9X Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles, missile containers and other pieces of related equipment, according to DSCA.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region," DSCA said in a press release.

"The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea's capability to meet current and future threats while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies," it added.

The approval came a day after North Korea claimed that it recently conducted ground tests of new high-thrust solid-fuel engines for intermediate-range ballistic missiles  an indication that it is doubling down on its project to refine missile capabilities.

DSCA delivered the required certification notifying Congress of the possible sale earlier in the day as the sale requires congressional endorsement.

On Tuesday, the agency announced that the State Department approved a potential sale to South Korea of Standard Missile-6 (SM-6) shipborne missile interceptors and related equipment under an FMS program estimated to cost $650 million. (Yonhap)
If theres one thing you could say about the Honda CR-V is that its comfortable in its own skin. In each of its six generations, there was ...
Photo: The Canadian Press Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Chrystia Freeland.

Members of Canadas increasingly frustrated fintech sector are calling on the federal government to move ahead with promised plans to give consumers more control over their financial data.

Dozens of tech leaders sent a letter Thursday to Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland arguing that Canada is falling behind as an increasing number of countries move ahead with open banking systems designed to increase competition.

Open banking in Canada is long overdue, said Nicholas Schiavo, director of federal affairs at the Council of Canadian Innovators and one of the signatories.

The system, which already exists in the U.K. and the European Union and is moving ahead in the U.S., promises to give Canadians the choice of who has access to their financial data. It would also allow consumers to move their information seamlessly from one account to another like one might move dental records when switching dentists.

Advocates say that by opening up data access, consumers can securely link everything from budgeting apps to credit assessments into their banking information.

Millions of Canadians already use services based on the sharing of such data, but its based on using "screen scraping" that requires them to share their login details, an unsecure and unregulated process.

The open banking option promises to increase competition in Canadas concentrated banking sector and lower fees, said Schiavo.

Every single day that we delay a modern, secure financial system, we are in effect putting a tax on Canadian businesses, and Canadians themselves, who are paying more for an antiquated system.

Lori Weir, chief executive of Four Eyes Financial and another signatory, said she had hoped to see progress on the system this year.

"I certainly support anything we can do to move things more quickly."

She said that much like health data, being able to pool financial data in one place would help create better financial choices.

"It's when you bring that data together and you're able to analyze it, and able to produce back insights, that people are a bit better able to make decisions."

The letter follows the October launch of a campaign by a group of leading fintech companies to get Canadians to pressure the government to move forward on its commitments, which include a 2021 campaign promise to implement an open banking system no later than the start of 2023.

The federal government appointed Abraham Tachjian as the open banking lead in March 2022, who has since led numerous working groups, but it's still not clear when a system might launch.

Meanwhile, the U.S. announced in October that it was moving forward with plans to accelerate a shift to open banking.

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in the U.S. said its proposed rules would stop banks from "hoarding" a persons data, supercharge competition and improve financial services.

We are proposing a rule to give consumers the power to walk away from bad service and choose the financial institutions that offer the best products and prices, CFPB director Rohit Choprsaid in a news release.

The U.K. has operated an open banking system since 2018, the same year Canada set up an advisory committee on the possibility.
Cement dispatches in Peru contract 9% in October

ICR Newsroom By 16 November 2023

Cement dispatches in Peru declined by nine per cent YoY to 1.082Mt in October 2023 from 1.189Mt in October 2022, according to Asocem, the country's cement association. Of this total, Asocem members dispatched 1.004Mt, representing a 13 per cent decrease when compared with October 2022.



Cement production from domestic cement plants was down 12.6 per cent to 1.023Mt from 1.171Mt. Clinker production fell 13.8 per cent to 0.777Mt when compared with 0.901Mt in the previous-year period.



Cement exports fell by 7.7 per cent YoY to 12,000t in October 2023 from 13,000t while clinker exports saw a nine per cent YoY advance to 73,000t from 67,000t.



Imports of cement dropped by 93.5 per cent to 2800t in October 2023 from 43,000t in the year-ago period and clinker imports saw 26.3 per cent decrease YoY to 87,000t from 118,000t.



January-October 2023

In the first 10 months of 2023 cement dispatches in Peru decreased by 11.9 per cent YoY to 9.948Mt from 11.288Mt in the 10M22.



Cement output fell by 13.7 per cent YoY to 9.487Mt in the 10M23 from 10.996Mt while clinker production declined by 6.7 per cent YoY to 7.964Mt from 8.511Mt over the same period.



A total of 125,000t of cement was exported in the January-October 2023 period, representing a 19.9 per cent YoY decrease from 156,000t while clinker exports dropped 52.8 per cent to 492,000t in the 10M23 from 1.041Mt in the year-ago period.



Cement imports in the 10M23 declined 30.3 per cent YoY to 178,000t from 255,000t in the 10M22. Clinker exports were down 29.2 per cent YoY to 610,000t from 862,000t in the 10M22 period.









Published under
Chinese rail seeks to spread further afield

China Daily) 09:54, November 16, 2023

Visitors examine models of the Fuxing series of high-speed trains at Modern Railways 2023, an exhibition of the latest railway technologies, in Beijing on Tuesday. The exhibition, participated in by some 400 enterprises from 14 countries and regions, featured forums on topics such as digitalization and logistics. BAO GANSHENG/FOR CHINA DAILY

On the back of its successes in delivering on rail projects in several countries involved with the Belt and Road Initiative, China's rail heavyweights are confident in the market for future projects in a growing number of countries.

As many as a dozen countries have expressed interest in cooperating with China on rail projects, according to remarks made at a forum on the sidelines of the expo Modern Railways 2023 in Beijing on Tuesday.

"Some countries where China has built major infrastructure projects have expressed their desire for the Chinese team to remain and continue to cooperate with them on new railway projects or in upgrading current lines," said Ju Guojiang, president of China Railway International, a subsidiary of China State Railway Group, which oversees overseas railway projects.

Recently, some countries in Southeast and Central Asia have actively engaged with China in the hopes of collaborating on the construction of new railways, Ju said, adding that the ongoing development of these projects serves as an excellent driving force in promoting the BRI.

"Through such projects, we can share China's advanced railway technologies and standards with the world," he said.

"China's high-speed railway development is at a leading level in the world," said Zhao Xianghong, deputy director of the science, technology and information research institute of the China Academy of Railway Sciences.

Since China's very first high-speed railway came into operation in 2008, the scale of China's high-speed rail network has exploded to cover 42,000 kilometers, accounting for more than 70 percent of all high-speed railway lines in the world.

"The biggest advantage of Chinese rail going global is that we have a comprehensive system, inclusive of all elements and the entire industry chain," Ju said.

"It means that China can offer a comprehensive plan, including surveying, design and construction, as well as providing all supplies and materials. We can also offer operating plans following the railway's opening," he said.

In recent years, a number of Chinese railway projects have come online overseas, such as the China-Laos Railway, the Belgrade-Novi Sad section of the Serbia-Hungary Railway, and the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway.

The local partners have spoken highly of the projects and their cooperation with China.

Dwiyana Slamet Riyadi, president of PT Kereta Cepat Indonesia-China, a joint venture that worked on the Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway, said he hopes the railway can bring a new and efficient lifestyle to Indonesia.

The line has reduced travel time between the two Indonesian cities to 40 minutes from more than 3 hours.

Marko Jeremic, head of infrastructure at Serbian Railways, said: "The collaboration with the Chinese companies made it possible for us to be the leader in the western Balkans, introducing the high-speed line.

"In that way, we became the leader because no other neighboring countries  Croatia, Hungary and Bulgaria  have the high-speed lines over 160 km per hour," he said.

China's railway sector has continued to strengthen international cooperation, upholding the principles of being of a high standard, sustainable and beneficial to people, to better serve the BRI and share experiences with the world, according to China State Railway Group.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Xian Jiangnan)
A U.S. defense official said Thursday that this week's annual defense ministerial talks between South Korea and the United States centered on "tailored" deterrence efforts to address regional threats.

Mara Karlin, who performs the duties of deputy undersecretary of defense for policy, commented on the Security Consultative Meeting (SCM) that took place in Seoul on Monday. Defense Minister Shin Won-sik and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin led the talks.

"This one, in particular, did focus on the importance of extended deterrence, making sure that that is tailored," she said in a press briefing, noting that the talks dealt with "regional threats" facing South Korea and the U.S.

Extended deterrence refers to America's commitment to using the full range of its military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend its ally.

At the latest SCM session, Shin and Austin endorsed the 2023 Tailored Deterrence Strategy in the first revision to the allies' key security document in 10 years.

In the joint SCM communique, the two sides cast the updated strategy as a "flexible and robust document" that serves as a strategic framework to effectively deter and respond to advancing North Korean nuclear and other weapons of mass destruction capabilities.

Karlin said that the SCM session "builds on" the landmark trilateral summit between South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, U.S. President Joe Biden and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida at Camp David in August.

"Another important example of how we are seeing different groupings, different geometries of our allies and our partners across the Indo-Pacific really concurring with the need for security and regional stability," she said.

The press briefing was held to explain the Biden administration's implementation of its National Defense Strategy.

Karlin pointed out that the Pentagon's approach to the Indo-Pacific is delivering a U.S. military that is "more capable, more forward and more deeply integrated" with regional allies and partners "than ever before."

"On capabilities, that means rapidly updating U.S. military power with advanced capabilities and novel operational concepts to address regional challenges. Being forward means being more physically visible and agile in the region," she said.

Touching on this week's agreement between the U.S. and China to resume high-level military communications, Karlin underscored the importance of maintaining "open communications."

"The last thing we want is to misunderstand one another and have some sort of miscalculation and escalation," she said.

Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached the agreement at their first summit in a year in California on Wednesday. Under the agreement, the two sides will restart U.S.-China defense policy coordination talks, military maritime consultative dialogue and "theater commander" talks, she noted. (Yonhap)
A message threatening to rape women has been mistakenly displayed on an outdoor electronic board of a department store in central Seoul, prompting the store to file a police complaint, officials said Thursday.

According to the police and Lotte Department Store, a message reading, "I will rape all Korean women," went on display both in Korean and English on an electronic board on the exterior wall of the department chain's store in Seoul's Jung Ward at around 10 p.m. on Tuesday.

The electronic board was installed as part of the department store's Christmas celebration, allowing people to submit messages online for public display.

A Lotte employee soon brought down the message, but a person filed a report with the department store the following day, informing them of a photo of the incident being circulated online.

A Lotte official said that the electronic message board's screening system that filters out offensive and taboo language appears to have failed to block the message in question.

The department store is moving to file a complaint with the police, the official said.

Lotte has since suspended the public message event and is running Christmas images on the display. (Yonhap)
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Climate protesters sang songs and held up banners on Wednesday as Swedish campaigner Greta Thunberg arrived at a London court after being arrested during a demonstration against the energy industry.
'Killer' questions excluded as ordered by president; mandatory mask wearing lifted

By Jun Ji-hye

More than 500,000 high school seniors, graduates and other applicants took the state college entrance exam at 1,279 test sites across the country on Thursday.

This year, a total of 504,588 registered to take the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT), down by 3,442 from a year earlier. Among them, high school seniors accounted for 64.7 percent and graduates 31.7 percent.

The CSAT, held on the third Thursday of every November, is regarded as the most important event in students' academic careers, as it largely decides the outcome of 12 years of intense study for those seeking to enter top universities.

All aircraft takeoffs and landings across the country were restricted for 35 minutes from 1:05 p.m. to 1:40 p.m. during the English listening evaluation portion of the exam, to prevent potentially distracting aircraft noise.

It was the fourth CSAT held since COVID-19 broke out around the world in 2020. Mask-wearing, which had since been mandatory for all test takers for the past three years, was lifted for the first time this year.

Those who tested positive for COVID-19 or displayed symptoms were also allowed to take the test in the same rooms as others without the virus, after having taken the test in separate rooms for the past three years.

Yet, education authorities actively advised the test takers infected with coronoavirus or showing symptoms to wear masks and have lunch separately.

As the nine-hour, five-session exam began, some 500 test writers and reviewers, as well as about 230 who were in charge of administrative work, were freed from their confinement, after having stayed together in a camp for the last 38 days to maintain tight security on test materials.

Jeong Moon-seong, a professor at Gyeongin National University of Education and this years head of the test writers, said extremely difficult killer questions were excluded from the exam as ordered by President Yoon Suk Yeol.

We excluded the so-called 'killer' questions in accordance with the governments policy to reduce abnormally high private education expenses, Jeong said in a media briefing at the Government Complex in Sejong.

We created questions covered by the public education curriculum, while maintaining the ability to assess students' capabilities.

On June 15, President Yoon instructed Education Minister Lee Ju-ho to exclude what is not taught at schools from the annual exam. This was part of his education reforms, one of the top three reforms being pursued by the Yoon administration, along with labor and pensions.

At the time, senior presidential secretary for press affairs Kim Eun-hye said that setting questions not covered by public education amounts to education authorities forcing students to use the services offered by the private tutoring industry, which is very unfair.

In a bid to support the CSAT takers on their way to the test sites, the National Police Agency mobilized more than 11,000 officers, including 2,447 traffic police, and more than 2,600 vehicles, including 2,323 patrol cars.

The agency said it deployed traffic police at locations expected to be crowded following the end of the test, to prevent any possible accidents.

Hours before the exam began, at 1:50 a.m., a teenage student in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province, was rushed to a nearby hospital for injuries caused by self-harm. His injuries were not life-threatening.

Local police said the student had suffered extreme stress over the exam, noting that the case is undergoing further investigation.
The Tennessee Advanced Energy Business Council held its annual Opportunities in Energy event on Wednesday in downtown Knoxville. The all-day event featured nearly 30 speakers, panelists and startups, all focused on sharing about new and innovative opportunities in the advanced energy sector.TAEBC presented UTCs Center for Urban Informatics and Progress (CUIP)s founding director, Dr. Mina Sartipi, with the 2023 Thomas B. Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Award, which honors exemplary leadership and success in championing, connecting, and strengthening Tennessees advanced energy economy.Dr.Sartipi was selected for the award due to her research focusing on data-driven approaches to tackling real-world challenges in smart city applications focused on mobility, energy and health. Most notably, under Dr. Sartipis leadership, CUIP launched a 1.2-mile MLK Smart Corridor testbed to accelerate smart city and connected and autonomous vehicle research and then expanded the testbed with support from the Federal Highway Administration.Mina Sartipi embodies the principles of the Tom Ballard Advanced Energy Leadership Awardshe is a connector and a champion for smart cities and was instrumental in bringing living laboratories to city streets in Chattanooga, said TAEBC Executive Director Cortney Piper. Dr. Sartipi is an asset to Tennessee as we seek to become a leader in industry lead transportation electrification and digitization R&D.Dr. Sartipis career began at UTKs Bredesen Center for Interdisciplinary Research and Graduate Education. She joined UTC as an assistant professor in 2006, then continued to drive change as she became a Guerry Professor and UC Foundation Professor in 2020.The event included a panel on the evolution of the automotive industry in Tennessee with Former United States Senator and Governor of Tennessee Lamar Alexander, Former Tennessee Governor and Founding Chairman of Silicon Ranch Corporation and Clearloop Phil Bredesen, and Former Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner and the University of Tennessee System President Randy Boyd. Marianne Wanakmaker, dean of the Baker School of Public Policy and Public Affairs at UTK moderated the panel, which highlighted policies that birthed Tennessees automotive industry and positioned the state to lead the evolution into the electrification era.During the event, the Appalachian Regional Commissions Federal Co-Chair Gayle Conelly Manchin  along with leaders from the Knoxville Entrepreneur Center and Tennessee Tech University  announced ARC is awarding $10 million to TTU to lead a four-state consortium to help rural electric utilities and energy startups deploy smart grid technologies by providing grid modeling support.Additional speakers included advanced energy executives and leaders from Management Solutions, 3 Rivers Energy Partners, Hitachi Zosen Inova, the Institute for Advanced Composites Manufacturing Innovation, the Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator, and TEAM TN  an advanced mobility partnership with the National Science Foundation led by UTK.The event also featured demos from the 13 startups participating in the Spark Cleantech Accelerator and Innovation Crossroads program. The companies  representing industries ranging from clean energy to advanced manufacturing  showcased innovative solutions and groundbreaking technologies being developed in Tennessee.
The Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce recently named Georgia Northwestern Technical College graduate Shandi Hall as its Officer of the Year for 2023.The Catoosa Chamber presented Ms. Hall, an officer with the Fort Oglethorpe Police Department, with a plaque at the Chambers Firefighter, Law Enforcement and Emergency Management Recognition Luncheon. Ms. Hall graduated from GNTCs Basic Law Enforcement program (now named Basic POST Certification) in December 2022.I am very proud of Shandi Hall for earning the Officer of the Year Award her rookie year, said Jim Pledger, program director and Instructor of the Law Enforcement Academy at GNTC.I know she is a hard worker; that was made evident by her efforts when she was a student at GNTC.Ms. Hall represents the training GNTCs Law Enforcement Academy provides and the caliber of officers we strive to turn out, Mr. Pledger said, adding the Academys faculty are always proud of the successes of its graduates.Officer Hall is a dedicated law enforcement professional with an amazingly positive attitude, Fort Oglethorpe Police Chief Keith Sewell said. She works hard to improve herself by seeking advanced training and being able to provide excellent service for those we protect.Officers are nominated by their fellow officers to receive the award based on a single life-saving event or an overall work ethic and dedication to the department and their profession, Chief Sewell said.Several of Ms. Halls fellow officers nominated her because of her incredible work ethic, positive attitude, interaction with the public and her ability to encourage and motivate fellow officers, Chief Sewell said.This award represents the hard work and dedication that I have put into my new career, Ms. Hall said. I left my former career of 15 and a half years to pursue my dream of becoming a police officer. This award means the world to me and just shows that its never too late in life to pursue your dream.Ms. Hall said she approaches performing her job with integrity, respect and pride.You must do this job for the right reasons, Ms. Hall said. You represent not only your department and academy, but also the thousands of fellow men and women that have the privilege of wearing the uniform.You must respect the dangers of the profession, as well as everyone you come in contact with, Ms. Hall said. I take extreme pride in what I do. It is a privilege to wear this uniform, and it's something I do not take lightly.The Catoosa County Chamber of Commerce loves hosting the Firefighter, Law Enforcement and Emergency Management Recognition Luncheon each year, said Amy L. Jackson, president and chief executive officer of the Catoosa Chamber. Jackson also serves on the Board of Trustees for the GNTC Foundation.It is great to be able to honor these dedicated individuals that take care of us each and every day, Ms. Jackson said. We appreciate Shandi Hall's dedication and exemplary service to our community.
Lees School of Nursing and the Disaster and Healthcare Mission Management club hosted the Community Action Poverty Simulation for Hixson High School students and Lee nursing students at the DeVos Student Recreation Center on Lees campus.

CAPS is designed to help people better understand the reality of poverty and the financial difficulties people face with basic needs.

This event was an incredible opportunity for learning and collaboration, said Jake Fast, assistant professor of emergency management and director of DHMM at Lee. We love working with our area high schools, and partnering with Hixson High on this endeavor was a fantastic experience for all involved.

Members of the DHMM club, School of Nursing faculty, and teachers from Hixson High School played the roles of various agencies and groups, such as social workers, bill collectors, and police officers. The students role-played the lives of low-income families, including recipients of the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program, disabled citizens, and senior citizens. They were then tasked with providing basic needs over the course of four 15-minute weeks.

The poverty simulation was a huge success in teaching students about what poverty looks like for the millions of Americans that live it every day, said Sarah Livingston, president of the DHMM club. Personally, my table gave out free resources, but not many people utilized them because they did not realize or remember they were there. This opened my eyes to realize the gap in knowledge regarding what community resources are available and where to find them.

Forty-three high school students participated in this simulation, along with 26 of Lees nursing students.

CAPS enables its participants to consider poverty from many different angles, creates an awareness of the realities of poverty, and prompts discussion for the potential change that can occur within participants local communities.

"The simulation really helped our students who havent experienced poverty bridge the gap with those who have those challenges, said Renee Parker, a member of the Hixson High School staff who attended the simulation. As future health professionals, this really opened students eyes to the struggles facing many of their peers, and it challenged them to address resource needs in their communities. We are so blessed to have Lee University's School of Nursing partner with us in bringing this simulation to our students.

For more information about the Community Action Poverty Simulation, visit https://www.povertysimulation.net/
An investigation by special agents with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) squad and the Monteagle Police Department has resulted in the arrest of a Grundy County man, charged with the sexual exploitation of an underage female.

On Monday, detectives with the Monteagle Police Department contacted special agents with the TBI ICAC team, after learning about an account user who had been receiving child sexual abuse material from underage girls via Snapchat.

Agents developed additional information via a cybertip from the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC). Through that tip, agents learned that Austin Olszewski was engaged in making threats to post photos of a minor if she did not send him more child sex abuse material, a process often referred to as sextortion, authorities said.

On Tuesday, TBI agents and Monteagle officers arrested the 24-year-old Olszewski. He was charged with one count of sexual exploitation of a minor and one count of soliciting sexual exploitation of a minor by electronic means.

Olszewski was booked into the Grundy County Jail, where he is currently being held without bond. The investigation remains active and ongoing. Anyone who may have had communication with Snapchat account t_rexbaby21 is asked to contact the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND.
Criminal Court Clerk Vince Dean on Thursday announced a partnership with VINE Court (a division of Equifax) for an automated system that will notify the registered victims of crimes as to the court dates of those charged with those crimes.

He said, "If you or someone you know is the victim of a crime and someone is arrested for that crime, you can register online and be notified of every court appearance for that defendant.

"Registering is simple and only takes a few minutes. On the Hamilton County Criminal Court website there is a link and a QR code for those that are more tech savvy, or just go to www.vinelink.com. Once registered you will receive notification anytime there is a court appearance scheduled or changed for the defendant in that case. Your information is secure and will not be sold or distributed to any other entities."

Criminal Court Clerk Dean said, "Hamilton County is proud to be the first county in the state of Tennessee with an independent court reporting system that is partnered with VINE Courts. VINE Courts has already proven to be a success in 14 states.

"This component is strictly Victim Notification of court appearances. Tennessee SAVIN, also a division of Equifax, already tracks and makes notifications regarding the custody status of offenders and is in all 95 Tennessee Counties. This partnership with Sheriffs has proven to be very successful for the past 10 years."

Key things to note:
Bio-chemical research is increasingly dependent on accurate computer modeling and analysis. This requires different disciplines such as natural sciences, computer science and engineering to work hand in hand. A research group has been established at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences (H-BRS) that brings together existing expertise in visual computing, biomedicine and materials science. With its computer-aided models, the group aims to bring molecular relationships to the big screen of virtual reality - and thus provide unexpected insights.

It is a revolution that computer-based modeling has sparked in the life sciences. Highly complex biochemical processes in humans, animals or plants, for example, can be visualized and analyzed down to the atomic level. Today, molecular modeling is a recognized and extremely fruitful part of research. Computer-aided approaches also make it possible to predict processes - an invaluable aid in researching active substances or diseases such as cancer.

A research group has been formed at Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences that aims to use this technology to find answers to socially relevant research questions that are difficult or impossible to answer using laboratory methods alone.

The cooperation links the three university research institutes IVC, IFGA and TREE. The aim of the scientists is to open up new subject areas and develop new analytical tools by combining experience from different specialist areas. The focus will be on material science and biochemical issues that can be efficiently investigated with the help of molecular modeling.

The abbreviation UMMBAS, which the group has given to the research project, reflects this. It stands for "Utilization of Molecular Modelling for Bio-Chemical Application Scenarios". The first topic that the research group has set itself is research into the myosin family. These proteins are found in muscle cells and are responsible for movement. Malfunctions are associated with serious diseases such as heart disease or neurological disorders.

The three-dimensional visualization of the processes at the atomic level will play a key role here. The Institute for Visual Computing (IVC) at H-BRS has extensive expertise in the visualization of large amounts of data, the processing of sensor data and the recognition of patterns and structures contained therein. In addition to the IVC, the Institute for Functional Gene Analytics (IFGA) and the Institute for Technology, Resource and Energy Efficiency (TREE) have jointly launched the UMMBAS project.

"The project is thus further advancing the digitalization of science at H-BRS," says Matthias Preller, Professor of Structural Biology and Chemical Analytics and spokesperson for the UMMBAS project. "We will develop active substances and materials more precisely and efficiently collaboratively within the university and with external partners - without location restrictions and across traditional disciplines."

The scientists at H-BRS are pursuing a novel approach with the idea of creating highly detailed three-dimensional models from the data to be analyzed and processing them simultaneously with other users who are located at other sites. "Distributed immersive VR environment" is the name of the concept, which offers many advantages for location-independent collaboration, but has hardly been researched with regard to biochemical issues. The concept of the distributed virtual environment is familiar from the world of computer games, where concepts for cooperative interactions have already been established. Bonn-Rhein-Sieg University of Applied Sciences has particular experience in the field of linking scientific visualization with computer game technology, which Professor Wolfgang Heiden is contributing to the UMMBAS project.
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The Supreme Court on Thursday upheld a one-year prison sentence for the mother-in-law of President Yoon Suk Yeol for forging a financial document used in a land purchase deal.

Choi Eun-soon, the 76-year-old mother of first lady Kim Keon Hee, was indicted on charges of using a fake bank balance certificate to purchase real estate in Seongnam, south of Seoul, in 2013. The forged document suggested she had deposited 34.9 billion won ($26.7 million) into her savings account from April to October of that year.

In December 2021, a district court in Uijeongbu, north of Seoul, sentenced Choi to one year in prison on charges of document forgery without detaining her. But an appellate court ordered her detention after upholding the one-year prison sentence in July this year. At that time, Choi vehemently claimed her innocence upon hearing the verdict.

The Supreme Court said there was no misunderstanding of legal principles in the lower courts' sentence for Choi. (Yonhap)
The way we say goodbye to those whove passed on has changed throughout history and across different cultures. Yet, a certain burial custom we believed was quite uncommon may have been more popular than we realized.

A recent study of ancient human remains found all over Northern Europe revealed that cannibalism might have been a standard ritual, regularly performed over a broader area than we once assumed.

During this era in Europe, about 15,000 years ago, the Magdalenian culture thrived, and the latest discoveries suggest that cannibalism was a common funerary practice among them.

Instead of burying their dead, these people were eating them, said Silvia Bello, a paleoanthropologist at the Natural History Museum in London.

We interpret the evidence that cannibalism was practiced on multiple occasions across northwestern Europe over a short period of time as this practice was part of a diffuse funerary behavior among Magdalenian groups. That in itself is interesting because it is the oldest evidence of cannibalism as a funerary practice.

Despite the toll that time has taken on much of human history, the Magdalenian culture has left us with a relatively abundant legacy of their art and technology. The stone and bone tools they used and created to enhance their daily lives have stood the test of time. Additionally, weve been able to recover many of their skeletal remains, which have been preserved over thousands of years.

What remains elusive is a detailed grasp of their burial customs. Archaeologists have gathered clues suggesting that these customs could have diverged significantly from modern practices. For instance, bones found in Goughs Cave, situated in Cheddar Gorge  the very place associated with the well-known Cheddar Man  indicated signs of cannibalism.

Cannibalism is generally seen as an uncommon practice among humans. Yet, according to archaeologists Silvia Bello and her colleague William Marsh from the Natural History Museum, other Magdalenian sites also exhibit potential evidence of this practice, implying that Goughs Cave might not be an exceptional case.

Bello and Marsh embarked on an in-depth investigation into this subject, conducting a comprehensive review of existing scholarly articles to trace indications of cannibalism throughout Europe. Their scope extended beyond the Magdalenians, encompassing the broader tapestry of Upper Paleolithic Europe, which hosted two unique cultures: the Magdalenians were spread across the northwest, while the Epigravettians occupied the southeast.

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Women who have endometriosis can attest that it is one of the most painful and heartbreaking diseases to deal with.

Can you imagine being a young woman with endometriosis yet going undiagnosed and living in pain for years before finding a doctor who paid proper attention to your condition?

Thats what happened to Sam, a young woman who saw over seven doctors over the course of six years who dismissed her pain and symptoms until she was finally diagnosed with endometriosis.

Sam (@samxendo) is a California-based content creator in her 20s who has been making a lot of videos related to her health journey and educating her viewers on life with endometriosis.

Sam went through an extremely difficult and harrowing few years before finally getting diagnosed and receiving treatment for her stage four endometriosis, mostly due to doctors telling her that her pain and symptoms were in her head or a result of anxiety.

You think you can hurt me? asks Sam in one of her TikTok videos.

I fought 7+ doctors for six years for a diagnosis that happens to be one of the top 20 most painful diseases one can have.

In a series of videos, Sam explained to her viewers the rough road she went down before finally getting diagnosed.

Between the ages of 13 and 20, Sam dealt with horrible and debilitating pain related to her reproductive health.

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Christians in China have had a difficult several years. The Chinese government kicked missionaries out of the country, tightened restrictions on religion, and cut off access to the world with its aggressive zero COVID policies. After a growing discontentment prompted unprecedented protests last year, the government finally dropped its pandemic restrictions.

Solomon Li, an overseas ministry leader who has served the Chinese church for the past 30 years, finally had a chance to return to China this year for the first time since the pandemic began in 2020. (Lis name has been changed due to security risks.)

He met with 150 pastors within one urban house church network and shared with CT about the new challenges and opportunities that Christians face in this post-pandemic era. The interview has been shortened and edited for clarity.

Chinas zero COVID policy, which aimed to keep cases as close to zero as possible with strict lockdowns and mass testing, only ended last December. How did the pandemic impact the house church leaders that you met with?

In general, it became more difficult for them to hold Sunday services, but many of them still tried to meet in person as much as they could. It also made things more difficult for fellowships and house visitations. People feared that they were spreading germs by gathering together. These were some really tough years.

One reason these churches wanted to continue meeting offline is that they were concerned about intentional ecclesiology: What is the doctrine of the church? Can online or Zoom services be acceptable in the long term? Their answer, based on the Bible, was no. Online church is the exception to the rule. If we can go out shopping, then maybe we can provide the opportunity to have Sunday worship in person.

The COVID-19 pandemic also happened in parallel to new religious policies. While zero COVID affected everyone, the intentional tightening up and targeting of house churches added another layer of difficulty to Christians. If the government is closely watching your church, it is hard to resume in-person church. Even online church is difficult.

Yet because there are so many churches in China, it would be very costly for the government to monitor everybody. So while some large churches were targeted, a lot of other churches just continued meeting with minor difficulties.

What encouraging stories did you hear about how God worked in house churches during the pandemic?

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I found that some churches met throughout the entire pandemicthey never stopped meeting in person for even one Sunday worship. I dont know how they managed to do that, but it just shows that there is room for that. I think that how a church fared during the pandemic is not based on external factors but internal ones: How ready were church leaders to deal with crisis? How do they comprehend what churches are? How are they adjusting themselves to reach out to the flock and provide leadership and pastoral care?



One church in a major city started gathering in February 2020 at the beginning of COVID-19 with 17 people. When I visited in July, they had grown to three congregations with 150 people at the largest congregation (the smaller congregations had 4080 congregants). One reason the church grew so much was because peoples hearts were still seeking the Lord and seeking worship. If a church was healthy and continued to hold worship services, people would come. A lot of the growth came from church transfers, yet about 20 to 25 percent of the attendees were non-Christians.

At times the church couldnt meet together, especially during outbreaks, but they were creative in building up community. They asked different families to film themselves reciting a childrens catechism. Then they edited it together and played the video during the virtual Sunday service to provide a sense of togetherness.

Some churches didnt have the ability to provide good care or didnt have the strong theological structure to move forward. So Beijing Zion Church, which is a relatively mature church, supported these churches, bringing them into the Zion family. They formed a huge online church with nearly 10,000 people from all over China. At the same time, they still wanted their members to gather in local churches.

Every church tried to do things in different ways. It was a time of consolidation. Some churches grew bigger and bigger, while other churches disappeared.

News reports often mentioned that Chinas zero COVID policy hit universities especially hard. At the same time, campus ministries have historically played a large role in introducing young people to Jesus. How have these ministries fared during the pandemic?

Colleges were one of the most tightly controlled places because COVID-19 can spread very quickly on campus and impact the whole city. The students were sort of jailed on campus and no one could access them. Some pastors encouraged their students to come out every week for church.

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In general, COVID-19 and the governments tight control over education made campus ministry a very different reality from the past. A lot of the fruit of churches today come from the effort of campus ministries in the 1990s and early 2000s by missionaries from Korea and the West.

But today there is such tight control on campuses. They use facial recognition to determine who can access the door and they teach students to reject any approaches from religious groups. This is making campus ministry very difficult. We are losing the next generation, and I fear the momentum of church growth will be stopped.

Still, there are some very creative leaders doing campus ministry. For instance, one urban church sent 60 college students to five cities around China for short-term mission trips last summer. They shared the gospel with a total of an estimated 10,000 people. Its a means to train the younger generation. I still see these very courageous and creative ministries going on, and we need more of them.

What was the most surprising thing you found when you returned to China after several years away?

Chinese people are so resilient. With the pandemic and the political change, a lot of people are realizing that China is not moving in the right direction. But in the midst of all that, they are still living their everyday lives.

From the outside, we think China has become so political, but in everyday life, many people dont care about that. Sometimes people even joke about it. I really admire Chinese peoples resiliency. Yet on the other hand, if they dont care about whats going on, it makes gospel sharing more difficult.

Im also surprised by the emergence of some great Christian leaders. Even though a lot of things are hard, God has raised up leaders with great vision, great passion, and godly character. They try to share the gospel and take care of their flock. Their leadership has led the church to grow. It moved me to see that the Resurrection is real, and the Holy Spirits work is real.

This makes me really hopeful. I think a lot of people are pessimistic about China, but I think this is the most hopeful time for China in the past 30 years. I asked Chinese pastors: Would you want to be in a fully modernized, well-developed society that has little room for the gospel? Or in China where everything is uncertain, fluid, and challenging, but through the last 150 years, God has been creating larger room for the gospel? So many people are eager to learn and to hear the good news.

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As society in China is changing, how should Christians change their approach to evangelism?

I think we need to speak different languages to different people. There are some people who just keep moving no matter what is happening around them. However, another group is leaving China because they cant live with Chinas current situation. They want to protect their wealth and their childrens futures. Some of them are leaving for idealistic reasons. [Last year 10,800 millionaires left China, and 13,500 more are expected to leave in 2023, according to Henley and Partners.]

So, the first group of people we can reach are the idealistic people whose hope in the country is broken and who are seeking answers. The second group are those who are not the idealistic type but who are so worried about their safety. Both of these are people that diaspora Chinese churches should be prepared to reach out to.

When we speak to them, we really need to be down-to-earth and realistic rather than sprouting high and lofty theology. We need to have heart-to-heart discussions. Otherwise, people will say, What does this have to do with my everyday life?

What impact does this exodus from China have on house churches?

A lot of Christians are leaving the country, especially the more educated and more resourced ones. One pastor told me that eight families in his church left China last year. Another pastor was discouraged because three key leaders left Chinapeople who had committed to die together in the same church in the same city. That will have a huge impact on these church leaders. They need to rethink: What is the essence of church and what are you building upon?

At the same time, how does this exodus provide an opportunity for diaspora Chinese churches in the US and around the world?

The challenge is that there are so many Christians coming. You dont need to share the gospel, you dont need to do evangelism, people will just come into your church.

Imagine your church has 100 people and in one year it grows to 180 people. That entirely changes your demographic landscape. How does that impact the culture of your church? This is a large challenge for existing churches.

Then, when pastors in China try to start new churches overseas, they assume they can do the same things they did back home. Yet in a new country and culture, the dynamic changes. Your authoritarian way of starting a church doesnt work anymore in Thailand as it did in China. There are a lot of changes that they need to adjust to as they learn about a new culture.

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Chinese church leaders in the US need to understand the current mainland Chinese culture and why these Chinese people immigrated to the US. Just because you speak the same language doesnt mean you really understand them. Theres a huge opportunity, but a lot of work needs to be done.

Im still very hopeful. China has been through all these national disasters in the past 150 years, yet through it all, the gospel has never stopped and the church has never stopped. Hopefully the current shake-up of Chinese culture will open doors for the gospel to enter through.

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In recent decades, evangelicals studying faith in the Middle Ages have done much to recover its variety and richness. Yet a popular perception persists of this period as a dark age of artistic and cultural stagnation. In Jesus through Medieval Eyes: Beholding Christ with the Artists, Mystics, and Theologians of the Middle Ages, Grace Hamman, an independent writer and scholar, brings this era to life for contemporary believers. Greg Peters, professor of medieval and spiritual theology at Biola University, spoke with Hamman about her efforts to make medieval Christians better known and appreciated.

What made you want to write this book?

The idea first came to me during the COVID-19 season. I had just had a baby and left the academy, and I was feeling sad about leaving medieval literature behind and not knowing what was coming next. I started thinking about how I could make space for people outside the academy to encounter medieval literature in a nonintimidating way. This paved the way for a series on my podcast, Old Books with Grace, where I explored the various ways medieval folks speak about and portray Jesus. From there, I figured I could keep running with this theme. I didnt want to stop.

In the book, you examine seven images of Jesus as seen through medieval eyes. Do you have one or two favorites?

Its hard to say! But one that comes to mind is the image of Jesus as a mother. Medieval contemplatives like Julian of Norwich and Marguerite of Oingt were riffing on a preexisting monastic tradition of depicting Christ in this way. To modern Christian ears, this can sound vaguely New Age or slightly heterodox. But the image has deep roots in Scripture, such as when Jesus speaks of himself as a mother hen (Matt. 23:37). It also shows up in the imagery of the Bibles wisdom literature.

Monastic writers really enjoyed this image and tried to think about what it means to exercise compassionate authority. And then mystical writers like Julian ran with it in a beautiful way that changed how I think of the nature of Gods love and of myself as an embodied creature. Its taught me about humility and embracing the gift of limitations in my role as Christs little child.

The appeal of another imageJesus as judgesurprised me, because I had dreaded writing about it. Its hard to think of infinite justice and everlasting mercy as belonging together. But medieval people drew upon this image in interesting ways, in both their art and poetry.

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One of the most challenging images for evangelical audiences might be Jesus as lover. How, in the context of todays hypersexualized culture, can we best understand medieval portrayals of our desire for Christ and his desire for us?

This was another chapter I wrestled with a lot. These images are firmly rooted in Scripture. And they were incredibly popular themes in the Middle Ages. Medieval writers were picking up on all this language in Revelation, Song of Songs, and the Gospels that depicts Jesus as a bridegroom or a lover. I took this as an invitation to understand why they used it so enthusiastically and why it feels uncomfortable in todays hypersexualized culture.

Its important to hold tight to the metaphorical nature of Jesus as lover. We get into trouble when we try to map it too neatly onto bodily functions or whats going on in the bedroom. There was a kind of universality to this image. Studying the medieval era, I saw that it wasnt just for women or for monks and nuns who had sworn off marriage. All kinds of people were picking up on it.

I think this is because the intimacy and desire of lovers goes beyond what the language of friendship can express. Theres a nakedness and vulnerability involved, where nothing is left hidden before God, and yet he loves you just as you are, with all your creaturely idiosyncrasies. This desire is so overpowering that it culminates in the Cross and the Resurrection. There are beautiful medieval poems where Christ is depicted as a knightly lover, wounded for his bride. Many of us have had unfortunate experiences in youth group with the Jesus is my boyfriend mentality or something similar. But medieval imagery has a real and surprising tenderness that resists that kind of unhelpful sexualization.

Are there other medieval images of Jesus you wish youd included? Why?

I wish I had done more to explore the image of Jesus as baby, because medieval people were very interested in how God could come to earth and grow and develop just like other human beings. There is a long tradition of medieval artists portraying Jesus looking like a little man rather than a little babynot because they didnt know how to draw babies but because they were genuinely pondering the strangeness of God in this form.

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Throughout the book, you raise certain criticisms of the contemporary church. How do you see medieval Christianity illuminating our current challenges?

When I think of the contemporary church in relation to medieval Christianity, I do worry that were at risk of a certain arrogance. Theres a constant temptation to think that our era of Christian history is the era thats finally gotten the gospel right.

Of course, this temptation appears in the Middle Ages as wellas it has in every era of church history. But medieval writers often spoke of literaturewhether that was theological, practical, or poeticas a kind of mirror. You look into it, and you see yourself in a different way. Pride and arrogance are hard to spot, because naturally we think were right, about faith and other matters. But when we look at other time periods and read deeply of their literature, we begin to catch some of the ways weve grown too rigid or complacent in our views of God and ourselves.

In medieval literature, I sometimes see a temptation for believers of that time to use Jesus or make him look too much like themselves. But this is a temptation thats still powerfully at work today. We can instrumentalize Jesus to get what we want in both public and private spaces. And we can domesticate him to the point where everything we do is good because we think Jesus is like us and were like him.

C. S. Lewis once said that reading literature from the past is like a clean sea breeze blowing through our musty minds. Theres a refreshing sensation, in reading medieval writing with an open mind, of beginning to uncover things youve taken for granted about the world.

Ultimately, how do you hope that readers will respond to this book?

On an obvious level, one thing I hope is that the book will help people love Jesus. I am always encouraged when I see how deeply other people love Jesus, either in the present day or in the context of Christian history. I want readers to see the church in action in imperfect times and imperfect places, just as it is today.

For me, this project was a school of love. I already loved the medieval church because of my studies, but that love only grew while I was writing the book. I hope readers get a glimpse of the beauty there to behold.

Then, I really hope theyll go read something medieval for themselves! Try picking up a translation of Julian of Norwich or of Thomas Aquinass beautiful prayer book, or go look at some medieval art. Take advantage of the blessing of encountering these voices from the Christian past.

[ This article is also available in Francais. ]

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This week, Heather sits down with writer Dorcas Cheng-Tozun to discuss how to navigate matters of social justice when youre a reserved or highly sensitive person. Do you have to be an extrovert to inspire people to rally around community needs? Dorcas explains small, quiet ways you can make an impact.

In this episode Heather also addresses National Adoption month with Herbie Newell, president and executive director of Lifeline Childrens Services, the largest evangelical adoption agency in the country. Herbie has a special burden for vulnerable children, and he shares with us how Christians can obey Gods call in James 1:27: Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.



Guest Bio

Dorcas Cheng-Tozun is an award-winning writer, editor, and speaker. She is a former Inc.com columnist whose work has also appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Christianity Today, Image journal, the Unreasonable blog, The Entrepreneurial Leader, and dozens of other publications in the US and Asia. She currently serves as editorial director of the nonprofit Pax, which promotes peace and justice in the 21st century.

Dorcass work with various nonprofits, social enterprises, and faith-based organizations has given her opportunities to engage with a broad range of social issues toward solutions in the areas of homelessness, affordable housing, energy access, youth leadership, HIV/AIDS, and international development. She lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her social entrepreneur husband and two young sons. Her most recent book is Social Justice for the Sensitive Soul: How to Change the World in Quiet Ways.

Host Bio

Heather Thompson Day is an associate professor of communication at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan. She is the author of eight books, including Ill See You Tomorrow and Its Not Your Turn. Reach out to Heather on X, the app formerly known as Twitter, at @HeatherTDay and on Instagram @heatherthompsonday. Get Heathers weekly inspirational email delivered to your inbox every Friday night at 7 p.m. EST. Sign up now at: www.heatherthompsonday.com/links.

Viral Jesus is a production of Christianity Today

Host and creator: Heather Thompson Day

Executive Producer: Ed Gilbreath

Producer: Loren Joseph

Mix Engineer: Alex Carter

Director of CT Podcasts: Mike Cosper
Rabih Taleb looked out from the pulpit at the 30 nervous believers gathered at the Evangelical Presbyterian Church of Alma al-Shaab in southern Lebanon, located less than one mile from northwest Israel. One day earlier, Hamas terrorists had killed 1,200 mostly civilian Israelis 125 miles south on the Gaza border.

That Sunday morning, Hezbollah, the Lebanese Shiite militia designated as a terrorist entity by the United States government, fired rockets into the disputed Sheba Farms enclave occupied by Israel but claimed by Lebanon. And as Israel began its massive bombing campaign against Hamas in Gaza, it also shelled Hezbollah positions 35 miles east of Alma al-Shaab.

A few families immediately fled, including the elder who leads worship, forcing the hymns into a cappella. The rest of the congregation pressed Taleb for a shortened service, all eager to return home and prepare for the worst. But the sermon topicthe second in a series on distinctives of Reformed faithappeared divinely appointed. Little adjustment was needed to discuss original sin, suffering, and pain.

They ask me: Why are we always facing these difficulties? Taleb said. We are believers. Why is there always war, war, war?

Sources said this was their seventh displacement in the last 50 years.

Alma al-Shaab, one of about a dozen entirely Christian villages near the Israeli border, has a year-round population of about 700 people, Taleb said. Today only about 20 remain, including the Maronite Catholic priest who conducts servicesnow welcoming all sectswhen there are lulls in the fighting.

Taleb and his family left Alma al-Shaab on October 9 when a bomb fell in a field only a three-minute drive from his church, rattling his parsonage home. Most of its 40 Presbyterian families relocated to stay with relatives in Beirut, with others fleeing within Lebanon to the biblical cities of Sidon or Tyre. The local synod, serving seven Presbyterian churches near the border with Israel, opened its retreat center in Zahle in case of further escalation.

So far, only three families have stayed behind.

Taleb has returned to his home village in Minyara, 115 miles north near the border with Syria. But every day he consults with elders about the condition of his scattered flock, and every 710 days he returns to visit Alma al-Shaab, violence permitting.

While the war rages in Gaza, Israel and Hezbollah have maintained a lower-intensity conflict, each mindful to avoid escalation. Analysis suggests that Israel does not want to open a second front, while Hezbollah is wary of Israels pre-war pledge to bomb Lebanon back to the stone age in any confrontation.

Israel has already evacuated 42 northern villages near the Lebanese border, limiting Israeli casualties to seven soldiers and three civilians. Meanwhile, at least 70 Hezbollah fighters have been killed alongside at least 10 Lebanese civilians. Nearly 30,000 Lebanese have been displaced.

We are in the middle of a fight we have nothing to do with, Taleb said. We can speak out that Palestinians have the right to live freely, but it is not our role to support them through war.

The sentiment aligns with most Lebanese citizens. A recent survey found that 74 percent reject the statement that Hamas initiated the war and targeted civilians, so its legitimate for Israel to retaliate appropriately, as many extend the timeline of grievances far before October 7. Yet 61 percent reject Hezbollahs participation in the war, and 74 percent agree that their nation should stay neutral.

The fighting has already caused significant damage to local agriculture, stated the United Nations humanitarian coordinator in Lebanon. Satellite data tallied 400 fires in the farmland surrounding Alma al-Shaab, while a Lebanese professor from Balamand University stated about 1.7 square miles of southern forests have been burned. The agriculture minister counted 40,000 olive trees ruined during the height of harvest season, while the environment minister estimated $20 million in damages.

One Presbyterian is staying in Alma al-Shaab to help fight the fires.

I can manage to live, but not to rebuild what was destroyed, said another Presbyterian, a church elder, requesting anonymity due to the sensitivity of his Hezbollah-controlled area. I dont blame anyoneI am not a politicianonly a victim.

The elder said that his farmhouse was destroyed along with about 10 other homes in the village. One blast, he said, was from a Hamas-aligned Palestinian rocket. Now displaced in Beirut, he is not sure how many of his approximately 100 olive trees were damaged, but as an Israeli missile has destroyed the village water tank, he knows the trees will soon wither along with his 200 avocado trees.

Image: Courtesy of Rabih al-Taleb

An American University of Beirut (AUB) professor stated environmental recovery of the land could take decades.

A second anonymous Presbyterian elder blames Hezbollah, Israel, andabove allhimself for remaining on his generational land. His home was destroyed in the prior border war in 2006, when a Hezbollah fighter fired rockets from the roof, he said, and an Israeli helicopter destroyed both.

He managed to rebuild on his meager salary and install cameras, so he knows his house, at least, is still standing. But after recording two young men trying to break inpresumably to hide from Israeli attentionhe briefly returned home and reinforced the locks.

What profit does this give Palestine? he asked. We just want peace with Jews, with Muslims, with everybody.

Expressing desire for peace with the State of Israel, however, is a controversial stance in Lebanon. The Mediterranean nation remains in a technical state of war with what it often calls the Zionist entity, which invaded in 1978 and 1982 during Lebanons civil war. The second elder, also displaced to Beirut, lives in a home he purchased at that time to distance his sons from Israels recruitment of Christian young men into its aligned Lebanese militia.

Israels occupation of the southern regions did not end until 2000, when Israel withdrew under pressure from a nascent Hezbollah-led resistance. Its general secretary Hassan Nasrallah praised the border villages for embracing its jihadist fighters and bearing the burden of displacement and loss.

But beside Presbyterians, other evangelicals are also sufferingand helping.

The small Christian village of Deir Mimas, 25 miles northeast of Alma al-Shaab, once had a population of around 1,000 people. The 2006 war reduced it to about 350; now only about 100 people remain. In the last conflict, the home of Baptist pastor Maroun Shammas was one of the few to be hit by Israeli bombing. This time there have been a handful of strikes in the surrounding farmland, but he and 9 of the 12 church families have relocated elsewhere.

He said he has no issues with his Muslim neighbors. A former teacher in the nearby Shiite village of Kafr Killa, Shammas said he and other Christians maintain interfaith friendships and interact freely with all Lebanese sects.

Shiites are villagers, normal people like us, Shammas said. But no one asked us about war in the south, and we blame Satan.

Image: Courtesy of Rabih al-Taleb

Deir Mimas Baptist Church has already been partnering with local evangelical ministries to provide 40 village families with food boxes and another 20 families with school fees. Coordinating with the municipal government, Horizons has now increased its local nutritional support to nearly all who remain, while Thimar is assisting the families who have been displaced.

This is not the first time that we have left, and every time, we come back to continue our ministry, said Shammas. God wants us to help people know him.

Sources said that evangelicals have a good reputation in the Shiite-dominated south, due to the humanitarian response of serving the displaced during the 2006 war. Heart for Lebanon (HFL) was created at that time and continues assisting area Christians and Muslims alike.

In October it distributed food boxes and detergent to 340 families in eight locations in the south, including Alma al-Shaab, Deir Mimas, and neighboring Sunni and Shiite villages. In November it expanded to 15 locationsincluding homes with Muslim-background believers in Jesus.

Lebanon permits freedom of religion, and cross-faith service prevents undue controversy. But so does HFLs strict ministry-only messaging.

We pray for peace, and for Gods glory to shine among all peoples, said Milad Nassar, HFL field manager for the south. We dont talk politics.

But many other Lebanese do, and many suspect Israel has bad intentions beyond Hezbollah.

Missile attacks have now reached nearly 30 miles inland. Strikes near Haifa, Acre, and other Israeli cities beyond the border have been claimed by Hamas units in Lebanon, not Hezbollah. Nonetheless, many posit that no units can act independently of the Shiite militia.

In the chain of actions and reactions, stated an AUB analyst, it is becoming difficult to know who initiates the escalation.

But other analysts wonder if Israel is looking to provoke Hezbollah to justify a full-scale attack against itand perhaps draw in the United States. Two US naval carrier groups are positioned in the eastern Mediterranean to deter Iran-sponsored aggression. Reportedly, secretary of defense Lloyd Austin warned his Israeli counterpart about such a scenario. Israel denies this intention.

For his part, Taleb chooses to blame no onebut follow instead his role model, Jesus.

It is a cycle, neither side can destroy the other, he said. We need them to find a way to live in peace, so that we can live in peace.

He tells his confused parishioners that this suffering is not Gods punishment for their sins. The Cross assures them of Gods love, the experience of which they must not keep for themselves. If the writers of the Bible had done somost of whom also sufferedwe would not have the Bible today.

Now it is their turn to communicate, he said, building bridges of love and service.

But it is not easy. On every trip to Alma al-Shaab, Taleb questions the wisdom of returning to a dangerous area. It is not the provision of food boxes that drives him, howeverit is the experience of God, which he longs for others to enjoy.

He prays with the Maronite priest and the resilient Christians, drinks tea, and if not for his own family of three young children, he might have remained in the village. After all, its Presbyterian church dates back to 1859.

Instead, he travels north and south across Lebanon, visiting the scattered flock.

This is living what we believea working faith, Taleb said. It is to show people that God loves them, through us, for his glory.

Editors note: CT is translating select articles about the Israel-Hamas war into Arabic

[ This article is also available in Francais. ]
Home World Anti-Christian hate crimes, including murders, make collective rise in Europe: report

Anti-Christian hate crimes in Europe including arson, vandalism, threats, physical assaults, and even murder showed a collective increase in 2022 The Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination Against Christians in Europe has revealed in a new report.

The observatory which is based in Vienna, Austria, and has been tracking hate crimes against Christians in Europe over the last decade, highlighted in their 2022/23 Annual Report a total of 749 documented hate crimes against Christians in 30 European countries in 2022. These crimes include 38 physical assaults and three murders. From 2021 to 2022, the observatory documented 519 hate crimes against Christians in Europe.

There is a reasonable probability for higher dark numbers, due to limited reporting on anti-Christian hate crimes, the chilling effect among victims, and the lack of media coverage, researchers said.

An increasing trend in hate crimes against Christians perpetrated by radicalized members of ideological, political, or religious groups that follow an anti-Christian narrative was also highlighted as Christians faced infringement on their religious freedoms through new laws regulating speech in public.

The right to freedom of speech continues to be a highly debated issue, as new laws are seeking to regulate speech in the public sphere, and some even in the private sphere. New buffer zones around abortion clinics are one form of state regulation that has led to the criminalization of Christians for praying silently on the street, the report said.

The religious freedom of Christians has also been affected through other legal developments, such as vaguely formulated and overreaching laws that would criminalize parents, pastors, and teachers if they express dissenting opinions regarding LGBTIQ-related discussions or discourage their children from undergoing hormone therapies because of their religious convictions.

The agenda against Christians in Europe is also seen in efforts to remove conscience clauses from legislation in the medical space that put Christians who refuse to participate in controversial practices for reasons or religious conscience in vulnerable positions.

The war in Ukraine, apart from being a terrible humanitarian crisis, has also affected religious freedom in the region. Many of these incidents are highly political and ethnic-related, but they have led to different forms of discrimination towards Christians, the report said. Russian authorities and troops have repeatedly violated the religious freedom of Christians by closing churches and kidnapping or arresting pastors. Orthodox Christians have also faced discrimination in many European countries because of the war. Similarly, Ukraine has been cracking down on the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and arresting priests because of its historic ties to Russia.

In light of the growing number of attacks against Christians in Europe, the observatory urged government officials to improve communication with civil society organizations and religious groups when drafting legislation that could limit freedom of religion for Christians directly or indirectly.

Improve religious literacy among public officials and state-owned media, and thereby ensure fair representation of religious views in media communication and awareness of religious freedom rights whenever state measures affect the lives of Christians, the report recommended.

It also encouraged, among other things, that governmental human rights institutions better monitor and record instances of intolerance and discrimination against Christians.

Journalists, opinion leaders, and other members of society were encouraged to report and raise awareness about anti-Christian hate crimes; avoid engaging in misrepresentation and negative stereotyping of Christians and be aware of their responsibility in cultivating a tolerant public discourse.

Employ the same standards when reporting or writing about Christians that are used with other religious groups or minorities, the report said.

Christian churches and other individuals were encouraged to know their rights and confront any restrictions faced for exercising faith.

Create awareness among Christians about what secular intolerance entails and how it can lead to self-censorship among Christians. Equip Christians to continue to share freely about their faith, the report recommended. Engage in public discourse in a respectful and informed manner, contributing to the dialogue between religion and secular society and building bridges between different groups.
Stronger alliances cant make up for lax discipline





Koreans have some misconceptions about their liberal and conservative leaders.

Such prejudices stand out in two areas: economy and defense.

People believe the economy grew faster under tight-fisted conservative presidents than welfare-minded liberals. Still, statistics show the growth rate was higher under progressive leaders.

The public also thinks inter-Korean hawks focused more on defense than doves. However, dovish ex-President Roh Moo-hyun, who stressed self-reliant defense, spent more on armed forces than business-oriented Lee Myung-bak, a hawk. Another dove, Moon Jae-in, made a drastic arms buildup in his later days, inviting backlash from North Korea.

Nevertheless, military leaders preferred hawks to doves. They disliked Roh, who tried to retake wartime operational control from the U.S. These generals and admirals said the move was premature and would hurt the alliance with America. However, their disapproval of Roh seemed to stem from other reasons.

Watching the confirmation hearing on Vice Admiral Kim Myung-soo, the nominee for the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, was pathetic. From May 2021 to last month, Kim was found to have made about 50 stock trades  during office hours. He did so even in January 2022, when North Korea launched missiles frequently. Kim also teed off 70 times, including twice last year when the North fired ICBMs.

Kim said he was out of the chain of command in those years. Even some ruling party lawmakers had to press him on whether behaving like that in emergencies, regardless of his position, was appropriate. Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, who took the post weeks ago, also came under fire for sending messages on stock trade before attending a National Assembly session. The two are not exceptions. If North Korea is to make another provocation, it might choose a sunny day with active stock trading.

Even more surprisingly, President Yoon Suk Yeol, the hawk of hawks, promoted Kim to full admiral only days ago to name him the chairman of JCS. Its hard to know whether Yoons aides have forgotten about vetting key nominees or there were other reasons for favoring Kim.

The president has appointed most officials disapproved by the Assembly. Still, he must not do so as far as national security is concerned. People are more puzzled because the nomination came after Yoon emphasized restoring military discipline and strengthening defense posture.

Contrary to his dovish predecessor, Yoon stated clearly that North Korea is the main enemy from his candidate days. He then beefed up Seouls alliance with Washington, as seen by the shift to a tailored deterrence strategy. Good. Reinforcing shields cannot be overemphasized.

However, it is less easy to understand Seouls attempts to reinvigorate the United Nations Command (UNC). In 1950, South Korea was no match for the North, militarily and economically. The Souths economy is now 50 times larger than the Norths, and Seoul spends far more on defense than Pyongyangs entire annual budget. Should it still fly the U.N. flag?

The defense minister and JCS chairman nominee want to nullify a 2018 military agreement between the two Koreas that was signed to avoid accidental clashes. True, the accord makes it somewhat cumbersome to monitor the Norths moves. Still, experts say it poses no major difficulties in surveillance, and scrapping it will only provide excuses for Pyongyangs violations.

With or without the agreement, South Koreas land, sea, and airspace are full of holes. The South could do nothing when North Korean drones flew over Seoul. Soldiers in the DMZ failed to spot a North Korean defector returning to the North. The Navy was not even aware of a North Korean family crossing the sea border until they were spotted by fishermen.

People feel far safer when inter-Korean dialogues and airtight defense go together instead of saber-rattling by "chicken hawks." They may welcome a stronger alliance with the worlds most powerful nation, but dont want their country to stand at the vanguard of a renewed Cold War.

Koreans hope the military of the worlds 10th-largest economy is more independent, confident, and disciplined. The commander-in-chief and his generals should ponder whether they are making people feel that way.
Home World Iranians secretly translating the Bible into their heart languages to share Christ with their people

As the underground Church continues to grow in Muslim-majority Iran, Bible translators are putting their lives on the line to bring the Gospel into the local dialects so that their friends and neighbors can have access to the written word of God for the first time.

Through the work of the translation agency unfoldingWord, Christians in Iran and across the globe have been able to translate the Gospel themselves into more native languages.

The Christian Post interviewed a representative from unfoldingWord, Evan Thompson, who preferred to use a fake name or pseudonym for his safety.

"There are 1.45 billion people in the world who speak about 5,500 languages that do not have the whole Bible in their heart languages. ... The Church has expanded exponentially in the last 20 years. And what these folks have learned is that you can lead someone to Christ, but if they don't have a church, they don't survive on their own," Thompson said.

"You can start a church, but if that church doesn't have the Bible in its heart language, it will typically only last one generation. Iran, for example, has churches operating underground. And there are thousands of underground churches in many other parts of the world," he added.

UnfoldingWord, a nonprofit organization that has been around for roughly seven years, "works with Church leaders around the world who are seeking to establish their churches in sound doctrine, but lack access to Bible translations in the languages their people speak."

A day in the life of Iranian Bible translators

The Christian Post heard from two Iranian women risking their lives to help translate unfoldingWord's Open Bible story resources from Farsi into other Iranian dialects for evangelizing.

Both women Bible translators have chosen not to give their real names for this article to protect their identities and maintain their safety.

The first woman, using the name Miriam, said she gave her heart to Christ after coming to the realization that she is "God's child and daughter."

Miriam is part of a people group in Iran that is made up of millions of natives. She says she is often treated as a second-class citizen because of how those from other people groups view her status in her people group.

Miriam's life could be in danger if the Iranian government finds out that she follows Jesus in the Islamic Republic, which Open Doors ranks as the eighth-most hostile country for Christians.

"God is my Father. I feel deeply honored to be part of this work of bringing God's Word to my people," Miriam said.

Despite having children and knowing that her life is at risk for believing in Jesus, Miriam said she will not stop working to translate the Gospel into her heart language.

"I cannot even imagine leaving this work unfinished. I must complete this work and see the result. I want to see my beloved ones experience salvation in Christ. This is my dream; that my people can talk about God and speak His name freely without any hesitation; without any fear they can talk about God," she said.

Miriam was introduced to Christianity through a friend in college who gave her a Farsi New Testament. She had to read the Bible alone and in secret, an act that left her without much of a clear understanding of the Christian faith.

After college, Miriam married into a strict Muslim family. But, no matter how hard she tried to adapt to the strict religious practices of Islam, she could not find God as a Muslim.

Miriam said she didn't give her life entirely to Jesus until after she heard about Transform, an online class offered in Iran that covered the basic teachings of Christianity.

She watched the classes secretly through various digital platforms. And during one of the class sessions, she gave her life to Christ.

Following her conversion, Miriam's husband caught her one day watching the Transform Iran pastor on television.

Miriam could no longer hold back the truth about her faith from her husband.

"By the grace of God, he did not get angry. He said, 'I know you are a serious-minded woman, and if this is important to you, it's OK,'" Miriam recalled.

Miriam's husband began watching the class with her, and several months later, he also gave his life to Christ.

Before her husband's conversion, the Transform Iran pastor asked her if she would get involved in Bible translation because of her expertise in her heart language.

Miriam accepted the offer even if that meant risking her life to help translate the Bible into more Iranian tongues.

"We are not allowed to study our heart languages in Iranian public schools. This is a limitation for our people. I have this language specialty and experience, this expertise so that I can help my own people. People like my mother can read this book," Miriam said.

"I have a Bible in Farsi, and I can read it. But I cannot understand the more complicated concepts in it because Farsi is not my heart language. I couldn't establish a relationship with the Bible in Farsi. I'm very fluent in Farsi. I studied hard and had great teachers. Still, I cannot establish a relationship with the Bible in Farsi," she continued.

"How about other people who don't have my educational advantages? My family and friends? Having the Gospel in my heart language makes it much easier to talk to my family about Jesus. They can understand and accept Him easily."

'Jesus fed me'

Another Iranian Bible translator who is using the pseudonym Stella accepted Jesus into her heart after her husband died of cancer.

Following her husband's death, Stella was left alone to care for her young son. During that time, she relied on the peace of God as her only hope.

"God has helped me. The Name of Jesus Christ was in my life. I didn't need anybody. Jesus fed me, put clothes on me and gave me peace," she said.

Stella learned more about God through a Bible translated into Farsi. At first, she thought Christianity was a religion. But, now she understands that Christianity is a relationship.

"When I was a new believer, I was thinking that, 'OK, I'm going to just switch religions.' But, when I got to know the Holy Spirit, I understood that this is a relationship, not religion," Stella said.

Stella is currently working on a Bible translation in her heart language. Her sister-in-law became a Christian thanks to her work translating the Bible. Stella worked for five years alongside her family as they helped her review the translation of the Bible, and now she works as part of a larger Bible translating group.

"I love my mother language. I'm telling the poetry; I write the context. I write the sentence. I record it.  I know all of this is God's work for us. God wants us to do this.  I am thinking about my mom, my father, my childhood. And everyone that doesn't have it right now. I really want to bring God to my town and my people," she said.

A dire need for Bible translations

Before unfoldingWord was launched, traditional Bible translation agencies across the globe have done "marvelous work" and continue to do so, Thompson noted.

However, he said the number of Western Bible translators that Bible translation agencies can send overseas is dropping, and the demand for Bible translation is increasing rapidly.

"The group that founded unfoldingWord developed a way to address this problem. We call it church-centric Bible translation. ... It's Bible translation incorporated into the life of the Church as part of its discipleship," Thompson noted.

"Most of those unreached people have neighbors who know Christ, and they're taking the Gospel to them. And what unfoldingWord does is we equip the Church in every people group with a goal of translating the Bible in every language."

To help local churches translate the Bible, unfoldingWord provides people groups with open-source software and open-licensed biblical content that's breaking the copyright barriers to source texts.

The organization also has comprehensive translation guides to answer difficult Bible translation questions. The organization offers essential doctrinal education to protect the theological integrity of the translations.

"unfoldingWord provides training for indigenous Bible translation teams over Zoom and sometimes in neutral locations," Thompson said.

The training locations are kept secret to protect participants in certain countries where practicing Christianity is not accepted.

"Our training allows for indigenous Bible translation teams to be able to use best practices when they are translating the Bible for themselves. One of the ways that I like to say it is: 'We don't make Bible translations. We help develop Bible translators.' Because that's what the Church really needs all over the world."

Issues bringing translations to Iran

Thompson said unfoldingWord has aided Iranian natives who have translated the Bible into dozens of native languages.

However, he said there are some unfortunate limitations to the organization's ability to aid translators in Iran. He cited strict government policies prohibiting Iranians from studying their heart languages or their native tongues in public schools.

"All of these oppressive countries, like Sudan, like Iran, and some others we could name, are trying to Islamasize their whole population. And one of the ways that they do that is by forcing them to speak this one national language, and it's causing their heart languages to die out," Thompson said.

In Iran, the government recognizes Farsi as the national language. However, many natives speak other Iranian dialects more fluently.

"It's very much like anybody that comes to America from someplace else, and we put them in American schools to learn English. Unless their family makes it a point to keep their native languages ... alive in their families, by the second or third generation, the kids can't speak their native language anymore," Thompson said.

The few responsible for the many

Miriam believes God has blessed her with a huge responsibility to help translate the Bible into more Iranian languages.

"This is not just a scientific book. This is God's Word. I felt some tension. I was scared that I would not do the work well enough, but I'm very happy to make it available so that my people can establish a relationship with the Bible. That's why I got involved with this Bible translation project," she said.

When asked if she can imagine the day when the Bible is completed in even more Iranian languages, Miriam said it will take many years, and she doesn't know if she'll live long enough to see the project's conclusion.

"I want my children to experience the result of my work so that they can know Jesus through their heart language. I never thought this project would grow like this. But I've learned that it's not just about me," Miriam said.

"I need this team that has been pulled together. For safety, we have many people working on this project secretly. There may be several Christians in one Iranian family, but they cannot share their faith with each other openly," she continued.

"We need more people who can speak my heart language to continue working on this project.  I want to ask for prayer  to recruit people into the project who know our language well."
Home World Nepalese pastor sentenced to jail for proselytizing fears his case will set a troubling precedent

NEW DELHI  As he awaits prison after a wrongful conviction for proselytizing, Pastor Keshab Raj Acharya fears his case will set a precedent for authorities in Nepal to incarcerate other Christians, he said.

The 35-year-old pastor said he fears police and judiciary will cite his case as an example to send Christians to prison for either proselytizing or forcible conversion even without evidence.

In case someone wilfully converts to Christ, the police and the court will convict the person through whom this believer has heard the message of Christ and His salvation, Pastor Acharya told Morning Star News. Where does the police/judiciary draw the line between forced conversion and voluntary conversion?

After Nepals High Court on July 13 reduced his sentence by the Dolpa District Court from two years in prison and a fine of $167 to one year and a fine of $75, the pastor on Oct. 6 lost an appeal to the Supreme Court to eliminate any prison time or fine.

The Supreme Court refused to consider his appeal, he said.

On the first hearing, our request was blatantly dismissed by the Supreme Court without a glance at the documents, Pastor Acharya told Morning Star News. They insisted that the High Courts decision would stand as final, refusing any further discussion on the matter.

Calling the Oct. 6 ruling unfair, Pastor Acharya said his attorney would appeal anew to the Supreme Court.

The witnesses said that I did not even ask them to convert, only gave them tracts; they read it and discarded it, he said. I have been convicted for something that I have not done. I am being targeted unnecessarily and harassed and put to jail.

His Nov. 30, 2021, conviction was the countrys first for proselytizing under a criminal code that went into effect in Nepal in August 2018.

Continuing to shepherd Abundant Harvest Church in Pokhara until he is summoned to prison, Pastor Acharya said he worries how his sons, 5 and 4, will react to his long absence.

My children are very close to me, he said. They are used to not seeing me for few days or a week when I go for ministry trips, but one full year is a long time.

While on ministry trips he would do video calls with his children every day, but that will not be possible from jail, he said.

I will be allowed to call my family around 10 in the morning only, and my children would be in school at that time, Pastor Acharya said.

With 250 members in the church that he and his wife lead, he has been ministering to them every day, visiting their homes for prayer and Bible study.

We were very shocked and deeply sad initially, but then we made up our mind and decided to make the best use of the time till I am arrested, he said. Though the judgment has been pronounced, the court orders have not been released. It is festival time in Nepal, and thankfully they have not arrested me yet. I consider this as an opportunity and Gods providence.

His wife, Junu Acharya, will lead worship services in his absence. She said police could arrive suddenly and take her husband to jail.

What can I do when that day comes except pray, she told Morning Star News. I must take care of the church as well as my children and provide for them.

Shared fears

Hanok Tamang, chairman of the National Churches Fellowship of Nepal (NCFN), said hostilities toward Christians have been rising.

Though no pastor, leader or any Christian is in prison right now for proselytizing, we cannot predict the same for tomorrow, as we see prevailing anti-Christian sentiments and hostility increase gradually, Pastor Tamang told Morning Star News.

He lauded those who have silently suffered for their faith, saying several pastors, their family members and other leaders have been imprisoned for their faith over the years.

The Lord honored their prayers and tears and the number of years they spent in prison, Pastor Tamang said. Because of their unwavering trust in Him, God has been honoring and blessing Nepal today with many precious souls each day being added to the Body of Christ. We highly salute each of them, the heroes of faith, who stood in front of the judges of Nepal to testify the mighty name of our Lord.

Evangelizing is prohibited under Nepals Constitution of September 2015, as it was under the previous constitution, but the new one has helped incite anti-Christian sentiment. The constitution and Nepals Criminal Code that came into effect in 2018 put excessive restrictions on freedom of religion or belief and criminalize attempts to convert others, thus violating the right of religious communities to share the tenets of their belief, Christian leaders say.

While Nepals new constitution establishes a secular and democratic republic, its definition of secular appears to protect Hinduism, and Article 26 forbids anyone to convert a person of one religion to another.

While evangelizing has long been illegal in Nepal, advocacy groups have detected increased enforcement and other anti-Christian efforts since 2018 as officials sought to placate Hindus incensed that the new constitution did not re-establish a more prominent place for Hinduism. Under the new criminal code, those convicted of either evangelizing or forcible conversion can be imprisoned for up to five years and fined 50,000 rupees (US$600).

While Article 26 (1) of Nepals Constitution protects freedom of religion or belief and includes the rights to profess, practice and protect ones religion, Article 26 (3) of states: No person shall, in the exercise of the right conferred by this Article, do, or cause to be done, any act which may be contrary to public health, decency and morality or breach public peace, or convert another person from one religion to another or any act or conduct that may jeopardize others religion and such act shall be punishable by law.

The Christian community of Nepal has faced several cases demonstrating the ease with which the constitutions anti-conversion laws can be misused. There also has been a substantial increase in the number of aggressions against religious minorities, especially Christians, beginning in 2018. These have included bombings and arson attacks on churches, physical assaults on Christians, false accusations alleging evangelism and conversions and false propaganda against Christians.

By criminalizing conversions, Nepal has infringed on the fundamental freedom of religion or belief guaranteed not only by its constitution but also by several international covenants, according to Alliance Defending Freedom, which undertakes legal advocacy for religious freedom.

These vaguely defined laws are often abused to harass minorities, according to an ADF press statement. While the Indian constitution is very clear on protecting religious freedom, Nepals constitution prohibits the attempt of religious conversion. At the same time, Nepal is a signatory to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, an international treaty explicitly protecting freedom of religion and expression.
Home Church & Ministries Pastor identifies 4 questions every believer should ask regarding Christian liberty

A Virginia megachurch pastor outlined the four questions every Christian should ask themselves when it comes to the gray areas of Christian liberty, from the topic of alcohol consumption to the movies that are appropriate to watch.

True freedom in the Lord means that we are now free to live as we should and not as we please, Austin Hamrick, pastor of Cornerstone Chapel in Leesburg, said during a sermon titled Four Questions Every Christian Should Ask Themselves last month. True liberty is not a license to sin. It's very important for us to understand this: God's grace sets us free from sin. It doesn't set us free to sin. And there's a big difference."

Hamrick warned that sometimes Christians think that because they are "saved by God's grace," they can "just do whatever I want and God doesn't care."

"Paul anticipates this. He's like, 'Hold on. Now listen, you are free. But it means that you're free from sin. It doesn't mean that you're free to sin,' he explained.

The pastor emphasized the importance of standing firm in the freedom granted by Christ while avoiding the pitfalls of using this liberty as an opportunity for self-indulgence. He highlighted four critical questions that Christians should ask themselves when faced with decisions in gray areas where the Bible doesn't provide explicit guidance.

He cited 1 Corinthians 6:12, which states, Everything is permissible for me, but not everything is beneficial. As an example, Hamrick shared his personal decision to refrain from watching a film that, despite its compelling story, contained language he felt would negatively impact his spirit.

If the Bible doesn't directly address it, the first question that I'm going to say you need to ask yourself is, Is it less than beneficial? I have the liberty to do certain things, OK, but is it less than beneficial? Is it potentially detrimental for me, rather than being good for me? Even though this might not necessarily be declared in the Bible as a sin? Is this just practically good for me?' he said.

The second question Christians should ask themselves, according to the pastor, is, Could it master me?

You need to ask yourself, 'Could doing this, participating in this, watching this, could it potentially master me? Could I become a slave to this? Is this addictive?' And if so, then listen to your God-given conscience and be cautious to participate, he stressed. There are a lot of things that might not necessarily be sinful, but it has the potential to enslave you. And so, I'd say don't do it if it has the potential to master you.

"I've talked to a lot of people who said, 'You know, I didn't think doing this was going to be wrong because I couldn't find chapter and verse, but I knew that it could potentially control my life, but I did it anyways,'" he added.

Third, Hamrick encouraged Christians to ask themselves, Could it cause others to stumble? Christian freedom, he emphasized, is not an opportunity for self-indulgence but a call to serve others in love and to be a positive influence within the community.

Our faith is not exclusively all about us. It's not all just always about me. How I live my life, what I do with my life and following Jesus. I need to take others around me into consideration, he said.

Sometimes we think, My relationship with the Lord is just all about me and Jesus, and so I don't care what other people think of me. It's just me and the Lord, I can do whatever I want. Paul says that in your relationship with you and Jesus, it matters how you display that relationship when you're around other people. So, in the exercise of your freedom, could it potentially damage someone else?

Finally, the pastor challenged Christians to ask, Does it lack edification?

No one should seek their own good but the good of others, he said. Does doing this, even though this might be a personal liberty for me, does doing this lack edification? Does what I'm doing right now build someone else up or tear them down? Is it lifting them up and encouraging them in their relationship with the Lord? Or, am I setting a bad example? Will this build other people up or will it have the opposite effect?

Our aim should always be to build others up, he added. The Christian faith is not about seeking our own good, but it's about building others in the Body up. It's about encouraging others. So, I'm just going to be sensitive. I'm going to be cautious even though I might have liberty or I might feel free to do a certain thing.

Hamrick reminded believers that they can responsibly navigate their freedoms without falling into the traps of legalism or licentiousness. He warned against returning to the yoke of bondage from which Christ has set believers free, pointing out the difference between being free from sin and being free to sin.

When you're faced with some of these topics that maybe the Bible doesn't necessarily address directly, be wise with your liberty, be wise with your freedoms. Take any topic of liberty, pass it through this litmus test, he concluded. You have been called to liberty. It's the greatest thing in the world. You are free in the Lord  do not use your liberty as an opportunity for the flesh.
Home Church & Ministries ELCA Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton to take multi-month leave of absence

The head of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America will take a leave of absence for at least four months.

The ELCA announced on Thursday that Presiding Bishop Elizabeth Eaton will take a four-to-six-month leave of absence effective Nov. 17, as approved by the ELCA Church Council Executive Committee.

The Rev. Michael Burk, former bishop of the ELCA Southeastern Iowa Synod, will serve as "Presiding Bishop Pro Tem" while Eaton is on leave.

"We give thanks for Bishop Eaton's tireless dedication and leadership and pray for her during this time of rest and rejuvenation," stated the ELCA in the announcement.

The Christian Post reached out to the denomination for more information on the reasons surrounding Eaton's leave of absence. However, a response was not returned by press time.

A former bishop of the ELCA Northeastern Ohio Synod, Eaton was elected the first female presiding bishop of the denomination in August 2013, defeating incumbent Presiding Bishop Mark Hanson.

"We are a church that is overwhelmingly European in a culture that is increasingly pluralistic," Eaton stated in remarks delivered shortly after she was elected presiding bishop.

"We need to welcome the gifts of those who come from different places; that is a conversation we need to have as a church."

In 2019, at the ELCA Churchwide Assembly in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Eaton was reelected presiding bishop on the first ballot, getting 725 votes out of the 897 votes cast.

Like many other religious groups in the United States, the ELCA has experienced a considerable decline in membership during Eaton's time as presiding bishop.

In 2013, the ELCA reportedly had over 3.9 million members. The figure eventually dropped to around 3.3 million members by the end of 2020.

In March, the first trans-identified bishop in ELCA history filed a lawsuit against the denomination after being forced to resign due to assorted allegations.

Megan Rohrer, a biological female who identifies with both gender-neutral and masculine pronouns, filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California.

The complaint claims that Rohrer was terminated "after suffering harassment and engaging in whistleblowing," arguing that ELCA leadership engaged in "animus" and "demonstrated its lack of acceptance of LGBTQIA+ people."
Home Church & Ministries Historic Catholic church in Ohio set to be demolished amid 'overwhelming' $1.5M repair costs

A historic Roman Catholic church in Ohio has been approved for potential demolition by its leaders amid the need for more than $1.5 million in repairs.

Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Toledo, which was first constructed in 1883 and then reconstructed in 1906 following a fire, is slated to conduct its last Mass on Jan. 6, 2024, according to local WTVG.

Bishop of Toledo Daniel Thomas and Sister Rose Marie Timmer, who serves as the diocese's chancellor, issued a decree last month reducing the church to "profane but not sordid use," explaining that "initial planning and negotiations that may lead to the razing of Sacred Heart Church building may now begin, while continuing to collaborate with the General Counsel of the Diocese."

The decree came after Father Eric Mueller petitioned the diocese to deconsecrate the building following formal discussions within the Epiphany of the Lord Parish, according to The Toledo Blade.

The decree pinpointed Sacred Heart's dwindling Mass attendance, as well as its "need of substantial repairs and continual burdensome maintenance" as some of the reasons for the deconsecration.

Architects had been called to assess the structural needs of each of the parish's three campuses, and estimated that Sacred Heart's required repairs alone exceeded $1.5 million, which leaders noted were "overwhelming," "burdensome," and detracted from money that the parish needs for other things.

Leaders also believe the spiritual needs of the parish can be adequately met by their two other churches, St. Stephen of Hungary and St. Thomas Aquinas, which joined with Sacred Heart to form one parish in 2013.

Before any potential razing of Sacred Heart, the decree stipulated that all sacred items such as relics, sacred furnishings, stained-glass windows, bells, confessionals, and altars must be removed. Canon law prohibits altars from being reduced to profane use, ordering instead that they must be destroyed if they are no longer being used.

Long-time parishioners at Sacred Heart who spoke to local media expressed sorrow about the church's fate.

"It has been here what, 124 years, and its also like a big part of Toledo history, East Side history," Diana Schroeder told WTVG. "My great-grandparents brought their children and my grandmother and my mother, and they baptized in this church and everything all the way down to my children."

Mike Snyder, 86, who got married at Sacred Heart in 1959 after converting to Catholicism there, told The Toledo Blade: "Any time somebody mentions about it closing, it hurts. It hurts."

It's really sad because you think about what was and how thriving this was  but at the same time, too, we have to be more focused on mission as a church, Father Mueller told The Toledo Blade.

It would have been [different] in the early 1900s when you had these neighborhood churches, which were the center of the neighborhood and center of people's lives, Mueller also said. The whole history of the previous parishes comes into who we are today.

The Christian Post has reached out to the Diocese of Toledo for comment.
Home World Israel conducts raid of Gaza's largest hospital believed to be used by Hamas

Israeli forces commenced a targeted operation at Gaza Citys largest hospital, killing at least five terrorists and delivering humanitarian aid to the hospital. Israel says Hamas forces are using the hospital for military purposes, which Hamas has denied.

According to a Wednesday statement, Israel Defense Forces are conducting a precise and targeted operation against a specific area in the Shifa Hospital. The IDF had informed Gaza authorities on the previous day to cease military operations within the hospital within 12 hours, which IDF says did not happen.

The IDF forces include medical teams and Arabic speakers, who have undergone specified training to prepare for this complex and sensitive environment, with the intent that no harm is caused to the civilians being used by Hamas as human shields, the IDF statement reads.

Israel is at war with Hamas following the terrorist groups Oct. 7 surprise attack during a Jewish holiday that left at least 1,200 people dead, a majority of them civilians, and resulted in the abduction of around 240 people, including some Americans.

In response, Israel launched airstrikes and a ground offensive inside Gaza, seeking to eradicate Hamas, an internationally recognized terror organization that has controlled Gaza since 2007. Hamas-run health authorities say that over 11,000 in Gaza have been killed since the war began.

According to the statement, the IDF has remained in contact with hospital authorities and facilitated an evacuation of the hospital, emphasizing that Israel is at war with Hamas, not the citizens of Gaza.

The IDF claims Hamas is using the hospital for military purposes, therefore violating its protected status under international law.

The Associated Press reports that Hamas and the Gaza Health Ministry reject the claim militants are operating a command center at the 500-bed facility. The raid drew criticism from Palestinian rights activists, who claim it endangered civilians.

In a Wednesday X post, IDF stated that it provided the hospital with multiple resources, including incubators, baby food and medical supplies.

Our medical team and Arabic speaking soldiers are on the ground to ensure that these supplies reach those in need, the IDF stated.

The targeted operation against Hamas terrorists in the Shifa Hospital is ongoing. In a separate social media post, the IDF shared video of Israeli forces delivering humanitarian aid to the hospital and searching the area for explosives and terrorist infrastructure.

As The Times of Israel reported Wednesday, IDF discovered weapons and Hamas assets inside the hospital and killed at least five Hamas terrorists in a gunfight outside of the building. However, no Israeli soldiers appear to have been hurt.

Another IDF video posted to X purports to show weapons and a laptop the IDF discovered hiding behind an MRI machine. An IDF official said the laptop provides "a lot of incriminating evidence."

Throughout the war, the IDF has repeatedly raised concerns about the terrorist group using hospitals to conduct military operations.

Earlier this month, the IDF shared a video purporting to show captured Hamas members admitting that the group hides inside hospitals and uses ambulances for terrorist purposes.

In one of the clips, an Israeli interrogator asked one of the men why Hamas uses ambulances and not regular vehicles. The terrorist replied, Jews dont attack ambulances.

Another clip shared by the IDF featured a different Hamas terrorist explaining that the group hides in hospitals, citing Al-Shifa as one of the hospitals where Hamas militants hide in the basement.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Hagari also shared footage with international media outlets of a Hamas terrorist firing at Israeli forces from within the Sheikh Hamad Hospital, and the footage also showed the terrorist emerging from a tunnel underneath the hospital.

In addition to hospitals, the IDF has shared video and photos of Hamas rocket launching sites positioned near childrens playgrounds and residential areas. On Nov. 5, the IDF shared a video on X of soldiers in Beit Hanoun, a city in the northeast edge of the Gaza Strip, pointing out rocket launcher barrels within a residential neighborhood.

What you can see here is a group of four launching barrels for rockets [being fired] towards Israel, an IDF soldier said in the video. Only 5 meters from a childrens swimming pool, and maybe 20-30 meters from residential buildings. All this in the heart of a residential neighborhood.
Home U.S. Battle to ensure Christian schools can participate in Minnesota dual enrollment program continues

Two Christian colleges in Minnesota are back in court seeking the right to participate in a dual enrollment program as attorneys for families wishing to apply college credits their children received in high school at the institutions insist that the state is "waging a senseless campaign" against faith-based colleges.

The University of Northwestern-St. Paul and Crown College were back in court Monday arguing against a provision of the state's Postsecondary Enrollment Options program preventing students from receiving no-cost college credits for completing college-level coursework in high school at faith-based institutions of higher education.

Students participating in the PSEO program can earn high school and college credit simultaneously, with the college credit usually going toward any postsecondary school of their choice. As a result of the changes to the PSEO program, students hoping to receive PSEO credit at a faith-based college find themselves no longer able to do so.

The state had previously agreed not to enforce revisions to the dual enrollment program preventing faith-based schools from participating amid ongoing litigation. However, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty announced last week that the Minnesota Department of Education filed counterclaims contending that because the schools receive state funds, they are now state actors.

Therefore, the counterclaims allege the statements of faith they require students to abide by are unconstitutional.

"For the first time, the state is claiming that the schools' acceptance of PSEO students means that they are subject to the same constitutional requirements as the government, and that their Christian campus communities are unconstitutional  an argument that would extend not just to Crown and Northwestern, but to every private school that accepts students who receive government aid," the Becket Fund statement reads.

"With the help of Becket, the schools asked the court today to dismiss the state's retaliatory counterclaims."

Earlier this year, a group of Christian parents wishing to have their children receive PSEO credit at the universities by completing postsecondary coursework at no cost filed a lawsuit against Minnesota's Democrat Gov. Tim Walz and Minnesota Commissioner of Education Willie Jett in response to newly implemented revisions to the PSEO Act.

The University of Northwestern-St. Paul and Crown College are also plaintiffs in the case, which is proceeding in the U.S. District Court for the District of Minnesota.

The Democrat-controlled Minnesota Legislature amended the PSEO to exclude institutions that "require a faith statement from a secondary student seeking to enroll in a postsecondary course" or "base any part of the admission decision based on a student's race, creed, ethnicity, disability, gender or sexual orientation or religious beliefs or affiliations."

Diana Thomson, senior counsel at Becket, claimed in a statement that "Minnesota is waging a senseless campaign against students and the faith-based schools that wish to serve them."

"Private schools don't become public schools just because they accept students who receive state funds, and to argue that they do is a transparent attempt to control Minnesotans' religious beliefs and practices," Thompson argues.

University of Northwestern - St. Paul President Corbin Hoornbeek said his college "strives to offer a Christ-centered education to every student who joins our campus community to equip them to serve effectively in their professions and give leadership in the home, community, church, and world."

"Our university wants to ensure that this essential mission is available to both undergraduates and PSEO students alike," Hoornbeek said. "[W]e are praying that the court protects our ability to serve all those who want to take advantage of what our campus community has to offer into the future."

Crown College President Andrew Denton expressed hope that "the court will continue to allow every student in Minnesota to use PSEO funds at the school that best meets their needs and matches their values."

"Crown College has offered generations of students opportunities to excel intellectually and spiritually through our biblically integrated education," Denton said. "The PSEO program has long allowed us to extend this opportunity to young students ready to begin their on-campus experience."

The lawsuit maintains that the amendments to the PSEO program violate the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution and the Minnesota Constitution. The plaintiffs are asking for the court to declare the revisions to the PSEO program unconstitutional and provide them with damages and attorney's fees.
Home Church & Ministries New Bible translation embraces Native American storytelling for indigenous believers

A new English translation of the New Testament specifically aimed toward conveying Christian beliefs through Native American cultural concepts and storytelling has been released.

Titled the First Nations Version: An Indigenous Translation of the New Testament, it was released Tuesday by InterVarsity Press.

The English translation sought to balance common cultural patterns of Native Americans while also staying accurate to Christian theological concepts stated within the New Testament.

One example is John 3:16, rendered in the commonly used New International Version as For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

In the FNV, it is rendered, The Great Spirit loves this world of human beings so deeply he gave us his Son  the only Son who fully represents him. All who trust in him and his way will not come to a bad end, but will have the life of the world to come that never fades  full of beauty and harmony.

IVP Senior Editor Al Hsu told The Christian Post that the project had extensive input from Native Americans representing a diverse array of tribes in North America.

The lead translator, Terry Wildman, himself of Native American origin, worked with a 12-member council of Native Americans from different tribes and locations, including men, women, pastors, elders and young adults.

The team has engaged with indigenous churches, sharing samples and garnering feedback about potential use throughout the process. Additional reviewers and cultural consultants from over 25 different tribal heritages were also in partnership with the team throughout the process, explained Hsu.

The feedback received from Native churches, leaders and Bible scholars after over 1,300 received draft versions of the translation of the book of Luke was overwhelmingly positive and many suggestions were also incorporated.

Additionally, noted Hsu, there was close collaboration on the project with groups including Wycliffe Associates of Orlando and OneBook, a Canadian organization that focuses on helping translation projects for indigenous peoples all across the planet.

There just haven't been many Bible translations specifically for Native Americans, and certainly not translations done by Natives for Natives. Most Bible translation and Christian publishing has been done by predominantly white communities, continued Hsu.

While this has, of course, produced many excellent English language Bible translations for our study and edification, we may have missed some things in Scripture.

According to an online description, the First Nations Version recounts Christian Scriptures "following the tradition of Native storytellers' oral cultures."

"This way of speaking, with its simple yet profound beauty and rich cultural idioms, still resonates in the hearts of First Nations people," the description reads.

InterVarsity acquired the publishing rights for the FNV Bible in response to its usage by their campus ministry wing, specifically its outreach to First Nations peoples, Native InterVarsity.

We reviewed the FNV Gospels and some of the Epistles, and we were impressed with its fresh, vivid rendering of Scripture in ways that harkened back to its original biblical context, recalled Hsu.

InterVarsity and IVP have from the beginning been committed to helping readers understand, experience, and live out the truth of Scripture, and so we picked up the publishing rights for the FNV New Testament as one way of helping readers discover God's Word anew.

In recent years, there have been multiple efforts by Christian churches and ministries to improve outreach to Native American populations through reconciliation projects and translations of religious works.

In 2018, for example, the Episcopal Church bestowed a $45,000 grant to the Episcopal Diocese of South Dakota for a project aimed at translating the Book of Common Prayer into contemporary Lakota.
Home World Pakistani Christians still feel impact of Jaranwala riots 3 months later

In August, mobs of religious extremists ravaged more than 200 Christian homes and over 25 churches during devastating riots in Jaranwala, Pakistan. Immediately following the attacks, national and international support arrived, providing emergency food, clothing and limited financial assistance. But three months later, the long-term needs of many of the victims remain largely unaddressed.

The aftermath of the riots has left a lasting and wide-ranging impact on the well-being of Christian families in the area economically, socially and religiously.

Local pastor and activist Nazir Masih* recently spoke with Global Christian Relief about the devastation caused by the Jaranwala attackers in several Christian areas, ranging from large urban neighborhoods to smaller outlying regions.

"The main areas have received more prominent support from donors and aid organizations," he said. "But, unfortunately, smaller villages in rural contexts were overlooked. There was a lack of support reaching those communities."

Munir stated that in some of these neglected areas, walls of homes and churches were destroyed by tractors of religious fanatics from the village, leaving the victims with shattered homes, heightened poverty and increased trauma.

He emphasized the crucial need for prayers and support in these forgotten communities.

Smaller churches from these rural areas have counted themselves underrepresented in a Joint Action Committee formed by congregations in nearby Faisalabad to address the issues in Jaranwala.

Lacking adequate funds and assistance, these underprivileged churches have found an advocating voice through local leader and pastor Naveed Azeem*.

Azeem says the Pakistani government has reconstructed larger mainstream urban churches, but smaller ones are still awaiting attention.

"Only about 20% of the damaged churches have been rebuilt by the authorities in Jaranwala. Of the five pastors' homes which were vandalized and demolished, all remain in disrepair and have yet to receive necessary support," he said. "Many contractors have stopped construction and renovation work, claiming they haven't received further funds from the government."

Another local pastor, Samson Nayyar*, cites a concerning increase in religious hatred within the majority community towards the Jaranwala victims, who are often unjustly labeled as blasphemers.

This rise in religious bias has taken a toll on the social and economic well-being of the victims, he says. Many Christian employees working under non-Christian employers have faced unfair dismissal, exacerbating their financial hardships. Some victims are also experiencing social isolation in their villages.

The biases have extended into the behavior of authorities, hampering their cooperation with victims and leaving critical issues unattended. Out of 240 arrests for vandalism during the Jaranwala riots, 90 have been released by police due to factors including insufficient evidence, lack of police cooperation and victims' limited legal resources.

"The collection of evidence, such as footage of looters and vandals, and arresting them was the responsibility of the police," said Nayyar. "We helped by providing evidence, yet the attackers were released. We have also identified the places where the looted household valuables are kept by vandals."

Justice for the victims is also hindered by a shortage of available attorneys. Local lawyers' associations, under various pressures, have advised their members against taking cases on behalf of the Christian victims in Jaranwala. This is often due to a prevailing mindset that assumes the sufferers to be blasphemers.

"The vulnerable victims find themselves compelled to become parties in legal cases against the vandals," Nayyar said. "However, most of the vandals not only outnumber them but also wield greater social and emotional support. This power dynamic often results in the termination of most cases, as many vulnerable Christians lack the necessary support, financial resources, and means to engage in confrontations and legal battles with the vandals."

*Name changed for security reasons
Home U.S. Sermon on the Mount prompts feud between Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens: 'By all means quit' 'The Bible is not about you,' Owens told Shapiro

Daily Wire editor emeritus Ben Shapiro suggested Wednesday that his colleague Candace Owens should resign from the outlet after she replied to his criticism by quoting Jesus Christ.

Owens took to X on Tuesday to quote the Gospel of Matthew, including portions of the Sermon on the Mount when Jesus promised blessing for peacemakers and those who are persecuted for the sake of righteousness.

"No one can serve two masters," she also wrote, quoting a different portion of Jesus' words in the same Gospel. "Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money."

"Christ is King," Owens appended in a subsequent tweet.

Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against  Candace Owens (@RealCandaceO) November 14, 2023

Her tweets came the same day a video of Shapiro emerged on X that showed him criticizing Owens as "absolutely disgraceful" for her rhetoric on the Israel-Hamas war, saying, "her faux sophistication on these particular issues has been ridiculous."

During the short clip that went viral, Shapiro did not elaborate on what he found specifically objectionable about anything Owens has said on the issue.

Ben Shapiro slams colleague @RealCandaceO for her absolutely disgraceful behavior in front of a visibly shocked audience.



Shapiro goes on, saying her faux-sophistication on this issue is ridiculous.



Tensions rising at Daily Wire? pic.twitter.com/ao5pWbuWfj  autumn groyper (@autumngroyper) November 14, 2023

Owens has been obliquely critical of Israel's prosecution of the war against Hamas since the terrorist group's Oct. 7 attacks that resulted in the deaths of at least 1,400 people, a majority of them civilians, as well as the abduction of 240 hostages, including Americans.

"No government anywhere has a right to commit a genocide, ever," Owens tweeted on Nov. 3. "There is no justification for a genocide. I cant believe this even needs to be said or is even considered the least bit controversial to state."

In two tweets made in response to pushback from commentator Dave Rubin earlier this month, Owens doubled down and suggested that she was making a "blanket statement" against genocide, and that she "wont be backing down or apologizing or further clarifying this statement."

During an interview earlier this month with comedian Ami Kozak, who is Jewish, Owens referenced alleged discrimination against white people on college campuses and asked, "What makes Jews so special?"

Kozak pushed back when Owens later suggested that Muslims are required to be in Jerusalem's Muslim Quarter, which he noted is not legally mandated.

Owens compares the medias recent outcry over antisemitism to their complete silence on anti-White racism.



What makes Jews so special? pic.twitter.com/nWmuAcZIqD  autumn groyper (@autumngroyper) November 14, 2023

Owens has also been critical of former U.S. Ambassador to the U.N. Nikki Haley for her strong pro-Israel stance, sarcastically endorsing the GOP presidential candidate as president of Israel.

More than 24 hours after Owens' tweet quoting Jesus, Shapiro fired back: "Candace, if you feel that taking money from The Daily Wire somehow comes between you and God, by all means quit."

Candace, if you feel that taking money from The Daily Wire somehow comes between you and God, by all means quit. https://t.co/qachKhAuHo  Ben Shapiro (@benshapiro) November 15, 2023

Owens replied to Shapiro 14 minutes later, writing: "You have been acting unprofessional and emotionally unhinged for weeks now. And we have all had to sit back and allow it and have all tried to exercise exceeding understanding for your raw emotion. But you cross a certain line when you come for scripture and read yourself into it. I will not tolerate it."

She also quote-tweeted Shapiro's response and accused him of being "utterly out of line by claiming that I cannot quote biblical scripture."

"The Bible is not about you," she added.

Owens' clap back to Shapiro came shortly before her interview with former Fox News host Tucker Carlson premiered on X, during which she touched on their spat by saying the video of Shapiro's comments about her was likely secretly recorded.

"I can't respond to it on a level of intellect, because there's nothing that he has expressed  at least in that short clip  that he fundamentally disagrees with in terms of what I have said, but I will say that I'm not going to respond with the same ad hominem attacks," she said. "I don't think it helps further the discussion."

If that was me that was caught on a video saying that about colleagues that I work with, I would be embarrassed," she said, noting she "would never, at a private event, stand on a table and talk badly about Ben."

She added that she believes the video "speaks more to Bens character than it speaks to mine," and said that Shapiro had yet to reach out to her privately regarding the matter.

Shapiro has also been critical of Carlson, accusing him of exhibiting "moral blindness" for his "hands-off" stance regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Carlson has repeatedly emphasized his belief that U.S. political leaders should be focused more on the problems afflicting their own country than on foreign conflicts.

"Of course, I'm not for Hamas at all," Carlson said during a recent interview with comedian and podcast host Theo Von. "I'm for America, actually. I shouldn't even have to answer that question. 'Are you for Israel or Hamas?' I mean, obviously, I'm for Israel over Hamas, but that's irrelevant. I'm for America, and no one even asks that."

"And I feel deep resentment about that, that the concerns of this country are of no concern," he added.
SK holds Tech Summit focusing on AI

By Baek Byung-yeul

SKs chip design unit Sapeon unveiled a new AI chip for data centers at SK Groups ICT conference SK Tech Summit, with an aim to improving its presence in the fast-growing market, the company said Thursday.

Sapeon said its X330, an AI chip for data centers is four times faster than its predecessor X220. The launch is three years after Sapeon released its first AI chip for data centers in 2020. The new product is also the first achievement since the company was spun off from SK Telecom in 2022.

Since SAPEON launched the X220  Koreas first AI semiconductor for data centers  in 2020, we have completed verification in the market by providing a set of basic services and are continuously expanding our commercial service areas into fields such as automobiles, security and media, Sapeon CEO Ryu Soo-jung said. Our strategy is to accelerate targeting AI service model development companies and data center markets with the X330.

In addition to the launch of the AI chip, 33 participants introduced technologies, services and products at SK Tech Summit, a two-day run conference on Thursday and Friday, as 17 SK Group affiliates and their partners showcased 218 cutting-edge technologies.

SK Telecom CEO Ryu Young-sang said SK Group is seeking to embrace generative AI technology to create new business opportunities and solve various challenges facing society.

The changes currently being driven by generative AI are more of an opportunity than a crisis for all of us, said SK Telecom CEO Ryu Young-sang said during an opening speech of SK Tech Summit. Through this event, visitors will be able to glimpse at the present and future of SK being created through AI."

More than 60 percent of the exhibits and presentations at the event were related to AI, demonstrating SKs vision to bring innovation to its businesses through the technology. In addition to AI, SK Group affiliates exhibited 190 technologies in six other areas including augmented reality, virtual reality, big data, blockchain, cloud computing and ICT.

The group said it held the event to announce its growth strategy centered on the global AI ecosystem. The company brought together global partners such as Anthropic, Amazon Web Services (AWS) and Google, as well as domestic companies such as Sapeon, Konan Technology and Moloco.

The SK Telecom CEO, who also heads ICT Committee of SK Group's coordinating body SK Supex Council, said SK Group affiliates will work together to create synergies with big tech companies and Korean AI companies.

"SK will actively work to solve the various issues and challenges facing society through human-centered AI," he said. "I hope this event will be a time for us to exchange collective intelligence and dream of the future through true cooperation."

At the event, SK Telecom was showcasing the features of its AI personal assistant service A.  pronounced as "A dot." SK Telecom launched the A. app for iOS devices last month, giving users new features such as call recording and call summary. A. has been a hit in the market, ranking first in downloads on Apples App Store.

SK Telecom also exhibited Robo Picker, an AI-based robot control software that enables objects to be picked up and moved.

"This software is applied to robot arms used in warehouses, helping robot arms automatically sort items. Currently, robot arms with this software applied are being used in the warehouses of major retailers in Korea, increasing the efficiency of work," an SK Telecom official said at the booth.
Home Church & Ministries 3 Texas United Methodist Church conferences looking to merge into single regional body

Three Texas-based conferences of the United Methodist Church are mulling the possibility of merging into one following the departure of 300 congregations from the regional bodies.

The UMC Central Texas Conference, North Texas Conference, and Northwest Texas Conference are considering a proposal to unify into one regional body, with the process beginning shortly after Bishop Ruben Saenz Jr. was appointed to oversee two of the regional bodies.

Saenz offered an update on the unification process in a video posted to Vimeo last week, noting that the process was centered on how to harness our resources to enhance and expand the Gospel of Christ in the United Methodist tradition.

According to Saenz, in June, the conferences hired consultants to discuss how to move forward with the process and how to reach certain goals, like better outreach and community involvement.

The specific priorities the conferences hope to focus on as part of their unification include champion children and youth, multiply followers of Jesus, pursue and embrace diversity, maximize care and healing, and tell our United Methodist story.

As we move towards unification, difficult decisions will be made regarding staffing, said the bishop, noting that the UMC General Council on Finance and Administration is providing expert human resource counsel to assist us in this process.

The next step, Saenz noted, will be for the regional bodies to form a unification implementation team comprising representatives from the Central, North, and Northwest Texas Conferences.

The team will develop an organizational plan that includes rationale, structure, compliance with the Book of Discipline, staffing, and implementation details, such as proposing a name for a new conference, he continued.

Additional steps in the process include finalizing the new structure plan by next April, with the three conferences voting on the plan in June of next year. The UMC South Central Jurisdiction will vote on the unification at their July meeting.

If the merger plan is approved, then the official date for unification of the three conferences will take place at some point in January 2025.

Over the past couple of years, thousands of churches have voted to leave the UMC due to the denominations ongoing debate over whether to allow the blessing of same-sex unions and the ordination of clergy who are in romantic same-sex relationships.

Although the Book of Discipline prohibits both, many progressives within the UMC have refused to follow or enforce the rules, prompting many mostly conservative congregations to decide to disaffiliate.

According to numbers compiled by UM News and accessed on Thursday morning, more than 6,940 churches have left the UMC since 2019, with nearly 5,000 of those happening this year alone.

Of that number of disaffiliated churches, Central Texas has lost 124 congregations, North Texas has lost 48 congregations, and Northwest Texas has lost 163 congregations.
300,000 Interfaith People Rally For Israel, Mike Johnson Endorses Trump, Feds Bust Sex Ring Used By Politicians, Military Officers

link to download the audio instead. link to download the audio instead. 08:01 08:01

Top headlines for Thursday, November 16, 2023

In today's episode, we delve into the massive interfaith march that took place in Washington where nearly 300,000 people rallied for Israel and stronger action against Hamas. We'll cover their powerful declaration, 'never again is now', calling for the release of hostages held by the terror group. Next, we explore the political landscape with House Speaker Mike Johnson's formal endorsement of former President Donald Trump, envisioning a 'one-term' presidency for Biden. Finally, we dive into a shocking crime story involving the arrest of three individuals running high-end brothels in Massachusetts and Virginia, servicing a high-profile clientele list. We'll disclose how this criminal operation has entangled influential figures from various sectors, including politics, tech, and medicine.

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Top headlines for Thursday, November 16, 2023

In today's episode, we delve into the massive interfaith march that took place in Washington where nearly 300,000 people rallied for Israel and stronger action against Hamas. We'll cover their powerful declaration, 'never again is now', calling for the release of hostages held by the terror group. Next, we explore the political landscape with House Speaker Mike Johnson's formal endorsement of former President Donald Trump, envisioning a 'one-term' presidency for Biden. Finally, we dive into a shocking crime story involving the arrest of three individuals running high-end brothels in Massachusetts and Virginia, servicing a high-profile clientele list. We'll disclose how this criminal operation has entangled influential figures from various sectors, including politics, tech, and medicine.
Home Opinion 7 signs you are in a counterfeit church

The words Christianity and Church trigger many thoughts in peoples minds. Some of the ways these words are defined contradict or compromise the faith, as described in Jude. Jude 1:3: Beloved; when I gave all diligence to write to you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write to you, and exhort that you should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints.

Reading further in Jude, the source of concern is identified as being ungodly people who have crept in unnoticed (v. 4), those who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit (v. 19). We surmise then that not all who claim to be Christians are regenerated by the Holy Spirit, and that every church is scrutinized and judged by the Lord Jesus Christ (Revelation 2-3).

Beware of churches exhibiting the following:

1. A lack of honor for the holy scriptures above all else for faith, practice, and doctrine

Most Protestant denominations have rejected or watered down 2 Timothy 3:16, which says, All Scripture is inspired of God. They believe the Bible was primarily culturally inspired, with only some Scripture remaining true for us to follow today.

2. A lack of belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ

On Easter Sunday 2011, I heard a sermon while driving to church where the preacher stated that as a committed Christian, he did not believe in the resurrection of Christ.

It is a mystery to me how that man became a minister. 1 Corinthians 15:14 indicates, If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is vain, your faith also is vain. Jesus had the power to lay down His life and take it up again, demonstrating His divinity as the Logos made flesh (John 2:19, John 10:18). (Colossians 2:12 and Romans 10:9 teach that God raised Jesus from the dead.) Our Lords bodily resurrection is the bedrock of our faith.

3. The rejection of the divinity of Jesus Christ

John 5:22 indicates that we should honor the Son even as we honor the Father. The Jehovahs Witnesses, the Mormons, and the Church of Christ Scientist teach that Jesus was only a created being and not equal with God. This contradicts what the apostles, John and Paul, wrote about Jesus (John 1:1, John 5:18, Phil. 2:6-8). Churches espousing doctrines that reject the divinity of Christ are sanctuaries of Satan and are not worthy to be called Christian churches.

4. The church condones alternate forms of marriage and human sexuality

The Protestant Episcopal Church in this country ordains bishops who practice intimate relations outside of the biblical framework. The Anglican church blesses same-sex unions. The Methodist Church is fragmented today because of this issue. A church should only recognize legitimate sexual relations in a marriage between one man and one woman as per Jesus teaching in Matthew 19:4-6. The sexually immoral (all sex outside of biblical marriage between one man and one woman), and adulterers, God will judge according to Leviticus 18:22, Leviticus 29, and Hebrews 13:4. Thus, any church that legitimizes a sexual lifestyle or union outside of biblical marriage, ceases to be a true church. Their congregations may do good works for their communities, but they have no biblical right to be called a Christian church.

5. They teach there are many ways into the Kingdom of Heaven

These churches have a Universalist bent and preach that all good people go to heaven. They also believe in many ways in God and that prayer to any god, whether Muslim, Buddhist, etc., results in salvation based on sincerity and good works.

The above despises the clear teaching of Jesus in John 14:6 that He alone is the way to the Father. The apostles preached the same in Acts 4:12. Jesus is the only name under heaven by which we can be saved. Those who teach that the road is broad and all sincere religious people will be able to enter heaven, violate the Old Testament teachings that we should not have any gods before the one true God (Exodus 20:3). Universalism is not the Gospel!

6. A Church that primarily promotes political and social activism

There are some so-called activist churches where rarely, if ever, is the gospel message of salvation preached; extreme left or right-wing political rants consume their preaching.

All leaders have the right to preach politics from the pulpit, but the primary call of the church is to make disciples of Christ, establish them in the faith, and mature them so they are conformed to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29-30).

There are many important social and political issues with which we constantly grapple. It is critical for us all to maintain a biblical worldview despite current events. If we are not careful, our pulpits will become sounding boards promoting political and social agendas, and we will overlook the feeding of Gods flock. (Sound biblical preaching will result in the transformation of lives into righteousness and affect all the areas of life.)

7. Church worship of God as Mother and Father (she-he)

In some church services, hymns refer to God as Mother and She-He. This contradicts the words of Jesus. John 4:23: But the hour comes, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeks such to worship Him.

There is no mention of Mother in reference to God in the Scriptures. (Jesus prayed to the Father in John 17 and taught His disciples to pray this way in Luke 11:2-4). Any church that calls God Mom deviates from Scripture due to cultural pressure and most likely will do the same when considering major social issues in the light of Scripture. The Church, the Bride of the Lord Jesus Christ, must align itself with His Word. Failure to do so breeds corruption and results in a counterfeit church experience.
Home Opinion Evil Mike Johnson and the nefarious Christian takeover of America

There are few things more frightening to leftist Americans than a Christian conservative who has political power. Thats why the unexpected, out of the blue rise to power of Rep. Mike Johnson sent shock waves through the left, as if to say, These religious fanatics are trying to take over the country! Soon theyll be imposing the Christian version of Sharia on every American! Danger!

Johnson even had the temerity to say this in an interview with Sean Hannity, I am a Bible-believing Christian. Someone asked me today in the media, they said, 'It's curious, people are curious: What does Mike Johnson think about any issue under the sun?' I said, 'Well, go pick up a Bible off your shelf and read it. That's my worldview. Oh, the horror!

To be sure, countless political leaders in American history, including many of our presidents, also extolled the Scriptures. In the words of Abraham Lincoln in 1864, when presented with a Bible by loyal colored people in Baltimore, In regard to this Great Book, I have but to say, it is the best gift God has given to man. All the good the Saviour gave to the world was communicated through this book. But for it we could not know right from wrong. All things most desirable for mans welfare, here and hereafter, are to be found portrayed in it. To you, I return my most sincere thanks for the very elegant copy of the great Book of God which you present.

More recently, in 1983, President Ronald Reagan said, Of the many influences that have shaped the United States of America into a distinctive Nation and people, none may be said to be more fundamental and enduring than the Bible  These shared beliefs helped forge a sense of common purpose among the widely dispersed colonies  a sense of community which laid the foundation for the spirit of nationhood that was to develop in later decades. The Bible and its teachings helped form the basis for the Founding Fathers abiding belief in the inalienable rights of the individual, rights which they found implicit in the Bible's teachings of the inherent worth and dignity of each individual.

But that was different (although, to be sure, many on the left openly expressed their concerns about Reagans ties to the religious right). That was before the rise of the ever-present, always in the shadows, Christian movement called NAR  short for the New Apostolic Reformation. Yes, it is NAR that is trying to take over the world, and Mike Johnson is part of NAR. This really is frightful!

Yes, Johnson is the most Christian nationalist speaker in history and is actually a false prophet. Indeed, according to Rolling Stone, The newly elected House speaker has ties to the far-right New Apostolic Reformation  which is hell-bent on turning America into a religious state.

Americans, beware!

Are you ready to connect the dots?

We are informed that theres a flag hanging outside his office that leads into a universe of right-wing religious extremism as unknown to most Americans as Johnson was before he ascended to the speakership.

This would be the Appeal to Heaven flag, of which Rolling Stone says, Historically, this flag was a Revolutionary War banner, commissioned by George Washington as a naval flag for the colony turned state of Massachusetts. The quote An Appeal to Heaven was a slogan from that war, taken from a treatise by the philosopher John Locke. But in the past decade, it has come to symbolize a die-hard vision of a hegemonically Christian America.

I first heard about this flag with the publication of books by Dutch Sheets, An Appeal To Heaven: What Would Happen If We Did It Again? (2015) and Jennifer LeClaire, The Next Great Move of God: An Appeal to Heaven for Spiritual Awakening (2017)  yes, a spiritual awakening, not a Christian takeover. The concept was that American leaders in the past looked to God for mercy and help in times of need, recognizing that our only appeal was to Heaven. The same must happen again in our day  there must be a fresh move of God, another great awakening  if our nation is to survive. Our only hope is an appeal to Heaven!

Not so, say Bradley Onishi and Matthew D. Taylor, authors of the Rolling Stone article. Instead, To understand the contemporary meaning of the Appeal to Heaven flag, its necessary to enter a world of Christian extremism animated by modern-day apostles, prophets, and apocalyptic visions of Christian triumph that was central to the chaos and violence of Jan. 6. Earlier this year we released an audio-documentary series, rooted in deep historical research and ethnographic interviews, on this sector of Christianity, which is known as the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR). The flag hanging outside Johnsons office is a key part of its symbology.

And despite a spokesman for Johnson stating that the flag was simply a gift to him from another congressman, Onishi and Taylor are not buying it: It is simply untenable to think that Johnson is unaware of what the Appeal to Heaven flag signals today. It represents an aggressive, spiritual-warfare style of Christian nationalism, and Johnson is a legal insurrectionist who has deeply tied himself into networks of Christian extremists whose rhetoric, leadership, and warfare theology fueled a literal insurrection.

America, beware! Your beloved country is about to be turned into a religious state.

The truth to be told, reports of the nefarious activities of NAR are grossly exaggerated, both in terms of numbers, influence, and goals. (I write this as someone who knows many of the alleged leaders of NAR; for a more accurate assessment, go here.) While I certainly have differences with some of the leaders referenced in Rolling Stone (see a statement I co-authored here and note my book The Political Seduction of the Church), most of the Christian leaders I know who work in politics are no different than their colleagues on the left.

Both are working within the political, democratic system to advance their values and goals. Those on the left have their vision for what is best for America while those on the right have a different vision. But I do not personally know a single, significant, evangelical leader who wants to impose a theocracy on America. Not one.

As for Christians working to change the educational system, thats exactly what the left has been doing for decades, with disastrous results. But thats what every group does. We seek to convince others that our convictions and beliefs and values are in the best interest of the nation, and we do our best to live those values out and to influence others. What is so wrong about that?

Without a doubt, Johnson is a deeply committed, Christian conservative (for his views in his own words, go here.) And without a doubt, he would love to see more Americans embrace the best aspects of our national Christian heritage.

But, aside from praying for Gods intervention in our nation  this is something every generation has done  he is committed to working within the political process. Even his attempts to challenge the results of the 2020 election were done in this spirit, ultimately stepping back from that pursuit as the courts refused to reexamine the elections.

In todays climate, however, Johnson is the most dangerous Speaker of the House we have ever had, part of a conspiratorial plot to take over the nation and impose a fundamentalist version of Christianity over every American.

You can expect this fear-mongering, alarmist approach to become more shrill in the days ahead. Be prepared to respond with patience and with truth. Perhaps, over time, our fellow citizens will realize that the alarmists are just crying wolf.
Home Opinion What should employers do about political speech in workplace?

Tempers flare at Harvard and online as Americans discuss  and fail to do so with civility  the conflict in Gaza. Rather than following a speaker-listener model, or even a friends and neighbors mode of communication, allegations of antisemitism or even genocidal aspirations fly. Even Selena Gomezs neutral post on the topic has garnered hatred from all sides. In short, deserved or not, assume the best of the person you are speaking with has flown out the window.

The national dialogue surrounding Gaza and Israel is sure to find its way into the American workplace. What should employers do?

There are a few things to be aware of. First, political speech is free speech, so its protected  but its not protected from everyone. While the government cant restrict free speech, other people such as employers in their workplaces can. Though before running out and making lists of proscribed workplace topics, the canny supervisor will consider that every legal framework has limitations.

Be aware that some states and jurisdictions have laws that prevent employers from restricting certain political activities. For example, most people know that US employers cant retaliate against their employees for engaging in things like reporting harassment. Less commonly known outside of the West Coast is that the California Labor Code expands similar protection to engaging in political activity such as assembling for a protest  and many states have similar laws.

Also, many forms of political speech involve protected characteristics. For example, consider the Israel-Gaza conflict: speech around that topic could involve national origin, religion, culture, and race/ethnicity. This means that Gaza-Israel-related workplace speech could trigger discrimination complaints, such as in the case of a Harvard professor allegedly discriminating against his students. However, restricting conversations around a topic could just as easily result in discrimination claims as allowing a conversational free-for-all.

For example, lets change gears for a minute and look back to January 6, 2021. Following the January 6 protests, a Jewish Github employee told his coworkers to Stay safe homies, there are Nazis about. And while its true that Nazi or Communist was a very common accusation in 2021, in this case, there was literally a man walking around with a Camp Auschwitz shirt. Regardless of the validity of his warning, the Jewish employee was fired. It later came out that many employees used the word Nazi and Communist in the workplace, but only the Jewish employee was fired for it. 200 coworker signatures and a brief investigation later, he was offered his job back  the HR Director resigned  and Github issued a public apology. So, censoring workplace speech can just as easily run amok as allowing the aforementioned free-for-all.

This brings up an important concept: fairness. Allowing only some people to discuss politics while censoring others may or may not be illegal on its face, depending on the jurisdiction. And partisan censorship exposes employers to incredible risks. First, employers could easily find themselves in a situation where theyve overtly discriminated against a minority  as was the case with Github. Second, because so much political speech trends along religious, national, or cultural lines, the organization could easily find itself in a situation where one group  for example, Christians face a hostile work environment where others are free to criticize their religion, but they are not free to defend it. Of course, the criticism would have to be pretty severe and pervasive to meet that legal standard, but these things happen more often than youd expect.

Employers should be aware that speech advocating violence or promoting violence is generally going to be illegal, or at least is speech that can properly be banned in the workplace. This also goes for hateful or defamatory speech.

Lastly, employers must consider the possibility of disparate impact. Disparate impact is simple in concept, but complex in application. Simply put, if a law or rule has an outsized impact on one protected class over another, then it could be discriminatory. The most obvious example of this is requiring all employees to work on Saturday. While that rule is fair, and its being applied equally, it has a disparate impact on several religious groups. Applying this concept to political speech, if an employer banned all national symbols, their Jewish employees may find themselves unable to display the Star of David while their Catholic employees might be in the clear to display a Crucifix. While this may or may not add up to a legal case for workplace discrimination, consistently applying a rule and justly applying a rule dont add up to the same thing in this example.

If your takeaway from reading all of this is there isnt a one-size fits all solution that can be applied in every scenario youd be correct. But just because there isnt a universal solution, doesnt mean there arent some basic principles we can apply.

First and foremost, employers should state clear reasons for their policies in writing. When enforcing those policies, they should make sure they do so in a way that aligns with their stated objectives. This avoids situations where the employer breaks the spirit of the law to enforce the letter.

Employers need to make sure their policies are fair. Restricting Palestinian national flags while allowing Israeli national flags can cause serious problems. But going the other direction, restricting the Star of David  simply because it is on a flag  while not restricting the Shahada, an Islamic oath, could be equally unfair. Adjudicating this issue is complicated and will likely involve working directly with employees to meet their needs.

Speaking of employees, policies should not overly restrict their lives by regulating too many things or by applying too far outside the workplace. Employers do have the right to restrict free speech in their workplace, but that does not mean they have the right to restrict the free speech of employees anywhere they go. Having rules restrict too many activities both muddies the original rationale for the rules and makes them very difficult to enforce justly and consistently. Importantly, this doesnt mean that workplace rules can never apply beyond the workplace. Inappropriate (i.e. violent, hateful, defamatory) speech outside the workplace, such as on social media, can create a hostile working environment which employers must respond to and prevent.

This tension between the need to prevent hostile work environments and allowing free speech can be difficult to manage. Its important to be proactive. Employees should feel like they can express themselves in the workplace. Feeling censored and oppressed is not conducive to high levels of employee retention and morale. This is less a matter of policy and more a matter of company culture. If employees are not able to bond over or express shared political beliefs, the employer may need to be proactive about creating other opportunities for bonding and expression. Employers may also need to offer some kind of services of support to employees struggling with current events.

Finally, make sure policies are not overly punitive. Litigation is an expensive and draining strategy of last resort. Firing someone for an ambiguous tweet or a first-time offense creates a situation where they may feel they have nowhere else to turn except to lawsuits or social media. And it also creates a situation where policies are more likely to be enforced in a discriminatory way, where one person gets away with saying Nazi  because they did not get caught  while someone else gets fired. If the first step were a conversation, instead of termination, a discriminatory situation can often be avoided.

Dangerous political speech, such as doxing, death threats, or violence, is not to be tolerated. And discriminatory political speech, such as racial slurs surrounding the war in Gaza, can create hostile work environments. If employers want to foster peace in the workplace, they will need to go beyond simply regulating workplace political speech, and proactively build the kind of workplace where employees can safely assume the best of each other.
Muslim-turned-atheist rights activist Ayaan Hirsi Ali says she is now a Christian

(CP) Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a former Muslim and renowned critic of Islam, has revealed her conversion to Christianity, describing her journey from Islam to atheism and ultimately to Christianity.

In a Weekend Essay published on UnHerd, Hirsi Ali, who is known for her bestselling books and outspoken views, says her encounter with Bertrand Russell's 1927 lecture "Why I am Not a Christian" led her to atheism, offering solace and escape from the fear instilled by religious doctrine. She found Russell's views on religion, rooted in fear, resonant with her own experiences.

"It did not cross my mind, as I read it, that one day, nearly a century after he delivered it to the South London branch of the National Secular Society, I would be compelled to write an essay with precisely the opposite title," adds Hirsi Ali, who is originally from Somalia and is a survivor of genital mutilation.

Hirsi Ali traces her initial disillusionment with Islam following the 9/11 terrorist attacks when she questioned the justifications for the attacks in the name of Islam.

During her teenage years in Nairobi, Hirsi Ali says she was influenced by the Muslim Brotherhood, which instilled in her a strict interpretation of Islam.

This period was characterized by a strict adherence to religious practices and a deep-seated disdain for non-Muslims, particularly Jews. However, her later exposure to atheism through figures like Christopher Hitchens and Richard Dawkins provided a stark contrast to her previous beliefs.

Hirsi Ali attributes her turn to Christianity to a broader concern for the challenges facing Western civilization. She cites threats from authoritarian regimes, global Islamism, and "woke" ideology as catalysts for seeking a unifying force. Christianity, in her view, offers a foundation of values and traditions that uphold human life, freedom, and dignity, and counters the divisiveness she associates with atheism.

Responding to her embrace of the Christian faith, conservative Christian philosopher Dr. Robert George wrote on Facebook: "Two decades ago, under the influence of the writings of Bertrand Russell, she became an atheist. Her thought was that atheism was smart and sophisticated  it was allegedly what really intelligent people believed (the 'brights,' as Daniel Dennett embarrassingly labeled himself and his fellow unbelievers). It was the way to a world of rationality and civil liberty. Hirsi Ali is not the first to have gone down that misguided path. She now sees that it is indeed misguided and that there is, if I may quote scripture, 'a more excellent way.'"

Hirsi Ali's embrace of Christianity also stems from a personal quest for spiritual solace and meaning in life.

Hirsi Ali critiques atheism for leaving a "God hole," which she believes has led to the rise of irrational ideologies and the erosion of Western values. She argues that Christianity provides a unifying story and foundational texts, similar to those in Islam, that can engage and mobilize people.

Speaking at the National Press Club in 2015, Hirsi Ali offered five amendments to the religion of Islam that Muslims should take seriously if they really want to bring about a peaceful reformation to their religion.

She suggested Muslims should view the Quran and the hadith as creations of human effort, potentially divinely inspired but ultimately human in origin. This perspective challenges the traditional view of Muhammad as a moral guide post-Mecca, which Hirsi Ali finds problematic.

As the second amendment, Hirsi Ali advocated for a change in how Muslims prioritize life after death over life before death. She called for a reorientation toward valuing earthly life more.

She also argued that Shariah law is responsible for widespread violence and oppression in Muslim cultures, exemplified by regimes like Saudi Arabia, Iran and the Islamic State terrorist group.

As her fourth amendment, she called for the elimination of the principle of "Commanding Right and Forbidding Wrong." This principle, according to Hirsi Ali, leads to vigilantism and mob justice, as seen in cases where citizens punish individuals for alleged violations of Shariah law or disrespect toward Muhammad.

Hirsi Ali also called for an end to the concept of Jihad as Holy war, advocating instead for a focus on peace.

 The Christian Post
Schoolboy abducted from Christian school finds freedom

A schoolboy who was abducted by gunmen from his Christian school in Nigeria has finally found freedom again after escaping from captivity.

Treasure Ayuba was just 12 when he and 120 other students were abducted from Bethel High School in Damishi, Kaduna State, in July 2021.

Now 14, he was the last remaining victim of the kidnapping to still be in captivity before managing to escape. The others were freed bit by bit after the school and parents clubbed together to pay hundreds of thousands of pounds in ransom money.

A pastor familiar with the situation who cannot be named for security reasons told Open Doors, "Treasure somehow managed to sneak away and escape from the extremists.

"He walked at night and hid during the day. Eventually he found hunters who took him to his hometown and from there he was able to find his way home."

The kidnappers are believed to be radicalised Fulani herders.

Joseph Hayab, Chairman of Kaduna State chapter of Christian Association Nigeria (CAN), confirmed Ayuba's escape to reporters.

He said that the teenager had been used by his abductors for a propaganda campaign in which they falsely claimed that Treasure had willingly stayed with them.

"Contrary to speculations that the boy chose to live with the bandits, the true story is that his abductors decided that they will keep him as a reward to convert him to Islam," said Hayab.

Henrietta Blyth, CEO of Open Doors UK and Ireland, said that many kidnapping victims who are able to return home are "very traumatised".

"They have often witnessed people being killed and may have experienced violence themselves," she said.

"In many cases the students are made to walk long hours from camp to camp, sleeping outside and surviving mainly on leaves and fruit they pick in the bushes."

She expressed concern about the levels of violence being witnessed in Nigeria.

"Nigeria is number six on the World Watch List, of most dangerous countries for Christians. However, if violence was the only criteria for Open Doors research, Nigeria would be number one," she added.

Large-scale abductions from school have happened with alarming frequency in Nigeria in the past decade. One of the most high profile abductions was in Chibok, Borno State, in 2014 when 276 mostly Christian schoolgirls were taken. UNICEF reported earlier this year that 96 of them remain in captivity.

The pastor told Open Doors: "Boko Haram literally means 'Western education is forbidden'. So, for some extremists, western education is associated with Christianity. Essentially, frustrating Western education is the same thing as frustrating Christianity."
Texas officials recently confirmed that a bison jump, a site where the creatures would be herded off of a cliff, previously existed in Caprock Canyons State Park. milehightraveler/Getty Images/iStockphoto

A pile of bones jutting out of a cliffside was the telltale sign that led to the unearthing of an archaeological site in Texas where bison were once hunted in masse. Rick Day and his wife, Susan, were on a hiking trip with their students at Caprock Canyons State Park, located in the Texas panhandle, in 2021 when they encountered hundreds of bison bones beneath a cliff, according to the November issue of Texas Parks & Wildlife Magazine.

A steward for the Texas Historical Commission, Rick told the magazine that he swiftly recognized that the landform was a bison jumpa site used by Native Americans to harvest bison by driving a herd of the creatures off of a cliff. After the bison would plunge to their death, natives would harvest the meat and other various parts of the bison. "I looked at the cliff and I saw the way the bone was oriented," Rick told the magazine. "When I saw it, it seemed to me that if this is not a jump, then I don't know what a jump is."





A vintage etching circa 19th century depicts Native Americans hunting bison by driving them over a buffalo jump in Alberta, Canada. powerofforever/Getty Images

Now nicknamed "Nighthawk" after the nocturnal birds that nest nearby, the site is the only other known bison jump in Texas. The other is Bonfire Shelterthe oldest and southernmost jump site in North Americawhich is located in a privately owned gorge near Langtry.

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Following the rare finding, archaeologists, scientists and students with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department spent months collecting and documenting bones and fragments of stone tools at the cliff before confirming it was a bison jump. The site's position at the foot of a cliff as well as the fractures and positions of the bones gave it away.

"It was about a 20-meter fall from the top [of the cliff] to the surface when the bones accumulated," Gus Costa, an archaeologist analyzing the site, told the magazine. "That's about six stories...This jump is one of the highest jumps that I know of."

Carbon dating placed the bones in major jump events that occurred in 319 and 1379 AD, though it's unclear which groups used the cliff formation. The bison jump is currently being monitored and data collected there will be used for its future management and other sites like it at the park. "The fact that we found this site is pretty incredible," Tamra Walter, an associate professor of archaeology at Texas Tech University, told the magazine. "It's a once-in-a-lifetime kind of site. It's so incredibly rare."
By Baek Byung-yeul

SAP SuccessFactors, a human resource software company of SAP, is trying to improve its presence in the AI-driven human resource management software market here in the face of the rapid adoption of AI technology across the HR sector, the company said Thursday.

To provide its enterprise customers in Korea with better HR management services, the company said it established the Korea SAP SuccessFactors User Group enabling customers to network and share know-how and opinions.

Over the last few years, we've seen the incredible momentum in Korea for SAP SuccessFactors. And we are very happy today that we will use the User Group as well here in Korea, which can help our customers drive additional value, Angela Colantuono, head of SAP SuccessFactors Asia Pacific and Japan, said during a press conference held on the sidelines of the SAP HR Connect Seoul 2023 event.

The company held the event to introduce innovative approaches to how employees work and realize their potential using next-generation technologies, including AI. The company said the event had a total of 1,000 participants, including 250 on-site attendees, comprising customers and partner companies.

During the event, customer cases were disclosed by companies including Hyundai Motor Group Innovation Center in Singapore, LG Energy Solution, GC Biopharma, Seegene and Woomi.

SAP is actively leading AI-driven innovation, as it recently announced its generative AI co-pilot Joule, and the software company expects its AI technology will be used meaningfully in the HR sector, helping HR teams to write unbiased job descriptions and make it easier for employees to navigate complex processes and complete tasks faster. It also expects its Talent Intelligence Hub, an AI-powered skills framework, to help customers better understand, build and leverage the skills of their workforces.

Colantuono noted that many Korean companies were also represented at last month's global SAP SuccessFactors event in the U.S. and shared how partner companies in Korea are making a difference in HR management.

During the global conference, we were able to bring together our customer advisory board members, including those from Korea, she said.
Antitrust regulators of the European Union have yet to resume their review on deciding whether to approve a merger deal between Korean Air and Asiana Airlines despite the parties having submitted remedial measures against competition concerns nearly two weeks ago, according to informed sources Thursday.

In June, the European Commission (EC), the executive body of the EU, suspended its investigation into the proposed merger between Korea's two full-fledged carriers announced in 2020 due to the companies' failure to meet their deadline for providing corrective measures.

The EC has raised concerns that the 1.8 trillion-won ($1.37 billion) merger deal between Korean Air and Asiana may restrict competition in the markets for passenger and cargo air transport services between the EU and Korea.

In response, the companies on Nov. 2 decided to sell Asiana's cargo business and divest passenger flight routes to four European cities in order to win approval for the deal, and the measure was reported to the EC.

Yonhap News Agency, however, has learned that the EC's halted investigation has yet to be resumed for nearly two weeks since the submission of corrective measures earlier this month.

An industry source told Yonhap that the delay was due to "missing information" in the remedies submitted by the parties.

An EC spokesperson confirmed that the commission received the remedies on Nov. 3 (local time) but declined to elaborate when asked whether the review process has officially started.

"I am afraid we have nothing to add at this stage," the spokesperson said.

In November 2020, Korean Air signed the deal to acquire a controlling stake in Asiana to create the world's 10th-biggest airline by fleet.

Korean Air has so far received approval in 11 countries, including Britain, Australia and Singapore, but has yet to receive approval from three key markets: the EU, the United States and Japan.

A rejection of the deal by the EC would dampen the prospects of the merger deal, which has been pursued for the past three years.

Korean Air confirmed that the EC has yet to restart its official investigation and that it is "going through necessary procedures, including providing additional information," as requested by the commission.

"We anticipate that the EC will soon lift the 'stop the clock' mechanism and resume the evaluation," the company said in a statement sent to Yonhap. "We are actively cooperating to facilitate a prompt conclusion of the review process and will continue our efforts to ensure a swift resolution." (Yonhap)
Right now, were converting everything to a vector database, says Ellie Fields, chief product and engineering officer at Salesloft, a sales engagement platform vendor. And yes, theyre working.

And its more effective than using simple documents to provide context for LLM queries, she says.

The company primarily uses ChromaDB, an open-source vector store, whose primary use is for LLMs. Another vector database Salesloft uses is Pgvector, a vector similarity search extension for the PostgreSQL database.

But weve also done some research using FAISS and Pinecone, she says. FAISS, or Facebook AI Similarity Search, is an open-source library provided by Meta that supports similarity searches in multimedia documents.

And Pinecone is a proprietary cloud-based vector database thats also become popular with developers, and its free tier supports up to 100,000 vectors. Once the relevant information is retrieved from the vector database and embedded into a prompt, the query gets sent to OpenAI running in a private instance on Microsoft Azure.

We had Azure certified as a new sub-processor on our platform, says Fields. We always let customers know when we have a new processor for their information.

But Salesloft also works with Google and IBM, and is working on a gen AI functionality that uses those platforms as well.

Well definitely work with different providers and different models, she says. Things are changing week by week. If youre not looking at different models, youre missing the boat. So RAG allows enterprises to separate their proprietary data from the model itself, making it much easier to swap models in and out as better models are released. In addition, the vector database can be updated, even in real time, without any need to do more fine-tuning or retraining of the model.

Weve switched out models, from OpenAI to OpenAI on Azure, says Fields. And weve switched among different OpenAI models. We may even support different models for different parts of our customer base.

Sometimes different models have different APIs, she adds. Its not trivial, she says. But switching out a model is still easier than retraining. We havent yet found a use case thats better served by fine tuning rather than a vector database, Fields adds. I believe there are use cases out there, but so far, we havent found one that performs better.

One of the first applications of LLMs that Salesloft rolled out was adding a feature that lets customers generate a sales email to a prospect. Customers were taking a lot of time to write those emails, says Fields. It was hard to start, and theres a lot of writers block. So now customers can specify the target persona, their value proposition, and the call to action  and they get three different draft emails back they can personalize. Salesloft uses OpenAIs GPT 3.5 to write the email, says Fields.

Locally run open source models

Boston-based Ikigai Labs offers a platform that allows companies to build custom large graphical models, or AI models designed to work with structured data. But to make the interface easier to use, Ikigai powers its front end with LLMs. For example, the company uses the seven billion parameter version of the Falcon open source LLM, and runs it in its own environment for some of its clients.

To feed information into the LLM, Ikigai uses a vector database, also run locally. Its built on top of the Boundary Forest algorithm, says co-founder and co-CEO Devavrat Shah.

At MIT four years ago, some of my students and I experimented with a ton of vector databases, says Shah, who is also a professor of AI at MIT. I knew it would be useful, but not this useful.

Keeping both the model and the vector database local means no data can leak out to third parties, he says. For clients who are okay with sending queries to others, we use OpenAI, says Shah. We are LLM agnostic.

PricewaterhouseCoopers, which built its own ChatPWC tool, is also LLM agnostic. ChatPWC makes our associates more capable, says Bret Greenstein, the firms partner and leader of the gen AI go-to-market strategy. For example, it includes pre-built prompts to generate job descriptions. It has all my formats, templates, and terminology, he says. We have an HR, data and prompt experts, and we design something that generates very good job postings. Now nobody needs to know how to do the amazing prompting that generates job descriptions.

The tool is built on top of Microsoft Azure, but the company also built it for Google Cloud Platform and AWS. We have to serve our clients, and they exist on every cloud, Says Greenstein. Similarly, its optimized to use different models on the back end, because thats how clients want it. We have every model working, he adds. Llama 2, Falcon  we have everything.

The market is changing quickly, of course, and Greenstein suggests enterprises adopt a no regrets policy to their AI deployments.

Theres a lot people can do, he says, like building up their data thats independent of models, and building up the governance. Then, when the market changes, and a new model comes out, the data and governance structure will still be relevant.

The fine tuning

Management consulting company AArete took open source model GPT 2 and fine tuned it on its own data. It was lightweight, says Priya Iragavarapu, the companys VP of digital technology services. We wanted an open source one to be able to take it and post it internally in our environment.

If AArete used a hosted model and connected to it via API, trust issues come up. Were concerned where the data from the prompting might end up, she says. We dont want to take those risks.

When choosing an open source model, she looks at how many times it was previously downloaded, its community support, and its hardware requirements.

The foundational model should also have some task relevancy, she says. There are some models for specific tasks. For example, I recently looked at a Hugging Face model that parses content from PDFs into a structured format.

Many companies in the financial world and in the health care industry are fine-tuning LLMs based on their own additional data sets.

The basic LLMs are trained on the whole internet, she says. With fine tuning, a company can create a model specifically targeted at their business use case.

A common way of doing this is by creating a list of questions and answers and fine tuning a model on those. In fact, OpenAI began allowing fine tuning of its GPT 3.5 model in August, using a Q&A approach, and unrolled a suite of new fine tuning, customization, and RAG options for GPT 4 at its November DevDay.

This is particularly useful for customer service and help desk applications, where a company might already have a data bank of FAQs.

Also in the Dell survey, 21% of companies prefer to retrain existing models, using their own data in their own environment.

The most popular option seems to be Llama 2, says Andy Thurai, VP and principal analyst at Constellation Research Inc. Llama 2 comes in three different sizes, and is free for companies with fewer than 700 million monthly users. Companies can fine-tune it on their own data sets and have a new, custom model fairly quickly, he says. In fact, the Hugging Face LLM leaderboard is currently dominated by different fine-tunings and customizations of Llama 2. Before Llama 2, Falcon was the most popular open source LLM, he adds. Its an arms race right now. Fine tuning can create a model thats more accurate for specific business use cases, he says. If youre using a generalized Llama model, the accuracy can be low.

And there are some advantages to fine-tuning over RAG embedding. With embedding, a company has to do a vector database search for every query. And youve got the implementation of the database, Thurai says. Thats not going to be easy, either.

There are no context window limits on fine tuning, either. With embedding, theres only so much information that can be added to a prompt. If a company does fine tune, they wouldnt do it often, just when a significantly improved version of the base AI model is released.

Finally, if a company has a quickly-changing data set, fine tuning can be used in combination with embedding. You can fine tune it first, then do RAG for the incremental updates, he says.

Rowan Curran, analyst at Forrester Research, expects to see a lot of fine-tuned, domain-specific models arising over the next year or so, and companies can also distil models to make them more efficient at particular tasks. But only a small minority of companies  10% or less  will do this, he says.

Software companies building applications such as SaaS apps, might use fine tuning, says PricewaterhouseCoopers Greenstein. If you have a highly repeatable pattern, fine tuning can drive down your costs, he says, but for enterprise deployments, RAG is more efficient in 90 to 95% of cases.

Were actually looking into fine-tuning models for specific verticals, adds Sebastien Paquet, VP of ML at Coveo, a Canadian enterprise search and recommendations company. We have some specialized verticals with specialized vocabulary, like the medical vertical. Enterprises selling truck parts have their own way of how the parts are named.

For now, however, the company is using OpenAIs GPT 3.5 and GPT 4 running on a private Azure cloud, with the LLM API calls isolated so Coveo can switch to different models if needed. It also uses some open source LLMs from Hugging Face for specific use cases.

Build an LLM from scratch

Few companies are going to build their own LLM from scratch. After all, they are, by definition, quite large. OpenAIs GPT 3 has 175 billion parameters and was trained on a data set of 45 terabytes and cost $4.6 million to train. And according to OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, GPT 4 cost over $100 million.

That size is what gives LLMs their magic and ability to process human language, with a certain degree of common sense, as well as the ability to follow instructions.

You cant just train it on your own data, says Carm Taglienti, distinguished engineer at Insight. Theres value that comes from training on tens of millions of parameters.

Today, nearly all LLMs come from the big hyperscalers or AI-focused startups like OpenAI and Anthropic.

Even companies with extensive experience building their own models are staying away from creating their own LLMs.

Salesloft, for example, has been building their own AI and machine learning models for years, including gen AI models using earlier technologies, but is hesitant about building a brand-new, cutting edge foundation model from scratch.

Its a massive computational step that, at least at this stage, I dont see us embarking on, says Fields.
Articol adaugat de: UNICEF Moldova

Alte articole de la acest autor:
Background

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion are core principles at UNDP: we value diversity as an expression of the multiplicity of nations and cultures where we operate, we foster inclusion as a way of ensuring all personnel are empowered to contribute to our mission, and we ensure equity and fairness in all our actions. Taking a leave no one behind approach to our diversity efforts means increasing representation of underserved populations. People who identify as belonging to marginalized or excluded populations are strongly encouraged to apply. Learn more about working at UNDP including our values and inspiring stories.

UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

UNDP Moldova, through its Effective Governance Cluster implemented projects, has a long-standing experience in supporting the strengthening of the institutional and technical capacities of the law enforcement bodies.

Building upon the Ministry of Internal Affairs aspirations to reinforce the practice-oriented training and to e-transform internal processes and enhance the quality of services delivered, the Supporting the e-transformation of policing processes related to contravention cases and Strengthening the Police Training Capacities in the Republic of Moldova projects will strengthen institutional capacities, update (to the extent necessary) the regulatory framework, develop a modern and scalable e-contraventions software solution, upgrade the learning technology and modernize the practical training infrastructure of the internal affairs system to enable an environment for nurturing next-generation police professionals, equipped with tools, skills, knowledge and competences compliant with the demand for modern-style policing.

The support in accelerating e-transformation of police operations in contravention cases and interventions in police training system from Moldova, targeted through these Projects, should lead to improved quality of policing services in Moldova. As a result of these interventions, the general trust in the police system should increase. Taken together, these results can increase public confidence in and support for law enforcement and justice processes, enhancing system performance and, ultimately, the integrity of the law.

In this regard, project teams are being put in place to support projects implementation. UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.

Duties and Responsibilities

The Project Associate will ensure efficient administration of the Project, as well as support the Project Manager in Project implementation and reporting. Project Associate will be responsible for the operations of the Project activities and timely inputs of data and records into cloud-based digital engagement platform Quantum.

Ensure efficient delivery of the Project:

Undertake administrative, logistical, travel, procurement, financial and asset management tasks in full compliance with UNDP rules, regulations and policies;

Provide support to procure goods and services required by the Project, in liaison with the relevant staff and units of UNDP Country Office;

Provide administrative support in arranging Project related meetings when needed;

Participate in the preparation of work plans, operation plans and procurement plans and periodical reviews thereof;

Provide support in quality control of Project activities, including assessing impact and effectiveness, tracking outputs and results, and ensure timely and efficient delivery;

Maintain an appropriate filing system and documenting the implementation to enable further operational and financial closure and archiving of the Project(s);

Provide support in regular monitoring and data collection of Project activities in accordance with work plan and procurement plan;

Provide general secretarial and administrative assistance to the Project team in close liaison with UNDP teams, other UN agencies.

Ensure administration and implementation of operational strategies, adapt processes and procedures:

Full compliance with respective UNDP and donor rules, regulations, and policies of financial activities, financial recording/reporting system and follow-up on audit recommendations;

Implementation of effective internal controls, proper functioning of a client-oriented financial resources management system.

Personal initiative to perform daily work timely, efficiently, and in compliance with established rules and plans;

Keep abreast of UNDP rules and regulations in the area of responsibility and maintain an optimum level of knowledge by continuous learning;

Provide regular updates to the Project Manager and flag any deviations from the work plans immediately;

Provide financial support to the Project:

Assist Project team in drafting Project progress reports with financial data;

Assist Project management in performing budget cycle: planning, preparation, revisions, and budget execution;

Provide assistance to partner agencies involved in Project activities, performing and monitoring financial aspects to ensure compliance with budgeted costs in line with established policies and procedures;

Monitor Project expenditures, ensuring that no expenditure is incurred before it has been authorized;

Perform preparatory work for mandatory and general budget revisions, annual physical inventory, auditing; and assist external evaluators in fulfilling their mission;

Ensure that all Project financial activities are carried out on schedule and within budget to achieve the project outputs;

Ensure timely submission of financial reports to the UNDP Country Office to verify the accuracy of such reports for the national partner or donor;

Perform other financial related duties, upon request.

Provide operations support to the Project:

Ensure that UNDP procurement rules are followed during procurement activities that are carried out by the Project and maintain responsibility for the inventory of the project assets;

Organization of procurement processes including preparation of RFQs, ITBs or RFPs documents, receipt of quotations, bids or proposals, their preliminary evaluation, note-to-files and justifications in cooperation with the UNDP Procurement Unit.

Coordination of surveys, DSA, travel agencies, organization of common services and other administrative surveys;

Prepare and timely submit travel documents in accordance with UNDP requirements;

Support with protocol matters, registration of staff, coordination with national partners on space and other administrative matters;

Compile, organize and file information and documents for reference and use by team members.

Preparation of documents set for vendor creation;

Ensure proper control of the supporting documents for payments;

Prepare and timely submit payment requests with proper support documentation to the UNDP Country Office;

Provide financial monitoring over Project commitments and expenditures and assist the Project Manager in assuring proper Project delivery;

Keep regular contact with Project experts and consultants to inform them about the Project details and changes;

Control the usage and proper accounting of non-expendable equipment (record keeping, drawing up regular inventories), inventories and materials;

Provide necessary administrative, financial and logistical support to the Project events, including among other workshops, seminars, working meetings and visits of national and international delegations (visa support, transportation, hotel accommodation etc.);

Keep files of Project documents and expert reports and ensure general circulation of documents for knowledge management and sharing;

Draft Project correspondence and documents; finalize correspondence of administrative and financial nature; draft minutes of meetings, edit reports and other documents for correctness of form and content as required;

Assist in collection, preparation and submission of support documents for NPSA contracts extensions;

Perform other assignment related duties and tasks.

Institutional Arrangement

Under the guidance and direct supervision of the Project Manager, the Project Associate shall contribute to an effective and efficient implementation of the project activities.

The Project Associate will apply and promote the principles of results-based management (RBM), as well as a client-oriented approach consistent with UNDP rules and regulations.

The Project Associate will work in close collaboration with the Project team as well as the team in the Country Office (CO) for effective achievement of results, anticipating and contributing to resolving complex project-related issues and information delivery.

The incumbent is expected to exercise full compliance with UNDP programming, financial, procurement and administrative rules, regulations, policies, and strategies, as well as implementation of the effective internal control systems.

Competencies



Core Competencies

Achieve Results: LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline.

LEVEL 1: Plans and monitors own work, pays attention to details, delivers quality work by deadline. Think Innovatively: LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements.

LEVEL 1: Open to creative ideas/known risks, is pragmatic problem solver, makes improvements. Learn Continuously: LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback.

LEVEL 1: Open minded and curious, shares knowledge, learns from mistakes, asks for feedback. Adapt with Agility: LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible.

LEVEL 1: Adapts to change, constructively handles ambiguity/uncertainty, is flexible. Act with Determination: LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident.

LEVEL 1: Shows drive and motivation, able to deliver calmly in face of adversity, confident. Engage and Partner: LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships.

LEVEL 1: Demonstrates compassion/understanding towards others, forms positive relationships. Enable Diversity and Inclusion: LEVEL 1: Appreciate/respect differences, aware of unconscious bias, confront discrimination.

Cross-Functional & Technical Competencies

Business management - Operations Management: Ability to effectively plan, organize and oversee the organizations business processes in order to convert its assets into the best results in the most efficient manner. Knowledge of relevant concepts and mechanisms.

Business Development - Knowledge Generation: Ability to research and turn information into useful knowledge relevant for content, or responsive to a stated need.

Partnership management - Relationship management: Ability to engage with a wide range of public and private partners, build, sustain and/or strengthen working relations, trust and mutual understanding.

Finance - Budget management: Ability to support budgetary aspects of work planning process, drawing and management of team budgets.

Procurement - Procurement Management: The ability to acquire goods, services or works from an outside external source.

Administration and Operations - Documents and records management: Overall document (hard or electronic) management; registry and retention policy including storing and archiving.

Administration & Operations - Assets management: Knowledge of policy & procedures on PP&E; ability to prepare financial statements on PP&E; maintain Asset Management Module in Quantum, Asset Dashboard; develop supporting tools for assets certification and further enhancements for AM module; design and run training programs, etc. on assets management and assets recording; run AP-AM interface; perform AP-AM-GL reconciliation; perform analytical review of AM reports and asset information to ensure completeness and accuracy of asset information.



Required Skills and Experience



Education:

Secondary education is required.

Bachelors degree in management, economics, business administration, public administration, finance, accounting, human resources or other related field will be given due consideration, but it is not a requirement.

Experience:

Minimum 7 years (with Secondary education) or 4 years (with Bachelors degree) of relevant experience in administrative work, procurement, economics, finances, accounting, human resources or other substantive area.

Language:

Fluency in Romanian and English is required (written and spoken).

Knowledge of one or more minority languages relevant for Moldova, including Bulgarian, Gagauzian, Romani, Russian, Ukrainian and sign language will be an asset.

Required Skills:

Demonstrated experience of working in a multi-cultural work environment is required.

Experience in the usage of computers and office software packages (MS Word, Excel, etc) and advance knowledge of spreadsheet and database packages, experience in handling of web-based management systems.

Desired Skills:

Experience in providing effective logistical support will be an asset.

Experience in project or financial administration will be an asset.

Proven experience in a similar position in UNDP or other UN Agencies will be an asset.

Experience in development assistance or related work for a development organization, consulting company, or NGO will be an asset.



Disclaimer

Applicant information about UNDP rosters

Note: UNDP reserves the right to select one or more candidates from this vacancy announcement. We may also retain applications and consider candidates applying to this post for other similar positions with UNDP at the same grade level and with similar job description, experience and educational requirements.

Non-discrimination



UNDP has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual exploitation and misconduct, sexual harassment, and abuse of authority. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks, and will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles.

UNDP is an equal opportunity and inclusive employer that does not discriminate based on race, sex, gender identity, religion, nationality, ethnic origin, sexual orientation, disability, pregnancy, age, language, social origin or other status.

Scam warning

The United Nations does not charge any application, processing, training, interviewing, testing or other fee in connection with the application or recruitment process. Should you receive a solicitation for the payment of a fee, please disregard it. Furthermore, please note that emblems, logos, names and addresses are easily copied and reproduced. Therefore, you are advised to apply particular care when submitting personal information on the web.

Salariul lunar net: 20900 MDL - 25800 MDL

Asigurarea medicala internationala 100% acoperire

To apply please follow the link/Pentru a aplica, va rugam sa adresati link-ul: Apply

Advertisement end date/Data de incheiere a postului vacant: 01 December 2023
Many organisations are considering divestment from fossil fuel extraction as part of their approach to responsible investment. The trustees of the Diocese of London decided in January 2023 to divest after thorough consideration of the issues at different levels of governance during 2022. This article outlines the main points raised and how they were addressed.

The Church of England is organised in three levels: the parishes, served by Dioceses, served by National Church Institutions. There are 42 Dioceses, the largest of which is London, which serves 420 parishes. Each entity is an independent charity with trustees that follow charity law and guidance from the Charity Commission, in addition to Church of England law and guidance.
Climate change is an urgent and serious threat to our planet and our communities. We know that climate change with rising tides and changing temperatures has and will continue to have a myriad of consequences on the quality of our lives, including food shortages, reduced air quality, impact on health, and loss of homes. The United Nations has described climate change as a risk multiplier meaning that it will make existing challenges for our communities, local and worldwide, even more difficult.

Charities work to make a better world. For many, it will be harder to achieve their charitable objectives during a rapidly growing crisis that will create and worsen social inequalities. Throughout our history, NCVO has always looked at the problems faced by society and sought out a voluntary sector response  whether that was pensioner poverty, social connection, or youth opportunities. As we put together our strategy in 2020, we recognised that we needed to act on climate change. In July of this year, we launched our divestment campaign, Fuelling Positive Change, to support and mobilise the sector.
A recent analysis by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) of charities appearances on TV current affairs programmes such as Question Time and the Andrew Marr Show found that charity CEOs were significantly less likely to appear on such platforms compared with leaders from academia, journalism and business.

Conversations with charity leaders about this disparity threw up another interesting finding  a lack of clarity, and perhaps confidence, among charity trustees as to what charity CEOs can or should legitimately speak about, and how. As a consequence, some CEOs arent sure how far they have the backing of their trustee boards to speak up on topical  and sometimes controversial  issues.

Yet discussions with senior figures from other sectors suggested that they recognised and valued the evidence and experience that charities can bring to public debate. They saw that charities were trusted in a way that other commentators were not, and that their views were guided by strong values and deep convictions.

In light of these matters, SMK and Governance & Leadership (G&L) decided to delve more deeply into trustee attitudes on these issues, and on charity campaigning more generally, in a survey solely of board members. We wanted to take the temperature of trustees on these issues in the hope that greater understanding of the barriers might help charities to have a louder voice on the issues that are important to them  particularly vital as we approach an election year.

The survey was open from 21 August to 25 September 2023, and attracted 165 responses. Just over two-fifths were small charities with less than 1m income; 14% had income between 1m and 5m; 18% had 5m-20m and just 2% had turnover exceeding 50m. Some 63% of respondents were trustees of charities with fewer than 50 staff.

Key findings

The results pointed to a strong appetite for charities to speak up on issues that were core to their charitys purpose but, in this febrile political environment, trustees were keen for clearer guidance in order to govern with confidence.

The survey showed that there is a strong belief that campaigning is a vital part of charities work and that they should draw attention to the underlying causes of the issues they work on.

Trustees have high confidence that charities can deploy a range of tactics in pursuit of change, such as changing attitudes, lobbying, advocacy, debating policy issues, or pushing for changes in legislation.

There is a great desire to see more charity CEOs have a public profile and take part in public discourse, and most agree that such engagement can be an effective way for a charity to achieve its mission and goals.

But trustees confidence wavered in the face of external challenges, as they voiced concern that the risks of attacks from politicians and the media could outweigh the benefits derived from speaking up. More than one in four of those whose organisations campaign said they had experienced attacks from politicians, and more than one in five had from the media.

The situation is not helped by a lack of clarity about where the Charity Commission stands on all of this. Many felt that the regulators public pronouncements did not match its formal guidance.

High confidence in campaigning

More than four in five respondents see campaigning as a vital part of charities work. They almost unanimously agreed that charities should raise awareness of the issues they work on (95%) and, where appropriate, shed light on the causes of the issues they work on and push for change to prevent them (91%).

In terms of organisational approaches to campaigning, three-quarters of trustees felt their organisation was interpreting the boundaries about right, agreeing that they speak on the issues that are necessary.

Role of the CEO

Four in five trustees say they would like to see more CEOs have a public profile and take part in public discourse. The same number say it is legitimate for CEOs to speak up not just on behalf of their current organisation but also to draw on their wider professional experience. And more than nine in ten think its right for CEOs to talk about their organisations engagement in society-wide challenges such as equality, diversity, and inclusion.

However, when asked about the parameters for taking part in public discourse, the view becomes more mixed. Over 90% are comfortable about CEOs speaking out on issues directly linked to their charitys work or the wider underlying causes and effects, but less than half (49%) are comfortable with CEOs speaking on any topical issues of the day  for example, if required as part of appearing on a current affairs programme like Question Time. In comments, trustees noted that context and organisation type/cause are major factors in deciding where to draw their lines.

Ensuring that personal views do not encroach on organisational communications was key for some. One trustee wrote: CEO should express opinion on behalf of charity.

Personal opinions can be expressed but clearly identified as personal and not connected to charity. Yet, a few are highly uneasy about the whole prospect of charities putting their heads above the parapet. One respondent admitted to being uncomfortable with the whole issue  it is difficult for anyone not to include their own views on matters and stick solely to the charity  once said, difficult to retract!

And despite these divergent views, it appears that many organisations are still not proactively exploring these issues and seeking to build consensus. For example, two-thirds say their organisation has never discussed the extent to which their CEO is encouraged or permitted to comment in public, and even among those who say their charities actively campaign, still over half (52%) have not considered it.

Other spokespeople

Interestingly, while most respondents (87%) said it should be up to the CEO to be the public voice of the organisation on issues, significant numbers also felt it could be appropriate for others to speak up too. For instance, 53% thought the chair of trustees could also be a legitimate spokesperson on behalf of the organisation  just slightly less than the 55% who cited the director of communications. Fewer than two in five said those with lived experience of the cause should be put forward as spokespeople for the organisation.

However, several people commented that context was hugely important here. One respondent said: A CEO speaking out about personal experience of equity, diversity and inclusion issues would be very different if they were speaking from a point of view of privilege, or of oppression. And the context of public discourse would matter a lot as to who is the best person to be the spokesperson.

Encouragingly, some charities are dealing effectively with such considerations. One trustee wrote: We have clear boundaries, roles and responsibilities and a culture of trust and open communication  we discuss who says what to whom and where personal life and opinions of director separate from professional role and legal implications for organisation and board.

Fears of backlash

But it is clear that many trustees are worried about the repercussions that can arise from their charities having a higher profile. Many are concerned that the risks of speaking out could outweigh the benefits in the face of attacks from politicians (74%) or the media (84%), loss of income from donors (80%) or public bodies (74%), or lack of support from users of their services (70%).

These concerns are not unfounded. More than one in four of those whose organisations campaign said they had experienced attacks from politicians (28%), and more than one in five from the media (22%).

Furthermore, 6% of respondents confirmed that their charity had at some point been asked to sign a non-disclosure agreement (NDA) that would have impeded its ability to speak publicly on issues that it felt were important. Another 38% did not know whether their charity had been asked to or not.

One respondent had particularly strong views on the public sectors use of NDAs, describing them as often a more dangerous and pernicious impediment to campaigning than public criticism. They went on: One can bear significant media backlash  it is ultimately part of the operation of a healthy democratic society  but NDAs can present a choice between being involved in decisions that affect the community were trying to support and being able to publicly highlight scandals that affect the community were trying to support. Given the use of NDAs often appears to be motivated primarily by the public reputation of the government body, rather than the interests of service users, and as these government bodies are often outside direct central government control (whether quangos or parts of the NHS), these NDAs are often obviously offensive to any broad public interest.

Meanwhile, some trustees of membership organisations cited challenge from their members as impediments to their campaigning. One said: Some of our members have been vocally critical, on social media and at open meetings of the membership, which can cause reputational damage (internally) and affect our ability to fulfil some objectives and, for example, maintain positive working environments for staff with identities under attack.

Another wrote: The main opponents to our engagement in campaigning are our members who are also our funders, as our main source of income is membership subscriptions.

Regulation and guidance

The situation is not helped by a lack of clarity about where the Charity Commission stands. More than one in four say they do not think the Commissions guidance and public commentary match up, perhaps reflecting the gap between the facts of regulation and statements of previous chairs.

More positively, in recent weeks, the current chair Orlando Fraser has sought to clarify matters, saying: I will robustly defend charities right to campaign lawfully, even where such campaigning covers sensitive or politically divisive ground.

On the Commissions campaigning guidance CC9, only 16% of respondents say they find it very clear and around 38% are unfamiliar with the guidance. And, of those whose organisations actively campaign, only half (51%) are somewhat or completely clear on what should be included in a campaigns and political activity policy, which the latest Annual Return guidance suggests it may be appropriate for charities to have.

Clearly, there is a significant job to do ensuring that the decision to campaign, and how, stands up to scrutiny from regulators and criticism from hostile commentators. The surveys findings suggest that trustees do not yet feel entirely confident that they can do so robustly.

Social media

More than half of trustees were unaware that new social media guidance would be forthcoming, and 44% say they would be extremely or fairly uncomfortable about restricting senior staff from expressing personal opinions on their own social media accounts.

This is likely to be a difficult and complex conversation for some organisations. While a few respondents wrote of the importance of board members feeling able to trust their CEO to strike the right balance on social platforms, one wrote: Coming from the corporate world, I have a clear expectation that senior staff, including the CEO of the charities at which I am a trustee, restrict their social media usage to avoid any risk to their employer, and that any media engagement outside of predefined bounds is agreed with the board.

Another said: I really dont like restricting anyones freedom to express their views but a CEO has to be aware of their wider responsibilities to not jeopardise the charitys ability to fulfil its mission. I can see that should a CEO express certain (problematic) views then having guidelines and a clear policy would be essential.

There is clearly an opportunity for provision of better support to help trustees navigate these topics; 76% said they would appreciate more frameworks or tools to help their board to develop and manage their approach to campaigning and speaking out. SMK is working on this.

Perseverance is key

Perhaps one of the most positive takeaways from this inaugural survey is the confirmation that so many trustees have strong views on these issues and are working hard with their boards to overcome some of the barriers, despite some opposition from some quarters.

As one respondent said: We are currently on a journey moving towards more campaigning. Previously we were very research and policy-led, but we reached a wall with what can be achieved through these means only. After much discussion and strategic thinking, the board and senior leadership decided that in order to achieve our mission, we need to shift public and political attitudes.

Another trustee outlined the positive impact that their charitys campaigning has had: We often receive criticism for our positions on issues relating to our focus area. We are unpopular with some people and groups who believe our evidence-based analyses injure their own beliefs or assertions. Whilst this can sometimes be concerning (including threats, bullying, exclusion, and refusal to collaborate, communicate or engage), it is overwhelmingly negated by the amount of support we receive from others who appreciate our willingness to take up challenge, hold complexity and refuse to comply with mainstream opinion for the sake of it. We are in receipt of new funding, new audience and membership and invigorated interest in our work  so the rewards outweigh the risks, despite the difficulties sometimes. We are a very strong, aligned and supportive team with robust leadership, policies and processes for clear decisionmaking and lines of authority.

Another summed up why charities must not be deterred: The boost of a successful campaign cannot be overestimated.

Chloe Hardy is director of policy and communications at SMK and Tania Mason is editor of G&L

The full report will be launched at an online event on Tuesday 21 November from 3.30pm. Sign up to attend here.

Comments from survey respondents, on:

Your experience/understanding of, or approach to, campaigning:

It is clear that while responding to current need is an important part of our work, we will never eliminate or reduce that need unless we do more to influence government/funders and to some extent public awareness/ attitudes. We mostly use research or feedback we get from frontline worker surveys to support our messaging rather than pure opinion or the experience of an individual.

It is possible (and important) that some charities propose alternative analyses of the causes, impacts and realities of social phenomena  and the ways in which policy is made, implemented and experienced. Charities emerged as critiques of government policy and practice  part of the function, role and purpose of non-governmental organisations is precisely to demonstrate how the state can improve and develop services and attention to citizens and communities. It is increasingly problematic that charities are NOT non-governmental  but subsumed by contracts, subcontracting arrangements and dependencies upon government in different ways, now including agency, authority and audience.

Campaigning is a very thorny issue, particularly for a charity like us which supports a much-vilified group of highly marginalised people. Raising our profile in public debate is risky  as it could easily provoke a backlash, from the right-wing press and online. So there is a risk of doing more harm than good. We need to be careful and considered in our campaigning strategy. Also to be mindful of protecting our staff and community members as so much public discourse results in (non-physical) attacks.

Our organisation has a proud history, dating back centuries, of campaigning for reforms that at the time were very contentious (eg anti-slavery). There are issues of a similar calibre that face us today, but I feel our board of trustees and charity leadership are enfeebled by the current vociferous political climate on the culture wars, when we should be speaking out on what we believe to be right.

It would be impossible with our large membership to truly represent everyone, therefore better left alone.

CEOs should not become seen as rent a mouth type figures in the media, they should target their statements to serve their constituency whilst working with other CEOs to highlight the need to address underlying causes. Less is sometimes more in terms of raising your voice.

Comments from survey respondents, on:

Your charitys experience of criticism or backlash to its campaigning:

The impact of government contracts and maintaining funder relationships with government has a clear chilling effect on campaign voice. Even if campaigning still happens, there is a preference for behind-closed-door conversations about any government policy. Funding has not been withdrawn but all these comments have an impact.

I think we have probably moderated what we do to avoid backlash in the past, though now we are in a position to talk about evidence we are becoming more confident.

In a volatile media and political landscape, with culture wars being stoked left, right and centre, its natural to worry about press or state response to criticism of policy.

Local authority verbalises  if you take a contract you should not be able to criticise us.

Comments from survey respondents, on:

Factors in the current political and social landscape that affect your charitys appetite to speak out:

As a UK destitution/poverty-focused organisation, delivering emergency aid, in the current economic and policy climate we are at max capacity dealing with immediate need and do not have the capacity we would like to be effectively campaigning and influencing on root causes and solutions.

Increased police hostility has inhibited our practical activism and direct action campaigning, and made it challenging to ensure all our campaign activities are diverse and inclusive (as police hostility disproportionately impacts eg people of colour, or some age demographics). The lack of coherence, and rapidly changing language/thinking around trans inclusion, as well as wide lack of understanding of the issue among some older demographics in our membership (partly due to really poor media coverage, polarised communications and general anxiety about any discourse) has made it hard to speak out with confidence on the issue, despite a clear mandate.

The danger of getting caught up in the culture war just because the people we work with are so very different to politicians from most parties (young, working class, marginalised). The lack of engagement and representation of this group in public life (one of our goals) means that we are always going to be raging against the machine, which makes the current climate for charities difficult. The lack of funding for marginalised voices and where the funding does exist it shapes the programme so that its no longer an authentic reflection of the young peoples voices.

The fear of a social media pile-on that a small charity would struggle to handle and could lead to negative feedback from grant funders.

I am aware that the charity sector as a whole (including myself) leans in one particular direction politically, and I worry there is a strong danger of groupthink on many issues. The current landscape is highly politicised and sometimes we run the risk of alienating supporters because we have been too focused on speaking, not enough on listening and learning.

A note from SMK's CEO: Gearing up for an election

The Charity Reform Group (CRG), hosted by the Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK), is a grouping of charity leaders who have come together to help charities and their CEOs play a more prominent role in public  and political  debate. In its first report, Speak up, we need you, it shared insights from conversations it held with leaders from other sectors  business, the public sector, arts and culture, politics. What came across loud and clear was that people outside the sector believe charities bring an invaluable perspective and very much want them to play a more active role in national conversations.

Public support for charity campaigning is also strong. A decade of investigation by nfpResearch demonstrates that the public is far more supportive of charities campaigning than some would suggest. They say: Time and againwere being told that the majority of people in the UK are in support of charities as voices of political reason. Latest polling by New Philanthropy Capital (NPC) found that 63% of Conservative voters think that charities are getting their political intervention about right. People are putting their money where their mouths are, with attacks by politicians and the media on charities such as National Trust and RNLI being followed by large spikes in giving.

It is also very welcome to see the Charity Commission be more positive about charity campaigning. We really need this clarity after what has been quite a vexed period for charity campaigning. Hopefully the Commission, and its chair Orlando Fraser, can keep this message coming through.

Pleasingly, the support for charities right to campaign from the public and the regulator seems to be cutting through to trustees. Our joint survey with G&L shows that the overwhelming majority are confident in that right  but putting it into practice can be a challenge. Trustees and senior managers now need to equip their organisations to do so in the way thats best for them. This means discussing why campaigning or speaking out is essential to their mission, how they will ensure they observe laws and regulation while doing so, and what the parameters should be.

To do so, they need accessible guidance and training. Our survey shows that only 14% of trustees have ever sought legal advice, reached out to the Charity Commission, or approached another organisation to better understand how their charity can speak out.

With an election year fast approaching, the time is right to have these conversations. Revisit the Charity Commissions guidance on campaigning and political activity (CC9), ask staff how this will be applied during an election year, and look at the guidance we recently launched with Bates Wells (https://bit.ly/GE-SMK-BW).

During NCVOs latest annual general meeting, speakers said they expected so-called culture war rhetoric to intensify in the run-up to the general election, but warned against allowing it to silence charities. The best way to take your campaigning into 2024 with confidence is to lay strong foundations now, freeing you up to do what you were created to do  pursue your mission, without fear or favour, in order to create a better world.

Sue Tibballs is chief executive of the Sheila McKechnie Foundation

Civil Society Voices is the place for informed opinion, and debate about the big issues affecting charities today. Were always keen to hear from anyone, working or volunteering at a charity, who has something to say. Find out more about contributing and how to get in touch. is the place for informed opinion, and debate about the big issues affecting charities today. Were always keen to hear from anyone, working or volunteering at a charity, who has something to say.
By Ko Dong-hwan

The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy met trade ministers, decision makers and companies from the United States, India and three other nations in San Francisco to strengthen economic ties and promote Korea's global initiatives, according to the government, Thursday.

The discussion came as the Minister for Trade, Ahn Duk-geun, visited the American city for this year's Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), which includes ministerial-level meetings with countries in the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF). The global gathering opened last Sunday and will continue until Friday. The ministry used the occasion to bring current key issues to the attention of its counterparts and promote its bid to host the World Expo in 2030 in Busan and launch a carbon-free (CF) alliance globally.

"Ahn met U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai and checked on developing issues from IPEF that was launched by the U.S. last year," the ministry said.

The U.S.' principal trade advisor and negotiator shared with Ahn a goal to achieve maximum results from IPEF's Pillar 1, which seeks to craft "inclusive, fair and open" trade among member states.

Ahn also met India's Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, and discussed how to enlarge the bilateral trade, which is based on the comprehensive economic partnership agreement (CEPA) that the two countries signed in 2010. Goyal, also India's incumbent minister of consumer affairs, food and public distribution and minister of textiles, shared with Ahn how to improve the business environment in order to boost exports and investments both ways.

Australia's Minister for Trade and Tourism, Don Farrell, New Zealand's Minister for Trade and Export Growth, Damien O'Connor and Thailand's Deputy Minister of Commerce, Napintorn Srisunpang, also met Ahn earlier this week in separate meetings. The talks touched on the necessity of changing current regulations enforced by the World Trade Organization and a shared willingness to boost bilateral economic trade.

Apart from governmental representatives, Ahn also met with the U.S. National Foreign Trade Council President, Jake Colvin, and talked about cooperation between companies in both countries. Antony Cook, corporate vice president and deputy general counsel at Microsoft, also met Ahn and shared his willingness for technological cooperation in the field of AI.

On a separate track, the country's Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy, Bang Moon-kyu, also visited San Francisco for the APEC event. On Wednesday (local time), Bang met the U.S. Secretary of Commerce, Gina Raimondo, and talked about how to expand bilateral trade on semiconductors and other latest industrial sectors.
By nicklivyi, Adobe

There is plenty of food for thought in the results of our first-ever survey exploring what trustees think about charities having a voice in the national conversation , but for me, two findings stand out.

The first is that four in five trustees do want to see more charity CEOs have a public profile and take part in public discourse. Only one person in 10 did not think this was appropriate (the rest werent sure). Hurrah! Id say thats a pretty positive mandate.

But the second finding that struck me seemed somewhat at odds with this. Nearly two-thirds of respondents said their board had never discussed the extent to which their charitys CEO is encouraged or permitted to comment in public. Even among charities that count themselves as campaigning organisations, 52% of trustees said this had never been discussed.

So we want CEOs to have a higher profile and make themselves heard on the important issues of the day, but in most cases we, their boards, have not actually told them so? Perhaps there is a simple  and easily rectified  reason that we dont hear more from our sector leaders in public discourse.

It also feels to me as if this whole issue is becoming ever more pertinent for the sector.

Readers may have seen recent social media posts criticising parts of civil society for staying silent on the war in Gaza. Supporters of both Israelis and Palestinians railed against the institutional silence from the sector. Of course, there are some civil society actors that we have heard from loud and clear  those brave humanitarian organisations working on the frontline in the war zone, such as ActionAid, whose updates have been shocking and heartbreaking in equal measure. But for those charities whose cause bears little or no direct relation to the conflict, how should they respond to such an horrific and upsetting, but deeply divisive situation? Taking a public stand could alienate some supporters and spark a backlash that sucks up already scarce resources; but it appears that not doing so can draw anger and condemnation too.

There is no one-size-fits-all answer; in every such deliberation, every charity will come to a different conclusion. Speaking up on any issue can carry risks; it is up to each individual organisation in each individual circumstance to decide whether these outweigh the risks of staying silent.

But this is a conversation that boards should be having with their CEO well before such issues arise. As many of our survey respondents advised, having an agreed communications policy and some rules of engagement with clear boundaries helps to ensure that everybody is on the same page when matters crop up that might warrant the charitys response.

While the events in Gaza might feel a million miles outside your charitys natural habitat, the profound threats now facing humanity from wars, artificial intelligence and climate change will impact all of us and all of our causes. Often it is charities that understand better than anyone what those impacts will be. Increasingly, we may find ourselves talking less about our right to speak out, and more about our obligation.

Governance & Leadership is a bi-monthly publication which helps charity leaders and trustees on their journey from good practice to best practice. Written by leading sector experts each issue is packed with news, in-depth analysis and real-life case studies of best practice in charitable endeavour and charity governance plus advice and guidance straight from the regulator. Find more information here and subscribe today! is a bi-monthly publication which helps charity leaders and trustees on their journey from good practice to best practice. Written by leading sector experts each issue is packed with news, in-depth analysis and real-life case studies of best practice in charitable endeavour and charity governance plus advice and guidance straight from the regulator.
Chris Titze Imaging/ Adobe

An endometriosis charity has responded to criticism after it announced Steph Richards, a trans woman, as its new chief executive.

This week, news outlets including the Daily Mail have published articles professing outrage at Richards appointment as CEO of Endometriosis South Coast.

Richards wrote in response on social media : I do believe the complaints against me are transphobic.

She wrote that CEOs are appointed by boards/trustees because of their skill set, not because of their sex and pointed out other charity leaders whose sex doesnt correspond with those they serve.

In a BBC interview yesterday , Richards said that the transphobia she had received this week had helped to boost the profile of the charity, which had an overall income of 8,400 last year.

CEO to do day-to-day running

Richards and the charitys founder and chair Jodie Hughes were interviewed on BBC Radio Four programme Womans Hour by journalist Emma Barnett.

Hughes defended her appointment of Richards who does a lot of work for womens health including activism and awareness.

She said: The CEO of Prostate Cancer UK is a female; they cant get prostate cancer. A CEO does not need to have endometriosis, a CEO does not need to be that sex.

Hughes said decision-making was still in the hands of the trustees, all of whom have endometriosis or adenomyosis.

It will still be me fronting the charity. I will be the face of the charity; Steph is here to do the running of the day-to-day, she said.

Asked if she regrets the appointment, Hughes replied: Absolutely not.

No reservations

In the interview, Richards said she had immediately said yes after Hughes offered her the role over a cup of tea and had no reservations about taking it.

Barnett said: For this sort of condition where, you as a trans woman will know, that you cannot have unless you are born with a womb, you may have had some reservations, as a man may have had some reservations about taking on and being the face of a charity that is for women.

Richards responded: But by that analogy, should the CEO of Shelter be living in a tent?

Barnett asked: Do you feel as a trans person you could be fairly represented by someone who isnt trans? It is a very specific situation, it is far less common than homelessness, to go against your previous example  do you feel someone could do that?

Richards said they could, giving the former CEO of LGBTQ+ charity Stonewall as an example, and said: Ultimately, if someone is passionate around a cause, which I am around endometriosis, then I think they most certainly can.

Barnett said: There is a concern that as a trans activist, now running, being a CEO of an endometriosis charity for women, that you will not preserve the importance of things like the word woman and that experience.

Inclusive language

Referencing Richards statement on X, which stated that in the UK, 10% of those assigned female at birth suffer from this awful disease, Barnett asked: Is the word you are looking for there woman?

Richards said in response: I fully understand that women, by a vast majority, suffer from endometriosis. But I do not think it is fair that we turn round and we ignore that there are some trans-men and non-binary people.

Hughes added: The inclusive language is something that we have been doing for the past three years in our organisation. That was my decision, that was my decision as a cis heterosexual woman, to make the language inclusive.

We need to move away from the genealogical side of things because you do not have to be born with a womb to have it.

Raising the charitys profile

Richards said: I was brought in to Endometriosis South Coast to raise the awareness of endometriosis full stop, and also to raise the profile of Endometriosis South Coast.

It is pretty amazing that in five days I have achieved that, and the vehicle that has done that is transphobia.

Barnett said: They are not talking about endometriosis, nobody has suddenly understood the disease anymore, committed to any more funding, done anything to help with diagnosis times, they are talking about whether somebody who is a trans activist can understand them in their position.

Hughes said: Every single person that we support [is] in support of this decision. Every single person that is involved in our charity and lives in our area [has] been in support of this. The hate has come from mainly other countries, and a lot of it is from transphobes.

Literally, the last two days I have not been able to turn my computer on because of the hate.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
By Zerbor/Adobe

A number of factors, including unanticipated liabilities to HMRC, led to the insolvency of the Cares Family group of six charities, according to internal files.

The national organisation and its five local charity members announced at the beginning of the month that it would close due to financial issues .

This came after founding CEO Alex Smith described the group as a happy organisation confident in itself and more secure than ever when he stepped down as CEO in April.

Documentation seen by Civil Society suggests that unanticipated liabilities to HMRC and high turnover of directors and key staff contributed to its insolvency.

The personnel changes impacted the charity's ability to develop an appropriate plan to reduce costs or generate more funds, the files state.

A budget that did not include sufficient resilience to withstand missed targets on fundraising or a move to a more sustainable operating model, particularly given the lack of unrestricted funding in the charitys reserves and the time available, were listed as factors.

Staff made redundant

The documentation states the organisation first experienced serious financial difficulties in 2022 and that the directors provisionally agreed a deficit for 2023-24.

It most recently had an annual income and expenditure of 949,000 in the year to August 2022, according to Charity Commission data, while its five members operating across London, Liverpool and Manchester each had a revenue of between 200,000 and 400,000.

The files state the management accounts for the year to August 2023 indicated a further deficit of 150,196 was incurred.

The new CEO Nicola Upton wrote to directors in September 2023 to raise concerns that the anticipated approach was not achievable due to lack of unrestricted funds.

Accountancy firm RSM was engaged on 16 October to undertake a review of the financial position of the charity and the associated charities. On 24 October, RSM presented its findings to the board of trustees.

The documentation states the decision to close was taken solely by the trustees.

On 26 October RSM was instructed to assist trustees in preparing the statement of affairs and the administering of the creditors.

Most staff were made redundant on 31 October, with some staying on until 3 November to assist trustees with the closure.

The national charity had 14 employees, according to the Charity Commission website.

A Commission spokesperson said: We are engaging with the trustees at Cares Family and are assessing information to inform our next steps.

sign up to receive the free Civil Society daily news bulletin here . For more news, interviews, opinion and analysis about charities and the voluntary sector,
In the past two years, both Australia and Canada have passed laws aimed at forcing Google and Meta to pay news publishers for excerpts of their content that appear on the tech giants platforms. (Similar legislation has been proposed, but not enacted, in the US). The outcomes of the Canadian and Australian laws have, so far, been dramatically different: Google and Meta responded to the Australian legislation by signing content deals worth an estimated hundred and fifty million dollars with news outlets, but in Canada, they have pulled news content from their platforms completely (or promised to). If a user in Canada tries to post a link to a news story on Facebook, an error message pops up telling them that their post cant be published. (Meta briefly blocked news from its platforms in Australia, before relenting.)

At the heart of such laws lies a question: what is the value of news content to the major platforms? And what they might owe the makers of that content as a result? Is it worth the hundreds of millions of dollars that Google and Meta have reportedly paid Australian publishers under that countrys law forcing them to cough up? Is it worth the three hundred million dollars that Google says it has spent through its Google News Initiative, a program that has funded journalism startups and grants? What about the six hundred million dollars that Meta says it has spent doing the same since 2018? A study released two weeks ago by researchers at Columbia University argues that these sums are just a fraction of what Google and Meta should actually be paying for news. The researchersled by Anya Schiffrin, director of the Technology, Media, and Communications specialization at Columbias School of International and Public Affairsput the figure around ten billion dollars per year for Google, and two billion for Meta. So twelve billion dollars, in total.

Putting a dollar amount on the value that news content brings to Google is tricky. The company doesnt run ads on Google News pages, and therefore generates no direct ad revenue from them. Media companies say that this ignores the broader value for Google of being able to link out to news content, which, they argue, draws users to and keeps them on Googles platform, where they can conduct non-news searches and interact with the companys in-house products. Different studies have tried different ways of putting a number on this value. In 2019, the News Media Alliance, a lobby group for publishers, released a study claiming that Google makes nearly five billion dollars from newsthough at the time, a number of critics noted that this number seemed to have been based on an offhand comment that Marissa Mayer, a former executive at Google, made more than a decade earlier.

Schiffrin told me that the Columbia study is based on a rigorous economic analysis. In Googles case, the researchers used a study of the Swiss media market by FehrAdvice & Partners, a firm specializing in behavioral economics. Fehr showed about fifteen hundred survey respondents two versions of Googleone with news content, one withoutand asked them which they preferred. Since 70 percent of respondents said they preferred the version with news, Fehr concluded that news was worth an equivalent percentage of Googles ad revenue. Using the same revenue split that Google uses with partners in its AdSense service, which runs ads on other websites, the Fehr study concluded that 40 percent of that figure ought to be shared with publishers. The Columbia study uses similar logic to conclude that Google makes roughly twenty-one billion dollars in revenue from news-related searches, and that it should pay about half that amount to news publishers.

When it comes to Facebook, the Columbia study estimated the amount of time that users said they spent reading news on the site, based in part on data from a different study that analyzed the time people spend on Facebook in terms of page impressions (or views) rather than clicks. Schiffrin and her co-authors concluded that the average Facebook user spends a little over 13 percent of their time on the platform consuming news content. They then estimated that Meta gets 59 percent of its revenue from Facebook and concluded that news content helps generate close to four billion dollars of the companys US advertising revenues. Based on a survey of other content-licensing arrangements from within the media industry, the study argues that Facebook should pay half of that to publishers.

Google and Meta, unsurprisingly, do not agree. The companies argue that they already pay for news content by steering billions of clicks to news websitestwenty-four-billion visits per month, according to a Google spokespersonwhere publishers have the opportunity to convert them into subscribers or generate ad revenue from their readership. Schiffrin told me that her team did not calculate the value of such traffic; their study states that it would be difficult to estimate reliably. Regardless, Schiffrin argued that whatever this value is for news publishers, its really small, compared to what [the platforms] are getting. Schiffrin said that she likes to compare news companies to a bakery that sells muffins: when Google and Meta take their headlines and excerpts, she says, its like taking the tops off all the muffins, leaving the bakery with the bottoms.

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Google and Meta, it should be noted, are not the only ones who disagree with the logic of Schiffrin and her team. Andrew Coyne, a columnist with the Globe and Mail in Canada, argued in 2021 that rather than platforms paying them for their content, news companies should probably be paying Google and Meta for the traffic and engagement they generate. In a discussion that I hosted in 2020 about the platforms paying for news, Ben Thompson, who writes a newsletter called Stratechery, argued that its clear that media companies make money from Google and Facebook. When their content is linked to by Google or Facebook, the media entities make more money, Thompson said, and when it is not, they do not.

There is also a significant gap between the Columbia studys conclusions as to how much news users of the platforms see in their searches or news feeds and the platforms own estimates of the same. The Columbia study states that news-related content comprises more than 13 percent of an average users Facebook feed, but Meta has repeatedly claimed that the figure is less than 3 percent. Similarly, the Columbia study bases its conclusions on the assessment that more than 35 percent of Google searches return news content, but a company spokesperson told Semafor that the actual figure is less than 2 percent, a number that Google has put forward a number of times in the past. When I asked about the discrepancy, Schiffrin replied, Well they would say that, wouldnt they?

Given that Meta, at least, has already removed news from its platform in Canada, it probably knows exactly how much revenue (if any) it has given up as a resultbut it isnt sharing those numbers. The authors of the Columbia study argue that news is a must have asset for both platforms, in much the same way that the cable industry has a must carry requirement for local TV stations. But Metas and Googles actions in Canada seem to show that they do not see news as must have in any real sense of that term. On the contrary, the ban certainly seems to be having an impact on media outlets in Canada. The Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism reported recently that some small publishers that rely on traffic from Facebook have lost between 20 percent and 30 percent of their audiences.

Critics of the Australian and Canadian news-licensing laws argue that there are a number of problems with taking such an approach to helping publishers. Many of them, including the Electronic Frontier Foundation and Tim Berners-Lee, the inventor of the world wide web, argue that charging platforms for linking to news content creates the principle of a link tax, which threatens the open nature of the internetand why should news companies be the only content producers who get paid in this way? Others argue that if governments or society as a whole believe that news is a valuable commodity, then they should find other ways of paying for itfor instance, by taxing digital advertising, a market that Google and Meta dominaterather than resorting to a Rube Goldberg machine of copyright-infringement allegations and compensatory private payments.

As for the argument that taking a headline and a short amount of text should be permissible under fair-use provisions in copyright law, Schiffrin said that both Google and Meta take all this content and just call it fair use because they dont want to pay for it. Google, she added, says theyre not making money from news. But then why are they throwing lobbyists at this? Obviously theyre making tons of money. Schiffrin argues that while Canadian- and Australian-style news-licensing payments might not be the best solution to the medias revenue problems, theyre better than nothing. Its an emergency, she said. News outlets are going out of business, and theres momentum for these laws. Even if a similar law does eventually pass in the US, however, it seems extremely unlikely that Google and Meta will start paying news publishers twelve billion dollars a year for their content.



Other notable stories:

ICYMI: Max Freedman, of Unsettled, on Hamas and the gaps in Israel-Palestine coverage

Mathew Ingram is CJRs chief digital writer. Previously, he was a senior writer with Fortune magazine. He has written about the intersection between media and technology since the earliest days of the commercial internet. His writing has been published in the Washington Post and the Financial Times as well as by Reuters and Bloomberg.
DETROIT (AP)  Federal accident investigators want automakers to install systems on all new vehicles that warn drivers when they go over the speed limit, and it is asking regulators to figure out how states can electronically limit speeds on vehicles driven by repeat traffic offenders.

The National Transportation Safety Board`s recommendations to combat excessive speeding came after a hearing Tuesday on a January 2022 crash in North Las Vegas, Nevada. In that crash, the driver of a Dodge Challenger with a long record of speeding ran a red light at 103 miles per hour (166 kilometers per hour) and slammed into a minivan, killing himself and eight others.

The board, which can only make recommendations and has no regulatory authority, determined that the Challenger driver`s excessive speed and failure to obey a stop sign and red light caused the crash. His impairment from cocaine and PCP contributed. But it also found that the state of Nevada failed to seriously punish the driver after he was charged with five speeding violations in the 17 months before the crash.

Some of the violations were reduced to parking tickets in plea bargains, and neighboring courts were unaware of the string of driving problems in other courts, the board said.

From 1992 to 2017, the driver was convicted of 11 traffic violations including three speeding violations. Yet at the time of the crash, his official state driving record had only one moving violation listed, for speeding in 2017, the NTSB said.

The state of Nevada must do better about removing the silos of adjacent courts and sharing information, board member Michael Graham said. The state of Nevada failed to hold the driver accountable.

NTSB staff members said the problem of one court not knowing what another has done with a repeat traffic violator happens in other states as well. They said that unless court data is distributed widely, it will be hard to impose punishment.

Also, the Nevada Legislature in 2021 decriminalized traffic offenses including speeding less than 30 mph (48 kph) over the limit, making tickets a civil offense and lifting the possibility of jail time for unpaid fines. Serious offenses including 30 mph above the limit and driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol remain criminal offenses.

Clark County District Attorney Steve Wolfson in Las Vegas and aides to Nevada state Attorney General Aaron Ford did not immediately respond to messages about the NTSB findings.

The NTSB also recommended that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration develop measures to reduce the number of repeat speeding offenders, and to develop guidelines to help states test speed-limiting devices on vehicles owned by repeat offenders.

NHTSA will be asked to require as standard equipment on all new vehicles intelligent speed assistance systems that use cameras and mapping to determine the speed limit and at minimum, warn drivers when they go over it. The board also discussed pushing states to install active systems that make it harder for a repeat offender to speed, or limit speeding altogether.

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, a trade group representing automakers, said technology can play a role in reducing speed-related crashes, but the group has long backed policies focusing on education, enforcement and infrastructure investment.

NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy expressed frustration that prior recommendations that NHTSA include speed limit warnings in its new car ratings have gone unheeded. Adding the warnings to features outlined in NHTSA`s New Car Assessment Program would prod automakers to install the features to compete over safety, Homendy said.

We`re sick of not seeing action by NHTSA, she said in an interview.

She said speeding accounts for one third of the roughly 43,000 U.S. traffic deaths each year. As recently as last week, speeding was a factor in a Texas crash in which eight people died, Homendy said.

In a statement, a NHTSA spokeswoman said the safety agency welcomes NTSB input and carefully reviews it. In March of last year the agency sought public comment on updates to the new vehicle ratings, including whether speed limiters or warnings should be added. The agency, she said, is reviewing comments and is developing a regulation.

The NTSB also asked the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety to study the impact of automotive marketing ads that the board said encourage speeding. Homendy cited a Dodge muscle car ad that she said emphasizes speed and encourages drivers to never lift their foot off the gas pedal.

The North Las Vegas crash on a weekend evening killed the 59-year-old driver with a history of traffic and criminal offenses and his 46-year-old male passenger in the Challenger that investigators found accelerated before it ran a red light and slammed into the minivan.

Three other vehicles were damaged in chain-reaction crashes at the busy multi- lane crossroads. In all, 15 people were involved.

The seven dead family members ranged in age from 5 to 35 years old and lived in North Las Vegas.

An autopsy found the driver who caused the crash, Gary Dean Robinson of North Las Vegas, had levels of cocaine and PCP in his system above levels at which Nevada law says a driver is presumed to be intoxicated. Records showed he had a yearslong history of traffic and criminal offenses, including speeding, and served time in state prison after pleading guilty in 2004 to felony cocaine possession and violating probation.

Just days before the crash, Robinson pleaded guilty in Las Vegas to speeding, the Las Vegas Review-Journal reported. He was fined $150.

Associated Press Writer Ken Ritter in Las Vegas contributed to this report.

Top photo: This photo released by the North Las Vegas Police Department shows a wrecked Dodge Challenger, Jan. 29, 2022, in North Las Vegas. The National Transportation Safety Board wants automakers to install systems on all new vehicles that warn drivers when they go over the speed limit, and it is asking safety regulators to figure out how states can electronically limit speeds on vehicles driven by repeat traffic offenders. NTSBs recommendations to combat excessive speeding came after a hearing Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023, on the January 2022 crash in North Las Vegas. (North Las Vegas Police Department via AP, File)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
An insurer cannot seek reimbursement from its insured for the cost of defending a lawsuit after learning that no coverage was owed unless the policy says it can, the Hawaii Supreme Court ruled.

Hawaiis stout duty to defend clashes with repayment, the court said in a unanimous decision Tuesday. So we side with policyholders and hold that insurers do not have a right to reimbursement of defense costs.

The ruling was made in response to a pair of certified questions by the US District Court for Hawaii. A group of primary and excess insurers that sold a liability policies to Bodell Construction sought reimbursement for the cost of defending the company against construction defect claims after the District Court ruled that none of the claims were covered.

The trial court, finding no guidance from state courts and conflicting decisions in the federal District Court, sought guidance. It asked the state Supreme Court if an insurer can seek reimbursement for the cost of defending an insured under a reservation of rights if the policy doesnt specifically allow it. If so, the court also asked, which specific fees and costs are reimbursable?

The Supreme Court ignored the second question because the answer to the first question was no. An opinion written by Associate Justice Todd W. Eddins rejected an argument by insurers that a decision against reimbursement would unjustly enrich insureds. An insurer that defends its insured protects itself by warding off bad faith and breach-of-contract claims, Eddins wrote.

If we allowed reimbursement, the unjustly enriched party may very well be the insurer, the opinion says. When the insured pays back defense costs to the insurer, it pays for the insurer to protect itself.

The litigation at issue stems from the construction of the 200-unit Alii Cove condominium complex in Kona, on the big island of Hawaii, in 2003. The homeowners association that represents owners of the condos filed a lawsuit in 2015 against the developer, Sunstone Realty Partners X, seeking damages in excess of $20 million. The civil complaint alleged that embedded straps instead of bolts were used to fasten the walls of the buildings to the foundation. The straps were defective and are corroding, endangering residents and rendering the condominiums unsafe for habitation in a location that frequently experiences hurricanes, the lawsuit says.

Sunstone filed a lawsuit in state court against the general contractor, Bodell Construction. Bodell had purchased insurance policies from St. Paul Fire and Marine Insurance Co., Travelers Indemnity Co. of America, Phoenix Insurance Co., and Travelers Property Casualty Co. of America, which paid to defend the lawsuit under a reservation of rights. The case went to arbitration and eventually settlements were reached with the homeowners association. By that time, the insurers had spent $1.9 million in fees and costs.

In 2020, the insurers filed a lawsuit seeking a declaration for the US District Court that no coverage was owed. After they won summary judgment, they filed a motion to recoup their defense costs from the insureds.

US District Court Judge Derrick K. Watson found no binding precedent in Hawaii state law. He found a California appellate case that found insurers can ask for reimbursement from insureds if there is a finding that no coverage is owed, but also a Pennsylvania decision that reached the opposite conclusion. Watson asked the state Supreme Court to resolve the matter.

Attorney Tristan Andres Deeley King Pang & Van Etten in Honolulu was co-author of an amicus brief filed on behalf of United Policyholders in the case. He said a decision in favor of the insurers would have placed Hawaii policyholders in a precarious position. In cases where coverage was in question, insureds would have to decide early on whether to allow their insurer to pay the cost of defense. Defendants who opted to allow the insurer to pay defense costs could end up facing a multi-million legal bill when the case finally resolves, he said.

In the alternative, a defendant could file a lawsuit against the insurers seeking a declaratory judgment that coverage is owed, but that would force the insured to pay for a two-front war, Andres said.

Cid H. Inouye, a partner with OConnor Playdon Guben & Inouye, who represented Sunstone, said the insurers argument forced him to defend the status quo. He said a question asked during oral arguments illustrated the difficult position that a contrary opinion might have had on policyholders. If a court imposed punitive damages against a motorist who caused a motor vehicle crash, could the auto insurer demand reimbursement?

Inouye said because punitive damages are never insurable, such a consequence would impact every motorist in the state.

The law in Hawaii is if you defend one claim you defend all of the claims, he said. That has been the law in Hawaii for a long time.

About the photo: The AliI Cove condominum complex in Kona, Hawaii is shown. Photo courtesy of Hawaiigaga.com.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  The area under an elevated Los Angeles freeway that burned last weekend was a kind of open-air warehouse with businesses storing everything from wood pallets to cardboard boxes to hand sanitizer on lots leased by the state through a little-known program that now is under scrutiny.

The blaze Saturday burned about 100 support columns, forcing the closure of a vital mile-long stretch of Interstate 10 near downtown that is used by hundreds of thousands of people daily. It could take crews working around the clock between three and five weeks to repair the freeway, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

Newsom said the state would reassess the practice of leasing land under roads to bring in money for mass transportation projects.

Details of that program remain opaque. Newsom`s office directed questions about whether the state has any regular inspection protocols to state transportation officials. The California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, did not respond to questions about inspections or provide information about how many properties the state leases.

State Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, who represents part of downtown Los Angeles, said officials should disclose how many sites are leased under the program, the terms of contracts, how much money the program generates and how the state ensures companies comply with the contract requirements.

Some of those actions could have prevented what we now see happened underneath the 10, Santiago said.

Apex Development Inc. has leased the land under Interstate 10 since 2008. One condition of Apexs contract stipulated it not allow flammable or hazardous materials to be stored there.

The fire that spread quickly over 8 acres (3 hectares) was fed by pallets, cars, construction materials and other items being stored under the freeway in an industrial neighborhood. No injuries were reported but at least 16 homeless people living in an encampment there were taken to shelters.

No arrests have been made and Newsom has said investigators are trying to determine if more than one person was involved in what officials said was likely arson.

Prior to the fire, state officials filed a lawsuit against Apex saying the company stopped paying rent last year and owes $78,000.

The lawsuit also says Apex was subleasing to six other companies. That can be legal if the company received permission from state and federal regulators but Apex did not, Newsom said.

Apex has confirmed the litigation but has not answered other questions through a lawyer.

Owners of two of the companies that subleased the property said they had warned of fire danger and other hazards related to homeless people living under the freeway. Luis Cartagena of Eagle Wood Services said he decided to stop using the space for his wood pallet business more than a year ago because he was losing so much to theft.

Since day one there was a lot of homeless people there, drug dealing, prostitution and there was a lot of theft, he said. I couldnt leave anything. 

Rudy Serafin said hes been leasing space under I-10 from Apex since 2009. He uses it to store supplies for businesses in the garment district including hangars, boxes and bags. He also stores office supplies including hand sanitizer, which is flammable.

He estimates he lost $800,000. I dont know what I am going to do. I am 49 years old. I have no other resources. This is my livelihood. This is what I feed my kids with, he said.

Serafin said hes been unable to get insurance for his business because of concerns about homeless people using cooking fires in the area. He said he and other businesses called the city repeatedly to request a cleanup of the encampment. The city removed homeless people from the space once, and then encampments quickly returned, he said.

The city didnt respond to a request for comment about whether they had received complaints or removed people from the site. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass on Monday warned against assumptions that homeless people had started the blaze.

Serafin said he and other contractors received a notice from the state transportation agency in May saying Apex wasn`t paying its rent. Serafin and other business owners then decided to stop paying Apex, but then lost access to their properties. They resumed paying and tried to work directly with Caltrans but the agencys lawyer said he couldnt negotiate with them, Serafin said.

Serafin said he signed a contract with Apex back in 2009 but could no longer find it.

The danger of storing flammable materials under elevated interstates has drawn the scrutiny of federal investigators in the past. After a 2017 fire collapsed a section of Interstate 85 in Atlanta, the National Transportation Safety Board criticized the Georgia Department of Transportations decision to store construction materials beneath the bridge without assessing the fire risk. The department said it immediately changed storage practices.

California Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant said investigators have identified where Saturday`s fire started and what caused it after sorting through the rubble for evidence, but did not specify what they found. He had no information on a suspect and said investigators are talking to witnesses, including homeless people and nearby business owners.

An estimated 300,000 vehicles use the stretch of freeway daily, which runs east- west across the heart of the metropolis and connects with other major freeways. The city has been urging people to avoid the area, take buses and trains, or work from home.

Taxin reported from Orange County, California. Associated Press writers Sophie Austin in Sacramento, California, Christopher Weber and Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles, Jeff McMurray in Chicago, and Anisha Frizzell in Atlanta contributed to this report.

Top photo: Crews continue to clear debris and shore up a stretch of Interstate 10, Tuesday morning Nov. 14, 2023, in Los Angeles. It will take at least three weeks to repair the Los Angeles freeway damaged in an arson fire, the California Gov. Gavin Newsom said Tuesday, leaving the city already accustomed to soul-crushing traffic without part of a vital artery that serves hundreds of thousands of people daily. (Dean Musgrove/The Orange County Register via AP)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
EU yet to resume review on Korean Air-Asiana deal

By Park Jae-hyuk

Busans business community began to pin high hopes on the sale of Air Busan from Asiana Airlines to a company in the city, as the Korea Development Bank (KDB) became more open-minded toward the proposal, according to industry officials, Thursday.

The state-run bank is the main creditor of Asiana, which is the largest shareholder of the Busan-based budget carrier. The bank had initially agreed to Korean Airs plan to merge Air Busan with Jin Air and Air Seoul, once the full-service carrier finishes acquiring Asiana.

Amid the European antitrust regulators reluctance to allow Koreas largest air carrier to acquire the second-largest, however, Busans business community and politicians have called for the sale of Air Busan to a local company. Earlier this week, they decided to organize a task force to help Air Busans second-largest shareholder, Dong Il, acquire the air carrier in partnership with other shareholders.

Busans civic groups also urged KDB to allow the sale of Air Busan to a local company, citing the air carriers diminishing competitiveness amid the slow progress of Korean Airs takeover of Asiana. They emphasized that Air Busan should serve as an air carrier based out of a new airport that will open on Gadeok Island in Busan by 2029.

In response, KDB Chairman Kang Seog-hoon said Tuesday that the bank may talk about the sale of Air Busan to a local company, if the European Union finishes its review of the Korean Air-Asiana deal in January, according to Busan Metropolitan City and the Busan Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

Busan expects KDB to allow Air Busan to spin off from Asiana, even if the EU rejects the deal. The European Commission has yet to resume its review on deciding whether to give its approval, despite the fact that Korean Air submitted remedial measures against competition concerns two weeks ago. The Korean firm told the commission on Nov. 2 that Asiana will sell its cargo business.

Some industry experts suggest Air Busan should merge with other budget carriers, in order to enhance the competitiveness of Koreas aviation sector. Korea currently has eight budget carriers, the same number as that of China, which has much larger demand for air transportation.
Jingdezhen: Nature always wears the colors of the spirit

People's Daily) 10:19, November 16, 2023

Born in the 1990s, Allan Denis Naymark comes from New York City, the United States, and has a Chinese name Ni Deming. Under the influence of his father, an archaeologist, Naymark grew up with a passion for ancient Chinese ceramics, and started learning ceramic art at the age of eight. After graduating from university, he came to China's Jingdezhen Ceramic University to pursue a master's degree, and eventually decided to settle down in this art-filled city of Jingdezhen, immersing himself in nature and ceramic making. Now, Naymark is striving for his new dream - opening a big studio in Jingdezhen that welcomes artists from around the world.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Liang Jun)
Israeli troops found a command centre and weapons and combat gear belonging to Palestinian Hamas militants in Gaza's biggest hospital on Wednesday, Israel's military said, in a campaign that stoked global alarm over the fate of civilians inside.

Al Shifa hospital had become the chief target of a Gaza City incursion by Israeli forces, who said the "beating heart" of the Hamas fighters' operations was headquartered in tunnels beneath it. Hamas denied the accusation and on Wednesday dismissed the Israeli statements as "lies and cheap propaganda."

Israeli military spokesman Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the troops were still searching, having entered the hospital early on Wednesday after days of clashes around it.

The military simultaneously released a video it said showed some of the materials it recovered from an undisclosed building in the hospital compound, including automatic weapons, grenades, ammunition and flak jackets.

In one hospital department, "the soldiers located an operational command centre and technological assets belonging to Hamas, indicating that the terrorist organization uses the hospital for terrorist purposes," an Israeli military statement said.

Israel has consistently said the hospital sits above a Hamas headquarters, an assertion the United States said on Tuesday was supported by its own intelligence.

Hailing the entry of his forces into the hospital, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement: "There is no place in Gaza that we cannot reach. There are no hideouts."

"We will reach and eliminate Hamas and we will bring back our hostages. These are two sacred missions," he said.

Israel began its campaign to wipe out the Islamist group that rules Gaza after militants rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7. Israel says 1,200 people were killed and some 240 captives taken in the deadliest day of its 75-year-old history.

Since then, Israel has put Gaza's population of 2.3 million under siege, battering the crowded strip with air strikes. Gaza health officials, considered reliable by the United Nations, say about 11,500 Palestinians are now confirmed killed, around 40 percent of them children, and more are buried under the rubble. Israel has ordered the entire northern half of Gaza evacuated, and around two-thirds of residents are now homeless.

Israel said its troops had entered the hospital compound on Wednesday after killing militants in a clash outside. Once inside, they said there had been no fighting and no friction with civilians, patients or staff.

Witnesses who spoke to Reuters from inside the compound described an at times tense situation as Israeli troops moved between buildings. Sporadic shooting was heard but there were no reports of anyone hurt inside the grounds.

The Israeli military released photos of a soldier standing beside cardboard boxes marked "medical supplies" and "baby food," at a location Reuters verified was inside Al Shifa. Other photos showed Israeli troops in tactical formation walking past makeshift tents and mattresses.

International attention has focused on the fate of hundreds of patients trapped inside without electricity to operate basic medical equipment, and thousands of displaced civilians who had sought shelter there. Gaza officials say that many patients including three newborn babies died in recent days while Israel encircled the hospital.

"Before entering the hospital our forces were confronted by explosive devices and terrorist squads, fighting ensued in which terrorists were killed," the Israeli military said.

"We can confirm that incubators, baby food and medical supplies brought by IDF tanks from Israel have successfully reached the Shifa hospital. Our medical teams and Arabic speaking soldiers are on the ground to ensure that these supplies reach those in need," it said.

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting between Israel and Hamas militants for a "sufficient number of days" to allow humanitarian aid access. It also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. The 15-member council overcame an impasse in four attempts to take action last month.

Israel has so far rejected calls for a ceasefire, which it says would benefit Hamas, a position backed by Washington. But a pause in fighting has been discussed in negotiations mediated by Qatar to release some of the hostages held by Hamas.

An official briefed on the negotiations said Qatari mediators were seeking a deal that would include a three-day truce, with Hamas releasing 50 of its captives and Israel to release some women and minors from among its security detainees.

The official said Hamas had agreed to the outlines of the deal but Israel had not and was still negotiating terms.

The head of the World Health Organization (WHO), Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, told reporters the Israeli incursion into Al Shifa Hospital was "totally unacceptable."

"Hospitals are not battlegrounds," he said in Geneva.

Dr Ahmed El Mohallalati, a surgeon, told Reuters by phone that Al Shifa staff had hidden as fighting unfolded around the hospital overnight. As he spoke, the sound of what he described as "continuous shooting from the tanks" could be heard in the background.

"One of the big tanks entered within the hospital from the eastern main gate, and ... they just parked in the front of the hospital emergency department," he said.

The Israelis had told the hospital administration in advance that they planned to enter, he said. By mid-morning, he and other staff had yet to receive instructions from the troops, although the soldiers were "metres away" from them.

After five days during which he said the hospital had come under repeated Israeli attack, it was a relief at least to have reached an "end point", with troops now inside the grounds instead of outside shooting in, Mohallalati said. (Reuters)
U.S. President Joe Biden said on Wednesday he had not changed his view that Chinese President Xi Jinping was effectively a dictator, a comment likely to land with a thud in Beijing after the two leaders held straightforward summit talks.

Biden held a solo news conference after four hours of talks with Xi on the outskirts of San Francisco. At the end of the news conference, he was asked whether he still held the view that Xi was a dictator, something he said in June.

"Look, he is. He's a dictator in the sense that he's a guy who runs a country that is a communist country that's based on a form of government totally different than ours," Biden said.

In response, China's foreign ministry said it "strongly opposes" the remarks, without mentioning Biden by name.

"This statement is extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation," foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters on Thursday at a routine briefing.

"It should be pointed out that there will always be some people with ulterior motives who attempt to incite and damage U.S.-China relations, they are doomed to fail."

Mao refused to specify the identity of "some people" in answer to a follow-up question.

Last March Xi clinched a third term as president when nearly 3,000 members of China's rubber-stamp parliament, the National People's Congress, voted unanimously for him in an election in which there was no other candidate.

Xi is considered the most powerful Chinese leader since Mao Zedong, after a decade of consolidating power in policy-making and the military, and stifling media freedoms.

There was no immediate reaction from the Chinese delegation, which had come to the United States to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. Hundreds of critics of Beijing marched through the city's downtown around noon, chanting "free Tibet" and "free Hong Kong."

When Biden made a similar dictator reference in June, China called the remarks absurd and a provocation. But the spat did not prevent the two sides from holding extensive talks aimed at improving strained relations, which culminated in Wednesday's meeting. (Reuters)
In this article BABA Follow your favorite stocks CREATE FREE ACCOUNT

Signage at the Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. booth at the Smart China Expo in Chongqing, China, on Monday, Sept. 4, 2023. Qilai Shen | Bloomberg | Getty Images

Shares of Alibaba tumbled close to 10% in early Hong Kong trading on Friday, a day after the Chinese e-commerce giant said it would not proceed with the full spinoff of its cloud group due to U.S. chip export restrictions. U.S.-listed shares of Alibaba closed over 9% lower on Thursday, after having fallen over 10% since the start of this year. Alibaba's Hong Kong-listed shares are down close to 15% year-to-date, underperforming the broader Hang Seng index's 11.2% decline in the same period.

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon

In its earnings release Thursday, Alibaba said that it would no longer proceed with a spinoff of its Cloud Intelligence Group  the cloud computing arm of Alibaba that competes with Amazon Web Services and Microsoft Azure. Alibaba had planned to list the division publicly. Alibaba said U.S. chip export restrictions have made it harder for Chinese firms to get critical chip supplies from U.S. companies. The U.S. barred sales of Nvidia 's advanced artificial intelligence-focused H800 and A800 chips in October.

Stock Chart Icon Stock chart icon Alibaba share price performance on 16/11/2023

On Thursday, Alibaba said the restrictions have "created uncertainties for the prospects of Cloud Intelligence Group." "We believe that a full spin-off of Cloud Intelligence Group may not achieve the intended effect of shareholder value enhancement," the company said, adding it would instead focus on developing a sustainable growth model for the unit "under the fluid circumstances."

watch now

Ahead of the earnings announcement Thursday, Alibaba announced in a regulatory filing that the family trust of founder Jack Ma was planning to sell down its stake in the business, selling 10 million shares for $870.7 million in cash. The decision to walk back its cloud unit spinout marks a hitch in Alibaba's plan to reorganize into six individual business units  one of the most radical shake-ups in the company's history. Alibaba had earlier announced it would put on hold plans to list its Freshippo retail chain for groceries "as we evaluate market conditions and other factors." The company still intends to list its Cainiao smart logistics division in Hong Kong.

The Thursday results mark the first set of Alibaba earnings since veteran executive Eddie Wu succeeded former boss Daniel Zhang as CEO. As part of a broader management reshuffle, the company's co-founder, Joe Tsai, also took over as chairman, Alibaba said in June. Alibaba reported net income attributable to shareholders of 27.7 billion yuan ($3.8 billion) for the September quarter, below the 29.7 billion yuan expected by analysts. Revenue met expectations, however, coming in at 224.79 billion yuan, up 9% year over year. Tsai, the company's chairman, sought to assuage investor concerns about the roadblock to Alibaba's reorganization on the earnings call Thursday, saying the company had more than enough cash on its balance sheet to support its operating business. "We ended the quarter with $63 billion in net cash, and we generated $27 billion in free cash flow in the last 12 months," Tsai said. "Alibaba has never been in a better financial position to invest for the growth of our businesses." He added Alibaba was looking to prove to investors it can can grow its cloud business as part of the Alibaba Group rather than focus on "financial engineering." "In the AI-driven world, to develop a fully grown business based on a very networked and highly scaled infrastructure, it requires investment," Tsai said. "We would rather show investors through our operations of the cloud business rather than spinning it off." Wu, Alibaba's CEO, said the firm would embark on a strategic review of its existing businesses, distinguishing between "core" and "noncore" businesses. The company will give different businesses different levels of priority "based on their market size, business model, and product competitiveness." Core businesses are where Alibaba will keep a long-term focus, pursue research and development, and evolve its products and services. Noncore businesses are ones where Alibaba wants to realize value by making them profitable, "or through other means of capitalization," Wu said.

First-ever dividend payout

The company also announced it will issue its first-ever annual cash dividend in 2023. Companies use dividends to share a portion of their profit with shareholders. In the release, Alibaba said that its board of directors had approved an annual $0.125 per ordinary share or $1 per American depositary share cash dividend for the fiscal year. The aggregate amount of the dividend will be roughly $2.5 billion. Alibaba will pay the sum out to investors at the close of business on Dec. 21, 2023, Hong Kong time and New York time, respectively. "Going forward, we will continue to review and determine the dividend amount based on factors such as business fundamentals, capital requirements, among others, on an annual basis," Alibaba said in its earnings release. On the earnings call Thursday, Wu said that Cainiao, one of the remaining divisions still pursuing an IPO, saw "relatively rapid growth this quarter," and that the business was continuing to focus on building out its global smart logistics network. He outlined a three-year plan for the unit, including scaling up investment in technology, seeking growth in cross-border e-commerce and growing its international business.

Chinese economy

Alibaba's results are often viewed as an indication of the health of the Chinese consumer.

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A little over a month after launch, Amazon on Thursday announced its pair of prototype internet satellites were fully successfully in operations and testing.

"We were able to validate everything and get all the data that we need," Project Kuiper Vice President of Technology Rajeev Badyal told CNBC. "All systems, all subsystems and all the use-cases that we designed the satellite for, work as designed."

"Thirty days after launch, we're streaming 4K videos, doing [video] calls, and shopping on Amazon.com," Badyal added.

Project Kuiper is Amazon's plan to build a network of 3,236 satellites in low Earth orbit to provide high-speed internet access anywhere in the world. The company plans to invest upwards of $10 billion to build Kuiper and recently broke ground on a $120 million pre-launch processing facility in Florida.

With the prototypes' testing in space now complete, Badyal said Amazon plans to begin building the first production Kuiper satellites in December and launch the first satellites for its network in the "latter part of the first half" of 2024.

Badyal emphasized that Amazon wasn't sure what performance to expect from the prototype satellites, since "you don't know how well it's going to work in space."

"They're working brilliantly," Badyal said.

Amazon declined to share specifics around the broadband speeds that the Kuiper tests demonstrated, with Badyal only saying that "the experience that you got was operating like cable or fiber."
LONDON  Burberry shares plunged 9% on Thursday after the British luxury fashion retailer warned that full-year operating profit will come in at the low end of forecasts amid a global slowdown in luxury spending.

The company also cautioned that it may miss its annual revenue projections for low double-digit growth.

In its fiscal second-quarter earnings report Thursday, Burberry reported that comparable store sales growth slowed to just 1%, down from 18% in the previous quarter, as momentum in China fizzled out.

The company recorded half-year operating profit of 223 million ($276.64 million), down 15% from last year, but CEO Jonathan Akeroyd said Burberry was making "good progress" on its strategic aims.

"We continued to build momentum around our new creative vision with the launch of our Winter 23 collection in September, the first designed by Daniel Lee," Akeroyd said in a statement.

"While the macroeconomic environment has become more challenging recently, we are confident in our strategy to realise our potential as the modern British luxury brand, and we remain committed to achieving our medium and long-term targets."
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Aermacchi MB-339 trainer aircraft of the Fursan al-Emarat (UAE Knights) aerobatics team release smoke as they fly over with an Emirates Airbus A380-861 jetliner aircraft during the 2023 Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central - Al-Maktoum International Airport in Dubai on November 13, 2023. Giuseppe Cacace | Afp | Getty Images

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates  American aerospace giant Boeing eclipsed its French rival Airbus after four days of deals at the 2023 Dubai Air Show, underlining strong demand for wide-body jets in particular and making a strong comeback after several years of underperformance following major safety scandals. Boeing chalked up 295 aircraft orders in comparison to Airbus' 86 orders by Day 4 of the Middle East's largest aviation event, according to company updates and tallies from industry experts. The French manufacturer grappled with publicly aired concerns over the cost and performance of the Rolls-Royce engines on its planes. Boeing kicked off the first day of the show with a massive order for 90 of its 777 wide-body jets from Dubai's flagship carrier Emirates Airline at list prices of $52 billion, followed by an $11 billion order from Emirates subsidiary and low-cost carrier FlyDubai for 30 of its first-ever-ordered 787 Boeing Dreamliners. The robust appetite for wide-body jets highlighted both Dubai's optimistic outlook for long-haul air travel as well as the importance of the Middle East market to the aircraft model's demand. The purchases showed Dubai flexing its muscles as a leading East-West transit hub, looking keen to defend and increase its market share amid rising competition or expansion from carriers in Turkey, India and Saudi Arabia.

A Boeing 777-X aircraft flies during the 2023 Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central - Al-Maktoum International Airport in Dubai on November 13, 2023. (Photo by Giuseppe CACACE / AFP) (Photo by GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP via Getty Images) Giuseppe Cacace | Afp | Getty Images

The Emirates order was made up of 55 additional Boeing 777-9s and 35 of its 777-8s, bringing the airline's total orders for the 777X wide-body jets to 205 units. Emirates also updated its order of Boeing 787 Dreamliners from 30 to 35. The significant proportion of wide-body jets at the Dubai show "reflects the surge in international travel in 2023; and it favors BA (Boeing), which is stronger than Airbus in widebodies and has snared ~50% of the Dubai dollar order value," analysts at TD Cowen wrote in a note Wednesday. Turkish-German airline SunExpress made the second-largest Boeing order after Emirates, comprised of 56 of its narrow-body 737-8s and 34 737-10s. Ethiopian Airlines followed with up to 41 737-8s and 26 787-9s, then FlyDubai with 30 787-9s, Kazakhstan's SCAT Airlines with seven 737-8s, and Royal Jordanian and Royal Air Maroc with orders of four and two 787-9s, respectively.

watch now

Airbus faces ongoing deal talks, engine criticism

Airbus, which had firmly dominated at the last few Dubai shows, trailed behind with 86 aircraft orders, the largest from AirBaltic which bought 30 narrow-body A220-300s with an option for a further 20. Ethiopian Airlines ordered 11 of Airbus' wide-body A350-900s, while EgyptAir purchased 10 of the same jet.

An Airbus A350-1000 aircraft flies above a mosque during the 2023 Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central - Al-Maktoum International Airport on November 14, 2023. Karim Sahib | Afp | Getty Images

Emirates on Thursday ordered 15 of the French plane maker's A350-900 jets, a purchase the airline said is worth $6 billion  a much smaller order than previously anticipated, after the carrier's president, Tim Clark, openly criticized the cost and maintenance required for the Rolls-Royce engines on the Airbus A350. "If the engine was doing what we want it to do ... then it would reenter the mix of assessment for our fleet plan," Clark told journalists at the air show. He said that Emirates would have ordered 35-50 of the jets otherwise.

watch now

In a statement replying to the comments, Rolls-Royce said that the A350-900's XWB-84 engine "is the best engine out there when you look at efficiency, durability and reliability." Industry watchers also anticipated a blockbuster sale for Airbus of 355 planes to Turkish Airlines. But instead of a signing, the two said they reached an "agreement in principle for a significant commercial aircraft order," with the Turkish flag carrier saying in an Istanbul stock exchange filing that its "discussions with Airbus" are "ongoing."

Boeing orders 'exceeded investor expectations'

Boeing's orders are already nearly three times as high as its total orders from the Dubai Air Show in 2021, and approaching the 356 orders in clinched at the 2023 Paris Air Show in June. Airbus' order figure of 86 aircraft is meanwhile significantly behind its 2023 Paris Air Show haul of 846 orders and 2021 Dubai Air Show total of 408. Before this week, the iconic American manufacturer hadn't enjoyed a winning performance at a Dubai Air Show since 2017. In 2019, Boeing's sales were badly hit after two catastrophic crashes of its popular 737 Max jet in less than five months. Roughly 400 737 Max jets around the world were grounded for nearly two years.

watch now

"We believe the Dubai order flows have exceeded investor expectations thus far for Boeing," analysts at RBC Capital Markets wrote in a note after the second day of the air show. The analysts still saw potential future orders for Airbus. "Despite Airbus not yet solidifying its deal with Turkish Airlines, we believe the order activity could be increasing across other airlines," RBC wrote on Tuesday.

A Riyadh Air Boeing 787-9 jetliner aircraft is pictured on the tarmac during the 2023 Dubai Airshow at Dubai World Central - Al-Maktoum International Airport in Dubai on November 13, 2023. Giuseppe Cacace | Afp | Getty Images

"Saudi Arabia's newest airline, Riyadh Air, said it could be looking to make a narrowbody purchase, along with [low-cost Saudi carrier] Flyadeal, who could be planning to order about ~150 more" narrow-body jets, it said. The Middle East's largest aviation event, the Dubai Air Show takes place every two years and this year hosted some 1,400 commercial and military exhibitors from 95 countries, according to its website.

watch now
Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and owner of X, arrives for the Inaugural AI Insight Forum in Russell Building on Capitol Hill, on Wednesday, September 13, 2023.

Tesla , SpaceX, and X Corp. leader Elon Musk issued a spate of bigoted tweets Wednesday that spurred a critical backlash online.

First, Musk drew attention to and agreed with an antisemitic conspiracy theory, and then directly accused "Jewish communities," the nonprofit Anti-Defamation League, and minorities of what he called "anti-white" messaging and views, without giving examples to support his accusations.

Musk  who is the richest person in the world, with a net worth of around $225 billion, according to Bloomberg  leads several companies that collectively employ around 150,000 people worldwide, including SpaceX, Tesla, The Boring Co., Neuralink, X Corp., and his latest venture, artificial intelligence startup xAI.

Musk, who has never reserved his social media posts for business matters alone, drew attention to a tweet that said Jewish people "have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them."

Musk replied to that tweet in emphatic agreement, "You have said the actual truth."

"This exchange would have languished in obscurity had Musk not replied to this bigoted bromide," wrote Yair Rosenberg in The Atlantic.

In response to Musk's tweet, Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter, "At a time when antisemitism is exploding in America and surging around the world, it is indisputably dangerous to use one's influence to validate and promote antisemitic theories. #NeverIsNow."

Among other things, the Jewish-led nonprofit works to fight antisemitic incidents, racist discrimination and hate crimes in the U.S.

After Musk began to face a backlash for endorsing the antisemitic tweet, he took aim more specifically at the ADL.

He wrote, without providing any evidence for these claims, "The ADL unjustly attacks the majority of the West, despite the majority of the West supporting the Jewish people and Israel. This is because they cannot, by their own tenets, criticize the minority groups who are their primary threat. It is not right and needs to stop."

CNBC reached out to Musk and X Corp. for comments and to clarify which "minority groups" Musk sees as a "primary threat" to the Jewish people and Israel, but received no comment except an apparent auto-response message that said, "Busy now, please check back later."

In subsequent tweets, after a follower told Musk he was not being fair or truthful, the billionaire replied, "You right that this does not extend to all Jewish communities, but it is also not just limited to ADL." He added, "And, at the risk of being repetitive, I am deeply offended by ADL's messaging and any other groups who push de facto anti-white racism or anti-Asian racism or racism of any kind. I'm sick of it. Stop now."

Musk has posted incendiary tweets for a long time, and his companies, especially Tesla, have faced lawsuits over alleged civil and workers' rights violations. The Equal Employment Opportunity Commission sued Tesla over alleged racist discrimination and harassment of Black workers this year.

Musk previously threatened to sue the ADL, alleging that they tried to "kill" his social network's business. He has blamed the ADL, rather than his own business decisions, for a 60% drop in revenue at X and said he had "no choice" but to file a defamation lawsuit against the group. However, no lawsuit has yet materialized.

The ADL declined to offer further comment Thursday morning.
CNBC's Investing in Space newsletter offers a view into the business of space exploration and privatization, delivered straight to your inbox. CNBC's Michael Sheetz reports and curates the latest news, investor updates and exclusive interviews on the most important companies reaching new heights. Sign up to receive future editions.

Yesterday Deutsche Bank held a Space Summit conference here in New York City. On the sidelines, CNBC filmed interviews with more than a half dozen senior executives from Rocket Lab to Mynaric and more.

Lots of great content to come from those interviews in the future, but for now here are some takeaways from my final conversation of the day. We interviewed Deutsche Managing Director for Investment Banking Vaibhav Lohiya, the bank's space ringmaster, who shared his thoughts from the day's meetings and panels.

"I think the sentiment  reflected not only in conversations I've had here, but also the general investment that I've seen coming into the space sector in the last two years or so  is one of caution. That is, one of selecting companies that are essentially the top of their sub-vertical. Investors want to invest in space, but investors understand that this is a long investment cycle," Lohiya said.

In general, the space sector is "much more rationalized" than bubble times of two or three years ago, Lohiya noted. His hope is that the relative pullback represents a "much more sound approach to investment" rather than an overcorrection to risk aversion.

Lohiya said the space sector is different than other fast-growing American industries, such as electric vehicles, clean energy or fintech.

"All of these sectors have high growth that we're seeing in the macro-economy today, but they are essentially replacement technologies," Lohiya said. "When you look at the space sector, there is a portion of it that enhances efficiencies in the way we do things on Earth  but in addition, there's this whole aspect of exploration, of essentially a new frontier."

2023's been a tough year for space stocks  with only a handful positive year-to-date. Every single de-SPAC stock is trading below its debut price.

But Lohiya pointed to Deutsche's Space Summit attendance as representative of continued investor enthusiasm for the sector. The roughly 230 attendees in New York on Wednesday were double what the bank initially expected. Around half of those at the summit were investors, he said.

There's no doubt of a liquidity crunch that reaches beyond the space sector. But the space industry, at least gauging from Deutsche's summit, continues to bring investors to the table.

Programming note: Investing in Space will be on hiatus next week for the Thanksgiving holiday. Watch for the next edition on Nov. 30.
(EDITORS NOTE: Image depicts graphic content) A screen grab captured from a video shows doctors examine children injured in Israeli attacks at Indonesian Hospital in Jabalia region as Israeli attacks continue in Gaza City, Gaza on November 13, 2023.

Israel Defense Forces confirmed Thursday that its military operations at the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza are ongoing, after the Palestinian National Authority's official press agency said forces had raided the medical facility for the second time in 24 hours.

The IDF said it found Hamas grenades and assault rifles inside the hospital, although CNBC has not been able to verify the claims. The military also said on Thursday night that "IDF troops had found an operational tunnel shaft and a vehicle containing a large number of weapons" inside the Al-Shifa Hospital.

Hamas rejected accusations that it has been using the hospital for military purposes, describing the claims as nothing but "lies and cheap propaganda."

The director of the Indonesian Hospital in Gaza said that the hospital had effectively shut down and about 45 patients who need surgery had been left in the reception area.

All telecom services in the Gaza Strip went down Thursday as the remaining energy sources sustaining the network ran out, Gaza's main telecommunications companies Paltel and Jawwal said

Meanwhile, Israel's President Isaac Herzog warned that a "very strong force" will be needed in Gaza in the near future, as the country seeks to avoid a return to power of the militant group Hamas.

Herzog, who has no executive powers, told the FT: "If we pull back, then who will take over? We can't leave a vacuum ... No one will want to turn this place, Gaza, into a terror base again."
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is questioned by Judge Arthur F. Engoron before being fined $10,000 for violating a gag order for a second time, during the Trump Organization civil fraud trial in New York State Supreme Court in the Manhattan borough of New York City, U.S., October 25, 2023 in this courtroom sketch.

A New York judge on Thursday temporarily suspended a gag order barring former President Donald Trump from commenting on court staff in his $250 million civil business fraud trial.

Associate Justice David Friedman of the New York Appellate Division's First Department granted the request by Trump's defense attorneys for an interim stay of the gag orders, citing the "constitutional and statutory rights at issue."

The ruling lifts the gag orders that had been imposed on both Trump and the attorneys defending him in New York Attorney General Letitia James' high-stakes fraud case in Manhattan Supreme Court.

James' office had urged the appeals judge to deny Trump's request, arguing that doing so could place the lower court's staff "at risk of harassment or harm."

Friedman's terse ruling ordered James and Judge Arthur Engoron, who imposed the gag orders, to submit opposing briefs by Wednesday at noon. Trump's lawyers must reply by the following Monday.

"Fortunately the Constitution and the First Amendment protect everyone, including President Trump," defense attorney Christopher Kise said in a statement to CNBC.

"The public will again have full access to what is really taking place in this unprecedented trial," Kise added.

James' lawsuit accuses Trump, his two adult sons, the Trump Organization and top executives of falsely inflating the values of Trump's assets to boost his net worth and reap financial benefits. She seeks $250 million in damages and wants to permanently bar Trump Sr., Donald Trump Jr. and Eric Trump from running a New York business.

Engoron had barred Trump from making public statements about his court staff on the second day of the trial, after Trump repeatedly targeted the judge's principal law clerk.

A month later, on Nov. 3, Engoron extended that gag order to Trump's attorneys, accusing them of making "repeated, inappropriate remarks" about the same law clerk. The judge noted that his chambers have been "inundated" with threats and harassment since the trial began.

Trump has already violated the narrow gag order twice, catching a total of $15,000 in fines.

The request to pause the gag orders came one day after Trump and his co-defendants asked for a mistrial in the case, arguing that Engoron and his clerk are biased and that their conduct has "tainted these proceedings."

Limiting their ability to address their alleged issues "is simply not justifiable and certainly not consistent with the avoidance of an appearance of impartiality," the defendants wrote.

James' office slammed the "spurious allegations" in the mistrial bid earlier Thursday. Engoron has yet to respond in writing. The trial is expected to last until late December.

Trump, a top contender for the 2024 Republican presidential nomination, is fighting a separate gag order in his criminal election interference case in Washington, D.C., federal court.

That gag order barred Trump from making statements targeting the prosecutors, likely witnesses and court staff in the case. A federal appeals court temporarily paused the D.C. gag order earlier this month.
Spanish acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez during the investiture debate at the Spanish Parliament on Nov. 15, 2023 in Madrid, Spain.

Spain's parliament has empowered acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to assemble a government, following two failed investiture attempts from right-wing opposition leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo.

Sanchez, who helms the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), won 179 votes in favor, with 171 against and no abstentions.

It ends a four-month political deadlock following inconclusive general elections in July, when Feijoo's People's Party won a 136 majority of seats, while the Socialists clinched 121. Sanchez himself had called for the vote after his party hemorrhaged losses in regional and municipal elections in late May.

Despite his win at the snap polls, Feijoo's party failed to garner parliamentary support over two vote attempts, largely because of its alliance with the hard-right Vox party, whose views include opposing abortion rights and denying climate change.
Washington, DC - October 11 : Rep. George Santos, R-N.Y., walks to a House Republican Conference Speaker candidate forum being held in the Longworth Building on Capitol Hill on Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2023, in Washington, DC. (Photo by Jabin Botsford/The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Rep. George Santos said Thursday that he will not seek reelection next year after a damning new House Ethics report found "substantial evidence" that the embattled New York Republican committed campaign fraud and other violations.

"I will continue on my mission to serve my constituents up until I am allowed," Santos wrote in a defiant social media post that slammed that report as "a disgusting politicized smear."

"I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024 as my family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time," the freshman congressman wrote on X.

The announcement came less than an hour after the release of a report from the investigative body of the House Ethics Committee, which found Santos "blatantly stole from his campaign" and "sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit."

Those alleged personal expenditures included more than $4,000 in donor funds for a purchase at luxury clothing store Hermes, and for "smaller purchases at OnlyFans," the online cam-streaming site known for its adult content.

The full ethics panel, led by Rep. Michael Guest of Mississippi, R-Miss., unanimously adopted the report and voted to refer its findings to the Department of Justice.

Guest plans to introduce another resolution to expel Santos from Congress, the chairman's chief of staff told CNBC later Thursday. Santos survived an attempt to oust him earlier this month, after the measure failed to garner the support of two-thirds of the House.

A spokeswoman for Santos' office, and his defense lawyer Joe Murray, did not immediately respond to CNBC's requests for comment.

The scathing, 56-page ethics report is only the latest blow to Santos, who was already facing a raft of criminal theft and fraud charges in New York federal court.

The 35-year-old lawmaker, whose district covers parts of Queens and Nassau counties, has pleaded not guilty to the charges, which allege crimes including identity theft, submitting false campaign finance reports and stealing unemployment money, among others.

On Tuesday, Santos' former campaign fundraiser Sam Miele pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge in connection with Miele having impersonated the chief of staff of former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy while soliciting donations for Santos.

As part of his plea, Miele admitted to charging credit cards of political contributors for personal expenses.

Last month, Santos' former campaign treasurer Nancy Marks pleaded guilty to campaign finance fraud charges related to her work for Santos.

He has vowed not to resign from office, shrugging off a sustained howl of bipartisan criticism and multiple attempts to force him out of Congress.

The subcommittee's investigation covered many of the alleged actions that were first brought to light in the federal charges.

Santos "deceived donors into providing what they thought were contributions to his campaign but were in fact payments for his personal benefit," the report said.
U.S. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) is flanked by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI), as he speaks to reporters after the weekly Senate caucus lunches at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, October 24, 2023.

WASHINGTON  The Senate passed a stopgap funding bill Wednesday night, punting the GOP's spending fight and the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays.

The bipartisan vote was 87-11, with 10 Republicans and one Democrat  Sen. Michael Bennet of Colorado  voting against the bill.

"Because of bipartisan cooperation, we are keeping the government open without any poison pills or harmful cuts to vital programs  a great outcome for the American people," Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., said before the vote.

The short-term bill, known as a continuing resolution, or CR, cleared the House on Tuesday on a lopsided 336-95 vote, with all but two of the no votes coming from Republicans. The funding bill next heads to President Joe Biden's desk for his expected signature.

"If the speaker is willing to work with Democrats and resist the siren song of the hard right in the House," Schumer continued, "then we can avoid shutdowns in the future and finish the work of funding the government."

Follow along for live updates.

Without the CR, government funding would have run out late Friday. New House Speaker Mike Johnson's staggered, or "laddered," CR would fund part of the government  including the Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs departments  through Jan. 19 and fund the Defense Department and remaining parts of the government through Feb. 2.

Passing a two-part CR that funds the government into the New Year will prevent Congress from adopting yet another massive omnibus spending package right before Christmas, argued Johnson, R-La.

The CR is "clean," with no spending cuts or contentious policy provisions that would alienate Democrats. It also does not include a supplemental package covering things like aid for Israel and Ukraine, humanitarian assistance or border security, leaving those issues for later in the year.

The CR is designed to buy more time for House Republicans to pass appropriations bills and for House and Senate negotiators to reach a deal on funding. The House has passed seven of the 12 annual appropriations bills that fund the government for a full fiscal year, while the Senate has passed three.

But as recently as Wednesday, House Republicans were struggling to advance their individual appropriations bills over intraparty divisions over amendments, raising questions about whether the House will be able to complete its spending bills before the next funding deadlines.

Johnson and his leadership team sent House lawmakers home for the Thanksgiving holiday early on Wednesday after two appropriations bills ran into trouble.

"We're demanding of our leadership: Put the right bills on the floor with the right policy in them at the right levels, and then we'll vote for them," said Rep. Scott Perry, R-Pa., the chairman of the far-right Freedom Caucus, who led the opposition. "But don't act like you're actually trying to get to a correct spending level, and don't act like you're actually going to fight on these issues when you plan to fail."

Still, Johnson brushed off questions about whether he's frustrated by the setbacks.

"No, we're not frustrated. This is part of the process. We're working toward consensus," Johnson said after votes were called off. "I've been on the job less than three weeks. I think we've had a great run."

Asked whether House Democrats' morale was high amid the GOP infighting, Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., recounted that his weekly report to the Congressional Black Caucus on Wednesday was short and sweet.

"No spending cuts, no right-wing extreme policy changes, no government shutdown, no votes tomorrow, Happy Thanksgiving," he said. "That is a type of report that, when you are able to give it, means morale is very high."

Did Jeffries have any advice for the new speaker? a reporter followed up.

"Good luck!" he quipped.
Check out the companies making headlines in midday trading. Sonos  The stock climbed 17% after Sonos CEO Patrick Spence said the company is entering a multiyear product cycle that will include an entry "into a new multi-billion dollar category" in the second half of fiscal 2024. Macy's  Shares of the department store chain popped 5.7% on the back of better-than-expected quarterly results. Macy's also said margins and inventory levels improved during the third quarter. General Motors  General Motors shares dipped 2.4% in midday trading. The move comes after union workers on Thursday said it ratified a record deal with the United Auto Workers. Alibaba  The U.S-listed shares of Alibaba dropped 9.1% after the Chinese internet company scrapped plans for a spin-off of its cloud business, citing the "recent expansion of U.S. restrictions on export of advanced computing chips." Williams-Sonoma  The seller of kitchenware and home goods gained 6.2%. Williams-Sonoma on Thursday reported a record operating margin of 17% in the third quarter, signaling a healthy return on sales for the company. Its adjusted earnings of $3.66 per share came ahead of the FactSet consensus estimate of $3.33 per share. Cisco Systems  Shares dropped 9.8% after the company's earnings guidance for the current quarter came out below analyst estimates, driven by a slowdown in new product orders. Cisco also cut its full year forecast for revenue. Children's Place  Shares of Children's Place plunged 24.9% after retailer quarterly adjusted earnings of $3.22, trailing the FactSet consensus estimate of $3.49. Children's Place cited higher fulfillment and labor costs for the lackluster results. Deckers Outdoor  The footwear company behind the Hoka and Ugg brands declined 2.7% after Piper Sandler downgraded the stock to neutral from overweight. The Wall Street firm said its overweight thesis on the apparel stock "has largely played out." Palo Alto Networks  The cybersecurity stock slid 5.4% after Palo Alto Networks issued a weaker-than-expected billings forecast for the current quarter and full year. Walmart  Shares dropped 8.1% after the big box retailer gave disappointing guidance . Walmart said it expects adjusted earnings per share of $6.40 to $6.48 for the year, slightly lower than analysts were anticipating. CFO John David Rainey told CNBC he is now more cautious on the consumer. However, the company beat earnings and revenue expectations for the quarter. Advance Auto Parts  The auto parts retailer tumbled 4% after Bank of America downgraded the stock to underperform from neutral. The firm cited ongoing challenges in the medium-term that will pressure free cash flow for at least the next 12 months. Plug Power  The stock retreated 3.9% following a Citi downgrade to neutral from buy. The bank said the company is facing near-term issues related to liquidity and execution.  CNBC's Michelle Fox, Alex Harring, Hakyung Kim and Pia Singh contributed reporting.
A Russian-chartered oil tanker in the sea off Morocco in an area identified by maritime technology company Windward as a hub for smuggling oil.

The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control announced three vessels and shipping companies being sanctioned for violating the Russian oil sanctions on Thursday, only a few days after Treasury began a separate, larger probe of approximately 30 ship management companies covering 100 vessels suspected of violating a price cap on Russian oil.

"Shipping companies and vessels participating in the Russian oil trade while using Price Cap Coalition service providers should fully understand that we will hold them accountable for compliance," said Deputy Secretary of the Treasury Wally Adeyemo in a statement on Thursday. "We are committed to maintaining market stability in spite of Russia's war against Ukraine, while cutting into the profits the Kremlin is using to fund its illegal war and remaining unyielding in our pursuit of those facilitating evasion of the price cap."

But as the Treasury seeks to cut off the Kremlin's access to oil profits, its hunt for crude tankers and shippers violating OFAC guidelines is revealing complexities in its own guidelines and a murky marine industry.

The shipping entities identified on Thursday were United Arab Emirates-based. The vessels were Kazan Shipping Incorporated's Kazan, Progress Shipping Company Limited's Ligovsky Prospect, and Gallion Navigation Incorporated's NS Century. But while those ships are now UAE-based, Matthew Wright, lead analyst of freight at marine intelligence firm Kpler, tells CNBC the location of where the company is based may be different from the location of the beneficial owner. In this case, Wright says the beneficial owner is likely still Russian-based.

"Based on the history of these fleets, these vessels were all owned and operated by Sovcomflot," Wright said. "Management of all the Sovcomflot ships was transferred to Sun Ship Management in March/April 2022 when their offices in Europe were closed. Those three companies are now managed by a new manager called Oil Tankers SCF Management but it's just another name. Ownership hasn't changed since 2006. They're not part of either the dark or grey fleet really as I consider them still Russian-owned."

30 ship owners targeted in new Treasury probe

This is just one example of the murkiness within the Russian oil trade. The probe against 30 shipowners begun earlier this week reveals how identifying and finding proof of vessels traversing the oceans with sanctioned oil is not as straightforward as suggested by initial headlines covering the Treasury allegations. These companies received warning letters from the government about activity deemed suspicious and requests for documentation. There are grey areas in the U.S. government's Russian oil guidelines, though the efforts can ultimately lead maritime investigators to the truth.

In the U.S. Treasury's "Preliminary Guidance on Implementation of a Maritime Services Policy and Related Price Exception for Seaborne Russian Oil," ship owners are under a Tier 2 category. According to the Treasury, this group within the maritime industry are "actors who are sometimes able to request and receive price information from their customers in the ordinary course of business."

If a ship owner is unable to obtain such pricing information, according to the Treasury's guidelines, the Tier 2 actors (ship owners) need to request "customer attestations" where their charter customers pledge in a document they will not purchase seaborn Russian oil above the price cap.

This document could provide a "safe harbor" for ship owners who are relying on that customer's "attestation" to comply with sanctions. This safe harbor is also extended to the ship insurance companies.

"Ship owners rely on the charterer to provide ample proof that the Russian oil on board the vessel has been sold below the price cap," said Andy Lipow, president of Lipow Oil Associates. "The sanctions can easily be circumvented if a dishonest charterer presents documents that falsify the true cost of the oil."

Lipow said one clue to suspicious paperwork is a price of oil that is well below the market, selling Russian crude oil in Asia today at $50 per barrel when Brent is trading at $80.

"That is a red flag," Lipow said.

Based on the safe harbor, if the ship owner or management company can be absolved of wrongdoing, the documents can still lead Treasury to the charterer.

The U.S. Treasury told CNBC it does not comment on current investigations.

Tracking Russian oil

A breakout of the Russian oil trade by Kpler shows around 30% of Russian exports from Western ports are still using commercial shipping with beneficial ownership within the European Union.

Wright said this "dark fleet" is comprised of vessels typically 20 years and older which have loaded or predominantly loaded Venezuelan or Iranian cargoes in the last few years.

"There is often some evidence that they have been disguising their activities by turning off their AIS, but not in all cases," said Wright, referring to the automatic identification system used by marine vessels to track location. "Ownership is often opaque and the operator does not engage in standard commercial shipping outside of operating these vessels."



There are also "grey fleet" vessels sold since the Russian invasion of Ukraine with the aim of transporting Russian exports and avoiding sanctions. These vessels, according to Wright, have had EU ownership.

"Most vessels have been sold by owners based in Europe to owners who were not previously active in the tanker market," he said. "The owners are based mainly in Hong Kong, China, India, and the UAE."
A group of Ukrainian marines at the bank of the Dnieper River at the front line near Kherson, Ukraine, on Oct. 14, 2023.

Fierce fighting is taking place between Russian forces and Ukrainian units that crossed over the Dnieper River to the Russian-occupied left (or eastern) bank of the river in the southern Kherson region, analysts say.

Fighting is concentrated around a number of villages on the east bank, including Krynky, where Ukraine has managed to establish footholds, but Russian forces are now reported to be pounding those positions. A Russian official warned Wednesday that "hell fire" would be rained down upon Ukrainian forces who had crossed the river.

Analysts at the Institute for the Study of War painted a picture of mixed fortunes in the area, citing Ukrainian officials, Russian military bloggers closely following developments in the war and open-source evidence.

"Ukrainian forces continued larger-than-usual operations on the east (left) bank of Kherson Oblast [region] on November 15," the ISW noted in analysis Wednesday.

But it added that "Russian milbloggers claimed that Ukrainian forces conducted unsuccessful attacks from central Krynky ... [they] also claimed that Russian forces prevented Ukrainian forces from conducting casualty evacuation and deploying additional Ukrainian personnel to the east bank near the Antonivsky road bridge."

The ISW also noted that geolocated footage published on Nov. 14 shows that Russian forces made some advances into Ukrainian-held Krynky, with Russian milbloggers claiming that the counterattacks by Russian forces forced Ukrainian forces to withdraw from some areas south of Krynky.

CNBC was unable to verify developments on the ground and neither Russia nor Ukraine mentioned the battles taking place in the area in their military updates on Thursday. On Wednesday, Ukraine requested an "informational silence" around its maneuvers so that its "plans are put in motion."

A senior Ukrainian official said Monday that Ukrainian forces managed to cross the Dnieper river which has essentially divided Russian and Ukrainian forces since a successful Ukrainian counteroffensive a year ago. Russia confirmed the development Wednesday.

If Ukrainian forces can make progress on the eastern bank, it could herald the start of an advance southward to Russian-occupied Crimea.

 Holly Ellyatt
WOODSIDE, CALIFORNIA - NOVEMBER 15: U.S. President Joe Biden delivers remarks at a news conference at the Filoli Estate on November 15, 2023 in Woodside, California. The news conference follows a meeting between Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders' week, their first since meeting at the Indonesian island resort of Bali in November 2022. (Photo by Kent Nishimura/Getty Images)

U.S. President Joe Biden again called his Chinese counterpart a dictator  a move that could potentially unravel the progress made between the world's two leading powers.

Shortly after his first meeting with China President Xi Jinping in a year, Biden responded to a question on whether he stood by his June comment labeling Xi a dictator.

"Well, look, he is," Biden said Wednesday after the two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation in San Francisco.

"He's a dictator in the sense that he's a guy who runs a country that is a communist country that's based on a form of government totally different than ours."

At its regular daily press conference in Beijing Thursday, a spokesperson for China's Ministry of Foreign Affairs slammed Biden's comment as "extremely incorrect and irresponsible political manipulation."

"There are always some careless individuals attempting to sow discord and damage China-U.S. relations, but their attempts will not succeed," said Mao Ning, the China Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson.
An aerial view of a crude oil storage facility is seen on May 4, 2020 in Cushing, Oklahoma.

U.S. crude prices fell 5% on Thursday as inventories rose while industrial production fell.

The West Texas Intermediate December contract fell $3.76, or 4.9%, to settle at $72.90 a barrel, while the Brent January contract tumbled $3.76, or 4.63%, to settle at $77.42 a barrel. U.S. crude and the global benchmark hit their lowest level since early July.

U.S. crude inventories rose by 3.6 million barrels last week while production held steady at a record 13.2 million barrels per day, according to data released by the Energy Information Agency Wednesday.

And U.S. industrial production fell by 0.6% in October as the United Auto Workers strike impacted motor vehicle output, according to data released by the Federal Reserve on Thursday.

Phil Flynn, an oil expert with the Price Futures Group, said slower industrial production combined with increased supply are playing into the slowing demand theory. Prices are now having a hard time finding support because bears are controlling the market, he said.

In China, meanwhile, crude refining throughput slowed 2.8% in October to the equivalent of 15.1 million barrels per day from a record high in September, according to data from the National Bureau of Statistics, suggesting slowing demand in world's second-largest economy.

The impact that China's economic reopening after the pandemic had on oil prices is fading, said Jim Burkhard, head of oil market research at S&P Global Commodity Insights. At the same time, the U.S. is producing more oil than any country has in history not to mention production in Canada, Brazil and Guyana, Burkhard said.

There is also the seasonal impact of demand typically slowing in the winter, he said. "When you have strong wave of non-OPEC+ supply growth and a seasonal decline in demand it leads to a situation like this," Burkhard said.

The Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries, on the other hand, has blamed speculators for the recent drop in prices, dismissing negative sentiment as exaggerated.

OPEC said China's crude imports remain healthy, rising by 11.4 million barrels per day in October. The organization also pointed to strong U.S. economic growth in the third quarter and noted that the International Monetary Fund expects China's economy to grow by 5.4% this year.

"Despite the above healthy and supportive market fundamentals, oil prices have trended lower in recent weeks, mainly driven by financial market speculators," the organization said in its monthly report.

Flynn said hedge funds are heavily short on oil futures right now and are driving the market lower. "The market right now is more of a money game than a fundamentals game," he said.

How OPEC reacts at its Nov. 26 meeting is key, Flynn said: "OPEC still believes speculators are driving the market so it'll be interesting to see if they can engineer something to stop the free fall," he said.
U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to resume high-level military communication when they met in person Wednesday for the first time in a year in San Francisco on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference. Brendan Smialowski | Afp | Getty Images

BEIJING  U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping have agreed to resume high-level military communication, according to both countries. The two leaders met in person for the first time in a year Wednesday local time in San Francisco on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference. "We're back to direct, open, clear communications," Biden said at a press conference after the talks. China has conducted military exercises around Taiwan, while its navy has been engaging in aggressive maneuvers in the South China Sea in a standoff with the Philippines as both countries stake their territorial claims. The U.S. has wanted to revive the military communication, especially after some near-miss incidents where China's ships almost collided with American forces. "Vital miscalculations on either side can cause real trouble with a country like China or any other major country," Biden said at the post-meeting press briefing. China's Defense Ministry declined a call with its U.S. counterpart in early February after the discovery of an alleged Chinese spy balloon over U.S. airspace. The balloon incident delayed U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken's highly anticipated trip to China by more than four months. In June, the defense chiefs from both countries attended an annual security summit in Singapore, but they did not have a formal meeting.

watch now

When Blinken finally visited China, he said he "repeatedly" raised the need for direct communication between the two countries' militaries but failed to revive such talks. China has yet to name a defense minister after dismissing Gen. Li Shangfu from the position without explanation in late October. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin will meet with his Chinese counterpart when the Chinese defense chief is selected, a senior Biden administration official told reporters after the Biden-Xi summit.

As part of the agreement, senior U.S. military commanders including that of Pacific forces in Hawaii will engage with their Chinese counterparts, the official said. The two countries also plan to establish ways for ship drivers and others to discuss incidents and, potentially, best practices, the official said. A readout published by Chinese state media added the resumption of such military talks was "on the basis of equality and respect," according to a CNBC translation.

Taiwan

At the presser, Biden reiterated the U.S. position that Taiwan maintains its sovereignty, despite China's claims to the contrary. "We maintain the agreement that there is a One-China policy and I'm not going to change that, that's not going to change. That's about the extent to which we discussed," he said.

watch now

According to Chinese state media, Xi pointed out during the bilateral meeting that Taiwan has always been the "most important and sensitive" issue in China's relations with the U.S.. He said in the report that China "takes seriously" positive statements the U.S. made during his meeting with Biden last year in Indonesia. "The U.S. should use concrete actions to reflect its stance of not supporting 'Taiwan independence,' stop arming Taiwan and support China's peaceful reunification," state media reported. "China will ultimately be reunified and will inevitably be reunified." Beijing considers Taiwan part of its territory, with no right to independently conduct diplomatic relations. The U.S. recognizes Beijing as the sole government of China but maintains unofficial relations with Taiwan, a democratically self-governed island.

AI, fentanyl and more

Chinese state media also said the two sides agreed to establish an intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence, set up a working group on drug control, "significantly" increase flights between the two countries next year and expand exchanges in areas such as education, business and culture. The U.S. senior administration official said the Chinese were already taking action on nearly 24 companies that make precursors for fentanyl  an addictive drug that's led to overdoses and deaths in the U.S. Biden said at the post-meeting presser that the two leaders agreed that fentanyl production needs to be "curbed substantially." On artificial intelligence, however, the official said it was too early for a joint declaration by the two leaders, and noted the need to prevent the incorrect use of AI in military or nuclear operations.

Trade and sanctions
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines)  This holiday season is sure to be even brighter as fastfood giant Jollibee lights up its flagship stores across the country, reminiscent of the dazzling Christmas lights in Filipino homes this jolly season.

Under its campaign "Make It Christmas with Jollibee Joy," everyone's favorite food hangout simultaneously launched events in Taguig City at its Bonifacio Global City (BGC) branch, in Cebu at Jollibee Maxilom, and in Davao at Jollibee Quimpo to usher in a more joyful and merrier Christmas season.

"We are celebrating our 45th anniversary this year," shared Jollibee Philippines President Ferns Yu Jr.

"And part of this milestone, we have launched many initiatives to thank our customers and also to enable them to have more memorable experiences with their loved ones," he also said. "We have a lot of new products, exciting promos, and a heart-warming campaign."

The campaign kicked off in October with a heartwarming video that shows that Christmas is about sharing joy with our loved ones and how Jollibee makes it happen for their customers.

"We have 110 stores participating nationwide," Yu said. "It started with a single store last year, but we decided to have more locations this year so that we can share the joy of Christmas with more Filipinos."

Jollibee's other stores nationwide will also be dazzled with Christmas decorations "so that everybody can feel the spirit of the holiday," he also said. "I'd like to thank all our customers for supporting us over the last 45 years."

With Yuletide being the most-loved season by Filipinos, the store dress-up is intended to help make bonding moments with families and friends more enjoyable and memorable every time they visit the store.

Among the brand ambassadors who graced the symbolic lighting of the Jollibee BGC store were actresses Anne Curtis and Maja Salvador, and Mr. Pure Energy Gary Valenciano.

Curtis said the colorful and bright decors at Jollibee bring back good memories of Christmas with her family.

"Of course, in the true Christmas tradition na Pinoy, it's Noche Buena 'di ba? So for me, it's having my favorite Jollibee Chickenjoy part of our Noche Buena handa," she said. "It definitely brought joy not only to myself but also to my whole family and to all of our visitors."

Salvador, meanwhile, said this Christmas with Jollibee is even more special after getting married to businessman Rambo Nunez this year.

"I'm happy and honored to be part of this Jollibee Christmas campaign," she shared. "I've been with Jollibee family for almost five years so I'm very happy na part pa rin ako ng family. But now, it's more special pa siguro because I'm married now, so this is my first Jollibee Christmas celebration as a wife."

For Valenciano, Jollibee provides the much-needed happiness people might be looking for.

"Regardless of what's been going on everywhere else, if there's a place that you can find the kind of joy that you might need, especially in this season of Christmas, it's really right here," he said.

"But don't come alone," he added. "Come with your family, come with your relatives, and create moments, memorable moments, joyful moments, right here in Jollibee this Christmas season."

Jollibee is also giving away gift certificates to lucky customers weekly by participating in the Post and Win contest soon in select stores nationwide.

From its best-tasting food, iconic mascots, and overall experience, Jollibee continues to provide Filipino families with the simple joys to fill each moment and occasion this Christmas.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16) Listed Ayala-led AC Energy (ACEN) Corporation is on course to becoming a "pure renewables" company by 2025 before quadrupling its capacity by the end of the decade, its chief finance officer said on Wednesday.

ACEN's facilities generate 4.3 gigawatts (GW) in total capacity, 98% of which is renewable energy.

The company is optimistic that its capacity could reach 5,000 megawatts or 5 GW in two years, before growing that portfolio four times more to 20 GW by 2030, ACEN Chief Finance Officer (CFO) Maria Corazon Dizon said in an interview on the sidelines of an ING-Financial Executives Institute of the Philippines (FINEX) event Wednesday night.

"Five thousand megawatts of attributable capacity by 2025 - we believe that we can achieve that ahead of time and that's why we have set another target of reaching around 20,000 megawatts of attributable capacity by 2030," Dizon told reporters. "And that's around four times of where we are now to achieve in the next seven or six years."

ACEN's 2025 and 2030 targets are part of its wider goal of achieving net zero carbon footprint by 2050.

"The plan is for us to be a pure renewable energy company by 2025," Dizon said. "So it is a major step for us in alignment with our goal to reach a net zero greenhouse gas emission by 2050."

The company had divested its last coal-fired power plant in 2022, and its current energy portfolio is a mix of wind and solar farms spread across Zambales, Ilocos and Cagayan, while it will soon break ground on a wind project in Quezon. It also has facilities in Australia, Vietnam, Indonesia and India.

"I believe we will be on track and the first major step there is to achieve a pure renewable energy status by 2025," she said.

Dizon was named CFO of the Year in an awarding ceremony held jointly by the ING-FINEX on Wednesday. It is the 17th award in an annual search that began in 2007.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  Filipino companies have secured groundbreaking agreements with American firms that are seen to improve health services in the Philippines, and position the country as a key player in the global pharmaceutical industry.

Malacanang on Thursday said President Bongbong Marcos, during the sidelines of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in California, witnessed the signing of the partnership between AC Health and Varian Medical Systems to build the first dedicated oncology hospital in the Philippines.

According to the Palace, AC Health will establish the Healthway Cancer Care Hospital in the country, which will serve as a network of oncology clinics throughout Metro Manila, and utilize Varian's state-of-the-art and multi-modality cancer care technology.

"The initiative is a vital stride in the fight against cancer, and it reflects the Philippines' growing potential as a leading healthcare destination in Asia," Marcos said during the signing.

Malacanang also said Filipino firm Lloyd Laboratories and US-based DifGen Pharmaceutic have entered into a joint venture to magnify the local production of medicines in the Philippines.

An investment of up to $20 million will be undertaken by Lloyd Laboratories for the establishment and operation of the first US Food and Drug Administration-approved manufacturing facility in the country.

The Palace added that the joint venture will also cover mutual interest in collaborating on the filing of Abbreviated New Drug Application (ANDA) and the marketing of jointly developed pharmaceutical products within the United States.

Marcos hailed it as a significant step toward expanding the country's local production and promoting a robust local pharmaceutical industry.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  Authorities have launched search and rescue operations for four fishermen reported missing off the waters of Barangay Cato in Infanta, Pangasinan.

Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) and Philippine Air Force (PAF) assets were deployed on Thursday to look for the fishermen on board motorbanca Pepito 3, which has been missing since the evening of Nov. 12.

This story will be updated.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  The Philippine government signed a deal with artificial intelligence (AI) meteorology company Atmo Inc. for the creation of weather forecasting system that will use AI technology.

The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) on Thursday said the memorandum of agreement was signed by Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Undersecretary Maridon Sahagun and Atmo Inc. founder and chief executive officer Alexander Levy. President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. witnessed the ceremony.

Atmo and the DOSTs partnership on an AI-powered weather forecasting system will help the Philippines build its climate resilience, Marcos said in a statement.

This system will be the largest AI-driven weather forecasting program in Asia, which is expected to play a pivotal role in bolstering the Philippines resilience, the PCO said.

The agency added the deal will greatly help the Philippines since it is a country hit by an average of 20 typhoons annually, which cause flooding and damage to infrastructure and agriculture.

Prior to this, the PCO also announced that the country and Silicon Valley companies have agreed to work together to improve artificial intelligence and cybersecurity in the Philippines.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  Around 80 infrastructure projects that can be funded by the Maharlika Investment Fund (MIF) have been identified, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said on Thursday (PH time).

Marcos made the statement at the Philippine Economic Briefing (PEB) in San Francisco, days after the release of the revised implementing rules and regulations of the MIF.

"We have identified about 80 potential infrastructure projects that are financeable through the fund, the Maharlika Investment Fund," Marcos said, adding these projects would give a high rate of return and have significant socioeconomic impact.

He did not mention particular projects to be funded by Maharlika, but said the government has prioritized 197 projects to support the Philippines' infrastructure drive.

"We are prioritizing the implementation of 197 infrastructure flagship projects worth around US$155 billion with a sharp focus on upgrading physical and digital connectivity, water, agriculture, health, transport, and energy," he added.

Marcos reiterated that the MIF is crucial for the government to carry out its priority projects, serving as additional source and mode of financing.

In his speech, Marcos said despite global challenges, the Philippine economy has risen "above the tide," logging its highest full-year GDP in nearly five decades in 2022.

"We are confident that the country will post a full year economic growth that is close to the 6.0 to 7.0 percent target for 2023," he said.

Marcos also said the country is prioritizing investments in digitalization and noted reforms made to simplify business approval processes.

RELATED: Marcos calls for more tech investments to boost AI in PH

The Philippines is ready to take off as a leading investment hub in Asia, he added.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  The Philippines and the United States completed negotiations on the "historic" civil nuclear cooperation deal during a meeting between US Vice President Kamala Harris and President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. in San Francisco, California, the White House said Thursday.

"The Vice President and President Marcos also welcomed the conclusion of a historic '123' civil nuclear cooperation agreement, which will deepen our partnership to build a global clean energy economy and strengthen our shared commitment to improving energy security and advancing the global nonproliferation regime," the White House readout said.

During her visit in Manila in November 2022, Harris announced the launch of discussions with Marcos on the so-called "123" agreement, which is expected to provide the legal basis for US exports of nuclear equipment and material to the Philippines.

It also aims to support expanded partnership on zero-emission energy and nonproliferation of nuclear weapons.

The two leaders held their fifth meeting at the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders Meeting in the US.

READ: Marcos flies to US again for APEC: Why Filipinos should care

Harris also announced a new partnership with the Philippines that wil grow and diversify the global semiconductor ecosystem under the US' International Technology Security and Innovation (ITSI) Fund.

Marcos earlier expressed the Philippines' readiness to collaborate with the US for the development of the semiconductor industry.

"This partnership will help create a more resilient, secure, and sustainable global semiconductor value chain," the White House said.

Harris also reaffirmed the US' commitment to the Philippines in defending sovereign rights in the West Philippine Sea.

The US vice president underscored that "an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, would invoke US mutual defense commitments."

READ: US reaffirms defense treaty duty, condemns Chinas provocative actions in Ayungin
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  The Philippines is still part of Chinas infrastructure program Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) amid tensions in the West Philippine Sea, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said Thursday.

The statement came after Transportation Secretary Jaime Bautista was quoted in reports as saying that the country has exited from the BRI after China dropped funding for three railroad projects arranged during the Duterte administration.

The Philippines signed a new MOU (memorandum of understanding) on the Belt and Road Initiative last January 2023, the DFA said. The Philippines is still implementing infrastructure projects funded with Chinese official development assistance.

The BRI seeks to connect Beijing to the rest of the world by investing in over 150 countries.

Bautista said major projects supposedly dropped by China are the railway from Calamba in Laguna to Bicol province, the railway connecting Subic Bay Freeport Zone and Clark Freeport Zone, and the first phase of the Mindanao Railway Project. All these cost around $4.8 billion.

Bautista recently said Japan, South Korea, and India have offered financing for the three railway projects.

Beijings sweeping claims over the South China Sea overlap with the exclusive economic zones of the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei, Vietnam, and Indonesia.

A 2016 arbitral award invalidated Chinas claims over the West Philippine Sea, a part of the South China Sea that Beijing also claims.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  The Sandiganbayan did not allow former Agrarian Reform Undersecretary Narciso Nieto to seek the immediate dismissal of charges against him over the alleged misuse of former senator Gregorio Gringo Honasans Priority Development Assistance Fund (PDAF).

In a decision dated Nov. 14, the anti-graft courts 7th division denied Nietos motion for leave to file a demurrer to evidence, which essentially is a plea to have a case dismissed on the ground that the prosecutions case is weak.

It appears that accused Nieto is already delving into the merits of the charges when only the admissibility of prosecutions evidence has been considered in the resolution of the formal offer, the court said.

Nieto is facing graft and malversation charges over the diversion of 20 million of Honasans PDAF for vermicomposting projects in Isabela that turned out to be non-existent.

The money was supposedly funneled through the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) and Workphil Foundation Inc.

In his bid to file a demurrer to evidence, Nieto argued that there is no sufficient evidence to show he conspired with Workphil.

He argued that he merely signed a memorandum of agreement (MOA) for the projects as representative of former DAR chief Virgilio delos Reyes, but the Sandiganbayan was not convinced.

"Accused Nieto did not even attempt to discuss why, upon their admissibility, such evidence is not sufficient to prove the elements of the charges," the court said. "Instead, accused Nieto was more concerned with debunking the theory of conspiracy."

The court directed Nieto to begin the presentation of his defense on Nov. 28.
The crisis in NUPES  the union consisting of La France Insoumise (FI), the Socialist Party (PS), the Greens and the Communist Party (PCF)  is increasingly taking on the air of a bedroom farce: shouting, declamations, doors opening, slammed, and then opened again, etc. Boredom mixed with irritation is spreading among the audience, and little by little the auditorium is emptying.

[Originally published in French at marxiste.org]

Launched in the run-up to the legislative elections in June 2022, NUPES has continually torn itself apart through publicly aired divisions. Let us be more precise: the leaders of the PS, the Greens and the PCF have systematically attacked Melenchon and his comrades  from the right.

Both prior to and after the murder of Nahel by a police officer last July, they strongly criticised Melenchon for saying that the police kill. A few months earlier, these same people criticised the leaders of the FI for having organised a major political demonstration against the pension reform  which, they claimed, was disrespectful toward the union bureaucracies that had carefully prepared the movements defeat.

Today, while the people of Gaza are starving and trapped under a carpet of Israeli bombs, the leaders of the SP, the Greens and the PCF are demanding (together with the right and the far right) that any position on this massacre must begin with what is absolutely essential in their eyes: the solemn characterisation of Hamas as a terrorist organisation. Melenchon rightly refused to do so, and was pilloried by his NUPES partners.

Olivier Faure of the Socialist Party called a meeting of the leadership of his party to call a "moratorium" on participating in NUPES. For all his stamping of feet, however, the Socialist Party has depended on the NUPES banner to maintain a parliamentary presence / Image: NUPES

Enough is enough, choked Olivier Faure (PS), Marine Tondelier (Greens) and Fabien Roussel (PCF): these people of high principles will not compromise with the characterisation of Hamas. The former called a meeting of the PS leadership to vote for a moratorium on its participation in the NUPES. The second castigated the pseudo leader [of the FI] who spends his time provoking everyone with intemperate tweets. The third had the PCF National Council adopt a resolution describing the NUPES as a dead end and calling for a new type of union of the left.

The real balance of power

Since 7 October, the NUPES crisis has crossed a new threshold. Does this mean that it will collapse in the short term? Its only one possible outcome, because the leaders of the PS, the Greens and the PCF dont just have high principles to defend: they also have bureaucratic interests. They are well aware that if early parliamentary elections were held tomorrow, they would have virtually no chance of retaining their respective parliamentary groups without a formal electoral alliance, at the national level, with the current leadership of the FI.

Remember that in the April 2022 presidential elections, the FI won 22 percent of the vote, the Greens 4.6 percent, the PCF 2.3 percent and the PS 1.7 percent. In other words, without NUPES and its electoral deal in the parliamentary elections, the Greens, PCF and PS would have been crushed  which in our opinion would have been no loss for the working class.

Instead, they all have a parliamentary group, thanks to NUPES. Incidentally, the PCF leadership mocks our intelligence when voting through a resolution declaring that Nupes, as it was constituted for the legislative elections under the hegemonic will of LFI, has become a dead end. (Our emphasis.) Without the hegemony of the FI that it complains about, the PCF would have had fewer deputies in the National Assembly today, and perhaps none at all.

In our 2023 French Perspectives document published last June, we wrote:

Given the balance of power within the left, the leaders [of the PS, the Greens and the PCF] have every interest in maintaining the NUPES as a framework for future electoral alliances, while striving to weaken the FI for their own benefit. We added: It is doubtful that they will succeed, given their respective political lines. The extreme programmatic moderation of the leaders of the Socialist Party and the Greens cannot arouse much enthusiasm in an electorate that is becoming increasingly politically polarised under the impact of the crisis of capitalism. () As for the leadership of the PCF, it is now firmly in the hands of Fabien Roussel, who until now has not steered his party towards the left but, on the contrary, has inflicted on it scandalous swerves to the right.

The last five months have confirmed this analysis. On Palestine, as on all other issues, the criticism levelled at the FI leadership by the Socialist Party, the Greens and the Communist Party comes from the right. Admittedly, these criticisms are enthusiastically echoed in the right-wing media outlets of CNews, BFM and LCI, but they gain much less of an echo with the millions of young people and workers who are turning to the left.

In the end, none of this strengthens the electoral potential of the three parties that make up the right wing of the NUPES. This explains why they are in no hurry to formally break away from the alliance: aware of their weakness, they content themselves with a moratorium, inflammatory tweets and a vague call  without follow-up  for a new type of union.

Carried away by the tsunami of bourgeois propaganda unleashed after the Hamas attack on 7 October, they thought they had found the perfect opportunity to discredit Melenchon for their own benefit. In vain: the fate of the Gazans, who are being massacred by the Israeli army  and not by Hamas, as far as we know  undermines the scope of their hypocritical principles.

The crisis of France Insoumise

Could the FI leadership itself take the initiative to break away from NUPES? It could. From the point of view of FIs popularity among the most radicalised elements of youth and workers, it would even be a positive step, as in their eyes this alliance with the right wing of reformism discredits Jean-Luc Melenchon's movement. This is what we explained back in May 2022: NUPES is an obstacle to FIs progress among millions of workers, the unemployed and the poor who, following the betrayals of the old left, abstain or vote for the National Rally. Eighteen months later, this remains the case.

In our 2022 French Perspectives document we pointed out that NUPES would form a barrier to millions of workers, and that the far right National Rally led by Le Pen would be the ones to gain. This continues to be proven correct / Image: VOX

In this sense, the formation of NUPES marked a rightward turn by FI. It is true that FI constitutes the left wing of NUPES, but it is this alliance itself that runs counter to the process of political polarisation at work in the country, against the backdrop of the organic crisis of capitalism. As a result, FI is making no more progress than the right wing of NUPES. And so, logically, the crisis of NUPES is coupled with an increasingly clear crisis of FI itself.

As ever, Melenchon is (officially) playing down the differences being expressed at the top of his organisation. He reduces the criticisms levelled by MPs Raquel Garrido, Alexis Corbiere, Clementine Autain and Francois Ruffin to background noise produced by a group of perennial malcontents.

FI activists and supporters should not be content with such a superficial interpretation. Whatever the differences that may exist among these perennial malcontents, the fact is that they are emerging as a right wing in FI. The leaders of the PS, the Greens and the PCF therefore have every interest in reaching out to them in the hope of marginalising Melenchon  and that's exactly what they're doing. In this gang of perennial malcontents, Francois Ruffin is very open about his right-wing orientation, both programmatically and strategically. At the same time, no left-wing opposition is emerging at the top of the FI  nor at its base, which is not consulted and has no formal means of controlling its leaders.

Building the revolutionary alternative!

This is the current dynamic of NUPES and FI. Their orientation is clear: towards the right. Inevitably, this benefits Marine Le Pens National Rally, which is trying to take advantage of the fact that NUPES is becoming discredited among the most exploited and oppressed sections of the population.

That said, it is too early to bury the reformist left. The internal struggle within FI has only just begun, and it is not certain that the right wing will win the day. Generally speaking, the political radicalisation of millions of workers and young people will objectively continue to favour the left wing of reformism. However, the leaders of the left wing are incapable of breaking with those of the right wing, who are themselves organically linked to the capitalist class. This is the essence of NUPES.

Revolution, the French section of the International Marxist Tendency (IMT), has nothing to do with sectarian organisations which lump all reformist tendencies together. In his Transitional Programme (1938), Leon Trotsky criticised the sectarian groupings that remain indifferent to the inner struggle within reformist organisations  as if one could win the masses without intervening in their daily strife! This strife will intensify in the period to come.

As Trotsky explained in the Transitional Programme, communists are not indifferent to the struggles inside the reformist organisations. But we must build our forces to be able to intervene in this strife / Image: public domain

However, to intervene decisively in this struggle, revolutionary communists must be sufficiently powerful, numerous and organised. This is what is at stake in the immediate period. Thats why Revolution, like all the sections of the (IMT), is addressing itself directly to the growing number of young people and workers who, under the impact of the crisis, are drawing much more radical conclusions than Melenchon's left-wing populism  i.e. communist conclusions. For the time being, it is among this layer of youth and workers that were going to build the forces of revolutionary Marxism.

The enormous success of our Are You A Communist? campaign on an international scale, is striking proof of this. And this is only the beginning. In the years to come, our revolutionary, communist International will emerge as a point of reference for millions of radicalised young people and workers. On the basis of the ideas, programme and methods of Marxism, we will eventually be in a position to challenge the reformists for the leadership of the workers movement  and, from then on, we will place the overthrow of the capitalist system on the agenda. That is our course. We will not change it. And we call on all those who share this objective to join us.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, November 16)  The Department of Transportation (DOTr) on Thursday reiterated that there are only special cases when other vehicles can use the EDSA busway apart from buses on the carousel route.

Speaking to CNN Philippines The Source, Charlie del Rosario, chief of the DOTrs Command and Control Operations Center, said on-duty ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles can pass through the lane.

When it comes to other government vehicles, only those performing duties and responsibilities within the busway are permitted to use the route. This includes those that provide construction, security, janitorial and maintenance services within the lane.

This provision also covers government authorities, like the Land Transportation Office (LTO) and the Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA), that enforce traffic rules along the busway, Del Rosario said.

The official said there will also be special situations wherein a government vehicle not initially identified may be allowed to pass through. Del Rosarios example was when the Department of Social Welfare and Development needed to respond to a disaster.

He noted the department should first notify the DOTr that they will respond to an emergency. Once authorized, this will be communicated to traffic enforcers to ensure the concerned vehicle will not be blocked.

Del Rosario emphasized that private vehicles who have an emergency are not allowed to use the busway.

The easiest thing to do is to give such reason, but we are not doctors to determine whether the reason is correct or wrong, he said. If indeed it is an emergency, it should have been coordinated with the ambulance or the hospital.

MMDA chairman Romando Artes said in a briefing that authorities will strictly implement the bus lane policy on Nov. 20, Monday.

On Wednesday, MMDA Task Force Special Operations Unit Head Bong Nebrija was handed down a preventive suspension order after an incident along the EDSA busway where a vehicle whose driver claimed to be part of the convoy of Sen. Bong Revilla was allowed to use the EDSA bus carousel lane.

Revilla denied he was apprehended by authorities, while the MMDA apologized to the senator and said it will investigate what happened.

The driver who name-dropped Revilla will soon face the MMDA. He will be penalized 5,000 if proven that he violated traffic rules.

CNN Philippines Paige Javier contributed to this report.
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Meta and ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok, have launched a challenge against the gatekeeper status designated to them by the European Commission under the EU's Digital Markets Act.

The DMA came into force in September 2023 and is designed to rein in the power of large tech corporations, requiring them to change how they integrate digital services and handle customer data while also addressing issues including the right to uninstall software on devices, greater personal data access controls, enhanced advertising transparency, an end to vendors self-preferencing their own services, and a stop to certain restrictive app store requirements for developers.

The legislation targets companies with a market capitalization of at least 75 billion ($81 billion) or sales in Europe of over 7.5 billion, at least 45 million monthly users in the EU, and which provide certain applications such as web browsers, virtual assistants, and messaging or social media services.

In September, the EU released a list of 22 so-called gatekeeper services being run by six tech companies  Alphabet, Amazon, Apple, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft. Under the DMA, the Commission can designate digital platforms as gatekeepers if they provide an important gateway between businesses and consumers in relation to core platform services.

Microsoft and Google have decided to not challenge the designation, while Apple and Amazon have not made any public statement regarding their designation but are reportedly considering their options. The deadline to file an appeal against the gatekeeper status is November 16.

Meta has accepted the designation given to Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp but is challenging the decision to give gatekeeper status to its Messenger and Marketplace platforms in a court in Luxembourg.

This appeal seeks clarification on specific points of law regarding the designations of Messenger and Marketplace under the DMA, said a spokesperson from Meta. It does not alter or detract from our firm commitment to complying with the DMA, and we will continue to work constructively with the European Commission to prepare for compliance.

ByteDance has also started a legal challenge against TikToks designation, claiming the EU is wrong to label the platform as a social network. The company has not yet responded to a request for comment.

Gatekeepers have until March 7, 2024, to comply with the full terms of the DMA, during which time they must submit a detailed compliance report that outlines how they will fulfill each of the obligations laid out by the legislation.

If a gatekeeper does not comply with the DMAs obligations, the Commission can impose fines of up to 10% of the company's total worldwide turnover, which can increase to 20% in case of repeated infringement.

The EU Commission said it has taken note of the appeals and respects companies right to appeal but will defend its designation decisions in court.
The first landmark tech antitrust trial of the century, The United States of America v. Google LLC, is winding down, with the last witness finishing testimony this week. What could be at stake in District Court Judge Amit Mehta's final decision, expected next year, is nothing short of "the future of the internet," as Kenneth Dintzer, deputy director in the Department of Justice's civil division, argued on the first day of the trial.

In the two-month-long trial, the DOJ and 14 states argued that Google has unlawfully monopolized the markets for general search services, search advertising, and general search text advertising by entering into exclusive default search engine contracts with device makers and app providers. The government argues that these contracts have enabled Google to garner a 90% search market share, freeze out competition, and stifle innovation.

Conversely, Google argued that it won its default search contracts by providing a superior product enhanced by ongoing innovation and highly skilled engineers. Moreover, Google said consumers go out of their way to select Google even when given a choice, and rivals who failed to gain market share missed the boat in developing robust competition.

Of all the default search contracts examined during the trial, none was more important than the deal Google landed to become the search engine powering Apple's products, particularly the iPhone. The Apple default contract might well become Google's Achilles heel as Judge Mehta weighs the pros and cons of the evidence before him.

Google pays its rival billions every year

As Eddy Cue, Apple's senior vice president of services, testified during the trial, Apple first struck up an internet service agreement (ISA) with Google to use its search engine in Apple products in 2002 and then renewed it again in 2016 in negotiations with Google CEO Sundar Pichai. Under the deal, Apple successfully negotiated payment from Google for a share of the search revenue Google generated on its platforms.

Testifying on behalf of Google, University of Chicago professor Kevin Murphy inadvertently revealed that Google pays Apple 36% of its revenue from search advertising made through Apple's Safari browser. Although both Google and Apple sought to keep secret much of the data, exhibits, filings, and testimony of the trial, with Judge Mehta initially conceding to the tech giants' requests for secrecy only to largely relent under criticism, both Apple and Google fought particularly hard to keep this revenue share data secret. Google argued that revealing information about its deal with Google "would unreasonably undermine Google's competitive standing in relation to both competitors and other counterparties."

Although the trial did not reveal how much search advertising revenue Google generates from Safari, Google executives testified that in 2021, the company paid $26.3 billion for default search engine status across web browsers and mobile phones. One source estimates that the lion's share of this figure, or between $18 billion and $20 billion, went to Apple, which has an envious share of the highly desired mobile market in the US.

Pichai later confirmed the 36% figure in another antitrust trial in which Epic Games has accused the search giant of monopolistic practices through its app store. Although he didnt specify a figure, he said that Apple got the majority share of the $26.3 billion.

"I thought that the Apple-Google deal would receive the most scrutiny in the trial, and that has turned out to be true," said economist Shane Greenstein, Martin Marshall Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School. "There's quite a few billion dollars changing hands every year to make Google the default search engine on the Apple phone."

"I think a lot of people were looking at that and saying, there are two things really suspicious about this, and it's been very interesting to try to see Google wiggle their way out of it," Greenstein said. One suspicious aspect is that Google has locked up default contracts with many top players in the internet and mobile ecosystem.

"It doesn't look so suspicious if Google had only done one of these [deals] with, say, Verizon," Greenstein said. "I don't think they'd be in court. But they've done it with basically every major player, and that raises the suspicion that it's very difficult for anybody else to break in as a search engine.

Greenstein said the other more suspicious thing about the deal is that Apple and Google are competitors. "Apple has an operating system, has a Play Store, and makes its own hardware. Google organizes Android, which is the operating system, and then enables it to be deployed on lots of other hardware. Google has its own Play Store. Google has an operating system that competes with the whole system that Apple organizes. When you go to the store to buy a smartphone, that's the choice you're making."

"It's just really suspicious in antitrust law when one firm who competes with another pays the firm they're competing with to do something. That's not the way competition's supposed to work. Competitors aren't supposed to pay one another to do something."

During his testimony, Apple's Cue said that his company chose Google because "there was nobody out there in terms of search engines that was better than Google," echoing Google's argument that it has won its default search contracts on its superiority. But Greenstein asked that if it's in Apple's interest to have a good user experience, "why does Google have to pay them?"

Moreover, according to Greenstein, the argument that Google won its market share through merit is a timeworn argument in antitrust law. "I've got to say this looks like a lot of other antitrust trials, where on the one hand, the defendant says, look at the market as it is now. We're the best. It's in the users' interest," he said. "Google's in this very funny place in these kinds of arguments because they are going down a path well-trodden by the antitrust defense."

Late in the trial, former Google executive Jamie Rosenberg raised a rationale for why Google should pay for default search: to innovate and support the Android ecosystem. By sharing revenue with smartphone makers and mobile carriers, Google can ensure these partners have the resources to support new Android products, maintain them, and continue to offer security updates, even though Google doesn't place any conditions on its partners regarding what they should do with their payments.

What's ahead for the Google search trial?

If Google continues to maintain its dominant share in search, it could exercise its market power in new and emerging technology, such as the swiftly evolving integration of AI in search, as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said he feared when testifying on behalf of the government.

Moreover, the barriers to entry for Google's rivals will likely remain as high as ever. If Google holds a virtual lock on the search market, "even if you had a search engine like DuckDuckGo, why would you even bother to put money into it if you're a venture capitalist, even though it's this lucrative market?" Greenstein said.

The next step in the litigation is for Google and the government plaintiffs to summarize their cases and deliver closing arguments, which won't likely happen until early 2024. Then Judge Mehta has a momentous decision to ponder as he develops his decision, which probably won't be released until later in the year.
British tourist stabs wife to death with screwdriver in Turkey hotel room

A British tourist has been arrested on charges of stabbing his 26-year-old wife to death with a screwdriver in a hotel room in Turkey.

British national stabs his wife to death inside a hotel room in Turkey. Representational Photo Courtesy: Pixabay

According to reports, the suspect allegedly stabbed his wife 41 times with a screwdriver.

The 26-year-old woman was found dead at around 12:30pm local time on Tuesday, at the Ulubat Castle Hotel in Istanbul's Fatih Mevlanakap District, reported Daily Mail.

According to reports, hotel staff heard 'sounds' coming from the room and then found the victim lying in a pool of blood.

Medical teams later reached the scene and pronounced the victim as 'dead'.

The woman was discovered with lacerations on her throat and across her body, examiners concluding she had been killed with a screwdriver, according to Daily Mail.

Turkish police launched an investigation into the matter.

The suspect allegedly confessed his crime and said he threw the screwdriver in the hotel room's toilet.

The British Foreign Office told MailOnline in a statement: "We have not been approached for consular assistance, but our staff stand ready to support British nationals abroad 24/7."
Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong learns sitar, PM Modi praises his passion for the Indian instrument

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong recently shared a video on social media platform X where he could be seen taking Sitar lessons from an Indian instructor.

PM Modi appreciates Singapore Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong's Sitar learning video. Photo Courtesy: Lawrence Wong X page

In the video, he could be seen introducing his instructor to his followers and then trying to play a melodious tune on the plucked stringed instrument, used in Hindustani classical music, and popularised worldwide by its late exponent, Pandit Ravi Shankar.

The Deputy PM said he enjoyed the experience of learning the instrument and knowing more about Indian music heritage.

He wrote on X: "Getting a quick intro to the beautiful tunes of the sitar. Karthigayan here has been learning for a while, and he has been very patient in guiding me through the basic techniques. Enjoyed the experience, and the chance to learn more about the rich classical Indian music heritage!"

Getting a quick intro to the beautiful tunes of the sitar.

Karthigayan here has been learning for a while, and he has been very patient in guiding me through the basic techniques. Enjoyed the experience, and the chance to learn more about the rich classical Indian music heritage! pic.twitter.com/yLTFCxEcu1  Lawrence Wong (@LawrenceWongST) November 12, 2023

Meanwhile, his act earned the appreciation of Indian PM Narendra Modi who wished that the Singaporean leader's passion for the musical instrument would grow and inspire others.

"May your passion for the Sitar continue to grow and inspire others. Best wishes on this melodious endeavour. India's musical history is a symphony of diversity, echoing through rhythms that have evolved over millennia. @LawrenceWongST," Modi wrote on X while sharing Lawrence Wong's video.

May your passion for the Sitar continue to grow and inspire others. Best wishes on this melodious endeavour. India's musical history is a symphony of diversity, echoing through rhythms that have evolved over millennia. @LawrenceWongST https://t.co/fewFAquSZL  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 14, 2023

Pandit Ravi Shankar made sitar Indias most famous musical instrument overseas as it gained popularity further with George Harrison of the Beatles, who studied it from Shankar.


These old Disney movies are a little bit like your aging Uncle Frank. Honestly, he means well when he points out that Will Smith is "well-spoken." It's just that he, like the assemblage of clips below, dates from a time when people were unfairly characterized by their ethnic background (the acceptable methods are, of course, religion, geography, sexual preference and income).

9 The Merchant from Aladdin The opening musical sequence from the hugely popular 1992 animated film had to be edited due to protest from Arab-American groups for saying about the Middle East what most of us were merely thinking. Lesson Learned:

The Middle East is a barren wasteland where the justice system runs on a clear and simple limb-removal policy. Best (Worst?) Moment:

"Where they cut off your ear if they don't like your face" is the offending line, which was changed on the DVD to the much less provocative "Where it's flat and immense and the heat is intense." Whatever. Our question: In a city full of Arabic men and women, where the hell does a midwestern-accented, white piece of cornbread like Aladdin come from? Here he is next to the more, um, ethnic looking villain, Jafar.

8 Sebastian from The Little Mermaid Advertisement In this 1989 film, a Jamaican-sounding crab teaches Ariel that life is better "Under the Sea," because underwater you don't have to get a job. Lesson Learned:

Up on the shore they work all day

Out in the sun they slave away

While we devotin'

Full time to floatin'

Under the sea! Are we reading too much into it? Do you see anything wrong with how they've drawn "the duke of soul" at 1:57? Still too subtle? How about at 2:01 when the "blackfish" appears? Best (Worst?) Moment:

As far as Disney movies go, you've got two choices: unforgivably offensive and just slightly racially insensitive. Sebastian definitely falls into the latter category. So while making Sebastian a charming, party-loving stereotype is a baby step forward for Disney, it's still a stumble backwards for civil rights.

7 The Crows from Dumbo Advertisement In this 1941 classic, Dumbo the flying elephant runs into a band of jive-talking black crows who sing, "I'd be done see'n about everything/when I see an elephant fly!" Lesson Learned:

Come on, blackbirds acting in a manner stereotypically assigned to African-Americans isn't that offensive. At least they didn't just get some white guy to do his best "black voice." Oh, really? They did? And, they called the lead character "Jim Crow?" Um, hey, look over there! It's a convincing, logical end to this argument! Best (Worst?) Moment:

So many too choose from. The crows are very specifically depicted as poor and uneducated. They're constantly smoking; they wear pimptastic hats; and they're experts on all things "fly," so it's really a team effort contributing to the general minstrel-show feel to the whole number. You could pretty much pause this video at any second and use it as evidence in your hate-crime lawsuit against Disney. Advertisement Advertisement For its time, though, the portrayal of the crows was almost progressive. The crows band together and help Dumbo learn to fly, so they're counted among the heroes of the film. Remember, this was just a couple of years after somebody introduced a bill to outlaw lynching and congress voted it down. So, you know, you take what you can get.

6 King Louie from The Jungle Book Having outgrown the crude portrayal of African-Americans as black crows, in 1967 Disney decides to portray them as monkeys instead. Lesson Learned:

All animals in the jungle speak in proper British accents. Except, of course, for the jive-talking, gibberish-spouting monkeys. Did we mention they desperately want to become "real people?" Advertisement Best (Worst?) Moment:

Fine, so an ape singing, "I wanna be like you" might be a little subtle, in a "we own multiple copies of Catcher in the Rye" conspiracy theory kind of way. Still, considering the author of the The Jungle Book also thought up "the white man's burden", we don't think it's too much of a stretch.

5 The Siamese Twin Gang from Chip n' Dale Rescue Rangers Advertisement Overt racism against African-Americans was obviously intolerable by the time this Chip n' Dale series began in 1989. Overt racism against Asians, luckily, was still on the table. Lesson Learned:

Even as criminals, Asian-Americans immigrants, represented here by a gang of cats, have become integral parts of American culture. Kidding! They own a laundromat, run an illegal, basement gambling operation and speak in horribly mangled "Engrish." It's like a designer of World War II propaganda posters accidentally quantum leaped into the body of a late '80s cartoon writer. Advertisement The video becomes cringe-worthy about six minutes in: Best (Worst?) Moment:

The Siamese Cats sell their karate expert Juice Lee, a Japanese fighting fish, for a suitcase full of dead fish. If you can't find something offensive in that sentence, congratulations. You're a cyborg.

4 Sunflower the Centaur from Fantasia Of all the items on this list, this is the one Disney has tried the hardest to make us forget. Lesson Learned:

Even in Fantasia's beautiful, magical landscape, African centaurs are hoof-polishing handmaidens for prettier, Aryan centaurs. Also, 1940 was a great year to be a centaur fetishist and/or Don Imus. Advertisement Best (Worst?) Moment:

It was insulting enough for Disney to include the smiling servant stereotype to begin with, but, to make matters worse, they started categorically denying Sunflower's existence with the Fantasia re-release in 1960. How does that possibly make things better? "No, you misunderstand. In our perfect, Fantasia world, Africans aren't servants. They don't fucking exist." Advertisement

3 The Indians from Peter Pan In this charming musical number, the "Red Man" explains his people's history and culture. Lesson Learned:

Why do Native Americans ask you "how?" According to the song, it's because the Native American always thirsts for knowledge. OK, that's not so bad, we guess. What gives the Native Americans their distinctive coloring? The song says a long time ago, a Native American blushed red when he kissed a girl, and, as science dictates, it's been part of their race's genetic make up since. You see, there had to be some kind of event to change their skin from the normal, human color of "white." Advertisement Best (Worst?) Moment:

It's a tie between Tiger Lilly's traditional Native American hussy dance, and the number of times Native American's misogynistic tendencies are played for laughs (hint: It's more than three!)

2 Uncle Remus from Song of the South The tales of Br'er Rabbit are relayed by kindly old Uncle Remus, a black man happily working on a plantation in the post-Civil War South. Disney has never released this one on home video, for some reason. Advertisement Lesson Learned:

The late 1800s were a great time to be African-American and possibly on acid. Best (Worst?) Moment:

Less eerie than any imaginary singing birds is what's not in the film. It's as if someone made a children's musical about Jews in post-World War II Germany that had a number titled "Hey! Nothing Bad Has Happened to Us, Ever." Also failing to reach the screen: When the movie had its world premiere in 1946 in Atlanta, James Baskett, the actor who played Remus, was not allowed to attend. Zip-a-dee-doo-dah! Advertisement
The story of a 22-year-old Canuck bassist who has to murder several of his girlfriends exes (thereby turning them into currency) has proven to be surprisingly enduring. First came the Scott Pilgrim comics by Bryan Lee OMalley, then the film adaptation by Edgar Wright, followed by a slew of video games, trading cards and now an animated Netflix series: Scott Pilgrim Takes Off.

As fun as the franchise may be for the average American fan, as one of Scotts neighbors, I can personally attest to the fact that it plays even better for those of us who reside in the mysterious land of Toronto, Canada. The Scott Pilgrim-verse contains at least a handful of jokes that likely make no sense to viewers and readers South of the 49th parallel  and also Canadians who, understandably, just dont give a shit about Toronto. Like how

Click right here to get the best of Cracked sent to your inbox.

4 Honest Eds Was a Real, Existentially Terrifying Store While its sadly no longer in business, Torontos mammoth discount store Honest Eds is briefly seen in the movie Scott Pilgrim vs. the World. Its glittering sign is hard to miss, shining through the window of the Pizza Pizza where Scott ices his wounds with a conspicuously-placed can of Coke Zero. Advertisement Advertisement Honest Eds plays a far more critical role in the comics. In Scott Pilgrim & the Infinite Sadness, Scott is challenged to a battle inside the store by Ramonas vegan third evil ex, Todd (the one with the vegan superpowers). When they first enter, the pair are dumbfounded by the existential horror Honest Eds elicits, which has apparently confused a number of fans over the years. Oni Press Honest Eds was not only an actual store but was also as mind-bendingly chaotic as in the comic, like an overstuffed K-Mart designed by M.C. Escher. But its puzzling layout was part of the long-time Toronto institutions charm. A slogan outside the building proudly invited customers to Come In and Get Lost. Advertisement Advertisement Some of the more terrifying aspects of Honest Eds that Scott and Todd encounter existed in real life, too, including a cuckoo clock seemingly imported from the bowels of hell. Oni Press While the sequence didnt make it into the movie before it was scrapped, co-screenwriter Michael Bacall visited the store for research and called the comic a pretty accurate depiction of Honest Eds, remarking that it would have been fun to destroy the building kind of like the Death Star. Unfortunately, condo developers ultimately beat him to it.

3 The Director of Talk to the Fist is Well-Known to Canadian Movie Fans Scotts fight with Captain America Lucas Lee takes place at a totally awesome castle called Casa Loma, where the movie star is filming a new action flick. Of course, this is a reference to the fact that Toronto is a prime filming location for productions in need of a cheap substitute for New York (with Scott literally getting knocked clean through a backdrop depicting Manhattans skyline at one point), but also to Casa Loma being used in several Hollywood productions, from X-Men to Chicago, to (shudder) The Love Guru. Play Advertisement Advertisement As an added meta gag for locals, the director of Lees movie Talk to the Fist is played by Canadian actor and filmmaker Don McKellar. Play McKellar is known for working on acclaimed arthouse movies like Thirty Two Short Films About Glenn Gould and the top-notch apocalypse drama Last Night, starring Sandra Oh and David Cronenberg. Advertisement Advertisement So it was extra funny for Canadians to see him behind the camera of a goofy action movie starring a jacked meatball with a god-awful beard.

2 Amazon Was Still a Novelty in Canada at the Time Scotts plan to romance Ramona Flowers involves ordering a package from Amazon, whom she delivers for, and pressuring her into dating him before he agrees to sign for the delivery (not cool, Scott). Of course, this was back in a time when Amazon deliveries werent just anonymously hurled onto your porch by a speeding van full of bottled urine. When Scott puts his plan in motion, he has to ask his roommate Wallace: Amazon.ca, whats the website for that? This moment obviously pokes fun at Scotts innate dopiness, but its easy to forget that Amazon was still a novelty in Canada back then. The first Scott Pilgrim book came out in 2004, just two years after Amazon first opened up north of the border. Advertisement Advertisement This is important because it ties into one of the central reasons that Scott finds Ramona so alluring: Shes American. While it may seem kind of lame today, at the time, Ramona working for Amazon was cool to Scott and evidence of her exotic appeal. Canadian culture is often playing catch-up with the USA, a point further underscored by the joke involving Ramonas subconscious shortcuts because while Canada may have Amazon, they still dont have Subspace travel. Advertisement In the new series, things are a bit different: Ramona delivers DVDs for Netflix  presumably because Netflix didnt want to give any free advertising away to the company behind one of their streaming rivals. Advertisement Advertisement This, incidentally, doesnt make any sense because Netflixs DVD-by-mail service was never available in Canada.
The allure of Africa's natural wonders and captivating wildlife is an irresistible call to adventure. The journey to visit the mountain gorillas, golden monkeys, and chimpanzees in Uganda and Rwanda is a challenge that beckons the intrepid traveler. From permits and visas to enchanting wildlife encounters, this expedition is a true safari of a lifetime.

Visas, Permits, and Your Trusty Car

Your journey to the heart of Africa begins with meticulous planning. Securing permits for the Mountain Gorillas and Chimpanzees is crucial but can be a bit of a hassle. Be sure to purchase these months in advance to secure your spot. You can acquire them directly from the Uganda Wildlife Authority, but be prepared for potential website hiccups. Alternatively, booking through trusted safari companies like Lifetime Safari Experiences is a wise choice.

For the ultimate adventure, consider hiring a car with a driver to explore Uganda and Rwanda seamlessly. Be prepared to obtain your visas, which you can apply for online through the Uganda embassy. The cost is $125.

Mastering Money Matters

In this part of the world, not all places readily accept credit cards. Prepare by installing money transfer apps like Revolut or WorldRemit on your phone. Ensure that you carry crisp, unmarked bills from 2017 or newer, as money with any blemishes or imperfections may be rejected.

With your permits, visas, and finances in order, you're ready to hit the road.

The Grand Safari Itinerary

Your grand safari kicks off in Entebbe, where you can unwind after your flight at the charming 2Friends Lodge. With a view of the lake and massages on offer, it's the perfect spot to recuperate.

Next, head to Jinja and stay at the Jinja Nile Resort, where adventure awaits. You can bungee jump, take a river cruise, and experience the thrill of white-water rafting on the Nile River.

A highlight of your journey is the trek to see the rhinos at Ziwa Rhino Sanctuary, with an option to spend the night surrounded by these magnificent creatures.

In Kissoro, a spontaneous offer to trek chimpanzees in the Budongo Forest provides a unique and intimate wildlife encounter.

You'll then cross Murchison Falls National Park, experiencing the complexity of park fees. A visit to the top of the falls and a boat cruise to the base offer awe-inspiring views and a chance to spot wildlife.

Fort Portal and Mweya Lodge in Queen Elizabeth Park provide more opportunities to explore, from game drives to tree-climbing lions.

Kibale National Park offers an exhilarating trek with chimps, and a stay at Turaco Treetops indulges your senses with delectable food, a lovely pool, and a welcoming lounge.

The moment you've been waiting for arrives in Bwindi National Park, where you'll trek to meet the majestic mountain gorillas.

Next, cross into Rwanda and explore Kigali, visiting the genocide museum and the craft market. A stay at the Kigali Marriott offers a touch of luxury.

Finally, relax in Gisenyi at the Serena Hotel and reflect on your incredible journey.

Must-Have Gear for the Wild

Don't forget your vaccinations and a yellow fever certificate. When visiting gorillas and chimps, bring a face mask. For jungle trekking, snake gaiters are essential. A walking stick can be a valuable aid on challenging terrain. And, of course, ensure you have sufficient funds for incidentals.

Conclusion: Africa's Wild Treasures

Your journey through Uganda and Rwanda is an exhilarating blend of adventure, wildlife encounters, and cultural exploration. With the right permits, trusty driver, and necessary gear, you'll immerse yourself in the heart of Africa, discovering its untamed beauty and the warm hospitality of its people. From thrilling treks to serene safaris, this grand adventure will leave you with lasting memories and a deep appreciation for the wild heart of Africa.

For further information go to:

https://deliciousexplorations.net /, https://isungalodge.com/

https://ugandawildlife.org/, https://mweyalodge.com/

https://www.lifetimesafaris.com/, https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/kglmc-kigali-marriott-hotel/overview/?scid=f2ae0541-1279-4f24-b197-a979c79310b0

https://visit-uganda.org/ , ziwarhinoandwildliferanch.com/

https://madahotels.com/jinja-nile-resort-uganda.

https://www.revolut.com/ , https://www.2friendshotel.com/

https://www.2friendshotel.com/

https://madahotels.com/jinja-nile-resort-uganda.
Financial Management and Administration Specialist - Djibouti

GIZ- Internal/External Vacancy Announcement #195/2023

Strengthening IGAD Capacities in Drought Resilience )SCIDA III Project

The regional programme SCIDA III supports the objectives of the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) and its member states on the Horn of Africa.

As a regional organisation, IGAD has the mandate to support and harmonise regional and national policies, and support regional dialogue towards cross-border cooperation. Since arid and semi-aride areas compose about 70% of the IGAD-Region and large parts of the population live as patoralist, drought resilience, climate change adaption and food security are verz important topics.

The regional project, Strengthening the capacities of IGAD towards drought resilience at the Horn or Africa is hence supporting IGAD in this area.

Duration of Contract: 31.03.2026

Application deadline: 25.11.2023

Place of Work: Djibouti

Responsibilities

The Finance and Admin specialist is responsible for

providing financial and accounting services for the programme

provide administrative services where needed

Providing assistance to ensure that financial and administrative regulations are complied with.

Supports the budgeting, settlement and disbursement of financial agreements

Trains partner organisations in the financial management of financial agreements

is responsible for filing documents in reference files or in DMS in line with GIZs filing rules.

helps prepare project budget planning.

helps monitor expenses in accordance with the budget.

supports with financial management, such as cash withdrawals, keeping the cashbook, bank accounts, preparing and entering vouchers.

Supports with carrying out spot checks of the cash and bank book

checks requests for funds before release.

Supports internal control on the process of project

Supports cluster finance manager in Onsite Operations

Supports in the establishment of the financial reports in accordance with the EU and BMZ regulations

Liaises with the finance managers in other country offices for regional project implementation

Perform any other duties as deemed necessary by superior/s

Required qualifications, competences, and experience

Qualifications

MA in business administration, accounting, finance or similar subject

A minimum of Five years of experience in a regional project

Good knowledge of GIZ digital tools WinPACCS is an advantage

Good knowledge of EU processes and regulations

Working experience with regional organisations like IGAD is an advantage

Fluent English language skills, French and German an advantage

Application procedure:

Interested and qualified candidates shall submit their motivation letter along with their recent CV Email: hreth@giz.de.

Note: -

Please make sure you mention the Vacancy Number Fin. and Admin Specialist_ DJ #195/2023_Your full name' in the subject line of your email application. Due to large number of applications, we categorise applications with the vacancy numbers.

Applications without vacancy numbers in subject lines might not be categorized in the appropriate folder and could be disqualified.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted

We encourage persons with disabilities to apply for the position. In case of equal qualification, persons with disabilities will be given preference.

Applications from qualified women are encouraged.

Submit application
Hong Kong:

It is well known that Hong Kongs success has always relied on the hard work, resilience and entrepreneurial spirit of the local population.

But no less important, Hong Kong has been drawing talent from around the world. Their new skills, ideas and perspectives have helped transform Hong Kong from a fishing village into an international city, where we enjoy economic vibrancy and cultural richness.

After some three years of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hong Kong has resumed full normality, and full connectivity with Mainland China and the rest of the world, since early this year.

It is the top priority of the Government to inject new impetus into Hong Kongs economic growth and boost its competitiveness. One of our key tasks is to proactively attract top-notch talent from around the world to our city.

To this end, our Government rolled out a series of new measures last December. Alongside enhancements to the various existing talent admission schemes, we introduced a new one called the Top Talent Pass Scheme to target high-income professionals and graduates from the worlds top 100 universities.

Overall, talent in the innovation and technology sectors are surely among our targets.

Also, we launched an online portal called Hong Kong Talent Engage. Talent can, at their fingertips, learn about Hong Kongs competitive advantages, apply for the talent admission schemes that suit them, and look for jobs that interest them.

The results of our proactive approach, I am pleased to say, have been very encouraging.

Over a period of just 10 months, our various talent admission schemes have attracted over 180,000 applicants, with over 110,000 applications approved so far. Some 70,000 talent have obtained their entry visas and made their move to Hong Kong. We have already out-performed our annual target of drawing at least 35,000 talent to Hong Kong. This is the target set for me by the Chief Executive.

And all those actual figures I have mentioned represent the many incoming talents vote of confidence in our city.

In particular, I wish to highlight our Top Talent Pass Scheme, which has proven to be a top pick among talent. Of the some 110,000 applications approved under our various schemes, around 40% came from this new initiative.

And over 70% of the successful applicants under this scheme are aged 40 or below. They have a global vision, good education background, and solid work experience in sectors such as financial services and innovation and technology. Surely, they could complement our local workforce in driving Hong Kongs economic development.

For one thing, what makes our new scheme so attractive is that there is no need to secure employment offers before applications. Applicants are most welcome to first come to Hong Kong, tasting the citys lifestyle and exploring the many opportunities ahead.

But faced with the intense global competition for highly skilled professionals, we are in no way complacent.

That is why the Chief Executive, in his second Policy Address delivered last month, announced a package of further measures to attract and retain talent.

That includes expanding the coverage of universities under the Top Talent Pass Scheme to enrich Hong Kongs talent pool.

The package also includes the opening of the physical Hong Kong Talent Engage office last month.

Offering one-stop support, this office not just attracts talent, but also facilitates the settlement of those interested to come to Hong Kong or having newly arrived here - together with their family members, of course. Our colleagues stand ready to offer useful advice on accommodation, education, networking, job searching and more.

For some of the young scientists here, you may also be interested to learn that our city offers various scholarships, as well as subsidised postgraduate research places, for non-local students.

Atop all these, the Chief Executives latest Policy Address announced that, for a two-year pilot starting this month, full-time non-local postgraduate students are exempted from the restriction on taking up part-time jobs.

That means students can look for jobs during their studies, thereby enhancing their experience and understanding of working in Hong Kong and, accordingly, increasing their incentive to stay upon graduation.

Whats more, under our Governments immigration arrangements - as enhanced last year - for non-local graduates, the limit of stay has been increased from one year to two years to facilitate the graduates stay in Hong Kong for work as professionals.

All in all, flexibility is the key when it comes to attracting non-local talent, including the many young scientists here of course, to pursue developments in Hong Kong.

And of course, having the right policy to attract people to come is one thing. Maintaining a good living environment to retain them needs a lot more work.

As you will experience for the rest of the day and the remaining time of your stay here, Hong Kong has a lot more to offer.

Some 40% of our citys land is designated as country parks and areas with habitat protection. Indeed, you could go from a busy shopping centre to a green hiking trail in just half an hour. We have beautiful beaches, coastlines and outlying islands, too.

What also comes under the spotlight is the West Kowloon Cultural District, where I am sure you will be impressed, later today, with the East-meets-West arts and culture.

And there is always good food as mentioned by Dr Fan (Hong Kong Laureate Forum council member Rita Fan) - coming with a great variety of choices - everywhere in Hong Kong, like the seafood dinner you will experience this evening.

Meanwhile, enjoy what is on offer at this breakfast gathering. I am sure the exchanges ahead will be as inspiring as those throughout this week-long forum.

On that note, I wish this gathering, and the Hong Kong Laureate Forum, every success.

Chief Secretary Chan Kwok-ki gave these remarks at the Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2023 Inspiring Breakfast Gathering on November 16.

This story has been published on: 2023-11-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.

]]>
Bowen in SF | Xi meets Biden at the Filoli estate

(People's Daily App) 11:07, November 16, 2023

President Xi Jinping met with his US counterpart, Joe Biden, at the Filoli estate in San Francisco on Wednesday. The two leaders talked behind closed doors for about 2 hours. Li Bowen, a reporter from People's Daily, is currently in San Francisco to cover the events.

(Reported by Li Bowen, Wang Xiangyu and Di Jingyuan)

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
TOKYO, Nov 16 ( News On Japan ) - A man claiming to be of Guatemalan nationality, who was arrested for breaking into a house in Tokyo, has been implicated in a string of burglaries totaling 5 million yen.

The 59-year-old is accused of breaking into a two-story house in Koganei City, Tokyo, on Oct 26, stealing items including 400,000 yen in cash and 14 pieces of gold jewelry worth 1.9 million yen.

According to the Tokyo Metropolitan Police, the suspect broke into the house by prying open a locked window in the living room on the first floor with a screwdriver. Surveillance footage captured him changing his hat while fleeing the scene.

Since his arrival in Japan on Oct 17, 11 similar incidents have been confirmed in Tokyo, amounting to a total damage bill of 5 million yen. The Tokyo Metropolitan Police are investigating further potential crimes committed by him.
Marlene Kennedy is a freelance columnist. Opinions expressed in her column are her own and not necessarily the newspapers. Reach her at marlenejkennedy@gmail.com.
When I became a presenter for GB News and a columnist for the Mail, I steeled myself for poisonous hate mail and vile threats from Left-wing trolls. As every centre-Right commentator knows, it's just part of the job.

What I wasn't expecting, however, was the abuse hurled at me based on the colour of my skin by other black people.

During the Tory leadership contest two years ago, I spoke out in support of candidate Kemi Badenoch, a black woman like me. She had been accused by a prominent black activist of being 'a racial-gatekeeping executioner of Tory racist policies'.

The ugly implication was that, as a woman of Nigerian descent, Badenoch couldn't possibly hold strong Conservative views. Instead, she must be pretending to do so in pursuit of her political ambitions.

When I defended her, I was appalled to see most of the backlash came from other black and Asian people.

Some called me 'coconut', a slur to describe someone who is brown on the outside but seems 'white' on the inside.

Nana Akua

That is a term I'm sadly all too familiar with. It is a favourite insult used in the comments on my social media posts.

I was reminded of this nasty slur when this week a picture emerged of Marieha Mohsin Hussain, a married school teacher from Buckinghamshire, gleefully holding up a sign depicting Suella Braverman and Rishi Sunak as coconuts during Saturday's pro-Palestinian march in London.

Friends of the 36-year-old insist there 'isn't a malicious bone in her body'. All I can say is that Ms Hussain, whose father is from Pakistan, clearly needs to go back to school herself if she fails to realise the racist implications of her placard.

Behind it lies the ugly notion that ethnic minorities should not 'break the mould'. Bigots believe black people should never be wealthy or successful. Rather, we should endlessly focus on our own victimhood.

Anyone who refuses to parrot the woke lobby's whines about racism, immigration and identity politics is deemed 'a traitor'. And, as I have unhappily discovered in my own career, we are also accused of being a 'token' black voice.

In other words, there is only one viewpoint a black person can express without being pilloried. If that's not racist, then what is?

Yet since such language is too often hurled by ethnic minorities themselves, it has gone unchecked for far too long.

I was reminded of this nasty slur when this week a picture emerged of Marieha Mohsin Hussain, a married school teacher from Buckinghamshire, gleefully holding up a sign depicting Suella Braverman and Rishi Sunak as coconuts during Saturday's pro-Palestinian march in Londo

In June 2020, it was announced that a new commission on racial inequalities would be headed up by Munira Mirza, chief of Number 10's policy unit. The daughter of parents from Pakistan, she has criticised the 'politics of grievance' as a barrier to progress.

This enraged outspoken race-relations activist Dr Shola Mos-Shogbamimu  herself of Nigerian descent  who denounced Mirza as a 'brown executioner' of 'white supremacy'.

And in September last year, Labour MP Rupa Huq, whose parents are from Bangladesh, suggested that former chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng was only 'superficially black'.

Her explanation? 'He went to Eton, I think he went to a very expensive prep school... if you hear him on the Today programme, you wouldn't know he is black.'

What are we supposed to take from that? That the only way to be black is to be badly educated, badly spoken, poor and Left-wing? It's frankly disgusting.

I may not agree with all of Rishi Sunak or Suella Braverman's policies. But I can appreciate that they've risen through the ranks thanks to sheer talent  and not because they are 'coconuts... desperate to assimilate to white people', as actress Jameela Jamil  a close friend of Meghan Markle claimed in a post on Twitter (now X), earlier this year.

It's time to ditch the outdated idea that white people only can be prejudiced.

In my view, the people of colour who promote this detestable corruption of the word 'coconut' are racists, too.
Were Florida a member of the European Union, it would be the bloc's fourth-largest economy, between Italy and Spain. Globally, it would come in at around number 16, roughly on a par with Mexico and Indonesia.

It should be big news, then, that Britain has just agreed a trade deal with the Sunshine State. Kemi Badenoch, the trade secretary, signed the accord in Jacksonville on Tuesday with a visibly delighted Ron DeSantis.

The Florida governor, who hopes the deal might lift his sagging campaign for the Republican presidential nomination, talked excitedly about how it would 'strengthen the economic partnership between our state and the United Kingdom'.

On this side of the Atlantic, the response has been more muted  and for the most obvious and depressing of reasons. A large chunk of our political class cannot bear the thought of any good having come from Brexit.

In the aftermath of the referendum, my think-tank, the Institute for Free Trade, brought together six U.S. and six British research organisations to hammer out what a trade deal between our two countries might look like.

Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch on Tuesday signed a memorandum of understanding with Florida Governor Ron DeSantis

Each country, after all, was the other's largest investor, a relationship resting on a shared language, legal system and unwritten code of business etiquette.

Trade had not followed investment, it was agreed, because trade had been controlled by Brussels, and a number of manufacturing and agrarian interests on the Continent were determined to keep American competition out. Now Britain was independent, we could finally conclude a deal with our main economic partner.

As the assembled policy wonks went through the potential gains in detail, something became obvious. For a services-based country like Britain, the chief advantage of a U.S. trade deal lies in getting mutual recognition in areas such as banking, investment and legal services.

But in the U.S., these things are largely outside the control of the federal government. If you want a deal that allows, say, British insurers to operate directly across the pond, you need to sign separate accords with individual U.S. states. It was, we concluded, a laborious process, but there was no getting around it.

Five years on, that is precisely what British ministers are doing. This is our seventh state deal and  given the size of Florida's services sector, its leading role in aeronautics and its position as a major trade and shipping hub  by far the most important.

The tone of sarcastic disparagement that Euro-nostalgics automatically adopt on these occasions ('yeah, right, so our deal with mighty Florida is going to make up for what we've lost') is a long way off the mark.

Might a deal with the federal government follow?

Donald Trump offered us one, but Theresa May  slow, indecisive and half-hankering after the EU's customs union  let the opportunity pass.

By the time we made up our minds that we wanted an independent trade policy after all, Joe Biden had been elected on a promise not to sign trade deals with anyone.

Kemi Badenoch, the trade secretary, signed the accord in Jacksonville on Tuesday with a visibly delighted Ron DeSantis

Britain has just agreed a trade deal with the Sunshine State (Pictured: Business and Trade Secretary Kemi Badenoch)

The Florida governor talked excitedly about how it would 'strengthen the economic partnership between our state and the United Kingdom'

That does not mean we are doing nothing. As well as individual state accords, we are pursuing sectoral deals with the U.S. that substantially improve our terms of trade.

This year, for example, unremarked except in the trade press, we signed a pact allowing British and U.S. architects to operate in each other's countries without needing any extra qualifications.

Such deals should be a cause for uncomplicated celebration. Almost everyone  outside a tiny fringe of radical socialists who hate free exchange on principle  agrees that removing barriers to trade makes everyone better off, especially those on low incomes.

But a strange monomania has possessed many commentators and public figures since June 2016. The people who used to be most in favour of global free trade, considering themselves rational, cosmopolitan and liberal, began to associate it with Brexit.

Because most Eurosceptics were celebrating the commercial opportunities of leaving, some Remainers took the opposite position on principle.

Hence the scare stories about washed chicken (I refuse to call it 'chlorinated chicken': there is more chlorine in a bag of salad). People perfectly happy to tuck into KFC when in the U.S. are so anti-Brexit they've convinced themselves the same ingredients must be banned here.

Not that they would enter the country anyway. Having grown up on a poultry farm, that sector is one of the few outside politics that I properly understand. At least, I understand it well enough to know we will continue to be by far our own largest supplier, and what little we import will come, as now, from nearby places such as Ireland and the Low Countries.

People perfectly happy to tuck into KFC when in the U.S. are so anti-Brexit they've convinced themselves the same ingredients must be banned here

Earlier this year, I sat through a House of Lords debate on food poverty. Peers on all sides pointed out the rise in food prices occasioned by the Ukraine war was bad news for us all, but particularly for poorer people, a larger proportion of whose household budgets went on groceries.

By a coincidence of timing, the next debate was about the trade deal with Australia. All of a sudden, the very same peers who had been warning against food poverty began to rail against 'flooding' the British market with 'cheap food'.

I don't believe they were genuinely worried about imports from Australia, a kindred country with high welfare and safety standards. They just couldn't bring themselves to admit anything positive had come from Brexit.

That surly attitude conditions their response to all our other trade deals, including our entry into the largest commercial nexus on the planet, the Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, which brings together 12 of the world's most successful economies, with six applications on the table.

It will also, you may be sure, lead to plenty of snark when we become the only Western country to sign a Free Trade Agreement with India.

The Comprehensive and Progressive Trans-Pacific Partnership, which brings together 12 of the world's most successful economies, with six applications on the table

I respect, though do not share, the view that Brexit has so far done more harm than good. I have been very critical of our reluctance to take advantage of all the opportunities, a reluctance that owes a great deal to foot-dragging by Europhile civil servants.

What I find harder to understand is the refusal to acknowledge any Brexit benefits at all.

Some are uncontentious. We can now manage our countryside in a way that is environmentally friendly rather than geared at producing surplus food. We can fish what we want from our seas. We presided over one of the fastest vaccine rollouts in the world.

We can ignore 80 per cent of directives passed since we left. We can, in theory, admit whom we please into our country. We have removed pointless restrictions on gene editing and financial regulations.

To argue that these benefits are outweighed by the costs is perfectly legitimate (though, with the British economy having outperformed the EU's since the vote, it is not an obviously winning argument).

But that is not what we are seeing. We are seeing a prolonged tantrum in which anything we do as an independent nation is automatically dismissed as wrong  and by people who really should know better. How very unedifying.

Lord Hannan is a former Conservative MEP and serves on the UK Board of Trade
Whitehall's mandarin in charge of HS2, Dame Bernadette Kelly, pitched up at the public accounts committee, which tries to make sure taxpayers' money is not wasted. 'Too late for that!' cries the nation.

Dame Bernadette was hobbling on a crutch and had an arm in plaster. Been mown down by an out-of-control construction project? Hurt her wrist writing too many cheques?

Or was she attacked in the herbaceous borders by brainy Lord Adonis, the former transport secretary who first proposed the railway that now looks likely to cost 56billion?

His lordship is upset the Manchester leg was recently scrapped by Rishi Sunak. Dame Bernadette, leading a large contingent of HS2 bods, submitted to lengthy interrogation by Dame Meg Hillier and her committee.

Dame Meg (Lab, Hackney South & Shoreditch) is a tremendously fast talker. Dame Bernadette matched her. So, nearly, did Sir Jon Thompson, new chairman of HS2.

Whitehall's mandarin in charge of HS2, Dame Bernadette Kelly (pictured), pitched up at the public accounts committee, which tries to make sure taxpayers' money is not wasted. 'Too late for that!' cries the nation

His lordship is upset the Manchester leg was recently scrapped by Rishi Sunak. Dame Bernadette, leading a large contingent of HS2 bods, submitted to lengthy interrogation by Dame Meg Hillier (pictured) and her committee

A financial whizz-kid from Barclays had been recruited and head-hunters had been employed to identify a chief executive to replace Mark Thurston (pictured), the 676,000-a-year civil servant who vanished from HS2 in the summer

The three of them spoke so fast that it was like listening to Pinky & Perky. Must be a high-speed rail thing. Conversations at 225mph. If the staff canteen operates at the same velocity, they must have terrifying indigestion.

To costs. How could Sir John trim them? His answer, naturally, was that he planned to hire several new executives and create new committees. This, ladies and gentlemen, is how the public sector operates.

A financial whizz-kid from Barclays had been recruited and head-hunters had been employed to identify a chief executive to replace Mark Thurston, the 676,000-a-year civil servant who vanished from HS2 in the summer.

One moment Thurston, 56, was there, confident that HS2 was about to enter 'an exciting new phase'; the next moment  pouff!  he had disappeared, leaving nothing but his trilby, a false moustache and a part-nibbled slice of tipsy cake in the dining car.

Did he jump? Was he pushed? Agatha Christie could have got a Poirot novel out of it. No one having rung British Transport Police's 'see it, say it, sorted' hotline, it must have been a complete coincidence that mere weeks after Mr Thurston's disappearance, Mr Sunak cut the project in half. Did Rishi bump him off?

Sir John worked previously at that temple to taut budgeting, the Ministry of Defence. Uh oh. Mark Francois (Con, Rayleigh & Wickford) wondered how he could save money at HS2.

Sir John replied that he was 'streamlining executive governance', 'improving the management information so that it ran horizontally' (he's getting the hang of this railways lark), changing the 'financial risk modelling' and creating a new board sub-committee. He hoped soon to appoint a 'chief railway officer'.

This supremo, joked Mr Francois, would presumably be known as 'The Thin Controller'. Sir John, whose bikini years are long gone, shot Mr Francois a rheumy eye. He really didn't seem to think the wisecrack remotely funny.

Dame Bernadette, speaking fluent Whitehall-ese, was little more intelligible than a public announcement at Paddington station. She spoke of 'key parameters', 'out-turn costs', 'plug-ins', 'counterfactuals' and 'exogenous delay factors'.

The HS2 brigade did lots of toothy-sucking. A slightly twitchy man called Mr Over (Mr Over Budget, surely) said he had a duty to 'protect taxpayers'. And Dame Bernadette said 'my remit is the test of managing public money'. She managed to do so with a straight face (pictured: HS2 construction site in Lichfield)

We heard of drivers of benefits, principal drivers of cost increases, and how to drive better outcomes.

The only thing not being driven was a train. HS2, even in its smaller format, was not expected to open until some point between the years 2029 and 2033.

Dame Meg, 54, looking a little too obviously at her 70-year-old Tory deputy Sir Geoffrey Clifton-Brown: 'I wonder how many of us will be around then.' Sir John: 'Harsh.'

Greg Smith (Con, Buckingham), who loathes HS2 for the damage it has done to his constituency, wondered if people whose farmland and homes had been seized by the railway would now be allowed to buy it back.

The HS2 brigade did lots of toothy-sucking. A slightly twitchy man called Mr Over (Mr Over Budget, surely) said he had a duty to 'protect taxpayers'. And Dame Bernadette said 'my remit is the test of managing public money'. She managed to do so with a straight face.
My Saturday Essay from America last week may have unwittingly given you the impression that compared to the current state of politics in the U.S., the British system, for all its flaws, remained a relative oasis of sanity and stability.

I now realise that nothing could be further from the truth and wish to apologise wholeheartedly.

Over the past few days, British politics has unravelled so spectacularly that we can no longer kid ourselves we live in a 'free country'. Or even a functioning democracy, come to that.

The week began with the sacking of an outspoken Home Secretary  nominally in charge of the police  because she had the audacity to insist the Met enforce the law without fear or favour and stop turning a blind eye to rampant anarchy and vile anti-Semitism on the streets of our capital city.

This was rapidly overshadowed by an unelected Prime Minister appointing as Foreign Secretary a former Prime Minister who resigned seven years earlier after his campaign to remain in the EU was rejected by the British people in a referendum.

Dave's return to Cabinet came with a peerage, so there was no need to trouble the electorate over his appointment

Call Me Dave's return to Cabinet came with a peerage, so there was no need to trouble the electorate over his appointment. Nor will he have to demean himself by being forced to account for his actions in the House of Commons. Or at the ballot box, for that matter.

A peerage, like a puppy, is for life, not just for Christmas. So when this Tory rabble is kicked out unceremoniously next year, Dave can carry on claiming his lordly exes and attendance allowances indefinitely.

Trebles all round!

Just as we were digesting that outrage, along came five unelected judges ruling that the Government's plans to tackle illegal immigration were unlawful.

The deportation scheme may be bonkers, born of desperation, and apparently based on the old Beach Boys hit: Help me Rwanda, help, help me Rwanda.

But it is the policy of a Government which still has a huge majority.

Yet the Rwanda scheme was halted initially by a late-night injunction issued by an anonymous European judge and has subsequently been scuppered by our own Supreme Court.

So Rishi Sunak blaming it on 'foreign' laws is only half right. The final decision was taken by British judges sitting in London, in a building a couple of hundred yards away from Parliament.

Lord Cameron will not have to demean himself by being forced to account for his actions in the House of Commons

They might just as well be on another planet. They don't even speak the same language. Their decision was based on something called 'non-refoulement', which sounds like the kissing cousin of Gordon Brown's famous 'post neoclassical endogenous growth theory', whatever that meant.

Apparently 'non-refoulement' is a principle of international law which prevents refugees being returned to any country where they may face persecution. The judges also decided that Rwanda is not a 'safe' country.

In which case, why does the United Nations itself process asylum claims in Rwanda?

Why was the last Commonwealth conference held in Rwanda?

And if it's not safe, then why are Arsenal FC sponsored by the 'Visit Rwanda' tourist board? All of this, though, should be academic. In a genuine democracy, judges should never, ever, have the power to overrule Parliament.

Yet increasingly, the will of the people and our elected representatives is frustrated by legal activism and the Men In Wigs. Just look at the way in which the courts were used by Remainers during attempts to overturn Brexit.

Over the past few days, British politics has unravelled so spectacularly that we can no longer kid ourselves we live in a 'free country'

None of this has happened by accident. What we are now reaping is the full-on, anti- democratic effect of the Blair Revolution, following the Labour landslide in 1997, which ushered in a government of lawyers, by lawyers, for lawyers. Don't forget that Blair himself boasted that his proudest achievement in politics was the incorporation of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) into British law. (Left-wing legal chambers sprung up to cash in, most prominently Cherie Blair's Matrix, which I dubbed Nonces'R'Us.)

It was designed to ensure that there could never be a proper Conservative Government in Britain again. If the Tories tried to bring in 'Right-wing' policies  such as limiting immigration, which Blair let rip by dismantling our borders  the law would be used to prevent it happening.

Isn't that the story of the past 13 years of alleged Conservative Government? Brexit only scraped through, in watered-down form, following a series of legal challenges and may yet be unwound after Labour wins the next election.

Yesterday, I dug out a column I wrote in 2005, a few years after the yuman rites racket became law.

'Those of us who predicted this act would become a charter for terrorists, criminals, illegal immigrants, malcontents and chancers have been proved right time and again.

There's no chance Sunak reviving the Rwanda scheme before the next election

'As a result, we've lost control of our borders, thugs laugh in our faces, gangsters and paedophiles cop compensation for their crimes, 'travellers' colonise the Green Belt and terrorise sleepy villages.

'But this isn't a consequence of the Act  it's the whole point. Those behind it wish to smash every British tradition and custom and destroy our ancient concepts of freedom and justice.

'They are succeeding in replacing tried-and-tested common law and the rule of Parliament with laws made by Left-wing judges. Judicial activism has overthrown democracy.'

You tell me: which bit of that did I get wrong? Since then, every major institution in the land has been captured by the forces of wokery.

We now have a Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police who picks and chooses which laws he enforces, based on political expediency, pretending disingenously he doesn't have the powers to clamp down on everything from Just Stop Oil headbangers bringing traffic to a standstill to violent racist mobs chanting anti-Semitic hatred.

What we are now reaping is the full-on, anti-democratic effect of the Blair Revolution, following the Labour landslide in 1997

The Prime Minister has nothing to offer other than impotent irritation. Whatever he says, there's no chance of reviving the Rwanda scheme before the next election. The courts won't let him.

Everybody back on the boats!

The Opposition celebrate the Supreme Court ruling, while offering no sensible solution of their own. Why would they? Labour's leader Keir Starmer cut his teeth as a yuman rites lawyer.

Meanwhile, 56 self-obsessed Labour ministers and backbenchers you've never heard of throw a wobbly over Gaza, something they can do nothing whatsoever about.

Israel is hardly going to throw in the towel just because Jess Phillips has resigned from whatever meaningless shadow job you didn't realise she had.

Surveying the political scene in the States last week, I concluded that maybe things back home weren't that bad, all things considered, and we should thank heaven for small mercies.

After a week of madness at Westminster, I was wrong. Sane and stable? You must be joking.
When still in the political wilderness, David Cameron turned up for a board meeting of US software company Afiniti at Millbank. Disgruntled at the absence of sandwiches and buns for the directors' refreshment, he complained.

A message was conveyed to a young female employee to pop out and buy some fodder for the famished ex-PM. Who was the angel of mercy? Step forward Princess Beatrice, now ninth in succession to the throne.

David Cameron, while he was out of office, complained about the lack of refreshments at a board meeting of a US software firm

Princess Beatrice, now ninth in succession to the throne, was dispatched to get David Cameron his refreshments

Bishop of Hereford Richard Jackson, who attended Camilla during the Coronation, has been rewarded by Charles. He is to be the King's Clerk of the Closet. But Richard's new royal salary won't pay for a top-of-the-range crozier or a hand-painted mitre. He'll be on 7 per annum.

New episodes of The Crown prompt ex-royal butler Paul Burrell to allege to ITV's Lorraine how he was ordered by Diana  romancing Dodi Fayed at the time  to gauge the reaction of her lover, heart surgeon Hasnat Khan.

'So I'd go and have a drink with Hasnat and report back to the Princess,' he claims. 'I'd say, 'He's furious with you. There you are, displaying yourself with another Muslim man... he's not happy with you'.'

Isn't it past time that Burrell was gently muzzled and prevented from further bigging himself up at the expense of the late Princess of Wales?

Reformed hell-raiser Tracey Emin, pictured, who frequently slaked her camel's thirst at Soho's louche Colony Room Club, was expected at Wednesday's reopening in Heddon Street. Alas she failed to show.

Tracey Emin was expected at the reopening of the Colony Room Club, but didn't show

Was she having a quiet night in with her cats? 'Tracey was supposed to come but she got her dates wrong,' whispers TV agent Amanda McAllister. 'She turned up three days ago.'

When Jeremy Corbyn and Len McCluskey announced their Poetry For The Many anthology in the summer, contributor Russell Brand was given top billing on the front cover. Brand, now facing allegations of sexual misconduct, doesn't feature in the finished tome.

Jeremy Corbyn and Len McCluskey's 'Poetry for the Many' is dedicated to Wikileaks founder Julian Assange

But did troubadours Jezza and Len drop Brand for that reason? The book is dedicated to Julian Assange, who spent years sheltering in London's Ecuadorian embassy to avoid sex allegations.

Lord Northcliffe's biographer Andrew Roberts, making his maiden speech in the Lords, discloses that he was expelled from two schools, for drinking and climbing buildings, adding: 'My wife said all I have ever really done in life is to drink and social climb.'

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea, who arrives on his state visit on Monday, won't miss the late Duke of Edinburgh.

President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife Kim Keon Hee will arrive in Britain for a state visit on Monday

After Philip and the Queen had formally welcomed his predecessor Park Geun-hye on her 2013 visit, the corgis made an unscheduled appearance, prompting Philip to bark at a flunkey: 'Lock the damn things up. This b****y lot will think they're some light snacks we've laid on.' Surely a great loss to the diplomatic corps!
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Timeless, elegant, effortless. The words which come to mind when picturing the archetypal well-dressed Frenchwoman. From Coco Chanel to Brigitte Bardot, theres no denying that Gallic style has taken on an almost mythic status.

But that elusive, and somewhat infuriating, je ne sais quoi of French glamour can now be incorporated into your wardrobe and, fear not, doesnt require a shopping trip across the Channel. Some French brands have recently set up shop in the UK, and others now ship internationally.

Its not all breton stripes and boucle suits; there are luxe basics, classic knitwear and sophisticated staples to suit every style and budget. Vive la France!

Longchamp: Handbags

Suki Waterhouse at a party to celebrate the re-opening of the Longchamp store on London's New Bond Street in October 2022

Le Pliage tote, 110, longchamp.com

This year, Longchamp celebrates its 75th birthday.

The famous labels most recognisable design is perhaps the classic Le Pliage tote. This has stood the test of time, as it suits practically every woman.

The list of celebrities who have been spotted with it on their arm is endless, from Hollywood A-listers such as Julia Roberts to our very own Mary Berry. Suki Waterhouse is a fan of the brand, too.

With prices starting at 100, this is a bag worth investing in.

Maje: Tweed pieces

Jacket, 299, maje.com

Trousers, 279, maje.com

Judith Milgroms career has always been a family affair; starting out at her big sisters label, Sandro, before founding Maje, with her brother, in 1998.

Maje has a fun, bohemian style and youll find French staples such as its Chanel-inspired tweed jackets for 299, as well as playful sequin mini-dresses for 399.

Maje even featured in hit Netflix series, Emily In Paris.

Sandro: Suits and blazers

Jacket, 469, cardigan, 259, and jeans, 249, sandro-paris.com

A family-run business, Evelyne Chetrite set up Sandro in 1984.

The ready-to-wear brand, with a global following, is known for making accessible, high-quality fashion.

It is positioned between the luxury and mass markets, and the higher-end price points match the attention to detail. Youll find Parisian coolness in tailoring and elevated basics with accessories to match.

And supermodel Kendall Jenner is a fan of its oversized blazer, with suit jacket prices starting at 219.

Bobbies: Footwear

L-R: Anya shoes, 205, bobbies.com; Callie boots, 315, bobbies.com

Designed in Paris and manufactured in family-run workshops in Portugal, Bobbies has been creating shoes and accessories since 2010  from classic Parisian-style block-heeled Mary Janes, loafers (175), and slingback pumps (195), to chic boots (220).

If you happen to be in Paris or London, its worth paying a visit to a Bobbies store to see the true craftsmanship at first hand.

Sezane: Knits and blouses

Carlotta blouse, 110, and jeans, 95, sezane.com

Creme de la creme: Kate Middleton in a matching Sezane knitted skirt and jumper last month

This affordable brand is your one-stop-shop for French-girl staples.

Quiet luxury remains on the fashion agenda this winter and Sezane has a perfect range of cosy wool knits and cardigans in the stealth-wealth palette of creams and beiges. Prices start from 95.

Fans include Sienna Miller and the Princess of Wales, who recently stepped out in a matching Sezane knitted skirt and jumper.

Balzac Paris: Jackets

Camille jacket, 510, balzac-paris.com

Balzac Paris launched its UK online shopping site in September and is swiftly becoming the new French brand to know about.

To entice us Brits, it has cleverly collaborated with Barbour, fusing British heritage with Parisian-chic aesthetic to create its own spin on waxed jackets.

Prices start from 45 for fashion basics, going up to 500-plus for premium styles and leather goods.

Rouje: Dresses

Gabinette dress, 205, uk.rouje.com

Star role: Lea Seydoux wore Rouje's Gabin dress, 215, in the most recent James Bond film, No Time To Die

If youre on social media, or a keen follower of fashion, youve probably heard of new brand in town, Rouje, which opened its first international store in London this summer.

Its founder, Jeanne Damas, previously designed collections for Sezane and Reformation. She is the epitome of a French It-girl, with over 1.5million Instagram followers hoping to glean some of her fashion savoir faire.

Rouje is your go-to for elegant dresses. In the most recent James Bond film, French Bond girl Lea Seydoux wore Roujes red Gabin dress, 215.
She's now urging people to be wary of the dangers of candles at home

Turns out, the US content creator was suffering carbon monoxide poisoning

A woman has issued a stark warning about scented candles after being rushed to hospital as a result of burning some in her bedroom.

TikTok creator Emy Moore, who is based on the West Coast and in her 20s, explained that she had five candles lit in her bedroom, which she had been burning for a number of hours before going to bed.

Although Emy blew them out right before getting into bed, she then started feeling like her whole body was 'dropping.'

'I started to lose sense of myself,' she said in the clip, which has been viewed more than 790,000 times, adding she was 'tripping.'

'I heard this voice saying something is wrong and I got up and my chest was so caved in and my heart was just going, going, going,' she recalled.

TikTok creator Emy Moore explained that she had five candles lit in her bedroom, which she had been burning for a number of hours before blowing them out to go to sleep

Emy kept experiencing symptoms, like being lightheaded and her heart beating fast, adding she was 'obnoxiously' shaking 'head to toe' among other things

Emy assured viewers her symptoms weren't from anxiety, saying she has suffered anxiety attacks before - saying 'it wasn't' that.

'I woke up my parents like, "I need to go to the hospital,"' she shared.

At the hospital, she said she was getting irritated because people kept telling her it was anxiety.

During her visit, Emy said she kept experiencing symptoms, adding she was 'obnoxiously' shaking 'head to toe' among other things.

'After I would say something, I forgot what I just said, and I would just keep forgetting stuff,' she recalled. 'I would forget how to speak.'

Emy added her blood pressure was 'so freaking high.'

'So they get me into a room, I'm telling them about the candles, and once I told them how long I had them lit for, and that I blew them out right before I went to sleep, [they asked how many],' she said.

'They're like, oh, you could have, for sure gotten carbon monoxide poisoning.'

Emy was given oxygen, saying after a few hours her symptoms went away.

Emy said at the hospital she said was getting irritated because people kept telling her it was anxiety, adding her blood pressure was 'freaking high'

Many TikTok users were shocked by Emy's story, thanking her for sharing her story

Carbon monoxide poisoning symptoms According to Mayo Clinic, carbon monoxide poisoning occurs when the gas builds up in the blood. When too much of the gas is in the air, the body replaces the oxygen in the red blood cells with carbon monoxide, which can lead to serious tissue damage, or even death. Symptoms include: Headache

Weakness

Dizziness

Nausea or vomiting

Shortness of breath

Confusion

Blurred vision

Drowsiness

Loss of muscle control

Loss of consciousness Advertisement

'My mom stayed with me all last night, [which] helped a lot,' she said.

'Now I'm all good. I just needed to get fresh air, for real.'

'Moral of the story, I will never be using scented candles ever' she concluded in the video, lamenting that she could have died.

'Your health really matters. Priorities your health. Don't take things for granted. And just take care of yourself. I will do a better job.'

On the video, she included other symptoms she experienced at the time - which included feeling severely dehydrated, confusion, double vision, shortness of breath, chest pains, dizziness, shaking, and headaches.

Many TikTok users were shocked by Emy's story, thanking her for sharing.

'I literally had no idea you can get carbon monoxide poisoning from candles,' one user shared.

'YES I HAVE BEEN TELLING PEOPLE To swap their candles for diffusers instead!!!! (sic)' another exclaimed.

'I didn't know this could happen, thank you for spreading ur story, u probably saved my life,' someone else added.

According to Scandiscents, when you burn multiple candles at the same time, the amount of CO produced increases.

The site added there was a risk of developing carbon monoxide poisoning when exposed to this gas for a long time.
Queen Camilla met with women leaders from across the Commonwealth at an event dedicated to addressing domestic violence on Wednesday.

Camilla, 76, said it was 'so important' for her to attend the event at Marlborough House, London - which was focused on safeguarding women and children from domestic violence.

The royal, who looked typically sophisticated in an dark green dress with heeled boots, was greeted by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Scotland, as she arrived at the headquarters of the Commonwealth in central London.

Baroness Scotland said one in three women in the world will be affected by domestic violence at some stage in their lives, adding that women were 'disproportionately affected' in every form of crisis.

She said that having the support of Camilla was 'wonderful', adding that the Queen had a 'great care for people'.

Camilla, who looked typically sophisticated in an dark green dress with heeled boots, was greeted by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Scotland, as she arrived at the headquarters of the Commonwealth in central London

Queen Camilla and Patricia Scotland, Baroness Scotland, attend the Commonwealth Women Leader's event at Marlborough House in London

Camilla talks to guests as she attends the Commonwealth Women Leader's event

Baroness Scotland, the first woman to serve as attorney general for England and Wales, said: 'So many people would like to be silent, and it's not necessarily a comfortable thing to talk about.

'But Her Majesty has been absolutely adamant that she would be a spokesperson for all those women who think they have no voice.'

Camilla attended a reception of dignitaries which included the British-Ghanaian entrepreneur and actress Lady Dentaa Amoateng.

She also met the leaders of the Mirabel Centre, Nigeria's first referral centre to provide free medical and psychosocial support to survivors of rape and sexual assault.

Itoro Eze-Anaba, the founder of the centre, said having the patronage of Camilla had 'helped people to speak up' as it brought 'credibility' to the centre.

She added that the centre had helped more than 8,200 survivors of rape and sexual assault - with the youngest of the centre's clients being just three months old and the oldest 82 years old.

Ayotola Jagun, director at the Mirabel Centre, said having the backing of Camilla as patron had 'done wonders' for the confidence of the centre's staff.

Camilla also met Maya Kirti Nanan, the winner of the Commonwealth's young person of the year award for 2023.

Camilla meets First Lady of Zanzibar Maryam Mwinyi as she attends the event at Marlborough House

Camilla speaks to Maya Kirti Nanan while wearing a dark green dress and heeled boots at today's event

Camilla said it was 'so important' for her to attend the event at Marlborough House, London - which was focused on safeguarding women and children from domestic violence

Camilla is seen talking to guests alongside Baroness Scotland at the Commonwealth Leader's event

The 20-year-old from Trinidad and Tobago established an autism centre called Rahul's Clubhouse, named after her brother Rahul who was diagnosed with autism.

The Commonwealth Secretariat said the event at Marlborough House would help form an alliance 'engaging all sectors and professions' to work to protect women and children from domestic violence.

It added that it would also help inform the Commonwealth's strategy at Cop28 to 'advocate for the needs and interests of women and girls, including calling for an inclusive loss and damage fund'.
The series also recreates P Diana and Dodi's final moments before their fatal car crash in Paris in 1997 - right up until the point where their car entered the Pont de l'Alma tunnel.

The harrowing scene is played out at the end of episode three of the sixth and final season of Netflix's royal drama which landed on the streaming service this morning, when Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) and Dodi (Khalid Abdalla) get into a car outside the Ritz Hotel in Paris to return to the Egyptian film producer's apartment.

The car then accelerates through the streets of the French capital before entering the tunnel at high speed.

It comes after Netflix stressed throughout production of series six that viewers will not see the crash which killed Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed. But the episode does play an audio of the fatal incident.

The depiction of events leading up to the very moment the crash happened will likely cause fresh anguish for the royal family in covering such a sensitive subject.

The final moments of Princess Diana's life, before the fatal car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris, are depicted in the final series of The Crown

The Crown has recreated Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed's final moments before their fatal car crash in Paris. Elizabeth Debicki as Diana and Khalid Abdalla as Dodi are seen in the daunting scene

Speaking in a corridor ahead of their ill-fated final journey, Dodi asks Henri Paul - the deputy head of security at the Ritz - if the pair are safe to travel. Speaking in French, Henri explains that two staffers have taken a decoy vehicle, so the coast is clear for Diana and Dodi.

'No one will see us leave, trust me,' he tells Dodi.

But as the couple walk out to the Mercedes-Benz W140 they are flanked by paparazzi.

Ominous music then plays as the driver asks Diana if she's okay, before Dodi tell Henri - driving the vehicle - 'allez'.

After the pair get into the car, very few words are spoken, but Diana and Dodi hold and squeeze each other's hands.

The car begins to speed through the streets and passes a pedestrian who is walking his dog - who looks a little taken aback by the speed of the vehicle.

In the last moments of their lives, Dodi Fayed is shown in the back of the car with Princess Diana

In the final hours of her life Princess Diana is anguished and anxious as she spends the day in Paris with Dodi Fayed

The fourth episode in the final series of The Crown shows the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles being told Diana has died in the car crash - at which point Charles breaks down in tears

Netflix has always insisted viewers will not see the crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel which killed Dodi and Henri Paul on impact and took Diana's life a few hours later - however, the crash can be heard right at the end of episode three.

The series goes as far as to show the car entering the Pont de l'Alma tunnel as it speeds past the dog walker, in a clip that may shock some viewers.

The final series also depicts the aftermath of Princess Diana's death as the royal family are told the news while at Balmoral.

In a moving scene, an aide breaks the news to the Queen (Imelda Staunton), Prince Philip (Jonathan Pryce) and Prince Charles (Dominic West) who are huddled around the television watching the coverage of the crash.

No words can be heard while the aide delivers the news - however Charles, visibly devastated, breaks down in tears on the sofa.

The Queen while stoic, can be seen holding back tears with a solemn look on her face.

Diana (played by Elizabeth Debicki) and Dodi (played by Khalid Abdalla) are shown getting into a car outside the Ritz Hotel in Paris

Henri Paul (Yoann Blanc) is shown. The driver died alongside Diana and Dodi

Elsewhere in the first episodes of the final season, Princess Diana is depicted as anxious and frustrated on the last day she's alive as she spends the day in Pris with Dodi. In one scene, she expresses her frustration as she tries to call her sons at Balmoral and is told she has 'missed them'.

The clip begins with Diana walking out of a car into the Ritz hotel with boyfriend Dodi Fayed by her side. She is swarmed by paparazzi.

She then steps inside the hotel, where she calls Balmoral to speak to William and Harry.

'Balmoral Castle ,' the operator says.

'Oh, it's Diana calling for the boys,' the Princess replies.

'You've just missed them,' the aide adds. 'The princes waited for your call but have gone back out again. Maybe try again at dinner time'.

Diana then looks extremely anguished, silently mouths 'f**k' and scrunches up her face in anger. However, she does get to speak to the boys later on.

Other newly released clips include Charles' despair over telling William and Harry their mother has died and Diana telling Dodi she's a 'persona non-grata' at Balmoral.

Princes William and Harry will be facing fresh anguish today as a newly released clip from from the final season of The Crown shows them missing a phone call from Princess Diana on the day before she died. Elizabeth Debicki is pictured as Diana

The final season of the Windsor biopic is released tomorrow, and will show the lead up to, and fall out from the late Princess of Wales ' death. A new clip shows, Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki , calling to speak to her sons, only to be told be an aide 'you missed them'.

The clip begins with Diana walking out of a car into the Ritz hotel with boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayed by her side. She is swarmed by paparazzi

She then steps inside the hotel, where she calls Balmoral to speak to William and Harry

The show will also depict the last time Prince William and Prince Harry spoke to their mother - but it will not be a true reflection of the conversation. Rufus Kampa is pictured as Prince William

William and Harry are pictured with Diana in the months before her death

The show will also depict the last time Prince William and Prince Harry spoke to their mother - but it will not be a true reflection of the conversation.

In episode four, Diana is depicted as frustrated while in Paris with Dodi, and desperate to return to the UK to see her sons.

After missing one opportunity to speak with them on the phone, Diana finally manages to have a call with Prince William and Prince Harry, where they ask her if she's going to marry the son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed.

However, according to Prince Harry and Prince William's accounts of the last phone call he ever had with his mother, this version of events does not quite ring true.

'I am emphatically not going to marry Dodi. To be honest, I cant wait to come home,' Diana says in the dramatised version of events.

William then asks his mother if she is ok. She nods and says: 'I'm ok. Its just a bit mad here. I don't really understand how I ended up here. Mummy just needs to make some changes to her life, that's all. But that's not your problem - that's mine.'

In a tender moment, she tells her sons she loves them and they reply to say they love her too. She promises to return home the following evening to see them.

Later in the episode, Diana comes to her untimely death in the car accident.

Although it is true that Prince William and Prince Harry shared a phone call with their mother on the last day she was alive, their recollections of the call do not reflect the Netflix series' depiction.

Speaking in a 2017 documentary Diana: Our Mother, the Princes discussed for the first time the details of their 'desperately rushed' final call with the late royal.

Elizabeth Debicki as Diana with her sons .Netflix releases first look images from Part 1 of the final series of The Crown

The show will also show Dodi and Diana's holiday to Saint Tropez

Earl Spencer, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Charles follow the coffin to the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales on September 6, 1997

Recalling the chat, they expressed their regret that they were desperate to go back outside and play with their cousins, who were also at Balmoral.

Harry said: 'I can't really, necessarily, remember what I said. But all I do remember is probably, you know, regretting for the rest of my life how short the phone call was.

'And if I'd known that was the last time I was going to speak to my mother  the things I would have said to her.'

The fact that Harry, who was 12 at the time of his mother's death, cannot remember the details of his final conversation with Diana suggests it was not a chat where deep feelings were expressed - rather, an ordinary discussion because neither Diana nor the princes knew it would be their final conversation.

William also said of the call: 'Harry and I were in a desperate rush to say goodbye, you know, see you later'.'

Another clip shows then Prince Charles (Dominic West) speaking to Camilla (Olivia Williams) in the hours after Diana died.

A newly released image from the series finale portrays Princess Diana cosying up to her lover Dodi Fayed, with her devotedly holding her hands around Dodis face

The sixth and final series of Netflix 's The Crown recreates moving images of Diana's final summer holiday on board Mohamed Al-Fayed 's yacht in the South of France , days before her death in 1997. Pictured above is Elizabeth Debicki recreating the moment

Dominic West as Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Diana in series five of Netflix's The Crown

'When are you going to tell the boys?' Camilla asks.

'I wanted to let them sleep, delay it as long as possible, while they're sleeping they still have a mother,' Charles replies.

'Of course,' say Camilla, as news coverage of Diana's death plays in the background.

'This is going to be enormous,' Charles adds.

'People have no idea. This is going to be the biggest thing that any of us have ever seen'.

The emotional first four episodes cover the tragic car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana in August 1997  alongside her lover Dodi and their chauffeur Henri Paul  and the Royal Family s reaction to it, as well as the summer holiday Diana and Dodi enjoyed in St Tropez prior to the tragedy.

The Paris scenes were shot in the French capital, while a yacht was hired for the St Tropez scenes, although these were actually filmed in Mallorca.

New photos also give viewers a glimpse into Diana's romance with Dodi - played by Khalid Abdalla

Dominic West as Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Diana in series five of Netflix's The Crown

The Crown will show Elizabeth Debicki's Princess Diana posing for paparazzi cameras while on a yacht on her final holiday just weeks before her death, newly released photos show. Diana is pictured left, Debicki right

New photos also give viewers a glimpse into Diana's romance with Dodi - played by Khalid Abdalla

Debicki dons a Ralph Lauren shirt to recreate scenes from the show

New photos also offer a first glimpse of Olivia Williams as Camilla

The now Queen Camilla looks troubled in the new photos

Rufus Kampa - playing a teenage Prince William - walks through the Sandringham Estate in Barbour jacket

For sensitivity reasons the exact moment of Dianas death is not re-created, but there are controversial scenes in which Charles tenderly converses with an imaginary Diana in the cabin of the royal plane as he accompanies her body from Paris to London , and later when she also appears to the Queen.

Critics who have seen these scenes called them farcical for portraying Diana as a ghost, but series creator Peter Morgan has insisted that wasnt the intention.

I never imagined it as Dianas ghost in the traditional sense, he told Variety magazine. It was her continuing to live vividly in the minds of those she has left behind.

The Crown was devised by Morgan after the success of his 2006 film about the Royal Familys reaction to Dianas death, The Queen.

And the series  which has earned 21 Emmys and dozens of BAFTA nominations, not to mention some criticism for its historical inaccuracies  covers the same ground, but using fresh information gleaned in the 17 years since the Oscar-winning movie was made.

In fact, the scripts had to be updated all the time as the Royal Family were plunged into headlines throughout the filming period, not only with the Queens death but also following the release of Prince Harrys memoir Spare.
The Danish royal family has broken its silence on Crown Prince Frederik's alleged affair as furious fans speak out for his Australian-born wife Princess Mary.

A week after Spanish magazine Lecturas published explosive photos of Frederik on a night out in Madrid with Mexican socialite Genoveva Casanova, the royal family told Danish publication B.T they 'do not comment on rumours or insinuations'.

Both Frederik, who is fourth cousin of King Charles, and his wife Mary are yet to comment personally on the alleged affair.

It is just the latest scandal to engulf the royal family, with royalists taking to the palace's official Instagram account to voice their anger.

'Respect and admiration for Princess Mary and a big 'shame, shame, shame on you' Crown Prince Frederikfor your alleged affair/friendship with a certain Mexican Socialite,' one woman commented.

Crown Prince Frederik and Princess Mary have refused to comment on the images or rumours

'Sadly, this undermines the integrity of the Danish royal family.'

Another commenter lauded Princess Mary for carrying out her duties with 'dignity, enthusiasm and discretion' amid the controversy.

'She gave the royal family a more prominent presence in the world which came with admiration and respect from around the world,' they wrote.

'I hope Prince Frederik does not destroy that and thinks about his role as husband, father and heir to the throne with wisdoms and insight.'

Other fans noted that Prince Frederik and Princess Mary appeared to be acting differently in public - despite putting on a united front at official engagements.

A portrait released by the Danish royals, which was shared via the family's Instagram account, shows (pictured L-R) Prince Christian, Queen Margrethe, Crown Prince Frederik, and Princess Mary

TIMELINE OF FREDERIK'S NIGHT, ACCORDING TO MAGAZINE The magazine claims the following timeline of events took place. October 25, afternoon: Frederik and Genoveva walk around El Retiro Park 7pm: Frederik and Genoveva go to her apartment separately 9pm: They emerge from the building separately, having changed clothes, and get into the same white car 9pm-12am: Pair travel to El Corral de la Moreria restaurant for dinner and to watch flamenco 1am: The pair leave the restaurant and get into a car 8.30am: Frederik leaves Genoveva;s apartment Advertisement

'They don't hold hands anymore,' one woman posted.

'No this marriage is broken for long time ago. And now they can show it,' commented another.

'They look very tired,' added a third.

Lecturas reported that, during their night out, Prince Frederik and Ms Casanova visited a Pablo Picasso exhibition, walked through El Retiro Park and later went out for dinner.

At around 7pm, Lecturas claimed both Frederik and Genoveva went to her apartment building separately, and both re-emerged at around 9pm, two hours later, both having changed their clothes into evening wear.

In the photos, Genoveva has ditched her chic camel coat with a tie belt in favour of a white shirt, black wide-leg trousers and a black jacket worn on her shoulders.

Meanwhile Frederik appeared to have changed from a navy jacket and brown trousers into a white shirt and dark trousers with a smart dark jacket. Again, they are reported to have emerged from the building separately, but got into the same white car.

The magazine claimed the pair watched a flamenco performance at a Spanish restaurant, El Corral de la Moreria, which finished at midnight.

It also claimed they remained at their table, which had been flanked by two of the Danish Prince's bodyguards, while other customers left, waiters finished up their shifts and the lights were being switched off.

Lecturas claimed the pair did not emerge from the restaurant until 1am, when they walked out onto the street and got in a car. In a 'gesture of courtesy', Lecturas reports Crown Prince Frederik opened the car door for his dinner companion.

Next day, the magazine claims the heir to the Danish throne was taken to the airport via car where he flew home to Denmark.

Soon after the photos were published, Ms Casanova slammed the 'malicious' rumours of an affair as false and misleading.

In a legal letter posted on Instagram, she threatened legal action against the magazine.

Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia, and Denmark's Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary are pictured together in Copenhagen, Denmark on November 8, just days after the rumours of an affair were made public

Daily Mail Australia spoke to Amber Petty, Princess Mary's best friend and bridesmaid who refused to comment on or 'go anywhere near' the scandal.

Daily Mail Australia also reached out to the royal palace but did not get a response before publication.

A communications expert told B.T the palace didn't appear to be concerned by the rumours and likely considered them a 'breeze' rather than a storm.

The alleged affair comes after the Danish royal family was rocked by the Queen's decision strip titles from a number of family members.

In September last year, the monarch announced her decision to remove prince and princess titles from four of her grandchildren.

It also follow Prince Christian, 16, being pulled out of the elite Herlufsholm Boarding School in June after allegations of sexual and physical abuse surfaced in a documentary.

His sister Isabella, 15, was also due to attend, but her parents pulled her out too.

The allegations did not involve the young royals.
Just two months before her tragic death, her face lined newsstands all over the world on the cover of Vanity Fair magazine.

And now, producers of The Crown have recreated Mario Testinos famous 1997 photoshoot with Princess Diana, which changed her image and showed the public a different side of her.

Actress Elizabeth Debicki, 33, has recreated the glossy images with the help of photographer Charlotte Hadden for the final season of the hit Netflix show, which is released today.

The new pictures, which will appear in the series in Dianas Kensington Palace Apartment, show the actress in a beaded halterneck gown, with her blonde cropped hair straightened and relaxed.

Producers of The Crown have recreated Mario Testinos famous 1997 photoshoot with Princess Diana , which appeared on the cover of Vanity Fair

The new pictures will appear in the series in Dianas Kensington Palace Apartment

We had to try and strike a balance between our own interpretation and making sure it was still recognisable as the iconic Testino shoot with Diana, said Ms Haddon.

I remember the original shoot so well. What always stood out to me was the simplicity of the shoot, the natural light, a clean white space with a sofa.

Even some of the images are soft/blurry...the focus is on Diana and capturing her natural beauty and authenticity.

Testino, who didnt know Diana well at the time of the shoot, said she told him the pictures were Prince William and Harrys favourite of her.

When we had edited the pictures and sent them to Diana for her approval, she said to me that her sons had told her they were the most like her that they had seen, he said in 2005.

This was a great compliment because, of course, I didnt know her. I just tried to grasp something on the spur of the moment.

He said of the shoot: We straightened her hair and did the simplest makeup.. I think she felt she looked great. The shoot was to promote a New York charity auction of some of her evening dresses, but Testino wanted her to be wearing jeans in her mind as the photos were taken.

The sixth and final series of The Crown has courted controversy over the decision to film scenes in the lead up to and the aftermath of the car crash that killed Diana.

It was difficult to recreate. It was heavy and very manic, and incredibly invasive. And it had a kind of pressure to it, said Ms Debicki.

Series creator Peter Morgan admitted that hes not sad that theyve reached the end of the show as it is time for it to be over.

Elizabeth channelled Princess Diana's famous revenge dress at The Crown Season Six Premiere in LA

Princess Diana debuted The Revenge Dress at a fundraising dinner hosted by Vanity Fair for the Serpentine Gallery on 29 June 1994

Im probably not sad that weve reached the end. I think it was time, he said on the first episode of the official podcast for The Crown.

I dont entirely know [how to feel] yet, but pretty relieved. I mean, positively, relieved.

Imelda Staunton, 67, who plays the Queen, said the final episode was changed from what was originally planned following her death.

I sort of knew vaguely what it would be, and, you know, theyre going to change and I think theres no doubt that the final episode was altered because of the death of the Queen, she said.

Well, we had started filming in September and, and then the Queen died when, when we were, when we were filming that day, I remember, and um, and I came home and I was absolutely inconsolable and more.

On Sunday the Australian actress channelled the Princess' famous revenge dress as she joined her fellow castmates at the premiere in LA.

Elizabeth selected a little black dress by Bottega Veneta for the glamorous event held at the Westwood Regency Village Theatre.

Hailing from the brand's Spring/Summer 2024 collection, the sleek off-shoulder design incorporated a structured bodice and midi length, highlighting the actress' statuesque frame.

Elizabeth added sheer black tights and court shoes, echoing Princess Diana's ensemble from her 1994 dinner at the Serpentine Gallery in Kensington Gardens.
, Apple or wherever you get your podcasts

Don't miss our brilliant new podcast, The Crown: Fact or Fiction with Robert Hardman and Natasha Livingstone.

Elizabeth Debicki found it 'very difficult' and 'very heavy' to recreate scenes in which Princess Diana was hounded by the press.

The Australian actress, 33, who has played the late royal since series five of Peter Morgan's The Crown, spoke about the experience in a behind-the-scenes featurette.

'It's a really unique challenge as an actor to portray those days, because we know where the story is going,' she said.

'It really is like a very quick follow-on in terms of the actual timeline of the story telling from season five.'

The latest four episodes, which Netflix has released today, will focus on her relationship with Dodi Fayed (played by Khalid Abdalla) and hone in on the tabloids' interest in their budding romance.

Elizabeth Debicki found it 'very difficult' and 'very heavy' to recreate scenes in which Princess Diana was hounded by the press

'I don't really know any humans who could endure that,' Elizabeth added, remarking on the newspaper attention the couple received.

'It was very difficult to recreate, it was very heavy, manic and incredibly invasive.'

She and Khalid 'let themselves be present in each moment of the scene' because so much of the story is... a lovely time' - but takes a turn after 'press element' is introduced.

Khalid added that portraying the romance was a 'huge responsibility'.

'I hope audiences, when they see it feel that we have done it right,' he said. 'And honoured how sensitive it is.

'It's that thing that we experience with all tragedies. It's not about you knowing the ending, you know the ending. It's about exploring as accurately as possible - the tensions that bring you to that place.'

For this series, The Crown has recreated final moments before their fatal car crash in Paris in 1997.

In a daunting clip, shared today as the first instalment in the final season of the Peter Morgan drama is released, Diana and Dodi are shown getting into a car outside the Ritz Hotel in Paris, which Dodi owned.

The actress, 33, who has played the late beloved royal since series five of Peter Morgan's The Crown, spoke about the experience in a behind-the-scenes featurette

Speaking in a corridor ahead of their ill-fated final journey, Dodi asks Henri Paul - the deputy head of security at the Ritz - if the pair are safe to travel.

Speaking in French, Henri explains that two staffers have taken a decoy vehicle, so the coast is clear for Diana and Dodi.

'No one will see us leave, trust me,' he tells Dodi.

But as the couple walk out to the Mercedes-Benz W140 they are flanked by paparazzi.

Ominous music then plays as the driver asks Diana if she's okay, before Dodi tell Henri - driving the vehicle - 'allez'.

The clip then cuts out before the crash.

Netflix has previously said the show will not show the crash itself, but will show events leading up to and the aftermath of Diana's death.

The scene has Diana calling Balmoral to speak to her sons, only to be told be an aide 'you missed them'.

The emotional first four episodes cover the tragic car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana in August 1997  alongside her lover Dodi and their chauffeur Henri Paul  and the Royal Family 's reaction to it, as well as the summer holiday Diana and Dodi enjoyed in St Tropez prior to the tragedy.

The Paris scenes were shot in the French capital, while a yacht was hired for the St Tropez scenes, although these were actually filmed in Mallorca.

For sensitivity reasons the exact moment of Diana's death is not re-created, but there are controversial scenes in which Charles tenderly converses with an imaginary Diana in the cabin of the royal plane as he accompanies her body from Paris to London , and later when she also appears to the Queen.

Critics who have seen these scenes called them 'farcical' for portraying Diana as a ghost, but series creator Peter Morgan has insisted that wasn't the intention.

The emotional first four episodes cover the tragic car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana in August 1997. Pictured: Elizabeth Debicki and Khalid Abdalla

The latest four episodes, which Netflix has released today, will focus on her relationship with Dodi Fayed (played by Khalid Abdalla) and hone in on the tabloids' interest in their budding romance. Both pictured in St Tropez in 1997

The Paris scenes were shot in the French capital, while a yacht was hired for the St Tropez scenes, although these were actually filmed in Mallorca

'I never imagined it as Diana's ghost in the traditional sense,' he told Variety magazine. 'It was her continuing to live vividly in the minds of those she has left behind.'

The Crown was devised by Morgan after the success of his 2006 film about the Royal Family's reaction to Diana's death, The Queen.

And the series  which has earned 21 Emmys and dozens of BAFTA nominations, not to mention some criticism for its historical inaccuracies  covers the same ground, but using fresh information gleaned in the 17 years since the Oscar-winning movie was made.

In fact, the scripts had to be updated all the time as the Royal Family were plunged into headlines throughout the filming period, not only with the Queen's death but also following the release of Prince Harry's memoir Spare.
A mother has claimed it was cheaper to fly to Lanzarote for just 12 hours and sneak into a fancy hotel by pretending to be a guest than to have a night out at her local boozer.

Nichola Stafford, from Astley in Greater Manchester, said this is the second day trip she has been on this month, both times opting to fly to the Canary Islands for some winter sun.

The 44-year-old jetted off from Liverpool John Lennon Airport at 5:45am with her niece Lily-Mae, 20, on 9 November, paying just 45 for return Ryanair flights.

The mum-of-three explained that the day outing cost them 86 each in total, which included flights, food and cocktails, and said she would spend more than this on a Saturday evening spent at the pub back home.

When the pair arrived in Lanzarote, they took a bus to Puerto del Carmen, where they checked out the shopping mall and then headed to the beach.

Nicola sneaked into a nearby hotel to use their facilities for free - by claiming they needed the bathroom and then not leaving

Nicola, 44, is pictured basking in the sunshine with sangria in hand while at the beach

After sunbathing for a couple of hours, the pair enjoyed tapas and a jug of sangria at a beach bar before sneaking into a nearby hotel to use their facilities for free - by claiming they needed the bathroom and then not leaving.

The pair said they spent two hours exploring the hotel and sunbathing by the pool even telling other guests they were residents at the resort.

After catching some rays, Nichola and Lily-Mae took a taxi back to the airport at 4pm and checked into a lounge where they watched the sunset and enjoyed a last cocktail before catching a flight home at 7:15pm.

Nichola said the pair landed back at Manchester Airport around 11pm and were in bed by midnight.

The rapid response healthcare worker said she only took a large handbag on her day visit, which contained a bikini, towel, battery pack and a bottle of suncream and said she changed from her leggings into shorts mid-flight.

Nichola explained how she loved her time away and would recommend others to try a quick trip abroad on their day off.

'It was absolutely gorgeous. The weather was 32 degrees,' she said.

'After enjoying tapas and a jug of sangria, we were walking along the beach front and we approached a hotel that looked really nice.

The pair enjoyed tapas and a jug of sangria at a sun-soaked beach bar in Lanzarote

The 44-year-old jetted off from Liverpool John Lennon Airport at 5:45am with her niece Lily-Mae, 20, on 9 November

Nichola Stafford, 44, and her niece Lily-Mae, 20, were in Lanzarote for just 12 hours

Nicola, from Astley in Greater Manchester, soaked up the sun with a glass of sangria

'I needed the toilet so we walked up to the reception and there was a security man.

'We just said 'Hola' and pretended we were a resident [at the hotel].

'We went in and explored the hotel and relaxed on the sun loungers. We just told other guests [in the hotel] that we had just arrived.

'We stayed in the hotel for two hours enjoying the facilities. It was a beachfront hotel so it had really nice scenery and we just sunbathed under the palm trees.

'We attempted to go in the pool but it was freezing. Nobody was in the pool so we just sunbathed.

'When we got back to the airport, we checked into an airport lounge as I have a Revolut card and you get three hours free in there.

'We sat on the terrace, watched the sunset and enjoyed a last cocktail and some sushi.'

Nichola said she would normally spend her days off cleaning and carrying out 'mum duties'.

The duo strolled along a stunning, sandy beach lined with palm trees

They watched the sunset over the ocean while visiting the Canary Islands on 9 November

Lily-Mae, 20, donned a printed bikini and shorts during her trip to Lanzarote with her aunt Nicola

Nicola and Lily-Mae jetted off from Liverpool John Lennon Airport at 5:45am on 9 November, paying just 45 for return Ryanair flights

Nichola Stafford has claimed it was cheaper to fly to Lanzarote for just 12 hours and pretend to be a guest to sneak into a fancy hotel than have a night out at her local boozer

Lily-Mae, 20, showed off her printed bikini and coordinating shirt at the popular beach

Nicola and Lily-Mae relaxed in a Lanzarote airport lounge before flying back to Liverpool

The mum-of-three relaxed on a terrace at Lanzarote airport while waiting for her flight

The pair were able to watch the sunset from the airport before they headed back to the UK

They flew from Liverpool John Lennon Airport to Lanzarote, paying just 45 for return Ryanair flights

After returning from her day excursion, she has already booked to return to Lanzarote on 8 December for a solo trip to explore the islands.

The mum-of-three explained: 'I tell people to just book the day trips.

'Life's too short not to, and I'd spend more than 86 in my local pub at the weekend.

'It's definitely worth it.

'I booked the trip two days before we went.

'I would normally spend my days off work cleaning and doing housework, preparing tea and taking my kids to and from school.

'It was nice to escape from mum duties for the day.'
Netflix has revealed a first look at Prince William and Kate Middleton's love story in the final series of The Crown.

As the first half of the final series of the royal drama landed on the streaming service this morning, stills from the second half of the instalment were released which show the Prince and Princess of Wales in their student days as they are about to share a first kiss.

The young lovebirds, played by Meg Bellamy and Ed McVey, gaze into each other's eyes and lean in for a smooch in the images shared by the streaming service.

The second half of series six of The Crown will be released on Netflix next month, and are set several years after the conclusion of the first half, which focuses on the last days of Princess Diana's life.

As the first four episodes of series six are released, they may cause fresh anguish for the royal family as they depict Princess Diana's final days - including the moment her car entered the Pont de l'Alma tunnel where it crashed and killed her in August 1997.

Prince William and Kate Middleton's first kiss will be shown in the final episodes of the final series of The Crown on Netflix, the streaming service has teased

While the first half of the sixth series of The Crown depicts a tragic and solemn time for the Royal Family, the second instalment is set to play out some happier times - including William and Kate falling in love at St Andrew's University and Charles and Camilla's wedding day.

It will also show Prince William, a future King, coming of age in the public eye as fans around the world go wild for the handsome young royal.

William and Kate met at university in Edinburgh as students in 2001 and were good friends before starting a romantic relationship.

Young royal love! The Prince and Princess of Wales's love story after they met as students at St Andrew's will play out onscreen

Kate was working towards an art history degree, while William, who initially enrolled for history of art, had switched to geography.

Kate previously revealed it took some time for the two to get to know each other.

'I think you said I actually went bright red when I met you and sort of scuttled off,' she recounted to Prince William during their 2010 engagement interview. '[I was] feeling very shy about meeting you.'

But as the pair spent more and more time together, they found that they had much in common and enjoyed each other's company.

Then the following year, Kate caught William's eye in a different way when the princess, then 20 years old, confidently strutted in front of her peers wearing a revealing sheer dress with a black bra and underwear for a fashion show titled 'The Art of Seduction'. (It had actually been a see-through skirt or minidress worn as a top).

Prince William, who paid 200 for a table close to the catwalk, is said to have been open-mouthed.

As the Crown series 6 is set to play out the royal couple's love story in their student days, it will show William coming of age as a future king, after previously depicting his younger years.

The first instalment of the series shows the Prince's last days spent with his mother, Princess Diana, before her tragic death in a car accident in Paris.

William and Harry share an emotional final phone call with their mother, who has called them from the Ritz Hotel in the French capital while they are staying in Balmoral with their father and grandparents.

The second instalment of series six will show Prince William coming of age in the public eye as royal fans go wild for him

The episodes will show young girls screaming for William during public appearances as they wait to catch a glimpse of him

As William-mania grips the nation and the world, viewers will see the young prince grappling with his fame

After a long day in Paris, a frustrated Diana finally gets to speak to Prince William and Prince Harry, who are holidaying with their father in Balmoral.

During the phone call, William asks his mother if she's going to marry Dodi Fayed, to which Diana says she is not.

He then explains all the newspapers in the UK are reporting that the pair are engaged.

Diana replies: 'I am emphatically not going to marry Dodi. To be honest, I cant wait to come home.'

William then asks his mother if she is ok. She nods and says: 'I'm ok. Its just a bit mad here. I don't really understand how I ended up here. Mummy just needs to make some changes to her life, that's all. But that's not your problem - that's mine.'

In a tender moment, she tells her sons she loves them and they reply to say they love her too. She promises to return home the following evening to see them.

The final episodes of The Crown will show King Charles and Queen Camilla's wedding day

However it appears this is one of the aspects of the depiction of events that has been dramatised, as it does not ring true with William and Harry's accounts of their final phone call with Diana.

Prince William and Prince Harry have only ever addressed their final phone call with their mother once.

Speaking in 2017, 20 years after Diana's death, they discussed their last discussion with Diana while she was in Paris and they were in Balmoral with their cousins.

Recalling the chat, they expressed their regret that they were desperate to go back outside and play.

Speaking in the documentary Diana: Our Mother, Harry said: 'I can't really, necessarily, remember what I said. But all I do remember is probably, you know, regretting for the rest of my life how short the phone call was.

'And if I'd known that was the last time I was going to speak to my mother  the things I would have said to her.'

The fact that Harry, who was 12 at the time of his mother's death, cannot remember the details of his final conversation with Diana suggests it was not a chat where deep feelings were expressed - rather, an ordinary chat because neither Diana nor the princes knew it would be their final conversation.
The Crown has reimagined a heart-rending scene where Mohamed Al-Fayed kisses the dead body of his beloved son, Dodi Al-Fayed, following the fatal car crash in Paris 1997 with Princess Diana.

The scene is played out at the start of episode four of the sixth and final season of Netflix's royal drama, which landed on the streaming service this morning, when Mohamed (Salim Daw) stands over the corpse of his son Dodi (Khalid Abdalla).

Mohamed kisses Dodi's forehead before breaking down into tears.

Director Christian Schwochow's previously insisted that the series would not show Diana's dead body, despite also shooting scenes of her in the morgue with Prince Charles, played by Dominic West.

'We did film Diana, but very respectfully  not in a big close-up,' he told Deadline. 'It was very, very clear to us that we dont want to see her dead body. I actually think that it was not a discussion. Not even in the first version of the cut we would ever see her body,

In a harrowing scene, Netflix recreated the moment Mohamed Al-Fayed (Salim Daw) sees his dead son's Dodi's (Khalid Abdalla) body in the latest series of The Crown

Diana and Dodi Fayed died in the early hours of August 31, 1997, after the S-Class they were travelling in crashed at the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris.

Following the aftermath of the tragic crash, Netflix reimagines the moment that Mohamed sees his son lying dead for the first time.

Mohamed uncovers the white cloth shrouding his son's body, before breaking down in tears and kissing Dodi's forehead.

Though the scene is undoubtedly stirring, Dodi's body remains unmarked, without a bruise or cut in sight.

As doctors stand watching by, Mohamed crumbles at the sight before him and cries out an Arabic phrase.

The series also depicts Diana and Dodi's fatal car crash in Paris in 1997 - right up until the point where their car entered the Pont de l'Alma tunnel.

The scene is played out at the end of episode three, when Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) and Dodi get into a car outside the Ritz Hotel in Paris to return to the Egyptian film producer's apartment.

The car then accelerates through the streets of the French capital before entering the tunnel at high speed.

Mohamed breaks down in tears before kissing his late son's face across his forehead, marking one of many emotional scenes in the new series

Mohamed was a doting father to Dodi. The father and son are pictured above at a party in Harrods, London in 1989

Speaking in a corridor ahead of their ill-fated final journey, Dodi asks Henri Paul - the deputy head of security at the Ritz - if the pair are safe to travel. Speaking in French, Henri explains that two staffers have taken a decoy vehicle, so the coast is clear for Diana and Dodi.

'No one will see us leave, trust me,' he tells Dodi.

But as the couple walk out to the Mercedes-Benz W140 they are flanked by paparazzi.

Ominous music then plays as the driver asks Diana if she's okay, before Dodi tell Henri - driving the vehicle - 'allez'.

After the pair get into the car, very few words are spoken, but Diana and Dodi hold and squeeze each other's hands.

The car begins to speed through the streets and passes a pedestrian who is walking his dog - who looks a little taken aback by the speed of the vehicle.

Netflix has always insisted viewers will not see the crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel which killed Dodi and Henri Paul on impact and took Diana's life a few hours later - however, the crash can be heard right at the end of episode three.

The series goes as far as to show the car entering the Pont de l'Alma tunnel as it speeds past the dog walker, in a clip that may shock some viewers.

The final series also depicts the aftermath of Princess Diana's death as the royal family are told the news while at Balmoral.

In a moving scene, an aide breaks the news to the Queen (Imelda Staunton), Prince Philip (Jonathan Pryce) and Prince Charles (Dominic West) who are huddled around the television watching the coverage of the crash.

No words can be heard while the aide delivers the news - however Charles, visibly devastated, breaks down in tears on the sofa.

Speaking in a corridor ahead of their ill-fated final journey, Dodi asks Henri Paul - the deputy head of security at the Ritz - if the pair are safe to travel

The Queen while stoic, can be seen holding back tears with a solemn look on her face.

Elsewhere in the first episodes of the final season, Princess Diana is depicted as anxious and frustrated on the last day she's alive as she spends the day in Pris with Dodi. In one scene, she expresses her frustration as she tries to call her sons at Balmoral and is told she has 'missed them'.

The clip begins with Diana walking out of a car into the Ritz hotel with boyfriend Dodi Fayed by her side. She is swarmed by paparazzi.

She then steps inside the hotel, where she calls Balmoral to speak to William and Harry.

'Balmoral Castle ,' the operator says.

'Oh, it's Diana calling for the boys,' the Princess replies.

'You've just missed them,' the aide adds. 'The princes waited for your call but have gone back out again. Maybe try again at dinner time'.

Princes William and Harry will be facing fresh anguish today as a newly released clip from the final season of The Crown shows them missing a phone call from Princess Diana on the day before she died. Elizabeth Debicki is pictured as Diana

Diana then looks extremely anguished, silently mouths 'f**k' and scrunches up her face in anger. However, she does get to speak to the boys later on.

Other newly released clips include Charles' despair over telling William and Harry their mother has died and Diana telling Dodi she's a 'persona non-grata' at Balmoral.

The show will also depict the last time Prince William and Prince Harry spoke to their mother - but it will not be a true reflection of the conversation.

In episode four, Diana is depicted as frustrated while in Paris with Dodi, and desperate to return to the UK to see her sons.

After missing one opportunity to speak with them on the phone, Diana finally manages to have a call with Prince William and Prince Harry, where they ask her if she's going to marry the son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed.

However, according to Prince Harry and Prince William's accounts of the last phone call he ever had with his mother, this version of events does not quite ring true.

'I am emphatically not going to marry Dodi. To be honest, I cant wait to come home,' Diana says in the dramatised version of events.

William then asks his mother if she is ok. She nods and says: 'I'm ok. Its just a bit mad here. I don't really understand how I ended up here. Mummy just needs to make some changes to her life, that's all. But that's not your problem - that's mine.'

In a tender moment, she tells her sons she loves them and they reply to say they love her too. She promises to return home the following evening to see them.

Later in the episode, Diana comes to her untimely death in the car accident.

Although it is true that Prince William and Prince Harry shared a phone call with their mother on the last day she was alive, their recollections of the call do not reflect the Netflix series' depiction.
Parenting trends come and go, with psychologists, childminders and other experts offering new techniques all the time to both nurture and discipline children.

Modern techniques like the naughty step and the rewards chart were once the parenting trends of the hour. But one of the most recent popular tools, the feelings wheel, was actually devised in the 1980s - and is now enjoying a revival.

As some Millennials move towards 'positive parenting' that favours the understanding of bad behaviour over strict discipline, the feelings wheel is being used to help children identify their emotions. And at her Early Years Symposium on Wednesday, the Princess of Wales revealed five-year-old Prince Louis uses the device with his classmates at Lambrook School.

The concept presents a circular graph that shows a range of different human emotions, and also shows how each feeling connects to others. It also groups smaller feelings under a wider umbrella, ranging from anger and contempt to joy and love.

Psychologist Robert Plutchik, a professor at the Albert Einstein College of Medicine in South Florida, created the wheel and established that human beings experience eight basic emotions: joy, trust, fear, surprise, sadness, anticipation, anger, and disgust.

The feelings wheel, or wheel of emotions, was designed by Psychologist Robert Plutchik in the year 1980 - and it's having a revival among trendy parents

These basic feelings can then intensify, or become milder, and each emotion has a polar opposite.

He created a wheel that captured all of this as a tool to help us improve our 'emotional intelligence'  a concept that today, four decades on, is winning hundreds of thousands of Instagram hits and a cohort of celebrity fans.

When Dr Plutchik first designed the feelings wheel in 1980, it was originally meant for adults rather than children.

With actresses such as Gwyneth Paltrow and Jennifer Aniston encouraging us to be more aware of our feelings, the wheel's ability to help us identify and measure them is bang on-trend.

The Princess of Wales yesterday revealed Prince Louis, five, uses a feelings wheel at school with his classmates

Although there's no hard and fast way to use his wheel, Dr Plutchik's pretty diagram is intended to help us take a spot-check of our emotional temperature.

By working out precisely what we feel at any given moment, we can watch to see if, over time, any regular patterns emerge and then understand what the triggers are so we can modify our behaviour accordingly, rather than react in a state of stress.

Simplified versions of the wheel are now popular in primary schools across the UK.

Mentally Healthy Schools has produced its own version of the wheel for young pupils, which it says should be used for children between the ages of four and 11.

The organisation recommends using the wheel several times throughout the day so pupils can understand how their emotions change and learn the triggers that provoke certain emotions.

The revival of the feelings wheel coincides with a deeper understanding of emotions and a move away from authoritative and disciplinary parenting.

In particular, feelings wheels may be associated with positive parenting, which adopts the mantra that you should support children by guiding, mapping out their thoughts and feelings and brainstorming.

Positive Parenting Solutions, which contains resources that encourage people to parent without losing their temper or nagging their children, claims the feelings wheel can be used to identify the root causes of why a child is misbehaving.

A blog post on the site explains: 'Positive parenting stresses that kids who misbehave arent bad. Instead, they lack the skills to manage their emotions.'

It continues to explain how you, and your children, can use the feelings wheel to identify the emotion being felt and understand the corresponding emotions that go alongside it.

This method allows the parent to solve the problem at the root of the bad behaviour rather than resort to strict punishments.
The Prince of Wales, 41, busied himself with a visit to Manchester this morning

Prince William showed off his mother Diana's famous compassion today as he hugged the mother of a murdered teenager.

The royal, 41, marked the launch of the Royal Foundation Community Impact Project as he made the trip to The Hideaway Youth Project - lead partner of the Manchester Peace Together Alliance - in Moss Side today.

He was seen hugging Barbara Reid mother of Jessie James, a teenager shot dead in 2006 in a park in Moss Side, after listening to her statement in front of Jessie's Wall.

In a touching moment at Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse, William was also seen being given a friendship bracelet by a young girl.

The visit comes on the same day Peter Morgan's programme has come out with the heartbreaking storyline outlining the last days of his mother's life.

The Prince of Wales opted for a casual blazer and trousers, teamed with a cerulean blue jumper and brown suede shoes.

Prince William hugs Barbara Reid mother of Jessie James, a teenager shot dead in 2006 in a park in Moss Side, after listening to her statement in front of Jessie's Wall

Prince William, Prince of Wales (C) poses for pictures with Barbara Reid (R) mother of Jessie James, a teenager shot dead in 2006 in a park in Moss Side, and other relatives

The Prince of Wales receives a t-shirt during his visit to the Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse, a community hub with a mission to create brighter futures for young people in Manchester

This is the adorable moment the Prince of Wales receives a friendship bracelet during his visit to the Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse

He looked very focused on a game of pool during the visit as observers looked at his strategic play

William also met another mother who had lost her child to violence, Audrey Preston, 57, whose 21-year-old son was killed three years ago.

She said: 'I think it's important he came into Moss Side to listen to our stories. When I was told he was coming I thought 'wow, why would he want to come and listen to me?'.

'Lots of kids get murdered in this area and nobody cares really about the families, we're just left to our own devices, so it's good he came, good for the community.'

Earlier he enjoyed a game of pool and smiled and chatted with volunteers.

He appeared in high spirits and looked very focused on a game of pool during the visit as observers took photos.

The future King was asked whether he wanted to join the art project, where the children were cutting out hairstyles they thought were empowering and positive, and replied 'I'm literally the last person you should ask. My hair is disappearing.'

Elsewhere the Prince laughed along while posing for pictures with young people at the centre.

Later, he sat down with some children trying their hand at arts and crafts.

Amir Hassan, 11, made William laugh when he asked him 'How much do you have in your bank account?' and the schoolboy said afterwards the future king had quipped he 'didn't know'.

The future King was asked whether he wanted to join the art project, where the children were cutting out hairstyles they thought were empowering and positive, and replied 'I'm literally the last person you should ask. My hair is disappearing.'

He has joined forces with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to support the initiative with 100,000 of funding.

William speaks with a member of the community during his visit to the Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse

William speaks with children during his visit to the Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse

The Prince of Wales showed off some of his best shots on the pool table as he joined in with the session during his visit

He was all smiles while chatting with volunteers, sporting a relaxed all-navy ensemble, on the same day Peter Morgan's programme has come out with episodes outlining the last days of his mother's life

Elsewhere the Prince laughed along while posing for pictures with young people at the centre today

Prince of Wales speaks with a well-wisher as he visits the Millennium Powerhouse, a multi-service youth hub which works with a wide range of local organisations

During today's visit he will hear about the work of the Manchester Peace Together Alliance which will receive 50,000 from his Royal Foundation.

The second half was matched by Mr Burnham, who took part in the visit.

The pot will be used to create an employment, skills and training programme for young people who are at risk of violence.

It's a first for the Alliance - a community-led initiative combating the underlying causes of youth violence with targeted mentoring and activities.

Mr Burnham expressed his 'delight' to work with the Prince.

'We know that working with partners and communities to provide opportunities for young people to engage in positive activity is the most effective way to ensure young people do not get involved with crime or violence,' he said.

'We're committed to doing all we can to stop crime and violence, and the development of a dedicated employment, skills, and training programme for young people at risk of violence, and partnership between the Alliance, Manchester City Council, the business community and Royal Foundation will certainly support this.'

The three-year project has seen the alliance working for the first time with the private sector, which has committed to providing work shadowing, apprenticeships and employment for young people.

The Prince of Wales opted for a casual blazer and trousers, teamed with a cerulean blue jumper and brown suede shoes

He has joined forces with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham to support the initiative with 100,000 of funding

The three-year project has seen the alliance working for the first time with the private sector, which has committed to providing work shadowing, apprenticeships and employment for young people

William receives friendship bracelets from children while in Manchester today

Julie Wharton, director at the Hideaway Youth Project and a senior member of the Alliance, said: 'All of us at the Manchester Peace Together Alliance are absolutely delighted by the initiative being launched today.

'At the Hideaway we place ourselves at the centre of the community in Moss Side so we can understand the needs of our young people and ensure we are doing all we can to prevent them from being impacted by the devastation that youth violence can bring.'

William's visit comes as Netflix has come out with the emotional first four episodes covering the tragic car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana in August 1997  alongside her lover Dodi and their chauffeur Henri Paul  and the Royal Family 's reaction to it, as well as the summer holiday Diana and Dodi enjoyed in St Tropez prior to the tragedy.

The Paris scenes were shot in the French capital, while a yacht was hired for the St Tropez scenes, although these were actually filmed in Mallorca.

The heartbreaking moment William's younger brother Prince Harry learned of his mother's death has been recreated in the series.

The Prince of Wales speaks with children during his visit to the Moss Side Millennium Powerhouse, a community hub with a mission to create brighter futures for young people in Manchester

Later, he sat down with some children trying their hand at arts and crafts. Pictured in deep conversation

William laughed while chatting with people at the centre and observing the impact of it on young people

The Prince looked curious as he observed young people enjoying some creative endeavours today

The new season shows Dominic West - who plays Prince Charles - telling the boys that their mother has died.

'Morning darling,' he first tells William. 'I'm afraid you're going to have to be very brave'

The Prince appears at the end of the bed and later, the camera captures close up of Harry's face, looking shocked with tears in his eyes.

Prince William is seen standing at the foot of his brother's bed, although it's understood that in reality the boys were told separately. Harry described being alone in his bedroom at Balmoral in his memoir Spare when Prince Charles relayed the news.

In the book he wrote about how his father, who was then the Prince of Wales, sat him down on a bed before breaking the news.

Prince William appeared in high spirits as he met with staff and volunteers during his visit to Moss Side today

The royal was pictured in conversation with staff and volunteers as he enjoyed a visit to the project today

The Prince of Wales arrived today for his visit to The Hideaway Youth Project in Moss Side, Manchester, to mark the launch of Royal Foundation Community Impact Project

The royal, 41, marked the launch of the Royal Foundation Community Impact Project as he made the trip to The Hideaway Youth Project

Prince William enjoyed a game of pool as he today busied himself with a visit to a Manchester project tackling youth violence

William opted for a casual ensemble as he today made the visit to the youth project in Manchester

The Prince was all smiles while chatting with staff and volunteers today, during the Manchester visit

He said Prince Charles called him 'my dear son' before telling him his mother was unlikely to survive head injuries sustained in the crash in Paris in the early hours of August 31, 1997.

He painted the picture of an emotionally-distant father, saying that Charles was 'not good at expressing his emotions'.

He wrote: 'What I do remember with stunning clarity is that I did not cry. Not a tear. My father did not hug me.'

In the book, the Duke recalled asking to go and visit his mother while she was in the hospital.

However, he says his father explained she 'hasn't recovered any more', before saying he stayed in his room on his own until the following morning.

He recalled that he and his brother William were forbidden from watching the TV so they didn't see news of the car crash.

He said for a time he believed Diana had faked her own death and she was 'running away' to escape her 'miserable' life.

The Duke said his 13-year-old self had wondered if it was a 'trick', writing in the book: 'Her life's been miserable, she's been hounded, harassed, lied about, lied to. So she's staged an accident as a diversion and run away.'

He later admitted this was not the case, but said he returned to the theory as a source of comfort.
She claimed in 2019 that she 'lost' her husband, Michael Misick, to Duane, 58

Duane Martin's former All Of Us costar once accused the actor of stealing her husband and convincing him to cheat on her - and her shocking allegations have now resurfaced amid the recent claims that he had gay sex with Will Smith.

LisaRaye McCoy, 56, who starred as Duane's ex-wife in The CW show from 2003 to 2007, made the surprising accusation during an interview with TV One TV's Uncensored back in 2019.

At the time, she claimed that after she introduced her then husband, former Turks and Caicos Islands premier Michael Misick, to Duane, the two grew so close that she ultimately 'lost' her partner to her costar.

She also alleged that the actor, now 58, 'disrespected' her by encouraging her politician husband, now 57, to be unfaithful to her.

Duane Martin's former All of Us costar LisaRaye McCoy once accused the actor of stealing her husband and convincing him to cheat on her. LisaRaye and Duane are seen together in 2006

Her shocking allegations have now resurfaced amid the recent claims that he had gay sex with Will Smith. Duane and Will are seen in 2003

LisaRaye, 56, who starred as Duane's ex-wife in The CW show from 2003 to 2007, made the surprising accusation during an interview with TV One TV's Uncensored back in 2019

At the time, she claimed that after she introduced her husband, Premier of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Michael Misick (seen together in 2007), to Duane, the two grew so close that she ultimately 'lost' her partner to Duane

'I lost my husband to Duane Martin,' the actress stated during the 2019 interview, which is now re-circulating around the web.

LisaRaye walked down the aisle with Michael in April 2006, and soon after, she decided to put her acting career on pause and left Hollywood for Turks and Caicos, so she could focus full time on her newfound job as First Lady.

She explained on Unfiltered that leaving her friends and family behind and adjusting to her new life was not easy for her.

'Here I am on this island, yes it's beautiful but I have no friends, no family, I have no career,' she dished.

In addition, she said that Michael was traveling a lot for his work, while she would stay behind to partake in various 'engagements or appearances' on the island.

Feeling lonely and homesick, she decided to invite her close friend, Duane, to come visit her and Michael in Turks and Caicos - but she called introducing her former costar to her husband the 'worst thing she ever did.'

'Duane and Michael became better friends than me and my husband were, and I couldn't understand that for the love of God,' she said.

'Duane introduced my husband to different women, women that we actually knew as friends and associates.

She also alleged that the actor, now 58, 'disrespected' her by encouraging her politician husband, now 57, to be unfaithful to her. Duane and Michael are seen in 2007

'I lost my husband to Duane Martin,' the actress stated during the 2019 interview, which is now re-circulating around the web

LisaRaye walked down the aisle with Michael in April 2006, and soon after, she introduced him to her good friend Duane. She and Michael are seen left while she and Duane are seen right

But she called introducing her former costar to her husband the 'worst thing she ever did,' explaining, 'Duane introduced my husband to different women, women that we actually knew as friends and associates'

'[I'm thinking], "You're my friend, I introduced you to him. What are you doing?" I'm still kind of confused by that one.'

She concluded: 'Needless to say, me and Duane don't f**k with each other at all. F**k him.'

Lynn Jeter, LisaRaye's mentor, added to Unfiltered: 'He was someone that she trusted, someone that she felt was her friend, someone she had bonded with. And none of that was true.'

One of LisaRaye's close friends Kym Whitley also interjected: 'LisaRaye trusted Duane, this was her brother, her best friend. But he went dirty on her, he did.'

LisaRaye and Michael announced that they were divorcing in August 2008 after two years together.

She testified against her ex in 2020 after he was accused of 'corruption' for allegedly selling public land to fund his own investments. He has denied all wrongdoing and the case is still ongoing.

LisaRaye and Michael announced that they were divorcing in August 2008 after two years together. They're seen in 2006

LisaRaye's statements have gained traction recently after Will's ex-personal assistant, Brother Bilaal (seen), alleged that he once walked in on Will and Duane engaging in a sex act

At the time, she told Essence while reflecting on her split from Michael: 'I am fine. It's OK to move forward because things happen.

'Does it hurt? Yes. Am I disappointed? Incredibly. But this too shall pass.'

The All of Us alum's statements have gained traction recently after Will's ex-personal assistant, Brother Bilaal, alleged that he once walked in on the Men In Black alum engaging in a sex act with his Fresh Prince Of Bel-Air costar, Duane.

Brother claimed during an interview with internet personality Tasha K this week: 'I opened the door to Duane's dressing room and that's when I see Duane having anal sex with Will.

'There was a couch and Will was bent over on the couch and Duane was standing up killing him, murdering him - it was murder in there.'

Will, 55, fiercely denied the claims , with his rep calling them 'unequivocally false' and 'completely fabricated' to TMZ , adding that the actor was now 'considering taking legal action' against his former employee.
An emotional scene from the final season of the Crown appears to show Dodi Al-Fayed still breathing as he is visited by his father Mohamed while lying dead in the morgue.

The scene, which was released as part of the first half of the final season of the Netflix series, shows Dodi - played by Khalid Abdalla - lying dead as his father visits his body for the first time.

In the emotional clip, Mohamed, played by Salim Daw, pulls a sheet off Dodi's face and kisses him several times, clearly distraught.

He cries, embraces his son and then shouts 'Allah, Allah,' and looks up to the sky while several doctors watch on.

But the harrowing scene is somewhat ruined as Dodi's stomach is shown moving up and down - in what is clearly Abdalla breathing.

An emotional scene from the final season of the Crown appears to show Dodi Al-Fayed still breathing as he is visited by his father Mohamed while lying dead in the morgue

The scene, which was released as part of the first half of the final season of the Netflix series, shows Dodi - played by Khalid Abdalla - lying dead as his father visits his body for the first time

Mohamed, played by Salim Daw, is shown grieving in the series

Al Fayed, a self-made billionaire who owned Harrods and Fulham FC, died earlier this year, aged 94, - almost 26 years to the day after his son was killed alongside Princess Diana in a car crash in Paris.

The former Harrods boss is also heard in the series making the untrue claims that Diana was killed him a plot to stop her marrying his son Dodi.

He also alleges Diana was pregnant with Dodi's child.

The depiction of events leading up to the very moment the crash happened will likely cause fresh anguish for the royal family in covering such a sensitive subject.

Speaking in a corridor ahead of their ill-fated final journey, Dodi asks Henri Paul - the deputy head of security at the Ritz - if the pair are safe to travel. Speaking in French, Henri explains that two staffers have taken a decoy vehicle, so the coast is clear for Diana and Dodi.

'No one will see us leave, trust me,' he tells Dodi.

But as the couple walk out to the Mercedes-Benz W140 they are flanked by paparazzi.

Ominous music then plays as the driver asks Diana if she's okay, before Dodi tell Henri - driving the vehicle - 'allez'.

Mr Al Fayed with his son Dodi, who was killed in the same crash that killed Diana in 1997

Mohamed Al Fayed pictured alongside Diana, Princess of Wales at a charity event held at Harrods in London in 1996

The final moments of Princess Diana's life, before the fatal car crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel in Paris, are depicted in the final series of The Crown

The Crown has recreated Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed's final moments before their fatal car crash in Paris. Elizabeth Debicki as Diana and Khalid Abdalla as Dodi are seen in the daunting scene

In the last moments of their lives, Dodi Fayed is shown in the back of the car with Princess Diana

In the final hours of her life Princess Diana is anguished and anxious as she spends the day in Paris with Dodi Fayed

The fourth episode in the final series of The Crown shows the Queen, Prince Philip and Prince Charles being told Diana has died in the car crash - at which point Charles breaks down in tears

After the pair get into the car, very few words are spoken, but Diana and Dodi hold and squeeze each other's hands.

The car begins to speed through the streets and passes a pedestrian who is walking his dog - who looks a little taken aback by the speed of the vehicle.

Netflix has always insisted viewers will not see the crash in the Pont de l'Alma tunnel which killed Dodi and Henri Paul on impact and took Diana's life a few hours later - however, the crash can be heard right at the end of episode three.

The series goes as far as to show the car entering the Pont de l'Alma tunnel as it speeds past the dog walker, in a clip that may shock some viewers.

The final series also depicts the aftermath of Princess Diana's death as the royal family are told the news while at Balmoral.

In a moving scene, an aide breaks the news to the Queen (Imelda Staunton), Prince Philip (Jonathan Pryce) and Prince Charles (Dominic West) who are huddled around the television watching the coverage of the crash.

No words can be heard while the aide delivers the news - however Charles, visibly devastated, breaks down in tears on the sofa.

The Queen while stoic, can be seen holding back tears with a solemn look on her face.

Diana (played by Elizabeth Debicki) and Dodi (played by Khalid Abdalla) are shown getting into a car outside the Ritz Hotel in Paris

Henri Paul (Yoann Blanc) is shown. The driver died alongside Diana and Dodi

Elsewhere in the first episodes of the final season, Princess Diana is depicted as anxious and frustrated on the last day she's alive as she spends the day in Pris with Dodi. In one scene, she expresses her frustration as she tries to call her sons at Balmoral and is told she has 'missed them'.

The clip begins with Diana walking out of a car into the Ritz hotel with boyfriend Dodi Fayed by her side. She is swarmed by paparazzi.

She then steps inside the hotel, where she calls Balmoral to speak to William and Harry.

'Balmoral Castle ,' the operator says.

'Oh, it's Diana calling for the boys,' the Princess replies.

'You've just missed them,' the aide adds. 'The princes waited for your call but have gone back out again. Maybe try again at dinner time'.

Diana then looks extremely anguished, silently mouths 'f**k' and scrunches up her face in anger. However, she does get to speak to the boys later on.

Other newly released clips include Charles' despair over telling William and Harry their mother has died and Diana telling Dodi she's a 'persona non-grata' at Balmoral.

Princes William and Harry will be facing fresh anguish today as a newly released clip from from the final season of The Crown shows them missing a phone call from Princess Diana on the day before she died. Elizabeth Debicki is pictured as Diana

The final season of the Windsor biopic is released tomorrow, and will show the lead up to, and fall out from the late Princess of Wales ' death. A new clip shows, Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki , calling to speak to her sons, only to be told be an aide 'you missed them'.

The clip begins with Diana walking out of a car into the Ritz hotel with boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayed by her side. She is swarmed by paparazzi

She then steps inside the hotel, where she calls Balmoral to speak to William and Harry

The show will also depict the last time Prince William and Prince Harry spoke to their mother - but it will not be a true reflection of the conversation. Rufus Kampa is pictured as Prince William

William and Harry are pictured with Diana in the months before her death

The show will also depict the last time Prince William and Prince Harry spoke to their mother - but it will not be a true reflection of the conversation.

In episode four, Diana is depicted as frustrated while in Paris with Dodi, and desperate to return to the UK to see her sons.

After missing one opportunity to speak with them on the phone, Diana finally manages to have a call with Prince William and Prince Harry, where they ask her if she's going to marry the son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed.

However, according to Prince Harry and Prince William's accounts of the last phone call he ever had with his mother, this version of events does not quite ring true.

'I am emphatically not going to marry Dodi. To be honest, I cant wait to come home,' Diana says in the dramatised version of events.

William then asks his mother if she is ok. She nods and says: 'I'm ok. Its just a bit mad here. I don't really understand how I ended up here. Mummy just needs to make some changes to her life, that's all. But that's not your problem - that's mine.'

In a tender moment, she tells her sons she loves them and they reply to say they love her too. She promises to return home the following evening to see them.

Later in the episode, Diana comes to her untimely death in the car accident.

Although it is true that Prince William and Prince Harry shared a phone call with their mother on the last day she was alive, their recollections of the call do not reflect the Netflix series' depiction.

Speaking in a 2017 documentary Diana: Our Mother, the Princes discussed for the first time the details of their 'desperately rushed' final call with the late royal.

Elizabeth Debicki as Diana with her sons .Netflix releases first look images from Part 1 of the final series of The Crown

The show will also show Dodi and Diana's holiday to Saint Tropez

Earl Spencer, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Charles follow the coffin to the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales on September 6, 1997

Recalling the chat, they expressed their regret that they were desperate to go back outside and play with their cousins, who were also at Balmoral.

Harry said: 'I can't really, necessarily, remember what I said. But all I do remember is probably, you know, regretting for the rest of my life how short the phone call was.

'And if I'd known that was the last time I was going to speak to my mother  the things I would have said to her.'

The fact that Harry, who was 12 at the time of his mother's death, cannot remember the details of his final conversation with Diana suggests it was not a chat where deep feelings were expressed - rather, an ordinary discussion because neither Diana nor the princes knew it would be their final conversation.

William also said of the call: 'Harry and I were in a desperate rush to say goodbye, you know, see you later'.'

Another clip shows then Prince Charles (Dominic West) speaking to Camilla (Olivia Williams) in the hours after Diana died.

A newly released image from the series finale portrays Princess Diana cosying up to her lover Dodi Fayed, with her devotedly holding her hands around Dodis face

The sixth and final series of Netflix 's The Crown recreates moving images of Diana's final summer holiday on board Mohamed Al-Fayed 's yacht in the South of France , days before her death in 1997. Pictured above is Elizabeth Debicki recreating the moment

Dominic West as Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Diana in series five of Netflix's The Crown

'When are you going to tell the boys?' Camilla asks.

'I wanted to let them sleep, delay it as long as possible, while they're sleeping they still have a mother,' Charles replies.

'Of course,' say Camilla, as news coverage of Diana's death plays in the background.

'This is going to be enormous,' Charles adds.

'People have no idea. This is going to be the biggest thing that any of us have ever seen'.

The emotional first four episodes cover the tragic car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana in August 1997  alongside her lover Dodi and their chauffeur Henri Paul  and the Royal Family s reaction to it, as well as the summer holiday Diana and Dodi enjoyed in St Tropez prior to the tragedy.

The Paris scenes were shot in the French capital, while a yacht was hired for the St Tropez scenes, although these were actually filmed in Mallorca.

New photos also give viewers a glimpse into Diana's romance with Dodi - played by Khalid Abdalla

Dominic West as Charles and Elizabeth Debicki as Diana in series five of Netflix's The Crown

The Crown will show Elizabeth Debicki's Princess Diana posing for paparazzi cameras while on a yacht on her final holiday just weeks before her death, newly released photos show. Diana is pictured left, Debicki right

New photos also give viewers a glimpse into Diana's romance with Dodi - played by Khalid Abdalla

Debicki dons a Ralph Lauren shirt to recreate scenes from the show

New photos also offer a first glimpse of Olivia Williams as Camilla

The now Queen Camilla looks troubled in the new photos

Rufus Kampa - playing a teenage Prince William - walks through the Sandringham Estate in Barbour jacket

For sensitivity reasons the exact moment of Dianas death is not re-created, but there are controversial scenes in which Charles tenderly converses with an imaginary Diana in the cabin of the royal plane as he accompanies her body from Paris to London , and later when she also appears to the Queen.

Critics who have seen these scenes called them farcical for portraying Diana as a ghost, but series creator Peter Morgan has insisted that wasnt the intention.

I never imagined it as Dianas ghost in the traditional sense, he told Variety magazine. It was her continuing to live vividly in the minds of those she has left behind.

The Crown was devised by Morgan after the success of his 2006 film about the Royal Familys reaction to Dianas death, The Queen.

And the series  which has earned 21 Emmys and dozens of BAFTA nominations, not to mention some criticism for its historical inaccuracies  covers the same ground, but using fresh information gleaned in the 17 years since the Oscar-winning movie was made.

In fact, the scripts had to be updated all the time as the Royal Family were plunged into headlines throughout the filming period, not only with the Queens death but also following the release of Prince Harrys memoir Spare.
Camilla said it had brought 'communities across the Commonwealth closer'

Queen Camilla today praised the 'wonderful and quite brilliant' winners of the world's oldest writing competition, the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition today, and she was left in stitches when host and Royal Commonwealth Society Ambassador Gyles Brandreth told her a story about Queen Elizabeth and former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher that she confessed she had never heard before.

Addressing the room full of winners past and present, as well as stars of stage, screen and the literary world, Brandreth said: 'Margaret Thatcher, our first woman Prime Minister, came to Buckingham Palace to meet Queen Elizabeth II and she was taken into the room where she was going to meet the Queen for the first time.

'The equerry who told me this story said as he walked her down the corridor to meet Her Majesty he told her 'Prime Minister, a curtsey is not obligatory but if you have it mind of course you can curtsey'. And she said 'Of course, I've been practising!'

'They went into the room and the equerry said 'You Majesty, the Prime Minister. Your Majesty' and he stepped back. At which point Margaret Thatcher executed the most perfect curtsey, a really graceful curtsey. Margaret Thatcher, the Prime Minister, went right down to the ground with her curtsey, right down to the ground..where she stayed.

'She then threw a desperate glance towards the equerry who eagerly trotted back [but] couldn't get her up single-handed. So Queen Elizabeth II took the other side' At this Queen Camilla burst into laugher and rolled her eyes upwards in mock horror.

Camilla speaks with Akshata Murty (centre) and Dr Linda Yueh (left) as she hosts a reception at Buckingham Palace

During her speech, avid reader Camilla described how Queen Victoria was also a 'passionate lover of literature'

Camilla talks with Linda Yueh during a reception for the winners of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition

Gyles Brandreth told her a story about Queen Elizabeth and former Prime Minister Baroness Thatcher that she confessed she had never heard before. Pictured: The pair in Zambia for the Commonwealth conference of 1979

'It's a good story,' laughed Brandreth, and she assured him that she had never heard it before.

Brandreth added more seriously: 'You come here today and you leave thinking there is actually hope for the world. The number of entrants this year has been greater than ever and does make an impact on people's lives. '

The Queen, wearing a black Anna Valentine dress with cream stitching and joined by the Prime Minister's wife Akshata Murty, herself told guests that that it was a 'huge pleasure' to welcome them to Buckingham Palace to celebrate the Competition's 140th birthday.

The 140-year-old contest, which is the world's oldest international writing competition for schools, has 'given young people the opportunity to express themselves on the issues that matter most', she said.

This year's participants, aged between 11 and 17 from India and Malaysia, were asked to write on the subject of 'a youth-powered Commonwealth' - with extracts from the winners' essays read out at the palace by literary figures and actors including Dame Joanna Lumley, Sir Ben Okri and Sanjeev Bhaskar.

During her speech, avid reader Camilla described how Queen Victoria was also a 'passionate lover of literature'.

'She was particularly fond of the works of many authors, including Jane Austen, Lord Tennyson, Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bronte and Lewis Carroll,' the Queen said.

'Legend has it that, having admired Alice In Wonderland, the Queen wrote to Lewis Carroll to request first editions of any of his other books

Queen Camilla talks with Akshata Murty, wife of PM Rishi Sunak, during a reception for the winners of The Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition

Camilla pictured with Mitali Ragtah, 11, from New Delhi, India, who was the junior runner up

'By return of post she received a copy of his Syllabus Of Plane Algebraic Geometry. Probably not what she was after.'

Praising the entrants, Camilla said: 'Well done to each and every one of you, you are quite brilliant and I have, as ever, enormously enjoyed reading your entries.'

The winners of this year's competition were Siddhi Deshmukh, senior winner, 17, Mumbai, India; Shreeya Sahi, junior winner, 12, Panchkula, India; Yong Sin Kong, senior runner-up, 15, Johor, Malaysia; and Mitali Ragtah, junior runner-up, 11, New Delhi, India.

The Queen's appearance comes after she met with women leaders from across the Commonwealth at an event dedicated to addressing domestic violence on Wednesday.

Camilla said it was 'so important' for her to attend the event at Marlborough House, London - which was focused on safeguarding women and children from domestic violence.

The royal, who looked typically sophisticated in an dark green dress with heeled boots, was greeted by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth, Baroness Scotland, as she arrived at the headquarters of the Commonwealth in central London.

Camilla is pictured with Gyles Brandreth at the Commonwealth Essay reception held at Buckingham Palace

Camilla is seen with Dr Linda Yueh (left), Sanjeev Bhaskar (second right), and Dame Joanna Lumley (right)

Baroness Scotland said one in three women in the world will be affected by domece at some stage in their lives, adding that women were 'disproportionately affected' in every form of crisis.

She said that having the support of Camilla was 'wonderful', adding that the Queen had a 'great care for people'.

Baroness Scotland, the first woman to serve as attorney general for England and Wales, said: 'So many people would like to be silent, and it's not necessarily a comfortable thing to talk about.

'But Her Majesty has been absolutely adamant that she would be a spokesperson for all those women who think they have no voice.'

Camilla attended a reception of dignitaries which included the British-Ghanaian entrepreneur and actress Lady Dentaa Amoateng.

She also met the leaders of the Mirabel Centre, Nigeria's first referral centre to provide free medical and psychosocial support to survivors of rape and sexual assault.

Itoro Eze-Anaba, the founder of the centre, said having the patronage of Camilla had 'helped people to speak up' as it brought 'credibility' to the centre.

She added that the centre had helped more than 8,200 survivors of rape and sexual assault - with the youngest of the centre's clients being just three months old and the oldest 82 years old.
King Charles met faith leaders from across the country on Thursday afternoon to mark Inter Faith Week.

The royal, 75, hosted a reception attended by more than 30 faith leaders and community representatives was held at Lambeth Palace Library.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby, Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and Aliya Azam from the Al Khoei Foundation were among those to meet with the King.

Lambeth Palace said it provided an opportunity for faith leaders to talk to the King about what their communities are 'experiencing in the light of global conflicts'

The reception also offered the opportunity to look at how these conflicts 'affect community relations in this country'.

King Charles met faith leaders from across the country at Lambeth Palace Library on Thursday afternoon, amid ongoing conflict in the Middle East

To mark Inter Faith Week, a reception attended by more than 30 faith leaders and community representatives was held at Lambeth Palace

King Charles III and The Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby at a reception of faith leaders

Mr Welby said the visit reflected Charles's 'longstanding commitment to supporting all faiths in the UK'.

He said: 'It was a great honour to welcome King Charles to Lambeth Palace Library today.

'These are challenging times for faith communities in the UK, particularly with the ongoing war in the Middle East.

'Today's visit by The King was a wonderful encouragement to remain united in partnership and friendship - as many people of faith are doing across the country.'

The monarch was shown valuable religious artefacts at the library, including an English translation of the Koran from 1734 and a nearly 500-year-old Talmud.

As he left, Charles thanked the library's staff, saying: 'Well done for all the marvellous things you do.'

He then joked: 'I hope opening the blinds hasn't caused too much damage - it would be all my fault.'

Charles, dressed in a blue check suit with a pink pocket square, also met researchers from the Church Commissioners' Project Spire which is investigating links between the Church of England's endowment fund and transatlantic chattel slavery.

Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby (left), Chief Rabbi Sir Ephraim Mirvis and Aliya Azam from the Al Khoei Foundation were among those to meet with the King

King Charles III speaks with faith leaders at a reception of faith leaders during a visit to the new Lambeth Palace Library to mark Inter Faith Week

Mr Welby said the visit reflected Charles's 'longstanding commitment to supporting all faiths in the UK'

King Charles III alongside faith leaders at a reception of faith leaders during a visit to the new Lambeth Palace Library

King Charles III looks at religious books during the Inter Faith Week reception on Thursday

The items the monarch viewed included a Bible from 1808 for the conversion of slaves which excludes 90 per cent of the Old Testament and many references to freedom.

Before departing, Mr Welby showed Charles a Coronation Bible and the King signed the library's visitors' book.

The visit was Charles's first to Lambeth Palace Library since his accession, and the first time the monarch has been there since Queen Elizabeth II visited in 2012 to mark her Diamond Jubilee.

Lambeth Palace Library is home to the historic library of the Archbishops of Canterbury and the archives of the Church of England - it was founded in 1610 by Archbishop Richard Bancroft and is one of England's oldest public libraries.

Inter Faith Week, which begins on Remembrance Sunday, aims to strengthen interfaith relations at all levels and to increase awareness of the different and distinct faith communities in the UK.

The monarch was shown valuable religious artefacts at the library, including an English translation of the Koran from 1734 and a nearly 500-year-old Talmud

As he left, Charles thanked the library's staff, saying: 'Well done for all the marvellous things you do'

Upon leaving, Charles joked: 'I hope opening the blinds hasn't caused too much damage - it would be all my fault'

King Charles and The Archbishop of Canterbury while attending a reception for Inter Faith Week

It was another outing to add to a busy week for the King, after his 75th birthday celebrations on Monday and Tuesday.

Charles' visit comes as Netflix has come out with the emotional first four episodes covering the tragic car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana in August 1997  alongside her lover Dodi and their chauffeur Henri Paul  and the Royal Family 's reaction to it, as well as the summer holiday Diana and Dodi enjoyed in St Tropez prior to the tragedy.

The Paris scenes were shot in the French capital, while a yacht was hired for the St Tropez scenes, although these were actually filmed in Mallorca.

The heartbreaking moment Charles tells William and Harry of their mother's death has been recreated in the series.

The new season shows Dominic West - who plays Prince Charles - telling the boys that their mother has died.

'Morning darling,' he first tells William. 'I'm afraid you're going to have to be very brave'

The Prince appears at the end of the bed and later, the camera captures close up of Harry's face, looking shocked with tears in his eyes.

Prince William is seen standing at the foot of his brother's bed, although it's understood that in reality the boys were told separately. Harry described being alone in his bedroom at Balmoral in his memoir Spare when Prince Charles relayed the news.

In the book he wrote about how his father, who was then the Prince of Wales, sat him down on a bed before breaking the news.

He said Prince Charles called him 'my dear son' before telling him his mother was unlikely to survive head injuries sustained in the crash in Paris in the early hours of August 31, 1997.

He painted the picture of an emotionally-distant father, saying that Charles was 'not good at expressing his emotions'.

He wrote: 'What I do remember with stunning clarity is that I did not cry. Not a tear. My father did not hug me.'

In the book, the Duke recalled asking to go and visit his mother while she was in the hospital.

However, he says his father explained she 'hasn't recovered any more', before saying he stayed in his room on his own until the following morning.

He recalled that he and his brother William were forbidden from watching the TV so they didn't see news of the car crash.

He said for a time he believed Diana had faked her own death and she was 'running away' to escape her 'miserable' life.

The Duke said his 13-year-old self had wondered if it was a 'trick', writing in the book: 'Her life's been miserable, she's been hounded, harassed, lied about, lied to. So she's staged an accident as a diversion and run away.'

He later admitted this was not the case, but said he returned to the theory as a source of comfort.
A Canadian man who used his mother's poop to treat his debilitating digestive disease started experiencing her menopause symptoms.

Charlie Curtis of Toronto, Canada, spent four years performing 'DIY' (do it yourself) fecal microbiota transplants (FMTs) after his Crohn's disease got so bad he landed in the hospital and was going to the bathroom 40 times a day.

During the FMT process, he started experiencing sweating, hot flashes, and mood swings, similar to what his menopausal mother, Sky Curtis, was going through.

Mr Curtis, who is in his mid-30s, now reports he has no symptoms and doesn't need to take medication he had previously relied on.

'It's something I would do 100 times over in my life,' he said in the documentary Designer S***.

Charlie Curtis and his mother, Sky (pictured here), spent four years performing at-home fecal transplants to treat Mr Curtis' Crohn's disease

'It's something I would do 100 times over in my life,' Mr Curtis said in the documentary Designer S***

Mr Curtis was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis in 2006 at age 18. He then developed Crohn's disease a few years later.

Both conditions are forms of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which is characterized by inflammation in the digestive tract. Ulcerative colitis only affects the colon and the rectum, which make up the large intestine, while Crohn's disease can impact any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus.

These conditions are usually diagnosed in young people. Ulcerative colitis patients are typically diagnosed in their mid-30s, while Crohn's patients find out they have the condition in their teens or between ages 20 and 30.

Despite taking medication, Mr Curtis' symptoms landed him in the hospital, where he was using the bathroom 40 times a day.

Desperate to help her son, Ms Curtis contacted Dr Thomas Borody, the director of the Centre for Digestive Diseases in Sydney, Australia, who pioneered FMT treatment in the 1980s. He suggested she donate her healthy stools to her son.

FMT, which is not FDA-approved in the US to treat this condition, involves transferring medically screened stool from a healthy person into the gastrointestinal tract of a patient using an enema in an effort to rebalance bacteria in the stomach.

An enema is an injection of fluid into the lower bowel via the rectum.

The goal of the procedure is to take a screened donor's healthy microbiota - the healthy balance of bacteria in the gut - and give it to someone who doesn't have a balanced microbiome to try and restore the health of that person's digestive tract, which contains trillions of bacteria, microorganisms and fungi.

A balanced microbiota contributes to the overall health of a person, and when the microbes are imbalanced, it can be harmful to health.

Good bacteria is extracted from a healthy donor and processed into pills or a liquid. It is then given to patients using an enema  fluid administered up the rectum

The Curtises performed FMT 'every day for a month, then every two days for a month, then every third day for a month,' Ms Curtis said in the documentary.

'Once we got down to once a month, we did once a month for three and a half years,' with newly donated stool each time.

'When I was actually doing the procedure, I'd feel tingling inside of me,' Mr Curtis said.

'It felt healthy. It felt like it was working.'

However, he started experiencing unexpected side effects.

During their FMT treatments, Ms Curtis was going through menopause, which led her to have excessive sweating, hot flashes, and mood swings.

After performing the transplants, Mr Curtis began to briefly experience the same symptoms.

'At the time, I was going through menopause,' Ms Curtis said in the documentary. 'And so was he!'

Dr Borody said the donated poop could 'transmit high levels of hormones,' so it's possible Mr Curtis had absorbed those hormones through FMT, leading him to have menopause symptoms. However, there isn't enough evidence to prove this theory.

FMT works by replenishing bacterial balance as it acts like a probiotic, with samples of feces often containing up to 1,000 different species of bacteria.

The transplant is done via tubes - inserted into the nostril of the recipient, down the throat and into the stomach - or directly into the colon.

The fecal sample can also be transplanted through enemas or pills containing freeze-dried material taken via the mouth or inserted into the rectum.

FMT is most commonly used to treat recurring C. difficile infection - inflammation of the colon spread by bacterial spores found in feces. This is the only FDA-approved treatment for FMT in the US. It is 90 percent effective.

The protocol is approved for different treatments in various countries and can also be used for gastrointestinal conditions such as colitis, irritable bowel syndrome and constipation - but success rates are much lower.

Doing it yourself could lead to infections, as donor stool that is not screen properly may have pathogens in it that could harm a recipient with a preexisting condition like Crohn's disease.

It could also damage the rectum or colon if the stool is inserted incorrectly.

Recent studies have delved into the benefits of treating conditions linked to a poor balance of 'good' and 'bad' bacteria in the gut, such as autism.

However, there's not yet enough research for FMT to be approved for other health issues.

The long-term safety and effectiveness of FMT is relatively unknown, and researchers have called for more studies to determine the risks.

FMT is approved in other parts of the world, including Australia, Canada and the UK. It is only approved for C. difficile infection in the US.

Crohn's affects one in 100 Americans, according to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation, and ulcerative colitis is three times more common.

Ulcerative colitis and Crohn's can cause stomach pain, bloody diarrhea, constipation, an urgent need to have a bowel movement, rectal bleeding, loss of appetite, weight loss, and fatigue.

Crohn's can also result in other symptoms, including mouth sores, anal tears, ulcers, infections, and narrowing of the intestine.

Mr Curtis credits FMT with curing his Crohn's disease and is now symptom free and no longer needs to take medication.

He said: 'I feel like I have a new system. I feel like I have a new body, like a new digestive system, and I feel like it's working on my behalf now, which is great.

'I feel normal again.'
Thousands of Brits suffering from two blood disorders could be given a first-of-its-kind treatment that could potentially cure them.

Casgevy was today approved by the UK's medicines watchdog for all over-12s after 'rigorous' safety, quality and effectiveness checks.

The drug, which is expected to be priced around 1million per patient, treats sickle cell disease and transfusion-dependent -thalassemia  painful, life-long conditions that, in severe cases, can be fatal.

Experts say the gene-editing treatment acts as a 'functional cure' for both disorders, removing the faulty gene and relieving symptoms.

However, it will only be rolled out on the NHS if it receives a further approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice).

Sickle cell disease patients, of which there are around 15,000 in the UK, do not make haemoglobin properly  a substance in red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body. As a result, their red blood cells become rigid and shaped like a crescent instead of a disc (pictured), which can cause them to die and become stuck in blood vessels

Jimi Olaghere, 36, who lives in the US, suffered sickle cell disease from childhood and was hospitalised almost every month

Both genetic conditions are caused by errors in the genes for haemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body.

Sickle cell disease patients, of which there are around 15,000 in the UK, do not make haemoglobin properly  a substance in red blood cells, which carry oxygen around the body.

As a result, their red blood cells become rigid and shaped like a crescent instead of a disc, which can cause them to die and become stuck in blood vessels.

Sufferers experience attacks of severe pain that can last days or weeks, serious and life-threatening infections and anaemia, which can trigger tiredness and weakness.

Around 1,000 Brits have transfusion-dependent -thalassaemia. This group have a shortage of healthy red blood cells, which leads to severe anaemia.

How does Casgevy work? Casgevy, made by Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Crispr Therapeutics in Switzerland, works by editing the faulty HBB gene behind both conditions in a patient's bone marrow stem cells so that the body produces functioning haemoglobin. To do this, stem cells are taken out of a patient's bone marrow and edited in a laboratory using molecular 'scissors' which precisely disable the faulty gene. Stem cells are then infused back into the patient, who may need to spend a month or longer in hospital while the treated cells start to make healthy red blood cells. The results have the potential to be life-long. An ongoing trial of the drug so far shows that 97 per cent of sickle cell patients were free from severe pain for at least one year after treatment. In a separate study for -thalassaemia, 93 per cent of participants did not need a blood transfusion for at least one year. Among those who did, their need for transfusions fell by 70 per cent. Side effects included nausea, fatigue, fever and increased risk of infection. Advertisement

They often need a monthly blood transfusion to survive and require injections and medicines for life. If left untreated, the condition can cause organ damage and be fatal.

Casgevy, made by Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Crispr Therapeutics in Switzerland , works by editing the faulty HBB gene behind both conditions in a patient's bone marrow stem cells so that the body produces functioning haemoglobin.

To do this, stem cells are taken out of a patient's bone marrow and edited in a lab using molecular 'scissors' which precisely disable the faulty gene.

Stem cells are then infused back into the patient, who may need to spend a month or longer in hospital while the treated cells start to make healthy red blood cells.

The results have the potential to be life-long, it is thought.

An ongoing trial of the drug so far shows that 97 per cent of sickle cell patients were free from severe pain for at least one year after treatment.

In a separate study for -thalassaemia, 93 per cent of participants did not need a blood transfusion for at least one year. Among those who did, their need for transfusions fell by 70 per cent.

Side effects included nausea, fatigue, fever and increased risk of infection.

No significant safety concerns were spotted but the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and drugmakers will continue to monitor patients.

Casgevy is the first medicine to be licensed that uses the innovative gene-editing tool CRISPR, known as 'genetic scissors' that enable scientists to make precise changes to DNA. Its inventors were awarded the Nobel Prize in 2020.

Until now, a bone marrow transplant from a closely-matched donor has been the only long-lasting treatment for the two blood disorders.

However, they are not performed often due to the risks, which include the transplanted cells attacking other cells in the body, which can be life-threatening.

Julian Beach, interim executive director of healthcare quality and access at the MHRA, said: 'I am pleased to announce that we have authorised an innovative and first-of-its-kind gene-editing treatment called Casgevy.'

He added: 'The MHRA will continue to closely monitor the safety and effectiveness of Casgevy, through real-world safety data and post-authorisation safety studies being carried out by the manufacturer.

'I would like to thank the patients with lived experiences who engaged with us as part of the assessment process and gave us valuable insight into their lives and the challenges of managing their condition.'

John James OBE, chief executive of the Sickle Cell Society, said: 'Sickle cell disorder is an incredibly debilitating condition, causing significant pain for the people who live with it and potentially leading to early mortality.

'There are limited medicines currently available to patients, so I welcome today's news that a new treatment has been judged safe and effective, which has the potential to significantly improve the quality of life for so many.'

Drugmakers have not yet revealed the price of Casgevy but it would cost in excess of 1million, based on the price point of similar drugs.

This could make it too expensive for approval in the UK.

Reality TV star Rosie Williams, from Glamorgan in Wales, has previously shared her struggles with thalassaemia minor  a less severe version of transfusion-dependent -thalassaemia

Casgevy, made by Boston-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals (pictured) and Crispr Therapeutics in Switzerland, works by editing the faulty HBB gene behind both conditions in a patient's bone marrow stem cells so that the body produces functioning haemoglobin

In 2021, Nice rejected a gene therapy Zynteglo, made by US-based Bluebird Bio, for treating transfusion-dependent -thalassemia.

It concluded that trials were too small and its 1.45million per patient price tag was too high. However, that drug was approved in the US last year.

Jimi Olaghere, 36, who lives in the US, suffered sickle cell disease from childhood and was hospitalised almost every month.

The technology entrepreneur told the BBC that the condition felt like 'shards of glass flowing through your veins or someone taking a hammer to your joints'.

'You wake up in the morning with pain and you go to bed with pain,' he said.

However, Mr Olaghere became one of the first patients to have the revolutionary new gene-editing treatment as part of Vertex Pharmaceuticals and Crispr Therapeutics clinical trials in the US in 2020.

He said he woke up without any pain and it was 'like being born again'.

'When I look back, it's like, "Wow, I can't believe I lived with that".'

Reality TV star Rosie Williams, from Glamorgan in Wales, has previously shared her struggles with thalassaemia minor  a less severe version of transfusion-dependent -thalassaemia.

She said 'It's the kind of tiredness where you can't function, you're too tired to talk or to eat and it makes me very sensitive to pain.

'If I trap my finger in a door or hit my knee, the pain can make me feel faint.'

Dr Sara Trompeter, a consultant haematologist at UCLH and NHS Blood and Transplant, said: 'Sickle cell disorder is a very complex life-limiting and life-threatening disorder with very limited treatment options.

'Whilst curative treatments may not be suitable for all, gene therapy offers a real chance of cure for those who are not eligible for bone marrow transplants and so we are delighted that it has been approved by MHRA.

'We look forward to NICE approval so that this can be delivered, free of charge to patients, in the NHS.'
Two in three maternity units in England are not safe enough, according to figures from the care regulator.

Care Quality Commission (CQC) officials currently rank 67 per cent of services as either 'inadequate' or 'requires improvement', up from 55 per cent a year ago.

The proportion of units deemed 'inadequate'  the lowest rating  has doubled.

Such a ruling means there is a high risk of avoidable harm for mothers and babies, under the CQC's criteria.

The regulator said the situation was 'unacceptable' and warned maternity safety 'is still so far from where it needs to be'.

Health leaders have blamed a shortage of midwives. Inspectors have also warned of culture and leadership problems.

Katie Wilkins' baby girl Maddison was stillborn in February 2013 at Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after midwives left her in a side room for 48 hours and failed to properly monitor her. A March 2022 probe into Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust found that 300 babies had died or been left brain-damaged due to 'repeated errors in care'

Sarah and Tom Richford with their son Harry who died seven days after he was born in November 2017 at the Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Hospital in Margate. East Kent Hospitals admitted failing to provide safe care for the mother and baby and was fined 733,000 in 2021. A 2022 probe into the trust revealed dozens of babies and mothers died or were injured during childbirth

The data, analysed by the BBC, examined how CQC ratings of maternity services changed between September 2022 and November 2023.

All units are ranked as 'inadequate', 'requires improvement', 'good' or 'outstanding' based on categories such as how safe, caring and well-led they are.

Overall, 10 per cent of maternity services are 'inadequate'.

Forty per cent 'require improvement', 47 per cent are 'good' and just three per cent are 'outstanding'.

However, for the specific safety criteria, the proportion of units ranked 'inadequate' jumped from 7 per cent last September to 15 per cent in November.

Kate Terroni, CQC's deputy chief executive, said: 'We know many women receive good, safe maternity care, but sadly that's not everyone's experience.

Timeline of the NHS maternity scandals A swathe of scandals have hit NHS maternity care. An inquiry into failings at Morecambe Bay NHS Trust  where 11 babies and one mother suffered avoidable deaths  found a group of midwives' overzealous pursuit of natural childbirth had 'led at times to inappropriate and unsafe care'. The investigation report, published in March 2015, revealed 20 'serious and shocking' major failures had occurred between 2004 and 2013. An October 2021 report revealed that a third of stillborn babies may have survived if there were not serious mistakes at Llantrisant's Royal Glamorgan and Merthyr Tydfil's Prince Charles hospitals in south Wales. The inquiry was launched in 2019 after the maternity services at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board were put into special measures. Another probe into Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust, led by midwifery expert Donna Ockenden, found that 300 babies had died or been left brain-damaged due to 'repeated errors in care'. The two-year investigation, published in March 2022, highlighted staffing and training gaps as well as midwives being determined to keep caesarean section rates low as causes of some deaths. Another report published in October 2022 exposed the failures of two hospitals which are part of East Kent Hospitals Trust. It revealed there were 12 cases where a baby suffered brain damage due to getting insufficient oxygen, but there could have been a different outcome had the baby received better care. An investigation at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which started in September 2022, is looking into 1,700 similar cases. A final report is due in 2024. Already reports claim there were dozens of deaths, stillbirths and babies left with brain damaged after mistakes. Nottinghamshire police announced in September 2023 that they are launched a criminal probe into failings. Advertisement

'At some NHS hospital trusts we have found that issues such as the quality of staff training; poor risk assessment; and a failure to engage with, learn from and listen to the needs of women are still impacting on the safety of services, and we have been clear with those hospitals where action must be taken.

'The increased national focus on maternity safety is both welcome and crucial to improvement, but as we highlighted in our 2022/23 State of Care report last month  we are yet to see the progress needed and current safety ratings show too many maternity units where there is more to do.

'Safe, high-quality maternity care for all is not an ambitious or unrealistic goal. It should be the minimum expectation for women and babies  and is what staff working in maternity services across the country want to provide.

'It's not acceptable that maternity safety is still so far from where it needs to be. As a healthcare system, we need to do better for women and for babies.'

The Royal College of Midwives suggests staff shortages and lack of funding is making it harder for midwives to deliver better-quality services. It is estimated the NHS is short of 500 midwives.

It comes after MailOnline's own analysis in August revealed 45 per cent of maternity services had been ranked as 'requiring improvement' or 'inadequate' by a new CQC inspection programme.

In reports on individual trusts, the regulator criticised hospitals for delays to caesareans and the induction of labour, not investigating safety incidents fast enough and staff not completing mandatory training.

The CQC's fresh inspection programme was launched in the wake of hundreds of baby deaths at the Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust.

An inquiry into the scandal, led by midwifery expert Donna Ockenden, found that 300 babies had died or been left brain-damaged due to 'repeated errors in care'.

The two-year investigation, published in March 2022, highlighted staffing and training gaps as well as midwives being determined to keep caesarean section rates low as causes of some deaths.

Ms Ockenden, who set out actions for all maternity services in England to take amid fears of similar findings elsewhere, said women will not be safe to give birth until her full raft of recommendations are implemented.

A swathe of additional scandals have affected NHS maternity care.

An inquiry into failings at Morecambe Bay NHS Trust  where 11 babies and one mother suffered avoidable deaths  found a group of midwives' overzealous pursuit of natural childbirth had 'led at times to inappropriate and unsafe care'.

The investigation report, published in March 2015, revealed 20 'serious and shocking' major failures had occurred between 2004 and 2013.

An October 2021 report revealed that a third of stillborn babies may have survived if there were not serious mistakes at Llantrisant's Royal Glamorgan and Merthyr Tydfil's Prince Charles hospitals in south Wales.

The inquiry was launched in 2019 after the maternity services at Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board were put into special measures.

Another report published in October 2022 exposed the failures of two hospitals which are part of East Kent Hospitals Trust.

It revealed there were 12 cases where a baby suffered brain damage due to getting insufficient oxygen, but there could have been a different outcome had the baby received better care.

Richard Stanton and Rhiannon Davies, pictured at their home in Hereford. Their daughter Kate died moments after she was born on March 1, 2009 at Shrewsbury and Telford NHS Trust. Her death was later found to have been avoidable. An inquiry into the trust found that 300 babies had died or been left brain-damaged due to 'repeated errors in care'

The graphic shows the NHS trusts in England that have logged the biggest drop in midwives between September 2022 and July 2023  the latest data available. Northern Care Alliance NHS Foundation Trust has seen its midwife workforce drop 12.8 per cent over this nine-month period, while Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust has 8.8 per cent fewer staff compared to 10 months earlier, NHS workforce data shows

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An investigation at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, which started in September 2022, is looking into 1,700 similar cases. A final report is due in 2024.

Already reports claim there were dozens of deaths, stillbirths and babies left with brain damaged after mistakes. Nottinghamshire police announced in September 2023 that they are launched a criminal probe into failings.

Earlier this year, a major survey of 20,900 women by the CQC found the number reporting a positive experience of pregnancy, labour and postnatal care had plummeted.

Nearly four in ten women struggled to get medics to help them while giving birth and over half were not always able to get advice on feeding after being sent home.

Overall, just over two-thirds of those polled said they 'definitely' had 'confidence and trust' in the staff delivering their antenatal care.

READ MORE: Health chief apologises to parents whose premature baby died on scandal-hit maternity ward as she admits mother should have been transferred to specialist unit to give birth Little Nelly Webb was born at just 30 weeks gestation and only weighed 2lbs 9oz but tragically died the next day Advertisement

An NHS spokesperson said: 'NHS England is working closely with Trusts to make changes outlined in the NHS three-year delivery plan for maternity and neonatal services, including recommendations from recent maternity reviews, to ensure safer, more personalised and equitable maternity care for all women, babies and families.

'And we're increasing investment to 186million annually to grow the maternity workforce, strengthen leadership and improve culture, with the number of full-time midwives up by over 700 on last year  while a further 4million has increased dedicated advocate roles that support staff wellbeing to keep staff in the NHS for longer.'

Minister for Women's Health Strategy, Maria Caulfield said: 'I want to reassure mothers and families that maternity care is of the utmost importance to this government.

'Every parent must be able to have confidence in the care they receive when giving birth, and we are working incredibly hard to improve maternity services, focusing on recruitment, training, and the retention of midwives.

'We have invested 165million a year since 2021 to grow the maternity workforce and improve neonatal services and are promoting careers in midwifery by increasing training places by more than 3,650 over the past four years.

'But we know there is more to do. We welcome the Care Quality Commission's commitment to monitor NHS trusts that are not providing adequate care to make sure improvements are made as quickly as possible.

'To do this, we have created a Maternity Safety Support Programme, dedicated to providing hands-on support to ensure trusts improve. It is already supporting 32 services, aiming to help trusts achieve a higher rating and provide a better and safer service.'

It comes after a damning report published this week revealed that mothers' and babies' lives are being put at risk by a 'toxic culture' in NHS maternity services.

The report by the #Saynotobullyinginmidwifery campaign group  a team of leading midwives and midwifery academics  warned working in NHS units was like playing a 'warped game of Russian Roulette', as there was a risk of harm or death occurring at any time.

'Dangerously' low staffing levels meant labouring women were treated as if they were 'on a conveyor belt', midwives revealed  adding that one-to-one care was 'a thing of the past'.

Maternity units 'often' had less than half the number of staff needed to operate safely and unqualified students were left to look after multiple women on postnatal or labour wards, according to the report.

Midwives reported how they were given so many patients to care for they often did not have enough time to complete basic care tasks, like giving women painkillers or properly sterilising equipment  putting patients at risk of infection, it stated.
The rapid expansion of medical 'associate' roles in the NHS is putting patients at risk and must be halted immediately, doctors have warned.

Health leaders want physician associates and anaesthetic associates to play a larger role in the NHS over the next 15 years to meet rising demand for care.

They are less qualified than doctors and do not have medical degrees but are increasingly diagnosing and treating patients in hospitals and GP surgeries.

The British Medical Association called for a recruitment freeze and highlighted a number of recent cases in which patients have not always known they were being treated by a PA and have 'tragically come to harm'.

It says the new recruits are 'encroaching on the role of doctors' and the dangers they pose should not be seen as a 'price worth paying' for quickly resolving a workforce shortage.

Emily Chesterton, pictured, was just 30 when she died last year after a PA failed to spot a blood clot. The actress was seen twice by the same PA, who told her she had anxiety and long Covid. Her parents say that at no point during the appointment was Emily made aware the person she was seeing was not a GP. Emily died in November after she suffered a cardiac arrest. A coroner concluded her life could have been saved if she had been sent to A&E

Norman Jopling, 79 from North London, suffered a serious brain bleed after a PA mistakenly told him that his painful headaches were nothing to worry about. His wife Maureen, right, accused the NHS of 'trying to cut corners' by allowing PAs to carry out 'complicated tasks they're not qualified to perform'

Actress Emily Chesterton, 30, died of a blood clot at the end of last year after a PA dismissed her symptoms as anxiety and gave her pills instead of directing her to A&E.

She believed she had been seen by a GP at her surgery in North London but had actually been seen twice by an associate.

The BMA's UK Council, which represents doctors across the UK, has now passed a Motion calling for the moratorium on the grounds of patient safety.

They want the pause to last until the government and NHS put guarantees in place to make sure that medical associate professionals are properly regulated and supervised.

However, some junior doctors have taken to the internet in recent months to complain that PAs are being paid more than they are, are rostered for more sociable hours and are taking places on training programmes that they have been unable to get on.

Professor Phil Banfield, BMA chair of council, said: 'There must be no doubt that when a patient goes to see a doctor, they are going to see a doctor.

'This blurring of roles and the confusion caused to patients must stop now.'

There are more than 3,500 PAs registered in the UK, as well as 150 anaesthesia associates (AAs) and 6,800 nursing associates.

PAs and AAs usually undergo a three-year undergraduate degree followed by two years post-graduate training.

Health leaders want physician associates and anaesthetic associates to play a larger role in the NHS over the next 15 years to meet rising demand for care. They are less qualified than doctors and do not have medical degrees but are increasingly diagnosing and treating patients in hospitals and GP surgeries

A geographical map shows the distribution of PAs across the UK

They are currently unregulated but work is under way to expand the role of the General Medical Council, which regulates doctors, to also include MAPs.

Professor Banfield said: 'Doctors across the UK are getting more and more worried about the relentless expansion of the medical associate professions, brought into sharp focus by terrible cases of patients suffering serious harm after getting the wrong care from MAPs.

'Now is the time for the Government to listen before it is too late.

'We are clear: until there is clarity and material assurances about the role of MAPs, they should not be recruited in the NHS.

'We have always been clear that MAPs can play an important part in NHS teams, and doctors will continue to value, respect and support individual staff they work with.

'But MAPs roles and responsibilities are not clearly defined.

'We are seeing increased instances of MAPs encroaching on the role of doctors; they are not doctors, do not have a medical degree and do not have the extensive training and depth of knowledge that doctors do.

The number of qualified PAs in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales in 2021, according to the Royal College of Physicians

A report by the Royal College of Physicians shows PA's working across 46 specialties. These include urology, surgery, cardiology and mental health

Critics are deeply concerned about the riskier roles that some PAs are now performing, such as pelvic examinations and inserting and removing the contraceptive coil

'As doctors, we are worried that patients and public do not understand what this could mean in respect of the level of experience and expertise in care they receive.'

He added: 'The General Medical Council is the exclusive regulator of doctors in the UK.

'Adding staff who are not doctors and do not have a medical degree to the GMC register brings into question the competence and qualification of the whole medical profession.

'The Government may view this as a price worth paying for a shortcut to solving the workforce crisis they have presided over. We know otherwise.

'GMC regulation of MAPs will only add to the confusion and uncertainty that patients face.

'Ministers may hope that by using secondary legislation, which may not even require the vote of MPs, they can avoid raising the alarm.

'But patients want doctors to remain doctors, regulated by a dedicated body, and they have a right to have confidence in the expert medical care they receive.

'There must be no doubt that when a patient goes to see a doctor, they are going to see a doctor. This blurring of roles and the confusion caused to patients must stop now.'

Last month, NHS England's national medical director, Professor Sir Stephen Powis, said there is 'emphatically no plan to replace doctors in the NHS'.
America's top doctor has joined UN efforts to combat the scourge of loneliness, which he says is more dangerous than obesity, physical inactivity  and even of smoking 15 cigarettes a day.

Dr Vivek Murthy, the Surgeon General, this week joined a UN commission on social connection, which is aimed at tackling isolation globally, and the higher rates of stroke, anxiety, dementia, depression, and suicide that it causes.

Levels of loneliness have been rising for years but got worse fast amid pandemic lockdowns.

Americans spent about 20 minutes a day in person with friends in 2020, down from an hour each day about two decades earlier.

Ken Mattlin, 86, of Bakersfield, California, has turned to robots and gadgets for companionship amid America's loneliness epidemic

Living in social isolation could be as bad for your health as nearly a pack of cigarettes daily

The UN's World Health Organization (WHO) says the problem goes far beyond America's borders.

About a quarter of older people globally are socially isolated, as well as between 5-15 percent of adolescents, according to research that is likely to be an undercount.

Google's health chief Karen DeSalvo is also on the UN panel

Dr Murthy, who will co-chair WHO's 11-member panel, said social isolation had 'profound health and societal consequences,' including a 30 percent higher chance of suffering from heart disease.

'We have an obligation to make the same investments in rebuilding the social fabric of society that we have made in addressing other global health concerns, such as tobacco use, obesity, and the addiction crisis,' he said.

In an advisory in May, Dr Murthy urged Americans to engage more with friends, relatives and colleagues, and spend less time online, staring at their smartphones, or glued to social media.

Being socially disconnected is as bad for you as smoking 15 cigarettes a day, the advisory said.

It is also worse than being obese or not exercising.

In Kissimmee, Florida, a program of group bingo and meals is aimed at building a sense of community and tackling loneliness

America's own report on social isolation had worrying findings for the country of 340 million

Loneliness increases the risk of premature death by nearly 30 percent, and those with poor social relationships also have a greater risk of stroke and heart disease.

Isolation also elevates a person's likelihood for experiencing depression, anxiety, and dementia.

Now more than half of Americans experience loneliness, particularly younger adults.

The amount of time Americans spent with friends dropped 20 hours a month between 2003 and 2020.

Meanwhile, time spent alone shot up by a whole 24 hours, likely exacerbated by Covid lockdowns.

The pandemic prompted schools and workplaces to shut their doors and sent millions of people to isolate at home away from their loved ones.

Technology has exacerbated the problem.

One study found that people who used social media for two hours or more daily were more than twice as likely to report feeling socially isolated than those who were on such apps for less than 30 minutes a day.

Research shows that Americans, who have become less engaged with worship houses, community groups and even their own family in recent decades, have steadily reported rising feelings of loneliness.

The number of single US households has also doubled over the last 60 years.

Dr Vivek Murthy will co-chair the World Health Organization's three-year panel on social isolation

Covid lockdowns forced isolation upon the nation. Here, Jose Guerra, stands on his balcony in Houston during a bout of quarantine

To counter the loneliness scourge, children need to be taught how to build and maintain healthy relationships, chat with friends, join social clubs, volunteer, or sit down for a meal with people, says the advisory.

Socially connected people live longer, as loneliness can cause chronic stress, which leads to inflammation which damages tissues and blood vessels.

WHO's commission brings together Dr Murthy with other global experts on the problem  from Japan's minister for loneliness and isolation Ayuko Kato to Google's chief health officer Karen Desalvo.

They will meet for the first time next month and are tasked with evaluating the levers governments can pull to bring people together, and report back in early 2025.

Dr Murthy's co-chair, Chido Mpemba, the African Union's youth envoy, said loneliness was a global problem that 'can affect anyone, of any age, anywhere.'

He called for more 'investments in social connection.'
Covid lockdowns were no more effective at controlling the pandemic than letting people adapt their own behaviour to the threat, a major Oxford University-backed study suggests.

Researchers modelled virus death and unemployment rates in response to different pandemic policies.

Results showed imposing blanket shutdowns, which forced people to stay home and closed essential shops, squashed fatality rates for the virus.

However, leaving people to adapt their own behaviour  similar to the controversial approach used in Sweden  was just as effective, data revealed.

Experts concluded that both policies led to 'similar trade-offs' for people's health and the economy, with both approaches triggering huge job losses.

Due to differences in logging data, comparisons between countries are difficult. However, figures from Oxford University platform Our World in Data suggests Sweden (blue line) is doing better than its European peers. It has logged 2,370 deaths per million people compared to the 2,769 per million average for the European Union by late October. For comparison, the UK has logged 3,421 per million (red line)

The researchers said strict non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)  lockdowns, social distancing and face masks  were 'critical' to reducing the spread of Covid

However, they noted that individuals changing their behaviour of their own accord  such as by minimising contacts and less frequent trips to shops or restaurants  could have also minimised deaths while having less impact on the economy

The researchers said strict non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs)  lockdowns, social distancing and face masks  were 'critical' to reducing the spread of Covid.

However, they noted that individuals changing their behaviour of their own accord  such as by minimising contacts and less frequent trips to shops or restaurants  could have also minimised deaths.

To determine the effects of both approaches, the researchers created an economic model based on the first wave of the pandemic.

They used data from around 416,000 people in New York City.

Researchers inputted a range of scenarios, including varying levels of restrictions and changes to behaviour.

The model then estimated how many infections occurred as a result, as well as which occupation, income and age group were most affected.

Government's top pandemic scientists to give evidence at UK Covid-19 Inquiry A pandemic-era chief scientist whose diary entries contained revelations that Boris Johnson described coronavirus as 'nature's way of dealing with old people' is set to appear before the UK's public inquiry. Sir Patrick Vallance is expected to give evidence on Monday followed by England's chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty and his former deputy, Sir Jonathan Van-Tam later in the week. Extracts from Sir Patrick's diary during his time in office have already been the subject of much of the inquiry's examination of other key figures, including ex-Downing Street director of communications Lee Cain and former cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill. One entry recorded that the former PM had referred to the Treasury as the 'pro-death squad' when he wanted the ministry to back him in arguing for a path to eased restrictions. Another contained an allegation that Mr Johnson had suggested he believed the pandemic was 'nature's way of dealing with old people' as he resisted lockdowns. Sir Patrick, who served as the Government's chief scientific adviser from 2018 to 2023, also wrote about his own frustrations in dealing with the then-prime minister. '(Mr Johnson is) obsessed with older people accepting their fate and letting the young get on with life and the economy going,' he said. 'Quite bonkers set of exchanges,' he wrote, referring to a WhatsApp group including the former PM. Sir Patrick said that he and Sir Chris felt Number 10 officials were trying to 'strong-arm' them into appearing by Mr Johnson's side at a Downing Street press conference following the then-PM's ex-chief adviser Dominic Cummings' press conference on his lockdown trip to Barnard Castle. The journey was clearly against the rules and Mr Cummings' televised appearance before the media was a 'car crash', the former chief scientist said in an entry in May 2020. Sir Patrick has objected to the publication of his pandemic-era diary in full, describing the notes as a 'brain dump' written 'at the end of immensely stressful days to protect his mental health'. Chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett has said it would be 'premature' to make a decision on whether the entries should be disclosed in their entirety. But further extracts could be put before the inquiry as he answers questions from lawyers about his time in office during the Government's response to the virus next week. His evidence will be followed by Sir Chris on Tuesday and Sir Jonathan next Wednesday, according to a timetable published by the inquiry on Thursday. Dame Angela McLean will also appear next Wednesday, while Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Dame Jenny Harries, a former deputy chief medical officer for England are expected next Thursday. Advertisement

Results, published in the Nature Human Behaviour Journal, showed that both strict lockdowns and high rates of behaviour change led to a rise in unemployment and fewer Covid deaths.

For example, if lockdowns were imposed, virus deaths fell 35 per cent while unemployment jumped 64 per cent.

In comparison, if people were left to their own devices in a 'high fear' situation, deaths fell 50 per cent, while job losses increased by 40 per cent.

The team said this showed there is a 'similar trade-off between epidemic and economic outcomes' regardless of whether Covid restrictions are imposed or if people are left to change their behaviour.

'Both substantial behavioural changes and stringent closures lead to similar patterns of rising unemployment and fewer infections,' they wrote.

The researchers found that this trend still stands, even if older people make bigger changes to their behaviour than younger people.

'While it is intuitive to expect stricter mandated NPIs to increase unemployment and decrease Covid-19 deaths, it is less apparent that heightened behavioural adaptation would yield similar results,' the team added.

They also found that forcing the closure of sectors that aren't people-facing  such as construction and manufacturing  triggers a large spike in job losses with 'only a marginal decrease in fatalities'.

Additionally, bringing in pandemic restrictions late when people have already adapted their behaviour 'leads to a dual blow of increased deaths and unemployment'.

The researchers noted that their results are only based on data from one area of the US during the first lockdown and do not take testing, Covid variants or vaccination into account.

However, the findings address 'key policy debates' of the Covid pandemic and will enable future governments take tough decisions, they said.

Professor Doyne Farmer, director of the complexity economics programme at Oxford University's Institute of New Economic Thinking, said the paper is 'timely' given the ongoing Covid inquiries around the world.

He said: 'We are seeing governments across the globe begin their "moments of reckoning", reviewing the effectiveness of a great variety of policies brought in during Covid.

'According to some, lockdowns were not imposing any trade-off between health and the economy because, if the virus got out of control, the economy would be equally damaged.

'According to others, letting at-risk individuals spontaneously reduce their risk of infection would have led to the best epidemic and economic outcomes, with no trade-off.

'These debates have remained contested and unresolved.'

Professor Farmer said: 'Our quantitative research helps provide evidence-based answers to these questions, suggesting that both lockdowns and spontaneous behaviour change lead to similar trade-offs between health and the economy.

'Those that claimed that there was no trade-off between health and the economy were not basing their belief in a quantitative model.'

The UK imposed its first lockdown in March 2020, with then Prime Minister Boris Johnson telling the nation 'you must stay at home'.

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.

Sweden became an international outlier in 2020 when, instead of shutting down society, it relied on citizens' sense of civic duty to reduce the spread of Covid.

Authorities advised residents to practice social distancing, however schools, bars and restaurants remained open and it never required people to wear masks  they were only recommended on public transport during the second wave.

Among its stricter measures included a ban on visits to elderly care homes and limits on the number of people attending public gatherings.

The approach gave rise to a heated debate abroad, and was at times held up as a cautionary tale, or on the contrary, hailed by opponents of lockdowns.
READ MORE: EXCLUSIVE Why you should NEVER buy generic eye drops

The FDA has named an Indian facility as the factory producing tainted eye drops

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recalled another type of eyedrop due to risk of blindness and even lethal infection.

Now, the body has added further potentially harmful products to its list of drops that will be removed from stores - taking the total to 27.

It comes weeks after the FDA warned consumers not to buy 26 eyedrops that were all store-brand products.

Consumers were urged to avoid several drops from CVS, Rite Aid, Target and Walmart, among others.

At the time, the regulators announced that the safety concerns were related to an inspection at an unnamed factory where the products are made, which found unsanitary conditions and bacteria.

All eyedrops produced at Kilitch Healthcare India Limited have been recalled due to safety concerns, after harmful bacteria was identified at the facility

Most concerningly, the bacteria identified was drug-resistant bug pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Eyedrops contaminated with this can cause infections in the user that, in severe cases, can cause blindness and even death.

Now, the FDA has added one more product to its list and has announced the specific facility in question: Kilitch Healthcare India Limited.

The additional product is Walmart's Equate Hydration PF Lubricant Eye Drops, 10 ml.

US health regulators are warning consumers not to use 27 brands of over-the-counter eyedrops after finding numerous health violations in the factory where they were manufactured

Agency inspectors visited the site last month and found samples that showed bacterial contamination, according to a Bloomberg report.

Microbiologists were also found to be filing backdated test results to make them appear sterile.

Additionally, some workers walked around the factory barefoot.

The Indian facility was banned from sending more eye drops to the US at the end of last month, according to Bloomberg.

Signs of an eye infection include discharge from the eye, pain or discomfort in the area, redness of the eye or eyelid, feeling like something is in the eye, increased sensitivity to light and blurry vision

And the factory is now recalling the eye drops with expiration dates ranging from November 2023 to September 2025, citing 'safety concerns.'

All of the recalled products were generic, two-thirds of which are usually made in overseas factories in countries like China and India.

'Generics often come from one or a limited number of manufacturing facilities, and then the various drug stories will stick their own label on it,' Dr Brian Boxer Wachler, an eye surgeon in California, previously told DailyMail.com.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), signs of an eye infection from Pseudomonas aeruginosa include discharge from the eye, eye pain or discomfort, redness of the eye or eyelid, feeling like something is in the eye, increased sensitivity to light, and blurry vision.

The FDA urged retailers still carrying the products to cease production, and consumers should stop using them.

Consumers can also return them to the affected retailers.
Rap megastar Snoop Dogg, a long time marijuana devotee, shocked the public with his announcement that he would be quitting smoking the drug.

Snoop, rumored to have a dedicated member of his team roll between 75 and 150 joints for him per day, posted he was giving up smoking after discussions with his family.

His love for the drug has translated to a variety of business ventures including a media company and a venture capital firm that funds cannabis startups.

Giving up smoking, particularly after decades of continuous use as in Snoop's case, has a range of promising health benefits, including increased energy and ability to focus, better memory and higher IQ, and healthier respiratory and cardiovascular systems.

Whether Snoop also gives up marijuana consumed in other forms, such as edibles and vapes, remains unknown but doing so will likely cause withdrawal symptoms including anxiety, irritability and restlessness.

Snoop Dogg says he's quitting smoking - after it was once claimed the cannabis-loving rapper had 75-150 joints rolled for him every 24 hours

'The end of an era': Fans quickly took to Twitter in shock at the news

'Im giving up smoke,' the rapper - born Calvin Cordozar Broadus Jr - claimed in a social media post.

It continued: 'After much consideration with my family, I've decided to give up smoke. Please respect my privacy at this time.'

The public was skeptical though, questioning whether he was serious and would stick to the resolution or if it was serious to begin with.

Snoop has said in the past marijuana boosts his creativity to help him churn out award-winning music. But his level of constant use comes with some major costs to his health.

Smoking involves breathing in a medley of toxins and chemicals. Smoke from marijuana has even been shown to contain some of the same toxins, irritants and carcinogens as tobacco smoke.

Because marijuana smokers tend to inhale more strongly and hold the smoke for longer, it leads to greater exposure per breath to chemicals.

A 2013 report in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society showed because smoke causes 'visible and microscopic injury' to the lungs, there is a consistently higher risk of developing chronic bronchitis.

Another study published in the Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine in 2011 reported chronic marijuana use damages the cells that line the large airways, which researchers believe might explain why smoking can cause chronic cough, phlegm production, wheezing, and severe bronchitis.

And in 2015, researchers reported in the European Respiratory Journal the symptoms most strongly associated with cannabis were cough and a build up of phlegm.

These two symptoms also showed the greatest decline among people who quit frequent smoking.

Those who had stopped using cannabis frequently did not have a higher prevalence of cough or phlegm than nonusers, whereas frequent cannabis use was associated with an increase in these symptoms

Only one study has looked at the the impact of changing cannabis use and repairing the damage done to the pulmonary system.

That study, conducted by researchers at the University of California, Los Angeles' David Geffen School of Medicine, reported symptoms of bronchitis improved after a person quit smoking.

Smoking weed, especially on an everyday basis, can negatively impact cognitive function in the long-term and people may develop brain fog, as well as learning and attention difficulties

Speaking to DailyMail.com in March, Snoop said his personal use was scrutinized after eldest child Corde became a father to son Zion in 2015.

'Being a grandfather has changed me in multiple ways,' he said.

He added: 'The main way is being concerned with how I live, how I move, the kind of people Im associated with, because I want to see my grandkids grow old. The only way I can do that is to take precautionary steps as far as how I move, who I hang out with, where I go out, my intake, what am I intaking?'

Smoking weed, especially on an everyday basis, can also negatively impact cognitive function in the long-term and people may develop brain fog as well as learning and attention difficulties.

Marijuana has also been shown to 'impair cognitive functions on a number of levelsfrom basic motor coordination to more complex executive function tasks, such as the ability to plan, organize, solve problems, make decisions, remember, and control emotions and behavior', according to a 2011 report in the Journal of Addiction Medicine.

Meanwhile, a recent study in the American Journal of Psychiatry looked at more than 1,000 New Zealanders born in the 70s and followed to age 45 with their cannabis use assessed at ages 18, 21, 26, 32. 38, and 45.

Researchers also took measures of their IQs during childhood and again at age 45.

Long-term cannabis use was shown to cause a 5.5-point decline in people's IQs, as well as poorer learning and processing speeds as well as memory problems.

Whether that lost cognitive ability can be recovered remains in question.

An Australian researcher said in 1995 results of a survey in long-term cannabis users 'suggested a partial recovery of function but the past duration of cannabis use continued to have an adverse effect on the ability to effectively reject complex irrelevant information.

'There was no indication of improvement with increasing length of abstinence.'

A study from Massachusetts General Hospital in 2018 was more firm in its findings.

Researchers there enrolled 88 participants ages 16 to 25 from the Boston area, all of whom acknowledged using cannabis at least once a week.

Investigators compared weekly cognitive performance between a group of young users who agreed to stop smoking for 30 days and a group that continued to use cannabis.

Cognitive testing found memory  specifically the ability to learn and recall new information  improved in participants who stopped using cannabis, and this improvement occurred largely during the first week of abstinence.
by M. K. Bhadrakumar





Having successfully accomplished the destruction of Iraq and Afghanistan, the United States is estimating that in Ukraine too, destruction is nearly complete. At the recent meeting of the foreign and defence ministers of the US and India in New Delhi in the 2+2 format, the two countries concurred on the need for post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine. It is an assertion that is out of sync with ground realities.





Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed members of the federal and regional civic chambers, Moscow, November 3, 202





The Indians and Americans are whistling in the dark. Going forward, in fact, a whole new phase of Russias special military operations is to be expected and it is up in the air how Ukraine might look like in the aftermath.





There is much unfinished business left with regard to the so-called South Russian lands comprising Novorossiya, the historical name used during the Czarist era for the administrative area immediately north of the Black Sea and Crimea.





In remarks at a recent meeting on November 3 on the eve of the National Unity Day with members of the federal and regional heads of civic chambers at the Victory Museum in Moscow, President Vladimir Putin repeated once again that Russia is defending our moral values, our history, our culture, our language, including by helping our brothers and sisters in Donbass and Novorossiya to do the same. This is the key to todays events.





A noted political figure from Ukraine, Vladimir Rogov who used to be a lawmaker in Kiev reminded Putin with passionate intensity, Believe me, we, people living in the southern part of Russia, which was cut off from its roots for 30 years, are, in fact, a storehouse of the Russian peoples historical forces, which was mothballed and could not make any efforts to regenerate our great Russia.





Putin responded by underscoring the historical fact that Novorossiya constituted the South Russian lands  all the Black Sea region and so on that were founded by Catherine the Great after a series of wars with the Ottoman Empire.





Putin said Russian Federation chose to come to terms with the unfair, unjust move by the Soviet leadership to transfer the South Russian lands to Ukraine, but things began to change when the regime in Kiev started to exterminate everything Russian, declared that Russians are not an indigenous nation in these lands, also started dragging this entire territory into NATO  brazenly, without heeding any of our protests, without paying attention to our position, as if we did not exist at all. This is what lies at the centre of the conflict that is taking place today. This is the cause of this conflict .





Putin said the choice narrowed down to doing nothing or stand up in defence of the people living there we need to do everything we can to ensure that the entry of these territories [into Russian Federation] is smooth, natural, and that people feel the result as quickly as possible.





This was not the first time Putin expressed such views. But the context in which he spoke is important, as it has more than one salience, aside the Russian psyche as a civilisation state  the tidings from the battlefields; Russias transition as a war economy; Europes inability to substitute for the US retrenchment due to the Israel-Palestine conflict.





First, the Ukrainian counteroffensive has ended in failure and another such misadventure is highly unlikely if only because Ukraine has no manpower left. Russian military is gaining the upper hand.





Putin made an unexpected overnight visit last week to Rostov-on-Don, the operational centre for Russias war effort in Ukraine  second such visit to the military headquarters in less than a month. Accompanied by Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu and the commander of military operations in Ukraine Gen.Valeri Gerassimov, Putin was shown new military equipment and heard reports on the militarys progress in Ukraine, according to the Kremlin.





Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov later said Russia is pressing ahead with its goals in Ukraine. This is one thing.





Now, this is happening when the European Union nations acknowledged on Tuesday that they may be on the way to failing Ukraine on their promise of providing the ammunition Kievs military dearly needs to stave off an expected Russian offensive. Amidst much fanfare early this year, EU leaders had promised to ramp up production and provide 1 million rounds of ammunition to Ukraines front line by spring 2024 but is finding it tough to come up with the goods.





In comparison, Russia now produces more ammunitions than the US and Europe; it can manufacture 200 tanks and two million units of ammunition in a year. This asymmetry has serious consequences for the attritional war in Ukraine.





Meanwhile, Alexander Mikheyev, the chief executive of Rosoboronexport, was bullish on Tuesday, saying, I can say with certainty that the current portfolio of orders is worth more than $50 billion Today, we see that interest is even greater than it was before because our equipment  all aircraft, armoured vehicles, air defence systems, small arms, high-precision weapons  performed well in the conditions of the special military operation [in Ukraine.] So, either the partners are already coming back, or the long pause we had is over.





Suffice to say, not only is the Russian defence line well equipped and fortified but the mobilisation of defence industry is also beginning to show results. Plainly put, Russia can carry on with the attritional war in Ukraine for years to come, as its war economy has put the special military operations on self-financing, cost accounting principles, while normal life moves on. (Russian economy is expecting a 3 percent growth this year.)





To be sure, the Kremlin also would have taken note of US President Joe Bidens audacious characterisation, during the recent address to the nation after his visit to Israel, of military aid to Ukraine and Israel as a smart investment thats going to pay dividends for American security for generations.





Then, of course, there is the worsening external security environment. Thus, at a recent meeting on security, Putin compared the US to a spider: It is necessary to know and understand where the root of evil is, that spider who is attempting to wrap the entire planet, the entire world, into its web and wishing to achieve our strategic defeat on the battlefield





Fighting precisely this enemy within the framework of the special military operation, we are yet again boosting the positions of all those who are battling for their independence and sovereignty The truth is that the more Russia is growing stronger and our society is becoming more unified, the more effectively we will be able to stand both for our own national interests and the interests of those nations that fell victim to the Wests neocolonial policy.





Therefore, the increasingly frequent references in the Russian political discourse to the preservation of the Russian way of life, culture and values in Novorossiya can be deduced as highly meaningful markers on what lies ahead in the special military operations.





The Deputy chairman of Russias security council, Dmitry Medvedev was explicit recently that Novorossiya [New Russia] would include Odessa and Nikolayev as well  and possibly Kiev itself  which would probably leave Lvov in western Ukraine as the landlocked rump state on the Polish border available for NATO membership eventually.





Medvedev wrote yesterday on Telegram channel: America easily betrays its sons of bitches when they become useless. It seems that this period is definitely coming for Kiev. And its not just the swarms of Republicans and Democrats heading into the U.S. presidential election. Just tired already. They got it  they eat too much money, steal wildly and do not achieve military success. Plus, the Israeli-Palestinian mess happened. In short, the support of the untied son of a bitch is nearing an inevitable end. Of course, not at once. There will also be a lot of money, schizoid spells about democracy, bravura assurances about the coming victory on earth, and false beliefs about alliance for all time and other and other. But the situation is clear: the time to go into oblivion for another American son of a bitch is coming.





Clearly, it is surreal to even contemplate a US-Indian collaboration for the reconstruction of Ukraine. The cruel fate that awaits Ukraine may turn out to be far worse than what Iraq and Afghanistan experienced.





M. K. Bhadrakumar was a career diplomat by profession. Roughly half of the 3 decades of his diplomatic career was devoted to assignments on the territories of the former Soviet Union and to Pakistan, Iran and Afghanistan. Other overseas postings included South Korea, Sri Lanka, Germany, and Turkey. He writes mainly on Indian foreign policy and the affairs of the Middle East, Eurasia, Central Asia, South Asia and the Asia-Pacific.
BOOK OF THE WEEK

LIVING THE BEATLES LEGEND

by Kenneth Womack (Mudlark 25, 592pp)

One lunchtime in 1961, a young telephone engineer called Mal Evans took a different route back to work after eating his sandwiches at Liverpools Pier Head.

Choosing a short-cut down a back alley, he heard what sounded like Elvis Presley music coming from a fruit cellar.

Paying a shilling, he went down some steps to investigate, and found himself in the Cavern Club at one of the Beatles pre-fame lunchtime sessions.

That random choice of route would change his entire life.

Liking what he heard, Mal went back to the Cavern as often as he could, and because he was a burly, 6 ft 3 in gentle giant of a man, it was soon suggested, by Beatle George Harrison, that he should be a bouncer.

Mal Evans (top right) pictured with the Beatles at London Heathrow Airport in July 1965. Mal had given up his job as a telephone engineer to work as a roadie for the Beatles in the summer of 1963

From there, he graduated to driving the Beatles Ford Thames van as they went to London to make their first records, and around England as they promoted them.

Then, in the summer of 1963, before the release of She Loves You, he took a risk and gave up his nice, safe, reliable job with a pension, to go to work as a roadie and general factotum for the Beatles.

Throughout everything, he kept notes in his Post Office Engineering Union diary. They are all great blokes with a sense of humour, he wrote after his first involvement. And (they) give one the feeling that they are a great team.

To Mal, his job was more than a dream, and he would be present at every Beatles recording session and appearance as the band toured the world.

Nominally, he was their road manager, the guy who always had a spare plectrum in his bag, who set up the drums, who had extra guitar leads and drumsticks, as well as Hacks cough sweets to ease sore throats from too much singing.

But Mal wasnt just an employee. He was a friend to all the Beatles and would slavishly make himself available to help any of them at any time.

There was just one snag. Already in his late 20s and a family man, inevitably, his wife, Lil, would be left behind in Liverpool with their two children.

When Lil and Mal had married in 1957 they were both virgins, and the girls who came on to the Beatles and company would prove impossible for her husband to resist.

Mal pictured with Paul McCartney at Nice Airport, France. Throughout the 1960s, as Mal travelled with the Beatles as they conquered the world, their stardom was reflected on him and he enjoyed it

There have been many books about the Beatles, but this view of them through the eyes of their closest aide shows not just the extraordinary workload of the group, but how, without realising it, the Beatles constant demands eventually became part of the crumbling scaffolding of Mal Evanss life.

Throughout the 1960s, Mal, whom this writer knew to be the most likeable of men, seemed to have it all. Hopping on and off planes as the Beatles conquered the world, their stardom was reflected on him and he enjoyed it.

But, although he longed to be famous for himself, he could never be a Beatle. He was, he knew, a much-loved servant, albeit on a menial servants wage.

When he was with them, he would always stay in the best hotels and drive in the longest limousines.

In Hollywood he was with them when they met Elvis, and with them, too, when they went to Buckingham Palace to be given their MBEs by the Queen.

Then there was India to learn about meditation with the Maharishi, and Rome, with Ringo, to meet Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, and even Marlon Brando.

Mal was always there. After which, as his wife would point out, he would go home and have to clean out his childrens rabbit hutch.

Throughout the 1960s, he lived two parallel lives, and this book traces devastatingly how the glamorous one gained the upper hand, to the extent that when the Beatles broke up, so did Mal.

Mal and Lil's wedding day. Already in his late 20s and a family man when he started working with the band, Lil was left behind in Liverpool with their two children when Mal was on the road

Mal was in Hollywood with the Beatles when they met Elvis, and with them, too, when they went to Buckingham Palace to be given their MBEs by the Queen

Hed brought his family to live in a London suburb by then, but there was no going back to his job fixing phone lines. There were other women, too, with Lil finding letters, cards and even knickers in Mals bags when he came home from abroad.

None of that meant anything, he would say. But it did to Lil.

He would write her loving letters and make promises he meant to keep, but when the phone rang he would be off again, leaving her to struggle financially bringing up their children. He hated himself for his neglect, but he still went.

Because hed sometimes helped out with the odd line in the recording studio, he wanted to be a songwriter and a record producer, and, having separated from Lil, he went to live in California with a girlfriend. But the songwriting didnt get very far and he didnt have the skills to be a record producer.

Instead, he tried to write a memoir about his years with the Beatles, which might have provided some income. But depression, much cocaine and a deepening sense of failure began to envelop him. He missed his children, he would sob.

Then, just after New Year, 1974, four years after the Beatles had broken up, he strangely began to dictate his last will and testament to a friend.

Hed always liked Westerns and he owned a Winchester rifle. Seeing him holding it while lying on his bed, his girlfriend tried to take it from him.

He resisted. If you dont give me the gun now, Im going to call the police, she said. Please call the police, he replied.

Kenneth Womack's book traces how the glamorous life Mal was living amidst the band gained the upper hand, to the extent that when the Beatles broke up, so did Mal

When the police arrived the girlfriend was told to stand outside. According to their report, they kicked open the bedroom door and told Mal to drop the gun.

No. Blow my head off, Mal allegedly said, and he began to raise the gun, as if, they thought, to shoot at them.

The police fired six shots, four of which hit Mal. He died instantly. Scattered around him on the bed was the memorabilia of his Beatle days. A toxicity report found only 10 milligrams of Valium in his system; no other drugs.

Author Kenneth Womack, an American academic, has done a meticulously researched job in not only piecing together the roadies viewpoint of the Beatles story, but also in depicting the tragedy of a man who was so in love with the group he destroyed his own life.
A third of shoppers have experienced a problem with the delivery of a parcel

All 5 firms failed to score 3 stars out of 5 as they underperform across the board

Over 13million people had an issue with the last parcel they received, according to new research, as a league table of the worst offending firms has also been revealed.

A third of shoppers experienced a problem with a parcel in the last month, either because of late delivery or parcels being left in insecure locations, according to Citizens Advice.

The consumer charity has also published its annual parcel delivery rankings, which shows major parcel firms have delivered a dire service for the third year running.

Problems: New research by Citizens Advice found a third of shoppers have had an issue with a parcel delivery in the last month

In its latest parcels league table, which looks at the top five delivery companies by parcel volume, not one major firm secured even a three star rating out of five.

This Is Money has reported extensively on the huge delays facing Royal Mail customers, most notably for first-class post. But it seems Royal Mail is not the only company whose customers are having issues with their deliveries.

Evri and Yodel came bottom of the parcel table, with an overall score of just 2 stars out of a possible 5, followed closely by DPD with a meagre 2.25 stars.

Royal Mail and Amazon jointly came top, but with just 2.75 stars out of 5.

The top five firms have been measured on their performance on delivery problems - of which Yodel, DPD and Evri are the worst performers - as well as customer service, accessibility and trust.

Royal Mail and Amazon scored 2.6 out of 5 on delivery, followed by DPD with 2 out of 5 and Yodel and Evri both scoring 1.8 out of 5.

This Is Money has highlighted that some households up and down the country have received their post weeks late. Some have claimed Royal Mail has prioritised packages at the detriment of letters, something the company denies.

In response to Citizens Advice's table, a spokesperson for Royal Mail said: 'We are pleased to come joint first Our posties are trusted to deliver to all addresses across the UK and do everything they can to accommodate delivery needs and get parcels to customers safely and securely.

'We are working hard to further improve our quality of service and continuing to introduce more convenient options for customers to access our services, including automatic redelivery and safe place delivery preferences.'

An Amazon spokesperson said: 'Every day at Amazon, incredible employees and independent delivery partners come together to provide fast, safe, reliable and convenient delivery for our customers.

'The vast majority of deliveries make it to customers without issue. In the rare case something occurs, we work with customers directly to make it right.'

Poor customer service

When it came to customer service, nearly half of consumers said they faced further issues when they tried to resolve a problem with their delivery - for example not getting a response to their complaint.

Amazon's customer service was miles ahead of competitors, scoring 3.6 out of 5, while Royal Mail scored 3. Yodel came bottom with 2.3 out of 5 and also scored the lowest on trust.

However, the parcel firms have hit back at Citizens Advice's research and rankings.

A spokesperson for Yodel said: 'We welcome feedback and invest heavily to continuously improve our service. However, this report is not reflective of our own parcel data, which indicates that 98.7 per cent of the 200million parcels we handled over the last 12 months were delivered correctly on the first attempt.'

Yodel and Evri scored poorly across the board, with particularly low scores for delivery problems and trust.

Chris Ashworth, Evri's chief customer officer said: 'We are disappointed with where Citizens Advice has placed us in its parcels league table - after a year of significant investment and listening to our customers to improve our service

'Evri's performance improvements have been validated this year by Amazon accrediting Evri for Prime delivery for the first time and our reliability is why the Post Office has started to sell our services.'

He added that Evri is the only parcel delivery firm to mandate proof of delivery photos for every parcel.

Shoppers have turned their back on major retailers that use Evri, formerly called Hermes, to deliver their online orders, according to This Is Money's sister title Money Mail.

Major firms failing on accessibility

Four of the five major firms scored 2 stars or below when it came to meeting the needs of disabled customers or individuals who required adjustments to deliveries.

ANGHARAD CARRICK: Royal Mail has lost control of its local delivery offices Royal Mail has been handed a 5.6m fine by Ofcom for missing its delivery targets. But Ofcom's intervention will come as no surprise to the households up and down the country that have been affected by delayed post, writes Angharad Carrick.

Royal Mail came out top with 2.8 out of 5 stars, while Amazon, DPD and Yodel scored 2 out of 5.

Evri scored just 1.6 out of 5 when it came to helping customers with accessibility needs.

A spokesperson for Royal Mail said: 'We understand the importance of meeting the needs of disabled customers and since this survey was carried out, we have introduced an option for households to register their accessibility needs for parcel deliveries or collections via Parcel Collect.'

They added that customers with a disability or accessibility needs can ask posties to 'knock louder' or take more time when waiting for the customer to come to the door.

Citizens Advice said that an estimated 7.2million people have an accessibility need they'd like to share with their delivery firm, but 45 per cent were unable to do so.

It is calling on the regulator Ofcom to conduct a review of its complaints and accessibility guidance by next April, and consider investigations or fines, if improvements aren't made.

This week, the regulator handed Royal Mail a 5.6million fine for failing to meet its delivery targets.

Dame Clare Moriarty, CEO of Citizens Advice said: 'For the third year running, our league table reveals online shoppers are being let down by a substandard delivery service. This is an issue we feel has been neglected for far too long.

'We continue to hear from consumers that are chasing up lost, late or damaged parcel deliveries, it's become an unfair and at times, costly burden to bear.

'With a seasonal surge of deliveries on the horizon, parcel companies must take action to protect shoppers and get to the root cause of these persistent failings.'
Deal announcements are meant to explain rather than confuse.

Citigate, communications adviser to Hotel Chocolat, outdid itself with an email to the media in which the founder of the confectionery company, Angus Thirlwell, mysteriously rambles on about Queen Bee and Beekeeper.

Maybe he and the Hotel Chocolat board are so disconcerted at selling out to Mars, makers of such wonderfully healthy sweets as M&Ms, Snickers and Skittles, that it thought it best to wrap itself in the code names loved by investment bankers.

The reality is that Hotel Chocolat, having built a reputation for producing ethical, quality chocolate from its own farms on St Lucia, has sold out to Mars for 534million.

It is too good a deal to resist, delivering a 169.8 per cent premium to Hotel Chocolats depleted price.

Bittersweet: Hotel Chocolat, having built a reputation for producing ethical, quality chocolate from its own farms on St Lucia, has sold out to Mars for 534m

As investor Richard Bernstein, of Crystal Amber, observes, minuscule valuations for UK small caps have made them sitting ducks.

As a private, hobby investor I ought to be overjoyed at this get-out-of-jail card. Thirlwell cant contain his delight in praising the skills, expertise and capabilities of Mars. He will be joining the ranks of the UKs super-rich with a payout of 140million.

The plan is to stay on as chief executive (we may have heard that before) and to reinvest in the chocolatier. Mars is pledging to keep open Hotel Chocolats factory in Huntingdon and preserve 3,000 jobs.

The longer haul is a different matter. Mars boasts an annual turnover of 39billion and a reputation for smart marketing. But the controlling family are secretive, so tracking Hotel Chocolats future may prove tricky.

Britain has been terrific at creating organic, ethical brands with potential global reach in a greener world.

But UK investors, founders or their offspring are hopeless at seeing the project through. Green & Blacks was swallowed by Cadbury, which was bought by Kraft and is now part of Mondelez.

Anita Roddicks Body Shop was snapped up by LOreal, sold to Natura and was this week passed to private equity outfit Aurelius Group for 210million.

Big international branded goods firms find it hard to manage enterprises with a social purpose.

Even when the deals work commercially, outcomes can be very mixed. Unilevers last chief executive, Alan Jope, found himself with a serious problem when the woke Ben & Jerrys ethical board in Vermont sought to ban ice-cream sales in West Bank settlements in the Middle East. Unilever, to its credit, declined to budge.

The great irony about the fate of Hotel Chocolat, Green & Blacks, Cadbury et al is that in a nation of chocolate lovers (Brits are the main consumers after the US), there is no home-grown brand listed in London.

This clearly is not a case for referral under the National Security and Investment Act. But we dispose of eclectic, sustainable British firms far too easily.

Wind repairs

Few geographies are blessed with such a promising environment for offshore wind power as the British Isles.

Yet someone, somewhere in Whitehall managed to get their sums all wrong at the last offshore auction.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho (who knew we even had one) has now lifted the guaranteed price offered by 66 per cent to 73 per megawatt hour at the March 2024 sell-off.

The improved price is meant to make sure that higher borrowing and supply chain costs are fully covered. The uplift produced applause from Greenpeace and apoplexy from consumer advocate Net Zero Watch.

Contracts-for-difference pricing structures give some certainty to bidders. Whether any of this will make any difference to Swedens Vattenfall, which in the summer pulled back from its Norfolk project, is unknowable.

There are no free lunches. Subsidies eventually push up green levies on domestic bills.

Expensive error

A global slowdown in luxury spending has already arrived in Britain, with Burberry issuing an effective profits warning.

Thats not a great start for the collection designer Daniel Lee launched in September.

Blame for the setback is placed at the door of Chinese shoppers. Instead of buying at home, as in the aftermath of Covid-19, they are splashing the cash overseas.

London finds itself at a disadvantage to Paris and Milan because foreign tourists cannot reclaim VAT.

All the more reason for Jeremy Hunt to end the farce in next weeks Autumn Statement.
GKN-owner Melrose said profits were set to be 7% higher than previously expected

The owner of UK aerospace firm GKN said it was on course to more than double its annual profits after demand and prices surged.

Melrose said profits were set to be 7 per cent higher than expected. Chief executive Simon Peckham said he was leaving it well positioned for the future as he prepares to step down in March.

The firm is best known for its battle in 2018 to take control of GKN, an industrial stalwart dating back to the 18th century which made cannonballs in the Napoleonic wars.

After the 8billion hostile takeover was completed, Melrose restructured the business, axing jobs and closing a plant in Birmingham.

It then spun off GKNs automotive and other divisions under the name Dowlais, but kept the GKN aerospace business.

The firm, which makes parts for civil and fighter jets, with clients including Airbus and Boeing, has been boosted by the revival in air travel and military spending.

It had already upgraded its earnings guidance only two months ago.

Now it expects adjusted operating profits of between 400million and 410million, compared with the 186million reported by its aerospace business in 2022 before the GKN break-up completed.

Revenues are expected to come in at between 3.3billion and 3.4billion.
Burberry suffered its biggest share price fall in more than a decade  thanks to subdued demand for luxury goods.

In a bleak update, the London fashion house said it was unlikely to achieve its annual sales targets if the slowdown in spending on expensive clothes and accessories continued.

It warned this would lead to profits coming in at the lower end of expectations of between 552million and 668million.

Shares in the FTSE 100 firm fell 11.15 per cent or 194.5p to 1,550p  the biggest one-day decline since September 2012.

Chief executive Jonathan Akeroyd also renewed calls for Chancellor Jeremy Hunt to scrap the tourist tax in his Autumn Statement next week.

Star appeal: Actress Jodie Comer at the Burberry fashion show in September

He said business in the UK was suffering as a result of the Governments refusal to reinstate VAT-free shopping for overseas visitors.

Akeroyd said ministers stubbornness was a missed opportunity to cash in on a tourist rebound after the pandemic.

Warning that spending in the UK by Americans and visitors from the Middle East was lagging behind Europe, he said: It is a pity that people are choosing to spend in Paris rather than in London.

More than 400 business leaders have backed the Mails campaign for the Chancellor to scrap the tourist tax.

But like rival luxury brands, Burberrys problems run deeper, with demand for expensive goods suffering amid global economic turmoil and geopolitical uncertainty.

Burberry said store sales increased just 1 per cent over the three months to the end of September following an 18 per cent rise in the previous quarter.

Demand in China has dwindled after an initial post-pandemic bounce-back, with sales falling 8 per cent.

Economic pressures in the US pushed sales in the Americas down 10 per cent in the second quarter.

The brand is pinning its hopes on new creative director Daniel Lee, who made his debut runway collection for Burberry at London Fashion Week in September.

But the slowdown in business has taken the gloss off the industry and luxury firms share prices.

Louis Vuitton owner LVMH  the worlds largest luxury group  saw revenue growth slow to 9 per cent in the three months to the end of September from 17 per cent in the previous quarter.

There have also been warnings from Cartier owner Richemont and Gucci owner Kering in recent weeks.

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, said: Traditionally, the wealthy clientele who shop for expensive clothes and accessories are seen as being insulated from the impact of higher borrowing costs and rising prices, but apparently they are feeling some of the pain.
Qinetiq boss Steve Wadey has hailed the success of the UK defence sector as his firm became the latest to report surging orders amid growing geopolitical tensions.

It said uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine, tensions with China and the conflict in Gaza had boosted defence and security budgets, helping the likes of Qinetiq, which specialises in high-tech areas such as robotics, laser and cyber, as well as more traditional UK defence firms such as BAE Systems and Babcock.

We are doing really, really well, said Wadey of the sector.

Boom time: Qinetiq said uncertainty caused by the war in Ukraine, tensions with China and the conflict in Gaza had boosted defence and security budgets

His firm reported a surge in orders to 953million for the first half to the end of September, helped by a bumper period for Avantus, the US subsidiary it bought last year.

Avantus won a 181million contract with Americas Space Development Agency.

Qinetiq has agreed to explore the extension of its deal with the Ministry of Defence to 2033.

However, despite the order boost, shares fell 8.5 per cent after the results showed cash flows had been hit by the timing of customer payments.
Paul Maynard: The MP for Blackpool North takes over as Pensions Minister

Paul Maynard is the new Pensions Minister, replacing Laura Trott who spent a year in the job before being promoted to Chief Secretary to the Treasury earlier this week.

The MP for Blackpool North and Cleveleys previously held posts in the Department for Transport, Ministry of Justice and Whips Office between 2016 and 2020.

He also had a six-month stint on the Work and Pensions Committee nine years ago.

Maynard, who was first elected in 2010, won a majority of around 8,600 in the 2019 election.

Pension industry commentators, who have voiced disappointment there was no Pensions Bill in the recent King's Speech, nevertheless suggest Maynard will have plenty on his plate before an election that is due by January 2025 at the latest.

This is Money readers, who continue to send complaints about long delays in processing state pension top-ups, will be hoping he gets on top of this issue.

Meanwhile, the Treasury is pushing a major initiative to get pension schemes to invest their members' savings to promote UK growth.

'The new Pensions Minister will have a lot on his agenda,' says Kate Smith, head of pensions at Aegon.' Given his lack of financial services experience, this may be challenging.'

Smith says a busy agenda includes implementing auto-enrolment reforms, driving pension scheme consolidation, and encouraging schemes to invest in private equity to encourage economic growth.

'The previous Pensions Minister, Laura Trott, with her new role at the Treasury may prove to be invaluable here.

'Time will tell whether Maynard will have the time to get up to speed with all things pension and deliver any of the initiatives in flow given that the general election will be a major distraction.'

Becky O'Connor, director of public affairs at PensionBee, says: 'The pension baton has been passed from Laura Trott to Paul Maynard on several key initiatives that demand immediate attention.

'Uncertainty persists regarding the state pension triple lock, the implementation of the Mansion House reforms, the extension of auto-enrolment, the delivery of pension dashboards and the regulations surrounding pension transfers.'

Nigel Peaple, a director at the Pensions and Lifetime Savings Association, says: 'We look forward to discussing with him our Five Steps to Better Pensions, in particular, the need to set clear goals for adequate, fair, and affordable pensions, maintaining the state pension's value, and increasing automatic enrolment contributions to 12 per cent over the next decade.

'Given the impending Autumn Statement, we will also be outlining our views on the support Government should provide to pension funds to attract investment into UK growth.'
Crealogix Holding AG / Key word(s): Tender Offer

VENCORA UK LIMITED ANNOUNCES PUBLIC TENDER OFFER FOR ALL PUBLICLY HELD SHARES OF CREALOGIX HOLDING AG



16-Nov-2023 / 07:03 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 All-cash tender offer by Vencora UK Limited ( Vencora or the Offeror ) of CHF 60 per share of CREALOGIX Holding AG ( CREALOGIX ), representing an aggregate equity value for CREALOGIX of CHF 84.3 Mio.

or the ) of CHF 60 per share of CREALOGIX Holding AG ( ), representing an aggregate equity value for CREALOGIX of CHF 84.3 Mio. The Offer Price implies a premium of 26.96% when compared with the value per CREALOGIX share of CHF 47.26 determined by the independent Review Body of the offer, BDO AG, in its valuation report, which is the value that is relevant for the determination of the minimum offer price; and 20.48% premium over CREALOGIXs closing share price on 15 November 2023.

Tender offer is unanimously recommended by CREALOGIXs board of directors, and certain CREALOGIX shareholders holding in aggregate 51.66% have agreed to concurrently sell their shares in CREALOGIX to Vencora.

The acquisition will result in a Swiss software company with the backing of a well-capitalised leading global technology firm that is keen to support further growth. Vencora, an indirect subsidiary of Constellation Software Inc. (a Canadian-based international provider of software and services whose shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange, TSE: CSU) and CREALOGIX (SIX: CLXN), a global leader in digital banking technology, jointly announced today that they have entered into a definitive transaction agreement, under which Vencora agreed to submit an all-cash public tender offer to acquire all publicly held registered shares of CREALOGIX for CHF 60 per share (the Offer Price). Vencora published its pre-announcement of the offer today.



The Offer Price implies a premium of 26.96% when compared with the value per CREALOGIX share of CHF 47.26 determined by the independent Review Body of the offer, BDO AG, in its valuation report, which is the value that is relevant for the determination of the minimum offer price. The board of directors of CREALOGIX unanimously recommends that shareholders accept the offer. The report by the board of directors of CREALOGIX regarding the offer will be included in Vencoras offer prospectus.



Mr. Richard Dratva, Zurich, Switzerland, Mr. Bruno Richle, Jona, Switzerland, Mr. Daniel Hiltebrand, Pfaeffikon, Switzerland, Mayfin Management Services S.I., Gava, Spain, and Mr. Peter Suesstrunk, Lufingen, Switzerland (the Selling Shareholders) signed a share purchase agreement (the SPA) with Vencora, pursuant to which the Selling Shareholders agreed to sell in total 725,746 shares in CREALOGIX, corresponding in aggregate to 51.66% of CREALOGIXs share capital, to Vencora for a purchase price of CHF 60 per CREALOGIX share. The acquisition will result in a Swiss software company with the backing of a well-capitalised leading global technology firm that is keen to support further growth. Vencora has a presence in 70 geographies with 15 collaborative brands, 1,300+ employees and 1,800+ clients across banking and insurance industries. With the support of Vencoras resources and expertise, CREALOGIX will continue to focus on the development of innovative solutions and an improved market presence and will strengthen their competitiveness.



There is a good fit between Vencora and CREALOGIX. Both companies have a values-based culture with a continuous focus on investing in their employees, an international footprint, a history of acquisition of companies for the long-term, and a wealth of experience in the acquisition of software companies in the banking and financial services sector. Constellation Software Inc. has broad experience of over 25 years in the software business and a portfolio of over 1,200 software companies.



CREALOGIXs vertical market software specialisation with international distribution and a successful track record of acquisitions makes it a good fit with Vencora. Vencoras decentralized business model offers vertical market software companies the ability to maintain their independence, which allows them to focus on the needs of customers and employees post-acquisition. The business continuity and quality of the companys services are preserved, and customer confidence is strengthened.



The offer and the SPA with the Selling Shareholders are conditional upon the receipt of regulatory clearances in certain jurisdictions and other customary conditions. The main terms and conditions of the offer are set forth in the pre-announcement which is available at https://docshare-red.vercel.app



Vencora intends that CREALOGIX will apply to the SIX Exchange Regulation AG for the delisting of the CREALOGIX shares in accordance with the listing rules issued by SIX Exchange Regu-lation AG as amended.



The offer prospectus with full terms and conditions of the offer is currently expected to be published on or around 1 December 2023, and the main offer period to commence on or around 18 December 2023 and to end on or around 18 January 2024. Holders of CREALOGIX shares are strongly advised to read the offer documentation carefully, as it contains important information about the offer.



This announcement is not for publication, release or distribution in or from any jurisdiction in which it would otherwise be prohibited. Please also refer to Legal Notices below. Copies of the offer prospectus will be made available free of charge by UBS AG. UBS AG is acting as offer manager for the public tender offer. Media Contacts:



Vencora:

Jonathan Denbok

Chief Marketing & Strategy Officer

Vencora

jonathan.denbok@vencora.com





Media Contacts:



CREALOGIX:

Manuela Wanzek

Head of Group Marketing & Communication

manuela.wanzek@crealogix.com About Vencora



As an opeRating group of Constellation Software Inc. and headquartered in Toronto, Vencora acquires, strengthens and grows vertical market technology companies in the banking, insurance and financial services sector. Vencora has a presence in 70 geographies with 15 collaborative brands, 1,300+ employees and 1,800+ clients across banking and insurance industries. At Vencora, we build legends and preserve legacies. Vencora provides new acquisitions with business opportunities and the resources to pursue them. We are focused on bringing together a strong family of software businesses in the area of financial services in order for them to grow and continue serving the best interests of their customers and employees. Vencora is all about strengthening businesses within the markets they compete in and enabling them to grow  whether that growth comes through organic measures such as new initiatives and product development, day-to-day business, or through complementary acqui-sitions.



For more information, visit vencora.com About CREALOGIX



CREALOGIX is a global leader in digital banking technology and a Swiss Fintech 100 company. For 25 years now, CREALOGIX has partnered with some of the worlds leading banks and wealth management firms. CREALOGIX provides them with in-depth sector expertise and innovative technology.



For more information, visit crealogix.com





Legal Notice and Information No Offer The tender offer described herein has not yet commenced. The information contained in this press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute, or form part of, an offer or invitation to purchase, sell, exchange or issue, or a solicitation of an offer to sell, purchase, exchange or subscribe to, any registered shares or other securities of CREALOGIX or any other person, nor shall it form the basis of, or be relied upon in connection with, any contract therefor. This press release is not part of the Offer Documentation (as defined below) relating to the public tender offer from the Offeror for all publicly held registered shares of CREALOGIX (the Offer). Terms and conditions of the Offer have been and/or will be published in the Offer Documentation (as defined below). Shareholders of CREALOGIX are urged to read the Offer Documentation (as defined below), which is and/or will be available at https://docshare-red.vercel.app. Offer Restrictions 1. General 1. General The release, publication or distribution of the pre-announcement of the Offer, the offer prospectus relating to the Offer and/or of any other materials relating to the Offer (the Offer Documentation) and the making of the Offer may in certain jurisdictions, including, but not limited to, Australia and Japan (the Restricted Jurisdictions), be restricted by law, be considered unlawful, or otherwise violate any applicable laws or regulations, or may require the Offeror or any of its direct or indirect affiliates to change or amend the terms or conditions of the Offer, to make an additional filing with a governmental, regulatory or other authority, or to take additional action in relation to the Offer. Therefore, persons obtaining any Offer Documentation, or into whose possession any Offer Documentation otherwise comes, are required to, and should inform themselves of and observe, all such restrictions. Neither CREALOGIX, nor the Offeror, nor any of their affiliates or representatives accept or assume any responsibility or liability for any violation by any person whomsoever of any such restrictions. The Offer is not being and will not be made, directly or indirectly, in or into the Restricted Jurisdictions. There is no intention to extend the Offer to any such Restricted Jurisdictions. The Offer Documentation should not be sent or otherwise distributed in or into the Restricted Jurisdictions, and the Offer cannot be accepted by any such use, means or instrumentality in or from within the Restricted Jurisdictions. Accordingly, copies of the Offer Documentation are not being, and must not be, sent or otherwise distributed in or into or from any Restricted Jurisdictions, or to custodians, trustees or nominees, in their capacities as such, holding shares of CREALOGIX for persons in any Restricted Jurisdictions, and persons receiving any such Offer Documentation (including custodians, trustees and nominees) must not distribute or send them in, into or from any Restricted Jurisdiction. Any purported acceptance of the Offer resulting directly or indirectly from a violation of these restrictions will be invalid. No shares are being solicited in the Offer for purchase or sale from or to a resident of the Restricted Jurisdictions and, if such are sent in response by a resident of the Restricted Jurisdictions, the Offeror reserves the right to reject such acceptance. Such Offer Documentation must not be used for the purpose of soliciting the purchase or sale or exchange of any shares in CREALOGIX (the CREALOGIX Shares) by any person or entity resident or incorporated in any Restricted Jurisdiction. 2. United States of America 2. United States of America The Offer is being made for the securities of CREALOGIX, a Swiss company whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange, and is subject to Swiss disclosure and procedural requirements, which are different from those of the United States of America (the U.S.). The Offer will be made in the U.S. in accordance with the requirements of Swiss law and pursuant to Section 14(e) of, and Regulation 14E under, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the U.S. Exchange Act), and will be subject to the exemptions provided by Rule 14d-1(d) under the U.S. Exchange Act (the Tier II Exemption) and Rule 14e-5(b)(12) under the U.S. Exchange Act. Accordingly, the Offer will be subject to disclosure and procedural rules, including those relating to the notice of extension of the Offer, the timing of settlement (including as regards the time when the payment of the consideration is rendered), and the purchase of CREALOGIX Shares outside the Offer, which are different from the U.S. rules and practices relating to public offers in the U.S. Any financial statements or figures included or referenced in the Offer Documentation have been or will be prepared in accordance with the applicable accounting standards of, or recognized in, Switzerland, which may not be comparable to the financial statements of U.S. companies. In accordance with the laws of Switzerland and subject to applicable U.S. securities laws, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, the Offeror and its affiliates or their respective nominees or brokers (acting as agents for the Offeror or its affiliates as the case may be) may from time to time after the date of the pre-announcement, and other than pursuant to the Offer, directly or indirectly, purchase or arrange to purchase CREALOGIX Shares or any securities that are immediately convertible into, exchangeable for, or exercisable for CREALOGIX Shares. Any such purchases will not be made at prices higher than the Offer Price or on terms financially more favorable than those offered pursuant to the Offer unless the Offer Price is increased accordingly. Any information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase will be publicly disclosed in the U.S. on https://docshare-red.vercel.app if and to the extent that such information is made public in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of Switzerland. In addition, subject to applicable laws of Switzerland and applicable U.S. securities laws, including Rule 14e-5 under the U.S. Exchange Act, the financial advisor to the Offeror and its affiliates may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of CREALOGIX, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities. No purchases outside the Offer shall take place by or on behalf of the Offeror or its respective affiliates in the U.S. It may be difficult for CREALOGIXs shareholders who are resident in the U.S. (the U.S. Shareholders) to enforce their rights under U.S. federal securities laws because the Offeror and CREALOGIX are companies headquartered outside the U.S. and some or all of their respective officers and directors are residents of countries other than the U.S. The U.S. Shareholders may not be able to bring proceedings in a court outside the U.S. against a non-U.S. company or its officers or directors alleging violations of U.S. securities laws. In addition, it may also be difficult to compel a non-U.S. company and its affiliates to comply with judgments rendered by a U.S. court. The receipt of cash pursuant to the Offer by a U.S. Shareholder may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable U.S. state and local laws, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each U.S. Shareholder is urged to consult his or her independent professional advisor immediately regarding the tax consequences of an acceptance of the Offer. Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission nor any other regulatory authority in the U.S. has granted or rejected approval of the Offer, or issued a decision as to the fairness or the merits of the Offer, or issued an opinion as to the accuracy or exhaustive nature of the disclosure in the Offer Documentation. Any representation to the contrary constitutes a criminal offence in the U.S. The U.S. Shareholders are encouraged to consult with their own legal (including with respect to Swiss law), financial and tax advisors regarding the Offer. 3. United Kingdom 3. United Kingdom Any communication relating to the Offer is directed only at persons in the U.K. (i) who are persons falling within article 19 (investment professionals) or article 49 (high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, or (ii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as relevant persons). Any communication relating to the Offer must not be acted on or relied upon by persons in the U.K. who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity in the U.K. to which such communication relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons. 4. Australia and Japan 4. Australia and Japan The Offer is not addressed to shareholders of CREALOGIX whose place of residence, seat or habitual abode is in Australia or Japan, and such shareholders may not accept the Offer. Other Important Information This press release contains or may contain statements that are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words such as anticipate, believe, expect, estimate, aim, project, forecast, risk, likely, intend, outlook, should, could, would, may, might, will, continue, plan, probability, indicative, seek, target, plan and other similar expressions are intended to or may identify forward-looking statements. Any such statements in this press release speak only as of the date hereof and are based on assumptions and contingencies subject to change without notice, as are statements about market and industry trends, projections, guidance and estimates. 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It has been prepared without taking into account the objectives, legal, financial or tax situation and needs of individuals. Before making any investment decision, individuals should read the Offer Documentation and consider the appropriateness of the information having regard to their own objectives, legal, financial and tax situation and needs and seek legal, tax and other advice as appropriate for their individual needs and jurisdiction.

End of Inside Information
Extinction Rebellion is planning to infiltrate an advertising awards raising money for a disabled children charity this evening, MailOnline can reveal.

The controversial environmental group told 290 of its eco-activists to 'dress smart' to blend in with people invited to the Campaign Big Awards at the five-star Londoner Hotel, in Leicester Square.

Extinction Rebellion (XR) London organiser Cynthia told the XR London Actions group on WhatsApp their protest would last for an hour and a half and there would be a 'low chance of arrest'.

She urged eco-warriors to join the group in 'calling out the cynical approach of those running agencies greenwashing the worst companies in the world and educating their employees about who their company works for.'

The XR organiser added 'smart (awards) dress [was] preferred' for the protest to 'end advertising greenwashing'.

Extinction Rebellion (pictured) is planning to infiltrate an advertising awards partnered with a charity for disabled children this evening, MailOnline can reveal

The much-despised environmental group told 290 of its eco-activists to 'dress smart' to blend in with people invited to the Campaign Big Awards at the five-star Londoner Hotel, in Leicester Square

London group organiser Cynthia (pictured), a 52-year-old teacher from Argentina who 'fell in love' with XR after seeing the group on TV, told MailOnline the protest was going ahead as planned

Greenwashing is used to describe companies that use advertising to seem more environmentally friendly than they are.

The Campaign Big Awards aim to celebrate 'the brightest ideas coming out of UK adland'.

They will also be raising money for Skylark, a charity in Richmond that provides activities and therapies for children with disabilities and additional needs, as well as support groups for families and carers.

Adverts up for awards include a Greenpeace film about 'Mother Nature' and a WWF one on the 'future of nature'.

Even so, XR has named its protest tonight the 'Charred Earth Awards'.

London group organiser Cynthia, a 52-year-old teacher from Argentina who 'fell in love' with XR after seeing the group on TV, told MailOnline the protest was going ahead as planned.

During another XR protest two years ago she said: 'We are approaching the tipping points so fast that unless something real is done were going to be in serious trouble.

'Governments are very good at massaging the figures and not telling us the truth, and finding ways to leave the measures that need to be taken for later.

'I think this Rebellion is going to be awesome. I have seen peaceful protest work.

The protest comes after around a week of demonstrations by fellow eco-morons Just Stop Oil

'Sometimes it takes days, most times it takes months or years, but if you are relentless then you get what you want eventually.'

The Campaign Big Awards event manager said the venue was aware of the protest and would be handling security measures.

XR UK told MailOnline the event would go ahead.

The protest comes after around a week of demonstrations by fellow eco-morons Just Stop Oil.

On Monday, the police arrested 115 Just Stop Oil activists during a demonstration in Hendon.

Just yesterday, police officers were seen politely asking Just Stop Oil protesters 'could you come with me please?' as eco-activists played dead in the middle of a busy road in London.

The brazen group of 23 eco-zealots, who were seen blocking traffic in Oval, went on to mock police officers arresting them with one ridiculing a cop, telling him 'I don't go anywhere with strange men' when he asked her to move.

It follows a war of words between the Metropolitan Police and the campaigners, after demonstrators, unfazed by their arrests, took to social media boasting that officers 'quite literally can't arrest us all'.

In a now-deleted post, the London force quipped back, writing 'we "quite literally" just have'.
Frustrated villagers have criticised delays in repairing a bridge over a tiny stream that is adding up to an hour on round trips to the nearest town.

Residents of East Ruston in Norfolk normally drive around six miles to get to North Walsham but are currently having to take a circuitous 15-mile route because of diversions  an extra 18 miles in both directions.

They also say the hold-up until a new bridge is installed will typically cost drivers 1,000 extra in fuel when they can least afford it due to the cost of living crisis.

'Confusing' detour signs have added another headache as outsiders are getting lost as they try to find their way around an isolated part of the county with a poor road network.

Frustrated villagers in East Ruston, Norfolk have criticised delays in repairing a bridge over a tiny stream that is adding up to an hour on round trips to the nearest town of North Walsham

Resident Andrea Lyons, 59, said: 'You have to do a seven to ten-mile detour to get to North Walsham, depending on where you are in the village.

'Many people go there. We've got a small village school and four out of the eight teachers have to go the long way there and 11 out of the 32 school families are having to do the trip twice a day.

'There are also people who work in North Walsham, around half the villagers see their GP there, and it has a Tesco and Lidl.

'I think the [Norfolk County Council's] highways department were under the impression they could drag their heels because it's a small village with retired people who have lots of money. But that isn't the case at all.

'We had a parish council meeting on Monday and a bridgework engineer came from the highways department. He was sent out like a lamb to the slaughter by the natives around here.

'We've been told the new bridge will be ready in March but that is 'weather dependent', so they're not committing to finish it by March.

'We've had high rainfall and the marshes are flooded, so there could be substantial delays because of the weather.'

Mrs Lyons, a retired administrative assistant who lives with husband Nick, 69, a retired wheelwright added: 'The diversion signs are completely confusing. A friend of mine bumped into a man who'd been holidaying here for years and he spent two hours trying to drive back to his holiday cottage.'

Stephen Bracey, who owns Broadland Eggs which sends produce across the area, complained: 'It's a major headache for me as a farmer. I have to use the main roads and get all of the abuse for holding traffic up.

'It's unfair on the local community to put them through this for so long.'

Residents of East Ruston in Norfolk normally drive around six miles to get to North Walsham but are currently having to take a circuitous 15-mile route because of diversions  an extra 18 miles in both directions

Families in the village have opened up on how they are affected by the diversion.

A self-employed tradesman says he will now have to drive at least five miles longer and it will cost almost an extra 50 a month on fuel.

A husband and wife who are retired pensioners travel to a care home twice a week to visit a family member, but the diversion means an extra 20 miles will be added to their journey.

A lady who lives in East Ruston says that her journeys are a lot longer than they should be now that the bridge is shut.

A man who works full time in Dilham says the journey usually takes seven minutes and costs him 10 a week in diesel.

But now it takes him approximately 22 minutes and costs him 25 in diesel.

His wife, who also works full-time has also been affected, and says the trip should take her around 12 to 15 minutes and cost her 20 in fuel.

But now she is spending 25 minutes travelling to work and 30 a week on fuel. Overall, this couple could end up spending an extra 1,000 a year on fuel alone because of this disruption.

East Ruston Parish Council chairman Heath Brooks said: 'Unless you're going to the coast, we've got two roads out of the village. This is a very commonly-used road to get to our nearest town of North Walsham. It's a critical route.

'The problem is where bureaucracy comes in. They have to speak to loads of departments, which takes time. They have to speak to the drainage board that controls the stream underneath and it can take up to eight weeks to get a decision. They have to put tenders out. Bats and voles have to be investigated.

'If it was further up their priorities it would be done quicker but because it's a minor road it's taking longer.'

Brick-built Honing New Bridge was erected in the 1920s. It passes over Hundred Stream, so-called because it and other local waterways separated areas that were called upon to provide 100 men each to bear arms at the behest of the local lord.

A bridge engineer discovered a crack in the bridge in March but it was not until June that the villagers of East Ruston, who number fewer than 600, were told it was being closed.

Work to replace the bridge with a concrete structure will not begin until February. Journeys to and from other local communities such as Dilham, Smallburgh and the county town of Norwich are also experiencing huge delays as people follow detours.

Mrs Lyons added: 'They said a repair like this would normally take two years and that we're lucky they're going to do it much quicker for us but it doesn't seem like that from where we're sitting.'

Pedestrians and cyclists can still use the bridge for now but they will also be banned when the works start.

A county council spokesman said: 'Following a recent inspection of the bridge, we became aware of a significant structural defect, potentially caused by poor ground conditions beneath the original structure.

'Work has been commissioned to design a replacement bridge that will remain safe in this location, which will be built as soon as possible.

'We are taking steps to have a new bridge constructed as quickly as possible, while guaranteeing the safety of road users for years to come.'
In a show of solidarity, non-Jewish activists and organizations - including a former congresswoman from Mexico and the founder of 'Blacks for Trump' - joined the March for Israel in Washington, DC, standing alongside over 200,000 supporters.

Among the diverse group of allies, the event on Tuesday also featured prominent speakers, including Christian Pastor John Hagee and Pakistani-American Muslim women's rights activist Anila Ali.

Rosi Orozco, a former Mexican congresswoman known for her tireless efforts against human trafficking, was spotted at the front of the march, proudly holding a sign that read 'Christians stand with Israel.'

In an exclusive interview with DailyMail.com, Orozco expressed her gratitude for the support of the Jewish community during her time in politics.

'I was in Congress to pass the anti-trafficking law. The Jewish community was the best to help us because they believe so much in ending slavery. They were slaves, and of course, they understand,' Orozco stated.

Rosi Orozco, a former Mexican congresswoman known for her tireless efforts against human trafficking, was spotted at the front of the march, proudly holding a sign that read 'Christians stand with Israel'

Orozco emphasized the ongoing collaboration with the Jewish community in Mexico, highlighting initiatives such as university scholarships and educational programs for survivors of human trafficking

Orozco, who served from 2009 to 2012 in the Mexican Congress, played a pivotal role in the passage of the General Law to Prevent, Punish and Eradicate Crimes of Human Trafficking.

'They have always helped us, and now, as an activist against human trafficking, I continue to work alongside them,' she added.

Orozco emphasized the ongoing collaboration with the Jewish community in Mexico, highlighting initiatives such as university scholarships and educational programs for survivors of human trafficking.

'The Jewish community has always helped us. The university in Mexico, Jewish University is open with full scholarship for them.'

'The young generation comes often to the shelters - they come every two weeks and teach the children principles and values as important as the word,' she added. 'And when I was a congresswoman, I had all the support from them.'

Founder of 'Blacks for Trump,' Maurice Symonette, or 'Michael the Black Man,' attended the event and expressed his support for Israel based on biblical beliefs, standing next to other members holding 'Blacks for Israel' signs

Jewish and non-Jewish supporters pose together at the March for Israel in Washington, DC, Tuesday afternoon

Members of 'Blacks for Trump' holding signs in support of Israel at the march in DC

Founder of 'Blacks for Trump,' Maurice Symonette, or 'Michael the Black Man,' attended the event and expressed his support for Israel based on biblical beliefs, standing next to other members holding 'Blacks for Israel' signs.

Symonette, who is also a former member of Miami's Nation of Yahweh 'cult' and was acquitted of murder charges in 1992, highlighted the importance of Jewish brothers and their connection to the land of Israel.

'Jews that they call the blessed ones according to the Bible because they're the ones that supposed to be in Israel,' Symonette said to Dailymail.com as a group of supporters around him erupted in cheer.

Ali, a Pakistani-American Muslim and women's rights activist, stood up before the massive audience, saying 'I stand before you as a friend of the Jewish people.'

'I am here to affirm to my Abrahamic brothers and sisters that you are not alone,' she added, while condemning the brutal slaughtering by Hamas on October 7.

Ali, a Pakistani-American Muslim and women's rights activist, stood up before the massive audience, saying 'I stand before you as a friend of the Jewish people'

Christian Pastor John Hagee, the head of Christians United for Israel, one of the largest pro-Israel lobbies in the US, also attended the March

The march in DC to show support for Israel drew people of various ethnic and religious backgrounds

She explained Islam forbids such horrific acts and concluded her remarks by saying, 'Am Yisrael Chai,' meaning long live the nation of Israel.

Hagee, the head of Christians United for Israel, one of the largest pro-Israel lobbies in the US, also attended the March.

'Choose Israel or Hamas,' Hagee told the crowd. 'There is no middle ground in this conflict. You're either for the Jewish people or you're not.

'Israel's victory will come when Hamas and Hezbollah are in the ash heap of history along with Haman and Hitler. There is no substitute for victory!'

Hagee has been criticized in the past for making various anti-Semitic statements over the years, including in a sermon where he claimed that Adolf Hitler was sent by God to push Jews to return to Israel.

In a rare show of bipartisanship, new Republican Speaker of the House Mike Johnson appeared alongside Democrats Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries as they all pledged their support for Israel during Tuesday's rally.

'The calls for a ceasefire are outrageous,' Johnson said. 'Israel will cease its counteroffensive when Hamas ceases to be a threat to the Jewish state.'

Schumer also took the stage and said 'never ever will we forget the evil of Hamas' as he chanted 'bring them home' with the crowd.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-LA), House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, (D-NY), speak during the March For Israel

Alana Zeitchik, who lives in New York, said a half-dozen of her cousins were snatched from a kibbutz and has been speaking out since the week of the attack . She was one of the speakers at the march

'Every day I have to wake up and remember that six of my family members, six people I love the most in the world,' Zeitchik said. 'So it's a living nightmare. It's like the worst thing you could ever imagine.

The New York senator, the highest-ranking Jewish elected official in American history, pledged 'we will not rest until we get all the assistance you need.'

In a rare show of bipartisanship, new Speaker of the House Mike Johnson spoke after Schumer.

Jeffries also pledged to continue working in Congress to support Israel, saying: 'Hamas wants to wipe Israel off the face of the earth , so let me be clear we will not let that happen.'

A woman with six family members being held hostage by Hamas said she was serving as 'their voice' alongside the 200,000 pro-Israel protesters marching in Washington Tuesday.

Alana Zeitchik, who lives in New York, said a half-dozen of her cousins were snatched from a kibbutz and has been speaking out since the week of the attack. She was one of the speakers at the march.

Zeitchik told DailyMail.com her life has been 'a nightmare' and 'absolutely awful' as her cousin Shahan, Shahan's husband David, their twin 3-year-olds, Emma and Yuli, Shahan's sister Danielle and her 5-year-old daughter have been held captive.
It was with sorrow that many islanders learned, on Tuesday, of the death of Maryanne Trump Barry.

Barry, 86, had been a distinguished federal judge  appointed by one President and promoted by another.

But she loved her mothers native Lewis, holidayed there a great deal, liked to speak a little Gaelic and was extraordinarily generous to one of Stornoways most important charities.

It seems most unfair that, in her twilight years, she was largely known to the wider world just as Donald Trumps mortified big sister.

And whose dotage, accordingly, was made miserable, from venomous media attention to surreptitious recordings by a treacherous niece.

Marryanne Trump Barry visited Lewis at least two dozen times

But unlike the 45th US President, she took the closest interest in their mothers native Lewis.

Domhnall Iain, as we like to call him back home (if with scant affection) has visited but twice.

Once, as he put it, when I was in my threes and fours, and again for about

20 minutes in 2008 and to patronise us all. (He spent precisely 97 seconds in the family home, and his cousins could barely hide their relief when he left.)

By contrast, Maryanne Trump Barry visited at least two dozen times.

She kept in close touch with relatives in the village of Tong, and eight years ago made an enormous donation  nearly 160,000  to Stornoways Bethesda Care Home.

With matching funds from the Scottish Government, an added respite-care unit could be created.

Barry asked only that a simple commemorative plaque for her late mother be included and  her health by then precluded long-haul flights  was never able to visit.

We remained in touch afterwards, says Bethesda manager Carol Somerville. She didnt want any glory for her donation but we will always think very kindly of her because of her support for our work.

Mary Anne MacLeod Trump, Donald and Maryannes mother, died in 2000.

She was a 1912 contemporary of my own grandmother who, like so many young island women in the 1930s, had but two dreich alternatives  emigration or the indignities of domestic service in the big city.

Especially, given the mincing machine of the Kaisers war, potential husbands were in unusually short supply.

Both my grandmothers fetched up in service, and two of my great-aunts were briefly detained in the United States as illegal immigrants.

A century ago, too, hundreds of young men left Lewis on three infamous liners  the Canada, the Marloch, and the Metagama  on honeyed promises of a prosperous future in North America.

Many were Great War veterans; some survivors of the Iolaire disaster. Some, decades later, returned  I have affecting memories of one bewildered old man in 1984, just back in an island community now barely recognisable.

Donald, Maryanne and Robert Trump at the opening of the Taj Mahal Casino in 1990, Atlantic City

A great-granduncle of my own, who lived for decades in Vancouver, pined so badly for the island that he could not bring himself to write home.

When, in the 1960s, he did manage one brief visit, to the consternation of the family he had lost all his Gaelic.

But most never came back. In the worst of the Depression  bitter, bitter winters in the likes of Manitoba or Detroit  many simply disappeared: derelicts killed by the cold.

I once foolishly asked my grandmother how many young men of her Lewis village  Habost  had left on the Metagama in 1923.

She stared blankly back. John, she said, they ALL left. She never forgot standing, with many other girls, by a blazing beacon of farewell by the Butt of Lewis as the Metagama sailed west and by. And that they never laid eyes on the mass of those lads again.

Maryanne Trump Barry always maintained that, had she not met Frederick Trump, her mother would in time have returned to Lewis for good.

But marry him the island lass did, and married well  launched in a life of New York prosperity, with domestic help of her own, motoring about in a Rolls Royce with personal plates, and doing much tireless voluntary service for charity.

In a rare television interview, she once enthused about Donald coming home for his mothers cooking and  after all those decades  still in a warm Lewis accent.

And, even in old age, she is recognisable as a Hebridean lady of her generation, from the lush furs to the hair in a big, spritely up-do.

Trump is the sort of second generation Hebridean type with which we are more grimly familiar: the cocky sprog of gone-away-done-well, a thoroughly naturalised mainlander, perhaps deigning to turn up at the odd Glasgow ceilidh to dab an eye to the strains of The Dark Island.

But, if you think he might up sticks from Bearsden for more than a brief Western Isles holiday, you must be joking.

We esteemed The Donalds big sister not because she once wrote out an enormous cheque for our local care home and hospice.

Maryanne Trump Barry was held in high island regard because she cared about her mothers community, visited frequently, took keen interest in the place, and represented the best of us: hard work, the pursuit of a serious education, public service and poised dignity.

Yet there is a dark, Viking underbelly to Lewis life too, and we see that pitilessly represented in her brother  the ruthlessness, the coarse language, the whiney self-pity, the play-pen insults and the constant, wearying vulgarity  and, considering the fortune he has and the comfort he enjoys, such draining bitterness.

Maryanne took a closer interest in her mother's background that Donald

It is strange how two people so closely related could take such wildly different paths in life  and how Trump, who kept a photograph of his late father on conspicuous display in the Oval Office and joyously followed his path in life (how to cheat on your taxes; how to discriminate in housing; how to scam the government) has put hardly a word on record about his mother.

For all his charmlessness, we should not entirely slam The Donald and all his works.

He has on occasion shown an endearing ability to laugh at himself, his children seem decent enough and in many regards he was a far more effective Commander-in-Chief than his geriatric, Britain-bashing successor.

But to the people of Lewis he remains an incessant, foot-shuffling embarrassment.

We need only glance at the recent history of the royals to see instances of siblings taking wildly different paths  the nasty little Edward VIII and King George VI; our late Queen and the squandered life of Princess Margaret.

The Duke of Windsor, as he ended up, never grasped the distinction between the role and the individual. Like Diana, and other kin since, he ended up on the vapid path of the celeb  vain, preening, oozing entitlement.

The Queen, by contrast, lifelong dialled herself down. Rarely shared an opinion. She will fascinate us for the ages because, really, we know so little about her.

Maryanne Trump Barry was of similar stamp.

She may only be a footnote in the biographies to come of her colourful brother.

But she will be remembered on Lewis for decades to come  and always with affection and honour.
Calls to 911 have skyrocketed from tiny home communities where some of the city's tens of thousands of homeless live across Los Angeles.

During the first eight months of 2023, North Hollywood's Alexandria Park, which houses about 150 people, was responsible for more than 170 calls to emergency departments, including police, paramedics, and the fire department.

At the Whitsett West Village tiny home community, off the 170 Freeway in the San Fernando Valley, 160 emergency calls were placed.

The tiny homes are about 64 square feet and have two beds to be shared with assigned roommates - some who are proving not to be getting along.

Among the calls reviewed by KTLA include complaints of suspected assault, threats, weapons, suicides and overdoses.

A gunshot victim was hospitalized in October after a shooting at North Hollywood's Alexandria Park which has generated 170 calls to emergency department in eight months

Some site managers say that more staff are needed to deal with the residents' significant mental health issues as first responders services are stretched

Last month, a man was found with a gunshot wound outside the Alexandria Park village.

Emergency services were on the scene at around 2.30am on October 17.

LAPD records show that some 20 percent of the emergency calls from two of the North Hollywood tiny home villages were for suspected overdoses or suicide attempts.

The villages each have staff who help residents navigate public assistance systems, like disability. They also search for more permanent housing options for their residents.

The tiny homes are meant to be temporary solutions for individuals who would otherwise be on the street.

However, the staff are not equipped to deal with the degree of mental health crisis unfolding at the villages.

Los Angeles currently has 11 tiny home villages, primarily funded by the government, to house homeless LA residents who would otherwise be on the streets

Each home consists of two beds and measures about 64 square feet

One village resident confirmed to the outlet that the staff are not prepared 'to handle the different types of situations going on in here.'

He had previously been roommates in his tiny home with a man who overdosed on drugs, but survived.

Rowan Vansleve, the president of Hope the Mission a nonprofit that runs four of LA's tiny home communities, said he is not surprised about the number of emergency calls coming from the villages.

'I think first and foremost, its a lot less than calls going to active encampments with same amount of people. Anytime you put well over 100 people in one site who are in crisis there is going to be an element of law enforcement needed,' he said.

'Many of our guests  have been on streets for 3, 4, 5 years. The amount of trauma that somebody has endured and depths of mental health issues and addiction issues are unprecedented,' he added.

The tiny home villages are meant to be impermanent dwelling places for LA residents who would otherwise be on the streets

Some advocates say there need to be full time mental health staff onsite at the villages to deal with the plethora of potentially hostile situations that arise

One estimate found that the average cost per bed for the LA tiny home villages is about $42,000

He told KTLA that he thinks there should be more mental health staff across the villages, seven days a week to deal with urgent situations.

At present, the A-Mark Foundation estimates that the average cost per bed for the LA tiny home villages is about $42,000.

A different calculation pegs the figure at $2,663 per person living in the tiny village per month. The estimate claims that the cost of running each tiny home each month amounts to $3,300, more than the average monthly mortgage on a median-priced LA home (in 2021).

The city's raging homeless problem continues to take on new forms as city leadership fight to mitigate the issue that is driving many Angelenos to the brink.

Last week, a massive fire beside LA's I-10 freeway burned down a homeless encampment situated underneath the overpass.

Dwellers were forced to flee as chunks of supporting concrete columns collapsed. It's unclear if there were any injuries as a result of the blaze.
One of Britain's prettiest villages made famous by Hollywood films will now charge drivers to park there amid a row which saw cars vandalised.

Residents backed a plan to impose the charges while business owners fear it will lead to a fall in the number of people who make a day trips to the Surrey village of Shere which featured in the films 'The Holiday' and 'Bridget Jones'.

Such is the popularity of the quintessential English village that many locals say they cannot leave their homes after being blocked in by badly parked cars.

Rows over parking has become so heated that some cars have been vandalised with scratches gouged into bodywork.

And with a proposal to extend double yellow lines along the main High Street and charge people to use the public toilet business owners fear visitors will be put off from driving to the village about an hour from London.

But Shere Parish Council - confirming the plans will go ahead - today said 'it's not to discourage visitors' but to relieve the locals of the cost of 'managing and repairing' facilities worn down by numerous tourists.

Shere became a magnet for tourists when the village featured in the 2006 film 'The Holiday' staring Cameron Diaz, Jude Law, Kate Winslet and Jack Black

Scenes from Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason were shot in Shere with the local church St James's featuring at the end when Bridget's parents, played by Jim Broadbent and Gemma Jones, renew their wedding vows

Residents in Shere, Surrey, back the plan to impose parking charges while business owners fear it will lead to a fall in the number of people who make day trips

Annabel Lewis (left) and Nicola Morrison (right) said they would be happy to any car park charges as Shere shouldn't be different to anywhere else

Council Chairman Roy Davey said: 'Shere Parish Council are responsible for managing and maintaining Sheres Public Car Park.

'The Car Park is on the Recreation Ground - land purchased in 1926 by public subscription - the title of which is held in Trust by Shere Recreation Ground Association, a registered Charity.

'For some months the Parish Council and The Recreation Ground Charity have been debating the issue of charging visitors for use of this car park.

'As there was a disagreement in the interpretation of the Agreement with the Trustees, we went before an independent Adjudicator, appointed by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

'Yesterday the Adjudicators decision was delivered. The decision was in favour of the Parish Councils plan to charge users of the car park, for parking when visiting Shere.

'The reason for charging is not to discourage visitors from coming to our attractive small village in the Surrey Hills.

'It is to relieve Parish residents of the substantial costs borne by all our residents, via their annual precept (funds collected on behalf of the Parish Council via the Council Tax), for managing and repairing the car park, and other village facilities such as the public toilets etc - which are largely provided for, and used by, the many visitors to our small village.'

READ MORE: Fed up locals who live in the village where The Holiday and Bridget Jones was filmed now want to charge visitors to park and use public toilets Advertisement

But some locals oppose the plan, with one business owner saying the plan to charge for parking 'is not the answer'.

He said: 'The parking issue has been going on for months. I know of at least two cars that were keyed because someone didn't like where they were parked.

'It is a very small village and incredibly popular. It is true that sometimes there are so many cars in the village that it is hard for delivery lorries to get down but I am sure that is the same for many villages around the country.

'Something has to be done, but making people pay to park is not the answer.'

Mandy McClean, who runs an estate agent business, is opposed to parking charges.

'I don't think it will be very helpful to have the charges imposed,' she said.

'Yes, we do get a lot of tourists and they are very good for business, but what about people who come to visit local residents. That will mean they will have to pay to park their cars.

'If this is all about raising funds then the Parish council can go about it in other ways.'

Another business owner, who asked not to be named, said she had eight staff who drove to work.

'We are in a cost-of-living crisis and I think it is unfair to ask them to have to pay to park. The nearest train station is one mile away and the bus stops running through the village at 4pm.

'The only way they can get here is by car, and I don't think they will want to be charged and lose money from their wages.'

There is a proposal to extend double yellow lines along the main High Street and charge people to use the public toilet, but business owners fear visitors will be put off from driving to the village

Christine Gorsuch runs a bakery in the centre of the village and wholeheartedly supports parking charges after she was blocked in by a car and unable to walk out her front door

The festive season always sees a surge of visitors and it is a popular stopping off point for ramblers and cyclists

A parish councillor said it is not about limiting the number of people coming to the village but about who pays for the upkeep

There is currently a free public car park at the edge of the village but when full cars spill out onto the streets

Local residents say they are fed up of not being able to park due the influx of cars from visitors and tourists

The village, which has a population of just over 1,000, is nestled in the Surrey Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty.

It became a magnet for tourists after the local pub The White Horse featured in the 2006 film 'The Holiday' staring Cameron Diaz, Jude Law and Kate Winslet. A photo of Law and Diaz from the film takes pride of place in the pub.

Scenes were also shot at a cottage facade that had been purposely built in the village, but no longer exists.

The local church was in 'Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason' and other productions have also been filmed in Shere which dates back to 1086.

Local residents say they are fed up of not being able to park due the influx of cars. The festive season always sees a surge of visitors and it is a popular stopping off point for ramblers and cyclists.

Christine Gorsuch, who runs a bakery in the centre of the village, wholeheartedly supports car park charges after she was blocked in by a car and unable to walk out her front door.

She said: 'This man parked his car right up to the front step. When I told him I could not get out, he just said go and use the back door.

'We love all the visitors and I suppose you could say Shere is too popular for its own good, but I don't see any harm in bringing in charges.'

Two American tourists making their first trip to Shere said they were 'blown away' by its charm.

Councillor Geraldine Reffo said the car park needs re-surfacing at a cost of almost 40,000 while the toilet costs 600 a month to maintain

American tourists Mim McKay and her sister Lyn Walkenhost had been driven to the village by a friend from London and were impressed by the quaint cottages and tea houses

Parish councillors said the proposal to impose charges for parking and the toilet stems from local residents being asked to pay for the upkeep of the two facilities

Estate agent Mandy McClean is opposed to parking charges and doesn't think they will be very helpful. 'If this is all about raising funds then the Parish council can go about it in other ways'

A photo of Jude Law and Cameron Diaz from The Holiday takes pride of place The White Horse pub which featured in the 2006 film

The village, which has a population of just over 1,000, is nestled in the Surrey Hills, an area of outstanding natural beauty

Mim McKay and her sister Lyn Walkenhost had been driven to the village by a friend from London and were impressed by the quaint cottages and tea houses.

'It is lovely but there are a lot of cars on the street,' said Mim, who was visiting from Alaska.

At the popular Dabbling Duck cafe Annabel Lewis and Nicola Morrison said they would be happy to any car park charges.

The pair had driven from nearby Guildford and always use the free car park on the edge of the village.

'I don't mind paying to park the car if it means we can continue to come here,' said Annabel.

'Almost everywhere you go there are car park charges, so why should Shere be any different.'

Parish councillors said the proposal to impose charges for parking and the toilet, which is housed in a building that dates back to 1885, stems from local residents being asked to pay for the upkeep of the two facilities.

Councillor Geraldine Reffo said the car park needs re-surfacing at a cost of almost 40,000 while the toilet costs 600 a month to maintain.

Cllr Reffo said: 'We just feel that the burden to maintain these facilities is being placed on the residents when they are not necessarily using them.

'Nothing has been decided yet but this is not about limiting the number of people coming to the village. It is about who pays for the upkeep and we don't fee that burden should fall on the residents.'

The Parish Council is in an adjudication process with Trustees who own the village car park with a decision expected later this week.
Brazen thieves who looted an Amazon delivery truck were heard screeching with excitement as they flaunted their stolen goods online.

In footage obtained by World Star, the young suspects are seen tearing through packages and throwing them on the ground as they uncover boxes of designer gear from Nike, Dior, and Louis Vuitton.

One teenager dressed in hoodie and mask can be seen holding boxes from Gucci and Dior, while another strolled away with two brand new suitcases.

The alleged robbery occurred at the Country Oaks Apartments in Atlanta, Georgia, on Sunday afternoon.

Video shows young thieves jumping for joy as they discovered their loot to be boxes from luxury designer brands like Louis Vuitton and Dior

Shocked viewers on social media said flaunting their alleged loot was a sure way to get caught

An Instagram user shared the videos with the caption 'going crazy.' Another user appeared to livestream the moment the group opened the boxes which included a pair of Jordan shoes by Nike.

It's unclear if the designer boxes were indeed part of the loot from the Amazon truck, although the police confirmed that several packages were stolen.

No arrests in relation to the looting have been made so far, as police are still working to identify the suspects seen in the video.

The video triggered an overwhelming number of commenters that hit out on the young thieves.

One user wrote: 'Might as well filmed while y'all walk to the police station!!! LMAO!'

Another user said: 'First off I am a delivery driver. This video should be taken down because it places drivers in danger during holiday season basically promoting robbing us.'

In one part of the video, they appeared to pull out a box containing Jordan shoes from Nike

The teens celebrated as they found bright orange boxes in their haul of stolen goods

The social media user added: 'Second they robbed a freight truck Amazon dont ship like that they cheap AF.'

A group of approximately six thieves that looked to be young boys raided a large walk-in delivery truck after the driver left the door wide open.

They frantically grabbed boxes as the female driver helplessly watched from a nearby sidewalk and did nothing.

She appeared to be fed up with the robbers that snuck up on her while she delivered other packages in the Country Oaks Apartments.

A video shared on social media begins with the parked Amazon truck in the complex's parking lot as three of thieves hop out through the front steps by the driver's seat.

Some of the young thieves (pictured) emerged from the truck while the others immediately took from the back of the open van

The female Amazon delivery driver (pictured) watched from a distance the thieves took random boxes form her truck

One of the thieves even falls as he rounds the corner (pictured) of the back of the truck but quickly gets back up and grabs a large brown Amazon box

Another one in a black hoodie and tan pants quickly snags a nearby box and runs off while the rest of them pick their goods.

One of the thieves even falls to the ground as he rounds the corner of the truck but quickly gets back up and grabs a large brown Amazon box.

The video then turns to the Amazon employee in her blue vest and beanie as she stares at the group of looters raid the vehicle.

She then looks down at her device before the camera goes back on the truck as one of the robbers in a red jacket and white hoodie uses both hands and runs off with a large package.

Suddenly another thief jumps down from the back and stumbles as a large box escapes his hands and partially opens up just before he fixes it and scurries off.

The driver is still watching as they all run away and says something to them, but it is inaudible.

The video ends with a thief wearing a navy hoodie and black face mask running away on another sidewalk with the hefty box in hand.

Branden Baribeau, a spokesman for Amazon told DailyMail.com: 'We're glad the driver is okay and that she prioritized her safety during this terrifying incident.'
Nat Barr has been left shocked after discovering murderers, rapists and child molesters released from immigration detention could sue the government 'for millions' after a high court decision.

The court's finding that indefinite immigration detention was unlawful overrode a legal precedent which had stood for 20 years and was understood to directly affect 93 asylum seekers.

Many of them had been convicted of serious criminal offences and had failed a good character test or were feared to be threats to national security but for various reasons could not be deported.

Political Editor for Seven News Mark Riley told the Sunrise host that even the most perverted of the asylum seekers released have the right to sue taxpayers over unlawful incarceration after the High Court ruled their detention had been unconstitutional.

Three of those released are murderers, one of whom killed a pregnant woman in Malaysia, and another was previously jailed for raping a 10-year-old boy in Sydney.

'The government can't put these people back into detention, at least until the High Court releases its full reasons for that rather surprising decision last week,' he said.

'What are the repercussions,' Barr asked.

'There is a legal issue here about what the high court has actually found, and the implications for hundreds of people who are in detention,' Mr Riley explained. 'Whether they too can now apply to be released under this decision.

'There are refugee advocates and lawyers crawling over this - and we'll see the implications of that very quickly.

'The people who have now been released have the ability to sue the government and remember, the government doesn't have any money, taxpayers have money, so they can sue taxpayers for millions of dollars for illegal incarceration.'

'Really? For the time they've been in?' an obviously shocked Barr replied.

'They now have rights under Australian law to sue taxpayers for millions of dollars of compensation,' Mr Riley responded.

'Murderers, rapists, child abusers, all the rest of them on equal standing. That is the law,' he explained.

Barr responding saying: 'Wow. Including the paedophile who raped the 10-year-old boy, the murderer, the rapist. This is horrendous.'

Sunrise host Nat Barr has been left shocked after discovering murderers, rapists and child molesters released from immigration detention will be able to sue the government for millions after the High Court last week ruled their detention had been 'unlawful'

Political Editor for Seven News Mark Riley revealed asylum seekers had the right to sue taxpayers for 'millions' over unlawful incarceration after the High Court ruled their detention had been unconstitutional (pictured, Anthony Albanese in parliament on Wednesday)

The shock development comes as Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil introduces a raft of strict new visa conditions for the released detainees including ankle tracking devices and curfews.

'If I had any legal power to do it, I would keep every one of those people in detention,' Ms O'Neil said on Thursday. 'Some of these people have committed deplorable, disgusting crimes.'

'So for the people who are released from detention, we did not want to let these people out of detention, but we have a simple message for them,' she said.

'We will set the strictest possible conditions for you. If you, if you do not follow them, you will end up back in jail.'

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles reiterated that the Commonwealth government opposed the release and the High Court ruled against it.

But Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused the minister of not being prepared for the decision.

'If there was another option available  which I honestly believe that there is  then they could have prevented these people from getting out onto the streets,' he told Sydney radio 2GB.

Mr Giles said the government had continued to look at 'all regulatory and legislative options', but was hamstrung in its response as the High Court's reasons for the decision had not yet been published.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton accused the minister of not being prepared for the high court decision

The government sought prior advice about options depending on a variety of outcomes of the court's decision, he added.

Nine of the 83 asylum seekers who have been let out into the community are being housed at a motel in Western Sydney, being paid for by taxpayers.

They will support themselves with at least $550 a fortnight from the government's Status Resolution Support Service as well as being provided with free Medicare.

Daily Mail Australia approached several residents at the western Sydney motel who were wandering freely around the grounds on Wednesday and was met with a barrage of abuse.

It is not suggested that everyone pictured is a criminal or asylum seeker, only that they were all going in and out of the motel on Wednesday.

One heavily-tattooed man wearing a singlet and rolling a cigarette did not say whether he had been released from detention but made it clear he did not wish to be interviewed.

A resident of a Sydney motel where asylum keepers who have been freed from immigration detention after a High Court ruling abused Daily Mail Australia when he was approached on Wednesday. 'Get the f*** out of here,' the man (above) yelled. 'What the f*** are you doing?

When this young man was approached at the motel on Wednesday he said 'I don't want to speak to you'. An older man than approached Daily Mail Australia and yelled a torrent of abuse

'Get the f*** out of here,' the man yelled. 'What the f*** are you doing?

'Get the f*** out. I call the police. We are all innocent people here. Why are you trying to talk to us? What are you doing?'

Two police officers had earlier spent at least half an hour inside the motel, which can only be entered with a swipe card or after talking with reception via an intercom.

Asked whether she could comment on the Villawood detainees, a woman behind the front desk said: 'No we can't, thank you.'

One man who spent much of the day outside on his mobile phone confirmed he had been a detainee but twice declined to discuss his situation.

'I am from Villawood,' he said. 'I am talking to family. Afterwards, please.'

Another young man wandering around with his mobile phone said: 'I don't want to speak to you.
At the end of October, an Israeli Arrow 3 long range air defense missile made its first intercept of a hostile target. A Green Pine over-the-horizon Israeli radar detected a ballistic missile launch somewhere along the Red Sea coast and headed for Israel. An Arrow 3 missile intercepted the threat in space, which was the first ever intercept of a hostile missile in space.

Even before that Arrow 3 had attracted attention from potential export customers. One of these was a European coalition consisting of Germany, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Hungary, Lithuania, Slovenia, Latvia and the Netherlands. This coalition was formed 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 3 ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) 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.

The war in Ukraine has caused several major NATO nations to increase their defense spending and change their weapons purchasing plans. Germany is considering purchasing the Israeli Arrow 3 to defend against Russian ballistic missile attacks. Arrow 3 is comparable to the American THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense) system. The U.S. financed the research on Arrow 3 and U.S. firms built nearly half the Arrow system components.

Arrow 3 is a two-stage high-speed interceptor able to hit long-range ballistic missiles. Arrow 3 entered service in 2017, complementing and eventually replacing Arrow 2, which entered service in 2009. The original Arrow 1 entered service in 2000 and was then the worlds most advanced ABM system. Arrow 1 and 2 have been successfully used in combat while Arrow 3 has been successful in realistic tests against incoming ballistic missile warheads.

Each generation of Arrow used a smaller but more capable interceptor missile and increased system capabilities. That was one reason for the United States long prohibiting Israel from exporting Arrow. That ban was recently lifted, which led to an Azerbaijan order and Germany seriously considering a similar purchase. Azerbaijan, which borders Russia and Iran and is a major customer for Israeli weapons, ordered two batteries of Arrow 3 in 2021 to protect itself from Iranian ballistic missiles.

Germany and Israel have long been purchasing each others weapons and cooperating in weapons development. For example, in 2011 Germany agreed to lend Israel a Patriot anti-aircraft system radar so that the radars in Israel's six Patriot batteries could be sent back to the United States for upgrades. At the same time Israel was developing its own Magic Wand (now David's Sling) air and missile defense system as a replacement for Patriot. The David's Sling missiles have a longer range (300 kilometers) and better capabilities. The American manufacturer of Patriot cooperated with an Israeli firm to develop and produce Davids Sling, which entered service in 2017, David's Sling depends on longer range radars to get target location and speed information to the David's Sling launchers. Once launched, the Stunner missile fired by Davids Sling is guided to the general location of the incoming rocket, until the Stunner's on-board sensors pick it up, and then home in and destroy the long-range rocket.

Arrow was always meant to be a more capable ABM system than Patriot or American systems like THAAD and Aegis. This has helped American air-defense system manufacturers by providing a source of useful Israeli patents to use for American systems. Germany is a customer for German Spike ATGM (Anti-Tank-Guided-Missiles) and both nations sell each other weapons tech. Last year Israel joined a U.S. sponsored regional air defense network called MEAD (Middle East Air Defense Alliance). Israel is a vital component of MEAD, which includes other Middle East nations, like Saudi Arabia and the UAE that have purchased American air and missile defense systems like Patriot and THAAD. MEAD makes sense with Israeli participation because Israel not only purchased Patriot, but also developed a similar but superior system called Davids Sling as well as the unique Arrow anti-ballistic missile system.

Israel also developed and uses Iron Dome against rocket and mortar attacks as well as new systems that can detect and destroy low and slow cruise missiles which Iran has successfully used to evade Saudi air defenses and attack oil infrastructure targets. Both Saudi Arabia and the UAE have been regularly attacked by Iranian ballistic missiles and cruise missiles launched by Iran-backed Shia rebels in northern Yemen. This need for Israeli air defense systems played a role in the 2020 American sponsored effort to secure diplomatic recognition of Israel by Arab states in the Middle East and led to Israel exporting some air defense systems to the UAE for protecting commercial aircraft from Iranian missile attacks.

After that diplomatic breakthrough, MEAD became a real possibility at the end of 2020 after Israel conducted two weeks of anti-aircraft system tests in the eastern Mediterranean against targets simulating multiple missile and rocket threats. To handle this kind of multiple threat attack Israel ran successful tests demonstrating three different air-defense systems communicating with each other using a centralized target detection and fire control network to take down multiples of different types of targets. This new fire-control network enabled each air-defense system to successfully attack the specific targets it was most capable of destroying. This test also showed that Iron Dome was capable of destroying an incoming cruise missile. Other incoming weapons included unguided rockets, a simulated ballistic missile and UAVs. The test was mainly about proving that a new integrated sensor and fire control system worked. The integrated system provided a single 3-D picture of the battlefield by combining data from the American Missile Defense Satellite early warning system plus the local radar systems used by Iron Dome, C-Dome (Iron Dome mounted on Israeli corvettes and offshore natural gas extraction platforms), Davids Sling (formerly Magic Wand), and Arrow 3, the Israel based ABM (Anti-Ballistic Missile) system. Such an integrated system was needed to protect Israel from a massive Iranian attack using rockets, explosives-laden UAVs and cruise missiles launched from Lebanon and Gaza as well as IRBMs (Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles) launched from Iran and shorter-range ballistic missiles launched from Syria or (illegally) Iraq.

The IRBM interception capabilities of Arrow had already been tested in 2017 and Davids Sling had been used against incoming missiles from Syria in 2018. Iron Dome has intercepted nearly 3,000 rockets, mortar shells and UAVs since 2011 and demonstrated its ability to deal with cruise missiles during tests. Detecting and taking down cruise missiles is a new capability for Iron Dome and C-Dome. This new capability was seen as essential for Iron Dome because these can come from any direction and be used in large numbers in a single attack. Iron Dome is designed to deal with such mass attacks by rockets and, using the new integrated command and control system, it was found that the target data could quickly and successfully be used from other radar systems.

In early 2017 Israel successfully completed a final round of tests for its Davids Sling anti-aircraft/missile system and began deploying it in late 2017. At the same time the new Arrow 3 completed its final tests and was cleared for mass production as the version of Arrow that can intercept the longer-range Iranian IRBMs.

Iron Dome has a unique feature in which the radar system computes where the incoming rocket will land. If the rocket will not hit an inhabited area, it will be ignored. Otherwise, one or two interceptor missiles will be fired. Davids Sling adopted some of that technology for its anti-missile mode. The Davids Sling Stunner missile can be used against larger rockets that will be aimed (by Syria, Hamas or Hezbollah) at large urban areas, and these will almost always get a Stunner fired at them.

Davids Sling is expected to eventually replace Israels old 17 Hawk anti-aircraft batteries as well and, eventually, the six Patriot batteries. Davids Sling is very similar to Patriot and one option is to offer Davids Sling components as upgrades for existing Patriot equipment. Stunner is already available as a Patriot upgrade because Stunner has a max range of 300 kilometers, which is longer than Patriot. Many of the Davids Sling technologies were developed jointly by American and Israeli firms with Patriot upgrades in mind. The Stunner missile's long range allows two Davids Sling batteries to cover all of Israel. A Davids Sling battalion would have three batteries each with six truck mounted launchers (each with four missiles), a radar vehicle and control vehicle.

Arrow 3 was earlier tested in the Eastern Mediterranean against Israeli ballistic missile warheads launched from high-flying jets. In 2019 Arrow was also tested from the American PSCA (Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska) in Kodiak, Alaska against three different ballistic missile targets. Israeli Sparrow ballistic missile targets are often used for testing the ABM capabilities of Davids Sling, Patriot and Arrow. These targets are missiles carried to a high altitude by an F-16, F-15 or a large transport aircraft. When launched, the missiles fly higher and then plunge earthward at a speed and trajectory nearly identical to that of a ballistic missile warhead. This provides an adequately similar target for testing anti-ballistic missile systems.

The 2020 tests completed a decades-long Israeli effort to provide an integrated air defense system that makes the most of their numerous innovative air defense weapons. MEAD needs a networked system and the only one that incorporates the latest Israeli and American air defense tech is what Israel successfully tested at the end of 2020. There followed a year of discussions and negotiations between the U.S., Israel and major Arab partners in the anti-Iran alliance. Arab members of MEAD were not announced initially because Saudi Arabia had to determine if Saudi public opinion would tolerate belonging to MEAD. The Saudis have been a leader in anti-Israel rhetoric since the 1950s and only in the last two decades, as the Iranian threat grew, did Saudi political and business leaders realize that they needed Israel as an ally, not an alien entity that must be removed from the Middle East. The Saudis are the guardians of the most holy of Moslem pilgrimage sites and Saudis are proud of that. Some Saudis are still unwilling to accept Israel as a valued neighbor and ally. So far, the Saudis have established informal but effective diplomatic, intelligence and military links with Israel. To use MEAD the Saudis would have to go public with their acceptance of Israel. Thats risky for the Saudi government but so is staying out of MEAD. It is even more risky in 2023 because of the aftereffects of the Hamas attack on Israel. For Israel and the Gulf Arab states the major threat still comes from Iran. Because of that Iran would like to see MEAD fail and Arrow 3 be kept as far away from Iran as possible.
Several men remain on the run

Shots have been fired in a terrifying and targeted home invasion in Melbourne's north-east, with a woman and two children inside the property at the time.

Several men broke into the Linton Avenue home in Templestowe Lower about 12.45am on Thursday, firing several shots inside the home.

While no one was struck by the shots, a male occupant required treatment in hospital for non-life threatening injuries sustained during the break-in.

Police officers remained at the scene in Templestowe Lower on Thursday morning.

A woman spoke to police before leaving the home on Thursday with a baby in her arms

After firing the shots, the intruders fled the scene.

The woman and children, one of whom is believed to be a baby, were not injured and were seen getting into a car and leaving the property later on Thursday morning.

A SES tent was seen set up outside the home.

Police have confirmed that no arrests have been made at this stage.

'At this early stage in the investigation, detectives are still determining the motive however believe the incident was targeted,' Victoria Police said.

Anyone who witnessed the incident, has CCTV footage or further information has been urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
A Canadian man who attacked Paul Pelosi with a hammer in his San Francisco home has been found guilty.

David DePape, a former nudist from Canada, entered the Pelosis' mansion through a back door in the early hours of October 28, 2022, and bludgeoned former House Speaker Nancy's 82-year-old husband Paul.

The jury deliberated for about eight hours before finding David DePape guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official. DePape, who faces up to 50 years in prison, did not react as the verdict was read in a San Francisco court on Thursday.

The attack, caught on police body camera footage, put Paul Pelosi in hospital with a fractured skull.

During closing arguments, defense attorneys argued that DePape was caught up in conspiracies and was motivated by his political beliefs, not because he wanted to interfere with Nancy Pelosi's official duties as a member of Congress.

Body camera image from San Francisco police show David DePape with Paul Pelosi at the Pelosis' San Francisco home, in the early hours of October 28, 2022. DePape was found guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official. He faces up to 50 years in prison

Prosecutors say DePape admitted to breaking into the Pelosis' San Francisco residence with the intention of getting the senior Democrat to acknowledge her party's 'lies' - on pain of smashing her kneecaps. She was not home at the time

Prosecutor Helen Gilbert said the defense had made a false distinction between the California Democrat's politics and official duties and that DePape did not differentiate between the two.

DePape's defense attorney conceded that he carried out the assault, which he testified was part of a 'grand plan' to expose Hunter Biden.

In a statement, a spokesman for Nancy Pelosi said she and her family were 'deeply grateful for the outpouring of prayers and warm wishes'.

'The Pelosi family is very proud of their Pop, who demonstrated extraordinary composure and courage on the night of the attack a year ago and in the courtroom this week,' said spokesman Aaron Bennett.

While testifying on Tuesday, DePape wept on the stand and apologized for beating the House Speaker's husband, but admitted he wanted to interrogate Nancy and was ready to break her kneecaps if she had been home.

He told the court: 'I wanted to ask her a question about Russiagate and film it and post it online.

'I was planning to wear the unicorn costume and record it with the body camera I got. I kind of expected her to go along with me and tell me what I wanted to hear.'

Court records of DePape's purchases from Amazon in the months before the attacks revealed a list of items he reportedly took with him to the crime scene.

Finding only her then-82-year-old husband at home, DePape engaged in what he told officers was a 'pretty amicable' exchange, during which Paul Pelosi, pictured, managed to call for help from law enforcement

Defense attorney Angela Chuang delivered closing arguments on Wednesday

They included a camping backpack, computer cables, body cameras, crayons and, bizarrely, two Spooktacular unicorn costumes.

DePape added that after he hit Pelosi he felt 'really bad' for him.

He told the court: 'When he was on the ground, bleeding, I was really scared for his life. I felt really bad for him because we had a really good rapport until like the last second.

'I reacted because my plan was basically ruined. He was never the target and I'm sorry he got hurt.'

Prosecutors played the body camera footage of the attack and DePape watched without flinching.

The graphic footage of the hammer attack showed an officer shining a flashlight, confronting DePape with Pelosi in the doorway.

As the two struggle, DePape raises his hammer and smashes Pelosi over the head, striking him three times to the ground.

A screenshot of security footage shows DePape outside the Pelosi home

Paul Pelosi was hit multiple times with the hammer leaving him unconscious as the officers rushed in and arrested DePape

Aerial footage showed broken panes and shattered glass at the backdoor of Pelosi's home after the attack

Another video showed blood gushing from Pelosi's head, with his hands soaked red, as paramedics tended to him.

Stephanie Minor, FBI special agent, testified they reviewed web activity found on DePape's hard drive, including a series of Nancy Pelosi-related searches in the days leading up to the attack.

She testified that there were about 50 video surveillance cameras capturing DePape's trip to carry out the hammer attack.

Paul Pelosi took the stand during the trial and recounted the horrifying experience.

'The door opened and a very, very large man came in with a hammer in one hand and some ties in the other hand,' Pelosi told the court.

'He said where's Nancy?

'He burst into the door and woke me up.'

Testifying for around an hour, Pelosi told the court of his efforts to alert 911 to the threat, without pushing DePape to attack him.

He described negotiating with DePape to go downstairs, where Pelosi hoped he'd be rescued by police. And he told of 'waking up in a pool of blood'.

Pelosi said he has not fully recovered from his injuries. A neurosurgeon who operated on him testified that Pelosi had two wounds on his head, including a fracture to his skull that had to be mended with plates and screws he will have for the rest of his life.

During the trial prosecution played a recording of a call DePage later placed to a news reporter stating: 'I have an important message for everyone in America. You're welcome.'

When authorities arrested DePape, they found a manifesto that contained anti-governmental beliefs and a list of other politicians he planned to target.

He also pleaded not guilty to charges in state court of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary and other felonies.

A state trial has not been scheduled.
Residents of a beachside suburb in Sydney are split on the location of an electric vehicle charger which some call an 'eyesore' while others say is 'a step in the right direction'.

Plans to introduce the electric vehicle (EV) charger to Bungan St in Mona Vale, on Sydney's Northern Beaches, were accepted by the Northern Beaches Council in mid-2021 after receiving 'a high level of support' from locals.

But controversy over the charger quickly grew after the council permitted Jolt, a nationwide provider of EV chargers, to connect the charger directly into an Ausgrid kiosk substation.

The addition of a shell capable of charging an EV added about 40 centimetres to the box's height and a metre to it's length.

Workers from shops located behind the charger have complained that would-be customers can no longer see their store because of the enlargement and are simply driving past.

Other residents were angered that the council had also dedicated a parking spot on one of the suburb's busiest roads just for the use of electric vehicles.

Residents of Sydney's beachside suburb of Mona Vale have been left split by the introduction of a massive electric vehicle charger on one of the suburbs busiest streets (pictured)

An image of the charger was sent through to 2GB's Ben Fordham on Thursday morning where it was described as a 'massive eyesore'.

One resident told the program that the charger's design is 'not at all in keeping with what's in Mona Vale'.

'The biggest problem I think a lot of people find is that it's taking an important car space away and no one's ever in there,' she said.

The caller said that she has seen 'it just (sitting) empty' while petrol-powered cars jockey for limited spots in the area.

Another caller, a woman who works at a shoe store behind the box, said the box's larger size had lead to customers believing they had shut down because they can't see the store while driving along the street.

'They drive past (because) they can't see it, so they come in some months later and say, 'Well, we thought you'd left Mona Vale',' the woman told the program.

She said the business has resorted to placing a sandwich board out the front of the store reminding customers that they are in fact still open.

The council found that residents who had opposed plans to introduce the charger 'felt that public owned land (carparks) should not be used for a commercial enterprise'.

The council's website said that those opposed also believed the council should 'not be supporting/subsidising a small minority of EV owners as this disadvantages the majority of motorists'.

However, those against the charger's introduction only made up about 13 per cent of residents who made a submission to the council in 2021.

Some locals were angered the charger is an 'eyesore' on the streetscape while others were upset that a parking space would be reserved just for EVs

READ MORE: NRMA 'diesel-powered' electric car charging station in outback NT angers Aussies Advertisement

A resounding 84 per cent of residents supported the plan to add an EV charger to Bungan St, which at the time was the suburb's first.

The council found that those supporting the plan were doing so mostly for environmental reasons, saying that having more chargers would spur on EV purchases.

The charger is one of many Jolt chargers that are linked to the Ausgrid electricity system and provides customers with the first 7kWh free-of-charge.

The company is able to pay off the electricity cost by having advertisements playing on all but one side of the charger.

While Fordham's program heard from outraged locals, others took to social media to explain the odd-looking charger.

'RIP Ben Fordham when he finds out this is actually an Ausgrid electricity box that's been there for two years,' EV advocate, Bridie Schmidt, wrote on X.

Ms Schmidt said the company 'installs street chargers on existing connections to the grid' hence the oddly-shaped set-up.

One X user commented that 'even if this was anything to do with charging our EVs, are we saying that Petrol Stations are masterpieces of architecture'.

A spokesperson for Jolt told Daily Mail Australia that the electricity box was installed 29 years ago and still exists underneath the EV-charger 'shell'.

The charger's odd size is due to it being installed directly onto an Ausgrid kiosk substation. The original electricity box on Bungan St is pictured before it was made larger to accommodate the EV charger

Northern Beaches Mayor, Sue Heins, told Daily Mail Australia that they support 'the Ausgrid and Jolt initiative to convert existing Ausgrid green boxes into fast EV charging stations'.

'There are now more than 20 EV charging locations across the Northern Beaches with many more in the pipeline, making it one of the fastest growing areas for EV uptake,' Ms Heins said.

'The state government is aiming for 52 per cent of new vehicle sales to be electric by 2030 and the federal government is aiming for 89 per cent, so we really need to ensure our community has the right infrastructure to support EV uptake.'

In contrast to the caller's belief that the charger is left empty, Ms Heins said that Jolt chargers within the council are some of the most used across the nation.
Goodale has now been sentenced to a minimum of 25 years

His co-defendant Willard Miller sought revenge for a poor grade given to him by Graber in 2021

An Iowa teen convicted of beating his high school Spanish teacher to death in 2021 was sentenced Wednesday to life in prison with a possibility of parole in 25 years.

A judge sentenced Jeremy Goodale, 18, for his role in killing Nohema Graber, a 66-year-old teacher at Fairfield High School alongside his friend Willard Miller in revenge for Miller - who pleaded guilty to first degree murder earlier this year - being given a failing grade.

The two high school students used a bat to kill their teacher after stalking her as she took her daily walk in a large park in Fairfield, a small Iowa city about 100 miles (160 kilometers) southeast of Des Moines.

Before being sentenced, Goodale apologized to the teacher's family, the community and his own family, saying: 'I'm sorry, truly sorry. What I've taken can never be replaced.

'Every day I wish I could go back and stop myself, prevent this loss and this pain that I've caused everyone.'

Jeremy Goodale cried and got a bloody nose during his sentencing for killing his Spanish teacher in 2021. He was given a life sentence

Nohema Graber, 66, was a respected educator in Fairfield, Iowa, prior to her brutal murder

Prosecutors have said Miller first suggested the two kill Graber after becoming worried that the poor grade would prevent him from participating in a study abroad program.

Judge Shawn Showers ticked through 25 factors he had to consider before issuing his sentence of life with a 25-year minimum.

He said it was clear Goodale was remorseful and did not consider the repercussions of killing Graber, but noted the teen is a smart person who could easily have stopped it from being carried out.

The judge's decision matched a requested sentence by prosecutors, whereas Goodale's lawyer had said he should be sentenced to life with no mandatory minimum sentence before he is eligible for parole.

The two students - 16 when they committed the crime - were charged as adults, but because of their age they were not subject to an Iowa requirement that those convicted of first-degree murder serve a mandatory sentence of life without parole.

In July, Showers sentenced Miller to life in prison with a possibility of parole after 35 years in prison.

Goodale and Miller pleaded guilty in April to killing Graber. After killing her, they used a wheelbarrow to move her body near railroad tracks, where they covered it with a tarp and placed the wheelbarrow and a railroad tie over the tarp.

Graber was born in Xalapa, Mexico. After graduating from high school, she worked as a flight attendant and later earned her license as a commercial airline pilot.

After marrying, she moved to Fairfield in 1992 and later got a teaching certificate, working at Fairfield High School from 2012.

Her husband, Paul Graber, died of cancer after his wife's death. The couple had three children.

Goodale has been sentenced to life in prison with a minimum of 25 years before parole

Goodale (left) and Miller (right) pleaded guilty to killing Graber in April, with the latter sentenced in July

Goodale (left) talks with his defense co-counsel Nicole Jensen during his sentence hearing at the Jefferson County Courthouse in Fairfield, Iowa, on November 15

Speaking before Goodale was sentenced, 10 members of Graber's family gave victim impact statements or had statements read by a court official. During those statements, Goodale appeared to struggle to maintain his composure and hold back tears.

Tom Graber, the brother of the victim's husband Paul, said the killing devastated their family and hastened his brother's death.

He added that Goodale sounded and looked remorseful in his court statement, but questioned the authenticity of those statements.

'I must say your actions to me undercut that,' Graber said.

'You're now an adult. You're over the age of 18, and yet you have your counsel to represent you... arguing on your behalf to escape punishment for this horrific crime. That doesn't sound like remorse to me.'
Voice architect Professor Marcia Langton has been branded a 'scumbag' by former supporters for attacking Blak Sovereignty activists who refuse to condemn Hamas.

Just months after she was hailed as a darling of the Left for her work on the Yes campaign for the Voice to Parliament, some followers have now turned on her.

The sudden change was highlighted in two posts on social media by one user who furiously defended Ms Langton online eight weeks ago after she had branded the No campaign racist.

But on Wednesday, the same political commentator, Tom Tanuki, who has more than 15,000 followers on X, labelled her a 'scumbag'.

He posted a link to an article by Professor Langton where she denied 'Indigenous Australians feel solidarity with Palestinians', saying only 'a tiny few' felt that way.

She also lashed out at Indigenous activists who refused to condemn Hamas, and said Gazans had 'precipitated' the Israeli siege by voting for Hamas in 2006.

Tanuki posted: 'Can you imagine if the Voice did get up and this scumbag was anywhere near it? God give me strength.'

Voice architect Professor Marcia Langton has been branded a 'scumbag' by former supporters for attacking Blak Sovereignty activists who refuse to condemn Hamas

Prof Langton also lashed out at Indigenous activists who refused to condemn Hamas, and said Gazans had 'precipitated' the Israeli siege by voting for Hamas in 2006

A tweet from September 14 defending Professor Marcia Langton against allegations of racism by the No campaign

The same poster branded the professor a 'scumbag' after she attacked Hamas and dismissed claims of 'solidarity' between Indigenous Australians and Palestinian people

Others joined the outrage, posting: 'This is crazy...the bit about them voting for their own demise? Did she have an aneurysm?

'I really obviously must have missed something.'

Another questioned: 'What kind of Voice was she fighting for? Hers, and mob who think like her?

'I voted for all mob to have their say - even the ones she/Australia disagrees with.'

'Shame on Langton,' slammed another, and another added: 'To anyone with an ounce of sense its crystal clear who Marcia speaks for.

'Starts with an M, ends with an a.'

But one critic revelled in the split in the ranks of the Left, adding: 'I love how quickly you all eat each other.' Another posted: 'The revolution always eats its own.'

In the op-ed article in The Australian, Prof Langton rejected claims that Australia's Indigenous people felt a 'solidarity' with Palestinians.

She said the claim was false and said 'there is very little comparable in our respective situations, other than our humanity'.

And she blasted pro-Palestinian Blak Sovereignty activists who refuse to condemn Hamas.

Blak Sovereign Movement senator Lidia Thorpe sparked fury when she voiced her support for Palestine in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack.

She later told Parliament she condemned Hamas' attacks on Israel, but said she also condemned 'the violence Israel is and has been inflicting on the Palestinian people'.

Blak Sovereign Movement senator Lidia Thorpe sparked fury when she voiced her support for Palestine in the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack

In the op-ed article in The Australian, Prof Langton rejected claims that Australia's Indigenous people felt a 'solidarity' with Palestinians

'I am aghast and embarrassed,' Prof Langton said. 'They do not speak for me. I fear and loathe the possibility of further loss of life in this terrible crisis.

'I condemn Hamas... Hamas are terrorists; Palestinian Islamic Jihad are terrorists.

'The slogan "Not all Palestinians are Hamas" denies the fact that innocent Palestinians are being used as human shields by these terrorists.'

Prof Langton said the loss of lives in Gaza was 'unjustifiable' and she was 'horrified and deeply saddened' by the Israelis kidnapped and murdered by Hamas.

'No legitimate Aboriginal leader will permit our movement to be associated with terrorists,' she said.

'I can state confidently, based on my long experience in Aboriginal communities and giving advice to Indigenous corporations, that the majority Aboriginal view is a repulsion of terrorism.

'I fear also that our multicultural society is being torn apart by people deluded about terrorism who have used their protests as a cover for anti-Semitism.'

Her article did get some support and one poster defended her against Mr Tanuki's attack, replying: 'Sheesh! I agree with just about everything she wrote.'
The mother of a six-year-old boy who shot his teacher at a Virginia school has been sentenced to 21 months in prison for using marijuana while owning a firearm.

Deja Taylor's son used his mom's handgun to seriously wound Richneck Elementary educator Abby Zwerner in her first-grade classroom

Investigators found nearly an ounce of marijuana in Taylors bedroom, evidence of frequent drug use in her text messages and paraphernalia following the incident in January.

U.S. District Judge Mark Davis said Taylor's 'dereliction of duty and responsibility' as a parent means the 'cries out for a sentence of imprisonment', Fox8 Live reports.

Meanwhile Zwerner told the court she was still contends daily with 'deep emotional scars'.

Deja Taylor, whose six-year-old son who shot and injured Richneck Elementary teacher Abby Zwerner, has been sentenced to 21 months in jail for using marijuana while owning a firearm

Investigators found almost of an ounce of marijuana in Taylor's home after they conducted a search following the shooting of Zwerner (pictured) in January

Following the shooting, Taylor smoked two blunts, prosecutors said. She also failed drug tests while awaiting sentencing on the federal charges

'I have nightmares of gore, blood and death  always involving a firearm,' she said.

'I feel as if I've lost my purpose  I loved children,' she said, adding she had suffered a 'massive' financial loss and no longer works for the school system.

Federal prosecutors sought a 21-month prison sentence and argued her 'chronic, persistent and ... life-affecting abuse extends this case far beyond any occasional and/or recreational use.'

'This case is not a marijuana case,' they wrote in court filings. 'It is a case that underscores the inherently dangerous nature and circumstances that arise from the caustic cocktail of mixing consistent and prolonged controlled substance use with a lethal firearm.'

Taylor agreed in June to a negotiated guilty plea. She was convicted of using marijuana while owning a gun, as well as lying about her drug use on a federal form when she bought the gun.

Taylor's attorneys had asked the judge for probation and home confinement, according to court filings.

Her lawyers argued Taylor needs counseling for issues that include schizoaffective disorder, a condition that shares symptoms with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder.

'Ms. Taylor is deeply saddened, extremely despondent, and completely remorseful for the unintended consequences and mistakes that led to this horrible shooting,' her attorneys wrote.

They also said she needs treatment for marijuana addiction.

'Addiction is a disease and incarceration is not the cure,' her attorneys wrote.

Sometime after her son shot his teacher, Taylor smoked two blunts, prosecutors added. She also failed drug tests while awaiting sentencing on the federal charges.

But Taylors attorneys said she 'vulnerably stands before this court humiliated, contrite and saddened.'

Taylor (center) said her child had always 'really liked' Zwerner, but talked a lot in the week before the incident saying that she 'wasn't listening' to him

The 25-year-old teacher survived the attack and is now suing the school and district for $40 million over claims the school knew about the boy's 'violent' history and ignored warnings he may have a gun

Children at Richneck Elementary School held a candlelight vigil for the beloved teacher following the shooting

They also argued that the U.S. Supreme Court could eventually strike down the federal ban on drug users owning guns.

In August, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans ruled that drug users should not automatically be banned from having guns.

Other lower courts have upheld the ban and the Justice Department has appealed the ruling to the Supreme Court. The high court has not yet decided whether to take up the case.

Taylors grandfather has had full custody of her son, now age 7, since the shooting, according to court documents.

The child told authorities he obtained the gun by climbing onto a drawer to reach the top of a dresser, where the firearm was in his moms purse.

Taylor initially told investigators she had secured her gun with a trigger lock, but investigators never found one.

She is now facing a separate charge of child neglect and a misdemeanor for ailing to secure her handgun in the family's home.

Immediately after the shooting, the child told a reading specialist who restrained him: 'I shot that (expletive) dead,' and 'I got my moms gun last night,' according to search warrants.

Zwerner, 25, was shot once, but the bullet pierced through her hand and into her chest, where fragments of it still remain. She went through five surgeries to regain motion in her hand.

Taylor described her son as a 'great' and 'energetic kid', claiming he doesn't talk about the incident, but he does speak about the 'day or two days before'

The bullet first pierced Zwerner's left hand, ripping through the middle bone, index finger and thumb. She told the court she still suffers nightmares and contends 'daily with deep emotional scars'

Taylor previously said that her son always 'really liked' Zwerner, but in the lead up to the shooting he felt like she 'wasn't listening' to him.

She also told Good Morning America he had been suspended the week before the incident for accidentally 'knocking' a phone out of the teacher's hand.

Zwerner has since filed a $40million lawsuit against the school and district in which she claimed the boy 'had a history of random violence' and 'attacked students and teachers alike.'

Taylor described her son as a 'great' and 'energetic kid', claiming he doesn't talk about the incident, but he does speak about the 'day or two days before'.

She said: 'He has ADHD. Some people have it mildly. He's off the wall. Doesn't sit still ever. He had started medication and he was meeting his goals academically.

'He actually really liked her. I will say that week, he did come home and he was talking a lot about how he felt like he was being ignored.

'He would come home, and say 'Mom, I don't think she was listening to me. I didn't like that.''

Zwerner's lawsuit states that Newport News School District and Richneck Elementary officials ignored multiple warnings about the student's behavior, as well as concerns that he may have a gun.

Taylor's attorneys argued she needs treatment for marijuana addiction and counseling for issues that include schizoaffective disorder

Lawyers for the school board have filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit, claiming her injuries are covered under the state's worker's compensation law.

Federal law generally prohibits people from possessing firearms if they have been convicted of a felony, been committed to a mental institution or are an unlawful user of a controlled substance, among other things.

The United States Sentencing Commission reported that nearly 8,700 people were convicted under the law last year.

The commission did not provide a detailed breakdown of how many were charged because of their drug use. But it said nearly 88 percent of them were convicted because of a prior felony conviction.

Karen OKeefe, director of state policies for the pro-legalization group Marijuana Policy Project said that about 18 percent of Americans admitted to using cannabis in the last year and about 40 percent owned guns.

It was not the first time Taylors gun was fired in public, prosecutors wrote. Taylor shot at her sons father in December after seeing him with his girlfriend.

'u kouldve killed me,' the father said to Taylor in a text message, according to a brief from prosecutors.
An Idaho teacher was fired from her job and has been arrested for allegedly having sex with an underage boy whom she also gave alcohol and marijuana.

Jessica Lawson, 36, an Arizona native, taught at South Fremont High School from 2021 until 2023.

On November 6, a teenage boy - described as either 16 or 17 years old - faced a traffic stop for having a car with no visible tail lights. Authorities discovered that the car belonged to Lawson, whom the boy said allowed him to drive because she was too drunk.

Court documents say the boy admitted to having marijuana on him at the time.

Idaho teacher Jessica Lawson was fired from her job and has been arrested and charged for allegedly having sex with an underage boy whom she also gave alcohol and marijuana

Police drove the underage boy home that night, but the next morning his parents provided authorities with more details.

The parents claimed Lawson picked up the teen at 11 p.m. on November 6 and drove him to her house in Saint Anthony, Idaho.

Once there, she and the teenager had sex after getting drunk and high at her place.

Lawson, according to the boy's mother, admitted to some of the allegations. She copped to picking him up from his home and taking him to her house where she gave him booze.

However, she both denied 'anything else had occurred' and said that while there was marijuana in the house, she didn't give it to him.

Lawson, 36, an Arizona native, taught at South Fremont High School from 2021 until 2023

On November 6, a teenage boy - described as either 16 or 17 years old - faced a traffic stop for having a car with no visible tail lights

Authorities discovered that the car belonged to Lawson, whom the boy said allowed him to drive because she was too drunk

Lawson has also received a no-contact order between herself and the alleged victim

Police arrested Lawson and booked her into Madison County Jail on $250,000 bond.

Lawson has also received a no-contact order between herself and the alleged victim, according to East Idaho News.

If convicted, she could face up to life in prison.

Lawson was a teacher at South Fremont High School and has been removed from her role at the school.

It's unclear if the teen was a student at that school.
Los Angeles cops have launched a probe into whether laborers who reported being paid $500 to dump body parts for accused killer Samuel Haskell were turned away from the police station and told to call 911 instead.

Haskell, 35, the son of a Hollywood hotshot of the same name, has been charged with three counts of murder in connection to the disappearance of his wife Mei Haskell, 37, and her parents.

Mei's friends told DailyMail.com she had wanted to divorce Haskell for at least four years, but feared his powerful agent father would persuade courts to give him custody of their three children, aged six, eight and 12.

Now, LAPD is questioning why the Spanish-speaking laborers who became entangled in the case were apparently redirected and turned away from two police stations when they tried to report the bags of body parts.

Police Chief Michel Moore said he couldn't think of any valid reason why cops at the stations would not have taken their reports, as the department investigates potential failings.

Sam Haskell (pictured) the son of a Hollywood hotshot of the same name, has been charged with three counts of murder in connection with the disappearance of his wife Mei Haskell, 37, and her in-laws

Friends of Mei Haskell (pictured left) told DailyMail.com that she had wanted to divorce him for at least four years, but feared his powerful agent father would persuade courts to give him custody of their three children. Her parents Yanxiang Wang Gaoshan Li are also pictured

Los Angeles cops have launched a probe into whether laborers who reported allegedly being paid $500 to dump body parts for Haskell, 35, were turned away from the police station and told to call 911 instead. (Pictured: one of the stations in question - Topanga Police HQ)

'They didn't have those bags with them, (which) were back at the individual's home or location where they had been asked to do this service, and they believed that the bags, as I understand it, contained potentially human remains,' Moore said during a news conference.

'My concern is that very act right there, of having them go outside and call 911 versus summoning a unit via other available channels and ensuring that the people remain there with their cooperation.

'The desk officer has at his or her disposal the watch commander on scene, so the supervisor there, they have radio communications that they can summon, communications that issue or dispatch units.'

LAPD's Chief Michel Moore (pictured) confirmed cops are investigating whether the laborers were turned away by police

Officers were eventually dispatched to look for the body bags but came back empty-handed - until a dismembered torso, believed to belong to Mei, was discovered in a dumpster miles away the next day.

The Spanish-speaking laborers said Haskell tried to trick them into removing the 50-pound sacks from his Tarzana home on November 7, after being told they were full of rocks and trash.

'When we picked up the bags, we could tell they weren't rocks,' one of the workers, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told NBC Log Angeles in Spanish.

The men said the bags felt soft and soggy like meat as they loaded them into their pickup truck, and each weighed around 50 pounds. This aroused their suspicions, so they parked up and took a look inside the bags.

'I started seeing body parts, a belly button,' the worker said. 'I was astonished. Of course, I felt bad. We had been tricked.'

The laborers said they drove back to Haskell's home on Coldstream Terrace in Tarzana, about 25 miles northwest of Los Angeles, left the bags on his driveway and returned the money.

They said they told Haskell they didn't want to be involved - and he tried to pass the body parts off as Halloween props.

Haskell was arrested on Wednesday and charged with three counts murder

The headless body of one woman was discovered in a dumpster near his office in Encino, California, while the others are still missing

The laborers immediately made a beeline for the nearest police station - the California Highway Patrol station on De Soto Avenue in Woodland Hills - where officers redirected them to the LAPD.

They tried again to report the chilling events of the day - this time at LAPD's Topanga Station - but the station officer said he didn't understand Spanish, advising them to leave and call 911 from the courtyard.

Feeling inadvertently entangled in a horrific crime while seemingly left high and dry by police, the men said they feared for their lives.

'God was watching over us,' one worker recalled.

Haskell was charged in court on Monday with the murder of his wife along with her mother, Yanxiang Wang, 64, and her father, Gaoshan Li, 72.

The headless body of one woman was discovered in a dumpster near his office in Encino, California, while the others are still missing.

'These shocking and gruesome crimes have sent shockwaves through our community. We stand with the victims' loved ones during this unimaginably difficult time and will do everything in our power to ensure justice is served,' District Attorney George Gascon said while announcing them.

The investigation is still ongoing. LAPD officers returned to the Haskell home and his office on Tuesday.

When straggly-haired blond Haskell appeared in court on Monday afternoon he was bare-chested under a blue suicide vest, showing off his heavily tattooed arms.

Judge Kimberley Baker Guillemet allowed a DailyMail.com photographer in the court  but then ordered that Haskell's face could not be photographed.

She ordered him held without bond and pushed his arraignment back to December 8.

Haskell appeared in Los Angeles Superior Court before Judge Kimberley Baker Guillemet on a murder charges and dumping his wife's body in a trash can on November 13, in Los Angeles Superior Court. The judge ruled that his face could not be pictured

Police are seen searching the $2.5 million six bedroom house where the young Haskell family lived, with Mei's parents

The suspect's father Sam Haskell Sr. is seen with Dolly Parton, who he represented for many years

Haskell is the son of Samuel Haskell III, a former executive vice-president and worldwide head of television for the talent agency William Morris Endeavor.

His clients included Dolly Parton, George Clooney, Kathie Lee Gifford, Whoopi Goldberg and King Charles's brother, Prince Edward. He quit in 2004, and went on to found Magnolia Hill Productions.

The suspect's father was also CEO of the Miss America organization from 2015-17, but resigned after he was found to have criticized some of the contestants in private emails, ridiculing one for gaining weight and describing another as promiscuous.

Mei's friends have revealed the supposed fear she lived in for years given the family's connections.

'Mei first brought up a divorce when I was getting one in 2019,' one friend named Jenny exclusively told DailyMail.com. 'I told her she could do it, but she just felt like she couldn't risk losing her boys.'

'Mei felt trapped,' said longtime friend Jenny who would only give her first name in fear of retaliation from the prominent Haskell family.

'She said she couldn't leave because of the boys. She was afraid that her husband would take away the kids with the help of his very rich and influential father.'

'She said it wasn't happening. That there was no way she could get a divorce.

'Maybe she brought it up again and then he snapped.'

'There was also physical abuse,' added Jenny. 'She told me that he had hurt her. He had hit her.'

Samuel and Mei are pictured together in a photo from 2013. 'Mei first brought up a divorce when I was getting one in 2019,' one friend named Jenny exclusively told DailyMail.com

Friends of Mei Haskell arrive for the appearance of her husband on murder charges at Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday

Jenny also claimed that Mei had told her that her husband did not get along with her mother Wang and father Li.

The parents had moved into their home in Tarzana, 25 miles north of Los Angeles, about five years ago to help look after the couple's three young sons aged six, eight and 12.

'She said he was rude to them and ignored them. That they made him angry,' one friend said.

'They couldn't speak English, but he made no effort to interact with them.

'When Mei's youngest son was born, her parents moved from China to help take care of the baby. They were very helpful with the kids.

'Mei doesn't have any other family here except for her parents.'

Mei's friends described her husband as 'weird'. 'He would make these sudden moves with his arms and just blurt things out,' one person, who did not want to be named, said.

'When I first met him, I immediately thought of Jeffrey Dahmer, that same creepy vibe. He would walk really fast with his head down, rarely looking up and never make eye contact.

'We are absolutely devastated. Mei was such a bright light and loved her kids so much. She wanted to create a wonderful world for them and she did.

'Mei was the one we would all go to if we needed help or advice. She was always there for us. She was always so positive. She never complained. Her boys were her everything and the boys loved her so much.'
Vapes are causing a new headache for Australians with drivers now turning up at mechanics because the devices have popped their tyres.

Smokers appear to be tossing their vapes from their vehicles with devices littering a number of roads around the country.

Drivers are then running over the gadgets that either become stuck in their tyres or explode on impact.

The damage has forced drivers to fork out hundreds of dollars for new tyres with mechanics saying it is an increasingly common occurrence.

Mark Hely, who owns JAX Tyres & Auto Kensington in Sydney's east, said he'd seen four drivers come in with tyres that had burst from vapes.

Vapes are becoming stuck in car tyres and exploding as the smoking device's popularity surges

A Sydney mechanic said the vapes exploded once in the tyre and left drivers needing to fork out hundreds of dollars for a new one

'It's like a little bomb that goes off, the vapes explode and in some cases we've seen remnants of them inside the tyre,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Hely said drivers didn't need to go fast for the vape to cause real damage and that in all cases the tyres needed to be replaced in full.

'The vapes leave a hole about the size of a 20c coin,' he said.

'Vapes have just taken off and people have become careless, tossing them out of the window.'

He said the main problem was the price of the tyres with the most expensive now costing more than $1,000.

Drivers often didn't know they'd ran over a vape until they turned up at their mechanic.

'When you tell them what it was, they say ''oh that's what that popping sound was''.' Mr Hely said.

'So it's loud enough to be heard from inside the car. I wouldn't expect it to cause an accident but it makes the car difficult to drive.'

One driver had a vape pop her tyre this week as she was heading back from Sydney Airport along the motorway.

'I heard a loud pop sound and then the car slowed down significantly with a tyre pressure alert appearing,' she said.

'Then I could feel it had become completely flat. I had to cross over two lanes and drive on a flat tyre to find a small area to stop.'

The woman said she's gone through six tyres this year alone, with nails falling off tradies' utes also a major issue.

One driver shared a picture of a vape stuck inside their car onto Reddit

'It's bloody annoying and expensive,' she said.

Disturbing photos show the devices stuck in tyres while others have burst on impact ripping apart the rubber.

The dangerous trend has also emerged overseas with drivers in the United Kingdom revealing they have been forced to fork out money for new tyres as a result.

The Australian Government in May announced $234million funding for tougher regulation, including stricter import and packaging controls.

The measures will include banning the import of non-prescription vapes for retail settings and of single-use products.

Recent research reveals that around 1.6million Aussie now vape, amounting to 7.9 percent of people aged over-18.

Since December, an additional 308,000 people have taken up vaping, marking a 23 per cent increase, according to a Roy Morgan poll.

Additionally, a study conducted by the Cancer Council indicates that 90 percent of teenagers find it easy to purchase illegal e-cigarettes.

The same study, named Generation Vape, discovered that over two-thirds of 14 to 17-year-olds have knowingly used vapes containing nicotine.

The illegal importation or supply of counterfeit or unapproved therapeutic goods can result in a maximum penalty of five years' imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $1.25million.
The fighting going on in Ukraine and, to a lesser extent in Syria involves a lot of efforts to jam GPS navigation signals and degrade the accuracy of weapons using GPS navigation. In theory, jamming GPS navigation is relatively straightforward. The jammers disrupt the signal GPS navigation systems receive from space satellites that provide worldwide signals to GPS receivers in the air, at sea or on the ground. If someone jams the GPS signal, most GPS-based guidance systems will switch to an INS (inertial Navigation System) back up.

In the last few decades new technologies have greatly improved INS accuracy and lowered costs. In the last decade, new INS tech resulted in INS that was nearly as accurate as GPS and almost as compact. The new INS tech was more expensive, but as more of it was sold, the cost will come down. Cost was initially a factor because the new INS units with the new tech cost more than 10 times GPS. Despite that, there were markets for the more expensive INS. The new INS devices can be used to more effectively monitor GPS and alert the user that their GPS has either developed a problem or is being jammed. INS cannot be jammed because it is self-contained and does not rely on any external signal. INS does receive constant position updates from the GPS unit it works with. That keeps the INS as accurate as possible. But if those updates suddenly stop or become erratic, INS systems are programmed to stop using GPS signals and switch to INS only mode.

This feature is often essential in some weapons. For example, some very fast or highly maneuverable missiles sometimes briefly lose their GPS signal as they maneuver. A more complex task is INS equipped to effectively deal with the growing use of GPS spoofing, or misdirecting. This involves Electronic Warfare (EW) equipment that can mislead rather than jam without alerting the victim that their navigation system might not be reliable. Thus, even with the ability of GPS anti-jamming tech to keep up with jammer technology, there is still a demand for a new INS. That has led to smaller, cheaper and more accurate INS systems. Aside from airlines and commercial shipping, there is not much of a mass market for these new INS systems because for most users, GPS is reliable enough to keep the INS gear out of the more cost-sensitive markets. But the demand from the airlines, shipping companies and the military is huge. INS tech is becoming a popular feature for high-end smartphones and other consumer items, because some smartphone and smartwatch manufacturers seek to use INS to automatically fill in if the user temporarily loses the GPS signal.

Several nations, particularly the U.S., Russia and Israel, develop electronic systems that disrupt satellite navigation systems like GPS or the Russian GLONASS. Both nations use their jamming and anti-jamming tech against each other because Russia maintains a naval base and airbase on the Syrian coast while Israel is constantly under attacks by Iranian UAVs and missiles launched from Syria. Israeli missiles regularly hit Iranian targets in Syria and Russia uses its GPS jamming systems to disrupt these attacks. Israel has responded with new tech installed in the missile guidance systems that reduces or eliminates the effectiveness of the jamming. This GPS jamming and counter-jamming competition has been going on for several decades and became particularly intense when Russian forces arrived in Syria in late 2015. Before that Russia had provided their ally Syria with these jamming weapons while Israel and the United States cooperated in developing new jamming tech. Now the new tech is showing up in Ukraine, where there is a lot of jamming, spoofing and general mayhem directed at new satellite navigation and INS tech.

Details of the new jamming technologies are usually kept secret but those that are sold as commercial products must reveal some technical details. For example, in 2021 the Israeli military announced that it was the prime backer of the new Advanced Navigation Technology Center. This new division of state-owned IAI (Israel Aerospace Industries) develops and manufactures new generations of INS technology to complement or replace satellite (GPS) guidance. IAI did not provide any more details of the new INS technology, not even the name of the new system. IAI already develops and makes INS systems as unjammable backups for GPS systems, but the future is seen as a better INS that is less reliant on GPS.

Many defense specialists on navigation and electronics experts believe current anti-jamming efforts are sufficient to keep military GPS use viable for a while, but the improvements in GPS jamming and spoofing technology have been arriving faster than expected. Despite the secrecy about GPS disruption, since 2017 there has been growing evidence that Russia has been frequently jamming or spoofing GPS signals, mainly to hide the exact location equipment that allows GPS tracking. Those techniques continued to show up in Ukraine.

Developing equipment like this is easily within Russian capabilities. In early 2019 a report made the news revealing that there had recently been nearly 10,000 instances where someone, apparently Russia, had been jamming or spoofing satellite navigation signals. Not just the American GPS, but also signals from non-American satellite navigation systems (Chinese Beidou, EUs Galileo, Japans QZAA and even the Russian GLONASS). Much of this activity was not outright jamming but harder to detect spoofing. This was apparently done to conceal the true location of key Russian officials, like President Putin, and Russian military units. The spoofing was particularly common for Russian military forces in Ukraine and Syria. Spoofing replaced the actual satellite signal with a false one that rendered smart bombs or planned attacks on targets inaccurate. Spoofing can introduce false signals gradually and sometimes delay a navigation system's realization that it is being deceived. Thats one function of INS, to act as a monitor for GPS as well as a backup.

Current INS tech relies on receiving an accurate GPS location initially and periodically thereafter to keep both GPS and INS location data in sync. GPS depends on continuous satellite signals to operate, and the INS is used to step in and replace GPS when the satellite signal becomes temporarily too weak, or absent. When an accurate GPS signal is achieved, INS goes back into standby mode. Spoofing can now mimic these momentary disruptions and evade detection as a false signal by the INS, which is completely self-contained. This is sometimes a problem for American guided weapons sent to Ukraine that do not have the latest jamming detection and countermeasures tech installed.

Israeli INS researchers are not the only ones seeking an INS that is accurate and persistent enough to replace GPS for extended periods. INS has long suffered from the inability to provide as accurate a location as satellite navigation systems while also suffering from drift as the gyroscope and acceleration capabilities now performed by microelectronics of the chip-based INS cannot maintain as continuously precise location as the space satellite-based system can. This is no longer seen as an insurmountable problem, nor is the large cost-difference between GPS and INS tech. Israel apparently feels it is closer to a solution than anyone else.

Meanwhile, spoofing satellite navigation systems has become more popular and practical because it does not require expensive or high-tech equipment. While American weapons and military navigation systems have a backup in the form of unjammable INS systems, these are useless if the spoofing is not detected. American systems are supposed to detect spoofing and revert to INS but the Americans do not disclose details of how these systems work in order to make it difficult for spoofing systems to be modified to be less detectable. That is one reason why the U.S. has not released detailed information on spoofing incidents because some of them may have evaded the INS spoofing detection tech.

To further complicate the issue there have also been instances where mandatory AIS (Automatic Identification System) transponders that all large ships must carry are more frequently reporting instances of getting no GPS signal at all. Large ships usually carry two AIS units, in case one malfunctions so AIS failure can be ruled out as a cause. But when something else is manipulating the GPS signal it becomes possible to deceive the unjammable INS. New INS systems can eliminate that risk by replacing GPS most of the time.

The new INS technology has attracted a lot of attention in the military as backups are always appreciated because when equipment fails in combat, or for commercial users like aircraft or ships, its literally a matter of life or death. Meanwhile, the U.S. is building and testing more compact GPS anti-jamming systems for smaller (as small as 200 kg/440 pounds) UAVs. This is part of a program to equip all American UAVs, even the smallest ones, with more secure GPS. While all UAVs can be flown by the operator, the GPS makes it a lot easier for the operator to keep track of exactly where his UAV is at all times, and sometimes the UAV is programmed to simply patrol between a series of GPS coordinates. If the GPS jams or fails, the operator can usually use the video feed to find landmarks on the ground and bring the UAV back to where it can be seen and landed. Other UAVs have a failsafe system for the GPS. When it is no longer available the UAV turns around and heads back in the general direction of the operator. When the operators detects the returning UAV it can send it a signal to determine if this is because of equipment failure or possible jamming. This is preferable to allowing the GPS-less UAV to keep flying until it runs out of fuel and crashes somewhere,

Most GPS reliability threats are coming from a few suppliers like Russia, China and North Korea. These nations have developed all manner of GPS jamming technology, and in 2019 it became public that the Russians were using GPS new spoofing technology to conceal the true location of senior leaders and some military units.

Developers and users of GPS jamming gear tend to keep quiet about what they do because this sort of thing is illegal in peacetime, especially when civilians experience GPS disruptions themselves. When the United States tests military GPS jamming it does so at sea or in remote areas and warns nearby civilians who might encounter GPS problems to be aware of the tests and act accordingly. This warning policy has been in use for decades because of the growing number of new electronic equipment designs that could cause problems for civilians if the disruptive effect extended farther than expected.

Other nations are not as secretive in complaining and often the culprit is Russia. In late 2018 Finland and Norway went public with their accusations that Russia deliberately jammed GPS signals in northern Finland and Norway from a location near the Russian military bases in the Kola Peninsula on the Barents Sea. The jamming took place as NATO held its largest training exercise since the Cold War ended in 1991. Russia denied any responsibility even though they are known to possess long-range jammers for GPS and other signals. Norway said they had tracked the jammer to a specific location but when Russia refused to admit any involvement Norway refused to explain how they tracked the signal because that would provide Russia with information on Norwegian EW equipment that might be useful to them.

In 2020 Iran was caught testing spoofing tech at a military facility in the capital Tehran and trying to keep it secret. It is not known if the Iranians developed the spoofing tech themselves or received it from Russia or China.

Until the appearance of the new spoofing tech, GPS jamming had little or no impact on the NATO military exercises and even commercial airliners operating in the area had INS backup in case GPS signals were not working properly. The potential victims were civilians with smaller aircraft or on the ground who depend on commercial navigation gear using GPS. Then again, that may have been the point because Russian firms have long been producing a wide variety of GPS jammers that are generally ineffective against military GPS users but would be useful for criminals, terrorists or anyone involved in irregular warfare, as Russia has been in Ukraine since 2014. As for the damage to diplomatic relations with Norway and Finland, these two nations need no reminders of what a bad neighbor Russia is and historically has been.

GPS spoofing equipment has also found a market among criminal gangs. This was first encountered during 2018 in Shanghai, China where local gangsters were found to be using technology for spoofing GPS signals. Shanghai was just the beginning because this spoofing tech was subsequently encountered in twenty other Chinese coastal cities where gangsters ran profitable smuggling operations. The Chinese GPS spoofing was implemented differently from the Russian method. The Russian spoofing would make all GPS devices in an area appear in the same position instead of the many different positions they actually were. In contrast, the Chinese spoofing, when active, would show individual ships each in a different location but always around the same central point that was apparently where the spoofing signals were broadcast. This produced what was called a crop circle pattern. This was first noted by crews of ships slowly entering the port of Shanghai. While doing so they would watch the location of other ships via their AIS transponders. International law requires all large seagoing ships to carry and use AIS equipment which constantly broadcasts the GPS position of the ship, but there were cases where ships suddenly saw the AIS positions of ships near them change. The bridge crew could see, often with/or without, the use of binoculars, where the other ships actually were while, at the same time, the AIS display was showing them somewhere else within a circular area. After a few minutes, AIS signals would accurately report location again. In situations like this, it was noted that no GPS receivers onboard were receiving a signal, nor were GPS devices ashore that were within the circle.

The Chinese government denied responsibility for this GPS spoofing and blamed it on smugglers who apparently used a spoofing device to avoid being caught by the police while a smuggler ship was carrying illegal cargo. In one case the smuggler was caught anyway, because of an accident caused by the spoofing, and the smuggler ship was found to be carrying an illegally obtained spoofing system while transporting sand from, the port for sale elsewhere. Sand mining had been banned in this region because this valuable commodity was in great demand elsewhere and exporting more of it was damaging the environment.

GPS spoofing declined during 2020 but China revealed no details about what happened. In the past China has given local hackers a choice between going to prison or quietly working for the Chinese government. Russia uses similar tactics as do many other governments. One thing that was noted about the Shanghai Spoofer was that the spoofing often took place around oil terminals where ships smuggling oil for Iran or to North Korea often operated. The governments of Iran and North Korea also noticed this and could have received useful information on how the Shanghai spoofing gear worked. Thats one of the conspiracy theories popular with many Iranians and South Koreans.

Since 2022, many new spoofing and anti-spoofing technologies have shown up in Ukraine. While this battlefield is invisible, its impact is not. This is especially true when normally reliable guided systems suddenly become unreliable.
A climate change activist on a hunger strike outside the federal parliament has reached a major milestone - but admits his health is fading.

Gregory Andrews, who previously served as Australia's ambassador to West Africa, started his protest on November 1 at Parliament House in Canberra.

Mr Andrews reached a new milestone on Thursday after entering his 15th day of the hunger strike insisting he won't give up until his demands for climate action are met.

'I'm declining a bit, but I'm not giving up. I'm just having to lie down a lot more and save my breath,' he told Daily Mail Australia on Thursday.

'My body's starting to feel the impact of not eating for over two weeks... my arms and legs are aching, but I'm doing my best to stick it out here.'

Mr Andrews said he has been getting some medical care as the 55-year-old undertakes the dangerous protest.

The father-of-two has a pre-existing heart condition and has lost more than nine kilos since commencing his hunger strike.

Climate activist Gregory Andrews (pictured) who is 15 days into a hunger strike outside Parliament House in Canberra has admitted his health is fading, but said he will not give up

'The Parliament House has a nurse and she just came down with the Federal Police who have been really supportive and monitoring me closely,' Mr Andrews said.

'She just checked all of my vitals.'

Hunger strikes can lead to permanent damage to the body and possible organ failure as well as death.

READ MORE: Former Australian diplomat won't quit hunger strike until Australia has a timeline to stop exporting fossil fuels A former high-level Australian diplomat won't eat any food until he sees Anthony Albanese 'get serious' and take action on climate change. Advertisement

Mr Andrews reiterated his five demands, which need to be met before he will end his protest.

He has called for an end to subsidies for fossil fuels, phasing out coal and gas exports, ending the logging of native forests and releasing the National Security Climate Risk findings.

Mr Andrews also wants Australia's Environment Protection Diversity Act to be amended to include climate impacts.

Despite only consuming water and a few teaspoons of salt in the past 14 days, he said he was not hungry.

'We need to stop fossil fuel subsidies, stop fossil fuel exports, stop native forest logging,' Mr Andrews said.

'We need to include climate change in our environment protection law and the Prime Minister has to be transparent about the risks to Australia of climate change.'

Mr Andrews revealed that Greens senator David Shoebridge had visited him earlier on Thursday morning and tried to convince him to end his action.

'He told me that the entire Greens party room fully backs all of my five demands, but also asked me to give up and let the people in Parliament House deal with this issue.

'But I can't do that because the people in Parliament House have been arguing and fiddling around on it for 20 years and haven't dealt with it.

Mr Andrews (pictured) has five demands which need to be met before he will end his hunger strike

'So I thanked him for agreeing with all of my concerns, but I couldn't really accept that.

'It would not be OK just to leave it to the politicians because they haven't really done what they need to do,' he said.

When asked how far he is willing to take his protest, if he is actually willing to die for it, Mr Andrews explained the deep rooted reasons behind his action.

'I don't want to die. I don't even want to be doing this hunger strike,' he said.

'But three to six billion people on the planet will be at risk of death by the end of this century (from climate change) and my kids will be alive then.

'So, I don't want to (be on hunger strike, but) I'm gonna do this for as long as it takes and for as long as my body will allow me.'

When asked how his family feels about his hunger strike, Mr Andrews had an emotional response.

Mr Andrews is pictured with a supporter on the first day of his hunger strike outside Parliament House in Canberra

'I'm not talking about my family. It's a reasonable question. But unfortunately, early on, a journalist, Andrew Bolt, really behaved in an undignified way and savaged my daughter.

'And so I need to protect them. I want to protect them from climate change, which is why I'm doing this, but I need to protect their pride, dignity.'

The former diplomat pointed out that Thursday is the last sitting day of parliament. 'They'll be flying out tonight, but I'll still be here,' he said.

'I feel like I've really raised a lot of attention, and some pretty important people have come down, talked to me and to encourage me.'
Manhattan prosecutors on Wednesday defended their decision to bring manslaughter charges against a former Marine accused of choking to death a mentally ill homeless person on the subway, insisting that Daniel Penny knew what he was doing, and dismissing his claim to be protecting other passengers.

Penny, 24, was charged following the May 1 death of Jordan Neely, 30.

Neely, a former Michael Jackson impersonator, had long struggled with mental health issues and was in the midst of a breakdown when Penny crossed paths with him.

Neely was ranting and shouting, and Penny grabbed him from behind, wrestling him to the ground and holding him for six minutes until he passed out.

Neely's family applauded the decision to bring criminal charge against Penny, but Penny on October 10 filed a motion to dismiss the case.

Daniel Penny, 24, (left) has been charged with manslaughter over the May 1 death of Jordan Neely (right), who Penny put in a chokehold on the subway in New York City

Penny pinned Neely to the ground with the help of two other passengers and held him in a chokehold for six minutes

Penny's lawyers argued that Neely posed a threat to other passengers, and Penny acted to protect them.

But prosecutors on Wednesday denied that Neely was menacing, and said Penny would have known his actions could be fatal.

'It is certainly true that several of the passengers testified that they were fearful,' assistant district attorney Joshua Steinglass wrote in the filing.

'Omitted from the defense submission, however, are the accounts that undermine the notion of rampant and universal panic.'

Steinglass added: 'As one witness put it, 'for me, it was like another day typically in New York. That's what I'm used to seeing. I wasn't really looking at it if I was going to be threatened or anything to that nature, but it was a little different because, you know, you don't really hear anybody saying anything like that.''

Prosecutors also accused Penny of holding Neely for significantly longer than was necessary, even if people felt threatened.

NYPD officers on attempt to revive Jordan Neely as he lies on the floor of an F train on May 1

Neely had been in and out of the city's homeless shelters in recent years, and his family say his mental health worsened dramatically after his mother was murdered when he was a teenager

They pointed out that the train arrived at the Broadway-Lafayette station and the door opened less than 30 seconds after the chokehold started.

'Passengers who had felt fearful on account of being trapped on the train were now free to exit the train,' Steinglass said.

'The defendant continued holding Mr Neely around the neck.'

Steinglass said second degree manslaughter only requires prosecutors to prove Penny acted recklessly, not intentionally.

'The defendant held Jordan Neely on the ground with his arm wrapped around Mr Neely's neck,' he wrote.

'He did so with enough force and for a long enough period to kill Jordan Neely.

'Not only did the chokehold last some six minutes, but it continued for nearly a minute past the point where Mr Neely ceased all purposeful movement.'

He pointed out that Penny held on to Neely even when other passengers told him to let the man go.

'The hold seemed so unnecessary at that point that an eyewitness can be heard on video urging the defendant to let go of Mr Neely and warning the defendant that 'if you don't let him go now, you're going to kill him,'' said Steinglass.

Steinglass also rejected Penny's argument that Neely's death was 'not foreseeable', highlighting Penny's military training, and 'considerable evidence' that that included chokeholds.

Penny strode into court on June 28 with his attorneys to plead not guilty

Neely's father is shown inside the court on June 28

He wrote: 'The notion that death is not a foreseeable consequence of squeezing someone's neck for six minutes is beyond the pale.

'The defendant's own trainer testified that even though 'chokes' are taught as a means of non-lethal restraint, students are specifically cautioned during training that a choke can be fatal to the person being held.'

Steinglass quoted from the forward to the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program manual, which says the '[t]echniques described in this manual can cause serious injury or death.'

He added: 'This training helps support the notion that the defendant was aware of and consciously disregarded a substantial and unjustifiable risk that death would occur as a result of his prolonged use of a chokehold.'

Penny's legal team will now respond to the prosecution's arguments.

The Long Islander remains free on $100,000 bail, and faces up to 19 years behind bars if convicted.
Elon Musk has been accused of promoting antisemitism after replying to a racist post with the comment: 'You have said the actual truth.'

Musk, who has been strongly criticized by the Anti-Defamation League and Israel's Foreign Ministry for his past remarks, was on Wednesday responding to a man who posted a screed on X criticizing a Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism campaign video.

In the video, a father is seen talking to his son about the online hatred the son has spewed, and calling him out for his rhetoric.

The X user dismissed the video, writing: 'Jewish communties (sic) have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them.

'I'm deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest s*** now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realization that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country don't exactly like them too much.

'You want truth said to your face, there it is.'

Musk, who has 163 million followers, replied: 'You have said the actual truth.'

Elon Musk, pictured on November 2 speaking to British prime minister Rishi Sunak, said the online commentator accusing Jewish people of hating white people was speaking 'actual truth'

Pro-Palestine protesters are seen in London on November 15

Demonstrators demanding the U.S. government call for a ceasefire are pictured on November 15 in New York City

DailyMail.com has approached Musk for comment, and received in reply: 'Busy now, please check back later.'

Musk has a long history of toying with dog-whistle rhetoric about Jewish people, in particular George Soros, who enraged him in May by selling his Tesla stock.

He has also angered people with his response to the Israel-Hamas war.

In the days after the October 7 Hamas terror attack, Musk was forced to delete a tweet which recommended an anti-Semitic account and a promoter of debunked videos as reliable sources of information about the attack on Israel.

The owner of X, formerly Twitter, faced a furious backlash after telling his 159 million followers that the accounts @WarMonitors and @sentdefender were 'good' for 'following the war in real time'.

Followers were quick to point out that @WarMonitors has repeatedly used 'jew' as a term of abuse on the platform, telling New York supermarket boss Avi Kaner to 'mind your own business, jew'.

'The guy Musk recommends for information on the Israel-Hamas escalation is an anti-Semitic account with a history of spreading misinformation,' wrote Sam Sokol of Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

On Halloween, Musk appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast and repeated his long-running criticism of the 93-year-old billionaire financier, who has for decades backed progressive causes.

Soros, born in Budapest, survived the Nazi occupation of Hungary and moved first to Britain, then the United States, where he began his hugely-influential philanthropy.

'He is I believe the top contributor to the Democratic party,' Musk told Rogan. 'The second one was Sam Bankman-Fried.

'And Soros, he had a very difficult upbringing.

'In my opinion, he fundamentally hates humanity. That's my opinion.'

Musk said that he was deeply opposed to Soros' work backing progressive district attorneys, who pursued policies he saw as soft on crime.

'He's doing things that erode the fabric of civilization - getting DAs elected who refuse to prosecute crime,' said Musk.

'That's part of the problem in San Francisco, and LA, and a bunch of other cities.

'So why would you do that?'

Rogan asked: 'Is it humanity, or just the United States?'

Musk said it was worldwide.

'He's pushing things in other countries as well,' Musk said.

Elon Musk on Tuesday appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast, smoking a cigar and drinking what looked to be whisky

Joe Rogan appeared in drag for the Halloween podcast recording

Elon Musk bet Joe Rogan $1 an arrow wouldn't penetrate the Cybertruck 



From https://t.co/11TW5Iupfk pic.twitter.com/J5a4aIkiIe  Dirty Tesla (@DirtyTesLa) October 31, 2023

George Soros, 93, has angered Elon Musk with his progressive policies

Musk told Rogan that he thought Soros was 'basically a bit senile at this point' - in June, Soros handed control of the Open Society Foundations and the rest of his $25 billion empire to his 37-year-old son, Alex.

The foundation directs about $1.5 billion a year to groups such as those backing human rights around the world and helping build democracies. Alex Soros said he intends to broaden the foundation's priorities to include voting and abortion rights as well as gender equity.

Musk said that the elder Soros had been 'very smart' in using his money to achieve his goals.

'He's very good at arbitrage - famously he shorted the British pound,' explained Musk. 'That's how I think he made his first money.

Arbitrage is spotting value for money that other people don't see.

'And one of the things he noticed is that the value for money in local races is much higher than it is in national races.

'The lowest value for money is a presidential race. Then next lowest value for money is a senate race, then a congress.

'And when you get to city and state district attorneys the value for money is extremely good.'

Musk said that Soros found he could help push policies he approved of through local officials.

'Soros realized that you don't have to actually change the laws,' said Musk.

'You just need to change how they are enforced.

'If nobody chooses to enforce the laws, or the laws are differentially enforced, then its like changing the laws.'

Musk has previously compared Soros to X-Men supervillain Magneto - a character who manipulates the world and thinks mutants should be in charge, rather than humans.

He made the comments on Twitter in May, following the announcement that Soros' investment fund had dumped all of their Tesla stock.

Elon Musk was interviewed on CNBC and was asked about his remarks about George Soros, giving a bizarre rambling reply

George Soros, a Hungarian-born Billionaire, heads the Open Society Foundation and is a Holocaust survivor. His foundation backs progressive politicians

Musk responded to Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, saying that the South African-born billionaire was not anti-Semitic, but his remarks were dangerous.

'He's arguably the most influential person on the planet controlling what's essentially our public square. When he repeats conspiracy theories, that feeds the extremists,' said Greenblatt.

Musk replied: 'In fairness, I must concede that Joel has a good point and I will endeavor to be more thoughtful in the future.'

He later corrected to tweet to say 'Jonathan'.

Musk continued: 'Comic book analogies are obviously imperfect, to say the least.

'Just because George Soros can bend metal using his mind doesn't mean he's Magneto!!

'Anyway, my actual concern with Soros is that he has funded so many politicians & DAs who are soft even on violent crime, which has caused great damage to many cities imo.

'Also, while I am very much in favor of expanding legal immigration, we must have some vetting of who comes in, so that we do not allow dangerous felons to prey upon innocent Americans.'

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Musk's tweet had resulted in a flood of conspiracy theories and the hashtag 'The Jews' to trend on the platform.

Researchers at Beam found in June that the volume of English-language antisemitic tweets has more than doubled since the company's takeover by Musk in October 2022.

He has threatened to sue anti-hate organization the Anti-Defamation League for defamation after it criticized him for allowing anti-Semitic content online, but insists he is 'against antisemitism of any kind'.

In September, Musk swerved the topic of antisemitism when asked during an interview with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister.

Musk would not address the subject, other than saying he is 'obviously against' it, and spoke more generally about 'hate speech' instead.

Netanyahu previously came to Musk's defense when he was accused of repeating discriminatory tropes about Jewish financier George Soros, and he introduced the subject by reiterating his belief that the Tesla boss does not have anti-Jewish views.

Elon Musk declined to address anti-Semitism on X when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu broached the subject during their live-streamed discussion

A huge crowd of protesters gathered in San Francisco's Union Square close to where Musk and Netanyahu were meeting to demonstrate their opposition to his reforms - and to Musk giving him a platform

'I know of your opposition to anti-Semitism,' the 73-year-old Israeli leader told Musk during their X discussion.

'All I can say is I hope you can find within the confines of the First Amendment the ability to stop not only antisemitism or roll it back as best you can, but any collective hatred of a people that anti-Semitism represents.'

'Obviously I'm against anti-Semitism,' Musk replied. 'I'm anti really anything that promotes hate and conflict, and I'm in favor that which helps society and takes us to a better future for humanity collectively.'

But the SpaceX boss didn't elaborate or defend his controversial statements about Soros, including comparing him to X-Men supervillain Magneto - a character who manipulates the world and thinks mutants should be in charge rather than humans.

Speaking about hate speech generally on X, he said: 'It's important to bear in mind that there are 550 million monthly users, now maybe going to 600 million monthly users.

'On any given day there's on the order of 100 to 200 million posts to the system. This is a lot of material. Some of those are going to be bad.

'You can't police it in advance, but you can say after the fact 'oh it's getting reported as hate speech'.

'We're not going to promote speech because that's probably not what people want to hear.'
Rishi Sunak has been accused of kowtowing to the world's biggest online giants after watering down new laws meant to keep them in check.

The Prime Minister, who was personally lobbied by Silicon Valley, has changed the Digital Markets Bill to make it easier for Big Tech to challenge potential billion-pound fines.

Concerns have also been raised that further provisions added to the Bill could leave the door open for tech firms to argue against any decisions made.

MPs, business leaders and consumer rights groups yesterday warned that allowing any wiggle room would 'fundamentally weaken' the power of the Bill.

It is understood that the UK's competition regulator has warned the Government that the amendments could well spell a 'death by a thousand cuts' for the new watchdog it helped set up.

Rishi Sunak has been accused of bowing down to tech giants after watering down laws which are meant to keep them in check

Under the Bill, the Digital Markets Unit (DMU) will be empowered to stop the biggest search engines and social media platforms from abusing their dominance by shutting out competitors.

It will also ensure they pay media outlets fairly for using their stories and stop them from abusing their dominance in digital advertising to stifle competition. Any companies found to have breached the new rules will face hefty fines of up to 10 per cent of their global turnover.

Over recent months, tech giants have heavily lobbied the Government to change the Bill to allow them to challenge any decision made on its merit rather than on a point of law.

Yesterday, ministers said they would keep the appeals system as it had originally been drafted for regulatory decisions, a decision that was widely welcomed.

However, they also announced crucial new amendments to the Bill that appeared aimed to appease Big Tech  by allowing them to appeal the size of any fine handed down by the DMU.

Last night, critics also highlighted concerns over discreet changes to the wording of the Bill  which now includes requiring the DMU to show that the action it took was 'proportionate'.

Former digital minister Damian Collins said: 'The test of proportionality should not allow tech companies to challenge any decision by the regulator that they don't like.

'Such a system could lead to lengthy delays, triggered deliberately by the tech companies to frustrate the regulator.'

Consumer watchdog Which? also highlighted another potential loophole added to the Bill that requires the DMU to consider whether the action benefits consumers, which it warned could allow firms to make 'spurious claims' that their anti-competitive behaviour did so.

The Prime Minister interviewed Elon Musk at the beginning of November where the X and Tesla owner laid out his vision for the future and AI

Meanwhile, Rocio Concha, Which? director of policy and advocacy, said: 'The Digital Markets Unit needs credible deterrents in the form of fines, so any deviation from the Judicial Review standard on penalties must not open the door for Big Tech to weaponise the legal system by throwing money at lengthy and costly court cases, tying the regulator up and preventing it from enhancing competition in digital markets.'

And Martin Nolan, chief legal officer for travel comparison site Skyscanner, said: 'Any further changes could fundamentally weaken the deterrents for gatekeepers.'

In a letter sent to Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch earlier this year, the House of Lords communications and digital committee said that the Bill in its original form 'strikes the right balance'  allowing it to promote innovation and create a level playing field within digital markets.

Former digital minister Paul Scully had previously said that giving tech giants a say on every decision made by the new DMU watchdog would be tantamount to handing them a 'legal weapon'.

And last month, Whitehall sources told The Mail on Sunday that Mr Sunak was personally leading a drive to water down the plans owing to his 'admiration' for the Big Tech firms.
The gloating progressives who want to throw open Britain's doors to unrestricted migration were cheering to the rafters yesterday after the Government's Rwanda plan was struck down.

At the end of an interminable legal battle, the Supreme Court declared the flagship scheme to be unlawful  meaning asylum seekers cannot be sent there for processing.

To be clear, the five senior judges did not say the African nation was intrinsically unsafe. Their concern was the danger that refugees might be returned to their country of origin to face persecution or worse.

This was a crushing blow for Rishi Sunak. The Prime Minister has placed stopping small boats packed with migrants from crossing the Channel at the heart of his agenda.

And the timing of the ruling could not have been worse. Less than 24 hours earlier, sacked home secretary Suella Braverman had eviscerated the PM, openly accusing him of trying to frustrate action on the Rwanda deterrent.

This was a crushing blow for Rishi Sunak (pictured). The Prime Minister has placed stopping small boats packed with migrants from crossing the Channel at the heart of his agenda

And the timing of the ruling could not have been worse. Less than 24 hours earlier, sacked home secretary Suella Braverman (pictured) had eviscerated the PM, openly accusing him of trying to frustrate action on the Rwanda deterrent

The opinion polls are appalling enough already for the Tories without the public being told No 10 is deceiving them over its attempt to curb illegal immigration.

In the 2016 referendum and the election three years later, this country voted decisively to take back control of our borders. The court ruling scorns those mandates.

Along with the sanctimonious migration lobby and lawyers who make a fat living out of exploiting our weak and over-generous asylum system, criminal traffickers will be thrilled by this judgment.

READ MORE: Suella Braverman leads Tory demands for the UK to override human rights laws and start deportations to Rwanda Advertisement

If it could be shown that simply reaching the UK was no longer a ticket to remaining here indefinitely, but a one-way boarding pass to Africa instead, it was hoped the gangs' business model would be broken and the boats would stop.

But Leftie lawyers and the judiciary can shoulder only some of the blame for the Rwanda plan's failure. Downing Street must also accept responsibility.

If the picture Mrs Braverman paints is remotely accurate, Mr Sunak has refused to drive through the radical legal changes needed to make sure it was bombproof.

The setback in the Supreme Court seems to have jolted him to his senses  and not a moment too soon. With Tory MPs on the warpath, the PM has no option but to get on the front foot  and the stalled asylum flights off the ground.

A new international treaty with Rwanda aims to allay concerns about refugees being subsequently sent back to their homelands, while emergency legislation will ensure Parliament designates it a safe country.

Mr Sunak also said he would do 'whatever is necessary' to stop European judges meddling in our affairs. This means he must be prepared to disapply the European Convention on Human Rights and three other treaties in immigration cases.

This would answer once and for all the vexed question of who runs Britain: Our sovereign Parliament or unelected judges over whom we have no say?

Mr Sunak has pledged to pull out all the stops to get the Rwanda scheme up and running. Of course, he's said it before. This time it's crucial he acts because the public's patience on this can't wear much thinner

Mr Sunak has pledged to pull out all the stops to get the Rwanda scheme up and running. Of course, he's said it before. This time it's crucial he acts because the public's patience on this can't wear much thinner.

Stand up to tech giants

In last week's King's Speech, Mr Sunak pledged to protect the free Press and give aspiring tech businesses freedom to thrive.

So why is Downing Street watering down new laws to tame the Silicon Valley web giants? That would do the exact opposite.

Handing Google and others greater power to challenge the Digital Markets Unit watchdog over decisions they dislike risks them using their vast financial and legal muscle to stifle British companies and wriggle out of fair payment for news content  harming the media.

Mr Sunak has already faced accusations that he is much too close to the tech giants. He should stand up to them  not kowtow.
A disgruntled civil servant has claimed that Home Office staff were secretly 'self-congratulatory' following the Supreme Court ruling which blocked the Government's Rwanda migrant policy.

The anonymous Government worker accused his colleagues in the Blob of 'vowing they will not work on such an evil project' when writing on staff message boards.

In a first hand account the civil servant, who has worked for 'some time' on immigration policy, said that the mood in 2 Marsham Street - Home Office HQ - was celebratory since Suella Braverman's sacking as Home Secretary by Rishi Sunak.

They said that despite the change in minister, little to no progress will be made in controlling Britain's borders, saying that stopping the boats or cutting net migration is not a priority for the Home Office in 2023.

This comes after Rishi Sunak vowed to end the political and legal 'merry-go-round' on Rwanda migrant deportation flights after Supreme Court judges dramatically ruled the plan was illegal.

A disgruntled civil servant has claimed that Home Office staff were secretly 'self-congratulatory' following the Supreme Court ruling which blocked the Government's Rwanda migrant policy and the sacking of Suella Braverman (pictured)

Rishi Sunak (pictured) vowed to end the political and legal 'merry-go-round' on Rwanda migrant deportation flights tonight after Supreme Court judges ruled the plan was illegal

In a first hand account the civil servant, who has worked for 'some time' on immigration policy, said that the mood in Marsham Street, Home Office HQ (pictured), was celebratory since Suella Braverman's sacking as Home Secretary by Rishi Sunak

At a press conference in No10 yesterday, the PM unveiled his response to the judicial block, pledging a new treaty with the East African country and emergency legislation allowing Parliament to declare that it is safe for asylum seekers.

This was after the sacked Home Secretary urged the Government to pass 'emergency legislation' in the wake of the Supreme Court's verdict that sending asylum seekers abroad was unlawful.

She said the ruling was 'no surprise' and that the justices could not be blamed given the 'current state of the law'.

The civil servant claimed that Mrs Braverman was 'cringingly apologetic' when giving speeches to Home Office staff after they had received criticism in the media.

They said she would encourage staff by saying they were doing a 'great job', but was still lambasted by London-based staff who were angry over her refusal to extend safe routes to more nations.

It has become the default view in the Home Office that 'immigration cannot and should not be controlled', despite the policies of ministers stating the opposite, the civil servant wrote in The Telegraph.

They said many colleagues saw themselves as a 'resistance' to what they considered a 'radical Right-wing Government' which was set on 'punishing migrants' regardless of the rule of law.

She said the ruling was 'no surprise' and that the justices could not be blamed given the 'current state of the law' (Braverman pictured during her visit to Rwanda in March)

A group of migrants are brought ashore in Dover after crossing the Channel last month

A stock image of migrants arriving on the Kent coast after crossing the Channel

They said that talk of border controls is often 'sneered at or ignored'.

And while there is understanding amongst Border Force officers and civil servants that the British asylum system is 'open to abuse', suggestions that the rules be made stricter or that asylum seekers should be refused is rejected as 'cold-hearted evil'.

They wrote that these beliefs were so widespread that colleagues could 'ring mental health services... to check in on my sanity' if they were to suggest steps to reduce immigration or immediately deport small boat arrivals or criminals from abroad.

They said suggestions to deal with immigration are dismissed as 'unreasonable or not legally possible' through vague references to 'international law'.
Prince Harry will have a 'sensitivity viewer' watch The Crown's depiction of his last call with his mother Princess Diana to 'save him' from traumatic content, an insider has claimed.

The first four episodes of the final season will show a dramatised version of the lead-up to and the aftermath of Diana's death, including the Princess of Wales's last meeting with her sons.

But a newly released clip from the Netflix series shows them missing a phone call at Balmoral from Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki, on the day before she died.

The new season will also show the imagined last conversation the Princes had with their mother as well as the moment they were told of their mother's death.

Despite knowing the four episodes will focus mostly on Diana's death, Harry is still likely to watch the series. He previously said he watches and reportedly even fact-checks the show.

An insider has now told the Telegraph they 'may watch it first in order to save him from anything he may not wish to see'.

Elizabeth Debicki as Diana with her sons. Netflix releases first look images from Part 1 of the final series of The Crown

But a newly released clip from the final season shows them missing a phone call at Balmoral from Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki (pictured), on the day before she died

Despite knowing the four episodes will focus mostly on Diana's death, Harry (pictured) is still likely to watch the series

But Prince William is unlikely to watch the series, after he previously expressed frustration over the show glossing over the circumstances surrounding Diana's Panorama interview.

Newly released clips from The Crown include Charles' despair over telling William and Harry their mother has died and Diana telling Dodi she's a 'persona non-grata' at Balmoral.

The show will also depict the last time Prince William and Prince Harry spoke to their mother - but it will not be a true reflection of the conversation.

In episode four, Diana is depicted as frustrated while in Paris with Dodi, and desperate to return to the UK to see her sons.

After missing one opportunity to speak with them on the phone, Diana finally manages to have a call with Prince William and Prince Harry, where they ask her if she's going to marry the son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Although it is true that Prince William and Prince Harry shared a phone call with their mother on the last day she was alive, their recollections of the call do not reflect the Netflix series' depiction.

Speaking in a 2017 documentary Diana: Our Mother, the Princes discussed for the first time the details of their 'desperately rushed' final call with the late royal.

Recalling the chat, they expressed their regret that they were desperate to go back outside and play with their cousins, who were also at Balmoral.

Newly released clips from The Crown include Charles' despair over telling William and Harry their mother has died and Diana telling Dodi (pictured together in The Crown) she's a 'persona non-grata' at Balmoral

The show will also depict the last time Prince William and Prince Harry spoke to their mother - but it will not be a true reflection of the conversation

Recalling the chat, the Princes expressed their regret that they were desperate to go back outside and play with their cousins, who were also at Balmoral (pictured: Prince Charles (Dominic West) and his sons in The Crown)

Harry said: 'I can't really, necessarily, remember what I said. But all I do remember is probably, you know, regretting for the rest of my life how short the phone call was.

'And if I'd known that was the last time I was going to speak to my mother  the things I would have said to her.'

William said of the call: 'Harry and I were in a desperate rush to say goodbye, you know, "see you later".'

Neither of the two has revealed Diana's precious final words to them.

The emotional first four episodes cover the tragic car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana in August 1997  alongside her lover Dodi and their chauffeur Henri Paul  and the Royal Family's reaction to it, as well as the summer holiday Diana and Dodi enjoyed in St Tropez prior to the tragedy.

The emotional first four episodes cover the tragic car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana in August 1997 and the Royal Family's reaction to it

Earl Spencer, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Charles follow the coffin to the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales on September 6, 1997

For sensitivity reasons the exact moment of Diana's death is not re-created, but there are controversial scenes in which Charles tenderly converses with an imaginary Diana in the cabin of the royal plane as he accompanies her body from Paris to London, and later when she also appears to the Queen.

Critics who have seen these scenes called them 'farcical' for portraying Diana as a ghost, but series creator Peter Morgan has insisted that wasn't the intention.

'I never imagined it as Diana's ghost in the traditional sense,' he told Variety magazine. 'It was her continuing to live vividly in the minds of those she has left behind.'

The final six episodes of the series, which will be available in December, will see the family moving on from Diana's death and cover William and Kate's budding romance at St Andrews, finishing with Charles and Camilla's wedding in April 2005.

Netflix boss Ted Sarandos has explained why the series ends there. 'It was the cut-off to keep it historical, not journalistic,' he said. 'By stopping almost 20 years before the present day, it's dignified.'
The Victoria Police Commissioner has slammed a Melbourne council's 'ridiculous' plan to reduce the speed limit to 30km/h on several major roads.

Commissioner Shane Patton said he's 'not aware of any evidence' that shows drastically lowering the speed limit on busy city streets is the solution to the state's rising road death toll.

The City of Yarra Council, responsible for several of Melbourne's busiest roads, voted on Tuesday to expand its 30km/h speed limit trial from Fitzroy and Collingwood to all suburban streets.

The proposal includes Johnston, Nicholson and Hoddle Streets and Victoria Parade - which the Department of Transport and Planning manages.

The decision allows the City of Yarra to begin the trial as soon as February 2024, pending approval from the state government.

City of Yarra Council have voted to expend its 30km/h speed limit trial to all suburban streets, including Victoria Parade (above)

Commissioner Patton argued against the lowered speed limit, claiming most of the severe accidents causing deaths on Victorian roads are in regional and remote areas, not congested city streets.

'I just think that's ridiculous... 30 kilometres,' Patton told ABC radio on Thursday morning.

'I think no one's going to obey it... it's ridiculous.

'I'm not aware of any evidence that dropping the speed limit another 10 kilometres, so people can't get out of third gear if they're in a manual car, is going to make any difference to road trauma.'

A joint submission to state parliament from the Victorian Government Road Safety Partnership cited research supporting lower speed limits, particularly for pedestrian safety.

The group includes Victoria Police, the Transport Accident Commission, the Department of Justice and Community Safety, and the transport, justice and health departments.

Victoria Police Commissioner Shane Patton (above) slammed the limit as 'ridiculous' and pointed that most road deaths happen in regional areas, not congested city streets

'A pedestrian or cyclist struck at 50km/h experiences a 90 per cent chance of being killed in the impact compared to a 10 per cent chance of being killed if struck at 30km/h,' its submission said.

'Successive studies have shown that 30km/h is the maximum impact speed for a healthy adult before death or very serious injury becomes increasingly likely.'

The submission referenced pre-Covid government data which showed, on average, each year two pedestrians were killed in collisions in 40km/h zones, six in 50km/h zones and 15 in 60km/h zones.

Transport Accident Commission head of road safety Samantha Cockfield also told a public hearing in August that similar 30km/h speed zones had been adopted around the world 'with some really quite great success'.

'Speed really is the underlying issue that we have  with our vulnerable road users and what we need to really start addressing,' she said.

The trial will initially exclude tram routes - including Brunswick, Gertrude and Smith streets - where traffic signal and timetable changes are required.

Along with its evidence of global success, Yarra Council's review of road crash data from the last five years found there was a 51 per cent reduction in all crashes and 71 per cent reduction of serious crashes since it introduced the 30km/h speed limit.

If approved by the Victorian Government, the 30km/h speed limit could be introduced by February

The data showed there was 193 crashes on suburban Collingwood and Fitzroy streets.

Victoria Police will hold an emergency meeting later this week in response to a 15-year high of Victorian road fatalities, which reached 258 on Monday.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted Yarra Council for comment.
Xi calls on China, U.S. to build together five pillars for bilateral relations

Xinhua) 11:41, November 16, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday called on China and the United States to assume a new vision and build together five pillars for bilateral relations.

China and the United States should jointly develop a right perception, Xi said during his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at Filoli Estate in the U.S. state of California.

China is consistently committed to having a stable, healthy and sustainable relationship with the United States, and China has interests that must be safeguarded, principles that must be upheld, and red lines that must not be crossed, Xi said, expressing hope that the two countries could be partners that respect each other and coexist in peace.

China and the United States should manage disagreements effectively, Xi said. Disagreements should not be a chasm that keeps the two countries apart, he stressed, adding that instead, the two sides should look for ways to build bridges to help them walk toward each other.

It is important that they appreciate each other's principles and red lines, and refrain from flip-flopping, being provocative, and crossing the lines, said the Chinese president.

They should have more communication, more dialogues and more consultations, and calmly handle their differences as well as accidents, Xi added.

China and the United States should jointly advance mutually beneficial cooperation, Xi said. The two countries have broad common interests in a wide range of areas, including traditional areas such as the economy, trade and agriculture, as well as emerging areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence (AI), he said.

Under the current circumstances, the common interests of the two countries have not decreased, but increased, Xi said.

It is important to fully utilize the restored and new mechanisms in foreign policy, economy, finance, commerce, agriculture and other fields, and carry out cooperation in such areas as counternarcotics, judicial and law enforcement affairs, AI, and science and technology, he added.

Xi also called on China and the United States to jointly shoulder responsibilities as major countries. The problems facing human society cannot be solved without cooperation between major countries, Xi said.

China and the United States should lead by example, step up coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues, and provide more public goods for the world, he said.

The two sides should keep their initiatives open to each other, or coordinate and connect them for synergy, to benefit the world, Xi added.

Meanwhile, the Chinese president urged China and the United States to jointly promote people-to-people exchanges. The two sides should increase flights, advance tourism cooperation, expand subnational exchanges, strengthen educational cooperation and cooperation on affairs related to the disabled, reduce negative factors that hinder people-to-people exchanges, and encourage and support greater interactions and communication between their people, so as to consolidate the foundation for the healthy development of China-U.S. relations, Xi said.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Xian Jiangnan)
Iran has been having a bad year. The most recent disaster was the Hamas attack on Israel, which means the end of one of Irans major paramilitary assets. The Israeli military is one of the best in the world and did not expect Hamas to self-destruct like this, killing as many Israelis as it could before Hamas was gone and their base in Gaza severely damaged. Iran may have ordered this in an effort to disrupt the recent alliance between Israel and the Gulf oil states against Iran. The Hamas attack was a major intelligence failure for Israel and the Arab neighbors realize that this was an Iranian intelligence victory. If Iran could do this again, it would most likely be used against one the Arab states that oppose the expansion of Iranian influence in the region. Expending Hamas to accomplish this attack on Israel reminds Arab states that it could happen to them. Iran is a common enemy or threat to Israel, Arabs and Turks. Surviving Hamas members were surprised to discover that Iran had not ordered Hamas to attack. It was Hamas leaders that approved the attack and many of them died during the subsequent fighting.

The end of Hamas will be another side-effect of the long, since 1979, Iranian efforts to destroy Israel and America which Iran called the two Great Satans and has been largely one-sided but increasingly expensive as the Iranian defeats piled up. It didnt take long for many Iranians to figure out that this war against former allies was not really a war but rather an excuse for the clerics to spend a lot of money on an army of Islamic terrorists whose main job was to protect the ruling clerics from the Iranian people. The clerics thought they could control popular dissent by maintaining a militia of religiously minded volunteers who could earn some extra cash and other favors by bullying or beating anyone who openly opposed the religious dictatorship. These government approved thugs were a common feature of dictatorships, Nazis and communists both used them. By the 1990s the government had organized street gangs, composed of young men who are Islamic conservatives, paid to break up pro-reform demonstrations by force and attack any groups that openly oppose the government for whatever reason. There has always been the risk that a series of street brawls could escalate and lead to another mass revolution like the one in 1979. So far that has been avoided but more and more of the young men who were prime candidates to join these gangs have changed sides.

Once more there are protests and even attacks on local religious leaders in towns and cities that do not have a lot of religious conservatives, or a local Islamic conservative militia unit. The militia had a name; the Basj, which provided the manpower for pro-government street gangs since the 1990s, when popular protests the dictatorship became more common and threatening. The Basj is actually part of the IRGC (Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps) whose main job is to protect the religious rulers from any internal threat (including from the national police or regular armed forces). Although the Basj officially has 11 million members, the number that the government could depend on has been declining. A few years ago, it was several hundred thousand but now it is less than 100,000 and falling. Basj members have families and feel the economic decline like everyone else.

The IRGC also decided to aid Hamas, a militant Palestinian group that appeared in the 1980s and took control of Gaza after the Israelis left in 2007. Hamas always had one primary goal: the destruction of Israel. Since the United States was a steadfast supporter of Israel, the Americans would have to be eliminated as well. Few believed Hamas would choose self-destruction and try to act on their goals of destroying Israel. At the same time, Hamas eventually became dependent on Iranian financial support, which enabled Hamas to buy a lot of support and some loyalty in Gaza.

The Sunni Palestinians in Gaza were not happy about being dependent on Iranian cash. The rest of the Arab population was not happy with Hamas becoming subservient to Iran, which was at war with all Arab governments, plus Israel and the United States. Arabs see Iran as a potential threat and a perpetual nuisance. Subsidizing and then expending Hamas was seen as typical Iranian behavior with allies and against enemies. The large number of Israelis Hamas killed pleased Iran, even as it horrified most of the world.

With Hamas now weakened from combat losses, attention is turning to Hezbollah, an earlier and larger Iranian creation in Lebanon which is composed of Shia Muslims. Hezbollah is also, like Hamas, seen as a ruthless Iranian tool that is capable of anything. As Hamas attacked Israel it called on Hezbollah to join in. Hezbollah declined. Hezbollah has always been more cautious and rational than Hamas. Hezbollah continues to concentrate on its own survival. This definitely does not include another war with Israel. Hezbollah always saw Hamas as an erratic and undependable ally and the feeling was mutual. With Hamas gone, Hezbollah continues to concentrate on preserving its power in Lebanon.

Israel and Hezbollah fought a five-week war in 2006 that could have meant the end of Hezbollah were it not for an UN effort to arrange a truce and then a peace deal. Hezbollah is very aware that Israel can destroy its armed forces whereupon its Sunni Arab and Christian neighbors will drive all the Lebanese Shia into Syria. This is why Hezbollah is basically ignoring the demands of Iran and Hamas to join in attacking Israel. Hamas has a death wish, Hezbollah does not. While both Hamas and Hezbollah receive financial support from Iran, Hezbollah is pretty much ignoring Iranian calls to attack Israel, particularly in not launching the 100,000 missiles and rockets Hezbollah has stored in southern Lebanon. Hezbollah knows that it will be destroyed if it makes a significant attack on Israel, and that Iran doesnt care about that as long as some Israelis get killed. Iran appears willing to continue subsidizing Hezbollah as a threat to Israel, but it is possible that it might not insist on another suicidal attack given that it would result in an enormous political disaster from the ethnic cleansing of Lebanese Shia, with Iran doing nothing about the cleansing for lack of means. All this fighting by forces belonging to various religious factions has destroyed the Lebanese government as well as the Lebanese military. Since World War 2, Lebanon has survived on cooperation and compromise. This system is unstable and often fails, as it recently did Iran tried to use pro-Iran militias to attack Israel. That did not work, and Lebanon has neither the resources nor any eagerness to improve the situation.
An adorable golden Pomeranian named Princess has been reunited with her Arizona family more than five years after being stolen.

Dog mom Daisy Gonzalez said her beloved pet was taken May 13, 2018, during a Mother's Day brunch in Phoenix, and she'd lost hope of ever seeing her again.

But the tiny four-pound animal was microchipped and last week, the Gonzalez family got a call from White Tanks Animal Hospital in Surprise saying the missing pup had been handed in.

'They called me saying that a good Samaritan had brought her in, they scanned her and found my information that they found Princess,' Gonzales told Fox10. 'I called right back and said, "She's been missing for five-and-a-half years. That's my dog!"'

Gonzalez said Princess was 'part of the family' and used to go everywhere with them - from the casino to movies and dinner. She recalled the fateful day all of that changed during a Mother's Day brunch in downtown Phoenix.

An adorable golden Pomeranian named Princess has been reunited with her Arizona family more than five years after being stolen. (Pictured: Daisy Gonzalez with her beloved pet Princess)

The tiny four-pound animal was microchipped and last week, the Gonzalez family got a call from White Tanks Animal Hospital in Surprise saying the missing pup been handed in

Gonzalez thought Princess was 'gone forever' in 2018 and her entire family was 'devastated' by her disappearance. They launched a search for the beloved pup and papered their town in flyers

'I was inside with my friend grabbing drinks for everybody and my dad was setting up Jenga, and my mom ran inside saying, 'Daisy do you have Princess?' Then we freaked out from there,' she said.

Gonzalez also told AZ Family she thought Princess was 'gone forever' and her entire family was 'devastated' by her disappearance. They launched a search for the beloved pup and papered their town in missing dog posters.

'We were out there for hours just looking, and we went back out with a group of people putting up flyers all over the place,' she told the local outlet.

Gonzalez added she thinks thieves targeted Princess because 'she's a good-looking dog, she's tiny' and 'everyone wants a small dog.'

'I know why they would do it, I don't know who would do it,' Gonzalez told Fox10. How the dog ended up in a clinic remains a mystery.

The overjoyed dog mom said Princess was 'happy' and 'looked good' apart from a few missing and rotten teeth.

'I was just so happy,' Gonzalez said. 'I called my mom. She always had hope and knew we'd get her back one day.

'I lost hope after a few years. I just hoped she was with a great family, but I was very excited we found her. I'm at a loss for words.'

Daisy's son, Dylan Gonzalez, said he was sleeping when his mom got the good news about Princess, and she yelled so loud she woke him up. He described the revelation as 'shocking.'

Now nine years old, Princess still remembers her family, Gonzalez said, and she seemed relaxed after they were finally reunited. The family even saved her clothes and custom collar

Gonzalez also encouraged veterinary clinics to scan every new pet which comes in for a microchip to verify the owner's identity

Now nine years old, Princess still remembers her family, Gonzalez said, and she seemed relaxed after they were finally reunited. The family even saved her clothes and Barbie-pink custom collar.

'She remembers my parents, my dad always fed her, so she loves my dad, remembers my mom, she definitely remembers,' Gonzales said. 'She slept well last night.'

Dr. Lindsey O'Connell, from the White Tanks Animal Hospital, said that without her microchip, Princess would never have been found.

'As we all know, animals can be unpredictable, whether a dog steps out of a leash or escapes,' O'Connell told AZ Family. 'Doing something like microchipping is the best way we know how to return that furry friend to their family.'

Gonzalez also encouraged veterinary clinics to scan every new pet that comes in for a microchip to verify the owner's identity.
David Cameron is under pressure to reveal his links to 'Chinese interests' after it emerged that Beijing has welcomed his shock return to Cabinet.





The new Foreign Secretary's work for an investment fund 'engineered by the Chinese state' was raised by Sir Keir Starmer in the Commons while other MPs highlighted his controversial lobbying activities since leaving No10.

His foreign policy record also came under scrutiny during the first Prime Minister's Questions since the reshuffle, with his hosting of a G8 summit a decade ago called his biggest achievement by Rishi Sunak.

It came after Lord Cameron's 'unique understanding of China' was praised by a newspaper run by the Chinese Communist Party.

Xi Jinping has fish and chips with David Cameron at a pub in Buckinghamshire in 2015

David Cameron shakes hands with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a commercial contract exchange at the UK-China Business Summit in Mansion House, central London

David Cameron with Chinese President Xi Jinping at The Plough Inn at Cadsden in Princes Risborough near Chequers

David Cameron and Xi Jinping share drinks at The Plough at Cadsden, dubbed 'The Pub of Prime Ministers'

READ MORE - David Cameron's return to government is welcomed by Beijing: State media lavishes the new foreign secretary with praise Advertisement

An article in Global Times described the 'golden era' of relations between the two countries during the Cameron premiership including the famous pint he enjoyed with president Xi Jinping in a pub near Chequers.

However, Lord Cameron's activities since quitting No10 the morning after the EU referendum were mocked by Labour leader Sir Keir at PMQs yesterday.

'A few months ago, the Intelligence and Security Committee said the now Foreign Secretary's role in a Chinese investment fund may have been  these are its words  'engineered by the Chinese state'. When will he instruct the Foreign Secretary to give full public disclosure of his work for Chinese interests?'

Mr Sunak replied that he was 'delighted' at Lord Cameron's return, praised his 'unrivalled experience' and insisted he will 'go through the normal process with the independent adviser' on ministerial interests.
A multi-millionaire banker turned sheep farmer is locked in a divorce battle with his ex-wife over the 132million family fortune - after handing her 80m during a failed tax avoidance bid.

Clive Standish, 70, former CFO of UBS and Australian sheep-farming tycoon, married Anna Standish, 55, in December 2005, but the couple separated in 2020 after a 15-year marriage during which they had two children.

The marital assets at the time of the split were an enormous 132million, almost all of which had grown from the 57.3million fortune that Mr Standish brought into the marriage.

Mr Standish retired in 2007, living off the profits of a 28million sheep farm down under, while the couple enjoyed life in 18-bedroom mansion Moundsmere Manor, set in 83 acres near the Hampshire village of Preston Candover, on the site of an original manor once owned by Henry VIII.

In 2016 HMRC announced changes to the inheritance tax regime, which Mr Standish feared would see his personal assets exposed to a 40 per cent tax levy upon his death.

Multi-millionaire banker turned sheep farmer Clive Standish (pictured), 70, is locked in a divorce battle with his ex-wife over the 132million family fortune - after handing her 80m during a failed tax avoidance bid

Mr Standish, 70, former CFO of UBS and Australian sheep-farming tycoon, married Anna Standish (front left, with celebrity divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton front right), 55, in December 2005, but the couple separated in 2020 after a 15-year marriage during which they had two children

As a result, he transferred 80million worth of assets to his wife, with a plan being put in place for them to eventually be placed in a offshore trust for the benefit of their children.

But the marriage hit the rocks before that could happen, leaving the couple estranged and Mrs Standish claiming the 80m was hers outright, having been 'gifted' to her.

In December last year the couple clashed in the divorce courts with Mr Justice Moor ruling that the husband should get 87.6million of the total family wealth of 132,648,326, with the wife to walk away with 45million.

Now both husband and wife are fighting against that ruling in the Appeal Court.

Lawyers for the husband say the wife should have only got around 25million, claiming the division was unfair as he brought nearly all the wealth into the marriage and had never intended the 80million to be a 'gift' to his wife.

But lawyers for the wife want to up her share to around 56.3million, claiming that to give her less would be 'discrimination'.

Tim Bishop KC, for the husband, told Lady Justice King, Lord Justice Moylan and Lord Justice Phillips that the husband had 'a very successful career in banking.'

'Consequently he acquired substantial wealth in the form of cash investments and property, including a large farm in Australia called Ardenside,' he said.

He told the judges that in June 2004 the husband was worth 57.3million, whilst the wife 'has no significant pre-martial wealth'.

Mr Standish is British, but moved to Australia in 1976 before moving back to England with his family in 2010.

This situation left him open to a potentially huge inheritance tax hit when prospective changes were announced in 2016 affecting anyone with a British domicile of origin returning to the UK from a country they had made their new permanent home.

In the face of this, he 'commenced a process to shield his property from IHT' by 'transferring his assets to the wife to hold for a period and for the wife then to settle the transferred assets into a trust'.

'The husband made the transfers in March 2017, but the wife failed to transfer the assets into trust by the time the marriage ran into problems in 2019 and then broke down finally in 2020,' the barrister said.

Slamming the divorce judge's eventual division of the assets as 'unfair,' the husband's barrister argued it had been wrong for the 80m to have been regarded as having become 'matrimonialised' property, rather than the personal property of the husband and not to go into the pot for division.

Mr Standish retired in 2007, living off the profits of a 28million sheep farm down under, while the couple enjoyed life in 18-bedroom mansion Moundsmere Manor (pictured), set in 83 acres near the Hampshire village of Preston Candover, on the site of an original manor once owned by Henry VIII

'The judge confused the assessment of what had happened to the title of the assets with the assignment of whether it was fair to treat them as matrimonial,' he argued, going on to urge the court to cut the wife's share to between 25million and 29million.

Richard Todd KC, for the wife, however argued that the wife should have got even more than she did.

'The husband is emphatic in asserting that this case is all about him bringing the lion's share of the capital into the marriage,' he said.

'He writes off his absolute gift to the wife as something of no real consequence.

'All property has an owner. Until 1882, married women found it extremely difficult if not impossible to own property.

'The concept that gifts made outright to a spouse are of a lesser quality than gifts made to anyone else is patrician, outmoded and - as most of the recipients are likely to be wives - unlawful discrimination.

'Yet that is the gravamen of the husband's case: a gift made to a spouse is fully retrievable and solely because the parties are married.

'It is solely because of her status of wife that Mrs Standish stands to lose what was transferred to her in an unimpeached and completed gift.

'What happened here is clear. The husband gifted his separate property to the wife. It then became her separate property to do with as she liked.

'Thereafter, she unilaterally decided that her money should be treated as part of the equal partnership matrimonial property.'

He argued that the 80m that was the wife's property by right and everything else apart from the sheep farm ought to be equally split, leaving each of the former spouses with 56.3million.

The hearing, at which the wife is represented by celebrity divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton, continues.
Nearly 450 patients at a Massachusetts hospital could have been exposed to HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C due to improper procedures administering medication.

Salem Hospital has warned people who underwent endoscopies over a roughly two-year period that there is a risk they could have contracted the viruses.

Officials apologized and said intravenous medicine was not properly administered to patients who had visual imaging done on organs.

Mass General Brigham, which owns the medical facility, released a statement on Wednesday and said it was made aware of the isolated practice earlier this year.

But the procedure was immediately corrected once it was highlighted and the hospital's quality and infection control teams were quickly notified.

Nearly 450 patients at Salem Hospital in Massachusetts could have been be exposed to HIV , Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C due to improper procedures administering medication

Salem Hospital, which is led by CEO Roxanne C. Ruppel, has warned people who underwent endoscopies over a roughly two-year period that there is a risk they could have contracted the viruses

Officials apologized and said intravenous medicine was not properly administered to patients who had visual imaging done on organs

Salem Hospital concluded the infection risk to the nearly 450 endoscopy patients is 'extremely small' following a review that included feedback from officials at the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.

It added there is currently no evidence of any infections from the incident.

Although tests are being conducted on patients for HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C.

'The safety of our patients is our highest priority, and we have undertaken multiple corrective actions in response to this event,' the hospital said in a statement.

'We sincerely apologize to those who have been impacted, and we remain committed to delivering high-quality, compassionate health care to our community.'

Salem Hospital has contacted all of those potentially exposed due to the bad administering of IV medication.

It has set up a hotline which is staffed by clinicians to answer any questions patients may have.

Mass General Brigham, which owns the medical facility, released a statement on Wednesday and said it was made aware of the isolated practice earlier this year

The medical facility is also providing free screenings and any necessary support to patients.

Mass General Brigham added those who have not been contacted and notified should not worry.

An endoscopy is a procedure which is used to look inside the body and an endoscope is used to examine the interior of a hollow organ.

In 2019, Goshen Health released a statement saying more than 1,000 surgical patients at Goshen Hospital in Indiana may have been exposed to HIV, Hepatitis C and Hepatitis B after failing to sterilize equipment.

It said one step in a multi-step cleaning process was missed by a technician between April and September 2019 that could have led to contamination.

All 1,182 people who may have been impacted were informed.

Hepatitis C is a liver infection which is caused by a blood-borne virus and is often spread by needle sharing to inject drugs.

Hepatitis B is a similar liver infection but it is transmitted from the body fluid of an infected person.

HIV weakens the immune system by destroying cells that fight disease and infection. It is transmitted through blood and certain other body fluids.

DailyMail.com has contacted Mass General Brigham for comment.
Rishi Sunak last night warned judges they will not be allowed to block his flagship Rwanda scheme again and vowed to do 'whatever it takes' to get deportation flights off the ground next year.

The Prime Minister said patience was 'wearing thin' with the constant hurdles thrown in the path of a scheme designed to smash the business model of the people-smuggling gangs.

He pledged to bring forward emergency legislation within weeks to prevent a repeat of yesterday's Supreme Court ruling that Rwanda is not a safe place to send Channel migrants.

Rishi Sunak warned judges they will not be allowed to block his Rwanda scheme again

Suella Braverman led calls on the Tory Right to legislate to carve out the plan from the European Convention on Human Rights and other human rights laws

READ MORE - Supreme Court will rule today on whether Rishi Sunak's Rwanda migrants plan is legal Advertisement

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference, he also vowed to block any attempt by European judges to halt flights to Rwanda, as happened in June last year at the 11th hour as the first flight prepared to take off.

'I will not allow a foreign court to block these flights,' he said. 'If the Strasbourg court chooses to intervene against the express wishes of Parliament I am prepared to do what is necessary to get flights off. I will not take the easy way out.'

Mr Sunak said ministers were also close to finalising a new treaty with Rwanda in which the east African state will commit to not returning any migrant sent from the UK to their home country.

The row came as:

Allies of Boris Johnson welcomed the plan for Parliament to declare Rwanda a safe country in law, which was first floated by the former PM in his Mail column in June.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick also vowed to get flights going by the spring and warned that the Conservatives would lose the next election unless the scheme is made to work.

Rebel MP Dame Andrea Jenkyns, who became the first Tory to submit a letter of no confidence in Mr Sunak, said six colleagues were poised to follow suit, but none had gone public by last night.

The PM refused to criticise Tory deputy chairman Lee Anderson, who said the Government should 'ignore the law' and start flights to Rwanda immediately.

Former Cabinet minister Sir Simon Clarke warned that Mr Sunak's handling of the crisis would be seen as a 'confidence issue' in his leadership.

Dozens of Tory MPs were in talks to back a potential amendment supporting Mrs Braverman's plan to set aside human rights laws. The Supreme Court ruled yesterday that the Rwanda plan was unlawful because of the risk migrants could later be deported back to their home country and face 'ill treatment'.

The devastating verdict is a further blow to the scheme, which is seen as vital in deterring migrants from making the perilous journey across the Channel.

Suella Braverman led calls on the Tory Right to legislate to carve out the plan from the European Convention on Human Rights and other human rights laws.

The Prime Minister said patience was 'wearing thin' with the constant hurdles thrown in the path of a scheme designed to smash the business model of the people-smuggling gangs

Mr Sunak has pledged to pull out all the stops to get the Rwanda scheme up and running

The former home secretary, who was fired on Monday, said: 'There is no chance of curbing illegal migration within the current legal framework. We must legislate or admit defeat.'

So what is 'refoulement'? Refoulement is an old French word now being used to deliver a key blow in stopping flights to Rwanda. According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, it means the practice of sending refugees or asylum seekers to a country where they are likely to face persecution. The term originates from the French word refouler  to force back. It was used as long ago as the 18th century but the term first emerged in relation to refugees in the aftermath of the Second World War when millions fled their homelands in search of refuge. Non-refoulement became the core principle of the 1951 UN Refugee Convention, which asserted a refugee should not be returned to a country where they face serious threats to their life or freedom. This includes those who flee through fear of being persecuted as a result of their sexual orientation. Advertisement

Mr Sunak told MPs he was willing to 'revisit those international relationships' only if it 'becomes clear that our domestic legal frameworks or international conventions are still frustrating plans'.

A government source said that the proposed treaty and law change would be quicker than attempting to disapply the ECHR, which was 'likely to be challenged in the courts'.

However the changes will need primary legislation, opening up the risk that Labour and the Liberal Democrats could combine to frustrate or even block the plans in the Lords.

Mr Sunak said he still hoped to get the first flights to Rwanda going by the spring of next year  but he repeatedly refused to guarantee they would start before the next election.

Supreme Court president Lord Reed ruled there would be a risk of 'refoulement', Rwanda returning genuine asylum seekers to face 'ill treatment' in the country they had fled.

He made it clear in his summary of the judgement that the ECHR was not the only international treaty relevant to the court's decision, which also took into account domestic law.

The ruling brought an end to almost 18 months of legal wrangling which began in June 2022 when an anonymous judge in Strasbourg issued a temporary injunction preventing a flight containing channel migrants.

Mr Jenrick last night said he was confident the new plan would see planes leaving for Rwanda by spring.
President Joe Biden said he still considers Chinese leader Xi Jinping a 'dictator' even as he said US-China relations were back on track with new military-to-military channels to prevent accidents between the two superpowers.

He also said he gave Xi a blunt warning Wednesday not to interfere in Taiwan's January elections.

He made the 'dictator' comment in response to a reporter's question, on a day he met at length with his counterpart for the first time in a year and strolled the elegant grounds of a California estate.

'Well, look, hes a dictator in the sense that he is a guy who runs a country that is a communist country thats based on a form of government totally different than ours,' Biden said, asked if he stood by his own earlier assessment. 'Anyway, we made progress,' he added.

Xi secured a third term last year as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, after China ended term limits, allowing for his indefinite rule over a system that limits free expression and political protest.

When asked about Taiwan, amid U.S. fears of a Chinese invasion even amid wars in the Middle East and Europe, Biden spoke about the upcoming Taiwanese elections. He told reporters he 'made it clear I didnt expect any interference  any at all. We had that discussion as he was leaving,' he said, speaking in a California estate after holding talks with Xi.

President Joe Biden said he still considers Chinese leader Xi Jinping a 'dictator,' even as he announced new military lines of communication and actions on Chinese fentanyl production

'We maintain an agreement that there is a One China policy,' Biden said, looking down toward notes. 'Im not going to change that. Thats not going change.'

'Thats about the extent to which we discussed it,' he said of the fraught topic.

Biden championed the new communications link with Beijing, following a series of risky standoffs and what the Pentagon calls provocative actions by Beijing.

'Its been worrisome. Thats how accidents happen, misunderstandings,' Biden said.

He said he can Xi agreed that either one of them can 'pick up the phone call directly and be heard immediately.'

Top defense lines of communication are also being resumed.

The president also indicated he raised difficult subjects with Xi, including 'Russias refusal to stop the brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and conflict in Gaza.'

And when questioned by reporters, he stood by claims his administration says is backed by US intelligence that Hamas is basing military assets under hospitals.

'Weve discussed the need for them to be incredibly careful,' he said of the Israeli Defense Forces.

He said Hamas 'does have weapons material below this hospital and, I expect, others.'

Biden revealed details of his talks with Xi while calling on reporters from a pre-prepared list, then responding to a few shouted questions.

He recalled all their hours meeting together when both were vice presidents, appearing to jest about former Chinese leader Hu Jintao.

'His president was President Hu  Im not making a joke,' Biden said.

Biden said China agreed to go after companies who produce precursor chemicals to fentanyl, in a move meant to curb the epidemic in the U.S. Biden said it would 'save lives' and said he appreciated what he said was Xi's commitment to the issue.

'For a situation where we agree that fentanyl and its precursors will be curbed substantially  that's a big that's a big moment,' he said.

He said he knows two people 'near where I live' where 'kids literally ... they woke up dead' after taking fentanyl.

'I hope you don't have any experience with knowing anyone. But this is the largest killer, people in that age category,' Biden said. There have been multiple reports of people experiencing death or severe complications after a single use of a drug laced with fentanyl, often without their knowledge.

Although he focused on getting communication back on track with the emerging China, Biden spoke several times about the Middle East, including his repeated calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

'Ive made it clear to Israelis, to Bibi and his war cabinet, that I think the only answer here is a two-state solution thats real,' he said, during a week when pro-Palestinian protesters in San Francisco demanded a cease fire.

Xi told Biden that the U.S. needed to take concrete actions to reassure China that it still stands by its stated policy of not supporting Taiwanese independence, according to a readout of their meeting from Chinese state media.

He also asked Washington to end arms sales to Taiwan, something that would run afoul of existing U.S. law.

'China will eventually be reunified and will inevitably be reunified,' Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

A senior Biden administration official said Biden and Xi had a substantial exchange about Taiwan, without providing many details.

I think President Xi made clear the continuing concerns, underscored that this was the biggest most potentially dangerous issue in US-China relations, the official said.

He made the comments following high-stakes talks with Xi in the pastoral setting, although his outdoor press conference backed by a 56-room brick mansion got moved inside due to rain.

Biden called them 'some of the most constructive and productive discussions weve had.'

The two men met for the first time in over a year for high-stakes talks on Wednesday to try and bury the hatchet amid dangerously escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The two leaders met for four hours at a historic home outside of San Francisco. Their encounter began with a warm double-clasped handshake, and a declaration by Xi that the world is 'big enough' for both countries, despite years of rising rhetoric and provocations.

'The China-U.S. relationship has never been smooth sailing and always faces problems of one kind or another,' Xi said through a translator as he met Biden.

'Yet it has kept moving forward amidst twists and turns. For China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation has terrible consequences for both sides. Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed.'

Joe Biden and Jinping met for the first time in over a year for high-stakes talks on Wednesday to try and bury the hatchet amid dangerously escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing

In his own remarks, Biden called for a 'candid exchange.'

Lunch Menu For lunch, President Biden and President Xi dined on: Herbed Ricotta Ravioli Artichoke Crisps Tarragon roasted Heritage Chicken Carolina Gold Rice Pilaf Charred Broccolini + Brussels Sprouts Almond Meringue Cake Praline Buttercream Concord Grape Sauce Advertisement

'I've always found our discussions to be straightforward and frank and always appreciated them,' Biden told Xi, after spending years telling U.S. audiences he has spent more time with the Chinese autocrat than any other U.S. leader.

Biden said it was 'paramount that we understand each other truly, leader-to-leader.'

And he underlined the risks if the two countries fail to find a way to get along despite their differences.

'We have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict and we have to manage responsibly that competition,' Biden told his counterpart. 'That's what the United States wants and what we intend to do. I believe that's also what the world wants from both of us.

'We have a responsibility to our people and the world to work together when we see it in our interests to do so. The critical global changes we face from climate change, narcotics to artificial intelligence demand us to work together.'

Xi, 70, told the 80-year-old Biden, 'We shoulder heavy responsibilities for the world and for history.'

Xi, 70, told the 80-year-old Biden, 'We shoulder heavy responsibilities for the world and for history'

Biden reaches out to Xi's hand at the entrance to the Filoli estate ahead of their first meeting in almost a year

The leaders of the two superpowers pose for photos. They are meeting to try and repair frosty Washington-Beijing relations

Biden said it was 'paramount that we understand each other truly, leader-to-leader' and said to Xi 'we've known each other a long time'

Xi responded that 'Planet Earth' is big enough for both nations

The leaders of the two superpowers are using the crucial summit as they try to prevent their nations' rivalry spilling into conflict.

They came face-to-face on a red carpet at the Filoli country estate on the outskirts of San Francisco.

Biden greeted Xi with plenty of pomp, two Marines in dress uniforms opened Xi's car door and Biden was waiting for him at the entrance of the historic home.

Washington-Beijing relations have been seriously strained since a Chinese spy balloon flew across the U.S. in February and was eventually shot down off the coast of South Carolina.

The leaders of the world's two largest economies met as concerns were also soaring over issues including Taiwan, Beijing's actions in the South China Sea sanctions, heightened espionage, trade and human rights.

Biden and Xi were expected to cover a wide range of topics, including the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., climate change and the accelerating use of A.I.

After their meeting an expanded discussion was being held with their top security aides.

Their encounter was months in the making, after high-level visits from Biden's cabinet and even a trip to Beijing by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Delegates from both the U.S. and China line the negotiating table inside a room of the estate

Xi and Biden chat on the red carpet

President Biden drives past protesters in his motorcade in downtown San Francisco

The meeting was an example of the kind of personal diplomacy Biden champions.

His counterpart Xi is a leader who holds unique power over a government that is flexing its muscle around the globe.

While Biden must deal with a divided and frequently dysfunctional Congress amid his own weak poll numbers, his top advisors believe Xi has the capacity to deliver, even if only on some of the modest agreements on fentanyl and climate change.

I would say that what we've seen over the last several years is the collection of power in the person of really one man: President Xi, a senior administration official told DailyMail.com.

What that means is that, yes, other forms of diplomacy are important. But frankly when you really have to do serious diplomacy, it has to take place at the very top.

'So the stakes really just couldn't be higher. Yes, I think if you want to effect change the system, if you want a kind of clear shot to try and affect certain outcomes, it comes down to a meeting like this.'

Biden raises his hand up Xi's back as they head into their talks

The meeting was taking place inside a 654-acre estate amassed by a California mining and gas baron.

The grounds of the Filoli estate include five 'distinct ecosystems,' trails, a fruit orchard, redwood groves, and natural springs.

A Georgian revival-style mansion has a total of 54,000 square feet.

The home was built in 1917, and opened to the public in 1975.

It is far removed from the streets of San Francisco where the APEC summit is underway. That was the scene this week of continued street demonstrations by pro and anti-communist protesters, along with people weighing in on Israels war on Gaza.

Also lining the streets have been members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement that is banned in China.

Protesters clashed with riot police as thousands of people descended into the streets of San Francisco to 'shut down' the APEC summit on Wednesday morning

'We won't allow genocide to be normalized,' an organizer said

The crunch talks occurred after San Francisco's homeless were cleared from the streets in a massive clean-up operation to avoid Xi and other dignitaries seeing the squalor.

But there was still chaos around the summit.

As the meeting began hundreds of anti-oil, pro-Palestine protesters clashed with riot police outside the APEC summit.

'We won't allow genocide to be normalized,' an organizer with the No APEC Coalition told the the San Francisco Standard.

The protesters chanted 'Biden, Biden telling lies' and 'shut down APEC.'

President Joe Biden is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Filoli estate, according to Voice of America

The Georgian revival-style mansion has a total of 54,000 square feet

The home is located in Woodside on the Peninsula near San Francisco

It is just the kind of open political expression that Chinese authorities have repeatedly tried to squelch for years, including during the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, even while opening up its economy to become a dominant global force, second only to the U.S.

The White House said on Wednesday that Biden would raise human rights issues with Xi as he always does during such meetings.

Joe Biden waits for Xi Jinping to arrive

Xi Jinping prepares to address Biden

Officials hope the peaceful setting of the Filoli estate will contribute to a positive outcome for the talks.

'If they like each other, they are likely to start trusting each other and to communicate better,' said Jeremi Suri, a professor of public affairs and history at the University of Texas at Austin.

'A place like this allows them to get away, not just from the media, but from a lot of the other things that encourage conflict.'
Anthony Albanese heads to US for second time in weeks

Anthony Albanese has responded to 'Airbus Albo' criticism with a simple eight-word response after he was slammed for taking four overseas trips in a month.

The Prime Minister is in the United States for the APEC summit, where all eyes will be on a highly anticipated meeting between Joe Biden and Xi Jinping.

Mr Albanese has been called out by opposition leader Peter Dutton, who says he should have cancelled his trip to deal with pressing domestic issues.

Mr Dutton said the Prime Minister should instead convene a meeting with premiers and chief ministers to discuss growing anti-Semitism and civil unrest in Australia, amid the escalating conflict in Gaza.

The Liberal leader also called for Mr Albanese to address security concerns in the wake of criminals being released into the community following a High Court decision on immigration detention.

But Mr Albanese snapped back at the criticism of his latest trip, sharing a photo of himself shaking hands with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella along with the caption 'What happens in the world matters at home'.

The pair met on Thursday to announce the government's partnership with Microsoft, which will explore safe and responsible ways to use artificial intelligence to better deliver public services to the Australian public.

'It's how we deliver jobs and growth and new industries to Australia,' the PM wrote.

'I'm in San Francisco to attend the APEC Economic Leaders Meeting and do just that.'

It comes after Microsoft announced a $5billion investment in Australia which is expected to create more jobs and make the nation more cyber-secure.

It is the PM's second trip to the US in a month and follows recent trips to China and the Cook Islands - prompting many to dub him 'Airbus Albo'.

Anthony Albanese (pictured) has responded to 'Airbus Albo' criticism with a simple eight-word response after he was slammed for taking four overseas trips in a month

Mr Albanese began his Instagram caption with this eight-word statement on Thursday

Australians were divided in the comments, with some saying that overseas travel was a crucial and unavoidable part of being the nation's leader.

'Why are you running away? Your flying around the whole world,' one wrote.

'He's doing his job,' another replied.

'The international meetings he has had is beneficial to this country. Look it up.'

Anthony Albanese shared a photo of himself shaking hands with Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella with the caption: 'What happens in the world matters at home'

'At 'home'. What about the thousands of Australians sh****** themselves at the thought of being homeless due to the ongoing rental crisis that you aren't doing anything about?' a third wrote.

'I wish I had a 'home' of my own, a humble small home, a roof, security.'

Sky News host Paul Murray criticised the PM for constantly 'flying around the world' - with his trip to San Francisco his fourth overseas trip in a month.

'Airbus Albo is the nickname that I just have to keep using cause I know how much they love it,' the host told viewers earlier this week.

'He is flying around the world at such a rate that he is clocking up as many kilometres it would take to fly to the moon and beyond.

'Perhaps by the end of his prime ministership it would be Mars turn around and come back  or is he going to keep going all the way to Pluto.'
NOV 8, 2023 U.S. Marines with the Combined Anti-Armor Team, 3rd Battalion, 2d Marine Regiment, 2d Marine Division fire a TOW missile from a Joint Light Tactical Vehicle during a range on the U.S. Army Yuma Proving Grounds, Arizona, Oct 21, 2023. CAAT utilizes various weapon systems to neutralize enemy armored assets. U.S. Marine Corps photo by Lance Cpl. Eric Dmochowski

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Jacinda Ardern has urged 'everyone to remember our shared common humanity' in regards to the conflict in Israel and Palestine.

The former New Zealand Prime Minister was asked at a Harvard Institute of Politics forum on Monday how she would address the conflict if she was still in power.

Ms Ardern was the youngest female head of government in the world when she took office in 2017 at age 37.

She held the position for five years before resigning in 2023, but continues to be involved in discussions about global matters, speaking at forums around the world.

Ms Ardern has addressed topics like climate change and most recently gave her thoughts on the Israel-Hamas conflict during her visit to the United States.

'How would I have reacted as a leader? I simply would have reminded everyone to remember our shared common humanity,' Ms Ardern said, The Harvard Crimson reported.

'The only way to find long-term peaceful resolution to difficult and complex conflicts is if you find a way to end the violence and grief in order to give yourself the space to then have those conversations.

'It's very hard to find peaceful resolution at the midst of violence and grief.'

Former New Zealand leader Jacinda Ardern has urged world leaders to take a step back and 'remember our common humanity' when approaching the conflict in the Middle East

Israel has launched retaliation against Hamas following terror attacks in October (pictured: the Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza after an Israeli bombing)

Ms Ardern holds two fellowships at Harvard: one with the Harvard Kennedy School and the other with Harvard Law school.

She resigned in January this year saying she 'no longer had enough in the tank' to contest for re-election in October, where her party, Labour, was ousted in favour of the centre-right National party.

At the Harvard forum she also spoke about her government's often controversial response to the Covid pandemic.

Between early 2020 and late 2021 Ardern's popularity as preferred PM plunged from 65 per cent to as low as 34 per cent, according to one poll.

She told the crowd she now considered herself 'youth adjacent' so understood the frustrations and sacrifices of younger New Zealanders and that the 'human experience' was at the forefront of her decisions.

'I felt like I was at least young enough to remember pubs and clubs, even if I hadn't been to one in a decade,' Ms Ardern said.

'I don't know about you, but I'm pretty sure Covid doesn't knock off at 10pm.'

Ms Ardern quickly gained respect on the world stage early on in her term in 2019 for her sensitive and stoic handling of mass shootings at two Christchurch mosques.

Her government moved to ban AR-15s just 10 days later before widening the ban to include military-type semi-automatic weapons and assault rifles entirely.

The US has struggled with the gun control debate for decades.

Ardern pictured with her partner Clarke Gayford. She gave birth to her first child while in office as New Zealand PM

She told the forum there was pushback from the farming industry, which she understood growing up on an orchard, but she felt the law must change.

Struggling with the question of differentiating guns used as tools for farming and those designed to be weapons she recalled meeting with local police officers before deciding weapons that can hold five rounds would be allowed.

'They (the officers) conferred amongst themselves and had a brief conversation and then said five is enough  so that was it, I walked away and set a limit at five.'

Ms Ardern said she was excited and humbled to 'share her experience with others' through the Harvard fellowships and conceded she struggled with imposter syndrome while in office.

She urged students to believe they are capable of great things and not hold themselves back by assuming they do not have the capability to take on a role.

Pointing to her own experience she said: 'Many people are cynical about politics, and I can see why.'

'I was in politics for 15 years, and I came out with a strong belief that politics is a place for positive change.'
Calls to reintroduce the widely-disliked mask mandates because of the recently increasing number of Covid cases have been rejected by leading medical experts.

On Wednesday, Australian Medical Association (AMA) Queensland president Maria Boulton said people should wear masks in large crowds, on planes and in medical settings to slow the spread of Covid before Christmas.

There were 6,550 reported cases across Australia last week, with the Department of Health and Aged Care confirming an average of 936 new cases per day.

Infectious diseases specialist Professor Peter Collignon has made it clear he opposes people being forced by law to wear masks.

'If at increased risk, or concerned, yes wear a mask. But no mandates,' he wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter.

He said the current Covid wave - Australia's eighth - was 'likely already declining and will be down to low levels by Christmas'.

Calls to reintroduce mask mandates before Christmas because of the recent increase in the number of Covid-19 cases have been rejected by leading medical experts (pictured, beach-goers celebrate Christmas Day on Bondi Beach)

Professor Collignon, who is a microbiologist at Canberra Hospital, said there was 'little or likely no point' wearing a mask outside.

He added that masks will give 'some short term protection' to those who are concerned about short term exposure indoors, but eye protection is also needed.

READ MORE: Why Covid cases are spiking as more Aussies become infected in the lead-up to Christmas Advertisement

'What lands in your eyes goes into your nose,' the professor said.

Another medical expert, Dr Nick Coatsworth, is also sceptical about the value of mask wearing.

He told Channel 7's Today show they only work if used along with other measures such as 'social distancing and movement restrictions' which he said Australia is 'not going back to'.

'We don't need to go back to masks,' he said.

Dr Coatsworth said the AMA had quoted the fact that there were 245 hospitalisations related to Covid-19 in the current wave in Queensland, but he pointed out there are more than a million hospital admissions in the state every year.

He wanted instead to reassure people that 'vaccination works' and said there were ways to manage the pressure on the hospital system without resorting to mask mandates.

The doctor added that Covid had become less dangerous in the almost four years since it was first discovered in China in late 2019.

'Covid-19 is now a milder disease because of what we call herd immunity, we have all been exposed to it,' he said.

Professor Peter Collignon said the current Covid wave - Australia's eighth - was 'likely already declining and will be down to low levels by Christmas'

Professor Collignon has made it clear he opposes people being forced by law to wear masks

In NSW, Covid activity increased 'across all indicators' in the past fortnight, with more than one in 10 PCR tests returning a positive result.

But with fewer people getting tested for Covid and jurisdictions no longer collecting information on self-reported rapid antigen tests, the latest figures are likely to be significantly underestimated.

Epidemiology Professor Catherine Bennett told Daily Mail Australia that the most recent wave of Covid infections was not surprising.

Prof Bennett said people's immunity wanes after a certain period of time meaning they could be more susceptible to a new sub-variant.

She said the new E.G.5.1 sub-variant was responsible for half of the cases in NSW and would continue to drive new infections over the coming weeks.

'This wave has come six months after the one we experienced over winter and has had a reasonably slow take off,' Prof Bennett said.

'With each wave we've seen a benefit from hybrid immunity with vaccines and prior infection against a range of sub-variants.

'However, with every rise in infections a proportion of people will end up in hospital.'

She said people shouldn't wait for a cough or a sore throat before testing with the new sub-variant associated with milder symptoms.

'Some of the less common symptoms like aching muscles and sore back tend to feature a bit more, some people might just have a fever or runny nose,' she said.

'There is more virus circulating in the population so people need to watch out for potential exposures and think about the risk they pose to others.'

Professor Peter Collignon said he didn't see Christmas being a 'big problem' for new infections.

Australian Medical Association Queensland president Maria Boulton said people should wear masks in large crowds, on planes and in medical settings to slow the spread of Covid. A woman getting a Covid vaccine is pictured

He said there were usually two or three Covid waves each year, with Australia already experiencing two - one in January and the past winter.

'Therefore it's unlikely in summer that we'll have anything major,' he said.

'In the summer we have the benefit of being outside more, people can have barbecues instead of sitting indoors and do things that will decrease the spread of Covid but still allow a relatively normal social life.'

In Western Australia, where there are 231 active Covid cases, concertgoers have been advised to wear a mask to the concert by British band Coldplay in Perth this weekend.
More than 150 Virgin passengers have been gifted a free cruise by the company's founder Sir Richard Branson.

Those on board flight VA 1316 from Melbourne to Hobart on Thursday morning were left speechless when they were told they'd each been gifted a cruise worth up to $7,000.

Mr Branson had phoned in via FaceTime from his private island Necker, in the British Virgin Islands, to alert passengers they'd be going on a Virgin Voyages cruise.

The cruise line, which will launch in Australia next month, offers voyages around Australia and New Zealand.

Sir Richard Branson had phoned in via FaceTime from his private island Necker, in the British Virgin Islands, to alert passengers they'd be going on a Virgin Voyages cruise

Thursday morning's flight was chosen as it is the same route Virgin's cruise ship Resilient Lady will travel on her Mermaiden Voyage.

'Well, today, you happen to be travelling on the same route as our Aussie MerMaiden Voyage,' Mr Branson was heard saying over the flight's PA system.

'To celebrate this milestone, I'm pleased to gift each adult on-board a free Virgin Voyages cruise.'

Passengers immediately erupted into cheers and applause before cabin crew handed each person on board their free cruise voucher

Passengers immediately erupted into cheers and applause before cabin crew handed each person on board their free cruise voucher.

Cabin crew, baggage handlers and pilots on flight VA 1316 were also included in the mass giveaway, with more than $1million gifted by Mr Branson in total.

Resilient Lady will leave its homeport of Melbourne for Tasmania on December 11.

The cruise line's voyages are all adults-only.

Resilient Lady boasts an on-board tattoo parlour and even has a special feature where guests can request a glass of champagne from wherever they are on the boat through their phones.

The ship has already sailed through countries such as Greece, Croatia, Dubai, Bali and Singapore.
The video, released by the Israeli Defense Forces, shows multiple terrorists in various stages of the surprise invasion

Shocking video shows the violence of a Hamas terrorist as the group began their shock sunrise attack on October 7 that has killed over 1,200 people and sparked new tensions in the Middle East.

The video, released by the Israeli Defense Forces, shows multiple terrorists in various stages of the surprise invasion that led to Hamas killing civilians at the SuperNova music festival and several kibitzes.

The clips - the first from this angle released since the attack - also show Hamas members celebrating over the dead bodies of civilians and gives a peak into their underground tunnel network.

It begins on the morning of the attack, as a group of militants are sprung to life by an explosion. The group makes multiple shouts of 'Allahu Akbar!' translated to 'God is great' in Arabic.

At least one of the members made sure they were recording. The video was recovered and released by the IDF to show the horrors of what happened to spark the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that has led to more than 10,000 deaths.

Shocking video shows the violence of a Hamas terrorist as the group began their shock sunrise attack on October 7 that has killed over 1,200 people and sparked new tensions in the Middle East

The footage also shows the group of terrorists crossing the notoriously destroyed fence meant to keep them on Gaza's eastern border. After crossing a second security fence, they begin to head toward a kibbutz along the dirt roads, according to CNN.

The soldiers are carrying AK-47s and other weapons, including missiles and rocket-propelled grenades.

Eventually, they open fire before wondering where the Israeli soldiers are, having seen none as they've continued their invasion.

They continue to thank God while one of the men warns not to waste bullets by firing into the air in celebration.

The footage shows them firing as they advance and hitting an Israeli soldier at point blank-range with rounds of bullets.

The gunman grabs the soldier's rifle before turning the video on himself to lead a celebration over the dead fighter's body, before the Hamas member introduces himself and saying he's 24 years old.

The brief clip of the underground tunnel shows pathways to a smaller network of tunnels with wire running through and supplies and barrels across the ground.

The video, released by the Israeli Defense Forces, shows multiple terrorists in various stages of the surprise invasion that led to Hamas killing civilians at the SuperNova music festival and several kibitzes

It begins on the morning of the attack, as a group of militants are sprung to life by an explosion. The group makes multiple shouts of 'Allahu Akbar!' translated to 'God is great' in Arabic

Another clip shows dashcam footage from an Israeli vehicle trying to get away from the missiles near the festival. Eventually, the footage details the driver has been fatally shot.

From here, the Hamas terrorists advance on motorbikes, speeding along nearly empty Israeli roads.

Eventually, one of the Hamas gunman is shown to have been killed on the video footage by someone at an Israeli base, after opening firing on the base, the fighter is stuck and falls to the ground screaming in pain.

His gun sits on the ground next to him as he supposedly dies after making the nearly 10-mile journey.

While this is the first public footage of this part of the attack, Israel has started to release longer clips to politicians.

The footage depicts the murders of 138 people from October 7, less than a 10th of the 1,400 who were killed. More than 240 people were taken hostage, including many from a music festival that was being held.

Aside from a handful of propaganda released by Hamas, officials still have no solid information about the health of the hostages taken.

'We have some that we cannot share but it is largely a black hole. We know some have been split in groups, but we don't know how. All we know is they are underground,' Ezra said.

The officials lamented the fact that while the world calls for a humanitarian pause for Gazans, no help has been given for the hostages.

The Hamas attackers were heavily armed and some of their weapons are shown in the new footage

Another clip shows dashcam footage from an Israeli vehicle trying to get away from the attack near the festival. Eventually, the footage shows the driver likely being killed

The footage showed several people dead in the road as Hamas attackers continued to advance

The clips also show Hamas members celebrating over the dead bodies of civilians and gives a peak into their underground tunnel network

The brief clip of the underground tunnel shows pathways to a smaller network of tunnels with wire running through and supplies and barrels across the ground

While this is the first public footage of the attack, Israel has started to release longer clips to politicians. The footage ends with one of the fighters approaching a military base

The footage ends with a solider struck and falling to the ground with his gun next to him, where he reportedly died

'Humanitarian aid is a two way street. Everyone is calling for humanitarian aid to Gaza but we do not even have the most basic information about our hostages. Why can't the Red Cross be allowed in to ensure they are being fed and have access to medication?' Itay Milner, spokesperson for the Israeli Consulate said.

The officials do not intend to release the video to the public to protect the victims' families.

Their hope is however to show it to enough international journalists to dismiss misinformation that it is fake, and explain the ongoing military campaign.

The war between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7 after the militant group killed some 1,200 people. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 11,200 people, according to the Palestinian Health Minister in Ramallah.

Another 2,700 have been reported missing.

Around two third of the territory's 2.3 million people have now fled their homes, with most currently residing in the southern part of the coastal strip.

Residents say bread is scarce and supermarket shelves are bare, while families have been forced to cook on wood fires due to a lack of fuel, electricity and running water.

On Wednesday, Israeli defense officials let in some 24,000 liters of fuel, which will only be used for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, in a bid to bring in the limited supplies of food and medicine from Egypt.

Palestinians inspect the damage of a destroyed mosque following an Israeli airstrike in Khan Younis refugee camp on November 8

Israeli army troops are seen next to a destroyed building during a ground operation in the Gaza Strip on November 8

Israeli forces have been pushing deeper in to Gaza in recent days. On Wednesday, Israel claimed to have found 'concrete' evidence that Gaza's biggest hospital Al Shifa was being used as a terrorist base after hundreds of commandos raided it early yesterday.

The IDF revealed evidence of weaponry which it said proved the hospital was a terrorist base, with spokesman Lt Col Jonathan Conricus showing a duffel bag hidden behind a hospital MRI machine containing an AK-47, grenades, ammunition and a uniform.

He also said a backpack contained 'what appeared to be very important intelligence including a laptop', and added that security cameras in one part of the hospital had been taped over.

Behind another MRI machine more weapons were said to have been found and in an adjoining room on top of another MRI scanner was a bag containing 'full military kit for one terrorist, including ammunition, a live grenade and AK47 and body armour'.

'These weapons have no business being in a hospital,' Conricus said as he toured the hospital in a clip released by the IDF.

Inside a cabinet for medical equipment was another holder containing a knife, a Hamas emblem, AK47 and ammunition, according to the spokesman.

But the IDF's search showed no signs of tunnels or a sophisticated command center that many believed would be discovered underneath the facility.
The former lover of Australia's worst gang rapist, Mohammed Skaf, has appeared in court, with her new husband delivering a furious spray at waiting media outside the building.

Alexandra Mastropetros walked into Bankstown Local Court on Thursday, accompanied by her husband, where she is facing sentence for stalking and intimidating her former lover, and smuggling $100,000 worth of drugs into a prison.

Wearing a cream coloured top with black pants, the 32-year-old looked away from the camera as she walked into the building.

While she ignored the camera, Mastropetros' husband, who she married in April this year, called awaiting media a 'f**king dog'.

Alexandra Mastropetros walked into Bankstown Local Court on Thursday, accompanied by her husband

Mastropetros' husband, who she married in April this year, called awaiting media a 'f**king dog'

He then stuck up his middle finger to the camera before disappearing behind the doors of the court.

The 32-year-old has admitted to calling Skaf to 'highly suggest' he withdraw a statement he made to police at Greenacre in May this year.

Skaf was the ringleader of a spate of notorious gang rapes in Sydney's southwest in 2000, and was jailed alongside his brother Bilal and several others.

When he was freed after almost 22 years behind bars, Skaf and Mastropetros started dating.

Mastropetros appears with her lawyer Alen Sahinovic outside court

Just 18 months after his prison release, Skaf began to fear for his life.

Mastropetros has pleaded guilty to stalking and intimidating Skaf, while a charge for allegedly intimidating a witness was withdrawn.

She has also pleaded guilty to an unrelated charge of supplying a prohibited drug after she was caught with 4.86g of methamphetamine.

The 32-year-old is due to be sentenced on Thursday, but the matter had not been heard before 1pm.
A Florida lawyer accused of murdering his father following a row at the family law firm has been found dead in his jail cell.

Brandon Labiner, 34, was charged with shooting dead his father Paul, 68, on July 1 outside their Boca Raton office.

Three months earlier Brandon had been disbarred after he was accused of stealing $450,000 from a trust in the name of his mother, Mindy Labiner.

Val Rodriguez, Brandon's lawyer, told WPTV that Brandon had been discovered early on Wednesday morning by sheriffs at Palm Beach County jail. He had hanged himself.

Brandon Labiner, 34, was found dead in his jail cell on Wednesday awaiting trial for murdering his father Paul Labiner

Brandon Labiner, 34, appeared before a judge on July 3 after his arrest on a first-degree murder charge

Brandon Labiner (right) and his father Paul. Brandon was charged with murder after his father was found shot dead outside his Boca Raton office on July 1

Rodriguez said that her client was battling a series of personal problems, including a pending divorce and the death of his only child, who was stillborn at 39 weeks.

Brandon, who worked with his father, had been left 'devastated' and 'despondent' after accepting a foreign check and wiring $100,000 to the client without doing proper checks first, resulting in the loss of the money.

He tried to make up the funds by funneling money out of his father's accounts into his own, according to the court documents filed against Brandon.

Rodriguez said that 2023 had been an unbearable year for the family.

'The year 2023 was the most tragic,' she told The South Florida Sun Sentinel.

'Father, son and grandson, all dead.'

Brandon and his father had worked together in the same law office until Brandon was forced to resign in September 2022 amid an escalating rift between them.

Paul Labiner is seen with his wife Mindy. Paul was shot and killed on July 1

Pictured is the law office of Paul Labiner on the 5400 block of North Federal Highway in Boca Raton

The father and son (pictured) were said to have had a 'fairly good father-son relationship' until around February 2022

Brandon had been a personal injury attorney, but his law license was suspended amid the theft allegations.

In May, Paul Labiner sued his son over the trust fund dispute.

In his court documents, he said they had a 'fairly good father-son relationship' until Brandon began exhibiting 'bizarre behavior' in February 2022.

Paul said in the lawsuit that his son assaulted him in May 2022, injuring his shoulder.

License plate readers identified a vehicle belonging to Brandon driving in the area of the crime on July 1.

Surveillance video showed a man arriving at Paul Labiner's law office on a bicycle just after 3pm, carrying a drawstring backpack.

Brandon Labiner, 34, was charged after a bullet-ridden body was found in a pool of blood outside the law office of his father Paul Labiner, 68. The pair are pictured together

Paul's law firm specializes in estate and trust planning and he was admitted to the Bar in 1992

The man can be seen taking a box out of the backpack, and then a gun out of the box.

The man hid behind a wall and ambushed Paul Labiner as he passed.

Paul Labiner was shot in the head and chest, and twice in the lower body, with his car keys in his hand.

Police tracked down Brandon Labiner, who was barricaded in a nearby building.

After a standoff, Brandon eventually gave himself up and was arrested.
Peter Dutton has warned another 340 detainees could soon be walking the streets following a controversial High Court decision which deemed indefinite detention illegal.

The Opposition leader has been critical of the government for not imposing tough legislation to bypass the ruling, which has already seen 84 asylum seekers - some of whom are 'hardened criminals' - walk free.

The government stridently opposed the High Court decision and has introduced legislation which will impose tough restrictions on all the detainees who were released in the wake of the ruling.

Initially, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said it was a decision which 'only applies to one person'.

That number has since ballooned, with 84 released in the six days since the ruling was handed down and another eight expected to be released shortly.

But Mr Dutton today warned the number could actually be far greater.

Initially, Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil said it was a decision which 'only applies to one person'

Immigration Minister Andrew Giles was peppered with tough questions about the fiasco

In a speech in the House of Representatives, Mr Dutton said: 'Not just are we talking about the 84 out now and the eight about to be released, we're now talking about a pipeline of 340 people and potentially more beyond that.

'Potentially more beyond that,' he reiterated.

Mr Dutton declined to go into too much detail about the offenders who could potentially soon be free, but he revealed that he was the minister who decided to keep many of them in detention 'on multiple occasions'.

'I can tell you that these people have offended against multiple Australians,' he said.

'We're not talking about some people who have had some indiscretion under the law.

'These are people who have committed serious offences and the likelihood of them re-offending is very, very high.'

During Question Time on Thursday, led by Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles while PM Anthony Albanese attends APEC in San Francisco, Immigration Minister Andrew Giles was peppered with tough questions about the fiasco.

Mr Dutton declined to go into too much detail about the offenders who could potentially soon be free, but he revealed that he was the minister who decided to keep many of them in detention 'on multiple occasions'

Question Time on Thursday was led by Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles while PM Anthony Albanese attends APEC in San Francisco

One question in particular called on Mr Giles to confirm whether he has offered any assistance to a rape victim who said she 'immediately began crying, and felt a numbness' when she learned her rapist had been freed after the High Court decision.

Mr Giles said: 'The thoughts of every member in this place go out to that victim and with all victims who may be affected by these issues.

'Of course, I cannot comment on individual cases.'

Mr Dutton followed up with a question of his own to Mr Marles, asking whether the government will make an effort to 'contact each of the victims of these 84 individuals and, in the case where the victim is deceased, the victim's family'.

Mr Marles said Labor would 'make our best efforts to communicate with the families of victims, not only around the circumstances of the release, but the steps the government is now taking in accordance with legislation'.

This legislation will move laws imposing strict conditions such as ankle-tracking devices and curfews on the former detainees.

Mr Giles said: 'The thoughts of every member in this place go out to that victim and with all victims who may be affected by these issues'

The legislation passed the House this morning and the Senate is expected to sit late to get it through, however proposed amendments could see this delayed until late tonight.

Greens immigration spokesman Nick McKim said the 'draconian laws' would provide the minister with powers never before seen in Australia.

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'It is an utter disgrace, an abject craven capitulation by a party (Labor) that has forgotten where it has come from, and forgotten what it used to stand for,' he said.

The laws would create a two-tiered justice system for some migrants and refugees in comparison with Australians, he said.

The immigration minister said the measures such as electronic monitoring and curfews would not apply to all of the former detainees and assessments would be carried out to identify those at the greatest risk of reoffending.

'These measures are consistent with the legitimate objective of community safety and the rights and interests of the public,' Mr Giles said.

New visa requirements for the released detainees will force them to notify the government on a change of address, or any association with clubs or organisations or individuals involved in illegal activity.

Each breach of the new visa conditions would carry with it a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
An investigation into an alleged arson attack at a popular burger outlet has 'stalled', with police saying there is no evidence it was racially motivated and the owner yet to provide a statement.

Victoria's Chief Commissioner, Shane Patton, revealed in an ABC Radio interview that investigators are no closer to finding a motivation behind the attack which saw the Burgertory restaurant in Caulfield, Melbourne, burnt to the ground on November 10.

Burgertory's CEO Hash Tayeh, 32, had previously speculated the crime must have been politically motivated due to his strong pro-Palestinian stance.

Mr Tayeh, a Palestinian-Australian, has moved his family to a safe house since the attack which was allegedly followed by violent threats towards him.

But the threats have not yet been substantiated with police saying the entrepreneur has yet to officially report them.

Victoria's Police Commissioner, Shane Patton, has revealed that investigators are no closer to finding a reason for the November 10 arson attack which burnt a Burgertory restaurant to the ground in Caulfield, Melbourne

Burgertory CEO Hash Tayeh, 32, has speculated that the attack was racially motivated and likely due to his strong pro-Palestinian stance in recent weeks

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Cmsr Patton said investigations into the fire are ongoing.

'The investigation is a very active one at the moment. We are informed by the investigators and so Im not going to go in any great detail other than there is nothing to suggest it is a prejudice-motivated crime,' he said.

The commissioner also said that his department is 'very happy' to look into any threats of violence that Mr Tayeh has received if he would like to report them.

'We're happy to investigate any and all allegations of any threats. But we dont do so until we get a statement from someone. Weve invited Mr Tayeh to come in. That hasnt occurred, for whatever reason,' Mr Patton said.

So far one person has been investigated in regards to threats against Mr Tayeh which began when he was filmed leading a march at a pro-Palestinian rally in Melbourne's CBD three weeks ago.

The local celebrity was quickly recognised as the man behind a megaphone chanting: 'From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.'

Some interpret the rallying cry as anti-Semitic, as it effectively calls for the abolishment of Israel by extending the Palestinian state from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea.

In the weeks since, Mr Tayeh penned an open letter to Melbourne's Jewish community clarifying his stance while continuing to appear at Palestinian rallies.

Last Friday, two hooded figures were caught on CCTV appearing to set fire to his restaurant before fleeing in a car.

Mr Tayeh had already claimed that his staff were being threatened by select customers and told that they were working 'for a terrorist'.

Police quickly cordoned off the area but were unable to quell community tension when pro-Palestinian activists began appearing near the location.

Dual protests were organised by both Israeli and Palestinian supporters and despite Mr Tayeh's pleas for activists to stay home, 400 people showed up, with some participants needing to be separated by police after physical clashes.

A nearby synagogue was evacuated when the group got too close, with Jewish attendees being told to leave for their own safety.

Two hooded figures were caught on CCTV on the morning of Friday November 10 hurling objects through the restaurant's window before it went up in flames

Police have been unable to connect the crime to any racial prejudice and a GoFundMe has been established on behalf of Mr Tayeh to renew the now-destroyed building

Since going into hiding Mr Tayeh's lawyer has said that his client is 'very concerned by the lack of communication and support from police'.

'He is yet to be contacted by police despite his continual reach out to them. The investigating police are yet to request the threats made to him despite his lawyers reaching out to them,' lawyer Moustafa Kheir told The Age.

Mr Kheir claimed that it was the police who had stalled the investigation as they had not inquired about the threats that Mr Tayeh had received.

Although Mr Patton confirmed that his team is yet to link the arson attack to any racial motivation, Mr Tayeh has remained ardent in his belief that it was a hate crime.

'One would excuse Mr Tayeh for believing there was a connection between the threats he was receiving and [the] torching of his business,' his lawyer said.

Despite Mr Kheir's statement insisting that police had not contacted his client, Mr Patton said that detectives from the Moorabbin crime investigation unit spoke to him on Wednesday.

Investigations into the matter continue.

A GoFundMe has also since been launched on behalf of Mr Tayeh which hopes to fund the reconstruction of the now-destroyed Caulfield restaurant.

More than $60,000 of the $300,000 that it will cost to repair the building has been raised in the six days since it began.

The fundraiser has attracted a mix of positive and negative comments towards Mr Tayeh from those who have donated.

'From the "River to the Sea" is a chant of genocide to destroy the Jewish State of Israel and is a hateful Jihadist ideology,' one person who donated $5 wrote.

'Hash experienced a hate crime, plain and simple. You deserve to be able to speak out and protest the genocide in Palestine without having to worry about your source of livelihood and the livelihood of your staff being threatened by psychopathic degenerates,' another wrote, after donating $100.

The fire at the Burgertory led to verbal and physical clashes between Israeli and Palestinian supporters in Caulfield
Federal authorities used diggers and spades and will resume the search Thursday

The FBI is digging up two horse farms in upstate New York as it searches for bodies potentially buried by the notorious Gambino mob crime family.

Federal authorities have turned their attention to the properties in Orange County amid an ongoing investigation into the crime syndicate.

They used shovels and diggers to comb the farm in Campbell Hall on Tuesday and one in Goshen on Wednesday.

It comes after ten people with connections to the Gambino organization were arrested on a slew of racketeering charges last week.

No bodies were found during the search on Wednesday, a source confirmed to NBC New York, however it is scheduled to resume on Thursday.

The FBI has begun digging up two farms in upstate New York as it looks for bodies potentially buried by the notorious Gambino crime family

The properties in Campbell Hall and Goshen were searched on Tuesday and Wednesday respectively but have so far not yielded any results

The search follows a raft of racketeering charges that have been brought against ten men linked to the Gambino crime syndicate

The FBI declined to reveal who they believe could be buried at the farms, which list a Giovanni DiLorenzo as the property owner, the outlet reports.

Salvatore DiLorenzo was named as among the ten alleged Gambino members on an explosive 16-page indictment which claimed the Sicilian syndicate used violence and intimidation to try and dominate New York's garbage hauling and demolition businesses.

Others charged were Vito Rappa, 46, and Francesco Vicari, 46 - who is known as 'Uncle Ciccio.'

Vincent Minsquero, 36, known as 'Vinny Slick,' Kyle Johnson, 46, known as 'Twin,' and Angelo Gradilone, 57, known as 'Fifi,' were also arrested.

The alleged captain of the Gambino crime ring - 52-year-old Joseph Lanni - was also charged with the slew of federal crimes. He is known by nicknames 'Joe Brooklyn,' and 'Mommino.'

Diego 'Danny' Tantillo, James LaForte and Robert Brooke were also charged.

The infamous Italian-American crime syndicate made up one of the 'Five Families' known for their racketeering, gambling and loansharking.

The defendants now variously face maximum sentences between 20 and 180 years' imprisonment if convicted.

Francesco Vicari, 46 - who is known as 'Uncle Ciccio' - is pictured in a detention memo cheering with a bottle of champagne after he successfully got a victim to make a payment of $4,000 in one of the crime family's alleged violent extortion plots

A metal bat discovered during a police raid, which was allegedly used to threaten John Doe 1

The stoop of John Doe 1's home up in flames on September 22, 2020. The victim was allegedly threatened, extorted, and physically intimidated by members of the family

Among the charges are allegations that Tantillo, Rappa, Vicari and Johnson threatened a man known as 'John Doe 1' 'with a bat', set fire to the steps to his home, damaged one of his carting trucks and violently assaulted one of his associates as part of a campaign of intimidation.

The individual was attacked with a hammer in 2020, with Johnson texting Tantillo three thumbs up emojis for his 'work today', according to prosecutors.

The indictment states that Tantillo and Vicari were captured on 'judicially-authorized wiretaps discussing threats they made to John Doe 1 and John Doe 1's father-in-law.'

Rappa stated that Vicari 'acted like the 'Last of the Samurai,' when he picked up a knife and directed John Doe 1's father-in-law to threaten to cut John Doe 1 in half in order to get him to make extortionate payments, according to the documents.

When the victim finally made a payment of $4,000 to Vicari, he and Rappa met and sent Tantillo a photo of Vicari raising a small champagne bottle, cheering in a toast.

The alleged incident is one of a host of violent extortion schemes linked to the defendants by investigators.

Nine of the defendants pleaded not guilty to their charges during a court appearance on Wednesday. LaForte was not arraigned because he is in jail in Pennsylvania, but will be arraigned another day.

After one of the John Doe's associates was attacked with a hammer and sent to hospital with serious injuries, Johnson texted Tantillo three thumbs up emojis for his 'work today'

James Smith, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the FBI, said as the arrests were announced: 'These defendants learned the hard way that the FBI is united with our law enforcement locally and internationally in our efforts to eradicate the insidious organized crime threat.

'Those arrested are alleged to have taken part in a racketeering conspiracy in an attempt to control the carting and demolition industries in the city.

'The FBI will continue to lead the fight against organized crime and ensure that individuals willing to cross the line face punishment in the criminal justice system.'

NYPD Commissioner Edward A. Caban also vowed to take down members of any organized crime group, wherever they operate.

He said Wednesday: 'Today's arrests should serve as a warning to others who believe they can operate in plain sight with apparent impunity  the NYPD and our law enforcement partners exist to shatter that notion.

'And we will continue to take down members of traditional organized crime wherever they may operate.'
A Florida teacher who was viscously beaten by a student has claimed she has been forced to live off donations after being put on unpaid leave by the school.

Joan Naydich was violently attacked by Brendan Depa, then 17 years old, at Matanzas High School in February after she told him to stop playing on his Nintendo Switch.

The autistic 6-foot 6-inch teen, now 18, was seen punching and kicking the educator in the back and head until she lay on the ground unconscious. He pleaded no contest as an adult for first-degree aggravated battery.

Naydich alleged she was placed on an unpaid leave of absence shortly after returning to work in August under a different title and has been surviving on charity from the community. Her gofundme campaign has raised $120,000 so far.

Her revelation comes weeks ahead of a court hearing where Depa is set to be sentenced and Naydich is calling on the former student to be locked up for the maximum of 30 years.

Florida teacher Joan Naydich, who was viscously beaten by a student, has claimed she has been forced to live off donations after being put on unpaid leave by the school

She was violently attacked by Brendan Depa, then 17, at Matanzas High School in February after she told him to stop playing on his Nintendo Switch

He pleaded no contest as an adult for first-degree aggravated battery. Pictured: Depa appears in a Florida court on October 30

Naydich suffered five broken ribs, a severe concussion and loss of hearing in one of her ears following the attack.

'I was attacked on February 21st and I feel like I'm just constantly being attacked,' she told Fox35.

The educator said she has been struggling to get her workers' compensation case resolved.

She claimed she returned to work in August under a different title but was placed on unpaid leave just a few days later.

Naydich said she is frustrated with the lack of support from the Flagler County school district. She also revealed she has not watched the harrowing video of her beating since it was released and does not want to.

Naydich said Depa was angry with another member of staff who did not allow him to play on his Nintendo Switch.

She confirmed she did not take his device from him before the attack.

She has visited several different doctors who are searching for a diagnosis for some of the neurological symptoms she now has.

Depa was seen punching and kicking the educator in the back and head until she lay on the ground unconscious

Naydich suffered five broken ribs, a severe concussion and loss of hearing in one of her ears following the attack

Naydich claimed her speech has slowed, she has issues with patience and frequently has difficulty with routine cognitive functions

'Everybody that knows me or knew me [before the attack], knows that I'm a totally different person now,' she said. 'My whole life was just turned upside down.'

Naydich claimed her speech has slowed, she has issues with patience and frequently has difficulty with routine cognitive functions.

'Unfortunately, a lot of my injuries that are not visible I'm going to have for the rest of my life,' she added.

Depa has pleaded no contest to the charge and now faces a sentence of up to 30 years in prison which is what Naydich wants.

She said she is willing to speak up at the court hearing if necessary.

'I want to make sure he is not able to walk the streets freely,' she added.

'I have no idea what closure looks like right now. I just want to be whole again.'

Depa had three prior battery arrests before the February attack and was in a prison fight in September, the Post reported.

He was led shackled into court in Florida wearing an orange jumpsuit on October 30 to plea to the charges. The minimum recommended prison sentence is just short of three years.

His lawyer, Kurt Teifke, sought to have him declared incompetent to stand trial, because he is autistic.

Naydich said she is frustrated with the lack of support from the Flagler County school district and that she is living off donations from the community

Depa is currently being held at the Flagler County jail on $1 million bond and his sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 31

A court-appointed psychologist found Depa was in fact competent to stand trial and Circuit Judge Terence Perkins will decided his fate early next year.

Depas family had hoped to minimize or eliminate prison time altogether and instead focus on probation and treatment for their son, but the prosecution appears to have been unwilling to negotiate.

Naydich has also 'shown no interest in mitigating what penalties Depa might face'.

He is currently being held at the Flagler County jail on $1 million bond and his sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 31.

DailyMail.com has contacted Flagler County school district for comment.
An Australian academic has been arrested on a tiny Pacific island two years after she vanished following a love triangle bloodbath which left her ex-partner a quadriplegic.

Dr Lisa Lines, 43, is being held on tiny 4km-long Koror, a lonely speck of land with a population of 18,024 in the Palau archipelago that is located 1,000km east of the Philippines in the Western Pacific Ocean.

The mother of two, who has a PhD in history and ran an academic editing business, disappeared in 2021, sparking an Interpol alert and an international manhunt until her arrest this week.

Her former lodger and secret lover, Zacharia Josef Bruckner, 36, was also arrested in Queensland on charges of attempted murder and conspiracy to murder.

The arrests follow an attack on Dr Lines' ex-partner Jonathon Hawtin, 30, in 2017. He was struck repeatedly on the neck and head by an axe, suffering devastating injuries.

Australian academic Dr Lisa Lines has been arrested on the tiny Pacific island of Palau two years after she vanished following a love triangle bloodbath which left her ex-partner a quadriplegic

Jonathon Hawtin (pictured) the father of Dr Lines' children, was left paralysed from the neck down and is now permanently confined to a wheelchair and requires round-the-clock care

Jonathon Hawtin was later charged with the attempted murder of Dr Lines' lodger and secret lover Zac Bruckner (pictured above) but a jury found him not guilty

Mr Hawtin, the father of Dr Lines' children, was left paralysed from the neck down and is now permanently confined to a wheelchair and requires round-the-clock care.

He was found in a pool of blood outside Dr Lines' home in Littlehampton in South Australia's Adelaide Hills in 2017, alongside Mr Bruckner, who had been shot in the stomach.

Both men blamed each other for the attack.

Bruckner had been living with and working for Dr Lines prior to the axe attack on Mr Hawtin, who she had split up with three months earlier.

Mr Hawtin was later charged with attempted murder for shooting Bruckner but was cleared of all charges in 2019 in a court case where Dr Lines was a witness.

During the four-week trial, it emerged Dr Lines wanted to separate from Mr Hawtin in June 2017, and two months later she started a relationship with Bruckner.

She denied she wanted Mr Hawtin 'out of the picture' to avoid ongoing shared custody of her children. She no longer dates Bruckner either, she said at the trial.

Dr Lisa Lines, 43, is being held on tiny 4km-long Koror, a lonely speck of land making up part of the Palau archipelago

A bloodied axe found at the home in Adelaide Hills

The mother of two, who has a PhD in history and ran an academic editing business, disappeared in 2021, sparking an Interpol alert and an international manhunt until her arrest this week

Dr Lines also refuted suggestions she was then involved in a relationship with a woman she met on a dating app.

The Supreme Court heard Mr Hawtin went to his ex-partners home to show Bruckner his gun collection before allegedly shooting him with a rifle.

The court was told Mr Hawtin suspected Bruckner had been having an affair with Dr Lines after he had been living with the couple for 'years'.

The couple insisted they did not begin a sexual relationship until August 2017 and believed they had kept it secret prior to the attack in October.

Mr Hawtin was found in a pool of blood outside Dr Lines' home in Littlehampton in South Australia 's Adelaide Hills in 2017

Dr Lisa Lines, 43, is being held on tiny 4km-long Koror, a lonely speck of land making up part of the Palau archipelago, population 18,024, lying 1,000km east of the Philippines and 1,000km north of Indonesia in the Western Pacific Ocean

South Australia Police Major Crime Investigation Branch launched a review into the case in 2020 and revealed in 2021 that Dr Lines had vanished overseas with her children.

A warrant for her arrest was issued in August 2022 and detectives used overseas police and federal authorities to track Dr Lines down to her remote Pacific hideaway home.

The warrant for her arrest alleges there was a second murder attempt on Mr Hawtin in January 2018, and an alleged plot with Bruckner to murder Mr Hawtin between December 2019 and August last year, reports the Adelaide Advertiser.

The warrant also alleges there was another murder plot to kill Mr Hawtin's mother Rhonda.

A suppression order prohibiting the publication of the details of the case was revoked on Thursday.
Elon Musk on Wednesday evening backtracked on his earlier endorsement of an antisemitic post, clarifying that calls for 'a Jewish genocide' were 'unacceptable to any reasonable person' - but then resuming his long-running series of attacks on the antisemitism watchdog ADL.

Musk, currently in San Francisco for the APEC summit, was accused on Wednesday afternoon of promoting antisemitism after replying to a racist post with the comment: 'You have said the actual truth.'

He then, two hours later, wrote: ''decolonization' necessarily implies a Jewish genocide, thus it is unacceptable to any reasonable person.'

Musk, who has been strongly criticized by the Anti-Defamation League and Israel's Foreign Ministry for his past remarks, then attacked the ADL, accusing them of racism.

'And, at the risk of being repetitive, I am deeply offended by ADL's messaging and any other groups who push de facto anti-white racism or anti-Asian racism or racism of any kind,' he said.

'I'm sick of it. Stop now.'

A pro-Palestine protester is seen in San Francisco on Tuesday, as the APEC summit began

Musk sparked the firestorm on Wednesday by responding to a man who posted a screed on X criticizing a Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism campaign video.

In the video, a father is seen talking to his son about the online hatred the son has spewed, and calling him out for his rhetoric.

The X user dismissed the video, writing: 'Jewish communties (sic) have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them.

'I'm deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest s*** now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realization that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country don't exactly like them too much.

'You want truth said to your face, there it is.'

Musk, who has 163 million followers, replied: 'You have said the actual truth.'

Elon Musk, pictured on November 2 speaking to British prime minister Rishi Sunak, said the online commentator accusing Jewish people of hating white people was speaking 'actual truth'

Pro-Palestine protesters are seen in London on November 15

Demonstrators demanding the U.S. government call for a ceasefire are pictured on November 15 in New York City

DailyMail.com has approached Musk for comment, and received in reply: 'Busy now, please check back later.'

Musk has a long history of toying with dog-whistle rhetoric about Jewish people, in particular George Soros, who enraged him in May by selling his Tesla stock.

He has also angered people with his response to the Israel-Hamas war.

In the days after the October 7 Hamas terror attack, Musk was forced to delete a tweet which recommended an anti-Semitic account and a promoter of debunked videos as reliable sources of information about the attack on Israel.

The owner of X, formerly Twitter, faced a furious backlash after telling his 159 million followers that the accounts @WarMonitors and @sentdefender were 'good' for 'following the war in real time'.

Followers were quick to point out that @WarMonitors has repeatedly used 'jew' as a term of abuse on the platform, telling New York supermarket boss Avi Kaner to 'mind your own business, jew'.

'The guy Musk recommends for information on the Israel-Hamas escalation is an anti-Semitic account with a history of spreading misinformation,' wrote Sam Sokol of Israeli newspaper Haaretz.

On Halloween, Musk appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast and repeated his long-running criticism of the 93-year-old billionaire financier, who has for decades backed progressive causes.

Soros, born in Budapest, survived the Nazi occupation of Hungary and moved first to Britain, then the United States, where he began his hugely-influential philanthropy.

'He is I believe the top contributor to the Democratic party,' Musk told Rogan. 'The second one was Sam Bankman-Fried.

'And Soros, he had a very difficult upbringing.

'In my opinion, he fundamentally hates humanity. That's my opinion.'

Musk said that he was deeply opposed to Soros' work backing progressive district attorneys, who pursued policies he saw as soft on crime.

'He's doing things that erode the fabric of civilization - getting DAs elected who refuse to prosecute crime,' said Musk.

'That's part of the problem in San Francisco, and LA, and a bunch of other cities.

'So why would you do that?'

Rogan asked: 'Is it humanity, or just the United States?'

Musk said it was worldwide.

'He's pushing things in other countries as well,' Musk said.

Elon Musk on Tuesday appeared on Joe Rogan's podcast, smoking a cigar and drinking what looked to be whisky

Joe Rogan appeared in drag for the Halloween podcast recording

Elon Musk bet Joe Rogan $1 an arrow wouldn't penetrate the Cybertruck 



From https://t.co/11TW5Iupfk pic.twitter.com/J5a4aIkiIe  Dirty Tesla (@DirtyTesLa) October 31, 2023

George Soros, 93, has angered Elon Musk with his progressive policies

Musk told Rogan that he thought Soros was 'basically a bit senile at this point' - in June, Soros handed control of the Open Society Foundations and the rest of his $25 billion empire to his 37-year-old son, Alex.

The foundation directs about $1.5 billion a year to groups such as those backing human rights around the world and helping build democracies. Alex Soros said he intends to broaden the foundation's priorities to include voting and abortion rights as well as gender equity.

Musk said that the elder Soros had been 'very smart' in using his money to achieve his goals.

'He's very good at arbitrage - famously he shorted the British pound,' explained Musk. 'That's how I think he made his first money.

Arbitrage is spotting value for money that other people don't see.

'And one of the things he noticed is that the value for money in local races is much higher than it is in national races.

'The lowest value for money is a presidential race. Then next lowest value for money is a senate race, then a congress.

'And when you get to city and state district attorneys the value for money is extremely good.'

Musk said that Soros found he could help push policies he approved of through local officials.

'Soros realized that you don't have to actually change the laws,' said Musk.

'You just need to change how they are enforced.

'If nobody chooses to enforce the laws, or the laws are differentially enforced, then its like changing the laws.'

Musk has previously compared Soros to X-Men supervillain Magneto - a character who manipulates the world and thinks mutants should be in charge, rather than humans.

He made the comments on Twitter in May, following the announcement that Soros' investment fund had dumped all of their Tesla stock.

Elon Musk was interviewed on CNBC and was asked about his remarks about George Soros, giving a bizarre rambling reply

George Soros, a Hungarian-born Billionaire, heads the Open Society Foundation and is a Holocaust survivor. His foundation backs progressive politicians

Musk responded to Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League, saying that the South African-born billionaire was not anti-Semitic, but his remarks were dangerous.

'He's arguably the most influential person on the planet controlling what's essentially our public square. When he repeats conspiracy theories, that feeds the extremists,' said Greenblatt.

Musk replied: 'In fairness, I must concede that Joel has a good point and I will endeavor to be more thoughtful in the future.'

He later corrected to tweet to say 'Jonathan'.

Musk continued: 'Comic book analogies are obviously imperfect, to say the least.

'Just because George Soros can bend metal using his mind doesn't mean he's Magneto!!

'Anyway, my actual concern with Soros is that he has funded so many politicians & DAs who are soft even on violent crime, which has caused great damage to many cities imo.

'Also, while I am very much in favor of expanding legal immigration, we must have some vetting of who comes in, so that we do not allow dangerous felons to prey upon innocent Americans.'

The Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that Musk's tweet had resulted in a flood of conspiracy theories and the hashtag 'The Jews' to trend on the platform.

Researchers at Beam found in June that the volume of English-language antisemitic tweets has more than doubled since the company's takeover by Musk in October 2022.

He has threatened to sue anti-hate organization the Anti-Defamation League for defamation after it criticized him for allowing anti-Semitic content online, but insists he is 'against antisemitism of any kind'.

In September, Musk swerved the topic of antisemitism when asked during an interview with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister.

Musk would not address the subject, other than saying he is 'obviously against' it, and spoke more generally about 'hate speech' instead.

Netanyahu previously came to Musk's defense when he was accused of repeating discriminatory tropes about Jewish financier George Soros, and he introduced the subject by reiterating his belief that the Tesla boss does not have anti-Jewish views.

Elon Musk declined to address anti-Semitism on X when Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu broached the subject during their live-streamed discussion

A huge crowd of protesters gathered in San Francisco's Union Square close to where Musk and Netanyahu were meeting to demonstrate their opposition to his reforms - and to Musk giving him a platform

'I know of your opposition to anti-Semitism,' the 73-year-old Israeli leader told Musk during their X discussion.

'All I can say is I hope you can find within the confines of the First Amendment the ability to stop not only antisemitism or roll it back as best you can, but any collective hatred of a people that anti-Semitism represents.'

'Obviously I'm against anti-Semitism,' Musk replied. 'I'm anti really anything that promotes hate and conflict, and I'm in favor that which helps society and takes us to a better future for humanity collectively.'

But the SpaceX boss didn't elaborate or defend his controversial statements about Soros, including comparing him to X-Men supervillain Magneto - a character who manipulates the world and thinks mutants should be in charge rather than humans.

Speaking about hate speech generally on X, he said: 'It's important to bear in mind that there are 550 million monthly users, now maybe going to 600 million monthly users.

'On any given day there's on the order of 100 to 200 million posts to the system. This is a lot of material. Some of those are going to be bad.

'You can't police it in advance, but you can say after the fact 'oh it's getting reported as hate speech'.

'We're not going to promote speech because that's probably not what people want to hear.'
A 12-year-old girl charged with the fatal stabbing of an older woman had allegedly 'fallen through the cracks' of state care and had been 'running wild' for years.

Emergency services were called to the former Royal Hotel pub in Footscray at about 2am on Thursday following reports of an altercation and the discovery of a 37-year-old woman who had been allegedly stabbed to death.

The girl, who cannot be identified because of her age, was arrested at the scene and taken to the hospital for medical assessment, where she remains under police guard.

She was charged with one count of murder on Thursday night.

Now, it has emerged the girl has an intellectual age of six and had repeatedly gone missing from her state care for days at a time, The Herald Sun reported.

Homicide detectives remain at a inner-city hostel in Melbourne where a woman was allegedly stabbed to death early Thursday morning

The hostel on Footscray's main street remains cordoned off following the fatal stabbing

One source even told the paper the girl was 'prostituted out' - or forced to undertake sex work - and was known to Victoria Police.

A youth worker told the paper they had 'never seen a worse example' of a child being failed by the state.

'No one has done anything about this kids welfare for the past 12 months,' he said.

'People have called the police about this girl and she has fallen through the cracks.

'This is a welfare issue and no one has picked up on it.'

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing  which is responsible for children in state care  refused to comment.

The child has an intellectual age of six and had repeatedly gone missing from her state care for days at a time

The former historic pub on Barkly Street is now understood to be a hostel.

It's understood an altercation allegedly broke out on the upper floors which now contain apartments.

Homicide detectives and forensic officers remained at the cordoned off crime scene near Footscray's main shopping strip on Thursday morning.

'Investigators are attempting to establish if the parties were known to each other,' a police spokesperson said.

Police urge anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.

Homicide detectives are still trying to establish whether the woman and girl were known to each other. Pictured are police at the crime scene

It's understood an altercation allegedly broke out in the hostel on the upper floors, where the building has been converted into apartments

Local business owners were shocked to hear about the incident but noted an increase in crime in the past few years.

'After the pandemic people are just so agro, I don't know what's going on, they get heated up so quickly,' one woman said.

'I had an incident just last night where someone tried to kick in the windows to my shop, I reported it to the police.'
A state government has defended spending $300,000 on adding one word to the title of a department.

Western Australia's Energy Minister Bill Johnston said adding the word 'energy' to the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety was 'low cost' but had 'high strategic impact'.

The newly titled, Department of Energy, Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety will require rebranding with its commonly used acronym changing from DMIRS to DEMIRS on signage, websites, letterheads and other material.

The signage for the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation and Safety will need to be updated with a new word at a cost of $300,000

READ MORE: Government spent over $45,000 in 12 months on Welcome to Country ceremonies as debate erupts over the ritual Advertisement

Mr Johnston told Parliament on Thursday the change reflects the importance of the state's energy sector.

'There is no structural change underpinning this decision  it is low cost but high strategic impact,' he said.

'It publicly and strongly demonstrates the priority this Government places on energy and the energy transition.'

Earlier this week Mr Johnston claimed that when the previous Coalition Barnett government changed the name of the Office of Energy to the Public Utilities Office, energy policy 'stopped being a priority'.

'The decision to include energy in the name completes the emphasis on energy policy that has occurred during the life of this Labor Government, which ensures our transition to a low carbon future is properly recognised,' he said.

Western Australian Premier Roger Cook says the state is committed to becoming net zero

The Cook Government committed $2.8 billion in the last state Budget to renewable energy.

It aims for the energy sector to reach net zero by 2050.

Premier Roger Cook has admitted the state has a way to go to reach that target.

'We have some high energy intensity industries, but in addition to that, we have the critical minerals and the green manufacturing capacity which will help the globe reduce its overall emissions,' Mr Cook said on Thursday.

'So while you might see a growth in emissions as a result of, for instance, green steel being produced in Western Australia, the globe itself will deeply benefit from a dramatic reduction in emissions.'
Authorities have seized more than $1billion worth of fake items from storage units in New York City making it one of the largest counterfeit busts in American history.

Around 219,000 fake items, including handbags, shoes, clothes and other accessories, were recovered following a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations agents and the New York City Police Department.

The items were worth more than $1billlion, officials said.

Adama Sow, 38, and Abdulai Jalloh, 48, were arrested in connection with the operation, according to the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York on Wednesday.

The pair allegedly ran the scheme out of a storage facility in Manhattan from January through to October.

Photos show the units were filled to the brim with thousands of counterfeit products from a variety of luxury brands.

Roughly 219,000 fake items were recovered following a joint investigation by Homeland Security Investigations agents and the NYPD

Adama Sow, 38, and Abdulai Jalloh, 48, were arrested in connection with the operation, according to the US Attorneys Office for the Southern District of New York on Wednesday

The fake goods worth $1.03billion were recently seized from storage units at Gotham Mini Storage.

Images released by the US Attorneys Office show the units controlled by Jalloh heavily stocked with clothes, shoes and handbags.

Officers seized 50,000 items with a street value of over $237million.

The units controlled by Sow had dozens of unopened boxes lining the floor that amounted to 83,000 items worth over $502millon.

In another room, clothes were hanging off pipes coming down from the ceiling and were surrounded by a sea of counterfeit handbags.

'As alleged, the defendants used a Manhattan storage facility as a distribution center for massive amounts of knock-off designer goods,' US Attorney Damian Williams said in a statement.

'The seizures announced today consist of merchandise with over a billion dollars in estimated retail value, the largest-ever seizure of counterfeit goods in U.S. history.'

Prosecutors have also accused Jalloh, of Manhattan, of selling fake goods out of another off-site location in the city.

Authorities seized more than $1billion worth of fake items from storage units in New York City making it one of the largest counterfeit busts in American history

An NYPD truck hauling off hundreds of the illegal merchandise that was being sold on Canal Street in August

He and Sow, of Queens, have been charged with trafficking in counterfeit goods and could face a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison if convicted.

NYPD Commissioner Edward Caban said: 'The trafficking of counterfeit goods is anything but a victimless crime because it harms legitimate businesses, governments, and consumers.

'Todays indictments show how seriously the NYPD and our federal partners take this offense.'

HSI Special Agent in Charge Ivan J. Arvelo said: 'Today's groundbreaking announcement underscores the unwavering commitment of HSI New York in the fight against intellectual property theft and serves as a testament to the dedication of our team and partner agencies, who have tirelessly pursued justice, culminating in the largest-ever seizure of this kind.'
Do YOU know any of the people in the images? Email tips@dailymail.com

MPs vented their fury today after police stood by as pro-Palestinian protesters scaled a war memorial following Parliament's vote against a ceasefire in Gaza - as the Met apologised for 'not being able to respond quickly enough'.

Footage shows a mob of flag-waving demonstrators climbing on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, which was covered with poppy wreaths from remembrance weekend.

A group of officers appeared to simply watch on as the offensive scenes unfolded, despite a dispersal order being in place. Today, the Met expressed its 'regret' for the way officers handled the incident but insisted no laws had been broken.

Home Secretary James Cleverly, who served in the Royal Artillery, called the demonstration as 'deeply disrespectful' and suggested laws could be changed to give police powers to prevent protesters clambering over war memorials.

Meanwhile, Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said: 'There is only one memorial of fallen soldiers in London. I will not stand idly by whilst individuals think this is the correct way to treat these memorials.'

Another video from last night showed activists swarming a couple's car by Trafalgar Square and shouting abuse at them. Officers eventually intervened to allow them to pass through, as separate footage showed them running to protect the Cenotaph.

The pro-Palestine march on Parliament was advertised as long ago as Tuesday. A dispersal order was in place across parts of Westminster from 7.50pm yesterday to 2am today. Roads around Buckingham Palace remained closed as of 7am today, causing travel chaos during the morning commute.

Do YOU know any of the people in the images? Email tips@dailymail.com

A group of police officers appeared to simply watch on as pro-Palestinian protesters climbed on the Royal Artillery memorial at Hyde Park Corner

A Met liaison officer in a blue vest was seen appealing for the protesters to come down

Today, the Met expressed its 'regret' for the way officers handled the incident but insisted no laws had been broken

Footage shows a sea of flag-waving protesters chanting 'free Palestine' as they clambered over the hallowed site

Another video from last night showed activists swarming a couple's car by Trafalgar Square and shouting abuse at them

Protesters climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial yesterday evening following a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament after MPs slapped down SNP calls for a ceasefire despite a major Labour rebellion against Sir Keir Starmer.

History of the Royal Artillery Memorial The Royal Artillery Memorial commemorates the 49,076 soldiers of the Royal Artillery killed in the First World War. The static nature of trench combat meant heavy guns played a significant role in 'softening up' enemy positions before troops moved in. Designed by Charles Sargeant Jagger and Lionel Pearson, the memorial was funded largely by public donations and unveiled in 1925. It consists of a Portland stone base supporting a one-third over-lifesize sculpture of a howitzer - which Jagger based on one in the Imperial War Museum. In 2010, art critic Brian Sewell named it among the world's top 10 sculptures. 'Charles Sergeant Jagger's Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner is, as a sculptural monument, mausoleum and cenotaph, so fit for purpose, so handsome, so modern that it makes Henry Moore seem shallow and Picasso frivolous,' he wrote. 'Erected in 1925, it functions not only as a cenotaph but as the emplacement of a huge howitzer carved and constructed in the same stone, seeming to grow organically from it and equally abstract. 'The howitzer is at a firing angle, pointing towards Victoria Station, while the flanks of the cenotaph are carved with extensive low reliefs illustrating the work of the artillery, and the four great bronze figures.' Advertisement

Mr Cleverly, who served in the Royal Artillery, told LBC Radio this morning: 'We are absolutely determined to look at this. (Veterans minister) Johnny Mercer, a former gunner officer  the Royal Artillery was my regiment as well, that's my regimental memorial.'

'I'm not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgement on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials.

The Home Secretary added: 'We have made a commitment to review the legislation around public order policing.

'If the police  and I'm going to look at this in real detail  if the police need more powers to make sure that really deeply distasteful, provocative things like that do not happen for the public good, because of course this is about making sure it doesn't stimulate violent action or any kind of violent responses, but if we need to take action specifically to give police more powers, we are looking at doing that.'

Charlie Gilmour, the son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, was jailed for 16 months in 2011 after he was pictured swinging from the Union Jack on the Cenotaph.

He also leapt on the bonnet of a car, kicked in a Topshop window and set fire to papers outside the Supreme Court. A judge said he was guilty of 'outrageous and deeply offensive behaviour', although he was never actually charged with attacking the Cenotaph.

Mr Cleverly's fury has been echoed by servicemen and veterans across the country with a source within the Royal Artillery telling MailOnline today: 'What happened was an absolute disgrace. It was sickening to see.

'This memorial is something close and dear to the heart of every Gunner in the British Army. It honours the memories of the 49,076 men from the Royal Regiment of Artillery who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War.

'To see it desecrated like this by political activists is appalling.'

But a statement from the police said the protesters - who were breakaway group who had been dispersed at Hyde Park Corner - had not broken any laws by scaling the memorial.

Scotland Yard said: 'We know some online have asked why the protesters were not arrested. There is no law explicitly making it illegal to climb on a memorial so officers cannot automatically arrest, but they can intervene and make it clear the behaviour isn't acceptable. The videos shared online show them doing that.'

'Most people would agree that to climb on or otherwise disrespect a war memorial is unacceptable,' the statement continued.

'That is why our officers have made every effort to prevent it happening in recent days. While officers were on scene quickly, we regret they were not there quickly enough to prevent the protesters accessing the memorial.'

Police said one arrest had been made at the protest for possession of an offensive weapon.

The pro-Palestine march on Parliament was advertised as long ago as Tuesday

A dispersal order was in place across parts of the City of Westminster from 7.50pm yesterday to 2am today. Pictured are the poppies laid by the Royal Artillery Memorial

Police said the protesters who climbed on the memorial were a breakaway group who had been dispersed at Hyde Park Corner.

A protester wearing the Palestinian flag and carrying a 'Free Palestine' placard is pictured scaling the Royal Artillery Memorial in London last night

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Parliament Square, Westminster last night as MPs prepared to vote on a call for a ceasefire in the Israel

Police stood guard outside the Houses of Parliament last night as pro-Palestine protesters marched on Downing Street after British MPs rejected an amendment to King's Speech by Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

Thousands protested outside of Parliament yesterday to demand that there is a vote for a ceasefire in Gaza

A woman lights flare as thousands protest outside of Parliament on Wednesday night

A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag as police stand guard outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday night

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has said 'a spiral of disrespect' cannot be allowed to develop between the Government and the police, following intense political pressure over protest marches.

Speaking at a policing conference in Westminster, Ms Cooper called the attacks by former home secretary Suella Braverman on the Metropolitan Police last week 'a disgrace'.

Mrs Braverman took the extraordinary step of writing an article for the Times, accusing the force of showing bias in favour of left-wing protesters.

That was after she had pressed for Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to ban a pro-Palestine demonstration in central London, which she branded a hate march.

Her successor, Mr Cleverly, whom Ms Cooper said is likely to take 'a very different approach', is due to speak at the same conference later today.

Ms Cooper told delegates: 'The attacks on you by Suella Braverman were a total disgrace. Suella Braverman is not home secretary anymore, rightly...

'But this is actually too important just to move on, to dismiss this as an aberration.

'Because I said repeatedly in the comments that I made on the disgraceful Suella Braverman article, no home secretary ever before would ever have done this. And that's true. But now our home secretary has done this.

'And we cannot let this spiral into a spiral of disrespect between policing and between the Home Office ministers.'

She accused Prime Minster Rishi Sunak of being irresponsible in also putting pressure on the Met over the protests.

'The Prime Minister... also got drawn into her approach, putting public and theatrical pressure on the Met Commissioner for the sake of headlines. I believe that was irresponsible.

'The policing minister also tried to defend the claim that police pick favourites. That is not good enough.'

Protesters wave flags and flares during a pro-Palestinian protest in front of the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday night

Pro-Palestine protesters marched on Downing Street after British MPs rejected an amendment to the King's Speech by the SNP

Protesters wave flags during a pro-Palestinian protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in London on Wednesday

Thousands protest outside of Parliament to demand that there is a vote for a ceasefire

A man waves a Palestinian flag as protesters march through Parliament Square yesterday

Demonstrators react to the result of a vote in Parliament during a Wednesday night protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza

Activists shout into megaphones as thousands protest outside of Parliament to demand a ceasefire in Gaza

Demonstrators will return to Britain's streets again this weekend as protests have been planned all across the country.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), lead organiser of five consecutive weekly marches, said it planned to return to the capital at a later date but was pausing action because of the toll coordinating them had taken.

About 700,000 people are thought to have attended the march on Armistice Day, which saw violent clashes between counter-protesters and police, with 18 officers injured.

Police made 145 arrests and seven people were charged following what was by far the most violent of the five weekly protests.

But this weekend the focus will switch from the capital to smaller regional marches, vigils and speeches across the country in what could prove a challenge for local forces.

Rallies will take place in towns and cities including Newcastle, Oxford, Nottingham, Birmingham and Bristol.

National Police Chiefs' Council chairman Gavin Stephens said he was confident forces were well equipped to deal with the scattered demonstrations.

'A huge amount of work is taking place to protect the public, engage with local groups, police protests and take swift and robust action where free speech crosses the line into criminality,' he added.

'We are not anti-protest, but we are anti-crime - be that hate crime, public order offences or any other form of criminality.'

Thousands of people attended the pro-Palestinian march in London last Saturday, November 11

Protesters marched through central London towards the US Embassy in solidarity with the Palestinian people

Counter-protesters clash with police near Parliament Square, London on Armistice Day

The Metropolitan Police said its officers were spat at, knocked to the ground, punched and hit by fireworks, bottles and beer cans during the ugly clashes on Saturday. Pictured: Officers arrest a man on a street in Westminster on Saturday following clashes

In addition to the need for vigilance around hate crimes and incidents of anti-Semitism, forces will have to be conscious of the possibility of more clashes with far-Right counter-protesters.

The Metropolitan Police said its officers were spat at, knocked to the ground, punched and hit by fireworks, bottles and beer cans during the ugly clashes on Saturday.

Officers on the frontline suffered dislocations and broken bones, a spokesman said.

Assistant commissioner Matt Twist described the extreme violence from far-Right protesters towards police as 'extraordinary and deeply concerning.' Sergeant Lee Smith was struck in the face by a can of beer, which cut his mouth and split open his lip.

'The can hit me and I stumbled back and it felt like I had been punched in the face. It was a really horrible situation, but I didn't want to go to hospital and leave my team,' he said.

'I looked around and could see a lot of our younger officers were worried, and it's not fair that they're subjected to that.

'We were isolated and holding the line, but I was proud of our officer's resilience when responding to the events over the weekend.' In addition to the violence from the counter-protesters, groups splintered from the main demonstration and caused more trouble - including a gang of about 150 who shot fireworks in officers' faces.

The Met said it was 'continuing to support' 18 officers who were injured on Saturday, including nine from other forces. Pictured are police near Parliament Square

Tens of thousands of people have turned up on the streets of London on Saturday

People set off fireworks during the main pro-Palestinian march in London on Saturday evening

Protesters hold flares during the pro-Palestinian protest in London on Saturday

A counter-protester is detained by police in Parliament Square in central London on Saturday

A PSC spokesman confirmed there would be a pause this weekend on a large march in London but there would be more until Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza.

'From a logistical point of view, doing the national London marches is putting a huge strain on resources and supporters,' they said.

'But it is also strategic and will allow us to involve and empower more people throughout the country, not just those who can come to London.

'We want to take the message far and wide, particularly in terms of MP constituencies which adds to the political pressure for a ceasefire.'
Some locals in a small South Australian town are up in arms and demanding compensation from telecommunications giant Telstra after a rolling network outage disrupted coverage from last week.

Port Pirie businesswoman and Telstra customer Claire Marks, who used to run a fish and chip and pizza shop in the 14,000-strong town, said the outage had disrupted her plans to list her father's home for sale.

'It's been a nightmare,' she said.

'The only way I could communicate with the real estate agent was to go into the office and speak to him.

'It just made life difficult, we had to do things in person.

'Little things like trying to sign the authority (for the real estate agent), I couldn't sign the authority because I couldn't download the email.'

She said she had heard from several businesses in town who had suffered losses from the outage.

'They did struggle,' she said.

'Some of them mentioned to me they lost business.'

Rolling outages hit Port Pirie, located on South Australias Spencer Gulf, after Telstra moved to upgrade its network in the area. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Rnae, a worker at Carpet Court on Ellen St, said the outage had likely 'pushed back' business, though she said she couldn't assign a dollar value to any potential losses.

'We haven't been able to send out quotes, receive payments, our phone calls haven't been going through,' she said, adding that her views were her own and not the official position of the business.

'It has irritated customers and it has irritated us.

'And it's not a great time of year for this to be happening.

'Everyone wants stuff done before Christmas, they want their houses looking pretty for Christmas.'

The outages started last week as Telstra moved to upgrade its mobile site at Port Pirie.

The company is bringing 5G coverage to the region, which Telstra regional general manager Michael Patterson said would deliver faster speeds and higher capacity for customers.

Telstra said the upgrade would deliver faster speeds and higher capacity for residents in the region. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Clark

The $44.5bn ASX-listed company notified customers via SMS of the impending upgrade, beginning on November 9, and possible impacts to coverage but some residents claim they did not receive notification beforehand.

Rachel-Bonnie Moyle posted to Facebook a notification message she received from Telstra dated November 14.

Ms Marks said compensation was owed to affected Telstra customers.

'Optus people, they lost service for one day and Optus have compensated them, giving them free internet until the end of the year,' she said.

'Telstra customers have been given nothing, no rebates, no offers of compensation, and it's been 11 days.'

Briony Masters said she got $30 off her bill after lodging a complaint.

ASX-listed Telstra is Australias largest telecommunications company with a market capitalisation of $44.5bn. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Crosling

'For anyone with Telstra. Ring and complain about the service disruption. I did and got $30 off my bill,' she said in a social media post.

'Big companies that make huge profits each year, should compensate their customers.'

Mr Patterson said any compensation claims would be considered on a 'case-by-case' basis.

'Landline and nbn services were not affected at any stage,' he said.

'Services came back online this afternoon and some final tests and tweaks should be finished by this evening.

'There's never a good time to undertake this sort of work and we thank everyone for their patience.

'The completed upgrade will now be delivering a much better, faster service for customers in the area.'
One of Britain's top generals locked away evidence of SAS soldiers claiming to have executed hundreds of handcuffed prisoners in Afghanistan instead of handing it to the police, BBC Panorama has reported.

General Gwyn Jenkins - now the second most senior officer in the armed forces - allegedly received written accounts in 2011 of conversations in which SAS members described extrajudicial killings.

But rather than handing the evidence to military police, he put it in a classified dossier and locked it in a safe, it is claimed.

Gen Jenkins made the classified dossier in April 2011 after briefing his superior, former head of special forces Gen Jonathan Page, about the nature of the evidence, according to the report.

It remained in a safe for four years until a whistleblower told the Royal Military Police about it.

General Gwyn Jenkins - now the second most senior officer in the armed forces - with former Defence Secretary Ben Wallace in January

The alleged failure to disclose the dossier has already been heard in court but the identities of Gen Jenkins and Gen Page were unknown after being withheld by the Ministry of Defence, according to the BBC.

In March 2011, Gen Jenkins was commanding officers of the Special Boat Service.

That month, an officer reported a conversation in which an SAS member had allegedly confessed that his comrades were unlawfully killing unarmed people during nighttime raids.

READ MORE - SAS headquarters 'deleted computer files before they could be viewed by military police probing claims of unlawful killings by British troops in Afghanistan' Advertisement

Gen Jenkins asked the officer to write a formal statement, in which he claimed SAS soldiers were routinely killing all 'fighting age males' in raids regardless of whether the posed a threat. This category included any men over 15.

'In one case it was mentioned a pillow was put over the head of an individual being killed with a pistol,' the SBS officer is said to have wrote.

The officer also wrote that the SAS officer suggested weapons were planted near the bodies of unarmed Afghans in an attempt to justify their killings.

After reading the statement, the BBC say Gen Jenkins wrote to his superior, General Jonathan Page - director of UK Special Forces.

Gen Jenkins wrote that he had been aware 'for some time' of claims the SAS was 'conducting summary executions of supposed Taliban affiliates'.

'However, I have now been given more information of a nature which makes me seriously concerned for the reputation of [UK Special Forces],' he said.

Gen Jenkins warned that there appeared to be an 'unofficial policy' to kill men of fighting age 'regardless of the immediate threat they pose to our troops'.

'In some instances this has involved the deliberate killing of individuals after they have been restrained by [the SAS] and the subsequent fabrication of evidence to suggest a lawful killing in self-defence,' he wrote.

Gen Page responded to the memo by commissioning an SAS major to carry out a formal review of the tactics used by the SAS on night raids.

Gen Jenkins - seen meeting King Charles - allegedly received written accounts in 2011 of conversations in which SAS members described extrajudicial killings

However, the Major 'appeared to take the squadron's version of events at face value', the BBC reported, and allegedly failed to interview anyone from outside the military.

Neither Gen Jenkins and Gen Page reported the matter to military police.

Allegations of extrajudicial killings by UK special forces in Afghanistan are currently the subject of a judge-led inquiry at The Royal Courts of Justice in London.

Last month it heard claims staff at SAS headquarters deleted digital files before military police investigating claims of alleged unlawful killings could view them.

The computer server was supposed to be preserved by Special Forces commanders under an agreement with detectives probing allegations of war crimes in the country.

But instead contractors at UK Special Forces (UKSF) headquarters in London cleared the ITS1 server, the inquiry heard, either in error or in a deliberate bid to destroy evidence.

On the second day of hearings, a judge was read an extract from the policy log of a Royal Military Police (RMP) senior investigator from December 2016.

Lord Justice Haddon-Cave is leading the High Court inquiry into claims Special Forces personnel executed more than 50 unarmed captives. It could lead to the reopening of a criminal investigation and the possibility of murder charges against SAS soldiers.

It is alleged by lawyers representing relatives of the deceased that SAS troops went beyond their Rules of Engagement then filed misleading reports to justify their actions.

These reports were stored on computers at the headquarters of UKSF.

Allegations of extrajudicial killings by UK special forces in Afghanistan are currently the subject of a judge-led inquiry at The Royal Courts of Justice in London

The RMP senior investigator wrote following the data deletion: 'It appears UK Special Forces headquarters have deleted material from the preserved ITS1 server.

'That deletion process has been conducted in such a way that it is irreversible and impossible to determine what has been deleted.

'This is in direct disobeyance to our demand to preserve the data in its entirety.'

ITS1 contained data relevant to Operation Northmoor, a 10million investigation set up in 2014 to examine allegations of executions by special forces.

Lawyers acting for the Afghan families claim the RMP probe was not fit for purpose.

As well as the allegations that 'numerous' killings were carried out, the independent inquiry is examining alleged cover-up of illegal activity and inadequate investigations by the RMP.

Neither Gen Jenkins nor Gen Page replied to the BBC's requests for comment.

A Ministry of Defence spokesperson said: 'We established the Independent Statutory Inquiry relating to Afghanistan which is investigating alleged unlawful activity by UK Special Forces during Deliberate Detention Operations between mid-2010 to mid-2013. The MOD is fully committed to supporting the Inquiry as it continues its work.

'It is not appropriate for us to comment on allegations which may be within the scope of the Statutory Inquiry and it is up to the Statutory Inquiry Team, led by Lord Justice Haddon-Cave, to determine which allegations are investigated.'
David Cameron hailed his 'friend' Boris Johnson's staunch backing for Ukraine today as he made his first visit to Kyiv.

The new Foreign Secretary praised the ex-PM's response to the Russian invasion as the 'finest thing he and his Government ever did'.

The comment came as Lord Cameron held talks with Volodymyr Zelensky, just days after making a shock return to government.

His predecessor James Cleverly had been scheduled to make the visit before being moved to the Home Office in Monday's reshuffle that saw Suella Braverman sacked as home secretary.

Lord Cameron is also expected to visit Israel as soon as possible given the turmoil in the Middle East.

Speaking in Kyiv he said: 'I wanted this to be my first trip. I had some disagreements with my friend Boris Johnson, but I've known him for 40 years and his support for you was the finest thing he and his Government ever did'.

Mr Zelensky made the announcement in a post on the Telegram messaging app, where he posted a short video of the two meeting. It was also shared on Twitter.

'Weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defence, protecting our people and critical infrastructure. I am grateful to the UK for its support,' Zelensky said in a statement on social media, accompanied by images of him and Cameron shaking hands.

Lord Cameron was seen visiting the Opera Theatre Odesa Ukraine as he made his first visit to the country as Foreign Secretary

Mr Cameron shakes hands with Ukraine counterpar Dmytro Kuleba today

Mr Cameron was presented with a miniature copy of Odesa's monument to founder Duke de Richelieu

The new Foreign Secretary Lord Cameron (third from right) meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (third from left) in Kyiv

David Cameron shakes hands with Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine

The visit comes just 18 months after Lord Cameron, then out of government, drove a lorry of supplies for Ukraine to the country's border with Poland (pictured)

The war in Gaza also came up in talks. Zelensky said he was grateful for the gesture, which comes amid a conflict in the Middle East.

'The world is not so focused on the battlefield situation in Ukraine, and this dividing of the focus really does not help,' he added.

Mr Johnson - who struck up a 'bromance' with Zelensky as PM - posted on the X social media site that it was 'great' to see Lord Cameron visiting Kyiv.

'Great news that Ukrainian forces have established themselves on the east bank of the Dnieper, and great to see our new Foreign Secretary in Kyiv,' he said.

The visit comes just 18 months after Lord Cameron, then out of government, drove a lorry of supplies for Ukraine to the country's border with Poland.

A month after the Russian invasion he said he had been volunteering for two years at a food project in west Oxfordshire called the Chippy Larder.

Through the project, he said donations had been taken in for refugees from Ukraine and they now had enough 'to fill a small lorry with everything from nappies to sanitary products, warm clothes to first aid kits'.

READ MORE - David Cameron's return to government is welcomed by Beijing: State media lavishes the new foreign secretary with praise Advertisement

Lord Cameron became Foreign Secretary on Monday and the early visit to Ukraine will be intended to demonstrate the UK's continued support for the country.

His predecessor James Cleverly had been scheduled to make the visit before being moved to the Home Office in Monday's reshuffle.

Mr Cameron is under pressure to reveal his links to 'Chinese interests' after it emerged that Beijing has welcomed his shock return to Cabinet.

The new Foreign Secretary's work for an investment fund 'engineered by the Chinese state' was raised by Sir Keir Starmer in the Commons while other MPs highlighted his controversial lobbying activities since leaving No10.

His foreign policy record also came under scrutiny during the first Prime Minister's Questions since the reshuffle, with his hosting of a G8 summit a decade ago called his biggest achievement by Rishi Sunak.

It came after Lord Cameron's 'unique understanding of China' was praised by a newspaper run by the Chinese Communist Party.

An article in Global Times described the 'golden era' of relations between the two countries during the Cameron premiership including the famous pint he enjoyed with president Xi Jinping in a pub near Chequers.

However, Lord Cameron's activities since quitting No10 the morning after the EU referendum were mocked by Labour leader Sir Keir at PMQs yesterday.

'A few months ago, the Intelligence and Security Committee said the now Foreign Secretary's role in a Chinese investment fund may have been  these are its words  'engineered by the Chinese state'. When will he instruct the Foreign Secretary to give full public disclosure of his work for Chinese interests?'

Mr Sunak replied that he was 'delighted' at Lord Cameron's return, praised his 'unrivalled experience' and insisted he will 'go through the normal process with the independent adviser' on ministerial interests.
Keir Starmer insisted he is focused on Israeli hostages and Gaza civilians rather than 'party management' today after suffering 10 frontbench resignations in a Commons revolt.

The Labour leader said he wanted the party to be as 'united' as possible in the wake of the extraordinary implosion over demands for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

But he seemed to swipe at the rebels by saying that his own 'focus and attention' was on helping make the situation better for innocent people on both sides.

Former leadership contender Jess Phillips was among the frontbenchers who quit after breaking a three-line whip ordering them to abstain on an amendment tabled by the SNP.

And there are fears that the rebellion could spread further and do major damage to the party's election hopes. A Savanta poll has suggested that almost half of Muslim Labour supporters from 2019 are unhappy with Sir Keir's handling of the Israel crisis - though two thirds of British Muslims said they still planned to vote Labour.

Speaking on a visit to Glenrothes in Scotland, Sir Keir told ITV News: 'Of course, I want us to move forward as united as we can as a party, but you wouldn't expect me to stand here today and say my concern is the Labour Party management rather than the hostages and the innocent civilians and children that are dying in Gaza.

'My focus and attention is there, and that's where it is and where it will always be.'

This afternoon shadow international development minister Lisa Nandy warned that calls for a ceasefire were being seen as demands for Israel to 'lay down its arms' and let Hamas regroup and re-arm to carry out more terrorist outrages.

Political dram-a: Sir Keir Starmer visited a whisky distillery today after a huge Labour revolt in the House of Commons last night saw 56 of his MPs back calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas

The Labour leader issued a statement after an extraordinary Commons revolt last night saw 56 of his MPs defy him to back a permanent end to fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Jess Phillips (pictured) quit the Labour front bench after she broke ranks with her party leader Sir Keir and disregarded a three-line whip he had imposed on the ceasefire amendment

In a resignation letter to Sir Keir, which she posted on Twitter, Ms Phillips wrote: 'This week has been one of the toughest weeks in politics since I entered Parliament'

Ms Nandy, a former chairwoman of Labour Friends of Palestine, told reporters in Westminster today she was friends with several of the MPs who resigned, and said they would continue to make an 'incredible contribution' to the party.

But she said that calls for a ceasefire came at a time when 'you have got 200 hostages potentially sitting in tunnels in Gaza, and Hamas rockets flying into Israel and you have got the leaders of Hamas still at large, still talking about amassing weapons and an armoury to be able to repeat the horrific events of October 7'.

She continued: 'I know our colleagues don't mean this, (but) many people in Israel, including the Israeli government, when they hear the term ceasefire, it is simply an instruction that they should lay down their arms and just allow that situation to continue.

'I don't see how that is a correct position to hold and I don't believe that is the way that you create the space for both the Palestinian people and the Israeli people to see past the pain they are in right now and create the space for dialogue.'

Earlier Sir Keir sent out close allies to face the cameras in London this morning and warn rebels to stop acting like they are in a 'protest party'.

Shadow defence secretary John Healey said that the party, which has a massive poll lead over the Tories, must act as if it is already in government.

But the Labour leader himself was admiring barrels of delicious scotch in Fife, north of Edinburgh amid the fallout from last night's Commons revolt that saw 56 of his MPs defy his orders not to back a vote on a permanent end to fighting between Israel and Hamas.

The MPs' challenge to Sir Keir's authority came despite the Labour leader having told his MPs to abstain from the vote on the SNP amendment to the King's Speech.

He had instead ordered his parliamentary party to vote for a bland amendment he tabled himself, which supported 'humanitarian pauses' in the conflict. The revolt is the largest the Labour party has suffered under Sir Keir's leadership.

The Labour leader said he 'regret[s] that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight' but that he wanted to be 'clear about where I stood and where I stand'.

The evening's vote was held as pro-Palestinian supporters staged a large demonstration outside Parliament.

The crisis in the Middle East, sparked by the Hamas terrorist atrocities on 7 October, had already caused weeks of discomfort for Sir Keir as he battles with the huge divisions within his party.

But, despite the major Commons rebellion against him tonight, Sir Keir stuck to his stance on wanting humanitarian 'pauses' - rather than a full ceasefire - as he declared 'leadership is about doing the right thing'.

The Labour leader also reiterated his support for Israel's right to self-defence in the wake of the Hamas attacks.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps swiped that those MPs voting for a ceasefire were 'essentially voting to give Hamas the green light to commit further terrorist atrocities'.

Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters gather in Parliament Square, Westminster this evening

There is a heavy police presence at the pro-Palestine protest in Westminster this evening

This evening's vote was held as pro-Palestinian supporters staged a large demonstration outside Parliament

MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the SNP's King's Speech amendment calling for 'all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire' in Gaza.

Along with the 56 Labour MPs, it was supported by 39 SNP MPs, 15 Liberal Democrats and independent MPs Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott and Andy McDonald.

There are a total of 198 Labour MPs, which means more than one-quarter of Sir Keir's party rebelled against him this evening.

Those 10 Labour MPs who left Sir Keir's front bench tonight after backing a ceasefire included eight shadow ministers.

They were Ms Phillips, Paula Barker, Rachel Hopkins, Afzal Khan, Sarah Owen, Yasmin Qureshi, Naz Shah and Andy Slaughter.

Dan Carden and Mary Foy also left their roles as parliamentary private secretaries.

Shortly after tonight's vote, Ms Phillips announced she had quit as shadow minister for safeguarding and domestic abuse.

In a resignation letter to Sir Keir, which she posted on Twitter, she wrote: 'This week has been one of the toughest weeks in politics since I entered Parliament.

'I have tried to do everything that I could to make it so that this was not the outcome, but it is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving my post in the shadow Home Office team.

'On this occasion I must vote with my constituents, my head, and my heart which has felt as if it were breaking over the last four weeks with the horror of the situation in Israel and Palestine.

'I can see no route where the current military action does anything but put at risk the hope of peace and security for anyone in the region now and in the future.'

Yasmin Qureshi announced her resignation as shadow minister for women and equalities in order to vote for the SNP amendment

Fellow Labour shadow ministers (left to right) Naz Shah, Helen Hayes and Afzal Khan also backed calls for a ceasefire

The Labour rebellion came despite Sir Keir having told his MPs to abstain in a vote on the SNP amendment to the King's Speech

The Labour leader had instead ordered his parliamentary party to vote for a bland amendment he tabled himself, which supported 'humanitarian pauses' in the conflict.

Ms Qureshi had already announced her resignation as shadow minister for women and equalities prior to tonight's vote, as she criticised Sir Keir's support for humanitarian 'pauses' rather than a ceasefire.

In a letter to her party leader, she wrote: 'The situation in Gaza desperately requires an immediate ceasefire to address the humanitarian catastrophe and to advance moves towards a political solution that brings freedom, prosperity, and security.

Who quit the Labour shadow cabinet? Eight shadow ministers quit the Labour front bench: Paula Barker

Rachel Hopkins

Afzal Khan

Sarah Owen

Jess Phillips

Yasmin Qureshi

Naz Shah

Andy Slaughter Two parliamentary private secretaries also quit the shadow government: Dan Carden

Mary Foy Advertisement

'Only through a humanitarian ceasefire can aid be reliably delivered into Gaza. Along with the UN and other humanitarian agencies, I believe that the scale of need is so high that 'pauses' cannot offer the time and security needed to meet even basic civilian needs.

'Anything short of a ceasefire will lead to the loss of more lives.'

Mr Khan also resigned as a shadow trade minister just ahead of tonight's vote, posting on social media: 'With 11,000+ Gazans killed, supporting a full & immediate ceasefire is the very least we can do.

'In order to be free to do so, I have stepped down as Shadow Minister for Exports.'

Ms Foy left her role as a parliamentary aide to Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner after she backed a ceasefire.

In the Commons debate prior to voting on the King's Speech, Ms Shah said a 'humanitarian catastrophe' is taking place in Gaza as she backed calls for an 'immediate ceasefire'.

The shadow Home Office minister told the Commons: 'I will be supporting the amendment which seeks an immediate ceasefire.'

The Bradford West MP also invoked Robin Cook, who resigned from Sir Tony Blair's Cabinet over the invasion of Iraq in 2003.

'Make no mistake, this is a humanitarian catastrophe which is why I urge members to back an immediate ceasefire on all sides and push for the release of hostages,' she said.

Ms Hayes, a shadow minister for children and early years, said her 'conscience' told her she should back a ceasefire.

'We must all of us be able to stand in front of our own constituents with integrity and at peace with our own conscience on the issues that matter most to them.

'My conscience tells me that I must call for a ceasefire today,' the Dulwich and West Norwood MP said.

Sir Keir's stance on the Middle East conflict has led to deep internal splits within his party. He has backed the Government's position of pushing for humanitarian pauses in the fighting to allow aid to reach Palestinians trapped in Gaza.

But Sir Keir has stopped short of calling for a total cessation of hostilities and repeatedly backed Israel's right to defend itself in the wake of the 7 October attacks.

Several shadow ministers had already openly called for a ceasefire and dozens of councillors have resigned from Labour over Sir Keir's refusal to back a permanent halt to the violence.

Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has said he is 'beyond angry' with MPs who refused to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and warned they were 'on the wrong side of history'.

And as the SNP amendment fell, Scotland's First Minister Humza Yousaf has said he is 'beyond angry' with MPs who refused to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and warned they were 'on the wrong side of history'.

SNP leader Mr Yousaf, who was recently reunited with his Palestinian in-laws after they returned to the UK from the warzone in Gaza, said the vote was a chance to 'put humanity before politics'.

He said one child has been killed every 10 minutes in Gaza, a statistic sourced from the World Health Organisation. Mr Yousaf said the death toll of 4,500 children killed in a month during the Israel-Hamas war was 'senseless', and urged the public to speak out against the bloodshed.

Labour MP John McDonnell said that Sir Keir Starmer would 'not necessarily' face long-term damage from the ceasefire vote 'as long as he learned lessons from it'.

Mr McDonnell said MPs should have been allowed a free vote and he did not understand the basis for Sir Keir's position. 'I think he is going against the stream, both in terms of what people want but also the basis within the Labour Party as well,' he told ITV's Peston programme.

Ex-Labour MP Diane Abbott hit out at Sir Keir and the vote against supporting a ceasefire, saying: 'Keir Starmer said this evening 'Leadership is about doing the right thing'. But the right thing tonight was voting for a ceasefire.'

She added: 'Tonight parliament could have voted for a ceasefire. Sadly, it chose not to. The clear implication is that many are content to let violence continue and let the bodies pile higher. I voted for a ceasefire. I am pleased to say over 120 MPs voted the same way.'

Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he voted with Sir Keir 'without hesitation', saying that calls for an immediate ceasefire 'melt under scrutiny when asked how such a ceasefire might be achieved'

Ex-Labour MP Diane Abbott hit out at Sir Keir and the vote against supporting a ceasefire, saying: 'Keir Starmer said this evening 'Leadership is about doing the right thing'. But the right thing tonight was voting for a ceasefire'

She criticised the Labour leader's stance in support of a humanitarian pause, adding: 'I did not vote for a 'humanitarian pause' as it provides no real relief from the violence. The vote means Britain's voice will not be added to the growing clamour for a ceasefire. But we can say that the peace party in this country has found its voice and continues to grow.'

SNP First Minister 'beyond angry' with MPs who refused to back Gaza ceasefire Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf Scottish First Minister Humza Yousaf said: 'Today at Westminster MPs were presented with the chance to vote in favour of the SNP ceasefire. This was a plea to put humanity before politics by endorsing a ceasefire. 'Too many parents have had to bury their children in Gaza. Too many children have become orphaned. Too many have suffered. And for far too long. 'A ceasefire would enable a humanitarian corridor and the crucial delivery of immediate aid to those in desperate need. I am beyond angry that Scottish Labour MPs and others refused to back the calls for an immediate ceasefire. 'They are on the wrong side of history, which is unforgivable. 'Over 4,500 innocent children have been killed in Gaza. The World Health Organisation has reported a heartbreaking statistic a child has been killed every 10 minutes. 'Let that sink in and know there are haunting images of tiny premature babies who have been removed from the incubators because the situation is so dire. 'This cannot continue. Humanity must prevail through collective international pressure. A path to ending the senseless violence can and must be found. 'We cannot allow the silent screams of the innocent to go unanswered. In the face of such profound sorrow, let all of our voices join the rallying cry of human solidarity. Take action. 'Use your voice and I can promise you that I will continue to raise my voice to demand an immediate ceasefire. 'We cannot allow this humanitarian catastrophe to go on for a second longer.' Advertisement

But former Labour former Foreign Secretary Dame Margaret Beckett supported Sir Keir's stance, saying there is a gap between calling for a ceasefire and an end to violence. She told the Commons: 'Tragically, to some people, calling for a ceasefire means that Israel should stop fighting but not that anybody else should cease.'

In response to tonight's vote, Sir Keir said in a statement: 'On 7 October, Israel suffered its worst terrorist attack in a single day at the hands of Hamas.

'No government would allow the capability and intent to repeat such an attack to go unchallenged. Since then, we have also seen an unprecedented humanitarian crisis in Gaza. At every stage during this crisis, my approach has been driven by the need to respond to both these tragedies.

'To stand by the right to self-defence of any nation which suffers terrorism on this scale, alongside the basic human rights and dignity of innocent Palestinians caught, once again, in the crossfire.

'Alongside leaders around the world, I have called throughout for adherence to international law, for humanitarian pauses to allow access for aid, food, water, utilities and medicine, and have expressed our concerns at the scale of civilian casualties. Much more needs to be done in this regard to ease the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in Gaza.

'And in addition to addressing the present, every leader has a duty not to go back to a failed strategy of containment and neglect, but to forge a better and more secure future for both Palestinians and Israelis.

'I regret that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight. But I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand. Leadership is about doing the right thing. That is the least the public deserves. And the least that leadership demands.'

Shadow Science Secretary Peter Kyle defended the stance taken by Sir Keir Starmer, after several frontbenchers lost their jobs after backing the SNP amendment calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

'It's an issue of Labour policy. And actually, just because it's an international policy doesn't mean that it's not a policy that we should stick together on as a team.'

He said that it was 'not acceptable' to back the SNP amendment. He said: 'We have a coherent policy. Keir is leading it and it's in step with our G7 partners. And that's what we need to do because to have any influence in this area we've got to stick together as an international community.'

Mr Kyle said that Sir Keir had allowed frontbenchers to speak out on Gaza, but that indiscipline could not be allowed on a 'key' vote. He said: 'We've seen Keir engaging with people from all communities, all traditions within the Labour Party. He has allowed people to speak out on these issues. So we have allowed as a party a very broad debate.

'But there are key times, if you are the party that seeks to run the country and you want to be the prime minister of our country standing on the international stage, where you have to show that we are a united party that can resolve itself in Parliament and the government.'

Shadow Health Secretary Wes Streeting said he voted with Sir Keir 'without hesitation', saying that calls for an immediate ceasefire 'melt under scrutiny when asked how such a ceasefire might be achieved'.

He told his constituents: 'At best, we might see a successful Qatari-led initiative to secure the release of hostages in exchange for an extended pause or ceasefire over a period of days, which would allow aid in and civilians out.

'I hope such an initiative is successful. This would be consistent with Keir Starmer's calls for longer humanitarian pauses to save as many lives as possible, as quickly as possible.'

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps slammed those who voted to support a ceasefire, tweeting: 'Voting for a ceasefire is essentially voting to give Hamas the green light to commit further terrorist atrocities.

'If Britain had been attacked on October 7, and we knew exactly where the murderers were, would any MP seriously be voting not to go after them?

'Israel must target Hamas proportionally & within international humanitarian law to protect civilians, de-escalate tensions in the West Bank & go ahead with meaningful humanitarian pauses to ensure aid is distributed.

'But Israel has the right to defend itself against terrorism.'
Do YOU use the roundabout? Email stewart.carr@mailonline.co.uk

Do YOU use the roundabout? Email stewart.carr@mailonline.co.uk

There are growing calls for urgent road safety improvements on Britain's 'most confusing roundabout' after a record 48 traffic lights were installed in an apparent bid to control rising traffic.

Drivers unfamiliar with North Station roundabout in Colchester, Essex have found themselves heading into oncoming traffic in a hair-raising slew of near-misses and accidents.

One dashcam clip shows a car traversing the roundabout in the wrong direction before cutting across a lane directly in front of the oncoming vehicle in order to exit. Another video shows a car travelling the wrong way around the roundabout while sticking to the inside lane.

As more lights have been added to control the rising traffic at the junction in Colchester, it has overtaken the record of 42 sets at Grovehill Junction in Beverley, East Yorkshire.

Councillor Martin Goss, who has been campaigning for improved safety for years, warned that the problem seemed to affect 'older motorists' in particular.

He added: 'There are dash-cam videos on the internet of vehicles going in completely the wrong direction. Several drivers have dropped serious clangers. We need a safety audit.'

North Station roundabout in Colchester, Essex, with a record 48 traffic lights and a slew of near-misses to its name has been dubbed Britain's most confusing roundabout

Drivers unfamiliar with the junction's blast of signs and road markings have found themselves heading into oncoming traffic

Hair-raising footage shared online shows motorists driving on the wrong side of the roundabout

In June, driver Dills_Dashcam on TikTok shared a clip showing another motorist take a wrong turn at the roundabout - attracting over 20,000 views

He added: 'The junction and roundabout has been in existence since about 2000 so it has been in the city for nearly 25 years.

'I guess it must be confusing for some people because they are going the wrong way and heading into traffic.'

Hair-raising footage shared online shows motorists driving on the wrong side of the roundabout.

Local Mary Adams said: 'This is a monster of a roundabout  easily confusing as you have to swap lanes to go anywhere. Out-of-towners don't stand a chance.'

In June, driver Dills_Dashcam on TikTok shared a clip showing another motorist take a wrong turn at the roundabout - attracting over 20,000 views.

The dashcam footage showed a car several lengths ahead, which took a left turn on North Station roundabout - despite road markings stating 'ahead only'.

The driver, who has nearly 4,000 followers on his account, said: 'I was shocked something so well signed posted was completely ignored.

'They just carried on with other drivers beeping at them. Thankfully, no-one was hurt by their stupid actions.

'I've seen this happen only a handful of times over ten years. For me, if you are going somewhere, you have never been before just taking that little extra care as you don't know the roads.'

In July, driving instructor Kieran Clarke, 36, was stunned to see a motorist incorrectly heading in the opposite direction on the roundabout.

Mr Clarke, who has taught drivers for 32 years, told the Colchester Gazette: 'I'm sure there will be an accident at some point as this does seem to be happening regularly.

'Thankfully I was in the other lane to the driver who was going the wrong way.'

Last month, fellow motorist James Clarke also caught sight of a driver going in the wrong direction on the roundabout.

Councillor Martin Goss said: 'There are dash-cam videos on the internet of vehicles going in completely the wrong direction'

Do YOU use the roundabout? Email stewart.carr@mailonline.co.uk Advertisement

His dashcam footage captured the driver of a Mercedes Benz travelling around roundabout in the opposite direction.

He said the motorist was indicating as if their plan was to go all the way around the roundabout.

Mr Clarke, who had only been driving for six months, said: 'It was a shock. I find that roundabout very confusing at points, but not to the point where I've gone round it the wrong way.'

An Essex County Council Highways spokesman said: '

A spokesperson for Essex Highways said: 'Safety is our first and foremost priority in the maintenance of Essex's road network.

'Traffic lights are essential to breaking up the high volume of traffic that can be experienced at the North Station Roundabout, especially from the adjoining train station.

'We encourage any road users concerned about signage, markings or speed limits to inform their local county councillor. They will then be able to raise any issues at the next Local Highway Panel.

'Any missing or damaged signage can also be easily reported through our online Tell Us tool at essexhighways.org/tell-us.'
Cornish locals have been told to stay away from a dead 54ft whale that mysteriously washed up on shore amid fears the mammal's blood could be toxic.

The water-bound mammal was found dead on Newquay's Fistral beach by a surfer on Wednesday and was identified as a rare fin whale - the second largest species in the world.

The giant creature was found stretched out across the sand, with blood around its mouth, stomach, and fin. It is not clear what caused its death or the bleeding, although what appeared to be several scratch marks were seen around its face.

It comes as experts carry out a post-mortem of the carcass, with wildlife agencies deciding whether to allow the whale to naturally return to the ocean or if it needs to be removed.

Locals have been warned to stay away as the animal's blood could be toxic and there had been fears before the post-mortem that the animal could explode.

A pathologist looks into the dissected carcass of a fin whale which washed up dead on a Cornish beach on Wednesday

An aerial drone view of the 54ft whale as pathologists attempt to determine its cause of death

Officials and scientists gather around the giant water-bound mammal after it washed up on Newquay's Fistral Beach

A cordon has been set up preventing members of the public from getting close to the animal

Anthea Hawtrey-Collier, of Cornwall Wildlife Trust, warned that while fin whale strandings are rare, the huge mammal is being seen more and more in British waters.

What are fin whales? The fin whale is the second-largest whale species on earth, second only to the blue whale. It is found throughout the world's oceans, typically in deep, offshore waters. Most migrate to the Arctic and Antarctic in summer and warmer breeding areas in the winter. It gets its name from an easy-to-spot fin on its back, near its tail. During the summer, fin whales feed on krill, small schooling fish (including herring, capelin, and sand lance), and squid by lunging into schools of prey with their mouths open Fin whales have long livesthey reach physical maturity at about 25 years, and their maximum lifespan is about 90 years. Males become sexually mature at 6 to 10 years of age and females at 7 to 12 years of age. After 11 to 12 months of gestation, a pregnant female gives birth to a single calf in tropical and subtropical areas during midwinter. Newborn calves are about 18 feet long, and weigh 4,000 to 6,000 pounds. Fin whales sometimes mate with blue whales and hybrids have been documented. Source: NOAA Fisheries Advertisement

'The Cornwall marine pathology team has been given permission to perform a post mortem in situ,' she told the Telegraph.

'The findings should help us understand why this animal died and what the health of our seas are. And how these animals are faring in our waters.'

Yesterday, a volunteer at Cornwall Wildlife Trust said that the mammal had a 'high risk of blowing up' and that it would be 'very gassy and messy'.

Dead whales often explode when gases accumulate within their large carcasses, and a post-mortem will not only help identify the cause of death but also likely let out any gas to prevent an explosion.

Walkers were ordered to stay away from the carcass, and the area was cordoned off by officials.

The Cornwall Wildlife Trust said it had been alerted to the dead whale at 7.10am this morning and dispatched its marine stranding team of volunteers to the famous surfing beach.

A spokesman said: 'We don't know if it is a biohazard or not. But to be sure we don't want people touching it. Our remit will be to measure the animal and record the stranding. We did call in Devon and Cornwall Police as there were a few people on the beach and they cordoned the area off.

'We also alerted Cornwall Council who is the landowner.'

Devon and Cornwall Police said a multiple-agency presence is on the beach now. A spokesman for the force said members of the public are being asked to avoid the area at present.

They said: 'A number of emergency services and partner agencies are currently on Fistral Beach following a report of a dead whale having been located. Members of the public are asked to avoid the area at this time.'

Fin whales, also known as finback whale or common rorqual and formerly known as herring or razorback whale, are a cetacean belonging to the parvorder of baleen whales.

The fin whale, believed to be around 16 metres long, was found on Fistral Beach by watersports teacher Rob Barber

A volunteer at the trust said that the mammal had a 'high risk of blowing up' and that it would be 'very gassy and messy'

Experts hope to be able to determine the cause of death of the mammal to better understand 'how these animals are faring in our waters'

It is the second-longest species of cetacean on Earth after the blue whale

Pictures taken on Wednesday show the whale stretched out across the sand, with what appears to be blood around its mouth, stomach, and fin

It is the second-longest species of cetacean on Earth after the blue whale.

They can measure up to 20m (60ft) in length and weigh up to 48 tons.

Rachel Atkins, who tooks some pictures of the mammal, said she woke up at 6.30am on Wednesday and saw people in high-vis jackets milling about on the beach.

Why do dead animals explode? When an animal dies, bacteria inside the carcass produce methane as part of the decomposition process. If this is not let out of the body gradually it builds up, exploding at the first opportunity. Whales are the most extreme because their huge size makes the consequences of a gas build-up so much greater. Living toads in Hamburg, Germany, started spontaneously combusting in 2005. It was thought that crows were picking out their livers, leaving a hole, so when the toads puffed themselves as a defence mechanism, their whole bodies burst. And Royal funeral attendants hurriedly drilled a hole in the coffin of overweight English King George IV to let out gases - after an apparent botched embalming job. Advertisement

She said: 'I saw a police car and van there. When we walked down to the beach we realised it was a dead whale washed up. There were a lot of people crowding around and a cordon was in place so people wouldn't get too close.

'The police extended the cordon so we walked up to the path above the dunes.. It was still really busy. One lady said to me it's the busiest she'd ever seen the footpath at that time in the morning.'

Ms Atkins added: 'It's a massive animal. It's really imposing to see. It reminds you of the vastness of the ocean. It's really sad to see.'

Ms Atkins said that the whale is bloodied and wondered if predators in the sea had a go at it before it was washed up on Fistral beach during a rough weather night.

She added: 'There were people with all their kits taking samples from the whale.'

In January, the remains of a fin whale were found on Perranuthnoe beach on Cornwall's south coast.

And in June 2022, a 'baby' whale was discovered on Millendreath beach near Looe in Cornwall.

In June 2021, a 40ft minke whale carcass was spotted by a walker on the shore near a windfarm in Redcar, Teesside.

When any whale washes up on a beach, it is only a matter of time before they explode, sending their guts flying across the shoreline.

When an animal dies, bacteria inside the carcass produces methane as part of the decomposition process.

If this is not let out of the body gradually it builds up, exploding at the first opportunity.

Whales are the most extreme because their huge size makes the consequences of a gas build-up so much greater.

In 2013, a biologist was filmed cutting open a washed up whale on the Faroe Islands.

As soon as the biologist began working, the gas trapped inside exploded, spewing tons of organs and guts into the air.
A former commander of Russian air defences has been found dead alongside his wife under mysterious circumstances.

Highly-decorated Lieutenant General Vladimir Sviridov, 68, and his wife Tatyana, 72, were dead for around a week before their corpses were found, it is reported.

The retired pilot once criticised Vladimir Putin for running a 'third-ranking' air force, warning top officers were leaving the armed forces because of dire pay and conditions.

Russian authorities have been unable to ascertain the cause of death, local media reported.

The general and his wife were found in their home in the village of Adzhievsky in Stavropol region.

Highly-decorated Lieutenant General Vladimir Sviridov, 68, (pictured) and his wife Tatyana, 72, were dead for around a week before their corpses were found

Sviridov's death is the latest in a long line of deaths under mysterious circumstances that many believe have been orchestrated by Vladimir Putin (pictured)

He left Russia's military after he made a series of scathing comments about the army

'Gas service workers have already taken measurements and no excess of the permissible concentration of harmful substances has been detected,' an initial report into their death read.

'What caused the death of Vladimir and Tatyana Sviridov is still unknown.'

Sviridov commanded the 6th Army of the Russian Air Force and Air Defence from 2005 to 2009 in an appointment made by Putin.

He was an honoured Pilot of Russia and earlier had served as a military sniper pilot.

He had been awarded the Order of the Red Star and a clutch of medals.

Sviridov left his commander's role at 54 years old, after making a series of scathing public comments about the Russian armed forces.

He warned in one interview: 'A pilot must have about 100 hours of flight time per year for full combat readiness.

'However, this is not yet the case. The average flight time in the army is currently 25-30 hours.'

In another interview, he complained: 'We are forced to appoint not fully trained officers because there are no better ones.

'For the same reason we are sending to military academies third-ranking pilots.

'This did not happen in the past.'

Sviridov commanded the 6th Army of the Russian Air Force and Air Defence from 2005 to 2009 in an appointment made by Putin

Russian authorities are still trying to figure out how the decorated commander and his wife died

He was an honoured Pilot of Russia and earlier had served as a military sniper pilot

Low salaries and poor housing provision meant experienced officers leave the military as soon as they can.

'One in two of our officers, unfortunately, has no accommodation,' he revealed.

'Up to 10 per cent of young officers are doing everything possible to retire early.'

He told Putin to 'create normal living conditions for young officers, as well as for all servicemen, so that they can properly perform their service duties'.

Russia has been hit by a spate of suspicious deaths since the start of Putin's war against Ukraine, with figures from across the country seemingly being targeted by the Kremlin.

In August, Yevgeny Prigozhin, the leader of the private military company Wagner, died after his plane crashed 185 mile north of Moscow.

Many believe his death was ordered by Putin, after Prigozhin led a column of Wagner tanks up towards Moscow, following months of disagreement between his mercenaries and Russia's defence ministry.
Educator says she's been forced to live off donations after being put on unpaid leave by school

New images released by Naydich show tearing around her ear, black eyes and gashes on her face

Harrowing video showed the teen punching and kicking the teaching aide after he was told to stop playing on his Nintendo Switch

Harrowing images released by a Florida teacher show the brutal facial injuries that she suffered at the hands of 270 pound teenage student at the school where she worked as an aide.

Joan Naydich was violently attacked by Brendan Depa, then 17 years old, at Matanzas High School in Palm Coast, 60 miles south of Jacksonville, in February after she told him to stop playing on his Nintendo Switch.

The autistic 6-foot 6-inch teen, now 18, was seen punching and kicking the educator in the back and head until she lay on the ground unconscious. He pleaded no contest as an adult for first-degree aggravated battery.

As he faces sentencing on January 31, Naydich has called on the judge to give him the maximum 30 years in prison.

Her injuries included five broken ribs, concussion and a loss of hearing. The new pictures show gashes on the aide's cheek, bruising around the eyes, one blood shot eye, a dent in her nose and a tear at the back of her ear.

In a new interview with Fox Orlando, Naydich said the worst injuries are internal and that the attack deeply affected her cognitive functions. 'Unfortunately, a lot of my injuries that are not visible I'm going to have for the rest of my life,' she said.

Florida teacher Joan Naydich was violently attacked by Brendan Depa, then 17, at Matanzas High School in February after she told him to stop playing on his Nintendo Switch

Naydich suffered five broken ribs, a severe concussion and loss of hearing in one of her ears following the attack

Naydich has claimed she has been forced to live off donations after being put on unpaid leave by the school

Depa appears in a Florida court on October 30 after pleading not-guilty first-degree aggravated battery

Naydich was placed on an unpaid leave of absence shortly after returning to work in August under a different title and has been surviving on charity from the community.

Her revelation comes weeks ahead of a court hearing where Depa is set to be sentenced and Naydich is calling on the former student to be locked up for the maximum of 30 years.

Naydich suffered five broken ribs, a severe concussion and loss of hearing in one of her ears following the attack.

'I was attacked on February 21st and I feel like I'm just constantly being attacked,' she told Fox Orlando.

The educator said she has been struggling to get her workers' compensation case resolved.

She claimed she returned to work in August under a different title but was placed on unpaid leave just a few days later.

Naydich said she is frustrated with the lack of support from the Flagler County school district. She revealed she has not watched the video since it was released and does not want to.

Naydich said Depa was angry with another member of staff who did not allow him to play on his Nintendo Switch.

She confirmed she did not take his device from him before the attack.

She has visited several different doctors who are searching for a diagnosis for some of the neurological symptoms she now has.

Depa was seen punching and kicking the educator in the back and head until she lay on the ground unconscious

Naydich claimed her speech has slowed, she has issues with patience and frequently has difficulty with routine cognitive functions

'Everybody that knows me or knew me [before the attack], knows that I'm a totally different person now,' she said. 'My whole life was just turned upside down.'

Naydich claimed her speech has slowed, she has issues with patience and frequently has difficulty with routine cognitive functions.

Depa has pleaded no contest to the charge and now faces a sentence of up to 30 years in prison which is what Naydich wants.

She said she is willing to speak up at the court hearing if necessary.

'I want to make sure he is not able to walk the streets freely,' she added.

'I have no idea what closure looks like right now. I just want to be whole again.'

Depa had three prior battery arrests before the February attack and was in a prison fight in September, the Post reported.

He was led shackled into court in Florida wearing an orange jumpsuit on October 30 to plea to the charges. The minimum recommended prison sentence is just short of three years.

His lawyer, Kurt Teifke, sought to have him declared incompetent to stand trial, because he is autistic.

Naydich said she is frustrated with the lack of support from the Flagler County school district and that she is living off donations from the community

Depa is currently being held at the Flagler County jail on $1 million bond and his sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 31

A court-appointed psychologist found Depa was in fact competent to stand trial and Circuit Judge Terence Perkins will decided his fate early next year.

Depas family had hoped to minimize or eliminate prison time altogether and instead focus on probation and treatment for their son, but the prosecution appears to have been unwilling to negotiate.

Naydich has also 'shown no interest in mitigating what penalties Depa might face'.

He is currently being held at the Flagler County jail on $1 million bond and his sentencing hearing is scheduled for January 31.

DailyMail.com has contacted Flagler County school district for comment.
25               CAPITAL LINK
A woman was battered to death with a claw hammer by her boyfriend of 12 years after protracted building work after protracted building work at their new home and the isolation of Covid lockdown.

Alexis Karran - described as a 'happy, selfless and kind' by family members - was struck 20 times over the head in a frenzied attack by Daniel Mitchell.

The freelance illustrator was putting up pictures on the wall in the couple's 250,000 property in Dukinfield, Greater Manchester, when he suddenly snapped and set about Alexis in a random assault.

The killer waited 20 minutes before calling 999 to confess what he had done, as police and paramedics dashed to the two-bedroom detached house to find the hospital radiographer inside with severe head injuries.

At Manchester Crown Court, the 48-year-old pleaded guilty to manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility after his not guilty plea to murder was accepted.

Alexis Karran - described as a 'happy, selfless and kind' by family members - was struck 20 times over the head in a frenzied attack

Dani Mitchell was putting up pictures on the wall in the couple's 250,000 property when he suddenly snapped and set about Alexis in a random assault

He was ordered to be detained in a high security hospital until he is deemed fit to be released by a medical tribunal.

In a tribute dedicated to Ms Karen, her loved ones said: 'Alexis was a very caring person; she showed kindness to all she met - to all friends and strangers.

'She was always and will be the best role model for how to live life, that her brother constantly aspired to match. She is forever in our hearts. We will always be waiting to say hello.'

The couple had been planning to have friends over for Sunday lunch on the fateful day of the attack. In the run-up to the killing, Ms Karen texted a relative saying: 'His poor brain is just broken with stress and utter despair.'

Following the brutal strikes, the 49-year-old was transported to Salford Royal Hospital but died soon after her arrival with doctors concluding she suffered multiple 'unsurvivable' head and scalp injuries.

Mr Mitchell was detained under the Mental Health Act later relayed the killing to psychiatrists telling one: 'The night before I don't recall, but I didn't have much sleep. I woke up as we were planning a Sunday dinner and friends were coming round.

'I started the day with trying to put some pictures up, however the task felt like the biggest chore in the world. I just picked up the hammer and hit her with it, I don't know why. I don't know why but I went on hitting her until I thought she was dead.'

He added: 'Once I started I was unable to stop. It was like an out of body experience. I must be some sort of monster to do this to any person. She was my soul mate and best friend.'

The court heard how Ms Karen, who was born on the Isle of Man, and Mr Mitchell had appeared to be in a 'happy and stable' relationship after getting together in 2010, with no history of depressive illnesses.

Problems began when Mr Mitchell's mental condition deteriorated in August last year after the couple moved to their new home on Winchester Road from neighbouring Stalybridge.

At one stage he was said to have become suicidal but due to the support he was getting from his close-knit family, GP and a community mental health team he was allowed to stay at home and doctors changed his medication.

Prosecutor Tania Griffiths KC said: 'They had moved to Dukinfield with the hope of providing the defendant with some respite that was more therapeutic.. But he had a poor tolerance to noise and there was protracted building work which became overwhelming in order to make the house a home.

'Then the COVID pandemic hit and affected his freelance work which led him to become more isolated and he felt he was less supported, especially when Alexis was at work. However there was no reason for anyone to think his mental health was different than it had been previously.

'In fact whether anyone could have done more, or whether he could have done more is not the point in this case. The illness was not simply being ignored. He received significant help from Alexis and had taken steps to help himself.'

Friends said Ms Karen 'deeply loved' Mitchell and 'tried hard to support and help him put his demons to rest' but she began to lose weight in the months before her death.

Friends said Ms Karen 'deeply loved' Mitchell and 'tried hard to support and help him put his demons to rest' but she began to lose weight in the months before her death.

Problems began when Mr Mitchell's mental condition deteriorated in August last year after the couple moved to their new home on Winchester Road from neighbouring Stalybridge

In a statement Alexis' brother, Leo Karran a medical genetics student said: 'I looked up to Lex all my life, she was a sage. Before all this I was so close to her and felt close to Dan too.

'To me they seemed to have the ideal relationship, and their love for each other was what I aspired to have. If she was here she would have said: 'I'm so sorry this happened to you, Dan, that things got so bad for you'. It's difficult to think of life in the future without my big sister being in it.'

Mitchell underwent psychiatric evaluations which concluded he was suffering from a 'recurrent depressive disorder leading to catatonia.'

Psychiatrists said it was one of rarest and severest cases of its kind they had ever seen and was beyond the intervention of any GP.

Defence counsel Mr Ronnie Bergenthal said: 'In 30 years of legal practice, I can't think of a more tragic case than this one. Their relationship was one filled with compassion, devotion and happiness. Clearly there was a cocktail of medication that was tragically not working for his level of depressive condition - there were no triggers for his actions.

'On the morning of the offence they were discussing going for a walk when he felt a sudden overwhelming compulsion to hit her with the hammer and he felt powerless to stop this.'

Sentencing Judge Alan Conrad KC said: 'You and Alexis had a good and strong relationship with no suggestion at any time of any violence or abuse. Had you been mentally well, you would have been horrified at the thought of inflicting any harm on Alexis.

'But at the time you killed Alexis you were suffering from a severe depressive illness together with catatonia, a highly unusual condition and in itself of a serious nature. This case was a terrible tragedy involving two people who loved one another dearly and in which there is no suggestion of any malicious motive.'
Britain's 'worst' parcel firms have been named and shamed in a new league table - though the charity behind the survey says even the country's 'best' couriers are providing a 'miserable' service.

Citizens Advice has published its annual league table of delivery companies' performance based on the views of thousands of Brits, which has seen Evri - formerly known as Hermes - and Yodel take the bottom spots.

They each scored two out of a possible five stars, while even the two best performing firms - Royal Mail and Amazon - could only score 2.75, suggesting the UK's courier companies aren't delivering on customer satisfaction.

Citizens Advice believes that 13.3 million people, 34 per cent of consumers, have experienced delivery problems in the last month ranging from parcels being left in insecure locations to packages arriving late.

And of those who experienced an issue, nearly half (43 per cent) had a further issue when they tried to resolve the problem, and more than half found it difficult to do so. This was more likely to be the case where customers had a disability.

Have YOU had a delivery nightmare? Email:

jon.brady@mailonline.co.uk

Amazon and Royal Mail came top of the table, scoring 2.75 out of a possible five stars, while Yodel and Evri could only score two stars each

Evri - which rebranded from Hermes in March 2022 - was named as one of the UK's 'worst' performing parcel delivery firms

Evri finished joint bottom alongside delivery firm Yodel. Both firms scored two out of a possible five stars in the Citizens Advice league table

Amazon came joint first in the league table alongside Royal Mail. It runs a huge network of 'fulfilment centres' across the country (pictured: an Amazon warehouse in Peterborough)

Royal Mail tied for the top spot in the Citizens Advice survey - but scored badly on delivery problems and helping customers with disabilities

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, says shoppers are being 'let down' by 'substandard' services for the third year running

And the charity says it has seen no improvements in performance since its last survey, with problems remaining 'far too high across the board'.

Its webpage for advice on missing parcels has been visited 220,000 times in the last year, a 78 per cent rise on 2019. It wants regulator Ofcom - which regulates postal services - to introduce the threat of enforcement, such as fines.

Dame Clare Moriarty, chief executive of Citizens Advice, said: 'For the third year running our league table reveals online shoppers are being let down by a substandard delivery service.

'This is an issue we feel has been neglected for far too long. We continue to hear from consumers that are chasing up lost, late or damaged parcel deliveries.

'It's become an unfair and at times, costly burden to bear. With a seasonal surge of deliveries on the horizon, parcel companies must take action to protect shoppers and get to the root cause of these persistent failings.'

The league table compiled by the charity scores each firm on the price it charges as well as how often people report issues, and whether the firms accommodate special requests from parcel recipients with disabilities.

Firms were also ranked on their customer service, how much they are trusted by consumers, and how much CO2 is emitted on average per parcel dropped off, based on self-declared emissions figures published by all firms except Amazon.

Amazon and Royal Mail, meanwhile, scored highly on customer service and trust, but scored little better than DPD, Yodel and Evri on delivery issues.

Four in 10 Yodel customers reported issues, with more than a third of DPD and Evri customers also experiencing problems.

Earlier this month, the Post Office announced that it was linking up with Evri and DPD to offer their parcel services as a direct alternative to the Royal Mail.

Customers who walk up to Post Office counters with their packages will be able to choose from the French and German-owned firms rather than Britain's postal service, which began the process of privatisation a decade ago.

The delivery firms have also fired back on the Citizens Advice survey, claiming to be more reliable and better at handling disputes than has been claimed.

Evri said it has undertaken 'significant investment' and to have listened to customer feedback to improve services.

Chief customer officer Chris Ashworth said: 'We have invested more than 130 million to improve our UK operations in the last two years with 99% of the 730 million parcels we handle annually delivered on time.

'We are the only parcel delivery company to mandate proof of delivery photos for every parcel and our AI-enabled Parcel Vision provides direct feedback to couriers on the quality of images or if a parcel appears to be in an unsafe location.'

An Amazon spokesman said: 'The vast majority of deliveries make it to customers without issue. In the rare case something occurs, we work with customers directly to make it right.'

The league table, as published by Citizens Advice, rated firms on their customer service, pricing, trust, consideration for disabilities and even their carbon emissions

Royal Mail says its recent woes have been exacerbated by strike action (pictured: cages of parcels stacking up at a Bristol sorting office during December 2022's strike action)

Britain's postal network is more diverse than ever - the Post Office now allows customers to choose whether to send parcels via the Royal Mail, DPD and Evri (pictured left to right: Neveed, Mark and Amos, employees of DPD, the Post Office and Evri, launching the service)

Citizens Advice estimates that 13 million people have experienced problems with parcels being left in insecure locations in the last month (stock image)

A Royal Mail spokesman said: 'We are pleased to come joint first of Citizens Advice's parcels league table.

'We are working hard to further improve our quality of service and continuing to introduce more convenient options for customers to access our services, including automatic redelivery and safe place delivery preferences.

'We understand the importance of meeting the needs of disabled customers and since this survey was carried out. We have introduced an option for households to register their accessibility needs for parcel deliveries or collections via Parcel Collect.'

READ MORE: Royal Mail fined 5.6m by Ofcom for delivery target failures Advertisement

Yodel said: 'We welcome feedback and invest heavily to continuously improve our service. However, this report is not reflective of our own parcel data, which indicates that 98.7% of the 200 million parcels we handled over the last 12 months were delivered correctly on the first attempt.'

The league table comes hot on the trail of a 5.6million fine for Royal Mail from Ofcom after it failed to meet delivery targets for first and second class post last year.

Posties only managed to deliver 73.7 per cent of first class mail on time - against a 93 per cent target. Ofcom, while levying the fine, has suggested the publicly traded delivery firm is still recovering from the pandemic.

Royal Mail also said that 18 days of strike action had affected its performance. Its owner, FTSE-listed International Distribution Services, reported a 319m half-year loss this morning.

The news of poor parcel service comes after MailOnline revealed some of the country's hotspots for so-called 'porch piracy' - where opportunistic thieves nab packages left on doorsteps for themselves, often in broad daylight.

Data obtained from police forces via freedom of information requests showed that some police force regions received three reports of parcel theft a day on average in the year to August 2023.

The problem is at its worst in the run up to Christmas, and experts believe it is worsening as people return to the office, missing deliveries - prompting calls for couriers to offer collection services as an alternative to doorstep drop-offs.

Earlier this year a man and a woman were caught on camera in Holland Park stretching through a locked gate to drag a Victoria's Secret package across the ground before wrenching it over the fence.

In September, Amazon customer Ben Palmer watched via his doorbell camera as a man brazenly ran to his doorstep, picked up packages and ran away.

Mr Palmer said at the time: 'I thought it was brave that someone in broad daylight would do that. That they would jump out of a van and steal a parcel like that.'
A 10-year-old boy was mercilessly killed by a monkey after it tore his intestines out in an attack that took place near a temple in India.

Police said the boy, who was identified as Dipak Thakor, was killed by a 'notorious gang' of monkeys while he and his friends were playing near a temple in Salki, a small village in the western state of Gujarat, on Tuesday.

He and his friends were attacked, and a monkey managed to dig its claws into him, before killing him.

Though he was taken to hospital, he tragically passed away before doctors were able to treat him.

'His intestine was ripped out in the attack. He rushed to his house and was taken to a hospital where doctors declared him dead on arrival,' an official told local media.

A 'notorious gang' of monkeys attacked the young boy and his friends as they played near a temple in the village of Salki

New Delhi officials used cut-outs of langurs to scare away other monkeys when the city hosted the G20 summit in September

The official added that this was the third attack by the monkey gang this week alone.

Forest official Vishal Chaudhary said he and his team have been trying to catch the killer animals for a while.

'We have rescued two langurs in the past one week, and set up cages to trap another langur,' Chaudhary said.

'There is a large troop of monkeys in the village, including four adults who have been involved in attacks in the past one week.

'Two of them have been rescued. Efforts are on to cage another.'

Langurs are not normally aggressive, though scientists have noted that all-male groups can become aggressive, as individual dominance is attained through aggression and mating success.

New Delhi officials used cut-outs of langurs to scare away other monkeys when the city hosted the G20 summit in September.

City officials also hired more than 30 'monkey-men' to mimic the hoots and screams of the langur in an effort to scare monkeys away from international figures.
Mars will buy Hotel Chocolat in a staggering 534million cash deal to help boost the luxury British chocolate brand expansion overseas.

The co-founders of Hotel Chocolat, Angus Thirlwell and Peter Harris, will each get 144million after agreeing to sell the business to Mars.

The move will help Hotel Chocolat, which has 130 stores across the UK and a presence in Japan, 'grow further and faster' after it said operational supply chain challenges had 'held us back' on international growth.

The takeover by Mars Inc - which also owns the Celebrations, Dove, M&Ms and Snickers food brands - saw Hotel Chocolat shares soar by 161 per cent this afternoon in response.

Mars said it would pay 375p a share - a huge 170 per cent premium to Hotel Chocolat's closing share price of 139p last night.

Takeover: Mars has announced it will buy Hotel Chocolat in a 534m deal to help the UK-based luxury chocolate brand expand its sales overseas

Hotel Chocolat was named after the luxury hotel on its Saint Lucian cocao estate which overlooks a UNESCO world heritage site and the island's iconic Petit Piton Mountain.

Chief executive Angus Thirlwell said: 'Hotel Chocolat's brand destiny is to become a leading premium chocolate brand in major markets through reinventing chocolate for people and nature.

'In Mars we have found a true meeting of minds - in strong cultural values, bold strategy and true long-termism.

'Our Gentle Farming programme has got off to a promising start and we truly believe it can help make cocoa agriculture right for nature and for people. Joining forces with Mars to achieve an increased positive impact, is a huge attraction for us.

'We know our brand resonates with consumers overseas, but operational supply chain challenges have held us back. By partnering with Mars, we can grow our international presence much more quickly using their skills, expertise and capabilities.'

In charge: Hotel Chocolat chief executive Angus Thirlwell set up the brand 20 years ago aiming to bring ethical and affordable luxury chocolate to the British high street

Shops: Across the UK there are 130 stores, with Hotel Chocolat also having a presence in Japan

Share price: A chart showing Hotel Chocolat's share price over the past year

The owner set up the brand 20 years ago aiming to bring ethical and affordable luxury chocolate to the British high street.

UK businesses 'sitting ducks' as takeover targets by global giants, fund manager warns Concerns are mounting that many UK businesses are 'sitting ducks' ripe for being taken over by huge global corporations. The deal between Hotel Chocolat and Mars reignites concerns about a perceived undervaluation of UK-listed companies and the seemingly waning attractiveness of listing in the UK. Chief executive of fund manager, Crystal Amber, Richard Bernstein warned more UK businesses are becoming targets for takeovers by global corporations. On X, previously known as Twitter, Bernstein said the 'absurdity of UK small cap valuations [was] demonstrated again today' in reference to the Hotel Chocolat takeover. Read more here.

Dubbed Britain's real-life Willy Wonka, Mr Thirlwell, previously told the Mail he set up the shop after ditching a career in computing.

'I met co-founder Peter Harris at a computer firm in Cambridge. Computing is so complicated, we talked about doing something simpler,' he said.

'We started selling peppermints  it was the most niche product ever. After a while customers wanted a range of products so we started looking into chocolate.'

The entrepreneur family is no stranger to running their own business selling sweet treats.

His father, Edwin Thirlwell, co-founded Mr Whippy before selling it off an moving the family to Barbados.

It was when he was living in the Caribbean that he first became interested in the chocolate making process.

Mr Thirlwell said :'In Barbados all the chocolate was American and I wasnt very keen on it.

'Instead we used to drink chocolate tea, which is a healthier, simpler version of hot chocolate you make by boiling ground cocoa beans and adding milk and sugar.'

Hotel Chocolat has been operating at a loss after major restructuring efforts last year which helped to bring down costs.

It agreed to a new tie-up in Japan in January after the costly collapse of a previous joint venture in the country.
James Cleverly accused a BBC star of 'making statements' rather than asking questions during a bad-tempered interview on the Rwanda chaos today.

The new Home Secretary threatened to 'go and get a cup of tea' as he engaged in a tetchy clash with Amol Rajan on the flagship Radio 4 Today programme.

He also dodged a question when grilled on Labour's claim that he privately described the Rwanda policy as 'batsh**'.

Mr Cleverly said that Mr Rajan had 'stepped straight into the trap' laid by shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper.

But he did not completely deny using the phrase, saying: 'I don't remember a conversation like that.'

Mr Cleverly could not contain his frustration as the presenter read out passages from yesterday's Supreme Court judgment that the deportations policy was illegal.

And he took umbrage as Mr Rajan raised former judge Lord Sumption's criticism of the idea that Parliament could legislate to declare Rwanda safe as a fact.

The Home Secretary threatened to 'go and get a cup of tea' as he engaged in a tetchy clash with Amol Rajan (pictured) on the flagship Radio 4 Today programme

James Cleverly said that Mr Rajan had 'stepped straight into the trap' laid by shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper

After the host described one answer as 'extraordinary' and then interrupted an explanation of the Government's position, Mr Cleverly said: 'Are you asking questions or are you making statements?

'Because if you're just going to make a statement I can go and get a cup of tea.'

Mr Rajan retorted: 'You're making statements, I'm trying to ask questions.'

Mr Cleverly said: 'I am here. I want to answer questions but you're making statements and then moving on without giving me an opportunity to address the statements that you make, a number of which I disagree with.

'They are not my statements. I am reporting what people like Jonathan Sumption have to say.'

In his round of interviews this morning, Mr Cleverly said the Government is 'absolutely determined' to get a removal flight to Rwanda off before the next election.

The Cabinet minister said he does not 'think' the UK will need to pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as they come under pressure from the Tory right.

He defended plans for emergency legislation to get Parliament to deem Rwanda a 'safe' country despite the Supreme Court's concerns over risks to asylum seekers.

But Mr Cleverly was unable to deny that he privately described the policy of removing migrants who arrive by unauthorised means to east Africa as 'batsh**'.

The Government is working to broker a new legally binding treaty on top of the 140million deal already struck with Kigali after five top justices ruled against the policy on Wednesday.

Rishi Sunak talked tough after the Supreme Court setback yesterday, with the Tories releasing images repeating his vow to 'stop the boats'

A group of Channel migrants arriving on the south coast of England

Mr Cleverly insisted that MPs could ratify the treaty once it is agreed and pass new laws within days.

'The whole process won't necessarily be done and dusted just in a few days, but the actual parliamentary process can be that quick,' he told Times Radio.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and many of his Conservative MPs are concerned that a failure to 'stop the boats' will hit them badly at the next general election, expected within a year.

Asked if a flight will take off before then, the Home Secretary told Times Radio: 'We're absolutely determined to make that happen.'

But he admitted 'the timescales that we are looking at can vary depending on circumstances'.
Iceland is sending in its biggest bulldozer to dig three-mile-long trenches in a bid to disrupt lava flows, amid fears the Fagradalsfjall volcano on the Reykjanes Peninsula could erupt imminently.

The Caterpillar D11, which weighs 104 tons, set off on a truck under police escort in the early hours of the morning.

It has been sent to the area near the Svartsengi geothermal power plant to dig defensive trenches in a bid to reduce the amount of damage a potential eruption will have on infrastructure.

The bulldozer stands at 15 ft tall, and is 35.8 ft long, and can push up to 51 metric tons of earth at a time.

Its enormous fuel tank can hold up to 417 gallons of diesel, which powers the 850 horsepower engine.

The Svartsengi power station it is trying to protect is able to serve 20,000 people on the Reykjanes Peninsula with hot water to a heating system, while it serves about 25,000 Icelanders in neighbouring communities.

The Caterpillar D11, which weighs 104 tons, (pictured) set off on a truck under police escort in the early hours of the morning

The bulldozer stands at 22 ft tall, and is 35.8 ft long, and can push up to 51 metric tons of earth at a time

Nearby infrastructure has already been severely damaged by the presence of underground lava

Iceland's roads have been torn apart as magma made its way underneath the surface like an 'underground freight train'

Icelanders have been leaving the Reykjanes Peninsula in their droves, amid fears the nearby Fagradalsfjall volcano will erupt

The deployment of the massive Caterpillar D11 comes as nearby Grindavik continues to sink with gaping chasms tearing apart buildings and roads, as magma gathers just a few hundred metres beneath the surface amid the prospect of a volcanic eruption.

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Iceland's Met Office said that it has detected a 9-mile long magma intrusion, which is 'propagating upwards slowly' and is believed to currently be 800m under the surface at most.

'The likelihood of a volcanic eruption is high, and an eruption can be possible on a timescale of days,' it said.

Kristin Jonsdottir, group leader in natural disaster monitoring at the Icelandic Meteorological Office, said: 'Micro-seismic activity in the magma intrusion continues. The movement has slowed and scientists are closely monitoring it.

'Yes, we are very vigilant about that. And we see it precisely in the last eruptions that it is precisely when that [movement] starts to reduce, that an eruption becomes closer.'

So far, around 1,200 earthquakes have been detected in the region since midnight.

Magma rapidly made its way under Grindavik like an 'underground freight train', said Matthew James Roberts, a director at the Icelandic Met Office, who warned that 'nature always wins if the eruption lasts long enough'.

Even if there is no explosive blast at the nearby Fagradalsfjall volcano, he told the BBC a low-intensity eruption could see lava flow from a series of fissures 'for weeks', possibly hitting Grindavik.

Scientists have said that depending on where an eruption happens, it could 'certainly' flow into the fishing community, which was turned into a 'ghost town' after it was emptied of its 4,000 residents on Saturday.

As the area braces for a possible eruption, work is underway to urgently construct a huge wall which it is hoped could stop lava flows from hitting the town or a nearby geothermal power plant.

In case the worst happens, a large defensive wall, thought to be the biggest in Iceland, is being constructed to protect the Svartsengi geothermal power plant from lava flows.

The Reykjanes Peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik, has continued to be rocked by tremors, with 400 recorded so far since midnight and a 2,000-year-old fissure continuing to widen.

A police officer stands by the crack in a road in the fishing town of Grindavik, which was evacuated due to volcanic activity

The continued movement of earth has seen hot water from underground pipes burst out

An aerial view shows how a huge chasm has ripped apart the town of Grindavik

Gaping chasms have split open roads in the town, which has been emptied of residents

Experts have warned the subsidence in Grindavik, which has seen huge sinkholes open up, will worsen

The whole of the east of Grindavik is reportedly without electricity this morning, with subsidence potentially rupturing power lines overnight.

The continued movement of earth has also seen hot water from underground pipes burst out, with steam emanating from gaping cracks in roads and beneath homes.

Magma is thought to be as shallow as 500 metres beneath the surface, though some have expressed hopes that it could cool down and solidify rather than break through.

The activity indicates that there is 'still something going' on in the magma corridor, according to experts.

'It's just been very similar to the past few days,' said Sigridur Kristjansdottir of the Norwegian Meteorological Agency this morning.

'About eighty to a hundred earthquakes per hour, most below magnitude two, but a few above magnitude two.

'We also see an expansion in our GPS measurements, so there is still something going on.'

Huge cracks across the main road in Grindavik, southwestern Iceland, have opened up

Steam rises from a fissure in a road near the town of Grindavik, Iceland

Two police officers look down a whole created in the middle of the road in fishing town of Grindavik

Thousands of quakes over recent days have wrecked houses and businesses, leaving many of the residents of Grindavik homeless or in limbo.

Resident Katrin Sigurdardottir told local media that the uncertainty is the toughest part for her and her neighbours.

'The waiting is the worst because we don't know anything. It would be better if we knew the house was under lava because then we could just start from scratch,' she said. 'This uncertainty is so terribly difficult.'

A 'seismic swarm' hit Iceland on October 25, with a huge leap in the number of earthquakes recorded

Those who have been allowed to return to their properties with emergency services to collect belongings were ordered to evacuate on Tuesday after the Icelandic Met Office said its meters had detected increased levels of sulphur dioxide - a possible indicator of an eruption.

Videos have shown apocalyptic scenes in the deserted town, with homes torn apart and gaping chasms opening up in roads.

Mother-of-four Magga Huld AfaOmmudottir, who was only given seven minutes to gather things from her house on Monday, said her family was left homeless after terrifying earthquakes completely wrecked their property.

'Friday was terrible, the earthquakes did not stop for many hours, but we left our house Friday night at 9pm with clothes for two days and two boxes of photo albums, then just planned to come the next day to pick up more,' Magga told MailOnline.

Mother-of-four Magga Huld AfaOmmudottir said her family was left homeless after terrifying earthquakes completely wrecked their house

Mother-of-four Magga Huld AfaOmmudottir said her family was left homeless after terrifying earthquakes completely wrecked their property

'I feel ok, but get scared and jump at the slightest sound, and then we are homeless in one minute - I've got all kinds of emotions going on,' said the 50-year-old.

'We got to go inside the house on Monday. We had seven minutes to pick up what we wanted to save, but the emphasis was on personal things from my family - my mother, grandmother and grandfather - and clothes.'

Sharing the video from inside her home, Magga described her devastation at losing the house she and her husband worked years to buy.

Footage shows how her home was ripped from its foundations by the force of relentless quakes, forcing the family to flee on Friday taking just a few belongings.

The southwestern Reykjanes Peninsula has been shaken by thousands of quakes since a seismic swarm hit on October 25.

Lava flows on active volcano Mount Fagradalsfjall, Iceland (file image from 2021)

Located between the Eurasian and the North American tectonic plates, among the largest on the planet, Iceland is a seismic and volcanic hot spot as the two plates move in opposite directions.

In March 2021, lava fountains erupted spectacularly from a fissure in the ground measuring between 500-750 metres long in the region's Fagradalsfjall volcanic system.

Volcanic activity in the area continued for six months that year, prompting thousands of Icelanders and tourists to visit the scene.

In August 2022, a three-week eruption happened in the same area, followed by another in July of this year.
BBC presenter Emma Barnett has faced an online pile-on from trans allies after she questioned why the new transgender CEO of an endometriosis charity was not using the word 'woman'.

The host was lauded by prominent feminists including Julie Bindel and Kathleen Stock for robustly questioning charity boss Steph Richards after her appointment as CEO of Endometriosis South Coast.

Listeners had widely praised the presenter and thanked her for 'defending biological reality'.

But she was accused of 'bullying' and conducting a 'disgraceful' interview on Radio 4's Woman's Hour by critics including Labour MP Ben Bradshaw.

Richards, 71, who sparked controversy after being appointed to the top role this week, added fuel to the fire by calling the heated exchange 'a missed chance'

The trans activist was one of the first to criticise the interview, posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, less than two hours after the segment aired: 'Did Emma Bartlett (sic) want to talk about #endo or the word "woman"?

'A missed chance I suspect, to raise awareness of this truly awful disease.'

Steph Richards, pictured here campaigning for Labour, is an endometriosis charity CEO

There was a Twitter pile-on after the interview and after Richards posted criticism online

Later Labour MP for Exeter, Mr Bradshaw joined the criticism, declaring: 'Huge respect to you and your colleague for withstanding the appalling presenter bullying and defending inclusive language and services.'

Another alleged it had been a 'One person BBC rant against two people doing great work'.

And a further complainant claimed it had been 'a disgraceful interview' and was 'bullying and 'not proper journalism'.

The BBC has been asked for comment about the complaints.

Currently in the UK 1.5million women suffer from endometriosis and estimated 176 million worldwide,

The interview saw Richards tell Ms Barnett - who has the condition herself - that '29 men' also suffered from it during the heated row.

And in another excruciating moment the trans activist insisted the widely used slur Terf - used frequently to attack the likes of author JK Rowling - was embraced by some people and seen as 'really positive'.

In the exchange both the controversial CEO and the Endometriosis South Coast charity founder Jodie Hughes defended the appointment.

But the flashpoint occurred when Ms Barnet pointed out Ms Richards had not used the word woman in a statement.

She asked her: 'There is a concern that as a trans activist, now running, being the CEO of an endometriosis charity for women, that you will not preserve the importance of things like the word "woman" and that experience because in your statement on X, 10% you say of those assigned female at birth suffer from this awful disease. Is the word you are looking for there, woman?'

Critics have labelled Steph Richard's appointment as 'an insult to women' and 'an absolute disaster' (pictured is Ms Richards)

Woman's Hour host Emma Barnett, seen here attending the Women of the Year Lunch & Awards at The Royal Lancaster Hotel on October 16, 2023

Others were very positive about the interview and praised Ms Barnett for pushing in the chat

The CEO hit back: 'I look at woman, but also look at the issue of trans men and non-binary people. Theres something like 5,000 trans men who have endometriosis who probably feel absolutely rather left out. Theres also non-binary people'.

Ms Barnett cut in 'but the vast majority are women', before Ms Richards then insisted 'yes of course the vast majority are women, does that mean we should leave behind trans men Emma?

'Im happy to use the word woman, I realise the vast majority of endometriosis affects women. Youll also know theres 29 cases of endometriosis found in men.'

Ms Richards was then challenged on her use of the word Terf - which is an acronym for Trans Exclusionary Radical Femnists.

The activist insisted: 'The term Terf can be seen by some as a slur, and others actually embrace it as being something really positive.

'I was brought into Endometriosis South Coast to raise the awareness of endometriosis full stop and also raise the profile of Endometriosis South Coast. Its pretty amazing that in five days Ive achieved that and the vehicle thats done that is transphobia.'

Endometriosis South Coast was this week condemned by women's rights campaigners after the organisation - which offers support to sufferers of the agonising womb condition - named Ms Richards as its new chief executive.

Furious critics branded the appointment an 'insult' to women, while one mother who has suffered from the crippling health condition for decades said she was 'sickened' and 'appalled' by the news.

But Portsmouth Labour activist Ms Richards - who spent 30,000 on an operation to transition from male to female and has previously clashed with feminist campaigners - has broken her silence and accused her critics of 'transphobia'.

In a lengthy statement released on X, formerly Twitter, a defiant Ms Richards insisted: 'My birth sex doesn't come into it - my CV does.'

Ms Richards, who uses the pronouns she and her, has undergone 30,000 in treatment and surgery to transition

Ms Richards' issued a statement on X following the backlash against her appointment as CEO

She added: 'CEO's are appointed by boards/trustees because of their "skill set", not because of their sex (note I have a GRC).'

Ms Richards said her experience included founding a TransLucent, which 'became LGBT organisation of the year and I did that in 27 months'. She also won the Inspirational Women of Portsmouth Awards 2023 in the 'Inspirational Elder' category.

Her appointment, announced on Sunday evening, was met with a wave of outrage on social media.

Jeannette Towey, 66, who has suffered with endometriosis since she was 15 and has had five miscarriages due to it, said she was 'sickened' by the appointment.

The mother-of-two, from Crowborough in East Sussex - whose daughter also has the condition, said: 'To appoint someone like that to a role with an endometriosis charity is an insult in the extreme. It's appalling. I never thought we would see an endometriosis charity succumb to this kind of woke ideology.'

While Kellie-Jay Keen, founder of Let Women Speak movement, lamented: 'Everyone has lost their collective minds.

'This is an absolute disaster and affront to all women who suffer from endometriosis, which is about 10 per cent of women. It's really insulting.'

Speaking earlier today on LBC, Ms Richards said 'duly obliged' to take up the the role of leading the Portsmouth-based charity after being approached by its trustees.

She said the charity's current chairman, Jodie Hughes, was 'stepping back' to focus on her PhD research on endometriosis, an incurable condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, including the ovaries and fallopian tubes, and one that Ms Hughes suffers from.

'The trustees decided that the organisation needed an activist with a proven record to drive the charity forward and advocate for womens health in our city, which is desperately needed,' Ms Richards told LBC's Nick Ferrari.

Mother of two Jeannette Towey, 66, has suffered from endometriosis since she was 15 and was outraged by the appointment

Kellie-Jay Keen, founder of Let Women Speak movement, was critical of the language used by the charity and said it 'ignored women' and added: 'Everyone has lost their collective minds'

What is endometriosis? Endometriosis is a condition where tissue similar to the lining of the womb grows in other places, including the ovaries and fallopian tubes. The long-term condition affects women of any age, including teenagers. Common symptoms include: Pelvic pain

Period pain

Pain during or after sex

Pain peeing or pooing

Feeling sick

Difficulty getting pregnant Treatments include: Painkillers

Hormone medicines and contraceptives

Surgery to cut away the patches of endometriosis Source NHS Advertisement

Responding to the furious wave of criticism against her, Ms Richards continued: 'Simon Cooke is the CEO of MSI Reproductive Choices - a man, he has been there for 10 years. He hasnt experienced transphobia on the level that I have; Laura Kirby is CEO of Prostate Cancer UK  no one's calling for her head.'

Ms Richard insisted ESC was about being 'inclusive', and added: 'If you're a trans man, where do you go unless youve got an inclusive organisation like ours, where do they go for support?

About one in 10 women are thought to suffer from endometriosis. Ms Richards claimed that approximately '5,500 trans men' were thought to be living with the condition in the UK.

But pressing Ms Richards on her new charity role, LBC presenter Mr Ferrari said: 'You'll never fully understand what it is like to have heavy periods or to have this condition because of your birth sex. How do you respond to that?

'Laura Kirby, the CEO of Prostate Cancer [UK] isn't going to get prostate cancer, is she,' responded Ms Richards.

She continued: 'When you appoint a CEO, you do that because of a skillset. Thats why I have been appointed into this position because I am very good at creating campaigns. I've founded an organisation that became LGBT organisation of the year and I did that in 27 months.'

ECS's announcement of Ms Richards' appointment on Sunday came with a statement next to her image that said: 'Isn't it ridiculous I've got to my 40s before any medical professionals even mentioned endometriosis.'

Trans women, who are biological males that identify as women, do not and cannot have a uterus and, therefore, can never suffer from endometriosis.

Health charity Endometriosis South Coast provoked outrage on social media by announcing trans woman Steph Richards was their new chief executive with a quote implying biological men could suffer from the condition

The charity, which runs support groups for women who suffer from the debilitating condition, later apologised for the 'misunderstanding'.

'This quote is from a person that our charity supports. Not from Steph herself,' the organisation wrote on X.

'Steph is a huge advocate for what people in the endo community go through. This is why they were appointed, not because they have their own endo journey.'

But they continued to face backlash, with one person writing: 'You have failed every single woman who is currently using your services.'

Women's rights activist Ms Keen was critical of the language used by the charity and said it 'ignored women', adding: 'The losers are women who suffered from endometriosis who have to rely on a charity that won't call them "women" but "people" but who will call a man a women.

'I think it's doubly insulting they will use female language for him but not for a sufferer the condition.'

Conservative activist Ms Towey claimed to have previously worked as a regional organiser in the south for Endometriosis UK, operating across Southampton and Portsmouth - where ECS is based.

She added: 'This is a tin pot charity. I don't know who they are... I have never heard of this lot.'

Ms Richards is pictured at an event with Portsmouth's Labour party

Ms Richards, who uses the pronouns she and her, has repeatedly clashed with women's rights advocates, some of whom she has branded as 'terfs', and was previously involved in a protest outside the FiLiA feminist conference.

On LinkedIn, the activist, who is also a Women's Officer at Portsmouth Labour Party, lists her professions as journalist and publisher, having started the website and blog Steph's Place UK.

Steph's Place UK was one of the trans rights organisations which unsuccessfully attempted to have the Equality and Human Rights Commission stripped of its international accreditation after it warned about changes to legal gender recognition and conversion therapy.

The new chief executive described the questions over her appointment as 'transmisogyny' and said she did not apply for the role but was asked to take it on.

She said on X that she had begun 'researching issues around pregnancy and women's health well over two decades ago'.

Speaking today, she added: 'Many gynaecologists are men - I don't see any headlines about them. Some midwives are men - I don't see any headlines about them either. And how about the male paramedic who may deal with miscarriage or prolapse - there are no headlines about them either. Am I wrong?'

But Caroline Ffiske, director of Conservatives for Women, said she was in 'disbelief', adding: 'It's an insulting appointment. It's an insult to women.

'It's an absolutely shocking appointment. There's just disbelief and despair among the entire community.'

Another critic on X, who claimed to have suffered from the condition for years, wrote: 'As a woman who suffered with endometriosis for decades, I simply cannot fathom why you'd think this appointment is appropriate.'

On its website, ESC said it is an 'inclusive charity set up to support people who haven't started their diagnosis journey, are going through the diagnosis stages, or have been diagnosed with endometriosis and/or adenomyosis'.

Caroline Ffiske, director of Conservatives for Women, said she was in 'disbelief', adding: 'It's an insulting appointment. It's an insult to women'

Feminist author Milli Hill argued that the appointment was no different to a controversial case last year where a man was appointed Scotland's first ever period dignity officer

The charity was eventually forced to issue an apology and clarify that the quote came from a person the charity supported rather than Ms Richards herself

Some endometriosis suffers, like a user who only went by IDD64, said they struggled to understand how the charity could consider this appropriate

It added it aims to create a 'safe space for all people with the condition regardless of race, gender, or religion.

'This disease does not discriminate and neither do the people who run this charity,' the organisation added on its website.

The charity's founder and chairman of trustees is Ms Hughes, who was diagnosed with Endometriosis at the age of 29.

She has previously spoken as a keynote speaker at a round-table event on transgender health care and had studied transgender and gender bias theories at university.

Her PhD at the University of Roehampton looked at the disparities in the care of endometriosis patients

In an article written by Ms Hughes, entitled 'Managing Endometriosis When You're Trans: Suffering In Silence, she said: 'Managing endometriosis is a feat in itself, but it can be an even more difficult and isolating experience for transgender individuals.

'Too often, transgender and non-binary people are left out of the conversation when it comes to this disease. This can lead to a lack of understanding and feelings of helplessness, which in turn, can cause worsening symptoms.'

On ESC's website, the charity added endometriosis in the 'gender non-conforming population is a highly stigmatised and scary area of diagnosis and treatment'.

It claimed that 'focussing research and treatment plans on gendered constructs is not progressing either research or treatment'.
Unlicensed driver Dawid Zywicki, 28, was speeding on the wrong side of the road

A banned drink-driver has been remanded in custody after killing a much-loved grandmother in a crash as she returned home from the theatre.

Dawid Zywicki already had 15 road traffic convictions when he got behind the wheel of his Ford Fiesta van on March 27 last year.

The 28-year-old had been going at speed when he ended up crashing head-on into a private hire taxi in which Margaret Pearson, 75, was a passenger.

She did not survive the crash in Glasgows Haghill.

A man fixing his tyre at the side of the road was also hit and badly hurt. Zywicki pleaded guilty to a charge of causing death and serious injury by dangerous driving.

Unlicensed driver Dawid Zywicki, 28, had been going at speed when he crashed head-on into a taxi carrying passenger Margaret Pearson, 75, in Glasgow's Haghill on March 27 last year

Prosecutor Gavin Anderson, KC, told the High Court in Glasgow that Mrs Pearson had spent that evening with her friend at the citys Kings Theatre.

They then shared a taxi home  her friend was dropped off first, leaving the pensioner in the back.

Mr Anderson told the court: The taxi driver saw the headlights of the oncoming van.

He later described Zywickis approach as being fast, like motorway speed.

Zywicki, who has never held a full driving licence and was also not wearing a seatbelt, had gone onto the opposite side of the road before ploughing into the black Mercedes.

This caused the taxi to spin and hit Kevin ONeill and his Ford Focus. Mr ONeill, 56, had been trying to repair a puncture.

Emergency crews took the unconscious Mrs Pearson to hospital where it was found she had suffered bleeding around the brain and a spinal fracture. The mother of five and grandmother of seven died on March 31.

Mr ONeill needed surgery for serious injuries to his left leg and was in hospital for five days.

The court heard Zywicki was found to have not less than 179mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. The legal limit is 50mg. Mr Anderson further explained that Zywicki had been banned from driving in July 2019.

He added: He has never had a full driving licence. He has held a provisional licence.

The court heard Zywicki already had two convictions for drink driving, two for getting behind the wheel while already banned, one for dangerous driving and another for careless driving.

He had a further five for having no insurance and a final four for driving without a proper licence.

The part-time painter and decorator was remanded in custody by judge Lord Scott and sentencing was adjourned until next month in Lanark.

A family statement issued through Digby Brown Solicitors said: We are grateful for the acceptance of accountability. However, there is no amount of justice that could comfort us over the loss of Margaret, who was such an important person in our lives.

We would like to thank everyone who has supported us but we now politely ask that our privacy is respected as we attempt to move forward in the same way that our wife, mum and gran would have  with love, strength and dignity.
The body of a Texas woman who has been missing for months was found inside of her boyfriend's fridge, heavily decomposed, cops say.

Heather Schwab's mother Tammra went to the police in June to tell them that her daughter hadn't been heard from in months and that she was in an abusive relationship with her boyfriend, Chad Christopher Stevens.

The case appeared to be cold until November 3, when Tammra went back to the police to tell them that Stevens' ex-wife and his daughter had key information about the disappearance.

He had apparently told them that Heather was dead and buried in his backyard.

On November 12, McKinney police obtained a search warrant for Stevens' home, and inside they found a fridge in his kitchen that was covered in 'copious' amounts of plastic wrapping. After that discovery, Heather's body was found.

Heather Schwab, 35, was missing since June 2022, her body was found in a refrigerator in her ex-boyfriend's home this month

Chad Christopher Stevens, 42, shown in his mugshot after Schwab's body was discovered in his kitchen

Stevens being arrested on evidence tampering charges after the gruesome discovery was made

Stevens, 42, told police that Heather, 35, died inside of his home in June 2022 and that he did not know what do with her body. He was arrested on the spot on evidence tampering charges.

Tammra Schwab told investigators that her daughter's relationship was full of abuse and that Heather told her multiple times that she felt as though Stevens would kill her eventually. The mother and daughter hadn't spoken in a year.

'Tammra stated on multiple occasions in the past, Heather had stated to her that Chad would kill her and hide her body somewhere,' one section of the affidavit reads.

She added that the couple's neighbor would let the worried mother know when they had seen Heather around their community.

When police initially interviewed the suspect back in June, he told them that Heather had broken up with him a year previously and that he didn't know where she was now.

It wasn't until November 4 when Stevens' daughter, Briana, told the police that two days earlier, she got into an argument with her father which resulted in him threatening to kill her.

The daughter said that she rarely spoke to her father but decided to call him on November 2 to tell him that she was pregnant.

Investigators seen removing the refrigerator from Stevens' home this week

Stevens shown leaving his home prior to being taken into custody

'Briana advised that Chad was very upset and threatened to kill the baby if she did not have an abortion and even threatened to kill her,' the affidavit reads.

Briana told investigators that she told her father he should not threaten others because 'people will believe him and take him seriously.' He told her that he was serious about his threats.

Around this point, Briana also mentioned that she knew Heather had gone missing.

'Oh, so you think I killed her?' he responded, according to the affidavit. Briana said that Stevens went into a rant and began badgering his daughter about how she knew about his backyard, even though she hadn't mentioned his yard.

Stevens then said that 'even if [he] had had done something to Heather, he would only get five years in prison for hiding the body and he knew that because he had researched it.'

His daughter and ex-wife made it clear that Stevens brought up his backyard on multiple occasions during the conversation on November 2.

At one stage in the conversation he sarcastically stated that Heather's body was buried in the backyard, the complaint alleges.

During their search on November 12, investigators found many of Heather's belongings including her laptop and cellphone.

During their search of Stevens' home, investigators found many of Heather's belongings including her laptop and cellphone

Stevens' home, shown here, was regularly boarded up with trash strewn across the backyard, neighbors said

Just three days before the search warrant was executed, Stevens was hit with an assault charge involving a separate relationship. That woman said that she met Stevens in June 2022 and moved in with him three months later.

That woman alleged that Stevens attacked her when she left him in January 2023, reports WFAA.

According to police, Stevens went to great efforts to obscure the fridge from anyone else, to the extent that he put a large piece of sheet rock in front of it.

'During the execution of the Search Warrant, a refrigerator which was wrapped in copious amounts of plastic wrap was located in the kitchen of the residence,' the complaint reads.

'The sole entry to the kitchen had been suspiciously closed and concealed from the remainder of the residence with a piece of sheet rock. Inside the refrigerator, a small statured human body was located.'

In the wake of Stevens' arrest, one neighbor described his strange behavior in an interview with NBC Dallas.

'It could have been a different woman, but a few months back, there was like a woman She kind of like followed him around. Just like did whatever he did, but she was like always around, and then a couple of months later, you know, I like stopped seeing her, and I was like, "Okay, well, maybe they broke up or whatever happened,"' Carolina Murillo said.

'He was like up at all times. Like any time I was going out, leaving the house, or coming in, like he was always outside. Just walking around doing stuff around the yard,' she went on.

Another neighbor, Tony Miller, also pointed Stevens' eccentric activities.

'Having plastic on his windows, not acknowledging too many people, thats what it was.  Being parents who have to be aware what your surroundings are and with people like that you have to be suspicious,' he told Fox Dallas-Fort Worth.

The Schwab family described themselves as 'beyond grief-stricken' following the gruesome discovery.

'Her family is beyond grief-stricken and broken-hearted. We appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers that our family is receiving. We are so grateful to the McKinney Police Department for their hard work and dedication in finding Heather. We would appreciate privacy for her family and children as we process through this devastating time,' Schwab's family told WFAA in a statement.

Stevens was last arrested in 2020 on assault causing serious bodily injury, criminal mischief, failure to appear and parole violation charges.
Russia has finally admitted that Ukrainian troops have been able to cross the vast and strategically crucial Dnipro River and set up positions in yet another battlefield blow for Putin.

Kyiv said Ukrainian soldiers had managed 'against all odds' to gain a foothold on the occupied east bank of the river in the Kherson region, a potentially major setback for Russia in the south where Ukraine is trying to open a new line of attack.

They are now trying to push the Kremlin's invading forces back from the eastern bank of the river, which serves as a formidable natural barrier on the battlefield.

Last night Russia admitted for the first time that some Ukrainian troops had established positions on the Moscow-held side of the river.

The Moscow-installed head of Ukraine's Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, admitted the existence of 'small groups' of Ukrainian soldiers stretched along the eastern bank.

But he insisted Ukrainian forces were being met by 'fiery hell' from Russian artillery, rockets and drones, enduring heavy losses.

Russian and Ukrainian forces have been entrenched on opposite sides of the river since Moscow withdrew from the western part of Kherson region last November. Since then, both sides have failed to make decisive gains, despite staging numerous offensives.

A group of Ukrainian marines sail from the riverbank of Dnipro at the frontline near Kherson, Ukraine, Saturday, October 14, 2023

A Ukrainian serviceman jumps out of the boat onto the shore of Dnipro at the frontline near Kherson, Ukraine, Sunday, October 15, 2023

Russian-installed leader of the Kherson region Vladimir Saldo attends unveiling of the monument to Kirill Stremousov in Simferopol, Crimea, November 9, 2023

Ukrainian servicemen fire an artillery during an anti drone drill in Chernigiv region on November 11, 2023

Russia's Saldo said on Wednesday that 'about one and a half enemy companies, mostly in small groups,' were currently on the Russian-held side.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, a company in the Russian military consists of anything from 45 to 360 soldiers.

He also claimed Ukraine had lost 'at least one and a half to two full battalions' trying to cross, that morale was low and that the average life-span of a Ukrainian soldier on the bank is 'little more than two days'.

His comments were the first admission by a senior Russian official that Ukraine had managed to secure some positions on the Russian-controlled side of the river.

Saldo said Ukrainian forces were operating in small groups spread over an area from a railway bridge to the village of Krynky, a distance of around 20 km (12 miles).

The village of Krynky lies close to the Dnipro around 30 km northeast of the city of Kherson, which Ukraine recaptured almost exactly a year ago.

He added that Ukrainian forces were pinned down in basements in the day and predicted the Ukrainian assault would be thwarted.

For Ukraine, a sustained breakthrough would mark a significant tactical success for Kyiv, whose wider counteroffensive has so far failed to turn the tide after 21 months.

Military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko told media outlet RBK Ukraine that the growing area of contested control on the eastern bank 'significantly reduces the mobility and capability of the Russian occupiers'.

Since mid-October, Russian military bloggers close to the armed forces have been reporting that small groups of Ukrainian troops were successfully crossing the river.

Photographs from the frontline showed marines sailing the Dnipro near Kherson on October 14 and 15.

But until now, neither side has been able to decisively break the deadlock.

Boggy, swamp-like terrain makes amphibious landings difficult, and Russia has significant access to manpower and equipment on the eastern side of the river.

River crossings are also dangerous in warfare, leaving soldiers exposed and unable to quickly retreat if engaged.

'Against all the odds, Ukraine's defence forces have gained a foothold on the left (eastern) bank of the Dnipro,' President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff said on Tuesday.

The official, Andriy Yermak, said Ukraine's counteroffensive, launched in June, was 'developing' and that Kyiv knew 'how to achieve victory'.

The Kremlin has refused to acknowledge whether Ukraine's attempts to land on the other side of the river were working, deferring questions to the defence ministry instead.

The ministry has said separately that it had captured a small group of Ukrainian soldiers 'trying to land on the left bank'.

Both Kyiv and Moscow regularly claim to have killed high numbers of 'enemy' soldiers, though neither side comments on their own losses.

Ukrainian soldiers of the 67th brigade prepare a grenade launcher at their fighting position on the frontline, in the direction of Kreminna, Donetsk Oblast, Ukraine on November 15, 2023

A Ukrainian serviceman of the 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade rests next to boxes of mortar shells, in an undisclosed location near the Dnipro River in the Kherson region, on November 6

Ukrainian servicemen of the 123rd Territorial Defense Brigade prepare to fire a mortar over the Dnipro River toward Russian positions, in the Kherson region, on November 6

Mortar shells with the messages 'For children and grandchildren', 'For Odesa' written on them, at an undisclosed position near Kherson, on November 6

Saldo's rare admission came as President Volodymyr Zelensky said it had been a 'difficult day' for Kyiv due to deadly Russian strikes in the east of the country.

Two rescue workers arriving at the scene of a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia region were killed by a second strike, Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said on social media.

'Rescuers were at the scene in a matter of minutes. Then the occupiers struck again,' he said.

The victims were 31 and 34 years old, he added.

It was not immediately clear where or when the attack took place.

The region's governor had said earlier that Russia launched three rocket attacks at a town in Zaporizhzhia region Wednesday, killing one person and injuring seven others.

Meanwhile, Britain's new Foreign Secretary - former Prime Minister David Cameron - made a surprise visit to Kyiv, announced on Thursday, and vowed to keep up military support for Ukraine.

'We will continue to give you the moral support, diplomatic support, the economic support, but above all, the military support, that you need not just this year, and next year, but for however long it takes,' Cameron said during a meeting with Zelensky.

'Russia thinks it can wait this war out, and that the West will eventually turn its attention elsewhere. This could not be further from the truth,' he added in a separate statement.

Zelensky has expressed concerns in recent weeks that Ukraine may become a lesser priority among backers as attention shifts to the escalating conflict between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East.'

'Now you know the world is not focused on the situation on our battlefield in Ukraine and dividing the focus really does not help,' Zelensky told Cameron in a video distributed by the presidency.

Ukraine's foreign ministry said Cameron had also attended talks with his counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on issues related to weapon deliveries, arms production, and maritime security in the Black Sea.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiy welcomes Britain's Foreign Secretary David Cameron before their meeting, in this handout picture released November 16, 2023

David Cameron made a surprise visit to Kyiv, announced on Thursday, and vowed to keep up military support for Ukraine

A woman prays at a church in Posad-Pokrovske, a village heavily damaged last year during confrontation of Russian troops and Ukrainian army, in Kherson region, on November 4, 2023

Farmer Volodymyr Melnikovych looks at the ruins of his farm after a recent Russian rocket attack in the village of Kiseliovka close to Kherson, Ukraine, Friday, November 10, 2023

Russia was also today accused of pre-planning to pillage over $1bn of Ukrainian grain each year in order to fund its invasion of Ukraine.

A report shared by Global Rights Compliance, an international human rights law firm, revealed 'significant evidence' of the 'weaponisation' of grain on 'an unprecedented scale'.

The group highlighted forced seizures of grain facilities from Ukrainian farmers and corporations, taking control of network links to send grain east, into Russia.

Data pooled between December 2021 and July 2023 built on open-source research, analysing and verifying photographs, videos, public statements by officials and 'other digital data'.

As early as March 1, 2022, one farmer in Zaporizhzhia reported that his farm had been taken over by Russian forces.

Within two weeks, Russian officials were publicly sharing plans to rapidly increase grain exports by using occupied ports.

'The speed at which Russia targeted and took over Ukraine's grain infrastructure in these regions speaks to a highly coordinated level of pre-planning,' according to a GRC statement.

Yousuf Syed Khan, Senior Lawyer at Global Rights Compliance, said: 'The highly systematised weaponisation of Ukraine's grain that we are documenting is unprecedented in modern history, and has involved extremely intricate pre-planning.

'It is purposefully designed to deny food to civilian populations in third-States.

'Russia is doing this to fund its unlawful war effort, to elicit sanctions relief on the world stage, to buy votes in international fora, and to represent itself as the legitimate authority of Ukrainian territory, in turn also weakening Ukraine's national economy.'
Brazilian actress and model Isis Freitas has died after being rushed to hospital in serious condition.

Freitas, 22, passed away on Sunday and she was buried at the Sao Francisco Xavier Cemetery in Rio de Janeiro on Monday.

Her cause of death has not been disclosed but information circulating on social media suggests that she died from tuberculosis, according to Brazilian media.

Her team from the talent agency LMA Producoes confirmed her death on social media.

They wrote: 'It is with great regret and sadness that we come to inform you of the passing of our actress and companion Isis Freitas.

Isis Freitas, 22, passed away on Sunday and she was buried at the Sao Francisco Xavier Cemetery, in Rio de Janeiro on Monday

Freitas began her career as a model before working as an actress and performing in a number of plays

Freitas was also featured in several adverts for cosmetics brands

'On behalf of the entire team of actors and staff at LMA, our sincere condolences to all her friends and family. We are united in solidarity for this irreparable loss.'

Freitas began her career as a model before working as an actress and performing in a number of plays. She was also featured in several adverts for cosmetics brands.

Big names in Brazilian Showbiz mourned the loss of the actress and model online, with actress Larissa Manoela, influencer Lucas Neto and soap opera actor Matheus Dias paying tribute.

Manoela said: 'Still in shock about your departure. Young girl, very sweet, talented and affectionate. Rest in peace, Isis! My condolences to the entire family.'

Big names in Brazilian Showbiz mourned the loss of Freitas online

Isis Freitas. Actress Larissa Manoela wrote on social media: 'Still in shock about your departure. Young girl, very sweet, talented and affectionate. Rest in peace, Isis! My condolences to the entire family'

Dias said: 'Rest, my friend! Love you forever. She was a great sight, with a smile that reached the front, a laugh that was good to hear, a sweet voice and so beautiful. I always praised you, because I always knew how great you were and not for nothing I always compared you to the sun.

'And now you leave the scene, without goodbyes on a sunny day as beautiful as you. Holy s***, it's f***ed up, it hurts.

'But you needed to enchant bigger, more sunny places and I really hope you look after us from wherever you are.

'Rest easy, my love, may the heavenly father welcome you and may your smile be the strongest mark in the memories of the people you were present with in life.'
A Yorkshire Ripper survivor has described how she was left with a broken jaw and horrific facial injuries after the serial killer attacked her with a screwdriver more than 40 years ago.

Maureen 'Mo' Lea, had been planning her 21st birthday with friends in the student area of Headingley in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in October 1980 when she was attacked by Peter Sutcliffe.

'My head was in the gutter and I was choking on my own blood,' Ms Lea recalls.

Sutcliffe was handed a whole-life sentence after being convicted for murdering 13 women and attempting to kill seven more in the late 1970s. Sutcliffe died aged 74 in Durham on November 13 2020, after testing positive for coronavirus.

Ms Lea has appeared in the latest episode of MailOnline's new YouTube human interest series called 'My Story', which features people with extraordinary life stories.

The art student had been walking home from the pub when she was set upon by a man and attacked with a hammer and a screwdriver. Her life was saved by a passing couple who heard her screams.

She was assaulted so brutally that her parents didn't even recognise her in the hospital, her jaw broken, her face bloodied and bruised.

Maureen 'Mo' Lea, had been planning her 21st birthday with friends in the student area of Headingley in Leeds, West Yorkshire, in October 1980 when she was attacked by Peter Sutcliffe

Ms Lea has appeared in the latest episode of MailOnline's new YouTube human interest series called 'My Story', which features people with extraordinary life stories

Sutcliffe was convicted of 13 murders and seven attempted murders, and handed a whole-life sentence

Ms Lea was assaulted so brutally that her parents didn't even recognise her in the hospital, her jaw broken, her face bloodied and bruised

Several months later, while recuperating at home in Liverpool, she recognised Sutcliffe on the TV as her assailant.

Sharing her survivor story with MailOnline, Ms Lea said: 'My neck had narrowly missed a major injury where two screwdrivers had been stabbed into the back of my skull and just missed my spinal cord by millimetres.'

The Yorkshire Ripper Files: A forensic look at the 13 victims slaughtered by Peter Sutcliffe in his five-year reign of terror Advertisement

She added: 'It was a very, very confusing time and a very dark and depressing time for me.'

Setting the scene, Ms Lea described how she had gone out for a few drinks but left early because at the time there was a curfew on women so that they were not walking home alone. Her boyfriend was in London so she was on her own for the first time.

Ms Lea said: 'I was with friends, but I had to leave them at a certain point of the journey home from the pub. When we got to the corner of the park, they insisted, Should we just walk you to your bus stop? I wasnt, you know, having it. No, no, no. I'm an independent person. I'm not going to be having people chaperone me around.

'So, I happily left the park side and headed towards the university grounds. I needed to get a pace on because the buses werent as regular as I would have wanted them to be.'

As she walked through the university, she said she noticed it was eerily quiet and there was not many people around considering it was a Saturday night.

She continued: So, I carried on walking, and I got to the outskirts of the campus and thought, if I take a shortcut, I can get into town quicker.

'So, I took a turn to my right. I went down a street which is normally very well-lit, but I noticed there was a light out. But I thought if I go back on, I might myself make the journey even longer.

Yorkshire Ripper Peter Sutcliffe leaving court in 1983 after giving evidence against a man who was accused of attacking him in prison

This photo shows 12 of the 13 victims that Sutcliffe killed during a horrific murder spree over five years

'As I was walking down this road, someone pulled out from behind me and they sounded very, very familiar.'

Ms Lea said she thought she must know them and that it was likely someone from the pub or from the university art school.

She said that although he was very chatty and friendly, she realised she did not recognise him and that he was 'holding himself really strangely' and 'standing in an odd position'.

'I decided I would turn away and I would just carry on with my journey. So quite politely said, bye, see you,' she continued.

'And as I turned to walk to the end of the road, I could hear his footsteps increasing behind me. And it was at that point I realised I was in some serious danger. So, I thought, right, I'm going to walk briskly.

'The faster I walked and started to run; the adrenaline really kicked in. I ran as fast as I could and I could hear his footsteps right behind me, getting faster and faster and faster.

Ms Lea said that she was saved by a couple who saw Sutcliffe just as he was about to deliver a final blow

'Then the next thing I knew, I got this massive whack to the top of my head. And I saw the pavement coming up towards me and I blacked out.

'I didn't know what had happened. I had no idea what it what was going on. I was completely unconscious. And it transpires later that the attacker was disturbed while he was leaning over me, and I was on the floor.

'My head was in the gutter, and I was choking on my own blood. And a couple saw what had happened.'

As she reflected on having her life saved, Ms Lea revealed: 'They stared towards this sight of a person lying on the floor and this man wielding a hammer over me...about to go in for his last blow.

'He saw them and stopped and ran off. And that's what saved my life.'

She was eventually rushed to St James's hospital in an ambulance but couldn't even speak because her jaw was 'completely cracked open'.

Ms Lea also had other injuries from the hammer blow which gave her a fractured skull and cheekbone while her face was completely swollen and bruised.

'My parents, when they did eventually come to see me, walked past the end of the bed because they didn't recognise me,' she said.

She recounted how a woman in the bed opposite asked her 'What did you do to deserve that?' which she found misogynistic as it implied it must have been a man who hated her and she deserved it.

After recovering, Ms Lea said the attack fulled the creativity in her as an art students.

She decided to make satirical artworks about her experiences in the hospital and how it felt to be the victim of this brutal attack. She said she 'drew with anger'.

Mo Lea (pictured) had been walking home when she was set upon by a man and attacked with a screwdriver. Her life was saved by a passing woman who heard her screams. She later recognised her attacker as Peter Sutcliffe

She penned a passionate account of her struggle called Facing the Yorkshire Ripper: The Art of Survival

Filled with anger, Ms Lea also opened up about the moment that police officers visited her on the hospital ward.

She explained: 'I remember at one point I was in a hospital bed and a police officer arrived, plainclothes police officer and another chap with a really nice, fancy, large format camera.

'They wanted to take photographs of my injuries, which they did. And then he tried to take a report and then at the end of it, he said, Well, if we're going to take this seriously, we will come and interview you again.

'And I was like Take this seriously? I could be dead if I hadn't if people hadn't interrupted this attack!. And as it was, it transpires that the police were being heavily criticised by Margaret Thatcher at the time because they could not find the Yorkshire Ripper.

'And as a result of that, they downplayed my attack because it didn't really suit them. They wanted to keep their reputation as best they could, which was slowly diminishing.

'And if I'd been labelled as another potential Ripper victim, then there would have been people banging on police office doors. They were...the community and the public were outraged that a massive police force couldn't find this individual, which had been attacking women for at least five years, maiming them or killing them.'

Then in January, Ms Lea remembered seeing that they had finally caught the Yorkshire Ripper, naming him as Peter Sutcliffe.

Peter Sutcliffe (pictured above in Frimley, Surrey, in 2015), 74, had recently been diagnosed with Covid-19 and passed away at the University Hospital of North Durham on November 13 2020

A selection of British newspaper front pages published the day serial killer Sutcliffe made his first appearance in court, where he was charged with 13 counts of murder, in January 1981

'I was at home watching TV and his face came up and that's when I recognised that was the man who tried to talk to me,' she said.

'That was the man who tried to lure me into his brutal attack, who was wanting to kill me. And that's when I got scared and realised something was happening.

'I fell to my knees. I couldn't believe that the person who'd attacked me was this notorious serial killer.'

Some 16 years after the attack, she was phoned by police officers who wanted to interview her. She asked whether it was about Sutcliffe but they told her they weren't allowed to say anything.

It transpired they wanted to interview her to justify their story because a TV series was coming out to examine the forgotten victims of Sutcliffe.

'So, they were pushed and forced to come and visit me and other survivors as well who were recognised at that time,' she said.

'And I was absolutely shocked, and I laughed at them. So, you're coming to me sixteen years afterwards to say, We think it might be the Yorkshire Ripper? But they said, No, we can neither confirm nor deny that it was Peter Sutcliffe, the Yorkshire Ripper.

Police never charged him for Ms Lea's attack, and despite several investigations the Ripper has never admitted carrying out that assault.

And the artist admitted she would have liked Sutcliffe to have confessed.

She even wrote letters to him and sent him her book Facing the Yorkshire Ripper: The Art of Survival in a bid to get him to confess.

Ms Lea says that surviving the attack and being 'so close to death gives you an edge in a strange way'.

She has been working with filmmaker Roberto Duque to film a scene where she draws the Ripper in the infamous photograph where he's wearing a bow tie at his wedding and rips it up.

Ms Lea said: 'I turned the tables, and I objectified him. Im then filmed ripping off the Ripper, ripping through his face, ripping through his eyes and his mouth and all the shards of paper falling to the floor.

'And I walk over the ripped-up drawing of the Ripper out of shot. It's the most empowering thing I've ever done. It was just brilliant to objectify and just rip him off. Treat him as a little object of trash. Very empowering.'
Ministers have admitted the Tories face losing the next election unless Rishi Sunak can get Rwanda flights up and running by the Spring.

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick warned there is no 'path to victory' if the PM cannot show voters he has kept his vow to 'Stop the Boats'.

The stark message came as Conservatives digested the consequences of the Supreme Court ruling that the policy is illegal - and more Channel migrants arrived on the south coast.

A grim poll today underlined the problems for Mr Sunak, showing Labour 27 points ahead.

A visibly angry premier staged a Downing Street press conference last night to lay out his 'Plan B'.

A new Treaty will be drawn up to assauge concerns asylum seekers deported to Rwanda could be sent back to danger in their country of origin, and emergency legislation will be passed declaring Rwanda 'safe'.

The premier warned that once those things had been achieved he would not tolerate blocking by 'foreign courts', insisting leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is on the table.

However, in a round of interviews this morning Home Secretary James Cleverly acknowledged that Mr Sunak's ambition of getting flights going by Spring is dependent on 'circumstances'. There are fears of legal challenges and delaying tactics by peers.

He risked inflaming internal Tory tensions by saying he did not believe the UK would need to leave the ECHR, dismissing the argument as a 'distraction'.

And he also stopped short of denying that he privately branded the Rwanda policy 'batsh**' - merely saying he could not 'remember' the conversation.

Rishi Sunak has been warned he faces loses the next election unless he can meet his vow to 'Stop the Boats'

More Channel migrants were seen being brought ashore at Dover today

The Channel migrants brought into Dover today were the first since Mr Cleverly took over in the Home Office on Monday

A Border Force vessel arrived at Dover today having apparently picked up Channel migrants

Immigration minister Robert Jenrick warned there is no 'path to victory' for the Tories if the PM cannot show voters he has kept his vow to 'Stop the Boats'

Around 50 asylum seekers were intercepted off the coast of Kent and brought to Dover on Border Force catamaran Hurricane shortly before 10am this morning.

They were the first to arrive since Mr Cleverly took over in the Home Office on Monday.

Speaking on LBC radio last night, Mr Jenrick was challenged on whether Rwanda flights will definitely start by the Spring.

'There's no choice. There's no choice, but for us to do that,' he said.

'We cannot afford to fail. Millions of people are asking us to do this.

'It is critical to our national security and to protecting our borders.'

Pressed on what happens if the government does not get flights going by Spring, Mr Jenrick said: 'I don't see a path to victory at the next general election unless we resolve this issue.

'I've been doing this job for a year. I care passionately about it. We're making a huge amount of progress now.

'We've seen a reduction in small boat arrivals by a third compared to a 30 per cent increase in the EU and an over 100 per cent increase in Italy.

'When I arrived in this job, I was given a reasonable worst-case scenario at a 40 per cent increase in this country.

'So, we are making good progress, but we will not stop the boats in their entirety without injecting a major deterrent - that is Rwanda. This treaty, and this bill must do that job.'

Last night Mr Sunak said his patience was 'wearing thin' with the constant hurdles thrown in the path of the scheme which is designed to smash the business model of the people smuggling gangs.

He pledged to bring forward emergency legislation within weeks to prevent a repeat of yesterday's Supreme Court ruling that Rwanda is not a safe place to send Channel migrants.

Speaking at a Downing Street press conference he also vowed to block any attempt by European judges to halt flights to Rwanda, as happened in June last year at the 11th hour as the first flight prepared to take off.

'I will not allow a foreign court to block these flights,' he said. 'If the Strasbourg court chooses to intervene against the express wishes of Parliament I am prepared to do what is necessary to get flights off. I will not take the easy way out.'

The PM said ministers were also close to finalising a new treaty with Rwanda in which the east African state will commit to not returning any migrant sent from the UK to their home country.

The moves followed a devastating Supreme Court ruling yesterday which declared that the plan to send Channel migrants to Rwanda was unlawful because of the risk they could later be deported back to their home country where they could face 'ill treatment'.

The verdict is a further blow to the scheme, which is seen as vital in deterring migrants from making the perilous journey across the Channel.

Suella Braverman led calls on the Tory Right to legislate to carve out the plan from the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) and other human rights laws.

The former Home Secretary, who was sacked on Monday, said: 'There is no chance of curbing illegal migration within the current legal framework. We must legislate or admit defeat.'

Mr Sunak told MPs he was willing to 'revisit those international relationships' only if it 'becomes clear that our domestic legal frameworks or international conventions are still frustrating plans'.

A Government source said that the proposed treaty and law change would be 'quicker' than attempting to disapply the ECHR, which was 'likely to be challenged in the courts'.

However the changes will need primary legislation, opening up the risk that Labour and the Liberal Democrats could combine to frustrate or even block the plans in the House of Lords.

Mr Sunak said he still hoped to get the first flights to Rwanda going by the spring of next year - but he repeatedly refused to guarantee they would start before the next election.

Supreme Court president Lord Reed ruled there would be a risk of 'refoulement', Rwanda returning genuine asylum seekers to face 'ill treatment' in the country they had fled.

In a round of interviews this morning Home Secretary James Cleverly acknowledged that Mr Sunak's ambition of getting flights going by Spring is dependent on 'circumstances'

He made it clear in his summary of the judgment that the ECHR was not the only international treaty relevant to the court's decision, which also took into account domestic law.

The ruling brought an end to almost 18 months of legal wrangling which began in June 2022 when an anonymous judge in Strasbourg issued a temporary injunction preventing a flight containing channel migrants.

MPs on the Tory Right called on Mr Sunak to bring forward legislation to disapply human rights laws from the Rwanda scheme at the same time as pursuing a new treaty.

Miriam Cates and Danny Kruger, co-chairs of the New Conservatives group, welcomed the PM's pledge to act, but urged him to move faster.

'It will need more than a declaration that Rwanda is safe,' they said. 'We can't wait for ECHR to intervene: we must move now to ensure that this time, finally, there is simply no opportunity for rights based claims against deportation.'
China has issued a damning reply to U.S. President Joe Biden's comments that he still considers President Xi Jinping 'a dictator', just hours after the pair held clear-the-air talks in California.

China's foreign ministry said it 'strongly opposes' the 'wrong and irresponsible' remarks.

Biden said Wednesday: 'Hes a dictator in the sense that he is a guy who runs a country that is a communist country thats based on a form of government totally different than ours.'

Beijing's spokesperson Mao Ning told reporters at a routine briefing Thursday: 'This statement is extremely wrong and irresponsible political manipulation.

'It should be pointed out that there will always be some people with ulterior motives who attempt to incite and damage U.S.-China relations, they are doomed to fail.'

The meeting had been mooted as an opportunity to reverse the trajectory of rhetoric between the two powers in light of the spy balloon saga in January and escalating situation surrounding Taiwan

Xi, 70, told the 80-year-old Biden, 'We shoulder heavy responsibilities for the world and for history'

Biden reaches out to Xi's hand at the entrance to the Filoli estate ahead of their first meeting in almost a year

A spokesperson for the Chinese foreign ministry has criticized President Joe Biden's comments saying that he still considers Chinese leader Xi Jinping a 'dictator'

Mao refused to specify who she was referring to as 'some people' in answer to a follow-up question.

In his press conference, President Biden also said he gave Xi a blunt warning not to interfere in Taiwan's January elections.

When asked about the region, amid U.S. fears of a Chinese invasion even amid wars in the Middle East and Europe, Biden spoke about the upcoming Taiwanese elections.

Hundreds of critics of Beijing marched through the city's downtown around noon on the day of the talks, chanting 'free Tibet' and 'free Hong Kong'.

Biden told reporters he 'made it clear I didnt expect any interference  any at all. We had that discussion as he was leaving,' speaking from a California estate after the talks.

Xi secured his third term last year as general secretary of the Chinese Communist Party, after China ended term limits, allowing for indefinite rule over a system which limits free expression and political protest.

'We maintain an agreement that there is a One China policy,' Biden said while looking down at notes. 'Im not going to change that. Thats not going change.

'Thats about the extent to which we discussed it,' he said of the precarious topic.

The leaders of the two superpowers pose for photos. They are meeting to try and repair frosty Washington-Beijing relations

Biden said it was 'paramount that we understand each other truly, leader-to-leader' and said to Xi 'we've known each other a long time'

Xi responded that 'Planet Earth' is big enough for both nations

Biden hailed the new communications link with Beijing, following a series of standoffs and what the Pentagon calls provocative actions by Beijing.

'Its been worrisome. Thats how accidents happen, misunderstandings,' Biden said.

He said he and Xi agreed that either one of them can 'pick up the phone call directly and be heard immediately.'

Top defense lines of communication are also being resumed.

The president also indicated he raised difficult subjects with Xi, including 'Russias refusal to stop the brutal war of aggression against Ukraine and conflict in Gaza.'

Separately, when questioned, he stood by claims his administration says is backed by U.S. intelligence that Hamas is basing military assets under hospitals.

'Weve discussed the need for them to be incredibly careful,' he said of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF).

He said Hamas 'does have weapons material below this hospital and, I expect, others.'

Biden revealed details of his talks with Xi while calling on reporters from a pre-prepared list, then responding to a few shouted questions.

He recalled all their hours meeting together when both were vice presidents, appearing to jest about former Chinese leader Hu Jintao.

'His president was President Hu  Im not making a joke,' Biden said.

Biden raises his hand up Xi's back as they head into their talks

Delegates from both the U.S. and China line the negotiating table inside a room of the estate

Biden said China agreed to go after companies who produce precursor chemicals to fentanyl, in a move meant to curb the epidemic in the U.S. Biden said it would 'save lives' and said he appreciated what he said was Xi's commitment to the issue.

'For a situation where we agree that fentanyl and its precursors will be curbed substantially that's a big moment,' he said.

He said he knows two people 'near where I live' where 'kids literally... they woke up dead' after taking fentanyl.

'I hope you don't have any experience with knowing anyone. But this is the largest killer, people in that age category,' Biden said. There have been multiple reports of people experiencing death or severe complications after a single use of a drug laced with fentanyl, often without their knowledge.

Although he focused on getting communication back on track with the emerging China, Biden spoke several times about the Middle East, including his repeated calls with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

'Ive made it clear to Israelis, to Bibi and his war cabinet, that I think the only answer here is a two-state solution thats real,' he said, during a week when pro-Palestinian protesters in San Francisco demanded a cease fire.

Xi told Biden that the U.S. needed to take concrete actions to reassure China that it still stands by its stated policy of not supporting Taiwanese independence, according to a readout of their meeting from Chinese state media.

He also asked Washington to end arms sales to Taiwan, something that would run afoul of existing U.S. law.

'China will eventually be reunified and will inevitably be reunified,' Xi said, according to state broadcaster CCTV.

A senior Biden administration official said Biden and Xi had a substantial exchange about Taiwan, without providing many details.

I think President Xi made clear the continuing concerns, underscored that this was the biggest most potentially dangerous issue in US-China relations, the official said.

The president made his comments following high-stakes talks with Xi in the pastoral setting, although his outdoor press conference backed by a 56-room brick mansion got moved inside due to rain.

Biden called them 'some of the most constructive and productive discussions weve had.'

Biden and Jinping met for the first time in over a year for high-stakes talks on Wednesday to try and bury the hatchet amid dangerously escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing

It was the first time in over a year that the two men met to try and bury the hatchet amid dangerously escalating tensions between Washington and Beijing.

The meeting lasted four hours at a historic home outside of San Francisco. Their encounter began with a warm double-clasped handshake, and a declaration by Xi that the world is 'big enough' for both countries, despite years of rising rhetoric and provocations.

'The China-U.S. relationship has never been smooth sailing and always faces problems of one kind or another,' Xi said through a translator as he met Biden.

'Yet it has kept moving forward amidst twists and turns. For China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation has terrible consequences for both sides. Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed.'

In his own remarks, Biden called for a 'candid exchange.'

Lunch Menu For lunch, President Biden and President Xi dined on: Herbed Ricotta Ravioli Artichoke Crisps Tarragon roasted Heritage Chicken Carolina Gold Rice Pilaf Charred Broccolini + Brussels Sprouts Almond Meringue Cake Praline Buttercream Concord Grape Sauce Advertisement

'I've always found our discussions to be straightforward and frank and always appreciated them,' Biden told Xi, after spending years telling U.S. audiences he has spent more time with the Chinese autocrat than any other U.S. leader.

Biden said it was 'paramount that we understand each other truly, leader-to-leader.'

And he underlined the risks if the two countries fail to find a way to get along despite their differences.

'We have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict and we have to manage responsibly that competition,' Biden told his counterpart. 'That's what the United States wants and what we intend to do. I believe that's also what the world wants from both of us.

'We have a responsibility to our people and the world to work together when we see it in our interests to do so. The critical global changes we face from climate change, narcotics to artificial intelligence demand us to work together.'

Xi, 70, told the 80-year-old Biden, 'We shoulder heavy responsibilities for the world and for history.'

The leaders of the two superpowers aimed to use the crucial summit as they try to prevent their nations' rivalry spilling into conflict.

They came face-to-face on a red carpet at the Filoli country estate on the outskirts of San Francisco.

Biden greeted Xi with plenty of pomp, two Marines in dress uniforms opened Xi's car door and Biden was waiting for him at the entrance of the historic home.

Washington-Beijing relations have been seriously strained since a Chinese spy balloon flew across the U.S. in February and was eventually shot down off the coast of South Carolina.

Joe Biden waits for Xi Jinping to arrive

Xi and Biden chat on the red carpet

Xi Jinping prepares to address Biden

The leaders of the world's two largest economies met as concerns were also soaring over issues including Taiwan, Beijing's actions in the South China Sea sanctions, heightened espionage, trade and human rights.

Biden and Xi were expected to cover a wide range of topics, including the flow of fentanyl into the U.S., climate change and the accelerating use of artificial intelligence.

After their meeting an expanded discussion was held with their top security aides.

This encounter was months in the making, after high-level visits from Biden's cabinet and even a trip to Beijing by California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

The meeting was also an example of the kind of personal diplomacy Biden has championed.

His Chinese counterpart is a leader who holds unique power over a government that is flexing its muscle around the globe.

While Biden has to deal with a divided and frequently dysfunctional Congress amid his own weak poll numbers, his top advisors believe Xi has the capacity to deliver, even if only on some of the modest agreements on fentanyl and climate change.

'I would say that what we've seen over the last several years is the collection of power in the person of really one man: President Xi,' a senior administration official told DailyMail.com.

'What that means is that, yes, other forms of diplomacy are important. But frankly when you really have to do serious diplomacy, it has to take place at the very top.

'So the stakes really just couldn't be higher. Yes, I think if you want to effect change the system, if you want a kind of clear shot to try and affect certain outcomes, it comes down to a meeting like this.'

President Biden drives past protesters in his motorcade in downtown San Francisco

The meeting was taking place inside a 654-acre estate amassed by a California mining and gas baron.

The grounds of the Filoli estate include five 'distinct ecosystems,' trails, a fruit orchard, redwood groves, and natural springs.

A Georgian revival-style mansion has a total of 54,000 square feet.

The home was built in 1917, and opened to the public in 1975.

It is far removed from the streets of San Francisco where the APEC summit is underway. That was the scene this week of continued street demonstrations by pro and anti-communist protesters, along with people weighing in on Israels war on Gaza.

Also lining the streets have been members of the Falun Gong spiritual movement that is banned in China.

Protesters clashed with riot police as thousands of people descended into the streets of San Francisco to 'shut down' the APEC summit on Wednesday morning

'We won't allow genocide to be normalized,' an organizer said

The crunch talks occurred after San Francisco's homeless were cleared from the streets in a massive clean-up operation to avoid Xi and other dignitaries seeing the squalor.

But there was still chaos around the summit.

As the meeting began hundreds of anti-oil, pro-Palestine protesters clashed with riot police outside the APEC summit.

'We won't allow genocide to be normalized,' an organizer with the No APEC Coalition told the the San Francisco Standard.

The protesters chanted 'Biden, Biden telling lies' and 'shut down APEC.'

President Joe Biden is set to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Filoli estate, according to Voice of America

The Georgian revival-style mansion has a total of 54,000 square feet

The home is located in Woodside on the Peninsula near San Francisco

It is just the kind of open political expression that Chinese authorities have repeatedly tried to squelch for years, including during the 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown, even while opening up its economy to become a dominant global force, second only to the U.S.

The White House said on Wednesday that Biden would raise human rights issues with Xi as he always does during such meetings.

Officials hope the peaceful setting of the Filoli estate will contribute to a positive outcome for the talks.

'If they like each other, they are likely to start trusting each other and to communicate better,' said Jeremi Suri, a professor of public affairs and history at the University of Texas at Austin.

'A place like this allows them to get away, not just from the media, but from a lot of the other things that encourage conflict.'
Belgium's largest prison has been rocked by an orgy scandal with staff organising X-rated jacuzzi sessions and swapping coloured bracelets to decide who they would have sex with.

One 'nymphomaniac' female officer at Lantin Prison near the eastern city of Liege would tell staff as early as 6am she wouldn't be able to work if 'she didn't have sex'.

The female officer, identified only as 'S', would use a senior employee's office so she could have sex with staff during the working day while they were supposed to be guarding the inmates inside the mixed prison, reports SudInfo newspaper.

After work, ten prison officers, including three women, would regularly meet up for X-rated jacuzzi sessions at the home of one of the male guards, identified only as 'P'.

The staff would strip off during the sex parties and pick coloured bracelets at random, to determine which members of the group would have sex with each other, it has been claimed.

'P', the organiser of the jacuzzi orgies, was also accused of regularly having sex with female inmates at the jail.

Governors at the prison have launched an urgent inquiry into the allegations after a whistleblower told them of the orgies and how staff had sex inside the jail.

The female officer, identified only as 'S', would use a senior employee's office so she could have sex with staff during the working day while they were supposed to be guarding the inmates inside the mixed prison, reports SudInfo newspaper

Belgium's largest prison has been rocked by an orgy scandal with staff organising X-rated jacuzzi sessions and swapping coloured bracelets to decide who they would have sex with (file image of Lantin Prison)

The source, who described the female prison guard 'S' as a 'nymphomaniac', said: 'As early as 6am, she announced that if she didn't have sex, she wouldn't be able to work.'

Governors were told how one manager let 'S' use his office for sex sessions. The female employee was seemingly unfazed by the fact that only a glass partition separated the office from the communal area where other staff worked.

It also emerged that 'S' had been a regular at the jail visiting her brother, who had been jailed for murdering a gay man, before she became a guard - raising further questions about the levels of security and safeguarding within the prison.

The whistleblower explained: 'She used to come to see him every day as a visitor, being very friendly with the families of the detainees in the waiting room. She was very arrogant and haughty towards the staff who guarded the visiting room.

'Her admission to Lantin was a bolt from the blue, especially because she went from being a visitor for a year to becoming a colleague overnight.'

Her brother has since been transferred to the Huy prison, about 25 miles southwest of Lantin.

Now, the ten prison staff said to be involved are facing an official inquiry.

The female officer identified as S has since been moved to the women's side of the prison to 'calm her sexual urges' while the guard 'P' has been banned from entering the women's part of the prison, according to reports.

One 'nymphomaniac' female officer at Lantin Prison near the eastern city of Liege would even tell staff as early as 6am she wouldn't be able to work if 'she didn't have sex'

Lantin Prison Director Marc Brisy reportedly sent a message to his staff saying: 'I never thought that one day I would have to write e-mails like this.'

He went on: 'It appears as if I have to remind you that working in a relaxed atmosphere does not mean turning your workplace into a circus, a "game without borders" or an amusement park.'

He added: 'The establishment is a workplace, not a dating club'.

A spokesman for Belgium's Federal Public Service Justice Department said in a statement: 'On Monday morning we were informed there was a problem in the prison by the media.

'We asked the local prison governor to do an internal investigation. It is going on at this time and there is a possibility there may be disciplinary action.

'We cannot say any more as the investigation is ongoing.'

The prison was at the centre of a sex scandal six years ago when a female prison guard appeared in a porn film she made with an inmate.
Fresh train strikes have been announced by train drivers' union Aslef, as the ongoing dispute between workers and the government over pay and conditions continues.

Members are set to take further industrial action throughout the month of December with no sign of the stalemate abating.

So, when exactly are the train strikes in December? How long will they last and which services will be affected?

Read on below for a full list of train strikes set to occur in the lead-up to Christmas.

Fresh train strikes have been announced by train drivers' union Aslef, as the ongoing dispute between workers and the government over pay and conditions continues. Pictured: A traveller looks up at a departure board at London Paddington station on a day of rail strike action in September 2023

When are train strikes in December 2023?

Drivers at rail companies operating across the UK will strike for 24 hours on dates between Saturday December 2 and Friday December 8.

There will also be an overtime ban between Friday December 1 and Saturday December 9, which is likely to see last trains leave much earlier than usual for some train operators.

The latest announcement of industrial action comes as a possible retaliation to comments made by the transport secretary, Mark Harper, after he said Aslef should propose an offer to its drivers that was branded as 'risible' by the union in April.

'There is, most people think, a perfectly fair and reasonable offer on the table and I genuinely don't understand why Aslef won't put it to their members,' Mr Harper told MPs at the transport committee on Wednesday November 15.

The union responded by saying that the offer was no longer being considered, effectively meaning it had been rejected in further votes for strikes.

'What the minister apparently fails to understand is that we have received overwhelming mandates, on enormous turnouts, for more industrial action. Our members have spoken and we know what they think  it is a clear rejection of the offer that was made in April,' said Aslef general secretary Mick Whelan.

The planned strike action by Aslef comes after talks between the Rail Delivery Group (RDG) and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union saw a deal reached following a bitter pay dispute.

After talks between the two parties, a so-called memorandum of understanding (MOU) has been developed, which will set out a process for a mutually agreed way forward.

The latest announcement of industrial action comes as a possible retaliation to comments made by the transport secretary, Mark Harper, after he said Aslef should propose an offer to its drivers that was branded as 'risible' by the union in April. Pictured: Aslef members on a picket line at London Euston station in September 2023

A spokesperson for the Department for Transport said the decision to put the agreement to a vote was 'a positive step towards resolving this dispute'.

'We hope RMT members will recognise the benefits, accept this offer and put an end to the RMTs industrial action,' the spokesperson said.

RMT General Secretary Mick Lynch added: 'This is a welcome development and our members will now decide in an e-referendum whether they want to accept this new offer from the RDG.'

An RDG spokesperson said: 'These discussions would be aimed at addressing the companies' proposals on the changing needs and expectations of passengers as well as unlocking further increases for staff, in order to help to secure a sustainable, long-term future for the railway and all those who work on it.'
French critics have slammed Ridley Scott's long-awaited Napoleon biopic as 'deeply clumsy' and 'boring' as the film premiered in Paris this week.

Despite garnering glowing reviews in Britain and the US, the epic starring Joaquin Phoenix as the marauding French emperor has riled critics on the continent.

Historian Patrice Gueniffey, writing in Le Point, slammed the film as 'the film of an Englishman... very anti-French' and criticised the director for having 'wokist biases'.

A reviewer for GQ said the film left them 'bored', adding there was something 'clumsy' but 'unintentionally funny' about seeing French soldiers shout 'Vive la France' with American accents.

Le Figaro said the film should be renamed 'Barbie and Ken under the Empire' and added that Napoleon is portrayed as a 'sentimental brute with a gun in hand and quick to shed a tear'.

Canadian French-language newspaper Le Devoir led with the headline 'Not Waterloo, but not Austerlitz either,' referencing Napoleon's futile last stand in Belgium and his tactical 'masterpiece' against the Russians in today's Czechia.

The article described Phoenix's Napoleon as a 'petulant man-child who doesn't really seem to know what he's doing'.

Criticism of the film's direction builds on growing claims of inaccuracies from historians including Dan Snow ahead of its release in cinemas on November 22.

Despite having largely positive reviews in Britain and the US, Ridley Scott's film about Napoleon is already making waves ahead of its release. Pictured: Joaquin Phoenix in the film

Phoenix plays Napoleon in a hotly-awaited biopic which focuses on his tainted and complex relationships amid a stunning rise to power against the backdrop of the French Revolution

A critic for GQ led with the headline: 'Joaquin Phoenix grimaces, Ridley Scott is bored and so are we'

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme this morning, French academic Dr Estelle Paranque acknowledged the film's inaccuracies but insisted that 'it is a movie, it is not a documentary'.

But, speaking of Scott's depiction of the execution of Marie Antoinette, she said: 'It did annoy me a little because he made her kind of fearless and a bit feisty, and at the time honestly she was not.'

Other critics have pointed out that Napoleon was not present when Antoinette was guillotined.

Dr Paranque added: 'She tried to remain dignified at the end, but I don't think she would have been that bold. And obviously Napoleon wasn't there.'

But director Ridley Scott has hit back at accusations of historical 'inaccuracies'. In an interview with the New Yorker, he told a critic to 'get a life' when pressed.

'There are 400 books written about him. Maybe the first one was the most accurate, the next one is already doing a version of the author,' he said.

'By the time you get to book 399, guess what, there's a lot of speculation.'

But the dismissal has not been enough to stop French commentators from laying into the film's portrayal of the first French emperor - nor his historical setting.

Le Devoir slammed Phoenix's Napoleon as a 'petulant man-child who doesn't really seem to know what he's doing', leading with 'Not Waterloo, but not Austerlitz either'

Patrice Gueniffey, writing for Le Point, said the film was 'the film of an Englishman... very anti-French'

Cnet said the film's inaccuracies '[undoubtedly fueled] a certain frustration between what we expected, what we wanted, and what the final result is'

C News said the film character was 'too linear to appreciate [Napoleon's] scope and never 'touched on the substance of what made [him] an essential statesman'

Le Figaro took aim at the biopic as a 'reductive version of history' and said the film should be renamed 'Barbie and Ken under the Empire'

Patrice Gueniffey, for Le Point, said Scott portrayed the emperor as an 'ambitious Corsican ogre, a sullen boor and a cad with his wife'.

CNet branded it a 'shaky film that chooses while refusing to choose', and added: 'Perhaps the film had everything to gain from being called Josephine, because it loses too much by being called Napoleon.'

The review also said that the film 'obscures numerous elements, notably geopolitical, which explain the rise and fall of Napoleon's character'.

'The footage multiplies the historical holes and perhaps they are more obvious to us due to our educational training, undoubtedly fueling a certain frustration between what we expected, what we wanted, and what the final result is,' the review went on.

C News said Scott was forced to make 'shortcuts' which stand out as 'unforgiveable omissions in the historical narrative'.

Le Devoir's review also took aim at Phoenix's performance, calling it the film's 'fundamental problem'.

In a viral TikTok video released in the summer, Dan Snow took issue with some of the scenes in the trailer for the film.

The historian pointed out that Napoleon did not fight at the pyramids nor did he ever witness Marie Antoinette's execution.

Snow also took issue with the film's tagline, 'He came from nothing, he conquered everything,' because Napoleon never conquered Britain.

'I love historical epics. I love Ridley Scott. But if you're watching this movie, it ain't a documentary,' he said.

Scott hit back at his critics in an interview with The New Yorker, telling them to 'get a life'.

His 28th feature is set for release in the UK and US on November 22.

A director's cut lasting 270 minutes is also reportedly in the works, giving Scott more space to tell his story.

The story is expected to include detail on Napoleon's personal relationships, inter alia 'more of Josephine's life before she meets Napoleon'.

US actor Joaquin Phoenix poses during the photocall for the world premiere of the film Napoleon, in Paris on November 14, 2023

Joaquin Phoenix and director Ridley Scott attend the 'Napoleon' World Premiere at Salle Pleyel on November 14, 2023 in Paris

The release comes as a letter Napoleon wrote during his doomed invasion of Russia goes on sale for nearly 45,000 ($55,000) in the US.

In the handwritten document, Napoleon told a key adviser how more than half of Moscow had been 'consumed by fire'.

He added: 'I have taken up lodging in the residence of the Tsars, the Kremlin, which is a form of citadel surrounded by high walls...'

The emperor boasted of finding 'cellars full of wine', which he said would be of 'great help'.

When the Russians refused to surrender, Napoleon and his starving men were forced to retreat West amidst the country's fierce winter.

By the time they made it back to France, only 110,000 of the original contingent of 650,000 men were still alive.

The story of the failed invasion is covered in Scott's film. A closing note estimates Napoleon's wars cost three million lives.
A 'high-flying' black bank manager who was 'racially profiled' by the police and wrongly accused of gun crime will take a 1m claim over his ruined career before a judge.

Dale Semper, 41, says he suffered deep trauma and went through a two-year nightmare of stress and uncertainty while Met Police detectives investigated him over wrongful suspicions of involvement in crime.

Mr Semper described being pulled over and taken home as officers searched his address, experiencing the humiliation of standing in handcuffs in front of his neighbours.

The high achiever, of Enfield, north London, was also suspended from his 72,000-a-year role with Lloyds Bank after his employers learned he was being investigated.

He was later allowed back to work.

Police went on to search the homes of his partner Denise Huggan as well as his mother Linnette during the two years it took to carry out their enquiries.

Dale Semper, 41, says he suffered deep trauma and went through a two-year nightmare of stress and uncertainty while Met Police detectives investigated him over wrongful suspicions of involvement in crime

Following a decision at the High Court, the case is set to go to trial in front of a civil court judge, sitting with a specialist 'assessor' skilled in cases involving alleged racial discrimination

Now Mr Semper - alongside Ms Huggan and his mother, who has worked for the NHS for 20 years - are suing the Met for around 1m, claiming damages for 'lost earnings, psychological damage, false imprisonment, trespass and discrimination'.

Following a decision at the High Court, the case is set to go to trial in front of a civil court judge, sitting with a specialist 'assessor' skilled in cases involving alleged racial discrimination.

Rejecting Mr Semper's claim that the case should be tried by a jury, Judge Hugh Southey KC said the matter was of too great public importance to be decided by jurors and instead needs the expertise of a judge.

In his claim, Mr Semper says that his nightmare began in August 2017 when he and his partner, Denise Huggan, were stopped by police as he drove her to a train station.

Officers ordered him out of the car and cuffed him, despite Mr Semper protesting they had 'got the wrong guy'.

He was then driven back to his home, which was searched, and had to experience the humiliation of standing outside his own home in handcuffs in front of his neighbours.

Mr Semper was staggered when he learnt that the officers were searching for guns in his house, and also rocked when they subsequently - having found no firearms - told him he was being instead being investigated for money laundering.

It was only in October 2019 that he was informed over the phone that the investigation was being dropped and that no further action would be taken.

During his two-year ordeal, Mr Semper went through the indignity of having his bank accounts frozen and had to account for all the cash he spent and earned in exhaustive detail.

Mr Semper is suing the Met on multiple grounds - including racial discrimination, false imprisonment, malicious prosecution, misfeasance and breach of data protection.

He claims he was singled out by police due to skewed 'racial profiling', although this is flatly denied by the Met, which insists it had 'reasonable and probable cause' for all its officers' actions.

The force says it was acting on intelligence and, although it did not lead to a prosecution, it was justified in investigating.

During an earlier hearing, Mr Semper's barrister Adam Wagner revealed that the 'high value' case could be worth around 1 million to him and his family.

'Mr Semper has plateaued in what was previously a high-flying career as a bank manager,' he said during the hearing.

'The police appear to have called up his employer and told them they believed he was involved in people smuggling.

During the probe, Mr Semper, of Enfield, north London, was suspended from his 72,000-a-year role with Lloyds Bank after his employers learned he was being investigated

Mr Semper claimed he would never have been pursued had he been a white bank manager, and claimed detectives simply could not accept that a black person could be a high earner without a criminal background

'That led to his employer taking all sorts of actions which we say they otherwise wouldn't have taken.

'We say the police can't go around telling everybody what is being alleged. There has got to be proportionality.'

He said the case includes a substantial loss of earnings claim, particularly for Mr Semper, who he said was a 'well-paid and relatively young bank employee who has suffered a serious and potentially longterm psychiatric injury as a result of the alleged unlawful actions of the police.'

'The lost earnings claim is substantial and would form the bulk of the damages,' he said.

'There is also a substantial psychological damage claim, plus claims for false imprisonment and discrimination.'

But Mr Wagner said that, as well as money, the family want answers as to why 'a black man - a businessman and successful bank manager - would be put through what he was put through'.

'For the three claimants on a full liability basis, the claim is worth around 1m,' he added.

Lawyers for the Met deny all liability and say the 1m claim against them is 'aspirational and enthusiastic,' suggesting Mr Spencer's career path would have flattened out anyway.

The case reached court after an application by Mr Semper and his family for his trial to go before a jury.

Setting out their case during his ruling on the application, Judge Southey said: 'The claimants rely on the importance of the issues raised by the claim as supporting the application.

'In issue are allegations of the abuse of police powers. In particular, it is said there were racist motives in the actions of the police.

'That is said to be a matter of national interest in light of concerns about institutional racism in the Met.'

The Met contested the application, arguing that the important issues would be better decided by a judge, who - unlike a jury - would be able to give a 'reasoned judgment' setting out detailed findings.

The judge continued: 'It appears to me that the significant issues of racism that are raised by this case are matters that weigh against a jury trial.

'It is important that there is a reasoned judgment. That will allow the claimants and the public to understand precisely what findings have been made about a highly sensitive issue and an issue where there is legitimate public interest.

'One of the risks of a jury trial is that key findings regarding alleged racism will not necessarily be clear to the public.

'In light of that I have concluded that I should decline to exercise my discretion to order a jury trial.'

The case will go before a judge at Central London County Court, sitting with the assistance of a specialist assessor, skilled and experienced in discrimination issues.

The assessor will help the judge evaluate the factual evidence at the trial, but will not make any decisions which decide the outcome of the trial.

No date has been set for the trial.

In earlier interviews, Mr Semper claimed he would never have been pursued had he been a white bank manager, and claimed detectives simply could not accept that a black person could be a high earner without a criminal background.
A prison officer who was the ringleader of a smuggling gang supply inmates with with drugs, weapons and mobile phones stashed in cereal boxes has been jailed.

Martin Mills, 34, was caught red-handed trying to smuggle prohibited items into HMP Hewell that were hidden in packs of Weetabix and Ready Brek.

A court heard he was stopped as he arrived for work at the category B jail near Redditch, Worcestershire, after prison bosses became suspicious in April 2018.

Detectives were able to link several other people to the smuggling ring, including prisoners housed on the block Mills worked on.

Family members of the lags would pay money into Mills' bank account and he would then take the contraband to work for the prisoners to sell on inside.

Martin Mills, 34, was caught red-handed trying to smuggle prohibited items into HMP Hewell

The items included drugs and mobile phones. They were smuggled into the jail in cereal boxes

Mills was an officer at HMP Hewell (pictured), a category B jail near Redditch, Worcestershire

Photos show how drugs, phones, SIM cards, tobacco, Rizlas, wads of cash and even a knife were recovered as part of the operation.

Mills, of Bromsgrove, Worcestershire, was jailed for four years after pleading guilty to smuggling drugs and "list B" items (mobile phones and associated equipment).

Mills was sentenced at Worcester Crown Court alongside eight other people for conspiracy to bring, throw and convey prohibited items in to the prison.

Iain Maclachlan-Sim, 34, of Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, and Hamza Mohumed, 32, of Coventry, were both jailed for four years.

Tony Graham Barrett, 28, of Nuneaton, Warwickshire, was caged for three years and two months while David Ward, 53, of Coventry, was sentenced to 21 months.

Jy Kennedy, 30, of Leamington Spa, received a seven month suspended sentence and given a 250 fine..

Isiah Gill, 34, of Birmingham, was sentenced to 10 months, suspended for 12 months and ordered to undertake 80 hours of unpaid work.

Among the other items smuggled into prison include a knife, wads of cash and phones

David Ward (left), 53 and from Coventry, was sentenced to one year and nine months. Tony Barrett (right), 28 and from Nuneaton was jailed for three years and two months

Hamza Mohumed, 32, from Coventry was jailed for four years for the smuggling operation

Alongside Mills, a further eight other people were sentenced for their roles in running the smuggling ring at HMP Hewell (pictured

Leanne Miles, 32, of Coventry, was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for a year.

Ann Marie Sim, 52, of Leamington Spa, received a six month sentence, suspended for 12 months.

Detective Constable Claire Masters, of West Mercia Police, said: 'This has been a complicated and long-running investigation and I'm pleased that all those involved have now been brought to justice.

'Prisons should be a place of safety and the actions of Mills and his accomplices threatened that.

'Drugs have no place in prison and hinder the rehabilitation of those who are there, often when they are at their most vulnerable.

'I hope these sentences show that we take all reports of crime seriously, regardless of who commits them and where they took place.'
US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping made rival bids to win over Asia-Pacific allies at a summit in San Francisco Thursday, just a day after the two leaders met in a bid to reduce tensions between the superpowers.

"We're not going anywhere," Biden told business leaders attending the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) summit in San Francisco as he tried to reassure the 21 member economies of US commitment to the region.

Biden said there would be regional and global benefits from his talks with Xi, a day after they met for the first time in a year at a villa outside the city and emerged pledging to avoid a dangerous rift.

They agreed to restore military-to-military links and Xi promised to curb production of the ingredients in China for the drug fentanyl, although disagreements over Taiwan remained broad.

"A stable relationship between the world's two largest economies is not merely good for those two economies but for the world," Biden said.

The only discordant note came when Biden told reporters on Wednesday that he still regarded Xi as a "dictator"

- 'Peace and security' -

But despite the easing of tensions, Biden set out his stall that Washington was a better ally for many of the bloc's 21 member economies than an increasingly assertive Beijing.

He said Xi had asked him on Wednesday "why we are so engaged in the Pacific."

"I said it's because we're a Pacific nation. Because of us there's been peace and security in the region, allowing you to grow. He didn't disagree," said Biden.

Biden also had a three-way meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol, whom he hosted for a historic summit at Camp David in August.

Kishida and Xi had their first meeting in a year on the sidelines, with the Japanese leader voicing "serious concerns" over Chinese military activity in waters near Japan and Beijing's "collaboration with Russia".

He also demanded China lift its ban on Japanese seafood, imposed after Tokyo began releasing treated wastewater from the stricken Fukushima nuclear plant into the Pacific Ocean in August.

- Competing for influence -

China and the United States are competing for influence across the hugely dynamic area stretching from the coasts of Canada to Chile and across to Australia, Malaysia and Russia.

While China has been offering infrastructure and loans with its "Belt and Road" program, the United States is busily trying to strengthen alliances with trade and other agreements.

A big plank in that platform is the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) -- a loose trade pact meant to bind together the United States and 13 like-minded democracies such as Australia and South Korea.

However, the IPEF has already hit the buffers because of US domestic political opposition that has held up a key element.

"We still have more work to do, but we made substantial progress," Biden said onstage with other leaders involved in the pact after they held talks to try to move things forward.

- Pandas for peace? -

Xi embarked on his own charm offensive at the APEC summit as he sought to win foreign investment in China's sputtering economy and call for an end to tensions with the United States.

"The region cannot and should not be an arena for geopolitical rivalry, still less should it be plunged into a new cold war or camp-based confrontation," he said in a written speech to CEOs.

Xi met Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who frequently shuns international meetings, and Peru's interim President Dina Boluarte.

Obrador will huddle with Biden on Friday when the two men are expected to address fentanyl, some of which comes through Mexico on its way into the United States.

Xi also received a warm reception at a dinner in San Francisco on Wednesday with hundreds of US business leaders -- reportedly including Tesla's Elon Musk and Apple's Tim Cook -- who gave him several rounds of applause.

The Chinese leader then hinted at the dinner that he may deploy a form of soft power to improve ties -- pandas.

Three of the popular big bears were sent back from Washington this month but Xi said China was considering a new batch as "envoys of friendship."

bur-dk/hg/tjj/pbt/kma
A volunteer firefighter has died after being struck by a falling tree while fighting the Hudson bushfire in north-western New South Wales.

The NSW Rural Fire Service said fellow crew members gave first aid to the man until paramedics arrived at the site near the town of Walgett.

Paramedics took the injured man to Lightning Ridge medical facility where he later died.

A volunteer NSW firefighter has died after being struck by a tree battling a blaze in the state's north west

READ MORE: Australian towns that are becoming uninsurable amid fears a warmer and drier summer will lead to bushfires Advertisement

NSW Rural Fire Service Commissioner Rob Rogers expressed his condolences 'at the passing of a dedicated volunteer who was helping to protect the community'.

'This gentleman made the ultimate sacrifice. His tragic and untimely death is a solemn reminder about the dangers faced by our firefighters,' he said.

'Our thoughts are with his family, friends and firefighting colleagues at this terrible time. We are offering every assistance to his family and fellow brigade members.'

The fire, which has burnt through more than 21,000ha since Monday, is currently at a 'watch and act' stage.

Glengarry Village local Craig Mcleod said their was a strong southerly blowing on Thursday evening but the fire had already gone through his area.

The tragedy comes just a month after another volunteer firefighter died following suffering a medical episode while battling a blaze near Bean Creek, in the New South Wales Kyogle region.
Rishi Sunak's big gamble in bringing back David Cameron has failed to boost the Tories' fortunes with Labour's poll lead surging to 27 points, a new survey has shown.

A Find Out Now poll conducted immediately after Monday's reshuffle - which saw Lord Cameron appointed Foreign Secretary - put the Conservatives on 19 per cent.

This was a four-point fall in support for Mr Sunak's party in just a fortnight, while support for Labour was up two points over the same period to reach 46 per cent.

The Prime Minister's dramatic reshuffle also saw Suella Braverman sacked as Home Secretary, as he was viewed as moving his Cabinet back towards the political centre.

Support for Reform UK, the right-wing party founded by ex-UKIP leader Nigel Farage, was up two points in the latest Find Out Now poll to 10 per cent.

According to Find Out Now, Labour's poll lead over the Tories has surged to 27 points. They interviewed 2,198 adults online in Britain on November 13 and 14

Rishi Sunak's big gamble in bringing back David Cameron appears to have failed to boost the Tories' fortunes

The Prime Minister's shake-up of ministerial roles seems to have so far failed to convince voters

Lord Cameron has made a return to Government after a seven-year spell in the political wilderness following his resignation as PM in the wake of the Brexit vote.

The ex-premier, who led the losing Remain campaign during the 2016 EU referendum, has been given a seat in the House of Lords as part of his resurrection.

Following his appointment, concerns have been raised about Lord Cameron's business ventures from his time away from No10.

This includes his links to China and his lobbying work for now-collapsed finance firm Greensill Capital, which saw him hauled before MPs for an uncomfortable grilling in 2021.

Mr Sunak hailed his new Cabinet as a 'strong and united team' that would 'make the long-term decisions that are going to change our country for the better'.

But the PM's shake-up of ministerial roles has appeared to have so far failed to convince voters.

A YouGov poll for The Times, conducted on Tuesday and Wednesday this week, showed Tory support falling two points to 21 per cent.

This was the party's lowest share of the vote during Mr Sunak's spell as PM, since he replaced Liz Truss in Downing Street.

The survey also showed a fall in support for Labour, down three points to 44 per cent, with the lead for Sir Keir Starmer's party over the Tories down one point to 23 per cent.

Former Cabinet minister Lord David Frost noted the YouGov poll with alarm, posting on Twitter: 'This is our lowest voting share on YouGov since the end of the Liz Truss government.

'Indeed only one YouGov poll has shown a lower Conservative share since the 2019 election.'
A teenager who was left with 'bomb-like injuries' after she was hit by a tractor has spoken out about her nightmare ordeal for the first time.

Lucie Maguire was 19 when she had her right leg amputated, broke her back and suffered more internal injuries after she was hit by the vehicle in North Yorkshire in January 2021.

The apprentice nursery worker was placed into an induced coma at Leeds General Infirmary after being dragged along the road underneath the machine's ten-tonne trailer.

The now 22-year-old had been traveling back from work with her mum Sue, when she got out to help after the pair had stopped on the side of the road, due to their car filling with 'horrible, black smoke'.

Medics feared Ms Maguire wouldn't survive the severe internal bleeding she experienced, as her parents had been allowed visits to say their 'goodbyes' to their daughter.

Lucie Maguire was 19 when she had her right leg amputated, broke her back and suffered more internal injuries after she was hit by a tractor

Medics feared Ms Maguire wouldn't survive the severe internal bleeding she experienced

Her mum Sue (far right) and dad Paul had been allowed visits to say their 'goodbyes' to their daughter in hospital

Speaking about the accident for the first time, Ms Maguire said she accepted she would die at the scene.

She said: 'It was a cold, dark winter's evening. My mum was driving me back home from work when the car started making funny noises and filled with horrible black smoke.

'We pulled over on a country lane and I got out. I went to the driver's side to help my mum.

'I saw bright headlights coming towards me and thought it was someone who could help us.

'That's when I was hit by a tractor and dragged under its 10-tonne trailer. I was stuck under there going round continuously with the wheels and it spat me out a bit further down the road.

'I remember not feeling in pain. My right leg just felt uncomfortable. I wanted someone to straighten it for me as I couldn't.

'I told my parents how much I loved them. I accepted I was probably going to die because surely nobody survives what I'd just been through.'

Ms Maguire had her right leg amputated at the hip, broke her back and suffered internal injuries. She is still having operations now and will have her bladder removed.

She spent months in hospital and it took her a while to re-learn how to sit up, stand up and then walk while holding a rail.

Ms Maguire had her right leg amputated at the hip, broke her back and suffered internal injuries

She spent months in hospital and it took her a while to re-learn how to sit up, stand up and then walk while holding a rail

The 22-year-old is still having operations now and will have her bladder removed

NHS staff even liaised with military doctors as they compared her injuries 'to someone who had been blown up in Afghanistan.'

Lucie said: 'When I woke up a month later in the intensive care unit I could see my mum at the foot of my bed and my dad was stroking my hair.

'I couldn't talk, I struggled to breathe, and I was in so much pain.

'I had no idea about the severity of my injuries.

'It was a few days before they told me I had no right leg. They had to amputate.

'The right side of my pelvis was gone too and I had open wounds.

'I had a lot of internal damage. A lot of my internal organs no longer worked.

'The only way the doctor could explain my injuries was to compare me to someone who had been blown up in Afghanistan. I remember thinking 'Wow, this is serious'.

'The days, weeks and months became a blur. I had regular surgeries.

'At one stage it took eight people to help roll me over and change me.

'I had other people having to clean me and I thought this shouldn't be happening to me at 19.'

Lucie left hospital on June 28, 2022, 518 days after the accident happened on a country lane between Ripley and Bishop Thornton.

She had to live in a makeshift bedroom in her parent's pub because she couldn't even use the stairs to access her family home above.

Now, Lucie uses a power-assisted wheelchair and lives as independently as she can in her own bungalow in her home village of Kirkby Malzeard.

Lucie left hospital on June 28, 2022, 518 days after the accident happened on a country lane between Ripley and Bishop Thornton

She had to live in a makeshift bedroom in her parent's pub because she couldn't even use the stairs to access her family home above

The apprentice nursery worker was supported by charity Day One Trauma Support - who help support people who have had a major trauma injury

She said: 'At times I felt like the pain was never going to end. There was no light at the end of tunnel.

'The hospital became my home. The staff became my family. It got to the stage where I didn't want to leave. I never thought I would enjoy life again.

'Every obstacle I overcame, I felt immensely proud of myself. Slowly I felt more positive and found strength I never knew I had. I've gained my independence.

'If I've got through this, I can get through anything. It's made me a more resilient person. Before I would have given up.'

Ms Maguire spent her first Christmas since the accident in hospital and said it 'was the worst' and that she couldn't stop 'worrying about her future.'

But she says she was supported by charity Day One Trauma Support - who help support people who have had a major trauma injury.

Lucie is now supporting their Christmas appeal, where they are aiming to help even more people who face life-changing injuries over the coming months.

She said: 'Christmas 2021 in hospital was the worst.

'I should have been partying with my friends, not crying in hospital and worrying about my future.

'I'm so grateful that Day One was there for me and my family at Christmas.

'They do so much for people with injuries like mine, which is why I'm so passionate to support their Christmas Appeal and would encourage anyone to donate and help other people like me.'
In the 'Letter to America,' Osama bin Laden accused the US of being complicit in the 'oppression' of Palestinians and of spreading AIDS throughout the world

A vile letter written by the warlord behind the 9/11 atrocities has gone viral on TikTok with users saying that reading it has led to them 'understanding' why the horrific attacks were carried out in 2001.

Osama bin Laden, who founded terror group Al-Qaeda with the aim of waging holy war on the western world, wrote a 'Letter to America' in 2002 to defend the motivation behind his murderous attack on mainland America that killed thousands of innocent people.

In the viral letter, bin Laden spews anti-American, anti-Semitic and anti-Western viewpoints, citing one of the main reasons for 9/11 being the US support for Israel

At the time of writing, videos with the hashtag 'LettertoAmerica' have been viewed 7.3 million times. Extraordinarily the majority are claiming support for the twisted reasoning Bin Laden lays out without a thought for the freedoms he criticizes.

The letter began to gain traction online after UK newspaper The Guardian linked to a 2002 article which translated it in full in a piece about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

It was subsequently deleted, with the outlet explaining to DailyMail.com that it was being shared 'without its original context.' The letter continued to spread on X but was prevented from spreading on Reddit.

The Guardian did not explain further as to how the link was made between the current conflict in the Middle East and a verbatim letter from bin Laden that was more than 20 years old.

The link to the letter spread, with hundreds of TikTokers posting videos in response to reading it, in which they appear to confuse the hateful diatribe for an intellectual think piece.

In the 'Letter to America,' Osama bin Laden accused the US of being complicit in the 'oppression' of Palestinians and of spreading AIDS throughout the world

The trend appears to have started with TikToker Lynette Adkins who posted a video on November 14 telling her followers to read the manifesto

At bin Laden's direction, nearly 3,000 Americans were killed on 9/11 in New York City, Washington DC and Pennsylvania

Smoke still rises from ground zero of the collapsed World Trade Center two days after the attack

Clare Baron lays a rose for her cousin Mark Whitford at the National September 11 Memorial during an annual ceremony to commemorate the 22nd anniversary

Family members of victims attend a ceremony observing the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the Pentagon

A poignant memorial for the victims of Osama bin Laden's atrocity in downtown Manhattan

The letter was originally posted with an article explaining that the original version was in Arabic in a website used by al-Qaeda to 'disseminate messages and 'was sent to hundreds of subscribers to an email list run by Mohammed al-Massari, the UK-based Saudi Arabian dissident.'

The message added that the US government was included on the list.

A spokesperson for TikTok said: 'Content promoting this letter clearly violates our rules on supporting any form of terrorism. We are proactively and aggressively removing this content and investigating how it got onto our platform.

'The number of videos on TikTok is small and reports of it trending on our platform are inaccurate. This is not unique to TikTok and has appeared across multiple platforms and the media.'

The various trending videos about the letter include no context around bin Laden's life as a jihadist in which his followers slaughtered thousands of Muslims and non-Muslims alike or his support for some of the most oppressive political regimes imaginable.

In other sections of his correspondence, bin Laden blames the US government for spreading AIDS throughout the world, described homosexuality as 'immoral' and sought to turn America into an oppressive religious state similar to Afghanistan.

The trend appears to have started with TikToker Lynette Adkins who posted a video on November 14. 'I need everyone to stop what they're doing right now and go read - it's literally two pages - go read "A Letter to America,"' she said.

In his infamous letter, Bin Laden ranted that the treatment of Palestinian people had to be 'revenged' and expressed justifications for the killing of civilians in the name of jihad. Bin Laden was killed by US Navy SEALs in a raid on his compound in Pakistan in May 2011.

'The American people are the ones who pay the taxes which fund the planes that bomb us in Afghanistan, the tanks that strike and destroy our homes in Palestine, the armies which occupy our lands in the Arabian Gulf, and the fleets which ensure the blockade of Iraq,' bin Laden wrote.

For this reason, the Saudi Arabian terrorist wrote, all Americans and Jewish people were culpable for 'the crimes committed by the Americans and Jews against [Muslims].'

Bin Laden wrote that AIDS was a 'Satanic American Invention' and repeatedly made anti-Semitic remarks including suggesting that American society was infiltrated by Jewish people who 'control your policies, media and economy.'

In response to the letter going viral, Florida Senator Marco Rubio mocked the TikTok users in a post on X.

'Now trending on social media (especially TikTok) people saying that after reading bin Ladens "Letter to America," they now understand terrorism is a legitimate method of resistance against "oppression" and America deserved to be attacked of 9/11,' the one-time presidential candidate wrote.

Meanwhile, The Guardian said in a statement on the removal of the letter: 'The transcript published on our website 20 years ago has been widely shared on social media without the full context. Therefore we have decided to take it down and direct readers to the news article that originally contextualized it instead.'

The page that greets users who Google: Osama bin Laden letter

Bin Laden was killed by US Navy SEALs in a raid on his compound in Pakistan in May 2011

New York City Police Officer Danny Shea, a military vet, salutes at the North pool of the 9/11 Memorial

Hundreds of members of Generation Z posted videos in which they seemingly confused the hateful diatribe for an intellectual think piece

How terrorist Osama Bin Laden was a mass murderer who masterminded 9/11 murdering 2977 people Osama bin Laden was the 17th of 52 children born into an extremely wealthy family in Saudi Arabia. Around 1979, he became radicalized as he joined the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan to repel the Soviet Union's invasion. In 1988, he founded his terror network al Qaeda or The Base. The goal of the group was to wage holy war against the western world. Bin Laden largely turned his hatred towards the US in the early 1990s during the first Gulf War as American troops are stationed close to holy sites in Saudi Arabia. Between 1992 and 2001, bin Laden supported various strikes against the US military in Africa and Middle East. During his period, he was expelled from his homeland and took refuge in Afghanistan. On September 11, 2001, 19 al Qaeda members carry out a series of attacks in the US, flying planes into various buildings, including the twin towers in New York City. Shortly after the devastation of 9/11, bin Laden is named as the prime suspect by US authorities. The US military overruns Afghanistan but he remains on the run. Despite multiple rumors that he died in the intervening years due to a years long battle with kidney disease, bin Laden is finally tracked down to a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad. On May 2, 2011, the mastermind was shot dead by US Navy SEALs on the orders of President Barack Obama. He was given an Islamist funeral and buried at sea. Advertisement

The Guardian website page that previously hosted the letter in full now displays a message reading: 'This page previously displayed a document containing, in translation, the full text of Osama bin Laden's "Letter to the American People," as reported in the Observer on Sunday 24 November 2002. The document, which was published here on the same day, was removed on 15 November 2023.'

A viral TikTok post on the article's removal said that it was a prime example of 'narrative control.'

'Narrative control and censorship are not things you do to a society you want being able to deeply consider the things happening around them,' the user said.

The letter's reemergence after all these years comes as Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu refutes allegations that the military has committed war crimes in Gaza with reports that the death toll in the region has surpassed 11,000.

The region has been embroiled in conflict since Hamas brutally invaded Israel on October 7, killing around 1,400 people.

'Come back here and let me know what you think. Because I feel like Im going through like an existential crisis right now, and a lot of people are. So I just need someone else to be feeling this too.' That video prompted more than 5,000 replies.

'Just read it... my eyes have been opened,' one person responded. 'I think this has made a lot of people realize that even 'villains' can speak the truth,' another wrote.

'Weve been lied to our entire lives, I remember watching people cheer when Osama was found and killed. I was a child, and it confused me. It still confuses me today. The world deserves better than what this country has done to them,' another person said.

On her TikTok bio page, Lynette Adkins has a link to a fundraising page for 'Palestinian rights.'

Adkins followed up her original post with several others. In one she celebrates TikTok's influence on America's youth.

'TikTok is going to save this generation.' Her reasoning is that older people are 'programmed to think a certain way.'

In September 2023, Adkins' meteoric rise from lowly Amazon employee to influencer was the subject of a Los Angeles Times feature.

In another video, Adkins recommends her followers watch three documentary films, including one, Out of Shadows, which prompted one reviewer to remark: 'The so-called documentary is merely a mask for a hodgepodge of conspiracy theories associated with QAnon and its linear ancestor, Pizzagate.'

Another movie promotes 9/11 conspiracy theories, including one that suggest the US was behind the attack.

In her latest post, Adkins said that 'America is losing the PR war bad' and that 'they' were trying to shut TikTok down.
A deported killer who kidnapped a woman he mistook for Rupert Murdoch's wife has offered to return to the UK to show the victim's daughter where he buried her mother's body 54 years ago.

Nizamodeen Hosein was 22 when he and his older brother Arthur kidnapped Muriel McKay in 1969 and held her ransom for 1million, mistaking her for Anna Murdoch, the media mogul's then-wife.

The brothers were caught and jailed for life for murder, but Mrs McKay disappeared and her body was never found.

Now living in his native Trinidad, where he was deported after serving his jail sentence, 75-year-old Hosein claims Mrs McKay collapsed and died of a heart attack at a remote Hertfordshire farm where the brothers were holding her.

He claims he can show the victim's daughter the exact spot he buried the body of Mrs McKay, who was actually the Australian wife of Mr Murdoch's deputy Alik and died age 55.

Hosein has since been in touch with Mrs McKay's daughter Dianne, 82, and offered to return to the UK to show her where he buried her mother's body.

Muriel McKay was kidnapped from her Wimbledon home on December 29, 1969 after she was mistaken for Anna Murdoch, the 25-year-old wife of media tycoon Rupert, and later died

Then husband and wife Anna and Rupert Murdoch in May 1987

Nizamodeen, right, and Arthur Hosein, left, were convicted of her murder at the Old Bailey in 1970 though police never recovered Mrs McKay's body. Pictured: in December 1970

Now living in his native Trinidad, where he was deported after serving his jail sentence, 75-year-old Hosein claims Mrs McKay collapsed and died of a heart attack at a remote Hertfordshire farm where the brothers were holding her. Pictured: in 2023

After years of refusing to explain Mrs McKay's fate, Hosein now claims she collapsed and died of a heart attack at a remote Hertfordshire farm where the brothers were holding her.

Hosein says he panicked and buried her body under a dung heap behind the farmhouse near the village of Stocking Pelham.

Scotland Yard detectives were unsuccessful after searching a small section of a field near the house last year - but the family insists they dug in the wrong place.

Hosein says he is certain he will remember the spot where he buried Mrs McKay's body, even though the buildings, the farmyard and the fields have drastically changed since the kidnap in 1969.

To help him, the McKay family has commissioned computer-generated images to show precisely the changes in the layout of the farm.

In a letter seen by Sky News, Hosein asked the Home Office to lift a deportation order which still bars him from the UK. His brother Arthur died in prison in 2009.

He wrote: 'I admit my involvement in the kidnap and death of Muriel McKay, and I have been attempting to assist her daughter Dianne in locating her body.

'I believe I am the only living person who knows where Muriel's body is and would like her body to be found before I myself die.'

A deportation order requires an individual to leave the UK.

It also prohibits them from re-entering the country for as long as it is in force and invalidates any leave to enter or remain in the UK given to them before the order is made or while it is in force.

A person can apply at any time for revocation of a deportation order made against them.

Dianne told Sky News, after speaking to Hosein by video call, that he was a 'man of few words'.

Asked what it was like having to speak to the man convicted of her mother's murder, and rely on him for help, Dianne told the broadcaster: 'It's been very hard having so many years of nobody to talk to, no leads and no hope of ever finding her body.

'It's actually a relief to talk to him.'

Hosein has been in touch with Mrs McKay's daughter Dianne, 82, and offered to return to the UK to show her where he buried her mother's body

A police search team dig in an area of Stocking Farm, formerly known as Rooks Farm, in Stocking Pelham, Hertfordshire where Hosein says he buried his victim (pictured in February 2022)

In a letter Hosein asked the Home Office to lift a deportation order which still bars him from the UK. Pictured: in September 1970

The killers mistook Mrs McKay for Anna Murdoch, the media mogul's then-wife. Pictured: At their home in New York in 1989

Hosein says he panicked and buried her body under a dung heap behind the farmhouse near the village of Stocking Pelham. Picture from 1969

The Hosein brothers thought they were abducting Rupert Murdoch's then wife Anna Murdoch, pictured here in 1988

Muriel McKay's family (pictured in January 1970) have been on a mission to find her remains

A Home Office spokesman said: 'We express sympathies with Muriel McKay's loved ones. While we do not comment on individual cases, we work with the police on any requests pertaining to ongoing investigations.'

The Metropolitan Police said: 'We most recently met some members of Muriel's family in May 2023 and continue to keep in contact with them.

'An extensive search for Muriel's remains was conducted in March 2022 at a site in Hertfordshire, unfortunately it concluded unsuccessfully. We continue to review any opportunities to recover Muriel's body and return her to her family.'

Investigators called off a week-long search after failing to find any evidence of the remains.

Murder detectives had scoured an 11-acre farm and its fields in Stocking Pelham, Hertfordshire.

The brothers forced their way into the McKay home in Wimbledon, South London on December 29. They bundled Mrs McKay into a car and took her to a Hertfordshire farm where they lived.

They then demanded 1million for the return of Mrs McKay, who was married to Mr Murdoch's deputy Alick, pretending to be a member of the mafia. She was never seen alive again and her body was not found.

Following trial in 1970, the brothers were sentenced to life imprisonment in one of Britains first convictions for murder without a body.

In December 2021, Hosein revealed that Mrs McKay was buried on the 11-acre Hertfordshire farm where she was held. The admission was made to a lawyer representing Mrs McKays family.

Officers with the Met's specialist crime command unit and forensic analysts carried out visits to the farm near Royston in the following months.

Pictures shared in February show police forensic tents being set up on the farm and detectives moving away wheelbarrows of soil that had been dug up.

The killer, who had denied involvement in the kidnap, also insisted that no violence was used against her. He told her family that she collapsed and died while watching a TV news report with him about her kidnapping.

The confession was made after he was tracked down in Trinidad by documentary makers covering the story last year.

The pair claimed they were innocent but Arthurs fingerprints were found on the ransom notes and a book filled with the same paper that Mrs McKay's letters were written on.

Nizmodeen told Matthew Gayle, a British barrister in Trinidad hired by the family, that he wanted closure before he died and so would reveal the location of McKay's body.

He said: At the farmhouse there's a wooden gate, there's a few wooden gates, it has barn beside, barn beside, and ten foot forward, ten foot this side [left], the body's somewhere around there. Next to the barbed wire fence, about three foot [from the fence].

Mrs McKay was kidnapped after the brothers tailed a chauffeured Rolls-Royce belonging to Murdoch that was on loan to her husband Alick McKay.

Nizmodeen Hosein protested he had not killed McKay, maintaining instead that she had collapsed and later died from a heart attack while sitting downstairs in the farmhouse

Nizmodeen said: 'At the farmhouse there's a wooden gate, there's a few wooden gates, it has barn beside, barn beside, and ten foot forward, ten foot this side [left], the body's somewhere around there'

David Dyer, son-in-law of missing Muriel McKay, at a press conference at Wimbledon Police Station 54 years ago

She was abducted in the brothers Volvo and taken to Rooks Farm, where they lived with Arthurs wife and children, who were on holiday at the time.

Newspaper executive Mr McKay returned home to find the telephone ripped off the wall, the contents of his wife's handbag strewn over the hall.

He later received a call from a man demanding 1million - equivalent to 20million today - if Mrs McKay was to be returned alive, sparking the UKs first high-profile, kidnap-for-ransom case.

Over the 40-day ordeal the brothers, who claimed to be a mafia group called M3, sent three letters and made 18 further calls demanding the money.

They also sent Mrs McKays husband five letters that she had allegedly written, including one in which she said she was cold and blindfolded, as proof of life.

Two attempts by police to deliver fake notes to the kidnappers failed but the second try led officers to Rook's Farm.

Nizmodeen told the lawyer he was the only person who buried Mrs McKay, refusing to implicate his brother Arthur who was also convicted for her murder.
Move signals possible expansion of offensive to areas where hundreds of thousands are crowded into shelters and family homes

Israel has warned Palestinians to evacuate southern Gaza, where hundreds of thousands have gathered after fleeing the north.

Images show leaflets being dropped by Israeli forces warning Palestinians to flee parts of the enclave's southern region.

The IDF posted on X today: 'To the residents of Tal Al-Hawa, Al-Sabra, Al-Zeitoun, Al-Gharbi, Darj Al-Tuffah, Al-Shuja'iyya and Jabalia, the evacuation corridors will remain open until 16:00 for civilians through the Salah Al-Din route southward of Wadi Gaza.

'There will be a tactical pause of military operation for humanitarian purposes between 10:00-14:00 in the neighborhoods of Shuja'iyya and Turkmen. During this time, civilians should move south to the Salah Al-Din route.'

The move signals a possible expansion of Israel's offensive to areas where hundreds of thousands of people who heeded earlier evacuation orders are crowded into UN-run shelters and family homes.

Israeli soldiers take part in an operation in a location given as the Port of Gaza, in this handout image released on November 16, 2023

Israeli soldiers sit in an armoured vehicle at a position along the border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel on November 16, 2023

An Israeli military tank is positioned close to the Israeli border with the Gaza Strip in southern Israel on November 16, 2023

Meanwhile, soldiers continued searching Al-Shifa Hospital in the north in a raid that began early on Wednesday.

They displayed guns they say were found hidden in one building but have yet to release any evidence of the central Hamas command centre that Israel said is concealed beneath the complex.

Hamas and staff at the hospital, Gaza's largest, deny the allegations.

Broadening operations to the south - where Israel already carries out daily air raids - threatens to worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory.

Over 1.5 million people have been internally displaced in Gaza, with most having fled to the south, where food, water and electricity are increasingly scarce.

A picture taken from the border between Israel and Gaza shows leaflets being dropped by the Israeli army over Gaza City telling people to evacuate the area on November 16, 2023

Newborns are placed in bed after being taken off incubators in Gaza's Al Shifa hospital after power outage, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Gaza City, Gaza November 12, 2023

Palestinians wounded in Israeli strikes lie on the floor as they are assisted at the Indonesian hospital after Al Shifa hospital has gone out of service amid Israeli ground offensive, in the northern Gaza Strip November 16, 2023

This handout picture released by the Israeli army on November 15, 2023, shows soldiers during a military operation around Al-Shifa hospital

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Conricus shows weapons and equipment which he says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

Weapons and equipment which Israel's army says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

Inside a cabinet for medical equipment was another holdall containing a knife, a Hamas emblem, AK47 and ammunition, according to the spokesman

This image taken from a video released by the Israeli Defense Forces, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, shows a bullet proof vest with a Hamas insignia that was found along with weapons the IDF says were found in a medical closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City

This image taken from a video released by the Israeli Defense Forces, on Wednesday shows a cache of weapons the IDF says were found in a closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City

Weapons and equipment which Israel's army says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

Video grabs appear to show medics evacuating patients from Al Shifa hospital during raid

This handout picture released by the Israeli army on November 15, 2023, reportedly shows Israeli soldiers carrying out operations inside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City

It is not clear where else they could go, as Egypt refuses to allow a mass transfer on to its soil.

The war, now in its sixth week, was triggered by a wide-ranging Hamas attack into southern Israel on October 7 in which the terrorists killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and captured 240 men, women and children.

Israel kills three terrorists who opened fire near West Bank crossing Three gunmen who attacked a checkpoint near Jerusalem today, wounding six security forces, were killed as Israeli police fended them off, police said. National police chief Kobi Shabtai told reporters the attackers carried pistols, axes and ammunition for 'a major attack or a massacre in Israel'. Four members of the security services suffered gunshot wounds, including one who was critically injured, said the emergency medical service Magen David Adom in a statement, adding that two more were lightly wounded. The critically wounded soldier, identified as Avraham Fetena, 20, died of his injuries, the army said in a statement. The attack on a checkpoint guarding road tunnels linking the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem came on the 41st day of the war between Israel and Gaza-based Hamas terrorists. The West Bank has seen a dramatic rise in tension and violence since the start of the Israel-Hamas war. Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas in retaliation for the attacks of October 7, which killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, according to Israeli officials. Hamas also took around 240 hostages, among them young children and elderly people, officials say. The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says the death toll from the military offensive has now topped 11,500, including thousands of children. Advertisement

Israel responded with a weeks-long air campaign and a ground invasion of northern Gaza, vowing to remove Hamas from power and crush its military capabilities.

More than 11,200 Palestinians have been killed, two-thirds of them women and children, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Another 2,700 have been reported missing, with most believed to be buried under the rubble. The official count does not differentiate between civilian and terrorist deaths, and Israel says it has killed thousands of terrorists.

The war has inflamed tensions elsewhere. Three gunmen shot and wounded six security forces at a checkpoint today on the main road linking Jerusalem to Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank. Police said the attackers were shot dead. One of the Israeli soldiers, who was critically wounded in the attack, identified as Avraham Fetena, 20, died of his injuries, the army said in a statement.

Israeli troops stormed into Gaza's largest hospital on Wednesday, searching for traces of Hamas inside and beneath the facility, where newborns and hundreds of other patients have suffered for days without electricity and other basic necessities.

Troops searched the underground levels of the hospital today and detained technicians responsible for running its equipment, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said in a statement.

The military said its soldiers were accompanied by medical teams bringing in incubators and other supplies.

After encircling Al-Shifa for days, Israel faces pressure to prove its claim that Hamas used the patients, staff and civilians sheltering there to provide cover for its fighters. The allegation is part of Israel's broader accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.

The military released video from inside Al-Shifa showing three duffel bags it said it found hidden around an MRI lab, each containing an assault rifle, grenades and Hamas uniforms, as well as a cabinet that contained a number of assault rifles without ammunition clips.

Hamas and Gaza health officials deny its forces operate in Al-Shifa - a hospital that employs some 1,500 people and has more than 500 beds. Palestinians and human rights groups accuse Israel of recklessly endangering civilians.

Munir al-Boursh, a senior official with Gaza's Health Ministry inside the hospital, said troops ransacked the basement and other buildings, and questioned patients, staff and people sheltering in the facility.

Smoke rises following an airstrike in Gaza, as seen from southern Israel, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian group Hamas, November 16, 2023

A picture taken from the border between Israel and Gaza shows heavily destroyed buildings in the Gaza Strip on November 16, 2023

This handout picture released by the Israeli army on November 16, 2023, shows troops during a military operation in the Gaza Strip

Israeli soldiers operate, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip as seen in a handout picture released on November 15, 2023.

Israeli soldiers operate, amid the ongoing ground operation of the Israeli army against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in the Gaza Strip, in this handout picture released on November 15, 2023

This handout picture released by the Israeli army on November 16, 2023, shows troops during a military operation in the Gaza Strip amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian terrorist group Hamas

Smoke billows following an Israeli strike on Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza strip on Novembr 16, 2023

An Israeli security force officer fires a sponge grenade as the army surrounds the area of a Palestinian home, believed to belong to one of the gunmen that attacked an Israel checkpoint on the edge of Jerusalem earlier in the day, during a military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on November 16, 2023

An Israeli security force officer takes position as they surround the area of a Palestinian home, believed to belong to one of the gunmen that attacked an Israel checkpoint on the edge of Jerusalem earlier in the day, during a military operation in the occupied West Bank city of Hebron on November 16, 2023

An Israeli tank takes position near the border with the Gaza Strip in Southern Israel on November 16, 2023

This handout picture released by the Israeli army on November 16, 2023, shows troops during a military operation in the northern Gaza Strip

Israeli soldiers take part in an operation in a location given as the Port of Gaza, in this handout image released on November 16, 2023

Israeli forces battled terrorists outside the hospital for days but there were no reports of terrorists firing from inside Al-Shifa, or of any fighting within the hospital after Israeli troops entered.

At one point, tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing Israeli bombardment were sheltering at Al-Shifa, but most left in recent days as the fighting drew closer.

The Health Ministry said 40 patients, including three babies, have died since Al-Shifa's emergency generator ran out of fuel on Saturday. There was no word on the condition of another 36 babies, who the ministry said earlier were at risk of dying because there is no power for incubators.

The leaflets, dropped in areas east of the southern town of Khan Younis, warned civilians to evacuate and said anyone in the vicinity of terrorists or their positions 'is putting his life in danger'.

Similar leaflets were dropped over northern Gaza for weeks ahead of the ground invasion.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said on Wednesday the ground operation will eventually 'include both the north and south. We will strike Hamas wherever it is'.

The military says it has largely consolidated its control of the north, including seizing and demolishing government buildings. Video released by the army today showed soldiers moving between heavily damaged buildings through holes blown in their walls.

The military said it had blown up a residence belonging to Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader based abroad. It was unclear if anyone was inside the building.

Palestinian families who escaped the Israeli attacks are sheltering in tents near Nasser Hospital, as Israeli army's attacks continue on its 40th day in Khan Yunis, Gaza on November 15, 2023

Displaced Palestinians walk near their tents after arainy night at a temporary camp provided by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) for displaced Palestinians who lost their homes in Israeli strikes, in Khan Yunis, 15 November 2023

Displaced Palestinians stand in front of their tent as people inspect the damage caused by rain on November 15, 2023 in Khan Yunis, Gaza. on November 15

A woman sits in a tent as Palestinians try to fortify their tents, located near the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Hospital, with limited means to protect themselves from the cold and rainy weather in Khan Yunis, Gaza on November 14, 2023

Displaced Palestinians set up tents in the yard of a UN-run school in Rafah, Gaza Strip, during ongoing Israeli bombardment on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023

With most of Gaza's 2.3 million people crowded into the territory's south, residents say bread is scarce and supermarket shelves are bare. Families cook on wood fires for lack of fuel. Central electricity and running water have been out for weeks.

The worsening fuel shortage threatens to paralyse the delivery of humanitarian services and shut down mobile phone and internet service.

Israel allowed a small amount of fuel to enter Gaza on Wednesday, for the first time since the war began, so that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees could continue bringing limited supplies of aid.

The fuel cannot be used for hospitals or to desalinate water, and covers less than 10 per cent of what the agency needs to sustain 'lifesaving activities', said Thomas White, the agency's Gaza director.
Police investigating the felling of the iconic Sycamore Gap tree say a teen arrested as part of their early inquiries will face no further action - as three men remain on bail while the probe continues.

The sycamore - a favourite of tourists and locals alike and one of Britain's most photographed trees - was felled overnight between September 27 and September 28 in a 'malicious act of vandalism'.

A 16-year-old boy who was arrested shortly after the tree came down and bailed will now face no further action as police continue their enquiries.

Northumbria Police say that three other men - two in their 30s and one in their 60s - who were arrested on suspicion of criminal damage remain on police bail.

Inquiries are continuing into the incident with the help of local partner agencies in order to ascertain the damage and any further suspects.

Experts pore over the stump of the Sycamore Gap tree in Northumberland after it was felled at the end of September

The tree is one of the best-known in the world and featured in an iconic scene in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves - and an accompanying Bryan Adams music video

Inquiries are continuing into the felling of the tree and three men remain on police bail

Morgan Freeman and Kevin Costner stand at the Sycamore Gap in a promotional photo for Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves

Local dogwalkers survey the scene on September 28, the day the tree is believed to have been cut down

Detective Chief Inspector Rebecca Fenney-Menzies, of Northumbria Police, said on Thursday: 'We completely recognise the feeling of loss in the community and further afield following the deliberate felling of Sycamore Gap..

'I would like to reassure the public that our investigation continues, and we remain committed to establishing the full circumstances surrounding the damage, and in bringing any offenders to justice.'

The teen was arrested shortly after the tree came down - but friends said at the time that the work to bring the sycamore down was a 'professional job', rather than 'the work of someone who has only recently left school'.

READ MORE: Is tree felled in 2020 to make way for HS2 proof the Sycamore Gap stump could rise again? Advertisement

Police believe that the tree was cut down by someone with a degree of expertise: a white line of paint had been daubed on the trunk and the manner of the cut suggested someone professional.

Det Chief Insp Fenney-Menzies added: 'As always, we continue to welcome any new information from members of the public that could assist us in getting answers.

'Please know that your support could prove vital to our enquiries, no matter how small the detail may seem.

'I'd also like to remind the public that this remains a live investigation so, for that reason, please continue to avoid any speculation both in the community and online  including on social media.'

The Sycamore Gap tree is known across the world for featuring in key scenes of 1991 film Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves starring Kevin Costner and Morgan Freeman, and the music video for Bryan Adams' accompanying song (Everything I Do) I Do It for You.

The film's director Kevin Reynolds, who chose the location for scenes in which Costner's Robin Hood bonds with Freeman's character Azeem said he had experienced a sense of loss upon learning that the tree had been cut down.

He even compared the loss of the tree to the death of Prince of Thieves star Alan Rickman, who died in January 2016, telling the BBC: 'I think that this comparison is justified and I know Alan would agree with it.'

He added: 'I know some people will say you can't compare the death of a tree to the death of a person but I think some things are so iconic, so perfect in their being, that they have a profound effect on people as this does.'

Former child actor Daniel Newman, who appeared in a scene in which he hid in the tree from the Sheriff of Nottingham, said of the felling: 'It is so sad that something senseless was done, though anyone who acts so harmfully has perhaps a story to tell themselves that led them to such a harmful act.'

Brits - including famous fans the Hairy Bikers - have been baffled and angered by the act of wanton destruction that brought down the tree, which was believed to be at least 200 years old.

Si King, the TV cook and Hairy Biker, posted a video online accusing the 'warped' culprit of 'murdering a sentinel of time and an elemental spirit of Northumberland'.

The freshly exposed trunk of the Sycamore Gap tree after it was felled at the end of September

The National Trust has removed branches from the tree and kept them in storage to deter trophy hunters as they consider the sycamore's future

The tree itself was removed with the assistance of cranes a month ago after police concluded their initial investigations. Inquiries are ongoing

The tree was beloved by locals and tourists alike, sitting alongside Hadrian's Wall

Locals took the tree to heart, using its image on souvenirs and beers (left), and even left tributes when it was felled (right)

Jamie Driscoll, North Tyne and Metro mayor, said at the time of the tree's felling that it had a special place in locals' hearts.

He said: 'People have had their ashes scattered there. People have proposed there. I've picnicked there with my wife and kids. It's part of our collective soul.'

In addition to the loss of a 200-year-old landmark, the felling of the tree also caused damage to Hadrian's Wall, Historic England concluded earlier this month.

It carried out analysis of the Roman artifact and said the wall suffered cracks and some fragments have come off it.

The organisation has passed the information on to the police, whose inquiries continue.

In a tweet, the heritage body said: 'We've carried out an archaeological appraisal of the damage to Hadrian's Wall and can confirm there are some cracks and fragments broken off from 2 of the facing stones, which we believe have been caused by the felling of the Sycamore tree.'

The 50ft tree was removed from the scene shortly after it came down as it emerged that trophy hunters were trying to claim parts of it for themselves. It is currently being kept in a storage centre.

For the time being the stump is being kept in place and is behind a protective barrier because it could generate new shoots. Plans will be made to keep grazing sheep off the stump, allowing any shoots which emerge to grow.

The much-photographed and painted lone sycamore, an emblem for the north east of England, was situated in a dramatic dip in the Northumberland landscape before it was felled overnight on September 27.

The tree was thought to have been planted by Newcastle philanthropist and lawyer John Clayton.

Mr Clayton was a keen excavator of Hadrian's Wall and was thought to have planted the tree to fill the dip on landscape which was created by glacial meltwater.

And analysis of similar stumps from other felled trees suggests there could yet be hope for the tree to regrow.

Anyone with information on the felling of the Sycamore Tree gap should call Northumbria Police on 101 or use the Tell Us Something page on the forces website.


Do YOU know any of the people in the images? Email tips@dailymail.com

This is the moment a police officer asked pro-Palestinian protesters to come down from a war memorial but did nothing to arrest them - as the Met continues to insist they were powerless to stop yobs clambering over the monument.

Footage shows a policeman in a blue high-vis remonstrating with a demonstrator standing on a ledge on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner just above several wreaths of poppies.

But the man ignores him and - when a man in the background shouts 'brother, that's disrespectful' - the yob appears to reply 'yeah it is, that's why I done [sic]'.

Another group of officers appeared to simply watch on as the offensive scenes unfolded. Last night, the Met expressed its 'regret' for the way officers handled the incident but insisted no laws had been broken.

And Met chief Sir Mark Rowley doubled today today, saying: 'What the officer didn't do last night was make up a law that it's illegal to do something and do an arrest which would have been illegal, clearly.'

Home Secretary James Cleverly, who served in the Royal Artillery, called the demonstration 'deeply disrespectful' and suggested laws could be changed to give police powers to prevent protesters clambering over war memorials.

Downing Street called the incident an 'affront' which will have 'appalled' the public. A spokesman said police already had 'extensive powers available to them' but Rishi Sunak would 'look at what further measures are needed'.

Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer added: 'The Met has a lot of powers they can use, and should be using, and I'll work with colleagues to toughen the law. Let's see those thugs dishonouring our war dead in handcuffs.'

However, Tory MP Neil O'Brien suggested the activists could have been arrested under existing laws. Calling the Met 'pathetic', he wrote: 'This is ''disorderly behaviour'' under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 and they should have been arrested. In 2016 Greenpeace protestors who just put an air pollution mask on the statue of Nelson were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.'

Do YOU know any of the people in the images? Email tips@dailymail.com

A Met liaison officer in a blue vest was seen appealing for the protesters to come down

A group of police officers appeared to simply watch on as pro-Palestinian protesters climbed on the Royal Artillery memorial at Hyde Park Corner

Today, the Met expressed its 'regret' for the way officers handled the incident but insisted no laws had been broken

Footage shows a sea of flag-waving protesters chanting 'free Palestine' as they clambered over the hallowed site

A pro-Palestine protester with a banner comparing Western politicians to Hitler

Another video from last night showed activists swarming a couple's car by Trafalgar Square and shouting abuse at them

A group of police officers sprint towards the Cenotaph to prevent it from being attacked by pro-Palestinian protesters

Another video from last night showed activists swarming a couple's car by Trafalgar Square and shouting abuse at them. Officers eventually intervened to allow them to pass through, as separate footage showed them sprinting to the Cenotaph to ensure it was safe.

The pro-Palestine march on Parliament was advertised on Tuesday - a day before it took place. Once again it included offensive banners, such as one comparing Western politicians to Hitler.

A dispersal order was in place across parts of Westminster from 7.50pm yesterday to 2am today. Roads around Buckingham Palace remained closed as of 7am today, causing travel chaos during the morning commute.

Protesters climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial yesterday evening following a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament after MPs slapped down SNP calls for a ceasefire despite a major Labour rebellion against Sir Keir Starmer.

The Met Police said the behaviour of the protesters in London was 'unacceptable' but no laws had been broken.

In response, social media users pointed out the case of Charlie Gilmour, son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, who was jailed for 16 months in 2011 after he was pictured swinging from the Union Jack on the Cenotaph.

History of the Royal Artillery Memorial The Royal Artillery Memorial commemorates the 49,076 soldiers of the Royal Artillery killed in the First World War. The static nature of trench combat meant heavy guns played a significant role in 'softening up' enemy positions before troops moved in. Designed by Charles Sargeant Jagger and Lionel Pearson, the memorial was funded largely by public donations and unveiled in 1925. It consists of a Portland stone base supporting a one-third over-lifesize sculpture of a howitzer - which Jagger based on one in the Imperial War Museum. In 2010, art critic Brian Sewell named it among the world's top 10 sculptures. 'Charles Sergeant Jagger's Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner is, as a sculptural monument, mausoleum and cenotaph, so fit for purpose, so handsome, so modern that it makes Henry Moore seem shallow and Picasso frivolous,' he wrote. 'Erected in 1925, it functions not only as a cenotaph but as the emplacement of a huge howitzer carved and constructed in the same stone, seeming to grow organically from it and equally abstract. 'The howitzer is at a firing angle, pointing towards Victoria Station, while the flanks of the cenotaph are carved with extensive low reliefs illustrating the work of the artillery, and the four great bronze figures.' Advertisement

He also leapt on the bonnet of a car, kicked in a Topshop window and set fire to papers outside the Supreme Court. After he was convicted of violent disorder, a judge said he was guilty of 'outrageous and deeply offensive behaviour'. However, he was never actually charged over the Cenotaph attack.

Mr Cleverly, who served in the Royal Artillery, told LBC Radio this morning: 'We are absolutely determined to look at this. (Veterans minister) Johnny Mercer, a former gunner officer  the Royal Artillery was my regiment as well, that's my regimental memorial.'

'I'm not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgement on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials.

The Home Secretary added: 'We have made a commitment to review the legislation around public order policing.

'If the police  and I'm going to look at this in real detail  if the police need more powers to make sure that really deeply distasteful, provocative things like that do not happen for the public good, because of course this is about making sure it doesn't stimulate violent action or any kind of violent responses, but if we need to take action specifically to give police more powers, we are looking at doing that.'

Mr Cleverly's fury has been echoed by servicemen and veterans across the country, with a source within the Royal Artillery telling MailOnline: 'What happened was an absolute disgrace. It was sickening to see.

'This memorial is something close and dear to the heart of every Gunner in the British Army. It honours the memories of the 49,076 men from the Royal Regiment of Artillery who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War.

'To see it desecrated like this by political activists is appalling.'

But a statement from the police said the protesters - who were breakaway group who had been dispersed at Hyde Park Corner - had not broken any laws by scaling the memorial.

Scotland Yard said: 'We know some online have asked why the protesters were not arrested. There is no law explicitly making it illegal to climb on a memorial so officers cannot automatically arrest, but they can intervene and make it clear the behaviour isn't acceptable. The videos shared online show them doing that.'

'Most people would agree that to climb on or otherwise disrespect a war memorial is unacceptable,' the statement continued.

'That is why our officers have made every effort to prevent it happening in recent days. While officers were on scene quickly, we regret they were not there quickly enough to prevent the protesters accessing the memorial.'

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said police recognised that while the climbing on a war memorial was not illegal, it was 'unfortunate' and 'inflammatory in certain ways'.

He said it was for the Government to consider whether officers should be given further powers to respond to protests. The officer recognised that while it wasn't illegal it was unfortunate, inflammatory in certain ways. The officers at the scene asked them to get down and they did.

'So the officers intervened as officers often do to try and de-escalate risk of conflict, even when there isn't an explicit power to do it. So I think they did a sensible thing,' he said.

Speaking at the Institute for Government, Sir Mark also conceded the Met had made 'ghastly errors' in the past which he was determined to move on from.

Police said one arrest had been made at the protest for possession of an offensive weapon.

New Home Secretary James Cleverly pictured today giving a speech to the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and National Police Chiefs Council

The pro-Palestine march on Parliament was advertised as long ago as Tuesday

Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer said police had a 'difficult job with mobs and protesters' but 'we've got to stop thugs clambering over war memorials'

The Met said climbing over war memorials was 'deeply disrespectful' but 'there's no law making it illegal'

Tory MP Neil O'Brien suggested the activists could have been arrested under existing laws

Social media users pointed out the case of Charlie Gilmour, son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, who was jailed for 16 months in 2011 after he was pictured swinging from the Union Jack on the Cenotaph. After he was convicted of violent disorder, a judge said he was guilty of 'outrageous and deeply offensive behaviour'. However, he was never actually charged over the Cenotaph attack

A dispersal order was in place across parts of the City of Westminster from 7.50pm yesterday to 2am today. Pictured are the poppies laid by the Royal Artillery Memorial

Police said the protesters who climbed on the memorial were a breakaway group who had been dispersed at Hyde Park Corner.

A protester wearing the Palestinian flag and carrying a 'Free Palestine' placard is pictured scaling the Royal Artillery Memorial in London last night

Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered in Parliament Square, Westminster last night as MPs prepared to vote on a call for a ceasefire in the Israel

Police stood guard outside the Houses of Parliament last night as pro-Palestine protesters marched on Downing Street after British MPs rejected an amendment to King's Speech by Scottish Nationalist Party (SNP) calling for a ceasefire in Gaza

Thousands protested outside of Parliament yesterday to demand that there is a vote for a ceasefire in Gaza

A woman lights flare as thousands protest outside of Parliament last night

A demonstrator waves a Palestinian flag as police stand guard outside the Houses of Parliament last night

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper has said 'a spiral of disrespect' cannot be allowed to develop between the Government and the police, following intense political pressure over protest marches.

Speaking at a policing conference in Westminster, Ms Cooper called the attacks by former home secretary Suella Braverman on the Metropolitan Police last week 'a disgrace'.

Mrs Braverman took the extraordinary step of writing an article for the Times, accusing the force of showing bias in favour of left-wing protesters.

That was after she had pressed for Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley to ban a pro-Palestine demonstration in central London, which she branded a hate march.

Her successor, Mr Cleverly, whom Ms Cooper said is likely to take 'a very different approach', is due to speak at the same conference later today.

Ms Cooper told delegates: 'The attacks on you by Suella Braverman were a total disgrace. Suella Braverman is not home secretary anymore, rightly...

'But this is actually too important just to move on, to dismiss this as an aberration.

'Because I said repeatedly in the comments that I made on the disgraceful Suella Braverman article, no home secretary ever before would ever have done this. And that's true. But now our home secretary has done this.

'And we cannot let this spiral into a spiral of disrespect between policing and between the Home Office ministers.'

She accused Prime Minster Rishi Sunak of being irresponsible in also putting pressure on the Met over the protests.

'The Prime Minister... also got drawn into her approach, putting public and theatrical pressure on the Met Commissioner for the sake of headlines. I believe that was irresponsible.

'The policing minister also tried to defend the claim that police pick favourites. That is not good enough.'

Protesters wave flags and flares during a pro-Palestinian protest in front of the Houses of Parliament last night

Pro-Palestine protesters marched on Downing Street after British MPs rejected an amendment to the King's Speech by the SNP

Protesters wave flags during a pro-Palestinian protest in front of the Houses of Parliament in London yesterday

Thousands protest outside of Parliament to demand that there is a vote for a ceasefire

A man waves a Palestinian flag as protesters march through Parliament Square yesterday

Demonstrators react to the result of a vote in Parliament during last night's protest in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza

Activists shout into megaphones as thousands protest outside of Parliament to demand a ceasefire in Gaza

Demonstrators will return to Britain's streets again this weekend as protests have been planned all across the country.

The Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC), lead organiser of five consecutive weekly marches, said it planned to return to the capital at a later date but was pausing action because of the toll coordinating them had taken.

About 700,000 people are thought to have attended the march on Armistice Day, which saw violent clashes between counter-protesters and police, with 18 officers injured.

Police made 145 arrests and seven people were charged following what was by far the most violent of the five weekly protests.

But this weekend the focus will switch from the capital to smaller regional marches, vigils and speeches across the country in what could prove a challenge for local forces.

Rallies will take place in towns and cities including Newcastle, Oxford, Nottingham, Birmingham and Bristol.

National Police Chiefs' Council chairman Gavin Stephens said he was confident forces were well equipped to deal with the scattered demonstrations.

'A huge amount of work is taking place to protect the public, engage with local groups, police protests and take swift and robust action where free speech crosses the line into criminality,' he added.

'We are not anti-protest, but we are anti-crime - be that hate crime, public order offences or any other form of criminality.'

Thousands of people attended the pro-Palestinian march in London last Saturday, November 11

Protesters marched through central London towards the US Embassy in solidarity with the Palestinian people

Counter-protesters clash with police near Parliament Square, London on Armistice Day

The Metropolitan Police said its officers were spat at, knocked to the ground, punched and hit by fireworks, bottles and beer cans during the ugly clashes on Saturday. Pictured: Officers arrest a man on a street in Westminster on Saturday following clashes

In addition to the need for vigilance around hate crimes and incidents of anti-Semitism, forces will have to be conscious of the possibility of more clashes with far-Right counter-protesters.

The Metropolitan Police said its officers were spat at, knocked to the ground, punched and hit by fireworks, bottles and beer cans during the ugly clashes on Saturday.

Officers on the frontline suffered dislocations and broken bones, a spokesman said.

Assistant commissioner Matt Twist described the extreme violence from far-Right protesters towards police as 'extraordinary and deeply concerning.' Sergeant Lee Smith was struck in the face by a can of beer, which cut his mouth and split open his lip.

'The can hit me and I stumbled back and it felt like I had been punched in the face. It was a really horrible situation, but I didn't want to go to hospital and leave my team,' he said.

'I looked around and could see a lot of our younger officers were worried, and it's not fair that they're subjected to that.

'We were isolated and holding the line, but I was proud of our officer's resilience when responding to the events over the weekend.' In addition to the violence from the counter-protesters, groups splintered from the main demonstration and caused more trouble - including a gang of about 150 who shot fireworks in officers' faces.

The Met said it was 'continuing to support' 18 officers who were injured on Saturday, including nine from other forces. Pictured are police near Parliament Square

Tens of thousands of people have turned up on the streets of London on Saturday

People set off fireworks during the main pro-Palestinian march in London on Saturday evening

Protesters hold flares during the pro-Palestinian protest in London on Saturday

A counter-protester is detained by police in Parliament Square in central London on Saturday

A PSC spokesman confirmed there would be a pause this weekend on a large march in London but there would be more until Israel agreed to a ceasefire in Gaza.

'From a logistical point of view, doing the national London marches is putting a huge strain on resources and supporters,' they said.

'But it is also strategic and will allow us to involve and empower more people throughout the country, not just those who can come to London.

'We want to take the message far and wide, particularly in terms of MP constituencies which adds to the political pressure for a ceasefire.'
The parent company of Optus has broken its silence on last week's nationwide blackout, denying responsibility for the communications wipe-out that alienated millions of Australians and put future government contracts under review.

Singtel, the Singaporean telecommunications conglomerate that owns Optus, said on Thursday a routine upgrade was not the cause of last Wednesday's daylong outage that cut off internet and mobile access for about 10.2 million customers.

'We are aware that Optus experienced a network outage after the upgrade when a significant increase in [internet] addresses being propagated through their network triggered preset failsafes. However, the upgrade was not the root cause,' a Singtel spokesman said in a statement.

Optus blamed the blackout on changes to 'routing information' following the upgrade, with the company's CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin (pictured) slammed for her slow response to the nationwide outage last Wednesday

'From time to time, STiX [the Singtel internet Exchange] conducts software upgrades for its infrastructure.

'STiX had planned for a routine software upgrade on one of its routers at 1am Singapore Time on November 8, 2023 (4am AEDT), and as per usual practice, gave prior notice to all affected customers, including Optus and other telecom companies.

'During the upgrade, data traffic was routed to other points of presence on the STiX network and back into customers' networks.

'The STiX upgrade was completed within 20 minutes and all its customers' routers that were connected to it, including Optus', were up and running.'

On Monday, Optus blamed the failure on changes to 'routing information' following the upgrade.

'At around 4.05am Wednesday morning, the Optus network received changes to routing information from an international peering network (Singtel internet Exchange) following a routine software upgrade,' Optus said in a statement.

The parent company of Optus (pictured) said last week's nationwide phone and internet outage was not because of a routine upgrade that was conducted by the company

'There routing information changes propagated through multiple layers in our network and exceeded preset safety levels on key routers which could not handle these.'

The statement said the action resulted in routers disconnecting from the Optus IP Core network to protect themselves.

This resulted in a large scale effort to reconnect or reboot the routers physically, requiring 'the dispatch of people across a number of sites in Australia'.

'This is why restoration was progressive over the afternoon,' Optus said.

On Thursday, Optus said SingTel's statement did not contradict its own assessment of the root cause of the failure.

'We are making changes to our network to ensure it will not happen again,' a spokesman told NCA NewsWire.

'Singtel is supporting Optus as we learn from what has occurred and continue to work to improve the resilience of our network.'

Pressure is mounting on the embattled telecommunications giant following the blackout.

South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas has threatened to pull multimillion-dollar contracts with the company and Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin will face a Senate grilling tomorrow on what went wrong on Wednesday.
Fort Johnson, LA (71446)

Today

Areas of patchy fog early. Cloudy this morning. Scattered thunderstorms developing this afternoon. High 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Showers and thundershowers this evening, then cloudy with rain likely overnight. Low 57F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%.
The first flurries of winter are on the horizon after forecasters warned of a 'marked' change in temperatures across the country - that saw the Scottish Highlands experience a low of -7C overnight.

Met Office meteorologists say that cold conditions will hang around for days into the weekend, with frost across the north-east of Scotland and even a dusting of snowflakes to come in hillier areas.

Ahead of that, however, downpours are expected in parts of the country today with southern England and Wales expected to suffer the worst deluges. A yellow weather warning had been in place until 6pm, but was lifted earlier than expected.

Weather maps show large clusters of rainfall falling on southern and south-east England mid-afternoon, with a fresh band of rain covering Wales and western parts of England and Scotland later this evening.

The Met Office says Thursday will be defined by 'outbreaks' of heavy rain in those areas, turning showery in the south-west, with frost and fog overnight.

LONDON: A dog walker takes full advantage of her wellington boots as she goes for a stroll on Wimbledon Common on Thursday

KENT: Dreary conditions for these motorists on the M25 between Swanley and Orpington

A deluge of rain is expected to roll across Britain on Saturday, with the southern coasts worst affected by downpours and 50mph gusts

CAMBRIDGESHIRE: A car makes a splash as it runs through Sutton Gault on Wednesday. 10 flood warnings are in effect across England and forecasters say flooding is likely into the weekend

YORK: Several flood warnings remain in place in Yorkshire, where the River Ouse burst its banks following Storm Debi (pictured: York yesterday)

Friday is expected to be chilly, but largely dry and bright, with temperatures barely rising into double digits across most of the country.

But it is Saturday that will see the heaviest downpours covering much of the country, with temperatures peaking at around 14C.

No weather warnings have been put in place, but those along the coasts are warned to expect gusts of up to 50mph and treacherous conditions.

READ MORE: Astonishing pictures show prehistoric mound now has its own moat thanks to the rain

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Met Office forecaster Aidan McGivern said: 'For the start of Saturday, we keep the cold conditions at first across parts of Central and Eastern Scotland.

There will be a touch of frost in the northeast of Scotland and some snowflakes over the hills and mountains as well, as the rain bumps into into that cold air.

'It's much milder as we start off Saturday further south and south-west. However, by mid-morning, it's looking like a wet and windy picture across many parts of the country.

'Not very pleasant at all if you're heading out on Saturday morning: outbreaks of rain for most of the UK, a lot of cloud cover and a strong wind with 50mph wind gusts possible around southern coasts.'

Saturday's rain is expected to ease off by the middle of the day as the rain moves further east towards the continent, though there will still be some scattered showers in Northern Ireland, western parts of Scotland and the south-east of England.

As much as 75mm of rain is expected to fall on some parts of Wales and the south coast between today and Monday, according to Met Office data.

However, pockets of snow are expected in the Scottish Highlands going into Saturday night.

Ten flood warnings - meaning flooding is expected - are in place in parts of Yorkshire, the Lake District, Somerset and Sussex.

Meteorologist Mr McGivern added: 'We are seeing more wet weather in places where the ground is particularly saturated: hillier parts of Wales and the south and southwest.

'Ordinarily, wouldn't really be too bad but given that's coming on top of saturated ground it could cause a few issues heading into the weekend.'

The latest deluge comes after Storm Debi brought heavy rain and strong winds to several parts of the UK earlier this week.

It is the fourth named storm of the winter so far, hitting the country with gusts in excess of 70mph and huge downpours flooding out roads.
This is the moment that a furious driver's brand new electric car was bashed during the latest Just Stop Oil stunt after a passerby tried to clear the eco-mob off the road.

The disruptive group, which aims to pressure the Government into abandoning fossil fuels once and for all, have boasted today of marching in west London for 45 minutes without police showing up.

The Met Police confirmed that when they did arrive, all 17 Just Stop Oil activists slow marching in Holland Park Road were arrested.

As protesters took to the streets again today, a furious passerby ripped the group's trademark orange banners out of their hands, threw them to the floor and shouted: 'People are trying to get to f*****g work. Get out the way.'

Amid the chaos in Holland Park, a man who appeared to be filming the march hit one of the motorist's car, sparking further fury.

The passerby shouted: 'Don't f*****g hit his car'. But the man replied: 'I'll f*****g do what I want c***.'

The driver then got out of his vehicle and screamed: 'It's a f*****g brand new electric car.'

As the expletive-filled row continued, the suspected photographer shouted: 'I'm not even part of the protest, I'm doing my f*****g job.'

A furious passerby was seen ripping the banners out of the protesters' hands in west London

A motorist was furious after a man walking with the Just Stop Oil march bashed his new electric car

Just Stop Oil have taken to the streets of London, heaping further misery on Brits trying to get around the capital

Activists from Just Stop Oil block traffic near Holland Park in west London today. They boasted that it took 45 minutes for police to arrive

Police officers surround Just Stop Oil activists who were lying on the floor in west London today

Footage has also emerged of several protesters lying on the floor seemingly playing dead with officers tending to them, while a police helicopter was seen hovering above the action.

One activist on the floor said he was 'suffering chest pains' as two police officers surrounded him. The Met said the man was assessed and said he was fit to go to custody.

Just Stop Oil said 17 protesters started their protest at Holland Park roundabout near Shepherds Bush at around 11.15am and started marching towards Kensington.

They said that 'around 50 officers' arrived with a police helicopter at around 11:45.

The Met Police said: 'We've arrested 17 Just Stop Oil activists slow marching in Holland Park Road. Arrests were made and the road reopened within five minutes of police arrival.'

Grace Nicholls, 20, an environmental science student from Manchester, said she was marching in London today because she sees 'no other alternative'.

She said: 'I'm marching today and potentially risking a criminal record because I want to be able to use my degree in the future and if we don't stop new oil and gas now, there'll be nothing left to save.

'We are in a crisis and I can see no other alternative. I have to do everything in my power to protect my home and the people I love.'

Fellow marcher Poppy Bliss, 19, a student from Bury St Edmunds, added: 'I am taking action with Just Stop Oil because I have been left with no other choice.

'New oil and gas is a death sentence for billions and a betrayal of the young. My generation, and all the generations after mine, are having our futures destroyed by the criminals in government who value profit over human lives.

Just Stop Oil activists boasted of marching in London for 45 minutes without police showing up

Just Stop Oil protesters carried out yet another slow march in London today

JSO said 17 supporters stepped into the road at the Holland Park roundabout near Shepherds Bush and marched towards Kensington

'I'm 19 years old, it shouldn't be up to me and all the others here alongside me to do this, but we are desperate. We have been utterly failed and I cannot stand by and watch as everything we love is threatened. It's time to pick a side, profit or life.'

It comes after another 66 Just Stop Oil supporters were arrested on Cromwell Road yesterday, bringing the total number of arrests since October 30 to 532. Some 25 activists are being held for court.

Yesterday, Noah Crane, 18, was remanded to Wandsworth Prison for marching. He said: 'We young people have been so conditioned into pursuing fancy degrees and careers above all else that we've forgotten to ensure those things mean anything.

'When I think about the situation we are in, I realise we are faced with a choice. Either we can sit back and watch the government commit mass genocide, or we can do everything in our power to prevent it.'

JSO also posted a video of a police van racing through the march with its sirens on. They wrote: Reckon the Met Police are on their way to arrest the criminals licensing new oil and gas? Or will they just take the easy route and arrest protesters instead?'

But the tweet prompted anger by some, with one writing: 'They are doing their job's. Something most of you don't have.'

The tactic of playing dead in the streets was seen earlier this week when protesters marched through Oval in London.

The furious passerby can be seen attempting to clear the road as the eco-mob marched through west London

He was seen ripping the orange banners out of the protesters' hands and throwing them to the floor

A Just Stop Oil activist is seen being thrown in to the back of a police van - as cops arrested all 17

Police officers and Just Stop Oil activists clash in the road. The Met said they cleared the road shortly after arriving

Police officers were seen politely asking protesters 'could you come with me please?'

The activist group went on to mock police officers arresting them with one ridiculing a cop, telling him 'I don't go anywhere with strange men' when he asked her to move.

It follows a war of words between the Metropolitan Police and the campaigners, after demonstrators, unfazed by their arrests, took to social media boasting that officers 'quite literally can't arrest us all'.

In a now-deleted post, the London force quipped back, writing 'we 'quite literally' just have'.

A Just Stop Oil Spokesperson said: 'What we see is a brazen disregard for the law in this country, the police ignore the law when it suits them, we have the Prime Minister ignoring High Court rulings, we have Home secretaries circumventing parliament to introduce legislation to ban the right to protest in this country.

'The cracks are showing, the emperor has no clothes on. The government can relieve the pressure on the police and the courts and end the disruption on London's roads if they make a meaningful statement that they will halt all new oil gas and coal licences.'
An Italian vet arrived at his girlfriend's flat with flowers and a card in a bid to save their relationship - before stabbing her seven times after she told him they had no future, a court was told.

Dr Alberto Fioletti told Stephanie Hodgkinson 'I hope you're happy with yourself...you're going to have a death on your hands' days before he killed her at her home in Bournemouth, Dorset.

Stephanie, 34, agreed to meet Fioletti to talk on May 12 this year but intended to go on a beach walk in public as she was worried about being alone with him.

The 31-year-old vet went to her flat with gifts in an attempt to reconcile but snapped when she insisted they had no future together - and he stabbed her six times in the chest and once in the back with a kitchen knife.

Fioletti then stabbed himself in the stomach before calling 999, telling the operator: 'I killed my girlfriend.'

Stephanie Hodgkinson, 34, was told 'I hope you're happy, you're going to have a death on your hands' by boyfriend Alberto Fioletti days before she was killed

Alberto Fioletti has denied murder but admitted a charge of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility. This has not been accepted by prosecutors

Alberto Fioletti 'profound inability to come to terms with her rejection' prompted him to kill Ms Hodgkinson, prosecutors say

Police at Stephanie Hodgkinson's flat in May. The court heard Alberto Fioletti called 999 and told the operator: 'I killed my girlfriend'

Police and paramedics arrived at the flat in Alum Chine, Bournemouth, Dorset, and found Stephanie on the floor next to the breakfast bar in her kitchen.

Her injuries were 'non-survivable' with severe injuries to her heart, lungs and great vessels - the arteries and veins directly connected to the heart - causing catastrophic bleeding.

Fioletti was arrested for murder and taken to hospital for treatment to his wounds. He has admitted a charge of manslaughter on the grounds of diminished responsibility but he denies murder.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard that Stephanie, a divorced mum-of-two, had met Fioletti through a dating website and they had been in a relationship since October 2022.

He had met her children, she had travelled to Italy to meet his parents and they had planned to buy a house together.

Although they were both employed at veterinary practices their workplace only overlapped for a month when Fioletti worked at Southern Counties Veterinary Specialists in Ringwood, Hampshire, in January this year.

He was working at Medivet clinic at the time of the alleged murder and she had quit her job to study for a degree in philosophy of art.

The court heard Fioletti had a narcissistic personality disorder and had several intense relationships with female work colleagues at other practices he had previously worked at.

Steven Perian KC, prosecuting, told the jury Fioletti had used his mental health problems to gain sympathy from former girlfriends.

The court heard on one occasion he had even sent one of them pictures of a syringe indicating he was going to kill himself with veterinary euthanasia drugs.

He and Stephenie had a heated argument on May 5 this year when she kicked him out of her home.

Before he left he told her: 'I hope you're happy with yourself. You're going to have a death on your hands now.'

Stephanie Hogkinson was stabbed six times in the chest and once in the back with a kitchen knife

A forensics van at the scene of Stephanie Hodgkinson's death at her flat in Bournemouth

Police officers stood guard outside her home as they continued to make inquiries before charging Alberto Fioletti with murder

Stephanie had told her sister she wanted to meet him in a public place to tell him she couldn't see a future together.

The court heard the day before the meeting Fioletti texted his Italian doctor saying: 'If I had to definitely lose her tomorrow night, this time I will have to put an end to it once and for all.'

Stephanie had been chopping vegetables in her kitchen when Fioletti arrived.

Mr Perian said: 'This tragedy unfolds as an intimate partner killing, ignited by Stephanie Hodgkinson's courageous decision to terminate their relationship.

'She was not prepared to be manipulated by him. The defendant's profound inability to come to terms with her rejection culminated in his relentless, brutal assault, marked by seven merciless and devastating stab wounds.

'Regrettably, despite their best efforts, Stephanie could not be saved, succumbing to the grievous injuries she had received due to the relentless bleeding.

'He was interviewed...he admitted to punching Stephanie Hodgkinson in the face. He said, he was completely out of control. The trigger for his loss of control was because of his breakdown of the relationship with Stephanie Hodgkinson.

'He does not challenge the fact he stabbed and killed her but he does not have exact memories of stabbing her. The prosecution has rejected his plea of manslaughter.

'We say despite any mental health issues the defendant may have experienced, they did not result in a substantial impairment of his ability to understand the nature of his conduct, form a rational judgement, exercise self-control.

'Importantly, his mental health was not a significant contributory factor when he inflicted seven stab wounds upon Stephanie Hodgkinson with a knife.

'The prosecution's case is that when you hear all the evidence, despite any mental health issues he may have dealt with, he has been dealing with it since childhood, he has learned to effectively manage them.

'These issues did not hinder his scholarly and academic pursuits, as he remains highly driven by a strong desire to excel in his career.'

The trial continues.
A group of Jewish high school students from New York City who attended Tuesday's pro-Israel rally in Washington were verbally attacked on board a DC train by a woman who accused them of supporting genocide.

Shira Rouhani, Lea Applebaum, and Leah Borenstein, who study at the Yeshiva University High School for Girls in Queens, were left frightened by the attack from an unidentified woman while on the DC Metro with their teacher.

Rouhani, 17, filmed the exchange which shows the woman shouting that the girls were supporting the 'killing of innocent people' and calling them 'f***king disgusting'.

She said, in the clip shared to the New York Post: 'You are stupid. You are really dumb Fk you. Fk all you guys. What's wrong with you? Why are you supporting kids who are being murdered?'

Borenstein said that she was 'very scared of this lady' and was reduced 'to tears' by the interaction.

Shira Rouhani, Lea Applebaum, and Leah Borenstein, from New York City, were left frightened by the attack from an unidentified woman (pictured) while on the DC Metro

The high schoolers travelled to Washington to attend Tuesday's pro-Israel demonstration (pictured)

The March for Israel was organized to free Israeli hostages and to counter rising incidents of antisemitism

She also accused the unknown woman of calling her and her friends 'dirty pigs', 'fat and ugly,' and said she singled them out for living 'rich and privileged' lives.

Rouhani said she was already hesitant before going to the rally on the back of the rise of antisemitism across the U.S., especially in New York, but was pleased she attended in the end despite this incident.

The girls even reported that some of their peers have taken to getting Ubers round the city rather than public transport.

The Yeshiva University High School for Girls and its boys school and university counterparts cancelled classes Tuesday to allow their students to travel to DC for the rally.

It wasn't until the girls' group got on the subway, with Rouhani wearing an Israeli flag on her shoulders, that they started to feel threatened.

Rouhani is a senior at her school who hails from Iranian-Jewish immigrants, and added that this was her first first-hand experience of antisemitism.

The girls said that they were too frightened to say anything in reply, fearing physical retaliation, instead opting to film the interaction.

Their Jewish history teacher, Richard Issacs, did reply, telling the woman to 'fix your government first'.

DailyMail.com has approached Mr Issacs for comment.

Students at Yeshiva University High School for Girls in Queens had been given the day off to allow them to travel to DC for the pro-Israel rally

After the woman left the train, others approached the girls to offer their support

The teen also clarified that her group had not been loud or disruptive and had simply been riding the subway like the other passengers.

Borenstein added: 'It's very scary she had the audacity to get up and yell at us in front of everyone.'

Applebaum, 16, said she was 'high' on the back of the rally as she boarded the train car and was upset to have that feeling taken away.

However, after the woman left the train, others approached the girls to offer their support.

Rouhani admitted that she now feels the need to hide her Star of David necklace and other Jewish jewelry until reaching safe spaces in light of the recent rising antisemitism - including posters of Hamas hostages being torn down.

However, she insisted: 'I'm not going to hide my Judaism.'

The girls also affirmed that Jews are 'grieving for everyone' be they in Palestine, Israel, or anywhere else as a result of the conflict.
A video showing an on-the-run sex offender drinking with his girlfriend the night before she was found dead at his home has been released by detectives.

Richard Scatchard, 70, and Kelly Faiers, 61, look like any other couple on the footage captured at The Duke of Wellington pub in Minehead on October 14.

But hours later ambulance crews were called to Scatchard's home at 4.15am to reports she was critically ill.

Ms Faiers was pronounced dead at the scene and her boyfriend was spoken to by police before they left him at the property.

But by Monday afternoon they had further questions to put to him but arrived to find the property empty.

Avon and Somerset Police have subsequently revealed he is wanted on a recall to prison

Richard Scatchard, 70, and Kelly Faiers, 61, look like any other couple on the footage captured at The Duke of Wellington pub in Minehead on October 14

Grabs of cctv footage showing fugitive Richard Scatchard and his girlfriend Kelly Faiers hours before she was found dead in his home

The pair can be clearly see on footage of the night before she was found dead at his property

Police think Scatchard spent the night after Ms Faiers' death in the Watchet area, which he used to regularly visit

And detectives want to talk to him in connection with the murder inquiry which is now probing the death of Ms Faiers.

He is considered a risk to the public, specifically women he forms relationships with. He is a regular user of dating apps and has previously been convicted of sexual offences in which he administered drugs to his victims to enable his crimes.

Police think Scatchard spent the night after Ms Faiers' death in the Watchet area, which he used to regularly visit.

CCTV captured at about 9am on October 16 shows him in the street and is the last sighting on camera of him.

But an acquaintance has since come forward to say they saw him in light-coloured shorts when they were driving in Minehead.

Richard Scatchard, 70, (pictured) from Minehead, is wanted on recall to prison and in connection with the murder investigation of a 61-year-old woman

Officers were alerted to the sudden death of Kelly Faiers, 61, (pictured). She was found dead at Scatchard's home address on October 15

The National Crime Agency has now been called in to support the police force's efforts.

Enquiries into the death are also now being led by the force's Major Crime Investigation Team.

Senior Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Gary Haskins said: 'The forensic post-mortem examination carried out shortly after Kelly's death proved inconclusive.

'The circumstances behind Kelly's death are still unclear despite further test results, but it continues to be treated as suspicious. We still wish to speak to Scatchard to see if he can help us progress our enquiries.

'We desperately want to provide Kelly's family with the answers they deserve as soon as we can.'

Det Supt Haskins continued: 'The other equally important focus we have, which we particularly want the public's help with, is the search for Scatchard.

'We are hugely appreciative of everyone who has sought to help our enquiries, from people calling in with information to locals putting in their business windows the wanted posters the Minehead neighbourhood team has distributed.

'We have also had constructive conversations with the National Crime Agency who are providing us support with these searches, for which we are grateful.

'Ultimately, the best chance of us apprehending Scatchard is by a member of the public calling in with key information about his whereabouts. This may be through a chance sighting or even someone who has previously been reluctant to come forward  either way we'd please encourage those people to call 999.

'And if Scatchard sees this appeal, we'd urge him to do the right thing and to hand himself in.'
About 120,000 homes in Florida were without power Thursday morning after 'hurricane' level winds and torrential rain hit the state overnight.

The Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach area were hit with hurricane-force winds and rain that left seven million people under flood watch.

The National Weather Service called the wind speeds recorded in some of these areas 'hurricane equivalent', as they topped 74mph.

'Damaging winds will blow down trees and power lines. Widespread power outages are expected,' they said.

Forecasters predicted five to eight inches of rain across Miami and the Fort Lauderdale areas of South Florida today, with up to 12 inches in some area, according to Fox Weather.

The National Weather Service has called the wind speeds recorded in some of these areas 'hurricane equivalent', as they top 74mph

A car drives through flood water, in a trailer park community in Davie, Florida, U.S., November 16, 2023

The National Hurricane Center has also outlined the possibility that the storm could develop, though it is a low chance of just ten percent.

A flood watch has been brought in for Palm Beach County which will end at 1pm later today, and one for the Treasure Coast region which will end at 7pm.

Schools and offices in Broward County School District were forced to close Thursday due to the wild weather.

The latest outlook from the National Hurricane Center said: 'A non-tropical area of low pressure between southern Florida and the northwestern Bahamas is associated with a frontal boundary.

'Development of this system into a tropical cyclone appears unlikely.

'However, gusty winds and heavy rains are still possible across portions of the east coast of Florida and the Bahamas during the next day or so while the low moves quickly northeastward over the southwestern Atlantic.'

Forecasters said conditions would start to improve for the Sunshine State as low pressure pulls away from the area on Friday.

According to Power Outage, there are currently just over 118,000 homes without power in the state.

A flood watch has been brought in for Palm Beach County which will end at 1pm later today, and one for the Treasure Coast region which will end at 7pm

Forecasters said conditions would start to improve for the Sunshine State as low pressure pulls away from the area on Friday.

A general view of flooded streets in a trailer park community in Davie, Florida, U.S., November 16, 202

Videos have also emerged on social media of precarious drivers driving through high flood waters in the state.

Images have also been shared showing the devastation caused by the storm in Miami Beach, with downed trees and branches lining one street.

In the short clip, a large tree has collapsed onto a vehicle parked on the street - smashing the windscreen in the process.

On Wednesday night, Miami was drenched in just over six inches of rain, while Hollywood received five inches, and Fort Lauderdale recorded four inches of rain.

Damage in Miami Beach from last nights non-tropical storm- near Meridian and Flamingo Park @NWSMiami pic.twitter.com/Q4AR5J9hoP  Eric Blake  (@EricBlake12) November 16, 2023

Images have emerged on social media of drivers battling high water levels in the state on Wednesday night

The large tree embedded itself in the vehicle after high winds battered the Miami area on Wednesday night

The high rainfall rates and accumulation totals through the rest of Thursday will lead to a 'high probability of flash flooding concerns within the urban corridor down into the Florida Keys', according to the Weather Prediction Center.

As well as the winds and rain, the National Weather Service has warned that high tides will produce dangerous conditions at beaches in the state also.

The torrential rain comes just months after Fort Lauderdale recorded their rainiest day on record, when 22.5 inches fell on April 12.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had to declare a state of emergency as storms caused mass flooding, after they dumped two feet of rain in a matter of hours.
The number of lone child asylum seekers in England has risen by almost a third in a year, according to the latest figures.

There were 7,290 looked-after children as of the end of March who were unaccompanied child asylum seekers, the Department for Education (DfE) statistics show.

This is a 29 per cent increase - 1,630 more such children - on the 2022 figure and a 42 per cent increase on pre-pandemic 2019 figures, the department said.

Action for Children described the overall figures for all children looked after by local authorities in England - not just unaccompanied child asylum seekers - as 'depressing'.

It comes as dozens of migrants arrived in the UK by small boat today despite choppy conditions in the Channel - the first to arrive since James Cleverly became Home Secretary

Around 50 asylum seekers were intercepted off the coast of Dover, Kent and brought to shore on Border Force catamaran Hurricane shortly before 10am.

The number of lone child asylum seekers in England has risen by almost a third in a year, according to the latest figures

It comes as dozens of migrants arrived in the UK by small boat today despite choppy conditions in the Channel - the first to arrive since James Cleverly became Home Secretary

Around 50 asylum seekers were intercepted off the coast of Dover, Kent and brought to shore on Border Force catamaran Hurricane shortly before 10am

Migrants on a dinghy are pictured crossing the Channel in rough conditions earlier today

The group were caught up in choppy waters but were escorted safely to land

The Border Force Hurricane managed to reach the inflatable in time as it struggled in the waters

The mostly male group, who were clad in hooded jackets and hats after battling chilly conditions at sea, could be seen removing their orange lifejackets as they were escorted along the former jetfoil to be taken for processing.

One man appeared to be limping as he linked arms with another migrant.

The asylum seekers arrived on the Kent coast amid rain, blustery winds and poor visibility in the Channel.

Unaccompanied child asylum seekers are defined as those who have applied for asylum in their own right and are separated from both parents or any other responsible adult.

Local authorities have a legal duty to provide accommodation for them.

In the year to March, Kent looked after the largest number of unaccompanied child asylum seekers at 445 young people, followed by Hampshire at 239 and Manchester at 172.

The DfE said unaccompanied child asylum seekers made up 9 per cent of all looked-after children.

The majority (96 per cent) were male, up from 90 per cent in 2019, and unaccompanied child asylum seekers were generally older than other looked-after children.

Around 14% were aged under 16 years old, compared to 74% of all looked-after children, the department said.

For the first time, this year details on the type of placements for unaccompanied child asylum seekers showed that the proportion ending up in so-called semi-independent settings has risen, while foster placements and independent arrangements have decreased.

Almost half (45 per cent) were placed in semi-independent settings, up from 24 per cent in 2019.

Semi-independent settings are those in which a person will generally have access to their own facilities such as a kitchen but will have some supervisory or advice staff available to them if needed. These can include hostels, YMCAs, lodgings and bedsits.

Foster carers looked after 38 per cent of unaccompanied child asylum seekers, down from 50 per cent in 2019.

Paul Carberry, chief executive at Action for Children, said: 'We need to see a clear shift from the current system. That means urgent cash from central government and a fire lit under its social care reform plans.

'It must ensure proper funding for early help services to reduce the numbers of children going into care, better support for those leaving care to return home so they don't end up back in the care system, and improved standards of care.

'This approach will not only benefit those children and their future life chances, but also the taxpayer, who is currently footing the bill for an expensive and broken care system.'

While local authorities have a general duty to provide accommodation within their area, allowing the child to live near their home, around a fifth (21%) of looked-after children were placed over 20 miles from home.

This proportion has been similar for the past five years.

The Tory graphics included the claim that they will 'put Parliament back in charge'

Mr Sunak committed to 'emergency laws' that can get returns to Rwanda started

Sacked Home Secretary Suella Braverman has warned he has no credible back-up to 'stop the boats'

A group of migrants are brought ashore in Dover after crossing the Channel last mont

Katharine Sacks-Jones, chief executive of Become, the national charity for children in care and young care leavers, said it is 'unacceptable that children are being moved away, not because it's the right decision for them, but because there are no suitable options closer'.

Describing being moved as something which can be 'incredibly disruptive to children's education and relationships', she called for a 'national commitment and strategy to keep children close to the people and places that matter to them'.

The Local Government Association, which represents local authorities, said the latest figures 'emphasise how vital it is that next week's autumn statement ensures that children's services are adequately funded so councils can meet this rising demand and ensure children and their families get the support they need, as soon as they need it'.

A DfE spokesperson said: 'Every child deserves a safe and secure home, no matter their background, and local authorities have a responsibility to provide appropriate support for all children in their care.

'We are supporting them by improving the recruitment of foster carers and increasing the number of places available locally in both secure and open children's homes.

'The placement of under-16s in unregulated provision has been banned since September 2021, and this year we have ended its use for 16 and 17-year-olds.'
A teenage boy stabbed to death near a primary school came to the UK from his Caribbean home 'for medical treatment', MailOnline can exclusively reveal.

Shawn Seesahai, who was from the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla, had come to the UK with his parents for eye surgery to stop glaucoma that could have made him go blind, before staying with a family friend for his recovery.

However, tragically the 'well-loved' 19-year-old was knifed to death in playing fields in Wolverhampton on Monday night, leaving his family grieving for the 'courageous, compassionate and confident young soul'.

Emergency services had rushed to Laburnum Road, East Park, in Bilston, but the 'vibrant' teenager, who had been with friends at the time, was sadly pronounced dead shortly before 8.30pm.

Police have launched a murder investigation, and officers have since arrested two 12-year-old boys on suspicion of Mr Seesahai's killing. West Midlands Police says it has been given a warrant of further detention to question them.

Shawn Seesahai, a 19-year-old from Anguilla, was stabbed to death in Bilston, Wolverhampton, on Monday night

A police tent set up in Stowlawn Playing Fields, Bilston, after the stabbing of Shawn Seesahai

In a tribute released through police today, his mother said: 'Shawn Seesahai was a courageous, compassionate and confident young soul who sadly lost his life at the age of 19.

'He was looking forward to accomplish many future plans and ambitions. He cared dearly about his family and friends and he absolutely loved to help people. He was a generous person and had a good personality.

'We will always have him in our hearts.'

Speaking to MailOnline, his uncle Ryan Shiwcharan, who lives in the US, said Shawn had travelled to Britain three months ago for surgery to treat his glaucoma. The degenerative eye condition can cause blindness if left untreated, especially in younger patients.

The teenager was allowed to have treatment in the UK as Anguilla, the Caribbean island where his family is from, is a British Overseas Territory.

Mr Shiwcharan said his nephew was a 'well-loved young man' and that his heartbroken parents are now desperately trying to get his body back to Anguilla so they can perform his last rites.

His uncle described Shawn as a 'vibrant' man who 'tragically lost his life in a senseless act of violence while on a family trip to the UK'.

It said: 'Shawn was enjoying time in the park with a friend when he was brutally beaten and stabbed to death. Our hearts are shattered, and words cannot express the pain.

'We are now faced with the urgent need to bring Shawn back home to Anguilla, where his family can say their final goodbyes and find some semblance of peace.

'The unimaginable grief is compounded by the financial strain of arranging for his body to be transported.'

His family have set up a fundraiser in a bid to meet the costs of transporting Shawn back to Anguilla.

'We humbly ask for your support during this devastating time. Your contributions will play a vital role in helping Shawn's family cover the expenses associated with bringing him home.

'No donation is too small, and every act of kindness will be a beacon of light in the midst of this profound darkness. Let us come together to honour Shawn's memory and provide his family with the support they need during this heartbreaking journey.'

The teenager was described as a 'much-loved young man' by heartbroken family members

Two 12-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of his murder and remain in police custody

West Midlands Police revealed on Wednesday it had arrested two adolescents on suspicion of Shawn's murder. The pair were detained at their home addresses on Tuesday night and remain in custody, the force said.

Residents living close to the scene spoke of their shock after the two boys were arrested.

One homeowner on Laburnum Road, who did not want to be named, said: 'The first I heard of it was when the police went belting along the road the other night.

'It was obvious something major had gone on. There were so many sirens. There's always kids hanging about up there but nothing like this has ever happened.

'I've no idea what it was all over, but it's terrifying something like this so close to home.

'To learn two young boys have been arrested is just utterly shocking. They are just babies really.'

Another local, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'I usually sit at the back of my house so can't see what's going on but I heard all the police the other night.

'It was only through speaking to neighbours that I heard a young man had died up there.

'I'm 80 now and lived here all my life. It's got worse and worse over the years. To hear children might be involved is terrible.'

Speaking after news of the arrests was made public, DCI Dave Sanders, from the West Midlands Police homicide team, said: 'Our thoughts remain with Shawn's family, who have been fully updated with this latest development.

'Our investigation is moving at pace and we continue to encourage anyone with information to contact us.'

A police officer stands guard at a cordon close to the scene where Shawn was stabbed to death

The force has urged any witnesses who were in the area from between 6pm and 10pm on Monday, November 13, to get in touch.

Officers were seen conducting door-to-door enquiries, speaking to witnesses and trawling CCTV from around the area.

A police spokesman said: 'Some roads near the scene have been closed off as forensic experts carry out their examinations.

'We also have extra patrols out in the surrounding area to offer reassurance to people and discuss any concerns they may have.'

Speaking before the arrests DCI Sanders said: 'While our thoughts remain with Shawn's family, our focus is on identifying exactly what has happened and bringing those responsible before the courts.

'Enquiries are continuing and we're asking motorists who were in the area to take a look at their dashcam as it may hold images or details which could be vital to our investigation.

'And we'd urge anyone who has information, and hasn't yet spoken with us, to come forward.'

West Midlands Ambulance Service said they sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and two Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Cars to the scene.

A service spokesman said: 'Crews arrived to discover a man who had suffered serious injuries in the incident and was in a critical condition.

'They immediately began administering advanced life support but sadly, despite their best efforts, it became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.'

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or via Live Chat quoting log 4878 of November 13.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can donate to the family's GoFundMe page here.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle had nothing to do with Omid Scobie's biography Endgame, Sussex insiders have indicated to MailOnline today.

Experts have said that the Sussexes' favoured royal reporter's new book is threatening a potential thawing in relations between the King and his youngest son.

MailOnline understands that Meghan and Harry categorically deny any suggestion they are 'affiliated' with the book or that Mr Scobie, who has been friendly with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and co-wrote their biography Finding Freedom, is part of the 'Sussex Camp'.

The denial came after Harry and Meghan's olive branch to the King on his 75th birthday.

Harry is believed to have telephoned his father on Tuesday - and they have reportedly agreed to chat again next week. The Duchess of Sussex is also said to have spoken to her father-in-law from their home in California while the couple's children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, recorded a video of themselves singing happy birthday to their grandfather.

Sussex insiders have been clear that the couple have not helped Omid Scobie write Endgame

The book is released on November 28 - but excerpts have been released this week

24 hours later excerpts of Mr Scobie's book were shared with People in the US, including claims that Harry 'remained in the dark' about the Queen's health in her final moments.

Omid Scobie's claims from his new book, Endgame William ignored Harry when he asked how he was planning to get to Scotland;

Eventually, he booked a 30,000 charter flight to Aberdeenshire from Luton;

Charles told him to come without Meghan. Source claims she 'wasn't wanted';

Harry had 'no idea' about what was going on in Balmoral when his plane took off;

But 'sources' briefed newspapers that Charles had personally informed son;

William believes Harry has been 'brainwashed by an army of therapists'. Advertisement

It also alleges that it was Meghan who urged Harry to answer his phone when Charles called him on an 'unknown number' to reveal that the Queen was close to death, before also asking that Meghan should stay away from Balmoral.

Mr Scobie writes: 'Charles had cited 'protocol,' but the reality was that Kate chose to stay back to pick up the children from their first day at a new school. 'They just didn't want Meghan there,' said a former Palace aide. Meghan, a friend added, 'could sense she wasn't wanted'.'

The book also claims Prince William ignored Harry's texts, forcing him to charter his own plane. 'William clearly didn't want to see his brother', Endgame says.

Mr Scobie's decision to piggyback the release of his new book on the King's 75th birthday and the sixth and final series of The Crown was branded 'deplorable' today.

Royal journalist and author Phil Dampier told MailOnline: 'We all know that Scobie is their mouthpiece and he gets his information directly or indirectly from the Sussexes, so anything which is hurtful to Charles, Camilla or William and Kate, will just make things much worse. Let's put it this way - I can't see Harry and Meghan coming over for a family Christmas'.

He added: 'The King has always left the door open for his son and will continue to do so. But in reality if there are more serious allegations in Scobie's book it will set back any chance of a reconciliation'.

Royal courtiers are said to be furious over the claims made by Harry and Meghan's biographer Omid Scobie, who alleges that the Prince William ignored the Duke of Sussex's calls as he raced to be at the Queen's bedside in Scotland in September last year. Mr Scobie , who has been friendly with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and co-wrote their biography Finding Freedom, could be cut loose by the Sussexes and their circle, it has been claimed.

Prince Harry (pictured, centre with his wife Meghan at the Queen's funeral) has spoken to his father this week and they reportedly plan to speak again in the coming days

Mr Scobie claims that Prince William feels that he has 'lost Harry and doesn't want to know this version of him'

In an excerpt of his latest book, Endgame, he also alleges that that Prince Harry was 'kept in the dark' about the Queen's health in the hours before she died

Elizabeth Debicki playing Princess Diana with boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayed by her side in the new series of The Crown, out today

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: 'The timing of this is utterly deplorable. I think the Sussexes will have to think hard about whether or not Scobie is their spokesman or their friend. It will be interesting to see if Harry and Meghan will still want to be associated with Scobie after this'.

He added: 'Of course, the fact that it's been leaked to People magazine makes one wonder what's been going on behind the scenes'.

Royal insiders have torn into Mr Scobie's claims that Prince William ignored his brother's calls as the late Queen lay dying in Balmoral last year.

Royal courtiers are said to be furious over the claims made by Harry and Meghan's biographer Omid Scobie, who alleges that the Prince of Wales ignored the Duke of Sussex's calls as he raced to be at the Queen's bedside in Scotland in September last year.

A Royal insider told the Mirror: 'It appears no matter what happens behind closed doors, even in a time of such pain and grief, that where the Royal Family are concerned it will one day emerge.

'Nothing is off limits with William and Kate appearing to be this author's number one target. It only takes a few months for the knives to come out again and the wounds to be opened up'.

In an excerpt of his latest book, Endgame, Mr Scobie alleges that Prince Harry was 'kept in the dark' about the Queen's health in the hours before she died, and that Prince William feels that he has 'lost Harry and doesn't want to know this version of him'.

Mr Scobie, who previously released a biography on the Sussexes titled 'Finding Freedom,' said Harry, 39, and his 42-year-old wife Meghan had 'no idea' the Royal Family were preparing for the Queen's death last year.

Royal courtiers are said to be furious over the claims made by Harry and Meghan's biographer Omid Scobie , who alleges that the Prince of Wales ignored the Duke of Sussex 's calls as he raced to be at the bedside of the Queen (pictured) in Scotland in September last year

According to the Mirror, Mr Scobie has said there was 'no proof' King Charles called his youngest son during the Queen's death

In Endgame, Mr Scobie recounts how the Sussexes had visited the UK for a series of engagements in September 2022 when the palace announced that Queen Elizabeth had been advised by her doctors to rest.

He writes: 'By the next morning, the Sussexes had no idea that Buckingham Palace was already planning for the Queen's final hours and the first days of the monarchy's new era  until the duke's phone started ringing. An unknown number. He usually ignored those.'

Meghan told her husband to pick up the phone and he accepted the call 'just before it stopped', the author wrote.

He continues: 'Harry hadn't spoken to his father much that year, but this was not the time for any father-and-son tension. Charles told him he and Camilla were about to leave Dumfries House for Balmoral, where Princess Anne was already by the Queen's side. He told Harry to make his way to Scotland immediately.'

Harry sent a text message to his brother William asking how he and Kate planned to Scotland and whether they could travel together but got no response, Mr Scobie claims.

He was later told Harry had managed to secure a flight with his uncles Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle with King Charles and Queen Camilla at the late Queen's funeral last year. Harry had reportedly not spoken to his father for a long time

Omid Scobie is set to use his new book to launch a salvo of attacks on the Royal Family

An emotional Harry travels in an official car to Balmoral after the Queen's death was announced to the nation

The Prince and Princess of Wales join the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for a walkabout at Windsor to meet mourners after the Queen's death in September 2022

'It was upsetting to witness,' Mr Scobie claims he was told by a source close to the Sussexes. '[Harry] was completely by himself on this.'

Mr Scobie alleges that Palace 'sources' briefed certain newspapers that Charles had personally shared the news of the Queen's illness with his son. He quoted a friend of the duke who said this left Harry 'crushed'.

The journalists makes fresh claims about the damaged relationship between William and Harry.

The author also suggests William and Harry's relationship is beyond repair because the Prince of Wales sees his brother as a 'defector'

And in the extract shared with People, he claims 'there is no going back' for the brothers and 'absolutely nothing has changed' since the Duke of Sussex released Spare earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace refused to comment on Endgame, due to be released on November 28, when approached by MailOnline.

The latest bombshell accusations come just hours after Harry ad his father shared 'cordial' 75th birthday call.

Harry is believed to have phoned his father on his special day yesterday to wish him Happy Birthday - in a call thought to be the estranged royals' first phone chat in six months.

King Charles and Harry are understood to have had minimal contact for months, particularly since the release of Harry's tell-all memoir Spare, published in January, and a Netflix series, which was released the month prior to that.

Meghan Markle is also said to have spoken to her father-in-law to pass on her wishes from California. And the couple's children Archie and Lilibet recorded a video of themselves singing happy birthday to their grandfather, the Telegraph newspaper reported.

The report claimed Charles and Harry will speak again next week after their call marked a 'shift' in tone and a 'turning point' between the pair.

Prince Harry and Prince William on July 1, 2021 during an unveiling of a statue of their mother at Kensington Palace

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were not spoken to about Charles' party by Buckingham Palace, a spokesman for the pair previously said

King Charles celebrating his 75th birthday alongside Queen Camilla - together they officially launched The Coronation Food Project at The South Oxfordshire Food and Education Alliance

Charles was presented with a cake at Highgrove House in honour of his birthday

Harry and Meghan previously said they had 'no contact' from Buckingham Palace about an invitation to Charles' 75th evening birthday event.

The Sunday Times reported that Prince Harry had turned down an invitation to the birthday bash.

But a source close to the Sussexes told MailOnline they were not invited to Charles's party.

'They had not received any invitation and were unaware of any celebrations until the stories came out,' the insider previously said, adding: 'I'm sure the Duke will find a way to reach out privately to wish His Majesty a happy birthday like he has always done'.

Buckingham Palace previously refused to discuss the King's plans.

Buckingham Palace refused to comment on reports the father and son spoke for the King's birthday and are due to speak again next week when contacted by MailOnline.

Prince William and Kate are seen leaving the event after celebrating the King's birthday

Looking effortlessly elegant, Zara Tindall, pictured with husband Mike, also attended

London's Piccadilly Lights were lit up with a birthday message for Charles and the tourist attraction also displayed a quote from his Big Issue article.

MailOnline has also contacted representatives for Prince Harry for comment

Meanwhile the Prince and Princess of Wales were seen enjoying a late night out as they departed Clarence House close to midnight after King Charles's glittering 75th birthday party last night.

They were joined at the monarch's birthday celebration by his niece Princess Beatrice, Princess Margaret's daughter Lady Sarah Chatto and Princess Anne's daughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall.

Lady Susan Hussey, 84, the former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth II, was also in attendance, sporting an elegant blue shimmering gown, while Jools Holland also made an appearance.

Other family members attending Charles' birthday event also included the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and David Armstrong-Jones, the 2nd Earl of Snowdon, the son of the late Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones.
Student protesters yelled 'You support genocide' at a Conservative politician who voted against a Gaza ceasefire after she arrived to speak at their university.

Footage shows Tory Senedd Member Natasha Asghar speaking to Cardiff University's Politics Society as chanting and banging are heard from outside the room.

Ms Asghar, who said she was also called a 'murderer', voted against a motion last week which called for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Gaza.

In videos shared on social media, a student standing inside the room questioned her on why she didn't support a pause in hostilities.

The politician could be heard replying: 'If you aim for the moon, you will land amongst the stars, have you heard that saying before? Why can you not aim for peace; a ceasefire will naturally occur.'

Footage shows students chanting and banging as Tory Senedd Member Natasha Asghar spoke to Cardiff University's Politics Society.

South Wales Police confirmed officers attended the event.

In a statement on X, Ms Asghar said: 'Whilst I accept people have the right to protest, the scenes which unfolded at Cardiff University last night were totally unacceptable... chanting all sorts of hateful messages including calling me a ''murderer'', ramming doors to try to gain access to the room I was in, and pounding on the walls from start to finish is absolutely uncalled for.

READ MORE - Fury as police stand by and watch as activists scale Hyde Park war memorial Advertisement

'Despite repeated attempts to explain my point of view following last week's vote, and answer their questions, many of the protesters simply would not listen and engage and instead continued disrupting the event because they didn't like my answers.'

She said she felt sorry for the students in the room who had a 'passion for politics,' adding: 'It was an absolute joy to speak to students from the Politics Society, who asked me some fantastic questions, and I have no doubt many of them have bright careers ahead of them in the political arena.'

Cardiff University said security were in attendance and the event went ahead with 'minimal disruption'.

A spokesman said: 'In response, we will review the night's events and adapt our procedures, if necessary

'It is important to stress that universities are places where a range of ideas can be considered, examined and dissected both in academic programmes and in the wider University life. This means differing views can be brought forward and listened to.

'As a result, we will continue to take all reasonable steps to ensure that  within the law - freedom of speech is secured on our campus.'

Cardiff Students' Union said its leaders attended the event to make sure it could take place and protestors were able to express their opinions.

Ms Asghar, who said she was also called a 'murderer', voted against a motion last week which called for a ceasefire in the conflict between Israel and Gaza

A spokesperson said: 'Cardiff Students' Union is dedicated to providing a space where students can engage in discussions, express their opinions, and advocate for change.

'Whilst we have a responsibility to uphold freedom of speech, we also recognise the need to balance this with the responsibility of ensuring the safety and well-being of all participants in society events.

'The Students' Union is now reviewing the event and the protest that took place, including if any formal actions need to be taken.

'It is crucial to recognise that peaceful protests and constructive dialogue are integral components of a thriving academic community, we encourage any students who wish to voice their opinions to do so whilst also ensuring campus is free from hate, discrimination, and hostility.'

In a statement on X, Ms Asghar complained about being called a 'murderer'

Ms Asghar is of Pakistani descent and the first ethnic female member of the Senedd.

She hoped to stand for the Conservatives in the London mayoral elections but failed to make the shortlist.

She hosts a Bollywood music show on TV and is the author of the novel Me, Myself And My Arranged Marriage.
This is the moment that a car thief casually opens an 80,000 Range Rover in the middle of the night without a key - before starting the car, throwing his rucksack inside and slowly driving off.

The theft, in Maidstone, Kent, was one of 29 keyless car thefts committed by Alminas Satas, Maksims Seluks and Olgierd Golubovski in the space of two months.

The trio - all in their 20s - would steal cars from across the county before driving them back to Essex and London, where it is believed the motors were stripped down and sold for parts.

Detectives cottoned onto their activities and the three were followed by officers who spotted them driving a BMW on cloned plates - before swooping in to make arrests.

It is believed the gang were using a keyless 'relay' device to fool the cars into thinking that the real keys were nearby - a feature of high-end cars that allow doors to be unlocked and cars to be started without using the key.

The trio have now been jailed for over seven years for their crimewave over two months last year.

This is the moment that a car thief casually opens an 80,000 Range Rover in the middle of the night without a key - before starting the car, throwing his backpack inside and driving off

The theft, in Maidstone, Kent, was one of 29 keyless car thefts committed by Alminas Satas, Maksims Seluks and Olgierd Golubovski in the space of two months

High-tech car thieves working together can steal your keyless car with a relay device

Satas, Seluks, and Golubovski (pictured left to right) were arrested and charged following an investigation by the Kent Crime Squad

Satas, Seluks, and Golubovski were arrested and charged following an investigation by the Kent Crime Squad.

The car thefts took place across Ashford, Hawkinge, Tonbridge, Tenterden, and Maidstone in October and November 2022.

They used an electronic device to capture the signals emitted by car keys and trick vehicles into thinking keys were present to steal them, police say.

So-called 'relay' theft occurs when two thieves work together to break into keyless cars. They use equipment to capture electromagnetic signals emitted by keyfobs.

How to protect your vehicle: Everyday items like a drinks can or your fridge can stop the criminals in their tracks Every make and model of car that can start 'keylessly' is vulnerable to a relay attack. While this might put drivers on edge, there are easy steps you can take to stop you becoming the next victim of a relay theft. Certain metals are capable of blocking key signals, which means if you store your fob with one of these metals around it, criminals won't be able to pick them up and steal your vehicle. The most simple and most ingenious is a metal can. The aluminum in a drinks can will stop radio signals being transmitted from your key and stop burglars in their tracks. Some experts have suggested keeping your keys in the fridge, as the material on the inside will block signals too. If you're looking for a low-cost option, some people wrap their fobs in tin foil - although this isn't endorsed by security firms. Keeping your keys in a small metal box however can work efficiently. Special faraday pouches  cheap wallets which shield the key's radio signal from being transmitted  are also useful for storing your keys when you're away from home - in motorway service stations and public car parks. Experts also encourage drivers to keep them at least 5m away from their front door, to give thieves the worst chance of being able to relay a signal. But some security specialists advise against hiding your car keys too obscurely in your house  because if serious criminals truly want to steal your car, they will break in and do anything to find the keys. Old-fashioned methods like parking in a well-lit area, using a steering wheel lock and installing a proper tracking device to your vehicle are still highly recommended to keep your car safe. Advertisement

One person stands by the car with a transmitter, while the other stands by the house with another, which picks up the signal from the electronic key, usually kept near the front door on a table or hook.

This is then relayed to the transmitter by the vehicle, causing it to think the key is in close proximity and prompting it to open.

Thieves can then drive the vehicle away thanks to the keyless ignition and quickly replace locks and entry devices.

The devices can be purchased for as little as 80 each, according to experts.

The gang targeted BMWs, Mercedes, and Range Rovers around Kent, which would then be driven back to various locations in Essex and London, where is it believed they were stripped down and sold for parts.

In the early hours of 8 December, officers in Kent established that a BMW seen on the M25 was travelling on cloned plates.

It was followed by officers in unmarked cars and brought to a stop after exiting the A249 near Sittingbourne.

Satas, 26, and Seluks, 23, were arrested and a third man ran from the scene.

The vehicle was found to be registered under a false name at an address in Dagenham, Essex, and officers later attended the address and arrested Golubovski, 24.

Evidence from his and the other men's phones linked them to the numerous thefts around the county.

Satas, Seluks, and Golubovski, all from Dagenham, later admitted conspiring to steal vehicles and were sentenced at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday 13 November.

Satas was jailed for three years, and four months, Golubovski for two years and four months, and Seluks got two years and one month.

Det Con Scott Drake, Kent Police's investigating officer, said: 'These three men were relentless in their targeting of cars to steal and quickly take out of the county.

'I would like to thank the local Neighbourhood Watch coordinators who worked tirelessly to obtain crucial CCTV footage and for the support of the local communities in providing important evidence in this case.

'I am pleased our meticulous investigation saw these men arrested and charged, and they are now no longer at liberty to steal people's property.'
Civil servants are set to be ordered to work in the office for at least three days a week as Rishi Sunak targets Whitehall's working from home habits, it has emerged.

New instructions are expected to be issued to officials to increase the amount of time they spend working face to face with their colleagues.

A draft letter, seen by Civil Service World, details how civil servants will be told to spend 60 per cent of their time in the office or on official business, rather than at home.

The Prime Minister believes in the 'importance' of face to face working for officials and a need to make full use of Whitehall office space, Downing Street said.

The Government has long battled with civil servants opting to work from home, rather than travel to the office, in the wake of the Covid pandemic.

Civil servants are set to be ordered to work in the office for at least three days a week as Rishi Sunak targets Whitehall's working from home habits

The Prime Minister believes in the 'importance' of face to face working for officials and a need to make full use of Whitehall office space, Downing Street said

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg ran a long campaign to get Whitehall staff back to their offices when he was a Cabinet minister. This included leaving notes on empty desks across departments

Latest figures show how offices at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS), and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) were only at 57 per cent capacity last week.

And offices at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) were only at 55 per cent capacity in the week commencing 6 November, official Government data showed.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg ran a long campaign to get Whitehall staff back to their offices when he was a Cabinet minister last year.

This included leaving notes on empty desks across Government departments saying: 'Sorry you were out when I visited. I look forward to seeing you in the office very soon.'

The leaked draft letter has been sent to some senior civil servants ahead of an expected official announcement of new Whitehall working guidelines.

It reads: 'We have together agreed, therefore, that across the civil service, those based in offices will spend a minimum of 60% of their working time working face to face with their colleagues either in offices or on official business, rather than at home.'

It is reported that the Cabinet Office had been preparing to announce the changes to staff this week, but there was a delay amid Mr Sunak's ministerial reshuffle.

Cabinet Office minister Jeremy Quin resigned on Monday and has since been replaced by John Glen.

The draft letter also explains how senior managers will be expected to spend 'more than 60 per cent' of their time in the office in order to provide 'strong visible leadership'.

Officials who are early into their careers and those on development schemes will also be expected to spend more than three days a week in the office.

But, the draft letter acknowledges that not all Whitehall departments will be able to accommodate their staff spending at least 60 per cent of their time in the office due to limited space.

'While most departments in most locations have enough space to implement this new expectation, we know that this is not the case across the board,' it adds.

'So while the 60% expectation is common to us all, we will each be consulting following our normal processes and communicating with our own departments as in some cases, there will need to be other arrangements put in place due to lack of office space to accommodate a 60% expectation.'

Asked about the leaked letter today, the PM's official spokesman said: 'I believe there is some detail that has been leaked - I haven't had a chance to look into the detail.

'We continue and the Prime Minister continues to believe in the importance of face to face working and the need to make full use of Government office spaces.

'That is something we expect the civil service to address.'
Who could object to a warm phone conversation between birthday boy King Charles and prodigal son Harry?

And it really is good news if, as reported in The Daily Telegraph, the private chat on Tuesday marked a turning point in the father-son relationship.

But the key word here is private, says Richard Eden in the latest edition of his Palace Confidential newsletter.

How did the BBC know ahead of time that Prince Harry would ring his father? And how, afterwards, did the Daily Telegraph discover the contents of a conversation to which few others can have been privy?

King Charles turned 75 on Tuesday but Prince Harry was not at the private family celebration

It has been reported that Charles spoke to his younger son on the phone - and one media outlet had surprising detail of what had been said

The King spent much of his birthday promoting his campaign against food waste

The BBC seemed to know beforehand that the King would talk to Harry on the phone while, afterwards, The Daily Telegraph seemed to know what had been discussed

We dont know the answer to those questions. But, continues Eden, this apparent briefing may have heightened the royals suspicions about the loose-lipped couple in California.

The fact that details of a private conversation were published so quickly might serve as a warning ahead of any possible future invitations, he concludes.

Eden, editor of The Daily Mails Eden Confidential, suggests that Harry and Meghan, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, have form for revealing intimate details of private conversations with other members of the Royal Family, citing their interview with Oprah Winfrey, their Netflix series and Prince Harrys tawdry memoir, Spare.

One of the major factors preventing the two privacy campaigners from resuming friendly relations with the Windsors is their refusal to respect other peoples expectation of privacy, he writes.

While Buckingham Palace officials have adamantly refused to disclose any details of King Charless private birthday celebrations sources with knowledge of Harrys intentions briefed the BBC that he would telephone his father on his birthday.

Then The Daily Telegraph, which is one of the few British newspapers to be spoken of favourably by Harry, managed to obtain details of the phone conversation between His Majesty and his younger son.

The Royal Family attend the Commonwealth Day Service of 2019, the last official engagement attended by the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, right, before they left front-line duties

Prince Harry and a tearful Meghan attend the State funeral of the late Queen Elizabeth

Richard Eden suggests that leaked details of Harry's conversation with his father could serve as a warning should future invitations be considered

Within hours of the chat, the Telegraph reported that the pair enjoyed a warm conversation after Harry had rung his father to wish him a happy birthday.

It asserted that the King and his son would speak again next week after a phone call for the Monarchs 75th birthday marked a turning point in their relationship.

The Telegraph suggested that King also spoke to Meghan while Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet were understood to have recorded a video of themselves singing happy birthday to their grandfather.

While its a good thing if the Kings relationship with his son is improving, its clear that Harry and Meghan are not welcome at family events, concludes Eden.

Although family members including the Duke of Gloucester, the Kings first cousin once removed, and Princess Margarets daughter, Lady Sarah Chatto, attended the birthday party, no invitation arrived in Montecito.

It is an uncomfortable state of affairs but not one likely to be eased, he suggests, with colourful leaks about private conversations with the King.

To read more of Richard's expert Royal commentary click here
Las Vegas police have release two images of teenage thugs that are wanted for the murder of a schoolboy - after the District Attorney defended the decision to try a 13-year-old among eight others that were arrested as an adult.

Jonathan Lewis, 17, was set upon by a mob of 10 on November 1 outside Rancho High School, Las Vegas. He died in hospital on November 7 - and on Tuesday, eight arrests and charges were announced.

The teenagers, ranging from ages 13 to 18, were charged with murder after the fatal beating of fellow student Lewis, who was remembered as a 'gentle young man.'

The fatal fight erupted over stolen wireless headphones and possibly a vape pen.

Now, police are asking for help to identify two more people of interest.

Jonathan Lewis, 17, died in the hospital days after he was attacked by a group of 10 teens

Police are seeking this person of interest - following the murder of schoolboy Lewis

Police are seeking this person of interest - after eight others were charged with murder

Lt. Jason Johansson of Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said all the people involved  believed to be 10  were students of Rancho High School.

The teenager's cause of death was listed as 'complications of multiple blunt force injuries' and his manner of death was confirmed as homicide.

Among the eight teens who have already been charged is a 13-year-old - who has been put forward to be tried as an adult, DA Steve Wolfson said.

Wolfson defended his decision: 'Were not talking about a six-year-old. Were not talking about an eight-year-old.' He said the nature of the brutal murder is what made him make the final call.

The District Attorney also said that there are videos of the beating which are far worse than the already-horrific smack down posted on social media.

All eight defendants - which include a set of siblings - appeared in Clark County Family Court electronically on Wednesday.

The four oldest teens in the group will automatically face adult charges - and the younger four will face a juvenile court judge in December to determine if they are allowed to be tried as adults.

On Wednesday outside court, the uncle of one of the 16-year-olds that is charged with murder told 8 News Now reporters: 'Nobody knows who did what. All you see is a bunch of kids in a crowd. You dont know who is who or what is what.'

Another angle of person one, whom Las Vegas police are attempting to find

Jonathan Lewis (pictured) died from his injuries after being swarmed on by a gang of school bullies in Las Vegas

Officials in the school district have been warning about physical bullying for months - and Clark County school police have confiscated 20 guns and 52 knives so far this year.

John Vellardita, who is the executive director of the Clark County Education Association, warned lawmakers on March 23 that violence in schools had 'gotten out of hand.'

Vellardita said: 'The culture in these schools has gotten out of hand in terms of student behavior and what we have seen is an escalation of violence.'

Lt. Johansson described a viral video showing the beating as 'void of humanity', while Lewis's father said he 'can't watch' the clip.

Revealing further details of the attack which has shocked the nation, Johansson said that a citizen found Lewis unresponsive after the beating, which happened in an alleyway near the school, and brought him back to the school.

Lewis was then taken to UMC where doctors determined that he had suffered non-survivable head trauma.

'As soon as a punch is thrown, ten subjects immediately swarm him,' he said, noting that investigators were able to identify ten subjects, with eight of those 'positively identified' as suspects.

Footage from the fight was uploaded to social media - and police have been attempting to identify the individuals. So far, eight have been charged with murder

Lewis Sr has since set up a GoFundMe page to help cover the costs of his son's untimely death, and he said the proceeds - which have topped $100,000 - will be split between Jonathan's mother's and father's families.

The funds are to be used 'for healing', the GoFundMe page says, as well as setting up the foundation.

According to the fundraiser set up after Lewis' death, which cites the teen's girlfriend, his decision to leap into action was because the other bullied student he helped was far smaller, and had items stolen from him by the group.

The page described him as 'a kind, loving, gentle young man who has the heart of a champion and the brightest loving energy that attracts people to him with love.'

The family, writing before his death, said: 'He's an aspiring artist, devoted big brother, and a fierce protector of love ones!

'We are so grateful for all the love and community support that has poured in for our son and hope that the world will focus on all that love and compassion as a beacon of hope for human relations and place recognition upon how much stronger the love and the spirit of community is than the dark moments of violence.

'Love wins our son is a champion of love and family and the resilient spirit of human perseverance and will to be good and kind and loving!'
There was no video of tunnels which the IDF said it had 'concrete evidence' of

Israel's Defence Forces have suggested it could take 'a few weeks' to uncover 'the extent' of Hamas's command centre beneath Al-Shifa hospital, as hundreds of commandos are searching through every building and floor of the complex.

The IDF says it has uncovered 'new findings' which indicate 'significant underground infrastructure in the hospitals'. But Israel's army is still yet to reveal evidence of a tunnel network beneath Al-Shifa more than 24 hours after its forces stormed the facility.

Footage 'relating to hostages seized by Hamas' was found on computers at the hospital, the IDF has said, as well as a cache of weapons belonging to the terrorists.

The United Nations is now desperately looking into how it could evacuate the hospital, which is the biggest in the Gaza Strip, but says its options are limited by security and logistical constraints, a senior World Health Organization official said.

Meanwhile, Palestinian telecoms provider Paltel said a lack of fuel means all communications services are down across the besieged enclave, which has been subject to a blockade and relentless bombing campaign by Israel for weeks.

Israeli soldiers carrying out operations inside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City in a picture released by the IDF

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Conricus shows weapons and equipment which he says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

The IDF previously shared what it called an 'intelligence-based illustration' of what the alleged command centre under the hospital might look like

A laptop the IDF says was found in Shifa Hospital on November 16, 2023, with an image of rescued hostage Pvt. Ori Megidish which was taken before her abduction

Weapons and equipment which Israel's army says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

Weapons and equipment which Israel's army says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

Inside a cabinet for medical equipment was another holdall containing a knife, a Hamas emblem, AK47 and ammunition, according to the spokesman

In this image taken from a video released by the Israeli Defence Forces, on Wednesday, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, holds up a bullet proof vest with a Hamas insignia that was found along with weapons the IDF says were found in a medical closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City

Israeli soldiers walk at the Al Shifa hospital complex, amid their ground operation against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas

With the operation in Al-Shifa still ongoing and no hard evidence shared proving the IDF's accusation that there is a Hamas control centre beneath it, an Israeli official today said that the mission 'is shaped by our understanding that there is well-hidden terrorist infrastructure in the complex.'

'During the searches, information and footage pertaining to the hostages abducted from Israel were found on computers and other technological equipment,' an official also said.

The IDF shared a picture of a laptop it said its forces found in the hospital showing a publicly-available image of rescued Israeli hostage Pvt. Ori Megidish, which was taken before her abduction.

An official said equipment found in the hospital had been taken for 'further examination and investigation.'

IDF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht earlier claimed that 'there is substantial Hamas infrastructure in the vicinity of the hospital', but appeared to backtrack on Israel's previous insistence that Hamas's headquarters are definitely in tunnels underneath the hospital.

'[Hamas infrastructure] is potentially under the hospital, and it's something we're working on. It'll take us time. This war is a complex war,' Hecht said yesterday.

After storming the medical facility, the IDF shared evidence of weaponry, with spokesman Lt Col Jonathan Conricus showing a duffel bag hidden behind a hospital MRI machine containing an AK47 assault rifle, grenades, ammunition and a uniform. The video failed to show evidence of any tunnels.

He also said a backpack contained 'what appeared to be very important intelligence including a laptop', and added that security cameras in one part of the hospital had been taped over.

Behind another MRI machine more weapons were said to have been found and in an adjoining room on top of another MRI scanner was a bag containing 'full military kit for one terrorist, including ammunition, a live grenade and AK47 and body armour'.

'These weapons have no business being in a hospital,' Conricus said as he toured the hospital in a clip released by the IDF.

Inside a cabinet for medical equipment was another holder containing a knife, a Hamas emblem, AK47 and ammunition, according to the spokesman.

But the IDF's search showed no signs of tunnels or a sophisticated command centre that many believed would be discovered underneath the facility.

News of the IDF hospital raid came around 2am local time on Wednesday.

Doctors said they were given 30 minutes' notice of the Israeli operation before at least six battle tanks moved in on the complex. Troops entered the hospital a short time afterwards.

Officials from Israel and Gaza presented very different accounts of what was happening in the hospital.

The Israeli army released video showing soldiers carrying boxes labelled as 'baby food' and 'medical supplies,' while health officials talked of terrified staff and patients as troops moved through the buildings.

'We have discovered weapons and other things. We entered the hospital on the basis of actionable intelligence,' Mark Regev, an advisor to the Israeli Prime Minister said.

Another senior Israeli government official, who declined to be named, said: 'IDF (Israel Defence Forces) soldiers have already found weapons and other terror infrastructure. We saw concrete evidence that Hamas terrorists used the Shifa hospital as a terror headquarters.'

But the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank condemned the military operation as 'a crime against humanity' and challenged Israel to produce proof of their claims.

The Israeli military said it was carrying out a 'precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the hospital,' and that its soldiers were accompanied by medical teams bringing in incubators and other supplies.

It added that forces were also searching for hostages.

This image taken from a video released by the Israeli Defense Forces, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, shows a bullet proof vest with a Hamas insignia that was found along with weapons the IDF says were found in a medical closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City

This image taken from a video released by the Israeli Defense Forces, on Wednesday shows a cache of weapons the IDF says were found in a closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City

Video grabs appear to show medics evacuating patients from Al Shifa hospital during raid

The IDF said Israeli troops delivered medical supplies to the Al Shifa hospital as pictured here

At Al-Shifa, doctors said patients and people taking shelter were stranded in horrific conditions in the facility

In a statement, the IDF said: 'As the soldiers entered the hospital complex, they engaged with a number of terrorists and killed them.

'Following this, during searches in one of the departments of the hospital, the troops located a room with technological assets, along with military and combat equipment used by the Hamas terrorist organization.

'In another department in the hospital, the soldiers located an operational command center and technological assets belonging to Hamas, indicating that the terrorist organization uses the hospital for terrorist purposes.

'The technological assets and extensive intelligence information located was transferred for full review by the relevant authorities.

'The IDF is continuing to operate in the hospital complex, while extracting intelligence information and preventing harm to the medical teams and civilians sheltering there'.

The military previously said its forces have found weapons and Hamas fighters in government buildings, schools and residential buildings.

Hours before the hospital raid, the United States said its own intelligence indicated militants have used Shifa and other hospitals, and tunnels beneath them, to support military operations and hold hostages.

Under international humanitarian law, hospitals can lose their protected status if combatants use them for military purposes.

But civilians must be given time to leave, and any attack must be proportional to the military objective.

Speaking on CNN, IDF spokesman Lt Col Richard Hecht said fire was exchanged before Israeli soldiers moved into the Al-Shifa but that there was 'no engagement whatsoever' once they had entered the medical complex.

Israel has insisted for years that Hamas militants have used Al Shifa as a cover for their operations. But Hamas and hospital staff have repeatedly denied this.

One doctor inside the hospital, reached by the BBC, hit out: 'Is everyone just waiting for us to die here and then say 'we were good people'?'

Plastic surgeon Dr Ahmed Mokhallalati claimed staff and patients were fearful as IDF troops moved through the building. He revealed six premature babies had died in recent days and said around 40 others would die 'one by one' due to a lack of oxygen and power outages.

Israeli soldiers walk at the Al Shifa hospital complex, amid their ground operation against Hamas in this still image from handout video obtained November 15, 2023

Smoke rises during an Israeli military bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip on November 15

n Israeli soldier holds a weapon in Gaza City earlier this week

Essential surgeries were carried out on Tuesday with only light sedation, revealed the surgeon  but patients were 'screaming in pain'. No surgery could be carried out yesterday, he said.

One patient with burns had to be left to die due to a lack of medical equipment, said the doctor. Asked if Israeli troops had brought medical aid to the hospital, he said: 'If it was up to me, I would refuse [any aid]. They are killing us for 40 days and they want to offer me saline drips.'

Dr Mokhallalati also insisted there were only civilians in the hospital and challenged the Israeli army to provide proof of Hamas's presence. Israeli officials have previously suggested some of the 240 hostages seized by Hamas when they went on a murderous rampage in Israel on October 7 could be held under Gazan hospitals.

One journalist inside the hospital told the BBC that IDF soldiers fired into the air and used loudspeakers to order men aged between 16 and 40 to leave before interrogating them.

Munir al-Boursh, a senior official with Gaza's Health Ministry inside the hospital, said troops ransacked the basement and other buildings, including those with emergency and surgery departments inside, and searched for tunnels.

Patients, staff and people sheltering in the facility were questioned, he said, adding: 'Patients, women and children are terrified'.

At one point, tens of thousands of Palestinians were sheltering at the hospital, but many have left in recent days.

The raid drew condemnation from the UN, Jordan and the West Bank's Palestinian Authority, which called it a violation of international law.

Martin Griffiths, the UN's chief of humanitarian affairs, said on X, formerly Twitter: 'I'm appalled by reports of military raids in Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza. The protection of newborns, patients, medical staff and all civilians must override all other concerns. Hospitals are not battlegrounds.'

Israel has faced mounting pressure to prove its claim that Hamas had turned the hospital into a command centre in recent days.

Hamas and Gaza health officials have denied that militants operate in Shifa, according to the Palestinian news agency.

The war between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7 after the militant group killed some 1,200 people and seized around 240 captives. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 11,200 people, according to the Palestinian Health Minister in Ramallah.

Another 2,700 have been reported missing.

Around two third of the territory's 2.3 million people have now fled their homes, with most currently residing in the southern part of the coastal strip.

Smoke rises during an Israeli military bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip today

Palestinian man Mohammad Abu Daqa, who survived Israeli strikes that killed 8 family members last month

Palestinians look at destruction after Israeli strikes on Rafah, Gaza Strip today

People search through buildings, destroyed during Israeli air strikes a day earlier, in the southern Gaza Strip today

Palestinians look for survivers in buildings destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip last month

Civil defence teams and civilians conduct a search and rescue operation under the rubbles of demolished buildings after an Israeli attack hits Hamdan family's residence in Khan Yunis, Gaza

The ruins after Israeli bombardment at Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza City, Gaza earlier this week

Residents say bread is scarce and supermarket shelves are bare, while families have been forced to cook on wood fires due to a lack of fuel, electricity and running water.

On Wednesday, Israeli defence officials let in some 24,000 litres of fuel, which will only be used for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, in a bid to bring in the limited supplies of food and medicine from Egypt.

Thomas White, UNRWA's director in Gaza, said the fuel cannot be used for hospitals or to desalinate water, adding the amount is the equivalent of 'only nine per cent of what we need daily to sustain lifesaving activities'.

The Palestinian telecom company Paltel has said it is relying on batteries to keep Gaza's mobile and internet network running.

It comes as Israeli troops have extended their control across northern Gaza, having taken control of the Shati refugee camp.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that the ground operation will eventually 'include both the north and south'.

'We will strike Hamas wherever it is', he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the plans, saying Israel's goal is 'a complete victory over Hamas in the south and the return of our hostages.'

Israel told residents of northern Gaza to evacuate south, saying it wanted to get civilians out of the path of its ground assault, and hundreds of thousands fled.

It comes after the UN Security Council approved a resolution calling for 'urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza strip following four failed attempts to respond to the war.

The resolution, which was approved by 12-0 with the US, UK and Russia abstaining, also called for the 'immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups'.

It made no mention of a ceasefire, and failed to refer to the October 7 attacks which sparked the conflict, or Israel's retaliatory air strikes.

The resolution brought the 15 members of the UN's most powerful body together in a first response to the ongoing war.

It asks that 'all parties comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children'.

UN Security Council resolutions are legally binding, but in practice many parties choose to ignore the council's requests for action.
A dozen U.S. business leaders are facing criticism after attending the swanky $40,000-per-seat gala President Joe Biden hosted in San Francisco with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the 'guest of honor.'

Among the top leaders at the dinner surrounding the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting with Xi were Apple's Tim Cook and Executive Vice President of Boeing Stanley Deal.

Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk also made an appearance ahead of the gala for cocktail hour drinks where he rubbed elbows with the Chinese dictator amid rising tensions with the west. He departed before dinner began, according to multiple reports.

Musk was not on the list of corporate attendees and representatives at the gala, according to a program of the event obtained by DailyMail.com.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff also greeted Xi during cocktail hour but didn't stay for dinner.

Also not on the program but in attendance for Wednesday night's pricey dinner were executives from Pfizer, Nike and FedEx. Former California Gov. Jerry Brown also paid the premium to attend.

The soiree was held at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco, California and had a price tag of $40,000 per seat.

Many U.S. business leaders, including Apple's Tim Cook (pictured), attended the $40,000 per-head soiree on the sidelines of the APEC Summit in San Francisco on Wednesday night. The dinner included remarks from Chinese President Xi Jinping

Other unlisted business leaders that attended the dinner were executives with Nike, Pfizer and FedEx. Elon Musk stopped by for cocktail hour to rub shoulders with Xi, but didn't stay for dinner

The ballroom held 34 rose and orchid-laden tables  but were numbered 1-39 in order to skip number 13 as well as any number with a four, since in Chinese that sounds similar to the word 'death.'

FULL LIST of business leaders attended the $40k dinner with Xi Jinping? From the program obtained by DailyMail.com: Apple CEO Tim Cook Blackstone Stephen Schwarzman BlackRock CEO Larry Fink Boeing Executive Vice President Stanley Deal Mastercard Chairwoman Merit Janow Amway CEO Milind Pant Honeywell Executive Chairman Darius Adamczyk Broadcom President and CEO Hock Tan Las Vegas Sands casino and resort Chairman and CEO Robert Goldstein KKR investment co-CEO Joseph Bae Gilead Sciences Chairman and CEO Daniel O'Day Fulgent Genetics Chairman and CEO Ming Hsieh Others who attended according to multiple reports: FedEX CEO Raj Subramaniam Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla Those who went to cocktail hour, but not dinner: Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Advertisement

Guests had the option of a coffee-crusted Black Angus steak or a vegetable curry with jasmine rice and toasted pistachios, the New York Times notes.

Biden's team is really rolling out the red carpet for Xi and other APEC leaders.

The welcome reception for the summit featured a music performance by Gwen Stefani and a moment where Biden welcomed California Gov. Gavin Newsom on stage.

Musk's appearance comes the same night he was forced to backtrack on an earlier endorsement of an antisemitic post where he wrote: 'You have said the actual truth.'

He clarified two hours later that calls for 'a Jewish genocide' were 'unacceptable to any reasonable person.'

Xi, the leader of a country thought to be America's biggest rival, delivered remarks for more than half-an-hour during the dinner where a room of more than 300 executives and officials listened attentively.

The CCP leader was introduced by Chubb Insurance CEO Evan Greenberg.

Xi assured there was an enduring friendship between the U.S. and China that could not be overlooked by recent turmoil  specifically rising tensions in regards to the CCP pushing that it has claim over the independent island nation of Taiwan.

The dinner comes on the sidelines of the APEC Summit, which is an annual meeting of 21 Pacific nations that account for approximately half of all global trade.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo spoke at the dinner and thanked. Xi for a productive meeting earlier on Tuesday as Chinese officials gathered with Biden and his deputies.

'We weren't going to solve all of the military tension between their army and ours here in a four-hour meeting,' National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said on Good Morning America on Thursday when asked about progress made at the meetings the day prior.

Xi delivered half-hour remarks at the soiree, where the dictator was listed as the 'guest of honor'

The welcome reception for APEC included a musical performance from Gwen Stefani on Wednesday

Stefani hugs President Joe Biden during the APEC Summit

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo also spoke at the dinner to about 300 executives and officials

The House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party released images of the program from the Wednesday night event along with the post: 'List of elite American executives dining with genocidal communist 'Guest of Honor' Xi Jinping last night for $40,000 in San Francisco.'

'Enemies of the State!' lawyer and self-declared 'Deep State Marauder' Ivan Raiklin wrote in response to the post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

He urged House Speaker Mike Johnson to subpoena and direct the arrest of the business leaders 'for aiding and abetting America's existential threat.'

Corporate sponsor representatives at the dinner included on the program were: Apple CEO Tim Cook; Blackstone's Stephen Schwarzman; BlackRock asset management firm CEO Larry Fink; Boeing's Executive Vice President Stanley Deal; Mastercard Chairwoman Merit Janow; CEO Milind Pant of health and beauty multi-level marketing company Amway; Honeywell Executive Chairman Darius Adamczyk; semiconductor and infrastructure software company Broadcom's President and CEO Hock Tan; Las Vegas Sands casino and resort Chairman and CEO Robert Goldstein; KKR investment co-CEO Joseph Bae; Gilead Sciences Chairman and CEO Daniel O'Day; and Fulgent Genetics Chairman and CEO Ming Hsieh.

'The number one question for us is: are we adversaries, or partners?' Xi asked during his remarks.

'China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States,' he assured while explaining that seeing each other as competitors would lead to misinformed policy.

But the American public isn't convinced, with one X user posting, 'Boycott them all,' of the companies with representatives at the gala on Wednesday.

Pictured: President Joe Biden, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and her husband Paul Pelosi attend a welcome reception for leaders attending the APEC Summit in California

Xi spoke about some light-hearted topics like Ping-Pong and pandas - after the pandas at The National Zoo were flown back to China, ending after more than five decades in another sign of U.S. souring relations with the Communist regime.

But the dictator also spoke on how Americans and Chinese worked together during World War II to battle the Japanese.

Stephen Orlins is president of the National Committee on United States-China Relations, which is one of the groups that sponsored the event on Wednesday. He noted, according to the Times, that Xi prepared three versions of his speech for Wednesday's soiree.

After events with President Biden earlier in the day, Xi had picked the friendliest one.
Jill Collen Jefferson, a civil rights attorney with a history working for former White House resident Barack Obama, is advocating for dismantling the police department in a small Mississippi city.

Jefferson, a former Obama speechwriter and founder of the nonprofit civil rights organization JULIAN, says she has personally been targeted many times by the Lexington, Mississippi police department.

She was arrested in June while recording a traffic stop that was being made by police.

That incident occurred just days after she had filed a lawsuit against the department accusing its officers of targeting residents of the city and applying 'merciless brutality.'

The complaint further alleged that the department has harassed, coerced, and brutally mistreated other residents.

Last week, the Department of Justice announced it was launching a civil rights investigation into the city of Lexington and its police department.

Jill Collen Jefferson , a civil rights attorney and former Obama speechwriter, has called for the dismantling of a small southern town's police department as the DOJ opens an investigation into the city

Last week, the DOJ opened an investigation into the Lexington, Mississippi police department (pictured here)

Specifically, they announced that they will 'assess whether the police department uses excessive force; violates peoples civil and constitutional rights during stops, searches and arrests; engages in discriminatory policing; or violates peoples rights to engage in speech or conduct protected by the Constitution.'

In an interview with the Daily Beast, Jefferson said her organization has 'been in conversations with the Department of Justice for a long time now.'

'This investigation is something that we've been asking for specifically from them.'

'I expect arrests of corrupt officers, and I expect the community to finally break free from their fear,' she said.

A press release about the investigation from DOJ confirms that it will 'focus on the police department's use of force and its stops, searches and arrests.'

'It will assess whether those activities are reasonable, non-discriminatory and respect the right to engage in speech and conduct protected by the First Amendment.'

The department said that there are allegations that Lexington officers have: 'used force against people who did not pose a threat to the officers; used illegal roadblocks to target black drivers; and retaliated against people exercising their right to question police action or record police activity.'

'LPD also appears to have violated the First Amendment by routinely arresting people merely for using profanity,' said Justice.

Close to a year-and-half ago, the then-Lexington Police Chief Sam Dobbins was abruptly fired from his post after a recording captured him using offensive language during conversation with one of the department's black officers.

The audio revealed Dobbins using racist and anti-LGBTQ slurs and going so far as to brag about the number of times he'd shot a black man.

'I shot that n***** 119 times, Okay?' he was recorded saying.

Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke announcing the investigation in early November. The probe will, among other things, 'assess whether those activities are reasonable, non-discriminatory and respect the right to engage in speech and conduct protected by the First Amendment'

Despite Dobbins' firing last year, Jefferson says the culture of the police department has not changed significantly

Jefferson said the black people in the small, southern town of 1,600 don't trust white people. About 86 percent of Lexington's population is black

Though the chief was fired and replaced with Charles Henderson, Jefferson says it didn't make much of a difference in terms of the culture of the department.

'The culture that existed when Dobbins was there never stopped. Basically, the police that Dobbins hired are still there. Henderson was one of the police officers that Dobbins brought on and helped train,' Jefferson told the Beast.

'He was Dobbins right-hand man, actually. And so in all of this, its like a continuation of terror.'

In the interview, the civil rights activist said that black people in the small, southern town of 1,600 don't trust white people. About 86 percent of Lexington's population is black.

She said that people have previously been falsely arrested for attending meetings of her civil rights organization and that law enforcement officers have at times retaliated against family members of those who attended.

'They arrest, and in some instances, [there is] is torture that went along with it,' she said.

To the outlet, she detailed several instances of alleged brutality by the department against black Americans in the city. One incident she described included the boot prints of officers' still being visible on a man's back weeks after his encounter.'

People spoke at times in near whispers about how the police routinely terrorize the Black community while the mayor does nothing. The last police chief admitted to killing 13 Black people. This one sexually assaults women, even choking the only female officer inside the station. https://t.co/MGKXqqXYMb  Jill Collen Jefferson (@JillCollen) May 19, 2023

During her own arrest some five months back, Jefferson said the small town police force attempted to intimidate her. They said they were 'going to take me to jail,' she recounted.

'And I said, "All right. I'm looking forward to it.'"

She has not yet from law officers about a court date.

'Basically what happens in Lexington is they'll let somebody know the day before court that they have court. Then, if they dont show up to court, they get a warrant out for their arrest, or the morning of court they have court. Or they dont let them know it all,' she said.
Kamala Thiagarajan in Undark:

According to the Million Death Study, one of the largest ongoing global studies of premature mortality, around 58,000 Indians die from snakebites every year, the highest rate in the world. And a growing proportion of these bites come from less common species of venomous snakes in specific pockets of the country, for which, according to researchers at the Indian Institute of Science, available antivenin  also often called antivenom  are not very effective.

People living in Indias rural areas, who are exposed to a broad range of snakes, are particularly at risk. Treating these patients can be difficult, said Gnaneswar Ch, project leader of the Snake Conservation & Snakebite Mitigation Project at the Madras Crocodile Bank Trust Center for Herpetology, where the Irula Co-op is located.

For instance, in Tamil Nadu, data on snakebites and how to prevent them  gathered by Gnaneswars team since 2015  suggest that people are most likely to be bitten on their legs when they walk across agricultural fields barefoot. And they may not seek treatment at the hospital until hours after the bite, turning first to natural or folk remedies. As a result, Gnaneswar said, were seeing many amputations and loss of limbs.

More here.
A junior staffer inside NYC's Mayor Office who 'acted improperly' has been identified, amid the FBI's corruption probe into Eric Adams' campaign.

Rana Abbasova, director of protocol for international affairs and listed on an $80,651 salary, has been named by sources to the New York Post as 'an individual had recently acted improperly' following an internal investigation.

Boyd Johnson, the lawyer for the Adams' campaign, said the employee has been reported to investigators. He did not identify the person or give details of the alleged improper conduct.

Abbasova's alleged 'improper' behavior is thought to be related to a FBI investigation into whether Adams' campaign conspired with a Brooklyn construction company and the Turkish government to funnel foreign money into the campaign's coffers.

City Hall did not deny that Abbasova was the individual in question and told DailyMail.com: 'As we have repeatedly said, we recently learned of an individual who acted improperly, which we promptly reported to investigators.

Rana Abbasova is the Director of Protocol in the Mayor's Office for International Affairs and has reportedly been placed on leave after she allegedly 'acted improperly'

New York mayor Eric Adams has not been accused of any wrongdoing, but his electronic devices were seized last week

'This individual was a junior staffer who was immediately placed on leave, and still remains on leave today.

'While we continue to cooperate with investigators, the most important thing to remember is that the mayor has not been accused of any wrongdoing.'

Sources claimed on Wednesday that Abbasova had lied to federal investigators, the Post reported.

Her biography on the City Hall page describes her role as fostering 'closer relationships between the City of New York and the broader diplomatic community'.

She also 'manages engagements with foreign dignitaries'.

But a source alleges that earlier this year she took on a new role in the mayor's unit of events planning, working as a 'body person' who traveled with the mayor.

They said: 'Rana was a quiet, unassuming person'.

In her previous role as a community coordinator when Adams was Brooklyn Borough President she 'was responsible for international relations and maintaining relationships between the Borough President and stakeholders, including the Middle East and Central Asian countries.

'She also worked with Embassies and Consulates to build relationships between countries and the Office of the Brooklyn Borough President to help overcome language barriers and cultural differences. She also organized Turkic Heritage events and assisted with Sister Cities agreements.'

Sources told the Post on Wednesday that Abbasova had lied to federal investigators

It comes after the FBI seized the mayor's electronic devices last week - after a raid on the home of his top fundraiser and longtime confidante Brianna Suggs, 25, as part of an investigation into an alleged kickback scheme.

FBI agents seized New York City Mayor Eric Adams' cellphones and an iPad after stopping him in the middle of the street.

After news of his devices being seized broke, Adams told CNN 'he has nothing to hide.'

He said: 'As a former member of law enforcement, I expect all members of my staff to follow the law and fully cooperate with any sort of investigation  and I will continue to do exactly that.'

The New York Times reported that FBI officials approached the Democrat on Monday night on the street and asked for this security team to step away. The agents then climbed into Adams' SUV and took his devices - at least two cellphones and an iPad.

The devices were returned to Adams within a couple of days. The FBI can make copies of the data of seized devices if they have a search warrant.

It came after the FBI raided the home of Adams' top fundraiser, Suggs, on November 2.

Agents searched the home of Brianna Suggs (left), a campaign consultant who has helped Adams (right) raise $2.5million for his 2025 election

Agents are shown outside Suggs' house in Crown Heights today after the raid

Her house was searched while he was on his way to meetings in Washington DC, forcing him to abruptly cancel and return to 'deal with a matter'. The timing was deliberate, sources said.

The New York Times obtained part of the search warrant, which revealed it was connected to an inquiry into Adams's 2021 mayoral campaign.

Federal prosecutors in Manhattan have declined to say what the investigation is about, but the warrant indicated that investigators are examining whether the Adams campaign conspired with the Turkish government to receive donations from foreign sources, funneled through straw donors.

Some of the agents who were present at the raid belong to the public corruption unit, the paper said.

The warrant sought the 25-year-old's electronic devices, including cellphones, laptops and tablets.

Last week, Adams said he 'sleeps well at night' as he stood by Suggs and denied any wrongdoing.
The Hamas terrorist who paraded festivalgoer Shani Louk's body through Gaza has been killed by Israel, a rabbi has claimed.

The mother of Shani, 23, who was shot dead by Hamas terrorists on October 7, reportedly told a leading rabbi that the terrorist who paraded her body through Gaza on the back of a truck was killed by Israeli forces.

The tattoo artist's family spent weeks believing that Shani had been kidnapped from the Nova electronic festival on October 7 by Hamas - before Israeli soldiers confirmed she had been killed after they found fragments of her skull on October 30.

During those harrowing three weeks, Shani's family had to contend with seeing a disturbing video, where the 23-year-old's half-naked body was splayed in the back of a truck, surrounded by terrorists and jeering crowds who spat on her.

Now it has emerged that the terrorist who paraded Shani's body in front of jeering crowds was killed by Israel, according to a rabbi who claims he spoke to her mother Ricarda.

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach said Ricarda told him the IDF had killed the 'monster' who had his legs over Shani's body in the back of the truck while screaming 'Allahu Akbar'.

The Hamas terrorist (believed to be the man sat down on the left) who paraded festivalgoer Shani Louk's body through Gaza has been killed by Israel, a rabbi has claimed

Ms Louk, 22, was kidnapped from Israel to Gaza by Hamas terrorists on October 7 from the festival near Kibbutz Re'im. Hamas gunmen took at least 239 hostages and killed about 1,400 people during the dawn raid

Rabbi Shmuley Boteach said Ricarda had told him that the IDF had killed the 'monster' (believed to be the man on the left) who had his legs over Shani's body in the back of the truck while screaming 'Allahu Akbar'

Ms Louk's motionless body was paraded by Hamas gunmen after the festival attack in Israel. It was unclear if she was alive in the video, although her mother later stated that she was alive and being held in a Gaza hospital

Boteach said in video posted on Twitter: 'Yesterday, Ricarda Louk revealed to us, she said it so quietly and with such dignity, that the IDF had killed the monster, targeted and killed that savage Hamas monster who had his legs over her naked body, screaming "Allahu Akbar" as he paraded her body around Gaza City.

'The man is now roasting in hell where he belongs. And that will be the fate of all the Hamas monsters, thank you IDF.'

Shani's brother Amit Louk, 20, revealed earlier this month his 'whole family crashed' when they saw the abducted festivalgoer being paraded by Hamas terrorists on a truck where they were 'spitting on her like she was nothing'.

Amit Louk, 20, said he was horrified to watch the video of his sister lying motionless and half-naked in the back of a truck, with one leg at an unnatural angle, while being surrounded by four terrorists shouting 'Allahu Akbar'.

The last time he had heard from Shani was on the phone, as she frantically tried to escape the Nova electronic festival near Kibbutz Re'im in her car on October 7 as Hamas gunmen shot at anyone they saw.

'She said we're leaving right now, don't worry,' Amit told Sky News. 'But the terrorists were waiting on the road.'

Shani's family have since said that within minutes of Shani and her friends trying to escape, they were met by Hamas terrorists who shot at the vehicle, killing the 23-year-old 'instantly'.

Shani had been dancing at the music event along with her friends on October 7, not noticing the black-clad paragliders descending on the fields surrounding the festival with their grenades and machine guns.

But the young revellers soon heard the sound of air raid sirens and saw the rockets streak overhead.

Shani's father Nissim said earlier this month they were told by Israeli soldiers they had found Shani's skull and she had been killed 'on the spot' by Hamas terrorists as she fled the festival in her car with friends.

For Mr Louk, that has provided some sense of solace - to know that his daughter isn't suffering unknown horrors at the hands of Hamas terrorists.

Nissim and Ricarda Louk, the parents of Shani Louk, 22, are photographed in their home in Srigim-Li On, Israel, last Tuesday

Shani Louk (right) is pictured alongside her cousin

Shani was killed by Hamas terrorists before her body was paraded through Gaza City

'It is very hard as a father, but on the other hand I am happy,' Mr Louk told Piers Morgan Uncensored. 'Why am I happy? At least I know she is dead, I know she was dancing all night before and she was having the time of her life... she is not suffering.

'I don't want to think what they are doing to these beautiful girls that are in Gaza. It is crazy. They are psychopaths, they are sadistic people, the whole world has seen it.'

Mr Louk added: 'Sometimes it is better to know your daughter is dead and she didn't suffer... it gave me some peace and some peace of mind. It is very, very difficult.'

The nightmare that Mr Louk had been living has now evolved into a new one. Shani's parents and siblings - Amit, 20, Or, 14, and Adi, 25 - are unable to bury her because they only have skull fragments.

Mr Louk said: 'I hope for the sake of the world, that it will not happen to anyone in the world what we have experienced because it is difficult for a father to bury a child.

'At the moment we don't have even the body, because they took the body and I don't want to think what they did to the body.'

The heartbroken father said he believes his daughter is now 'a symbol' for the horrors Hamas terrorists inflicted on the 1,400 Israelis they massacred.

'I think my girl was the symbol because she looked so beautiful and pure and so nice in the newspapers,' Mr Louk said. 'And on the other side of the newspaper, you could see how the Hamas terrorists, in a sadistic, crazy and brutal way, threw her in the back of a pickup when her legs were broken and a wound on her head.'

Shani's mother Ricarda said two weeks ago that seeing the video of her daughter's lifeless body in the back of that truck, surrounded by jeering terrorists who spat on her, was like living through a 'horror movie'.

'If you saw the video, you can imagine how I felt,' Ricarda said. 'You feel like you're in a horror movie, when you see your own daughter being transported like this by those barbarian people and everybody celebrating and spitting on her.

'It's like you're in a bad movie and you want to wake up. It's devastating.'

Video shows a smiling Shani, who loved to travel according to her family, dancing at the music festival moments before she was captured by the terrorists

Ricarda and Nissim had believed Shani was still alive at that point after receiving messages from a source saying she was being treated in hospital for a head injury.

For weeks, Ricarda, bolstered by the hope her daughter was alive, and her family urged the German government to intervene. But on Monday, 'we got the news that she died,' Ricarda said after soldiers knocked on their door.

Amit said: 'When you see soldiers in the house, you know it's bad news.' But the 20-year-old said he feels some relief to know that Shani was killed instantly and that unlike many other families in Israel, he knows where she is and that 'she's not suffering anymore'.

For Shani's family, they say they will remember her for her happiness, how much she loved music, with her little brother Amit describing his sister as an 'angel'.

Amit said: 'She loved music. She loved tattoos. She was an artistic person by nature In the way she was talking and the way she was moving. In the way she danced. There was no dark side, only pure angel.'

Shani is now among the 270 people massacred by Hamas terrorists at the festival, where survivors described how the gunmen went 'tree by tree' executing victims.

Survivors of the attack 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.
A New York judge has set two thugs arrested for assaulting an NYPD cop at a subway station free without bail.

Kareem McClary, 23, and Izayiah Jessamy, 20, were smoking cigarettes on the platform of the Freeman Street subway station with a third, unidentified, man on Monday afternoon.

When two police officers asked the men to stop smoking, they refused and attacked the officer, authorities said.

At their hearing in the Bronx Criminal Court, prosecutors requested bail set at $10,000 or $30,000 bond which Judge Eugene Bowen - a former public defender - dismissed.

According to court records, Judge Bowen released both men without bail on November 14.

Both McClary and Jessamy do not have a criminal record.

Two men were caught on video assaulting a New York police officer at a Bronx subway station platform, as felony assaults continue to plague the Big Apple's subway system

Two police officers asked the men to stop smoking - which is prohibited in subway stations - and leave. The men refused to and started to fight the cops, some of which was caught on video, before the officers were able to detain two of them

Patrick Hendry, the president of the Police Benevolent Association union criticized the decision, saying: ' This shows the absolutely upside down world were living in.

'We need New Yorkers to start speaking up and demanding real consequences for those who assault cops.

'Our streets and subways wont be safe if the cops protecting them arent safe.'

McClary and Jessamy were charged with assault on a police officer, resisting arrest, violation of local law and trespass.

Authorities also released photos of the third culprit but have not identified him yet. Police are still looking for the third suspect.

A video of the incident shows two of the men - McClary and Jessamy - battering one of the officers in the head before help arrived.

Multiple officers eventually handcuff the two men, before the third suspect runs down a stairway and gets away.

The police officers suffered minor injuries, and were treated at the scene, according to officials.

New York's bail reform was implemented in 2019, and it does away with cash bonds in most instances - a progressive policy that has meant many criminals are released back onto the streets within hours of being picked up.

The reform also requires judges to consider a person's ability to pay before setting bail.

Judge Eugene Bowen freed Kareem McClary, 23, and Izayiah Jessamy, 20, after they beat up NYPD cops without bail

Authorities also released photos of the third culprit but have not identified him yet. Police are still looking for the third suspect

The policy was intended to reduce the risk that someone would be jailed because they could not afford to pay for release and reduce the unnecessary use of incarceration.

But the well-intended law came under fire from Mayor Eric Adams since it was enacted in 2020.

Adams, a former cop, said in an interview: 'This catch, repeat, release system is just destroying the foundation of our country. And that's why we are losing this election.

'Six out of 10 New Yorkers in the Hispanic and Asian community voted Democrat compared to seven to eight out of 10 last time. We are losing the base black and brown who really believe in those basic things. Public safety, housing, education.

'We cannot talk our way out of this. We have to be real what people are facing on the street.

'We must return to Albany... too many people in Albany, they have dug in and say, "If we change this small number of offenders and go after them, that we are relinquishing a reform that I advocated for."

'To not recalibrate is a big mistake because there are too many people... that are repeated offenders. They have made up their mind that they're going to be violent in our streets, and the unpredictableness of their behavior is really...'

While overall crime is down slightly - under one percent - in New York City this year compared to 2022, felony assaults remain a problem, up six percent

While overall crime is down slightly - under one percent - in New York City this year compared to 2022, felony assaults remain a problem, up six percent.

The shocking 24,000-plus incidents has seen police officers targeted, according to John D. Macari Jr, who posted the video of the assault to X.

'Another NYPD officer assaulted in Bronx transit. Supposedly this occurred yesterday,' he wrote.

'As [NYPD Transit] Chief Kemper has repeatedly stated the rise in felony assaults are mainly against cops taking enforcement action. Does that make you feel safe in NYC?'

In addition to felony assaults, crime on the city's transit system has remained a problem highlighted by many critics of Mayor Adams and progressive district attorneys in the city.

Subway crime has been labeled one of the city's major crises. Though statistics say transit offenses are down slightly, even progressive Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg said he was afraid for his family when they rode the subway last month.

'I know the statistics that transit crime is down, but when one of my family members gets on the train, I, too, get a knot in my stomach,' he told FOX 5 News when asked about the perception that the subway system is becoming increasingly unsafe.

'I live here, I'm raising my family here, so we have a lot more work to do,' he added.

According to the city's statistics, major crime decreased 9.9% in the subway system in July.
Fears are growing for a popular chiropractor and her husband who disappeared suddenly from their Washington home at the weekend and have not been seen since.

Police arrived to carry out a welfare check at the Lacey home of Karen Koep and her husband Davido when she failed to turn up for work in the center of town on Monday.

The couple, who have two adult children, were not there, but their silver 2015 Toyota Yaris was found abandoned five miles away later that day at the Chehalis Western Trailhead in East Olympia, a popular starting point for hikers.

'Deputies responded to the residence located in Lake Forest Development and found that the husband and wife were missing and the circumstance surrounding their disappearance is suspicious,' said Thurston County Sheriff's Office in a statement on Tuesday.

'The couple's vehicle was missing from the residence and was later located by law enforcement near 67th Avenue SE and Ranier Road SE.'

Popular chiropractor Karen Koep and her husband Davido have baffled friends with their disappearance as police appeal for information

Police found no sign of the couple when they were called by anxious friends to a welfare check at their lakeside home in Lacey on Monday after Karen failed to show at work

'To ensure the integrity of the investigation we have not released many details.'

Local TV channel KING 5 Seattle reported that police initially arrested a suspect near the O'Reilly Autoparts store in the north-east of the city but he was later released without charge.

Davido is landlord to several properties in the area and police have been interrogating his tenants for clues to his disappearance.

'I've personally worked with 20 percent of the entire county sheriff's office in the last few days,' wrote tenant Julie Stedman on Facebook.

'You can't even imagine what has been going on his property I live on for the last 48 hours.

'He's a very nice man and its been hell. I don't want to say too much but I pray he's OK.'

'Davido has been a kind friend and neighbor here where the couple owns property near Rainier Road,' added Sue Cummings.

The missing couple have been married for more than 30 years and have two adult sons

Karen Koep and her husband Davido in photos released by Thurston County Sheriff's Office

Karen Koep runs a successful chiropractor business at 6th Ave SE in Lacey

The couple's 2015 silver Toyota Yaris was found abandoned five miles from their home eight hours after police were called

The spot at the Chehalis Western Trailhead in East Olympia is not far from Koep's office

The mystery has left Koep's many patients at her successful practice on 6th Avenue SE equally baffled and alarmed.

One described her as a 'miracle worker', while another said she was the 'most caring person I know'.

'Karen was more than a healer,' added Phil Jasperson, 'she inspired me to make big changes in my life. I can't believe this has happened.'

Many have demanded more information from the police and advice on what they can do to help the search or the missing couple.

'Would it be helpful to have citizens out looking?' asked Jenna Marie Loss

'We want to help if it would be helpful. This couple matters so much to so many!'

'Karen is my chiropractor and friend I took care of both Justice and Cato from the time they were babies till they went to college,' wrote Jerri Morgan

'OK people let's find them.'
A racist duo who stormed into SNP offices to launch a racist tirade towards First Minister Humza Yousaf have been allowed to walk free from court.

Carl O'Brien, 26, and Tracie Currie, 36, made more than a dozen abusive phone calls to political staff and left MP Stewart Hosie distressed after confronting him with a rant about 'a majority white nation.'

The pair filmed themselves barging into an SNP constituency office to hurl abuse about migrants and the First Minister.

The bigoted pair said they backed Putin's war on Ukraine and also targeted innocent restaurant customers with racist abuse before clashing violently with police as they were being arrested.

They were told that their antics - which ultimately spanned 15 hours - represented the type of behaviour which could lead to 'anarchy' if it went unchecked by the court.

After they were handed supervision orders, Currie was pictured leaving court grinning while giving a cheeky thumbs up to cameras.

A gloating Tracie Currie, 36, gave a cheeky thumbs up as she was given a supervision order and 180 hours of unpaid work over her racist antics

Currie's sidekick Carl O'Brien, 26, was put on a restriction of Liberty Order for six months and was ordered to stay indoors between 7pm and 7am

Sheriff Alistair Carmichael told them: 'You have committed serious offences and for both of you they are in the custodial zone.'

Placing O'Brien on a restriction of Liberty Order for six months, he added: 'Your actions in conveying your political views in an aggressive manner were unacceptable, unworthy and selfish.'

The judge added that politicians had to be protected from the type of ranting abuse they subjected SNP party workers to.

O'Brien was ordered to stay indoors between 7pm and 7am, while Currie was placed on 18 months supervision and told to carry out 180 hours unpaid community work.

Describing the duo's offending, fiscal depute Lee Corr said MP Stewart Hosie's communications officer received a call at around 12.14pm on February 24.

Mr Corr said: 'A male, O'Brien, immediately began shouting, swearing and making racist comments regarding MSP Humza Yousaf.

'The comments included "How can you let a man like that run the country?" and "This is a white country". O'Brien named Humza Yousaf numerous times during his outburst.'

The communications officer hung up but O'Brien rang again to make further racist remarks about Humza Yousaf and gave the officer his name.

'The office received a further 11 phone calls - one after the other - from the same mobile number,' Mr Corr explained. 'These comments made the witness feel uncomfortable and disgusted.

'At 12.50pm Mr Hosie was awaiting a constituent arriving when O'Brien and Currie arrived and began shouting and swearing.'

Mr Corr said the communications officer was present in the office and could easily identify O'Brien as the person who had made the phone calls a short time earlier.

'O'Brien asked witness Hosie if he was MP Chris Law, but Mr Hosie explained who he was and what his job involved. Currie didn't say anything, but appeared to be filming what was happening.

Currie was pictured smiling and talking on her mobile phone as she left court

O'Brien was pictured covering himself as he left court a free man

Carl O'Brien phoned the office of MP Stewart Hosie to make racist remarks about SNP's Humza Yousaf (pictured)

MP Stewart Hosie managed to de-escalate the incident as O'Brien and Currie barged into his office to make a racist tirade while filming thmselves

'Witness Hosie de-escalated the incident and both accused left the area. He was left feeling anxious as a result of the interaction with both accused.'

Earlier that afternoon, a staff member at the Parliamentary Office of MSP, and now Deputy First Minister of Scotland, Shona Robison, answered a phone call from O'Brien.

'The male on the other end of the phone said he wanted to speak about Humza Yousaf being racist, before aggressively stating there is an attack on the white race.'

By the early hours of the following morning, the pair were in a taxi outside Rewind nightclub in Dundee when it was stopped by police for them to speak to the driver.

The pair left the vehicle and 'were immediately hostile with police', shouting and swearing.

'Currie asked O'Brien to provide her with his mobile phone so she could record their engagement with police,' Mr Corr said.

'She began recording video footage of her and O'Brien with police. Throughout the incident she continued to record while O'Brien was shouting.'

O'Brien shouted: 'F*** Ukraine! I stand by Russia. I stand by President Putin. Illegal immigrants are coming over here and raping our white women.'

Around the same time, cousins Adam Ashiq and Mohammed Ibrahim were leaving the Zorba takeaway after buying food when they were targeted by the duo.

O'Brien shouted: 'F*** the Quran. F*** Islam.' Currie shouted: 'You black b*******.' Both were in full view of the police and the two Asian males were distressed by the abuse.

Both accused were arrested and taken to police HQ in Dundee, where O'Brien freely admitted he had been at the SNP office earlier in the day.

'He openly stated he had told them his concerns regarding 'new world order' and his concerns about illegal immigrants. He stated he was told to go away and was ignored by the SNP.'

At 3.30 am Currie was escorted into the police building and told officers: 'I'll f****** batter you. Take these cuffs off and I'll fight you. My brother will knock you out.'

The fiscal depute said: 'She tensed her body, attempted to stand and move her head towards Constable Sanderson and refused to comply with instruction.

'She was restrained on the ground, where she continued to struggle violently, tense her body and shout and swear at police. At 3.50am she was presented at the charge bar.

'She continued to shout swear and act in a belligerent manner. She shouted 'P*** b*******, black b*******, and f****** Muslims,' Mr Corr said.

Currie and O'Brien, from Dundee, pled guilty to targeting Mr Yousaf with racist abuse in Dundee on 25 February this year. O'Brien admitted repeatedly phoning the Dundee SNP parliamentary office to make offensive remarks.

Nominations for the SNP leadership contest closed on 24 February and Mr Yousaf was one of three candidates.

The then health secretary went on to narrowly win the contest and was formally sworn in as Nicola Sturgeon's successor in March.

Currie pleaded not guilty to resisting arrest and struggling outside a police station on Bell Street in Dundee as well as being in possession of cocaine, which the Crown accepted.

O'Brien denied a further charge of threatening and abusive behaviour, which was also accepted by prosecutors.
The London Assembly was today forced to halt a quizzing of the capital's mayor Sadiq Khan after an envelope appeared to be thrown from the public gallery.

A session of Mayor's Question Time was adjourned for five minutes after Labour member Sem Moema called for a stop to proceedings.

She shouted out: 'Can we stop please? Someone has just thrown something at me.'

Andrew Boff, the London Assembly chair, duly ordered a pause to the grilling of Mr Khan as the incident was dealt with.

'Don't touch that,' Mr Boff advised Ms Moema, as she was seen crouching down towards a white package.

He added: 'Could we get a security guard in here to deal with this? That's it, we're going to adjourn for five minutes.'

The object - seemingly thrown from the public gallery into the chamber - had been removed when the meeting recommenced later, with Mr Khan continuing an answer he had been giving prior to the interruption.

The London Assembly was forced to halt a quizzing of the capital's mayor Sadiq Khan after an envelope appeared to be thrown from the public gallery

A session of Mayor's Question Time was adjourned for five minutes after Labour member Sem Moema called for a stop to proceedings

Speaking after the session of Mayor's Question Time, Conservative AM Susan Hall told MailOnline the object was 'an envelope with what looked like papers in it'.

Mrs Hall revealed a man was shouting 'answer the questions Sadiq, answer the questions' as he left via a door.

She added that someone outside the City Hall building was also screaming 'answer the questions'.

Although the object appeared to be 'an envelope with papers in it', she noted: 'It did make a hell of a thud when it landed.'

Mrs Hall - who is the Tory candidate to replace Mr Khan at next year's mayoral election - questioned City Hall security arrangements, if someone had been able to throw an object towards Assembly Members.

But she also described how everyone visiting the building is required to pass through airport-style scanners before entry.

A spokesperson for the Greater London Authority, said: 'Mayor's Question Time was briefly adjourned after some paper was thrown into the chamber.

'The person was escorted out by City Hall security and the meeting restarted after checks confirmed the location was secure.'
A Michigan township has established its own militia to protect the Second Amendment rights of its 2,500 citizens.

Holton Township, in Muskegon County, passed a Second Amendment Resolution on Tuesday night establishing itself as a 'Second Amendment Sanctuary'.

The resolution included an addendum establishing their very own militia.

Under the changes, all legal residents with primary residence within Holton now have the opportunity to join the militia but must adhere to federal firearm checks.

The town said they are adopting policies 'necessary for the security and rights of Holton Township residents.'

The Holton Township Board passed the legislation with four members of the board agreeing with the change. Township Clerk Malinda Pego is seen above

The resolution (pictured) established the town as a 'Second Amendment Sanctuary'

'The people of Holton Township, through their duly elected members of the Holton Township Board, hereby designate Holton Township as a Second Amendment Sanctuary in order to preserve for the people of, on and in Holton Township, the inalienable rights guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America,' the resolution reads.

'The Holton Township Board hereby declares its intent to oppose any infringement on the right of law abiding citizens to keep and bear arms.

'We, the people of Holton Township, hereby declare our inalienable rights, our freedom and our Liberty as guaranteed by the Constitution of the United States of America.'

The addendum laid out conditions for residents wishing to join the militia.

Residents must be over the age of 18, have passed a federal firearms background check and state on open social media or by letter that they wish to join the militia.

The addendum also says that the township will not acknowledge any new laws that are associated with red flag laws.

A red flag law is a prevention law that permits a state order to have a person's firearms temporarily removed if they present a danger to themselves or others.

Those who wish to join must also provide their own firearms and all weapons must have been legal by federal law since March 2021.

Holton Township, in Muskegon County, passed a Second Amendment Resolution on Tuesday night, seen here is the town hall

The township now has its very own militia that residents are able to join subject to background checks, the details of which have been stated above

The Holton Township Board passed the legislation with four members of the board agreeing with the change, while Treasurer William Halbower was absent from the vote.

Supervisor Alan Jager, Trustee Tammy Jager, Trustee Chris Thompsen, and Clerk Malinda Pego all backed the move.

Muskegon County, where Holton is, is nearly a 50/50 split between Republicans and Democrats.

In the 2020 Presidential Election, President Joe Biden garnered more votes than former President Trump but the narrowest of margins.

Biden won with a final tally of 45,643, or 49.4 percent, while Trump trailed narrowly with a final count of 45,133 ballots, or 48.8 percent.

Holton is not the first community to have declared themselves a 'Second Amendment Sanctuary'.

In 2019, Lake County Commission in central Florida passed a resolution to protect residents from having their assault weapons taken away by state legislation.

Commissioner Josh Blake, who proposed the resolution, said the move was in response to mandatory gun buyback proposals made by some Democratic presidential candidates during their bids to win the party nomination.

'It doesn't mince words, and I hope it sends a message to what can best be described as the authoritarian control freaks who see it as their job to forcibly disarm their fellow citizens,' he said.
Omid Scobie's new book Endgame claims Queen Elizabeth IIs death 'ruptured the already-fractured foundations of the House of Windsor'.

The Sussexes' favoured royal reporter insists that the Duke of Sussex was 'completely by himself' as he scrambled to get to Balmoral on September 8, 2022.

It also reopens Royal Family wounds in the aftermath of Megxit, branding Charles III 'unpopular', William 'power hungry' and says Harry was 'betrayed by his own family'.

Excerpts have been published in People in the US, with the book out on November 28. And as well as being sympathetic to the Sussexes, at points it is also remarkably similar to Spare, Prince Harrys bombshell memoirs, released in January 2023.

As Sussex insiders distanced them from Endgame today, MailOnline compares these two accounts of September 8, 2022 - the day the Queen died.

How Harry's Spare and Omid Scobie's Endgame compare on the day the Queen died, including claims Meghan was not welcome at Balmoral

Harry famously spent just over 12 hours at Balmoral before leaving again after the Queen died

The moment King Charles called Harry to warn him: 'Granny's health had taken a turn'

Omid Scobie in Endgame

'By the next morning, the Sussexes had no idea that Buckingham Palace was already planning for the Queens final hours and the first days of the monarchys new era  until the dukes phone started ringing. An unknown number. He usually ignored those.

'You should answer it, Meghan told him. He tapped accept just before it stopped. Harry hadnt spoken to his father much that year, but this was not the time for any father-and-son tension.

'Charles told him he and Camilla were about to leave Dumfries House for Balmoral, where Princess Anne was already by the Queens side. He told Harry to make his way to Scotland immediately'.

Prince Harry in Spare

'That daySeptember 8, 2022a call came in around lunchtime. Unknown number.

'Hello? It was Pa [Charles]. Granny's health had taken a turn. She was up at Balmoral, of course. Those beautiful, melancholy late-summer days'.

Harry's anger at Meghan 'not being wanted' at Balmoral by his family

Omid Scobie in Endgame

'Another call came through from Charles, who instructed his younger son to come alone. Despite already publicly confirming that Meghan would come with him (always the plan if they were traveling from California for this very situation), he reluctantly agreed, after Charles assured him that Kate would not be there, either.

'Charles had cited protocol, but the reality was that Kate chose to stay back to pick up the children from their first day at a new school. They just didnt want Meghan there, said a former Palace aide. Meghan, a friend added, could sense she wasnt wanted.

Prince Harry in Spare

'Then came another call from Pa.

'He [Charles] said I was welcome at Balmoral, but he didnt wanther. He started to lay out his reason, which was nonsensical, and disrespectful, and I wasnt having it. Dont ever speak about my wife that way.

'He stammered, apologetic, saying he simply didnt want a lot of people around. No other wives were coming, Kate wasnt coming, he said, therefore Meg shouldnt. Then thats all you needed to say'.

Catherine, Princess of Wales, Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex at Windsor together two days after the Queen died. Harry and Omid Scobie claim that William ignored his brother's texts

Prince William accused of 'ignoring his brother's texts'

Omid Scobie in Endgame

'William, whom Charles had just spoken to, was supposedly working on arranging travel. Harry sent a text message to his brother asking how he and Kate planned to get to Scotland and whether they could travel together. No response.

'Harry sent another text to his brother. Nothing. Though there were available seats on Williams chartered Dassault Falcon private jet, which was leaving in less than an hour, Harry was left to fend for himself.

William ignored him, said a family source. He clearly didnt want to see his brother. Princess Eugenie reached out to Harry to see if he had any more information about their grandmother. She had heard from another family member that it was time but knew little more'.

Prince Harry in Spare

'I immediately texted Willy to ask whether he and Kate were flying up. If so, when? And how?. No response. Meg and I looked at flight options'.

Harry charters his own plane from Luton to Aberdeen after other royals went on their own private jet

Prince Harry's private jet, where he learned the Queen had died from Meghan and the BBC

Omid Scobie in Endgame

'Harry was informed that William had already secured a flight with his uncles Andrew and Edward (and Edwards wife, Sophie), but he couldnt get in touch with anyone about joining that flight. It was upsetting to witness, said a source close to the Sussexes. [Harry] was completely by himself on this.

'Harry eventually located an available optiona private charter costing [$37,000] from Luton Airport, a 40-minute drive from Frogmore without traffic.

Prince Harry in Spare

'By now it was mid-afternoon; no more commercial flights that day to Aberdeen. And I still had no response from Willy. My only option, therefore, was a charter out of Luton. I was on board two hours later.'

'I spent much of the flight staring at the clouds, replaying the last time I'd spoken with Granny.

'Four days earlier, long chat on the phone. Wed touched on many topics. Her health, of course. The turmoil at Number 10. The Braemar Gamesshe was sorry about not being well enough to attend.

'We talked also about the biblical drought. The lawn at Frogmore, where Meg and I were staying, was in terrible shape. Looks like the top of my head, Granny! Balding and brown in patches.

'She laughed. I told her to take care, I looked forward to seeing her soon.

Harry learned the Queen had died via the BBC

Harry arrives at Balmoral

Omid Scobie in Endgame

'When William and the others landed at 3.50 pm to discover the news that the Queen had passed away at 3.10 pm, Harry still had no idea what was going on when his own plane finally took off at 5:35 p.m. And, as his phone service cut out after takeoff, he remained in the dark for the duration of his 70-minute flight.

'When Harrys plane finally touched tarmac twenty minutes later, he received a text from Meghan urging him to call ASAP followed by a breaking news alert via the BBC News app with the announcement of the Queens death'.

Prince Harry in Spare

'When the plane started to descend I saw that my phone lit up. It was a message from Meg: "Call me when you get this". I looked at the BBC website. My grandmother had died. My father was King.

'I put on my black tie, got out of the plane under heavy rain and shot up to Balmoral in a borrowed car.

'As I pulled through the front gates it was wetter, and pitch-dark, which made the white flashes from the dozens of cameras that much more blinding'.

Harry's goodbye to the Queen after she died

Harry saw the Queen after she died. He said he regretted not doing the same with his mother when she died

Omid Scobie

'When he [Harry] arrived at Balmoral, Princess Anne warmly greeted him and led him to the Queens room, where he spent a quiet moment privately paying his respects. He had hoped to see his father  who had made it to Balmoral Castle in time to see his mother alive  to express his sympathies, but he was informed that Charles, William, and Camilla had already left for Birkhall together'.

Prince Harry in Spare

'Hunched against the cold, I hurried into the foyer. Aunt Anne was there to greet me. I hugged her. Wheres Pa and Willy? And Camilla? Gone to Birkhall, she said.

'I advanced with uncertainty and saw her. I stayed still, watching her carefully for a good while.

'She [Princess Anne] asked if I wanted to see Granny. She led me upstairs, to Granny's bedroom. I braced myself, went in.

'The room was dimly lit, unfamiliarI'd been inside it only once in my life. I stood, frozen, staring. I stared and stared. It was difficult, but I kept on, thinking how I'd regretted not seeing my mother at the end. Years of lamenting that lack of proof, postponing my grief for want of proof. Now I thought: Proof. Careful what you wish for.

'I whispered that I hoped she was happy and that she was with Grandfather now. I said that I admired her for having carried out her duties until the end. The [Platinum] Jubilee, the welcoming of the new Prime Minister'.

Harry's lonely night at Balmoral

Omid Scobie in Endgame

'That night after eating he retired to his room, exhausted by the days emotional roller coaster. He was glad to have had a private moment to say goodbye to his grandmother, but there was no point in sticking around.

Prince Harry in Spare

'I rang Meg, told her Id made it, that I was OK, then walked into the sitting room and ate dinner with most of my family, though still no Pa, Willy, or Camilla.

'Towards the end of the meal, I braced myself for the bagpipes. But out of respect for Granny there was nothing. An eerie silence.

'The hour getting late, everyone drifted off to their rooms, except me. I went on a wander, up and down the stairs, the halls, ending up at the nursery.

'The old-fashioned basins, the tub, everything the same as it had been twentyfive years ago. I passed most of the night time-traveling in my thoughts while trying to make actual travel arrangements on my phone'.

Harry jets back to London early, and alone on BA flight

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, boards a flight at Aberdeen Airport as he returned to London

Prince Harry returns to Windsor, where Meghan was waiting for him

Omid Scobie in Endgame

'With no offer to return with William and the others in the morning (all of his texts, including a thoughtful message about the loss of their grandmother, continued to be ignored), Harry booked his own British Airways ticket on the first available departing flight'.

Prince Harry in Spare

'The quickest way back wouldve been a lift with Pa or WillyBarring that, it was British Airways, departing Balmoral at daybreak. I bought a seat and was among the first to board.

'Soon after settling into a front row, I sensed a presence on my right.

'Deepest sympathies, said a fellow passenger before heading down the aisle. Thank you.

'Moments later, another presence. Condolences, Harry. Thanksvery much.

'Most passengers stopped to offer a kind word, and I felt a deep kinship with them all. Our country, I thought. Our Queen'.
Nine hammer-wielding Extinction Rebellion eco-zealots have been cleared of 500,000 of criminal damage after smashing up 'bomb proof' widows at a bank HQ.

The nine female XR activists sang and chanted as they used hammers and chisels to shatter the custom-made windows at the HSBC building in Canary Wharf, London on April 22 2021.

They were wearing patches reading better broken windows than broken promises and placed stickers on the windows of the bank reading 80 billion into fossil fuels in the last five years.

Jessica Agar, 23, Blyth Brentnall, 32, Valerie Brown, 71, Eleanor Bujak, 30, Clare Farrell, 40, Miriam Instone, 25, Tracey Mallaghan, 47, Susan Reid, 65 and Samantha Smithson, 41, all denied criminal damage and they were cleared of the charge by a jury today.

Paul McCartneys fashion designer daughter Stella McCartney CBE had lent the HSBC nine shirts, blazers and suits to wear during their three week trial at Southwark Crown Court.

Extinction Rebellion activists smashed windows at HSBC's Canary Wharf headquarters as they claimed the bank is financing climate change.

Extinction Rebellion women broke the windows of HSBC to condemn the bank's apparent investment in fossil fuels

All nine activists involved were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage, but a jury today cleared them of criminal damage

The trial is thought to have cost the taxpayer another 500,000.

According to XR the jury made several requests during the trial, including for an explanation of the Paris Climate Agreement and information on what the British Government has done to address the climate crisis.

Sally Hobson, prosecuting, earlier said: They accept that on 22nd April 2021, they went to the HSBC building armed with hammers and chisels and, they also accept that they used those tools to break the windows - they were responsible for the damage.

The value of the damage caused is in the region of 500,000 and additional security measures caused further expenditure so as to ensure damage was not caused again.

Although the defendants accept they caused the damage, they deny that their actions amount to criminal conduct.

The defendants are believed to be associated with the protest group Extinction Rebellion and their actions on this day were likely to be associated with the Money Rebellion which had the purpose of targeting financial institutions.

Simply put, the damage was caused during a protest and the defendants say that they were lawfully justified in doing what they did.

We say that whatever the purpose behind them causing the damage there was no lawful excuse for doing so. It was, we say, unlawful conduct outside of a lawful protest.

Several woman stuck fliers reading '80 billion into fossil fuels in the last five years' to the windows, before hammering painted chisels through the glass

A sticker reading '80 billion into fossil fuels in the last five years' is stuck to a smashed window at HSBC's headquarters

However well intended their ultimate goals were, they were not entitled to damage property that did not belong to them.

On 22nd April 2021, shortly before 7am, each of the defendants arrived at the headquarters of HSBC at Canada Square. Each brought with them a hammer and chisel.

On arrival the defendants spread out along the HSBC building. They then, acting together, used the hammers and chisels to shatter the large glass panes which cover the exterior of the building and the revolving entrance doors.

The defendants chanted and sang as they caused this damage. They then attached documentation, relating to their environmental protest, to the building before sitting down; many with their implements in front of them.

The windows were large bespoke windows; they were custom made bomb proof windows designed to withstand considerable force.

Police attended the scene and each defendant was arrested on suspicion of committing criminal damage before being taken to the police station

The defendants actions were captured on a number of different cameras: local CCTV, cameras worn by security and police officers and mobile phone devices.

Police eventually arrested all nine defendants, the arrest of each defendant was captured on police body-worn cameras.

One activist smashed a painted chisel into the window of HSBC's headquarters using a hammer reading 'Sorry mum!'

The activists used chisels reading 'We act with love' and hammers painted with the word 'Love' during the protest

Activists from Extinction Rebellion sit together outside the HSBC headquarters in London

XR co-founder Farrell, of New Cross, southeast London, Agar, an artist, of Hereford, Brentnall, a journalist of Deptford, southeast London, Brown, a former London Mayoral candidate of Highgate, northwest London, Bujak, a former receptionist of Hull, Instone, a musician of Greater Manchester, Mallaghan, a retired school nurse, of Milton Keynes, Reid, a retired community care worker of Preston, and Smithson, a former fashion designer, of Hackney, east London, all denied causing criminal damage.

Following the verdict Farrell, an associate lecturer in sustainable fashion at Central Saint Martins, said: This was a trial of unusual agreement, the facts of the day were not in any dispute, and the fact that were on course for civilisational breakdown and climate collapse seemed strangely not to be in dispute either. Its tragically surreal to live in times when the justice system agrees were totally fucked but has nothing to say about the cause, the remedy, the victims or the perpetrators. We must continue, we will.

Reid said: I have said from the beginning that I did this to stop HSBC from killing children. Unicef estimated that over twenty thousand children are displaced each day, and that climate change is the key driver. That means that every day of our three week trial over twenty thousand children have had to pick up the things around them and leave, none of those children will be able to go home at the end of the day.

I have spent my life caring for the people around me and I refused to stand by while HSBC poured money into the very thing we know is causing unimaginable harm - the jurys verdict today shows that ordinary people will not give their consent to the destructive violence of investing in fossil fuels in 2023.

An activist from the Extinction Rebellion, a global environmental movement, holds a hammer in front of a broken window

Nine women took part in the demonstration, wearing jackets with the words 'better broken windows than broken promises' in a reference to the Suffragette movement

In her closing speech to the jury, Farrell said: The prosecutor explained yesterday how important it is that you bring your wisdom and experience into the courtroom. And then she told you to put aside your personal thoughts. She told you to disengage emotionally.

Maybe thats what the Board of HSBC tell their staff to do too?

There are many people I have known over the years who work somewhere that is not living up to the ethics they would like to see in the world but they stay, to keep their salary and pay the rent or mortgage and continue to wish that the organisation will change.

We are trying to live honestly in a corrupted world. This is a trial of women who are not perfect, but we are all here because we are dedicated to peace and non violence, willing to make great sacrifices on behalf of others.

So when you heard our character references, from mayors, bankers, teachers and the former executive director of Greenpeace and Amnesty, you can see that we have loving goals, not selfish goals.

I believe that the staff, shareholders and customers of this corporation want the economy to continue, theyre not in business to intentionally destroy capitalism.

A placard hangs on a broken window as activists from the Extinction Rebellion hold a direct action protest outside HSBC headquarters in Canary Wharf

A security officer speaks with an activist from Extinction Rebellion during the protest in London

And I have to believe that they cant know the extent to the deadliness of the projects they fund. As one of my co defendants said, to believe that all the people in that building support killing and displacing people, would mean an awful lot of people are sociopaths and that cant be true.

Ultimately my guess is that the people who work for HSBC arent so different from me and from you. And I dont think any of us would do something if we knew it would cause so much death and human suffering.

Bujak said: There is evidence, plenty of evidence, that consent exists within the very systems and structures we are trying to change. Of course it does. Because everyone, including the shareholders of banks, need a liveable planet. When these are the stakes, of course I believed they would consent to a sum of damage that, when put into context, equates to less than a penny of an average persons salary.

I believe in people doing the right thing. In a world in which buildings and corporations cant feel pain, they cant bleed or mourn. But people can. A world where it shouldnt just be up to a handful of rich and powerful people to decide the future, it should be up to all of us.
U.S. shouldn't see China as primary competitor: Xi

Xinhua) 13:06, November 16, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said here on Wednesday that the United States should not see China as its primary competitor.

To steer the giant ship of China-U.S. relations clear of hidden rocks and shoals, one fundamental and overarching question needs to be answered: "Are we adversaries, or partners?" Xi said at a welcome dinner by friendly organizations in the United States.

"The logic is if one sees the other side as a primary competitor, the most consequential geopolitical challenge and a pacing threat, it will only lead to misinformed policy making, misguided actions, and unwanted results," Xi said.

China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States, the Chinese president noted. "The fundamental principles that we follow in handling China-U.S. relations are mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation," he said.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
Patrick Hassan in Aeon:

The latest waves of uprisings in Iran following the movement in defence of Iranian womens freedoms are among the most significant since the Islamic Republic was established after the overthrow of Mohammad Reza Pahlavi in 1979. The regimes resulting crackdown has led to mass arrests and prison sentences, as well as a string of executions. These uprisings are symptomatic of prolonged and multifaceted discontent with the Islamic Republics perceived governance. One of the oft-cited causes is growing dissatisfaction with principles of government grounded in a religious worldview, and its subsequent patterns of civil liberty violations. The most visible of these violations, which has served as a focal point for resistance, is the law of mandatory hijab for women.

Gathering reliable empirical data on religious belief in Iran is difficult  apostasy (at least from Islam) is illegal and punishable by death under the vaguely defined crime of Ifsad-e-filarz, or corruption on Earth. Nevertheless, some available evidence from 2020 suggests predominant opposition to mandatory hijab, to the extent that even some hijabi women have joined the protests to defend everyones equal right to liberty. More recent evidence from 2022 also suggests a significant favourable shift towards secularism broadly, with the majority in favour of a separation of religious and civil affairs. Some contemporary research has suggested that, ironically, Iranian theocracy has triggered these trends, which have naturally raised the question of the role of religion in Iranian society.

More here.
The trans activist company behind the Miss Universe pageant has sensationally filed for bankruptcy just days before the pageant is due to take place in El Salvador.

Thai-native and trans woman Anne Jakrajutatip acquired the event for $20 million in 2022 from IMG Media, adding it to the portfolio of JKN Global Group. Between 1996 and 2015, the Miss Universe Pageant was part of Donald Trump's business empire.

The bankruptcy comes after the company missed out on fulfilling a $12 million loan repayment. Despite the setback, JKN has been bullish and maintains that the event will go ahead as planned.

But the competition itself has not been without controversy throughout its extensive history.

From Donald Trump labelling a former contestant as 'Miss Piggy' to Steve Harvey accidentally naming the wrong winner live on air, read on below for some of the pageant's most infamous incidents.

'Miss Piggy' scandal

Alicia Machado (pictured) rose to international fame in 1996, after winning the Miss Universe contest at the age of 19

Alicia Machado rose to international fame in 1996, after winning the Miss Universe contest at the age of 19.

However, that would prove to be far from the final time she would find herself among the headlines.

In the run-up to the 2016 US presidential election - which saw former Miss Universe owner Donald Trump face off against Hilary Clinton - Ms Clinton posted a campaign video to her account on X, formerly Twitter.

It saw Ms Machado claim that she was called 'Miss Piggy' by Trump, after the Venezuela-born model said she gained weight following her victory.

In response, Trump said in an interview with Fox News that Ms Machado was 'the worst [Miss Universe] we ever had. The worst. The absolute worst. She was impossible.

'She was the winner, and she gained a massive amount of weight, and it was a real problem... not only that, her attitude.'

Steve Harvey announces the wrong winner

Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach (R), Miss Universe 2015, is congratulated by pageant friends on stage following a dramatic error by Steve Harvey, who misread the winner when first reading the results

In the 2015 Miss Universe contest, Steve Harvey performed one of the most shocking bloopers in modern TV history, when announced the wrong winner of the Miss Universe pageant.

The crowd watched in heartbreak and horror as the crown had to be removed from the head of one contestant and placed on another on live television.

Miss Colombia, Ariadna Gutierrez, wiped away tears of joy as the $30,000 blue diamond and topaz crown was placed upon her head and she was named Miss Universe 2015, which would have seen her claim the title for the second year in a row. However, in a cruel twist of fate, her glory only lasted for two minutes.

Just as Gutierrez was blowing kisses and waving to her adoring fans, she was informed that it was actually Miss Philippines Pia Alonzo Wurtzbach who had won the crown instead.

Steve Harvey strolled up on stage with shame etched across his face, when he told the crowd 'Folks, I have to apologize.'

'The first runner-up is Colombia,' he announced.

Miss Philippines stared wide-eyed at the audience, her lip quivering as Miss USA whispered into her ear to explain Harvey's error.

'Miss Universe 2015,' Harvey then dramatically clarified, 'Is Miss Philippines.'

Wurtzbach joined Gutierrez on stage as they both stared into the audience in shock. Miss Universe 2014 Paulina Vega gave her fellow countrywoman a comforting pat on the back.

'Folks let me take control of this,' Harvey told the sea of boos and cheers.

'This is exactly what's on the card,' he then said, displaying the altered results to television cameras.

Rachel Smith slips on stage but becomes a YouTube star

In what became one of the earliest viral Internet sensations, Miss Smith was captured falling over on her walk down the runway. Pictured: Miss Smith arrives in Mexico prior to her unfortunate fall in the ceremony

While being booed by a partisan crowd might seem unlikely, and be the worst thing to happen to Miss Universe contestant, that was not the case for Rachel Smith in her quest for victory as Miss USA back in 2007.

In what became one of the earliest viral Internet sensations, Miss Smith was captured falling over on her walk down the runway.

Despite the embarrassing gaffe from Smith, she made light of the awkward situation, and has gone on to enjoy a successful career in media and journalism that has seen her work for the likes of Good Morning America, Amazon and CBS.

In the gutter

Miss Peru 2019 Anyella Grados was stripped of her crown Wednesday, days after she appeared drunk and vomiting in a video

In 2019, that year's Miss Peru, Anyella Grados, had her title revoked after footage emerged showing her appearing to stumble while walking down a flight of steps after partying at a nightclub in the town of Rioja.

The 20-year-old was then seen struggling to stay upright while sitting on a bed, before she slumped forward and vomited.

The footage was recorded by Miss Teen Peru 2018, Camila Canicoba, 19, who had joined Grados and Yoko Chang - who placed third in the Miss Peru contest - a carnival in the north of Peru.
Migrants continued flowing to Britain today as two boatloads arrived in the UK after being escorted across the English Channel by French ships - as Tory MPs warned Rishi Sunak he cannot afford to fail in his bid to start deportation flights to Rwanda.

Just 24 hours after the Supreme Court ruled the Government's Rwanda plan illegal, more migrants were intercepted by Border Force as footage showed an overflowing dinghy with at least 40 people on board almost disappearing beneath the choppy waves.

The mostly male group, who were clad in warm clothing after battling chilly conditions at sea, were accompanied by a private vessel employed by the French authorities before being passed over to a British catamaran when they reached UK waters.

They were brought into Dover just after midday, before a similar sized group were escorted into the port on another Border Force catamaran around an hour later.

The arrivals came after Robert Jenrick loaded more pressure onto the Prime Minister by warning that the government 'couldn't afford to fail' in its bid to start deportation flights to Rwanda after the Supreme Court knocked down the plan in a momentous ruling yesterday.

Asked whether flights would begin in the spring, the immigration minister told LBC: 'There's no choice, but for us to do that. We cannot afford to fail; millions of people are asking us to do this. It is critical to our national security and to protecting our borders.

'I don't see a path to victory at the next general election unless we resolve this issue. I've been doing this job for a year. We are making good progress, but we will not stop the boats in their entirety without injecting a major deterrent - that is Rwanda.'

The Prime Minister had responded to the Supreme Court ruling by pledging a new treaty with Rwanda and emergency legislation allowing Parliament to declare the East African country safe for asylum seekers.

He insisted he would be ready to ignore the European Convention on Human Rights if necessary and said he wanted flights to start in the Spring.

Migrants sit on a small boat as two ships gather in the background in the English Channel this morning

The first group numbering around 40 migrants, who were clad in warm clothing after battling chilly conditions at sea

The first group of migrants were brought ashore on Border Force catamaran Hurricane

A similar-sized group of migrants arrived from across the Channel around an hour later

A French escort vessel accompanying one of the migrant boats into English waters

Migrants being brought ashore at Dover after being intercepted by a Border Force vessel

The Border Force vessel Hurricane sits in the water as it picks up migrants from a small boat

Migrants sit in a small boat that is riding low in the water this morning, as a ferry moves across the English Channel in the background

A French escort ship follows a small boat overflowing with migrants on Thursday as people continue to try and cross the Channel

A Border Force vessel approaches an inflatable small boat carrying people trying to cross the Channel today

The group of migrants seekers arrived on the Kent coast today amid rain, blustery winds and poor visibility in the Channel.

One man appeared to be limping as he linked arms with another person on board.

What is the PM's plan for finally getting Rwanda flights going? 1. Ratify a new Treaty with Rwanda that will guarantee asylum seekers sent there from the UK are not returned to danger in their country of origin. 2. Parliament passes 'emergency legislation' formally designating Rwanda as a safe country. 3. If 'foreign courts' are still posing a problem the government is ready to ignore, water down or force reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights and UN Refugee Convention. 4. Flights carrying asylum seekers should start taking off by the Spring, although the PM refused to guarantee that timetable. Advertisement

It comes at a sensitive time for the government, which is still reeling from yesterday's Supreme Court judgement declaring its Rwanda scheme to be against the law.

Sacked Home Secretary Suella Braverman had accused Rishi Sunak of having 'no Plan B' if the policy was blocked by judges.

Unveiling his response to the decision last night, the PM vowed to end the political and legal 'merry-go-round' by pledging a new treaty with the East African country and emergency legislation allowing Parliament to declare it safe for asylum seekers.

And in a nod to the fury of the Tory Right, he insisted if that failed he was ready to ignore the European Convention on Human Rights rather than let 'foreign courts' stand in the way of action.

Planes should start leaving for Rwanda next Spring, he said - although he would not guarantee the timetable. That would potentially be just months before a general election.

'Let me tell everyone now  I will not allow a foreign court to block these flights,' Mr Sunak said.

'If the Strasbourg Court chooses to intervene against the express wishes of Parliament I am prepared to do whatever is necessary to get flights off.

'I will not take the easy way out.'

The comments were immediately dismissed by Suella Braverman's allies as just another version of the previous strategy.

Apollo Moon was also seen escorting migrants in the Channel today. It is one of the private patrol vessels that have been employed by the French after funding from Britain

A group of people believed to be migrants sit in an inflatable small boat as it travels through the water in the English Channel today

A French escort vessel watches on as a group of migrants attempt to cross the water between France and England

French support vessel Apollo Moon shadows a small boat containing migrants as they try to cross the Channel

After taking over from Suella Braverman as Home Secretary on Monday, Mr Cleverly repeated the now familiar vow to 'stop the boats'

Mr Cleverly clashed with Amol Rajan this morning on the BBC's flagship Today programme on Radio 4

Mr Sunak said he 'shared the frustrations' of Tory MPs who have been urging him to water down human rights rules or simply ignore the Supreme Court.

The premier said he disagreed with the decision, but 'respected' it.

After taking over from Suella Braverman as Home Secretary on Monday, James Cleverly repeated the now familiar vow to 'stop the boats', but today's photos - exclusively obtained by MailOnline - provided yet more evidence of just how distant this ambition remains.

In a tetchy interview on the Today progamme, Mr Cleverly failed to deny claims he once described the Rwanda policy as 'bats***' and accused presenter Amol Rajan of 'stepping straight into the trap' laid by his Labour counterpart Yvette Cooper.

The exchange became bad tempered when the minister accused Amol Rajan of 'making statements' rather than asking questions before threatening to 'go and get a cup of tea'.

Asked if he recalled privately calling the Rwanda policy 'bats***', Mr Cleverly did not completely deny using the phrase but said: 'I don't remember a conversation like that.'

Mr Cleverly could not contain his frustration as the presenter read out passages from yesterday's Supreme Court judgment that the deportations policy was illegal.

And he took umbrage after Mr Rajan raised former judge Lord Sumption's criticism of the idea that Parliament could legislating to declare Rwanda safe as a fact.

After the host described one answer as 'extraordinary' and then interrupted an explanation of the government's position, Mr Cleverly said: 'Are you asking questions or are you making statements?

'Because if you're just going to make a statement I can go and get a cup of tea.'

Mr Rajan retorted: 'You're making statements, I'm trying to ask questions.'

Mr Cleverly said: 'I am here. I want to answer questions but you're making statements and then moving on without giving me an opportunity to address the statements that you make, a number of which I disagree with.

'They are not my statements. I am reporting what people like Jonathan Sumption have to say.'

Rishi Sunak has been talking tough after the Supreme Court setback yesterday, with the Tories releasing images repeating his vow to 'stop the boats'

At a press conference in No10, the PM pledged a new treaty with the country and said Parliament will declare that it is safe for asylum seekers

In his round of interviews this morning, Mr Cleverly said the government is 'absolutely determined' to get a removal flight to Rwanda off before the next election.

The Cabinet minister said he does not 'think' the UK will need to pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as they come under pressure from the Tory right.

READ MORE - Ministers admit Tories will LOSE the next election unless Rishi can get Rwanda flights going by Spring with fears 'Plan B' of new Treaty and emergency laws will be thwarted Advertisement

He defended plans for emergency legislation to get Parliament to deem Rwanda a 'safe' country despite the Supreme Court's concerns over risks to asylum seekers.

The Government is working to broker a new legally binding treaty on top of the 140 million deal already struck with Kigali after five top justices ruled against the policy on Wednesday.

Mr Cleverly insisted that MPs could ratify the treaty once it is agreed and pass new laws within days.

'The whole process won't necessarily be done and dusted just in a few days, but the actual parliamentary process can be that quick,' he told Times Radio.

It comes as new figures revealed the number of lone child asylum seekers in England has risen by almost a third in a year.

Unaccompanied child asylum seekers are defined as those who have applied for asylum in their own right and are separated from both parents or any other responsible adult.

Local authorities have a legal duty to provide accommodation for them.

In the year to March, Kent looked after the largest number of unaccompanied child asylum seekers at 445 young people, followed by Hampshire at 239 and Manchester at 172.

A hostel in Kigali that was due to be used by asylum seekers sent to Rwanda from the UK

Supreme Court president Lord Reed passing his judgment on the Rwanda deal yesterday

The Department for Education said unaccompanied child asylum seekers made up 9 per cent of all looked-after children.

READ MORE - Number of children travelling to the UK alone to seek asylum rises by a third in a year Advertisement

The majority (96 per cent) were male, up from 90 per cent in 2019, and unaccompanied child asylum seekers were generally older than other looked-after children.

Around 14% were aged under 16 years old, compared to 74% of all looked-after children, the department said.

For the first time, this year details on the type of placements for unaccompanied child asylum seekers showed that the proportion ending up in so-called semi-independent settings has risen, while foster placements and independent arrangements have decreased.

Almost half (45 per cent) were placed in semi-independent settings, up from 24 per cent in 2019.

Semi-independent settings are those in which a person will generally have access to their own facilities such as a kitchen but will have some supervisory or advice staff available to them if needed. These can include hostels, YMCAs, lodgings and bedsits.

Mr Sunak's comments were immediately dismissed by Suella Braverman 's allies as just another version of the previous strategy

Mrs Braverman has warned Mr Sunak has no credible back-up to 'stop the boats'

Foster carers looked after 38 per cent of unaccompanied child asylum seekers, down from 50 per cent in 2019.

Paul Carberry, chief executive at Action for Children, said: 'We need to see a clear shift from the current system. That means urgent cash from central government and a fire lit under its social care reform plans.

'It must ensure proper funding for early help services to reduce the numbers of children going into care, better support for those leaving care to return home so they don't end up back in the care system, and improved standards of care.

'This approach will not only benefit those children and their future life chances, but also the taxpayer, who is currently footing the bill for an expensive and broken care system.'

While local authorities have a general duty to provide accommodation within their area, allowing the child to live near their home, around a fifth (21%) of looked-after children were placed over 20 miles from home.

This proportion has been similar for the past five years.
A female sect leader has been jailed for life for the murder of a four-year-old boy who she believed was the reincarnation of Hitler.

The woman, who is now aged 76, was handed the sentence after the Frankfurt district court in the German state of Hesse found her guilty of murder after the incident on August 17, 1988.

The woman had persuaded the now 62-year-old mother of the boy, identified only by his first name Jan, to think that the child had been 'possessed by evil' and had to be killed because he was the 'reincarnation of Adolf Hitler', according to German media.

After a catalogue of abuse, matters came to a head when the mother tied the child up and stuffed him in a burlap sack, which she handed over to the sect leader, who dumped him in a bathroom.

It is unclear what she planned to do with him, but while he was abandoned there, having struggled to breathe, Jan suffocated on his own vomit.

The woman, who is now aged 76, in court (undated). She was handed the sentence after the Frankfurt district court in the German state of Hesse found her guilty of murder after the incident on August 17, 1988

An undated court pic of the woman. The court heard how there had been a catalogue of abuse inflicted on the boy

The court heard how the boy had been left out in the cold, forced to sit on the potty for extended periods and was also beaten and occasionally had food stuffed into his mouth.

At the time, investigators assumed that the child had died of an 'organ failure' after the sect leader and the mother removed his body from the sack and made it seem as though he had died in his sleep.

But after the investigation was reopened in 2015 and police obtained the sect leader's diary, she was immediately arrested and scheduled for trial.

During the first trial against the 76-year-old woman, the boy's mother was charged with joint murder after she incriminated herself by standing by the elderly woman and saying: 'She is like a sister and a good friend.'

In the current trial, presiding judges believe the elderly woman who had managed the cult more than 35 years ago acted for selfish and cruel motives.

The woman had persuaded the now 62-year-old mother of the boy, identified only by his first name Jan, to think that the child had been 'possessed by evil' and had to be killed because he was the 'reincarnation of Adolf Hitler', according to German media (File Photo)

The 76-year-old woman recorded her motivation at the time, noting that she felt 'incredibly angry' when she was confronted by the boy whose personality she described as 'evil'.

She had also called him a 'pig' and 'a sadist', among other highly critical descriptions discovered in her diary.

The reason for the mother giving the leader permission to abuse the child was not disclosed, but prosecutors believe that she had aimed to strengthen her position within the sect.

German media speculated that the abuse took place in the elderly lady's residence, which was also the sect's base.

According to her diary, she feared her abusive behaviour would be uncovered by the boy's teachers and this was her reason for planning the murder.

The judge said: 'You have now had ten judges attest to you that your sadistic behaviour towards Jan, in combination with your callous reaction to his death, can be classified as murder.'
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Rowdy British revellers dressed up as fake Just Stop Oil protesters demanding to stop illegal migrants, while another was spotted pretending to be a bag of cocaine at Benidorm's riotous annual 'bad taste' Fancy Dress Party.

The event in the neighbourhood of Rincon de Loix is billed as Europe's biggest costume party and expects to draw as many as 40,000 visitors - a figure steadily recovering from pandemic-era lows.

Now in its 33rd year, the 'bad taste' festival has become a regular fixture for British tourists, who have been flocking to the Mediterranean city on Spain's east coast since the package holiday explosion in the 1960s.

In one snap a group of men wearing police helmets dress up as fake Just Stop Oil activists with a message on their orange t-shirts reading 'Just Stop illegal migrants'.

Another man appears to have painted his face black as he dresses up as Mr T from the A-Team as he crosses his arms while a woman stands next to him and poses as Supergirl.

While a man was pictured holding a pint of lager with a clear bag partly filled with white powder dangling from his neck with the word 'Charlie' written in blue ink.

Jesus Carrobles, Benidorm's councilor for events and citizen security, said today the celebration has 'become a reference' set to 'provide a great note of colour in the city', adding that 'in Benidorm we are delighted to welcome everyone who comes and participates in this festival, which grows every year'.

One attendee was pictured today dressed up as Alan Garner from the film The Hangover, a huge brown wig and beard plastered to his face. A baby doll was strapped to his chest in a carrier.

Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas also made an appearance alongside the Spice Girls, while a Star Wars Stormtrooper in a bikini was seen mingling with Egyptian pharaohs sipping on Spanish lager.

Others came dressed as Disney or Pixar characters, including Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and Pocahontas. Shrek and Fiona made an appearance with Nintendo favourites Mario and Luigi during the boozy festivities.

It was a triumphant return to form for the event which attracted up to 50,000 attendees a year before Covid, according to Actualitat Valenciana.

One group of men wear orange T-shirts in the same styled branding as environment activist group Just Stop Oil but with the message 'Just Stop Illegal Migrants' with a poppy in place of the 'O' in 'stop

One man appears to have painted his face black as he dressed up as Mr T from the A-Team as a woman stands next to him and poses as Supergirl

A man stands in a bar holding up a pint of lager with a clear bag partly filled with white powder dangling from his neck with 'Charlie' written in blue ink on the front

Revellers turned up in a range of outfits, some coordinated in large groups, others celebrating in their own style

Pharaohs of Egypt, holding a beer, stand with a Star Wars stormtrooper for the riotous festivities on Spain's east coast

Willy Wonka and his Oompa Loompas made an appearance at the boozy festival in Benidorm, pictured today

Some turned out as Spice Girls, with creative interpretations of their outfits, for the annual costume party in Benidorm

One man came dressed as Alan from the 2009 comedy, The Hangover, complete with a baby doll

It was a triumphant return to form for the event which reportedly attracted up to 50,000 attendees a year before Covid

Freddy Kruger from A Nightmare on Elm Street and It from It were spotted enjoying the festivities among the crowds

A man in a bald cap, in a chicken costume, drinking a beer, makes the most of the last of the Spanish sun in Benidorm today

Santa makes an early appearance with an elf, and another beer, during the celebrations on November 16, in Rincon de Loix

Two creatives stood out in jellyfish costumes with blue face paint during the fancy dress party this afternoon

Shrek, Fiona, Mario and Luigi make a rare crossover during an afternoon of silliness in Benidorm, Spain

Where's Wally? An array of colourful characters made for a real spectacle during this year's festivities in Rincon de Loix

The event is in its thirty-third year and expects to draw as many as 40,000 visitors - a figure recovering from pandemic lows

Jesus Carrobles said today the celebration has 'become a reference' set to 'provide a great note of colour in the city'

Revellers in character, dressed as workmen, hold signs reading 'stop', 'walking prohibited' and 'dangerous: operation zone'

Wally makes another appearance as crowds flock to show off their vibrant outfits amid the festival in its 33rd year

The event will host live music, food stands and as many as thirty floats passing by in a grand parade, expected to draw 40,000

A group of nurses pose for a photo with a comically large syringe, and an Adidas crossbody bag, at the event on Thursday

Many came as Disney or Pixar characters, including Alice in Wonderland, Snow White and Pocahontas

A variety of costumes on view during Thursday's festivities in Spain, notably Wally again and Freddie Mercury from 'I Want to Break Free'

Individuals in unmatched costumes pose for a photo near the stage during Benidorm's annual fancy dress party

The crowds shrank during Covid but went ahead unofficially in 2021, with thousands turning out in fancy dress despite a ban. Pictured: large crowds of brightly-coloured outfits mass during 2023's parade

More colourful outfits on one of the quieter streets during the festival on November 16, 2023
The Crown has been accused of retrofitting the story of Harry and Meghan onto a plot about King Charles and Princess Diana, in a new Mail podcast.

In the first episode of The Crown: Fact or Fiction, the Mails royal experts debunk invented details in the latest series of the hit Netflix show about the Royal Family, which is to feature Dianas death in 1997.

Mail writer Robert Hardman and the Mail on Sundays Royal Correspondent Natasha Livingstone unpick a plot centred on the 50th birthday of the future Queen Camilla.

It portrays a lunch between Diana and then Prime Minister Tony Blair, as the Princess of Wales begins her post-royal life in July 1997, with Mr Blair reporting back to Queen Elizabeth that Diana wants to have an official role for the palace.

As a divorced woman - and no longer an HRH - Diana is now learning the difference between being officially in the family and out, says the Queen, portrayed by Imelda Staunton.

The new series of The Crown portrays a lunch between Diana and then Prime Minister Tony Blair, as the Princess of Wales begins her post-royal life in July 1997

In the latest season, The Queen, played by Imedla Staunton, tells Tony Blair: 'As a divorced woman - and no longer an HRH - Diana is now learning the difference between being officially in the family and out'

The Daily Mail's Robert Hardman has accused the creators of The Crown of 'very much retrofitting the story of Harry and Meghan into the story of Diana and Charles'. Pictured: Dominic West and Elizabeth Debicki portraying Charles and Diana

Hardman tells the podcast: Clearly, that is very much retrofitting the story of Harry and Meghan into the story of Diana and Charles.

We do know this lunch happened, I believe it was at the invitation of Cherie Blair, not Tony Blairs.

In 2022, Prince Harry revealed in his Netflix documentary that he had initially asked for a half in, half out arrangement when negotiating the terms of his and Meghans departure from royal life.

He added that the Royal Family made it clear this was not an option.

Hardman said that Alistair Campbell, Mr Blairs former spin doctor, was a consultant on the series so could have advised on the former Prime Ministers side of the story

One of the most controversial moments of the Netflix series, which has been dogged by criticism of historical inaccuracy, is the portrayal of the car crash which killed Diana in Paris.

Although it is not directly shown on screen, both the experts agree that, while shocking, it is not handled in poor taste.

The first episode of The Crowns sixth series goes on to depict a row within the Royal Family about whether or not the Queen will attend the 50th birthday party of Charless new partner, Camilla. It is an occasion Diana is also accused of upstaging by taking Princes William and Harry to Saint-Tropez, France, at the invitation of Harrods owner Mohamed Al-Fayed.

The saga is one of several plotlines which Hardman says is completely invented.

We see them taking pretty rich liberties with the truth, he says.

The idea that the Prince of Wales wanted the Queen at this party is for the birds.

In 2022, Prince Harry revealed in his bombshell Netflix documentary that he had initially asked for a half in, half out arrangement when negotiating the terms of his and Meghans departure from royal life. Pictured: The couple during their engagement announcement in 2017

In one episode, Blair is portrayed having a meeting with the Queen lobbying for her to allow Diana to have a greater role

Blair greeting the Queen in 2004 as he arrived for the Award for Enterprise at Buckingham Palace

At this point theyre just trying to normalise the relationship. Theres absolutely no question of the Queen coming to the party.

He adds: The idea of strategically making this a big royal event was just utter nonsense.

The court circulars at the time showed the Queen would have been in Derbyshire on the day of the party - something Charles would have known about months in advance.

Other elements of the scenes rang more true, however, including when Camilla told Charles to just let their relationship happen in its own time.

The plot setting out Dianas budding romance with Al-Fayeds son, Dodi, also broadly follows the true chronology, showing them meeting in Saint-Tropez when Dodi was engaged to another woman, the experts tell the podcast.

One detail said to be particularly true to life is the music, such as Diana and William singing along to Chumbawamba in the car, as their choice of music at the time was reported to be more Radio 2 than Radio 1.

In the coming series on Netflix, there is expected to be more controversial decisions about how events and people are portrayed, with the Royal Family said to be dreading the prospect.

The row over historical accuracy reached such a pitch in 2020 that then culture secretary Oliver Dowden said he was planning to write to Netflix and request a health warning at the start of each episode so viewers are aware it is a work of fiction.
Ministers are vowing to toughen the law if necessary after 'appalling' scenes of pro-Palestinian protesters climbing on a London war memorial.

Rishi Sunak and Home Secretary James Cleverly are examining whether police needed more powers after officers stood by during a night of chaos.

Footage showed a mob of flag-waving demonstrators clambering over the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner, which was covered with poppy wreaths from Remembrance weekend.

A group of officers appeared to watch on as the offensive scenes unfolded, despite a dispersal order being in place. The Met expressed its 'regret' for the way officers handled the incident but insisted no laws had been broken.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley doubled down today amid criticism from Tory MPs, saying: 'What the officer didn't do last night was make up a law that it's illegal to do something and do an arrest which would have been illegal, clearly.'

The PM's spokesman called the incident an 'affront' which will have 'appalled' the public. He said police already had 'extensive powers available to them' but the government would 'look at what further measures are needed'.

Mr Cleverly, who served in the Royal Artillery, called the demonstration 'deeply disrespectful' and suggested laws could be changed.

A Met liaison officer in a blue vest was seen appealing for the protesters to come down

Footage shows a sea of flag-waving protesters chanting 'free Palestine' as they clambered over the hallowed site

New Home Secretary James Cleverly pictured today giving a speech to the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and National Police Chiefs Council

Veterans Minister Johnny Mercer added: 'The Met has a lot of powers they can use, and should be using, and I'll work with colleagues to toughen the law. Let's see those thugs dishonouring our war dead in handcuffs.'

It is understood the Home Office is talking to police about what powers or guidance they might need.



Despite Sir Mark's defence, Tory MP Neil O'Brien suggested the activists could have been arrested under existing laws.

Calling the Met 'pathetic', he wrote: 'This is ''disorderly behaviour'' under Section 5 of the Public Order Act 1986 and they should have been arrested. In 2016 Greenpeace protestors who just put an air pollution mask on the statue of Nelson were arrested on suspicion of causing criminal damage.'

Another video from last night showed activists swarming a couple's car by Trafalgar Square and shouting abuse at them. Officers eventually intervened to allow them to pass through, as separate footage showed them sprinting to the Cenotaph to ensure it was safe.

The pro-Palestine march on Parliament was advertised on Tuesday - a day before it took place. Once again it included offensive banners, such as one comparing Western politicians to Hitler.

A dispersal order was in place across parts of Westminster from 7.50pm yesterday to 2am today. Roads around Buckingham Palace remained closed as of 7am today, causing travel chaos during the morning commute.

Protesters climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial yesterday evening following a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament after MPs slapped down SNP calls for a ceasefire despite a major Labour rebellion against Sir Keir Starmer.

The Met Police said the behaviour of the protesters in London was 'unacceptable' but no laws had been broken.

In response, social media users pointed out the case of Charlie Gilmour, son of Pink Floyd guitarist David Gilmour, who was jailed for 16 months in 2011 after he was pictured swinging from the Union Jack on the Cenotaph.

He also leapt on the bonnet of a car, kicked in a Topshop window and set fire to papers outside the Supreme Court. After he was convicted of violent disorder, a judge said he was guilty of 'outrageous and deeply offensive behaviour'. However, he was never actually charged over the Cenotaph attack.

Mr Cleverly, who served in the Royal Artillery, told LBC Radio this morning: 'We are absolutely determined to look at this. (Veterans minister) Johnny Mercer, a former gunner officer  the Royal Artillery was my regiment as well, that's my regimental memorial.'

'I'm not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgement on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials.

The Home Secretary added: 'We have made a commitment to review the legislation around public order policing.

'If the police  and I'm going to look at this in real detail  if the police need more powers to make sure that really deeply distasteful, provocative things like that do not happen for the public good, because of course this is about making sure it doesn't stimulate violent action or any kind of violent responses, but if we need to take action specifically to give police more powers, we are looking at doing that.'

Mr Cleverly's fury has been echoed by servicemen and veterans across the country, with a source within the Royal Artillery telling MailOnline: 'What happened was an absolute disgrace. It was sickening to see.

'This memorial is something close and dear to the heart of every Gunner in the British Army. It honours the memories of the 49,076 men from the Royal Regiment of Artillery who paid the ultimate sacrifice during the First World War.

'To see it desecrated like this by political activists is appalling.'

But a statement from the police said the protesters - who were breakaway group who had been dispersed at Hyde Park Corner - had not broken any laws by scaling the memorial.

Scotland Yard said: 'We know some online have asked why the protesters were not arrested. There is no law explicitly making it illegal to climb on a memorial so officers cannot automatically arrest, but they can intervene and make it clear the behaviour isn't acceptable. The videos shared online show them doing that.'

'Most people would agree that to climb on or otherwise disrespect a war memorial is unacceptable,' the statement continued.

'That is why our officers have made every effort to prevent it happening in recent days. While officers were on scene quickly, we regret they were not there quickly enough to prevent the protesters accessing the memorial.'

Met Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said police recognised that while the climbing on a war memorial was not illegal, it was 'unfortunate' and 'inflammatory in certain ways'.

He said it was for the Government to consider whether officers should be given further powers to respond to protests. The officer recognised that while it wasn't illegal it was unfortunate, inflammatory in certain ways. The officers at the scene asked them to get down and they did.

'So the officers intervened as officers often do to try and de-escalate risk of conflict, even when there isn't an explicit power to do it. So I think they did a sensible thing,' he said.

Speaking at the Institute for Government, Sir Mark also conceded the Met had made 'ghastly errors' in the past which he was determined to move on from.

Police said one arrest had been made at the protest for possession of an offensive weapon.
Pro-Palestinian protesters surrounded the Labour constituency office of MP Rushanara Ali after she abstained from Wednesday's Gaza ceasefire vote in Parliament, with one demonstrator claiming she has 'shown her career is more important than human rights'.

It comes as hundreds of schoolchildren took to the streets of London chanting 'Israel is a terrorist state' in the latest pro-Palestine demonstration to hit the capital.

A total of 56 Labour MPs voted for a ceasefire in Gaza as party leader Keir Starmer was hit by a major revolt over his position on the war, which has outraged Muslim communities.

Targeting Ms Ali for her stance on the vote, one protester outside the Tower Hamlets office, who did not want to be named, said: 'I am here to express shock and anger that Rushanara Ali has gone against the wishes of her constituents and of the Palestine movement and did not vote for the amendment in parliament last night. She has in fact copped out.

'She has shown that her career is more important to her than the human rights of millions of people in Gaza.'

Protesters were filmed calling for Ms Ali's resignation, chanting: 'Rushanara out!'

It comes as other footage appeared to show pro-Palestinian protesters chanting anti-Semitic slogans in Kings Cross station.

Pro-Palestinian protesters have surrounded the Labour constituency office of MP Rushanara Ali after she abstained from last night's Gaza ceasefire vote in Parliament, saying she has 'shown her career is more important than human rights'

'She has shown that her career is more important to her than the human rights of millions of people in Gaza,' one protester said

Protests outside the office of the Tower Hamlets Labour Party in Bethnal Green, London, in an area represented by Labour MP Rushanara Ali against her stance on the Israel-Hamas war

Police keep watch of the protest outside Tower Hamlets Labour Party office this evening

Protesters are descending on the Tower Hamlets offices of Labour MP Rushanara Ali (pictured) after she abstained from last night's Gaza ceasefire vote in Parliament

Hundreds of children joined the protest march in London this afternoon

Youngsters and adults carrying Palestinian flags and placards calling for Israel to 'stop the war in Gaza ' clogged up the streets in Bethnal Green

Furious campaigners raged: 'Rushanara Ali MP has failed us all, she must resign, she did not vote for a ceasefire.'

Youngsters and adults carrying Palestinian flags and placards calling for Israel to 'stop the war in Gaza' clogged up the streets in Bethnal Green, in the east of the city.

Chants of 'what do we want - ceasefire, when do we want it - now' and 'free, free Palestine' rang out as demonstrators took to the streets this afternoon.

Protesters went to rally outside the local offices of Ms Ali, Bethnal Green and Bow MP, from 5.30pm.

GB News presenter Patrick Christys was filmed being surrounded and 'hounded' by 'angry' protesters at around 6.30pm.

Dozens of protesters circled the journalist repeatedly shouting 'shame on you' as he tried to ask them questions. One protester branded him 'fascist scum' and another branded him using an expletive.

Mr Christys said he was 'simply asking people who had attended why they were there'.

A protester called Nomi said: 'I am disappointed and upset but Rushanara Ali's decision to abstain from the vote for ceasefire, I think as a question of humanity, I don't think it is difficult to say, hey I am in support of a ceasefire to protect the lives of women, children, the elderly, people who are even suffering from cancer, dying from cancer.

'They are civilians, it is about saving lives, protecting lives and I am here, I didn't have to leave my house, but I have come out to voice my disagreement with the decision.

'For someone who works in a party and as an individual, who has in the past always been on the side of peace and supporting those in need, social support, underrepresented communities, it is very shocking that she has made the decision not to vote for saving lives - that is essentially what I see it as.

'I am hoping for her to know that the public do not agree with what she has done.

There were others who did vote for a ceasefire, they didn't question as to, Will I lose my job, will I get promoted, will my career in politics get affected.

'Those people that voted against it and took the risk of their livelihood, they did it knowing that there are people who are losing limbs, who are being blown up to smithereens.'

News of the march comes as Keir Starmer continues to deal with the fallout of a major rebellion in his party, which saw the 10 frontbench resign in a crushing Commons revolt.

Former leadership contender Jess Phillips was among the frontbenchers who quit after breaking a three-line whip ordering them to abstain on an amendment tabled by the SNP.

The Labour leader said he wanted the party to be as 'united' as possible in the wake of the extraordinary implosion over demands for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

But he seemed to swipe at the rebels by saying that his own 'focus and attention' was on helping make the situation better for innocent people on both sides.

And there are fears that the rebellion could spread further and do major damage to the party's election hopes. A Savanta poll has suggested that almost half of Muslim Labour supporters from 2019 are unhappy with Sir Keir's handling of the Israel crisis - though two thirds of British Muslims said they still planned to vote Labour.

If you are calling for a #ceasefire in #Gaza you won't be alone . But chanting anti-semitic slogans at Kings Cross station is not okay . @BTP three of your officers were standing watching . pic.twitter.com/8BISu0PJzc  Grace Macaskill (@storyforgrace) November 16, 2023

Dozens of protesters outside the constituency office of Rushanara Ali MP tonight

A police van enters the scene of the protest outside the Tower Hamlets Labour office

BREAKING: Angry locals have converged outside Tower Hamlets Labour Party HQ to condemn Muslim Labour MP Rushanara Ali for failing to vote for a Gaza ceasefire. #LabourParty #Gaza pic.twitter.com/nLHkkBGzcG  5Pillars (@5Pillarsuk) November 16, 2023

Protesters were seen carrying placards and Palestinian flags as they marched today

Chants of 'what do we want - ceasefire, when do we want it - now' could be heard

Others were shouting 'free, free Palestine' as demonstrators took to the streets this afternoon

The crisis in the Middle East, sparked by the Hamas terrorist atrocities on October 7, had already caused weeks of discomfort for Sir Keir as he battles with the huge divisions within his party.

READ MORE: Keir Starmer pleads for Labour to focus on Israeli hostages and Gaza civilians rather than ceasefire wrangling after he suffered 10 frontbench resignations in huge Commons revolt Advertisement

But, despite the major Commons rebellion against him last night, Sir Keir stuck to his stance on wanting humanitarian 'pauses' - rather than a full ceasefire - as he declared 'leadership is about doing the right thing'.

The Labour leader also reiterated his support for Israel's right to self-defence in the wake of the Hamas attacks.

Defence Secretary Grant Shapps swiped that those MPs voting for a ceasefire were 'essentially voting to give Hamas the green light to commit further terrorist atrocities'.

The evening's vote was held as pro-Palestinian supporters staged a large demonstration outside Parliament - which sparked outrage after demonstrators were seen clambering all over the Royal Artillery Memorial in Hyde Park.

MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the SNP's King's Speech amendment calling for 'all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire' in Gaza.

Along with the 56 Labour MPs, it was supported by 39 SNP MPs, 15 Liberal Democrats and independent MPs Jeremy Corbyn, Diane Abbott and Andy McDonald.

There are a total of 198 Labour MPs, which means more than one-quarter of Sir Keir's party rebelled against him this evening.

The Labour leader issued a statement after an extraordinary Commons revolt last night saw 56 of his MPs defy him to back a permanent end to fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Jess Phillips (pictured) quit the Labour front bench after she broke ranks with her party leader Sir Keir and disregarded a three-line whip he had imposed on the ceasefire amendment

Thousands of pro-Palestine protesters gather in Parliament Square, Westminster last night

Those 10 Labour MPs who left Sir Keir's front bench tonight after backing a ceasefire included eight shadow ministers.

They were Ms Phillips, Paula Barker, Rachel Hopkins, Afzal Khan, Sarah Owen, Yasmin Qureshi, Naz Shah and Andy Slaughter.

Dan Carden and Mary Foy also left their roles as parliamentary private secretaries.

Shortly after tonight's vote, Ms Phillips announced she had quit as shadow minister for safeguarding and domestic abuse.

In a resignation letter to Sir Keir, which she posted on Twitter, she wrote: 'This week has been one of the toughest weeks in politics since I entered Parliament.

'I have tried to do everything that I could to make it so that this was not the outcome, but it is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving my post in the shadow Home Office team.

'On this occasion I must vote with my constituents, my head, and my heart which has felt as if it were breaking over the last four weeks with the horror of the situation in Israel and Palestine.

'I can see no route where the current military action does anything but put at risk the hope of peace and security for anyone in the region now and in the future.'
Lawmakers are attempting to dispel 'myths' about the FBI's controversial foreign spy tool as they put forward a number of reforms to limit abuse before reauthorization - including improper surveillance of Americans.

The tool, Section 702 under Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), allows U.S. federal intelligence agencies to conduct targeted searches of foreigners, which they say is critical to stopping terrorists, drug traffickers, spies and other threats to national security.

However, a string of recent reports have revealed rampant abuses of the program, including hundreds of thousands of improper queries by the FBI of Americans who may be communicating with the foreigners.

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner told DailyMail.com that the 72-page report released today includes fixes that will 'significantly lessen' abuses.

'I think that the reforms that we've put in place significantly lessen the chances for abuses. And our reforms include significant penalties if abuses do occur,' Turner said Thursday.

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Mike Turner told DailyMail.com that the 72-page report released today includes fixes that will 'significantly lessen' abuses

FBI Director Chris Wray has stated that the terrorist threat to the country looms large

The report was put out by Republicans sitting on the House FISA working group which was formed in March.

It states: 'Our reforms would cut over 90% of the FBI out of the ability to authorize US person queries.'

In addition, it clarifies how much information the FBI can use if they are monitoring an American's correspondence with a foreigner.

'If a U.S. person communicates with a target of Section 702 collection, only the specific correspondence in which the foreign target is a party is collected  this is referred to as 'incidental collection,' says the report.

'The government can never target U.S. persons whose communications are incidentally collected under Section 702.'

The report also puts into place tougher auditing requirements, especially since it was recently uncovered that Rep. Darin LaHood was improperly queried, as well as an unnamed senator's campaign.

'The FBI should notify the House and Senate leaders, and the chairs and ranking members of the House and Senate Intelligence Committees, when the FBI queries a term that would identify a member of Congress,' the report indicates.

Turner is aiming to get a bill that can pass the House and the Senate on the floor after the Thanksgiving holiday break before the new year - leaving just five weeks for markup and passage.

The Republican from Dayton, Ohio, batted down a suggestion that Congress might vote on a short extension to carry Section 702 into the new year so lawmakers have more time to come to an agreement on reauthorization.

'I think we're going to get it done. I'm not working on an extension, I'm working on a bill,' Turner said.

Key Democrats are already on board with the effort being spearheaded by Turner.

Democrat Jim Himes, the HPSCI ranking member, has been working closely with Turner on draft legislation and the two have a productive and bipartisan relationship.

In addition, Senate Intelligence Chairman Sen. Warner indicated he is 'very close' to an agreement on bill language, Turner told DailyMail.com.

'I had been working with Senator Warner on these proposed reforms. And he's indicated that we are we're very close to an agreement on a real package of meaningful reforms.'

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan is working separately on his own bill for Section 702 reauthorization.

Turner slammed a bipartisan bill led by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that was released last week, which included a warrant requirement.

'There are many misconceptions about how 702 works. And this bill represents, I think, the core of most of the myths about 702,' Turner told DailyMail.com.

Wyden's legislation would this would be 'incredibly dangerous to our country' Turner continued, especially as FBI Director Chris Wray has stated that the terrorist threat to the country looms large.

'The reality is that the terrorism threat has been elevated throughout 2023, but the ongoing war in the Middle East has raised the threat of an attack against Americans in the United States to a whole other level,' Wray told Congress at the end of October.

Turner says his committee and the White House have been communicating throughout the entire process.

The White House is supportive of no warrant requirements as part of a future deal that the president could sign, which Turner says is in line with the committee's report.

Turner said: 'The question is, should there be warrants? No.'

'There are no constitutional protections for connecting with a terrorist organization outside the U.S.,' he added.

Turner explained the importance of Section 702 in light of recent attempts by terrorist-linked groups to organize rallies across the nation.

The X account for Hamas-linked group Samidoun wrote on the social media platform, encouraging their supporters to protest outside of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's house last month.

At the urging of Samidoun, 100 protesters were arrested after they showed up to demonstrate outside Schumer's Brooklyn home.

The protesters called for an end to U.S. aid for Israel on a day of mass protest in New York and around the world after the leader of Hamas called for a global 'day of outrage.'

The X account for Hamas-linked group Samidoun wrote on the social media platform, encouraging their supporters to protest outside of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer's house last month

At the urging of Samidoun, 100 protesters were arrested after they showed up to demonstrate outside Schumer's Brooklyn home

Turner said although those 100 arrested American protestors are now connected to Samidoun, which is alleged to be a Hamas front organization, they wouldn't be queried under Section 702.

However, if investigators believe there was criminal activity, they can go to FISA court and get a subpoena for the information.

'We can look to see if any of the [arrested] people are communicating with international terrorists.'

'If they are in Hamas' data, we should have access to it. We do not and should not need a warrant to look at legally and constitutionally collected Hamas data.'
Goodwin's body was discovered in an alleyway just feet away from her workplace and showed signs of trauma consistent with homicide

The suspect is a bartender who worked at trendy spots including Blossoms & Brass in Costa Mesa

Dino Rojas-Moreno was arrested in connection with Goodwin's death on November 15

The prime suspect in the suspicious death of a 27-year-old California woman has been arrested.

Tatum Goodwin's body, which showed signs of trauma consistent with homicide, was found by a construction worker Sunday around 8.20am.

The San Clemente woman was discovered in an alleyway behind Carmelita's restaurant in Laguna Beach, where she had worked as an assistant manager for four years.

On November 15, 26-year-old Dino Rojas-Moreno was arrested in connection with Goodwin's death.

'This arrest was the result of outstanding police work by our Investigations team that worked tirelessly with our law enforcement partners to bring justice to Tatum Goodwin and her family,' Laguna Beach Police Chief Jeff Calvert said in a release.

Dino Rojas-Moreno, 26, was arrested Wednesday in connection to the suspicious death of Tatum Goodwin, 27

The San Clemente native's body was discovered in an alleyway just feet away from Carmelita's restaurant, where she worked as an assistant manager for four years

Rojas-Moreno is a bartender who worked at trendy spots including Blossoms & Brass in Costa Mesa. It is unclear if he and Goodwin knew each other

Rojas-Moreno is being held on $1 million bail. The 26-year-old is local to the area. After graduating high school he became a bartender, working at trendy restaurants including Blossoms & Brass in Costa Mesa.

On LinkedIn, Rojas-Moreno described himself as 'a detail-oriented professional who has been consistently praised as hard-working by my co-workers and management.'

Authorities believe the homicide was an isolated incident.

However, they declined to provide a motive for the killing or share whether Rojas-Moreno and Goodwin knew each other.

Hundreds descended on the San Clemente Pier Wednesday night to honor Goodwin, who was described as kind and generous by people who knew her.

'Her light shined so bright that it impacted so many different people,' Goodwin's sister, Kaylee, said.

Kaylee posted on Facebook after the event, thanking those who attended and adding that the experience wasn't easy for her.

'We are going through so many emotions and getting such important news while we were there. Had me frozen in emotions. And so much anger and hurt,' she wrote.

'And if I didn't see you when I was there I'm sorry. I don't know, I felt frozen in time. And like I wasn't really there.'

Goodwin's best friend, Madison Moyer (left), described her as her 'soulmate' and 'other half'

The 27-year-old was fondly recalled by Marcos Salim Heredia, the owner of Carmelita's Restaurants, who considered her a 'family member'

Goodwin's body was found at around 8.20am Sunday, hours after she'd visited a bar with her friends

Rojas-Moreno is being held on $1 million bail. Authorities have yet to provide a motive for the killing

Goodwin left work Saturday night and met up with friends at Hennessey's Tavern nearby and later at the Marine Room.

She was found dead the following day, mere feet from her workplace.

Madison Moyer, Goodwin best friends, was among those who attended the candlelight vigil.

She described the slain 27-year-old as her 'soulmate, best friend, other half' and 'the person who brought me peace when I couldn't find it myself.'

Marcos Salim Heredia, the owner of Carmelita's Restaurants, left a message on a GoFundMe campaign organized by Goodwin's sister.

'I have had the great pleasure to have Tatum as our assistant manager, friend, and family member in our business for 4 years,' he wrote.

He recalled Goodwin as someone who 'always kept a smile on her face.'

The campaign seeks funding for her memorial services and the creation of a memorial in Laguna Beach.

It has raised over $27,000, exceeding its $20,000 goal.

'We are still in disbelief and we don't want her to go unforgotten,' Heredia wrote.
Target CEO Brian Cornell claims shoppers are grateful the retailer is locking up shelves amid rising theft - despite public complaints of the new system.

As the retailer warns of a slow holiday shopping season ahead, plans have been made to lock up shelves of everyday items after losing a projected $500 million a year to violent shoplifters.

'What we hear from the guests is a big thank you, because we are in stock with the brands that they need when they're shopping in our stores,' Cornell said to CNBC.

'And because we've invested in team member labor in those aisles and make sure we're there to greet that guest, open up those cases and provide them the items they're looking for.'

Cornell said earlier this month that shoppers are pulling back on spending and his company will take a cautious approach to the holiday season.

Target CEO Brian Cornell said customers are grateful they have locked up the items

A Target worker locking up one of the cabinets holding men's deodorant. The company projected a $500 million a year loss to violent shoplifters

Last week, photos showed Target has resorted to locking up underwear by a brand ironically named 'Pair of Thieves' in a bid to clamp down on rampant shoplifting.

Employees at a San Francisco store said their location has been experiencing a theft every ten minutes.

Workers have said that they watch people 'shoveling stuff' into bags and as a result multiple products are now placed behind plastic barriers.

That projected $500 million loss from shoplifting along with a $700million inventory shrinkage from last year - due in part to supply chain chaos largely triggered by the pandemic - has cost the retailer a whopping $1.2 billion.

In September, Target announced it would be closing nine locations across New York City, Seattle, San Francisco and Portland, because 'theft and organized retail crime are threatening the safety of our team and guests.'

Cornell insists shoppers are thankful they locked up essential items because keeping them in stock is important.

'They understand the fact that we've had to make some changes to ensure the safety of the product and the fact that they have product in stock when they're shopping the stores,' said the Target CEO.

However, many customers have taken to social media to complain about the inconvenience of having their essential items locked up and long wait times.

Twitter user Kurt Jetta said, 'Hey Target! You cant lock stuff up to prevent theft, and then not have a sales person anywhere within shouting distance to get it out. How many electronics and shaving sales have you lost because of that? Definitely lost a $300+ basket from me.'

'Oh Im with you my friend. After standing around for almost 45 mins for a razor just to have a worker with an attitude unlock the case and rush me, I dont waste my time now. If its locked I go elsewhere for that item. I dont care if I have to pay more,' said another user named Michele.

Many people expressed their frustration with the locked cases and said they would rather do their shopping elsewhere.

One user said, 'Hey Target I speak for everyone when we say we are SICK of these locked cases. Do better.'

'Target is so genius for putting all socks, underwear and toiletries in locked cases, ensuring I will never buy any of these products there again,' said another.

Target CEO Brian Cornell, pictured, said the retailer has seen seven consecutive quarters of declining sales

Target said last year they had too much of the wrong inventory for the holiday season and is bracing for slow seasonal shopping season

In an interview with CNBC, Cornell said the retailer has seen seven consecutive quarters of declining sales.

'Even in food and beverage categories, over the last few quarters, the units, the number of items theyre buying, has been declining,' he said.

Target said last year they had too much of the wrong inventory for the holiday season and is bracing for slow seasonal shopping season.

'Weve taken a much more conservative approach in planning inventory this year,' Cornell said.

'But were going to lean into those big seasonal moments and play to win, when we know the consumer is looking for something thats new, looking for affordability, looking for that special item for the holiday season.'
A majority of Democrats nationally said they want to see another Democrat enter the race to challenge President Joe Biden for the 2024 nomination.

A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll found that 54 percent of Democrats and independents who leaned Democratic answered yes when asked if they'd like to see another challenger enter the race.

Twenty-eight percent said no, while 18 percent weren't sure.

Younger Americans were more keen to have Biden face a fresh primary challenger than older adults, the poll found, suggesting the president's age continues to be a liability.

Biden, the oldest president in American history, turns 81 on Monday.

A majority of Democrats nationally said they want to see another Democrat enter the race to challenge President Joe Biden for the 2024 nomination

The poll found that 69 percent of 18 to 29 year olds indicated they'd like to see another Democrat jump in and challenge Biden, while just 43 percent of Americans older than 65 agreed.

Among 30 to 44 year olds, 61 percent said they'd like Biden to gain another challenger, while 49 percent of 45 to 64 year olds held this view.

When the same group of Democrats and indendents who leaned Democratic was asked if they'd like to see Biden or someone else as the 2024 nominee, Biden came out ahead - with 46 percent saying Biden and 39 percent saying someone else.

On this question, independents were more likely to say they'd like a different option - 50 percent indicating so, versus 36 percent of Democrats.

Democrats and Democratic-leaning independents overwhelmingly backed Biden when asked to choose between him and his current two challengers - Minnesota Rep. Dean Phillips, who jumped in the race last month, and self-help guru Marianne Williamson.

In that three-way race, Biden received the support of 64 percent of respondents, while Phillips and Williamson received 4 percent each.

And Democrats, overall, were more forgiving when asked questions about Biden's fitness for office and his age.

The poll also found that Democrats were more forgiving when questions were asked about the nearly 81-year-old president's age and fitness, but some still had concerns

When survey respondents, including Republicans, were asked if Biden was fit to serve a second term, 60 percent responded no, while just 24 percent said yes.

His numbers were drastically dragged down by Republican sentiment.

Just 3 percent of Republicans said he was fit to serve a second term, while 95 percent said he wasn't.

A slim majority of Democrats, 54 percent, said he was fit enough to serve four more years, while 25 percent disagreed.

Overall, 55 percent of Americans said that Biden's advanced age - he'll be 82 on inauguration day 2025 - was a 'big problem' for them, while another 26 percent said it was a small problem.

Among Democrats and Democratic-leaners, just 27 percent considered it a big problem, while another 44 percent rated Biden's age a small problem.

Republicans were far more harsh, with 86 percent saying Biden's age was a big problem and 9 percent saying it was a small problem.

Former President Donald Trump, Biden's likely challenger, received slightly better marks when Americans were asked if he was fit to serve another four years.

Thirty-eight percent said yes - compared to 24 percent for Biden - while 49 percent said no.

When Americans were asked which candidate had a bigger problem - Trump's legal drama to Biden's age - the results were a statistical tie - with 41 percent answering Biden's age and 42 percent saying Trump's 91 criminal charges.

For the poll, 1,584 U.S. adults were surveyed between November 9 and 13 and it had a margin of error of plus or minus 2.8 percent.
Putin previously claimed defence systems will not be able to catch it

It will reportedly be able to hit targets at 27 times the speed of sound

The Avangard missile will be able to strike multiple global targets, Moscow says

Vladimir Putin has threatened the West with his deadliest hypersonic missile yet, amid claims it will be able to strike multiple global targets after speeding off into space.

The nuclear-capable Avangard missile, which is reported to be able hit targets at 27 times the speed of sound, is seen in new footage installed in an underground launch silo in Russia's Orenburg region.

The 20,000mph missile with a hypersonic glide vehicle will be able to leave the earth's atmosphere before striking any target in the world in less than 30 minutes, according to Moscow.

Video shows the missile being slowly loaded onto a tanker, before a column of armed vehicles leads it to a launch site.

The Avangard is then seen being placed upright, before it launches upwards.

The video then cuts to a crude animation designed to show off the missile's capabilities.

The video shows the Avangard missile being fired upwards, after it is taken to a launch site

Video shows the missile being slowly loaded onto a tanker on its way to a launch site

Vladimir Putin (pictured) previously boasted: 'The Avangard is invulnerable to interception by any existing and prospective missile defence means of the potential adversary'

A column of armed vehicles was seen leading the nuclear-capable missile it to a launch site

The video then cuts to a crude animation designed to show off the missile's capabilities

The Avangard is then seen being placed upright, before it launches upwards

It can be seen swerving around military ships in an ocean, and quickly evading defence missiles fired towards it.

Putin, who has just returned to Russia from a rare foreign trip trip to China, claims the West has no means to stop Avangard.

He has previously claimed the Avangard strikes 'like a meteorite' and is unstoppable by any defence system.

Putin previously boasted: 'The Avangard is invulnerable to interception by any existing and prospective missile defence means of the potential adversary.'

A report by Pool Number 3 outlet said today that 'the next Avangard hypersonic missile system has entered combat duty'.

It stated: 'In the Orenburg region, work continues to re-equip the Yasnensky missile formation with the Avangard silo-based missile system.

'An intercontinental ballistic missile is loaded into a silo launcher using a special transport and loading unit.

'The infrastructure of the position area has been prepared for the deployment of the next missile regiment on combat duty, including facilities for preparing duty shifts, combat duty and personnel rest.'

The Avangard is then seen being placed upright, before it launches upwards

Putin, who has just returned to Russia from a rare foreign trip trip to China, claims the West has no means to stop Avangard

It can be seen swerving around military ships in an ocean, and quickly evading defence missiles fired towards it

It has been five years since Putin outlined the missile's reported capabilities

Putin claimed in 2018: 'When moving towards a target, the gliding winged unit.carries out extensive manoeuvring, both laterally to several thousand [miles], and manoeuvres its altitude'

It has been five years since Putin outlined the missile's reported capabilities.

In a 2018 video, he stated: 'When moving towards a target, the gliding winged unit.carries out extensive manoeuvring, both laterally to several thousand [miles], and manoeuvres its altitude.

'This makes it absolutely impenetrable to any air and missile defence.

'The use of new composite materials made it possible to solve the problem of long-term controlled flight of a gliding winged unit, practically under conditions of plasma formation.

'It goes at a goal like a meteorite, like a burning ball, like a fireball.'

The latest video of the Avangard missile comes just weeks after Ukrainian intelligence claimed that two major Russian tests of nuclear-capable missiles went awry.

On November 1, Vladimir Putin's forces 'conducted an unsuccessful test of the RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missile, which is the main element of the ground-based component of the Russian strategic nuclear forces'.

The missile 'went off course, as it did during the previous command and control exercises' on 25 October, says the Ukrainian defence ministry's main intelligence directorate.

'Similarly, the test launch of the RSM-56 Bulava ballistic missile from a.missile submarine on 25 October 2023 was unsuccessful, once again proving its insecurity,' it added.
A Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and another Tory MP are being investigated by Parliament's sleaze watchdog.

Dame Eleanor Laing and Virginia Crosbie are both being probed over 'actions causing significant damage to the reputation' of the Commons.

The pair have previously faced questions about a 'birthday drinks' bash in Parliament in December 2020, when strict Covid rules were in place.

The alleged lockdown-busting event is claimed to have been hosted in Dame Eleanor's offices in order to celebrate the birthdays of Ms Crosbie and Anne Jenkin.

Baroness Jenkin is a Tory peer who is the wife of senior Conservative MP Sir Bernard Jenkin.

The December 2020 gathering was cited by former prime minister Boris Johnson in a statement accusing Sir Bernard of 'monstrous hypocrisy'.

Sir Bernard allegedly attended the event before he later sat on the cross-party panel which found Mr Johnson had lied to MPs with his Partygate denials.

An alleged lockdown-busting event is claimed to have been hosted in Dame Eleanor Laing's offices in order to celebrate the birthdays of Virginia Crosbie and Anne Jenkin

Ms Crosbie, MP for Ynys Mon, apologised earlier this year for attending an event in Parliament while Covid restrictions were still in place

The December 2020 gathering was cited by former prime minister Boris Johnson in a statement accusing Sir Bernard Jenkin of 'monstrous hypocrisy'

The Commons' Standards Commissioner, Daniel Greenberg, is now looking into claims Dame Eleanor and Ms Crosbie may have broken rules for MPs.

An investigation opened yesterday is centred on allegations about 'actions causing significant damage to the reputation of the House as a whole, or of its Members generally'.

The Commissioner has not released any further details regarding the probe.

Ms Crosbie, MP for Ynys Mon, apologised earlier this year for attending an event in Parliament while Covid restrictions were still in place.

In a statement, she said that she did not receive a penalty from police over the event and promised to 'cooperate fully' with the probe.

She said: 'I will, of course, co-operate fully with this investigation.

'However, I would like to confirm I was contacted by the Metropolitan Police in October.

'It told me that following an investigation I would not receive a Fixed Penalty Notice in relation to allegations that Covid regulations were breached at an event I attended on 8th December 2020.'

Dame Eleanor, MP for Epping Forest, has served as a Deputy Speaker since 2013 under both current Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle and his predecessor John Bercow.

An invite sent by Baroness Jenkin on WhatsApp described the planned bash in December 2020 as a 'birthday drinks' party for 'a few of our favourite people'.

The planned event was described as being 'v small and socially distanced'.

At the time, lockdown regulations in London made clear that 'you must not meet socially indoors with family or friends unless they are part of your household...or support bubble'.
California police have arrested Loay Alnaji on an involuntary manslaughter charge for the death of Jewish protester Paul Kessler.

Kessler, 69, died after getting into an altercation with Alnaji at a protest in Thousand Oaks earlier this month.

An autopsy revealed he'd been hit in the face and died after hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk. Witnesses said Alnaji attacked him, causing him to fall.

Loay Alnaji, 50, has been taken into custody on an involuntary manslaughter charge. He is shown at the protest where Kessler was fatally injured

Kessler, 69, died after getting into an altercation with Alnaji at a protest in Thousand Oaks earlier this month. An autopsy revealed he'd been hit in the face and died after hitting his head on the concrete sidewalk. Witnesses said Alnaji attacked him, causing him to fall

Alnaji was taken into custody today by The Ventura County Sheriff's Office.

He is being held on a $1million bond.

Police continue to appeal to anyone who captured their altercation on video.

At the scene, Alnjai was filmed telling a police officer he was trying to hit Kessler's phone away.

But witnesses including Kessler's friend, Jonathan Oswaks, say he punched him with his megaphone.

'All of a sudden, I see a punch...the white megaphone flying through the air,' Oswaks, speaking at the scene of the protest last week, said.

Oswaks implored the police to act sooner.

Alnaji stayed at the scene after Kessler was taken away in an ambulance. He later cooperated with police at his home.

Videos taken after he fell show Palestine supporters continuing to chant against Israel, and some making antisemitic remarks about Hitler.

DailyMail.com was the first to name Alnaji, who works as a computer science professor at Ventura County Community College.
TikTok users have been sharing the video in the context of the Israel-Hamas war

An open letter to the US by Osama Bin Laden justifying his 9/11 terror attacks has gone viral after being discovered by pro-Palestine Gen-Z TikTokers on the Guardian website.

The 'Letter to America' was circulated amongst British Islamic extremists in 2002, a year after the atrocities, and saw the al-Qaeda leader attempt to justify the murderous acts in New York, Pennsylvania and Virginia that killed nearly 3,000.

It was published on the Guardian's website in its entirety, based on a translation it obtained, under a link titled 'Read the Bin Laden letter in full' - but the newspaper has now removed it after people began sharing it in the context of the Israel-Hamas war.

On TikTok and other social media platforms, video creators appear to have equated the 9/11 mastermind's views on Palestine with showing solidarity with Palestinian people in the current conflict in the Middle East.

One user wrote: 'Just read it... my eyes have been opened,' while another said: 'I think this has made a lot of people realize that even 'villains' can speak the truth.'

TikTok is 'proactively and aggressively' removing the content and has launched an investigation into how it appeared on the social media site.

Osama Bin Laden wrote his 'letter to America' in 2002, using it in a twisted attempt to justify the 9/11 attacks

At Bin Laden's direction, nearly 3,000 Americans were killed on 9/11 in New York City, Washington DC and Pennsylvania on September 11 2001

The trend appears to have started with TikToker Lynette Adkins who posted a video on November 14 telling her followers to read the manifesto

Hundreds of Gen Z users posted videos in which they seemingly confused the hateful diatribe for an intellectual think piece

Bin Laden - who was killed by US troops in a Pakistan operation in May 2011 - espoused deeply anti-Semitic views and conspiracy theories in the letter, and said that the American army was 'shamelessly helping the Jews fight against us'.

He also sought to justify the indiscriminate slaughter of American citizens because they indirectly fund American military efforts through paying taxes.

He wrote: 'The American people are the ones who pay the taxes which fund the planes that bomb us in Afghanistan, the tanks that strike and destroy our homes in Palestine, the armies which occupy our lands in the Arabian Gulf, and the fleets which ensure the blockade of Iraq.

'These tax dollars are given to Israel for it to continue to attack us and penetrate our lands. So the American people are the ones who fund the attacks against us, and they are the ones who oversee the expenditure of these monies in the way they wish, through their elected candidates.'

The Guardian's digital edition of the letter was shared to TikTok by a number of users - seemingly deliberately ignoring Bin Laden's role as a terrorist warlord responsible for instigating, and inspiring, atrocities across the world.

Nor do most users make any comment on the most extreme comments Bin Laden makes in the manifesto, including calls for the 'rejection' of homosexuality and a claim that AIDS was a 'satanic American invention'.

The letter also perpetrates a long-running antisemitic conspiracy theory about Jewish people, claiming that they 'have taken control of your economy (and) your media...making you their servants'.

These points are largely not being discussed by those sharing the letter on social platforms.

One video, which features the text of the letter in full, was tagged #freepalestine.

The trend appears to have originated with influencer Lynette Adkins, who told her 177,000 followers: 'I need everyone to stop doing what theyre doing right now and go read Letter to America, I feel like Im going through an existential crisis right now.'

'Be forewarned, this has left me disillusioned,' one user said.

Another video was captioned: 'Disclaimer: I do not agree with every single thing written on that letter. However, he made some good points.'

TikTok has also come under fire because its algorithm selectively 'boosts' content that is going viral, making it visible to more users.

The #lettertoamerica hashtag has been viewed 12.5 million times on the site, according to its own statistics, while some of the videos have been 'liked' over 100,000 times.

The Guardian's website now displays this notice in place of the letter, which had previously been published in full

The US continues to hold memorial ceremonies for the victims of 9/11, 22 years after the tragedy (pictured: the US flag is unfurled at the 2023 memorial ceremony)

Countdown mathematician Rachel Riley hit out at social media firms for 'popularising' terrorist manifestos

Writer Frances Weetman claimed that the version of the letter published by the Guardian - which is littered with anti-Semitic, homophobic and racist views - was 'sanitised'

Countdown mathematician Rachel Riley, who is Jewish, said on X, formerly Twitter: 'If social media companies think algorithms popularising this level of terrorist propaganda is OK, prioritising profits over people, then humanity, we have a problem.'

Signing off with a 'mind blown' emoji, she added: 'No, Osama Bin Laden is not misunderstood.'

Writer Frances Weetman, however, had another take - claiming the Guardian version of Bin Laden's extremist letter, was 'sanitised' to remove the most extreme anti-Semitic elements.

She wrote: 'The real question isnt why idiot leftist children indoctrinated on Tiktok are agreeing with Osama Bin Laden but why the guardian had originally published a sanitised version of his words that erases the references to Jewish world power / capital.'

Some TikTok users have shared their discomfort at sharing the views of an infamous terrorist leader.

One user commented on a video: 'There are literally so many other ways to promote Palestinian liberation than boosting bin Laden.'

A spokesperson for TikTok said: 'Content promoting this letter clearly violates our rules on supporting any form of terrorism. We are proactively and aggressively removing this content and investigating how it got onto our platform.

'The number of videos on TikTok is small and reports of it trending on our platform are inaccurate. This is not unique to TikTok and has appeared across multiple platforms and the media.'

In its 2002 article accompanying the letter, The Guardian said the text had been published in Arabic on a Saudi Arabian website used by al-Qaeda to disseminate messages to followers, and was sent to British extremists via email.

Visiting the page the letter was published on, the following message is now displayed: 'This page previously displayed a document containing, in translation, the full text of Osama bin Ladens letter to the American people, as reported in the Observer on Sunday 24 November 2002.

'The document, which was published here on the same day, was removed on 15 November 2023.'

The Guardian said in a statement on the removal of the letter: 'The transcript published on our website 20 years ago has been widely shared on social media without the full context. Therefore we have decided to take it down and direct readers to the news article that originally contextualized it instead.'

However, the newspaper has also been criticised by some who claim that removing a manifesto littered with anti-Semitism, racism and homophobia was a form of 'censorship'.

Lynette Adkins, who is believed to have been among the first to share the letter on TikTok, said in a later video: 'The Guardian taking that post down is actually one of the worst things she could have done.'

Frederick Joseph, an author of books on racism, claimed it was an act of 'narrative control', adding: 'Theyre afraid of people having information so they decided to take it down.'
University bosses have ordered a liberal professor at Michigan Tech to calm down after he launched into a furious rant about his freedom-loving students commemorating the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Dr Carl Blair was triggered when the Young Americans for Freedom (YAF) staged a 'Freedom Week' on the Houghton campus to mark the 34th anniversary of the Cold War's end.

Events entitled 'Celebrating Our Veterans' and 'The Victims of Socialism' prompted the archeology professor to lash out at students in class, seemingly unaware that one was recording him.

'It was childish, stupid, homophobic, dumb, racist twits,' he told them, 'that's the polite version.'

'It was wrong, it was tacky, stupid, uncollegial, really bad taste, and it shows what a bunch of ying yangs they are,' he continued.

Michigan Tech professor Dr Carl Blair lashed out at his conservative students, labelling them 'childish, stupid, homophobic, dumb, racist twits'

The Young Americans for Freedom chapter at Michigan Tech also faced protests from other students when they tried to stage a 'Freedom Week' on their Houghton campus

They reproduced a section of the Berlin Wall to mark the anniversary of its collapse in 1989

'You know, it's too bad you all have to deal with things like that. Wasted half my morning dealing with things like that. It's annoying.'

To promote their event the group constructed a model of the graffiti-splattered Berlin Wall erected by Communist East Germany in 1961 to stop its citizens fleeing to the West.

Its fall in 1989 was widely celebrated around the world and marked for many the end of the Communist threat to Europe.

But that too sparked fury at the former mining school where one student tried to destroy the group's exhibit.

'We stand by free speech on all campuses across the United States,' the group said in a statement.

'We do so in the face of insults from a professor and others who think First Amendment protections only apply to their worldview.

'The student who vandalized our display has the right to free speech, but went too far, endangering people and damaging property.'

Citizens of East Germany took axes and hammers to the Berlin Wall as it came down in 1989 marking an end to the Cold War

The university was the scene of a furious row two years ago when computer engineering professor Jeffrey Burl claimed he had been 'systematically discriminated against for 40 years for being a white man'.

He demanded an apology from the college after it passed a resolution criticizing 'anti-Blackness and systemic racism' in both the university and society.

'Simple statistical analysis will demonstrate that Michigan Tech's hiring practices are biased against white males,' he wrote.

'At Michigan Tech, I have seen no signs of discrimination against women and people of color.'

Dr Blair, who specializes in Roman and Anglo-Saxon England, describes himself on the university website as 'the most experienced experimental archaeology metal smelter in the world'.

But he has attracted mixed reviews on the student website ratemyprofessors.com with one describing him as 'Incredibly pretentious and rude', and another calling him 'straight up insufferable'.

'All he did was talk about how great socialism could be and was so confused as to why people fear communism,' claimed a third.

Blair claimed his targets in YAF were deliberately being provocative to trigger a clampdown by university authorities.

'There are, quite bluntly, certain faculty members who are hoping the students will be censored for this,' he said.

'Because then they can go off and say and pretend "Oh we're victims, you're restricting our, you know, freedom of speech, we should have, we have a constitutional right to be insulting, violent and threatening. How dare you restrict our speech?"

'That's not what college should be about,' he continued.

The group accused 'leftist students' of trying to destroy their exhibit

The university near the shores of Lake Superior was founded as the Michigan Mining School in 1885, and gained its current name in 1964

'You know, it should be a place where you could learn, experience, do interesting things, have interesting opportunities  hint, hint, study away  uh, rather than wasting your time and having to address idiots.

'They're idiots out there. Sorry, that's life.'

The university has refused to be drawn into the row, but it issued a barbed hint that Blair should mind his manners.

'As a flagship technological university with a strong research focus, Michigan Tech vigorously supports freedom of speech and academic freedom,' a spokesman told Fox News.

'With this, we expect an environment of respect and civility, even more so within our classrooms.'
Four people have been arrested after eco activists from This is Rigged sprayed red paint over a Sainsbury's in Glasgow city centre.

The windows of the shop on Buchanan Street and the pavement outside were left covered in the paint following the incident this morning.

A picture of Sainsbury's chief executive Simon Roberts was plastered on the window of the store and defaced as part of the action.

Protest group This is Rigged is demanding that supermarkets reduce the price of baby products by a quarter. They also want the Scottish Government to fully fund a community food hub per every 500 households, providing three meals a day to anyone who needs them.

Police attended the scene and said four people were arrested.

The scene outside the Sainsbury's on Buchanan Street in Glasgow, after red paint was thrown at the supermarket windows

Four activists from This is Rigged targeted the Sainsburys in Scotland earlier today

Footage posted on X shows the activists spraying the shop's windows while also throwing paint bombs at the store

Police attend the scene after the windows of the shop and the pavement outside were left covered in red paint

Police attended the scene and said four people were arrested

The group were left with paint splattered on themselves and came wearing This Is Rigged T-shirts

Footage posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, shows the activists spraying the shop's windows while also throwing paint bombs at the store.

Meanwhile another activist can be seen rolling glue onto the window so another can stick on the Simon Roberts picture.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Around 8.20am on Thursday, police were called to a report of a staged protest and vandalism outside a supermarket on Buchanan Street, Glasgow.

'Four women have been arrested in connection with the incident and inquiries are ongoing.'

A Sainsbury's spokesperson told MailOnline: 'Police were called to an incident at our Buchanan Local store this morning. We are supporting them with their investigation.'
Sixty women at the Ministry of Defence have written a letter describing a 'toxic' and hostile working environment - with claims of sexual assault and harassment from male co-workers.

The letter, marked 'official-sensitive', was submitted to the MoD's permanent secretary David Williams last month by a group of top female civil servants and included anonymised accounts of abuse.

The group of 'senior civilian women' describe the workplace culture at the MoD as 'hostile to women as equal and respected partners'.

Many of them recalled incidents whether they were 'propositioned', 'groped' and 'touched repeatedly' by male colleagues, The Guardian reports.

The letter stated: '[Our] day-to-day professional lives are made difficult thanks to behaviours that would be considered toxic and inappropriate in public life, but that are tolerated at the MoD.

Sixty women at the Ministry of Defence have written a letter describing a 'toxic' and hostile working environment - with claims of sexual assault and harassment from male co-workers

'We are spoken over during meetings, we are subject to pejorative language, we receive unwanted attention and face sexual harassment, including intrusive staring, sexualised comments, running commentary about what we wear, how we look, and how we smell.'

The letter includes 'very recent' alleged incidents at the department's London base as well as overseas trips.

The allegations, said to come from 'senior civilian women in operational and security roles', include:

- One woman who claimed she was groped at a social event but was discouraged from making a complaint.

- A woman working overseas who alleged a senior military officers repeatedly touched her on her lower back and legs, adding that he went 'unpunished'.

- A claim that a group of officers ran an Excel spreadsheet that rated women 'on their looks' and 'what they thought they'd be like in bed'.

- Another woman who claimed a senior defence official asked 'whether anal sex' was an appropriate topic for his speech.

- A female employee described being propositioned in a corridor by military officer at an overseas base.

According to the letters' authors, the claims are the 'tip of the iceberg' and detail 'a current problem, not a historical one'.

Several of those who gave testimonies recall being 'sick with fear' and 'sobbing in the bathroom'.

The letter states that women who attempt to speak up are 'generally minimised rather than listened to' and that '[the MoD's] complaints system is not fit for purpose'.

In a statement, the MoD said: 'We are taking action to tackle the deeply concerning issues raised. No woman should be made to feel unsafe in Defence and this behaviour will not be tolerated.

'We also continue to encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed this kind of inexcusable behaviour, to report it immediately.'

The Guardian had sight of a letter of response from Mr Williams dated October 5, in which he states he is 'disappointed and appalled' by the allegations.

Mr Williams attempts to assure the women their concerns are 'being taken seriously and will be acted on'. He added that the chief of the defence staff, Adm Sir Tony Radakin, had been informed of their claims.
A bogus police officer who 'persistently' followed former education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson and accused him of genocide has been spared jail and handed a retraining order.

Simon Parry filmed himself pursuing Sir Gavin for 21 minutes, bombarding him with questions and making comments about the vaccination programme, before uploading the footage on social media.

Sir Gavin, the Conservative MP for South Staffordshire, previously told Westminster Magistrates Court that Parry, 45, had flashed a warrant card as he threatened to arrest him while dressed in a blue superman shirt and shorts during the encounter.

He told the court the stalking 'got more and more intimidating' as Parry approached him on May 24 and June 14 of this year.

Recalling the first incident, Sir Gavin told the court: 'As I walked along it was apparent that the main things that were being said were issues to do with the vaccination programme and comments about why this was wrong and what had been done to children as a result of people taking vaccinations.

Simon Parry filmed himself pursuing Sir Gavin for 21 minutes, bombarding him with questions and making comments about the vaccination programme

Sir Gavin told the court the stalking 'got more and more intimidating' as Parry approached him on May 24 and June 14 of this year

It felt very close all the way through, he felt in close proximity, I tried to continue to look forward because I did not want to engage in that conversation, but it was by the peripheral vison I could see that it was being filmed as I walked past the protest pen outside Downing Street.

I think what is evident from the recording is that it is someone who is quite aggressive towards you and someone who does not really want to have a discussion but more express their views at you.

Of course as an MP, you get a lot of people approaching you all the time. Normally they want to discuss things with you but this was in a very different manner from that.

It just really is the approach, usually people want to have a discussion with you and will ask if they can have a moment of your time. This time, the defendant was immediately filming the approach and how he came up so incredibly close.

Referring to the second incident in June Sir Gavin told the court: As I passed the protest area which is opposite Downing Street, I phoned a constituent who had had some bad news.

I was talking to them on the phone and as I passed the protest area, I heard a number of shouts which I assumed were aimed at me.

I didnt really think anything more of it initially and then as I got closer to the old war office, I sensed there was someone who was in very close proximity to me, following me and addressing comments at me as I walked along.

Parry (pictured) was accused of following former education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson twice

I heard comments about people being arrested, comments about the vaccination programme, comments about Matt Hancock.

As I walked along, I thought the best thing to do instead of engaging was to just carry on talking to that constituent and carry on my way. I hoped he would disengage if I walked at a brisk pace.

In video footage taken by Parry which was played it court, Parry can be heard saying: 'MPs know they are on borrowed time, this is a genocide of your own people... dead man walking there and I am a free man and I can do what the f*** I want'.

At one point in the recording, Sir Gavin says to Parry: 'You are harassing me'.

Parry replies: 'I have a larger influence than you mate, a much larger influence than you. Last time I got a bit closer and you got a bit scared, I don't know why.

'I can arrest you right now if I wanted to, can I ask you a question please'.

Sir Gavin told the court of the incident: I became aware of the comments, I heard the comments about MPs and such and then I realised that actually it is not just people walking past you, it is people making comments specifically about yourself.

Obviously it is someone with quite a specific viewpoint and mentioning genocide and things like that, hits you quite hard and makes you realise that someone is quite agitated.

Parry (left) was supported by Piers Corbyn, brother of former Labour Party leader Jeremy, when he appeared at the City of London Magistrates' Court last month

I paused to see if they would walk on or not in the hope that they would disengage from following me.

I stopped to get in the sense in my mind that if I stopped in the road, if the defendant was not interested in targeting me, they would carry on walking, in which case I would be able to give them some space.

It became clear that I was the person they were targeting and pursuing. I became aware quite early on because again my peripheral vision, I realised that they were holding up their phone as they went along.

You can see from the recording that they were almost side by side at times. Of course, I was very conscious that they had been filming me there.

You heard quite a bit of it as to what was going on and you could sense the quite extreme viewpoints being expressed.

You felt quite concerned that there was an individual who was not being totally rational and was being quite aggressive towards myself.

I had thought about talking to the individual but it became clear that it would not be possible to have a normal conversation.

I was talking to a constituent who had had to have their dog put down and I was talking to them. Why should I not do what I thought was my job because this very aggressive person was harassing me and pursuing me.

Sir Gavin said he has changed the route he takes home and varies these regularly to reduce the chance of a similar incident in future

I thought if he felt he was going to be ignored, he was almost wanting to get a reaction, so I thought it best to just carry on going, thinking he would get bored and leave you alone.

It is very unusual to have someone just continue to follow you, it felt increasingly threatening and I just hoped boredom would get him and he would want to return to his group at the protest pen.'

Sir Gavin also told the court that the incident became 'scary' as he attempted to walk to Euston train station to return to his home.

You could hear him talking in the background and just became more acutely aware and tuned in', he said.

I did try and crawl away and create some distance as best as I could. By this stage I was very concerned by what he was doing and the persistence.

At this point it became more scary because it is a bit of a confined space, I can hear constant references to police, police, police. Quite extreme views were being mentioned as well as threats being thrown around. You start to become quite fearful.'

He added that he asked his constituent to stay on the phone to him throughout the incident.

'I explained the situation I was in and said I hoped she did not mind if I just kept talking to her because I felt it was important to have an almost comfort to myself', he told the court.

Parry, of no fixed abode, was convicted of one count of stalking. He was cleared of impersonating a police officer due to lack of evidence

It increasingly got more and more intimidating. It felt clear that the defendant wanted me to feel intimidated and obviously to give the impression that I was going to get arrested by himself.

In my view I had heard the word police repeated a number of times as I was walking along and it was with the clear intent to make me feel that he was a police officer and he could arrest me.

I thought that the seriousness of it was so much greater, it is not normal behaviour to pursue someone like that, I felt incredibly threatened by it.'

In quite a short period of time, it had happened on two occasions', he added.

Extreme actions, disturbing comments being thrown at me and said and then it was the sense of trying to say that I am a police officer, this is a warrant card, is he going to do that to another politician or another member of the public that is maybe not quite so used to doing that because he was using that warrant card for something of authority to scare and influence people.

It does make you much more worried in London because that is where the incident happened and it does make you more concerned about your personal safety and just recently someone was arrested and imprisoned as a result of death threats, and this type of incident just makes you increasingly concerned about your personal safety.'

He added that he has changed the route he takes home and varies these regularly to reduce the chance of a similar incident in future.

The court previously heard Parry filmed the encounter with the Tory MP and uploaded it on social media

You dont really know what they are capable of doing and you sadly do hear of incidents where people have used a knife or such thing in the past', he said.

It just makes you more fearful when you are going about your own business.

Parry attended the court with a group of supporters including Piers Corbyn, the brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn.

Parry, of no fixed abode, was convicted of one count of stalking. He was cleared of impersonating a police officer due to lack of evidence.

He was handed a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and given a five-year restraining order prohibiting him from contacting Sir Gavin or any member of his office, either directly or indirectly.

He must also not knowingly go within 100 metres of the MP.

He must also carry out 100 hours of unpaid work, attended 20 days of rehabilitation activity requirement and pay costs of 654.

District Judge Tan Ikram told Parry: On two occasions you sought to engage with him [Sir Gavin], he made it clear he was not interested.

On the second occasion you followed him, over a very considerable distance, over a period of 20 minutes.

He changed his route in hope you would not follow him; this has had an impact on him. He says that as a result he has not only felt threatened, but he felt that you tried to demean him, that you acted in a hostile and aggressive manner towards him and he has concerns now in relation to being in London and if his children were with him.

You conducted yourself in an intimidating manner that day, Ive been addressed on sentencing guidelines, and I agree with the assessment that finds the offence is aggravated by the fact that the second incident was prolonged.

It wasnt an accidental encounter in the sense you continued to question him, you continued, in my view, to try and provoke him and you have made it clear in your pre-sentence report, and your evidence, you also sought to speak to other MPs.

I also note your attitude towards Sir Gavin and MPs, generally it seems to me you do not fully accept your wrongs, you think this is an appropriate way to challenge MPs, well let me be clear it is not.
Elon Musk was removed from the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO speaker schedule and replaced with John Kerry after a scheduling clash.

The Tesla founder was meant to be speaking at 4.45pm in San Francisco on a panel about AI and the future - but Musk's name was removed from the docket.

This is because Musk had a schedule change that stopped him from attending in person. He offered to give the speech online, but the APEC declined.

APEC's meeting is a high-profile summit of 21 countries, expected to bring as many as 30,000 people to the Bay Area this week, including China's President Xi Jinping.

Elon Musk, pictured on November 2 speaking to British prime minister Rishi Sunak. The Tesla founder was meant to be speaking at 4.45pm in San Francisco on a panel about AI and the future - but Musk's name was removed from the docket

Musk has been taken off the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO speaker schedule after a scheduling clash, and was replaced with John Kerry

APEC CEO Summit 2023 said in a statement: 'The session, A Summit Spotlight 1:1 Conversation on AI and the Future, will now feature Marc Benioff, Chair and CEO of Salesforce, in conversation with John Kerry, U.S. Special Presidential Envoy for Climate.

'Elon Musk had a schedule change that prevented him from joining the APEC CEO Summit 2023.

'Were thankful for his offer to join the session remotely, however it was agreed among all speakers that participation would be in person.

'We look forward to Elon joining us at a future APEC CEO Summit.'

Joe Biden hosted a $40,000-per-seat gala last night in San Francisco with Chinese President Xi Jinping as the 'guest of honor.'

Among the top leaders at the dinner surrounding the APEC meeting with Xi were Apple's Tim Cook and Executive Vice President of Boeing Stanley Deal.

Tesla, SpaceX and X CEO Elon Musk also made an appearance ahead of the gala for cocktail hour drinks where he rubbed elbows with the Chinese dictator amid rising tensions with the West.

He departed before dinner began, according to multiple reports.

Musk was not on the list of corporate attendees and representatives at the gala, according to a program of the event obtained by DailyMail.com.

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff also greeted Xi during cocktail hour but didn't stay for dinner.

Also not on the program but in attendance for Wednesday night's pricey dinner were executives from Pfizer, Nike and FedEx. Former California Gov. Jerry Brown also paid the premium to attend.

The soiree was held at the Hyatt Regency in San Francisco, California, with a price tag of $40,000 per seat.

Other unlisted business leaders that attended the dinner were executives with Nike, Pfizer and FedEx. Elon Musk stopped by for cocktail hour to rub shoulders with Xi, but didn't stay for dinner

On Wednesday, Elon Musk backtracked on his earlier endorsement of an antisemitic post, clarifying that calls for 'a Jewish genocide' were 'unacceptable to any reasonable person.'

But he then resumed his long-running series of attacks on the antisemitism watchdog ADL.

Musk was accused on Wednesday afternoon of promoting antisemitism after replying to a racist post with the comment: 'You have said the actual truth.'

He then, two hours later, wrote: ''decolonization' necessarily implies a Jewish genocide. Thus it is unacceptable to any reasonable person.'

Musk, who has been strongly criticized by the Anti-Defamation League and Israel's Foreign Ministry for his past remarks, then attacked the ADL, accusing them of racism.

'And, at the risk of being repetitive, I am deeply offended by ADL's messaging and any other groups who push de facto anti-white racism or anti-Asian racism or racism of any kind,' he said.

'I'm sick of it. Stop now.'

Musk sparked the firestorm on Wednesday by responding to a man who posted a screed on X criticizing a Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism campaign video.

In the video, a father is seen talking to his son about the online hatred the son has spewed, and calling him out for his rhetoric.

The X user dismissed the video, writing: 'Jewish communties (sic) have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them.

'I'm deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest s*** now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realization that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country don't exactly like them too much.

'You want truth said to your face, there it is.'

Musk, who has 163 million followers, replied: 'You have said the actual truth.'
A five-year-old girl was found clinging to life in a hamper in her family's Alabama home before dying in hospital, spurring a police investigation.

Cops in Birmingham have identified the victim as Khloe Teresa Williamson, who was found by relatives early Monday.

A kindergartener at Magnolia Elementary, Khloe had been playing with her two young siblings when she somehow found herself in the receptacle, her family said.

The girl's mother, Alicia Williamson, 39, is a teacher at a local middle school that belongs to the same school district as Magnolia, and was mentioned by the system's superintendent in a memorial post.

The statement, issued about 12 hours after the girl's still unexplained death, remembered Khloe - who was only a few months into her first-ever schoolyear - as 'a precious, smart and inquisitive child'.

Khloe Teresa Williamson, 5, was found by relatives early Monday, inside a hamper near-death, before dying at a hospital shortly after. A cause of death has yet to be revealed

Cops arrived the five-bedroom residence on Kestral View Road at 6:39 am Monday, but were unable to save the child. They believe the child's death was accidental, but an investigation remains ongoing

Trussville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Martin said in a statement Monday: 'This student was a precious, smart and inquisitive child whose heartbreaking loss affects us all,' Martin said.

'This is a very sad and tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family.

'We are arranging to have counselors on-site for our students and staff in the wake of this tragedy.'

An autopsy was performed that day, though a cause of death is still pending.

Cops, meanwhile, have aired the tentative belief the girl's death was an accident, but have maintained their investigation is still ongoing.

DailyMail.com reached out to the Trussville Police Department for an update on the investigation, and received a response from Trussville police Lt. Clint Riner, one of the detectives overseeing the probe.

The officer said that 'at this point in the investigation the death appears to be accidental,' but cited that it 'is still an active investigation and no other details are currently available.

'The final coroners report will be need prior to the conclusion of the investigation,' he wrote in an email.

Previously, Riner revealed officers found Khloe still alive after receiving a call from a relative at early Monday morning.

The arrived the five-bedroom residence on Kestral View Road at 6:39 am, the lieutenant said - with officials from the town's fire and rescue squad then rushing the child five mile to St. Vincents Hospital.

'This student was a precious, smart and inquisitive child whose heartbreaking loss affects us all,' Trussville City Schools Superintendent Dr. Patrick Martin said of the minor. 'This is a very sad and tragic event, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family'

The girl's mother is a teacher at a local middle school that belongs to the same school district as Magnolia, and was mentioned by the system's superintendent in the memorial post

There, at 7:17am, the child was pronounced dead, Riner said - before confirming to a local newspaper that a subsequent autopsy revealed no trauma or signs of foul play.

An obituary penned by the girl's family, meanwhile, offered a little more insight into the girl's death - with a relative writing that she passed away while playing with her brother and sister.

The post also announce the child's funeral this coming Saturday, as officers continue to the vet the case.

The memorial read: '[Khloe] passed away tragically while playing with her brother and sister on Monday, November 13, 2023.

'She was a happy child and brought incredible joy to her family Her smile was infectious to everyone she met', it continued.

The post added how Khloe 'loved going to school at Magnolia Elementary,' as well as reading, singing and dancing.

'Most of all,' it revealed, 'she loved playing with her siblings and spending time with her family. She is survived by her mother, Alicia Williamson; brother, Isaiah Williamson; [and] sister, Camille Williamson.'

Family added: 'There will be a memorial service on Saturday, November 18, 2023 at First Baptist Church of Trussville beginning at 2:30 PM.'

In lieu of flowers, relatives asked that donations be made to a fund to help the family with funeral costs.

The Jefferson County Coroners office said Wednesday that a cause of death will be provided after 'additional laboratory studies.'

Cops' investigation, as of Thursday, remains ongoing.
Parents of some of the children murdered in the Uvalde mass shooting are today divided over a Washington Post feature that publishes graphic images from the attack for the first time.

The newspaper published the photos along with previously-unseen images from other shootings in which AR-15s were used to commit mass murder.

Among the distressing images are some showing pools of blood on the floor of the classroom where Uvalde children were trapped with their killer, and one which shows their small bodies in bags.

In defense of its article, The Washington Post's Executive Editor Sally Buzbee penned an op-ed justifying and explaining why it chose to publish the photos, insisting it was to lay bare the horror AR-15s can cause.

People react outside the Ssgt Willie de Leon Civic Center, where students had been transported from Robb Elementary School after a shooting, in Uvalde, Texas, U.S. May 24, 2022

Kimberly Garcia, the mother of Amerie Jo Garza, pleaded with followers not to share the article

The decision to print the images nonetheless enraged some, including Kimberley Garcia, the mother of ten-year-old Amerie Jo Garza, one of the 19 children murdered.

Garcia says she tried to stop the article from being published, and begged her social media followers to ignore it.

'Please, please do not share the Washington Post. My daughter being taken from this world wasnt fair to begin with, its not fair how she was taken either.

'Amerie, her classmates, & her teachers dont deserve this,' she said in one of many social media posts denouncing the feature.

Democratic Senator Roland Gutierrez called the article 'beyond insulting' to the victims' families.

'My heart is with the families of Uvalde and every surviving family of gun violence.

Brett Cross, whose son Uziyah was killed, is in favor of the article. He said the world should see the damage caused by AR-15s

'The State of Texas has gone to massive lengths to cover up its abject failure in the response to the Robb Elementary shooting.

'Sadly, this is the first time Uvalde families are seeing these images, a full 18 months after the massacre.

'It is beyond insulting that state officials robbed these families of their dignity and ability to view these sensitive images in private, should they have chosen to do so.'

The Post says it obtained the images from more than 30 Freedom of Information Requests.

The newspaper published the photos along with previously-unseen images from other shootings in which AR-15s were used to commit mass murder

But sources within the Texas Department of Safety tell DailyMail.com the Uvalde photos were not issued through such a request, and instead were 'leaked'.

Brent Cross, the uncle and legal guardian of ten-year-old Uziyah Garcia, supported the Washington Post. He has been campaigning to outlaw AR-15s since the massacre on May 24, 2022.

I may stand alone in my thoughts as the Washington Post introduces new photos of the Robb Elementary Massacre, the shooting that took my son Uziyahs life.

'With nothing but love and respect to every family out there, from anybody who lost a loved one at our shooting, to the others displayed in this article, I disagree with not showing the public.

'I disagree with the public turning a blind eye to the reality that is America. Ive waited nearly two years for information and our city, state, and government still refuse to give us any,' he said.

In her op-ed, Buzbee said the newspaper intended to remain sensitive to the victims' families while aiming to 'advance the publics understanding of mass killers increasing use of this readily available weapon, which was originally designed for war.'
An army veteran is set to stand trial after being charged for silently praying for 'his dead son' at a buffer zone near an abortion clinic.

Adam Smith-Connor is accused of breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order around the Dean Park Clinic in Ophir Road, Bournemouth on November 24, 2022.

The order was put in place by BCP Council to prevent any forms of protesting in relation to abortion issues, including prayer and counselling.

Smith-Conner said he was praying in memory of his son and other cases of abortion and failed to leave the area when instructed by police.

Smith-Connor, aged 49 and of Kingfisher Way in Marchwood, Southampton, was subsequently arrested and charged with failure to comply with a public spaces protection order/expedited order.

Adam Smith-Connor is accused of breaching a Public Spaces Protection Order around the Dean Park Clinic in Ophir Road, Bournemouth on November 24, 2022

Smith-Conner said he was praying in memory of his son and other cases of abortion and failed to leave the area when instructed by police

He previously pleaded not guilty to the charge at Poole Magistrates' Court in August, with a trial set for today, November 16.

The trial did not go ahead as planned due to logistical issues, but has been set for two days at the same court on January 18, 2024. He was released on bail.

A district judge told him: 'I'm sorry that I've been unable to proceed but for various reasons, it hasn't. I have fixed a trial date which I am told is suitable for all parties that is on January 18.'

Dean Park Clinic in Ophir Road was granted the measure by BCP Council for three years in October 2022.

Anyone who breached the zone by harassing, obstructing or interfering with those attending the clinic faces a fine or prosecution.

Smith-Connor is being supported by the Christian legal advocacy group ADF UK.
A police officer has been shot dead while confronting an armed suspect in a late night incident in regional South Australia.

Three police officers attended a property at Senior near the Victorian border 270km south-east of Adelaide around 11.20pm on Thursday night to investigate an earlier disturbance.

Police were confronted by an armed suspect before shots were fired.

An officer sustained gunshot wounds and died at the scene, despite the desperate efforts of his colleagues and paramedics to revive him.

A second police officer who was shot was transported to Adelaide with non life-threatening injuries.

A police officer is dead after shots were fired during a late night incident. Pictured is a medical retrieval helicopter at the scene

The fatal shooting unfolded near the South Australian and Victoria border 270km south-east of Adelaide

A third officer at the scene was not physically injured and rendered assistance.

The alleged suspect was also shot by police and sustained serious life threatening injuries.

He was treated at the scene and airlifted to Adelaide where he remains under police guard.

Major Crime Detectives, Forensic Response Section and Internal Investigation Section remain at the the scene.

Police said there was no further threat to the community.

The incident occurred on Senior Road at Senior, 17km north of Bordertown.

SA Police Commissioner Grant Stevens is en route to the region and is expected to provide an update later on Friday morning.

He has been in contact with state police minister Joe Szakacs throughout the night.

'A heinous act of violence has taken the life of a SAPOL officer, and seriously injured another,' Mr Szakacs tweeted

'This is unthinkable, tragic and shocking.'

Premier Peter Malinauskas has been briefed about the 'terrible news'

Police remain at the scene near the South Australia and Victorian border

Foreign Minister and SA Senator Penny Wong said her thoughts were with the slain officer's loved ones and the police community.

'Every day, police risk their lives to keep us all safe,' she posted on X.

'I'm devastated for the family of a South Australian officer killed while protecting our community.

'We hope for the full recovery of his injured colleague.'

Federal opposition leader and former police officer Peter Dutton also paid tribute as he urged other Aussies to do the same.'

'A person has died and a family have lost a loved one,' he told Nine's Today Show.

'They've gone to a shift and tried to do the right thing and help people. They've met with somebody who had evil thoughts and outcomes.

'The community should stop and pause again and say thank you to our police officers for the work they do.'
A heritage railway has been rocked by abuse allegations against five volunteers with it claimed they threatened to 'kneecap' managers.

Police have launched a probe into the accusations and the workers who operated North Yorkshire Moors Railway's (NYMR) Levisham station have been temporarily banned from the site.

The historic 1912-styled train depot - used as a filming location for Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - has been run by the same lead volunteer for 40 years.

Levisham Station's 60 members have their own overnight accommodation and control their accounts - acting semi-independently of NYMR.

However, a confidential NYMR report has claimed volunteers have been charging for the use of a free cottage and offering it as short break accommodation.

It also suggests the volunteers were threatening and abusive towards managers and that they had built a turntable for trains without permission.

Police have launched a probe into the accusations and the workers who operated North Yorkshire Moors Railway's Levisham station have been temporarily banned

It is one of six stations that form part of the beautiful 18-mile stretch of charity-owned line where punters can take day trips on heritage locomotives.

A North Yorkshire Moors Railway spokesperson confirmed that volunteers had been suspended and said a police investigation was now underway.

They said: 'Currently a small group of volunteers have been asked not to return in a voluntary capacity.

'As this is an internal matter and part of an ongoing police investigation, we are not able to make any further comment.

'We are working hard to ensure the remaining volunteers are supported and we appreciate that this has been a difficult time.'

It's understood that NYMR management met with volunteers at Levisham Station in June this year where new 'boundaries' were agreed due to ongoing concerns.

By the end of the month, all volunteer activities at the station were suspended due to further concerns and a full review was commissioned.

The report, seen by The Yorkshire Post, detailed a raft of allegations made by managers.

The most serious claims suggested volunteers secretly rented out cottages, were abusive to staff and altered the line without permission.

It also alleged that 'unknown' persons were allowed to be part of the group without going through the official recruitment process.

Claims were also made that privately owned rail wagons had been connected to NYMR utilities and that parts of the station had been vandalised, with locks broken and superglued.

It further suggested that 'values' booklets had been ripped up and a framed photograph defaced and 'misleading' claims that the station was to close had been made.

The report accepted that 'NYMR culture has exacerbated the situation and that there were missed opportunities to widely engage with volunteers'.

There was also no official framework in place for how station groups should operate.

Yet the managers leading the review found that the group had 'disregarded the needs of the NYMR, safety and compliance'.

The historic 1912-styled train depot - used as a filming location for Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning - has been run by the same lead volunteer for 40 years

The authors added that the group 'operated as an entity themselves' and had a 'culture of silo working and disengagement with the NYMR'.

Work referred to in their station blog had been carried out contrary to management instructions, the report added.

The five suspended volunteers were disciplined because they did not 'embody values and actively went against them,' the report said.

Two, who had been involved in an incident in which staff were allegedly threatened at the station, were told that they would not be allowed to return.

A further two were asked to go through the recruitment and training process again if they wished to rejoin the group.

The fifth, who had allegedly withheld account books and keys, would be banned permanently unless they were handed over, and police advice would be sought if they refused to do so.

The report concluded: 'The group is valuable but cannot be permitted to operate in the same way. This is a very sad situation that has caused unnecessary stress to all concerned.

'It was the culmination of multiple concerns. Trust has broken down and the management no longer has confidence in the group's leadership.'

Responding to the document, the Levisham Station Group supplied examples of collaborative projects that members had taken part in with other stations.

They claimed that only turntable pit cleaning and repairs had been undertaken rather than a new one being built.

They said they had provided annual bank statements and had never been asked to submit their donations ledger for inspection.

On the subject of the cottage, they pointed out that it was rented by the volunteers from 1975 until the 1990s, when it was taken over by the railway and charging ended.

However, the volunteers staying overnight contributed to a 'kitty' fund for their own food and drink, as the station is not close to a shop.

They denied that anyone had ever paid to use the building or stayed there as a holiday.

The volunteers also denied knowledge of an anonymous phone call in which someone threatened to 'kneecap' managers and also said they did not know who had damaged the locks or booklets.

The poster was apparently defaced as a 'joke' several years ago during a Railway in Wartime event.

An independent group of shareholders submitted proof of ownership of the wagons stabled at Levisham, which were used for storage and workshop space.
A new poll from New Hampshire shows that while Donald Trump is holding onto his commanding lead, Nikki Haley is substantially closing the gap with the January 23 early primary state election swiftly approaching.

Trump is still the far frontrunner in the Republican primary with 42 percent support, according to the new CNN poll conducted by the University of New Hampshire. His standing is up 3 percent from September when he earned 39 percent by primary voters in the Granite State.

Meanwhile, Haley is 22 percent behind Trump with a shocking 20 percent support with just two months until the New Hampshire primaries.

The former UN Ambassador saw a massive jump from September when she was only polling at 12 percent in the same CNN polling.

A poll from New Hampshire this month shows Donald Trump remaining in the lead  but Nikki Haley is closing the gap with 20% in the early primary election state

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis is bumped to fourth place in the first-in-the-national primary election state, which will only follow the Iowa caucuses in January

Her strong debate performances coupled with other candidates suspending their campaign has helped Haley start to close the gap with Trump.

Iowa is holding the first primary contest with their caucuses on January 15  but New Hampshire is not far behind and will hold the first traditional primary elections on January 23.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis had an early lead among the field behind Trump, but is now placing fourth in New Hampshire with 9 percent support, after coming in with 23 percent support in the early primary state in July and dropping to 10 percent by September.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie  despite nationally falling behind, has been polling ahead of DeSantis in New Hampshire with 11 percent in September rising to 14 percent in November.

Christie is banking a lot on his performance in New Hampshire. He boasted on Fox News Wednesday that he has not spent 'on hour in Iowa' during this primary campaign.

He has also dismissed national polls, claiming they don't matter because the U.S. doesn't have a national primary, so he is focusing on his performance 'state-by-state.'

Christie sarcastically quipped at Fox News host Sandra Smith that he should 'just drop out' of the race because of RealClearPolitics national polling putting him at 2.4 percent.

Repeatedly, Christie pointed to surveys in New Hampshire, which is the early primary state where the 2024 hopeful is putting all of his weight for the January 23 elections.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie said he isn't worried about national polls because the primary election is state-by-state as he dismissed his dismal showing in national surveys

'I don't care where I am in national polling,' Christie shot-back at Smith when she asked how he thinks he is really performing nationally versus the polling.

'It doesn't matter, we don't have a national primary, Sandra,' he continued, clearly frustrated by the narrative. 'If we had a national primary I would be in desperate, horrible straits  but we don't. We have primaries state by state.'

From the September poll to the one taken and released this month, former Vice President Mike Pence and South Carolina Sen. Tim Scott both suspended their presidential primary campaigns  clearing the way for the 8 percent who polled for them two months ago to redistribute among the remaining candidates.

Biotech entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy has lost some ground in New Hampshire, where he was polling at 13 percent in September.

The millionaire now stands at 8 percent with just two months to make up the lost support.
The family of stabbed schoolboy Yousef Makki say they have been left 'disappointed' after the Crown Prosecution Service declined to seek a retrial of his killer  despite a coroner last month ruling his death was unlawful.

The decision not to apply to the Court of Appeal to quash the outcome of the original trial - at which Yousef's friend Josh Molnar was acquitted of murder and manslaughter on the grounds of self-defence - was also criticised by a former chief crown prosecutor.

Molnar claimed he took out his knife after Yousef punched him and brandished a knife during the confrontation in the wealthy suburb of Hale Barns, on the Greater Manchester-Cheshire border on March 2, 2019.

But the inquest heard new evidence from Adam Chowdhary, a friend of both Yousef and Molnar, saying he did not see Yousef holding a knife after he was stabbed - and that he produced one from his pocket with the blade retracted for him to dispose of down a drain.

Coroner Geraint Williams, who recorded an unlawful killing verdict, said Chowdhary's evidence about how Yousef gave him the knife was 'compelling and utterly convincing, adding: 'I have no hesitation in finding as a fact that that is exactly what happened.'

The family of stabbed schoolboy Yousef Makki (pictured) say they have been left 'disappointed' after the Crown Prosecution Service declined to seek a retrial of his killer

Yousef's sister Jade Akoum, 33, (pictured) said of the CPS decision not to follow up the outcome of the second inquest by seeking a retrial: 'It's disappointing. We still feel like nobody has been held accountable'

Yousef's friend Josh Molnar (pictured) was acquitted of murder and manslaughter on the grounds of self-defence

The coroner found 'that Mr Makki did not threaten or attack (Molnar) with a knife  or at all' and Molnar's 'use of (his) knife was unnecessary, disproportionate and unreasonable in all of the circumstances'.

He ruled Molnar's actions were not committed in 'self-defence' as he had claimed, and that they did amount to manslaughter.

A change in double-jeopardy law allowing people to be retried for offences where they had previously been found not guilty came into force from 2005  subject to 'compelling new evidence' coming to light.

Chowdhary chose not to speak during the trial and gave only a limited account at the first inquest, in November 2021, where the previous coroner could not be certain if Yousef's death was deliberate.

High Court judges found the first inquest did not fully consider the evidence and quashed the result in January after Yousef's family took the matter to a judicial review.

Yousef's sister Jade Akoum, 33, said of the CPS decision not to follow up the outcome of the second inquest by seeking a retrial: 'It's disappointing. We still feel like nobody has been held accountable. Nobody has been punished for Yousef's death.'

Of the inquest conclusion, she added: 'It's a form of justice but it's not proper justice, is it? Because his killer is out there.'

Mrs Akoum said the family may now seek a private prosecution of Molnar  which would require them to seek a legal challenge to the original trial verdict in the Court of Appeal themselves.

Jade and her baby brother Yousef are pictured when they were children

Yousef Makki, 17, died from a 5.5-inch stab wound through the heart in March 2019 after a confrontation with his friend Joshua Molnar

Mrs Akoum was last night backed by former North West Chief Crown Prosecutor Nazir Afzal, who said: 'Chowdhary's evidence is quite significant. If his evidence was that Yousef didn't have a knife, the self-defence argument becomes weaker.

'I'm puzzled at the decision the CPS have taken. On the face of it, there's new evidence, there's even compelling evidence.

'That's potentially something that should be brought before the Court of Appeal.'

Yousef, 17, a scholarship pupil at the prestigious Manchester Grammar School, was a highly intelligent A-Level student who was on the verge of exams for Oxford or Cambridge universities and wanted to become a heart surgeon.

Chowdhary, a fellow Manchester Grammar School pupil, and Molnar, a former pupil at prestigious Cheadle Hulme and Ellesmere College, were also both 17 at the time and from wealthy backgrounds.

The Crown Prosecution Service said there was insufficient evidence to seek a retrial.

Coroners' courts use a different burden of proof, based on the balance of probabilities, to criminal courts - where proof must be beyond reasonable doubt.

Of the inquest conclusion, Jade added: 'It's a form of justice but it's not proper justice, is it? Because his killer is out there'

Mrs Akoum said she has been told by Greater Manchester Police they would now need a further breakthrough such as a new eyewitness to come forward, for the case to be reopened by the CPS.

She has ruled out pursuing a civil case, saying the family's motivation 'has never been about money'.

She added: 'It has been about the truth and for Yousef's killer to face punishment for what he did.'

A Crown Prosecution Service spokesperson said: 'Our thoughts are with the family of Yousef Makki who suffered such a devastating loss. We respect the conclusion reached by the coroner who applies a very different test to the one used by the criminal courts.

'We put the case before a jury, held a full trial in 2019 and the defendant was found not guilty. We respect the verdict of the jury in the criminal case.' GMP has been approached for comment.'

Molnar, now 22, of Knutsford, Cheshire, was given a 16-month detention and training order in July 2019 after he admitted possessing a knife and lying to police.

Chowdhary, now 21, of Hale Barns, was given four-month' detention for possessing a knife but acquitted of lying to police.
At least 50 pro-Palestinian protesters have been arrested for blocking the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge while calling for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war.

Protestors blocked all lanes of the vital westbound I-80 on the Bay Bridge, California Highway Patrol said on Thursday morning.

This afternoon a far-right lane of westbound traffic has since reopened and a second lane is expect to open soon, reported KRON.

Highway patrol officials said 50 people have been arrested and at least 15 cars removed from the bridge.

Officials said at least another 50 protesters could be arrested following a review of videos of active participants, officials said.

The group are demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war that started on October 7 when the terrorist organization launched an attack on Israel that killed 1,400 Israelis and seized about 240 hostages in the worst attack in the country's history.

Officials said 50 pro-Palestinian protesters have been arrested while blocking the San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge

A protester is seen crying while be arrested after blocking the Bay Bridge demanding the U.S. stop sending military aid to Israel

Pro-Palestinian protesters shutdown San Francisco Oakland Bay Bridge Thursday

Protesters demanding a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas carry signs that said 'stop the genocide'

Photos show the demonstrators rolled out signs that say 'no U.S. military aid to Israel' and 'Biden Ceasefire.'

Some protesters chained themselves together to block off the roadway and were chanting 'ceasefire now.' Others laid on the ground with sheets over their bodies that said, 'stop the genocide.'

The Arab Resource and Organizing Center posted to Twitter that the protesters were there to call out the president.

'Theres a genocide happening in #Gaza and @POTUS is hosting cocktail parties in #SanFrancisco. Bay Area has shut down the Bay Bridge to demand #CeasefireNOW. No more $ for genocide,' the group said.

President Joe Biden is in the Bay Area this week for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, a high-profile summit of 21 countries, and met with China's President Xi Jinping.

A California Highway Patrol spokesman said all protesters had been arrested and officers were working to remove the vehicles from the roadway, reported CBS San Francisco.

Some protesters carry a sign that said 'no U.S. military aid to Israel' while others lay on the ground

Thousands of Pro-Palestine protesters shut down Bay Bridge during commute hours, demanding a ceasefire in Gaza while Joe Biden & Xi Jinping are here in San Francisco, Is this the Insurrection? pic.twitter.com/H4YfbTUUxY  Sociat USA  (@SociatUSA) November 16, 2023

The group blocked a key route into the city which is hosting the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit

'It's gonna take a little while. However, we're not going to be blocking all the lanes so we're hoping we can reopen at least one or two lanes in the meantime so that traffic can start flowing,' said highway patrol spokesman Officer Art Montiel.

Pro-Palestinian protesters have been boycotting the APEC summit. On Wednesday, protesters clashed with riot police while they tried to block people from attending the CEO summit but were unsuccessful as attendees entered through an alleyway.

Israel retaliated to the October 7 attack with an aerial bombing and ground offensive, killing more than 10,000 Gazans and leading pro-Palestinian protesters to call for an immediate ceasefire.

The Israeli military claimed to have found military equipment and 'terror infrastructure' during their search of Gaza's largest hospital, Al Shifa hospital.
Animal rights advocacy groups are calling for an end to the horse carriage industry as a whole

The Long Island man is accused of working a 26-year-old horse named Ryder to the point of collapse, then beating and whipping him

Ian McKeever was charged with one misdemeanor count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, failure to provide proper sustenance

After more than a year, charges have been filed against an NYC horse handler after a carriage horse collapsed in his care months before the animal's death.

On Wednesday, 54-year-old Ian McKeever was charged with one misdemeanor count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, failure to provide proper sustenance.

Ryder, a 26-year-old horse, collapsed in Hell's Kitchen last August after working hours in 84-degree heat. A viral video showed McKeever yanking the reigns to rouse him before whipping the animal with them and smacking his flank.

'As alleged, Ryder should not have been working on this hot summer day. Despite his condition, he was out for hours and worked to the point of collapse," said District Attorney Alvin Bragg.

'All animals deserve to be treated with the utmost care, and the type of abuse that Ryder allegedly suffered is unacceptable.'

Ian McKeever, 54, was charged with one count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals, failure to provide proper sustenance on Wednesday

The charge came over a year after Ryder, a 26-year-old carriage horse, collapsed in his care

McKeever pulled the horse's reins and slapped him to make him stand. Police officers gave him an adrenaline shot and doused him in ice water before helping him to his feet

Police and medics were called to administer an adrenaline shot and hose the animal down, helping him to his feet after nearly an hour.

On that day, McKeever had been working with Ryder in Central Park since 9.20am. Prosecutors allege the horse looked frail and was walking slowly while panting with his tongue out.

McKeever did not provide any water to the horse despite the soaring temperatures, they say.

The Long Island native claimed he had never harmed a horse in his life. Defense attorney Raymond Loving also questioned why it had taken so long for charges to be filed.

'It's taken them a whole year to decide to prosecute this case? Are you out of your mind, people have known about this, this case is politicized,' Loving said.

After the collapse, Ryder retired to a farm upstate to receive veterinary care. He was euthanized a few months later due to his declining health.

The animal had only worked as a carriage horse for four months before the incident. He was set to be sent to a slaughter house before carriage horse officials purchased him.

In September 2022, the Department of Health brought charges against McKeever, accusing him of mistreating the horse.

He was accused of falsifying Ryder's birth records, claiming the horse was 13 years old. In reality, Ryder was double that age and old enough to retire.

Prosecutors allege McKeever (center) did not provide any water to the horse despite the 84-degree heat

On that day of Ryder's collapse, McKeever had been working with the horse since 9.20am. He collapsed after 5pm

The 26-year-old horse is pictured working in Central Park with visible ribs

Prosecutors allege Ryder looked frail and was walking slowly while panting with his tongue out on the day of the incident

McKeever argued that he had never harmed a horse in his life. His defense attorney also asked why it had taken so long for charges to be introduced

McKeever made a 'false and misleading statement, or presented forged documents' pertaining to the licensing of his horse, according to the Department of Health.

In addition to his old age of 26, Ryder had been receiving treatment for Equine Protozoal Myeloencephalitis, according to representatives for the union representing horse carriage drivers.

They claimed his stumbling and difficulty standing were due to the 'neurological effects' of the disease, which is caused by exposure to possum droppings.

However, animal rights activist Edita Birnkrant, Executive Director of NYCLASS, places the blame for Ryder's death on the horse carriage industry.

'This is the equivalent of an 85-year-old person that was sick with cancer, as we found out during the necropsy, and other ailments,' Birnkrant said outside Manhattan Criminal Court.

'To make a profit, the horse carriage industry would have literally worked Ryder to death if it weren't for viral videos and the people who exposed their endless lies and cover ups.'

Birnkrant's group, NYCLASS, is one of a growing number calling for an end to the horse carriage industry.

On the day of Ryder's death, Voters for Animal Rights released a statement that read: 'We are fed up with the 17 NYC council members who, while running for office, promised us they would support a ban on horse carriages, but have still not signed on to Intro 573, legislation that would end this for good.'

In September 2022, McKeever was accused of falsifying Ryder's birth records, claiming he was 13 when he was actually around 26

McKeever appeared nonchalant out of Manhattan Criminal Court, taking a puff from a cigarette as he was flanked by reporters

A growing number of animal rights advocacy groups are calling for the end to the horse carriage industry

Intro 573, also known as 'Ryder's Law,' is a bill that was introduced into the City Council in December 2014. Under current laws, carriage horses are not allowed to work in extreme heat or cold and must be permitted vacation time

Intro 573, now known as 'Ryder's Law,' was introduced into the City Council in December 2014.

Under New York City laws , carriage horses cannot work more than nine hours in any continuous 24 hour period and are required to receive five weeks of vacation or furlough every year at a horse stable facility.

They must also be seen by a vet at least twice a year and are not permitted to work in extreme heat or cold.

McKeever's case returns to court in December.
Former US president Bill Clinton described the conflict in Gaza as 'heartbreaking' as he engaged in discussion with his wife and former secretary of state Hillary Clinton and Welsh first minister Mark Drakeford in Swansea.

Mr Clinton was in the Oval Office at the time of the Oslo Accords in 1993 and used his presidency to build peace and stability between Israel and Palestinians.

The current conflict was triggered by a wide-ranging Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7 in which the militants killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and captured some 240 men, women and children.

Israel has responded with a weeks-long air campaign and a ground invasion of northern Gaza, vowing to remove Hamas from power.

More than 11,200 Palestinians have been killed, two-thirds of them women and minors, according to Palestinian health authorities

Mr Clinton was in the Oval Office at the time of the Oslo Accords in 1993 and used his presidency to build peace and stability between Israel and Palestinians

Former secretary of state Hilary Clinton and the first minister of Wales, Mark Drakeford, joined Bill Clinton on the panel at Swansea University

Mr Clinton said the situation in Gaza was 'terrible, heartbreaking for someone like me who worked for eight years for peace in the Middle East'

Speaking at an event at Swansea University, Mr Clinton said: 'It's terrible, heartbreaking for someone like me who worked for eight years for peace in the Middle East.

'I know Gaza, I know the old city of Jerusalem and the West Bank. It's heartbreaking.

'You have every day to make a choice - all of you.

'Do you believe that you can do better together or keep telling each other that it is our differences that all that matter or keep struggling for common ground.'

Mr Clinton, who had joined his wife - former secretary of state Hillary Clinton - at an event discussing leadership for future generations, said the current global unrest was a reaction to the building of democracy and cooperation at the end of the Cold War.

'It was only a matter of time before people who didn't believe in democracy, and didn't believe in the rule of law, and believed that their differences with their neighbours were more important than what they had in common,' he said.

'We are living through a series of reactions, and it will either derail what could be a moment of greatest peace and cooperation and advances in science and technology, human understanding and history or another one of those disappointing phases that throws us back into something that we would all not want to live through.

'My gut is that we will get through this, and we will resume allowing systematic cooperation overcome conflict.

'It won't happen unless people stand up for cooperation over conflict, for peace over war and for what we have in common is more important than our interested differences and make it possible for those differences to help us all.'

Mr Clinton also urged continuing international support for Ukraine and said Vladimir Putin's invasion was 'truly terrible'.

Mr Clinton said that current instability was a reaction to the building of democracy and cooperation at the end of the Cold War

Ms Clinton warned that there were 'nation states, terrorists and 'other actors' who were trying to tell a 'version of reality that is not true'

The wide-ranging discussion also touched on climate change, migration, and Wales' efforts to achieve net zero

'They are not asking anyone to die for them, all they are asking for is we give them the means to defend themselves,' he said.

'If you think that its bad now, you have no idea what the European future will look like if Putin follows through on Ukraine.'

Ms Clinton warned people to be wary of those promoting disinformation saying there were nation states, terrorists and 'other actors' who were trying to tell a 'version of reality that is not true'.

'It is important that especially today that we try see through the many smokescreens that are being thrown up, that try and create these divisions,' she said.

'We have to make the effort to stay well informed about what is really happening - what the facts are versus the fiction - but have to equip ourselves and others to withstand those forces of divisiveness that are very prevalent on so many platforms on the internet that keep people unsettled about what is happening in the world.

'I am ultimately optimistic. As one of my predecessors as secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, would always say when asked if she was an optimist, she would say, 'Yes, I am an optimist who worries a lot'.'

Ms Clinton, whose great grandparents were from Wales, has close ties with the university as the law school is named after her and she also launched a global challenges programme for master's degree students.

Swansea university's vice-chancellor Paul Boyle also took part in the discussion, which addressed climate change, migration, and Wales' efforts to achieve net zero.
The Rocky Mountain NAACP has called for an investigation in to a racist video that circulated to students at a middle school, in which black students' lives are threatened.

In late September, several students reportedly 'snickered' as they watched a video on the bus ride to school.

That video was of a West Middle School student delivering a racist screed against black people for 26 seconds.

In the video, the unidentified student says: 'I hate black n******. Black n****** are cotton pickers. They should not be alive right now. I hate their skin color. I hate how they talk. They just stink up the room.'

The racist manifesto was then circulated among students relatively quickly. Parents got involved and contacted the school, which claims to have taken swift action.

A racist video that circulated Colorado's West Middle School has prompted calls for several investigations

A blurred grab from the racist video shows some of the sorts of statements the student was making

An email to families was send that read in part: 'In recent days, we have dealt with some incidents of racist speech at our school and in our community.

'This unacceptable behavior goes against our core values at West Middle School and throughout the Cherry Creek School District.'

One anonymous parent told CBS News that they feel the school should have been more specific in describing exactly what the situation was.

'They weren't equipping the parents to really keep their kids safe and to have a real conversation.'

The Rocky Mountain NAACP has called for probes at the local, state, and federal levels, noting that, 'In a world where school shootings are the norm, this matter is serious and needs to be addressed immediately to prevent another mass school shooting like Columbine and many across the nation.'

The branch president, Portia Prescott said that families are concerned for their children's safety. Some are wondering if there are guns in the home of the student responsible for the video.

'It's a public safety issue,' she said.

The organization further reported that the student who made the video would initially not apologize for its contents.

They say the middle school's administrators have 'done nothing to protect all their students.'

According to a local report, there are just over 1,000 students who attended West Middle School. Of the 53,000 students in the school district, over 6,000 are black.

The local NAACP branch said the school's administrators haven't done nearly enough to protest the West Middle students

Of the 53,000 students in the Cherry Creek school district, over 6,000 are black

The Cherry Creek School District, of which West Middle School is a part, said it does not tolerate hate of any sort at its school and recognizes the hardship this sort of incident brings to students and families.

The district says it will work with community organizations to combat hate and establish a safe environment at its schools.

In a statement to CBS, CCSD said: 'The language in the video is hate-filled and we took swift action to address this unacceptable behavior.

'While this incident occurred off campus, we realized the potential impact this video would have on the student community.

Administration and law enforcement acted immediately to investigate the situation. Students found to be responsible faced significant discipline and their parents were responsive to the severity of the situation. Due to the privacy rights of students, we cannot discuss specifics of discipline.'

The student in the video was, according to local parents, suspended for two weeks.

One parent said the punishment did not adequately fit the crime: 'These kids don't understand the gravity because he pretty much just got a two-week vacation.'
The judge who sentenced Alex Murdaugh to two life sentences has voluntarily recused himself from any post-trial hearings after the killer's lawyers called for him to stand down after giving a controversial TV interview.

South Carolina circuit court judge Clifton Newman has asked to be stood down from further motions tied to the case, after Murdaugh was convicted in March of brutally murdering his wife Maggie and his 22-year-old son Paul.

Murdaugh's lawyers had sought to block Judge Newman from hearing the disbarred attorney's request for a new trial.

The lawyers had also wanted the Supreme Court to remove Newman from an upcoming case prosecuting Murdaugh over a string of alleged financial crimes that prosecutors say he committed as his life spiraled out of control before the murders.

In a court filing earlier on Thursday, first reported by Fits News, it said: 'Judge Newman has requested that a new judge be assigned to handle the post-trial motions involving the murder charges.'

South Carolina circuit court judge Clifton Newman, seen here, has stood down from further motions tied to the case

Attorneys for convicted murderer Alex Murdaugh are asking South Carolina's highest court to remove the judge who presided over his murder trial from his bid for a retrial

The court order states that Newman was unable to sit in judgement over the upcoming motions due to him being a potential witness to allegations of jury tampering by clerk of court Becky Hill.

It was also said that Newman had made multiple extra judicial comments in the aftermath of Murdaugh's guilty verdict in the filing.

The court order has left the door open for Newman to make a return over the first Murdaugh financial crime trial, which is scheduled to start later this month.

But as the Supreme Court issued the ruling this morning on Newman, attorneys for Murdaugh filed a motion asking Newman to stand aside from that case.

The defense noted in the motion: 'Judge Newman should likewise be disqualified from presiding over the trial of this case, or any other proceeding involving Murdaugh.'

A hearing is set for Friday to discuss the upcoming financial trial, which Murdaugh's lawyers want to be held in another location to ensure an impartial jury.

Murdaugh's lawyers had previously spoke of the comments made by Newman at sentencing and in several post trial interviews.

After the jury returned a guilty verdict in a matter of hours, Newman engaged in lengthy remarks before handing down his sentence of two life sentences.

Among other remarks, he wondered aloud whether the spirits of Murdaugh's wife and son haunted him at night.

Colleton County Clerk of Court Becky Hill, pictured with Judge Newman, is being accused by Murdaugh's defense team of influencing the jury as they move for a retrial

Those remarks came after the jury verdict, and judges are typically allowed leeway to express their views on the case while explaining their sentencing decision to an offender.

Newman also appeared on the Today Show and a recorded interview at Cleveland State University law school, his alma mater, where he discussed the case at length.

Murdaugh is serving life without parole in the shooting deaths of his wife and younger son at their home in 2021.

Investigators said 52-year-old Maggie was shot four or five times with a rifle and 22-year-old Paul suffered two shotgun blasts.

Even if his conviction is overturned, Murdaugh likely will remain in prison.

He is awaiting sentencing after pleading guilty to federal charges he stole millions of dollars from clients and his family law firm, which will probably mean years or decades behind bars. That trial is set to begin later this month.

Investigators said 52-year-old Maggie was shot four or five times with a rifle and 22-year-old Paul suffered two shotgun blasts. Both are seen here next to Murdaugh

In an earlier court filing, his lawyers summarized how they think Hill tampered with the jury in the murder case.

'She asked jurors about their opinions about Mr. Murdaughs guilt or innocence. She instructed them not to believe evidence presented in Mr. Murdaughs defense, including his own testimony.

'She lied to the judge to remove a juror she believed might not vote guilty. And she pressured jurors to reach a guilty verdict quickly so she could profit from it,' they wrote.

They cite Newman's comment to the jury after its guilty verdicts about 'all the evidence pointing to only one conclusion and that's the conclusion that you all have reached.'

In the speech at his alma mater, Newman said Murdaugh 'committed an unforgivable, unimaginable crime and there is no way he'll be able to sleep peacefully.'

Newman's age requires him to retire as a judge at the end of the year, and Murdaugh's lawyers suggest that's why he spoke so much afterward, figuring it would be years before the appeals were heard. But the allegation against Hill required an immediate hearing, they said.

And while they think Newman's comments broke judicial rules, Murdaugh's attorneys previously said they did not want him punished.

Murdaugh was allegedly seething over allegations of jury tampering during his double murder trial, his lawyers had previously said.
A Hawaii woman was ordered to pay a nearly $40,000 fine to American Airlines after she hurled abuse at crew on a flight from Phoenix to Honolulu.

Cayla Farris, 29, caused the furore on board the aircraft in February 2022 when she refused to wear a face covering mandated during the coronavirus pandemic.

Federal prosecutors said the 29-year-old was handed a time-served sentence of 3.6 months in prison in connection with her actions - plus three years of supervised probation.

She is also not allowed to board an aircraft for three years without explicit approval while she is on probation, a U.S. District judge said.

Cayla Farris, 29, caused the furore on board the aircraft in February 2022 when she refused to wear a face covering that was mandated during the coronavirus pandemic

Shortly after the plane took off from Phoenix, Arizona, Farris was asked to wear a mask as part of the plane's Covid policy.

Farris put on her mask, but then removed it, according to her plea agreement.

She then started threatening and swearing at people on the plane.

When they gave Farris a written warning, she threw the piece of paper on the ground and shouted '(expletive) it,' the plea said.

'My behavior escalated to the point that air crew members were intimidated and unable to perform their duties,' the Hawaii native said in the document.

The plane's captain decided to turn the aircraft around and landed at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport. This was due to Farris' behavior preventing the crew members from continuing their on-board duties.

Farris pleaded guilty to a charge of interference with a flight crew member in September.

The judge ordered her to pay $38,952 restitution to American Airlines for delay-related costs.

American Airlines was also embroiled in multiple mask-related ordeals during the pandemic years.

In September 2021, a mother alleged she was kicked off an American Airlines flight because her 2-year-old son was suffering an asthma attack, and was unable to wear a mask.

Amanda Pendarvis was on American Airlines Flight 1284 from Dallas Fort Worth to Colorado Springs with her mother, and toddler son Waylon, when she says a flight attendant, whose name she said was Carl, told her Waylon needed to wear a mask.

Pendarvis, from Oklahoma, described Carl as 'truly evil,' and 'power-tripping' in her Instagram story where she chronicled the ordeal, which she said was 'humiliating/traumatizing.'

After attempting unsuccessfully to make Waylon put on a face covering, Pendarvis said crew turned the plane around, and that she was escorted off by police officers.

Federal prosecutors said that the 29-year-old was handed a time-served sentence of 3.6 months in prison in connection with her actions - plus three years of supervised probation. Pictured: Stock of passengers wearing face masks

And in January 2022, a female first-class passenger refused to wear a mask on an American Airlines Miami to London flight causing the plane to turn back.

The unnamed woman, who forced the return to Miami airport ninety minutes into the nine-hour journey, was not a solo troublemaker.

Both the woman and her companion, whose gender has not been revealed, were drunk and refused to wear masks, sources said. Neither passengers' nationality has been disclosed.

CBS Miami reported that one of the two - believed to be the woman whose behavior was previously reported on - was 'more of a problem,' with her aggression reportedly leading the plane to turn around.

The crew are said to have decided that it would be too disruptive to try and contain the bad behavior for the remaining seven-and-a-half hours of the transatlantic trip, with 129 passengers and 14 crew members on board.

One person was dealt with by police 'administratively' - but not arrested, and has subsequently been banned from flying American for life.
A female servicemember, her husband, and their two children have been found dead inside their on-post home in Georgia.

The family, including the active soldier at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, were found unresponsive and then were confirmed dead by law enforcement on Wednesday, November 15.

The Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield said in a statement: 'The deceased are one female Soldier, her male spouse, and their two children.

'Their identities will not be released at this time due to next of kin notification and privacy.

The family, including the active soldier at Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield, were found unresponsive and then were confirmed dead by law enforcement on Wednesday, November 15

Pictured: Fort Stewart-Hunter Army Airfield

'Fort Stewart Military Police discovered the family dead in their home after requests for a welfare check were made by the Soldiers unit on Nov. 15.

'Police arrived at the on-post home approximately 2 p.m. to contact the Soldier.

'Law enforcement found the family unresponsive in the home upon making entry. The individuals were pronounced dead at approximately 5:30 p.m.'

This is a breaking news story.
Her husband Shmulik Weiss was found murdered in their kibbutz safe room

Yehudit Weiss, 64, was taken captive by Hamas during their killing spree

Hamas hostage Yehudit Weiss was 'murdered by terrorists', Israel's Defence Forces have claimed - after her body was recovered in a building near Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital.

Ms Weiss, 64, was taken captive by Hamas at Kibbutz Be'eri on October 7 during their killing spree.

Her husband Shmulik Weiss was found murdered in their safe room.

Troops of the 7th Armored Brigade's 603rd Battalion found the body, along with Hamas military equipment - including assault rifles and RPGs in a building 'adjacent to Shifa Hospital', according to the IDF.

The body was brought back to Israel for identification, after which the military and police notified Ms Weiss's family of her death.

Israeli officials say around 240 people were taken hostage during the Hamas attacks which killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

The IDF did not provide further details on Ms Weiss's cause of death, or when she was killed. It is believed she was undergoing treatment for cancer when she was seized by the terrorists.

'The IDF sends its heartfelt condolences to the family,' it said in a statement. 'The national mission is to locate the missing and return the hostages home.'

'The IDF is operating alongside and in full coordination with the relevant national and security institutions in order to pursue these tasks. We will not cease from the mission until it will be completed,' the IDF added.

The body of Yehudit Weiss, 64, (pictured) who was taken captive by Hamas at Kibbutz Be'eri during the Hamas killing spree, has been found

Weiss was 'murdered by terrorists', the IDF said

Ms Weiss's husband Shmulik Weiss was found murdered in the safe room

Ms Weiss was abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7 near the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City

Israel's Defence Forces suggested it could take 'a few weeks' to uncover 'the extent' of Hamas's command centre beneath Al-Shifa hospital, as hundreds of commandos are searching through every building and floor of the complex.

The IDF says it has uncovered 'new findings' which indicate 'significant underground infrastructure in the hospitals'. But Israel's army is still yet to reveal evidence of a tunnel network beneath Al-Shifa more than 24 hours after its forces stormed the facility.

Footage 'relating to hostages seized by Hamas' was found on computers at the hospital, the IDF has said, as well as a cache of weapons belonging to the terrorists.

The United Nations is now desperately looking into how it could evacuate the hospital, which is the biggest in the Gaza Strip, but says its options are limited by security and logistical constraints, a senior World Health Organization official said.

Meanwhile, Palestinian telecoms provider Paltel said a lack of fuel means all communications services are down across the besieged enclave, which has been subject to a blockade and relentless bombing campaign by Israel for weeks.

Israeli soldiers carrying out operations inside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City in a picture released by the IDF

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Conricus shows weapons and equipment which he says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

The IDF previously shared what it called an 'intelligence-based illustration' of what the alleged command centre under the hospital might look like

A laptop the IDF says was found in Shifa Hospital on November 16, 2023, with an image of rescued hostage Pvt. Ori Megidish which was taken before her abduction

Weapons and equipment which Israel's army says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

Weapons and equipment which Israel's army says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

Inside a cabinet for medical equipment was another holdall containing a knife, a Hamas emblem, AK47 and ammunition, according to the spokesman

In this image taken from a video released by the Israeli Defence Forces, on Wednesday, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, holds up a bullet proof vest with a Hamas insignia that was found along with weapons the IDF says were found in a medical closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City

Israeli soldiers walk at the Al Shifa hospital complex, amid their ground operation against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas

With the operation in Al-Shifa still ongoing and no hard evidence shared proving the IDF's accusation that there is a Hamas control centre beneath it, an Israeli official today said that the mission 'is shaped by our understanding that there is well-hidden terrorist infrastructure in the complex.'

'During the searches, information and footage pertaining to the hostages abducted from Israel were found on computers and other technological equipment,' an official also said.

The IDF shared a picture of a laptop it said its forces found in the hospital showing a publicly-available image of rescued Israeli hostage Pvt. Ori Megidish, which was taken before her abduction.

An official said equipment found in the hospital had been taken for 'further examination and investigation.'

IDF spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Richard Hecht earlier claimed that 'there is substantial Hamas infrastructure in the vicinity of the hospital', but appeared to backtrack on Israel's previous insistence that Hamas's headquarters are definitely in tunnels underneath the hospital.

'[Hamas infrastructure] is potentially under the hospital, and it's something we're working on. It'll take us time. This war is a complex war,' Hecht said yesterday.

After storming the medical facility, the IDF shared evidence of weaponry, with spokesman Lt Col Jonathan Conricus showing a duffel bag hidden behind a hospital MRI machine containing an AK47 assault rifle, grenades, ammunition and a uniform. The video failed to show evidence of any tunnels.

He also said a backpack contained 'what appeared to be very important intelligence including a laptop', and added that security cameras in one part of the hospital had been taped over.

Behind another MRI machine more weapons were said to have been found and in an adjoining room on top of another MRI scanner was a bag containing 'full military kit for one terrorist, including ammunition, a live grenade and AK47 and body armour'.

'These weapons have no business being in a hospital,' Conricus said as he toured the hospital in a clip released by the IDF.

Inside a cabinet for medical equipment was another holder containing a knife, a Hamas emblem, AK47 and ammunition, according to the spokesman.

But the IDF's search showed no signs of tunnels or a sophisticated command centre that many believed would be discovered underneath the facility.

News of the IDF hospital raid came around 2am local time on Wednesday.

Doctors said they were given 30 minutes' notice of the Israeli operation before at least six battle tanks moved in on the complex. Troops entered the hospital a short time afterwards.

Officials from Israel and Gaza presented very different accounts of what was happening in the hospital.

The Israeli army released video showing soldiers carrying boxes labelled as 'baby food' and 'medical supplies,' while health officials talked of terrified staff and patients as troops moved through the buildings.

'We have discovered weapons and other things. We entered the hospital on the basis of actionable intelligence,' Mark Regev, an advisor to the Israeli Prime Minister said.

Another senior Israeli government official, who declined to be named, said: 'IDF (Israel Defence Forces) soldiers have already found weapons and other terror infrastructure. We saw concrete evidence that Hamas terrorists used the Shifa hospital as a terror headquarters.'

But the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank condemned the military operation as 'a crime against humanity' and challenged Israel to produce proof of their claims.

The Israeli military said it was carrying out a 'precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the hospital,' and that its soldiers were accompanied by medical teams bringing in incubators and other supplies.

It added that forces were also searching for hostages.

This image taken from a video released by the Israeli Defense Forces, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, shows a bullet proof vest with a Hamas insignia that was found along with weapons the IDF says were found in a medical closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City

This image taken from a video released by the Israeli Defense Forces, on Wednesday shows a cache of weapons the IDF says were found in a closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City

Video grabs appear to show medics evacuating patients from Al Shifa hospital during raid

The IDF said Israeli troops delivered medical supplies to the Al Shifa hospital as pictured here

At Al-Shifa, doctors said patients and people taking shelter were stranded in horrific conditions in the facility

In a statement, the IDF said: 'As the soldiers entered the hospital complex, they engaged with a number of terrorists and killed them.

'Following this, during searches in one of the departments of the hospital, the troops located a room with technological assets, along with military and combat equipment used by the Hamas terrorist organization.

'In another department in the hospital, the soldiers located an operational command center and technological assets belonging to Hamas, indicating that the terrorist organization uses the hospital for terrorist purposes.

'The technological assets and extensive intelligence information located was transferred for full review by the relevant authorities.

'The IDF is continuing to operate in the hospital complex, while extracting intelligence information and preventing harm to the medical teams and civilians sheltering there'.

The military previously said its forces have found weapons and Hamas fighters in government buildings, schools and residential buildings.

Hours before the hospital raid, the United States said its own intelligence indicated militants have used Shifa and other hospitals, and tunnels beneath them, to support military operations and hold hostages.

Under international humanitarian law, hospitals can lose their protected status if combatants use them for military purposes.

But civilians must be given time to leave, and any attack must be proportional to the military objective.

Speaking on CNN, IDF spokesman Lt Col Richard Hecht said fire was exchanged before Israeli soldiers moved into the Al-Shifa but that there was 'no engagement whatsoever' once they had entered the medical complex.

Israel has insisted for years that Hamas militants have used Al Shifa as a cover for their operations. But Hamas and hospital staff have repeatedly denied this.

One doctor inside the hospital, reached by the BBC, hit out: 'Is everyone just waiting for us to die here and then say 'we were good people'?'

Plastic surgeon Dr Ahmed Mokhallalati claimed staff and patients were fearful as IDF troops moved through the building. He revealed six premature babies had died in recent days and said around 40 others would die 'one by one' due to a lack of oxygen and power outages.

Israeli soldiers walk at the Al Shifa hospital complex, amid their ground operation against Hamas in this still image from handout video obtained November 15, 2023

Smoke rises during an Israeli military bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip on November 15

n Israeli soldier holds a weapon in Gaza City earlier this week

Essential surgeries were carried out on Tuesday with only light sedation, revealed the surgeon  but patients were 'screaming in pain'. No surgery could be carried out yesterday, he said.

One patient with burns had to be left to die due to a lack of medical equipment, said the doctor. Asked if Israeli troops had brought medical aid to the hospital, he said: 'If it was up to me, I would refuse [any aid]. They are killing us for 40 days and they want to offer me saline drips.'

Dr Mokhallalati also insisted there were only civilians in the hospital and challenged the Israeli army to provide proof of Hamas's presence. Israeli officials have previously suggested some of the 240 hostages seized by Hamas when they went on a murderous rampage in Israel on October 7 could be held under Gazan hospitals.

One journalist inside the hospital told the BBC that IDF soldiers fired into the air and used loudspeakers to order men aged between 16 and 40 to leave before interrogating them.

Munir al-Boursh, a senior official with Gaza's Health Ministry inside the hospital, said troops ransacked the basement and other buildings, including those with emergency and surgery departments inside, and searched for tunnels.

Patients, staff and people sheltering in the facility were questioned, he said, adding: 'Patients, women and children are terrified'.

At one point, tens of thousands of Palestinians were sheltering at the hospital, but many have left in recent days.

The raid drew condemnation from the UN, Jordan and the West Bank's Palestinian Authority, which called it a violation of international law.

Martin Griffiths, the UN's chief of humanitarian affairs, said on X, formerly Twitter: 'I'm appalled by reports of military raids in Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza. The protection of newborns, patients, medical staff and all civilians must override all other concerns. Hospitals are not battlegrounds.'

Israel has faced mounting pressure to prove its claim that Hamas had turned the hospital into a command centre in recent days.

Hamas and Gaza health officials have denied that militants operate in Shifa, according to the Palestinian news agency.

The war between Israel and Hamas erupted on October 7 after the militant group killed some 1,200 people and seized around 240 captives. Meanwhile, Israeli airstrikes have killed more than 11,200 people, according to the Palestinian Health Minister in Ramallah.

Another 2,700 have been reported missing.

Around two third of the territory's 2.3 million people have now fled their homes, with most currently residing in the southern part of the coastal strip.

Smoke rises during an Israeli military bombardment of the northern Gaza Strip today

Palestinian man Mohammad Abu Daqa, who survived Israeli strikes that killed 8 family members last month

Palestinians look at destruction after Israeli strikes on Rafah, Gaza Strip today

People search through buildings, destroyed during Israeli air strikes a day earlier, in the southern Gaza Strip today

Palestinians look for survivers in buildings destroyed in the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip last month

Civil defence teams and civilians conduct a search and rescue operation under the rubbles of demolished buildings after an Israeli attack hits Hamdan family's residence in Khan Yunis, Gaza

The ruins after Israeli bombardment at Jabalia refugee camp in Gaza City, Gaza earlier this week

Residents say bread is scarce and supermarket shelves are bare, while families have been forced to cook on wood fires due to a lack of fuel, electricity and running water.

On Wednesday, Israeli defence officials let in some 24,000 litres of fuel, which will only be used for the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, known as UNRWA, in a bid to bring in the limited supplies of food and medicine from Egypt.

Thomas White, UNRWA's director in Gaza, said the fuel cannot be used for hospitals or to desalinate water, adding the amount is the equivalent of 'only nine per cent of what we need daily to sustain lifesaving activities'.

The Palestinian telecom company Paltel has said it is relying on batteries to keep Gaza's mobile and internet network running.

It comes as Israeli troops have extended their control across northern Gaza, having taken control of the Shati refugee camp.

Defence Minister Yoav Gallant said that the ground operation will eventually 'include both the north and south'.

'We will strike Hamas wherever it is', he said.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu echoed the plans, saying Israel's goal is 'a complete victory over Hamas in the south and the return of our hostages.'

Israel told residents of northern Gaza to evacuate south, saying it wanted to get civilians out of the path of its ground assault, and hundreds of thousands fled.

It comes after the UN Security Council approved a resolution calling for 'urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza strip following four failed attempts to respond to the war.

The resolution, which was approved by 12-0 with the US, UK and Russia abstaining, also called for the 'immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups'.

It made no mention of a ceasefire, and failed to refer to the October 7 attacks which sparked the conflict, or Israel's retaliatory air strikes.

The resolution brought the 15 members of the UN's most powerful body together in a first response to the ongoing war.

It asks that 'all parties comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children'.

UN Security Council resolutions are legally binding, but in practice many parties choose to ignore the council's requests for action.
TikTok has blasted users promoting a vile letter written by Osama Bin Laden in regards to the 9/11 atrocities and promised to remove any content referring to it.

'Content promoting this letter clearly violates our rules on supporting any form of terrorism,' TikTokPolicy wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter.

'We are proactively and aggressively removing this content and investigating how it got onto our platform.'

The video-sharing platform claims the number of videos on TikTok is 'small' and 'reports of it trending [on the] platform is inaccurate.'

In the 'Letter to America,' Osama bin Laden accused the US of being complicit in the 'oppression' of Palestinians and of spreading AIDS throughout the world

The trend appears to have started with TikToker Lynette Adkins who posted a video on November 14 telling her followers to read the manifesto

At bin Laden's direction, nearly 3,000 Americans were killed on 9/11 in New York City, Washington DC and Pennsylvania

'This is not unique to TikTok and has appeared across multiple platforms and the media,' the post added.

Bin Laden, who founded terror group Al-Qaeda with the aim of waging holy war on the western world, wrote a 'Letter to America' in 2002 to defend the motivation behind his murderous attack on mainland America that killed thousands of innocent people.

In the viral letter, bin Laden spews anti-American, anti-Semitic and anti-Western viewpoints, citing one of the main reasons for 9/11 being the US support for Israel.

At the time of writing, videos with the hashtag 'LettertoAmerica' have been viewed 7.3 million times.

Extraordinarily the majority are claiming support for the twisted reasoning Bin Laden lays out without a thought for the freedoms he criticizes.

The letter began to gain traction online after UK newspaper The Guardian linked to a 2002 article which translated it in full in a piece about the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Smoke still rises from ground zero of the collapsed World Trade Center two days after the attack

Clare Baron lays a rose for her cousin Mark Whitford at the National September 11 Memorial during an annual ceremony to commemorate the 22nd anniversary

Family members of victims attend a ceremony observing the 9/11 terrorist attacks at the Pentagon

It was subsequently deleted, with the outlet explaining to DailyMail.com that it was being shared 'without its original context.' The letter continued to spread on X but was prevented from spreading on Reddit.

The Guardian did not explain further as to how the link was made between the current conflict in the Middle East and a verbatim letter from bin Laden that was more than 20 years old.

The link to the letter spread, with hundreds of TikTokers posting videos in response to reading it, in which they appear to confuse the hateful diatribe for an intellectual think piece.

The letter was originally posted with an article explaining that the original version was in Arabic in a website used by al-Qaeda to 'disseminate messages and 'was sent to hundreds of subscribers to an email list run by Mohammed al-Massari, the UK-based Saudi Arabian dissident.'

The message added that the US government was included on the list.

The various trending videos about the letter include no context around bin Laden's life as a jihadist in which his followers slaughtered thousands of Muslims and non-Muslims alike or his support for some of the most oppressive political regimes imaginable.

In other sections of his correspondence, bin Laden blames the US government for spreading AIDS throughout the world, described homosexuality as 'immoral' and sought to turn America into an oppressive religious state similar to Afghanistan.

The trend appears to have started with TikToker Lynette Adkins who posted a video on November 14. 'I need everyone to stop what they're doing right now and go read - it's literally two pages - go read 'A Letter to America,'' she said.

In his infamous letter, Bin Laden ranted that the treatment of Palestinian people had to be 'revenged' and expressed justifications for the killing of civilians in the name of jihad. Bin Laden was killed by US Navy SEALs in a raid on his compound in Pakistan in May 2011.

'The American people are the ones who pay the taxes which fund the planes that bomb us in Afghanistan, the tanks that strike and destroy our homes in Palestine, the armies which occupy our lands in the Arabian Gulf, and the fleets which ensure the blockade of Iraq,' bin Laden wrote.

For this reason, the Saudi Arabian terrorist wrote, all Americans and Jewish people were culpable for 'the crimes committed by the Americans and Jews against [Muslims].'

Bin Laden wrote that AIDS was a 'Satanic American Invention' and repeatedly made anti-Semitic remarks including suggesting that American society was infiltrated by Jewish people who 'control your policies, media and economy.'

In response to the letter going viral, Florida Senator Marco Rubio mocked the TikTok users in a post on X.

'Now trending on social media (especially TikTok) people saying that after reading bin Laden's 'Letter to America,' they now understand terrorism is a legitimate method of resistance against 'oppression' and America deserved to be attacked of 9/11,' the one-time presidential candidate wrote.

Meanwhile, The Guardian said in a statement on the removal of the letter: 'The transcript published on our website 20 years ago has been widely shared on social media without the full context. Therefore we have decided to take it down and direct readers to the news article that originally contextualized it instead.'

The page that greets users who Google: Osama bin Laden letter

Bin Laden was killed by US Navy SEALs in a raid on his compound in Pakistan in May 2011

New York City Police Officer Danny Shea, a military vet, salutes at the North pool of the 9/11 Memorial

Hundreds of members of Generation Z posted videos in which they seemingly confused the hateful diatribe for an intellectual think piece

How terrorist Osama Bin Laden was a mass murderer who masterminded 9/11 murdering 2977 people Osama bin Laden was the 17th of 52 children born into an extremely wealthy family in Saudi Arabia. Around 1979, he became radicalized as he joined the Mujahedeen in Afghanistan to repel the Soviet Union's invasion. In 1988, he founded his terror network al Qaeda or The Base. The goal of the group was to wage holy war against the western world. Bin Laden largely turned his hatred towards the US in the early 1990s during the first Gulf War as American troops are stationed close to holy sites in Saudi Arabia. Between 1992 and 2001, bin Laden supported various strikes against the US military in Africa and Middle East. During his period, he was expelled from his homeland and took refuge in Afghanistan. On September 11, 2001, 19 al Qaeda members carry out a series of attacks in the US, flying planes into various buildings, including the twin towers in New York City. Shortly after the devastation of 9/11, bin Laden is named as the prime suspect by US authorities. The US military overruns Afghanistan but he remains on the run. Despite multiple rumors that he died in the intervening years due to a years long battle with kidney disease, bin Laden is finally tracked down to a compound in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad. On May 2, 2011, the mastermind was shot dead by US Navy SEALs on the orders of President Barack Obama. He was given an Islamist funeral and buried at sea. Advertisement

The Guardian website page that previously hosted the letter in full now displays a message reading: 'This page previously displayed a document containing, in translation, the full text of Osama bin Laden's 'Letter to the American People,' as reported in the Observer on Sunday 24 November 2002. The document, which was published here on the same day, was removed on 15 November 2023.'

A viral TikTok post on the article's removal said that it was a prime example of 'narrative control.'

'Narrative control and censorship are not things you do to a society you want being able to deeply consider the things happening around them,' the user said.

The letter's reemergence after all these years comes as Israeli President Benjamin Netanyahu refutes allegations that the military has committed war crimes in Gaza with reports that the death toll in the region has surpassed 11,000.

The region has been embroiled in conflict since Hamas brutally invaded Israel on October 7, killing around 1,400 people.

'Come back here and let me know what you think. Because I feel like I'm going through like an existential crisis right now, and a lot of people are. So I just need someone else to be feeling this too.' That video prompted more than 5,000 replies.

'Just read it... my eyes have been opened,' one person responded. 'I think this has made a lot of people realize that even 'villains' can speak the truth,' another wrote.

'We've been lied to our entire lives, I remember watching people cheer when Osama was found and killed. I was a child, and it confused me. It still confuses me today. The world deserves better than what this country has done to them,' another person said.

On her TikTok bio page, Lynette Adkins has a link to a fundraising page for 'Palestinian rights.'

Adkins followed up her original post with several others. In one she celebrates TikTok's influence on America's youth.

'TikTok is going to save this generation.' Her reasoning is that older people are 'programmed to think a certain way.'

In September 2023, Adkins' meteoric rise from lowly Amazon employee to influencer was the subject of a Los Angeles Times feature.

In another video, Adkins recommends her followers watch three documentary films, including one, Out of Shadows, which prompted one reviewer to remark: 'The so-called documentary is merely a mask for a hodgepodge of conspiracy theories associated with QAnon and its linear ancestor, Pizzagate.'

Another movie promotes 9/11 conspiracy theories, including one that suggest the US was behind the attack.

In her latest post, Adkins said that 'America is losing the PR war bad' and that 'they' were trying to shut TikTok down.
Police said the two student groups were fighting over past incidents of bullying

A Las Vegas father allegedly opened fire at a group of middle school students who had planned to meet on Halloween night for a fight.

Octavio Arredondo, 34, was arrested after he was accused of firing gunshots into a group of juveniles fighting on the street in a southeast valley neighborhood, according to documents obtained by 8 News Now.

Las Vegas police officers responded to a call reporting an illegal shooting near the intersection of Nellis Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue on October 31.

Arredondo was picking up his child from a group of middle school students who had met another group near the scene for a fight, as reported by the police.

Witnesses said he 'hung his arm out of the window' and fired three gunshots into the teenagers, adding that they had heard a group of students fighting in the street earlier that night.

Octavio Arredondo, 34, allegedly opened fire at a group of middle school students who had planned to meet on Halloween night for a fight

He was arrested after he was accused of firing gunshots into a group of juveniles fighting on the street in a southeast valley neighborhood near the intersection of Nellis Boulevard and Tropicana Avenue

Arredondo faces charges including assault with a deadly weapon and child abuse or neglect, documents said.

A neighbor told police that 'he heard a group of juveniles fighting in the street' before hearing three gunshots, according to the documents.

Authorities suspect that the shooting may be linked to allegations of bullying, given that the two groups involved were reportedly 'bullying, fighting' and shouting 'racial slurs'

Another person said that a group of teenagers were 'picking on another student' 'in an ongoing feud' stemmed from past incidents. There was no injury or death in relation to the incident.

Surveillance footage obtained by Las Vegas police reveals a driver opening his door and discharging a firearm at students, according to the documents.

It remains unclear if Arredondo was the student's father or stepfather, as conflicting reports arise from witnesses.

Arredondo appeared at court on November 3, when Judge Daniel Westmeyer set his bail at $50,000. He denied any involvement in the shooting or fighting.

When searching the car that police believe was connected to the shooting, officers discovered a firearm concealed in the center console.

As of November 10, there have been 14 victims aged between 15 and 19 murdered in Las Vegas, marking a concerning 55 percent increase compared to the previous year.

The incident occurred a day before a fatal beating of a high school student in Las Vegas, as violence among youth surges in the city.

Jonathan Lewis, 17, was set upon by a mob of 10 on November 1 outside Rancho High School, Las Vegas. He died in hospital on November 7 - and on Tuesday, eight arrests and charges were announced.

Jonathan Lewis, 17, died in hospital days after he was attacked by a group of 10 teens

The teenagers, ranging from ages 13 to 18, were charged with murder after the fatal fight erupted over stolen wireless headphones and possibly a vape pen.

The four oldest teens in the group will automatically face adult charges - and the younger four will face a juvenile court judge in December to determine if they are allowed to be tried as adults.

Police released two images of teenage thugs that are wanted for the murder Thursday, asking help to identify them.
Turner also said the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is stonewalling lawmakers investigating the Biden and Trump scandals

Trump was indicted and pleaded not guilty to 40 federal counts - including mishandling of classified information and obstruction of justice

Special Counsel Robert Hur, who is investigating Biden's case, is reportedly not expected to file any criminal charges against the president

'We are very disappointed that there's there's nothing that appears to be happening on that case,' Turner told DailyMail.com

House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence (HPSCI) Chairman Mike Turner says he's 'disappointed' that there is seemingly no movement in President Biden's classified documents investigation.

'We are very disappointed that there's nothing that appears to be happening on that case,' Turner told DailyMail.com on Thursday.

Turner, who has seen both the Biden and Trump classified documents, say they are 'equally national security threatening documents that should not have been outside of a controlled, classified space.'

Special Counsel Robert Hur was appointed by Attorney General Merrick Garland in January to probe the improper storage of classified documents at Biden's Delaware home and a think tank office set up after he served as vice president.

Hur has been interviewing the president's aides and family members, including Biden himself and son Hunter. And his team is reportedly expected to issue a 'sharply critical' detailed report by the end of the year, without filing any criminal charges.

In contrast, Special Counsel Jack Smith quickly indicted Trump back in July for allegedly unlawfully retaining national defense information, conspiracy to obstruct justice and making false statements.

'I'm very disappointed in the response we're getting from ODNI,' said Turner

Images from a Biden campaign video show him backing up his classic Stingray into his garage. He is seen reversing his Corvette into a garage filled with papers at his Wilmington home

Trump has pleaded not guilty to 40 federal counts and his court date is set for May 2024, which is in the thick of the presidential primary.

Turner also said the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI) is stonewalling lawmakers investigating Biden and Trump classified documents scandals.

'I'm very disappointed in the response we're getting from ODNI. We've all seen the [Trump] indictment, and I have seen classified documents from both the Biden and Trump documents. The ones that we have seen from Trump do not match the indictment.'

'And so our inquiry is: show us how the indictment language matches to a document and show us those documents. And we have yet to get a response.'

Turner, who is from Dayton, Ohio, made the comments during a preview of a Republican report on FISA Section 702 abuses and fixes published today.

He previously told DailyMail.com that it would be 'incredibly difficult' to not find that President Biden had violated the law in how he handled classified materials.

Since reviewing the documents, he had also said that the 'behavior' displayed by Biden and described in the Trump complaint - based on their alleged mishandling of the classified materials - is 'wrong.'

'If you just pull out the statute, it would be incredibly difficult for anyone to not conclude that Biden's actions violate specific statutes,' he previously said.

The chairman is particularly concerned with the potential 'unequal application' of the law by the Department of Justice in how it handles the Trump documents case compared to the Biden case.

Boxes of potentially classified documents were discovered in a Mar-a-Lago bathroom by the DOJ

Records were first unearthed in a private think tank office where the President Biden used to work in Washington in November 2022.

More documents were found in the president's Wilmington, Delaware garage on December 20 and in his home library on January 12.

Biden has said he did not know the documents were there.
Boss of Wigan taxi firm and his wife who moved to the US have been found dead with gunshot wounds in an apparent murder-suicide in California.

Carl and Kathryn 'Kathy' Ashcroft were both found with gunshot wounds at a property in Rancho Mirage, south east of Palm Springs, California, last Sunday.

Police said they responded to reports of an 'attempted suicide' at the residence on Lyon Road at about 2.15pm, where they discovered the injured couple.

Ashcroft was pronounced dead at the scene while his American wife Kathryn died after being rushed to a local hospital.

Riverside County Sheriff's Department said the case was now being investigated as a 'murder-suicide', with Ashcroft being named as the 'suspect' in the case by local police. Police insisted there was no threat to the wider community.

Carl and Kathryn 'Kathy' Ashcroft (pictured together) were both found with gunshot wounds at a property in Rancho Mirage, south east of Palm Springs, California, last Sunday

Carl Ashcroft, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, owned PemTaxis (pictured), a successful cab firm based in the Pemberton area of the town

Sgt. Mike Kelleher said in a statement: 'On November 12, 2023, at about 2.15pm, deputies from the Palm Desert Sheriff Station responded to a report of an attempt suicide at a residence on Lyon Street, in the city of Rancho Mirage.

'Deputies arrived within minutes and located a male and a female with gunshot wounds. The male victim succumbed to his injuries at the scene.

'The female victim was transported to a local hospital and succumbed to her injuries. Deputies secured the area as a crime scene and investigators from the Palm Desert Sheriff Station responded.

'The Central Homicide Unit also responded and assumed the investigation. This case is being investigated as a murder/suicide. There are no outstanding suspects and there is no threat to the community.'

A further statement issued this yesterday evening added: 'The victim in this case was identified as Kathryn Ashcroft, a 55-year-old resident of Simi Valley. The suspect has been identified as Carl Ashcroft, a 61-year-old resident of Simi Valley.'

Carl Ashcroft, from Wigan, Greater Manchester, owned PemTaxis, a successful cab firm based in the Pemberton area of the town.

A further statement issued this yesterday evening added: 'The victim in this case was identified as Kathryn Ashcroft, a 55-year-old resident of Simi Valley. The suspect has been identified as Carl Ashcroft, a 61-year-old resident of Simi Valley'

An operator said that it would be business as usual at the firm today and that any statements would have to come from a manager later.

The couple had lived together in Wigan before later moving to the US, and it is understood the pair had been planning to return to the UK.

Dave Brown, dealer principal at Orrell Motorcycle Centre, had known the couple for years. He said: 'I knew them professionally. I run a motorcycle business and Carl had a soft spot for his bikes.

'For over 25 years I have been selling Carl motorcycles, so we obviously built up a friendship as well, but not away from work.

'I would drop bikes off at their house and have a brew while handing them over. Kathy didn't ride, but she would occasionally go pillion. They lived in Shevington and Orell and Pemberton as well, I think.

'The last time I saw Carl was before they left to go on their big adventure living in California, just over two years ago. Kathy was a Floridian by birth, Carl met her in Florida.

'They did buy a house in Florida a few years ago, they would spend some time there then come back to Wigan. But they ended up selling it and moving on.

Ashcroft was pronounced dead at the scene while his American wife Kathryn (pictured) died after being rushed to a local hospital

'I remember Carl coming in one day looking at buying another bike and saying that they were planning on moving to California and going to Palm Springs and that they were only a couple of blocks away from the Kardashians.

'He embraced the American way of life. I would see pictures of him and Kathy driving around Santa Monica.

'They did everything together, they appeared to be inseparable that was my perception of them. They were very much a couple. That's why it was such a big shock. The gun thing came as a total surprise.

'It was devastating news not only for me but everyone at the shop - there was quite a few who knew Carl and Kathy.'

It is understood the couple leave children and grandchildren. 'They did dote on the children and grandchildren, just like they did on each other,' Dave added.

'They were very family orientated. That makes it such a big shock. You just could not see that coming. But, like people say, you don't know what goes on behind closed doors.'

MailOnline has contacted the Foreign Office and PemTaxis for comment.
The 27-year-old homeless man who attacked Democratic Rep. Angie Craig earlier this year was sentenced to more than two years in prison.

Kendrid Khalil Hamlin was sentenced Thursday after pleading guilty to punching the Minnesota congresswoman in the elevator of her Washington, D.C. apartment building on February 9, 2023.

Police arrested Hamlin for assaulting Rep. Craig, 51, earlier this year after telling her he planned to use the apartment's restroom.

When she declined allowing him to use the facilities, Hamlin punched her in the face, grabbed her by the neck and prevented her from reaching the elevator's keypad.

Craig threw a cup of hot coffee in the man's face, after which she was able to escape.

Homeless man Kendrid Khalil Hamlin, 27, was sentenced Thursday to 27 months in prison after pleading guilty to punching Democratic Rep. Angie Craig in the face earlier this year

Kendrick Hamlin (pictured), is the homeless man accused of assaulting Rep. Angie Craig. He is sentenced with more than two yeas in jail, followed by 36 months of supervised release for an assault on a member of Congress and two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer when they arrested him for the attack

Shortly following the incident, Craig's chief of staff, Nick Coe, said she 'suffered bruising, but is otherwise physically okay'.

'There is no evidence that the incident was politically motivated,' he added.

'Rep. Craig is grateful to the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department for their quick response and asks for privacy at this time.'

The assault occurred in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood of D.C. around 7:15 p.m. on a Wednesday, according to a police statement on the incident.

It also notes that Hamlin, who was 26 at the time, was reportedly acting erratically as he waited by the elevator with the congresswoman in her building's lobby before asking to use the restroom and attacking when she declined.

Hamlin did pushups in the elevator before he punched Craig and grabbed her by the neck, the police report notes. She defended herself with a hot cup of coffee and called 911 as the assailant fled the building.

He was later located and taken into custody  but not before he 'also assaulted the officers,' according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Columbia.

U.S. District Court Chief Judge James E. Boasberg sentenced Hamlin to 27 months in prison, followed by 36 months of supervised release for an assault on a member of Congress, in addition to two counts of assault on a law enforcement officer.

The police report from the initial incident notes that Craig detailed that 'she said 'good morning' to [Hamlin] then she entered the elevator to go to her apartment.'

'[Craig] further states that [Hamlin] then, entered the same elevator she was in and began to randomly do push ups,' the report continued. '[Craig] stated that [Hamlin] with a closed fist punched her on the chin area of her face, and later grabbed her neck.'

Rep. Craig noted that the assailant was acting as if he was on drugs.
A fierce storm packing hurricane-force wind gusts dumped over a foot over rain on parts of South Florida on Thursday morning, flooding homes and streets.

The storm, which started on Wednesday, dropped almost 14 inches, just over one foot, of rain from Key Largo to Fort Lauderdale.

Wind gusts also topped out at 86mph in the Sunshine State, according to the National Weather Service.

The National Weather Service's latest summary said: 'A few strong storms may threaten the southern and eastern Florida Peninsula, and a brief tornado or damaging gust cannot be completely ruled out.'

David Roth, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service added: 'The worst is over for South Florida, but they'll still see two to four inches today before it's over.'

Thousands of homes and businesses were left without power after the storm, which started on Wednesday

Wind gusts also topped out at 86mph in the Sunshine State, according to the National Weather Service

Images have since surfaced of residents attempting to drive through the high water and walking, two people are seen here in Hialeah, Miami-Dade County

The system will also bring two to four inches of precipitation to Central Florida, he said, before the storm moves north to the Carolinas on Thursday night and into Friday.

Meanwhile on the ground, images have surfaced showing the devastation caused by the storm in Hialeah, Miami-Dade County.

Streets in the city have been flooded, with people also seen braving the high waters in their vehicles as well as on foot.

The rainfall was called 'heavy to extreme' by the National Weather Service in an overnight update.

Strong winds also brought down power lines and toppled trees, especially near the coast.

Damage was seen in parts of Miami and the nearby barrier-islands community of Miami Beach, where locations recorded gusts near or above 70 mph, according to Weather Service data.

On Thursday morning, 120,000 homes were without power after the storm wreaked havoc on parts of the state.

The storms were driven by a low pressure system and warm waters in the Gulf colliding with cooler air and water on the state's Atlantic coast, Roth said.

A flood watch remained in effect for Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach counties on Thursday.

Commuters are seen attempting to drive through the flood water in Hialeah, Miami-Dade County, with one driving apparently turning around

Forecasters said conditions would start to improve for the Sunshine State as low pressure pulls away from the area on Friday

Public schools in Florida's Broward County, the sixth-largest district in the nation, all closed on Thursday due to the extreme weather

Forecasters said conditions would start to improve for the Sunshine State as low pressure pulls away from the area on Friday.

Videos have also emerged on social media of precarious drivers driving through high flood waters in the state.

Images have also been shared showing the devastation caused by the storm in Miami Beach, with downed trees and branches lining one street.

In the short clip, a large tree has collapsed onto a vehicle parked on the street - smashing the windscreen in the process.

The high rainfall rates and accumulation totals through the rest of Thursday will lead to a 'high probability of flash flooding concerns within the urban corridor down into the Florida Keys', according to the Weather Prediction Center.

As well as the winds and rain, the National Weather Service has warned that high tides will produce dangerous conditions at beaches in the state also.

The severity and frequency of major storms affecting the U.S. in recent years is linked to global warming.

This year's Atlantic hurricane season, which officially runs from June 1 to Nov. 30, has been another in a string with above average activity.

In the above picture, a trailer park community in the town of Davie, Broward County, is seen partially submerged

A man walks in a flooded street in a trailer park community in Davie, Florida, U.S., November 16, 2023

While hurricane season technically has two weeks until it officially ends, this storm wasn't associated with a tropical system.

Luke Culver, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Miami, said: 'It's not considered a tropical system because of the way it formed.'

Culver noted that the system had developed more like a nor'easter, which are more common in the northeastern of the United States.

The torrential rain comes just months after Fort Lauderdale recorded their rainiest day on record, when 22.5 inches fell on April 12.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis had to declare a state of emergency as storms caused mass flooding, after they dumped two feet of rain in a matter of hours.
A Texas school board has apologized and reversed a decision that pulled a transgender high school student from a lead part in a play.

Max Hightower, a 17-year-old transgender male, was removed as an actor from Sherman High School's upcoming production of Oklahoma! - causing an uproar that culminated with a crowded school board meeting Monday.

At the packed meeting, more than 60 attendees took to the podium to show their support for Max, questioning a district decision also made last month that ruled students must portray characters that align with their sex assigned at birth.

With Hightower seated and seen tearing up in the crowd, students and parents alike criticized the board for singling out the boy, removing him from a role he rightfully earned.

Dozens stationed outside also took issue with the decision, waving Pride flags and donning shirts that read, 'I stand with Max.' Chants of 'Let them sing' were also rife, and the Sherman auditorium was packed to the brim.

Eventually, after a great deal of deliberation, the seven-person board voted to reverse their verdict - doing so unanimously by a vote of 7-0.

Max Hightower, a 17-year-old transgender male seen at center, was removed as an actor from Sherman High School's upcoming production of Oklahoma! last month

The decision - stemming from a new district rule that prohibits students playing a part of the opposite sex - caused an uproar that culminated with a school board meeting this week

Afterward, an emotional Hightower thanked those who spoke up for him, telling a mass of local outlets that had gathered how the display was a win for transgender people.

'It was really emotional and empowering,' the teen said. 'It feels like we're on even sides now, and [that] we can actually win this fight.'

The assertion seemed to refer to how the district, after deciding to do away with different sex roles, also called off the original production of Oklahoma! - seeking to produce a more 'age-appropriate version of the [Rodgers and Hammerstein] play'.

A musical with no LGBTQ-related themes, it tells the story of a farm girl and her courtship by two rival suitors, and a wealthy peddler who was almost played by Groucho Marx. After Monday, in the school version, he will be played by Hightower.

The high school senior told the Washington Post after the vote: 'I worked so hard to get [the part] back.

'And I got it now.'

Dozens of people from his community - a small city just north of Dallas - had the same stance, including those of the Sherman Independent School District board, who initially upheld the guidance that got the teen pulled in the first place.

Eventually, after a great deal of deliberation, the seven-person board voted to reverse their verdict - doing so unanimously, by a vote of 7-0.

At the packed meeting, more than 60 attendees took the podium to show their support for Max, questioning a district decision also made last month that ruled that students must portray characters that align with their sex assigned at birth

With Hightower seated and seen tearing up in the crowd, students and parents alike criticized the board for singling out the boy, removing him from a role he rightfully earned

Dozens of people from his community - a small city just north of Dallas - had the same stance, eventually swaying the Sherman Independent School District board who upheld the guidance that got the teen pulled in the first place

Dozens stationed outside also took issue with the initial decision, waving Pride flags and donning shirts that read, 'I stand with Max'

Chants of 'Let them sing' were also rife, with people seen standing shoulder to shoulder Monday as board members arrived

Cops were stationed to keep a handle on the event, which remained peaceful despite the contentious subject being discussed

'We want to apologize to our students, parents and our community regarding the circumstances that they have had to go through to this date,' Board President Brad Morgan said after he and others voted to reverse the dismissal.

The board also reversed its bid to air the new 'youth edition' of Oklahoma! - one without the themes deemed too 'mature' by the district, including a scene where a male and female character kiss and scenes that could be construed as suggestive.

Last week, the district revealed in a statement that it would be reviewing 'all aspects' of the school's version of the 1931 classic, including staging and casting, to ensure the performance was 'appropriate for a high school stage.'

Days before, Max and his parents were told by staffers at Sherman High that he was out of the part, and that he would need be recast as a female to remain in the production.

The move proceeded to garner national attention, with the Hightower family telling the Washington Post: '[We] had only seen stuff like this on the news.

'[We] didnt think it would happen in our school because nothing had happened before.'

Afterward, an emotional Hightower thanked those who spoke up for him, telling a mass of local outlets that had gathered how the display was a win for transgender people

A musical, it tells the story of farm girl and her courtship by two rival suitors and a wealthy peddler, who, after Monday, will be played by Hightower (seen here in a different school production)

The board also reversed its bid to air the new 'youth edition' of Oklahoma! - one without the themes deemed too 'mature' by the district, including a scene where a male and female character kiss and scenes that could be construed as suggestive

Last week, the district revealed in a statement that it would be reviewing 'all aspects' of the school's version 1931 classic, including staging and casting, to ensure the performance was 'appropriate for a high school stage.'

The move proceeded to garner national attention, with the Hightower family telling the Washinton Post: '[We] had only seen stuff like this on the news'

On Tuesday, with both his part and the original script were re-instated, Hightower and his castmates reportedly traveled to a costume shop to build up his wardrobe for upcoming shows, now slated for January

'It was fully, like, my "I finally got this back" moment,' the teen - seen second from right - told the paper

On Tuesday, after both his part and the original script were re-instated, Hightower and his castmates reportedly traveled to a costume shop to build up his wardrobe for upcoming shows, now slated for January.

The experience, he told the Post, was almost surreal.

'It was fully, like, my "I finally got this back" moment,' he told the paper.

Taking the trip with a reporte, the teenager tried on one ensemble - a plaid jacket, a gray bowler hat and a polka-dot tie.

The new digs inspired him to say that he could already see himself as the character -and soon, others will too.
President Joe Biden waved the white flag rather than contend with pronouncing the challenging name of a corporate entity during remarks at the APEC summit Thursday.

While saluting US corporate innovation, Biden decided to skip over the name of a corporate entity rather than botch its name in remarks about innovation and achievement.

'IBM, Organon, Visa. Look, they make up, they make our region more resilient, make it more secure,' Biden said, reeling off the name of firms.

'Here in this world renowned hub of innovation, leading tech companies like Anthropic and  I'm going to mispronounce. I'm not going to even try,' Biden said, stopping himself.

'I'm going to mispronounce,' Biden told the crowd during a speech at APEC. He said it was better to skip a company's name in his speech than to mispronounce it

'It's better not to try and not mispronounce than try and mispronounce,' he observed, before continuing on with his remarks. 'Point is small and medium sized business startups are getting an accent as well,' Biden said.

His remark got a warm laugh from the crowd of dignitaries and officials from around the Asia Pacific region.

Biden, who overcame a speech impediment as a child, had moments before botched the name of the cavernous event space where he was speaking in downtown San Francisco.

'The Marcone Center's about as big as my state,' messing up the name of the Moscone Center. It is named after former San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, who was assassinated in 1978 along with San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk.

On Wednesday, Biden avoided another potentially challenging name, when he didn't hazard to try to name CBS White House correspondent Weijia Jiang.

Biden botched the name of the Moscone Center during his remarks

Biden read from a list of pre-prepared names to call on at his press conference Wednesday, and called on 'CBS' rather than naming White House correspondent Weijia Jiang

'CBS, I can't remember who's CBS, I'm sorry,' Biden said, when calling on her at his press conference while reading from a pre-prepared list of questioners.

Even if Biden didn't single out the company he wanted to highlight, he did salute businesses overall, on a trip that stresses U.S. investment and 'friend-shoring.'

'All the announcements translate into real country outcomes that matter to people's lives are proof that a strong dynamic American economy is an engine of growth, economic growth innovation throughout the entire region,' he said.

Biden said more than 60 per cent of U.S. exports go to APEC countries, while companies at the summit had announced $50 billion in investments to APEC companies.
A father was arrested after allegedly killing his daughter's pet bulldog with a kitchen utensil while under the influence.

Arnaldo Silva, 51, is facing animal cruelty charges and second-degree threatening after police responded to a domestic abuse report at his home.

Silva was found 'covered in blood' alongside the dead dog - which belonged to his 25-year-old daughter Gabriella Silva.

His daughter told DailyMail.com: 'It's truly devastating. Cold-blooded murder,' but declined to further comment on the traumatic event.

Police said that they were dispatched to Silva's home in North Branford, Connecticut, on Monday at 11:21 pm after someone had reported a possible domestic dispute issue.

Arnaldo Silva, 51, is facing animal cruelty charges and second-degree threatening after police responded to a domestic abuse report at his home

Silva was found 'covered in blood' alongside the dead dog - which belonged to his 25-year-old daughter Gabriella Silva (Pictured: Diesel, Gabriella's dog)

The officers discovered on their way to the house that a resident of the home had reportedly killed a dog.

They reported finding a trail of blood from the living room all the way down the hallway into his bedroom - where Silva was covered in blood with a bloody nose.

Police said the 51-year-old appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs and he was reportedly uncooperative with officers.

An ambulance was requested to the property which took Silva to Yale New Haven Hospital for medical attention.

The call dispatcher had told officers that the pet had been killed with 'an unknown weapon'.

Upon an investigation of the property - police found Gabriella's two-year-old bulldog dead and they found a 'bloody kitchen knife' in the dog's kennel.

The bulldog - named Diesel - was immediately transported to UCONN Veterinary Medical for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

The police department along with New Haven State's Attorney's Office and East Haven Animal Control are investigating the incident.

Upon an investigation of the property - police found Gabriella's two-year-old bulldog dead and they found a 'bloody kitchen knife' in the dog's kennel

Gabriella (pictured) told DailyMail.com: 'It's truly devastating. Cold-blooded murder,' but declined to further comment on the traumatic event

The police department along with New Haven State's Attorney's Office and East Haven Animal Control are further investigating the incident

Silva was taken into custody and charged on November 15 after a warrant was put out for his arrest for 'the highest possible charges'.

'Incidents like this one remind us of the complex challenges law enforcement officers face every day. I commend the swift and decisive action of our officers in ensuring the safety of the victim and apprehending the suspect,' North Branford Dep. Chief James Lovelace said.

Gabriella Silva has posted pictures of her pet bulldog on social media accompanied by the caption 'Justice for Diesel'.
A family in Georgia were shocked and upset when they showed up to a relative's open casket funeral only to find the wrong person on display.

Georgia Robinson, the sister of Mary Jean Robinson - who passed away recently in Jackson, Mississippi - said she could tell something was off from the moment she stepped foot into the room where the wake was being held.

'Once we got in there and signed the books and everything, we were walking down to view her body, and I knew something was kind of off,' Georgia told the local Fox station.

'I could tell that it wasn't her from far back. I didn't know who was in the casket.'

Robinson passed away at the age of 68 in late October.

Mary Jean Robinson died at 68 late last month. Her family very nearly buried someone who was not her, a mistake that was caught at what was meant to be her funeral

The family said that even after the mixup was pointed out, the Peoples Funeral Home directors were rude and unapologetic about the devastating situation

The horrified family didn't find Mary Jean at her own funeral, but they did find a stranger wearing the clothing and jewelry they had specifically chosen for their loved one to be buried in.

Georgia said she told the funeral director that the person being presented was not, in fact, the correct individual - though the outfit, accessories, flowers, and casket were the right ones.

In a moment of shock that took place on a day already reserved for sorrow, Georgia said the employees of the Peoples Funeral Home were unapologetic and rude to her family.

'We're telling him (the funeral home director) about the mistake, and he was very rude and very uncaring,' said Georgia.

'He had an attitude with my son. He told us that we were going to have to pay for everything all over again.'

Eventually, she said, the funeral home met some of the family's demands. They purchased new clothes for Mary Jean, but never wound up placing her in the right casket.

'I told him not to put anything on my sister that was on that lady,' she said, referring to the woman who ended up in her sister's casket.

'He put the earrings on her anyway.'

The woman still mourning the loss of her sister said the entire ordeal has impacted her emotionally.

Georgia said she feels extremely dismayed that her family easily could have wound up burying the wrong person

'I feel terrible,' she said. 'Just to think, if we had a closed casket, we would have ended up burying someone else's loved one instead of ours.'

Responding to an inquiry from the local outlet, James Stewart - one of the funeral directors - would neither confirm nor deny that any mix-up had occurred.

He said, however, that the Robinson clan told the company they were pleased with their services.
Four people who crashed a stolen Toyota Prado LandCruiser into 30 cars in Sydney are on the run from police.

The car was spotted being driven dangerously on Oxford and Young St, two busy streets in the central suburb Redfern, on Thursday night.

Just hours earlier, the Prado had been reported stolen in Palm View, on the Sunshine Coast.

New South Wales Police allege the car sped away from officers when prompted to pull over at the intersection of South Dowling and Cleveland St so police initiated a pursuit.

Despite the incident taking place in New South Wales, the vehicle had Queensland plates.

A Toyota Prado LandCruiser (above) reported stolen on the Sunshine Coast was chased down by police in Sydney after crashing into 30 cars

The car chase ended when the Prado crashed into a bollard on South Dowling St (above), it's four occupants fled on foot

Police chased the car down Cleveland St before it returned to South Dowling St and smashed into 30 cars.

The chase was brought to a sudden stop when the Prado crashed into a bollard on South Dowling St and the four occupants fled on foot.

As of 7.40am on Friday, they all remain at large.

Anyone with information about their location is urged to contact Crime Stoppers.
IBM has pulled its global advertising from Elon Musk's X following claim that the company's advertisements had been running alongside pro-Nazi material.

Media Matters' report claimed that it had found ads from big brands including IBM, Apple, Oracle and Comcast's Xfinity and Bravo running next to content 'that touts Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party.'

'IBM has zero tolerance for hate speech and discrimination and we have immediately suspended all advertising on X while we investigate this entirely unacceptable situation,' the company said in a statement.

Comcast told the Financial Times that it was looking into the matter while Apple and Oracle were yet to respond. DailyMail.com has reached out to each company for comment.

IBM has pulled its global advertising on Elon Musk 's X following a report that the company's advertisements had allegedly been running alongside Hitler and pro-Nazi material. Pictured is SVP and Director at IBM Research Arvind Krishna

Media Matters put out a report claiming that it had found ads from big brands including IBM, Apple, Oracle and Comcast's Xfinity and Bravo running next to content 'that touts Adolf Hitler and his Nazi Party'

Musk relaxed moderation policies and cut a chunk of staff involved with safety on the platform when his $44 billion deal to own the social media company was finalized last year.

Ad revenues fell about 50 percent, Musk sheepishly admitted in July, just as X's newly appointed chief executive Linda Yaccarino took on the arduous task of reassuring brand sponsors.

Yaccarino used to head Comcast's NBCUniversal before joining the social media platform in June.

She has been meeting ad agencies and brands and insisted that the company is investing in technology to ensure brands run next to desirable content - despite the recent reports.

According to the Financial Times, some brands have also been concerned by content posted by Musk himself.

In one screenshot, Media Matters showed an Oracle ad placed underneath a post including a photograph of a picture of Hitler and a quote by him about 'truth.'

Musk relaxed moderation policies and cut a chunk of staff involved with safety on the platform when his $44 billion deal to own the social media company was finalized last year

Ad revenues fell about 50 percent Musk sheepishly admitted in July and as for X's newly appointed chief executive Linda Yaccarino (pictured) the news is set to complicate the already arduous task of reassuring brand sponsors

Another screenshot showed an Xfinity advert beneath a post praising the Third Reich.

It isn't the first time Musk has challenged non-profit groups besmirching the social media platform.

In September, Musk threatened to sue Anti-Defamation League, a civil-rights group that fights antisemitism.

He blasted the group claiming that it had been trying to 'kill this platform by falsely accusing it & me of being antisemitic.'
A 12-year-old girl charged with the fatal stabbing of an older woman had allegedly 'fallen through the cracks' of state care.

Emergency services were called to the former Royal Hotel pub in Footscray at about 2am on Thursday following reports of an altercation and the discovery of a 37-year-old woman who had been allegedly stabbed to death.

The girl, who cannot be identified because of her age, was arrested at the scene and taken to the hospital for medical assessment, where she remains under police guard.

She was charged with one count of murder on Thursday night.

Now, it has emerged the girl has an intellectual age of six, The Herald Sun reported.

Homicide detectives remain at a inner-city hostel in Melbourne where a woman was allegedly stabbed to death early Thursday morning

The hostel on Footscray's main street remains cordoned off following the fatal stabbing

The Department of Families, Fairness and Housing  which is responsible for children in state care  refused to comment.

The former historic pub on Barkly Street is now understood to be a hostel.

It's understood an altercation allegedly broke out on the upper floors which now contain apartments.

Homicide detectives and forensic officers remained at the cordoned off crime scene near Footscray's main shopping strip on Thursday morning.

'Investigators are attempting to establish if the parties were known to each other,' a police spokesperson said.

Police urge anyone with information, CCTV or dashcam footage to come forward.

The child has an intellectual age of six and had repeatedly gone missing from her state care for days at a time

Homicide detectives are still trying to establish whether the woman and girl were known to each other. Pictured are police at the crime scene

It's understood an altercation allegedly broke out in the hostel on the upper floors, where the building has been converted into apartments

Local business owners were shocked to hear about the incident but noted an increase in crime in the past few years.

'After the pandemic people are just so agro, I don't know what's going on, they get heated up so quickly,' one woman said.

'I had an incident just last night where someone tried to kick in the windows to my shop, I reported it to the police.'
They are now appealing the community for help in locating a suspect

Police arrested a man but released him Wednesday without charges

The 40-year-old was stabbed to death at her home in Lafayette Park last month

Crime Stoppers of Michigan are offering a $15,000 reward for information that leads to arrest in the murder case of Samantha Woll, a Detroit synagogue leader.

Thursday's announcement comes just days after police released a suspect from custody without filing charges.

Woll, 40, was fatally stabbed at her Lafayette Park home on October 21 as she returned from a wedding.

Authorities believe Woll was attacked inside her home before stumbling outside. She was found at around 6.30am and pronounced dead at the scene.

She had been stabbed several times, and a trail of blood led to her home.

Samantha Woll, 40, was a Detroit synagogue leader and a Democratic campaign staffer

Woll was found stabbed to death outside her home last month

A suspect was arrested and swiftly released after police did not file the necessary paperwork, according to Wayne County Prosecutor's Office

In the weeks following Wolls death, police interviewed several persons of interest.

An unidentified man was arrested in the Kalamazoo area on November 8. However, he was released the following weekend without charges.

At the time, the Wayne County Prosecutor's Office said the man was released due to a lack of police paperwork including a warrant request.

However, unnamed sources told Local 4 that the suspect made ambiguous statements to detectives that were not enough to warrant murder charges.

The suspect reportedly stopped talking to police by the time he was taken to the Detroit area and hired an attorney.

Under Michigan law, suspects cannot be held without being charged for more than three days.

Woll was revered for her role as president of the board of directors for Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue.

She was also a campaign staffer for Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, and a former aide to Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin.

However, sources told a local outlet that the man was released after he provided detectives with ambiguous statements that were not enough for murder charges

Woll was well-known for her role as president of the board of directors for Isaac Agree Downtown Synagogue

Police said she had been stabbed several times. A trail of blood led from her home to her body

Detroit Police Chief James E. White says the department has ruled out antisemitism as a possible motive

On Wednesday evening, Slotkin led a bipartisan delegation of her colleagues for a moment of silence on the House floor.

'From working in my very first congressional office to serving as the president of her synagogue in Detroit, Sam had profound faith,' Slotkin said.

'Not just as a Jewish woman, but an abiding faith in humanity and a passion for interfaith relations - something that right now is, more than ever, important to our country.'

The Detroit Police Department has asked the community for help in identifying a suspect.

'We appeal to the community for any information and appreciate your patience as investigators thoroughly examine every aspect of this case,' the department wrote in a statement.

'Our heartfelt thoughts remain with Ms. Woll's loved ones.'

Woll's cousin, Lisa Schwartz, posted on Facebook shortly after her death.

'Losing a loved one to violence changes oneself. There are lots of difficult emotions that bubble to the surface. But, when it came to Sam the effect was multidimensional,' Schwartz wrote.

'She was a connector. She knew everybody, and everybody loved her for her energy, inspiration and devotion to her many causes.'

Detroit Police Department Chief James E. White said investigators have ruled out antisemitism as a possible motive.

The attack is believed to be an isolated incident, and Woll's killer is thought to have acted alone.
Omid Scobie has denied his new book Endgame is 'Harry and Meghan's' and instead claimed it will tell the 'current state of the British Royal Family'.

It comes hours after the Duke and Duchess of Sussex distanced themselves from the book, with insiders indicating to MailOnline they had nothing to do with it.

Posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, Mr Scobie wrote: 'And let's get this nonsense out the way - #ENDGAME is about the current state of the British Royal Family.

'It's not ''Harry and Meghan's book'', I'm not ''Meg's pal'', the Sussexes have nothing to do with it, their story is a small part of a much bigger one you can read in 12 days.'

Experts said that the Sussexes' favoured royal reporter's new biography is threatening a potential thawing in relations between the King and his youngest son.

Omid Scobie (pictured) has denied his new book Endgame is 'Harry and Meghan's' and instead claimed it will tell the 'current state of the British Royal Family'

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex distanced themselves from the book, with insiders indicating to MailOnline they had nothing to do with it

Mr Scobie posted on Twitter denying that Harry and Meghan had anything to do with the book

Reactions to the post from social media users varied, with one person writing: 'Oh, so not like the last book then.' Another person wrote: 'Preach! Set them straight.'

MailOnline understands that Meghan and Harry categorically deny any suggestion they are 'affiliated' with the book or that Mr Scobie, who has been friendly with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and co-wrote their biography Finding Freedom, is part of the 'Sussex Camp'.

The denial came after Harry and Meghan's olive branch to the King on his 75th birthday.

Harry is believed to have telephoned his father on Tuesday - and they have reportedly agreed to chat again next week. The Duchess of Sussex is also said to have spoken to her father-in-law from their home in California while the couple's children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, recorded a video of themselves singing happy birthday to their grandfather.

24 hours later excerpts of Mr Scobie's book were shared with People in the US, including claims that Harry 'remained in the dark' about the Queen's health in her final moments.

It also alleges that it was Meghan who urged Harry to answer his phone when Charles called him on an 'unknown number' to reveal that the Queen was close to death, before also asking that Meghan should stay away from Balmoral.

Sussex insiders have been clear that the couple have not helped Mr Scobie write Endgame

The book is released on November 28 - but excerpts have been released this week

Omid Scobie's claims from his new book, Endgame William ignored Harry when he asked how he was planning to get to Scotland;

Eventually, he booked a 30,000 charter flight to Aberdeenshire from Luton;

Charles told him to come without Meghan. Source claims she 'wasn't wanted';

Harry had 'no idea' about what was going on in Balmoral when his plane took off;

But 'sources' briefed newspapers that Charles had personally informed son;

William believes Harry has been 'brainwashed by an army of therapists'. Advertisement

Mr Scobie writes: 'Charles had cited 'protocol,' but the reality was that Kate chose to stay back to pick up the children from their first day at a new school. 'They just didn't want Meghan there,' said a former Palace aide. Meghan, a friend added, 'could sense she wasn't wanted'.'

The book also claims Prince William ignored Harry's texts, forcing him to charter his own plane. 'William clearly didn't want to see his brother', Endgame says.

Mr Scobie's decision to piggyback the release of his new book on the King's 75th birthday and the sixth and final series of The Crown was branded 'deplorable' today.

Royal journalist and author Phil Dampier told MailOnline: 'We all know that Scobie is their mouthpiece and he gets his information directly or indirectly from the Sussexes, so anything which is hurtful to Charles, Camilla or William and Kate, will just make things much worse. Let's put it this way - I can't see Harry and Meghan coming over for a family Christmas'.

He added: 'The King has always left the door open for his son and will continue to do so. But in reality if there are more serious allegations in Scobie's book it will set back any chance of a reconciliation'.

Royal courtiers are said to be furious over the claims made by Harry and Meghan's biographer Omid Scobie, who alleges that the Prince William ignored the Duke of Sussex's calls as he raced to be at the Queen's bedside in Scotland in September last year. Mr Scobie , who has been friendly with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and co-wrote their biography Finding Freedom, could be cut loose by the Sussexes and their circle, it has been claimed.

Prince Harry (pictured, centre with his wife Meghan at the Queen's funeral) has spoken to his father this week and they reportedly plan to speak again in the coming days

Mr Scobie claims that Prince William feels that he has 'lost Harry and doesn't want to know this version of him'

In an excerpt of his latest book, Endgame, he also alleges that that Prince Harry was 'kept in the dark' about the Queen's health in the hours before she died

Elizabeth Debicki playing Princess Diana with boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayed by her side in the new series of The Crown, out today

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: 'The timing of this is utterly deplorable. I think the Sussexes will have to think hard about whether or not Scobie is their spokesman or their friend. It will be interesting to see if Harry and Meghan will still want to be associated with Scobie after this'.

He added: 'Of course, the fact that it's been leaked to People magazine makes one wonder what's been going on behind the scenes'.

Royal insiders have torn into Mr Scobie's claims that Prince William ignored his brother's calls as the late Queen lay dying in Balmoral last year.

Royal courtiers are said to be furious over the claims made by Harry and Meghan's biographer Omid Scobie, who alleges that the Prince of Wales ignored the Duke of Sussex's calls as he raced to be at the Queen's bedside in Scotland in September last year.

A Royal insider told the Mirror: 'It appears no matter what happens behind closed doors, even in a time of such pain and grief, that where the Royal Family are concerned it will one day emerge.

'Nothing is off limits with William and Kate appearing to be this author's number one target. It only takes a few months for the knives to come out again and the wounds to be opened up'.

In an excerpt of his latest book, Endgame, Mr Scobie alleges that Prince Harry was 'kept in the dark' about the Queen's health in the hours before she died, and that Prince William feels that he has 'lost Harry and doesn't want to know this version of him'.

Mr Scobie, who previously released a biography on the Sussexes titled 'Finding Freedom,' said Harry, 39, and his 42-year-old wife Meghan had 'no idea' the Royal Family were preparing for the Queen's death last year.

Royal courtiers are said to be furious over the claims made by Harry and Meghan's biographer Omid Scobie , who alleges that the Prince of Wales ignored the Duke of Sussex 's calls as he raced to be at the bedside of the Queen (pictured) in Scotland in September last year

According to the Mirror, Mr Scobie has said there was 'no proof' King Charles called his youngest son during the Queen's death

In Endgame, Mr Scobie recounts how the Sussexes had visited the UK for a series of engagements in September 2022 when the palace announced that Queen Elizabeth had been advised by her doctors to rest.

He writes: 'By the next morning, the Sussexes had no idea that Buckingham Palace was already planning for the Queen's final hours and the first days of the monarchy's new era  until the duke's phone started ringing. An unknown number. He usually ignored those.'

Meghan told her husband to pick up the phone and he accepted the call 'just before it stopped', the author wrote.

He continues: 'Harry hadn't spoken to his father much that year, but this was not the time for any father-and-son tension. Charles told him he and Camilla were about to leave Dumfries House for Balmoral, where Princess Anne was already by the Queen's side. He told Harry to make his way to Scotland immediately.'

Harry sent a text message to his brother William asking how he and Kate planned to Scotland and whether they could travel together but got no response, Mr Scobie claims.

He was later told Harry had managed to secure a flight with his uncles Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle with King Charles and Queen Camilla at the late Queen's funeral last year. Harry had reportedly not spoken to his father for a long time

An emotional Harry travels in an official car to Balmoral after the Queen's death was announced to the nation

The Prince and Princess of Wales join the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for a walkabout at Windsor to meet mourners after the Queen's death in September 2022

'It was upsetting to witness,' Mr Scobie claims he was told by a source close to the Sussexes. '[Harry] was completely by himself on this.'

Mr Scobie alleges that Palace 'sources' briefed certain newspapers that Charles had personally shared the news of the Queen's illness with his son. He quoted a friend of the duke who said this left Harry 'crushed'.

The journalists makes fresh claims about the damaged relationship between William and Harry.

The author also suggests William and Harry's relationship is beyond repair because the Prince of Wales sees his brother as a 'defector'

And in the extract shared with People, he claims 'there is no going back' for the brothers and 'absolutely nothing has changed' since the Duke of Sussex released Spare earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace refused to comment on Endgame, due to be released on November 28, when approached by MailOnline.

The latest bombshell accusations come just hours after Harry ad his father shared 'cordial' 75th birthday call.

Harry is believed to have phoned his father on his special day yesterday to wish him Happy Birthday - in a call thought to be the estranged royals' first phone chat in six months.

King Charles and Harry are understood to have had minimal contact for months, particularly since the release of Harry's tell-all memoir Spare, published in January, and a Netflix series, which was released the month prior to that.

Meghan Markle is also said to have spoken to her father-in-law to pass on her wishes from California. And the couple's children Archie and Lilibet recorded a video of themselves singing happy birthday to their grandfather, the Telegraph newspaper reported.

The report claimed Charles and Harry will speak again next week after their call marked a 'shift' in tone and a 'turning point' between the pair.

Prince Harry and Prince William on July 1, 2021 during an unveiling of a statue of their mother at Kensington Palace

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were not spoken to about Charles' party by Buckingham Palace, a spokesman for the pair previously said

King Charles celebrating his 75th birthday alongside Queen Camilla - together they officially launched The Coronation Food Project at The South Oxfordshire Food and Education Alliance

Charles was presented with a cake at Highgrove House in honour of his birthday

Harry and Meghan previously said they had 'no contact' from Buckingham Palace about an invitation to Charles' 75th evening birthday event.

The Sunday Times reported that Prince Harry had turned down an invitation to the birthday bash.

But a source close to the Sussexes told MailOnline they were not invited to Charles's party.

'They had not received any invitation and were unaware of any celebrations until the stories came out,' the insider previously said, adding: 'I'm sure the Duke will find a way to reach out privately to wish His Majesty a happy birthday like he has always done'.

Buckingham Palace previously refused to discuss the King's plans.

Buckingham Palace refused to comment on reports the father and son spoke for the King's birthday and are due to speak again next week when contacted by MailOnline.

Prince William and Kate are seen leaving the event after celebrating the King's birthday

Looking effortlessly elegant, Zara Tindall, pictured with husband Mike, also attended

London's Piccadilly Lights were lit up with a birthday message for Charles and the tourist attraction also displayed a quote from his Big Issue article.

MailOnline has also contacted representatives for Prince Harry for comment

Meanwhile the Prince and Princess of Wales were seen enjoying a late night out as they departed Clarence House close to midnight after King Charles's glittering 75th birthday party last night.

They were joined at the monarch's birthday celebration by his niece Princess Beatrice, Princess Margaret's daughter Lady Sarah Chatto and Princess Anne's daughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall.

Lady Susan Hussey, 84, the former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth II, was also in attendance, sporting an elegant blue shimmering gown, while Jools Holland also made an appearance.

Other family members attending Charles' birthday event also included the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and David Armstrong-Jones, the 2nd Earl of Snowdon, the son of the late Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones.
A TV reporter appears to have been shoved while attempting to interview embattled Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin on her way out of Parliament House after she gave evidence at a Senate inquiry.

Ms Bayer Rosmarin was called upon to front up to the inquiry and explain what went wrong on Wednesday, November 8, when 10 million Australians woke up to a nationwide service outage which impacted both phone and internet services.

The executive was flanked by several members of security and protective services as she left the two-hour hearing through the underground exit of the building.

A Channel Seven reporter was filmed attempting to get comment from Ms Bayer Rosmarin, and one of the guards appears to shove her backwards with his shoulder.

Sky News reported that the journalist, Isabelle Mullen, asked the man to 'please not shove me' and that she was told in response 'not to get in his way.'

Ms Bayer Rosmarin was called upon to front up to a Senate inquiry about what went wrong on Wednesday November 8, when customers around Australia woke up to no service

Just prior to the altercation, Ms Bayer Rosmarin was grilled about the Optus outage, and her handling of the crisis.

Communications Minister Michelle Rowland was fielding calls from journalists from about 5am, and fronted up to a press conference early on in an attempt to ease public concern.

But the Optus CEO herself didn't speak publicly on the crisis for several more hours, calling ABC Radio via WhatsApp shortly after 10.30am for a short interview about the matter.

She faced intense backlash for appearing to go missing during those crucial early hours, but now has told the inquiry she had good reason for the decision.

READ MORE: CEO's mansion scene of photoshoot on day of outage Advertisement

'I wanted to ensure before I spoke that we could at least rule out the possibility of malicious activity,' she said.

'As soon as our cyber specialists ruled this out, I began publicly fronting the issue on behalf of my team.'

Ms Bayer Rosmarin reason she said nothing was two-fold.

She was working closely with her team to make decisions about Optus's call centres, which had also crashed, and whether or not it was wise to open physical stores during the outage.

Ms Bayer Rosmarin revealed she did not speak to the relevant minister - Ms Rowland - until 8.30am, about four hours after the outage started.

At that time, she had no reason to believe that Triple-zero calls were not going through, as the network is designed to reroute emergency calls through other networks in the case of an outage.

In all, 228 triple-zero calls did not go through during the outage, she later said.

Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young, who is the chair of the committee overseeing the Optus inquiry, said customers had a right to know if they could continue to have confidence in the operator.

The 12-hour outage last Wednesday affected Optus' entire telephone and internet network and prevented some calls to emergency numbers.

It was the second major crisis for the telco in the last 12 months after a cybersecurity breach compromised the personal data of customers.

Ahead of the Senate hearing, the Australian Financial Review reported Ms Bayer Rosmarin was considering her position as CEO.

The chief executive, who has held the top job at Optus since April 2020, could depart the top job as soon as early next week, the publication said.

Asked if Ms Bayer Rosmarin should resign, Senator Hanson-Young said it was a question for the board and the chief executive.

'But I must say I think this has been handled atrociously. It's not the first time under this leadership that Optus has not been able to front up to the customers and tell the public what's going on,' she said.

Optus has blamed the outage on a routine software upgrade, when changes to routing information cascaded through multiple levels of the telcos network.

Speaking at the inquiry, Ms Bayer Rosmarin said: 'The reality is that our network should have coped with this change, but on this occasion it did not.

'We effectively performed a hard reboot of the network - this commenced at about 10.30am with the vast majority of customers recovered by 2pm and 99 per cent by 4pm.

The 12-hour outage last Wednesday affected Optus' entire telephone and internet network and prevented some calls to emergency numbers

'The actions we took were a brute force resuscitation of the network. We had not yet identified the cause of the issue, and so whilst the crisis was over for our customers by 4pm, it was not over for our teams, who needed to immediately shift focus to what had happened to the network to ensure it would not happen again.

This work continued for many days... I would like to acknowledge and thank the team for their tireless recovery efforts under enormous pressure.'

The CEO said she 'wholeheartedly believes' she and her team did everything they could to 'provide timely, accurate and credible information' but accepts there is always more that could be done.

'There is no question the outage itself initially adversely affected our ability to more effectively communicate with each other, our consumers, media and government in the early hours of Wednesday morning.'

Senator Hanson-Young was scathing of Optus' attempts to explain the outage.
President Joe Biden is not expected to face charges in his mishandling of classified documents case.

But Special Counsel Robert Hur's report is expected to be sharply critical of how Biden and his longtime aides handled the material, the Wall Street Journal reported.

Hur interviewed about 100 people, including the president himself, Hunter Biden, and the president's aides and colleagues.

The documents date back to Biden's time in the Senate and to when he was Barack Obama's vice president. They were found at Penn Biden Center, a private think tank Biden once ran, and his Wilmington, Del., home in the same garage where Biden keeps his Corvette.

President Joe Biden and Hunter Biden at church in South Carolina in August 2022

The discovery came after it was revealed Donald Trump took classified documents with him when he left the White House and was storing them at Mar-a-Lago, his Florida home. Special counsels were appointed to investigate Trump and Biden.

Hur and his team interviewed President Biden for two days. They also spoke to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, national security adviser Jake Sullivan, and top Biden aide Steve Ricchetti and Bidens former chief of staff Ron Klain.

Hur was appointed special counsel on January 12, 2023. Jack Smith is the special counsel investigating the Trump case.

Biden cooperated with the investigation from the start. The FBI investigated the offices of his think tank, and Bidens homes in Rehoboth Beach, Del., and Wilmington, Del.

On Nov. 2nd, Biden's personal attorney discovered approximately 10 documents with classified markings at the Penn Biden Center, Biden's private think tank run by the University of Pennsylvania.

The material dated back to the Obama administration. The National Archives and Justice Department were informed of the discovery.

But the crisis did not come to public attention until January after CBS News reported their existence, earning criticism for the Biden administration, which has promised transparency.

Days later more classified documents were discovered at Biden's Wilmington, Delaware, residence. Additional searches found more classified records - about two dozen total.

White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre took a public beating for saying on multiple occasions the search for documents was over only to have to reveal additional searches found additional documents.

The lack of disclosures, the misstatements, and Biden own testiness when asked about the issue contributed to the impression the White House had not been forthcoming on the matter.

President Joe Biden is not expected to face charges in classified documents case

Special Counsel Robert Hur is expected to write a report critical of Biden's handling of docs

Administration officials countered that the Archives and other federal agencies were notified immediately when documents were found.

The Biden administration has taken pains to point out the differences between the president's handling of the documents and Trump's.

The National Archives had repeatedly asked Trump to return official documents taken when he left the White House in January 2021, as required by the Presidential Records Act.

After months of stonewalling, Trump eventually turned over 15 boxes to the National Archives and found classified material. Suspecting Trump hadn't handed everything over, the federal agency turned to the Justice Department, which ultimately got a federal warrant to search the property.

Secretary of State Antony Blinken and White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan were interviewed by the special counsel

Steve Ricchetti, counselor to the president, (left) and former White House chief of staff Ron Klain (right) were interviewed by the special counsel

After that August raid, Trump was found to have hundreds of documents with classified documents in his possession.

Since then, Trump has been charged with improperly withholding classified documents and obstructing justice by allegedly trying to have surveillance footage deleted that revealed how some of the documents were being handled.

The former president has pled not guilty.

Former Vice President Mike Pence also revealed last year that some classified documents were found in his Indiana home. His attorney immediately notified the federal government, and they were turned over to the FBI.
Two 12-year-old boys have been charged with the murder of Shawn Seesahai, who was found stabbed on playing fields in Wolverhampton on Monday, police have said.

Mr Seesahai, 19, teenage boy stabbed to death near a primary school came to the UK from his Caribbean home 'for medical treatment', MailOnline exclusively revealed earlier today.

West Midlands Police said that the two boys, who cannot be named for legal reasons, have been charged with his murder, as well as possession of a bladed article.

They will remain in custody to appear at Birmingham Magistrates' Court on Friday.

The force said in a statement tonight: 'Detectives investigating the murder of 19-year-old Shawn Seesahai in Wolverhampton on Monday evening have charged two boys with his murder.

'The 12-year-olds were arrested on Tuesday evening and, following a warrant of further detention from the court, they were charged this evening.

'The boys have also been charged with possession of a bladed article.

'Both boys, who cannot be named due to their age, have been remanded in custody to appear at Birmingham Magistrates Court (on Friday).

'Police patrols are continuing in East Park to offer reassurance to the public and our thoughts remain with Shawn's family and friends.'

Shawn Seesahai, a 19-year-old from Anguilla, was stabbed to death in Bilston, Wolverhampton, on Monday night

Police at the scene, where teenager Shawn Seesahai was stabbed to death in Bilston, Wolverhampton on November 14

A police tent set up in Stowlawn Playing Fields, Bilston, after the stabbing of Shawn Seesahai

Mr Seesahai, who was from the British Overseas Territory of Anguilla, had come to the UK with his parents for eye surgery to stop glaucoma that could have made him go blind, before staying with a family friend for his recovery.

However, tragically the 'well-loved' 19-year-old was knifed to death in playing fields in Wolverhampton on Monday night, leaving his family grieving for the 'courageous, compassionate and confident young soul'.

Emergency services had rushed to Laburnum Road, East Park, in Bilston, but the 'vibrant' teenager, who had been with friends at the time, was sadly pronounced dead shortly before 8.30pm.

Police launched a murder investigation, and officers later since arrested two 12-year-old boys on suspicion of Mr Seesahai's killing.

In a tribute released through police today, his mother said: 'Shawn Seesahai was a courageous, compassionate and confident young soul who sadly lost his life at the age of 19.

'He was looking forward to accomplish many future plans and ambitions. He cared dearly about his family and friends and he absolutely loved to help people. He was a generous person and had a good personality.

'We will always have him in our hearts.'

Speaking to MailOnline, his uncle Ryan Shiwcharan, who lives in the US, said Mr Seesahai had travelled to Britain three months ago for surgery to treat his glaucoma. The degenerative eye condition can cause blindness if left untreated, especially in younger patients.

The teenager was allowed to have treatment in the UK as Anguilla, the Caribbean island where his family is from, is a British Overseas Territory.

Mr Shiwcharan said his nephew was a 'well-loved young man' and that his heartbroken parents are now desperately trying to get his body back to Anguilla so they can perform his last rites.

His uncle described Mr Seesahai as a 'vibrant' man who 'tragically lost his life in a senseless act of violence while on a family trip to the UK'.

It said: 'Shawn was enjoying time in the park with a friend when he was brutally beaten and stabbed to death. Our hearts are shattered, and words cannot express the pain.

'We are now faced with the urgent need to bring Shawn back home to Anguilla, where his family can say their final goodbyes and find some semblance of peace.

'The unimaginable grief is compounded by the financial strain of arranging for his body to be transported.'

His family have set up a fundraiser in a bid to meet the costs of transporting Mr Seesahai back to Anguilla.

'We humbly ask for your support during this devastating time. Your contributions will play a vital role in helping Shawn's family cover the expenses associated with bringing him home.

'No donation is too small, and every act of kindness will be a beacon of light in the midst of this profound darkness. Let us come together to honour Shawn's memory and provide his family with the support they need during this heartbreaking journey.'

The teenager was described as a 'much-loved young man' by heartbroken family members

Two 12-year-old boys have been arrested on suspicion of his murder and remain in police custody

West Midlands Police revealed on Wednesday it had arrested two adolescents on suspicion of Mr Seesahai's murder. The pair were detained at their home addresses on Tuesday night and remain in custody, the force said.

Residents living close to the scene spoke of their shock after the two boys were arrested.

One homeowner on Laburnum Road, who did not want to be named, said: 'The first I heard of it was when the police went belting along the road the other night.

'It was obvious something major had gone on. There were so many sirens. There's always kids hanging about up there but nothing like this has ever happened.

'I've no idea what it was all over, but it's terrifying something like this so close to home.

'To learn two young boys have been arrested is just utterly shocking. They are just babies really.'

Another local, who wished to remain anonymous, said: 'I usually sit at the back of my house so can't see what's going on but I heard all the police the other night.

'It was only through speaking to neighbours that I heard a young man had died up there.

'I'm 80 now and lived here all my life. It's got worse and worse over the years. To hear children might be involved is terrible.'

Speaking after news of the arrests was made public, DCI Dave Sanders, from the West Midlands Police homicide team, said: 'Our thoughts remain with Shawn's family, who have been fully updated with this latest development.'

A police officer stands guard at a cordon close to the scene where Mr Seesahai was stabbed to death

The force has urged any witnesses who were in the area from between 6pm and 10pm on Monday, November 13, to get in touch.

A police spokesman said: 'Some roads near the scene have been closed off as forensic experts carry out their examinations.

'We also have extra patrols out in the surrounding area to offer reassurance to people and discuss any concerns they may have.'

Speaking before the arrests DCI Sanders said: 'While our thoughts remain with Shawn's family, our focus is on identifying exactly what has happened and bringing those responsible before the courts.

'Enquiries are continuing and we're asking motorists who were in the area to take a look at their dashcam as it may hold images or details which could be vital to our investigation.

'And we'd urge anyone who has information, and hasn't yet spoken with us, to come forward.'

West Midlands Ambulance Service said they sent two ambulances, a paramedic officer and two Midlands Air Ambulance Critical Care Cars to the scene.

A service spokesman said: 'Crews arrived to discover a man who had suffered serious injuries in the incident and was in a critical condition.

'They immediately began administering advanced life support but sadly, despite their best efforts, it became apparent nothing could be done to save him and he was confirmed dead at the scene.'

Anyone with information can contact police on 101 or via Live Chat quoting log 4878 of November 13.

Alternatively, contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.

You can donate to the family's GoFundMe page here.
discoveries follow criticism that IDF's search showed no signs of the tunnels

Israeli troops have claimed they found a tunnel shaft used by Hamas terrorists at Gaza's Al-Shifa hospital along with the bodies of two hostages held in a building close by.

The IDF released a video it said showed a tunnel entrance in an outdoor area of Al-Shifa hospital, two days after Israeli troops entered its grounds to hunt for a Hamas command centre they say is beneath the medical facility.

During the raid, Israel said its troops found the bodies of two hostages - Yehudit Weiss, 64, and Israeli soldier Noa Marciano, 19 - from a building adjacent to the hospital.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu claimed there were 'strong indications' that hostages were held at the hospital but they were no longer there when the facility was raided.

'We had strong indications that they were held in the Shifa Hospital, which is one of the reasons we entered the hospital,' he told CBS Evening News. 'If they were (there), they were taken out.'

Israeli troops claimed they found a tunnel entrance and weapons inside a truck located in the compound - but the military has yet to release evidence of a central Hamas command centre that Israel has said is concealed beneath the complex. Hamas and staff at the hospital, Gaza's largest, deny the allegations.

Hamas's tunneling infrastructure has been exposed around Gaza's AI-Shifa hospital

The body of Yehudit Weiss, 64, (pictured) who was taken captive by Hamas at Kibbutz Be'eri during the Hamas killing spree, has been found

The body of Israeli soldier Noa Marciano (pictured) was found in a building close to Al-Shifa hospital, the IDF said

Weiss was 'murdered by terrorists', the IDF said

The IDF revealed evidence of weaponry which it said proved the hospital was a terrorist base

Pictured: Israeli troops and military vehicles during ground invasion of Gaza

On Wednesday the IDF revealed evidence of weaponry which it said proved the hospital was a terrorist base, with spokesman Lt Col Jonathan Conricus showing a duffel bag containing an AK47 assault rifle, grenades and ammunition.

Now Hamas's tunnelling infrastructure has been exposed inside the hospital - as well as a booby-trapped vehicle that was prepared for the October 7 massacre, containing a large amount of weapons. But still, there is no evidence of a Hamas HQ.

IDF troops belonging to the Shaldag Unit, the 7th Brigade, and additional special units are continuing to conduct targeted activity in the Al-Shifa Hospital.

The Israeli military said on Friday its troops had recovered the remains of kidnapped woman soldier Noa Marciano, 19, 'from a structure adjacent to Al-Shifa hospital'.

The army had confirmed earlier in the week the death of Marciano, without giving the cause. Hamas said she had been killed in an Israeli bombardment.

On Thursday the army said soldiers near Al-Shifa had found the body of another hostage - Yehudit Weiss, 65.

Ms Weiss was kidnapped from her home in the border kibbutz community of Beeri, one of the areas worst-hit by the brutal Hamas assault.

Her husband Shmulik Weiss was found murdered in their safe room.

Troops of the 7th Armored Brigade's 603rd Battalion found the body, along with Hamas military equipment - including assault rifles and RPGs in a building 'adjacent to Shifa Hospital', according to the IDF.

The body was brought back to Israel for identification, after which the military and police notified Ms Weiss's family of her death.

Israeli officials say around 240 people were taken hostage during the Hamas attacks which killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

The IDF did not provide further details on Ms Weiss's cause of death, or when she was killed. It is believed she was undergoing treatment for cancer when she was seized by the terrorists.

'The IDF sends its heartfelt condolences to the family,' it said in a statement. 'The national mission is to locate the missing and return the hostages home.'

'The IDF is operating alongside and in full coordination with the relevant national and security institutions in order to pursue these tasks. We will not cease from the mission until it will be completed,' the IDF added.

IDF troops belonging to the Shaldag Unit, the 7th Brigade, and additional special units continue are continuing to conduct targeted activity in the Shifa Hospital

Israel's Defence Forces said they have discovered entrances to Hamas tunnels

Footage captured the tunnels, which are surrounded by debris

Ms Weiss's husband Shmulik Weiss was found murdered in the safe room

Israeli troops during the ground invasion of the Gaza Strip

Israeli troops during the ground invasion of the Gaza Strip

An Israeli soldier takes part in an operation in a location given as the Port of Gaza

Israeli soldiers create a silhouette on the skyline as they take part in an operation in Gaza

Israel's Defence Forces previously suggested it could take 'a few weeks' to uncover 'the extent' of Hamas's command centre beneath Al-Shifa hospital, as hundreds of commandos continue to search through every building and floor of the complex.

Footage 'relating to hostages seized by Hamas' was found on computers at the hospital, the IDF has said, as well as a cache of weapons belonging to the terrorists.

The United Nations is now desperately looking into how it could evacuate the hospital, which is the biggest in the Gaza Strip, but says its options are limited by security and logistical constraints, a senior World Health Organization official said.

It comes as Netanyahu admitted efforts to prevent civilian deaths were 'not successful' - but blamed Hamas for stopping people from moving to safer places.

When asked whether Israel's killing of thousands of Palestinians in its almost six week war against Hamas militants would fuel hatred among a new generation, Netanyahu said attempts to minimise civilian casualties were 'not successful'.

'Any civilian death is a tragedy. And we shouldn't have any because we're doing everything we can to get the civilians out of harm's way, while Hamas is doing everything to keep them in harm's way,' Netanyahu said.

'So we send leaflets, call them on their cell phones, and we say: 'leave'. And many have left,' he said.

Meanwhile, Palestinian telecoms provider Paltel said a lack of fuel means all communications services are down across the besieged enclave, which has been subject to a blockade and relentless bombing campaign by Israel for weeks.

An Israeli official said yesteday that the mission 'is shaped by our understanding that there is well-hidden terrorist infrastructure in the complex'.

'During the searches, information and footage pertaining to the hostages abducted from Israel were found on computers and other technological equipment,' an official also said.

An Israeli soldier contributes in an operation in a location given as the Port of Gaza amid the ongoing conflict

IDF troops belonging to the Shaldag Unit, the 7th Brigade, are continuing to conduct targeted activity in the Shifa Hospital

Israeli soldiers carrying out operations inside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City in a picture released by the IDF

IDF spokesperson Lt. Col. Conricus shows weapons and equipment which he says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

The IDF previously shared what it called an 'intelligence-based illustration' of what the alleged command centre under the hospital might look like

Ms Weiss was abducted by Hamas terrorists on October 7 near the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City

A laptop the IDF says was found in Shifa Hospital on November 16, 2023, with an image of rescued hostage Pvt. Ori Megidish which was taken before her abduction

Weapons and equipment which Israel's army says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

Weapons and equipment which Israel's army says were found at Al Shifa hospital complex

Inside a cabinet for medical equipment was another holdall containing a knife, a Hamas emblem, AK47 and ammunition, according to the spokesman

In this image taken from a video released by the Israeli Defence Forces, on Wednesday, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, an Israeli military spokesman, holds up a bullet proof vest with a Hamas insignia that was found along with weapons the IDF says were found in a medical closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City

Israeli soldiers walk at the Al Shifa hospital complex, amid their ground operation against Palestinian Islamist group Hamas

The IDF shared a picture of a laptop it said its forces found in the hospital showing a publicly-available image of rescued Israeli hostage Pvt. Ori Megidish, which was taken before her abduction.

An official said equipment found in the hospital had been taken for 'further examination and investigation.'

After storming the medical facility, the IDF shared evidence of weaponry, with spokesman Lt Col Jonathan Conricus showing a duffel bag hidden behind a hospital MRI machine containing an AK47 assault rifle, grenades, ammunition and a uniform.

He also said a backpack contained 'what appeared to be very important intelligence including a laptop', and added that security cameras in one part of the hospital had been taped over.

Behind another MRI machine more weapons were said to have been found and in an adjoining room on top of another MRI scanner was a bag containing 'full military kit for one terrorist, including ammunition, a live grenade and AK47 and body armour'.

'These weapons have no business being in a hospital,' Conricus said as he toured the hospital in a clip released by the IDF.

Inside a cabinet for medical equipment was another holder containing a knife, a Hamas emblem, AK47 and ammunition, according to the spokesman.

News of the IDF hospital raid came around 2am local time on Wednesday.

Doctors said they were given 30 minutes' notice of the Israeli operation before at least six battle tanks moved in on the complex. Troops entered the hospital a short time afterwards.
Braced against the cold and packed into two flimsy dinghies, they risk being swamped by the waters of the English Channel.

But the migrants press on, heading for the British coast  and the new life that beckons.

The pictures pile shame on members of the House of Lords, who today vowed to block Rishi Sunak in his efforts to tackle the crisis head-on by reviving the stalled Rwanda flights plan.

Before they had even seen it, senior peers said they would vote down the emergency legislation promised by the Prime Minister.

Mr Sunak wants to declare the east African country a safe destination for asylum seekers and so assuage concerns set out in this week's highly damaging Supreme Court verdict.

A stalemate now looms, with the legislation going back and forth between the Commons, where the Government has a majority, and the Lords, where it does not.

Members of the unelected House of Lords have vowed to block Rishi Sunak in his efforts to tackle the crisis head-on by reviving the stalled Rwanda flights plan

A group of migrants are pictured on a dinghy crossing the English Channel in rough conditions today

The threat of a stand-off until the next election casts a dark cloud over Mr Sunak's Plan B and his hopes that it can come into force in the spring.

The rationale for a deterrent to 'stop the boats' was on stark display today when a Mail photographer captured dozens more migrants making the perilous crossing.

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a Tory former minister, said: 'If the unelected parts of the constitution thwart the will of the British people, that creates a problem.

'Dealing with migration was a manifesto commitment which the Lords must remember. Their role is to scrutinise legislation, not to oppose fundamental policy.'

Fellow Conservative MP Sir Simon Clarke added: 'Clearly it's for members of the unelected upper house to choose whether they wish to stand in the way of elected politicians trying to address what is an unacceptable situation. But I think there will be fury if they block this.

'Is it unconstitutional for us to say we think Rwanda is safe? At some point we have to ask who governs this country, elected politicians or judges.'

A former minister who held talks with Mr Sunak said the PM was 'very worried' about the risk of the legislation getting bogged down in the upper house.

The source added: 'I don't think anything worthwhile will get through the Lords in the time we have left so we should just put forward what is needed, dare them to block it and call an election if they do. Stopping the boats is existential for us  we have to do whatever it takes.'

New Home Secretary James Cleverly said today the Government had been working with Rwanda for more than a year to 'beef up' its institutions, paving the way for a 'robust' treaty within days.

This deal, which will be backed up by the emergency legislation, is intended to answer concerns raised by the Supreme Court that migrants sent to Africa are at risk of being returned to their home countries, where they may be tortured.

New Home Secretary James Cleverly said the Government had been working with Rwanda for more than a year to 'beef up' its institutions

Migrants are escorted by a French vessel into English waters

French ship Apollo Moon sails alongside migrants on a dinghy in the choppy English Channel waters

Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a Tory former minister, said 'if the unelected parts of the constitution thwart the will of the British people, that creates a problem'

But ex-terror watchdog and crossbencher Lord Carlile of Berriew  whose amendment to the last illegal migration law led to a Government defeat in June  said: 'I am shocked to hear the Government seems to be suggesting it will seek to overcome the Supreme Court decision by introducing a bill which simply declares Rwanda a safe country.

What is the PM's plan for finally getting Rwanda flights going? 1. Ratify a new Treaty with Rwanda that will guarantee asylum seekers sent there from the UK are not returned to danger in their country of origin. 2. Parliament passes 'emergency legislation' formally designating Rwanda as a safe country. 3. If 'foreign courts' are still posing a problem the government is ready to ignore, water down or force reforms to the European Convention on Human Rights and UN Refugee Convention. 4. Flights carrying asylum seekers should start taking off by the Spring, although the PM refused to guarantee that timetable. Advertisement

'I have absolutely no doubt the House of Lords would put up pretty strong cross-party opposition to the bill that has been mooted.'

Although the little-used Parliament Act gives governments the power to stop the Lords vetoing a bill, he said, by convention it is used only to ensure manifesto commitments can be delivered  which would not be the case for the new Rwanda plan.

'The Government cannot force it through under the Parliament Act because it's not that kind of bill  to be able to be forced through it has to be a manifesto bill,' the peer added.

'There are enough members of the House of Lords willing to object to this to mean the Government would be most unlikely to get it through.'

Lord Carlile suggested that the Government should instead have found a safe country as a back-up instead of Rwanda, and focus on tackling the backlog of asylum claims and tribunal cases.

Labour peer Baroness Chakrabarti, who led opposition in the Lords to previous Rwanda legislation, said she had grave reservations about the Government's plan.

The former director of the human rights group Liberty said: 'I cannot see what they can do with emergency legislation that would not be a two fingers to our Supreme Court and take us out of our international obligations at a time when Putin and others have put these international conventions under threat.'

A Labour source said the party was 'almost certain' to oppose the legislation in the upper house. 'The problem is not the courts, it's the facts,' the source said.

'The Supreme Court found that Rwanda is not safe. You cannot get rid of that with a draughtsman's pen and you should not try.'

The Government's previous attempt to tackle illegal migration was attacked in the Lords with the Archbishop of Canterbury among the most vocal critics.

And today Bishop of Manchester, the Rt Rev David Walker, said: 'It is incumbent upon me as a citizen of this land to treat matters that the Supreme Court of this land has judged as fact to be fact.'

Former Supreme Court judge Lord Sumption described the Government's plan of a law to declare Rwanda as safe as 'constitutionally really quite extraordinary', accusing No 10 of 'trying to change the facts by law'.

'For as long as black isn't white, the business of passing acts of parliament to say it is, is profoundly discreditable,' he said.

Dozens more migrants arrived at Dover today following 615 arrivals in 12 boats on Sunday.

However the total making the journey since January  about 27,300  remains a third less than at the same point last year.
Omid Scobie's decision to piggyback the release of his new Prince Harry and Meghan Markle book on the King's 75th birthday and the sixth and final series of The Crown was branded 'deplorable' today.

Experts have also said that the Sussexes' favoured royal reporter's new book Endgame already threatens a potential thawing in relations between the King and his youngest son.

Royal journalist and author Phil Dampier told MailOnline: 'We all know that Scobie is their mouthpiece and he gets his information directly or indirectly from the Sussexes, so anything which is hurtful to Charles, Camilla or William and Kate, will just make things much worse. Let's put it this way - I can't see Harry and Meghan coming over for a family Christmas'.

He added: 'The King has always left the door open for his son and will continue to do so. But in reality if there are more serious allegations in Scobie's book it will set back any chance of a reconciliation'.

Harry is believed to have telephoned his father on his 75th birthday on Tuesday - and they have reportedly agreed to chat next week. The Duchess of Sussex is also said to have spoken to her father-in-law from their home in California while the couples children Archie, four, and Lilibet, two, recorded a video of themselves singing happy birthday to their grandfather.

But today royal courtiers are said to be furious over the claims made by Harry and Meghan's biographer Omid Scobie, who alleges that the Prince William ignored the Duke of Sussex's calls as he raced to be at the Queen's bedside in Scotland in September last year. Mr Scobie , who has been friendly with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex and co-wrote their biography Finding Freedom, could be cut loose by the Sussexes and their circle, it has been claimed.

Prince Harry (pictured, centre with his wife Meghan at the Queen's funeral) has spoken to his father this week and they reportedly plan to speak again in the coming days

Mr Scobie claims that Prince William feels that he has 'lost Harry and doesn't want to know this version of him'

In an excerpt of his latest book, Endgame, he also alleges that that Prince Harry was 'kept in the dark' about the Queen's health in the hours before she died

Elizabeth Debicki playing Princess Diana with boyfriend Dodi Al-Fayed by her side in the new series of The Crown, out today

Royal commentator Richard Fitzwilliams said: 'The timing of this is utterly deplorable. I think the Sussexes will have to think hard about whether or not Scobie is their spokesman or their friend. It will be interesting to see if Harry and Meghan will still want to be associated with Scobie after this'.

Omid Scobie's claims from his new book, Endgame William ignored Harry when he asked how he was planning to get to Scotland;

Eventually, he booked a 30,000 charter flight to Aberdeenshire from Luton;

Charles told him to come without Meghan. Source claims she 'wasn't wanted';

Harry had 'no idea' about what was going on in Balmoral when his plane took off;

But 'sources' briefed newspapers that Charles had personally informed son;

William believes Harry has been 'brainwashed by an army of therapists'. Advertisement

He added: 'Of course, the fact that it's been leaked to People magazine makes one wonder what's been going on behind the scenes'.

Royal insiders have torn into Mr Scobie's claims that Prince William ignored his brother's calls as the late Queen lay dying in Balmoral last year.

Royal courtiers are said to be furious over the claims made by Harry and Meghan's biographer Omid Scobie, who alleges that the Prince of Wales ignored the Duke of Sussex's calls as he raced to be at the Queen's bedside in Scotland in September last year.

A Royal insider told the Mirror: 'It appears no matter what happens behind closed doors, even in a time of such pain and grief, that where the Royal Family are concerned it will one day emerge.

'Nothing is off limits with William and Kate appearing to be this authors number one target. It only takes a few months for the knives to come out again and the wounds to be opened up'.

In an excerpt of his latest book, Endgame, Mr Scobie alleges that Prince Harry was 'kept in the dark' about the Queen's health in the hours before she died, and that Prince William feels that he has 'lost Harry and doesn't want to know this version of him'.

Mr Scobie, who previously released a biography on the Sussexes titled 'Finding Freedom,' said Harry, 39, and his 42-year-old wife Meghan had 'no idea' the Royal Family were preparing for the Queen's death last year.

Royal courtiers are said to be furious over the claims made by Harry and Meghan's biographer Omid Scobie , who alleges that the Prince of Wales ignored the Duke of Sussex 's calls as he raced to be at the bedside of the Queen (pictured) in Scotland in September last year

According to the Mirror, Mr Scobie has said there was 'no proof' King Charles called his youngest son during the Queen's death

In Endgame, Mr Scobie recounts how the Sussexes had visited the UK for a series of engagements in September 2022 when the palace announced that Queen Elizabeth had been advised by her doctors to rest.

He writes: 'By the next morning, the Sussexes had no idea that Buckingham Palace was already planning for the Queen's final hours and the first days of the monarchy's new era  until the duke's phone started ringing. An unknown number. He usually ignored those.'

Meghan told her husband to pick up the phone and he accepted the call 'just before it stopped', the author wrote.

He continues: 'Harry hadn't spoken to his father much that year, but this was not the time for any father-and-son tension. Charles told him he and Camilla were about to leave Dumfries House for Balmoral, where Princess Anne was already by the Queen's side. He told Harry to make his way to Scotland immediately.'

Harry sent a text message to his brother William asking how he and Kate planned to Scotland and whether they could travel together but got no response, Mr Scobie claims.

He was later told Harry had managed to secure a flight with his uncles Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle with King Charles and Queen Camilla at the late Queen's funeral last year. Harry had reportedly not spoken to his father for a long time

Omid Scobie is set to use his new book to launch a salvo of attacks on the Royal Family

An emotional Harry travels in an official car to Balmoral after the Queen's death was announced to the nation

The Prince and Princess of Wales join the Duke and Duchess of Sussex for a walkabout at Windsor to meet mourners after the Queen's death in September 2022

'It was upsetting to witness,' Mr Scobie claims he was told by a source close to the Sussexes. '[Harry] was completely by himself on this.'

Mr Scobie alleges that Palace 'sources' briefed certain newspapers that Charles had personally shared the news of the Queen's illness with his son. He quoted a friend of the duke who said this left Harry 'crushed'.

The journalists makes fresh claims about the damaged relationship between William and Harry.

The author also suggests William and Harry's relationship is beyond repair because the Prince of Wales sees his brother as a 'defector'

And in the extract shared with People, he claims 'there is no going back' for the brothers and 'absolutely nothing has changed' since the Duke of Sussex released Spare earlier this year.

A spokesperson for Buckingham Palace refused to comment on Endgame, due to be released on November 28, when approached by MailOnline.

The latest bombshell accusations come just hours after Harry ad his father shared 'cordial' 75th birthday call.

Harry is believed to have phoned his father on his special day yesterday to wish him Happy Birthday - in a call thought to be the estranged royals' first phone chat in six months.

King Charles and Harry are understood to have had minimal contact for months, particularly since the release of Harry's tell-all memoir Spare, published in January, and a Netflix series, which was released the month prior to that.

Meghan Markle is also said to have spoken to her father-in-law to pass on her wishes from California. And the couple's children Archie and Lilibet recorded a video of themselves singing happy birthday to their grandfather, the Telegraph newspaper reported.

The report claimed Charles and Harry will speak again next week after their call marked a 'shift' in tone and a 'turning point' between the pair.

Prince Harry and Prince William on July 1, 2021 during an unveiling of a statue of their mother at Kensington Palace

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were not spoken to about Charles' party by Buckingham Palace, a spokesman for the pair previously said

King Charles celebrating his 75th birthday alongside Queen Camilla - together they officially launched The Coronation Food Project at The South Oxfordshire Food and Education Alliance

Charles was presented with a cake at Highgrove House in honour of his birthday

Harry and Meghan previously said they had 'no contact' from Buckingham Palace about an invitation to Charles' 75th evening birthday event.

The Sunday Times reported that Prince Harry had turned down an invitation to the birthday bash.

But a source close to the Sussexes told MailOnline they were not invited to Charles's party.

'They had not received any invitation and were unaware of any celebrations until the stories came out,' the insider previously said, adding: 'I'm sure the Duke will find a way to reach out privately to wish His Majesty a happy birthday like he has always done'.

Buckingham Palace previously refused to discuss the King's plans.

Buckingham Palace refused to comment on reports the father and son spoke for the King's birthday and are due to speak again next week when contacted by MailOnline.

Prince William and Kate are seen leaving the event after celebrating the King's birthday

Looking effortlessly elegant, Zara Tindall, pictured with husband Mike, also attended

London's Piccadilly Lights were lit up with a birthday message for Charles and the tourist attraction also displayed a quote from his Big Issue article.

MailOnline has also contacted representatives for Prince Harry for comment

Meanwhile the Prince and Princess of Wales were seen enjoying a late night out as they departed Clarence House close to midnight after King Charles's glittering 75th birthday party last night.

They were joined at the monarch's birthday celebration by his niece Princess Beatrice, Princess Margaret's daughter Lady Sarah Chatto and Princess Anne's daughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall.

Lady Susan Hussey, 84, the former lady-in-waiting to the late Queen Elizabeth II, was also in attendance, sporting an elegant blue shimmering gown, while Jools Holland also made an appearance.

Other family members attending Charles' birthday event also included the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester, and David Armstrong-Jones, the 2nd Earl of Snowdon, the son of the late Princess Margaret and Antony Armstrong-Jones.
The heartbreaking moment Prince Harry learned of his mother's death has been recreated by The Crown.

The new series shows Dominic West who plays Prince Charles breaking the news to Prince Harry that his mother has died, by walking into his room to wake him up, saying: 'Morning darling.'

Charles tells his son: Im afraid youre going to have to be very brave

William appears at the end of the bed and the camera pans to a close up of Harrys face, looking shocked with tears in his eyes.

Prince William is seen standing at the foot of his brother's bed, although it's understood that in reality the boys were told separately. Harry described being alone in his bedroom at Balmoral in his memoir Spare when Prince Charles relayed the news.

In the book he wrote about how his father, who was then the Prince of Wales, sat him down on a bed before breaking the news.

He said Prince Charles called him 'my dear son' before telling him his mother was unlikely to survive head injuries sustained in the crash in Paris in the early hours of August 31, 1997.

He painted the picture of an emotionally-distant father, saying that Charles was 'not good at expressing his emotions'.

He wrote: 'What I do remember with stunning clarity is that I did not cry. Not a tear. My father did not hug me.'

In the book, the Duke recalled asking to go and visit his mother while she was in the hospital.

However, he says his father explained she 'hasn't recovered any more', before saying he stayed in his room on his own until the following morning.

He recalled that he and his brother William were forbidden from watching the TV so they didn't see news of the car crash.

He said for a time he believed Diana had faked her own death and she was 'running away' to escape her 'miserable' life.

The heartbreaking moment Prince Harry learned of his mother's death has been recreated by The Crown

William appears at the end of the bed and the camera pans to a close up of Harrys face, looking shocked with tears in his eyes

The new series shows Dominic West who plays Prince Charles breaking the news to Prince Harry that his mother has died, by walking into his room to wake him up, saying: 'Morning darling'

The Duke said his 13-year-old self had wondered if it was a 'trick', writing in the book: 'Her life's been miserable, she's been hounded, harassed, lied about, lied to. So she's staged an accident as a diversion and run away.'

He later admitted this was not the case, but said he returned to the theory as a source of comfort.

It comes amid reports the Prince will have a 'sensitivity viewer' watch the new series to 'save him' from traumatic content, an insider has claimed.

The first four episodes of the final season will show a dramatised version of the lead-up to and the aftermath of Diana's death, including the Princess of Wales's last meeting with her sons.

Emotional scenes show a heartbroken young Harry at church the day after Diana's death

Despite the sad scene Harry previously admitted that he didn't cry after his mother's death

The Crown scene portrayed the devastating moment Prince William and Prince Harry walked behind their mothers funeral car

(Left to right) the Duke of Edinburgh, Prince William, Earl Althorp, Prince Harry and the then Prince of Wales walking behind Diana, the Princess of Wales' funeral cortege

The Duke of Edinburgh appeared concerned over the teenage Prince William during Diana's funeral

The Crown recreated the moment the Duke of Edinburgh showed concern for William

But a newly released clip from the Netflix series shows them missing a phone call at Balmoral from Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki, on the day before she died.

The new season will also show the imagined last conversation the Princes had with their mother as well as the moment they were told of their mother's death.

Despite knowing the four episodes will focus mostly on Diana's death, Harry is still likely to watch the series. He previously said he watches and reportedly even fact-checks the show.

An insider has now told the Telegraph they 'may watch it first in order to save him from anything he may not wish to see'.

But Prince William is unlikely to watch the series, after he previously expressed frustration over the show glossing over the circumstances surrounding Diana's Panorama interview.

Newly released clips from The Crown include Charles' despair over telling William and Harry their mother has died and Diana telling Dodi she's a 'persona non-grata' at Balmoral.

The show will also depict the last time Prince William and Prince Harry spoke to their mother - but it will not be a true reflection of the conversation.

Elizabeth Debicki as Diana with her sons. Netflix releases first look images from Part 1 of the final series of The Crown

But a newly released clip from the final season shows them missing a phone call at Balmoral from Diana, played by Elizabeth Debicki (pictured), on the day before she died

Despite knowing the four episodes will focus mostly on Diana's death, Harry (pictured) is still likely to watch the series

In episode four, Diana is depicted as frustrated while in Paris with Dodi, and desperate to return to the UK to see her sons.

After missing one opportunity to speak with them on the phone, Diana finally manages to have a call with Prince William and Prince Harry, where they ask her if she's going to marry the son of billionaire Mohamed Al-Fayed.

Although it is true that Prince William and Prince Harry shared a phone call with their mother on the last day she was alive, their recollections of the call do not reflect the Netflix series' depiction.

Speaking in a 2017 documentary Diana: Our Mother, the Princes discussed for the first time the details of their 'desperately rushed' final call with the late royal.

Recalling the chat, they expressed their regret that they were desperate to go back outside and play with their cousins, who were also at Balmoral.

Newly released clips from The Crown include Charles' despair over telling William and Harry their mother has died and Diana telling Dodi (pictured together in The Crown) she's a 'persona non-grata' at Balmoral

The show will also depict the last time Prince William and Prince Harry spoke to their mother - but it will not be a true reflection of the conversation

Recalling the chat, the Princes expressed their regret that they were desperate to go back outside and play with their cousins, who were also at Balmoral (pictured: Prince Charles (Dominic West) and his sons in The Crown)

Harry said: 'I can't really, necessarily, remember what I said. But all I do remember is probably, you know, regretting for the rest of my life how short the phone call was.

'And if I'd known that was the last time I was going to speak to my mother  the things I would have said to her.'

William said of the call: 'Harry and I were in a desperate rush to say goodbye, you know, "see you later".'

Neither of the two has revealed Diana's precious final words to them.

The emotional first four episodes cover the tragic car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana in August 1997  alongside her lover Dodi and their chauffeur Henri Paul  and the Royal Family's reaction to it, as well as the summer holiday Diana and Dodi enjoyed in St Tropez prior to the tragedy.

The emotional first four episodes cover the tragic car crash in Paris that killed Princess Diana in August 1997 and the Royal Family's reaction to it

Earl Spencer, Prince William, Prince Harry and Prince Charles follow the coffin to the funeral of Diana, Princess of Wales on September 6, 1997

For sensitivity reasons the exact moment of Diana's death is not re-created, but there are controversial scenes in which Charles tenderly converses with an imaginary Diana in the cabin of the royal plane as he accompanies her body from Paris to London, and later when she also appears to the Queen.

Critics who have seen these scenes called them 'farcical' for portraying Diana as a ghost, but series creator Peter Morgan has insisted that wasn't the intention.

'I never imagined it as Diana's ghost in the traditional sense,' he told Variety magazine. 'It was her continuing to live vividly in the minds of those she has left behind.'

The final six episodes of the series, which will be available in December, will see the family moving on from Diana's death and cover William and Kate's budding romance at St Andrews, finishing with Charles and Camilla's wedding in April 2005.

Netflix boss Ted Sarandos has explained why the series ends there. 'It was the cut-off to keep it historical, not journalistic,' he said. 'By stopping almost 20 years before the present day, it's dignified.'
A jury has began deliberations in the Texas murder trial of Kaitlin Armstrong, who is accused of killing her boyfriend's love interest.

Armstrong, 35, faces murder charges in the May 11, 2022 shooting of Moriah 'Mo' Wilson, 25, a pro-cyclist who had dated Armstrong's boyfriend when the two had broken up but later reconciled.

The former yoga teacher faces 99 years in prison if convicted.

Prosecutors came out swinging during closing arguments Thursday, telling an Austin, Texas courtroom that Armstrong was not the 'shrinking violet' her lawyers had described.

'This is your shrinking violet,' said prosecutors, as they flashed a wall-sized photo of Armstrong shooting a firearm at a gun range.

Kaitlin Armstrong, 35, looked somber Thursday after the case against her was handed over to a Texas jury for deliberations

Pro-cyclist Moriah 'Mo'Wilson was gunned down while staying in the Austin apartment of a friend. The cycling prodigy had traveled to Texas to take part in a cycling race and contacted Armstrong's boyfriend Colin Stickland

Armstrong's former partner Colin Strickland, left, had previously admitted that he had a sexual relationship with Moriah Wilson, pictured right

Jurors immediately saw surveillance video from the night of the murder of Wilson screaming, followed by gunshots.

'The last thing that Mo Wilson did on this Earth on May 11, 2022 at 9:15 p.m. was scream in terror,' state prosecutor Rickey Jones passionately declared.

In her final hours alive, Wilson met up with Colin Strickland, Armstrong's live-in boyfriend.

After Strickland dropped Wilson off at a friend's apartment, a black Jeep belonging to Armstrong was caught by multiple surveillance cameras in the neighborhood. Her car's GPS and phone GPS also put Armstrong at the scene of the crime.

'Never seen so much evidence in my life against one person,' Jones stated.

Wilson was shot twice in the head, once in the heart, and once in the finger, the medical examiner testified earlier this week, explaining that the bullet wound on her finger was a defensive wound, meaning Wilson likely tried to shield herself from getting shot.

The yoga teacher is pictured before the attack (left) and after fleeing the country (right). Police said she underwent plastic surgery, said to be a nose job, and dyed her hair brown while on the run

Armstrong is seen here arriving at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston as she was brought back from Costa Rica

'Then she (Armstrong) runs to Costa Rica, gets plastic surgery, teaching yoga on the beach, while the Wilsons are left trying to pick up the pieces," Jones said referring to the victim's grieving family who have been in court every day for the last three weeks, taking up the first three rows of the gallery.

Armstrong fled Austin, Texas, days after Wilson's slaying to Costa Rica to avoid being charged.

She left the country using a passport that belong to her sister, Christine.

US Marshals eventually tracked down her down to a remote beach town where she was living under several aliases and had a nose job and a brow lift.

The former yoga teacher tried to escape from police custody a second time 19 days before her trial began.

'She's running from you and you and you and you...because you are a jury of her peers. Everybody deserves their day in court, and she got hers,' Jones said while pointing to members of the jury.

Prosecutor Rickey Jones delivers closing arguments on behalf of the State of Texas in the murder trial of Kaitlin Armstrong

Kaitlin Armstrong enters the courtroom. She is wearing a black pantsuit and dark teal blouse. She does not make eye contact with anyone as she enters. She takes her seat at the defense table. Two rows behind her sits her parents and her sister, Christine.  Alex Caprariello (@alcaprari23) November 16, 2023

Armstrong quietly listened to closing arguments, wearing a black pantsuit and dark teal blouse.

'She does not make eye contact with anyone as she enters,' tweeted News Nation reporter Alex Caprariello.

'She takes her seat at the defense table. Two rows behind her sits her parents and her sister, Christine.'

Cameras haven't been allowed in the courtroom for the trial that began Oct. 30, except for opening and closing statements.

Defense Attorney Rick Cofer spoke to jurors second, labeling Strickland a 'poster boy for Peter Pan syndrome,' while describing him as a liar and womanizer.

'Mo Wilson was not the first woman in Colin's life,' Cofer quipped.

Colin Strickland storms out of the Travis County courthouse after giving evidence against his ex, Kaitlin Armstrong

After Wilson and Strickland's secret meet-up, Armstrong's 2012 Jeep Grand Cherokee was spotted driving outside the Austin home of Wilson's friend, where the cyclist was murdered

'She had to be portrayed as a jealous psycho to explain motive.'

But jealousy, Coffey added, does not equal murder, calling Armstrong's insecurity normal human emotions of not trusting a cheating boyfriend.

Armstrong's lawyer reminded the jury DNA taken from Wilson's body to see if she had been raped the night of her murder was never tested.

Neither was unknown DNA on Wilson's bike.

'The truth of the matter is that APD didn't want a single piece of evidence in front of you that points away from Kaitlin Armstrong. They don't want a single piece of evidence that is inconsistent with their case,' her lawyer went on.

Armstrong's defense attorney told jurors his client didn't murder Moriah Wilson but he didn't know who did

Cofer also addressed Armstrong's two attempts to escape, portraying her as 'terrified,' and adding she could have been afraid she would be murdered next.

While saying Armstrong did not kill Wilson, Cofer admitted he doesn't know who the real killer is.

'Anyone could have entered that unlocked apartment,' the defense attorney said.

Jurors in the case did not hear from Armstrong herself as she declined to testify in her own defense Wednesday.

'"Not guilty" doesn't mean "innocent;" it can mean something else,' pleaded Armstrong's lawyer.

The case was handed over the jury around 12:20 p.m. Central time so deliberations could begin.
Killer yoga teacher Kaitlin Armstrong has been found guilty of gunning down her love rival Moriah Wilson as the victim screamed in terror during her final moments.

The jury deliberated for less than two hours before delivering its guilty verdict in an Austin, Texas, courtroom on Thursday afternoon. Armstrong, 35, now faces up to 99 years in prison.

Jurors believed a trove of evidence showing that Armstrong had stalked her boyfriend, Colin Strickland and Wilson while they were out to dinner on May 11, 2022.

After dinner, Strickland dropped Wilson off at a friend's house, and minutes later, Armstrong's Jeep appeared outside the apartment.

Security cameras from neighbors captured the Jeep arriving, gunshots and the SUV leaving.

Kaitlin Armstrong looks over at the jury during her trial that ended with a guilty conviction

Moriah Wilson (left) who went by 'Mo', was an up and coming cyclist, and was described as a prodigy. She met Colin Strickland, who was a celebrated cyclist in his own right. Although Strickland dated and lived with Kaitlin Armstrong, Wilson and Strickland had a sexual relationship in fall of 2021 when Armstrong and Strickland were broken up

As the verdict was announced, Armstrong looked straight ahead showing little emotion.

'Friends and family of Mo Wilson are crying tears of joy silently as they hear the news read out loud. Huge hugs from the Wilson family. Mr. and Mrs. Wilson hug,' according to NewsNation reporter Alex Caprariello.

Jurors were shown bombshell video showing what appeared to be Wilson's last moments - where she could be heard screaming, followed by gunshots.

'The last thing that Mo Wilson did on this Earth on May 11, 2022, at 9:15 p.m. was scream in terror,' state prosecutor Rickey Jones declared during closing arguments.

In her final hours alive, Wilson met with Colin Strickland, Armstrong's live-in boyfriend.

After Strickland dropped Wilson off at a friend's apartment, a black Jeep belonging to Armstrong was caught by multiple surveillance cameras in the neighborhood. Her car's GPS and phone GPS also put Armstrong at the scene of the crime.

Armstrong, 35, looked somber Thursday as she watched jurors leave the courtroom to begin deliberations in her murder case

'[I] never [have] seen so much evidence in my life against one person,' Jones stated.

Wilson was shot twice in the head, once in the heart and once in the finger, a medical examiner testified earlier this week, explaining the bullet wound on her finger was a defensive wound, meaning Wilson likely tried to shield herself from being shot.

'Then she (Armstrong) runs to Costa Rica, gets plastic surgery, teaching yoga on the beach, while the Wilsons are left trying to pick up the pieces,' Jones said, referring to the victim's grieving family who have been in court every day for the last three weeks, taking up the first three rows of the gallery.

Armstrong fled Austin days after Wilson's slaying to Costa Rica to avoid being charged.

She left the country using a passport that belonged to her sister, Christine.

The yoga teacher is pictured before the attack (left) and after fleeing the country (right). Police said she underwent plastic surgery, said to be a nose job, and dyed her hair brown while on the run

Armstrong is seen arriving at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston as she was brought back from Costa Rica

US Marshals eventually tracked her to a remote beach town where she was living under several aliases and had a nose job and a brow lift.

The former yoga teacher tried to escape from police custody a second time 19 days before her trial began.

'She's running from you and you and you and you...because you are a jury of her peers. Everybody deserves their day in court, and she got hers,' Jones said on Thursday while pointing to members of the jury.

Armstrong quietly listened to closing arguments, wearing a black pantsuit and dark teal blouse.

Cameras haven't been allowed in the courtroom for the trial that began Oct. 30, except for opening and closing statements.

Defense Attorney Rick Cofer spoke to jurors second, labeling Strickland a 'poster boy for Peter Pan syndrome,' while describing him as a liar and womanizer.

Armstrong appeared more somber Thursday during closing arguments than in previous days. During other periods of the trial, she intently listened to testimony and evidence that was being offered up

Armstrong's attorney Rick Cofer during closing arguments Thursday in Austin, Texas

Prosecutor Rickey Jones points at Armstrong during closing arguments as he told jurors she was Wilson's killer

'Mo Wilson was not the first woman in Colin's life,' Cofer quipped.

'She had to be portrayed as a jealous psycho to explain motive.'

But jealousy, Coffey added, does not equal murder, calling Armstrong's insecurity normal human emotions of not trusting a cheating boyfriend.

Armstrong's lawyer reminded the jury DNA taken from Wilson's body to see if she had been raped the night of her murder was never tested.

Neither was unknown DNA on Wilson's bike.

'The truth of the matter is that APD didn't want a single piece of evidence in front of you that points away from Kaitlin Armstrong. They don't want a single piece of evidence that is inconsistent with their case,' her lawyer added.

Strickland storms out of the Travis County courthouse after giving evidence against his ex last week

Cofer also addressed Armstrong's two attempts to escape, portraying her as 'terrified,' and adding she could have been afraid she would be murdered next.

While saying Armstrong did not kill Wilson, Cofer admitted he doesn't know who the real killer is.

'Anyone could have entered that unlocked apartment,' the defense attorney said.

Jurors in the case did not hear from Armstrong as she declined to testify in her defense.

Armstrong's sentence will be decided in a separate punishment phase which began shortly after the verdict was announced. In this 'mini trial,' the state and defense will call witnesses.

The state immediately swore in Wilson's friends and family after the verdict was read, making them potential witnesses.

The first witness to be called was Caitlin Cash, the friend who Wilson was staying with the night of the murder.

She told jurors how Wilson was staying with them and how excited they were to see her.

They text Wilson's mom when Wilson went for a bike ride with a photo that said, 'Your girl is in safe hands here in Austin.'

Wilson's mom let out an audible cry.

Cash detailed finding Wilson after she had been shot and giving her CPR for ten minutes while the ambulance arrived, calling it the longest ten minutes of her life.

Once both the state and defense have called all their witnesses, the jury will once again deliberate on how much time Armstrong will spend in prison.

The jury is set to begin deliberating about sentencing at 9am tomorrow.
The digital form gives blessings or damnation if users do not share videos

Jesus has made his way to TikTok, gaining over nine million likes on 70 videos.

Daily Believer's profile shares AI-generated clips showing the Biblical figure with long hair, a beard and blue eyes based on the 1940 painting 'Head of Christ.'

Each video shows computer-generated Jesus telling viewers that if they believe in God, they must share this video with their friends and family and comment, 'I believe.'

If TikTok users do not comply, the digital Christ threatens them with 'damnation.'

@believerdaily  A Divine Message of Hope!  God has sent you this special message today! May the blessings of the Most High be upon you, protecting and guarding your life.  Understand that our journey on Earth is not only about triumphs. We will face battles and losses, but the prayer is for God to strengthen you and not allow you to be consumed by life's adversities.  Share this message with someone who needs to hear it and spread the divine hope! May the Lord's blessings be with you. #god #godisgood #jesuschrist #christiantiktok #christianity  The Champion - Lux-Inspira

Jesus has made his way to TikTok, gaining over nine million likes on 70 videos

Each video shows computer-generated Jesus telling viewers that if they believe in God, they must share this video with their friends and family and comment, 'I believe'

The videos feature different blessings for various people and occasions.

And many of them start with Jesus saying, 'Hey.'

Brandon Dean, professor of religious studies at the University of Iowa, wrote for The Conversation: 'I argue that this TikTok phenomenon, in which viewers are promised good luck for sharing, liking and commenting on videos of a computer-generated Jesus, is close to what is known as the prosperity gospel  that is, a Christian belief that God will reward faith with this-worldly comforts, like health and wealth.'

'Welcome Jesus Home,' pinned to the top of the TikTok profile, is the most popular video on the page with 22.2 million views.

'This video brings a special visitor to you, straight from my home. He is someone I know very well, his name is Jesus Christ. He is ready to enter your life, bring protection to your family, and cleanse your heart with His love,' the caption reads/

Daily Believer's profile shares AI-generated clips showing the Biblical figure with long hair, a beard and blue eyes based on the 1940 painting 'Head of Christ'

The same video offers a kind of damnation to users who do not share the clip with friends and family.

'If you reject, remember what He said. 'If you deny me before me, I will deny you before the Father,' the AI Jesus says, reciting Matthew 3:10.

Daily Believer has more than 813,000 followers and over 9.2 million likes.

Christian TikTok has become a popular search, with a trove of videos and accounts dedicated to the religion.

In 2020, a TikToker by the name of Felicia, who was a self-proclaimed atheist, revealed she had turned to God after watching videos like TikTok Jesus, Christen Post reports.

The user pleaded with her followers for 'help' because she was feeling conflicted after identifying as an atheist for so long.

'Now I'm really confused because all I see are videos about God and Jesus, and I actually prayed the other night, and I don't know why,' she explained in a video removed due to her previous account being hacked.

'I guess I need help because I just don't know where to start. I just don't get how, if you guys claim He loves me so much, I don't understand why I have denied Him so many times.'

She released another video the next day, sharing that she had overcome her fear of vulnerability with her new found faith.
The last woolly mammoths died out about 4,000 years ago, but if the folks at Colossal Biosciences have their way, a calf will be born by 2028.

Scientists at the company aim to rebuild the woolly mammoth genome using samples from unearthed specimens, filling in the gaps with DNA from modern Asian elephants.

They then have to coax woolly mammoth embryos into surrogate elephants and find tribal and governmental partners willing to let the company release - or 're-wild' - woolly mammoths onto their land.

The two species share 99.6 percent of their genome, so this is not as big of a stretch as it may sound.

Colossal CEO and co-founder Ben Lamm told DailyMail.com: 'It is a very charismatic creature.'

'We should be so lucky that 10,000 years from now, people love us as much as we love mammoths.'

The last woolly mammoths died out about 4,000 years ago, but if the folks at Colossal Biosciences have their way, a calf will be born by 2028

With permafrost melting in the Arctic Circle, the remains of more and more woolly mammoths are being exposed and excavated, including ones whose skin and fur have clung on for all these years. These specimens provide the necessary genetic material.

After reconstructing the woolly mammoth genetic code, they plan to insert it into donor egg cells from Asian elephants, fertilize the embryos in vitro, and implant them into surrogates.

The first woolly mammoth of the 21st century may be born to an Asian elephant.

Dodos and thylacines (Tasmanian tigers) are also on the list for de-extinction, but the woolly mammoth has been Colossal's flagship effort.

Eventually, populations of woolly mammoths will make their home on the tundra, said Lamm. And the company is 'very serious' about its goals.

Since its launch in 2021, Colossal's staff has grown to 115 full-time scientists and 60 external collaborators.

Colossal Biosciences was founded in 2021 by entrepreneurs Ben Lamm (left) and George Church (right)

The remains of woolly mammoths, like this one found in Canada in 2022, can help scientists reconstruct the species' genetic code

According to Lamm, the company has raised $225 million in funding from big-name investors, including Thomas Tull, Tim Draper, and Bob Nelson, as well as the environmental impact investment firms At One Ventures and Climate Capital.

But the company must meet many milestones before woolly mammoths can roam the tundra.

Along the way, Colossal's investors may reap serious rewards as Lamm and company find profitable uses for the biotech advances they develop to resurrect the woolly mammoth.

'We think that the long-term potential for not just impact here, but for shareholder appreciation is quite high, given the technology that will come from this,' said Lamm.

For example, biotech startup Form Bio spun out of Colossal in 2022 and raised over $30 million in funding.

Colossal does plan to give its conservation-specific tools away to nonprofits and governments, though, Lamm said.

Colossal has claimed that the woolly mammoth's foraging behaviors would nourish tundra grasslands, in turn capturing tons of atmospheric carbon and preserving melting permafrost. Some of their external scientific collaborators have published studies on it, but other scientists have published research concluding that de-extinction efforts are a net loss in the form of lost scientific resources.

'I'm not against the science of cloning, but I am against trotting it out as a solution to conservation problems or even climate change,' Joseph Bennett, associate professor of biology and environmental and interdisciplinary science at Carleton University in Ottawa, told DailyMail.com.

'Unfortunately, that may have a net negative impact, as funding is drawn to risky and inefficient techniques.'

Lamm responded to this point by saying that since Colossal is bringing in private investors, it isn't taking anything away from scientific grant funding.

The last thylacine - or Tasmanian tiger - died in 1936, but Colossal is working to bring it back, too

Beyond the woolly mammoth, Colossal is also working on bringing back the dodo bird, as well as the thylacine, which was hunted to extinction in the first half of the 20th century.

The thylacine's demise was based on bad information: Tasmanian farmers believed it was killing their sheep, so the Australian government issued a bounty on the animals.

But the tide has turned in its favor, as scientists and the public better understand the important role apex predators play in preserving the balance of ecosystems. And conversations with local officials, industry groups, and indigenous communities have yielded two potential re-wilding sites, said Lamm.

A recent poll about Colossal's Tasmanian tiger de-extinction project found that 77 percent of 3,012 respondents answered 'Yes' to the question, 'Should scientists try and bring thylacines back from extinction?'

Lamm said he doesn't want to convince the remaining 23 percent, but rather hear why they voted 'No' (10 percent) or 'Unsure' (13 percent).

After all, if they can't reassure the public that releasing extinct animals back into the wild is going to be safe and effective, then their whole project is dead on arrival. So far, based on meetings with locals, signs are good, said Lamm.

'Time will tell if those collaborations hold, but early indicators are very positive.'
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The Natural Landscape Photography Awards competition was created to promote 'the best landscape and nature photography by digital and film photographers who value realism in their work'.

Judging by the standard of this year's winning and commended entries, it's job done.

Over 11,000 photographs were submitted to the 2023 competition from 1,023 photographers living in 54 countries, with their work judged in categories including 'Grand Scenic', 'Mountains' and 'Water Worlds'.

It couldn't have been an easy decision picking Canadian photographer Blake Randall as the overall winner.

A statement from the competition said: 'The results are a fantastic showcase of not only the photographers involved but also the true wonder of the landscape in a way that people can trust.'

Scroll down for our pick of the gong-scooping entries...

Grant Dixon claimed the silver medal in the Mountains category with this amazing photograph of 4,950ft- (1,509m) tall Mt Geryon in Tasmania

German photographer Bjorn Nehrhoff was garlanded with the top prize in the Grand Scenic category with this mesmerising image, taken in northern Norway. Bjorn said: 'During an unusually warm period, a storm front hit the coast of Steigen, with its towering mountains. Hiding the van from the raging winds I found shelter close to a tidal island. When it suddenly started snowing with extremely large snow flakes I was sure that this would be perfect for a longer-exposure shot with snow streaks, and so I walked to the rocky edge of the tidal island to take the shot'

Tiago Mateus, from Almada in Portugal, was the overall winner in the Project of the Year category. His entry comprised a series of monochromatic photos dedicated to the Portuguese coastal stone pine. Tiago said: 'These trees, known for their resistance to summer drought, grow easily in weak sandy soils and heroically resist strong coastal winds and the salty air. Throughout their life, which usually can reach 150 years, they suffer countless fractures caused by storms or by the weight of their crown, which gives them striking strong personalities and, in most cases, incredible shapes that tell us the story of their lives and their fight against the elements'

Fifth place in the Grand Scenic category went to Stewart Hamilton for this stirring image, taken at Bombo Quarry in New South Wales

Third place in the Mountains category went to Giacomo Finotti for this epic snap, taken in Patagonia

This stunning image by Barbara Seiberl-Stark was declared the runner-up in the Water Worlds category

The judges were wowed by this photo, which they declared as the runner-up in the Grand Scenic category. It was taken by Xavier Lequarre in the Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia

This beautiful landscape picture, taken on the shoreline of Loch Tulla in Scotland, earned Adam Gibbs third place in the Photographer of the Year ranking

This stunning shot by Australian photographer Peter Eastway scooped the top prize in the Aerial category. It shows Lake Frome in South Australia, which Peter noted 'is considered to have some of the whitest sand in the world'. He added: 'Its ultra-flat surface is punctuated by raised islands of yellow sand, blown across from the surrounding deserts and shaped by winds and rare floods. From above, it is an organic mosaic of natural patterns. This photograph was taken just after sunrise, looking directly into the light and allowing lens flare to add a splash of extra colour to the composition'

The runner-up prize for Photographer of the Year went to Australian photographer Benjamin Maze. This is one of his spellbinding entries

Another entry from Benjamin Maze, who said: 'I'm thrilled to be included in the results for this year's Natural Landscape Photography Awards. I always find it fascinating to see what resonates with the judges and how that may differ to my own personal connections to certain entries. Thank you to the NLPA organisers and judges for creating such a wonderful competition, and for their vote of confidence in advocating honest depictions of our beautiful natural world'
The Formula 1 Grand Prix is just days away from pulling into Las Vegas and fans across the world will be wheeling into the city.

But travelers should steer away from these hotels and casinos if they are looking for a pleasant stay.

Data analysts at BitcoinCasinos have complied a list of the 49 dirtiest spots to stay in Sin City based on more 500,000 Tripadvisor reviews.

After assessing which hotels contained the highest percentage of keywords linked to uncleanliness, such as 'dirty,' 'unclean,' 'filthy,' 'disgusting,' and 'bed bugs,' the budget OYO Hotel and Casino was outed as the worst offender.

Data analysts at BitcoinCasinos have complied a list of the 49 dirtiest hotels. Budget OYO Hotel and Casino was outed as the worst offender

Photos posted by travelers also show cockroaches on the property, stained carpets and dirty air vents

In total, 28 per cent of reviews linked to this hotel mentioned the lack of hygiene.

One disappointed reviewer wrote after staying there in November: 'I found a used towel in the bathroom. Tub was very old and nasty.

'The AC was very loud. You can hear everything happening outside the room. One of the elevators was broken which was very inconvenient.'

Another unhappy customer said after their October vacation: 'The room decor is poorly painted over old furniture. Nothing had been dusted or sanitized. Carpets throughout were dirty and probably hadn't been vacuumed maybe ever.

'The bathroom wasn't clean at all in our room, we had to buy products to clean it ourselves. The restaurants, bars, and cafe were below average. At least the bed slept decent and there were no bugs.'

Photos posted by travelers also show cockroaches on the property, stained carpets and dirty air vents.

While it scores low on cleanliness, OYO Hotel and Casino has a 4 out of 5 rating overall thanks to its convenient location and cheap price point.

In at second place in the analysis is Excalibur Hotel & Casino, with 27.20 per cent of reviews highlighting the dirty interiors.

The team at BitcoinCasinos said of the hotel: 'The hotel rooms are riddled with bugs and looks like cleaning services aren't used there often, if at all.

'Excalibur prides itself on it's historic imagery, posing in a castle-like form. Tourists made sure to note on the hotel & casino's old-fashioned interior, many claiming that it must be modernized in order to compete with other competitors in Las Vegas.'

In at second place in the analysis is Excalibur Hotel & Casino, with 27.20 per cent of reviews highlighting the dirty interiors

The team at BitcoinCasinos said of the hotel: 'The hotel rooms are riddled with bugs and looks like cleaning services aren't used there often, if at all'

With 26.9 per cent of Tripadvisor reviews referencing uncleanliness, the Luxor Hotel & Casino came in at third place in the investigation

Although rooms can be booked for as cheaply as $70 per night, some guests have reported sharing their suites with several creepy crawlies and they have noted the tired interiors

One Tripadvisor traveler who stayed at the hotel in November simply titled their review 'dirty rooms.'

Explaining what was so bad about the place, they continued: 'Our shower had two containers - body wash and shampoo. The body wash was completely empty on our first night, therefore, the room wasn't truly inspected before our stay.

'When a replacement was brought to the room, I was going to replace the empty container with the new one only to fine a razor blade between the two containers that were not ours.

'The room was not cleaned and the fact this container was empty and a razor between shows no one every really cleaned that area and missed it.'

With 26.9 per cent of Tripadvisor reviews referencing uncleanliness, the Luxor Hotel & Casino came in at third place in the investigation.

Although rooms can be booked for as cheaply as $70 per night, some guests have reported sharing their suites with several creepy crawlies and they have noted the tired interiors.

One reviewer said of their November stay that it was 'disappointing in SO many ways.'

They continued: 'I don't even know where to start! All the staff that I interacted with, and there was six of them, were rude, arrogant, obnoxious, completely lacked professionalism and customer service skills. There were a number of issues they couldn't care less about and cut me off each time I tried to voice my concerns!

In at fourth place is the Flamingo hotel, with 26.60 per cent of reviewers slamming its lack of cleanliness. One of the most recent Tripadvisor reviews simply deems the property 'horrible'

Shots show the interior of the Flamingo hotel with dust in an air vent and a bathroom appliance hanging off the wall

Rounding out the top five in the analysis of Las Vegas' dirtiest hotels is Circus Circus

One of the most damning reviews, left in October, warns travelers to 'AVOID' the Circus Circus property at all costs, with it branded 'disgusting, overpriced, [and] outdated'

'From caked dust in all the vents, dirty bedsheets like they've never been washed, filthy shower with scum not only on the door and walls but inside too and the bathroom floor.

'All of this considered it probably shouldn't have been a surprise there were bugs in the rooms like looked like baby cockroaches!!'

Another traveler said that when they accessed their hotel room, they discovered a dead bug on their pillow.

Next on BitcoinCasinos' list is the Flamingo hotel, with 26.60 per cent of reviewers slamming it lack of cleanliness.

One of the most recent Tripadvisor reviews simply deems the property 'horrible.'

The unenthused traveler said some of the unappetizing things they found included hair on the linen, something that looked like food on the headboard, no soap in the bathroom and dust on top of the toilet.

Another reviewer said the location is great but 'the rooms suck.'

Some of the surprises they found included 'black mold in the shower' and paint peeling off the ceiling. 'Never again!!!' they concluded.

Rounding out the top five in the analysis of Las Vegas' dirtiest hotels is Circus Circus.

The hotel has been reviewed more than 14,000 on Tripadvisor with 26 per cent of the entries relating to its lack of hygiene.

One of the most damning reviews, left in October, warns travelers to 'AVOID' the property at all costs, with it deemed 'disgusting, overpriced, [and] outdated.'

The traveler notes that the hotel looked 'exactly the same' as it did when they stayed there 20 years ago.

They add: 'The rooms, floors, and elevators are so dirty and outdated I couldn't believe my eyes. How can this place charge as much as it does for absolutely zero amenities, nasty rooms and a horrible, run down casino. DO NOT STAY HERE.'
Cindy Crawford looked effortlessly stylish as she went for a walk in New York City on Wednesday morning.

The 57-year-old supermodel -who spent time with daughter Kai. 22, at a promotional event for Omega on Tuesday evening - donned a leather biker jacket on top of a black v-neck t-shirt.

Crawford also wore a pair of slim-fitting blue jeans and finished off her look with leather boots.

The entrepreneur accessorized with a pair of chic sunglasses and a single necklace.

The star's voluminous brunette hair fell onto her shoulders and chest while she stepped out.

Stepping out: Cindy Crawford looked effortlessly stylish as she went for a walk in New York City on Wednesday morning

Crawford's outing took place not long after she shared a promotional video for Omega featuring her daughter, Kaia Gerber, on her Instagram Story.

In the clip, the supermodel and her youngest child, 22, showcased the brand's products while taking part in a photoshoot.

The fashion industry figure donned a jet-black blouse while working on the video, and her daughter opted for a matching turtleneck sweater.

Crawford shares Kaia with her husband Rande Gerber, whom she married in 1998.

The runway regular was formerly married to Richard Gere, and they remained together from 1991 until 1995.

She eventually moved on with Gerber, 61, and they started their family with the birth of their son Presley, 24, in 1999, and they welcomed Kaia two years later.

Crawford's daughter has established herself as one of the rising figures in the fashion industry over the past few years.

Layered up: The fashion industry personality - who spent time with her youngest child at a promotional event for Omega on Tuesday evening - donned a leather biker jacket on top of a low-cut black v-neck t-shirt

Can't beat the classics: Crawford also wore a pair of slim-fitting blue jeans and finished off her look with leather boots

Doing the most: Crawford's outing took place not long after she shared a promotional video for Omega featuring her daughter, Kaia Gerber, on her Instagram Story

Family affair: In the clip, the supermodel and her youngest child, 22, showcased the brand's products while taking part in a photoshoot

The supermodel spoke about her daughter during an interview with People, where she stated that she was proud of her child for being able to maintain a presence on social media without oversharing.

'I feel like she seems like she has a very good head on her shoulders and is figuring out how she wants to create that private work-public balance,' she said.

Crawford also admitted that her youngest child was likely more aware of the effects of social media on her professional life than she would have been during her earlier years.

'It's a much different landscape than it was kind of when I was her age. Like anything, there's good and bad sides to it,' she stated.
New Zealand's 'Bird of the Century' title has been claimed by the puteketeke, thanks to the influence of British-American TV personality John Oliver.

In a shock upset, the curious-looking bird has pipped the iconic kiwi in the contest for the top spot.

Forest and Bird, the country's prominent conservation organization, had to award the puteketeke as the Bird of the Century after the Last Week Tonight host's unexpected involvement changed the poll's anticipated outcome.

This year's poll experienced an unprecedented surge in participation, setting new records.

Nearly 350,000 votes were cast from almost 200 countries, with the high engagement leading to temporary crashes in the voting verification system.

New Zealand 's 'Bird of the Century' title has been claimed by the puteketeke, thanks to the influence of British-American TV personality John Oliver (pictured left). In a shock upset, the curious-looking bird has pipped the iconic kiwi in the contest for the top spot

Forest and Bird, the country's prominent conservation organization, had to award the puteketeke as the Bird of the Century after John Oliver's unexpected involvement disrupted the poll, forcing a change in the anticipated outcome

A staggering 290,000 votes were in favour of the puteketeke, also recognised as the Australasian crested grebe, securing its triumph in this year's 'Bird of the Year', which has been a yearly tradition for almost two decades.

This bird species is identified by its unique black and white feathers and its intricate courtship rituals, which include synchronised dances and vocalisations.

Remarkably, the bird exhibits parental care by carrying its offspring on its back, shares duties in raising chicks, and peculiarly consumes and regurgitates its own feathers to eliminate parasites.

New Zealand's soon-to-be Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, expressed his sentiments about the triumph by posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), commending campaign manager John Oliver and all the supporters who rallied behind the puteketeke.

Approximately two weeks before the announcement of the winner, Oliver, during his HBO talk show watched by millions, urged his audience to rally support while unveiling a massive animatronic representation of the bird

The distinctive and peculiar traits of the puteketeke likely influenced the host of Last Week Tonight to adopt the title of its 'campaign manager' for the poll

Luxon wrote, 'Congratulations to campaign manager John Oliver and all those who supported the puteketeke.'

The distinctive and peculiar traits of the puteketeke likely influenced the host of Last Week Tonight to adopt the title of its 'campaign manager' for the poll.

Approximately two weeks before the announcement of the winner, Oliver, during his HBO talk show watched by millions, urged his audience to rally support while unveiling a massive animatronic representation of the bird.

The surprise contender beat out New Zealand's iconic kiwi (pictured) in the poll

New Zealand's soon-to-be Prime Minister, Christopher Luxon, expressed his sentiments about the triumph by posting on social media platform X (formerly Twitter), commending campaign manager John Oliver and all the supporters who rallied behind the puteketeke

'So please, before the contest closes at the end of this week, got to votethisbird.com and select the puteketeke as your number one vote.'

'After all, this is what democracy is all about: America interfering in foreign elections.'

Oliver went all out in his campaign efforts, utilising billboards across multiple countries including New Zealand, the US, Japan, France, and the UK.

Additionally, he went as far as hiring a skywriter in Brazil to further promote the puteketeke for the Bird of the Century title.
Kylie Sandilands has erupted over plans to allow students at a pricey Catholic school to 'learn from home' one day a week, saying kids are already 'dumb enough' - as the principal defends the controversial move.

Chevalier College in NSW's southern highlands - where annual fees exceed $11,000 - are proposing that students in years 10 to 12 'learn from home' every Monday, and attend campus only four days per week.

The KIIS FM radio host said Australian kids were 'dumb enough' and should have to attend school five days a week like the rest of the workforce in a fiery rant on Thursday.

'Now hang on, these teachers just got a pay rise and now they're asking for a day off? The rest of us go to work Monday to Friday,' he said.

Teachers at NSW Catholic schools received the same pay rise as educators in the public sector - with wages boosted by 8 to 12 per cent from the start of October.

Sandilands asked his co-host Jackie O whether she would want her child at home.

'Permanently? No.... not at all,' she replied.

'Keep these a**holes at school. They're dumb enough,' Sandilands continued.

'They don't even learn enough now. It's just another teacher problem... enough with the b****ing from the teachers, keep to the teaching.

'[The kids] have already got a thousand weeks off a year.

'Change this story to the teachers have tried to get a day off, and we've said no.'

Sandilands' rant came as the school's principal, Greg Miller, appeared on the Today Show to defend its decision to allow students a work-from-home day.

Kylie Sandilands has erupted over plans to allow students at a pricey Catholic school to 'learn from home' one day a week - saying Australian kids are 'dumb enough' already

Chevalier College in NSW 's southern highlands - where annual fees exceed $11,000 - are proposing that students in years 10 to 12 'learn from home' every Monday, and attend campus only four days per week (pictured is principal Greg Miller with Chevalier students)

The school, where fees are over $11,000, has introduced the four-day week as part of a raft of measures being adopted by the secondary school.

Mr Miller claimed the measure was not 'actually' a four-day week and that teachers would still be required to work from campus as before.

'We will be setting clear parameters about the expectations of students on that day to consolidate learning from the previous week and to prepare for learning for the week coming up,' the principal told the Today Show.

'It is just a reimagining and a repackaging of time in a smarter and better way so we can have continuity of learning with far less disruptions to face-to-face teaching.'

Mr Miller said there would be an 'extensive process' that students would need to follow in order to 'qualify' for a work from home day.

'(Students) will require the sign off from their parent and they will only do this with their parents' permission and support,' he said.

The school's principal, Greg Miller, appeared on the Today Show to defend its decision to allow students a work-from-home day (pictured)

The principal was quick to dismiss reports parents were 'revolting' over the plans - with one even claiming they had pulled their child out.

'We have a couple of parents who have voiced concern,' he said.

'There is nervousness around moving forward because it is a significant change, but we don't have, contrary to other reports, parents revolting.'

Mr Miller stressed that parents will be required to attend a seminar and sign a permission form to allow their child to work from home.

It comes after parents with students at the elite school complained about the move.

'We believe kids should be at school five days, not mucking around at home for one day,' one parent, who wished to remain anonymous, said.

Former pupil Nicci Bauer, who now has her own children at Chevalier, said she was concerned about the lack of consultation around the decision.

'We are worried about the disruption, especially for HSC students who will miss out on face-to-face instruction,' she said.

'There was little consultation, and it seemingly went from a proposal to a done deal announced in a newsletter.'

Chevalier College (pictured) has almost 900 pupils and is run by the priests and brothers of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart

Catholic Schools NSW chief executive Dallas McInerney questioned whether it was a wise move after many children suffered with at-home learning during the pandemic.

'If Covid taught us anything, students can really struggle when they are cast out of school,' Mr McInerney told the Herald.

'We should be delivering more school provision for kids, not less, and we know the social ills that kids experienced after long periods of out-of-school learning. So fresh from the pandemic, is it really time to be experimenting with their futures?'

Daily Mail Australia has approached Chevalier College for comment.

Unlike state schools, independent institutions can set their own operating hours.

Chevalier College has almost 900 pupils and is run by the priests and brothers of the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart.

Notable alumni include former NSW Premier John Fahey.
Daniel Day-Lewis may have been one of the biggest names in Hollywood, but on Wednesday he blended in perfectly with cool New Yorkers.

Looking stylish as usual, Daniel, 66, donned a short black beanie along with a black jacket teamed with a polo shirt and smart tan slacks.

The reclusive, Oscar-winner was spotted trekking through the Big Apple in his rugged boots, shopping for books at a store before grabbing lunch with a pal.

The clean-shaven star appeared in good spirits as he met up with his pal, eventually sharing an embrace with him.

Daniel retired from acting six years ago, however in October made a rare appearance on the red carpet for the premiere of his wife Rebecca Miller's new film She Came To Me.

Hipster cool! Daniel Day-Lewis may have been one of the biggest names in Hollywood, but on Wednesday he blended in perfectly with cool New Yorkers as he stepped out for some errands

The picture-perfect parents were also joined by their son Ronan, 25, who rocked a casual white tee and jeans for the big debut.

The My Left Foot star held hands with his gorgeous partner, who is the daughter of famous playwright Arthur Miller on the red carpet at the premiere .

The family outing was in celebration of the first screening of Rebecca's romantic comedy, which stars Anne Hathaway, Peter Dinklage and Marisa Tomei.

The method actor had not been on a red carpet since announcing his retirement in June 2017, following the release of Phantom Thread.

'All my life, Ive mouthed off about how I should stop acting, and I dont know why it was different this time, but the impulse to quit took root in me, and that became a compulsion,' he told W magazine five months after the news.

'It was something I had to do.'

With the announcement, Hollywood would lose the only actor to have won three Best Actor Oscars.

In 1989, he went home with his first for My Left Foot, then followed the win up with a statue for 2007s There Will Be Blood.

Hanging out! The clean-shaven star appeared in good spirits as he met up with his pal

Bring it in! He shared an embrace with his friend

Rare outing: Day-Lewis shocked fans by making a rare red carpet appearance with his wife in New York City last month

Family affair: The picture-perfect parents were also joined by their son Ronan, 25, who rocked a casual white tee and jeans for the big debut; seen with a female friend Lena Christakis far left

In 2012, Steven Spielbergs Lincoln brought Daniel his third Academy Award.

In his retirement, Daniel splits his time between New York City and Annamoe, Ireland with his wife, Ronan, and their other son Cashel, 21.

Daniel also shares son, Gabriel, 28, with his ex girlfriend, French star Isabelle Adjani.
Whitney Port and her husband Tim Rosenman stayed cozy as they stepped out in Los Angeles on Wednesday, after revealing their surrogate suffered two miscarriages.

The Hills star, 38, braved the chilly fall weather as she bundled up in a chic mint green coat with a cozy collar, while visiting the Pacific Design Center.

She paired the outfit with black leggings, long white socks and silver and green sneakers.

Whitney carried a classy black Chanel purse on her arm, and wore her brunette tresses in a ponytail for the outing.

She accessorized with small gold hoops, and was pictured sipping on a green smoothie.

Cozy: Whitney Port and her husband Tim Rosenman stayed cozy as they stepped out in Los Angeles on Wednesday, after revealing their surrogate suffered two miscarriages

Meanwhile Tim sported a white sweater over a grey t-shirt, and light blue jeans.

He paired the outfit with white sneakers and was seen holding a white paper bag in his hand.

The outing comes after Whitney candidly revealed that her surrogate has suffered two miscarriages, as she discussed struggle for second child.

The pair have a son called Sonny, six, but have walked a long path in their bid to add another child to the fold.

They announced this June that they were weighing the option of surrogacy after Whitney herself miscarried multiple times.

Now on a recent episode of her podcast With Whit, the couple shared that they did indeed hire a surrogate - who has now suffered the loss of two pregnancies.

'We decided to go down the surrogacy road at the end of last year,' Whitney revealed. 'After just like a really long journey of not being able to conceive on our own and just, yeah, having so many things go on.'

Whitney - who previously said that comments about her weight loss made her 'blood boil' - explained: 'And we ended up doing two transfers with the surrogate. Both transfers ended up miscarrying. The last miscarriage was just a month ago.'

Chic: The Hills star, 38, braved the chilly fall weather as she bundled up in a chic mint green coat with a cozy collar, while visiting the Pacific Design Center

Casual cool: Meanwhile Tim sported a white sweater over a grey t-shirt, and light blue jeans. He paired the outfit with white sneakers and was seen holding a white bag in his hand

'And it's worth saying,' said Tim: 'that both were after seven and a half weeks where we were told we had a 97 percent chance of a successful baby.'

He added that 'the odds are really crazy,' for two 'back-to-back' miscarriages considering the circumstances, 'so now we're thinking that there might be something going on, either with the surrogate or with our embryos.'

Whitney outlined the present situation, which is that 'we still have three embryos left, two that are tested, one that's untested, and we're deciding: Do we try a new lab? Do we do another round of egg retrieval to get new embryos? Like are maybe all these embryos from the last batch not good?'

Another option is to 'put in one of the embryos that's already made in the surrogate right now and just like get that going while we make a plan to do another egg retrieval,' but no course of action is set in stone yet.

Whitney mused that although she Tim were 'not back to square one' inasmuch as they still have three embryos, every miscarriage 'feels' like having to start over.

Tim sighed that 'all the emailing and the scheduling' involved makes their whole arduous ordeal seem 'like another job.'

'It's so much,' said Whitney. 'And I will say, like, I'm so grateful that you're such a great partner in this with me but it makes me so sad for people that don't necess- may not have someone like you to hold their hand through it.'

In June they said they were 'seriously' considering hiring a surrogate to carry one of their frozen embryos after suffering a chemical pregnancy and three miscarriages in 2019, 2020, and 2021.

Family: The outing comes after Whitney candidly revealed that her surrogate has suffered two miscarriages, as she discussed struggle for second child. The pair have a son called Sonny, six, but have walked a long path in their bid to add another child to the fold

Candor: Whitney mused that although she Tim were 'not back to square one' inasmuch as they still have three embryos,' every miscarriage 'feels' like having to start over

'We're right now, going through the motions of surrogacy, like, really thinking seriously about that and we have embryos [stored],' the content creator told Us Weekly at the time.

'I'm still figuring things out and nothing is, like, 100 percent yet and so it's one of those things where you're scared to put it out into the universe until you know what's happening. But for me, like, I suffered from secondary infertility, and it has just been such a process both physically and mentally to get to that second baby.'

Whitney stressed that she and her man are 'not in the journey yet' but hopes it happens 'soon' as she wasn't able to be a 'present, happy, decent version' of herself when she was physically pregnant: 'We'll see!'

Last year, Family Match Consulting founder Stephanie Levich told TODAY that the total cost - including surrogate compensation, agency fees, legal fees, insurance, etc. - of the process is approximately '$125K to $175K.'

Whitney and Tim are already proud parents of son Sonny Sanford, who celebrated his sixth birthday on July 27 with a backyard Star Wars-themed party.

The LA-born socialite told the outlet: 'I was going to get him [a] LEGO Star Wars The Razor Crest situation to keep busy with this summer!'

Port and Rosenman's only child graduated from preschool Exploring Minds Montessori on June 16, and they plan on spending the entire summer visiting family in Vermont and New York.

Long road: The pair revealed in June they were 'seriously' considering hiring a surrogate to carry one of their frozen embryos after suffering a chemical pregnancy and three miscarriages in 2019, 2020, and 2021

Whitney originally met Tim while he was working as associate producer on her MTV spin-off, The City.

Rosenman not only shoots and edit the Love, Whit designer's YouTube vlogs, he currently stars in her reaction videos to MTV reality show Siesta Key.

Tim's last real producing credit was on Fox music competition The X Factor way back in 2012.

Port keeps busy recording her Dear Media podcast With Whit and she's every bit the influencer doing paid partnership posts for brands like Perelel, Amazon Home, and ULUM Resorts.
Kate Ritchie's Nova breakfast show with Fitzy and Wippa has fallen in the ratings.

The Radio Ratings 2023, Survey 7 results released on Thursday revealed Nova's Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie had fallen 0.2 points, from from 7.3 to 7.1.

In the last ratings survey on October 5, the show rose 0.4 points from 6.9 to 7.3.

Home and Away star Ritchie, 45, joined the team with radio stars Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli in March.

Radio king Kyle Sandilands was quick to offer up his own theory as to why listeners were switching off.

'What's going on at Nova? They moved Kate Ritchie into the breakfast show with Fitzy and Wippa to try and make it not like a boys club,' he began.

'Failure, it's down to 7.1. It was on 7.3, it's slowly whittling away.'

The comments come as The Kyle and Jackie O Show was once again crowned the number one breakfast show in Sydney in the latest survey.

Kate Ritchie 's Nova breakfast show with Fitzy and Wippa has fallen in the ratings. All pictured

The Radio Ratings 2023, Survey 7 results released on Thursday revealed Nova's Fitzy and Wippa with Kate Ritchie had fallen 0.2 points, from from 7.3 to 7.1

It is unclear why listeners are switching off from the once popular program but radio king Kyle Sandilands (pictured) was quick to offer up his own theory

Sandilands' show scored a whopping 16.3% audience share and was crowned both the number one breakfast show in Sydney and the most listened to radio program across Australia.

Ritchie's appointment to the show in March ruffled some feathers at the time, as some viewed beloved co-anchor Sarah McGilvray as being 'tossed aside' to make way for the former Home and Away star.

Current and former employees of the radio station told Daily Mail Australia they were blindsided by news McGilvray was being pushed aside to make way for Ritchie, with some only learning about it via the press.

One staffer said her departure was 'brutal' for someone who had 'given a decade of her life' to a radio show and was popular with listeners, adding she was 'tossed aside without so much as a proper goodbye'.

McGilvray worked on Fitzy and Wippa for 12 years, spending eight of those as a co-host alongside Ryan 'Fitzy' Fitzgerald and Michael 'Wippa' Wipfli. Before that, she was a senior producer for the Sydney breakfast program.
Euphoria star Jacob Elordi is often pictured carrying designer handbags.

And now, the Australian actor, 26, has revealed the reason why he refuses to leave the house without a purse.

Jacob told GQ Magazine, he doesn't like to step out without carrying a few essentials in case he 'gets bored'.

'Where I grew up, we had a culture where you wore bum bags, fanny packs,' he said.

'When I leave home, I need to have a certain thing from every category with me in case I get boreda book, a notepad, rolls of film, a camera, a pen.'

Euphoria star Jacob Elordi has revealed the reason why he always steps out with a handbag

He said he also carries a pocket watch his mother gifted him with the Australian time set.

Jacob admitted he has never actually purchased a bag himself and his entire collection of luxury designer handbags have been gifted.

'I never bought a bag... All these people think, I wish I had that lifestyle. I mean, yes, to get them for freethat's great. What a great lifestyle. But people that have all this money aren't spending it. You just get sent stuff. It blows my mind,' he added.

Jacob has been filtering through a busy schedule, and he recently celebrated the release of the film, Priscilla, which he starred in as Elvis Presley.

Jacob told GQ Magazine, he doesn't like to step out without carrying a few essentials in case he 'gets bored'

The biographical movie - which was directed by Sofia Coppola - is based on the 1985 memoir titled, Elvis And Me, written by Priscilla Presley.

During a recent interview with GQ, Elordi revealed how he tried to add on weight to portray the King of Rock and Roll.

'It was the first time in my life that I ever had a gut,' the actor explained. 'Bacon. It was about a pound of bacon every day. And then when I'd go to Canada it was poutine and hamburgers...'

'It's really my pleasure. I could order Uber Eats and be like, "Should I get that burger after I've just had Italian? Yeah. Yeah, I will,"' he recalled.
Stephen Colletti of Laguna Beach fame took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce his engagement to Alex Weaver.

In a joint post, the 37-year-old former MTV personality and his journalist fiance shared two photos from Rome, Italy.

The caption simply read: 'Yes! Forever.'

Weaver showed off her massive, oval-shaped diamond in one image, which was set on a gold band.

Another picture showed the future Mr. and Mrs. Colletti in a passionate lip-lock as they sat in front of a scenic view of the city.

Wedding bells: Stephen Colletti of Laguna Beach fame took to Instagram on Wednesday to announce his engagement to Alex Weaver

Sparkler: In a joint post, the 37-year-old former MTV personality and his journalist fiance shared two photos from Rome, Italy

Per Weaver's recent Instagram Stories posts, the two just touched down overseas, kicking off a vacation.

'Jet lagged. but thriving,' she captioned snapshots showing her enjoying pasta and gelato.

In another upload, which was a capture geotagged at Villa Medici, she wrote, 'goodnight from day 1.'

Colletti went Instagram official with Weaver, who's about a decade younger than him, in August 2022.

At the time, the Newport Beach native captioned the snap: 'Magic hours are a bit more magical this year.'

The seaside selfie of Stephen and the North Carolina native was taken on July 15, 2022, when they went sailing together in San Diego.

Alex  who was an Alpha Delta Pi sorority sister at Clemson University  wrote in the comments, 'Luckiest girl.'

Stephen famously dated Laguna Beach costar Kristin Cavallari while the two attended high school in Southern California.

The caption of the engagement announcement simply read: 'Yes! Forever'

Lovebirds: The twosome went Instagram official with their romance in August 2022

Friendly exes: Stephen famously dated Laguna Beach costar Kristin Cavallari as a teenager

The exes, who are now friends, co-hosted a rewatch podcast of the popular early 2000s reality show called Back to the Beach.

When the series launched, she told Page Six that recording it made them 'really close,' but she clarified, 'Theres nothing romantic happening with us.'

And when a fan on social media asked if she wished Colletti were single, she said no.

'I love Stephen and will always have such a special connection to him, but no. I'm really happy for him!!' she replied.
Hollyoaks' Lee Otway looks unrecognisable after swapping Hollyoaks' village for Buckingham Palace in the latest series of Netflix's The Crown.

The actor, now 41, played the loveable David 'Bombhead' Burke in the Channel 4 soap between 2001-2005 and is now back on TV as Diana's real life bodyguard Kes Wingfield.

Gone are his baby face instead boasting a buff physique as the man who protected the Princess (played by Elizabeth Debicki in the drama) and her partner Dodi Alfayed (Khalid Abdalla) before their fatal car crash in August 1997.

After his stint on the soap Lee went on to appear on 2006's Celebrity Love Island as well as Celebrity Stars in their Eyes and Soapstar Superstar.

In the 2008 inquest following the accident boydguard Kes said Dodi's father and Harrod's mogul Mohammad Alfayed continually interfered in security arrangements.

Remember him? Hollyoaks' Lee Otway looks unrecognisable after swapping Hollyoaks' village for Buckingham Palace in the latest series of Netflix's The Crown (pictured on the soap in 2001)

New role: The actor, now 41, played the loveable David 'Bombhead' Burke in the Channel 4 soap (R) and is now back on TV as Diana 's real life bodyguard Kes Wingfield (L)

Saying: 'If we were allowed to have done our jobs properly by the organisation we wouldn't be having this conversation now.'

It comes after a newly released clip from the final season of The Crown shows Prince William and Harry missing a phone call from their mother on the day before she died.

The final season of the Windsor biopic will show the lead up to and fall out from the late Princess of Wales' death.

A new clip shows, Diana calling to speak to her sons, only to be told by an aide 'you missed them'.

The clip begins with Diana walking out of a car into the Ritz hotel with boyfriend Dodi by her side. She is swarmed by paparazzi.

She then steps inside the hotel, where she calls Balmoral to speak to William and Harry.

'Balmoral Castle,' the operator says.

'Oh, it's Diana calling for the boys,' the Princess replies.

New man: Gone are his baby face instead boasting a buff physique as the man who protected the Princess (played by Elizabeth Debicki in the drama) and her partner Dodi Alfayed (Khalid Abdalla) before their fatal car crash in August 1997

Actor: After his stint on the soap (pictured) Lee went on to appear on in Celebrity Stars in their Eyes and Soapstar Superstar

Throwback: He also tried to find love in 2006's Celebrity Love Island (pictured)

'You've just missed them,' the aide adds. 'The princes waited for your call but have gone back out again. Maybe try again at dinner time'.

Diana then looks extremely anguished, silently mouths 'f**k' and scrunches up her face in anger.

Other newly released clips include Charles' despair over telling William and Harry their mother has died and Diana telling Dodi she's a 'persona non-grata' at Balmoral.

The show will also depict the last time Prince William and Prince Harry spoke to their mother - but it will not be a true reflection of the conversation.

In episode four, Diana is depicted as frustrated while in Paris with Dodi, and desperate to return to the UK to see her sons.

After missing one opportunity to speak with them on the phone, Diana finally manages to have a call with Prince William and Prince Harry, where they ask her if she's going to marry the son of the billionaire.

Real life: In the inquest following the accident Kes (right, in 2008) said Dodi's father and Harrod's mogul Mohammad Alfayed continually interfered in security arrangements (Left, Lee pictured in The Crown)

CCTV: Diana pictured with Kes (R) on the evening before her death

Dramatic: Actress Elizabeth as the Princess in the series

However, according to Prince Harry and Prince William's accounts of the last phone call he ever had with his mother, this version of events does not quite ring true.

'I am emphatically not going to marry Dodi. To be honest, I can't wait to come home.'

William then asks his mother if she is ok. She nods and says: 'I'm ok. It's just a bit mad here. I don't really understand how I ended up here. Mummy just needs to make some changes to her life, that's all. But that's not your problem - that's mine.'

In a tender moment, she tells her sons she loves them and they reply to say they love her too. She promises to return home the following evening to see them.

Later in the episode, Diana comes to her untimely death in the car accident.

Although it is true that Prince William and Prince Harry shared a phone call with their mother on the last day she was alive, their recollections of the call do not reflect the Netflix series' depiction.
Kendall Jenner completely took over snow-making duties while on the 70F-degree, Los Angeles set of the JACQUEMUS 'GUIRLANDE' holiday campaign shoot on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old Society Management Model beamed as she grabbed hold of the MagicSnow hose shooting snowflakes on to the street in order to make the sunny California landscape look a bit merrier ahead of the Christmas season.

Kendall was scantily clad in a far-from-wintery 100% Lambskin ensemble consisting of 1,700 'Le Bandeau Pilou' top, 1,700 'La Jupe Pilou' mini-skirt, and 1,200 'Les Bottes Pilou' boots.

As usual, the 818 Tequila founder kept her make-up minimal and wore her middle-parted brunette locks down for the shoot.

Kendall was surrounded by several crew members including photographer Drew Vickers, stylist Malina Joseph, hairstylist Holli Smith, and her longtime make-up artist Mary Phillips.

Weee! Kendall Jenner completely took over snow-making duties while on the 70F-degree, Los Angeles set of the JACQUEMUS 'GUIRLANDE' holiday campaign shoot on Tuesday

It's been a week since Jenner first announced she was starring in the new campaign for the French brand founded in 2009 by Simon Porte Jacquemus.

The FWRD creative director has come a long way since she first started her modeling career in 2009, at age 13, while starring on her famous family's E! reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians.

'Of course I had a platform, and I never took that for granted,' Kendall told Andy Cohen at the 2021 KUWTK reunion.

'I always knew that that was there, but that almost made my job a little bit harder. Only because people probably didn't want to hire me because I was on a reality TV show.'

On Tuesday night, Jenner - who boasts 347M social media followers - sparked split rumors with her Instagram post of a sunset cryptically captioned: 'What's meant for me, will simply find me.'

The Calabasas socialite has been dating three-time Grammy-winning rapper Bad Bunny as far back as February, and they were last pictured together on October 29 having a breakfast date at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Kendall currently executive produces and stars in the 10-episode fourth season of The Kardashians, which airs Thursdays on Hulu.

On May 7, the Keeping Up with the Kardashians spin-off won the best docu-reality series trophy at the 2023 MTV Movie & TV Awards.

Ice queen! The 28-year-old Society Management Model beamed as she grabbed hold of the MagicSnow hose shooting snowflakes on to the street in order to make the sunny California landscape look a bit merrier ahead of the Christmas season

Is she fur-real? Kendall was scantily clad in a far-from-wintery 100% Lambskin ensemble consisting of 1,700 'Le Bandeau Pilou' top, 1,700 'La Jupe Pilou' mini-skirt, and 1,200 'Les Bottes Pilou' boots

Taut: Jenner maintains her slim 5ft10in frame with help from Alo trainer Louis Chandler-Joseph and Forma Pilates instructor Liana Levi

Signature style: As usual, the 818 Tequila founder kept her make-up minimal and wore her middle-parted brunette locks down for the shoot

It takes a village! Kendall was surrounded by several crew members including photographer Drew Vickers, stylist Malina Joseph, hairstylist Holli Smith, and her longtime make-up artist Mary Phillips

Ooh la la! It's been a week since Jenner first announced she was starring in the new campaign for the French brand founded in 2009 by Simon Porte Jacquemus

Nepo-baby: The FWRD creative director has come a long way since she first started her modeling career in 2009, at age 13, while starring on her famous family's E! reality show Keeping Up with the Kardashians

Kendall told Andy Cohen at the 2021 KUWTK reunion: 'Of course I had a platform, and I never took that for granted. I always knew that that was there, but that almost made my job a little bit harder. Only because people probably didn't want to hire me because I was on a reality TV show'

On Tuesday night, Jenner - who boasts 347M social media followers - sparked split rumors with her Instagram post of a sunset cryptically captioned: 'What's meant for me, will simply find me'
Kaley Cuoco played an assassin for hire who keeps her job secret from her husband in a new trailer for Role Play released on Wednesday by Amazon Prime Video.

The 37-year-old actress, who welcomed baby girl Matilda earlier this year, stars in the upcoming film as New Jersey wife and mom Emma opposite David Oyelowo, 47, as her husband David.

The trailer opened with Emma returning home and being greeted by her daughter as her husband cooked outside and asked about her trip to Nebraska.

'It was, um, the usual,' Emma said as clips showed her in a wig killing someone.

David was then shown in an interrogation room with law enforcement asking what happened at the hotel.

Keeping secrets: Kaley Cuoco played an assassin for hire who keeps her job secret from her husband in a new trailer for Role Play released on Wednesday by Amazon Prime Video

'It was our anniversary so we wanted to go out,' David said.

The couple to spice up their relationship agreed to role play as strangers, but they were interrupted by Emma's associate played by English actor Bill Nighy, 73.

An officer played by Danish actress Connie Nielsen, 58, then informed David that his wife's real name is Anna Peller and she's wanted on several continents for contract killings.

David over the phone told Emma that he knows she's an assassin and she promised that her life as a killer was over.

Emma then warned David not to get on a plane to help her, but he ignored her request.

'I love you, but I have to go to work now though,' Emma told David before she went off and fought a man in the woods and tasered him in the neck,

Fooled husband: The 37-year-old actress stars in the upcoming film as New Jersey wife and mom Emma opposite David Oyelowo, 47, as her husband David

Role playing: The couple to spice up their relationship agreed to role play as strangers

Contract killer: An officer played by Danish actress Connie Nielsen, 58, informed David that his wife's real name is Anna Peller and she's wanted on several continents for contract killings

Shadowy figure: English actor Bill Nighy, 73, played a shadowy figure close to Emma

'Killing is bad, like unacceptably bad,' David told Emma as the trailer came to an end,

'I know, I know. I'm done, done, I swear,' she replies as images showed her brutally attacking people.

Role Play is rated R and will be released on January 12 on Prime Video.

Kaley also is a producer of Role Play along with Alex Heineman and Andrew Rona and the film was directed by Thomas Vincent.
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Eva Longoria Baston, Elle Macpherson, and Alexa Chung glammed up to be honored as women of the year by Harper's Bazaar Spain during the third annual ceremony held at Cine Callao in Madrid on Wednesday.

Eva looked leggy in a 4,340 red Zuhair Murad 'Georgette Long Dress' and she gave a boost to her petite 5ft2in figure with black platform heels selected by stylist Maeve Reilly.

The 48-year-old ninth-generation Texan - who relies on longtime hairstylist Ken Paves - wore her raven locks in a sleek updo for the fashion festivities.

Longoria's complexion was fully contoured and she had defined brows, kohl-rimmed eyes, and a glossy pout.

Now that the SAG/AFTRA strike is over, the Golden Globe nominee can get back to executive producing and starring in Apple TV+'s six-episode dramedy Land of Women, which is based on Sandra Barneda's 2014 novel.

American, Aussie, and a Brit! Eva Longoria Baston (L), Elle Macpherson (M), and Alexa Chung (R) glammed up to be honored as women of the year by Harper's Bazaar Spain during the third annual ceremony held at Cine Callao in Madrid on Wednesday

Eva takes on the role of Gala, who is forced to flee her New York home with her mother and teenage daughter to Northern Spain after her husband implicates the family in financial improprieties

Ramon Campos and and Gema R. Neira's series - which will film in both English and Spanish - also features Santiago Cabrera, Gloria Munoz, Amaury Nolasco, and Victoria Bazua.

Longoria will also play travel writer and married mother-of-two Val Garcia in Marvin Lemus' road trip remake of Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day - which will eventually stream on Disney+.

The Mexican-American adaptation of Judith Viorst's 1972 children's book also stars Thom Nemer, Cheech Marin, Cristo Fernandez, Harvey Guillen, Jesse Garcia, Paulina Chavez, and Rose Portillo.

Elle - who was coined 'The Body' by TIME back in 1989 - completely covered up her famous 5ft11in figure in a black Dior cape over a matching chiffon gown and peep-toe heels.

The Australian 59-year-old was awarded on Wednesday with the Beauty Entrepreneur of the year trophy for the elixir company Welle Co. she founded back in 2014.

'To everybody here tonight, this is such an honor. I'm very nervous...I'm just so grateful to be here,' Macpherson (born Eleanor Gow) said at the podium.

'And this is such a wonderful, powerful opportunity working with Harper's Bazaar Spain to remind everyone of their innate real beauty an uniqueness. It's your gift to the world. Nurturing the emergence of unique beauty through wellness has been, for me, the joy of a lifetime. So I appreciate this recognition.'

Nice stems! Eva looked leggy in a 4,340 red Zuhair Murad 'Georgette Long Dress' and she gave a boost to her petite 5ft2in figure with black platform heels selected by stylist Maeve Reilly

Bells on: The 48-year-old ninth-generation Texan - who relies on longtime hairstylist Ken Paves - wore her raven locks in a sleek updo for the fashion festivities

Bronzed beauty: Longoria's complexion was fully contoured and she had defined brows, kohl-rimmed eyes, and a glossy pout

Back to work: Now that the SAG/AFTRA strike is over, the Golden Globe nominee can get back to executive producing and starring in Apple TV+'s six-episode dramedy Land of Women, which is based on Sandra Barneda's 2014 novel

Stunning: The star showed off the beautiful skirt of her dress as she put on a leggy display in the garment

Coined 'The Body' by TIME back in 1989! Elle completely covered up her famous 5ft11in figure in a black Dior cape over a matching chiffon gown and peep-toe heels

'Humbled': The Australian 59-year-old was awarded on Wednesday with the Beauty Entrepreneur of the year trophy for the elixir company Welle Co. she founded back in 2014

Macpherson (born Eleanor Gow) said at the podium: 'To everybody here tonight, this is such an honor. I'm very nervous...I'm just so grateful to be here. And this is such a wonderful, powerful opportunity working with Harper's Bazaar Spain to remind everyone of their innate real beauty an uniqueness. It's your gift to the world. Nurturing the emergence of unique beauty through wellness has been, for me, the joy of a lifetime. So I appreciate this recognition'

Ready for her close-up! The former SI Swimsuit stunner applied a smoky eye, pink cheeks, and a glossy pout to her face and she wore her signature highlighted locks down

Musician companion: Elle was joined on the red carpet by boyfriend Doyle Bramhall II, who previously dated Oscar winner Renee Zellweger in the mid-2010s

In love: The couple packed on the PDA as they went in for a smooch during the evening

Gangly: Alexa - whose titular fashion label shuttered last year - struck an awkward pose in an incredibly ill-fitted grey Prada blazer, fastened with a black belt, and patent leather men's dress shoes

Glam: The British 40-year-old had hairstylist Ivan Gomez curl her shoulder-length brunette locks and make-up artist Sandra Marcos brought out her brows, cheekbones, and mauve pout

Legs eleven: The star flaunted her slender pins in the blazer dress

Chung marveled at the podium: 'There are so many icons in this room. It's really fantastic. I get very nervous with public speaking, which is weird because I'm a TV presenter. It's so amazing to be here. [Receiving] a fashion icon award is particularly brilliant'

Stage fright: Indeed, the part-Chinese socialite's last presenting gig was on Netflix's Next in Fashion where she was famously replaced in 2021 by IMG Model Gigi Hadid as co-host

Spanish rose: Pedro Almodovar muse Rossy de Palma - who received the Humanitarian Muse Award - made a dramatic entrance in a black-and-white trumpet gown

Wow: The star turned heads in the eye-catching gown complete with ruffled white cuffs and a ruffled skirt

Sexy after 70! New York-born actress-model Marisa Berenson - best known for her roles in Cabaret and Barry Lyndon - wore a black long-sleeve studded dress to be honored at the event

Here come the girls: Rossy de Palma, Yolanda Sacristan and Eva Longoria looked sensational as they posed together for a group snap

The former SI Swimsuit stunner applied a smoky eye, pink cheeks, and a glossy pout to her face and she wore her signature highlighted locks down.

Elle was joined on the red carpet by boyfriend Doyle Bramhall II, who previously dated Oscar winner Renee Zellweger in the mid-2010s.

Alexa - whose titular fashion label shuttered last year - struck an awkward pose in an incredibly ill-fitted grey Prada blazer, fastened with a black belt, and patent leather men's dress shoes.

The British 40-year-old had hairstylist Ivan Gomez curl her shoulder-length brunette locks and make-up artist Sandra Marcos brought out her brows, cheekbones, and mauve pout.

'There are so many icons in this room,' Chung marveled at the podium.

'It's really fantastic. I get very nervous with public speaking, which is weird because I'm a TV presenter. It's so amazing to be here. [Receiving] a fashion icon award is particularly brilliant.'

Indeed, the part-Chinese socialite's last presenting gig was on Netflix's Next in Fashion where she was famously replaced in 2021 by IMG Model Gigi Hadid as co-host.

Pedro Almodovar muse Rossy de Palma - who received the Humanitarian Muse Award - made a dramatic entrance in a black-and-white trumpet gown.

New York-born actress-model Marisa Berenson - best known for her roles in Cabaret and Barry Lyndon - wore a black long-sleeve studded dress to be honored at the event.

Musicians La La Love You and Pol Granch were among the performers at the Harper's Bazaar Women of the Year gala.

Model Jessica Goicoechea also posed up a storm as she put on a daring display in a racy lace dress with intricate embroidered detailing.

The 26-year-old left little to the imagination as she ditched her underwear for the evening as she showed off her impressive physique.

The star scraped her blonde locks back in slick back up do while striking a glossy pout as she kept a serious face.

Daring: Model Jessica Goicoechea also posed up a storm in a racy lace dress with intricate embroidered detailing

Wow: The 26-year-old left little to the imagination as she ditched her underwear for the evening as she showed off her impressive physique
She's arguably one of the hottest standout stars from the new season of Love Island Australia.

But despite her sex appeal, Savanah Badger has no desire in joining OnlyFans, like many other reality stars who try and make quick bank after a stint on reality TV.

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the 26-year-old Adelaide-based blonde beauty revealed that she can't imagine herself signing up for the adult website.

'I'm not joining OnlyFans. Not that there's anything wrong with that, but it's not for me,' she said speaking on the red carpet at the ARIA Awards.

When quizzed about whether she thought about her post-show plans, Sav explained: 'I have no idea. I try not to think about the future. I'm just walking the red carpet right now'.

Love Island Australia star Savanah Badger (pictured) told Daily Mail Australia that she has no desire to follow in the footsteps of other reality stars and join OnlyFans

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, the 26-year-old Adelaide-based blonde beauty revealed that she can't imagine herself signing up for the adult website

It comes after Savanah left her co-stars shocked after she revealed that she was almost kicked out of her high school.

'I went to private (school) but I kept getting in trouble and then I nearly got expelled for taking nudes at formal,' she began.

'I took nudes in the photo booth at formal.'

It comes after Savanah left her co-stars shocked after she revealed that she was almost kicked out of her high school over a X-rated act

The aftermath of the event saw a youthful Savanah penning an apologetic note to the very unamused photography company.

'I had to write a letter to the frickin' photo company or whatever the hell it was saying I'm sorry for taking photos of my clacker in your frickin' photo booth you set up at a school formal,' she said.

Far from repentant, Sav added with a defiant chuckle, 'And it was funny and I'll do it again. I don't care.'

A video of her confession has since been shared via the show's official Instagram account.

The Adelaide-based blonde beauty was sitting poolside alongside her co-stars when she revealed that she was almost kicked out of her high school

One admirer remarked that Savanah is 'one of the realest girls in there'.

Another defended her past actions, highlighting her achievements since: 'She's telling a story from her past almost 10yrs ago she's now a lawyer ffs trent needs to grow tf up.'

New Love Island Australia episodes drop daily from Monday to Thursday at 6pm on 9Now.
Kerry Washington dazzled at the 74th National Book Awards, which were held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Wednesday evening.

The 46-year-old actress appeared to be thoroughly enjoying her time at the event, posing up a storm on the red carpet.

The star, who was recently joined by her husband Nnamdi Asomugha during a protest outside of Disney Studios, wore a plunging gold top underneath a black double-breasted jacket.

Washington also wore a pair of loose-fitting sheer trousers which exposed her high-cut underwear.

The Scandal star donned a pair of black high-heeled shoes, and she accessorized with a fashionable pair of earrings.

Showing up: Kerry Washington attended the 74th National Book Awards, which were held at Cipriani Wall Street in New York City on Wednesday evening

Much of the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated performer's beautiful dark brunette hair was tied up into several braids, some of which had been dyed gold for the evening.

Washington's book, entitled Thicker than Water: A Memoir, was released this past September.

The performer opened up about her turbulent early life in the publication, and she received much notice for revealing that she was conceived with the assistance of a sperm donor.

The Django Unchained actress also embarked on a book tour in support of her project.

Washington recently spoke about her publication during an interview with The Hollywood Reporter and stated that she never expected to put her life story into writing.

'If you had told me six years ago that I was going to write a memoir, I would have said you were on drugs,' she said.

The performer also spoke about how she became inspired to put pen to paper after learning the truth about her parentage.

'When my parents broke the news, I instantly felt like a protagonist in a story. I had devoted my life to embodying other people's stories, but suddenly I had a story,' she said.

Doing the most: Washington also wore a pair of loose-fitting sheer pants which featured numerous strands of loose fabric at their bottom portions

Completing the look: The Scandal star donned a pair of black high-heeled shoes, and she accessorized with a fashionable pair of earrings

Standing out: Much of the Primetime Emmy Award-nominated performer's beautiful dark brunette hair was tied up into several braids, some of which had been dyed gold for the evening

On the stands: Washington's book, entitled Thicker than Water: A Memoir, was released this past September

Washington went on to discuss how she had always felt as if she had always acted as a supporting member of each project she worked on prior to the release of her memoir.

'I know that I've been part of extraordinary projects and really special opportunities and that I've done work that is historic and lives in the canon. But all of that has felt like being part of something special,' she said.

The actress also stated that she has had to become used to speaking about her private life in public ever since her book was published.

'I have been so private. I've built a career out of playing other people, and talking about myself this much is very weird. I'm so sick of me right now,' she said.
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Rachel Zegler and Hunter Schafer both looked like incredibly glamorous leading ladies while arriving to the New York City premiere of their upcoming film, Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes, on Wednesday.

As the costars reunited for a special screening of their highly-anticipated film, which hits theaters on November 17, the duo beamed with joy as they mingled and held hands as photographers snapped their picture on the red carpet, held outside the Metrograph.

For the occasion, Zegler, 22, who portrays Lucy Gray Baird in the prequel to the original Hunger Games trilogy, wore a strapless blue gown and black heels.

Meanwhile, Schafer, 24, put on a very leggy display in a thigh-skimming floral frock, which she paired with white pumps and her hair slicked back in a sleek updo

Wow factor: Rachel Zegler and Hunter Schafer both looked like incredibly glamorous leading ladies while arriving to the New York City premiere of their upcoming film, Hunger Games: The Ballad Of Songbirds & Snakes, on Wednesday

Friends: As the costars reunited for a special screening of their highly-anticipated film, which hits theaters on November 17, the duo beamed with joy as they mingled and held hands as photographers snapped their picture on the red carpet

The Euphoria star, who has modeled for brands like Prada, Dior, Gucci, as well as and helped boost trans representation in Hollywood, landed the role of Tigris Snow in the movie.

Also in attendance at the star-studded event was Peter Dinklage, who plays Casca Highbottom in the franchise's latest installment, as well as and Kate Rachesky, who appeared in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2.

Film producer Nina Jacobson, the movie's director Francis Lawrence, as well as the rest of the cast, including Josh Andres Rivera and Tom Blyth were also present.

Zegler, who is dating Rivera, looked happy in love as they posed for pictures together as she placed one hand tenderly on his chest and look at him adoringly.

At one point, she sweetly nestled her head on his shoulder as he placed his hand on her back, before he led her inside.

The couple first met on the set of West Side Story and ended up working together, again, in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snake.

'Having a familiar face on any set, I think any young actor can attest, is the biggest form of comfort,' she gushed to People on Monday of getting to spend time together at work on back-to-back projects.

She continued: 'And also as [Rivera's] girlfriend, his friend, and his coworker, it's amazing to see the trajectory of his career, and to witness his rise to stardom. I love him so much'

Glamorous: The Euphoria star, who has modeled for brands like Prada, Dior, Gucci, as well as and helped boost trans representation in Hollywood, landed the role of Tigris Snow in the movie

Chic: Zegler paired her suede frock with a turquoise necklace and stunning makeup look, consisting of plenty of blush and red lip gloss

Looking back: Zegler's dress hugged her every curve of her incredibly toned frame

Striking: The star wore her hair straight and down over her shoulders

Posing away: The actress looked over her shoulder on the red carpet

Familiar faces: Also in attendance at the star-studded event was Peter Dinklage, who plays Casca Highbottom in the franchise's latest installment

Trio: (L-R) Schafer, Zegler and Rachesky are all seen together

Young love: Zegler and boyfriend Josh Andres Rivera looked happy in love as she placed one hand on his chest on the red carpet

Fate: The couple first met on the set of West Side Story and also worked together in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snake

'Having a familiar face on any set, I think any young actor can attest, is the biggest form of comfort,' she gushed to People on Monday of getting to spend time together at work on back-to-back projects. 'And also as [Rivera's] girlfriend, his friend, and his coworker, it's amazing to see the trajectory of his career, and to witness his rise to stardom. I love him so much'

(L-R) Rivera and Hunter Schafer smiled for photographers as they walked down the red carpet

Rivera, 28, called his girlfriend his 'comfort' on set and agreed that he felt 'really lucky' to get to pursue their dreams together.

'It was a really great source of comfort for me to have her with me so far away from home. We were in a different country. We got to explore that country together. It was absolutely lovely. I feel very fortunate,' he told the outlet.

They also provided support for each other during the film's more taxing and emotional scenes.

Blast from the past: Kate Rachesky, who appeared in The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 2, posed for a photo with Zegler

Group photo: Film producer Nina Jacobson, the movie's director Francis Lawrence, as well as the rest of the cast, including Josh Andres Rivera and Tom Blyth were also present

Looking sharp: Dinklage wore a black velvet jacket, matching trousers and black leather boots

Big night: Rachesky, who wore a cropped black top and leather skirt over a pair of tights, and Blyth posed for a photo together

Costars: (L-R) Rivera, Blyth and Dinklage appeared to have a blast at the screening

Plus one: The Game of Thrones star brought his wife Erica Schmidt as his date

Holding hands: Dinklage has been happily married to the playwright and director since 2005

Dinklage and Rachesky shared a laugh while on the red carpet

Beaming: The lovebirds held hands as they posed for photos together

Pals: Josh Andres Rivera and Tom Blyth were pictured with their arms wrapped around each other's shoulders

Star power: Jeremy O Harris and Tom Blyth were also in attendance

Etheral: Taylor Richardson, best known for her roles in The Gilded Age (2022) and The Time Traveler's Wife (2022), wore a figure-hugging white midi dress and black high heels

Movie night: Director Sasha Kasiuha and Art Bezrukavenko also attended the screening

Producer Nina Jacobson, who rocked silver sequined pants and a matching blazer, and Trish Summerville are seen above

Creative: Trish Summerville (L) served as the film's costume designer

Musical artist, Ben Ahlers, wore a red and yellow floral-print suit

'We have debriefs at the end of the day and we talk about it,' he noted. 'It's acting and she's very good at it and she's very professional and she's a wonderful coworker. I think we were able to communicate when one of us was down. It was nice. We were good support for one another.'

While talking to People earlier this month, Zegler opened up about how she is a big fan of the franchise and recalled the first time she had watched The Hunger Games.

'I went with my sister and my mom to the theater to see it,' she recalled. 'The woman next to my sister had never read the books or seen the film before, and when the mutts came out, she started screaming, 'What's gonna happen next?'

'And it is ingrained in my memory forever,' she said of the experience and movie. She then added in regards to the prequel that, 'I hope people in our theaters do it as well.'
The terms of the deal were being kept private

A rep for Kardashian said that the 'workers were hired and paid through a third-party vendor hired by Kim to provide ongoing services'

The group said they weren't given adequate meal breaks, paystubs or benefits

Kardashian, 43, was initially sued in May of 2021 by the group of housekeepers , who said the reality star did not adhere to proper business practices

Kim Kardashian has come to a legal settlement with a group of seven housekeepers who were suing the reality star for unpaid wages and a number of other labor-related infractions.

The Kardashians star, 43, was hit by a lawsuit in May 2021 from a number of former employees who had worked at her Hidden Hills, California mansion and accused her of being late with their pay and subjecting them to substandard working conditions.

The group - consisting of Andrew Ramirez, Andrew Ramirez Jr., Christopher Ramirez, Aron Cabrea, Rene Ernesto Flores, Jesse Fernandez, and Robert Araiza - said Kardashian declined to pay overtime and to give them food breaks.

Kardashian and the defendants have told the court they have 'reached an agreement in principle to resolve this action' and the former housekeepers said they would file a dismissal of the action within 60 days, according to RadarOnline.com,

The terms of the deal were being kept private; the update comes after they agreed to call off a scheduled trial in July to work on a settlement.

Details: Kim Kardashian, 43, has agreed a deal with seven housekeepers who were suing her for unpaid wages. Pictured in LA last week at the Baby2Baby Gala

The seven housekeepers had worked at the Hidden Hills, California home where the reality star resides

'The parties in this matter have entered into settlement discussions and have agreed to mediate this matter,' according to a court filing reviewed by the outlet.

According to a portion of the legal docs reviewed by The Mirror US, both sides 'respectfully request that the Court continue the Status Conference currently scheduled for November 14, 2023, to January 15, 2024, or the first available court date thereafter.'

When the suit was first filed with Los Angeles Superior Court, Andrew Ramirez and six other employees claimed they had been hired to work at Kim's mansion and were promised full-time jobs with benefits, but were then branded independent contractors and therefore received no benefits.

They said in court docs that they were not given adequate meal breaks, not provided with paystubs, and that Kardashian failed to reimburse them for their expenses.

Ramirez's son Andrew Jr. said he was allowed to work for the SKIMS founder while underage.

Kardashian had tried to have the case dismissed, but was unsuccessful on that front, according to Radar.

Kardashian had denied responsibility for the violations alleged in the lawsuit, and said that she'd hired the staff through a third-party company.

'These workers were hired and paid through a third-party vendor hired by Kim to provide ongoing services,' her spokesperson told Vanity Fair after the suit was filed in May of 2021.

A rep for the reality star said that Kardashian was not involved with the working agreement between the workers and the third-party company she hired for the services

Kardashian and the defendants have told the court they have 'reached an agreement in principle to resolve this action'

The rep added that 'Kim is not party to the agreement made between the vendor and their workers, therefore she is not responsible for how the vendor manages their business and the agreements they have made directly with their staff.

'Kim has never not paid a vendor for their services and hopes that the issue between these workers and the vendor who hired them can be amicably resolved soon.'

The housekeepers were represented by attorney Frank Kim, who told DailyMail.com in 2021, 'My firm is currently investigating other potential violations against these defendants, as well as other powerful families and businesses on behalf of everyday workers.'

The lawyer said that 'wage theft and other workplace violations are a widespread problem in Los Angeles.'

Kardashian 'does not have a history of not paying her bills on time - never has and never will,' a second insider told Page Six of the lawsuit in 2021. 'She takes a lot of pride in paying people on time for their work so this issue has nothing to do with her and these workers are suing the wrong person.

The source added that the lawyer representing the housekeepers was 'very careful' not to call out Kardashian by name in his statement 'or directly mention any claims against her, because he knows these employees never worked directly for Kim, only through a third-party vendor.'

Kardashian had tried to have the case dismissed, but was unsuccessful on that front

Kardashian 'does not have a history of not paying her bills on time - never has and never will,' an insider said in May of 2021

Kardashian's younger sister Khloe was named in a lawsuit earlier this year by a one-time household assistant named Matthew Manhard, who said he was wrongfully fired in November 2022 after returning from an injury to his knee six months before.

Manhard said in legal docs that he was not given adequate break time by Khloe, who failed to pay him overtime despite him working shifts that lasted around 12 hours long.

A rep for Khloe told TMZ that Manhard's suit was 'frivolous,' and that he had been 'properly classified and compensated for his role;' and that his role needed to be filled after he took a 'leave of absence for an extended period of time.'
Lukas Gage made his first public appearance since it was announced he was splitting from his husband Chris Appleton after six months of marriage.

The actor, 28, walked the red carpet Wednesday at the Los Angeles premiere of the fifth season of FX's Fargo  an anthology series that exists in the universe of Joel Coen's film of the same name.

Gage  who plays the recurring character, Lars Olmstead, in the new installment  looked sharp in an all-black Prada outfit and showed off his wedding ring-free hand.

The White Lotus star modeled a zip-up jacket, slacks and shiny patent leather dress shoes.

He was joined at the event by the show's lead stars Jon Hamm, Juno Temple, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Joe Keery.

Sans ring: Lukas Gage made his first public appearance since it was announced he was splitting from his husband Chris Appleton after six months of marriage - and ditched his wedding ring for the red carpet

Happier times: Gage seen with Appleton in July

Gone: Lukas showed off his ring-free hand

Gage and Appleton exchanged vows in a surprise Las Vegas wedding in April - but Appleton filed for divorce on Monday citing 'irreconcilable differences.'

The couple's date of separation is listed as Friday and they have a prenup in place.

A source told TMZ the split was 'not an easy decision for Chris to make but he tried everything he could to make the marriage work and needed to make the best decision for himself moving forward.'

DailyMail.com contacted representatives for the pair for comment.

They wed in front of only six guests at Little White Chapel after applying for a marriage license in Clark County.

The wedding was only documented on Hulu series, The Kardashians last week, with Kim, 43, officiating their wedding.

She also organized for music superstar Shania Twain to serenade the couple.

Jon Hamm, 52, exuded leading man confidence as he posed for photographers in a chic cream suit.

He styled the tailored two-piece with a crisp white button-down shirt.

For a touch of flair, the Mad Men star tucked a paisley print pocket square into his jacket pocket.

Hamm takes on the role of Sheriff Roy Tillman, a lawman in North Dakota, in the upcoming season.

Juno Temple  who plays mysterious Midwestern housewife, Dorothy 'Dot' Lyon  stunned as she showed off her legs in a sexy LBD.

The actor, 28, walked the red carpet Wednesday at the Los Angeles premiere of the fifth season of FX's Fargo  an anthology series that exists in the world of Joel Coen's film of the same name

Giddy: Lukas looked pretty chipper amid his marital split

Hunk: Jon Hamm exuded leading man confidence as he posed for photographers in a chic cream suit

He styled the tailored two-piece with a crisp white button-down shirt

Leading man: Hamm takes on the role of Sheriff Roy Tillman, a lawman in North Dakota, in the upcoming season

Leggy: Juno Temple stunned as she showed off her legs in a sexy LBD

The look: She slipped on a pair of semi-sheer tights and stood on sky-high black platform heels

Plus one: Temple was joined by her boyfriend Michal Szymanski

She carried a sparkly black clutch in her photos

Role: Temple plays mysterious Midwestern housewife, Dorothy 'Dot' Lyon

Chic: Jennifer Jason Leigh  who plays Dot's mother-in-law, Lorraine Lyon  arrived in a demure black midi dress that hugged her svelte frame

Youthful: The Single White Female star, 61, flaunted her youthful complexion by rocking minimal makeup for the night

She posed with co-stars David Rysdahl and Sienna King

Familiar face: Joe Keery  best known for his role in Netflix's Stranger Thing  rocked a stylish getup that included a loose fitting navy blue suit

For a casual touch, the musician, 31, layered his blazer over a T-shirt

She slipped on a pair of semi-sheer tights and stood on sky-high black platform heels.

The blonde beauty, 34, sported a furry black vest that she let hang off one arm as she posed, and she also added a pair of EFFY earrings to her look.

Temple was joined by her boyfriend Michal Szymanski.

Jennifer Jason Leigh  who plays Dot's mother-in-law, Lorraine Lyon  arrived in a demure black midi dress that hugged her svelte frame.

She layered up with a black velvet coat lined with pink satin for a fun pop of color.

The Single White Female star, 61, flaunted her youthful complexion by rocking minimal makeup for the night.

Joe Keery  best known for his role in Netflix's Stranger Thing  rocked a stylish getup that included a loose fitting navy blue suit.

He accessorized with a silver chain necklace and strolled the red carpet in classic black dress shoes.

For a casual touch, the musician, 31, layered his blazer over a T-shirt.

Both Poorna Jagannathan and Richa Moorjani oozed elegance as they showed off their sensational physiques for the cameras.

Jagannathan wowed in a low-cut navy blue dress with a mesh corset with gold boning that showcased her midriff.

Moorjani left little to the imagination in a sexy black lace dress covered in sparkly jewels.

Glam: Both Poorna Jagannathan and Richa Moorjani oozed elegance as they showed off their sensational physiques for the cameras

Sexy: Jagannathan wowed in a low-cut navy blue dress with a mesh corset with gold boning that showcased her midriff. Moorjani left little to the imagination in a sexy black lace dress covered in sparkly jewels

Lamorne Morris  who plays Deputy Witt Farr  suited up for the occasion and posed warmly with the Fargo executive producer Kim Todd

Style: Jessica Pohly  who is known for starring in American Horror Story  flaunted her legs in a sexy black minidress. Sam Spruell was dressed to the nines in a navy blue suit with a forrest green turtleneck and chocolate brown dress shoes

The fifth season of Fargo was initially set to premiere in September, although its release date was pushed back due to the recently-concluded labor disputes in Hollywood; (L-R) Sam Spruell, Dave Foley, Joe Keery, Noah Hawley, Juno Temple, Sienna King, Richa Moorjani, Jon Hamm, David Rysdahl, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Lamorne Morris at Wednesday's premiere

Lamorne Morris  who plays Deputy Witt Farr  suited up for the occasion and posed warmly with the Fargo executive producer Kim Todd.

Jessica Pohly  who is known for starring in American Horror Story  flaunted her legs in a sexy black minidress.

Sam Spruell was dressed to the nines in a navy blue suit with a forrest green turtleneck and chocolate brown dress shoes.

Fargo's upcoming fifth run is centered on a housewife whose shady past comes back to haunt her after she becomes the target of the authorities.

The cast of the new season will be led by Juno Temple and Hamm, who will portray Dorothy Lyon and Sheriff Roy Tillman, respectively.

Also set to appear in Fargo's new run of episodes are performers such as Jennifer Jason Leigh, Joe Keery and Lukas Gage.

The show takes inspiration from the 1996 film of the same name, and it is set in the same universe as the movie.

Past seasons of the show have starred performers such as Chris Rock, Kirsten Dunst and Ewan McGregor, among others.

Development on the fifth season was confirmed in February of last year, and the Top Gun: Maverick actor joined the show's cast that June.

Physical production on the program's newest run officially kicked off last October.

Getting ready: The actor's outing took place just a few weeks before the release of the fifth season of the crime-comedy anthology series Fargo, in which he will star

Almost here: The first two episodes of the show's newest run are currently scheduled to debut on November 21

The fifth season of Fargo was initially set to premiere in September, although its release date was pushed back due to the recently-concluded labor disputes in Hollywood.

The first two episodes of the show's newest run are currently scheduled to debut on November 21.

The program's fifth season will run for a total of ten episodes, and its finale will air on January 16, 2024.

Fargo's new run has already received widespread acclaim from critics, and it currently holds a score of 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes
China not to fight cold war or hot war with anyone: Xi

Xinhua) 13:18, November 16, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- China will not fight a cold war or a hot war with anyone, said Chinese President Xi Jinping here on Wednesday.

"Whatever stage of development it may reach, China will never pursue hegemony or expansion, and will never impose its will on others," Xi said at a welcome dinner by friendly organizations in the United States.

"China does not seek spheres of influence, and will not fight a cold war or a hot war with anyone," said the Chinese president.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
There was no shortage of star power at the 74th annual National Book Awards ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, in New York City.

The annual event, which is 'dedicated to celebrating the power of literature, and the incomparable contributions of writers to our culture' pay homage to U.S. literature and hands out an assortment of awards to authors, including two lifetime Achievement Awards.

Actress and avid reader Emma Roberts was among those high-profile people to lend their support, while also using the evening as another source to find new books to read.

In fact, Roberts has such a passion for reading that she and her best friend, Karah Preiss, co-founded the literary recommendations site Belletrist.

'Belletrist is an online reading community dedicated to books and the people who love them,' the non-profit declares on its website cover page.

Star power: Emma Roberts, 32, showed her support for the 74th National Book Awards at Cipriani Wall Street on Thursday in New York City

Before the ceremony, Roberts hit the red carpet to strike a few poses in her eye-catching black ensemble that was a combination of a ribbed skirt and a glittering sequin top.

The petite beauty got a lift to her 5ft2in figure by slipping into black platform heels.

Rounding out her overall look, the American Horror Story actress had her blonde locks styled long and flowing over her chest and the front and past the middle of her back with a center part.

After posing solo for admiring photographers, Preiss joined Roberts for a round or two on the red carpet.

Preiss, 33, looked stylish in a black double-breasted suit with a white shirt, and wore her dark brown locks long and straight with a part just off to the right.

The two ladies first met about 15 years through mutual friends, and quickly they found themselves constantly sending book recommendations to each other.

Basically, they built their friendship around their mutual love of books and good conversation, according to Yahoo.

In 2017, they decided to turn their one-on-one literary exchanges into more of a public forum, creating their Instagram book club Belletrist, and now they're expanding to new digital platforms and TV screens.

Avid readers: Roberts also shared the red carpet spotlight with her best friend Kara Preissw, who co-founded the literary recommendations site Belletrist

Promoting books and reading: After Roberts and Preiss had been book sharing with each other for years, the pair decided to turn their one-on-one literary exchanges into more of a public forum, creating their Instagram book club Belletrist, which has since expanded to new digital platforms and TV screens

'My best friend Karah [Preiss] lived in New York, and I lived in LA, and so we'd always be sending each other books in the mail and writing little notes on them,' Roberts explained to Vogue. 'It just became the center of our friendship, exchanging recommendations and discussing them. We have similar tastes, but we're also very different, so there was this nice blend of having so much in common and yet still being able to learn from each other.'

The ladies got the idea to create Belletrist when Roberts got a lot of people asking for book recommendations after she posted about the latest book she had been reading.

'Belletrist was always just a place where the two of us could post things that we probably would have emailed or texted to each other,' Priess told HelloGiggles at a Belletrist event in New York.

Writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, translated literature and young peoples literature are recognized at the annual National Book Awards; with winners in the five competitive categories each receiving $10,000.

This years ceremony was hosted by actor, director, producer and podcaster LeVar Burton. He replaced Drew Barrymore in mid-October when the offer to the actress and talk-show host was rescinded when she decided to return to doing her talk show during the Writers Guild of America's strike, according to NPR.

She eventually reversed that position after strike supporters picketed her show, but not before losing out on the hosting job.

The National Book Foundation was established in 1988 to administer and enhance the National Book Awards and "move beyond [them] into the fields of education and literacy", primarily by sponsoring public appearances by writers.

Its mission is "to celebrate the best literature in America, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in American culture.

Leading lady: The daughter of Eric Roberts and niece of actress Julia Roberts showed off her fashion sense in a gorgeous two-tone black ensemble with plaform heels

Some of the winners included Justin Torres' novel Blackouts won in the fiction category and Craig Santos Perez, who received the poetry award for 'from unincorporated territory [amot], The Washington Post reported.

The non-fiction prize was awarded to Ned Blackhawk, a professor of history at Yale, for his book The Rediscovery Of America: Native Peoples And The Unmaking of U.S. History.

Special guest Oprah Winfrey gave an emotional keynote address during the dinner ceremony at Cipriani Wall Street, and honorary medals were presented to poet Rita Dove and to Paul Yamazaki, a longtime bookseller at San Franciscos famed City Lights store.

During her speech, the media mogul made a point of sharing how books should always be within reach 'of everyone to choose for themselves.'

In a sign of just how much reading has meant to Winfrey's life, the television executive and personality got emotional and shed a few tears when she talked about her respect writers and authors, and her lifelong passion for words.

While sharing her story, she quoted from some of her favorite books, which included Alice Walker's The Color Purple and Barbara Kingsolver's Demon Copperhead.

Never one to shy away from a just cause, Winfrey also condemned people who ban books, while denouncing censorship as an act of isolating people into 'soulless echo chambers.'

A Lifetime Achievement Award went to Rita Dove, who's a 1987 Pulitzer Prize winner for her third collection of poetry, Thomas And Beulah.

Host: This ceremony was hosted by actor, director, producer and podcaster LeVar Burton, 66; Writers of fiction, non-fiction, poetry, translated literature and young peoples literature were all recognized at the annual National Book Awards, with winners in the five competitive categories each receiving $10,000

Her most recent collection of poetry books are Sonata Mulattica, Collected Poems 1974-2004 and Playlist for the Apocalypse.

Paul Yamazaki, who has been a bookseller at City Lights Booksellers & Publishers since 1970 and principal buyer at City Lights Booksellers for more than 50 years, was also honored with a Life Achievement Awards.

Some of the other celebrities and writers on hand to attend the event included Cindy Crawford and her daughter Kaia Gerber, Kerry Washington, Aaliyah Bilal, James Fugate, Raquel Willis, Tinx, Nafissa Thompson-Spires, Cristina Rivera Garza, Kellen Townsend, Amandeep Kochar, Yahdon Israel, Liya Kebede, Enuma Okoro, Liya Kebede

Others to lend their support were Stenio Gardel and Bruna Dantas Lobato, Bora Chung, Lisa Dillman, Vashti Harrison, Sam Taylor, Katherine Marsh, Paul Harding, Astrid Roemer, Pilar Quintana, Hanna Pylvainen, Sarah Schulman, Craig Santos Perez.
After months of speculation, Channel 10 has finally confirmed that celebrity chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver will be joining the cast of MasterChef Australia in 2024.

On Thursday, the network confirmed that Oliver, 48, will serve as a guest judge during the first two weeks of the new season.

Joining the much-loved British foodie will be long term MasterChef star Andy Allen and new judge and former contestant Poh Ling Yeow.

Food critic Sofia Levin and restauranteur Jean-Christophe Novell will also be judges.

The new season, which will air in 2024, has started filming in Melbourne.

After months of speculation Channel 10 has finally confirmed that celebrity chef and restaurateur Jamie Oliver will be joining the cast of MasterChef Australia in 2024. Pictured: The new look cast for next season (L-R) food critic Sofia Levin, Oliver, Andy Allen, Poh Ling Yeow, and restauranteur Jean-Christophe Novelli

Meanwhile, TV Tonight reports that Oliver's two week stint on the coming season will be the longest appearance by any guest judge in the show's 14-year history.

Oliver first appeared as a guest judge on MasterChef during season four in 2012.

It was previously rumoured that he would replace Jock Zonfrillo as a permanent judge for the show in a $2million deal.

The hit cooking contest was thrown into turmoil after judge Jock Zonfrillo's sudden shock death at age 46 in April Pictured: The former MasterChef Australia cast including Melissa Leong (L) Jock Zonfrillo (centre) and Andy Allen (right)

The hit cooking contest was thrown into turmoil after Zonfrillo's shock death at the age of 46 in April.

Channel 10 announced soon after it would search for a replacement for the fan favourite.

Judge Melissa Leong subsequently exited the show to launch her own spinoff series Dessert Masters.

Following rumours that she was 'dumped' from MasterChef, Leon, 41, got her revenge this week after her new show proved to be a hit with viewers.

Melissa Leong has since exited MasterChef to launch her own spinoff series Dessert Masters (pictured) which has already proven to be a hit with viewers

Dessert Masters had 451,000 fans tuning in across all the major cities on Tuesday night.

Appearing on the series alongside renowned pastry chef, Amaury Guichon, Leong has retained her fanbase and is continuing to win new support.

It comes after the former MasterChef star insisted she has nothing but love for her co-stars at the Channel Ten cooking show, shortly after it was announced she wouldn't be returning to the series next year.

The hit cooking contest was thrown into turmoil after Zonfrillo's sudden shock death at age 46 in April. Channel 10 announced it would be searching for a replacement for the fan favourite

Leong addressed whispers of a feud between herself, Allen and Zonfrillo during a candid chat with Daily Mail Australia in The Birdcage at Flemington Racecourse last week.

'This is not my first rodeo,' Leong declared, shrugging off the speculative stories as par for the course in the high-stakes world of reality TV.

When pressed about friction on the MasterChef set, Leong said, 'I have nothing but love and respect for not only Andy but everybody I've worked with'.

'We're a team, we're a family, and that's all you need to know really,' Melissa added.
After six seasons filled with royal drama, the Emmy award winning Netflix series is set to take its final bow.

The last season hit the streaming service today, winding back the clock the late ninties and early noughties as Queen Elizabeth navigates an especially challenging time for the House of Windsor.

The final instalment is likely to be the show's most emotional yet as the first four episodes portray the tragic death of Princess Diana - an event that shook Britain and the world.

Season six will be split into two parts with the second section focusing on the union of Camilla Parker Bowles and King Charles III, alongside the early relationship of Prince William and Kate Middleton.

Imelda Staunton Season as Queen Elizabeth

Imelda Staunton CBE (pictured left) is reprising her performance as Queen Elizabeth (pictured right), after rave reviews of her season five depiction landed her a Golden Globe nomination

Imelda Staunton CBE is reprising her performance as Queen Elizabeth, after rave reviews of her season five depiction landed her a Golden Globe nomination.

The actress has famously appeared in blockbuster hits such as Nanny McPhee and the devious Dolores Umbridge in the 2007 Harry Potter and the Order of the Pheonix.

Seasoned actress Staunton will depict the late Queen during what could be considered among the House of Windsor's most difficult moments.

The British thespian took the reigns from Olivia Coleman, who played the Queen in seasons three and four of The Crown.

Claire Foy originally played the late royal in the first two seasons of the show.

Jonathon Pryce as Prince Philip

Fans may recognise Jonathan Pryce (pictured left) for his Oscar nominated performance in Netflix's The Two Popes, or as the co-star of 80s pop icon, Madonna, in Evita (pictured right: Prince Philip)

Jonathan Pryce has returned to Netflix screens for an encore performance of the Queen's loyal consort.

The Tomorrow Never dies actor will depict Prince Philip, who dedicated 70 years of his life to support Queen Elizabeth.

Fans may recognise Pryce for his Oscar nominated performance in Netflix's The Two Popes, or as the co-star of 80s pop icon, Madonna, in Evita.

Prior to Pryce Doctor Who's Matt Smith and Tobias Menzies tried their hand at portraying the royal in his younger days..

Dominic West as the Prince of Wales - now King Charles III

Dominic West (pictured left) has returned once more to play - for the final time - the role of King Charles III (pictured right)

Dominic West has returned once more to play - for the final time - the role of Prince Charles, now King Charles III.

King Charles III is the eldest child of the late Prince Philip and Queen Elizabeth II.

West may be a familiar face to many watching from their comfortable sofas, with his long list of television and film accomplishments.

The actor was featured in the 2002 film Chicago, as well as the 2018 Tomb Raider and Downton Abbey: A New Era.

He also made a slew of appearances in various television dramas, including The Pursuit of Love, The Wire and The Affair.

Elizabeth Debicki as Princess Diana

Elizabeth Debicki (left) returns as Princess Diana (right) in final series of The Crown.

Elizabeth Debicki will be returning to her role as the late Princess Diana for the first six episodes of season six.

The actress who bears a striking resemblance to the princess will depict the tragic events in the run up to Diana's tragic death in 1997.

Debicki is likely to stun viewers once again with her portrayal of the beloved princess, previously bagging a Golden Globe nomination for her performance in season five.

The actress first broke out to the mainstream after she appeared in the 2013 film - The Great Gatsby - which also features Oscar-winning actor Leonardo DiCaprio.

The blonde starlet has also featured in the Guardians of the Galaxy franchise, Widows and the 2020 movie - Tenet.

Rufus Kampa and Ed McVey play Prince William

Rufus Kampa (pictured left) will be taking on the role of a teenage Prince William (pictured right), while Ed McVey (pictured centre) will take the reigns in depicting the heir to the British throne as he approaches adulthood

Lining up to play the role of the future King is Rufus Kampa and Ed McVey.

Rufus Kampa will be taking on the role of a teenage Prince William, while McVey will take the reigns in depicting the heir to the British throne as he approaches adulthood.

The final season of the Netflix show will be Kampa's first introduction to television.

However the young actor has appeared on the West End plenty, starring in the musical adaptation of The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole Aged 13, Deadline reports

Ed McVey will also be making his silver screen debut having graduated from Drama Centre London two years ago in 2021.

Fflyn Edwards and Luther Ford portray Prince Harry

Joining the cast as Prince Harry (pictured right) are Fflyn Edwards (pictured left )and Luther Ford (pictured centre)

Joining the cast as Prince William's little brother are Fflyn Edwards and Luther Ford.

Whilst, Fflyn who is depicting a younger version of Harry has appeared in other Netflix shows like Shadow and Bone and 1899 - the final royal season will be Ford's first.

Ford told Hero magazine that he bagged the role 'on a bit of a whim' after going to an open casting call.

Lesley Manville as the late Princess Margaret

Oscar nominated actress Lesley Manville (pictured left) is making one last comeback to the series, reprising her role as Princess Margaret (pictured right)

Lesley Manville is back as Princess Margaret, the Queen's younger sister.

Oscar nominated actress Lesley Manville is making one last comeback to the series, reprising her role as Princess Margaret - the monarch' s younger sibling.

The award-winning thespian has also more recently appeared in the 2022 drama - Mrs. Harris Goes to Paris.

She is also revered for her appearances in dramas such as Another Year and Mr Turner - for which she received BAFTA nominations.

Olivia Williams as Camilla Parker Bowles - now Queen consort

Olivia Williams (pictured left) will be making her Crown debut this season, taking the baton from Emerald Fennell who played the Queen consort in season five (pictured right: Camilla Parker-Bowles)

The final season of The Crown will document the backlash Camilla faced after making her relationship with Charles public.

The series will detail a range of hurdles encountered by the couple including the challenging task of wooing the press and public alike.

Olivia Williams will be making her Crown debut this season, taking the baton from Emerald Fennell who played the Queen consort in season five.

Williams has can be spotted in numerous films including, An Education, An Education and more famously The Sixth Sense.

Khalid Abdalla as Dodi Fayed

Khalid Abdalla (pictured left) will be featured as Dodi Fayed (pictured right) in the run up to his passing

For the first half of The Crown, Khalid Abdalla will be featured as Dodi Fayed in the run up to his passing.

36-year-old Diana and Dodi, 42, died in a car accident in Paris in 1997.

Abdalla has made a flurry of appearances on the big screen in films such as the Green Zone and The Kit Runner.

The actor has also ben featured in the popular Marvel Disney+ series Moon Knight.

Bertie Carvel as Tony Blair

Bertie Carvel (pictured left) is returning one last time to play the Labour leader - Tony Blair (pictured right)

After portraying Tony Blair, in season five of The Crown, Bertie Carvel is returning one last time to play the Labour leader.

Carvel is the first person in the history of the popular Netflix show to depict two seperate characters.

The thespian also previously featured in the show during season two, as political TV journalist Robin Day.

Meg Bellamy as Kate Middleton

Meg Bellamy (pictured left) will be making her debut to the series as Kate Middleton (pictured right), as well as to acting this season of The Crown

Meg Bellamy will be making her debut to the series as well as to acting this season of The Crown.

The fresh faced actress is set to depict a young Kate Middleton - now Catherine Princess of Wales - during her time at St. Andrews.

According to Deadline, Bellamy has never professionally acted prior to landing the role on the illustrious Netflix show after she sent in a tape to an open casting callout.

Her previous occupations include being a red Lego Brick at Windsor's Legoland, the Telegraph reports.

Princess Anne is potrayed by Claudia Harrison

Olympian, Princess Anne (pictured right) will be depicted by Claudia Harrison (pictured left), who previously studied drama at Birmingham University

Olympian, Princess Anne will be depicted by Claudia Harrison, who previously studied drama at Birmingham University.

The television and film actress set to bring the no-nonsense royal to life has an impressive repertoire of credits.

Harrison landed a role on the 2001 historical drama film - The Cat's Meow - as well as a number of appearances on hit British television shows including, Humans, The IT Crowd and Murphy's Law.

James Murray as Prince Andrew

Taking on the part of controversial Prince Andrew is James Murray (pictured left). (Pictured right: The Duke of York)

Taking on the part of controversial Prince Andrew is James Murray.

The Duke of York has not been as present in the public eye since sexual assault allegations were brought against him by Virginia Giuffre.

The second son of the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh was also criticised for his close friendship with paedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

British fans may recognise Murray, who plays the royal, as he has previously featured in numerous shows, such as Cutting It, Defiance and Primeval.

Adding to his list of acting accomplishments, the actor will also be featured in the upcoming series Master of the Air on Apple TV+.
Jodie Turner-Smith looked incredible as she took to the red carpet at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards in association with BOSS on Wednesday evening.

And after the event, the actress, 37, continued the party into the night at Chiltern Firehouse in London's Marylebone with a male pal.

Jodie flashed her washboard abs in an unbuttoned grey cardigan, which she wore with a pair of grey leather-look trousers and a black jacket.

The British screen star wore her braided locks piled up on top of her head, while she opted for glamorous make-up with a metallic blue eyeshadow.

Jodie accessorised with two necklaces, a a diamond chain and a gold snake chain, while carrying her essentials in a small black bag.

Wow! Jodie Turner-Smith looked incredible as she took to the red carpet at the GQ Men Of The Year Awards in association with BOSS on Wednesday evening

Out on the town! And the actress, 37, continued the party into the night as she arrived at Chiltern Firehouse in London's Marylebone with a male pal

The Queen & Slim star was later spotted leaving the venue, which is a favourite with celebrities, in the back of a taxi with her friend.

Earlier in the evening, Jodie reunited with her Sex Education co-star Ncuti Gatwa as they were pictured catching up at the GQ event.

Jodie dressed to the nines in a black distressed leather mini dress as she posed for photos with the dapper Doctor Who star inside The Royal Opera House.

Jodie looked incredible in the edgy Nihil Moto Dress which was adorned with stitch detailing, lace ties at the straps and zips that reached from the top of the dress and down the sides to the hem.

Jodie added a pair of semi-sheer black tights and boosted her already impressive height with a pair of black leather heeled boots.

She accessorised with several colourful bangles and a silver chain choker, while also sporting small silver hoops and a septum ring.

Her hair was plaited into neat braids and pinned back from her face and she completed the striking look with dramatic black and silver winged eyeliner.

Meanwhile Ncuti cut a very smart figure in a long grey double breasted jacket which he teamed with a crisp white shirt and black tie.

Outfit: Jodie flashed her washboard abs in an unbuttoned grey cardigan, which she wore with a pair of grey leather-look trousers and a black jacket

Heading off: The Queen & Slim star was later spotted leaving the venue, which is a favourite with celebrities, in the back of a taxi with her friend

Glam: The British screen star wore her braided locks piled up on top of her head, while she opted for glamorous make-up with a metallic blue eyeshadow

Pals: Earlier in the evening, Jodie reunited with her Sex Education co-star Ncuti Gatwa as they were pictured catching up at the GQ event

It comes after Jodie joined the cast of Sex Education for its fourth and final series, which debuted on Netflix earlier this year.

The Queen and Slim star featured on the comedy-drama as 'God' as she appeared to Eric Effiong (Ncuti Gatwa) to make sure he followed his life's calling in a dream.

Earlier this year, Jodie told how she signed on to do the series after actor Ncuti, who will soon take on the role of Doctor Who, rang her up to pitch the idea.

'First of all all my scenes were with Ncuti Gatwa who  I DIE for him  and he's my favorite character on the show,' she told Variety.

'So when he called me and asked me to do it I was like, I don't care how much they're paying I'm doing [it].'

Smart: Casper Jopling looked dapper in a black suit and white shirt

Stunning: Tamera Foster wore an incredible red dress with a statement breastplate
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's daughter Zahara Jolie-Pitt looked over the moon this week as she joined the Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority during her sophomore year at Spelman College.

The 18-year-old was pictured in video shared to Essence's Instagram feed in which she showed off some dance moves and introduced herself to her sorority sisters.

It's unclear if either of her parents were attending the ceremony, but Angelina has made multiple visits to her daughter's historically black women's college, including when she helped Zahara move in in August 2022.

The celebrity daughter was joining the Mu Pi Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha, which is known as the first historically black sorority in the Greek system.

Although the audio from the clip makes it difficult to hear what Zahara is shouting above the crowd noise, she appeared to drop her father Brad Pitt's last name when reciting her name to onlookers.

New sorority sister: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's daughter Zahara Jolie-Pitt looked over the moon as she was initiated into the oldest historically black sorority, Alpha Kappa Alpha, at Spelman College this week

Family: It's unclear if either of her parents were attending the ceremony, but Angelina has made multiple visits to her daughter's historically black women's college, including when she helped Zahara move in in August 2022

Zahara was dressed identically to her sorority sisters in a black midi dress with short sleeves, and she also had on a pair of thin black gloves.

She was arranged in a tight line with the other women, who all had their heads slightly bowed.

Then she stepped sideways to break ranks and walked to the side of the line where she danced and flipped her head side to side, highlighting her voluminous curls.

'My name is Zahara Marley Jolie. And [I] landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels: Los Angeles, California,' she appeared to say, via People.

There weren't any other references to her famous family, though the crowd's cheers increased considerably when she said her mother's last name.

Her sorority was founded back in 1908, at another HBCU, Howard University, while her chapter Mu Pi was founded in 1979.

Fans of Zahara's mom Angelina got a shock back in August of last year when the 48-year-old Maleficent star joined her daughter for Spelman's move-in day.

Jolie kept a low profile in a black blouse and matching slacks as she helped Zahara get settled.

Darryl Holloman, Spelman's vice president for student affairs, shared a photo to Instagram at the time of himself beaming with Angelina and a masked-up Zahara, and she also stopped to chat on campus with the university president Dr. Helene Gayle.

'Welcome to campus..Zahara, c2026,' Holloman captioned the post.

Zahara's father Brad didn't appear to play a role when she started at Spelman.

However, he made it clear that he was very 'proud' of what his daughter had so far accomplished with her education.

Back in black: Zahara was dressed identically to her sorority sisters in a black midi dress with short sleeves, and she also had on a pair of thin black gloves

Standing out: She was in a tight line with the other women, who had their heads bowed. Then she stepped out to break ranks, and she danced and flipped her head side to side, highlighting her voluminous curls

What's in a name? 'My name is Zahara Marley Jolie. And [I] landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels: Los Angeles, California,' she said, leaving off her dad Brad's last name

Meeting of the minds: Fans of Zahara's mom Angelina got a shock back in August of last year when the 48-year-old Maleficent star joined her daughter for Spelman's move-in day. She was pictured with Spelman College's president Dr. Helene Gayle

Proud papa: Brad previously told Vanity Fair he was 'so proud' of Zahara when she started college, though it's unclear if he has visited her on camps; seen in 2014

'Im so proud of her,' he gushed to Vanity Fair around the time she started school. 'Shes so smart. Shes going to flourish even more at college. Its an exciting and beautiful time to find her own way and pursue her interests. Im so proud.'

Earlier this week, the Oscar winner introduced Ines de Ramon, 32, as his 'girlfriend' after the two had dated for nearly a year, indicating that he was ready to take the relationship to a new level.

He and Angelina split seven years earlier, but the exes have been involved in a contentious years-long feud over custody, the dramatic circumstances under which their relationship ended and their ongoing business affairs.

The former couple are parents to Maddox, 22; Pax, 19; Zahara, 18; Shiloh, 17; and twins Vivienne and Knox, 15.
Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish have revealed how their songs for the Barbie soundtrack came to be as they joined other music makers at a songwriters roundtable for The Hollywood Reporter.

Both Eilish, 21, and Lipa, 28, contributed music to the film, with Dua among the writers of Dance The Night and Billie penning What Was I Made For? with her brother and musical partner Finneas.

Eilish revealed she was struggling with some writer's block before she tackled the Barbie song, and credited Barbie director Greta Gerwig with 'saving' her amid her creative block.

She described how she and her brother came up with the track in the studio, after spending a whole day hitting a creative wall.

'I was sitting on a little couch with the handheld and he was playing those chords and it was just like (starts singing "What Was I Made For?"). We were talking a lot about the floating elegance of [Barbie] and her ability to be so smooth and beautiful and perfect all the time. And then the juxtaposition of her suddenly falling and [she] cant do everything perfectly.

Hit-makers! Dua Lipa and Billie Eilish have revealed how their songs for the Barbie soundtrack came to be as they joined other music makers at a songwriters roundtable for The Hollywood Reporter

What a doll! Their two songs are among those featured in the smash summer hit Barbie

'So it was that, "I used to float, now I just fall down." We wrote that and then, "I used to know, but Im not sure now." And I immediately was like: "What I was made for." Then we were both asking the question after that and we did that in probably five minutes. It was like it was God. It was just the most perfect example to me of true inspiration and connection. It was living in me that whole day, but it wasnt coming out of me.

'We didnt go into it knowing at all what we were going to make or if we were going to make anything. And it was just so clear that we needed to. Like you were saying, Olivia, I love writing for film. Not even just film but for something.'

But it wasn't until she played the song for a friend a short time later that the meaning of it all hit her.

'The next day or two later, I played it for a friend and we were sitting in the car. I was like, "This b**ch is singing about me!" And it was scary. I was shaky. It was like if you woke up and someone had taken a photo of you sleeping,' she said.

'I thank God for Greta, man. I honestly was concerned that it was over for me. Ive got to be honest with you. She saved me, really, honestly. Getting that request, it was like a FaceTime, it brought us both out of it, and immediately we were inspired and wrote so much more after that. Especially when it came out, I was like, "Aye yai yai." It was like somebody reading your diary or something.'

The songstress admitted she had feared she had hit her 'peak' before the Barbie song.

'Wed been trying and it wasnt doing what it usually would do in me. I was honestly like, "Damn, maybe I hit my peak and I dont know how to write anymore?"'

As for Dua, she learned about the project after receiving a message from fellow music maker Mark Ronson.

C'mon Barbie let's go party! Both Eilish, 21, and Lipa, 28, contributed music to the film, with Dua penning Dance The Night and Billie writing What Was I Made For?

Music titans: Dua and Eilish were joined by fellow songwriters Julia Michaels and Cynthia Erivo at the roundtable

Sing it! Jon Batiste was among the musical talents speaking at the roundtable

'It was, from the very beginning, the most fun experience. It was something that I hadnt done before. Basically, the way it came to be was Mark Ronson DMd me on Instagram, which is weird because were friends, so we text. He was like, "Im working on this film with Greta Gerwig and its Barbie, and its possibly the funniest script Ive read, and I really want you to write the song for the big dance scene in the film."

'I was like, "This is an absolute no-brainer. One thousand percent yes." I was on tour at the time, so I was like, "OK, when does the song need to be due?"

'I flew to New York, we went in the studio, and we just had so much time talking to Greta, understanding the premise of the film. Its so much about stereotypical Barbie having an existential crisis and finding out what its like to experience the human condition and the way that we are as people and the emotions that we feel. And constantly striving for perfection but not quite reaching it, striving for something deeper in a way.

'Greta was saying how inspired by disco she was. I just thought about disco and the community it brings, and the way it brings people together. It was always a genre of music that was such a release when things werent going well in the world. And so Dance the Night was created specifically for Barbies best day ever, which then results in her thinking about death.

'So its really about those dualities of life and being able to merge the two together. And thats what I love the most. I love dance-crying.'
Caitlyn Jenner didn't hold back Thursday when she posted a word that's considered a slur for people with developmental disabilities while responding to the eldest son of former President Donald Trump.

The 74-year-old former Olympian piggybacked on Donald Trump Jr.  who was found liable with his father and brother Eric Trump for fraudulently reporting the value of Trump family assets in an ongoing fraud trial  after he used the term in a tweet complaining about a release of funds related to Iran.

Trump Jr. complained that 'you're not allowed to use the R word' anymore, though he felt the need to mention that it was a 'big part of our vernacular growing up if you're my age.'

Caitlyn jumped into his replies, writing 'I'll say it R*****ED!'

However, many posters called her out, not only for using the outdated term but also for misspelling it with two Ts, though the ex-athlete remained combative with her critics.

No shame: Caitlyn Jenner, 74, doubled down on Thursday after she tweeted the r-word while criticizing the Biden administration and responding to Donald Trump Jr.; seen in October in London

Venting: Trump Jr., who has recently testified in a trial in which the judge ruled that the Trump Organization had committed fraud, complained about the release of funds for humanitarian use in Iran on Thursday; seen Monday in NYC

Normal for him? Trump Jr. said the plan to release funds for humanitarian aid to Iran was 'f***ing r*****ed.' He censored the term but said it was a 'big part of our vernacular growing up'

'Excuse me... R*****ED,' Caitlyn corrected herself after her typo was pointed out.

But several Twitter users jumped into her mentions to call her 'dumb' and to poke fun at her for misspelling the word.

She tried to act as if she wasn't upset by the comments by quoting her previous tweet and posting, 'Omg I immediately respelled it properly in the comments.'

She added that misspelling the term for people with intellectual disabilities was an 'epic ironic fail, I get it.'

Although the controversial word was previously a medical term that became widely used in that context beginning in the 1960s, it has since become more common as an insult.

In response to legislation from 2010, federal agencies have replaced the use of the r-word with 'intellectual disability.'

Although Caitlyn didn't seem too upset about Twitter users mocking her for using the r-word (and misspelling it), she added another furious post in response to a Page Six article about the controversy.

'It's R*****ED that the Biden admin frees up another $10 BILLION to IRAN! And losers at @PageSix go on to lecture me about how offensive the word is. GET THE HELL OVER IT. How about focusing on how dangerous and R******* freeing up $10 BILLION to Iran is,' she wrote.

Whoops! Jenner responded to him with 'I'll say it R*****ED,' but she was mercilessly mocked for misspelling the now-offensive term

Striking out: After a Page Six article ran about the controversy and criticism of her use of the term, Jenner blasted the publication and its writer

Changing the subject: When users called her out for repeatedly writing the r-word, Jenner deflected and criticized the Biden administration

Scorched earth approach: She accused the publication baselessly of sharing 'anti-Semitic pro Iranian propaganda' by highlighting her use of the term, which is considered a slur by people with intellectual difficulties

Details: Jenner misleadingly claimed that the US was sending $10 billion to Iran, but the money, which is held by third-party entities, can only be used for humanitarian purposes; seen in April 2022 in LA

Jenner's comments about Iran were parroting Donald Trump Jr.'s original remarks in reference to a tweet from another account claiming that the US was supplying Iran with $10 billion.

However, the money, which is currently held in third-party accounts, can only be used for humanitarian needs or other purposes that aren't currently regulated by sanctions, according to the Associated Press.

After Jenner's context-free tweets, she wrote, 'Shame on @PageSix,' and a writer for the publication for allegedly 'lying' and 'not covering any context in the UNFREEZING ANOTHER 10 BILLION $ for IRAN [sic]!'

In response, on user wrote, 'You could say all of this without using that word. You're despicable.'

Jenner shot back: 'I could. And the Biden admin could act less incompetent and not unilaterally hand over another $10 BILLION to a terrorist regime that are killing Americans and helpless civilians on a daily basis.'

The Kardashians star also accused Page Six of spouting 'Nothing but anti-Semitic pro Iranian propaganda trash' and said it was 'deflecting to lecture me on using the' r-word.

Several Twitter users slammed Jenner on the platform for doubling down with her use of the r-word.

'We can be adults and get our point across w.o using the R word,' wrote one user. 'And you wonder why your initial point isn't getting across  it's your lazy rhetoric and insensitivity towards a certain demographic of people. Do better, be better.'

Another person urged her to 'stop using such a highly offensive word' and called her 'repulsive.'

Standing up for others: Several Twitter users called her out for using the 'highly offensive' r-word, with one even calling Jenner 'repulsive'

Coming to her rescue: But Jenner had plenty of right-wing defenders too, including one who said the r-word 'accurately descriptive.' Another apparent supporter praised the transgender icon for having 'balls' and defending herself

'Your point could be made without the word,' added another user. 'But clearly it's more important to be right then to be kind [sic]. Imagine that.'

But there were also several right-wing accounts who defended Jenner and cheered on her use of the r-word.

'Medical terms from the past are the slurs of the present. I can think of better words to use but none are more accurately descriptive,' wrote one account.

Another person noted that Jenner had 'doubled down on r*****ed,' and then added that Jenner 'has balls and I love it.'
Leonardo DiCaprio was seen at Wednesday's memorial concert for Robbie Robertson, frontman of the classic rock group The Band.

The Oscar-winning actor wore a black blazer over a black T-shirt as he was accompanied by his 80-year-old father, George DiCaprio.

Robbie died of prostate cancer in August at the age of 80, prompting an outpouring of tributes from such figures as his lifelong pal Bob Dylan.

He had enjoyed a long professional relationship with Martin Scorsese, first with The Band and then as a solo composer on a string of the filmmaker's classics.

Shortly before his death, Robbie wrote the score for the latest Scorsese picture Killers Of The Flower Moon - which features Leo as its leading man.

And this week, at a Los Angeles concert honoring his legacy, both Leo and his director made their presence felt homage to Robbie.

Sizzling sensation: Leonardo DiCaprio was seen at Wednesday's memorial concert for Robbie Robertson, frontman of the classic rock group The Band

The way they were: Bob Dylan (left) and Robbie (right) are pictured onstage at San Francisco's Winterland Ballroom in Martin Scorsese's seminal documentary The Last Waltz

Leonardo was seen in the audience as Scorsese took the podium to deliver a speech about the evening's honoree.

Scorsese's work relationship with Robbie was born in 1976 when he filmed The Band's farewell concert for the wildly acclaimed documentary The Last Waltz.

Robbie ultimately broke away from the band but retained his professional connection to Scorsese as the composer for several of his movies.

Fan favorites like Raging Bull, The King Of Comedy and The Wolf Of Wall Street all contain original music by Robbie, as do lesser-known features like Silence.

At Wednesday's memorial concert, held at The Village Studios in Los Angeles, Leo took in performances by such names as Jackson Brown and Jason Isbell.

The Titanic star's latest public appearance comes after he was mercilessly trolled online over viral footage of him rapping at his birthday party.

Leo, 49, was the life and soul of his birthday celebrations in Beverly Hills, California on Saturday, where he hosted a star-studded guest list.

However despite the eyes of Hollywood watching, Leonardo didn't shy away from the spotlight, as he took to the stage to perform a rap.

Connections: Shortly before his death, Robbie wrote the score for the latest Scorsese picture Killers Of The Flower Moon - which features Leo as its leading man

Hanging out with dad: Next to Leonardo was his father George DiCaprio

Limelight: Leonardo could be spotted looking dashing as ever in the audience as Scorsese took the podium to deliver a speech about the evening's honoree

What a pair; At Wednesday's memorial concert, held at The Village Studios in Los Angeles, Leo took in performances by such names as Jackson Brown (left) and Jason Isbell (right)

Leo was seen being hoisted on a chair at the gathering, and later rapping into a microphone to the 1994 song DWYCK from Gang Starr and Nice & Smooth.

A video taken of the moment and later shared online, showed Leonardo spitting bars as the crowd around him went wild for the show.

Although his party guests appeared to be loving the performance, the same couldn't be said for his fans online, who couldn't help but laugh at his rap.

Leonardo was compared to Succession character Kendall Roy, who performed a self-written rap dedicated to his father Logan to celebrate 50 years in business.

During the scene, where Kendall [Jeremy Strong] raps on season two, episode eight, dubbed Dundee, the 'eldest son' of Logan Roy takes to the stage.

Go on Leo! Leonardo's birthday rap performance has been heavily mocked online as fans playfully compared it to other iconic cringe-worthy moments

It begins: 'Born on the North Bank, king of the East Side // 50 years strong, now he's rolling in a stick ride // Handmade suits, raking in loot // Five-star general, y'all best salute.'

He then starts the catchy chorus, which is: 'L to the OG // Dude be the OG // A-N he playing // Playing like a pro, see // L to the OG // Dude be the OG // A-N he playing // Playing like a pro.'

While the performance gets off to an awkward start, some guests in the room get to their feet to cheer him on, but his stoic father remains unimpressed.

Drawing comparison between Kendall and Leo on a Reddit feed, one person wrote: 'How Kendall Roy of him', with another adding: 'L TO THE OG.'

Another admitted: 'First thing I thought when I saw this.', while a different person replied: 'But even Ken wasn't rapping at his own party.'

Ha! Leonardo was compared to Succession character Kendall Roy, who performed a self-written rap dedicated to his father Logan to celebrate 50 years in business

Succession comparison: Leonardo was compared to Succession character Kendall Roy, who performed a self-written rap dedicated to his father Logan to celebrate 50 years in business

Some other fans referenced a moment in the final episode of the series, where Kendall demands to be made head of Waystar Royco following the death of his father Logan, simply because he is the 'eldest boy'.

One person joked: 'Leo is the eldest boy.'

Another said: 'Came into the comments just for this!'

A different person agreed, writing: 'It's definitely giving off 'eldest boy' vibes'.

One person on Twitter, shared a meme of Kendall, and wrote: 'Kendall Roy called, says L Di Cap, stole his swag which is um like not cool dude like so not cool yo.'

The Killers of the Flower Moon star was joined by new girlfriend Vittoria Ceretti, 25, as well as Beyonce and husband Jay-Z, Lady Gaga and Kim Kardashian.

Also at the birthday bash were Salma Hayek, Chris Rock, Kate Beckinsale, Zoe Kravitz and Channing Tatum, Rita Ora, Zoe Saldana and Snoop Dogg.

The soiree drew an A-list crowd from all corners of Hollywood, from movies, music and even reality television, with a strict guest list organizers adhered to.
Jenna Ortega is back on the set of Beetlejuice 2 after SAG-AFTRA finally reached a tentative agreement with studios following 118 days on the picket line.

The actress, 21, was spotted shooting a few final scenes as the film, which is the sequel to the 1988 film starring Michael Keaton as the titular character, prepared to wrap.

She donned a colorful yet frayed knit dress teamed with biker shorts, knee-high socks and boots. Her hair was styled into a fashionable half-up, half-down look with curtain bangs.

Jenna, who plays the daughter of Lydia Deetz, was spotted riding a sleek Schwinn bike and jogging down the road.

She was seen on the set in Boston, Massachusetts on Wednesday.

Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice! Jenna Ortega is back on the set of the Beetlejuice sequel after SAG-AFTRA finally reached a tentative agreement with studios following 118 days on the picket line

The sequel was on the verge of being completed until the SAG-AFTRA strike halted production back in July.

Director Tim Burton, who also helmed the original, revealed they had just a day and a half of filming left before actors were instructed to cease performing.

'I feel grateful we got what we got,' he told The Independent. 'Literally, it was a day and a half. We know what we have to do. It is 99 per cent done.'

The hotly-anticipated sequel also sees the return of Winona Ryder, who played Lydia Deetz, Keaton and director Tim Burton.

The original Beetlejuice film saw married couple Barbara (Geena Davis) and Adam Maitland (Alec Baldwin) die in a car accident, with their ghosts haunting their former home.

In a desperate attempt to keep their home from being taken over and remodeled by the Deetzes, they call upon the titular bio-exorcist (Keaton) to scare the family away.

The mischievous Beetlejuice then wreaks havoc on Charles (Jeffrey Jones) and Delia Deetz (Catherine O'Hara) as well as their daughter Lydia (Ryder)  who is the only one able to see the ghosts.

Since the release of the original film, it has been over three decades of deliberations and attempts to get a sequel off the ground.

Famous lineage! Ortega plays the daughter of Winona Ryder's character Lydia Deetz

Lights, camera, action! Jenna, who plays the daughter of Lydia Deetz, was spotted riding a sleek Schwinn bike and jogging down the road

Boo! The film is the sequel to the 1988 film starring Michael Keaton as the titular character

In the 1990s, the cult classic was almost received an island-set sequel titled Beetlejuice Goes Hawaiian.

However, the project was eventually shelved as Tim and Michael focused their efforts in the renowned 1992 action-adventure film Batman Returns.

In the mid 2000s, another project almost came to fruition with Michael and Winona both expected to return for the sequel.

However, after continual delays and scheduling conflicts involving Burton, the project was inevitably lay aside once again in 2019.

Due to the critical acclaim and commercial success, Beetlejuice was adapted into an animated series that ran in the late 1980s and early 1990s.

In 2018, the horror-comedy was developed into a musical that still occasionally holds performances on Broadway to this day.
Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's daughter Zahara Jolie-Pitt appeared to drop her father's last name as she joined a sorority at Spelman College.

Video has emerged of the 18-year-old's induction into Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first historically Black sorority in the Greek system - and viewers noticed Zahara had appeared to drop her father's last name as she introduced herself at the ceremony.

She seemed to tell the crowd: 'My name is Zahara Marley Jolie. And [I] landed all the way from the Golden State in the city full of angels: Los Angeles, California,' according to People.

Angelina, 48, and Brad, 59, split seven years ago, but the exes have been involved in a contentious years-long feud over custody, the dramatic circumstances under which their relationship ended and their ongoing business affairs.

The notable name exclusion did not go unnoticed by various social media users. 'I wasnt gonna say anything, but I definitely peeped that Zahara left Pitt off her last name,' tweeted one viewer.

Notable name drop: Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt's daughter Zahara Jolie-Pitt appeared to drop her father's last name as she joined a sorority at Spelman College

Divorce battle: Angelina and Brad split seven years earlier, but the exes have been involved in a contentious years-long feud over custody, the dramatic circumstances under which their relationship ended and their ongoing business affairs; Jolie, Pitt, Zahara, and Maddox pictured 2006

'Oh Zahara said her last name is Jolie, not Jolie-Pitt,' another posted.

'I need people to respect her as an individual who just said her name out loud ZAHARA. MARLEY. JOLIE. Zero mention of the name PITT. Periodt,' another posted.

Zahara is currently a sophomore at Spelman College, a historically Black women's college in Atlanta, Georgia.

After controversially meeting on the set of the 2005 film Mr. and Mrs. Smith, Brad and Angelina were seen as Hollywood's 'It' couple during their long-term relationship.

They tied the knot in August 2014 during a secret ceremony in the South of France, and welcomed three children together during their romance - Shiloh, now 17, in 2006, and twins Vivienne and Knox, now 15, in 2008.

They also adopted two more, Zahara, and Pax, now 19, and Brad legally adopted the son that Angelina had adopted before they got together, Maddox, now 22.

But in 2016, it came to an explosive end after the pair got into an alleged physical altercation while on a private flight with their six kids.

Angelina later claimed that Brad 'choked' one of the children during the horrifying dispute and 'struck' another in the face, leaving her and the kids feeling like 'hostages' and cowering in fear under a blanket for hours until they landed.

Sisterhood: Video has emerged of the 18-year-old's induction into Alpha Kappa Alpha, the first historically Black sorority in the Greek system

Mother-daughter: Zahara and her mother Angelina pictured together in 2021

She also alleged that he grabbed her by the head, slammed her against a wall, and violently shook her at one point during the flight - which resulted in her injuring her back and elbow.

Brad's rep called Angelina's account 'completely untrue' to CNN at first, but then released an amended statement to the publication that read, 'Angelina's story continues to evolve each time she tells it.

'Brad has accepted responsibility for what he did but will not for things he didnt do. He has been on the receiving end of every type of personal attack and misrepresentation.

'Thankfully, the various public authorities she has tried to use against him over the past six years have made their own independent decisions. Brad will continue to respond in court as he has consistently done.'

'No Pitt': The notable name drop did not go unnoticed by social media users

Since they split, the two stars have been embroiled in one of the most publicized legal battles in Hollywood history over custody of their children, as well as the winery that they once owned together.

In May 2021, after years of duking it out in court, Brad and Angelina were officially granted joint custody of their six kids - but one month later, the judge's decision was thrown out.

Zahara's sorority was founded back in 1908, at another HBCU, Howard University, while her chapter Mu Pi was founded in 1979.

Fans of Zahara's mom Angelina got a shock back in August of last year when the 48-year-old Maleficent star joined her daughter for Spelman's move-in day.

Jolie kept a low profile in a black blouse and matching slacks as she helped Zahara get settled.

Darryl Holloman, Spelman's vice president for student affairs, shared a photo to Instagram at the time of himself beaming with Angelina and a masked-up Zahara, and she also stopped to chat on campus with the university president Dr. Helene Gayle.

Family: Jolie, Pitt and Zahara pictured in 2014

'Welcome to campus..Zahara, c2026,' Holloman captioned the post.

Zahara's father Brad didn't appear to play a role when she started at Spelman.

However, he made it clear that he was very 'proud' of what his daughter had so far accomplished with her education.

'Im so proud of her,' he gushed to Vanity Fair around the time she started school. 'Shes so smart. Shes going to flourish even more at college. Its an exciting and beautiful time to find her own way and pursue her interests. Im so proud.'

Earlier this week, the Oscar winner introduced Ines de Ramon, 32, as his 'girlfriend' after the two had dated for nearly a year, indicating that he was ready to take the relationship to a new level.
Sir Patrick Stewart cut a smart figure as he was seen out-and-about with his wife Sunny Ozell in West Hollywood on Thursday.

The actor, 83, appeared to be in jovial spirits as he flashed a smile while walking arm-in-arm with his wife Sunny, 44, outside San Vicente Bungalows.

He looked suave in dark jeans and a smart black jacket, which he styled with black trainers and a grey scarf.

Patrick kept it low-key as he also wore a grey flat cap, while his wife Sunny looked effortlessly stylish for the outing.

She cut a chic figure in blue jeans and a checkered shirt, which she teamed with a black blazer and bright red heels.

All smiles: Sir Patrick Stewart cut a smart figure as he was seen out-and-about with his wife Sunny Ozell in West Hollywood on Thursday

Date night: The actor, 83, appeared to be in jovial spirits as he flashed a smile while walking arm-in-arm with his wife Sunny, 44, outside San Vicente Bungalows

She kept her essentials slung across one shoulder in a black handbag as she linked arms with Patrick during the outing.

Patrick has been married three times and he met Sunny back in 2008 while filming Macbeth at Brooklyn Academy of Music.

They then began living together in 2012, when Patrick purchased a property in Brooklyn's Park Slope.

The couple tied the knot in 2013 at Lake Tahoe, Nevada, in an intimate ceremony officiated by his close pal Sir Ian McKellen.

He has two children, Daniel and Sophia, from his first marriage with Sheila Falconer, who he divorced in 1990 after 24 years of marriage.

In 1997, he popped the question to Star Trek: The Next Generation producer Wendy Neuss, and the couple married in 2000, before divorcing three years later.

His latest outing comes after Patrick said he believes King Charles is a big fan of the Star Trek franchise.

The star, who plays Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, believes Charles is a fan after chats they have had over the years.

Charles, 74, was just 17 years old when the original Star Trek series debuted in 1966 starring William Shatner and Leonard Nemoy.

In his new memoir Making It So, Patrick wrote: 'I am convinced King Charles is a Star Trek fan.

Role: Patrick, who plays Captain Jean-Luc Picard in Star Trek: The Next Generation, recently said he believes King Charles is a big fan of the Star Trek franchise

Fan: Charles, 74, was just 17 years old when the original Star Trek series debuted in 1966 starring William Shatner and Leonard Nemoy

'I've met him several times when he was the Prince of Wales and, though he never broached the topic, I got a sense he was familiar with the show.'

Charles attended the 1996 premiere of Star Trek: First Contact and requested Marina Sirtis, who played Deanna Troi, accompany him.

However, King Charles' mother Elizabeth II did not appear to have shared her son's love for the sci-fi series.

In his book, Patrick recalled the moment the late Queen knighted him in 2010: 'She was as gracious as I had imagined she would be, though I am not entirely sure if she knew who I was.'
Dianne Buswell has shared a heartfelt health update on her father Mark, revealing he has started his first round of chemotherapy treatment.

The Strictly Come Dancing star, 34, posted a picture of Mark waving while lying in his hospital bed in Australia.

She voiced her pride for her dad and cheered him on with a loving message, writing: 'im so proud of you dad  first round of chemotherapy today!

'i wish i could be there to hold your hand and support you in person  but i do know that im making you so proud over here in my concert every week!

'The Australian nurses and drs are now very aware of strictly come dancing as my dad wont stop talking about it. you can do this daddy xxx'.

Supportive: Dianne Buswell has shared a heartfelt health update on her father Mark, revealing he has started his first round of chemotherapy treatment

Treatment: The Strictly Come Dancing star, 34, posted a picture of Mark waving while lying in his hospital bed in Australia

Proud daughter: She voiced her pride for her dad and cheered him on with a loving message, writing: 'im so proud of you dad  first round of chemotherapy today!'

The professional dancer was inundated with supportive comments from her friends and followers.

Her boyfriend Joe Sugg and his sister Zoella both commented with a string of heart emojis.

While Dianne's best friend and fellow Strictly star Amy Dowden wrote: 'Sending all my love to whole Buswell family!

'Mark you got this and soon its going to be a distant memory! Roll on 2024 where you will be watching Dianne live in concerts. Thinking of you'.

Amy, 33, has just completed her own chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with breast cancer in May.

She beamed for photos with doctors and nurses at the Sheldon Unit as she rang the traditional end of treatment bell to celebrate and admitted the 'relief is like no other'.

Dianne revealed that her father was unwell last month, in an emotional Q&A video on her YouTube channel.

Addressing her fans, she said: 'I thought I would be very upfront and honest with you all.

Sending love: The professional dancer was inundated with supportive comments with her boyfriend Joe Sugg and his sister Zoella both posting a string of heart emojis

BFF: While Dianne's best friend and fellow Strictly star Amy Dowden wrote: 'Sending all my love to whole Buswell family!'

'Last week I got some news about my dad's health and I won't go into detail, but obviously that affected me.

'Being away from home and not being able to support and help your family in a time of need is quite a difficult thing so I did struggle a little bit last week in terms of that.'

While Dianne's family had plans to head to the UK for Christmas and watch her on Strictly, she said that wouldn't be happening now.

She told how instead she is planning to go home to Australia at the end of the year.

Dianne continued: 'There is a little road ahead for my dad but I believe 100% he is going to be fine and we are all going to get through it together.'

She then asked fans to give her dad 'a little thought or prayer', which she would 'greatly appreciate'.

The emotional star went on: 'My dad is the sweetest, kindest man you will ever meet and the one thing he really wants is for me to keep going and to keep dancing my little heart out and doing what I love because that makes him the absolute proudest.

'Regardless if I go home with a glitterball or not I will still go home and have a hot Christmas.'
Cardi B has leapt to the defense of Will Smith after he denied shock allegations he had sex with Duane Martin in a dressing room.

Brother Bilaal, who describes himself as the actor's ex-personal assistant, made the shock accusation in an now viral interview with internet personality Tasha K - claiming he walked in on the pair during a sex act.

Cardi, 31, took to Instagram Live on Wednesday to praise 'unproblematic' Smith, 55 who she said - as a fellow Libra - was 'getting tried' by the accusations.

She also slammed Tasha - who she was embroiled in a defamation lawsuit with last year - for airing the 'salacious' clip.

Cardi said: 'I don't like what people be doing to Will Smith, I feel Will Smith is veryunproblematic and he's got a nice heart.

Fuming: Cardi B has leapt to the defense of Will Smith after he denied shock allegations he had sex with Duane Martin in a dressing room

Denied: Brother Bilaal, who describes himself as the actor's ex-personal assistant, made the shock accusation in an now viral interview with internet personality Tasha K - claiming he walked in on the pair during a sex act (Smith and Martin pictured 2003)

'I found out Will Smith is a Libra, we be getting tried, we be getting tried, and when we outburst, we outburst so f*****g heavy, that we become the ones in the wrong.

'When we throw that outburst after we care so much, we go so crazy that people be like "oh my god, what the f***, this b***h is f*****g crazy!" for real

'And I feel like y'all doing that to Will Smith and I feel like some people never f*****g change. I'm so tired of people picking on that man.'

Laying into Tasha, 41, Cardi added: 'Someone can put something so salacious out and not think how this is going to affect someone's mental health.'

In January 2022 Cardi spoke out after being awarded over $4million total for winning a federal libel case against Tasha.

Tasha claimed that Cardi worked as a prostitute and contracted sexually transmitted infections, something Cardi fiercely denied.

'After almost four years of repeated libel and slander against me, being able to walk away from this victorious brings me great happiness,' Cardi told People at the time. 'I appreciate Judge Ray for conducting a fair and impartial trial.'

It comes after Smith staunchly denied claims he was once caught having sex with Martin, branding the accusation 'unequivocally false'. Meanwhile Martin doesn't intend on publicly speaking out against the allegations, according to insiders.

Not on: Cardi, 31, took to Instagram Live on Wednesday to praise 'unproblematic' Smith, 55 who she said - as a fellow Libra - was 'getting tried' by the accusations

Shock claims: Viral interview: Bilaal claims he once walked in on the Men In Black star and Martin engaged in a sex act in Martin's dressing room in a chat with Tasha K

The actor will not dignify the ridiculous rumors with a response, sources told TMZ.

Bilaal claims he once walked in on the Men In Black star and Martin engaged in a sex act in Martin's dressing room.

Smith staunchly denied the allegations, while his wife Jada Pinkett Smith revealed they plan on taking legal action.

'I opened the door to Duanes dressing room and thats when I see Duane having anal sex with Will,' Brother Bilaal said. 'There was a couch and Will was bent over on the couch and Duane was standing up killing him, murdering him - it was murder in there.'

He also made unflattering claims about Smith's manhood, comparing his penis to the size of a 'pinky toe'.

A spokesperson for the Oscar-winning actor insisted the story was 'completely fabricated' in a statement TMZ on Tuesday, while a source told the outlet that Smith is 'considering taking legal action.'

Martin was married to actress Tisha Campbell from 19962020.

The Brooklyn-born actor is best known for his stints in the series L.A.'s Finest and on the show All of Us.

Martin has worked with Smith on a number of projects, including two episodes of his former series The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air in 1993 and 1995, and three episodes of the 2022 reboot Bel-Air.

'We suin'! Jade Pinkett Smith, 52, hinted that she and husband Will, 55, are set to take legal action over the claims; Will and Jada pictured 2022

Shocking allegations: In January 2022 Cardi spoke out after being awarded over $4million total for winning a federal libel case against Tasha. Tasha claimed that Cardi worked as a prostitute and contracted sexually transmitted infections, something Cardi fiercely denied

He's also been seen on The Paul Reiser Show, in the films White Men Can't Jump and Scream 2, and in the music video for the 1994 Boyz II Men hit I'll Make Love to You.

Bilaal said that he had been working on a Hollywood set and ordered to keep 'eyes on Will' in the moments leading to him witnessing the actors having sexual relations.

'I saw sexual acts - there was one I walked in on,' said Bilaal, who was on the series to promote his forthcoming book titled Will Smith Demonic Circle.

Bilaal said looked everywhere and noticed that Smith's car was in its right place but the actor was nowhere to be found. He said that producers on the unnamed project were repeatedly summoning him on his walkie talkie and cell phone, pressuring him to find the actor and bring him back to set.

He said he had the keys to Martin's dressing room when he discovered the two actors engaging in sexual activity. Bilaal said he was like 'a deer in the headlights' and said 'Oh s***' when he encountered the pair.

DailyMail.com has reached out to reps for both Smith and Martin for comment on the story.

Smith's estranged wife Jada, 52, last month revealed that they've been separated for seven years.

Bilaal said that Jada 'was the woman that everybody wanted,' and that 'Will needed that validation to have that type of woman.'

Tasha K asked Bilaal, 'You saw her say that Will Smith had a small d***?'

Bilaal said in response that 'if a woman is used to something the size of a baby leg, and you come in with a pinky toe, there's nothing you're gonna do to please her ... if she's itching for that baby leg, she wants that baby leg.'

In the chat, Bilaal said during the latter years of their relationship, Smith was not his friend, but rather he was Smith's friend.

Jada insisted they had plans to take legal action during an appearance on The Breakfast Club radio show on Wednesday, where she described as the allegations as untrue and 'ridiculous.'

'It's ridiculous, right? And it's nonsense. This is a person who tried to a shake down, a money shake down that didn't work. We're going to take legal action. Because it's one thing to have your opinion about somebody versus just making up salacious, malicious stories. So that's actionable, so we're going to roll with that.'

'So for me, unfortunately, it's part of it,' she added. 'It's not true, we're going to take care of it. And that's that.'

She described how the rumor allegedly started: 'It's based around this person's idea that they in some way were doing business around Will's book and that they spent money or what have you and they need to be compensated.

The ex: Duane was married to Martin actress Tisha Campbell from 19962020

'So he already tried to do that money shakedown,' she said. 'Will was willing to give him a certain amount or what have you and he didn't take it so this whole situation is based on that.'

Asked why Will would give him money, she said: 'Some business that they have. I don't know the complete details about it but that's about to come out because like I told you, we're about to take legal action,' she said.

Asked how Will was dealing with the matter, she said Will always finds the humor in situations.

'Here's one good thing about Will - Will's always going to find the funny. He's always going to find the funny!' she said.
Sad details have emerged surrounding the death of Extreme Weight Loss star Brandi Mallory at 40.

The reality star appeared to have died in a rather bizarre way as TMZ obtained a police report which revealed that she had passed away in her car in a parking lot after picking up food at Chipotle.

According to the documents from the Atlanta Police Department, Brandi was last seen alive picking up food from the fast food chain which serves Mexican food.

No official cause of death has been revealed.

The report also noted that her vehicle had been seen in the parking lot of the strip mall early on Thursday, November 9 which was noticed by a nearby deli owner.

Extreme Weight Loss star Brandi Mallory appeared to have died at 40 in a rather bizarre way as TMZ obtained a police report which revealed that she had passed away in her car in a parking lot after picking up food at Chipotle

The deli owner told law enforcement that he had seen a female who he had believed to be asleep behind the wheel but quickly realized that he had spotted the car there much later in the day, leading the person to believe that something was wrong.

Law enforcement came later to find the Extreme Weight Loss star dead in the vehicle.

TMZ also reports that the document said police had reviewed the surveillance footage which showed Brandi parking around 5:53PM before going into Chipotle, coming out with her order, and then going into her vehicle but never coming out.

The police also noted that there were no signs of foul play, that her cause of death is still currently under investigation, and that there is no evidence that her food at Chipotle had anything to do with her death.

Earlier this week it was first reported that the Extreme Weight Loss star had passed away at just the age of 40.

The television star's death was confirmed to People on Tuesday by a representative for the Fulton County Medical Examiner's Office.

She reportedly passed away on Thursday, November 9 in Stone Mountain, Georgia.

Mallory - who was a make-up artist - had appeared on season four of the reality series which aired in 2014.

Details: TMZ also reports that the document said that police had reviewed the surveillance footage which showed Brandi parking around 5:53PM before going into Chipotle, coming out with her order, and then going into her vehicle but never coming out

Fellow Extreme Weight Loss contestant from season 5 Kim Williams Maxile paid tribute to her friend with an Instagram post on November 9.

She shared sweet videos of one of their hangouts together with the message: '[hearts intertwined emoji] Rest in Love sis.

'To my fellow Extreme Weight Loss @extweightloss sis, @brandimallory you will be missed. I'll never forget while I was at boot camp for season 5 we watched your season and it inspired us to keep going.

'Your episode was my favorite because we had so much in common from pageants to being a makeup artist and just a love of life. When my episode aired a year later you reached out and even though we never met in person (at that moment) you and I became sisters as only a small group of us know what life was like on the show and life after the show.'

After appearing on the show the Extreme Weight Loss alums got together and became quick friends.

Maxile continued: ' We finally met in person a few years later when you came to spend time with me in Cali and it was like we've known each other our whole life! Girl, I enjoyed our weekend and we just stayed up for 3 days talking about everything. We laughed we cried, we created a project together and I knew we'd be sisters for life.

'You truly made an impact on this world with your zest and your passion for body positivity.'

She wrapped up in writing, 'I'm blessed to have gotten to experienced you in this world. Love you so much sis.'

Sad: She reportedly passed away on Thursday, November 9 in Stone Mountain, Georgia but a cause of death still has to be disclosed

Making her name: Mallory- who was a make-up artist - had appeared on season 4 of the reality series which aired in 2014

Touching tribute: Fellow Extreme Weight Loss contestant from season 5 Kim Williams Maxile paid tribute to her friend with an Instagram post on November 9

She shared sweet videos of one of their hangouts together with the message: '[hearts intertwined emoji] Rest in Love sis. To my fellow Extreme Weight Loss @extweightloss sis, @brandimallory you will be missed.'

'I'll never forget while I was at boot camp for season 5 we watched your season and it inspired us to keep going,' she continued

Friends, fans and family took to social media to express their grief over the tragic loss

There was a vigil held to pay tribute to Mallory and the impact she had on her community

Hundreds of balloons were released and there were countless portraits of Mallory displayed

According to her obituary , her funeral will take place on Monday, November 20 in Georgia

Back in 2018, Mallory was interviewed by Atlanta journalist Kirby Carroll in a clip posted on YouTube at the time.

In it, she revealed that the death of one of her sorority sisters at the age of 29 had been what motivated her to lose weight.

She explained: 'I was literally waking up every day like... this may be my last day waking up, like, I don't know what's going to happen for me.

'When it's playing on your mind that I might need to do something about my weight, because I'm afraid I might die too, then you might need to pay attention to something like that.'

She also revealed in the interview that she weighed around 329 pounds at her heaviest.

Also in 2018, Mallory said that she wound up on the ABC series after initially trying to get on the NBC series The Biggest Loser.

'I saw an ad for Biggest Loser on a commercial; they had just left Atlanta, their last stop was in Cleveland,' Mallory told the outlet Rare in 2018, according to the New York Post. 'I booked a ticket and I didn't get picked for Biggest Loser but they forwarded my information to Extreme.'

Mallory said that reps from Extreme Weight Loss contacted her, and she has followed her spiritual path ever since.

'Literally, every footstep since then has been God,' Mallory said. 'I prayed over that application before I sent it off. I prayed every step of the way.'

When she wrapped the show, Brandi weighed in at 178.

According to her obituary, her funeral will take place on Monday, November 20 in Georgia.
Vanessa Kirby joined Joaquin Phoenix at the premiere of their new movie Napoleon at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London on Thursday.

The Crown star, 35, looked as elegant as ever as she was seen smiling for snaps with her co-star, 49, on the red carpet of the star-studded event.

Joaquin stars as Napoleon Bonaparte in the biopic, which depicts the French leader's rise to power, while Vanessa portrays his first wife Empress Josephine.

For the glitzy premiere, Vanessa cut a glamorous figure in a stunning one-shouldered red gown with a train that billowed out behind her.

She let her Vivienne Westwood dress do all the talking as she posed up a storm for the camera, making sure all eyes were on her as she stormed the red carpet.

Wow! Vanessa Kirby joined Joaquin Phoenix at the premiere of their new movie Napoleon at the Odeon Luxe Leicester Square in London on Thursday

Gorgeous: The Crown star, 35, looked as elegant as ever as she was seen posing for snaps on the red carpet of the star-studded event

Vanessa was also seen smiling for snaps with Joaquin, who cut a suave figure in a black suit for the occasion.

Joaquin was seen sweetly planting a kiss on Vanessa's head as the co-stars posed together for their big night.

Also on the red carpet were Rolling Stones star Ronnie Wood and his wife Sally, who looked as loved-up as ever as they posed arm-in-arm for the cameras.

Napoleon marks the first time Joaquin has been reunited with director Sir Ridley Scott since starring in Gladiator in 2000.

Napoleon Bonaparte, later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a Corsican-born French military commander and political leader.

He gained fame during the French Revolution and led successful campaigns during the Revolutionary Wars.

The film explores Napoleon's climb to power through his relationship with his wife Josephine.

It was previously titled Kitbag which referred to the saying: 'There is a general's staff hidden in every soldier's kitbag.' The expression means it is possible for any soldier to become a general.

Beauty: For the glitzy premiere, Vanessa cut a glamorous figure in a stunning one-shouldered red gown with a train that billowed out behind her

Pals: Joaquin was seen sweetly planting a kiss on Vanessa's head as the co-stars posed together for their big night

Celebrating: Vanessa was also seen smiling for snaps with Joaquin, who cut a suave figure in a black suit for the occasion

Stunner: She let her outfit do all the talking as she posed up a storm for the camera, making sure all eyes were on her

Incredible: Vanessa was a vision in her all red ensemble as she showed off her stunning garment

Fashionista: Vanessa captured attention as she stormed the premiere, which had the colours of the French flag across the floor

Getting glam: Vanessa was seen being given a helping hand arranging her stunning gown on the red carpet

All smiles: She appeared to be in jovial spirits as she waved for the cameras for the night

Star-studded: Vanessa led the stars at the very glitzy affair as she celebrated her movie's release

Glitzy: Vanessa added to her features with a smokey-eye make-up palette and lashings of mascara

Bombshell: Vanessa kept her accessories minimal as she let her dress do all the talking

Amazing: Vanessa showed off her incredible figure in her gown and swept her blonde locks back into a tight up-do

Good look: Vanessa added some glitz to her ensemble with silver earrings

Kiss: Joaquin sweetly planted a kiss on Vanessa's head as they posed together

Napoleon: What did the critics say? The Daily Mail Rating: 'For me, though it is marginal, this one gets a thumbs down.' Empire Rating: 'This is a historical epic which is constantly on the lookout for subtle ways to undercut historical epics.' The Guardian Rating: 'Ridley Scott dispenses with the symbolic weight attached to previous biopics in favour of a spectacle with a great star at its centre.' The Times Rating: 'Joaquin Phoenix and Vanessa Kirby are the double act from heaven trapped in a marriage from hell in this new eye-gouging spectacular historical epic.' The Independent Rating: 'This is a two-and-a-half-hour spectacle that translates brutal history through Scotts brawny, cannily modern style.' The Telegraph Rating: 'The directors 28th feature is a magnificent slab of dad cinema, with Phoenix a startling emperor and Vanessa Kirby brilliant as his wife.' Advertisement

Speaking about the film, Ridley said: 'Napoleon is a man I've always been fascinated by.

'He came out of nowhere to rule everything but all the while he was waging a romantic war with his adulterous wife Josephine.

'He conquered the world to try to win her love, and when he couldn't, he conquered it to destroy her. No actor could ever embody Napoleon like Joaquin.'

Ridley's long-awaited Napoleon biopic has garnered glowing reviews in both Britain and the US.

However, French critics slammed the film as 'deeply clumsy' and 'boring' ahead of its release on November 22.

Historian Patrice Gueniffey, writing in Le Point, slammed the film as 'the film of an Englishman... very anti-French' and criticised the director for having 'wokist biases'.

A reviewer for GQ said the film left them 'bored', adding there was something 'clumsy' but 'unintentionally funny' about seeing French soldiers shout 'Vive la France' with American accents.

Canadian French-language newspaper Le Devoir led with the headline 'Not Waterloo, but not Austerlitz either,' referencing Napoleon's futile last stand in Belgium and his tactical 'masterpiece' against the Russians in today's Czechia.

The article described Joaquin's Napoleon as a 'petulant man-child who doesn't really seem to know what he's doing'.

Criticism of the film's direction comes after director Ridley has passionately hit back at claims of inaccuracies from historians including Dan Snow.

Speaking on BBC Radio 4's Today Programme, French academic Dr Estelle Paranque acknowledged the film's inaccuracies but insisted that 'it is a movie, it is not a documentary'.

Friends: Vanessa was seen smiling and laughing with Joaquin as they socialised at the event

Gentleman: Joaquin was seen gesturing for Vanessa to go ahead of him at the event

Funny: Vanessa was seen gesturing Joaquin to stand alongside her for pictures

Dapper: Joaquin cut a suave figure in a black suit for the occasion

Big night: Vanessa and Joaquin also posed with director Ridley Scott at the premiere

Leading man: Joaquin takes on the titular role of Napoleon in the hotly-anticipated biopic

Milestone: Napoleon marks the first time Joaquin has been reunited with director Sir Ridley Scott since starring in Gladiator in 2000

Smart: Ridley cut a smart figure in an all-black ensemble as he celebrated his film's release

Couple: Ronnie Wood looked trendy as he stepped out with his glamorous wife Sally

Smitten: The couple, who tied the knot in 2012, appeared to be as loved-up as ever

Good form: Sally looked incredible in a white sequinned gown as she posed with her arm around Rolling Stones legend Ronnie

Sweet: The couple sweetly held hands as they took to the red carpet together

Close: Ronnie looked smart in black trousers, a white shirt and a black waistcoat as he posed with Sally

Laughing: Ronnie and Sally gave each other a look of love as they posed holding hands

Family: The couple share twins Gracie Jane and Alice Rose, six

Fun times: Jon Snow cut a suave figure in a beige suit and a colourful green and yellow tie

Vibrant: Strictly's Krishnan Guru-Murthy put on a colourful display in a yellow paisley shirt, black trousers and a grey blazer

Debonair: Dan Walker cut a dapper figure in a purple suit, which he teamed with a white shirt

Sophisticated: Radio presenter Jenni Falconer looked smart in a black waistcoat and slim-fit trousers, which she styled with pointed heels

Stylish: She toted her essentials in a small black handbag to complete her chic outfit

Eye-catching: Ria Hebden made sure to turn heads in a cream jewelled dress as she posed with her husband Mark

Style: Daisy Keliher dazzled in a royal blue velvet suit with a studded bra top

Sparkling: Amber Doig-Thorne showed off her style in a red sequinned mini dress, which she wore with a matching cape

Dazzling: Josephine de La Baume cut a quirky figure in a black hooded dress covered with sequins

Fun: Michael McIntyre put on an animated display

Pretty: Lady Victoria Hervey looked chic in a black midi dress

Winter ready: Richard Herring and Catie Wilkins wrapped up warm in wool coats

Sparkles: Lucy Worsley opted for a silver sequinned dress

Reviews: Ridley's long-awaited Napoleon biopic has garnered glowing reviews in both Britain and the US (pictured: Joaquin as Napoleon)

Cast: Joaquin stars as Napoleon Bonaparte in the biopic, which depicts the French leader's rise to power, while Vanessa (pictured) portrays his first wife Empress Josephine

Reality: Napoleon Bonaparte, later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a Corsican-born French military commander and political leader

But, speaking of the depiction of the execution of Marie Antoinette, she said: 'It did annoy me a little because he made her kind of fearless and a bit feisty, and at the time honestly she was not.'

However, director Ridley hit back at accusations of historical 'inaccuracies'. In an interview with the New Yorker, he told a critic to 'get a life' when pressed.

'There are 400 books written about him. Maybe the first one was the most accurate, the next one is already doing a version of the author,' he said.

'By the time you get to book 399, guess what, there's a lot of speculation.'
What a difference a few months can make. A little less than a year after being 'cancelled' for a published attack on Meghan Markle, Jeremy Clarkson has agreed to sign a megabucks new deal with Amazon.

For decades Clarkson was the country's pre-eminent motoring journalist thanks to Top Gear, but he was notably all at sea when trying his hand as a farmer on Clarkson's Farm.

The show, which began in 2021, has been a huge global hit as viewers have adored watching him swear, struggle and mostly fail on Diddly Squat Farm in Chipping Norton, Oxfordshire.

The second series, which started streaming in February, was Prime Video's most watched original show in the UK  by a mile. It easily beat the very expensive The Lord Of The Rings: The Rings Of Power drama.

Now I'm told Amazon want another three series  and Clarkson and his team want to keep on making them.

For decades Clarkson was the country's pre-eminent motoring journalist thanks to Top Gear, but he was notably all at sea when trying his hand as a farmer on Clarkson's Farm

The forthcoming series is going to be all about pigs. Kaleb Cooper, (right) the young farming contractor who has become a star, said recently that Clarkson is 'annoyingly' good as a pig farmer

Clarkson's latest book - Diddly Squat: Pigs Might Fly - came out last month and was an instant bestseller

Nothing is signed yet. However, the expectation is that a deal  thought to be worth at least $250 million  will be announced when the third series starts streaming in March or April next year.

At this point it's not clear whether Clarkson will carry on with The Grand Tour, also on Prime Video, or with Who Wants To Be A Millionaire? for ITV.

Friends of the presenter say they would not be surprised if, at 63, he decided to concentrate solely on Clarkson's Farm from now on. Filming runs from March to October.

The forthcoming series is going to be all about pigs. Kaleb Cooper, the young farming contractor who has become a star, said recently that Clarkson is 'annoyingly' good as a pig farmer: 'I can't say too much because I'll be told off, but Jeremy's bought some pigs this year. And, annoyingly, he's a really good pig farmer.'

Clarkson's latest book  Diddly Squat: Pigs Might Fly  came out last month and was an instant bestseller.

But he wrote himself into trouble last December, with a newspaper column about the Duchess of Sussex in which he professed to hate her 'on a cellular level' and said that he dreamed of her being paraded naked while a crowd threw excrement at her  a reference to a scene in TV's Game Of Thrones.

He posted a lengthy apology on Instagram saying he had 'completely messed up' in the article, which is the most complained about in the history of Press regulator IPSO. He also sent an email to Prince Harry to express his profound apologies.

Clarkson filmed a final special of The Grand Tour in Botswana this summer with James May and Richard Hammond and it is due to go out next year.

Effervescent TV presenter Claudia Winkleman says the secret of her success is an ability to nap anywhere.

She told the How To Fail podcast: 'I'm a sleep fanatic, I nap all the time. In fact I had all my family round for lunch and had a nap while they were all there in the room - and there were ten of us.

'I was like: 'Guys', I've got to have some shut-eye.' Laid on the sofa, had a little sleep.'

Di star's 'beautiful' ghost scenes

Actress Elizabeth Debicki - Princess Diana in The Crown - has spoken for the first time about the experience of depicting her as a 'ghost' who appears to both Prince Charles and The Queen.

Debicki describes the scenes between her and Dominic West, playing Prince Charles, as 'beautiful'. She said: 'We didn't do any rehearsal. We kind of just opened our hearts up because it's so easy to understand what the Charles character is feeling, because for anyone who's lost anyone you know, the second you lose them, the only thing you would do - you would give anything for - is to talk to them one more time.

Actress Elizabeth Debicki - Princess Diana in The Crown - has spoken for the first time about the experience of depicting her as a 'ghost'

'I think what's beautiful is that it's an imagined Diana who has the freedom to say the things she's always wanted to say to Charles, which is: 'I have loved you so much'. I'm really glad that I got to say that in that character.'

Writer Peter Morgan has said that the Diana in these scenes is not a ghost but a visualisation in the minds of her family.

Mathematician Hannah Fry will be trying to keep Ian Hislop and Paul Merton under control in Have I Got News For You next Friday. She's been on the panel five times previously and remarks drily: 'When I studied maths at university this is not how I expected it would turn out.'

She was part of a revival of Tomorrow's World in 2017 but says due to gloom about the fate of the planet - over climate change and AI - it will never come back.

'There was a point when everyone was excited about what was around the corner, but now I think people are scared about what lies ahead.'

Janelle Monae says she has been dreaming of having tea with iconic Jazz Age dancer Josephine Baker - after taking magic mushrooms. 'It was amazing,' she declares.

And no wonder Baker has been on her mind, as a super-hot TV biopic of the dancer, titled De La Resistance, is now all systems go after the lifting of the writers' and actors' strikes, with Monae playing Baker.

Janelle Monae (pictured) says she has been dreaming of having tea with iconic Jazz Age dancer Josephine Baker - after taking magic mushrooms

The studio A24 is backing the series, which will concentrate on Baker's role spying for the French Resistance during WWII. The film is being produced by Monae's company, Wondaland. It's based on a book, The Flame Of Resistance, which came out in 2022. You'll recognise Monae from the movies Hidden Figures, Moonlight and Knives Out 2.

Non-binary Monae, who goes by 'they' or 'she', has an android alter ego who she calls upon in her music career. Her 2023 album The Age Of Pleasure has just been nominated for a Grammy.

She's been nominated for ten Grammys since releasing her first album in 2003, but she's not been so successful in the UK since her No. 1 single We Are Young in 2012. The Age Of Pleasure spent just one week in the charts at No. 49 and her last successful single reached No. 74... in 2018.

Uh-oh Brace for a horror show

Dozens of behind-the-scenes and on-screen employees of This Morning have now been interviewed by barrister Jane Mulcahy KC, who is compiling a report on the allegedly 'toxic culture' of the show for ITV.

Departed hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have spoken to her, as has Eamonn Holmes, who was once on the sofa on a Friday and is now an outspoken critic of the show.

'Person X' the young colleague with whom Schofield had an 'unwise but not illegal' relationship, is also understood to have cooperated.

Departed hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield have spoken to barrister Jane Mulcahy KC, who is compiling a report on the allegedly 'toxic culture' of the show for ITV

I'm told that Mulcahy has shown an interest in two issues in particular.

One is the 'Holly bubble' which saw presenters Holly and Phil (pictured) having very little to do with any of the crew or staff and thus being unaware of problems faced by the rank and file.

The other issue is what is being called 'the cult of Frizell'.

This refers to current boss Martin Frizell, under whose stewardship Schofield was unimpeachable and unchallenged. Frizell, formerly an on-screen talent himself, is currently in the challenging position of supporting his wife, former TV presenter Fiona Phillips, who is struggling with Alzheimer's disease aged only 62.

In September, executive Vivek Sharma was hired to work on the show as Frizell's deputy, arriving from Steph's Packed Lunch on Channel 4, which has since been axed.

Those who read the tea leaves say that the report is going to be 'a horror show' for ITV and there are claims that some of those who were previously there will be 'relieved' to be away from it.

Holly quit last month after an alleged plot to kidnap her was uncovered. A spokesman for ITV declines to comment and sources close to Holly say that her decision to leave was nothing to do with the report.

It is expected to come out shortly before Christmas.

Vanessa Kirby is said to be the best thing about Ridley Scott's long and uneven film Napoleon - and she got the gig after the first choice for Josephine, Jodie Comer, dropped out in order to star in the play Prima Facie.

Now Kirby has been subbed in again after Alicia Vikander dropped out of survival thriller Eden, which is being made in Australia with leading man Jude Law.

The film is a tale of lust and madness in the Galapagos Islands and is being directed by Ron Howard.

'Never forget': Dame Helen's Holocaust plea

Helen Mirren, who played Israeli premier Golda Meir in Golda, released last month, has been reflecting on her deep connection to Israel in the wake of the terror attacks and war in the country.

Mirren faced controversy for her portrayal, some of it centred on the rather obvious use of prosthetics to enhance her physical resemblance to Meir, who led the country in 1973 during the Yom Kippur war.

Helen Mirren, who played Israeli premier Golda Meir in Golda, released last month, has been reflecting on her deep connection to Israel in the wake of the terror attacks and war in the country

Mirren said: 'I've historically not had a deep profound understanding of Israel, but I've always had a connection with Israel. I don't know, I've always had a sort of instinctive feeling about Israel.'

She added that she remembered Meir's election as a 'very important moment', as it was the first time she had known a woman leading a country.

And she said: 'One of the reasons that I've always supported Israel and felt for Israel is the Holocaust and my growing awareness - as a child growing up in London, post-war England - of what had actually happened.

'It was so, so devastating and I still can't quite grasp it, you know, it's ungraspable. And the fact that it was very shortly before I was born  in my parents' lifetime.

'It was so monstrous, so inconceivably inhuman that I've always felt that we must never forget.'

Director Guy Nattiv said: 'Waking up on October 7 and seeing the exact thing that happened to us in 1973 - times ten - I was gutted as was everyone else on our crew. When we did this research for this movie, we met with every single general from 1973. And all the people who wrote books. Everyone told us: 'Listen, it was a debacle, but it will never happen again'.

'And there you go, it happened again, even worse. I feel that this movie... it has double meaning now.'

After more than 100 days of strike, the actors are now unleashed, which means that campaigning for awards season, leading up to the Oscars, is suddenly in full swing.

This week we've had Annette Bening and Jodie Foster beating the drum for Nyad, Leonardo DiCaprio breaking into his hectic schedule of partying to promote Killers of the Flower Moon, Bradley Cooper and Carey Mulligan trumpeting the Bernstein biopic Maestro and premieres for four huge movies: The Color Purple, Saltburn, Napoleon and May December. Plus Oppenheimer's Chris Nolan has been giving interviews and Zac Efron and Jeremy Allen White have been making the rounds for wrestling picture The Iron Claw.

Meanwhile, some projects are very fast out of the gate post-strike. One priority for Netflix is the second season of Tim Burton's Wednesday, a sensational hit last year.

It's going to be filmed in Ireland (last time, it was Romania) from April and is set to have more horror than series one. There will also be more of the relationship between Wednesday Addams, played by Jenna Ortega and her mother Morticia (Catherine Zeta-Jones).
Matty was evicted from the Big Brother house on Thursday night's dramatic episode leaving the remaining five in the final.

The doctor, 24, was sent packing just before the last day in the house as Henry, Noky, Jordan, Yinrun and Olivia made it to the end.

He was told how he would be leaving in a brutal twist at the end of his letter from home that was read out by Yinrun leaving the others in shock.

In Friday night's final one of the last five will win a whopping 100,000 in the highly-anticipated live show.

Voting for Friday night's live final has now reopened via the Big Brother app, with viewers being asked to vote for the housemate they want to win Big Brother.

Bye: Matty was evicted from the Big Brother house on Thursday night's dramatic episode leaving the remaining five in the final

Savage: He was told how he would be leaving in a brutal twist at the end of his letter from home that was read out by Yinrun (seen) leaving the others in shock

The vote will close during tomorrow night's show.

Viewers will watch hosts AJ Odudu and Will Best crown the winner of Big Brother 2023, as well as speak to all five finalists in their first live interview since leaving the Big Brother house.

Elsewhere the Big Brother house got emotional on Thursday's penultimate episode.

The housemates all received their letters from home containing encouraging words from their family and friends - leaving not a dry eye in the house.

Housemates were gathered in the lounge as Big Brother said: 'Housemates. Before the gates of heaven close for the day, I wanted to give you all the ultimate heavenly gift - your letters from home.'

Reading Noky's letter to her from her sister, Olivia said: 'To my best friend, from the second I was born I have looked up to you in every single way - we were meant to be sisters.'

Later reading Henry's letter to him, Jordan said: 'You have been your positive, funny, authentic self throughout the whole time in the house and people love you for you.'

Over: The doctor, 24, was sent packing just before the last day in the house as Henry, Noky, Jordan, Yinrun and Olivia made it to the end

Emotional: The rest of the house was left in tears as Matty said his goodbyes after being evicted

Then reading Jordan's letter to him, Henry said: 'The whole of my office is watching your every move and they know all about your behaviour in the bushes!

'Everyone loves your humour and thinks you're a gentleman. I adore Henry - lifelong friends and potential son-in-law.'

Prompting more tears, reading Olivia's letter from her parents to her, Noky said: 'Our darling, gorgeous girl Olivia.

'We are the proudest mum and dad ever. Gran, Po and James are all so proud but we will warn you now, Gran is wanting a word about your swearing!'

Next up, reading an emotional Yinrun's letter to her, Matty said: 'Your parents and grandmother miss you deeply.

'The whole process of going to the UK was done by you on your own. I saw my girl at her best - adventurous, independent and brave.'

And finally reading Matty's letter to him, Yinrun said: 'Dear Matty. It's been great to watch your friendships with your housemates develop.

'Your humour, kindness and sensitivity has always been at the heart of everything you've done.'

It comes after Big Brother fans were left confused over the 'missing eviction' on Wednesday's episode.

It had been announced on Tuesday that another one of the remaining housemates: Henry, Jordan, Noky, Olivia, Matty and Yinrun would leave just 48 hours before the final.

But the eviction did not air as anticipated and explained by host AJ Odudu the previous night.

Voting opened during Big Brother: Late and Live and closed at 6pm on Wednesday ahead of the evening show.

Fans took to Twitter to react to the lack of eviction as one wrote: 'Not gonna lie, I'm feeling short changed after that episode... Where was the eviction we were promised last night?!?!'

Another said: 'Why did I look forward to an eviction all day and buy special eviction snacks for that waste of an hour?!?'

Upset: The housemates all received their letters from home containing encouraging words from their family and friends - leaving not a dry eye in the house (Yinrun is seen)

Kind: Prompting more tears, reading Olivia's letter from her parents to her, Noky said: 'Our darling, gorgeous girl Olivia. 'We are the proudest mum and dad ever'

A third wrote: 'where's the eviction ??', while another said: 'So when is the eviction then? #BBLL #BBUK.'

During the latest episode of Late and Live, AJ clarified that one star had been booted from the house earlier in the day with the identity being revealed during the next highlights show as part of a pre-recorded dumping.

However those watching the Live Stream after Late and Live have been speculating that Matty is now missing from the house.

Big Brother: Live Final airs Friday night at 9pm on ITV1, ITV2 and ITVX.
Abbie Cornish looked very different from the height of her fame during a rare public appearance at the Poor Things screening in Los Angeles on Wednesday.

The Australian actress, 41, who has starred in popular movies such as the critically acclaimed romantic drama Candy with Heath Ledger, was all smiles as she joined Sofia Boutella at the event.

An unrecognisable Abbie looked stylish in a patterned skirt and black top as she posed alongside Sofia at the movie screening.

She completed her look with a pair of long black boots and wore small hoop earrings as well as a silver necklace.

Meanwhile, Algerian actress Sofia, 41, dressed casually in a grey jumper, a long coat and a beige cap.

Australian actress Abbie Cornish made a rare public appearance as she joined Sofia Boutella at the Poor Things screening in Los Angeles on Wednesday

Abbie has dropped off the radar since leaving Australia in 2017 for the bright lights of Hollywood and attempting a full blown rap career under the mysterious name 'MC Dusk'.

She last appeared in the psychological thriller Blackout, where she played the role of Anna.

She also starred in American family move Dakota, a heartwarming film about a single mother and her daughter adopting an ex-service dog to live on their farm.

Dakota was released to limited theatres in April last year, receiving negligible media attention and mediocre reviews.

Cornish seen here with Heath Ledger in the critically-acclaimed 2006 Australian drama, Candy

Abbie looked stylish in a long patterned skirt and black top as she posed alongside Sofia at the movie screening

Other recent projects include 2021 film The Virtuoso, in which Abbie starred alongside Oscar winner Anthony Hopkins, and the Australian drama series Secret Bridesmaids Business in 2019.

Abbie is also set to appear in the upcoming thriller flick Detained alongside The Boys star Laz Alonso.

She and Alonso are also serving as executive directors.
Saltburn

Rating:

May December

Rating:

Emerald Fennell's exuberant satire on class and privilege, Saltburn, opened last month's London Film Festival and certainly got the event off to a rollicking start.

It is an intriguing, flawed, at times wildly enjoyable follow-up to her acclaimed 2020 debut Promising Young Woman.

This one is about a promising young man. Barry Keoghan plays Oliver Quick, a lad from an apparently deprived background on Merseyside who arrives at Oxford University feeling, both socially and academically, like a fish out of water.

He is befriended on day one by a peculiar maths prodigy and his first week becomes an exercise in shaking this weirdo off, a situation with which anyone who has been an undergraduate anywhere will surely relate (though I suppose some of us might have been the weirdos). Anyway, it's very funny.

Fortunately for him, Oliver manages to burrow his way into the affections of another first-year student, the dishy, popular, wealthy Felix Catton (Jacob Elordi), with whom he soon becomes infatuated.

Barry Keoghan plays Oliver Quick, a lad from an apparently deprived background on Merseyside who arrives at Oxford University feeling, both socially and academically, like a fish out of water

Felix's chums don't all welcome this lower-class interloper into their circle; his cousin Farleigh (Archie Madekwe) is especially hostile. But, guileless and generous, Felix invites Oliver home for the holidays to the extravagant family pile, Saltburn, where his parents Sir James (Richard E. Grant), Lady Elspeth (Rosamund Pike) and sister Venetia (Alison Oliver) wallow with hilarious complacency in aristocratic splendour.

Grant is a limited actor but when he gets a role that plays to his strengths he rises gloriously to the occasion. So it is here, though it is Pike who steals the show, with cherishable support from Carey Mulligan as 'poor dear' Pamela, a family friend who has rather outstayed her welcome at Saltburn. 'Darling, where's Liverpool,' Lady Elspeth chirrups at one point, capturing to perfection the kind of clueless, posh, entitled but entirely charming woman of a certain age and breed who might be chatelaine of a house such as this.

The writer and director, by her own cheerful admission, used her gilded upbringing as the daughter of 'society jeweller' Theo Fennell to inform the screenplay.

As a fine actress too, she clearly didn't have to dig particularly deep to play the young Camilla Parker Bowles in The Crown. So, supervised by Paul Rhys as a fabulously snooty butler, this is the rarefied world into which Oliver is plunged, in what until now has been a broad comedy of manners, Brideshead Revisited with gags.

Felix invites Oliver home for the holidays to the extravagant family pile, Saltburn, where his parents Sir James (Richard E. Grant), Lady Elspeth (Rosamund Pike) and sister Venetia (Alison Oliver) (pictured) wallow with hilarious complacency in aristocratic splendour

But I hope it doesn't count as a spoiler to say that the second half of the film owes much more to The Talented Mr Ripley as Oliver gets his feet under the handsome mahogany table, and the story takes a jolting lurch into something different, becoming a dark psychosexual thriller. I was a bit uneasy with this shift in tone, and had a few more specific gripes, not least Keoghan's 'Merseyside' accent, which distractingly flits back and forth across the Irish Sea. Also, marvellous actor though he is, he's 31; it's a stretch to believe in him as a newly arrived Oxford undergrad.

But none of that means you shouldn't see Saltburn. At its funniest it's a proper hoot, and at its darkest, it's still strangely compelling.

There are dark, psychosexual undertones too in the excellent May December, which is loosely inspired by the true story of a Californian woman called Mary Kay Letourneau, a teacher who began a relationship with a pupil when she was 34 and he was only 12, gave birth to his child, went to prison as a sex offender, and later married him.

In Todd Haynes' film, that squalid backstory is somewhat sanitised. Julianne Moore plays Gracie, now married to the much younger Joe (Charles Melton), who was at least a teenager when the affair first began.

With the scandal almost a quarter of a century behind them, and the couple's enduring relationship seemingly rock-solid, an actress arrives at their home to interview Gracie and study her mannerisms, ahead of playing her on screen.

Julianne Moore, left, and Natalie Portman in a scene from May December

This is Elizabeth (Natalie Portman), whose presence little by little begins to expose Gracie's human frailties as well as the fissures in the marriage. Nor is Elizabeth as entirely straightforward as she at first seems.

Moore and Portman are both tremendous in this film, while Melton is never eclipsed by two such illustrious Hollywood heavyweights.

But the laurels also belong to Haynes, whose 2015 film Carol was another impeccably observed story of emotional tumult below a serene surface, and to screenwriter Samy Burch. They and the terrific cast have given us a psychological drama of genuine heft.

Driving Madeleine

Rating:

Driving Madeleine is a sweet French-language film about a Parisian taxi driver, Charles (Dany Boon), assailed by money worries, despatched to pick up a lively 92-year-old woman, Madeleine (Line Renaud), on the day she moves out of her house.

She wants him to drive her around the city looking at her old haunts before she grudgingly takes up residence at an old folks' home, and the pair bond over the course of the long, meandering, sometimes eventful journey. It could all be a bit saccharine except Madeleine's back story includes a 13-year jail sentence for disfiguring an abusive partner, some of which we see in flashback, as well as another terrible tragedy.

The acting is delightful, the Paris landmarks evocative, the writing at times a bit clunky, but on the whole, Christian Carion's film is a pleasure. And those who look at cabaret star Renaud and think she can't possibly be 92, you're right. She's 95.
Sydney Sweeney teased she had a hand in helping get her Anyone But You co-star Glen Powell ripped for his nude Men's Health photo shoot.

Just two days after leaving a very flirty comment under the Top Gun: Maverick star's Instagram post of his racy cover shot for the publication, the Euphoria actress, 26, shared an eye-popping video of herself laying under him as he stood above her and worked on his upper body muscles.

'How @glenpowell actually trained for his men's health cover shoot ;p,' she captioned the footage, which showed Powell doing biceps curls on a yacht between takes for their upcoming rom-com, which hits theaters on December 22.

In the recording, the Spokane native, who earned two Emmy Award nominations for her role in HBO's The White Lotus last year, showed her sensational curves in a white bikini.

Flirty: Sydney Sweeney teased she had a hand in helping get her Anyone But You co-star Glen Powell ripped for his nude Men's Health photo shoot

Stirring the pot: Just two days after leaving a very flirty comment under the Top Gun: Maverick star's Instagram post of his racy cover shot for the publication, the Euphoria actress, 26, shared an eye-popping video of herself laying under him as he stood above her and worked on his upper body muscles

During the steamy scene, shot in March, the duo's characters packed on the PDA as they shared a passionate kiss and got frisky while cruising around Sydney Harbour in Australia.

Earlier this week, fans went wild after she expressed her approval over his six-pack abs on Instagram.

'Just heating up everybody's winter huh?' the blonde bombshell, who has been engaged to Jonathan Davino since 2022, teased.

This comes after Powell addressed the romance rumors surrounding the pair in the accompanying interview, calling them, 'disorienting and unfair.'

'When all that stuff happened, you know, publicly, it felt disorienting and unfair,' he said, adding, 'But what Im realizing is thats just a part of this gig now.'

The pair first fueled romance speculation while filming rom-com Anyone But You earlier this year in Australia.

Around the same time as the two filmed the movie, Powell split from girlfriend Gigi Paris, further adding to the speculation of a romance between him and Sydney.

'How @glenpowell actually trained for his men's health cover shoot ;p,' she captioned the footage, which showed Powell doing biceps curls on a yacht between takes for their upcoming rom-com, which hits theaters on December 22

Romcom: During the steamy scene , shot in March, the duo's characters packed on the PDA as they shared a passionate kiss and got frisky while cruising around Sydney Harbour in Australia

Chemistry: The pair first fueled romance speculation while filming rom-com Anyone But You earlier this year in Australia

The White Lotus star also previously addressed the romance speculation in an interview with Variety in August, sharing that she and Powell are unbothered by it.

'Its a rom-com. Thats what people want! Glen and I dont really care. We have so much fun together, and we respect each other so much; hes such a hard worker, and Im a hard worker.'

'They want it,' Sweeney said of fans' reaction to the rumors, 'It's fun to give it to em.'

The duo recently returned to Sydney to reshoot scenes for the upcoming R-rated rom-com.

Sydney was spotted enjoying quality time with her on-screen love interest Glen this week, as they explored the city with their director Will Gluck.

Posting to Instagram on Monday, Will shared a photo of Sydney and Glen cuddling up together for a playful photo as they grabbed coffees and a loaf of bread in the CBD.

Raising eyebrows: Earlier this week, fans went wild after she expressed her approval over his six-pack abs on Instagram

Playful: 'Just heating up everybody's winter huh?' the blonde bombshell wrote under his post

Clad in a stylish camel-hued, Sydney beamed widely as she rested her head on Glen's chest.

Meanwhile, Glen placed a friendly arm behind the star's back and pulled a coy expression for the camera.

In October Sydney marked Glen's birthday with sweet message via Instagram. 'Happy birthday to my fellow camp counselor, adventure extraordinaire, and goof ball,' she wrote, sharing an adorable photo of the pair from set.

Despite the pair continually denying any possibility of a romance, fans of the two Hollywood heavyweights found such statements hard to believe after the rom-com co-stars were spotted spending a lot of time together in Australia... when they weren't filming scenes.

A production member on the film even relayed that many of the workers on set 'thought they were already a couple.'

They continued with 'I knew him from Top Gun. But I just assumed they were a couple in real life. That's what it looked like to most of us. And to some of the extras as well.'

Anyone But You follows Sweeney and Powell as Bea and Ben.

'After an amazing first date, Bea and Ben's fiery attraction turns ice cold - until they find themselves unexpectedly reunited at a destination wedding in Australia. So they do what any two mature adults would do: pretend to be a couple,' the IMDb synopsis of the film reads.

Not dating: Coincidentally, Glenn recently addressed the romance rumors surrounding the pair in the accompanying interview, calling them, 'disorienting and unfair'; seen in April in Las Vegas

Back at it: The duo were spotted earlier this week as they explored Sydney, after returning to reshoot scenes for the upcoming R-rated rom-com

Although the 6'0 heartthrob did break up with his girlfriend while filming Anyone But You, with Gigi even unfollowing the Madame Webb star, Sweeny is still very much together with her fiance, 38, who has also joined her in Sydney as she does her reshoots.

The pair have looked more loved up than ever recently, with Sydney and Jonathan even joining Riverdale star Lili Reinhart on a double date with her boyfriend Jack Martin while the foursome were vacationing in Venice back in September.

A source told TMZ back in April that the actress was 'still engaged,' to the Chicago restaurateur and that Powell and Sweeney were 'not dating.'

The same insider verified that Jonathan and his sex symbol fiancee were still living together as well, despite theories to the contrary.
Liev Schreiber was spotted on the move in New York City on Thursday as he took to the streets on his Triumph motorcycle.

The 56-year-old longtime actor  who is enjoying parenthood with wife Taylor Neisen and their newborn daughter Hazel  was dressed in a blue fleece shirt and olive green trousers.

The Ray Donovan star wore clear, square-shaped eyeglasses as he zoomed through Manhattan. He had on a watch on his left wrist and stepped out in white ankle socks and black and white Adidas sneakers.

The San Francisco-born entertainer looked typically handsome with a scruffy salt and pepper shadow of a beard.

But there was no helmet on his head. Under New York State law, all motorcyclists and their passengers are required to wear helmets regardless of age or experience level.

On the go: Liev Schreiber was spotted on the move in New York City on Thursday as he took to the streets on his Triumph motorcycle but forgot to wear a helmet

His look: The 56-year-old longtime actor was dressed in a blue fleece shirt and olive green trousers

Missing from the scene were his wife Taylor, 31, and their nearly three-month old baby girl.

The new parents tied the knot in a secret ceremony this past July.

A source exclusively told DailyMail.com that the couple exchanged vows during a low-key ceremony attended by only four guests.

Two of them were Liev's kids Alexander 'Sasha,' 16, and Samuel 'Kai,' 15, who he shares with ex Naomi Watts.

Also in attendance was author Jonathan Safran Foer, who officiated the wedding, and his wife.

'They didnt want a big fuss because Taylor is ready to give birth, but they wanted to bring the baby into the world as husband and wife,' the insider dished.

The nuptials took place in the yard of the twosome's sprawling, oceanfront Montauk abode  the home he once shared with Naomi, 54.

The former couple bought the 3,500-square-foot, four-bedroom, four-and-a-half-bathroom house together in 2016 for $5.4 million, but split just months later after 11 years together.

Spectacles: The Ray Donovan star wore clear, square-shaped eyeglasses as he zoomed through Manhattan

Accessories: He wore a watch on his left wrist and stepped out in white ankle socks and black and white Adidas sneakers

Hunk: The San Francisco-born entertainer looked typically handsome with a scruffy salt and pepper shadow of a beard

Mom and dad: Liev has been enjoying parenthood with wife Taylor Neisen and their newborn daughter Hazel; pictured last month

Taylor took to Instagram to wish her husband a happy birthday in early October.

Sharing only a photo of his and their daughter's hands on piano keys, she captioned the post: 'Every day with you is my favorite adventure.'

Engaging her 7.3k followers, she added, 'Happy birthday @lievschreiber. We love you!!!'

On September 14 she announced the arrival of their bundle of joy, uploading a black and white snapshot of her hand on Hazel's tummy and writing, 'My whole heart. Hazel Bee Schreiber. 8.27.23.'
It's the kiss that sealed the romance between the future King and Queen.

Against the background of what appears to be a busy bar, Prince William and Kate Middleton smooch during their years as students at St Andrews University.

The scene is imagined in preview footage from the forthcoming second half of the final series of The Crown.

Netflix released the first four instalments yesterday but the streaming giant is already plugging the six parts that will bring the curtain down on the hit series.

It has also been revealed that the later episodes will depict Wills Mania spreading across the globe as the future King, played by Ed McVey, 24, grows into a handsome teenager.

The scene is imagined in preview footage from the forthcoming second half of the final series of The Crown

And the final episode will reimagine the 2005 wedding of Prince Charles and Camilla Parker Bowles, as they were then.

A Netflix source said: 'The first half of the final series focused on the tragic death of Princess Diana which was a particularly difficult time for the Royal family.

'However, the second half is a lot more joyous as Wills Mania grips the world and he meets his future wife Katie Middleton at university. Their first kiss is one of those magical, joyous moments, and their relationship and love for each other is celebrated throughout the final part of the series.

'It's going to leave the viewers on a real high as the series comes to its emotional end. It was the perfect era of the Royal family to end on.'

William and Kate met at St Andrews in 2001 and their romance is said to have blossomed after he watched her model a sheer dress in a student fashion show  a scene that will also reportedly be depicted in the show. They graduated in 2005.

William and Kate met at St Andrews in 2001 and their romance is said to have blossomed after he watched her model a sheer dress in a student fashion show

Prince William and his bride Princess Catherine appear at the balcony of Buckingham Palace

Meg Bellamy, 21, was an unknown chosen to play Kate after she sent in an audition tape to Netflix bosses. Now she has been experiencing a bit of 'Meg Mania' herself. This week the Mail revealed that Ms Bellamy has become a face of French fashion house Dior.

The second half of the final series of The Crown will be released on December 14. As has become customary with some of Netflix's biggest hits, bosses decided to split the final ever series into two parts.
Married At First Sight UK fans have praised relationship expert Paul Brunson for putting the couples under the spotlight during Thursday's reunion.

The second drama-packed reunion episode saw the couples catch up with experts Paul, Mel Schilling and Charlene Douglas after Wednesday's tense dinner party.

And Paul did not shy away from giving the couples his opinions on their break-ups as he criticised Luke Worley and Brad Skelly for their behaviour in their relationships.

Brad came under fire as his now-ex-wife Shona Manderson accused him of 'love-bombing' and called him 'deceitful' for saying he had no emotional connection.

Paul then slammed him as he accused him of having an 'overly-inflated view' of his 'emotional intelligence' and 'weaponising' it as he said his actions were 'terrible'.

Grilling: Married At First Sight UK fans have praised relationship expert Paul Brunson for putting the couples under the spotlight during Thursday's reunion

The expert also criticised Luke as he and Jay Howard spoke about their break-up and Luke insisted he was 'done' and wouldn't 'change' for anyone, with Paul arguing that he should be open to positive change.

And viewers were quick to take to X - formerly known as Twitter - to praise Paul for 'calling out' the two grooms on their behaviour on the show.

One wrote: 'OMG Paul did not come to play tonight! Hes earning his pay as an expert,' while another said: 'Yesss Paul on Brad. 100% correct.'

A third tweeted: 'Paul! You king!,' and a fourth said: 'Paul. RESPECT. Seriously amazing,' while another added: 'Love Paul calling out Luke. Nailed it.'

Brad came under fire during the reunion as Shona voiced her upset that he said he never had any 'emotional attraction' to her.

She fumed: 'I find it very deceitful... he was patronising me, listing things he doesn't like about me. I felt you were putting on a show in the experiment. I thought oh my God, I've been love-bombed by this guy!'

Paul then supported Shona and slammed Brad as he told him: 'I think you have an overly-inflated view of your emotional intelligence and then what you do is weaponise it. You show up with good intentions, but the actions are terrible, they are terrible.'

When asked by Charlene what he thought about the comments, he said: 'No, just agree really, just completely take it on board... I respect her as a person, and I do want to be friends.'

Honest: Paul did not shy away from giving the couples his opinions on their break-ups as he criticised Luke Worley (pictured) and Brad Skelly for their behaviour in their relationships

Awkward: Brad came under fire as his ex Shona Manderson accused him of 'love-bombing', while Paul then slammed him for having an 'overly-inflated view' of his 'emotional intelligence'

'You king!': And viewers were quick to take to X - formerly known as Twitter - to praise Paul for 'calling out' the two grooms on their behaviour on the show

Shona replied: 'I wish Bradley all the love in the world, he has a good heart, but I don't want to be your friend. That line there is unhealthy.'

'I don't need more friends, I've got loads of friends,' she added, as she vowed never to ignore 'red flags' in a relationship again.

Elsewhere, Paul also quizzed Luke on why he wouldn't try and change to make things work with Jay as she admitted she still had feelings for him.

Jay, 31, and Luke, 30, shocked viewers during Wednesday's reunion dinner party when they arrived separately and said they had decided they'd just be 'friends'.

While speaking to the experts on Thursday, they spoke about what had gone wrong after they left the experiment after Luke was ejected for a physical fight with Jordan.

Luke said: 'The turning point, if I'm honest, was when Jay went back to work. She sent me a text saying, I wasn't showing her enough affection, I wasn't texting her enough, I wasn't being attentive enough.'

Jay argued that she wanted him to communicate with him more, but Luke insisted he had been 'more attentive' than he ever had before.

Jay said: 'I'm not asking for blood, I'm asking for bare minimum, just back and forth communication.'

Luke then spoke about how Jay had ended things because she didn't think it was working, but she tearfully said how she told him that she immediately changed her mind as she appeared to want to make things work.

Upset: Brad came under fire during the reunion as Shona voiced her upset that he said he never had any 'emotional attraction' to her

Break-up: Paul quizzed Luke on why he wouldn't try and change to make things work with Jay as she admitted she still had feelings for him.

When asked why they broke up, Luke said it was due to 'distance', but Paul slammed his answer and insisted there are always ways to solve long distance.

He fumed: 'I always call BS on distance. I bet you that [Paul] would crawl over broken glass, because that's what you do. Excuse, excuse, excuse. Give us the why.'

The other couples then got involved with the row as they told Luke that Jay was 'in love' with him and urged him to try and make it work with her.

Rozz Darlington said: 'She's obviously in love with you, and she doesn't know where it's at.'

While Ella Morgan added: 'We're gutted for you because I felt like there was no fight from you.'

Jay then said she didn't think Luke liked her as much as she liked him, to which he hit back with: '100 per cent not. I actually thought that I was into her more than she was into me... when she ended it I was like was she ever into me?'

Luke was then asked by the experts if he was willing to work on things with Jay, but he said: 'No, I'm done now.'

Split: Jay, 31, and Luke, 30, shocked viewers during Wednesday's reunion dinner party when they arrived separately and said they had decided they'd just be 'friends'

Jay broke down in tears as she dejectedly said: 'There you go.'

Luke said: 'It's not going to work because I can't change how I am, I'm not that sort of guy.'

But Paul asked him: 'The question is - do you want to change?', to which Luke said: 'I'll be honest, I ain't changing for no-one.'

A tearful Jay then said: 'There's no fight in you, there's never been any fight in you. I'm not chasing someone that doesn't want to be chased, it's f**king embarrassing.'

Speaking to camera, Jay said after the emotional scenes: 'It's just sad, you think that you - yeah - it's just sad because I know I'm not going to see him again.'
It still seems weird and somehow wrong that news about the British Royal Family is discussed first on U.S. outlets such as talk show host Kelly Ripa's podcast and on the pages and website of People magazine  next to stories about the Kardashians and actor Will Smith denying he slept with a man.

However, this is the world the Duke and Duchess of Sussex live in, this is the prism through which they are now viewed, this is where the absurd vanilla puffery of their softest-scoop ice cream is peddled in the hope that it will be swallowed whole.

Reactions may vary, as well as recollections. Some might even choke on the first mouthful.

Omid Scobie's new book Endgame is out at the end of this month and an extract has appeared in People magazine.

American readers might be surprised to learn that, according to this highly partisan account, the death of Queen Elizabeth II was not about the passing of a much-loved monarch and a sombre moment for British people and our shared history  it was all about Prince Harry.

According to this highly partisan account, the death of Queen Elizabeth II was not about the passing of a much-loved monarch  it was all about Prince Harry

Although Harry and Meghan have indicated they had nothing to do with the book, there is a great deal about who told him what and when about our 96-year-old Queen's final decline.

Also his travel arrangements to Balmoral, his disappointments about this and that, his sour surprise that not only was his welcome home far from warm, but that Meghan's presence at the Queen's deathbed was surplus to requirements, too. God knows what could have caused such family froideur!

Anyone with any ideas should write them on a silenced- not-silent postcard and send it to: The Toxic Racist Windsor Rotters, c/o Broken Dog Bowl Alley, London.

According to Endgame, Harry was especially peeved that his brother did not respond to his texts when he was trying to cadge a lift to Scotland on the RAF jet that flew Prince William, Prince Andrew and the Wessexes.

You have to laugh. What did Harry expect? If you shovel endless steaming manure onto the family fruit patch, surely you must expect a rich crop of raspberries in return?

Every action has a reaction and every piece of treachery is another brick in the royal ramparts.

The walls between the brothers are now so high that apparently William refuses to even 'properly talk' with Harry, while Harry is still moping about, seeking 'an apology or accountability'. From William to him, rather than the other way around. Cue even more sardonic laughter.

No doubt more Endgame extracts and leaks will be coming soon, but I am exhausted by it already.

Omid Scobie's new book Endgame is out at the end of this month and an extract has appeared in People magazine

Dear God, surely not more Sussexian victimhood? When are they ever going to wake up and smell the wellness- focused instant latte or count their many blessings?

Harry and Meghan now have two beautiful, healthy children, a gorgeous home in California, a chicken coop, free tickets to Beyonce and Katy Perry pop concerts and millions in the bank.

They have rich and powerful supporters on their side, including billionaire television producer Tyler Perry.

It was Perry who facilitated their initial entry into America, providing his lavish California estate as a sanctuary. Not many refugees fleeing tyranny are the beneficiaries of such largesse!

Perry was on Kelly Ripa's show this week, revealing how Meghan got in touch with him after he sent her a note of support.

Harry and Meghan (pictured with the late Queen in 2018) now have two beautiful, healthy children, a gorgeous home in California, a chicken coop, free tickets to Beyonce and Katy Perry pop concerts and millions in the bank

They had not long been friends, but that didn't stop Perry becoming Princess Lilibet's godfather.

Meghan is not the first ambitious mother who selected a wealthy and well-connected patron to become a godfather to her children  but the shock is how little it took.

A few phone calls and the loan of a house? Honey, I pimped the kids.

What I am wondering is how much more of this can we all take? Harry and Meghan have found their freedom, they have made their great escape  can't they now just enjoy it all instead of endlessly picking at the royal scab and whining to their proxy, Omid Scobie? Or to their proxy's proxy?

Of course, as a one-dimensional author of limited scope, Scobie must stoke the fires of grievance and discontent between the exiled Sussexes and the core royals, otherwise he doesn't have a book, a narrative, a purpose, or indeed a pay cheque.

Even he must be alarmed that the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are now denying that they are 'affiliated' with him in any way, although we have been here before. Denials that the Sussex camp had helped with his previous biography, Finding Freedom, turned out to be untrue.

Whatever, however, moreover  I think we can all agree that this endless drip of gripe and spite from a prince is the sign of a man who lost his way a long, long time ago.

The 695 towels of derision

Surely Balenciaga is trolling us all with its new towel-skirt look?

The unisex item is made of towelling terry cotton fabric and designed to look like a bath towel wrapped around your waist. A towel wrapped around your waist that costs 695, I might add.

Before you throw in the towel, agree with me that even though the Balenciaga logo is discreetly embroidered on the front, some people simply have much too much money.

The unisex item is made of towelling terry cotton fabric and designed to look like a bath towel wrapped around your waist

Esther Rantzen has talked about scammers perusing the obituary sections in local and national newspapers to con the recently bereaved, especially widows. I know this to be true  it happened to a friend of mine.

Esther Rantzen has talked about scammers perusing the obituary sections in local and national newspapers to con the recently bereaved

Samantha was still grieving following her husband's death from cancer at the age of 67. A few days after his funeral, someone rang her up on the landline at home. 'Hello Samantha,' he said. 'First of all, I want to say that I knew William and I am very sorry to hear about his death.'

My friend was on red alert straight away  no one ever called her husband William. Bill or Billy, yes. William, no. Never.

The caller smoothly went on to explain that 'William' had privately taken out a life insurance policy with his company and that she was eligible for a payout  after one outstanding final payment was met. Samantha told him in no uncertain terms to get lost and later surmised that the scammer must have read Bill's funeral notice in the local paper.

She was lucky, but let's be careful out there. Other widows and widowers, at the lowest ebb in their lives, might not be quite so fortunate.

Meanwhile, the brazenness and cruelty of these swindlers, not to mention their utter lack of humanity, makes the heart sink.

Fresh hope for second homeowners with properties in Spain and France. Along with Italy, these countries are now reconsidering the spiteful 90-day Brexit rule, which meant that Brits with properties abroad could only visit them for a limited period every year.

Now that the local economies are hurting, the British  and their luvvly jubbly pound notes  are being welcomed back with open arms.

Along with Italy, these countries are now reconsidering the spiteful 90-day Brexit rule, which meant that Brits with properties abroad could only visit them for a limited period every year (Stock Image)

It hasn't been pleasant, but surely they will fare better than those with second homes in the UK. Some councils in England are threatening second homers with double council tax bills, while in Scotland they just want them out; a Clearances for the 21st century.

No doubt new legislation enabling all this will be the first thing Keir Starmer rubber stamps when he sweeps into power at the next election, heralding a new dawn for the politics of envy.

Di death like losing friend

There is a moving moment in the new Netflix series of The Crown, during the funeral of Princess Diana. As they march behind her coffin, Prince William (played by Rufus Kampa) asks his grandfather Prince Philip (Jonathan Pryce) why all these people in the crowds, people who never knew his mother, are crying.

'They are not crying for her,' says Philip. 'They are crying for you.'

Prince William and his grandfather Prince Philip at Princess Diana's funeral

Very prescient of writer Peter Morgan, but only partly true, perhaps. I think they were crying for themselves, too. Many people identified with Diana, the outsider who didn't quite fit in, the interloper who was banished from the court. In addition to this, she had extraordinary empathy and an ability to connect with people.

Millions who never met Diana felt a kinship with her, and when she died, it was like losing a friend or a sister. Even now it is hard to think of anyone, before or since, who had the same effect.

Jeff Bezos may be the third-richest man in the world, but what a pity he hasn't got someone on the payroll to tell him: 'Lose the cowboy hat, Jeff. You look ridiculous.'

The Amazon founder, 59, and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez, 53, were posing for a Vogue photoshoot that had a regrettable western theme; at first glance I thought it was the promo shot for a Kenny Chesney and Steve Tyler Country & Western duet. 'I've made her vulnerable and soft,' said Bezos of his soon-to-be bride, as if she were a favourite cushion. Perhaps she is! For reasons unknown, Vogue was keen to position the Bezoses as just another couple of kooky but lovable eco-billionaires.

Lauren told the glossy mag they use green aviation fuel when possible and that their $500 million Koru superyacht can sail using only wind power. 'We've done it and it is magical,' she cooed. I'll bet it is.

The Amazon founder, 59, and his fiancee Lauren Sanchez, 53, were posing for a Vogue photoshoot that had a regrettable western theme

The peak of gender idiocy

The BBC has had to defend radio presenter Emma Barnett after an endometriosis charity's trans CEO complained about being pressed on using the word 'woman' to describe sufferers of the female-only disease.

Steph Richards, 71, has already sparked controversy by the very fact of being appointed to the top job at Endometriosis South Coast, but she told Emma it was OK because 'I am a feminist' and that trans men can get the disease, too. God knows how Emma Barnett  who suffers from the disease herself  managed to keep her cool, but she did.

When Richards boasted that 'transphobia' had boosted the profile of the charity, Barnett pointed out that no one was talking about endometriosis, but everyone was talking about Richards.

That is what happens when foolish wokists put an opportunistic trans activist into a position of power at a women's charity because of peak gender idiocy and nothing else.
Chris Appleton was pictured posing with his rarely seen daughter Kitty-blue Appleton and Samantha Faiers at Revive Collagen's latest event which was held at Nobu Malibu.

It came shortly after Kim Kardashian's hairstylist, 40, was announced as Revive Collagen's new global brand ambassador.

He appeared in great spirits as he celebrated the news at the party, just days after filing for divorce from husband Lukas Gage, 28, after six months of marriage.

Chris cut a dapper figure in an all-black ensemble as he popped open a bottle of champagne with a sword.

Meanwhile, co-founder Samantha put on a glamorous display in a shimmering brown cut-out gown.

Looking good: Chris Appleton was pictured posing with Chrishell Stause and Samantha Faiers at Revive Collagen's latest event which was held at Nobu Malibu

Family: Chris' daughter Kitty, 18, who he shares with Katie Katon, attended the event to support her father after his recent split

Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause flashed her washboard abs in a plunging corset top, teamed with low-rise jeans.

Chris' daughter Kitty, 18, who he shares with Katie Katon, attended the event to support her father after his recent split.

After the announcement, Chris exclusively told MailOnline: 'My unwavering commitment to helping people look and feel their absolute best has been the driving force throughout my entire journey as a celebrity hairstylist.

'I'm constantly on the lookout for cutting-edge solutions to empower my clients in achieving their ultimate hair and beauty aspirations.

'During my global travels, I discovered a true gem in the world of beauty - the iconic British brand, Revive Collagen. Their liquid collagen supplements are nothing short of remarkable and genuinely transform hair, skin, and nails from the inside out.'

'Having suffered from bad skin myself, I'm very passionate about using high supplements that actually work  Revive Collagen is my go-to. And the convenience of the sachets is a lifesaver for someone like me, who is always on the move.'

To celebrate the new partnership, Revive Collagen released sizzling new images from their global beauty campaign with Chris.

The campaign was shot in Los Angeles by the acclaimed fashion and lifestyle photographer Michele Laurita.

Handsome: Chris cut a dapper figure in an all-black ensemble as he popped open a bottle of champagne with a sword

Stylish: Selling Sunset's Chrishell Stause flashed her washboard abs in a plunging corset top, teamed with low-rise jeans

Career move: It came after Kim Kardashian 's hairstylist, 40, was announced as Revive Collagen's new global brand ambassador

Chris told MailOnline: 'My unwavering commitment to helping people look and feel their absolute best has been the driving force throughout my entire journey as a celebrity hairstylist.'

Co-founder Samantha added: 'Since founding Revive Collagen three years ago, I've always dreamed of launching the brand into the US with a big name.

'Partnering with Chris marks a monumental milestone for us. He's a true pioneer in the hair and beauty industry, with unmatched passion and dedication.

'His commitment to empowering people to feel their best resonates deeply with our core values at Revive Collagen. It's why we love him - not only for his expertise but also for embodying the charm of a true British gent.'

The luxury liquid collagen supplement brand brought on Amanda Holden as a Brand Ambassador in late 2021 for their sell-out Enhanced Plus collagen.

It comes after it was revealed that Chris and his partner Lukas Gage are to divorce after just six months of marriage.

Chris and the White Lotus star exchanged vows in a surprise Las Vegas wedding in April - but Appleton filed for divorce on Monday citing 'irreconcilable differences.'

The couple's date of separation is listed as Friday and they have a prenup in place.

A source told TMZ the split was 'not an easy decision for Chris to make but he tried everything he could to make the marriage work and needed to make the best decision for himself moving forward.'

DailyMail.com contacted representatives for the pair for comment.

Looking good: To celebrate the new partnership, Revive Collagen release images from their new global beauty campaign with Chris

Co-founder Samantha added: 'Since founding Revive Collagen three years ago, I've always dreamed of launching the brand into the US with a big name'

Wedding: Kim Kardashian officiated the wedding for Chris and Lukas, who have now filed for divorce

The pair's wedding was only documented on Hulu series, The Kardashians last week, with Kim, 43, officiating their wedding.

She also organized for music superstar Shania Twain to serenade the couple.

Lukas and Chris wed in front of only six guests at Little White Chapel after applying for a marriage license in Clark County.

It was the same wedding venue where Kourtney Kardashian & Travis Barker, Joe Jonas & Sophie Turner, Bruce Willis & Demi Moore, and Frank Sinatra & Mia Farrow previously walked down the aisle.
READ MOER: The Tesla killer? Toyota claims its EV breakthrough will allow cars to travel 745 miles on a single 10 minute charge

Toyota introduced hybrids to the mainstream with the Prius in 2000

America's best-selling car, the Toyota Camry, will only be available as a hybrid from next year.

The ninth-generation Camry was announced in Los Angeles on Tuesday and is symbolic of the Japanese automaker's efforts to push hybrids deeper into the US market.

The 2025 car will combine a 2.5-liter gas engine with an electric drive system. Although the Camry has been available as a hybrid since 2007, the gas-only model will now be discontinued.

Toyota was the first automaker to bring hybrid cars into the mainstream, starting with the Prius back in 2000.

Many Americans are skeptical about battery electric vehicles (BEVs), largely due to fears around range. That is not an issue with hybrid models, which are also powered by gas engines.

The ninth generation Toyota Camry (pictured) will only be available as a hybrid from 2024, Toyota announced this week

The transition to hybrid-only was announced in Los Angeles on Tuesday ahead of the LA Auto Show on Friday. Pictured is the 2025 model year car, which will be in showrooms next spring

David Christ, head of the Toyota in North America, told Reuters that compliance with tougher US fuel economy rules was a factor in its decision.

The car will no longer be sold with four and six-cylinder combustion models, which have made up about 85 percent of sales of the current model year Camry.

Christ also said the company was motivated by 'the performance we were able to get out of the hybrid.'

The hybrid powertrain and a new electronic all-wheel drive system deliver 232 horsepower combined - almost 15 percent more than the outgoing Camry with a mechanical all-wheel drive system, Toyota said.

The new Camry will compete in a segment largely abandoned by American automakers, with the exception of General Motors' Chevrolet Malibu.

The Camry has been available as a hybrid since 2007, but from 2025 it will no longer be just an option

The hybrid powertrain and a new electronic all-wheel drive system deliver 232 horsepower combined

Toyota has not yet disclosed pricing or fuel-efficiency figures for the 2025 Camry, which is due in showrooms next year, but the cheapest hybrid Camry currently sells for about $2,400 more than the cheapest gas version.

Most of the hybrid powertrains sell at a $1,500 to $2,000 premium to combustion models, according to Christ.

'We think the value the hybrid powertrain brings is worth that kind of premium,' he said.

Toyota previously switched its Sienna minivan to be hybrid only. The Toyota Venza the Sequoia are also only available only as as hybrids.
It has been a tumultuous journey for Kerala. A lot is happening in the state which does not augur well for its reputation. The big question is, where it is headed to?

The action of the self-styled guardians of secularism, socialism, democracy and renaissance in India, the CPI-M, reminds one of the adage that the fence itself is eating the crops. Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and his council of ministers, whose track record over the last 30 months has been a disaster, are jumping from the frying pan to fire. On 1st November 2023, Kerala turned 67 and the event was celebrated with fanfare and gaiety. The star-studded Keraleeyam, a socio-cultural-political event that cost the exchequer Rs 30 crore was the main attraction of the birthday of the State. Those who are uninitiated about the history of the State should understand that the Kerala that you see today came into being 67 years ago with the integration of Travancore, Kochi and Malabar province, a part of northern Kerala which was part of the then Madras presidency.

While Chief Minister Vijayan was inaugurating the event at the central stadium at Thiruvananthapuram, thousands of government staff and pensioners staged a demonstration in front of the Secretariat, adjacent to the venue of the mega event, demanding salaries and pensions due to them. At the same time, officers of the State Government were filing an affidavit in the High Court of Kerala at Kochi confessing to the Court that the State is ruined financially. The Government owes the staff and pensioners of Rs 25,000 crore as arrears of salary and pension. The welfare pension inaugurated with fanfare remains unpaid, sending the people in the lower middle class and below the poverty line into a state of tipsy.

Vijayan says that Keraleeyam is an event to showcase Kerala to the outside world. The chief minister also said that the State is a role model for countries in Europe, East Asia and the United States of America because of its social welfare measures and the best health care offered to the poor and lower middle-class sections of the society. If the words of Vijayan are any indication, then there is no need to look beyond Kerala to understand what a developed society is! The COVID-19 pandemic period saw the chief minister addressing the media every evening. He claimed that Kerala is the only State which recorded the minimum number of cases. The trumpeters of the chief minister wrote articles in all national newspapers eulogising the chief minister and the then health minister Shylaja for the excellent arrangement made in the State to check the spread of the pandemic and minimise the number of casualties. But soon it turned out that Kerala is one of the States with the maximum number of deaths and COVID-19 cases. Even an exclusive hospital built by the House of Tatas to attend to COVID-19 patients and gifted to the State remained unused for more than six months as there were no staff to take care of the 600-bed hospital.

Despite these shortcomings, the CPI-M-led Left Democratic Front managed to return to power in the 2021 assembly election and that too with an increased majority. The CPI-M went out of the way and distributed free kits to all poor families and even to the expatriates from States like Assam, Bengal and Bihar. But what was left unsaid was that the rice, cereals, sugars, and ghee/butter were from the Central Government which was repacked and distributed by the party cadre. In real life, the migrant labourers who claim that they are from Bengal, Bihar and Assam are from Bangladesh. There are nearly two lakh such workers in a small town like Perumbavoor. The LDF government in its anxiety to keep some sections in good humour addresses the migrant workers as Guest Labors. Since the arrival of this Guest Labor crime rates have shot up in the State. What adds to the worries of the average Malayali is that women are employed as drug pushers throughout Kerala.

The bomb blast during Jehovah's Witnesses prayer meeting held at Kalamassery on 29 October which claimed the lives of five persons is yet another proof of terrorists getting an upper hand in the State. Dominic Martin, the person who surrendered to the police claiming responsibility for the blast has made the bomb blast a jigsaw puzzle. Martin claimed that he belonged to the Jehovahs Witnesses and perpetrated the crime because of the anti-national stance of the sect.

What added to the conundrum was Martins surrender to the police within two hours of the blast and the JW leadership rebutting his claim that he was a member of the sect. There are many unanswered queries concerning this blast. T A Sreekumar, the Kerala spokesman of JW said that at no point in time, Martin was a member of the sect. The police seem to be in a hurry to establish his role in the blast.

The general impression about democracy is that despite dissidence and differences of opinion, the political system has a melodious harmony. But what Kerala feels right now is cacophony. According to B V Kumar, former director general of the Directorate of Revenue Intelligence and was described as the countrys top sleuth, there is no God in Gods Own Country of late as He has gone for gold smuggling which is rampant across the State and a monopoly business of a certain community.

(The writer is a special correspondent with the Pioneer; views are personal)
Due to political reasons, the Govt is less likely to be interested in curbing freebies, so other organs of the state like the judiciary should come forward to oppose it

Election is the time for political parties to inform voters about their policies and proposed programs, through their election manifestos. In the past, all political parties have been wooing voters with their promises in the form of programs, but the nature of election promises has changed in the last decade and a half. In these promises, instead of policies and programmes, the announcement of cash transfers and free schemes has taken precedence over policies and programs. Announcement of various freebies, including cash transfers to women, farmers, students and sometimes minorities and weaker sections, free electricity, free water, free travel to the entire women etc., has now become a common phenomenon.

In Madhya Pradesh, apart from waiving off the loans of farmers, the Congress party has also announced many other free schemes like free electricity, gas cylinder subsidy, Rs 1500 per month to women, unemployment allowance of Rs 3000 to youth etc. Similar announcements have been made by different political parties in Madhya Pradesh and other states going into elections. Every possible effort is being made to woo the voters. In such a situation, it is a matter of concern, whether this is a healthy trend for our democracy. Will our governments be able to fund these free schemes? Will the debt burden on state governments increase

Increasing debt in states

This trend of freebies is now spreading in many states of India. In the elections to be held this month, political parties have made a series of announcements of freebie schemes. We are hearing daily about free electricity, free transport, transfer of money to women, unemployment allowance to youth, etc. along with free vehicles and many other freebie schemes. Some time ago, the Reserve Bank of India and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) published data in their respective reports about the increasing debt of the states due to freebies and have expressed concern over these freebie schemes and rising debt burden of the states.

According to the Fiscal Responsibility and Budget Management (FRBM) Act, the target debt-GSDP (gross state domestic product) Ratio, in any state, should not exceed 20 percent. But as per CAG, in most of the states of the country, this ratio is much more than the targeted one. It reached 48.98 per cent in Punjab, 42.37 per cent in Rajasthan, 37.39 per cent in West Bengal, 36.73 per cent in Bihar, 35.30 per cent in Andhra Pradesh, 31.53 per cent in Madhya Pradesh, 27.80 per cent in Telangana, 27.27 per cent in Tamil Nadu and 26.47 per cent in Chhattisgarh. If the debt on state government enterprises and the guarantees given by the state government are also added, then by 2020-21 the debt to GSDP ratio in Rajasthan would be 54.94 per cent and in Punjab, it would be 58.21 per cent. In Andhra Pradesh also it has been estimated at 53.77 per cent, it is 47.89 per cent in Telangana and 47.13 per cent in Madhya Pradesh. In West Bengal and Bihar, its 40.35 per cent and 40.51 per cent respectively, and in Tamil Nadu, it is 39.94 per cent. CAG also reported that the debt of the states is continuously increasing compared to the target ratio. Regarding Andhra Pradesh, the Reserve Bank says that after Punjab, Andhra Pradesh is the second state in the country with the highest spending on free schemes. It is noteworthy that in Punjab, 45.5 per cent of the total tax revenue is being spent on free schemes and in Andhra Pradesh expenditure on freebies is 30.3 per cent of total tax revenue. Talking about the state's GDP, in Punjab 2.7 percent of the state GDP is spent on free schemes annually and in Andhra Pradesh it is 2.1 percent. Apart from this, in Madhya Pradesh, 28.8 per cent of the tax revenue is spent on subsidies, and in Jharkhand, it is 26.7 per cent.

Impact on essential expenditure

When a province spends such a large proportion of its tax revenue on free schemes, not only capital expenditure on infrastructure would go down, due to increasing debt of the state governments, but social services like education and health as well as transport and other essential services will also be impacted. For the development of any state, it is imperative to increase investment in infrastructure. Lack of infrastructure affects investment and hence the development of the state. Therefore, it is necessary to speed up the development of the country by curbing the free schemes offered by the states.

Impact on ratings Due to increasing debt the economic rating of the country is being impacted. If this continues, our country will not only have difficulty in getting new investments but our companies and government will also have to pay higher rates of interest on borrowing from foreign countries. That is, increasing debt is not only creating fiscal imbalance but is also affecting the ability of state governments to run welfare schemes and is also blocking the path for the development of the country and industry in particular.

(The writer is a professor at PGDV College, Delhi University; views are personal)
Ample time was dedicated to the various battles raging across geographies

The recently concluded 2+2 dialogue between India and the US, underscores the warmth in the bilateral relations both countries have carefully nurtured in the last decade or so, in a bipartisan manner. It is by no means a coincidence that the dialogue took place, despite the US facing at least two, tough scenarios in Europe and West Asia, even as President Biden met his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of the APEC summit this week. The dialogue established beyond doubt that the way forward plan for both countries is a firm reiteration of the role Indo-Pacific players ( without China) will have to warm up to.

A joint statement issued post the dialogue read, The Ministers reaffirmed the importance of a free, open, inclusive and resilient Indo-Pacific and renewed their shared desire to consolidate their dialogue and collaboration through the Quad. They emphasised the important role of the Quad as a force for global good for the peoples of the Indo-Pacific. The Ministers look forward to India hosting the next in-person Quad leaders Summit in 2024. The Ministers appreciated the ongoing efforts of the I2U2 countries to enhance food and energy security and improve the movement of people and goods across hemispheres. The Ministers also noted that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor will enhance connectivity between Asia and Europe and will unlock new potential for economic growth in the two continents. They welcomed the relaunch of consultations between the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the U.S. Department of State on Africa, aimed at exploring potential trilateral cooperation in Africa. They also looked forward to convening the next round of East Asia Consultations between the Indian Ministry of External Affairs and the U.S. Department of State at an early date.

The dialogue dedicated ample time to the various battles raging across geographies, straining fragile multilateral balances, pulling down the financial systems of many developing countries, especially in the global South and pushing deadlines for the crucial conversations on climate change and the shift to cleaner energy. On Ukraine and Israel, it seems, India and the US have come to the same page as the statement read The ministers expressed mutual deep concern over the war in Ukraine and its tragic humanitarian consequences. They again underscored the growing impacts of this war on the global economic system and food security, with consequences predominantly affecting the global South. Both countries further pledged to continue humanitarian assistance to the people of Ukraine and concurred on the need for post-conflict reconstruction in Ukraine. Noting horrific terrorist attacks against Israel, the Ministers reiterated that India and the United States stand with Israel against terrorism and called for adherence to international humanitarian law, including about the protection of civilians.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden met his counterpart Chinese President Xi Jinping, trying to diffuse the frostiness in the US-China relationship. China has chosen its sides on the geo-political chess board. It supports Russias actions in Ukraine and is backing terrorists in West Asia. It would like to coerce fence-sitters to join its camp, vis a vis the US. India, like the US, faces a tough challenge, being in a democratic set-up, where they have to carefully articulate their foreign policy goals, while not hurting domestic influence groups. Both countries also face a tough electorate next year, as the incumbent federal governments seek re-election. The silver lining is that the business-as-usual attitude in the US India dialogue, signals a bright future for the bilateral relationship.

(The writer is a policy analyst; views are personal)
For the toddlers of Daluakhaki village no Childrens Day has ever been as cruel as this one. My son hasnt eaten a grain for the last 36 hours ... there is no trace of his father who along with other male members of the village have fled the area ... and cannot return lest they are bombed to death by the Trinamool (Congress) harmads, says Zahira bibi whose house was burnt and livestock herded away by the raiders.

Rina Khantun (name changed) describes how her 5-year-old child was thrown into the pond by the attackers. Some 300-400 of them ... who came charging at the village from all directions ... hurling bombs firing in the air and pelting stones ... as our men ran away for their lives through the paddy fields they attacked women ... set our houses to fire and took away our livestock ... When I protested they threw my child in the pond, says Khatun.

True, with not a soul in sight and no trace of human activity this South 24 Parganas village bears the silence of a graveyard.

Another old woman who was given a broken leg recollects how I was playing with my grandchild when they charged in ... and upon seeing our men fleeing simply seized the little one and tossed him in the pond ... when I was protesting they hit my legs with iron rods and ... they did not allow the injured to be taken to the hospital.

Says Babu Sheikh, a 10-year-old who was hiding with his mother in a paddy field how the fire brigade uncles were stopped from entering the burning village.

Our children and we have not eaten a single gulp of grain for the past 36 hours and ... but for some brothers of the media who purchased us biscuit packets these little ones would have been starving ... and all these in front of the police which watched the village go up in flames for more than 3 hours from a distance and then intervened with small buckets of water for video footages, said Munna Sheikh a daily wager who was crying relentlessly after losing the entire earning of his life.

In a matter of hours we have been rendered into beggars ... and now they are threatening us not to return to our village ... they have said that in the coming years they will till our lands and milk our cattle ... tell me what will we do sir ... I dont know where my brothers are ... who will help us, he cries on.

Much of this is because we are CPI(M) and have refused to submit to their diktats, said one of about 50-60 victims taking shelter at a district CPI(M) office at Baruipur some 35 km from Kolkata. If you are from Laal party (CPI(M) then you are destined to be killed ...that is TMCs law ... Didis justice , he says.

The arson and loot took place after the murder of Saifuddin Laskar --- a TMC toughie and a zonal party president --- which TMC strongman and MLA Shaukat Molla claimed to be a handiwork of the Marxists. We have reports that the CPI(M) got our leader killed as they wanted to capture this area politically by killing Saifuddin who is a popular leader.

Regardless of his claims, subsequent reports filtering out of the police closet suggest the murder to be a result of inner fighting within the ruling outfit. The family members of one of the murderers who were subsequently lynched by the mob and another hit man who was arrested and presently in police custody claim that they were active TMC men, a former police officer who recently retired from his service said.

This is a fight between three local TMC MLAs for the control of the massive syndicate that ranges from earth quarrying, to extortion rackets to other underworld activities ... after having killed the rival leader the mastermind found it easy to direct the mob anger to a village where the CPI(M) still has some followers ... or else in most of the villages the people are not allowed to speak ... their votes are cast by the TMC goons, CPI(M) central committee member Sujan Chakrabrty said.

Chakrabarty and other senior Left leaders on Tuesday tried to lead the evicted villagers back to their homes but were restrained by the police. We will wait for two days and if these people are not allowed to return to their village with proper security then there will be a bigger movement,
US President Joe Biden has once again called his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping a dictator, just hours after they met for the first time in more than a year and held candid and productive discussions to revive bilateral ties.

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco.

Well, look, he is (a dictator), Biden told reporters in response to a question when reminded about the similar remarks he had made about Xi early this year.

I mean, he is a dictator in the sense that he is a guy who runs a country that is a communist country thats based on a form of government totally different than ours, Biden said.

Anyway, we made progress, he said about the four-hour-long meeting, the first in-person summit since they met on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Bali, Indonesia in November 2022.

Biden previously compared Xi, 70, to dictators during a June political fundraiser in California as he discussed Xis reaction to US fighter jets shooting down a Chinese spy balloon over American airspace in February.

The latest remarks could spark a possible backlash from China. The last time Biden called Xi a dictator, at a June fundraiser in Northern California, Chinese officials called the remarks absurd and a provocation.

Bidens comment could also threaten to derail the positive energy coming out of the meeting, which Biden described earlier in the news conference as some of the most constructive and productive discussions we have had.

Biden and Xi have agreed to resume high-level military-to-military communication and counter-narcotics cooperation as they met for four hours in a bid to establish a working relationship amidst Beijings aggressive actions in the Indo-Pacific region.

The two leaders also affirmed the need to address the risks of advanced artificial intelligence (AI) systems and improve AI safety through US-China government talks during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco. Biden said since their last meeting in Bali, on the sidelines of the G20, the key members of the two governments have had important discussions on issues that matter to both the nations and to the world.
Andra AP fonden decreased its holdings in Extra Space Storage Inc. (NYSE:EXR  Free Report) by 26.8% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 24,600 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after selling 9,000 shares during the quarter. Andra AP fondens holdings in Extra Space Storage were worth $3,662,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of Extra Space Storage by 9.9% in the second quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 193,822 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $28,850,000 after acquiring an additional 17,480 shares during the last quarter. Presima Securities ULC grew its stake in shares of Extra Space Storage by 44.0% during the 2nd quarter. Presima Securities ULC now owns 10,150 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $1,511,000 after buying an additional 3,100 shares during the period. Machina Capital S.A.S. purchased a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage during the 2nd quarter valued at $308,000. Bank Pictet & Cie Europe AG acquired a new stake in shares of Extra Space Storage during the 2nd quarter worth $2,920,000. Finally, Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC raised its position in shares of Extra Space Storage by 12.9% in the 2nd quarter. Sound View Wealth Advisors Group LLC now owns 7,089 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $1,055,000 after buying an additional 810 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 66.40% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Joseph J. Bonner sold 956 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $125.64, for a total transaction of $120,111.84. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 4,504 shares in the company, valued at $565,882.56. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. In related news, Director Joseph J. Bonner sold 956 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.64, for a total transaction of $120,111.84. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 4,504 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $565,882.56. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CEO Joseph D. Margolis bought 4,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Monday, November 13th. The stock was acquired at an average cost of $118.21 per share, for a total transaction of $496,482.00. Following the acquisition, the chief executive officer now directly owns 31,301 shares of the companys stock, valued at $3,700,091.21. The disclosure for this purchase can be found here. 1.55% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Extra Space Storage Trading Up 0.4 %

Extra Space Storage Increases Dividend

NYSE EXR opened at $130.04 on Thursday. The company has a market capitalization of $27.47 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 23.90, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.68 and a beta of 0.63. The companys fifty day moving average price is $117.67 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $133.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.70, a current ratio of 0.50 and a quick ratio of 0.50. Extra Space Storage Inc. has a 12 month low of $101.19 and a 12 month high of $170.30.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of $1.62 per share. This represents a $6.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.98%. This is a boost from Extra Space Storages previous quarterly dividend of $0.61. Extra Space Storages dividend payout ratio is presently 44.85%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have recently commented on EXR. The Goldman Sachs Group began coverage on Extra Space Storage in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued a buy rating and a $153.00 price objective on the stock. Morgan Stanley reduced their price target on shares of Extra Space Storage from $145.00 to $115.00 and set an underweight rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, September 21st. Bank of America downgraded shares of Extra Space Storage from a buy rating to a neutral rating and cut their target price for the company from $155.00 to $119.00 in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Wells Fargo & Company began coverage on Extra Space Storage in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. They issued an underweight rating and a $115.00 price target for the company. Finally, StockNews.com cut Extra Space Storage from a hold rating to a sell rating in a research note on Saturday, November 11th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have given a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Extra Space Storage has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $142.64.

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About Extra Space Storage

(Free Report)

Extra Space Storage Inc, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is a self-administered and self-managed REIT and a member of the S&P 500. As of June 30, 2023, the Company owned and/or operated 2,438 self-storage stores in 41 states and Washington, DC The Company's stores comprise approximately 1.7 million units and approximately 184.0 million square feet of rentable space.

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California Public Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in KBR, Inc. (NYSE:KBR  Free Report) by 1.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 777,429 shares of the construction companys stock after purchasing an additional 12,420 shares during the quarter. California Public Employees Retirement Systems holdings in KBR were worth $50,580,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of KBR. National Bank of Canada FI raised its stake in shares of KBR by 930.0% during the 2nd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 515 shares of the construction companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 465 shares during the period. Fred Alger Management LLC acquired a new position in KBR during the third quarter worth $36,000. Harbor Capital Advisors Inc. purchased a new position in KBR during the second quarter valued at $37,000. Van ECK Associates Corp acquired a new stake in shares of KBR in the first quarter valued at about $48,000. Finally, Belpointe Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of KBR by 35.5% during the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 871 shares of the construction companys stock worth $48,000 after purchasing an additional 228 shares in the last quarter.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CFO Mark W. Sopp purchased 5,000 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 8th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $51.53 per share, with a total value of $257,650.00. Following the purchase, the chief financial officer now directly owns 147,178 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,584,082.34. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this link. 1.03% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

KBR has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com lowered shares of KBR from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on KBR from $75.00 to $66.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, November 3rd. Stifel Nicolaus increased their price objective on KBR from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 6th. DA Davidson lifted their target price on shares of KBR from $70.00 to $75.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Monday, July 31st. Finally, TheStreet lowered shares of KBR from a b+ rating to a c rating in a report on Thursday, July 27th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat, KBR presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $69.71.

Check Out Our Latest Report on KBR

KBR Stock Performance

NYSE KBR opened at $52.55 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.97, a quick ratio of 0.98 and a current ratio of 0.98. The stocks fifty day moving average is $57.99 and its two-hundred day moving average is $60.44. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.09 billion, a P/E ratio of -33.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 1.11. KBR, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $47.70 and a fifty-two week high of $65.87.

KBR Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, January 16th. Investors of record on Friday, December 15th will be issued a $0.135 dividend. This represents a $0.54 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.03%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 14th. KBRs dividend payout ratio is currently -34.18%.

KBR Profile

(Free Report)

KBR, Inc provides scientific, technology, and engineering solutions to governments and commercial customers worldwide. The company operates through Government Solutions and Sustainable Technology Solutions segments. The Government Solutions segment offers life-cycle support solutions to defense, intelligence, space, aviation, and other programs and missions for military and other government agencies in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia.

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California Public Employees Retirement System raised its holdings in Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. (NYSE:RCL  Free Report) by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 434,890 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 21,798 shares during the period. California Public Employees Retirement System owned approximately 0.17% of Royal Caribbean Cruises worth $45,115,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in RCL. Panagora Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises by 21.8% during the 1st quarter. Panagora Asset Management Inc. now owns 11,553 shares of the companys stock worth $968,000 after purchasing an additional 2,068 shares during the last quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS raised its stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 6.6% during the 1st quarter. Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Public School Empls Retrmt SYS now owns 30,004 shares of the companys stock worth $2,514,000 after acquiring an additional 1,861 shares in the last quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC increased its stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 2.3% in the first quarter. Yousif Capital Management LLC now owns 35,806 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,000,000 after purchasing an additional 818 shares during the period. Aviva PLC increased its stake in Royal Caribbean Cruises by 65.5% in the first quarter. Aviva PLC now owns 54,096 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,532,000 after purchasing an additional 21,415 shares during the period. Finally, Prudential PLC acquired a new position in Royal Caribbean Cruises in the first quarter valued at $300,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 75.64% of the companys stock.

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Royal Caribbean Cruises Stock Down 0.7 %

Shares of NYSE RCL opened at $102.10 on Thursday. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has a 12-month low of $47.91 and a 12-month high of $112.95. The company has a market capitalization of $26.16 billion, a PE ratio of 31.91 and a beta of 2.45. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 3.90, a current ratio of 0.19 and a quick ratio of 0.17. The firms 50-day moving average is $90.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $92.88.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Royal Caribbean Cruises ( NYSE:RCL Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $3.85 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.43 by $0.42. Royal Caribbean Cruises had a net margin of 6.98% and a return on equity of 34.59%. The company had revenue of $4.16 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.08 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.26 earnings per share. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 39.0% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. will post 6.59 EPS for the current fiscal year.

RCL has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Stifel Nicolaus dropped their price objective on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $135.00 to $130.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, September 15th. Tigress Financial lifted their price objective on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $102.00 to $139.00 in a research note on Tuesday, August 15th. Truist Financial upgraded shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from a hold rating to a buy rating and lifted their price objective for the company from $115.00 to $137.00 in a research note on Tuesday, September 19th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $127.00 to $123.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, October 9th. Finally, Morgan Stanley boosted their price target on shares of Royal Caribbean Cruises from $95.00 to $100.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Monday, October 30th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $111.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Report on Royal Caribbean Cruises

Insider Buying and Selling at Royal Caribbean Cruises

In other Royal Caribbean Cruises news, insider Laura H. Bethge sold 3,502 shares of the companys stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.00, for a total value of $301,172.00. Following the sale, the insider now owns 22,226 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,911,436. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. In other news, insider Laura H. Bethge sold 3,502 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 30th. The shares were sold at an average price of $86.00, for a total value of $301,172.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider now owns 22,226 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,911,436. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, CEO Michael W. Bayley sold 10,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $100.02, for a total transaction of $1,000,200.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 102,191 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $10,221,143.82. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 23,502 shares of company stock valued at $2,275,672 over the last quarter. Corporate insiders own 8.70% of the companys stock.

About Royal Caribbean Cruises

(Free Report)

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. operates as a cruise company worldwide. The company operates cruises under the Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Silversea Cruises brands, which comprise a range of itineraries. As of February 13, 2023, it operated 64 ships. The company was founded in 1968 and is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

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California Public Employees Retirement System lowered its stake in CBRE Group, Inc. (NYSE:CBRE  Free Report) by 8.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 589,254 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 55,360 shares during the quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System owned about 0.19% of CBRE Group worth $47,559,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in CBRE. Belpointe Asset Management LLC raised its stake in shares of CBRE Group by 57.4% in the first quarter. Belpointe Asset Management LLC now owns 499 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 182 shares during the period. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. raised its stake in shares of CBRE Group by 213.6% in the first quarter. Cullen Frost Bankers Inc. now owns 552 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $40,000 after buying an additional 376 shares during the period. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new position in shares of CBRE Group in the first quarter worth about $44,000. Clear Street Markets LLC raised its stake in CBRE Group by 94.0% during the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 619 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $45,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares during the period. Finally, GeoWealth Management LLC bought a new stake in CBRE Group during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $48,000. Institutional investors own 96.71% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

CBRE has been the topic of several recent analyst reports. Citigroup reissued a buy rating and set a $98.00 target price on shares of CBRE Group in a research note on Monday, September 18th. Evercore ISI decreased their target price on CBRE Group from $94.00 to $91.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, September 11th. Raymond James decreased their target price on CBRE Group from $100.00 to $95.00 and set a strong-buy rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on CBRE Group from $93.00 to $85.00 in a research note on Tuesday, October 3rd. Finally, TheStreet downgraded CBRE Group from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 18th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, CBRE Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $91.33.

CBRE Group Stock Performance

NYSE CBRE opened at $78.60 on Thursday. The stock has a market capitalization of $23.96 billion, a PE ratio of 42.03 and a beta of 1.39. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $73.84 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $78.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 1.19 and a quick ratio of 1.19. CBRE Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $64.63 and a 1-year high of $89.58.

CBRE Group (NYSE:CBRE  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Friday, October 27th. The financial services provider reported $0.72 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $7.87 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $7.50 billion. CBRE Group had a return on equity of 13.88% and a net margin of 1.89%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 4.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $1.13 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that CBRE Group, Inc. will post 3.7 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Insider Transactions at CBRE Group

In other news, Director Brandon B. Boze sold 1,200,000 shares of CBRE Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $84.41, for a total value of $101,292,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 4,637,748 shares in the company, valued at approximately $391,472,308.68. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.53% of the companys stock.

About CBRE Group

(Free Report)

CBRE Group, Inc operates as a commercial real estate services and investment company worldwide. It operates through three segments: Advisory Services, Global Workplace Solutions, and Real Estate Investments segments. The Advisory Services segment provides strategic advice and execution to owners, investors, and occupiers of real estate in connection with leasing of offices; industrial and retail space; property sales and mortgage services under the CBRE Capital Markets brand; property and project management services, including construction management, marketing, building engineering, lease administration, accounting, and financial services for owners of and investors in office, industrial, and retail properties; and valuation services that include market value appraisals, litigation support, discounted cash flow analyses, and feasibility studies, as well as consulting services, such as property condition reports, hotel advisory, and environmental consulting.

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Plaza Retail REIT (TSE:PLZ.UN  Free Report) had its price objective lowered by CIBC from C$4.75 to C$4.25 in a report published on Monday, BayStreet.CA reports. CIBC currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

Separately, Royal Bank of Canada lowered their price objective on shares of Plaza Retail REIT from C$4.75 to C$4.50 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th.

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Plaza Retail REIT Stock Up 0.8 %

Plaza Retail REIT Dividend Announcement

Shares of TSE PLZ.UN opened at C$3.62 on Monday. Plaza Retail REIT has a 52-week low of C$3.42 and a 52-week high of C$4.93. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 116.98, a quick ratio of 0.06 and a current ratio of 0.28. The stock has a market cap of C$399.54 million, a P/E ratio of 8.98 and a beta of 1.04. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of C$3.66 and a 200 day moving average price of C$3.86.

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 15th were paid a dividend of $0.0233 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, October 30th. This represents a $0.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.72%. Plaza Retail REITs payout ratio is 70.00%.

Plaza Retail REIT Company Profile

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Plaza is an open-ended real estate investment trust and is a leading retail property owner and developer, focused on Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. Plaza's portfolio at December 31, 2018 includes interests in 287 properties totaling approximately 8.2 million square feet across Canada and additional lands held for development.

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California Public Employees Retirement System decreased its stake in shares of Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Free Report) by 5.8% during the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 1,672,040 shares of the oilfield services companys stock after selling 103,095 shares during the period. California Public Employees Retirement Systems holdings in Halliburton were worth $55,161,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in HAL. KLCM Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of Halliburton by 120.1% during the 2nd quarter. KLCM Advisors Inc. now owns 481,350 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $15,880,000 after buying an additional 262,700 shares during the period. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. grew its position in shares of Halliburton by 15.3% in the second quarter. Mitsubishi UFJ Kokusai Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 796,202 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $26,267,000 after purchasing an additional 105,576 shares during the last quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Halliburton by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter. Sheaff Brock Investment Advisors LLC now owns 21,413 shares of the oilfield services companys stock worth $706,000 after purchasing an additional 558 shares during the last quarter. 9258 Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in Halliburton by 5.3% during the 2nd quarter. 9258 Wealth Management LLC now owns 24,176 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $798,000 after purchasing an additional 1,222 shares during the period. Finally, Synovus Financial Corp grew its holdings in Halliburton by 1.7% in the 2nd quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 68,990 shares of the oilfield services companys stock valued at $2,276,000 after buying an additional 1,136 shares during the last quarter. 82.09% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

HAL has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Halliburton from $43.00 to $45.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on shares of Halliburton from $50.00 to $45.00 in a research note on Thursday, July 20th. Raymond James raised their price target on shares of Halliburton from $47.00 to $49.00 and gave the stock a strong-buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, October 17th. Barclays upped their price objective on Halliburton from $49.00 to $55.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 18th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their target price on Halliburton from $46.00 to $56.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, September 11th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, thirteen have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Halliburton currently has a consensus rating of Buy and a consensus price target of $49.00.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, SVP Jill D. Sharp sold 15,333 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, September 11th. The stock was sold at an average price of $42.00, for a total value of $643,986.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 45,078 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,893,276. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In related news, SVP Jill D. Sharp sold 15,333 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, September 11th. The shares were sold at an average price of $42.00, for a total value of $643,986.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 45,078 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,893,276. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through the SEC website. Also, SVP Jill D. Sharp sold 13,103 shares of Halliburton stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $43.00, for a total value of $563,429.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 45,078 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,938,354. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 60,236 shares of company stock worth $2,573,715 over the last ninety days. 0.60% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Halliburton Price Performance

Shares of HAL stock opened at $38.43 on Thursday. Halliburton has a 1 year low of $27.84 and a 1 year high of $43.85. The company has a current ratio of 2.14, a quick ratio of 1.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.85. The firms 50 day moving average is $40.60 and its 200-day moving average is $36.74. The firm has a market capitalization of $34.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.21, a PEG ratio of 0.59 and a beta of 2.12.

Halliburton (NYSE:HAL  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 24th. The oilfield services company reported $0.79 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.77 by $0.02. The firm had revenue of $5.80 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.85 billion. Halliburton had a return on equity of 31.61% and a net margin of 11.52%. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 8.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $0.60 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that Halliburton will post 3.07 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Halliburton Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, September 27th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 6th were paid a $0.16 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 5th. This represents a $0.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.67%. Halliburtons payout ratio is 21.99%.

Halliburton Profile

(Free Report)

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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Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc. reduced its stake in JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM) by 1.5% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund owned 28,632 shares of the financial services providers stock after selling 425 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. comprises approximately 2.9% of Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc.s holdings, making the stock its 7th largest position. Virginia Wealth Management Group Inc.s holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. were worth $4,164,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors have also recently modified their holdings of JPM. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P raised its holdings in JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 81.1% in the first quarter. Cantor Fitzgerald Investment Advisor L.P now owns 222,422 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $30,321,000 after buying an additional 99,636 shares during the last quarter. BCK Partners Inc. bought a new stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in the first quarter worth approximately $2,455,000. LSV Asset Management grew its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 35.6% in the first quarter. LSV Asset Management now owns 37,300 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $5,085,000 after acquiring an additional 9,800 shares during the period. Wsfs Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 70.8% in the first quarter. Wsfs Capital Management LLC now owns 4,221 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $575,000 after acquiring an additional 1,749 shares during the period. Finally, Lumature Wealth Partners LLC grew its stake in shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. by 1,451.4% in the first quarter. Lumature Wealth Partners LLC now owns 3,770 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $514,000 after acquiring an additional 3,527 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 68.94% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts recently issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com assumed coverage on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets boosted their target price on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $167.00 to $171.00 and gave the company a market perform rating in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $176.00 to $169.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Atlantic Securities upped their price target on shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from $150.00 to $160.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 1st. Finally, Odeon Capital Group lowered shares of JPMorgan Chase & Co. from a buy rating to a hold rating and set a $140.00 price target for the company. in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. Nine investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, JPMorgan Chase & Co. presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $168.30.

Insider Buying and Selling at JPMorgan Chase & Co.

In other JPMorgan Chase & Co. news, General Counsel Stacey Friedman sold 4,310 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.86, for a total value of $624,346.60. Following the transaction, the general counsel now owns 53,425 shares in the company, valued at approximately $7,739,145.50. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.79% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Price Performance

JPMorgan Chase & Co. stock opened at $149.70 on Thursday. The companys fifty day moving average price is $144.72 and its 200 day moving average price is $144.97. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has a 1 year low of $123.11 and a 1 year high of $159.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $432.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.94, a P/E/G ratio of 1.75 and a beta of 1.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.25, a quick ratio of 0.90 and a current ratio of 0.90.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, October 13th. The financial services provider reported $4.33 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $3.95 by $0.38. The company had revenue of $40.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $39.63 billion. JPMorgan Chase & Co. had a return on equity of 17.97% and a net margin of 22.79%. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 24.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.12 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that JPMorgan Chase & Co. will post 16.67 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 31st. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 6th were issued a $1.05 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 5th. This represents a $4.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.81%. This is a positive change from JPMorgan Chase & Co.s previous quarterly dividend of $1.00. JPMorgan Chase & Co.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 25.07%.

JPMorgan Chase & Co. Company Profile

(Free Report)

JPMorgan Chase & Co operates as a financial services company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Consumer & Community Banking (CCB), Corporate & Investment Bank (CIB), Commercial Banking (CB), and Asset & Wealth Management (AWM). The CCB segment offers deposit, investment and lending products, cash management, and payments and services to consumers and small businesses; mortgage origination and servicing activities; residential mortgages and home equity loans; and credit cards, auto loans, leases, and travel services.

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Suncor Energy (TSE:SU  Free Report) (NYSE:SU) had its target price hoisted by JPMorgan Chase & Co. from C$58.00 to C$59.00 in a research report released on Monday, BayStreet.CA reports.

Several other research analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. UBS Group raised their price objective on Suncor Energy from C$52.50 to C$55.00 in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Wells Fargo & Company raised shares of Suncor Energy from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating and upped their price objective for the company from C$44.00 to C$54.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 23rd. TD Securities decreased their target price on shares of Suncor Energy from C$52.00 to C$50.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Suncor Energy from C$44.00 to C$51.00 in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price objective on Suncor Energy from C$51.00 to C$53.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Friday, November 10th. Eight analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Suncor Energy has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of C$55.78.

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Suncor Energy Trading Down 0.8 %

TSE:SU opened at C$45.63 on Monday. The firm has a 50-day simple moving average of C$45.96 and a 200-day simple moving average of C$42.41. Suncor Energy has a one year low of C$37.09 and a one year high of C$49.08. The firm has a market cap of C$59.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.37, a P/E/G ratio of 0.15 and a beta of 1.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 36.93, a quick ratio of 0.83 and a current ratio of 1.24.

Suncor Energy (TSE:SU  Get Free Report) (NYSE:SU) last announced its earnings results on Monday, August 14th. The company reported C$0.96 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.78 by C$0.18. Suncor Energy had a return on equity of 20.56% and a net margin of 16.37%. The company had revenue of C$11.72 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of C$10.49 billion. Equities analysts anticipate that Suncor Energy will post 6.2878378 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Suncor Energy Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, September 25th. Investors of record on Monday, September 25th were given a dividend of $0.52 per share. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.56%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, August 31st. Suncor Energys payout ratio is 33.60%.

Suncor Energy Company Profile

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Suncor Energy Inc operates as an integrated energy company in Canada and internationally. It operates through Oil Sands; Exploration and Production; and Refining and Marketing segments. The Oil Sands segment explores, develops, and produces bitumen, synthetic crude oil, and related products. This segment also engages in syncrude oil sands mining and upgrading operations; and marketing, supply, transportation, and risk management of crude oil, natural gas, power, and byproducts.

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Pan American Silver (TSE:PAAS  Free Report) had its price objective lowered by Royal Bank of Canada from C$24.00 to C$20.00 in a research report released on Monday, BayStreet.CA reports. Royal Bank of Canada currently has an outperform rating on the stock.

PAAS has been the subject of several other research reports. National Bank Financial increased their target price on shares of Pan American Silver from C$32.50 to C$34.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 16th. National Bankshares lowered their target price on Pan American Silver from C$34.00 to C$29.50 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. Finally, Pi Financial reduced their price target on Pan American Silver from C$33.00 to C$28.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 26th.

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Pan American Silver Trading Up 0.2 %

Pan American Silver Announces Dividend

TSE:PAAS opened at C$19.25 on Monday. The company has a market cap of C$7.02 billion, a P/E ratio of -14.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 24.57 and a beta of 1.15. Pan American Silver has a twelve month low of C$18.14 and a twelve month high of C$26.54. The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$20.27 and a two-hundred day moving average price of C$20.78. The company has a quick ratio of 0.88, a current ratio of 2.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 16.93.

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, December 1st will be issued a dividend of $0.10 per share. This represents a $0.40 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.08%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 17th. Pan American Silvers payout ratio is currently -40.15%.

Pan American Silver Company Profile

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Pan American Silver Corp. engages in the exploration, mine development, extraction, processing, refining, and reclamation of silver, gold, zinc, lead, and copper mines in Canada, Mexico, Peru, Argentina, and Bolivia. It holds interests in the La Colorada, Dolores, Huaron, Morococha, Shahuindo, La Arena, Timmins West, Bell Creek, Manantial Espejo, San Vicente, Joaquin, and Cap-Oeste Sur Este mines.

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Sienna Senior Living (TSE:SIA  Free Report) had its price objective trimmed by CIBC from C$13.00 to C$12.50 in a research report report published on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a neutral rating on the stock.

A number of other analysts also recently issued reports on SIA. National Bankshares dropped their price objective on shares of Sienna Senior Living from C$13.50 to C$13.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, October 24th. Laurentian boosted their target price on Sienna Senior Living from C$13.00 to C$14.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 15th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on shares of Sienna Senior Living from C$13.00 to C$14.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 16th.

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Sienna Senior Living Stock Down 0.1 %

Sienna Senior Living Announces Dividend

Shares of TSE SIA opened at C$10.82 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 244.18. The business has a 50-day moving average of C$10.70 and a 200-day moving average of C$11.20. The firm has a market capitalization of C$789.54 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -46.64 and a beta of 1.15. Sienna Senior Living has a 12 month low of C$9.87 and a 12 month high of C$12.66.

The firm also recently announced a monthly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 15th were issued a dividend of $0.078 per share. The ex-dividend date was Monday, October 30th. This represents a $0.94 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 8.65%.

About Sienna Senior Living

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Sienna Senior Living Inc provides senior living and long-term care (LTC) services in Canada. It operates through Retirement and LTC segments. The company offers a range of seniors' living options, including independent supportive and assisted living, memory care, and long-term care services. The company was formerly known as Leisureworld Senior Care Corporation and changed its name to Sienna Senior Living Inc in May 2015.

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Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE:TSN  Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of Reduce from the nine brokerages that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, five have assigned a hold recommendation and one has assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have covered the stock in the last year is $54.60.

A number of research firms recently issued reports on TSN. BMO Capital Markets reduced their price objective on Tyson Foods from $50.00 to $46.00 and set a market perform rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on Tyson Foods from $55.00 to $51.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday. HSBC started coverage on Tyson Foods in a research report on Friday, September 22nd. They set a reduce rating and a $49.00 price target for the company. StockNews.com started coverage on Tyson Foods in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a sell rating for the company. Finally, Stephens reiterated an overweight rating and set a $70.00 price target on shares of Tyson Foods in a research report on Tuesday.

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Read Our Latest Research Report on TSN

Insider Transactions at Tyson Foods

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Tyson Foods

In other news, Chairman John H. Tyson sold 133,277 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of $46.16, for a total transaction of $6,152,066.32. Following the sale, the chairman now directly owns 2,739,150 shares of the companys stock, valued at $126,439,164. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website . Company insiders own 1.96% of the companys stock.

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of TSN. Pzena Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in Tyson Foods during the third quarter valued at $274,707,000. Wellington Management Group LLP grew its stake in Tyson Foods by 11,645.6% in the first quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 4,949,132 shares of the companys stock valued at $293,583,000 after purchasing an additional 4,906,996 shares in the last quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD grew its stake in Tyson Foods by 97.2% in the first quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 9,471,823 shares of the companys stock valued at $561,869,000 after purchasing an additional 4,669,457 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. grew its stake in Tyson Foods by 6.4% in the first quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 37,179,555 shares of the companys stock valued at $3,332,404,000 after purchasing an additional 2,239,235 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in Tyson Foods by 97.2% in the third quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 4,250,887 shares of the companys stock valued at $214,627,000 after purchasing an additional 2,095,597 shares in the last quarter. 63.68% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Tyson Foods Price Performance

Shares of NYSE TSN opened at $48.31 on Friday. Tyson Foods has a twelve month low of $44.94 and a twelve month high of $74.07. The company has a current ratio of 1.80, a quick ratio of 0.71 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.47. The company has a market capitalization of $17.18 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of -25.56 and a beta of 0.82. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $48.76 and a 200-day simple moving average of $51.26.

Tyson Foods (NYSE:TSN  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Monday, November 13th. The company reported $0.37 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.29 by $0.08. Tyson Foods had a positive return on equity of 2.47% and a negative net margin of 1.23%. The business had revenue of $13.35 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $13.72 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $1.63 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Tyson Foods will post 3.09 earnings per share for the current year.

About Tyson Foods

(Get Free Report

Tyson Foods, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a food company worldwide. It operates through four segments: Beef, Pork, Chicken, and Prepared Foods. The company processes live fed cattle and live market hogs; fabricates dressed beef and pork carcasses into primal and sub-primal meat cuts, as well as case ready beef and pork, and fully cooked meats; raises and processes chickens into fresh, frozen, and value-added chicken products, including breaded chicken strips, nuggets, patties, and other ready-to-fix or fully cooked chicken parts; and supplies poultry breeding stock.

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The low-information protesters who know little or nothing about the region or how Hamas operates refuse to acknowledge that Hamas is a terrorist organisation. An Amnesty International report revealed the horrific acts of torture and murder Hamas committed on Palestinians accused of collaborating with Israel. This torture and murder spree was utilised by Hamas to accuse people without any evidence to get rid of any threats to their dictatorial control over the Gaza people. Al shifa hospital was also used by the terror group to torture and murder Palestinians.

As well as carrying out unlawful killings, others abducted by Hamas were subjected to torture, including severe beatings with truncheons, gun butts, hoses and wire or held in stress positions. Some were interrogated and tortured or otherwise ill-treated in a disused outpatients clinic within the grounds of Gaza Citys main al-Shifa hospital. At least three people arrested during the conflict accused of collaboration died in custody.

The Amnesty International report further revealed evidence of brutal torture practices carried out by the terrorist group Hamas.

There were marks of torture and bullet shots on his body. His arms and legs were broken his body was as if youd put it in a bag and smashed it His body was riddled with about 30 bullets. He had slaughter marks around his neck, marks of knives And from behind the head  there was no brain. Empty It was difficult for us to carry him He was heavy, like when you put meat in a bag; no bones. His bones were smashed. They broke him in the prison, said his brother, who retrieved the body from al-Shifa hospital morgue on 22 August 2014.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy. (Image source: Twitter)

VIJAYAWADA: Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy came down heavily against Chandrababu Naidu and Pawan Kalyan on Wednesday and said they were misleading the people with false pre-election promises.

"As the elections draw near, Chandrababu is forming an unholy alliance with his adopted son Pawan Kalyan and making false promises through a deceptive manifesto. Their lack of shame is evident as they try to fool the people," he said.

"Their political agenda is centered on the common agenda of robbing the people of Andhra Pradesh rather than serving them," the Chief Minister told a public meeting after laying the foundation for the Varikapudisela lift irrigation scheme in Macherla. "The YSRC is the natural ally of the people," he asserted.

The CM mocked the mini-election manifesto of the TD and Jana Sena and said the people "are not ready to believe in the 11-point false election promises of Naidu and Pawan Kalyan."

"If you believe that you have benefitted from our government, vote for the YSRC in the next elections," he told the people and asked them to reject the TD-Jana Sena alliance.

Jagan Mohan Reddy said, "Who would believe in Naidu who had cheated self-help groups of women and farmers with false promises of loan waiver. He had created the illusion of Amaravati while neglecting decentralisation. He helped his son and grandson pursue education in corporate schools while opposing English medium schools and he opposed allotment of house sites to the poor, citing demographic imbalance."

The government has so far spent ` 2,40,000 crore and `1,70, 000 crore through DBT and non-DBT modes respectively, implementing 99.95 per cent of its election promises besides creating 2.7 lakh government jobs during the last 53 months, Jagan Mohan Reddy stated.

The Chief Minister pointed out that the YSRC government has been striving hard for the social, political, economic and educational empowerment of SC, ST, BC and minorities. He said that the welfare schemes and peoples confidence in the government were giving him the courage to face situations.

"Despite the Covid-19 pandemic and the heavy borrowings thrust on us by the previous TD rule, we never stopped implementing welfare programmes and development works. That was our commitment," he said.

"Naidu failed to grant revenue division status to his own Assembly constituency, Kuppam, and did not even provide drinking water to it during the TD rule. How can anyone expect good things from a ruler who didnt implement even a single welfare scheme," he wondered.

"While we did a lot of good work, Naidu only talks of his Vision 2047 while neglecting the present. Naidu never thought of decentralisation and did no justice to the three regions of the state."
According to the data, 2,898 nominations were found valid, while 608 candidates withdrew their nominations, bringing down the total number of contestants to 2,290. (File Photo: DC)

Hyderabad: The Election Commission said on Thursday that 2,290 candidates were in the fray for the Assembly polls on November 30, and the LB Nagar constituency accounted for the most, 48.

According to the data, 2,898 nominations were found valid, while 608 candidates withdrew their nominations, bringing down the total number of contestants to 2,290.

The ECI will arrange for additional EVMs (electronic voting machines), ranging from two to five, in 55 constituencies as the number of candidates is beyond the single-machine threshold of 16.

In Hyderabad, more than 16 candidates are in the electoral fray in LB Nagar, Nampally, Amberpet, Jubilee Hills, Khairatabad, Malakpet, Musheerabad, Secunderabad, Ibrahimpatnam and Serilingampalli constituencies.

In Medchal, the largest constituency, 67 nominations were found valid, but 45 withdrew their nominations, leaving 22 in the contest.

Gajwel (44), Kamareddy (39) and LB Nagar (48) were among the constituencies with the most candidates, while Balkonda (8), Naraspur (11) and Banswada (7) were at the other end of the spectrum.

Most candidates

LB Nagar: 48

Gajwel: 44

Kamareddy: 39

Munugode: 39

Palair: 37

Nampally: 34

Khammam: 32

Karimnagar: 27

Adilabad: 25

Ramagundam: 23

Yellandu(ST): 20

Fewest candidates

Banswada, Narayanpet: 7

Balkonda: 8

Cantonment: 10

Narsapur, Dubbak and Makthal: 11

Pargi, Devarkadra: 12

Kodangal: 13
Drilling equipment being airlifted by the IAF's C-130 J aircraft to the tunnel-collape site for a rescue operation in Uttarakhand's Dharasu. (PTI Photo)

Dehradun: Work on the drilling of the escape passage that started late on Tuesday night to rescue 40 workers trapped in the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse on Yamunotri Highway was stopped at 3 am on Wednesday. A heavy drilling machine was airlifted from Delhi to replace the "failed" equipment that was earlier being used for the rescue operations, officials said.

The new powerful augur machine that landed at the Chinyalisaur helipad over 30 km from the tunnel on the Chardham route is being put into service amid apprehension by workers at the site about the progress of the multi-agency rescue operations.

Officials present on the ground at the Silkayara village site, where the tunnel collapsed, said that parts of the powerful horizontal drilling machine will be assembled at the site. The replacement machine came in two parts on an Indian Air Force Hercules aircraft to Chinyalisaur on Wednesday afternoon and was being transported by road to the tunnel. According to officials, it will take about 34 hours to reach the accident site.

"Parts of the new high-penetration machine have landed at Chinyalisaur Airstrip. These will soon be shifted to the tunnel site for assembling the machine in the next 34 hours. Once the machine is ready, rescue operations will be expedited soon," said Uttarkashi superintendent of police Arpan Yaduvanshi.

According to district administration officials, the new high-penetration machine can drill through 4-5 metres per hour, compared to the existing machines one-metre-per-hour capacity of the machines that were used earlier.

According to the officials managing the rescue operations, drilling work started late on Tuesday and was aborted early in the morning at around 3 am on Wednesday as it caused some technical problems. Officials said the auger machine that was being used was slow in drilling and failed to serve the purpose of making an escape passage to reach the workers.

Tunnel construction nodal agency NHIDCL director Anju Manish said experts and rescue teams have been working round the clock for the past three days to save the lives of trapped workers.

"Here rock is fragile. The more we try to drill inside, the more debris gets deposited. We have already moved forward to insert 800-mm-diameter steel pipes in the debris, but there were some difficulties with it. The latest heavy drilling machine parts have been flown from Delhi," said the NHIDCL director, adding, "The penetration rate of the new machine is 4-5 metres per hour. We will be able to penetrate and place steel pipes through 50 metres of debris in 1012 hours at this pace. Its difficult to give any definite time, but we are trying to rescue the trapped worker as early as possible. The fragile nature of the rocks is causing problems in the rescue operation. We had succeeded in drilling through 21 metres of debris on the first day, but it went in vain. Fresh debris fell and subverted it."

As many as 40 workers are trapped in the Yamunotri National Highway tunnel that collapsed at its Silkyara village end on November 12 early in the morning owing to a landslide. The under-construction 4.5 km tunnel lying between Dharasu and Barkot suburbs is part of the Chardham all-weather road project in Uttarakhand, funded by the Central government.

As the rescuers scramble to create the escape passage, workers trapped inside the collapsed tunnel are reported feeling sick and stressed. They have complained of fever, cough and cold, restlessness and a loss of confidence.
BRS working president and minister K.T. Rama Rao. (Image: By Arrangement)

Hyderabad: BRS working president and minister K.T. Rama Rao on Thursday said the BRS government under Chief Minister K Chandrashekar Raos leadership had brought major development to Telangana which the Congress could not do in six decades of governance.

Rama Rao, who addressed large gatherings of people during his roadshows in Chevella, Vikarabad, Kukatpally, and Quthbullapur constituencies, said that despite getting 11 chances, the Congress failed to work for the welfare of the people.

He said the Congress always the minority communities as its vote banks because of which the minorities were still living in poverty.

"On the other hand, KCR has been working for minority welfare by setting up educational institutions, giving scholarships, allotting the highest minority budget, and introducing schemes that uplift minority communities," Rama Rao said.

The Chief Minister, he said, was the only leader in the country who was working with dedication for farmers welfare, starting with ensuring 24-hour power supply.

Rama Rao said that before the formation of Telangana, when the Congress was in power, farmers were deprived of even basics including power supply, irrigation, inadequate supply of seeds and fertilisers.

Highlighting the BRS manifesto, Rama Rao said after returning to power, the BRS government will introduce a monthly honorarium of Rs 3,000 to eligible women under the Sowbhagya Lakshmi scheme, increase Aasara pensions in instalments to Rs 5,000, supply fine rice to all ration card holders under Annapurna scheme, and introduce life insurance cover of Rs 5 lakh to over 93 lakh families living below the poverty line, and cooking gas cylinders for Rs 400 each.
Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. raised its position in shares of Invesco Senior Income Trust (NYSE:VVR  Free Report) by 13.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 45,588 shares of the investment management companys stock after buying an additional 5,382 shares during the period. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc.s holdings in Invesco Senior Income Trust were worth $176,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of the company. PFG Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Invesco Senior Income Trust in the 2nd quarter valued at about $59,000. Perennial Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Invesco Senior Income Trust in the 1st quarter valued at $132,000. Wealth Effects LLC acquired a new position in Invesco Senior Income Trust in the first quarter valued at about $102,000. Fortitude Advisory Group L.L.C. increased its stake in Invesco Senior Income Trust by 8.8% during the 2nd quarter. Fortitude Advisory Group L.L.C. now owns 42,777 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $165,000 after purchasing an additional 3,462 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Truist Financial Corp raised its holdings in shares of Invesco Senior Income Trust by 21.6% during the second quarter. Truist Financial Corp now owns 142,506 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $549,000 after acquiring an additional 25,318 shares during the period.

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Invesco Senior Income Trust Price Performance

VVR opened at $3.95 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $3.93 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $3.84. Invesco Senior Income Trust has a 1 year low of $3.55 and a 1 year high of $4.14.

Invesco Senior Income Trust Announces Dividend

About Invesco Senior Income Trust

The company also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, November 30th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th will be paid a $0.043 dividend. This represents a $0.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 13.06%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 14th.

(Free Report)

Invesco Senior Income Trust is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by Invesco Ltd. It is co-managed by Invesco Advisers, Inc, Invesco Asset Management Deutschland GmbH, Invesco Asset Management Limited, Invesco Asset Management (Japan) Limited, Invesco Australia Limited, Invesco Hong Kong Limited, Invesco Senior Secured Management, Inc, and Invesco Canada Ltd.

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Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. cut its position in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II (NYSE:PCK  Free Report) by 81.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 19,762 shares of the closed-end funds stock after selling 87,170 shares during the period. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc.s holdings in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II were worth $118,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II in the second quarter worth approximately $374,000. LPL Financial LLC grew its position in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II by 108.8% in the 2nd quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 23,125 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $138,000 after purchasing an additional 12,052 shares during the period. Ackerman Capital Advisors LLC grew its position in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II by 5.3% in the 2nd quarter. Ackerman Capital Advisors LLC now owns 148,393 shares of the closed-end funds stock valued at $883,000 after purchasing an additional 7,500 shares during the period. Cornerstone Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II during the 2nd quarter valued at $283,000. Finally, Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II by 9.0% during the second quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 58,379 shares of the closed-end funds stock worth $347,000 after buying an additional 4,796 shares during the last quarter.

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PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II Stock Down 0.2 %

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II stock opened at $5.45 on Thursday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $5.18 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $5.64. PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II has a 1-year low of $4.85 and a 1-year high of $7.30.

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II Cuts Dividend

About PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II

The business also recently declared a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.0215 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 10th. This represents a $0.26 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.73%.

(Free Report)

PIMCO California Municipal Income Fund II is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. It is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets of United States. It seeks to invest in stocks of companies operating across diversified sectors.

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Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. cut its position in shares of Gerdau S.A. (NYSE:GGB  Free Report) by 45.6% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 15,225 shares of the basic materials companys stock after selling 12,775 shares during the quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc.s holdings in Gerdau were worth $79,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. American Century Companies Inc. raised its holdings in Gerdau by 52.6% in the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 1,561,375 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $7,744,000 after buying an additional 538,306 shares during the period. Disciplined Investments LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Gerdau by 308.3% during the 2nd quarter. Disciplined Investments LLC now owns 38,412 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $201,000 after acquiring an additional 29,004 shares in the last quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. boosted its position in Gerdau by 5.0% during the 1st quarter. Macquarie Group Ltd. now owns 614,915 shares of the basic materials companys stock worth $3,032,000 after purchasing an additional 29,283 shares during the period. Virtu Financial LLC acquired a new stake in Gerdau in the 1st quarter valued at $350,000. Finally, Van ECK Associates Corp raised its position in Gerdau by 53.3% in the first quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 1,237,411 shares of the basic materials companys stock valued at $6,100,000 after purchasing an additional 430,046 shares during the period. 2.64% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Scotiabank lowered Gerdau from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating in a research note on Friday, July 21st.

Gerdau Trading Down 0.4 %

NYSE GGB opened at $4.95 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $8.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 5.10 and a beta of 1.73. The companys fifty day simple moving average is $4.67 and its 200-day simple moving average is $5.05. The company has a current ratio of 2.93, a quick ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.22. Gerdau S.A. has a 52 week low of $4.20 and a 52 week high of $6.34.

Gerdau Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 20th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 21st will be given a $0.0962 dividend. This is a boost from Gerdaus previous quarterly dividend of $0.09. This represents a $0.38 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 7.77%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 20th. Gerdaus dividend payout ratio is presently 53.61%.

About Gerdau

(Free Report)

Gerdau SA, together with its subsidiaries, operates as a steel producer company. It operates through Brazil Business, North America Business, South America Business, and Special Steel Business divisions. The company provides semi-finished products, including billets, blooms, and slabs; common long rolled products, such as rebars, wire rods, merchant bars, light shapes, and profiles to the construction and manufacturing industries; drawn products comprising barbed and barbless fence wires, galvanized wires, fences, concrete reinforcing wire mesh, nails, and clamps for manufacturing, construction, and agricultural industries; and special steel products used in auto parts, light and heavy vehicles, and agricultural machinery, as well as in the oil and gas, wind energy, machinery and equipment, mining and rail, and other markets.

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Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. reduced its stake in shares of Amcor plc (NYSE:AMCR  Free Report) by 48.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 14,619 shares of the companys stock after selling 13,807 shares during the period. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc.s holdings in Amcor were worth $146,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in Amcor in the 1st quarter valued at about $27,000. Money Concepts Capital Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Amcor during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Clear Street Markets LLC boosted its holdings in Amcor by 93.6% in the 1st quarter. Clear Street Markets LLC now owns 2,913 shares of the companys stock worth $33,000 after buying an additional 1,408 shares during the period. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC grew its stake in Amcor by 697.2% in the 1st quarter. Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC now owns 4,504 shares of the companys stock valued at $51,000 after buying an additional 3,939 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Chilton Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in Amcor during the 1st quarter valued at $63,000. 49.52% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Buying and Selling

In other Amcor news, Director Arun Nayar sold 30,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $9.40, for a total transaction of $282,000.00. Following the transaction, the director now directly owns 45,072 shares in the company, valued at $423,676.80. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 0.69% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Amcor Trading Up 1.0 %

Amcor stock opened at $9.35 on Thursday. Amcor plc has a fifty-two week low of $8.45 and a fifty-two week high of $12.78. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.76, a quick ratio of 0.74 and a current ratio of 1.27. The stock has a market cap of $13.51 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.17, a PEG ratio of 9.81 and a beta of 0.80. The firms fifty day moving average price is $9.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $9.62.

Amcor (NYSE:AMCR  Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, August 16th. The company reported $0.19 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $0.18 by $0.01. Amcor had a return on equity of 24.92% and a net margin of 6.72%. The business had revenue of $3.67 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.87 billion. Equities research analysts forecast that Amcor plc will post 0.69 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Amcor Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, December 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 22nd will be issued a dividend of $0.125 per share. This represents a $0.50 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.35%. This is a boost from Amcors previous quarterly dividend of $0.12. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 21st. Amcors dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 74.24%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms have recently commented on AMCR. TheStreet lowered Amcor from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a report on Wednesday, September 27th. Truist Financial reduced their target price on Amcor from $11.00 to $10.00 and set a hold rating for the company in a report on Friday, November 3rd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have given a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $10.40.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on AMCR

About Amcor

(Free Report)

Amcor plc develops, produces, and sells packaging products in Europe, North America, Latin America, Africa, and the Asia Pacific regions. The company operates through two segments, Flexibles and Rigid Packaging. The Flexibles segment provides flexible and film packaging products in the food and beverage, medical and pharmaceutical, fresh produce, snack food, personal care, and other industries.

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Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. acquired a new stake in PIMCO Strategic Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE:RCS  Free Report) in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm acquired 21,254 shares of the investment management companys stock, valued at approximately $111,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC grew its position in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund by 24.6% in the 2nd quarter. Janney Montgomery Scott LLC now owns 101,239 shares of the investment management companys stock valued at $526,000 after acquiring an additional 20,009 shares during the period. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund by 0.9% during the 2nd quarter. Cambridge Investment Research Advisors Inc. now owns 487,553 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $2,535,000 after buying an additional 4,171 shares during the period. FSA Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund during the 2nd quarter worth about $62,000. Susquehanna International Group LLP bought a new stake in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund during the 1st quarter worth about $72,000. Finally, Private Advisor Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of PIMCO Strategic Income Fund during the 1st quarter worth about $62,000. Institutional investors own 14.03% of the companys stock.

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PIMCO Strategic Income Fund Stock Down 0.4 %

Shares of RCS stock opened at $5.47 on Thursday. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $5.20 and a 200 day simple moving average of $5.31. PIMCO Strategic Income Fund, Inc. has a 52 week low of $4.51 and a 52 week high of $6.04.

PIMCO Strategic Income Fund Announces Dividend

PIMCO Strategic Income Fund Company Profile

The business also recently announced a monthly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 1st. Investors of record on Monday, November 13th will be issued a dividend of $0.051 per share. This represents a $0.61 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.19%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 10th.

(Free Report)

PIMCO Strategic Global Government Fund, Inc is a closed-ended fixed income mutual fund launched and managed by Allianz Global Investors Fund Management LLC. The fund is co-managed by Pacific Investment Management Company LLC. It invests in fixed income markets across the globe. The fund primarily invests in government securities, including bonds issued or guaranteed by the United States or foreign governments, by their agencies, authorities or instrumentalities, or by supranational entities.

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LPL Financial LLC lifted its stake in shares of Kinross Gold Co. (NYSE:KGC  Free Report) (TSE:K) by 45.3% during the second quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 275,817 shares of the mining companys stock after acquiring an additional 85,972 shares during the period. LPL Financial LLCs holdings in Kinross Gold were worth $1,316,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Kinross Gold in the 1st quarter valued at about $26,000. Aspire Private Capital LLC acquired a new stake in Kinross Gold in the 1st quarter valued at $37,680,000,000. Natixis bought a new stake in Kinross Gold during the 4th quarter valued at $35,000. Advisor Resource Council bought a new position in shares of Kinross Gold in the second quarter valued at $48,000. Finally, Simplicity Solutions LLC acquired a new position in shares of Kinross Gold during the first quarter valued at about $47,000. 49.80% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of analysts have commented on the company. StockNews.com lowered Kinross Gold from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a report on Monday, November 6th. Jefferies Financial Group dropped their price objective on Kinross Gold from $5.00 to $4.65 and set a hold rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, October 4th. CSFB upped their target price on shares of Kinross Gold from $5.25 to $5.50 and gave the stock a negative rating in a research note on Thursday, August 17th. TD Securities increased their target price on shares of Kinross Gold from $6.50 to $7.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday. Finally, Desjardins initiated coverage on shares of Kinross Gold in a report on Monday, September 11th. They set a buy rating on the stock. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have given a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $6.18.

Kinross Gold Stock Up 0.2 %

KGC opened at $5.31 on Thursday. Kinross Gold Co. has a twelve month low of $3.40 and a twelve month high of $5.60. The companys 50-day moving average price is $5.04 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $4.97. The stock has a market cap of $6.52 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 26.55 and a beta of 0.96. The company has a quick ratio of 1.06, a current ratio of 2.70 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39.

Kinross Gold (NYSE:KGC  Get Free Report) (TSE:K) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, November 8th. The mining company reported $0.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $0.10 by $0.02. The business had revenue of $1.10 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $964.04 million. Kinross Gold had a return on equity of 8.43% and a net margin of 5.83%. As a group, equities analysts expect that Kinross Gold Co. will post 0.39 earnings per share for the current year.

Kinross Gold Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 14th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 30th will be paid a $0.03 dividend. This represents a $0.12 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 29th. Kinross Golds dividend payout ratio is currently 60.00%.

Kinross Gold Company Profile

(Free Report)

Kinross Gold Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the acquisition, exploration, and development of gold properties principally in the United States, Brazil, Chile, Canada, and Mauritania. It is also involved in the extraction and processing of gold-containing ores; reclamation of gold mining properties; and production and sale of silver.

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Derry and Strabane District Council is seeking to reduce the city's jazz festival's reliance on rate payer money over the coming years.

A report about next year's event was presented to council at the Business and Community meeting on Tuesday.

A council officer said the Council currently contributes 20% of artists' fees.

Members, you agreed to freeze the yearly tier two subvention rate for venues at 80% for 2023, meaning the rate is set at 20% for this year's festival, with venues contributing 80% towards artists fees and Council contributing 20%. If, however, venues programme new artists the 75% venue contribution and 25% Council contribution be awarded, she said.

Officers for the 2024 event will be working within the existing rates allocation for the festival which is 120,000.

Members you're asked to approve the programming and financial arrangements for the 2024 City of Derry Jazz and Big Band Festival as set out above.

Cllr Grace Ui Niallais asked about the plan to further reduce Council expenditure on the festival.

In terms of the rates, we welcome the work being done to reduce the level of rate sponsorship but we need to reduce this as quickly as possible, the Sinn Fein councillor said.

I know you're saying that you are hoping that the council moves to a more of a supportive role and the years go forward. But is there a plan to reduce this down further towards 50% and then towards the zero? Is there any sort of a plan in place for that?

She was told that the festival was set to reduce its reliance on rate funding by 5% each year however following covid and other issues the hospitality sector said it was under enough stress and asked to keep the rate at 80/20.

The council officer said plans for this phased reduction will be resumed next year.

We hope that we will be moving towards another 5% next year. That has been the increment over a number of years.

Sponsors

Cllr Niallais also asked about the disparity in sponsorship fees between the Cork and Derry Jazz Festivals.

Diageo also sponsors the Cork Jazz Festival, but ours is obviously far better than theirs, she laughed. But they sponsor the Cork Jazz Festival 1 million and they only sponsor us between 15,000 to 20,000.

So I know that you're hoping that they will increase their contribution for 2024 as part of a five year plan. Is there anything else we can do on top of that?

Are there any other major sponsors being approached? or smaller sponsors?

So what we would like to see is for this council area to be funding this less and for it to be more sector driven.

She asked about the possibility of meeting with the organisers of Cork Jazz festival and/or with the sponsors to learn the reason for the disparity.

The officer said discussions are ongoing with Diageo but the company is structured 'quite differently' in the North and South. She added that organisers have told the company Council members would like to meet with them.

Last year, we instigated quite an intense sponsorship effort particularly across our marketing and events team and we're discussing with a number of sponsors.

We're also starting to have discussions with tourism Northern Ireland to talk to them about how we lift sponsorship for all events.

Alderman Hussey asked if there was any possibility of sending out 'sections' of the festival out to rural areas to give them a sample in the lead up, similar to what the Maiden City Festival used to do.

The council officer said she was 'happy to consider it'.
Council buildings in Derry will this evening be lit up in purple in support of the campaign to save lives during Pancreatic Awareness Month.

Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Cllr Patricia Logue, today pledged her support to the campaign, which unites people in the fight against pancreatic cancer, one of the most common cancer killers.

Today is Pancreatic Awareness Day and I am delighted to be able to show my support for this vital campaign by joining other local landmarks in the Purple Lights for Pancreatic Cancer campaign to raise awareness and help save lives, she explained.

The campaign presents an opportunity to celebrate those dealing with a pancreatic cancer diagnosis and to remember those who have sadly died of the disease, whilst also spreading a message of hope.

The early signs and symptoms of pancreatic cancer can be very hard to detect so it can be particularly hard to diagnose. Coupled with current pressures on the healthcare system, this creates further barriers to diagnosis and treatment. Campaigns such as this help make people aware of the need for more screening and to report any unusual symptoms to their doctor as early as possible.

Pancreatic cancer has a 12% survival rate, largely because it is often only detected in the late stages. Between ten and twenty percent of pancreatic cancer is currently diagnosed in the early stages and for many patients, survival remains under six months, however, when discovered earlier, survival rates tend to be higher.

The Guildhall, Council Offices and the Alley Theatre will all light up purple this evening as a beacon of hope and local people are encouraged to support the campaign be wearing purple or hosting an event.

Photos and updates can be highlighted on Pancreatic Cancer UKs social media platforms using the hashtag #purplelights.
Former Sinn Fein Finance Minister Conor Murphy MLA and the partys Deputy Leader in the Dail, Pearse Doherty TD will be meeting local business leaders at a major conference in the north west this week.

The Building a Stronger North West conference is being hosted by Sinn Fein to give local businesses a chance to engage with the partys leadership.

Foyle Sinn Fein MLA Ciara Ferguson said: We are delighted that Conor Murphy MLA and Pearse Doherty TD will be addressing this important conference focusing on building a stronger North West economy and promoting regional equality.

We have huge potential in the North West but our economy, our infrastructure and even the social and political fabric of this region have been hugely damaged by partition, historic discrimination and ongoing negative British Government policies that have brought us Brexit and savage austerity cuts to public services.

Our natural hinterland in Donegal has also suffered greatly as a result of decades of under investment from disinterested governments in Dublin."

She added: In the north, we want an Executive back up and running, delivering new political leadership, particularly within the Department for Economy, and grasping the opportunities created by the protocol.

In the South, we want to lead a government that gets to grips with the crisis in housing and healthcare while ensuring that the economic wealth now enjoyed there is utilised for the best interests of all citizens, including those people and places which until now have been left behind.

Those are the opportunities that now exist and with the conversation about Irish reunification growing every day, the fact is that we will soon face a once in a lifetime chance to reshape our economic, social and political realities for the better.

There is no doubt that Conor Murphy and Pearse Doherty will be key figures in that process so we very much look forward to this event with local business leaders as part of an ongoing engagement as we take this crucial work forward to rebuild, reshape and strengthen the North West.
A 70 million investment fund for small businesses in Northern Ireland has been announced by the British Business Bank.

The fund will offer a range of commercial finance options with loans and equity stakes both available for local entrepreneurs.

By increasing the supply and diversity of early-stage finance for smaller businesses, the new fund aims to tackle an identified funding gap throughout Northern Ireland.

It will support businesses from all sectors in Northern Ireland and at different stages of their growth journey, and aims to target start-ups that may have struggled to access finance elsewhere.

The Investment Fund for Northern Ireland is one of a series of nations and regions investment funds being launched by the Bank, which will deliver a 1.6 billion commitment of new funding to smaller businesses across the UK.

Chief executive of the British Business Bank, Louis Taylor, said the fund would tackle a number of issues, including regional inequality in investment across the UK.

Firstly, the lack of finance, most particularly equity finance in Northern Ireland for businesses that need investment to grow, he said.

But the second thing is we really want to demonstrate to the fund management community across the UK and beyond that theres good money to be made out of investing in areas outside of this golden triangle of London, Oxford and Cambridge.

And so we hope that the returns on the fund will encourage other fund managers to come into the region, because more money in the region backing more companies will lead to more companies being started and more companies needing backing.

Its a virtuous circle, were very convinced of that.

Mr Taylor said the Windsor Framework agreement improved Northern Irelands investment prospects.

I think that weve seen a real uptick in interest in investment in Northern Ireland from not only other UK companies, but from overseas as well, he said.

I know there was an investment summit just a couple of months ago all around this, and I think that the Windsor framework agreement does provide some benefit to Northern Ireland and improves its prospects and actually improves the perception of the region in the minds of international investors, which is all a good thing.

But its about realising the potential that all that offers, thats the most important thing.

There has not been a functioning government in Northern Ireland for over a year due to the DUPs ongoing boycott of power-sharing institutions in protest against post-Brexit trading arrangements including the Windsor Framework.

Mr Taylor said an executive in place would be advantageous to Northern Ireland from an investment perspective.

Im not going to deny that having a functioning executive would be an advantage, I think for the market, but the positivity weve seen in the last few months has come despite the lack of the executive, and I think theres some fundamental commerce there that really is just good, and good enough, whatever the political weather, he said

Clearly stability is an important element to any business investment decision, so we look forward to a day when the executive is back and operational, again, because that can only be even more positive for the region, which already has good prospects.

Following the fund launch, the Bank will be holding a series of roadshows aimed at stakeholders working in the access to finance ecosystem.

These will take place in the new year at a number of locations across Northern Ireland.

The British Business Bank is the economic development bank wholly owned by the Department for Business and Trade, but operationally independent.
HIGHLIGHTS A chinese company has built the Yi series, a progressive generative chatbot.

This is a large language model (LLM) and comes in two versions.

Yi-34B outperforms much larger models like LLaMA2-70B and Falcon-180B, according to the company.

When it comes to technology, China always seems to be in a competitive mode and comes up with developments that put it one step ahead on the global map. And this time the Chinese have their eyes set on artificial intelligence models. Currently, Open AI rules globally with its ChatGPT and has the first-mover advantage. But we now hear that China has developed artificial intelligence models that could beat OpenAI on various fronts. Lets find out more about it and answer: can these models be the future of the AI industry?

The Beijing Lingyi Wanwu Information Technology Company has built the Yi series, which is a progressive generative chatbot. It was developed in its 01.AI lab. Further, this is a large language model (LLM) and comes in two versions- the lightweight Yi-6B-200K and the more robust Yi-34B-200K. Both of these can understand both English and Mandarin and can retain immense conversational context.

Also read: Sundar Pichai: Five quotes on 25 years of Google, future of search and AI

Hugging Face, which is a key repository for AI models, has ranked the Yi model as the second most popular open-source model, within hours of its release. Even on several synthetic benchmarks, Yi models beat other LLMs and proved to be very efficient and accurate. Further, o1.AI also shared the scoreboard of the Yi models which reflected that they have a really strong performance in aspects such as reading comprehension and common-sense reasoning. The two also performed strongly on common AI tests like Gaokao and C-eval.

01.A1 said, Yi-34B outperforms much larger models like LLaMA2-70B and Falcon-180B; also Yi-34Bs size can support applications cost-effectively, thereby enabling developers to build fantastic projects.

Also read: Satya Nadella retweets Microsoft Presidents blueprint for India to govern AI

Can the Yi models beat OpenAI models?

Source: TechNode

There are two major reasons that weigh in towards this possibility:

The fact that this is a fully open-sourced model means that anyone can run them locally on their system, allowing for greater control, the ability to modify the model architecture, and avoiding reliance on external servers. So, large language models like ChatGPT and Yi Series process units of text or tokens while working. This could even mean the smallest part of a word.

So coming back to point 2, the Yi series can process up to 200,000 tokens of context in a single go. This far beats OpenAIs GPT-4 Turbo which processes 128,000 tokens and even Anthropics Claude which deals with 100,000 tokens.

Lets now see how this Yi series progresses in the AI world.
HIGHLIGHTS Xiaomi's first EV cars are expected to come in the sedan segment.

The Xiaomi SU7 could measure 4997 x 1963 x 1455 mm.

The Xiaomi SU7 could be powered by the HyperOS.

Xiaomi is a known brand when it comes to smartphones, especially in Asia. The Chinese brand offers brilliant smartphones at affordable prices. However, it seems Xiaomi is trying to get its hands on the automobile industry too. Yes! you heard it right. And it is not just a basic automobile Xiaomi wants to try, its EV. The brand is reportedly planning to roll out a new lineup of its first EV cars, namely the SU7 series. Lets know more about it.

About Xiaomi SU7 series

Recently, an MIIT filing stated three models of the alleged Xiaomi SU7 series. This includes the Xiaomi SU7, Xiaomi SU7 Pro, and Xiaomi SU7 Max. Pretty much like Xiaomis smartphones right? Anyway, in the latest development, a leaker known as Benzene on Weibo has posted a few pictures and key specifications of the upcoming Xiaomi EV lineup. This revealed that these EV cars will come in the sedan segment. The base model, Xiaomi SU7 is expected to go up to a speed of 210 km/h. Whereas, the top model is rumoured to go up to 265 km/h.

Also read: Indias EV future prospects from the Formula E race in Hyderabad

Xiaomi SU7 features

Speaking of its measurements, the Xiaomi SU7 could measure 4997 x 1963 x 1455 mm. Benzene revealed that it will offer both RWD (Rear-Wheel Drive) and AWD (All-Wheel Drive). Furthermore, it is expected to come with a maximum motor power of 495kW. You might get an option to choose between a 19-inch wheel and a 20-inch wheel. The car could have a 3-metre wheelbase.

Interestingly, it is also rumoured that Xiaomis EV could feature the Lidar sensor. Now, in smartphones, the Lidar helps in photography and mapping out the surroundings. How can it help a car? To answer this question, you will have to give us a little time, until the EV actually launches.

Speaking of the launch, the Xiaomi SU7 series could hit the road by February 2024. However, according to CarNewsChina, the Chinese brand has already made some vehicles for testing.

Also read: Acer announced its first EV scooter, the MUVI 125 4G with swappable batteries: Check details

HyperOS in Xiaomi SU7

Xiaomi recently launched the HyperOS, which is based on Android 14 OS. Now, it is also rumoured that Xiaomi SU7 will be powered by the HyperOS. I mean what will an Android operating system do in a car? Well, let me tell you what it could do. The HyperOS is expected to become a medium to connect a users smartphone, smartwatch, electric car, smart home devices, and much more. Basically, Xiaomi wants to try what Apple has done with its OS, to make a smart ecosystem.

So that is all about the Xiaomi SU7 series that has been revealed. But, Ill suggest that you dont raise your hopes too much just yet because all this information is totally based on leaks and rumours.
HIGHLIGHTS The Lava Agni 2S is expected to launch before the end of this year.

This means that the Agni 2S smartphone could launch in India in the coming weeks.

The upcoming device is expected to share many similarities with the Lava Agni 2.

Lava launched the Lava Agni 2 smartphone in India in May this year. The company is reportedly planning to launch Lava Agni 2S. The new smartphone is expected to launch in the coming weeks.

According to tipster Yogesh Brar, the Lava Agni 2S is expected to launch before the end of this year. This means that the Agni 2S smartphone could launch in India in the coming weeks, reports Gizmochina.

Also read: Lava Agni 2S could soon launch in India with specs similar to Agni 2: Heres when

The upcoming device is expected to share many similarities with the Lava Agni 2, with the primary difference being the use of a different processor.

Also read: Lava Agni 2 5G: 5 encouraging points about Made in India phone

As the launch draws closer, the arrival of official teasers is expected soon. In the meantime, lets see the Agni 2 5Gs spec sheet.

The Lava Agni 2 smartphone comes with a 6.78-inch Full HD+ display with a 120Hz refresh rate. Also, this device is powered by the MediaTek Dimensity 7050 processor. Its important to note that the upcoming Agni 2S is expected to pack a different chipset.

For photography, the Lava Agni 2 houses a quad-camera setup on the back that consists of a 50MP primary camera, an 8MP ultrawide angle lens, a 2MP macro sensor and a 2MP depth sensor. On the front, it features a 16MP camera.

The Agni 2 comes with 8GB of RAM and 256GB of storage. It also supports virtual RAM of up to 16GB. This device is also packed with a 4,700mAh battery with 66W fast charging support.

In terms of software, the Agni 2 smartphone model runs Android 13, and it is confirmed to receive Android 14 and 15, along with quarterly security updates for a duration of three years.
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Xi says peaceful coexistence is even more of a baseline that China, U.S. should hold on to as major countries

Xinhua) 14:38, November 16, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that peaceful coexistence is a basic norm for international relations, and is even more of a baseline that China and the United States should hold on to as two major countries.

"China never bets against the United States, and never interferes in its internal affairs. China has no intention to challenge the United States or to unseat it," Xi said at a welcome dinner by friendly organizations in the United States.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Liang Jun)
SEMI releases cybersecurity reference architecture for semiconductor manufacturing environment

The importance of the semiconductor industry to Taiwan and the world continues to grow. To help the industry strengthen cybersecurity defense, SEMI, the global industry association representing the electronics manufacturing and design supply chain, continues to promote the adoption of the SEMI E187 international standard for semiconductor equipment security. After releasing the SEMI E187 checklist and semiconductor security risk rating service, SEMI introduced the "Cybersecurity Reference Architecture for Semiconductor Manufacturing Environment." This provides a clearer cybersecurity framework for the semiconductor supply chain to secure the manufacturing environment.

Terry Tsao, SEMI Global Marketing President, and Taiwan Country President noted: "With advances in information technology, semiconductor manufacturers are accelerating digital transformation, adopting smart solutions like automation, big data analytics, AI, and IoT to replace traditional infrastructure and analog control systems. The integration of IT, OT, and cloud data is increasingly important, but cybersecurity challenges remain. The SEMI Taiwan Semiconductor Cybersecurity Committee continues to advance the completeness of the SEMI E187 standard, making tremendous contributions to industry cybersecurity protection across the global semiconductor supply chain."

Alex Tu, Chairman of the SEMI Taiwan Semiconductor Cybersecurity Committee and Corporate Information Security Officer at TSMC, said: "The semiconductor industry previously lacked consistent cybersecurity standards or was unable to update due to outdated equipment, leaving related equipment and nodes exposed in high-risk environments. Suppliers, employees, or contractors could all become cybersecurity loopholes, easily affecting operations, causing financial losses, or damaging brand reputation and partnerships. The 'Cybersecurity Reference Architecture for Semiconductor Manufacturing Environment' proposes a more structured network security design. This not only helps understand the status of all network assets in factories but also provides insights into these assets and their network communications. It protects equipment from various threats posed by malware."

Comprehensively enhancing factory cybersecurity across IT, OT, and industrial control

With Industry 4.0 and digital technologies emerging, IT and OT convergence is increasing, with more systems, assets, personnel, and machines interconnected. While greatly raising productivity, this also exponentially increases cyberattack risks. Ransomware and threat techniques continue evolving, while supply chain attacks are endless. Any vulnerability in the supply chain easily becomes a target for malicious attacks or ransomware.

According to Trend Micro's 2023 Cybersecurity Midyear Review Report, Taiwan detected 44 million malicious links in the first half of this year, ranking third globally after Japan and the US. Fortinet's 2023 Global Cybersecurity Threat Report also shows that malicious threats rapidly increased in Taiwan in the first half of 2023, with nearly 150,000 attacks happening per second on average - the highest in Asia Pacific and over 80% increase from the same period in 2022. Hackers are shifting from random intrusions towards targeted attacks for maximized financial gain. As ransomware groups continue honing attack techniques, generative AI tools are also widely used to improve cybercrime efficiency, exploiting common enterprise software vulnerabilities and shifting from data encryption to data theft.

In light of this, SEMI has partnered with Alex Tu, Chairman of the SEMI Taiwan Semiconductor Cybersecurity Committee and Corporate Information Security Officer at TSMC, along with Liu Rong-Tai, Chairman of the Committee's Working Group 4 and CEO of RaySecu, and Professor Hsieh Su-Ping from National Yang-Ming Chiao Tung University, to propose the "Cybersecurity Reference Architecture for Semiconductor Manufacturing Environment." This defines a common, minimum set of security requirements for the semiconductor manufacturing environment across four aspects: computer operating system specifications, network security, endpoint protection, and information security monitoring. It adopts the industry-familiar Purdue Model spanning IT, OT, and industrial control across Layers 0 to 5. Reference architecture is proposed for areas like tool design and configuration, asset inventory control, network and application integration tools, vulnerability and patch management, local and remote access, secure data exchange, threat detection and response, etc. Enterprise security managers can use this to properly assess foundational asset applications, associated risks, and how to develop network access policies or remedies targeting these issues.

SEMI E187

The SEMI E187, the first Taiwan semiconductor cybersecurity international standard, already has two companies receiving the first SEMI E187 Semiconductor Equipment CyberSecurity Verification of Conformity (VoC) certificates. The semiconductor cybersecurity risk rating service launched on the SEMI platform introduces third-party risk scoring and risk intelligence services, helping manufacturers monitor vendor cybersecurity posture. Integration of Panorays' third-party domain scanning service technology further enhances security mechanisms. The semiconductor cybersecurity risk rating service also provides an industry-specific questionnaire tailored for the semiconductor industry by the SEMI Cybersecurity Committee Working Group 3. This provides efficient industry cybersecurity assessments.

The recent SEMI E187 Checklist released by SEMI Taiwan Semiconductor Cybersecurity Committee Working Group 1 Division Director, Information and Communication Research Laboratory, ITRI Ares Cho includes 12 key check items. For example, operating systems should have updates that are valid for at least 12 months, maintaining the latest security patches. Networks should provide secure protocols like HTTPS, SFTP, and SSH. Endpoint protection should have vulnerability scanning and malware monitoring. Tools should have access control settings. Security monitoring requires complete event log recordings, stored for at least one month. Such standardized verification procedures allow manufacturers to jointly address the crafty, changing cybersecurity threats and comprehensively strengthen cybersecurity.

With gradually increasing cybersecurity awareness and implementation in Taiwan's semiconductor industry, SEMI recommends the supply chain include SEMI E187 in procurement specifications and encourage more semiconductor equipment manufacturers to obtain cybersecurity certification, accelerating improvements in overall factory cybersecurity. SEMI also plans to promote relevant reference frameworks and certification mechanisms to semiconductor partners worldwide in 2024, jointly building a resilient, collective cybersecurity fortress!
AWS Joint Innovation Center showcases startup solutions in digital transformation and sustainability in Kaohsiung

Committed to driving Taiwan's startup developments, Startup Terrace Kaohsiung AWS Joint Innovation Center (JIC) hosted Startup Demo Day on November 8th. The event gathered seven startup teams from Kaohsiung and abroad to showcase their innovative solutions, including advanced AI image recognition, one-stop carbon management and smart factory services, as well as their overseas market expansion achievements. The results of the hackathon challenge, "Stream Your Life," organized by the Kaohsiung City Government, iPASS, KKCompany, LINE Taiwan, FamilyMart and AWS JIC, were also presented at the event. The teams that participated in the challenge demonstrated how public data from the city government, private data from the collaborating companies and cloud computing technologies can be synergized to bring net zero emission innovations to reality.

Since 2019, AWS JIC and the Small and Medium Enterprise and Startup Administration Ministry of Economic Affairs have worked together to support more than 200 startup companies. Going into operation in 2022, Startup Terrace Kaohsiung AWS JIC leverages the Kaohsiung City Government's connections to local businesses, incubation center resources and AWS cloud hardware and software to foster digital transformation talent, support startup communities, engage industry collaborations, help companies incorporate cloud technologies and accelerate digital transformation for southern Taiwan.

The seven teams that showcased their innovations at the event included Aiieyes, aira, Combogic Tech., Havbeat Technology, Linker Vision, PowerArena and TBCASoft. Not only do they offer a diversity of solutions, but they have also made outstanding achievements in markets at home and abroad. For example, in just one month after TBCASoft's HIVEX payment platform went online in Taiwan and Japan, thousands of Taiwan's Jkopay users made payments via PayPay, accepted at over one million stores in Japan, realizing borderless mobile payment. Linker Vision's AI image recognition platform has been adopted by Korea-based Samsung, German-based Bosch and Japan-based Sony. It is scheduled to be available on AWS Marketplace starting January, 2024 to offer AI-enabled solutions for autonomous or assisted driving, smart city and smart factory.

Robert Wang, Managing Director, AWS Taiwan & Hong Kong, remarked "AWS contributes to the development of the Kaohsiung startup ecosystem by providing our technologies as well as AWS services and organizing business events. Starting 2023, we make it a first priority to connect the Kaohsiung startup community with the AWS JIC networks in Singapore and Hong Kong, helping Startup Terrace Kaohsiung foray overseas and tap worldwide resources. We also make every effort to introduce the latest AI and cloud technologies to Kaohsiung so that local startups and enterprises may become the next 'sacred mountains of protection' for Taiwan." AWS aims to step up its collaborations with startup incubation centers in Kaohsiung, including those at colleges, KO-IN, DAKUO and the recently founded MEGABAY, by providing startups not only cloud resources and technical support but also connections to the AWS JIC networks in the Asia-Pacific region when they expand internationally.

On Startup Demo Day, the winners of the "Stream Your Life" hackathon were also presented with awards. The competition was organized by the Kaohsiung City Government, iPASS, KKCompany, LINE Taiwan, FamilyMart and AWS JIC Kaohsiung with the total awards exceeding NT$1 million. After three months of proposal selections, technological guidance and workshop sessions, three teams stood out and won the Startup Terrace Excellence Award, the Enterprise Excellence Award and the Enterprise Honorable Mention Award. The team that won the Startup Terrace Excellence Award noted "Making use of AWS cloud computing, public data APIs from the Transportation Bureau of the Kaohsiung City Government as well as data from iPASS and FamilyMart, we are able to display city carbon footprints and carbon reduction achievements on a visual dashboard. Through our efforts, we hope to encourage individuals and businesses to reduce carbon emissions, trade carbon credits on carbon markets, make donations for charitable causes and create new possibilities."

Tai-Hsiang Liao, Director-general, Economic Development Bureau, Kaohsiung City Government, stated "We are happy to see that the participants of the hackathon organized by AWS JIC Kaohsiung and partners came up with creative solutions supporting the city's dual initiativesdigital sustainability and net zero emission, using public data from the Transportation Bureau. The city government is making efforts to stay on top of data and use data to facilitate all kinds of public services. Such efforts are being recognized by citizens and allow Kaohsiung to move up quickly in the smart city rankings to become No. 1. It is hoped that the event will attract more startup teams from Taiwan and abroad to Kaohsiung to jointly drive digital sustainability innovations for the whole world."

The winners of the Stream Your Life hackathon.
Tencent claims to have enough Nvidia H800 stockpile to sustain AI model development

In the aftermath of the October 17 sanction updates against China that saw US export controls extending into downgraded versions of Nvidia AI GPUs tailored for the Chinese market, a race has been underway among Chinese tech companies to stockpile the relevant chips before the new regulations come into effect.

Martin Lau, Tencent President, indicated that the sanctions have prompted the company to use the currently available chips more efficiently, in addition to seeking domestic AI inference chip alternatives, as reported by various media, including Reuters and Ijiwei. According to Lau, Tencent has already stockpiled enough Nvidia chips to continue the development of its AI model known as Hunyuan for "at least a few more generations." As a result, the Tencent chief executive claims that the latest sanctions won't impact the company's AI capabilities in the short term.

"In fact, we are among the Chinese companies with the largest stockpiles of AI chips," noted Lau, "we are the first company to order H800, allowing us to have a sufficient stockpile of H800 chips." Liu revealed that Tencent will seek to reserve AI chips with the best performance to training asks, while allocating those with lower performance to inference tasks.

Despite the preventive measures taken, the Tencent chief executive still sees the US sanctions impacting the company's AI cloud service.
Are German state aids for Intel and TSMC in jeopardy?

Latest ruling from Germany's constitutional court might have jeopardized the country's semiconductor subsidies policy, with the aids planned for Intel and TSMC hanging by a thread.

The Karlsruhe-based court has decided on November 15 to strike down off-budget funding for climate action, calling into question the future of up to EUR770 billion worth of special funding avaliable for the German government, as reported by Bloomberg, citing people familiar with the matter. According to the court, repurposing EUR60 billion of pandemic aid from 2021 to finance the government's Climate and Transformation Fund (KTF) contravened Germany's constitution, known as the Basic Law. The decision has raised the fear in Berlin that similar funding vehicles may have to be dissolved by the end of the year.

A total of EUR870 billion of funds have been accumulated by the 29 special funds (Sondervermogen) operating outside of the country's annual budget. Apart from a constitutionally enshrined EUR100 billion fund dedicated to Germany's military, the remaining EUR770 billion might face an existential crisis as the coalition government's lawyers begin to digest the court rulings.

Back in August, Berlin planned to draw EUR20 billion from the KTF to finance semiconductor fab construction plans undertaken by the likes of Intel, TSMC, and GlobalFoundies. EUR10 billion was earmarked for Intel's project in Magdeburg, while TSMC's Dresden fab would receive EUR5 billion in state aid. It remains to be seen how the court decision would impact Germany's semiconductor policies, especially as German finance minister Christian Lindner has been vocal against tax increases while social spending cuts are opposed by the Greens and Social Democrats. New borrowing, meanwhile, is no longer an option as the debt brake was just re-instated.

A German think tank member familiar with German semiconductor policy previously told DIGITIMES Asia that the KTF is currently the "go-to" solution of Germany's coalition government to fix budget issues, even though it's already overbooked.
Celebrated Seattle architect David Hewitt passes away

Photo via Hewitt David McArthur Hewitt 1936  2023





David McArthur Hewitt, FAIA, passed away on Nov. 2, 2023. The celebrated architect was the founder of Hewitt architecture firm and in his lifetime had an indelible impact on Seattle as the creative force behind some of the city's most well-known and enduring buildings.

Hewitt saw out his days with his wife, Marcia, on Bainbridge Island. He was born in Portland in 1936. Hewitt joined the army after graduating high school and it was during this period of his life, whilst stationed abroad in Europe, that he decided to pursue a career in architecture.

On his return from the army, Hewitt began an architecture degree at the University of Washington. He graduated in 1964 as a top student in his class and was awarded the Excellence in Architecture medal.

He formed Hewitt Daly Architects in Seattle, with partner Jim Daly, in 1975. The firm became Hewitt Daly Isley, then Hewitt Isley and ultimately Hewitt. Hewitt stepped away from the practice in 2018, at the age of 80, following an ownership transition.

David McArthur Hewitt's work and impact can be seen throughout Seattle. Notable projects include the Harbor Steps Apartments, the Port of Seattle Headquarters at Pier 69, Bell Street Pier, as well as numerous multifamily and mixed-use projects across the city. Hewitt was particularly passionate about the importance of having a good transportation system in the region and also designed multiple Sound Transit Light Rail stations and bus facilities for Metro and Sound Transit.

Photo via Equity Residential [enlarge] David Hewitts projects include the Harbor Steps Apartments, which were completed in 2000.





An active member of the city's arts and design community, Hewitt was president of the Seattle Chapter AIA, served as chair of the Seattle Design Commission, Allied Arts of Seattle and the Seattle Architectural Foundation, and was a board member for Act Theater (whose first theater he designed while still a student).

In 2005, Hewitt was honored by the American Institute of Architects Seattle board with the Seattle Medal. That honor recognizes lifetime achievement in architecture including design and professional practice, and service to the profession, the community, education, and the arts.

Hewitt was recognized by AIA Seattle for his advocacy as one of the Gang of Five, a group which in the early 1980s illuminated urban issues for the Seattle Weekly. At the time, AIA Seattle had this to say of Hewitt: He has raised a quiet but insistent voice for design quality... All along the way, his broad perspective and quiet leadership have inspired his fellow professionals and public constituencies alike, and profoundly influenced both the form and the civic culture of the greater Seattle urban region.

The Seattle architecture firm announced the passing of its founder in a social media post this week and honored Hewitt for his fundamental impact on Seattle architecture and planning.

This article was written using information from an online obituary published by Legacy Remembers from Nov. 11 to Nov. 16, 2023. The full obituary can be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/DavidHewittObit




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NEW YORK (AP)  Americans cut back on retail spending in October, ending six straight months of gains, though the decline was partly driven by falling prices for both gasoline and cars.

Retail sales fell 0.1% last month after jumping a strong 0.9% in September, according to a report released Wednesday by the Commerce Department. September's figure was revised higher from an initial 0.7% gain. Excluding sales of gas and autos, retail sales ticked up 0.1%.





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About 200 disaster relief personnel are working on a plan to push steel pipes through an opening of excavated debris.



By BISWAJEET BANERJEE

Associated Press

LUCKNOW, India  Some of the 40 workers trapped for days in a collapsed road tunnel in northern India were falling sick Wednesday as falling debris and technical glitches delayed work to free them, officials said.

Rescuers have been trying to drill through the rubble and insert wide steel pipes to free the construction workers who have been trapped since Sunday when a portion of the tunnel they were working on collapsed in the mountainous Uttarakhand state.





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REDMOND  Not long after opening in downtown Redmond, Origins Cannabis bought the Prime Steakhouse property next door. Now the assemblage at 16330 Cleveland St. looks to be on the market, and there's an early new apartment plan brewing there.

The 110-unit midrise proposal comes from prospective buyer (or partner) Venture Real Estate Group, with no architect yet attached. The 19,198-square-foot property isn't publicly listed. It's a few steps west of the future Downtown Redmond station, which could open in 2025 or sooner.





. . .
THE Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court ruling that quashed a District Court judge's refusal to hear the cases of three people accused of publishing information online identifying the teenage boys who murdered Ana Kriegel in 2018.

We do not consider that there was any unfairness to the respondents, or breach of their rights to constitutional justice, said Mr Justice John Edwards today, this Thursday, vacating a ruling by the High Court in which Ms Justice Siobhan Phelan quashed a decision by Judge John Hughes to refuse jurisdiction in the case.

Edel Doherty, aged 48, of Rory OConnor House, Hardwicke Street, Dublin, appeared before Dublin District Court in October 2020 accused of posting photos on Facebook of two teenagers, known as Boys A and B, who were both convicted of the murder of Ana Kriegel following a trial in 2019.

Kyle Rooney, aged 26, of Rathfield Park, Raheny, Dublin, was charged with the posting of photos of the two boys on Twitter.

Declan Corcoran, aged 30, of Williams Place Lower, Dublin, was accused of both naming the boys on Twitter and of posting images of them.

Ana Kriegel, 14, was murdered at a disused farmhouse in Lucan, County Dublin, in May 2018, by the boys when they were both 13 years old.

They could not be identified by order of the trial judge and under a provision of the Children Act that prohibits the identification of minors accused or convicted of a criminal offence.

The three accused were among ten people charged with similar breaches of the Children Act who were initially told by Judge Brian O'Shea in October 2020 that jurisdiction was accepted and that their matters could be heard at the District Court level.

However, when the matter returned to the District Court on December 2, 2020, Judge Hughes deemed the offences as being too serious for the District Court and ruled that they should be sent to the higher Circuit Court, where penalties upon conviction can be more severe.

The three accused then brought a successful judicial review to the High Court challenging the decision, where Ms Justice Phelan decided that the matter should be sent back to the lower court for "reconsideration".

Ms Justice Phelan quashed Judge Hughes' decision saying the manner in which the judge approached the issue of jurisdiction was unfair because he did not address the cases individually or give reasons for the change.

The State subsequently appealed this decision, submitting to the Court of Appeal that the return of the matter to the District Court was made in error by the High Court and that "no breach of natural justice had been made" by Judge Hughes.

In delivering the Court of Appeals judgement, Mr Justice Edwards said that at least one judge must give consideration to whether these are minor offences, and if decided, a second judge is entitled to reconsider the matter of jurisdiction.

We do not see how a judge in such a position could be bound by the ruling of a colleague which was based on evidence that they have not personally heard, said Mr Justice Edwards.

He said that up to the point that a person is found guilty or enters a guilty plea, a decision by a judge of jurisdiction is not a determination set in stone.

For all anyone may know, the decision by the first District Court judge could well have been a finely balanced one, resulting in that judge opting by a narrow margin to come down on one side of the jurisdictional line. However, a subsequent judge, hearing the same evidence, might perfectly legitimately opt to come down on the other side of that line, he said.

He said the fact that Judge O'Shea accepted jurisdiction did not bind Judge Hughes, who was entitled to ask for an outline of the alleged facts. Mr Justice Edwards said that the Court of Appeal rejected the assertion that the manner by which Judge Hughes dealt with the proceedings gave rise to a reasonable apprehension that he was dissatisfied with the previous determination of a colleague.

We have been provided with no reason to believe that District Court Judge Hughes was motivated other than to conscientiously fulfil his constitutional duties, said Mr Justice Edwards.

He said that in the District Court, the legal representatives for the accused raised objections with the judge concerning the revisitation of jurisdiction, however, nobody complained about a collective ruling being given or about a lack of clarity as to the judges reasons.

Mr Justice Edwards said that the Court of Appeal disagreed with the High Court judges assertion that it would have been unrealistic to have required the legal representatives to engage with the judge about his reasons.

The legal representatives would have been perfectly entitled to ask him to elaborate on such reasons. They did not do so, he said.

He went on to say that the court was strongly in agreement with the submission by the State that the mere fact that the Judge of the District Court ruled on jurisdiction in a single collective or rolled up ruling does not imply a failure on his part to give individual consideration to each of the respondents respective cases.

There was no failure to meet the requirement that not only should justice be done but that it should be seen to be done, he said.

We do not consider that there was any unfairness to the respondents, or breach of their rights to constitutional justice.

Mr Justice Edwards said that the Court of Appeal was vacating the orders of certiorari granted by the High Court and the consequential orders remitting these matters to the District Court for a plea or a date in each case, and the High Courts orders regarding costs.

He said that these matters will subsequently be remitted back to the District Court to ascertain whether the DPP is consenting to the respondents being sent forward for trial.

He adjourned any issues as to costs or possible recommendations under the Legal Aid Scheme to December 1 next.
A Donegal woman living with lung cancer and the Irish Cancer Society have urged people to learn what to look out for as early detection saves lives.

Glencolmcille native Tracy Byrne is a founding member of the Irish Lung Cancer Community, having been diagnosed with lung cancer aged just 35 years in 2019 after presenting to her GP with worsening back pain.

An MRI revealed Tracy had a lesion on her lung which spread to her spine. She was diagnosed with EGFR lung cancer, a non-smoking-related type of the disease, and is calling for more public awareness.

To say I was shocked would be an understatement, she said. I had no symptoms in my lung so I couldnt understand this. Here I was going to get results for what I thought was routine back pain and within hours I was told that I have lung cancer with a secondary lesion in my spine.

Im sharing my story because I want to help the lung cancer community overcome the stigma that comes with this type of cancer. We need to focus on becoming more empathetic towards people who are diagnosed with lung cancer, learning the risk factors, identifying the symptoms to help with early diagnosis and to highlight that anyone with lungs can get lung cancer as most people are not aware that you can get lung cancer regardless if you are a smoker or a non-smoker."

New research shows that almost one in every three people dont know any signs of lung cancer despite it being the leading cause of cancer deaths in Ireland. More than 1,800 people die from lung cancer each year, with the majority of lung cancers (60%) being detected at a late stage, when they are much more difficult to treat.

Meanwhile, worrying new research from the Global Lung Cancer Coalition shows that 29% of Irish people dont know any signs and symptoms of lung cancer. Symptoms of lung cancer can present as difficulty breathing; a cough that doesn't go away or a change in a long-term cough; repeated chest infections that won't go away even after antibiotics; wheezing; feeling more tired than usual; a hoarse voice; coughing up blood-stained phlegm; pain in your chest, especially when you cough or breathe in; loss of appetite; weight loss; wwelling around your face and neck, difficulty swallowing

As well as creating public awareness around the symptoms of lung cancer, there are barriers to healthcare which stop people from attending their GP which urgently need to be addressed. Evidence shows that cost, people minimising their symptoms and difficulties in accessing GP appointments can prevent people from accessing care. The Irish Cancer Society has also long advocated for the introduction of a national lung cancer screening programme.

Dr. Patrick Redmond, GP and Associate Professor in General Practice at the RCSI says: "As a General Practitioner, I see first-hand the critical difference that early detection of cancer can make. Recognising the signs  such as persistent cough, unusual breathlessness, or unexplained weight loss  and acting quickly could be lifesaving. It is vital that we address the barriers to healthcare access and empower our patients with the knowledge to seek help promptly. I urge everyone to be attentive to their lung health and to consult their GP if they notice any concerning symptoms."

Throughout November and into December, the Irish Cancer Society will be hosting a series of Lung Cancer Awareness Road Shows and is calling on the public in these locations to come along, ask questions and meet with our cancer nurses. People can also check out the lung health checker online.

Anyone with questions or concerns about cancer can contact the Irish Cancer Society Support Line on Freephone 1800 200 700 or supportline@irishcancer.ie. The Irish Cancer Society's Lung Cancer Campaign is supported by Roche and AstraZeneca.
Louth County Council says it is delighted to announce the "Drogheda District Support 4 Older People" project has been honoured with the overall winner's award in the new Age Friendly category at the annual IPB Pride of Place awards ceremony.

The event took place on Friday evening, November 10, 2023, at the Armagh City Hotel.

The project, which has been making a significant impact on the lives of older people in the community for the past twelve years, impressed the judges with its dedicated and enthusiastic team of professionals.

The judges commended the project for its positive influence, stating: "This project made an immediate impression on the judges who met with an enthusiastic team of dedicated professionals who have made a significant difference to many older peoples lives within their community, over the last twelve years."

Outcomers Dundalk, who were also nominated by Louth County Council, showcased their commendable efforts during the judging process in September. Although they did not receive an award on the night, their outstanding performance made Louth proud.

The IPB Pride of Place awards, often referred to as the 'Oscars of the Community Sector,' celebrate the unsung work of community groups dedicated to improving local communities. The awards aim to recognise and appreciate the efforts of those who selflessly contribute to creating better places to live, work, and visit.

Both local groups were among the 86 groups nominated by 34 Local Authorities across Ireland, marking the 22nd anniversary of the awards. Sponsored by IPB, this All-Island competition focuses on acknowledging the invaluable work undertaken by local communities to foster civic pride in their areas, celebrating community development achievements on the island of Ireland.

Cathaoirleach of Louth County Council, Cllr. Paula Butterly stated, I am immensely proud of the strong tradition of community action and volunteerism that thrives in Louth. The dedication and selfless contributions of our community members make a profound impact on the well-being of our residents.

"I extend my heartfelt congratulations to both groups and thank you for representing Louth with such pride. Your achievements are a testament to the spirit and resilience of our community."

Joan Martin, Chief Executive of Louth County Council, applauded the Drogheda District Support 4 Older People project for their fantastic success in winning the overall prize in the Age-Friendly category.

She also congratulated Outcomers Dundalk, for representing Louth with pride, emphasising the county's continued strong performance in the competition.

In closing, Joan Martin said, "It is a wonderful competition which showcases all that is best and innovative in communities throughout the island of Ireland that we will continue to support."
Ryan Tubridy is to host a new weekend radio show on LMFM beginning in January, it has been announced today. The new show will be broadcast simultaneously on LMFM, Q102, Corks 96FM and Limericks Live 95.

Virgin Radio UK has today announced that the ex-presenter of the Late Late Show, will also be joining the weekday lineup on the station in the new year, broadcasting from the London studios of News UK.

Ryan Tubridy will follow The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio UK, and broadcast from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday. He will also be broadcasting live from London simultaneously on Dublins Q102.

Ryan said: I couldnt be more excited to start this new chapter. New city, new stations, new beginnings. I love radio and what a joy to be back. Its been a pleasure getting to know my new friends at Virgin Radio, all of whom have been warm, engaging and very entertaining. It will be great to be back on the radio in the UK and across Ireland.

And big thanks to the London Irish who have made me feel so welcome in recent weeks. On a personal note, this is a big day for my wonderful family who I hope to make proud, and also the people who advised me so well recently and got me to this moment.

To the listeners, wherever they may be, I urge you to join us on this adventure every weekday morning - and across Ireland at the weekend. There is much fun to be had!

LMFM radio is owned by Wireless Ireland, whose assets in Ireland include Dublins FM104 and Q102, Corks 96fm and C103, Live 95 in Limerick and U105 in Belfast. Wireless Ireland MD Sean Barry, said: Ryan is the biggest broadcaster in Ireland, a peerless professional and much-loved by his legion of Irish fans. He will be the perfect mid-morning companion on Q102.

"And his exciting new weekend show will be broadcast exclusively on Q102, Corks 96FM, Limericks Live 95 and LMFM. He will be an enormous hit with Wireless Irelands audiences.
Filipinos and Christmas make for the perfect holiday combination. Its heartwarming to watch every Filipino family giving their best through gifts and gatherings, making Christmas time even brighter with each celebration.

Once again, the Philippines leading neighborhood convenience store, 7-Eleven, is set to amp up the holiday cheers and turn Christmas dreams into reality with the Wish Upon A Cup raffle promo. From November 15, 2023 to January 16, 2024, customers can savor the joy of Paskong Pinoy at 7-Eleven, and get the chance to win incredible prizes such as gadgets, adventure rides, and even a trip for four to Barcelona.

Picking the perfect pamasko is as easy as choosing their favorite 7-Eleven drink. Each cup size of City Cafe, Prima, or GULP holds the key to all the exciting prizes that await. With the small cup, customers get a chance to win gadgets such as an iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPad 9th Gen, AirPods Max, Macbook Air M2, PS5, Nintendo Switch, Apple Watch Series 8, or a DJI Air 3 Drone.

Choose a medium cup and have the chance to ride away with a fantastic adventure ride, including an NMAX Motorbike, Xiaomi Bicycle Scooter, or a Kawasaki Bajaj Dominar 400.

For those with a thirst for grand adventures, selecting a large cup could turn into an incredible journey for four with plane tickets to Barcelona.

With a cup of holiday cheer in hand, all thats left to do is to submit an entry. Customers can scan the QR code printed on their chosen cup to enter the raffle or use the CLiQQ app to automatically join the promo upon transaction and get two entries for every single purchase of the cup for more chances of winning. A total of 28 winners will be chosen.

Never miss the chance to spread good vibes this holiday season, as Wish Upon a Cup promo is 7-Elevens thoughtful gift to the Christmas-loving Filipino community to make their Christmas dreams come true. Visit http://711wishuponacup.com/ for more details.

Like us on 7-Eleven Philippines Facebook, follow @711ph on Instagram, and @711philippines on Twitter for more information.
Iraq has become the EBRDs 74th shareholder

Iraq has expressed interest in applying for recipient country status

Iraq now included in the Banks southern and eastern Mediterranean region

Iraq has become the latest member of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), bringing its total number of shareholders to 74.

Iraq originally submitted a request to join the Bank in April 2018 and the Board of Governors approved its membership in October 2020. The process of becoming a shareholder is now concluded.

As a shareholder, Iraq can apply to become a recipient economy, thereby benefiting from the EBRDs finance and policy support. Such a request would be reviewed by shareholders in a separate process.

At this years EBRD Annual Meeting in Samarkand, the Board of Governors approved an amendment to the Agreement Establishing the Bank to allow the expansion of the Banks operations to Iraq. Once the amendment is in force, the Bank will be in a position to take forward any request from Iraq to become a country of operation.

The Governors Resolution in Samarkand also folded Iraq into the Banks southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region, to which the country has strong economic links.

EBRD President Odile Renaud-Basso, said: I am delighted to welcome Iraq as a member of the Bank. We are fully committed to engaging with the country. When the time comes, we are looking forward to starting work in Iraq, applying our expertise to developing its economy.

The Bank first started to operate in the SEMED region in 2012, launching activities in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia. In 2017, operations were extended to Lebanon and the West Bank and Gaza.

The EBRD now has 72 national shareholders in addition to the European Union and the European Investment Bank.
PHIL Coulter is returning to Ballymaloe Grainstore in December, after a sold-out concert at the beautiful East Cork venue last year.

With a career spanning 50 years, Coulter composed the unofficial anthem of the Irish rugby team,  Irelands Call, and has written songs for a variety of artists, including Cliff Richard, Sadie Shaw, and The Bay City Rollers.

Coulter also penned some of the most renowned Luke Kelly ballads, including  Scorn Not His Simplicity, and  The Town I Loved So Well.

Phil Coulter - Four Score and Then promises to be a celebration of the Derry mans incredible musical journey, featuring performances as well as entertaining stories from his fascinating career in show business, and video footage of collaborations with the likes of Liam Neeson and Billy Connolly.

He will be joined on stage by long-time musical associates and special guests, including the outstanding young tenor from Derry, George Hutton.

Coulters wife, Geraldine Branagan, with whom he has six children, will also join him on the night.

Commenting on the upcoming event, Bree Allen, the operations manager at Ballymaloe Grainstore, said: Phil Coulter really is music royalty and audiences were in raptures last December when he played here.

Hes performed all over the world, from Carnegie Hall to The White House, so its truly an honour to welcome Phil back to Ballymaloe Grainstore for the second year running; we are already heavily booked for what promises to be a magical night during the festive season.

Phil Coulter - Four Score and Then takes place at 8pm on Wednesday, December 6.
A POTENTIAL site has been identified by Cork City Council for a library in the Mahon and Blackrock area, according to the Government.

In a reply to the Labour Party, Minister for Rural and Community Development Heather Humphreys said that Cork City Council has identified a potential site.

The delivery of library services in the area identified is primarily a matter for Cork City Council, said Ms Humphreys.

However, my department has been informed by Cork City Council that a potential site has been identified in principle for a library on the grounds of Nagle Community College, on the Avenue De Rennes.

I understand that discussions regarding this site are ongoing between the local authority and Cork Education and Training Board.

Both parties have committed to signing a memorandum of understanding this month for the project, which will incorporate a youth services element, Ms Humphreys said.

Cork City Council have been advised of the requirement to progress the project through my departments four-stage capital-management process.

I understand that the city council plans to submit a Stage 1 application for approval in principle for the project to my department in quarter 1, 2024.

Costs for this project are currently unknown, due to it being in the early stages of planning, but estimates will be contained in the application when it is submitted.

Local Labour candidate, Peter Horgan, said: This project has been long-promised to the community for more than 30 years. There have been multiple generations passing through on the promise that a library was coming.

I hope all sides can get behind the process now and see progress for Mahon and Blackrock.
GARDAI in Cork have arrested two males and recovered a stolen vehicle following an incident in the northside of the city last night.

It is understood gardai had spotted a suspicious vehicle they believed had been stolen in Cork city a number of weeks ago.

After the vehicle failed to stop when signaled to do so, gardai pursued it before bringing the vehicle to a stop in the Blackpool area of the city at around 8pm on Wednesday evening.

A spokesperson for An Garda Siochana said, Gardai have arrested two males, aged in their late teens and early 20s, and recovered a stolen vehicle following a road traffic incident in the Blackpool area of the city yesterday evening.

Minor damage was caused to a Garda patrol vehicle in the course of a managed containment operation. No injuries were reported. Enquiries into the incident are ongoing.
Enquiries are underway following a fire at a commercial premises off Main Street in Midleton last night.

A Garda spokesperson said Gardai and emergency services attended the scene of the incident which occurred at approximately 9:30pm.

They said the fire was brought under control by local fire services and that there were no injuries reported.

The scene has been preserved to facilitate a technical examination.

This examination will determine the course of the investigation, the spokesperson said.

Enquiries are ongoing.

A spokesperson for Cork County Fire Service said crews from Midleton Fire Station and Cobh Fire Station were initially mobilised to respond.

These were supported by crews from Youghal Fire Station and specialist appliances from Mallow Fire Station and Carrigaline Fire Station, they added.

The spokesperson said units remained on the scene until just after 2am.
An elderly woman suffering from dementia had more than 45,000 stolen by her care worker visiting her Kinsale home and the irony of the case is that the accused will now have to entrust her own father to a care worker as she faces two and a half years in prison.

Judge Colin Daly said this irony was not lost on Cork Circuit Criminal Court as he sentenced 46-year-old Catherine Gregg of The Cottage, Ballinaclashet, Belgooly, Co Cork, to three years in prison with the last six months suspended.

Judge Colin Daly noted from Detective Sergeant Hugh Byrnes evidence that Ms Gregg was employed as a carer by an elderly couple in Kinsale  both of whom were in poor health. The man was recovering from a fall and his wife was experiencing dementia. She was employed by the family through a company offering the services of care workers.

Soon after her employment commenced, the elderly man died and it became apparent that his wife would need to go into a residential care home. However, in the weeks before that occurred, there were 15 electronic transfers totalling over 23,000 from an Ulster Bank account in the ladys name to an account of Ms Gregg. When the family began to look into the estate of their parents there was no document in the family home related to this account and it was only through the work of their solicitor that the existence of the account was established at all.

Judge Daly said, It seems certain efforts were made to keep evidence of this account from the family.

Payments and transfers

Before and after the electronic transfers which were carried out in a concentrated six-week period there were also  between 2018 and 2022  103 payments made with the bank card and 16 ATM withdrawals.

Payments were made by Ms Gregg on the elderly womans card for groceries, refuse collection, electricity bills and on one occasion the purchase from an equestrian supplier of horse tackle costing 4,000.

The withdrawals and use of the card to make payments continued until it was cleaned out to the tune of over 45,000. There was no more than 80 cents left in the account when she was finished.

Judge Daly said, She deprived an elderly couple  certainly an elderly woman  of a significant amount of money  money this woman may yet need. The breach of trust to the entire family who entrusted the care of their mother to the accused (is extreme).

She took advantage of an elderly woman at the most exceptionally and extremely vulnerable time of her life when she was a carer for this woman. She comes before the court with previous convictions for similar offences. They may have been historical but they showed a similar lack of regard and abuse of trust that others might place in her.

She is a single mother caring for her daughter and caring for her own father who has dementia. The irony of this case  where she is now going to have to rely on someone else to place her trust to look after her father  is not lost on this court.

Sentence deferred

The judge imposed a sentence of three years with the last six months suspended. The commencement of the sentence was deferred until January 4 2024 when she is required to present herself at Bandon garda station to be taken to prison to commence her prison sentence.

Defence barrister, Paula McCarthy, said the accused made full admissions as soon as she was questioned by gardai and never demurred from that.

She expresses her remorse and her shame for her actions. She is under the care of a GP. I am instructed she would have liked to repay the money but she is not in a position to bring the money before the court She has met these charges fairly. Her medical report shows that she has suffered from anxiety and depression.

She expresses her full, unequivocal apology to the family, for whatever that is worth, Ms McCarthy said.

Ms Gregg pleaded guilty to 17 sample counts of theft under the Criminal Justice Theft and Fraud Offences Act related to when Ms Gregg was working as a carer.

Some amounts were in excess of 3,000 and 4,000. One was for 14.50. What was stolen in total amounted to 45,773.93.
Ive mentioned here before that I feel we undersell ourselves as a city in Cork, and that we should celebrate our music heritage more.

Recently, I co-ran a music exhibition in St Peters on North Main Street and I spent a lot of time chatting to those who came through the doors.

Many were from Cork, others were visitors for the jazz weekend.

The nature of the exhibition meant that most of my actual work had been done in the preceding weeks, and during the time it was there, I spent a lot of time talking to these various people about music and Corks music scene.

Lots of these conversations stayed in my head and Ive been thinking a lot about how we could do something amazing here with our musical heritage.

One conversation, with local dancer and movement teacher Helena Palmer was especially relevant. She was telling me that her mother was always saying that Cork needs a music museum.

I couldnt agree more! Ive been thinking about this a lot over the years, and running the exhibition, I ended up travelling back in time a fair bit through my own personal music journey, and lots of Corks own history too.

As the Cork Jazz Festival turned 45, I was thinking about its history and of the acts that Ive seen that are no longer with us.

Many of them were jazz and hip-hop greats, and some of them were celebrated at our exhibition through photographs, signed records, and other bits.

This exhibition was largely a personal one for myself and Mark Murphy, of Choice Cuts, but previously I also helped co-run an exhibition in the Boole library in UCC.

Alongside Martin OConnor and Eileen Hogan, we crowdsourced a Sir Henrys exhibition, that ran through the summer of 2014, and it was a great way to celebrate the iconic venue (from a rock and dance perspective).

Both of these exhibitions took a lot of energy and time, but both told stories that might have been lost unless we documented them.

The legendary Irish Jack, who turned 80 last week, presented me with a binder full of info on every Sir Henrys gig that took place.

The likes of Jack are a treasure of information. Many of us have big archives of musical memorabilia, posters, flyers, recordings, and other interesting artefacts that are gathering dust in attics at home.

It would be cool to house them in a place with a more permanent legacy, and a place that might inspire the next generation too.

I was delighted to see so many youngsters at our exhibition. If you had a museum space where you could do workshops/talks/gigs, it could be an important cultural hub in Cork city and a huge tourist attraction.

Ive seen other cities do this, and with performance and practice space such a precious commodity these days, it would be cool if a body such as the Cork City Council had the vision to back such a space in the years to come. I might be only dreaming, but I think it could be amazing.

Other organisations could use it too. One of my Foroige/ETB youth projects has been operating pretty much without a home for the last few years, we need more spaces for youth work and the creative arts.

Such a museum space could be perfect for this too, and it could be a hub that is used all day and even at nights by our music people.

We have music sections and spaces in some of our libraries (Cork City Library has the Rory Gallagher music library), but we can do more.

We can honour Rory alongside Five Go Down to the Sea and Fish Go Deep and Ellll and the many other Cork music talents.

We can nurture the next generation and provide them with a space to create, and link them with the others who have gone before. We can promote our music scene in this hub and make it an essential tourist destination too, highlighting all thats good about our amazing city.

People love music in Cork and we will continue to create it no matter what. But maybe we can give Cork a space outside of the traditional pub/club mould that will prove to be the focal point for the next few generations. We could run exhibitions, workshops, and host talks and shows all year round. It would be amazing!
Vivienne Clarke

Two children of an Irish-Palestinian man are being evacuated from the Gaza Strip and are en route to join him in Ireland.

Khalid El Estal's children, Ali (4) and Sara (1), are included on an evacuation list to leave Gaza and travel to Egypt on Thursday.

Mr El Estal, who is based in Naas, Co Kildare, confirmed that his two young children will travel with his brother-in-law, who has an Irish visa.

The childrens mother, Ashwak, was killed from injuries sustained during Israeli shelling of Gaza last month.

Mr El Estalk told RTEs Morning Ireland that the Department of Foreign Affairs had contacted him to tell him that the children were included on the list to leave on Thursday along with their uncle.

I am really excited. I want to take care of them. That is the will of my wife, he said.

I hope they can be safe, you know, between travelling.

Mr El Estalk said his wife would always be in his heart and that the continued to send her WhatsApp messages telling her how beautiful Ireland was and how good people were to him when everything happened.

She is with us. She is. I can feel her with me. All the time.

On Wednesday more than 20 Irish citizens left the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing into Egypt.

Taoiseach Leo Varadkar said arrangements are in place for staff from the countrys embassy in Cairo to provide consular assistance to them, including travel back to Ireland.

He told a meeting of Fine Gaels parliamentary party on Wednesday night that diplomatic relations are being maintained with all countries and ambassadors to ensure Irish people get out of Gaza safely.

Mr Varadkar said he was glad to see this has resulted in up to 30 Irish citizens and their dependants gaining entry to Egypt.

He said every effort is ongoing across Government to ensure the safety of all Irish people in Gaza, the release of Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand from Hamas and the security of 450 troops in the region.

Around 35 to 40 Irish passport holders were understood to be in the enclave prior to Wednesdays crossings.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin travelled to Egypt on Wednesday as part of intense diplomatic efforts and will visit Israel and Palestine on Thursday.
COBH writer Michelle Dunne, a former army officer, has turned her hand to writing psychological thrillers and has three books coming out in less than 12 months.

Michelle used her defence forces background as inspiration for her character Lindsey Ryan, star of a series of novels, which is in development for television. While that is exciting for Michelle, she says its a slow process.

Theres never any guarantee but there are three production companies on board at the moment. Its giving me good insight into converting a book for the screen. It has been going on for almost a year and a half. But its all going in the right direction.

Michelle, a mother-of-one, has a book coming out next March with Bloodhound Books. Its not part of the Lindsey Ryan series. This stand-alone book, entitled The Good Girl, is set in Cork. Its about a young woman called Grace Murphy who had an appalling childhood.

She suffers a psychological breakdown and, basically, gets her revenge on the people she thinks have hurt her. She turns into a bit of a serial killer. She works as a barista, shes very normal. Everyone likes her. She just happens to be killing people. My novels are character- driven, female-led with strong women.

Author Michelle Dunne, signing in at the official opening of the Spike Island Literary Festival. Picture: David Keane

Michelle also has two books coming out with Storm Publishing. In July , The Hotel Maid will be published. This psychological thriller is about a maid cleaning a hotel bedroom who finds a murdered woman there. As she tries to figure out what to do, the police suddenly arrive as they received a report of a missing child from the same room three hours earlier.

The other novel to be published by Storm doesnt yet have a title. Its a domestic thriller about how the death of a teenage girl brings to the surface a lot of secrets in two different families.

Growing up in a household where crime fiction was devoured, Michelle (in her mid-forties) was an avid reader of the genre. However, she didnt start writing until her five-year contract with the army was over.

I had no idea what I wanted to do for the rest of my life. I trained as a physiotherapist. I still keep up some physiotherapy work. I have to get out of the house and meet people. I do a lot of work in nursing homes, working with dementia residents. I hear some fantastic stories. I get inspiration from absolutely everywhere.

Despite the radio documentary Women Of Honour, and a book by a former soldier, Karina Molloy, alleging sexual abuse in the army, Michelles experience of the defence forces was hugely positive.

It really shaped me. Youll meet one or two eejits everywhere but my experience was fantastic. It was massively eye-opening and thrilling. I think what made it thrilling was my age. I had my 21st birthday while I was in the army.

I had no worries and was naive enough to think that nothing bad would ever happen to me, despite shells falling all around us (in Lebanon). We had a very turbulent time. But I was never really scared.

Now I have my five-year-old daughter Emily to think of. It would be a very different story now.

Michelles brother Ken McNamara is in the Navy.

Author, Michelle Dunne, in Waterstones on Patrick Street, Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Crime fiction in this country, often written by women, is very popular. Why is it having such a high profile?

Ireland has a very dark history with its women, given the Magdalene laundries and the way women have been treated. Maybe all that dark stuff is on our minds and were kicking and screaming our way out into the world.

Theres Liz Nugent, Andrea Mara, Sam Blake and some brilliant female crime writers in Cork such as Catherine Ryan Howard, Amy Cronin, Catherine Kirwan. Theyre a most supportive bunch of women.

If you get stuck with a plot, you can go for a coffee with them and talk about it. We have a WhatsApp group called The Irish Murderesses.

While Michelle says writing is mostly solitary and she sometimes misses the camaraderie of the army, her involvement in literary festivals that focus on crime fiction is ideal for her.

Id love to be a full-time writer but I would still need something else. Organising festivals is a very social thing. I love gathering writers together.

I used to organise a small event for Culture Night years ago on Spike Island. Management there were saying we should do an annual thing. So the Spike Island Literary Festival of crime writing took off. Its going into its third year. This year, we got hit by Storm Betty on day one and we had to cancel some of it but people still enjoyed the festival.

Author, Michelle Dunne, on St. Paul's Avenue, Cork. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Michelle has also been asked to join the team as programmer of Dublins international crime literary festival, Murder One, which takes place in October, 2024.

Clearly, Michelle has a busy year ahead of her. While she says she doesnt often sit down at a desk to write, she is good at time management.

I write when Emily is at school. And I bring my laptop everywhere with me. So if I drop Emily off at dancing, Ill sit in the car park and write while I wait for her.

Michelles writing career has come a long way since self-publishing two books over a decade ago. Now, she says she takes her writing seriously.

It has become a career in the last couple of years.
Evacuated from war-hit Ukraine in 2021, hundreds of Indian MBBS students, who thought their academic journey was over, have resumed their studies and started new lives in a leading medical university in Uzbekistan, stated a report in PTI.

The Samarkand State Medical University in Uzbekistan has accommodated over 1,000 Indian medical students from Ukraine after the Indian Embassy in Ukraine reached out to them enquiring if the affected students can seek a transfer.

Story of Amit from Begusarai, Bihar

Amit from Bihar's Begusarai, spent one night in a basement in Ukraine when Russia attacked.

He was among the students evacuated by the Indian government under the 'Operation Ganga' initiative.

'Operation Ganga' was the initiative launched by the government of India to bring back Indians stranded in Ukraine.

A total of 18,282 Indian nationals were evacuated under the initiative.

"I thought I wouldn't make it and would either die or will be stranded in Ukraine. Once I was back home in India, me and my family were relieved but then began the never-ending cycle of uncertainty about what was next. I had finished three years of my MBBS in Ukraine and to start all over again or pursue something else was not an option I wanted to consider. I later decided to move to Uzbekistan," Amit told PTI.

He says living expenses in Samarkand are higher than that of Ukraine but he is happy to be able to continue his education.

Story of Tanwi Wadhva from Ferozepur, Punjab

Tanwi Wadhva from Punjab's Ferozepur, who was studying at Bukovinian State Medical University in Ukraine, was apprehensive about joining the university due to the loss of a semester.

"I attended online classes for eight months. We were hopeful that the war would end and we would go back. Some students even went back from different routes but I didn't want to take that risk. I evaluated all options from Georgia to Poland and decided to come to Uzbekistan. The university admitted us a semester back, I was initially apprehensive about the loss of one semester but later I changed my mind and it was worth the decision," she said.

Story of Divyansh from Meerut, Uttar Pradesh

Divyansh from Meerut who used to study at the same university as Wadhwa said Uzbekistan's universities offered teaching and learning in English and the curriculum was on the same lines.

"Not all countries have universities which offer English as a medium of instruction. So that was a very important factor. Quality of life is similar in Ukraine and Samarkand but this place feels safer now," he said.

Around 19,000 Indian students were studying in Ukraine when the Russian invasion began in February 2021.

According to estimates, approximately 2,000 Indian students have gone back to Ukraine and they are residing mostly in the western part of the East European country.

Several Indian medical students were left with no choice after their evacuation from Ukraine and transferred to universities in other countries to continue their studies.

Many have gone to Russia, Serbia and other European countries.

VC speaks

Dr Zafar Aminov, Vice-Chancellor, of Samarkand State Medical University, said when the war broke out, the Indian Embassy reached out to them enquiring if the affected students could seek a transfer.

"We evaluated the requirements of such students and then ultimately decided that enrolling them with a semester back would be a viable option to provide equivalence. We then set up a team to facilitate transfers and also made special arrangements for these students. We hired 30 more Indian teachers to ensure there are no accent issues," he told PTI.

Aminov said the university has accommodated over 1,000 Indian transfer students from Ukraine.

Story of Deepika Kaidala Jayaramaiah from Karnataka

Deepika Kaidala Jayaramaiah, a student from Karnataka, said after seeing the war situation right in front of her, moving to a peaceful country was the priority.

"I have only read about war in history books. Never imagined that I would witness the situation in person. After it was evident that going to Ukraine was not an option now, I decided to resume my medical journey in Uzbekistan," she said.
The Council of Europe and the European Parliament have reached an agreement on a new EU Regulation to reduce methane (CH 4 ) emissions in the European energy sector and in global supply chains.

The EU Methane Regulation introduces requirements for the EU oil, gas and coal sectors to measure, report and verify their methane emissions, including regular inspections to check and fix leaks on their operations. It also bans most cases of flaring and venting (intentional burning and releasing of unwanted methane into the atmosphere) with immediate effect on the oil and gas sector, while the coal sector should be banned from flaring in 2025 with venting being allowed until 2027, with stricter conditions applying as of 2031.

The regulation aims to impose CH 4 emission limits on fossil fuels imports. It sets up a methane transparency database on CH 4 emissions reported by importers and EU operators, mandates the European Commission to establish methane performance profiles of countries and companies and sets up a global methane emitters monitoring tool and a rapid alert mechanism for super-emitting events. As of 2027, new import contracts for oil, gas and coal will be only concluded if the same monitoring, reporting and verification obligations are applied by exporters as for EU producers.

The EU Methane Regulation was proposed in 2021 as part of the European Green Deal by the European Commission and it is expected to immediately enter into force once it receives the final approval of the European Parliament and the EU member states, with the limit on methane emissions being set out by the European Commission before it applies. The European Union aims to reduce 30% of the European methane emissions by 2030.
Manx Flag Waved at The Top of Kilimanjaro Summit

Six people who raised collectively 29,000 for various charities completed the challenge of climbing Mount Kilimanjaro, Africa's highest peak.

The team from Capital International Group, consisted of Werner Alberts, Jamie Wade, Karen Le Moal, Leanne, and John Venables.

After raising nearly 25,000 in various charity events, the Capital team headed to Tanzania to support the Huruma orphanage. A project that helped build and support the infrastructure to secure the orphans future for generations to come.

Joining them was Mike Valerga, who had always aspired to ascend Kilimanjaro alongside his late mother.

Sadly, his mother's dream was cut short by a brief illness, making his participation in this expedition a poignant tribute to her memory.

As part of Mikes goal, he managed to raise over 4000, which he split between Hospice Isle of Man and the Huruma Orphanage.

Leanne, a member of the Capital International Group team, now shares her own journey on the successful Kilimanjaro expedition, emphasising the unity and determination that made it all possible:

Not that the normal climbing route up Kilimanjaro is hard enough, our team leader challenged us to undertake the difficult Marangu Route, known as the Coca Cola route." This route, boasting a 50% success rate, offered the team a unique yet testing experience. "The expedition began with our departure from the hotel, where experienced guides and dedicated porters warmly welcomed us. A two-hour journey to Marangu Gate marked a transition in the landscape, from dry, dusty terrain to lush, green tropical vegetation and farms. On the third day, we undertook a challenging 6- mile trek to Kibo Hut, located at an altitude of 4,700 meters, where the landscape transformed into an alpine desert, and the dropping temperature reminded us of the challenges ahead. Sleep was scarce, and we initiated our midnight ascent to the summit, navigating the pitch-black environment illuminated only by our headlamps. After six and a half hours of relentless climbing, we reached Uhuru Peak, the summit, which brought forth an emotional moment as we reflected on our achievement. Our descent from the mountain marked the end of this incredible journey, and as we descended, our cheers and well-wishes resonated with fellow climbers just beginning their adventure. In total, the whole team covered over 43 miles, reaching an astounding altitude of 5,895 meters (19,340 feet), creating unforgettable memories that solidified our team bond."
Google is scaling up Search Generative Experience (SGE) for holiday shopping. The company announced Thursday that its AI-powered search bot can now spit out gift ideas, photorealistic images of product types and virtual try-ons of mens tops.

Google SGE launched in May, offering AI-driven answers and suggestions to complement the search engines standard web results. The company has since added follow-up queries, better translations and interactive definitions in more complex subjects. The tool requires Chrome on desktop or the Google mobile app on smartphones.

A 15 x 11 grid shows 165 AI-generated handbags based on user prompts. (Google)

The search giant says 20 percent of apparel searches are five words or longer, suggesting people often look for something particular when seeking info about fashion products. Now, Google SGE can generate photorealistic images of the item youre picturing. You can then tweak the image with follow-up prompts before SGE uses the generated output as a foundation to search for actual products it thinks come the closest.

Lets say you want a new winter coat  a colorful, patterned puffer jacket  and you havent found quite what youre looking for, wrote Julie Black, Googles Director of Shopping Product, in an announcement blog post. With generative AI in Search, just look for that style and tap the Generate images button to see photorealistic, generated images that match your vision. From there, you can refine the images in real time  so if youd prefer a colorful metallic jacket instead of patterned, just enter that refinement in the text box. Then youll see a new set of photorealistic images. Once youve found one you like, just scroll down to see similar shoppable products.

Image on a phone displaying generative AI searches for gift ideas in the Google app. The search query says (Google)

Google also wants SGE to help you formulate the perfect gift. If you search for great gifts for home cooks on a compatible device / browser combo, it can produce ideas organized into subcategories like specialty tools, artisanal ingredients, culinary subscriptions and cooking classes. Google says you can refine the query to be ultra-specific, using examples like gifts for home cooks who love pasta or gift ideas for a seven-year-old who wants to be an inventor.

Google SGE added virtual clothing try-ons for womens tops in June, which the company says have led to significantly more high-quality interactions from shoppers. Virtual try-ons for mens tops arrive today. If you search for womens or mens tops from a supported brand, youll see 40 virtual models representing different shapes, sizes, heights and skin tones. You can choose one that looks the closest to you or the person youre shopping for to get an AI-powered view of how the product may look on them. Supported labels at launch include Abercrombie & Fitch, Banana Republic, JCrew and Under Armour.

If you havent already enrolled, youll need to activate SGE for your account before trying it. Visit the Search Labs page or activate SGE in the Google app by tapping the beaker icon on the upper left.
Hyundai just announced that its forthcoming Ioniq 5 N electric vehicle will go on sale next March via approved retailers, in addition to officially unveiling the car to US-based consumers at AutoMobility LA. The Ioniq 5 N was first teased back in July, so its nice to have a definitive release date, despite the lack of pricing information.

The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N is the companys first N-branded EV, which is basically a sub-brand dedicated to high-performance vehicles. To that end, this upgraded version of the standard Ioniq 5 EV can go from zero to 60 MPH in just over three seconds, with a top speed of 161 MPH. As a reference point, that older Ioniq 5 maxes out at 115 MPH. The dual motors of the Ioniq 5 N create 641 Horsepower (478 kW) with the proprietary N Grin Boost engaged.

This is an electric vehicle, so the battery requires some attention. The Ioniq 5 Ns newly-designed 84 kWH battery features a thermal regulation system to reduce heat-induced power degradation. To that end, youll go from 10 percent to 80 percent of juice in just 18 minutes, when connected to a DCFC 350 kW charger.

This vehicle is also outfitted with plenty of high-performance features, many of them with the companys preferred N nomenclature. Theres the specially-tuned N R-MDPS (Rack-Mounted Motor-Driven Power Steering) system, the N Pedal system for responsive handling, the N Drift Optimizer for maintaining the perfect drift angle and the N Brake Regen system to help conserve that all-important juice, among others.

A car interior. (Hyundai)

Theres also a greater emphasis on driver feedback, to allow for more precise control during difficult driving conditions. This is aided by the integrated 10-speaker sound system. All aspects of the vehicle, from the steering wheel to the pedals, feature N-branded elements. Finally, theres a newly-designed control center complete with a sliding armrest, knee pads, shin support, USB-C ports, a wireless charger and, the techiest feature of all, cupholders.

As previously mentioned, the Ioniq 5 N goes on sale next March, with pricing to come at a later date. The standard Ioniq 5 starts at $39,700, so itll be more than that, likely much more than that.
Synex Medical, a Toronto-based biotech research firm backed by Sam Altman (the CEO of OpenAI), has developed a tool that can measure your blood glucose levels without a finger prick. It uses a combination of low-field magnets and low-frequency radio waves to directly measure blood sugar levels non-invasively when a user inserts a finger into the device.

The tool uses magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS), which is similar to an MRI. Jamie Near, an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto who specializes in the research of MRS technology told Engadget that, [an] MRI uses magnetic fields to make images of the distribution of hydrogen protons in water that is abundant in our body tissues. In MRS, the same basic principles are used to detect other chemicals that contain hydrogen. When a users fingertip is placed inside the magnetic field, the frequency of a specific molecule, in this case glucose, is measured in parts per million. While the focus was on glucose for this project, MRS could be used to measure metabolites, according to the Synex, including lactate, ketones and amino acids.

Synex Medical diagnostic (Synex Medical)

Matthew Rosen, a Harvard physicist whose research spans from fundamental physics to bioimaging in the field of MRI, told Engadget that he thinks the device is clever and a great idea. Magnetic resonance technology is a common technique used for chemical analysis of compounds, however, traditional resonance technologies operate at high magnetic fields and they're very expensive.

Synex found a way to get clear readings from low magnetic fields. Theyve overcome the challenges really by developing a method that has high sensitivity and high specificity, Rosen says. Honestly, I have been doing magnetic resonance for thirty years. I never thought people could do glucose with a benchtop machine you could do it with a big machine no problem.

Professor Andre Simpson, a researcher and center director at the University of Toronto also told Engadget that he thinks Synexs device is the real deal. MRI machines can fit an entire human body and have been used to target molecule concentrations in the brain through localized spectroscopy, he explained. Synex has shrunk this technology to measure concentrations in a finger. I have reviewed their white paper and seen the instrument work. Simpson said Synexs ability to retrofit MRS technology into a small box is an engineering feat.

We are incredibly excited to announce a major breakthrough toward solving non-invasive glucose monitoring, the Holy Grail of self-measurement!https://t.co/uxvHE7FRJy pic.twitter.com/eqoIpmIVMM  Synex (@synexmedical) November 10, 2023

As of now, there are no commercially available devices that can measure blood glucose non-invasively. While there are continuous glucose monitors on the market that use microneedles, which are minimally invasive, there is still a risk of infection.

But there is competition in the space for no-prick diagnostics tools. Know Labs is trying to get approval for a portable glucose monitor that relies on a custom-made Bio-RFID sensing technology, which uses radio waves to detect blood glucose levels in the palm of your hand. When the Know Labs device was tested up against a Dexcom G6 continuous glucose monitor in a study, readings of blood glucose levels using its palm sensor technology were within threshold only 46 percent of the time. While the readings are technically in accordance with FDA accuracy limits for a new blood glucose monitor, Know Labs is still working out kinks through scientific research before it can begin FDA clinical trials.

Another start-up, German company DiaMonTech, is currently developing a pocket-sized diagnostic device that is still being tested and fine-tuned to measure glucose through photothermal detection. It uses mid-infrared lasers that essentially scan the tissue fluid at the fingertip to detect glucose molecules. CNBC and Bloomberg reported that even Apple has been quietly developing a sensor that can check your blood sugar levels through its wearables, though the company never confirmed. Founder and CEO of Synex, Ben Nashman, told Engadget that eventually, the company would like to develop a wearable. But further miniaturization was needed before they could bring a commercial product to market.

Rosen says he isn't sure how the sensor technology can be retrofitted for smartwatches or wearables just yet. But he can imagine a world where these tools complement blood-based diagnostics. Is it good enough for clinical use? I have to leave that for what clinicians have to say.

Update, November 16 2023, 10:59 AM ET: This story has been updated to clarify that a comment from the company was made by the CEO of Synex and not a company representative.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) is keeping a close eye on internet providers to make sure they provide Americans with equal access to broadband services regardless of customers' "income level, race, ethnicity, color, religion or national origin." Two years after the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law became official, the FCC has adopted a final set of relevant rules to enforce.

The Commission will have the power to investigate possible instances of "digital discrimination" under the new rules and could penalize providers for violating them. It could, for instance, look into a company's pricing, network upgrades and maintenance procedures to decide whether a provider is keeping an affluent area well maintained while failing to provide the same level of service to a low-income area.

As The Wall Street Journal explains, it could even hold companies like AT&T and Comcast liable even if they weren't intentionally discriminatory, as long as their actions "differentially impact consumers' access to broadband." If the FCC does receive complaints against a particular provider, though, it will take into account any technical and economic challenges it may be facing that prevents it from providing equal access to its services.

According to The Journal, the FCC approved the new rules in a 3-2 vote. Their critics  mainly internet providers and Republican members of the Congress  argued that the decision could affect investments and that the commission is taking things too far by penalizing unintentional discrimination. But FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel found the rules to be reasonable, especially since the agency will "accept genuine reasons of technical and economic feasibility as valid reasons."

In addition to adopting a set of rules for digital discrimination, the FCC has also updated its protections against SIM swapping and port-out scams. It will now require wireless providers to notify customers immediately when a SIM change or a port-out is requested for their account and phone number. Further, providers are required to take additional steps to protect their subscribers from the schemes. The FCC has voted to begin a formal inquiry to look into the impact of artificial intelligence on robocalls, as well. It could, after all, be used to block unwanted voice and text messages, but it could also be used to more easily defraud people through calls and texts.

Finally, the commission is now requiring mobile providers to split phone lines from family plans for victims of domestic violence when the abuser is on the account. Providers will also have to remove records of calls and texts to domestic violence hotlines from subscribers' logs, and they're expected to support survivors who can't afford lines of their own through the FCC Lifeline program.

Update, November 16, 2023, 8:50PM ET: This story has been updated to add information about the FCC's new rules supporting domestic violence survivors.
This is the first time CRISPR has been approved by any regulatory agency for general use.

In a landmark decision, the UKs Medicines and Healthcare products Agency (MHRA) approved the use of a gene-editing therapy called Casgevy for patients with sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia  both of which are hereditary disorders related to genetic mutations of the red blood cells. The treatment, manufactured by Vertex , is the first-ever approved therapy that utilizes CRISPR-based gene editing technology to treat eligible patients.

The UK approval of the novel therapy is informed by two previous global clinical trials that indicated the treatment's efficacy. 97 percent of patients using Casgevy were relieved of severe pain associated with the blood disorders for at least 12 months after treatment during the trials. The results suggest that the gene editing treatment could replace the current standard for care. Stem cell therapy and bone marrow transplants are currently the only pathways to cure sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia, however, they involve a lot of risks.

Both sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia are blood disorders characterized by defective red blood cells that cant carry oxygen, and require patients to get monthly blood transfusions that can be costly and time-consuming. Casgevy works by specifically targeting the genes in the bone marrow stem cells that produce faulty blood cells. For the treatment to work, a patients stem cells need to be extracted from their bone marrow, edited in a lab and then re-infused into the patient.

#Breaking: The UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approves our CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited treatment for #SickleCellDisease and #BetaThalassemia in Great Britaina historic scientific milestone. Learn more: https://t.co/hFk7wzThTQ pic.twitter.com/bMcVN5Ln5c  Vertex Pharmaceuticals (@VertexPharma) November 16, 2023

Despite its promising outlook, CRISPR-based therapies may not be easily available to the general public. Gene editing is an expensive endeavor . The Innovative Genomics Institute (IGI) estimates that the average CRISPR-based therapy will cost between $500,000 and $2 million per patient. The IGI has built out an Affordability Task Force to tackle the issue of expanding access to these novel therapies.

Aside from costliness, gene editing therapies offer huge promise to innovate treatment pathways for rare conditions including neurodegenerative diseases, cancer and muscular atrophy . More importantly, this landmark approval for Casgevy opens the door for further applications of CRISPR therapies in the future, Prof Dame Kay Davies, a scientist from the University of Oxford, said . And new iterations of gene editing technologies may even surpass CRISPR in the future.
King Charles allegedly stopped Meghan Markle from joining Prince Harry in flying to Balmoral to see Queen Elizabeth on her deathbed because her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, chose not to come, according to a new book.

Royal biographer Omid Scobie, co-author of "Finding Freedom," claimed in his new publication "Endgame" that Prince Harry was kept in the dark about Queen Elizabeth II's health shortly before she passed away. In an excerpt obtained by People, Scobie claimed that His Majesty asked Prince Harry "to come alone" even if it was already reported that his wife would accompany him to Balmoral. The monarch reportedly told his younger son to leave Markle behind because his sister-in-law was also not coming.

"Charles had cited 'protocol,' but the reality was that Kate chose to stay back to pick up the children from their first day at a new school," Scobie wrote. An unnamed former Palace aide reportedly told him, "They just didn't want Meghan there." Markle's pal added that she could sense "she wasn't wanted."

Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis started attending Lambrook School in September 2022 after the Prince and Princess of Wales decided to move their family from London to Windsor. Prince William flew to Balmoral with his uncles Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. Sophie, Countess of Wessex, also joined them.

Another anonymous tipster told Scobie that Prince Harry was "completely by himself," noting, "It was upsetting to witness."

The Duke of Sussex also spoke about the same incident in his memoir "Spare" released earlier this year. Prince Harry also revealed his displeasure over the conversation about his wife.

"[Charles] said I was welcome at Balmoral, but he didn't want ... her," Prince Harry wrote, per Us Weekly. "He started to lay out his reason, which was nonsensical and disrespectful, and I wasn't having it. [I replied,] 'Don't ever speak about my wife that way.'"

Scobie also claimed that there was a "tug-of-war" between the Sussexes team and Buckingham Palace because the latter wanted to announce the Queen's death to the public without informing Prince Harry, who was still in a 70-minute flight. The palace announced the Queen's passing at 6:30 p.m., while Prince Harry's plane touched the tarmac 20 minutes later.

Queen Elizabeth died on Sept. 8. She was 96.
The Champions Boat League (CBL) is a recent and notable addition to Indias lucrative sporting extravaganzas. An initiative by Keralas tourism department, the CBL straps on to the historical and legendary festival of Vallamkali, the snake boat races, which have been locally celebrated for hundreds of years. These traditional sporting festivals use chundan vallamssnake boatsdue to the hooded stern of the boat. They are between 60 and 65 metres in length and carry around 65130 rowers (thoya kaar) who paddle in synchrony to get to the finish line. These boats have a rich history, having been used traditionally as war vessels and socioculturally evolved into sporting festivals organised by the community in the backwaters of the region. The oldest and most popular local races include the Champakulam Moolam Race, Aranmula Boat Race, and the Payippad Jalotsavam, which have a vibrant cultural history associated with them. The Nehru Trophy Races, with a relatively short historical lineage, initiated the gradual commodification of the event, as it came to occupy a significant position in Keralas popular culture and tourism industry.

Vallamkali festivals were traditionally symbolic spaces for cultural identity formation, expression, and negotiating social norms and values through the peoples participation in the event as competitors and spectators. For example, the Champakulam Moolam Race venerates the legend of the Chempakassery king, who clandestinely acquired a deity to be installed in the Ambalappuzha temple, aided by the Christian community residing in Champakulam. The festival encapsulates an array of traditions and rituals that actively foster inter-religious communal harmony. The Aranmula Utrattathi boat race has strong religious associations, as the offerings to the deity in the temple are carried on the boats by the community. These festivals encompass a multitude of sociocultural values, extending beyond the sole emphasis on the sport or game at hand. Festival cultures have been innately linked to the notion of community, serving as a spatial and temporal interruption of social order, which is crucial to subversion and negotiation within communities. Shifting economic models, rapid mobility, and increased capital flows have changed the notions of locale and community, resulting in varied ramifications on the dynamics of festivals.
Sevilla

Un informe de CCOO apunta que el 75% de los que acuden a la Cartuja de Sevilla van en coche por "no tener alternativas"
Death toll rises to 26 in north China coal mine company building fire

Xinhua) 15:10, November 16, 2023

TAIYUAN, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Death toll has risen to 26 after a fire broke out Thursday morning at a building of a coal mine company in north China's Shanxi Province, according to rescuers.

The fire ripped through the second floor of the five-story building located in Lishi District of Lyuliang City. Rescue efforts are underway, according to local authorities.

More than 60 people have been sent to a local hospital for treatment.

The building belongs to the private Yongju coal mine company.

(Web editor: Liang Jun, Xian Jiangnan)
The body of Yehudit Weiss, who was abducted by the Hamas terrorist organization, was extracted by IDF troops from a structure adjacent to the Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip and was transferred to Israeli territory. In the structure in which Yehudit was located, military equipment including Kalashnikov rifles and RPG's were also found.



Following an identification process that was conducted by military medical and rabbinate personnel, together with the Institute of Forensic Medicine and the Israel Police, today (Thursday), IDF and Israel Police representatives informed the family of Yehudit Weiss, who was abducted from her home in Be'eri on October 7th by the Hamas terrorist organization, that she has been declared dead.

The IDF sends its heartfelt condolences to the family.





The national task before our eyes is to locate the missing and return the abducted persons home. The IDF is operating alongside and in full coordination with the relevant national and security institutions in order to pursue these tasks. We will not cease from the mission until it will be completed.
Protesters took to the streets of San Francisco as a meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping took place, obstructing some entrances to the APEC conference and blocking downtown streets.
Thursday, November 16, 2023

On November 16th, the blockchain mining platform Pacminer announced the establishment of a Charity Employment Foundation to assist impoverished children, the elderly, and the unemployed across the entire African region, with a special emphasis on supporting the Ghanaian market. The plan is to invest over 20 million USD in Ghana over the next three years. The initial 5 million USD will be primarily used for poverty alleviation and employment solutions, while the remaining funds will be allocated to support local education, culture, health, youth development, aid for vulnerable groups, and disaster relief.

Charity is a crucial element in the inheritance of corporate culture, philosophy, and values. Since its establishment, Pacminer has actively organized various charitable relief activities, continuously gathering more hope and realizing more dreams, and promoting a culture of gratitude and interaction. The establishment of the foundation will better construct a more vibrant philanthropic model. Through efficient operations, it can set an exemplary effect and drive the charity sector in the African region into a new era that is more professional, transparent, and credible.

Charity is an ongoing and essential activity. Pacminer has established a specialized foundation, which, through recruitment and election procedures, has selected a team of 200 members with extensive experience and professional knowledge. This team is composed of professionals from various fields, including business elites, social activists, and academic experts, ensuring professional guidance for the foundation's goals, such as donating supplies to orphanages, welfare institutions, poverty-stricken areas, and nursing homes.

Pacminer has announced that it will ensure the completion of 50 charitable donation activities in Ghana each month, to promote human rights. To guarantee the authenticity of these activities, Pacminer will also regularly visit the assisted areas and meet with partners to discuss the progress of the activities and visit the beneficiaries.

Pacminer has established a system specifically for the foundation's financial circulation, ensuring that funds belonging to or raised by the foundation are stored in a special charity foundation account approved by the board of directors. This account is not allowed to hold funds outside of the charity foundation or be used for other purposes. The Pacminer board of directors conducts a specialized audit of the foundation's fund usage every six months and discloses this information in Pacminer's annual and semi-annual reports.

Over the past few years, Pacminer has emerged as a highly noticed digital currency mining company, earning recognition and trust from millions of users worldwide due to its outstanding market performance and quality service. To further demonstrate its commitment to the charitable foundation, the platform actively explores and practices ways to increase mining profits. This indirectly provides job opportunities and integrates the concept of charity into everyday life, ensuring that charitable actions are effectively implemented.

The Pacminer Charity Employment Foundation was successfully established on November 12, 2023, receiving sponsorship from relevant departments and entrepreneurs in the United States and the United Kingdom, along with legal certification. The foundation is established as a ."Non-Profit Organization." with a primary focus on assisting impoverished populations in Africa. This certificate is legal and valid, and those participating in the charity foundation's work will be protected and specially recognized by Pacminer.

."Charity is an important way to enhance social civilization. If everyone participates in charitable activities, it creates an inspiring social atmosphere. Therefore, Pacminer hopes to act alongside globally renowned charity organizations and media, and welcomes more organizations and compassionate individuals to join and promote social civilization,." said a representative of the Pacminer Foundation.

A representative from the Ghanaian government's charity department stated, ."With its robust mining infrastructure and innovative technical services, Pacminer not only assists partners in achieving exceptional growth but also creates immense social value for the Ghanaian market. They have set a global standard and established the Charity Employment Foundation, which benefits African children and unemployed individuals, expanding the influence of the mining platform internationally and aiding the global advancement of sustainable charitable endeavors.."

The above information regarding the Charity Employment Foundation and charitable donations is authentic and effective. In case of falsehood, Pacminer will bear all related responsibilities. ."Changing Ghana and creating a more beautiful life, Pacminer is in action.."

Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, or intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing in or trading securities and cryptocurrency.
A Canadian man who used his truck to run down a Muslim family out for a walk was found guilty Thursday in Canada's first murder trial in which jurors were asked to consider a terrorism motive related to white supremacy.

Nathaniel Veltman, 22, was convicted of four counts of first degree or premeditated murder, and one count of attempted murder. He faces up to life in prison when sentenced.

He acknowledged striking the Afzaal family with his pick-up truck in June 2021 in London, Ontario, which left three generations of the family dead and a young boy orphaned.

The prosecution argued at trial that he was motivated by white supremacist ideology and sought to intimidate or terrorize Muslims.

The defense said he'd suffered a mental decline -- which did not, however, meet the requirements for an insanity plea -- and was in "a state of extreme confusion" after consuming hallucinogenic psilocybin mushrooms that weekend.

"Today's verdict is a monumental step in the fight against hate and Islamophobia," Imam Abdul Fattah Twakkal said outside the courthouse.

"It sets a precedent against white nationalist terrorism," he said. "It sends a clear message that such hate has no place in our society."

But he added, "the evidence that came out of this trial shows us that there is still a lot of work to be done to ensure that the next radicalized young man is not out there."

Tabinda Bukhari, the mother of one of the adult victims, told reporters: "The enduring grief, trauma and the irreplaceable void left by the loss of multiple generations of one family has pierced us profoundly."

The verdict, she added, provides "some solace."

- 'Brutal and terrifying' -

The jury in the almost 10-week trial heard Veltman had penned a "terrorist manifesto," found on his computer, in which he espoused white nationalism and described his hate for Muslims.

He "dressed like a soldier," wearing body armor and a helmet, with a "crusader T-shirt" with a red cross, prosecutor Fraser Ball said in closing arguments earlier this week.

"He was hunting for Muslims to kill," he said.

When Veltman passed the Afzaal family on a London street on that warm Sunday evening, the Crown attorney said, he turned his pick-up truck around and accelerated "pedal to the metal," jumping the curb as he drove into them.

Bodies flew into the air.

Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumnah and her grandmother Talat Afzaal, 74, were killed. A nine-year-old boy orphaned in the ramming suffered serious but non-life-threatening injuries.

Bits of the victims' clothing were found embedded in the grill of Veltman's truck after he surrendered in a nearby parking lot. He told police he'd wanted to "send a strong message" against Muslim immigration.

Ball said that message was "brutal and terrifying: leave this country or you and your loved ones could be next."

The defense argued that a combination of mental disorders, childhood traumas and drug use left Veltman feeling detached or disconnected from reality.

The attack two years ago "changed Canadian Muslims' relationship with their country," said Omar Khamissa, head of the National Council of Canadian Muslims. "For the first time for many of us, we felt unsafe and targeted just for walking down the street."

Former federal minister Omar Alghabra said on X, formerly Twitter, that this case was "an example of how hateful words could lead to radicalization which could lead to deadly violence."

Defense lawyer Christopher Hicks said that Veltman was, after the verdict, "in shock, because he knows he's looking at 25 years in jail without hope of parole."

A date for a sentencing hearing will be scheduled on December 1.

The slaying was the deadliest anti-Muslim attack in Canada since a shooting at a mosque in Quebec City in 2017 that left six dead. The perpetrator of that shooting was not accused of terrorism.

amc/nro/sms
The Cascade County Court Annex, which houses County offices, photographed on March 31, 2023. (Photo by Nicole Girten/Daily Montanan)

Although the Cascade County Commission is made up of three Republicans, two voted Tuesday in a first step to change how leadership of the board is selected amid concerns about the current chairperson, Rae Grulkowski, who was elected on a far-right platform.

We have a brand new commissioner who is stepping into the chairmanship. That has not worked well, because she does not have the experience of running the meetings and does not have the leadership experience that most of us garnered through other sources before we ever ran for office, Commissioner Joe Briggs said of Grulkowski. Rae didnt didnt come in with the benefit of that experience and it has shown in her ability to manage the commission.

The proposed change among the three Republicans is representative of the ideological differences between the old-guard conservatives and far-right conspiracists in the county. This shake-up also comes after differences about how to manage elections in the county after controversy, missteps and resident concerns about newly elected Clerk and Recorder Sandra Merchant. Merchant is known in the community as an election denier.

Grulkowski was elected to the commission last year to serve the final two years of retired commissioner Jane Webers term. But the chairperson position, which sets the agenda and runs the county meeting, is rotated with every commissioner taking a turn to serve as chair in the last two years of their 6-year term. Grulkowski was slated to serve as chairperson upon being sworn in and Briggs continued to serve as chairperson for the first few weeks of her term to give her time to adjust. The new ordinance, supported by Briggs and fellow GOP Commissioner James Larson, changes the selection process from a rotation between commissioners, to an election among commissioners to select the chairperson.

Grulkowski supporters, including Merchant, spoke in opposition to the proposed ordinance during public comment, saying the move to change the chairperson structure was representative of the old boys club mentality, and that voters knew what they wanted when they voted her to serve on the commission.

Grulkowski is a Merchant ally and was vocal in the movement against the Big Sky National Heritage Area in Cascade County. That issue gained national attention when it was featured in the New York Times story on the spread of misinformation surrounding heritage areas in 2021.

Grulkowski voted against the ordinance on first reading Tuesday and said if it were to pass, the representation for the voters in her district would be suppressed.

Deputy County Attorney Carey Ann Haight clarified although county commissioners are required to live in one of three districts, once they are elected to the commission, they represent the entire county, meaning there was no legal impact to representation.

There is no special exercise of authority over the county by serving as the commission chair, Haight said. It is, as Commissioner Briggs has indicated, a leadership position and you conduct the meetings.

Briggs, an old-school Republican who has served on the commission for nearly two decades, said during Tuesdays commission meeting Grulkowski didnt come into the position with the experience necessary to lead the commission, and it was leading to delays in commission business..

The peoples business has to move forward. And we are not getting that done in a timely fashion, Briggs said. We have a problem right now.

Briggs has also previously voiced a desire for the county to absorb the duties of the Election Office in the months after Merchant assumed office, but it is unclear if removing Grulkowski as chairperson would provide a path forward on that issue. The Great Falls Public School District submitted a letter to the county urging them to remove Merchant in September.

Briggs has served as chairperson of the commission for eight years during his tenure, something Grulkowski supporters noted in their opposition to the ordinance.

I think its the good ol boys upset to have a woman in charge of these meetings that are getting together and undermining her authority, said resident Mark Winters. The fix was in from the start.

Jasmine Taylor, former Democratic candidate for the state House, said gender wasnt an issue.

I think that detracts from the issue, which is that the leadership has not been there, the professional behavior has not been there and we do not owe you, or anyone else in a position of leadership, time to develop that, she said. That is the expectation walking in the door.

Taylor noted Grulkowski continued to say the representation of her district would be limited after she was corrected by Haight.

For you to continue to dilute the truth and say Im representing this district when you have been corrected and told that you are representing the county as a whole is one example of why your leadership is not measuring up, Taylor said.

Former Clerk and Recorder Rina Moore, who lost reelection to Merchant by fewer than 40 votes last November, spoke in favor of the ordinance, citing the trust she has in Briggs and Larson.

Merchant defended Grulkowski, saying shes acquired experience in the year shes been in office, including leadership.

I see no reason, as others have said, to change now, Merchant said. Let it finish the term, and see how things are going, then you can always consider changing.

Weber, who also belongs to the Election Protection Committee, a residents group keeping tabs on Merchants office, said she found it odd Grulkowski cited how other county commissions handle their chairperson rotation. Grulkowski had pointed to the rotation of chairperson duties in Yellowstone, Missoula, Lewis and Clark and Gallatin Counties.

Weber noted Missoula and Yellowstone counties have paid election administrators, and dont have the clerk and recorder handle elections.

I dont see Commissioner Grulkowski suggesting that, Weber said.

Grulkowski attempted to table the ordinance for further discussion but was overruled.

The commission will make the final decision on whether to implement the rule change at its next meeting on Nov. 28. The ordinance would not take effect for 30 days if it passes second reading.

The post She doesnt have the experience: Cascade County Commission likely to overhaul leadership appeared first on Daily Montanan.
When the Biden Administration recently announced a record $42 billion investment in broadband internet, it was pitched as an investment in rural and underserved communities. A new study, however, found many of these funds went to wealthy, urban areas because of a questionable allocation methodology, according to Fox News.

The Broadband Equity Access and Development program was marketed as a way to ensure that everyone in America has access to affordable, reliable high-speed internet, with an emphasis on underserved areas with spotty or expensive internet coverage.

A new report from Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX), however, found that not all of these funds went toward these goals. To decide how much each state would receive in these funds, the White House identified areas that lacked broadband internet in each state, with more areas lacking internet meaning more funding for the state.

Washington, D.C. was assessed as having 184 areas lacking internet, but 58 of them, almost one-third of the locations, were located in the Smithsonian National Zoo, raising questions about D.C.s funding. In Delaware, a location designated as lacking internet was the Biden Environmental Training Center, a conference and retreat facility near President Bidens home.

Funding in these dense, urban areas flies in the face of the original intent of the program, which was to bring internet coverage to rural and underserved areas. D.C. and Delaware were allotted over $547,000 and $52,000, respectively, for each location without broadband access, while the national median allocation for areas without connectivity averages $5,600 per location.

In other cases, wealthy areas received funding. Tuckernuck Island in Massachusetts will receive federal funding for broadband, despite mansions in the area selling for over a million dollars. Additionally, the area already receives ample internet coverage, just not of the kind this program aims to promote.

Making taxpayers in Kentucky and South Dakota pay for internet investments in D.C. and Delaware is unethical and counterproductive, but thats exactly what this program seems to have accomplished.

The #WasteOfTheDay is brought to you by the forensic auditors at OpenTheBooks.com
MILLVALE, Pa.  With only a bee veil for protection, CJ Newman meticulously sorts through her bee boxes, pulling out individual frames to inspect them. Shes checking to make sure everything is operating as normal in the hive before the cold weather rolls in.

Newman has been a sustainable beekeeper in Pittsburgh since 2005, and over time the honey products she makes have evolved. One of her newest products flies hand in hand with the regions latest invasive species, an insect with spotted pink wings and the jumping abilities of a frog. Its known as Lanternfly Honey.

To some, it may be weird, but to Newman, its just new.

Beekeepers were describing it as horrible. I think they just meant it was unfamiliar, Newman said. I personally dont like to use those words with honey because its not descriptive enough.

The creation of Doom Bloom

In 2020, researchers at Penn State and beekeepers in Philadelphia started noticing an unusual-tasting honey in hives across the city.

Don Shump is the owner of Philadelphia Bee Co. which opened in 2012. His company makes different types of honey products and does bee removals around Philadephia. It was when he was doing a bee removal that he first noticed this strange honey.

I walked in and looked at my guys and was like Whos eating maple bacon in here? because thats what it smelled like, Shump said. (They said) its not us, its the honey. I gave it a taste and was like I dont know what this is.

After discovering the unusual honey, Shump and other beekeepers across Philadelphia sent samples to Penn State to get it tested. Many of them were worried the honey could be a result of pesticides.

The honey ended up testing positive for lanternfly DNA and the chemical called ailanthone, which is found in the sap of the Tree of Heaven  one of the lanternflies favorite foods. Penn State had buckets of this now-deemed lanternfly honey and offered it to beekeepers, but most refused to take it back; they thought it was too weird.

Eager to see what it could be used for, Shump took a bucket and eventually brought it to a honey and cheese pairing. His cheese monger paired it with a Blue Cheese and it tasted great, the hit of the night, he says. Shortly after, he called Penn State and asked for the remaining buckets of lanternfly honey.

I was like, Give me all of that, please and thank you, Shump said.

Shump started selling the product at Philadelphias 2020 Christmas Market, but it took off in March 2021. He marketed the product as Doom Bloom, its name stemming from a combination of world events in 2020 that felt like the world was ending.

It was a collection of things that was going on. You had the pandemic, you had the lanternfly, the murder hornets were in the news, everybody was crazy about the politics, Shump said. Collectively everything was looking like the world was going to pot.

Now Doom Bloom is one of Shumps bestselling products. At the Christmas Market in 2021 and 2022, he had a line of people waiting to buy his lanternfly honey before the booth was even set up.

1 of 12

Newmans lanternfly honey

CJ Newman, short for Christina Joy Newman, has been beekeeping in Pittsburgh since 2005. Looking to expand her knowledge of beekeeping, she moved to Hawaii in 2008 to work with Rare Hawaiian Honey. There she was able to receive in-depth training in the craft of sustainable beekeeping.

In early 2010, she moved back to Pittsburgh to pursue beekeeping on her own. Now, Newmans company, Apoidea Apiary, has on average 80 hives within a six-mile stretch of downtown Pittsburgh.

Newman knew lanternflies were coming, but it wasnt until 2021 that she noticed it in her colonies.

Tree of Heaven lines the industrial zones along the Pittsburgh rivers. The proximity resulted in a high concentration of lanternfly honey in Newmans hives that are closer to the heart of downtown Pittsburgh.

Lanternflies excrete honeydew they cant process on their food sources, like the Tree of Heaven, which the bees then pick up and bring back to the hive.

The first year Newman saw high enough concentrations to produce lanternfly honey was 2022. That year, she harvested 400 to 500 pounds of lanternfly honey.

I was not freaking out like other beekeepers saying What are we gonna do with this. Im like, its interesting. I will figure something out, Newman said.

She recently harvested honey for the 2023 season and doesnt know how much of it contains lanternfly  but she has noticed lanternflies on more trees this year including mulberry, black walnut and silver maple trees.

Both Newman and Shump describe the taste of lanternfly honey as smokey. Newman equates the taste to Honey Baked Ham or bacon, noting it has salty undertones. Shump likes to pair the honey with charcuterie boards and put it on burgers.

Newman doesnt have the lanternfly honey up for sale yet, but hopes to be selling it soon.

She will be opening up a cafe gallery for her business, called CoNectar, in Millvale in February 2024. She anticipates selling her various honey products there, including lanternfly honey, as well as hosting informational sessions about beekeeping and how bees work to maintain a sustainable environment.

For now, though, Newman continues to harvest honey and is interested to see how lanternflies will evolve in the region.

Its horrifying and super interesting, watching the whole invasive situation unfold and trying to understand the ecological dynamics. Some are positive, some are negative. The honeydew is arguably something kinda beneficial, but we dont know the damage that theyre causing these trees in the longer run, Newman said. Its like youre trying to see how things are gonna balance.

Despite some unpopular opinions and the controversy surrounding lanternflies, Shump says the creation of lanternfly honey is about taking the positive out of the negative. He notes this isnt the first time the state has seen an invasive species made into honey  referring to Japanese Knotweed which also came from Asia.

The way I put it is that weve making good out of a bad thing, Shump said. Theres no eradicating it, theres no getting rid of it. Were not promoting their growth, but if theyre here, well certainly take advantage of them.

For more information on CoNectar and the Philadelphia Bee Co., visit https://www.co-nectar.com/ and https://www.philadelphiabee.com/.

(Reporter Liz Partsch can be reached at epartsch@farmanddairy.com or 330-337-3419.)
MINERAL RIDGE, Ohio  Lamar Liming combs through corn fields with his combine, going from one end to the other until the field is left with only stalk and cob scrapes. He empties the kernels in a big truck that will eventually travel two counties over to Colombiana where it will be used for livestock and ethanol production purposes.

Like many farmers, however, Liming knows this harvest season is coming at an unusually late time of the year. In fact, as of Oct. 30, the U.S. Department of Agricultures Crop Progress report found only 29% of corn had been harvested in Ohio, compared to a five-year average of 49% in years past. According to the USDAs latest Crop Progress report, 68% of Ohio corn was harvested on Nov. 12, while 85% was harvested at this time last year.

At the same time, the USDAs latest data predicts that Ohio will see a record corn yield of 195 bushels per acre; ten years ago, Ohios corn yield was 174 bushels per acre.

What appears as a juxtaposition, these two situations pose questions: how could these two situations occur simultaneously, what caused a late harvest and what does this mean for the future?

Farmers and experts in agriculture alike have some guesses and answers to this puzzling predicament.

1 of 2

Wildfire haze

Liming is a sixth-generation farmer, all 225 acres of his farm dating back as early as 1856. Liming is an Ohio State University alumni and has been farming his whole life. He grows corn, soybeans, wheat and hay.

He has served on the Heritage Cooperative board of members for 20 years and has represented District 3 of the Ohio Corn and Wheat Growers Association for eight years.

This year, Liming planted his corn on time in the spring and had ideal growing conditions. He also had consistent rainfall all year, except for a dry period in early July.

Liming has seen late harvests before, but usually, they are a result of late planting in the spring. He attributes the years late harvest to restricted sunlight caused by the Canadian wildfire haze in late May and early June.

In this part of the country, we dont get much sun, Liming said. We got more cloud cover off Lake Erie, and then combined that with the smokey, hazy cover we had, we just didnt get the (right) sunlight, that slowed the progress.

Liming says his hay also took longer to dry out than usual this year.

Possible impacts

Other farmers throughout the state have also noticed connections between the wildfires and corn growth. Stacie Anderson farms in Wood County, Ohio with her husband, Brian and, like many farmers in the state, is experiencing a late harvest. She told WTOL11 that the haze affected the sunshine and heat her corn needed to reach maturity by late October.

Ohio State University Extension discussed the potential impacts the wildfire haze could have on crops in a newsletter in July. These possible impacts included the reduction of photosynthesis in crops from less light availability and the occurrence of wildfire residue left on leaves; as well as the formation of gases like ozone near crops which can induce plant stress, reducing growth and development.

Corn is most susceptible to growth changes when it comes to light availability compared to other crops like soybeans. However, a later study by Ohio State University showed that the haze may not have been as detrimental as expected.

Alex Lindsey, an associate professor of Crop Ecophysiology and Agronomy at OSU, and colleagues tracked daily light integral and light duration at three different locations across Ohio to see how corn was affected this year. While they did see a drop in light interceptivity when the haze occurred, they concluded it most likely did not affect the corn long-term.

The haze didnt happen during crucial corn development periods, like pollination and grain fill. Lindsey said even if it did, the corn would still receive some light, just not direct sunlight.

We actually had above-average light interception (in May), Lindsey said. We did see a little bit of a tail off during the haze periods, but after early July we saw that line fit pretty close to the 10-year average.

Late harvest

Lindsey says the late harvest was most likely a result of cooler overall average temperatures seen across Ohio  which slowed the accumulation of growing degree days. A second factor could be drought-like conditions early on in the growing season.

A lot of our growers got planted in a timely manner, but in the month of May and into early June, we ended up having almost drought-like conditions and very little precipitation developed, Lindsey said. The corn emerged, but it didnt really progress physiologically because there wasnt a lot of water for the takeoff.

Lindsey and Liming both note the later corn harvest is, the more susceptible corn is to damage from a number of factors.

The longer corn stays in the field, you get winds that blow it down, you get lodging, Liming said. The later it is in the field, the more wildlife damage you get.

Adjustments

In order to avoid a late harvest, as a result of the conditions seen this year, Lindsey recommends farmers shift some of their management decisions.

He suggests staggering planting dates and altering maturity selections by using younger corn hybrids on the market that still produce a good yield equivalent to full-season hybrids.

That (way) it isnt like all of your corn is waiting to dry down. There may be some you can run a little bit earlier, Lindsey said.

(Reporter Liz Partsch can be reached at epartsch@farmanddairy.com or 330-337-3419.)
The government is seeking farmers' views on proposals such as a new Tenant Farming Commissioner role as well as more collaborative tenant-landlord and advisor relationships.

Defra's call for evidence, launched on Thursday (16 November), aims to build on insights gained from the recent Rock Review by seeking the industry's views on the extent of poor practice in the tenanted farming sector.

This includes lack of communication between landlords, tenants and their advisors on key business issues such as tenancy renewal and rent reviews.

Defra said it will also gather evidence on whether existing ways to register complaints in the industry are effective in addressing poor practice.

The potential role of an independent Tenant Farming Commissioner, who would provide more scrutiny of conduct in the sector and promote codes of good practice, will also be explored.

Announcing the call for evidence, Farming Minister Mark Spencer said: [We] will continue to work closely with tenants, landlords and the wider industry to drive further positive change.

The call for evidence is a further important step forward in achieving this and I encourage farmers, landlords and advisors to express their views to their relevant trade body.

Todays call for evidence builds on other announcements made by the government to deliver on key recommendations from the recent Rock Review.

This includes the establishment of the Farm Tenancy Forum, made up of industry representatives of tenant farmers, landlords and professional advisors, to prioritise the delivery of the commitments.

The UK's post-Brexit Environmental Land Management schemes are also being made more accessible to tenant farmers.

The government is also working with the sector to develop a new code of practice setting standards of responsible conduct for all parties to tenancy agreements.

The new call for evidence will run for 12 weeks until 8 February 2024.
Defra should refocus payments to help unprofitable upland farms who will struggle to benefit from post-Brexit opportunities, a thinktank says.

Researchers at Green Alliance argue that the governments Environmental Land Management Scheme (ELM) is proving 'unfair and inefficient'.

They say small-scale payments for green initiatives will reward large arable farms that already turn healthy profits without subsidies, whereas smaller farms in the uplands will struggle.

The report calls on the government to enhance its support for these farms by increasing the amounts paid for planting trees and restoring peatland.

It argues that increasing payments for carbon sequestration from 17-24 to 75 per tonne of CO2 would enable upland farms to restore their incomes to 2019 levels by planting woodland on half of their land.

For the UK to tackle climate change and boost nature, the thinktank says the government needs to increase payments for providing public goods.

Current payment rates 'disproportionately reward' large arable farms that turn a significant profit without any subsidy at all  and studies show the new system is not delivering on its environmental aims.

The report finds that all types of farms could become economically viable through a mix of agricultural income and nature-based payments  if the payments matched the value attached to climate change mitigation elsewhere in the economy.

This would mean paying more money for high impact land stewardship, such as restoring peat and new woodland, according to Green Alliance.

There is growing fear that insubstantial amounts for low impact interventions are failing to incentivise farmers to support the new schemes, and increasing support for reverting to the EU's CAP system.

Lydia Collas, senior policy analyst at Green Alliance, said farmers could be left with a post-Brexit scheme that 'neither restores nature nor supports family farms'.

"We need to act to avoid a system which ends up directing most of the money to the wealthiest farms  the reason ministers have criticised the old EU scheme," she said.

If the government targeted public money towards nature restoration on smaller farms on more marginal land, tackling climate change and restoring nature would cost the taxpayer less and have a lower impact on producing food.

"We could move to a greener system while helping hard-working upland farmers stay afloat.
The European Commission has confirmed it will reauthorise the weedkiller glyphosate for another 10 years, subject to certain new conditions and restrictions.

During a vote at the Appeal Committee today, member states did not reach the required qualified majority to renew or reject its approval at the Appeal Committee.

In line with EU legislation and in the absence of the required majority in either direction, the Commission decided to renew glyphosate for a further ten years.

Glyphosate, which is the world's most widely used herbicide, was approved for use in the bloc until 15 December 2023.

Its renewal comes with new conditions and restrictions, including a prohibition of pre-harvest use as a desiccant and the need for certain measures to protect non-target organisms.

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."

However, a recent IPSOS poll spanning six EU countries showed that only 14% of citizens expressed support for the prolonged use of glyphosate.

In stark contrast, almost two-thirds (62%) of respondents said they were in favour of a ban on glyphosate due to health concerns.

Angeliki Lysimachou, head of policy at Pesticide Action Network Europe, said the Commission was 'turning its back' on citizens concerns.

"There is alarming evidence highlighting the cancer risks associated with glyphosate, along with the myriad of other reported adverse effects," he said.

Several member states have recognised conclusions of the independent science: this substance does not meet the safety criteria for reapproval in Europe.

"The independent science is clear, and we call on the Commission to remove this hazardous substance from the European market once and for all."
Lakeland Dairies has announced it will close down three dairy production sites as part of its 'new strategic direction'.

The co-operative, which operates in Northern Ireland and the northern segment of the Republic of Ireland, will close some sites in June 2024 at the earliest.

A milk production facility and milk drying facilities in Co Monaghan, RoI, will close, as well as a butter churning, packing and powder storage plant in Co Down, NI.

The milk production facility will be transferred to a site in Co Cavan, RoI, which was given the green light by Lakeland Dairies board 'after detailed and careful consideration'.

The Co Down butter plant, located in Banbridge, will be put on the market 'shortly'.

The cross-border dairy co-op said "regrettably, redundancies will be necessary to realise this strategy".

Exact details and numbers has not yet been confirmed, but it is anticipated that 78 jobs will be impacted by the announcement.

During the course of this year, Lakeland, which is supplied by 3,200 farms, said it had been assessing how best to create further processing efficiencies.

Its Group CEO, Colin Kelly, said the co-op was "approaching a decade that will be different from the one that the industry has just experienced".

The industry has come through a period of significant volume growth following the removal of milk quotas in 2015," he explained.

"Lakeland Dairies invested over 350m to support the ambition of our farm families to produce this additional milk and meet the latent demand at farm level for expansion.

"The next decade will be less about large volume growth and more about value-added growth and adding capability throughout the business.

"This will be done to drive the best possible returns for our farmers and to continue to offer our loyal customers the highest-quality products while supporting our people and our communities."

Lakeland Dairies announced that it had commenced an engagement and consultation process with staff and their unions.

Mr Kelly added: We do appreciate that this announcement creates uncertainty for our colleagues and their families.

"We will work closely with them and support them throughout this process in which they will continue to be treated fairly and with respect."
Rural campaigners have demanded a public apology from Labour Senedd member Joyce Watson after she told struggling dairy farmers hit by bovine TB to 'find another business'.

The 'insulting' comments came during an update on bovine TB cases from Rural Affairs Minister Lesley Griffiths on Wednesday (15 November).

Ms Griffiths said that while cases were continuing to decline, additional testing requirements for the Low and Intermediate risk areas of Wales would be needed.

Speaking after, Joyce Watson said: Were talking about a rethink, minister. Have you looked at any farms that have perpetual TB status and have you considered the question of whether those particular farms should be dairy farms at all?

"Because if it is the case that they are in perpetual TB infection status, surely they need to find another business.

Speaking outside the Senedd in Cardiff following the comments, Countryside Alliance Wales accused Ms Watson of gravely insulting rural communities and lacking in compassion.

The group's director Rachel Evans said: "Despite representing a significant dairy farming community, she offers no compassion for those struggling families who suffer daily from anxiety and distress because of TB."

As a regional member of the Senedd for Mid Wales, Ms Watson represents a significant number of dairy farming businesses.

The Mid Wales region includes the two significant cattle farming areas of Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire.

Together these counties had a total of 2,898 cattle herds in the 12 months to June 2023, figures show.

In that period 789,387 cattle were tested for bovine TB and, as a result, 5,103 cattle were culled.

Ms Evans said: "Rather than act as their voice in the Senedd, Ms Watson has opted to throw them under the bus and seems content with seeing this significant industry collapsing.

As a bare minimum, Joyce Watson must offer a full public apology and she should take the time thats clearly needed to meet with struggling dairy farmers in the region that she should be privileged to represent.

NFU Cymru has also written to the MS to underline the anger caused by the comments to farming families across the country who are affected by bTB.

She has been invited to spend a day learning about the Pembrokeshire Bovine TB Project, and to meet some of the farming families who are working to rid the countryside of bTB.

The project is led by local farmers and vets seeking to find solutions to this disease within the constraints that have been set by Welsh Government policy decisions.
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On her recent trip to India, actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas took the chance to engage with professionals in the industry and reflect on her future endeavours within the Hindi film industry. Rumour has it that she is considering returning to the Don franchise.With the official announcement that Ranveer Singh will lead the Don franchise in the upcoming sequel, filmmaker Farhan Akhtar is now dedicating his full attention to the development of Don 3.Farhan Akhtar shifted his focus to Don as his other project, Jee Le Zara, which aimed to bring together prominent names such as Alia Bhatt, Priyanka Chopra, and Katrina Kaif for the first time, encountered scheduling conflicts with its leading actresses.According to a report by a leading news portal, Akhtar is currently working on reuniting his Dil Dhadakne Do co-stars. The Don 3 team has reportedly approached Priyanka Chopra Jonas to reprise her role. Preliminary discussions have already taken place during Priyanka's recent visit to the city for a film festival.Given the scheduling conflicts for Jee Le Zara, both Priyanka and Farhan's teams are making efforts to make Don 3 a reality. However, confirmation is awaited.
As the resounding echoes of Salman Khan's roar in 'Tiger 3' continue to fill cinema halls, the excitement soars higher than ever. The plot follows Tiger (Salman Khan) and his partner Zoya (Katrina Kaif), confronting a personal crisis when a vindictive terrorist, Aatish Rehman (Emraan Hashmi) from Pakistan, issues an ultimatum-comply with his demands or face the brutal fate of losing their son.

If you're still teetering on the edge of your seat, hungry for more espionage, action, and suspense, your next stop should be the world of OTT spy thriller series.

Following the triumphant return of Tiger and Zoya to the big screen, it's time to immerse yourself in a realm of covert operations, international intrigue, and heart-stopping missions.

These web series and audio series offer gripping narratives and jaw-dropping plot twists, promising a suspenseful rollercoaster that will undoubtedly leave you craving for more. Get ready to feed your appetite for adrenaline with these compelling tales of espionage!

The Family Man

"The Family Man" on Prime Video is a must-watch Indian spy thriller. Starring Manoj Bajpayee as Srikant Tiwari, a middle-class man leading a double life as an intelligence officer, the series takes you into the intriguing world of counterterrorism. Srikant and his best friend JK Talpade, played by Sharad Kelkar, navigate the complexities of their high-pressure, low-paying jobs while balancing family life.

Inspired by real-life events and headlines, the show portrays the relentless efforts of a working man from the National Investigation Agency to protect the nation from terrorism while shielding his family from the impact of his secretive profession. With a gripping narrative and stellar performances, "The Family Man" offers an authentic and engaging thriller experience.

Hui Teri Deewani

Dive into the world of espionage and intrigue with "Hui Teri Deewani" on Pocket FM. This thrilling audio series unfolds the enigmatic tale of Mahikaa and Major Ayaan, whose lives become entangled in a web of danger and secrets. Mahikaa, a fugitive with a mysterious past, and Major Ayaan, a fearless army officer, share a profound connection that defies the odds.

As they navigate love, sacrifice, and the pursuit of truth, their journey is filled with suspense and peril. Their bond stands as a symbol of resilience, showcasing the unyielding power of love amidst life's uncertainties. If you're a fan of spy thrillers, "Hui Teri Deewani" is a must-listen, offering an engaging narrative that keeps you hooked until the very end. Tune in and get ready for an audio adventure like no other.

Special Ops - Season 1 and 2

"Special Ops" on Disney+Hotstar is a must-watch espionage thriller. Created and directed by Neeraj Pandey, it stars Kay Kay Menon as Himmat Singh, a RAW agent. The series follows Himmat as he forms a team of agents to track down a mastermind behind a series of terror attacks in India. Based on real events and espionage missions spanning nineteen years, the show takes you on a high-stakes journey of espionage, intrigue, and counter-terrorism efforts.

"Special Ops" is a gripping narrative of covert operations and intelligence, keeping viewers on the edge of their seats. With a compelling storyline and dynamic characters, the series offers an adrenaline-pumping experience that showcases the dedication and determination of agents like Himmat Singh.

Secret Fauji

Get ready for a thrilling spy thriller series with "Secret Fauji" on Pocket FM. The story centres around Kabir Shekhawat, a former soldier haunted by a mysterious chemical affliction. With the added complexity of a secret marriage to Bollywood sensation Jennifer Birla, Kabir has lost his once-commanding power and the will to serve his country.

However, the soldier within him is reawakened, leading him on a perilous journey against formidable adversaries through treacherous terrain. As their enigmatic pasts collide, the story unfolds into an enthralling narrative of love, espionage, and redemption. "Secret Fauji" is a must-listen audio series, exclusively on Pocket FM. Don't miss this electrifying saga of resilience and sacrifice in a world shrouded in shadows. Tune in and immerse yourself in a world of suspense and intrigue like no other.

Bard Of Blood

"Bard of Blood" on Netflix is a thrilling espionage series you can't afford to miss. Based on Bilal Siddiqi's novel, it boasts an excellent cast led by Emraan Hashmi. The story revolves around Kabir Anand, a former Indian Intelligence agent turned teacher, who is thrust back into the world of espionage to rescue captive officers.

This high-octane series is filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and the relentless pursuit of truth. Kabir's journey is fraught with danger, from the rugged terrains of Quetta to the hidden secrets within his own agency. With a fast-paced narrative, complex characters, and a gripping plot, "Bard of Blood" is a rollercoaster of espionage and thrilling action.

Crackdown - Season 1 and 2

"Crackdown" on JioCinema is a thrilling Indian spy series you won't want to miss. Directed by Apoorva Lakhia and led by Saqib Saleem, the show follows a team of RAW agents, led by RP, on a mission to uncover a conspiracy threatening India's security. In "Crackdown 2," the stakes get even higher with a plane hijacking, forcing the agents to confront their adversaries, motives, and imminent dangers.

Alongside the high-stakes mission, RAW agents Riyaz Pathaan, Zorawar, and Divya must grapple with personal challenges and a new RAW chief, Avantika. They strive to rescue the hijacked plane's passengers while unravelling a complex web of danger that might implicate their own ranks. Packed with action, intrigue, and espionage, "Crackdown" delivers a gripping narrative that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

Mukhbir - The Story of a Spy

Don't miss "Mukhbir - The Story of a Spy" on Zee, a thrilling Indian spy series you'll love. Directed by Shivam Nair and Jayprad Desai, it's based on the real-life experiences of intelligence officer Maloy Krishna Dhar. Starring Zain Khan Durrani, Prakash Raj, and more, the series takes you back to the aftermath of the Sino-Indian war, immersing you in the world of espionage.

With meticulous attention to detail and a measured pace, "Mukhbir" captures the challenges faced by spies in a turbulent era. It's a captivating journey through India's history, offering a nuanced look at intelligence operations in a time of political upheaval. As you follow the agents' perseverance in the face of setbacks, "Mukhbir" adds a distinctive touch to the espionage thriller genre.
Koffee With Karan 8: Over the years Yash has become a formidable force, captivating audiences not only in India but across the globe. His journey from regional acclaim to pan India superstardom is a reflection of his extraordinary talent and unique charisma that resonates universally.

During the latest episode of the renowned talk show, Koffee With Karan, the spotlight turned to Yash's global appeal. During the rapid fire round when Kareena Kapoor Khan was asked, "Which south actor would you like to be paired uo with? Prabhas, Ram Charan, Vijay Deverakonda, Allu Arjun and Yash" she expressed her desire to collaborate with the southern sensation and she promptly responded with "Yash," proudly declaring herself a 'KGF girl.'

Yash's presence on the international stage has transcended geographical boundaries, making him a sought-after figure in the film industry. His meteoric rise, coupled with endorsements from industry peers like Kareena Kapoor Khan, reinforces his status as a true global icon.

Yash has etched his name as a formidable talent with global appeal. He is not just a superstar; he is an icon who has united audiences from diverse backgrounds and cultures, proving that talent and authenticity are universal languages that transcend boundaries and create lasting legacies.

Meanwhile, on the professional front, Kareena made her OTT debut with 'Jaane Jaan'. Currently, she is working on two projects, Rohit Shetty's 'Singham Again' and Hansal Mehta's 'The Buckingham Murders'. Additionally, she is also a part of 'The Crew', which also features Kriti Sanon, Diljit Dosanjh, and Tabu.
Phoenix Early Review: "Phoenix" is an upcoming horror film in Malayalam, marking Vishnu Bharathan's directorial debut. The script is penned by Midhun Manuel Thomas and produced by Rinish KN. "Phoenix" is set to hit theatres on November 17th.

Pulimada OTT Release Date And Platform: Here's When And Where To Watch Joju George's Thriller Movie

The cast of "Phoenix" includes Aju Varghese, Chandhunadh, and Anoop Menon in prominent roles, supported by Bhagath Manuel, Abhirami Bose, Asha Aravind, and director Aji John.

The movie was officially announced in April 2023 and started principal photography on April 5, 2023, in Mahe, concluding by June 2023. The music for the film was crafted by Sam C. S., with Alby managing the cinematography and Nithish KTR overseeing the editing.

Vishnu Bharathan's 'Phoenix' Unveils An Island's Chilling Secrets

Phoenix narrates the tale of John and his family as they move to a remote island village, aiming to start anew. However, their plans take a dark turn when a new addition to the family initiates a chain of terrifying events, hinting at the aftermath of a love story.

Phoenix: A Stellar Blend Of Horror & Romance

After the premiere show, good responses are coming in for the movie. Film industry tracker A. B. George has lauded the Malayalam film "Phoenix" in his recent post as a commendable addition to the genre of horror thrillers. The film has received applause for its exceptional craftsmanship, showcasing Midhun Manuel Thomas' skillful writing and commendable performances by the cast. A.B. George also states that "Phoenix" is a sure-shot hit, igniting expectations and excitement among audiences for this cinematic experience.

Huge demand due to the Kerala premier show's great response  Distributors added #Phoenix Dubai premier shows from today evening   AB George (@AbGeorge_) November 16, 2023

'What The Fuss' reviews "Phoenix" as a spine-chilling horror film with an emotional second half. The movie impresses with its technical brilliance, boasting a grounded storytelling approach and exceptional execution. The outstanding background music effectively sets the film's mood. Although the blending of premises in both halves towards the climax could be more elaborate, overall, "Phoenix" stands as an exceptional addition to the Malayalam horror genre.

#Phoenix Movie Review : It is spine-chilling and spooky in the first half, while the second half traverses through an emotional flashback. Technically, it stands out with a well-grounded approach to storytelling and brilliant execution. The bgm is outstanding, alluring the pic.twitter.com/8EB1NZiYhx  What The Fuss (@W_T_F_Channel) November 15, 2023

According to Southwood, "Phoenix" delivers a superb blend of horror and romance, showcasing a strong first half with thrilling elements followed by a satisfying later half. The technical aspects are top-notch, and Midhun's writing shines again. Sam C. S.'s music is praised for its excellence. Advising audiences to opt for theatres with excellent screen and sound quality, Southwood concludes that "Phoenix" is a definite winner deserving a watch.

#Phoenix - A superb first half with horror elements, twists, and followed by a good later half with romantic elements. The technical department is top-notch  Another good writing from Midhun. @SamCSmusic nailed it. Choose a theatre with good screen and sound quality   Southwood (@Southwoodoffl) November 15, 2023

'Phoenix' Cast And Crew

The movie features an ensemble cast including Aju Varghese portraying Adv John Williams, Chandhunadh as Freddy, Anoop Menon as Fr. Francis, Bhagath Manuel as Ameer, Abhirami Bose as Anna Rose, Nilja K Baby as Daisy, Baby Aavni as Mariya, Jess Sweejan as Lidiya, Abram Ratheesh as Tittu, Asha Aravind as Sister Aneetta, Aji John as Mathew, Sini Abraham as Freddy's Mother, Devendranath as Dr. Tharakan, Aradhya Ann as Margaret, Ranjini as Margaret's Mother, Rajan Pootharakkal as Peter Kapyar, Zhinz Shan as Father Geo Kuttikadan, Paul D Joseph as Kapyar, Premananandan as Kadakkaran, Aroop Sivadas as Broker, Rahul Nair R as Thomas, Favor Francis as Adv Ibrahim, Anju as Ameer's Wife, and Dileep as Doctor.

Kannur Squad OTT Release Date And Platform: Here's When And Where To Watch Mammootty's Crime Action Thriller

This film's screenplay is penned by Midhun Manuel Thomas. It is produced by Front Row Productions, the creators behind Twenty One Gms. The story credits go to Vishnu Bharathan and Bigil Balakrishnan (story concept). Alby is in charge of cinematography, Nithish KTR handles the editing, and Sam C. S. composes the music. Central Pictures is responsible for its distribution.
Tirupur Subramaniam Resigns: Tirupur Subramaniam, the President of the Tamil Nadu Theater and Multiplex Owners Association, has tendered his resignation, according to the latest reports.

Pongal 2024 Tamil Releases: Rajinikanth's Film To Vijay Sethupathi's, Here Are The Films To Release In January

A few days ago, the Tamil Nadu government issued a notice to Tirupur Subramaniam's theater for violating government restrictions by hosting special morning shows for 'Tiger 3' without obtaining proper permission.

Following the Pongal face-off between Vijay's 'Varisu' and Ajith's 'Thunivu,' the Tamil Nadu government has prohibited theaters in the state from conducting early morning special screenings.

However, the theater owned by Tirupur Subramaniam, President of the Tamil Nadu Theatre Association, organized six screenings of Salman Khan's Hindi film 'Tiger 3' on Diwali day, sparking a social media debate due to his infringement.

Fans were taken aback by the exclusive screenings for 'Tiger 3,' especially when certain Tamil films like 'Jailer' and 'Leo' were refused permission for similar early morning shows. Numerous online users raised questions regarding the special screenings in this prominent theater, sharing screenshots of the show timings from the ticket booking site.

A section of fans questioned if Tirupur Subramaniam's theater had received special authorization from the Tamil Nadu government. However, it has been clarified that no such special permission was granted to Tirupur Subramaniam's theater.

After getting complaints about early screenings held prior to the government's permitted time during Diwali. Following this complaint, the Tahsildar conducted a direct investigation and forwarded the report to the Tirupur District Collector.

The district administration sent a notice, asking an explanation concerning the 'Tiger 3' early morning screenings.

Tirupur Subramaniam announced his resignation today in Tirupur, stating, 'I am stepping down from my position as the President of the Tamil Nadu Theater Owners Association and the Theater Owners Associations in Coimbatore, Erode, Nilgiris, and Tirupur districts. This decision is based on personal reasons. I extend my gratitude to everyone who has supported me thus far.'

Tirupur Subramaniam's Critique Of 'Leo' Regarding Profitability

Earlier, Tirupur Subramaniam made news by raising concerns over the profitability of theaters in Tamil Nadu following the release of "Leo," a Tamil-language action thriller directed by Lokesh Kanagaraj and starring Thalapathy Vijay.

"Leo" had been distributed in Tamil Nadu by Seven Screen Studio, which had demanded an unprecedented 80 percent share of the film's revenue. In response, theatre owners across Chennai initially protested, refusing to screen the movie. Only after negotiations were they persuaded to showcase "Leo," ultimately being shown in more than 850 screens throughout Tamil Nadu.

In his statement, Tirupur Subramaniam expressed the industry's financial struggles in relation to "Leo." He emphasized that the film had failed to generate profits for theatre owners due to the substantial revenue share demanded. Subramaniam noted, "Leo was not a profitable film for us. The reason is that they had demanded an unprecedented share of distribution in Tamil Nadu. Most theatre owners did not screen this film willingly."

Jothi OTT Release Date And Platform: Mark Your Calendar For Film Based On True Events Starring Vetri

He further explained how the excessive revenue-sharing model imposed a financial burden on theatres, regardless of the film's overall earnings. Subramaniam pointed out that if such high sharing percentages continued, theatre maintenance and operational costs could not be covered effectively. Notably, the film had been released in neighbouring Kerala with a 60 percent share, while Tamil Nadu theatres were burdened with an 80 percent share demand.
Bigg Boss Tamil 7 voting trends: Love or hate but you cannot debate that Bigg Boss Tamil season 7 has managed to create ripples on the small screen. The new season of Kamal Haasan has become a successful affair as the show has been generating a massive response from the audience. After Pradeep Antony was ousted from the Bigg Boss house, the reality show remained in the headlines. He was evicted after he received a red card from the host. His elimination captured the attention of the netizens, becoming the talk of the town.

BIGG BOSS TAMIL 7 EVICTION: VOTING TRENDS SUGGEST SHOCKING ELIMINATION

Last week, Aishu became the latest contestant to get eliminated from Bigg Boss Tamil season 7. After her elimination, Nixen broke down into tears and stated he was responsible for her exit from the show. His reaction set several tongues wagging as he was close to Aishu and their growing closeness grabbed several eyeballs when they were together.

In another shocking twist, eight contestants have been nominated for eviction in the seventh week of Bigg Boss Tamil 7. Vichitra, Raveena Daha, Manichandra, Poornima, RJ Bravo, Gana Bala, Akshaya Udayakumar and Saravana Vickram are in the danger zone in the current week. One of them will bid adieu to the show.

BIGG BOSS TAMIL 7 VOTING TRENDS: BOTTOM THREE

According to the latest voting trends of Bigg Boss Tamil 7, Vickram, Akshaya and Gana Bala have received the least number of votes from the audience till date. While Vichithra has reportedly received the highest votes, Vickram is in the bottom position with the least number of votes.

The bottom three are said to be Vickram, Akshaya and Bala. One of them is expected to get evicted from the BB Tamil 7 house unless the makers introduce a new twist and eliminate someone else.
Experience the riveting twists and turns in the popular Shemaroo Umang show "Shravani." On the day of Diwali, light brightnes Shravani's life, while darkness befalls Chandra. As the blossoming love between Shravani and Shivansh faces stormy challenges. Weaving a plot to shatter Shravani's life, Chandra successfully lands her behind bars.

However, on this Diwali, Shravani's victorious return from imprisonment brings a radiant light to both her maternal and marital homes, symbolized by the glowing diyas of hope and happiness. In the last episode we saw Chandra, enjoying Diwali celebrations,and in an unexpected consequence: she loses her eyesight for a day, changing the course of events.

On-screen Chandra, portrayed by Arti Singh, contrasts with her off-screen joy as she shares her Diwali celebrations in real life.

She says, "On this Diwali, I gave visit to my hometown Lucknow and it was a great celebration. I celebrated diwali with my family and friends we had a lots of fun. I had a home cooked delicious food on this days.I made a rangoli with my family members, I gave visits to my childhood friends houses which has a two minutes distance from my house we all exchanges gifts, sweets and lots of happiness. It was a mashup of Family, Friends, Happiness, and the old memories."

Arti Singh, portraying the negative character of Chandra, is grappling with challenging twists and turns, disrupting her Diwali celebrations in the on-screen world. Interestingly, off-screen, her real-life is quite the opposite, as she shares joyful moments on her social media, embracing the happiness of Diwali with genuine delight. Contrast between her on-screen and off-screen experiences adds a layer of fascination to the actress's festive journey.

Dive into the drama and catch 'Shravani' unfolding every Monday to Saturday at 8:30 PM, exclusively on Shemaroo Umang.
Jetty OTT Release Date: The drama film "Jetty," starring Maanyam Krishna and Nandita Swetha, premiered in theatres on November 4 last year, depicting the lives of rural fishermen.

Dhootha OTT Release Date And Platform: Here's When And Where To Watch Naga Chaitanya's Horror Series

Jetty Synopsis

In Kataripalem, Andhra Pradesh, Katari Jalayya (MS Chowdary) serves as a guiding figure for the local fishermen. As is often the case in many professions, intermediaries exploit these fishermen. Adding to their difficulties, natural disasters like cyclones also have a detrimental impact on their lives. They depend on a jetty (dock) to safeguard their boats from sinking. Yet, acquiring a jetty involves enduring significant hardships.

Dasaratha Ramayya (Shivaji Raja), an MLA from the opposition party, expresses his inability to secure a jetty for them. Meanwhile, the antagonist (Mime Gopi) has his own selfish motives for preventing the construction of a jetty. Amidst these challenges, Jalayya's daughter Meenakshi (Nandita Swetha) and her partner Sriram (Maanyam Krishna), a school teacher, strive to secure the construction of a jetty. How will Meenakshi and Sriram ensure justice for the fishermen amidst challenging circumstances?

Jetty OTT Release Date And Platform

Almost a year after its debut in theatres, Jetty is preparing for its worldwide digital premiere. The movie's post-theatrical streaming rights have been obtained by Aha, a prominent Telugu/Tamil OTT platform. The film's premiere date was unveiled by the streaming service, and Jetty is set to captivate audiences on November 17. Furthermore, the digital platform unveiled the movie's trailer on their YouTube channel this past Tuesday.

Jetty Cast And Crew

Subrahmanyam Pitchuka, also known as Subbu, both wrote and directed the film, which was produced by Venu Madhav K under Vardhin Productions. The movie features pivotal roles portrayed by Nandita Shwetha, Kishore Kumar G., Mime Gopi, Jeeva, Shivaji Raja, M.S. Chowdary, Maanyam Krishna, Suman Shetty, Tejaswani Behera, and other cast members.

Vadhuvu OTT Release Date And Platform: Here's When And Where To Watch Avika Gor's Series

The film's cinematography was managed by Veeramani, with dialogue penned by Sasidhar. Upendra Reddy served as the art director, while Srinivaas Thota undertook the editing. Devraj Nune directed the stunts, and Anesh choreographed the dance sequences. Karthik Kodakandla composed the music for Jetty, with Lahari Music-T Series acquiring the audio rights. Additionally, Jetty had a restricted release in Kannada and Tamil languages in addition to Telugu.
NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Focus Financial Partners ("Focus"), a leading partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement under which Ketoret Capital, LLC ("Ketoret"), located in Wood Dale, Illinois, will join Focus partner firm Telemus Capital, LLC ("Telemus"), headquartered in Southfield, Michigan. This transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions.

The Ketoret team, led by founder and CEO Kirill Vorobeychik, is known for its personalized advice and dedication to client-first service. Ketoret guides its clients through a comprehensive financial planning process and supports clients and their families based on their individual circumstances. Ketoret's clients will benefit from the broader resources and infrastructure available through Telemus, and Telemus will add a talented team.

"After a rigorous process to identify a strategic partner, I felt there was a great fit with a team that had the same level of commitment to client care that our clients have become accustomed to," said Kirill Vorobechik. "We expect this transaction to enhance the services and resources we can offer our clients, and to provide our team with a seamless transition that will equip them with tools to enhance our clients' experiences."

Telemus CEO Lyle Wolberg added, "We have gotten to know Kirill, his team and their unwavering commitment to their clients, and believe our firms coming together will add talented professionals and a strong base of clients to our growing team in that wealth market."

"We are delighted that Ketoret will be joining Telemus," said Pradeep Jayaraman, Managing Director - Co-Head Partnerships and Business Development for Focus. "This transaction will enable Telemus to continue to add talent to its team and is another example of how we add value to our partners through our M&A expertise and extensive network of relationships in the industry, and our ability to provide solutions to advisors throughout the country, regardless of their individual situations or any unique circumstances."

About Focus Financial Partners

Focus Financial Partners is a leading partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms. Focus provides access to best practices, resources, and continuity planning for its partner firms who serve individuals, families, employers and institutions with comprehensive wealth management services. Focus partner firms benefit from the synergies, scale, economics and best practices offered by Focus to achieve their business objectives. For more information about Focus, please visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com.

About Telemus Capital, LLC

Telemus Capital, LLC is an independent investment adviser headquartered in Southfield, MI with offices in Ann Arbor, MI and Chicago, IL. The firm provides wealth management, investment management and financial planning services to individuals and families seeking impartial advice and long-term financial security. For more information about Telemus, please visit www.telemus.com.

Media Contact

Travis Danysh

Managing Director

Focus Financial Partners

P: +646-518-1342

TDanysh@focuspartners.com

SOURCE: Focus Financial Partners

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/804548/correction-by-source-ketoret-capital-to-join-focus-partner-firm-telemus-capital-further-expanding-telemus-presence-in-the-chicago-wealth-management-market
Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2023) - ALUULA Composites Inc. (TSXV: AUUA) (the "Company" or "ALUULA") is pleased to provide the following corporate update.

With the financial year end recently completed, the team at ALUULA can report excellent progress across the key vertical markets and continued product innovation.

Partnership expansion and innovation across key vertical markets

To recap, ALUULA's strategy is to forge robust partnerships with top-tier brands and manufacturers across various industries, including windsports, outdoor, sailing, aerospace, and airships.

Brand commitments in the windsports segment are gaining momentum, with five new prominent brands expected to introduce their ALUULA-powered products in the upcoming first half of 2024.

Since October 2022, ALUULA has signed five new brand agreements within the Windsports division and an additional five within the Non-Windsports division.

With the pending introduction of ALUULA Canopy and bladder products, we anticipate new customers in windsports over the next year.

After three years of dedicated development, our Outdoor brand partners are gearing up to unveil ALUULA-powered technical bags and packs at the forthcoming ISPO trade show in Munich, Germany on November 28. Further news on these exciting developments to follow the trade show.

These products, crafted using our revolutionary ALUULA Graflyte composite material, mark the advent of a fresh benchmark in ultra-lightweight, robust, and recyclable technical materials for the Outdoor Market.

The recent partnership announcement with Arc'teryx Equipment, will help to evolve Arc'teryx's product offering using new and innovative ultralight fabrics and this partnership has the potential to be a driver of revenue in fiscal 2025.

Drawing inspiration from our canopy technology, originally designed for windsports, ALUULA is now driving innovation in the sailing market, particularly for spinnakers, with field test work continuing into fiscal 2024.

In the Aerospace sector, ALUULA is currently field testing new fire-retardant products and remains engaged with target customers on product definition.

ALUULA composites offer unique helium gas-holding capabilities, and our development efforts persist in collaboration with the world's foremost airship manufacturers in this dynamic, emerging market.

Focus on operational excellence and execution

An additional manufacturing POD, increasing roll width to 1.5 meters from 1 meter is on target and will commence on select composites in 2024. The increased width will better align with customer needs.

We persist in our commitment to innovation, augmenting our intellectual property through new patents, trademarks, and closely guarded trade secrets. These efforts enable us to usher in exciting product launches that incorporate novel composites and innovative methodologies.

We reaffirm our commitment to developing products that can be recycled.

Work continues to improve our methods of manufacturing, distribution and business operations to minimize our impact on the environment.

Management Changes

As the Windsport division continues its strong momentum and drives near term revenue growth, the Company will now allocate dedicated management to this business. ALUULA Chief Operating Officer, John Zimmerman, will expand his responsibilities to oversee the Windsports division. John has been a key part of the brand history and is in a unique position to drive growth in this segment.

In addition to the above change, the Company has now commenced a search for a President. This new role will have a strong sales and team management focus and will free up Richard Myerscough to focus on his CEO role which will also have a strong customer facing element as well as continued involvement in research and development.

Richard Myerscough, CEO of ALUULA, commented, "We have made huge strides in customer and partner acquisition across all our market segments, and notably in windsport, where we have developed a leadership position in innovation. Our recent partnership announcement with Arc'teryx is another example of our focus on market leading partnerships as a way of driving scalability. We look forward to translating these partnerships into strong revenue growth in the coming year."

About ALUULA Composites

ALUULA Composites Inc. (TSXV: AUUA) is a new class of composite materials built from components with eight times the strength-to-weight ratio of steel, and yet lighter than nylon, polyester or aramid. Using a patented and proprietary approach to increase fiber strength at the molecular level, ALUULA core weaves and outer facing films are fused without the use of heavy glues. This remarkable process allows ALUULA to achieve strength to weight ratio materials that have been previously unachievable. The company continues to add patented innovation to its product offerings and specialized core competencies to its growing team.

Partnering with world-class brands, ALUULA Composites is quickly becoming the top choice for innovators seeking to set a new standard of high-performance.

ALUULA is a Canadian company founded by a team of highly experienced chemists and engineers who share a common passion for exploring and enjoying the outdoors. They have created a new realm in dimensionally stabilized multilayer materials that are the result of an innovative bonding of co-polymer layers, creating composites which are extremely light, highly tear and stretch resistant, and are easily fabricated into a multitude of products across a wide range of markets. ALUULA Composites strives to develop products and processes that are not hazardous to our environment and minimize the footprint we leave behind.

Learn more about ALUULA Composites at: www.aluula.com.

Contact:

Richard Myerscough, CEO

1-888-724-2470

ceo@aluula.com

TSX Venture Exchange

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

The information in this news release includes certain information and statements about management's view of future events, expectations, plans and prospects that constitute forward looking statements. These statements are based upon assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties as described in the Company's management discussion and analysis..Forward looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, five new prominent brands and the expected introduction of ALUULA-powered products, the pending introduction of ALUULA Canopy and bladder products, the unveiling of ALUULA-powered technical bags and packs at the forthcoming ISPO trade show in Munich, Germany on November 28, the Arc'teryx's product offering and the impact on revenue in fiscal 2025, innovation in the Sailing market, particularly for spinnakers, with field test work continuing into fiscal 2024, field testing of new fire-retardant products for the Aerospace industry, new developments regarding helium gas-holding capabilities in collaboration with airship manufacturers, the installation and completion of additional manufacturing POD, increasing roll width to 1.5 meters from 1 meter, the success of a search for a new President . Because of these risks and uncertainties and as a result of a variety of factors, including the timing and receipt of all applicable regulatory, corporate and third party approvals, the actual results, expectations, achievements or performance may differ materially from those anticipated and indicated by these forward looking statements. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurances that the expectations of any forward-looking statement will prove to be correct. Except as required by law, the Company 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187582
The Resilient Cities Index 2023 is a new global benchmark from Economist Impact and Tokio Marine Group that measures 25 major cities' ability to cope with a spectrum of shocks.

is a new global benchmark from Economist Impact and Tokio Marine Group that measures 25 major cities' ability to cope with a spectrum of shocks. New York, Los Angeles and London rank top three for overall resilience.

Cities in emerging markets urgently need to become more resilient to the effects of climate change with densely populated urban centres prone to flooding and extreme heat.

Developed cities like Dubai, Hong Kong and New York are exposed to climate shocks, and some lack comprehensive plans to integrate the vulnerable.

Building resilient cities requires stakeholder engagement from government, businesses and communities, as well as individual city-dwellers. Investment and innovation is needed to solve the most persistent challenges to a city's resilience.

LONDON, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cities across the world lack the infrastructure, societal safety nets and robust environmental policies needed to combat the worsening impacts of climate change, according to a major new report released today.

Examining critical facets of urban life, the Resilient Cities Index 2023, which was devised by Economist Impact and sponsored by Tokio Marine Group, delves into 25 global cities' ability to evade, withstand, and recover from a spectrum of shocks and long-term stresses through four pivotal themes - Critical infrastructure, Environment, Socio-institutional, and Economic Resilience. See data story with full results here.

While cities in emerging economies are especially poorly equipped to recover from droughts, flooding, extreme heat and rising sea levels, those in wealthy countries are also unprepared for the future shocks associated with a warming planet, according to research.

With global leaders meeting to discuss climate action at COP28 in Dubai this month, the index is a timely reminder of the vulnerability of urban centres and the urgent need to bolster their defences against the impacts of natural disasters and extreme weather to mass migration and deepening inequality.

The study shows that emerging cities, in particular, urgently need to become more resilient to the effects of climate change. Unbearable, deadly heat will increasingly impact vulnerable groups in cities that do not have a detailed heat plan - including Bangkok, Cairo, Dubai, Jakarta and New Delhi, according to the index. Several cities in Asia - including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Dhaka - are extremely vulnerable to flooding.

Dhaka and New Delhi also prove to be the least resilient to air pollution, which kills 7 million people globally each year. With air pollutants and greenhouse gases often coming from the same sources, the two issues should be tackled jointly. Both cities rank poorly for congestion management in the index and neither have a city-level net zero target or plan.

Melbourne, New York City and Los Angeles - representing some of the wealthiest cities in the index-sit in the top three spots for their environmental resilience. The cities that are the least able to fend off the most extreme effects of climate change are also those with the least amount of capital to do so.

While cities around the world are recognising the need to build resilience in the face of growing environmental, social and economic uncertainties; translating intentions into action remains a formidable hurdle, according to the research.

The report concludes that the key to building resilient cities lies in empowering communities as active participants through the democratisation of information. Social cohesion efforts are essential, focusing on integration programmes for vulnerable populations. Supporting innovation is pivotal, allowing cities to develop scalable solutions, predict risks and monitor progress effectively.

The Resilient Cities Index 2023 will launch at an event in London, UK, hosted by Tokio Marine Group. The index key findings will be presented by Jonathan Birdwell, global head, policy & insights, Economist Impact.

Quote 1: "It is often assumed that wealthier cities are relatively safer from shocks or crises, but our index proves otherwise. Our research definitively shows that some of the world's most developed cities are still vulnerable to a vast array of socio-economic and environmental risks. Our index is one of the most up-to-date assessments of where cities must rapidly close the gaps in the market today." Jonathan Birdwell, global head, policy & insights, Economist Impact.

Quote 2: "A resilience strategy is not something developed at a desk by a city official. Cities need to bring a variety of stakeholders together around the table, including community representation and the poor and vulnerable. Depending on the kind of shock and stress, listening to the voices of the people most affected is important."Katrin Bruebach, global director of programmes and delivery, Resilient Cities Network.

Quote 3: "Cities are the hotspots of climate and other risks in present as well as future. Cities also have the largest concentration of different types of resources. Therefore, it is important to make cities resilient, which will enhance the safety of its citizens and sustainability of city services, including businesses. The Resilient Cities Index has developed a unique methodology, which assesses a city's resilience and will help to take decisive actions at local governments and citizen levels."

Professor Rajib Shaw, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University.

You can find the full report and data story here

Notes to Editors

The Resilient Cities Index is a global policy benchmarking tool to measure cities' resilience. The index was developed by Economist Impact, and supported by Tokio Marine Group. The index defines resilient cities as those that are able to predict, fend off, adapt to and recover from environmental, economic, social, and climate changes efficiently. A resilient city values learning and innovation to bounce back better from a shock and thrive in altered circumstances.

The index assesses the performance of 25 cities across four pillars (critical infrastructure, environment, socio-institutional and economic), 19 indicators and 41 sub-indicators. The index framework was developed through extensive desktop research and expert interviews, and is made up of quantitative and qualitative sub-indicators. The 25 index cities include nine cities from Asia-Pacific, five cities from Americas, seven cities from Europe and four cities from Middle East and Africa. The data was collected over four months, between May and August 2023.

Media contact: ResilientCities@browningenvironmental.com

About Economist Impact

Economist Impact combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage a globally influential audience. We believe that evidence-based insights can open debate, broaden perspectives and catalyse progress. The services offered by Economist Impact previously existed within The Economist Group as separate entities, including EIU Thought Leadership, EIU Public Policy, EIU Health Policy, Economist Events, EBrandConnect and SignalNoise. We are building on a 75-year track record of analysis across 205 countries. Along with framework design, benchmarking, economic and social impact analysis, forecasting and scenario modelling, we provide creative storytelling, events expertise, design-thinking solutions and market-leading media products, making Economist Impact uniquely positioned to deliver measurable outcomes to our clients.

About Tokio Marine Group

The world is facing an unprecedented rise in the complexity, volatility, and frequency of risk. Insurance companies must not only respond to disasters, but also work to reduce their occurrence and impact, thereby contributing to a more sustainable society both today and for future generations. The Resilient Cities Index 2023 was sponsored by Tokio Marine Group (TMG) to establish a research programme that will measure the resilience of societies and cities, identify the gaps and challenges and give insights into the opportunities and the way forward. Tokio Marine Group is one of the largest and longest standing insurance groups in the world. Founded in 1879, it comprises a strategic collection of leading insurance businesses united by a shared commitment to doing the right thing for our customers and communities. We provide support, strength, and stability to our customers and society in a world filled with risk. We give people the confidence to explore new possibilities and take the next step forward. We help build more resilient economies, industries, and societies in a rapidly changing world. The Index, supported by insights from prominent authorities on urban resilience, is intended to empower policymakers, city planners, and communities to formulate targeted strategies that help ensure that cities not only survive but thrive amidst challenges.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/worlds-cities-across-the-wealth-divide-critically-unprepared-as-climate-events-become-more-extreme-new-study-shows-301989785.html
Kusto Home's The Reflection West Lake project received two honors at the 9th annual PropertyGuru Vietnam Property Awards, held on November 10 in Ho Chi Minh City.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following a rigorous evaluation procedure, The Reflection West Lake project by Kusto Home was named the Best Luxury Condo Development in Hanoi and the Best Luxury Condo Architectural Design.

This accomplishment rewards Kusto Home's meticulous efforts and celebrates the refined standards it delivers to clients in each project.

"These awards are motivation for us to continue transforming the cityscape of Vietnamese urban areas, bringing world-class living experiences in harmony with unique cultural values", said Mr. Sergey Nam, CEO of Kusto Home, at the awarding ceremony.

Kusto Home officially returned to the market in 2021, with two consecutive prizes at the prestigious Vietnam Property Awards in 2022 and 2023. Such continued praise reaffirms Kusto's top-class standards and capabilities, while also pushing the company towards becoming one of the leading worldwide real estate developers.

Following the success of Diamond Island and Urban Green, The Reflection West Lake is a luxury residential project in Hanoi's Tay Ho neighborhood aimed at young and successful home buyers. According to a spokesman from Kusto Home, the project will be launched in 2024.

While the Urban Green and Diamond Island projects, located in Thu Duc City with easy access to HCMC's downtown, were created to meet a growing demand for green living, The Reflection West Lake attracts successful professionals with a high-end boutique ambiance that complements Ho Tay's poetic beauty.

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278249/Kusto_Group.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278250/Kusto_Group_2.jpg

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/kusto-homes-the-reflection-west-lake-wins-two-prizes-at-vietnam-property-awards-2023-301989661.html
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2023) - Green River Gold Corp. (CSE: CCR) (OTC Pink: CCRRF) (the "Company" or "Green River") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Craig Brekkas to the Board of Directors of the Company.

Mr. Brekkas has over 30 years of experience, with increasing responsibility, across both the United States and Canadian agriculture markets. He began his career working in the British Columbia Ag market in sales and worked his way up through a variety of sales, marketing and leadership roles, which included Head of Canada, to President with UPL North America. As President, he grew the business to over $1.25B CDN in revenue with a strong focus on building both an effective market strategy and strong culture and team to drive this business growth.

Perry Little, President and CEO of Green River, comments, "We are extremely happy to have Craig joining our Board. His track record in business speaks for itself and he brings a new perspective to our group. We look forward to drawing on his experience and leadership as we begin to look beyond exploration to the possibility of development of the nickel, talc, and other minerals that we have found on our Quesnel Nickel Project."

Currently, Mr. Brekkas resides in the USA and is consulting with a limited number of early stage and midsize companies in both the USA and Canada focused on driving growth through effective commercialization of their business plans. His focus is on strategic planning, organizational development. and effective scaling of growth initiatives. Mr. Brekkas holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta.

Craig Brekkas comments, "Green River is entering a promising period of validating the extent of the nickel and other minerals found in their first 50 shallow holes and then hopefully proceeding to development. I am excited to be joining the Board to support Perry and his team in building and implementing the plan."

In addition, Vern Kibblewhite has stepped down as a director of the Company. The Company would like to thank Mr. Kibblewhite for his years of service with the Company.

About Green River Gold Corp.

Green River Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on its wholly-owned Fontaine Gold Project, Quesnel Nickel/Magnesium/Talc Project, and Kymar Silver Project which are located in renowned mining districts in British Columbia.

The Fontaine Gold and Quesnel Nickel properties cover an area exceeding 200 square kilometres and straddle a 32-kilometre length of the Barkerville and Quesnel Terranes. They are contiguous to Osisko Development Corp.'s mineral claim group containing a proposed mine location at its Cariboo Gold Project.

The Kymar Silver Project is located in southeast BC, approximately 28 kilometres west of the town of Invermere in the Golden Mining Division. The Property is made up of two mineral tenures, totalling 1,625 hectares, along the southeast flank of Mount Catherine.

For more information contact:

Green River Gold Corp.

Mr. Perry Little - President and Chief Executive Officer

perry.little@greenrivergold.ca

780-993-2193

Additional information about Green River Gold Corp. can be found by reviewing its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward Looking Information: This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Expressions such as "anticipates", "expects", "believes", "estimates", "could", "intends", "may", "plans", "predicts", "projects", "will", "would" and other similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are generally indicative of forward-looking information. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

In addition, the forward- looking information contained in this release is based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as it is inherently uncertain, and no assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in such information will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this release is made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances.

The securities of the Company have not been registered under the United States 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 release is issued for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187591
Werbehinweise: Die Billigung des Basisprospekts durch die BaFin ist nicht als ihre Befurwortung der angebotenen Wertpapiere zu verstehen. Wir empfehlen Interessenten und potenziellen Anlegern den Basisprospekt und die Endgultigen Bedingungen zu lesen, bevor sie eine Anlageentscheidung treffen, um sich moglichst umfassend zu informieren, insbesondere uber die potenziellen Risiken und Chancen des Wertpapiers. Sie sind im Begriff, ein Produkt zu erwerben, das nicht einfach ist und schwer zu verstehen sein kann.
PARIS, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei kicked off its annual flagship event HUAWEI CONNECT 2023 in Paris today. Thousands of guests, including industry leaders, technical experts, and partners from around the globe, gathered to explore how digital and intelligent technology can help accelerate the EU's green and digital transition.

"Europe is making incredible progress in digital transformation, and you are leading the global transition towards a greener future," said Ken Hu, Huawei's Rotating Chairman, in his opening remarks. "Huawei has been working side-by-side with our European customers and partners for more than 20 years now. We've made great progress connecting people, empowering businesses, and building Europe's digital ecosystem. Moving forward, we will continue to strengthen our support in Europe for digital transformation, local innovation, sustainability, and cyber security."

Jim Lu, Huawei's Senior Vice President and President of the European Region, followed with a keynote where he proposed four pillars to better support Europe's twin transition: connectivity of everything, intelligent cloud, "bits manage watts", and open cooperation. "Huawei is ready and willing to work together with partners to provide better products and solutions to customers. We will continue to do our part to support Europe's green and digital transition," said Lu.

Connecting everything and making all decisions computable

Connecting everything with high-speed networks is key to digital transformation. This is especially true in industrial settings, where high-performance networks support real-time transmission, analysis, and computing of massive amounts of data. Huawei provides network solutions that are resilient, intelligent, and lossless, supporting ultra-broadband connections for a wide range of different industrial scenarios.

For example, Huawei worked with partners to help build Hungary's East-West Gate (EWG) Intermodal Terminal into the first 5G-powered logistics terminal in Europe. With ultra-high bandwidth, ultra-low latency, and high reliability, 5G helps enable fully automated and remote-controlled overhead cranes for smart railway logistics. The terminal is much safer, offers better working conditions, and runs 20% more efficiently.

With everything connected, Cloud is the powerhouse behind the algorithms and massive computing powered needed to help industries go smart. "Huawei Cloud will keep investing in Europe, creating new value for our customers and partners in the region," said Lu. "Now with cloud nodes in both Ireland and Turkiye, Huawei Cloud is among the world's fastest growing major cloud service providers."

Managing watts with bits: Helping Europe advance its green initiatives

"Europe is a global leader in the transition towards clean, green energy," said Lu. "For years now, we've been working to integrate digital and power electronics technologies to boost the production of clean energy and promote the digitalization of energy systems. To date, Huawei has helped generate 228 billion kilowatt-hours of green electricity in Europe, reducing carbon emissions by 102 million tons, while creating tens of thousands of high-value jobs."

In Europe, for Europe: A reliable partner in Europe's green and digital transition

Lu stated, " Europe is one of Huawei's most strategically important regions in terms of our global operations. Huawei will continue to stay customer-centric, create value for customers and partners, strengthen innovative collaboration with European partners, help cultivate local digital and green talent, and further grow our R&D investment in Europe. We look forward to doing our part to accelerate Europe's green and digital transition." Lu concluded by calling for an open, fair, and inclusive environment for innovation that is key to social development.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278607/image_1.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/huawei-doubles-down-on-support-for-green-and-digital-transition-in-europe-301989983.html
Press Contact:

Fahd Pasha

Tel.: +1 647 860 3777

E-mail: Fahd.Pasha@capgemini.com

?

91% of banks and insurers have initiated their cloud journey, yet many are unable to realize full business value

?

Implementing cloud at scale is critical to harvest the full value of AI investments

One-in-two banks and insurers have not moved their core business applications to the cloud

Paris, November 16, 2023 - The inaugural Capgemini Research Institute's World Cloud Report -Financial Services, published today, reveals 91% of banks and insurance companies have now initiated their cloud journey, a significant increase from 2020, when only 37% of firms had embarked on their cloud transformations. However, this high rate and its corresponding investment does not translate to effective cloud adoption at scale. More than 50% of firms surveyed have only moved a minimal portion of their core business applications to the cloud.

Today, 89% of financial services executives believe that a cloud-enabled platform is crucial for delivering the agility, flexibility, innovation, and productivity necessary to meet escalating business demands. Yet, most firms are still not cloud-native1 and instead tend to opt for a "lift and shift"2 approach that hinders the full benefits of cloud-based systems' scalability and flexibility advantages.

Implementing cloud at scale is critical to harvest full value of AI investments

Nearly two-in-three financial services firms (62%) have started using artificial intelligence (AI), with a target to utilize it across the full value chain in the next two years. Despite their potential, AI, including generative AI and machine learning technologies, are yet to be used at scale in the financial services industry and therefore are having limited impact. The research found that to date much of the cloud investments have been applied towards modern, user-friendly, AI-based, customer-facing applications. Fewer investments are made in back-end core processing systems that are providing inputs to consumer-facing front end applications, resulting in a poor overall user experience.

According to the report, the migration of internal core systems to suitable cloud-enabled ecosystems and platforms is critical to unlock the complete potential and efficiency of AI and generative AI. In return, this will spark the emergence of a wider range of business growth opportunities over the coming years. Today, in banking and insurance, firms are testing their generative AI use cases across customer onboarding, credit analysis, financial planning, policy renewals and to support client servicing models.

Cloud plays a pivotal role in driving ESG impact

With 95% of firms now factoring ESG impact into all key investment decisions, the cloud also has a pivotal role to play in aiding the industry's effective management of ESG reporting to help achieve their sustainability goals. It can equip them with essential ESG impact measurement tools, as seen by 51% of financial services firms citing improved transparency and reporting measures. Cloud providers are starting to develop solutions that can track and report scope 1, 2 and 3 level emissions, offering comprehensive visibility into a firm's carbon footprint across business functions and products.

"For today's financial services organization, ignoring the cloud is simply not an option. Moving to the cloud requires looking beyond a cost-savings approach and being centered around driving innovation to gain a competitive edge," said Ravi Khokhar, Global Head of Cloud for Financial Services at Capgemini. "As companies race to adapt and implement generative AI, they need to be mindful that there will be no future AI benefits to be realized without cloud-enabled systems. By defining and establishing an effective cloud target operating model at scale, the full potential of these transformational new technologies can be harnessed."

Risk management and customer relationship management dominate cloud migration priorities

Industry executives surveyed in this report across health insurance, life insurance, capital markets, payments, retail banks and wealth management, identify risk management and customer relationship management (CRM) amongst their top three areas ripe for early cloud adoption.

In wealth management, over half (60%) cite benefits in relying on cloud-enabled fraud detection techniques to make data-driven risk-management decisions. Likewise, more than one-third of retail banking executives (39%) emphasize transitioning complex credit risk management to the cloud to shorten loan processing decision time, through cloud-enabled automated processes and integrated analytics.

Insurers are exploring data-driven personalized value-added services, such as roadside assistance, to align with evolving customer preferences. Among life insurance executives, customer relationship management (55%) stands out as the highest priority for their cloud journey.

Data security and cost challenges constrain effective cloud adoption at scale

Despite significant advantages, industry executives express concerns about the challenges associated with cloud migration. Two-thirds (68%) identify data security as a barrier to adopting cloud solutions, while 51% point to high operational and transformation costs as potential obstacles. An additional 45% mention regulations, such as data sovereignty, as another factor that may pose challenges.

Recently, the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) mandated that financial institutions subject to European Union (EU) regulations must rigorously implement, document, and uphold the requisite systems, protocols, and tools to provide sufficient reliability, capacity, and resilience. Sovereign cloud, which provides secure and independent cloud computing infrastructure to countries to help them ensure data privacy and sovereignty, is therefore fast becoming a common deployment option. To address these concerns, 39% of executives reported a preference to leverage public cloud, 49% prefer private cloud, and the remaining 12% think hybrid cloud is the best option.

Report Methodology?

The World Cloud Report for Financial Services 2023 cites global data and analysis of two primary research surveys as well as more than 30 interviews with FS executives and hyperscalers / cloud technology providers; it also took input from Capgemini's subject matter experts across more than 20 countries. The two surveys polled financial services industry (FSI) and technology ecosystem respondents. The report focused on four global regions and 14 markets within those regions - the United States, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, Spain, the Netherlands, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Hong Kong, Japan, China, India, and Australia.

About Capgemini

Capgemini is a global leader in partnering with companies to transform and manage their business by harnessing the power of technology. The Group is guided every day by its purpose of unleashing human energy through technology for an inclusive and sustainable future. It is a responsible and diverse organization of nearly 350,000 team members in more than 50 countries. With its strong 55-year heritage and deep industry expertise, Capgemini is trusted by its clients to address the entire breadth of their business needs, from strategy and design to operations, fueled by the fast evolving and innovative world of cloud, data, AI, connectivity, software, digital engineering, and platforms. The Group reported in 2022 global revenues of 22 billion.

Get The Future You Want | www.capgemini.com

About the Capgemini Research Institute

The Capgemini Research Institute is Capgemini's in-house think-tank on all things digital and their impact across industries. It is the publisher of Capgemini's flagship World Report Series for over 25 years with dedicated focus for Financial Services and publishes thought leadership on digitalization, innovation, technology and business trends that affect banks, wealth management firms, and insurers across the globe. Independent agency rated a recent World Retail Banking Report, published by the Institute, as one of the top 10 publications among consultancy and technology firms globally.

Visit us at https://worldreports.capgemini.com

1 Cloud native applications are those which are designed to reside in the cloud from the start, enabling organizations to leverage greater agility and resilience

2 In the lift and shift approach the application and associated data are "lifted" from the existing environments and "shifted" as-is to the cloud, with minimal or no changes

Attachment
BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - Shares of Lenovo Group Ltd. (LNVGY.PK) declined around 4 percent in Hong Kong trading as the Chinese PC and mobile maker reported Thursday weak profit and revenues in its second quarter. Looking ahead, the company said it is seeing clear signs of recovery across the technology sector. Lenovo said it is confident in its ability to resume year-on-year growth very soon. For the second quarter, net profit attributable to equity holders fell 54 percent to $249 million from last year's $541 million. Basic earnings per share were 2.09 US cents, down from prior year's 4.54 US cents. On a non-Hong Kong Financial Reporting Standards basis, net income was $273 million, compared to $591 million a year ago. Group revenue of $14.41 billion declined 16 percent from last year's $17.09 billion. Gross profit margin, however, improved year-on-year to 17.5 percent. Further, Lenovo said its Board of Directors declared an interim dividend of 8.0 HK cents per share. In Hong Kong, Lenovo shares were trading at HK$9.430, down 3.58 percent. 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.
Solity

Alterscope launched its Risk Infrastructure for web3 during the Risk Summit at Devconnect Istanbul



16-Nov-2023 / 06:20 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





NEWS RELEASE BY SOLITY

Munchen, Germany | November 14, 2023 09:15 AM Eastern Standard Time

Expanding the scope of possibilities for protocol teams and investment firms

Alterscope (formerly Solity Network), a leading technology company, has unveiled its web3 Risk Infrastructure for protocol teams and investment firms

(formerly Solity Network), a leading technology company, has unveiled its web3 Risk Infrastructure for protocol teams and investment firms Due to the crypto space's highly interconnected nature, decentralized financial ecosystems are highly prone to systemic risks. This will change in the future with the launch of Alterscope.

Altersope is on a mission to make the crypto industry smarter and more transparent

Alterscope (formerly known as Solity Network) unveiled at the Risk Summit in Istanbul on the 14th of November 2023 its risk infrastructure that supports protocol teams and investment firms to master the contingencies of web3.

Benedikt Eikmanns, Co-founder & CEO of Alterscope, mentioned: "Technical fundamentals in decentralized ecosystems are uncharted territory for risk assessment - until now. Alterscope equips its users with the right tools."

It's impossible to assess every potential risk in web3 and lacks standards for assessing protocol-specific risks. Alterscope provides transparency on critical interdependencies between protocols, digital assets, and underlying blockchains. Thereby, Alterscope gives insights into decentralized protocols and enables real-time risk processing for protocol teams and investment firms. In addition, Alterscope enables users to perform in-depth due diligence on protocols, create customizable risk scores, and monitor critical protocol events in real-time. The vision of Alterscope is to enable collective intelligence to prevent systemic risk in tomorrow's financial systems.

In a statement by Marijo Radman, the CTO and Co-Founder of Alterscope, mentioned: "Alterscope creates transparency around decentralized protocols, enabling diversification at the technical-fundamental level and amplifying internal risk control processes."

Altersope is on a mission to make the crypto industry smarter and more transparent. In specific, Alterscope provides insights into decentralized protocols, enables assessments of their interdependencies, and lays the foundation for novel risk-primitives.

Marijo Radman also mentioned: "Due to the composable tech stack of the decentralized ecosystems and interconnectedness of its base components like chains, protocols, and middlewares, disruptions in the technical fundamentals have induced disastrous events over the last 18 months. This may change with the launch of Alterscope and its advanced real-time analytics capabilities."

Protocol teams are enabled to automatize their risk management, assess technical fundamental risks when deciding on protocol integrations, and obtain real-time monitoring of integrated protocols. Furthermore, Alterscope provides transparency for protocol stakeholders and unlocks new types of ecosystem dashboards that enable end users to do their own research on decentralized protocols. Thereby, Alterscope helps decentralized networks to attract and retain liquidity as well as to grow their communities.

Investment firms benefit from the capability to conduct thorough Know Your Protocol (KYP) due diligence across various protocols and liquidity pools, facilitating both pre- and post-capital allocation. Additionally, Alterscope provides an unparalleled risk toolkit offering: advanced risk research analysis, and robust support for asset allocation and portfolio construction. In addition, Alerscope empowers risk optimization, continuous risk monitoring, and seamless portfolio rebalancing.

Benefits for protocol teams and investment firms:

Automatize web3 risk management

Get actionable insights on protocol-related risks

Make protocol integration decisions faster and more reliable

Create transparency for protocol stakeholders

Enable risk-adjusted vault and portfolio rebalancing

Access clean and trustworthy crypto data

Improve trading algorithms

Build novel risk primitives in DeFi

Alterscope aims to establish itself as the leader in real-time risk intelligence for the digital assets space, setting high standards to ensure accurate risk assessment, all consolidated in one place and delivered in real-time, giving decentralized and centralized entities alike the confidence to steer and interact with decentralized economies.

About Alterscope (formerly Solity Network)

Alterscope (formerly Solity Network) provides the infrastructure for web3 to enable the real-time processing of fundamental risks across chains, protocols, and liquidity pools. By aggregating multi-chain risk parameters, Alterscope creates transparency, sets the stage for machine learning, and enables novel risk primitives in web3.

Contact Details

Alterscope

Marta Rozsa

marta.rozsa@alterscope.org

Company Website

https://www.alterscope.org/

Tags

ALTERSCOPEWEB3SOLITYCRYPTOBLOCKCHAIN

Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.






Dr. Ir. Segaran Narayanan, CEO of TAMCO Switchgear



TAMCO Switchgear plant



The TAMCO Switchgear booth at WETEX 2023 held in Dubai from 15-17 November.



Visitor at the TAMCO Switchgear booth at WETEX 2023

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 16, 2023 - (ACN Newswire) - TAMCO Switchgear, an established leader in electrical distribution and control solutions will participate at the Water, Energy, Technology, and Environment Exhibition (WETEX) 2023 to be held in Dubai from 15-17 November. At the event, TAMCO Switchgear will showcase its unwavering commitment to innovation and sustainability toward delivering world-class products and solutions.WETEX 2023 is one of the region's largest exhibitions dedicated to sustainability and clean energy technology. WETEX 2023 provides a platform for industry players to highlight their latest innovations and share their plans for the transformation of the energy and sustainability sectors.According to Dr. Ir. Segaran Narayanan, CEO of TAMCO Switchgear, ?As a company, we are committed to being at the forefront of the power distribution business with technological innovation and strategic business partnerships. We strive to be the trusted partner in energy distribution, and as the Gold Sponsor of WETEX 2023, we aim to showcase our continued commitment to sustainable and innovative solutions.??WETEX 2023 presents us with an opportunity to collaborate with like-minded industry leaders and companies. We are thrilled to be part of the event this year, and look forward to meeting with potential customers and partners at the exhibition to address the energy and environmental challenges that lie ahead,? Narayanan added.TAMCO Switchgear's participation at WETEX 2023 will see its teams showcasing capabilities in ensuring reliable and safe electrical power. In line with the global energy transition, the team will highlight its products and customised solutions in facilitating the integration of renewable energy sources for smart grid technologies. These solutions offer enhanced grid management, reliability, and efficiency, paving the way for a more intelligent and connected energy distribution network.Visitors will have a chance to have a closer look at the physical display of TAMCO Switchgear's Air Insulated Switchgear with built-in sensors, aligned to the digitalization trend in the industry. Visitors and participants can visit the booth to understand more about the state-of-the-art solutions that meet the evolving needs of the energy and environmental sectors, aligning with the world's sustainability goals. In addition to the exhibition, there are also seminars taking place during the 3-day event. Devraj Manna, Senior General Manager of Research & Development from TAMCO Switchgear will be on-site to share his insights on Modular & Future Ready Medium Voltage Hybrid SF6 Switchgear on 16 November 2023.Since 1997, TAMCO Switchgear has worked closely with the Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) powering many iconic and prestigious projects including the Burj Khalifa, Burj Al Arab, Dubai Airport, Palm Jumeirah, and more.Closer to home, TAMCO Switchgear has partnered with multiple companies across sectors contributing to the country's economic growth while creating job opportunities in Malaysia. They have worked with the likes of Tenaga Nasional Berhad, Sarawak Energy Berhad, PETRONAS, Sabah Electricity Sdn Bhd, and Prasarana Malaysia Bhd, to name a few.Today, TAMCO Switchgear is the one of the most vertically integrated switchgear manufacturers in Southeast Asia and is a prominent industry player in the region, exporting more than 50% of its products and solutions in select international markets of Southeast Asia, GCC, Australia, UK, and Africa.For more information about TAMCO Switchgear and its industry-leading solutions, please visit www.tamco.com.my.For media enquiries, please contact:Esther Liew | esther.liew@tamco.com.my | +03-3361 8200Source: TAMCO SwitchgearCopyright 2023 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
CANBERA (dpa-AFX) - The Australian dollar weakened against other major currencies in the Asian session on Thursday. The Australian dollar fell to a 2-day low of 1.6770 against the euro, from yesterday's closing value of 1.6669. Against the U.S. and the Canadian dollars, the aussie dropped to 2-day lows of 0.6461 and 0.8859 from Wednesday's closing quotes of 0.6512 and 0.8910, respectively. The aussie edged down to 97.75 against the yen, from yesterday's closing value of 98.46. If the aussie extends its downtrend, it is likely to find support around 1.69 against the euro, 0.63 against the greenback, 0.87 against the loonie and 95.00 against the yen. 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.
Ubaque oil discovery at RCE, with production being brought on from the C7

Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Arrow Exploration Corp. (AIM: AXL) (TSXV: AXL) ("Arrow" or the "Company"), the high-growth operator with a portfolio of assets across key Colombian hydrocarbon basins, is pleased to provide an update on the Rio Cravo Este-6 ("RCE-6") well on the Tapir Block in the Llanos Basin of Colombia where Arrow holds a 50% beneficial interest, and the Oso Pardo-3 well on the Oso Pardo field in the Middle Magdalena Valley Basin of Colombia where Arrow has a 100% working interest.

RCE-6

The Company has completed the RCE-6 well in the Carbonera C7 formation and the well has been put into production. The well penetrated a 16 ft pay zone in a high quality upper Carbonera C7 sand, with a porosity of 27%. The well is currently flowing, with the ESP turned off, at 834 BOPD gross (417 BOPD net) of 29.8 API gravity. As reservoir stewards, the Company will conservatively produce at rates that allow for maximum oil recoveries and optimal production rates.

After penetrating the Carbonera C7, the RCE-6 well continued drilling and encountered pay in the Ubaque formation. In the Ubaque formation the well penetrated 7 ft of high quality pay, with an estimated porosity of 24%. The Ubaque zone was tested for 78 hours and reached a production rate of 393 BOPD gross (197 BOPD net) of heavy crude oil of 13.3 API with a water cut of less than 10%. The Ubaque formation was shut in after the test and the well was completed in the Carbonera C7 formation. The Ubaque discovery in RCE-6 is expected to add reserves and future production to Arrow.

Initial production results are not necessarily indicative of long-term performance or ultimate recovery.

The Gacheta formation was not tested in the RCE-6 well.

Tapir Forward Work Program

The Rio Cravo Este-7 well ("RCE-7") spud on November 14. This development well is targeting the multizone pay stack within the RCE fault bounded structure. As well, upon RCE-7 being placed on-stream, the RCE 8 development well will be drilled to further evaluate the multizone potential that has evolved from the RCE structure.

The drilling rig is then expected to return to the Carrizales Norte field ("CN") to begin a multi well program. Priority vertical locations will focus on exploitation of the material Ubaque discovery. Upon completion of the dedicated horizontal well pad, a series of horizontal wells will be drilled with a second rig to efficiently exploit the Ubaque reservoir. Pad completion is expected in Q1 2024. The existing Carrizales Norte vertical pad will focus on testing the Carrizales Nor Oeste prospect directly adjacent to the Ubaque discovery. Horizontal drilling is expected to commence in late Q1 2024 once the pad is ready. As previously disclosed the Ubaque Sand reservoir is 60 feet thick over a large area and is tailor made for horizontal well exploitation.

Oso Pardo-3

The Oso Pardo-3 ("OP-3") well spud on October 27 and has reached TD in the Umir formation. The well penetrated multiple pay zones totaling 53 ft of net pay in high quality sands, with an average porosity of 23%. Initial 3D seismic and log interpretation indicates OP-3 has proven up additional locations within the existing 100%-owned Oso Pardo Block.

OP-3 is currently being completed and the Company plans to give further updates once this well is put on production in the next couple of weeks.

The Company plans to drill a second well, Oso Pardo-4, once the Oso Pardo-3 well is on production.

Marshall Abbott, CEO of Arrow commented:

"The RCE-6 test results in both the Ubaque formation and Carbonera are material and exciting for the Company. The results demonstrate that the Carbonera remains a solid high volume producer while the Ubaque formation has proven production that extends beyond the Carrizales Norte complex. Multiple development locations are anticipated based on current results, including horizontal drilling in the Ubaque reservoir in the Carrizales Norte field. Horizontal wells typically produce at higher rates, increasing recovery and the economics of heavy oil fields."

"Arrow's fully funded, low risk drilling program continues to build momentum across our extensive portfolio, where we aim to have four additional development wells on production before the end of 2023. We are also encouraged by the interpretation of the Tapir 3D seismic and look forward to providing further updates in due course."

For further Information, contact:

Arrow Exploration

Marshall Abbott, CEO

+1 403 651 5995

Joe McFarlane, CFO

+1 403 818 1033

Brookline Public Relations, Inc.

Shauna MacDonald

+1 403 538 5645

Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Advisor and Joint Broker)

Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor

James Asensio

Gordon Hamilton

+44 (0)20 7523 8000

Auctus Advisors (Joint Broker)

Jonathan Wright

Rupert Holdsworth Hunt

+44 (0)7711 627449

Camarco (Financial PR)

Andrew Turner

Rebecca Waterworth

Kirsty Duff

+44 (0)20 3781 8331

About Arrow Exploration Corp.

Arrow Exploration Corp. (operating in Colombia via a branch of its 100% owned subsidiary Carrao Energy S.A.) is a publicly traded company with a portfolio of premier Colombian oil assets that are underexploited, under-explored and offer high potential growth. The Company's business plan is to expand oil production from some of Colombia's most active basins, including the Llanos, Middle Magdalena Valley (MMV) and Putumayo Basin. The asset base is predominantly operated with high working interests, and the Brent-linked light oil pricing exposure combines with low royalties to yield attractive potential operating margins. By way of a private commercial contract with the recognized interest holder before Ecopetrol S.A., Arrow is entitled to receive 50% of the production from the Tapir block. The formal assignment to the Company is subject to Ecopetrol's consent. Arrow's seasoned team is led by a hands-on executive team supported by an experienced board. Arrow is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange and on TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "AXL".

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains certain statements or disclosures relating to Arrow that are based on the expectations of its management as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to Arrow which may constitute forward-looking statements or information ("forward-looking statements") under applicable securities laws. All such statements and disclosures, other than those of historical fact, which address activities, events, outcomes, results or developments that Arrow anticipates or expects may, could or will occur in the future (in whole or in part) should be considered forward-looking statements. In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of the words "continue", "expect", "opportunity", "plan", "potential" and "will" and similar expressions. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release reflect several material factors and expectations and assumptions of Arrow, including without limitation, Arrow's evaluation of the impacts of COVID-19, the potential of Arrow's Colombian and/or Canadian assets (or any of them individually), the prices of oil and/or natural gas, and Arrow's business plan to expand oil and gas production and achieve attractive potential operating margins. Arrow believes the expectations and assumptions reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable at this time, but no assurance can be given that these factors, expectations, and assumptions will prove to be correct.

The forward-looking statements included in this news release are not guarantees of future performance and should not be unduly relied upon. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligations to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Glossary

API: A specific gravity scale developed by the American Petroleum Institute (API) for measuring the relative density of various petroleum liquids, expressed in degrees.

BOPD: barrels of oil per day

BOE/D: barrels of oil equivalent per day

Qualified Person's Statement

The technical information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Grant Carnie, senior non-executive director of Arrow Exploration Corp. Mr. Carnie is a member of the Canadian Society of Petroleum Engineers, holds a B.Sc. in Geology from the University of Alberta and has over 35 years' experience in the oil and gas industry.

This Announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK version of the market abuse regulation (EU No. 596/2014) as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR").

NOT FOR RELEASE, DISTRIBUTION, PUBLICATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO OR FROM THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO MIGHT CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF SUCH JURISDICTION.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187518
Regulatory News:

After taking the first step towards industrialization with the acquisition of Jacquier in June 2023, Haffner Energy (ISIN code: FR0014007ND6 Mnemonic: ALHAF) is pleased to announce that it has completed the first stage of financing for its founding project to build its first large-capacity plant in Saint-Dizier (Haute-Marne), where its renewable gas and hydrogen production modules will be manufactured and assembled, thanks to the support of the French State through the France 2030 program operated by Bpifrance and its local institutional partners, including the Grand Est region and the GIP Haute-Marne. At the same time, Haffner Energy has embarked on another short-term structuring project with the establishment of a test and training center for research and development purposes in Marolles, in the immediate vicinity of its head office in Vitry-le-Francois and at the heart of the "Pays Vitryat" industrial region (Marne).

At a time when the French government has just selected 183 new territories as part of its "Territoires d'industrie" program aimed at reindustrializing France, Haffner Energy, a specialist in biomass energy recovery, is reaffirming more than ever its commitment to making a lasting contribution to the goal of industrial reconquest and territorial development through these two strategic projects.

A player in the energy transition for over 30 years, with strong roots in the Grand Est region, Haffner Energy designs and supplies pioneering decarbonization solutions for players in mobility, industry and local authorities.

Haffner Energy's strong ambition to bring its technology to industrial scale is now being translated into a larger-scale project with the choice of the town of Saint-Dizier for the deployment of its future high-capacity assembly plant (gigafactory), as announced by the Company at the time of its IPO in February 2022.

This project was submitted as part of the France 2030 "Premiere Usine" call for projects, operated by Bpifrance in autumn 2022. After a demanding selection process, Haffner Energy is particularly proud to announce that its gigafactory project named "FactorHy" has been selected, marking a new strategic milestone for the company.

"I'm very pleased to witness the successes of Haffner Energy, with the support of France 2030, which has been present at every stage of the company's development. After being supported in 2018 by a France 2030 grant (PIA) operated by Ademe, to develop an initial demonstrator, the company moved on to a full-scale demonstrator in Strasbourg, with the support of the Grand-Est region. Finally, Haffner Energy has just received further support from France 2030 to build its first high-capacity assembly plant for its biogas and renewable hydrogen production modules in the Grand Est region.

The company's markets are promising, particularly internationally, where its technology is sure to play an important role. I'm already looking forward to its future commercial success, but also to its important contribution to decarbonizing our economy, as its alternative hydrogen production technology, subject to local biomass availability, can usefully complement electrolysis production and guarantee the deployment of hydrogen in our territory," said Bruno Bonnell, General Secretary for Investment in charge of France 2030.

With this recognition, Haffner Energy will receive 5.9 million in grants and repayable advances to finance its project. After this first step, Haffner Energy is moving ahead with the realization of its project, by completing its financing thanks to its public and private partners, and by working on an Industrial Master Plan. Details of the plant, which is scheduled to start up in mid-2024 and be completed in 2026, will be announced once these additional stages have been completed.

Haffner Energy will also set up a test and training center in the immediate vicinity of its head office in Vitry-le-Francois, in the heart of the "Pays Vitryat" industrial region.

The project will be carried out in two stages:

from early 2024, the installation of a new-generation demonstrator for testing all types of biomass used by our customers notably, with a view to industrial and business development and continuous improvement of our technology;

in the medium term, a test and training center for Haffner Energy's customers and employees.

This project also enjoys the unanimous support of the region's elected representatives and institutional partners.

"The technology deployed by Haffner Energy will play a decisive role in decarbonizing and accelerating the energy transition worldwide. Haffner Energy will be in a position to address ever-expanding markets, provided it has an agile, high-performance industrial base. Our Gigafactory and test and training center will enable us to respond quickly and appropriately to customer demand, while guaranteeing product quality and preserving the confidentiality of Haffner Energy's unique intellectual property. We are delighted to be launching these highly structuring investments in the region where Haffner Energy's head office is located. I would like to thank all our partners and elected representatives, who unanimously support this industrial project and have been working with us for months to ensure its successful deployment," said Philippe Haffner, Chairman and CEO of Haffner Energy.

Haffner Energy is also delighted to be partnering with three "Territoires d'industrie" in the Grand Est region. Among the 183 territories selected by this national initiative for green industrial reconquest unveiled by the Government on November 9, Haffner Energy is particularly committed to the following Territoires d'industrie: "Pays Vitryat", comprising 3 public inter-municipal cooperation bodies (EPCIs) (Communaute de Communes de Vitry, Champagne et Der, Communaute de Communes de Cotes de Champagne et Val de Saulx and Communaute de Communes de Perthois-Bocage et Der), "Sud Meuse Nord Haute Marne", comprising 4 EPCIs (Grand Saint-Dizier Der et vallees, Communaute de communes des Portes de Meuse, Communaute de communes du Bassin de Joinville en Champagne and Communaute d'Agglomeration Meuse Grand Sud), and "Pays Chalonnais" around 3 EPCIs (Chalons en Champagne Agglo, Communaute de Communes Region de Suippes and Communaute de Communes de la Moivre la Coole).

Haffner Energy, an economic player committed to the green reindustrialization of territories, has actively supported the candidacy of these three territories, and wished to invest itself more particularly by becoming the elected-industrial binomial of the "Pays Vitryat" and "Sud Meuse Nord Haute-Marne" industrial territories, in view of its development projects.

For Haffner Energy, this support is a way of contributing to the national ambition of a sovereign, low-carbon industry through the territories, particularly in the Grand Est region, which is the cradle of the company's development.

Haffner Energy's approach to reindustrialization: positive local initiatives come together to serve a global ambition: regenerating the planet

While Haffner Energy's technology is intended to be a long-term solution to the global challenge of decarbonization, it is of particular interest in the collaboration between local authorities and their stakeholders, whether biomass producers, talent pools or incubators of positive initiatives, all of whom feed into and support projects designed with Haffner Energy, around its technology.

The thermolysis process developed by Haffner Energy is highly adaptable, making it possible to valorize all types of biomass residues and thus generating new outlets for local producers of this raw material, which until now has often been untapped (farmers, winegrowers, foresters, etc.), sourced locally and thus sustaining local employment that cannot be relocated. Yet another argument to justify the resources deployed by Haffner Energy to pursue its unchanged ambition: decarbonizing uses without cutting back on competitiveness.

It is in this perspective of generating positive synergies that Haffner Energy recalls its participation in several positive local initiatives in the service of green reindustrialization, which highlight the trust placed in it by numerous local partners.

Haffner Energy is a partner in the Charl'Hy project, an ambitious and unique project in the Champagne region, which aims to establish an industrial hub for the production of hydrogen and renewable gas in the Chalonnais basin. The project, which won Chalons Agglo's "Financial support for the creation and development of industrial activities with low environmental impact" call for expressions of interest on November 10, 2023, is led by CVE, a French independent producer of renewable energies, in partnership with Haffner Energy, and scheduled to be completed by 2026/2027. The installation of a SYNOCA module designed by Haffner Energy will enable biomass residues, particularly from forestry, to be valorized. Following a study phase carried out by CVE and Haffner Energy, the project will be tailored to meet local industrial and urban heating needs.

In partnership with Nedey, Haffner Energy is also developing a project for a renewable hydrogen production and distribution station, called NedE'Hy, once again demonstrating its progress in supporting local energy transition. This ambitious project, based on Haffner Energy's HYNOCA solution, is supported by a consortium of local players led by car dealer Nedey Automobiles, and will be located in Brognard (Doubs).

To read our press kit: click here

About Haffner Energy

Haffner Energy, a listed family company co-founded and co-directed by Marc and Philippe Haffner, has been a key player in the energy transition for 30 years. It designs and supplies innovative decarbonization solutions for mobility, industry and local authorities. Its HYNOCA, SYNOCA and SAFNOCA solutions, based on biomass thermolysis, a technology protected by 15 patent families, enable customers to produce locally renewable hydrogen and gas, as well as other green energies such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel, while capturing carbon from the atmosphere through the co-production of biochar.

More information at www.haffner-energy.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115646277/en/

Contacts:

HAFFNER ENERGY

Laure Bourdon +33 (0)7 87 96 35 15

laure.bourdon@haffner-energy.com

CLAI

Valentine Serres +33 (0)7 78 41 45 91

Thibault Lecauchois +33 (0)7 84 58 77 11

haffnerenergy@clai2.com
GHENT, Belgium, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Delta Investment Tracker, the multi-asset investment management tool, is proud to announce the launch of two new features that empower investors and enhance transparency in the financial world: Leadership Moves and Delta Direct.

Leadership Moves: Making informed investment decisions

Delta PRO users can now gain exclusive access to the Leadership Moves feature, a powerful tool that provides insights into transactions filed by senior executives, directors, and major shareholders of companies. This invaluable data is sourced from CityFalcon, our personalised financial and business news provider. Insiders often have predetermined transactions or forms of employee compensation that are not the most insightful. On the other hand, informative transactions can reflect the insider's positive or negative sentiment about their company's prospects. By distinguishing informative transactions from non-informative ones, Delta helps users identify insider sentiments that can significantly impact their investment strategies. Whether it's a show of confidence or caution, Leadership Moves equips users with essential insights. Moreover, Delta goes the extra mile by notifying users of all informative transactions for assets they follow, ensuring they never miss a beat when it comes to crucial activity.

Delta Direct: Direct insights from companies & token teams

In a move towards increased transparency and investor empowerment, Delta now offers Delta Direct, to all users. This feature makes it much easier to view key information from the company by accessing it directly from the Delta app and getting notified when something important happens in the companies you follow or you're interested in.

Users can now view press releases, earnings calls, quarterly/annual reports, financial statements, and other crucial documents directly on the asset detail screen & via push notifications. This direct access to key company information enables investors to make more informed decisions and stay updated on the latest developments. Delta Direct for Stocks is the perfect complement to Delta Direct for Crypto, where individual token teams can post updates directly via a dedicated dashboard, boosting transparency within the crypto space.

Nicolas Van Hoorde, CEO of the Delta Investment Tracker, comments: "The introduction of Delta Direct and Leadership Moves embody our commitment to transparency and empowering investors. . Both tools are designed to give retail investors direct access to key information that will help their investment decision making process."

About Delta Investment Tracker

Delta Investment Tracker is a pioneering multi-asset investment management tool that provides investors with real-time insights into their entire portfolio. Based in Ghent, Belgium, this innovative smartphone application seamlessly connects with crypto wallets and stock portfolios, presenting users with a convenient and user-friendly overview that showcases the total value of their assets at a glance.

Since its inception in 2017, Delta has helped over 5 million investors worldwide to make more informed investment decisions effortlessly. In 2019, Delta was acquired by trading and investing platform eToro.

Images: https://delta-tracker.webflow.io/en/press

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2273728/Delta_Investment_Tracker_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/delta-investment-tracker-unveils-two-game-changing-features-leadership-moves-and-delta-direct-301985012.html
L'OREAL CELEBRATES 10 YEARS OF ITS 'SHARE & CARE' SOCIAL INNOVATION AND EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PROGRAM

Introduces new benefits to support employees with cancer and promote mental health

Clichy, 16 November 2023 - L'Oreal today recognized the ten-year anniversary of Share & Care, the social innovation and employee benefits program launched in 2013 that today serves the Groupe's employees around the world. Since its launch, Share & Care has ensured that all L'Oreal employees enjoy social protections of the highest standard, alongside best-in-class benefits in each market in which L'Oreal operates. Share & Care continues to evolve, incorporating new social initiatives - in areas such as cancer, domestic violence and mental wellbeing - to protect and support employees amidst a changing social landscape.

Share & Care provides a global framework for a vast range of employee benefits spanning health, financial support, wellbeing and the workplace, with provisions that often surpass the local requirements. Already, Share & Care has enshrined a minimum of 24 months' salary1 in case of disability, natural or accidental death; at least 14 weeks fully paid maternity or primary parental leave; six weeks fully paid paternity or secondary parental leave; 75% minimum reimbursement for major health expenses; and a decent wage2 as the 'gold standard' available to every L'Oreal employee in every country.

"We conceived Share & Care as a long-term commitment to our employees so that each L'Orealian feels supported and cared for, wherever they are and whatever may be happening in their lives. We believe Share & Care is one of the most comprehensive and ambitious employee benefits programs that an international company can offer," said Jean-Claude Le Grand, Chief Human Relations Officer, L'Oreal Groupe."Social innovation has always been part of the L'Oreal mindset and current times compel us, more than ever, to help and support our people in order to help them face ongoing global uncertainties."

In 2023, Share & Care expanded its scope by introducing new measures, both reactive and proactive, to further support employees facing unexpected life events.

Supporting Employee Health and Personal Safety

Recognizing the growing toll of cancer on society, in 2023, Share & Care introduces new benefits for those who have been diagnosed with cancer such as financial, psychological and practical support during treatment and upon returning to work. Alongside pre-existing cancer awareness and prevention campaigns, the new benefits underscore L'Oreal's commitment to the Working with Cancer charter, which it signed as a co-founding member in 2022. Share & Care has also expanded support for victims of domestic violence, offering resources and support at the moment of need, and by committing to a safe working environment.

Encouraging Wellbeing in the Workplace and Beyond

During the Covid-19 global health crisis, Share & Care offered on-demand psychological support to employees and introduced a hybrid working policy, with the option to work remotely up to two days per week for eligible jobs. In 2023, Share & Care encourages employees to commit to their continued wellbeing, through worldwide mental health awareness actions, including specialized training on topics such as psychological safety. Furthermore, the Groupe continues to create workplace environments that support everyday life at L'Oreal, through spaces that encourage creativity, collaboration and connection, as well as spaces for reflection and concentration.

About L'Oreal

For over 110 years, L'Oreal, the world's leading beauty player, has devoted itself to one thing only: fulfilling the beauty aspirations of consumers around the world. Our purpose, to create the beauty that moves the world, defines our approach to beauty as inclusive, ethical, generous and committed to social and environmental sustainability. With our broad portfolio of 37 international brands and ambitious sustainability commitments in our L'Oreal for the Future programme, we offer each and every person around the world the best in terms of quality, efficacy, safety, sincerity and responsibility, while celebrating beauty in its infinite plurality.

With 87 400 committed employees, a balanced geographical footprint and sales across all distribution networks

"This press release does not constitute an offer of sale or solicitation of an offer to purchase L'Oreal shares. If you wish to obtain more comprehensive information about L'Oreal, please refer to the public documents registered in France with the Autorite des Marches Financiers, also available in English on our website www.loreal-finance.com.

This press release may contain forecast information. While the Company believes that these statements are based on reasonable assumptions as of the date of publication of this press release, they are by nature subject to risks and uncertainties which may lead to a discrepancy between the actual figures and those indicated or suggested in these statements."

CONTACTS

L'OREAL

Switchboard

+33 (0)1 47 56 70 00 Individual shareholders and market regulators

Pascale GUERIN

+33 (0)1 49 64 18 89

Pascale.guerin@loreal.com (mailto:Pascale.guerin@loreal.com) Financial analysts and institutional investors

Francoise LAUVIN

+33 (0)1 47 56 86 82

Francoise.lauvin@loreal.com (mailto:Francoise.lauvin@loreal.com)







Eva QUIROGA

+33 (0)7 88 14 22 65

Eva.quiroga@loreal.com (mailto:Eva.quiroga@loreal.com) Media







Brune DIRICQ

+33 (0)6 63 85 29 87

Brune.diricq@loreal.com (mailto:Brune.diricq@loreal.com)







Christine BURKE

+33 (0)6 75 54 38 15

Christine.burke@loreal.com (mailto:Christine.burke@loreal.com)

For further information, please contact your bank, stockbroker of financial institution, the L'Oreal Finance app or call the toll-free number from France: 0 800 66 66 66. 0 800 66 66 66

Follow us on LinkedIn @L'Oreal

Follow us on Instagram @lorealgroupe

www.loreal.com

1 Or equivalent pension

2 Living Wage Employer-certified by the Fair Wage Network, 2022







Attachment
EstrogenicA Health360, a healthcare provider in Alabama, has announced the establishment of its unique ambulatory surgery center.

Dothan, Alabama--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - EstrogenicA Health360, a healthcare provider in Alabama, has announced the establishment of its unique ambulatory surgery center. In a move to redefine the future of women's health, this center is the first to combine gynecological outpatient surgery with aesthetic treatments, an offering and combination not seen elsewhere in the industry.





EstrogenicA Health360 is Redefining the Future of Women's Health



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8814/186650_5003fe36e4e289d6_001full.jpg

The initiative addresses a significant gap in women's health services by providing a comprehensive solution catering to medical and aesthetic needs, ensuring that women receive holistic care tailored to their specific requirements.

EstrogenicA Health360, founded by Dr. Asha Voss, is closely associated with its new sister company SEAS, LLC (Southeast Alabama Surgical, LLC), which aims to be a multispecialty ambulatory surgery center (ASC) that pioneers the combination of gynecologic surgical procedures with minor outpatient surgeries, such as laser liposuction and other cosmetic procedures.

"The establishment of this ambulatory surgery center marks a pivotal moment in women's healthcare. We recognized a need for a more integrated approach; this center is our answer to that need. Our focus is on providing specialized care that truly understands and addresses the unique needs of women," Dr. Voss states. "EstrogenicA, along with SEAS, LLC hope to push traditional boundaries for the betterment of health for women in this traditionally underserved area, bringing modern concepts and amenities to women in the entire region."

Estrogenica Health360 focuses on its female-centric approach as the center is designed with multispecialty disciplines that cater specifically to women's needs. Highlighting the significance of the unique ambulatory surgery center, Dr. Voss remarks, "This new service is pioneering a new way of thinking about women's health. Our center reflects our belief that women deserve specialized care that addresses all their health and aesthetic concerns."

EstrogenicA Health360 offers multiple services for women, from routine gynecological check-ups and screenings to advanced medical aesthetic treatments. The center's unique approach combines medical and aesthetic services to address health concerns and overall well-being.

Behind the success of EstrogenicA Health360 is a team of professionals led by Dr. Voss. With years of experience and specialized training, the team comprises doctors, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse practitioners. These medical experts ensure that patients receive comprehensive care, supporting women's health from the initial consultation through post-treatment care.

For those interested in availing of EstrogenicA Health360's new ambulatory surgery center services, appointments can be booked through their official website at https://estrogenica.com/. The center is now open to patients, with specific health and safety protocols in place to ensure the well-being of all visitors.

About EstrogenicA Health360

EstrogenicA Health360 is a healthcare provider in Alabama focusing on women's health. The center offers a combination of gynecological outpatient surgery and aesthetic treatments, a service model not commonly found in the industry. This approach aims to address both the medical and aesthetic needs of women.

Dr. Asha Voss founded EstrogenicA Health360 and has guided its direction since its inception this year. The center's team comprises experienced professionals, including doctors, certified nurse midwives, and certified registered nurse practitioners, all working hand in hand to provide comprehensive care to their patients.

Contact Info:

Name: Dr. Asha Voss, MD, FACOG

Email: avoss@estrogenica.com

Organization: EstrogenicA Health360

Website: https://estrogenica.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/186650
Mr. van den Berg is an industry veteran with proven track record in building high-performance teams and delivering on strategic and financial transactions

Memo Therapeutics AG ("MTx"), a late-stage biotech company developing best-in-class therapeutic antibodies, announced today the appointment of Erik van den Berg as Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115733368/en/

Erik van den Berg, CEO of Memo Therapeutics AG (Photo: Business Wire)

Mr. van den Berg joins MTx with over 25 years' industry experience and proven track record in leading and growing companies. During his career, Mr. van den Berg has successfully completed over 20 transactions and partnerships, including a $600 million alliance with Pfizer, $290 million partnership with Kyowa Kirin and $500M in equity and debt financings for biotechnology companies from seed through IPO. He succeeds Dr. Karsten Fischer, who stepped down to pursue other opportunities.

"As Memo continues to make progress to address unmet medical needs of patients, Erik is the perfect person to lead the company through late-stage clinical development and towards potential commercialization of our lead program, AntiBKV. On behalf of the Board and entire team, I'd like to welcome Erik to MTx and look forward to our future endeavors," said Elias Papatheodorou, Chairman of MTx's Board of Directors. "I'd also like to thank Dr. Karsten Fischer who served as our CEO for the past 5 years for his dedication and leadership in taking our technological approach into the clinic with multiple antibody candidates."

Mr. van den Berg was CEO of AM-Pharma for over 12 years and remains on its Board. He is also Chairman of Step Pharma, TargED Therapeutics, co-founder and previous (executive) Chairman of Lava Therapeutics and co-founder and previous (executive) Chairman of Heatmatrix Group (sold to BosNieuwkerk). Previously, Mr. van den Berg also held business development roles at Organon and IsoTis (sold to Integra Lifesciences). Mr. van den Berg holds a master's degree in chemistry from the University of Utrecht and an MBA from Manchester Business School.

"Memo has already made great strides in its development of novel antibody candidates. As CEO, I look forward to continuing this momentum and build on the great progress made recently with AntiBKV in the clinic and its Fast Track designation from the FDA, as well as the recent successful Series C fundraising," said Mr. van den Berg.

About Memo Therapeutics AG

Memo Therapeutics AG ("MTx") is a late-stage biotech company developing best-in-class therapeutic antibodies to transform the lives of patients with virus infections and cancer. MTx's lead program, AntiBKV, is a highly effective and safe neutralizing antibody to treat BK virus infection in kidney transplant recipients. This infection can lead to loss of kidney function, as well as organ failure and rejection. MTx's pipeline consists of additional candidate therapeutic antibodies focusing on infectious diseases, such as cytomegalovirus ("CMV"), immuno-oncology targets as well as a partnership with Ono Pharmaceutical. MTx is a private company located in Schlieren Zurich, Switzerland.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115733368/en/

Contacts:

Memo Therapeutics AG

info@memo-therapeutics.com



Halsin Partners

Mike Sinclair

+44 (0) 7968 022075

msinclair@halsin.com
LONDON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Morphy Richards, a renowned brand known for its high-quality, British-style, and innovative products, has announced a strategic brand upgrade to support business growth in the medium and long term. In collaboration with globally recognized strategic consulting firm Prophet, Morphy Richards aims to pinpoint its core competence and devote to the best path for sustainable growth. The goal is to allow consumers get a different life experience brought by Morphy Richards products.

Established in 1936, Morphy Richards is a time-honored brand. As a historic British brand, Morphy Richards has a presence in a number of countries across Europe and Asia. Specializing in small household appliances, Morphy Richards has deeply cultivated the kitchen and living appliances sector. The brand upgrade aims to enhance brand influence, steer the direction of product development, and improve performance. As part of this strategic initiative, Morphy Richards is now actively recruiting business partners who share the same growth goals. Organizations and individuals interested in partnering with this time-honored brand are invited to make contact.

"In the post-pandemic world, the most relevant brands speak to consumers' heads and hearts by offering dependable, consistent, and delightful product innovations and branded experiences. We are honored to partner with Morphy Richards to unlock the next wave of uncommon growth across more and more markets," said Jolin, Associate Partner of Prophet. A growth and transformation consulting firm that helps leaders unlock uncommon growth, Prophet has 15 offices and over 600 strategists, data analysts, marketers, digital experts, and creatives worldwide, partnering with multiple companies to develop solutions that drive lasting impact and help move society forward.

"We have a truly unique opportunity. In the UK, Morphy Richards has 86% brand recognition which is up there with industry-leading global brands! With the right products and a great team, I am confident that we can re-establish Morphy Richards as the envy of the industry," said Rob Wileman, Managing Director of Consumer Brands Limited, which has become the official licensee of Morphy Richards in the UK in 2023.

About Morphy Richards

Morphy Richards, a premium and innovative small appliance brand, was established in the UK in 1936. For more than eight decades, Morphy Richards has been committed to infusing smart ideas and quintessential British style into the kitchens and everyday lives of families.

For more information, please visit: https://www.morphyrichards.com/ or https://global.morphyrichards.com/.

For inquires, please contact: marketing@morphyrichards.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/morphy-richards-announces-strategic-brand-upgrade-and-development-301990162.html
New partnership will help brands in the DACH (Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) transform their businesses with Sprinklr Service -- the first CCaaS solution offering enterprises support across 30+ digital and traditional channels

Sprinklr (NYSE: CXM), the unified customer experience management (Unified-CXM) platform for modern enterprises, today announced a partnership with Contact Center as a Service (CCaaS) and customer experience specialists infinit.cx to help enterprises optimize Sprinklr Service and facilitate a seamless, transformational migration to cloud-based customer service across 30+ digital channels. Through this partnership, enterprises can future-proof their customer service, marketing, engagement, and research strategies with Sprinklr's Unified-CXM platform.

"With over 40 years of consulting experience in CX and customer service, infinit.cx understands the technology enterprises need to reinvent their business and we only partner with companies that provide the most innovative solutions on the market," said Stefan Grunzner, CEO of infinit.cx. "With this in mind, our partnership with Sprinklr is a significant milestone in transforming how we support enterprises for the future. Together, Sprinklr and infinit.cx will bring the right strategy and technology enterprises need to execute a complete digital customer experience transformation focused on putting customers first. With Sprinklr, we can help companies un-silo their customer-facing functions and work together."

The Sprinklr and infinit.cx partnership is already transforming digital customer service for innovative companies like Deutsche Telekom. Europe's largest telco provider will leverage Sprinklr and infinit.cx support to move its European contact center operation with 40,000 customer service agents across 11 countries onto Sprinklr's AI-powered customer service platform streamlining operations, improving productivity, and enhancing customer experiences.

"Today's leading brands are accelerating digital transformation with AI, leveraging insights from external data, and unifying their customer-facing front office operations. While businesses now grasp the value of AI, near-term productivity improvements will be a minimum of 20-40% for knowledge workers," said Sprinklr Founder and CEO Ragy Thomas. "We are excited by customers' demand for AI, and together with infinit.cx, we will help the most innovative customers harness AI to its full extent, act on actionable insights, and eliminate silos to provide exceptional customer experiences."

This partnership will empower customers with the latest AI. infinit.cx will provide a team of experts to help implement Sprinklr Service and Sprinklr AI+, which incorporates generative AI into customer service workflows to enhance agent productivity and create a consistent user experience. For example, generative AI features such as "agent assist" optimize agent responses for tone, relevance, and accuracy.

In the future, infinit.cx and Sprinklr will collaborate beyond Sprinklr Service and help brands across Europe manage every customer-facing touchpoint with the three additional product suites in Sprinklr's Unified-CXM platform: Sprinklr Marketing, Sprinklr Insights, and Sprinklr Social.

Additional Information:

For more information on Sprinklr Service, click here.

To learn more about the Sprinklr Unified Partners program, click here.

About infinit.cx group

infinit.cx is "The Customer Experience Powerhouse" THE specialist in the DACH region for profitable customer retention and differentiation through successful customer experiences. The company delivers advisory services and technology implementation with passion for over 40 years and has a comprehensive network of other partners like Genesys, Parloa and Cognigy more. "It is not technology alone that determines the success of a project. People work with people. That is important to us." (Stefan Grunzner, CEO infinit.cx group)

About Sprinklr

Sprinklr is a leading enterprise software company for all customer-facing functions. With advanced AI, Sprinklr's unified customer experience management (Unified-CXM) platform helps companies deliver human experiences to every customer, every time, across any modern channel. Headquartered in New York City with employees around the world, Sprinklr works with more than 1,400 valuable enterprises global brands like Microsoft, P&G, Samsung and more than 50% of the Fortune 100. Sprinklr's value to the enterprise is simple: We un-silo teams to make customers happier.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116087060/en/

Contacts:

Press

Austin DeArman

PR@Sprinklr.com
BERLIN, VIENNA and ZURICH, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WorkJam , the world's leading digital frontline workplace, has announced that it will be partnering with German workforce management consulting firm, Vluent , to facilitate its further expansion into the Benelux - Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg - and DACH - Germany, Austria, and Switzerland - regions. As part of the agreement, Vluent will also become a system implementation partner to drive WorkJam's seamless deployment, accelerating time to value for clients across industries.

With over 15 years of workforce management experience and a proven network of connections across the Benelux and DACH regions, Vluent has the expertise and presence to support WorkJam's continued expansion.

WorkJam's Workforce Orchestration has already been adopted by some of the world's biggest brands, including American Eagle Outfitters, Avis, Chevron, Shell, TKMaxx, and Worldwide Flight Services, supporting them with a wide range of operational tools - including communication, task management, shift swapping, and learning and development, helping to reduce the gaps that exist between hourly and salaried workers. As one of WorkJam's official partners, Vluent will take on the role of providing the region's customers with the seamless service, expertise, and experience that WorkJam has become known for.

Dennis Venema, Vluent CEO and Founder, comments, 'We are delighted to partner with WorkJam as they continue to expand into the wider European market, especially in the Benelux and DACH regions. The company's products and values align perfectly with Vluent's, enabling us to bring additional value to our existing customer base while supporting WorkJam to establish a strong presence in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.'

Mark Williams, WorkJam Managing Director, EMEA, comments: 'We are very pleased to welcome Vluent as an official reseller and system implementation partner. Their expertise in workforce management and strong knowledge of working within the Benelux and DACH regions made them a clear choice for our expansion into these markets.'

'Together, Vluent and WorkJam will deliver incredible value to Benelux and DACH organisations, enabling companies across industries to benefit sooner from increased frontline teams' engagement, productivity and retention, boosting business results.'

About Vluent

Based in Germany, Vluent specialises in developing workforce management operating models, processes, KPI frameworks, and policies. Vluent works with selected partner companies that are leaders in their segments to sell software solutions, including workforce management software, capacity management software, robotic process automation software and conversational analytics software. The company has a distinguished history of working with prestigious clients, including IKEA, FedEx, Telefonica, and MediaMarkt, supporting them to improve operational efficiency and achieve excellence across all levels of the workforce.

About WorkJam

WorkJam was founded in 2014 to improve the lives of frontline workers. As the world's leading digital frontline workplace, WorkJam combines communication, task management, scheduling tools, learning, and more - all on one app. It is the only complete and unified system designed to revolutionize the way HQs and their frontline work together, boosting efficiencies and productivity. Available in over 45 languages with inline translations, the app helps organizations bridge language barriers and create a more inclusive working environment for all. WorkJam introduces Workforce Orchestration. In 2023, WorkJam was named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, which highlights companies making an extraordinary impact around the world.

To learn more, visit WorkJam.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/workjam-commits-to-expansion-into-benelux-and-dach-regions-with-vluent-partnership-301989489.html
Fornebu, 16 November 2023 - Telenor has entered into an agreement with Space Norway regardingthe sale of its subsidiary Telenor Satellite. Space Norway is a leading player in the Norwegian space industry.

The sales price is NOK 2.36 billion on an enterprise value basis. As Space Norway is wholly owned by the Norwegian Government, the transaction is subject to approval by the Norwegian Parliament. Closing of the transaction is expected in January 2024.

"For more than 20 years, we have served our customers with premium, high-quality broadcasting and data services via satellite. Now the time has come for a new era for Telenor Satellite. With Space Norway, Telenor Satellite will have an industrial owner who has the right competence and who will prioritise the required financial resources to realise the company's potential. We are proud of what we have achieved together and look forward to following the company's future development", says Dan Ouchterlony, EVP and Head of Telenor Amp,

Dag H. Stlan, CEO at Space Norway, adds:

"Satellite-based capabilities are more important than ever. The combination of Space Norway's partly governmental customers and Telenor Satellite's commercial customer base will give the new company a strong platform to grow the business in both sectors. We are very excited to enter into this agreement and look forward to contributing to the long-term development of Telenor Satellite".

Telenor and Space Norway have already signed a letter of intent outlining a strategic partnership and possible joint business development initiatives, in particular regarding additional satellite capacity and satellite consulting services.

"The government will propose to the Parliament that Space Norway be provided with capital to finance the acquisition of Telenor Satellite. The acquisition will contribute to the establishment of a major Norwegian satellite operator, which, together with a growing Norwegian space industry, can strengthen Norway as a space nation. At the same time, the acquisition ensures that Norway, in a time of increasing geopolitical unrest, maintains control over satellites crucial for critical societal functions and strategically important for the country," says the Norwegian Minister of Trade and Industry, Jan Christian Vestre.

Telenor Satellite is a European satellite operator that covers the European, Middle East and North African (EMEA) market with broadcasting and data communication services. The company serves millions of homes with TV services, and nearly 2,000 vessels and 600 land terminals with data connectivity. During the first three quarters of 2023, Telenor Satellite generated revenues of NOK 707m, EBITDA of NOK 504m and EBIT of NOK 284m.

Space Norway manages and develops strategic space capabilities. The company is 100% owned by the Norwegian Ministry of Trade, Industry and Fisheries and represents a key part of the Norwegian Government's activities and assets in the space sector. Space Norway's activities range from small satellites in Low Earth Orbits to large satellites and ground infrastructure.

Media contact:

David Fidjeland, Director Media Relations, Telenor Group

+47 93 46 72 24 | david.fidjeland@telenor.com






LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Close Brothers Group plc (CBG.L) issued its trading update relating to the first quarter of its 2024 financial year from 1 August 2023 to 31 October 2023. In Banking, it delivered loan book growth across its businesses, strong margins and a stable credit performance.



The company noted that Close Brothers Asset Management or CBAM delivered strong net inflows, at the top end of its target range, helped by hiring strategy. At Winterflood, performance was impacted by further weakening of investor appetite but it remains well placed for any recovery.



Adrian Sainsbury, Chief Executive Officer, said, 'Performance in the first quarter of 2024 reflected continued momentum in Banking, whilst our market-facing businesses were impacted by unfavourable market conditions.'



In Banking, the loan book increased 3.0% in the quarter or 3.4% excluding Novitas and the Irish Motor Finance business in run-off and 7.5% year-on-year to 9.8 billion pounds, reflecting a continuation of the momentum seen in the second half of the 2023 financial year.



Close Brothers Asset Management reported strong year-to-date annualised net inflows of 10%, with the new bespoke investment managers continuing to contribute significantly to the overall inflow rate.



Winterflood's performance has been adversely impacted by a further weakening of investor appetite and market uncertainty, resulting in an operating loss of 2.5 million pounds in the first quarter.



The company said its Banking business is sustaining its growth momentum and focusing on pricing discipline, and remains well positioned to make the most of opportunities in the current environment.



In CBAM, the company remains committed to driving growth organically, through high quality hiring, and through in-fill acquisitions. Winterflood is well positioned for when investor confidence recovers.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Video-Workshop: Das kleine Einmaleins der Charttechnik In diesem kostenlosen Video-Workshop von Stefan Klotter lernen Sie alles uber Charttechnik. Lassen Sie sich diesen kostenfreien Workshop nicht entgehen! Hier klicken
PASAY CITY, Philippines, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SM Investments Corporation was recognized for the fourth time in the Forbes' World's Best Employers 2023 list in partnership with market research firm Statista.

"Looking after the overall wellness of our employees is imperative as they are the lifeblood of our organization.? Anchored on our founder's values, we continue to nurture a positive company culture, providing purposeful work and equal growth opportunities for our people," said SM President and Chief Executive Officer Frederic C. DyBuncio.

The recognition honors SM founder Henry Sy Sr.'s life principles, as his companies continued his legacy of providing employment opportunities to Filipinos, coinciding with SM's 65th anniversary.

This comes on the back of the Philippines' Best Employers list by the Philippine Daily Inquirer and Statista which recognized five SM companies, SM Prime Holdings Inc., SM Development Corporation (SMDC), SM Supermalls, SM Retail Inc. and SM Markets.

SM leaders share insights on work culture and how employees are vital to company growth and success.

"This recognition is an honor that reflects our commitment to our most valuable resource-our people. By fostering a workplace with fairness and integrity, we continuously create a positive, transparent, and creative environment," SM Prime President Jeffrey C. Lim said.

"SM Supermalls employees are the driving force behind our business and being recognized among this list celebrates their unwavering dedication. We set a standard that defines our journey forward through a workplace culture that champions collaboration, service and innovation," SM Supermalls President Steven T. Tan said.

"At SMDC, our people are the core of our success. This recognition is a tribute to our outstanding team, and SMDC will continue to foster a thriving environment for our employees, where their talents and aspirations are not just valued but celebrated," SMDC President Jose Mari H. Banzon said.

True to its tagline, 'Happy to serve,' SM Supermarket President Jojo R. Tagbo shares how this also extends in attending to their employees' needs.

"This award is an affirmation that a content and motivated team is the key to providing a shopping experience that's second to none," he said.

About SM Investments Corporation

SM Investments Corporation is one of the leading Philippine companies that is invested in market-leading businesses in retail, banking, and property. It also invests in ventures that capture high growth opportunities in the emerging Philippine economy.

SM's retail operations are the country's largest and most diversified, consisting of grocery stores, department stores and specialty retail stores. SM's property arm, SM Prime Holdings, Inc., is the largest integrated property developer in the Philippines with interests in malls, residences, offices, hotels, and convention centers as well as tourism-related property developments. SM's interests in banking are in BDO Unibank, Inc., the country's largest bank, and China Banking Corporation, the fourth largest private domestic bank.

For more information, please visit www.sminvestments.com

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1880730/Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/forbes-statista-recognize-sm-as-worlds-best-employer-301990345.html
BEIJING, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Xianxia (Chinese Fantasy) dramas have long captivated global audiences, but realistic series are also gaining momentum. XIXI Pictures from China continues to break new ground in both areas, with its productions entering the global spotlight this year.

Yang Xiaopei, the founder and CEO of XIXI Pictures, along with her team and their works, attended several prestigious events this year, including the Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum in London, MIPCOM 2023 in Cannes, France, and the Chinese American Television Festival. This year, XIXI Pictures' productions, including the period drama The Youth Memories and the women's inspirational drama Alliance, have won several awards. The upcoming historical fantasy drama The Last Immortal and the contemporary women's drama Her Islands are eagerly anticipated for their engaging trailers featuring twists and turns.

During these international exchanges, Yang Xiaopei engaged in thorough discussions with her global counterparts about the current forefront of the industry. There have been many successful collaborations between China and the UK in documentary filmmaking, and both sides hope to deepen their creative storytelling efforts.

Yang Xiaopei shared her perspective on romanticism in films, citing the spiritual quality common in excellent British works like Wuthering Heights and Downton Abbey. At Cannes, she delivered a speech on interpreting romance and reality and showcased exquisite costumes from The Last Immortal. In the U.S., she discussed the impact of technology on the industry with veteran Hollywood producers and directors, emphasizing "the human-centered approach and respect for content creation, with AI serving mainly as a supportive tool."

At various forums, Yang Xiaopei expressed her desire to collaborate with global film practitioners to break cultural barriers and continue to innovate in content creation, focusing on historical dramas and exploring more realistic themes with universal values.

Women's stories are becoming an indispensable part of global film culture, an area where XIXI Pictures excels. As a female leader, Yang Xiaopei was named one of the "35 Most Powerful Women in International Television" at Cannes. The female staff proportion at XIXI Pictures is also well over 50%. She aims to produce more diversified contemporary Chinese women's stories.

XIXI Pictures is known for its mature industrial production process and compact, exquisite storytelling. At the 19th Chinese American Film Festival, Yang Xiaopei was honored as Producer of the Year, with Alliance winning the Golden Angel Award for television drama. Huang Xiaoming, the lead actor in Alliance, won the Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Xiao Zhan, the lead in The Youth Memories, took home awards for Outstanding Actor.

Upcoming from XIXI Pictures are The Last Immortal, a novel fusion of historical fantasy drama and road movie structure, and Her Islands, a contemporary women's drama exploring hot topics in modern China. Her Islands tells the story of daughters trying to help their mother through a marital crisis while finding their own paths, reflecting the evolving mother-daughter relationship. The drama draws inspiration from ancient Chinese poetry, using the metaphor of "oceans and islands" to depict the relationship of contemporary women with family and society.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278815/Yang_Xiaopei_forum.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278816/TV_series_produced_XIXI_Pictures.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/revolutionizing-storytelling-in-chinese-stories-xixi-pictures-emphasis-on-historical-romance-and-realist-tales-301990463.html
The second annual awards showcase outstanding contributions to the compliance industry, with nominations received from around the world.

ROCKVILLE, Md., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- StarCompliance ("Star"), a leading SaaS provider of employee compliance technology solutions, today announced the recipients of its Star Client Awards during the Synergy '23 Roadshow, the company's annual flagship event series. The awards, which celebrate innovation, collaboration, and culture in regtech, recognized three clients in EMEA, five in North America, and three in APAC. Star will be donating $1,000 to each winner's charity of choice.

"It's a privilege to extend my congratulations to all recipients of the Star Client Awards, honoring innovation, collaborating and culture. I compliment them for their outstanding efforts in advancing regtech within the compliance sector," said Star's CEO, Jennifer Sun. "Our collaboration with clients is vital, allowing us to constantly enhance our platform. Their invaluable advice guides our allocation of time, funds, and efforts, ensuring our technology remains impactful in the industry."

The Star Innovator Awards were presented to Natixis Corporate and Investment Banking, and Financial Crime Intelligence Unit - Prudential Services Asia in recognition of their outstanding adoption and integration of novel technologies. These companies showcased unique processes to address specific business challenges over the past year, whether through the STAR Platform or other means.

Accident Compensation Corporation, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Leerink Partners, NFU Mutual, and Manulife, were honored with the Star Collaborator Award for their dedication and contributions over the past year, as their teams collaborated with Star. Their support played a significant role in advancing and innovating the STAR Platform.

The Star Influencer Awards recognized the London Stock Exchange Group and The Prudential Financial, Inc. for their initiatives in integrating compliance into their core business DNA. Their endeavors have positively shaped and enhanced their organizations' view on compliance.

About StarCompliance

StarCompliance is the world's leading provider of compliance technology solutions. Trusted globally by forward-thinking companies in 114 countries, Star's future-ready compliance platform delivers on-demand configurability, multi-jurisdictional integrity, and the actionable intelligence you need to monitor for conflicts, meet regulatory obligations, and reduce risk. Compliance no longer needs to be complex. Check out Star's intuitive, straightforward UX and give your employees the multi-layered protection they need to comply with confidence. www.starcompliance.com

This is not an endorsement by any company referenced herein of StarCompliance, or StarCompliance's products or services.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/starcompliance-celebrates-innovation-collaboration-and-culture-with-star-client-awards-301990254.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Thor Explorations Ltd. (TSXV: THX) (AIM: THX) ("Thor Explorations" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Annual General meeting (the "AGM") will be held virtually on December 15, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific time).

The Notice of AGM, Financial Statements Request Form, Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction Form will be posted to shareholders today. Details of the resolutions for consideration, including the stated documents, are available at the following link: https://thorexpl.com/investors/constitutional-documents/ .

Shareholders are encouraged to vote on the matters before the AGM by proxy.

Attendance of the General Meeting

In order to cater for the geographical spread of the Company's shareholder base, this year's Annual General Meeting will be held virtually. We strongly urge you to vote by proxy in advance of the AGM and to listen to the AGM online. Registered shareholders or proxyholders representing registered shareholders participating in the AGM virtually will be considered to be present in person at the Meeting for the purposes of determining quorum.

In order to attend the virtual AGM, shareholders are asked to register their interest by email at info@thorexpl.com. The Company will reply to those authorized to attend the AGM with a link to the AGM and the applicable Meeting ID and password.

About Thor Explorations

Thor Explorations Ltd. is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of mineral properties located in Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso. Thor Explorations holds a 100% interest in the Segilola Gold Project located in Osun State, Nigeria, and has a 70% economic interest in the Douta Gold Project located in south-eastern Senegal. Thor Explorations trades on AIM and the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "THX".

THOR EXPLORATIONS LTD.

Segun Lawson

President & CEO

For further information please contact:

Thor Explorations Ltd (Investor Relations)

Ibu Lawson

Email: ibu.lawson@thorexpl.com

Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Adviser & Broker)

Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor / James Asensio / Harry Rees



Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 8000

Hannam & Partners (Broker)

Andrew Chubb / Matt Hasson / Nilesh Patel / Franck Nganou



Tel: +44 (0) 20 7907 8500

Fig House Communications (Investor Relations)

Tel: +1 416 822 6483

Email: investor.relations@thorexpl.com

BlytheRay (Financial PR)

Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Rachael Brooks

Tel: +44 207 138 3203

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR

DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187651
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - MED365 is looking to expand its business to the Middle East region. MED365 is an IT startup which allows users to conduct pre-shift and post-shift medical examinations of workers at enterprises in 1 minute. Additionally, the Company actively promotes projects in international markets.

Currently, the company's focus is on the Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain. MED365 recently reached an agreement with a company from Abu Dhabi that is willing to distribute their product in the local region. The company is also looking to expand to the US after successful business cases in the MENA region.

MED365's innovative approach is made possible through an automated system of medical examination (ASME), which includes a thermometer, tonometer, alcotester, and pupillometer for measuring pupil width. The collected data is then sent to a specialized system, where it undergoes processing by artificial intelligence. The AI promptly notifies doctors about any potential health issues detected in individuals.

"The mission of MED365 is to help reduce mortality in hazardous industries so that people do not risk their health, and business can increase social responsibility and sustainability," said CEO of MED365, Chingiz Kulakhmetov.

Photo: Founder of MED365 Chingiz Kulakhmetov

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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Contact

Med365

Chingiz Kulakhmetov

+7 705 524 0007

https://www.med365.info

pr@stankeviciusmgm.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187643
DZ Bank AG - Post -Stabilisation Notice

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 16

DZ Bank AG: Post-Stabilisation Notice

Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

DZ BANK AG (contact: Ralph Ockert; telephone: +49 69 7447 7051) hereby

gives notice that no stabilisation (within the meaning of Article 3.2 (d) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014) was undertaken by the Stabilising Managers named below in relation to the offer of the following securities.

The security to be stabilised:



Issuer: Kreditanstalt fur Wiederaufbau (KfW)



Guarantor (if any): Federal Republic of Germany



ISIN: XS2698047771



Aggregate nominal amount: Size 3 billion



Description: 3.25%, due 24 March 2031





Offer price: 99.882%



Other offer terms: Listing

Frankfurt Stock Exchange



Exchange, denominations: 1k



Maturity 24 March 2031



Stabilisation: DZ BANK AG



Stabilising Manager(s): DZ/CA-CIB/BNP Paribas/Nomura













Stabilisation period commences 26 October 2023



Stabilisation period expected to No later than 30 days after the

proposed end on: issue date of the securities

Existence, maximum size and The Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot

conditions of use of over-allotment the securities to the extent

permitted in facility. Accordance with applicable law.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or

dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.

This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.
Regulatory News:

On the proposal of the Board of Directors, Nicolas Maes is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Orano, by decree of the President of the French Republic issued today.

Claude Imauven, Chairman of the Group's Board of Directors, welcomed this appointment. "Nicolas' experience and human qualities make him particularly well-suited in the eyes of the board to carry through on the ambitious roadmap charted by Orano. The choice of this senior executive, recognized for his contribution to the development of the Group's activities and his role in the management of operations, is especially important in the current context of strong growth in nuclear energy worldwide. Nicolas is ideally equipped to spearhead Orano's contribution to the fight against global warming, and to drive our commitments in terms of efficient use of vital resources."

Nicolas Maes commented: "I am both honored and invested by this appointment. The implementation of the Group's strategy, both in the nuclear field and in the new business areas such as health and battery materials, will be my priority. This will be underpinned by our continued industrial development and by our attractiveness in a sector that is undergoing profound renewal. I salute the commitment of all Orano employees, who work hard every day to ensure that our industry is recognized for its high level of safety and performance. I know that I can count on the commitment of each and every one of you to rise to the challenges that lie ahead".

Bio summary

Nicolas Maes, 47, is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique (class of 1995) and the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees.

He began his career in 1999 with the Lafarge group. In 2006, he was appointed Director of the Cauldon cement plant in the UK. In 2009, he became Marketing Director Central Europe CIS. In April 2011, Nicolas Maes joined the Areva group as Director of Operations for the Mining Business Unit. On June 1, 2014, he was appointed Director of Areva's Installed Base Business Unit (now part of Framatome). From February to October 2018, he headed Framatome's Operational Excellence and digital transformation program. In these roles, he was also a member of the Executive Committee.

He joined Orano in November 2018 as Senior Executive Vice President of the Mining Business Unit and member of the Executive Committee. He has held the position of Group COO since May 2023.

About Orano

As a recognized international operator in the field of nuclear materials, Orano delivers solutions to address present and future global energy and health challenges. Its expertise and mastery of cutting-edge technologies enable Orano to offer its customers high value-added products and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. Every day, the Orano group's 17,000 employees draw on their skills, unwavering dedication to safety and constant quest for innovation, with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world, now and tomorrow.

Orano, giving nuclear energy its full value.

www.orano.group

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116070537/en/

Contacts:

Press Office

+33 (0)1 34 96 12 15

press@orano.group

Investor relations

Marc Quesnoy

investors@orano.group
Record growth registered across all major student recruitment markets worldwide for Fall 2023 intake

San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - INTO University Partnerships has announced a huge surge in international student enrollment for its US institutional partners for the Fall 2023 intake.





INTO announces 34% jump in international student enrollment for US partnerships



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

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The organization has reported an overall growth of 34% in international student numbers across direct admission and pathway programs as compared to the previous year. This is double the 17% year-on-year rise in US F1 visa issuance as of August 2023.

The boost in enrollment numbers has been reported across all key student recruitment markets worldwide with the Americas (66%) and South Asia (50%) leading the trend, followed by Middle East & Africa (34%), Europe & Central Asia (30%) and China, Hong Kong, Macau & East Asia (20%) regions.

More than 2900 students from around the world have enrolled into a range of undergraduate and graduate programs with INTO's US partners for the Fall 2023 intake. These include international students eligible for direct admission as well as those opting for pathway and other programs supported by INTO Centers.

Sharon Sundue, INTO's Executive Vice President for North America, said: "We are delighted to achieve such strong enrollment results for our partners after what has been a challenging period for US higher education post COVID-19.

"Our partners deliver life-changing experiences and opportunities for international students, offering outstanding value and support which is evident in student satisfaction levels exceeding 94%. The exceptional reputation of our partners, combined with our shared commitment to quality and student success has led to these excellent results."

Jessica Eads, Senior Vice President for Student Enrollment at Hofstra University said: "We have achieved strong growth in numbers across pathway programs and direct admissions. Enhancing on-campus diversity is central to our internationalization strategy, and it is encouraging to see that we have enrolled more students from all major regions compared to the previous year."

About Us: For media enquiries, please contact: Davinder Kumar VP, Corporate & Public Relations davinder.kumar@intoglobal.com

About INTO University Partnerships: INTO University Partnerships connects ambitious international students with leading universities in the US, UK, and Australia. The organization helps international students achieve academic and career success and enables its university partners to access a diverse pool of talented students from across the globe. Since its inception in 2005, INTO has helped 150,000 students from 180 countries realize their dream of achieving a degree from a world-class university.

Contact Info:

Name: Davinder Kumar

Email: davinder.kumar@intoglobal.com

Organization: INTO University Partnershipsinto

Website: https://www.intoglobal.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187116
BARCELONA, Spain, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Qatari capital will host the third edition of the region's leading urban innovation event from 29-30 November. Under the motto "A World of Data: Connecting People, Elevating Lives", Smart City Expo Doha (SCE Doha) will lead the debate on sustainable urban development and the importance of data in building smarter, more liveable cities. Organized by the Qatar Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), SCE Dohais an event of Smart City Expo World Congress and Fira Barcelona International, the event will feature more than 70 speakers, over 100 countries represented and 40 companies and organizations, and will be held within the International Horticulture Exhibition of Qatar, that will take place at Al-Bidda Park.



The centrepiece of Smart City Expo Doha 2023 will be a conference featuring more than 70 experts, including Renee Cummings, Founder & CEO, Urban AI, Columbia University Community Scholar; Ott Velsberg, Chief Data Officer at the Government of Estonia; and Frans-Anton Vermast, Strategy Advisor & International Smart City Ambassador in Netherlands, who will share their vision on four main themes: Green Urban Environments, Digital Governance, Cognitive Cities, and Liveable Places.

The 40 companies, partners and sponsors will present their new products and solutions in the field of urban innovation, both at the congress and in the networking space that will foster commercial relations, professional contacts and business opportunities between participating companies and visitors.

Smart City Expo Doha is part of the internationalization strategy of Smart City Expo World Congress, the world's leading exhibition on smart cities and urban solutions organized annually by Fira de Barcelona, which held its 13th edition last November. Along these lines, foreign editions have been held in 2023 in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, Mexico and China.

For media requests please contact:

Salvador Bilurbina

email: sbilurbina@firabarcelona.com

phone: +34628162674

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7f3b1a4d-98f0-449f-802e-4227efcb87b8
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Vext Science, Inc. (CSE: VEXT) (OTCQX: VEXTF) ("Vext" or the "Company"), a U.S.-based cannabis operator with vertical operations in Arizona and Ohio, today announced that the Company has completed the previously announced sale of its cultivation facility located in Prescott Valley, Arizona (the "Prescott Valley Facility") to affiliates of Elevate Cannabis Co. for $6.5 million in cash (the "Transaction"). Unless otherwise noted, all currency references used in this news release are in U.S. currency.

Eric Offenberger, CEO of Vext, commented, "The closing of this transaction ensures that production from our Arizona cultivation footprint is matched with demand from our wholly-owned dispensary network, and remains scalable as we look for opportunities to continue growing retail. The additional capital also enables us to pay down debt and gives us additional flexibility as we look forward to the launch of legal adult-use sales in Ohio in 2024. We expect the next 12 months to be an important period for Vext as we leverage our vertical position in Ohio to drive sales and profitability, while maximizing profitability in Arizona."

For further details about the terms of the Transaction, see the Company's news release dated October 18, 2023.

Advisors

Eight Capital acted as financial advisor and Bianchi & Brandt acted as legal counsel to Vext on the Transaction.

About Vext Science, Inc.

Vext Science, Inc. is a U.S.-based cannabis operator with vertical operations in Arizona and Ohio. Vext's expertise spans from cultivation through to retail operations in its key markets. Based out of Arizona, Vext owns and operates state-of-the-art cultivation facilities, fully built-out manufacturing facilities as well as dispensaries in both Arizona and Ohio. The Company manufactures Vapen, one of the leading THC concentrates, edibles, and distillate cartridge brands in Arizona. Its selection of award-winning products are created with Vext's in-house, high-quality flower and distributed across Arizona and Ohio, as well as through Vext's partnerships in other states. Vext's leadership team brings a proven track record of building and operating profitable multi-state operations, with the Company having operated profitably since 2016. The Company's primary focus is to continue growing in its core states of Arizona and Ohio, bringing together cutting-edge science, manufacturing, and marketing to provide a reliable and valuable customer experience while generating shareholder value.

Vext Science, Inc. is listed on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol VEXT and trades on the OTCQX market under the symbol VEXTF. Learn more at www.vextscience.com and connect with Vext on Twitter/X and LinkedIn.

For more details on the Vapen brand:

Vapen website: VapenBrands.com

Instagram: @vapen

Facebook: @vapenbrands

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties concerning the specific factors disclosed here and elsewhere in Vext's periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. When used in this news release, words such as "will, could, plan, estimate, expect, intend, may, potential, believe, should," and similar expressions, are forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements may include, without limitation, statements related to the Transaction, including the use of proceeds of the Transaction, and other statements regarding future developments and the business and operations of the Vext, and the Company's business plans in Arizona and Ohio, all of which are subject to the risk factors contained in Vext's continuous disclosure filed on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Although Vext has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, there can be other factors that cause results, performance or achievements not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended, including, but not limited to: dependence on obtaining regulatory approvals; being engaged in activities currently considered illegal under U.S. Federal laws; change in laws; reliance on management; requirements for additional financing; competition; hindered market growth and state adoption due to inconsistent public opinion and perception of the medical-use and adult-use marijuana industry and; regulatory or political change.

There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate or that management's expectations or estimates of future developments, circumstances or results will materialize. Because of these risks and uncertainties, the results or events predicted in these forward-looking statements may differ materially from actual results or events.

Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this news release are made as of the date of this release. Vext disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise such information, except as required by applicable law, and Vext does not assume any liability for disclosure relating to any other company mentioned herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the content of this news release.

Eric Offenberger

Chief Executive Officer

844-211-3725

For further information:

Jonathan Ross, Vext Investor Relations

jon.ross@loderockadvisors.com

416-244-9851

SOURCE: Vext Science, Inc

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187594


BEIJING (dpa-AFX) - A summit between the Presidents of the United States and China has paved the way to improve relationship between the two major economic powers in a number of areas.



During their four hours-long meeting in Woodside, California, US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping agreed on taking joint actions to curb fentanyl production and restore military communication lines between the two countries.



'The two leaders held a candid and constructive discussion on a range of bilateral and global issues including areas of potential cooperation and exchanged views on areas of difference,' the White House said in a communique issued after the summit.



President Biden emphasized that the United States and China are in competition, noting that the United States would continue to invest in the sources of American strength at home and align with allies and partners around the world. He reiterated that the world expects the United States and China to manage competition responsibly to prevent it from veering into conflict, confrontation, or a new Cold War.



The two leaders made progress on a number of key issues. They agreed to resume bilateral cooperation to combat global illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking, including synthetic drugs like fentanyl, and establishment of a working group for ongoing communication and law enforcement coordination on counternarcotics issues. President Biden stressed that this new step will advance the U.S. whole-of-government effort to counter the evolving threat of illicit synthetic drugs and to reduce the diversion of precursor chemicals and pill presses to drug cartels.



More people in the United States between the ages of 18 to 49 die from fentanyl than from guns, car accidents, or any other cause, Biden noted in a news conference following the meeting.



The two sides agreed to resume high-level military-to-military communication, as well as the U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks and the U.S.-China Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings. Both sides are also resuming telephone conversations between theater commanders.



The leaders affirmed the need to address the risks of advanced AI systems and improve AI safety through U.S.-China government talks.



The two leaders exchanged views on key regional and global challenges. Biden reaffirmed the United States' commitment to defend its Indo-Pacific allies. He emphasized the United States' enduring commitment to freedom of navigation and overflight, adherence to international law, maintaining peace and stability in the South China Sea and East China Sea, and the complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.



He raised concerns regarding human rights abuses in Xinjiang, Tibet, and Hong Kong.



He called for restraint in China's use of military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait. President Biden also raised concerns about the Chinese government's unfair trade policies, non-market economic practices, and punitive actions against U.S. firms. The President emphasized that the United States will continue to take necessary actions to prevent advanced U.S. technologies from being used to undermine its national security, without unduly limiting trade and investment.



The President raised the cases of American citizens who are wrongfully detained or subject to exit bans in China.



The two leaders committed to work towards a significant further increase in scheduled passenger flights early next year, in parallel with actions to restore full implementation of the U.S.-China air transportation agreement, to support exchanges between the two countries. The two leaders also encouraged the expansion of educational, student, youth, cultural, sports, and business exchanges.



Biden and Xi Jinping agreed that their teams will follow-up on their discussions in San Francisco with continued high-level diplomacy and interactions, including visits in both directions and ongoing working-level consultations in key areas, including on commercial, economic, financial, Asia-Pacific, arms control and nonproliferation, maritime, export control enforcement, policy-planning, agriculture, and disability issues.



Concluding his remarks, Biden said that in the months ahead, 'we're going to continue to preserve and pursue high-level diplomacy with the PRC in both directions to keep the lines of communication open, including between President Xi and me'. 'He and I agreed that either one of us could pick up the phone, call directly, and we'd be heard immediately.'



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Video-Workshop: Das kleine Einmaleins der Charttechnik In diesem kostenlosen Video-Workshop von Stefan Klotter lernen Sie alles uber Charttechnik. Lassen Sie sich diesen kostenfreien Workshop nicht entgehen! Hier klicken
Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Connected Home is looking to expand its business to the Middle East region. Connected Home, a pioneering IT startup in Kazakhstan, doesn't just stop at controlling smart devices; it crafts entire ecosystems. Imagine a home where technology not only responds to the user's needs, but anticipates them. This startup is not merely about smart home gadgets; it's a holistic experience, offering in-house services, maintenance, local shop deliveries, and even cleaning - all seamlessly integrated into one intelligent system. Connected Home isn't just a convenience; it's a lifestyle, redefining the very essence of modern living.

Currently, the company's focus is on the Gulf countries including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, UAE, Bahrain. Connected Home has recently signed a contract with Barakat company during Trade and Economic Mission organized by QazTrade JSC in the bustling heart of the Middle East - Dubai. The company is also looking to expand to the US after successful business cases in the MENA region.

Connected Home's innovative approach is made possible through technologies that work on the controller (PLK), which the team developed independently: they wrote the software, used details from America and China, tested for several years and improved the quality of the software and hardware. The main goal of Connected Home is safety, resource saving, and smart comfort. They plan to introduce more than 10 thousand 'smart houses' by the end of the year.

"The main values of Connected Home are safety, resource conservation, and smart comfort. Using our system, you will be notified about the opening of the front door or movement in the apartment in your absence. Our system also includes sensors for water leakage, smoke, temperature, and air humidity," said the CEO of Connected Home, Mukhtar Kuanyshbayuly.

Photo: Founder of Connected Home Mukhtar Quanyshbayuly

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7633/187646_4176ca7264f1caec_001full.jpg

Contact

Connected Home

Mukhtar Quanyshbayuly

+7 747 508 8800

https://connectedhome.kz

pr@stankeviciusmgm.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187646
The Company has formalized a partnership to provide infrastructure advisory support for the reconstruction and modernization of aviation infrastructure of Ukraine's largest airport and the nation's aviation sector

AECOM (NYSE: ACM), the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, today announced that it has signed a memorandum of understanding with Boryspil International Airport to serve as reconstruction delivery partner for the rebuilding of Boryspil International Airport and support the reconstruction of the broader aviation sector of Ukraine. Located in Kyiv, Boryspil is Ukraine's largest airport and handled nearly 9.5 million passengers prior to the closure of Ukraine's air space at the start of the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine.

"We are proud to extend our support to the reconstruction of Ukraine with this partnership to restore the nation's aviation sector supporting the flow of critical resources and investment to drive recovery," said Troy Rudd, AECOM's chief executive officer. "With our program management and aviation capabilities, we look forward to working with Boryspil International Airport to restore this strategically important airport and Ukraine's aviation sector."

Through the announced partnership, AECOM will provide infrastructure advisory support for the reconstruction of Boryspil International Airport, including asset condition and capability assessment, design, engineering, program management, and construction management. Additionally, the Company will assist in developing a program management capacity for the broader reconstruction of the nation's aviation sector.

"The memorandum marks another important milestone for the recovery of Ukraine's aviation sector and is part of the global plan for restoration and modernization of national airports and the aviation industry, which was developed under the auspices of the Ministry of Community, Territory and Infrastructure Development of Ukraine," said Oleksiy Dubrevskyy, Director General of Boryspil International Airport. "We recognize the benefits of AECOM's programmatic approach and eagerly anticipate collaborating with them to realize our restoration plans."

This latest agreement builds on AECOM's existing role as infrastructure delivery advisor for the reconstruction of Ukraine. AECOM has extensive experience participating in reconstruction efforts around the globe, ranging from initial response to recovery and reconstruction, to building long-term resilience. AECOM and its legacy companies have participated in post-war reconstruction on behalf of clients in Iraq, Afghanistan, and Bosnia, as well as post-natural disaster reconstruction in Nepal, Haiti, Japan, Indonesia, and the Caribbean. Additionally, the Company's global expert teams have successfully delivered aviation solutions across projects and continents, from finance and feasibility analysis to design, masterplanning, program management and construction management.

About AECOM

AECOM (NYSE: ACM) is the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy, and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this communication other than statements of historical fact are "forward-looking statements" for purposes of federal and state securities laws, including any statements of the plans, strategies and objectives for future operations, profitability, strategic value creation, risk profile and investment strategies, and any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance, and the expected financial and operational results of AECOM. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in our forward-looking statements are reasonable, actual results could differ materially from those projected or assumed in any of our forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results, performance and achievements, or industry results to differ materially from estimates or projections contained in our forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: our business is cyclical and vulnerable to economic downturns and client spending reductions; limited control over operations that run through our joint venture entities; liability for misconduct by our employees or consultants; failure to comply with laws or regulations applicable to our business; maintaining adequate surety and financial capacity; potential high leverage and inability to service our debt and guarantees; ability to continue payment of dividends; exposure to political and economic risks in different countries, including tariffs; currency exchange rate and interest fluctuations; retaining and recruiting key technical and management personnel; legal claims; inadequate insurance coverage; environmental law compliance and adequate nuclear indemnification; unexpected adjustments and cancellations related to our backlog; partners and third parties who may fail to satisfy their legal obligations; AECOM Capital real estate development projects; managing pension cost; cybersecurity issues, IT outages and data privacy; risks associated with the expected benefits and costs of the sale of our Management Services and self-perform at-risk civil infrastructure, power construction and oil and gas construction businesses, including the risk that any contingent purchase price adjustments from those transactions could be unfavorable and result in lower aggregate cash proceeds and any future proceeds owed to us under those transactions could be lower than we expect; as well as other additional risks and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our forward-looking statements set forth in our reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Any forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof. We do not intend, and undertake no obligation, to update any forward-looking statement.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116391236/en/

Contacts:

Media Contact:

Brendan Ranson-Walsh

Senior Vice President, Global Communications

1.213.996.2367

Investor Contact:

Will Gabrielski

Senior Vice President, Finance, Treasurer

1.213.593.8208
TAMPERE, Finland, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Bioretec Ltd, a pioneer of biodegradable orthopedic implants, is initiating a new CEO recruitment process as the company's current CEO, Mr. Timo Lehtonen, shall transfer into a new role within the company. The Board of Directors and Mr. Lehtonen have reached a mutual consensus in good understanding, based on a shared vision for the company's future, to begin a recruitment process for a new CEO who will steer Bioretec to its forthcoming growth stages. Mr. Lehtonen will maintain his role as CEO with the Board's full support until the successor is appointed, ensuring stability and continuity in the leadership of the Company.

During Mr. Lehtonen's tenure, Bioretec has reached numerous milestones, notably reforming the surgical treatment of bone fractures with biodegradable metal implants through a first-ever FDA market authorization of magnesium-based implants in the U.S., thus significantly improving patient recovery and quality of life. Furthermore, under his leadership, the Company has enhanced its international market reach with sustained double-digit (in percentages) revenue growth and solidified its status as an innovator in biodegradable technologies.

"It has been an honor to lead Bioretec since 2019, overseeing the company's dynamic growth with unwavering commitment. I deem that this is an appropriate juncture for a new leader to continue to implement the Company's vision. My deepest appreciation goes out to our executive team, the Board, and our knowledgeable staff, whose collaborative efforts have been integral to our successes in redefining bone fracture treatment and improving patients' quality of life," says Timo Lehtonen, the CEO of Bioretec.

Mr. Tomi Numminen, Chairman of the Board states, "The Board expresses its gratitude to Mr. Timo Lehtonen for his strong leadership and dedication. As we proceed with the selection of a new CEO, our focus remains on securing a leader with profound expertise in driving international business growth in alignment with Bioretec's strategic ambitions."

Further enquiries

Tomi Numminen, Chairman of the Board, tel. +358 40 581 2132

Certified advisor

Nordic Certified Adviser AB, +46 70 551 67 29

Bioretec in brief

Bioretec is a globally operating Finnish medical device company that continues to pioneer the application of biodegradable orthopedic implants. The company has built unique competencies in the?biological interface?of active implants?to enhance bone growth and accelerate fracture healing after orthopedic surgery. The products developed and manufactured by Bioretec are used worldwide in approximately 40 countries.?

Bioretec is?developing?the new RemeOs?product line?based on a magnesium alloy and hybrid composite, introducing a new generation of strong biodegradable materials for enhanced surgical outcomes. The RemeOs implants are absorbed and replaced by bone, which eliminates the need for removal surgery while facilitating fracture healing. The combination has the potential to make titanium implants redundant and help clinics reach their Value-Based Healthcare targets while focusing on?value for patients through efficient healthcare. The first RemeOs product market authorization has been received in the U.S. in March 2023, and in Europe, the CE-mark is expected to be received during the first quarter of 2024. Bioretec is positioning itself to enter the addressable USD 7 billion global orthopedic trauma market and become a game changer in surgical bone fracture treatment.

Better healing - Better life. www.bioretec.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/inside-information-bioretecs-board-of-directors-to-initiate-a-new-ceo-recruitment-process-301990652.html
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Empress Royalty Corp (TSXV: EMPR) (OTCQX: EMPYF) will be participating in the Deutsche Goldmesse Fall Conference, which will take place on November 24 and 25 at The Westin Grand Frankfurt.

Members of the Empress Royalty Corp management team will be taking meetings throughout the day, and will also present at 15:30 CET on November 24th to an audience of European investors.

An online registration form is available, and Investors can register to attend at: https://deutschegoldmesse.online/investor-registration-2/.

Kai Hoffmann, Managing Director of Soar Financial Partners, remarks, "Following two virtual, and four in-person events, Deutsche Goldmesse has established itself as Germany's premier investment conference in the resource space. Being from Germany myself and working solely in the junior mining space for the last 12 years, I understand what German and European investors are looking for. This is why I have focused on bringing together a selective group of impressive and diverse companies, keynote speakers, influencers, HNW investors, asset & fund managers, media partners and more. I am excited to offer this boutique event once again, exclusive to the junior mining sector."

About Empress Royalty Corp

Empress is a global royalty and streaming creation company providing investors with a diversified portfolio of gold and silver investments. Since listing in December 2020, Empress has built a portfolio of precious metal investments and is actively investing in mining companies with development and production stage projects who require additional non-dilutive capital. The Company has strategic partnerships with Endeavour Financial and Terra Capital which allow Empress to not only access global investment opportunities but also bring unique mining finance expertise, deal structuring and access to capital markets. Empress is looking forward to continuously creating value for its shareholders through the proven royalty and streaming models.

About Deutsche Goldmesse

Deutsche Goldmesse is Germany's largest mining investment conference, based out of Frankfurt- one of Europe's most important financial capitals. The conference brings together leading minds in the industry to foster new business opportunities and facilitate valuable relationships. The exclusive two-day event showcases industry-leading keynote speakers and up to 35 carefully considered companies in a range of commodities and stages from explorers to producers.

Hosted by Soar Financial Partners, Deutsche Goldmesse provides a platform where company management can connect with a vast network of European institutional and HNW investors, retail investors, analysts, influencers, newsletter writers, media, and other local partners.

For further information:

Empress Royalty Corp

Kaitlin Taylor

VP Investor Communications

+1.604.331.2080

info@empressroyalty.com

www.empressroyalty.com
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Canter Resources Corp. (CSE: CRC) (OTC Pink: CNRCF) (FSE: 601) ("Canter" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that, effective at market open today, the Company will commence trading on the US OTC Pink market under the trading symbol CNRCF. The listing will provide US-based investors with a domestic platform to trade Canter shares.

"With the Company's recent announcement of the proposed acquisition of Altitude Ventures, Canter endeavours to be one of the newest mineral exploration companies to turn its attention to lithium exploration in the United States, having recognized the growing need for domestic supply of critical metals," commented CEO Hani Zabaneh. "Our new US listing will streamline the process by which US-based investors, who support our vision, can gain exposure to our portfolio of assets and we look forward to welcoming new US shareholders."

The Company continues to trade in Canada on the Canadian Securities Exchange under the symbol CRC and in Germany on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol 601.

About Canter Resources Corp.

Canter Resources Corp. is a Canadian junior mineral exploration company advancing the Puzzle Lake Property in Saskatchewan, Canada. Puzzle Lake comprises six mineral claims, covering an area of 3,261ha, located in northeastern Saskatchewan, 45km southeast of Stanley Mission, Saskatchewan. The Company recently announced the signing of an amalgamation agreement with Altitude Ventures Ltd., which upon closing would provide exposure to highly prospective lithium exploration projects in the western US, subject to customary closing conditions (see press release dated November 13, 2023, for further information).

For further information contact:

Hani Zabaneh

Chief Executive Officer

Canter Resources Corp.

info@canterresources.com

The securities to be issued pursuant to the Transaction have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor will there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the completion of the Transaction and related matters. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of Canter Resources Corp., including, but not limited to, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, volatility of commodity prices, risks associated with the uncertainty of exploration results and estimates, currency fluctuations, dependency upon regulatory approvals, the uncertainty of obtaining additional financing and exploration risk. Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187546
This first-in-human study evaluates the safety, tolerability and efficacy of ALE.C04 as a monotherapy and in combination

Alentis Therapeutics ("Alentis"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing treatments for Claudin-1 positive (CLDN1+) tumors and organ fibrosis, announced today that the first patient has been dosed in a Phase 1/2 clinical trial of ALE.C04, a Claudin-1 (CLDN1) targeting investigational antibody for the treatment of CLDN1+ tumors. The patient is enrolled under the Phase I program, led by Anthony El-Khoueiry, MD, Associate Director of Clinical Research, at University of Southern California (USC) Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, part of Keck Medicine of USC.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116577905/en/

The open-label, multi-center, Phase 1/2 clinical trial (NCT06054477) will investigate ALE.C04 as a single agent and in combination with pembrolizumab (anti-PD-1 antibody) in 220 adults with recurrent or metastatic (R/M) head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. Endpoints include safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and anti-tumor efficacy.

"ALE.C04 is a first-in-class antibody for treating cancer and has shown much potential in preclinical models," saidLuigi Manenti, MD, Chief Medical Officer of Alentis. "ALE.C04 is designed to kill CLDN1+ tumor cells directly and to break the check-point inhibitor treatment resistance by restoring immune cell trafficking."

Jacob Thomas, MD, principal investigator on the trial at USC Norris and Assistant Professor of Medicine at Keck School of Medicine of USC added, "Patients with R/M HNSCC have poor outcomes, and novel effective therapies are needed in this setting. The mechanism of action and preclinical data for ALE.C04 provide sound scientific rationale for its evaluation in HNSCC."

Prof. Josep Tabernero, Head of Medical Oncology at Vall d'Hebron University Hospital said, "This first-in-human trial will provide valuable information on ALE.C04 as a monotherapy and in combination with anti-PD-1 treatment. I am looking forward to the data and to developing ALE.C04 for other CLDN1+ tumors including colorectal cancer."

About ALE.C04

ALE.C04 is a first-in-class monoclonal antibody developed to specifically target exposed CLDN1 on cancer cells. This investigational antibody is designed to treat cancer in two ways: remodeling of the extracellular matrix, leading to improved NK and T-cell trafficking and direct tumor cell killing through the effector function. This unique mechanism of action provides ALE.C04 with therapeutic potential as a monotherapy and in combination. ALE.C04 received Fast Track designation from the Food and Drug Administration for the treatment of CLDN1+ HNSCC.

About HNSCC

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, or HNSCC, is the 6th most common cancer worldwide and because the number of cases is quickly rising, safer and more effective treatments are urgently needed. Despite advances in treatment, the 5-year survival rate remains at about 57%.

About Alentis Therapeutics

Alentis Therapeutics, the CLDN1 company, is a clinical-stage biotech developing breakthrough treatments for CLDN1+ tumors and organ fibrosis. CLDN1 is a previously unexploited target that plays a key role in the pathology of cancer and fibrotic disease. Alentis is the leading company pioneering anti-CLDN1 antibodies to modify and reverse the course of disease.

Alentis was founded in 2019 based on ground-breaking research in the laboratory of Prof. Thomas Baumert, MD at the University of Strasbourg and the French National Institute of Health and Medical Research (Inserm). Alentis is headquartered in pharma-biotech hub Basel, Switzerland with an R&D subsidiary in Strasbourg, France and clinical operations in the US. Visit www.alentis.ch

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116577905/en/

Contacts:

For more information please contact:

Alentis Therapeutics

Sariette Witte

sariette.witte@alentis.ch

+41 78 245 7310

O Public Relations GmbH

O'Patrick Wilson

o@os-pr.com

+41 78 888 4332
Decadent New Spread Further Bolsters the No Sugar Added Leader's Portfolio

REYKJAVIK, Iceland, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GOOD GOOD, committed to providing premium, delicious, no added sugar jams, jellies, and spreads, has launched its luxurious, limited-edition Belgian Choco White spread. Just in time for the holiday season, the Belgian Choco White Spread is the latest addition to the brand's esteemed better-for-you collection.

A symphony of sweet, white chocolate perfection, the Belgian Choco White Spread is sure to evoke pure delight with each spoonful; it's delectable, velvety and melt-in-your-mouth creamy. With just 3g of sugar per serving, the Belgian Choco White spread offers unparalleled nutrition, without compromising on taste and texture. Like all GOOD GOOD products, the spread is made with high-quality, natural ingredients and is free from added sugar and artificial additives.

According to a survey by the International Food Information Council earlier this year, 72% of Americans are looking to limit or avoid sugar consumption. Meeting shoppers where it matters most, GOOD GOOD believes that food should taste good and be good for you, which is why it's dedicated to providing healthful deliciousness they can feel good about.

"As consumers increasingly look to reduce their sugar intake, we're thrilled debut Belgian Choco White just in time for them to experience its magic this holiday season," said Gardar Stefansson, CEO & Co-Founder of GOOD GOOD. "At GOOD GOOD, we are on a mission to revolutionize pantry staples by introducing better-for-you alternatives to traditional products we know and love. An ode to our love for chocolate, this Belgian Choco White spread adds a touch of sweetness to your daily life, with ingredients you don't have to worry about. We're excited to introduce this limited seasonal offering to health-conscious consumers and encourage them to immerse themselves in the dreamy world of white chocolate while its available."

To learn more about GOOD GOOD Choco White check out our "Ultimate Guide to Choco White"

The Belgian Choco White Spread is now available online at www.goodgoodbrand.com at an SRP of $9.99.

For more information on GOOD GOOD and to explore its full line of no-added-sugar jams, jellies, and spreads visit www.goodgoodbrand.com.

About GOOD GOOD

Born in Reykjavik, Iceland as a natural sweetener company in 2015, the brand set sail for foreign markets with its jam line in 2017. Today, GOOD GOOD is the fastest growing jam brand in the U.S., present in 36 countries and available online and in store at over 10,000+ locations. GOOD GOOD's focus since the beginning has been to transcend modern food culture - free from added sugar. Every GOOD GOOD product exists to inspire and empower. As a premium food brand, GOOD GOOD innovates products that comprise high quality natural ingredients, with a goal to provide an experience that tastes good and is good for you. The brand promises healthful deliciousness, free from added sugar and artificial ingredients.

Media Contact:

Jordian Farahani

+354-888-9927

jordian@goodgoodbrand.com

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1883604/GOOD_GOOD_Brand_Logo.jpg

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278968/Choco_White.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/good-good-announces-limited-edition-seasonal-offering-belgian-choco-white-spread-301990566.html
Global aviation data reveals an average 2100 flights are canceled across the world each day, accounting for around 3% of all departures.



One in four business travelers have faced a provider cancellation in 2023

People traveling for work in the UK are twice more affected by transportation strikes compared to travelers in the US

US business travelers most impacted by passport-related issues than Europeans

Speaking with a real human on the phone (33%) is the top customer service option, as AI-driven chatbots rank last (9%)

LONDON, Nov. 16, 2023shows the scale of travel chaos experienced by companies and their jet-setting employees in 2023. A significant 79% of those traveling for work this year have reported being affected by disruptions during business trips, with 40% experiencing significant delays of more than one hour, while 24% had reservations canceled. Weather also disrupted 22% of business trips, and 20% of travelers say they were held up due to transportation strikes.

As a result of these disruptions, most (92%) have changed how they book and manage their work travel and are developing new habits designed to improve their travel experience in turbulent times. The survey polled 4000 workers based in the UK, US, Germany and Spain who travel for business, to explore challenges facing business travelers and how they overcome them.

Travel disruptions vary by region:

Over one in four (28%) people traveling for work in the UK, and one in five (21%) in Germany reported being affected by transportation strikes in 2023, considerably higher than in the US (14%) and Spain (17%).

Provider cancellation rates were significantly lower for German travelers (19%) than for those in the UK (30%), while Spanish business travelers saw the least weather-related disruptions (14%) in comparison to the US (33%). Meanwhile, passport-related issues including visa delays and denied entry were significantly more common among US business travelers (17%) compared to British (7%) Spanish (7%) and German (10%) citizens.

Global ranking of flight cancellations by country:

Based on a comprehensive analysis of global flight data encompassing 1600 airlines and over 16 million flights, the US has the highest volume of flight cancellations in the world, followed by China, Indonesia, Canada, the UK, France, Germany, India, Australia and Italy. An average 2100 flights get canceled across the world each day, accounting for around 3% of all departures. Within the top 20 most popular countries, the highest cancellation rates are experienced for flights departing from Indonesia (13.2%), China (5.8%), Canada (4.9%), France (3.3%) and Australia (3.3%).

New travel habits, and generational shifts:

In response to travel disruptions, one in four (25%) of business travelers are now extending their trips to stay overnight, ensuring they get to where they need to be on time. This move towards avoiding day return work trips is much more prevalent in younger people (30%) aged 25 to 34 than those aged 45 to 54 (15%). Incorporating extra travel time is also a new coping strategy to avoid disruptions, as 30% of workers consider different modes of transport such as driving or taking the train, even if it takes longer. As a result of travel setbacks, younger workers aged 25-34 (25%) are also much more likely to maximize their time away by visiting multiple destinations in one trip than 45-54 year olds (18%).

AI vs real human customer support

Almost one-third (33%) of business travelers say speaking to a human representative on the phone is their top choice for dealing with changes to bookings including disruptions, which is much higher among Spanish (39%) workers. Only 9% of all business travelers surveyed would opt for an AI chatbot to resolve booking woes, the least preferred customer service solution. Online self-service (23%) is just ahead of speaking in person with a representative at the airline, hotel, train, or rental car service desk (22%).

Yasmine Bratt, Chief Revenue Officer of TravelPerk, says:

"Business travel is critical to business success, and from small startups to established enterprises, meetings that matter happen in real life. Although disruptions during any journey are an inevitable part of travel, for people traveling to fulfill work duties, it's more than just an inconvenience - it can impact the outcome of the trip and the performance of their companies.

"As a result, business travelers are now taking countermeasures to respond to rising travel uncertainty, including adding buffer time to trips and staying overnight rather than returning the same day. By accounting for potential disruptions ahead of time, travelers can ensure that they meet the objective of their journey."

Methodology

OnePoll conducted an online survey on behalf of TravelPerk from 27 October to 07 November 2023, with 4000 employed adults from the UK, US, Germany and Spain who travel for work. Respondents came from organizations within sectors such as accountancy, banking & finance, retail, and healthcare.

2023 flight cancellation ranking by country based on global aviation data, which analyzed flight departures between 01/03/2023 and 30/09/2023, accounting for over 16 million flights and 1600 airlines.

About TravelPerk

TravelPerk is the fastest-growing business travel platform in the world and a pioneer in the future of business travel. TravelPerk's all-in-one platform gives travelers the freedom they want while providing companies with the control they need. The result saves time, money, and hassle for everyone.

TravelPerk has industry-leading travel inventory alongside powerful management features, 24/7 customer support from real humans, state-of-the-art technology, and consumer-grade design, all of which are enabling companies and organizations worldwide, such as TransferWise, Skyscanner, Revolut, Monzo, Farfetch and US rugby association, to get the most out of their travel.

Backed by world-class investors like General Catalyst, Kinnevik AB, DST Global Partners, Greyhound Capital, Target Global, Felix Capital, Spark Capital, LocalGlobe, and Heartcore - investors in some of the most disruptive companies in tech, including Airbnb, Slack, Twitter, Trello, Farfetch, Zalando and Delivery Hero - TravelPerk is reinventing business travel with an end-to-end solution that works. Visit www.travelperk.com for more information.

For media inquiries: press@travelperk.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c0d2d86e-8ae4-475e-a0ea-25edebbd6040
Only UK-listed company to achieve this recognition

Coats Group PLC announces that it has been named one of the World's Best Workplaces 2023.

Fortune and Great Place to Work annually select the top 25 companies that are dedicated to creating exceptional workplace cultures. The team at Coats has been recognised for its commitment to prioritising its people, fostering a culture of trust, and empowering colleagues worldwide to achieve their full potential, and is the only UK-listed company to receive this endorsement.

The World's Best Workplaces award is based on analysing surveys representing 15 million employee opinions worldwide. The survey also considers the breadth and impact of company workplace programmes. Organisations are assessed on their efforts to create great workplaces and positively impact people and communities across multiple countries.

Rajiv Sharma, Chief Executive Officer at Coats Group, said:

"We are humbled and proud to be recognised as one of the top workplaces worldwide and to be the only UK-listed company to receive this endorsement. This achievement is a testament to our company's culture, employees and leaders.

Three pillars underpin our culture. Firstly, it's about "Doing the right thing", and this manifests itself in ethics, integrity, safety and sustainability. The second pillar is "Customer centricity", which gives us the edge in serving customers today and anticipating their future needs. The third pillar of our culture is a "Family environment". This promotes collaboration, sharing and caring. It's also the basis for forging enduring long-term relationships with stakeholders".

Operating in over 50 countries and with over 18,000 employees speaking over 100 languages, Coats takes a global approach to its people. In 2022, Coats adopted a new global method of recognition called 'Applause' that ensures all employees have an equal chance to be celebrated for their work and the moments that matter, with all Coats' operating countries having the same standards, the same ways of giving and receiving Applause, and the same awards. Meanwhile, the 'Coats for All" programme ensures equality of treatment during recruitment while at work and fair development for all employees worldwide regardless of gender, age, disability, race, religion or belief. Coats remains committed to providing a safe, diverse, and inclusive work environment across all its global operations.

To view CEO Rajiv Sharma's interview with Alan Murray, CEO of Fortune Media, click here.

To view Coats' World's Best Workplaces video, click here.

About Coats Group plc

Coats is a world leader in thread manufacturing and structural components for apparel and footwear, as well as an innovative pioneer in performance materials. These critical solutions are used to create a wide range of products, including ones that provide safety and protection for people, data, and the environment. Headquartered in the UK, Coats is a FTSE250 company and a FTSE4Good Index constituent. Revenues in 2022 were $1.6bn.

Trusted by the world's leading companies to deliver vital, innovative, and sustainable solutions, Coats provides value-adding products including apparel, accessory and footwear threads, structural components for footwear and accessories, fabrics, yarns, and software applications. Customer partners include companies from the apparel, footwear, automotive, telecoms, personal protection, and outdoor goods industries.

With a proud heritage dating back more than 250 years and spirit of evolution to constantly stay ahead of changing market needs, Coats has operations across some 50 countries with a workforce of over 17,000, serving its customers worldwide.

Coats connects talent, textiles, and technology, to make a better and more sustainable world. Worldwide, there are four dedicated Coats Innovation and Sustainability Hubs, where experts collaborate with partners to create the materials and products of tomorrow. It participates in the UN Global Compact and is committed to Science Based sustainability targets for 2030 and beyond, with a goal of achieving net-zero by 2050. Coats is also committed to achieving its goals in Diversity, Equity Inclusion, workplace health safety, employee community wellbeing, and supplier social performance.

To find out more about Coats, visit www.coats.com.

About Great Place to Work

Great Place to Work is a global people analytics and consulting firm that helps companies of all sizes produce better business results by focusing on the work experience for every employee-our research shows a clear and direct relationship between employee engagement and financial performance.

Over the past 30 years, we have surveyed more than 100 million employees to help organisations around the world identify and build high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. Powered by decades of research, Emprising, our Software-as-a-Service survey and analytics platform, empowers companies with access to the assessments, data, and real-time reporting needed to help them create a meaningful impact on their business, people, and culture.

Through our certification programs, we recognise outstanding workplaces and produce Fortune's annual list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For, as well as a variety of other Best Workplace rankings in the United States and more than 60 different countries. Everything we do is driven by our mission: to build a better world by helping every organisation become a Great Place to Work For All by 2030.

Coats' World's Best Workplace video was produced by The Maverick Group.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116015693/en/

Contacts:

Coats Press Office

communications@coats.com



Ellen Johnson, Brand Communications Director ellen.johnson@coats.com
 2 million investment annually to build a more collaborative ecosystem with SMEs and beyond

PARIS, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei hosted Innovation Day 2023 today in Paris, under the theme of 'SME Innovation: Unlocking Europe's Economic Future'. The event brought together innovators from Europe and beyond to discuss how to work together for SMEs to thrive. During the event, Huawei announced the opening of its Paris Innovation Center, which will serve as a platform for further collaboration between Huawei and its partners.

In her remarks, Vicky Zhang, Vice President of Corporate Affairs from Huawei said, "Only by working together can we build the healthy ecosystem to enable Europe's economy to thrive." Together with its SME partners HD Rain and Ubudu, Huawei then announced the opening of its Paris Innovation Center. Kenneth Fredriksen, Senior Vice President of Huawei Europe said, "Thirty years ago, Huawei was also a small company. Today, I am proud to announce that Huawei will be launching its Paris Innovation Center. Whether you are an established organization, or an SME, this is a platform to help all our partners to thrive."

Huawei will invest over  2 million annually in the Paris Innovation Center, and will open its platform of over 80 industry scenarios to partners. The Center will not only encourage knowledge sharing and joint innovation, but will also provide professional resources for integration & verification and go-to-market support. With end-to-end support system for partners in place, this Innovation Center will be an upgrade from Huawei's Paris OpenLab, which has served over 200 partners since 2018.

Going digital was a key topic in the discussions. Horst Heitz, Chair of the SME Connect Steering Committee, shared his view on the importance of digitalization for SMEs. "The advantage of SMEs and startups are their ground-breaking ideas and innovative approach to business and technology, but at the same time, in order to stay competitive, they need to improve their own business structures, internal processes, cyber resilience, and more. The only way to do that is to achieve full digitalization and to adjust to the fast-changing European market. Here is where we can help them grow and support them".

Multiple industry leaders called for more collaborations to help SMEs succeed. Julia Devos, Head of New Champions, World Economic Forum said, "SMEs are the backbone of the economy and key to a sustainable future. Together we can create a support system to help them to be prepared for the challenges and opportunities of the future and make them thrive." Francois Mercier-Tigrine, Co-founder and Scientific Director, HD Rain echoed her point, "SMEs, especially deep tech, are very important in bridging the gap between the time when a technology is still in a research lab and the time when it is industrialized. It is in this phase that new technologies need support in financing and access to markets, for example via partnerships with institutions and big companies. Huawei's Digital InPulse program is a good example of one way that big companies can help SMEs find new opportunities in markets where they are still little known".

-End-

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278979/image_5019648_38283091.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/huawei-announces-paris-innovation-center-on-europe-innovation-day-301990672.html
EV listings on Adevinta's European mobility marketplaces increase by 94% year on year in H1 2023

35% would consider buying a second-hand EV for their next car

But for 56% of European consumers, high prices are still a key barrier to adoption





16 November 2023: Consumer interest in electric vehicles (EVs) is accelerating as a new wave of supply hits European markets, yet high prices continue to stand in the way of widespread adoption. That's according to new research and platform data from Adevinta, the leading online classifieds group whose European mobility marketplaces include mobile.de, coches.net, leboncoin, Subito and Marktplaats.

In the first six months of 2023, the number of EV listings on Adevinta's key mobility marketplaces* across five European markets saw a 94% increase year on year, indicating a significant rise in the availability of both new and used models.

According to a new survey of over 5,000 European** consumers commissioned by Adevinta, appetite for more sustainable vehicles is rising. Of those looking for a new vehicle in the next twelve months, 40% stated that they would choose an EV or hybrid car, while 37% are more likely to consider purchasing an EV now than they were 12 months ago. But in the same period, the volume of searches for EVs dropped by 6% when compared with the previous year indicating that demand is failing to keep pace with supply.

Despite evidence of growing interest, for many consumers, EVs continue to be too expensive when compared to their petrol and diesel counterparts. More than half of those surveyed (56%), high price tags are the main barrier preventing them from buying an EV.

Ajay Bhatia, Head of Adevinta's global mobility portfolio and CEO of mobile.de, commented: "The increase in EV supply is encouraging, but it's clear that for many consumers in Europe high prices and uncertainty about range, charging infrastructure as well as residual value are preventing them from switching to electric. For most people, buying a car is the second biggest purchase they'll make in their life, and car manufacturers, dealers, and Adevinta's marketplaces can support consumers by helping them better understand the finance and ownership models that can make EV adoption more affordable."



With price a key pressure point, it's not surprising that more than a third (35%) of European consumers would consider purchasing a second-hand EV for their next car. Adevinta's platform data*** showed the average price of a used EV in H1 2023 was 28% cheaper than a new EV.



Consumers also cite the inability to travel long distances on a single charge (39%), and the lack of fast charging infrastructure (35%) as key barriers to further EV adoption. For just over 1 in 5 consumers (23%), skepticism around the environmental benefits of EVs stands as a deterrent.

Bhatia added: "Consumers across Europe are looking to make more sustainable choices, and second-hand EVs have an important role to play in the transition to greener forms of mobility. But there remains a job to do to alleviate concerns around perceived barriers that are preventing the switch to electric vehicles. Addressing these challenges hinges upon educating consumers, and providing accurate and accessible information specific to EVs to help them make sustainable choices that fit their budget and lifestyle."

ENDS

* Data analysed from: mobile.de, leboncoin, Subito.it, coches.net, Marktplaats

** European consumers surveyed from Germany, Spain, France, Italy and Benelux

*** Data analysed from: Mobile.de, leboncoin, Subito, Marktplaats

For more information, contact:

firstlight group

adevinta@firstlightgroup.io

+44 (0)20 3617 7240

Methodology

5323 nationally representative adult respondents across Germany, Spain, France, Italy and Benelux were surveyed online between 9th and 12th October 2023. Research was commissioned by Adevinta and conducted by market research consultancy Censuswide.

Listings and search data is from five of Adevinta's European marketplaces: mobile.de (Germany), Leboncoin (France), Subito.it (Italy), coches.net (Spain), Marktplaats (Netherlands).

Pricing data is from four of Adevinta's European marketplaces: mobile.de (Germany), leboncoin (France), Subito.it (Italy), Marktplaats (Netherlands).

About Adevinta

Adevinta is a leading online classifieds group and champion for sustainable commerce with a focus on Europe.

Our portfolio of 25+ digital marketplaces spans consumer goods, mobility, real estate, holiday rentals and jobs. Every month, our industry-leading technology enables more than 120 million people and over a million businesses across Europe to connect and trade. Loved local brands include leboncoin in France; mobile.de and Kleinanzeigen in Germany; Fotocasa and InfoJobs in Spain, Subito in Italy; Marktplaats in the Netherlands and the Canadian marketplace Kijiji.

Our international team of diverse individuals are united in their purpose to make a positive impact on the environment, the economy and society every single day.

To find out more, visit Adevinta.com.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - World Host Group (https://worldhost.group), a leading global hosting and domain services provider has announced its acquisition of Canadian web hosting company, Doteasy (https://doteasy.com) for an undisclosed sum.





Doteasy Expands World Host Group's North American Market Reach



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8871/187486_dot1en.jpg

Originally founded in 2000, Doteasy has established a stellar reputation in the domain name and web hosting industry, particularly in Canada and North America, by prioritizing customer-first support. The company boasts a legacy of over two decades, during which it has fostered a loyal clientele that relies on its superior hosting and personal service. Over that time, Doteasy has grown to serve the needs of more than 50,000 customers in cPanel web hosting, domain names, WordPress and more.

Doteasy's commitment to customer satisfaction is underscored by its knowledgeable and experienced North American in-house support staff, who have developed a deep understanding of client needs through years of dedicated service. World Host Group will continue the ethos of customer service excellence within the brand and the company is committed to maintaining Doteasy's Vancouver location in British Columbia, along with its experienced team.

A spokesperson from Doteasy emphasized, "Our dedication to our clients has always been the cornerstone of Doteasy. Joining forces with World Host Group is a strategic move that we believe will bring long-term benefits to our customers. Their strong team, resources, and customer-centric approach align with our core values, ensuring that our commitment to first-class service not only continues but is enhanced. This transition represents an exciting evolution for Doteasy, promising to deliver even greater value and innovative solutions to our loyal clients."

As part of the acquisition, World Host Group will continue to offer the Website.com site builder platform through Doteasy. As an easy to use website builder software already in use by thousands of Doteasy clients, the partnership ensures continuity but also opens up potential for Website.com to be offered across other World Host Group brands.

The acquisition strengthens World Host Group's position in Canada, after also acquiring Canadian hosting business Cirrus Hosting earlier in 2023, and will bolster World Host Group's total client numbers to more than 120,000. World Host Group continues to grow through organic growth as well as strategic acquisitions, and Doteasy will join the other 14+ brands in the company's portfolio.

About World Host Group

World Host Group (https://worldhost.group), established in 2019, is dedicated to delivering scalable and reliable hosting solutions worldwide. Operating multiple brands tailored to specific niches and geographies, World Host Group strives to innovate technically whilst offering best in class customer service. World Host Group's existing brands include Stablepoint, Mochahost, Hostforweb, WebHostingBuzz amongst others.

About Doteasy

Doteasy, founded in 2000, is a Canadian web hosting company renowned for its affordable, customer-centric domain and web hosting solutions. Over the years, Doteasy has broadened its portfolio, offering a diverse range of hosting, domain, and security products, maximizing value and satisfaction for its customers.

###

Contact

Darren Lingham

darren@worldhost.group

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187486
Tamarack, Minnesota--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Talon Metals Corp. (TSX: TLO) (OTC Pink:TLOFF) ("Talon" or the "Company"), the majority owner and operator of the Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project ("Tamarack Nickel Project") in central Minnesota, today reports new holes drilled at the Tamarack Nickel Project, with numerous massive sulphide intercepts outside the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource.





Figure 1: Drill core from drill hole 22TK0424 showing 10.49 meters of massive sulphide assaying 6.22% Ni located outside the Tamarack Nickel Project resource (near the CGO West area).

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Highlights

Talon is releasing results from 116 new drill holes at the Tamarack Nickel Project, of which 20 are exploration holes drilled with the goal of expanding the resource at the Tamarack Nickel Project, while 96 are geotechnical holes that were drilled to support engineering work for a future mine and rail access at the Tamarack Nickel Project.

14 of the 20 exploration drill holes intersected high-grade nickel-copper mineralization outside of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource (13 holes with assays released today and 7 holes with assays still pending) (see Table 3, Table 4 and Figure 2).

The Tamarack Nickel Project continues to show significant high-grade nickel-copper growth potential with multiple areas still open to expansion.

Some notable drill holes: Proximate to the CGO East area, two drill holes (22TK0431 and 22TK0435) intersected 4.54 meters of 4.63% NiEq and 3.25 meters of 3.56% NiEq, respectively, of high-grade massive sulphides approximately 75 meters down strike from the Tamarack Nickel Project resource (see CGO East mineralized envelope in Figure 3). Of note, the 4.54 meter intercept of high-grade massive sulphides contained in drill hole 22TK0431 ties the Tamarack Nickel Project's record for the longest high-grade massive sulphide interval in the CGO East area to date. In the CGO West area, drill holes 22TK0421 and 22TK0424 intersected 8.5 meters of 8.05% NiEq and 10.49 meters of 7.97% NiEq, respectively, of high-grade massive sulphides outside of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource (see Figure 2 below). CGO West remains open at depth and represents a high priority exploration target for the Company. In the Upper Semi-Massive Sulphide Unit, a number of drill holes have intersected thick sequences of mineralization, such as drill hole 22TK0425, which intersected 48.68 meters of 1.16% NiEq and resides outside of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource (see Figure 2 below).



Table 1: Highlighted Assay Results (see Table 3 for further technical information)

Drill Hole From To Length Assay NiEq (%) (#) (m) (m) (m) Ni (%) Cu (%) Co (%) Pd (g/t) Pt (g/t) Au (g/t) 22TK0421 221.50 230.00 8.50 6.86 2.07 0.18 0.22 0.26 0.11 8.05 22TK0424 255.29 265.78 10.49 6.22 3.26 0.13 0.57 0.53 0.55 7.97 22TK0425 310.29 358.97 48.68 0.84 0.48 0.03 0.10 0.17 0.10 1.16 22TK0427 476.65 477.30 0.65 4.45 5.47 0.06 0.63 0.50 1.54 7.28 22TK0428 225.20 249.09 23.89 0.53 0.29 0.02 0.05 0.12 0.10 0.76 22TK0431 226.06 256.60 30.54 0.55 0.31 0.02 0.06 0.14 0.11 0.79 And 286.96 294.11 7.15 2.55 0.98 0.09 0.26 0.25 0.18 3.23 Including 289.57 294.11 4.54 3.72 1.37 0.14 0.30 0.20 0.20 4.63 22TK0435 290.86 294.11 3.25 2.28 1.15 0.25 1.38 0.23 0.62 3.56 22TK0437 325.50 351.50 26.00 0.60 0.35 0.02 0.23 0.42 0.18 0.94 22TK0442 256.56 271.52 14.96 0.64 0.42 0.02 0.06 0.09 0.06 0.91 22TK0443 280.00 308.20 28.20 0.62 0.39 0.02 0.06 0.13 0.08 0.88

"Fourteen of the twenty new exploration drill holes contained in today's news release have produced new high-grade nickel-copper intercepts outside of the Tamarack Nickel Project's resource. Today's results yet again highlight the prospectivity for significant resource growth throughout the Tamarack Intrusive Complex," said Brian Goldner, Talon's Chief Exploration Officer.

"In addition to today's excellent drill results, Talon's drill crews have reached an incredible milestone, as they have successfully completed three years without a recordable incident or injury," said George Zugel, Talon's Head of Health and Safety. "When our in-house drilling program began three years ago, it was built around a group of five experienced drillers who trained incoming helpers to execute their tasks safely and efficiently. We have since grown to over 35 drill staff from the original five and have been able to maintain our health and safety focus throughout that growth. This group inspires excellence in all of us."





Figure 2: Plan view geologic map of the Tamarack Nickel Project Resource Area with the locations of new nickel-copper mineralization intervals

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Figure 3: Cross-section looking north in the Tamarack Nickel Project Resource Area (within the CGO East area), with the locations of new nickel-copper mineralization intervals showing potential extension of 75 meters of nickel-copper mineralization from the CGO East mineralized envelope (for further technical information in respect of historical drill holes in grey boxes, please see the Company's press releases dated May 4, 2021 and October 5, 2021)

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/2443/187549_2b7651ed446a6889_003full.jpg

QUALITY ASSURANCE, QUALITY CONTROL AND QUALIFIED PERSONS

Please see the technical report entitled "November 2022 National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report of the Tamarack North Project - Tamarack, Minnesota" with an effective date of November 2, 2022 ("November 2022 Technical Report") prepared by independent "Qualified Persons" (as that term is defined in National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101")) Brian Thomas (P. Geo), Roger Jackson (P. Geo), Oliver Peters (P. Eng) and Christine Pint (P.G) for information on the QA/QC, data verification, analytical and testing procedures at the Tamarack Nickel Project. Copies are available on the Company's website (www.talonmetals.com) or on SEDAR+ at (www.sedarplus.com). The laboratory used is ALS Minerals who is independent of the Company.

Lengths are drill intersections and not necessarily true widths. True widths cannot be consistently calculated for comparison purposes between holes because of the irregular shapes of the mineralized zones. Drill intersections have been independently selected by Talon. Drill composites have been independently calculated by Talon. The geological interpretations in this news release are solely those of the Company. The locations and distances highlighted on all maps in this news release are approximate.

Dr. Etienne Dinel, Vice President, Geology of Talon, is a Qualified Person within the meaning of NI 43-101. Dr. Dinel is satisfied that the analytical and testing procedures used are standard industry operating procedures and methodologies, and he has reviewed, approved and verified the technical information disclosed in this news release, including sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information.

Where used in this news release:

NiEq% = Ni% + Cu% x $3.75/$9.50 x Cu Recovery/Ni Recovery + Co% x $25.00/$9.50 x Co Recovery/Ni Recovery + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,000/$9.50/22.04 x Pt Recovery/Ni Recovery + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $1,000/$9.50/22.04 x Pd Recovery/Ni Recovery + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,400/$9.50/22.04 x Au Recovery/Ni Recovery

For Ni and Cu recoveries, please refer to the formulae in the November 2022 Technical Report. Recovery of Ni to the Cu concentrate was excluded from the NiEq calculation. The following recoveries were used for the other metals: 64.1% for Co, 82.5% for Pt, 69.3% for Pd and 72.6% for Au.

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$114.8 million funding grant from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and the US Department of Defense awarded Talon a grant of US$20.6 million to support and accelerate Talon's exploration efforts in both Minnesota and Michigan. 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

malan@talonmetals.com

Investor Contact:

Sean Werger

1-(416)-500-9891

werger@talonmetals.com

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 relating to future exploration, drilling, and the results thereof, including potential expansion and resource growth. 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.

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.

Table 2: Collar Locations of New Exploration Drill Holes

Drill Hole Easting

(m) Northing

(m) Elevation

(masl) Azm Dip End Depth

(m) 22TK0420 490769.9 5168675.0 390.0 24.0 -73.0 461.8 22TK0421 490910.3 5169083.7 388.2 31.6 -78.4 287.0 22TK0422 490909.6 5169083.3 388.4 1.7 -79.3 285.9 22TK0424 490909.5 5169083.2 388.3 53.9 -80.1 334.7 22TK0425 490910.3 5169082.5 388.0 207.5 -79.2 417.3 22TK0427 490696.7 5168537.8 388.6 150.8 -67.3 601.7 22TK0428 490911.5 5169024.8 388.6 119.8 -79.6 355.7 22TK0431 490911.4 5169024.3 388.6 151.9 -81.0 328.3 22TK0434 490911.8 5169024.6 388.8 131.3 -75.3 328.6 22TK0435 490911.9 5169023.3 388.6 178.6 -80.4 435.3 22TK0437 490911.4 5169022.4 388.6 203.0 -76.1 477.6 22TK0442 490911.8 5169024.1 388.6 52.0 -69.0 406.0 22TK0443 490910.7 5169022.8 388.5 28.2 -78.9 457.2 23TK0447 490600.3 5168732.8 390.1 93.3 -70.9 493.2 23TK0471 490836.3 5168860.2 388.0 73.3 -78.5 364.9 23TK0473 490722.7 5168791.3 388.0 104.5 -84.8 519.4 23TK0474 490836.3 5168860.2 388.0 144.2 -80.0 350.8 23TK0475 490836.3 5168860.3 388.0 126.5 -71.1 355.7 23TK0477 490836.3 5168860.3 388.0 42.3 -76.2 410.6 23TK0478 490836.3 5168860.3 388.0 56.2 -45.8 446.5

Collar coordinates are UTM Zone 15N, NAD83

Azimuths and dips are taken from survey record at collar unless otherwise noted.

Table 3: Assay Results of New Exploration Drill Holes

Drill Hole From To Length Assay NiEq (%) (#) (m) (m) (m) Ni

(%) Cu

(%) Co

(%) Pd

(g/t) Pt

(g/t) Au

(g/t) 22TK0431 226.06 256.60 30.54 0.55 0.31 0.02 0.06 0.14 0.11 0.79 and 286.96 294.11 7.15 2.55 0.98 0.09 0.26 0.25 0.18 3.23 including 289.57 294.11 4.54 3.72 1.37 0.14 0.30 0.20 0.20 4.63 22TK0435 249.50 265.27 15.77 0.51 0.27 0.02 0.08 0.18 0.11 0.74 and 290.86 294.11 3.25 2.28 1.15 0.25 1.38 0.23 0.62 3.56 22TK0420 345.64 354.18 8.54 0.93 0.50 0.03 0.30 0.44 0.23 1.34 22TK0421 221.50 230.00 8.50 6.86 2.07 0.18 0.22 0.26 0.11 8.05 22TK0422 204.40 205.92 1.52 1.10 1.05 0.03 0.09 0.15 0.09 1.65 22TK0424 255.29 265.78 10.49 6.22 3.26 0.13 0.57 0.53 0.55 7.97 22TK0425 289.10 297.00 7.90 0.56 0.39 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.82 and 310.29 358.97 48.68 0.84 0.48 0.03 0.10 0.17 0.10 1.16 22TK0427 476.65 477.30 0.65 4.45 5.47 0.06 0.63 0.50 1.54 7.28 22TK0428 225.20 249.09 23.89 0.53 0.29 0.02 0.05 0.12 0.10 0.76 and 266.00 267.20 1.20 1.13 0.71 0.03 0.09 0.16 0.09 1.53 22TK0434 286.67 287.22 0.55 0.86 0.67 0.05 0.14 0.39 0.09 0.86 22TK0437 325.50 351.50 26.00 0.60 0.35 0.02 0.23 0.42 0.18 0.94 22TK0442 256.56 271.52 14.96 0.64 0.42 0.02 0.06 0.09 0.06 0.91 22TK0443 280.00 308.20 28.20 0.62 0.39 0.02 0.06 0.13 0.08 0.88 23TK0471 No significant mineralization (assays pending) 23TK0473 23TK0474 23TK0475 23TK0477 23TK0478

Length refers to drill hole length and not True Width.

True Width is unknown at the time of publication.

All samples were analysed by ALS Minerals. Nickel, copper, and cobalt grades were first analysed by a 4-acid digestion and ICP AES (ME-MS61). Grades reporting greater than 0.25% Ni and/or 0.1% Cu, using ME-MS61, trigger a sodium peroxide fusion with ICP-AES finish (ICP81). Platinum, palladium and gold are initially analyzed by a 50g fire assay with an ICP-MS finish (PGM-MS24). Any samples reporting >1g/t Pt or Pd trigger an over-limit analysis by ICP-AES finish (PGM-ICP27) and any samples reporting >1g/t Au trigger an over-limit analysis by AAS (Au-AA26).

NiEq% = Ni% + Cu% x $3.75/$9.50 x Cu Recovery/Ni Recovery + Co% x $25.00/$9.50 x Co Recovery/Ni Recovery + Pt [g/t]/31.103 x $1,000/$9.50/22.04 x Pt Recovery/Ni Recovery + Pd [g/t]/31.103 x $1,000/$9.50/22.04 x Pd Recovery/Ni Recovery + Au [g/t]/31.103 x $1,400/$9.50/22.04 x Au Recovery/Ni Recovery

For Ni and Cu recoveries, please refer to the formulae in the November 2022 Technical Report. Recovery of Ni to the Cu concentrate was excluded from the NiEq calculation.

The following recoveries were used for the other metals: 64.1% for Co, 82.5% for Pt, 69.3% for Pd and 72.6% for Au.

Table 4: Quick Lithology Log for Drill Hole 23TK0447

Drill Hole From (m) To (m) Length Quick Log % Sulphides 23TK0447 0 44.81 OB 44.81 362.71 FGO/MZNO Traces 362.71 363.32 0.61 MMS 40% 363.36 380.02 SED 380.02 389.78 9.76 MMS/MSU 50-85% 389.78 391.18 MI 391.18 435.51 CGO Tr-1% 435.51 453.54 18.03 CGO 4-7% 453.54 472.14 CGO Traces 472.14 483.11 MZNO 483.11 486.46 CGO 486.46 493.17 MZNO

Quick lithology log of drill holes: Overburden (OB); Meta-sedimentary rocks (SED); Coarse-grained Orthocumulate (CGO); Gabbro (GAB); Mixed and Massive sulphide (MMS/MSU); Fine-grained Orthocumulate/Mixed Zone (FGO/MZNO); Mafic Intrusive (MI).

Table 5: Collar Locations of Geotechnical Drill Holes

(Note: no significant mineralization has been encountered in the following drill holes)

Drill Hole Easting

(m) Northing

(m) Elevation

(masl) Azm Dip End Depth

(m) 22TKCP001 490401.7 5169006.7 388.8 0 -90 19.8 22TKCP002 490437.6 5168912.5 388.8 0 -90 13.1 22TKCP003 490646.2 5168757.0 389.5 0 -90 9.8 22TKCP004 490550.9 5168770.1 389.0 0 -90 17.7 22TKCP005 490548.5 5168701.0 389.7 0 -90 19.8 22TKCP006 490338.6 5169010.4 387.9 0 -90 6.6 22TKCP007 490357.9 5168904.2 389.0 0 -90 17.5 22TKCP012 490711.1 5168670.1 390.2 0 -90 12.5 22TKCP013 490623.0 5168773.5 389.1 0 -90 10.7 22TKSP001 490371.8 5169097.1 387.8 0 -90 25.0 22TKSP002 490540.2 5168947.1 388.5 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP003 490356.8 5168883.4 389.1 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP004 490558.8 5168855.3 388.4 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP005 490525.0 5168814.4 388.5 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP006 490466.8 5168841.0 388.8 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP007 490728.3 5168795.6 389.1 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP008 490491.9 5168614.9 389.4 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP009 490747.0 5168773.2 389.4 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP010 490545.2 5168710.7 389.6 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP011 490535.8 5168662.1 389.6 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP012 490567.6 5168615.0 389.6 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP013 490749.4 5168636.8 389.5 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP014 490439.9 5168790.8 388.7 0 -90 4.4 22TKSP015 490433.9 5168687.2 389.4 0 -90 4.4 22TKSP016 490435.8 5168515.1 390.2 0 -90 4.4 22TKSP017 490442.9 5168368.2 392.9 0 -90 4.4 22TKSP018 490750.4 5168685.3 389.5 0 -90 24.7 22TKSP019 490339.9 5169008.4 388.2 0 -90 26.8 22TKSP020 490652.7 5168806.7 389.7 0 -90 24.4 22TKSP021 490356.6 5168833.4 388.6 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP022 490521.1 5168928.1 388.4 0 -90 9.4 22TKSP023 490495.5 5168861.4 388.4 0 -90 9.4 23TKCP102 491094.5 5166456.8 387.7 0 -90 4.6 23TKCP106 491020.0 5166634.5 391.3 0 -90 4.6 23TKCP108 491023.4 5166803.0 387.0 0 -90 10.7 23TKCP111 491026.4 5166961.6 386.6 0 -90 9.1 23TKCP113 491027.7 5167053.2 386.6 0 -90 25.9 23TKCP115 491028.5 5167133.5 386.7 0 -90 25.9 23TKCP117 491027.5 5167215.9 386.8 0 -90 25.9 23TKCP119 491030.1 5167283.7 387.1 0 -90 9.1 23TKCP121 491030.3 5167392.4 387.8 0 -90 9.1 23TKCP123 491032.1 5167565.6 387.9 0 -90 6.1 23TKCP125 491035.0 5167752.7 388.7 0 -90 6.1 23TKCP127 491022.0 5167878.1 388.4 0 -90 9.1 23TKCP129 490980.5 5167962.4 390.2 0 -90 9.1 23TKCP131 490886.7 5168042.7 388.1 0 -90 6.1 23TKCP134 490706.5 5168155.6 388.0 0 -90 9.1 23TKCP136 490626.8 5168211.1 387.9 0 -90 9.1 23TKCP138 490547.9 5168261.4 387.9 0 -90 9.1 23TKCP140 490485.0 5168312.8 392.9 0 -90 6.1 23TKSP101 491224.0 5166406.6 388.9 0 -90 4.4 23TKSP103 490868.2 5166274.4 386.9 0 -90 4.4 23TKSP104 490959.6 5166354.8 386.7 0 -90 4.4 23TKSP105 491029.4 5166513.5 388.8 0 -90 4.4 23TKSP107 491023.1 5166720.2 388.9 0 -90 6.4 23TKSP109 491025.6 5166874.1 386.4 0 -90 30.4 23TKSP110 491023.5 5166915.9 386.3 0 -90 32.3 23TKSP112 491027.7 5167010.7 386.8 0 -90 9.6 23TKSP114 491025.0 5167097.1 386.6 0 -90 24.3 23TKSP116 491023.5 5167185.1 386.6 0 -90 25.6 23TKSP118 491029.2 5167257.8 387.0 0 -90 12.5 23TKSP120 491028.8 5167330.0 387.4 0 -90 9.4 23TKSP122 491032.0 5167465.8 387.9 0 -90 4.4 23TKSP124 491035.4 5167658.1 388.1 0 -90 6.4 23TKSP126 491036.4 5167814.2 388.4 0 -90 6.4 23TKSP128 491004.1 5167928.9 388.3 0 -90 18.6 23TKSP130 490940.2 5168001.5 390.9 0 -90 9.4 23TKSP132 490798.8 5168092.8 387.8 0 -90 28.8 23TKSP133 490742.6 5168134.4 388.0 0 -90 31.9 23TKSP135 490663.7 5168190.2 387.9 0 -90 18.6 23TKSP137 490570.2 5168248.4 387.9 0 -90 9.4 23TKSP139 490517.0 5168283.7 389.0 0 -90 6.4 23TKSP141 490652.8 5168807.4 389.3 0 -90 24.3 23TKSP142 490661.9 5168867.9 388.6 0 -90 25.1 23TKSP143 490666.6 5168929.3 388.3 0 -90 22.7 23TKSP144 490769.6 5168677.5 389.9 0 -90 26.8 23TKSP145 490827.2 5168691.6 389.2 0 -90 25.0 22TK0381 490888.7 5168484.5 388.5 119.7 -73.9 654.4 22TK0415 490771.6 5168686.5 389.6 135.8 -64.4 618.7 23TK0451 490647.0 5168782.6 389.5 0.0 -90.0 33.5 23TK0452 490655.0 5168838.5 389.0 0.0 -90.0 24.4 23TK0453 490679.7 5168899.7 388.5 0.0 -90.0 30.5 23TK0455 490671.7 5168956.0 388.4 301.4 -88.2 48.8 23TK0456 490678.4 5169018.8 389.0 117.4 -88.5 56.4 23TK0457 491300.3 5169135.8 389.7 320.3 -52.4 196.9 23TK0458 491150.8 5169300.0 388.6 126.7 -68.9 191.1 23TK0459 490808.7 5168149.1 388.1 208.3 -64.1 764.1 23TK0460 490689.3 5169092.2 388.2 0.0 -90.0 64.0 23TK0461 490975.4 5168724.2 388.5 0.0 -90.0 56.4 23TK0462 490900.9 5169299.6 388.3 45.4 -51.7 146.9 23TK0463 490919.3 5168711.5 388.6 0.0 -90.0 48.8 23TK0464 490857.8 5168698.5 388.9 0.0 -90.0 41.1 23TK0465 490799.8 5168684.7 389.6 0.0 -90.0 24.7 23TK0466 490739.8 5168670.9 390.2 0.0 -90.0 18.6 23TK0469 490900.1 5169302.9 388.4 267.1 -52.0 121.9 23TK0470 490684.2 5169109.5 388.2 28.3 -53.4 80.8

Collar coordinates are UTM Zone 15N, NAD83

Azimuths and dips are taken from survey record at collar unless otherwise noted.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187549
Marula Mining Plc - Quarterly Activities Update

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 16

Marula Mining PLC

("Marula'' or the "Company")

16 November 2023

Quarterly Activities Update

Marula Mining (AQSE: MARU) ("Marula" or the "Company') an African focused mining investment company, is pleased to update the market and shareholders on the activities of the Company for the three-month period ended 30 September 2023 (the "Quarter").

KEY HIGHLIGHTS OF THE QUARTER

Operational Performance at the Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine

The Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine ("Blesberg") is located approx. 94km north of the town of Springbok in the Namaqualand District of the Northern Cape and includes the Noumas I and Noumas II pegmatite bodies. Operations on site during the Quarter were focused on additional mine site infrastructure development with the construction of permanent buildings and facilities; the sampling, processing and recovery of high-grade spodumene from the historic stockpile, haul road construction, and additional drill pad preparation for the resource drilling program that commenced during the period and is focused on the hard rock potential across the granted prospecting right.

Material from the historic stockpiles was hauled daily throughout the Quarter for processing and stockpiled according to the size fractions for beneficiation and sorting. During the Quarter, 18,843 tonnes ("t") of material was loaded and hauled from the historic stockpiles. This was a 26.25% increase on the 14,924.90t of material moved and processed in Q2 2023.

27,832t of material was processed through the crushing and screening circuit during the Quarter and a further 10,550t of material used for road and drill pad construction.

At Quarter end, total material in product stockpiles increased by 141.27% to 38,630t and comprised:

Material Sizing Tonnes as at Q2 2023 Tonnes as at Q3 2023 % Change Run-of-mine 7,558t 6,081t -19.54% >140mm 1,865t 8,824t +374.10% 10mm to 55mm 2,288t 3,739t +63.42% <10mm 4,300t 6,826t +58.74% >80mm (pre-screen) - 13,142t n.a. Total 16,011t 38,630 141.27%

Major Expansion to Lithium Processing Capabilities at Blesberg with New Plant Acquisitions

As part of the Company's plans to complete an expansion in the lithium ore processing capacity at Blesberg, the Company announced during the Quarter, on 29 August 2023, that it was completing the acquisition of two sensor-based, XRF ore sorting plants ("XRF Ore Sorters"), for total consideration of approx. ZAR 40.6 million (1.7 million).

The XRF Ore Sorters have been purchased as part of the proposed expanded processing facilities that are to be installed at Blesberg and will initially include a new and expanded crushing and screening circuit, a mica removal vacuum screen and the XRF Ore Sorters. The expanded processing plant is capable of producing up to 5,000 tonnes per month of a +20mm saleable high-grade lithium spodumene product from both the current stockpiled material from the historic mining activities and from the broader development plans of a large scale hard rock open pit mining operation.

The XRF Ore Sorters purchased comprise a Rados SRF100-8 ore sorter with a 30 tonnes per hour ("TPH") capacity, which has been acquired from Rados International Technologies (Malta) Limited ("Rados") for ZAR23M (990,000); and a Tomra COM XRT 1200 ore sorter with a 120 TPH capacity, which has been acquired for ZAR17.6M (750,000) from Q Global Mining (Pty) Ltd, a subsidiary of Q Global Commodities.

The XRF Ore Sorters are scheduled to be commissioned on site at the Blesberg operations in Q4 2023 and work has already commenced on site for their installation.

Further Expansion to Mining Fleet with Additional New Equipment Purchased at Blesberg

On 8 August 2023, the Company announced that additional new mining equipment, valued at approx. ZAR10 million (approx. US$0.54M) was secured for the Blesberg operations.

The new mining equipment included a JCB 456ZX wheel loader and a JCB JS305 tracked excavator and was in addition to the Kobelco SK380XDLC excavator, a JCB 3CX backhoe loader, two new JCB 456ZX wheel loaders, and two new Bell B25E articulated dump trucks, valued at approx. ZAR20 million that were secured and delivered to the Blesberg mine site in early Q2 2023

The new mining equipment delivered during the Quarter and in the preceding quarter has been secured as part of the Company's plan to process the historic stockpiles and to commence open pit mining operations of the hard rock resources at Blesberg.

Assay Results of Blesberg Spodumene Ore Confirm High-Grade DSO Product

During the Quarter, sampling and analyses of a 30t batch sample was completed by CI Group Limited ("CIG"), a specialised independent inspection group for the metals and minerals sector based in Johannesburg, South Africa.

Sampling was completed on the +50mm product stockpile at Blesberg with samples drawn from the stockpile, labelled, marked, and sealed upon completion of the sampling process using ISO stipulated methods.

The assay report received by the Company confirmed a high-grade result of 6.50% Li2O for the +50mm spodumene product in the stockpiles.

First Contract Signed for Sales of Blesberg's High-Grade Lithium Ores Direct into China

On 31 August 2023, the Company announced that it had signed a contract for an initial trial shipment and sale of high-grade lithium ore from Blesberg to a China-based importer and exporter of metalliferous ores.

The agreement was signed for an initial sale of 27.5 tonnes of high-grade material processed from the historic stockpiles at Blesberg with sale price of US$3,000/t, based on a minimum grade of 6.00% Li2O, which is a premium to the previously executed sales agreements at Blesberg, the material, will now be transported to Cape Town and scheduled for shipment to China.

During the Quarter the high-grade material shipment was transported and delivered to Cape Town, where it was successfully tested ahead of its shipment to China and payment of the proceeds from the Company's agent in Dubai.

Negotiation of New Lithium Offtake Agreement Following Termination of Previous Sales Arrangements

During the Quarter,the Company continued in its negotiations to finalise a new long-term offtake agreement for the sale and purchase of spodumene and lithium products produced at Blesberg with a number of new parties.

The short-listed parties, which comprised European based global trading commodity groups, undertook metallurgical testing and independent testing of stockpiled material at Blesberg throughout the Quarter, as part of their requirements to finalise a long-term offtake agreement.

As at the end of the Quarter, these discussions were still ongoing and the Company expects to conclude these negotiations as soon as practicable.

The Company, was able to commence its negotiation of a new and a long-term offtake agreement following the announcement on 22 September 2023 of the termination of the offtake agreement with Southern Jade Resources Pty Limited ("SJR"). As part of the termination, 15,714,279 new ordinary shares in the Company at an issue price of 14 pence per share in full satisfaction of the US$2.5 million prepayment advanced by SJR and an additional US$250,000 of deemed accrued interest were issued.

Resource Drilling Exploration and Mining Program Commenced at Blesberg

The Company commenced a ZAR26M (approx. US$1.35M) resource drilling exploration and mine planning program (the "Program") at Blesberg during the Quarter.

The Program was aimed at defining a maiden JORC Code 2012 compliant Mineral Resource Estimate at Blesberg and to support a larger and longer-term hard rock open pit mining operation. As part of the Program the Company appointed experienced South African drilling company, PDS Drilling to complete a 2-phase 38 diamond hole drill program.

In addition to the drill program, airborne geophysics and multispectral satellite imaging work, exploration trenching program, geological modelling, open pit mine design study and an initial mining works program, slope stability, groundwater and geohydrology studies, environmental management studies and discounted cashflow analyses and competent person reports are to be completed.

During the Quarter, the 2-phase drilling program was expanded to include a further 3-holes, and as at the end of the Quarter, 19 holes of the expanded 21-hole Phase 1 drilling program had been completed for a total of 1,026.37m on a 25m x 50m drill spacing pattern. Work commenced during the Quarter on the Phase 2 drilling program, which is being completed on a 25m x 25m drill spacing pattern, with the first diamond drill hole completed ahead of schedule in the Quarter.

Core logging, cutting and sampling of the diamond drill core commenced late in the Quarter following completion of construction of the on-site core shed, and by Quarter end, logging of 6 diamond boreholes had been completed and samples from the drill core from 2 of the Phase 1 drill holes had been taken and samples submitted to ALS Laboratories in South Africa for assay and analyses.

Work has continued on the resource drilling exploration and mining program in the current quarter, with the Program ahead of schedule and within budget and with initial assay results from the Phase 1 drilling program expected to be received shortly.

Exploration at the Kinusi Copper Project Confirms a Major Copper Mineralised Corridor and an Initial 10 -15Mt Exploration Target of High-Grade Copper, Gold, and Other Base Metals

The Kinusi Copper Mine ("Kinusi") is located near the village of Kinusi in Mpwapwa District in the Dodoma Region of central Tanzania and comprises 10 primary mining licences where the Company is working with its local partner Takela Mining Tanzania Limited ("Takela") on exploration, mine development and the establishment of new copper processing operations.

As announced on 18 August 2023, exploration results received from the Phase I Program of exploration activities completed by the Company's independent geological consultants, Geofields Tanzania Limited ("Geofields") confirmed the presence of a copper mineralised corridor at Kinusi that extends for over 1 kilometre ("km") length and over 300m ("m") in width at the main Sasimo Prospect.

The copper mineralised zones identified at Kinusi were seen to comprise mainly malachite and azurite with minor bornite and native copper mineralisation and is associated with the base-metal sulphides and is oxidised near the surface and which indicates the potential extensions of the copper mineralisation at depth.

Based on the Phase I Program of exploration activities, Geofields estimated an initial Exploration Target at Kinusi of a 10-15Mt deposit of high-grade copper, gold, and other base metals, with the potential to increase to in excess of 50Mt on completion of definitive resource drilling programs proposed to be completed in the next phase of exploration work at Kinusi.

As announced on 5 October 2023, a total of 51 samples including reference material samples were collected and prepared by Geofields and sent for laboratory analyses at SGS testing facilities in Tanzania during the Quarter. Assay results were received after the Quarter end, the average grade across the samples was 2.68% copper and included results of 15.48%, 11.69%, 11.03%, 8.11%, 6.55% and 6.54% copper. The results confirmed the high-grade copper mineralisation at the Sasimo Prospect.

The Company and Geofields are currently finalising the Phase 2 Program of exploration activities to be completed at Kinusi. This work will include geochemistry and geophysics survey work, and a resource exploration drilling program.

Copper Processing Plant Completed and Ready for Installation at Kinusi

As part of the Company's plans to accelerate mine development and mineral processing operations, the Company engaged Amoref Pty Limited ("Amoref"), an experienced crushing, gravity concentration, milling and process plant consultancy and manufacturer to complete the design and construction of a two-phase processing operation to produce both a high-grade and low-grade copper concentrate.

As announced on 24 August 2023, Amoref completed the construction of an initial modular processing plant (the "Processing Plant") and confirmed that it was ready for transportation, installation and commissioning on site in Tanzania.

As announced on 24 August 2023, the processing plant has been designed with an initial up-front crushing capacity of 20TPH with initial milling capacity set at 5TPH and with the capacity to be increased to 20TPH. Initial feed for the processing plant is intended to be from the copper mineralised corridor that has been identified at Kinusi and which extends for over 1km of strike length and is 300m wide and across eight of the granted mining licenses at the Sasimo Prospect.

It is proposed to continue to increase capacity at the processing plant, given its modular nature, as mining and exploration activities continue and as resources are delineated, with the view of the commissioning of a large scale solvent extraction and electrowinning circuit for the production of copper cathode at Kinusi.

As at Quarter end, the Company was continuing to finalise its plans for the transportation and commissioning of the processing plant on site at Kinusi.

Assay results for Bagamoyo Graphite project

The Bagamoyo Graphite Project ("Bagamoyo") comprises 22 primary mining licenses located in the Bagamoyo District in the Pwanai Region of Tanzania and where the Company is working with its local partner Kusini Gateaway Industrial Park Limited ("KGIP") on exploration, mine development and the establishment of a new graphite mining and processing operations.

Following completion of the Phase 1 program exploration activities at Bagamoyo in the previous quarter, the Company was able to report that assay results had been received which confirmed the high-grade nature of the graphite mineralisation at Bagamoyo and in particular at the Mihuga Prospect where results of up to 19.71% Total Graphite Content ("TGC").

The high-grade results were from samples taken on the previously identified E-W trending graphite mineralised envelop that extends for approx. 500m in strike length and 50m in width at surface and is interpreted to extend for 2km in strike length and 200m in width over six of the granted mining licenses. The average grade of the samples taken was 9.99% TGC, with the highest reported sample grade being 19.71% TGC and the lowest being 4.14% TGC. Average grade of the samples taken from at the Mihuga Prospect was 11.97% and high-grade samples included 19.71%, 19.33%, 15.65%, 10.92% and 9.13%.

Medium to coarse graphite flakes were reported by Geofields in being identifiable in four of the samples from Mihuga Prospect which assayed 11.86%, 15.65%, 19.33% and 19.71%. The high-grade assays and coarse flakes at the Mihuga Prospect demonstrate the potential that the Company's Board believes exists in that prospect.

Geofields Appointed to Commence Exploration at the Nyorinyori Graphite Project in Tanzania

The Nyorinyori Graphite Project ("Nyorinyori") comprises 10 granted graphite licences located in the Simanjiro District, in the Manyara Region of Tanzania and where the Company is working with Takela to advance the project through to mine development and establish graphite processing operations.

On 8 August 2023, the Company announced that it had appointed Geofields to complete a Phase 1 Program of exploration activities including mapping and sampling across the 10 granted graphite mining licenses.

The appointment of Geofields follows site visits in the previous quarter by directors of the Company and technical representatives of Q Global, where high-grade graphite mineralisation had been observed at Nyorinyori, with visual estimates of +90% graphite content and jumbo graphite flakes were observed throughout shallow and broad graphite veins exposed at depths of approximately 2m.

Geofields is anticipated to commence the Phase 1 Program of exploration at Nyorinyori by 31 December 2023.

Expansion of Graphite Interests with Acquisition of the NyoriGreen Graphite Project

On 28 September 2023, the Company announced that through its wholly-owned Tanzanian subsidiary, Marula Mining Tanzania Limited, it had entered into an agreement with Tanzanian mining company, NyoriGreen Mining Limited ("NML"), to secure a 75% commercial interest in 10 granted graphite licenses that make up the NyoriGreen Graphite Project ("NyoriGreen").

NyoriGreen is located very close to the Nyorinyori Graphite Project, in the Simanjiro District, in the Manyara Region of Tanzania and the Company's decision to materially and strategically increase its presence in the region follows site visits by the Company's Board and management, as well as representatives from Q Global.

As announced on 28 September 2023, the Company paid initial consideration costs to secure its commercial interest in NyoriGreen, through the issue of 1,000,000 new ordinary shares at a price of 12.5 pence per new ordinary share.

The Company is currently working with its independent geological consultants, Geofields to extend the mapping, sampling and trenching Phase I Program of exploration activities at Nyorinyori that is to commence in the current quarter to cover the additional 10 granted mining licenses at NyoriGreen.

CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS OF THE QUARTER

Strengthening of the Company's Board of Directors

The Company remains focused on strengthening its board of directors and ensuring that its Board both represents the communities and countries that it operates in and has the necessary experience and capabilities to deliver on the Company's battery metals strategy in Africa.

As announced on 24 July 2023 and 16 August 2023, the Company appointed Ms Angeline Greenwood, Ms Hannah Wang'Ombe and Mr Munyaradzi Murape as Independent Non-Executive Directors. In addition, Mr Richard Lloyd assumed the role as Executive Chairman, a role he will hold until Mr Quinton van der Burgh assumes this role after the Company completes a move of its primary listing in London and receives regulatory and shareholder approval for Q Global's proposed investment in the Company.

Admission to Apex

The Company's shares were admitted to the Apex segment of the Aquis Stock Exchange on 23 August 2023.

The Apex segment is the senior segment of Aquis Stock Exchange and requires a. number of key criteria to have been satisfied, including minimum market capitalisation and free float of shares and features larger, more established businesses, and enforces stricter eligibility criteria to encourage greater liquidity.

New Proposed Primary Listing in London and Dual Listings in Africa

The Company has advised of its intent to change its primary listing in London.

Throughout the Quarter, the Company continued to work with its independent legal, technical and financial consultants, and other advisers in the United Kingdom to progress this process.

As a result of the increased market capitalisation of the Company over 2023 and the proposed investment and co-development partnership with Q Global, the Company is proposing to seek a listing of its securities on the Standard List of the London Stock Exchange or the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange.

The Company has further advised of its intent to seek dual listings of its securities on Kenya's Nairobi Securities Exchange and on South Africa's Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

Release of Annual Results and Interim Results

During the Quarter the Company released its audited financial results for the year ended 31 December 2022 and its unaudited interim results for the six months ended 30 June 2023.

These results demonstrated the strengthening of the Company's financial position and growth in assets and equity. Total assets and total equity increased by 1,752% and 991% respectively during the year ended 31 December 2022 and by 46% and 133% during the six months ended 30 June 2023.

These reports are available for shareholders to download from the Company's website.

Exercise of Warrants and Increased Director Shareholdings

A total of 6,930,000 warrants, with an exercise price of 4 pence were exercised during the Quarter, which raised 277,200 of gross proceeds through the issue of 6,930,000 new ordinary shares. This included the exercise of warrants by directors of the Company.

During the Quarter, the Company's Chairman, Richard Lloyd and its CEO, Jason Brewer both increased their shareholdings in the Company, with Richard Lloyd now holding 2,985,000 ordinary shares representing a 1.84% interest and Jason Brewer (through Gathoni Muchai Investments Limited, a company in which he is a director and shareholder) now holds 16,388,750 ordinary shares representing a 10.11% interest.

Jason Brewer, Marula Mining PLC CEO said:

"It has once again been quite an active quarter for the Company, with Marula making strides in its operations and at the corporate level too.

"We are pleased to see the major investment that is proceeding at pace at our Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine, and with the tremendous support of Q Global Commodities we have been able to secure new mining and processing equipment which we believe will transform the operation in the coming months.

"Assays of the material at Blesberg to date demonstrate its high-grade nature and this positions us favourably in the market where we are negotiating a new long term offtake agreement and where premium pricing is possible for production of a high-grade spodumene product, which will assist our growth strategy.

"We are also pleased with the ongoing resource drilling and mining program work at Blesberg that kicked off in the Quarter, and which has been advanced within budget and ahead of schedule and credit must go to the management team and contractors on site including our on-site General Manager Operations Southern Africa, Mr. Henk van Zyl and Project Manager, Mr. Jacques Perold.

"Whilst operations at Blesberg rightly get the deserved attention, work during the Quarter at the Kinusi Copper Mine and across our portfolio of graphite projects in Tanzania which we look forward to these advancing further in the coming months too.

On the corporate front, we've strengthened our Board of Directors with accomplished individuals who bring valuable expertise and experience to our leadership team. These changes are instrumental as we move forward with our African focused battery metals strategy and with the proposed changes to our primary listing in London and proposed dual listings on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange and Nairobi Securities Exchange."

"Having also seen Marula's shares admitted to trading on the Apex segment of the AQSE Growth Market will further assist in our growth, given the increased market exposure and visibility with investors that it has brought.

"Throughout the Quarter, we have seen great support and commitment by our various partners, contractors and consultants, and we hope to keep strengthening these ties as we move ahead.

"I extend my gratitude to all our shareholders and the dedicated Marula management team for their continued support, and I look forward to providing ongoing updates on all our activities as they move ahead."

About Marula Mining

Marula Mining (AQSE: MARU) is an African focused battery metals investment and exploration company and has interests in several high value mine projects in Africa; the Blesberg Lithium and Tantalum Mine and Korridor Lithium Project in South Africa, the Kinusi Copper Mine, the Nyorinyori Graphite Project, the NyoriGreen Graphite Project and the Bagamoyo Graphite Project all in Tanzania and the Nkombwa Hill Project in Zambia. As we advance operations at these battery metals focused projects, Marula will continue to build and expand its interests in other high-quality projects in Africa.

Marula's strategy is to identify and invest in advanced and high-value mining projects throughout East, Central and Southern Africa that the Directors believe would deliver returns for its shareholders. The Board and management team aims to establish Marula as a socially and environmentally responsible, sustainable, and profitable producer of critical metals and commodities that are of increasingly strategic importance to modern technologies and the global economy.

Marula's shares are traded on the AQUIS Stock Exchange (AQSE), Marula is exploring opportunities to admit its shares to trading on the London Stock Exchange plc's Standard List or AIM Market, Kenya's Nairobi Securities Exchange and South Africa's Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

The Directors of Marula are responsible for the contents of this announcement.

For enquiries contact:

Marula Mining PLC Jason Brewer, Chief Executive Officer Faith Kinyanjui Mumbi Investor Relations Email: jason@marulamining.com Email: info@marulamining.com AQSE Corporate Adviser Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Liam Murray / Ludovico Lazzaretti +44 (0)20 7213 0880 Broker Peterhouse Capital Limited,

Charles Goodfellow / Duncan Vasey +44 (0)20 7469 0930 Financial PR and IR BlytheRay Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Said Izagaren +44 (0)20 7138 3204

Caution

Certain statements in this announcement are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identi?ed by their use of terms and phrases such as 'believe', 'could', "should" 'envisage', 'estimate', 'intend', 'may', 'plan', 'potentially', "expect", 'will' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements re?ect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Amarc Resources Ltd. (TSXV:AHR)(OTCQB:AXREF) (Amarc or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. James Lang, P.Geo., as a technical advisor to the Company.

Amarc President and CEO Dr. Diane Nicolson said, "I am delighted to re-engage with Jim and welcome him to the team as a technical advisor. His passion for mentoring geological teams, coupled with his impressive depth of knowledge and background in porphyry copper deposits will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the Company as we build towards an exciting and drill forward 2024. Jim's input further strengthens the team's track record for the discovery and advancement of porphyry copper deposits."

Dr. Lang has 40 years of global experience, providing consulting services to numerous junior and major exploration and mining companies, and working in about 30 countries on a wide variety of mineral deposit types and stages of exploration and/or development. He has also conducted extensive research into porphyry copper and related deposits, beginning at the University of Arizona where he received his PhD in 1991. Later as a research associate with the Mineral Deposit Research Unit at the University of British Columbia Dr. Lang led multi-year, industry-funded, applied research projects which developed widely utilized exploration models for alkalic copper-gold porphyry deposits in British Columbia.

Dr. Lang also spent some 16 years with Hunter Dickinson Inc. (HDI), leading the technical teams on several projects that encompassed early exploration programs through completion of positive feasibility studies, and was highly involved in major porphyry discoveries at Pebble (Alaska) and Xietongmen (Tibet). In addition, Amarc benefited from his expertise in porphyry copper and related deposits during this time through his studies in the IKE District.

About Amarc Resources Ltd.

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing its 100%-owned JOY, DUKE and IKE porphyry CuAu districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of southern, central and northern BC, respectively. Each district represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts is located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail.

Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of $110 million and $90 million, respectively. Together this provides Amarc with potentially up to $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding. Amarc is the operator of both programs.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery and development success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, IKE, PINE and DUKE. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: AHR@kincommunications.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor any other regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

SOURCE: Amarc Resources Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/803942/amarc-appoints-dr-james-lang-as-technical-advisor-further-strengthening-its-team
Umoja Foundation

Umoja Foundation's charity NFT collection that supports Ugandan orphans mints November 28 for Giving Tuesday



16-Nov-2023 / 13:52 CET/CEST

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





The era of opaque humanitarian aid is coming to an end. The Umoja Foundation is pulling charity work out of the stone age and onto its future path, immortalized on the blockchain.

NEWS RELEASE BY UMOJA FOUNDATION

New York | November 15, 2023 03:12 PM Eastern Standard Time

Umoja Foundation , the philanthropic web3 project, has unveiled their first collection of 6,050 charity NFTs set to mint on November 28 for Giving Tuesday.

Hinging on the limitless possibilities that web3 opens up for direct humanitarian impact, Umoja's mission starts with evolving NFTs into social tokens for good, providing altruistic, real-world utility.

Following the likes of mainstream financial companies, such as PayPal, MoneyGram, CashApp, Venmo, who are adapting their platforms for cryptocurrency, Umoja seeks to usher in the mass adoption era of NFTs by revolutionizing the concept of philanthropy.

Umoja believes the next generation of philanthropy belongs on the blockchain thanks to its numerous benefits, including transparent and immutable transactions that create trust, unique passive revenue opportunities, visible direct impact for patrons, and limitless potential that's only just begun to be tapped.

Ideated by the very people the project supports, each Umoja charity NFT supports the orphans and surrounding needy community of Dasom Ministries Orphanage in Uganda. The 17 resident children of Dasom Ministries, led by Joel Muwonge, are not only the beneficiaries of the project's proceeds, but also the artistic visionaries behind every piece of generative art in the collection.

Prompts imagined by the children such as "I imagine a lion carrying a young boy [on] its back, running through a body of water" or "I imagine of a woman dressed in a white dress, walking through a field of blue and white flowers" are fed, along with a secret sauce of artistic direction coined by Umoja's Founder Tiffany Stewart, into a generative art program to create Umoja's unique, dreamlike pieces.

Proceeds from Umoja's NFT sales provide direct real-world value by funding Dasom Ministries' recurring expenses like food, medicine, education, and clothing, and fixed-cost projects like constructing a larger home, purchasing a transport van, and a clean water project.

During the 17-day mint period (representing the 17 children in Dasom Ministries' care), the debut collection will feature 200 30/30 pieces and 50 1/1 pieces, priced roughly at the Ethereum equivalent of $50 USD and $150 USD respectively. These price points are designed to create an accessible yet impactful entry point for a philanthropic web3 contribution.

Available exclusively on Rarible, any of the Ethereum-backed resales of Umoja's NFTs will generate royalties to fund the foundation's ongoing support. Umoja emphasizes resales as an integral component of their model, stressing the importance of viewing these pieces as an investment in real-world utility: With each resale, 7% royalties are routed back to Umoja to supply replenishment of resources and ongoing support to Dasom Ministries, as well as expansion efforts.

Leveraging the borderless aspects of web3 to bridge the world's technology gap and better share the wealth, Umoja aspires to become a larger vehicle for social good. Future collections will include animated and physical NFTs, and support wider communities in Uganda, Africa, and beyond.

ABOUT UMOJA

Umoja is a web3 NFT project with real-world utility. We generate art imagined by the kids our proceeds support at Dasom Ministries Orphanage in Uganda. Umoja's first collection mints November 28, 2023.

DIGITAL CHANNELS

Website: https://umoja.foundation/

Blog: https://umoja.foundation/blog

Twitter: https://twitter.com/UmojaImpact

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/umoja.foundation/ Discord: Umoja Foundation Community

LinkedIn: Umoja Foundation

Contact Details

Umoja Foundation

Tiffany Stewart

Tiffany@Umoja.Foundation

Company Website

https://umoja.foundation/

Dissemination of a CORPORATE NEWS, transmitted by EQS Group.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.




NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Pharmaceutical 3D screen printing company Laxxon Medical has been selected alongside seven other high-potential companies to participate in German Accelerator's Southeast Asia Market Access Class of 2023. German Accelerator is a global business incubator organized by German Entrepreneurship GmbH. Laxxon's participation in the program is guided by a strategic vision to tap into the innovation-driven markets of Southeast Asia, with a focus on Singapore.

"The forward-thinking ethos of Southeast Asia's industries, markets and cultures align perfectly with [Laxxon Medical's] commitment to driving disruptive drug delivery solutions to the pharma industry and its patients," said Helmut Kershbaumer, Laxxon Medical CEO. "Singapore's thriving healthcare, tech and financial sectors, paired with the region's demand for innovation, creates the ideal environment for Laxxon to forge new partnerships and grow our global footprint."

German Accelerator's Southeast Asia (SEA) Market Access program functions as a globalization liaison for companies seeking market entry and expansion in the SEA region. The program supports companies with established businesses in Germany through customized mentorship programs and a vast global network of industry experts, investors, and potential partners.

"Throughout [Laxxon's] engagement in the accelerator, the team showcased an exceptional drive to expand their horizons and explore the Southeast Asian market, particularly in Singapore," said Rotem Inbar, German Accelerator Program Director. "The company's dedication to understanding the local ecosystem, building meaningful partnerships, and connecting with potential investors was truly impressive. I have no doubt that Laxxon Medical is poised for remarkable achievements as they continue to disrupt the industry with their groundbreaking solutions."

Laxxon's lead mentor in German Accelerator is Dr. Andreas Schmidt, serial entrepreneur and Senior Vice President of Singleron Biotechnologies. "It has been a real pleasure working with the executive team of Laxxon to develop the partnering strategy for market access interacting with multiple partners in Singapore and the region," said Schmidt. "Laxxon's 3D screen printing offers pharma companies exceptional opportunities to formulate drugs in innovative ways to maximize the therapeutic effect [for] patients."

Since launching in 2012, German Accelerator has supported over 850 startups which have raised more than $15.6 billion in funding. In August, the German Accelerator Singapore team welcomed the SEA Market Access Class of 2023 for an intense two-week program kick-off in Singapore. German Accelerator and German Entrepreneurship GmbH is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK). Start2 Group (Formerly German Entrepreneurship Asia) is privately owned and self-funded.

About Laxxon Medical

Laxxon Medical is a pharma-technology company pioneering a new generation of advanced pharmaceuticals with SPID, a novel 3D screen printing platform technology. For common pharmaceutical drugs or new drug developments, SPID unlocks innovative drug delivery advancements paired with fast-tracked market access and extensive IP protection to yield disruptive opportunities.

Laxxon's SPID-Technology (Screen Printing Innovational Drug Technology) is an additive manufacturing process that enables the development and production of complex formulations and geometrical structures of oral dosage forms to optimize the release profiles of common pharmaceuticals, in addition to new drug developments. SPID-Technology can produce small batches for R&D, upscaling to commercial-scale production without changing the manufacturing process. Laxxon is partnered with Hovione, a CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization), and is commonly establishing joint cGMP productions in Europe and the United States.

Laxxon Medical's patent portfolio consists of more than 150 patents, licensed patents and patent applications, including more than 3,000 patent claims directed to methods and devices for drug delivery systems.

Company website: www.laxxonmedical.com.

Company Contact

Frances Hoggard | Communications Manager | f.hoggard@laxxonmedical.com

SOURCE: Laxxon Medical

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/804115/laxxon-medical-joins-german-accelerators-southeast-asia-market-access-class-of-2023-marking-the-companys-inaugural-globalization-venture
The Planon Platform enables customers to convert their properties into smart buildings and transform their building operations into scalable, affordable, and manageable smart business processes.

SAN ANTONIO, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Frost & Sullivan recently assessed the Internet of Things (IoT)-driven smart buildings industry and, based on its analysis results, recognizes Planon with the 2023 Global Product Leadership Award. The company is highly committed to innovation, evident through its comprehensive portfolio of proptech-enabled smart building solutions, far surpassing its contemporaries in terms of solution diversity. Specifically, the company's complete toolset integrates third-party technologies and solutions, driving cost-efficient, scalable, and value-focused digitalization in the real estate and facility management sectors.

The Planon Platform enables customers to connect a wide range of smart building solutions on a unified platform and allows them to utilize operational data to guide their management and business decisions. Empowered by an array of unique capabilities, the platform is a truly open application that is compatible with other systems and allows the development of additional competencies with integrated IoT features. The open system architecture helps customers automate their business processes while optimizing their built environment's existing technology stack. The platform seamlessly integrates into existing smart building solutions or into those preferred by building users or operators.

Anirudh Bhaskaran, Industry Principal, Frost & Sullivan, observed, "Planon addresses the smart buildings space's IoT technology adoption challenge by employing a 'problem-first' approach that shapes its customers' IoT implementation strategies around their business needs and infrastructure requirements. It combines the advantages of an integrated workplace management system (IWMS) with embedded IoT infrastructure to form its smart, sustainable building management platform."

The Planon Platform's interoperability capability enables customers to leverage market innovations and local (or regional) technology preferences while efficiently and affordably managing operational complexities. The platform's automated response feature, which either triggers a process or sends a command to the smart asset, is a key differentiator in the smart buildings space. Planon builds on the innovative solution's competitive differentiation by focusing on customer-led and market-driven innovation.

"Planon understands the market's needs and delivers a winning solution designed and embedded with high quality and reliable performance, contributing to its product leadership. Its 'open' platform implements standard processes and practices for seamless navigation of diverse IoT systems, differentiating it as a global product leader in the rapidly evolving smart buildings space," added Sama Suwal, Best Practices Research Analyst at Frost & Sullivan.

Each year, Frost & Sullivan presents this award to the company that has developed a product with innovative features and functionality that is gaining rapid market acceptance. The award recognizes the quality of the solution and the customer value enhancements it enables.

Frost & Sullivan Best Practices Awards recognize companies in various regional and global markets for demonstrating outstanding achievement and superior performance in leadership, technological innovation, customer service, and strategic product development. Industry analysts compare market participants and measure performance through in-depth interviews, analyses, and extensive secondary research to identify best practices in the industry.

About Frost & Sullivan

For six decades, Frost & Sullivan has been world-renowned for its role in helping investors, corporate leaders, and governments navigate economic changes and identify disruptive technologies, Mega Trends, new business models, and companies to action, resulting in a continuous flow of growth opportunities to drive future success. Contact us: Start the discussion.

Contact:

Claudia Toscano

P: 1.956.533.5915

E: claudia.toscano@frost.com

About Planon

Planon is the leading global provider of Smart Sustainable Building Management software that connects buildings, people, and processes. By eliminating data silos and aligning solutions into one shared information platform, Planon provides all building stakeholders with actionable and meaningful insights. Independent market research and consulting firms have consistently rated Planon as a global leader in the market. Planon has implemented its comprehensive solutions for more than 2,800 clients, supported by offices and partners around the world.

www.planonsoftware.com

Contact:

Fabienne Douven

P: 31.24.641.3135

E: fabienne.douven@planonsoftware.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278572/Planon_Award.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/planon-identified-by-frost--sullivan-as-best-in-class-in-the-global-iot-driven-smart-buildings-industry-301990251.html
LYON, France and CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Amolyt Pharma, a global company specialized in developing therapeutic peptides for rare endocrine and related diseases, has been awarded 'Biotech Company of the Year 2023' at the annual LSX, European Lifestars Awards Ceremony, held on November 13th in London, U.K.



The European Lifestars Awards (ELAs) are an annual event that acknowledges and celebrates the significant achievements within the life sciences sector across Europe. These awards recognize the innovation and ground-breaking achievements of the life sciences industry's most distinguished executive leaders, investors, partners, and dealmakers for their outstanding contributions to the advancement of the industry. The 'Biotech of the Year' award recognizes a company that has shown outstanding excellence in strategy, process, focus, and execution and has created significant value for patients, investors, employees, and the broader life science community.

"We are incredibly proud to receive the 'Biotech of the Year' award, which signifies a landmark moment for Amolyt as we mark a pivotal year of growth," said Thierry Abribat, Ph.D., Founder and CEO of Amolyt Pharma. "This accolade reflects the tireless dedication of our team, under the expert guidance from our board of directors, and with strong support from our investors. Together, we've cultivated a culture of excellence and commitment towards patients, advancing our clinical pipeline of therapeutic peptides for rare endocrine diseases. As we edge closer to potentially bringing eneboparatide to market for patients with hypoparathyroidism, this honor is a tribute to the collective efforts and unwavering spirit of our employees since the company's launch four years ago."

About Hypoparathyroidism

Hypoparathyroidism is a rare condition defined by a deficiency of parathyroid hormone (PTH) that results in decreased calcium and elevated phosphorus levels in the blood. Approximately 80% of the estimated 80,000 people in the U.S. and 110,000 in the European Union with hypoparathyroidism are women. Despite available treatments, patients experience persistent, life-altering symptoms and often develop complications and comorbidities that diminish quality of life and create segments of the patient population with specific clinical needs. Clinical manifestations of hypoparathyroidism impact many tissues and organ systems, in particular, the kidneys and bone.

More than half of all patients are post-menopausal women who are at an increased risk for developing osteoporosis. In a 515 hypoparathyroidism patient chart review, 17% were diagnosed with osteopenia or osteoporosis, and in the eneboparatide Phase 2a trial, 43% of patients had osteopenia. Approximately 26% of patients with hypoparathyroidism have chronic kidney disease or failure, highlighting the importance of reducing urinary calcium excretion as a key treatment goal.

About Eneboparatide

Eneboparatide is an investigational therapeutic peptide designed to bind with high affinity to a specific conformation of the parathyroid hormone (PTH) receptor to produce sustained and stable levels of calcium in the blood and thereby manage the symptoms of hypoparathyroidism, and to limit urine calcium excretion by restoring calcium reabsorption by the kidney, with the goal of consequently preventing progressive decline in kidney function and the development of chronic kidney disease. In addition to its unique receptor profile, eneboparatide is also designed to have a short half-life to potentially preserve bone integrity, an important potential benefit, since the majority of patients are peri- and postmenopausal women with an increased risk of developing osteoporosis.

About Amolyt Pharma

Amolyt Pharma, a clinical stage biotechnology company, is building on its team's established expertise to deliver life-changing treatments to patients suffering from rare endocrine and related diseases. Its development portfolio includes eneboparatideand LinkedIn.

Media Inquiries:

Jordyn Temperato

LifeSci Communications

jtemperato@lifescicomms.com

Investors Inquiries:

Ashley Robinson

LifeSci Advisors, LLC

arr@lifesciadvisors.com

+1.617.430.7577
Incorporating Azure OpenAI Service and using Duck Creek's low-code platform empowers insurers to modernize responsibly

BOSTON, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Duck Creek Technologies, the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of property and casualty (P&C) and general insurance, announces a breakthrough initiative in collaboration with Microsoft. This collaboration is poised to empower insurers to reimagine their businesses by facilitating smoother implementation processes and faster speed to market through the aid of generative artificial intelligence (AI)-a transformative technology that enables the creation of innovative applications and low-code solutions.



Duck Creek's comprehensive platform is built on Microsoft Azure, the preferred technology for harnessing the power of Azure OpenAIService, as large language models (LLMs) continue to redefine and shape the technology landscape. This represents a significant leap forward in the insurance sector, fostering innovation and efficiency that promises to influence how insurers conduct their business and engage with customers. By merging Duck Creek's expertise in insurance solutions with the cutting-edge capabilities of Microsoft, this collaboration aims to create a brighter and more agile future for the entire insurance industry.

"Generative AI is a truly transformative technology, and our valued customers will benefit immensely from its powerful capabilities as we continue to drive the modernization of the insurance industry. Our objective is to empower insurers to innovate products faster and assist employees with AI tools," said Mike Jackowski, Chief Executive Officer, Duck Creek Technologies. "This marks the next chapter in the evolution of our longstanding partnership, where we are pioneering in the space by uniting the exceptional talent of Microsoft and Duck Creek to develop cutting-edge technology solutions for the P&C and general insurance industries. In doing so, we are committed to spearheading the insurance industry's embrace of generative AI and solving the innovation challenges insurers face-all while upholding the highest standards of regulatory compliance and ethical responsibility."

Duck Creek is harnessing this emerging technology to curate innovative solutions for insurers, helping them embrace the future of technology with:

Copilot solutions powered by near-real-time data, which empowers insurers to make informed decisions and respond to changing market conditions swiftly and effectively.

Enhanced productivity tools that improve efficiency and productivity throughout the insurance ecosystem, designed to benefit consumers, agents, underwriters, and claim adjusters.

The next era of low-code configurator tools that simplify the development and adoption of insurance products, enabling insurers to expedite their time-to-market for both new and ongoing configurations.



"Duck Creek will continue advancing how it brings responsible AI to the insurance industry and enables a rapid business transformation toward humanized experiences," said Jess Keeney, Chief Product & Technology Officer, Duck Creek Technologies. "We are consistently assessing how our solutions can more seamlessly integrate into our customers' operational landscapes, and we are dedicated to delivering meaningful outcomes and addressing significant business challenges. Both Duck Creek and Microsoft share a common dedication to enhancing the customer journey across the entire insurance lifecycle. This marks a significant evolution in how underwriters leverage consumer data and conduct risk analysis, the efficiency of claims handling, fraud detection, and the industry's ability to meet customer needs and adapt to feedback promptly."

"Innovative insurers want to move quickly to use the power of generative AI to drive demonstrable business value," said Bill Borden, CVP for Worldwide Financial Services at Microsoft. "We're excited to deepen our collaboration with Duck Creek to deliver new generative AI-powered capabilities to help our joint insurance customers drive marked improvements in employee productivity, reinvent customer engagement, and bend the curve on innovation - both securely and responsibly."

About Duck Creek Technologies

Duck Creek Technologies is the intelligent solutions provider defining the future of the property and casualty, and all are available via Duck Creek OnDemand. Visit www.duckcreek.comto learn more. Follow Duck Creek on our social channels for the latest information - LinkedInand Twitter.

Media Contacts:

Carley Bunch

carley.bunch@duckcreek.com
The Eurofins network of companies, the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing and in discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and agroscience contract research services, announces the completion of the acquisition of Labor 3.

The acquisition of Labor 3 further expands the Eurofins network of companies' presence in Latin America, adding to Eurofins laboratories in 5 LATAM countries operating in the fields of the food, agroscience, genomics, environment, pharmaceutical, cosmetic product testing and clinical diagnostics. This acquisition will specifically strengthen the Eurofins network's support to the food industry in Brazil, through the provision of tests, consulting and supporting evaluation across the entire food production chain, with the highest quality standards and turnaround time.

Known as Eurofins Labor 3 going forward, the laboratory represents the fifth Eurofins Food and Feed Testing laboratory in Brazil. Based in Sao Paulo, Brazil, Labor 3 has over 25 years of experience in food testing and food safety consultancy services, with a particular focus on contributing to the advancement of academic science in the area of food safety. The laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art testing equipment, technology and information platforms, and is accredited to all applicable regulatory requirements, as well as employing its own robust Quality Assurance System, that underpins the team's commitment to their customers, and the most reliable and accurate testing processes.

The origins of Eurofins' presence in Brazil dates back to 2001, when Eurofins Genescan established its presence in Brazil, setting up an office in Sao Paulo/SP, shortly followed by the opening of a laboratory. Since then, the Eurofins network of companies has continued to expand in Brazil and Latin America, with more than 10 laboratories across 5 LATAM countries now operating across food, environmental, pharmaceutical, agroscience, and clinical diagnostics testing, as well as providing special consultancy services and audits.

To learn more, please visit: www.eurofins.com.br

Eurofins the global leader in bio-analysis

Eurofins is Testing for Life. With over 61,000 staff across a network of ca. 900 laboratories in 61 countries, Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116656309/en/

Contacts:

Further information:

edbr-marketing@eurofinslatam.com


JERUSALEM (dpa-AFX) - President Joe Biden has accused Hamas of committing a war crime for operating underground Hamas command centers in some hospitals in Gaza Strip.



'You have a circumstance where the first war crime is being committed by Hamas by having their headquarters, their military hidden under a hospital. And that's a fact. That's what's happened,' Biden said while responding to a reporter's question during a joint news conference with Chinese leader Xi Jinping after their summit in San Francisco.



The US and Israel have claimed that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad members operate a command-and-control node from Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.



Hamas and Al-Shifa hospital officials denied the allegation.



'When you weigh the target against the number of civilians inside the hospital, is the operation underway justified?,' a reporter asked Biden.



'Israel did not go in with a large number of troops, did not raid, did not rush everything down. They've gone in and they've gone in with their soldiers carrying weapons or guns. They were told - told - let me be precise,' Biden replied.



Biden said Washington had discussed the need for the Israeli forces to be 'incredibly careful' while hunting for the militants. 'You have a circumstance where you know there is a fair number of Hamas terrorists. Hamas has already said publicly that they plan on attacking Israel again like they did before, to where they were cutting babies' heads off to burn - burning women and children alive'.



'And so, the idea that they're going to just stop and not do anything is not realistic. This is not the carpet bombing. This is a different thing. They're going through these tunnels; they're going in the hospital.'



Biden said it has been established that 'Hamas does have headquarters, weapons, materiel below this hospital and, I suspect, others.'



He made it clear to the Israelis that 'it's a big mistake for them to think they're going to occupy Gaza and maintain Gaza.'



Al-Shifa Hospital, which is the largest medical complex in Gaza, has been reportedly attacked multiple times, leaving several people dead and many others injured. The intensive care unit suffered damage from bombardment, while areas of the hospital where displaced people were sheltering have also been damaged.



WHO said that tens of thousands of displaced people who had sought shelter on the hospital grounds are fleeing the area amid horrifying reports of the hospital facing repeated attacks from Israeli forces. There are reports that some people who fled the hospital have been shot at and killed.



Copyright(c) 2023 RTTNews.com. All Rights Reserved



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Video-Workshop: Das kleine Einmaleins der Charttechnik In diesem kostenlosen Video-Workshop von Stefan Klotter lernen Sie alles uber Charttechnik. Lassen Sie sich diesen kostenfreien Workshop nicht entgehen! Hier klicken
STMicroelectronics, a leading global high-tech company that creates semiconductor technologies, chooses Lucidworks Fusion to solve its most complex search challenges

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16, 2023selects Lucidworks , the leading search solutions provider, to upgrade and futureproof its on-site search solution. STMicroelectronics (ST) is a global high-tech company creating semiconductor technologies for a smarter, greener, and more sustainable future. Lucidworks Fusion will provide the flexibility and control ST needs to create personalized digital experiences.



ST's existing search solution provides discovery experiences that are primarily product-focused. Whether customers are searching for software or a microcontroller, all customer journeys are identically structured. This approach doesn't support the diverse objectives of ST's customers, who require different types of specialised content at various stages of their buying journey. For new customers starting a project or design, this product-centric search experience makes the discovery journey inefficient.

"We knew we needed a solution that could be mapped to the complexity of our business," said Alexander Czajor, Director of Digital Marketing, ST. "The way we can tweak and intervene if we don't like a result or a ranking, keeping the need for manual technical oversight at a minimum, is unique to Lucidworks. Plus, Fusion's approach to supporting personas and to designing an intent-based experience is uniquely more powerful than alternative solutions."

Lucidworks Fusion provides the controls required to manage the complexity of ST's content, while treating each customer to a seamless, relevant search and discovery experience. Lucidworks solutions offer flexibility and control over the way data is acquired from all sources across their organization, effectively handling distributed, unstructured, and legacy data with ease.

Czajor continued, "Unlike other solutions on the market, Lucidworks AI-powered Fusion is not a closed black box. It allows us to have the control to monitor and tune results-something that is of critical importance to us as a company."

ST is a visionary among peers in its ambition to deliver a next-generation, best-in-class B2B customer journey. The partnership with Lucidworks is key to creating a customer-centric, goal-oriented search and discovery experience to ensure the success of ST's customers in 2024 and beyond.

Visit Lucidworks' website to learn more about ST's decision to go with the leading search provider.

About STMicroelectronics

At ST, we are over 50,000 creators and makers of semiconductor technologies mastering the semiconductor supply chain with state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities. An integrated device manufacturer, we work with more than 200,000 customers and thousands of partners to design and build products, solutions, and ecosystems that address their challenges and opportunities, and the need to support a more sustainable world. Our technologies enable smarter mobility, more efficient power and energy management, and the wide-scale deployment of the Internet of Things and connectivity. We are committed to achieving our goal to become carbon neutral on scope 1 and 2 and partially scope 3 by 2027. Further information can be found at www.st.com .

About Lucidworks
Partnership adds to Exiger's suite of AI solutions, making most comprehensive and reliable sustainability score available to the market in advance of 2027 Scope 3 deadline

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Exiger , the SaaS company revolutionizing the way corporations, government agencies and banks manage supply chains, announced today a new partnership with Muir AI, a climate technology firm focused on reducing emissions within supply chains. Responding to the growing need to achieve rapid and substantial reductions in carbon emissions, the partnership tackles the most complex part of corporations' carbon footprints.

Exiger has built the largest risk data network in the world. When combined with this data network and Exiger's advanced supply chain mapping technology, award-winning AI and proprietary data, Muir's emissions data will enhance Exiger's environmental risk offering, empowering corporations to make faster business decisions to achieve net zero commitments with accuracy and confidence.

Businesses are being called to make and report on carbon reductions, but obscured supply chains and a dependency on supplier self-reporting have proved to be stubborn roadblocks. This has pushed many organizations towards ineffective spend-based carbon accounting methods, hampering their ability to effectively evaluate and manage their emissions. The new offering is designed to equip stakeholders across procurement, sourcing, sustainability and the C-suite with the automation and insight necessary to choose the right suppliers.

"With over 80% of carbon emissions coming from the value chains organizations are connected to - rather than the organizations themselves - a company's ability to reduce carbon emissions is entirely dependent on their ability to gain transparency into multi-tier supply chains," said Erika Peters, Exiger's ESG lead and SVP, Head of Innovation and Operations. "This partnership further expands our environmental risk scoring and Scope 3 capabilities ahead of the 2027 deadline, not only providing granular carbon emissions data across products, suppliers and geographies, but also streamlining the data collection process, automating and documenting how emissions are calculated, and surfacing real-time insights into the strategies that will drive the greatest impact."

"We fundamentally believe that every company must consider emissions as part of its suppliers' risk profiles. By partnering with Exiger, we can leverage the data provided within 1Exiger to deploy our analytics, without requiring any additional customer data. This is a huge step forward in terms of scaled sustainability, and it allows us to meet a customer wherever they are on their journey," said Muir CEO Harris Chalat. "We want to make supply chain emissions data more accessible, impactful and truthful; our partnership with Exiger allows us to do just that."

Customers can choose from several Exiger solutions, ranging from a seamless, rapid baseline for supply chain emissions to peer-to-peer emissions comparisons and evaluations, to a comprehensive high-touch offering that supports direct buy programs transitioning to more sustainable suppliers. These solutions offer the most comprehensive and reliable sustainability score in the market as well as a level of visibility, auditability, speed and scalability that is essential for corporations hoping to satisfy a growing number of GHG reduction requirements.

Exiger leads the industry in applying advanced AI to solve the world's most complex challenges - from preparing for climate-related disasters to achieving decarbonization, reducing PFAS dependency and eradicating modern slavery from alternative energy supply chains. Exiger was named one of Fast Company's 2023 Brands That Matter and is a member of the World Economic Forum, where it contributes to Shaping the Future of Mobility platform, addressing supply chain resiliency and environmental sustainability.

About Exiger

Exiger is revolutionizing the way corporations, government agencies and banks navigate risk and compliance in their third-parties, supply chains and customers through its software and tech-enabled solutions. Exiger's mission is to make the world a safer and more transparent place to succeed. Emboldening over 550 customers across the globe, including 150 in the Fortune 500 and over 50 government agencies, with award-winning AI technology, Exiger leads the way in ESG, cyber, financial crime, third-party and supply chain management. Its work has been recognized by 40+ AI, RegTech and Supply Chain partner awards. Learn more at Exiger.com and follow Exiger on LinkedIn .

About Muir AI

Muir AI is an innovative Seattle-based company founded in 2022 by Harris Chalat and Peter Williams. They started Muir to address the lack of actionable supply chain emissions data which provides an immediate opportunity to reduce emissions on a gigaton scale. Muir's novel technology rapidly generates accurate and specific emissions data across entire supply chains, even when minimal data is available. Combining supply chain models, geospatial data, and emissions modeling, Muir fills the supply chain emissions data gap at scale. Learn more at muir.ai and join our journey on LinkedIn .

For more information, please contact:

Kody Gurfein

Chief Marketing Officer for Exiger

1.914.393.0398

kgurfein@exiger.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278377/Exiger_Quote_2.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/378374/4408018/Exiger_Blk_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/exiger-partners-with-muir-ai-to-empower-corporations-to-achieve-net-zero-with-supply-chain-transparency-automated-emissions-calculations-301990268.html
San Diego, California--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Direct Communication Solutions, Inc. (OTCQX: DCSX) (CSE: DCSI) (FSE: 7QU0) ("DCS" or the "Company"), a leading provider of information technology solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) market, is pleased to announce it has posted its Interim Financial Statements for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and the corresponding Management Discussion & Analysis on SEDAR+.

Direct Communication Solutions Inc. had revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, of $11.2 million (U.S.), compared with $18.2 million (U.S.) in 2022 (a decrease of 39 percent over the same period as last year).

Significant Highlights - for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:

Entered into strategic agreement with CATrak Technologies, Inc. to offer its Catalytic Converter Theft Prevention Solution.

Successful collaboration between Epson and the Company's MiFleet solution in the fight against cargo theft.

Signed a five-year agreement with Alsco Uniforms, the world's largest uniform provider, to offer its AI Video Telematics Solution powered by VisionTrack.

Partnered with VisionTrack to provide AI Powered Video Telematics and IoT Solutions to the North American Market.

Partnered with Teltonika to provide IoT Solutions in North America.

Gross margin for the period ended was 32 percent for 2023 (29.3 percent for 2022), representing $3.59 million (U.S.) gross profit ($5.3 million (U.S.) for the period ended 2022). EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) was negative $1,79 million (U.S.) compared with $634,931 (U.S.) 2022 EBITDA.

Chris Bursey, CEO of Direct Communication Solutions, highlighted the company's commitment to navigating the evolving landscape and fostering long-term sustainability.

In Q3 2023, Direct Communication Solutions reported notable progress in its Software as a Service (SaaS) segment. The company's Fleet Management Subscribers reached 22,202, reflecting an impressive growth rate of 22.33% in active subscribers. Additionally, Wireless Data/Connectivity Subscribers increased to 31,424, marking a growth rate of 6.56%. The cumulative Total Billable SaaS Subscribers at the end of Q3 2023 reached an impressive 53,626, showcasing a comprehensive growth of 28.88% over the same period.

While the Q3 financials underscore positive momentum in SaaS subscriptions, DCS remains focused on adapting to market dynamics and refining its strategies for sustained growth. The company continues to leverage its expertise in fleet management and wireless connectivity to meet the evolving needs of its customer base.

In a strategic move that aligns with its commitment to meticulous planning, DCS announces the decision to defer its stock exchange listing update to the coming year. This proactive measure ensures optimal conditions for a successful listing, demonstrating the company's dedication to strategic foresight and positioning itself for future opportunities.

Direct Communication Solutions Founder and CEO Chris Bursey highlighted the positive market sentiment, sharing insights after the company's active participation in the 2023 Verizon Channel Partner Advisory Council. He expressed, "Our recent involvement reinforced our belief in the strength of collaboration within the industry. The event, bringing together key partners from diverse segments, underscored the influential role of partnerships. Productive meetings highlighted the resilience of these collaborations, emphasizing shared goals and strategies."

Bursey continued, "As we navigated through these sessions, the vitality of collaborations became evident, not only strengthening individual businesses but propelling the entire market forward. Direct Communication Solutions remains committed to delivering world-class solutions in this ever-evolving landscape. The positive energy witnessed at the Verizon Channel Partner Advisory Council fuels our confidence in the market's future, reinforcing our optimism and determination to contribute significantly to its continued growth."

We seek Safe Harbor.

About Direct Communication Services Inc.

DCSI is a technology solutions integrator focusing on connecting the Internet of Things. We provide real solutions that solve real problems. Our software applications and scalable cloud services collect and assess business-critical data from all types of assets. DCSI is headquartered in San Diego, California and is publicly traded on the OTCQX ("DCSX"), Canadian Securities Exchange ("DCSI") and Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("7QU0"). For more information, visit www.dcsbusiness.com. DCSI and the DCSI logo are among the trademarks of DCSI in the United States. Any other trademarks or trade names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

Contact

Chris Bursey, CEO

cbursey@dcsbusiness.com

858-525-2483

Forward-Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements reflecting management's current views of future events and operations. These statements are based on current expectations and assumptions, subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause results to differ materially. DCS believes that these potential risks and uncertainties include, without limitation: the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the Company's dependence on third-party manufacturers, suppliers, technologies, and infrastructure; risks related to intellectual property; industry risks, including competition, online security, government regulation, and global economic conditions; and the Company's financial position and need for additional funding. Statements in this release should be evaluated in light of these factors. These risk factors and other important factors that could affect our business and financial results are discussed in our Management's Discussion and Analysis, periodic reports, and other public filings available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and posted with the OTC Disclosure and News Service. DCS undertakes no duty to update or revise any forward-looking statements.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187657
Diageo North America is donating ten million, 12-ounce cans of water to humanitarian organization Convoy of Hope to assist local communities across the United States experiencing natural and humanitarian disasters. The cans will be prepositioned in key facilities for deployment to communities and relief organizations during times of need.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231114643861/en/

The cans are filled at Diageo's Lincolnway manufacturing site in Plainfield, Illinois, which produces malt-based beverages and spirits-based ready-to-drink cocktails. Once the cans are filled, Convoy of Hope will distribute them to its Springfield, MO distribution center and other distribution partners around the country.

"Diageo North America's supply and production functions are world-class and known for nimble, efficient, and innovative operations. During the pandemic, we quickly re-engineered to deliver much needed sanitizer. Today, our effort to produce ten million cans of drinking water builds on our tradition of innovation and directly supports communities in the U.S. that have been struck by disaster. We are proud of our ability to use our scale and the opportunity to partner with Convoy of Hope to build up essential resources for crisis response," said Marsha McIntosh, SVP of Supply Strategy Planning and Logistics for Diageo North America.

A global humanitarian organization based in Springfield, MO, Convoy of Hope aims to serve people who are impoverished, hungry, and hurting. In addition to providing disaster relief around the world, Convoy of Hope supports communities in need through children's feeding programs, agriculture training, women's empowerment, and community events in big cities and rural towns. In the last year alone, in partnership with churches, businesses, civic organizations, and government agencies, Convoy of Hope has deployed aid to support communities affected by tornadoes, flooding, wildfires and more. In 2022, Convoy of Hope responded to 36 disasters in the U.S. Already this year, the organization has responded to 37 U.S. disasters.

"Diageo's donation of ten million cans will fill a critical need during Convoy's disaster relief efforts. We are honored to receive this donation, which will help us meet the essential drinking water needs of families and communities in distress," said Ethan Forhetz, VP of Public Engagement at Convoy of Hope.

The effort is being led by the Diageo CARES platform (Diageo Community Activity and Relief Efforts) which facilitates opportunities for employee volunteerism, fundraising and community donations across the U.S. and Canada. Through Diageo CARES, the company has supported disaster relief efforts and donations across the U.S. over the last ten years and provided direct pandemic relief funding for the hospitality sector and workforce. Some of these efforts included financial and volunteer support to communities in the U.S. Virgin Islands (2017) and Kentucky (2021) facing unprecedented challenges due to the impact of tornadoes and severe storms.

About Convoy of Hope

Convoy of Hope is a global, faith-based organization that serves vulnerable communities. By partnering with local churches, businesses, civic organizations, and government agencies, Convoy strategically offers help and hope in more than 125 countries. Since its founding in 1994, Convoy of Hope has served more than 200 million people. Since 2002, Charity Navigator has awarded its highest rating to the organization each year recognizing Convoy as a Four-Star Charity. Visit convoyofhope.org to learn more.

About Diageo

Diageo is a global leader in beverage alcohol with an outstanding collection of brands across spirits and beer categories. These brands include Johnnie Walker, Crown Royal, J&B and Buchanan's whiskies, Smirnoff, Ciroc and Ketel One vodkas, Captain Morgan, Baileys, Don Julio, Tanqueray and Guinness.

Diageo is a global company, and our products are sold in more than 180 countries around the world. The company is listed on both the London Stock Exchange (DGE) and the New York Stock Exchange (DEO). For more information about Diageo, our people, our brands, and performance, visit us at www.diageo.com. Visit Diageo's global responsible drinking resource, www.DRINKiQ.com for information, initiatives, and ways to share best practice.

Celebrating life, every day, everywhere.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231114643861/en/

Contacts:

Luis Rabago

luis.rabago@diageo.com
Options Technology today celebrates 30 years as the leading infrastructure and market data provider to the global capital markets.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116570610/en/

Options Technology today celebrates 30 years as the leading infrastructure and market data provider to the global capital markets. (Graphic: Business Wire)

Options' journey began in 1991 when founder, Nigel Kneafsey, then aged 14, entered a competition in Computer Magazine to build a high-performance workstation. After winning the competition he received a call from the London office of Goldman Sachs who offered him a consulting opportunity to build hardware for the trading floor. A few years later in 1993, when Nigel was legally able to become a company director, Options was incorporated as a hedge fund technology services provider.

Today, the company delivers high-performance managed trading infrastructure and cloud-enabled managed services to leading global investment banks, hedge funds, funds of funds, proprietary trading firms, brokers, dealers, private equity houses, and exchanges.

Nigel Kneafsey, now a board member commented, "From day one we focussed on delivering high tech solutions to meet the most demanding requirements within the Capital Markets. We've always focussed on hiring world class engineering talent and stayed ahead of the curve by giving them scope to experiment and play with the emerging technology. Our people have been the cornerstone of long-term business success; they allow us to evolve with the sector."

Danny Moore, President and CEO who has been with the company for 11 years added, "From the moment I joined the company it was clear that the people and culture were the key differentiator. We'd great engineers who could turn their hand to any problem and a culture where everyone chipped in and would do what needed to be done when clients had issues, whatever the day or hour. The combination of technical expertise and client focus sets us apart.

We look forward to celebrating this milestone with our colleagues, clients and partners who have helped us reach this important point in our history."

Today's news comes as the latest in a series of exciting developments for Options Technology, including its new five-year global investment in Pure Storage, its announcement of 100Gb ultra-low latency connectivity via StrataNet and its global delivery and seamless 100Gb OPRA data feed migrations

About Options Technology (www.options-it.com

The company was one of the first cloud infrastructure providers to achieve SOC 2, Type II compliance in 2011 and has continued to hold the certification which is viewed as the gold standard in data security and third-party governance, particularly across the financial sector.

Options has cemented its position as best in the world at delivering Microsoft Cloud solutions, standing as an unparalleled leader in revolutionizing integrated cloud technology for financial markets by its status as an official Microsoft Solutions Partner

As an official Microsoft Solutions Partner, Options has cemented its position as best in the world at delivering Microsoft Cloud solutions, standing as an unparalleled leader in revolutionizing bespoke integrated cloud technology for the financial markets.

In 2019, Options received investment from Boston-based Private Equity Firm, Abry Partners. This investment enabled the company to accelerate its growth strategy and develop its technology platform whilst expanding its reach in key financial centres globally.

Options solidified its position in the industry through two strategic acquisitions in 2021. They initially acquired Fixnetix a move that bolstered its competitive edge and expanded its suite of offerings, followed by the acquisition of Activ Financial, a transformative step that not only expanded its reach but also secured its market data portfolio. These strategic acquisitions enabled Options to provide a comprehensive range of solutions and services to its clients, reinforcing its leadership and dominance in the sector.

Earlier this year, Options announced the creation of 200 new jobs in its Belfast office in conjunction with its award-winning Graduate and Placement Programme which has enabled the continued growth of the company's workforce, currently sitting at over 500 globally. Options remain committed to fostering a culture of innovation and excellence, not only by providing exceptional services but also by creating opportunities for talent development and growth.

Options Technology is the No. 1 provider of IT infrastructure to global Capital Markets firms, supporting their operations and ecosystems.

Founded in 1993, the firm began life as a hedge fund technology services provider. Today, the company provides high-performance managed trading infrastructure and cloud-enabled managed services to over 550 firms globally, providing an agile, scalable platform in an Investment Bank-grade Cybersecurity wrapper.

Options clients include the leading global investment banks, hedge funds, funds of funds, proprietary trading firms, market makers, broker/dealers, private equity houses, and exchanges. In 2019, Options secured a significant growth investment from Abry Partners, a Boston-based sector-focused private equity firm. This investment has enabled Options to considerably accelerate its growth strategy to invest further in its technology platform and expand its reach in key financial centres globally.

Options has been named among the UK's leading growth companies in the 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017 Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table.

For more on Options, please visit www.options-it.com follow us on X (Twitter) at @Options_ITand visit our LinkedIn page

About Abry Partners (www.abry.com)

Abry is one of the most experienced and successful sector-focused private equity investment firms in North America. Since its founding in 1989, the firm has completed over $82 billion of leveraged transactions and other private equity or preferred equity placements. Currently, the firm manages over $5.0 billion of capital across their active funds.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116570610/en/

Contacts:

For further information, please contact:

Press Contact: Niall McAleer

Email: niall.mcaleer@options-it.com
The world's largest restaurant company recently hosted a hands-on experience that demonstrated to employees how the best ideas are the products of shared thinking.

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Yum! Brands

Originally published by Yum! Brands

As the world's largest restaurant company with more than 56,000 restaurants in over 155 countries and approximately 1,500 franchisees, Yum! Brands' people are its biggest asset. The company's culture and talent fuel brand performance and franchise success. The power of collaboration across the parent company's brands - KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell and The Habit Burger Grill - is that the collective talent creates a competitive advantage.

So, when 20-plus employees attended the three-day RED (Rapid Engineering Design) Innovation Experience in Plano, Texas, partnerships immediately brewed creative solutions. Attendees not only learned how to define problems, ideate on solutions and build prototypes, but also experienced Yum! Brands' people-first culture of collaboration.

"Yum! Brands is an industry leader in innovation, and bringing thought leaders and problem solvers from each of our brands together in our new RED Innovation Labs helps us move quickly to unlock disruptive technologies for our restaurants," said Lawrence Kim, Yum! chief innovation officer. "The collaboration from these teams across brands truly turbocharges the innovation process."

Opened earlier this year, the RED Innovation Labs are uniquely designed to harness the creativity and engineering talent from the brands. "The labs were built to provide a one-stop shop for innovation at Yum!, where you can ideate and prototype on site with 3D printers and other tools at our state-of-the-art facility," said Matt Rosenthal, Innovation Labs director.

The labs served as the perfect setting for cross-brand collaboration. Here's what some participants had to say about their experience:

"I've met a lot of new people from across the brands, and those connections are so valuable to continue cross-brand collaboration. From observing the process, some of their observations have given us a fresh direction because of their outside perspective." - Aaron Hedi, KFC operations manager

"At the end of the day, we all work for Yum! Brands, and we all love the food industry. It was great learning about the other brands to get a sense of their opportunities and challenges and realizing that we have a lot of opportunities and challenges in common." - Shelby Stanfield, Pizza Hut associate engineering manager

"Collaboration is key. Having dedicated time to come together with other teams across brands, it's truly necessary for our continued success." - Varsha Baheti, Taco Bell associate manager of Restaurant Excellence

Image provided by Yum! Brands.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Yum! Brands on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Yum! Brands

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/yum-brands

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Yum! Brands

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/804268/yum-brands-employees-know-that-collaboration-is-a-key-to-innovation
HIGHLIGHTS

Option to be granted to Colossus Resources Corp. ("Colossus") (TSXV: CLUS) to purchase Austral's Chilean Calvario and Mirador copper projects, previously acquired through the takeover of Revelo Resources Corp in 2021 [1] .

Consideration comprised mainly of (i) a US$2.5 million work commitment over a two-year period, (ii) 19.99% shareholding in Colossus (non-diluted basis), (iii) one million Colossus warrants at an exercise price of C$0.50 and anti-dilution rights up to Colossus raising US$3.8 million.

Additional payment of two million Colossus common shares if Colossus prepares a pre-feasibility study.

Colossus to complete an equity financing for proceeds of not less than US$1.5M within 90 days after the date of the Agreement and any required regulatory approval.

Austral would become the largest shareholder of Colossus.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Established gold producer Austral Gold Limited (ASX: AGD) (TSXV: AGLD) (OTCQB: AGLDF) ("Austral" or the "Company") and Colossus Resources ("Colossus") (TSXV: CLUS) signed a definitive agreement ("Agreement") to grant Colossus an option to purchase Austral's Chilean Calvario and Mirador copper projects (collectively, the "Projects"). The Agreement follows the initial media release on 5 April 2023, which provided exclusivity to Colossus through a Letter of Intent ("LOI") and the payment of US$100,000.

The Projects are early-stage copper exploration projects located approximately 80 km northeast of the coastal city of La Serena in the Coquimbo Region of central-northern Chile in South America, approximately 700 km from the Austral Group's Guanaco-Amancaya mine complex.

Grant of the Option is subject to conditions, including, the necessary approval of the transaction by the regulatory authorities, and certain undertakings from Colossus, including the requirement that Colossus complete an equity financing in which it raises at least US$1.5M within 90 days after the date of the Agreement.

Austral Gold's Chief Executive Officer, Stabro Kasaneva said: "Further to the letter of intent signed earlier this year, Austral is pleased to execute a definitive agreement with Colossus. The agreement offers potential upside for the Company, enabling Austral to focus on its core gold assets across production and exploration, while still sharing in the potential success of the Calvario-Mirador copper projects in Chile as the largest shareholder of Colossus."

Highlights Of Consideration:

WORK COMMITMENT: US$2.5 million in exploration expenditures on the Calvario and Mirador projects (Projects) over a period of two years, of which at least US$1.5 million must be incurred in the first 18 months, inclusive of the US$100,000 payment made to the Austral Group for exclusivity through the LOI in April 2023.

SHARES: Issuance of Colossus shares equivalent to 19.99% shareholding in Colossus on a non-diluted basis. If the Austral Group intends to exercise warrants that would provide it an interest greater than 19.99%, Colossus shall use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain disinterested shareholder approval agrees to seek shareholder approval for the constitution of Austral as a 'control person' of Colossus.

WARRANTS: One million warrants, each exercisable for one ordinary share of Colossus at an exercise price of C$0.50 until the third anniversary of the date of the definitive agreement. The warrants can only be exercised to the extent Austral Group will not exceed voting power in Colossus of 19.99% unless and until Colossus obtains shareholder approval for the constitution of the Austral Group as a control person, and Colossus will agree to seek such approval.

CONTINGENT PAYMENT: If a pre-feasibility study is prepared in respect of the Projects, Colossus shall issue to Austral Group 2 million common shares of Colossus, provided that if as a result of such issuance the percentage interest of the Austral Group would exceed 19.99% Colossus will use reasonable commercial efforts to seek the approval for the constitution of the Austral Group as a control person and until such date, the parties shall defer a portion of the share issuance such that they maintain the Austral Group's percentage interest in Colossus at or below 19.99%.

ANTI-DILUTION RIGHTS AND PARTICIPATION RIGHTS: Colossus will grant to the Austral Group an anti-dilution right so that Austral Group's interest in Colossus remains at 19.99% through the raising of US$3.8 million, inclusive of the US$2.5 million exploration expenditures on the Projects mentioned above, as well as pre-emptive rights to participate, pro rata, in future financings of Colossus until the third anniversary of the closing date.

BOARD REPRESENTATION AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: Austral is to have the right to appoint one person to the Colossus Board for as long as it holds at least ten percent (10%) of Colossus's outstanding shares. Austral is also to have the right to appoint 2 out of 4 members of Colossus's Technical Committee.

ROYALTIES: Austral is to retain its option to purchase half of the existing net smelter return royalties over base and precious metals in respect of the Calvario and Mirador projects.

About Colossus Resources Corp.

Colossus Resources is a relatively young junior mineral exploration company focused on maximising shareholder value through the acquisition, discovery and advancement of high-quality copper - gold projects in the Americas.

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.

Release approved by the Chief Executive Officer of Austral Gold, Stabro Kasaneva.

For more information, please contact:

Jose Bordogna

Chief Financial Officer

Phone: +61 466 892 307

jose.bordogna@australgold.com

Gareth Quinn

Media and Investor Relations

Phone +61 417 711 108

gareth@republicpr.com.au

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical, and consist primarily of projections - statements regarding future plans, expectations and developments. Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", "potential", "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar import tend to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include option to be granted to Colossus, the related consideration, Austral would become the largest shareholder of Colossus, the parties ability to obtain approval from the regulatory authorities and the agreement offers potential upside for the Company and the share in the potential success of the Calvario-Mirador copper projects in Chile.

All of these forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied, including, without limitation, uncertainty of exploration programs, development plans and cost estimates, commodity price fluctuations; political or economic instability and regulatory changes; currency fluctuations, the state of the capital markets especially in light of the effects of the novel coronavirus, uncertainty in the measurement of mineral resources and reserves and other risks and hazards related to the exploration of a mineral property, and the availability of capital. You are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Austral cannot assure you that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and management's assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Austral's forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and Austral does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

About Austral Gold

Austral Gold is a growing gold and silver mining producer building a portfolio of quality assets in the Americas. Austral continues to lay the foundation for its growth strategy by advancing its attractive portfolio of producing and exploration assets.

OPERATIONS

Guanaco and Amancaya mines, Antofagasta Province, Chile (100% interest)

Open pit and underground.

Casposo/Manantiales Mine Complex, San Juan Province, Argentina (100% interest)

Gold and silver mine currently in care and maintenance. Strategy is to restart profitable mining operations.

EXPLORATION

CHILE ARGENTINA Paleocene Belt, Chile

Guanaco District

Amancaya District

Las Pampa District Triassic Choiyoi Belt

Indio Belt

Deseado Massif

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

Unico Silver Limited, an ASX listed company

Rawhide Mine, private vehicle, Fallon, Nevada, USA

Ensign Minerals Inc., private vehicle, Utah, USA

Pampa Metals Corp, a CSE listed company

[1] Refer to Media Release dated 4 February 2021: Austral Completes Acquisition of Revelo Resources

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187658
Writer will unite with leading global innovators and visionaries dedicated to shaping the ethical, responsible adoption of AI worldwide

Writer, the leading full-stack generative AI platform for enterprises, announced its membership to the World Economic Forum's (WEF) Unicorn Community and participation in the 2024 World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting in Davos. With a membership to the Forum's Unicorn Community, Writer is joining the world's highest-valued startups and world leaders responsible for production innovation with a mission to improve society through AI.

Each year, the World Economic Forum hosts its annual meeting in Davos, Switzerland, with the 2024 attendees converging under the theme of "Building Trust." In alignment with Writer's mission to transform work with human-first AI, the theme and gathering intend to provide the crucial space to step back and focus on the fundamental principles driving trust, including transparency, consistency, and accountability.

"Being recognized by WEF and joining the Davos community as a member is a great honor," said May Habib, CEO and co-founder of Writer. "We look forward to engaging with participants from different sectors and contributing knowledge on how to bring generative AI to bear to address global problems, such as responsible applications of AI. We are confident we will leave Davos aligned in our mission to make a positive global impact with our respective technologies."

Unlike other generative AI solutions, the Writer full-stack platform was built for the enterprise from the start, enabling its customers to embed generative AI seamlessly into their business processes. The platform includes Writer-built LLMs, a Knowledge Graph to integrate with business data sources, and an application layer of chat interfaces, prebuilt templates and enterprise-grade security. The company's growing list of enterprise customers includes Vanguard, Intuit, L'Oreal, Accenture, Spotify, and Uber.

"We are pleased to welcome Writer to our 2024 cohort of the Unicorn Community," said Verena Kuhn, Head of Innovator Communities at the World Economic Forum. "Including new, innovative voices is essential in our work at the Forum. We look forward to May's contributions and perspectives on data security and regulatory compliance in our recently launched Artificial Intelligence Governance Alliance."

Habib attended the AI Governance Summit in San Francisco on November 13-15 and will attend the WEF 2024 Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland, from January 15-19, 2024, to participate in the AI and Machine Learning platform programming.

About Writer

Writer is the full-stack generative AI platform for enterprises. We empower your entire organization support, operations, sales, HR, marketing, and more to accelerate growth, increase productivity, and ensure compliance.

Writer transforms work by delivering high-quality outputs that are accurate, compliant, and on-brand. Palmyra, our family of transparent and auditable LLMs, is top-scoring on benchmarks like Stanford HELM and PubMedQA, faster and more cost-effective than larger models, and fine-tuned for specific industries. Our platform consists of our Writer-built LLMs, a Knowledge Graph that connects our models to your internal data sources, AI guardrails to enforce your rules, and a flexible application layer of chat interfaces, templates, and composable UI options that serves a wide range of use cases. Our robust APIs and integrations put generative AI in all the places your people work.

Our enterprise-grade platform doesn't use your data in model training and complies with SOC 2 Type II, HIPAA, PCI, GDPR, and Privacy Shield. We offer flexible deployment options, including Writer-managed and customer-managed. Leading enterprises choose Writer, including Vanguard, Intuit, L'Oreal, Accenture, Spotify, and Uber. Visit us at writer.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116576206/en/

Contacts:

writer@aircoverpr.com
The digital transformation market is expected to witness notable growth owing to increase in use of digital experience platforms (dxps) to enhance the customer experience, growth in usage of mobile devices and apps and rise in adoption of industrial robots

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Digital Transformation Market by Component (Solution, and Service), Deployment Mode (On-premise, and Cloud), Enterprise Size (Large Enterprises, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Technology (Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Big Data, and Business Analytics, Cybersecurity, and Others), and Industry Vertical (BFSI, Retail and E-Commerce, IT and Telecom, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Government and Defense, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032". According to the report, the Digital transformation indsustry generated $721.6 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $6.8 trillion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 25.4% from 2023 to 2032.

Prime determinants of growth

The digital transformation market is expected to witness notable growth owing to increase in use of digital experience platforms (dxps) to enhance the customer experience, growth in usage of mobile devices and apps and rise in adoption of industrial robots. Moreover, increase in adoption of industry 4.0 technology is expected to provide lucrative opportunity for the growth of the market during the forecast period. On the contrary, data privacy and security concerns associated with digital technologies and high usage of digital transformation in healthcare sector limit the growth of the digital transformation market.

Download Sample Pages: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/4418

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $721.6 Billion Market Size in 2032 $6.8 Trillion CAGR 25.4 % No. of Pages in Report 450 Segments Covered Component, deployment mode, enterprise size, technology, industry vertical and region. Drivers Increase in use of digital experience platforms (dxps) to enhance the customer experience Growth in usage of mobile devices Rise in adoption of industrial robots Opportunities High usage of digital transformation in the healthcare sector Increase in adoption of industry 4.0 technology Restraints Data privacy and security concerns associated with digital technologies

Covid-19 Scenario

The digital transformation market witnessed stable growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, owing to the dramatically increased dependence on digital devices. The surge in online presence of people during the period of COVID-19-induced lockdowns and social distancing policies fueled the need for digital transformation solutions.

In addition, with the majority of the population confined in homes during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses needed to optimize their business operations and offerings to maximize their revenue opportunities while optimizing their operations to support the rapidly evolving business environment, post the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buy this Complete Report (450 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) at:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/digital-transformation-market/purchase-options

The solution segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

On the basis of component, the solution segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the digital transformation market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to the high level of security and cost efficiency provided by the digital transformation solutions. However, the service segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 23.4% from 2023 to 2032, as businesses intending to implement digital transformation services find benefits, such as scalability, flexibility, and lower infrastructure costs, compelling.

The on-premise segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of deployment mode, the on-premise segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing for more than half of the digital transformation market revenue, owing to growth in the usage of on-premise deployment solutions in several industries. However, the cloud segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 26.8% from 2023 to 2032 and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. It provides several advantages such as reducing costs, supporting business, and effectively controlling the business environment in the organization.

The large enterprises segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

On the basis of enterprise size, the large enterprises segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-thirds of the digital transformation market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, the adoption of digital transformation tools has become an integral part of these users to sustain in the competitive market. However, the small and medium-sized enterprises segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 27.8% from 2023 to 2032. The growth in penetration of digital services in these enterprises is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the market.

The big data and business analytics segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of technology, the big data and business analytics segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than one-fourth of the digital transformation market revenue, owing to growth in the usage of big data and business analytics solutions in several industries. However, the blockchain segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 29.6% from 2023 to 2032. The rise in penetration of blockchain solutions in multiple applications is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the market.

The IT and telecom segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of industry vertical, the IT and telecom segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than one-third of the digital transformation market revenue, owing to the development digital technologies in IT and telecom sector. However, the healthcare and life science segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 29.3% from 2023 to 2032. The surge in implementation of automation trends and increase in utilization of robotics technology in this sector is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the market.

North America region to maintain its dominance by 2032

On the basis of region, the North America segment held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the digital transformation market revenue. The increase in the usage of digital transformation solutions in businesses to improve businesses and the customer experience is anticipated to propel the growth of the market in this region. However, the Asia-Pacific segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 26.8% from 2023 to 2032. Countries such as China, India, and South Korea are at the forefront, embracing digital technologies to enhance their effectiveness and competitiveness, further expected to contribute to the growth of the market in this region.

Key Recent Developments

In February 2023, Cisco launched simplified dashboards to converge OT and IT operations, flexible network intelligence to view and protect all industrial assets, and new cloud management tools for industrial IoT applications. OpenTelemetry is the industry standard and open-source framework that partners, customers, and service providers rely on to collect, generate, process, and export distributed and cloud-native telemetry data. Cisco ThousandEyes is compatible with OpenTelemetry

In January 2023, Alibaba Cloud unveiled its first international partner management and innovation center to better facilitate and further enhance customer services and the digitalization journey. The new product innovation center is expected to manage product upgrades as per the current customer demands globally and facilitate future roadmaps for the development of more market-specific solutions.

Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/4418

Leading Market Players: -

Accenture Plc

Adobe Systems Inc

Cognizant

Google Inc.

HCL Technologies Limited

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP

IBM Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Oracle Corporation

SAP SE

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the digital transformation 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 countries. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/digital-transformation-market-to-reach-6-8-trillion-by-2032-at-25-4-cagr-allied-market-research-301990237.html
Modular steel structure enables rapid restoration of damaged crossing on critical route

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 16, 2023, a leading international bridge engineering and supply company, has announced one of its modular steel bridges has been installed as a long-term detour solution to maintaining traffic flow during a bridge renovation project in a suburb of the Italian city of Vicenza. Prior to the opening of the Acrow 700XS bridge, motorists had been required to detour 12-15 kilometers around the site.



The Ponte di Debba, a historic cast iron structure, was built in 1885 and carries traffic over the Bacchiglione River in the village of Debba. At inspection in the summer of 2022, the bridge was found to have structural problems and was immediately closed to motor vehicles. In addition to the unreasonable length of the detour required, the route closure created other important concerns including reducing the increased volume of detoured traffic entering Vicenza; preserving access to the A4 motorway toll gate; and maintaining local traffic, including emergency responders. For these reasons, the Municipality of Vicenza, owner of the structure, opted to install an Acrow panel bridge to restore the route safely and reliably during the complete rehabilitation of the old structure.

The single-lane structure has a length of 30.48 meters and a roadway width of 3.67 meters. It has an epoxy aggregate deck surface and a design load of 44 metric tonnes as per the Eurocode/Italian Standard. The Acrow components arrived at the site on July 10, 2023, and installation activities commenced three days later. The fully decked bridge was launched with a 70 metric tonne crane on July 17, and after testing and installation of traffic lights and signage, the bridge was commissioned and opened to traffic on August 2. Acrow provided technical assistance during the assembly and supported live load testing activities prior to the bridge commissioning.

Despite the speed and success of the installation, undertaken by project contractor Carraro Impresa, the project posed numerous complexities. The assembly area was extremely tight and situated between the main roadway, a bank of the river, and a protected pedestrian path, which was required to remain open during the installation. The site also contained high-voltage utility wires which needed to be avoided. Because of the heavy traffic on the adjacent roadway, it could not be closed, resulting in the completion of temporary works to increase the rigging area for the crane being limited to a single weekend.

Preliminary feasibility studies including digital renderings to support the project planning process were provided by Acrow to illustrate placement of the temporary modular bridge near to the existing one. The Acrow bridge will remain in place for the duration of the project to rehabilitate the old structure, at which point it will be dismantled by Carraro Impresa and stored for future use.

"This was a challenging project, but very rewarding," said Acrow Italy's Business Development and Project Manager, Marco Mazzucato. "Acrow's durable modular steel solution was able to restore the crossing, minimizing longtime inconvenience to local and regional travelers. For the duration of the rehabilitation project, Acrow's 700XS modular steel bridge will provide safe and reliable service with minimal requirements."

"Acrow has a long history of engineering and providing innovative solutions to rapidly restore damaged or destroyed bridge infrastructure," added Paul Sullivan, President - International Business at Acrow. "Our bridges are designed and manufactured with high-strength galvanized U.S. steel for a service life of 75-100 years, but are also an ideal solution for emergency and temporary detour applications."

About Acrow

Acrow has been serving the transportation and construction industries for more than 70 years with a wide range of modular steel bridging solutions for permanent, temporary, military and emergency use. Acrow's extensive international presence includes leadership in the development and implementation of bridge infrastructure projects in over 150 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.acrow.com.

Media contact:

Tracy Van Buskirk

Marketcom PR

Main:

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2490f6d2-53bb-47a7-b724-934be1c261de
The charitable foundation, committed to supporting schools, will acquire a World Mobile Portal AirNode package for its community-owned wireless network, enabling partnerships with local entities to expand networks and contribute to community development

World Mobile, a global mobile network combining decentralized infrastructure with blockchain technology, has joined forces with MAV100a charitable foundation dedicated to providing technical and financial support to help schools run their own telecommunications and virtual networks. By joining World Mobile's Partner Programme, the partnership works to help MAV100 build a community-owned mobile network to deliver connectivity to Chelan County in rural Washington.

The significant gaps in telecommunications infrastructure faced by remote or underprivileged communities present a daunting challenge to connectivity and development. In these areas, the limitations of centralized telecommunications systems become notably pronounced, exacerbating the existing digital divide. With inadequate infrastructure, individuals and communities typically struggle to access essential services, education, and economic opportunities. The lack of robust connectivity obstructs progress, perpetuating disparities between regions with well-established networks and those contending with connectivity gaps.

MAV100 responds to these challenges by introducing decentralized solutions to empower students and establish school-run telecommunications and virtual networks. The initiative redirects revenue generated by the nodes to educational programs, offering training in telecommunications and blockchain governance. Actively engaging communities and local businesses through Community Cooperative Membership NFTs, MAV100 instills a sense of ownership and participation in decentralized networks, envisioning a global social contract.

The World Mobile Partner Programme enables entrepreneurs and businesses to expand their proprietary network and sharing economy by providing access to decentralized wireless network infrastructure, industry-accredited training, logistical support, and guidance on operations.

MAV100 plans to purchase and donate AirNodes from World Mobile in collaboration with Associated Student Body Clubs, using proceeds to expand the network. The initiative aims to fundraise by encouraging community members to subscribe to World Mobile initially, eventually providing robust telecommunications services to the community through AirNodes.

AirNodes are radio devices providing user access to World Mobile's network, fostering community connection and revenue generation based on network usage. Recently, World Mobile expanded its decentralized wireless network by securing licensed spectrum across the U.S. and launching its services in rural Oregon earlier this year. Operating on CBRS spectrum bands, AirNodes offer high-speed, long-range connectivity, and extended coverage in both rural and urban areas, bringing the sharing economy to telecoms.

"We are thrilled to welcome MAV100 to the World Mobile Partner Programme," said Micky Watkins, CEO of World Mobile. "They share our vision of connecting everyone, everywhere while advocating for economic freedom and dignity. By joining our network, they will be able to provide mobile connectivity to rural areas that are underserved by traditional mobile operators, and empower their communities with the benefits of the digital economy."

"We are excited to join the World Mobile Partner Program and leverage their innovative technology and expertise," affirms Cameron Smith, founder of MAV100. "We believe that mobile connectivity is a basic human right, and that education is the key to unlocking the potential of the next generation. By joining the World Mobile network, we will be able to help schools in rural Washington state to access the internet, and to create their own community-owned mobile networks that can generate revenue and social impact."

About World Mobile Group:

World Mobile Group is on a mission to connect everyone, everywhere. With nearly four billion people left offline, digital exclusion is a significant problem. Unlike traditional mobile networks, World Mobile Group is run by the people for the people, so anyone can connect their community to the Internet and share the rewards. In partnership with IOG, World Mobile Group is creating a more sustainable future for all.

For more information visit: https://worldmobile.io/

About MAV100:

MAV100 is a visionary initiative aimed at realizing a decentralized future through the integration of Cardano blockchain solutions into communities, starting with students. The mission encompasses building a Community Cooperative Telecommunications Network (CCTN) and empowering individuals with the tools to become catalysts for positive change.

For more information visit: https://mav100.org/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116220992/en/

Contacts:

Media contact:

Alona Stein

ReBlonde for World Mobile

alona@reblonde.com
With over 10,000 companies worldwide offering Open English Business to its employees, this proven learning solution will help boost English-language proficiency in Vietnam's workforce

MIAMI, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Open English, a global leader in live online English classes, today announced the launch of its corporate customized learning solution, Open English Business, in Vietnam. With an emphasis on helping companies build efficient learning plans for their teams, Open English Business comes at a time when the Vietnamese workforce is abundant, but limited in skills proficiency*. Currently, only five percent of the total Vietnamese workforce is proficient in English. This rate is quite low compared to other non-English speaking countries in the region, threatening the loss of foreign investors in Vietnam's labor market despite the country's young and robust workforce*.

"In today's global economy, foreign language skills are an absolute necessity in nearly all professions, with English being one of the most sought after," commented Andres Moreno, founder, chairman and CEO of Open English. "Not only can Open English Business help Vietnamese companies offer crucial bilingual skills to their employees, it'll give them the competitive edge they need to boost their international growth."

Vietnam was a logical expansion choice for Open English Business due to employee needs related to English learning for work. According to a study conducted by Vietnamese market research company Q&Me, the top motivations for learning English in Vietnam are related to business, with 60% of respondents saying it was to obtain a good job and 49% saying that it's a requirement of their current job. Furthermore, a research study published by the English Language Teaching Educational Journal indicated that nearly 82% of respondents were motivated to learn English for business-related reasons, including negotiating for work, seeking a new job or meeting workplace qualifications.

Through Open English Business, Vietnamese company employees can become fluent in English through unlimited live classes with expert native teachers, interactive lessons, practice activities and more. To ensure that their English-learning studies begin at the appropriate level, company employees enrolled in the Open English Business program first need to take a placement test. Then, HR professionals at the company can monitor employee progress through a designated portal. To integrate the program seamlessly, Open English serves as an ally every step of the way, promising an increase in efficiency among employees who develop this new skill.

To learn more about Open English, please visit https://investors.openenglish.com/. For more details on Open English Business, visit https://www.openenglish.com/para-empresas/.

About Open English

Open English is a leading English-learning platform in the Latin American and U.S. Hispanic markets, providing live, online instruction to over 2 million enrolled students to date. The company is disrupting the brick-and-mortar language-learning market with a proprietary technology platform that offers unlimited, 24/7 access to live classes with native-speaking teachers. Open Education, Open English's parent company, offers customized learning solutions for businesses (Open English for Business), children (Open English Junior), and digital skills development (NextU). Open English has also expanded its business with Open Mundo, a new online language learning platform that offers French, Italian, Spanish and Portuguese live classes. The company is headquartered in Miami, FL with offices in Mexico City, Bogota, Buenos Aires, Istanbul, Bangalore and Sao Paulo. To learn more about Open English, visit OpenEnglish.com.

*Total Workforce Index Vietnam 2022," Manpower, 2022

Contact Information

Thais Oliveira

VP, Brand Marketing

press@openenglish.com

SOURCE: Open Education

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/803854/open-english-a-global-leader-in-english-learning-launches-open-english-business-in-vietnam
ProAmpac, a leader in flexible packaging and material science, is proud to announce its achievement in the prestigious GRADAIM Gno na hEireann awards in recognition of the outstanding commitment to promoting and supporting the Irish language in business operations. ProAmpac was honored with the following medals:

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116012679/en/

The following ProAmpac employees were there to accept these awards: Eoghan Gallachoir, Brid Nic Suibhne, Roisin Ni Cholla, and Tara Ni Higin. (Photo: Business Wire)

Signage: Gold Medal

Marketing and Branding: Silver Medal

Service in Irish: Gold Medal

The GRADAIM awards, developed by Glor na nGael, are a national recognition scheme designed to celebrate businesses that actively promote and utilize the Irish language in their signage, marketing, branding, and services. ProAmpac is among the distinguished businesses that have embraced the Irish language, contributing to the preservation and rejuvenation of this rich cultural heritage.

"We are honored to receive the GRADAIM awards, which reflect our commitment to promoting the Irish language in our business. We believe that embracing our cultural heritage enriches our business and strengthens our connection with our customers and community," said John McDermott, operations director for ProAmpac's Donegal, Ireland, facility.

The awards ceremony occurred on Wednesday, 15th November, in Croke Park Stadium in Dublin, where the renowned television personality Mary Kennedy presented the awards. The following ProAmpac employees were there to accept these awards: Eoghan Gallachoir, Brid Nic Suibhne, Roisin Ni Cholla, and Tara Ni Higin.

ProAmpac is a leading packaging supplier in Ireland with four facilities employing approximately 360 people. Its Irish facilities are a global hub for sustainable packaging innovation, fostering collaboration on cutting-edge solutions. ProAmpac has a 24-year track record of delivering sustainable fiber and film-based packaging for various food and pet products. To learn more about ProAmpac's efforts to collaborate with the communities in which we work, please visit our website at ProAmpac.com/ESG to review our annual ESG report or contact Marketing@ProAmpac.com.

About ProAmpac

ProAmpac is a leading global flexible packaging company with a comprehensive product offering. We provide creative packaging solutions, industry-leading customer service and award-winning innovation to a diverse global marketplace. ProAmpac's approach to sustainability ProActive Sustainability -- provides innovative sustainable flexible packaging products to help our customers achieve their sustainability goals. We are guided in our work by five core values that are the basis for our success: Integrity, Intensity, Innovation, Involvement and Impact. Cincinnati-based ProAmpac is owned by Pritzker Private Capital along with management and co-investors. For more information, visit ProAmpac.com or contact Media@ProAmpac.com

About Pritzker Private Capital

Pritzker Private Capital partners with middle-market companies based in North America with leading positions in the manufactured products and services sectors. The firm's differentiated, long duration capital base allows for efficient decision-making, broad flexibility with transaction structure and investment horizon, and alignment with all stakeholders. Pritzker Private Capital builds businesses for the long term and is an ideal partner for entrepreneur- and family-owned companies. Pritzker Private Capital is a signatory to the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI). For more information, visit PPCPartners.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116012679/en/

Contacts:

Whitney Montesanto Miles

ProAmpac

(617) 721-7040

Whitney.Montesanto@ProAmpac.com
The "Global Delivery Robots Market Size By Number of Wheels, By Speed Limit, By End-User Industry, By Component, By Load Carrying Capacity, By Geographic Scope And Forecast" report has been published by Verified Market Research. The report provides an in-depth analysis of the global Delivery Robots Market, including its growth prospects, market trends, and market challenges.

JERSEY CITY, N.J., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Delivery Robots Market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 35.48% from 2021 to 2028, according to a new report published by Verified Market Research. The report reveals that the market was valued at USD 198.17 Million in 2020 and is expected to reach USD 2946.67 Million by the end of the forecast period.



Download PDF Brochure: https://www.verifiedmarketresearch.com/download-sample?rid=144877

Browse in-depth TOC on "Delivery Robots Market"

202 - Pages

126 - Tables

37 - Figures

Revolutionizing Last-Mile Deliveries: Global Delivery Robots Market on the Rise

Starship Technologies, headquartered in San Francisco with engineering facilities spanning Estonia and Finland, stands at the forefront of the burgeoning Global Delivery Robots Market. As of August 19, 2020, the company boasts the coveted position of being the largest "last mile" delivery robot provider, spearheading innovations that are reshaping the logistics landscape.

Innovative Features Redefining Last-Mile Deliveries

Starship's delivery robots, with a cargo capacity of 9kg and a maximum speed of 4 mph, are engineered to transcend traditional delivery constraints. Weighing approximately 25kg, these robots, priced at over $5,000 to manufacture, incorporate cutting-edge features such as 10 cameras for 360-degree vision, ultrasonic sensors, GPS navigation, gyroscopes, and more. Bridging the gap between autonomous cars and conventional delivery methods, Starship Technologies is revolutionizing the last mile.

Delivery Robots Market Drivers and Strategic Investments

The Global Delivery Robots Market is experiencing robust growth, driven by a strategic reduction in last-mile delivery costs and the promise of punctual deliveries with zero human travel. Continuous investments in research and development are propelling innovation, with major market players launching new and upgraded robots to meet escalating consumer demands.

Recent notable investments, such as the USD 17 Million raised by Starship Technologies in 2021 from TDK Ventures and Good Year Ventures, underscore the market's potential. These funds are earmarked to upscale operations and further solidify the company's position as a trailblazer in autonomous last-mile deliveries.

Pandemic-Driven Surge and Legal Implications

The global pandemic has not only accelerated the adoption of delivery robots but also reshaped their applications. Deployed in hospitals, airports, and corporate campuses, these robots are ensuring contactless deliveries, a critical need in our current environment. Legal frameworks governing shared access to pedestrian areas highlight the responsibility of manufacturers for any damage caused by technological shortcomings.

APAC Leads The Delivery Robots Market

The Asia-Pacific (APAC) region, with a particular focus on China, is poised for significant growth in the Delivery Robots Market. The rise in the aging population and the increasing appeal of delivery robots in the retail industry position China as a pivotal contributor to the market's expansion.

Delivery Robots Market Key Players and Competitive Landscape

The "Global Delivery Robots Market" study identifies key players such as Effidence, Ottonomy Inc., Postmates, Segway Robotics, Robby Technologies, Amazon Robotics, Nuro, Box Bot, Inc., Teleretail GmbH, and the market leader, Starship Technologies. The competitive landscape section offers critical insights into key development strategies, market share, and market ranking analysis of these industry titans on a global scale.

In an era defined by technological advancements and a growing demand for efficiency, the Global Delivery Robots Market promises to be a transformative force, with Starship Technologies leading the charge towards a future where the last mile is conquered with precision and innovation.

To get market data, market insights, financial statements and a comprehensive analysis of the Global Delivery Robots Market, please Contact Verified Market Research.

Based on the research, Verified Market Research has segmented the global Delivery Robots Market into Number of Wheels, Speed Limit, End-User Industry, Component, Load Carrying Capacity, And Geography.

Delivery Robots Market, by Number of Wheels 3 Wheels 4 Wheels 6 Wheels

Delivery Robots Market, by Speed Limit 3 KPH Higher than 3 KPH up to 6 KPH Higher than 6 KPH

Delivery Robots Market, by End User Industry Food & Beverages Retail Healthcare Postal Others

Delivery Robots Market, by Component Hardware Software

Delivery Robots Market, by Load Carrying Capacity Up to 10 KG More than 10 kg - Up to 50 KG More than 50.00 KG

Delivery Robots 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



Browse Related Reports:

Delivery Drones Market By Type (Fixed Wing, Hybrid VTOL), By Payload Capacity (Less Than 2 kg, 2-5 kg), By End-User (Healthcare, Retailers And E-commerce), By Geography, And Forecast

Drone Package Delivery Market By Type (Fixed-Wings, Multirotor), By Package Size (<2KG, 2-5 KG), By End User (Medical and Healthcare, Retails), By Geography, And Forecast

First And Last Mile Delivery Market By Vehicle Type (Light Duty Vehicle, Medium Duty Vehicle, Heavy Duty Vehicle), By Cargo Type (Dry Goods, Postal, Liquid Goods), By End-Use (Chemical, Pharmaceutical and Healthcare, FMCG), By Geography, And Forecast

Top Warehouse Robotics Companies accelerating efficiency of stockroom operations

Visualize Delivery Robots Market using Verified Market Intelligence -:

Verified Market Intelligence is our BI Enabled Platform for narrative storytelling in this market. VMI offers in-depth forecasted trends and accurate Insights on over 20,000+ emerging & niche markets, helping you make critical revenue-impacting decisions for a brilliant future.

VMI provides a holistic overview and global competitive landscape with respect to Region, Country, Segment, and Key players of your market. Present your Market Report & findings with an inbuilt presentation feature saving over 70% of your time and resources for Investor, Sales & Marketing, R&D, and Product Development pitches. VMI enables data delivery In Excel and Interactive PDF formats with over 15+ Key Market Indicators for your market.

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Our 250 Analysts and SMEs offer a high level of expertise in data collection and governance use industrial techniques to collect and analyze data on more than 15,000 high impact and niche markets. Our analysts are trained to combine modern data collection techniques, superior research methodology, expertise and years of collective experience to produce informative and accurate research.

We study 14+ categories from Semiconductors & Electronics, Chemicals, Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Energy & Power, Healthcare, Pharmaceuticals, Automotive & Transportation, Information & Communication Technology, Software & Services, Information Security, Mining, Minerals & Metals, Building & Construction, Agriculture industry and Medical Devices from over 100 countries.

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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/delivery-robots-market-size-worth--2946-67-million-globally-by-2028-at-35-48-cagr-verified-market-research-301990777.html
LambdaTest hosted LambdaTest Velocity Tour, a series of in-person networking events on adopting GenAI for quality software releases, in collaboration with Microsoft, curated for the software testing community

San Francisco , Nov. 16, 2023, a leading cloud-based unified testing platform, successfully wrapped the LambdaTest Velocity Tour Indiaedition. These global networking events were hosted in collaboration with Microsoft with the theme 'Adopting GenAI for Quality Software Releases'. The event served as a platform for interactions and cooperation among top technology executives and quality assurance (QA) leaders, representing a range of cities such as Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai, and Bengaluru with a primary focus on the impact of Gen-AI on Quality Engineering and recent trends in the QA industry. The same events were held in the Microsoft offices globally in Dallas, Dubai, Doha, and Melbourne. Munich and the South-East Asia region will host the next round of events in October and November.

This initiative aims to provide a platform for QA professionals and leaders to connect, collaborate, discuss processes, share challenges, and exchange insights within the testing domain.

"Software testing teams are the silent heroes behind an exceptional customer experience and our commitment is to elevate their influence in shaping our product roadmap," said Mohit Juneja, VP of Strategic Sales and Partnerships at LambdaTest "Through the LambdaTest Velocity Tour, we are fostering a global network of QA leaders, uniting their voices and ideas to drive excellence in software quality."

At these exclusive networking events, technology leaders took part in significant dialogues and beneficial networking opportunities. The LambdaTest Velocity Tour underlines LambdaTest's commitment to amplifying the role of software testing teams in influencing the product roadmap. This event provides a platform for QA leaders to foster a global network, exchange ideas, and promote excellence in software quality.

Many traditional and repetitive testing workflows can now be performed without having to write any code, thanks to automation, data modeling, and generative AI. What does the future hold for Quality Engineering? What new developer skills are required with future developments? QA influencers and leaders from all over pitched their insights and had a unique opportunity for an open discussion with the leaders at LambdaTest and Microsoft, who drove this initiative.

"LambdaTest Velocity Tour is designed to empower technology professionals and enhance their software testing skills. Together, we provided a platform for customers and attendees to connect, collaborate, and gain valuable insights to drive excellence in the industry," said Mithun Sundar, Chief Partner Officer & Executive Director - Global Partner Solutions, Microsoft India.

The LambdaTest Velocity Tour acts as a catalyst, fostering the exchange of information and collaborative discussions. This initiative empowers testing professionals to not only enhance software quality but also expedite release cycles, ultimately leading to the delivery of exceptional customer experiences. We are excited about what lies ahead, as well as the influence this endeavor will have on the testing community.

For more information on LambdaTest's Velocity Tour, please visit https://www.lambdatest.com/velocity-tour/

About LambdaTest

LambdaTestis an intelligent and omnichannel enterprise execution environment that helps businesses drastically reduce time to market through Just in Time Test OrchestrationCloud allows users to run both manual and automated tests of web and mobile apps across 3000+ different browsers, real devices, and operating system environments.



? HyperExecutehelps customers run and orchestrate test grids in the cloud for any framework and programming language at blazing-fast speeds to cut down on quality test time, helping developers build software faster.

For more information, please visit, https://lambdatest.com


Boom Supersonic has selected Latecoere to develop the complete electrical wiring interconnect system architecture of Overture, its supersonic commercial aircraft, as well as its Symphony engine

DENVER and TOULOUSE, France, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Boom Supersonic , the company building the world's fastest airliner, announced today it has selected tier-one aerospace leader Latecoere to join its growing network of global suppliers. As part of the agreement, Latecoere's engineering team in Toulouse, France will work with Boom engineers to define the complete electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) architecture, a key system for both Overture and Symphony.

The EWIS will comprise over 103 kilometers (64 miles) of wiring, requiring more than 45,000 electrical connections, guaranteeing optimal safety and system reliability for Overture and Symphony. Latecoere has proven expertise in complex aircraft development processes and methods, and Boom will leverage the company's industry leading harness architecture definition software stack.

"Among the major aerostructures and systems suppliers announced for Overture, Latecoere brings tremendous experience in developing and manufacturing certifiable EWIS and advanced aircraft technologies," said Kathy Savitt, president and Chief Business Officer of Boom Supersonic. "At Boom, we continue to bring together the world's leading suppliers on Overture and Symphony to make sustainable supersonic air travel a reality."

Greg Huttner, CEO of Latecoere: "Latecoere is proud to support Boom with unique EWIS design engineering capabilities, in the development of the world's fastest airliner. We are one of the founders of the aerospace industry and are determined to continue supporting the development of next generation flight with Boom."

Boom continues to progress toward production, lining-up many of its critical aerostructures and systems suppliers for both Overture and Symphony. At the Paris Air Show in June 2023, Boom also shared a comprehensive look at the systems configuration for Overture including avionics, flight controls, hydraulics, fuel systems and landing gear-all designed and developed for optimal performance, efficiency, and safety.

Symphony, the Boom-developed engine that will power Overture, continues to advance through design. Boom conducted the Conceptual Design Review (CoDR) engineering milestone for Symphony, which paves the way toward Symphony's first hardware rig tests planned for 2024.

About Boom Supersonic

Boom Supersonic is transforming air travel with Overture, the world's fastest airliner, optimized for speed, safety, and sustainability. Overture will fly at twice the speed of today's airliners and is optimized to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Overture's order book stands at 130 aircraft, including orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Boom is working with Northrop Grumman for government and defense applications of Overture. Suppliers and partners collaborating with Boom on the Overture program include Aernnova, Leonardo, Latecoere, Aciturri, Safran Landing Systems, Eaton, Collins Aerospace, and the United States Air Force.

Symphony is the propulsion system that will power Overture, a Boom-developed engine with world-class suppliers including Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), a business unit of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., GE Additive, and StandardAero. For more information, visit https://boomsupersonic.com

About Latecoere

Tier 1 to the world's leading OEMs (Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Honda Aircraft Company, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Thales), Latecoere serves aerospace with innovative solutions for a sustainable world. The Group operates in all segments of the aerospace industry - commercial, regional, business, defense and space - in two business areas:

Aerostructures (55% of sales): doors, fuselage, wings and empennage, struts & rods and customer services;

Interconnection Systems (45% of sales): wiring, avionic racks, onboard equipment, electronic systems and customer services.

As of December 31, 2022, the Group employed 5,918 people in 14 countries. Latecoere is listed on Euronext Paris - Compartment B, ISIN Code: FR001400JY13 - Reuters: AEP.PA - Bloomberg: AT.FP

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278715/Boom_Supersonic_Latecoere_partner.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1200803/4408789/Boom_Logo.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/boom-supersonic-and-latecoere-sign-strategic-supplier-agreement-for-overture-and-symphony-301990960.html
HBM Healthcare Investments AG / Key word(s): Monthly Figures

Key Figures 15.11.2023



16.11.2023 / 17:46 CET/CEST



in CHF Performance in % 15.11.2023 MTD FYTD CYTD NAV 225.51 -0.5 -8.6 -8.1 Share Price 166.80 5.3 -18.6 -13.3 Total Net Assets (in million) 1'563 HBM Healthcare Investments AG Bundesplatz 1 CH-6300 Zug - Switzerland Tel. +41 41 710 75 77 Fax +41 41 710 75 78 E-Mail: hbm@hbmhealthcare.com Web: www.hbmhealthcare.com Wenn Sie keine Mitteilungen von HBM Healthcare Investments mehr wunschen, konnen Sie diese hier a bbestellen . Should you wish to unsubscribe from all HBM Healthcare Investments news, please unsubscribe here. Disclaimer: This message may contain confidential or privileged Information and is intended only for the use of the addressee named above. If you are not the intended recipient of this message, you are hereby notified that you must not use, copy, disclose or take any action based on this message or information herein. If you have received this message by error, please advise the sender immediately and delete this message. The publication is for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy securities. Statements regarding the past performance may not be understood as indication for the current or future performance. The value of investments and the income therefrom may fluctuate. A good past performance may possibly not be repeated in the future. It is possible that the investor will not be paid back the full amount invested. Performance data does not take into account any commissions and costs charged when units of the Fund are issued and redeemed. An investment entails risks, which are fully described in the individual offering documents. Some information quoted was obtained from external sources HBM considers to be reliable. HBM cannot guarantee the adequacy, accuracy, timeliness or completeness of or be held responsible or liable for errors of fact regarding such data and information obtained from third parties, and this data may change with market conditions. 06/2023 If the email looks unformatted, please use this alternative link .



End of Media Release


5th patient with LCAT deficiency, also known as Norum disease, to be treated under Compassionate Access in Europe

Regulatory News:

ABIONYX Pharma, (FR0012616852 ABNX PEA PME eligible), a new generation biotech company dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative therapies based on the world's only recombinant human apoA-1, today provides an update on its activity, its revenue and its cash position for the 3rd quarter ended September 30, 2023.

The Company recorded consolidated revenue of 3,595 K for the first nine months of the year, after elimination of intra-group transactions. IRIS Pharma was the only company within the Group to generate revenue as of September 30, 2023, as the activity dedicated to the discovery and development of innovative therapies to improve the lives of patients did not generate any revenue over the first 9 months.

As of September 30, 2023, ABIONYX Pharma's cash position stood at 1.7 million. This cash position does not include the 3 million capital increase carried out by ABIONYX Pharma on October 6, 2023, or the reimbursement of IRIS Pharma's French Tax Credit (CIR) in the amount of 736 K, also in October 2023.

In September 2023, CER-001 vials were provided under compassionate access for a new patient in Italy with the rare kidney disease LCAT Deficiency which has no existing treatment. This is the fifth patient suffering from LCAT deficiency, also known as Norum disease, to be treated with CER-001 in Europe. The five patients suffering from this rare disease, which has a major impact on quality of life and on lifespan, represent very different stages in the evolution of the disease for which CER-001 may prove effective, whether the patients are transplanted or not, and whatever their age and severity of symptoms. ABIONYX is continuing its efforts to identify patients with this ultra-rare disease, support their treating physicians in seeking necessary approvals in their country/region, advising on appropriate treatment regimen to use and follow-up assessments to be performed, and providing CER-001 to them.

In the renal area, Phase 2 clinical data from the RACERS study in sepsis was selected for a Late-Breaking Clinical Results Poster presentation, at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN) Annual Meeting, which took place November 2-5, 2023, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The full results of the RACERS study were published simultaneously and exclusively in the journal BMC Medicine (Nature Springer).

Two additional abstracts generated from ABIONYX-sponsored research programs were also accepted by the ASN for presentation at their 2023 Annual Meeting: an oral presentation on CER-001 treatment in ischemia reperfusion injury, and a poster on the action of CER-001 in "Brain Fog" associated with acute kidney injury. These preclinical results provide data that support exploring potential additional indications for CER-001 in future clinical studies.

About ABIONYX Pharma

ABIONYX Pharma is a new generation biotech company that aims to contribute to health through innovative therapies in indications where there is no effective or existing treatment, even the rarest ones. Thanks to its partners in research, medicine, biopharmaceuticals and shareholding, the company innovates on a daily basis to propose drugs for the treatment of renal and ophthalmological diseases, or new apoA-I vectors used for targeted drug delivery.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116202117/en/

Contacts:

NewCap

Investor relations

Nicolas Fossiez

Louis-Victor Delouvrier

abionyx@newcap.eu

+33 (0)1 44 71 98 53

NewCap

Media relations

Arthur Rouille

abionyx@newcap.eu

+33 (0)1 44 71 00 15
China has world's largest engineering education system: official

Xinhua) 16:12, November 16, 2023

NINGBO, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- China has built the world's largest engineering education system, Wu Yan, deputy minister of education, told a meeting held in east China's Zhejiang Province on Thursday.

Over the past decade, China's engineering education has witnessed accelerated growth, injecting new momentum into innovation-driven development, Wu told the International Engineering Education Symposium 2023 in the city of Ningbo.

The number of engineering programs in China's undergraduate education has exceeded 23,000, with more than 6.7 million undergraduate students majoring in engineering, the official said.

He urged for the continuous optimization of engineering majors and the training of outstanding engineers who can adapt to and lead future developments in engineering technologies, so as to provide strong support for industrial upgrading.

"Establishing a mechanism for joint training of talents with enterprises is a path we must follow in engineering education," Wu said.

(Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun)
Hovione has acquired ExtremoChem Lda, a start-up company with a portfolio of rare sugars, synthetic analogues of the natural molecules found in extremophiles.

The acquisition provides Hovione with new high-performance functional materials, which have shown potential in stabilizing biopharmaceuticals.

LISBON, Portugal, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hovione, the specialist integrated CDMO and the leader in spray drying and particle engineering, today announced it has acquired ExtremoChem Lda (ExtremoChem), an innovative start-up company focused on the synthesis, development, and commercialization of bio-inspired synthetic sugars, targeting enhanced stabilization, reduced viscosity and delivery performance of proteins and other biopharmaceuticals.

ExtremoChem developed a library of proprietary sugars, synthetic analogues of natural molecules found in extremophiles - organisms capable of withstanding the most uninhabitable environments. These sugars have shown potential in overcoming challenges associated with the stabilization of biopharmaceuticals during production, purification, formulation, and transportation.

Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Hovione's CEO commented: "Proteins and other biopharmaceuticals account for a significant share of our customers 'pipelines. The acquisition of ExtremoChem's synthetic sugars combined with Hovione's particle engineering capabilities provides our customers with a unique set of tools to optimize formulations that address stability issues encountered during the life cycle of biopharmaceuticals."

Filipe Aguiar, ExtremoChem's Managing Director commented: "I am delighted that ExtremoChem has been acquired by Hovione. Hovione has a long history of developing and industrializing innovative technologies for the pharma industry. This acquisition will help ensure that the science we developed at ExtremoChem will have a wider and faster market adoption."

The announcement of this acquisition demonstrates Hovione's commitment to expand its technology platforms. The company is investing both in new assets and innovative technologies to meet customer demand for integrated and differentiated development and manufacturing services in drug substance, particle engineering and drug product.

About Hovione:

Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) it has a fully integrated offering of services for drug substances, drug product intermediates and drug products. The company has four FDA-inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solutions across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and devices.

Hovione's culture is based on innovation, quality, and dependability. Hovione was the first Chemical/ Pharmaceutical Company to become a Certified B Corp, is a member of Rx-360, EFCG and participates actively in industry quality improvement initiatives to lead new global industry standards.

About ExtremoChem

ExtremoChem is a chemical synthesis start-up company focused on the development of organic synthetic sugars for the stabilization of biologicals under stress conditions.

For more information, please visit www.hovione.com or contact:

Will Frost | Global Communications Lead | wfrost@hovione.com |Tel: +351 915 388 177

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2279314/HOVIONE.jpg

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/hovione-acquires-extremochem-and-its-portfolio-of-proprietary-sugars-to-support-customers-with-stabilization-and-delivery-of-biopharmaceuticals-301991032.html
Finsbury Growth & Income Trust Plc - Transaction in Own Shares

PR Newswire

LONDON, United Kingdom, November 16

For immediate release

16 November 2023

FINSBURY GROWTH & INCOME TRUST PLC

(the "Company")

MARKET PURCHASE OF COMPANY'S OWN SHARES

The Company announces that it has today purchased 100,000 of its own shares ("Ordinary Shares") at a price of 802.66 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 23,670,852; 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 201,320,451.

The figure of 201,320,451 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
Regulatory News:

Orano, through its engineering subsidiary Orano Projets, has been awarded a contract by ITER for its expertise in the fields of dependability analysis and integrated logistics support (SLI).

The contract covers all systems, structures and components of the ITER advanced fusion reactor currently under construction in the south of France. It was awarded for an initial period of two years, with the possibility of a one-year extension.

Under the terms of the contract, Orano will provide an expert appraisal of the content of the dependability analyses carried out by the various suppliers to the ITER project. This appraisal work will relate to validation of the engineering studies demonstrating optimal operational availability of the installation throughout its service life. Orano will also issue technical recommendations. These types of study focus on the design choices made to ensure the reliability of the installation, as well as the definition of the maintenance system (accessibility, human resources, tooling and spare parts requirements).

ITER's choice of Orano testifies to the company's unique capabilities acquired through extensive experience across all project phases from design to maintenance on complex nuclear facilities operating under stringent operational, technical and regulatory constraints.

This new contract strengthens Orano's position in and contribution to the ITER project, with several contracts won in critical areas (safety, fuel cycle, etc.).

"We are proud to have been chosen by ITER to provide our expertise for the analysis of engineering studies. I would like to thank ITER for their trust, which is a recognition of the commitment and know-how of Orano Projets' teams, as well as their ability to support our customer in achieving the highest levels of operational availability", said Guillaume Dureau, Senior Executive Vice President of Orano Projets."

About the ITER project

ITER ("The Way" in Latin) is a collaborative project involving 35 countries to build the world's largest experimental Tokamak nuclear fusion reactor. Located in the south of France, ITER's aim is to demonstrate the feasibility of nuclear fusion as a clean, sustainable energy source. By mimicking the fusion processes found on the sun, ITER represents a significant step towards harnessing the potential of fusion energy to meet the planet's growing energy needs.

About Orano

As a recognized international operator in the field of nuclear materials, Orano delivers solutions to address present and future global energy and health challenges. Its expertise and mastery of cutting-edge technologies enable Orano to offer its customers high value-added products and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. Every day, the Orano group's 17,000 employees draw on their skills, unwavering dedication to safety and constant quest for innovation, with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world, now and tomorrow.

Orano, giving nuclear energy its full value.

www.orano.group

Oranogroup

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116803643/en/

Contacts:

Press Office

+33 (0)1 34 96 12 15

press@orano.group

Investor relations

Marc Quesnoy

investors@orano.group
Adoption of resolutions at today's Extraordinary General Meeting concerning the capital increase to take place in January 2024

Regulatory News:

IMPLANET (Euronext Growth: ALIMP, FR0013470168, eligible for PEA-PME equity savings plans), a medical technology company specializing in implants for orthopedic surgery and the distribution of technological medical equipment, announces that it received the approval of its shareholders to proceed with the upcoming capital increase.

As announced in its press release of October 11, 2023, IMPLANET convened an Extraordinary General Meeting today, to vote on resolutions to authorize a capital increase with preferential subscription rights of between 5.5 million and 6.4 million (excluding the possible exercise of a maximum 15% extension option) to take place in January 2024.

This authorization was a prerequisite for the planned capital increase with preferential subscription rights detailed in the press releases dated September 28, 2023 and October 31, 2023, to which Sanyou (HK) International Medical Holding Co. Ltd, owned by Shanghai Sanyou Medical Co. LTD, (together "Sanyou Medical"), which holds a 41.03% stake in IMPLANET's capital, has undertaken, subject to certain conditions, to subscribe to the capital increase in cash on an irreducible and reducible basis to the tune of 5 million1

This authorization also acknowledges that, given the potential characteristics of the issue resulting from the use of this authorization, Sanyou Medical could hold more than 50% of the Company's capital and/or voting rights following the issue, i.e. the threshold for a public tender offer, and that Sanyou Medical wished to apply to the AMF French stock market authority for a waiver of the obligation to file a public tender offer in the event of a post-transaction crossing of the 50% capital threshold under article 234-9, 2 of the AMF's General Regulations ("Subscription to the capital increase by a company in recognised financial difficulty, subject to the approval of a general meeting of its shareholders

As a reminder, this waiver was granted on October 31, 2023.

The number of shares held by shareholders present, voting by post and/or represented at the Extraordinary General Meeting was 17,907,443, representing a quorum of 43.63%.

All the resolutions relating to the planned capital increase were adopted at the Extraordinary General Meeting. Only the third resolution concerning the delegation of authority to increase the share capital in favor of employees participating in a company savings plan was rejected.

The minutes of the AGM will be available on the Company's website.

To date, the planned capital increase remains subject to the approval of Sanyou Medical's Board of Directors and the control of the relevant Chinese government authorities, which should take place in January 2024.

The final terms of the transaction and its timetable will be announced in a forthcoming press release.

On the basis of current cash forecasts and in the absence of new sources of financing (i.e. excluding the financing to be received under the capital increase), the Company's cash horizon is set at December 31, 2023, following the drawdown of the first 0.5 million tranche of the short-term financing granted to the Company in October 20232

Based on current assumptions regarding activity and anticipated commercial developments with Sanyou Medical, the Company estimates that this capital increase, submitted to the vote of the Extraordinary General Meeting of November 16, 2023, for a minimum of 5 million would, once implemented, give it financial visibility of over 12 months.

Upcoming financial publication

2023 Full-Year Revenue, on January 23, 2024, after market close

About IMPLANET

Founded in 2007, IMPLANET is a medical technology company that manufactures high-quality implants for orthopedic surgery and distributing medical technology equipment. Its activity revolves around a comprehensive innovative solution for improving the treatment of spinal pathologies (JAZZ) complemented by the product range offered by Orthopaedic Spine Development (OSD), acquired in May 2021 (thoraco-lumbar screws, cages and cervical plates). Implanet's tried-and-tested orthopedic platform is based on the traceability of its products. Protected by four families of international patents, JAZZ has obtained 510(k) regulatory clearance from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in the United States, the CE mark in Europe and ANVISA approval in Brazil. In 2022, IMPLANET entered into a commercial, technological and financial partnership with SANYOU MEDICAL, China's second largest medical device manufacturer. IMPLANET employs 43 staff and recorded a consolidated revenue of 8.0 million in 2022. Based near Bordeaux in France, IMPLANET opened a US subsidiary in Boston in 2013. IMPLANET is listed on the Euronext Growth market in Paris.

For further information, please visit www.Implanet.com.

Disclaimer

This press release contains forward-looking statements about Implanet and its business. Implanet believes that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions. However, no assurance can be given that the forecasts expressed in these forward-looking statements will materialize, as they are subject to risks, including those described in Implanet's reference document filed with the Autorite des marches financiers (AMF) on April 16, 2018 under number D.18-0337, in the annual financial report for December 31, 2022 and in the half-year report for June 30, 2023, which are available on the Company's website (www.implanet-invest.com), and to changes in economic conditions, financial markets and the markets in which Implanet operates. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are also subject to risks that are unknown to Implanet or that Implanet does not currently consider material. The occurrence of some or all of these risks could cause Implanet's actual results, financial condition, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. This press release is for information purposes only and does not and shall not under any circumstances constitute an offer to sell or subscribe, or the solicitation of an order to buy or subscribe, Implanet securities in any country.

1 Sanyou Medical has also asked to be granted the majority of directorships on the Company's Board of Directors as from the completion of its subscription.

2 See above-mentioned press release dated October 11, 2023.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116012978/en/

Contacts:

IMPLANET

Ludovic Lastennet, CEO

David Dieumegard, CFO

Tel.: +33 (0)5 57 99 55 55

investors@Implanet.com

NewCap

Investor Relations

Mathilde Bohin

Nicolas Fossiez

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

Implanet@newcap.eu

NewCap

Media Relations

Arthur Rouille

Tel.: +33 (0)1 44 71 94 94

Implanet@newcap.eu
Timeless, romantic bridal styles for an unforgettable wedding day

LENEXA, KS / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / The latest bridal gown collection from globally renowned wedding dress designer Essense of Australia delivers stunning designs for the bride who envisions a dress as special as their love story. Featuring traditional bridal silhouettes with modern accents, the new collection gives brides-to-be gorgeous options for bringing their dream wedding day to life.

ESS D3853

"Brides want to celebrate their next chapter among their nearest and dearest while wearing a breathtakingly beautiful wedding gown," says Martine Harris, Chief Creative Officer, Essense of Australia. "The newest Essense of Australia collection offers classic bridal gowns with trending design details for the bride who wants a memorable statement that will last forever and ever."

From simple and chic to eye-catching and elegant, the newest collection is filled with dreamy dresses for every size, shape and bridal vision. Luxurious beaded lace, glittery tulle and oversized bows give gowns a touch of glitz and glam, while statement sleeves, from short to long, add head-turning appeal to any silhouette. Scoop, plunging, strapless and illusion necklines offer versatility, while detachable accessories, such as overskirts and belts, allow brides to customize their style for the aisle. Color is also still a hot bridal trend, with a new shade, Silver Foil Organza, taking center stage this season.

With so many dazzling gowns to choose from, brides can find a dress that lets them express their individuality on and off the aisle. The new Essense of Australia collection is now available at a retailer near you, featuring over 34 new gowns. Gowns are available in U.S. sizes 2 to 20, with many styles available in the EveryBody/EveryBride collection for U.S. sizes 22 to 34. To view the entire collection or find a store, visit www.essensedesigns.com.

About Essense of Australia

Essense of Australia is a leading international bridal design house and wholesaler that creates and manufactures award-winning gowns for independent bridal retailers throughout the world under labels Stella York, Essense of Australia, Martina Liana, Martina Liana Luxe and All Who Wander, as well as private label collection Oxford Street and bridesmaid label Sorella Vita. The Essense of Australia family of brands can be found at more than 1,200 retailers worldwide including the U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, New Zealand and throughout Europe.

Contact Information

Lindsay Santee

Associate Director of Strategic Communications

lindsays@essensedesigns.com

9139098623

SOURCE: Essense of Australia

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/804541/essense-of-australia-celebrates-a-forever-ever-love-in-new-collection
CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers?? is pleased to announce that the firm's founder, Mark Roman, has just obtained recertification from the Board of Legal Specialization and Education of the Florida Bar. He has been recertified as a specialist in civil trial practice through 2028.

Board certification is a highly coveted distinction for select Florida lawyers. Less than 2% of attorneys in our state have obtained board certification. The Florida Bar states that "board certification is a direct reflection of a commitment to excellence and professionalism in the practice of law." As acknowledged by the Supreme Court of Florida, board certification carries the distinction of having special knowledge, skills, and proficiency in civil trial law - as well as character, ethics, and a reputation for professionalism.

In order to seek board certification, a Florida lawyer must practice for many years, conduct jury trials as lead attorney, attend many hours of continuing legal education, and be anonymously evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges. In order to become recertified, a lawyer must satisfy rigorous standards every five years. Mark Roman, who has been board-certified since 2008, remains fully committed to maintaining the certification program's high standards.

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - Tampa Office

6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202

Tampa, FL 33615

(813) 686-7588

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - Clearwater Office

1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1

Clearwater, FL 33765

(727) 787-2500

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - Congress Ave Office

2360 Congress Avenue

Clearwater, FL 33763

(727) 591-5610

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - New Port Richey Office

2515 Seven Springs Blvd.

New Port Richey, FL, 34655

(727) 815-8442

Contact Information

Carol-Lynn Roman

Marketing Manager

croman@romanaustin.com

(727) 787-2500

SOURCE: Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers??

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/804546/mark-roman-achieves-recertification-as-a-specialist-in-civil-trial-practice
Montreal, Quebec--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - E-Power Resources Inc. (CSE: EPR) ("E-Power" or the "Company") announces its intention to complete a private placement of units for total gross proceeds of up to $480,000 (the "Offering").

Securities to be issued pursuant to the Offering shall consist of an amount of up to 8,000,000 units of the Company (the "Units") issued at a price of $0.06 per Unit, each Unit being comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company (each a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each a "Warrant"), each warrant entitling its holder thereof to acquire one additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.10 per share for a period of 60 months from the closing date of the Offering.

Net proceeds from the Offering will be used by the Company for general working capital purposes.

The Common Shares will be offered by way of private placement pursuant to applicable exemptions from prospectus requirements. The Offering is expected to close on or about November 24, 2023 (the "Closing Date"), subject to the satisfaction or waiver of the customary closing conditions, including the approval of the Canadian Securities Exchange. The Company may pay brokers in the context of the Offering. The Offering may close in multiple tranches.

The securities to be offered pursuant to the Offering have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws.

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 the securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About E-Power Resources Inc.

E-Power Resources Inc. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of graphite properties in Quebec. Its flagship asset, the Tetepisca Graphite Property, is located in the Tetepisca Graphite District of the North Shore Region of Quebec, approximately 215 kilometers from the Port of Baie-Comeau. For further information, please refer to the Company's disclosure record on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) or contact the Company by email at info@e-powerresources.com.

On Behalf of the Company

James Cross

President & CEO

+1 (438) 701-3736

info@e-powerresources.com

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements that are not historical facts, including without limitation, statements regarding future estimates, plans, programs, forecasts, projections, objectives, assumptions, expectations or beliefs of future performance are "forward-looking statements". These forward-looking statements reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including those detailed from time to time in filings made by the Company with securities regulatory authorities, which may cause actual outcomes to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. These factors should be considered carefully and readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws.

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187686
NEW CASTLE, DE / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Bidsbee, a crypto trading platform, has announced the official launch of its services, providing users with the solution to the challenges of crypto trading. The platform consists of advanced yet user-friendly tools and functions, making it easier for individuals to seamlessly join the world of crypto trading.

Bidsbee has empowered users to harness the expertise of professionals and earn a passive income without actively participating in trading activities with its copy-trading functionality. For seasoned traders, the Bidsbee platform has offered advanced functionality and consolidated market data for enhanced comfort and profitability.

Bidsbee has provided a platform for users to maximize daily profits through a set of advanced tools and functionalities.

The Trading Terminal enables placing all types of advanced orders such as stop-loss, multilevel take-profit, trailing options, conditional orders, and trading algorithms. It consolidates data from multiple exchanges, offering a cross-platform solution that syncs all accounts for trading convenience at home or on the go and expands the standard functionality of a CEX.

The Bidsbee copy trading functionality allows inexperienced traders to enter the world of crypto trading seamlessly by copying the trades of their experienced colleagues. Along with earning a passive income, they can learn by analyzing the strategies of experts and following their decisions. Experts also can leverage copy trading by allowing others to subscribe to them for a fee.

Real-time data updates and accurate trading signals enable users to benefit from the smallest price fluctuations and capture opportunities across various exchanges. Trading bots are highly customizable and allow traders to automate their trading strategies to benefit from the Bidsbee network in any market conditions. Along with technical features, Bidsbee offers a social network for traders where they can share their ideas, tips, strategies, and insights.

Dmitry Shishov, Bidsbee CEO and founder commented "Crypto trading has been a privilege of experienced high-net-worth individuals for a long time. Bidsbee aims at changing it by enabling everybody to benefit from crypto price fluctuations independently on one's experience and income level."

Bidsbee is a non-custodial platform which means that it does not store user funds. The platform prioritizes user privacy, requiring only a valid email address to sign up. No KYC is needed, and all operations are performed via API (Application Programming Interface) keys.

The platform's security is ensured by the expertise of Hacken, a leader in the matters of blockchain security.

The platform manages trades seamlessly from a single interface, bringing professional-level functionality to accounts on major exchanges, including Binance, KuCoin, and other major exchanges support coming soon. Bidsbee aims for continuous improvement, with plans to introduce machine learning and AI-based tools and trading automation. Future developments will be driven by user needs and market trends.

For more information about Bidsbee and its services, visit their website.

About Bidsbee:

Bidsbee is a social crypto trading network and platform with a focus on all types of traders doesn't matter their experience or budget. With its advanced functionality, user-friendliness, and non-custodial security, it has become a perfect entry point to the world of crypto for beginners and a platform where experts can leverage all the crypto market opportunities.

Bidsbee Social

Twitter

Discord

LinkedIn

Telegram

Instagram

Media Contact

Organization: BIDSBEE INC

Contact Person: Dmitry Shishov

Website: https://www.bidsbee.com/

Email: contact@bidsbee.com

City: New Castle

State: Delaware

Country: United States

SOURCE: BIDSBEE INC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/804582/bidsbee-a-social-crypto-trading-platform-announces-the-launch-of-its-services
PULAU PINANG, MALAYSIA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / The 2023 Global Chinese Economic & Technology Summit, themed "Great Reset: Powering Growth, Technology, and Regional Prosperity," concluded with a momentous celebration of entrepreneurial excellence as Dato Lim Khong Soon , Founder & Chairman of Quantum Metal Exchange Inc, USA, was honored with the Global Chinese Distinguished Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award.

The summit, held on the 6th and 7th of November in Shenzhen, China, marked a significant milestone in the legacy of the World Chinese Economic Summit (WCES). Originally established in 2009 by Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew and Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, the WCES has evolved to become the Global Chinese Economic and Technology Summit, reflecting the changing dynamics of the global economic landscape.

Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, Founder and Patron of the summit, commented, "In these unprecedented times, it is crucial to adapt and refocus our efforts to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The transformation of WCES into the Global Chinese Economic and Technology Summit underscores our commitment to sustainable globalization, fostering global cooperation, and leveraging technology for shared prosperity."

The 2023 summit gathered leaders from government, business, and think tanks, providing a platform for high-level exchanges. The event facilitated business interactions and networking among entrepreneurs, with a special emphasis on connecting the global Chinese diaspora. The summit also aimed to promote cross-cultural learning between the East and West, recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives in the evolving global landscape.

The key objectives of the summit included advancing business, economic, and trade opportunities among member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Discussions centered around strengthening partnerships in the digital economy and green economy to build a sustainable shared future. Additionally, there was a dedicated focus on enhancing cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

The summit was organized by The China Development Institute, Shenzhen (CDI), The KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI), and China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Shenzhen. The event garnered support from prestigious organizations such as the Center for China and Globalization (CGC), ASEAN Economic Club (AEC), China-ASEAN Business Association (CABA), China (Sanya) Public Diplomacy Institute (SPDI), and Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC).

Dato' Lim Khong Soon , a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Quantum Metal Exchange Inc, USA, was bestowed with the Global Chinese Distinguished Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the business world, dedication to cross-cultural collaboration, and commitment to sustainable business practices.

In his acceptance speech, Dato' Lim Khong Soon expressed gratitude for the honor and highlighted the importance of global cooperation in navigating the challenges of the modern business landscape. "I am truly humbled to receive this award, and I see it as a testament to the collective efforts of the entire Quantum Metal Exchange Inc team. In an interconnected world, collaboration is key, and I believe that by working together, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve lasting success," he remarked.

The summit concluded with a sense of optimism for the future, with participants committing to continued collaboration, innovation, and shared prosperity. As the world undergoes transformative changes, events like the Global Chinese Economic and Technology Summit serve as a catalyst for positive action and collaboration on a global scale.

Media Contact

Organization: Quantum Metal

Contact Person: Dato Lim Khong Soon

Website: https://www.quantummetal.com.my/

Email: info@quantummetal.com

Contact Number: +60 3-8605 3611

City: Georgetown

State: Pulau Pinang

Country: Malaysia

SOURCE: Quantum Metal

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/804601/dato-lim-khong-soon-quantum-metal-exchange-inc-qmei-founder-honored-with-gcet-lifetime-achievement-award
NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Mary Kay

On September 21st, 2023, in conjunction with the 78th session of the UN General Assembly, the Women's Entrepreneurship Accelerator (WEA) organized a high-level event titled "Inclusive Capital: Empowering Women Entrepreneurs on a Global Scale" bringing together leaders to spotlight this critical issue for women entrepreneurs.

The event was organized in collaboration with WEA-participating UN agencies; UN Women, International Telecommunication Union, International Trade Centre, UN Global Compact, International Labour Organization, UN Development Programme; Mary Kay, Yildiz Holding, and Women Entrepreneurs Act initiative (WE Act) of the Women20 (G20/W20) countries.

In 2022, companies founded solely by women garnered just 2.1% of the total capital invested in venture-backed startups in the US. Globally, women entrepreneurs face a US $1.7 trillion finance gap limiting their potential to add an estimated US $5-6 trillion in economic value to the economy.

The event provided an opportunity for all stakeholders within the women's entrepreneurship ecosystem to discuss women's challenges to access finance, emphasize the importance of inclusive investing, and generate institutional and corporate commitments to better serve women businesses through applying a gender-inclusive lens to their decision-making.

Major stakeholders from the World Bank (WE-FI), OECD, ITU, UNDP, UNGC, G20/W20, women's business organizations, BPW (Business and Professional Women) and FCEM (Femmes Chefs d'Entreprises Mondiales), Global Invest Her, converged to explore innovative avenues of collaboration, propelling the cause of women's entrepreneurship to new horizons.

Moderated by Virginia Littlejohn, Global Coordinator of the Women Entrepreneurs Act initiative (WE Act) of the Women20 (G20/W20) countries, the event also welcome Faatiha Aayat, young activist as a guest speaker and Nina Tandon, Founder and CEO of EpiBone, as keynote.

In a resounding display of global solidarity and empowerment, the WEA event brought together 570 on-site attendees and hundreds virtually around the world.

The milestone event was followed by an invitation-only dinner held in the UN Delegates Dining Room supported by 1919 Investment Counsel where WEA was pitched to investors.

You can re-watch the event here.

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Mary Kay on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: Mary Kay

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/mary-kay

Email: info@3blmedia.com

SOURCE: Mary Kay

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/804632/womens-entrepreneurship-accelerator-incepted-by-mary-kay-inc-holds-4th-year-anniversary-event-at-the-united-nations-headquarters-nyc
The Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem Development Fund (CMIEDF) will invest in Canadian projects that advance medical isotope supply or develop emerging technologies in radiotherapeutics and diagnostics.

Vancouver, British Columbia and Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - On November 16, the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem (CMIE) - an initiative co-led by TRIUMF Innovations and the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization (CPDC) - held an industry information session to announce the launch of the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem Development Fund (CMIEDF).

The CMIE initiative's goal is to accelerate R&D investment, collaboration, technology adoption, and training to enable Canada to lead in the innovation of medical isotopes. Through the new Development Fund, the CMIE will support industry collaboration and invest in promising Canadian projects that advance medical isotope supply or develop emerging technologies in radiotherapeutics and diagnostics.

"Our Government is committed to providing Canadians and medical workers with the best emerging medical technologies and opportunities. With the creation of the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem, we continue to develop a strong domestic production of pharmaceutical products that will contribute to make Canada a prized destination for the medical isotope industry, while creating highly skilled jobs across Canada," said Hon. Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry.

Funding for the CMIEDF will be drawn from the $35 million in launch funding awarded to the CMIE by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF). Resources will be awarded directly to recipients and used to support them through the process of research, development, and commercialization. Funding for selected projects will increase as recipients achieve successful project milestones.

"This new project funding will provide resources to enable new collaborations to accelerate the development of the next generation of medical isotope innovations in Canada," said Kathryn Hayashi, CEO of TRIUMF Innovations, Co-Lead for the CMIE.

"The CMIE Development Fund has been created with the goal of identifying, funding and ultimately commercializing promising early-stage medical isotope technologies and radiopharmaceutical research from across the country," said Owen Roberts, CEO of the Centre for Probe Development and Commercialization, Co-Lead for the CMIE. "Our primary objective is to accelerate the development of great Canadian technology for the benefit of Canadian patients and the medical community."

"It is exciting to see our government's $35 million investment being used to advance Canada's leadership in medical isotopes and radiopharmaceuticals," said MP Pam Damoff, long-time champion and advocate for the Canadian isotope industry at the federal level. "This investment led to collaboration in the medical isotope sector with the creation of the Canadian Medical Isotope Ecosystem, and I have no doubt that the CMIEDF will lead to advances in medical isotopes to help Canada lead the world in medical isotopes."

Opportunities for interested parties to receive funding support from the CMIEDF can be found on the Call for Proposals tab on our website. Applications for our first round of funding will open on December 15.

About CMIE

CMIE is an initiative created to accelerate R&D investment, collaboration, technology adoption and training to enable Canada to lead in the innovation of medical isotopes. Through a unique combination of co-investment, cross-industry collaboration, and IP development, we are building a strong national medical isotope innovation ecosystem.

For more information, please contact info@cmie.ca.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187689
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Metaguest.ai Incorporated (CSE: METG) (formerly BnSellit Technology Inc.) (the "Corporation") is pleased to announce that it has closed a non-brokered private placement offering (the "Offering") of 346,667 units (each a "Unit") for gross proceeds of $104,000 at a price of $0.30 per Unit. Each Unit consists of one common share and one half of one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant"). Each whole Warrant is exercisable into common shares at a price of $0.50 per Warrant expiring on May 15, 2025.

The gross proceeds received by the Corporation will be used for working capital purposes. All securities issued under the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period until March 15, 2024.

For further information, please contact:

Antonio Comparelli, Chief Executive Officer

Email: tc@bnsellit.com

Tel: 416-720-8677

Chris Carmichael, Chief Financial Officer

Email: chrisc@bnsellit.com

Tel: 647-225-4337

About Metaguest.ai Incorporated

Metaguest.ai Incorporated is a cutting-edge technology company that develops advanced AI platforms for the hospitality industry designed to enhance the guest experience. Our flagship products are comprehensive solutions that addresses all aspects of the guest journey, from pre-arrival to post-departure. Features include on-property e-commerce with electronic payments, real-time in-room service management, mobile check-out, personalized in-room controls, local experience/event bookings, virtual personal concierge and more. Guests engage in over 16 languages, on any connected device and without the need to download an app or visit a web site. By leveraging the platforms, hotels, resorts and short-term rental property owners can improve their operational efficiency, personalize the guest experience, increase revenue and overall customer satisfaction.

Neither the CSE nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187655
A live stream of the ribbon cutting and new store opening celebration will be held on Friday, November 17th at 3:00 PM ET on JOi's Instagram page: @joi.dollar.plus.mx

Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - PesoRama Inc. (TSXV: PESO) ("PesoRama" or the "Company"), a Canadian company operating dollar stores in Mexico under the JOi Dollar Plus brand, today announces the upcoming grand opening of store #22 on November 17th in Tlalnepantla.

The 458-square meter site in Tlalnepantla is our first JOi stand-alone store, located in the first square of the municipality of Tlalnepantla. This municipality has a population of approximately 672,200 inhabitants. The Tlalnepantla store is located 13 kilometers from the center of Mexico City, in front of the municipal office and around numerous retailers including Coppel and Elektra. The area also includes schools, banks, and hospitals that make the neighborhood environment a necessary destination for all the inhabitants of Tlalnepantla.

"We are excited to open a new JOi Dollar Plus Store in Tlalnepantla, and expand our reach to the Mexican consumer segment," said Erica Fattore, President, and CEO of PesoRama. "The new store is located in a dense urban area that has a large population who could benefit from our JOi brand. We will continue to evaluate new opportunities to scale our business and enter new local markets in Mexico where we see a high population of consumers who fit our customer profile."

"The opening of our 22nd Joi Dollar Plus Store in Mexico, bodes well for our overall expansion and provides greater accessibility to Mexican consumers who want to shop at our stores," said Rahim Bhaloo, Founder & Executive Chairman of PesoRama. "There are multiple new locations with a high density of potential customers, where we would like to open our stores to drive continued growth and success."





PesoRama's JOi Dollar Plus Store located in the municipality of Tlalnepantla

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5801/187692_4bf3f20c04f75821_002full.jpg

Join Our Live Stream on Instagram!

A live stream of the ribbon cutting and new store opening celebration will be held on JOi's Instagram page on Friday, November 17th at 3:00 PM ET. Join us in celebrating and follow along on Instagram: @joi.dollar.plus.mx.

About PesoRama Inc.

PesoRama, operating under the JOi Dollar Plus brand, is a Mexican value dollar store retailer. PesoRama launched operations in 2019 in Mexico City and the surrounding areas targeting high density, high traffic locations. PesoRama's 21 stores (22nd store opening on November 17th) offer consistent merchandise offerings which include items in the following categories: household goods, pet supplies, seasonal products, party supplies, health and beauty, snack food items, confectionery and more. For more information visit: http://pesorama.ca/.

For further information please contact:

Rahim Bhaloo

Founder & Executive Chairman

rahim@rahimbhaloo.com

416-816-3291

Erica Fattore

President & Chief Executive Officer

erica@joi.mx

Cautionary Note

This press release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, among other things, statements regarding the Company's planned expansion, new store openings and expected future developments and other factors that have been considered appropriate. While the Company believes 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. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements, including due to changes in consumer behaviour, general economic factors, the ability of the Company to execute its strategies, the availability of capital and the risk factors which are discussed in greater detail in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's prospectus dated January 31, 2022 and filed under the Company's profile on www.sedar.com. The statements in this press release are made as of the date of this release. PesoRama undertakes no obligation to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third-parties in respect of PesoRama, its securities, or its financial or operating results (as applicable).

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187692
Airbridge Equity Partners, an Amsterdam, The Netherlands-based tech focused investment firm, closed its second fund, AEP-II, with a total capital commitment of EUR 63m.

Airbridge received support from several external Limited Partners (LPs). Some of them are founders of companies previously funded by Airbridge through its first fund.

Read more on VCWire.tech, our new website dedicated to tech venture capital industry.

FinSMEs

16/11/2023
Meghna Gulzars next film is Sam Bahadur. It chronicles the fearless life of field marshal Sam Manekshaw and his contribution to the nation and its army from Indias independence in 1947 to Bangladeshs liberation in 1971. He was a no-nonsense personality who never minced words. His aura and demeanor brimmed with confidence and assurance. And if you have seen the trailer, it also throws light on his complex relationship with former Prime Minister Indira Gandhi, played by Fatima Sana Shaikh.

When Manekshaw was suspected of military coup

The revelation was made by Manekshaw himself in an interview back in 2002 when he was being interviewed by his own grandson for the documentary In War And Peace- The Life Of Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw. The documentary was released by the Parzor Foundation.

He recalled how Gandhi called him at her office and said how he was her problem. Everyone says youre going to take over me, were her words to the field marshal. Manekshaw said in the interview he had no intention to take over as long as he had command over his army without any interference.

It will be interesting to see if this chapter of his life makes it to the film or not.

About the film

At the trailer launch of the film, Vicky Kaushal said he didnt feel he was good looking enough to essay this character. I remember when Meghna and I were working on Raazi, then during a shooting schedule in Patiala she told me what she wanted to do next. And she said she wants to make a film on Sam Manekshaw, Kaushal said.

The trailer was launched in presence of Army Chief General Manoj Pande. Kaushals co-actors Sanya Malhotra, Fatima Sana Shaikh, director Gulzar and producer Ronnie Screwvala also attended the event.

Sam Bahadur will span Manekshaws career of over 40 years, including significant milestones, from fighting in World War II to being the Chief of Army Staff during the 1971 Indo-Pakistan war, that led to the creation of Bangladesh, according to the makers.

Read all the Latest News, Trending News, Cricket News, Bollywood News,

India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
Japanese all-female theatre company, Takarazuka Revue, have expressed responsibility for the death of a 25-year-old actress, believed to be a result of overwork. There was an acute staff shortage in the company too.

Japans work culture has always been harsh and there was a saying that people there work to death. According to BBC reports, the actress who committed suicide remained unamend at the request of her family due to the stigma attached with suicide in Japan. The prestigious all-female theatre company took the responsibility on them for the suicide of the actress and admitted that it was overwork that caused her death. She was found dead in her condominium in Takarazuka on 30 September. Police said she died of suspected suicide.

It is a known thing that the work pressure not only this particular theatre company, but overall too the pressure is high and there are many in the past who have committed suicide or were found dead on the way to work. As for this particular theatre company, it has been said that there is severe competition to join them. Executives from Takarazuka Revue apologised for loss of life but did not announce a compensation package for the 25-year-olds family.

Chairman Kenshi Koba also said he was stepping down. The family is currently suing the company for compensation, alleging that the actress faced excessive working hours which included bullying by seniors. This affected her mental and physical health. The familys lawyer stated that she was under an outsourcing contract, with her overtime reportedly exceeding 277 hours a month. Takarazuka Revue disputes this figure, putting it at 118 hours a month.

It is undeniable that a strong psychological burden was placed on [the woman], and we did not sufficiently fulfil our duty of care for her safety, Mr Koba told a news conference at the revues base in the western city of Takarazuka.

Addressing relatives, he said: We deeply apologise for not being able to protect a precious member of your family. Regarding the familys request for compensation, Mr Koba said: I want to make sure we apologise and compensate them.

Unfortunately, we have not had the opportunity yet, public broadcaster NHK reported him saying. The reports further say that the chairman and two other executives promised new measures to ensure nothing similar happened in future. It plans to reduce the number of weekly performances from nine to eight.

How Japans Karoshi (overwork) culture is a global issue now?

Karoshi culture or overwork death is common thing in Japan. And now the suicide case in the all- woman theatre company can be a wake-up call for all working professionals globally. Japan has grappled with the problem of people overworking themselves to death. Now, its a global issue too which shouldnt be ignored at any cost.

According to the wired reports, in the 1990s, stories of mostly middle-aged businessmen working so many hours that they would drop dead from a bodily failure, or opt to end their lives rather than return to the office, were received outside Japan as a peculiar cultural phenomenon.

It has been just too long that the risk of work to death has been overlooked. But, now its time for all of us to pause and think!
All five of Matthew Perrys Friends co-stars are sharing more remembrances of the star in their first personal social media posts since the actors death last month.

Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow and Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer each posted heartfelt notes about Perry, who died Oct. 28, on Instagram. The posts on Tuesday and Wednesday were accompanied by photos from the Friends set.

In the last couple weeks, Ive been pouring over our texts to one another. Laughing and crying then laughing again, Aniston posted Wednesday, sharing a text message where Perry sent her photo of a script reading session where Perry made her laugh.

Oh boy this one has cut deep Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that Ive never experienced before, Anistons post read.

Kudrow became the fifth Friends star to pay personal tribute to Perry amid the wave of mourning.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Lisa Kudrow (@lisakudrow)

Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY, she said in an Instagram post. Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have.

The stars issued a joint statement a few days after Perrys death, saying they were all so utterly devastated by the loss of Matthew. We were more than just cast mates. We are a family.

Schwimmer posted a photo of him and Perry dressed up as Miami Vice characters, calling it one of my favorite moments with you.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Schwimmer (@_schwim_)

Now it makes me smile and grieve at the same time, Schwimmers post said.

LeBlanc posted Tuesday: It was an honor to share the stage with you and to call you my friend. I will always smile when I think of you and Ill never forget you. Never. His post included one candid shot of the cast all hugging on set.

Perry was found dead last month at his Los Angeles home. After an initial investigation, the Los Angeles County coroner deferred giving a cause of death, which may take weeks to determine.

Cox shared a video clip of a Friends scene where her and Perrys characters are in bed, trying not to have their relationship discovered. Its an iconic moment of the show, and Cox shared a bit of backstory about filming.

In this scene, before we started rolling, he whispered a funny line for me to say, Cox posted. He often did things like that. He was funny and he was kind.

I am so grateful for every moment I had with you Matty and I miss you every day, she wrote.

Most of the posts references how sweet, funny and thoughtful Perry was.

LeBlanc ended his note with a bit of comedy, writing: Spread your wings and fly brother youre finally free. Much love. And I guess youre keeping the 20 bucks you owe me.
After six months of silence and an estranged relationship with his father, Prince Harry broke his silence and reached out to his father, King Charles III, with a special call on his 75th birthday. Prince Harry telephoned the King to extend wishes on this special occasion. The King also spoke to Prince Harrys wife, Meghan Markle.

This conversation marked a positive development between the two since April this year, just before Charless coronation as King after the Duke of Sussex stepped down from his Royal Family positions. As per the report by The Telegraph, the chat was a friendly exchange that signals a potential thawing in the strained ties.

The UK-based Sun reported that King Charles III remains open to communicating, even extending an open invitation for Prince Harrys visit to the UK.

However, the daily reported that the phone call was a positive step and a surprise for the King. The two have maintained distance after Prince Harry highlighted several family secrets in his explosive memoir, Spare.

Prince Harrys Controversial Remarks In Spare

For those who are under the rocks, Prince Harry labelled his father an emotionally stunted and ineffectual old man in his explosive book. He cast his brother as his arch-nemesis and targeted Queen Camilla as a villain and a wicked stepmother. Harrys book broke sales records around the world, and his relations with his family only went downhill with the release.

However, Harry later wrote warmly of his relationship with his Pa, and in a television interview, he said that he would always love him. Prince Harry asserted that he wanted an apology from his family before he could move on, but that apology never came. The situation got worse, and Harry and Meghan were asked to vacate their UK home, Frogmore Cottage.

Prince Harry not invited for Birthday celebrations?

Talking about King Charles IIIs 75th birthday, Prince Archie, four, and Princess Lilibet, two, extended their wishes by recording a video of themselves singing Happy Birthday to their grandfather. The King hosted a birthday dinner at Londons Clarence House on Tuesday night, where he was joined by his close friends and family.

Harrys absence from the celebration was clarified by his spokesperson. Harrys spokespersons in the US had earlier dismissed reports suggesting he snubbed Charless birthday invite. Later, he asserted that he wasnt invited and that he had no contact with any of his fathers Buckingham Palace staff.
Gazas largest hospital, Al-Shifa, has been at the centre of the fighting between the Israeli military and Hamas. After encircling the facility for days, the Israeli forces raided the medical complex in a targeted operation against the Palestinian militant group. Israel claims that the hospital is used by Hamas for military purposes, something that Gaza health officials have denied.

Even as Israel raids continue, several civilians remain trapped inside Al-Shifa Hospital  more than 600 patients, including newborns, 200 to 500 health workers, and 1,500 displaced who sought refuge there.

We take a look at what has happened since Israel stormed the hospital and whats in store for the patients.

What do we know about the Al-Shifa raid?

On Wednesday, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said that they are carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a very specific area of the Al-Shifa Hospital. The raid was based on intelligence information and an operational necessity, calling for the surrender of all Hamas terrorists present there, it said.

Khader Al-Zaanoun, a reporter for the Palestinian news agency Wafa, told CNN, Explosions are shaking the buildings of Al-Shifa Hospital  which is besieged from all four directions, following the launching of rocket and artillery shells in the vicinity of the hospital.

The Israeli soldiers reportedly invaded the hospital with military vehicles, which included tanks, armoured vehicles and bulldozers and prevented anyone from leaving.

According to a report by the BBC, around 100 commandos and six tanks entered the hospital complex. The IDF asked all men aged 16 to 40, except those in the surgical and emergency departments, to leave the premises and go into the courtyard.

A precise and targeted operation is being carried out against Hamas in a very specific area of the Shifa Hospital. We have soldiers trained specifically for this situation, and continue to reiterate we are ONLY at war with Hamas. We continue to do everything in our power to pic.twitter.com/75t7YEncBk  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 15, 2023

Omar Zaqout, the supervisor of the ER department, said that people were sheltering inside the buildings and staying away from windows and doors. We dont know what is going on outside, all were hearing are explosions, gunfire, screams of older people and cries of children, Zaqout was quoted as saying by CNN.

What has IDF found inside the hospital?

When Israeli soldiers entered the hospital complex, they engaged with several Hamas members and killed them, claimed IDF.

Inside the hospitals MRI building, the Israeli troops found an operational command centre, weapons, and technological assets belonging to Hamas, according to IDF.

In a video posted on X, IDF spokesperson Jonathan Conricus pointed to security cameras that he said had been covered. He showed weapons like AK47 rifles and cartridges hidden behind MRI scanners.

Hamas systematically used the hospital for their military operation in violation of international law. What we have found, I think, is only the tip of the iceberg, said Conricus.

Watch as LTC (res.) Jonathan Conricus exposes the countless Hamas weapons IDF troops have uncovered in the Shifa Hospital's MRI building: pic.twitter.com/5qssP8z1XQ  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 15, 2023

According to a report by Israeli radio, the army had so far found no indication of hostages inside the hospital.

Mark Regev, who is a senior adviser to Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has told the BBC News Channel that he was sure more and more material from what he says is Hamas's subterranean network under the Al-Shifa Hospital will be shared.

International law specifically says that the minute your enemy uses a humanitarian site like a hospital for its military machine then you can target that site It doesnt mean you do so lightly or irresponsibly but under international law it loses its immunity, he said.

IDF spokesperson Daniel Haggard said in his daily briefing late Wednesday that the military operation at the hospital was still underway and will take time.

The White House said on Tuesday that its independent intelligence supported Israels claim that Hamas was using Gazas hospitals, including its biggest, to hide command posts and hostages.

White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters on the presidential plane, Air Force One, that intelligence confirmed the militant Hamas group, which rules Gaza, used tunnels underneath Al-Shifa and other hospitals to conceal military operations and to hold hostages.

Also read: Is Hamas using Gaza hospitals to carry out terror operations?

What has Hamas said?

Hamas has denied Israels claims that it has a command-and-control centre beneath the Al-Shifa Hospital. On Wednesday night, the Palestinian group described such allegations as lies and cheap propaganda.

The government media office of Hamas said that Al-Shifa is under the control of Israeli forces. We hold the Israeli occupation fully responsible for the lives and safety of medical personnel, the wounded, the sick, premature children, and the displaced, it said in a statement.

How safe are patients inside the hospital?

There are around 600 to 650 patients, including 36 newborns, inside the Al-Shifa Hospital, according to information shared by the World Health Organization last Sunday.

Dr Ahmed Mokhallalati, a plastic surgeon at Al-Shifa, told the BBC that there were only civilians in the hospital and there were tunnels under all buildings in Gaza including the medical facility.

The hospital, he said, was without power, oxygen and water. He told the publication that surgeries were carried out without proper anaesthesia with patients screaming in pain. Doctors were unable to help one patient with burns, and had to just let him die.

Also read: Babies dying, bodies rotting: Inside Gazas largest hospital which has stopped functioning

There are 36 surviving premature babies. There were 39, but we lost three, Dr Marwan Abu Saada, the head of Al-Shifas general surgery department, told BBC Arabic over the phone.

The shortage of fuel has forced doctors to move the babies from incubators in the neo-natal unit to an operating theatre. Eight of 10 are kept together on heated blankets and covered in foil to keep them warm.

Another doctor working at the hospital told CNN that they were given a 30-minute warning before the Israeli raids began. Khaled Abu Samra, said We were asked to stay clear of the windows and the balconies. We can hear the armoured vehicles, they are very close to the entrance of the complex.

The IDF has said that it was providing incubators, baby food and medical supplies to the hospital. However, action by Israel has been condemned by international organisations.

Doctors Without Borders (MSF) on Wednesday called for the protection of medical staff and patients inside Al-Shifa Hospital. In Gaza, as Israeli forces enter Al-Shifa Hospital, we call once again for the protection of medical staff, patients and displaced civilians sheltered inside the hospital, MSF International said on X. We are extremely worried for their lives.

The World Health Organization head said that the Israeli military incursion into Al-Shifa Hospital was totally unacceptable. WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus told a press conference in Geneva that patients and staff must be protected even if hospitals were used for military purposes.

The UN agency, also said it was urgently exploring the possibility of evacuating patients and medical staff from the facility. To make sure this can be enabled, of course, there is a need for safe passage and also for fuel for the ambulances, said Rik Peeperkorn, a WHO representative.

With inputs from agencies
Rescuers are racing against time to evacuate the 40 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel on the Char Dham Pilgrimage route in Silkyara in Uttarakhands Uttarkashi.

By 11 am Thursday, more than 100 hours have passed since the incident was first reported on Sunday, 12 November.

As the rescue operation entered the fifth day, rescuers faced yet another setback when an auger machine brought to clear the debris and create an escape passage struggled to carry out the task.

The trapped workers are being provided with oxygen, essential supplies of food and medicines through a six-inch pipe. The rescuers are in constant communication with them to make sure their hope is not lost.

However, after days of being confined, health problems have begun to surface.

Physical and physiological impact on workers

For the first time after the tragedy, three or four trapped workers complained of mild headache and nausea to a general physician. Medication for vomiting and food like dry fruits, chickpeas, and puffed rice were sent in in response to these problems.

On Wednesday, general physician Dr BS Pokhriyal spoke with the workers through the pipe. However, because oxygen is being supplied through the same pipe, the interaction was limited to brief exchanges.

According to the Times of India, he said, They said they have access to electricity and around one kilometer of space inside the tunnel to move about. This will work in their favour till the time they are evicted.

Dr RCS Panwar, chief medical officer, Uttarkashi, said, Those inside the tunnel may have developed gastritis or anxiety issues. Were constantly supplying essential medical items.

Medical professional have voiced concern about the physical and physiological difficulties that stranded workers would encounter due to the lack of oxygen and the claustrophobic surroundings.

We have kept aside 25-30 jumbo oxygen cylinders with 7,000 litres capacity. When the need arises, our staff will deliver them to the tunnel authorities, he said, as per TOI.

Air ambulances have been set on standby by district administration officials to transport individuals in need to AIIMS Rishikesh as soon as they are evacuated, reported Indian Express.

Other mental challenges

Stress and anxiety levels may rise as a result of the situations unpredictability as well as the physical limitations. Panic and fear might be brought on by the limited space and the sense of being trapped, according to Zee News, who quoted Dr Gorav Gupta, Senior Psychiatrist, Founder and Director, Tulasi Healthcare as saying.

The report said feelings of loneliness, depression, and despair can also be exacerbated by spending days within a tunnel. Additionally, the experience may be distressing, leading to the development of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms in the workers.

Family members protest at the site

On Wednesday, workers, family members, and others demonstrated in front of the Silkyara tunnel under construction against the extended delay for the evacuation of stranded labourers, according to India Today.

When the machinery meant to drill a passageway through the rubble to create an escape route failed to function on Tuesday night, the demonstrators let out their frustration over the lack of a backup plan.

The report says the labourers were seen raising slogans, Hamare aadmi nikalo (Take out our men), while demanding that their fellow workers be rescued immediately.

Updates from the fifth day of rescue operations

Tuesdays landslide debris fell on the section of the tunnel that had already collapsed, impeding 70 hours of rescue operations and injuring two rescue personnel.

An auger machine that was brought in to drill a passage through the rubble also proved to be a challenge for the rescuers. The Vardhman Engineering Works-provided machine was used to insert about two metres of pipe into the rubble, however, was unable to slice through the debris quickly enough.

Subsequently, it was decided to take that machine out and install a larger one.

According to Indian Express, modern horizontal dry drilling equipment with auger manufactured in the United States was brought in by the rescuers. Two Hercules C-130 jets evacuated the machine from Delhi, which is typically used in procedures involving horizontal drilling, usually devoid of the need for water or other drilling fluids. This specialised equipment is expected to accelerate the rescue efforts.

To operate this equipment, a team of experts has also arrived at the incident site and all essential preparations have been done, as per another report by India Today.

Indian Express reported that the Deputy District Magistrate, Dunda/Executive Engineer, Construction Division PWD Chinyalisaur, police, fire brigade and other essential personnel have all been stationed at the Chinyalisaur airstrip. Additionally, equipment such as JCBs has been prepared for machine loading, and other things.

Col. Deepak Patil, who is heading the rescue efforts, told Indian Express, There is high chance of plan B being successful. Its just a matter of few hours. In the first half an hour the mahine has penetrated around three metres, which is good. But we are going at it more cautiously so that we dont damage the equipment. There could be some impediments inside. There are bent metal lattice girders and ribs in the rubble. However chances of boulders is less.

In this project we have used the New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM) which is basically (a combination of) drill and blast. The primary thought process behind this menthod is to continuously monitor the deformations as you go in. More the deformations, more caution, more rock bolts and more primary support, he added.

According to news agency AFP, as it races to save the trapped workers, India has sought advice from the Thai company that rescued children from a flooded cave in 2018.

Rescue teams have decided to insert a 900mm wide mild steel pipe along the debris for 50 metres, which would help them rescue the trapped workers.

With inputs from agencies
Madhya Pradesh goes to polling on Friday (17 November) to elect legislators for 230 Assembly seats. The main fight remains between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) and the Congress even though other parties like Samajwadi Party (SP), Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP), and Communist Party of India (Marxist) are also in the fray.

Around 5.6 crore voters in the Hindi heartland state will decide the future of over 2,000 candidates. The Assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh also assume significance as they come just months ahead of the Lok Sabha polls next year.

Of the total of 2,534 candidates, 472 have declared criminal cases against them. About 291 of them are facing serious charges, according to the Association for Democratic Reforms.

Before MP casts ballots, lets take a closer look at the key contenders and the issues that are likely to dominate the fray.

Madhya Pradesh Polls: Key faces

Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is the BJPs candidate for the Budhni seat, which he has held since 2006. He will face Congress nominee Ramayan actor Vikram Mastal from the constituency. In 2018 polls, Chouhan had trounced former state Congress president Arun Yadav by more than 58,000 votes.

Congress leader and its CM face Kamal Nath is fighting from the Chhindwara seat against the BJPs Vivek Bunty Sahu.

Former CM Digvijaya Singhs son and sitting MLA Jaivardhan Singh has been given a ticket by the Congress from Raghogarh. He will take on the BJPs Hirendra Singh Banti Banna.

Govind Singh is the Congress candidate from the Lahar constituency in the Bhind district. The BJP has fielded Ambrish Sharma against the seven-time MLA.

The saffron party has also given tickets to several bigwigs in MP polls, including three Union ministers, this time. Union Agriculture minister Narendra Singh Tomar will fight from the Dimani seat of Morena, Minister of State (MoS) Prahlad Singh Patel from Narsingpur, and MoS Faggan Singh Kulaste from Niwas  a seat reserved for STs.

Congress has fielded Ravindra Singh Tomar from Dimani, Lakhan Singh Patel from Narsingpur and Chain Singh Warkade from Niwas ST seat.

BJP national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya is contesting from the Indore Assembly Number 1 seat against Congress Sanjay Shukla.

MP home minister Narottam Mishra is the BJP nominee from Datia seat, facing Congress Rajendra Bharti.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections: Key issues

Several issues are likely to take centre stage as electors vote for the next government of Madhya Pradesh.

Madhya Pradeshs longest-serving CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan is facing anti-incumbency, which is probably one of the reasons his party has stopped short of projecting him as the CM face.

Chouhan has been trying to overcome the anti-incumbency factor against him by endorsing his welfare schemes, including the popular Ladli Behna Yojana  a monthly financial assistance for underprivileged women. The Congress promise of a farm loan waiver if it comes to power has also resonated with farmers, as per Moneycontrol.

The Congress has targeted the ruling BJP government in the state over crimes against women.

Both the chief parties in MP are playing the Hindutva card, with the BJP trying to corner Congress over the Sanatan Dharma controversy, as per an Indian Express report. The saffron party has also highlighted its development of religious tourist circuits, including Ujjains Mahakal Lok corridor and the Adi Shankaracharya statue in Omkareshwar. Congress Kamal Nath is pursuing soft Hindutva by presenting himself as a Hanuman devotee, including by erecting a massive statue of the deity in his constituency Chhindwara, the report added.

The BJP is trying to woo tribals who account for over 21 per cent of the states population. Of the 47 Assembly seats reserved for STs, the saffron party had won only 16 seats while the Congress swept 30 seats in 2018. The Grand Old Party has been attacking the BJP by underscoring atrocities against tribals in the state, noted Indian Express.

Unemployment is expected to be a key poll issue as lakhs of youth vote in the state polls. Chouhan has vowed to provide a job to each household if his party returns to power. Priyanka Gandhi Vadra had claimed in her Jabalpur speech in June that the BJP government gave only 21 government jobs in MP in the last three years, expressing surprise over the low figure, reported Indian Express.

The Congress also trained the guns on the BJP over alleged corruption, labelling the Chouhan government a 50 per cent commission one. Kamal Nath has accused in his campaign speeches that there is no limit to corruption, as per the English daily. The saffron party has countered the narrative by bringing up Congress rule at the Centre which had allegations of scams in coal and 2G spectrum and so on.

While the Grand Old Party has been demanding a nationwide caste census, it is not a poll issue in MP, reported Moneycontrol. With Other Backward Classes (OBC) making up for about 50 per cent of the population in the state, both parties have tried to court this important voter base. The Congress and BJPs Uma Bharti have called for an OBC quota within womens reservations.

The perceived discontent within the BJP in MP could make it tougher for the party to retain the state. The Congress has taken advantage of this by inducting several saffron party leaders ahead of the polls.

With inputs from agencies
Senior Congress leader Sonia Gandhi is in poll-bound Rajasthan for a personal visit. The Congress has said Gandhi has shifted base to avoid the deteriorating air quality in Delhi.

However, the political implications of her visit remain. Rajasthan goes to polls on 25 November, while the counting of votes will take place on 3 December. Gandhis trip is not perceived as merely personal given the desert states tradition of ousting the incumbent government since the Assembly elections in 1993.

What is Sonia Gandhi really doing in Jaipur? Lets try to find out.

Sonia Gandhi in Jaipur

Sonia Gandhi and her son, Congress MP Rahul Gandhi, arrived in Jaipur late on Tuesday (14 November) night, along with All India Congress Committee (AICC) general secretary KC Venugopal.

It is a private visit. There is air pollution in Delhi, thats why, Venugopal said when asked about the trip, according to PTI.

Confirming the personal visit, senior party leader Jairam Ramesh wrote on X, Chairperson of Congress Parliamentary Party Sonia Gandhi is in Jaipur for the next few days to avoid the air pollution in New Delhi. It is a purely personal visit.

He also said that Rahul Gandhi will be based in Jaipur and go for campaigning in Chhattisgarh on 15 November. The Wayanad MP will canvass in Rajasthan on 16, 19, 21 and 22 November, Ramesh wrote.

                                     15      16, 19, 21  22         Jairam Ramesh (@Jairam_Ramesh) November 14, 2023

Sonia Gandhi has respiratory problems and has been suggested by her doctors to temporarily relocate to a place with better air quality, reported NDTV.

This is not the first time she has left Delhi to avoid pollution. She has asthma-related issues and tries to avoid pollution. In 2020, she went to Goa for weeks when there was severe pollution in Delhi, a senior Congress leader told Hindustan Times (HT).

ALSO READ: Rajasthan Assembly Elections 2023: Will anti-incumbency throw out Congress from power?

Political meanings of the visit

With just days left for the Assembly elections in Rajasthan, Sonia Gandhis trip is being seen by many as an attempt to fortify Congress prospects in the state.

As per a report in Moneycontrol, opinion polls show that the Congress is losing the desert state to the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

Her trip also gains significance as Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlots tussle with his former deputy Sachin Pilot could hurt the Grand Old Partys chances in the state. While the two have kept their differences aside for the polls, their rift as well as bids to present a united front continue to garner headlines.

Rahul Gandhi, who was welcomed by both CM Gehlot and Pilot after he arrived in Jaipur on Thursday (16 November), told reporters, We are not only seen together but we are also united. We will be together and Congress will sweep the elections here and win.

#WATCH | Rajasthan Elections | CM Ashok Gehlot and Congress leader Sachin Pilot seen together with Rahul Gandhi, in Jaipur. Rahul Gandhi says, We are not only seen together but we are also united. We will be together and Congress will sweep the elections here and win. pic.twitter.com/sWezSuuv0X  ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023

This will be Rahuls maiden campaigning in Rajasthan since the announcement of elections, noted India TV. He had addressed the state unit Congress workers in September after laying the foundation stone for a party office building in Jaipurs Mansarovar area.

While Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra has held several rallies in Rajasthan, her brother was focusing on other poll-bound states.

As per an Opinion piece in India Today, the Gandhi family feel accountable for the Rajasthan Congress and somewhere feel responsible for Gehlot taking over the chief ministerial post after Congress victory in the 2018 Assembly polls despite Pilot having Rahuls blessings.

However, much has changed since then. The Congress high command has been upset with CM Gehlot since his loyalists revolted against the partys directive to attend a Congress Legislature Party (CLP) meeting last September. The defiance of dozens of Rajasthan Congress MLAs had led to Gehlot retaining his post instead of becoming the next party president. It also upstaged the top brass plan to elevate Pilot as the state CM.

Pilot, who led his own failed rebellion in 2020, is back in the good graces of both Priyanka and Rahul after the CLP debacle, as per the Moneycontrol report. It is also believed the Congress high command is still upset with Gehlot, who was otherwise considered a staunch loyalist of the Gandhis.

Congress insiders say Sonias presence in Jaipur till 22-23 November, that is when the campaigning ends, is aimed at enthusing the Rajasthan party cadre, signalling to Gehlot and Pilot to give their best. In return, Rahul and Priyanka, who will be in attendance for Sonia, try to attract the voters with road shows and public meetings, the India Today article mentioned.

According to the Opinion piece, amid dismal findings of the poll surveys, the Congress under matriarch Sonia does not want to get the blame for not trying hard to retain Rajasthan.

With inputs from agencies
On Wednesday, US president Joe Biden announced that China would take action to stop the influx of fentanyl, a synthetic opioid that killed over 70,000 people in the previous year.

On the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference in San Francisco, Biden had a candid and in-depth conversation with Chinese President Xi Jinping about resuming high-level military communication, initiating an intergovernmental conversation on artificial intelligence, and talking about Taiwan.

The venue of the Biden-Xi meeting is an important one as there have been 619 opioid-related deaths, most related to fentanyl, in San Francisco itself this year so far. This is in comparison to 647 such deaths across the whole of 2022, according to the citys Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

Across America, tens of thousands die annually from an overdose of synthetic opioids.

What is fentanyl?

According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), fentanyl is a synthetic opioid.

It is 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more so than heroin.

It was initially approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) as an analgesic (pain relief) in 1998 and was developed by pharma companies to treat the pain of cancer patients, as per the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA).

In its prescription form, fentanyl is known by such names as Actiq, Duragesic, and Sublimaze.4,5. Like morphine, it can be used to treat patients with severe pain, especially after surgery. It can also be prescribed to patients suffering from chronic pain who have developed a tolerance to other opioids.

It can be given as an injection, a skin patch, or as pills in a prescription setting.

There are two forms of fentanyl that can be purchased illegally: liquid and powder. In its latter form, it can be used as eye drops, nasal sprays, or even as drips within tiny candles. It is offered as pills as well.

Fentanyl causes euphoria, pain alleviation, sedation, confusion, drowsiness, nausea, vomiting, pupillary constriction, and respiratory depression, just like other opioid analgesics.

According to CDC, fentanyl and pharmaceuticals laced with it are extremely dangerous, and many people may not even be aware that their medications are laced with it.

Some of the signs of its overdose are constricted pupils, weak or slow breathing, choking or gurgling sounds, a limp body and discoloured or cold or clammy skin.

Why its a big problem in America

The medication has been widely available in the US market in recent years due to its ease of production at a low cost in the lab.

The version connected to overdose deaths is illegally produced. Other names for it on the street are Great Bear, He-Man, Poison, Dance Fever, Goodfellas, China White, China Girl, and Tango & Cash.

According to the DEA, a portion of it is extensively sold as fake prescription medications like Xanax, OxyContin, and Percocet.

Fentanyl was the major reason behind more than 107,000 overdose deaths in the US between July 2021 and June 2022, according to official data.

Based on data from CDC, the number of drug overdose deaths nationwide containing fentanyl more than tripled between 2016 and 2021.

The government agency reported there was a 109 per cent increase in the average monthly rate of overdose among adolescents between 2019 and 2021.

Additionally, overdoses involving fentanyl produced illegally rose by 182 per cent.

How China is involved

China has long been a major supplier of fentanyl that is trafficked into the United States. Chinese state media has repeatedly said addiction and demand for the drug are US domestic problems.

According to Reuters, last month, the United States imposed sanctions on 28 people and entities involved with the international proliferation of illicit drugs, including a large China-based network.

We know that this global fentanyl supply chain, which ends with the deaths of Americans, often starts with chemical companies in China, said US Attorney General Merrick Garland.

Advocates have also accused pharmaceutical companies and related businesses of fueling the crisis through downplaying the risks of opioids and lack of regulation. Landmark settlements since 2021 have set compensation at a total of more than $50 billion nationwide.

The production and sale of fentanyl and many of its variants were banned by the Xi Jinping-led government in May 2019 in response to international criticism. This significantly decreased the nations illicit fentanyl trade.

However, according to an NPR investigation and research from the non-profit Centre for Advanced Defence Studies (C4ADS), over a year later, Beijings vendors utilised online networks to openly sell fentanyl analogues and the precursor chemicals used to make the drug, shipping them directly to customers in the US and Europe as well as to Mexican cartels.

Chinese vendors frequently operate undercover thanks to an intricate web of corporate entities registered in remote Chinese cities. In these locations, law enforcement control is often less stringent than in larger Chinese cities, and these vendors even use sophisticated shipping techniques to get around screening procedures. It is possible to ship thousands of doses in tiny, discrete packaging.

Many Chinese networks involved in the production and advertising of fentanyl quickly adapted to increased legal constraints by modifying their techniques to exploit loopholes in chemical restrictions and disguise their activities, a 2020 report by NPR quoted Michael Lohmuller, a C4ADS analyst and report co-author as saying.

Whats the outcome of Biden and Xis blunt talks

Joe Biden said Beijing had agreed to stem the export of items related to the drugs production.

It is going to save lives, he told reporters, and said he appreciated Chinas commitment in the issue.

Under the new agreement, China will go after companies that make precursors  items needed to produce the opioid  a senior American official said.

However, in a caveat underlining the distrust between the two sides, a senior US official told reporters that the US will trust but verify Chinas actions against the drug.

Joint efforts to combat global illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking (including fentanyl) and establishment of a working group for ongoing communication and law enforcement coordination on counter-narcotics issues were noted in a White House statement following the meeting.

According to the White House, Biden also emphasised the need to combat the growing threat posed by illegal synthetic drugs like fentanyl and to stop the flow of precursor chemicals and tablets into the US that support cartels.

With inputs from Reuters
The Houthi movement in Yemen fired down a US drone on Wednesday night, more than a week after formally declaring war on Israel. This has sparking worries of a regional escalation.

Yemens Houthi commander vowed on Tuesday that his forces would continue to assault Israel, possibly targeting Israeli ships in the Red Sea and the Bab al-Mandeb Strait.

The action by the Iran-linked militia, which controls wide areas of Yemen, comes as Israel continues to attack Gaza, killing over 10,500 Palestinians, including over 4,300 children.

For years, the Houthi rebels controlling northern Yemen have chanted slogans at their mass rallies calling for the destruction of Israel. But they never acted on it until the Israel-Hamas war began on 7 October.

Since then, the Iran-backed Shiite Muslim force has launched at least six drone and missile attacks toward southern Israel, causing little to no damage. Most have been intercepted by Israeli air defences on their journey of over 1,600 kilometres (960 miles) from northern Yemen.

The Houthis said the barrage is in retaliation for the Israeli armys bombardment of Gaza and will continue until Israeli aggression stops.

Heres a look at the attacks and what threat they pose.

Who are the rebels who seized Sanaa?

In 2014, the Houthis swept from their stronghold in Yemens northern mountains and seized the capital, Sanaa, along with other central areas of the country.

The Islamist group follows the Shiite Zaydi faith, a branch of Shiite Islam almost exclusively found in northwest Yemen. The majority of Yemens population are Sunni Muslim, but Zaydis make up a large minority. The Houthi movement was fuelled by decades of marginalisation by Yemens ruling elite.

Their takeover sparked a brutal civil war. Saudi Arabia and its allies formed a military coalition to back the government that was driven out of Sanaa to the south. Yemen became another front in the regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The war has killed more than 150,000 people and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters.

The Houthi movement espouses a hard-line Islamist ideology. Over time, it has hardened its anti-American, anti-Saudi and anti-Israeli rhetoric. Their official slogan reads God is the greatest, death to America, death to Israel. Curse the Jews, victory to Islam.

Why attack Israel?

The attacks are a public show of support for Hamas, which is also backed by Iran, but also a reflection of the Houthis doctrine and ambitions.

They join their allies in the Axis of Resistance, a collection of Iran-backed groups and governments in the region. Other key members, Hamas and Hezbollah, have kept up a steady fire on Israel since the war began.

Also Read: Babies dying, bodies rotting: Inside Gazas largest hospital which has stopped functioning

Two Houthi officials said the groups leadership is in communication with Hezbollah and Hamas about their military activities but not the Iranian government. The officials refused to elaborate and spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorised to speak with the media.

The Houthis anti-Western sentiment is a driver in itself, said Farea al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House specialising in Yemen. Their death to America, death to Israel slogan is not there for electoral and voter reasons, al-Muslimi said. It is a life and ideology doctrine.

Unlike Hezbollah and Hamas, whose fighters border Israel, distance makes Houthi attacks much harder. Given this, al-Muslimi said he expects the low-level drone and missile fire to continue but not intensify greatly.

They will hit Israel just enough to say, We can hit you too,' he said,

There are other ways the conflict could escalate. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the groups supreme leader, said Tuesday his forces would target Israeli ships operating in the Red Sea.

Last week, the Houthis downed a US drone it said was flying above Yemeni territorial waters and spying on its forces. The US State Department acknowledged the attack. The Houthi leader has warned of strikes on American interests in the region if Washington becomes directly involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Also Read: Why Gaza civilians are holding white flags as they flee Israeli assault

The Houthi attacks are likely to further complicate their peace talks with the Saudi government, which have gone on for months as neither side is able to achieve victory on the battlefield.

The strikes on Israel will only further embolden the Houthis and the belief they have the upper hand against the Saudi coalition, said Nadwa Dawsari, a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute. She points out that renewed clashes have flared along the front lines in Yemen, including in the contested city of Marib and along the northern border.

What are the Houthis military capabilities?

The Houthis arsenal has grown in size and variety since 2014.

Analysts and Western intelligence services accuse Iran of arming the group. Tehran denies this. In recent years, US naval forces have intercepted a number of ships packed with rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and missile parts on route from Iran to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

Also Read: Is Hamas using Gaza hospitals to carry out terror operations?

The Houthis have long-range ballistic missiles, smaller cruise missiles and suicide drones, all capable of reaching southern Israel, weapons experts say. The Houthis are far more open about their arsenal than Hamas and Hezbollah, displaying new ballistic missiles such as the Tofun during military parades.

The depth of their arsenal is less known.

The Houthis say they have fired drones and ballistic missiles at southern Israel. In thwarting attacks from the Red Sea, Israel said it used its Arrow missile defence system, which intercepts long-range ballistic missiles.

Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the only way to overcome Israeli defence systems would be to overwhelm them with large numbers of missiles, and you cannot really do that over 1,600 kilometres. Attacks on closer targets and shipping would be more effective, he said.

There no clear examples of effective long-range Houthi strikes.

In 2019, cruise missiles and drones struck the centre of Saudi Arabias oil industry in Abqaiq, about 1,000 kilometres (600 miles) from northern Yemen. The attack temporarily halved the kingdoms production and spiked global energy prices.

While the Houthis claimed the attack, a United Nations investigation concluded it was too sophisticated to have been carried out by the rebels. Washington later said it was launched from Iran.

With inputs from AP
The Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief JP Nadda on Thursday released the partys manifesto for the upcoming Assembly elections in Rajasthan.

The manifesto or vision document for the other parties is just a formality, but for BJP it is a roadmap for development, Nadda said after releasing the party manifesto at an event in Jaipur.

VIDEO | BJP president JP Nadda, along with party leaders, releases party manifesto for Rajasthan Assembly elections at an event in Jaipur. pic.twitter.com/leRayDb9gS  Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 16, 2023

The BJP Chief said that the Sankalp Patra is a development roadmap for the BJP. The manifesto is just a formality for other parties but for the BJP, its a roadmap for development. So this Sankalp Patra is not just words written on the page, but we are committed to fulfilling these sentences Our history is the proof that we did whatever we said, he said.
For the duration of the Zorawar light tank projectwhich was postponed by several months owing to problems with German engine supplyIndian agencies have determined to stick with the American Cummins engine.

Sources within the Defence Research and Development Organisation stated, We will proceed with the Cummins engine only for the entire programme. The German clearances have come now, and their firms are ready to supply the engines.

Prior to being postponed due to a lack of German export control clearances, or BAFA clearance, the Zorawar light tank project was supposed to be constructed with a German engine. Afterwards, it was decided to create the tank with an American engine.

A cooperative initiative between DRDO and the commercial company Larsen and Toubro is the Zorawar light tank.

The American-built light tank prototype with the Cummins engine is nearly finished and will begin testing by the end of the year.

Following the internal testing, the primary trials will begin in the desert sector before moving on to the high-altitude regions of Sikkim and Ladakh.

ANI quoted officials as saying that the tank will be tested in every conditions with the intention of using it in every terrain.

The Peoples Liberation Armys deployment of light tanks, which are faster to move and manoeuvre than conventional tanks, along the Line of Actual Control during the ongoing standoff with China in 2020 highlighted the need for light tanks.

The tank bears the name of the renowned General Zorawar Singh, who spearheaded numerous triumphant campaigns in Tibet, presently under the governance of the China.

In order to gain tactical advantage over the enemy and put them on the defensive, the Indian Army was forced to introduce a sizable number of T-72 and T-90 tanks into operating areas after the military standoff with China began.

(With agency inputs)
The Enforcement Directorate has sent summons to American millionaire Neville Roy Singham in China via Ministry of External Affairs in connection with the NewsClick terror case, sources said.

Singhams name first surfaced in a New York Times report, which alleged that the US millionaire was involved in spreading Chinese propaganda worldwide, including in India through news outlet NewsClick.

Singham has previously rejected allegations that he is running a financing network connected to the Chinese governments propaganda arm in order to disseminate Chinas talking points globally, including in India through news outlet NewsClick.

The Delhi Polices special cell has named him as an accused in the case, in which the editor and an employee of NewsClick were arrested. Close to 100 persons, including journalists and activists, were also raided last month.

The Delhi Polices Special Cell also arrested Prabir Purkayastha, the editor-in-chief of the portal, along with its human resources head, Amit Chakravarty last month.

The arrests followed the coordinated raids at approximately 100 locations across the country.

Law enforcement officials are investigating allegations against the portal, accusing it of receiving illegal funding from China and propagating Chinese propaganda. Several employees and consultants associated with the portal are also under scrutiny.

Earlier on 2 November, the Patiala House Court of Delhi sent NewsClicks Founder and Editor-in-Chief, Prabir Purkayastha and HR head Amit Chakravarty to judicial custody for 30 days.

They were arrested last month by Delhi Police in a case filed under the anti-terror law, the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA) following allegations that NewsClick received huge money for pro-China propaganda.

The Delhi Polices Special Cell in its FIR against the portal founder and Editor-in-Chief stated that Peoples Dispatch Portal, owned and maintained by PPK NewsClick Studio Pvt. Ltd. has been used for intentionally peddling false narratives through paid news in lieu of crores of rupees of illegally routed foreign funds as part of the conspiracy.

Delhi Police FIR further stated that foreign funds in crores have been infused illegally in India by Indian and Foreign entities inimical to India in pursuance of conspiracy with the intention to disrupt the sovereignty and territorial integrity of India, to cause disaffection against India and to threaten the unity, integrity, security of India.

The Delhi Police First Information Report is filed under the stringent Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA) and relevant sections of the Indian Penal Code (IPC). The FIR was filed following an investigation by The New York Times, which alleged a connection between Singham, a Shanghai-based businessman of Sri Lankan-Cuban descent closely affiliated with the Chinese government, and NewsClick.

With inputs from agencies
India is not ruling out an investigation into Canadas allegations about the involvement of the Indian governments agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist in that country but wants it to provide evidence to back its claims, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said.

His statement came in response to questions during a conversation with veteran journalist Lionel Barber titled How a Billion People See the World.

If you have a reason to make such an allegation please share the evidence because we are not ruling out an investigation, Jaishankar, who is here on a five-day official visit to the UK, said while responding to a question.

He emphasised that Canada has not shared any evidence with India to support its allegations. The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations in September of a potential involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia. India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India has rejected Trudeaus allegations as absurd and motivated. Jaishankar said that freedom of speech and freedom of expression comes with a certain responsibility and the misuse of those freedoms and the toleration of that misuse for political purposes would be very wrong, referring to the pro-Khalistani activities in Canada.

Jaishankar said that he was in touch with his Canadian counterpart Melanie Joly on the issue.

He recalled the attacks on the High Commission of India in Canada, or smoke bomb attacks on the High Commission and Consulate General, and said Indian diplomats were intimidated in public, with no action from the Canadian authorities against culprits.

Last week, Prime Minister Trudeau underlined that a fight with India was not something Canada wanted to be having right now but reiterated his allegations and said Ottawa wants to work constructively with New Delhi on this very serious matter.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said India has conveyed to the US side its serious concerns over increasing activities of pro-Khalistani elements in Canada.

Insofar as Canada is concerned, we have been having very consistent conversations with all our friends and partners. Our position on this matter has been enunciated and explained in full detail on multiple occasions, Kwatra said in New Delhi recently.

Days after Trudeaus allegations in September, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity.

India resumed some visa services in Canada last month, more than a month after they were suspended.

On China, Jaishankar said that the 2020 deadly clash in the Galwan Valley has vitiated the relationship between the two countries.

He said China did not adhere to the agreements of 1993 and 1996 not to amass troops at the Line of Actual Control as he asserted that such acts of not following pacts have consequences in terms of credibility.

With PTI inputs.
Russias state-owned arms company, Rosoboronexport, has declared its intention to participate in the bidding process for the supply of light tanks and the Future Infantry Combat Vehicle (FICV) to India.

Alexander Mikheyev, the CEO of the Russian company announced the decision with the state-run media outlet TASS during the International Aerospace Exhibition at Dubai Airshow 2023.

Mikheyev outlined plans for collaboration with Indian partners, to introduce a light tank and an advanced infantry fighting vehicle as part of the Indian Ministry of Defenses FICV project tender. Emphasizing alignment with the principles of the Make in India program, he highlighted the intention to contribute to local manufacturing.

In his statements, Mikheyev underlined Russias comprehension of the Indian governments aspirations, acknowledging Indias commitment to achieving technological sovereignty and promoting independent industrial development. The proposed plans reflect a collaborative approach that adheres to the principles of the Make in India initiative.

Earlier, Russia signed a contract to supply Igla-S hand-held anti-aircraft missiles to India and allow production of the Igla there under licence, the Russian state news agency TASS quoted a top arms export official as saying on Tuesday.

The Igla-S is a man-portable air defence system (MANPADS) that can be fired by an individual or crew to bring down an enemy aircraft.

India is the worlds largest arms importer and Russia remains its largest supplier despite the damage to the reputation of its army and weaponry from the war in Ukraine, where Russia has suffered numerous setbacks at the hands of a smaller but highly motivated and Western-equipped military.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), Russia accounted for 45% of Indias arms imports between 2018 and 2022, with France providing 29% and the United States 11%.

Another Russian state news agency, RIA, quoted Mikheyev earlier as saying that Rosoboronexport is working with Indian private and public enterprises to organise joint production of aviation weapons and integrate them into the existing aviation fleet in India.

No details were provided about which Indian companies would be involved or when potential production would start.

Mikheyev said Rosoboronexport and Indian partners had provided the Indian Ministry of Defence with Su-30MKI fighter jets, tanks, armoured vehicles and shells. At the beginning of the year, India and Russia also started joint production of AK-203 Kalashnikov assault rifles.

With inputs from Reuters.
External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar emphasized that secularism in India entails equal respect for all faiths, dispelling the notion that it implies non-religiosity.

The appeasement government policies of the past made the biggest religion of the country feel like it had to be self-deprecatory in the name of equality, he said.

Speaking during an interaction titled How a Billion People See the World at the Royal Over-Seas League in London, Jaishankar addressed the question of whether India has shifted towards a more Hindu majoritarian stance under the BJP-led government, deviating from the Nehruvian era.

While acknowledging that India has undergone changes, Jaishankar clarified that these changes do not imply a reduction in liberalism. Instead, he emphasized that the transformation signifies a greater authenticity in expressing the countrys beliefs.

Has India changed from the Nehruvian era? Absolutely, because one of the assumptions of that era which very much guided the thinking of the polity and its projection abroad was the way we define secularism in India, said Jaishankar, in response to a question by journalist-author Lionel Barber.

For us, secularism doesnt mean being non-religious; for us secularism means equal respect to all faiths. Now, what happened in reality in politics was beginning with equal respect for all faiths, we actually got into a sort of politics of minoritarian pandering. That, over a period of time, I think, created a backlash, he said.

Jaishankar referenced appeasement as a very powerful word in the Indian political debate, which guided the direction in which politics went.

More and more people started feeling that in a way, in the name of equality of all religions, in fact, the biggest religion had to be self-deprecatory and play itself down. A big part of that community felt it was not being fair, he noted.

The senior BJP leader said the political and social changes seen in India in the last few years have partly been a reaction at an intellectual and political level to this sense of unfairness.

Specifically asked if tolerance had gone down in India as a result, he responded: I dont think so; I think on the contrary. I think people today are less hypocritical about their beliefs, about their traditions and their culture.

We are more Indian, more authentic. We are not today, either currying favour before a global audience or really trying to live up to some kind of left-wing liberal construct which a lot of Indians felt was not us.

The question-and-answer session, organised by foreign policy agency Wilton Park in partnership with the High Commission of India in London, marked the ministers final engagement in London as he concluded his five-day UK visit.

The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including India-China relations, the ongoing diplomatic row with Canada and the socio-political scenario in the country.
Following a fresh airstrike by the Myanmar army in the bordering areas along the Indo-Myanmar border, some 5000 Myanmar nationals have sought refuge in the Zokhawthar area of Mizorams Champhai district.

According to the leaders of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), Zokhawthar, there are around 4-5 relief and refugee camps in the area and around 160 families from Myanmar now are residing in Zokhawthars Lipui.

F Biaktinsanga, the Financial Secretary of the Young Mizo Association (YMA), said around 5,000 to 6,000 people have entered India and are being supported by various NGOs and the district administration, which provide essential items such as food and clothing.

 Around 5000-6000 people have come to India, cant say the exact numbershere an NGO provided some food, clothes etchere theyre living very peacefully and as people of Mizoram. We care about them, Biaktinsanga said.

Mal Sawm Par, a national from Myanmar, shared his experience about the hardships faced after fleeing his home country. He arrived in Zokhawthar about two years ago, leaving behind a village that was burned down and bringing nothing with him.

Despite the challenges, he found support from the local community who provided him with food, clothing, and medical care.

We came here about 2 years ago and then we didnt bring anything and our village was burned. In Zokhawthar, some people give us clothes and food. Now we have nothing so we cannot go back. It is also very difficult to go back so we have to stay here. How long we stay here, we also dont know; nobody knows. The people here are good to us. All the people help us so much and give us what we need. When we get sick, they give us a doctor. The medicine is free for us, ANI quoted Mal Sawm Par, a Myanmar national, as saying.

In a recent development along the Myanmar border, the Peoples Defence Force (PDF) of Myanmar attacked and captured two Myanmar Army posts. This led to 39 Myanmar Army personnel seeking refuge in Mizoram and subsequently surrendering to the Mizoram Police.

The total number of Myanmar Army personnel who have surrendered so far stands at 42.

On Sunday evening, PDF of Myanmar attacked the Myanmar Army post along the Myanmar border. Yesterday evening, two Myanmar posts were captured by the PDF. As a result, the Myanmar Army started taking shelter in Mizoram. 39 of them surrendered to Mizoram Police last eveningWe handed them over to both our governing forceThe total number of Myanmar Army personnel who surrendered before Mizoram Police is 42More than 5000 people took refuge in two villages along the border and we also got about 20 civilian injuries  8 of them are taken to Aizawl for better medical treatmentOne succumbed to his stray bullet injuries last eveningSince last night there has been no more commotion at the borderNow it is quite calm but we dont know whether Myanmar Army will attack from the air. We cant rule out airstrike at present Mizoram Inspector-general of police (IGP) (Headquarters), Lalbiakthanga Khiangte said on Tuesday.

With inputs from agencies
According to a report from the Uppsala Conflict Data Program (UCDP) at Uppsala University, at least 237,000 people died in organised violence in 2022. This was a 97 per cent increase compared with the previous year and the highest number since the Rwandan genocide in 1994.

We see this increase despite considerable de-escalation in the two deadliest conflicts of 2021: Yemen and Afghanistan. Instead, violence in Ethiopia and Ukraine escalated drastically, said Shawn Davies, Senior Analyst at UCDP. One shudders to think about what the report will be for 2023.

Ongoing conflicts

The wars in Ethiopia and Ukraine resulted in at least 180,000 battle-related deaths in 2022. This is an estimate, as information from these conflicts can rarely be accurate and is subject to extensive propaganda. If we take the data at face value, more people died in those two conflicts in 2022 than in the whole world the year before.

A common perception is that Russias war in Ukraine was the bloodiest conflict in 2022, but in fact, more people died in Ethiopia, where the Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPLF) has fought the Ethiopian Army, the latter supported by Eritrea, since late 2020, said Davies.

In spite of various advances in warfighting technologies, fighting has been characterised by attrition. This type of warfare has contributed to the high casualty numbers. The nature of the adversaries has also varied, with non-state actors taking centre stage in most conflicts. The Russian invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 is an exception, but in this war, too, we have seen a hybrid conflict with proxies coming into play. However, with the Russian invasion of Ukraine, high-intensity conflict returned to Europe, which had previously enjoyed several decades of relative peace and stability.

Violent conflict and confrontation are now at centre stage in multiple parts of the world. Hamass 7 October attack on Israel and the Israeli offensive on Gaza have raised the spectre of an expanded conflict in the Middle East with Iran and its puppets, the three Hs: Hezbollah, Hamas, and Houthis. Ukraine, which was firmly in the arc lights for over 18 months, has suddenly found the spot light shifted. Though the conflict still carries on, unfortunately, the Ukrainian counterattack lacked both tempo and bite, and it seems to be an unwinnable scenario.

There has been a surge in violence across Syria, including a wave of armed drone attacks that threatened US troops stationed there. In the Caucasus in late September, Azerbaijan, taking advantage of Russias preoccupation in Ukraine, seized the disputed enclave of Nagorno-Karabakh, forcing an estimated 150,000 ethnic Armenians to flee their historical home in the territory and setting the stage for renewed fighting with Armenia.

In Africa, the civil war in Sudan rages on, conflict has returned to Ethiopia, and the military takeover of Niger in July was the ninth coup or attempted power grab in just over three years in West and Central Africa, a region that over the last decade had made strides to shed its reputation as a coup belt, only for persistent insecurity and corruption to open the door to military leaders.

In our own neighbourhood, Afghanistan under the Taliban can be termed a terrorist state and Pakistan believes in nurturing terrorists as a strategic tool of their state policy. There is a military junta in control in Myanmar, and as far as India is concerned, the Line of Control with Pakistan and the Line of Actual Control with China continue to remain tense, and terrorism sponsored by Pakistan persists, though it is presently under control to a degree.

There are now concerns that Hamass attack and the Israeli response in the Gaza Strip could provide a window of opportunity for the global jihadi movement to revive itself after years of decline. Al Qaeda and ISIS may now pose a fresh threat. FBI Director Christopher Wray told a United States Senate Committee that the terror threat has been raised to a whole other level because of ongoing conflict in the region. We assess that the actions of Hamas and its allies will serve as an inspiration, the likes of which we havent seen since ISIS launched its so-called caliphate several years ago.

The Study Report

In fact, according to the study conducted by the Peace Research Institute Oslo, the number, intensity, and length of conflicts worldwide are at their highest level since before the end of the Cold War. They concluded that there were 55 active conflicts in 2022, with the average one lasting about eight to eleven years, a substantial increase from the thirty-three active conflicts lasting an average of seven years a decade earlier.

Along with war have come record levels of human upheaval. In 2022, a quarter of the worlds populationtwo billion peoplelived in conflict-affected areas. While the number of those forcibly displaced worldwide reached a record 108 million, these figures are all alarming, to put it mildly.

Way forward

Unfortunately, as fighting flares worldwide, the root causes of conflict remain unresolved, and the focus seems to be only on the immediate cause. Simultaneously, positions are increasingly getting harder, and peace negotiations are becoming more difficult due to the intertwining interests of those in a position to broker peace. The result is that voices are getting shriller, societies are being divided and resources diverted from development to aid, refugees are displaced, and the rules of conflict are increasingly being cast away while innocents caught in the crossfire continue to suffer.

Wars that were once rare are now common, and from being mainly binary in nature, they are now multi-party. There is also the changing nature of conflict. Wars now tend to be fought between states and armed groups committed to different causes with access to relatively advanced weaponry and other forms of technology, as well as money and material from other states that function on the principle of plausible deniability. The norms that shaped many earlier wars no longer exist.

Defeating the Hamas militarily is achievable, but more difficult than crushing them on the battlefield is eliminating their radical ideology and narratives, which must be countered.

The globalisation of war has also led to greater complexities. Countries including the US, Russia, Iran, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Lebanon, and Qatar regularly become drawn in, whether indirectly or directly, as has been seen repeatedly in conflicts in the Middle East.

The more parties that are involved in a conflict, the harder it is to end it. With little clarity on the perceived end state, wars are now difficult to end. General VN Sharma, while writing the foreword to Armour 71, wrote, It is easy to start a war, but once started, it is difficult to terminate hostilities on terms advantageous to oneself. A good General must plan for the termination of conflict before starting one. A good General must also attempt to achieve the national aim with minimum loss of men and material, both of oneself and of the enemy. To motivate troops in battle, hating the enemy must be avoided as the aim is never to destroy masses of the human population or to cause total distress to the civil population by levelling cities and destroying families. India achieved this with its decisive victory in 1971.

Conclusion

A new approach to resolving and managing conflicts and their impact is therefore urgently needed. Debates at the United Nations have no outcomes. Deadlocks in the Security Council mean that the UN can neither offer solutions nor censure aggression. Negotiators, instead of looking at the larger picture of stopping conflict and devising durable political solutions, are congratulating themselves after plucking low-hanging fruit, such as export of grain through the Black Sea and permitting aid to reach Gaza. The unvarnished truth is that the UN is unfortunately increasingly lacking leverage and credibility with conflicting parties.

There has no doubt been an unprecedented churn in global violence that has shown no signs of abating, and on the contrary, the trajectory seems to be heading upwards. Unfortunately, the United Nations, by the very structure of its Security Council, is unable to arrest this trend.

Sadly, the world is increasingly being overwhelmed by a series of global crises as violence grinds on unabated while the shadow of an aggressive China is only getting darker. Unfortunately, we seem to be racing in the wrong direction.

The author is a retired Major General of the Indian Army. 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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Let us talk about karma and terrorism. The two words seem to be contradictory, yet they have very deep and far-reaching links. Do you know what karma is? It has nothing to do with sin, in the Christian sense. Karma means any action that has a consequencein this life, in the next one, or in the next to that. Of course, you have to believe in reincarnation, like Buddhists or Hindus. Christians actually used to, until about the 4th century, when Roman Emperor Constantine banned this belief. But it was a significant development because it stopped one from believing in another life: after death, you go to paradise, purgatory, or hell, depending on your actions. In the Buddhist tradition, youre reborn again and again, perfecting yourself during every life. This is the great message of the Bhagavad Gita, which should become the Bible of future humanity.

Now there is also collective karma, the karma of a nation.

The Dalai Lama himself has said many times that Tibet today is living a black karma, at the hands of the Chinese. As you may know, about one million Tibetans have died violently, either directly or indirectly, since 1959. And its a lot because Tibet is a very small nation of 6 million soulsmany are also living in exile in India now. The Dalai Lama had said, We, the Tibetans, are living a black karma today because of feudalism in Tibet till the 20th century.

So its important to understand that a nation has karma. If you look at Europe, for instance, most European nations colonised Africa and other countries; for example, my country, France, colonised most of North Africa, Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, etc, often in a very violent manner: they exploited the people, they killed them, they hanged them. And in the 1950s and 60s, we imported cheap Arab labour because the French didnt want to pick up trash or be coolies. And these labourers were looked down upon when I was a kid and made fun of. So if today I am a great grandson of one of these Arabs, or a great-great grandson of one of the colonised North Africans, I have an anger towards the White French, an anger that often leads to violence and rioting.

Im not saying the violence is justified, but it is karmic violence. So, France today is paying the karma of this colonisation, of this exploitation of Arabs. But then, the Arabs, the Muslims, who turn violently against France, in their turn, create black karma for themselves as a collective body. And one day they will have to pay that karma. So, this is very important to understand that each nation has karma, and this karma is paid in this life or the next.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama again says that people of a particular nation, or even a religion, are reborn mostly in the same nation or religion. If youre a Tibetan today, theres a good chance that when you die, you will be reborn as a Tibetan. If youre a Muslim, theres a fair chance that you will be reborn as a Muslim. So that karma is lived from life to life.

Now, as far as Israel is concerned, the Israeli people have suffered terribly. Not only today, with what the Hamas did on 7 October 2023, but they have also suffered throughout the ages. From the 6th century or 7th century onwards, when they were scattered over the world. They were victims of pogroms all over the world. And of course, during the Second World War, Hitler killed 6 million Jews, one of the goriest Holocausts after that of the Hindus in the history of humanity.

Here, I want to add that the only country in the world where Jews were never persecuted in India. Jews came to India in the 6th or 7th century; they settled mostly in Mumbai and in Cochin, Kerala. And there, they lived peacefully. They were able to practice their religion freely. And most of them went back to Israel in 1948.

What Im saying is that Israel has suffered terrible karma. For what reason? I have no idea. There have been many speculations about it. I do not want to speculate on these speculations. Let people make their own opinions. But the Dalai Lama also says that when you suffer, youre burning the karma, so then the karma disappears. Thus, in the Buddhist and Hindu sense, there is no absolute injustice: people you see today suffering immensely are most probably paying for past karma.

Nevertheless, the greatest danger we face today is Islamist terrorism. Islamist terrorism, in the name of religion, wants to take over the world in the most brutal manner. It is waging a war against the entire civilised world, from China to France, from Chechnya to Palestine. Thus, we need to fight Islamist terrorism, karma or no karma. It is the duty of everyone and every nation.

The author is a French journalist and author of A History of India as It Happened (Garudabooks.com). He is also building a museum of true Indian history in Pune. 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 his 2014 article in The Telegraph titled My five most Hellish moments, award-winning and highly acclaimed international investigative journalist Ross Kemp wrote how West Bengal is one of the five most hellish places in the world because it is a place where sex traffickers operate with immunity using help from certain members of the authorities. Ross is the creator of the widely popular, hit series Extreme World, which took him to many dark corners of the world such as Afghanistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, Haiti and India, particularly West Bengal.

Writing in the book, A-Z of Hell, he describes the Congo conflict, which saw six million dead and 400,000 women raped every year, as a place where he met the worst criminals as part of creating his series. However, nothing left him with more disgust than when he met a young sex trafficker in West Bengal named Khan, who he believes is one of the worlds biggest mass murderers. Khan admitted on camera that he had lost count of how many girls he had killed, which he estimated to be around 400 and that he had trafficked literally thousands of girls. He told Kemp how when it looked like they were going to be caught, he was put under pressure by people in authority to kill the girls.

Kemp estimated that about 100,000 girls go missing every year in India and it is a major multi-million-dollar inhumane industry that flourishes with the active support of the authorities. As part of this series, he went around the red light districts of India such as in Kolkata, Mumbai and with great difficulty was able to interview a trafficked girl who described her ordeal in a heart-wrenching account of how after being trapped when she was just 12 years old, with a promise of job, she was held in one room for three years with more than 15 customers per day. These girls are forced to engage in unprotected sex for years.

He documented in his video the many parents in West Bengal who came to him begging and sobbing, requesting him to recover their daughter because of the complete indifference of the authorities to their plight. These parents come from all backgrounds and some minor girls are as young as three years old.

Using a secret camera, his series also documented the young children held in the Mumbai red light district and it makes you wonder that if a foreign journalist can do it with such ease, what is stopping the authorities from investigating and stopping such activities across the brothels in the nation and get to the gangs of sex traffickers. This is nothing short of slavery and it is worse than beggars on the streets and instances of starvation. It is naked terrorism perpetrated on the most helpless, young girls from poor families. Many are as young as 10, confined in a room for years and fed with hormones so their breasts grow to make them attractive to customers.

Given the humongous tragedy, Kemp questioned how India, which spends a larger percentage of GDP on arms than the United States and has multi-million-dollar space programmes, could not address this problem of such scale and brutality.

The recent incident of a girl with her hands and legs tied, her throat slit and her face set on fire is a stark example of what happens in some districts of West Bengal, perhaps a common occurrence. But for the ground-level bodies such as Singha Bahini that posted the heart-wrenching on X (formerly Twitter), the world would not have known it. How the police handled it is another stark example of what Ross described in his findings. The police first threatened the activists not to post the video and after that, instead of apprehending the criminal gangs and their leaders who perpetrated such gruesome murder, the police found a mentally deranged person as the culprit. It is believed that the girl is from Bangladesh and as the sex trafficker who Kemp interviewed mentioned, her death was probably necessary because she caused risk to their business.

Do we, as a nation, have the conscience to let these incidents go by as if they hardly matter? Which politician, judge, lawyer or bureaucrat would stand by if this happened to their own daughter or a close relative?

West Bengal is not just infamous for the sex trafficking of minor girls, but also there are alleged cases of love jihad. The most recent one was that of a 15-year-old SC girl Piyali Goldar, who was gang-raped and her dead body was hung from a tree. The police allege that 17-year-old Iliyas Mondal and two other others committed the heinous crime. Will she get justice? As the tweet from Devdutta of Singha Bahini, who met the family notes, why did the police rush to get the funeral done immediately? Why did the local ruling partys leader convince the victims uncle to sign blank papers in the wee hours of the night at 3 am while the family was grieving the loss? As Kemp indicated, the state is a hell hole of India and this is just another among many examples.

Immediate Attention Required.

Minor Hindu @NCSC_GoI Girl (15 yrs) allegedly Raped and Murdered by ILLIYAS MONDAL @ Seikh ILLIYAS MONDAL and 2 other Jihadis. Today I visited the victim girls family at Vill Raghabpur, Maslandapur, PS  Gobordanga, North 24 PGNS.

(Victim Girl - pic.twitter.com/Ne62zKOhCa  Devdutta Maji (President of SinghaBahini). (@MajiDevDutta) November 3, 2023

In the conclusion of his wonderful video on sex trafficking in India, Ross has shown what ultimately happens to a minor girl who has survived premature death, acid attacks, or sexual slavery. He interviews a 40-year-old woman who was sold for Rs 225 as a minor girl and forced into sexual slavery for 20 years, days before she died of AIDS and tuberculosis, living off the street in a corner on the streets of Bombay. Her face and tone show the anguish and pain she has been through and say how girls like her are forced to do unprotected sex, and the misery of their lives only ends with a premature death. Though she is only 40 years old, she could be easily mistaken for being a terminally sick 80-year-old.

India is spending crores of rupees on institutions like the National Commission for Women (NCW), National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC), and National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) and they hardly scratch the surface of the enormous problem facing the most helpless of people. Poor peoples lives are hard enough and it is a shame that we cannot bring in stringent laws and protect the rights of our minor girls. Even if there are laws such as POSCO, corrupt local authorities compromise and subvert the laws. There is little deterrence even if there is a death sentence because it needs stringent and swift implementation to be effective.

National institutions need to be given powers to pursue against compromised state authorities working with sex trafficking gangs. There is a desperate need for legally helping the afflicted families and having a national register by pertinent state and central organisations tracking and updating each case progress and ensuring justice is done. We cannot become an advanced nation if we allow such heinous crimes to go without punishment. This is a national shame.

The writer is a US-based activist who has played a critical role in the introduction of paper trail for Indias Electronic Voting Machines called VVPAT. 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 Myanmar, the Juntas grip on power is being tested. Rebel groups are mounting attacks. The offensive began some three weeks ago. It has only intensified since the rebels have inflicted heavy damage on Myanmars military. They are losing both outposts and people.

What is the extent of the juntas losses? At least nine towns, and more than 150 outposts and military bases. And where are these towns? Six are in northern Myanmar, and three are in the northwest. These towns used to be military strongholds. They had local battalions there. But despite decades of control, the military couldnt stop the rebels. Three groups have joined hands: the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Taang National Liberation Army, and the Arakan Army. And they pose a serious threat because they havent just taken territory; they are also seizing military assets.

Reports say the region has lost six tanks and some armoured vehicles. The junta was caught off-guard and possibly outmatched. According to local media reports, over 300 soldiers and militia allies have surrendered. Around 40 of them tried to escape to India. They crossed into Indias Manipur state. Indian forces caught them. And they have been shipped back to Myanmar.

Reports say the Junta is struggling to respond; a counteroffensive was supposed to begin, but it has been delayed. The military has conducted a series of airstrikes, and they have also used heavy artillery, mostly to slow down the rebels. But these measures have been ineffective, and some troops have been called back. They were manning smaller outposts in the north, near the areas where the rebels struck. The military has asked them to retreat to join the forces at bigger strongholds.

It seems the junta doesnt know what theyre up against. The situation is still evolving. So the information is limited.

The rebels have given this offensive a name Operation 1027. And what is its goal? To challenge the rule of the army and control a significant portion of Myanmar.

This is a large-scale effort. The Brotherhood Alliance has mobilised in large numbers. How many fighters? At least 20 thousand. They are said to be taking part in this operation. The end game is to make the military regime irrelevant.

A few days ago, the Brotherhood issued a statement: Our primary objectives in launching this operation are multi-faceted. We are dedicated to eradicating the oppressive military dictatorship, a shared aspiration of the entire Myanmar population.

So the military has a challenge on its hands, but the generals arent the only ones feeling uneasy. This offensive is a worry for India too. The rebels are fighting near the Indian border. On Monday, they went after two military camps, which were next to Mizoram, an Indian state in the northeast.

And this situation is a tricky one; the offensive happened in Chin state. The Chin rebellion was backed by locals in Mizoram, in part due to close ethnic ties, and tens of thousands of people from Myanmar sought shelter in the small Indian state, including the ousted state and federal lawmakers.

The rebels there share close ethnic ties with the locals of Mizoram. The Mizos have ties with Myanmars Chin community, and that has led to an influx.

When the current round of violence broke out, over five thousand people from Myanmar fled to India. They came to Mizoram and took refuge in two local villages. These people are now asking for asylum. And this is a concern for India.

If the violence escalates, more people could flee, and India would be forced to deal with a refugee crisis.

The rebels have the momentum right now. It looks like they wont stop anytime soon. New Delhi is monitoring the situation.

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 the tumultuous landscape of UK politics, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak finds himself besieged on multiple fronts, with challenges emanating from both the countrys Supreme Court and a disgruntled former ally, Suela Braverman.

Supreme Courts verdict: Deport to Rwanda plan deemed unlawful

The UKs Supreme Court recently delivered a significant blow to Sunaks administration by declaring the Deport to Rwanda plan illegal. The controversial strategy, initiated under former prime minister Boris Johnson, aimed to address illegal migration by sending asylum seekers to Rwanda for processing. The court, led by President Robert Reed, concluded that there were substantial grounds to believe that this plan exposed individuals to the risk of refoulement, deeming it unlawful.

As I have explained, the legal test which has to be applied in this case is whether there are substantial grounds for believing that asylum seekers sent to Rwanda would be at real risk of refoulement. And in the light of the evidence which I have summarised, the Court of Appeal concluded that there were such grounds. We are unanimously of the view that they were entitled to reach that conclusion, said Supreme Court President Robert Reed.

When Sunak assumed office, he threw his weight behind the Rwanda plan, viewing it as a cornerstone in his five-point agenda. One of his key promises was to stop the small boats and curb illegal migration. However, with the Supreme Courts ruling, Sunak faces a critical setback, as his primary strategy to fulfill these promises has been deemed legally untenable.

Bravermans reckoning: Former home secretary attacks Sunaks leadership

Adding fuel to the fire, Sunak faced a scathing attack from his former home secretary, Suela Braverman. Sacked earlier in the week, Braverman minced no words in her open letter, accusing Sunak of weakness and dishonesty. She questioned his competence, stating, Either your distinctive style of government means you are incapable of doing so. Or, as I must surely conclude now, you never had any intention of keeping your promises. If we lose in the Supreme Court, you will have wasted a year and an Act of Parliament, only to arrive back at square one. Worse than this, your magical thinking  believing that you can will your way through this without upsetting polite opinion  has meant you have failed to prepare any sort of credible Plan B.

The former home secretary strategically absolves herself from blame, positioning Sunak as the sole architect of the Rwanda fiasco.

As Sunak grapples with a vote of no confidence and the Supreme Courts ruling, Bravermans attack threatens to erode his support base further. The timing of these dual assaults couldnt be worse for Sunak, whose chances of re-election and leadership within the Conservative Party hang in the balance. If the Conservative Party falters in the upcoming general election, Braverman may emerge as a formidable contender, potentially spelling the end of Sunaks premiership.

In the ever-evolving drama of UK politics, the aftermath of the Supreme Courts verdict and Bravermans onslaught leaves Rishi Sunak facing a precarious political landscape, with his leadership and the future of the Conservative Party hanging in the balance.

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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On 10 November Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, once again, repeated his charge of credible allegations that agents of the Indian government were involved in the murder of a Canadian citizen on Canadian soil. Trudeau said this while addressing the media in Ontario, Canada. He was obviously referring to the murder of Hardeep Singh Nijjar on 18 June in the parking lot of a Gurudwara in the Canadian province of British Columbia.

Trudeau went on to say that on learning of these credible allegations Canada reached out to the Indian government for cooperation to get to the bottom of this matter. He also disclosed that Canada contacted its friends and allies because the allegations constituted a grave violation of Canadian sovereignty and international law. India has dismissed Trudeaus charges as absurd.

Interestingly, during the course of the 10 November media interaction, Trudeau asserted that Canada did not want to fight India. He also again reiterated the charge that India had violated the Vienna Convention. Implicit in this accusation was the inference that India did so by informing Canada that if 41 of its diplomats did not leave India by a certain date their diplomatic privileges would be withdrawn. By restating this complaint Trudeau is either politically pandering to a section of his supporters or is not being correctly told of the contents of the Vienna Convention by his diplomatic advisors. If he is being correctly advised by his diplomats and is not acting on domestic political considerations, then Canadians should be truly worried about their prime ministers abilities.

This writer has written earlier about the Vienna Convention in the context of the diplomatic steps taken by India in asking Canadian diplomats to leave. However, as Trudeau is repeating his allegation it would be appropriate to again dwell on this issue so that no doubt is left in the mind of sections of Indian opinion which take interest in such issues.

The Vienna Convention does not curtail any sovereign states right to accept or deny the entry or stay of any foreign diplomat. It also does not require that a sovereign country has an obligation to inform why it wants a particular diplomat to leave though often a country when it publicly announces that it has asked that a diplomat to go it also clarifies that she/he was indulging in activities which were inconsistent with her/his diplomatic status. Such a diplomat is also declared a persona non grata or as the acronym goes png.

It is also open to a country to ask another country to reduce the number of diplomats or non-diplomatic personnel in its missions or consulates. In doing so the country concerned can invoke the principle of parity but it is not necessary to do so. A targeted country can reciprocate by asking for a reduction in the size of the other countrys embassy or consulate. In Indias case, it asked that Canada should reduce the size of its High Commission in Delhi by withdrawing 41 diplomats on grounds of parity and also because of Canadian diplomatic interference in Indias internal affairs.

India was within its rights under the Vienna Convention to take this action. Indeed, it could have named the Canadian diplomats who should leave, which would have meant declaring them persona non grata. But it generously left the decision of who should go to the Canadians. Canadas professional diplomats know this and it is high time that they forcefully ask Trudeau and other members of the Canadian government to stop making allegations that India violated the Vienna Convention. If they do not India should come out with a detailed statement on this issue to set the record straight and also repudiate Trudeaus charge.

This is especially required to expose Trudeaus hypocrisy. On the one hand, he is continuing to make allegations of Indian involvement in Nijjars murder and of breaking the Vienna Convention and on the other declaring that he does not want to fight India. Indeed, he is putting pressure on Canadas formal allies, like the United States, to press India to cooperate with Canada in the Nijjar case.

It is therefore time that India publicly informs the US and others who raise the Nijjar issue that instead of asking for Indian cooperation they should advise Canada to file a case in its courts and produce the evidence to back up its charges against India. It is noteworthy that stray information or even intelligence is often not evidence which will stand up in a court of law. Hence, what Canada is actually asking India to do is to turn the intelligence that it is gathered into prosecutable evidence in its own courts.

In all my diplomatic career I never came across a more preposterous demand. And, Indian ministers, diplomats and intelligence officials should have no hesitation in making this clear to their Canadian counterparts or their supporters. This would not imply accepting the validity of the Canadian allegations which India has already dismissed as absurd.

It is also time for India to go on the offensive and fully expose Canadian political and underworld links with Khalistani separatism. It is unacceptable that separatism be covered under the rubric of freedom of expression. Indeed, India should ask the US Secretary of State Antony Blinken who has asked that India should cooperate with Canada in the Nijjar case to unequivocally condemn floats like the Brampton one which glorified the killers of Indira Gandhi and openly gloated over revenge. Of course, that would also require that the Indian authorities do so themselves.

It is clear that Trudeau is banking on the large Indian diaspora in Canada to pressure the Indian government to be flexible and to at least meet their adopted country halfway. Indian diplomats, despite the security issues, should find ways of reaching out to non-Khalistani supporters in the diaspora to show that Trudeau is going out of his way to damage Indo-Canada ties. The Indo-Canadian bilateral relationship is important but like all ties, it has to be carefully nurtured. Certainly, Trudeau is not acting in a manner that he wishes to return the relationship to productive and cooperative paths.

India has done well to make sure that Canadians of Indian origin would have no difficulties in getting visas to come to India. Visas have also been opened for Canadian business persons. For the time being non-Indian origin Canadians cannot travel to India for tourism purposes. Gradually, these could be given too subject to security checks.

The entire objective of Indias Canadian diplomacy should be to show the untenability of Trudeaus adamant position. In addition, it should also expose the inherent racism in Canadian visa practices for Indian defence service personnel including those who have retired. The Canadian claim that this is part of their global practice is as duplicitous as it is laughable.

The writer is a former Indian diplomat who served as Indias Ambassador to Afghanistan and Myanmar, and as secretary, the Ministry of External Affairs. 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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Chinese smartphone sales experienced a notable rebound in the first four weeks of October, marking an 11 per cent increase compared to the same period last year, according to a recent report by Counterpoint Research.

The recovery, after an eight-month slump, was propelled by leading domestic brands Xiaomi, Honor, and Huawei Technologies, outpacing rival Apple in sales growth.

Huawei emerged as a standout performer during October, achieving a remarkable 90 per cent year-on-year sales increase, primarily attributed to the success of its Mate 60 series devices. Counterpoint China analyst Archie Zhang highlighted the positive impact of effective marketing and media coverage surrounding Huaweis surprise chipset, contributing to the overall growth. Despite U.S. sanctions, Huaweis Mate 60 Pro, equipped with an advanced made-in-China 5G chip, played a pivotal role in the companys resurgence.

Xiaomi also contributed significantly to the market recovery, with a 33 per cent increase in sales during the four-week period. The launch of Xiaomi 14, powered by Qualcomms new Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and featuring the companys new Android-based operating system, HyperOS, further boosted sales. Xiaomi founder and CEO Lei Jun reported selling over one million units of the Xiaomi 14 in less than two weeks, making it the top-selling smartphone on Alibaba Group Holdings e-commerce platform Tmall in the lead-up to the Singles Day shopping festival.

Honor, a Huawei spin-off that led smartphone sales in China in the third quarter, recorded a 10 per cent rise in sales during the same period. In contrast, Apple and other smartphone brands in China experienced a 12 per cent decline in sales, despite the release of the iPhone 15 in September.

Counterpoints senior China analyst, Zhang Mengmeng, indicated that the increase in overall demand suggests a potential exit from the extended slump in Chinas smartphone market. The pace of recovery, however, hinges on companies ability to address constraints such as production issues.

Both Huawei and Apple are reportedly under pressure to meet the demand for their new devices, with Apple facing challenges related to specific color variations of the iPhone Pro Max, leading to extended wait times and higher prices on certain shopping platforms. Huawei, on the other hand, is grappling with shortages of its phones, resulting in customers waiting up to three months to receive the Mate 60 Pro.

Counterpoints senior manufacturing analyst, Ivan Lam, emphasized that Huaweis ability to adapt to this new normal will not only impact its own growth but also play a crucial role in determining the broader market dynamics.

(With input from agencies)
Japanese space startup Ispace Inc. is gearing up for another attempt to land a rover on the moon after its initial mission in April ended in failure. The second mission is scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in the northern hemisphere winter of 2024, according to the Tokyo-based company.

Ispaces Chief Executive Officer, Takeshi Hakamada, emphasized the importance of the experience and data gained from the first attempt despite not achieving a successful lunar landing. The lander for this mission, named Resilience, will carry various payloads, including a water electrolyser, a food production experimentation module, a deep space probe, a commemorative metal plate based on the Japanese anime series Gundam, and a micro-rover developed by Ispace.

The micro-rover, weighing approximately 5 kilograms and standing 26 centimeters tall, will be equipped with a high-definition camera for capturing lunar surface images and a shovel for collecting lunar rocks. Ispace aims to contribute to NASAs Artemis program, which focuses on returning astronauts to the moon.

The failure of Ispaces Hakuto-R Mission 1 lander in April was a setback for the companys ambitions in the commercial space industry. The communication was lost during the final approach, leading to a likely hard landing. The upcoming Mission 2 will incorporate improvements, including software validation, an expanded landing simulation range, and additional field testing of radar sensors to enhance mission accuracy.

Ispace, founded in 2010, envisions creating a lunar settlement by 2040 and plans to generate revenue by transporting goods and equipment to the moon. The second mission places Ispace in competition with other companies, such as Intuitive Machines Inc. and Astrobotic Technology Inc., vying to achieve the first commercial lunar landing.

The announcement follows Japan Aerospace Exploration Agencys (JAXA) successful launch of the H2-A rocket in September, carrying an advanced imaging satellite and a lightweight lander scheduled to reach the moon in January. The renewed interest in lunar exploration comes in the wake of Indias successful lunar landing in August, while a Russian attempt faced failure due to an engine malfunction.

Despite the growing interest in the commercial space industry, challenges such as a shortage of rockets with payload capacity have led to difficulties for some companies in executing their launch plans. Japanese billionaire Yusaku Maezawa recently announced the indefinite cancellation of SpaceX Starships inaugural launch plans after a test flight explosion in April. SpaceX received approval to resume Starship rocket launches, with a targeted window on Friday.
With the EU cracking down on Big Tech, and designating some of the biggest companies as gatekeepers, it was only a matter of time before someone took issue with them.

Meta Platforms Inc. has contested the European Unions recent crackdown on the dominance of major technology corporations, setting the stage for a legal battle between regulators and the social media giant.

The company contends that the European Commission erred in subjecting Facebooks Marketplace and Messenger services to the new digital antitrust regulations of the bloc, as outlined in an appeal submitted to EU courts on Wednesday. This legal dispute positions Meta against EU lawyers in opposition to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which aims to curtail market abuses.

On Wednesday, a spokesperson for Meta stated, This appeal seeks clarification on specific points of law regarding the designations under the DMA. It does not alter or detract from our firm commitment to complying with the DMA. Despite the appeal, the company emphasized its dedication to abiding by the DMAs regulations.

The European Commission refrained from commenting on the legal challenge. The DMA imposes requirements on Meta, compelling the company to secure users consent before sharing data between Marketplace and other Meta-owned services. Additionally, it mandates Messenger to collaborate with competing online messaging platforms, with enforcement of these obligations set to begin in March.

In a broader context, the DMA criminalizes specific platforms favoring their own services over those of competitors. Provisions include prohibiting the amalgamation of personal data across different services, preventing the use of data collected from third-party merchants for competitive purposes, and ensuring users can download apps from rival platforms.

Among the 22 platforms covered by the DMA, Alphabet Inc.s Google Search, Apple Inc.s Safari, Amazon.com Inc.s marketplace, and ByteDance Ltd.s TikTok are included. Apple is expected to file an appeal challenging the inclusion of some of its services.

Meta is already entangled in a separate dispute with the EU following the December complaint by the European Commission.

The complaint alleged that the California-based company stifled competition from classified ad rivals by linking Facebook Marketplace to its extensive social network. While Meta is contesting these allegations in the EU, it has resolved a similar case initiated by the UKs competition watchdog.
It seems that Baidu, one of Chinas biggest tech companies and one of the first Chinese companies to launch an AI bot, is not happy with the level of excitement people have with AI at the moment, and find it a bit premature.

At a recent industry event in Shenzhen, Baidu CEO Robin Li expressed his belief that major players in the tech industry should redirect their attention away from developing foundational AI models and instead concentrate on the burgeoning business of creating artificial intelligence-based applications.

Li argued that the continuous redevelopment of large foundational models represents a significant waste of social resources.

In the AI-native era, what we need are AI-native applications at a scale of millions, Li emphasized. Foundational models, characterized by hundreds of millions or even billions of data points, are intricate and expensive to develop, limiting accessibility to only the most sophisticated tech companies.

Li likened a large language model to a fundamental foundation, akin to an operating system, but stressed that developers ultimately need to rely on a limited number of these large models to build various native applications.

While Baidu did not provide a comment on the matter, many prominent tech companies in China and the United States have already unveiled their foundational models, sparking a race to establish the operating system of the future. Last month, Baidu introduced its latest AI model, Ernie 4.0, positioning it as a competitor to OpenAIs GPT-4.

Other tech giants, such as Alibaba and Meta, have also released their own models, with Meta requiring a special license for companies with over 700 million monthly active users to use its Llama 2 model.

Li argued against attempting to catch up with these dominant tech players, deeming it improbable and ultimately fruitless. Instead, he suggested that the development of AI should follow a path similar to the smartphone revolution. After smartphones became popular and affordable, a diverse range of applications emerged, some of which evolved into major tech companies. Li cited examples like Uber and Douyin (the Chinese version of TikTok).

According to Li, there is yet to witness the emergence of the best AI-native applications in China or the United States. The Chinese market has seen a proliferation of competing AI foundation models, leading to what an executive from Tencent referred to as the war of a hundred models. However, analysts express concerns about the similarity among these models and the difficulty new entrants may face in competing against entrenched, larger players.

Lis perspective contrasts with that of OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, who speculated that ever bigger models might be replaced by smaller ones tailored to specific use cases. The development and use of large AI models have raised questions about transparency in AI development. A study from Stanford University found that 10 of the largest AI developers in the US failed a transparency test evaluating the origin of their data and how it is used.

In response to such concerns, Chinas government has taken steps to regulate the development and usage of large AI models. In July, Chinas Cyberspace Administration released some of the worlds first government regulations governing AI use, potentially narrowing down the field of AI models in China.
Al Shifa Hospital, which has been raided by Israel, is the largest in the Gaza Strip.

Both Israel and the United States have said that Hamas militants were using Gazas hospitals, including Shifa, to hide command posts and hostages using underground tunnels.

Hamas, which has controlled the coastal enclave since 2007, has built a tunnel city stretching beneath Gaza for hundreds of kilometres, up to 80 metres (87 yards) deep in parts.

Hamas, health authorities and Shifa directors have denied that the group is concealing military infrastructure in or under the complex and have said they would welcome an international inspection.

What does Shifa mean?

Shifa is a sprawling complex of buildings and courtyards a few hundred metres from Gaza Citys small fishing port, sandwiched between Beach refugee camp and the citys Rimal neighbourhood.

Its name comes from the Arabic word healing  common for hospitals in the Middle East.

What about the patients?

The hospital was caring for 36 babies as of Tuesday, according to medical staff there who said there was no clear mechanism to move them despite an Israeli effort to supply incubators for an evacuation.

Three of the original 39 premature babies have already died since Gazas biggest hospital ran out of fuel at the weekend to power generators that had kept their incubators going.

How did it become a flashpoint?

It was built in 1946 during British rule, two years before Britain withdrew from Palestine. It survived the Egyptian invasion in 1948 and two decades of Egyptian military rule.

In 1967, Israel captured and occupied the Gaza Strip and in subsequent years, there were regular clashes nearby which sometimes moved into the grounds.

In 1971, the Times of London reported a gun battle between a Palestinian militant who hid under a bed in the nurses quarters and an Israeli army patrol that was searching the hospital.

On December 9, 1987, the first day of the First Intifada against Israeli occupation during which Hamas was formed, Shifa was again pulled into the conflict.
Under emergency law proposed on Thursday in response to a High Court finding that foreigners cannot be detained indefinitely as an alternative to deportation, migrants with criminal records in Australia face up to five years in prison for violating the terms of their visas.

Since a judge last week declared that the indefinite incarceration of migrants is unlawful, the administration said it had freed 84 foreign nationals, the majority of whom have convictions for crimes like rape and murder.

The decision overturned a 2004 High Court decision that had permitted the detention of stateless persons in migrant centres indefinitely when there was no chance that they would be deported from Australia.

The decision also undercuts Australias harsh policies toward asylum-seekers who arrive by boat and criminals who are deported despite long years living in Australia. People smuggling boat arrivals have virtually ended in the decade since Australia banished their passengers to remote Pacific island detention camps.

The legislation introduced in Parliament by Immigration Minister Andrew Giles would have let the government order certain migrants to wear electronic tracking bracelets and to comply with curfews. Failure to comply with those visa conditions could be a criminal offense punishable by up to five years in prison.

The released migrants include certain individuals with serious criminal histories, Giles told Parliament.

These measures are consistent with the legitimate objective of community safety, and the rights and interests of the public, especially vulnerable members of the public, Giles said.

Curfews and electronic monitoring would become mandatory for all the freed migrants rather than at the Giles discretion under opposition amendments later accepted by the government to ensure key changes become law on Thursday.

Human rights lawyers argued that the measures could be challenged in court as punitive and excessive.

Any new conditions must meet some basic tests. They must be necessary, they must be reasonable, proportionate, they must not be punitive or deprive people unnecessarily of their liberty, said David Manne, a lawyer who represents several of the released migrants.

We shouldnt readily be handing to the government extraordinary powers to impose severe restrictions on our lives without proper scrutiny. Its hard to see how there has been proper scrutiny given how urgently this has all been introduced, Manne added.

The government has given assurances that migrants have been released under strict visa conditions, with some required to report to police daily. Manne said some of his clients were initially freed from prison-like detention facilities without visas in the governments haste to comply with the court verdict.

The legislation was pushed through the House of Representatives on Thursday morning.

The government later accepted further amendments proposed by the opposition in a deal that ensures support for the key changes in the Senate.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles said the opposition amendments made curfews and electronic monitoring mandatory. Other amendments banned freed migrants from contact with children and victims of the migrants crimes. Another amendment set minimum prison sentences for breaches of visa conditions, in addition to the five-year maximum sentences.

Opposition leader Peter Dutton described the governments proposals as inadequate to ensure community safety.

These are people who have committed serious offenses and the likelihood of them reoffending is very, very high, Dutton said.

The minor Greens party opposed what they described as anti-refugee laws.

These are draconian laws that provide the minister with powers never before seen in Australia and the Greens will not be supporting them, Greens immigration spokesperson Sen. Nick McKim said.

Giles said further legislation would be considered once the High Courts seven judges publish the reasoning for their decision.

All the released migrants previously had their visas canceled or had been refused visas because of their criminal records or other evidence of poor character. They were ordered into indefinite detention because they had no reasonable prospects of being deported to a country that would accept them.

They include Afghans, a nationality that Australia has stopped deporting since the Taliban seized power in their homeland. They also include Iranians, because Iran will only repatriate its citizens who return voluntarily.

The test case was brought by a member of Myanmars persecuted Rohingya Muslim minority, identified in court as NZYQ, who was convicted of raping a 10-year-old boy in Sydney in 2015 and sentenced to five years in prison. A people smuggler brought NZYQ to Australia by boat in 2012 and he raped the child four months after he was released from an initial period of migrant detention. He was put in indefinite detention after prison.

With inputs from agencies
US President Joe Biden has backed Israels operation in Gaza saying that it will end when Hamas no longer maintains the capacity to murder, abuse, and do horrific things to the Israelis.

Bidens comments came during a press conference following his meeting with Chinese President Joe Biden. The US President said that Israels military has an obligation to use as much caution as they can in going after their targets. Hamas said they plan to attack Israelis again and this is a terrible dilemma.

The Biden administration has reiterated that Israel has the right to defend itself after Hamas launched its offensive against the country on October 7. He has pushed for a humanitarian pause to allow civilians to evacuate.

Biden defends Israels op in Al-Shifa Hospital

The US President also defended Israels decision to raid Gazas Al-Shifa Hospital, saying that Hamas does have headquarters below the hospital.

You have a circumstance where the first war crime is being committed by Hamas by having their headquarters, their military, hidden under a hospital. And thats a fact, thats whats happened, Biden said.

He added that US officials have held discussions with their Israeli counterparts to be incredibly careful in making military moves around hospitals in the Palestinian enclave.

When asked about the hostage situation, Biden said, I dont want to get ahead of myself here because I dont know whats happened in the last four hours, but we have gotten great cooperation from the Qataris.
Chinese President Xi Jinping told American business leaders that China is ready to be a partner and friend of the US as foreign investments in his country decline.

His comments came during a dinner event hosted by the US-China Business Council and the National Committee on US-China Relations for the Chinese premier on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

If we regard each other as the biggest rival, the most significant geopolitical challenge and an ever-pressing threat, it will inevitably lead to wrong policies, wrong actions, and wrong results, Jinping said,

The gala reception was attended by Tesla CEO Elon Musk, Apple CEO Tim Cook, CEO Raj Subramaniam and Visa chief Ryan McInerney, among others.

Representing the Biden administration were Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns and a top White House China advisor Kurt Campbell.

All of you here this evening remain keenly interested to do business in China, and to find ways to advance our bilateral economic relationship, Raimondo said.

Lately, American companies have become extremely wary of Chinas economic slowdown and hence this meeting was an opportunity for Xi to appeal directly to executives.

China has never bet on the United States to lose, has never intervened in US internal affairs and does not intend to challenge or replace the US. China is happy to see a confident, open and prosperous US, Xi said.

Xis comments came following his meeting with US President Joe Biden, where both leaders pledged to reduce tensions as they met for the first time in a year.

The two sides announced a host of agreements after talks at the luxury Filoli Estate, starting with the reactivation of a high-level military hotline.

We should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people interactions, Xi told an audience of around 400 business leaders, government officials and academics.

We must not create various obstacles or create a chilling effect, he added.

With inputs from agencies
After US President Joe Biden called his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping a dictator after the two wrapped up a summit in California, China condemned the American presidents comment, saying it was extremely wrong.

This kind of speech is extremely wrong and is irresponsible political manipulation. China firmly opposes it, Chinas foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said.

I need to point out that there are always some people with ulterior motives attempting to sow discord and wreck China-US relations, and this too will not succeed, she added.

Biden and Xi agreed at their first summit in a year on Wednesday to restore military communications between the two countries.

They also agreed, among other things, that China would crack down on the production of ingredients for fentanyl, responsible for a deadly epidemic of opioid abuse in the United States.

During their meeting, Jinping warned Biden to stop arming Taiwan adding that Chinas reunification with the island nation was unstoppable.

The US side should stop arming Taiwan, and support Chinas peaceful reunification, Xi told Biden during a summit in San Francisco, according to a readout from Chinas foreign ministry.

After his meeting with Xi on Wednesday, Biden told journalists he still considers the Chinese president a dictator.

He had sparked fury from Beijing by making the comparison earlier this year.

Well look he is, I mean hes a dictator in the sense that hes a guy whos running a country, a Communist country, thats based on a form of government totally different than ours, Biden said.

With inputs from AFP
Chinese President Xi Jinping has warned US President Joe Biden to stop arming Taiwan adding that Chinas reunification with the island nation was unstoppable.

The US side should stop arming Taiwan, and support Chinas peaceful reunification, Xi told Biden during a summit in San Francisco, according to a readout from Chinas foreign ministry.

China will realise reunification, and this is unstoppable, the Chinese leader said of the future of the self-ruled island, which Beijing has pledged to re-take one day.

Meanwhile, the two countries have agreed to restore military-to-military communication on the basis of equality and respect.

Military talks between the US and China have been on ice since August last year when Beijing called them off in response to then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan.

Biden and Xi also agreed Wednesday in California that the two sides would conduct telephone conversations between theater commanders as well as hold defence policy coordination and maritime talks, according to Beijings foreign ministry.

Xi also told Biden that China did not seek to surpass or unseat the United States and stressed that the United States should not scheme to suppress and contain China.

China will not follow the old path of colonisation and plunder, nor will it follow the wrong path of hegemony when a country becomes strong, Xi said, according to Xinhua.

Chinas development, he said, will not be stopped by external forces.

With inputs AFP
The U.S. ambassador to Hungary stated on Thursday that Washington is confident that Sweden will join NATO shortly and added that he had received assurances from Budapest that it will not be the final country to ratify the request.

Budapests reluctance to ratify Swedens NATO membership and Prime Minister Viktor Orbans close links to Moscow in spite of the conflict in Ukraine have damaged relations with Washington.

I have been repeatedly assured at the senior-most levels of this government that Hungary will not be last to ratify Swedens accession to NATO, the ambassador stated.

Hungary and Turkey still need to ratify Swedens membership in NATO.

Although Budapest opposes Russias invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Viktor Orban has maintained tight ties with Moscow for many years, in part because Hungary still depends on Russia for its energy needs, and he has refrained from denouncing President Vladimir Putins policies.

Hungary was urged to break connections with what it termed a opaque Kremlin-controlled platform by the United States, which in April placed sanctions on IIB, a Russian bank with its headquarters in Budapest. Days after the penalties, Hungary withdrew from the bank.

Pressman added that the United States was also concerned about a sovereignty protection bill flagged by the ruling Fidesz party. Pressman has a history of tussling with the Hungarian government over issues such as LGBT rights and, more recently, Orbans meeting with Putin in Beijing.

The law was supposed to be submitted to parliament by Orbans Fidesz on Tuesday, but it has been postponed. In September, a Fidesz MP stated that political parties, quasi-civil groups, and left-wing journalists may be subject to the proposed laws that would target foreign influence.

To the extent that this bill may seek to criminalise and or intimidate independent civil society and media organisations, that is very dangerous, and I hope thats not the path that Hungary chooses to go down, said Pressman.

(With agency inputs)
Finland is a Nordic nation that borders Russia by 1,340 kilometres (830 miles). Since August, more people have been allowed to enter the country without the required paperwork, mostly Middle Eastern and African nationals without a visa, according to Finlands border guard.

Today the government has made the decision to close the Vaalimaa, Nuijamaa, Imatra and Niirala border crossing points on the land border between Finland and Russia, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen told reporters.

In reaction to Finlands membership in NATO earlier this year, Prime Minister Petteri Orpo charged that Russia was purposefully trying to undermine the country.

He stated that there were various signs that entering Finland is being aided and encouraged, organised .

We have been prepared for different kinds of actions, malice, by Russia, and therefore this situation doesnt come as a surprise, Orpo said.

When Finland decided to join NATO in April, Moscow declared that this was a assault on our security and threatened to take countermeasures in tactical and strategic terms.

According to the border guards statement on Thursday, 280 asylum applicants have crossed the border since September.

However, Rantanen declared, The numbers arent a big deal.

This is not a normal question about asylum politics. This is a case of us having indications and information that people are being machinated into Finland, Rantanen said.

The flood of migrants poses a serious threat to national security burdening the operations of the authorities in the eastern border area, according to Markku Hassinen, deputy chief of the Finnish border guard.

The four crossing points in the most populous southern regions are the ones that will close; the four crossing points in the more northern rural areas will remain open.

Two of the four crossing locations that remain open will be the central location for asylum applications when the crossing points close at midnight on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, February 18, 2024.

(With agency inputs)
A former commander of Russian air defences General Vladimir Sviridov was found dead, alongside his wife Tatyana, in their home in the village of Adzhievsky in the Stavropol region under mysterious circumstances.

The highly decorated Lieutenant General and his wife had reportedly been dead for approximately a week before their bodies were found. According to the media reports, General Sviridov had previously criticised Vladimir Putin, expressing concerns about the state of the Air Force and the departure of top officers due to poor pay and conditions.

The cause of their death remains undetermined, as Russian authorities have been unable to ascertain it, according to local media. Preliminary reports suggested that gas service workers detected no harmful substances exceeding permissible concentrations in their homes.

The circumstances surrounding the deaths of Vladimir and Tatyana Sviridov are still unknown. Sviridov retired from his commanders role at the age of 54 after making critical public comments about the Russian armed forces.

The 68-year-old lieutenant general had an extensive military background, graduating from the Stavropol Higher Military Aviation School, the Air Force Academy, and the Military Academy of the general staff. He served in various capacities, including as a pilot, flight commander, squadron commander, and leading the 6th Army until 2009.
The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) released a video on the X platform in which it claimed they have uncovered countless Hamas weapons inside Gazas largest hospital Al-Shifa.

Jonathan Conricus, spokesperson of the IDF, stood outside the hospital, saying, We are going to do a one shot video, no editing, of all of the evidence we have found in this buliding of the Al-Shifa Hospital.

Following this, as he entered the MRI centre of the Al Shifa, he pointed: Israeli troops breached here a few hours ago and we have cleared the area, made sure that its safe. Few of the interesting things we have found totally confirm without any doubt that Hamas systematically uses hospitals in their military operations in violation of international law.

He further adds that this is only the tip of the iceberg as he points to a security camera claiming that all of the cameras are obstructed and covered with a black tape.

Conricus then proceed to the MRI room where they find military grab-bags  bags filled with weapons and ammunition for grab-and-go situations in a war zone. The camera zoomed in on the bag which clearly showed an AK-47, cartridges and a grenade, among other things.

These weapons have absolutely no business being inside a hospital, Conricus said

The reason they are here is because Hamas put them here because they use this place like many other hospitals and ambulances for illicit military purposes, he added.

The hospitals closet was occupied with arsenals, the video showed.

The video also showed contraband, uniforms, grenades, and ammunition in other rooms of the hospital.

Both the Israeli military and Hamas have accused each other of waging a propaganda war against each other since the region plunged into chaos following the 7 October attacks.

The US, meanwhile, defended Israel behind the incursion.

US President Joe Biden claimed that Hamas committed the first war crime, by making the hospital a command centre of its military operations.

With inputs from agencies
Hundreds of patients and medical workers at Gazas largest hospital, sealed off from the outside world for more than a day after Israeli forces entered, are under constant threat of death, Palestinian medics said on Thursday.

More than a day after entering the hospitals grounds as part of an operation to exterminate Hamas militants in the Palestinian enclave, Israel reported on Thursday that its commandos were still combing through Al Shifa hospital.

It has so far made public images of what it claims to be guns and flak jackets discovered on the property, but it has not provided any proof of the existence of the massive subterranean Hamas command centre they said was tunnelled beneath it.

Human Rights Watch issued a warning, noting that hospitals are specifically protected by international humanitarian law.

According to Gazas health ministry, Israeli soldiers had cleared the hospitals grounds of dead corpses and wrecked any automobiles that were parked there, but they were preventing patients and personnel from leaving.

According to Ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qidra, Shifa, which was home to 650 patients and roughly 7,000 residents who had been forced to flee their homes due to weeks of Israeli airstrikes and artillery bombardment, was devoid of food, water, and baby milk.

Medical teams, patients and displaced people are fighting death due to the lack of any basic life necessities. The occupation forces are now present in the complex, but they did not provide any fuel for the hospital to continue work, he said in a statement.

He insisted that the Israeli soldiers vacate the premises.

Medical professionals have already stated that during the days-long siege that ended with Israeli forces entering the hospital early on Wednesday, dozens of patientsincluding three preterm babieshad died from a shortage of fuel and basic supplies.

On Wednesday, Israel released photos of its forces emptying medical aid and baby food cartons while claiming to have discovered weaponry.

On Thursday, a military officer from Israel stated that although hundreds of patients and medical personnel were still inside the facility, commandos were going through every room and structure.

The World Health Organisation stated that communication difficulties and security concerns were impeding its attempts to organise a medical evacuation of patients from Shifa. As far as WHO officials knew, about 600 patients remained inside, 27 of them were very ill.

(With agency inputs)
The 25 Thai nationals held by Hamas are safe, the terrorist group has assured Thailands government.

Thai politician Lepong Syed said that the hostages could be released soon if Israel and Hamas arrange a ceasefire.

More than 240 people were taken hostage during Hamass October 7 attack on Israel, which also killed at least 1,200 people according to official Israeli figures.

In response, the Israeli military has pounded Gaza with an air-and-ground offensive, with the Hamas-controlled health ministry saying more than 11,500 people, including thousands of children, have been killed.

Thai politician Lepong, who is part of his governments mediation team, said Bangkok was assured by Hamas that the Thai hostages were safe and would return to the motherland soon.

The Thai nationals in captivity are safe, he said, adding that they could be released only if a ceasefire was announced.

I hope that it will be less than 10 days, or even a few days.

Thailands hostage negotiating team has been in constant touch with Hamas, Lepong said.

We have pushed for the Thais to be released soon, and Hamas has assured us, said Lepong, president of the Thai-Iran Alumni Association.

Lepongs comments come after the Thai foreign minister travelled to Qatar earlier this month to hold talks with his Iranian counterpart over the Thai nationals release.

About 30,000 Thais were working in Israel, mostly in the agriculture sector, at the time of the attack, according to the kingdoms labour ministry.

Thirty-nine citizens have been killed and 19 wounded in the conflict, with the kingdom evacuating more than 8,500 of its people, according to the Thai foreign ministry.

With inputs from AFP
Israeli forces have reportedly started dropping leaflets warning Palestinians living in parts of southern Palestine to leave, signaling a possible expansion of Israeli operations in the region.

The leaflets, written in Arabic, that were found in the town of Khan Younis advised residents to evacuate the area, saying anyone who refuses to leave is putting his life in danger.

For your safety, you need to evacuate your places of residence immediately and head to known shelters, the leaflets said, naming the neighbourhoods of Khuzaa, Abassan, Bani Suhaila and Al Qarara.

Anyone near terrorists or their facilities puts their life at risk, and every house used by terrorists will be targeted, the leaflets said.

Before Israel launched its operation in northern Gaza, similar leaflets were dropped in the area asking citizens to move south.

Khan Younis is located in the southern half of the Gaza Strip. Tens of thousands of people displaced from the north have already sought refuge there in schools and tents, causing severe overcrowding amid shortages of food and water.

Meanwhile, Israeli fighter jets hit the house of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of the terrorist organisation Hamas, The Israel Defence Forces (IDF) said on Thursday.

The IDF claimed that the house was being used as a terrorist infrastructure and, among other things, as a meeting place for the organisations senior officials.

Overnight, IDF fighter jets struck the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of Hamas Political Bureau. The residence was used as terrorist infrastructure and a meeting point for Hamas senior leaders to direct terrorist attacks against Israel, IDF said.

Also, Israeli soldiers claimed to have discovered and destroyed a weapons cache belonging to Hamass naval forces, which allegedly contained diving gear, explosive devices, and weapons.

During the operation, the IDF said that they targeted and struck individuals identified as terrorists while locating various weapons, including explosive belts, explosive barrels, RPGs, anti-tank missiles, communication equipment, and intelligence documents.

With inputs from agencies
Israel Defence Forces have killed one of the terrorists who paraded the bruised and naked body of German-Israeli woman Shani Louk in Gaza streets, according to multiple social media accounts, citing Shanis mother Ricarda Louk.

The IDF has killed one of the terrorists who paraded the bruised and naked body of Shani Louk around Gaza, says Shanis mother Ricarda Louk. pic.twitter.com/ZdTzQgiRCu  Visegrad 24 (@visegrad24) November 16, 2023

One of the posts on X claimed that Shanis mother told television host Rabbi Shmuley that IDF have informed her that they had taken out one of the terrorists  seen in the viral video parading her body on a pickup truck.

A moment of silence for Shani Louk pic.twitter.com/Aond24Q4Pl  Emmanuel Motelin (@EmmanuelMotelin) November 16, 2023

Twenty two -year-old Shani was kidnapped from the Nova music festival, had her legs broken and was believed to have been severely sexually assaulted before being killed by Hamas.

Her body was then paraded on the back of a pickup truck through Gaza as hundreds of civilians lined the streets to spit on her while screaming Allahu Akbar.

Two weeks ago IDF forces and volunteers recovered part of her skull. Upon discovery, Israeli President Herzog said the discovery of her skull indicated she was beheaded after she was killed.

This means that these barbaric, sadistic animals simply chopped off her head as they attacked, tortured and killed Israelis. It is a great tragedy and I extend my deepest condolences to her family, the president said.

The October 7 attack saw hundreds of Hamas fighters break through the Israeli security barrier around the besieged Gaza Strip and enter a series of towns in southern Israel, killing entire families, including women and children.

With inputs from agencies
Trade Minister Mary Ng hinted on Wednesday that Canada would not begin trade negotiations with India unless the government of Narendra Modi provides assistance in the probe into the June 2016 death of Sikh activist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in Vancouver.

During the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in San Francisco, Ng was questioned by a reporter about the possibility of reopening trade negotiations between the two nations.

Right now, the focus for Canada is to let the work of the investigation proceed. Youve heard me and the government talk about how important it is that investigation happens given that we had a Canadian killed on Canadian soil. So well let that happen, the minister told the media.

According to Canadas commerce minister Ng, it is her responsibility to ensure that Canadian companies have the resources and assistance they require to continue doing business in India.

Ng declined to elaborate when asked if she was drawing a direct connection between the necessity of cooperation on this probe and the start of trade negotiations.

Our focus is of course on this investigation, that work has to take place, she said.

And for Canadian businesses, just to reassure them, because they expect that of their government, that the tools are available to them as they continue to do business and to invest and to make investments and attract investment, that the services of the Canadian government continue to be there for them.

First, without providing a full explanation at the time, Indias High Commissioner to Canada informed The Canadian Press in September that trade negotiations had been put on hold by Canada.

Later, it was revealed that the national security adviser of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had visited India during the summer to present Indian authorities with information obtained by Five Eyes intelligence partners indicating the Modi government was implicated in Nijjars death.

On June 18, Nijjar was shot and died outside a Sikh temple in Surrey, British Columbia.

On September 18, after an awkward trip to India for the G20 meeting, during which the murder was once more brought up in private, Trudeau stood in the House of Commons and openly accused the Indian government of being complicit in the murder.

The claim was denied by the Indian government, which described it as absurd.

Subsequently, India threatened to remove certain Canadian diplomats diplomatic immunity, which compelled the Canadian government to remove 41 Canadian diplomats from India.

The Modi administration has been charged by the Canadian government for not assisting with the murder inquiry.

India is under pressure from allies like the United States and the United Kingdom to cooperate with Canadian authorities on the continuing criminal probe into Nijjars death.
With an aim to help reduce dependence on China, and shift production of critical sectors and key goods to member countries, India, the US and 12 other members of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework For Prosperity (IPEF) grouping have signed a supply chain resilience agreement that would provide benefits such as potential shifting of production centres in critical sectors and mitigating risks of economic disruptions from supply chain shocks.

India and the United States, along with 12 other countries, are recognized as supply chain resilience partners within the IPEF. The list includes Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam.

This international agreement on supply chain resilience is perceived as a response to the imperative of reducing overdependence on China, especially in the wake of substantial supply disruptions following the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The proposed accord aims to establish a framework that enhances the collective understanding of significant supply chain risks among IPEF partners. Additionally, it seeks to improve crisis coordination and responses to disruptions in the supply chain.

The agreement also focuses on ensuring that both workers and businesses, with a particular emphasis on micro, small and medium-sized enterprises, reap the benefits of resilient, robust, and efficient supply chains.

To achieve this, the partners intend to guarantee the availability of an adequate number of skilled workers in critical sectors and key goods. This involves initiatives such as upskilling and reskilling workers, among other measures.

In a post on microblogging site X, after the signing of the agreement, Union Minister Piyush Goyal who is currently on a four-day visit to the US said that first-of-its-kind international agreement will fortify and strengthen global supply chains, and foster adaptability, stability and sustainability.

Goyal thanked his US counterpart Gina Raimondo for her leadership and personal commitment to ensuring the truly historic moment towards a more resilient future.

Following the launch of IPEF in Tokyo, Japan on May 23 last year and the subsequent release of the IPEF Ministerial Statements on September 9, the partners have worked constructively, including through four rounds of in-person negotiations, several virtual intersessional meetings, and numerous bilateral meetings, according to a US Department of Commerce statement.

Earlier on November 13, Goyal participated in the Investors Round Table organized in collaboration with the US-India Strategic Partnership Forum and Indiaspora.

The event was attended by venture capitalists and entrepreneurs from a wide spectrum of industries in the US, including from the domains of energy, manufacturing, logistics, and technology, among others.

In an interactive session held in San Francisco as part of the first leg of the tour in the US, the Union Minister held wide-ranging discussions with the participants and highlighted the various steps taken by the government of India to improve the ease of doing business. He has so far held various bilateral meetings with his counterparts of various countries.

highlighted how the country offers promising opportunities for investors, thanks to the unique combination of our demographic dividend, manufacturing capabilities & conducive business environment, Goyal posted on X, contending that India is an attractive investment destination for the world.

The Commerce and Industry minster kicked off his US official tour with a visit to the the Tesla Factory Unit in Fremont and interacted with the senior executives of the Tesla group.

In a post on X Goyal said that the US electric car maker is on its way to double its component imports from India.

He said that he is delighted to see Indian engineers and finance professionals working in senior positions and contributing to Teslas journey to transform mobility.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk had in June this year said that he was planning to visit India next year, adding that he was confident that the electric carmaker will be in India and will do so as soon as humanly possible.

With ANI inputs.
At least 29 more Myanmar soldiers entered India on Thursday fleeing an attack by insurgents on their military base close to the Indian border, an Indian police official said, as rebels step up their assaults against the ruling junta .

Earlier this week, 43 Myanmar soldiers entered Indias Mizoram state after their military bases were overrun by the rebels. Nearly 40 were sent back by Indian authorities through a different border crossing point a few hundred kms east.

Myanmars military has battled ethnic minority and other insurgencies for decades but a 2021 coup has brought unprecedented coordination between anti-military forces that are mounting the biggest challenge to the army in years.

After the junta claimed heavy assaults in many locations, Tin Maung Swe, secretary of an administrative council in the nations capital, Naypyitaw, stated on Thursday that the military rulers of the country had instructed all government employees and those with military expertise to be ready to serve in an emergency.

The juntas council issued an order stating, If necessary, such a unit might be required to go out and serve for natural disasters, and security.

A Road to Naypyitaw campaign has been launched by a parallel administration, founded by pro-democracy politicians to challenge the military and linked with some insurgent organisations, with the stated goal of seizing control of the capital.

The military is reportedly under heavy assaults from a significant number of armed rebel soldiers in Shan State in the northeast, Kayah State in the east, and Rakhine State in the west, according to Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun late on Wednesday.

According to Zaw Min Tun, rebels have been utilising drones to dump hundreds of bombs on military checkpoints, forcing the evacuation of several military positions.

The junta spokeswoman declared, We are taking immediate action to effectively protect against drone bomb attacks.

(With agency inputs)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that Indias ties with Bangladesh stand out as a model relationship in the Indian subcontinent as both countries enjoy regional cooperation and have made progress in bilateral relations in the last 10 years.

His remarks came in response to a question by Bangladesh High Commissioner in the UK, Saida Muna Tasneem, during an interaction entitled How a Billion People See the World at the Royal Over-Seas League here on Wednesday evening.

Tasneem asked Jaishankar about the priority of Dhaka in Indias foreign policy when it comes to security, regional connectivity, shared prosperity and the Indo-Pacific.

Today our relationship stands out in the Indian subcontinent as a model relationship in terms of benefits of regional cooperation, he said.

Jaishankar said they had tried to restructure the neighbourhood. Obviously its not something unilateral by us.

One of the big changes in that, he said: For example, with Bangladesh, we have settled our land boundary which is really a big deal.

We had differences on our maritime boundary, and we went for arbitration. We agreed that whatever the arbitral award would be, we would both follow. We did when the arbitral award came. A lot of it was not in our favour, he said, adding: Its a good example for the region and countries.

The foreign minister added that in the past 10 years, the neighbouring countries have built rail lines and a power plant while now India is using Bangladeshs ports for the northeast, and they are benefiting from more traffic coming through the port.

With inputs from PTI
South Africa President Cyril Ramaphosa on Thursday said that his country has sent a case to the International Criminal Court (ICC) for an inquiry into suspected war crimes committed in Gaza by Israel.

Ramaphosa said that his country believes Israel is committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed and hospitals and public infrastructure have been destroyed.

The action was taken as South African MPs were scheduled to discuss a motion on Thursday that demanded that the Israeli Embassy be closed and that all diplomatic relations with Israel be severed unless it agreed to a cease-fire.

As South Africa, we have accordingly, together with many other countries across the world, referred this whole Israeli government action to the International Criminal Court, Ramaphosa said Wednesday during a state visit to Qatar.

We have put through a referral because we believe that war crimes are being committed there. And of course we do not condone the actions that were taken by Hamas earlier, but similarly we condemn the actions that are currently underway and believe that they warrant an investigation by the ICC, he added.

Ramaphosas ruling African National Congress party said it would support the motion tabled by the leftist opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters for the country to shut down the Israeli Embassy and cut diplomatic ties with the country.

With inputs from agencies
On Wednesday, Spanish lawmakers began debating a new term for interim Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, whose offer of amnesty to Catalan separatists in exchange for backing sparked protests.

Thousands of protestors, many clad in Spanish flags, gathered outside Sanchezs Socialist Party (PSOE) offices in Madrid, yelling No to the coup! and burning Catalan flags.

The PSOE claims Sanchez has enough support to win a vote slated for Thursday after gaining the support of Catalan separatist parties Junts and ERC, as well as other regional parties.

There is no prosperity in discord, we have to make a push for coexistence and forgiveness, Sanchez told lawmakers.

He defended the amnesty bill, which the opposition labelled unconstitutional.

We are convinced that a united Spain is a better Spain, he said, causing visible discomfort among some of the Catalan separatists, who still hope for independence for the wealthy region via a referendum.

If we are here today it is to make things really change. But if there is no progress, we will not approve any initiative presented by your government. It is linked to progress and compliance with agreements, warned Junts bench leader Miriam Nogueras.

Right-wing opposition lawmakers called out shameless and liar as Sanchez spoke, prompting the house speaker to intervene.

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the conservative Peoples Party (PP), accused Sanchez of pathological ambition and trading an amnesty for personal gain.

He hasnt secured the support of anyone, he has bought it signing cheques that we will all pay for, Feijoo said, telling Sanchez: History wont amnesty you, I can assure you.

The new premiership bid of Sanchez, who has governed since 2018, is expected to garner 179 votes in favour and 171 against in the 350-member assembly.

Protests

The amnesty deal kindled a wave of protests across Spain. Authorities said 80,000 people gathered in the capital Madrid on Sunday, while tens of thousands attended demonstrations in Granada and Seville.

In Madrid on Wednesday, protesters held signs with slogans such as Pedro Judas Traitor or RIP Spanish democracy. A bus with a large image depicting Sanchez as Adolf Hitler on its side, organised by ultra-conservative activist group Hazteoir.org, circulated in the streets nearby.

Peoples Party vice secretary Esteban Gonzalez Pons on Tuesday compared the amnesty deal to violations of rule of law by some eastern European countries such as Hungary, and suggested the European Union could intervene.

Spains Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected an injunction by the far-right party Vox to suspend the Sanchez investiture vote.

After PP leader Feijoo failed in his attempt to become prime minister following an election in July that produced no outright winner, the PSOE spent weeks negotiating support with smaller parties to back Sanchez in the investiture vote and on key pieces of legislation.

The hard-left Sumar party is set to become the junior partner in the next coalition government.
According to the Swiss Foreign Ministry, Switzerland joined the global chorus on Thursday calling for the creation of a special tribunal to investigate Russias crime of aggression against Ukraine.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry stated that during a gathering of countries in Berlin that supported the idea of a tribunal of that kind, Switzerland declared its support for the project.

Switzerland is firmly convinced that the aggression against Ukraine must not go unpunished, it said in a statement, adding that in the past months the call has garnered support from 38 countries, including France, Germany, Norway, Guatemala, Japan and Canada.

The Netherlands, the European Union, and Ukraine have all openly supported the concept of such a tribunal.

The International Criminal Court (ICC) has jurisdiction over war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine, but not over the crime of aggression in this conflict, according to the Swiss Ministry. This is because neither Russia nor Ukraine has ratified the treaty that established the ICC.

(With agency inputs)
Tourists carry their hearts when embarking on newer adventures, seeking inspiration and connections that transcend institutions. Listen to Fahad Hamidaddin, CEO & Board Member, the Saudi Tourism Authority, & lets bring back the extraordinary role of tourism, where heartfelt conversations and unique experiences take center stage.

Travel is about more than destinations; its about the connections and stories that unite us all.
US President Joe Biden and Chinas Xi Jinping have reached an agreement to combat global illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking including synthetic drugs fentanyl and establishment of a working group for ongoing communication and law enforcement coordination on counternarcotics issues.

Both the leaders reached expected agreements to curb illicit fentanyl production and to reopen military ties, Biden said. Many of the chemicals used to make synthetic fentanyl come from China to cartels that traffic the powerful narcotic into the U.S., which is facing an overdose crisis.

Xi agreed to help curb the production of the illicit fentanyl which is a deadly component of drugs sold in the United States. A senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private meeting, said the shift will be a setback for Latin American drug dealers.

Its going to save lives, and I appreciated President Xis commitment on this issue, Biden said at a press conference after his meeting.

The two leaders made progress on a number of key issues. They welcomed the resumption of bilateral cooperation to combat global illicit drug manufacturing and trafficking, including synthetic drugs like fentanyl, and establishment of a working group for ongoing communication and law enforcement coordination on counternarcotics issues, the White House said in a statement.

President Biden stressed that this new step will advance the U.S. whole-of-government effort to counter the evolving threat of illicit synthetic drugs and to reduce the diversion of precursor chemicals and pill presses to drug cartels, it said.

The U.S. Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that the rate of fentanyl overdose deaths more than tripled between 2016 and 2021, making blocking fentanyl precursor chemicals a top priority for Washington.

Fentanyl is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and is increasingly mixed with other illicit drugs, often with lethal results. The number of drug-related overdose deaths in the United States exceeded 100,000 in 2021, based on official estimates.

With inputs from AP.
Tokyo police have arrested a driver following a vehicle crashed with a temporary barricade near the Israeli Embassy, resulting in an injury to a police officer, the Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department said on Thursday.

The police arrested a 53-year-old unemployed man, identified as a member of a right-wing group, on suspicion of obstructing official duties. According to Tokyo police, the suspect abruptly entered the street where officers were stationed at the barricade securing the Israeli Embassy. This action resulted in the injury of a police officer in his 20s, with reports indicating a non-life-threatening hand injury.

The motive behind the incident and whether the embassy was specifically targeted remain unknown. The vicinity of the embassy is often subject to demonstrations protesting Israels actions in Gaza, leading Japanese police to establish barricades in the area.

Photographs and video footage captured the aftermath, showing a black compact vehicle crashed into a guardrail by the sidewalk, with debris scattered on the street. The crash occurred near an intersection approximately 100 meters from the embassy, situated in an area densely populated with offices and restaurants.

The Kyodo News agency reported that the suspect admitted to police he rammed into the barricade, and that he was sorry that the police officer was injured.
The foreign affairs committee of the Turkish Parliament convened Thursday to discuss Swedens request to join NATO, marking a significant step toward the previously non-aligned nations potential membership in the Western military alliance. The decision is seen in light of President Erdogans interest in securing a long-sought invitation to the White House from President Joe Biden.

Upon approval by the committee, the next crucial step for Swedens accession involves the ratification of the accession protocol by the general assembly of the Turkish Parliament, concluding the legislative process in Turkey.

Turkey has delayed the ratification of Swedens NATO membership, citing concerns that the country has been too lenient towards groups perceived by Ankara as threats to its security. These groups include Kurdish militants and members of a network that Turkey holds responsible for a failed coup in 2016.

Turkey has also been angered by a series of demonstrations by supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in Sweden as well as Quran-burning protests that roiled Muslim countries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lifted his objection to Swedens bid during a NATO summit in July and sent the accession protocol to Parliament for ratification last month.

Turkeys reversal of its position came after Stockholm pledged deeper cooperation with Turkey on counterterrorism and to support Turkeys ambition to revive its EU membership bid. In addition, NATO agreed to establish a special coordinator for counterterrorism.

NATO requires the unanimous approval of all existing members to expand, and Turkey and Hungary are the only countries that have been holding out. Hungary has stalled Swedens bid, alleging that Swedish politicians have told blatant lies about the condition of Hungarys democracy.

It was not clear when the bill would reach the full assembly, where Erdogans ruling party and its allies command a majority.

But the Turkish Parliament speaker, Numan Kurtulmus, told his Swedish counterpart Andreas Norlen in a video conference this week that he hopes the process would be finalized as soon as possible, according to Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency.

Sweden and Finland abandoned their traditional positions of military nonalignment to seek protection under NATOs security umbrella, following Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. Finland joined the alliance in April, becoming NATOs 31st member after Turkeys Parliament ratified the Nordic countrys bid.

Turkeys agreement on Swedens membership has also been linked to Ankaras efforts to acquire new F-16 fighter planes from the United States and to upgrade its existing fighter fleet. However, both U.S. and Turkish officials have insisted that any such deal would not be tied to Swedens NATO membership.

With inputs from AP.
Microsoft has introduced Copilot, formerly Bing Chat and Bing Chat Enterprise, which is now available at copilot.microsoft.com. This dedicated platform offers users a unique chat experience, while Bing.com remains an option for those seeking a combined search and chat interface.

Enhanced Capabilities with OpenAI GPTs

Microsoft enhances Copilots power, versatility, and creativity by announcing support for OpenAI GPTs. This integration allows users to create customized versions of Copilot for specific tasks, providing tailored experiences for both citizen and professional developers.

General Availability of Copilot with Commercial Data Protection

Starting December 1, Copilot with commercial data protection will be generally available. This feature ensures that prompts and responses are not saved, providing users with privacy and security.

Copilot is built on the latest OpenAI models, including GPT-4 and DALL-E 3, offering unified text and image generation capabilities. Copilot with commercial data protection will be accessible with the following licenses:

Microsoft 365 E3, E5

Microsoft 365 F3 (coming soon)

Microsoft 365 A3, A5 (Faculty only)

Business Standard

Business Premium

Eligibility for Microsoft 365 F3 for frontline workers begins soon, with plans to include additional Entra users over time.

Security Measures with Microsoft Edge for Business

Microsoft Edge for Business complements Copilot by enforcing document and website sensitivity labels through Microsoft Purview data loss prevention (DLP). This ensures that sensitive content remains protected, allowing Copilot access only when explicitly permitted by IT administrators.

Preview of Copilot Plugins

Microsoft introduces plugin support for Copilot, enabling developers to enhance its capabilities. These plugins, based on the OpenAI schema, work seamlessly across various Microsoft platforms, including Bing, Edge, Windows, and Microsoft 365 apps.

Developers will soon have the ability to publish their plugins through Microsoft Partner Center, expanding their reach to millions of users.

Getting Started with Copilot: Commercial Data Protection

Organizations can enable Copilot and encourage employees to try it at Copilot.microsoft.com. Microsoft provides an adoption kit, including a name change template, to facilitate seamless AI integration.

Microsoft encourages exploration of Copilot for Microsoft 365, available since November 1.

Availability

Sign in with your Microsoft or Entra ID account; Copilot is currently exclusively supported on Microsoft Edge and Chrome browsers for Windows and macOS.

Announcing the updates, The Microsoft Bing Team, posted:
In a significant move, Google has expanded access to Bard, its generative AI tool, for teenagers across most countries globally. Eligible teens, meeting the minimum age requirements for managing their Google Account, can now explore Bard in English, with additional language support planned for the future.

To use Bard, teens must meet specific age criteria based on their location. In the European Economic Area (EEA), Switzerland, and the UK, the minimum age is 18, while in other available countries, it is 13 or the applicable age in their region.

Bard, designed as a valuable resource for teens, serves as an inspirational tool for finding new hobbies, solving everyday problems, and aiding in educational pursuits. It can provide writing tips, university suggestions, or assistance in learning a new skill, exemplified by its upcoming math learning experience.

Users can input or upload math equations, and Bard will not only deliver answers but also provide step-by-step explanations. Moreover, Bard now supports interactive learning with data visualization capabilities, generating charts from tables or data provided in prompts.

Google has approached Bards expansion responsibly, consulting with child safety and development experts to shape content policies prioritizing safety. A tailored onboarding experience for teens includes resources like the AI Literacy Guide, video tips on responsible generative AI use, and the option to control Bard Activity.

To ensure safety, Bard recognizes inappropriate content and has a double-check feature for factual answers validity. Google plans to enhance Bard for responsible exploration and learning by teens globally.

Regarding the safe AI practices taken by Google for teens, Stephen Balkam, Founder & CEO of the Family Online Safety Institute, said,
Google has introduced the latest version of the Titan Security Key at the Aspen Cyber Summit in New York City. Originally introduced in 2018, the Titan Security Key aims to safeguard against phishing attacks, preventing unauthorized access to Google Accounts.

However, Google believes the ultimate solution is to eliminate passwords altogether. This led to the development of passkeys, a simpler and safer way to access accounts without relying on passwords.

Titan Security Key

The new Titan Security Keys are designed to support passkeys, acknowledging that not everyone relies on smartphones or devices that support passkeys for security.

Google emphasizes the goal of preventing attacks and intentionally designed the keys to incorporate secure cryptography on a portable hardware device.

These two new models will replace the current USB-A and USB-C devices, featuring NFC capabilities for quick connections with mobile devices. With the capacity to store over 250 unique passkeys, these keys rank as best-in-class among FIDO2 security keys.

When setting up a passkey for a Google Account on the new Titan Security Key, users can establish a simple PIN code to securely sign in without a password in the future.

Quick specifications: Titan Security Key (2023)

Collaborative Protection

As part of Googles commitment to the Advanced Protection Program (APP), which aids high-risk users, the company will provide 100,000 of the new security keys at no cost to global high-risk individuals in 2024.

This initiative, supported by expert partners like Access Now, Defending Digital Campaigns, Freedom House, the International Foundation of Electoral Systems, Internews, and PUBLIC, aims to enhance online security for individuals with high visibility and sensitive information.

Pricing and availability

The all-new Google Titan Security Key is now available for purchase on the Google Store, with pricing as follows:

USB-A/NFC Security Key: USD 30 (Rs. 2,495 approx.).

USB-C/NFC Security Key: USD 35 (Rs. 2,910 approx.).

Commenting on the launch, Christiaan Brand, Group Product Manager and Grace Hoyt, Partnerships Manager, Advanced Protection Program, said:
Meta-owned Instagram has announced several upgrades to enhance the user experience across various content formats. These improvements cover Reels, feed photos, carousels, and stories, along with additional insights for content performance evaluation.

New Editing Tools for Reels

Save time with the introduction of undo and redo functions for smoother video editing. Instagram is also testing features allowing users to scale, crop, and rotate individual clips, offering more creative control.

Additionally, users can explore meme-worthy content creation by incorporating audio clips from the clip hub.

More Voices and Text Options

Instagram is adding 10 new English text-to-speech voices and six fresh text fonts and styles in various languages. To enhance text visibility, users can now add outlines. Experiment with creativity by connecting with fans through memes and encouraging them to create their remixes.

Easier Audio Access and Streamlined Drafts

Discover trending audio more efficiently with Instagrams testing of new ways to access the audio browser. Drafts are getting a makeover, providing a streamlined view for easier editing. Users can now preview, rename, and schedule drafts in advance.

Custom Stickers and Photo Filters

For more unique Reels and stories, Instagram is testing the ability to create custom stickers from personal photos, videos, or eligible content on the platform.

New photo filters offer options for subtle color edits and expressive styles, allowing users to experiment with various looks for their posts.

Simplified Posting and Improved Insights

Instagram has streamlined the posting process, making it easier to find necessary tools during editing. Improved insights include a new Reels metric called Replays, with an updated definition to include both Initial Plays and Replays.

In the coming months, creators will gain access to an interactive Retention Chart, offering moment-by-moment insights into Reel viewership.

Announcing the updates, Instagram posted:
Foreign firms seek partnerships in Chinas largest high-tech fair

16:26, November 16, 2023 By Chang Sha ( People's Daily Online

Photo taken on Nov. 15 shows the exhibition hall of the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) held in Shenzhen, south Chinas Guangdong Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Chang Sha)

The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF), scheduled to run from Nov. 15 to 19, kicked off on Wednesday in Shenzhen, south Chinas Guangdong Province.

Under the theme of invigorate the power of innovation, upgrade the quality of development, the five-day event has been joined by 4,925 companies from over 105 countries and regions, covering an area of 500,000 square meters (50 hectares).

The CHTF is very important for us, because it brings a big opportunity for Polish companies to present their products and services on the technology sector, said Monika Kolpaczynska, business development manager of China Representative Office of Polish Investment and Trade Agency, hoping the fair will help Polish businesses find partnerships in China and get a better understanding of the Chinese market.

Photo taken on Nov. 15 shows the exhibition hall of the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) held in Shenzhen, south Chinas Guangdong Province. (Peoples Daily Online/Chang Sha)

James Banfield, head of commercial partnerships of Phantom Technology, a UK-based deep tech start-up, said the company sees many potential partnerships with its AI engine in China, since an abundance of technologies has been created on the Chinese market.

Livia Nagy, director of product operations of Now Technologies, a Hungarian smart solution provider dedicated to helping people with disabilities, noted that the company expects to make contact with Chinese hospitals and rehabilitation centers and to expand its network of innovators.

The CHTF is Chinas largest and most influential high-tech fair, serving as an important platform for the countrys opening-up drive in the science and technology sector and promoting related exchanges and cooperation among different countries and regions.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Wu Chengliang)
PalmadexChannel at 16-11-2023 04:34 AM (2 weeks ago) (m) Praise GOD



 Warns Nigerians not to fall to scam



The Nigeria Customs Service has warned members of the public not to lose their hard-earned money to scammers parading themselves as officers of the agency. It noted that the agency will never do auction of seized goods will be done on social media. National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP got this important information in a press statement e-signed by the National PRO of Nigeria Customs, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada yesterday 13th November 2023.



The press release noted: 'The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is issuing a crucial scam alert regarding the escalating activities of fraudulent entities preying on unsuspecting individuals through social media platforms, falsely claiming association with the NCS for purposes of auctions or recruitment. Recent events have brought to our attention a surge in scams orchestrated by deceitful individuals impersonating high-ranking officials within the NCS. These fraudulent tactics exploit the public's trust, promoting fictitious auctions and sham recruitment drives purportedly endorsed by our service.'



'All seized/overtime goods have laid down Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for disposal in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. While these items might be in our custody, NCS officials are only authorized to conduct auctions or recruitment with the requisite legal backing in line with our processes and procedures. The NCS unequivocally asserts that auctions of seized goods are never conducted via any social media platform. Any such claims on social media should be treated as fraudulent and promptly reported', NAOSNP gathered.



'For accurate and updated details about the Nigeria Customs Service and its operations, we strongly encourage the public to verify information exclusively through the official NCS website,



He concluded the press release, 'Our commitment remains unwavering in protecting the public from fraudulent activities. We implore everyone to exercise vigilance and prudence when approached with offers or announcements regarding Customs auctions or recruitment. Any suspicious activities should be reported to the nearest Customs office or through our official communication channels for immediate assistance.'  Warns Nigerians not to fall to scamThe Nigeria Customs Service has warned members of the public not to lose their hard-earned money to scammers parading themselves as officers of the agency. It noted that the agency will never do auction of seized goods will be done on social media. National Association of Online Security News Publishers, NAOSNP got this important information in a press statement e-signed by the National PRO of Nigeria Customs, CSC Abdullahi Maiwada yesterday 13th November 2023.The press release noted: 'The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is issuing a crucial scam alert regarding the escalating activities of fraudulent entities preying on unsuspecting individuals through social media platforms, falsely claiming association with the NCS for purposes of auctions or recruitment. Recent events have brought to our attention a surge in scams orchestrated by deceitful individuals impersonating high-ranking officials within the NCS. These fraudulent tactics exploit the public's trust, promoting fictitious auctions and sham recruitment drives purportedly endorsed by our service.''All seized/overtime goods have laid down Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for disposal in line with the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023. While these items might be in our custody, NCS officials are only authorized to conduct auctions or recruitment with the requisite legal backing in line with our processes and procedures. The NCS unequivocally asserts that auctions of seized goods are never conducted via any social media platform. Any such claims on social media should be treated as fraudulent and promptly reported', NAOSNP gathered.'For accurate and updated details about the Nigeria Customs Service and its operations, we strongly encourage the public to verify information exclusively through the official NCS website, www.customs.gov.ng . Additionally, you can reach out to our help desk line at +2347037891156. Our official social media handles, listed below, also serve as reliable sources of information. These channels are committed to providing accurate and authenticated updates on our service and activities. Individuals are advised to visit any Customs formation nationwide and meet with the Public Relations Officers (PROs) to verify any financial commitments related to seized goods or recruitment before proceeding', Maiwada advised.He concluded the press release, 'Our commitment remains unwavering in protecting the public from fraudulent activities. We implore everyone to exercise vigilance and prudence when approached with offers or announcements regarding Customs auctions or recruitment. Any suspicious activities should be reported to the nearest Customs office or through our official communication channels for immediate assistance.'

Post Reply Distinguished member of the United Nations' World Trade Organisation, the ICC and has its export destinations to US, UK, Vietnam, Nicaragua, UAE, Isreal etc. Palmadex Group currently has International Operational base in Vietnam and Dubai. Posted: at 16-11-2023 04:34 AM (2 weeks ago) | Newbie
OpenAI Temporarily Halts ChatGPT Plus Subscriptions Due to Capacity Challenges News oi -Kabir Jain

OpenAI has temporarily halted new user subscriptions for its ChatGPT Plus service. The decision comes in the wake of heightened demand following the company's recent developer conference, where it unveiled several new features for paying subscribers.

OpenAI CEO Sam Altman acknowledged that the surge in usage, notably after the developer conference, has strained the platform's capacity. Altman revealed on X (formerly Twitter) that the overwhelming demand prompted the temporary suspension of ChatGPT Plus sign-ups to ensure an optimal user experience for existing subscribers.

User Surge and Cybersecurity Challenges

During the developer day, Altman disclosed that ChatGPT has reached a milestone of 100 million weekly active users. The platform has witnessed a notable uptick in user sign-ups, with over 92% of Fortune 500 companies now utilizing ChatGPT, marking a rise from 82% in August.

we are pausing new ChatGPT Plus sign-ups for a bit :(



the surge in usage post devday has exceeded our capacity and we want to make sure everyone has a great experience.



you can still sign-up to be notified within the app when subs reopen.  Sam Altman (@sama) November 15, 2023

However, along with the surge in demand, ChatGPT has faced increased cyberattacks. Following the developer conference, the platform experienced outages and abnormally high traffic, raising concerns about the chatbot's security.

Enterprise-Level Subscription Waitlists

The surge in demand extends beyond individual users, as enterprises are also facing delays. Companies, such as Irreverent Labs, were reportedly waitlisted for several months for the enterprise-level subscription, ChatGPT Enterprise. This subscription offers enhanced privacy and security features.

ChatGPT Plus Features on Hold

ChatGPT Plus, which costs $20 per month, provides users with access to GPT-4, offering higher accuracy and faster responses compared to its predecessors. The subscription also includes image and voice features. During the temporary pause, the service's features, including the new GPT-4 Turbo and custom GPTs, are on hold.

Future Developments: GPT-5 in the Works

Despite the challenges, OpenAI is pressing forward with advancements. Altman shared plans for the development of GPT-5, revealing that the training process for the new model will require a substantial increase in data volume. OpenAI aims to draw data from both publicly accessible datasets on the internet and exclusive datasets from private companies.

Altman acknowledged the challenge of predicting the exact capabilities and skills of GPT-5. Additionally, OpenAI is exploring increased financial support from its major investor, Microsoft, to realize its vision of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI).

Stay Informed with ChatGPT Plus Reopening

Users interested in ChatGPT Plus are encouraged to stay informed about the reopening of subscriptions by signing up within the app. This ensures prompt access to the enhanced features when subscriptions resume.

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Security Alert: Indian CERT-In Issues Warnings for Google Chrome and Chromebooks News oi -Kabir Jain

The Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In), operating under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), has issued security warnings for users of Google Chrome and Chromebooks in India.

Highlighting critical vulnerabilities, CERT-In urges users to update their browsers and Chromebook systems promptly to mitigate potential risks.

Google Chrome and Chromebooks Affected by Severe Vulnerabilities

CERT-In has identified and classified vulnerabilities in both Google Chrome and ChromeOS as high severity. The nature of these vulnerabilities allows hackers to execute malicious code, posing a significant threat to user data and system security. The affected software versions include:

Google ChromeOS LTS channel version prior to 114.0.5735.339 (Platform version 15437.76.0)

Google Chrome versions prior to 119.0.6045.123 for Linux and Mac

Google Chrome versions prior to 119.0.6045.123/.124 for Windows

The vulnerabilities are associated with a use-after-free flaw in the Web Audio component of Google Chrome and ChromeOS.

Risks Posed by These Vulnerabilities

According to CERT-In's security notes, the vulnerabilities involve use-after-free flaws in profiles, inappropriate implementation in downloads, a heap buffer overflow in PDF, and issues in the Linux Kernel. Cybercriminals can exploit these weaknesses to force users into visiting specially crafted requests, enabling them to execute arbitrary code or cause denial-of-service (DoS) conditions. The vulnerabilities also allow attackers to bypass security measures on the affected systems.

Security Patches Rolled Out

Acknowledging the severity of these vulnerabilities, Google has promptly released security patches for both Google Chrome and ChromeOS. The patches address the identified vulnerabilities, reinforcing the importance of keeping software up to date to ensure robust cybersecurity.

CERT-In strongly advises users to update their browsers and Chromebook systems to the latest versions to safeguard against potential threats from malicious actors seeking to exploit these vulnerabilities.

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Redmi K70 Series Renders Leaked ahead of Launch: What to Expect News oi -Carlsen Martin

Xiaomi are gearing up to unveil the new Redmi K70 series smartphones soon. The Redmi K70 series has been doing the rounds for a while now, following the recent Xiaomi 14 series launch.

The vanilla Redmi K70 was recently spotted on the 3C certification website and now renders of both the Redmi K70 and Redmi K70 Pro have leaked online. But before we dive into the renders, it is worth noting that the Redmi K70 series is expected to launch in China sometime next month.

Redmi K70 Series: What We Know So Far

The Redmi K70 and K70 Pro appear to feature a nearly bezel-less screen with a punch-hole camera cutout for the selfie shooter. The Redmi K70 smartphones boasts a volume rocker and power button on the right.

The renders also show a triple-camera setup on the back of the device. The three camera modules and an LED Flash are housed in a rectangle-shaped island. Apart from design aspects, no other information has been provided about the Redmi K70 series.

The Redmi K70 series is also expected to come in Black and White color options. Additionally, the Redmi K70 and Redmi K70 Pro will likely make their global debut as the Poco F6 and Poco F6 Pro.

Redmi K70 Series Specifications (Expected)

The Redmi K70 Pro is expected to use a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 or MediaTek Dimensity 9300 chipset, while the vanilla K70 5G could feature a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 chip. The Redmi K70 series is also expected to sport a 2K AMOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate.

The Redmi K70 series will feature a triple-camera setup with a 50 MP primary sensor, a 13 MP ultrawide lens, and a third 2 MP sensor. The Redmi K70 Pro could use a 5120 mAh battery with 120W fast charging support, while the Redmi K70 will likely feature a 5,500 mAh battery with 100W wired charging.

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Xiaomi's Redmi 12 Series Hits 3 Million Sales Milestone in India News oi -Kabir Jain

Xiaomi's Redmi 12 series, comprising the Redmi 12 5G and Redmi 12 4G models, has set a new sales record in India, achieving an impressive milestone of 3 million units sold in less than 100 days since its launch.

Xiaomi India expressed gratitude to customers via its official X (Ex-Twitter) account, emphasizing the significance of this achievement and the growing influence of Xiaomi in the Indian smartphone market.

Redmi 12 5G: Affordable Powerhouse

The Redmi 12 5G model, priced competitively, features a 6.79-inch FHD+ LCD display with a 90Hz refresh rate, providing a smooth and immersive user experience. Running on MIUI 14 based on Android 13, it is powered by an octa-core Snapdragon 4 Gen 2 processor. The device boasts a high-resolution 50MP main rear camera, supported by a 2MP depth sensor and an 8MP front-facing camera.

Celebrating   empowered lives with the #Redmi12 Series and its groundbreaking #5G connectivity!



This milestone is a testament to the trust and love you've placed in us. Thank you for choosing #Xiaomi and being part of the revolutionary journey that connects pic.twitter.com/jiwxZ2KQCo  Xiaomi India (@XiaomiIndia) November 15, 2023

Equipped with up to 8GB of LPDDR4X RAM and 256GB of UFS 2.2 storage, the Redmi 12 5G ensures efficient multitasking and ample storage capacity. A robust 5000mAh battery with 18W wired charging support guarantees prolonged usage, addressing the demand for long-lasting power in smartphones.

Redmi 12 4G: MediaTek Helio G88 Powerhouse

The Redmi 12 4G model, powered by the MediaTek Helio G88 processor, presents a more budget-friendly option without compromising performance. This variant features a triple rear camera setup, including a 50MP main camera, an 8MP ultra-wide-angle lens, and a 2MP macro lens. With 6GB+128GB of internal storage, it aligns with the 5G variant in various specifications.

Both models showcase Xiaomi's strategic pricing, with the Redmi 12 starting at 9,299 for the 4GB variant and the Redmi 12 5G at 11,999 for the 4GB variant. This pricing strategy has played a crucial role in the widespread success of the series.

5G Connectivity Drives Demand

The success of Xiaomi's Redmi 12 series highlights the growing demand for affordable 5G connectivity in the Indian market. The company's ability to provide feature-rich smartphones at competitive prices has contributed to its positive reception among consumers.

Future Outlook and Market Impact

Xiaomi's impressive sales performance in India signifies a notable achievement, especially considering the challenges faced in the past two years. As the demand for advanced yet budget-friendly smartphones continues to rise, Xiaomi's strategic approach to pricing and feature-rich offerings positions it favorably in the competitive Indian smartphone market.

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Dennis received bachelor's degrees in communication and political science with a TAG degree in Spanish from The University of Akron in Ohio. He grew up in Ohio with 2 sisters and two brothers, one being his fraternal twin. He and his wife have 3 dogs: Duke, Bacio, and Cal. Dennis currently covers natural resource and environmental issues for The Daily Sentinel
This map from Western Demographics details the Appleton and Wingate boundaries. Students in these areas will no longer be set to attend Fruita 8/9 School and Fruita Monument High School but rather Grand Junction High School after the change was approved 3-1 by the Mesa County Valley School District 51 Board of Education on Tuesday.

Photo courtesy of Western Demographics
Larry Robinson/The Daily Sentinel

Craig Tessem, right, of American Rivers, Inc, and the Uncompahgre River Multi-Benefit Project that received $1.19 million in funding from Reclamation, at the Courtyard Marriott hotel in Grand Junction on Nov. 15. American Rivers, in partnership with the Ward Water Group and local landowners like Tessem, will upgrade aspects and habitats along the Uncompahgre River.
Influential German Journalist Received Money From Russia, Investigation Claims

By RFE/RL's Russian Service November 15, 2023

Influential German broadcaster and author Hubert Seipel, who interviewed Russian President Vladimir Putin and wrote two books about him, received 600,000 euros ($646,000) from companies associated with oligarch Aleksei Mordashov, who is close to Putin and is on the Western sanctions list, a joint journalistic investigation has found.

Seipel is known in Germany for an exclusive 2014 interview with Putin and has also produced a documentary about him.

The investigation, carried out by German broadcaster ZDF, Der Spiegel magazine, and the German investigative outlet Paper Trailer Media, said Seipel, an award-winning journalist, received the money in instalments via a Cyprus-based company linked to Mordashov for two books described by many as favorable portraits of Putin.

According to confidential files from Cyprus-based financial services firms obtained by the German journalists, in 2018 Seipel, renowned in Germany as one of the top independent experts on Russia, signed a 600,000-euro sponsorship agreement to write and promote a book about the "political climate in Russia" -- an unusually high fee in Germany's publishing business.

The book was published in 2021 under the title Putin's Power: Why Europe Needs Russia, following a previous Putin biography published in 2015 and titled Putin: Inner Views Of Power.

In the documents obtained by the investigation, there is a handwritten note indicating that Seipel may have already received money in 2013 for preparing Putin's biography.

Seipel, who has said that he met Putin "nearly 100 times" and was one of the very few Western journalists to have direct access to the Russian leader, did not warn his readers or the publisher about a possible conflict of interest.

Seipel confirmed to ZDF that he had received "financial support through Mordashov," but claimed that this "did not influence the content of his books in any way," pointing to a contractual clause stating that the author "has no obligation to the sponsor in relation to the book project."

The NDR television company said in response to a request from the investigative team that it did not know about Seipel's Russian financing and said it was considering filing a lawsuit against him.

ARD and the Russian side, including the Kremlin's press service, declined to comment.

Mordashov, a steel and banking magnate who was placed under U.S, EU, and British sanctions last year for his close ties to the Kremlin, owns a majority stake in the German travel company TUI.

He is one of Russia's richest people, with a net worth estimated by Forbes at nearly $21 billion.

After being included in the sanctions list, Mordashov's representatives claimed that he had withdrawn his shares in Rossia Bank, owned by close Putin associate Yury Kovalchuk.

However, in September, the European Court found that the alleged transfer of shares was not supported by documents.

With reporting by The Guardian, AFP, and ICIJ

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/russia-germany-seipel-money- mordashov/32685420.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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Tactical phase of Ex Strong Cohesion 23-2 comes to an end at Military Training Centre Lest

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

13.11.2023

Phase 2 of Ex Strong Cohesion 23-2, an international deployment exercise (DEPLOYEX) demonstrating Allied force projection, integration and withdrawal, culminated at the Military Training Centre Lest today (13 November 2023).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Robert Kalinak and Spanish Ambassador Lorea Arribalzaga Ceballos joined Spanish Chief of the Defence Staff Adm Teodoro Lopez Calderon, Czech Chief of Defence Lt Gen Karel Rehka, and Slovak Chief of Defence Gen Daniel Zmeko for the Ex Strong Cohesion 23-2 (STCO23-2) Distinguished Visitors' Day (DVD), where the exercising Allied forces demonstrated a high level of cooperation in defence of Slovakia and NATO's eastern flank.

Today the Military Training Centre Lest saw the culmination of the nearly-one-week-long tactical phase of the exercise during which the deployed Spanish contingent (ESPCON) joined forces with members of the NATO Multinational Battlegroup in Slovakia (CZE, SVK, SVN, DEU and USA) to test the compatibility of operational procedures in conducting combat missions.

STCO23-2 involved almost 1,000 exercise participants with tactical and combat vehicles. The exercise also put to the test Slovakia's Host Nation Support (HNS) during the reception, staging and onward movement (RSOM) of Allied forces across Slovakia. The final phase of the exercise will officially conclude as and when the ESP forces return to their home base in Spain.

The MOD has once again issued a traffic warning to local motorists as traffic volumes are likely to be high due to military movements, particularly around the Banska Bystrica region. To ensure road safety for all road users, drivers are advised to follow the road traffic rules and the instructions by Military Police (MP) officers in escort vehicles.

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Telephone conversation with President of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi

Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with President of the Arab Republic of Egypt Abdel Fattah El-Sisi.

November 14, 2023

22:15

Vladimir Putin thanked Abdel Fattah El-Sisi for Egypt's comprehensive assistance in the evacuation of Russian citizens from the Gaza Strip.

The leaders continued their discussion of the highly aggravated situation in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict zone. Expressing profound concern over the unprecedented rise in casualties among the civilian population, including thousands of children and women, the leaders underscored the critical importance of promptly halting the bloodshed, releasing hostages and ensuring an unimpeded provision of humanitarian assistance to the civilian population of Gaza.

The parties noted the alignment of Russia's and Egypt's approaches to resolving the situation in the region by establishing an independent Palestinian State, coexisting in peace and security with Israel on a universally recognised international legal basis.

The leaders of Russia and Egypt will stay in contact.

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The President: The enlargement of the European Union will make it stronger

President of the Republic of Lithuania

November 14, 2023

President Gitanas Nauseda participated in an informal discussion on the EU's strategic agenda at the invitation of the Chancellor of Germany, Olaf Scholz, and the President of the European Council, Charles Michel.

Addressing the leaders of the European Council, Germany, Greece, Belgium, Cyprus, Austria, and Hungary, the President stressed that support for Ukraine should remain a priority for the EU, as its victory is the only sustainable path to peace and stability in Europe.

"In a complex geopolitical situation, the European Union can and must become an even stronger and more influential actor of international politics. Our mission to preserve the rules-based international order is more important than ever," Gitanas Nauseda said in his address to the European leaders.

The Head of State underscored that the EU needs to boost its resilience, economic security and competitiveness, and to speed up investments in the development of the defense and security industry, the deployment of new technologies and the infrastructure needed for military mobility.

"The single market is the economic backbone of the EU. In order to increase the EU's competitiveness, we need to put special emphasis on both removing the barriers that still exist in the EU internal market, especially in the services sector, and increasing access to finance for our companies, as well as on strengthening our international partnerships," said the President.

The Lithuanian leader stressed that the European Commission's recommendation to open negotiations with Ukraine and Moldova on EU membership and to grant the status of EU candidate country to Georgia is an important step paving the way for future European Council decisions on EU enlargement.

"EU enlargement is an opportunity to unite and strengthen the continenta successful new phase of EU enlargement would lead to the biggest growth of the internal market since 2004," said the President. The Lithuanian Head of State stressed that decisions on EU enlargement should not become hostage to institutional issues.

"Given the geopolitical importance of the EU enlargement process, we need to take decisions on EU enlargement first, and then talk about institutional reforms," Gitanas Nauseda emphasized.

In his address to European leaders, the President also underlined the growing need to protect the EU's borders.

"We see that the process of irregular migration can easily be instrumentalized and used as a weapon against EU countries to destabilize the situation. We must prevent this by creating uniform standards for the protection of the EU's external borders and by increasing the financial resources for the fight against irregular migration and border protection," President Gitanas Nauseda added.

The Berlin meeting of European heads of state is one in a series of roundtable discussions where EU leaders are preparing for decisions on priorities for the new political cycle, to be discussed at the European Council in spring 2024.



The President's Communication Group

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Defence Minister Robert Kalinak meets NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg

Ministry of Defence of The Slovak Republic

14.11.2023

Yesterday (Monday 13 November 2023), Defence Minister Robert Kalinak travelled to Brussels, where he is attending a meeting of the Foreign Affairs Council (FAC) of the European Union (EU) with Defence Ministers today. On the eve of the FAC meeting, Defence Minister Robert Kalinak met with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. Also in attendance at the bilateral meeting was Foreign and European Affairs Minister Juraj Blanar. The main themes on the agenda of the meeting with NATO's top official were the SVK Government's security and defence priorities and the future of Slovakia's support to Ukraine.

The Defence Minister informed the NATO Secretary General about the end of Slovakia's military aid to Ukraine from the country's own military stocks. Nevertheless, Slovakia offers a sufficiently wide range of humanitarian, civilian, and technical non-lethal assistance to Ukraine. Our foreign partners fully respect the new SVK Government's decision.

The goal of the new SVK MOD leadership is to strengthen the Slovak Armed Forces' capacities and capabilities so as to deliver the security of the State and its citizens. In doing so, equipment modernisation programmes will be directed towards minimising any risk to the lives of service personnel. At the same time, Minister Kalinak emphasised that Slovakia is a responsible partner who is ready to build defence capabilities, both nationally and collectively.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg appreciated the new SVK Government's intent to take forward the modernisation of the Slovak Armed Forces, encourage the growth of the defence industry, and invest in defence infrastructure projects. He also highlighted Slovakia's progress on NATO Capability Targets, including Slovakia's efforts to renew its independent Air Defence Capability. During the bilateral meeting, both leaders confirmed that the Alliance and the Slovak Republic will continue to work together to increase the readiness, deployability and interoperability of armed forces.

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Statement by UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell on her visit to Gaza

UNICEF

14 November 2023

GAZA, 15 November 2023 -- "Today I visited the Gaza Strip to meet with children, their families and UNICEF staff. What I saw and heard was devastating. They have endured repeated bombardment, loss and displacement. Inside the Strip, there is nowhere safe for Gaza's one million children to turn.

"The parties to the conflict are committing grave violations against children; these include killing, maiming, abductions, attacks on schools and hospitals, and the denial of humanitarian access - all of which UNICEF condemns.

"In Gaza, more than 4,600 children have reportedly been killed, with nearly 9,000 reportedly injured.

"Many children are missing and believed buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings and homes, the tragic result of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas. Meanwhile, newborn babies who require specialized care have died in one of Gaza's hospitals as power and medical supplies run out, and violence continues with indiscriminate effect.

"At the Al Naser hospital in Khan Yunis, I met with patients and displaced families seeking shelter and safety. A 16-year-old girl told me from her hospital bed that her neighborhood had been bombed. She survived but doctors say she will never be able to walk again.

"In the hospital's neonatal ward, tiny babies were clinging to life in incubators, as doctors worried how they could keep the machines running without fuel.

"During my time in Gaza, I also met with UNICEF staff who are continuing to deliver for children amidst the danger and devastation. They shared their own heartbreaking stories with me of the impact of the war on their children, of family members killed, and of how they have been displaced many times over.

"Many people, including our staff and their families, are now living in overcrowded shelters with very little water, food or decent sanitation - conditions which could lead to disease outbreaks.

"The risk to humanitarian actors inside Gaza cannot be overstated. More than 100 UNRWA staff have been killed since October.

"UNICEF and our partners are doing everything we can, including bringing in desperately needed humanitarian supplies. But diesel fuel has practically run out, causing some hospitals and health centers to stop functioning. Without fuel, desalination plants cannot produce drinking water and humanitarian supplies cannot be distributed.

"The intermittent opening of Gaza's border crossings to shipments of humanitarian supplies is insufficient to meet the skyrocketing needs. And with winter around the corner, the need for fuel could become even more acute. When I left Gaza today, the rain was pounding down, adding to the misery.

"I am here to do whatever I can to advocate for the protection of children. I once again call on all parties to ensure that children are protected and assisted, as per international humanitarian law. Only the parties to the conflict can truly stop this horror.

"I also call on the parties to implement an immediate humanitarian ceasefire, to safely release all abducted and detained children, and to ensure that humanitarian actors have safe, sustained and unimpeded access to reach those in need with the full range of lifesaving services and supplies."

#####



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UNICEF condemns latest attack in eastern DR Congo as act of 'horrific brutality'

UNICEF

Attack leaves 29 people dead, including eight children

14 November 2023

KINSHASA, Democratic Republic of the Congo, 14 November 2023 -- UNICEF condemns an attack reported to have been carried out on Sunday in the northeast of Beni near the border of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) with Uganda.

Initial reports put the death toll at 29 people, including eight children between 4 and 15 years of age.

"The sheer horrific brutality of the attack defies belief," said UNICEF DRC Representative Grant Leaity. "Attacks on civilians - especially children - cause immense suffering and undermine the very fabric of societies. Every child has the right to live in safety and security, free from the horrors of violence and conflict.

Cases of killing, maiming, and abduction of children - classified by the United Nations as "grave violations" - have risen dramatically this year. As a result, the DRC is on track to have record levels of verified grave violations against children for a third consecutive year.

The latest data shows there has been a 41 per cent increase in the number of verified grave violations against children in the first half of 2023 compared to the same period a year ago. There were 3,377 grave violations against 2,420 children in all of 2022, according to the June 2023 Children and Armed Conflict - Report of the Secretary-General.

If trends continue, the country is on track to reach new highs since the United Nations started monitoring and reporting grave violations in 2005, and surpassing records set in 2022.

Eastern DRC has been plagued by unrest for many years, but conflict and violence have worsened drastically since 2022. Over 6 million people are estimated to be displaced in eastern DRC, making this the worst displacement crisis in Africa and among the top three globally.

#####







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UPDATED: Besieged Gaza hospital horror continues; fuel supplies now exhausted

14 November 2023 - UN health agency WHO hailed on Tuesday the "heroic efforts" of staff at Gaza City's besieged Al-Shifa hospital and expressed concern for hundreds of thousands of displaced people in the enclave where heavy rainfall has caused flooding and aggravated the already dire health crisis. In a statement issued later in the day, the UN Palestine refugee agency (UNRWA) chief said that fuel stocks were now exhausted, bringing the aid operation to a halt on the Egyptian border.

In a statement issued by his Spokesperson, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said he was "deeply disturbed by the horrible situation and dramatic loss of life" reported in Gaza's medical facilities.

"In the name of humanity, the Secretary-General calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire", the statement reiterated.

Suffering exacerbated

"Rain will just add further to the suffering" of people in the Strip, WHO spokesperson Margaret Harris told reporters earlier in Geneva, at a time when disruptions in sewage pumping and water shortages have caused a spike in waterborne diseases and bacterial infections.

The World Health Organization warned last week that since mid-October, over 33,500 cases of diarrhoea have been reported, mostly among children under five, some 16 times the monthly average.

Facilities run by the UN agency for Palestine refugees, UNRWA, where over 580,000 displaced people in southern Gaza had sought shelter due to Israel's offensive in retaliation for Hamas' deadly 7 October attacks, are more than nine times over capacity and the overcrowding is posing further health risks.

"We are begging for a ceasefire to happen now," Dr. Harris insisted.

Fuel depot 'now empty'

In a statement late on Monday, the UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini, said that the humanitarian response was "gradually coming to an end because no fuel has been allowed into the Gaza Strip since 7 October."

Since the seige of Gaza began UNRWA has heavily rationed the use of fuel and accessed pre-existing, limited amounts stored in a depot inside the Gaza Strip, through close coordination with Israeli Authorities.

"The depot is now empty", the UNRWA chief said.

"It is very simple. Without fuel, the humanitarian operation in Gaza is coming to an end. Many more people will suffer and will likely die. It is unbelievable that humanitarian agencies have to beg for fuel and operate on life support", he added.

"Since the beginning of the war, fuel has been used as a weapon of war and this should stop immediately."

Hostages' families in Geneva

Meanwhile in Geneva, the families of some of the 238 hostages held by Hamas in Gaza since 7 October were due to continue their advocacy for the release of their loved ones on Tuesday.

A meeting was announced between hostages' families and Mirjana Spoljaric, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), a UN humanitarian partner organisation.

In a statement, the ICRC said that Ms. Spoljaric would also meet with the Israeli authorities and that the organisation has been "persistently advocating on behalf of the hostages held in Gaza, including directly with Hamas and with actors who may have influence on the parties".

Health workers 'doing whatever they can'

WHO's Dr. Harris described in detail the dire situation at Al-Shifa hospital, which is a focus of operations by the Israeli Defense Forces which claim that Hamas had established a command centre under the hospital - an allegation denied by medical staff.

Speaking of the "heroic" health workers, Dr. Harris said that they are "doing whatever they can to keep going" while the facility has been without power since 11 November and there was not enough food and clean water. Some 700 patients were still present at the site and more than 400 health staff, in addition to around 3,000 displaced persons who had sought refuge there. Dr. Harris said that 20 patient deaths have been reported in the last 48 hours.

As many as six premature babies had reportedly died at Al-Shifa over the past three days as their incubators were unable to function owing to the lack of electricity.

Evacuation 'very difficult'

Asked about the possibility of evacuating patients, Dr. Harris explained that all of those remaining at Al-Shifa required critical support to stay alive. Moving them "would be a very difficult thing to ask in the best circumstances", Dr. Harris said, let alone amid bombing, armed clashes and a lack of fuel for ambulances.

"The best way would be to stop the hostilities right now and focus on saving lives, not taking lives," she insisted.

Record number of attacks on healthcare

Some 135 attacks on health facilities have been documented in Gaza over the course of the past month, and WHO's Dr. Harris said that this was the highest number recorded in such a short amount of time.

"I hope this is the worst we ever see," she said.

The WHO spokesperson pointed to an "increasing trend" of attacks on health care, also seen in other ongoing conflicts in Sudan and in Ukraine. "It seems that somehow the understanding that a hospital must a safe haven, a place where people come to be treated when they are in need, has been forgotten," she told journalists.

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Press Release

12th Marine Regiment Redesignates to 12th Marine Littoral Regiment

14 Nov 2023

CAMP HANSEN, OKINAWA, Japan -- 12th Marine Regiment redesignated to 12th Marine Littoral Regiment (MLR) on November 15, 2023, during a ceremony at Camp Hansen, Okinawa, Japan. This redesignation is the first step in the process outlined in January's Security Consultative Committee ("2+2") announcement that reinforces the enduring commitment of the U.S. to the defense of Japan and to peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific.

"Today marks a significant milestone in the storied history of the 12th Marine Regiment as they redesignate to the 12th Marine Littoral Regiment," said Maj. Gen. Christian Wortman, commanding general of the 3d Marine Division. "12th MLR is poised to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow, with a vigilant eye on the horizon and a steadfast resolve to protect our nation and support the defense of Japan."

While forward stationed in Okinawa, Japan, 12th Marine Littoral Regiment will integrate with the Joint Force and the capabilities of our allies and partners, supporting deterrence efforts, and remaining prepared to respond to potential crises.

"12th MLR represents a vital evolution of our mission and capabilities.," said Col. Peter Eltringham, commanding officer of 12th Marine Littoral Regiment. "We're proud to be here in the First Island Chain, and a force prepared to respond to contingencies wherever and whenever required. It is our pledge to guard and advance the 12th Marines legacy of honor, fidelity and valor, now as the 12th MLR."

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November 15, 2023

Release

Joint Press Statement for Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III Meeting With Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr.

U.S. Department of Defense and Philippine Department of National Defense spokespersons provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III and Philippine Secretary of National Defense Gilberto Teodoro Jr met in Jakarta today on the margins of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus.

The Secretaries welcomed the historic momentum in U.S.-Philippine ties and discussed their mutual commitment to strengthening the U.S.-Philippine alliance, which has upheld peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for over seventy years. They reaffirmed their countries' shared vision of a free and open region grounded in transparency, the rule of law, respect for sovereignty, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.

Secretary Austin reiterated President Biden's message that the U.S. defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad, and emphasized that the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its Exclusive Economic Zone.

The Secretaries discussed the importance of preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail, and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows. In this context, they denounced the recent harassment by vessels from the People's Republic of China (PRC) towards Philippine Coast Guard and resupply vessels conducting lawful resupply operations around Second Thomas Shoal, as well as dangerous operational PRC maneuvers against U.S. aircraft and ships lawfully operating in the South China Sea. Taking note of the concerns expressed about the PRC's recent harassment by a growing number of foreign governments globally, they also emphasized that the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Ruling is final and binding on the Parties and called on the PRC to abide by its obligations under international law. The Secretaries reaffirmed that the Mutual Defense Treaty extends to both countries' armed forces, public vessels, and aircraftincluding those of its Coast Guardanywhere in the Pacific, to include the South China Sea.

The Secretaries highlighted the recent progress the two countries have made to modernize the alliance, enhance interoperability, and address new and emerging challenges. On this note, they welcomed progress in implementing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement (EDCA), including the recent completion of a $24 million upgrade to the runway at Basa Airbase, and pledged to further accelerate EDCA implementation. They committed to explore further opportunities to strengthen bilateral operations and planning, including through the upcoming Balikatan 2024 exercise, and noted their desire to expand multilateral activities with like-minded partners. The Secretaries reaffirmed their commitment to the expeditious conclusion of a General Security of Military Information Agreement (GSOMIA), as well as the bilateral Philippines Security Sector Assistance Roadmap. Secretary Austin welcomed the updates shared by Secretary Teodoro on the Philippines' Horizon III modernization plan and reiterated the U.S. commitment to supporting Philippine defense modernization.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3589325/

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November 15, 2023

By Joseph Clark , DOD News

Austin Applauds Strengthening U.S.-Philippine Alliance

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III welcomed the strengthening ties between the U.S. and Philippines as he met with Philippine Defense Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. in Jakarta, Indonesia, today.

During their discussion, the secretaries applauded the "historic momentum" in the alliance, "which has upheld peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region for over seventy years," according to a joint summary of the meeting.

"The secretaries highlighted the recent progress the two countries have made to modernize the alliance, enhance interoperability and address new and emerging challenges," the summary reads.

The two countries have made recent advances in implementing the Enhanced Defense Cooperation Agreement. A key pillar of the alliance outlines steps to enhance combined U.S.-Philippine military capabilities.

That progress includes the recent completion of a $24 million upgrade to the runway at Basa Air Base in the Philippines.

"They committed to explore further opportunities to strengthen bilateral operations and planning, including through the upcoming Balikatan 2024 exercise, and noted their desire to expand multilateral activities with like-minded partners," according to the summary.

The secretaries also discussed recent provocations by China during the meeting.

Those include China's dangerous maneuvers against U.S. aircraft and ships operating in the South China Sea and the importance of "preserving the rights of all nations to fly, sail and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows," according to the summary.

Both leaders also condemned the recent harassment of Philippine Coast Guard and resupply vessels conducting lawful resupply operations near the Second Thomas Shoal, an area in the South China Sea within the Philippines' U.N.-sanctioned exclusive economic zone.

"Secretary Austin reiterated President Biden's message that the U.S. defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad and emphasized that the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone," according to the meeting summary.

The two leaders met as part of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus. The summit includes representation from China, Russia, India, Japan, South Korea, Australia and New Zealand in addition to the 10 ASEAN member states and the U.S.

Austin's attendance at the 3-day session caps his ninth official visit to the Indo-Pacific, which also included stops in India and South Korea.

A senior defense official previewing Austin's schedule in Jakarta said the secretary's engagement with the Southeast Asian bloc is further proof of the United States' commitment to the region.

The U.S., the official said, is "demonstrating that commitment through action and engagementnot just through rhetoric."

The official added that recognition of that commitment is being met by a growing demand from countries in the region to deepen their ties with the U.S.

Those deepening ties are critical in Southeast Asia, which defense officials note ranks among the fastest growing, youngest and most diverse regions within the Indo-Pacific.

"When you look at the trajectory of where the Indo-Pacific is headed over the next two decades, Southeast Asiaand ASEAN as a collectiveis becoming an increasingly important player and will continue to in the future," a second official said.

This is a part of the world where half of the population of Southeast Asia is under the age of 30," the official added. "If you look at the Philippines, Vietnam, Indonesia [they are] some of the fastest growing economies right now. And when you see what the United States is doing in terms of supply chain diversification, a lot of that is coming to this part of the world."

The officials added that in addition to the strong economic growth, there is significant focus throughout the region on military modernization efforts.

"These are partnerships that we're going to be continuing to invest in further, and have already invested in a lot," the official said.

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Humanitarian crisis in Gaza 'may worsen' amid US sanctions against Hamas

Global Times

By Wang Qi Published: Nov 15, 2023 08:36 PM

As Israeli troops launched a ground assault on Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, the US and the UK announced coordinated sanctions targeting Hamas and its financiers, which Chinese experts view is a move in support of Israel which could further exacerbate the humanitarian disaster by increasing Israel's disregard for the mounting international pressure.

According to a press release from the US Department of Treasury on Tuesday (local time), the US imposed its third round of sanctions targeting Hamas-affiliated individuals and entities, including the group's senior leaders and the mechanisms through which Iran provides support to Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad (PIJ).

The US Department of Treasury said the designations are coordinated with action by the UK, which announced sanctions against four senior Hamas leaders and two Hamas financiers on Tuesday, and vowed to "disrupt Hamas operations both in Gaza and wherever their leaders base themselves" in coordination with the US.

The US, UK and Israel are united in their war goals, which are the total elimination of Hamas and the destruction of the Hamas regime in Gaza, Niu Xinchun, a research fellow at the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Yin Gang, a veteran scholar of the Middle East with the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the sanctions show the US' firm stance supporting Israel, and subsequently Hamas will encounter greater difficulties.

The sanctions could mean that Israel will not further bow to international pressure for a cease-fire, Yin said, noting that the US may believe that the time has come to eliminate Hamas once and for all.

Israeli forces on Wednesday entered Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza, after hours of bombarding the medical facility that is full of thousands of patients and sheltering civilians. Israel said Hamas has set up its command center in and beneath the hospital, which both Hamas and hospital staff denied, according to the AP.

According to the health authority in Gaza, more than 11,200 people, two-thirds of them women and minors, have been killed since Israel launched a major air and ground offensive.

"The US is willing to provide Israel with all the assistance it needs to destroy Hamas, while at the same time the US demands that Israel reduce the humanitarian crisis.... But these two goals are contradictory and cannot be reconciled," Niu said.

The UN humanitarian office said on Tuesday that more than two-thirds of Gaza's population of 2.3 million has fled their homes since the war began. At least 102 workers from the UN Relief and Works Agency in Gaza have been killed in Israeli bombing.

As long as there is no cease-fire, a deteriorating humanitarian crisis in Gaza is practically foreseeable, Niu said. "There are only a few countries in the world, including the US and Israel, that do not agree to a cease-fire because they believe that Hamas cannot be eliminated with a cease-fire," he said.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said at a press briefing on Wednesday that China condemns all acts that harm civilians and opposes any violation of international law, and has repeatedly called for a cease-fire as soon as possible in order to avoid a more serious humanitarian catastrophe.

We will continue to work with the parties concerned to play a positive and constructive role in order to cease the fighting, de-escalate the conflict, alleviate the humanitarian situation and ultimately realize lasting peace between Palestine and Israel through a two-state solution, Mao said.

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Humanitarian Aid & Searches for Additional Explosives and Terror Infrastructure; IDF Troops Continue Targeting Hamas in Precise Operation in the Shifa Hospital

IDF Press Release

15.11.23

IDF

IDF troops are continuing the precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the Shifa Hospital, in which they are conducting searches for Hamas terror infrastructure and weapons.



Furthermore, the troops delivered humanitarian aid to the entrance of the hospital.



Attached is a video of IDF soldiers delivering humanitarian aid to the Shifa Hospital:









Attached are photos of the humanitarian aid delivered to the hospital:







Attached are photos of the IDF activity:

Attached is a video of the IDF activity in the area of the hospital:

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IDF Ground Operations in Gaza Continue; Targeted Operation Against Hamas in Specified Area of the Shifa Hospital

IDF Press Release

15.11.23

IDF

IDF ground troops are currently carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the Shifa Hospital. The activity in this specified area is based on operational necessities, as well as intelligence information that indicates Hamas terrorist activity is being directed from the area.



Prior to their entry, the IDF troops encountered explosive devices and terrorist cells, and an engagement began in which terrorists were killed.



In addition, yesterday, IDF ground troops located a Hamas training camp containing terror tunnel shafts, classrooms, intelligence material, and dozens of different types of weapons - including rockets and loaded RPGs.



Furthermore, an IDF UAV identified a terrorist cell that exited a building with an anti-tank missile launching post in the northern Gaza Strip. The terrorists were carrying suspected IEDs, which they planted in the area. The UAV monitored the terrorists, and struck two of them.



Attached is video footage of the UAV strike on the terrorist cell with a suspected IED: https://bit.ly/3G2AUep



Attached are photographs of the weapons found in the Hamas training camp:





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Israeli regime's raid on Shifa hospital clearly qualifies as war crime: Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 15, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Nasser Kanaani says Israeli regime's raid on al-Shifa hospital in Gaza clearly qualifies as a war crime.

In a post on social media late on Wednesday, Kanaani said the Israeli narrative that Palestinian resistance forces are based in hospitals in Gaza is in line with the regime's efforts to cover up its defeats in the war on Palestinians.

He said the attack earlier in the day on Gaza's largest hospital represented a clear case of war crime, adding that it should be prosecuted by international courts.

Israeli forces stormed the al-Shifa hospital in the early hours of Wednesday after days of besieging the large medical complex.

The regime has yet to provide evidences to corroborate its claims that the hospital had been used for military activity by Gaza-based resistance forces.

4261

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Envoy renews Iran's support for Azerbaijan sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 15, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- The Iranian Ambassador to the Republic of Azerbaijan has underlined that the Islamic Republic of Iran considers Nagorno-Karabakh as a territory of Azerbaijan and supports the restoration of Baku's sovereignty over the region.

Abbas Mousavi wrote on his social media account in Azeri language that Iran's principled position has always emphasized Azerbaijan's sovereignty over Nagorno-Karabakh; so, Tehran welcomes the preservation of territorial integrity, as well as the restoration of Azerbaijan's sovereignty over the region.

Preserving the security and rights of the Armenian residents in the Nagorno-Karabakh region can be merely meaningful when the sovereignty and laws of the Republic of Azerbaijan are respected, the ambassador noted.

Armenia and Azerbaijan engaged in two wars in the past three decades over the Nagorno-Karabakh region.

Azerbaijan launched a 24-hour assault on the region on September 19, 2023 and Baku said it succeeded in retaking full control of the region the same day; then, ethnic Armenian forces agreed to a Russia-brokered ceasefire that saw them disband their armed forces.

4208**2050

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Yemen threatens to Attack Israel's ships in Red Sea

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Wed / 15 November 2023 / 13:13

The leader of Yemen's Ansar Allah movement threatened to attack Israeli ships in the Red Sea to support Palestinian movements in the Gaza Strip.

Tehran (ISNA) - Abdul-Malik Badruldeen al-Houthi, leader of Yemen's Ansar Allah movement said " Our eyes are open to constantly monitor and search for any Israeli ship in the Red Sea, particularly in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the waters that border Yemeni waters, although Israeli ships disable devices in the Red Sea, they will not be able to hide," adding that the movement "will search for its ships and will not hesitate to attack them."

"Our attacks on the enemy with rockets and drones will continue. Our planning for additional operations will continue against all Zionist facilities that we can reach in Palestine or outside Palestine, and we will not hesitate to do so. We will spare no effort at the military level, using the available means, and our brothers in the rocket forces are conducting operations in the south of occupied Palestine," Abdul-Malik Badruldeen al-Houthi said in a ceremony in Sana'a.

Earlier in the day, Ansar Allah military spokesman Yahya Sare'e said via an unverified account on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the movement has fired "a salvo of ballistic missiles at various targets of the Israeli enemy in the occupied Palestinian territories," including the city of Eilat in southern Israel.

He added that the launch came 24 hours after "another military operation" carried out by the movement "with drones on the same targets."

The spokesman also confirmed that the movement "will begin implementing the directives in terms of taking the appropriate measures against any Israeli vessel in the #RedSea" and will "not hesitate to target any Israeli vessel in the Red Sea or any place we can reach, starting from now."

He added that the movement's attacks on Israel "will not stop until [the] Israeli aggression against Palestinian people in Gaza stops."

On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a surprise large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip. Israel launched retaliatory strikes and ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, cutting off supplies of water, food, and fuel.

At least 11,320 Palestinians have been martyred including more than 7,800 women and children, and over 29,200 others have been injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches, have been damaged or destroyed in the Israeli offensive.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, stands at 1,200, according to official figures.

End Item

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US forces attacked 55 times in Iraq, Syria

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Wed / 15 November 2023 / 12:36

The US forces have been attacked 55 times in Iraq and Syria since Oct. 17, said Pentagon.

Tehran - (ISNA)- Speaking at a press briefing, Deputy Pentagon Spokeswoman Sabrina Singh said there have been 27 attacks against US forces in Iraq and 28 in Syria.

She also provided an update on the casualties sustained during these attacks.

Singh said a total of 59 US personnel have received injuries in the TBI (traumatic brain injury) or non-serious categories since the attacks began.

"Approximately 27 personnel have been evaluated for TBI and 32 for other non-serious injuries. As of today, all 59 have returned to duty," she added.

Her remarks came after the US military on Sunday conducted strikes on two targets in eastern Syria claimed to be used by so-called Iran-backed groups but "Islamic Resistance of Iraq" responded rapidly by hitting 2 US bases in eastern Syria.

The strikes are the third in less than three weeks, coinciding with heightened tensions in the Middle East due to Israel's fierce attack Gaza.

The assaults are believed to be in response to US support for Israel in the conflict.

At least 11,320 Palestinians have been martyred including more than 7,800 women and children, and over 29,200 others have been injured, according to the latest figures from Palestinian authorities.

Thousands of buildings, including hospitals, mosques and churches, have been damaged or destroyed in the Israeli offensive.

The Israeli death toll, meanwhile, stands at 1,200, according to official figures.

End Item

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Israel raids largest Hospital in Gaza

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Wed / 15 November 2023 / 12:09

As war intensifies in Gaza, Israel dragged the conflict to hospitals and attacked the the largest medical complex in the Strip.

Tehran (ISNA) - Israeli forces raid al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, the largest medical complex in the Strip on Wednesday where thousands have taken shelter.

According to the latest information from Gaza's health ministry, there are about 2,500 people inside the hospital.

These include medical teams, patients - including 600 wounded people and 36 newborns - and displaced people sheltering at the hospital.

Aljazeera reports that A doctor inside the facility says the Israeli raid has spurred fear among patients, displaced people and health workers.

Earlier The Pentagon claimed that US intelligence had information that Hamas and Islamic Jihad are using Gaza's hospitals, including al-Shifa, for military purposes.

Israeli forces also claimed they were raiding the complex because Hamas has a command center underneath it and uses connected tunnels to hold hostages.

Hamas denies it is using hospitals in Gaza, such as al-Shifa, as command centers, accusing Israel and the United States of trying to justify "brutal massacres".

More than 11,300 Palestinians have been killed in Israeli strikes on Gaza since October 7. In Israel, the official death toll from Hamas's attacks stands at more than 1,200.

Palestine demands urgent international protection for medical staff, patients, displaced people as Israeli army storms Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital

The Jordanian Foreign Ministry also condemns Israeli forces' taking of al-Shifa Hospital.

In a statement posted in Arabic to the ministry's X account, they termed the Israeli operation a "violation of International humanitarian law," and said that they are "holding Israel responsible for the safety of civilians and medical staff."

A doctor at Gaza City's al-Shifa Hospital has told Reuters that gunfire outside the compound has forced staff to stay away from windows for their safety following an Israeli raid.

"Israeli forces have tried to kill anyone moving inside ... No one has done anything. We don't have any kind of resistance inside the hospital," a person inside the medical complex told Aljazeera.

"Some American reports say there is a network of tunnels inside the hospital. This is not true at all," he added.

Meanwhile Israeli Army Radio says No sign of Israeli hostages at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza after military entered facility.

Lebanese news network Al-Mayadeen also reported that "Occupation forces have turned Al-Shifa Hospital into a military barracks and are storming more sections within it".

Mohammed Zaqout, the director of hospitals in Gaza, told the Associated Press over the phone that the patients, including children, are terrified after Israeli forces stormed the buildings.

"They are screaming. It's a very terrifying situation ... we can do nothing for the patients but pray," he said.



End Item



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Preparations for stationing the German brigade gather pace

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of National Defence

2023-11-15

International cooperation | Security and defense policy

Preparatory work for hosting the German brigade is accelerating driving forward the Lithuanian-German defence cooperation.

"The German brigade stationing outline will be agreed to in December, it will cover civilian and military infrastructure. Cooperation among public institutions, including municipalities and the private sector, will be central for its implementation," says minister of National Defence Arvydas Anusauskas.

The agreement between the Governments will be signed and tabled for approval to the Seimas in the second semester of next year. The document will consolidate the legal status of the German military personnel, their families, as well as stipulate for medical services, establishment of German education institutions, employment and other services.

The German combat brigade deploying to Lithuania is a well-equipped unit ready to fight from day one. I Its manpower will deploy to Lithuania in stages, the first troops are set to come as soon as 2024, while 2027 will see the brigade in Lithuania in full capacity. It will be stationed across two main sites in Vilnius and Kaunas with some of the logistical elements in other locations of Lithuania as well.

According to Minister, one of the key tasks in hosting the German brigade is to ensure proper civilian infrastructure and services for the military families arriving alongside the deployed servicemembers. Another commitment is to improve communication: roads, railway, aviation will play an important role not just to German servicemembers deployed in Lithuania but also to the Lithuanian business and residents.

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NATO Secretary General meets EU College of Commissioners

NATO - North Atlantic Treaty Organisation

15 Nov. 2023

Attending a meeting with the EU College of Commissioners in Brussels on Wednesday (15 November 2023), Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg thanked European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen for being a driving force behind the NATO-EU partnership. He said that both organisations have a lot in common, sharing the same values and facing the same challenges. Mr. Stoltenberg highlighted that NATO and the EU have done more together this year, including working towards lasting stability in the Western Balkans, tackling disinformation and advancing their strategic partnership in areas like military mobility, cyber and space. The Secretary General said that both organisations sent a strong message to President Putin that we will stand by Ukraine for as long as it takes.

NATO and the EU signed in January a new joint declaration to address a broader range of issues, including growing geostrategic competition, resilience and the protection of critical infrastructure. They also set up a NATO-EU Taskforce on Resilience of Critical Infrastructure to reduce vulnerabilities and dependencies on authoritarian regimes like Russia and China; and to boost the resilience of supply chains and technology. The Secretary General said that the war in Ukraine demonstrates the need to ramp up industrial production of key ammunition and welcomed the EU's efforts to increase production capacity and joint procurement.

Mr. Stoltenberg said that as instability grows with brutal wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the ongoing threat of terrorism, a climate crisis and authoritarian regimes threating the international order, we need strong institutions like NATO and the European Union. He stressed that together, Europe and North America can defend our democratic values, keep our people safe and our nations strong.

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A look at the Defence news 6 - 12 November

Netherlands Ministry of Defence

News item | 15-11-2023

Dutch government sends HNLMS Holland to eastern Mediterranean

The Dutch government is sending HNLMS Holland to the eastern Mediterranean, where the patrol vessel will be able to provide support in the event of the region being evacuated.

Together with allies, the vessel can also contribute to the establishment of a maritime corridor in order to send humanitarian aid to Gaza. HNLMS Holland is expected to leave for the Mediterranean in mid-November.

Dutch F-16s in Romania

Since last week, 5 Dutch F-16 fighter aircraft have been stationed in Romania.

Slovakian recognition for Dutch Patriot unit

Over 200 military personnel from the RNLA's Patriot unit have been decorated for their efforts while operating as part of the multinational battlegroup in Slovakia. They had been deployed there from 14 April 2022, at the request of NATO. The deputy ambassador of Slovakia thanked the members of the unit by awarding each of them a special medal.

Ollongren calls for more military responsibility in Europe

"Europe needs to step up its game" is the view of the Netherlands Minister of Defence Kajsa Ollongren. Ollongren and her Swedish counterpart Pal Jonson were discussing the role of Europe in the current geopolitical developments during the opening panel discussion at the State of the Union Conference at Clingendael Institute - the Netherlands Institute of International Relations - in The Hague.

North European defence conference underlines importance of sustainable relations

"Today, we have come together to discuss our common goal of European security. No nation can confront the challenges of today alone." The American Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Christopher Cavoli, spoke these words at the Kromhout Barracks in Utrecht during the Northern Europe Chiefs of Defence Conference last week. The general added that by attending the conference, the participating countries had reaffirmed their mutual involvement, their support, and their trust in one another. The conference was hosted by General Cavoli and the Netherlands Chief of Defence, General Onno Eichelsheim. (See the video of the conference.)

Army commander Wijnen switches to Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management

The Commander of the Royal Netherlands Army, Lieutenant General Martin Wijnen, is to leave Defence. The 57-year old general will start work as the Director-General of Public Works and Water Management at the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management on 1 January 2024. The new commander of the RNLA will be announced later this year.

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Israeli forces raid Gaza's largest hospital to search for militants

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 20:30, November 15, 2023

GAZA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Dozens of the Israeli army forces on Wednesday carried out a raid at Shifa Hospital in Gaza City amid heavy gunfire, according to a senior medical official.

In a press statement sent to Xinhua, Monir al-Bursh, director-general of the pharmaceutical department at the Gaza Health Ministry, said that "the Israeli army officially informed the hospital in a phone call that the raid was being carried out, demanding that people not approach windows, balconies or doors."

For its part, the Israeli army said that it was carrying out a precise operation against Hamas in a specific area inside Al-Shifa Hospital based on intelligence information and an operational need.

Ashraf al-Qedra, the spokesman of the health ministry, said, "There is nothing that would require shooting inside the hospital because there is no form of resistance there, and what the occupation is doing constitutes terrorism for those in the complex."

About 1,500 staff members and 7,000 displaced people are currently stuck in the hospital, depending on capacity, according to al-Qedra.

Israeli tanks surrounded several hospitals in Gaza City over the past few days, claiming that they contain tunnels that constitute a base used by Hamas to shelter its leadership in addition to leading military operations against the Israeli army.

Both Hamas and the health ministry in Gaza denied Israel's accusations, considering them "an attempt to mislead and incite in preparation for the destruction of hospitals and the killing of patients."

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UN Security Council has failed to prevent tragedies in Gaza, says Iran's FM Amir-Abdollahian

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 7:07 PM

Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian has lambasted the United Nations Security Council for failing to avert tragedies in the Gaza Strip, arguing the international body could not fulfill its role to stop the war due to the influence of certain member states.

Amir-Abdollahian made the remarks in a meeting with the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UNHCR), Volker Turk, in the Swiss city of Geneva on Wednesday, during which he thanked the senior UN official for visiting the Rafah border crossing with Gaza to assess the situation there.

The top Iranian diplomat said that the purpose of his visit to Geneva and subsequent negotiations is to explore avenues aimed at ending the ongoing atrocities in the besieged Palestinian territory.

"In addition to attacks on residential neighborhoods across Gaza, the Zionist regime has now established strikes on hospitals as a priority. Due to the influence of some member states that back the Zionist regime, the UN Security Council failed to fulfill its role to stop the war and end the tragedy," Amir-Abdollahian said.

He went on to stress the role of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in ending the ongoing Israeli atrocities in the Gaza Strip, calling on the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) to convene an extraordinary meeting and help find a solution to the Gaza conflict.

Amir-Abdollahian also demanded the formation of a team of experts in order to document the criminal acts that the Israeli military has already committed, and is perpetrating in Gaza.

The Iranian foreign minister also pointed to Tehran's constant, intensive efforts to end the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip and advance humanitarian initiatives, stating that it is very likely for the situation to spiral out of control at any moment.

"The only thing that can control the status quo is to stop the invasion of Gaza, send humanitarian aid, and prevent the displacement of the people of Gaza," Amir-Abdollahian said.

He emphasized that it is in the best interest of all parties to work toward such goals.

For his part, Turk described the humanitarian situation in Gaza and even the occupied West Bank as terribly worrying, elaborating on his attempts as well as those of UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to alleviate the sufferings of Palestinians.

"It is clear that actions need to be taken to stop the war. We must do our utmost to find a solution for the current complicated and deplorable situation, and prevent the war from spilling over and the situation from becoming more complicated," he said.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the coastal territory, targeting hospitals, residential buildings, and houses of worship, since Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm, against the regime on October 7.

At least 11,320 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,650 children and 3,145 women. More than 29,000 individuals have sustained injuries as well.

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Attack on al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza clear example of war crimes: Iran

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 6:46 PM

The spokesman for Iran's foreign ministry has condemned Israel's attack on al-Shifa Hospital as a "clear example" of war crimes the regime has committed over the course of its bombardment and ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

"This morning's brutal attack on the al-Shifa hospital by the Zionist forces is a clear example of war crimes and must be prosecuted internationally," Nasser Kana'ani wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

The regime raided al-Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in the besieged strip where thousands of patients, staff, and displaced people were trapped, destroying parts of it and also attacking medical and nursing staff as well as patients.

The regime has been targeting hospitals in the strip since the beginning of its war on Gaza on October 7, claiming Hamas uses them as command centers.

Kana'ani denounced Israel's claims as false and said they serve as a pretext for continuing war crimes in Gaza.

"The Zionist regime's army has suffered such a blow as a result of the October 7 defeat that it is trying to create an achievement for itself by spreading false narratives," he said.

Pointing to Israel's allegations that the hospital was being used for military purposes by Hamas, the Iranian official said Israel's move to fabricate claims and portray a false image of the activities of the resistance act as "a cover and pretext for the continuation of the Zionist regime's crimes in Gaza and the killing of children and homeless women."

Hamas has dismissed Israel's claim it uses hospitals as command centers, saying it runs a vast network of underground tunnels and doesn't need to use hospitals in any manner.

Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official based in Beirut, on Tuesday called Israeli claims "naive" attempts to justify bombardment of hospitals.

Hamdan, who's a member of Hamas politburo, said Israel is continuously targeting Gaza's infrastructure and hospitals to push Gazans out of the strip and to repeat Nakba, referring to the mass expulsion of Palestinians from their homeland in 1948 and the creation of the Israeli regime.

The Hamas official called on the UN to run a probe into the claims and debunk the lies of the occupation.

The Israeli attack has drawn condemnation from Palestinians, international aid organizations, and various governments.

The UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths has described the Israeli attacks on hospitals as shocking, calling for immediate action to rein in the carnage in Gaza.

"Hospitals are not battlegrounds," the UN's undersecretary-general for humanitarian affairs and emergency relief coordinator, Martin Griffiths, stated on X.

"The protection of newborns, patients, medical staff, and all civilians must override all other concerns," he said.

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization, also said that the attacks are "deeply concerning."

"We've lost touch again with health personnel at the hospital," Tedros said on X, adding, "We're extremely worried for their and their patients' safety."

The International Committee of the Red Cross said in a statement that it was "extremely concerned about the impact on sick and wounded people, medical staff, and civilians."

"All measures to avoid any consequences on them must be taken," it said.

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Mahmoud Abbas says Israel's war on Gaza is 'genocide'

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 4:33 PM

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says the ongoing Israeli aggression and constant bombardment of the besieged Gaza Strip is a barbaric war and genocide.

"We are facing together a barbaric war of aggression and an open war of genocide against our people in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank," Abbas made the remarks during a speech in Ramallah on Wednesday.

Abbas strongly condemned the ongoing war in the Gaza Strip and the violence Palestinians face in the occupied West Bank as "a war on the Palestinian existence and on the Palestinian national identity."

"It is a war against the existence of the Palestinians, against the Palestinian national identity, the identity of the land and the identity of its inhabitants." the president said.

"Palestine is our only homeland and we will not accept an alternative, and if there is anyone who must leave our land it is the occupation - and only the occupation."

Abbas went on to say the dead in Gaza "will be a curse to the occupation and to those who stand behind it or remain silent about the war crimes it commits against our people" - in a clear sign of exasperation at the silence of some in the international community.

"It is an episode in the series of aggression that has continued for more than a century. It is also a disgrace to those who support this aggression and provide it with political and military cover," he said.

"The remains of our children who were torn apart by the missiles of this Israeli aggression, and the blood of our women and men whose hopes and lives were assassinated by the missiles of the aggression army," he added.

Abbas also stressed that a just and lasting peace cannot be achieved through occupation and aggression.

"A just and comprehensive peace cannot be achieved through occupation, aggression, or military and security solutions, but rather through recognition of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination and the establishment of their independent state with al-Quds as its capital in accordance with the resolutions of international legitimacy and the right of return.

"The world today has become more aware and more convinced of this. We will not stop the national struggle until we achieve our freedom, independence and statehood. The occupation will inevitably disappear," he said.

The remarks come as Israeli forces storm Shifa Hospital, the largest medical complex in Gaza as the death toll from the 40-day onslaught reaches nearly 11,500.

Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden is facing scathing criticism from his own government employees over his support for Israel's genocidal war on the besieged Gaza Strip.

In yet another leaked memo obtained by an American news website, Axios, officials accuse Biden of spreading misinformation on the Israeli war.

The five-page memo, signed by 100 State Department and US-Aid employees, says Israel is committing war crimes and that Biden's support of Israel has made him complicit in genocide in Gaza.

It also recommended that the government advocate the release of Israeli captives as well as thousands of Palestinians being illegally held in Israeli jails.

Just days ago, a similar leaked memo from the State Department showed a loss of confidence among diplomats in Biden's approach and handling of the Gaza war. The document demanded a ceasefire in Gaza and asked the administration to balance its private and public messaging toward Israel.

Meanwhile, people around the world continue to hold pro-Palestine rallies in a show of resentment at Israel's genocidal war on the Gaza Strip.

Americans hit the streets of San Francisco and Washington to condemn their government's support for the Israeli onslaught.

The protest in San Francisco came as President Biden was visiting the city to raise funds for his 2024 re-election bid. Nearly 500 people marched to the venue, leading to a brief confrontation between protesters and police.

Separately, a protest was held outside the White House after news broke out about the Israeli raid on al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

In the Lebanese capital Beirut, pro-Palestinian protesters gathered near the British embassy, demanding international action to stop Israeli bloodshed in Gaza.

Condemnations are also pouring in from around the globe amid Israel's relentless attacks and ethnic cleansing in the besieged Palestinian territory.

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Iraqi resistance forces launch rocket attack on US-occupied Ain al-Asad military base

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 3:53 PM

A barrage of rockets has targeted Ain al-Asad air base in Iraq's western province of Anbar, where American military forces and trainers are stationed on alleged training and advisory missions.

The Islamic Resistance in Iraq, an umbrella group of anti-terror fighters, in a statement published on its Telegram channel claimed responsibility for the attack on the Ain al-Asad Air base, located about 160 kilometers (100 miles) west of the capital Baghdad, on Wednesday afternoon.

It said the base was targeted by several rockets and that the projectiles "directly hit their targets."

The group noted that the rocket attack was carried out in retaliation for US support of Israel's bloody war against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

There were no immediate reports about the extent of damage at the military facility, and possible casualties.

Earlier this month, Abu Alaa al-Walaei, secretary general of the Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada anti-terror resistance group, emphasized that retaliatory assaults by Iraqi resistance fighters on American occupation forces will continue unabated.

He said the strikes on US military positions in Iraq will stop only when the Israeli strikes on Gaza end, and humanitarian aid convoys reach locals in the besieged Palestinian coastal territory without any restrictions.

The general secretary of the Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada group also said the Islamic Resistance in Iraq will firmly stand by the side of the Palestinian nation and its resistance fighters.

The United States, Israel's biggest ally, has provided the regime with arms and ammunitions since the initiation of the Gaza war.

The US House of Representatives on November 2 passed a standalone $14.3-billion military assistance package for Israel. The legislation, however, is yet to clear the Senate.

Washington has also vetoed United Nations Security Council resolutions that called on the occupying regime to cease its aggression.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the coastal territory, targeting hospitals, residences, and houses of worship, since Palestinian resistance movements launched a surprise attack, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm, against the regime on October 7.

At least 11,320 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,650 children and 3,145 women. More than 29,000 individuals have sustained injuries as well.

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Erdogan says Israel a 'terrorist state' that seeks 'total destruction' of Gaza

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 3:48 PM

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has blasted Israel as a "terrorist state" that seeks the "full destruction" of the densely-populated Gaza Strip, which has been under massive bombardment for over five weeks.

Speaking to Turkey's legislators in parliament on Wednesday, Erdogan said that Israel is guilty of committing the worst attack on women and children "in all of history," insisting that it is committing war crimes and violating international law in the war-torn Palestinian enclave.

"I clearly say here: Israel is a terrorist state," he said in his parliamentary address, calling upon Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to declare the occupying regime's nuclear arsenal.

"You are threatening with an atomic bomb, a nuclear bomb. It does not matter what you have, you are a goner. Your end is nigh, anyway, whether you have nuclear weapons or not," Erdogan added, vowing that he would bring political and military leaders of the Tel Aviv regime to trial in international courts.

He also pledged that Ankara will be working on the international stage to ensure Israeli settlers are recognized as "terrorists" during growing violence by settlers against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank.

"We see Netanyahu flanked by ministers in his news conferences. He thinks these ministers will save him. Netanyahu is a goner" from his post, the Turkish president further said.

Israel launched the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas waged the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity in response to the Israeli regime's decades-long suppression and devastation against Palestinians.

According to the Gaza-based health ministry, 11,500 Palestinians, including 4,630 children and 3,130 women, have been killed and more than 29,000 others injured in the Israeli strikes.

"The blood of the children killed in Gaza is now a stain of shame for those supplying weapons, munitions and intelligence to Israel. Every day, hundreds of children are killed by bombs, but no one, from the European Union to the United States, no one claiming to defend human rights says a single word.

"Israel slaughters journalists, along with their families, while they are covering Israel's massacres, but international media does not cover it," Erdogan added.

The Turkish president, who has been vocal in denouncing Israel's relentless strikes on Gaza, also reiterated that Hamas is not a "terrorist organization" but a political entity elected by the Palestinian people.

"Hamas is a political party. They participated in elections in Gaza and won. They are looking for what was stolen away by the United States and Israel," he said.

Ankara and Tel Aviv had restored their diplomatic ties only recently, but the current war has deteriorated their bilateral relations significantly.

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Russia's Lavrov warns Israeli provocations may drag Iran, Hezbollah into Gaza war

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 3:17 PM

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has warned that Iran and the Lebanese resistance movement Hezbollah may decide to get engaged in the ongoing war in Gaza if they are provoked by Israeli actions.

Lavrov said in an interview with the RT TV channel published on Wednesday that both Iran and Hezbollah have "no appetite" for participating in the Gaza war unless there are provocations from the Israeli regime.

"Neither Iran nor Lebanon wants any involvement in this crisis," he said.

"There is no appetite from Lebanon and as far as I can judge from the recent statement of Hezbollah leader [Sayyed Hassan] Nasrallah; there is no appetite for any big war, unless provoked, unless Gaza is no longer considered as a place where Palestinians should continue to live. And I don't see any appetite in Iran," he added.

Hezbollah has been involved in cross-border clashes with Israel since the regime launched a full-scale military operation on the Palestinians in the Mediterranean territory of the Gaza Strip in early October.

The clashes have claimed scores of lives from both Hezbollah and the Israeli side. Hezbollah officials have warned that the confrontation with Israel could escalate if the regime does not stop its massacre of the civilians in Gaza.

Iran has also supported resistance groups in Palestine and their struggle against the Israeli regime. However, Iranian government officials have been pushing other countries in the region and around the world to force Israel to stop the brutal aggression on Gaza that has left more than 11,320 people dead.

Elsewhere in his interview, Lavrov accused the United States of trying to block attempts by countries like Russia to work out a ceasefire in Gaza.

"Basically, in practical terms, Washington does not want to tie Israel's hands," he said, adding that the US possibly wants the crisis in Gaza to go beyond the region.

The top Russian diplomat also said that the inevitable solution to crisis in Palestine is the formation of a Palestinian state, adding that Moscow has been trying to convey that position to the Israeli regime.

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Iran calls for 'immediate halt' to Gaza war, says 'no chance' for Israel's victory

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 11:22 AM

Iran's foreign minister has called for an immediate halt to Israel's bloody aggression against the Gaza Strip, stressing that the occupying regime has "no chance" to win the war.

In a meeting with Martin Griffiths, head of UN humanitarian operations, in the Swiss city of Geneva on Wednesday, Hossein Amir-Abdollahian said that the Israeli assaults on the Palestinian people in Gaza only increase the costs for Washington as Tel Aviv's ally.

"Unfortunately, the scope of the Zionist regime's attacks on Gaza is expanding, and it is necessary to take immediate and effective measures to stop them," he said.

"There is no chance for the Zionist regime to win the war and it will only increase the costs for the US government as the biggest supporter of the Zionist regime that is responsible for the continuation of the aggression. As a result, it is necessary to focus efforts on a ceasefire and an immediate halt to the war."

Iran foreign minister also said, "Unfortunately, the US sends all kinds of weapons, including phosphorous and prohibited weapons, to Tel Aviv on a daily basis from Cyprus or directly through its bases throughout the region, and these bombs are dropped on the oppressed Palestinians in Gaza."

The top Iranian diplomat added that the amount of humanitarian aid sent to Gaza is very small, contrary to what the Americans claim.

He called for strong and urgent management on the part of the United Nations to open the Rafah border crossing for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza.

The UN, he added, can count on the Islamic Republic's capacity to achieve peace and security in the region.

Referring to his meetings in Doha with Qatari and Hamas officials, Amir-Abdollahian said that the Palestinian resistance movement is ready to act regarding the captives being held by Hamas since the October 7 operation.

"If the Israeli regime stops the genocide in Gaza, resistance groups will also stop counterattacks," he noted.

The UN humanitarian chief, for his part, expressed his satisfaction with the meeting and expounded on the UN humanitarian efforts in Gaza.

He also underlined the need to find a solution to the issue of Israeli captives and provide basic needs, especially fuel, to the Gazans.

Griffiths further voiced concerns about the terrible condition inside Gaza's al-Shifa hospital, which is a tragedy amid Israel's military raid.

He appreciated Iran's efforts to prevent the spread of the war and stressed the need for more efforts to stop the war and end the current alarming situation in Gaza.

Israel waged the brutal war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas's Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity.

Since the start of the war, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 11,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 29,000 others.

It has also imposed a "complete siege" on the coastal sliver, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

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UNICEF warns of 'devastating situation' in Gaza, says 'nowhere safe' for Gaza's one million children

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 9:49 AM

The executive director of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has described the situation in the Gaza Strip as "devastating" amid Israel's ongoing aggression, warning that the regime's brutal assault has left "nowhere safe" for the enclave's one million children.

Catherine Russell made the remarks in a statement released on the agency's website on Wednesday following her visit to Gaza.

"Today I visited the Gaza Strip to meet with children, their families, and UNICEF staff. What I saw and heard was devastating. They have endured repeated bombardment, loss, and displacement. Inside the Strip, there is nowhere safe for Gaza's one million children to turn," Russel said.

The UNICEF chief went on to say that more than 4,600 children have reportedly been killed, with nearly 9,000 injured in Gaza, adding that "Many children are missing and believed buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings and homes" due to Israeli strikes in populated areas.

She further noted that newborns in need of specialized care have died in one of Gaza's hospitals as power and medical supplies run out due to the criminal blockade imposed by the Israeli regime.

Russell also said that in the neonatal ward of Nasser Hospital in Khan Yunis, "tiny babies were clinging to life in incubators, as doctors worried how they could keep the machines running without fuel."

Elsewhere in her remarks, Russell warned that "The intermittent opening of Gaza's border crossings to shipments of humanitarian supplies is insufficient to meet the skyrocketing needs," adding that with winter around the corner, the need for fuel could become even more acute.

She also reiterated her call to ensure that children are protected and assisted, as per international humanitarian law, and to implement an immediate humanitarian ceasefire in the blockaded territory.

Israel waged the war on Gaza on October 7 after the Palestinian resistance movement Hamas carried out the surprise Operation Al-Aqsa Storm into the occupied territories in response to the occupying regime's intensified crimes against the Palestinian people.

According to the Gaza-based health ministry, at least 11,250 Palestinians have been killed in the strikes, most of them women and children, and more than 29,000 others have been injured in the Israeli strikes.

Tel Aviv has also imposed a "complete siege" on Gaza, cutting off fuel, electricity, food, and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

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Belize suspends diplomatic ties with Israel over 'indiscriminate bombing' of Gaza

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 8:03 AM

The Belizean government has severed its diplomatic ties with Israel over the occupying regime's "unceasing, indiscriminate bombing" of innocent Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and its refusal to implement a ceasefire in the area.

The government of Belize, led by Prime Minister Johnny Briceno, said in a statement on Tuesday that it has repeatedly condemned the actions of the Israeli military in Gaza and called for a ceasefire.

"We have appealed to Israel to implement an immediate ceasefire and to allow unimpeded access to humanitarian supplies into Gaza," it said. "Despite our requests, Israel has not stopped its violations of international humanitarian law nor allowed relief workers to alleviate the suffering of millions of Gazans."

The statement also renewed Belize's call for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, unimpeded access to humanitarian supplies into Gaza, and the release of all captives captured by Hamas fighters.

The Central American nation also withdrew its accreditation for Israel's ambassador there and suspended its own diplomatic activities in Tel Aviv.

Belize follows several regional neighbors, like Colombia, Chile, and Bolivia, that have broken relations with Israel or recalled ambassadors to the 1948 Israeli-occupied territories.

Bolivia severed ties with Israel on November 1, while Honduras recalled its ambassador for consultations citing the Tel Aviv regime's violations of international humanitarian law in its aggression on the Gaza Strip.

Several countries across West Asia and Africa, including Turkey, Jordan, and South Africa, have also recalled their ambassadors in recent weeks.

On Tuesday, more than 400 political appointees and employees from over 40 US government departments expressed their disapproval of President Joe Biden's blind support for Israel as well as the regime's war crimes against Palestinians in Gaza.

They also urged Biden to push for a ceasefire and pressure Israel to allow humanitarian aid.

Israel has launched relentless air and ground attacks on the coastal enclave, including hospitals, residences, and houses of worship, since Palestinian resistance movements launched their surprise attack, dubbed Operation al-Aqsa Storm, against the regime on October 7.

At least 11,320 Palestinians have been killed, including 4,650 children and 3,145 women. More than 29,000 individuals have sustained injuries as well.

According to Gaza's ministry of health, 3,500 citizens are still missing or under the rubble, including 1,740 children.

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Washington 'quietly' ramps up weapons transfers to Israel amid Gaza war: US media

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 7:52 AM

The United States has secretly increased its military aid to Israel, including more sophisticated missiles and equipment, amid the occupying regime's brutal onslaught against the Gaza Strip, according to a report.

The American news outlet Bloomberg said in a report published on Wednesday that the Pentagon had "quietly" ramped up military aid to Israel by delivering more laser-guided missiles for the regime's Apache gunship fleet as well as bunker-buster munitions, 155mm shells, night-vision devices, and new army vehicles.

"As of late October, for example, all 36,000 rounds of 30mm cannon ammunition, 1,800 of the requested M141 bunker-buster munitions and at least 3,500 night-vision devices were delivered," the report said.

Citing an internal Defense Department list, the news outlet said, "The arms are already being shipped or the Defense Department is working to make them available from stockpiles in the US and Europe."

The Pentagon has so far declined to comment on the report, but it said in a statement that it was "leveraging several avenues - from internal stocks to US industry channels - to ensure Israel has the means to defend itself."

The statement said the assistance would be provided on a "near-daily basis," and that the US was rapidly supplying Israel with precision-guided munitions, small-diameter bombs, 155mm artillery shells and other munitions in addition to Iron Dome interceptors and medical support equipment.

The damning report comes as Israel continues to bombard the besieged Gaza Strip, with rights advocates having urged Washington, which annually gives Tel Aviv $3.8bn in military assistance, to stop providing unequivocal support to the Israeli regime and end its weapons transfers.

In a letter on Monday, more than 30 relief organizations wrote to Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin to dissuade him from sending Israel the 155mm shells over the extent of their "collateral damage."

"In Gaza, one of the world's most densely populated places, 155mm artillery shells are inherently indiscriminate," the organizations said. "These munitions are unguided and have a high error radius," as they often land 25 meters away from the intended target.

Israel waged the brutal war on Gaza on October 7 after Palestinian resistance groups launched Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the occupying entity.

Since the start of the war, the Tel Aviv regime has claimed the lives of at least 11,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and left upwards of 29,000 others wounded.

The Israeli regime has also imposed a "complete siege" on the coastal sliver, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there in abject misery.

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Raid on al-Shifa: Israeli forces fire at civilians inside hospital as Hamas calls US complicit

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 6:00 AM

The general director of hospitals in the Gaza Strip says Israeli troops have fired at people inside the al-Shifa hospital during their raid on the largest medical complex in the besieged enclave.

Munir al-Bursh said that those targeted were trying to leave the hospital corridor, which was earlier declared as safe to exit.

"Not a single bullet was fired from inside the hospital during the occupation forces' storming of the complex," he told the Al Jazeera TV network on Wednesday,

Bursh also said that Israeli soldiers entered the surgical and emergency buildings located within the al-Shifa hospital complex and searched its basement.

Earlier on Wednesday, the Israeli military announced that it was "carrying out a precise and targeted operation" inside the al-Shifa hospital.

According to reports, the occupation soldiers, tanks and bulldozers entered the facility, where around 7,000 people are sheltering, along with 1,500 patients and medical staff.

The reports also said that the Israeli forces were interrogating the medical staff and patients at the al-Shafa hospital and that they set up electronic checkpoints at the entrance of the facility's main building.

The Palestinian Hamas movement issued a statement in response to the occupation's crimes in al-Shifa Hospital, saying, "We hold the occupying regime and its neo-Nazi leaders and US President Joe Biden fully responsible for the consequences of the attack on the al-Shifa medical complex."

The Palestinian resistance movement Islamic Jihad said, in a statement, that "the United States is complicit in the occupation's crime in al-Shifa hospital. The occupying regime, which had no military achievements in Gaza, wants to take revenge on civilians and patients."

Over the past few days, the Israeli military has launched airstrikes on the hospital and encircled it in defiance of calls to respect the sanctity of medical centers.

The hospital ran out of fuel at the weekend to power generators, resulting in the death of dozens of patients, including premature babies.

Wednesday's raid came just hours after White House spokesman John Kirby told reporters - without providing evidence - that Washington has "information" that Hamas is using Gaza hospitals, including al-Shifa.

Hamas said the US had given Israel "a green light ... to commit more massacres against civilians" by supporting Israel's "false narrative" that the resistance group was using the al-Shifa hospital as a command and control base.

It further said both Israel and the United States are to blame for the raid that amounted to a "barbaric crime against a medical facility protected by the Fourth Geneva Convention."

"The silence of the United Nations and the betrayal of many countries and regimes will not deter our Palestinian people from clinging to their land and their legitimate national rights," Hamas emphasized.

Israel waged the bloody war on Gaza on October 7 after Hamas's Operation Al-Aqsa Storm against the usurping entity.

Since the start of the war, the Tel Aviv regime has killed at least 11,500 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured over 29,000 others.

It has also imposed a "complete siege" on the coastal sliver, cutting off fuel, electricity, food and water to the more than two million Palestinians living there.

Hospital raid 'crime against humanity'

The Palestinian Authority's Health Minister Mai al-Kaila said that Israel was committing a "new crime against humanity, medical staff and patients" by carrying out a military operation inside the hospital.

"We hold the occupation forces fully responsible for the lives of the medical staff, patients and displaced people in al-Shifa," she said in a statement published by the Palestinian news agency WAFA.

The raid, Kaila noted, could have "catastrophic consequences" for patients and medical staff.

Israel alleges that Hamas has built its headquarters in bunkers and tunnels under the al-Shifa hospital, a claim strongly rejected by the Palestinian resistance movement and hospital staff.

"We don't know what they will do to us. We don't know whether they will kill people or terrorize them. We know all the propaganda is lies, and they know as well as we do that there is nothing at al-Shifa Medical Centre," said Ahmed El Mokhallalati, a surgeon inside the al-Shifa hospital.

Israeli raid violates int'l law: Jordan

In a statement, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry condemned Israel's storming of the al-Shifa hospital as "a violation of international humanitarian law, especially the 1949 Geneva conventions relative to the protection of civilian persons in time of war."

It also held the occupying regime "responsible for the safety of civilians and the medical staff working in the hospital."

Euro-Med: Israel turns hospital into military barracks

A Geneva-based human rights monitor denounced Israel for turning the hospital into military barracks and a detention center while abusing patients, displaced people, and medical staff.

The Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor also called on the Israeli military to leave the al-Shifa hospital immediately and fulfill its obligations under international law relating to wars and conflicts.

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Israel raids Gaza's al-Shifa Hospital

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 2:22 AM

The Israeli regime has begun a military operation against al-Shifa Hospital in the Gaza Strip, which has come to house thousands of patients and displaced people seeking shelter there from an unrelenting Israeli war.

"Based on intelligence information and an operational necessity, IDF (Israeli military) forces are carrying out a precise and targeted operation" against the hospital, the forces said in a statement on Wednesday.

Targeting hospitals and killing civilians is considered a war crime. Israel has been committing these crimes in the besieged Gaza Strip since early October.

The regime has killed nearly 11,500 Palestinians, including more than 8,000 women and children, in Gaza since October 7, when it launched the war of aggression against the territory.

The regime has turned Gaza's hospitals into a specific target of its military campaign, alleging that the facilities serve to house Palestinian fighters and their equipment.

Al-Shifa, Gaza's biggest hospital, has taken the brunt of the Israeli assaults on healthcare targets across the coastal sliver, with the regime claiming that it houses a "command center" belonging to the Palestinian resistance movement of Hamas.

Also on Wednesday, Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, said the movement had a vast network of underground tunnels in Gaza and did not need to use hospitals as bases.

"The goal sought by the occupiers by attacking the hospitals is to displace the Palestinian nation," he said, calling the regime's claim about Gaza's hospitals "naive" and "indicative of the mental status of a defeated army."

Hamas has asked the United Nations to form an international committee tasked with disproving the Israeli claim, Hamdan said.

On Tuesday, the World Health Organization (WHO) warned that al-Shifa was "nearly a cemetery" and unable to bury dead bodies as the facility was also tackling power cuts and a lack of fuel.

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Israel planning to cause another 'Nakba': Hamas official

Iran Press TV

Wednesday, 15 November 2023 1:07 AM

A senior Hamas official has said the Israeli regime, which has brought the Gaza Strip under an unrelenting war, was after causing another Nakba (Catastrophe), referring to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinian natives by the apartheid regime in 1948.

"The occupying Israeli regime is planning to perpetrate another 'Nakba' before the eyes of the modern world," Osama Hamdan, member of the Gaza Strip-based Palestinian resistance movement's Politburo, said on Tuesday.

Israel has killed over 11,200 Palestinians, including more than 8,000 women and children, in Gaza since October 7, when it launched the war of aggression against the territory in response to an operation carried out by the Gaza-based resistance groups.

Hamdan strongly refuted the regime's claim that Hamas was using Gaza's hospitals as "bases" -- a claim that Tel Aviv has been using to target the healthcare facilities across the coastal sliver.

The Hamas official said the movement had a vast network of underground tunnels in Gaza, and it did not need to use hospitals as its command centers.

Hamas has asked the United Nations to form an international committee tasked with disproving the Israeli claim, Hamdan said.

"The goal sought by the occupiers by attacking the hospitals is to displace the Palestinian nation," he said, calling the regime's claim about Gaza's hospitals "naive" and "indicative of the mental status of a defeated army."

The Hamas figure, meanwhile, asserted that the resistance was in a favorable state.

The occupying regime had so far lost as many as 180 tanks in its battle against the resistance, he said, asserting that it would receive "greater and stronger blows" in the future.

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China-backed naval base in Cambodia 'continues to grow'

Analysts offer a closer look at the expanding Chinese-funded Ream naval base in Preah Sihanouk province.

By RFA Staff 2023.11.15 -- The China-backed Ream naval base in southwestern Cambodia has expanded quickly over the past year, satellite images show.

Since July, when Radio Free Asia reported about the development of a new deep-draft pier that could accommodate aircraft carriers at the base's center-west, more land reclamation and construction has been carried out.

"They've cleared a lot more land in the southeast part of the base," said political analyst Tom Shugart, who has been following the project since the beginning. The newly cleared area is now approximately 30 hectares (75 acres).

The deep-draft pier appears completed in the latest images provided by the Earth imaging company Planet Labs.

"The long side of the new pier is about 330 meters (1,082 feet) [long enough for a carrier], the short side is about 250 meters (820 feet), long enough for every other ship in the PLA Navy," said Shugart, Adjunct Senior Fellow with the Defense Program at the Center for a New American Security. The analyst referred to the Chinese Navy by its official name the People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN).

A closer examination revealed "four fuel tanks that may be under construction on the east side of the base, each about 20 meters (65 feet) in diameter," according to Shugart.

A number of structures, probably barracks, administration buildings and workshops, are seen at the center and northwest of the base.

PLA naval base?

In June 2021 China and Cambodia began developing the Ream Naval Base, in Preah Sihanouk province on the Gulf of Thailand, with Beijing's funding.

Cambodia has repeatedly denied that China is being given exclusive military access to the base, saying that would be in contradiction to the country's constitution. If operating from the base, this would be China's first naval staging facility in Southeast Asia and the second foreign base in the world after one in Djibouti.

The Ream base "now appears even more expensive and capable than previous reports suggested," said well-known maritime blogger H.I. Sutton in an article on the Naval News website.

"There is clear evidence of a new dry dock being constructed," he added, pointing at what appears to be a structure on a reclaimed land area at the south of the base.

Shugart from the Center for a New American Security, however, cast doubt on the statement saying that the length of the structure is about 150m and "too short for PLAN destroyers and larger vessels."

The article in Naval News focused on the increased strategic importance of the Ream base which is, in the author's opinion, "one of several throughout the Indian Ocean, Middle East and Africa."

"The war in Ukraine reminds us that the ability to perform maintenance and repairs on warships is critical to sustain combat operations," Sutton wrote, "China will not want to face the same challenges that Russia does currently in the Mediterranean."

The base's size and construction suggest it is not designed for the Cambodian Navy's use as "Cambodia's small navy barely has any naval vessels over 50 meters (164 feet) in length."

"There is now little doubt that it is a PLAN overseas base," he concluded.

In March, the then Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen lashed out against the base's critics, accusing them of "a campaign to slander" his country.

Hun Sen said the base "is not a threat against anyone" while U.S. officials repeatedly called for Cambodia to be transparent about the true plans for Ream.

Neighbors' concerns

Virak Ou, a Cambodian analyst who serves as president of the Future Forum think tank, said "the whole conversation seems to have been driven by the U.S."

He added: "There are legitimate concerns of our neighbors but more ASEAN voices are needed" in the discussions.

"Thailand should be aware about this," said Dulyapak Preecharush, Associate Professor of Asian Studies at Thammasat University in Bangkok.

"The base may increase Cambodian naval capability over the overlapping area between Thailand and Cambodia in the Gulf of Thailand," Dulyapak told RFA, noting that this is "an important area which has abundant oil and natural gas deposits."

The two neighbors share overlapping claims over approximately 26,000 square kilometers of waters in the gulf and have been engaged in discussions about joint development arrangements there.

"In the future, this base might pose maritime security threat to Thailand," said Dulyapak, adding that both Ream and the nearby China-funded Dara Sakor economic zone are not so far from Thailand's U-Tapao Royal Thai Navy Airfield built by the U.S. army during the Cold War.

"Chinese strategic influence in Cambodia and the Gulf of Thailand can stimulate the U.S. to increase its strategic engagement with Thailand for counterweighting China, resulting in Thailand's strategic adaptation between these two major powers," Dulyapak noted.

The Ream naval base is less than 30 km (18 miles) from Vietnam's Phu Quoc island. Hanoi's officials, when asked about the project, have been insisting that "the cooperation between nations should contribute to peace, security, stability and prosperity in the region as well as across the world."

The Vietnamese Navy is often invited to visit not Ream but the Sihanoukville port some 20 kilometers (12 miles) away.

Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November 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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Thailand backs away from Chinese police patrol plan amid furor

Prime minister says there is no plan to station Chinese police in Thailand for joint patrols.

BenarNews staff 2023.11.15 -- The Thai government has ruled out a proposal for Chinese police to be stationed at tourist hotspots around the kingdom amid a public backlash.

The Tourism Authority of Thailand, TAT, on Sunday said the country was in talks with China about introducing joint police patrols as a way to appease Chinese visitors' fears about safety.

But the announcement sparked an outcry and earned pushback from the national police chief, Gen. Torsak Sukvimol, who said having Chinese officers on Thai soil was "a breach of sovereignty," according to a report from BenarNews, an affiliate of Radio Free Asia.

Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, who is in San Francisco for the APEC summit, said Monday there was no plan to station Chinese police in the country for joint patrols.

Thailand only wanted to exchange information with China on criminal gangs operating in the Southeast Asian nation, Srettha said, according to a report from Bloomberg News.

In Bangkok, Tourism Minister Sudawan Wangsuphakijkosol echoed the prime minister's comments, saying there was "no policy to bring Chinese police" to Thailand.

"The Thai police are already adequate ... and are working hard to ensure tourist confidence," he told reporters on Tuesday.

TAT Gov. Thapanee Kiatphaibool apologized the same day for the "misunderstanding" and any "negative sentiment" stirred up by her comments.

Chinese tourists accounted for a quarter of nearly 40 million tourist arrivals in Thailand in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic hit. But visitor numbers from the world's No 2 economy have been slower to bounce back than anticipated after Beijing lifted its hardline pandemic rules in January.

Thailand expects between 4 million and 4.4 million Chinese visitors this year, the TAT said.

On Wednesday, Chinese Ambassador to Thailand Han Zhiqiang paid a courtesy visit to Sudawan to stress the importance of the bilateral relationship.

"China's government supports Chinese tourists visiting Thailand," he said in a video posted by the tourism ministry. "This helps stimulate the economy, the tourism industry and, moreover, brings the two countries closer together."

The country's image as a safe tourist destination for Chinese has been knocked by a spate of recent kidnap-for-ransom cases and reports of people being tricked into being trafficked as workers at scam call centers in nearby Myanmar.

A shooting spree that left three people dead, including one Chinese national, at a popular Bangkok shopping mall last month has also raised safety concerns.

The presence of Chinese police on foreign soil has become a sensitive issue worldwide after it was revealed by Spain-based Safeguard Defenders group in a September 2022 report that China was carrying out transnational policing operations across five continents, without the approval of the jurisdictions they were operating in.

The report said the operations "eschew official bilateral police and judicial cooperation and violate the international rule of law, and may violate the territorial integrity of third countries involved in setting up a parallel policing mechanism using illegal methods."

BenarNews is an online news outlet affiliated with Radio Free Asia.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November 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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'I Won't Be Free': Afghan Women, Girls Face Grim Future After Expulsion From Pakistan

By Khujasta Kabiri, Fayeza Ibrahimi November 15, 2023

Since the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan, thousands of Afghan families have fled to neighboring Pakistan.

Some escaped their homeland so that their daughters could continue their education, following the Taliban's ban on women attending university and teenage girls from going to school.

Among them was Bibi Gul, who moved to Pakistan with her teenage daughter. A 10th grader, her daughter was seeking to graduate from high school. But both were recently deported by the Pakistani authorities.

Last month, Pakistan ordered 1.7 million undocumented Afghans to leave the South Asian country by November 1. The measure has spurred over 300,000 people to return to Afghanistan and has been followed up by police roundups and forced deportations.

Afghan girls and women who return to their homeland face a grim future. The Taliban has severely curtailed female education and women's right to work. The extremist group has also imposed restrictions on women's appearances and freedom of movement.

"We fled Afghanistan because my daughter was deprived of an education," Gul told RFE/RL's Radio Azadi as she crossed Chaman, one of two key border crossings between Afghanistan and Pakistan. "Now that we have returned, she must be able to continue her studies."

But there are few signs that the Taliban will reverse its restrictions on female education in Afghanistan, where rights groups have accused the hard-line group of trying to erase women from public life and imprison them in their homes.

Afghan women and girls who still remain in Pakistan live in constant fear of being forcibly expelled to Afghanistan, where they say they have no future.

Mina Aslami, an 11th grader, moved with her family to the Pakistani capital, Islamabad, last year. She is intent on graduating from high school, although she fears her education will be cut short.

"If I return, I will just sit at home," Aslami told Radio Azadi. "There are no schools or education courses [for teenage girls]. Even going out alone is prohibited, and I won't be free."

Masumah Ahmadi studies biotechnology at a university in Pakistan's eastern city of Lahore. The fourth-year student said she will "endure the same stress, anxiety, and despair as the girls living in Afghanistan are experiencing" if she is forced to return to her homeland.

An estimated 700,000 Afghans, most of them undocumented, have sought refuge in Pakistan since the Taliban's takeover of Afghanistan in August 2021.

They joined around 3 million Afghans who have moved to Pakistan over the past four decades of war, poverty, and political upheaval in Afghanistan.

After initially targeting Afghans living "illegally" in Pakistan, Islamabad has said it will begin deporting the millions of Afghans living legally in the country.

Human rights groups have urged Islamabad to halt its mass deportations, warning it will endanger Afghan refugees, particularly women and girls.

Afghanistan is grappling with a devastating economic and humanitarian crisis as well as what rights groups have called a deepening "human rights crisis."

"If the Pakistani government doesn't halt the deportations immediately, it will be denying thousands of at-risk Afghans, especially women and girls, access to safety, education, and livelihood," Livia Saccardi of Amnesty International said in a November 10 statement.

Asia moved to Pakistan so that her children could have a better future. But they were recently deported, leaving her facing an uncertain future.

"We are now facing many economic problems and our children struggle with educational challenges," she told Radio Azadi.

Written by Abubakar Siddique based on reporting by Khujasta Kabiri and Fayeza Ibrahimi of RFE/RL's Radio Azadi

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/afghan-women-girls- grim-future-expulsion-pakistan/32685965.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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Forty-Two Bosnian Citizens, Relatives Cross From Gaza Into Egypt

By RFE/RL's Balkan Service November 15, 2023

The Foreign Ministry of Bosnia-Herzegovina confirmed on November 15 that 42 Bosnian citizens or members of their families had crossed into Egypt from Gaza.

Their arrival in Egypt was the result of "several weeks of efforts by all actors and institutions involved in the complex evacuation process," the Foreign Ministry said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

The message added that due to the difficulty of reaching the border, "one part did not manage to evacuate."

The ministry said it would continue to monitor the development of events in the evacuation process from Gaza through members of its staff and ambassadors.

There are 54 people on the list to be evacuated from Gaza, 19 of whom are Bosnian citizens, while the rest are their relatives, according to the ministry.

The Bosnian ambassador to Egypt, Sabit Subasic, confirmed earlier to RFE/RL that he was heading to the Gaza Strip due to the evacuation of Bosnian citizens and that he expected to accept the initial 42 people who crossed into Egypt and was trying to accept two more.

It is not yet known when the group will arrive in Sarajevo.

Previously, the Association of the Palestinian Community in Bosnia-Herzegovina, which represents Palestinians who live in the country, stated that the evacuation of Bosnian citizens was proceeding according to plan and that they had "crossed over to the Egyptian side."

Bosnian Security Minister Nenad Nesic told reporters on November 15 that "all those persons who are in Gaza and have valid Bosnian documents and do not pose a danger to Bosnia-Herzegovina" will be evacuated in accordance with his competences.

Those without Bosnian citizenship will have to pass security checks, Nesic said.

He also said that before their evacuation it will be important to see if they have any other basis allowing them to return to Bosnia.

He also said that he sent the Foreign Ministry's list to the State Investigation and Protection Agency (SIPA).

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/bosnia-citizens- evacuated-gaza-egypt/32686311.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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U.S. To Deliver Report On Situation In Nagorno-Karabakh Leading Up To Azerbaijani Offensive

By RFE/RL's Armenian Service November 15, 2023

The United States is preparing a comprehensive and transparent report on what happened in Nagorno-Karabakh ahead of Azerbaijan's offensive in September, a U.S. State Department official told a congressional hearing on November 15.

James O'Brien, assistant secretary at the department's Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, said the investigation is focused not only on what happened in Nagorno-Karabakh on the day of the offensive but also during the months preceding it.

"We have commissioned independent investigators. We have our own investigators working in the field. There is information available from international nongovernmental organizations and other investigators, O'Brien told the House Foreign Affairs Committee's Subcommittee on Europe.

"And as we develop the record of what happened, we will be completely open about what we are finding. I can't put a timeline on this investigation, but we will inform you as we go forward," he said.

The hearing follows the exodus of nearly all ethnic Armenians from their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh following Azerbaijan's lightning military operation in September. The offensive ended three decades of rule by ethnic Armenians in the region, which is internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan.

O'Brien said the State Department is also working on support for Armenia, the refugees' destination, adding that he has been impressed by the Armenian government's commitment to reforms and diversifying existing economic, political, energy, and security relationships, particularly those in the trans-Atlantic region.

"I think we owe it to the people of Armenia to help them through this difficult situation so that those choices they have made very bravely [help them] have a more secure, stable, and prosperous future," the U.S. diplomat added.

O'Brien told the committee that Washington insists that Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians have complete access to the territory and that they receive adequate information "so that they can make real choice about their future."

U.S. and EU officials have urged Armenia and Azerbaijan to return to the negotiating table and seek a political solution to their conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The leaders of both countries have said they are ready to begin talks.

Members of the committee also discussed Armenian-Azerbaijani relations, emphasizing that the countries hindering the process, including Russia, should be kept away from the negotiations.

Reflecting on events in September, Representative Bill Keating (Democrat-Massachusetts) said that despite months of diplomatic talks earlier this year that had led to "significant progress," Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev "decided to break with the internationally accepted and lawful diplomatic path, instead opting for the use of military force in Nagorno-Karabakh."

Keating said he supports U.S. humanitarian and economic assistance to displaced people in Armenia and ensuring "accountability for any potential crimes committed against those fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh or those who are choosing to remain there."

With reporting by Heghine Buniatyan

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/united-states-report- nagorno-karabakh-azerbaijan-armenia/32686278.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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Hamas 'Remains Intact' Despite Israeli Operation in Gaza

Sputnik News

20231115

Tel Aviv has not achieved substantial results since the launch of its ground operation, stressed Mouni Rabbani, an independent writer and analyst specializing in Palestinian affairs, senior fellow at the Institute for Palestine Studies, and contributing editor to the Middle East Report.

Rabbani told Sputnik that despite the fact that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) have been advancing in the Gaza Strip, they are still encountering fierce resistance.

Although the IDF claims to have entered Gaza City, the Israeli military is struggling to operate even in the border areas, which has supposedly been under Israeli control since the very first days of the ground operation launched on October 27, according to the analyst.

"We do know that Israeli forces are still encountering resistance in the border areas where they first entered the Gaza Strip some 10 days ago, and it seems reasonable to assume they are facing greater resistance within Gaza City," Rabbani stated.

Thus, the analyst drew a line between "incursions" and "advance," casting doubt on the military significance of the Israeli "advance," considering the lack of control over the occupied areas, which are teeming with Hamas fighters.

"While it is clear that Israeli forces are successfully moving deeper into Gaza City, it remains unclear to what extent these are incursions as opposed to advances that have established actual control. On the one hand, Israeli forces are clearly advancing, on the other, its military significance remains unclear," the analyst stated.

Rabbani also stressed the insignificance of capturing civil buildings in terms of military operations, responding to a question on the importance of the Israeli forces securing the residence of Gaza's governor. According to him, it only serves as a political symbol meant for Israeli society.

"The Israeli military's presence in key locations such as those you mention is indisputably of symbolic political value but its military utility is marginal. The governor's residence, legislative council etc. are not important military sites, or indeed military sites at all. These actions are related more to Israel's vow to eliminate Hamas's capacity to govern the Gaza Strip," Rabbani emphasized.

Commenting on Hamas' ability to continue fighting, the analyst stressed that the militant group has not been destroyed. Furthermore, despite having sustained losses, Hamas is still able to launch strikes at distant Israeli cities, including Tel Aviv, which raises the question of the effectiveness of the Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip.

"From what I can observe, Hamas's command and control capacities, its ability to fire rockets at distant cities like Tel Aviv, its ability to continue attacking advancing Israeli forces, is unaffected. I can't imagine it has not been degraded and suffered losses, perhaps significantly so. But as a fighting organization it remains intact," Rabbani stated.

On October 7, the Palestinian group Hamas launched a large-scale surprise rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip and breached the border, killing and abducting people in neighboring Israeli communities. Israel launched retaliatory strikes and ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, cutting off supplies of food, water, and fuel. On October 27, Israel launched a ground incursion into the Gaza Strip with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages.

The conflict has resulted in the death of around 1,400 people in Israel and over 11,000 in the Gaza Strip.

 Sputnik

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Houthi Leader Threatens to Attack Israel's Ships in Red Sea

Sputnik News

20231115

DOHA (Sputnik) - The leader of Yemen's rebel Ansar Allah movement, also known as the Houthis and controlling the country's north, on Tuesday threatened to attack Israeli ships in the Red Sea to support Palestinian movements in the Gaza Strip.

"Our attacks on the enemy with rockets and drones will continue. Our planning for additional operations will continue against all Zionist facilities that we can reach in Palestine or outside Palestine, and we will not hesitate to do so. We will spare no effort at the military level, using the available means, and our brothers in the rocket forces are conducting operations in the south of occupied Palestine," Abdul-Malik Al-Houthi said in a televised appearance on the Al Masirah broadcaster.

He said the Houthis' "eyes are open to constantly monitor and search for any Israeli ship in the Red Sea, particularly in the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the waters that border Yemeni waters, although Israeli ships disable devices in the Red Sea, they will not be able to hide," adding that the movement "will search for its ships and will not hesitate to attack them."

Earlier in the day, Houthi military spokesman Yahya Sare'e said via an unverified account on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the movement has fired "a salvo of ballistic missiles at various targets of the Israeli enemy in the occupied Palestinian territories," including the city of Eilat in southern Israel.

He added that the launch came 24 hours after "another military operation" carried out by the movement "with drones on the same targets."

The spokesman also confirmed that the movement "will begin implementing the directives in terms of taking the appropriate measures against any Israeli vessel in the #RedSea" and will "not hesitate to target any Israeli vessel in the Red Sea or any place we can reach, starting from now."

He added that the movement's attacks on Israel "will not stop until [the] Israeli aggression against Palestinian people in Gaza stops."

On October 7, Palestinian movement Hamas launched a surprise large-scale rocket attack against Israel from the Gaza Strip and breached the border, killing and abducting people in neighboring Israeli communities. Israel launched retaliatory strikes and ordered a complete blockade of the Gaza Strip, cutting off supplies of water, food, and fuel.

On October 27, Israel launched a large-scale ground incursion inside the Gaza Strip with the declared goal of eliminating Hamas fighters and rescuing the hostages. The conflict has resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people in Israel and over 11,000 in the Gaza Strip.

 Sputnik

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Joint Statement on the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS Africa Focus Group Meeting

US Department of State

Media Note

Office of the Spokesperson

November 15, 2023

The text of the following statement was released by the Governments of the United States of America and the Italian Republic, the Kingdom of Morocco, and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on the occasion of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS Africa Focus Group

Begin Text:

Upon invitation of the Republic of Benin, the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS Africa Focus Group, co-chaired by Italy, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, met on November 15 in Cotonou, Benin.

The Africa Focus Group serves as a collaborative mechanism to coordinate civilian-focused counterterrorism assistance in order to enhance the counterterrorism capacity of African members of the Defeat-Daesh/ISIS Coalition.

In Cotonou, 28 Coalition members and observers participated in an Africa Focus Group meeting that focused on regional security and counterterrorism challenges from ISIS affiliates in the Coastal West Africa region.

The Coalition recognized that ISIS affiliates present a persistent threat to the people of West Africa.

The D-ISIS Coalition Africa Focus Group agenda included coordination with other multilateral initiatives and heard from Coalition partners who are engaged with or leading the Accra Initiative, the G-5, the Coalition for the Sahel, and the Aqaba Process. Coalition observer UNOCT also briefed on the planned Africa summit in the spring of 2024 that should complement international efforts to counter ISIS affiliates in Africa.

The Africa Focus Group recognizes there are many contributing factors to the current security challenges in the region. To have the most impact, the focus group is concentrating efforts on the four pillars of its action plan:

Strengthening and enhancing border security, biometric collection, and battlefield evidence capabilities;

Countering ISIS propaganda, recruitment efforts, and building community resilience;

Improving Coalition member capabilities to reduce ISIS's use of illicit finance; and

Countering malign influences that diminish CT efforts.

Participants in the Cotonou meeting reaffirmed both the importance of ongoing frank and open exchanges and that Africa Focus Group members would continue to share and develop best practices to build partner capacity and assist those countries seeking assistance in countering terrorism.

Finally, the Africa Focus Group Co-Chairs underscored that the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS remains committed to confronting and defeating Daesh/ISIS in West Africa and elsewhere in the world, wherever it operates.

End Text

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It is right the Security Council calls for a humanitarian pause in Gaza long enough to deliver aid: UK statement at the UN Security Council

Statement by Ambassador Barbara Woodward at the UN Security Council meeting on Gaza.

15 November 2023

Thank you, President. President, it is impossible to comprehend the pain and the loss that Palestinian civilians are enduring. Too many civilians, including most tragically children, are losing their lives.

So it is right that the Security Council calls for a humanitarian pause for a period of days, long enough to get lifesaving aid to those who need it. And to establish a safer environment for humanitarians. This will save lives.

We need a collective effort to get aid in as fast as possible by as many routes as possible. The UK Prime Minister has been very clear about the need for lifesaving aid to reach civilians in Gaza, including food, water, medical supplies and fuel as a priority.

For our part, the UK has doubled our aid to help civilians in Gaza. Three British RAF flights have delivered lifesaving humanitarian aid and enabling equipment to support the Egyptian Red Crescent Society in delivering international aid through the Rafah checkpoint. We are urging, and I urge here today, that the priority must be improved land access, including at Kerem Shalom, so aid can get in at scale.

All parties must give civilians the protection that is their right under international law, including international humanitarian law. That includes respecting the sanctity and protection of hospitals.

It is also right that this resolution calls for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages. It is unconscionable that Hamas continues to hold men, women and children, causing terrible fear and suffering for their families.

President, this resolution is absolutely necessary, though the UK regrets that the first resolution passed by the Council on this matter could not clearly condemn Hamas' terrorist attacks of 7 October.

The barbarity of those attacks should be clear to us all. That is why we have abstained today. But let me be absolutely clear, it was vital and overdue for the Council to speak on this crisis and we strongly support the resolution's purpose: to get aid in, and hostages out.

I therefore commend Malta's outstanding work in bringing this resolution that could pass. We will continue to work with Council members to resolve this crisis and to create a new political horizon so that we can deliver on the promise of peace for Israelis and Palestinians, and make the two-state solution a reality.

I thank you President.

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Adopting Resolution 2712 (2023), Security Council Calls for 'Urgent and Extended' Humanitarian Pauses in Gaza, Immediate Release of Hostages

Meetings Coverage

Security Council

9479th Meeting (PM)

SC/15496

15 November 2023

In a late-breaking meeting today, the Security Council adopted resolution 2712 (2023) by a vote of 12 in favour to none against, with 3 abstentions (Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States), by which it called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors through the Gaza Strip to facilitate the provision of essential goods and services.

Further to the text, the Council called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children, and urged the parties to refrain from depriving the civilians in Gaza of life-saving services and humanitarian assistance.

Prior to the adoption, the Russian Federation's delegate introduced an amendment, which he described as the "lowest common denominator, lower than which the Council cannot allow itself to fall". The language, he said, repeats the General Assembly's resolution, adopted by a majority on 26 October.

The amendment was defeated by a vote of 5 in favour (Brazil, China, Mozambique, Russian Federation, United Arab Emirates) to 1 against (United States), with 9 abstentions (Albania, Gabon, Ghana, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, United Kingdom).

Malta's representative, introducing the resolution, said it focuses on the plight of children trapped and of those being held hostage. Its passage would enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts and the medical evacuation of sick or injured children and their caregivers, she said.

Following the vote, Council members weighed in on their positions, with Brazil's representative noting that the Council's response, commensurate with the gravity of the situation, was urgent since day one. He hoped that, if truly and urgently implemented, the text will at least mitigate the dreadful situation.

The representative of the United Arab Emirates, recognizing that the resolution was adopted through difficult negotiations and compromises on all sides, commended Malta's leadership. Emphasizing that what emerges from the ruins of Gaza may be the last chance of the Council members to save it, she said that it will need everyone to work together.

China's representative, noting his support for the text, welcomed any initiative to protect civilians and ease the humanitarian crisis. He, however, was concerned about the siege of the Al-Shifa Hospital and urged Israel to cease its military operations against civilian facilities. The Council should stand on the side of justice, he concluded.

Among the three abstentions to the resolution was the United States, whose representative said she could not vote yes on a text that did not condemn Hamas, which set the conflict in motion. Stressing that the adoption of the resolution will not save lives, she added that to do that, "we all need to support the heroic efforts of the UN and other humanitarian workers in Gaza".

The Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine emphasized that the Council should have called for a ceasefire a long time ago, stressing that millions of lives hang in the balance. Urging those present to stop the killing and forced displacements and allow humanitarian aid, he said, "These should not be words in a resolution, but a reality on the ground."

Israel's representative said that the text focuses solely on the humanitarian situation and makes no mention of what led up to this moment. Underscoring that his country will continue to do whatever it takes to bring the hostages home, he said "should Hamas choose to lay down their arms, turn themselves in, and hand over the hostages unscathed, this war would end immediately".

Statements

VASSILY A. NEBENZIA ( Russian Federation ), speaking before the vote, proposed an oral amendment to the operative paragraph 3bis. He said that the text repeats operative paragraph 1 of the General Assembly resolution "Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory" (document A/ES-10/L.25), adopted on 26 October by an overwhelming majority of votes. "Our proposal does not contain anything unexpected for you," he stressed, recalling that from the beginning of the crisis, Moscow has been emphasizing the main aim is to achieve ceasefire and end violence. If this provision is not included in the text, it can make an impression that the Council is "happy to make do exclusively with Israel's provision of humanitarian pauses at its discretion".

Expressing regret that the United States has consistently blocked any  even the weakest  reference to this aim, he addressed its representative, saying, "During work on Malta's draft, you struck out anything that could in any way indicate the need for a cessation of hostilities. Does this mean that you are in favour of the war in the Middle East continuing indefinitely?" He said the amendment presented is the "lowest common denominator, lower than which the Council cannot allow itself to fall". He added, "Our duty is to save the lives of civilians who have a lethal threat hanging above them." He recalled that most of the Council's delegations supported the proposed text in the General Assembly.

The oral amendment was defeated by a vote of 5 in favour (Brazil, China, Mozambique, Russian Federation, United Arab Emirates) to 1 against (United States), with 9 abstentions (Albania, Gabon, Ghana, Ecuador, France, Japan, Malta, Switzerland, United Kingdom).

VANESSA FRAZIER ( Malta ), presenting the draft resolution, said that the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, ever since the horrific terror attacks of 7 October, is deeply troubling. On that day, children were killed and taken hostage. Since then, more than 4,600 are reported to have been killed in Gaza, and some 1,500 are deemed missing. Many are likely trapped beneath the rubble. The lives of newborn and premature babies at Al-Shifa Hospital are in grave and imminent danger. More than 1 million people are displaced, and more than half are children.

The draft resolution aims to ensure respite from the current nightmare in Gaza and give hope to the families of all victims, she said. It focuses on the plight of children trapped and of those being held hostage. Over the past week, in an effort to achieve a "balanced and operational" text, Malta held extensive consultations with Council members, interested parties, countries in the region and humanitarian organizations. The text is focused and humanitarian in scope. It provides for the establishment of urgent humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for "a sufficient number" of days. Such measures would facilitate the continuous and unhindered provision of essential goods and services, which are important to the well-being of civilians, especially children.

Its passage also would enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts, including for missing children in damaged and destroyed buildings, and the medical evacuation of sick or injured children and their caregivers, she said. The text underlines and reiterates children's special vulnerable status. It calls for the safe and unconditional release of hostages, especially children, that are being held by Hamas and other groups. This too, is a clear humanitarian imperative which cannot be ignored. International humanitarian law provides general protection for children as persons taking no part in hostilities. They enjoy special protection as persons who are particularly vulnerable. "Our votes today translate into real human lives, the lives of thousands of children, civilians and heroic humanitarian workers," she stressed.

Ms. NUSSEIBEH ( United Arab Emirates ), speaking in explanation of position before the vote, said since the start of the conflict the Council has been unable to produce anything that would alleviate the suffering of the people of Gaza and that outside the UN building it looks indifferent to this suffering. Today, the Council has an opportunity to begin changing that perception; it can come together under one aim  the plight of children, which has been the North Star of the Council during this conflict. It can come together for the Palestinian children and other Palestinians sheltering, the Israeli children and other Israelis still hostage, and UN and humanitarian workers trying to alleviate suffering on the ground.

She added that the text is what humanitarian workers have been calling for as the bare minimum to do their work. She highlighted that the resolution will also allow rescue missions for those trapped under rubble and will mean sick and injured children can be evacuated. She noted that the text is unequivocal that all parties comply with their obligations under international law. It also rejects the forced displacement of Palestinians. Many are already refugees, and recently 80 per cent of Gazans have been uprooted again, she added. The monitoring mechanisms provided for in the text can create space for humanitarian actors to do their work. She said that this is an "important and overdue step" by the Council. The United Arab Emirates will vote for the resolution. But a lasting humanitarian ceasefire is still needed, she said.

The Council then adopted resolution 2712 (2023) by a vote of 12 in favour to none against, with 3 abstentions (Russian Federation, United Kingdom, United States).

LINDA THOMAS-GREENFIELD ( United States ), speaking after the vote, said the world has watched with understandable frustration and increasing concern as the Security Council has been unable to speak out on this pressing matter of international peace and security. "Honestly, I think many have given up hope that we would ever speak on this conflict. But that's exactly what we just did. We got this done because most of us worked constructively, in good faith, to adopt a resolution." However, she is horrified that a few Council members still cannot bring themselves to condemn the barbaric terrorist attack that Hamas carried out against Israel on 7 October. "What are they afraid of?" she asked. "Let's be crystal clear: Hamas set this conflict in motion."

The United States could not vote yes on a text that did not condemn Hamas or reaffirm the rights of all Member States to protect their citizens from terrorist attacks and will continue to urge the Council to condemn Hamas' actions. However, the United States did support many of the important provisions, she said, pointing out it is the first adopted text that mentions Hamas. She fully supports the resolution's call for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages held by Hamas and other groups. The United States has also advocated for humanitarian pauses to allow for full, rapid, safe and unhindered access to civilians in Gaza.

She said her country has clearly stated its expectation that parties to the conflict will abide by their international law obligations. "We've been clear at the highest levels: Hamas' actions do not lessen Israel's responsibility to protect innocent people in Gaza," she said. "As Israel exercises its right and indeed its responsibility to protect its people from acts of terror, it must do so in a way that is consistent with the laws of war. I want to be clear: The United States does not want to see firefights in any hospitals." Ultimately, this resolution is a step forward, but its adoption alone will not save lives, she said. "To save lives, we all need to support the heroic efforts of the UN and other humanitarian workers in Gaza," she added.

EDWIGE KOUMBY MISSAMBO ( Gabon ) said that she voted in favour of the draft resolution, adding: "I am delighted that our Council has been able to reach consensus, thus, foregrounding the best interest of these two peoples." Noting that the text ensures general protection of children  as persons not participating in hostilities  and their special protection as particularly vulnerable persons, she underscored that her country wants to contribute to improving the plight of children. Recognizing that the text does not take into account all the legitimate concerns, she said it nevertheless represents major progress that could make a difference on the ground. In this regard, she encouraged Member States to show greater engagement to silence the guns and establish responsibility.

BARBARA WOODWARD ( United Kingdom ) said that it is "right" that the Council is calling for a humanitarian pause for a period of days long enough to get life-saving aid to those who need it. "This will save lives," she stressed. For its part, the United Kingdom has doubled its aid to help civilians in Gaza. All parties must give civilians the protection that is their right under international law. This includes respecting the sanctity of hospitals. She welcomed the resolution's call for the immediate and unconditional release of Israeli hostages. "It is unconscionable that Hamas continues to hold men, women and children, causing terrible fear and suffering for their families," she said. This resolution is necessary, though the United Kingdom regrets that it could not clearly condemn Hamas' terrorist attacks of 7 October. "The barbarity of those attacks should be clear to us all," she said. That is why the United Kingdom abstained today.

NICOLAS DE RIVIERE ( France ) said his country supported the resolution because the humanitarian situation in Gaza is "already catastrophic". France is fully mobilized to respond to the urgency of the situation. The resolution mentions several essential needs: food, water, fuel, and medicines, which must be delivered to the Gazan civilians. He called for lasting, unhindered humanitarian access for their delivery in sufficient quantities and for the mobilization of adequate resources.

However, he regretted that several essential messages are not included in the resolution. The Council must continue to work to achieve a broader expression, including condemnation of the Hamas attack, the recall of Israel's right to defend itself and its population with absolute respect of international humanitarian law, a call for an immediate and lasting truce that could lead to a ceasefire, as well as a call for avoiding regional spillover. There is a need for a decisive relaunching of negotiations on agreed parameters for a two-State solution. "This Council must not remain silent on these elements; it must be demanding and up to what is at stake," he said.

ANDRES EFREN MONTALVO SOSA ( Ecuador ) said his country voted in favour of the resolution because of its urgent and relevant elements, among them, the obligation to uphold international law and the establishment of safe, unhindered humanitarian access. The draft just adopted focuses on urgent humanitarian needs due to the grave conflict in Gaza that was unleashed following the attacks by Hamas on 7 October. "It is an essential first step by the Council," he said, noting that the general text is a valuable starting point. "But our work must continue," he added. Ecuador abstained on the amendment because the draft, which was the outcome of a negotiation process in which all Council members participated, should be preserved, he said, thanking Malta for its leadership. He also acknowledged that some States avoided exercising what would have been a damaging veto.

ISHIKANE KIMIHIRO ( Japan ), noting that for nearly six weeks the Council remained silent as the conflict worsened to an unprecedented degree, said, "today, at last, we were able to act". Stating that he voted in favour of the draft resolution, he expressed appreciation for the ongoing diplomatic efforts made by key actors, including the United States. "This is just the beginning," he said, emphasizing that the Council needs to continue its engagement on this file to protect civilians  women, persons with disabilities, and children. It must prevent the conflict from spreading and bring peace to the region.

PASCALE BAERISWYL ( Switzerland ) said that this first step by the Council comes belatedly. She emphasized the plight of the victims affected by the Hamas terrorist attacks, highlighting the tragic loss of thousands of civilians in Israel and throughout the Occupied Palestinian Territory since 7 October. Switzerland recognizes Israel's right to ensure its defence and security. "We call for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages," she said. Their captivity in Gaza in appalling conditions for more than a month is unjustifiable, as were the acts of terror and indiscriminate attacks perpetrated by Hamas against Israeli civilians since 7 October. Switzerland most firmly condemns these terrorist attacks. "We will continue to work towards pursuing the Council's work on the draft resolution of the 10 elected members which addresses the situation as a whole and to which much effort has been devoted in recent weeks," she added.

DOMINGOS ESTEVAO FERNANDES ( Mozambique ) said his country is convinced this resolution is an important step towards mitigating the suffering of the Gazan people, but it does not address the fundamentals of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Mozambique associates itself with the collective efforts to protect civilians, especially children, in full compliance with human rights law and international humanitarian law. He called for an immediate, durable and sustained cessation of hostilities and a return to dialogue. Israel and Palestine can only resolve their differences through peace and dialogue, he added.

FERIT HOXHA ( Albania ) said supporting peace efforts is the Security Council's raison d'etre and that when civilians are harmed anywhere in the world, the Council cannot stand idle. Its inability to act in the last six weeks has been particularly distressing, he said. "The world has been watching and waiting and hoping," he said. For that reason, Albania welcomed the adoption of the resolution, imperfect as it is. "It is a strong message of hope and solidarity with those suffering," he said, though he expressed regret it contained no clear and strong condemnation of Hamas. "We need to face the truth: the death toll among Palestinians civilians, including children and women, is unbearable and unjustified. This death toll spiral must stop." It is important not to lose sight of the fact that Hamas is directly responsible for this situation, he said.

NORBERTO MORETTI ( Brazil ), welcoming the adoption of the draft resolution, said, "It was long overdue. A response by this body commensurate with the gravity of the situation was urgent since day one  that is more than five weeks ago." Noting that its passage has been a "long and painful process", he recalled that before the text adopted today, more comprehensive and timely resolutions have been attempted, including one presented by Brazil. Successive vetoes, the spectre of "pocket vetoes" or the lack of a real negotiating process have prevented them. As the Council failed repeatedly, the General Assembly acted on 27 October. Echoing the Secretary-General's call for a humanitarian ceasefire, he expressed regret that the draft resolution adopted falls short of bold and necessary steps. "We do hope that if truly and urgently implemented, today's decision will at least mitigate the dreadful situation we have before us," he added.

Mr. NEBENZYA ( Russian Federation ) said that his delegation abstained during the vote on the draft resolution. Without supplies of fuel and in the next few hours, according to estimates by United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), Gaza will be without any communication, without Internet and completely isolated from the outside world. Meanwhile, the Israeli army is storming the Al-Shifa Hospital. "We're hearing worrisome reports about executions of medical personnel," he said. Humanitarian pauses are not and cannot be a replacement for a ceasefire, or even a truce. People who will be evacuated will find themselves under new shelling, he said.

From the very beginning of the current escalation in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, the delegation of the United States has sabotaged any attempts to develop a balanced and depoliticized document aimed at adopting realistic and urgent steps to de-escalate the situation, he said. The United States justifies the collective punishment of Palestinians. Washington, D.C. has consistently rejected draft resolutions that have demanded a humanitarian ceasefire. The United States today expressed outrage that the Council cannot condemn the Hamas attack of 7 October and criticized those who have prevented this. "It was the United States on 18 October that vetoed the draft resolution of Brazil that specifically condemned that act," he said.

The language of today's resolution has been hollowed out, he went on to say, adding that it is a "disgrace" that the Council, which has a uniquely powerful toolbox, could only "squeeze out such a weak call". The Russian Federation is "extremely disappointed" that its amendment to the resolution was not adopted. Some are not concerned about the effectiveness of the Council. "The main thing is to say that the Council, so-to-speak, adopted something humanitarian," he said, expressing concern that the resolution will not be implemented on the ground. "Who will give approval for humanitarian pauses, who will monitor and verify them and what will be the consequences of them not being complied with?" he asked. The document adopted will not contribute to overcoming the humanitarian crisis that the Gaza Strip finds itself in and its population is suffering.

Ms. NUSSEIBEH ( United Arab Emirates ) welcomed the adoption of the resolution, saying it is crucial that the Council has come together around the urgent need to protect civilians, especially children. She recognized that its adoption was only possible through difficult negotiations and compromises on all sides, and she recognized Malta's leadership and the commitment of each Council member on this, across their geographical divides. She believes lives will be saved because of this work, but it only begins the Council's response to this war and this crisis. "Too much time has passed, too many people have been killed and too much destruction has been wrought." Where Hamas is not operating, Palestinians are also losing their lives on land internationally recognized as part of their future State. During the past 40 days, almost 200 Palestinians have been killed in the occupied West Bank due to settler violence and raids. This must stop and Israel must hold accountable those responsible.

She said Member States now need to use this resolution. Her country will receive 1,000 Palestinian children and their families for medical treatment, with the first group hopefully arriving this week. It hopes to establish an emergency field hospital in the Gaza Strip. She called for Member States to now scale up assistance and for the Council to resolve the conflict. "What emerges from the ruins of Gaza may be our last chance to save it," she said, adding, however, that it will need everyone to work together. The fate of peace and security in the Middle East is a shared responsibility, she said, adding that Israel's lasting security will remain elusive if it is built on the continued denial of Palestinians' inalienable right to self-determination.

ZHANG JUN ( China ) said his country has always supported efforts to promote a ceasefire, an end to fighting and the restoration of peace. He welcomed any initiative to protect civilians and ease the humanitarian crisis, which is why China voted in favour of the resolution. The Council should have adopted a more comprehensive and robust resolution much earlier. But for reasons known to all, in particular, the repeated obstruction of a Permanent member, this resolution can serve as only a first step, based on minimum consensus. Nonetheless, the resolution is of positive significance as an initial step towards a ceasefire, averting a greater humanitarian catastrophe, he added.

China looks forward to the immediate realization of durable humanitarian pauses, as called for in the text, to allow UN humanitarian agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross and others to carry out full-scale humanitarian operations, to urgently search for and rescue missing children, to transfer and treat the critically injured, and to rehabilitate critical infrastructure. He expressed grave concern and strong opposition to the clear violations of international humanitarian law taking place in Gaza, including the siege of the Al-Shifa Hospital. He urged Israel to immediately cease its military operations against civilian facilities, including hospitals, and restore water and fuel and other basic supplies. "The Security Council must stand on the side of justice," he said, adding that China will continue to work with all parties.

Ms. FRAZIER ( Malta ), taking the floor again, said that with the adoption of resolution 2712 (2023), the Council reaffirmed its responsibility and commitment to the safeguarding of civilian lives, especially those of children. "What we have achieved today is an important first step," she stressed, emphasizing that her country  throughout its term as an elected member of the Council  will remain steadfast in its commitment to the protection of civilians and the plight of children in armed conflict.

RIYAD H. MANSOUR, Permanent Observer for the State of Palestine , said that the Security Council should have called for a ceasefire a long time ago. "Gaza bleeds. Death, devastation, destruction everywhere. No one was spared," he said. The Council should have been convinced that there is no military solution, especially one that relies on the commission of atrocities, and it should have advanced political ones. Pointing to the condemnations missing from the humanitarian resolution focused on children, he emphasized the killing by Israel of 11,000 Palestinians, including 5,000 children; indiscriminate attacks; assaults on hospitals and schools; killing of United Nations staff, journalists and doctors; as well as the racist Israeli propaganda methods.

Operative paragraph 1 of the text demands all parties to comply with international law, he said, asking whether Israel has ever been held accountable for continuously committing crimes against the Palestinian people and dismissing decades of calls for respecting the law. "Are you going to hold Israel accountable for rejecting the resolution you adopted this afternoon," he asked. The bombings and incursions must stop now. Humanitarian aid must come in now. Fuel must come in. Stressing that millions of lives hang in the balance, he added: "This madness must be brought to an end." Ceasing the bombing will facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid, rescue operations for those trapped under the rubble, including children, proper burials for the deceased and the release of those held in captivity.

Civilians, who are protected under international law, suffer the most in Gaza, he said, describing the situation as "a failure of humanity of terrifying magnitude." Stop the killing, stop the forced displacement, allow humanitarian aid in and protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, he urged. These should not be words in a resolution, but a reality on the ground. He went on to warn against allowing Israel's narrative  which justifies killing of Palestinians without accountability  to dominate. "There is an alternative reality in which Palestinians are free and no Palestinian and no Israeli is killed. It is time for it to prevail. It is time for peace," he concluded.

BRETT JONATHAN MILLER ( Israel ) commended the Council for calling for an immediate release of the 239 hostages. However, the resolution will sadly "fall on deaf ears" when it comes to Hamas. On 7 October, Hamas terrorists launched a barbaric invasion into Israel, murdering, raping, and brutalizing innocent civilians. Since then, the Council has convened on the matter almost 10 times and still has not succeeded in condemning Hamas' 7 October massacre. Today's resolution focuses solely on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. "It makes no mention of what led up to this moment," he said. Hamas has made it clear that given the chance, it will commit its atrocities again. "They have shown the world that the genocidal rhetoric is not hyperbole, but an oath to annihilate Israel by any means," he said.

"This is not about retaliation, or revenge for Hamas' violence, it is Israel upholding the right to self-defence, ensuring that such horrors are never repeated," he emphasized. Hamas is a jihadist organization "hell-bent" on Israel's destruction through the targeting of Israeli civilians, and the use of Gazan civilians as human shields. Despite this Council's intentions Hamas "does not care for your resolutions, or your demands". Israel has already implemented humanitarian pauses during which Gazan civilians can temporarily evacuate the active war zone. Hamas, on the other hand, murders Gazans as they try to evacuate. Israel has approved the entry of nearly 1,400 trucks with thousands of tons worth of aid. Meanwhile, Hamas is holding food, fuel, and medical supplies for its terror machine.

Yesterday, Israel supplied neonatal incubators and medical supplies to Al-Shifa Hospital, he said. Just two days ago, Israel handed over 300 litres of fuel to Al-Shifa Hospital. Hamas prevented the hospital staff from accepting it. Hamas' goal is to intensify and deteriorate the humanitarian situation in Gaza to broadcast Palestinian hardship to the world, and by doing so, exploit this very body to tie Israel's hands. Bringing the hostages home is Israel's top priority. Israel will continue to do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal. "Should Hamas choose to lay down their arms, turn themselves in, and hand over the hostages unscathed, this war would end immediately," he said.

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Israel-Palestine crisis: Security Council calls for urgent, extended humanitarian pauses in Gaza

15 November 2023 - The Security Council has passed a resolution calling for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and for urgent and extended humanitarian corridors throughout the enclave to save and protect civilian lives. The affirmative vote came following four unsuccessful efforts to take action last month.

5:00 PM: The first UN Security Council meeting on the multi-faceted crisis and conflict centred on the Gaza Strip to take action has ended. Here is a summary of the afternoon's events in New York.

HIGHLIGHTS

The UN Security Council succeeds in finding unity, adopting resolution 2712 on the Israel-Palestine crisis that began on 7 October, with 12 members voting in favour, none against and three abstentions (Russia, United Kingdom, United States) , calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors" in Gaza for "a sufficient number of days" to allow full, rapid, safe and unhindered access for UN agencies and partners

, calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors" in Gaza for "a sufficient number of days" to allow full, rapid, safe and unhindered access for UN agencies and partners The Council "calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children, as well as ensuring immediate humanitarian access ", by the terms of the resolution

", by the terms of the resolution The Council, by additional provisions in the text, calls on all parties to refrain from depriving the civilian population in Gaza of basic services and aid indispensable to their survival, consistent with international humanitarian law

indispensable to their survival, consistent with international humanitarian law The Council rejected an amendment proposed by Russia, with five votes in favour, one against and nine abstentions

"Our vote today translates into real human lives," said the ambassador of Malta, penholder of the newly adopted resolution

Ambassadors from the UK and US separately regretted to note that the draft failed to condemn Hamas and voiced support for civilian protection and rapid aid delivery measures

Russia's ambassador said a real ceasefire is needed and "the Council will need to make a decision on further steps", including what observers to send to the conflict area and which UN contingent will be involved

"This madness must be brought to an end," said Palestine's Permanent Observer to the UN, adding that: "It is time for peace"

Israel's Ambassador said the crisis could be brought to an immediate end if all Israeli hostages are returned unscathed and Hamas laid down their arms and turned themselves in

For summaries of this and other UN meetings, visit our colleagues at UN Meetings Coverage, available in English and French

4:50 PM

Resolution 'detached from reality': Israel

Israel's Deputy Permanent Representative, Brett Jonathan Miller, was the last to speak at the meeting.

He said the resolution was "detached from the reality on the ground" and "falls on deaf ears when it comes to Hamas and other terrorist organizations".

He noted that the Council has met nearly 10 times in the six weeks since Hamas's "barbaric invasion" of Israel, which it still has not condemned as the world's premier body for peace and security.

"The resolution focuses solely on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. It makes no mention of what led up to this moment," he said. "The resolution makes it seem as if what we are witnessing in Gaza happened of its own accord."

He added that Israel's top priority is to bring the hostages home, "and seeing as Security Council resolutions hold no sway with terrorists, Israel will continue to do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal."

Mr. Miller said the war would end immediately "should Hamas choose to lay down their arms, turn themselves in and handover the hostages unscathed".

4:41 PM

'This madness must be brought to an end': Palestine

Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the observer State of Palestine, said the Security Council should have called a ceasefire by now and been convinced that there is no military solution.

The Council "should have heeded the call by the UN and every humanitarian organization on Earth calling for a humanitarian ceasefire," Mr. Mansour said. "It should have at least echoed the call of the General Assembly for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities."

What is happening will have long term effects that no one should underestimate, he said.

"It is a failure of humanity of terrifying magnitude," he said. "But for now, the urgency is to save lives. Stop the killing, stop the forced displacement, allow humanitarian aid in and ensure humanitarian access, protect civilians and civilian infrastructure."

He said Israel's plan has been revealed in statements, leaked memos and op-eds.

"Let us stop pretending we don't hear what this government is saying," he said. "Its plan is the continued dispossession, displacement and denial of rights of the Palestinian people. To complete the Nakba."

Recognizing that is the first step to defeat such plans, he said.

"This madness must be brought to an end," he said. "It is time for peace."

4:35 PM

China: Turn resolution into action 'to the letter'

Ambassador Zhang Jun of China, whose country holds the Council presidency for November, said, in his national capacity, that the Council should have adopted a more robust resolution earlier. Despite one member blocking progress on consensus, he said the new resolution matters.

Recalling the dismal situation in besieged Gaza, he urged Israel to end hostilities against civilian facilities, including hospitals, and to restore basic supplies, such as water and fuel, as soon as possible.

"The key rests on the implementation of the resolution and its provisions "to the letter", he said.

4:20 PM

Russia: Pause 'cannot replace' a ceasefire

Russian Ambassador Nebenzia said getting aid and humanitarian assistance into Gaza is essential, especially given the deteriorating situation on the ground, with dwindling fuel supplies and Israeli operations that are shelling schools and storming Al-Shifa Hospital.

"Humanitarian pauses cannot replace a ceasefire or truce," he said, adding that the US has consistently blocked efforts to cease hostilities, paralysing the work of the main UN organ to maintain peace and security.

Regretting that under Washington's pressure the resolution has been hollowed out, Mr. Nebenzia said "it's a disgrace that the Council has squeezed out such a weak call."

Concerned about the real-life effects of the resolution, he wondered who would be monitoring safe corridors and civilian protection on the ground.

"The Council will need to make a decision on further steps", including what observers to send to the conflict area and which UN contingent will be involved, the Russian Ambassador said, adding that: "We will not allow this issue to be hushed up and swept under the carpet."

4:15 PM

Mozambique: Fundamentals still to be addressed

Deputy Ambassador of Mozambique, Domingos Fernandes, expressed conviction that the resolution was an important step towards mitigating the suffering of civilians in Gaza.

"However, we are mindful that this resolution does not address the fundamentals of the humanitarian crisis prevailing in the Gaza Strip," he added.

He also reiterated his nation's opinion that Israel and Palestine can only resolve their differences through peace and dialogue.

"It is our strong conviction that the brotherly peoples of Israel and Palestine deserve and can live side-by-side in security and peaceful coexistence in strict respect for the decision and the resolution of the Security Council," he said.

3:55 PM

UK: Resolution 'will save lives'

Barbara Woodward, Ambassador and Permanent Representative of the UK, said too many children are losing their lives, and it is right for the Council to call for a pause long enough to get lifesaving aid to those who need it.

"This will save lives," she said. "We need a collective effort to get aid in."

However, Ms. Woodward regretted to note that the resolution did not condemn the Hamas attacks on 7 October, she said, explaining her delegation's abstention.

"We will continue to work with Council members to resolve this crisis" and to create a horizon to "make the two-State solution a reality", she said.

3:46 PM

US: Horrified at failure to condemn Hamas attacks

United States Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield thanked Malta and other Council members for leading the initiative.

However, she said her country could not vote "yes" on a text that did not condemn Hamas or reaffirm the right of all Member States to protect their citizens from terrorist attacks.

She was horrified that a few Council Members "still cannot bring themselves" to condemn the barbaric Hamas terror attack against Israel on 7 October.

"While this text does not include a condemnation of Hamas, this is the first time we've ever adopted a resolution that even mentions the word 'Hamas'", she said.

Ms. Thomas-Greenfield said the US is working tirelessly to facilitate the safe return of all hostages, including nine missing Americans and one US citizen.

3:40 PM

The Security Council voted on the Malta resolution, with 12 members in favour, none against, and three countries abstaining: Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States.

The resolution has passed.

3:37 PM

The war on Gaza has raged for 30 days without any Council action, warned the United Arab Emirates ambassador. Lana Zaki Nusseibeh implored fellow diplomats to vote for the Maltese resolution to help alleviate the enormous suffering on the ground.

This is the bare minimum that humanitarians need to save many more lives, she said.

3:35 PM

Malta's ambassador is now speaking ahead of the vote on her country's resolution. Vanessa Frazier said the crisis is unfolding with a rising number of deaths. The lives of newborns at Al-Shifa Hospital are now in grave danger, and more than one million are displaced in Gaza, more than half being children.

Her delegation had held broad consultations to obtain an operational text, she said, adding that the draft calls for humanitarian pauses and the release of hostages held by Hamas and other groups.

"Our vote today translates into real human lives," she said, urging Council members to cast a favourable vote.

3:29 PM

Members are now voting on the Russian amendment. The result was five votes in favour, one against and nine abstentions. The US voted against. The amendment was not adopted as it failed to secure the required votes.

3:23 PM

Russia has asked for the floor ahead of the vote on Malta's resolution. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia says he wants an oral amendment, asking for "an immediate durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities".

He said the wording repeated the first paragraph of the General Assembly resolution that passed overwhelmingly last month. He said the main aim had to be a ceasefire and end to violence.

He accused the US of striking out any reference during negotiations to the aim of a ceasefire. This is the "lowest common denominator" that the Council must support, he added.

3:22 PM



As is customary when countries are directly involved, but are not Council members, both Israel and Palestine's representatives have been invited to the table to speak when their turn comes.

3:18 PM

After much anticipation, followed by a few tense minutes of silence around the Council Chamber - punctuated by nervous laughter while papers are gathered and sorted - the meeting is just about to get underway.

3:06 PM

China holds the presidency of the Council this month, and shortly, Ambassador Zhang Jun is due to gavel the emergency meeting to order, as staff from the 15 permanent missions who serve get themselves in place behind their ambassadors around the iconic horseshoe table.

2:30 PM

This will be the fifth attempt to find unity on the ongoing crisis. The Council rejected four previous versions over differences on such provisions as references to a ceasefire and specific condemnations of the Hamas attacks, as Israel's ground campaign has intensified with the loss of more than 11,000 Palestinian lives so far, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

The fresh draft calls for, among other things, the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, and for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the besieged enclave to allow access for aid workers.

It also demands that that all parties respect international law, particularly concerning civilian protection.

To pass, a resolution needs nine votes in favour and no vetoes - a privilege reserved for its permanent members (China, France, Russia, United Kingdom and the United States).

A US veto in late October triggered the UN General Assembly to convene its resumed tenth emergency special session on the crisis, which adopted on 26 October a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce and civilian protection.

On Wednesday, Council members will again consider a collective response to the crisis.

Visit our previous stories tracking attempts to find unity:

Visit our story on the Security Council's last open meeting on 10 November on the deteriorating crisis. Here are some of the key points:

HIGHLIGHTS

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, head of the World Health Organization (WHO), called for a ceasefire to save lives and speed the delivery of much needed aid, saying "nowhere and no one is safe" in Gaza, stressing that medical staff continue to grapple with trying to manage the growing needs of 2.3 million people without the lifesaving aid required to treat the ill and injured

Marwan Jilani, Director General of the Palestine Red Crescent Society, said Gaza's "health sector is under attack", calling on the Council to step up to do its part to end the violence, ensure international humanitarian law is upheld and open safe pathways for aid

At the outset of the meeting, everyone in the Council Chamber stood for a minute of silence for all those who lost their lives in Israel due to the 7 October attacks and all those Palestinian civilians who have died during the fighting

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Israel-Palestine crisis: UN emergency relief chief unveils 10-point plan 'to rein in the carnage'

15 November 2023 - The UN's top emergency relief official unveiled a 10-point plan "to rein in the carnage" in Gaza on Wednesday which focuses on a major expansion of aid into into the wartorn enclave, along with a new call for humanitarian ceasefires and the release of hostages taken during Hamas's 7 October terror attacks on Israel.

The initiative from veteran aid chief Martin Griffiths, head of the UN aid coordination office OCHA, comes more than five weeks since Hamas militants killed 1,200 people in Israel and took around 240 hostages.

The full-scale Israeli siege and assault that followed has levelled thousands of buildings in Gaza and reportedly claimed more than 11,000 civilian lives, according the Ministry of Health there.

Halt the killing

"As the carnage in Gaza reaches new levels of horror every day, the world continues to watch in shock as hospitals come under fire, premature babies die, and an entire population is deprived of the basic means of survival," Mr. Griffiths said. "This cannot be allowed to continue."

In a call to the warring parties and all those able to exert influence on them to heed the initiative, Mr. Griffiths underscored the need to ensure a safe and "continuous flow of aid convoys" into Gaza.

Additional crossing points should be opened into the enclave, over and above Rafah from Egypt, according to the 10-point plan, including Kerem Shalom, and private sector suppliers should be included in this plan too.

Comprehensive UN-led response

Rebuffing suggestions that the UN lacked a comprehensive aid relief strategy, Mr. Griffiths insisted at a press conference in Geneva to launch the plan that it followed the same core humanitarian principles that applied to every emergency.

Nonetheless, the initiative does reflect the increasing needs linked to the growing number of people now leaving the north of the enclave for the south, he told journalists in Geneva.

"The key word here is continuous aid needs to be reliable...People need to know that there will be aid coming tomorrow or the next day," he said. "They need to know that they have time to consume these supplies because more is coming at the next moment."

Fuel access is key

Access to fuel, a key requirement for all aid to flow, should also be made possible "in sufficient quantities" to deliver basic services, and the UN and partners should be allowed to expand the number of shelters available to all those forced from their homes in northern Gaza by the Israeli military's evacuation order.

Additional funding for the humanitarian response is also required, Mr. Griffiths pointed out, noting that it now amounts to $1.2 billion. UN and partner aid distribution hubs should also be permitted and civilians should be allowed "to move to safer areas and to voluntarily return to their residences", the UN official said.

Fuel boost essential

Amid the news on Wednesday that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, UNWRA, had received just over 23,000 litres of fuel - even though "it cannot be used for the overall humanitarian response, including for medical and water facilities" - Mr. Griffiths issued an appeal for some 200,000 litres a day.

"It's the driver of effective hospitals, it's the driver of trucks that will go from Rafah on entry to the distribution points, he said."

More crossing points

The top UN aid official also underscored the need for more crossing points for aid into Gaza, including at Kerem Shalom in the north of the Strip. Before the latest escalation that border post accounted for more than 60 per cent of the trucks going into Gaza, he explained.

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World News in Brief: Dozens dead in Yemen shipwreck, Pakistan expulsions 'must stop', FAO aids Sudan farmers

15 November 2023 - The UN migration agency IOM on Wednesday appealed for safe migration pathways in the wake of a recent shipwreck off the coast of Yemen.

More than 64 people are missing and feared dead after the vessel they were travelling in capsized on Sunday.

Approximately 90 migrants, including 60 women, were on board the vessel, which was heading to Yemen from the coast of Djibouti.

Twenty-six survivors were rescued by the Yemeni Coast Guard.

Global cooperation needed

IOM is collaborating with partners and relevant authorities to gather more information about the incident, noting that the sinking was blamed on overloaded capacity and engine failure exacerbated by strong seasonal winds.

"This tragedy highlights the pressing need for global cooperation in establishing safer migration pathways," said Matt Huber, Acting Chief of Mission of IOM Yemen.

It also serves as a stark reminder of the e challenges faced by migrants who undertake perilous journeys in search of safety and better livelihood opportunities, the agency added.

Address root causes

IOM said Yemen is "strategically positioned on the Arabian Peninsula", making it a crucial transit country for migrants from the Horn of Africa, primarily Ethiopians, travelling to Saudi Arabia or other Gulf nations in search of work.

Data from the agency reveals that 867 deaths were recorded on the crossing between the Horn of Africa and Yemen in 2022. The majority, 795, occurred on the route between Yemen and Saudi Arabia.

"We urge our partners to collaborate closely with IOM to enhance support for migrants in Yemen, address the root causes behind their decision to embark on these dangerous journeys, and collectively work towards safer and more humane support for migrants," said Mr. Huber.

Pakistan's expulsions of Afghans must stop amid abuse allegations: Turk

Pakistan must suspend expulsions of Afghan nationals and ensure protection for all those who may face persecution and torture when returned to Afghanistan, UN human rights chief Volker Turk said on Wednesday.

Pakistan ordered undocumented foreigners, including Afghans residing in the country, to leave by 1 November. Mr. Turk expressed alarm over reports that expulsions have been accompanied by ill-treatment, arbitrary arrests and detention, destruction of property and extortion.

"These new developments are at variance with Pakistan's decades-long tradition of hosting, generously, Afghan refugees in vast numbers," Mr. Turk said.

The UN rights chief called for investigations of abuse allegations by law enforcement officers and to apply the principle of non-refoulement to protect Afghans who may be in danger back in their country. At particular risk are Afghan women and girls, former government officials and security personnel, ethnic and religious minorities, human rights defenders, civil society activists and media workers.

Mr. Turk also stressed that Afghanistan's de facto authorities have to "ensure that such individuals are not targeted in Afghanistan after their arrival."

Sudan: With hunger on the rise FAO helps farmers grow food, save livestock

In war-torn Sudan, one million farming households received precious seeds allowing them to grow food for up to 19 million people this year, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) said on Wednesday.

FAO said that it provided nearly 10,000 tonnes of seeds for the critical planting season from June to September, enabling farmers to cultivate crops amid the ongoing conflict at a time of skyrocketing seed prices.

More than 20 million people in the country face crisis levels of acute food insecurity. Animal disease outbreaks are also on the rise and could lead to "significant" livestock losses, FAO said. The UN agency has been supporting animal health through vaccination and treatment and will be providing pastoral households with milking goats that are "crucial" to preventing malnutrition in young children.

To urgently scale up its support, FAO said that it still needs almost 80 per cent of the funding required under the revised Sudan Humanitarian Response Plan for this year, or some $75.4 million.

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Gaza: 'Hospitals are not battlegrounds', children's suffering must stop, UN humanitarians say

15 November 2023 - Children have been killed, maimed, abducted and denied assistance in Gaza, and the parties to the conflict must "stop this horror", UN Children's Fund (UNICEF) chief Catherine Russell said during a visit to the enclave as humanitarian operations there ground to a halt on Wednesday for lack of fuel.

Her comments came amid reports on Wednesday morning of an ongoing Israeli Defense Forces raid inside Gaza City's Al-Shifa hospital, where patients including premature babies have died over the course of the past days after incubators and other life-saving equipment lost power.

"Hospitals are not battlegrounds," UN relief chief Martin Griffiths wrote on social platform X, insisting that "the protection of newborns, patients, medical staff and all civilians must override all other concerns".

'Grave violations'

Ms. Russell condemned the "grave violations" against children committed by the parties to the conflict and said that she was in Gaza "to do whatever I can to advocate for the protection of children".

"Inside the Strip, there is nowhere safe for Gaza's one million children to turn," she said, highlighting that more than 4,600 children have reportedly been killed and nearly 9,000 injured.

Many children are believed buried under the rubble of collapsed buildings, "the tragic result of the use of explosive weapons in populated areas", she said.

Ceasefire now

The UNICEF chief described hearing harrowing stories from her agency's staff on the ground and stressed the high risk to humanitarian actors operating inside Gaza. Since 7 October 102 staff members of the UN agency for Palestine refugees (UNRWA) have been killed in the enclave.

Ms. Russell reiterated calls for an "immediate humanitarian ceasefire", the release of all abducted and detained children, and for "safe, sustained and unimpeded access" for humanitarians to people in need.

'Horrific situation'

Mr. Griffiths, the UN's top aid official, told UN News that from a humanitarian perspective and outside of any military considerations, "our problem is protecting the people of Gaza".

He stressed that Gazans are in a "horrific situation in which they have no escape and are being asked to move in conditions of danger".

Over 1.5 million people in Gaza are estimated to be internally displaced, including about 787,000 who are staying in some 154 UNRWA shelters, where massive overcrowding is leading to the spread of disease.

The UN humanitarian affairs coordination office OCHA headed by Mr. Griffiths reported on Wednesday that displaced people staying in makeshift tents outside the shelters in southern Gaza for lack of room are now suffering from the onset of heavy rains and flooding.

Aid trucks at a standstill

Regarding the lack of fuel, which has not been allowed into the Strip since the start of the crisis, Mr. Griffiths said that "we need at least a couple hundred thousand litres to get us moving again".

UNRWA said on Tuesday night that its trucks inside Gaza were not able to pick up aid coming in through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt that day because they don't have fuel.

According to media reports late on Tuesday night, Israel gave approval for 24,000 litres of diesel fuel to be used solely by trucks for UN operations but it was not clear when and how the fuel would be delivered.

'Ready to go'

Mr. Griffiths explained that a ceasefire was also necessary to let the private sector operate and allow depleted shops to restock. "That's just as important as our operations, if not more," he said.

"We are right there, sitting in front of those people, at the borders of Gaza, in Rafah, ready to go" and to "try to reach people where they are", he insisted in his plea for access.

"It is a standard way of operation in a crisis like this," he said.

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The carnage in Gaza cannot be allowed to continue. Here are the steps to rein it in

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

Statement by Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator

As the carnage in Gaza reaches new levels of horror every day, the world continues to watch in shock as hospitals come under fire, premature babies die, and an entire population is deprived of the basic means of survival.

This cannot be allowed to continue.

The warring parties must respect international humanitarian law, agree to a humanitarian ceasefire and stop the fighting.

The United Nations and its humanitarian partners, present in Gaza for decades, are committed to responding to the mounting humanitarian needs, guided, as always, by the principles of humanity, impartiality, neutrality and independence. We have the expertise, knowhow and most certainly the will.

On behalf of the humanitarian community that I represent, I urge the parties, all those who have influence over them, and the broader international community to do everything in their power to support and implement the following plan:

Facilitate aid agencies' efforts to bring in a continuous flow of aid convoys and to do so safely. Open additional crossing points for aid and commercial trucks to enter, including Kerem Shalom. Allow the UN, other humanitarian organizations and public and private sector entities access to fuel in sufficient quantities to deliver aid and provide basic services. Enable humanitarian organizations to deliver aid throughout Gaza without impediment or interference. Allow us to expand the number of safe shelters for displaced people in schools and other public facilities across Gaza and ensure that they remain places of safety throughout hostilities. Improve a humanitarian notification mechanism that would help spare civilians and civilian infrastructure from hostilities and would help to facilitate humanitarian access. Allow us to set up relief distribution hubs for civilians, in accordance with needs. Allow civilians to move to safer areas and to voluntarily return to their residences. Fund the humanitarian response, now amounting to $1.2 billion. Implement a humanitarian ceasefire to allow basic services to restart and essential commercial trade to resume. Such a ceasefire is also vital to facilitate the delivery of aid, allow the release of hostages, and provide respite to civilians.

These are the actions required to rein in the carnage. The plan is comprehensive, and we are determined to push for every step, but we need broad international support. The world must act before it is too late.

Geneva, 15 November 2023

15 November 2023

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Martin Griffiths, Under-Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs and Emergency Relief Coordinator - Full Transcript of Press Encounter, 15 November 2023, Geneva

UNOCHA - United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs

The reason I wanted to speak to you was to outline to you something very specific about Gaza, of course, which is about the approach being taken and planned by the United Nations and other humanitarian agencies to provide aid to Gaza.

A very specific thing - and the reason why I wanted to talk about this is because, of course - there have been allegations from certain quarters that we aren't ready, that we don't have the trucks, that we don't have the fuel, why shouldn't we use safe zones, and so forth. So, this is intended to demonstrate and to give some details, and I know that you've seen some of this already, of the approach that we plan to do.

Now, number one, we plan to follow the standard experience and procedures that humanitarian agencies have had all over the world. This is not new in itself. The extent of the suffering is insufferable, but the approach of humanitarian agencies, depending on the requirements of international humanitarian aid and support, is going to be the same in Gaza as it might be in Ukraine, in Sudan or elsewhere. And I will describe what that might look like. And I'm saying this obviously in the context of the increasing flow of population down from the north to the south of Gaza. Clearly that's the perspective. That's the context in which I'm speaking.

So, I'll go through these 10 points and then open up for questions.

First of all, to facilitate the agencies' efforts to bring in a continuous flow of aid convoys safely. The key word here is "continuous." Aid needs to be reliable, on the day, on the next day, on the next week. People need to know that there will be aid coming tomorrow or the next day. They need to know that they have time to consume these supplies because more is coming at the next moment.

Number two: Crucial, crucial for the logistics - is to open additional crossing points for aid and commercial trucks to enter into Gaza, including Kerem Shalom from Israel. Now, much has been made of the importance of the need to provide opportunities for commercial aid to get into Gaza. By the way, once again, that's a very common feature of the aspects of an urgent humanitarian program. Sudan was exactly the same, we had very similar points made in the early days, you remember the evacuation from Khartoum. But it's particularly important in Gaza because of the total dependency of a population which cannot move outside the territory. So more crossing points, including that Kerem Shalom, which used to carry more than 60 per cent of the truckloads going through before this conflict, this recent conflict started. So please, Kerem Shalom. Please Israel, give us that for our crossing point.

Next, allow the United Nations and other humanitarian organizations access to fuel. Now, you've heard a lot about the need for fuel. I believe [Commissioner-General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA)] Philippe Lazzarini has also issued a quote today, this afternoon, saying that they received about 24,000 litres of fuel. I just want to say a couple of words on fuel, probably to repeat what you've heard elsewhere. Number one, fuel is the driver of so many aspects of the humanitarian response. It's the driver of desalination. It's the driver of electricity. It's the driver of effective hospitals. It's the driver of trucks that will go from Rafah on entry to the distribution points. The 24,000 litres - most welcome, no question about it - is not enough to provide the fuel that we need daily to get to the whole of Gaza. My understanding is that to cover the whole of the Gazan territory and therefore all of the people in need, we would need about 200,000 liters a day. Now, this has been happening for years. UNRWA has extensive experience in this. UNOPS [the UN Office for Project Services] has extensive experience also in helping make the distribution of fuel. And we understand the need for monitoring. But the idea that we have been pursuing daily and nightly in negotiation with Israel, Egypt, and with the assistance of the United States, is to replenish the stocks in the UNRWA depo near Rafah and then take it from there to be used by trucks going around Gaza to where people are able to be.

Number four: This is bedrock, of course: enable humanitarian organizations to deliver aid throughout Gaza without impediment or interference. I haven't witnessed in my many, many decades of dealing with war, an occasion on which so much attention is being paid to the requirements of international humanitarian law, otherwise called the rules of war. One of them is to allow people to go where they decide to go, they will decide where they're safe. They will decide when they want to move and not move. And the same goes for us - that we need safety to deliver aid to wherever those people go.

Number five: Allow us - humanitarian organizations - to expand the number of safe shelters for displaced people in schools and other public facilities across Gaza. This is an absolutely central part of UNRWA's preparedness - UNRWA, which thank God for UNRWA, is in existence and is still the buffer between survival and tragedy for so many people in Gaza. And it needs the opportunity to expand the number of safe shelters across the south. For example, it could take an agreement with the Palestinian Authority to use PA schools to expand shelters for those fleeing south. We've all heard about the way in which UNRWA institutions, schools, hospitals and elsewhere are flooded with IDPs [internally displaced people]. We need to expand the numbers of such institutions in the south. I'm not saying that all the people will go all to these shelters where we raise the UN flag to say, this is a UN-protected institution. But it gives us at least a little bit more chance to help people be safe.

[Number six]: Improve a humanitarian notification mechanism. Can I spend two minutes on this? I expect it's familiar to most of you. But in all countries in conflict - whether it's Syria, Ukraine, Yemen, where I spent a lot of time, and indeed Gaza - for many, many years, the humanitarian community has used a notification system, a humanitarian notification system, to deconflict specific places which are protected, either protected under humanitarian law - like hospitals, schools and other places - or to tell the parties this is where we will be moving, from A to B to C, to deliver aid. We notify the parties, whether it's in Ukraine, or Gaza or elsewhere, of what our plans are, so that they are on notice not to attack us, to allow what humanitarian law again requires: the safe passage of humanitarian assistance.

Number seven: Part of the approach, in the south, is to set up, establish and work from relief distribution hubs. There will be people who take shelter, as I have already referred to, who can receive aid directly where they are. There will be other people who are in houses or moving around or other places to live in. And we will need distribution hubs to which they can come or from which we can go to deliver food, medical supplies and other items to them on a continuous basis. I spent some time in the last year in Ukraine, for example, where these distribution hubs, especially through the winter, were key, the key part of a humanitarian operation. It should be no different in Gaza.

Number eight: Fundamental - allow civilians to move to safer areas and to voluntarily return to their residences in the north, if they so desire. The freedom of movement of civilians in war is a fundamental privilege and requirement of international humanitarian law. You will have seen various statements of my colleagues in the Inter-Agency Standing Committee about the idea of safe zones, opposing the idea of safe zones. The United Nations has a history on safe zones. We remember Srebrenica, we remember what happened then, and we know the requirements - legally and operationally - to make a zone safe, including, by the way, for example, that all parties should agree to this being a safe zone. So, we are not enthusiastic about such safe zones. But we also insist that, in any case, it is not for us or others to decide where people should go. They should decide, if they want to decide to go to where is designated and is proposed as a safe zone, let it be. Let it be their decision, and we will, of course, provide assistance to them there. But we will not be part of an establishment of a safe zone which does not meet the requirements that we have found, through our own bitter experience, so demanding.

Number nine: Funding, boring as it is, $1.2 billion of an emergency appeal for the operation. I think we are into [$132] million so far. I was talking yesterday to Lynn Hastings, the Humanitarian Coordinator, based in Jerusalem, for the Occupied Territory, and I was asking her the question you write, which is: What do you really need now? She said fuel, money - money to fund the operation. We have incidentally around 460 trucks in Al Arish, in Rafah area, ready to go in. And I am very grateful to hear today through the Secretary-General himself, grateful to hear, that the Israeli Government has decided, and we thank them, not to put a cap on the number of trucks going in. We have the trucks, we need the fuel, and we need the money to fund the delivery. And then we can do the job that we are there to do.

Finally: Implement a humanitarian ceasefire. There has been a huge, huge discussion, particularly in the Security Council and elsewhere, on the difference between truces and hudnas and pauses and ceasefire. I have spent 50 years dealing with different words to describe something which is essentially very, very simple: Silence the guns. Stop the fighting to allow the people to move safely. Do it for as long as possible. Allow them to move safely on their own, not hindered and not pushed. And silence those guns long enough to give the people of Gaza a breather from the terrible, terrible things that have been put on them these last few weeks. This is very, very important.

So, these points together constitute for us an approach which we are applying - it's been going for some time - which we are applying for Gaza and we would apply elsewhere, if for example, the Occupied Territory became severely afflicted.

It's not new. It won't be perfect. It will be messy. It requires from the parties an adherence to humanitarian law and humanity. It requires from the international community funding urgently and quickly and requires from us and my colleagues the courage, which I think they have shown amply in these last few weeks, to go where others would not, but where the Gazans are and where they need their presence. Thank you very much.

Q: Thank you for the briefing. In your plans, you are not talking about hostages, so what are the chances that Israel will agree with that and what will be the risk if Israel disagrees with everything because of that?

Under-Secretary-General Griffiths: Look, for me, as I have said very often, publicly and privately, the release of the hostages is not part of a humanitarian plan - it's an obligation on all those involved. I am one of those who had the misfortune or privilege, depending on how you look at it, of seeing some of those videos of what happened on that day of October 7th. And I have always spoken publicly about the fact that these hostages need to be released unconditionally, not conditional on some quid pro quo - unconditionally, all of them and out.

And so I don't include it in the plan, because that would look as if it's a condition, and I don't think it should be conditional. I think it should be done, because we are all very well-aware of the terrible suffering, and I met in Jerusalem some of the families of those who are still missing, still don't know whether their three-year-old sister taken from one family is still alive or not. So, I am aware of the terrible stress on it.

Now, the second part of your question is: Will Israel agree with this or not? Israel, we have these daily negotiations with them in their COGAT [Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories] committee, as you know, which meets daily and nightly. It's very welcomed that they've said today there'll be no cap on trucks. It's very welcomed that they have released some fuel. This plan will allow all the parties, not just Israel, to understand what we understand to be the basis of the humanitarian operation. And what I found interesting, when I was in Israel last week, was the degree to which the Israeli officials were saying to me, we need humanitarian assistance. You remember the disorder that was starting when there was nothing going in? That people were desperate? The UNRWA warehouses have been taken apart? And why wouldn't they be? There's a reason for humanitarian assistance. It's partly and mostly for us, of course, it is completely about humanitarian, but it's also to try to calm a situation of such terrible danger. So, we will negotiate this daily and nightly from now on. I have no doubt it will fluctuate according to events, but we will not relent with what we know we need.

Q: Thank you, Mr. Griffiths. Can you tell us please some details about your meeting this morning with Iranian Foreign Minister. Did Mr. [Hossein Amir-]Abdollahian have any maybe initiative or message from Hamas concerning your plan?

Under-Secretary-General Griffiths: I won't give you any details, I never do of discussions I have with visitors. He can if he wants to. As you can imagine, we discussed the situation in some detail. I'm one of those, and I imagine you are, and of course I said this to him - there I am breaking my rule already - worried about the expansion, the expansion of the war into the north. And if there is to be a war in the north with Hezbollah and Israel then I fear the worst. I fear the worst, and we know that we can easily imagine the worst, because it will be a war that makes even Gaza with its awful horrors of daily struggle look like just the beginning. It will be a regional war which will affect so many parts. We already see potentially impact on Syria. My own country Yemen has been involved. So naturally the worry about expansion was the topic I discussed mainly with him. And, of course, he agreed with me that such expansion would not be a good thing.

Q: Mr. Griffiths, the 10 points that you are raising are not mind-boggling. That is what you would have said three weeks ago already. Why do you think saying it again is making a difference now?

Under-Secretary-General Griffiths: I'm saying it again because people keep saying we don't have a plan - and we always did. It's not mind-boggling. I deliberately said at the beginning, this is standard practice for the humanitarians.

But we still have people saying, governments, including in the region saying, but you don't have a plan, what you're going to do, why aren't you allowing the safe zone? How are you going to cope with the 800,000 or 50,000 or the different figures of people who south? I want to put firmly on the record exactly, which we have not done before, by the way, in this level of detail.

I want to put firmly on the record what the priorities are of our action. I'm very pleased, if that's the right word, that this is not mind-boggling - if it was mind-boggling, we'd be in trouble.

There is no magic to this operation. You know the thing about, could I make an additional personal comment on that, the thing about international humanitarian law is that it's essentially the simple repetition of humane obligations, isn't it? It is not a recondite science - it is a simple repetition of how we should treat people in the middle of war.

My 10 points, if I could shift to them, are a simple repetition of the basics of a humanitarian aid operation as we go into war. By the way, we're very happy to have another discussion with you on Sudan and the similar things that we would need to see, you know, in Sudan now, finally, we're meeting the parties together in Jeddah, and we would be talking about access, we'll be talking about many similar things.

But in Gaza, we have been accused from time to time by [people] saying, you're not ready, you don't have the trucks, why didn't you put trucks over yesterday, etcetera, etcetera. That's why I was clear to say: We have the trucks. We have the plan. We have the people. We are in Al Arish. We are ready to move. We need Kerem Shalom. We can do this. We can do it professionally, according to the requirements of independence, neutrality and impartiality. And people should not accuse us anymore of not being ready. Thank you very much.

15 November 2023 [div]>

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UNRWA

15 Nov 2023

Key points

The Gaza Strip

In the last 24 hours, one UNRWA colleague was killed due to a strike in the Gaza City area.

In total, 103 UNRWA colleagues have been killed since the beginning of hostilities on 7 October.

This is the highest number of United Nations aid workers killed in a conflict in the history of the United Nations.

Two UNRWA schools in the Middle area were directly hit by strikes, resulting in damage to buildings and injuries among the internally displaced people (IDPs) sheltering in one of the schools.

One UNRWA school in Rafah sustained collateral damage and three IDPs in the school were injured after a strike hit a building nearby.

Two internally displaced persons were injured due to shrapnel that fell inside an UNRWA school after a building near the school was hit in the Middle area.

Almost 1.6 million people have been displaced across the Gaza Strip since 7 October.

Nearly 813,000 internally displaced persons (IDPs) are now sheltering in 154 UNRWA installations across all fve governorates of the Gaza Strip, including in the north.

About 653,000 IDPs are sheltering in 97 facilities in the Middle, Khan Younis and Rafah areas. Nearly 160,000 IDPs were sheltering in 57 UNRWA schools in the northern and Gaza areas as of 12 October 2023, before the evacuation order was issued by Israeli Authorities. UNRWA is not able to access these shelters to assist or protect IDPs and does not have information on their needs and conditions.

Obtaining updated fgures and information is becoming increasingly challenging, especially in the Middle area, due to serious communication breakdowns. In some areas, the telecommunications companies have stopped operating. Itis expected that communications will start to fail as of Thursday 16 November, when telecommunications companies run out of fuel to operate their data centres and major connection sites.
DAF, DoD senior leaders urge AMC to sustain momentum during annual mobility symposium

Published Nov. 15, 2023

By Master Sgt. Jodi Martinez

Air Mobility Command Public Affairs

GRAPEVINE, Texas (AFNS) -- The 55th Airlift/Tanker Association Symposium brought together 1,500 Mobility Airmen in a single forum in Grapevine, Texas, Nov. 9 - 12, along with Department of Defense senior leaders and industry partners.



During the event, themed "Forging Warriors, Projecting America's Lethality," Gen. Mike Minihan, commander of Air Mobility Command, provided his final "State of the Mobility Air Forces," in which he honored recent MAF actions while urging Airmen to capitalize on accomplishments and triumph over existing and anticipated challenges.

"I should not be here because of [real-world] chaos, but I'm freaking here," Minihan said. "That's because it ain't really chaos; this team's got it gripped! What would cripple any other Air Force - cripple - is actually our greatest strength."

The MAF's persistent global mobility presence in the past year - exemplified through Mobility Guardian execution, humanitarian response and deterrence of adversarial aggression - reaffirmed that air mobility Airmen will not shy from adversity, regardless of regional challenges.

In a virtual keynote address, Secretary of the Air Force Frank Kendall also emphasized AMC's consistent and reliable footprint around the globe over the past year.

"We've had the Ukrainian conflict and our efforts to help the Ukrainians resist Russian aggression; you've been a major component of that," Kendall said. "We've had now the operations in [CENTCOM] where you're supporting our partners as they're responding to the devastating attacks that they endured."

In the month of October alone, AMC flew more than 2,100 global missions and nearly 5,500 sorties, transporting more than 27,000 tons of cargo and more than 64,000 passengers.

This sentiment of the MAF's ability to "grow from disorder," as Minihan puts it, was echoed by DoD senior leaders throughout the three-day symposium.

"You've remained agile to fluctuating demands, you've embraced the thrash between the scenes, and you've ensured the flow of aid is met at the speed of need," said U.S. Army Lt. Gen. John Sullivan, U.S. Transportation Command deputy commander, during his remarks.

He highlighted the MAF's response to Turkiye and Syria earthquakes within 24 hours of notification, helping to free 1,000 survivors from the rubble alongside 20 NATO allies and partners.

Sullivan also highlighted ways in which the MAF anticipates the speed of need and built solutions to meet these requests. AMC's maintenance modernization team - represented by Timothy Stevens, Boyd Rinderer, Jerry Hunter and Tech. Sgt. David Shepherd - pursued advanced training environments affecting 13,000 maintenance technicians across 23 locations.

This resulted in saving $16 million and 10,000 man-hours, cutting aircraft usage 40%, and increasing maintenance training 30%.

Chief Master Sgt. Jamie Newman, AMC command chief, asserted that the Air Force's historical dominance, as well as its continued dominance, is a direct result of the Airmen who recognize embracing failure as a vital component to being victorious.

"We have a problem in the Air Force," Newman said. "We don't know how to lose... We're gonna have Airmen who are doing things we haven't even thought of yet."

Minihan emphasized that Airmen like this, who "drive" rather than allowing themselves to "be driven," is exactly the requirement to generate irreversible momentum to match and exceed future requirements. The sense of urgency was expressed among other senior leaders in attendance.

Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, who spoke on the second day of the symposium, stressed the necessity of change to defend the nation and its interests.

"You are going to see more change in the next four to six years than I have seen in my entire 30-year career," Bass said. "And it's about time."

Kendall said Airmen can expect to see evolutions in next generation capability, contingency response, and the approach to the Air Force Force Generation process as it applies to the MAF.

"When I came into office, I was focused on modernization and we set up the seven operational imperatives, as we call them, to address our most pressing operational problems," Kendall said. "We've moved forward with that and placed a lot of things into our budget and identified additional things through exercises like Mobility Guardian."

To effectively respond to combatant commands' requirements spanning across every geographic area of responsibility, AMC has identified command and control, connectivity, command relationships and exploding into theater as crucial focus areas following MG23.

"As ready as we are, we need to be more ready," Minihan said. "As integrated as we are, we need to be more integrated. As agile as we are, we need to be more agile. Can this team - can this family - have the tough conversation with itself on how to aggressively close the gaps?"

Minihan believes the answer is 'yes.'

Attendees had access to 10 keynote speeches and 20 seminars addressing evolutions in education, leadership and Agile Combat Employment, to include seminars specific to MG23 lessons learned, post-MG23 actions, game-changing initiatives, and leveraging emotional intelligence for combat readiness.

Additionally, MAF Airmen and spouses were recognized for personal and professional achievements, and 337 medals were awarded to Airmen for their actions taken during Operation Allies Refuge.

The Palmetto Military Support Group supporting Joint Base Charleston, South Carolina won this year's Abilene Trophy, which recognizes the community that best supports an AMC base throughout the year.

Mary Graham from the PMSG received the Tampa Bay Trophy for exhibiting sustained and enduring service to the community.

All keynote speeches and select AMC seminars can be accessed through the 2023 A/TA Symposium feature page.

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Can a Two-State Solution Survive the Israel-Hamas Conflict?

By Marko Protic November 15, 2023

For three decades, the West and the international community saw the idea of two states  one Israeli, one Palestinian  as the basis for peace in the Middle East. Even after Hamas' October 7 massacre and Israel's overwhelming counter-offensive, many believe it remains the only path forward.

More than 1,200 people were killed and 242 abducted in the attack on Israel by Hamas, a U.S.-designated terrorist organization. Israel's military response has claimed more than 11,000 lives, according to Gaza's Health Ministry.

Yet political scientist Uriel Abulof of Tel Aviv University believes the massive loss of life on both sides has not made peace impossible.

"A two-state solution is still possible, perhaps more than before, because there is a potential for both sides to understand that this is not a conflict between the majority of Israelis and Palestinians, [both of whom] want to live in coexistence, without radical leaders," he said.

"On one side you have Hamas, which you have to deal with militarily, and on the other side are Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition, which need to be dealt with politically," he told VOA. "If this happens  and I put a big question mark there  there are better chances for a solution."

Hussein Ibish of the Washington-based Arab Gulf States Institute also believes that a permanent solution to the decades-long conflict is possible only with a two-state model.

"Maybe it will have to be done in stages, but with two states as a common goal that is explicitly outlined from the beginning," said Ibish, who believes even that initial step has specific prerequisites.

"Israel must finally and formally accept the Palestinian right to a state and the need for it. The construction and establishment of settlements must stop completely," he said.

Conversely, Ibish told VOA, Palestinians need to condemn the Hamas attacks of October 7 and vow cessation of hostilities, while the Palestinian Authority must be politically strengthened.

Actionable plan or fig leaf?

Other experts are skeptical. Omer Bartov, a professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University, describes the two-state plan as a proverbial fig leaf.

"People talk about a two-state solution because they have to talk about something, and that's the only plan currently on the table," he told VOA. "Only Palestinians would live in a Palestinian state, and only Jews would live in Israel."

Bartov believes the two-state plan is unrealistic because it would make for an economically weak Palestine that is dependent on Israel, and "because there are between half-a-million and 750,000 Jewish settlers in the West Bank, and their removal from the territory would mean civil war."

He notes there are also 2 million Palestinians who already live in Israel.

Israel captured the West Bank, along with East Jerusalem, from Jordan in the Six-Day War of 1967. It took Gaza from Egypt in the same war but withdrew from the territory in 2005.

"There is another option, and it was talked about before this happened," said Bartov. "It is not something that can happen quickly, but the possibility should be considered. And that is a kind of confederation of Israeli and Palestinian states, within the borders of 1967."

A single confederated state, he said, would enable the return of Palestinian refugees whose ancestors left certain territories in 1948, and "Jerusalem could be the common capital."

"There would be a difference between citizenship and residence," said Bartov. "Jewish settlers could continue to live in the Palestinian state but behave according to its regulations. And the Palestinians could return from exile and live, for example, in Haifa."

The single-state solution "currently seems like madness" given the current hostilities, he said, adding that continuing violence leads only to "the erosion of democracy in Israeli society" along with the surfacing of "authoritarian" and even "racist elements."

US role seen as crucial

Ibish of the Arab Gulf States Institute says U.S. involvement would be crucial to any permanent solution to the conflict.

"The U.S. is the only foreign power that has the influence and power to be the guarantor of [a two-state] peace agreement," he said. "Unfortunately, the U.S. domestic political scene undermines its role in this regard because it is politically too expensive to put serious pressure on Israel."

Abulof of Tel Aviv University says President Joe Biden must take the lead and use the "stick and carrot" principle for both sides.

"He can tell Israel that he will fully support them and give them security guarantees, and take care of Iran and Hezbollah," said Abulof, adding that Biden would then need to promise U.S.-financed "democratization to the Palestinians."

If Israel doesn't agree to this plan, he says, the U.S. could threaten not to use its veto power in the U.N. Security Council to stop anti-Israeli resolutions.

Bartov of Brown University agrees that no plan can be implemented without the U.S. support on which Israel depends politically and militarily.

Without it, he suggested, the nightmare of endless warfare only continues.

"It's kind of a dream for both Jews and Palestinians  many hope that they'll just wake up one morning and find that the other side is gone," he said.

"But no one leaves. Everyone is there, making life miserable for each other and living in fear. They really don't feel there is hope. That's why the perspective must be changed  how to make these two groups of people live side by side, not apart."

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Israeli Medics Call Attention to Risks Faced by Female Hostages

By Natasha Mozgovaya November 15, 2023

Sexual violence can be an instrument of power in warfare, and female hostages face unique risks, warns a new report submitted to the International Committee of the Red Cross by a medical team working with the families of those kidnapped by Hamas.

In Israel, photos of those abducted by Hamas to Gaza are everywhere  from the Ben Gurion Airport arrivals corridor and the huge posters along the highways to kids' shop windows, lampposts, benches and T-shirts. On the wall full of photos at the Tel Aviv Museum of Art Square, renamed "the Kidnapped Square," where many protest events have been held since the October 7 attack, people can express their feelings in writing.

A frequent word written next to the pictures of children and teenage girls is "I am sorry." Relatives of the girls or young women say they feel helpless and anxious about their condition, being aware of the additional risks faced by females in captivity.

Israeli believes 239 hostages are being held by Hamas in Gaza. About 100 of them are women. About a third of them are under the age of 18.

Call for intervention

The report, submitted to the ICRC Monday by a team of medical experts who work with The Hostage and Missing Families Forum, a volunteer group created less than 24 hours after the October 7 attacks, asks for intervention on behalf of the female captives. It lists some of the women's pre-existing medical conditions, ranging from heart disease and diabetes to asthma, and warns that female hostages in violent conflicts face the additional risk of sexual abuse with long-term physical and mental consequences.

In Hamas' attack on Kibbutz Be'eri, Reuma Arosi Tarschansky lost her 15-year-old son Lior. Her teenage daughter Gali was taken to Gaza. At the press conference presenting the report in Tel Aviv, she said that for over a month, she didn't get any information about her daughter's current condition.

"Gali is 13. She is a teenage girl," said Arosi Tarschansky. "My biggest nightmares at night are related to this subject. Puberty age, the changes she is going through, she is alone there. I don't know what they did to her."

She pleaded for help from global women's organizations, as well as "any woman, girl, teenager, mother, sister, whoever hears me, to act for the kidnapped women, the kidnapped teenagers, and my Gali."

Professor Ruth Halperin-Kaddari, an Israeli legal scholar with Bar Ilan University and an international women's rights advocate, says sexual violence against women has been part of violent conflict in many parts of the world.

"The body of women is very often taken as a symbol of the body of the nation, and so violating the woman is actually violating the whole nation of the enemy," she said. "They are more susceptible to these forms of crimes and international law. United Nations and the ICC recognized that conflict-related sexual violence is a special form of war crime and crimes against humanity."

Hamas, she added, built violence against civilians into their plan of attack  as well as publicizing it, to inflict terror on the rest of the population.

Halperin-Kaddari was appalled by what she considers the gap between the acts of brutality broadcast by Hamas on social media  including assault and humiliation of the bloodied captive women  and the reaction of the international human rights bodies which, she believes, did not make a forceful statement against these acts perpetrated by Hamas.

The professor also said that communities advocating for women's and human rights have "betrayed their prime duty  to respect, protect and promote the rights of all human beings."

"All of them resorted to the conventional symmetry, addressing the suffering of both sides of the conflict," said Halperin-Kaddari. "And I want this to be clear  I am not for a moment denying the suffering of women and children, of innocent civilians in Gaza. But what happened on October 7 stands out, and it should be acknowledged. It should be recognized as a crime against humanity of the most cruel form ever committed in modern history."

Israel's Police Lahav 433 National Crime Unit is conducting investigations into sexual assaults conducted by Hamas, based on the video recordings, captured organization members' investigations, testimonies of survivors, forensic evidence, and rescue and recover volunteers' testimonies.

They released testimony by one of the survivors of the Supernova musical festival where at least 260 people were killed, describing the rape and subsequent execution of a young woman.

Twenty-three-year-old Romi Gonen was one of the festival attendees who was taken into Gaza. Her sister Yarden said that for more than four hours following the beginning of the Hamas attack, over several phone calls from Romi, her family followed with horror her failed attempt to escape, her best friend getting murdered next to her, and her abduction to Gaza.

"The last call was with my mother for 40 minutes," Yarden Gonen said. "We have a recording of 25 minutes at the end of the recording, you can hear Hamas terrorists talking about her, that she's alive, that they don't need to kill her. 'Take her with you'  'No, I don't want to take her.' 'Okay. I'll take her  like she's a doll or a bag."

Gonen breaks down when she talks about the silence of U.N. women's organizations, such as the U.N. Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination Against Women, that she says have not raised their voices to call for the release of the Israeli hostages.

"I believed that if [women] unite against the horrible things that could happen to us, we can stop them," she said. "Where are you? How could you leave us alone? How could you leave my sister alone? Why couldn't you speak up?"

In a recent public statement, the U.N. committee called for a cease-fire in Gaza and expressed "deep concern that the human rights of women and children in Gaza ... have been seriously violated" but did not mention the massacre of Israelis or the hostages.

Gonen mentioned her sister's health conditions that require treatment, including asthma, for which she uses inhalers, but said the risk of sexual violence, based on the videos of the October 7 attack, is equally horrifying.

"One of her conditions is that she's attractive," she said. "She's over there for 38 days. All I know is that they shot her in her hand during the first attack on the car that she tried to run away with. And I don't know anything else. Every minute someone can do harm her. What is stopping them from doing that? They did it on October 7 to so many women."

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VOA Interview: Estonian Prime Minister Calls for End to Europe's 'Gray Zones'

By Ia Meurmishvili November 15, 2023

After 21 months of Russia's war in Ukraine, Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas says there is much more on the line for the Western world than Russia seizing its neighbor's territory. She says malign actors globally are watching how the Ukraine war ends and if they see aggression paying off, the world will see many more conflicts.

In an interview with Ia Meurmishvili of VOA's Georgian service Tuesday while visiting Washington, Kallas discussed whether western support for Ukraine is sustainable, the status of efforts to seize Russian frozen assets in Europe, and her push to eliminate so-called "gray zones"  areas between the west and Russia, where Moscow's efforts to exert influence threaten Europe's security.

This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.

VOA: How do you think the Ukraine war is going?

Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas: We are in the war of attrition. It is not a stalemate, but it takes a long time. In war of attrition, you basically have three elements. You have the people, you have the resources, and then you have the morale. Russia is thinking that they can outlast Ukraine. But I have a reason to believe that our support to Ukraine can outlast Russia. In terms of people  Europe is training 30 to 40,000 [Ukranian] soldiers. If America is doing the same, it is 80,000 trained soldiers versus conscripts that are sent to the battle from the Russian side. So, we can outlast them in terms of people.

In terms of resources  the combined GDP of Europe is seven times bigger than that of Russia. We also see the sanctions kicking in, which means that the Russian budget is really in trouble. They have lost one-third of their budget and they cannot get any outside. They are in trouble. And, in terms of military aid  if you think of the Ramstein Coalition, then the defense budget of the Ramstein Coalition is 13 times bigger than that of Russia. So, we can outlast there.

And the third element is the morale of Ukrainians fighting for their homes. Their morale is definitely higher than that of Russia. What we also have to do is believe in Ukraine's victory.

VOA: Do you think this support is sustainable?

Kallas: The U.S. gave a lot of support to Ukraine, and you can say that Europe was a bit behind. But Europe has now picked up the pace and, if you think about the military aid given now, plus the future pledges, then it is bigger in absolute numbers than that of the United States'.

All the leaders in Europe have put their political will behind supporting Ukraine because it is fundamental for the peace in the world that the aggression does not pay off. Because all the aggressors or would-be aggressors in the world are carefully taking notes. If Russia walks away with more territory than they have, and we say that, okay, let's draw the line here, then all the aggressors and would-be aggressors are seeing that the aggression pays off. So, we will see more of it, and that is going to be more expensive than to support Ukraine so that Russia will lose this war. I totally agree with the historian Timothy Snyder, who said that in order for a country to become better, it has to lose its last colonial war. If you think about European history that is true for many European countries. Russia has never lost its last colonial war.

VOA: Why do you think it is important for the U.S. to keep engaged?

Kallas: For me, the question is always of the alternative. Is the alternative to supporting Ukraine right now more expensive or is it cheaper? I say that it's more expensive, because all the malign actors are very carefully looking  Iran, North Korea. If Russia walks away, and nothing happens to them with more territories than they had before, [if] they do not lose their last colonial war, then others will try to do this in the world as well, and that is going to be detrimental to the world peace.

VOA: Do you see any movement towards seizing the frozen assets of Russia in Europe and using that money for the Ukrainian recovery?

Kallas: Yes, the European Commission is working on the European solution. In Estonia, we drafted a law that is tackling the same issue. So basically, how it works is that in Hague, in the International Criminal Court, there is a registry that is registering all the damages that Russia is causing to Ukraine, and its cost. At the same time, we have the assets that are frozen or sanctioned and we know the value of those assets. Russia has a legitimate claim towards us regarding those assets. Ukraine has a legitimate claim towards Russia. So, we make a settlement with those claims so that we can use those assets in favor of Ukraine. And after the war ends, and Russia has paid all the reparations to Ukraine and there is something left over, then we can return this.

I think this is fundamental because nobody wants to take this from the taxpayers' money, but it's also fundamental in order to think outside of the box, what really influences the Russian elite or the cronies around the Kremlin to have a pressure to really stop this war. And the war will stop when Russia realizes it cannot win there, and that it was a mistake.

VOA: Are your partners listening to your call to eliminate the "gray zones"?

Kallas: I think everybody has understood that the gray zones are sources of conflicts and wars. For us to not have wars, it has to be clear where the lines really are. The question has been from the start, is the unity now collapsing? But it has not. Of course, we are all democracies, and in democracies we debate, we have different opinions. But the point is that we come to a mutual decision. As [Russian President Vladimir] Putin does not believe in multilateralism so it has been a negative surprise to him that we have been able to keep our unity together and we should continue negatively surprising him.

VOA: And now he is uniting with China, North Korea and Iran.

Kallas: Exactly. There are clear authoritarian regimes fighting against the democracies in the world and for freedom, really. And [the] question is, who gets to rule the world, whether it's freedom and prosperity, or is it authoritarian regimes that have other values?

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Bangladesh Politician Faces Discipline Over Threat Against US Envoy

By Shaikh Azizur Rahman November 15, 2023

Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has called for steps to be taken against an official in her party who threatened to physically assault Peter Haas, the U.S. ambassador to Bangladesh.

The official justified his words by claiming that Haas was working in the interest of the opposition Bangladesh Nationalist Party, or BNP, ahead of elections scheduled for early January.

While it was not disclosed exactly what action has been ordered, Bangladesh's junior foreign affairs minister, Shahriar Alam, confirmed in front of local reporters in Dhaka on Friday that the prime minister has directed action against the official.

In a video clip that went viral on social media last week, Mujibul Haque Chowdhury, chairman of a unit of Hasina's Awami League in a Chittagong subdivision, was seen hurling threats and insults at the American ambassador at a political meeting on November 6.

"Peter Haas said he wants to see a free and fair election here. I say, 'Peter Haas, you are as knowledgeable as a newborn, while we are the actual grown-ups,'" Chowdhury said in the video. "You have no idea what we are capable of. You will know just how dangerous we are once we bash you up."

Chowdhury added: "To the BNP members, you are a god, a savior. But we are not scared of you. You cannot harm us in any way."

As the video spread on social media, Hasina directed her party colleagues to discipline Choudhury at an AL Central Committee meeting Thursday.

Obaidul Quader, the general secretary of her party, acknowledged afterward that Chowdhury's comments about the ambassador were abusive.

"Peter Haas, as an ambassador, is a respectable person. Mujibul Haque Chowdhury's comment, as it surfaced in the media, is rude and indecent. We will take disciplinary action against him for his misconduct," Quader said in a press briefing.

US seeking free and fair election

The 2014 general elections in Bangladesh were boycotted by the BNP. The next general elections, in 2018, were marred by allegations of massive vote stuffing by the AL.

Since 2022, the United States and other countries have been urging the Hasina government to hold the next general election, set for January 7, in a free and fair manner.

In September, the U.S. government announced that it had started "taking steps to impose visa restrictions" on Bangladeshi individuals who are found complicit in "undermining the democratic electoral process" in Bangladesh.

During a visit to the U.S. in September, Hasina said at a New York press conference that every time her party has come to power, it was through a fair democratic process. "We indeed want the next general elections to be free and fair," she said.

However, the BNP, the largest opposition party in Bangladesh, insists that the general election will not be free and fair if it is held under the Hasina government, and has said it will not participate unless a nonpartisan caretaker government is installed for the election period.

In recent weeks, Haas has met several Bangladeshi government officials, ruling party leaders and the election commissioners. He reportedly conveyed a message from the U.S. government that it seriously wants the next general election in Bangladesh to be free and fair.

Over the past weeks, several leaders of the AL and its various wings and allies have expressed irritation, directly and indirectly alleging that Haas is working in support of the BNP.

"How will Peter Hass help you [the BNP]? Will he impose visa restrictions, sanctions? We have already had talks with his superiors in the U.S. Everything has been settled, and we are going to hold the elections following our plan," Quader, the party general secretary, said last month.

"We will not allow you to carry out violent activities and disrupt elections by using Peter Haas," Quader said.

Calls for ambassador to be replaced

Last week, Hasanul Haq Inu, a former minister and political ally of the AL, called for the removal of Haas from Bangladesh.

U.S. President "Joe Biden's representative Peter Haas, who is the 'newly appointed adviser of BNP,' is acting in support of the BNP by supporting the killing of a policeman," Inu said in a speech. He was referring to the death of a policeman during an outbreak of violence at a BNP rally in Dhaka on October 28.

"Peter Haas is the supporter of the BNP, the killer of the policeman. He does not deserve to continue as the ambassador of the friendly nation of America," Inu said.

"I call on the Bangladesh government to declare Peter Haas persona non grata, for indulging in undiplomatic activities, interfering in Bangladesh's internal politics and supporting the dastardly killing of a policeman. The government should tell its U.S. counterpart to replace him with a new ambassador immediately."

Haas has denied any U.S. interest in who wins the election. "I want to make one thing very clear," he said in September. "That the U.S. does not support any political party. What we do want is a free and fair election in accordance with international standards so that people of Bangladesh can freely choose their own government."

Attack on ambassador "deeply disturbing"

Ali Riaz, professor of political science at Illinois State University, said that while any individual has the right to criticize the policies of any government, a "personal attack on the envoy of that country is deeply disturbing."

"The ruling party leaders and activists are angry with the U.S. because they see the current U.S. policy towards Bangladesh as an obstacle to holding an election according to their plan. Their anger is both spontaneous and orchestrated," Riaz told VOA.

"Those who are beneficiaries of the present system are spontaneously angry in fear of losing these benefits," he said. "Others are motivated by [suspicions] that the U.S. has a regime change agenda. They think that the U.S. is out to get its leaders and trying to depose the Hasina government."

Mohammad Ashrafuzzaman of the Capital Punishment Justice Project, who has been documenting human rights abuses in Bangladesh for over a decade, said that Haas has "become a target of the regime" for being the most prominent foreign diplomat "supporting people's aspirations for democratization and human rights" in Bangladesh.

He noted that former U.S. Ambassador Marcia Bernicat escaped an attack in Dhaka a few months ahead of the 2018 general elections. Police subsequently identified many of the assailants as leaders and activists of the AL and its student wing, Chhatra League.

On Friday, the U.S. State Department told VOA it has raised Chowdhury's remarks at the highest levels of the Bangladesh government in Dhaka as well as with the Bangladesh Embassy in Washington.

"The safety and security of our diplomatic personnel and facilities are of the utmost importance. While we don't comment on specific information regarding our security posture, the Diplomatic Security Service has a robust security program at each post tailored to each mission's specific needs," a State Department spokesperson wrote in an exchange of emails.

"Given the charged political atmosphere in Bangladesh, we expect that the government of Bangladesh will take all appropriate measures to maintain the safety and security of all U.S. missions and personnel in the country, per its obligations under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic relations."

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Lebanon front with Israel escalates, FM slams Israeli threats

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 02:51, November 16, 2023

BEIRUT, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Lebanese Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib said Wednesday that the continued Israeli threats to destroy Lebanon constitute a flagrant violation of UN Resolution 1701.

Bou Habib made the remarks during his meeting with UN Special Coordinator for Lebanon Joanna Wronecka in Beirut, as confrontations on the Lebanon-Israel border continued on Wednesday, the National News Agency reported.

Lebanese military sources told Xinhua on condition of anonymity that Israeli drones and warplanes carried out airstrikes on 25 villages and towns in southern Lebanon with explosives and incendiary shells, destroying 15 houses and causing fires in forests and orchards.

The sources added that three batches of missiles were launched from Lebanon into northern Israel, where they met with Israel's Iron Dome missiles, and one of the Patriot missiles exploded in the airspace of the Marjeyoun plain in southeastern Lebanon.

For its part, Hezbollah, a Lebanon-based armed group, said its fighters attacked Israeli sites in Ruwaisat Al-Alam, Al-Samaqa, Zibdin, al-Marj, Birkat Risha, Misgav Am, and Al-Motella along the border.

The Lebanon-Israel border has witnessed increased tensions for over a month after Hezbollah fired dozens of rockets toward Israeli military sites on Oct. 8 in support of the Hamas attacks on Israel the previous day, prompting the Israeli forces to respond by firing heavy artillery toward several areas in southeastern Lebanon.

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Israeli army withdraws from inside Al-Shifa Hospital: medical source

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 01:54, November 16, 2023

GAZA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Israeli army withdrew on Wednesday evening from inside the Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza and deployed vehicles in its vicinity, said the director of the medical complex.

Mohammed Abu Selmeia told reporters that the Israeli army forces "have now withdrawn from inside Al-Shifa Complex, but tanks and forces are stationed completely in its vicinity."

This comes about 16 hours after Israeli forces stormed this largest hospital in the Gaza Strip and conducted extensive combing and search operations in its buildings.

Earlier today, Abu Selmeia said dozens of Palestinian employees were detained by Israeli troops who entered the hospital in an alleged "targeted and precise operation" against Hamas.

In a separate Hebrew account on the social media platform X, the Israel Defense Forces said its troops "operated in a targeted manner in a part of the Al-Shifa Hospital area where they are scanning for Hamas infrastructure and terrorist means. Also, the forces delivered humanitarian equipment and placed it at the entrance to the hospital."

In response, Hamas said the Israeli army's saying of weapons found in the Al-Shifa Complex is "a blatant lie that serves to justify its crime aimed at destroying the healthcare sector in the enclave."

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Security Council renews mandate of UN peacekeeping mission in CAR

People's Daily Online

(Xinhua) 00:47, November 16, 2023

UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution to renew the mandate of the UN peacekeeping mission in the Central African Republic (CAR) for a year, till Nov. 15, 2024.

Resolution 2709 also decides that the peacekeeping mission, known by its French acronym as MINUSCA, shall maintain its current personnel level - 14,400 troops and 3,020 police officers.

The resolution won the approval of 14 of the 15 Security Council members. Russia abstained.

Resolution 2709 decides that MINUSCA's mandate is designed to advance a multiyear strategic vision to create the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to national reconciliation and durable peace through the implementation of the 2019 Political Agreement on Peace and Reconciliation and the elimination of the threat posed by armed groups.

The resolution authorizes MINUSCA to take all necessary means to carry out its mandate within its capabilities and areas of deployment.

The resolution sets as priority tasks of MINUSCA the protection of civilians; support for the extension of state authority, the deployment of security forces, and the preservation of territorial integrity; good offices and support to the CAR peace process; facilitation of delivery of humanitarian assistance; and the protection of UN personnel, installations, equipment and goods, as well as the security and freedom of movement of UN and associated personnel.

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UNSC calls for Gaza 'humanitarian pauses'; Palestinian envoy says resolution failed to condemn Israel

Iran Press TV

Thursday, 16 November 2023 12:39 AM

The United Nations Security Council has called for "extended humanitarian pauses" in the Gaza Strip, breaking its silence after 40 days of an unrelenting genocidal war by the Israeli regime.

The resolution, prepared by Malta, was adopted with 12 votes in favor on Wednesday. The United States, Britain, and Russia abstained.

It "calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days" to allow aid to reach civilians in the besieged territory.

Israel rejected the UN Security Council Gaza resolution.

This is the first time that the council broke its silence on the war following repeated vetoes cast by the United States, Israel's biggest and oldest ally, against resolutions calling for cessation of the Israeli regime's aggression.

The United States opposed any use of the term "ceasefire," diplomats said. Other terms floated were "truce" and "pause."

"I know we are all disappointed about the inaction of the Council in the past 40 days," China's UN ambassador Jun Zhang said Wednesday.

According to the Gaza-based health ministry, 11,500 Palestinians, including 4,630 children and 3,130 women, have been killed and more than 29,000 others injured since October 7, when the regime launched the war in response to an operation staged by the territory's resistance movements.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vasily Nebenzya said "the humanitarian pause" should not replace the ceasefire in Gaza as "the ongoing aggression would hamper delivery of humanitarian aid to the territory."

Palestine has written to the Security Council, demanding an "immediate ceasefire" in the Israeli war, he noted, and expressed concern that the "provisions of the resolution that has been passed by the council concerning Gaza might not be implemented in practice."

The Palestinian UN envoy, meanwhile, underlined the resolution's shortcomings, saying it failed to condemn Israel's killings of more than 11,000 Palestinians, including some 5,000 Palestinian children, and the UN staff, journalists, humanitarian personnel, doctors, and rescue team members.

According to Riyad Mansour, the resolution also fell short of condemning the "indiscriminate attacks by Israel", the regime's assaults on "hospitals and schools," and its arbitrary imprisonment of thousands of Palestinians.

Mansour accused the international community of displaying "selective outrage," and asked Security Council members what they intended to do to get Israel to abide by the resolution they just passed.

The United States has, however, backed Tel Aviv's ferocious attacks on the Palestinian territory as an instance of "self-defense," and has provided the regime with thousands of arms consignments since the onset of the war.

The US even voted against a nonbinding resolution calling for an "immediate humanitarian truce" in the war, which was passed on October 27 at the UN General Assembly, where Washington does not wield a veto power.

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Patients from Gaza Strip arrive in Turkiye for treatment: official

Xinhua) 17:02, November 16, 2023

ANKARA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-seven patients from Gaza and their 13 attendants, who passed through the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, arrived in Turkiye's capital here on early Thursday.

"Twenty-seven patients from Gaza, most of whom are cancer patients who need urgent treatment, are in our country," Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters at the airport in Ankara.

"We established a health coordination team consisting of technical committees to bring patients to our country, especially cancer patients," the minister said.

Turkiye has delivered aid to Gaza, including medications, medical supplies and devices to meet the needs of the people in Gaza, he added.

The planes, departing from Egypt's El Arish Airport, landed at Ankara Esenboga Airport at midnight.

Koca traveled to Ankara from Egypt with some patients, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

These patients would be the first Gazans to travel from Egypt to another country for treatment, Koca told reporters in Egypt on Wednesday.

The conflict has so far led to the deaths of over 11,500 Palestinians in Gaza. On the Israeli side, about 1,200 people lost their lives, the majority of whom were killed in the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7.

(Web editor: Xue Yanyan, Liang Jun)
Russo-Ukraine War - 15 November 2023 - Day 630

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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 on 09 November 2023, the Kremlin announced that President Putin will hold his traditional combined press conference and public phone-in before the end of the year. In 2022, the event was cancelled, probably because Russia had suffered high-profile military set-backs in Ukraine over the preceding weeks.

Kremlin planners will almost certainly see the event as an important waypoint in Putin's anticipated campaign to secure a fifth term in office in the March 2024 presidential elections. He is likely to announce his candidacy before the end of 2023.

On 10 November 2023, Putin visited the Southern Military District headquarters in Rostov on Don, meeting Chief of the General Staff General Valery Gerasimov and Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu. This is Putin's second visit to the headquarters in four weeks: likely an uptick in his continued efforts to paint himself as the 'patriotic' candidate ahead of the election campaign.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that during the day of November 15, there were 58x combat engagements. Russian forces launched a total of 4x missile and 29x air strikes, 46x MLRS attacks at the positions of Ukrainian troops and various settlements. Moreover, the Russian Federation launched another attack on Ukraine with S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles against civilian infrastructure in the city of Selydove (Donetsk oblast) and the city of Zaporizhzhia. Unfortunately, Russian attacks have resulted in civilian casualties and injuries. Over 20x private residential buildings, 7x multi-story residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure were destroyed and damaged.

The operational situation in east and south of Ukraine remains difficult.

Volyn and Polissya axes: no significant changes. No signs of formation of an offensive group. Certain units of the armed forces of Belarus continue their missions in the areas bordering Ukraine.

Sivershchyna and Slobozhanshchyna axes: Russia maintains its military presence in the areas of russia bordering Ukraine. Russia continues its sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shelling Ukrainian settlements from the territory of Russia and increases the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine. Around 30x settlements came under Russian artillery and mortar fire, including Prohres, Baranivka, Tur'ya, Stepok (Sumy oblast), Kozacha Lopan', Veterynarne, Starytsya, Budarky (Kharkiv oblast).

Kup'yans'k axis: Russian forces conducted assault operations in the vicinities of Syn'kivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka (Kharkiv oblast). The Ukrainian defenders repelled 7x attacks in the area. The Russian invaders fired artillery and mortars at more than 10x settlements, including Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Kotlyarivka, Tabaivka, Krokhmal'ne, Pishchane (Kharkiv oblast).

Lyman axis: Russian forces made failed assaults near Nadiya (Luhansk oblast). The Russian invaders launched air strikes in the area of Serebryans'ke forestry (Luhansk oblast), and Spirne (Donetsk oblast). The Russian occupiers fired artillery and mortars at around 15x settlements, including Nevs'ke, Bilohorivka (Luhansk oblast), Sivers'k, Verkhn'okam'yans'ke, Vesele, Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast).

Bakhmut axis: Russian forces conducted assault operations with air support in the vicinities of Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast). More than 20x settlements, including Min'kivka, Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka, Andriivka, Pivdenne (Donetsk oblast) came under artillery and mortar fire.

Avdiivka axis: Russian forces conducted failed assault operations east of Novokalynove, Avdiivka, and Pervomais'ke (Donetsk oblast), where the Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 17x attacks. The Russian occupiers launched an air strike near Oleksandropil' (Donetsk oblast). Russian forces fired artillery and mortars at more than 15x settlements, including Berdychi, Lastochkyne, Avdiivka, Sjeverne, Pervomais'ke, Nevel's'ke (Donetsk oblast).

Mar'inka axis: Russian forces made unsuccessful assaults with air support in the vicinities of Mar'inka and Novomykhailivka (Donetsk oblast), where Ukrainian defenders repelled 19x attacks. The settlements of Krasnohorivka, Maksymil'yanivka, Mar'inka, Pobjeda, Novomykhailivka, Katerynivka (Donetsk oblast) were under Russian artillery and mortar fire.

Shakhtars'ke axis: the Russian invaders conducted assault operations near Prechystivka and Staromaiors'ke (Donetsk oblast), to no success. Also, the Russian adversary launched an air strike near Vuhledar (Donetsk oblast). Around 10x settlements, including Vodyane, Vuhledar, Prechystivka, Zolota Nyva, Blahodatne, Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Zaporizhzhia axis: Russian forces made unsuccessful assaults near Novodarivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast). More than 30x settlements, including Malynivka, Hulyaipole, Charivne, Stepove, Pavlivka (Zaporizhzhia oblast), came under artillery and mortar fire.

Kherson axis: The settlement of L'vove, Ivanivka, Sadove, Antonivka, Chornobaivka, Komyshany, Veletens'ke (Kherson oblast) and the city of Kherson, and Ochakiv (Mykolaiv oblast) suffered from Russian artillery shelling.

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 November 15, Ukrainian Air Force launched 10x air strikes on concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 3x strikes on air defense systems of the Russian occupiers.

The Ukrainian missile troops hit 2x concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, 13x artillery systems, 1x air defense system, and 1x ammunition depot 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 and artillery, have repelled two attacks by assault groups of the 57th Mechanised Brigade of the AFU close to Sinkovka (Kharkov region).

The enemy losses were up to 30 servicemen, one tank, two pickup trucks.

During the counter-battery warfare, one M777 artillery system and one M114 howitzer manufactured by the U.S., one Gvozdika self-propelled artillery system, one D-20 gun, as well as one U.S.-manufactured AN/TPQ-50 counter-battery radar.

One ammunition depot of the 1st Special Purpose Brigade of the AFU has been destroyed near Volchansk (Kharkov region).

In Krasny Liman direction, units of the Tsentr Group of Forces, helicopters, and artillery have repelled three attacks by assault groups of the 12th Special Purpose Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the 5th Brigade of the National Guard close to Grigorovka and Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 180 servicemen, two motor vehicles, Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery systems.

In Donetsk direction, units of the Yug Group of Forces, in cooperation with aviation and artillery, have eliminated enemy manpower and hardware near Razdolovka, Andreevka, Kleshcheevka, Nikolayevka, and Kurdyumovka (Donetsk People's Republic).

The enemy losses were up to 220 military personnel, one tank, and seven motor vehicles.

In addition, during the counter-battery warfare, French-manufactured Caezar and Polish-manufactured Krab self-propelled artillery systems, two Msta-B howitzers, as well as one MT-12 cannon have been destroyed.

In South Donetsk direction, units of the Vostok Group of Forces, in cooperation with helicopters and artillery, have inflicted fire damage on manpower and hardware concentration areas of the 72nd Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, 102nd and 127th territorial defence brigades near Ugledar, Rovnopol (Donetsk People's Republic) and Chervonoye (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were up to 140 soldiers, two armoured fighting vehicles, three motor vehicles.

During the counter-battery warfare, one M109 Paladin self-propelled artillery system and one M777 artillery system manufactured by the U.S., one Giatsint-S self-propelled gun, two D-20 howitzers, as well as one MT-12 cannon have been destroyed.

In Zaporozhye direction, units of the Russian Group of Forces, aviation and artillery have repelled one attack of an assault group of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and inflicted a fire damage on manpower and hardware concentration areas of the 33rd Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near Rabotino (Zaporozhye region).

The enemy losses were over 40 servicemen, three pickup trucks, as well as one U.S.-manufactured M119 howitzer.

In Kherson direction, the enemy losses were over 60 servicemen and three motor vehicles.

In addition, during the counter-battery warfare, one Msta-B howitzer, two D-30 howitzers, as well as one Cobra counter-battery radar station have been destroyed.

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 145 areas.

In addition, one radar station of the S-300 surface-to-air missile system, as well as three control points of the 67th Mechanised Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, the 31st Operational Brigade, and the 50th Regiment of the National Guard have been hit near Serebryanka (Donetsk People's Republic).

Air defence facilities have shot down one MiG-29 aircraft of the Ukrainian Air Force near Pavlograd (Dnepropetrovsk region).

Seven HIMARS multiple-launch rocket system projectiles have also been intercepted.

In addition, 30 Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles have been hit close to Tokarevka (Kharkov region), Svatovo, Kolomiychikha (Lugansk People's Republic), Vasilyovka, Belogorovka, Kirillovka (Donetsk People's Republic), and Romanovskoye (Zaporozhye region).

In total, 535 airplanes and 254 helicopters, 8,934 unmanned aerial vehicles, 441 air defence missile systems, 13,396 tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, 1,184 fighting vehicles equipped with MLRS, 7,105 field artillery cannons and mortars, as well as 15,273 special military motor vehicles have been destroyed during the special military operation.





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Fourteen Gang Members and Associates Indicted for Racketeering Conspiracy and Fentanyl Trafficking

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

A superseding indictment was unsealed today in the District of Minnesota charging 14 additional members and associates of the Minneapolis Highs gang with racketeering (RICO) conspiracy and fentanyl trafficking. Additional charges include firearms violations, kidnapping, assault, and carjacking.

In addition to the previously charged conduct involving a years-long pattern of violence, the superseding indictment alleges an extensive fentanyl trafficking operation involving Arizona-based suppliers. Between the summer of 2020 and the spring of 2023, Highs members are alleged to have made numerous round-trip flights from Minneapolis to Phoenix, at times carrying large sums of U.S. currency, to obtain fentanyl pills for re-sale in Minneapolis. During the same time period, Highs members shipped numerous U.S. Postal Service parcels containing fentanyl pills to Minneapolis from Arizona. The superseding indictment alleges numerous instances of fentanyl possession and distribution in and around Highs territory in Minneapolis.

Through the course of the investigation, law enforcement has seized approximately 11.6 kilograms of fentanyl, at least 36 firearms, and over $218,000 in U.S. currency.

If convicted, the defendants face a range of penalties, including up to life in prison for racketeering conspiracy.

Acting Assistant Attorney General Nicole M. Argentieri of the Justice Department's Criminal Division, U.S. Attorney Andrew Luger for the District of Minnesota, Acting Special Agent in Charge Bradley Engelbert of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), Assistant Director Luis Quesada of the FBI's Criminal Investigative Division, Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of the FBI Minneapolis Field Office, Chief Brian O'Hara of the Minneapolis Police Department (MPD), Assistant Special Agent in Charge Robert Kuszynski of IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) Chicago, Inspector in Charge Bryan S. Musgrove of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service (USPIS) Denver Division, Chief Deputy Tracey Martin of the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Superintendent Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), and Assistant Commissioner Eddie Miles of the Minnesota Department of Corrections made the announcement.

The ATF, FBI, MPD, IRS-CI, USPIS, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Minnesota BCA, and Minnesota Department of Corrections are investigating the cases, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, Drug Enforcement Administration, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Hennepin County Attorney's Office. The Ramsey County Sheriff's Office, Dakota County Sheriff's Office, St. Paul Police Department, and numerous other law enforcement agencies also contributed to the investigation.

Trial Attorney Brian W. Lynch of the Criminal Division's Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and Assistant U.S. Attorneys Samantha H. Bates, Justin A. Wesley, Albania Concepcion, and Jordan L. Sing for the District of Minnesota are prosecuting the cases.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Superseding Indictment

Topics: Drug Trafficking

Violent Crime

Components: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Criminal Division

Criminal - Violent Crime and Racketeering Section

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

Criminal Investigative Division (FBI)

USAO - Minnesota

U.S. Marshals Service

Press Release Number: 23-1293

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High-Ranking MS-13 Fugitive Arrested on Terrorism Charges

Wednesday, November 15, 2023

For Immediate Release

Office of Public Affairs

Defendant Was Influential Member of the Ranfla Nacional, MS-13's Board of Directors that Directed Transnational Criminal Operations

At the conclusion of a removal hearing, a federal court in Houston, Texas ordered Elmer Canales-Rivera, aka Crook de Hollywood, a high-ranking leader of La Mara Salvatrucha, aka MS-13, to be transferred in custody to the Eastern District of New York where he and 13 other high-ranking MS-13 leaders were indicted in December 2020 on terrorism offenses relating to their direction of the transnational criminal organization's criminal activities in the United States, El Salvador, Mexico, and elsewhere over the past two decades.

On Nov. 9, Canales-Rivera was arrested by members of the FBI, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), and the U.S. Marshals Service (USMS) when he arrived at George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston, Texas. Specifically, Canales-Rivera has been charged with conspiracy to provide and conceal material support to terrorists, conspiracy to commit acts of terrorism transcending national boundaries, conspiracy to finance terrorism and narco-terrorism conspiracy.

"We allege that Elmer Canales-Rivera, a founding member of MS-13's 'Twelve Apostles of the Devil,' bears responsibility for the gang's efforts over decades to terrorize communities, target law enforcement, and sow violence here in the United States and abroad," said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. "The arrest of this high-ranking, long-time leader of MS-13 should serve as a warning to MS-13's other leaders that the Justice Department will hold you accountable for your crimes."

"This arrest makes it clear that there is no hiding place for leaders of criminal syndicates that threaten our communities," said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas. "Through the dedication and investigative abilities of HSI agents and our federal partners, we are taking on criminal organizations like MS-13 and helping to bring all those who perpetrate transnational crimes to justice."

"With determination and coordinated effort, the FBI and our law enforcement and foreign partners successfully apprehended a violent criminal that directly threatened the safety of our communities," said FBI Director Christopher A. Wray. "This pursuit exemplifies the FBI's commitment to safeguard the American public and continued promise to dismantle criminal networks like MS-13."

"The defendant's appearance in a federal courtroom today in the United States is a giant step in holding him accountable for his significant role as an alleged member of the MS-13 gang's leadership body known as the 'Twelve Apostles of the Devil' and later renamed Ranfla Nacional," said U.S. Attorney Breon Peace for the Eastern District of New York. "As alleged, Canales-Rivera along with his co-defendants acted as a board of directors, directing acts of violence, intimidation, and material support of terrorists in El Salvador and throughout the United States, including in the Eastern District of New York where he will appear next in a federal courtroom in Central Islip to answer these charges."

As set forth in the indictment, which was returned on Dec. 16, 2020 and unsealed on Jan. 14, 2021, and related court filings, Canales-Rivera and his co-defendants are part of MS-13's command and control structure, consisting of the Ranfla Nacional, Ranfla en Las Calles, and Ranfla en Los Penales. They play significant leadership roles in the organization's operations in El Salvador, Mexico, the United States, and throughout the world. In total, 27 of the highest-ranking leaders of MS-13 have been charged in the Eastern District of New York in this indictment and the related indictment of United States v. Arevalo-Chavez, et al.

As further alleged, in approximately 2002, Canales-Rivera, his co-defendants, and other MS-13 leaders began establishing a highly-organized, hierarchical command and control structure as a means to effectuate their decisions and enforce their orders, even while in prison. They directed acts of violence and murder in El Salvador, the United States, and elsewhere, established military-style training camps for its members and obtained military weapons such as rifles, handguns, grenades, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) and rocket launchers. Further, beginning in approximately 2012, Canales-Rivera and other members of the Ranfla Nacional negotiated with officials from the government of El Salvador (GOES) and obtained benefits and concessions from the GOES. In order to extract those benefits and concessions from the GOES, MS-13 engaged in public displays of violence to threaten and intimidate civilian populations, targeted GOES law enforcement and military officials, and manipulated the electoral process in El Salvador. Canales-Rivera played one of the most prominent roles in MS-13's negotiations and agreements with the GOES.

Additionally, as alleged, the Ranfla Nacional directed the expansion of MS-13 activities around the world, including the United States and Mexico, where several high-ranking leaders were sent to organize operations, make connections to obtain narcotics and firearms from Mexican drug cartels such as the Zetas, Gulf Cartel, CArtel de Jalisco Nueva GeneraciAn (CJNG) and Sinaloa Cartel, and engage in human trafficking and smuggling. The Ranfla Nacional also directed MS-13's large membership in the United States to engage in criminal activities, such as drug trafficking and extortion, to raise money to support MS-13's terrorist activities in El Salvador and elsewhere.

Finally, the Ranfla Nacional and MS-13's transnational leadership structure is alleged to have directed members in the United States to commit acts of violence, including murders, to further its goals and implemented rules that enabled MS-13 to entrench itself in parts of the United States, including within the EDNY where, under the defendants' leadership and rules, MS-13 has committed numerous acts of violence a including murders, attempted murders, assaults, kidnappings, drug trafficking, extortion of individuals and businesses, obstructed justice and sent dues and the proceeds of criminal activity by wire transfer to MS-13 leaders in El Salvador. For example, this the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York's Long Island Criminal Division has prosecuted hundreds of MS-13 leaders, members, and associates for carrying out more than 65 murders in the Eastern District of New York between 2009 and the present.

When the indictment was unsealed in January 2021, Canales-Rivera was in custody in El Salvador serving a prison sentence, and the United States lodged an INTERPOL Red Notice and submitted an extradition request for Canales-Rivera to the GOES. However, in or about November 2021, Canales-Rivera was released from custody by the GOES and then unlawfully entered Guatemala. Canales-Rivera remained a fugitive until Nov. 7, when he was apprehended by Mexican authorities.

Further, in addition to requesting Canales-Rivera's extradition, in 2021 and 2022, the United States requested the extradition of 11 of his co-defendants, including Borromeo Enrique Henriquez, also known as "Diablito de Hollywood," who is widely recognized as the most powerful member of the Ranfla Nacional. To date, the GOES has not extradited any of those defendants.

Two of Canales-Rivera's co-defendants, Fredy Ivan Jandres-Parada, aka Lucky de Park View and Lacky de Park View, and Cesar Humberto Lopez-Larios, aka El Grenas de Stoners and Oso de Stoners, and three related defendants from the Arevalo-Chavez indictment, Jorge Alexander De La Cruz, aka Cruger de Peatonales; Juan Antonio Martinez-Abrego, aka Mary Jane de Hollywood, and Francisco Javier Roman-Bardales, aka Veterano de Tribus, remain at large. Members of the public with information concerning their whereabouts are strongly encouraged to contact the FBI's toll-free MS-13 tip line, 1-866-STP-MS13 (1-866-787-6713), or HSI's tip line at 866-347-2423 or www.ice.gov/webform/ice-tip-form

. Together, FBI and HSI have offered a $20,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the fugitives.

This case was brought by Joint Task Force Vulcan (JTFV), which was created to combat MS-13, led by Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Durham of the Eastern District of New York, and comprised of U.S. Attorneys' Offices across the country, including the District of New Jersey; the Northern District of Ohio; the District of Utah; the District of Massachusetts; the Eastern District of Texas; the Southern District of New York; the Southern District of Florida; the Eastern District of Virginia; the Southern District of California; the District of Nevada; the District of Alaska; and the District of Columbia, as well as other government agencies and offices have been essential partners in JTFV, including the Justice Department's National Security Division and the FBI's Criminal Division; HSI; U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA); Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); USMS; Federal Bureau of Prisons (FBOP); and U.S. Agency for International Development, Office of Inspector General.

The FBI Los Angeles Field Office spearheaded JTFV's MS-13 leadership investigations, with critical support provided by the Criminal Investigative Division's Safe Streets Gang Unit, along with HSI's National Gangs and Violent Crime Unit and HSI's New York and Houston Field Offices. Additionally, the FBI Legal AttachAs in Mexico City and San Salvador, FBI Houston Field Office, HSI AttachA Mexico City, USMS Legal AttachA in Mexico City, and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officers at the George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston provided critical support in connection with the arrest, as well as the U.S. Attorney's Office and the USMS for the Southern District of Texas for coordinating the initial appearance in Houston.

Numerous Justice Department components that contributed to this indictment, including: the National Security Division's Counterterrorism Section; the Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces (OCDETF) Executive Office; the Justice Department's Office of International Affairs; and the Criminal Division's Office of Overseas Prosecutorial Development, Assistance and Training. In addition, the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs and the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) have provided valuable assistance for JTFV's mission.

If convicted, Canales-Rivera faces a maximum sentence of life in prison.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys John J. Durham, Paul G. Scotti, Justina L. Geraci, and Megan E. Farrell for the Eastern District of New York's Long Island Criminal Division are prosecuting the case, with assistance from Assistant U.S. Attorneys James Donnelly for the District of New Jersey, Matthew Shepherd for the Northern District of Ohio, and Stewart Young for the District of Utah from JTFV.

An indictment is merely an allegation. All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.

Components: Office of the Attorney General

Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF)

Criminal Division

Criminal - Office of International Affairs

Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI)

National Security Division (NSD)

Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Forces

USAO - New York, Eastern

USAO - Ohio, Northern

USAO - Utah

Press Release Number: 23-1290

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Treasury and Costa Rican Government Cooperate on Sanction Against Notorious Narcotics Trafficker

U.S. Department of the Treasury

November 15, 2023

Narcotics Trafficking Tied to 66 Percent Increase in Costa Rica's Homicide Rate Over Previous Decade

WASHINGTON a Today, in support of President Biden's National Drug Control Strategy and in cooperation with the government of Costa Rica, the U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated Gilbert Hernan de Los Angeles Bell Fernandez (Bell), a Costa Rican narcotics trafficker, known not only for the volume of drugs he moves but the violence with which he operates, who has played a significant role in Costa Rica's recent transformation into a major narcotics transit hub.

According to the State Department's 2023 International Narcotics Control Strategy Report, Costa Rica has a growing domestic drug consumption problem, as drugs warehoused in Costa Rica increasingly enter the local market and domestic criminal organizations gain influence with increased narcotics revenues. The national homicide rate rose from 11.2 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2021 to 12.6 per 100,000 inhabitants in 2022. The homicide rate in the province of Limon is 35.8 per 100,000 inhabitants. Despite these challenges, Costa Rica works closely with the United States to professionalize police, strengthen citizen security, and increase drug interdictions. However, resource limitations strain Costa Rican law enforcement services and pose significant challenges to future success.

"Today's action demonstrates our shared commitment to address the surge in violent crime in Costa Rica, driven by narcotics trafficking," said Under Secretary of the Treasury for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence Brian E. Nelson. "The United States will continue to partner with of the government of Costa Rica, as well as with our key partners in the region, to leverage our collective tools and authorities against these groups' illicit facilitation networks."

"MACHO COCA": A NOTORIOUS NARCOTICS TRAFFICKER

Bell, also known as "Macho Coca", is one of the most prolific drug traffickers in LimAn, moving large quantities of cocaine; he is also known as one of the most violent traffickers in LimAn. Bell was arrested by Costa Rican authorities in 2015 on drug-related charges and has had property seized by Costa Rican authorities in multiple raids, including several boats allegedly used for drug transshipment seized in February 2023.

OFAC designated Bell pursuant to Executive Order 14059 for having engaged in, or attempted to engage in, activities or transactions that have materially contributed to, or pose a significant risk of materially contributing to, the international proliferation of illicit drugs or their means of production.

Today's action is also the result of close collaboration with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration's Costa Rica Country Office.

SANCTIONS IMPLICATIONS

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of the designated individuals and entities that are in the United States or in the possession or control of U.S. persons must be blocked and reported to OFAC. In addition, any entities that are owned, directly or indirectly, 50 percent or more by one or more blocked persons are also blocked. Unless authorized by a general or specific license issued by OFAC, or exempt, OFAC's regulations generally prohibit all transactions by U.S. persons or within (or transiting) the United States that involve any property or interests in property of designated or otherwise blocked persons. U.S. persons may face civil or criminal penalties for violations of E.O. 14059.

Today's action is part of a whole-of-government effort to counter the global threat posed by the trafficking of illicit drugs into the United States that is causing the deaths of tens of thousands of Americans annually, as well as countless more non-fatal overdoses. OFAC, in coordination with its U.S. government partners and foreign counterparts, will continue to target and pursue accountability for foreign illicit drug actors.

U.S. sanctions need not be permanent; sanctions are intended to bring about a positive change of behavior. Consistent with the findings of Treasury's 2021 Sanctions Review, the removal of sanctions is available for persons designated under counter narcotics authorities who demonstrate a change in behavior and no longer engage in activities linked to international illicit drug trafficking or other sanctionable activity.

For information concerning the process for seeking removal from any OFAC list, including the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List (SDN List), please refer to OFAC's Frequently Asked Question 897. For detailed information on the process to submit a request for removal from an OFAC sanctions list, please click here.

For more information on the individual designated today, click here.

To view the chart on the individual designated today, click here.

###

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Australian Intelligence Report Identifies China as Major Backer of Cyber Crime

By Phil Mercer November 15, 2023

Australia's digital spy agency has identified China as the major backer of serious hacking against Australian companies and critical infrastructure.

The Australian Signals Directorate, or ASD, Wednesday released its cyber threat report for the past year.

It stated that serious attacks on federal government agencies or critical infrastructure that led to the "extensive compromise" of sensitive data have increased from two to five in the past year.

The ASD report identifies China as a major conspirator, followed by Russia and Iran.

In the community, more Australians are reporting being targeted by cyber criminals. Almost 94,000 reports of cyber crime were made to law enforcement agencies by individuals and businesses across the country, a rise of 23 percent from the previous year.

The period of review includes last year's high-profile breaches at Australia's second-largest telecommunications company, Optus, and its biggest health insurance firm, Medibank.

The ASD is also working with port operator DP World, whose computer systems were infiltrated by unknown or unidentified hackers, causing the closure of major Australian ports over the weekend.

Richard Marles, Australia's deputy prime minister and defense minister, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Wednesday that the government is boosting its efforts to deter foreign-based hackers.

"From a government point of view, we are seeing state actors showing more interest in our critical infrastructure and so, you know, we are investing $10 billion (Australian) dollars over 10 years to the Australian Signals Directorate, which effectively sees a doubling in its size to bolster our cyber capacity, to bolster our cyber defenses," he said.

Marles acknowledged that while China is Australia's largest trading partner, it is also "a source of security anxiety for our country."

In May, Australia joined its Five Eyes intelligence sharing network, which includes the United States and Britain, in identifying China as responsible for cyber attacks on infrastructure in the U.S.

Canada and New Zealand are also part of the alliance.

So far, there has been no response from authorities in Beijing over the claims of China's complicity in global cyber attacks.

The ASD report also highlighted the actions of Russian criminals during the war in Ukraine as an example of state-supported cyber attacks.

It states, "Destructive malware was...used against critical infrastructure in Ukraine."

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China, US make 'breakthrough' agreement on tackling climate change, but US needs to do more

Global Times

Deal marks breakthrough, mirrors both countries' determination

By Zhao Yusha and Du Qiongfang Published: Nov 15, 2023 08:55 PM

China and the US agreed to jointly tackle global warming and operationalize a working group focused on areas including energy transition, methane, the circular economy and resource efficiency, low-carbon development and deforestation, according to a document issued by China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment (MEE) on Wednesday.

Chinese experts hailed the document titled "Sunnylands Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis" as a hard-earned achievement between the two countries amid a thaw in tensions. It paves way for closer global cooperation ahead of the upcoming COP28 climate conference in the UAE, but Washington should also take concrete actions and not walk back its own promises on climate cooperation, experts said.

China and the US decide to operationalize the Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s, to engage in dialogue and cooperation and accelerate concrete climate actions.

China and the US recognize that the climate crisis has increasingly affected countries around the world, remain committed to the effective implementation of the UNFCCC and the Paris Agreement, reflecting equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances, to achieve the Paris Agreement's aims, which is to hold the global average temperature increase to well below 2 C and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 C, according to the statement.

China and the US decide to operationalize the Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s, to engage in dialogue and cooperation and accelerate concrete climate actions in the 2020s.

The Working Group will focus on the areas of cooperation that have been identified in the document, including on energy transition, methane, circular economy and resource efficiency, low-carbon and sustainable provinces or prefectures and cities, and deforestation, as well as any agreed topics.

Both countries stress the importance of COP28 in responding meaningfully to the climate crisis during this critical decade and beyond. They are aware of the important role they play in terms of both national responses and working together cooperatively to address the goals of the Paris Agreement and promote multilateralism.

Chinese scientists hailed the cooperation reached by China and the US this time as a "breakthrough" as it marks a "top-down" approach in which the governments lead a working group to make sure the goals are realized, instead of the usual bottom-up model in climate change discussions, when countries raise their own goals but lack any top design to help them turn the goals into reality, Yang Fuqiang, a research fellow at Peking University's Research Institute for Energy, told the Global Times.

Yang pointed out that the statement emphasizes effective implementation and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, which are in line with China's stance on differentiated onuses between developed and developing countries in terms of tackling climate change.

"Those signs suggest that both countries are making the most serious commitment ever in climate cooperation," Yang said.

The MEE said that the statement is the fruit of multiple meetings between China Special Envoy for Climate Change Xie Zhenhua and US Special Presidential Envoy for Climate John Kerry in China and the US since July.

Climate negotiations between China and the US came to a standstill after former US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's highly provocative visit to the island of Taiwan last year. This summer, Kerry was among a slew of high-level US officials to visit China to negotiate with Xie on cooperation on climate change. Xie also went to California from November 4 to 7 this year.

Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, called the statement a hard-earned result not only on climate change, but also a signal of the warming up China-US ties.

"The easing of tension between the two gives each other more impetus to push for more concrete cooperation on issues of mutual concern... take climate change as an example, there were divergences between the two countries on this matter. Now as the ice is thawing, both managed to find ways of resolving those differences," said Li, noting that such a breakthrough agreement between the world's two biggest economies, ahead of COP28, helps pave the way for wider and more meaningful international cooperation on tackling global warming.

However, Chinese experts also pointed out there is a long to-do list for the US to demonstrate its sincerity on climate cooperation. The US needs to overcome its flip-flopping on climate policies during the transition of office, as Democrats are proactive while Republicans are more suspicious of climate issues, said Li, noting that the uncertainty of US climate policy poses a big challenge for China-US climate cooperation.

Former president Donald Trump's withdrawal from the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change not only put the US at odds with the international community, but hugely jeopardized global effort in tackling global warming.

Li believes the US should take concrete actions such as shouldering more responsibility to help developing countries adapt to global warming, and remove obstacles imposed on China's green products.

Washington has been seeking to crack down on China's solar panel industry in recent years. The US Senate voted in May this year to reinstate tariffs on solar panels from Chinese companies in Southeast Asia that had been found to be coming into the US which it claimed were "in violation of trade rules."

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China-US summit under spotlight as world seeks more certainty

Global Times

Bilateral summit bears global significance, to inject positivity

By Chen Qingqing, Xie Wenting, Shen Weiduo, Bai Yunyi and Xing Xiaojing in San Francisco and Zhang Han in Beijing Published: Nov 15, 2023 11:21 PM

Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday local time to participate in a much-anticipated China-US summit meeting and the 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, an occasion that signifies the gathering momentum of stabilization of China-US relations which will inject positive energy and stability into the world amid a complex geopolitical landscape and challenges of post-pandemic economic recovery.

Xi was received by California Governor Gavin Newsom, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen and other US representatives at San Francisco International Airport.

The streets in San Francisco were filled with a multitude of local residents and overseas Chinese including students waving the national flags of both China and the US, expressing the warmest welcome for President Xi's arrival.

San Francisco was the first stop of Xi's maiden trip to the US decades ago. In the spring of 1985, Xi, at that time a county leader of Zhengding in North China's Hebei Province, took his first steps onto US soil, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

A man surnamed Zhang in his 40s, who has lived in the US for 11 years, told the Global Times outside Moscone Center, the main venue for the APEC events, that he hopes for a positive outcome for the China-US leaders' summit. "When bilateral relations were sour, there were fewer flights [between the two countries] and the tickets were expensive."

If China-US relations improve, not only will that benefit the Chinese community in the US, but also bring about stability and development of the world, Zhang said.

Chinese business representatives in the US have also gathered in San Francisco from across the US to witness the summit, hoping that this meeting can help dispel misunderstandings and facilitate trade between the two countries. "Businesses from China and the US now need more trust and face-to-face communication, and President Xi's trip to the US comes just in time," a New York-based Chinese company representative told the Global Times on Monday.

Managing differences

US President Joe Biden, before leaving Washington for San Francisco on Tuesday, said his broad goal was to get Washington and Beijing "on a normal course corresponding" once again, including communication between the two militaries, even as the two countries have sharp differences on many issues, the Associated Press reported.

"We're not trying to decouple from China, but what we're trying to do is change the relationship for the better," Biden told reporters.

But Biden also warned that the US was wary of investing in China due to Beijing's "business practices". The US-China Economic and Security Review Commission (USCC) of the US Congress emphasized technology, trade and the Taiwan question to argue about China's "aggressiveness" in a report released Tuesday.

Biden's remarks again demonstrate that the US, despite urgently needing to stabilize relations with China, still places strategic rivalry at the center, Li Haidong, a professor at the China Foreign Affairs University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Wu Xinbo, director of the Center for American Studies at Fudan University, told the Global Times that China-US relations have entered a phase of "competition but not breakdown."

Frictions and conflicts will continue to emerge, as the US will not stop its crackdown on China's development, but hopefully through the summit, the two major powers can compete in a better way - restrain areas and intensity of conflicts while trying their best to expand possible cooperation, Wu said.

China and the US issued a joint statement on Wednesday reaffirming their commitment to work together with other countries to address the climate crisis, with a working group to be activated to focus on areas including energy transition, methane, the circular economy and resource efficiency, low-carbon and deforestation, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

The two countries are also expected to make progress on cooperation in cracking down on the fentanyl trade, which is also expected to be on the agenda of the leaders' meeting, per US media reports. The US is ready to remove China's Institute of Forensic Science under the Ministry of Public Security from a sanctions list to facilitate bilateral cooperation on fentanyl control, Reuters reported Wednesday, citing anonymous source.

However, any cooperation in specific areas would be impossible without a stable and healthy China-US relationship, Chinese experts said, and the current momentum of stabilization should be cherished as it has been hard-won through efforts and engagement at multiple levels and in various areas. They also underlined China's red lines must not be provoked or tested.

Injecting certainty

It is widely agreed that the stability of China-US relations not only concerns the two countries and their peoples, it is also of great significance to the Asia-Pacific and the entire world.

Amid a sluggish global economy, China attaches great importance to the China-US summit and the APEC Leaders' Meeting as an occasion to cool down the tension in China-US relations, so as to inject certainty into a turbulent world and ensure that the Asia-Pacific will continue to be the engine of growth, Huo Jianguo, a vice chairman of the China Society for World Trade Organization Studies in Beijing, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

"It is also very important for China to use the APEC week to engage in dialogue and communication with some of the major developing economies in the ASEAN and Latin American regions," said Liu Chenyang, director of the APEC Study Center of Nankai University in Tianjin.

Liu told the Global Times that APEC is one of the most important multilateral cooperation mechanisms in the world today. The Leaders' Meeting provides them with a crucial platform to discuss international hotspot issues, including those in the Asia-Pacific region, coordinate policies and exchange views.

"The more complex the international situation is, the more prominent the role of the APEC platform becomes," Liu said.

"It is worth paying attention to discussions among APEC economies on issues such as how to mitigate the influence of geopolitical factors, build consensus and jointly maintain regional peace and stability," Liu said, as most APEC economies are more eager to find effective ways to promote the implementation of the "APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040."

Commenting on the overlapping of APEC and a ministerial meeting of the US-proposed Indo Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), Chinese analysts believe that if the US wants to forcefully push an agenda at the IPEF which targets China and disturbs the shared goal of growth, it would be contrary to what the world needs and would make the US itself unpopular.

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China and the US release joint statement on enhancing cooperation on addressing climate crisis ahead of COP28

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 15, 2023 01:42 PM Updated: Nov 15, 2023 01:38 PM

China and the US issued a joint statement on Wednesday the Sunnylands Statement on Enhancing Cooperation to Address the Climate Crisis, stating China's and the US' reaffirmation of their commitment to work together with other countries to address the climate crisis, with a working group to be operationalized to focus on areas including energy transition, methane, circular economy and resource efficiency, low-carbon and deforestation, according to China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment.

In the joint statement, China and the US recall, reaffirm, and commit to further the effective and sustained implementation of the China-US Joint Statement Addressing the Climate Crisis issued in April of 2021 and the China-US Joint Glasgow Declaration on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s announced in November of 2021.

China and the US recognize that the climate crisis has increasingly affected countries around the world, remain committed to the effective implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Paris Agreement, reflecting equity and the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities and respective capabilities, in light of different national circumstances, to achieve the Paris Agreement's aims in accordance with its Article 2 to hold the global average temperature increase to well below 2 degrees celcius and to pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees celcius.

China and the US remain committed to the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and decisions thereunder, including the Glasgow Climate Pact and the Sharm el-Sheikh Implementation Plan.

Both countries stress the importance of COP28 in responding meaningfully to the climate crisis during this critical decade and beyond. They are aware of the important role they play in terms of both national responses and working together cooperatively to address the goals of the Paris Agreement and promote multilateralism.

China and the US decide to operationalize the Working Group on Enhancing Climate Action in the 2020s, to engage in dialogue and cooperation to accelerate concrete climate actions in the 2020s.

The Working Group will focus on the areas of cooperation that have been identified in the Joint Statement and the Joint Declaration, including on energy transition, methane, circular economy and resource efficiency, low-carbon and sustainable provinces or prefectures and cities, and deforestation, as well as any agreed topics.

The Working Group will carry out information exchanges on policies, measures, and technologies for controlling and reducing emissions, share their respective experiences, identify and implement cooperative projects, and evaluate the implementation of the Joint Statement, the Joint Declaration, and this Statement.

The Working Group is co-led by the two special envoys on climate change, with the appropriate participation of officials from the relevant ministries and government agencies of the two countries.

Both countries support the G20 Leaders Declaration to pursue efforts to triple renewable energy capacity globally by 2030 and intend to sufficiently accelerate renewable energy deployment in their respective economies through 2030 from the levels in 2020 so as to accelerate the substitution for coal, oil and gas generation, and thereby anticipate post-peaking meaningful absolute power sector emission reduction, in this critical decade of the 2020s.

Both sides agree to restart the China-US Energy Efficiency Forum to deepen policy exchanges on energy-saving and carbon-reducing solutions in key areas including industry, buildings, transportation and equipment.

The two countries will immediately initiate technical working group cooperation on policy dialogue, technical solutions exchanges, and capacity building, building on their respective national methane action plans to develop their respective methane reduction actions or targets for inclusion in their 2035 NDCs and support each country's methane reduction or control progress.

China and the US are determined to end plastic pollution and will work together and with others to develop an international legally binding instrument on plastic pollution, one which covers the marine environment.

China and the US intend to hold a high-level event on subnational climate action in the first half of 2024.

Both sides commit to advance efforts to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030, including by fully implementing through regulation and policy, and effectively enforcing, their respective laws on banning illegal imports.

Both countries will cooperate in promoting relevant policies and measures and the deployment of technologies to enhance synergy of controlling GHG emissions and air pollutants, including NOX, VOCs, and other tropospheric ozone precursors.

China and the US, together with the United Arab Emirates, will invite countries to a Methane and Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases Summit at COP28.

China and the US will look forward to the first Global Stocktake under the Paris Agreement, which is a vital opportunity for the Parties to reflect on ambition, implementation, and cooperation, in line with the Paris temperature goal to hold the global average temperature increase to well below 2 degrees celcius and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees celcius, and the Parties' resolve to keep a 1.5 degree celcius limit on temperature rise within reach.

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PLA Navy's newly commissioned Type 055 large destroyer holds drills in South China Sea

Global Times

By Liu Xuanzun Published: Nov 15, 2023 11:01 PM

A 10,000 ton-class large destroyer newly commissioned into the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) earlier in 2023 recently carried out a combat-oriented exercise in the South China Sea, displaying its rapid capability generation in defending national sovereignty, security and maritime rights amid tensions in the region, analysts said on Wednesday.

The destroyer Zunyi recently conducted a series of realistic air defense, anti-missile and sea assault combat drills in an undisclosed area in the South China Sea, and effectively verified the ship's solo combat capabilities in the far seas, China Central Television (CCTV) reported on Tuesday.

During the exercise, the Zunyi's early warning and detection systems found multiple suspected aerial targets, which the warship successfully intercepted by taking an advantageous position, releasing jamming rounds and firing its close-in weapon system.

In a following training session, a hostile vessel target approached the Zunyi, which responded with a fast counterattack, heavily damaging the target with its main gun.

In the drills that lasted for several days, the Zunyi was tasked to deal with complicated maritime and air emergencies and intensive training sessions. The warship completed more than a dozen training courses, including coordination with small boats, vessel-helicopter integrated search and rescue and light arms firing, CCTV reported.

The priority of this exercise was to understand the new equipment's capabilities in-depth and accelerate its actual application in systematic joint combat, CCTV quoted Zhang Shuliang, a member of an undisclosed detachment under the navy of the PLA Southern Theater Command, as saying.

"Through comprehensive training and verifying in complicated maritime and air conditions, we have explored and optimized tactics and training methods," Zhang said.

Commissioned in April, the Zunyi is the seventh Type 055 large destroyer of the PLA Navy, according to publicly available information.

After more than half a year's training, the Zunyi is almost ready for combat, analysts said.

Song Zhongping, a Chinese military expert and TV commentator, told the Global Times on Wednesday that the Zunyi is forming combat capabilities very fast thanks to experience shared by previous Type 055 destroyers.

The Type 055 is a technically mature warship, and the Zunyi is forming systematic combat capabilities, operating solo or in a task group, Song said.

The exercise by the 10,000 ton-class large destroyer in the South China Sea came at a time when the Philippines has been stirring up trouble in the region since August, making repeated provocations toward Chinese islands and reefs in the region.

While the drills are not targeted at any party, a mighty navy operating powerful warships like the Type 055 is a stabilizer to regional peace, observers said.

China is a peace-loving country, but it must have the strength to safeguard peace, Song said, noting that the Type 055 is a part of that strength.

With the Type 055, the PLA has more confidence and capabilities in defending national sovereignty, security and development interests, Song said.

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China's Foreign Ministry urges Europe to address Chinese firms' legitimate concerns, warning against its 'de-risking' strategy

Global Times

By Global Times Published: Nov 15, 2023 07:39 PM Updated: Nov 15, 2023 07:34 PM

It is hoped that the EU will listen to reasonable suggestions from Chinese enterprises, address their legitimate concern, and abide by market rules to help promote healthy and stable development of China-EU economic and trade relations, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said on Wednesday.

China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) on Tuesday released a report on the development of Chinese companies in the EU that provides a comprehensive review of the key areas of cooperation between Chinese companies and the EU. The CCCEU also presents a package of policy recommendations to EU institutions and member states of the EU to improve the business environment for Chinese companies.

According to the CCCEU report, Chinese businesses are thriving in Europe, driving growth in green technology, digital innovation, and sustainable partnerships. However, the report also reflected the concerns raised by Chinese business including EU's politicization of trade issues and impact of the EU's "de-risking" strategy.

Mao noted that China and the EU should defend multilateral trade rules, and promote globalization and free trade and investment. Efforts should be made to reduce trade and investment barriers in order to foster higher levels of mutually beneficial cooperation.

Green transition and development is a consensus between China and the EU. However the EU is increasingly seeking to reduce external reliance and implementing trade protectionism in sectors where Chines enterprises have advantages.

For example, the EU started an anti-subsidy investigation of Chinese-made electric vehicles in September, which has drawn strong opposition from Chinese companies. Additionally, some voices from the EU blame Chinese companies for aggressively competing for the market share there, resulting in the plummeting price of solar panels in Europe.

In response, a spokesperson form China's Ministry of Industry and Information Technology said on Wednesday that relevant countries should respect and abide by the principles of fair competition, remove barriers to free trade, and jointly promote development of the global photovoltaic industry.

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China imports record high oil from Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 15, 2023

Tehran, IRNA -- China has posted a record high in oil sales from Iran, according to a Reuters report.

The report said that China's increased oil imports are taking place in the wake of Iran's rising output despite US threats to impose more sanctions on the country.

It noted that China has imported an average $1.05 million barrels/day of Iranian oil over the 10 months of 2023 which is 60% higher than its record purchases from the country before the new US sanctions on Tehran started to bite in 2018.

The report said that the US lawmakers are considering to pass a law to impose more pressures on foreign ports and refineries which import and process Iranian oil.

9341**2050

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China's Xi Arrives in US for APEC Summit, Talks With Biden

ISNA - Iranian Students' News Agency

Wed / 15 November 2023 / 12:52

Chinese President Xi Jinping has landed in San Francisco to participate in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit and meet with US President Joe Biden.

Tehran (ISNA) - At San Francisco International Airport, Xi received a warm reception from senior U.S. officials, including U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen and California Governor Gavin Newsom.

Xi arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday afternoon, US time.

Earlier on Tuesday, Biden said he would consider his upcoming meeting with Xi, which is scheduled for Wednesday, successful if they could resume normal communications, including military-to-military communications.

On Monday, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan said Biden expects to discuss the Palestinian-Israeli conflict and Ukraine during the meeting with Xi. Biden will also raise the issue of alleged threats posed by Iran, including its nuclear program and its activities that threaten Middle East stability.

APEC is a trade and economic forum of 21 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. This year's summit in San Francisco is taking place from November 11-17.

Since its inception in 1989, APEC has been a crucial platform for the United States to promote equitable trade, investment and sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific region.

End Item



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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning's Regular Press Conference on November 15, 2023

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the People's Republic of China

2023-11-15 19:00

Al Jazeera: According to reports, Israeli occupying forces launched an assault on Al-Shifa hospital under the cover of the US in Gaza. Thea humanitarian crisis there has become unbearable and the international community has failed to exert sufficient pressure on Israel. What Israel is doing now amounts to a violation of international law and international humanitarian law. But Israel's actions in Gaza have so far received no clear condemnation from the permanent members of the Security Council. What is China's position on Israel's illegal military operations in Gaza? Is there any direct way for China to ease the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and stop the killing of Palestinians?

Mao Ning: We've stated our position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict on multiple occasions. We condemn all acts that harm civilians and oppose violations of international law. China has repeatedly called for ceasefire and averting further humanitarian catastrophes. We've been working and mediating for this all along. We will continue to work with other parties to play an active and constructive role in ceasing the hostilities, deescalating the situation, easing the humanitarian situation, and ultimately realizing durable Palestinian-Israeli peace through the two-state solution.

Al Jazeera: We understand China's position on the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Now that Israeli forces are striking hospitals, but the UN has failed to take real measures to stop Israel from creating a disaster for civilians in Gaza. Is there anything China will do to stop the killing?

Mao Ning: We fully relate to you. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is deeply unsettling and heart-wrenching. As the rotating President of the Security Council this month, China will respond to the call of the international community, step up coordination with relevant sides, Arab countries in particular, uphold justice, build consensus, and promote responsible and meaningful actions by the Security Council towards deescalating the conflict, protecting civilians, alleviating the humanitarian situation and restoring the peace process.

You may have noted that the Special Envoy of the Chinese Government on the Middle East Issue and the Director-General of the Department of West Asian and North African Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs have been visiting relevant countries and engaging in mediation efforts for peace recently. We will continue to play an active and constructive role for deescalating the situation.

Global Times: The China Chamber of Commerce to the EU (CCCEU) released its annual Report on the Development of Chinese Enterprises in the EU on November 14. The report lists the priority cooperation areas of Chinese companies in the EU and puts forward policy suggestions for EU institutions and governments of EU member states to further improve business environment. What's China's comment?

Mao Ning: We have noted the CCCEU report. We are glad to see that Chinese enterprises in Europe generally have sound and steady operations. More Chinese enterprises have advanced cooperation in the green sector, digital economy, sci-tech innovation and sustainable development and actively fulfilled their social responsibilities, which has helped create jobs in the EU and improve people's wellbeing. Chinese enterprises have become important participants in the EU's recovery and transition. At the same time, the report also voices some concerns of Chinese enterprises in the EU, including a tendency in the EU to politicize trade issues and abuse the concept of national security, impact of its de-risking strategy, and issues concerning business environment such as frustrated R&D collaboration and lack of efficiency in services and communication.

China and the EU are both important forces in fostering an open world economy and defending multilateral trade rules. The two sides need to jointly uphold the right direction of economic globalization, promote trade and investment liberalization and facilitation, reduce existing barriers and avoid adding new ones, and realize mutually-beneficial cooperation at a higher level. We hope the EU will heed the suggestions in the report and address the legitimate calls of Chinese enterprises, act in accordance with market economy rules, safeguard the sound and steady growth of China-EU economic and trade ties, and provide a fair, transparent, stable and predictable business environment for Chinese companies investing or operating in the EU.

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China In Eurasia Briefing: As Biden and Xi Meet, What's At Stake?

By Reid Standish November 15, 2023

As Biden and Xi Meet, What's At Stake?

In a renewed effort to stabilize increasingly shaky relations between the two powers, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping will meet today in San Francisco.

But what can be expected from the November 15 meeting on the sidelines of the APEC summit?

Finding Perspective: This marks their first meeting as leaders since Biden and Xi sat down together at the G20 summit in Bali a year ago and it's been a difficult diplomatic road to reach this point, including degraded ties following a suspected Chinese spy balloon that flew over the United States in February.

The focus of the talks is expected to be Taiwan, which remains a source of tensions between Beijing and Washington. The self-governing island, which China regards as its own territory, is set to hold elections in January 2024 and the meeting will also factor into discussions around the upcoming U.S. election that will take place in a year's time, in November 2024.

Politico also reported that Biden will raise tensions in the Middle East with Xi and urge him to use his influence with Iran to prevent Tehran and its proxies from exploiting the Israel-Hamas war to stoke a broader conflict.

With those potential obstacles for relations ahead, White House officials have said they expect tough discussions. Most analysts say that the goal on both sides is to lower the temperature in the relationship and serve up some favorable optics for each leader's domestic audience.

"For both sides, the preferred outcome from the meeting is that there will not be much to write home about," said Agathe Demarais, a senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations.

Why It Matters: We already saw some early steps taken ahead of the November 15 meeting, which U.S. officials said could last four hours with simultaneous interpretation.

On November 13 and 14, reports have signaled a series of measures that could be unveiled at the meeting and would work towards raising the floor of the relationship with Washington.

They include: China buying 3 million tons of U.S. soybeans, Beijing ending a long commercial freeze on sales of Boeing's 737-max aircraft, restricting the export of chemicals to the United States that are used as precursors to make fentanyl, and a decision to raise the number of regular flights between both countries.

The United States has also agreed to lift sanctions on China's forensic police institute and both countries have announced some further cooperation to fight climate change, the State Department said.

Few expect that the meeting will stall the deepening rivalry, but a shift in tone may provide a welcome reprieve as Xi faces an increasingly bleak economic outlook and Biden prepares for a difficult election cycle.

Unlike the last time the two leaders met in Bali and Xi adopted a more conciliatory message, Ukraine is unlikely to factor into discussions between Beijing and Washington in San Francisco.

"U.S. calls that China clamp down on the export of high-tech goods to Russia are wishful thinking and the American side should probably not spend too much time on making such demands," Demarais said.

Podcast Corner: Big Questions After 10 Years of Belt and Road

Listen to the latest episode of the China In Eurasia podcast. You can find the show on Spotify, Apple, Google, and YouTube.

Back when it was launched 10 years ago, Beijing dubbed it the "project of the century" and it became known as Chinese leader Xi Jinping's signature foreign policy initiative as he announced plans to revive the ancient Silk Road.

But what do we really know about the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) -- China's global infrastructure program -- after a decade of investments around the world?

On the latest episode of Talking China In Eurasia, I'm joined by Jacob Mardell, the editorial coordinator for China at the German NGO N-Ost, to unpack where the ambitious project stands today and to take a deeper look at where it's headed.

Be sure to listen and leave a review on your listening platform of choice. I'd also love to hear what you think. Reach out at Standishr@rferl.org

Three More Stories From Eurasia

1. A Baltic Sea Drama Grows

A Chinese ship suspected of damaging an underwater gas pipeline and two telecom cables in the Baltic Sea is returning to China through the Russian Arctic as Finnish investigators continue to search for answers about the vessel's role in the incident, I reported here.

The Details: Estonia and Finland have been investigating the rupture of the Balticconnector gas pipeline and of a telecommunications cable connecting the two countries, both damaged sometime during October 7 and 8. A telecom cable linking Estonia to Sweden was also damaged the same night, along with one of Russia's telecom cables in the Gulf of Finland.

Authorities have pointed to the Hong Kong-flagged NewNew Polar Bear container ship as the prime suspect, with its tracked location in the Baltic Sea coinciding with the time and place of the pipeline damage.

Investigators say it's too early to determine whether the pipeline damage was sabotage or an accident, but the Finnish National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) said the involvement of a state actor "cannot be ruled out."

In the latest development, Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna told Politico Europe on November 13 that Helsinki and Tallinn had both submitted a legal notice to China for cooperation as part of their investigation.

The minister added that the length of the investigation will depend "on China -- how cooperative China is."

Beijing had previously promised "full cooperation" with Estonia and Finland, but it remains unclear what has been done so far.

2. The China Angle On The Balkan Route For Migrants

As tens of thousands of migrants traverse the so-called Balkan Route looking to claim asylum inside the European Union, my colleague Marija Augustinovic from RFE/RL's Balkan Service tells the story of one Chinese migrant's journey to Germany.

What You Need To Know: Ming -- a pseudonym to protect his identity -- is a 26-year-old native of Shijiazhuang in northeastern China's Hebei Province and is currently awaiting a verdict on his asylum application in Germany.

He told Marija about his difficult journey from China to Germany, which included illegally entering Croatia from Bosnia-Herzegovina and being detained, and as he also alleges, robbed by Croatian police.

Ming is one of thousands of Chinese nationals that are currently looking to leave the country -- legally and illegally. While Europe is still a less common destination, the number of Chinese looking to claim asylum across the southern U.S. border has skyrocketed in 2023, as have legal avenues for leaving China.

3. Taiwan And The Baltics

Taiwanese Foreign Minister Joseph Wu recently completed a tour of the three Baltic countries -- Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania -- where his visit made waves, including a small diplomatic dustup with Beijing over the warm reception for the Taiwanese official.

What It Means: The focal point of Wu's trip became his stop in Tallinn, which was overshadowed by Estonia's plans to open a "Taipei Representative Office."

Taiwan is only officially recognized as a country by a handful of governments and therefore is not allowed to operate an embassy, with the representative offices serving a similar function for Taiwanese officials posted abroad.

The November 8 episode that sparked a swift rebuke from China erupted over initial reports that Estonia planned to open a "Taiwanese Representative Office," a semantic difference that carries major political weight. Beijing considers the use of "Taiwanese" over "Taipei" as a slippery slope toward recognition and has looked to punish countries inching closer to the island nation.

One major example is Lithuania opening a "Taiwanese Representative Office" in 2021, when China responded by targeting Vilnius with an effective trade embargo, prompting the EU to enact its newly developed anti-coercion instrument, which is a trade tool used by the bloc to tackle governments using economic means to pressure its members.

China also downgraded its diplomatic ties with Lithuania amid the row.

Tallinn elected to not follow this route, a decision that many commentators view as influenced by Vilnius's own experience and the tough reaction from Beijing.

In a related development, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said on November 10 that officials from the Baltic country were in discussions with their Chinese counterparts over how to normalize relations.

Across The Supercontinent

New Scanners At The Border: My colleague Sonja Gocanin from RFE/RL's Balkan Service reports on a new Chinese donation of mobile scanners for the Serbian border amid a surge in migrants in the country.

A Beijing-Brussels Summit: The first EU-China summit in four years has been tentatively scheduled for December 7-8. Those dates are not yet finalized, but the summit will be hosted by China.

Opportunity Strikes: According to a new report from the German Marshall Fund's Alliance for Securing Democracy, the Israel-Hamas war has been a boon for online messaging pushed by state-affiliated actors from China, Iran, and Russia.

Visa-Free: A new agreement between China and Kazakhstan on 30-day visa-free travel for their citizens came into force on November 10, RFE/RL's Kazakh Service reported.

One Thing To Watch

Former British Prime Minister David Cameron made a shock return to the U.K. government as foreign secretary on November 13 and brought some complicated baggage on dealing with China.

As prime minister, Cameron famously welcomed Xi to London and shared a pint at a pub. That visit was hailed on both sides as the start of a "golden era" of relations that the British treasury hoped would turn China into Britain's second-biggest trading partner within a decade.

That never materialized, but expect it to stay in the spotlight as Cameron takes up his new role. Adding to his past China dealings, as recently as October he was also working to drum up foreign investment in the controversial Colombo Port City project, a Sri Lankan venture that is being built by a Chinese firm and is part of China's Belt and Road Initiative.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/china-eurasia-biden-xi- meeting/32685625.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-US San Francisco summit concludes, agreeing on enhancing cooperation on AI and resuming military communication

Global Times

By GT staff reporters Published: Nov 16, 2023 09:43 AM

Chinese President Xi Jinping met with US President Joe Biden for a summit at the Filoli estate in the south of San Francisco on Wednesday local time. The two leaders had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on strategic, overarching, and directional issues concerning China-US relations, as well as major issues concerning world peace and development.

The two sides agreed to promote and strengthen dialogue and cooperation in various fields, including establishing an intergovernmental dialogue on artificial intelligence, setting up a China-US drug control cooperation working group to carry out anti-drug cooperation, resuming high-level military-to-military communication, China-US defense department working meetings, China-US military maritime security consultation mechanism meetings based on equality and respect, and conducting China-US military regional leaders' conversations.

They also agreed to significantly increase flights early next year, expanding exchanges in education, international students, youth, culture, sports, and business circles, among others.

The meeting began around 11 am on Wednesday and concluded at 1:35 pm local time, lasting for approximately two hours, according to media reports.

Following opening remarks, several sessions, and a working lunch, the two leaders closed out with a walk around the historic estate south of San Francisco, as reported by CNN.

During the meeting, Xi pointed out that the world today is undergoing major changes unseen in a century, and China and the US have two choices: one is to strengthen unity and cooperation, join hands to meet global challenges, and promote world security and prosperity. The other is to hold a zero-sum mindset, provoke bloc confrontation, and let the world head toward turmoil and division.

These two choices represent two different directions and will determine the future of humanity and the planet. As the most important bilateral relationship in the world, China-US relations should be considered and planned against this grand backdrop, he said.

China and the US cannot turn back against each other and it is unrealistic to try to change the other, and the consequences of conflict and confrontation are unbearable for anyone, Xi stressed. "Great power competition will not solve the problems China, the US, and the world face. This planet is big enough for both China and the US. The success of each is an opportunity for the other."

Xi pointed out that China's development follows its own logic and rules, and China is advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation through modernization in its own unique style.

China does not follow the old path of colonial plunder or engage in ideological confrontation with any country. It does not export ideology either. Xi emphasized that China has no plans to surpass or replace the US, and the US should not attempt to suppress or contain China.

President Xi also highlighted the importance of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, which are lessons learned from the 50-year history of China-US relations and historical conflicts between great powers. These principles should guide joint efforts by China and the US.

As long as both sides adhere to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, it is entirely possible to transcend differences and find the correct way for two major countries to coexist, Xi said.

At last year's Bali meeting, the US side stated that it does not seek to change China's system, does not seek a "new Cold War," does not seek to oppose China by strengthening alliances, does not support "Taiwan independence," and has no intention of having conflict with China. At this San Francisco meeting, China and the US should have a new vision, Xi said, working together to solidify the five pillars of China-US relations, including establishing correct mutual recognition, managing differences effectively, jointly promoting mutually beneficial cooperation, jointly shouldering big-power responsibilities and promoting cultural exchanges.

On the Taiwan question, Xi emphasized that it remains the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations, and China values the positive statements made by the US side during the Bali meeting.

The US should implement its stance of not supporting "Taiwan independence" into concrete actions, stop arming Taiwan, and support China's peaceful reunification, according to the Chinese president.

He also highlighted that the US' continuous implementation of export control measures, investment reviews, and unilateral sanctions have severely harmed China's legitimate interests.

Suppressing China's technology aims to contain its high-quality development and deprive the Chinese people of their right to development. Xi emphasized that China's growth follows its own internal logic, which cannot be halted by external forces. China hopes that the US will take its concerns seriously, take appropriate action, lift unilateral sanctions, and provide a fair, just, and non-discriminatory environment for Chinese enterprises.

Biden told reporters during the walk that the talks were going "well" and added on social media that "real progress" was made, according to media reports.

The two heads of state stressed the importance of China and the US accelerating efforts to address the climate crisis during this critical decade. They welcomed the recent positive discussions between the two countries' climate envoys, including domestic emissions reduction actions in the 2020s. They also expressed their joint commitment to promoting the success of the UN Climate Change Conference in Dubai (COP28) and announced the launch of the China-US Enhancing Climate Action in 2020s working group to accelerate specific climate actions.

Some experts believe that during this highly-anticipated meeting, the Chinese leader has further clarified China's stance on China-US relations, expressing hope that the US side can fundamentally adopt a correct and responsible attitude, rather than merely making tactical adjustments.

"This continues the tone set in Bali. Looking forward, it will be important to see whether the US can truly achieve a correct understanding," said Diao Daming, an associate professor at the Renmin University of China in Beijing, in an interview with the Global Times on Wednesday.

Diao added that if the US can adjust its understanding and truly adopt a responsible perspective, recognizing each other's positions, effectively managing differences, and advancing mutually beneficial cooperation, it will further stabilize the relations between the two countries.

From the latest China-US summit, we can see that the expectations of both sides are beginning to align, Sun Taiyi, assistant professor of Political Science at Christopher Newport University, told the Global Times on Wednesday.

Neither Washington nor Beijing harbor any illusion of a rapid breakthrough or significant improvement in relations. The leaders of both countries, each for their own reasons, also see the benefits of restraining tensions at the current level to prevent further deterioration, Sun said.

Maintaining multi-channel and multi-level communication to construct guardrails for the bilateral relationship may be the most crucial measure required, the expert noted.

On one hand, the summit may be the last opportunity for Biden to meet with Chinese leader face-to-face during the US President's current term. On the other hand, US elections will inevitably be accompanied by politicians' various accusations and denigrating remarks about China. Some incumbents may also propose tough bills on China to sway voters, Sun noted.

"Therefore, it will be essential to continue exploring cooperation in limited fields, activate the various working groups and communication channels that are already in place, and seek common ground while reserving differences in controversial areas," he said.

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Xi meets Biden

Global Times

By Xinhua Published: Nov 16, 2023 03:19 AM

As the most significant bilateral relationship in the world, China-US relations should be perceived and envisioned in the broad context of accelerating global transformations unseen in a century, said Chinese President Xi Jinping when meeting with US President Joe Biden on Wednesday.

Competition among major countries is not the prevailing trend of the current times and does not solve the problems faced by China, the US, and the world. Planet Earth is big enough for China and the US to succeed. One country's success is an opportunity for the other, said Xi.

For over 50 years, the relationship between China and the US has never been smooth sailing; there have always been various problems, yet it has kept moving forward with twists and turns. For two large countries like China and the US, turning their back on each other is not an option. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation have unbearable consequences for both sides, Xi told Biden.

It is an objective fact that China and the US are different in history, culture, social system and development path. However, as long as the two countries respect each other, coexist in peace and pursue win-win cooperation, they will be fully capable of rising above differences and find the right way for the two major countries to get along with each other. I firmly believe in the promising future of China-US bilateral relationship, said Xi.

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Biden Cites Moves on Fentanyl, AI and Military Communications After Xi Meeting

By Anita Powell November 16, 2023

U.S. President Joe Biden said he made "positive steps" during an intense hourslong meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping Wednesday.

The two agreed to re-establish lapsed military communications, work together to assess the threats posed by artificial intelligence, and work to combat the scourge of fentanyl.

However, Biden's off-the-cuff comment that he still sees the powerful Chinese leader as a "dictator," revealed that the two leaders remain, in some ways, far apart.

"Well, look, he is," Biden said, in response to a shouted question from the clamoring throng of journalists at the secluded meeting site outside of San Francisco, where 21 Asia-Pacific economies are holding a summit this week.

"He is a dictator in a sense that he is a guy that runs a country, a communist country, that's based on a totally different form of government than ours."

The White House chose a sprawling, bucolic estate more than an hour's drive from San Francisco for this heavily symbolic visit covering a range of key issues that included Taiwan - the self-governing island that China claims - the possible resumption of military communications, touchy trade disagreements, the origination of fentanyl ingredients in China, and human rights issues.

The scenic grounds cover the San Andreas fault, where the Pacific and North American tectonic plates touch.

Biden said he was "candid" on these tough issues that divide the two countries - as seen in the mixed reception that residents of this diverse city gave to the Chinese leader, with both anti-communist protesters and pro-Xi greeters lining the streets. On Wednesday, groups in at least two locations descended into fisticuffs, as documented in videos posted on social media.

Xi, in his brief remarks before the leaders began their meeting, said the two nations are inextricably linked.

"For two large countries like China, the United States turning their back on each other is not an option," he said. "It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other. And conflict and confrontation has unbearable consequences for both sides.

I'm still of the view that major country competition is not to the prevailing trend of current times and cannot solve the problems facing China and the United States or the world at large.

Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed and one country's success is an opportunity for the other."

So did the presidents of the world's two most powerful nations manage to paper over the cracks in their relationship?

Biden spoke to the press afterwards. Xi, as is his habit, did not.

The two did not release a joint statement.

"I welcome the positive steps we've taken today," Biden said. "And it's important for the world to see that we're implementing the approach in the best traditions of American diplomacy. We're talking to our competitors, just talking and being blunt with one another so there's no misunderstanding."

Biden stopped far short of praising Xi, saying, "We have disagreements. He has a different view than I have on a lot of things. But he's been straight. I don't mean that good, bad or indifferent - just been straight."

In the administration's post-meeting readout, the White House said Biden repeated Washington's long-held stance on Taiwan.

"President Biden emphasized that our one China policy has not changed and has been consistent across decades and administrations," the readout said. "He reiterated that the United States opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side, that we expect cross-strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, and that the world has an interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He called for restraint in the PRC's use of military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait."

Craig Singleton, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, told VOA he was struck by the leaders' words on Taiwan.

"China often claims the U.S. is seeking to alter the status quo in the Strait," he said. "The opposite is true. Xi's stark comments expose, yet again, his desire to speed up reunification timetables, either through military force or coercion."

Many watching this meeting said they weren't expecting major results, but are glad the two leaders are talking.

"This engagement, for example, between President Biden and Xi Jinping, to me it is critical because it should give a clear message that we are here to be able to work together and trust each other to resolve serious problems: Climate, issues in Ukraine or Gaza," said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. "There are too many contentious issues in the world and you must try and engage."

Analysts say the success of the ongoing summit of Asia-Pacific economies - happening simultaneously in San Francisco - depends on the world's two largest economies getting along.

"I think it's an important meeting between President Biden and President Xi, with the primary goal of stabilizing the relationship heading into 2024," said Michael Froman, president of the Council on Foreign Relations.

"Both for bilateral purposes but also very importantly for the broader APEC region. The countries there, the economies there, want the U.S. and China to have some kind of modus vivendi, some kind of stable relationship, particularly in anticipation of Taiwan's election in January, the U.S. election in November."

Biden, when asked what he told Xi about Taiwan's elections, said: "I made clear I didn't expect any interference."

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies' Singleton told VOA that he interpreted Xi's words on "peaceful coexistence" differently, saying it "harkens back to Cold War-era language by Nikita Khrushchev, who promoted the notion of 'peaceful coexistence' between the U.S. and Soviet Union. Like today, previous policies aimed at stability counter-intuitively extended the Soviet system's survival, treating the Soviet Union as an immutable juggernaut, rather than one whose demise was inevitable."

Biden said the leaders will continue to talk. And on Thursday, they will give the other 19 Asia-Pacific economies a visual reminder of where they each stand, when the leaders pose for the so-called "family photo" a a ritual that is a hallmark of these major summits.

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N Korea, Russia strengthen key sector ties, risk UN sanctions breach

Moscow's support for the North could offer a way to navigate through the complex web of international sanctions.

By Lee Jeong-Ho for RFA 2023.11.15 -- North Korea and Russia agreed to further boost their cooperation in various sectors, including the economy, science, and technology - a development that could create potential loopholes in the United Nations sanctions aimed at curbing Pyongyang's nuclear program.

Officials of Pyongyang and Moscow signed a protocol that vows the expansion of the bilateral cooperation in North Korea's capital Wednesday, the North's official Korean Central News Agency said.

"The Protocol of the 10th Meeting of the Trade, Economic and Scientific Cooperation Commission between the Government of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and the Government of the Russian Federation was signed," KCNA said Thursday.

Since Tuesday, Russia has dispatched a delegation to Pyongyang, led by its natural resources minister Alexander Kozlov, to participate in the bilateral meeting.

"A number of issues were specifically discussed, including measures to revitalize and expand multifaceted bilateral exchanges and cooperation projects," KCNA said, adding that the fields of discussion encompassed trade, economy, science, and technology without elaborating further.

But the state media explained the agreement was in accordance with the general consensus reached during the summit between the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in September.

Two months ago, the two leaders engaged in a mutual agreement to strengthen their bilateral relations in the Far East of Russia. Specifically, they consented to cooperate in multiple sectors, such as technology and the economy.

Central to this cooperation is the possibility of Russia providing rocket technology in exchange for ammunition supplies, which are essential for sustaining its aggression against Ukraine.

Indications of this cooperation are already evident. On Wednesday, KCNA reported the successful test of a new solid-fuel engine for an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).

The technical complexity involved in testing IRBM engines suggests that Russian technical support could have assisted North Korea in acquiring high-thrust solid-fuel engines developed for their new type of IRBM. North Korea's IRBM has a range of some 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) , capable of striking U.S. territories in the West Pacific, including Guam.

South Korea's National Intelligence Service told its lawmakers in the National Assembly earlier this month that Russia has already acquired over 1 million artillery shells from North Korea since August.

The extent of the technology and ammunition exchange between North Korea and Russia remains unclear. However, the bilateral development, which involves enhanced cooperation from economy to military technology, may lead to ineffectiveness of the existing U.N. sanction regimes designed to curb Pyongyang's nuclear ambitions.

In particular, Russia's economic assistance to the Kim Jong Un regime may provide Pyongyang an alternative means and resilience to muddle-through the multilateral economic sanctions. Additionally, Moscow's technology aid might help the North bypass international restrictions on curbing its missile technology progression.

To respond to these new geopolitical threats, the U.S. and its Asian allies, including South Korea and Japan, are likely to further tighten their security cooperation.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and his South Korean counterpart Park Jin, and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa met in San Francisco Tuesday, calling the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea a "serious threat to international peace and stability," according to a statement from South Korea's foreign ministry.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan

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 November 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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Hymn to Kim Jong Un becomes official song at state events

By replacing a hymn to his father, Kim is breaking out of previous leaders' shadows, experts say.

By RFA Korean 2023.11.15 -- "Our general is the wisest of 10 million. Our general cultivates the best paradise with the power of love for our everlasting happiness. His name is General Kim Jong Un!"

So goes the second verse of a song that praises the North Korean leader that is now mandatory for everyone to sing before every social event, residents told Radio Free Asia.

The "Hymn of General Kim Jong Un" will replace the "Hymn of General Kim Jong Il," the current leader's father and predecessor. That song had been in use since 1997 when it replaced the "Hymn of General Kim Il Sung," the progenitor of the three-generation Kim dynasty.

The move to praise the third-generational leader instead of the first or second is an attempt to solidify loyalty around himself by breaking out of his grandfather and father's shadows, a former high-ranking North Korean official who settled in South Korea in 2019, told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

"Since Kim Jong Un has been in power for over 10 years, we cannot continue to live under Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il," the former official said. "Though they are considered ... the origin of revolutionary ideology, that entity must be upheld now by Kim Jong Un."

'Ascended the throne'

Orders to change the songs went out this month, a resident from the northeastern province of North Hamgyong told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

"Kim Jong Un, ascended to the throne in a hereditary succession as a 27-year-old following the death of his father in 2011," the resident said. "He had us starting events with songs about his ancestors even after 10 years in power, [because at first] he had no political base ... and wanted to emphasize the legitimacy of his succession."

Along with starting events with the "Hymn of Kim Jong Un," citizens will be required to end events with another song, "We Will Defend General Kim Jong Un at the Cost of Our Lives," he said.

Both songs are not new, according to the resident.

The hymn was first performed in 2015 by the army during celebrations for the holiday North Korea calls Victory Day, the anniversary of the 1953 signing of the armistice that ended hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War. The song about defending the leader was first performed on stage in 2012, shortly after Kim Jong Un took power.

The resident said that in the years preceding Kim Il Sung's death in 1994, the people were made to sing songs praising both Kim Il Sung and his heir, Kim Jong Il. Once the younger Kim took over, the songs praising only Kim Il Sung had been continuously used until three years after he died. Kim Jong Il then replaced them with the songs praising himself.

'Mixed reactions'

Though it took 10 years for Kim Jong Un to do the same for himself, the move was expected, a resident from the northwestern province of North Pyongan told RFA on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

"When the event song changed, residents showed mixed reactions," he said. "While they accept this as an expected procedure since he is a hereditary leader, they still react harshly, because asking residents to sacrifice their lives for Kim Jong Un, the leader who caused the current severe food shortage, is an outrage."

Complaints about the new songs are many, the second resident said.

"Most people cannot accept the propaganda which idolizes [the leader] and forces us to praise the 'mighty spirit of Korea' and 'the dazzling sun of the century,'" he said - a possible link back to grandfather Kim Il Sung, who is often referred to as "the Sun" in propaganda, including the major holiday dedicated to him, the April 15 Day of the Sun.

"Residents are struggling with more severe living difficulties than during the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il eras," he said. "However we are told to praise [Kim Jong Un] and defend him with our lives. It's simply too hard to believe."

Brainwashing

But the former official said he was saddened that residents have no choice but to comply with the government's orders to praise Kim Jong Un.

"From the perspective of society and residents, they must comply because they continue to receive brainwashing education from the time when they first open their eyes after birth until they grow old and die," he said.

"In their minds, they may be thinking, 'What is the government doing and what is the leader doing when we live poor like this?' Still, it is a strangely rigid consciousness that must be followed as instructed by the party."

A former North Korean official who settled in South Korea in the mid-2010s said that the change in song goes beyond merely escaping previous leaders' shadows.

"It seems an effort to break the link between Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and highlight Kim Jong Un as the only great leader," he said.

Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.

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 November 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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North Korea Develops, Test-Fires New IRBM Solid-Fuel Engines - State Media

Sputnik News

20231115

MOSCOW (Sputnik) - North Korea has developed and test-fired new-type high-thrust solid-fuel engines for intermediate-range ballistic missiles, North Korean state-run news agency KCNA reported Wednesday.

The first ground tests of the first- and the second-stage engines were held on November 11 and 14 respectively, the report said. The tests were aimed at evaluating the technical specifications of new IRBM engines, the media reported, adding that the tests were "very successful" and the "reliability and stability" of the engines and manufacturing technologies were verified.

North Korea's General Missile Bureau attaches great importance to the development of the new type of IRBM, believing that the latest tests were "an essential process for further enhancing the strategic offensive capabilities" of North Korea's armed forces against the background of the unstable security environment and "the future military situation" in the region, the report said.

The North Korea "has developed new-type high-thrust solid-fuel engines for intermediate ballistic missiles again, which are of important strategic significance," Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency reported, adding that the tests "provided a sure guarantee for reliably accelerating the development of the new-type IRBM system."

In April, Pyongyang announced the successful test of its first solid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile - "Hwasong-18", calling the event a key breakthrough in the development of the country's nuclear standoff capability.

Solid-fuel missiles do not require fueling before launch, making them more difficult to detect and destroy and faster to use.

A Sputnik

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Talks between Chairmen of DPRK-Russia Inter-governmental Committee

Korean Central News Agency of DPRK

Pyongyang, November 16 (KCNA) -- Talks between Yun Jong Ho, minister of External Economic Relations who is chairman of the DPRK side to the DPRK-Russia inter-governmental committee for cooperation in trade, economy, science and technology, and Alexandr Kozlov, minister of Natural Resources and Ecology who is chairman of the Russian side, took place at the Mansudae Assembly Hall here on Wednesday.

The talks discussed the issues for promoting the inter-governmental cooperation in trade, economy, science and technology of the two countries more extensively as the DPRK-Russia friendly and cooperative relations reached a new strategic level.

Present at the talks from the DPRK side were Vice Foreign Minister Im Chon Il and officials concerned and from the Russian side were relevant members of the government delegation of the Russian Federation and Alexandr Matsegora, Russian ambassador to the DPRK. -0-

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2023 EDITION OF THE INDO-PACIFIC REGIONAL DIALOGUE (IPRD-2023)

India - Press Information Bureau

Ministry of Defence

Posted On: 15 NOV 2023 8:41PM by PIB Delhi

The "Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2023" (IPRD-2023), the three-day annual apex-level regional strategic dialogue of the Indian Navy, commenced in New Delhi on 15 Nov 23. Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar, the Hon'ble Vice President of India was the Chief Guest for the 'Commemorative Session', Smt Nirmala Sitharaman, the Hon'ble Minister of Finance and Corporate Affairs delivered the Special Address.

Keynote Address by the Vice President

The Hon'ble Vice President began his Keynote Address by acknowledging that the seas were emerging as the new frontier for global contestation due to their vast economic potential. He stressed the need for a regulatory regime and its effective enforcement to contain the possibility of contesting claims of the seas and its assets .

He said that it was not possible to aspire for peace from a position of weakness, and therefore there was a need for one to be strong in all fundamentals. Highlighting India's philosophical approach of 'Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam' (The World is One Family), the Vice President said that collaborative security and innovative partnerships were the way forward in ensuring a peaceful and prosperous region.

Special Address by the Minister of Finance

In her address, the Hon'ble Minister stated that the IPRD had gained considerable traction establishing itself as the maritime version of the Raisina Dialogue. She stressed the importance of maritime connectivity in India's economic development and also highlighted the key aspects of the India - Middle-East - Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) that was announced at the G20 Summit in New Delhi this year.

Invitational Address by the CDS

General Anil Chauhan, Chief of the Defence Staff delivered the invitational address during the professional session themed "Maritime Connectivity Initiatives Across the Indo-Pacific" and highlighted the historical as well as contemporary salience of the Indo-Pacific, drawing upon India's vision and perspective for the region. The significance of oceans in connecting India globally and the holistic approach to security through SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and Swachh Sagar Surakshit Sagar were also deliberated.

Commemorative Address by CNS

Adm R Hari Kumar, Chief of the Naval Staff emphasised India's growing prowess as a maritime power in his Commemorative Address. The CNS also emphasized the relevance of maritime corridors and its huge impacts on security, the economy and the geopolitical environment, through the example of the Suez Canal obstruction by MV Evergiven in Mar 21, which led to an estimated loss of $ 54 billion in global trade. At the same time, he emphasized the need to counter non-traditional security threats that impacted maritime security in the region. Citing the example of the recently concluded Goa Maritime Conclave, the CNS explained the Indian Navy's collaborative and cooperative initiatives in the Indo-Pacific.

Release of Publications

The Hon'ble Vice President released a book entitled "Building Partnerships - India and International Cooperation for Maritime Security" and the Hon'ble Finance Minister released an edited volume entitled "Maritime Perspectives: Maritime Security Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific: Strategies and Trends". Both the books have been published by the National Maritime Foundation.

Professional Sessions

Two professional sessions held during the day focussed on the themes - "Nodes of Maritime Connectivity" and "Maritime Connectivity Initiatives Across the Indo-Pacific".In the first session - moderated by Shri TK Ramachandran, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways - deliberations centred upon port-led development, with globally renowned participants from Japan, the UK, Australia and India. The second session included the invitational address by the CDS, followed by a panel discussion with eminent experts from Japan, Kenya, Nepal, the Philippines, Australia and Germany.

The day's proceedings concluded with two MoUs of cooperation that were signed between the National Maritime Foundation (NMF) and the Nepal Institute for International Cooperation and Engagement (NIICE), Nepal, and the NMF and The Global Centre for Policy and Strategy (GLOCEPS), Kenya.

The IPRD-2023 is being organised by the Indian Navy in association with the National Maritime Foundation as its knowledge partner. Established in 2005, the NMF is one of India's foremost maritime think-tank that concentrates its research upon issues relevant to India's maritime interests, and has gained significant international traction for conduct of independent, original, and policy-relevant research on all 'matters maritime'. The opening day of the Dialogue witnessed participation by over 1000 participants, including delegates from friendly foreign countries and international organisations.

******

VM/PS

(Release ID: 1977216)

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Electronics in the Shahed-136 Kamikaze Drone

Institute for Science and International Security

by David Albright and Sarah Burkhard

November 14, 2023

Shahed-136 kamikaze drones, filled with Western electronics, continue to destroy Ukrainian lives and their civilian infrastructure. These drones, also known as Geran 2, are produced and assembled at JSC Alabuga facilities inside the Alabuga Special Economic Zone in Russia, with assistance from Iran. Yet, the company responsible, JSC Alabuga, 1 and related companies are still not found on public U.S. or allied sanctions lists.

Information in internal Alabuga documents, analyzed by Institute staff over hundreds of hours, show a remarkable ability to acquire sophisticated electronic components from the West and build modules aimed at defeating Ukraine's ability to jam Shahed-136 drones and require Ukraine and its allies to keep deploying additional or more advanced jamming systems. The detailed information on the Shahed-136's electronic components, with part numbers and manufacturer, provide a valuable opportunity to thwart exports of these specific parts to Russia and its partner Iran, which has to date supplied most of these electronic parts to Alabuga for use in the Shahed-136 drone. Starting next year, however, Alabuga has committed to outfit Shahed-136 drones with electronic components it acquires on its own.

The danger posed by Alabuga should mobilize governments to apply sanctions and other restrictive measures to Alabuga and the associated companies revealed in the documents. Sanctions on Alabuga would not only be helpful in disrupting Alabuga and associated companies' procurement efforts, but they would cause stress to a giant drone factory that has to produce thousands of Shahed-136 drones on a tight schedule, with little previous experience with drone production, hundreds of new employees on its payroll, and under financial pressure to prove itself as a capable supplier to the military.

The internal Alabuga documents contain detailed information about the types and origins of electronic components in the Shahed-136 kamikaze drone. While other Shahed-136 components, such as servomotors and certain raw materials, are also critical items that Alabuga and Iran acquire abroad, and need to be tightly controlled, almost all of the electronic components are made exclusively in the West and also lie at the heart of the Shahed-136's ability to evade Ukrainian jamming and reach their targets. One electronic module in the Shahed-136 drone called Nasir in the documents was designed by Iran and has played a central role in hindering Ukrainian jamming efforts. The documents indicate that Nasir has state-of-art antenna interference suppression, i.e. suppressing enemy jamming signals while preserving the desired GPS signal. It works with other modules listed in Table 1.

To build Nasir and the other four associated major electronic modules in each Shahed-136 drone, Alabuga and Iran need to import large quantities of electronic components. One document contains an extensive list of about 140 electronic and connector components in each Shahed 136, created by Alabuga with Iranian data in late 2022 or early 2023, revealing Alabuga's (and Iran's) dependence on successfully obtaining from abroad these components. Figure 1 shows a distribution of manufacturers of electronic components and connectors in this list. Many of the electronic components are made exclusively in the West and by its allies; about 80 percent originate in the United States. While Alabuga is expected to seek substitute components, reacting to sanctions and supply chain disruptions, a significant number of these components are not made in Russia, Iran, or China and will still require access to Western electronic goods.

There are reasons to believe the technology underlying Nasir has aided other Russian weapons' anti-jamming systems. For example, the miniaturized versions of the Kometa anti-jamming systems could have been one beneficiary. These Iranian capabilities diminish Ukraine's ability to defend its airspace.

Figure 1. Frequency of components by producer appearing in an Alabuga Excel spreadsheet for the Shahed 136 navigation modules, anti-jamming modules, flight control unit, and power distribution unit. Connectors are also included. The names of producers are taken directly from the Excel sheet and may include companies that have since merged or changed their name.

a

The information in the Alabuga documents justifies manufacturers, distributors, and customs as well as enforcement officials in the U.S. and allied countries taking extraordinary steps to make it harder for Alabuga (and Iran) to succeed in acquiring these items, including opportunities to disrupt Russia's and Iran's efforts to use covert supply channels. The U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security has already implemented a range of important and effective measures to better control needed items and enlist other countries in doing so as well. Toward more effective efforts to stifle Alabuga, governments can create more precise information about which specific parts and in what quantities Alabuga needs for its drones, allowing for more targeted warnings to customs agencies, the financial sector, other governments, manufacturers, distributors, and logistic and transportation providers.

In parallel, manufacturers and their foreign subsidiaries as well as their distributors, logistic and transportation providers, should be put on high alert with respect to the highest priority items, in particular electronic integrated circuits. They stand out as a common item in the Alabuga electronic component list, which lists over 50 of them of many varieties out of the 140 on the entire list of electronic components and connectors. Companies selling the most critical components, in some cases identified by Alabuga itself, such as at least one sold by Texas Instruments, should stop using distributors to sell these specific parts. Instead, the company and its subsidiaries should sell them directly, which would allow for centralized internal compliance systems to catch suspicious inquiries and for more thorough checks of declared end-uses and end users.

But all of these efforts need to be underpinned by sanctions on Alabuga and its related companies. The United States and its allies should apply them as soon as possible.

1. JSC SEZ PPT Alabuga is a joint stock company where shareholders are 100 percent state-owned, with 66 percent Russian state and 34 percent Republic of Tatarstan. It controls the management company of the Alabuga Special Economic Zone and operates the Limited Liability company Alabuga Development, which builds the infrastructure but also engages in procurements for the site, including the drone projects. There are also closely related companies that engage in foreign procurements. The SEZ comprises 40 square kilometers in the Yelabuzhsky District of the Republic of Tatarstan, ten kilometers from Yelabuga. a

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November 15, 2023

Release

Readout of Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III's Call With Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant

Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder provided the following readout:

Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III called Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant today to discuss Israel's operations against Hamas. The Secretary reiterated his steadfast support for Israel's defense and emphasized the need to protect civilians, increase humanitarian aid delivery, and ensure military operations comply with international humanitarian law.

https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3589889/

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PM Netanyahu Meets with Samaritan's Purse President and CEO Franklin Graham

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

15.11.2023

Prime Minister Netanyahu on Turkish President Erdogan: "He calls Israel a terrorist state, but actually supports the terror state of Hamas, has himself bombed Turkish villages inside Turkey itself. So, we're not going to get any lectures from them."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, met with Samaritan's Purse President and CEO Franklin Graham, and thanked him for coming to Israel on a solidarity visit.

Prime Minister Netanyahu:

"The fact that you're coming here, standing with Israel in Israel is mightily important and gives us a lot of strength, a lot of encouragement. I have to say that the world today appears to be divided by two forces: those who support Israel and its just fight against Hamas terrorism, and those who support Hamas terrorism.

I think, Reverend Graham, with your so many followers around the world, understand that Israel is fighting a just war, fighting according to international law, trying to minimize civilian casualties, root out the terrorists. And I think that's our common battle, the battle of civilization against barbarism.

I have to say that, by contrast, you know, there are forces that support the terrorists. And one of them is President Erdogan of Turkey, who calls Israel a terrorist state, but actually supports the terror state of Hamas, has himself bombed Turkish villages inside Turkey itself. So, we're not going to get any lectures from them.

We stand with those who stand for justice and truth, like Reverend Graham, our many Christian friends around the world, but also so many others. We saw that yesterday in a mass demonstration in Washington of Jewish leaders and non-Jewish leaders - leaders of the Senate, leaders of the House. They stood for Israel. They stood for truth. They stood for justice. That's the forces of civilization that will ultimately win the day."

Also participating in the meeting were the Strategic Affairs Minister, the National Security Council Director and the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Adviser.

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PM Netanyahu visited an Iron Dome battery and an intercept control center in the south

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

15.11.2023

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to Iron Dome Soldiers: "We face a brutal enemy but do not forget who we are."

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, visited an Iron Dome battery and an intercept control center, in the south, and evaluated the latter and its systems in real time as air defense soldiers considered whether or not a target was hostile and decided - in mere seconds - whether to launch an interceptor at it.

The Prime Minister also spoke with the soldiers and intercept personnel of the Southern Iron Dome Brigade, the 947 Brigade. Air Defense Commander Brig.-Gen. Gilad Biran and 947 Brigade commander Lt.-Col. Elad Zinman briefed the Prime Minister on air defense operations since the start of the war, the deployment of a record number of Iron Dome batteries throughout the country, the defense of the country and the interception of threats, and the very high proportion of success.

Brig.-Gen. Biran also reviewed the events of October 7th regarding Iron Dome in which the anti-missile defensive array thwarted an unprecedented aerial assault on the State of Israel and lost three of its soldiers - Lt. Sahar Saudian, Cpl. Binyamin Gavriel Yonah and Cpl. Nativ Kotzro - who operated batteries during the massacres.

Prime Minister Netanyahu to the soldiers:

"These fighting men and women who are operating our Iron Dome array are the shield of the State of Israel. People forget that since the start of the war, Hamas has launched around 10,000 rockets and missiles at the State of Israel in or der to kill our citizens.

You are doing sacred work in saving the citizens of the State of Israel. That is the difference between us and them: You are saving civilians while they sacrifice civilians and bring them into the war zone and do not allow them to leave, threatening them and even shooting at them so that they stay on the front line.

We face a brutal enemy but do not forget who we are; neither do we forget who you are. We greatly appreciate what you are doing, which of course assists us in the war effort."

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PM Netanyahu Meets with US National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa Brett McGurk

Israel - Prime Minister's Office

The 37th Government

15.11.2023

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, today, at the Kirya in Tel Aviv, met with US National Security Council Coordinator for the Middle East and North Africa, and Deputy Advisor to President Joe Biden, Brett McGurk.

The Prime Minister said that freeing Shifa Hospital from the control of the Hamas terrorist organization indicates Israel's capability and determination in going anywhere to fully defeat Hamas.

Prime Minister Netanyahu and the Presidential envoy discussed the range of issues regarding the war, while emphasizing the release of the hostages.

Attending the meeting for the Israeli side were the Strategic Affairs Minister, the National Security Council Director, the Prime Minister's Chief of Staff, the Prime Minister's Military Secretary and the Prime Minister's Foreign Policy Adviser. Among those attending for the American side were the Special Envoy for Humanitarian Affairs in the Middle East, the Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs and the American Ambassador to Israel.

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Secretary Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of Commerce Gina M. Raimondo, Japanese Foreign Minister Kamikawa Yoko, And Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Nishimura Yasutoshi Before Their Meeting

US Department of State

Remarks

Antony J. Blinken, Secretary of State

Moscone Center

San Francisco, California

November 14, 2023

FOREIGN MINISTER KAMIKAWA: (Via interpreter) I would like to mention three points. First of all, the strengthening and maintenance of the economic order in the Indo-Pacific.

I apologize.

As the host of the second Economic 2+2 Ministerial Meeting, I welcome you all and I'm glad we're able to have this meeting. Secretary Blinken, thank you very much for the close communication we have been maintaining on a routine basis. Secretary Raimondo, following the IPEF Ministerial this morning, it's a pleasure to see you again and to continue on with our discussions.

Protracted aggression of Ukraine by Russia; unstable and vulnerable supply chain; global energy and food crisis; and on top of that, the current situation between Israel and Palestine - these are some of the mounting issues the international community faces. At the same time, however, partnership between likeminded countries is steadily advancing, as seen in the delivery of a strong message at the G7 Hiroshima Summit, coordination of policy on AI governance, and cooperation over semiconductors.

I look forward to discussing with you today the direction for Japan and the U.S. to proceed as we strive to strengthen a rules-based economic order in this region and, at the same time, to elevate resilience of both countries.

MODERATOR: Thank you.

Next, Minister Nishimura, please.

ECONOMY MINISTER NISHIMURA: (Via interpreter) Once again, I am (inaudible) Minister Nishimura Yasutoshi. As you heard, diplomacy, security policy, and economic policies are nowadays inseparable. Based on this notion, we are meeting today at the second meeting of Economic 2+2 that Prime Minister Kishida and President Biden created last year. We are very glad to be here.

Besides next-generation semiconductors and quantum, AI, biotech, and other critical emerging technologies, supply chain resiliency of critical minerals, and batteries and energy security, over one year - thanks to this Economic 2+2 Japan and United States partnership - were able to expand into a new domain.

Well, Secretary Raimondo, I have met you many times and we have conversed over telephone many times and have had a frequent exchange. Once again, thank you for that, Madam Secretary.

And hence, seeing the prolongation of Russia's aggression, tension in Middle East, geopolitical risks are rising and moves to use economic interdependency as weapons as well as market-distorting measures are the new challenges that we are faced with; in transparent and opaque way to counter attempts to enhance competitiveness in opaque and unfair way; and to control the market, likeminded countries should go beyond the industrial sector demarcation and cooperate through alignment in the actual policy.

This kind of totally new approach is needed. Japan and U.S., we share the universal value to jointly tackle threat to economic order, and converge in resilient economic security will be a foundation going beyond our bilateral relationship, and this will surely bring peace and prosperity vitally to the Indo-Pacific. This is my firm belief.

I am looking forward to a frank discussion today with you, and let us send a powerful message to the rest of the world for San Francisco in united manner. Thank you.

MODERATOR: Thank you, Minister.

Next, Secretary Blinken, please.

SECRETARY BLINKEN: Well, thank you very much, colleagues. It's very good to be with you. Our alliance between the United States and Japan has long been a cornerstone for regional peace, security, and prosperity, but I think we are taking it to a new level across all domains. And the more we're able to align our economic, our technological, and other key strategies to build an allied industrial base, supply chains, industries of the future, the more we are going to maximize our ability to deliver for our people across the board in what they need and are looking for.

This has been a remarkable year for our alliance. We had, of course, the prime minister's visit to Washington, President Biden's visit to Hiroshima for the G7, and then the historic Camp David summit. We've also had important outcomes from your G7 presidency, and I was very appreciative of the last session, Yoko, that you - that you chaired in Japan; also our APEC host year that we're completing now; IPEF; as well as the Quad Leaders' Meeting.

Our countries are working to advance a rules-based economic order to counter economic coercion and to allow innovation to thrive. These issues matter for the United States. They matter for Japan. They matter for our many partners in the Indo-Pacific and well beyond. And indeed, our alliance, our partnership is not just bilateral, it's not just regional, it's genuinely global. That alliance - our Economic 2+2 - we see as force multipliers for strengthening a free, open, prosperous Indo-Pacific.

So it's very good to be with you.

SECRETARY RAIMONDO: Thank you. Thank you, colleagues. It is wonderful to be here with all of you, and it's an honor for me to join this 2+2. The 2+2 allows our nations to discuss the most pressing challenges that we share and to collaborate and solve problems together and find opportunities to yield real benefits for our economies and the citizens of both of our nations.

We're working together to counter the use of economic coercion, as has been said, by state actors; to promote and protect critical and emerging technologies like artificial intelligence, cyber, semiconductors, quantum computing, biotechnology; and to tighten alignment on export controls in the wake of Russia's brutal war of aggression against Ukraine.

We're also rapidly increasing our efforts to strengthen our semiconductor supply chain - Minister Nishimura and I spoke about this earlier - and promote the development of clean technologies very much to the benefit of both of our nations.

I want to thank both of you for your strong support of the IPEF. We had an excellent ministerial earlier today, closing out the three pillars of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework. So thank you both, especially Minister Nishimura who's been working on this with me for some time.

As Secretary Blinken said, our relationship has never been stronger. The U.S.-Japan relationship has never been stronger, and I am confident that our cooperation will bring even greater opportunity and prosperity to the Indo-Pacific region. So thank you.

MODERATOR: Thank you very much, Secretary Raimondo.

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Expanding conflict in northern Myanmar displaces more than 200,000

Reports of troop defections as 3-way ethnic alliance offensive presses into junta-held territory.

By RFA Burmese 2023.11.15 -- Fierce fighting between Myanmar's military and ethnic armies in northern Shan state in recent weeks has expanded to include parts of the northwest, southeast and Rakhine state, displacing more than 200,000 people, according to the United Nations.

Three weeks since the "Three Brotherhood" Alliance of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Arakan Army and the Ta'ang National Liberation Army launched an offensive on Oct. 27 dubbed "Operation 1027" the rebels have made notable gains against the military in several key cities in Shan state in the country's northeast.

In the wake of the operation, the Arakan Army, or AA, this week attacked the junta's military in the western state of Rakhine, ending a ceasefire brokered one year ago on humanitarian grounds. Conflict is also underway in Kayah state's Loikaw township, including aerial bombardment in urban areas causing civilian casualties

But the fighting has taken a huge humanitarian toll. In a flash update published late on Tuesday, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or UNOCHA, said that more than 200,000 people had been displaced by fighting in the regions as of Nov. 14 - many of whom have moved towards the border with China to the north.

The exodus included people who fled active war zones, as well as others who left their homes amid the threat of clashes, village raids by junta troops, and military artillery and air strikes, it said.

"A halt in clashes and provision of unimpeded humanitarian access by all parties are critical to safeguarding the lives and well-being of civilians and aid workers who are delivering life-saving services to people in need," the UNOCHA said.

The agency noted that key transportation routes in townships with active fighting have been blocked both by junta forces and ethnic armies, "further restricting people's movements to safer locations as well as humanitarian access."

But UNOCHA said that, despite insecurity, access and telecommunications challenges in the regions, humanitarian assistance is continuing in northern Shan, while humanitarian partners in the northwest, southeast and Rakhine state are"assessing new needs to respond accordingly.

"Needs in the Northwest, Southeast and Rakhine are increasing by the day and require immediate response," it said.

More than 1.6 million civilians have fled their homes due to fighting since the military's Feb. 1, 202,1 coup d'etat, according to figures released by the UNOCHA at the end of last month.

Artillery and air strikes

The latest numbers suggest that the fears of those fleeing fighting in Myanmar are not unfounded.

Sources in affected regions recently told RFA Burmese that more than 70 civilians were killed and at least 252 injured by junta artillery and air strikes in Myanmar over the last two months alone.

The U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, or ACLED, said it had documented at least 2,302 military artillery strikes and 1,275 air strikes in Myanmar between Feb. 1, 2021, and Nov. 10 this year, resulting in 1,037 and 1,261 fatalities, respectively.

The number of military artillery and air strikes in Myanmar has steadily increased from 222 and 159 in the first quarter of this year to 347 and 256 in the third quarter, coinciding with reports of anti-junta forces winning an increasing number of battles on the ground.

At least 19 civilians - including a pregnant woman and five children under the age of 10 - were killed by military air strikes from Nov. 12-14 in Sagaing region's Tigyaing township, residents of the township told RFA, amid a push by anti-junta forces to claim territory in the region. The strikes were carried out with Mi35 combat helicopters on villages where people displaced by conflict have been sheltering, they said.

Attempts by RFA to contact junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on reports of civilian casualties resulting from military artillery and air strikes went unanswered Wednesday, but the junta has previously said that its forces do not target non-combatants.

Poor morale and defections

The military's shift in strategy to lean more heavily on artillery and air strikes also comes amid reports of poor morale in Myanmar's armed forces that sources say are a result of gains by the armed resistance and a realization that the military might not emerge the victor in its multi-front conflict.

Sources say flagging morale has contributed to a number of military defections in recent months.

On Tuesday, 32 junta soldiers stationed at Loikaw University in Kayah state - including Captain Kaung Myat, the commander of Light Infantry Battalion 6 - surrendered to local resistance forces together with their arms and ammunition after suffering a "high number of casualties" in a clash with ethnic Karenni armed groups, the anti-junta Karen Nationalities Defense Force said in a statement.

Days earlier, the entire Light Infantry Battalion 129, including its commander and 134 family members, surrendered to the Three Brotherhood Alliance's Myanmar National Democratic Alliance, or MNDAA, in northern Shan state. And on Oct. 30, all 41 members of Light Infantry Battalion 143, including a deputy commander and two company commanders, surrendered to the MNDAA in Shan's Kunlong township.

Attempts by RFA to contact junta Social Affairs Minister Myint Kyi, who is also the spokesperson for the Kayah state government, for comment on the latest surrender went unanswered Wednesday.

But the junta has signaled of late that it is concerned by gains by the resistance and their impact on support for his regime.

Last week, junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said that the alliance's "Operation 1027" could "break the country into pieces" if left unchecked.

To boost the morale of troops and demonstrate public support for the military, the junta has organized several rallies in major cities in recent days, including Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyitaw, and Myitkyina.

But residents of the cities told RFA on condition of anonymity that the rallies are part of a bid by the junta to "hide its deteriorating political and military situation."

Translated by Aung Naing. 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 November 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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US Congress Pushes Myanmar Aid Debate Into Early 2024

By Katherine Gypson November 15, 2023

The debate over U.S. aid to Myanmar will remain unresolved until at least early next year, as U.S. lawmakers once again this week delayed passage of a final budget for 2024.

U.S. lawmakers are expected to pass a short-term continuing resolution that will fund the government at current levels through early next year that includes the BURMA Act, passed as part of the 2023 National Defense Authorization or NDAA.

But the 2024 version of the budget will require the Senate and the House to reconcile differing visions of how to proceed with aid to Myanmar, also known as Burma.

The version of the 2024 budget produced by the Democratic-majority U.S. Senate would appropriate more money to funding humanitarian assistance and democracy promotion programs in Myanmar.

But activists have expressed concern about the delay and the version of the budget passed by the Republican-majority House of Representatives that would defund some programs.

"We are urging that Congress appropriate sufficient money to implement the BURMA Act while continuing essential assistance in the face of ongoing political and humanitarian crisis in Burma," the Campaign for a New Myanmar said in a statement.

In its annual 2024 fiscal year markup of the State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs budget, released in July of this year, U.S. House lawmakers recommended $50 million to implement the current BURMA Act while also recommending a reduction of $1.4 billion for the U.S. Agency for International Development or USAID's development assistance.

In July 2023, Myanmar's National Unity Government, a shadow administration run from hiding and exile vying to oust the junta, and a trio of allied ethnic minority rebel armies, told VOA they had asked the U.S. Congress for $525 million in aid, including $200 million in nonlethal humanitarian aid. That number would be four times the $136 million previously appropriated by Congress.

Current Myanmar funding

The Burma Unification through Rigorous Military Accountability or BURMA Act was a response to the February 1, 2021, coup in which Myanmar's democratically elected government was deposed by the military.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell - a leading voice in the U.S. Congress supporting democracy in Myanmar - marked the second anniversary of the coup on the Senate floor by praising the BURMA Act.

"It made sanctions on senior junta officials mandatory," McConnell said in February 2023, "Finally, the NDAA also notably authorized funding for programs to strengthen federalism in and among ethnic states in Burma, and for technical support and non-lethal assistance to Burma's ethnic armed organizations and People's Defense Forces to strengthen communication, command and control, and coordination of international relief and other operations between these entities."

According to the Stimson Center, a non-partisan think tank, "it remains unclear if any new programs were created since December 2022. At this point, the U.S. continues to promote humanitarian aid as its unchanged policy towards Myanmar."

The United States has provided "nearly $2.1 billion since the military's genocide and crimes against humanity towards the Rohingya that led 740,000 Rohingya to flee to neighboring Bangladesh in 2017," Michael Schiffer, assistant administrator of the Bureau for Asia at the U.S. Agency for International Development, told House lawmakers in September 2023.

Late last month, the U.S. Treasury Department announced that starting in December, it will prohibit Americans from providing financial services to or for Myanma Oil and Gas Enterprise. The Treasury Department also sanctioned three new entities and five individuals connected to Myanmar's military regime.

Rep. Gregory Meeks, the top Democrat on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and the author of the BURMA Act, praised the move in a statement.

"These sanctions will disrupt the junta's access to the U.S. financial system and curtail its ability to commit further human rights violations. The United States and our partners must utilize all diplomatic and economic tools at our disposal to compel the junta to cease its atrocities, release unjustly detained individuals, facilitate unimpeded humanitarian access, and chart a pathway back toward democracy," Meeks said.

Zsombor Peter contributed to this report.

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Pakistan's Navy cmdr. calls for expansion of military, defense ties with Iran

IRNA - Islamic Republic News Agency

Nov 15, 2023

Islamabad, IRNA -- Chief of Pakistan's Naval Staff Naveed Ashraf has said that ties with Iran is important for his country and called for expansion of cooperation between the two neighbors in defense and military fields.

Ashraf, who assumed command of Pakistan's Navy a month ago, was speaking with Iran's Ambassador to Islamabad Reza Amiri-Moghaddam on Wednesday.

The ambassador, on his part, said that the navies of Iran and Pakistan will continue their cooperation on training issues.

He also elaborated on capabilities of the Naval Force of the Islamic Republic's Army, especially its 86th flotilla which completed an eight-month global tour in May 2023, passing through seven seas, seven straits, and three oceans.

Amiri-Moghaddam also invited the Pakistani military official to visit Iran, which was welcomed by Ashraf.

4194

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Pakistan extends deadline for Uyghurs refugees facing deportation

Authorities have not specified the duration of the extension.

By Gulchehra Hoja for RFA Uyghur 2023.11.15 -- Pakistani authorities have temporarily extended the period of stay for Uyghurs living in the city of Rawalpindi who were at risk for deportation under a government order to expel all illegal migrants by the start of November, a Uyghur involved in the situation said.

Nearly 20 Uyghur families a or about 100 individuals a who live in Pakistan's fourth-biggest city but do not possess Afghan, Chinese passports or Pakistani residence permits have feared deportation to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan or China.

Most of the affected Uyghurs are descendants of individuals who migrated decades ago from Xinjiang to Afghanistan and later to Pakistan.

Pakistani authorities have not specified the duration of the extension, though they said the matter would be discussed in Pakistan's parliament, and a decision would soon be made, according to Omer Khan, founder of the Pakistan-based Omer Uyghur Trust, who has been assisting the families.

"The Pakistani government has temporarily extended our stay, but we don't know if it's for three months or six months," he told Radio Free Asia.

In early October, Pakistan declared that all foreigners without legal documents had to leave by Nov. 1 or face arrest and deportation. The decision was made in response to the killing of dozens of people in two suicide bombings at mosques in late September.

Since most of the attacks had been carried out by Afghan nationals, officials decided to expel foreigners without a valid residence permit - including 1.73 million Afghan refugees - if they didn't leave on their own.

But on Nov. 10, authorities announced that they had extended the legal residence status of over 1 million Afghan refugees until the end of the year, though Islamabad again rejected calls to stop deporting undocumented Afghans and other foreign nationals, Voice of America reported.

The Uyghurs have been living in a state of uncertainty for the past month and have been subjected to sudden house raids, searches and questioning by police, and threats of eviction by landlords.

The U.N. refugee agency's office in Pakistan has given the Uyghurs a 24-hour emergency response phone number to call if they continued to face police harassment, Khan said, adding that the office told them that Pakistan could not deport them because they are Uyghurs, not Afghans.

"They conveyed to us that they have informed the Geneva [headquarters] about our situation," Khan said. "Because we are Uyghurs, not Afghans, they will engage with the Pakistani government and have advised us to await positive news."

Khan also said he spoke with the Pakistani landlords who rent homes to the Uyghurs, and they agreed not to evict them.

Translated by RFA Uyghur. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.

Copyright 1998-2023, RFA. Used with the permission of Radio Free Asia, 2025 M St. NW, Suite 300, Washington DC 20036. For any commercial use of RFA content please send an email to: mahajanr@rfa.org. RFA content November 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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Korea - AIM-9X Block II and Block II+ (Plus) Sidewinder Missiles

Media/Public Contact: pm-cpa@state.gov

Transmittal No: 23-76

WASHINGTON, November 15, 2023 -- The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Republic of Korea of AIM-9X Block II and Block II+ (Plus) Sidewinder Missiles and related equipment for an estimated cost of $52.1 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today.

The Government of the Republic of Korea has requested to buy forty-two (42) AIM-9X Sidewinder Block II+ Tactical Missiles; ten (10) AIM-9X Sidewinder Captive Air Training Missiles (CATM); five (5) AIM-9X Block II+ Sidewinder Tactical Guidance Units (GU); and three (3) AIM-9X Sidewinder CATM Guidance Units (GU). Also included are missile containers; spare and repair parts; support and test equipment; publications and technical documentation; personnel training and training equipment; U.S. Government and contractor representatives' technical assistance and engineering and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total program cost is $52.1 million.

This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region.

The proposed sale will improve the Republic of Korea's capability to meet current and future threats while further enhancing interoperability with the United States and other allies. Korea will have no difficulty absorbing these articles into its armed forces.

The proposed sale of this equipment and support will not alter the basic military balance in the region.

The principal contractor will be Raytheon Missiles and Defense (RMD), Tucson, AZ. There are no known offset agreements proposed in connection with this potential sale.

Implementation of the proposed sale will require U.S. Government and contractor personnel to visit the ROK on a temporary basis in conjunction with program technical oversight and support requirements, including program and technical reviews, as well as to provide training and maintenance support in country.

There will be no adverse impact on U.S. defense readiness as a result of this proposed sale.

The description and dollar value are for the highest estimated quantity and dollar value based on initial requirements. Actual dollar value will be lower depending on final requirements, budget authority, and signed sales agreement(s), if and when concluded.

All questions regarding this proposed Foreign Military Sale should be directed to the State Department's Bureau of Political Military Affairs, Office of Congressional and Public Affairs, pm-cpa@state.gov.

-30-

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EU Takes Aim At More Central Asian Firms For Aiding Russian War Effort In Ukraine

By Reid Standish November 15, 2023

The European Union is looking to sanction more Central Asian companies that it says are aiding Russia's war effort in Ukraine, according to a document seen by RFE/RL.

The draft for the EU's 12th sanctions package looks to add 31 new entities to its ever-growing embargo list -- including two from Kazakhstan and one from Uzbekistan -- that it has been compiling since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

The proposal also looks to issue a ban on Russian diamonds, which Brussels has not yet enacted but Washington already approved.

The inclusion of firms based in Central Asia points to the growing role the region is playing as an intermediary working around Western sanctions meant to limit Moscow's ability to wage war on Ukraine.

Russian imports of dual-use goods from Central Asian firms have skyrocketed since the start of the war, including electronics and components produced by Western and Chinese companies, such as microchips and drones.

According to a draft memo seen by RFE/RL, the new measures look to limit loopholes around nonlethal but militarily useful equipment that "might contribute to the technological enhancement of Russia's defense and security sector." It adds that there is a need to target "certain other entities in third countries involved in the circumvention of trade restrictions" in order to curb Russia's war effort.

The new Central Asian companies are the Kazakh-based Aspan Arba (Sky Chariot) and Da Group 22 as well as the Tashkent-based Mvizion.

Aspan Arba imported drones and allegedly sent them to the Russian company Skymec, aka Sky Mechanics, which in turn sold them to organizations inside the country linked to Russia's military-industrial complex.

According to an investigation by the Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) in May, the two companies have the same Russian national as an owner.

Kazakh trade data shows the imported drones are made by the Chinese-firm DJI, which makes up more than 90 percent of the global consumer drone market, according to DroneAnalyst.

Despite the company announcing measures to prevent the drones from appearing on Ukrainian battlefields, DJI drones have become a mainstay of the war for both sides. An RFE/RL report from October showed how the Chinese-made drones are being bought by pro-war groups in Russia, with Skymec -- which lists Russia's Interior Ministry, the Federal Protection Service, and the Emergency Situations Ministry as distribution clients on its website -- among them.

Da Group 22 shows up in Russian customs data as the exporter of thousands of microchips to Russia from Kazakhstan in the last year, and the OCCRP investigation linked the company to a Russian family with business dealings in Germany.

Mvizion was sanctioned in early November by the U.S. Commerce Department for sending "electronic components and computer software" to a sanctioned Russian firm linked to the country's war effort.

The set of proposed EU measures would add the three Central Asian-based companies to its June sanctions list that included entities from that region, when it added two Uzbek-based entities to its 11th sanctions package.

Those included two Tashkent-headquartered companies: Alfa Beta Creative and GFK Logistics Asia. Both companies were previously sanctioned by the Commerce Department in April, which said they were designed to "evade export controls" and aid in "acquiring or attempting to acquire U.S.-origin items in support of Russia's military and/or defense industrial base."

Beyond the three Central Asian-based firms, most of the proposed new entities on the draft list are registered in Russia, apart from the Singapore-based Deflog Technologies.

Central Asia's role in circumventing Western sanctions against Russia has been a target of the EU's recent dealings with the region's leaders.

In September, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz raised the issue during a visit to Berlin by Kazakh President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev. French President Emmanuel Macron also pressed for a greater effort to crackdown on companies based in the region when he visited Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan in early November.

The draft also looks to introduce tougher reporting requirements designed to prevent the sale of Russian oil, which violates sanctions and is then sold with falsified documents.

The proposal does not include any new Chinese companies.

Brussels originally included seven Chinese firms in its 11th sanctions package but removed four before passing it in June. The final version only included the Hong Kong-based Asia Pacific Links, Tordan Industry, and Alpha Trading Investments. There had been speculation that the remaining four firms would be added to the new package, but Sinno Electronics, 3HC Semiconductors, Sigma Technology, and King-Pai Technology are not included on the draft.

EU member states will begin discussions on the new sanctions proposals this week and are looking to agree on the package before Christmas, according to an EU official familiar with the matter.

The entities included on the list seen by RFE/RL are not final and additional companies and persons could be added or removed before a final version is passed.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/eu-targets-central- asia-aiding-russia-war-ukraine/32685925.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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KMT, TPP to form joint presidential ticket based upon polls (update)

ROC Central News Agency

11/15/2023 06:01 PM

Taipei, Nov. 15 (CNA) The Kuomintang (KMT) and the Taiwan People's Party (TPP) agreed on Wednesday after months of deadlock to form a joint presidential ticket in Taiwan's 2024 presidential election, with the top of the ticket to be determined through public polls.

The agreement came after a two-hour meeting between KMT presidential nominee Hou Yu-ih (), TPP chairman and presidential nominee Ko Wen-je (), and KMT Chairman Eric Chu (), with former President Ma Ying-jeou () also in attendance.

Though a joint statement issued after the meeting said poll results would determine who would head the ticket in the Jan. 13, 2024 presidential election, it was somewhat vague on how polls would be weighed and how the results would be determined.

According to the statement, former President Ma, the KMT, and the TPP would each recommend a polling expert, and the three experts will then assess poll results released publicly from Nov. 7 to Nov. 17 and the results of internal KMT and TPP polls to determine the ticket.

The results will be announced by the Ma Ying-jeou Foundation on Nov. 18, the statement said.

The four attendees all gave short remarks before quickly leaving the meeting venue without answering questions or providing more details on how polling data will be gauged.

A smiling Ma, who held both Hou's and Ko's hands, described the agreement as "a new milestone in Taiwan's political history."

"I consider this a significant day for both Taiwan and our respective parties. We are committed to giving our best efforts [in the election] in accordance with the cooperation agreement," Ma said.

Hou, wearing a pin of the Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan's formal name) on his navy blue jacket, said the result will be out in the next few days.

"Regardless of the outcome, let's work together as a team," he said.

Chu, meanwhile, said the joint campaign and the future formation of a coalition government would make Taiwan's society better.

"More importantly, we will work hard to meet the expectations of over 60 percent of mainstream public opinion and achieve victory," Chu said, citing recent polls that indicate support for Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) presidential candidate Lai Ching-te () was below 40 percent.

Ko also praised the agreement as "historic," as Taiwan has never had a coalition government in its history.

At a forum later Wednesday, however, Ko said he was in a bad mood when asked why he decided to work with the KMT, a party he once expressed a strong dislike for.

"As a family member of the victims of the 228 Incident, I certainly don't harbor fondness for the KMT, but I never anticipated the DPP would go downhill so quickly," he said.

The 228 Incident denotes a brutal suppression initiated by the KMT in response to anti-government protests that commenced on Feb. 28, 1947, lasting for several weeks and resulting in the deaths of thousands of civilians.

Ko said he will be closely monitoring the KMT's every move. "Without scrutiny, it will be corrupt as well," he said.

The statement issued followed Wednesday's meeting also laid out other details on how the two parties will work together.

It said a joint campaign committee will be established by the two parties to campaign for the joint presidential and vice-presidential candidates, as well as legislative candidates recommended by both parties.

In the presence of former President Ma, the statement said, the KMT and the TPP pledged to establish a coalition government.

With the exception of ministers of national defense, foreign affairs, and cross-strait affairs, which are decided by the president, other ministries will be selected based on the proportion of legislators from each party, it said.

The TPP will focus on supervision and checks and balances, while the KMT will be responsible for Taiwan's construction and development, according to the statement.

Taiwanese voters will go to the polls on Jan. 13, 2024 to elect the president and all 113 members of the Legislative Yuan.

(By Chung Yu-chen, Liu Kuan-ting, Kuo Chien-shen, and Lin Ching-yin)

Enditem/ls

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Taiwan's opposition parties join forces in presidential race

Kuomintang, Taiwan People's Party to offer a joint ticket based on a controversial opinion poll.

By Huang Chun-mei for RFA Mandarin 2023.11.15 -- Two key opposition parties in democratic Taiwan have joined forces to fight forthcoming presidential elections, in a late bid to deliver candidates who will likely focus on the island's future amid growing military incursions from Beijing.

The main opposition Kuomintang, which lost the presidency to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's Tsai Ing-wen for two successive terms amid ongoing fears of Chinese Communist Party infiltration, and the Taiwan People's Party agreed to run a joint campaign in a political breakthrough on Wednesday that has ended months of deadlock over an opposition platform that will likely promise better relations with Beijing amid ongoing military tensions.

The deal came after a two-hour meeting between Kuomintang presidential nominee Hou Yu-ih, Taiwan People's Party chairman and presidential nominee Ko Wen-je, Kuomintang Chairman Eric Chu and former Kuomintang President Ma Ying-jeou.

A recent opinion poll put incumbent vice president Lai Ching-te at about 29.7%, followed by Ko Wen-je at 25.6% and Hou Yu-ih at 21.1%, ahead of the Jan. 13, 2024 poll.

In a joint statement, the parties said they would decide jointly on which candidates to field for president and vice president after running a nationwide opinion poll.

"Polling statistics experts will review and evaluate the poll results ... from Nov. 7-17, and the Kuomintang and the People's Party will each provide the results of the internal reference poll," the statement said, adding that three polling experts would be recommended, one each by Ma, the KMT and the People's Party.

"Witnessed by former President Ma, the Kuomintang and the People's Party hereby promise to establish a model for Taiwan's third wave of democratic reforms, and must form a coalition government," it said, adding that defense matters, foreign relations and the cross-strait relationship with Beijing would be the preserve of the president, should they win the January 2024 election.

Other ministerial posts would be distributed among the two parties according to the number of seats their candidates hold in the legislature, it said.

The poll results will be formally announced on Nov. 18.

"No matter the outcome ... [we] will work together to make the land and people of the Republic of China safe," Hou told journalists on Wednesday, using the formal name of the Taiwanese government that dates back to the 1911 republic founded by Sun Yat-sen after the fall of the Qing dynasty (1644-1911).

Hou later commented that he hopes the two parties can work together to "unite Taiwan."

"We should follow public opinion ... remove the corrupt and incompetent Democratic Progressive Party and ensure peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, and peace of mind for our people," he said.

A sense or urgency

Yet Ko and the Kuomintang appear to make uneasy bedfellows.

Ko, who has previously quipped that the things he hates most are "mosquitoes, cockroaches and the Kuomintang," was asked at a youth forum why he has now chosen to work with the party.

"I have an answer to this," Ko told the students who challenged him on the move. "I hate the Democratic Progressive Party even more."

He said there is now a sense of urgency around peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, citing the topic as a key item on the agenda when Chinese leader Xi Jinping meets with U.S. President Joe Biden in the United States.

"Taiwan is the place where war is most likely to happen," Ko said.

"War in Taiwan isn't an impossibility," he warned, adding: "The risk is there."

Ma, who facilitated the negotiations, told the media that the agreement had made political history.

"I believe this is a very memorable day for Taiwan and for our two parties, and we will go all out, in accordance with the cooperation agreement," he told reporters.

The agreement comes amid growing concerns over the Kuomintang's appetite for ever-closer ties with Beijing, as a local media outlet reported that Ma Ying-jeou Foundation director Hsiao Hsu-tsen attended the Beijing Forum hosted by Peking University at the Diaoyutai Hotel, during which time he met with senior officials of the State Council's Taiwan Affairs Office.

Hsiao later denied meeting with Taiwan Affairs Office director Song Tao, or attending any activities organized by his staff.

Tung Li-wen, an advisory committee member of a Taiwanese think tank, said he doesn't believe Ma was motivated by unity in brokering the deal.

"It seems that Ma Ying-jeou's most important consideration is the relationship with Beijing, which also involves his positioning in cross-strait relations after the election," Tung told Radio Free Asia. "It is not about his positioning within the Kuomintang."

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.

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 November 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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PM call with President Paul Kagame of Rwanda: 15 November 2023

The Prime Minister spoke to the President Paul Kagame of Rwanda this morning.

15 November 2023

The Prime Minister spoke to President Paul Kagame of Rwanda this morning following the Supreme Court's judgement.

While he welcomed the Court's confirmation that the principle of sending illegal migrants to a safe third country is lawful, the Prime Minister expressed his disappointment at the overall outcome and recognised that there are challenges we must overcome.

He thanked President Kagame for his Government's work over the last 15 months and the extra assurances we have already agreed as they said they would continue to work together to address the Court's concerns.

Both leaders reiterated their firm commitment to making our migration partnership work and agreed to take the necessary steps to ensure this is a robust and lawful policy and to stop the boats as soon as possible.

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Defence Secretary will support UK industry and back firms globally

UK Defence firms will be championed as positive ambassadors for the UK, in the face of investment threats, the Defence Secretary has told industry leaders.

15 November 2023

Commitment made to defend the industry from environmental, social, and governance (ESG) investors trying to immorally defund British defence.

Defence Secretary highlighted the importance of boosting exports and backing business as global champions for Britain.

Importance of delivering programmes on time and on budget emphasised.

UK Defence firms will be championed as positive ambassadors for the UK, in the face of investment threats, Defence Secretary Grant Shapps has told industry leaders today.

Maintaining national security and the continued supply of cutting-edge equipment to British Armed Forces and allies were also highlighted in a meeting with key defence sector organisations held at the Ministry of Defence (MOD) in London.

The Defence Suppliers Forum (DSF) brought together senior government personnel with more than a dozen of the UK's key defence suppliers. These ranged from UK SMEs and trade associations to some of the world's largest international defence and aerospace companies, with experts convened from military domains covering everything from the ocean's depths to outer space.

With global security challenges increasing, the forum, which convenes twice a year, was an invaluable opportunity to deepen ties between industry and government. It ensured the short, medium, and long-term plans of government and industry align around the collective objectives of equipping the UK's Armed Forces and simultaneously deterring international adversaries.

Addressing this influential network, the Defence Secretary made clear he would always champion British industry, particularly in the face of concerns around ESG investing, ensuring they have the financing needed to maintain vital supplies to our Armed Forces and allies, keeping the country safe and protecting our way of life.

Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said:

Investment in defence is the morally right thing to do, without which the atrocious activities of tyrants like Putin would go unchallenged and undeterred. A strong UK defence industry is the bedrock of our national security, continuing the supply of equipment that our service personnel use to protect our nation, the weapons we need deter our enemies, and the ability to support our allies' Armed Forces. There is no doubt about the critical role that industry plays in our defence and that's why I will back the firms that protect our nation and help us prosper.

The DSF Main is the primary collaborative forum for the Defence Secretary to engage with a range of senior leaders from across the UK defence sector on strategic issues of mutual interest. Key aims of the DSF include:

Creating a new and closer strategic alliance between the MOD and industry, delivering the ambitions set out in the recent Defence Command Paper Refresh.

Delivering more agile, secure, sustainable, and resilient supply chains by improving visibility of fragility and maximising opportunities for all suppliers, including SMEs.

Forging closer working on defence exports to champion British manufacturers on the global stage.

BAE Systems Chief Executive and DSF Co-Chair, Charles Woodburn said:

In today's heightened global threat environment, it's important for the UK's defence industry and Government to come together to sustain our sovereign capability to deliver the equipment our armed forces need. Investment in our defence industry is vital to ensure our continued ability to support national security and economic prosperity.

Improving the way the government supports UK exports and growth opportunities was also high on the agenda. With more than 200,000 British jobs supported through the Defence industry, the sector is crucial to the Prime Minister's priority to grow the economy, while also furthering international opportunities for the sale of high-quality British technologies and services to our allies.

Kevin Craven, Chief Executive, ADS said:

Our defence industrial base is a vital pillar of our society, protecting our way of life. Our industry needs to be highly innovative, agile, and responsive to ongoing requirements. The UK defence financial and operating environment must be grounded in a collaborative approach to strategic planning, that enables the development of the technologies of tomorrow. ADS is a proud convenor of industry, working tirelessly with the DSF and Ministry of Defence to secure UK strategic advantage.

The Defence Secretary also outlined the importance of delivery, stating that while he would be holding the Department to account to avoid unnecessary programme delays and costs, industry partners must play their part in meeting agreed timelines and budgets.

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UK Top Court Rules Against Plan to Deport Migrants; PM Undeterred

By VOA News November 15, 2023

British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged on Wednesday that his government will keep seeking ways to send some undocumented immigrants on a one-way journey to Rwanda, even though the Supreme Court just ruled that policy was illegal and could imperil refugees.

Five justices unanimously found that Rwanda is not a safe destination for migrants, writing in their decision that asylum-seekers redirected to the East African nation would be "at real risk of ill-treatment."

The court cited a laundry list of reasons for striking down Sunak's plan, including Rwanda's record of human rights abuses, political repression and policy of "refoulement," or deporting asylees to the countries they had fled from.

The justices argued that Rwanda's tendency to reject refugees from war-shattered countries means that there is a danger "that asylum claims will not be determined properly..."

The ruling, Sunak said, "was not what we wanted." But he is undeterred. He said that his administration would broker a treaty with Rwanda to address the court's worries.

If the treaty falls through, Sunak said, he would consider rewriting British law and backing out of international human rights agreements, which would undoubtedly draw ire from activists at home and abroad.



Rwanda agreed in April 2022, when former U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson was still in office, to receive undocumented immigrants who had arrived in the U.K. as stowaways and process their asylum applications.

The Conservative government has already given Rwanda nearly $175 million as part of the plan, although not a single migrant has been sent there yet.

While Britain's border crisis is not as severe as many of its neighbors in Europe, such as Italy and Germany, tens of thousands of undocumented immigrants have made the harrowing journey to northern France to sail across the English Channel in often overcrowded dinghies.

More than 27,000 refugees from around the world have floated over the channel this year, a marked decrease from last year's 46,000. Sunak claims that the decline in undocumented immigrants is due to his government's stringent policies. Others believe the disparity in crossings is due to harsh weather conditions.

In the post-Brexit era, "stop the boats" has become a conservative protest slogan. To Sunak and many of his right-wing supporters, stricter control of the country's borders represents independence from outside influence.

Human rights groups have condemned Sunak's positions on immigration.

Amnesty International said the nation's leaders should "draw a line under a disgraceful chapter in the U.K.'s political history." The U.K. branch of ActionAid, a global humanitarian charity, struck a similar tone, saying the Supreme Court's ruling represents "British values of compassion and dignity."

Rwandan officials have repeatedly affirmed their country's commitment to human rights, despite a number of scandals, from torture and secret abductions by law enforcement to, as the Supreme Court noted in its judgment, "credible plans to kill" Rwandan defectors living in Britain.

Nevertheless, Yolande Makolo, a spokeswoman for Rwanda's government, wrote on X, formerly Twitter, that "Rwanda is committed to its international obligations. We have been recognized by the UNHCR and other international institutions for our exemplary treatment of refugees."

Some information for this report was provided by The Associated Press.

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Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks with President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy

Prime Minister of Canada - Justin Trudeau

November 15, 2023

Vancouver, British Columbia

Today, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau spoke with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

Prime Minister Trudeau reaffirmed Canada's unwavering support for Ukraine as it continues to resist Russia's brutal and unjustifiable war of aggression. As the cold of the winter months sets in, he expressed Canadians' solidarity with Ukrainians, who are preparing for a second winter under Russian assault.

The two leaders discussed the situation on the ground, as well as Ukraine's needs over the coming months. Prime Minister Trudeau reiterated Canada's commitment to provide Ukraine with as much as it takes, for as long as it takes.

Prime Minister Trudeau expressed support for Ukraine's ongoing diplomatic efforts toward a just and sustainable peace, and President Zelenskyy welcomed Canada's co-chairing of Ukraine's Peace Formula working group on prisoners and deported persons, including leading in the creation of an international coalition to facilitate the return of Ukrainian children who have been deported or forcibly displaced by Russia from the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine. The Prime Minister reaffirmed Canada's determination to continue advocating for Ukraine wherever and whenever possible, including at the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders' Meeting, given the impact of Russia's war on the region.

The two leaders reiterated their intention to remain in close and regular contact.

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Ukraine: The High Representative, together with the European Commission submits proposals for 12th package of sanctions against Russia

European External Action Service (EEAS)

15.11.2023

EEAS Press Team

In line with the decision by the October European Council to further weaken Russia's ability to continue its aggression against Ukraine, the High Representative, together with the Commission, submitted last night to the Council a proposal for the 12th package of sanctions.

The High Representative proposes to sanction over 120 additional individuals and entities for their role in undermining sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

The High Representative, together with the Commission, also proposes to adopt new import and export bans, as well as actions to tighten the oil price cap and to counter circumvention of EU sanctions.

The proposals for listings include actors from the Russian military, defence and IT sectors, as well as other important economic operators.

The proposed measures target those who have orchestrated the recent illegal so-called "elections" in the territories of Ukraine that Russia has temporarily occupied, those responsible for the forced "re-education" of Ukrainian children and actors spreading disinformation and propaganda in support of Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine.

The proposals aim to reinforce the sanctions framework overall.

The sanctions packages are part of EU's strategy to respond to Russia's illegal war against Ukraine, together with measures designed to support Ukraine politically, economically and militarily. The EU's policy remains to increase pressure on Russia to stop its repeated violations of the UN Charter and international law and to make these violations more costly for the Russian war machine.



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The Register of Damage for Ukraine has begun functioning due to the efforts of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of Europe

Republic of Latvia - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

15.11.2023

On 15 November 2023, in Strasbourg, at the conclusion of the Latvian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe the Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Reinis Brusbardis addressed the representatives of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe on the achievements, main accomplishments and challenges of the Latvian Presidency of the Council of Europe.

The Parliamentary Secretary pointed out that the work of the Latvian Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe took place in a difficult period - during the time of the Russian aggression in Ukraine. Latvia's main task was to provide all possible support to Ukraine, including within the Council of Europe. The Latvian Presidency paid particular attention to the issue of Russia's accountability, particularly the establishment of a Register of Damage for Ukraine to document the losses and damage caused by Russia's aggression in Ukraine. Reinis Brusbardis emphasised that the launch of the Register of Damage of the Council of Europe was one of the major achievements of the Latvian Presidency. It is an important step towards the establishment of an international compensation mechanism.

A major challenge for Latvia, after taking over the Presidency from Iceland at the Reykjavik Summit on 16 and 17 May, was to start implementing the Summit's decisions - strengthening the role and influence of the Council of Europe, addressing the current challenges in the field of human rights, and providing support to Ukraine by the organization, including holding Russia accountable internationally for its crimes in Ukraine.

The national thematic priorities of the Latvian Presidency were the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law, the freedom of expression and journalist safety, the promotion of Council of Europe digital agenda, as well as the advancing of the Council of Europe reforms. These priorities were implemented during Presidency events such as international conferences, high level-events, ministerial meetings and informal discussions.

Reinis Brusbardis briefed the Committee of Ministers on the progress made by the Presidency in the strengthening of democracy and the rule of law, with a particular emphasis on the support for the strengthening of the resilience of the Ukrainian judiciary and the implementation of the judgments of the European Court of Human Rights.

Professional challenges in the field of the freedom of expression and safety of journalists were discussed at an international conference on the freedom of expression and safety of journalists in Riga on 5 and 6 October. The Latvian Presidency actively worked towards the reforms of the Council of Europe, promoting openness, visibility and modernisation of the organisation's work. In talks with senior officials of the Council of Europe, the Latvian Presidency strongly emphasised that the employment of Russian citizens at the Council of Europe was unacceptable.

The Parliamentary Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs handed over the Presidency of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe to Liechtenstein and confirmed Latvia's continued support for the work of its Presidency. The change of the Presidency was enriched by a joint musical performance by artists from Liechtenstein and Latvia.

In addition to thematic events, a wide-ranging cultural programme was organised during the Latvian Presidency. There were concerts by Latvian musicians, Latvian artist exhibitions and film screenings in Strasbourg.

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Lithuanian and Polish leaders discussed security situation and support for Ukraine

Republic of Lithuania - Ministry of Foreign Affairs

November 15, 2023

On Tuesday, President Gitanas NausAda spoke by telephone with Polish President Andrzej Duda to discuss the security situation in the region, the course of the war in Ukraine, as well as support for Ukraine.

The President of Lithuania underscored that as new conflicts emerge in Europe's neighborhood, it is important to maintain the international community's focus on Ukraine. According to the President, Lithuania and Poland must not only continue to actively support Ukraine, but also mobilize allies and partners to maintain the speed and the scope of support.

"Lithuania and Poland fully understand the importance of Ukraine's victory against Russia. This is the only way to achieve peace and stability in Europe. We cannot let the war fatigue set in and we have to continue keeping our support for Ukraine at the top of the international agenda," the President added.

During the conversation, Gitanas NausAda underlined that as the security situation in the region is not improving, Lithuania is actively investing in defense. According to the Head of State, cooperation between Lithuania and Poland in ensuring the security of the region, both bilaterally and within NATO, is of utmost importance.

President Gitanas NausAda also stressed the need to effectively implement the decisions taken at the NATO Summit in Vilnius on strengthening NATO's eastern flank, as well as to put more emphasis on improving military mobility in the region.



The President's Communication Group

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Ukraine 'Cannot Afford Any Stalemate' In War With Russia, Zelenskiy Says

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 15, 2023

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine cannot afford a stalemate in the war against Russia, saying this would create a "volcano that is sleeping but will definitely wake up."

"We cannot afford any stalemate," Zelenskiy told African journalists in Kyiv. "If we want to end the war, we must end it. End with respect so that the whole world knows that whoever came, captured, and killed, is responsible."

According to Zelenskiy, if the war becomes a stalemate, the next generations of Ukrainians will have to fight because Russia "will come again if it is not put in its place."

Zelenskiy's comments come two weeks after General Valeriy Zaluzhniy, commander in chief of the Ukrainian military, said in The Economist that the war had "reached the level of technology that puts us into a stalemate."

Zelenskiy admitted that the situation on the battlefield remains very difficult, but said he does not believe that the war has reached a stalemate. He emphasized that Ukraine will not negotiate with Russia until Russia completely withdraws from Ukrainian territories.

Zelenskiy on November 15 also spoke by phone with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, his press service said.

The two leaders talked about the situation on the battlefield, defense cooperation with an emphasis on strengthening Ukrainian air defense, and "increasing the capabilities of mobile fire groups to combat [drones]."

Zelenskiy thanked Canada for a new sanctions package and praised Ottawa's initiative to create an international coalition for the return of deported Ukrainian children. Canada proposed the coalition at a summit of national security and foreign policy advisers on Ukraine's peace formula in Malta on October 29.

Zelenskiy and Trudeau "coordinated the next steps regarding the development of this initiative at the highest level," the president's office said in a statement.

In other diplomacy, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with Pierre Elbronn, special representative of the president of France for the reconstruction of Ukraine.

"We discussed the involvement of the private sector in reconstruction. We are preparing specific projects in this direction," Shmyhal said on November 15. He also thanked France for extending the mandate of the French Development Agency to Ukraine and pointed to "a number of examples of establishing ties between the communities of Ukraine and France."

Elbronn announced his trip to Ukraine earlier, saying he would meet with government officials. He also published a photo with representatives of the regions of Ukraine, naming infrastructure projects in the Mykolayiv region and Dnipro as among the initiatives discussed.

"Our French regions are also considering cooperation with the regions of Ukraine on an equal basis," the official added.

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia- zelenskiy-stalemata-zaluzhniy/32686350.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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Ukraine Declares Nationwide Air-Raid Alert For Second Day In A Row

By RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service November 15, 2023

Ukraine declared an air-raid alert for its entire territory for the second consecutive day on November 15 after the air force warned of a threat of air strikes when MiG-31K warplanes were detected to have taken off from Russian territory.

"MiG-31Ks take off from the Savasleika airfield in the Nizhny Novgorod region," the air force said in a message, advising civilians to go to special shelters. Savasleika is located some 1,000 kilometers northeast of the Ukrainian border.

The Russian military said it launched eight missile and 59 air strikes and fired 49 salvoes of rockets at both Ukrainian military positions and civilian areas in Ukraine.

Earlier on November 15, at least one person was killed when the Ukrainian city of Selydove in the eastern region of Donetsk was struck by Russian forces overnight, the Ukrainian Prosecutor-General's Office said on Telegram.

The message said that Russian troops used an S-300 antiaircraft system to launch four missiles at the city, striking a four-story apartment building and killing an 85-year-old woman, whose body was found under the rubble of the collapsed building.

An 82-year-old woman and a 56-year-old man were wounded in the attack, the prosecutor said, adding that a 50-year-old woman was hospitalized after being wounded when a Russian missile struck a different part of Selydove.

In the southern Zaporizhzhya region, a man was killed and seven other people were wounded in three Russian missile attacks earlier on November 15 on civilian infrastructure in a populated area, regional Governor Yuriy Malashko said on Telegram, without giving details about the precise location.

Meanwhile, the chief of the Russian-controlled part of Ukraine's Kherson region, Volodymyr Saldo, said on November 15 that a "small" number of Ukrainian forces had landed on the Dnieper River's left bank in the village of Krynkiy, some 30 kilometers northeast of Kherson city.

Saldo claimed on Telegram that the Ukrainian forces were being slaughtered and that the average life expectancy of a Ukrainian soldier there is about two days.

On November 14, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's chief of staff Andriy Yermak said Ukrainian forces had secured a foothold on the left bank of the Dnieper.

Neither Yermak's nor Saldo's claims could be independently verified.

Ukraine's General Staff on November 15 said its forces fought more than 60 close-quarter battles along the front line over the past 24 hours, with heavy fighting under way in the Lyman part of the Kharkiv region and around Avdiyivka, in the Donetsk region, which Russian forces have been unsuccessfully attempting to encircle in recent months.

Ukrainian forces "continue to conduct an offensive operation in the Melitopol direction" in southern Ukraine, the military added.

It did not mention any operation of Ukrainian troops across the Dnieper.

In Washington, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Speaker Mike Johnson's stopgap spending measure that would continue to fund the government into the new year with broad bipartisan support.

The bill does not include supplemental funding President Joe Biden requested for Ukraine.

With reporting by dpa

Source: https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-russia-shelling- donetsk/32685475.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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Ukraine Suffers Up to 220 Military Casualties in Donetsk Direction - Russian MoD

Sputnik News

20231115

The Ukrainian military has lost up to 220 soldiers killed or injured in the Donetsk direction in the past 24 hours, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.

Ukraine also suffered up to 180 military casualties in the Krasny Liman direction, according to the ministry.

"The total enemy losses in this direction amounted to 220 military personnel, 1 tank and 7 military vehicles," the ministry said in a statement, adding that Kiev also lost up to 140 soldiers in the South Donetsk direction.

The Russian Defense Ministry further provided updates on several fronts:

In the Kupyansk direction, Russian forces successfully repelled two attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces near the village of Sinkovka, destroying up to 30 Ukrainian soldiers, one tank, and two pickup trucks.

In the Krasny Liman direction, Russian forces successfully repelled three attacks in the areas of Grigorovka and Serebryanka, with the enemy's losses amounting to up to 180 men.

In the Donetsk direction, the Ukrainian Armed Forces lost up to 220 men over the day. In the South Donetsk direction, the enemy suffered losses of up to 140 servicemen.

In the Zaporozhye and Kherson directions, Ukrainian troops lost more than 100 soldiers in total.

Near the city of Pavlograd (Dnepropetrovsk region), Russian air defenses shot down a Ukrainian MiG-29 aircraft, and intercepted seven HIMARS missiles.

Since June, Ukrainian forces have been conducting offensives in the direction of Zaporozhye, South Donetsk, and Artemovsk (Bakhmut). These maneuvers have involved units trained and armed by NATO members. Despite these efforts, President Vladimir Putin emphasized that the Kiev regime had not made any significant gains on any front.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu recently reported that the Ukrainian Armed Forces had suffered significant losses, with over 90,000 troops killed or wounded, and some 600 tanks and nearly 2,000 armored vehicles destroyed during the counteroffensive.

A Sputnik

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Russian Special Forces Crush 'Brazen' Ukrainian IFV Near Atremovsk

Sputnik News

20231115

The Ukrainian counteroffensive kicked off in June, with Kiev sending in NATO-trained brigades armed with Western equipment. In October, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Zelensky regime's push had failed, racking up an estimated 90,000 Ukrainian casualties.

The 'Siberia' special forces of Battlegroup Yug achieved a significant victory after successfully neutralizing an impudent enemy infantry fighting vehicle (IFV) that had been incessantly attacking the Russian Armed Forces near Kleshcheyevka in the direction of Artemovsk (Bakhmut). The commander of the detachment recollected the tireless efforts of his soldiers during the 'hunt', which culminated in the destruction of the brazen IFV.

"We destroyed an enemy IFV. The task of the detachment was to ferret out the location of the IFV's closed firing position, from which it attacked our forward units. The brazen, insolent crew attacked our positions every day," he emphasized.

According to the commander, the detachment initiated a search for the IFV. After carefully analyzing the enemy's movements for several days, the command determined the optimal location to launch an attack using the anti-tank missile system.

"Our position was planned in advance, we lied in wait, and the enemy made a mistake, drove out and began to fire upon our units from a concealed location, and they got swiftly punished," the commander elaborated.

He also mentioned that the command had chosen the position based on intelligence data and personal experience with the enemy's operational methods.

The Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday, that during the day the Russian military repelled five attacks by Ukrainian forces in the area of Kleshcheyevka and Maloilyinovka, destroying two armored combat vehicles and three pickup trucks. According to the military authorities, Kiev lost as many as 300 servicemen.

A Sputnik

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Putin fears the emergence of Ukraine as a modern, democratic state: UK statement to the OSCE

UK military advisor, Nicholas Aucott, says Putin's regime has long sought to rewrite public memory and manipulate history.

15 November 2023

Thank you, Madam Chair. Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine is a constant reminder to this Forum of the difficult and dangerous times in which we live. It is all the more tragic that a member of this Forum, Russia, has wilfully threatened security in the region through the illegal invasion of another nation state. This week, we were again confronted with the horrendous consequences of this war in which Russian strikes on Kherson have killed further civilians, including a three-month old baby.

As Russia prepares for its third wave of assaults around Avdiivka, it does so following heavy rain in the area, where the ground has become muddy and in which conditions are difficult to operate. Russia continues to demonstrate a lack of regard for the lives of its own soldiers. In the face of a resolved Ukrainian defence, we can expect further Russian losses on top of the quarter of million casualties Russia has already sustained in this misguided military venture.

Conversely, the Ukrainian military has registered successes in Luhansk striking Russian SA-21 long-range Surface-to-Air Missile launchers, exposing Russia's struggle to respond to modern precision strike weapons. Ukraine has damaged a newly-built Russian naval corvette in Kerch. It has also diminished Russia's ability to replenish its forces through the destruction of Russian landing craft, containing armoured vehicles, off the western coast of Crimea. At the same time, Ukraine continues to exert pressure on Russian forces by conducting operations on the left bank of the Dnipro. Ukrainian's strategic gains stand in stark contrast to Russia's woeful performance on the battlefield.

Symbolic of Russia's isolation on the global stage, Russia has turned to other authoritarian regimes in North Korea and Iran for the provision of weapons, violating UN Security Council resolutions including resolutions Russia itself voted for.

We condemn Russia's repeated violations of international law, including the UN Charter. Russia's illegal invasion of another sovereign state is also in direct contravention of the Helsinki Final Act and the Budapest Memorandums on Security Assurances.

Madam Chair, Putin's regime has long sought to rewrite public memory and manipulate history. And has been seeking to persecute and silence all those, including Russian individuals and organisations, that for over 30 years have sought to expose Soviet era atrocities. Most recently, Putin has issued a revisionist history published as a collection of documents entitled, "On the historical unity of the Russians and Ukrainians". It is a backward-looking narrative because Putin fears the emergence of Ukraine as a modern, democratic state. The United Kingdom and its allies will work to counter such efforts at disinformation. Our resolute conviction and intensity in our support to Ukraine will not falter. We will continue to enhance Ukraine's long-term security and strengthen its defence while Ukraine fights to regain territory. In the face of Russia's self-inflicted strategic calamity, we will stand with Ukraine until it prevails. Thank you.

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Russia is still capable of doing evil; we must make our state stronger every day - address by the President of Ukraine

President of Ukraine

15 November 2023 - 22:19

I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

It was a rough day.

At night, there was a Russian missile attack on Selydove, Donetsk region. Right at residential buildings. Four missiles. There are dead. There are probably people under the rubble. The rubble is being cleared all day. All the wounded were provided with the necessary assistance. More than 20 houses were destroyed.

Another Russian strike hit Zaporizhzhia region, also with missiles. Among the dead are rescuers. They arrived at the scene after the first hit and started helping. And then there was a second strike. My condolences to all those whose relatives and friends were killed by Russian terror.

There was a lot of international communication today. Of course, first of all, about ways to provide more protection for Ukraine and all our people from these savages, from Russian missiles and shelling.

I spoke with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni. I thanked Italy for its principled and powerful assistance to our country, for the protection of Ukrainian lives. Ukraine greatly appreciates that Italy stands with us at this moment. We also appreciate Giorgia's personal energy, all the activity of Madam Prime Minister, with which she advocates for assistance to our country. We discussed our security cooperation and support packages. We exchanged views on the situation in Europe and the world. We also discussed some issues related to the new EU sanctions package. Italy will preside over the Group of Seven next year, and we are already working on the relevant priorities. Common priorities.

I spoke with President of Slovakia Zuzana AaputovA. I expressed gratitude for the support and fair recognition of Ukraine's success in getting closer to the European Union - in our movement towards full membership. It is very important for our entire Europe to become stronger, and every state on the continent that respects the common rules of the EU will benefit from this. We discussed preparations of our energy sector for the winter and, as we expect, for the intensification of Russian terror against energy facilities. Of course, we also discussed economic issues that are important to our nations.

Today I also held talks with Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. Defense support. Strengthening our air defense, our mobile fire groups and protection against Russian drones. There are specific agreements. I thanked Canada for its continued leadership in sanctions against Russia. There is a new and important Canadian initiative - a coalition of partners to return Ukrainian children who were deported to Russia. We also discussed the issue of completing the Holodomor Genocide Museum. Canada has agreed to help with this in Ukraine. I am grateful to Justin personally and to the entire Canadian society for such an understanding of Ukraine.

I also held several meetings today. I would like to mention a meeting with representatives of the law enforcement sector, including the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine. He reported on counteracting collaborators and protecting Ukrainians from those who deliberately incite hatred within our country.

I also had a meeting with the Minister of Defense and other government officials. All the key issues boil down to ensuring the protection of people, Ukraine's ability to conduct offensive operations, and our ability to strengthen Ukraine - to overcome the accumulated problems.

Everyone in Ukraine must remember, especially those who have stopped noticing the war because they are fully focused on politics: Russia is still capable of doing evil. No one will be able to turn a blind eye. We have to fight. We must keep our defense as a top priority. And we must make our state stronger every day.

Glory to all those who care about Ukraine and Ukrainians!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Ukraine - Latin America Summit would be a new step in our country's relations with the countries of the region - Ihor Zhovkva following the conversation with Lea Raquel GimAnez Duarte

President of Ukraine

15 November 2023 - 21:22

On the instructions of the President of Ukraine and the Head of the Presidential Office, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office Ihor Zhovkva held a videoconference with Minister - Secretary General of the Office of the President of Paraguay Lea Raquel GimAnez Duarte.

The parties discussed the implementation of the agreements reached during the conversation between the Presidents of Ukraine and Paraguay on November 9 this year.

Ihor Zhovkva thanked the Paraguayan side for providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine and for its consistent support of our country within international organizations.

The Deputy Head of the Presidential Office informed the interlocutor about Ukraine's efforts to achieve just and lasting peace in the world on the basis of the Ukrainian Peace Formula. He invited Paraguay to join the implementation of the Peace Formula, in particular the preparation of the Global Peace Summit.

In order to increase the presence of the Ukrainian state in the region, the interlocutors discussed the possibility of organizing a Ukraine - Latin America Summit.

"The Ukraine - Latin America Summit would be a new step in our country's relations with the countries of the region," emphasized Ihor Zhovkva.

The parties also coordinated the positions of Ukraine and Paraguay on the eve of upcoming international events.

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President of Ukraine had a phone call with the Prime Minister of Canada

President of Ukraine

15 November 2023 - 20:46

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Prime Minister of Canada Justin Trudeau.

The Head of State thanked for Canada's significant defense and financial support. Volodymyr Zelenskyy noted that the adoption of a multi-year support program delivers a powerful worldwide message of unwavering support until Ukraine's victory.

The parties focused on the battlefield situation and the ongoing defense cooperation, particularly steps to bolster Ukraine's air defense and the capabilities of the mobile anti-drone groups.

The President thanked for the new sanctions package and praised the Canadian initiative to form an international coalition for the return of Ukrainian children proposed at the meeting of advisors in Malta. Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Justin Trudeau coordinated the next steps to develop this initiative at the highest level.

The President of Ukraine expressed gratitude for Canada's decision to provide financial support for the completion of the National Museum of the Holodomor Genocide. The parties discussed the practical implementation of this decision.

The parties also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East.

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President in the interview to African media: Ukraine is capable of ensuring food security of African countries

President of Ukraine

15 November 2023 - 18:55

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasizes that Ukraine intends to remain a guarantor of food security for many countries of the world, particularly on the African continent, and proves it with concrete steps, ensuring the operation of the "grain corridor" despite all attempts by Russia to hinder its functioning. The Head of State said this in an interview with African media.

The meeting was attended by media from Angola, Botswana, Tunisia, the Republic of Guinea, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Zambia.

"Now we have an alternative corridor that we had to create. We have shown the world that Ukraine continues to guarantee global food security," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

The President noted that during the first month of the alternative "grain corridor", Ukraine transported 4 million tons of agricultural products, which is equal to the volume of grain exports during the first month of the first grain initiative, established on the basis of agreements with TArkiye and the UN.

"Yes, it takes a little longer, there are difficulties, but we have reached the same volume. That is, Ukraine is ready to supply and be a guarantor," the Head of State emphasized.

According to him, despite all the difficulties and aggressive actions of Russia, the port of Odesa is operating, and Ukraine's partners are well aware of the air defense systems and other means needed to ensure the smooth operation of the port infrastructure of Odesa region as a whole.

"We are working on this and even expanding our capabilities. Russia attacks, frightens, but also loses its weapons, ships, and helicopters in these attacks. We are also engaged in risk insurance - we are in constant negotiations with our partners, in particular with the UK, to insure, together with the Ukrainian government, the risks for those companies that own these ships," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

In addition, the President noted that our country is liberating the Black Sea from Russian ships that attack Ukrainian ports and civilian infrastructure: every day there are fewer of them.

The Head of State also spoke about the initiative to build grain hubs in Africa, from which agricultural products could be transported across the continent, regardless of the actions of the authorities of Russia or other similar countries.

"There will always be food in these hubs. No matter what happens, people will always have grain. And there will definitely be no hunger," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

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Ukraine is ready to be a strategic partner of African countries - Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a conversation with African media

President of Ukraine

15 November 2023 - 18:39

Ukraine seeks to build friendly strategic relations with the countries of the African continent based on mutual respect for basic values and international principles. This was stated by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in an interview with African media.

The meeting was attended by media from Angola, Botswana, Tunisia, the Republic of Guinea, Kenya, Morocco, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, and Zambia.

"If we are talking about strategic partnership between us and any African state, it should be based on mutual respect. Relations must be based on respect for territorial integrity, sovereignty, respect for your language and traditions," the Head of State is convinced.

According to him, after winning the war unleashed by Russia, Ukraine is ready to invest in African countries. Volodymyr Zelenskyy reminded that our country is opening 10 embassies on the African continent, which is an important political and financial investment in times of war.

The President noted that even today some African countries know very little about Ukraine and opportunities for mutually beneficial cooperation.

"Every country has some strong areas and some areas that are just beginning to develop and are in short supply. If we are developed in agriculture and can be a guarantor, a friend, a strategic partner of African countries in this area, we are willing to do so," he said.

As the Head of State emphasized, Ukraine cooperates with partners, building relations based on truth and mutual respect, while Russia traditionally uses force and influence through information manipulation.

The President noted that Africa has a long history of cooperation with Ukraine, which was part of the Soviet Union. Therefore, our country has also made a great contribution to the development of the African continent, including infrastructure projects and education programs with African countries. But after the collapse of the USSR, Russia monopolized its legacy.

"Russia has monopolized relations with African countries. And all we want to do is wipe this glass clean and say: "We are here, we are a large independent state, we have been working with you for a long time." Yes, we have been weak in terms of politics and information, but we will improve that," he emphasized.

The President called the visit of the leaders of five African countries to Ukraine in June of this year very important: South Africa, the Union of the Comoros, Senegal, Zambia and Egypt. He believes that after visiting Kyiv, the leaders of these countries better understood what Ukraine is fighting for in the war against Russian aggression and that Ukraine is definitely a friend to African countries.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy also expressed readiness to pay a visit to the African continent and establish contact with as many African leaders and the societies they represent as possible.

"The main goal is for us all to do our best to achieve stability in the world and peace on the territory of our country. And to put any aggressor with any colonial ambitions in its place by ending this war," Volodymyr Zelenskyy summarized.

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Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine had a meeting with the Sanctions Coordinator at the U.S. Department of State and the Deputy Assistant Secretary

President of Ukraine

15 November 2023 - 15:24

In Washington, DC, Head of the Office of the President Andriy Yermak, as part of the Ukrainian delegation led by First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy Yuliia Svyrydenko, met with Sanctions Coordinator at the U.S. Department of State, Ambassador James O'Brien and Deputy Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs Chris Smith.

The Ukrainian side noted successful negotiations during the third meeting of national security and foreign policy advisors in Malta on the implementation of the Peace Formula. At the same time, the importance of involving the countries of the Global South in upholding the Peace Formula was emphasized.

The interlocutors also noted the successful efforts of Ukraine and its partners to increase the capacity of export corridors and further develop free navigation in the Black Sea.

As winter approaches and the threat of increased missile terror from Russia grows, representatives of the Ukrainian delegation informed the American side about priority investment projects in the energy sector and emphasized the importance of introducing investment insurance.

The participants of the meeting noted the need to step up joint sanctions pressure on Russia with the European Union and to monitor compliance with the sanctions restrictions already in place, in particular, to maintain the price cap on Russian oil.

They also discussed the confiscation of Russian sovereign assets to use them for reconstruction in Ukraine.

The interlocutors also exchanged views on the situation in the Middle East and agreed on the importance of preventing further escalation of the conflict caused by the actions of Russia, which is responsible for the war in Ukraine.

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Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Giorgia Meloni discussed joint efforts in the context of Italy's G7 Presidency next year

President of Ukraine

15 November 2023 - 15:15

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy had a phone call with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni.

The Head of State thanked the Prime Minister of Italy for the principled and comprehensive support from Italy and her personal leadership.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed hope that the Italian presidency of the Group of Seven next year would bring even more significant results. The President of Ukraine and the Prime Minister of Italy coordinated future joint efforts in the context of Italy's G7 Presidency and agreed to start working on bilateral security guarantees in the framework of the G7 Joint Declaration adopted in Vilnius.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Giorgia Meloni also discussed further security cooperation, in particular the implementation of the 8th defense support package.

The Head of State emphasized the need to speed up the adoption of the 12th EU sanctions package on Russia.

"We must continue to increase pressure on the aggressor. It is important to speed up the preparation of a new package of sanctions, especially in the sectors that are most sensitive for the Russian economy. It is also important to continue working on the mechanism of using the proceeds from the frozen assets of the Russian Federation," the President noted.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked Italy for its support of the Peace Formula, in particular for the participation of the Italian representative in the meeting of national security and political advisors in Malta, and invited Giorgia Meloni to take part in the second "Grain From Ukraine" summit.

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The potential of our communities, our intercity and interpersonal ties can add significant strength to our defense - speech by the President of Ukraine at the German-Ukrainian Municipal Partnerships Conference

President of Ukraine

15 November 2023 - 12:40

Dear Mr. President!

I thank you for your attention to Ukraine and support for our people, our country, and our relations. Ukraine and Germany have the best relations in the history of our states. And we appreciate that our relations yield real results in protecting human lives and our European way of life.

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank Federal Chancellor Scholz and the entire German government team. Our agreements with the Chancellor are being implemented clearly and on time. Thank you for that!

And, of course, I thank the entire German people for their sincere support of Ukrainians and Ukraine in this confrontation that Russia started.

Mr. Mayor Jung!

Dear participants of the Conference!

I recall in the fall of 2022, Mr. President Steinmeier visited Ukraine and in particular the village of Yahidne in Chernihiv region. One of the ordinary Ukrainian villages, which, unfortunately, had to go through extraordinary cruelty. For almost a month, while the village was occupied by the Russian invaders, they kept 350 villagers - in fact, all the villagers! - in a small basement of the village school. Both babies and the elderly, women and men. 10 people died during that time right in that basement.

Mr. President Steinmeier saw the conditions and the contempt the Russians had for people in general that led to the creation of such a concentration camp in Yahidne. And yet this is more than the story of one village in Chernihiv region of Ukraine that suffered the brunt of Russian brutality.

What happened in Yahidne characterizes the very essence of this war - the threat that the current Russian regime poses to many ordinary European towns and villages. Not only in Ukraine. Because not only Ukraine is in Russia's imperial plans. At least all of Russia's neighbors are under threat.

Here at the Conference, we have representatives of very different cities and communities in our two countries. But no matter how different they are, they are united by one fundamental thing, namely, the attitude towards people. The European attitude towards people.

In our cities and communities, there should be no place for the opposite attitude to people and life - anti-European attitude - that Russia demonstrates in the occupied territory of Ukraine.

We value life. And that is why we protect it. And it is crucial that we use not only the tools available at the state level. The potential of our communities, our intercity and interpersonal ties can and should also add significant strength to our defense.

I would like to note that since President Steinmeier's visit to Ukraine last year, we have managed to almost double the number of intercity partnerships. Today we have 190 such partnerships. There are already 6 interregional partnerships. There is also German patronage over the restoration of Chernihiv region of Ukraine, the very region where the village of Yahidne, which I mentioned, is located. And I thank everyone whose efforts fill our partnerships with concrete content.

I am grateful to such cities and communities as Eichenau, Augsburg, Bergisch Gladbach, Waldkirch, Hanover, Erlangen, Jena, Dresden, Cologne, Leverkusen, Nuremberg, Potsdam, Schweinfurt and many others that are already helping our cities directly. Specifically, they are helping with generators and other equipment that saves us from the consequences of Russian terror. Fire trucks, buses, and other equipment for our citizens. Together with German companies, modular towns have been set up for IDPs whose homes were destroyed by hostilities. We are working together with German cities, companies and foundations to modernize energy capacities in the regions of Ukraine. I thank you very much for this!

I hope that the participation of Ukrainian mayors in this Conference will also be fruitful.

We are facing the upcoming second winter of this war, as Mr. President said. Russia is now amassing missiles to strike Ukraine's energy sector, as it did last year. Germany is already helping us with air defense systems and other means of physical defense of Ukraine. And at the same time, every agreement between the cities of our countries that is aimed at protecting people and lives will definitely serve to protect lives.

I am sure that representatives of Ukrainian cities can also point to opportunities for joint economic cooperation existing in Ukraine today. Not only in rebuilding what has been destroyed by Russia's aggression, but also in launching new businesses and creating new productive stories.

Ukraine is now, against all odds, delivering economic growth of almost 5 percent per annum. This is a testament to how strong our way of life is and how much our people are capable of doing.

I believe that relations between Ukraine and Germany will become one of the most reliable pillars of the entire Europe. A security, economic, and social pillar. And especially when Ukraine becomes a full-fledged part of the European Union. And I am proud of all the examples of our cooperation and sincerely wish success to all of you in developing relations between cities, between regions, between the self-government of our countries.

The closer Ukraine and Germany are, the further away Putin's insane goal of destroying normal human life in Ukraine and other countries in Russia's neighborhood is from being realized.

Germany, thank you once again for your support!

Glory to Ukraine!

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Head of the Presidential Office discussed defense needs of Ukraine with members of the House Intelligence Committee

President of Ukraine

15 November 2023 - 10:27

During a working visit to the United States, Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak met with members of the House Intelligence Committee.

The American side, in addition to Committee Chairman Mike Turner and Co-Chairman Jim Himes, was represented by Congressmen Raja Krishnamoorthi, French Hill, Dan Crenshaw, Jason Crow, Darin LaHood, and Mike Garcia.

Andriy Yermak thanked the members of the Committee for their proactive stance and assistance to our country, in particular for their assistance in obtaining strategically important weapons.

"Ukrainian warriors are extremely responsible when using weapons received from our allies and use them as efficiently as possible, fighting for every meter of our land and liberating it from Russian invaders," the Head of the Presidential Office said.

He briefed the interlocutors on the current situation on the battlefield, particularly in the hottest areas of the frontline. Andriy Yermak outlined the key urgent needs of the Ukrainian army to repel Russian aggression.

The Head of the President's Office also noted that as the winter season approaches, Russia will once again resort to the practice of missile terror - striking at Ukraine's energy system to leave our citizens without electricity and heat during the cold season.

"In view of this, Ukraine needs more effective air defense systems to protect people, ensure the functioning of cities and the economy, and in particular the grain corridor, which is critical for the world's food security," said Andriy Yermak.

The Head of the Presidential Office expressed gratitude to the members of Congress from both parties for their unwavering support of our country in the fight for independence, freedom and democratic values.

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Andriy Yermak held a series of meetings with members of the U.S. Congress in Washington, DC

President of Ukraine

15 November 2023 - 09:24

During a working visit to the United States as part of the Ukrainian delegation headed by First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Economy Yuliia Svyrydenko, Head of the Presidential Office Andriy Yermak held a series of meetings with members of both houses of the U.S. Congress.

In particular, Andriy Yermak met with representatives of the Ukraine Caucus in the House of Representatives Marcy Kaptur, Mike Quigley, Gregory Meeks and Congressman Tom Kean. The Head of the President's Office congratulated the congressmen on the election of the new Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson.

In addition, a meeting was held with representatives of the Senate Ukraine Caucus Lindsey Graham, Jeanne Shaheen, Amy Klobuchar, Dick Durbin, Roger Wicker, and Senators Michael Bennett and Tim Kaine.

Andriy Yermak also met with Senate Republican Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and Senators John Cornyn, Tom Cotton, Marco Rubio, Susan Collins and John Hoeven.

The Head of the Presidential Office stated that each such meeting is another confirmation of the strategic partnership between Ukraine and the United States.

He expressed gratitude to both houses of the U.S. Congress, both parties and the entire American people for their strong support and unprecedented volume of assistance to our country in the fight against Russian aggression.

"We greatly appreciate the unity of both U.S. parties in supporting Ukraine. And we look forward to its preservation," said Andriy Yermak.

The Head of the President's Office emphasized the importance of immediate consideration of the budget request of the U.S. Presidential Administration on financing additional expenditures for the assistance to Ukraine.

At the same time, he assured that our country aims to move to independent production of the most needed military products. However, according to Andriy Yermak, Ukraine is currently confronting a new axis of evil consisting of Russia, Iran, and North Korea, so the continuation of assistance to our country is not only critically important for Ukraine, but also fully meets the national interests of the United States.

Among other things, Andriy Yermak spoke about the urgent needs of the defense forces, including long-range systems, artillery, ammunition, tanks and other armored vehicles. He also called for the adoption of appropriate legislation to continue the United States' assistance to Ukraine.

"The outcome on the battlefield in Ukraine will be crucial not only for the future security of Europe, but also for the security of all regions of the world. We are grateful to every taxpayer in the United States for the opportunity to continue our fight for freedom, we are grateful to you for your decisions and responsibility for the future of democracy on the planet," the Head of the Presidential Office said.

As emphasized by Andriy Yermak, given the approaching winter and the expected intensification of Russian missile terror, Ukraine needs to bolster its air defense.

"It is important to protect key Ukrainian cities and critical infrastructure facilities, as well as the grain corridor routes," he said.

The parties also discussed Ukraine's Euro-Atlantic integration and the conclusion of agreements on security guarantees prior to full membership in NATO, as envisaged by the G7 Joint Declaration adopted in Vilnius.

Andriy Yermak praised the U.S. participation in the implementation of the Peace Formula and preparations for the first Global Peace Summit.

Particular attention was paid to the issue of confiscation of frozen Russian assets, which should become an important source of funding for the post-war reconstruction of Ukraine. The Head of the President's Office extended an invitation to representatives of the United States to take part in the next conference on Ukraine's recovery.

The issues of increasing sanctions pressure on the aggressor country and the return of illegally deported Ukrainian children were discussed.

"Thanks to you, members of Congress, the President of the United States and his team, and every American citizen, Ukrainian warriors are liberating our land from the occupiers. The sooner we win, the more lives we will save. And the less danger Russia will pose to Americans, Europeans and all people on the planet," the Head of the Presidential Office summarized.

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UNHCR warns worsening conditions and challenges facing vulnerable Ukrainian refugees in Europe

UNHCR - United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees

15 November 2023

GENEVA - Almost two years following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine, older people, people with disabilities, those with serious medical conditions, and others with specific needs who have fled Ukraine, are facing increasing challenges and hardship, according to the latest report released today by UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency.

UNHCR's latest regional protection monitoring report, Displacement Patterns, Protection Risks and Needs of Refugees from Ukraine, finds that while notable progress has been observed overall in terms of refugees' access to services and inclusion in national systems in Europe as a result of access to Temporary Protection, the data paints a grim picture for those most vulnerable.

"We are worried that many refugees are falling through the cracks. We welcome the extension of Temporary Protection in the EU until March 2025, but the focus must remain on fully and practically including the most vulnerable in national systems in host countries," said Philippe Leclerc, UNHCR Regional Director for Europe.

Despite continued advocacy for the full inclusion of the most vulnerable in national systems, those with specific needs face increasing obstacles in finding housing, or accessing health care or jobs, with the situation deteriorating over time. In addition, the most vulnerable struggle to obtain or replace identity documentation, primarily biometric passports, in their host countries which can negatively impact access to rights. Worryingly, there are indications that some may be compelled to make premature decisions to return home to Ukraine, where the situation remains volatileLink is external.

The report analyses data from over 18,500 interviews with refugees between October 2022 and September 2023, in Poland, the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Slovakia.

Some key findings in the report include:

Almost a quarter of refugees still lack critical documentation, including biometric passports, in host countries. Though the number has declined to 23 per cent from 30 per cent over the past year, many of those missing out are older people. Numerous factors hinder refugees' access to documentation in host countries, including requirements to present supporting documents (which many may have lost during displacement or left behind in Ukraine), long waiting periods, and associated processing fees.

Access to sustainable and affordable housing remains a challenge, with many free accommodation programmes coming to an end throughout the year and options for free accommodation declining, with the resources of the most vulnerable now depleted. More refugee families with members with disabilities are being forced to resort to collective shelters - increasing to 24 per cent from 13 per cent last year.

Similarly, households including older people or those with disabilities continue to face challenges in accessing employment, often due to caring responsibilities or a lack of adequate services. The share of respondents from households including people with disabilities that were in employment declined drastically, to less than 20 per cent from 38 per cent at the end of 2022.

Nearly two years since the start ofRussia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, more than 6.2 million refugees from Ukraine have been recorded globally, including 5.8 million in Europe.

"As the war continues unabated, we appeal for urgent continued support for refugees and their local host communities. As safety and security concerns continue to prevent many people from returning home to Ukraine, refugees should be supported for as long as they remain displaced. They should not feel pressed to return simply because they cannot sustain themselves and make ends meet while in exile," added Leclerc.

Notes to editor

This is the third such report in this series, however, the latest version spans an entire year while previous reports covered six-month periods.

UNHCR, in support to host governments in the region, continues to coordinate the 2023 Regional Refugee Response Plan aimed to ensure refugees' access to protection and assistance on a non-discriminatory basis, with a particular focus on refugees at risk of becoming vulnerable. The 2023 plan also places an emphasis on refugees' socioeconomic inclusion, in recognition of the challenges faced by refugees due to their prolonged displacement.

UNHCR has provided cash assistance to some 530,000 vulnerable refugees from Ukraine in neighbouring countries since the start of the full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, bridging much-needed support whilst their inclusion in employment and national systems is pursued. In addition, UNHCR provides access to legal services and counselling to help support access to documentation and other key rights amongst the refugee community.

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Toronto, November 15, 2023 - C3 Metals Inc. (TSXV: CCCM) (OTCQB: CUAUF) ("C3 Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement (see press releases dated November 1, 2023 and November 6, 2023) through the issuance of 115,000,000 common shares ("Common Shares") of the Company at a price of $0.07 per Common Share for total gross proceeds of $8,050,000 (the "Offering").

Proceeds from the Offering will be used primarily for continued exploration programs in Jamaica in addition to exploration and property costs for the Jasperoide, Peru project, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes. In connection with the Offering the Company paid certain eligible finders cash commissions in the aggregate of $42,600 and an advisory fee of $107,100.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a hold period expiring on March 16, 2024 and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation. The Offering is subject to the final approval of the TSX Venture Exchange.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

For additional information, contact:

Dan Symons

President and CEO

+1 416 716 6466

dsymons@c3metals.com

ABOUT C3 METALS INC.

C3 Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on creating substantive value for its shareholders through the discovery and development of large copper and gold deposits. The Company is actively exploring in Jamaica where it has identified 16 porphyry and 40 epithermal prospects over a 30km strike extent across its 20,700 hectare exploration licences package. Mining is currently the second largest industry in Jamaica, and historical mining dates back to the colonial eras of the 1500s (Spanish) and 1800s (British). The Company also holds approximately 24,000 hectares located in the prolific high-grade Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry-Skarn belt of Southern Peru. Mineralization at Jasperoide is hosted in a similar geological setting to the nearby major mining operations at Las Bambas (MMG), Constancia (Hudbay) and Antapaccay (Glencore). At Jasperoide, the Company has identified over 15 skarn prospects and an outcropping porphyry system over two parallel 28km belts. The Company has published a maiden resource estimate on the first of these skarn targets, which contained Measured & Indicated Resources of 52Mt at 0.5% copper and 0.2 g/t gold.

Related Link: www.c3metals.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.

Caution Regarding 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 Company's current belief or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. Actual future results may differ materially. In particular, this release contains forward-looking information relating to, among other things, the exploration operations of the Company and the timing which could be affected by the current global COVID-19 pandemic. Those assumptions and factors are based on information currently available to the Company. Although such statements are based on reasonable assumptions of the Company's management, there can be no assurance that any conclusions or forecasts will prove to be accurate.

While the Company considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available, they may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors include risks inherent in the exploration and development of mineral deposits, including risks relating to changes in project parameters as plans continue to be redefined, risks relating to variations in grade or recovery rates, risks relating to changes in mineral prices and the worldwide demand for and supply of minerals, risks related to increased competition and current global financial conditions and the COVID-19 pandemic, access and supply risks, reliance on key personnel, operational risks, and regulatory risks, including risks relating to the acquisition of the necessary licenses and permits, financing, capitalization and liquidity risks.

The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187502
Kelowna, November 16, 2023 - Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. (TSXV: SUU) (OTCQB: SUUFF) ("Strathmore" or "the Company") is pleased to announce the completion of the first phase of exploratory drilling at the Agate project where uranium mineralization was encountered within 93 of the 100 holes drilled. The uranium mineralization is typical of the classic, Wyoming-type roll front deposit that was first described historically in the Shirley Basin district in the 1960s. The results of the newly completed 50 holes are tabled below. The highlight was the drilling of holes, AG-10-23 (8.5 feet @ 0.114% eU 3 O 8 ) and AG-16-23 (14.5 feet @ 0.110% eU 3 O 8 ) completed 800 feet apart and with open mineralization apparent outwards of each of the drill holes. The 100 holes totalled 14,765 feet drilled. Strathmore is planning and permitting for up to 400 additional drill holes to be completed during the spring/summer of 2024.

Phase 1 of exploratory drilling at the Agate project targeted the Lower "A" sand of the Eocene Wind River Formation, an arkosic-rich sandstone which is noted for its high porosity and permeability, and high groundwater transmissivity. Strathmore explored an area of the Agate project where historical drilling completed by Kerr McGee Corporation in the 1970s encountered uranium roll-front deposits, saturated with groundwater, from 80-150 feet deep. The intercept results are reported at a minimum thickness of 2-feet and a grade cutoff of 0.02% eU 3 O 8 (equivalent uranium), including holes with below cutoff intercepts italicized in the table below.

Hole ID Latitude Longitude Top (ft) Bottom (ft) Thickness

(ft) Grade %

eU 3 O 8 Grade x Thickness AG-50-23 42.31472 -106.28732 84.0 91.5 7.5 0.014 0.105 AG-51-23 42.31497 -106.25890 83.0 90.5 7.5 0.052 0.390 AG-52-23 42.31499 -106.28635 82.0 86.0 4.0 0.032 0.128 98.5 102.0 3.5 0.014 0.049 AG-53-23 42.31530 -106.28476 76.0 78.0 2.0 0.024 0.048 AG-54-23 42.31502 -106.28481 73.0 75.5 2.5 0.042 0.105 AG-55-23 42.31528 -106.28407 88.5 91.0 2.5 0.015 0.038 AG-56-23 42.31500 -106.28443 69.0 73.5 4.5 0.036 0.162 AG-57-23 42.31501 -106.28402 67.5 69.5 2.0 0.026 0.052 AG-58-23 42.31471 -106.28437 80.5 89.0 8.5 0.014 0.119 AG-59-23 42.31469 -106.28506 80.0 85.5 5.5 0.044 0.242 92.0 94.5 2.5 0.026 0.065 AG-60-23 42.31431 -106.28618 BELOW CUTOFF AG-61-23 42.31395 -106.28665 82.0 84.0 2.0 0.011 0.022 88.0 91.0 3.0 0.012 0.036 AG-62-23 42.31443 -106.28413 80.0 82.0 2.0 0.021 0.042 AG-63-23 42.31416 -106.28444 72.5 75.5 3.0 0.013 0.039 85.5 90.5 5.0 0.013 0.065 AG-64-23 42.31427 -106.28370 75.5 83.0 7.5 0.021 0.158 86.5 91.0 4.5 0.012 0.054 AG-65-23 42.31476 -106.28397 75.0 77.0 2.0 0.014 0.028 85.5 91.5 6.0 0.011 0.066 AG-66-23 42.31462 -106.28357 69.5 73.0 3.5 0.011 0.039 76.5 79.5 3.0 0.014 0.042 81.5 83.5 2.0 0.013 0.026 AG-67-23 42.31445 -106.28572 73.5 78.5 5.0 0.126 0.630 92.0 96.0 4.0 0.047 0.188 AG-68-23 42.31443 -106.28468 77.0 87.5 10.5 0.013 0.137 89.5 96.5 7.0 0.012 0.084 AG-69-23 42.31480 -106.28738 81.5 84.0 2.5 0.012 0.030 90.5 95.5 5.0 0.012 0.060 97.0 103.5 6.5 0.016 0.104 AG-70-23 42.31484 -106.28796 113.0 116.0 3.0 0.051 0.153 AG-71-23 42.31455 -106.28809 82.0 86.0 4.0 0.017 0.068 98.5 101.5 3.0 0.059 0.177 AG-72-23 42.31448 -106.28748 76.0 79.0 3.0 0.019 0.057 91.5 101.5 10.0 0.016 0.160 AG-73-23 42.31424 -106.28813 96.0 98.5 2.5 0.028 0.070 AG-74-23 42.31532 -106.28758 108.4 116.9 8.5 0.014 0.119 AG-75-23 42.31524 -106.28805 113.0 118.0 5.0 0.013 0.065 AG-76-23 42.31508 -106.28830 115.5 121.0 5.5 0.059 0.325 AG-77-23 42.31458 -106.28857 110.5 114.0 3.5 0.077 0.270 123.0 125.0 2.0 0.032 0.064 AG-78-23 42.31438 -106.28903 96.0 102.0 6.0 0.032 0.192 AG-79-23 42.31413 -106.28864 90.0 93.0 3.0 0.019 0.057 94.5 97.0 2.5 0.016 0.040 98.5 101.0 2.5 0.012 0.030 AG-80-23 42.31467 -106.28934 93.5 95.5 2.0 0.048 0.096 100.0 103.0 3.0 0.012 0.036 112.0 114.0 2.0 0.012 0.024 AG-81-23 42.31485 -106.28887 117.0 120.5 3.5 0.030 0.105 AG-82-23 42.31439 -106.28958 98.5 102.5 4.0 0.024 0.096 104.5 106.5 2.0 0.023 0.046 109.0 112.0 3.0 0.012 0.036 118.5 120.5 2.0 0.012 0.024 AG-83-23 42.31411 -106.28928 103.5 106.0 2.5 0.013 0.033 AG-84-23 42.31584 -106.28391 BELOW CUTOFF AG-85-23 42.31545 -106.28377 BELOW CUTOFF AG-86-23 42.31666 -106.28744 123.0 126.5 3.5 0.017 0.060 AG-87-23 42.31658 -106.28710 112.0 114.0 2.0 0.013 0.026 AG-88-23 42.31723 -106.28719 BELOW CUTOFF AG-89-23 42.31699 -106.28751 113.0 116.5 3.5 0.019 0.067 AG-90-23 42.31505 -106.28511 82.5 97.0 14.5 0.092 1.334 Including 84.0 90.5 6.5 0.132 0.858 99.5 101.5 2.0 0.025 0.050 AG-91-23 42.31496 -106.28355 50.5 52.5 2.0 0.013 0.026 77.0 80.5 3.5 0.012 0.042 88.5 92.5 4.0 0.011 0.044 AG-92-23 42.31252 -106.28587 86.0 89.5 3.5 0.012 0.042 91.0 94.5 3.5 0.011 0.039 AG-93-23 42.31240 -106.28535 62.0 64.0 2.0 0.016 0.032 86.5 89.0 2.5 0.018 0.045 91.0 94.0 3.0 0.011 0.033 AG-94-23 42.31260 -106.28624 62.0 64.0 2.0 0.016 0.032 86.5 89.0 2.5 0.018 0.045 91.0 94.0 3.0 0.011 0.033 AG-95-23 42.31236 -106.29028 98.0 100.0 2.0 0.057 0.114 103.5 107.5 4.0 0.017 0.068 AG-96-23 42.31274 -106.29000 107.0 113.0 6.0 0.012 0.072 AG-97-23 42.31292 -106.28946 109.0 112.5 3.5 0.040 0.140 AG-98-23 42.31245 -106.28956 111.0 113.5 2.5 0.035 0.088 115.0 119.5 4.5 0.013 0.059 AG-99-23 42.31294 -106.29059 101.0 107.5 6.5 0.027 0.176 AG-100-23 42.31310 -106.29115 97.0 100.5 3.5 0.027 0.095

Note: The geophysical results are based on equivalent uranium (eU 3 O 8 ) of the gamma-ray probes calibrated at the Department of Energy's Test Facility in Casper, Wyoming. A geophysical tool with gamma-ray, spontaneous potential, resistivity, and drift detectors was utilized. The reader is cautioned that the reported uranium grades may not reflect actual concentrations due to the potential for disequilibrium between uranium and its gamma emitting daughter products.

Mineralized holes with thicker, higher-grade intercepts are interpreted to be in the Near Interface, Nose (main front), or Near Seepage ground located within the projected roll front system.

Mineralized holes with thinner, below cutoff grade intercepts are interpreted to be in the Limb/Tails or Remote Seepage ground located behind (altered) or ahead (reduced) of the projected roll front system, respectively.

Non-mineralized holes are interpreted to be in the Barren Exterior ground located ahead of the projected roll front system in reduced ground.

The 2023 drilling was completed by Single Water Services utilizing a mud-rotary rig and the geophysical logging was completed by Hawkins CBM Logging, both of Wyoming with extensive experience in the uranium industry. Mr. Terrence Osier, PG, VP Exploration for Strathmore, was the supervising Geologist and oversaw the drilling activities and lithologic descriptions of the drilled cuttings which were sampled at 5-foot intervals. The drilling was completed on budget (US$275,000) and in a timely manner over a month's time. The results of the exploration will be analyzed and assist in the layout of additional drill sites proposed for the 2024 drilling season.

About the Agate Property

The Agate property consists of 52 wholly owned lode mining claims covering 1,075 acres. The uranium mineralization is contained in classic Wyoming-type roll fronts within the Eocene Wind River Formation, an arkosic-rich sandstone. Historically, 51 million pounds of uranium were mined in Shirley Basin, including from open-pit, underground, and the first commercial in-situ recovery operation in the USA during the 1960s. At the property, the uranium mineralization is shallow, from 80 to approximately 150 feet deep, much of which is below the water table and likely amenable to in-situ recovery. Kerr McGee Corporation, the largest US uranium mining company at the time, drilled at least 650 holes across the project area, delineating several targets of potential mineralization across the project.

About Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. Strathmore has three permitted uranium projects in Wyoming, including Agate, Beaver Rim, and Night Owl. The Agate and Beaver Rim properties contain uranium in typical Wyoming-type roll front deposits based on historical drilling data. The Night Owl property is a former producing surface mine that was in production in the early 1960s.

Cautionary Statement: "Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."

Certain information contained in this press release constitutes "forward-looking information", within the meaning of Canadian legislation. Generally, these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur", "be achieved" or "has the potential to". Forward-looking statements contained in this press release may include statements regarding the future operating or financial performance of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. which involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties which may not prove to be accurate. Actual results and outcomes may differ materially from what is expressed or forecasted in these forward-looking statements. Such statements are qualified in their entirety by the inherent risks and uncertainties surrounding future expectations. Among those factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are the following: market conditions and other risk factors listed from time to time in our reports filed with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp. disclaim any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation.

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by Terrence Osier, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp., a Qualified Person.

Strathmore Plus Uranium Corp.

Contact Information:

Investor Relations

Telephone: 1 888 882 8177

Email: info@strathmoreplus.com

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Dev Randhawa"

Dev Randhawa, CEO

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187597
TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2023 - Spruce Ridge Resources Ltd. ("Spruce" or the "Company") (TSXV: SHL) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a share purchase agreement (the "Agreement") with RAB Capital Holdings Limited ("RAB Capital"), an arm's length party of the Company, dated November 10, 2023 for the acquisition (the "Transaction") of all the issued and outstanding securities of RFN Holdings Limited ("RFN"). RFN is the holder of an 80% interest in Homeland Nickel Corporation ("HLN"), which holds a portfolio of mining claims in Oregon that comprise the Red Flat Property ("Red Flat") and the Cleopatra Property ("Cleopatra" and, collectively with Red Flat, the "Properties"), as well as an interest in some secondary deposits in the vicinity of the Properties (the "Deposits").



Steve Balch, interim President and CEO, stated, "Spruce is poised to enter the U.S. critical minerals market with two important properties containing significant resources of nickel with further expansion potential. We have now signed the definitive agreement to complete the acquisition. Together, Cleopatra and Red Flat have resources equivalent to over 1 billion pounds of nickel."

Cleopatra and Red Flat are nickel laterites with resources identified in soil and rock. The most recent work included unpublished NI 43-101 reports ("Evaluation of the Cleopatra Ni/Co Property Mining Potential, Curry County, Oregon, U.S.A.", A.J. Rancourt, 2009 and "Evaluation of the Red Flat Ni/Co Property Mining Potential, Curry Country, Oregon, U.S.A", A.J. Rancourt, 2009) which identified total inferred resources at Cleopatra of 39.5 Mt grading 0.93% Ni and at Red Flat of 18.8 Mt grading 0.84% Ni both using a 0.7% Ni cut-off. While the resources were described as total inferred, resources were classified in the measured, indicated, and inferred categories for both properties. Additional mineralization is known to occur at depth at a lower grade. Total tonnage could also increase substantially by using a lower cut-off grade. The properties are road accessible. Cobalt is also present.

The historical resources are considered reliable as they were based on a substantial base of previous work with updated confirmation drilling, trenching, and assaying. Neither report included the assay certificates from the follow-up work. These certificates have since been obtained as part of an updated technical review that is now complete, including a property visit by an independent geologist.

A qualified person has not done sufficient work to classify the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves, and the Company is not treating the historical estimate as current mineral resources or mineral reserves. While the Company is confident in the historical work, until such time as the technical due diligence has been completed it is not treating the historical resources as current mineral resources. Future work would then be focused on upgrading the inferred resources to measured and indicated as well as expanding the resources by tonnage as both resources are open at depth.

Cleopatra and Red Flat Nickel Laterite Deposits

Nickel mineralization was discovered in Southwest Oregon in the 1930s with significant exploration occurring in the 1950s including auger-hole drilling and assaying. This led to the identification of surface resources of nickel-bearing laterite at both Cleopatra and Red Flat.

Nickel laterite is formed by the surface alteration of olivine-rich ultramafic rocks, most commonly peridotite. Nickel is concentrated in place within the upper 10 metres of the soil but also within enriched rocks that form within and below the soil line. Below the enriched rock, mineralized peridotite (sometimes serpentinized) is also present. The average depth of exploration at either property is currently less than 15 metres.

Transaction Terms

Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, Spruce will acquire a 100% interest in RFN, with RFN being the holder of an 80% interest in HLN, by:

Making a $50,000 cash payment to RAB Capital, which has already been completed, primarily for the reimbursement of costs incurred by RAB Capital prior to entering the Agreement;

Transferring to RAB Capital 2,000,000 common shares in the capital of Canada Nickel Company Inc. (the "CNC Shares") held by Spruce, as follows: 500,000 CNC Shares upon closing of the Transaction; and 1,500,000 CNC Shares upon the earlier of (i) completion of the Concurrent Financing (as defined below) or (ii) ninety (90) days from the closing of the Transaction;

Paying $450,000, to be settled against RAB Capital's subscription for an aggregate $450,000 in the Concurrent Financing (as defined below);

Issuing to RAB Capital an aggregate of 10,000,000 common shares in the capital of Spruce upon closing of the Transaction;

Granting to RAB Capital a 2.0% net smelter returns ("NSR") on the Properties and the Deposits, with an option to repurchase 50% of each NSR for $2,000,000;

Reimbursing RAB Capital a total of US$37,957 for the cost of tenement renewals on the Properties paid for the year 2023/24;

Reimbursing RAB Capital a total of US$22,500 for the cost of preparation of audited financial statements;

Assuming a pre-existing intercorporate loan between RAB Capital and HLN totaling approximately US$36.74 million;

Paying funds to RAB Capital upon reaching certain milestones, as follows: $1,000,000 cash payment upon filing a technical report on one or both of the Properties where a nickel resource is re-evaluated (or restated) to a standard in accordance with the requirements of National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Properties ("NI 43-101"); $2,000,000 cash payment upon completion of a NI 43-101 preliminary economic assessment on one or both of the Properties; $2,000,000 cash payment upon completion of a NI 43-101 feasibility study on one or both of the Properties; $10,000,000 cash payment upon announcement of a decision to commence construction on one or both of the Properties.





In addition to transferring its interest in RFN to Spruce, RAB Capital will subscribe for an aggregate $450,000 in an upcoming non-brokered private placement of Spruce (the "Concurrent Financing"). The Concurrent Financing will comprise of the sale of up to 30,000,000 ("Units"), to be sold at $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of $1,500,000. Each Unit will consist of one common share ("Common Share") and one half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole common share purchase warrant ("Warrant") will entitle the holder to acquire one Common Share for $0.10 for a period of two years after the closing of the Concurrent Financing. All securities issued in conjunction with the Concurrent Financing will be subject to a hold period of four months and one day after closing.

The Company reserves the right to increase the size of the Concurrent Financing by up to 10%, to a maximum of 33,000,000 Units for gross proceeds of $1,650,000. The Concurrent Financing is integral to the Transaction to permit the Company to pay the purchase price, reimburse RAB Capital the costs of tenement renewals and preparation of financial statements and to fund the first milestone payment in the event the milestone is achieved. Proceeds from the Concurrent Financing will be used to pay the purchase price of the Transaction, to fund exploration on the Properties, fund milestone payments pursuant to the Agreement and for general corporate purposes.

Closing of the Transaction and the Concurrent Offering is subject to approval by the TSX Venture Exchange (the "TSXV"). The Transaction is considered a "Fundamental Acquisition" under TSXV policies and accordingly, trading in the Company's shares has been halted until the earlier of satisfactory review of the Transaction by the TSXV or closing of the Transaction.

Stephen J. Balch, P.Geo., the Company's interim President and CEO, a "Qualified Person" under NI 43-101 has reviewed and approved the technical contents of this press release.

Cautionary Statement:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and include, but are not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, that are based on assumptions and courses of action, and in certain cases, can be identified by the words "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will", "would", "may", "could" or "should" occur, or the negative forms of any of these words and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include statements related to the acquisition of the Properties and the Deposit on the terms announced or at all, the potential of the Properties and the Deposits, future plans for the Company, and other forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements are based on various assumptions including with respect to the anticipated actions of securities regulators, stock exchanges, and government entities, management plans and timelines, as well as results of operations, performance, business prospects and opportunities. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, such assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to: the settlement of definitive documentation and receipt of required regulatory approvals; the inability to complete the acquisition of the Properties or Deposits on the terms announced or at all; the closing of the Concurrent Financing in a timely fashion or at all; the Company's planned activities on the Properties; an inability to develop and successfully implement exploration strategies; general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; the lack of available capital; and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Company's ongoing filings with securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedarplus.ca. The Company cannot assure readers that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements in this press release. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless otherwise required by law.

Contacts:

Steve Balch, President & CEO (interim)

Phone: 905.407.9586

Email: steve@beci.ca




FIA delighted with latest Andretti F1 development

Mohammed Ben Sulayem says he's "delighted" with the latest major development in Andretti-Cadillac's bid to become the eleventh Formula 1 team.

Brazilian GP 2023

 Alfa Romeo

Although the FIA has green-lit the US-based entity's application to fire up its power units as soon as 2025, Andretti cannot move forward until the highly-reluctant F1 owner Liberty Media approves a commercial deal.

But Cadillac parent General Motors gave Michael Andretti's project a major boost this week by announcing that it will develop and supply a full works GM engine to the team by 2028.

The prospect of another major carmaker on the grid, especially an American one, will make it very difficult for Liberty to reject Andretti.

GM's development and testing of prototype technology is already underway, a spokesperson for the biggest car manufacturer in the United States revealed.

Engineering a F1 power unit will advance GM's expertise in areas including electrification, hybrid technology, sustainable fuels, high efficiency internal combustion engines, advanced controls and software systems.

It's all music to the ears of FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem.

I'm delighted with the news that GM have registered as a PU supplier for FIA F1, he declared.
Sargeant problem solved for Las Vegas

Williams hopes a physical problem with Logan Sargeant will be resolved once the American rookie hits the new Las Vegas track late on Thursday.

Logan Sargeant, Mexican GP 2023

 Williams

The 22-year-old, whose race seat is the only one on the current Formula 1 grid still unconfirmed for 2024, had to retire from the ultra-hot Qatar GP recently with dehydration.

I hadn't been feeling well all week, so that certainly didn't help, Sargeant is quoted by Speed Week. "I was extremely reluctant to bring the car into the pits because I didn't want to let my team down.

But I just couldn't do it anymore.

Sargeant then had another major physical problem at Interlagos, when he told his engineers that he completely lost feeling in a paralysed left arm.

Team boss James Vowles says Sargeant has recovered for Las Vegas.

We think it was his seat, he said. "It's the first time this has happened this season, so it must have had something to do with the Interlagos track, which is anti-clockwise.

We've done some detail work on the position of the seat belts and the seat.
NIB to benefit from GH4bn govt support

Emmanuel Bruce Business News Nov - 16 - 2023 , 10:44

Government has made a provision of GH4 billion to address the liquidity issues of the National Investment Bank (NIB), and other distressed Special Deposit taking Institutions (SDIs) in the country.

The amount which was announced in the 2024 budget is also expected to take care of some outstanding legacy challenges in the financial sector.

This forms a critical component of the three-year International Monetary Fund Programme.

Under the IMF programme, the Bank of Ghana (BoG) has committed to completing the remaining tasks from the financial sector cleanup, and these tasks include addressing the insolvency of NIB as well as the long-standing under-capitalisation of several special deposit-taking institutions (SDIs).

Addressing the media at the Monetary Policy Committee press conference in July, the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, said the issue of NIB and other under-capitalised institutions would obviously form part of the financial sector policy under the IMF programme.

He said once the government was done with the immediate issues of the impact of the Domestic Debt Exchange Programme (DDEP) on banks, it would go back and relook at these institutions and make an assessment on whether they are still viable or not.

The NIB is one of the banks that we will make that assessment on, to ascertain whether it is still viable or not. If it is viable and the government can find money to recapitalise it, then Yes. But if it is not viable, then, obviously, we will have to find a different use for that instrument.

These are ongoing discussions between us and the international partners and I believe that in the next year or so, we will get a clearer sense of how to handle those particular institutions that are very weak, he stated.

The announcement of the GH4 billion package is therefore an indication that the government together with the BoG has agreed on the viability of NIB.

Capital challenges

Following the completion of the financial sector reforms, all the banks operating in the country successfully recapitalised to GH400, except NIB, who are yet to do so.

The NIB, together with four other banks namely ADB Bank, OmniBSIC, UMB Bank and Prudential Bank, were given government guarantee through the Ghana Amalgamated Trust (GAT), which was a special purpose vehicle set up to help these five banks recapitalise.

NIB, however, failed to utilise this opportunity as its liquidity and capital challenges far exceeded what was originally envisaged and have still remained under-capitalised.

With the bank being a state bank, the considerations were different, and, therefore the bank has continued to operate till now, despite not meeting the new minimum capital requirement.

ADB take over

The announcement of this support to NIB is also expected to put to rest recent speculations that the government was considering the takeover of the bank by ADB Bank.

Talks of a merger between the two state owned banks were not new, as the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori Atta, in 2017 hinted of a merger of the two banks to form a Development Bank.

The Finance Minister at the time argued that a merger of the two banks could help create a development-oriented bank that could finance the government's vision of transforming the economy through increased investments in agriculture and industrialisation.

This position was then supported by the Governor of the Bank of Ghana, Dr Ernest Addison, who also argued at the time that it made sense for the government to merge the two banks, citing the challenge of the state having to recapitalise the two banks separately.

It appears this will not be happening now though as the government has taken a step to help recapitalise NIB.
Blogger Sammy Kay arrested for publishing sexually explicit images and linking it to Cyber Security official

Edith Mensah Showbiz News Nov - 16 - 2023 , 18:47

Ghanaian blogger Sammy Kay, born Samuel Dortey Kumah, has been arrested and handed over to the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service for publishing sexually explicit images and the unlawful use of images of a Cyber Security Authority official.

Last week, a sexually explicit video of socialite Abena Korkor was circulated online.

Related article: Here's why Abena Korkor is trending

Responding, Abena Korkor accused two people of being behind the sexually explicit video she was seen in and claimed she sent it to only two people.

Abena Korkor mentioned that one of the said people she suspected for circulating her video was a security official linked to the cyber crime office at the Ghana Police Service.

Wednesday morning incident

On Wednesday morning (Nov 15, 2023) another sexually explicit video was circulated on social media with the tagging that, it was in reference to the said security officer that Korkor mentioned.

It is based on this that Sammy Kay also reportedly published the said images and linked it to some images of the Cyber Security Authority (CSA) official.

The Cyber Security Authority, in a press release dated November 16, 2023, gave reasons for Sammy Kay's arrest.

"Reference is made to a publication on some social media platforms, containing sexually explicit material and unlawful use of the images of Cyber Security Authority (CSA) officials by Samuel Dortey Kumah, owner of Sammykaymedia."

"He has since been arrested and handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service."

"We wish to categorically state that the tagging of the images to this explicit material is a misrepresentation and of criminal attribution. The CSA dissociates itself from same and admonishes the general public to disregard any such potential criminal misrepresentation," the statement added.

"The CSA will continue to deliver on its mandate in collaboration with other security sector agencies to protect the digital ecosystem and the digital safety of Ghanaians.

Checks by Graphic Showbiz has indicated that Sammy Kay later removed the said image on Instagram and apologised for the earlier post made on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

In the apology post, Sammy Kay expressed regret, stating, "Upon further investigations, we found out that this picture above is not the same person in the video circulating yesterday on Twitter. We apologize for any inconvenience caused with the post we initially made and deeply regret our action."
Sekondi College marks 72nd Speech, Prize-giving Day

Daily Graphic Education Nov - 16 - 2023 , 10:08

The Sekondi College (SEKCO) has marked its 72nd Speech and Prize-giving Day by rewarding hard work and excellence in its resolve to prioritise Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education to churn out critical thinking and problem-solving scholars to spearhead national development.

Speaking on the theme, "Repositioning Senior High School For Greater Prospect: Prioritizing STEM Education", the Director of the Hydrocarbon Laboratory at the Environmental Protection Agency,( EPA), Dr Lawrence Akoto, said the economy of the modern world was knowledge-based, science and technology driven and lauded SEKCO for the lead role.

He said Ghana was facing a skills gap in relation to STEM, hence the need to bridge the gap by making STEM education enjoyable through the provision of the needed resources and materials, including well-equipped laboratories, improved teaching methods and the needed funds.

Promotion

Dr Akoto called for the promotion of STEM education in the early stages and commended the school for its sterling performance in the Inter-Regional Science and Maths Quiz competition to qualify for the national contest in Kumasi.

The headmistress of the school, Guddy A.A. Kermah, said the school continued to make giant strides in academic excellence and extra curricular activities through disciplined, honest, law-abiding and humble students.

She disclosed that the school had embarked upon an agrarian revolution with acres of farmlands in coconut plantation, maize, pineapple, cucumber, plantain and cabbage to augment feeding of students, which had also turned the fortunes of the school around.

Tribute

The Western Regional Director of Education, Madam Felicia Agyeibia Okine, in a speech read on her behalf, paid glowing tribute to the school for its immense role and contributions to good quality education delivery in the Western Region.

She said the Education Directorate recognised academic interventions by the school such as Read A Page A Day, Pick As You Go and AGRIC Time as these were making significant impact on the school.

The National President of the Sekondi College Old Students Association (SEKCOSA), Adwoa Dako, disclosed that the association had so far realised an amount of GH500,000 in contributions from some old students towards the refurbishment of the three Science laboratory blocks in the school.

Appeal

She appealed to old students of the school to go beyond socialisation and contribute meaningfully to the development of the school.

The Chairman of the Board of Governors and former Western Regional Director of Education, Rebecca Efiba Dadzie, paid tribute to the founder and first headmaster of SEKCO, J.W. Acquah, for the pioneering role he played by starting the school at Ekuase in Sekondi before moving to its current location at Essipon.

Head Prefect of SEKCO, Master Simon Yaw Prempeh, said discipline had improved tremendously and lauded efforts by the headmistress for her sterling leadership style.

The Paramount Chief of the Upper Dixcove Traditional Area, Obrempong Hima Dekyi XIV, who chaired the function, said it was time to revolutionise the mindset of people, especially the youth by embracing STEM education to employ what nature had endowed Ghana with to solve problems in society such as galamsey, food insecurity and spillage of the Akosombo Dam.  GNA
Xi urges all-out rescue efforts after coal mine company building fire

Xinhua) 17:45, November 16, 2023

BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out efforts to rescue the injured after a fire accident at a building of a coal mine company in north China's Shanxi Province on Thursday morning.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, asked authorities to inspect and remove risks in key industries to safeguard people's lives and property as well as social stability.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Xian Jiangnan)
Ambulance case: Ato Forson closes case, former Director opens defence

Justice Agbenorsi Nov - 16 - 2023 , 15:53

Former Deputy Minister of Finance, Dr Cassiel Ato Forson who has been accused with two for allegedly causing 2.37 million financial loss to the state has closed his case.

A former Minster of Health, Alex Segbefia, was scheduled to testify at the court presided over by Justice Afia Serwah Asare-Botwe today (Nov 16).

However, when the case was called, counsel for Dr Forson, Godwin Edudzie Tameklo, told the Court that the Minority Leader would not call any further witness adding: We are closing our case.

Charges

Dr Forson, who is also the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Ajumako Enyan Essiam, is standing trial with Sylvester Anemana, a former Chief Director of the Ministry of Health, and Richard Jakpa, a businessman, for allegedly causing financial loss of 2.37 million to the state in a deal to purchase 200 ambulances for Ghana between 2014 and 2016.

They have, however, pleaded not guilty to five counts of wilfully causing financial loss to the state, abetment to wilfully cause financial loss to the state, contravention of the Public Procurement Act and intentionally misapplying public property.

Flowing the closure of case by Dr Forson, the second accused, Anemana, has been ordered to mount the witness box to open his defence.

More to follow...
Govt allocates GH220m for dam spillage victims

Kester Aburam Korankye Nov - 16 - 2023 , 08:49

The government has set aside GH220 million in the 2024 budget to support the relief efforts for the communities affected by floods occasioned by the Akosombo and Kpong dam spillage.

The amount will also cater for the needs of victims of floods upstream in the Oti, Savannah and Bono East regions.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta, who announced this in the 2024 Budget statement laid before Parliament for approval Wednesday, said for the restoration phase, the government, through the Ministry of Food and Agriculture, would allocate additional resources to support the restoration of livelihoods.

We have requested funding from the World Bank under the IDA Crisis Response Window (CRW) to support the resettlement of the victims, restoration of livelihoods, compensation and reconstruction of infrastructure in the affected communities, Mr Ofori-Atta stated.

In his signature white kaftan, Mr Ofori-Atta was in Parliament to lay before the House the government's budget statement and economic policy for next year in accordance with Article 179 of the 1992 Constitution and Section 21 (3) of the Public Financial Management Act, 2016, (Act 921).

The budget outlined revenue measures, expenditure priorities for the next year, detailing how the government intends to rake in more revenue from domestic sources, without further burdening the taxpayer.

The budget also updated Parliament on measures taken to address the countrys debt position.

Mr Ofori-Atta explained that the government, through the Volta River Authority (VRA), the National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and various agencies under the 13-member inter-ministerial committee, had also provided various forms of support to the impacted communities.

The support, he said, included food and related items, drinks, mattresses, mosquito nets and coils, clothes, baby food and diapers, sanitary pads, treated water services and storage tanks, solar lamps, sanitation services, restoration of utility services, and some social infrastructure.

The visit of the officials of the Ministry of Finance and myself, in collaboration with VRA, to the victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage in Mepe was truly revealing and sobering, Mr Ofori-Atta told Parliament.

Indeed, we empathise with the families that have been affected and displaced by the spillage.

We met victims, townsfolks, children, the chiefs and, of course, Honourable Okudzeto Ablakwa, he added.

Social protection

The finance minister also announced plans to protect the vulnerable in society through the countrys social protection programmes.

Key among them is the 50 per cent increase in the financing of the Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) programme.

Mr Ofori-Atta said the government invested about GH298 million to support 350,000 extremely poor households under the programme this year.

The National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), he said, witnessed an expansion in coverage, with 16 million active members as of September 2023, representing 80 per cent of the targeted population of 20 million.

Efforts to integrate the Ghana card into the enrolment system are progressing steadily, the minister of finance said.

Touching on the School Feeding Programme, Mr Ofori-Atta said the government invested over GH740 million to feed 3.8 million pupils one hot meal a day in over 10,000 public basic schools.

In 2024, he explained, the programme would continue to provide meals to enhance basic school enrolment.

On the Free Senior High School (Free SHS) policy, he said 448,000 first-year SHS students would be added this year to bring the number of beneficiaries for the 2022/2023 academic year to 1.3 million students.

In 2024, the implementation of this transformative initiative will continue, Mr Ofori-Atta said.

Multiplier effects

The minister said given the potential to upscale and the multiplier effects that small and medium-sized businesses possessed, the government would scale up support to young entrepreneurs and fledgling businesses to create sustainable jobs across all communities.

In this view, the ministry has teamed up with the Millennium Development Authority (MIDA) and commit GH1 billion to ensure that our enclave project for import substitution is successful, he said.
Junior Graphic National Essay Competition: Contestants write final test

Priscilla Asantewaa Obeng Nov - 16 - 2023 , 10:55

The 50 contestants who qualified for the final stage of the 2023 Junior Graphic National Essay Competition (JGNEC) yesterday wrote their final tests.

Out of the 50 who wrote the tests at the head office in Accra and the other regional offices of the Graphic Communications Group Ltd (GCGL) across the country, 10 winners with the highest marks will be selected and adjudged 2023 winners.

Prizes

The competition, which is in partnership with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Advisory Unit, Office of the President, and Accra Brewery Ltd (ABL), is sponsored by BiC and Beta Malt.

It is on the theme: Unearthing and nurturing talents through writing.

The successful final 10 to be selected will win attractive prizes and also get the rare opportunity to meet President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo at the Jubilee House.

In addition, the ultimate winner will attend the UN General Assembly in the US with the President.

Contestants

Out of the 50 contestants, 16 took their final tests at the Head Office of the GCGL in Accra, while two students each wrote in the Central and Upper West regions.

The Tema Office and Bono Region had five students each, 14 took part in Koforidua in the Eastern Region, while four students represented the Volta Region.

The Ashanti Region had only one contestant.

Stepping stone

Addressing the contestants in Accra before the test began, the Editor, Graphic, Theophilus Yartey, encouraged them to remain calm and not panic.

He encouraged them to see this opportunity as a stepping stone to more achievements in the future, saying: Do not panic.

I wish you well. One day some of you will become ministers of state, chief executives, lawyers and journalists.

Today, make your schools and families proud, he said.

The Editor of Junior Graphic, Hannah Acheampong Amoah, urged participants, particularly the JHS graduates, to constantly read the Junior Graphic during their leisure time to broaden their minds and also help them excel in their academic work.

We have an App, the Graphic Newsplus where you can sign in and access the Junior Graphic.

Do not stop reading the paper even when you complete junior high school (JHS).

The Junior Graphic has good content which will benefit you even in senior high school, she said.

Competition

This years essay competition was in two phases.

At the preliminary stage, 50 contestants were picked from about 1000 entries submitted across various regions.

They had submitted their essays on a topic they chose from three published in the Junior Graphic in the open contest.
Longrich Ghana donates relief items to Volta flood victims

Daily Graphic Nov - 16 - 2023 , 09:11

The Longrich International Ghana has donated dozens of relief items to the victims in Mepe and surrounding towns that were hardest hit by the flooding caused by the spillage of the Akosombo Dam.

The donation by Longrich, a consumer product manufacturing conglomerate and its Ghanaian business partners, was made up of essential food and non-food supplies aimed at addressing the needs of the victims.

They included bags of rice, boxes of cooking oil, packs of bottled water, packs of toiletries, detergents and mosquito repellents, and about 3,000 packs of Longrichs Superklean sanitary pads and panty liners, all valued at over a GH100,000.

Presenting the items, the Country Manager of Longrich, David Dai, said the gesture was in line with the companys corporate social responsibility towards improving the welfare of the underprivileged in society.

He noted that the company and its partners considered the need to advance the relief package in response to calls for help by the affected communities and gave an assurance of more support from the organisation.

Mr Dai said after opening the companys multimillion-dollar production factory in Nigeria, which had created hundreds of jobs, the company intended to build a similar production plant in Ghana.

Receiving the items on behalf of the victims, the Member of Parliament (MP) for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa, expressed gratitude for the timely and substantial assistance provided by Longrich.

Victims

He said the donations offered significant hope to the victims that they could rely on the benevolence of individuals and organisations to recover from the traumatic experience.

Touching on Longrichs plan to build a production plant in Ghana, Mr Ablakwa noted that the chiefs and people of the area were ready to provide land for its intended factory project in Ghana, projecting the socio-economic benefits such a project could deliver to the people.

As part of the presentation, the staff and business partners of Longrich Ghana distributed some of the sanitary items to the victims, particularly women.

Business Partners of Longrich, who contributed to the donation included Sylvia Adjoa Lawson, Mrs Lucy Mathias, Eugenia Huni Antwi, Nana Poku, Gifty Essel

Cobbah and Stella Dzikunu, and Star Directors Nick Owusu and Kennedy Amoako.

The devastating floods have left over 26,000 people displaced.

North Tongu alone has recorded some 12,633 displaced people, with families seeking refuge in tents and school buildings across 21 camps.
Meeting on implementation of health initiatives held in Accra

Doreen Andoh Nov - 16 - 2023 , 06:01

An inaugural meeting for the implementation of an agreement on health initiatives was yesterday held in Accra.

The tripartite development partner countries  US, Japan, and the Republic of Korea  signed the agreement with the government in July this year.

The memorandum of cooperation (MOC) focuses on three key health priorities primary health care, enhancement of health governance at the sub national level (regions and districts), and global health security.

The intervention will facilitate the building of a more resilient health system in the country.

The meeting, which was hosted by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), discussed how to implement practical strategies to achieve universal health coverage across the five regions of the north.

Commitment

The Country Director of KOICA Ghana Office, Dong Hyun Lee, said representatives of the partners expressed their commitment to fulfil the agreement.

He said KOICA, USAID, and Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), each came with its own unique support for the successful implementation of the programme.

The Republic of Korea and KOICA highly value the significance of this harmonisation. On the other hand, we are dedicated to integrating our support with the strategy of the government.

It also means that we will do our best to align with our fellow development partners.

As we start our journey today, I assure you that KOICAs commitment goes beyond technical and financial contributions.

It will continue to recognise that the true architects of Ghanas success are Ghanaians, Mr Lee said.

USAID

The Mission Director of USAID/Ghana, Kimberly Rosen, also, said the US, through USAID, was pleased with the partnership, saying by working together, they could build a more resilient primary health care system.

She said it was the first of such agreement of cooperation to be signed by the three countries and that it would allow them to leverage their collective and individual strengths to support health care in the country while eliminating any duplication of efforts.

Already, USAIDs integrated health programming supports the government in maternal, reproductive, newborn and child health, nutrition, malaria, HIV and social protection, among other areas, the director, Ms Rosen said.

JICA

The Chief Representative of JICA Ghana Office, Suzuki Momoko, expressed delight in the efforts of all stakeholders to operationalise the agreement.

We believe that strengthening partnership among development partners in all sectors, including health, is a critical input for development cooperation, she said.

Ms Momoko, also, expressed the hope that the agreement would ultimately engender sustainable improvement in health outcomes at both national and sub national levels to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals.

Gratitude

On behalf of the Ghana Health Service (GHS), the Director, Public Health Division of the GHS, Dr Kofi Issah, thanked the three partner countries for being dependable stakeholders in healthcare delivery in the country over the years.

He said by joining forces, the partners, who had been working in silos, could ensure efficiency for better results.
Stakeholders discuss fake drugs menace

Dickson Worlanyo Dotse Nov - 16 - 2023 , 11:16

Stakeholders in the pharmaceutical industry have met in Accra to deliberate on the protection of citizens against fake and substandard drugs.

The two-day technical meeting which began yesterday was organised by the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) to allow all sector actors to discuss the nations Pharmaceutical Traceability Strategy (PTS).

This is a document which enables the authority to track and trace the movement of pharmaceutical products throughout the supply chain by verifying the history, location, manufacturer or application of drugs, among others, by means of documented identification.

The strategy was launched in December last year and spans 2023 to 2028.

It aims to protect consumers from exposure to drugs that may be counterfeit, stolen, contaminated or in any way harmful.

Therefore, the participants will exchange views on the guidelines and make recommendations to improve the strategy in a productive and efficient manner.

The engagement which was on the theme; External Stakeholders Meeting on Draft Guidelines for Pharmaceutical Traceability, was organised with support from the World Health Organisation (WHO).

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the FDA, Delese Mimi Darko, said her outfit in the past years had expended a lot of resources in combating substandard medical products in Ghana.

She said in spite of those efforts, the war on such medical products was far from over since their production and trafficking had become a multimillion-dollar business.

The lure of huge profits from this venture has enabled all manner of unscrupulous persons into this business.

No doubt the implementation of traceability of medical products will enable the FDA to rid the country of /minimise the incidence of SF medical products on Ghanas market, Mrs Darko stressed.

She further explained that the improved strategy would also facilitate effective recall of non-conforming products from the market, identify legitimate medical products in the supply chain and gather reliable data to inform policy formulation on medical products.

Level Four

Mrs Darko said the authority was currently listed as a WHO "Maturity Level Three Regulatory Agency, one of the few countries in the WHO African Region to attain such a level in the four-tier WHO classification of National Medicines Regulatory Systems.

Therefore, in order to attain Maturity Level Four, she said it was required for National Regulatory Authorities to have legal provisions and regulations that placed a unique identification code on the outer packages of medical products.

The implementation of the pharmaceutical traceability guidelines will enable the FDA to meet these requirements through serialisation of the product packaging. These codes will serve as a unique identifier for each single package of the medical product, the FDA boss explained.

No alarm

The Deputy CEO of the authority in charge of Technical Operations, Dr Akua Amartey, urged the public not to be alarmed to think the engagement was being held because there had been an influx of fake and substandard drugs into the country.

Rather, she said, the authority was taking input from its partners in the industry and the sector so that it could improve and strengthen its operations in delivering on its constitutional mandate.

It is something that is being done globally.

Currently, FDA is at the maturity Level Three by WHO standards, and about to get to Level Four, these are some of the things you need to get in place, Dr Amartey stressed.
State burial for Theresa Kufuor underway in Accra

Getrude Ankah Nyavi Nov - 16 - 2023 , 06:04

The final funeral rites of the former First Lady of the Republic of Ghana, Theresa Kufuor, is currently underway at forecourt of the State House in Accra.

The state funeral is being held for the wife of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

The service started 7 a.m. with a file past followed by a burial mass at 9 a.m.

The final funeral rite will be performed for the former First Lady at Heroes Park in Kumasi on Saturday, November 18.

Mrs Kufour died at her home in Peduase on Sunday, October 1, at the age of 87.

Requiem mass

A Requiem Mass was held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, in honour of late former First Lady, Theresa Kufuor.

The event was held at the Christ the King Catholic Church at Cantonments in Accra.

The requiem mass brought together high-profile personalities, politicians, family and friends of the late former First Lady.

The late Theresa Aba Kufuor had been a devoted companion of former President Kufuor throughout their 61 years of marriage.

She was a member of a well-known family from Odumase, in the Bono Region, and a retired nurse and midwife.

She lived most of her working life in the United Kingdom after her studies at the Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford, and Paddington General Hospital in London.

She qualified as a state-certified midwife with a certificate in premature nursing.

She was the last born of her parents.
Use Alternative Dispute Resolution - CJ encourages court users

George Folley Nov - 16 - 2023 , 10:19

The Chief Justice, Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, has encouraged Ghanaians to use Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) to resolve disputes instead of the traditional court processes.

This alternative, she said, would go a long way to avoid the huge debt incurred by parties involved in a dispute.

Also, she said, it was a long process for a case to travel all the way to the High Court, Appeals Court and the Supreme Court, and that to avoid this, court users could adopt the ADR concept to resolve their differences.

The Chief Justice said the court system was time consuming, emotionally draining, and that ADR was the best option to be adopted.

ADR Week

Justice Torkornoo gave the encouragement at the launch of the 2023 / 2024 annual ADR week in Sekondi in the Western Region, last Monday.

The week-long celebration which started last Monday and is expected to end on Friday, is on the theme building the pillars of justice through ADR.

The rationale for the ADF week is to allow the ADR Directorate of the Judicial Service to engage the general public to inform the citizenry of the presence of ADR within the court system, its importance in seeking justice and how to take advantage of such an important process for meaningful access to justice, especially for the poor and the vulnerable.

Non-adversarial

Justice Torkornoo described ADR as non  adversarial and can be negotiated by parties since ADR through these processes, among others, give understanding, build good relationship and ensures that parties continue to interact even if they disagree.

ADR is often described as champion of justice as it is conducted in informal venues which gave parties openness without any prejudice minds, she added.

She said, the concept was also opened and promoted a sense of ownership and contributed to a robust and resilient justice delivery system, as parties own the dispute and may choose to manage the resolution of the dispute through the ADR process.

Cases

According to her, since it inception in 2005, 32,742 cases have been handled through ADR, and therefore urged the general public to have confidence in the system, and that parties should not feel slighted when a judge referred their cases for ADR.

Answering questions from a section of the media and the audience, the Chief Justice said a para legal curriculum was being developed as part of capacity building of mediators.

Justice Torkornoo said the role of the mediators was not to earn money from clients since they were paid by the government for their services and urged parties not to pay anything to mediators.

The Judicial Service Director in  charge of ADR, Justice Angelina Mensah Homiah, expressed regret that cases had piled up at the courts and that the way forward was for parties to adopt ADR and nurture it to the next level.
Veep donates bus to Kumasi Childrens Home

Daily Graphic Nov - 16 - 2023 , 11:27

The Vice-President, Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, has donated a Toyota Coaster bus to the Kumasi Children's Home in the Ashanti Region.

The donation was done on behalf of the Vice-President by the Ashanti Regional Minister, Simon Osei-Mensah, last Tuesday.

It was in fulfilment of a pledge by the Vice-President following an appeal to him by the management of the home when he celebrated his 60th birthday with the home.

The bus is to ease the travel schedules of the home and management of the facility.

Presenting the bus, Mr Osei-Mensah noted that the gift was in response to a request made by the schools authority when the Vice-President celebrated his 60th birthday with the home.

He said the Vice-President regreted his inability to present the bus personally, stating that other schedules had made it impossible for him to be available for the presentation.

Receiving the bus, the Home Manageress, Mabel Amponsah, expressed appreciation to Dr Bawumia and promised to take good care of the bus.

She said the bus had come as a special gift given the handicap the home had endured without its own means of transport.

Dr Bawumia, who has served as Vice-President for seven years, was this month elected as the flag bearer of the governing New Patriotic Party.
Volta floods: Monitor young girls to avoid outbursts of teenage pregnancies

Alberto Mario Noretti Nov - 16 - 2023 , 08:22

The Paramount Chief of Ziavi, Togbe Kwaku Ayim IV, has called on parents in the flood-hit areas to monitor their children around the clock to prevent an explosion of teenage pregnancies during the crisis.

He said while some teenagers were putting up in camps and perching with friends, their likelihood of becoming wayward could not be ruled out.

Togbe Ayim was speaking at the palace of the Paramount Chief of Mepe before the presentation of foodstuffs, relief items and an undisclosed amount of money to flood victims in Mepe by member communities of the Avazorli Union last Friday.

The Avazorli Union is made up of Ziavi, Kpedze-Todze, Etordome, Botoku, Ando (Ghana and Togo), Kpando-Anyigbe and Mepe.

The items worth about GH20,000 included plantains, cassava dough, corn flour, maize, a consignment of sachet water and bales of clothes.

Togbe Ayim, who led the Avazorli delegation to Mepe, said while parents were enduring the stress of the floods, they must not lose guard on their responsibility to keep their children on the right path.

If our daughters get pregnant in these hard times, their education would definitely be affected, he cautioned.

Togbe Ayim also urged the people of Mepe to avoid all divisive tendencies to remain united and wait for the return to normalcy with a joint front.

The elders in the palace who received the items thanked the other members of the Avazorli Union for the gesture, saying it bore ample testimony of the strong bond of kinship among members of the union, of which Mepe was a member.

The palace elders described the donation as very touching and gave an assurance that the items would be shared among the flood victims equitably.

Ancestry

The Avazorli Union trace their ancestry from Goshen in ancient Egypt through Notsie in the present-day Republic of Togo, where they were once an identifiable group, before fleeing in a mass exodus from the tyrannical rule of King Agorkoli to their present locations in Ghana, with the Ando Group in both Ghana and Togo.

To foster unity and cohesion among them, a union was formed in 1984, which culminated in its launch in Ziavi in 1987, where the name Avazorli Union was unveiled.
I thank God for giving me Theresa - Kufuor praises late wife

Zadok Kwame Gyesi Nov - 16 - 2023 , 11:54

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor paid a glowing tribute to her late wife, Madam Theresa Kufuor, for her instrumental role in his life, both as a family man and a politician.

He has, therefore, praised God for giving him Mrs Kufuor.

"I am so thankful to the good Lord God for giving you to me as my life partner," he said.

The former President eulogised his wife in a tribute during a state burial at the forecourt of the State House in Accra on Thursday morning, November 16, 2023, in Accra.

This is President Kufuor's tribute"

To my beloved wife, Aba

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her 

Proverbs 31:10-11

Shortly after what I now perceive as a clearly fore-ordained introduction by our mutual friend Dr Kwame Appiah-Poku, Aba and I met in person on 1 July 1961 at a ball at Battersea Town Hall in London, to celebrate Ghanas first anniversary as a republic. Aba had just completed nursing school in Edinburgh and was on her way to pursue a midwifery course at the Radcliffe Infirmary, part of Oxford University. I was also on my way to Exeter College, Oxford, having just passed my Bar exams at Lincolns Inn in London.

My first impressions of my beautiful Aba were that of a soft-spoken and well-mannered lady; and within a year of bonding and courting, we both discovered that we very much enjoyed each others company. We had the same cultural tastes in art, music and cinema and shared similar social preferences. Consequently, we decided to tie the knot; and this we did at Brompton Oratory in Knightsbridge, London, on 8 September 1962.

We were joined by Chief, our first male child, on 6 September 1963. By mid-1964, shortly after completing our studies in Oxford, we moved to London to pursue our respective careers. Our second child and first daughter, Nana Ama, was born in Golders Green in London on 29 November 1964.

However, due to overwhelming pressure from my family in Kumasi, we decided to return home to Ghana. Shortly after our return to Kumasi in January 1965, I joined Okomfo Anokye Chambers as a junior lawyer with Victor Owusu as senior partner. Aba later joined the Kwame Nkrumah University Hospital as a nurse/midwife. Soon after that, on 4 November 1965, Aba and I welcomed our third child, Saah, into our rapidly growing family.

Our fourth child, Agyekum, was born on 16 February 1968. By the time he arrived, I was already embroiled in the web of public service. I had been appointed in 1967 as the chief legal officer and city manager of the second city of Ghana, Kumasi. That was our entry into civic and public life in Ghana.

Aba had a very confident personality that fitted in with ease everywhere we went, and which also allowed her to cope under the most challenging of pressures. In 1969, I got elected as a Member of the Parliament of the Second Republic (for Atwima Nwabiagya in the Ashanti Region). I then also got appointed as Ghanas Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs under the premiership of the late Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia.

So, our young family had to relocate from Kumasi to Accra. Aba, to my delight, took our evolving life in her stride as she adjusted effortlessly, and with confidence, to our new milieu of a life in national politics and diplomacy.

Between 1969 and 1971, with both Aba and me in our early thirties, our lives seemed to be on an upward trajectory. But this was to be truncated with a shocking and unexpected coup detat on 13 January 1972, which arrested practically all the members of the government and threw us in prison. Our world had crashed.

Fifty-four of us, including cabinet ministers, junior ministers and some Members of Parliament, would remain in jail for a minimum period of between 12 and 15 months each; having initially endured  incommunicado, for almost eight weeks  denial of any contact with family or the outside world at Ussher Fort prison. This angel of a woman, to my amazement, would survive the ordeal of raising five children on her own  in my absence, Aba gave birth to our fifth and last child, Kofi, as a single parent on 16 June 1972. Her strong and exceptionally disciplined personality did indeed come to the rescue of our family.

I could not have foreseen the crash that befell us and could not, therefore, have made any provision for our ordeal. However, Aba rose above that. With her strong, prayerful faith in God, Abas spirit would not and could not be broken. She survived on very little then; and she truly kept our hopes alive. When allowed to visit me in prison, she left me with a sense of optimism that was most assuring. I survived my incarceration of 15 months largely because of Aba. She was a woman of sacrifice, devotion, humanity and resilience.

After my release from detention, she returned to practice nursing at Cocoa Clinic, where she rose to the position of the clinics first-ever matron. Only once did Aba strongly protest about my absence from home, as my entrepreneurial businesses kept me away for extended periods of time. Her commitment to our marriage and her exceptional will to be a loving wife, a caring home-maker and a firm but loving parent have produced the fruit of what our children have become today. She was firm, yet tender.

When I was elected to office as the second President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, Aba would play a pivotal but quiet role in shaping key social interventions, such as including the kindergarten stage for all the children of Ghana in the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education policy; the provision of one hot meal a day to primary school children across the nation; the launch of the National Health Insurance Scheme; and the introduction of free maternal care for all.

She also worked tirelessly as the founder of the Mother and Child Community Development Foundation to support early childhood development programmes across the country. Her Foundation built three schools and gifted them to communities in Nyanyanor in the Central Region, and in Kotobabi and Amansaman in Accra.

Through her Foundation, she also provided a breast cancer screening unit to a health-care services provider in Sunyani and she assisted bakers in Nsawam and Adoagyiri with baking equipment. She established a phone-in counselling centre to support and combat the stigmatisation of HIV/Aids patients. Remarkably, Aba rendered all her community action-based services without seeking any publicity.

Aba and I shared a gleeful sense of humour, which meant we could laugh at each other; just as we could naturally forgive each other for our unfailing human shortcomings. She and I embarked on many trips together as I pursued my political career and after I became President. However, what touched her most during our international trips was the recognition she received from Pope Benedict XVI, who bestowed on her the prestigious Papal award of Dame of

St Gregory the Great. Throughout her life, she remained a devout Catholic; a passionate worshipper; and a chorister of Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra.

Aba, your departure has left an unbridgeable void in my life; but I take solace from the many mercies and blessings the good Lord has showered on our journey of 62 years: living long; the blessing of beautiful children; 14 splendid grandchildren; the honour of having served our nation together; the gift of loving; extended families; and a network of friends around the world.

I am so thankful to the good Lord God for giving you to me as my life partner. Aba, you have earned

your good rest and as the words of the Apostle Paul go: You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Now there is in store for you the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to you on that day  and not only to you, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

Fare thee well, Aba. Adieu, my dearest love!
Koforidua: 4 Soldiers, immigration officer and private security man remanded for alleged robbery

Graphic.com.gh Nov - 16 - 2023 , 08:33

Four soldiers, an immigration officer, and a private security man arrested for their alleged involvement in a robbery at Akyem Akanteng in the Lower West Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region have been remanded in police custody by the Koforidua Circuit Court B.

While two of the soldiers are reportedly stationed at the Jubilee House in Accra, one is said to be stationed in at ABF at Tamale command Unit and the other one stationed at 11 Mechanised Infantry Battalion in Accra.

The immigration officer on his part is said tobe stationed at the Ministry of Interior while the private security man is said to be working with mining company at Akyem Akwatia.

In court, the prosecution said the immigration officer was in charge of a Mitsubishi L200 with registration number GS 1116 - 11 on November 10, 2023 and reportedly picked up the two military officers at their duty post at the Jubilee House before proceeding to pick up the other two military men at Pokuase and the last suspect at Asamankese before heading to Akyem Akanteng.

At about 3:00 am on November 11, 2023, the accused persons armed with military rifles and in military uniforms reportedly invaded the home of the complainant, a 55-year-old cocoa purchasing clerk at Akyem Akanteng, who the prosecution named as Samuel Ofori.

They reportedly demanded GH100,000 from the complainant amidst death threats.

The complainant who was frightened by the weapons explained he had no money but rather could offer them GH10,000 cash which may be raised after selling a 5 gram of gold ore that was in his possession valued at GH29,000.

The accused persons reportedly then pushed the complainant inside his room, took the gold and drove off.

The complainant immediately called the Akwatia Police Commander and a police officer at Osenase to inform them about the robbery incident.

The accused persons were apprehended by the police upon reaching the Osenase police checkpoint.

Two military rifles with serial numbers - A0082460, A0056937, four magazines, 62 rounds of live ammunition, and a helmet were retrieved from the accused persons after they were taken to the Akwatia Police Station.

According to the prosecution, during interrogation by the District Commander in the presence of other policemen, the first accused person handed over the gold ore which the complainant earlier reported had been taken away from him by the accused persons to the commander.

The docket was taken over by the Regional Criminal Investigations Department together with the exhibits for further investigations the same day.

Meanwhile, the Mitsubishi L200 with registration number GS 1116-11, which was used by the accused persons has been impounded at the forecourt of the Eastern South Regional headquarters for further action.

The prosecution added that on receipt of the case docket, all the various Departments of the accused persons were informed accordingly.

The suspects who have been charged with two counts, that is, conspiracy to commit crime to wit robbery and robbery were remanded by the court presided over by Matilda Ribeiro to reappear on November 28, 2023.

This was after the prosecutor, Assistant State Attorney Micdad Iddrisu prayed the court to remand the accused persons to enable the police continue their investigations.

credit: Citinewsroom.com
NPA upgrades standard for petrol imported into Ghana to meet EURO IV & EURO V standards

Graphic.com.gh Nov - 16 - 2023 , 20:51

The National Petroleum Authority (NPA) has upgraded the standard for gasoline, commonly known as petrol or super used in the country.

This follows the review of the Ghana Standard for gasoline (GS140:20220) to align with the requirements of regular grade gasoline with EURO IV and ECOWAS standards for gasoline.

The new standard also requires that premium grade gasoline requirements comply with EURO V standard.

The regulator of the downstream petroleum sector has, therefore, directed that effective January 2024, all gasoline [petrol] imported into Ghana must meet EURO IV & EURO V for regular and premium grades respectively.

The standard has become higher, particularly in terms of Manganese which is now maximum of six milligrams per litre (mg/L) for regular petrol and 2mg/L maximum for premium petrol, the Chief Executive Officer of the NPA, Dr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, has said.

The upgraded standard Graphic Online understands should not affect prices.

It is compulsory for all oil marketing companies (OMCs) and that the Tema Oil Refinery (TOR) is capable of meeting the Standard particularly the regular petrol.

Previous standard

The previous standard, the NPA said, was 18mg/L for both regular and premium petrol.

The review was undertaken in collaboration with Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) and other relevant stakeholders.

It is compulsory for all oil marketing companies (OMCs) to comply with the new standard by January 1, next year.

Complaints

The NPA explained that it had received reports and customer complaints in relation to the quality of petrol on the Ghanaian market.

Graphic Online understands, the current standard has become higher particularly in terms of Manganese which is now maximum of 6mg/L for regular petrol and 2mg/L maximum for premium petrol.

The previous standard was 18mg/L for both regular petrol and premium petrol.

Review

The rationale for the review include changes in engine technology as well adoption of the new improved standards for the sub-region.

A significant number of spark ignition vehicles in Ghana are designed to run on gasoline that conforms with EURO IV and EURO V requirements, the NPA said, adding that such vehicles were equipped with advanced technologies that required lower or no metal additives in gasoline to ensure optimal engine performance.

ECOWAS

Again, the NPA said ECOWAS had also directed that all member states must adopt harmonised specifications for both gasoline and diesel.

However, Ghana being the first country in ECOWAS to adopt Ultra-Low Sulfur content of 0,005 per cent or 50 parts or particles per million (50ppm) sulphur levels in both gasoline and diesel is already compliant with most of the key parameters in the ECOWAS specifications for gasoline except for trace metals.

It explained that adhering to international standards ensured that the country was aligned with global norms.

This fosters international collaboration, trade and promote the use of more efficient and eco-friendly vehicles which run on good quality fuels, the NPA added.

Read also: High count of manganese in fuel currently on market causing growing complaints of bad fuel - COPEC
OccupyGhana repeats demands for timelines and roadmap on passage of conduct of Public Officers Act

Graphic.com.gh Nov - 16 - 2023 , 14:22

OccupyGhana has repeated the demand for timelines and roadmap on the passage of conduct of Public Officers Act.

OCCUPYGHANA PRESS STATEMENT



Accra, 16 November 2023



OCCUPYGHANA REPEATS DEMANDS FOR TIMELINES AND ROADMAP ON PASSAGE OF CONDUCT OF PUBLIC OFFICERS ACT



OccupyGhana has taken note of the following statement in the Governments 2024 Budget Nkunim Speech, presented by the Finance Minister to Parliament on 15 November 2023:

184. Mr. Speaker, the new Conduct of Public Officers Act seeks to address current weaknesses in the asset declaration system. The new Act will introduce provisions to ensure public officers submit their declarations in a timely manner and that an effective verification system is in place.

The draft Bill is currently under consideration by Cabinet and will subsequently be submitted to Parliament.

We remain unconvinced that the Government intends to ensure that the draft Bill is passed into law any time soon, because of the dithering and buck-passing that the Government has engaged in, and the absence of any timelines or a roadmap. For now, all that exists are empty, reluctant assurances that lead us nowhere.

Although the promise to enact this anti-corruption law was contained in the NPP 2020 Manifesto, it was not until around May 2022 that a draft Bill was submitted to Cabinet. OccupyGhana initiated follow-ups in the same month. In several months of pressure from us we were met with patchy and deflecting responses from Cabinet. Finally, on 14 February 2023, Cabinet informed us that it had rejected the Bill, based on a blatantly false claim that the Bills provisions already existed in other legislation. We contested this, and ultimately provided to Cabinet a 20-page table that demonstrated the differences in provisions. Despite our efforts, a 16 June 2023 letter from Cabinet merely acknowledged our communication, offering no resolution.

Ghanas ironic luck came about when because of the Governments economic crisis, it was forced to seek assistance from the IMF, who, mercifully, made passing the Bill into law a conditionality for its support. The Government, which had rejected the Bill, was then compelled to resume work on it, not because it wants to pass it or because it respects the demands of concerned, interested and directly affected Ghanaians, but because the IMF had made it a conditionality.

On 11 September 2023, the President, in his speech at the opening of the 2023 Annual Conference of the Ghana Bar Association, announced that the Attorney-General will bring the bill for consideration by cabinet and subsequent enactment by Parliament upon the conclusion of the consultation. This announcement raised questions, because unless the President was suggesting a resubmission of the Bill to Cabinet, it lacked coherence: the Bill had been with the same Cabinet for about one and a half years already and had been rejected!

The very next day, on 12 September 2023, we sent yet another letter to Cabinet. This time, Cabinet claimed it had requested the Finance Minister to prepare a memorandum on the matter and was awaiting that memorandum before concluding deliberations. Despite our attempts to engage the Finance Minister on this, all our letters and reminders to him have been ignored. Cabinet itself has ceased responding to us.

Consequently, we doubt the Government's sincerity when it once again announces through the same Finance Minister who is part of the Cabinet that rejected the Bill and who has ignored us, that the draft Bill is under consideration by Cabinet and will be submitted to Parliament subsequently. What sticks out is the complete, continued and deliberate absence of any timelines or roadmap.

In the upcoming Budget debate, we expect that Parliament, if it is not part of this ongoing pantomime and charade, will demand specific answers from the Government regarding timelines and a roadmap. The questions should include When will the unenthusiastic and hesitant Cabinet conclude its almost two-year excruciatingly reluctant and deliberately snail-paced consideration of the draft Bill, and when will it submit it to Parliament?

Without this, the Government is merely taking the people for a ride. Nkunim or victory is not achieved by being probably the only Government on earth that has to be compelled by IMF conditionalities to fulfil a campaign and Manifesto anti-corruption promise! Nkunim or victory is achieved where a government that is serious about the fight against corruption, provides clear timelines on and outlines a roadmap to the passage of this all-important law.
President Akufo-Addo's tribute to Theresa Kufuor: "She was a composed and articulate First Lady"

Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Nov - 16 - 2023 , 12:36

On that fateful night of Sunday 1 October, I had gone to the residence of President Kufuor in Peduase to, as it were, catch up with him, since it had been a while I had visited him at his residence.

At the end of our discussion, he gave me the unpleasant news, one he had dreaded for some time. His beloved wife, Mrs Theresa Kufuor, our nations former First Lady, had died that

morning. I was deeply saddened by the news of her death.

Her passing reminds me keenly of human mortality, that is, that Almighty God will come for each and every one of us at the appropriate time. I am grateful to Providence that our lives crossed. She fought a good fight, and deserves the victors crown. Hers was a life well-lived.

Mama Theresa, as she was affectionately called by most people, Aba to me, was a devoted companion of President Kufuor throughout their 61 years of marriage. She was an invaluable and constant source of advice, encouragement and prayers for him.

Member of a well-known family from Odumase, in the Bono Region, and Bantama in Kumasi, in the Ashanti Region, sister of the renowned statesman, the late J H Mensah, and aunt of President Kufuors Secretary, the brilliant diplomat, Ambassador D K Osei, she was politically astute, and was a major contributor to her husbands political success.

She was a composed and articulate First Lady, polyglot, fluent in several languages including Ewe, who brought great dignity to the position.

I knew several members of her family, especially her celebrated brother, and I am grateful that I had

the opportunity to know her too.

Her warmth, kindness and grace were exceptional. She bore the vicissitudes of life with great stoicism and an unshakable belief in the sovereignty of Almighty God. My wife, Rebecca, the First Lady, our family and I will miss her a lot.

We extend our deepest condolences to President Kufuor, their children, grandchildren, and their families on their irreplaceable loss.

We wish her a peaceful place of abode in the Bosom of the Almighty, as she deserves, until the Last Day of the Resurrection when we shall all meet again. Amen!!
See 15 TV stations flouting media ethics and broadcasting money rituals, p0rn0 and others in Ghana

Getrude Ankah Nyavi Nov - 16 - 2023 , 16:17

The National Media Commission (NMC) has cautioned 15 television stations against airing content on rituals, fake lottery, p0rn0graphy among others.

The National Media Commission has said it has received reports from the public about what these 15 TV stations have been showing and that those contents are considered unacceptable by the standards of media ethics, Ghanaian culture, traditions, and norms.

The television stations include Asomafo TV, Adwenpa TV, Eagle TV, Best TV, Energy TV, Diamond TV, X TV, Asomdwie TV, Funny TV, Advice TV, Big TV, Passion TV, Nkabom TV, Seekers TV, and Elephant TV.

The Commission in a statement dated November 16, 2023, signed by the Executive Secretary, George Sarpong said For the stations listed above, we hereby serve them notice to cease and desist from those activities otherwise there will be severe consequences.

Attached below is a copy of the NMC's statement:

REPORT ON NMC/NCA JOINT MONITORING

As part of our collaboration to improve the quality of broadcasting in Ghana, the National Media Commission and the National Communications Authority launched a joint project on October 31, 2023, to identify and address deficits in broadcast content.

Using a community standards approach, the project democratizes the involvement of citizens by highlighting their voice in regulatory interventions.

Through the toll-free number 0800-419-666, citizens are empowered to call into a monitoring Centre to make their voices heard on the performance of broadcasting stations especially in relation to content they consider unacceptable by the standards of media ethics, Ghanaian culture, traditions and norms.

Our half-month report shows the public had concerns about 318 incidents on television made up 224 money doubling incidents; 83 money rituals; 24 fake lotteries; 18 occultic practices 13 incidents of pornography. The rest of the complaints related to fake loan schemes and people seeking to use fraudulent means to extract money from others.

Many of the complaints were against the following stations:

Asomafo TV (19)

Adwenpa TV (19)

Eagle TV (18)

Best TV (16)

Energy TV (16)

Diamond TV (15)

X TV (15)

Asomdwie TV (14)

Funny TV (14)

Advice TV (14)

Big TV (11)

Passion TV (11)

Nkabom TV (11)

Seekers TV (10)

Elephant TV (10)

In addition to the above complaints from citizens, the Commissions own professional assessment revealed two dangerous broadcasts with implications for national cohesion that demanded immediate regulatory intervention. While one of them involving Power Fm has been resolved, the other, involving Onua TV/Radio remains outstanding. The Commission will announce its decision on that matter soon. We shall also brief the public on our decision on the TV stations listed above.

We commend the leadership and staff of the National Communications Authority for their unwavering cooperation in this project. It is their productive investment that has made this possible. We also commend the Ghana Journalists Association; the Ghana Independent Broadcasters Association and civil society especially the Media Foundation for West Africa for their support. Finally, we commend the active citizens who demonstrated their commitment to quality broadcasting by taking time to make the recorded complaints. We encourage all citizens to join hands in uplifting the quality of broadcasting in Ghana. For the stations listed above, we hereby serve them notice to cease and desist from those activities otherwise there will be severe consequences.



George Sarpong

Executive Secretary
To my beloved wife, Aba  Kufuors tribute to his late wife

Graphic.com.gh Nov - 16 - 2023 , 11:54

John Agyekum Kufuor To my beloved wife, Aba Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. The heart of her husband safely trusts her 

To my beloved wife, Aba

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

The heart of her husband safely trusts her 

Proverbs 31:10-11

Shortly after what I now perceive as a clearly fore-ordained introduction by our mutual friend Dr Kwame Appiah-Poku, Aba and I met in person on 1 July 1961 at a ball at Battersea Town Hall in London, to celebrate Ghanas first anniversary as a republic. Aba had just completed nursing school in Edinburgh and was on her way to pursue a midwifery course at the Radcliffe Infirmary, part of Oxford University. I was also on my way to Exeter College, Oxford, having just passed my Bar exams at Lincolns Inn in London.

My first impressions of my beautiful Aba were that of a soft-spoken and well-mannered lady; and within a year of bonding and courting, we both discovered that we very much enjoyed each others company. We had the same cultural tastes in art, music and cinema and shared similar social preferences. Consequently, we decided to tie the knot; and this we did at Brompton Oratory in Knightsbridge, London, on 8 September 1962.

We were joined by Chief, our first male child, on 6 September 1963. By mid-1964, shortly after completing our studies in Oxford, we moved to London to pursue our respective careers. Our second child and first daughter, Nana Ama, was born in Golders Green in London on 29 November 1964.

However, due to overwhelming pressure from my family in Kumasi, we decided to return home to Ghana. Shortly after our return to Kumasi in January 1965, I joined Okomfo Anokye Chambers as a junior lawyer with Victor Owusu as senior partner. Aba later joined the Kwame Nkrumah University Hospital as a nurse/midwife. Soon after that, on 4 November 1965, Aba and I welcomed our third child, Saah, into our rapidly growing family.

Our fourth child, Agyekum, was born on 16 February 1968. By the time he arrived, I was already embroiled in the web of public service. I had been appointed in 1967 as the chief legal officer and city manager of the second city of Ghana, Kumasi. That was our entry into civic and public life in Ghana.

Aba had a very confident personality that fitted in with ease everywhere we went, and which also allowed her to cope under the most challenging of pressures. In 1969, I got elected as a Member of the Parliament of the Second Republic (for Atwima Nwabiagya in the Ashanti Region). I then also got appointed as Ghanas Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs under the premiership of the late Professor Kofi Abrefa Busia.

So, our young family had to relocate from Kumasi to Accra. Aba, to my delight, took our evolving life in her stride as she adjusted effortlessly, and with confidence, to our new milieu of a life in national politics and diplomacy.

Between 1969 and 1971, with both Aba and me in our early thirties, our lives seemed to be on an upward trajectory. But this was to be truncated with a shocking and unexpected coup detat on 13 January 1972, which arrested practically all the members of the government and threw us in prison. Our world had crashed.

Fifty-four of us, including cabinet ministers, junior ministers and some Members of Parliament, would remain in jail for a minimum period of between 12 and 15 months each; having initially endured  incommunicado, for almost eight weeks  denial of any contact with family or the outside world at Ussher Fort prison. This angel of a woman, to my amazement, would survive the ordeal of raising five children on her own  in my absence, Aba gave birth to our fifth and last child, Kofi, as a single parent on 16 June 1972. Her strong and exceptionally disciplined personality did indeed come to the rescue of our family.

I could not have foreseen the crash that befell us and could not, therefore, have made any provision for our ordeal. However, Aba rose above that. With her strong, prayerful faith in God, Abas spirit would not and could not be broken. She survived on very little then; and she truly kept our hopes alive. When allowed to visit me in prison, she left me with a sense of optimism that was most assuring. I survived my incarceration of 15 months largely because of Aba. She was a woman of sacrifice, devotion, humanity and resilience.

After my release from detention, she returned to practice nursing at Cocoa Clinic, where she rose to the position of the clinics first-ever matron. Only once did Aba strongly protest about my absence from home, as my entrepreneurial businesses kept me away for extended periods of time. Her commitment to our marriage and her exceptional will to be a loving wife, a caring home-maker and a firm but loving parent have produced the fruit of what our children have become today. She was firm, yet tender.

When I was elected to office as the second President of the Fourth Republic of Ghana, Aba would play a pivotal but quiet role in shaping key social interventions, such as including the kindergarten stage for all the children of Ghana in the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education policy; the provision of one hot meal a day to primary school children across the nation; the launch of the National Health Insurance Scheme; and the introduction of free maternal care for all.

She also worked tirelessly as the founder of the Mother and Child Community Development Foundation to support early childhood development programmes across the country. Her Foundation built three schools and gifted them to communities in Nyanyanor in the Central Region, and in Kotobabi and Amansaman in Accra.

Through her Foundation, she also provided a breast cancer screening unit to a health-care services provider in Sunyani and she assisted bakers in Nsawam and Adoagyiri with baking equipment. She established a phone-in counselling centre to support and combat the stigmatisation of HIV/Aids patients. Remarkably, Aba rendered all her community action-based services without seeking any publicity.

Aba and I shared a gleeful sense of humour, which meant we could laugh at each other; just as we could naturally forgive each other for our unfailing human shortcomings. She and I embarked on many trips together as I pursued my political career and after I became President. However, what touched her most during our international trips was the recognition she received from Pope Benedict XVI, who bestowed on her the prestigious Papal award of Dame of St Gregory the Great. Throughout her life, she remained a devout Catholic; a passionate worshipper; and a chorister of Christ the King Catholic Church in Accra.

Aba, your departure has left an unbridgeable void in my life; but I take solace from the many mercies and blessings the good Lord has showered on our journey of 62 years: living long; the blessing of beautiful children; 14 splendid grandchildren; the honour of having served our nation together; the gift of loving; extended families; and a network of friends around the world.

I am so thankful to the good Lord God for giving you to me as my life partner. Aba, you have earned

your good rest and as the words of the Apostle Paul go: You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Now there is in store for you the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to you on that day  and not only to you, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

Fare thee well, Aba. Adieu, my dearest love!
GH220 million relief for Akosombo flood victims positive, worth highlighting - Ablakwa

Getrude Ankah Nyavi Politics Nov - 16 - 2023 , 09:44

The Member of Parliament for North Tongu, Samuel Okudzato Ablakwa, has commended the government for the allocation of GH220 million in the 2024 Budget to support flood victims the Akosombo Dam spillage.

The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta in presenting the 2024 Budget Statement in Parliament on Wednesday announced a GH220 million relief package for the Akosombo Dam spillage flood victims.

Mr. Speaker, Government has budgeted an amount of GH220 million to support the relief phase for the communities affected by the Akosombo spillage as well as floods upstream in the Oti, Savannah, and Bono-East Regions, Mr Ofori-Atta said.

Reacting to announcement, Mr Okudzeto Ablakwa whose constituents are part of the affected victims said it was a positive development.

"That is a significant development, and I think that in this entire budget, that is the only positive that I would like to highlight. However, I will be cautiously optimistic because there is a world of difference between allocation and actual release. So, the GH220 million for the first phase of relief is positive and worth highlighting, and we are looking forward to the second phase, which the Finance Minister referred to as the restoration phase, Mr Ablakwa said.
NCCE to promote religious tolerance in 2024 election

Vincent Amenuveve Politics Nov - 16 - 2023 , 06:49

The National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) is to roll out a comprehensive public education programme on religious tolerance focusing on the youth as the nation prepares for the 2024 election.

This, the NCCE said, would help prevent the situation where young vulnerable people would be swayed and divided along religious lines by inflammatory comments and hate speeches from some politicians who are putting religion at the centre of the forthcoming election.

The Chairperson of the NCCE, Kathleen Addy, who made this known in Accra last Tuesday, emphasised that we are going to take the education around religious tolerance very serious this political season and we are going to call out the politicians who choose to use religion as a basis for their campaign.

She made the remark in an interview on the sidelines of a meeting with a delegation from the Parliamentary Caucus on Freedom of Religion and Faith Leaders from the Gambia, Sierra Leone and Malawi.

The meeting was facilitated by the African Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA), a not-for-profit organisation, under its Freedom of Religion or Belief Leadership Network (FOBLN) project.

Under the project, Parliamentary Caucuses on Freedom of Religion or Belief (FORB) have been launched in the three visiting countries with Ghana being the latest to launch its FORB.

The delegation were made up of the Executive Member of the Gambia Supreme Islamic Council, Sheikh Muhamad Jaitih; General Secretary of Inter-Religious Council of Sierra Leone, Rev. Dr Usman Jesse Fornah; a religious leader from the Gambia, Very Rev. James Cole, and the Chairperson of FORB Caucus National Assembly of the Gambia, Amadou Camara.

The rest were Minority Leader in the Sierra Leonean Parliament, Abdul Kargbo; Deputy Majority Leader of the Gambian Parliament, Abdoulie Ceesay; the Member of Parliament (MP) for the Dowa West Constituency in Malawi, Dr Ephraim Abel Kayembe, and the MP for Kono Constituency in Sierra Leone, Musa Fofanah.

New phenomenon

Ms Addy said there was a new phenomenon that the country hadnt experienced in the political landscape which was to have two flag bearers from the New Patriotic Party and the National Democratic Congress with different religious affiliations.

She said it was unfortunate that already we have seen some politicians attempt to divide people on the basis of religion and we at NCCE are committed to ensure that those attempts to divide the people do not happen in the run-up to the 2024 election.

Religious tolerance is a very key pillar in our work.

We have seen how religious divide has been so costly in terms of loss of lives and properties in other countries and we don't want our country to go down that road as we are also in the political season, she stressed.

The Chairperson urged Ghanaians to reject those politicians who would use this political season to divide the citizenry particularly the vulnerable ones such as the youth.

She said as a country, Christians and Muslims had lived together peacefully by respecting each others religion for many years.

Delegation

Rev. Dr Fornah, for his part, commended the country for maintaining a high level of religious tolerance over the years, saying it was a similar situation that was existing in Sierra Leone although it was torn apart by civil war.
Wyoming lawmakers want to earmark $50 million to sue the federal government over implementation of national environmental and natural resource laws.

Lawmakers added the proposed $50 million appropriation to a draft bill  Federal land use plans-legal actions authorized  that the Joint Agriculture, State and Public Lands & Water Resources Committee endorsed Oct. 30. The bill authorizes the Legislature to prosecute actions involving the proper administration and interpretation of federal acts.

Lawmakers proposed the measure in part because of dissatisfaction over the U.S. Bureau of Land Managements effort to put conservation on equal footing with resource development in the Rock Springs area of southwest Wyoming. Wyoming believes the BLMs draft Rock Springs area resource management plan for 3.6 million acres of federal property threatens state and local interests and economies  everything from mining to drilling, grazing and recreation.

The bill targets the Federal Land Policy and Management Act, the National Historic Preservation Act, the Endangered Species Act, the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and other laws passed by Congress.

The bill would allow the Legislature to prosecute an action for declaratory judgment to protect Wyoming and the publics interests.

Who said what

The committee voted unanimously to advance the bill with the recommended $50 million appropriation. One legislator gave his view of the effects of the BLMs preferred version of the draft Rock Springs plan.

Were risking billions of dollars [for] the state of Wyoming if the Rock Springs [resource management plan] and similar RMPs get enacted, Sen. John Kolb (R-Rock Springs) said. Its the future of Wyoming. Its the future of my kids and grandkids.

What this does is send the message that what were doing were serious about, he said of the bill.

Others agreed that the measure would underscore Wyomings positions.

We need to show strength here, Sen. Bob Ide (R-Casper) said, and I think this kind of sends a message that were getting locked and loaded to not get pushed around anymore from the big guys back in D.C.

Sen. Cheri Steinmetz (R-Lingle) told the committee the bill would give lawmakers their own power. If we want to join the governor in the lawsuit or want to litigate something on our own  this provides for a way that Management Council [the Legislatures leadership] can act on our behalf, she said.

Does it matter?

Wyoming already has the ability, authority and funds to sue the federal government to protect the states interests. Wyoming has been involved in 37 federal natural resources lawsuits in recent years according to a list the Wyoming Attorney Generals Office gave to lawmakers last month. Attorney General Bridget Hills budget for the two-year period ending next summer is approximately $100 million and she employs a staff of 228, according to state documents.

WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
Following the launch of its flagship Dimensity 9300 chipset, MediaTek is now gearing up to announce a more affordable SoC with the Dimensity 8300. The upcoming chip is confirmed to launch on Tuesday, November 21 at 3PM Beijing time (7AM UTC) and its introduction will be livestreamed on Weibo.

Reports from China suggest that the 8300 may adopt a 1+3+4 architecture with ARMv9 cores similar to the Dimensity 9300 but with slightly toned-down cores and clock speeds. Rumors claim a Cortex-X3 prime core clocked at 2.8GHz working alongside 3x Cortex-A715 performance cores @ 2.4Ghz and 4x Cortex-A510 efficiency cores @ 1.6GHz.

The GPU side is expected to be handled by the Mali G52 MC6 humming at 850MHz frequency. Dimensity 8300 will likely be fabbed on TSMCs N4P4nm process.

Source (in Chinese)
Local business, Bella Wings Aviation, captures the curiousity of visitors to their exhibition booth with the display of a vertical take-off and landing drone during the Guam Industry Fourm 2022 conference at the Dusit Thani Guam Resort in Tumon on Nov. 14, 2022. The three-day forum, hosted by the Society of American Military Engineers, allows stakeholders to share and gain information regarding the continuing development of military and strategic facilities on Guam, in the Commonwealth Northern Mariana Islands and other areas in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Matao, Guams senior mens national soccer team, goes against Singapore in the second leg of the FIFA World Cup 26 and AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027 Joint Preliminary Qualification Round 1.
Guam Community Colleges Department of Business and Visual Communications will host the 3rd annual Pave Your Way on Nov. 21 and Nov. 22.
Chief Deputy Attorney General Joseph Guthrie says nothing criminal occurred during an alleged incident which is now the subject of a criminal complaint and ethics probe by the Guam Bar Association.

Guthrie was accused of acting and speaking threateningly towards Guam Bar president Jacqueline Terlaje following a canceled hearing at the Civil Service Commission on Tuesday.

GBA leadership, during a subsequent media conference, called for Guthrie to be removed from the Office of the Attorney General.

Guthrie told the Pacific Daily News that he never touched Terlaje. He said he was expressing his frustration over recent events occurring within the Guam Bar. They really disrespected me, he said, not threatening her.

My exact words were, This makes me feel that I want to smash the faces of the powers-that-be at the Guam Bar. Ms. Terlaje then asked if that meant that I felt like I wanted to smash the faces of the GBA Board, and I said yes. She then asked if I felt that I wanted to smash her face? I answered yes and immediately followed with the words, I am not threatening you, Guthrie stated.

He said he did not try to back her up, contrary to allegations made by Guam Bar leadership Tuesday. A number of witnesses were present, Guthrie said.

GBA vice president attorney John Morrison Tuesday said Guthrie had tried to put his hands on Terlaje after being told repeatedly not to touch her.

The deputy AG made several allegations against GBA leadership. He said that he was never notified of an election held by the Guam Bar in February, where members voted on changes to the association bylaws.

He said he believed the move was deliberate, following a conversation with Terlaje on Tuesday.

Results of that election are currently the subject of a lawsuit filed by 28 members of the GBA in September. Part of their objection relates to inadequate advance notice for the election and the changes to GBA bylaws, court filings show, though association leadership has disputed that assertion.

Among other things, amendments would exclude nonresident and temporary active members of the Guam Bar from serving as officers, or even voting, attorneys opposed to the outcome of the election state.

Guthrie said he had a responsibility as second in charge at the Office of the Attorney General to stand up for lawyers who were temporary members. There were many on Guam and we dont want them leaving, he said.

This is America, we have the First Amendment, you can express yourself, you can express your feelings. Nobody can prosecute you for expressing your feelings, he said.

Regarding the outcry from GBA leadership on Tuesday, Guthrie said he suspected but had no evidence that the overkill from the Bar was panic that their effort to steal the election had been uncovered.

The PDN did request comment from Terlaje and other members of the Guam Bar Association Board of Governors, but did not receive a response as of press time on Wednesday.

Investigations, special prosecutor

Matters involving Guthrie are under investigation at the AGs office, according to Yolanda Elliot, chief of staff for Attorney General Douglas Moylan.

The processing of the criminal complaint will be handled like any other document, she said.

Guthrie said the AGs office employed a conflict wall when dealing with such matters, and that he was unaware of any complaint filed against him crossing the desk of anyone at the office.

When people see me, theyre not supposed to talk about this case. Im not supposed to talk about this case  I dont know whats going on with my case, I heard that a criminal complaint was filed. I havent seen anything. I havent talked to anybody, he said.

Members of the Guam Bar on Tuesday called for the governor to appoint a special prosecutor to handle the criminal complaint against Guthrie, citing conflicts of interest in having the AGs office handle a case against its leadership.

Guthrie has been a long time associate of Moylan, serving as his second-in-charge during the AGs first term in 2003.

Adelup spokesperson Krystal Paco-San Agustin on Wednesday said no formal request had been received.

We have also not received any information regarding the complaint that has reportedly been filed. The governor cannot take action without more information. We cannot take action based on statements made at a press conference, she said.

According to Terlajes office, GPD stated that a police report filed following the incident with Guthrie would not be available for 10 to 15 days.
U.S. District Court of Guam Chief Judge Frances Tydingco-Gatewood, left, administers the oath of office for attorney Leilani V. Lujan, whos now officially the first CHamoru female Federal Public Defender for Guam, as well as the nation.
The possibility of mandatory, island-wide trash service is inching closer to a reality, following a public hearing on Thursday.

Sen. Sabina Perez Bill 165-37 would require all residential homeowners to sign up for trash service with solid waste, if they dont get their garbage collected by a private company.

Officials in the garbage business were all in support of the legislation, but some are still opposed to the idea.

Some 18,000 households are estimated to not be paying for trash service, PDN files show, and are instead piggybacking off someone else that does pay.

Homes that have to sign up for trash service would be identified using billing information from the Guam Waterworks Authority, should Bill 165 pass.

If a home is supposed to pay for trash services but does not, their tax refund payments could be garnished.

Additional penalties for failure to pay ones trash bill could also be developed by GSWA. A customer assistance program would also have to be developed, for those that cant afford their bill.

A fiscal note for the bill estimated GSWA will get an additional $1.9 million in additional revenue by year two of mandatory collection, $3.9 million by year three, and steady collections after that.

Rate reductions

Making trash collection mandatory for the whole island could stave off higher rates for those that do pay their trash bill, according to GSWA General Manager Irvin Slike.

Payments would be spread around to everyone, instead of just those who are already paying.

GSWA is already hoping to get approval to raise rates, from $30 to $35 a month, by next year.

According to Slike, that number could go even higher, due to additional balloon payments that have to be made for the post-closure maintenance of the toxic Ordot Dump by 2026.

Rates could go as high as $70 a month, if GSWA doesnt get money to deal with the payments.

If mandatory trash collection goes through and more customers have to pay, GSWA could reduce the monthly rate to $28 a household, and $16 for the estimated 11,000 households that will have money paying.

Theres only one permitted disposal facility on the island to dispose of household refuse. If an individual doesnt want to share the financial burden of collecting and disposing of their particular amount of weekly refuse then whats the alternative? Slike asked.

It is possible that the $48 million GovGuam will get from a settlement with the Navy over Ordot may stave off further rate increases, Slike said, but GSWA isnt guaranteed that money yet.

The Public Utilities Commission, which regulates utility rates on Guam, was also in support of mandatory trash collection, said PUC Administrative Law Judge Fred Horecky.

Right now, youve got about half of the population paying for this service, but everyone on island benefiting from it. So from a rate perspective, it is ultimately fair to spread the costs equitably among the entire population, Horecky said.

About 21,000 households currently pay for trash services, compared to the 18,000 that are estimated to not be paying, PDN files show.

A customer assistance plan could be tied to other benefits, like households that are eligible for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program.

Reduce illegal dumping

Curbing illegal dumping would be another benefit of mandatory trash collection, said Nic Rupley Lee of the Guam Environmental Protection Agency.

Guam EPAs Solid Waste Management Program has issued 127 litter citations between fiscal years 2019 and 2023, Lee said, and another nine since the start of the year.

The agency believes that customers that dont piggyback or use transfer stations dump their garbage illegally, and some of the garbage that led to littering stations were eligible to be dumped with solid waste.

I dont see any problem

But resident Sedfrey Linsangan said he did not support mandatory trash collection. People who lived alone might only use one-eighth of their large garbage bin, and might be coordinating with their relatives or neighbors to use one bin.

I dont see any problem with the piggybacking as long as theres a consent between the two residents. And then the illegal dumping? Yes, the government has to step up and designate the place for people to throw the trash, Linsangan said, as well as do better at controlling illegal dump sites.

People who didnt want to sign up simply wouldnt, and GSWA would end up ordering thousands of carts for no reason, he said.

Sen. Telo Taitague added that a number of residents were telling her they did not support the bill.

Youre getting, on one hand, all these agencies here who want this to happen, and then you have a huge amount of constituents who dont. And were here to serve the people. But we also need to educate them on what the reality is, if we dont do anything at this point, she said.

GSWA would have to convince the public that the plan was a good idea, she said.
Lines for the D-SNAP application at the Guam Premier Outlets on June 22, 2023. Effective immediately, a mayors verification is no longer required when applying for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP, benefits, according to the Department of Public Health and Social Services.
David DellIsola, Guam Department of Labor director, informs Rotary Club of Northern Guam members and their guests about the agencys Guam Registered Apprenticeship Program during the organizations luncheon meeting at the Hilton Guam Resort & Spa in Tumon on Jan. 4, 2023.
Have an idea? Want to praise or comment on something? Submit your letter to the editor.
This week, individuals and organizations across the country are celebrating the transgender community  while also raising awareness of the issues it continues to face.

Every year, Transgender Awareness Week runs from Nov. 13 to Nov. 19. Its followed by Transgender Day of Remembrance on Nov. 20, which honors the memory of those killed by anti-trans violence.

There are almost 300,000 transgender adults and children living in the Gulf Coast, according to the Williams Institute on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Law and Public Policy. With increased attacks on trans rights both across the region and the country, the need for support services and community gatherings is prevalent year-round.

In honor of Trans Awareness Week, here is a list of trans-specific community resources in the Gulf Coast. Most groups service the entire state theyre listed under, while some provide regional or city-specific assistance.

This is not an exhaustive list. There are many more organizations across the South that provide services for the entire LGBTQ+ community, including trans people.

Texas

Louisiana

Louisiana Trans Advocates  a statewide group offering social groups, health care and legal resources and crisis hotlines

Alabama

Mississippi

The Transgender Resources, Advocacy, Networking and Services Program  an organization that offers resource guides and mostly virtual community programming

Florida

Have a Gulf Coast-based transgender resource to suggest? Email igarnand@lonestarlive.com.




Haiti - FLASH : The inauguration of the irrigation canal in Haiti postponed





The inauguration of the irrigation canal in Haitian territory, announced by the Ouanaminthe medias, which was to take place on Saturday, November 18, to commemorate the 220th anniversary of the Battle of Vertieres, was postponed "sine die" by those responsible for the construction site due to delays accumulated in the construction of the canal for the irrigation of the lands of the Plaine Maribaroux from an intake on the Massacre River.



Edwin Paraison, the former Consul of Haiti in the Dominican Republic, confirmed the information on his "X" account (ex Twitter), where he wrote "Contrary to what was announced, the work in progress does not allow the inauguration of the Ouanaminthe canal on November 18. (day of the Battle of Vertieres), there is no new date set."



Work on the canal was initially suspended due to the lack of construction materials (blocks, iron and cement), usually purchased on Dominican territory and subject to an embargo from the neighboring Republic https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40698-haiti-flash-partial-reopening-of-the-dominican-border-new-measures-and-an-embargo.html , but also due to the flooding of the Massacre River which partially flooded the construction site and damaged the dam, a key element of the project https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40895-haiti-news-zapping.html



HL/ HaitiLibre






















Haiti - News : Zapping...





Violent fighting in Cite Soleil

The situation is deteriorating in Cite Soleil and part of the Plaine du Cul-de-sac due to the violent fighting in Cite Solei between the men of "Ti Gabriel" who is trying to take possession of the territory of the gang leader Iscar Andrice who died in always confusing circumstances, and its men who defend their territory. Several deaths and injuries were recorded, houses and vehicles were set on fire and many families had to flee their neighborhoods. Given the situation, no tanker truck was able to obtain fuel at the Varreux Terminal on Tuesday and Wednesday... If the conflict continues, there is a risk of a new fuel shortage, the Varreux terminal representing 70% of all fuel stored in Haiti.



Vitelhomme in the FBIs top 10

Vitelhomme Innocent Leader of the "Kraze Barye" gang in Torcelle is among the ten most wanted people by the FBI. He is wanted in particular for his involvement in the kidnapping of 16 Americans and the death of several citizens including at least one American in Haiti. See also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40986-haiti-flash-usa-$2m-for-the-arrest-of-vitel-homme-innocent.html



UN sanctions : list ready

The United Nations has finalized the list of Haitian personalities who will be sanctioned for their involvement in the financing of armed gangs. The UN is waiting for the appropriate moment to reveal the names of the targeted people. Diplomats accredited in Haiti would already have this document in their possession, a copy of which would have been sent to each UN member country.



Confirmed repatriation of 269 compatriots in difficulty in Turkey

Haitian Chancellor Jean-Victor Geneus confirmed the good news, 269 compatriots in difficulty in Turkey, who continued to ask for their return to the country, will finally be repatriated to Haiti on November 18, 2023 on a flight organized by the Turkish Government. Read also : https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-38793-haiti-sosmore-than-5-000-haitians-stranded-in-turkey-want-to-return-home.html



Ouanaminthe : The hunt for smugglers begins

The Vice-delegate of the Ouanaminthe district Arold Joseph, accompanied by Polifront agents, apprehended, on Tuesday November 14, 2023, cycle drivers (three-wheeled motorcycles) in the area of the Maribaroux plain and seized several cargoes of goods from the Dominican Republic. These arrests and seizures of goods come after the announcement of a ban on the importation of Dominican products into the Haitian market, made public the day before by the departmental authorities of the North-East. https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40986-haiti-flash-usa-$2m-for-the-arrest-of-vitel-homme-innocent.html



Corruption : 4 billion gourdes in public institutions

Wednesday, November 15, 2023, Hans Ludwig Joseph, the Director General of the Anti-Corruption Unit (ULCC) transmitted to the dean of the court of first instance of Port-au-Prince and to the Government Commissioner at the court of first instance , 11 investigation reports into proven acts of corruption. Acts of corruption within public institutions amount to more than 4 billion gourdes, according to Jacques Hans Ludwig Joseph.



HL/ HaitiLibre


















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Havre Police Department

Anthony Wayne Groce of Havre, 33, was arrested on a vandalism charge and a Justice or City court warrant after a Boulevard Avenue caller reported suspicious activity Wednesday at 8:47 a.m.

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A written or verbal warning was issued after a 9:55 a.m. caller on 11th Street West reported a suspicious male and a 10:16 a.m. caller on Boulevard Avenue reported that a man was knocking on the caller's door.

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A caller at Sunnyside Intermediate School reported at 11:14 a.m. Wednesday that they suspect a student took a marijuana gummy. Havre Police Capt. Ryan Pearson said the school resource officer is still looking into the matter, so couldn't provide more information on the incident.

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Maria Rose Oppelt of Havre, 43, was arrested on a state District Court warrant served at 1:51 p.m. on 16th Avenue.

Hill County Sheriff's Office

Deputies investigated suspicious activity in Box Elder reported by Rocky Boy Police at 1:26 p.m.

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Deputies assisted at a fire at Eighth Avenue West and Boulevard Avenue at 3:52 p.m.

Havre Fire Department

Emergency medical technicians responded to five calls Wednesday. Tuesday's call log was still not made available.

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Firefighters responded to an alarm at 8:11 a.m. Wednesday on the 900 Block of 18th Street.

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Firefighters responded along with an ambulance to a vehicle fire on the 500 Block of Eighth Avenue West Wednesday at 3:40 p.m. No one was made available by print deadline to provide details on the incident, but see Page 1 for an article.

Havre Animal Shelter

This morning the animal shelter held two 6-month-old kittens and five cats all of unknown gender, three female cats, three male cats, and seven kittens between 10 weeks and 6 months old.

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Also this morning, the animal shelter held five female mixed-breed dogs, 11 puppies between 11 and 18 weeks old, and a female German shepherd.
In recent years, the Helsinki metropolitan area has witnessed a significant rise in capital investments in startups and growth-oriented companies, with a particular increase in large-scale investments. Notably, the majority of the largest funded companies focus on digital technology, and over half of the investors participating in funding rounds have been domestic.

The economic development in Helsinki and the surrounding region appears positive and competitive from the perspective of capital investment growth.

This growth has been particularly notable since 2017: the capital raised in the area amounted to approximately 277 million euros in 2017, surpassing the one billion euro mark by 2020. This increase in funding is attributed not to a rise in the number of funding rounds, but to an average increase in the amount raised per round.

There has also been a shift in the types of investment rounds as funding amounts have increased. During 2021 and 2022, companies in the capital region secured a record number of large-scale capital investments exceeding 40 million euros. In 2022 alone, these large-scale investments surpassed the total funding amount of 2020.

The vast majority of companies receiving capital investments are based in Helsinki, with nearly all (98 percent) of the total capital investments in 2022, amounting to over 1.6 billion euros, targeting companies in Helsinki and Espoo. Since 2013, nearly three-quarters (457) of the funded companies are located in Helsinki, and about one-fifth (123) in Espoo.

An increasing number of startups and growth companies in the region have received funding over 100 million euros in recent years, with the three largest companies valued at over one billion euros each. Approximately 40 companies in the examined dataset are valued at at least one hundred million euros. Common to the listed companies is their connection to software development or solutions requiring innovative programming in various functions, including companies specialized in manufacturing mobile phones and computers.

The majority of investors funding startups and growth companies in the capital region are strongly domestic. Since 2018, about 53 percent of investors participating in funding rounds have been Finland-based venture capital firms, funds, corporations, individual investors ("angel investors"), or state actors.

The role of investors from the United States has become significant in the capital region. U.S. investors have been involved in more substantial funding rounds compared to investors from other countries, focusing on technology companies with significant business potential.

However, the amounts of capital investments in 2023 appear to be trailing behind the record years. As of September 2023, companies have received about 580 million euros in capital investments, with Helsinki accounting for 523 million euros of this total. This indicates a potential decrease from the record year 2022, likely due to the deteriorating economic situation and tightening financing environment. Additionally, large funding rounds for individual companies may not recur annually.

Nevertheless, the Helsinki metropolitan area has developed a vibrant network of startups, growth companies, and capital investors. The region's startup and growth entrepreneurship are on a solid foundation, promising a bright future for local business and competitiveness.

This information is from a new research article by the city office, examining the capital investments in the capital region, their development, investors, and companies.

HT
The Finnish Border Guard has reported that a total of 74 asylum applicants had crossed the border from Russia to Finland by 6pm on Wednesday, with traffic busy particularly at the border-crossing point in Vaalimaa.

THE NUMBER of asylum applicants has continued to creep up at border-crossing points along the eastern border of Finland.

The daily number of arrivals was 39 on Monday and 55 on Tuesday.

It looks like the number is growing and will continue growing, Jukka Lukkari, a deputy commander at the Southeast Finland Border Guard District, analysed for YLE on Wednesday.

STT on Wednesday wrote about an asylum seeker who said he was offered help getting to the border by police in Russia. The man stated to the news agency that he was transported by an army vehicle to a makeshift police station between the border and Vyborg, a town in western Russia. He then took a taxi to the border, as instructed at the police station, and crossed the border on a bicycle.

In recent days, an unusually high number of asylum seekers have arrived at the eastern border of Finland. The total number of arrivals this week, 147, accounts for more than half of the 234 asylum seekers that have arrived at the border since the last day of July, highlighted YLE.

Weve prepared for this. The Border Guard exists so that we can manage disruptions in border security. It seems that were faced with one right now, commented Lukkari.

Helsingin Sanomat reported yesterday that the government intends to shut down border-crossing points to safeguard national security as soon as today. Information obtained by the daily newspaper from several independent sources also suggests that the government has drawn the conclusion that the situation is exacerbating based not on the increase in arrivals but on intelligence.

The government was scheduled to announce tougher border controls yesterday but it re-scheduled its plenary session until 1pm on Thursday. Similarly postponed was a press conference that was to be held by Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen (PS).

Sources told Helsingin Sanomat that the government has decided to devise tougher control measures than it initially intended due to the deterioration of the situation.

Rantanen stated to YLE on Tuesday that Finland can in some circumstances close its entire border, arguing that national sovereignty takes precedence over international obligations.

The thing is that ultimately, in a situation where its necessary, Finland could shut down the entire border. No international treaty is a suicide pact, she commented, referring to international treaties concerning the right to international protection.

Aleksi Teivainen  HT
Renowned author to appear in his hometown on 'Robert Morgan Day'

Robert Morgan, the Green River native who has had a 54-year career as a successful poet, best-selling novelist and author of deeply reported biographies, will appear at the Historic Courthouse Saturday to talk about his newest book.

On what the Henderson County Board of Commissioners declared as Robert Morgan Day, the author and longtime Cornell University professor of English will talk about Fallen Angel: The Life of Edgar Allan Poe, and sign copies. The event is scheduled for 2 p.m. in the community room on the second floor of the courthouse. Two of Morgan's colleagues and friends  a professor of literature at UNC Asheville and a professor of poetry at East Tennessee State University  will also attend.

"They're going to talk about the book but also talk about his life's work," said Jim Toms, who organized the event. After the short talk, Morgan will sign books. The Poe biography and other books will be available for sale.

Here is the resolution commissioners adopted on Oct. 18 honoring the author:

WHEREAS, Robert Morgan was born in Hendersonville, North Carolina, on October 3, 1944, he grew up on a family farm in the Green River valley; and

WHEREAS, Robert Morgan was interested in writing poetry, fiction, and music at a young age, however, he was encouraged to study science in college instead, but after starting his higher education at North Carolina State University in engineering and applied mathematics, he transferred to UNC-Chapel Hill and graduated with a B.A. in English in 1965; he received a Master of Fine Arts degree from UNC-Greensboro; and

WHEREAS, In the late 1960s, Robert Morgan began writing poetry with the support and encouragement of his teachers, friends, and peers, many of his poems were published and a first book, "Zirconia Poems," was born in 1969; and

WHEREAS, After beginning his career at Cornell University in Ithaca, New York in 1971, Professor Morgan received NEA grants in 1974, 1981, and 1987; in 1988, he was awarded a Guggenheim fellowship and a Rockefeller Foundation fellowship, followed by the James G. Hanes Poetry Prize by the Fellowship of Southern Writers, and the North Carolina Literature Award; and

WHEREAS, In 1991, Robert Morgans novel, Gap Creek was published and it was selected for the Southern Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction for 2000, and was chosen as Notable Book by the New York Times. Gap Creek was a selection of the Oprah Book Club and a New York Times bestseller. It was chosen by the Appalachian Writers Association as Book of the Year for 2000; and

WHEREAS, Robert Morgan became the Kappa Alpha Professor of English at Cornell University in 1992, a position he held until retirement his retirement in 2022 as Kappa Alpha Professor of English Emeritus; and

WHEREAS, Robert Morgan is the author of 15 books of poetry, nine volumes of fiction, including the sequel to Gap Creek, The Road from Gap Creek, and three nonfiction books; he also served as visiting writer at Davidson College, Furman, Duke, Appalachian State, and East Carolina universities; and Robert Morgan was inducted into the North Carolina Literary Hall of Fame in 2010; and

NOW, THEREFORE, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners expresses its deep admiration for the gifts and talents that Robert Morgan has brought to Henderson County, and the world at large, as a man of great academic achievement and a highly-prolific author of admired literature. On behalf of the citizens and staff of Henderson County, we proclaim November 18 as Robert Morgan Day.
Hong Kong: Control point meeting held

Secretary for Security Tang Ping-keung today chaired a meeting of the task force for the collaboration on planning and development of Hong Kong-Shenzhen control points at the Central Government Offices.

Mr Tang co-chaired the meeting with Shenzhen Vice Mayor Wang Shourui to take forward the relevant work in various boundary control points (BCPs) between the two sides.

He welcomed the arrival of the leaders of the Shenzhen Municipal Peoples Government as well as members of the Office of Port of Entry & Exit and other relevant units.

Both sides discussed the functional positioning of the Hong Kong-Shenzhen land-based BCPs and the planning of transport connections.

They also reported the progress of the redevelopment projects at the Huanggang and Sha Tau Kok BCPs, in addition to the transfer of the existing function of fresh food clearance at the Man Kam To BCP.

Concluding the meeting, Mr Tang said both sides agreed to implement the planning of the Greater Bay Area development blueprint to promote the flow of people and goods in the bay area.

They agreed on taking forward a series of measures to enhance the handling capability and clearance facilitation of the BCPs, to give full play to the leading role and knock-on effect of Hong Kong and Shenzhen as the core engines for the bay area development.

This story has been published on: 2023-11-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
China Trade Week kicks off in Kenya amid calls for closer commercial ties

Xinhua) 19:13, November 16, 2023

NAIROBI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The eighth edition of China Trade Week kicked off in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Wednesday, as government officials renewed calls for deepening economic cooperation to realize mutual benefits.

John Ololtuaa, principal secretary in the State Department of Tourism, said the three-day event offers an opportunity for Kenya to showcase investment opportunities across diverse sectors of the economy to entrepreneurs from the Asian nation.

"We hope to secure new investments during China Trade Week, which will feature business-to-business meetings, high-level panel discussions, networking, and peer learning," Ololtuaa said.

While acknowledging that China remains Kenya's largest trading partner and source of investments, Ololtuaa said the government intends to elevate this cooperation to cover tourism, technology transfer and cultural exchanges.

He added that the government has enacted a conducive policy and regulatory environment to deepen economic cooperation with China, accelerate growth, and create additional jobs for the youth.

Edwin Masivo, the Kenya country director for Global Exhibitions, an events organizer, said the event will run simultaneously with the Africa e-digital summit, the Africa food show and cultural events, including a fashion show.

According to Masivo, 56 exhibitors from China, 22 from Kenya, three from the United Arab Emirates, and three from Egypt will be showcasing their products during the premier trade forum.

Chinese firms will be exhibiting products ranging from agricultural machinery, textiles, clean energy technologies, construction, and security-related equipment, he added.

"We are hoping to have partnerships and joint venture agreements. We are looking into having many Chinese companies appoint Kenyan companies as distributors of products from China," Masivo said.

He added that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative will act as a bridge for deepening Sino-Kenya trade ties besides fostering technology and knowledge transfer to revitalize indigenous manufacturing.

Zahoor Ahmed, the vice president of Middle East International Events, also an events organizer, said the resumed China Trade Week in Kenya, after three years of a pandemic-linked hiatus, offers an opportunity for both countries to promote business and investments.

Ahmed said the event will also discuss opportunities in the financial technology space, convene dialogue meetings for policymakers and entrepreneurs.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Xian Jiangnan)
(JNS)  Rep. Mike Waltz (R-Fla.) sits on the House Foreign Affairs, Intelligence and Armed Services Committees, giving him a 360-degree perspective on both the context surrounding Hamass Oct. 7 massacre in Israel and its aftermath.

At the end of the day, this administration has an Iran policy problem, Waltz said of the White Houses reported efforts to appease Iran in exchange for restarting the 2015 nuclear agreement, the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action from which the Trump administration withdrew in 2015.

It has been obsessed with trying to re-enter into the JCPOA, the Iran deal 2.0, Waltz said. That means it has made concession after concession after concession.

Waltz, a former Green Beret, told JNS at this past weekends Republican Jewish Coalition Leadership Summit in Las Vegas that he has fought people like the Hamas terrorists all over the world.

I know when they smell weakness, they see opportunity. When theyre faced with strength and resolve, they back down, he said. Right now, they are on the march because they smell weakness in this White House.

Waltz is confident that Mike Johnsonthe relatively-unknown new speaker of the U.S. House of Representativeswill have Israels back. The two have sat next to each other for four years on the Armed Services Committee.

He has a great balance of issues that hes been diving into over the years. He knows that we cannot allow this administration to keep providing concessions to Iran, Waltz said of Johnson. He knows that Israelwho we absolutely should support steadfastlyeven if they are fantastically successful against Hamas and Hezbollah, youre essentially mowing the grass.

Meanwhile, Rep. Don Bacon (R-Neb.) told JNS in Las Vegas that he has every confidence that Johnson will move swiftly to provide emergency aid for Israel.

The administration is asking for about $15 billion to go to Israel. Its gonna have wide support. It will get done, Bacon said.

If we need to do more down the road, well do more. We have a moral obligationId say a spiritual obligation, a practical obligation, all of the aboveto stand by Israel, he added. I do believe that Speaker Johnson feels the same way.

Bacon urged a detwinning of Israel and Ukraine aid in contradiction to a larger security package being pushed by the White House.

He told JNS he didnt want to see Israeli aid, which has stronger support across Congress, held up over battles regarding Ukraine.

I do support Ukraine aid because its in our national security interests that Ukraine remain independent, Bacon said. And I think it is right from a strategic and a moral perspective to stand by Ukraine.

But Bacon believes that aid for Ukraine, which is more of a Democratic imperative, will be linked to funding for border securitymore of a Republican imperative.

Waltz said that as long as Iran is flush with cash, it will keep feeding and funding its proxies. So, we have to go after the head of the snake.

For Waltz, that means forcing the administration to enforce sanctions, and codifying them into law.

And thats exactly what well be working on in both foreign affairs and armed services, he told JNS.

Part of the solution

In his remarks during an RJC summit panel discussion, Waltz intimated his belief that a failure of American intelligence was not to blame for the Oct. 7 disaster in Israel but a failure of policy.

We knew that there were a series of meetings with a number of terrorist leadersHamas, Hezbollah, the Iraqi militias, the Iranian Quds Force and IRGC handlers, Waltz told JNS, referring to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps.

They were happening in Lebanon. They were rehearsing, the ayatollah was amping up his rhetoric, talking about a ring of fire around Israel, Waltz said. (Ayatollah Ali Khamenei is Irans supreme leader.)

We knew that they hated and saw as existential the prospect of more Abraham Accords or Saudi-Israel normalization, he said.

While Waltz concedes that intelligence operatives may have missed a few tactical items due to new encrypted communications or other inventive maneuvers, we knew all the training, all the funding, all the weapons and all the rehearsals were being provided.

He said that with the Biden administration wedded to the concept of an Iran nuclear accord and a balance of power in the Middle Eastcombined with the morass of Robert Malley, the U.S. State Departments now-suspended negotiator with Iran who is suspected of security clearance violations.

I think you had a real policy problem and a policymaker problem, not necessarily a massive collection gap, he said. Well still have to prove that theory to be true.

Waltz also accused the Biden administration of a strategic mistake in linking Saudi-Israeli negotiation with the Palestinian issue, giving the Palestinians a vehicle to interfere with and to blow up the deal, which is exactly what Hamas and their Iranian backers did.

The leaders of Israel and Saudi Arabia will continue to make normalization a priority, he said, but that is on pause for the foreseeable future, he said. Its going to be a lot harder, but I do still think its achievable.

Israel needs to turn at least some of its attention to a plan for how Gaza will be governed once Hamas is eliminated, Waltz said.

He noted the long, bloody and difficult road ahead, and said the United States has the ability to tear down the terror infrastructure of organizations like Al-Qaeda, ISIS and Colombian drug cartels.

We do a terrible job of winning the peace afterwards, he said.

Waltz envisioned some combination of Israeli and Gulf Arab governance and funding of Gaza, though noted that the Middle East is rife with actors who point to the Palestinian problem but take no action to fix it.

I think it could be some combination of those entitiesall of whom are going to be desperate for the fighting to stop, he said. While right now theyre incredibly reluctant to get involved, I do think, as we get into a long, bloody slog, its going to be that theyll increasingly want to be part of the solution.

But the question for him is whether the Biden administration will use its leverage to get those states to stop complaining, pull out your checkbooks, pull out your political capital and help and be part of the solution.
On Monday, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra spoke with Minister Mai al-Kaila, Minister of Health for the Palestinian Authority. Secretary Becerra offered his deepest condolences for the thousands of Palestinian lives lost in this conflict and reinforced the United States ongoing commitment to urgently respond to the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Secretary Becerra also reiterated President Bidens call for the protection of civilians.

During the call, Secretary Becerra asked about the crisis in hospitals in Gaza. Minister al-Kaila and the Secretary agreed to keep in regular communication as the situation evolves.

Secretary Becerra spoke with Minister Moshe Arbel, MP, Israeli Minister of Health and Minister of Interior, last month. A readout of that conversation is here.
Virgo  (23rd August to 22nd September) Daily Horoscope Prediction says, You give light to the lives of people around Keep the relationship lively through engaging conversations. Handle every professional challenge diligently. You will also be healthy and wealthy today. Virgo Daily Horoscope for November 17, 2023: Keep the relationship lively through engaging conversations. Handle every professional challenge diligently.

Spend time with your partner and ensure you offer affection and care. Resolve every issue at the office to prove your potential. Avoid major investments and health will also be good today.

Virgo Love Horoscope Today

You may be fortunate today to get back into an old relationship. Resolve the old issues and bring happiness to life. However, those who are committed or are married must avoid any relationship that may impact the present love affair. Avoid digging up the past and spend more time together discussing the future. A romantic dinner or a surprise gift is an easy way to make the relationship stronger. You should not hurt the emotions of the lover and must also value the personal opinions.

Virgo Career Horoscope Today

Those who are planning to quit the job can put down the paper in the second half of the day. An interview call will come instantly and may also get a new offer with a good package. Professional challenges will make you stronger today. Managers and team leaders should not lose their temper in the workplace. Be cordial with your coworkers and avoid office politics today. You may travel today for job reasons. Some female entrepreneurs will raise good funds for business expansion.

Virgo Money Horoscope Today

Financial success will come but that doesnt mean you need to spend high today. Some Virgos may face challenges in the near future and it is good you save today for the rainy day. You should refrain from making large-scale investments including speculative business and stock. Today is good to settle the old financial disputes and also to repay the pending dues. Some entrepreneurs will find funds for expansion requirements.

Virgo Health Horoscope Today

There will be no major medical issue and you will be happy. However, stay away from junk food and alcohol today. Minor infections related to breathing will be a concern for seniors. Pregnant females should avoid traveling to hilly terrain today. In addition, you should also skip tobacco and aerated drinks.

Virgo Sign Attributes

Strength: Kind, Elegant, Perfectionist, Modest, Strong-willed

Kind, Elegant, Perfectionist, Modest, Strong-willed Weakness: Picky, Over-possessive

Picky, Over-possessive Symbol: Virgin maiden

Virgin maiden Element: Earth

Earth Body Part: Intestine

Intestine Sign Ruler : Mercury

: Mercury Lucky Day: Wednesday

Wednesday Lucky Color: Gray

Gray Lucky Number: 7

7 Lucky Stone: Sapphire

Virgo Sign Compatibility Chart
WellxPay, the online payment gateway and the sister concern of WellxPay Tech Innovation Ltd. has received a Payment System Operator (PSO) license from the central bank.

It has been awarded the PSO license by Bangladesh Bank under the Bangladesh Payment and Settlement Systems Regulation 2014 (BPSSR-2014).

According to Wellxpay, which has been operating in the market since 2015, the license will allow the tech company to take further steps in establishing an effective cashless society.

A wing of wellxpay is offering Payment Gateway Solution for SME to large enterprises, with both local and international payment accepting services using various payment methods.

Its range of services includes payment gateway, QR Payment, Invoice via App, Payment Links, Social Commerce.

WellxPay was established in 2015.

Payment Gateway, Cloud Hosting Service, SMS Aggregator and POS System.

Currently, WellxPay has more than 1000+ registered clients that use its services.

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.
An incident where a group of miscreants allegedly chased a woman at midnight at Bengalurus Sarjapur Road has once again raised the safety concerns in the tech capital. A techie named Srijan R Shetty shared an ordeal faced by his wife while she was dropping her colleagues home in the midnight of November 8. Group of miscreants chases Bengaluru woman in the midnight, fakes accident

Also Read - Chitradurga Muruga Mutt seer accused in POCSO case walks out of judicial custody

In an X post, Srijan R Shetty wrote. I've never felt unsafe in Bangalore - I know my privilege of being a Kannada speaking male - but last Thursday night I felt how unsafe certain parts of the city are post 10pm. I've seen those horrific videos of fake accidents in Sarjapur where hooligans have tried to blackmail people in the car. On 8th November, my wife offered to drop off some other colleagues (2 females, one male) considering it was hard to get a cab from Sarjapur. Their car was chased down by a bunch of men for a few km - she was smart enough to stop only on the main road and inform the cops as soon as possible.

Srijan then claimed that the group of miscreants asked his wife to step out of the car to discuss things. The men demanded that they step out of the car - which she didn't - for alleged damage during the chase. A few tempo drivers hit her car from the backside and joined the man in the green shirt in trying to pressurise people who couldn't speak Kannada. None of the bystanders helped the three women and a guy in the car. If it wouldn't have been for her wits of calling the cops and then calling us and 10 of her friends to immediately join her at her location, the incident could have taken a different turn, he added further.

This is not the first time Bengaluru has seen such incidents. In the past, Bengaluru police arrested many people for faking an accident and extorting money from non-Kannada speaking people living in in the city. It is also suggested for car owners to use dash cameras to record such incidents and report to the police.

Meanwhile, Bengaluru police reached the spot in 15 minutes after she dialled the emergency number and took a note of an incident. They further launched a probe based on the complaint by the woman.
Over two weeks after UT adviser Dharam Pal retired on October 31, the Union ministry of home affairs (MHA) has yet to finalise his successor. Previous Chandigarh adviser Dharam Pal retired on October 31. (HT Photo)

Following Dharam Pals retirement, the additional charge of the post was given to UT home secretary Nitin Yadav.

This is possibly the first time that MHA has not cleared the name of the new UT adviser even after two weeks of the post falling vacant.

A senior UT officer said the new adviser was expected to be announced in the next few days.

The names of four senior IAS officers, including the chief secretaries of Goa and Arunachal Pradesh, are doing the rounds for the post.

As per sources among those in the race of the post are Arunachal Pradesh chief secretary Dharmendra and principal secretary Dr Sharad Chauhan, both AGMUT-cadre officers from 1989 and 1994 batches, respectively.

Others vying for the post are Goa chief secretary Dr Puneet Kumar Goel, a 1991-batch AGMUT-cadre officer, and New Delhi municipal corporation chairperson Amit Yadav, also from the same batch.

As per sources, Chauhan is the front runner for the post.

Dharam Pal, a 1988-batch IAS officer of the AGMUT cadre and an alumnus of Punjab Engineering College, had joined the UT administration amid the Covid pandemic in June 2021, taking over from Manoj Parida, a 1986-batch officer from the same cadre.
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has submitted a chargesheet against a Chandigarh-based chartered accountant (CA) accused of accepting a bribe of 50,000 from a local resident in lieu of giving a favourable stock audit report to his firm. The complainant, who owns a marketing and advertising company in Sector 20, Chandigarh, had availed of a loan of over  1 crore from the bank. (HT File)

The accused, Vikas Aggarwal, is facing charges under Section 7 of the Prevention of Corruption Act. He was arrested from Mohali in September this year.

As per case files, Aggarwal, who is an empanelled CA of Canara Bank, had informed the complainant that he was deputed by the zonal office of the bank for stock audit.

The complainant, who owns a marketing and advertising company in Sector 20, had availed of a loan of over 1 crore from the bank. The accused allegedly demanded a bribe of 1.50 lakh in lieu of giving a favourable stock audit report to the complainants firm, according to CBI.

The accused had agreed to accept 50,000 in cash and asked the complainant to deposit the remaining 1 lakh in his bank account. After the complainant approached CBI, the agency had laid a trap and caught Aggarwal red-handed.
A 28-year-old man was arrested for stalking and molesting a 21-year-old woman in Manimajra on Tuesday. The accused was booked under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354-D (stalking) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code at the Manimajra, Chandigarh, police station. (Stock image)

The woman, a resident of Kalka, had left her office after work, when the accused, Happy, started following her.

He continued to tail her for some distance and after a while, stopped her and grabbed her arm, asking her to be friends with him, she told police.

She raised the alarm, following which police were informed and Happy was arrested.

He was booked under Sections 354 (assault or criminal force to woman with intent to outrage her modesty), 354-D (stalking) and 341 (wrongful restraint) of the Indian Penal Code at the Manimajra police station.
In a major blow to terror infrastructure and terror sympathisers, security forces have eliminated key commander Bashir Ahmad Malik in an anti-infiltration operation in the Uri sector, the army said on Thursday. Malik has been active for over three decades and was an important cog in the Pakistan-enabled cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir, army official said, (HT File Photo)

Malik and another terrorist, Ahmed Gani Sheikh, were killed on Wednesday in a joint operation, code named Op Kali, by the army and police along the Line of Control (LoC).

Malik has been active for over three decades and was an important cog in the Pakistan-enabled cross-border terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir. He was an important terrorist launch commander for terror organisations from Leepa in the north to the areas in Pakistan-occupied-Kashmir, opposite Rajouri in the south, commanding officer of armys 8 Rashtriya Rifles Colonel Raghav said during a media briefing in Uri. He added that Malik had enabled infiltrations of countless terrorists across the LoC, resulting in the loss of lives of many Indian citizens, both security personnel and civilians.

Repeated infiltration attempts through the same area in the Uri sector of Baramulla district was a display of desperation by the adversary to push more terrorists into the Kashmir valley to spoil the prevailing peace and tranquility, he said.

We have a robust line of control security grid and we are on a high vigil. The Indian Army is well prepared to defeat any such infiltrations attempts and we will not let the enemy succeed with his devious designs, he added.

The joint operation was launched in the early hours of November 15 on specific intelligence from own sources and SB, Srinagar, with respect to the likelihood of infiltration of terrorists across the LoC in Uri sector, the officials said. It was the second infiltration bid in the area with the last few days. The first bid was also thwarted.

The recoveries included war-like stores, encompassing two AK series rifles, two pistols, four Chinese hand grenades, ammunition along with medicines, eatables, rupees 2,630 in Pakistan currency and Pakistan national identity Card, the official added.
Police have arrested a woman and her boyfriend for allegedly electrocuting her husband to death at their house at Bhoda colony, Jagirpur road, on Diwali. The accused, her aide, in custody of Ludhiana police. (HT Photo)

The accused attempted to pass the incident off as a mishap, telling police that her husband had suffered an electric shock while putting out decorative lights for Diwali.

Probe officials, however, found the explanation suspicious as decorative lights typically do not carry enough voltage to cause electrocution.

The Tibba police arrested the accused Ranjita Devi, 35, who is mother of three children, and her boyfriend Gopal Kumar, 27, of Meharban on Wednesday, and booked them for murder.

The first information report (FIR) was registered following the statement of Manoj Kumar of Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, the brother of the victim Vinod Ram, 38.

Sharing details, inspector Lovedeep Singh, Tibba police station house officer (SHO), said they recovered information about a factory worker being electrocuted at his home. On being informed, the teams reached the spot and initiated an investigation.

Ranjita initially told the police that her husband was electrocuted while installing decorations for Diwali. However, a subsequent search of the house uncovered a peeled wire, raising suspicions about the nature of Vinods death.

Vinods family, who reside in Baddi, Himachal Pradesh, were informed by the police and the body was sent for an autopsy. The results confirmed death by electrocution, but also identified injury marks, specifically around Vinods fingers. The marks were consistent with wires being wound around his fingers to administer an electric shock.

Police suspected the involvement of Vinods wife, Ranjita. After questioning her, she confessed to the crime, the SHO said, adding that Vinod, Ranjita, and their three children had been residing in a labour quarter in Meharban. The co-accused, Gopal, also lived in the same area.

Ranjita was having an affair with Gopal, which Vinod uncovered six months ago. Vinod and his family relocated to Bhoda Colony, Jagirpur, where they built their own house and he prohibited Ranjita from seeing Gopal, prompting the latter to conspire with her to kill Vinod, the SHO added.

The accused had deliberately sent her children to their grandparents house prior to Diwali, having planned to murder Vinod during the festival to make the death look accidental.

The SHO said Gopal visited their home on Diwali night. There, he and Ranjita administered electric shocks to Vinod until he died.

Vinods brother, Manoj Ram, said his brother had been under stress ever since he had learnt of his wifes affair.

A case under sections 302 (murder) and 34 (common intention) of the Indian Penal Code has been registered against the accused at the Tibba police station.

Five held for murder bid on in Doraha

Ludhiana Police have booked a group of miscreants for allegedly attempting to murder a man and his cousin in Kaddon village outside a gurdwara over an old enmity. The accused attacked the men as they stepped out of their car.

The victims, identified as Kiranpreet Singh, 35, of Village Shahpur of Payal and his cousin Jasdeep Singh, 34, were rushed to hospital  where their condition has been stated as serious.

Police have arrested the accused, including Gurpreet Singh, Jaspreet Singh, Harwinder Singh, Harvel Singh and Baljinder Singh. Their aides, Gursimran, Pardeep Singh of Begowal village, Jasvir Singh of Village Deep Nagar, Manjinder Singh, Gagna and Happy are yet to be arrested.

According to the police, Gursimran Singh Simma had hatched the conspiracy to attack the victims and involved his aides in it.

The first information report (FIR) was registered following the statement of Bhinder Kaur, Kiranpreets mother.

The complainant told police that she, along with her son Kiranpreet Singh, daughter-in-law Jaspreet Kaur, grandson, sister-in-law Kuldeep Kaur and Kuldeeps son Jasdeep Singh went to pay their obeisance at a gurdwara in Kaddon village. They parked their car near the eye hospital. As they stepped out, the accused attacked Kiranpreet Singh.

When Jasdeep Singh tried to intervene, they attacked him. When they raised an alarm, the accused escaped from the spot leaving Kiranpreet Singh and Jasdeep Singh lying injured in a pool of blood. They rushed both of them to hospital and informed the police.

Assistant sub-inspector (ASI) Hardam Singh, who is investigating the case, said the accused have been booked under sections 307 (attempt to murder), 323 (voluntarily causing hurt), 506 (criminal intimidation), 148, 149 (both rioting) and 427 (mischief and thereby causes loss or damage to the amount of fifty rupees or upwards) of the Indian Penal Code (IPC).

Soon after registering the FIR, police arrested five of the accused. The arrested accused told police that Gursimran Singh had called on them to assault Kirandeep Singh, but they have no idea about the reason. The complaint stated she is unaware about the reason behind the attack.

The ASI added that the cases will be cleared after the arrest of Gursimran Singh or after recording the statement of Kirandeep Singh. A hunt is on for the arrest of the rest of the accused.
Rescue operations entered the fifth day to evacuate the 40 construction workers trapped 260 metres inside the Silkyara-Barkot under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi. NHIDCL director Anshu Manish Khalko said loose debris was hampering the rescue efforts. (HT Photo)

It has been over 96 hours since workers have been stuck in the tunnel as rescuers are trying their best to execute their plans.

State-of-the-art performance auger drilling machine was brought in from New Delhi in Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130J aircraft on Wednesday to expedite their rescue operation plans.

The machine can drill through the debris at 5 metres per hour, officials said, adding that they, however, cant predict the timeline due to the possible obstacles in the form of boulders present in the debris.

The machine will be pressed into service on Thursday amid apprehensions expressed by the co-workers of those trapped inside.

Also Read: Workers protest in front of tunnel against delay in rescue of trapped labourers

On Wednesday, the workers had staged a protest at the tunnel site, alleging that the authorities and rescue teams were not doing enough to rescue those trapped.

NHIDCL director Anshu Manish Khalko said loose debris was hampering the rescue efforts.

He, however, said they are hopeful of better results with the high-performance auger machine.

If we have to drill through 50-60 metres piled up debris, it is expected to be completed in around 12 hours, he said.

Updating on the rescue operations, Uttarkashi District Disaster Management Officer (DDMO) Devendra Patwal said, A platform has already been made to accommodate the high performance auger drilling machine brought in from Delhi. It will start working soon.

An official involved in the rescue operation on the condition of anonymity told HT on Wednesday that the previous auger machine, provided by a Delhi based company, was not in a good condition and of high quality to drill through the debris inside the tunnel.

The machine on Tuesday evening was rendered ineffective after a boulder came in its way.

Meanwhile, the rescuers said all trapped workers remain optimistic, but a few complained of nausea, headache and anxiety.

Doctors deployed outside the tunnel by the health department said the trapped workers were being provided with medicines.

A portion of the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Dandalgaon on the Yamunotri National Highway (NH) collapsed at around 5:30am on Sunday, leaving workers trapped inside.

Most of these workers are from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal, district administration officials said.
The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday said it will approach the Election Commission (EC) against the misleading and derogatory social media campaign of the Bharatiya Janata Party against Delhi chief minister Arvind Kejriwal. AAP leader Raghav Chadha. (HT)

The development came a day after EC issued a notice to AAP national convener Arvind Kejriwal regarding posts made from AAPs official X (formerly Twitter) handle.

EC on Tuesday issued a showcause notice to AAP over two posts, terming them derogatory... disparaging and said they built a slanderous narrative against Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Member of Parliament Raghav Chadha in a press conference said that AAPs posts were made on November 8 in response to the original posts made by BJP handles on November 5. However, AAP received a showcause notice from EC and the party hoped the action would be taken against the BJP as well.

Acting on a complaint filed by the BJP on November 10, EC said it was prima facie of the view that the tweets (posts) violate the provisions of the Model Code of Conduct.

Chanda alleged that posts against Kejriwal were made by office bearers of the party and extensively promoted on BJPs official social media handles in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and MP. A post made on the Delhi BJPs platform was shared in Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and MP. All three states are undergoing state assembly elections, and the Model Code of Conduct is in effect. Despite this, they released this content and broadcasted it on numerous WhatsApp numbers, he added.

The response to this notice is being prepared by the legal cell of AAP, and we will submit our response soon. Unfortunately, AAP received a notice, but BJP did not receive any such notice. We hope that after the complaint, BJP will also be sent a notice and questions will be asked, said Chadha.

Delhi BJP Spokesperson Praveen Shankar Kapoor responded and said it was wrong to hold the BJP responsible for Kejriwals image loss. AAP leaders like Raghav Chadha should note that Kejriwal skipping pre-poll commitments, corruption and nepotism are responsible for his image loss... Kejriwal raised an anti-corruption campaign and spoke against nepotism in political parties but today his government is known for scams, said Kapoor.
Buses not running on Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), electricity, or adhering to the Bharat Stage VI (BS-VI) diesel emission standards may be barred from entering the national capital in view of the pollution situation, news agency PTI reported. Delhi is grappling with hazardous levels of air quality due to a combination of factors, including stubble burning in neighbouring states and industrial and vehicular emissions. Delhi's air quality continues to remain in severe category. (Raj K Raj/HT Photo)

Under stage 4 of the graded response action plan, or GRAP, only trucks are currently barred from entering the city.

The report suggests that the authorities are likely to impose a complete ban on passenger buses except those running on CNG, electricity and BS-VI diesel from entering the national capital after Chhath Puja.

Chhath Puja is around the corner and there is a huge rush being witnessed because of it. We are planning to implement a ban after the festival, PTI quoted a person aware of the matter as saying.

The proposed restriction aims to curtail the emissions from traditional diesel-powered buses, which are identified as major contributors to the deteriorating air quality.

Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai will hold a meeting with department and DPCC officials at the Delhi Secretariat this afternoon to review the implementation of restrictions under GRAP.

According to a Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) analysis, the city experiences peak pollution from November 1 to 15, when the number of stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana increases.

Delhi's air quality dropped over the last few days despite the stringent measures implemented under stage IV of GRAP, including a ban on construction work and the entry of diesel-guzzling trucks into the city, to control pollution.

The transport department, meanwhile, is planning to install cameras at all entry points of Delhi for electronic surveillance before next winter to penalise vehicles that violate pollution measures, officials aware of the matter said on Wednesday. Trucks and buses violating Grap norms enforced by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) are penalised 20,000 for no parking. It is one of the highest traffic challan amounts for any violation.
The Delhi governments real-time source apportionment study has been operationalised, with real-time data on the sources of pollution from PM2.5 particulates impacting the Capital now available on the R-asmaan portal (raasman.com), officials aware of the matter said. The development comes a week after the Supreme Court directed the Delhi government to resume the apportionment study, around a month after it went dark.. Humayun's Tomb shrouded in smog in New Delhi on Wednesday morning. (Sanjeev Verma/HT Photo)

The data till 4 pm showed vehicles were the biggest contributor to PM2.5 in Delhi on Wednesday, accounting for 34% of pollutants. Secondary inorganic aerosols  particles formed in the air as a result of gases reacting with each other from combustion sources  contributed 32% of Delhis PM2.5 concentration, and biomass burning was contributing around 26%, the data showed.

Vehicles were also Delhis biggest contributor on November 14 and 13  contributing 45% and 44% respectively. The contribution of biomass burning was 15% on November 14 and 14% on November 13, while secondary aerosols contributed 31% on November 14 and 14% on November 13%. Interestingly, the contribution of soil and road dust was particularly high  15%  on November 13, but just 2% on both November 14 and 15.

The apportionment study looks at nine sources of PM2.5 particulates  secondary inorganic aerosols, road dust, vehicles, industries, construction, biomass burning, coal and fly ash, waste burning, and pollution from the residential sector. Unaccounted sources are placed in the others category.

It provides real-time data based on the chemical composition of the air, which is collected using filters, that is subsequently being assessed by a software model.

The Delhi cabinet approved the real-time source apportionment project in July 2021, with a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed in October 2021 between the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) and IIT Kanpur, which is executing this project. Real-time data was made available to the Delhi government from November 2022 onwards and to the general public from January 30 this year.

Last month, Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai had alleged that the apportionment study and the anti-smog tower at Connaught Place had been arbitrarily halted by DPCC chairman Ashwani Kumar, who had refused to pay the remainder of the amount pending to agencies running these projects. The Supreme Court on November 7 took suo motu cognizance of the matter and summoned Kumar, further asking the government for both projects to be promptly resumed.

On Wednesday, a senior DPCC official said the site of the apportionment study at Rouse Avenue was made operational the day after the Supreme Courts orders, with real-time data reflecting on the website from the last couple of days. The lab was made operational on November 8 and eventually, we began to collect data on all parameters, after sufficient enough data was made available through collection of gases, said the official, adding that the pending amount of 2 crore due to be paid to IIT Kanpur, has also been cleared.

The amount has been transferred and the lab is fully operational. It will share the days real-time data and hourly break-up too, the official added.

The website is, however, still not showing the three-day forecasts on the contribution of sources expected in the coming days.

The apportionment study is different from the Decision Support System (DSS), under the Union ministry of earth sciences, which is an estimate-based model that estimating the sources contributing to Delhis PM 2.5 levels using meteorological conditions and a long-term emissions inventory from each sector.

Sunil Dahiya, analyst at the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air (CREA) said both models allow policy-based decisions to be made, with the apportionment study making use of a receptor-based model, that studies the chemical breakdown of PM 2.5. This allows us to know at any given time what the biggest source is. This can allow the government to take focused action against a particular sector and once you have long-term data, policy decisions can be framed around the biggest contributors, he said.
UDAIPUR/JAIPUR: Congress candidate from Udaipur Gourav Vallabh on Wednesday accused Assam governor Gulab Chand Kataria of secretly campaigning for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during his visit to the city, a charge rebutted by the BJP. Assam governor Gulab Chand Kataria campaigning in Udaipur: Congs Gourav Vallabh

A governor has been making secret visits what immoral acts has he been up to, asking the media not to show him, Vallabh told reporters on Wednesday, following up on his complaint to Rashtrapati Bhavan and the Election Commission of India (ECI) about Kataria playing a role in the BJP campaign.

I am not worried, let anyone come. But questions will be raised. If you (Kataria) want to come, then come but leave your post (governor), he added.

In his complaint filed earlier, Vallabh asked the Election Commission to stop Kataria from attending BJP meetings of his close associate Tarachand Jain, who is contesting the assembly elections from Udaipur.

It is vital to restrict the movement of Kataria through the election observer in order to ensure effective implementation of model code of conduct, Gourav Vallabh said in the letter.

Kataria did not respond to calls to seek his comments.

Jain, the BJP candidate from Udaipur, said Vallabhs complaints reflected his nervousness as he could forsee his defeat. He is levelling false allegations. It is Katarias town and he can come here at any time. He is not organising any meetings in my favour, said Jain.

To be sure, Gulab Chand Kataria, who was the leader of the Opposition in the Rajasthan assembly when he was appointed governor in February, is the BJPs tallest leader in Rajasthans Mewar region and is widely credited with establishing and expanding the BJPs base across Mewar region.

Kataria, an eight-time legislator, was first elected to the assembly in 1977. He won again in 1980 and has won every election from Udaipur city since 1993.

In Guwahati, news agency PTI said the Assam unit chief of Trinamool Congress Ripun Bora and the Aam Aadmi Party coordinator Bhaben Choudhury also sought action against Kataria.

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is busy campaigning for the BJP in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This is a challenge to democracy, the Election Commission of India should take action against him, Assam TMC president Ripun Bora said in a post on X on Wednesday.

Choudhury said a governor should uphold the Constitution irrespective of caste, creed and religion by keeping himself above politics.
Gujarati tribal leader Chhotubhai Vasavas two sons are pitted against each other in Rajasthans tribal area for the upcoming assembly elections. His elder son, Mahesh, is leading the Bharatiya Tribal Party (BTP), which won two seats in the 2018 Rajasthan state polls while the younger one, Dilip, is supporting newly-formed Bharatiya Adivasi Party (BAP), on whose ticket, the two BTP MLAs are contesting this time. The 2023 Rajasthan Legislative Assembly election is scheduled to be held on 25 November 2023. (Representative file image)

The two MLAs had won from BTP in 2018 and switched over to BAP for 2023 elections.

The two sons rivalry has a Gujarat connection.

Before the Gujarat assembly polls in 2022, Mahesh rebelled against his father, who founded BTP in 2017, and did not field seven-time MLA Chhotu Vasava from their home constituency of Jhagadia, forcing the latter to contest as an independent candidate.

Chhotu lost, signalling a dramatic decline in their political influence within Gujarat, and also decimation of BTP, which was unable to win even a single assembly seat in Gujarat.

In 2017, Chhotu and Mahesh had won on BTP tickets there.

Several senior members of the BTP, including the two sitting MLAs in Rajasthan, decided to part ways, culminating in the formation of the Bharatiya Adivasi Party (BAP), six months ahead of the November 25 elections, reshaping politics in tribal dominated southern-eastern Rajasthan.

In at least 17 of the 25 assembly seats in tribal areas of Rajasthan, BTP and BAP candidates are pitted against each other, along with that of the Congress and BJP.

Electoral ground

In the heart of the tribal-dominated Salumbar constituency, an 82-year-old Padamsinhji Rajput gestures with a weathered stick toward the dusty lanes near his home in Gur village, pointing out the stagnant landscape that has remained largely unchanged for decades.

Also Read: Rajasthan polls: CM Ashok Gehlots close aide Rameshwar Dadhich joins BJP

For the last 50 years, not much has altered in these parts. People are still compelled to migrate, and our government employees have gone unpaid for the last five months. A 105-km road project has been sanctioned near our village by the Centre in partnership with the state government, but we dont see much work done. Talks of a crematorium for our village have also been going on for many years now. Despite having a Congress sarpanch and a BJP MLA in our area, real progress and development seem elusive. Now we hear about BAP and BTP, lets see what they can do, he said with disdain over lack of development in the region.

Yogesh Kalasua, a 25-year-old from Aspur village in Dungarpur district, possessing a Masters degree in English Literature, advocates for tribals to independently contest elections and secure fundamental rights. He expresses admiration for the BAP and their transparent candidate selection process, conducted openly during village gatherings.

In stark contrast to the grandiose displays of the BJP and Congress, with their high-profile rallies and fleet of vehicles, the tribal parties maintain a notably low-key approach. Their campaign strategy relies on grassroots methods, utilising social media and door-to-door canvassing. Their leaders eschew the choppers and grand stages, often found spending evenings in villages, engaging with modest gatherings of a few hundred individuals.

While there are some like Rajput and Kalasua who see some hope from parties like BTP and BAP, many see them to be as vote cutters for the main parties.

Fight for tribal land

In Rajasthan, there are 25 seats reserved for tribal representation, out of which 17 seats fall within the Tribal Sub Plan or the Scheduled Areas.

In the 2013 elections, the BJP secured victory in 18 reserved seats, while the Congress won in seven such seats.

In the 2018 elections, the Congress won 14 reserved seats, the BJP in eight, and the BTP won two (in Banswara region). One ST reserved seat in Bassi was won by independent candidate Laxman Meena who has been fielded by the Congress for the upcoming polls.

The fully tribal areas are Banswara, Dungarpur, and Pratapgarh, while the partly tribal areas constitute Udaipur, Chittorgarh, Sirohi, Rajsamand, and Pali.

According to the Census 2011, total population of scheduled area is 64,63,353 out of which Scheduled Tribes (ST) population is 45,57,917 which is 70.43% of the total population of the Scheduled Area.

While BAP has gained popularity in a short period of time, BTP still remains a formidable force in the tribal areas. Both the tribal parties carry out extensive door-to-door campaigning. Many of the tribals are still seeking their basic rights from the elections. BTP and BAP will surely cut into Congress and BJP votes in the tribal belt, said Kunjan Acharya, a political expert based in Udaipur.

The tribals in Rajasthan had started a movement called Jai Bhil Pradesh in 2015 to unite the tribal community across the country from states like Gujarat, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.

Our land was taken away; our homes were displaced, and we saw that neither the Congress nor the BJP took a strong stand for us be it the Lok Sabha or the Rajya Sabha. We needed a political front and joined hands to support the BTP. But we found that they too had a high command system like other parties hence we decide to part ways with them, said Mohanlal Raut, president of BAP who was one of the founding members of Jai Bhil Pradesh.

In July 2020, during the political turmoil within the Congress-led government in Rajasthan following an open rebellion by former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot against chief Mminister Ashok Gehlot, the BTP extended its support to the ruling party.

Raut pointed out the rift between them and BTP, citing a specific incident when BTP issued a directive to its two MLAs, Rajkumar Roat (Chorasi) and Ramprasad Dindor (Sagwara), to abstain from voting in the Rajya Sabha elections on June 10, 2022. This directive followed a meeting between the BTP legislators and Congress leaders in Udaipur, where they announced their support for the Congress candidates.

He said that in the panchayat polls in Dungarpur district in 2020, the BTP won 13 seats, while the BJP got eight and Congress bagged six.

Despite emerging as the single largest party, we could not form the board as the Congress and BJP joined hands to keep us out of power. We only want us to be given what we are promised by our Constitution. We gave our 17 points demand to the Congress government in Rajasthan, but they have not fulfilled one. Both, the Centre and the state government does not want to give tribals their rights of land, water and forest. No work has been made for our language and culture. One of our main demands is for a separate state for the people from the four states who speak Bhili language, said Raut.

Sat Prakash Rana, spokesperson of BJP Delhi who was in Rajasthan as an observer in the tribal areas said that BTP and BAP were small parties and that there was no place for a third front to emerge in Rajasthan in the upcoming elections.

He claimed that the tribal sub plan by the Centre was well in place and that the tribals of Rajasthan were happy with it.

Gujarat Congress president Shaktisinh Gohil, who has been appointed as special observer by the party for Rajasthan polls said his party has given substantial representation to the tribal community in its candidate selection, including in non-ST reserved seats as compared to BJP that provided a lower percentage of representation to the tribal community.

There is a positive atmosphere for the Ashok Gehlot led government given the welfare schemes and the development works done by Congress in Rajasthan, he said.

The BTP has promised to halt immigration, develop small industries to generate employment for locals, exempt tribals from Uniform Civil Code and up to 90% reservation in jobs in the tribal sub-plan areas, up from the present 45%, said Velaram Ghogra, president of BTP.

BAP has also made a similar poll promise in its manifesto.
The Indian Army completed the 200-feet Bailey bridge over Teesta River at Chungthang connecting the road link to flood-hit north Sikkim on Thursday, Lt Col Mahendra Rawat, public relations officer (PRO) said. Large parts of north Sikkim ahead of Mangan had remained cut off since October 4. (Indian Army)

Built by the Trishakti Corps and Border Roads Organisation (BRO), the structure is the longest and heaviest single span Bailey bridge in India, Rawat said.

The bridge was inaugurated by Sikkims roads and bridges minister Samdup Lepcha.

Also Read:Army builds bailey bridge over Teesta in 18 days in flood-hit Sikkim

Large parts of north Sikkim ahead of Mangan had remained cut off since October 4.

As an immediate response, foot bridges and zip lines were constructed at Chungthang and Sanklang-Mangan crossing to move people and relief materials.

The flash floods occurred in the early hours of October 4 when a glacial lake at south Lhonak overflowed following torrential rain.

The overflowing Teesta destroyed human habitations, an army camp, several hydel power dams and important roads, including Sikkims lifeline, NH-10.

The flash floods in the Teesta river claimed more than 90 lives.

During the catastrophe, 23 army personnel, vehicles and crates of ammunition were swept away from the camp at Bardang in Pakyong district.

Only one of the missing army personnel was found alive and the bodies of ten soldiers were recovered later.

Army choppers were deployed to rescue Sikkim residents and tourists from Lachen, Lachung and other parts of north Sikkim.

Around 4,000 displaced people were sheltered at 21 relief camps by the Sikkim government.

Indias second-longest Bailey bridge is at Chubi in Nagaland.

Named after British army engineer Donald Bailey who designed it during the Second World War, a Bailey bridge is a portable, pre-fabricated truss bridge.
A woman in Uttar Pradeshs Bijnor district was allegedly gang-raped by five miscreants who entered her house on Tuesday evening and escaped with cash and jewellery worth lakhs, police said. The incident took place at the house of a wholesale hardware trader in a village in Nagina rural when the woman in her 30s was alone as her husband had gone to a doctor along with his mother and children, they added. SP (Bijnor rural) Ramaraj Singh said a case under sections 376D (gang rape) and 395 (dacoity) had been registered against the unknown miscreants. (For Representation)

Superintendent of police, Bijnor, Neeraj Kumar Jadaun has formed three police teams to identify and arrest the miscreants. SP (Bijnor rural) Ramaraj Singh said a case under sections 376D (gang rape) and 395 (dacoity) had been registered against the unknown miscreants on the complaint of the womans husband on Wednesday.

In his complaint, the womans husband alleged that after entering his house by scaling the neighbours wall, the accused first thrashed his wife and forced her to consume some liquid after which she fell unconscious.

They looted nearly 250 gm gold, 2 kg silver and 1.5 lakh in cash. In the meantime, my wife regained her consciousness and found that she was tied up. The miscreants then gang-raped her and also burnt her with a cigarette, he alleged in his FIR. The miscreants also looted a scooty while escaping from the spot, he alleged.
LUCKNOW A 25-year-old man allegedly threw acid on a 22-year-old woman and her 45-year-old mother in a village in Ayodhya on Wednesday. He was reportedly in love with the woman who didnt acknowledge the sentiment, said police. The incident took place under Taarun police station limits around 2.30pm on Wednesday when the accused sneaked into the house and threw acid on the faces of mother and daughter who were sleeping at that time. (Pic for representation)

The accused, Deepak Kumar Pandey, of Vedapur village, was arrested from his relatives place on Thursday. He committed the crime after coming to know that the womans marriage was fixed with another man. The two injured were rushed to the King Georges Medical Universitys Trauma Centre in Lucknow for better treatment, said officials.

The incident took place under Taarun police station limits around 2.30pm on Wednesday when the accused sneaked into the house and threw acid on the faces of mother and daughter who were sleeping at that time. The acid partially damaged the eyes of the two victims and doctors feared they could lose their vision, said AK Yadav, inspector of Taarun police station.

FIR under IPC sections 442 (criminal house trespass) and 326A (causing hurt by acid attack) was registered against the accused. These sections provide for a minimum 10 years imprisonment for the offence of causing hurt by acid attack, extendable to life, and with fine. The fine shall be just and reasonable to meet the medical expenses of treatment, said Yadav.
Controversy over Dharavi Redevelopment Project seems to be deepening further as the state government recently issued a notification to bring in changes in the Development Control Rules (DCR) which has allowed the use of Transfer of Development Rights (TDR) without an indexation. This change will give more value to the Adani group for the TDR generated from the Dharavi Redevelopment Project (DRP) and mandate all city builders to buy the first 40% of their required TDR from DRP only. Dharavi sits on 240 hectares of prime land in the heart of Mumbai and its redevelopment, first proposed formally by the then Congress chief minister Sushil Kumar Shinde in 2004, involves rehabilitation of more than 60,000 families and 13,000 commercial units in tenements of 405 sq ft. (Satish Bate/HT PHOTO)

The decision triggered a sharp reaction from Congress MLA and partys Mumbai unit president Varsha Gaikwad who accused the Maharashtra government of awarding the Dharavi Redevelopment Project to Adanis conglomerate as a Diwali gift. Gaikwad had earlier alleged a Transferable Development Rights (TDR) scam in the project to benefit the Adani group, which will be carrying out one of the biggest redevelopment projects in the country.

Also read- Mumbai's Dharavi slum and Adani's plans to redevelop it: Timeline

The Urban Development Department of the state government through a notification modified the rules. As per the existing rules, there is a provision of indexation for using TDR which means that there would not be any cap on area-specific use of the TDR. For instance, if 1,000 square feet of TDR is generated from a specific project, the same quantum is not allowed to be used in plush markets like south Mumbai and only 100 square feet of it is allowed to be used.

The modification of notification means there will be an equal quantum of generated TDR available for use. In short, the total area generated out of the TDR could be utilised now in areas like south Mumbai, Bandra, Juhu, Vile Parle, where real estate is costlier.

Also Read: Adani forms SPV for Dharavi redevelopment project

The notification has provision which makes it mandatory for the builders in Mumbai to buy first 40% of their required TDR from the Dharavi Project before utilising other TDR. This provision gives Adani a big readymade market for the TDR which will be generated from the Dharavi Project. The notification also allows Adani to charge up to 90 % of the ready reckoner value of the receiving plot as the TDR rate.

The state government in its tender documents for the Dharavi Project had assured the concession in indexation. However, as there was no provision for concession in indexation earlier, the UDD had expressed the reservation on giving the concession in indexation. UDD had also expressed reservations about issuing an order regarding first buying the TDR generated from Dharavi before the project work starts. Now the state government has made provision through these notifications necessary changes in current rules, said a government official requesting anonymity.

As per tender documents, the first 50% TDR was mandatory to buy from the Dharavi Project. But now it has reduced to 40% as per this notification which means there is a cut of 10%. While reducing the mandatory saleable quantum of TDR UDD has also assured that it will be applicable only after the generation of TDR and as per the available quantity only. said the officer.

The notification has triggered controversy as Congress leaders have criticised the chief minister Eknath Shinde who is also in charge of the Urban Development Department.

This corrupt government just gave PM Modis closest friend Gautam Adani a Diwali gift. The Shinde government has gifted Mumbais real estate market to Adanis conglomerate. The notification proposes mandatory for all real estate constructions in Mumbai (where TDR is admissible) to purchase at least 40% of their TDR requirements at exorbitant rates from the Dharavi Redevelopment Project, where Adani Properties Pvt. Ltd. is the lead partner to facilitate Adani groups takeover of Mumbais TDR market. Concession in Indexation is also a special case. Is this not unfair practice? said Varsha Gaikwad. She also alleged that these changes in rules through a notification shall make redevelopments being carried out by smaller developers unviable.

Despite repeated attempts, Dharavi Redevelopment Project Pvt Ltd could not be reached for their reaction to this development.

One of the biggest redevelopment projects in India

The Maharashtra cabinet awarded the DRP bid to Adani Realty in December 2022. Despite the pending court case in this matter, the cabinet decided to go ahead, as the Bombay high court had not ordered a stay. Bids for the DRP opened in November, and Adani Realty, with a bid of 5,069 crore, was declared the winner. The DLF group, another frontrunner, had submitted a bid of 2,025 crore.

Also Read: Adani says he is planning to convert Mumbai's Dharavi into a modern city hub

Significantly, no other company was eligible for the final bid. In 2018-19, the Dubai-based Seclink group had emerged as the highest bidder with a bid of 7,200 crore. The Adani group lost to Seclink, as it had bid 4,500 crore. However, the bidding process was later cancelled, following which the Seclink group filed a case in the HC, challenging the governments decision.
Mumbai: Mental health related deaths in Maharashtra have been increasing since 2019, according to data with the state health department. The number of deaths in 2019 was 26, while in 2022, the number stood at 1073. Thane Mental Hospital

All 26 deaths in 2019 were due to schizophrenia and delusional disorders. But in subsequent years, mental and behavioural disorders due to psychoactive substance use constituted a major reason for death. Out of 1171 deaths in 2020, 530 were related to psychoactive substance use. In 2021, 740 out of 1190 deaths were related to psychoactive substance use, whereas in 2022, 636 out of 1073 deaths were related to psychoactive substance use.

Dr Swapnil Lale, assistant director, health services said the state has decided to step-up mental health services by embracing a three-level approach  strengthening mental health services at district hospitals, training MBBS doctors at primary healthcare centres (PHCs) to conduct psychiatric evaluations, and providing free mental health services through tele-MANAS.

We have set up mental health services in all 36 district hospitals, wherein each district hospital has a psychiatrist, a social worker, a clinical psychologist and a nurse trained in psychiatry. Their job is to undertake outreach services in various community health centres, rural hospitals, and sub-district hospitals, said Dr Lale.

These teams also train MBBS doctors at PHCs for psychiatric evaluations. This is to diagnose common psychiatric illnesses like anxiety and depression. The focus is on common and mild psychiatric illnesses with the aim of improving productivity. Out of 1930 PHCs, we have converted 1670 PHCs into MahaShakti clinics, said Dr Lale.

He stated that they had completed more than 30,000 unique calls till date.

It is a specialised psychiatric teleconsultation service launched last year and we are proud to be the second in the country in terms of number of calls, he said.

The state health department is also planning to start assisted home services for mental health.

We have submitted a proposal to the centre and are awaiting budget clearance. We felt the need to have assisted home services for mental health as after going home, many need home services. We will be involving the PHCs, community health workers, auxiliary nurses, and doctors who will be visiting homes for follow-ups, said Dr Lale.

Dr Avinash Desousa, former president of Bombay Psychiatric Society (BPS) said it is good that the state has bifurcated the mental health related deaths.

It is never the psychiatric condition per say that is a cause of death. I cant say someone died of schizophrenia but it is generally the neglect of self that happens which leads to the death scenario, he said.

Appreciating the steps taken by the state government on mental health issues, Dr Desousa said they have been proactive. Mental health cases have gone up over the last few years. We need enough healthcare professionals in private and public health care, he said.

The health department is also upgrading the mental health hospital in Thane.

The state government recently sanctioned two new mental health hospitals  one in Kolhapur and another in Jalna. It also approved renovating and upgrading the Thane Mental Hospital, which was in a dilapidated state, said Dr Lale.

Maharashtra has four mental hospitals out of which Thane is the second largest with 1850 beds  1,050 for men and 800 for women. All four hospitals were built in the pre-independence era. Dr Lale said it would take 4-5 years to complete the renovation work.

The renovated mental hospital at Thane will have 3000 beds and it will be on the lines of NIMHANS. We are planning to have an academic block too and start an MPhil course in clinical psychology. The academic block will benefit all the departments of psychiatrists of the five medical colleges in Mumbai too, he said.
Mumbai: Ranjit Hoskote, Mumbai-based curator, writer and art critic, resigned from the finding committee for the upcoming Documenta 16 in Germany after the countrys culture minister Claudia Roth threatened to withdraw state funding for the global art event, and called a 2019 statement to which Hoskote was a signatory clearly anti-semitic. The statement resurfaced in an article published by a German daily in an article last week. Ranjit Hoskote, wrongly accused of anti-semitism, resigns from Documenta 16 finding committee

On November 9, Suddeutsche Zeitung published a piece referring to a petition circulated by BDS, a coalition of Palestinian civil society  BDS refers to Boycott Divestment Sanction, a multi-pronged strategic intervention towards Israel for its occupation of Palestinian territory  which criticised the Israeli Consulate for an event it had organised on August 26, 2019 in Mumbai titled, Leaders idea of nation in the context of Zionism and Hindutva.

The petition decried Zionism as a racist ideology calling for a settler-colonial, apartheid state where non-Jews have unequal rights and called for democratic and progressive forces in India to align their struggles with that of the Palestinians. The poster of the event, co-organised by a little-known group called Indo-Israel Friendship Association showcased the photos of Theodor Herzl and VD Savarkar.

My reason for signing this petition was because the event clearly posited an equivalence between Herzl and Savarkar, and was intended to develop intellectual respectability for an alliance between Zionism and Hindutva. I found this highly ironic, since Savarkar was known to be an admirer of Hitler and openly expressed his admiration for Nazi ideology and methods, which he proposed as a model for a Hindu-majoritarian India to follow, especially with regard to the treatment of the religious minorities. No member of the German commentariat who denounced me has asked herself or himself why the Israeli Consulate General thought it appropriate to equate Zionism with Hindutva in the first place, Hoskotes resignation letter, dated November 12, stated.

The German daily accused Hoskote, a noted progressive whose views against the impact of fascism and authoritarian regimes are notable through his writings as much as through his art practice, of BDS sympathies and anti-Semitism.

The Finding Committee of Documenta 16 consisted of five international experts in contemporary art besides Hoskote, including Bracha Lichtenberg Ettinger, Gong Yan, Simon Njami, Kathrin Rhomberg, and Maria Ines Rodriguez. Ettinger resigned from the committee earlier this month stating that Israel was enduring dark times. The e-Flux Notes, a website for art-related news, which published Hoskotes resignation letter stated that Documenta was to ensure that the members of the new Finding Committee, and particularly the next artistic director(s), held no BDS sympathies.

I wish to restate that I have the highest regard for the Jewish people, and have always had the deepest empathy with their historic sufferings and admiration for their glorious cultural achievements. This is evident in my essays, my lectures and my books. I am appalled by the accusation that I am anti-Semitic, and the suggestion that I am in need of instruction on this sensitive subject, wrote Hoskote in his resignation.
VARANASI Varanasi Commissionerate police dismantled a criminal gang allegedly involved in coercing teenage girls and women into donating their eggs for financial gain. The arrest of four individuals -- including Anmol Jaiswal (29) from Sonbhadra, Anita Devi (34) from Khojawan in Varanasi, and the couple Seema Devi (30) and Ashish Kumar (35) from Jaitpura, Varanasi -- has been made so far in the case. Women were allegedly made to donate eggs at an IVF centre in Varanasi . (Representational photo)

The arrests were made after a complaint was filed on October 29 by a woman who alleged that her daughter, under the influence of Seema Devi, had been made to donate eggs at an IVF centre in Varanasi in exchange for a promised amount of 30,000. However, the victim received only 11,500.

A thorough investigation led to the registration of a case against the accused under various sections of the Indian Penal Code, including kidnapping, cheating, forgery, exploitation of a trafficked person, as well as sections of the Aadhaar Card Act (2016) and the Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART) Act (2021).

Assistant commissioner of police, Kotwali, Amit Kumar Pandey, directed the women police station to handle the inquiry. Inspector Nikita Singh, heading the Women Police Station, discovered that Seema and her husband had coerced a 17-year-old girl into donating eggs by promising her 30,000. To disguise her age, Anmol Jaiswal fraudulently altered the girls Aadhaar card, while Seema and Ashish dressed her as a married woman to avoid suspicion during the visit to the IVF centre.

Further investigation uncovered the involvement of three additional individuals, leading to the arrest of all four accused.Deputy Commissioner of Police, Kashi Zone, RS Gautam, revealed that the gang targeted economically weaker teenage girls, luring them with promises of money for egg donation. Subsequently, the gang produced fake documents and took the victims to a prominent IVF centre in the city, where they donated eggs that were later sold to childless couples at exorbitant prices.

The mother of one victim is now calling for the arrest of hospital staff associated with the gang and the cancellation of their licenses.
Marigolds cultivated in Eastern Uttar Pradeshs farms entered the international market with a consignment of 400 kg of marigolds exported to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) on Wednesday. Purvanchals marigold gets international market (HT Photo)

The chairman of the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), Abhishek Dev, virtually flagged off the consignment, which was sent by air from Lal Bahadur Shashtri International Airport in Varanasi.

During the virtual flag-off ceremony, APEDA chairman Abhishek Dev mentioned the immense potential for agricultural product exports from Uttar Pradesh. Reaffirming APEDAs commitment to fostering international market linkages, Dev stated, We have planned to integrate more farmer producer organisations (FPOs) into the agricultural export supply chain.

APEDA Uttar Pradesh (UP), Uttarakhand and Bihar in-charge deputy general manager, Dr CB Singh, said that, in close collaboration with the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, APEDA has taken several initiatives to boost agri-produce exports from Eastern UP. As a result, vegetables and mangoes have been exported to Arabian and European countries.

Dr Singh noted that marigold flowers have now been exported to the UAE from Varanasi. APEDAs regional wing in Varanasi coordinated with FPOs and linked them with exporters to facilitate the shipment smoothly to the UAE.

The FPO involved in the backward supply chain is M/s Madhujansa Fed Farmer Producer Organisation Ltd. based in Varanasi, according to Dr Singh.

The export has benefitted marigold growers because the exporter bought marigold flowers at the rate of 60 per kg, whereas, in the local market, marigold flowers rates fluctuate between 40 to 50 per kg.

The Varanasi region, which had negligible agri-exports due to a lack of basic infrastructure until a few years ago, is now abuzz with activities, giving a boost to exports.

Singh added that after the intervention of APEDA, the Varanasi region has recorded exemplary changes in the export scenario and registered many first-of-its-kind achievements in a very short span of time.

Currently, the Varanasi region has a number of exporters, and agricultural product exports are being undertaken through the air route due to the establishment of a robust quarantine as well as customs clearance facilitation center at Lal Bahadur Shastri International (LBSI) Airport.

APEDA has organised more than 30 capacity-building programs in the entire Varanasi region, followed by eight international buyer-seller meets, providing a platform for exporters to market their food products globally, said Dr Singh.

The Purvanchal region has seen a surge in demand for its perishable products, leading to a 248% increase in agricultural product exports in Q1 2022-23 compared to the same period last year. The region has become a preferred export destination for horticultural products, catering to Gulf countries, European nations, Nepal and Bangladesh.
Two Pakistani nationals including a woman and her minor son, were detained by the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) while they were trying to enter the Indian territory through Indo-Nepal border in Bihars Kishanganj on Wednesday evening. Police have lodged an FIR (first information report) on the basis of the statement of the SSB official. (Representative file image)

After preliminary investigation, SSB handed the duo over to Kishanganj police for further investigation.

During routine checking on Pani Tanki BOP (Border Outpost), SSB personnel stopped a woman and her son and asked for documents. When they failed to produce the documents, they were frisked and found out that they were citizens of Pakistan.

The arrested persons have been identified,. They are residents of Gahanmar Street, Sarafa Market Karachi in Pakistan.

Also Read: Notorious drug peddler detained

We have handed over the duo to Kishanganj police after preliminary investigation, SSB officials said on the condition of anonymity adding that They were coming from Nepal and we stopped them and asked for documents failing which we detained them.

Rahul Kumar, station house officer (SHO) of Galgalia police station in Kishanganj said, Interrogation with the Pakistani nationals is underway and till now we have not found out their real purpose in connection with their entry into India.

Meanwhile, police have lodged an FIR (first information report) on the basis of the statement of the SSB official in connection with their illegal entry.
As Diwali coincided with the weekend and beyond, there was a heavy rush at tourist spots across Pune district like Mahabaleshwar, Lonavla and various forts even as hotel rates at these destinations witnessed a hike. The extended weekend starting November 11 saw Punekars making plans to visit tourist spots including Mahabaleshwar, Lonavla, Kolhapur, Konkan and the various forts in Pune district. Many people visited old Mahabaleshwar to soak in the scenic beauty of Bhushi Dam and other places. (HT FILE PHOTO)

Suryakant Jadhav, vice-president, Mahabaleshwar Hotel Owners Association, said, Mahabaleshwar was crowded over the weekend, especially the waterfalls and Vena Lake. Also, many people visited old Mahabaleshwar to soak in the scenic beauty of Bhushi Dam and other places. Even the hotel rates went up by 40% as compared to usual off-season rates.

Keshav Jamage, owner of a three-star hotel in Mahabaleshwar, said, All 24 of our rooms were booked for the last five days and hotel accommodation rates saw a hike. There was a heavy rush of tourists from all over Maharashtra and other states to enjoy the long weekend.

Sachin Tandale, manager at a private resort in Lonavla, said, There were huge celebrations at tourist spots in Lonavla, and there was a heavy rush of tourists coming from Pune and Mumbai. The whole of Lonavla and its tourist spots were packed with public.

Shailesh Kshirsagar, a citizen, said, We visited the Konkan belt and nearby places of pilgrimage with the family for the last four days as there were continuous holidays till Wednesday. We started our journey on Saturday morning and had done the hotel bookings for the next four days in advance to avoid any problems.

The ghat section of the Pune-Mumbai expressway saw traffic jams as many people travelled between the two cities over the weekend.
Aligning with the recommendations of the National Education Policy 2020, Centurion University of Technology and Management which is based in Odisha, is offering the Four-Year Undergraduate Program (FYUP) through its School of Undergraduate Studies, in the 2023-24 academic session. According to an official press release by Centurion University of Technology and Management, the FYUP is implemented across major disciplines.(Representational)

According to an official press release by Centurion University of Technology and Management, the FYUP is implemented across major disciplines, such as Botany, Chemistry, Mathematics, Physics, Zoology, Business Administration, Commerce, Computer Applications and Information Technology.

Also Read: Making headway into the higher education sector in India, the rise of Edtech business models

The four-year UG program entails an extensive curriculum to equip students with the skills and knowledge essential for excellence in the 21st century. The program provides ample opportunities for students to engage in experiential learning and in research projects, pursue internships, and benefit from industry collaborations. It also allows for participation in social activities, which would not only enhance their employability but also provide them a sense of social responsibility and make them global citizens aligned to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)," said Centurion University Vice Chancellor Prof Supriya Pattanayak.

According to the University, the program aims to provide maximum flexibility in terms of choice of disciplines of study. Students are also allowed to move from one discipline of study to another which would help them to decide their own semester-wise academic load while learning at their pace, to a considerable extent.
Registrations for the 18th All India Bar Examination (AIBE XVIII or AIBE 18, 2023) will close today, November 16. Law Graduates can apply for this certification exam on the website allindiabarexamination.com. They can also visit the Bar Council of India (BCI) website, barcouncilofindia.org for updates. AIBE XVIII: 18th All India Bar Examination registration ends today (Representational image)(Unsplash)

The application deadline was extended last month.

As per the revised schedule, the deadline of making payment of the examination fee is November 17. The last date of making corrections to the application form is November 19.

Admit cards will be available for downloading from December 1 to 5 and the exam will be held on December 10.

To pass the AIBE 18 examination, a candidate need to score at least 45 per cent marks if s/he belongs to OBC or open category. For SC, ST and disabled candidates, the minimum pass marks is 40 per cent.

Direct link to register and apply for AIBE XVIII

How to register for AIBE 18 2023

Go to the official website, allindiabarexamination.com.

On the home page, open the AIBE XVIII registration link.

Go to new user registration.

Enter the asked details and submit.

Now, login with your credentials.

Fill the application form.

Upload documents, if required and make payment.

Submit your form and save the final page for future uses.
There is no denying the fact that English as a language of communication enjoys a pride of place in India owing basically to the multi-lingual demographic structure of the country. It is no wonder, therefore, that English continues to be a mandatory component of the academic curriculum of educational institutions across campuses in India. It is also seen as the language of upward mobility, and opportunity. The most common problems in English writing and threir remedies(Representational Image: Pixabay/mozlase__)

Understandably, therefore, there is no brunch of formal knowledge, whether it be from the streams of arts, commerce, or science, that doesnt depend on English as a medium of expression. All texts relating to higher studies are necessarily dependent on the English language.

Yet notwithstanding the immense significance of the language, users from different academic institutions continue to suffer from speaking and writing the language as fluently as they ought to have. Some of the most common errors that are committed by the learners and users of the language relate to such grammatical components as the use of prepositions, clauses, conjunctions, and subject-verb agreement.

Dr Gautam Sarma, an academician and a former professor at Cotton University in Guwahati, reflecting on the situation, said, The basic problem associated with the use of English emanates from the inadequate teaching-learning methods of the language in the vernacular medium schools of most of the states.

He added that as English is not taught with the kind of importance it deserves but is merely taught as any other subject in the curriculum, learners continue to suffer from the fear and accompanying deficiency of using the language appropriately.

Now, lets look at some of the most fundamental errors often witnessed in the use of English and their correct use:

Inadequate use of prepositions

Incorrect: What is the time in your watch?

Correct: What is the time by your watch?

Incorrect: He was angry at me

Correct: He was angry with me

2. Run-on sentences which refer to the use of two or more independent clauses combined incorrectly

Incorrect: I was too tired to walk, I had to attend the meeting anyway.

Correct: I was too tired to walk but I had to attend the meeting anyway.

Incorrect: I was enjoying the movie, I was forced to leave in the middle.

Correct: I was enjoying the movie but was forced to leave in the middle.

3. Subject-verb agreement

Incorrect: One of the boys in our class never do his homework.

Correct: One of the boys in our class never does his homework.

Incorrect: A friend of mine have invited us to his birthday party tonight.

Correct: A friend of mine has invited us to his birthday party tonight.

4. Inappropriate use of commas

Incorrect: David has left for London, for higher studies

Correct: David has left for London for higher studies

Incorrect: Man by common consent is a slave of passion.

Correct: Man, by common consent, is a slave of passion.

5. Use of between and among

Incorrect: Among Suraj and Nikhil, Suraj is more studious.

Correct: Between Suraj and Nikhil, Suraj is more studious.

Incorrect: Amit has always been the best student between his classmates.

Correct: Amit has always been the best student among his classmates.
State Bank of India will begin the registration process for SBI Clerk Recruitment 2023 on November 17, 2023. Candidates who want to apply for Junior Associate (Customer Support & Sales) in clerical cadre can do it through the official website of SBI at sbi.co.in. SBI Clerk Recruitment 2023: Registration begins tomorrow, heres how to apply (Mint)

The last date to apply is till December 7, 2023. The preliminary examination will be conducted in January 2024 and the main examination in February 2024.

Candidates who want to apply for the post should have graduation in any discipline from a recognised University or equivalent qualification recognised as such by Central Government. The age limit should be between 20 years to 28 years of age.

SBI Clerk Recruitment 2023: How to apply

To apply for the post, candidates can follow the steps given below.

Visit the official website of SBI at sbi.co.in.

Click on SBI Clerk Recruitment 2023 link available on the home page.

Enter the registration details and click on submit.

Fill the application form and make the payment of application fees.

Click on submit and download the page.

Keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

The application fees is 750/- for General/ OBC/ EWS category. SC/ ST/ PwBD/ ESM/DESM are exempted from payment of application fees.
SBI PO Prelims Result 2023 Live: State Bank of India has announced SBI PO Prelims Result 2023. Candidates who have appeared for the preliminary examination can check the results through the official website of SBI at sbi.co.in. SBI PO Prelims result 2023 live updates: Direct link to check scorecards on sbi.co.in

The commission also informed that the Main examination of SBI PO recruitment 2023 will be held on December 5 and call letters or admit cards will be issued shortly.

SBI PO Prelims result 2023 link

The online preliminary examination was conducted in November 2023. Those candidates who will qualify the prelims exam will be eligible to appear for the main examination. This recruitment drive will fill up 2000 posts in the organization. Follow the blog for latest updates on results, scorecard and other details.
For the first time, a team of researchers from the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Guwahati and the UR Rao Satellite Centre of the Indian Space Research Centre (ISRO) have detected polarized emissions from a black hole source that exists beyond our Milky Way Galaxy. In a first, IIT Guwahati, ISRO researchers detect X-Ray Polarization in Extragalactic black hole(via REUTERS)

Led by Professor Santabrata Das from IIT Guwahati and Dr Anuj Nandi from URSC, the team used a technique called X-ray polarimetry to make this discovery. Other members of the team are Seshadri Majumder (IIT) and Ankur Kushwaha (URSC), IIT Guwahati said in a press statement.

These findings open a new window to investigate and understand the nature of astrophysical black hole sources, it said.

The team observed Large Magellanic Cloud X-3 (LMC X3), a binary star system consisting of a black hole and a normal star that is "much hotter, bigger, and more massive than the Sun".

The system is located in a satellite galaxy of the Milky Way, nearly 2,00,000 light years away from planet Earth, the institute said.

Since its discovery in 1971, it has been observed by various satellites. However, there has been a gap in understanding the polarization properties of X-rays emitted by highly energetic objects like stellar mass black holes in the universe, IIT Guwahati said.

The researchers studied LMC X-3 using The Imaging X-ray Polarimetry Explorer (IXPE), NASAs first mission to study polarization of X-rays from celestial objects, it added.

They also used simultaneous broad-band coverage of the Neutron Star Interior Composition Explorer (NICER) Mission and the Nuclear Spectroscopic Telescope Array (NuSTAR) Mission to constrain the spin of LMC X-3, it added.

Highlighting the importance of this research, Prof Das said, X-ray polarimetry is a unique observational technique to identify where radiation comes from near black holes. LMC X-3 emits X-rays that are 10,000 times more powerful than those from the Sun. When these X-rays interact with the material around black holes, specifically when they scatter, it changes the polarization characteristics, i.e. degree and angle. This helps in understanding how matter is drawn toward black holes in the presence of intense gravitational forces.

Das is a faculty member in the Department of Physics, IIT Guwahati.

Speaking about this novel finding, Dr Nandi, Scientist at URSC, said Intense gravitational fields can cause the emitted light from black holes to become polarized. Our observations indicate that LMC X-3 likely harbours a black hole with a low rotation rate, surrounded by a slim disc structure that gives rise to the polarized emissions.

The study has been published in the Monthly Notices of the Royal Astronomical Society: Letters and was funded by the Science and Engineering Research Board (SERB), Department of Science and Technology, India.
As the Shibuya arc unfolds in Jujutsu Kaisen season two, the anime has become a cultural sensation, yet recent revelations on social media indicate a storm brewing behind the scenes. Despite its current popularity, animators and directors involved in the production are voicing concerns about the intense workload and challenging production schedule. Jujutsu Kaisen Season Two faces backlash over working conditions.(MAPPA)

Arai Kazuto, a director on the show, shared his distress on social media, stating, "Bad news has come in, and I'm very overwhelmed. This is the most boring end I can think of. Ah, the party is over. Yes, let's disband. Disband." Such candid expressions of frustration from key staff members raise serious questions about the sustainability of the current pace.

The situation escalated further as episode 17 approached, with other artists like Amphibi posting a cryptic "the end" with a skull emoji, and Okubo Shunsuke sharing sketches depicting the exhaustion and strain faced by animators. Some took a subtler approach, retweeting criticisms of the studio's harsh work environment.

Honehone, known for whistle-blowing on MAPPA Studios in the past, shared a damning post on Twitter, shedding light on the relentless expectations placed on the staff. "The entire staff somehow manages to complete a project on a schedule that would normally be impossible to meet, while raising hell, and then the people above them who only see the results say, 'What the hell, we can do it!' and fail to make improvements," expressed the artist.

Despite the visual brilliance of Jujutsu Kaisen season two, these revelations underscore the toll taken on its creators. The concerns expressed by the production team suggest that the anime may not be able to maintain its high standards if the current working conditions persist.

As fans, it's essential to acknowledge the challenges faced by the talented individuals bringing Jujutsu Kaisen to life. While we revel in the captivating narrative and stunning animation, it's crucial to advocate for the well-being of the creators who make it all possible.
As the curtains close on the epic tale of the Scout Regiment in Attack on Titan, the resonance of its impactful themes continues to echo. The renowned band behind one of the anime's most powerful tracks, "The Rumbling," is gearing up to tour North America next year, bringing the essence of the series' grand finale to fans across the continent. SiM's 'The Rumbling' Tour brings Attack on Titan's Grand Finale to North America.

"The Rumbling," not just a musical masterpiece, was also the ominous name of the army of Colossal Titans lying dormant within Paradis' walls. Sim, the band responsible for this iconic track, perfectly encapsulated the terror and power of the Rumbling, mirroring Eren Jaeger's emotional turmoil as he executed his genocidal plan.

Sim's upcoming North American tour promises fans an immersive experience, allowing them to relive the pivotal moments of Attack on Titan.

Sim's upcoming North American tour promises fans an immersive experience, allowing them to relive the pivotal moments of Attack on Titan. The tour, scheduled from April to May next year, will span across the country, offering enthusiasts a chance to connect with the series on a profound level.

Tickets for this electrifying performance go on sale this week, starting November 15th. Fans can secure their spots by visiting the official website and using the code CRUNCHYROLL.

While the anime may have concluded, there's one more tale in store for fans of the Scout Regiment. Creator Hajime Isayama is set to release a new artbook next year, unveiling not only captivating artwork but also a fresh narrative within the beloved Attack on Titan universe. While details of the new story remain shrouded in mystery, Isayama has hinted at it by focusing on the enigmatic Captain Levi.

As Attack on Titan's legacy lives on through SiM's tour and Isayama's upcoming artbook, fans can continue to delve into the rich tapestry of this iconic anime, celebrating its impact on the anime world for years to come.
Canadian television personality and actor Antoni Porowski shared his thoughts on Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's budding romance, reported People. "I couldn't be happier," the Queer Eye cast member told People at an Expedia Group's Unpack '24: The Trends in Travel Dinner. Also read: Travis Kelce breaks silence on Taylor Swift changing Karma lyrics for him during concert in Argentina Antoni Porowski is friends with Taylor Swift.

"I'm very supportive. She's an incredible, formidable woman who's managing to tour the world over.""My hopes for them as a couple are that they just continue to be really happy and to enjoy this moment and all the future moments to come," he added.

Antoni Porowski was spotted with Taylor Swift as she attended her second Kanas City Chiefs game when they played the Jets in New York. She entered the building with Porowski along with Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, Hugh Jackman and Sabrina Carptenter. Porowski told People that he's a huge Chiefs fan. He added that he developed a connection to the city after filming episodes of Queer Eye there, according to People.

"I got to really get to know Kansas City," he shared. "We were there in the beginning of the pandemic and I ended up staying four months there and then coming back."

He added, "So I really made so many friends that were there to feel like you're actually a citizen of the place and you get to find your local spots. It's a completely different, unique experience that I wouldn't have in anything else that I've ever done in my life, which it's like a long-term travel," reported People.

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I know. I'd miss me too. I'm Fantastic. Along with four other shows, Netflix has cancelled what was deemed as its best series-Shadow and Bone.

This seems like something the show would say to us now that we know we ain't seeing any more of it. Along with four other shows, Netflix has cancelled what was deemed as its best series-Shadow and Bone.

Now that the Hollywood strikes are over, streaming services have to make decisions about their existing properties, with the rising costs of production, and hiring actors and writers, they have to cut down costs from one place or another.

Well, the show will not be back for a third season as the streaming platform revealed its cancellation. The fantasy series has been adapted from Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse novels, the first season brought in big money for the streaming giant, even spawning a video game spin-off. However, season two underperformed in a major way, which seems to be the reason for the cancellation of the next unit.

The author of the series, Leigh, took to Instagram to share the news and her feelings about it: I'm heartbroken and deeply disappointed but I'm also trying to hold onto my very real gratitude. Most authors never get to see their work adapted. Many who do end up regretting the experience. Im one of the very few who can look at an adaptation with pride and tremendous joy.

Additionally, a Six of Crows spin-off, starring Kaz and his merry band was also in the works but has been canned alongside the series.

Cancelled along are three animated shows- Agent Elvis, Farzar, and Captain Fall, and live-action comedy-drama Glamorous.

As usual, fans have not taken kindly to the show's cancellation. Many have taken to social media to express their rage over the same.

Can't say I'm surprised. Netflix can't recognize a fantastic show even if it slaps them across the face. I hope another streaming service or network picks these projects up, commented a fan under Leigh's post.

Oh, no :( I always feared this would happen with Netflix's habit of dropping great shows after two seasons... So sad that they dropped this one. But we'll always have those two seasons, and your wonderful books  added another.
She was the first S Korean actress to win the Creative Arts Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actress for Squid Games in 2022. After scripting history, Lee You Mi now showcases her superhuman strength in SLLs recent hit Strong Girl Nam-Soon. (Also read: Exclusive interview: Thai heartthrob Bright wants to play Ranveer Singhs Rocky Randhawa) Lee You-Mi would love to have Nam-soon's super speed. (Pictures: SLL)

A spin-off of the popular 2017 series Strong Girl Bong-soon.

Lee You Mi is Nam Soon, a girl with indomitable strength, a characteristic that only the women in her family possess. Lost as a child in Mongolia, she returns home to South Korea to find her parents, but realises things are not as she imagined them to be. She, along with her mother played by Kim Jung Eun and cop Kang Hee-sik (Ong Seong-wu), get caught in a messy battle involving a drug cartel and the formidable mafioso Ryu Shi Oh (Byeon Woo Seok).

In an exclusive interview with The Hindustan Times, Lee You Mi talks about headlining Nam Soon, her love for Indian films and what would she do if she turned into her character.

We last spoke soon after your Emmy Win, what has the year been like for you?

Lee You Mi: Ive been shooting JTBCs Strong Girl Nam-soon as well as Netflixs Mr. Plankton, thanks to those, Im having another happy year while growing every day.

You have effortlessly carried Nam Soon on your shoulders and the show has been wholesomely entertaining. Was there any nervousness or anticipation coming into the show, given the popularity of Strong Girl Bong-Soon, and the comparisons that are bound to happen?

Lee You Mi: Since Strong Girl Bong-Soon received a lot of love and was a great piece, I enjoyed it too. I was nervous, under the pressure that I too should be able to pull it off and carry the good series forward. On the other hand, also curious and anticipated the acting involving fantasy elements.

Nam Soon is an endearing character, she is loyal, has a funny sense of humour and her indomitable strength. What was it like playing her, and how did she challenge you as an actor? Are there any similarities between you as a person and Nam Soon?

Lee You Mi: I did lots of wire action scenes, and I can say that I became a master of the wire while playing Nam-soon because she is a character with superhuman strength DNA. I reckon that I did many new challenges that I cant easily experience as an actor. It was pleasant to perform wild action, Mongolian, and pureness together (laughs).

Your chemistry with both your co-actors Byeon Woo Seok and Ong Seong Wu is amazing. What was it like working together?

Lee You Mi: Both actors Ong Seong-wu, and Byeon Woo-Seok, are fun people when you get to know them. As they were around my age, I felt more comfortable with them. So whilst on set, we chatted and joked around a lot while waiting for shoots. It was an enjoyable set for me, thanks to those two actors.

Most enjoyable scene in the show and the one that challenged you most?

Lee You Mi: The most enjoyable scene and the most challenging scene was the same while I was working on Strong Girl Nam-soon. It was a scene where Nam-soon saw that the fire break out and leapt inside the building to save the children and then happened to meet her mother. Since it was my first time with the wire action, it was a massive challenge for me. I think this kind of challenge made me most joyful as well.

If you could be Nam Soon for a day, what would you do?

Lee You Mi: I want to utilize Nam-soons terrific speed. Ive been travelling to several provinces to shoot my next project these days because there is a lot of traffic and it takes a long time to go, Ive been thinking If I ran like Nam-soon, wouldnt I already have gotten there?, I want to have Nam-soons speed.

You have been part of three hugely popular shows in the last two years, Squid Game, All Of Us Are Dead and now Strong Girl Nam Soon. What are the kinds of roles and stories you are looking forward to?

Lee You Mi: I would like to play a character that represents another challenge that I havent experienced before. There are so many roles that I havent done and so many things that I want to do that its hard to pick one right now.

Since the world cannot get enough of Korean Dramas, is it exciting times for actors and has it opened more opportunities in terms of storytelling?

Lee You Mi: I felt it with Squid Game, and after that, I am feeling it a lot more, in some way, I reckon that it is a really exciting time for an actor. I am pleased that the efforts made by all the staff members related to shows and actors on set are recognized by more people. Also, Korean dramas are getting attention worldwide which has led to more opportunities in terms of acting, and characters across various genres and created a thriving environment, which is pleasant to be part of.

India loves K Dramas and K Food, are you familiar with Indian films, have you tried Indian Food?

Lee You Mi: I think the works with Indias dance and songs were already so much loved in Korea. As both Korea and India have fun (in Korean, Heung) in common, I guess I feel close to India. I enjoyed the movie 3 Idiots and liked it. It was an amusing movie and left an impression.

Even though I havent been to India yet, the Indian curry was so delicious. I enjoy eating it and am very curious about how it tastes when eating locally.

Describe Lee You Mi the actor in one word.

Lee You Mi: Gimbap (Korean seaweed roll). It is my favourite food. As it has different flavours, and before you try it, there is always a curiosity What would this Gimbap taste like? I want to be the actor who gives the curiosity and anticipation at the same time like, What kind of acting will Lee You-mi perform in this piece?, What kind of person is Lee You-mi?

When not working, what is it you enjoy the most?

Lee You Mi: Since I am a homebody, I tend to spend my time doing many things at home like watching animations and movies. I like going to good restaurants as well, so sometimes I joyfully spend holidays eating delicious food outside.

What are you looking forward to in 2024?

Lee You Mi: In 2023, I met the audience with the fantastic title, Strong Girl Nam-soon, and in 2024, Im expecting more grown me in every aspect than now. I hope I can be a better person and an actor.

SLL one of the leading studios which gave us hits such as Reborn Rich, All Of Us Are Dead, My Liberation Notes has front-lined several hits this year as well, such as Doctor Cha, The Good Bad Mother, Daily Dose of Sunshine.

Strong Girl Nam Soon is available on Netflix.
In a recent tweet, actor Rubina Dilaik expressed her discomfort with the prolonged bursting of crackers during Diwali, after which social media users accused her of being anti-Hindu. The Bigg Boss 14 winner shares that the reason behind her outburst was that she has a "very smooth routine" otherwise. "I sleep around 8:30-9:00pm and wake up by 6:30 am. I do my puja, pre-natal yoga and begin my day. Especially for Diwali, we did our puja in the evening and met our friends." Rubina Dilaik on her diwali tweet

"Jaise sanaatan dharam mai kaha gaya hai, Diwali diyas and lights ka festival hai, hum bilkul vaise hi manaate hain bachpan se, isme kisi ke khilaaf kuch nahi tha tweet mai. Shaastron mai kahin nahi likha hai ki 10 din tak pataakhe phode jaate hain," the 34-year-old further adds.

The actor expresses her discomfort with the fireworks, stating, "What made me very uncomfortable was that from the past 5-6 nights, from sharp 10:30 pm till morning 4:00 am, people were bursting crackers." Dilaik, who is expecting her first baby with husband-actor Abhinav Shukla, also says that the impact on her well-being was bothersome. "I could not sleep for so many days. I am pregnant now and it is anyways difficult to get good sleep, I get two hours on an average every day. I saw that pattern and yesterday when I came back from work at night, I was feeling so physically and emotionally drained. Pichle 3-4 din se meri tabyat vaise hi kaafi kharaab chal rahi thi.

My social media is my own page, it is my personal thought process and I can mention it. It was unbelievable to see that people were threatening and criticising me. I didn't know ki logon ke mann mai itni nafrat hai. I realised yesterday that people can hate you for no reason. Illmouthed people coming and talking, my heart sank for a second."

She also clarifies that her intention was not to oppose the traditional celebrations but to address the inconvenience. "We all understand that puja and crackers bursting harr saal hota hai, I am not against that, but it should not be an inconvenience to others. There must be other pregnant women except me who must be facing similar issues, why do you have to burst crackers at night? People don't even care about their own neighbours," ends Dilaik.
A 39-year-old airline crew member, Praveen Arun Chowgule, has admitted to the murder of four members of a family, including a 12-year-old child, in Udupi. The suspect, a colleague of one of the victims, was apprehended from Belagavi district by a special team of police on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the police was granted a 14 days custody of the accused by a first additional court in Udupi. Praveen Arun Chowgule (HT Photo)

Udupi superintendent of police Arun K stated during a media briefing that Chowgule, an Air India cabin crew member based at Mangaluru airport, confessed to the crime during interrogation. He said that his intended target was Aynaz, who used to work along with Chowgule, but the other family members were killed as they tried to intervene. Chowgule, originally from Sangli in Maharashtra, had been residing in the area for several years and is married.

He was working at the Mangaluru airport as an Air India cabin crew. He is from Sangli in Maharashtra but has been living here for several years. He is a married man, the Udupi SP said.

Based on technical analysis and human intelligence, we detained the suspect. Udupi police took Chougule into custody from Kudachi police limits. When he was interrogated, he accepted that he had committed the murders. This afternoon [Tuesday], the arrest procedure was completed, Udupi SP added.

The crime took place in the Tripti Nagar area of Udupi taluk on Sunday, resulting in the stabbing deaths of Haseena (46) and her three children: Afnan (23), Aynaz (21), and Aseem (12). Another family member, Hajira (70), sustained stab injuries and is undergoing medical treatment.

When asked about the motive for the murder, the officer said that Chougule has given three to four motives and the police are verifying the claims. Even though an investigator privy to the probe indicated that the suspect was obsessed with his college Aynaz, the SP sought more time to verify the motive.

There are three or four motives that the accused has disclosed and we will verify these aspects. Since there are aspects regarding the victims family which could hurt or defame them, it would be better to confirm the statements of the accused before disclosure, SP Arun told reporters.

After the murders, Chowgule traveled to Kudachi in Belagavi to spend time and celebrate Diwali with his uncle, presenting himself as if everything was normal. The SP said they (the police) need to verify the suspects claim of prior service with the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and hinted that further investigations to determine if anyone assisted him in the crime are underway.

The assailant hired an auto from Santhekatte to Tripti Nagar around 8:30 am on Sunday and abruptly entered Hasinas house, stabbing four people with a knife. Aseem, the 12-year-old boy playing outside, rushed inside upon hearing the screams and was also attacked. The attacker, who stabbed five people in just fifteen minutes, managed to flee. Four people died on the spot, and Hajira (70) suffered serious injuries.

Chowgules health checkup took place at Ajekaru Primary Health Center, and he was brought to Udupi court under tight security. The First Additional Civil Judge and First Class Judicial Magistrate granted 14 days of police custody for further investigation, scheduled until November 28.
NEW DELHI: India on Thursday emphasised the need to avoid civilian casualties and to provide humanitarian aid to people caught up in the conflict in the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces continued a raid of the regions main medical complex for the second day. This handout picture released by the Israeli army on November 15, 2023, shows soldiers on an armed vehicle during a military operation at Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City. (AFP PHOTO / ISRAELI DEFENCE FORCES)

India initially condemned the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas and backed Israels right to defend itself, and it has since sought to adopt a more nuanced approach by calling for the observance of international humanitarian law and the avoiding of civilian casualties.

The issue is not about one facility or a specific facility. India has always underlined the need for civilian casualties to be avoided, for humanitarian law to be observed, and to encourage any efforts to provide humanitarian relief to those caught in the conflict, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a regular media briefing.

Bagchi was responding to a question on the raid by Israeli forces on al-Shifa Hospital on the ground that it harbours a Hamas facility. The raid follows intense bombardment of the northern part of Gaza, which has killed more than 11,400 people and injured another 29,000. More than 4,400 of the dead are children.

Israel has revised the death toll in the Hamas attacks on October 7 from 1,400 to 1,200. Hamas fighters also took some 200 people hostage during the attacks, which have been condemned by India and other countries.

Bagchi added: We have also, on the larger issue, talked about efforts to de-escalate the situation, deliver humanitarian assistance, our concern at the humanitarian [situation and] increasing civilian toll.

A man walks within the premises of Al Shifa hospital during the Israeli ground operation around the hospital, in Gaza City on November 12 (REUTERS)

India has sent 38 tonnes of humanitarian relief materials for the people of Gaza. We are looking to send more assistance, he said.

At the same time, India has strongly condemned the horrific terrorist attack of October 7 and reiterated its zero tolerance for terrorism. It has also called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, Bagchi said.

Palestinian officials have said there are 650 patients in al-Shifa Hospital, including 36 premature babies. They have said 40 patients, including three premature babies, have died since November 11 due to a lack of fuel to run generators. Among the dead in Gaza are more than 200 medical staff.

Responding to another question, Bagchi didnt rule out the possibility of the Israel-Hamas conflict figuring in the Voice of Global South Summit to be hosted virtually by India on November 17. He said leaders and ministers participating in the meeting would be free to raise the Israel issue even as he reiterated Indias call for de-escalation of the situation.
The Punjab Police has so far filed at least 350 first information reports (FIRs) against farmers for setting their paddy stubble on fire in contravention of the Supreme Courts orders. However, most of these FIRs are identical and have been registered against unknown people, found a preliminary analysis by HT as farm fires continued to rage across the agrarian state. Patiala DC Sakshi Sawhney and police personnel at a farm where paddy was set afire, on Thursday. (ANI)

Read here: Another big burst takes farm fire count to 30k in Punjab

HT analysed 30 FIRs registered at police stations across the states 23 districts, and found that all of them were filed with just one charge  under Section 188 of the Indian Penal Code (disobeying an order promulgated by a servant).

Similar common strands ran through the 30 FIRs  they only mentioned the locations of where the fire was spotted, with the same appendage that there is a ban on burning stubble, but the aforesaid farmer violated the norms by disobeying the official orders.

When contacted, several officers across the Punjab Police force involved in stamping out stubble fires said most of the 350 cases registered in the state were identical and named nobody, underscoring the state administrations inability to penalise cultivators who set their fire to their paddy stubble, consequently exacerbating the annual pollution crisis in the national capital.

No senior Punjab Police officer responded on record to HTs queries regarding the identical FIRs.

However, a senior officer who asked not to be named said it would be unwise to book farmers for burning paddy stalks. How can we book farmers for burning paddy straw? We have seen what farmer unions have done in Punjab. Do you think it will be wise to book farmers for burning straw? asked the police officer.

A senior Punjab government functionary said the state administration was under pressure from the farming community. Teams inspecting the fields have been facing huge resistance from them.

In any case, the 350 FIRs filed are a minor fraction of the number of fires that have already burnt across the state so far this winter.

According to state government data, Punjab has recorded 31,932 fires between September 30 and November 16 this year. Which means the police have taken action for just 1.09% of all fires lit across the states paddy fields in the weeks before the rabi sowing season.

The Supreme Court last Tuesday censured four state governments  Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh  and ordered them to put a stop to stubble burning which was resulting in the murder of young people in Delhi.

Punjab is the biggest contributor to farm fires in north India during the winter.

We want this stopped altogether whether you take forceful action or give incentives against burning of stubble but you have to stop it. We are at zero level patience in these issues. This has to be sorted tomorrow so that it does not happen next year, the Supreme Court bench said during the November 7 hearing.

That censure only had a temporary impact.

On November 7, when the Court delivered its directives, Punjab clocked 1,515 farm fires. The next day, this picked up to 2,003. On November 9, the number of fires suddenly fell to 639, as Punjab Police began pulling farmers up and registering cases against them. In fact, according to data accessed by HT, the Punjab government registered 253 FIRs against farmers fires on November 8 and 9 alone.

On November 10, this fell to just six, as rains kept farm fires across Punjab at bay. On November 11, it stayed a low 104.

But by Diwali day, as the crackdown on farmers began to taper off, 987 fires were reported on November 12. This number surged to 1,624 on November 13, then to 1,776 on November 14 and then 2,544 on November 15. the number dipped to 1,271 on Thursday, but this could be because almost 95% of the paddy fields have already been harvested or cleared.

Some officers also said the police will set about identifying people responsible for the farm fires after registering FIRs.

Read here: 144 farm fires takes Ludhianas count past 1,500

After registering the case, we will identify who the tiller of the land is, because plots are often leased or sub-contracted out in Punjab. We will go through the land records to ascertain who should be booked in the FIRs, a senior police officer who asked not to be named said.

Another police officer said: We need to ask: can any government afford to directly come in conflict with farmers, who carry such a huge sociopolitical importance?
Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on Thursday hit out at Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi over invoking Salman Khan-starrer 2003 film Tere Naam to attack Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the election rally in Datia.



Chouhan said that he did not expect Priyanka Gandhi to stoop so low by talking about actors and quoting films. "I didn't expect Priyanka Gandhi to stoop so low by talking about actors and quoting films and then saying that some movie should be made on PM Modi. Are elections done for acting? Is it for films? Is it done in the name of Salman Khan? It is done for issues of public and development...It shows that Congress is not serious..." Chouhan said. Madhya Pradesh chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan(HT File)

Addressing a rally in Datia on Wednesday, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra renewed the CryPM attack on the Prime Minister. She said that the PM of the country remains upset in his own pain permanently. Vadra equated PM Modi to actor Salman Khan's character in the film Tere Naam. She said, He went to Karnataka with a long list of abuses he faced...It seems like he keeps crying. Have you watched the movie 'Tere Naam' by Salman Khan? In that movie, Salman Khan keeps crying from start to end. I would suggest making a movie on PM Modi and name it 'Mere Naam (my name).

Madhya Pradesh will vote on Friday in a single phase election to elect its 230-member assembly. The counting of votes will take place on December 3.

(With inputs from ANI)
Buckle up for a rollercoaster ride through the heart of Indian democracy as five states  Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Telangana, Rajasthan, and Mizoram  prepare to chart their political destinies in the ongoing assembly elections. The electoral fervour has already gripped the nation, with Chhattisgarh, in 20 assembly seats, and Mizoram leading the charge by polling on November 7. The first phase of assembly elections for the 20 legislative assembly seats in Chhattisgarh was conducted on November 7.(PTI / Representational)

As the echoes of the first phase reverberate, Chhattisgarh gears up for the second and final phase, scheduled for tomorrow. Congress won the last assembly elections in Chhattisgarh, ending the BJP's 15-year rule in the tribal-dominated state.

Madhya Pradesh also enters the electoral arena tomorrow, ready to make a crucial choice between the ruling BJP and opposition Congress in a single-phase election. As the drama unfolds, stay tuned for breaking news, candidate spotlights, and the intricate details that shape the course of these elections.
The political fate of five states - Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Telangana, and Mizoram - will be decided this year with the upcoming assembly elections. With voting for the first phase of Chhattisgarh already over, eyes have now turned to the second phase of voting in the state on November 17 - the day Madhya Pradesh will also go to polls. Rajasthan and Telangana are set to go to polls on November 23 and 30 respectively, while Mizoram voted on November 7. The results for the five states will be declared on December 3. Assembly elections: Can you vote without a voter ID? Yes, here's how(PTI)

While the voter turnout is set to be on the higher side, can you vote without carrying a voter ID card? The answer is YES.

A citizen would need to register as a voter by filling and submitting - either online or online - Form-6 to the Electoral Registration Officer (ERO) of the particular assembly constituency. Once their name appears on the electoral roll, they can vote even without carrying a voter ID. However, either of the other documents will be required -

Driving license

Passport

Aadhar card

PAN card

MNREGA job card

Smart card issued by RGI under NPR

Passbook with a photograph issued by a state bank or post office

Service identity cards with photographs issued to employees by central/state govt./PSU/public limited company

Pension document with photograph

Health insurance smart cards issued under the scheme of the Ministry of Labour

Official identity cards issued to MPs/MLAs/MLCs, etc.

How to check if your name is on the electoral roll?
A 23-year-old Belagavi woman was taken into custody by the Parapana Agrahara police for making a hoax bomb threat call to a company in Bengaluru, where she had previously worked, police officers familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Shetty, a resident of Shahu Nagar in the Belagavi North assembly constituency, is a former employee of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Bengaluru

According to Belagavi superintend of police (SP) Bhimashankar Guled,After receiving the information on about threat call, Bengaluru police in collaboration with the Belagavi APMC police, visited the womans [identified as Shruti Shetty] residence, detained her and took her to Bengaluru for further investigation.

Shetty, a resident of Shahu Nagar in the Belagavi North assembly constituency, is a former employee of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) in Bengaluru and had made the hoax call to the same workplace. She had resigned from her position to pursue further education in 2021. According to the preliminary inquiry, the woman was denied re-employment at TCS and in anger, she made a hoax bomb call to the officelast week, said SP Guled.

After completing her education in August, Shruti applied for the same job at TCS, but her application was rejected. Angered by the rejection, she used her mothers cellphone to make a hoax bomb call to the office landline.

On Tuesday morning, employees inside the campus were evacuated after a bomb threat call was received at the B block. The local police in the Parappana Agrahara area were alerted, and a team, along with a bomb disposal squad, arrived at the scene to conduct an inspection. Following a thorough search by the bomb disposal squad and the dog squad, no suspicious items were found inside the complex.

Based on TCSs complaint, the Parapana Agrahara police identified the caller and travelled to the accuseds resident with women police personnel. After a preliminary investigation, Shruti confessed to making the hoax bomb call from her mothers phone. As her cellphone number was registered in the company staff record book, she used her mothers phone to call, explained the APMC police, who were present during the inquiry.

As the hoax bomb call was made from her mothers phone number, the Parapana Agrahara police has also issued a notice to her mother to attend an inquiry in Bengaluru next week.

Shruti had worked in the administrative department at TCS for two years and resigned after being assured of re-employment.
Two travellers, including a woman, were arrested and debarred from boarding a Goa-Bengaluru flight after the female passenger, during a security check, claimed that her partner was carrying a bomb in his bag, police officers familiar with the matter said on Wednesday. Both the passengers were headed to Bengaluru following their trip to Goa

According to the police, the two passengers have been identified as Atul Kumar Kevat (29) from Madhya Pradesh and Pritiya Jana (29) from Kolkata. Both the passengers were headed to Bengaluru following their trip to Goa.

Deputy superintendent of police Salim Shaikh said that the two passengers were apprehended by airport security staff at Goas Dabolim airport and later handed over to the police, as the statement led to the flight being delayed, a checking of all baggage before being cleared for take off.

It happened last night [Tuesday] at around 11:45pm. The woman said iske bag me bomb hai [there is a bomb in his bag], following which the staff was alerted and the security was informed. The security then didnt allow them to board the flight, Shaikh said.

Their bags were checked, security protocol was followed. The flight was cleared to take off only the following morning [Wednesday], he said.

A complaint has been filed by the Indigo Airport manager at Goas Dabolim Airport. We have received the complaint. The two passengers have been detained under section 505 of the Indian Penal Code [public mischief] and further investigations have been conducted, Shaikh added.
Congress MP Rahul Gandhi on Thursday hit out at the Bharatiya Janata Party, accusing it of transferring money into the pockets of industrialist Gautam Adani.



Narendra Modi had said - if black money is not erased, hang me...During Corona, Narendra Modi told you - turn on your mobile phone torches, clang utensils. People were dying across the country, there was no oxygen or medicines. Narendra Modi came and said that COVID is here, people are dying, clang your utensils now," Gandhi said at a rally in poll-bound Rajasthan's Churu.



On the other hand, here was Bhilwara model. Utensils were being clanged here and food packet was being distributed to houses in Rajasthan; medicines were being distributed and patients were being saved. Why? Because we run a government of the poor, farmers and workers...Congress party's work is to transfer money into the pockets of the poor. They transfer money into the pockets of Adani," he added.



ALSO READ: 'Jitna paisa Modi Adani ko deta hai...: Rahul Gandhi's retort to 'moorkh' jibe Congress MP Rahul Gandhi accused the Modi government of destroying small businessman through demonetisation.(PTI file)

During the rally, Gandhi invoked GST implementation and 2016 demonetisation move to attack the prime minister. Here, we run a government of the poor, we protect you. Narendra Modi implemented GST. For the first time in India, farmers have to pay taxes. He did demonetisation and finished all small businessmen."



Wherever you see, Adani is doing some or the other business - airports, ports, cement plants, roads are all his. So, he works for the rich. He helps Adani, Adani earns money and that money is used abroad. Foreign companies are purchased, he added.



ALSO READ: 'Moorkhon ke sardar': PM Modi's veiled jab at Rahul Gandhi over 'China' remark



Hailing the incumbent Ashok Gehlot-led Congress government in the state, Rahul Gandhi said,"State Government has worked for you a lot...Remember one thing, if BJP Government is formed here, whatever we did - be it a pension scheme, health scheme, 500 gas cylinder or 10,000 for women - will all be scrapped by them and they will once again start helping billionaires. If you vote for Congress, the poor, farmers and small businessmen will be benefitted".
April 2, 2018 is the day Anil Jatav came of age. Polling officials at a distribution centre of EVMs and other election material ahead of Madhya Pradesh assembly elections, in Bhopal on Thursday. (PTI)

Then 17 years old, Jatav spent the spring of 2018 fretting about having done poorly in his school-leaving examinations, alternating between the possibility of spending another year in the grimy concrete cubbyhole that was his local school, and the opportunity of bunking yet more soporific morning classes to watch Bollywood movies. I woke up worried every day that the results would be announced, and my father would thrash me, he said.

Read here: Madhya Pradesh election: High-octane BJP vs Cong today. Check timings, key candidates, constituencies

In March that year, the Supreme Court delivered a controversial verdict, diluting significant provisions of the 1989 Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Prevention of Atrocities Act. Despite his detachment from what he called GK (general knowledge) issues  he only watched TV with his friends, and never his parents, he proclaimed proudly  Jatav couldnt help overhear anguished murmurs from his parents in their two-room house at the edge of Morena town in Madhya Pradesh. Anger simmered at what was perceived as an unjust move in a country where a crime against a Dalit person is recorded every 10 minutes.

On April 2, 2018, that bitterness burst forth. Irate crowds of Dalit protesters swelled through the avenues of major cities across India, awash in the blue flags and Ambedkarite imagery that has come to signify Dalit assertion in the country. The agitation was particularly intense in Madhya Pradesh, where per-capita crimes against Dalits is among the highest in the country. By sundown, nine people were dead across the state, felled by police bullets and clashes, and scores injured.

Days later, the central government brought in amendments that effectively bypassed the changes sought by the apex court. Tempers cooled, scars healed. Yet, what lingered in Jatavs mind was the memory of the people who opposed their march, who hurled slurs at his cousins and friends, and let tensions simmer for days after. Now 22 and pursuing a masters degree, Jatav remembers going up to his father, a small-time shopkeeper, and asking why some of their neighbours and customers were saying they needed to be taught a lesson.

I didnt exactly know what scheduled caste was before then. I had read about it in our textbooks, but dad sat me down and explained what was what, he said. That was the day, he added, he learnt about the term other backward classes or OBC. I thought that people who got quotas stuck together  because in class, the teacher would often call us quotawalas and make us sit in a corner. But that day, I saw that my OBC classmates were the most vocal against us. I can never forget it.

It is this chasm between some SC and OBC communities on the ground that could emerge as a potential hurdle to the Oppositions plans to corral backward and Dalit communities together under the umbrella of an official caste survey. Instances of this schism abound across the length and breadth of the country, but incidents such as the April 2 protests, in places such as Morena, bring it into sharper relief. Madhya Pradesh votes on Friday as part of the five-state assembly polls that began earlier this month and are the first electoral test for the Oppositions gambit to use physical headcounts of castes to try and pry away chunks of the lower caste vote instrumental to the success of the BJPs electoral machine.

Read here: Jhabua becomes site of tussle for the tribal vote

In Madhya Pradesh, where the Congress has repeatedly promised a caste survey if it comes to power, backward caste politics started around the same time the first signs of the Mandal churn started to upend electoral equations in the Gangetic plains. In 1980, then chief minister Arjun Singh set up a commission to provide reservation in government jobs to OBCs. In 1983, the commission said 48.8% of the state comprised OBC communities and recommended 25% reservation. The proposal kicked up a storm, and Singh was replaced.

Over the past decade, however, backward class politics has returned to the state with renewed enthusiasm, this time through the route of reservation in local body polls. Both the Congress and the BJP tried to expand the OBC quota but ran into legal hurdles. This time, the BJP has focused on its successful attempt at reserving seats for OBCs in local body polls and the Congress has promised increased share for the communities in jobs and educational institutions, by way of the caste survey.

Its the Congresss commitment to get the caste census done, said Congress spokesperson JP Dhanopia. The BJP ridiculed this promise. The Congress opposed a caste census and Mandal Commission too. Suddenly they have taken a U-turn for the sake of votes, said BJP spokesperson Pankaj Chaturvedi.

But can the promise of a caste survey  which the Opposition believes will benefit both Dalits and backwards (in Bihar, it has led to an expansion of the quotas for both segments of society)  paper over fractious community relations on the ground?

Fifty kilometres down a dusty road from Jatavs home is the village of Antari in a densely packed corner of Madhya Pradesh. Dominated by Dalit and backward communities, the village has around 3,800 voters. Gaurs  a landed dominant OBC group that gave the state a chief minister in Babulal Gaur  is dominant here.

Trapped in that twilight between a hamlet and a village, Antaris homes are packed with young men (and sometimes women) who dream of a more affluent future in a city, away from their traditional occupations, clad in white shirts and black trousers, in front of desk computers, employed in 9-to-5 jobs that urban India takes for granted.

Unlike in neighbouring Chhattisgarh, the more politically aware residents of Antari have heard of the caste survey . But their opinion is sharply divided.

Vijay Gaur, who runs a business at nearby Kailaras town and aspires to become hotelier one day, believes reservation should be on the basis of economics, though his two children avail the OBC quota. The fact is, I never think I belong to a less privileged community and I always try to compete with the upper castes, he said.

But his neighbour Magandeep Gaur is critical of this stance. How will we know how many we are? When caste is the reality, what is the harm in getting the census done? . Magandeep lives as part of a joint family of 10 who draw their income from a parcel of agricultural land nearby, but hope to use the caste survey to make the switch to formal jobs. There is talk about expanding the reservation. Why should we not get more given our size? he asked.

Rajendra Kumar Gaur, a masters student, is among the most educated people in the village. He is convinced that a caste survey will help . Its not for OBCs only. Every caste will come to know about its strength in society. Hence, its a welcome step.

The Dalits are more certain. We all want to know about our exact number in society. If our number is more, our reservation should be more too, said Omprakash Shakya, a local resident. Devendra Jatav is even more strident. From the moment we step into school, our caste names are asked and discrimination begins. Why shouldnt we ask for quotas?

Yet the thread of the apparent bonhomie breaks as the conversation veers to community relations. Here, if an OBC member mingles with the upper caste he takes pride but when he sits with scheduled caste people his feeling is quite different, said Rajendra. Magandeep admitted to simmering tensions over the 2018 protests. And Devendra lashed out at oppressive social practices that endure to this day. If one of us goes to meet any OBC, they do not offer water to us, he said.

Read here: Rahul Gandhi dubs Madhya Pradesh as India's corruption capital

In some ways, the challenge is similar to the one that Mandal-era parties are facing in the original cauldron of social engineering, Uttar Pradesh, of soothing social fractures with the balm of expedient political coalitions. But it wont be easy. Many Dalits such as Devendra and Anil remain deeply opposed to committing to an expansion of dominant community power. We might be on the same page on reservations now, but can we forget what we face everyday? asked Jatav. Till they change, we cant either.
Polling for 70 seats in the second and final phase of Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections will be held on Friday. The first phase of voting in Chhattisgarh took place on November 7 and the second phase will be held on Friday. (ANI)

The ruling Congress asserts its anticipation of securing over 75 seats out of the total 90 in the current election, while the BJP aims to stage a comeback in the state it governed continuously for 15 years from 2003 to 2018. Out of the 70 Assembly segments, 44 are designated as general, 17 for Scheduled Tribes, and 9 for Scheduled Caste.

Chhattisgarh Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale speaking at a press conference said on Thursday, "The second phase of voting for Chhattisgarh legislative assembly will be held tomorrow. In the second phase, voting will be done on around 70 legislative assembly regions in 22 districts. The time for voting for all 70 legislative assemblies will be 8am to 5pm."

Voting hours for all 70 constituencies are scheduled from 8 am to 5 pm, with the exception of nine polling booths in the Naxal-affected Bindranawagarh seat in Rajim district. In this specific area, voting will take place from 7 am to 3 pm. The polling booths affected by Naxal presence and subject to the adjusted time frame include Kamarbhaudi, Amamora, Odh, Bade Gobra, Ganwargaon, Gariba, Nagesh, Sahbinkachhar, and Kodomali.

Election officials report a total of 958 candidates, comprising 827 men, 130 women, and one transgender individual, vying for victory across 70 constituencies spanning 22 districts. The electorate for the second phase of the two-phased polls to the 90-member assembly is 1,63,14,479 voters. Among the candidates, both the BJP and Congress each have 70, while the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has 44, Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) has 62, and Hamar Raj Party has 33 contenders in the fray for the second phase. Additionally, the Bahujan Samaj Party and Gondvana Gantantra Party are running in alliance, fielding 43 and 26 candidates, respectively.

Here are the key constituencies and candidates in the second phase:
A court in Chitradurga on Wednesday ordered the release of Muruga Mutt seer who has been in judicial custody since September 2022, in connection with a Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (Pocso) case. Shivamurthy Muruga Sharana

While ordering the release of the seer, Shivamurthy Muruga Sharana, the second additional district and sessions court adjourned the hearing on the government advocates plea seeking to convert the body warrant against Sharana in another Pocso case into a judicial arrest.

Sharana was granted a bail by the Karnataka high court on November 8 in a case involving sexual assault against two minor girls studying in an educational institute run by the mutt. Seeking fulfilment of the bail conditions, Sharanas counsel, Sandeep Patil, approached the sessions court. After verifying the security guarantee, judge BK Komala ordered his release.

Nevertheless, the legal dispute escalated as Sharanas lawyers challenged the courts decision to convert the body warrant into a judicial arrest warrant in the second Pocso case. This led to heated arguments in the courtroom, setting the stage for an anticipated hearing on November 16.

In the second case, Sharana cannot be kept in jail as he has not been arrested. If the court order reaches the jail by evening, Sharana is expected to be released on the same day in connection with the first case, said Sharanas advocate Sandeep Patil to reporters.

However, the prosecution advocate, Jagadish, countered this, asserting that the body warrant hearing in the second Pocso case against Murugha Sharana is pending. Therefore, he argued, Sharana cannot be released from jail, and should remain under the body warrant until the next court session. Jagadish added that an order regarding Sharanas case would be issued after the upcoming argument and appealed to prison authorities not to release Sharana until the hearing is over, said an officer privy to the court argument.

The Karnataka high court had granted bail to Sharana on November 8 in connection with a POCSO case registered against him.

The case began on August 26, 2022, when two girls filed a complaint at the Nazarbad Police Station in Mysuru accusing Muruga Sharan of sexual assault. Subsequently, Sharan was taken into custody on September 1, 2022, and had remained under judicial custody in Chitradurga Jail until the recent bail decision.

Sharanaru, who heads the Jagadguru Murugarajendra Vidyapeetha Mutt, was arrested late on September 1 2022 after days of intense public pressure. He is accused of raping two girls, 15 and 16 years old, between 2019 and 2022, and was booked by the police for rape under the POCSO Act 2012 on August 25.

Another first information report (FIR) was registered against him on October 19 2022 night alleging sexual assault of minor girls. This case accused him of assaulting minor girls living in the hostel run by the ashram.
NEW DELHI: India on Thursday expressed deep concern at fighting between Myanmars anti-junta groups and government forces close to the countrys border, which resulted in Myanmar nationals seeking refuge in Mizoram, and pushed for a cessation of violence and a constructive dialogue. FILE- A Myanmarese looks towards the Indian side at the India-Myanmar border in Mizoram, India. (March 20, 2021) (AP)

An expanding offensive by anti-junta groups has seen resistance fighters capture key towns, military bases and trade routes near the border with the northeastern Indian state of Mizoram. Among the areas seized by them is Rihkhawdar, home to one of only two official land border crossing points between the two countries.

Also Read: The spike in fighting in Myanmar and what it means for India

We reiterate our call for the return of peace, stability and democracy in Myanmar, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a regular media briefing while responding to questions on the recent fighting.

As a result of the fighting [at] Rihkhawdar area in Chin State, opposite Zokhawthar in Mizoram on the India-Myanmar border, there has been movement of Myanmar nationals to the Indian side. We are deeply concerned with such incidents close to our border, he said.

Also Read: Disquiet on the Myanmar front

A group of resistance fighters took control of two military camps at Rihkhawdar on Monday after several hours of fighting. The fighting resulted in some 5,000 Myanmar nationals, including more than 40 soldiers, seeking shelter in Mizoram. The soldiers were flown by the Indian side to another border crossing and sent back.

On Thursday, there were fresh reports that at least 29 more Myanmar soldiers entered India to flee an attack on their base by resistance fighters. The UN has said the intensified fighting since last month has displaced about 90,000 people.

Bagchi said Indias position on the situation in Myanmar is very clear  we want cessation of the violence and resolution of the situation through constructive dialogue.

People who fled Myanmar carry their belongings across a bridge that connects Myanmar and India at the border village of Zokhawthar, Champhai district, in Indias northeastern state of Mizoram (REUTERS PHOTO)

Since the current conflict in Myanmar started in 2021, a large number of citizens from the neighbouring country have taken refuge in India, he said. Local authorities in the concerned neighbouring states have been handling the situation appropriately on humanitarian grounds. We have also been facilitating the return of those who wish to go back to Myanmar, he added.

Bagchi didnt provide details on the number of Myanmar nationals who have crossed over to India, though reports have said tens of thousands of them have sought refuge in Indias northeastern region, primarily in Mizoram, since the junta assumed power in the military coup of February 2021.

A member of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army poses for a photograph in front of a seized rocket-carry military truck in Kunlong, township in Shan state, Myanmar on Nov. 12 ((The Kokang online media via AP) (AP)

The latest fighting along the border with India erupted as anti-junta groups expanded Operation 1027, an offensive named after the date when it started that had focused on areas in Shan State along Myanmars frontier with China. Since then, fighting has also spread to Kachin State and Sagaing Region, which border India.

Bagchi said he didnt agree with suggestions that India is propping up or supporting the junta. We have engagement on cooperation with them on various issues, its a neighbouring country. Whatever actions we take are in the light of our interests, we are certainly cognisant of our responsibilities and we keep in mind all factors in it, he said.

Members of the National Unity Consultative Council (NUCC), an advisory body to Myanmars government-in-exile, have called on India to end its relationship with the State Administration Council (SAC), which has ruled the country since the 2021 coup, and to engage with the ethnic resistance organisations since they represent the voice of the people of Myanmar.
New Delhi: India on Thursday said it is expecting a positive outcome to the appeal filed by the families of eight former Indian Navy personnel who were sentenced to death by a Qatari court after being detained for more than a year on undeclared charges. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.(ANI)

The eight men, including decorated officers who commanded frontline warships in the Indian Navy, were sentenced to death by Qatars Court of First Instance on October 26. Both countries have not publicly spoken about the charges against the men but reports have suggested they were accused of espionage.

This is a sensitive case and the case is currently in a legal process there. As we have mentioned, an appeal has been filed in Qatars Court of Appeal, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a regular media briefing.

Bagchi said he was not aware of any decision by the Court of Appeal. Without giving details, he added that the appeal process is underway and India is hoping for a positive outcome.

We are also engaged with the Qatari authorities on the matter, and we will continue to extend all legal and consular assistance, he said.

Also Read: Appeal filed against death sentence to 8 ex-navy men by Qatar court: MEA

I would again urge everyone not to engage in speculation considering the sensitive nature of the case, as well as the fact that the judgement in the entire process has been made confidential by the Qatari side, he added.

Appeals against verdicts of Qatars Court of First Instance can be filed in the Court of Appeal. After this, an appeal can be filed in the Court of Cassation, the highest court in the Qatari judicial system.

The Indian side is believed to be looking at other possibilities to find a resolution to the issue. One option is working out an arrangement under an agreement signed by India and Qatar in 2015 for transfer of convicted prisoners so that they can complete their sentence in their home country.

There is also the possibility of approaching the International Court of Justice or petitioning the emir of Qatar for a pardon. The families of the eight men have already filed a mercy petition. Qatars ruler usually issues pardons for prisoners on the countrys National Day on December 18 and on the Eid festivals.

The eight men were employees of a subsidiary of Oman-based Dahra Engineering & Security Services that provided training and other services to Qatars armed forces and security agencies. The subsidiary was shut down in May. The men were believed to have been overseeing the induction of Italian-made midget stealth submarines into the Qatari Navy.

External affairs minister S Jaishankar met the families of the men on October 30 and assured them the government will make all efforts to secure their release.

Asked about reports of Diwali being removed from the list of holidays of some Indian schools in Qatar, Bagchi said these institutions operate under local rules and regulations. The Indian embassy may have representation in the management of these schools though Bagchi said he was not in a position to confirm if the matter would be taken up with Qatari authorities.
Hyderabad Police said a case of rioting was registered under Section 146 of Indian Penal Code afyter five people were injured in clashes between two rival groups belonging to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and Congress in Kodangal constituency of Telangana. (HT Archives)

At least five people were injured in clashes between two rival groups belonging to the Bharat Rashtra Samithi and the Congress in Kodangal assembly constituency of Telanganas Narayanpet district late on Tuesday night, police said.

Telangana Pradesh Congress Committee president A Revanth Reddy is contesting from Kodangal in the assembly elections scheduled to be held on November 30.

Kosgi police inspector G Janardhan Goud said the incident happened at Sarjekhan village, when the Congress workers allegedly attacked a convoy of BRS leaders who were taking part in the election campaign. They pelted stones at the BRS leaders, causing damage to their vehicles, he said.

The Congress workers, who alleged that a BRS leader from Hyderabad, Somasekhar Reddy, came to Kosgi for distribution of money among the voters, waylaid the vehicles and attacked the ruling party leaders. The window panes of the BRS leaders vehicles were broken, the police official said.

The BRS workers retaliated by hurling stones at the Congress workers, leading to clashes between both the groups, which created a tense situation in the village. In all, five persons, including three workers belonging to the BRS and two Congress workers, were injured in the stone pelting, Goud said.

On coming to know about the incident, BRS candidate Patnam Narender Reddy came to Kosgi and staged a dharna at Ambedkar statue and raised slogans against the Congress and the PCC chief. He lodged a complaint with the Kosgi police stating that the Congress workers assaulted the BRS workers.

The Congress workers, too, lodged a counter complaint with the police stating that the BRS leaders indulged in violence when questioned about distribution of money among the voters.

Police pacified the protesters, dispersed the crowd and took the situation under control. We have booked a case of rioting under Section 146 of Indian Penal Code against both the groups and are investigating the matter, the inspector said.

The BRS MLA accused Revanth Reddy of instigating violent attacks on the BRS workers. The PCC has realised that he cannot win the elections and hence, has been provoking his party workers to attack the BRS leaders, he alleged.

PCC executive committee member Vijay Kumar, looking after the party campaign in Kodangal, alleged that the BRS was sending money bags through its leaders to the constituency to bribe the voters. When we questioned them, they attacked us, he said.

Raid on Cong candidates house

Meanwhile, flying squads of the Election Commission and Hayatnagar police raided the residence of former Congress MP and party candidate from L B Nagar assembly constituency Madhu Yaskhi at Hayatnagar early on Wednesday, following a complaint that he had hoarded huge amount of cash.

However, neither the police nor the EC authorities disclosed about recovery of any cash from Yashkis residence.

The Congress candidate alleged that the police had tried to intimidate him with such raids, based on a false complaint from sitting BRS MLA Sudhir Reddy, who is contesting from the seat again.

I shall lodge a complaint with the EC against the raids. The police or the flying squads did not produce any search warrant. The police threatened my family and party workers, he alleged.
India emphasised the need to avoid civilian casualties and to provide humanitarian aid to people caught up in the conflict in the Gaza Strip as Israeli forces continued a raid of the regions main medical complex for the second day on Thursday. Palestinians wounded in Israeli strikes lie on the floor as they are assisted at the Indonesian hospital after Al Shifa hospital has gone out of service amid Israeli ground offensive.(REUTERS)

Read here: Internet, phone networks collapse across Gaza due to lack of fuel

India had initially condemned the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas and backed Israels right to defend itself, and it has since sought to adopt a more nuanced approach by calling for the observance of international humanitarian law and the avoiding of civilian casualties.

The issue is not about one facility or a specific facility. India has always underlined the need for civilian casualties to be avoided, for humanitarian law to be observed, and to encourage any efforts to provide humanitarian relief to those caught in the conflict, external affairs ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi told a regular media briefing.

Bagchi was responding to a question on the raid by Israeli forces on al-Shifa Hospital on the ground that it harbours a Hamas facility. The raid follows intense bombardment of the northern part of Gaza, which has killed more than 11,400 people and injured another 29,000. More than 4,400 of the dead are children.

Israel has revised the death toll in the Hamas attacks on October 7 from 1,400 to 1,200. Hamas fighters also took some 200 people hostage during the attacks, which have been condemned by India and other countries.

Bagchi added: We have also, on the larger issue, talked about efforts to de-escalate the situation, deliver humanitarian assistance, our concern at the humanitarian [situation and] increasing civilian toll.

India has so far sent 38 tonnes of humanitarian relief materials for the people of Gaza. We are looking to send more assistance, he said.

At the same time, India has strongly condemned the horrific terrorist attack of October 7 and reiterated its zero tolerance for terrorism. It has also called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages, Bagchi said.

Read here: Gaza civilians face 'immediate possibility of starvation': UN

Palestinian officials have said there are 650 patients in al-Shifa Hospital, including 36 premature babies. They have said 40 patients, including three premature babies, have died since November 11 due to a lack of fuel to run generators. Among the dead in Gaza are more than 200 medical staff.

Responding to another question, Bagchi didnt rule out the possibility of the Israel-Hamas conflict figuring in the Voice of Global South Summit to be hosted virtually by India on November 17. He said leaders and ministers participating in the meeting will be free to raise the Israel issue even as he reiterated Indias call for de-escalation of the situation.
Tamil Nadu speaker M Appavu on Thursday called for a special sitting of the assembly on Saturday, hours after governor R N Ravi returned 10 out of the 12 bills sent to him for assent over the last three years, officials aware of the developments said. Tamil Nadu Governor RN Ravi and chief minister MK Stalin (ANI)(HT_PRINT)

On Wednesday night, the governor returned the 10 legislations that were cleared by the assembly and were pending before him since 2020, the officials said. He, however, did not cite any reasons behind rejecting the bills. Besides, he is yet to act on the remaining two bills, the officials added.

Read here: Tamil Nadu governor returns bills sent to him, DMK govt set to adopt them again

As the state government wants to pass these (returned) bills immediately and send them again to the governor for approval, the speaker called for a special session, the officials said.

He (the governor) returned 10 bills on Wednesday night to pass these bills again, the special session has been called, said a government official, requesting anonymity.

The governor is yet to act on the remaining two bills, the official added.

The Raj Bhavans move came days after the Supreme Court raised serious concerns and sought a response from the Union government on a petition filed by the Tamil Nadu government against the governors delay in processing the 12 bills passed by the state legislature, besides withholding several other files relating to sanction and remission.

According to Article 200 of the Constitution, if a bill is passed again by the House, with or without any amendment, then the governor shall not withhold assent therefrom.

We will re-introduce the bills he (governor) has returned and re-adopt them, Avappu said.

Raj Bhavan did not respond to HTs calls and messages for a comment on the matter.

The Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (DMK)-led Tamil Nadu government has been locked in a standoff with the governor over various issues, including the latters pending assent to the legislations.

In a petition filed in the top court on October 31, Tamil Nadu chief secretary Shiv Das Meena alleged Ravi was toying away with the citizens mandate and sought directions to Raj Bhavan to dispose of all pending legislations and files forwarded by the assembly and government within a specified timeframe.

The issues raised are of great concern. From the tabulated statement, it appears that as many as 12 bills submitted to the governor under Article 200 have not elicited any further action and other matters regarding proposal for grant of sanction, premature release and appointment of public service commission are pending. We issue notice to the Union of India represented by the secretary in the ministry of home affairs, a bench, headed by Chief Justice of India Dhananjaya Y Chandrachud, ordered on November 10.

The top courts remarks came at a time when Raj Bhavans in several states have been locked in confrontation with the elected government. In the last few months, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, besides Punjab, have approached the Supreme Court, seeking directives to their respective governors over pending legislations.

While hearing the Punjab governments petition on November 6, the top court said that governors must remember that they are not the elected representatives of states and have limited power over legislative actions of an elected government. It also said that governors should not compel the state governments to pursue legal recourses each and every time the latter exercised their legislative powers.

The Tamil Nadu speaker said the state governments petition in the Supreme Court will not be discussed in the assembly.

According to the official quoted above, the bills which were returned pertain to amendments in various laws governing state universities, giving more power to the state government over the appointment of vice-chancellors, and provide for the establishment of a university for siddha, ayurveda, unani, yoga & naturopathy and homoeopathy. Of the 10 bills, two were passed by the All India Anna Dravida Munnetra Kazhagam (AIADMK) government in 2020, the official added.

Read here: SC seeks govt reply on Tamil Nadu plea accusing Governor of delaying bills

Earlier, Ravi returned two bills  one to ban online gambling with stakes and another to abolish the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (NEET). However, the state government convened special assembly sessions in both occasions and re-adopted the bills.

The bill to abolish NEET was referred to President Droupadi Murmu for her assent in May last year. On October 27, chief minister MK Stalin handed over a representation to Murmu, reiterating the governments request to accord assent to the bill.

While the anti-gambling legislation was cleared by the governor and notified by the government in April this year, the Madras high court upheld only some portions of the law.

As per the law, the governor cannot deny assent to a bill sent to him for the second time, law minister S Reghupathy had said in March.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday presided over a repatriation ceremony in London for two 8th-century temple idols stolen from India and discovered in England recently. External affairs minister S participating in the return to India of the stone idols of Yogini Chamunda and Gomukhi. (X / @DrSJaishankar)

The Yogini Chamunda and Yogini Gomukhi idols, stolen from a temple in Lokhari in Uttar Pradesh between the late 1970s and the early 1980s, were recovered by the High Commission of India in London with support from India Pride Project, and Art Recovery International.

Jaishankar unveiled the idols at India House on the final day of his five-day visit to the UK and said he looked forward to their return to their home country.

It is important today, as we look to appreciate each other's culture, to ensure that cultural exchanges are legal, transparent and rules-based, said Jaishankar.

Where there have been deviations, whenever these are corrected I think this is something of great importance, not just in this case, but as a message that this is a practice which is not acceptable in this day and age, he said.

'Yogini' refers to female masters of the yogic arts with 64 divine Yoginis worshipped as goddesses at Yogini temples such as Lokhari. The term is slightly ambivalent as it applies both to the goddesses and adept worshippers, who were believed to be able to take on some of the goddesses powers by performing secret rituals before the statues.

The Lokhari temple is believed to have 20 Yogini statues, depicted as beautiful women with the heads of animals.

In the 1970s, the temple was targeted by a group of robbers who are believed to have operated out of Rajasthan and Maharashtra, smuggling goods into Europe via Switzerland. An unknown number of statues were stolen, with others being broken and the remaining unharmed statues subsequently removed and hidden by local villagers.

This is the fifth time we have been able to return important pieces of cultural heritage to India  in Milan, Brussels, and London three times. We work closely with the India Pride Project and when they identify one of these, we step in and negotiate with the possessors in an effort to reach an amicable resolution, said Chris Marinello of Art Recovery International.

Jaspreet Singh Sukhija, First Secretary, Trade and Economics at the Indian High Commission in London, has been working on the restitution of these idols with the India Pride Project, an organisation that works on restoring Indias lost artefacts.

Part of the objective of what we seek to do in these occasions is to find some acceptable and amicable solutions to enable our heritage to go back to where it is most appropriate, where it comes from and where it is most appreciated, said Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar said India did not rule out an investigation but Canada has not shared any evidence against 'Indian agents' involved in the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, as publicly alleged by Canada. The comments from the minister came during a conversation with journalist Lionel Barber titled 'How a Billion People See the World' in London. Amid the ongoing diplomatic crisis between India and Canada, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau last week said Canada did not want the fight with India but if bigger countries can violate international law without consequences, then the whole world gets more dangerous for everyone. Jaishankar spoke on the India-Canada row after Justin Trudeau's fresh statement on the diplomatic crisis.

On the issue, Jaishankar said, "We feel that Canadian politics has given space to violent and extreme political opinions which advocate separatism from India, including through violent means. These people have been accommodated in Canadian politics. They are given the freedom to articulate their views."

The Canadian authorities did not take any action when there was an attack on the high commission and the diplomats were intimidated in public on record, Jaishankar said. Calling Canada a country with a previous history, Jaishankar referred to the bombing of an Air India flight and said, "We are a democracy, they are a democracy. Freedom of speech and freedom of expression also comes with a certain responsibility. The misuse of those freedoms and the toleration of that misuse for political purposes would be very wrong..."

"Regarding Trudeau, I have discussed it with my counterpart -- I still do -- we told them look, if you have a reason to make such an allegation, please share the evidence with us. We are not ruling out an investigation and looking at anything which they may have to offer. They haven't done so," Jaishankar said.

On a question on Hardeep Singh Nijjar as to whether Jaishankar believed he was a terrorist, the foreign minister said, He has a track record which is there in the social media. That track record is a pretty graphic one. I would leave everybody to make their judgement. He held public positions.

Amid the India-Canada row, over 40 Canadian diplomats were shifted out of India after New Delhi raised the issue of a disparity in the number of diplomats. Canada had a higher number of diplomats present in India and New Delhi accused them of interfering in India's internal affairs.
India on Thursday said that it was deeply concerned about the clashes between Myanmars military and anti-junta forces close to the Indian border. This photo taken on November 10, 2023 shows fighters of the ethnic rebel group Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) standing guard at a check point in the town of Namhkam in northern Shan state.(AFP)

We are deeply concerned with such incidents close to our border. Our position on the ongoing situation in Myanmar is very clear. We want secession of the violence and restitution situation or resolution of the situation through constructive dialogue, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said during a press briefing.

A rapidly expanding offensive by Myanmars anti-junta groups has seen resistance fighters capture key towns and regions near the border with India in recent days.

The development has fuelled concerns about a spillover of tensions and the influx of refugees to the northeastern states of India. According to the United Nations, the fighting has displaced more than 50,000 civilians.

Earlier today, Myanmar's military rulers ordered all government staff and those with military experience to prepare to serve in case of emergency, according to Reuters.

Also Read | Explained: Spike in fighting in Myanmar and what it means for India

On Thursday, Bagchi said that there has been a movement of Myanmar nationals to the Indian side, reported PTI.

He also said that reiterated India's call for the return of peace, stability, and democracy in Myanmar.

"We reiterate our call for the return of peace, stability, and democracy in Myanmar, since, the current conflict started, I think it was in 2021 in Myanmar, that a large number of Myanmar citizens have been taking refuge in India. Local authorities in the concerned neighbouring states have been handling the situation appropriately on humanitarian grounds" Bagchi said.
America today is not a declining power but a power which is reinventing itself, external affairs minister S Jaishankar said on Thursday. During an event organised by Wilton Park at the Royal Over-Seas League in London, Jaishankar commended the strategic approach of the United States in working collaboratively with other nations. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar.(X / S Jaishankar)

"I would say America today is a power which is reinventing itself. I don't think it's a power which is declining," he asserted.

Calling the United States a dominant force which came to the rescue during the devastating 2004 Tsunami in the Indian Ocean, the minister opined, I am not sure they do today because they have not deployed that many ships and they are not based so proximate.

Jaishankar went on to commend the strategic approach of the United States in working collaboratively with other nations.

Americans have had the wisdom to realize that they need to work with other partners and it is this American openness today which is shaping the Indo-Pacific, which has created a body like QUAD, he said.

Jaishankar, who concluded his five-day visit to the UK on Wednesday, was speaking at an event titled How a billion people see the world during which he covered a broad range of topics, including the "momentum" behind Indias growth story, realities of the relations with China and the rise of a more authentic India.

The external affairs minister described his visit as timely after a series of cross-party engagements amid substantial progress on the ongoing free trade agreement negotiations.

Overall, I would say this visit was timely, and much needed because these personal interactions do a lot in really developing an understanding between countries. I was very satisfied, the British system really made an effort to engage at all the relevant levels from the prime minister downwards, and that itself is a statement of the closeness of our ties today, he said.
Over 72 million people across the heartland states of Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will vote for 230 assembly seats in the former and 70 seats in the latter on Friday, sealing the fate of 3,491 candidates in polls that will have significant national ramifications. The first phase of voting in Chhattisgarh took place on November 7 and the second phase will be held on Friday. (ANI)

This round of assembly elections began on November 7 with 20 seats in Chhattisgarh and all of Mizoram going to the polls. The electoral fight is largely between the Congress and the BJP in Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh.

Read here: Madhya Pradesh election: High-octane BJP vs Cong today. Check timings, key candidates, constituencies

The voting commenced at 7am on Friday in 64,523 polling booths across Madhya Pradesh. It will end in the Maoism-affected districts of Balaghat, Dindori and Mandla by 3 pm and everywhere else by 6 pm. The states chief electoral officer, Anupam Rajan, will monitor voting at every booth sitting in his office in Bhopal, officials said.

Rajan said the election commission has arranged for a helicopter and an air ambulance at Gondia, adjacent to Balaghat. More than 38,000 polling stations will be monitored through CCTV and web casting. In 464 polling stations located in black zones where there is zero internet and telecommunication connectivity, runners have been deployed. The runners will come to the connectivity zone every two hours to share the information related to voting, he said.

Around 200,000 security personnel have been deployed. He said that there are 2,533 candidates in the fray. While the Congress and the BJP have fielded candidates in all 230 seats, the Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) is contesting on 183 seats, Samajwadi Party on 71 and Aam Aadmi Party on 66.

On Thursday, chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan interacted with women in Bhopal and said that the love of his sisters will see him through. I know my sisters will support me, the CM said.

Other BJP leaders, including Union ministers Prahlad Patel, Faggan Singh Kulaste, state cabinet minister Narottam Mishra, Gopal Bhargava and Bhupendra Singh, visited houses of their supporters.

The Congress  which is looking to displace the BJP  issued an affidavit from all its 230 candidates pledging to fulfil all poll guarantees. I will protect the soil of Madhya Pradesh and will remain committed to a corruption-free progressive Madhya Pradesh till the last drop of my blood, said the affidavit with pictures of Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge and Kamal Nath.

In Chhattisgarh, the second phase of polling will decide the fate of chief minister Bhupesh Baghel, deputy CM TS Singhdeo, eight ministers of the state cabinet and four members of Parliament.

The Congress is looking to retain its government in the state. Of the 70 assembly seats going to the polls on Friday, 44 are general, 17 are reserved for Scheduled Tribes and nine for Scheduled Castes. Poll officials said 958 candidates are contesting across 70 seats and 22 districts.

The Congress and the BJP are fighting all seats. There are 44 candidates from the AAP, 62 from Janata Congress Chhattisgarh and 33 from the Hamar Raj Party. The Bahujan Samaj Party and Gondwana Gantantra Party are contesting in alliance and have fielded 43 and 26 candidates, respectively.

The time of polling in all 70 constituencies is from 8am to 5pm, except nine booths in the Maoism-affected Bindranawagarh seat in Rajim district, where voting will be held from 7am to 3pm.

Baghel is contesting from his traditional Patan seat where the BJP has fielded his distant nephew and party MP, Vijay Baghel. The third important candidate in the constituency is Amit Jogi, Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) state chief and son of former CM Ajit Jogi.

Read here: Chhattisgarh Assembly Elections 2023 phase 2: Check timings, key candidates & constituencies

The BJPs poll campaign was spearheaded by Prime Minister Narendra Modi who targeted Baghel over corruption, particularly the alleged Mahadev betting app scam and recruitment controversy. Congress based its campaign on a slew of welfare schemes rolled out by the Baghel government for farmers, women, tribals and Dalits, and accused the Centre of handing over resources to some industrialists.

Both the national parties focused on wooing the farmers, women and young voters through their respective manifestos. The BJP alleged the Congress committed various scams and the Congress accused the BJP of using central agencies, said Harsh Dubey, a political analyst.
Madhya Pradesh is set for a high-octane electoral contest on Friday as 2,533 candidates will fight for 230 seats in the assembly. The central state will witness a direct contest between the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party and the Congress.



The saffron party will hope to retain the state it wrested from the grand old party in 2020. The Congress would look to repeat its 2018 success and come to power with a bigger margin to bolster its prospects ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha elections. Madhya Pradesh sends 29 members to the Lok Sabha. Shivraj Singh Chouhan and Kamal Nath

Polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm in all the assembly segments except in Baihar, Lanjhi and Paraswada seats in Balaghat district, 55 booths in Mandla district's Bichhiya and Mandla seats and 40 polling stations of Dindori district, all Naxalite affected, where voting time is 7 am to 3 pm, Madhya Pradesh's Chief Electoral Officer (CEO) Anupam Rajan said.



Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections 2023 Full Coverage



A total of 64,626 polling stations have been set up in the state. Among these, 64,523 are main booths and 103 associate (sahayak) stations, where number of electors is more than 1,500, Madhya Pradesh's chief electoral officer Anupam Rajan told PTI.



As many as 5,60,58,521 voters, including 2,87,82,261 males, 2,71,99,586 females and 1,292 third gender persons, are eligible to exercise their franchise.



The big Madhya Pradesh battle will witness some high profile candidates and constituencies.



Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Budhni)



Fondly revered as Mamaji, the 64-year-old BJP leader served as the chief minister from 2005 to 2018, and then from 2020 till date. Chouhan is contesting his sixth election from stronghold Budhni, the seat he won for the first time in 1990. In the 2018 election, the CM had won with a margin of 58,999 votes defeating Congresss Arun Yadav. The victory margin had dipped from 84,805 votes in 2013.



This time, Chouhan has been pitted against Congress candidate Vikram Mastal, who is a television actor and had portrayed lord Hanuman in Anand Sagar's 2008 television show Ramayan.



Narendra Singh Tomar (Dimani)



Five months after he was appointed as the BJP's election management committee for the Madhya Pradesh assembly polls, Narendra Singh Tomar is among the three Union ministers in the poll fray. The 66-year-old leader will contesting the poll from Dimani. The seat was won by the Congress in 2018 election.



The party high command had sounded off MPs and ministers to be ready for elections. Some of the ministers who are Rajya Sabha members have also been asked to prepare for elections, a BJP functionary had told HT on condition of anonymity.



Prahlad Patel (Narsinghpur)



Prahlad Patel, Union minister of state for food processing, will contest from Narsinghpur. In 2018 assembly election, BJP's Jalam Singh Patel had defeated Lakhan Singh Patel of Congress by a margin of 14,903 votes.



Faggan Singh Kulaste (Niwas)



Union minister for state for rural development Faggan Singh Kulaste will fight the elections from Niwas, a seat reserved for scheduled tribes (ST). In the 2018 elections, Dr. Ashok Marskole of the Congress had won the seat by defeating BJP's Rampyare Kulaste by over 28,000 votes.



Kailash Vijayvargiya (Indore I)



BJP general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya has been fielded from Indore 1 seat. The seat was won by Congress's Sanjay Shukla in 2018. Having started his political career with the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) student wing, the Akhil Bharatiya Vidyarthi Parishad, Vijayvargiya has won the state elections six times. He had also assumed the responsibility as BJP in-charge in West Bengal for the assembly election in 2021, where the saffron party won 77 seats.



Kamal Nath (Chhindwara)



Madhya Pradesh Congress chief Kamal Nath will be contesting from Chhindwara. He had won the by-election in 2019 by defeating BJP's Vivek Sahu by over 25,000 votes, months after he was sworn in as the chief minister. A nine-time Lok Sabha MP, Nath had led Congress to victory in the 2018 elections, in which the grand old party had won 114 seats. However, his stint as chief minister was cut short in just 15 months, following rebellion by 22 Congress MLAs who defected to the BJP.



Jaivardhan Singh (Raghogarh)



Former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Digvijaya Singh's son Jaivardhan Singh is in fray from his family's stronghold Raghogarh. The Singh scion had won this seat in 2018 by a huge margin of nearly 47,000 votes.



Jitu Patwari (Rau)



Former Madhya Pradesh minister Jitu Patwari will be contesting from Rau seat, that lies in Indore Lok Sabha constituency. In 2018, he had won the seat by defeating Madhu Verma of the Bharatiya Janata Party by a margin of 5703 votes.
Prem Bhuria knows travelling from home is the only option if he has to keep the kitchen fires burning. In his forties, Bhuria is accustomed to leaving his village and family in Madhya Pradeshs Jhabua district every year in search of work. His village Amliphaliya, which is about 10km from the district headquarters, offers little by way of work. A Congress candidate reaches out to tribal voters in Jhabua assembly constituency. (PTI)

We work as farm labour, mostly in Gujarat and Rajasthan, where they pay us more than what we get in MP, he said. Like Bhuria, who hails from the Bhil tribal community, there are scores of young men who leave home every year in search of better remuneration and work. Counted among the backward districts in the country, Jhabua has limited avenues for employment, agriculture and industrial activities.

Although the state government runs several welfare schemes such as the Sekho Kamao Yojna, which pays a monthly stipend of between 8,000 to 10,000 during skills training; the DDU Antyodaya Upchar Yojna that provides financial assistance for medical treatment of SC, ST and below poverty line families; and the DDU Gokulgram Yojna aimed at improving basic infrastructure of villages, scarcity and deprivation remains endemic.

It is for this reason that men and even women opt for migrating to other states for work, returning home only for short durations.

Migration and debt

Bhurias wife, who has not yet been enrolled for the state governments flagship scheme, the Ladli Behna Yojna, said the annual migration puts food on the plate but also exerts a toll on their health and family ties.

He is away from home for months on end. It becomes worse when there are challenges like an illness in the family. The financial constraints make it hard for us to celebrate or even grieve together, she said, declining to be named.

The couple barely showed interest in the poll promises that the two main parties, the Congress and Bharatiya Janata Party, have made ahead of the November 17 polls. The day we get work in the village or the nearby town, we will know that the sarkar (government) has done something, Bhuaria said.

Jhabua district, which has three assembly constituencies, is the epicentre of a tussle over the crucial tribal vote in MP. Tribals in MP are 21.1% of the population, with Bhils being the largest group, followed by the Gonds and Kols. The district lags in amenities, education and healthcare, and is counted among the regions with the highest outflow of workers.

There are several factors that are responsible for migration in large numbers. The forest cover is reducing, most people have small landholdings, getting loans from banks is difficult, they are forced to borrow on astronomical rates from private lenders and the quality of products offered here are substandard, said a functionary of an organisation linked to the Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh, the ideological mentor of the ruling BJP.

An average Bhil family spends a large part of their earnings on repaying loans, the functionary said, seeking anonymit. It is a vicious cycle; they borrow small sums of money, which then throws them into the depths of debt, and they keep repaying, he said.

Pitched battle

While the incumbent BJP claims it has changed the lives of the people living on the margins, the Congress, which won two of the three assembly seats in Jhabua and 31 in the state (of the total 47 ST seats) is fighting a pitched battle, from promising the implementation of Schedule VI in tribal areas to stepping up pressure on the BJP for failing to address the issues of security and employment for tribal communities.

Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, who has been on multiple visits to the state, has promised the implementation of Schedule VI, which allows tribal communities greater autonomy to make and implement laws on issues related to water, forests and land, and personal laws, including marriage and inheritance.

The Congress candidate from Jhabua assembly seat, Vikrant Bhuria, who lost the last election, is confident that the communities are rallying behind the party after being let down by the BJP. Speaking to HT, the doctor turned politician said a 20-day Akrosh Yatra (anger march) in the state covering 2200 km exposed the anger on the ground.

People have not forgotten Siddhi (where a tribal was urinated on). There have been multiple cases of atrocities against STs. In Dewas, a family was buried (2022); in Neemuch, a Bhil was dragged by a car, accused of being a thief (2021); in Seoni, two tribes persons were killed on suspicion of cow slaughter (in 2022) the list is long, he said. The BJPs claims of working for the tribals stand exposed.

The Congress also accuses the BJP of weakening the PESA, not allowing tribal communities to run their haats (local markets) and being arbitrary in giving land rights. PESA, or the Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas Act, 1996, gives special powers to village councils in scheduled areas to manage natural resources.

The BJP, which has fielded Bhanu Bhuria from the seat, is quick to deny the allegations. The party points out that the state government implemented the PESA law to empower tribals by vesting powers in village councils to administer the areas covered under Schedule V of the Constitution. This allows rights of local tribal communities over water, forests and land.

We are the only party that has worked for the economic, social and political empowerment of the STs. They have realised that illegal conversions were carried out to destroy their unique culture and traditions, BJP spokesperson Govind Maloo said. Which is why the BJP has been getting the support of the communities and not the Congress.

While BJPs Gumansingh Damor won the Jhabua assembly seat in 2018, bagging 37.81% of the votes, there has been a dip in the partys vote share. In 2013, Shantilal Bilwal of the BJP had won the seat with 41.79% of the votes compared with Congress Jeviyar Meda, who bagged 30.08%. In 2018, Vikrant Bhuria lost to Damor, but his vote share was a little over 31%.

In the two other seats, Petlawad and Tandla, both won by the Congress in the 2018 assembly polls, the contest between the two major parties is equally tough. In Petlawad, the Congress and BJP have fielded old party loyalists, who have contested against each other in the previous elections as well. Wal Singh Meda of the Congress, who won the seat in 2008, is pitted against BJPs Nirmala Bhuriya, who represented the seat in 2013.

In Tandla, the BJP had to face protests from its cadre over the decision to field Kalsingh Bhabar, who lost in 2018 against Congress Bhuriya Veersingh. Bhabar had won as an independent in 2018. There was some opposition to his candidature, but that is not uncommon. Even in Jhabua, there were protests against Vikrant and Bhanu; incidentally both are dynasts, said a BJP leader not wishing to be quoted.

While Vikrant Bhuriya is the son of former minister and Congress leader Kanti Lal Bhuria, Bhanu Bhuriyas father has also been a local Congress leader.

Hindutva and political empowerment

Jhabua is nestled between Dahod and Chhota Udaipur districts of Gujarat and Banswara district of Rajasthan, and Alirajpur, Dhar and Ratlam districts of Madhya Pradesh. It is home to the Bhils, who congregate in the region annually. Their numbers and presence across states has accorded them political heft, but there is a growing concern over the lack of political representation.

Hansraj Meena, founder of the Tribal Army, an organisation that works for the empowerment of the STs, said both the Congress and BJP have paid lip service to the community. Tickets are given to loyalists, not to voices within the community that matter, he said. How many STs are fielded from unreserved seats?

Meena is critical of the mainstream parties and the state government for not ensuring the implementation of schemes on the ground. In tribal areas of MP and Rajasthan, you will see the lags in delivery of schemes, he said. The race between political parties to fete tribal icons, he said, was an eyewash.

Both the parties compete to appropriate tribal icons, and promise schemes and landmarks to hail their contributions. Chief minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan recently promised to build a temple of local deity Shambumata in Jhabua in addition to upgrading a local hospital into a super specialty facility.

The BJPs performance in 2018, when it failed to win the election, though it subsequently came to power in 2020 after defections from the Congress, was in part attributed to the indifference shown by the STs.

The RSS has been working through several organisations such as Seva Bharati, Vanvasi Kalyan Ashram and Vidya Bharati, but their bid to check conversion to Christianity and proliferation of churches was read as an attempt to deny the tribal way of living, said the BJP leader quoted above.

The RSS and BJP erred in not being able to set the narrative and did not invest in shaping leaders from the community, he said.

In January 2002, a massive Hindu sangam (conclave) was held in Jhabua. About 60-70,000 tribals attended the meeting addressed by the then Sangh chief K Sudarshan and other leaders. By the end of the programme, the RSS and VHP (Vishva Hindu Parishad) set out to instal Hindu deities in the homes of tribal people, encourage them to identify as Hindus and not agree to conversions under fear or favour. Although the Sangh and BJP spoke about development and empowerment, there was little on the ground to show for it, the leader said.

The RSS functionary cited above concurred that community leaders have little say in framing policy or in decision-making.

Both the Sangh and party are now resting hopes on central schemes tailored with an eye on the tribal vote bank to retain the support of the STs, who can swing the election in the state.

Commenting on the BJPs tribal outreach, sociologist SS Jodhka of Jawaharlal Nehru University said the party has changed the language of politics and created a new vote bank of beneficiaries outside the Hindu fold.

It has created paternalistic politics. Earlier, there was the language of rights, now it is patronage by the party and the supremo, he said.
Kolkata: A 42-year-old man, who was summoned by the police in connection with a mobile theft, died inside the police station in north Kolkata on Wednesday evening, prompting family members to allege that he was beaten to death. Representative photo (File)

The Bharatiya Janata Party claimed that the victim Ashok Shaw was a relative of a BJP worker and that the victim was tortured to death inside the police station. BJP councillor Sajal Ghosh, who visited the police station, demanded a CBI probe into the incident.

Family members of the victim alleged that Shaw received a call from the local police station in the afternoon saying that the second-hand mobile phone he had recently purchased for 200 was a stolen one. He was summoned to the Amherst Street police station.

Soon after receiving the call he went to the police station to submit the mobile phone. His nephews wife, who is pregnant, went along with him. While Shaw went inside the police station, his nephews wife waited outside. His nephew reached the police station within 10 minutes. Upon entering the police station, they saw that Shaw was lying on the floor. Froth was coming out of his mouth and blood was oozing out from his nose, He was beaten to death, Dinesh Shaw, a relative, told the media.

Rajni Shaw, wife of the victims nephew, went live on social media with a post in which the victim could be reportedly seen lying on the floor and policemen lifting him to take him to the Calcutta Medical College and Hospital. HT could not independently verify the authenticity of the social media post. Doctors at the hospital declared him dead on arrival.

Also Read: When police brutality becomes normalised

Soon afterwards, family members of the deceased and locals staged a protest and blocked a road in College Street outside the hospital. Later a protest was also held outside the police station, demanding justice.

A senior police officer said that a team of sleuths from the Kolkata Polices detective department would scan through the CCTV footage of the police station and record the statements of all those who were present in the police station at that time.

We have also requested the hospital authorities to set up a medical board for conducting the post mortem. It would be recorded on video, said an officer.

BJP leader Ghosh demanded that the post mortem be done at a railway hospital or at the Command Hospital. The family too demanded a CBI probe.

The ruling Trinamool Congress dismissed the allegation, and said a probe will be conducted.

This is not a BJP-ruled state where police will shoot a person. We have a transparent and unbiased administration. Investigation will be done. Some persons who cant fight us politically are trying to create an anarchy, Santanu Sen, TMC MP told the media.
New Delhi: Militants in Manipur ambushed a troop of Assam Rifles after planting an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) in Saibol area of Tengnoupal district on Thursday morning when the soldiers were conducting a regular patrol. Representative photo. (ANI)

None of the soldiers were injured because they were travelling in a mine protected vehicle, officials said adding that the IED blast was followed by heavy burst of firing from militants.

Our soldiers fired back at the militants after which they fled from the spot. Search operation is on. Our troops were not injured because they were moving in a mine protected vehicle, a senior defence officer who asked not to be named said.

Also Read: In Manipur, army, Assam Rifles join efforts to trace soldiers abducted kin

At around 9.30 am on Thursday, 20 Assam Rifles soldiers were moving from the companys operating base in Saibol as part of regular patrolling.

The militants had planted a low intensity IED. They then used small firearms and fired at the Assam Rifles vehicles. Our soldiers retaliated with appropriately force and foiled the attack. Search operation has been launched to trace the attackers, the official added.

Earlier this month, at least 200 Assam Rifles personnel were airlifted to Moreh town in ethnic strife-torn Manipur as the security forces launched an offensive to flush out militants, especially infiltrators from Myanmar suspected to be involved in recent attacks that killed one senior police officer.

Also Read: Meiteis not to celebrate Ningol Chakouba in solidarity with Manipur victims

The additional personnel were air-lifted, some were also sent to Moreh by road as part of the counter-terror measures. They are involved in identifying militants who are hiding in the town or may have crossed into India from the Indo-Myanmar border, a senior officer aware of the matter had said, requesting anonymity. Assam Rifles is working with other agencies in the counter-terror operations.
New Delhi: The Enforcement Directorate (ED) last month issued summons to Neville Roy Singham, the Shanghai-based American businessman, in connection with its money laundering probe against news portal - NewsClick, people familiar with the development said. American businessman, Neville Roy Singham, who is said to be currently based in Shanghai. (Getty Images)

Officials said the summons to Singham have been sent through the ministry of external affairs (MEA). A similar attempt to serve summons to the businessman was blocked by China last year, they said.

The Delhi Police last month arrested NewsClick founder Prabir Purkayastha and head of human resources, Amit Chakravorty, last week alleging that the accused persons were part of a conspiracy to disrupt Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity, cause disaffection and threaten the countrys unity and integrity.

The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) too raided the office premises of NewsClick after registering a case on October 7 to probe violation of foreign funding law by the news portal.

Singham has been named as accused in the CBI first information report (FIR) along with PPK NewsClick Studio, Purkayastha and Jason Pfetcher (sole manager of Worldwide Media Holdings).

It is alleged that NewsClick received unexplained export remittance of approximately 28.46 crore through four foreign entities in violation of FCRA provisions.

NewsClicks funding by Singham is under investigation by Income Tax department as well apart from the CBI, ED and Delhi Police.

NewsClick has refuted the charges against it saying it never published any news or information at the behest of any Chinese entity or authority. It denied taking any directions from Singham. All funding received by NewsClick has been through the appropriate banking channels and been reported to the relevant authorities as required by law, as substantiated by the Reserve Bank of India in proceedings before the high court of Delhi, the portal said in a statement last month.

The Delhi Police FIR alleges that Purkayastha conspired with a group named Peoples Alliance for Democracy and Secularism to sabotage the 2019 general elections and that Chinese firms such as Xiaomi and Vivo incorporated shell companies to infuse foreign funds to further the conspiracy.

Also Read: NewsClick case: Founder, HR head sent to judicial custody till December 1

Citing secret inputs, it claims that Indian and foreign entities illegally infused funds worth crores and that this was done in pursuance of conspiracy and intention to disrupt Indias sovereignty and territorial integrity, cause disaffection, and threaten the countrys unity and integrity.

The Delhi Police has also named activist Gautam Navlakha and Singham, accusing them of spreading Chinese propaganda. On Navlakhas association with Purkayastha, the FIR claims they have known each other since 1991.

The FIR cites emails between Purkayastha, Neville, and some other Chinese employees and says they expose their intent to show that Arunachal Pradesh and Kashmir as not parts of India

On August 5, an investigation published in The New York Times alleged that the portal was part of a global network that received money for pushing Chinese propaganda. The American newspaper said that millionaire Singham funded NewsClick, among other outlets across the globe, to sprinkle its coverage with Chinese government talking points.
India on Thursday reiterated the need for humanitarian relief in Gaza amid the war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi.(ANI)

On a question on the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said that the issue is not particularly about one single facility.

"...This is not about one specific facility, India has always underlined the need for humanitarian relief. We talked about de-escalating the tension. We condemn terror attacks. We have given humanitarian aid," Bagchi said during a press briefing.

He also responded to a question about whether the Voice of Global South Summit, which will held in India on Friday, would discuss the Israel and Palestine issue.

"...Of course, the challenges posed by global developments are also likely to be discussed. As I said, every country is free to say something that they feel bothers them. But I'm sure like in all high-level interactions, each participant will share their own perspective. The Objective is to hear from the Global South Summit" the diplomat said.

Israel on Thursday renewed its military operation at Gaza's largest hospital, Al Shifa. Tel Aviv claims that the hospital is used by Hamas as a command centre, which is hidden beneath thousands of patients, medics and displaced people.

Besides Israel, the United States also claims that Hamas has built tunnels below the Al-Shifa complex, which has become a focal point in the war, according to AFP.

The Palestinian militant group and directors at the hospital, however, have denied the charge.

Israel's raid at the hospital has been criticised by several Arab nations and humanitarian agencies.

Before Israel first sent troops into the hospital complex on Wednesday, UN agencies estimated that 2,300 patients, staff and displaced civilians were sheltering at Al-Shifa.

According to AFP, witnesses have described conditions inside the hospital as horrific, with medical procedures performed without anaesthetic, families with scant food or water living in corridors, and the stench of decomposing corpses filling the air.
Hyderabad: With just two weeks left for polling, the Bharatiya Janata Party is going to intensify its campaign in Telangana to posit itself as the kingmaker, G Kishan Reddy, the state BJP president, said. In an interview with Deepika Amirapu, Reddy said the partys decision to have an OBC CM would ensure victory for many of its candidates. Edited Excepts Telangana BJP president G Kishan Reddy said the BJP will get enough seats in the assembly polls to emerge as a kingmaker. (PTI)

PM Modi recently announced the constitution of a panel for classifying the Scheduled Caste sub-groups. What impact it will have for BJP in the polls?

The BJP is committed to social justice. The panel has been constituted not with a view to taking advantage of the communitys numbers but keeping in mind the demand of the SCs that has been long overdue. However, I will not deny that this social engineering will not bear an impact in the 24 seats where the Madigas are powerful.

If you intend to be the kingmaker, what options would you have given that you have limited options to partner with a larger party?

We want to play a major role in forming the government and we are confident of netting a sufficient number of seats in securing the kingmaker spot. The GHMC surprise will happen again. The people of this state have seen the Congress in power and the BRS in power; they havent seen the BJP rule yet. We will explore the available options after 03 December.

In what ways are you strategising to take advantage of the anti-incumbency?

There is an undercurrent of support for the BJP in Adilabad, Nizamabad, Old Medak, Kamareddy, Karimnagar, and in parts of Hyderabad city. The BJP voter votes silently. There is no flamboyance or convincing required because they side with us because of our ideology. What we are doing now is to communicate the message of development and change by deploying more than 20,000 RSS workers in these districts through a door-to-door campaign.

What is preventing you from announcing the CM candidate given that your party has decided to name a leader from the backward classes as chief minister?

Our party has a lot of BCs and, therefore, there are a number of chief ministerial candidates. When we made the declaration, it was not based on the person; it was based on the community because they account for a huge percentage of the Telangana population. Once the election results are out, our central leadership will decide on the CM.

From being the main threat to the ruling BRS six months ago, the BJP is now reduced to being a distant third. Some major decisions dont seem to have gone your way.

The perception that we are with the BRS is affecting us. We are engaging our cadre in every constituency for them to disseminate the message that the BJP does not ally with dynasty parties and corrupt parties. We are confident of turning around this narrative in the next two weeks in constituencies where we see a lot of traction with strong leadership.

At the ground level, we are conveying clearly that the BRS and Majlis parties are getting together and indulging in mud-slinging against the BJP. We have criticised the BRS for its flawed implementation of the welfare schemes and the Kaleshwaram project as well.

What is your party working towards? Defeating the Congress or being in power?

Both. To be in power, we are working hard to defeat the Congress.

There continues to be much attrition among the Telangana BJP ranks even after the nominations. What are you doing to stall leaders from going out?

The BJP is a party is strongly based on an ideology. A number of leaders from other parties joined us hoping to secure tickets and use the party to ascend higher politically. When their plan didnt fructify, they quit. There has not been any issue-based attrition.

With neither a manifesto nor any guarantees, how do you plan to woo the voters?

The Congress and the BRS have disregarded the states finances completely and have made tall promises with scant respect for the mounting debt. The BJP as a party believes in development over freebies and the people are seeing it. Also, when the two parties have given 30-plus tickets to the Reddy community, we have favoured the backward classes and the scheduled castes. It is the responsibility of the BCs and SCs who account for more than 69% in the state to come out and support the Bharatiya Janata Party.
Kochi: Actor and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suresh Gopi was on Wednesday interrogated by police for two hours in Keralas Kozhikode in connection with a case of sexual harassment filed against him based on a complaint from a woman journalist. Actor and Bharatiya Janata Party leader Suresh Gopi was booked by the Kozhikode city police on October 28 under section 354 A (1)(i) of the Indian Penal Code for physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures. (HT Archives)

Gopi, who arrived at the Nadakkavu police station around noon in an SUV, was accompanied by senior state leaders of the BJP and hundreds of party workers in a show of solidarity with the actor. The BJP has alleged political harassment of the actor behind the case.

The actor, who has starred in over 250 films mostly in Malayalam, was booked by the Kozhikode city police on October 28 under section 354 A (1)(i) of the Indian Penal Code for physical contact and advances involving unwelcome and explicit sexual overtures. The complaint was filed by a woman journalist on whose shoulder the BJP leader allegedly placed his hand twice without her consent during a press briefing.

After the row broke out, Gopi, through a post on Facebook, clarified that he touched the womans shoulder in an act of affection and that if she was mentally troubled over it, he would apologise for his action. In life, especially in public, I have never behaved indecently. But I feel I should respect what she feels about the incident. I tender my apology if she felt bad or was mentally troubled by the incident, he wrote.

After the case was registered against him, Gopi signalled that he would cooperate with the investigation. On Wednesday, he was accompanied by his lawyers at the police station and he is said to have explained to the police his actions at the press briefing. The police officers let him off after telling him to appear in person when summoned next in connection with the case.

BJP state president K Surendran told reporters, There are serious charges against CPI(M) leaders in several cases but the administration is not ready to take them up. But a fake case against Suresh Gopi is being taken up in a very quick manner. Everyone understands the political games behind it and we will oppose it.
As Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday reached Jaipur ahead of his full-day election campaign in the poll-bound state, chief minister Ashok Gehlot and his former deputy Sachin Pilot were seen together receiving Rahul Gandhi. "We are not only seen together but we are united and will remain united. The Congress will sweep in Rajasthan," Rahul Gandhi said amid speculations over a thaw between Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot ahead of the election. In the video shared by news agency ANI, Gehlot and Pilot were seen on either side of Rahul Gandhi and all of them had a 'pehle aap' moment as the leaders gestured for Rahul Gandhi to walk first. Rajasthan Pradesh Congress committee chief Govind Singh Dotasra was also there. Flanked by Sachin Pilot and Ashok Gehlot, Rahul Gandhi sent a message of unity as he reached Jaipur on Thursday.

Rahul Gandhi's statement of unity comes a day after Ashok Gehlot's X post on Wednesday in which he shared a photo of a party meeting also attended by Sachin Pilot. "Together, winning, again," Gehlot captioned the post indicating that both Gehlot and Pilot have decided to bury the hatchet.

Gehlot versus Pilot goes back to 2020 when Sachin Pilot, then deputy chief minister, revolted against Gehlot with the support of 18 MLAs. Sachin Pilot was removed from the deputy post while his equation with Gehlot remained strained. Gehlot called him 'traitor', 'nikamma', while Sachin Pilot earlier this year went on an anti-corruption yatra against the Ashok Gehlot government.

Before Rahul Gandhi, Congress general secretary KC Venugopal asserted that the party remains united in Rajasthan. "A narrative is being peddled that there is no unity within the Congress in Rajasthan. However, I can confirm that our party remains united as before. All our leaders are standing together and fighting with the common aim of ensuring the BJP's defeat and returning to power in Rajasthan. I believe that the public mood and pulse are in our favour. Let there be no worries. The Congress is on course on returning to power in Rajasthan," Venugopal said.
Workers of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Shiv Sena (UBT) of Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday came face to face and shouted slogans against each other at the memorial of party founder late Bal Thackeray, whose 11th death anniversary will be observed on Friday. Factions of Shiv Sena clash during the visit of Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde at Shivaji Park to pay homage to Shiv Sena's founder Bal Thackeray (PTI)

The crowd was dispersed by police, an official said.

While workers of the Shiv Sena shouted that the party belongs to them, those owing allegiance to Uddhav Thackeray responded with "traitors go back" slogans.

The incident took place after Chief Minister Shinde arrived at the memorial at Shivaji Park in Dadar to pay tribute to Bal Thackeray.

"Maintaining law and order is everyone's responsibility. I pay homage a day earlier to ensure there is no law and order problems. I condemn the attempt to disrupt peace," Shinde said.

"After I left, (Shiv Sena (UBT) leaders Anil Desai and Anil Parab came with supporters and shouted slogans against me, An unnecessary attempt was made to disrupt peace," he added.

Earlier, speaking to reporters, the CM said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had fulfilled the late Shiv Sena founder's dream of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh.

It will be inaugurated on the eve of late Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary, he pointed out.

Thackeray was born on January 23 in 1926, while the idol consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will take place on January 22.

Shinde said his government was working to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of Bal Thackeray.

Krishna Hegde, spokesperson of the Shiv Sena said, like last year, CM Shinde paid tribute at the Shivaji Park memorial on the eve of the death anniversary to avoid any conflict.

He was accompanied by senior leaders and left Shivaji Park some time later, the spokesperson said.

"Everything was peaceful till we saw the arrival of (Uddhav Thackeray faction) MP Anil Desai and MLC Anil Parab, who had come with a group of people to disturb the peaceful and solemn occasion. This was a deliberate attempt to create ruckus and a law and order situation," Hegde alleged.

"This was uncalled for. Balasaheb Thackeray belongs to everyone and all can pay tribute to him. If they (Uddhav faction) want to truly show respect to Balaseheb Thackeray, then they must first follow his ideology," he added.

The Shiv Sena split in June last year following a rebellion by Shinde and both factions have since been trying to claim the legacy of Bal Thackeray, reverentially called 'Hinduhriday Samrat' by supporters.

Meanwhile, an official said Joint Commissioner of Police (Law and Order) Satyanarayan Choudhary and additional commissioners of all regions in the city are at the spot to maintain and law and order.

A large contingent of police has been stationed at Shivaji Park to maintain law and order, he added.
Kochi: Six students of a private college in Kozhikode district of Kerala were arrested on late Tuesday night for alleged ragging and physical assault of junior students within the college premises, police said on Wednesday. Police said the arrested students have been charged under various offences including rioting, unlawful assembly, causing hurt using dangerous weapons and attempt to murder. (HT Archives)

The incident of assault took place at the MES Arts and Science College in Chathamangalam on Monday when a group of second-year male students barged into a classroom and beat up several junior male students, one of whom sustained serious injuries and has been admitted to the Kozhikode Medical College Hospital.

An FIR has been registered based on the complaint of the injured student, police said.

Its a case of physical assault by several senior students of their juniors within the college. After we took the statement of the complainant, we identified six accused and arrested them last night. Today, they have been taken to be produced before the court, said an officer at the Kunnamangalam police station where the FIR was registered.

The accused were identified as Mohd Sinan (20), Mohd Ajnaf (20), Nousheel Rahman (22), Mohd Anas (21), Mohd Shafeer (20) and Mohd Jasim (21).

They have been charged under various offences including rioting, unlawful assembly, causing hurt using dangerous weapons and attempt to murder, said the officer.

The accused students, all of second-year, have also been suspended from the college which has formed a committee to probe the incident.

A student told a local TV channel that the provocation for the assault was an Instagram post that had been put up by one of the junior students which the accused wanted to be deleted. The photo put up on Instagram was taken by one of us from the college terrace. The seniors wanted the photo to be deleted. They even sent an audio clip on WhatsApp threatening assault if the photo was not deleted, the student said.
Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi has returned bills sent to him by the government for his assent and the state is all set to get them passed again in a special sitting of the Assembly on November 18. Tamil Nadu governor RN Ravi (HT File)

Speaking to reporters at Tiruvannamalai, Speaker M Appavu said a special sitting of the Assembly will be held on Saturday.

On the purpose of the special meet, he said he has learnt that Governor Ravi has returned to the government several bills sent to him for his assent.

The state government intends getting such bills adopted again immediately, and hence the Assembly will meet on November 18, he added.

The DMK regime has recently approached the Supreme Court accusing the Raj Bhavan of sitting over bills passed by the Assembly.

At least 12 bills were pending besides, 4 official orders and a file related to the premature release of 54 prisoners. The number of bills returned to the government by Governor Ravi is not clear. The Assembly had been adjourned sine die in October.

The apex court on November 10 had termed as a "matter of serious concern" the alleged delay by Governor Ravi in giving assent to bills passed by the Assembly. It sought the Centre's response on the state government's petition accusing the Raj Bhavan of "sitting over" 12 bills.
Telangana chief minister K Chandrashekar Rao, who successfully invoked the statehood sentiments in the last two assembly elections, has once again whipped up the issue to overcome strong anti-incumbency against his Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), only this time his emotional appeal does not seem to resonate on the ground. K Chandrashekar Rao (ANI)

Telangana, which will vote to elect its 119-member assembly on November 30, has witnessed two assembly polls since 2014, when the state was carved out of the undivided Andhra Pradesh after decades of protracted struggle for statehood by the people of the region. In both the previous polls, KCR (as the CM is popularly called) was benefitted by his partys projection of him as the sole champion of Telangana cause.

Read here: Congress may gain Muslim votes in Telangana: Experts

Now, ahead of the crucial assembly polls later this year, which are likely to be a triangular contest with both the Congress and the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) presenting stiff challenge to the incumbent, KCR has stirred the Telangana sentiment once more. At public meetings, the BRS chief has been recalling his relentless battle to force the then Congress-led UPA government at the Centre to grant statehood to Telangana.

For nearly 10 years, the Congress party dodged the formation of Telangana state. I put my head in the pangs of death by undertaking fast unto death and brough the statehood to the region. If you vote for the Congress, all my efforts will go down the drain, KCR said at an election rally at Boath in Adilabad district on Thursday.

At an earlier rally at Yellareddy in Nizamabad on Wednesday, KCR had said: The Congress government shot dead 400 people during the 1969 Telangana movement... I had to stage fast unto death dharna and then the Centre succumbed to the pressure.

This time, however, KCRs emotional pitch does not seem to find too may takers.

Telangana state became a reality a decade ago. What is the point in recalling history? What the BRS government has done in the last two terms is what matters in the elections, says L Sairam, a 40-year-old resident of Muthyampet village in Kamareddy, which is one of the two assembly seats KCR is contesting from.

Echoing the similar sentiment, G Swamy, a record assistant at a private college from Devunipalle of Kamareddy district, said: KCR should talk about unemployment problem, crop loan waiver and other issues now, rather than harping on Telangana sentiment again and again.

Interestingly, KCR is not alone in trying to cash in on the Telangana statehood sentiment, the Congress, too, is trying to whip up the issue.

Telangana statehood would not have been a reality, had Sonia Gandhi not taken the decision, risking the political future of the party in both the Telugu states. The only way to show gratitude towards her is to vote the Congress to power, state Congress president A Revanth Reddy said at a public rally in Boath on Wednesday.

In fact, Congress parliamentary party chairperson Sonia Gandhi herself made a fervent appeal to the people to vote for the party to fulfil their aspirations for which the new state was formed. I along with my colleagues had the opportunity to be part of the birth of this great state Telangana and it is our duty to elevate the state to new heights, she had said while addressing a rally at Tukkuguda on the outskirts of Hyderabad on September 17, after the conclusion of the Congress Working Committee meeting.

Her son and party MP Rahul Gandhi also recalled that in 2004, Sonia Gandhi had promised to grant separate statehood to Telangana state and she had stuck to her word by fulfilling the promise in 2014.

Our party has granted statehood to Telangana for the people, not for KCR and his family members. In the last nine years, not a single section of Telangana got any benefit from the BRS government, he had said at the same event.

Political observers in the poll-bound state maintain that the statehood issue has completed its course.

Rama Krishna Sangem, a political analyst, said the formation of Telangana was the culmination of efforts of various parties and not just the BRS, which was then the Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS). It would not have become a reality without the Congress introducing the bill and the BJP supporting it. It was formed after the sacrifices made by hundreds of youngsters, not just because KCR took up fast unto death, Sangem said.

Describing Telangana formation as a dead issue now, he said the people of state are no longer interested in the past. They will cast their vote based on the performance of the BRS government. If they are happy with KCRs performance, they will vote for him again; or choose the alternative party, Sangem added.

In the first assembly elections held in April 2014, Telangana sentiment had played a major role, helping the BRS (then TRS) come to power, as the people strongly believed the statehood had become a reality due to the spirited political battle by KCR.

From 2014 to 2018, the BRS leadership made attempts to establish among the people that it was KCR who single-handedly brought the statehood to Telangana.

Several others who were actively involved in the Telangana movement, including Osmania University professor M Kodandaram, who spearheaded the movement in the capacity of Telangana Joint Action Committee, were systematically sidelined and silenced.

Read here: Congress used you as a votebank, does drama: KCR tells voters in Telangana rally

Hoardings depicting KCR as Telangana Bapu (father of Telangana) used to be put up across the state on his birthday on February 17 and at the party meetings. The BRS has been observing November 29  the day when KCR started fast-unto-death for Telangana statehood  as Deeksha Diwas (roughly translated to the day of initiation).

KCR invoked the Telangana sentiment again ahead of the second assembly elections in December 2018, four months before their schedule. He reignited the sentiment when the Congress joined hands with the Telugu Desam Party (TDP) headed by then Andhra Pradesh CM N Chandrababu Naidu.

In his speeches, KCR would warn the people of a possible return of the dominance of Andhra rulers represented by the TDP, and it helped the BRS come back to power for a second successive term. The statehood sentiment overshadowed whatever anti-incumbency that was building up against the BRS at the time.
At least three women were injured after some unidentified children allegedly pelted stones at them from a madrasa on Thursday in Haryana's Nuh on Thursday, news agency PTI reported citing the police officials. Nuh Superintendent of Police Narender Bijarniya, along with a huge police force, reached the spot and dispersed the gathering(File image/ PTI)

According to the police, the incident took place near a mosque around 8:20 pm on Thursday when a group of women were on their way for a 'kuan (well) poojan'. The stones were allegedly hurled at them by some children when they reached near the madrasa. In no time, people from both communities gathered there, gripping the violence-hit area into tension.

Nuh Superintendent of Police Narender Bijarniya reached the spot along with a heavy police force, and dispersed the gathering. The police has also registered an FIR and has called the mawlawi of the madrasa for questioning.

Some females were going for 'Kuan Poojan' and there has been a complaint that stones were pelted by some children from the madrasa. People from both communities gathered here in this regard...FIR is being registered...We appeal to the people to maintain peace. Relevant action will be taken...There has been no big injury, Nuh Superintendent of Police Narender Bijarniya told news agency ANI.

Earlier in July, communal clashes had erupted in Haryana's Nuh and its adjoining areas after a Vishva Hindu Parishad (VHP) procession was attacked by a mob which claimed the lives of six people, including two home guards and a cleric, and left more than 88 injured.

The riots had also trickled down to neighbouring districts, including Gurugram, where mobs set afire a mosque and pillaged several shops and restaurants. Over 61 cases were registered in connection with the riots and at least 340 suspects were arrested, according to the police.

Congress leader and Ferozepur Jhirka MLA Mamman Khan was named as one of the suspects in the violence and was arrested in September for his alleged role in inciting the clashes and for remaining in touch with suspects involved in sharing misleading and provocative posts on social media platforms to instigate others. He was later granted bail in two of the cases last month.

(With inputs from agencies)
With 40 construction workers still stuck in the Uttarkashi tunnel for over 100 hours after delays, some among them have started facing health concerns like headaches, nausea, and vomiting. Doctors deployed outside the tunnel have been asked to keep track of the health of those trapped inside, officials said. Trapped workers have developed symptoms like headaches and nausea as they continue waiting for rescue teams to extract them. (HT Photo)

Chief Medical Officer (CMO) of Uttarkashi, RCS Panwar said a few of those trapped inside have complained about slight headaches and nausea.

Some of those trapped inside have reported experiencing slight headaches and nausea. To assist them, we have been supplying essential medicines, multivitamins, glucose, and dry fruits through a six-inch pipe, the CMO said, adding that they were keeping track of their health.

Dr B S Pokriyal, a doctor working at the Uttarkashi district hospital, said he went to the site of the accident to the tunnel to speak to the trapped labourers.

He said, I had gone to speak to the labourers through a six-inch pipe. I asked them about their well-being and health. One of the labourers I spoke to complained about a slight headache. We have been supplying necessary medicines and multivitamins.

Also Read: Workers still stuck in Uttarkashi tunnel after delays, errors mar rescue operation

We have also been making sure they get enough protein and proper nutrition for which they are supplied chana, puffed rice, he added.

Meanwhile, family members and co-workers of those trapped inside the tunnel have asked the rescue teams to expedite the rescue operation considering their health.

Meanwhile, Aakash Negi, son of trapped worker Gabbar Singh of Kotdwar (Uttarakhand), said, The rescue teams should take action now and bring (out) my father and others trapped inside. It has started taking a toll on their health. They should be brought outside immediately.

He added, The authorities may keep on saying that those trapped inside are hale and hearty. Only those who are trapped can know how difficult it is to live inside the tunnel for four days. I am also concerned about my fathers health.

On Wednesday morning, the families and other workers staged a protest outside the tunnel, alleging that the construction company Navayuga Engineering Company Limited (NECL), and rescue teams were not doing enough to rescue the trapped men. The rescue operation is being managed by the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) and Uttarakhand Disaster Management Authority.

Saurabh Majumdar, a worker from West Bengal, expressed dismay at the way the rescue has been managed so far.

When the company was building the tunnel, were they not aware of the soil and its fragile mountain? Didnt they know that such an incident could happen? Now they say fresh debris and muck is falling and thats what is hampering the rescue. They are just bringing in new machines, one after another, but failing to execute their plans, he said.
The rescue operation to evacuate the 40 construction workers trapped 260 metres inside the Silkyara-Barkot under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi entered its fifth day on Thursday. A drone view of rescue operations underway at the Uttarkashi tunnel for the 5th day in Uttarkashi on Thursday.(ANI)

The workers were trapped after a portion of the under-construction tunnel from Silkyara to Dandalgaon on the Yamunotri National Highway (NH) collapsed at around 5:30 am on Sunday.

Most of these workers are from Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Odisha, Bihar and West Bengal.

Here's what we know about the rescue operation so far:

A state-of-the-art performance auger drilling machine was brought to Uttarkashi from New Delhi on an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130J aircraft on Wednesday to expedite the rescue operation plans.

The auger drilling machine has been pressed into service on Thursday morning.

National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) officials have said that drilling up to six metres has been done so far using the new machine.

Rescuers near the collapsed part of the tunnel in Uttarkashi. ((HT Photo))

Officials said that they could not predict a timeline due to the possible obstacles in the form of boulders present in the debris. NHIDCL director Anshu Manish Khalko said that loose debris was hampering the rescue efforts.

Khalko, however, had said they are hopeful of better results. If we have to drill through 50-60 metres of piled-up debris, it is expected to be completed in around 12 hours, he said.

Earlier, an official involved in the rescue operation on the condition of anonymity told HT on Wednesday that the previous auger machine, provided by a Delhi-based company, was not in a good condition and of high quality to drill through the debris inside the tunnel.

Union Minister of State of Road Transport and Highways VK Singh took stock of the operation on Thursday and said that the government and all its agencies are making all efforts to complete the rescue operation within two to three days.

Union MoS for Road Transport and Highways General Vijay Kumar Singh (retd) reviews the ongoing rescue operation in Uttarkashi district on Thursday.(PTI)
BY Vijayendra, the newly-appointed president of Bharatiya Janata Partys (BJP) Karnataka unit, officially assumed his responsibilities on Wednesday in Bengaluru, with a declaration that he will ensure that the party win all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state in the elections, scheduled to be held next year. The ceremony at the party state office was attended by his father and former chief minister BS Yediyurappa, along with the other senior leaders of the party. Newly appointed Karnataka Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) chief Vijayendra Yediyurappa greets the crowd after taking charge, outside the party office, Jagannath Bhavan, in Bengaluru on Wednesday. (ANI)

Aged 47, Vijayendra was appointed to the post on November 10. Addressing party workers, the state BJP chief said that he will transform the state into a robust party stronghold once again. Vijayendra asked party workers to be ready not only for the Lok Sabha polls but also for another assembly election in the state.

We wont resort to any Operation Kamala [poaching of MLAs], so theres no need to be alarmed. However, the ruling party MLAs find it challenging to walk on the streets because the chief minister has failed to provide them with even a 1 grant. Unlike us, being opposition MLAs, the ruling party MLAs cant raise their heads in the streets. You will see how they [opposition MLAs] will teach a lesson to this [Congress] government, Vijayendra stated. While criticising the Siddaramaiah-led government in the state, Vijayendra accused the government of conducting daylight robbery under its rule and said, There is no conducive environment for investments.

He also set a goal to secure all 28 seats in the upcoming Lok Sabha polls. I thank my party leaders for appointing me despite the presence of senior leaders in the party. Since my appointment as the state president, I have engaged with several senior leaders, building confidence, and seeking their cooperation to realize the dream of winning all 28 Lok Sabha seats in the state.

Hailing from the dominant Lingayat-Veerashaiva community, Vijayendra signalled inclusivity by encouraging party legislators to view themselves as party workers rather than identifying solely with specific communities. We can sweep the Lok Sabha polls only if you consider yourselves as party workers rather than leaders of specific communities, he maintained.

The event saw the presence of former chief ministers BS Yediyurappa, Basavaraj Bommai, and Sadananda Gowda, along with several senior leaders. However, it also witnessed absenteeism of notable leaders, including party MLAs Basangouda Patil Yatnal and Arvind Bellad. Additionally, former minister CT Ravi, absent at the event, issued a video message stating his presence in poll-bound Madhya Pradesh for election campaigning.

These absentees, including Ravi, Yatnal, and Bellad, are believed to be aligned with BJP general secretary (organisation) BL Santhoshs camp and are reportedly opposed to the nomination of Vijayendra as the state president. While Bellad and Yatnal share the Lingayat community background with Vijayendra, Ravi hails from the Vokkaliga community.

Other notable absentees were former ministers V Somanna, K Sudhakar, and Arvind Limbavali. Despite the internal dynamics, the BJP has planned a grand rally to celebrate Vijayendras appointment at the Palace Grounds in Bengaluru after November 25.

Vijayendra also said that he would take all senior leaders along to bring back PM Modi to power in the Lok Sabha elections.

Meanwhile, the Congress party leaders pointed out the absence of several leaders during the event saying, problems plague the state unit of the BJP. There is still a lack of unity in the BJP. First of all, he [Vijayendra] got this post because there is a lack of leadership in the party. Even today [Wednesday], several leaders like CT Ravi, Yahnal and many other leaders were missing from the event. We wish him [Vijayendra] well, but are his party colleagues doing it? asked Congress MLA Priyank Kharge.

When asked if the appointment of Vijayendra could take away the votes of the Lingayat community, which supported the Congress in the assembly election, Kharge said, Our victory was not just because Lingayat communities voted for us, but it was a result of the corruption and lack of governance within the BJP. We will seek votes on our achievements.
International Students Day 2023: Students are the backbone of a nation. They help in uplifting the country, initiating nee developments, raise their voice against wrongdoings and join hands in making the world a better place to live. Education and knowledge are the rights of a student. However, sometimes a student may go through a lot to acquire an education. Be it economic distress in paying for education or traveling far from their homes to study, a student may have to cross hurdles to get education and knowledge. International Students Day is observed every year to create awareness about the problems faced by the students, honour their efforts in getting an education and respecting multiculturalism and diversity. International Students Day 2023: Wishes, images, messages to share on this day

Every year, International Students Day is celebrated on November 17 throughout the world. As we gear up to celebrate International Students Day for this year, here is a list of wishes, messages and quotes to share with your loved ones on the special day.

ALSO READ: International Students' Day 2023: Date, history and significance

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Happy International Students Day! May we never stop learning and educating ourselves. The world becomes a better place when we strive to learn.

Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to those who prepare for it today. Malcolm X

International Students Day honors the students of the world.

This International Students Day let's pledge to understand the plight of the students and respect their efforts in acquiring knowledge and becoming better versions of themselves.

Teachers can open the door, but you must enter it yourself. Chinese proverb

International Students Day is celebrated on November 17.

The beautiful thing about learning is that no one can take it away from you. B.B. King

Students are the backbone of the world.

Happy International Students Day to you and your family. We all are students in the paths of life, finding our light.

The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows  Sydney J. Harris

International Students Day is a celebration across the globe.

A mans mind, stretched by new ideas, may never return to its original dimensions.  Oliver Wendell Holmes Jr.

Happy International Students Day to everyone!

No one ever stops learning - we should remember that and keep searching for the ultimate glow of knowledge. Happy International Students Day.
As the temperature drops and winter sets in, it's time to make your home warm and cosy and no other material can add warmth than wood which is a versatile natural material that has been used in interiors from the dawn of civilization. It's natural hues and textures exude warmth in contrast to the starkness of cold winter. Utilizing various wood tones, from deep mahogany to pale oak, can dramatically alter the mood and spatial perception of an interior space. Integration of wood tones in winter home decor not only pays homage to the intrinsic beauty of nature but also provides a tactile and visual warmth that is particularly comforting during the colder months. This approach not only elevates the aesthetic of a space but also ensures that the home remains a personal and rustic sanctuary amidst the bustling cityscape. (Also read: Adding vintage charm: Top rustic winter decor ideas for Indian homes ) Winter home decor: Tips for incorporating wooden tones into interior designs(Freepik)

Tips to add wood tones in winter home decor

In an interview with HT Lifestyle, Atreyee Choudhury, Founder and Principal Interior Architect at De Panache, shared interesting ways to incorporate the warmth of natural wood into your home.

1. Live edge furniture

Live edge wooden tables are crafted straight from the tree trunk wood and these robust tables and shelves celebrate the unique curve of the tree from which they are crafted. These are statement pieces which are defined by soft unfinished edges and none of the two tables are alike. These pieces bring the beauty of rustic nature into your home, be it a dining table even a coffee table or even a few shelves. The beautiful textures and rugged edges are one of natures bountiful creations which survived the test of time.

2. Wooden flooring in the master bedroom

Add either solid wooden flooring or AC-4 grade laminate flooring in your bedrooms where you can cocoon yourself every night after a busy schedule for quality hibernation. In Bangalore's contemporary residences, we often integrate reclaimed wood beams, distressed furniture, and hardwood flooring to achieve a harmonious blend of rustic charm and modern luxury.

3. Wooden frames

Wooden frames for your family photos or for your artwork is a great way to add a subtle touch of natural wood to your blank canvas of walls.

4. Wooden artefacts and driftwoods

Natural wood artefacts like a large wooden fruit bowl on the dining table or any wooden artefacts are great ways to integrate wood into your interior spaces. Distressed wood sculptures of a figurine or even driftwood all can add depth and character to your home.

"From teak wood tables, and benches, to bars, each piece is a testament to the rustic charm of nature, harmonizing seamlessly with diverse interiors. The rustic slab-cut pine and cedar wood dining or centre tables, with their organic, uneven edges, evoke a sense of dining under the open sky, offering a unique connection to the elements. Complementing the furniture it diverse array of wooden flooring beckons one to tread barefoot and experience the grounding warmth of nature. Crafted sustainably and designed to preserve the intrinsic beauty of various wood species flooring offerings create an ambience that resonates with the comforting embrace of the earth," says Geeta Lunial, Founder of The Good Wood.

She added, "In addition to flooring, various wooden cladding options transport individuals into a diverse realm of textures and shades, mirroring the richness of forests worldwide. These wall-cladding elements seamlessly weave narratives of different wood species, transforming walls into living canvases that exude tranquillity and a seamless connection to the natural world. To complete the immersive experience even finely crafted wooden accessories play a vital role."

From intricately carved lamps to bespoke decor pieces, each accessory is meticulously designed to complement the rustic-chic aesthetic, lending an earthy charm to every space. These accessories serve as the final strokes, adding finesse and depth to the overall design narrative, enveloping spaces in a cohesive, nature-inspired embrace that harmonizes seamlessly with furniture and flooring. This integrates how much cosy wooden furniture, flooring, wall cladding, and accessories add into a coherent narrative, showcasing dedication to bringing the warmth and beauty of nature into every home." Geeta concluded.

Bringing his expertise to the same Vijai Subramaniam, Chairman of Royaloak Furniture shared, "Wood, a timeless and versatile material, has an inherent ability to conjure up images of nature and wilderness. Its rich textures, warm hues and organic imperfections lend a sense of authenticity and character to any space, transforming it into an inviting retreat from the winter elements. Incorporating wood tones into ones home decor is an invitation to embrace the beauty of nature, to transform the living spaces into havens that evoke a sense of tranquillity and well- being especially in the cosy winters. The beauty of wood lies in its diversity. From the light and airy tones of sheesham to the rich, dark depths of oak, each wood offers a unique personality and charm."

"By incorporating a variety of wood tones into ones decor, we could create a layered and visually appealing space that reflects ones personal style. For us Indians, wood has always been considered a precious and revered material, deeply intertwined with our rich cultural heritage. Wood is omnipresent, shaping homes, temples and everyday objects with its warmth and elegance. A rustic dining table, its surface etched with the stories of countless family gatherings, anchors the dining area, encouraging conversations and connections. A cozy armchair, its wooden frame embracing relaxation, becomes a haven for quiet contemplation." Vijai Subramaniam concluded.
Attention fashion and beauty enthusiasts! The highly anticipated 72nd annual Miss Universe pageant is just around the corner and the excitement is building as we eagerly await the crowning of the new Miss Universe. Taking place in El Salvador on November 18, this global beauty pageant will see contestants from 90 different countries vie for the coveted title to succeed R'Bonney Gabriel from the United States. Organisers have revealed that the next Miss Universe will be chosen through a series of events, including personal statements, in-depth interviews and presentations in evening gowns and swimwear. Miss Universe 2023: When and where to watch, who is representing India and more(AP)

The prestigious pageant will be hosted by TV presenters Jeannie Mai Jenkins and Maria Menounos, as well as former Miss Universe Olivia Culpo. Adding to the glamour, the event will feature a live musical performance by legendary 12-time Grammy winner John Legend. The world will be on the edge of its seat as the next global beauty queen is crowned on this exciting night of glamour and talent. Scroll down to know more. (Also read: Miss Universe pageant will have two trans women contestants this year for the first time in history )

Where will Miss Universe 2023 be held?

El Salvador has been chosen to host Miss Universe this year. The event will take place in San Salvador, the capital of El Salvador, at the Jose Adolfo Pineda Arena, which can accommodate 13,000 people.

When and where to watch the Miss Universe 2023?'

The national costume competition will take place on November 16 at 9:00 p.m. EST, after the preliminary competition on November 15 at 8:00 p.m. EST. This year's event is noteworthy for its collaboration with Live Bash, a platform that will be livestreaming both competitions. Telemundo will air it in Spanish in the US, while The Roku Channel will offer streaming access for it. Indian viewers will be able to watch the final competition on Miss Universe's YouTube channel and X account starting at 6:30 am on November 19, as per Indian Standard Time.

Who is representing India in Miss Universe 2023?

Shweta Sharda will represent India at the 72nd Miss Universe contest. The 2023 Miss Diva Universe winner, a 22-year-old model and dancer, hails from Chandigarh. She moved to Mumbai with her mother when she was sixteen. Shweta completed her undergraduate studies at the Indira Gandhi National Open University. She has participated in a number of popular TV reality shows like Dance Deewane, Dance Plus and Dance India Dance. Apart from participating in reality shows, she has also been signed as a choreographer by Jhalak Dikhlaja.

What is special about Miss Universe 2023?

This year's Miss Universe pageant has special significance as it marks groundbreaking changes in the organisation's history, highlighting a commitment to progress and inclusivity. Breaking barriers at the upcoming Miss Universe competition are Maria Camila Avella Montanez from Colombia and Michelle Cohn from Guatemala, who will be the first mothers and married women to compete in the pageant.

Their participation marks a significant shift, challenging stereotypes and reshaping the perception of what it means to be a Miss Universe contestant. Moreover, Rikkie Valerie Kolle from the Netherlands and Marina Machete from Portugal will make history as the second and third trans women to take part in Miss Universe, following in the footsteps of Angela Ponce, who represented Spain in 2018. Another historic event will be Pakistan's first participation in the Miss Universe pageant, where Erica Robin will represent the country.
Chhath Puja that falls on the sixth day of Diwali is a major Hindu festival celebrated with much fervour and enthusiasm in the Indian states of Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Jharkhand, West Bengal as well as Nepal. It is said that Chhath Puja dates back to thousands of years back and was believed to have originated in the Mithila region of Nepal and Bihar. The four-day festival is dedicated to the Sun God and his sister Chhathi Maiyya, who is also considered the daughter of Lord Brahma. Chhath Puja fasting is usually done by women, but men can also observe it. (Also read | Happy Chhath Puja 2023: Best wishes, images, messages, greetings and status updates to share with your loved ones) Chhath Puja is one of the biggest festivals in Bihar and UP(PTI)

This year Chhath Puja begins with Nahay Khay on November 17 (Friday), and will be followed by Kharna on November 18 (Saturday), Sandhya Arghya on November 19 (Sunday) and finally Usha Arghya on November 20 (Monday). While Rasiya is prepared on the second day of Chhath, most of the prasads are prepared Day 3 onwards and are distributed on the final day of the festival post morning arghya which is offered to rising sun.

Here are 8 prasad items that are offered to Chhathi Maiyya by devotees:

1. Thekua: Known by many names, this Indian cookie made with whole-wheat flour, jaggery or sugar, and ghee, is among the most popular chhat prasads. With slight tweak in ingredients, this prasad item can transform into different avatars from khajuria, tikari and thokni. Thekua, an integral part of the daliya or soopa while worshipping Chhathi Maiyya is also looked forward to by kids after the paaran day puja.

2. Rasiya: The mouthwatering prasad is usually prepared on Day 2 of Chhath Puja, also known as Kharna, and is relished with roti by those keeping Chhath fast. It is usually the last meal before the 36 hours 'nirjala' begins which concludes only after Sandhya Arghya on the next day of Kharna and Usha Arghya in the on the final day of Chhath Puja in the wee hours of the morning after offering arghya to the rising sun. Rasiya is made with mashed ripe bananas, grated coconuts, jaggery, milk, ghee, cardamom powder, chopped nuts and is slow cooked on flame.

3. Banana: A popular bhog item, banana is also an integral part of Chhath Puja. In Hindu mythology, banana tree is considered auspicious and symbolizes Lord Vishnu. It is also considered Chhathi Maiyya's favourite fruit.

4. Khajoor: It is another version of Thekua with certain changes in ingredients. Khajoor or khajuria is made with all-purpose flour or maida, suji or semolina, dry fruits, ghee and sugar is added to it instead of jaggery.

5. Daabh nimbu: The vitamin-C rich Daabh nimbu is not just one of Chhathi Maiyya's favourite offering but is also full of health benefits. High in fibre and essential nutrients, daabh nimbu helps keep the digestive health on track. It is also a superfood for keeping heart diseases at bay with its high antioxidant and flavonoid content.

6. Coconut: Fresh coconut and dishes made of coconut forms an essential part of Chhath prasad. Coconut is a source of instant energy and is rich in good cholesterol. Coconut also has a powerful nutrient mix having good amount of fibre, potassium and iron.

7. Water chestnut: Chhath daliya is filled with healthy and nutritious prasad items that can not only energise you but also keeps you full for longer. One of such delights in water chestnut, also known as singhara. A hydrating and low-calorie fruit, water chestnut has many antioxidants, prevents indigestion, helps regulate blood pressure among other benefits.

8. Sugarcane: The fruit is considered very auspicious for any puja and it is thus part of Chhath Puja too. Besides, the fresh harvest of sugarcane is also offered to goddess Chhathi Maiyaa for her blessings.
International Students' Day is a global celebration of the student community. It's a challenge to be an international student abroad. It takes courage to leave your family and home behind. To improve their lives and support their families, international students travel long distances from their home countries to pursue higher education. All students find university life challenging, but there's no denying that overseas students face additional difficulties. These include language challenges, cultural differences, financial difficulties and homesickness. On International Students' Day, we have a wonderful opportunity to celebrate students everywhere. Today is a celebration of diversity, multiculturalism and teamwork. From history to significance, here's all you need to know about this day. (Also read: National Press Day 2023: Date, history, significance ) International Students' Day is a celebration of diversity, multiculturalism and teamwork, honoring the challenges and sacrifices of students worldwide.(Freepik )

When is International Students' Day 2023

International Students' Day 2023 will be celebrated across the world on Friday, November 17.

History of International Students' Day

International Students' Day is celebrated on November 17, the anniversary of the Nazi invasion of a university in Prague in 1939. The Nazis imprisoned nearly a thousand students, closed the university, and killed and tortured several others. The aim of the day is to honour those students and to raise awareness of the challenges facing us today. Originally intended to honour the more than 1,200 students of the University of Prague who lost their lives in World War II, International Students' Day has evolved into an opportunity for higher education institutions around the world to take pride in their significant international student populations and the positive work they do in their local communities.

International Students' Day 2023 significance

Innovation and creativity thrive in environments where people from different cultures meet, exchange ideas and learn from each other. What's more, it is believed that awareness of diversity and acceptance of differences is essential for our children to grow into successful individuals who can solve problems and find new ways of doing things. So, as we celebrate International Students' Day, let us all be reminded that diversity is what makes us human. Every day of our lives, we engage and interact with people from different cultures and backgrounds. These interactions also help us to develop empathy and understanding for other people.
Ryanair took to X to share a reply to a flyer who tried trolling them with a hand-drawn picture. The savage reply by the airline has gone viral and prompted varied responses from X users. The image shows a sketch drawn by a Ryanair passenger. (X/@ameliaxasavin)

X user ameliaasavin shared a tweet a few days ago and wrote, Its ok Ryanair, I fixed the issue on my return flight. The user also shared a sketch stuck beside what appears to be a flight seat without a window. It is a scene that one can usually see from the window of a plane. Theres also a caption written on the picture that reads, If you know, you know.

Ryanair reshared the post on their X handle along with a response that reads, But not your art skills.

Take a look at the flight-related tweets:

Ryanairs reply, shared a day ago, has gone viral. Till now, it has accumulated nearly 3.9 million views, and the numbers are only increasing. The tweet has also received tons of likes and comments.

What did X users say about Ryanairs reply?

Ouch, wrote an X user.  I love you Ryanair, I swear! added another. A for the effort tho, joined a third. Many reacted to the post using laughing out loud emoticons.
Eleven people have died and 51 have been sent to hospital after a fire at a building in northern China's Shanxi province on Thursday, state media said. "Eleven people have been confirmed dead and the specific number of casualties is still being counted," state broadcaster CCTV said. Eleven people have died and 51 have been sent to hospital after a fire at a building in northern China's Shanxi province(Representational image)

"A total of 63 people have been evacuated so far, 51 of whom were sent to the Luliang First People's Hospital for treatment", it added.

The fire started at a four-floor building belonging to the Yongju coal company in Lishi District, Luliang City, Shanxi Province at around 6:50 am (2250 GMT on Wednesday), state media said.

"Rescue work is still in progress and the cause of the fire is under investigation," it added.

Industrial accidents are common in China due to lax safety standards and poor enforcement.

In July, eleven people died after the roof of a school gym collapsed in the country's northeast.

The month before, an explosion at a barbecue restaurant in northwestern China left 31 dead and prompted official pledges of a nationwide campaign to promote workplace safety.

In April, a hospital fire in Beijing killed 29 people and forced desperate survivors to jump out of windows to escape.

And one of the worst such accidents took place in 2015 in Tianjin, where a gigantic explosion at a chemical warehouse killed at least 165 people.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that deliveries of key artillery shells to his country had dropped off after fighting erupted between Israel and Hamas last month. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky(AP)

Israel, which receives US military support, has relentlessly pounded the Gaza Strip since Hamas fighters launched an unprecedented assault on southern Israel last month.

"Our deliveries have decreased," Zelensky told reporters, referring specifically to 155-millimetre shells that are widely used on the eastern and southern frontlines in Ukraine, saying "they really slowed down".

"It's not like the US said: we don't give Ukraine any. No! It's just that everyone is fighting for (stockpiles) themselves," he told reporters.

"This is life. I'm not saying that this is positive, but this is life, and we have to defend what's ours."

Both Russia and Ukraine have struggled to maintain and secure stockpiles of shells after nearly two years of intensive long-range duels from batteries kilometres apart.

South Korea has claimed that Russia's ally, Pyongyang, has sent one million artillery rounds to bolster Moscow's war in Ukraine in exchange for advice on satellite technology.

Germany meanwhile said this week that the EU will not hit a one-year target of sending a million artillery shells to Ukraine, as the bloc struggles to secure arms supplies for Kyiv.

"Now the warehouses are empty or there is a legal minimum that a particular state cannot give you," Zelensky told reporters in Kyiv.

"And this is not enough," he added.

Zelensky however praised efforts in the United States to ramp up production.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine has made any significant territorial gains for a year, and Kyiv's top army commander has said that fighting had ground to a stalemate.
Israeli soldiers near Gaza's largest hospital found the body of a hostage seized by Hamas militants in their attacks on southern Israel on October 7, the army said Thursday. Israeli flares light up the sky above the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City,(Bloomberg)

A military spokesman identified the slain woman as Yehudit Weiss, saying she had been "murdered" by militants in the war-torn Palestinian territory.

"Yehudit was murdered by the terrorists in the Gaza Strip and we didn't manage to reach her in time," spokesman Daniel Hagari told a televised briefing.

Hamas has repeatedly accused Israel of being responsible for the deaths of hostages including Israelis through its intensive bombardment of the Gaza Strip.

Israeli officials say around 240 people were taken hostage during the Hamas attacks which killed some 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

Since then, Hamas government officials say Israel's bombardment and ground offensive have killed more than 11,500 people, also mostly civilians and including thousands of children.

According to the Hostages and Missing Families Forum, Weiss, 65, was kidnapped from her home when her Gaza border kibbutz community of Beeri was stormed by Hamas militants on October 7.

Her husband was killed in the attack, the Israeli group said, adding the couple had five children, four of whom were also in Beeri at the time of the attack and survived it.

Israeli special forces began raiding Al-Shifa hospital early on Wednesday, with an official saying they had found footage relating to hostages on computers at the facility.

Hamas says the operation has severely damaged the hospital, a focal point of Israel's war on Hamas.

Israel claims Hamas operates a base underneath Al-Shifa, a charge the Islamist movement denies.

According to the army statement, "military equipment including Kalashnikov rifles and RPGs" were found in the same location as Weiss's body.

Earlier, an Israeli official said troops were operating inside the sprawling facility, "proceeding one building at a time, searching each floor, all while hundreds of patients and medical staff remain in the complex".

Intelligence materials including equipment "belonging to Hamas" had been found at Al-Shifa, the official said, adding that the items seized had been taken for "further examination and investigation".

An AFP journalist in the hospital said hundreds of soldiers were involved in the operation, encircling buildings and using armoured bulldozers to push through walls.
Police violence in Brazil killed the equivalent of more than one black person every four hours last year, disproportionately hitting the Afro-Brazilian population, a report said Thursday. The police are often targets of deadly violence themselves.(Rep image)

At least 2,770 black and mixed-race Brazilians died as a result of police operations in 2022, representing 87 percent of all such deaths, according to the report by the Network of Security Observatories, an umbrella group of public security organizations.

Black and mixed-race Brazilians make up 56 percent of the country's 203 million people.

"Once again, the number of blacks killed by police represents the vast majority, highlighting the violent and racist structure of police activity," the group's coordinator, Silvia Ramos, said in a statement.

The report, based on freedom of information requests, said much of the violence was concentrated in favelas and other poor communities, where Brazil's police wage frequent battles with heavily armed drug gangs.

The police are often targets of deadly violence themselves. Those victims are also disproportionately black: according to the Brazilian Public Security Forum, blacks make up around 37 percent of the country's police forces but 52 percent of murdered police officers.

Brazil was the last country to abolish slavery in the Americas, in 1888.

The number of blacks killed by police in Brazil was far higher than in the United States, another country where allegations of racism and excessive police violence have been in the spotlight.

In the US, 312 black people were killed by police in 2022, according to the monitoring group Mapping Police Violence.

That represented 26 percent of those killed by police, for a demographic that makes up 13 percent of the US population, according to the group.
Nirav Modi, the fugitive diamond merchant wanted in India to stand trial on fraud and money laundering charges, told a UK court on Thursday that he could be in England for years as some ongoing proceedings prevent his extradition. "I am in prison on remand and remain un-convicted. I am here because of an extradition request from the Indian government, Nirav told the court. (File)

The 52-year-old former billionaire appeared for a hearing at Barkingside Magistrates Court in east London via video link from Thameside prison in relation legal costs, or fines, amounting to GBP 150,247.00, accrued over his failed extradition appeal proceedings in the London High Court.

Dressed in a pink prison-issue outfit and sporting a moustache, a plump and bald Nirav addressed the three-member magistrates bench to reveal that he had complied with the previous court direction to pay in GBP 10,000 per month towards the fines.

"I am in prison on remand and remain un-convicted. I am here because of an extradition request from the Indian government, Nirav told the court, when asked for the reason behind his continued imprisonment.

Questioned if he was aware of a timeframe for the extradition proceedings to be completed, he responded unfortunately not.

"To clarify, I was arrested in mid-March for extradition. Some proceedings are still going on which stop my extradition to India It is very likely I will be in England for a long time, could be three months, six months, could be years, he said, as the court deliberated upon the length of adjournment.

Taking note of the uncertainty, the case related to the unpaid fines was adjourned to February 8, 2024, when Nirav would again be expected to appear via video link from prison.

Meanwhile, the outstanding fines balance was confirmed as GBP 70,247, which the diamantaire said he intends to carry on paying towards to reduce the balance" so as "not to be in contempt of court.

At an earlier hearing listed for the same court in September it emerged that Nirav had been transferred out of HMP (His Majesty's Prison) Wandsworth, one of the UKs largest and most overcrowded prisons, to the privately-run HMP Thameside in south-east London.

The news of the transfer came days after a major manhunt was launched after a terrorist suspect escaped Wandsworth prison in south-west London. The escape had raised serious questions around alleged understaffing and overcrowding at Wandsworth, where Nirav had been lodged since his arrest on an extradition warrant in March 2019.

Last year, Nirav lost his legal battle in the highest UK court against being extradited to India in the estimated USD 2 billion Punjab National Bank (PNB) loan scam case. But his case is now said to be statute barred, indicating further pending litigation which could be linked to a confidential asylum application.

At the last procedural hearing in March this year, Barkingside Magistrates Court had granted his plea to be allowed to pay GBP 10,000 a month using borrowed funds after he told the court of his financial hardships due to his assets being frozen in India. This weeks hearing was scheduled as a review of that previous order.

In December last year, a two-judge bench in the Royal Courts of Justice in London had refused Nirav's application for permission to appeal to the Supreme Court on suicide risk grounds and also refused his application to certify a point of law, which concluded his extradition appeal options in the UK courts.

Nirav was arrested on March 19, 2019, on an extradition warrant based on Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and Enforcement Directorate (ED) charges against the businessman.

There are three sets of criminal proceedings against the diamantaire in India  the CBI case of fraud on the PNB which caused losses equivalent to over GBP 700 million, the ED case relating to the alleged laundering of the proceeds of that fraud and a third set of criminal proceedings involving alleged interference with evidence and witnesses in the CBI proceedings.

Then UK Home Secretary, Priti Patel, had ordered Nirav's extradition based on Judge Sam Goozees Westminster Magistrates Court ruling in April 2021.
Toronto The Canadian government is focused on getting India to cooperate in the investigation into the killing of Khalistani figure Hardeep Singh Nijjar rather than on resuming trade talks, a senior Minister has indicated. Mary Ng, Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development of Canada, addresses the gathering on the first day of the three-day B20 Summit in New Delhi, on August 25. (Photo by Sajjad HUSSAIN / AFP) (AFP)

Read here: Canada never got back with proof on Hardeep Nijjar killing, says Jaishankar

Speaking to the media on the margins of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meet in San Francisco, Canadas Minister of Export Promotion, International Trade and Economic Development Mary Ng said, Right now, the focus for Canada is to let the work of the investigation proceed, according to the outlet CBC News.

Ng, when asked whether trade talks could resume, responded, Youve heard me and the government talk about how important it is that investigation happens given that we had a Canadian killed on Canadian soil. So, well let that happen.

While she would not directly connect cooperation in the investigation and the talks, she said, Our focus is, of course, on this investigation, that work has to take place.

Talks towards an Early Progress Trade Agreement (EPTA) were paused by Canada, prior to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stating in the House of Commons on September 18 that there were credible allegations of a potential link between Indian agents and the killing of Nijjar on June 18 in Surrey, British Columbia.

A Team Canada Trade Mission to India, scheduled for October and led by Ng, was also called off.

On Friday, during a media interaction in Toronto, Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma had said that whenever there is a decision to unpause by Canada, it would take only a couple of months to reach the conclusion of the EPTA negotiations. There were ten rounds of talks before the pause. Verma had said he could not predict any timeline for resumption of the dialogue. The EPTA was meant to be an interim deal towards the goal of a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

Those active in the India-Canada business corridor have been sceptical that talks will resume any time soon. At the Friday media event, Victor Thomas, president and CEO of the Canada-India Business Council said he has communicated that sense to the chambers members. Given everything thats going on, I dont foresee any significant trade talks happening imminently, he said.

Read here: India not ruling out probe, told Canada to share evidence: Jaishankar on Hardeep Nijjar killing

Trudeaus statement cratered relations between India and Canada. Both countries expelled a diplomat each in the immediate aftermath, and India suspended processing of visas for Canadian nationals and only resumed the process in four categories on October 25. India also sought parity in diplomatic presence with Canada leading to 41 Canadian diplomats leaving India in October, which was described by Ottawa as mass expulsion.
Internet and telephone services collapsed across the Gaza Strip on Thursday for lack of fuel, the main Palestinian provider said, bringing a potentially long-term communications blackout even as Israel signalled its offensive against Hamas could next target the south of the territory, where most of the population has taken refuge. A picture taken from northern Israel on the border with Lebanon shows smoke billowing after an Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese area (AFP)

Meanwhile, Israeli troops for a second day searched Shifa Hospital in the north for traces of Hamas. They displayed guns they say were hidden in one building, but have yet to release any evidence of a central Hamas command centre that Israel has said is concealed beneath the complex. Hamas and staff at the hospital, Gaza's largest, deny the allegations.

The military said it found the body of one of the hostages abducted by Hamas, 65-year-old Yehudit Weiss, in a building adjacent to Shifa, where it said it also found assault rifles and RPGs. It did not give the cause of her death.

The communications breakdown largely cuts off Gaza's 2.3 million people from each other and the outside world, worsening the severe humanitarian crisis in southern Gaza, even as Israeli airstrikes continue there.

International pressure is growing on Israel to allow pauses in fighting to let in aid, with food, water and electricity increasingly scarce and UN officials saying relief efforts are endangered by fuel shortages.

Most of Gaza's population of 2.3 million is crowded into southern Gaza, including hundreds of thousands who heeded Israel's calls to evacuate to the north to get out of the way of its ground offensive. If the assault moves into the south, it is not clear where they would go, as Egypt refuses to allow a mass transfer onto its soil.

The war, now in its sixth week, was triggered by Hamas' October 7 attack into southern Israel in which the militants killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and captured some 240 men, women and children. Weiss, the woman whose body was found Thursday, is the third hostage confirmed dead, while four others have been freed and one rescued.

Israel responded to the attack with a weekslong air campaign and a ground invasion of northern Gaza, vowing to remove Hamas from power and crush its military capabilities.

More than 11,470 Palestinians have been killed, two-thirds of them women and minors, according to Palestinian health authorities. Another 2,700 have been reported missing, believed buried under rubble. The official count does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths, and Israel says it has killed thousands of militants.

The war has inflamed tensions elsewhere. In the occupied West Bank, Palestinian gunmen opened fire at a checkpoint on the main road linking Jerusalem to Israeli settlements, killing a soldier and wounding three people.

The three attackers were killed, according to police, who said the assailants had assault rifles, handguns and hatchets, and were preparing a large-scale attack in Jerusalem. Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

SOME GUNS, BUT SO FAR NO TUNNELS

A day after storming into Shifa, Gaza's largest hospital, Israeli troops continued searching the complex. Gaza's Health Ministry said the troops searched underground levels of the hospital Thursday and detained technicians who run its equipment.

The hospital has not had electricity for nearly a week, and staff say they have been struggling to keep alive 36 premature babies and 45 dialysis patients with equipment not functioning.

Shifa's director, Mohamed Abu Selmia, told Al-Jazeera that a dialysis patient died Thursday, adding that 650 wounded patients and 5,000 displaced people are in the hospital amid the raid.

Israel said its soldiers brought medical teams with incubators and other supplies, though Shifa staff said incubators were useless without fuel. Gaza's Health Ministry said 40 patients, including three babies, died before the raid after the emergency generator ran out of fuel Saturday.

During previous days of fighting in the nearby streets, there was no report of Hamas fighters firing from inside Shifa, and no fighting when Israeli troops entered Wednesday.

Israel faces pressure to prove its claim that Hamas set up its main command centre in and under the hospital, which has multiple buildings over an area of several city blocks.

So far, it has shown only a small number of weapons it says were uncovered in an MRI lab. The military released video from inside Shifa showing three duffel bags, each containing an assault rifle, grenades and Hamas uniforms, as well as a closet containing a number of assault rifles without ammunition clips. The Associated Press could not independently verify the Israeli claims.

In recent weeks, Israel depicted the hospital as the site of a major Hamas headquarters. It released satellite maps that specified particular buildings as a command center or as housing underground complexes. It released a computer animation portraying a subterranean network of passageways and rooms filled with weapons and fuel barrels. The US said it has intelligence to support Israeli claims.

The allegations are part of Israel's broader accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields across the Gaza Strip  which it says is the reason for the large numbers of civilian casualties during weeks of bombardment.

LOOKING SOUTH

The military says it has largely consolidated its control of the north, though fighting continues there. Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday the ground operation will eventually include both the north and south. We will strike Hamas wherever it is. He did not give a timeframe.

Israeli forces dropped leaflets Thursday telling Palestinians in areas east of the southern town of Khan Younis to evacuate. Similar leaflets were dropped over northern Gaza for weeks ahead of the ground invasion.

Strikes continued in the south Thursday. In the city of Deir al-Balah, a funeral was held for 28 people killed in an overnight bomb that leveled several buildings.

A southern offensive would bring Israeli forces into a zone packed with the vast majority of Gaza's population. They include some 1.5 million people displaced from their homes, living in overcrowded UN shelters or with other families.

In past weeks, the Israeli military has called on people to move to a safe zone in Mawasi, a town on the Mediterranean coast a few square kilometres (square miles) in size, where humanitarian aid could be delivered.

The heads of 18 UN agencies and international charities on Thursday rejected the creation of a safe zone and said they would not participate.

In a joint letter, the groups said that concentrating civilians in a zone while hostilities continue was too dangerous. They called for a cease-fire and unimpeded entry of humanitarian aid and fuel for Gaza's population. The groups included the UN humanitarian chief, the children's agency UNICEF, the World Food Programme and the World Health Organisation.

Palnet, the main Palestinian telecoms provider, said the network in Gaza ground to a halt Thursday after running out of fuel. Palnet's general manager, Abdulmajeed Melhem, said the company has made international appeals for fuel, but the network can only be restored if Israel lets supplies in.

That raises the potential for a long-term communications blackout. Gaza authorities have been able to get the system working after three previous shutdowns.

The previous blackouts traumatized Palestinians, leaving them unable to call ambulances after strikes hit homes or reach family members to ensure they are alive. Aid workers say the shutdowns wreak havoc on humanitarian operations and hospitals. Some Palestinians manage to keep up communications using satellite phones or SIM cards that reach Israeli or Egyptian networks.

The cutoff also makes it harder for international media to cover events on the ground.

Israel has refused to allow fuel into Gaza, saying it will be diverted to Hamas. It let in a small amount Wednesday so the UN agency for Palestinian refugees could continue bringing limited aid from neighbouring Egypt. But the fuel cannot be used for other purposes, including for hospitals.
An Israeli army official said Thursday footage relating to hostages seized by Hamas was found on computers at the Al-Shifa hospital during an ongoing special forces raid Hamas said severely damaged the medical facility. This handout picture released by the Israeli army on November 15, 2023, reportedly shows Israeli soldiers carrying out operations inside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.(AFP)

According to Israeli authorities, around 240 people were taken hostage after the Hamas attacks on Israel on October 7, which killed an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

Israel's bombardment and Gaza ground offensive have killed more than 11,500 people, mostly civilians and including thousands of children, according to Hamas government officials.

The Al-Shifa hospital  the largest in Gaza  has become a focus of the operation by the Israeli military, which says it is used as a base by Hamas, a charge the Islamist movement denies.

"Soldiers are proceeding one building at a time, searching each floor, all while hundreds of patients and medical staff remain in the complex," the Israeli army official said.

Intelligence materials including equipment "belonging to Hamas" had been found, they said.

During the searches, information and footage pertaining to the hostages abducted from Israel were found on computers and other technological equipment.

The official said the items belonging to Hamas had been taken for "further examination and investigation".

An Israeli officer points at hospital signage at the Al Shifa hospital complex in Gaza City on November 15, 2023.(Reuters)

An AFP journalist in the hospital said hundreds of soldiers were taking part in the operation, encircling buildings and using armoured bulldozers to push through walls.

The Hamas health ministry said the raid had destroyed medical services in the hospital, where the UN estimated 2,300 patients, staff and displaced Palestinians were sheltering before Israeli troops moved in on Wednesday.

Ministry spokesman Ashraf Al-Qudra told AFP Israeli troops "destroyed the radiology service and bombed the burns and dialysis departments".

"Thousands of women, children, sick and wounded are in danger of death," he said.

The Al-Shifa operation is being carried out by soldiers of the elite Shaldag special forces unit, the Israeli official said.

Troops had already found weapons, "intelligence materials" related to the October 7 attacks, and "command and control centres", they said.

"The operation is shaped by our understanding that there is well-hidden terrorist infrastructure in the complex," the official added.
Israeli troops on Thursday advanced their campaign to destroy Hamas in Gaza, fighting gun battles and taking control of a key port a day after a raid on the territory's main hospital. Israeli soldiers take part in an operation in a location given as the Port of Gaza. (Reuters)

The ground campaign has taken aim at key sites like Gaza government buildings and infrastructure, but also the Al-Shifa hospital that Israel says sits atop a Hamas command centre -- a charge the group denies.

Bombardment thundered and gunfire rattled in besieged Gaza, AFP live video showed, while Israel's ambassador the United Nations branded as "meaningless" a UN Security Council resolution calling for "extended" pauses in fighting.

The Israeli army said Thursday its troops had taken "operational control" of the port at Gaza City in the territory's north, showing at least a dozen tanks and groups of soldiers massed on the coast near Gaza City.

Israel has concentrated its heavy bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza City, announcing this week the seizure of the parliament building, government offices and Hamas police headquarters.

Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas in retaliation for the attacks of October 7, which killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and saw about 240 people hostage, according to Israeli officials.

The Israeli military says 51 of its troops have been killed in Gaza since fighting began.

But with the Hamas-run health ministry saying the death toll from the offensive has now topped 11,500, including thousands of children, calls for a truce are mounting.

EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell, on an Israel visit Thursday, called for the hostages to be immediately freed, but also urged Israel "not to be consumed by rage" in its battle with Hamas.

The military said late Wednesday that it launched an additional operation at Al-Shifa, hours after a pre-dawn raid that Israeli forces said uncovered rifles, ammunition and explosives from the compound.

Both Israel and its top ally the United States say Hamas has built tunnels below the Al-Shifa complex, which has become a focal point in the war.

The Palestinian militant group and directors at the hospital have denied the charge, and Hamas also rejected reports of weapons being at the site.

Before Israel first sent troops into the hospital complex on Wednesday, UN agencies estimated that 2,300 patients, staff and displaced civilians were sheltering at Al-Shifa.

- 'Meaningless' UN resolution -

The UN Security Council on Wednesday set aside deep divisions over the conflict to agree a resolution calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses" in fighting.

The resolution -- which passed with abstentions from the United States, Britain and Russia -- called on Hamas and Israel to protect civilians, "especially children".

Israel has agreed to temporary localised pauses in fighting, but has rejected calls for a broader ceasefire.

"The @UN Security Council's resolution is disconnected from reality and is meaningless," Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, wrote on X.

He also reiterated the Israeli government's war aims, saying: "Israel will continue to act until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages are returned."

The Israeli foreign ministry called Thursday on the Security Council and the international community to "stand firm on the prompt release" of all the kidnapped.

"Extended humanitarian pauses are untenable as long as 239 abductees remain in the hands of Hamas terrorists," it said.

- Civilian suffering -

Israel's army claimed an initial raid in Al-Shifa had uncovered military equipment, weapons and what spokesman Daniel Hagari described as "an operational headquarters with comms equipment".

A video narrated by another Israeli army spokesman showed rifles, ammunition and ammo magazines inside an area he identified as Al-Shifa's MRI scanner building.

"This was hidden very conveniently, secretly behind the MRI machine, said the spokesman, Jonathan Conricus.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza argued Wednesday the Israeli military did not find any weapons when it raided the hospital.

The death and suffering in the densely populated coastal territory has prompted growing concern for Gaza's civilians, who have fled south to try to escape the heaviest fighting.

Gaza City's Al-Quds Hospital was evacuated during the heavy fighting in the area, forcing patients to make their way south to other facilities.

"We were in pain along the road... I feel pain in the knee," said Ahmad Abou-Sabra, wounded evacuee.

"The situation was bad, and the distance. We stayed in the army (checkpoint) for more than two hours," he told AFP at at a Palestinian Red Crescent hospital in Khan Yunis.

- 'Mildly hopeful' on hostage talks -

UN human rights chief Volker Turk pointed to what he called serious allegations of international law violations in the Israel-Hamas war and suggested an international investigation was needed.

"Where national authorities prove unwilling or unable to carry out such investigations, and where there are contested narratives on particularly significant incidents, international investigation is called for," he said in a briefing to UN member states in Geneva.

But polls in Israel show widespread public support for military action against Hamas following the October 7 attacks, the worst in the country's history.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday boasted there was no safe place for Hamas and "no place in Gaza" the army would not reach.

"They told us we wouldn't reach the outskirts of Gaza City and we did, they told us we wouldn't enter Al-Shifa and we did," he said.

But Netanyahu, who has led Israel on-and-off for 16 years, is under intense domestic pressure to account for political and security failings surrounding the attack.

Protesters have taken to the streets demanding greater efforts to free the hostages.

Qatar, which hosts a Hamas political office and also has communication channels with Israel, has meanwhile led negotiations for the release of the hostages.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Biden said he was "mildly hopeful" there would be a deal.

"I don't want to get ahead of myself here because I don't know what's happened in the last four hours, but we have gotten great cooperation from the Qataris," he said when asked about progress on freeing the hostages.
Israeli forces dropped leaflets warning Palestinians to flee parts of southern Gaza, residents said Thursday, signaling a possible expansion of operations to areas where hundreds of thousands of people who heeded earlier evacuation orders are crowded into UN-run shelters and family homes. Israeli troops during a military operation in the Gaza Strip amid continuing battles between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. (AFP)

Meanwhile, soldiers continued searching Shifa Hospital in the north, in a raid that began early Wednesday but has yet to uncover evidence of the central Hamas command center that Israel has said is concealed beneath the complex. Hamas and staff at the hospital, Gaza's largest, deny the allegations.

Broadening the offensive to the south  where Israel already carries out daily air raids  threatens to worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory. Over 1.5 million people have been internally displaced in Gaza, with most having fled to the south, where food, water and electricity are increasingly scarce.

The war, now in its sixth week, was triggered by a wide-ranging Hamas attack into southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which the militants killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and captured some 240 men, women and children. Israel responded with a weekslong air campaign and a ground invasion of northern Gaza, vowing to remove Hamas from power and crush its military capabilities.

More than 11,200 Palestinians have been killed, two-thirds of them women and minors, according to Palestinian health authorities. Another 2,700 have been reported missing, with most believed to be buried under the rubble. The official count does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths.

On Thursday, gunmen shot and wounded four people at a checkpoint on the main road linking Jerusalem to Israeli settlements in the southern part of the occupied West Bank. Police said three attackers were killed and a search for others was underway.

SOME GUNS, BUT SO FAR NO TUNNELS

Israeli troops on Wednesday stormed into Gazas largest hospital, searching for traces of Hamas inside and beneath the facility, where newborns and hundreds of other patients have suffered for days without electricity and other basic necessities.

Troops were searching the underground levels of the hospital on Thursday and detained technicians responsible for running its equipment, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said in a statement.

After encircling Shifa for days, Israel faced pressure to prove its claim that Hamas was using the patients, staff and civilians sheltering there to provide cover for its fighters. The allegation is part of Israel's broader accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.

The military released video from inside Shifa showed three duffel bags it said it found hidden around an MRI lab, each containing an assault rifle, grenades and Hamas uniforms, as well as a closet that contained a number of assault rifles without ammunition clips. The Associated Press could not independently verify the Israeli claims that the weapons were found inside the hospital.

Hamas and Gaza health officials deny militants operate in Shifa  a hospital that employs some 1,500 people and has more than 500 beds. The Palestinians and rights groups accuse Israel of recklessly endangering civilians.

Munir al-Boursh, a senior official with Gazas Health Ministry inside the hospital, said troops ransacked the basement and other buildings. Troops questioned and face-screened patients, staff and people sheltering in the facility, he said.

The military said its troops killed four militants outside the hospital at the start of the operation, but through days of fighting there were no reports of militants firing from inside Shifa. There were also no reports of any fighting within the hospital after Israeli troops entered.

The military said it was carrying out a precise and targeted operation" in a specific area of the hospital, and that its soldiers were accompanied by medical teams bringing in incubators and other supplies.

At one point, tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing Israeli bombardment were sheltering at Shifa, but most left in recent days as the fighting drew closer.

The Health Ministry said 40 patients, including three babies, have died since Shifas emergency generator ran out of fuel Saturday. There was no immediate word on the condition of another 36 babies, who the ministry said earlier were at risk of dying because there is no power for incubators.

LOOKING SOUTH

The leaflets, dropped in areas east of the southern town of Khan Younis, warned civilians to evacuate the area and saying anyone in the vicinity of militants or their positions is putting his life in danger. Similar leaflets were dropped over northern Gaza for weeks ahead of the ground invasion.

Two local reporters who live east of Khan Younis confirmed seeing the leaflets. Others shared images of the leaflets on social media. The military declined to comment.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday the ground operation will eventually include both the north and south. We will strike Hamas wherever it is.

The military says it has largely consolidated its control of the north, including seizing and demolishing government buildings. Video released by the army Thursday showed soldiers moving between heavily damaged buildings through holes blown in their walls.

On Thursday, the military said it had blown up a residence belonging to Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader based abroad. It was unclear if anyone was inside the building.

Read Here: Israel searches for traces of Hamas in raid of key Gaza hospital packed with patients

Most of Gazas 2.3 million people have already crowded into the territorys south, where a worsening fuel shortage threatens to paralyze the delivery of humanitarian services and shut down mobile phone and internet service.

Conditions in southern Gaza have been deteriorating as bombardment continues to level buildings. Residents say bread is scarce and supermarket shelves are bare. Families cook on wood fires for lack of fuel. Central electricity and running water have been out for weeks across Gaza.

Israel allowed a small amount of fuel to enter Gaza for on Wednesday, for the first time since the war began, so that the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, which is providing basic services to hundreds of thousands of people, could continue bringing limited supplies of aid through the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

The fuel cannot be used for hospitals or to desalinate water, and covers less than 10% of what the agency needs to sustain "lifesaving activities, said Thomas White, the agencys Gaza director.

The Palestinian telecom company Paltel, meanwhile, said it expected services to halt later Wednesday because of the lack of fuel or electricity. Gaza has experienced three previous mass communication outages since the ground invasion.

If Israeli troops move south, it is not clear where Gazas population can flee, as Egypt refuses to allow a mass transfer onto its soil.
Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday slammed Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan as he called Israel a terrorist state amid the ongoing war with Hamas. Accusing him of supporting the terror state of Hamas, Netanyahu said on X, formerly known as Twitter, By contrast, there are forces that support the terrorists. One of them is President Erdogan of Turkey, who calls Israel a terrorist state, but supports the terror state of Hamas and bombed Turkish villages inside Turkey itself. So, we're not going to get any lectures from them. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (REUTERS)

Israel has been launching massive retaliatory assaults against Gaza's Hamas rulers after its fighters carried out an attack on October 7 in which at least 1,200 people were killed. According to the latest update by the Hamas-run health ministry, at least 11,320 people have been killed in Gaza so far, including 4,650 children. Meanwhile, 3,600 civilians, including 1,750 children, have been declared missing.

Here are the latest updates on the Israel-Hamas war:

The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday approved a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors" in Gaza after four failed attempts to respond to the Israel-Hamas war. The resolution received support from twelve states, while the United States, Russia, and the United Kingdom chose to abstain from the vote. The resolution's final draft watered down its language from a demand to a call for humanitarian pauses. It also watered down a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. The Shifa hospital in Gaza has become a symbol of the widespread suffering of Palestinian civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas. The Israeli military has claimed that it found more evidence that Hamas uses hospitals as bases of operations and the storage of explosives and weapons for terrorist purposes. According to the Israel Defence Forces (IDF), an operational headquarters, weapons, and technological equipment were found in the MRI building at Shifa Hospital. A total of 644 people traveled through the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt on Wednesday - including 587 dual nationals, 37 people either injured or sick, and 20 of their companions. US President Joe Biden on Thursday said that he made it clear to Israel's PM Benjamin Netanyahu that a two-state solution was the only answer to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict and that occupying Gaza would be a mistake. Biden also said that he was mildly hopeful there would be a deal to free Hamas-held hostages in Gaza. He also asked Israel to be "incredibly careful" in its military moves around hospitals in the Gaza Strip. Meanwhile, the diplomatic missions comprised of family members of Israeli hostages held in Gaza as well as people murdered by Hamas during the October 7 attack, initiated by Israel's Diaspora Affairs and Foreign Ministries, are expanding and reaching Latin America. The members of the delegation are reportedly expected to meet with the members of the two houses of representatives of Mexico - the Senate and the Congress - and with the Catholic vice-cardinal of Mexico, Bishop Salvador Gonzalez Morales.

(With inputs from agencies)
Soldier, 4 terrorists killed in separate clashes in NW Pakistan

Xinhua) 19:14, November 16, 2023

ISLAMABAD, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A soldier and four terrorists were killed in two separate clashes between security forces and the militants in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday, a military statement said.

One of the incidents happened on the outskirts of the provincial capital city of Peshawar, where the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation on the reported presence of terrorists, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement.

The operation triggered an exchange of fire in which four terrorists, highly wanted by the law enforcement agencies, were killed, the statement added.

"Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities, including extortion and target killings in the area," the statement said.

The other operation was conducted in Dera Ismail Khan district of the province, where a soldier was killed after an intense exchange of fire with terrorists, the ISPR said.

"Sanitization of the surrounding areas is being carried out to neutralize any other terrorists found in the area as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country," the statement said.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Xian Jiangnan)
Three Palestinian assailants opened fire at a checkpoint on a road between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Thursday, killing an Israeli soldier and wounding others before the attackers were shot dead, Israeli police said. Israeli security forces surround the area of a Palestinian home, believed to belong to one of the gunmen that attacked an Israel checkpoint.(AFP)

Islamist militant group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Police chief Yaakov Shabtai said the gunmen had planned a much bigger assault.

They arrived in a vehicle from the direction of Bethlehem, Shabtai told reporters at the scene, and opened fire when Israeli forces there began questioning them. They were killed when the Israeli forces shot back, he said.

After the gunfight, police said they found two automatic rifles, two handguns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, 10 fully loaded magazines and two axes on the suspects and in their vehicle.

There was no immediate comment from Palestinian officials.

Footage on social media, shot from inside a bus, showed a man in uniform running and falling as gun shots rang out at the checkpoint in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israel's military said a soldier with the military police was killed.

Tensions in the region have flared since a deadly attack by Hamas militants who burst through the border from Gaza into Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 240 hostages, including children, according to Israeli tallies.

In response, Israel launched an air, ground and sea offensive in Gaza, killing more than 11,500 people, around 40% of them children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in the Hamas-run enclave.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Thursday's attack showed that Israel should take a tougher stance in the West Bank and deal with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the occupied territory, as it does with Hamas in Gaza.

"Containment will blow up in our faces like with Gaza. This is the time to act," he wrote on social media platform X.
Over one desperate and blood-soaked Saturday, Hadar Bachar was transformed from an ordinary 13-year-old girl into the coordinator of her family's fight to survive a Hamas onslaught. Hadar Bachar talks to her father at Sheba Medical Centre where they are recovering from there injuries.(Reuters)

Like other residents of Israeli border villages overrun by the armed Palestinian infiltrators on Oct. 7, the Bachars barricaded themselves in a "safe room" built to weather rocket barrages from Gaza. Hamas worked to turn it into a death trap.

First the gunmen fired through the door, seriously wounding both Hadar's father, Avida, and her 15-year-old brother, Carmel. Eventually, the militants would rupture the reinforced window with explosives and shoot her mother, Dana, through the gap.

It was down to Hadar to stanch wounds while trying to summon help or advice. In the chaos and cacophany, she used her mobile phone and those of her parents to call emergency services that would not reach her home in Kibbutz Beeri for hours yet.

"It needs to be understood: A 13-year-old girl is running an operations room, with three phones at the same time," Avida recalled with grim pride from a hospital where he was recovering after the amputation of one of his wounded legs.

From the village's WhatsApp groups, the Bachars learned in real-time that Hamas was on a house-to-house killing spree - and that such a fate awaited them if they emerged from hiding.

For Dana, it was already too late. Only her daughter was able to attend to her, as instructed over the phone by medics.

"They tell me to strip her down. I did so and I checked, but I couldnt find an entrance or exit wound from the bullet. They told me to check her breathing. She was not breathing," Hadar said, speaking quietly in a Reuters interview with her father.

"My dad said, 'Leave her be.'"

Neighbours' frenzied text warnings alerted the Bachars to what would come next. The Islamist intruders used fire to try to smoke them out. That began with a wardrobe being jammed against the other side of their safe room door and set alight.

"They also used tires. They brought tires from vehicles, spare tires, anything they could. They torched the tires to create a thicker smoke - black, that you cant breathe - to make people escape outside through the windows," Hadar said.

"And then they would die during their escape.

Hadar and her wounded brother were still pressed up against the door, to keep it from being battered down, when the flames came.

"I tell Carmel that we need to move away, and then, 10 minutes later, when I get burns on my legs and Carmel gets burns on his hands, I tell him, We need to move'," she said.

"So we moved closer to the mattresses and we stayed there. In the meantime I hide under a suitcase and I speak to anyone who can help.

Help would eventually arrive, but not before more than 100 residents of Beeri - 10% of the village population - had been killed. Among them was Carmel, who succumbed to his wound.

Avida says he will recover and rebuild - as will his daughter.

Without a doubt, you think to yourself, 'What does a 13-year-old need this for? What are you exposing her to?' But we were in survival mode and she was, in all honesty, a superstar," her father said. "There's no one like her. She kept her cool. It was almost frightening.
US Vice President Kamala Harris will announce an initiative on Thursday to help women advance in important sectors such as clean energy, fisheries and environmental conservation in countries around the world, the White House said. US Vice President Kamala Harris addresses a reception for leaders attending the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders' week at the Exploratorium, in San Francisco, California. (AFP)

Harris will announce some $900 million in pledges from governments, companies and civil society organizations as part of the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative (WISE), the White House said in a statement.

The announcement will come as the United States hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco.

THE TAKE

Harris, who is running for re-election with President Joe Biden in 2024, is focusing on issues that are important to women ahead of a presidential election that is likely to hinge in part on voters' concerns over abortion rights.

Harris has been a prominent voice within the Biden administration in advocating for women's rights to abortion after the Supreme Court struck down Roe vs Wade, which had cemented those rights, in 2022.

BY THE NUMBERS

The White House said countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan and Mexico and companies such as Amazon, Citi and PepsiCo, had committed millions of dollars to efforts to help women gain jobs, training and funding in environmentally friendly sectors.

Canada committed $12.52 million through 2025 for projects that support enterprises owned and run by women in Ghana, for example, and Amazon had committed to invest $50 million for "climate tech" companies led by women.

"Womens economic opportunities are linked to their ability to control, access and use land, energy and water," the White House said in a statement. By supporting womens work and leadership in the sectors critical to the future of our planet, we promote womens economic security, and we advance work to address the causes and effects of climate change and bolster economic prosperity.
Myanmar's military rulers have ordered all government staff and those with military experience to prepare to serve in case of emergency, an official said on Thursday, after the junta reported "heavy assaults" from insurgents in several places. This photo taken on November 10, 2023 shows fighters of the ethnic rebel group Ta'ang National Liberation Army (TNLA) standing guard in the town of Namhkam in northern Shan state.(AFP)

Myanmar's military has battled ethnic minority and other insurgencies for decades but a 2021 coup has brought unprecedented coordination between anti-military forces that are mounting the biggest challenge to the army in years.

The junta had orders all government staff and former military personnel to form units to respond to emergency situations, said Tin Maung Swe, secretary of an administrative council in the capital, Naypyitaw.

"If necessary, such a unit might be required to go out and serve for natural disasters, and security," the junta's council said in an order.

Also Read | Explained: Spike in fighting in Myanmar and what it means for India

Tin Maung Swe confirmed the order while stressing that the situation in the capital, in central Myanmar, was calm.

"This is the plan to help in the event of an emergency," he told Reuters.

A parallel government formed by pro-democracy politicians to oppose the military, and allied with some insurgent factions, has launched a "Road to Naypyitaw" campaign which it says is aimed at taking control of the capital.

Junta spokesperson Zaw Min Tun said late on Wednesday the military was facing "heavy assaults from a significant number of armed rebel soldiers" in Shan State in the northeast, Kayah State in the east and Rakhine State in the west.

In this photo provided by The Kokang online media, members of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army ethnic armed organization herd soldiers of the army battalion and their family members who surrendered to them two days earlier on to a truck, on Nov. 14, 2023 in Kokang Self-Administered Zone in Myanmar's northern Shan state.(AP)

Zaw Min Tun said some military positions had been evacuated and the insurgents had been using drones to drop hundreds of bombs on military posts.

"We are urgently taking measures to protect against drone bomb attacks effectively," the junta spokesperson said.

UN CONCERN

Myanmar has been in turmoil since the 2021 coup, when the military ousted a government led by Nobel laureate Aung San Suu Kyi, ending a decade of tentative democratic reform.

The military ruled Myanmar with an iron fist for 50 years after seizing power in 1962, insisting it was the only institution capable of holding the diverse country together.

The 2021 coup dashed hopes for reform and triggered a groundswell of opposition that has united pro-democracy activists in towns and cities with ethnic minority forces fighting for self-determination in hinterlands.

Clashes have sent refugees into all of Myanmar's neighbours, including thousands who fled into India in recent days from fighting in Chin State in the northwest.

Western governments have re-imposed sanctions on the Myanmar junta in response to the coup and crackdowns on protests and demanded the release of Suu Kyi and other pro-democracy politicians and activists.

Myanmar's Southeast Asian neighbours have tried to encourage a peace process but the generals have largely ignored their efforts.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres was deeply concerned by the "expansion of conflict in Myanmar" and called for all parties to protect civilians, a spokesperson said.

"The number of displaced people in Myanmar now exceeds 2 million," the spokesperson said.

The Arakan Army (AA) rebel group fighting for autonomy in Rakhine State said on Wednesday that dozens of police and military men had surrendered or been captured as its forces advanced.

The junta spokesperson denounced the group saying it was "destroying" Rakhine State.

Separately, a video posted on social media by anti-military forces in Kayah State, and verified by Reuters, showed wounded junta troops surrendering to insurgents, who were seen offering medical help.

"We are ready to shoot you right now but we won't do that. You raise the white flag and walk out, nothing will happen to you," a fighter who identified himself as the vice commander-in-chief of the rebel Karenni National Defence Force is heard telling the junta soldiers.
A Pakistan high court Thursday extended until November 20 the stay against the jail trial of former prime minister Imran Khan in the cipher case. Pakistan's former Prime Minister Imran Khan (Reuters)

The Islamabad High Court (IHC) bench comprising Justice Miangul Hassan Aurangzeb and Justice Saman Rafat Imtiaz extended the stay during the hearing of 71-year-old Khans intra-court appeal against the jail trial.

The appeal was filed against a single-member bench of the same court which last month upheld the trial of Khan in the Adiala Jail Rawalpindi where he has been incarcerated.

According to Khans Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, the IHC extended the stay of the cipher case trial under official secret act till Monday, November 20.

The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) chairman is currently detained in Adiala jail in Rawalpindi on judicial remand. Khan's close aide and former foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi, 67, who was also arrested in the cipher case is imprisoned in the same jail. Khan and Qureshi have pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The caretaker government has approved the jail trial of Khan and Qureshi in the case based on an alleged violation of the Official Secrets Act while dealing with a secret diplomatic cable by the Pakistan embassy in Washington in March 2022. The duo were booked by the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA)in the case in August.

The single bench, led by IHC Chief Justice Aamer Farooq, on October 16 had observed no apparent malice behind conducting Khan's jail trial in the cipher case and directed him to approach the trial court if his reservations persist. Subsequently, Khan filed an intra-court appeal against the single bench's decision.

The purported cipher (secret diplomatic cable) contained an account of a meeting between US State Department officials, including Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of South & Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Pakistani envoy Asad Majeed Khan last year.

Khan, who served as prime minister of Pakistan from August 2018 to April 2022, is accused of misusing the contents of the cipher to build a narrative that his government was ousted due to a conspiracy hatched by the US, a charge denied by Washington.

Khan was ousted through a vote of no-confidence in April 2022. More than 150 cases have been registered against Khan since his ouster from power.
Pakistan on Thursday said that it had not provided weapons to Ukraine or Russia as it was staying neutral in the conflict between the two countries. Cash-strapped Pakistan earned USD 364 million in an arms deal with two private US companies last year to supply ammunition to Ukraine in its war with Russia. (File)

"I reaffirm what we have said in the past that Pakistan has not sold weapons to Ukraine or to Russia as we have adopted a policy of strict neutrality in this conflict, Foreign Office spokeswoman Mumtaz Zahra Baloch said at the weekly briefing when asked about a reported sale of weapons to Ukraine through a third country.

Baloch also said that Pakistan was not in a position to confirm what weaponry was being used by the parties in the conflict. She said that Pakistan's exports of weapons to countries were accompanied by end-user certificates and we expect the parties which import Pakistani weapons to respect those end user commitments.

Earlier this week, the BBC Urdu reported that cash-strapped Pakistan earned USD 364 million in an arms deal with two private US companies last year to supply ammunition to Ukraine in its war with Russia.

To another question, she said that the reports about Russia asking Pakistan to return its defence equipment were not based on facts, because "we are not aware of any requests that have been made by Russia to Pakistani authorities".
Toronto: Two persons were arrested in Vancouver after pro-Palestine protesters swarmed restaurants visited by Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in the city in British Columbia on Tuesday evening. Trudeau had to leave the second of the venues under police protection. Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (AP)

According to videos of the episodes, protesters are seen shouting at Canadian PM to demand a ceasefire in the ongoing operations by Israel in Gaza, which resulted from the October 7 terror attacks by Hamas.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Vancouver Police Department (VPD) said it had deployed nearly 100 officers on Tuesday night to disperse a protest outside a Chinatown restaurant where the prime minister was dining.

The restaurant was not identified though Trudeau also faced protests at a popular Indian restaurant, Vijs, which he had visited earlier in the evening.

In its release, VPD said officers responded around 10pm, after approximately 250 people surrounded the restaurant and assisted in controlling and dispersing the crowd, while the prime minister was escorted out of the restaurant.

A 27-year-old male was arrested for assaulting a VPD officer, who was punched in the face and had her eyes gouged while dispersing the protest. The officer received medical treatment for her injuries. VPD is recommending criminal charges against the man, the release stated.

A 34-year-old man was also, arrested for obstructing police. He has been released from custody pending further investigation.

The Vancouver Police Department supports everyones right to peacefully assemble and to express their views. When protests occur, VPDs primary role is to maintain order, to facilitate a peaceful environment for people to express themselves, and to respond to unlawful behaviour if it occurs, the release said.

Trudeau has faced criticism from both sides for his comments on the divisive conflict, especially as Canada has witnessed several pro-Palestine rallies as well as incidents of anti-Semitism in recent days.

The Canadian government has not called upon the Israeli government for a ceasefire. While in Vancouver on Tuesday, Trudeau has asked Israel to exercise maximum restraint.

I have been clear that the price of justice cannot be the continued suffering of all Palestinian civilians. Even wars have rules, he said. However, his statement earned a sharp rebuke from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who posted on X, tagging Trudeau, It is not Israel that is deliberately targeting civilians but Hamas that beheaded, burned and massacred civilians in the worst horrors perpetrated on Jews since the Holocaust.

The Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA) also criticised Trudeaus statement, as it posted, If Canada wants to contribute to the goal of sustainable peace, it will stand firmly with Israel as it toils to remove the murderous Hamas regime from Gaza. Anything less condemns the region to perpetual suffering for all.
A Spencer family source has said that Prince William and Prince Harry "will never see eye-to-eye" considering their feud. Harry took several digs at his brother ever since he and his wife Meghan Markle left the royal family and moved to America. Spencer family source has said that Prince William and Prince Harry "will never see eye-to-eye" considering their feud (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File, Andy Kelvin/PA via AP)

In his autobiography, Spare, Harry opened up about a physical fight he had with William. He also joked about Williams baldness and revealed private conversations that took place between the pair and King Charles during the funeral of Prince Philip.

Royal author Omid Scobies new book Endgame is set to be released on November 28. Before its release, however, Scobie has released several extracts about Prince Harrys relation with the royal family. An excerpt published by People said, As for how [Prince William] feels about Harry since the release of Spare, a source close to the prince told me, Theres a huge amount of anger there.

"'He feels betrayed and sad about the situation, Scobie added. "'But he also doesnt agree with the things his brother feels he has done. He feels he has lost Harry and doesnt want to know this version of him.

Scope further said, That version, countered a Spencer family source, is simply 'Harry being a man who has stepped outside of the institution and sees things in a different light. 'They will never see eye to eye at this point. Theyre on completely opposite sides . . . that wont change.'"

Scobie also claimed that Harry was viewed as a threat to the crown. A source told Scobie that Prince William sees Harry as a "defector". "These were two men who once upon a time were firmly aligned in their outlook. One of them had to move on to also protect the crown, he explained. Scobie has said that some people saw Harry as a "threat to the crown" after he left the royal family, and was viewed as the enemy because he has the "freedom to exert his own thinking".
Toronto: After protests at a routine life certificate camp organised by Indias consulate in Vancouver, pro-Khalistan elements have threatened to disrupt similar activities in the future. Indo-Canadian pensions at a life certificate camp at the Khalsa Diwan Society gurdwara in Abbotsford, British Columbia, on Monday. (Source: India in Vancouver/X)

On Monday, Indias consulate in Vancouver held a consular camp for issuing life certificate to the Indian government pensioners. The venue was the Khalsa Diwan Societys gurdwara in Abbotsford in British Columbia.

However, protesters gathered outside the gurdwara and later consulate officials had to be escorted out by local police. That underscored the point made by India earlier about work by its high commission and consulates being impeded by pro-Khalistan groups.

The secessionist group Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has said that wherever India officials go, pro-Khalistani elements will attempt to hold them accountable.

Pro-Khalistan Sikhs are going to challenge Indian diplomats since they are setting up spy network under the cover of community programmes, SFJs general-counsel Gurpatwant Pannun said in a statement.

SFJ released posters on Wednesday threatening to shut down such camps that are scheduled to be held in the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) on November 18 and 19. The venue for one is a gurdwara while the other two are to be held at Hindu temples. A similar poster was also issued for the Metro Vancouver region, where such camps are scheduled on November 19 at two gurdwaras. It lists another camp to be held at a school in Saskatoon, in the province of Saskatchewan.

In fact, a video from the event on Monday shows a pensioner being heckled outside the gurdwara premises even as his younger companion attempts to pick up an Indian flag thrown on the ground by the protesters.

A senior Indian official said between ten and 20 protesters had gathered outside the gurdwara and they also abused a couple of end-users who came to get consular services. There was no problem in the conduct of the camp. Enough police presence was ensured by the organisers, the official added.

Such camps are routine where there are significant numbers of the Indian diaspora, and are aimed at serving seniors who require the document for various purposes including receiving pension, insurance and banking activity.

Maninder Singh Gill, president of the Surrey, BC-based Friends of India Canada, said he strongly condemned the cowardly heckling of the consulate officials.

The consulate officers made more than 635 life certificates for elderly people who are pensioners of the different government departments in India. If the consulate officers do not go to the door of these pensioners, then these elderly people will have to go to Vancouver, which will lead to great difficulties for them, he added.

That normal functioning of Indian officials has been impeded was a reason behind India suspending the issuance of visas to Canadian nationals on September 21. Visas issuance was restored in four categories on October 25 but nine others, including tourist and e-visas, still remain indefinitely suspended.

Indias High Commissioner to Ottawa Sanjay Kumar Verma told the Hindustan Times at the time, Provision of security to key Indian diplomats and consular officials does not necessarily mean that the security environment has improved. It only means that despite threats to their persons, they are able to have restricted physical movement. The situation is still not ideal to conduct normal diplomatic and consular functions by all Indian diplomats and consular officials.
Dozens of the hundreds of police assembled moved car to car seeking and arresting anti-Israel protesters on Thursday as authorities slowly reopened the vital Bay Bridge heading into San Francisco as the city hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum. Thousands of Pro-Palestine protesters shut down Bay Bridge during commute hours(X/ @SociatUSA)

The demonstrators called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and hoisted signs saying "Stop The Genocide" and "No US Military Aid to Israel" as they blocked the key commuter route into the city.

Police arrested "dozens" of demonstrators, one of the groups involved in the action told Reuters in an email. The demonstrators continued to chanted "free, free Palestine" and "Palestine will be free" after they were arrested.

The hundreds of officers detained protesters in zip ties, after the California Highway Patrol issued a dispersal order to the assembled group. Authorities deployed tow trucks on the bridge to potentially remove cars that protesters used to quickly halt traffic when the demonstration began during morning rush hour.

The bridge demonstration follows several protests on Wednesday as President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping were set to meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit.

After traffic began to flow again in at least one lane, officers stopped a Honda that was proceeding with the other vehicles, according to a Reuters witness. Police ordered the car to stop, and arrested the occupants, including someone in the trunk, who appeared to be a demonstrator.

Two people among those arrested said they were not associated with the protests and should not have been arrested. Stanford University physics professor Lauren Tompkins told Reuters she was on her way to work, and complied with law enforcement's orders when she was arrested in her car.

Earlier on Thursday about 200 protesters amassed on the bridge, organizers said. Several groups participated in the demonstration, including the Palestinian Youth Movement and Bay Area Palestine Solidarity, according to a press release.

Protesters aimed to disrupt "business as usual" during the APEC summit, and urged Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war, Arab Resource and Organizing Center executive Lara Kiswani said.

Before the dispersal, protesters chained themselves together through vehicles adorned with signs that said "Free Palestine" among others, social media posts showed. Several protesters appeared to be lying on the asphalt covered with white sheets.

Israel's airstrikes on Gaza in retaliation for a Hamas attack on Oct. 7 have killed more than 11,000 people, and experts including the United Nations have warned of a risk of genocide.

SNARLED TRAFFIC

Traffic traveling on the bridge toward San Francisco began to move as of about 10:45 a.m. local time (1845 GMT), but was backed up for several hours as a result of the demonstration.

The Bay Bridge is one of the main commercial arteries that links San Francisco from the surrounding region. Tens of thousands of vehicles cross every day.

Claudia Felix, 28, a demolition remediation worker left her home in inland Stockton at 4:30 a.m and got stuck in traffic before traveling onto the bridge and was forced to exit a little after 10 a.m., almost six hours after she left home. She pulled over to the side of an access road and said she felt stressed.

It is a good idea because they are against a war but I think they should be more safe and protest in the city, not the bridge, Felix said.

Vicky Hamlin, 73, a retired construction worker said she was forced off the Bay Bridge due to the protests.

"I think what's happening to the people in Gaza is so horrific that nothing that happens to us here, nothing that we experience is worth complaining about," she said.
A Russian artist who replaced supermarket price tags with messages calling for an end to Moscow's war in Ukraine was jailed for seven years on Thursday, a verdict her supporters called a disgraceful mockery of justice. Alexandra (Sasha) Skochilenko, a 33-year-old artist and musician, who faces charges of spreading false information about the army. (Reuters)

A court in St Petersburg delivered the ruling hours after the artist, 33-year-old Alexandra Skochilenko, had made a final statement to the court, asking the presiding judge to exercise wisdom and compassion and to set her free.

Skochilenko, who was found guilty of knowingly spreading false information about the Russian army, was banned from using the internet for the next three years in addition to the seven-year prison term.

A state prosecutor, who had accused her of committing what he described as a serious crime out of "political hatred" towards Russia, had asked for her to be jailed for eight years.

Her supporters repeatedly chanted "Disgrace, Disgrace!" after the verdict as a smiling Skochilenko made a heart shape with her hands as she stood in the courtroom cage which was ringed by police officers. Later, she wiped tears from her face.

Boris Vishnevsky, a politician from the opposition Yabloko party, said murderers sometimes got less than the seven years Skochilenko had got for putting up five small pieces of paper in a supermarket where price tags would normally hang.

"This is not justice, this is pay back," he told the online SOTA news channel.

The artist, who has already spent over a year-and-a half in prison, has admitted replacing price tags in a supermarket on March 31, 2022, with pieces of paper urging an end to the war and criticising the authorities.

But she had denied the charge of knowingly spreading false information.

Critics say the case is part of a crackdown on anyone who speaks out against Russia's "special military operation" in Ukraine, which has led to nearly 20,000 detentions and over 800 criminal cases.

After sending troops into Ukraine early last year, Russian authorities tightened laws on dissent to try to silence critics as Moscow pursues what President Vladimir Putin casts as an existential struggle with the West.

In her final statement, Skochilenko had told the judge that she was a pacifist who valued human life above all else.

"Whatever decision you take, you'll go down in history," Skochilenko told the judge, according to a recording of her speech made by supporters.

Skochilenko's lawyers had told the court their client had committed no crime and would not survive jail because of coeliac disease, a severe intolerance of gluten. Amnesty International has declared her a "prisoner of conscience".

Skochilenko had also addressed the state prosecutor who had demanded a long jail term for her during her final statement.

"What will you tell your children? That one day you jailed a seriously ill beloved artist for five pieces of paper?" she said.

I'm not afraid, and maybe that's precisely why my government is so afraid of me, and keeps me in a cage like the most dangerous of animals.
A Sikh restaurateur living in Australia has alleged that he has been racially targeted several times in recent months, telling him to "go home" and smearing his car with dog excrement. Jarnail Singh, who runs a restaurant in Hobart, Tasmania. (Website/Dawat - The Invitation)

Jarnail Singh, who runs a restaurant in Hobart, Tasmania, said he has been continuously targeted for over the last two, or three months, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported.

"Never, ever has this happened to me before, and it's been continuous (over) the last two, three months," Singh was quoted as saying.

"It's mentally very stressful when it comes to your house, and particularly (being targeted) with your name on it... It's too much mental stress. Something has to be done," Singh told ABC News on Tuesday.

The first incident involved dog excrement being smeared on the door handles of his car, for four or five days in a row, outside his home.

Then, he found racist graffiti in his driveway, telling him "Go home, Indian". He reported the matter to the police, but, without video evidence, little could be done to track down who was behind it.

Filled with racist comments, Singh first assumed the letter had been written by a young person, and did his best to ignore it, after reporting it to police.

The next letter received about a month later, was even more offensive than the first  including comments like "you can **** off back to India" and threats of damage to his car, at either Singh's work or his home.

Singh has lived in Australia for around 15 years, with 10 of those being in Tasmania.

In a statement, Tasmania Police Commander Jason Elmer said the incidents had been reported to police and were being investigated.

He said current legislation allowed for courts to "consider that a motivation of racial hatred or prejudice can be an aggravating factor in sentencing".

Commander Elmer said there was "no excuse for any form of verbal or physical harassment" in the community, and that people were encouraged to contact police immediately if they believe they have been the victim of a prejudice-related incident.
US President Joe Biden reassured Asia-Pacific economies of American commitment at a summit in San Francisco Thursday, and said his talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping would provide stability for the region and the whole world. U.S. President Joe Biden takes part in a leaders plenary meeting during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco(REUTERS)

"We're not going anywhere," Biden told the APEC (Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation) group, which includes 21 members but lives under the shadow of US-China relations.

The summit opened with a sense of relief after Biden and Xi met for the first time in a year at a sumptuous villa outside San Francisco on Wednesday, and emerged pledging to avoid the kind of dangerous rift that could upend the world economy.

They agreed to restore military-to-military links and Xi promised to crack down on production of the ingredients in China for the drug fentanyl flooding into the United States.

Biden told the APEC summit that Washington was committed to the region despite Beijing's efforts to expand its influence in the region.

The US president said Xi had asked him on Wednesday "why we are so engaged in the Pacific."

"I said it's because we're a Pacific nation. Because of us there's been peace and security in the region, allowing you to grow. He didn't disagree," said Biden.

- Troubled trade deal -

Biden however said the US and China were now committed to diplomacy to avoid "surprises or bad misunderstandings" -- even if the two sides remain as far apart as ever on Taiwan, the US-backed democratic island claimed by China.

"A stable relationship between the world's two largest economies is not merely good for those two economies but for the world," he said.

With the main summit starting in San Francisco, focus broadened to the hugely dynamic area stretching from the coasts of Canada to Chile and across to Australia, China and Russia.

Biden said the talks over the next two days would focus on issues including artificial intelligence, climate resilience and supply chains, adding that the "challenges before us today are unlike those faced by previous groups of APEC leaders."

Even while insisting that the United States has no intention of "decoupling" -- cutting supply chains and effectively ending cooperation -- with China, the Biden administration is busily trying to strengthen alliances with countries in the APEC region worried about Beijing's expansionist policies.

A big plank in that platform is the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF) -- a loose trade pact meant to bind together the United States and like-minded democracies such as Australia and South Korea. However, the IPEF has already hit barriers due to US domestic political opposition.

Speaking to reporters, Deputy National Security Advisor for International Economic Affairs Mike Pyle said the deal was not dead.

"President Biden will make it absolutely clear that the United States will continue to engage both diplomatically and economically in this critical region," he said. "Most trade deals take years to complete."

- Pandas for peace? -

The summit will come with a number of sideline bilaterals.

Mexico and China kicked off their talks on Thursday, a meeting Mexico's foreign minister this week described as "very important."

Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, who frequently shuns international meets, will huddle with Biden on Friday, where the two men are expected to address fentanyl, some of which comes through Mexico on its way into the United States.

Biden, for his part, said on Wednesday that despite his talks with Xi, he still considers the communist leader a "dictator" -- a remark that drew fire from the Chinese government.

Xi however received a warm reception at a dinner in San Francisco on Wednesday with hundreds of US business leaders, who rose to their feet and clapped as he entered and gave him several rounds of applause.

The Chinese leader hinted at the dinner that he may deploy a form of soft, even cuddly power to improve ties with the United States -- pandas.

The US will soon be without any of the popular big bears after three were sent back from Washington this year.

Xi said China was considering a new batch as envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American people.
Workers at hundreds of Starbucks stores have begun walking off their jobs during a key promotional event on Thursday, demanding improved staffing and schedules, the Workers United said on social media platform X. The union said on Wednesday that workers at stores in 30 cities across the country had launched "surprise walkouts", ahead of the planned strike on Thursday. (AP/File)

The walkout comes on the coffee chain's "Red Cup Day" event, during which Starbucks hands out free red-colored, reusable, holiday-themed cups to customers on their coffee purchases.

The event has typically been a major driver of store traffic, with data from Placer.ai showing a spike in visits on "Red Cup Day" over the years.

The union said on Wednesday that workers at stores in 30 cities across the country had launched "surprise walkouts", ahead of the planned strike on Thursday.

Workers United, which represents more than 9,000 Starbucks employees at about 360 stores across the United States, said on Monday the event was one of the "most infamously hard, understaffed days" for workers, as drink orders pile up and employees end up on the receiving end of abuse from frustrated customers over long wait times.

Starbucks has nearly 10,000 US company-owned locations, and has said that less than 3% of those stores are represented by a union. The company said on Monday the union had not engaged in bargaining talks in more than four months.

Starbucks did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Thursday.

Last year, workers at more than 100 US company-owned Starbucks locations held a one-day strike on Red Cup day, to protest firings, store closures and other actions they said were illegal retaliation by Starbucks against them for unionizing.

Earlier this month, Starbucks said it would raise hourly pay for its US retail workers by at least 3% from 2024, which employees criticized, calling it "tone deaf" given the company's 11% increase in fourth-quarter revenue and the recent wage increases won by the auto workers.
The Turkish Parliaments foreign affairs committee on Thursday opened debate on Swedens bid to join NATO, but adjourned the proceedings until a later date without reaching a decision. Turkey's Foreign Affairs Committee Fuat Oktay (C) chairs a committee session at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey in Ankara on November 16.(AFP)

It was not immediately known when the committee would resume its discussions on Sweden's accession protocol or when it would reach Parliament's general assembly for the last stage of the legislative process.

The meeting was adjourned after legislators from Erdogans ruling party submitted a motion for a postponement on grounds that some issues needed clarification and that negotiations with Sweden had not matured enough.

Committee chairman Fuat Oktay later told reporters that the Swedish ambassador may be invited to the next session to provide further information on steps his country has taken to address Turkeys security concerns.

Turkey has stalled ratifying Swedens membership in NATO, accusing the country of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara regards as threats to its security, including Kurdish militants and members of a network that Ankara blames for a failed coup in 2016.

Turkey has also been angered by a series of demonstrations by supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in Sweden as well as Quran-burning protests that roiled Muslim countries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lifted his objection to Swedens bid during a NATO summit in July and sent the accession protocol to Parliament for ratification last month. Turkey's reversal of its position came after Stockholm pledged deeper cooperation with Turkey on counterterrorism and to support Turkeys ambition to revive its EU membership bid. In addition, NATO agreed to establish a special coordinator for counterterrorism.

Earlier on Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar briefed committee members on steps Sweden had taken to meet Turkeys security demands, saying Kurdish militants were no longer able to find a comfortable space for movement in Sweden, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

The Swedish government and public have begun to better understand the legitimate security concerns of our country, Akcapar was quoted as saying.

NATO requires the unanimous approval of all existing members to expand, and Turkey and Hungary are the only countries that have been holding out. Hungary has stalled Sweden's bid, alleging that Swedish politicians have told blatant lies about the condition of Hungarys democracy.

Earlier this week, Turkish Parliament speaker, Numan Kurtulmus, told his Swedish counterpart Andreas Norlen in a video conference that he hopes the legislative process in Turkey would be finalized as soon as possible, Anadolu reported.

Sweden and Finland abandoned their traditional positions of military nonalignment to seek protection under NATOs security umbrella, following Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. Finland joined the alliance in April, becoming NATOs 31st member, after Turkeys Parliament ratified the Nordic countrys bid.

Turkeys agreement on Swedens membership has also been linked to Ankaras efforts to acquire new F-16 fighter planes from the United States and to upgrade its existing fighter fleet. However, both U.S. and Turkish officials have insisted that any such deal would not be tied to Swedens NATO membership.
The co-founder of The Daily Wire, Ben Shapiro has lashed out at American conservative commentator Candace Owens yet again on Wednesday. In a response to Owens' cryptic tweet, Shapiro said, Candace, if you feel that taking money from The Daily Wire somehow comes between you and God, by all means quit. As the feud between the two commentators over the Israel-Hamas war escalates, Owens called out Shapiro on X, saying, You have been acting unprofessional and emotionally unhinged for weeks now. She added, But you cross a certain line when you come for scripture and read yourself into it. I will not tolerate it. Ben Shapiro and Candace Owens are feuding(Instagram)

It all began with a TikTok video, in which the 39-year-old editor-in-chief of the American media company criticised Owens' behaviour on the issues regarding the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. In the video clip, which went viral on Tuesday, Shapiro can be heard saying, I think that her faux sophistication on these particular issues has been ridiculous, adding that her commentary on Israel, which was riddled with errors, was disreputable. Shapiro who was visibly agitated with Owens' remarks, called her absolutely disgraceful.

Following this, the 34-year-old author shared a cryptic tweet that read, Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven, adding, Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. She continued, No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. She then added, You cannot serve both God and money.
The last person who saw Nancy Ng, a Southern California woman who went missing from a yoga retreat at a tourist spot in Guatemala, has finally spoken up. Christina Blazek was the last person to see Nancy, and has now opened up through her attorney G. Christopher Gardner. Nancy Ng, from Monterey Park, was staying near Lake Atitlan when she disappeared (Nancy Ng/Facebook)

Christina is a San Bernardino County public defender who attended the retreat Nancy did. She has opened up after many pointed fingers at her for remaining silent despite Nancys family begging for information.

"My client did not go anywhere with Ng. They happened upon each other on the lake," the attorney, Christopher, said. Christopher added that the two women were out on the lake, chatting, following which Nancy said she wanted to go swimming.

"She tried to tell her not to swim because it was rough out there and there was a good current," said Christopher, according to ABC7. Nancy, however, allegedly ignored the warning and went into the water. She pushed her kayak away in the process, and Christina tried to retrieve it.

"She kept one leg in her kayak and one leg in the other kayak and tried to get back to her... and got close to her. And then apparently, she lost the kayak again and she turned around to go back to get the kayak again, and when she turned back around, Ms. Ng was gone, Christopher said.

According to Christipher, Christina sought help, and a distress call was sent out.

Why did Christina Blazek not speak up?

Previous rumours claimed that Christina fled Guatemala soon after the incident. Her attorney, however, denied the claims. Christopher told Eyewitness News that Christina did try to tell local authorities about the incident, however, she was unfamiliar with the lake.

"She was told she needed to talk to the police, and she went and gave a full statement to Guatemalan police," said Christopher. "They told her there was nothing that could be done. Apparently that lake is known for having people drown on it."

Nancys family has now said that this was the first time they heard that such a thing had happened. "If it is like she says and it is an accident, I don't understand how she could choose to leave my family in the dark for almost four weeks, and not just say that from the start," said Nicky Ng, Nancy's younger sister.

Nancys family said that Christina avoided them when they tried to reach out to her. "We're not blaming anybody or accusing anybody of anything. All we want is answers and we want to bring Nancy home," said Nicky.

Defending Christina, her attorney said the experience had traumatised her. "They tell her they understand she has been through a traumatic experience but then they tell her she needs to come forward to assist authorities.... and they say in the same email if she doesn't come forward they'll make her come forward," said Christopher. Nancys family, however, denied claims that they threatened Christina.

What happened to Nancy Ng?

Nancy, from Monterey Park, was staying near Lake Atitlan when she disappeared, New York Post reported. Lake Atitlan is a massive water body located within a volcanic crater.

Nancy left for a getaway on October 14, and just a few days later, her family got a call from the organiser of the retreat, who claimed she was missing. The last two weeks have been a living hell because when we first got the news that she was missing, we just had so many questions, Nancys sister Nicky told ktla at the time.

The former Cal State law student assists students with disabilities at the Alhambra Unified School District. Nancys younger sister said it was her second year attending the yoga retreat. Last year, she woke up every morning just to spend some time there by herself without the group and this year was going to be more exciting because they had planned activities on the lake, she said.

Nancys family has been in touch with the State Department, the FBI and local search and rescue teams in Guatemala ever since she disappeared. The Guatemalan government has been leading the investigation with the FBIs help. However, local rescue teams have already searched around 95% of the lake by air and land. Divers were involved in the search, and drones were used.

Nancy is the eldest of four siblings. My role here is just to make sure no stone is left unturned and make sure that we try everything we can possible, her brother Jonathan Ng said.
Elon Musk is being accused of promoting anti-Semitism on social media for agreeing to a comment that spoke about Jewish communities hatred against whites. The post, shared by a user named Charles Weber, is a video where a father is seen calling out his son for the online hatred his son has spewed, and blasting him for his rhetoric. Elon Musk is being accused of promoting anti-Semitism on social media for agreeing to a comment that spoke about Jewish communities hatred against whites (REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes/File Photo)(REUTERS)

To the cowards hiding behind the anonymity of the internet and posting "Hitler was right":, the video is captioned. You got something you want to say? Why dont you say it to our faces

An X user was quick to criticise the Foundation to Combat Anti-Semitism campaign video in the comment section, saying, Okay.Jewish communties have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them.

The user added, I'm deeply disinterested in giving the tiniest sh** now about western Jewish populations coming to the disturbing realization that those hordes of minorities that support flooding their country don't exactly like them too much. You want truth said to your face, there it is.

You have said the actual truth

In the same thread, Musk wrote, You have said the actual truth.

The ADL unjustly attacks the majority of the West, despite the majority of the West supporting the Jewish people and Israel, the billionaire later added. This is because they cannot, by their own tenets, criticize the minority groups who are their primary threat. It is not right and needs to stop.

Have you no shame?

Users blasted Musk in the comment section, with one user saying, What are you talking about Elon? What he's saying about Jewish communities is false. The "actual truth"? What's wrong with you, one user wrote. Have you no shame? said another. Wow. This is antisemitism, straight up, said one user.

Jewish communities have done no such thing and it is antisemetic to assert this, one user wrote, while another said, This is beyond disappointing from you, again. This is not the truth, another wrote.
Hunter Biden asked a judge on Wednesday to approve subpoenas for documents from Donald Trump and former Justice Department officials related to whether political pressure wrongly influenced the criminal case against him. FILE - President Joe Biden's son, Hunter Biden, leaves after a court appearance, July 26, 2023, in Wilmington, Del. (AP)

Biden's attorneys allege there were certain instances that appear to suggest incessant, improper, and partisan pressure applied by Trump to his then-Attorney General William Barr and two top deputies, Jeffrey Rosen and Richard Donoghue.

While charges against President Joe Biden's son were not brought until this year, the investigation into his taxes and a gun purchase began in 2018, while Trump, a Republican, was still president.

The court filing cites public comments made by Trump, information from the House panel that investigated the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol and details from Barr's book in which he described bubbling tension after Trump tried to pressure him over the status of the Hunter Biden probe.

The push for subpoenas comes as defense attorneys fight the federal firearms case filed against Hunter Biden, who is accused of breaking laws against drug users having guns. He has pleaded not guilty, and the case is on a track toward a possible trial in 2024 while his father, a Democrat who defeated Trump in 2020, is campaigning for reelection.

The subpoenas would seek documents and other communications about the investigation, including its origins and charging decisions. Representatives for Trump and the three former top Justice Department officials did not immediately return email messages seeking comment.

Hunter Biden's attorney Abbe Lowell argued the information was essential to his defense that the case is possibly, a vindictive or selective prosecution arising from an unrelenting pressure campaign beginning in the last administration," that violated his rights.

The subpoena request is before U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, a Trump nominee whose questions about a proposed plea deal over the summer ended with the agreement imploding in July.

Hunter Biden had been expected to plead guilty to misdemeanor tax charges in an agreement that would have spared him prosecution on a gun count if he stayed out of trouble for two years.

It had been pilloried as a sweetheart deal by Trump and congressional Republicans investigating nearly every aspect of Hunter Bidens business dealings and the Justice Departments handling of the case.

Hunter Biden has taken a more aggressive legal approach in recent months, striking back with lawsuits against Republican Trump allies who have traded and passed around private data from a laptop that purportedly belonged to him.

No new tax charges have yet been filed, but the special counsel overseeing the case has indicated they are possible in Washington or in California, where Hunter Biden lives.
Royal author Omid Scobies new book Endgame is set to be released on November 28. Before its release, however, Scobie has released several extracts about Prince Harrys relation with the royal family. Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, speaks at "Vax Live: The Concert to Reunite the World" in Inglewood, Calif., on May 2, 2021 (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)(Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP)

Three years ago, Harry and Meghan Markle quit the firm and moved back to America. Since then, various reports claimed the Sussexes have a strained relationship with the royals. Scobie has now made multiple bombshell claims in his upcoming book.

Among Scobies claims is that Harry's memoir, Spare, was the Dukes "last attempt at telling his family how he's felt for years." "Clearly there's never been an open enough forum to have these conversations or share these feelings, he wrote in Endgame, which was shared with the news outlet People. He added that the royal family is ignoring internal pains because "part of the buy-in from the [British] public is that the Royal Family is the nation's family."

Scobie also revealed that Harry was viewed as a threat to the crown. A source told Scobie that Prince William sees Harry as a "defector". "These were two men who once upon a time were firmly aligned in their outlook. One of them had to move on to also protect the crown, he explained. Scobie has said that some people saw Harry as a "threat to the crown" after he left the royal family, and was viewed as the enemy because he has the "freedom to exert his own thinking".

In another bombshell claim, Scobie said that Harry was "kept in the dark" about Queen Elizabeths failing health before her death. Harry is said to have been very close to his grandmother. Harry and Meghan had "no idea" that there were preparations for the Queens final hours, as per Scobies book. It was only at the last moment that William informed Harry about the same.

In another claim, Scobie said that Harry was told to travel to Scotland as Elizabeths health worsened, and when he messaged William asking him if they could travel together, William refused to respond, leaving Harry and Meghan to "operate in the dark". William, instead, took a flight with Prince Andrew and Prince Edward. Scobie said a source opened up on how "upsetting" it was to see Harry "completely by himself on this".

Scobie said that he was ignored by William after he tried to rush to Scotland during the Queens last hours. Scobie said, Though there were available seats on Williams chartered Dassault Falcon private jet, which was leaving in less than an hour, Harry was left to fend for himself." A source reportedly said that William "clearly didn't want to see his brother."

Scobie also said that after Harry landed in Scotland, the Sussexes team argued with Buckingham Palace on whether they should share the Queens death with the press before informing Harry about it. "His team literally had to beg for them to wait for his plane to land and they reluctantly agreed to hold the statement back for a little bit," a source told Scobie. Buckingham Palace decided to go live with the announcement before Harrys arrival, leaving him crushed.

The book also claimed that William believes Harry was "brainwashed by an army of therapists". William further said that Meghan and Harry "blindsided" the Royal Family by publicly complaining about "their 'oh so California' self-importance". A source told Scobie that William feels "a huge amount of anger" towards Harry ever since his memoir was released.
The family of Jonathan Lewis, a Las Vegas teen who was beaten to death by bullies, has set up an anti-bullying foundation in his memory. The foundation, Team Jonathan, has reportedly partnered with other anti-bullying campaigns including Choose Love and Dads in Schools. Their aim is to combat the increasing number of bullying incidents in schools across the US. More than 12 youths brutally beat 17-year-old Jonathan Lewis near Rancho High School on November 1 when he tried to stand up for a younger friend (Team Jonathan website)

More than 12 youths brutally beat 17-year-old Jonathan Lewis near Rancho High School on November 1 when he tried to stand up for a younger friend who had been robbed by the gang. After the incident, a video showing the moment the fight broke out surfaced. In a conversation with 8NewsNow, Jonathans father, also named Jonathan Lewis, said his son was living with his mother in Las Vegas when he died, and was planning to move to Austin, Texas.

Team Jonathan

On the website of Team Jonathan , the teens father described the pain of watching Jonathans life leave his body. After holding our son's hand in the hospital while on life support for 2 days and nights, we felt an obligation to act in our community that moved us to our core, Lewis wrote.

We feel a deep calling to spend the rest of our lives to bring awareness, healing, and solutions to the issues that provoke violence among our youth in the community! he continued. Jonathan's mom came up with the name Team Jonathan while we talked about starting a foundation for our son in the hospital!

He added, "We will have updates as we make progress creating this foundation in our blog section! Sign up to our email list to stay updated.

About Jonathan, the website says, Jonathan was a hero who tried to help a smaller child who was being bullied and 15 people attacked him in cowardly violence and our beloved son was beaten to death! Jonathan was an aspiring artist, a kind, loving, caring, and generous young man who had his whole life ahead of him and he will be forever loved and cherished every day every moment!

Meanwhile, eight teens have been arrested and charged with murder in connection with Jonathans death. They were taken into custody and booked in juvenile hall. Jonathans cause of death was blunt force trauma and classified as a homicide, authorities said during a press conference streamed by the Las Vegas Review Journal.
In a dramatic turn of events pro-Palestine protest seeking an end to the ongoing war in the region turned violent after protestors clashed with the police outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday night. They were seeking a cease-fire in the war after Israel upped the military offensive against Hamas. WASHINGTON, DC - NOVEMBER 15: Members of U.S. Capitol Police push protesters away from the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee during a demonstration against the war between Israel and Hamas on November 15, 2023 on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC.(Getty Images via AFP)

According to reports, several stormed the DNC headquarters even when scores of Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were inside the building. Wearing cease fire now t-shirts protesters blocked entrances and exits.

Soon after, a peaceful vigil turned into a violent demonstration with U.S. Capitol Police stepping in to intervene and withholding over 150 people from entering the building. Cops stated, they were illegally and violently protesting in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington. But protesters blamed police for the violence, saying officers rushed them without warning.

It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight," said Dani Noble, who came from Philadelphia for the demonstration. "It is absolutely shameful. Noble claimed police, some of whom were wearing riot gear, started pulling on folks that are disabled or have have chronic illnesses, pulling people to the ground.

Police rushed into the reception of Democratic headquarters and directed lawmakers to the basement and some of them were later evacuated in police vehicles.

Congressman Brad Sherman accused protesters of trying to break into the Democratic headquarters in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. However, protesters denied that was their intention.

6 US Capitol Police officers were injured during the clash, according to the statement issued by them. One person has been arrested for assault on an officer. We appreciate our officers who kept these illegal & violent protesters back & protected everyone in the area, the departed posted on X.

The protest was organized by a coalition of groups, including If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace Action, that have spearheaded other demonstrations in Washington and elsewhere.
Thanksgiving officially marks the beginning of the festive season, bringing along a string of holidays for the Americans. Along with being the national holiday in the US, the day is also celebrated in Brazil, Germany, Canada, Japan and other countries worldwide. Along with being the national holiday in the US, the day is also celebrated in Brazil, Germany, Canada, Japan and other countries worldwide.

Here's a little peek back into it's original and significance:

Thanksgiving 2023: Date

Thanksgiving will be celebrated this year on Thursday, November 23, 2023.

Thanksgiving 2023: How did it start?

Thanksgiving is one celebration deep-rooted in the American tradition and rituals. An ode to the harvest and blessings of the past year, it was first held in 1621 by the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag tribe in Plymouth, Massachusetts. The two celebrated their survival and the arrival of winter with an elaborate feast.

Following this many individual colonies and states celebrated the festival. However, it was in 1863 that the occasion was declared a national holiday by President Abraham Lincoln, hoping to reconcile a country in the throes of the Civil War.

The holiday was annually proclaimed by subsequent Presidents thereafter. However, after a joint resolution was passed by Congress in 1941, President Franklin D Roosevelt issued a proclamation next year in 1942, designating the fourth Thursday in November as what we know today as Thanksgiving Day.

Thanksgiving 2023: Why is it celebrated?

Annually, Thanksgiving is celebrated to pay gratitude to and recognise the blessings and sacrifices of the past year. Families and friends gather to celebrate the bonds and happiness over a scrumptious feast.

A traditional Thanksgiving meal includes a turkey, bread stuffing, potatoes, cranberries and pumpkin pie. Following another tradition, the President of the United States of America, pardon a turkey on the morning of the celebratory day.

Thanksgiving 2023: Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade

The 97th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade begins at 8:30 a.m. to noon ET on Thursday, November 23 live from NYC. You can watch it on NBC and Peacock.
In a recent Reuters/Ipsos survey, a significant shift in American sentiment towards the Israel-Hamas conflict has been revealed. The poll conducted between November 13-14 indicates a notable decline in support for Israel, with only 32 percent of Americans advocating for continued backing, down from 41 percent in mid-October. Thousands of pro-Palestinian demonstrators march down San Jacinto Boulevard toward Sixth Street following the "All Out For Palestine" rally held at the Texas Capitol in Austin, Texas, Sunday, Nov. 12, 2023. (AP)

The survey, involving 1,006 American adults, showcases a growing desire for the U.S. to adopt a "neutral mediator" role, rising from 27 percent in October to 39 percent in November. This shift is reflective of a changing perspective on the conflict's dynamics and the role of the United States.

President Joe Biden's stance on the situation, advocating for "humanitarian pauses" rather than a ceasefire, has sparked disagreement, particularly within his own party. A striking 77 percent of Democrats, 53 percent of Republicans, and 82 percent of Independent voters believe that a ceasefire should be called, emphasizing a consensus across party lines.

The survey also unveils a nuanced view of public opinion on Israel. Favorability towards Israel has dipped from 64 percent in October to 57 percent in November. Additionally, there is a divided perception of Israel's response to the Hamas attack, with a 50-50 split among Americans, though Democrats are more likely to view it as excessive compared to Republicans.

While 51 percent of Americans hold Hamas accountable for the conflict, only four percent believe the U.S. should support Palestinians, reflecting a lack of consensus on the appropriate course of action.

Interestingly, the emotional landscape of the respondents is diverse. About half of Americans express sympathy for both the Israeli and Palestinian people, with 24 percent leaning towards the Israeli side and eight percent towards the Palestinians. A notable 21 percent declare neutrality.

As Americans grapple with their stance on the Israel-Hamas conflict, this survey illuminates a nation in flux, seeking a balanced approach and advocating for diplomatic intervention as casualties escalate. The evolving sentiment underscores the complexities of international conflicts and the challenge of aligning public opinion with political decisions.
President Xi Jinping said China wants to be friends with the US and said his nation wont fight a war with anyone, one of his clearest remarks yet proclaiming a desire for peaceful ties between the worlds two largest economies. President Joe Biden greets China's President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, California on November 15.(AP)

In a speech to business executives in San Francisco shortly after meeting US President Joe Biden on Wednesday, Xi said China never bets against the United States and has no intention to challenge the United States or to unseat it.

Whatever stage of development it may reach, China will never pursue hegemony or expansion, and will never impose its will on others, Xi said. China does not seek spheres of influence and will not fight a cold war or a hot war with anyone.

The comments came hours after the two leaders emerged from their first meeting together in a year, where they hashed out a handful of deals to try to address the fentanyl crisis, restore high-level military communications and open a dialogue over artificial intelligence. Biden had earlier hailed the talks as some of the most constructive and productive discussions weve had.

US President Joe Biden with Chinese President Xi Jinping.(The White House/X)

In his speech, Xi sought to address broader concerns in the US that China posed a threat to American dominance around the globe, both economically and militarily. Tensions over Taiwan and the South China Sea have escalated in recent years, raising the risk that tensions over tariffs and export controls would lead to a direct conflict.

Xi stressed the similarities between Americans and Chinese, recalling his time in Iowa nearly four decades ago  long before he ascended to the presidency and became Chinas most powerful leader since Mao Zedong. Xi also indicated that China will once again send pandas to American zoos, resuming a panda diplomacy program symbolic of stable relations that appeared to be ending this year.

Well be glad to see a confident, open, ever-growing and prosperous US, Xi said. Likewise, the United States should not bet against China, or interfere in Chinas internal affairs. We should instead welcome a peaceful, stable and prosperous China.

Investors Skeptical

Those in the room with Xi on Wednesday largely took his remarks to mean that the business environment may improve.

What I think President Xi did in this speech is attempt to reach out to US businesses and say we are prepared to be constructive, said Stephen Orlins, the president of the National Committee on USChina Relations which co-hosted the dinner. He said in an interview with Bloomberg TV that the remarks seemed like a recognition by Chinese leadership that a drop in foreign direct investment in the country is partly based on Chinese policies.

This was a signal from the top to begin to do it better and attract FDI, Orlins added.

At the event, Tesla Inc. CEO Elon Musk told the official Xinhua News Agency that he was full of hope for the development of US-China relations, adding in an interview with the state media outlet that he hoped that the two nations can work together to promote regional prosperity.

President Joe Biden meets with China's President President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, California on November 15.(AP)

Investors remained skeptical, with Chinese stocks sliding as traders trimmed positions after the much-anticipated meeting yielded an outcome that was largely in line with expectations. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index finished Thursday down 1.4%, among the worst performers in Asia.

The two leaders are working to normalize ties between their nations at a critical inflection point in their relationship. Tensions have run high in the last year after the Pentagon shot down an alleged Chinese surveillance balloon, and as Washington and Beijing clash over everything from national security and technology to Taiwan.

The number one question for us is, are we adversaries or partners? Xi said, referring to US-China ties. If one sees the other side as a primary competitor, the most consequential geopolitical challenge and the pacing threat, it will only lead to misinformed policy making, misguided actions and unwanted results.

The evening also put Xi at the table with some of the worlds most important business leaders, offering him a chance to talk up China at a time when its post-pandemic reopening has failed to spur the level of global growth many had hoped it would deliver.

Beijing has stepped up efforts to attract foreign investors this year, pledging again this week to strengthen policies to attract overseas capital. But its tightening of national security controls and state messaging that foreign actors pose spy risks  along with years of policy crackdowns  have left some skeptical.

The event hasnt all been warm words. At the conclusion of his press conference Wednesday after the meeting, Biden said he still believed his Chinese counterpart was a dictator, casting a shadow over the talks.
Filmmakers and artists have withdrawn their submissions from the International Documentary Festival Amsterdam (IDFA) after its organizers strongly condemned the use of the slogan "From the river to the sea, Palestine will be free" at an opening night protest.

During a speech by IDFA artistic director Orwa Nyrabia, three activists took to the stage holding a sign with the slogan, which some deemed as a call for an Arab state of Palestine and others saw as antisemitic and calling for the extermination of the Jewish state of Israel.

Nyrabia reportedly joined sections of the audience in applauding the intervention, but later said he could not see the words on the banner from where he sat on stage.

"I clapped to welcome freedom of speech, and not to welcome the slogan," he said, adding that the slogan was a "triggering statement" and an "offensive declaration for many, regardless of who carries it".

Germany announced last week that it has listed "From the river to to the sea..." as a slogan supporting a radical Islamist group such as Hamas. This meant that its use in public could count as a criminal offense similar to the public display of the Nazi swastika.

However, the Dutch court of appeals upheld a previous ruling last month that the slogan deserved legal protection on free speech grounds.

Read Also: Gal Gadot's Screening of Hamas' October 7 Attack on Israel Sparks Protests, Brawl in LA

IDFA Criticizes Pro-Palestine Slogan

According to The Guardian, the organizers of the IDFA - which would run from November 8 to 19 this year - said that the use of the "From the river to the sea..." slogan went against their aim to provide a safe space for civic debate.

"There are many ways that people use or read this slogan, and that various sides use it in opposing ways, all of which we do not agree with, and we believe that this slogan should not be used in any way and by anybody any more," the organizers said in a statement.

Before the festival's statement, 16 leading figures from the Israeli film industry signed an open letter expressing their "uttermost dismay, disappointment, and concern" during the protest and its eventual shutdown.

On the other hand, the Palestine Film Institute (PFI), a national body responsible for promoting the cinema of Palestine that is usually hosted by the festival for one day each year, organized protests against IDFA's condemnation of the pro-Palestine slogan.

As of Tuesday (November 14), 12 filmmakers have withdrawn their films from the festival at the behest of the PFI. Pro-Palestine filmmakers, arts organizations, and cultural workers have also boycotted the IDFA.

Among them was Basma al-Sharif, a juror of the festival's experimental "Envision" competition.

Al-Sharif has parents who were born in Palestine, and explained that the "From the river to the sea..." was an anti-apartheid slogan advocating a state in which people of all faiths had equal rights. By denouncing it, she added, the IDFA has aligned itself with what she called the Israeli government's "aggressive propaganda."

The slogan, in its most basic form, referred to the land from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea, the territory which Israel mostly controlled.

Meanwhile, Palestinian filmmaker Mohamed Jalaby has not withdrawn his film "LIfe is Beautiful," which dealt with his own statelessness. This meant audiences could still watch the film.

"I want to be heard", Jalaby told the Guardian. "Because now that everything has been destroyed, what is left are our stories and freedom of expression."

Related Article: Soccer Players Anwar El Ghazi, Youcef Atal Suspended for Israel-Hamas War Remarks

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Jesus Ociel Baena Saucedo (they/them), Mexico's first openly non-binary magistrate and well-known LGBTQ activist, was discovered dead at their house on Monday, November 13, in the state of Aguascalientes, which is located in the central region of the country.

Authorities in the state of Aguascalientes, located around 500 kilometers (300 miles) to the northwest of the capital city, report that Baena's love partner was also discovered dead in the house where the two of them lived.

Accident or Murder?

According to Mexico's Security Minister Rosa Icela Rodrguez, the cause of death remains unclear. "We don't know yet ... if it was a homicide or if it was some kind of accident," she stated during President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's daily news conference, the New York Post reported. "The investigation is going to be done."

Aguascalientes' Attorney General Jess Figueroa added there is currently no evidence to suggest that the death was the result of any kind of foul play.

The district attorney's office has said that the initial findings show that there were no traces of blood discovered outside of the crime scene and no damage found in the accessways to the residence. They are also ruling out the presence of a third person as a factor in the deaths. The office said in its statement that "one of the lifeless bodies found was holding a cutting instrument."

Although there was no mention of the killings possibly being connected to a hate crime, Figueroa said that the matter would be examined from a gender perspective since Baena identified as a non-binary person.

See Also: Canadian-Israeli Peace Activist Vivian Silver Found Dead, Killed in Hamas Attack

Advocacy-Related Death Threats

Advocates for LGBTQ rights noted that Baena had been intimidated because of their advocacy.

"They were a person who received many hate messages, and even threats of violence and death, and you can't ignore that in these investigations. They, the magistrate, was breaking through the invisible barriers that closed in the nonbinary community," said Alejandro Brito, head of the LGBTQ rights organization Letra S, according to CBS News.

Brito claimed that Baena's online prominence made the judge a target and wanted authorities to include this fact in their thorough, unbiased inquiry.

Thousands of people in the center of Mexico City mirrored Brito's sentiments, holding candles over pictures of Baena and other victims of anti-LGBTQ+ violence. The crowd chanted "Justice" and "We won't stay silent" as they requested an investigation into the killings.

Baena served on the Electoral Tribunal in the Mexican state of Aguascalientes for a little over a year.

In an interview with CNN from October 2022, Baena said emphatically that no non-binary person had ever served as a magistrate in Latin America. Baena said that becoming the first was a significant accomplishment and validation of their efforts to advance LGBTQ rights over the years.

See Also: 5 US Military Troops Killed in Aircraft Crash into the Mediterranean Sea During Training

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China is allegedly using what could be the world's largest online disinformation operation just to harass Americans. This was revealed by a new review conducted by CNN.

Based on the American news channel's findings, the Chinese government was the one that established the massive disinformation system.

Involved experts said that this online disinformation scheme is a part of China's intimidation campaign against the United States and its people.

China Allegedly Harasses Americans Using the World's Largest Disinformation Scheme

CNN US said that it reviewed court documents, as well as public disclosures by social media firms. All these documents revealed that China is harassing American citizens, businesses, and politicians using its disinformation campaign.

The new review claimed that China is harassing them in a very violent manner. The U.S. State Department also discussed this alarming revelation, saying that the disinformation tactic is part of a broader multi-billion-dollar effort to influence the world's information environment.

It American executive department added that the Chinese government is also using this online disinformation operation to silence its critics. Involved investigators further stated that the harassment against Americans is China's effort to drive them into a state of constant paranoia and fear.

The review revealed that victims usually don't know where to ask for assistance. Although some of them have already spoken to law enforcement, such as the FBI, the needed safety measures are still insufficient.

Meanwhile, Facebook and other social media websites are also making drastic efforts to prevent thousands of fake accounts targeting innocent users. However, their efforts are being overwhelmed by the slew of new accounts being created each day.

This is not the first time that China has been accused of using disinformation to pursue its interests.

"As the [People's Republic of China] has grown more confident in its power, it appears to have calculated that it can more aggressively pursue its interests via information manipulation," said the U.S. State Department's Engagement Center via CBS News.

Read Also: Is China a Bigger Threat Than Russia? US Republicans Want More Military Aid for Taiwan, Less for Ukraine

About China's 'Spamouflage'

China's massive disinformation campaign is known as "Spamouflage" or "Dragonbridge." Experts describe it as a network with hundreds of thousands of accounts that are dispersed across major social media platforms.

They claim that these Chinese accounts are not only harassing Americans who are criticizing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). China is also allegedly using them to discredit U.S. politicians and disparage American businesses.

This Chinese disinformation network was discovered more than four years ago. However, it is only now that Meta and other social media giants confirmed that the campaign is really linked to China.

Related Article: Joe Biden, Xi Jinping To Meet in California for Diplomatic Talks Amid Strained Relationship

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In California, a new anti-theft vending machine was introduced by a vending machine manufacturer. The company claims that this simple, yet effective solution can greatly benefit businesses.

As of writing, shoplifters are still targeting numerous retailers; forcing them to take drastic measures, which negatively affect the shopping experiences of American consumers.

Although their efforts can prevent store thieves, their methods also discourage shoppers because they can make shopping activities more complicated.

Now, can this new anti-vending machine solve this issue? Here's how it works.

California: New Anti-Theft Vending Machine Introduced

According to Business Insider's latest report, the new anti-vending machine was developed by Digital Media Vending International, a company based in California.

Its founder, David Ashforth, said that they created this new anti-theft technology because they are frustrated with shopping nowadays.

This is because Family Dollar, Dollar Tree, and other popular stores are using plexiglass walls to lock their merchandise. Before shoppers can get the items they want behind these glass walls, they are required to show their receipts.

The use of plexiglass walls and other anti-shoplifting methods can make consumers' shopping experiences very inconvenient. This is the issue that Ashforth experiences when shopping.

"What's happening today isn't solving the problem," said Ashforth.

"I had to find someone with a key, and it was at that moment when the lightbulb went off," he added.

Read Also: 'Professional Shoplifter' Steals Millions Worth of Items and Sells Them Online

How Anti-Theft Vending Machine Works

NBC Bay Area was able to interview David Ashforth. During the discussion, he explained that he saw an opportunity to create a new anti-vending machine after encountering merchandise that a worker had to unlock.

"I thought, 'Huh. My machine could fit right here and then I wouldn't have to find a manager with a key anymore,'" he explained.

The new anti-vending machine of Ashforth's team is integrated with robotics arms that can replace a store aisle's shelving units. In order to get the items from the vending machine, shoppers need to pay in advance online or settle the bill in the store.

After that, they can use the code or receipt they'll receive to access the vending machine. Although it is quite longer than the traditional shopping method, it will still save consumers time instead of looking for a manager just to unlock a case of merchandise.

This is why Ashforth describes their anti-theft shopping technology as "self-service shelves." The innovator said that he had already spoken with 44 retailers regarding his new anti-shoplifting vending machine.

Some of them are inquiring about purchasing Ashforth's product. However, he clarified that his vending machines can't cover an entire store as of writing.

Related Article: Florida Mom Arrested for Leaving Kids in Car To Shoplift, Vehicle Then Catches Fire

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Two foreign journalists from the Czech broadcaster CT24 who were on assignment in San Francisco to cover the APEC Summit were robbed at gunpoint on Sunday (November 12).

The San Francisco Police Department (SFPD) said in a statement that three armed suspects got out of a car to demand production equipment from the victims - reporter Bohumil Vostal and cameraman Milan Nosek - before driving away.

Investigations are underway, the SFPD added.

In an email to NBC News, Vostal confirmed that he and Nosek were approached by three armed suspects on Sunday after getting footage of the city. The equipment taken from the Czech journalists was worth $18,000, and they are looking to get their footage back.

The SFPD told local media they were investigating the incident. However, they would not confirm or verify if the Czech journalists were the victims as they could not identify victims or witnesses.

Read Also: White House Says Joe Biden, Xi Jinping Plan To Meet During an Economic Summit in San Francisco

Beefing Up Security

San Francisco is hosting the APEC summit from November 11 to 17 this year, with US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping confirming their attendance at the meeting.

According to the city's Department of Emergency Management, San Francisco is expecting up to 20,000 visitors from over 20 countries for the summit. Ahead of the meeting, security and general clean-up of the city was conducted.

"We don't want anyone in San Francisco to be a victim of any crime, whether they are a visitor or a resident," the office of San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a statement. "SFPD is actively investigating this case, and we know that when an arrest is made, our District Attorney has taken a strong position of aggressively prosecuting crimes like these."

The SFPD released details saying that the city saw a 13.7% in robberies from 2022. A little more than a third of respondents in a survey conducted by the city government this year also said they felt safe in the city day and night.

Related Article: Security Ramps Up in San Francisco Ahead of APEC Summit

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Senior defense officials from South Korea, the United States, and other nations gathered in Seoul on Tuesday, issuing a stern warning to North Korea regarding its nuclear ambitions.

In a pivotal meeting involving US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik, along with officials from 16 other countries, a collective response was vowed against any aggressive moves by North Korea, as per The Independent.

US-South Korea Boost Defense Against North Korean Threat

Under the auspices of the US-led United Nations Command, this assembly signifies the enduring alliance formed during the 1950-53 Korean War.

In their annual defense talks, Austin and Shin updated a bilateral security agreement to counter North Korea's evolving nuclear and missile threats more effectively.

The joint statement from the meeting strongly condemned North Korea's unlawful nuclear and ballistic missile programs-these actions, in violation of multiple UN.

In response to Security Council resolutions, Pyongyang is being urged to renew its commitment to diplomatic solutions for the ongoing nuclear standoff.

Discussion topics extended to improving three-way defense exercises with Japan and enhancing information-sharing on North Korean missile launches. Austin emphasized the talks' focus on boosting nuclear deterrence and addressing broader geopolitical challenges, including Russia's war on Ukraine and China's regional assertiveness.

Amid heightened tensions on the Korean Peninsula, Austin and Shin signed a revised Tailored Deterrence Strategy agreement. This updated document, the first revision in a decade, addresses the growing threat from North Korea's nuclear program. It includes the United States' commitment to deploy its full range of military capabilities, including nuclear, to defend South Korea.

Recent US military deployments to South Korea, such as a nuclear ballistic missile submarine and a nuclear-capable B-52 bomber, underscored the US's defense commitment. Austin announced the impending arrival of a US aircraft carrier battle group in the region, further reinforcing this stance, according to ABC News.

Read Also: Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Bilateral Meeting Between President Joe Biden and President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexico

South Korea, US Conduct Massive Live-Fire Exercises

South Korea and the United States have intensified their combined military exercises, conducting their most considerable live-fire training this year. These exercises are part of a broader strategy to deter and respond to North Korean threats.

Additionally, joint military exercises and defense planning have strengthened trilateral security cooperation with Japan.

The meeting also addressed the broader implications of North Korea's actions, including its alleged military cooperation with Russia and possible support for Hamas militants. These developments have raised concerns about North Korea's role in global conflicts and its intentions regarding weapons development and exports.

President Yoon Suk Yeol of South Korea underscored the importance of being prepared for any provocations emanating from North Korea, drawing a parallel to the surprise attack on Israel modeled after Hamas.

The tensions between Israel and Hamas and North Korea's indirect involvement in Russia's invasion of Ukraine were also topics of conversation.

As part of their ongoing collaboration, the United States, Japan, and South Korea have agreed to initiate a real-time information-sharing agreement regarding North Korean missile launches.

This decision, along with planned enhancements to trilateral military exercises, signals a robust response to the growing threats from North Korea, Reuters reported.

Related Article: China's Foreign Business Partners Pull Out Money at Alarming Rate, But Why?

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Gov. Kathy Hochul increased the funding for the New York State Police Department to expand social media surveillance amid the rising hate crimes in New York related to the Israel-Hamas war.

The state disbursed $75 million to address the hate crime incidents in New York, including $50 million for local law enforcement and $25 million for security grants.

Hochul Increases NYPD Funding

According to The Epoch Times, Hochul attended a news conference and an emergency meeting with the state's Jewish community leaders and local and federal law enforcement officials on Monday.

Hochul said that they have not seen this level of hate crimes and fear since September 12, 2001. "It's painful to see the cruelty with which New Yorkers are treating each other. Everywhere from college campuses, to our streets, to schools, to playgrounds; even as they're entering their houses of worship," the Democrat governor said.

She noted that the increasing hate crimes began when the Hamas terrorists launched an attack on Israel.

Hochul explained that the funding would authorize the State Police officers to extend their efforts to monitor the hate crimes present on various social media platforms.

She said they were focused on condemning negativity online whenever they spot hate speech written on social media platforms and reach out to people.

She added that the social media analysis unit has been monitoring the sites to seize incitement to violence and threats directly to people to ensure that New Yorkers feel safe.

Hochul ordered the State Police to disperse to places that could be targeted by violence, such as synagogues, yeshivas, and mosques. Furthermore, she allocated an additional $2.5 million for at least 10 State Police investigators to work with an FBI counterterrorism task force.

The Hate Crimes Task Force encouraged New Yorkers to report any kinds of hate and bias incidents on their hotline.

Read Also: Colorado: Hunter Found Missing Hiker's Remain Along With His Alive Dog

Rising Hate Crimes in New York

Hochul said she visited Cornell University on October 30 and witnessed a third-year student being arrested for allegedly threatening his Jewish peers.

Patrick Dai, a student at Cornell University, posted in an online student discussion board to bring a rifle and open fire on a kosher dining hall beside the Ivy League school's Jewish living center.

He also threatened to stab and slit the throat of a Jewish man and rape and push off a Jewish woman on a cliff. He said he would also behead any Jewish baby on the campus.

Hochul commented that they would be arrested and prosecuted if they continued to engage in such hateful crimes. She assured the Jewish students at Cornell University that they were not alone and the state would ensure their safety.

New York City has been a home for the Jewish people, next to Tel Aviv and Jerusalem. According to the police, 69 bias incidents were recorded and recognized as anti-Jewish.

Related Article: Florida Lawmakers Pass New Bills To Secure Jewish Institutions, Fight Antisemitism





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Paul Pelosi, husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, recounted the traumatic events of October 28, 2022, when he was brutally attacked in his San Francisco home.

The testimony, part of the trial of David DePape, shed light on the harrowing night that left Pelosi with severe injuries and the nation in shock, as per Fox News.

Paul Pelosi's Testimony Reveals Chilling Attack

Pelosi described a seemingly ordinary evening that turned into a nightmare. After a quiet dinner and watching television, he retired to bed, only to be awoken by an intruder, David DePape, who had broken into his home.

DePape, armed with a hammer and ties, demanded to know the whereabouts of Nancy Pelosi, who was in Washington, DC at the time. Believing the gravity of the situation, Pelosi tried to remain calm despite the imminent danger.

Pelosi faced his attacker in the courtroom, maintaining composure as he narrated the events. However, the emotional toll of the incident was evident in his shaky voice. He expressed his efforts not to relive the trauma, avoiding discussions about the incident and media coverage related to the attack.

The testimony provided a chilling chronology of the attack. Pelosi described how he made a coded 911 call from the bathroom, trying to alert authorities without aggravating DePape. The situation escalated when police arrived, leading to Pelosi being struck with the hammer, an act captured on police body cameras.

The attack's background reflects America's deep political divisions and the dangerous impact of disinformation.

DePape, influenced by conspiracy theories like QAnon and Pizzagate, targeted Pelosi in an attempt to confront a perceived cabal of liberal elites. This radicalization highlights the alarming trend of violence fueled by extremist ideologies.

DePape, who faces federal charges of assault and attempted kidnapping, along with multiple felonies in state court, admitted to the crimes in police interviews and a jailhouse phone call, according to The New York Times.

Read Also: US, China Leaders Set To Meet in California for Diplomatic Talks To Stabilize Relations

Paul Pelosi Attack Trial

Paul Pelosi's defense team, led by Jodi Linker, does not dispute the attack but argues against the federal charges based on DePape's broader motivations unrelated to Nancy Pelosi's official duties.

The trial also delved into DePape's planning of the attack, revealing his online research and purchase of items used during the assault. This meticulous preparation underscores the deliberate nature of the crime.

Pelosi, still recovering from his injuries, spoke of the ongoing physical and psychological effects of the attack. He continues to undergo physical therapy and deals with the pain and trauma from that night. Doctors have advised him to avoid stimuli that could exacerbate his condition.

The trial against DePape, if convicted, could result in a life sentence. His not-guilty plea in state court adds another layer to the legal proceedings, with a scheduled trial date.

This case stands as a stark reminder of the real-world consequences of online radicalization and the growing threat of politically motivated violence.

It underscores the need to address the root causes of such extremism and the importance of robust legal and social responses to prevent similar incidents.

As the legal process unfolds, the nation watches closely, hoping for justice and a deeper understanding of the factors that led to this shocking act of violence, Mail Online reported.

Related Article: Louisiana Student Arrested, Charged Over Stabbing Attack on 4 People Dubbed 'Random Act of Violence'

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The mystery surrounding the identity of "Baby Jane Doe" has been unraveled nearly 35 years after the discovery of her remains in a rural area of Ware County.

The 5-year-old victim, now identified as Kenyatta Odom, met a tragic fate at the hands of her mother, Evelyn Odom, and her live-in boyfriend, Ulyster Sanders, in 1988, as per News4Jax.

Baby Jane Doe, Killer Finally Identified After 35 Years

The story began on December 21, 1988, when road workers in Ware County made a gruesome discovery: a container inside an old television cabinet that housed the remains of a young girl.

Kenyatta's body, wrapped in a blanket and encased in concrete within a duffel bag, was found just off Duncan Bridge Road. After years of being known as "Baby Jane Doe," Kenyatta Odom finally has her name back.

Georgia Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Jason Seacrist, in a Monday news conference, declared, "Baby Jane Doe is no longer unnamed, is no longer unknown.

The baby that was thrown out into a trash pile has been identified, and we're working to bring justice to her. Kenyatta Odom, that's the name we want out there, 'Keke.'"

Evelyn Odom, also known as Zmecca Luciana, and Ulyster Sanders are charged with aggravated battery-family violence, felony murder, conspiracy to conceal a death, and concealing an end, respectively, in the indictment.

On November 1, the grand jury indictment was submitted, bringing to a close an investigation that had lasted since the summer and culminated in their apprehension on November 9.

The shocking details of the crime emerged as the indictment revealed that Kenyatta was killed by being pushed into boiling water.

Subsequently, her mother and stepfather allegedly attempted to bury her body in cement and discard it in a trash pile. Road workers initially found the remains in December 1988, initiating an enduring quest for justice.

The identification of Kenyatta was made possible through DNA testing that began years ago and a crucial tip received by investigators in January. The young victim, who met her tragic end in her hometown of Albany, Georgia, was dumped 110 miles away outside Waycross and discovered among broken furniture and debris in the woods, according to Daily Beast.

Read Also: US, China Leaders Set To Meet in California for Diplomatic Talks To Stabilize Relations

Crimes Involving Kenyatta Odom's Mom, Boyfriend

Seacrist emphasized the significance of this breakthrough at the news conference streamed online, stating, "Baby Jane Doe is no longer unnamed, is no longer unknown. The baby that was thrown out into a trash pile has been identified, and we're working to bring justice to her."

The alleged perpetrators, Evelyn Odom and Ulyster Sanders, both remain in custody, indicted on charges that paint a horrifying picture of the crimes committed against Kenyatta.

As the legal process unfolds, the community grapples with the revelation of a young life lost to unspeakable cruelty. The case, which baffled investigators for decades, took a pivotal turn when a woman provided a critical tip in January.

This information contradicted the story by Kenyatta's mother, who claimed that the child had gone to live with her father. The end led investigators to finally identify Kenyatta, shedding light on a case that had haunted the community and law enforcement for over three decades.

As the case heads to trial, District Attorney Greg Edwards of the Albany-based Dougherty Judicial Circuit expressed confidence in the evidence gathered, stating, "We believe that there is evidence beyond a reasonable doubt that will lead to justice being found for Kenyatta."

The chilling story serves as a stark reminder of the importance of perseverance, advancements in forensic technology, and the role of the community in bringing justice to those who have long been denied it, NBC New York reported.

Related Article: Gaza's Al Shifa Hospital Surrounded by Israeli Forces

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National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan met today with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas of Estonia to reaffirm the strength of the bilateral relationship and our close coordination as NATO Allies.

READ ALSO: Statement from Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre on the Bilateral Meeting Between President Joe Biden and President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of Mexico

They discussed a full range of challenges, including with respect to European security, cyber, the Middle East, and the People's Republic of China.

They also underscored their shared commitment to supporting Ukraine as it defends itself from Russian aggression, including the importance of sustained security, economic, and humanitarian assistance.

READ MORE: Statement from President Joe Biden on Senator Joe Manchin

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Princess Diana's biographer, Andrew Morton, anticipates that the upcoming series finale of The Crown will reopen emotional wounds surrounding the late Princess of Wales.

Scheduled for release on Netflix, the final installment of Peter Morgan's biopic will delve into the weeks preceding Princess Diana's tragic death and the subsequent fallout within the royal family, as per Mail Online.

The Crown's Emotional Finale, Princess Diana's Legacy

In an interview with Radio Times, Morton, known for his 'unauthorized, authorized biography' of Diana, shared his connection to the events portrayed in the series.

He vividly recalls the day he learned of Princess Diana's death and emphasizes the sensitivity with which The Crown team approached the portrayal of her untimely demise.

The emotional narrative of the first four episodes focuses on the tragic car crash in Paris that claimed Princess Diana's life, alongside her lover Dodi Fayed and their chauffeur Henri Paul.

The series also explores the Royal Family's reaction to the tragedy, providing a nuanced perspective on the events leading up to and following Diana's death. The Crown faces criticism for controversial scenes, including Charles tenderly conversing with an imaginary Diana on the royal plane and her apparition appearing to the Queen.

Series creator Peter Morgan clarifies that the intention is not to depict Diana as a traditional ghost but to showcase her continuing influence on those she left behind.

The filming process challenged the cast, especially in recreating Diana's last days with new love Dodi aboard his father's yacht. The difficulty of the time is portrayed as Charles breaks the news to William and Harry about their mother's death.

Laughter was also shared by the cast during set-piece banquets and other regal events held at Windsor Castle. The final six episodes of the series, which will premiere in December, will delve into the Royal Family's transition beyond Diana's passing.

The storyline proceeds to encompass the burgeoning romance between William and Kate during their time at St Andrew's, culminating in the matrimonial union of Charles and Camilla in April 2005. The decision to end the series at this point is explained as a cutoff to maintain historical rather than journalistic focus.

Dominic West, who plays Prince Charles, shares his admiration for the character and the challenges of portraying him. He emphasizes a compassionate and well-balanced portrayal, detailing how he and Olivia Williams, who plays Camilla, used "trigger phrases" to get into character, according to TDPel Media.

Read Also: Chrissy Teigen Suffers 'Hilarious' Wardrobe Malfunction at Baby2Baby Gala But Laughs It Off Anyway

Glimpse Into Princess Diana's Legacy

Imelda Staunton, who plays the Queen, highlights the importance of costumes in capturing the essence of her character. The handmade outfits and meticulous attention to detail contribute to an authentic representation of the royal family's history.

Meanwhile, Princess Diana's biographer reveals a behind-the-scenes story from the time of writing her biography. Andrew Morton shares how he paid off a photographer to keep Princess Diana's involvement a secret.

The photographer, Terence Donovan, had a photograph of Diana that could have exposed her cooperation with the biography. After negotiations, a settlement was reached to maintain Donovan's silence, preserving Diana's ability to navigate her future arrangements with her husband and the royal family.

As The Crown's final season approaches its release, fans eagerly anticipate the culmination of the series, re-creating critical moments in history and offering insights into the lives of the Royal Family.

We are provided with a glimpse into the diligent efforts made to accurately depict the characters and effectively convey the historical narrative. Elizabeth Debicki, the talented actress portraying the iconic role of Diana, opens up about the profound emotional impact of recreating the intense car chase in Paris.

Debicki candidly describes the experience as "completely unbearable," shedding light on the toll it took on her during filming. Netflix has announced that the highly anticipated final series will make its debut on November 16th. Following this, viewers can look forward to the next batch of episodes arriving on December 14th, Telegraph reported.

Related Article: Rare Century-Old 'Inverted Jenny' Stamp Sells for Staggering $2 Million at Auction

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The motorcycle bar shooting suspects in Denver have been identified by the Denver District Attorney's Office. It took the law enforcement authorities almost 10 days to have a lead to the shooters.

Now, the Denver District Attorney's Office provided new details about the shooting incident on Tuesday, Nov. 14, saying that the suspects were Todd Washington and Shon McPherson.

Denver: Motorcycle Bar Shooting Suspects Finally Identified

According to CBS News' latest report, McPherson and Washington allegedly started a shooting incident in the Park Hill neighborhood on Nov. 5.

The deadly shooting, which specifically happened outside a Hell's Lovers bar at 5514 33rd Avenue led to the death of 43-year-old Michael David and 39-year-old Joshua Batts. Aside from them, three other individuals were badly injured.

District Attorney Beth McCann claimed that the suspects did the senseless shooting just to solve disputes. They relied on their guns to resolve whatever issue they were facing at the bar.

However, their deadly actions accidentally killed and injured other people around them.

As of writing, McPherson and Washington are both facing numerous counts of first-degree murder and attempted murder. Authorities said that they saw the "PRIVET CLUB H.L. M.C." sign posted on the side of the bar's door, hinting that the establishment is owned by the notorious motorcycle gang Hell's Lovers.

However, they are unsure if the two shooters are members of this motorcycle club. More information about the incident is expected to be released as law enforcement continues their investigation.

Read Also: Georgia Couple Arrested in 1988 Death of Toddler Found Encased in Concrete; 'Baby Jane Doe' Identified as Kenyatta Odom

Other Details of Denver Motorcycle Bar Shooting

The Denver Post reported that gunshots were heard at around 3:00 a.m. on Nov. 5. Witnesses said that they saw people fleeing the area when the shooting happened.

Based on the arrest affidavit, Washington's daughter called him after she was kicked out of the club. The report added that one of the guards allegedly put his hands on the girl.

When the two suspects arrived at the motorcycle club and decided to scout the area. After that, they started confronting the security guards and started shooting.

The Hell's Lovers' club staff members also fired back to retaliate against the two shooters.

Police officers said that there was an AR-15 rifle, which had a large capacity magazine. Aside from this, they also discovered a bucket of handguns.

Related Article: [UPDATE] Louisiana Stabbing: Student Arrested, Charged Over Attack on 4 People in 'Random Act of Violence'

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A Texas school board made headlines after reversing course and lifting its ban on a transgender student from singing in a lead role in a musical.

The school district in the conservative town of Sherman, Texas, last week stopped a high school production of the musical "Oklahoma!" after a transgender student was cast in a lead role. The district's administrators argued, and told parents, that the school would only allow students "born as females in female roles and students born as males in male roles."

Texas Transgender Rights

This caused several transgender and non-binary students to lose their parts as well as cisgender girls who were cast in male roles. The district publicly said that the main issue was the profane and sexual content of the 1943 musical.

The theater teacher who objected to the decision was at one point escorted out of the school by the principal. Officials also demolished the set, which was a sturdy mock-up of a settler's house that students spent two months building, as per the New York Times.

However, something even more perplexing happened afterward, the school district reversed its decision in a late-night vote on Monday. The school board unanimously voted to restore the original casting and the decision rebuked efforts to bring the fight over transgender participation in student activities into the world of theater.

The restriction of the district was considered to be exceptional as fights have erupted over the kinds of plays that students can present. However, there are only a few, if any, school districts that appeared to have tried to restrict gender roles in theater.

The National Conference of State Legislatures argued that while legislatures across the United States have adopted laws restricting transgender students' participation in sports, no such legislation has been introduced to restrict theater roles.

The transgender student in question was identified as Max Hightower who loved theater ever since he watched the musical "Hamilton." He was cast into the role of Ali Hakim, the Persian peddler in the show, according to USA Today.

Read Also: Why MIT Admins Will No Longer Suspend Pro-Palestine Student Protesters

Lead Role in a Musical

On top of recasting the original people into the roles of the musical, the school board also announced that it would produce an "age-appropriate" version of the play. There are two versions of Oklahoma! that are available from a firm that holds the licensing rights.

These are the original and a "youth" version that was billed as an "adaptation for pre-high school students. It was said to have content that was edited to better suit younger attention spans and the role that Max has was simply named "The Peddler" in that version.

Board member Wendy Vellotti was the one who put forward the motion to reinstate the original casting of the musical. One of the people who took to the stand in the meeting on Monday was Phillip Hightower, Max's father.

In a statement, he said that the decision by Sherman ISD Superintendent Dr. Tyson Bennett was ultimately made without the school board's input. He argued that it crushed all of the young kids who were part of the musical, said KCRG.

Related Article: United Auto Workers Union Strike Leads to Top Automakers Raising Employee Salaries

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On Wednesday, Deja Taylor, the mother of a six-year-old boy, was imprisoned in Virginia after shooting a teacher with an illegal firearm, which was illegal under US law, and using marijuana.

Deja Taylor's son took her handgun and shot his teacher, Abby Swerner, in a first-grade classroom in January, resulting in severe wounds.

Mother of Six-Year-Old Boy Imprisoned

The investigators found nearly an ounce of marijuana in Taylor's bedroom and also saw evidence of the text messages that proved her frequent use of marijuana and firearm.

According to Toronto City News, the federal charges against Taylor were quite rare and occurred when marijuana was legal in Virginia.

Virginia prosecutors reported that some countries in the US ruled against a federal law that bans drug users from owning firearms. However, the law was still effective in other states and continued to charge people, including Hunter Biden, the son of President Biden.

The prosecutors claimed in the court filings that Taylor's chronic, persistent, and life-affecting abuse extends the case far beyond any occasional and recreational use.

The prosecutors would charge Taylor a 21-month prison sentence. Furthermore, Swerner sued the school for $40 million, as the administration allegedly ignored the warning of the teacher that the boy had a gun.

The prosecutors said the case was not a marijuana case. They said in the filing, "It is a case that underscores the inherently dangerous nature and circumstances that arise from the caustic cocktail of mixing consistent and prolonged controlled substance use with a lethal firearm."

Taylor acknowledged a negotiated guilty plea in June in the US District Court in Newport News in the state's southeast coastal region. She was guilty of using marijuana while owning an illegal firearm and also for lying about her drug use when she purchased the gun.

Taylor's attorneys requested a home confinement as they said Taylor was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, a condition that shares symptoms with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, and needs counseling.

Furthermore, Taylor's attorneys also noted that she needs treatment for marijuana addiction. They said that addiction is a disease and imprisonment is not a cure.

Read Also: New York Gov. Kathy Hochul Increases NYPD Funding To Expand Social Media Surveillance Amid Rising Hate Crimes

Taylor Shows Remorse

Taylor's attorneys said, "Ms. Taylor is deeply saddened, extremely despondent, and completely remorseful for the unintended consequences and mistakes that led to this horrible shooting."

She would face a separate sentencing in December for felony child neglect. Taylor's son told the authorities that he picked up the gun at the top of the dresser inside Taylor's purse.

Taylor said the gun was locked with a trigger lock but failed to secure her weapon to his son. His father also said that this was not the first time the gun was fired since Taylor shot his father's son after seeing him with his girlfriend.

Taylor's sentence was the first measure of accountability for January's shooting. Furthermore, her sentence reintroduced national discussion about gun violence.

Related Article: Supreme Court Appears To Lean on Upholding Gun Ban Linked to Domestic Violence Restraining Orders



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Microsoft has released a new patch that seeks to address dozens of security holes in its Windows operating systems as well as "zero day" vulnerabilities., marking potential risks to users and other entities.

The tech giant warned that these issues are already being exploited by nefarious individuals in active attacks. The zero-day threats are said to be targeting Microsoft this month and include CVE-2023-36025. This is a weakness that allows malicious content to bypass the Windows SmartScreen Security feature.

Microsoft"s New Patch

This is a built-in Windows component that attempts to detect and block malicious websites and files. Microsoft's security advisory for this particular flaw said that attackers could exploit it by getting a Windows user to click on a booby-trapped link to a shortcut file.

The senior director of threat research at Immersive Labs, Kevin Breen said that emails with .url attachments or logs with processes spawning from .url files should be a "high priority" for those who are hunting threats. This is given the active exploitation of this particular vulnerability in the wild, as per Krebs on Security.

The second zero-day that was identified this month is CVE-2023-36033, which is a vulnerability in the "DWM Core Library" in Microsoft Windows. It was exploited in the wild as a zero-day and publicly disclosed prior to patches being available.

It is said to affect Microsoft Windows 10 and later versions as well as Microsoft Windows Server 2019 and subsequent versions. The president and co-founder of the security firm Action1, Mike Walters said that this vulnerability can be exploited locally with low complexity and without the need for high-level privileges or user interaction.

He added that attackers who are exploiting this particular flaw could gain SYSTEM privileges, which makes it an efficient method for escalating privileges, especially after gaining initial access through methods such as phishing.

Read Also: China Allegedly Harassing Americans Using World's Largest Disinformation Scheme

Fixing Bugs and Exploits

While the new Microsoft patch was able to fix 14 remote code execution (RCE) bugs, the company only rated one as critical. There were also three critical flaws that were fixed and are an Azure information disclosure bug, an RCE in Windows Internet Connection Sharing (ICS), and a Hyper-V escape flaw, according to Bleeping Computer.

The total 58 flaws that were addressed in the recent patch did not include five Mariner security updates and 20 Microsoft Edge security updates that were released earlier this month. On top of the fixes, Microsoft also said that two other publicly disclosed zero-day bugs, CVE-2023-36413 and CVE-2023-36038, were addressed.

The manager of vulnerability and threat research at Qualys, Saeed Abbasi said that Windows Cloud Files Mini Filter Driver, which was among the affected by the flaws, is a component that is essential to the functioning of cloud-stored files on Windows systems.

He noted that the widespread presence of this particular driver in nearly all Windows versions raises the risk and provides a broad attack surface, Abbasi said that it is currently under active attack and poses a significant risk, especially when it is paired with a code execution bug, said DarkReading.

Related Article: Michigan: McLaren Health Care Data Breach Exposes Info of Millions of Americans

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North Korea announced on Wednesday that it had successfully tested new solid-fuel engines designed for intermediate-range ballistic missiles, raising concerns about the country's expanding nuclear capabilities.

This development comes as the reclusive nation seeks to bolster its arsenal with more potent and harder-to-detect weapons capable of targeting US military bases in Guam and Japan, as per ABC News.

North Korea's Missile Tests

The Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) reported that North Korea's military scientists conducted tests on both first-stage and second-stage missile engines over the weekend. However, the report remained vague about when the new missile system might be completed, shrouding the situation in even more uncertainty.

This announcement follows a series of recent tests by North Korea, showcasing its relentless pursuit of advanced weaponry. Some analysts speculate that these efforts could be fueled by alleged arms cooperation with Russia, as both nations appear to align themselves against the backdrop of escalating tensions with the United States.

Adding to the intrigue, Russia's natural resources minister, Alexander Kozlov, arrived in North Korea for undisclosed discussions regarding trade and technology exchanges. These interactions stem from a rare summit in September between North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and Russian President Vladimir Putin, which included Kim's visit to Russian rocket and military facilities.

This has raised suspicions of a potential arms partnership, with North Korea providing munitions for Russia's conflict in Ukraine in exchange for advanced military technology to enhance Kim's nuclear program.

North Korea's current intermediate-range missiles, such as the Hwasong-12, rely on liquid-fuel engines that require fueling before launch and cannot remain driven for extended periods. In contrast, solid propellant missiles are quicker to prepare for launch, more accessible to transport, and simpler to conceal, making them less vulnerable to detection and preemptive strikes.

KCNA asserted that these recent engine tests were essential for enhancing North Korea's strategic offensive capabilities, citing a grave and unstable security environment and the anticipation of increased military collusion among adversaries.

The successful engine tests suggest North Korea may conduct a flight test of the new missile shortly. If realized, this missile could potentially pose a threat to Guam, a significant US military hub, and American bases in Japan. This may further motivate Japan to bolster its military capabilities and strengthen its security cooperation with South Korea and the United States, according to Reuters.

Read Also: Los Angeles I-10 Freeway Fire Was 'Set Intentionally,' California Gov. Gavin Newsom Claims

Japan's Concerns Amid Korean Peninsula Tensions

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno acknowledged North Korea's efforts to improve its "sneak attack capability" and expressed concerns about potential provocations, including missile launches and nuclear tests. He emphasized Japan's commitment to gathering information, analyzing, and surveillance to counter such threats.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula have reached their highest point in years, with Kim Jong Un's aggressive weapons demonstrations and threats, including simulated nuclear attacks on South Korea.

South Korea has increased joint military exercises with the United States to counter these provocations. It seeks stronger assurances from Washington regarding the use of US nuclear weapons in the event of a North Korean nuclear attack.

In a show of strength, the United States recently deployed nuclear-capable aircraft and fighter jets to conduct joint exercises with South Korean warplanes. These exercises aimed to showcase the allies' capacity to promptly and decisively react to provocations from North Korea.

During their yearly security discussions, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and South Korean Defense Minister Shin Won-sik signed a revised bilateral security agreement. The agreement reaffirmed the United States' dedication to safeguarding South Korea, including the potential deployment of nuclear forces if required.

The recent engine tests have provided North Korea with confidence in accelerating the development of its new intermediate-range ballistic missile system. As the world watches with trepidation, the intricacies of international geopolitics, arms partnerships, and the ever-present specter of a nuclear-armed North Korea continue to perplex and confound observers.

The uncertainty surrounding the Korean Peninsula remains a perplexing and volatile issue that demands the international community's continued attention and diplomatic efforts, Al Jazeera reported.

Related Article: 3 Indian Cities Listed as Part of 10 Most Polluted Areas Worldwide After Celebrations of Diwali Festival

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The Colombian government started the sterilization process for drug kingpin Pablo Escobar's cocaine hippos on Tuesday as the animals continue to multiply in the region.

The hippos were first brought into the country by the drug lord in the 1980s and have since spread across Colombian territory as an invasive species with no natural predator. Environmental authorities noted that two male hippos and one female recently underwent surgical sterilization.

Sterilizing Cocaine Hippos

The process was part of a larger government plan to control the population of the animals, which number more than 100, that continue to roam around unsupervised in some rivers. The efforts include the sterilization of 40 hippos annually while transferring some of them to other nations, and as a last resort, euthanasia.

The animals started to spread from Escobar's estate into nearby rivers where they eventually flourished. The initial group of hippos were brought to the drug kingpin's Hacienda Napoles, a private zoo that later became a tourist attraction after Escobar's death in 1993, as per CBS News.

The majority of the animals in Colombia now live freely in rivers and continue to reproduce without control. Government officials have warned that the hippos could upset the local ecosystem if left unchecked.

Scientists also noted that the animals' feces change the composition of rivers and could impact the habitat of local manatees and capybaras. An independent journalist, Audrey Huse, has lived in the region for the last eight years. He said that since the animals roam freely, they end up killing fish and threatening endemic species such as otters and turtles.

Huse noted that because the hippos do not have any natural predators like they do in Africa, their population has skyrocketed and has started to affect the local ecosystem. She said that since they are very large animals, they consume considerable amounts of grassland and produce significant waste, which poisons the rivers.

Read Also: American Immigration Council Map 2023: Immigrant Contribution to US

Controlling the Animals' Population

The latest plan is to capture, anesthetize, and sterilize 20 hippos by the end of this year in a three-pronged approach. The government's plan was initially announced by Colombian environment minister Susana Muhamad on Nov. 2 during a press conference, according to Nature.

Researchers earlier this year feared that Muahamad would not take any action that is needed to reduce the population of the cocaine hippos. This was after the official met with animal-rights groups and created a new division of animal protection within the ministry and the publication of a government-commissioned student on the hippos was delayed.

A biologist at the University of the North in Barranquilla, Colombia, Jorge Moreno-Bernal said that there are still questions about how the plan will be carried out. However, he noted that it seems that the government is generally going in the right direction.

The development comes as a previous study of the cocaine hippos revealed that there could be more than double the number in the population that experts have previously estimated. The study, which was published in April, suggests that the animals number around 181 to 215, said Live Science.

Related Article: Several Polls Say US Support for Israel Declining as Siege of Gaza City Continues

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The United Nations-commissioned independent assessment of Afghanistan has established a correlation between the Taliban government's legitimacy and its adherence to international treaty obligations, specifically those pertaining to the education and employment rights of women, as per to Voice of America.

The draft report, obtained by VOA, underscores the crucial role of Afghan women in any formal reintegration of Afghanistan into the global community.

Afghan Women's Role in Gender Equality, Rights

It emphasizes that the participation and leadership of Afghan women are essential, signaling a commitment to gender equality and human rights in the country.

The assessment was commissioned in March via a Security Council resolution, which requested UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to provide "forward-looking recommendations" for a coherent international approach to the crisis in Taliban-governed Afghanistan.

Feridun Sinirlioglu, a former Turkish government official, was appointed the special coordinator to lead the mission. He conducted on-ground assessments with Taliban leaders, Afghan stakeholders abroad, and regional and international actors.

A central concern highlighted in the report is the plight of women and girls in Afghanistan, particularly the severe restrictions on girls' education.

This issue was brought up consistently during consultations with various stakeholders, including Afghan women, the business community, religious clerics, tribal elders, civil society, health and education professionals, and even representatives of the de facto Taliban authorities.

Amna Mohammed, speaking at an Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, expressed concerns about the situation of women in Afghanistan. She called for the urgent removal of restrictions imposed by the Taliban administration.

Roza Otunbayeva, the head of the UN Assistance Mission in Afghanistan (UNAMA), also addressed the issue at the conference, advocating for a global consensus to handle legal matters concerning women's rights in Afghanistan, according to Khaama Press.

Read Also: US, South Korea Revise Bilateral Security Agreement To Counter North Korea's Threats

Afghan Women's Rights and Concerns

Otunbayeva highlighted the significant percentage of women who believe recognition should only occur after the lifting of restrictions on women's education, employment, and participation in government.

However, women's rights activists argue that the responses from the United Nations and Islamic countries have mainly been declarative and have not led to tangible results in safeguarding the rights of Afghan women.

Soraya Paikan, a women's rights activist, pointed out that the reactions from the United Nations and Islamic countries have not translated into meaningful actions to protect the rights of Afghan women.

Over the past two years, since the Taliban came to power, more than 50 decrees against women's freedoms have been issued in Afghanistan. These decrees have restricted women's lives, including education and employment opportunities.

Despite the concerns raised internationally, the Islamic Emirate, as the Taliban refer to themselves, maintains that women's rights in Afghanistan are preserved within the framework of Islamic law.

While the international community grapples with the situation in Afghanistan, another crisis unfolds in neighboring Pakistan. Pakistani authorities have intensified efforts to crack down on migrants, leading to midnight raids on people's homes and the detention of Afghan families, including women and children.

This crackdown follows a recent exodus of over 250,000 Afghans from Pakistan after the government set an October 31 deadline for migrants without legal status to leave voluntarily.

The impact of these expulsions is disproportionately borne by Afghans, who constitute the majority of foreign nationals residing in Pakistan.

Human rights lawyer Moniza Kakar reported that police in Sindh province have been conducting midnight raids, detaining Afghan families, including women and children. Even those with documentation face the constant threat of detention, forcing many Afghans to confine themselves to their homes.

Pakistan's approach has been criticized for its lack of a comprehensive mechanism to address the complex issues of refugees, asylum-seekers, and migrants without proper documentation, despite hosting millions of Afghans for four decades.

While these situations continue to evolve, Afghanistan and its neighboring countries grapple with many challenges, adding to the perplexity and burstiness of an already complex region, First Post reported.

Related Article: China's Foreign Business Partners Pull Out Money at Alarming Rate, But Why?

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A new report by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has shown that Iran is increasing its enriched uranium stockpile to 60% purity while still barring inspectors from reviewing key issues.

The Middle Eastern country's steady progress in enriching to very high levels while also failing to provide the IAEA with the cooperation that it demands in a growing list of key issues presents a challenge. This is to both the agency and Western powers that have repeatedly called on Iran's government to reverse course.

IAEA Report on Iran's Nuclear Enrichment Stockpile

The nation's stock of 60% enriched uranium grew by 6.7 kilograms to 128.3 kilograms since the last report that was released on Sept. 4. That is more than triple the roughly 42 kilograms that is theoretically enough for a nuclear bomb if enriched further by definition of the IAEA.

A senior diplomat issued a statement saying that the amount was quite significant, particularly if it was not used for anything. This was a reference to the fact that Iran is the only country to enrich to such a high level without producing nuclear weapons, as per Reuters.

The country is known to have enough uranium enriched to lower levels for more bombs but it continues to deny having possession of such weapons. The rate at which Iran is enriching uranium to 60% has slowed to around three kilograms per month from nine kilograms earlier this year.

Diplomats said that this development was the apparent result of indirect negotiations with the United States that led to a prisoner exchange in September. The IAEA report also noted that the number of cascades, or clusters, of uranium-enriching centrifuges in operation remained the same.

A year ago, the UN nuclear watchdog's 35-nation Board of Governors passed a resolution that ordered Iran to comply with an IAEA investigation into uranium traces. These were allegedly found at three undeclared sites. Since then, the agency has narrowed the list of sites to two but has made little other progress.

Read Also: Tourist Boat Sinks in Bahamas-at Least 1 American Dead

Barring Inspectors From Reviewing Key Issues

The IAEA report estimated that as of Oct. 28, Iran's total stockpile of enriched uranium was at 4,486.8 kilograms. This was an increase of more than six times compared to the 691.3 kilograms that was estimated in the last quarterly report, according to the Times of Israel.

The UN watchdog also slammed on Wednesday Iran's decision to withdraw the accreditation of several inspectors. It called it "extreme and unjustified" and noted that it "directly and seriously affected" the agency's work.

That particular move targeted eight top inspectors, with French and German nationals included among them. The IAEA said in its report that it received a letter from Iran that reiterated its position that it was within its rights to withdraw the accreditation. However, it added that it was exploring possibilities to address the agency's request.

This comes as member states can generally veto inspectors assigned to visit their nuclear facilities under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT). Additionally, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi expressed his hope that this particular matter would be resolved promptly, said Aljazeera.

Related Article: North Korea Successfully Tests Solid-Fuel Engines for Intermediate-Range Nuclear Ballistic Missiles

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IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, recently celebrated the opening of a new Crowne Plaza hotel in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, following a conversion and extensive renovation. Located minutes from Saint John Airport, and within walking distance to downtown Saint John, Crowne Plaza Saint John Harbour View offers guests coastal allure and unrivaled views of the port city.

Crowne Plaza Saint John Harbour View provides guests a range of spaces and amenities whether travelling for business or leisure - from the 135 premium guest rooms that provide a comforting, yet productive environment, to the 5,500 sq. ft of meeting spaces and business centre. The pet-friendly property also includes a heated indoor pool and hot tub, a fully equipped fitness centre and an arcade. An on-site restaurant, Harbourvue Horizon, celebrating local and international flavours, is open for all-day dining and is suitable for both intimate dinners and casual get-togethers. Guests will also be conveniently located near attractions such as The New Brunswick Museum, Rockwood Park, Tin Can Beach, Reversing Falls, Harbour Passage, Fort Le Tour, Fort Howe and more.

IHG collaborated with owner and manager Devansh Group of Hotels for the conversion and renovation to the Crowne Plaza Saint John Harbour View. Headquartered in Ontario, Devansh Group of Hotels' scope extends from real estate management to the acquisition and development of hospitality enterprises across various provinces in Canada.

Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is one of the world's largest premium hotel brands, with more than 520 open or in pipeline properties in major urban centres, gateway cities and resort destination. This hotel joins two other Crowne Plaza locations on the East Coast: Crowne Plaza Fredericton-Lord Beaverbrook and Crowne Plaza Moncton Downtown. The brand's accelerated growth plan includes the renovation of 70 percent of its existing Americas estate by 2025 and the addition of more than 120 new global hotels.

Hotel website
The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences is excited to announce the appointment of its new managing director, luxury lifestyle resort veteran, David Bodette. The Preserve is proud to welcome Bodette as he steps into this prominent position at New England's premier sporting club and esteemed sanctuary. Bodette will help to lead The Preserves' community of professionals in their mission to enrich the master-planned community for guests' members and owners.

As managing director, Bodette will oversee daily operations of the 52 rooms + suites at Hilltop Lodge as well as the property's portfolio of residences, with a focus on creating a true New England sporting and adventure experience. In this lead role, Bodette is supported by a family of 200 enthusiastic professionals, collaborating with community influencers, athletes and sportsmen as well as a partnership with celebrity chef, David Burke. Through this partnership, chef continues to elevate all food and beverage operations at The Preserve, including a village of food creations from Hobbit House dinners to elegant fine dining.

Bodette comes to The Preserve, following a legacy career managing some of the country's most prestigious luxury and historic hotels  such as Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort and Spa, The Ritz- Carlton properties, The Queen Mary Hotel in Long Beach, Calif. and The Langham Hotel in Boston  to aid The Preserve in providing a first-class experience for its guests and members.

As general manager of The ART for three years, Bodette led efforts to showcase the hotel's art-curated accommodations that have inspired and awakened visitors as well as the Denver community. With Bodette at the helm, the hotel achieved the No. 1 spot on TripAdvisor within 120 days of opening and was named the No. 1 Art Hotel in the U.S. by CNN, the "Coolest New Urban Hotel in the U.S." by Travel & Leisure, as well as one of the "Top Ten Best New Hotels" in the country by USA Today.

Bodette's more than 30 years of experience in hospitality also includes serving as director of food and beverage in several prominent hotels across the country, including the Fairfax at Embassy Row in Washington, D.C. and the Langham Hotel in Boston, as well as with The Ritz-Carlton Corporation and several of its prestigious properties. In addition, he has worked as director of operations at the Niebaum-Coppola Estate, Vineyard & Winery, and as the director of food and beverage for Auberge du Soleil Resort & Spa, both located in Napa Valley, Calif.

Bodette received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minn. He and his wife, Mery plus their goldendoodle son, Bentley, are excited to join the Rhode Island community and add a new chapter to the success story of The Preserve Sporting Club & Residences.
STORY HIGHLIGHTS

Chinas luxury market is one of the hottest on the planet, with the strongest growth happening in digital and domestic luxury sales.

Success in this market requires appealing to cultural motivations and changing consumer tastes through three key marketing angles.

Luxury brands will get the best results from unique experiences and lifestyle offers, digital channels for younger generations, and culturally or socially resonant themes.

Following the government's declaration of relaxed anti-pandemic measures in late 2022, experts predicted that China's luxury market would revive in 2023. Despite a slow start, the market is showing optimistic signs of revival. LVMH's Asia sales, for instance, increased by 14% in the first quarter of 2023, with China accounting for almost 80% of the company's regional revenues.

Post-covid luxury market growth in China

In the wake of COVID-19, luxury markets worldwide faced a period of unsettling uncertainty. However, as the dust settles, China's luxury market emerges not just intact, but burgeoning, exemplifying luxury market growth. Sales figures paint a vivid portrait: luxury sales in China, driven significantly by Chinese luxury consumers, have experienced an impressive resurgence, outpacing even the most optimistic forecasts. Experts attribute this resurgence to a combination of factors, from pent-up luxury buying to the resilience of the Chinese economy and cultural insights.

Specifically, the GDP of China, despite the global downturn caused by the pandemic, has been steadily rising. This economic resilience has contributed to buoying the luxury sector. High-net-worth individuals, who found fewer opportunities for overseas shopping sprees during the pandemic, have turned inward, fueling domestic luxury sales.

Digital transformation also played a role. In a landscape where brick-and-mortar stores faced shutdowns, luxury brands that had developed a robust online presence enjoyed a significant edge. China, a global leader in e-commerce, offered a fertile ground for such digital transitions, with platforms like WeChat and Alibaba providing seamless shopping experiences for high-end clients.

The allure of luxury: Cultural insights

To truly capture the essence of the Chinese luxury market, one must delve into the rich tapestry of its culture, where the concept of luxury is intricately linked to social dynamics. "Face" or "mianzi" is a social currency in China, and luxury brands serve as a potent symbol of social stature and prestige. This cultural concept extends beyond mere ownership to a matter of lineage and heritage, where possessing a limited-edition artifact or a vintage collection can significantly elevate one's social standing.

Acknowledging this, global luxury brands have begun to craft bespoke strategies for the Chinese consumer. Whether it's incorporating local elements like the Chinese zodiac into watch designs or collaborating with Chinese artists for limited-edition releases, these brands are finding nuanced ways to appeal to local tastes without losing their global essence.

Luxe preferences: Changing consumer tastes

The Chinese luxury fashion industry is undergoing a significant transformation, moving away from a singular preference for well-established global brands to embracing a more varied and eclectic taste. This transformative shift signals a matured, discerning consumer base of high-end clients that seek more than just a recognizable logo. The focus is shifting towards individuality, craftsmanship, and ethical considerations as key factors influencing purchases.

The rise of local brands and independent designers stands as proof of this change. These new players in the luxury scene offer unique designs, embrace sustainable practices, and bring a fresh perspective, aligning closely with the evolving consumer preference for authenticity and individuality.

Strategies for thriving in the Chinese luxury market

Success in the Chinese market is about delivering more than just a high-quality product; it necessitates providing a holistic experience. Brands that have found success in this market focus on three key aspects:

storytelling,

heritage,

personalization.

Storytelling provides an emotional connection, a narrative that transcends the material to touch the immaterial realms of identity and aspiration. Heritage offers a sense of timelessness, a link to a glorified past and a promising future. Lastly, personalization ensures that the luxury experience is tailored to the individual, making it not just a purchase but an identity statement.

Brands such as Hermes and Gucci have exemplified this trifecta, offering not just handbags and apparel, but a story, a history, and a personalized luxury experience that speaks to the aspirations of their clientele. As China's luxury market continues to grow, understanding and applying these principles will be key to finding a foothold in this increasingly competitive, yet rewarding landscape.

Insights for future: Projections for the Chinese luxury market

As we delve deeper into this decade, the Chinese luxury market is not just an emerging phenomenon; it is crystallizing into an essential segment for the global luxury sector. Experts, including Chen BAO, Director & Head of China, EHL Growth Office Team, emphasize that underestimating this market is akin to ignoring the future of luxury itself. Here are key insights and trends to which both established and burgeoning luxury brands should pay close attention.

Beyond goods: The experience economy

In the past, luxury was predominantly tied to material goods, but the narrative has dramatically evolved. Today's Chinese luxury consumer seeks an enriched 'experience.' From private yacht journeys on the Yangtze River to intimate culinary experiences with world-renowned chefs and members-only art exhibitions, the focus has pivoted from mere ownership to rich, personalized experiences.

The concept of luxury has transcended its traditional hallmarks of high-quality products and exquisite craftsmanship. The shift is towards a luxury lifestyle, where products and services should seamlessly integrate and elevate one's lifestyle. Gen Z, in particular, has been a driving force behind this shift, creating trends that rapidly transform into lifestyle imperatives, as seen in the recent street BBQ craze in Zibo.

Rising luxury awareness amongst Chinese millennials and genz

Both Millennials and Gen Z are disrupting the traditional contours of the Chinese luxury market. Tencent's recent research, in collaboration with BCG, reveals that post-Covid influences have led Chinese consumers to prefer buying luxury goods domestically rather than abroad. This demographic seeks a deeper sense of "self-satisfaction" through shopping experiences influenced by timeless designs and fine craftsmanship, contrary to being solely trend-driven. Brands that succeed in weaving their narrative into a compelling story are becoming increasingly attractive to these sophisticated shoppers.

According to Estee Lauder, Gen Z is ranked No.1 in heavy spenders and is highly influenced by fast-growing online channels. Weixin, for instance, is the primary influencer in their luxury shopping decisions. The change is so pivotal that brands have to be more "customer-centric" as opposed to "product-centered," adapting to the voice and expectations of the new generation.

Exclusive insights: Luxury industry experts

When experts talk, its wise for the market to listen. EHL Graduate School faculty members and other industry stalwarts point out that understanding the behavior of Chinese luxury consumers is the foundation of successful luxury brand management. Adaptability is key, says Chen BAO, particularly concerning shifts towards online retail and incorporating culturally resonant motifs

Furthermore, theres a burgeoning trend of Made in China luxury products that are beginning to rival the traditional cachet of "Made in France or Made in Switzerland. A remarkable example is the beauty startup Ellure, founded by Ms. Selah LI, that addresses the issue of waste in the industry by allowing customers to personalize beauty products through 3D technology.

Digital adaptation in China, particularly among early adopters, is also critical. Payments through "hand wave" technology are already in trial runs. AI Chatbots like Baidu's "Ernie Bot" have been officially approved and are gaining popularity. Being digitally savvy isn't a bonus; it's a necessity.

The Chinese luxury market is evolving at an unprecedented speed, fueled by a young, tech-savvy, and increasingly discerning consumer base. Brands that listen, adapt, and offer deeply personalized and meaningful experiences are those that will thrive in this dynamic landscape.

For brands looking to make a splash in the Chinese luxury market, the rulebook is evolving. Understanding cultural specifics, adapting to changing consumer tastes, and embracing the experience economy are just some of the strategies for success. But understanding these dynamics isn't a mere luxuryit's a necessity.

If you're intrigued by the world of luxury and considering a career in this vibrant sector, exploring specialized educational opportunities can equip you with the tools to navigate this ever-changing landscape.

About EHL Group

EHL Group is the global reference in education, innovation and consulting for the hospitality and service sector.

With expertise dating back to 1893, EHL Group now offers a wide range of leading educational programs from apprenticeships to master's degrees, as well as professional and executive education, on three campuses in Switzerland and Singapore. EHL Group also offers consulting and certification services to companies and learning centers around the world. True to its values and committed to building a sustainable world, EHL Group's purpose is to provide education, services and working environments that are people-centered and open to the world. www.ehlgroup.com

EHL Hospitality Business School

Communications Department

+41 21 785 1354

EHL

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Bangkok, Thailand  IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the worlds leading hospitality companies, and Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC), renowned as Thailands leading integrated lifestyle real estate group, extend their long-standing partnership with a landmark agreement to open two new luxury hotels in Chiang Rai, Thailand.

Opening in 2025, InterContinental Chiang Rai Golden Triangle Resort will offer 68 one- and two-bedroom pool and plunge pool villas. Kimpton Chiang Rai Golden Triangle, which currently operates as The Imperial Golden Triangle Resort, will undergo an extensive renovation and convert to the Kimpton brand with 68 suites, along with a range of facilities.

These luxury destination resorts will mark IHGs entry into Thailands Golden Triangle, an area that is popular with travellers for its rich history, immersion into Lanna culture and the scenic mountain and river landscape which borders Laos and Myanmar.

On the back of the recent opening of InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, this signing is another milestone in IHGs and AWCs more than 10-year relationship and will provide travellers with the opportunity to explore more of northern Thailand.



We remain on track to grow our luxury and lifestyle portfolio in Thailand by 50%, and its fantastic to be expanding the InterContinental and Kimpton brands into new destinations.



The luxury boutique and design-forward Kimpton brand has enjoyed a huge period of growth since it debuted in Thailand three years ago, and now has six open or pipeline properties in market, including two operating and much-loved hotels in Bangkok and Koh Samui.



Globally we continue to grow across our six brands in the luxury and lifestyle space and this segment represents 14% of our system and 22% of our pipeline, which is around twice the size from five years ago. Rajit Sukumaran, Managing Director, South East Asia and Korea, IHG Hotels & Resorts

Chiang Rai is a unique destination in Thailand that showcases the beauty in nature and the arts as well as many beautiful temples, hilltribes and local villages, offering different organic and cultural sustainable experiences for travellers. This partnership with IHG will put this most northern province of Thailand top of mind for many local and global tourists. It aligns perfectly with our vision to transform Chiang Rai into a luxury ecotourism destination, with both hotels ideal for the cultural and natural explorer and for couples and families who seek wellness and a luxury lifestyle resort experience.



With the special riverfront location, these two hotels will offer restaurant and bars by the river as well as lifestyle cruise experiences linking Thailand, Laos and Myanmar. These hotels will not only elevate the hospitality landscape in Northern Thailand but also contribute to sustainable tourism, showcasing the rich Lanna nature and heritage. The two destination resorts are adjacent while having individual guest journeys and wellness stay experiences that showcase the brand attributes, providing travellers choices based on the occasion. They elevate Chiang Rai as a global travel destination, while helping to create long-term value, and enriching the surrounding communities and society. Mrs. Wallapa Traisorat, Chief Executive Officer and President, Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC)

An hour away from Mae Fah Luang  Chiang Rai International Airport and 90 minutes drive from Chiang Rai city, the resorts are located amidst mountain ranges and an unspoiled jungle setting with a wonderful vantage point overlooking the Mekong River and its calm waterways, as well as expansive views of Laos and Myanmar in the distance.

Established as a wellness destination, guests will be able to enjoy sustainably sourced and organic culinary experiences to nourish and energise as well as try a plethora of Lanna wellness experiences. Theres so much to discover including coffee plantations, hill tribe visits and scenic dining cruises in additional to learning the art of batik and traditional craftmanship.

With 34 hotels across nine brands and 39 hotels in the pipeline, Thailand continues to be a strong growth market for IHG and the business is on track to double the size of its estate within the next three to five years.

*As of 30 September 2023.

About Asset World Corp Public Company Limited

Asset World Corp Public Company Limited (AWC) is Thailands leading integrated lifestyle real estate group and a member of TCC Group, with the focus on hospitality, lifestyle destinations, and commercial workspaces. Driven by the philosophy of Building a Better Future, AWC strives to grow and expand beyond the norms with a diverse array of quality projects, providing responsible and sustainable solutions for all our stakeholders. The company has two main businesses. Hospitality business managed by top hotel executives of world-renowned hotel brands such as Marriott, The Luxury Collection, Okura, Banyan Tree, Hilton, Sheraton, and Melia, and Commercial properties whose projects include 1) Retail and Wholesale such as lifestyle travel destinations, community shopping malls, community markets, and wholesale business real estate. Popular real estate projects consist of Asiatique the Riverfront Destination, Gateway at Bangsue, AEC Trade Center  Pantip Wholesale Destination, and Tawanna Bangkapi, and 2) Commercial buildings including the famous The Empire Tower and Athenee Tower located in Bangkoks central business district. AWC is committed to integrating its sustainability strategy in every part of its operations to create long-term sustainable value for all stakeholders. The sustainability strategy consists of three key pillars: Better Planet, Better People and Better Prosperity, while the framework has created numerous long-term initiatives including the ReConcept, The GALLERY and other projects. For more information, please visit the company's website at www.assetworldcorp-th.com/en/home.

About IHG

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
In its three years since entering the Chinese market, voco hotels has experienced noteworthy growth, capitalizing on the existing hotel market and demonstrating a commitment to environmental sustainability through the lens of art to provide an enjoyable and sustainable travel experience.

Xian, China - voco hotels, a premium hotel brand under the IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG) recently celebrated its third anniversary in the Greater China market at voco Xi'an Economic and Technological Development Zone (ETDZ). The milestone occasion attracted over 160 hotel owners, industry experts, and influential media to commemorate this significant achievement. IHG organized a series of vibrant activities during the celebration, ranging from brand showcase events that allowed attendees to immerse in the brand's story, guiding philosophy, investment model, and innovative sustainability solutions, to a Xi'an city wall bike tour.

Alongside the celebration, voco hotels hosted a time-limited Sustainability & Art exhibition, culminating in a four-month Young Artist Sponsor Program. This initiative extends the brand's core philosophy, emphasizing the harmonious integration of sustainable development and art. Five emerging young Chinese artists were enlisted to create art pieces using recycled materials, emphasizing the connection between environmental preservation and artistic expression. The art exhibition at the voco Hotel in Xi'an ETDZ is open to the public and is aimed at inspiring consumers to adopt a lifestyle centered on ecological consciousness.

Sustainability & Art: Advocating Environmental Conservation and Creativity

In response to the hotel industry's growing emphasis on sustainable development and ESG strategies, voco has committed to advocating and implementing sustainable practices since its inception. The Sustainability & Art series, now in its third year, is a testament to the brand's dedication to promoting green and environmentally friendly practices. Through these events, voco engages and encourages guests to embrace eco-friendly travel. These initiatives align with IHG's commitment to sustainable development under the Journey to Tomorrow program, promoting responsible travel experiences.

Sustainability & Art exhibition at voco Photo by IHG

The voco Hotels Young Artist Sponsor Program is a visionary initiative, seamlessly blending artistic creativity with environmental conservation. By transforming discarded items into art, the program bridges the gap between art and life, raising public awareness of environmental issues. This underscores IHG's unwavering commitment to sustainable development and bringing joy to every guest's journey through high-quality and comprehensive brand experiences. This commitment mirrors IHG's dedication to propelling innovation and sustainable development, reinforcing our ambition to set industry standards in green and sustainable practices. Florence Hu, Chief Marketing Officer, IHG Greater China

The Young Artist Sponsor Program, a collaboration between the voco hotels, the Donghua Think Tank Cultural and Creative Industry Research Institute, and WeArt, features the artistic contributions of five collaborative artists: Yu Wenjie, Ye Fan, Ouyang Sulong, Zhang Yihan, and E5 (Wen Bin). The artists centered their work around the creative themes of 'Future, Regeneration, Space, Time, and Fragment,' conveying environmental conservation messages using discarded materials like woven items, abandoned wood, recycled newspapers, rubber, and plastic bottles. The resulting exhibition allows guests to explore diverse sensory experiences and appreciate unique environmental art.

As a practitioner of ecotourism, voco insists on beginning with the minutest of details, from its 100 percent recycled pillow and duvet fillings, to utilizing a distinctive spinning and blowing method. The brand chooses refillable, plant-based bathroom amenities to minimize plastic waste and the impact on natural ecosystems. High-pressure showers deliver a premium bathing experience while simultaneously conserving water and reducing energy consumption. Furthermore, voco opts for biodegradable takeout coffee cups over traditional disposable cups to encourage guests to embrace an environmentally friendly lifestyle.

Three Years in China Fosters Rapid Sustainable Growth

Founded in 2018, the voco hotels elevates owner returns and guest experiences by revitalizing high-quality standalone hotels or new projects. Emphasizing green and sustainable principles and offering a variety of flexible collaboration models, the brand has quickly ascended to become one of IHG's fastest-growing brands. In 2020, the voco brand made a successful entry into the Chinese market. More recently, IHG expanded the franchise model to voco, making it the fifth brand under the IHG umbrella in Greater China to offer this option, thereby providing partners with a diversified range of investment opportunities.

voco Xi'an city wall bike tour Photo by IHG

The "Opinions on Further Revitalizing Existing Assets to Expand Effective Investment," released by the General Office of the China State Council last year, strongly emphasizes the need to focus efforts on key areas and critical enterprises for revitalizing existing assets. Specifically, the policy targets assets within established hotels and catering, opening up a new frontier with substantial investment potential within the Chinese hotel inventory market.

voco's ability to transform existing assets flexibly and efficiently offers IHG a strategic edge in navigating untapped opportunities within the hotel inventory market. The group capitalizes on its proficiency in risk management, scalable cost reduction, market analysis and forecasting, targeted hotel support, member systems, and distribution channels, among other strategic areas.

Consumers decision-making factors when choosing a hotel revolve around seamless check-in processes, inviting environments, immersive cultural experiences, and human-centered facilities and services. During hotel renovations, voco strategically incorporates brand-specific design elements in art, linens, furniture, and mascots. The brands three hallmarks  come on in, me time, and voco life  are woven into the hotels DNA. From a swift check-in and a locally inspired welcome treat upon arrival to big, comfy beds and vibrant bar and restaurant spaces, voco brings a distinctive charm to every stay. Dining options are curated to offer a blend of leisure and diversity while catering to local consumption demands.

Over the past three years, voco hotels has swiftly garnered recognition in the Chinese market. With its distinctive brand identity and unwavering commitment to sustainable development, voco has become a dynamic addition to our brand portfolio, effectively catering to the needs of segmented tourism. In the ever-changing landscape of revitalizing existing hotel assets in Greater China, voco has positioned itself as a solution for rapid conversion, simplifying the process for owners of high-quality, independent hotels to seamlessly integrate into the IHG system. This expedites the swift entry of high-quality, independent hotels onto the IHG platform, accelerating property upgrades. As voco celebrates its third anniversary in Greater China, we believe that endless opportunities lie ahead, ensuring stronger brand growth in the future. Kent Sun, Chief Development Officer, IHG China

From left to right: voco Guangzhou Shifu; voco Xi'an ETDZ; voco Hefei Binhu; voco Xiongan Photo by IHG

As of October 31, 2023, the voco brand currently operates ten hotels, with an additional ten hotels are under construction in Greater China. Recently inaugurated establishments include voco Guangzhou Shifu and voco Xiongan, among others. The upcoming hotel projects are strategically positioned in key gateway cities and renowned tourist destinations, encompassing Shanghai, Changzhou, Jincheng, Shenzhen, Chengdu, Qingdao, and more.

About IHG

IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.

With a family of 17 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the world's largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has over 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline.

InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Group's holding company and is incorporated and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.

Visit us online for more about our hotels and reservations and IHG Rewards. For our latest news, visit our Newsroom and follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter.
Regent Hong Kong has officially returned to Victoria Harbour. The official grand opening took place on November 8, celebrating the transformation of a landmark property within IHG Hotels & Resorts luxury and lifestyle portfolio.

Held in the Regent Ballroom, the gala event brought together a diverse array of VIPs and community leaders. As guests arrived, a red carpet led to the famous white marble staircase, where generations of Hong Kong society have marked lifes most significant events and gala occasions.

In perfect harmony with the Symphony of Lights'' light show, Italian acrobatic dancers transformed the exterior facade of Regent Hong Kong into their stage. The spectacle was the first vertical facade dance in Hong Kong and was brought to life by Il Posto, a collaboration between choreographer Wanda Moretti and musician Marco Castelli. Defying gravity, the aerial performance acted as an artful metamorphosis that blurred the lines between the built environment and the ever-shifting landscape of Hong Kong. Guests also marvelled at the iconic Aqualuna gliding across the harbour, its sails transformed in Regents emblematic shade of teal, emblazoned with the Regent logo.

The return of the iconic Regent Hong Kong heralds the growth of our ultra-luxury properties in the Greater China region. With Regent Hotels already in exciting destinations like Shanghai and Chongqing and Regent Shanghai on the Bund scheduled to be the next addition, we are committed to offering our guests a new era of modern luxury hospitality with the next level of innovation in design, decor and service. We aspire to be a pioneer in new luxury concepts  just as the original Regent Hong Kong was when it first opened in 1980. Managing Director Daniel Aylmer, from IHG Hotels & Resorts Greater China

IHG Hotels & Resorts acquired Regent in 2018 and has since been working to reimagine the brand. Regent Hong Kong is a flagship property within the new Regent portfolio. It joins Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel, Regent Chongqing, Regent Shanghai Pudong, Regent Phu Quoc, and the soon-to-open Regent Santa Monica Beach in crafting the most refined experiences for modern trendsetters. The Hong Kong opening is set to be closely followed by Regent Shanghai On The Bund in late 2023 and Regent Bali Canggu in 2024.

As we open the doors to Regent Hong Kong, we celebrate not only a new chapter for the brand but also a journey back to the roots of luxury hospitality. Over half a century ago, Regent Hotels & Resorts pioneered modern luxury, setting the industry's ultimate standards that continue to influence luxury brands today. With a legacy steeped in innovation, breathtaking views and landmark destinations like Regent Hong Kong, the brand is returning in earnest to redefine luxury once more. Tom Rowntree, Vice President Global Luxury & Lifestyle Brands at IHG Hotels & Resorts

As part of the IHG family, guests staying at Regent Hong Kong will have access to a best-in-class loyalty program, IHG One Rewards, which is centered around giving members richer benefits and more ways to earn than ever before, all powered by leading technology on its new mobile app.

above (left to right): Mr. Michel Chertouh, Mr. Chi Wing Lo, Mr. Kenneth Gaw, Mr. Seoungho Jin, Mr. Goodwin Gaw, Mrs. Rossana Wang Gaw, Ms. Christina Gaw, Mrs. Millie Lau, Mr. Daniel Aylmer, Mr. Christophe Vielle Photo by IHG

Source: IHG

Source: IHG
HFTP Announces Sponsors for Inaugural Digital Horizons 360 Symposium with Fourteen IP As Leading Sponsor

The invitation-only event focused on EU hospitality technology is February 20-21, 2024 at the Palau de Congressos de Palma in Mallorca.

Hospitality Financial and Technology Professionals (HFTP) is pleased to announce a selection of authoritative organizations as sponsors for its new European event: Digital Horizons 360 Symposium (DH360), with Fourteen IP as its exclusive Level I sponsor. This invitation-only symposium will span two-days, February 20-21, at the Palau de Congressos de Palma in Palma de Mallorca, Spain. DH360 is a non-sales event for hospitality leaders to participate in roundtable discussions on the technologies set to have the biggest industry impact in Europe.

DH360 has also gained sponsorship support from multiple organizations at varying levels. These include: VENZA, Ecole hoteliere de Lausanne (EHL) and Infrateq.

HFTP CEO Frank Wolfe said, The driving thread through DH360 is the opportunity to explore pressing technology issues faced by the European hospitality industry, where all angles of the selected topics are dissected. With the support and input of our sponsors, participants will benefit from their extensive and globe-spanning experience in a straightforward, informational discussion. We are grateful for their support and recognition of this inaugural symposium, which we expect to become a key event going forward.

Fourteen IP is a global systems integrator to the hospitality industry providing cloud telephony, guest internet access and AI powered virtual agent solutions across Europe, North America and Mexico. Fourteen IP supports leading hotels and groups worldwide, together with individual boutique and independent hotels.

Company representatives will provide a starting brief at its roundtable with a current perspective on the fast-growing, AI-powered technology segment based on the development and deployment of its solutions. This will be followed by a robust and moderated dialog with senior technology leaders attending the Symposium.

Fourteen IP CEO Neil Tolley said, We are excited to be sponsoring and participating in this inaugural technology symposium. We welcome the opportunity to share our experiences, challenges and successes in the development and support of what we consider to be the foremost AI-powered voice assistant solution for hotels. We look forward to engaging with hospitality leaders from across Europe and leading a roundtable discussion focused on AI, which will include prominent figures from the AI industry.

Additionally, Level 2 sponsors will lead other sessions on the program: Venza Group on cybersecurity and EHL on talent acquisition and retention.

DH360 was created in response to a growing interest in an event of this kind, a goal for DH360 is to establish an EU hospitality technology thought leadership community. The program will elevate the relevant discussions beyond the traditional hospitality tech supply chain.

Key to the impact and endurance of this event is resulting coverage of the discussions. To assist, HFTP has partnered with EHL to moderate and publish a follow-up report. Also partnering with HFTP on this event is hospitality media company Hospitality Net.

Top European hospitality executives such as CIOs, vice presidents, IT leaders and decision-makers are invited to submit their interest to attend.
to improve their health and wellbeing

Businesses need to step up incentives and innovate around affordability

Businesses need to step up incentives and innovate around affordability as shoppers relentlessly hunt down deals

Impact of A rtificial Intelligence , sustainability and social, economic and political factors critical in understanding g lobal consumer trends this year

Annual report reveals emerging insights in to consumers values and shopp ing motivations

Global market research company Euromonitor International has released the Top Global Consumer Trends 2024 report today.

The annual report reveals emerging trends that provide insights into consumers evolving values and explores how their behaviour is redefining their shopping motivations and needs. It examines how the impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI), the importance of sustainability initiatives, and social, economic and political factors are crucial in understanding global consumer trends this year.

Euromonitors top Global Consumer Trends in 2024 are:

Ask AI: New tools are evolving into co-creators for consumers, influencing their decisions and reshaping their expectations of brand engagement. These platforms will become increasingly integrated into consumers' daily lives. Businesses should utilise generative AI to enhance personalisation and improve the overall customer experience.

Delightful Distractions: Consumers seek an escape from daily stress and anxieties to break away from the mundane. Some 29% of consumers would be comfortable with brands tracking their emotions and personalising experiences to their moods.

Greenwashed Out : While consumers are attempting to live more sustainably, they question whether companies and governments are fully utilising available resources to create a meaningful impact. They want organisations to step up and show proof of their eco pledges.

Progressively Polarised : Political and social issues are at the core of personal identities. These belief systems influence perspectives, values and attitudes. Consumers will not refrain from expressing their convictions. Social responsibility, political affiliation and sustainability initiatives will motivate spending.

Value Hackers: With the ongoing cost-of-living crisis consumers are adjusting their financial mindset and 44% of consumers planned to save more money in 2023. They are employing increasingly clever strategies to get the very best deals.
Weekly Hospitality Industry Asia Pacific News Roundup from HVS

New flight route connecting Singapore and Palau to take off on Nov 23

Singapore is set to connect with the island nation of Palau as a new flight route is announced. The inaugural commercial flight is scheduled for November 23, and it will link Singapore, Palau, and Bhutan. The five-hour flight between Singapore and Palau will operate once a week on Thursdays from November 23 to December 20. From December 21, there will be biweekly flights on Thursdays and Sundays. This new route follows the signing of an open skies agreement in October 2022 between Singapore and Palau. Previously, reaching Palau required a lengthy seven-hour connection via Manila, excluding transit time. The route is expected to boost tourism and make Palau more accessible to travellers. Palau, an archipelago comprising around 340 islands, is known for its clear waters, coral reefs, and outdoor activities such as snorkelling and diving.

Popular floating tourist train makes a comeback

The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) has revived its popular "floating train" service to Pasak Jolasid Dam in Lopburi province. Two round-trip journeys from Bangkok will be available every weekend in November, December 2023, and January 2024. This service offers travellers stunning views of Thailands longest earthen dam, the Pasak Jolasid Dam, which was built under the initiative of the late King Bhumibol Adulyadej to mitigate flooding in the Pasak and Chao Phraya River basins. The train departs from Bangkoks Hua Lamphong station at 6 am and reaches the dams "floating railway" viewing point at 9:25 am. It stops for 20 minutes for passengers to enjoy the scenery before moving to Khok Salung station, where day-trippers can shop for souvenirs. The train then returns to the dam at 10:35 am, allowing passengers to disembark and explore nearby tourism spots, before departing for Bangkok at 3:30 pm. Activities include visiting the Pasak Basin Museum and having lunch in local communities. The train arrives back at Hua Lamphong station at 6:50 pm.

Cambodias newest and biggest airport opens in Siem Reap, the gateway to UNESCO-listed Angkor

Cambodias newest and largest airport Siem Reap-Angkor International Airport (SAI) opened this Monday to commercial operations in the province of Siem Reap near the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park. The new airport, funded by China as part of its Belt and Road Initiative at a cost of about $1.1 billion, was designed to initially handle 7 million passengers a year, 2 million more than the previous Siem Reap International Airport (REP) and has a 3,600-meter-long runway. The airport is the first overseas international airport to be constructed under a Build-Operate-Transfer model by Chinese companies and is operated and managed by the Yunnan Aviation Industry Investment Group and is designed to accommodate larger commercial planes, including those used on global long-haul routes. This new airport serves to further tourism within Cambodia and is on track to receive 4.5 to 5 million international tourists having received 3.5 million international arrivals in the first 8 months of 2023.

Hong Kong Airlines Resumes Flights to Kumamoto

Hong Kong Airlines has announced resumption of direct service to Kumamoto later this year, previously operating this route in 2016. This route will run three times weekly and marks the fifth destination launched this year. Kumamoto, located on the island of Kyushu, boasts natural landscapes and is a popular destination for nature enthusiasts. Kumamoto features volcanic landscapes at Mount Aso and hosts one of the worlds largest calderas, the volcanic activity provides for the islands numerous hot springs. Kumamoto marks Hong Kong Airlines second destination in Kyushu, complementing the existing daily routes to Fukuoka. Hong Kong Airlines has been expanding routes throughout Japan with flights to seven destinations across the country. The airline has been adjusting flight frequencies to capture the growing travel demand for Japan.

About HVS

HVS is the world's leading consulting and valuation services organization focused on the hotel, restaurant, shared ownership, gaming, and leisure industries. Established in 1980, the company performs more than 4,500 assignments per year for virtually every major industry participant. HVS principals are regarded as the leading professionals in their respective regions of the globe. Through a worldwide network of over 50 offices staffed by 300 experienced industry professionals, HVS provides an unparalleled range of complementary services for the hospitality industry. For further information regarding our expertise and specifics about our services, please visit www.hvs.com.
U.S. Hotels Poised for Strong Holiday Season Fueled by Business Travel Uptick

The business outlook for hotels remains strong for the remainder of 2023 thanks to an uptick in business travel and a healthy preference among business and leisure travelers to stay in hotels.

According to a survey commissioned by the American Hotel & Lodging Association and conducted by Morning Consult, 68% of Americans whose jobs involve travel said they were likely to travel overnight for business during the last three months of 2023, up from 59% in 2022. Hotels are the top lodging choice for 81% of business travelers surveyed.

The survey found that 32% of Americans are likely to travel overnight for Thanksgiving, up from 28% a year earlier, while 34% are likely to travel overnight for Christmas, up from 31% last year. Meanwhile, 37% of Americans said they were likely to travel overnight for leisure during the last three months of 2023, down slightly from 39% in 2022.

The survey also found that travel attitudes have largely returned to pre-pandemic norms. 71% of Americans now say their likelihood of staying in hotels is the same as prior to the pandemic, and nearly 70% of business travelers say their employers have either returned to the pre-pandemic normal or increased amounts of business travel. This is good news for hoteliers, as business travel is one of hotels main sources of revenue.

The survey of 4,006 adults was conducted Sept. 18-23, 2023. Other key findings include the following:

55% of Americans planning to travel overnight for leisure during the last three months of 2023 plan to stay in a hotel.

45% of Americans said they are more likely to stay in a hotel this holiday season than they were last year.

44% of Americans said they are likely to take more leisure/vacation trips this holiday season than they did last year.

59% of those planning to travel overnight for Thanksgiving plan to stay with family or friends, while 30% plan to stay at a hotel.

62% of those planning to travel overnight for Christmas plan to stay with family or friends, while 26% plan to stay at a hotel.

Hotels are going above and beyond to take excellent care of guests as travel approaches pre-COVID levels, and this survey underscores that fact, said AHLA President & CEO Chip Rogers. Americas nearly 62,500 hotels are a bright spot for the nations economy. To continue growing, they need to hire more people, but a nationwide shortage of workers is preventing hotels from regaining all the jobs we lost to the pandemic. There are a number of steps Congress can take to help address our industrys workforce challenges. Those include establishing an H-2B returning worker exemption, passing the Asylum Seeker Work Authorization Act, and passing the H-2 Improvements to Relieve Employers (HIRE) Act.
Chicago, IL (60637)

Today

Rain likely. High 46F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy. Periods of light rain early. Low 39F. Winds NNE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
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Lenox Library Food Drive

LENOX, Mass.  The Lenox Library will collect donations of non-perishable food items, as well as paper products and personal health care items, between Nov. 1 and Nov. 28

In addition, for every donated item, BIRCH Properties will donate $1 to the Lenox Library Association, which supports library programs and collections.




iciHaiti - Dajabon market fire : Haitian merchants demand 50 million pesos in compensation





Of Haitian merchants who had warehouses at the Dajabon market, mostly women, affected by the fire that occurred in the early hours of October 11, 2023 in the bilateral border market of Dajabon https://www.haitilibre.com/en/news-40719-haiti-news-zapping.html demand compensation of more than 50 million pesos.



Santiago Riveron, the Mayor of Dajabon, recalls that the community fire department made a report and determined after an investigation that a short circuit due to a poor electrical connection was the cause of the sinister.



"Now there is a group of Haitians who want to be compensated for these premises and they are talking about more than 50 million pesos ! It warns of the problem this will generate. But where do you think we're going to find this money ? This is a new problem that is emerging for us with the Haitians," he stressed.



According to what was reported by the Dominican authorities, the fire affected 38 premises, some in their entirety and others partially, of which 36 were occupied by Haitian merchants and 2 by Dominicans.



S/ iciHaiti


















Xi, Biden share nostalgic moment ahead of banquet

Xinhua) 19:17, November 16, 2023

U.S. President Joe Biden shows Chinese President Xi Jinping his phone, on which is a photo Xi took in 1985 in San Francisco when he was a county leader of Zhengding in China's northern province of Hebei and made his maiden trip to the United States, at the entrance of a banquet hall of Filoli Estate, a country house south of San Francisco, California, the United States, Nov. 15, 2023. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- At the entrance of a banquet hall of Filoli Estate, a country house south of San Francisco, California, U.S. President Joe Biden was busy swiping his cell phone, apparently looking for something.

Biden, who has just concluded a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, is waiting for his Chinese counterpart ahead of a banquet he prepared in the estate, which has been illuminated by shimmering lights and adorned with elegant decorations.

As Xi approached, Biden showed his phone, inviting the Chinese leader's attention to the screen.

"Do you know this young man?" he asked.

"Yes, that was me 38 years ago," said Xi, with a knowing smile.

The image displayed on Biden's phone was a photo Xi took in 1985 when he was on his maiden trip to the United States.

San Francisco was the first stop of Xi's trip. Much like any other city visitor, Xi had his picture taken with the Golden Gate Bridge.

At that time, Xi, in his early thirties, was a county leader of Zhengding in China's northern province of Hebei.

"You haven't changed a bit!" said Biden with a chuckle, drawing a burst of cheerful laughter.

Amidst such lighthearted ambiance, the two leaders stepped into the banquet hall together.

Xi is on a visit to San Francisco from Nov. 14-17 for a China-U.S. summit and the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.

This is a photo Chinese President Xi Jinping took in 1985 in San Francisco when he was a county leader of Zhengding in China's northern province of Hebei and made his maiden trip to the United States. U.S. President Joe Biden showed this photo to Xi ahead of a banquet he prepared in Filoli Estate, a country house south of San Francisco, California, the United States, Nov. 15, 2023. (Xinhua)

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Liang Jun)
The holiday season brings so much excitement to everyone as it is a time to give back and look for gifts to give to family and friends. However, looking for quality gifts at discounted prices can be a challenge for shoppers. Luckily, realme Philippines is offering limited time deals at the upcoming Shopee Grand Launch to help with the ease of early holiday shopping. Through its new lineup of products, there are many options to choose for gifts to get from November 17-23:

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realme Buds T300

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Keep posted on realmes latest updates, head over to the realme PH Facebook page at https://facebook.com/realmePhilippines or visit the official realme website at https://www.realme.com/ph/.
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A Coldplay concert in Indonesia on Wednesday was marred by violent clashes between riot police and conservative Muslims, who protested the bands support for the LGBT+ community.

More than 200 conservative Muslims demonstrated outside the Gelora Bung Karno stadium in Jakarta, where Coldplay was performing on Wednesday (16 November), and demanded the event be cancelled.

Protesters jeered at concert-goers and clashed with police outside the venue where Chris Martin and the band were performing.

The demonstrators reportedly held a large banner that read: Reject, cancel and disband Coldplay concerts. Protesters said the bands pro-LGBT+ views were in conflict with the countrys faith and morals.

The same protest group had also organised demonstrations last week at multiple sites in Jakarta, including outside the British Embassy, reported the Associated Press.

Various Islamic groups had earlier called for the cancellation of the British bands inaugural concert in predominantly Muslim Indonesia. Again they cited the bands perspective on LGBT+ rights, which they said clashed with their beliefs.

Lead vocalist Martin is known for donning rainbow colours and displaying gay pride flags during his performances.

At least 4,000 security officials were deployed in and around the Coldplay venue. Local police said the demonstrators calling for the cancellation of the concert did not have permission to stage a rally.

We know that Coldplay supports LGBT+, but now the question is, is the LGBT+ behaviour in line with... our constitution? Anwar Abbas, deputy chairman of the Indonesian Ulema Council, Indonesias most powerful Islamic regulatory body, said in a statement on Wednesday.

Enjoy unlimited access to 70 million ad-free songs and podcasts with Amazon Music Sign up now for a 30-day free trial Sign up

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There are six religions recognised in this country, and not one of them allows and tolerates LGBT+ practice.

In Indonesia, a Muslim-majority nation, homosexuality is a taboo topic even though it is banned only in the countrys Sharia-ruled Aceh province.

Earlier this year The 1975 cancelled planned shows in Taiwan and Indonesia, calling it impossible to proceed with their Asia tour dates after frontman Matt Healy criticised the Malaysian governments stance on LGBT+ rights and kissed a male bandmate on stage. Malaysias government called Healy rude and said the band was banned from ever playing in the country again.

In 2012 Lady Gaga called off a concert in Jakarta, citing security concerns, amid protests by Indonesian religious groups. The pop star said at the time that she was devastated by the decision.

Indonesian police, responding to objections from Islamic groups who deemed her tour shows too vulgar, had declined to issue a permit for Lady Gagas concert.

In July this year, the southeast Asian LGBT+ event Asean Queer Advocacy Week was cancelled in Indonesia due to security threats.

Reuters reported that other LGBT+ related events have also been cancelled in Indonesia due to objections from Islamic groups.

In December last year, the US called off a visit by its LGBT+ special envoy after an influential clerical body denounced the trip.

Additional reporting by agencies
In a glorious sweep of history that has taken us from the 1947 wedding of the baby-faced Princess Elizabeth and Philip Mountbatten to the halcyon days of Cool Britannia in the 1990s, Netflixs The Crown has been a lavish, panoptic companion through the 20th century. Depicting the House of Windsor through its highs and lows, its stiff upper lips and blubbering bluebloods, it has gained a reputation as the jewel in the Netflix crown. But now, with its final season released this week, the end is near  and, in a twist of fate, the monarchy, The Crown and Netflix itself are all in a more precarious state than when things began in 2016.

At a reported cost of 100m, the first instalment of Netflixs biopic of Elizabeth II, covering an era of her life unfamiliar to most viewers, was a gamble. Would its audience be receptive to this portrait of a fragile young princess on the cusp of becoming both ruler and legend? The critical consensus was, almost, unanimous. The Guardian called it addictive, The Wall Street Journal said it was outstanding, and The Washington Post labelled it scrumptious (although it should be noted that The Independent poured cold water on this critical love-in).

Netflix, which had already demonstrated itself to be an ambitious insurgent broadcaster following the 2013 release of the heralded House of Cards, was vindicated. I was saying to Netflix, Peter Morgan, the shows creator, said in an interview with Variety back in 2016, lets do [more series] only if the show has a significant enough footprint, if it resonates enough with people.
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At least 25 people died and dozens were hospitalised after a fire engulfed a building in northern Chinas Shanxi province on Thursday.

The fire started at 6.50am local time at a four-storey building owned by Yongju Coal Industry in the city of Luliang, state broadcaster China Central Television (CCTV) reported.

At least 63 people were evacuated from the building and 51 were rushed to the Luliang First Peoples Hospital. It was unclear whether the 25 dead were among that figure.

The fire ripped through the second floor of the building, according to the Xinhua news agency.

Images shared on social media showed the bright flames engulfing the entire floor as thick smoke continued to rise from the building.

Rescue work was underway and the cause of the fire was being investigated, according to the state broadcaster.

Shanxi is China's top coal-producing hub, where factory owners have often been criticised for their lax safety standards and poor enforcement.

At least 11 people died in July after the roof of a school gym collapsed in China's Heilongjiang province.

A month earlier, 31 people died in an explosion at a barbecue restaurant in northwestern China that prompted a nationwide campaign to promote workplace safety.

In April, 29 people were killed as a fire ripped through a hospital in Beijing, leading to rare criticism of local authorities on social media sites.

At least 38 people were killed in a fire at a factory in Chinas Anyang City in Henan province in November 2022.
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A 10-year-old boy in India has died after suffering severe injuries from a monkey attack.

Dipak Thakor encountered monkeys while playing with his friends near a temple in the western state of Gujarat on Tuesday.

The boy was rushed home after the attack in which he received grievous injuries and then taken to a hospital, where doctors pronounced him dead on arrival, reported the Press Trust of India.

This was the third such attack within a week on the residents of Salki village, where the incident took place, said an official.

India is no stranger to monkey attacks as there has been an increase in human encroachment in animal habitats across the country.

Monkeys are often spotted in tourist areas, and there have been many instances in the past of the animals causing injuries to people and even other animals such as dogs.

Authorities have been trying to catch monkeys around Salki village, forest official Vishal Chaudhary was quoted as saying by Indian news channel NDTV.

We have rescued two langurs (a species of monkey native to Indian subcontinent) in the past one week, and set up cages to trap another langur, he said.

There is a large troop of monkeys in the village, including four adults who have been involved in attacks in the past one week.

Two of the monkeys have been rescued and efforts are ongoing to capture another, said Mr Chaudhary.

In December 2021, two monkeys were captured by the forest department in Indias western Maharashtra state for supposedly killing puppies in what villagers described as an act of revenge.

Residents of Lavool village in the states Beed district said monkeys had been killing puppies by carrying them up trees or to rooftops and dropping them to their deaths.

In May 2020, a gang of monkeys attacked a laboratory worker and ran off with Covid blood samples. The animals reportedly targeted the technician as he walked through the campus of a medical college in northern Uttar Pradesh states Meerut city.

In 2020, when Donald Trump visited India as US president, police armed with catapults were assigned to protect him from a horde of feral monkeys during his visit to the Taj Mahal.

More recently this year, officials in Indias capital Delhi deployed trained monkey men or impersonators and cut-outs of larger primates to drive away troops of rhesus macaques from its G20 summit venue.
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Officials from Afghanistan's ruling Taliban on Wednesday welcomed the resumption of FlyDubai flights to Kabul's international airport two years after stopping service following the collapse of the Western-backed government.

All international airlines halted flights to Afghanistan after the Taliban seized power in Afghanistan in mid-August 2021 as U.S. and NATO forces departed after two decades of war.

A United Arab Emirates-based FlyDubai flight landed in Kabul on Wednesday. FlyDubai, the sister carrier of long-haul airline Emirates, now will make two flights a day to Kabul.

The office of the Taliban's deputy prime minister, Abdul Ghani Baradar, in a statement Wednesday described the flight resumption as "indicative of the restoration of Afghanistans airspace to a secure and conventional state, accommodating various types of flights. However, nearly all Western carriers are avoiding flying in Afghan airspace.

It shows that all airports in Afghanistan are now equipped to deliver requisite facilities and adhere to standard services, said the statement.

FlyDubai, when asked for comment, referred to an October statement announcing that flights would resume. It did not discuss any of the security concerns related to operating in the country.

In May last year, the Taliban signed a deal allowing an Emirati company to manage three airports in Afghanistan. Under the agreement, the Abu Dhabi-based firm GAAC Solutions would manage the airports in Herat, Kabul and Kandahar.

(EPA)

Two Afghan airlines, Kam Air and Ariana Afghan Airlines, operate from Kabul to destinations such as Dubai, Moscow, Islamabad and Istanbul.

The resumption of flights came after Associated Press journalists on Monday saw Afghanistan's Taliban envoy to the UAE, Badruddin Haqqani, walk through an Airbus A380 looking at its business class seats at the Dubai Air Show. He was recently appointed to the position in Abu Dhabi, the capital of the UAE.

The Emirates, long aligned with the U.S., has hosted Afghan diplomatic posts for years under both the Taliban and its former Western-backed government. Afghanistan's former president, Ashraf Ghani, had been seen in the country immediately after fleeing the Taliban advance in 2021.
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Adriana Lima has responded to comments claiming that she looks different one year after giving birth to her youngest son, Cyan.

The supermodel took to her Instagram Stories on Wednesday 15 November to post a selfie with her hair in a ponytail and seemingly no makeup with text across the screen that read: The face of a tired mom of one teenage girl, two pre-teens, one active boy, a one-year-old learning to walk, and three dogsthanks for your concern.

The post on Instagram Stories comes only one week after she shared a post about a photoshoot with Bulgari on 8 November. In response to the post, many commented on Limas appearance, while others questioned whether shed undergone cosmetic procedures.

She did something to her face, one comment began. Botox, fillers, shes not the same.

What did you do to your gorgeous face? another commenter asked. It looks different?

Other commenters went on to dramatically mourn Limas appearance from before and after the post. Oh no not you, one comment wrote with crying emojis. Your beauty was God given! I pray these were just fillers and they will dissolveYoure still the most beautiful but it breaks my heart.

However, others defended Lima from the comments, and assured the supermodel that she is loved and supported. Adriana you are absolutely gorgeous, one comment began. Please dont let the hate put you down! We love you from the inside and outside. You are our inspiration and we idolise you. Love you forever and always.

This isnt the first time Lima has spoken out about her postpartum appearance. In April, she spoke with People about forgiving herself for judging her body. Every day I have to remind myself that: Listen, accept who you are. Accept your body, she told the outlet.

Its a transitional body right now because I had a baby. So you just created life. Its such a big blessing. Every body has a different reaction with pregnancy and post-pregnancy.

So you have to exercise every day, [practice] acceptance with changes. And I struggle every day, Lima revealed. Every day, I have to remind myself, Im human. I get insecure here and there.

She added: And then every day, I learn new things. And with age, your body reacts differently. But its okay. Im learning.

In a post to Instagram last September, the Brazilian supermodel announced that she had welcomed a son with her boyfriend, Andre Lemmers.

Lima shared a close-up of the newborns eye, revealing that his name had been inspired by his eye colour.

Cyan is the colour between green and blue on the visible spectrum of light, Lima wrote in the caption. Cyan is the colour of the waters of Bora Bora and Maldives, places in our familys bucket list.

She continued: Cyan now is our favourite colour the colour of our baby boys eyes. Welcome to our world CYAN LIMA LEMMERS. 08/29/22.

Lima first announced she was expecting her third child in a video posted to TikTok in February. Cyan is the couples first child together.

The Victorias Secret alum proudly showcased her baby bump on a number of occasions during her pregnancy. In May 2022, she arrived at Cannes Film Festival wearing a Balmain gown which exposed her stomach.
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Naomi Watts has admitted that going through menopause in her mid-thirties felt like the end of her worth.

Watts, now 55, said she thought of menopause as equating to the end of her career, when she experienced it three years after her breakthrough performance in David Lynchs 2001 psychological thriller Mulholland Drive.

In an interview with Times Radio on Thursday, the two-time Oscar-nominated actor added that the lack of conversation around menopause  or the end of menstruation  told me that you dont matter anymore.

She continued: So I kind of spent a lot of time spinning out and turning in on myself, feeling panicked about the end of my career, the end of my worth. If I cant bring children into the world, my partner will probably leave me. What do I mean? Wheres my purpose?

Naomi Watts said she panicked about her career (Getty Images)

Watts has been advocating for greater awareness and sensitivity around the subject, with the actor launching her own menopausal beauty brand Stripes last October.

In the interview, she noted that, while women come together to discuss their periods, first kisses, or experiences with getting pregnant, the conversation around menopause has remained shrouded in secrecy and shame.

However, Watts acknowledged that she wouldnt have spoken about her own experiences when she was younger.

Opening up about her decision to talk about going through early menopause publicly, she said: Maybe it was just the right timing, maybe that the average age of menopause is 51. Maybe I just had to get past that milestone to actually admit that that was me.

However, Watts added, her outlook has since changed because she got on top of the education and has a better understanding of it.

Ive also got my friends, she continued, underscoring the importance of having a community. We can moan about it if we have to, laugh about it and share our experiences openly.

I think when the conversation is off the table, thats the worst part of it, Watts said.

The Impossible actor has previously said that going through early menopause was incredibly isolating, with the NHS estimating that premature menopause  before the age of 40  affects one per cent of women in the UK.

The symptoms are the same as perimenopause, or the years of transition leading up to menopause. These usually include changes in the pattern and/or frequency of menstrual cycles, anxiety, mood changes, hot flushes, and hair loss or thinning.
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Smoking causes 150 cancer cases every day in the UK alone, according to a new study.

While tobacco smoking in the UK and US peaked to about 50 per cent in the 1950s, this had dropped to around 13 per cent in 2020-21 due to control efforts, said the study. However, historically high smoking rates are still a driving factor of the cancer burden in the countries today, it said.

Very high-income countries like the UK are projected to see a 50 per cent increase in cancer cases over the next 50 years, said Cancer Research UK, that funded the study, on Wednesday.

Researchers called on MPs to support raising the age of sale of tobacco products as a critical step to create the first ever smoke-free generation.

Action on tobacco would have the biggest impact  smoking causes 150 cases of cancer in the UK every single day, said Ian Walker, executive director of policy and information at Cancer Research UK.

There are cost-effective tools at hand to prevent cases of cancer, which will save lives around the world.

Tobacco control measures are chronically underfunded. And as a recognised leader in global health, the UK government can play a significant role in addressing this, Mr Walker said.

The study also revealed at least 1.3 million people in seven countries die due to cancer caused by smoking tobacco.

The deaths across the UK, US, Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa represent over half the worlds annual cancer death burden.

The study analysed the years of life that were wasted to cancer. It also assessed whether certain risk factors caused deaths more prematurely.

Researchers found four preventable risk factors resulted in almost two million deaths combined and over 30 million years of life lost each year.

These factors are smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity and human papillomavirus (HPV) infections.

At least 20.8 million years of life are lost from smoking tobacco alone, found the study.

It also warned new cancer cases could surge by five times, from 0.6 million to 3.1 million per year in low-income countries over the next 50 years.

These numbers are staggering, and show that with action on a global scale, millions of lives could be saved from preventable cancers, Mr Walker said.

Researchers also found gender differences in the number of cancer deaths.

Men were observed to have higher rates of years of life lost to smoking and drinking alcohol as these rates tend to be higher in men.

In China, India and Russia, the rates of years of life lost to tobacco smoking and alcohol were up to nine times higher in men than women, found the study.

The research was published in the journal eClinicalMedicine and involved the work of researchers from Kings College London and Queen Mary University of London.
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Oprah Winfrey has recalled how Maya Angelous book helped her cope with the sexual abuse she experienced during her childhood.

The 69-year-old TV host spoke candidly about the late poets work during her speech at the National Book Awards Ceremony and Benefit Dinner in New York City on 15 November. While appearing at the event, she revealed how the 1969 book, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, held up the words to describe [her] pain and [her] confusion throughout her teenage years.

I was 15, I was 15 years old when I read my first diverse book, Maya Angelous I Know Why The Caged Bird Sings and the whole world fell away from me, she said during her speech, as reported by People.

Winfrey specified that at the age of 15, Angelous work was the first book she had that featured a main character who was Black. She also described how the book encouraged her to speak out about her experiences of rape as a child.

That book gave a voice to my silences, my secrets, she said. It gave words to my pain and my confusion of being raped at nine years old.

The author added that before reading I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings, she couldnt find a way to verbally describe how she was sexually abused as a child.

[I] didnt know that there was a language, there were words for what had happened to me or that any other human being on earth had experienced it, she said. Thats the power of books.

Over the years, Winfrey has continued to open up about coping with childhood sexual abuse. In her 2021 Apple TV+, The Me You Cant See, she said that she was raped for years as a child by an older cousin.

At nine and 10 and 11 and 12 years old, I was raped by my 19-year-old cousin, she said. I didnt know what rape was, I certainly wasnt aware of the word. I had no idea what sex was, I had no idea where babies came from. I didnt even know what was happening to me, and I kept that secret.

She continued: Its just something that I accepted, that a girl-child isnt safe in a world full of men.

Winfrey added that she discovered the prevalence of child sexual abuse when she opened up her own school for girls in South Africa. There, a student said that she had told her grandmother that she was being messed with by her uncle, but that her grandmother chose not to believe her. She also recalled how numerous other girls at the school, in solidarity with the student, then began opening up about their own experiences with sexual assault.

In addition to praising Angelous work at the National Book Awards Ceremony, Winfrey has previously spoken out about her friendship with the poet  who died in 2014 at the age of 86. In a post shared to her blog, Oprah Daily, in June, the TV host described some of the things she learned about ageing and self-acceptance from Angelou. In the piece, she recalled attending the unveiling of Angelous portrait at the Smithsonians National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C.

What I realised at the Smithsonian: Her greatest lessonbesides her gems of insight and inspirationis the way she has approached ageing with such acceptance and assurance, she wrote. Several years ago, when I asked her what it was like to turn 80, she said, Baaaby, the 80s are hot! You want to try and make it there if you can.

After describing Angelou as an incredible role model for what getting older can be, she then shared some of the advice that Angelou gave her. Be patient with young people, she told us in Washington. Dont blame or judge them for what they dont know. Be careful how you speak to them. You were young once, too, she said, quoting the late writer.

Rape Crisis offers support for those affected by rape and sexual abuse. You can call them on 0808 802 9999 in England and Wales, 0808 801 0302 in Scotland, and 0800 0246 991 in Northern Ireland, or visit their website at www.rapecrisis.org.uk. If you are in the US, you can call Rainn on 800-656-HOPE (4673)
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An expectant mother was told to dress to look less pregnant despite the hot weather outdoors to be mindful of her coworker who had recently miscarried.

In a post shared on the Am I the ***hole Reddit forum, a pregnant woman explained the dilemma she found herself in as she wanted to be mindful of her grieving coworker but wanted to feel comfortable at work as well.

She wrote that she was an intern at a clinic along with several other women, with four of them - including herself - getting pregnant around the same time.

We have clinicals set for every Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday with the clinic being closed on weekends. I am freshly in my third trimester and showing very obviously, she wrote.

There were three other pregnant women working at the clinic, one gone for maternity leave, one due next month, and one who was two days shy of my due date. Unfortunately, at about 23 or so weeks, one of the women (who is very sweet and a deserving mother) miscarried with her first.

She added that her co-worker who miscarried was due on a date earlier than hers, and after the miscarriage, the co-worker took some much-needed time off but was reportedly due to return later in the month.

Sensitive to her co-workers grief, the poster noted that she felt strange about her seeing me pregnant while shes not, so she asked for advice on her predicament from some of her co-workers. She wrote what they recommended she do: My two friends both advised me that when she comes back, I should cover up and look less pregnant from now on.

While she understood their advice, she added that covering herself up in hot weather wasnt practical or comfortable for her. She described the weather in her area as over 85 to 90 degrees, writing: Its difficult to wear a sweatshirt or hoodie that could fully cover my pregnant stomach, and pregnant women tend to overheat faster and easier than others.

She pointed out to her co-workers that she wasnt the only pregnant woman in the office, noting that by their logic, the other women cover up as well. But her co-workers allegedly responded by saying that because she was due the closest to their grieving co-worker.

Dont get me wrong  I dont want to show off my pregnancy or anything, and if I could, I would try to cover more, but I told them I didnt want to make myself uncomfortable, she wrote. One friend even suggested that I change my entire schedule so Im there on days she doesnt work so I dont upset her.

But after she told them that she didnt want to do anything that would make herself uncomfortable, the poster revealed, I was told that Im being inconsiderate and met with a lot of judgment when I told them that I cant and wont do that. I was even told that Im too stubborn. I have spoken of a few people, some being on my side and others agreeing Im inconsiderate. Im now starting to second guess myself and feel like I should just listen to them.

The majority commented that the poster wasnt the ***hole in the situation and she wasnt being inconsiderate as her co-workers told her. One Reddit user wrote that it was awful that one of her co-workers was basically shaming you for still being pregnant.

Another person suggested a different way the poster could still be mindful of her co-worker, saying that she should try to avoid discussing your pregnancy around her, maybe, give her space, but treat her professionally and kindly, sure.

They added, I was 8-9 months pregnant in the middle of summer in constant 90-degree heat with a 10lb baby and excessive amniotic fluid. The world was lucky I wasnt walking around in the nude on the VERY rare occasion I had to venture out of my AC. Asking you to wear extra layers and heavier clothes to cover your pregnancy is not feasible!

One thing I have heard friends say who have had a pregnancy loss is that ignoring it is harder than acknowledging it, someone else wrote. They are grieving and the best thing you can do is be there for her and acknowledge her loss and pain in a sensitive and supportive way.

The UK Miscarriage Association recommends that people create a supportive environment for their co-workers grieving a miscarriage, what they need most throughout this trying time is to know people are there for them. They suggest people check in with them while theyre on leave and ask them what they could do to make things easier for them.
Keeping our skin nourished calls for constant vigilance, and helping it look its best can be tricky in the winter months. As the leading collagen experts in the UK, Absolute Collagens new Deep Lift Skincare Range can help you achieve that well-nourished glow  making for an irresistible addition to your skincare routine.

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The romance between Princess Diana and Dodi Fayed is set to take centre stage on The Crown season six, but many viewers may be unaware that Dodi was dating a model who claimed they were engaged when he met the royal.

Netflixs historical drama is returning for its final outing in November, with the first part of season six arriving on Thursday (16 November). It centres on the late 1990s to mid-2000s, and features the blossoming romance between the late Princess Diana (Elizabeth Debicki) and Dodi Fayed (Khalid Abdalla), the son of Harrods owner Mohamed Al Fayed.

It was Mohamed who planned for Diana, then 36, and Dodi, then 42, to date, and took them both on a holiday on one of his yachts in the summer of 1997. However, his son was already engaged to someone else  although the public didnt know about the relationship until it was over.

Just months before he and Diana met, film producer Dodi had been engaged to model Kelly Fisher (played by Erin Richards in The Crown). Born in Kentucky, Fisher later relocated to Ontario, Canada, with her family, where she began modelling aged 16.

She attended college for two semester before dropping out to focus on modelling full time. Fisher modelled for brands such as Victorias Secret, Armani and Calvin Klein, and appeared on the covers of publications such as Elle, Marie Claire, and W.

It was July 1996 when Fisher met Dodi in Paris. The pair dated for eight months before they allegedly got engaged in February 1997, with Dodi proposing with a sapphire and diamond ring.

Following the couples reported engagement, Dodi allegedly told Fisher that hed bought a house in an exclusive Malibu neighbourhood for him and Fisher to live in using money from his father.

Khalid Abdalla and Elizabeth Debicki in The Crown' (Daniel Escale/Netflix)

But mere months later, in August 1997, Dodi was photographed kissing Diana on his fathers yacht, the pictures splashed on The Sunday Mirrors front page and seen across the world.

Mohamed had invited Diana and the young princes William and Harry to join his family on a trip to St Tropez, with historian Katie Nicholl claiming that his ulterior motive was to play Cupid between the princess and his eldest son, Dodi.

Humiliated and emotional, Fisher, who was 31 at the time, held a press conference in Beverly Hills, California. Here, it was announced that she was filing a breach-of-contract lawsuit against Dodi. She claimed that Dodi wanted Fisher to put her career in second place behind him and to spend more time with him and less on her modelling career, and had offered her half a million dollars to spend more time with him. Instead, she claimed, she received $60,000 and a cheque for $200,000, which bounced.

Accompanied by top lawyer Gloria Allred, she claimed that Dodi had brought her the ring, and had promised to buy her a house too. After Dodis death, Fisher claimed that she and Dodi had been due to marry that very month. The Fayed family denied that Dodi had asked Fisher to marry him.

Fisher (left) with Gloria Allred (PA)

Reading a prepared statement, Allred claimed that Dodi led [Fisher] emotionally all the way up to the altar and abandoned her when they were almost there. He threw her love away in a callous way with no regard for her whatsoever.

It was claimed that Fisher wasnt told about the kiss by Dodi, but learnt when photos of the pair kissing were published and circulated around the world to Miss Fishers utter dismay, shock and shame.

At the time, Fisher had reportedly been staying on another yacht owned by the Fayed family, and was told not to contact Dodi again when she reached out to him.

However, Allred claimed that Fisher was only making her claim public because we care about Princess Diana and her future. We would like the Princess, who has suffered greatly in the past, to know about Miss Fishers experiences with Mr Fayed so she can make an informed decision regarding her future and that of her children.

Fisher sold her story to Rupert Murdochs newspaper group for an estimated 200,000, where her side of the story was told in the News of the World and The Sun.

Fisher pictured in 2007 after giving evidence for the inquest into the deaths of Dodi and Diana (PA)

On 31 August, just weeks later, Diana and Dodi died in a car crash in Paris. Shortly after, Fisher announced that she was dropping the lawsuit against Dodi. However, it was insisted that Fisher did not regret filing the lawsuit.

Allred announced in a statement that Fisher had voluntarily chosen to dismiss the case out of respect for the tragedy, and tremendous loss the Fayed family has suffered.

Kelly loved Dodi very much, and she is devastated by his loss, and that of Princess Diana, she said. Nothing is more important than the life of a human being. In the light of this enormous tragedy, Kelly forgives Dodi for all of his past injustices against her.

In 2007, Fisher gave evidence for the inquest into the deaths of Dodi and Diana. The following year, transcripts of calls between Fisher and Dayed, in which she accused him of two-timing, were made public.

You even flew me down to St Tropez to sit on a boat while you seduced Diana all day and f***ed me all night, she said, saying in another call: We were together the whole time. And you knew it. The transcripts show Dodi trying to end the call, branding Fisher hysterical and insisting that they were broken up when he was dating Diana.

The Crown season six part one is on Netflix now, with part two following on 14 December.
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As the sixth season of The Crown is set to hit Netflix on 16 November, much of the final installment is expected to follow Prince William as a young adult and his days at the University of St Andrews in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Although the trailer for part one of The Crown mainly depicted Princess Dianas final months before her untimely death, part two  which will be released 14 December  is likely to portray the fateful moment William met his future wife, Kate Middleton, while studying at university together.

As many royal fans are aware, the now-Prince and Princess of Wales sparked a romance as students at the University of St Andrews in 2001. Just 10 years later, the pair were married in a lavish royal wedding ceremony at Westminster Abbey. Since then, theyve gone on to welcome three children to the royal family: Prince George, now 10; Princess Charlotte, eight; and Prince Louis, five.

Before the first four episodes of The Crown season six hits Netflix, lets take a look back on William and Kates fairytale romance  from classmates to husband and wife.

After he graduated from Eton College, Prince William furthered his education at the University of St Andrews in 2001, where he enrolled simply as William Wales and studied art history. It was there he met Catherine Elizabeth Middleton from Bucklebury, Berkshire  the eldest daughter of Michael and Carole Middleton, a former flight dispatcher and flight attendant at British Airways.

Her mother founded Party Pieces, a company selling supplies for childrens parties, in 1987. While Kates family was already well connected to members of the royal family and the British aristocracy, they found financial success with their party supplies business.

Its rumoured that Kate first caught Williams eye when she modelled a sheer dress at a charity show runway in March 2002. While the two met in their first semester at school, William didnt see Kate as more than a friend until she walked the runway in the see-through dress, which was later auctioned for 78,000. William reportedly paid 200 for a front-row seat at the fashion show.

(PA)

However, some royal experts have suggested that Kates enrollment at St Andrews was entirely related to meeting her future husband. Robert Lacey, British biographer and historical consultant for The Crown, wrote in his 2020 book Battle of Brothers: William and Harry - The Inside Story of a Family in Tumult that Kate wasnt supposed to be enrolled at St Andrews at all.

Kate was very strategic, Lacey told Elle in 2020. She gave up her place at one of Britains premier universities, Edinburgh, and opted for another one [St Andrews] that probably didnt have the same academic standard. She had already been to Edinburgh to get her flat accommodations sorted out but switched universities and switched her courses to history of art because that was Williams. She delayed her own education by a year and even takes the chance she wont get into St Andrews.

According to Laceys book, applications for St Andrews skyrocketed by 44 per cent after it was announced William was to attend the university in Scotland. The pair began dating shortly after the charity fashion show and lived together in an off-campus apartment with two friends, before moving to a cottage outside the town for their final year.

(Getty Images)

In their 2010 engagement interview, William and Kate finally opened up about how their romance blossomed as students at St Andrews. I actually think I went bright red when I met you and sort of scuttled off, feeling very shy about meeting you, Kate said about William. It did take a bit of time for us to get to know each other but we did become very close friends from quite early.

William added: We moved in together as friends. We lived with a couple of others as well, and it just sort of blossomed from there, really. We just saw more of each other, and you know, hung out a bit more and did stuff.

Both William and Kate graduated from St Andrews on 23 June 2005. To mark their nuptials just six years later, the Middleton family would share a now-iconic photograph of the couple posing together on their graduation day.

Following their graduation, Kate slowly became inducted into royal life when she attended her first royal wedding - the nuptials of Laura Parker-Bowles, Queen Camillas daughter, and Harry Lopes in 2006. It marked William and Kates first public appearance together, but by 2007, the couple sparked breakup rumours.

Kate Middleton and Prince William after their graduation ceremony at St Andrews in 2005 (Michael Dunlea/Daily Mail/PA) (PA Media)

The two briefly split, reportedly because Kate was frustrated with Williams lack of commitment, according to The Guardian. During this time, she moved to London and worked several jobs in retail and marketing.

When asked about the breakup during their engagement interview, Kate shared further detail about their split. At the time I wasnt very happy about it, but it made me a stronger person, she said. You find out things about yourself that maybe you hadnt realised, I think you can get quite consumed by a relationship when you are younger and I really valued that time for me, although I didnt think it at the time.

However, the two seemed to have rekindled their romance in July that same year when Kate attended a Princess Diana tribute concert with her younger sister, Pippa Middleton. By April 2008, Kate was by Williams side when he received his RAF wings after training to become an RAF pilot.

In 2010, following a visit by Kates parents to Birkhall - then King Charless private residence on the Balmoral estate - Clarence House confirmed that William had presented Kate with his mothers sapphire ring and the couple were to wed the following year.

Britain Prince William (AP2010)

During his recent state visit to Kenya, King Charles shared details about how William popped the question to Kate. It was here, in sight of Mount Kenya, that my son, the Prince of Wales, proposed to his wife, now my beloved daughter-in-law, he said in his speech.

On 29 April 2011, they exchanged vows in a grand ceremony at Westminster Abbey and became known as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Two years later, their first son and second in line to the throne - Prince George Alexander Louis of Cambridge - was born on 22 July 2013. The pair welcomed their second child, Princess Charlotte, on 2 May 2015, and their third child, Prince Louis, was born in April 2018.

While the family of five made Kensington Palace their official residence for many years, William and Kate relocated their family to Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate last year, in an effort to put their children first and give them more freedom outside of city life.

The first four episodes of The Crown season six hits Netflix on 16 November in the US and UK. The final six episodes will be released on 14 December.
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Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip had great faith in the abilities of their son, now the King, according to the former monarchs top aide.

Lord Young of Old Windsor, the late Queens private secretary, paid tribute to his former boss in his maiden speech in the House of Lords.

The independent crossbench peer described how he learned about the nature of public service, of decency and duty from Britains longest-serving sovereign  and said he thought his choice of title would have appealed to her.

Lord Young spent 20 years in the Royal Household, serving as the late Queens assistant, then as her deputy private secretary and finally as her private secretary from 2017 until her death.

The title also I think would have appealed to my late bosss crossword-solving mind. 'Old' can also mean 'former', and so 'Old Windsor' can mean - well, you get the gist Lord Young of Old Windsor

Upon the Queens death in 2022, he served as joint principal private secretary to the King until May this year.

He told peers in Westminster, during the fifth day of debate on the Kings Speech: I come to this House as Lord Young of Old Windsor.

The village of Old Windsor has happy family connections for me. As children, we had Sunday excursions there led by my late parents  my mother an NHS nurse, my father a consultant anaesthetist at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

But the title also I think would have appealed to my late bosss crossword-solving mind. Old can also mean former, and so Old Windsor can mean  well, you get the gist.

I came to understand the great faith that Her Majesty and indeed Prince Philip had in the abilities of their son, now our King, a faith well justified, as illustrated by his first 14 months as our sovereign Lord Young of Old Windsor

He went on: I learned so much from Her late Majesty about the nature of public service, of decency and duty and indeed about the stability and sanctity of our constitutional settlement, and the part played by this House in ensuring the tripartite balance of Commons and Lords and Crown in Parliament.

I came to understand the great faith that Her Majesty and indeed Prince Philip had in the abilities of their son, now our King, a faith well justified, as illustrated by his first 14 months as our sovereign, including, of course, his most recent visit to this House, where Commons and Lords were assembled together to receive The Gracious Speech.

He added that the Commonwealth was one of the things closest to the heart of our late Queen and indeed our King, and noted an increasing appetite for fresh and equitable relationships with Commonwealth countries in areas such as trade, peace and security, climate, and culture.

He added that there is widespread public confusion about Commonwealth realms versus Commonwealth member countries, and that more should be done to educate people.

Finally, he expressed concern about the fate of the Commonwealth Games amid news that Australia has been given three months to find a host city for the 2026 event.
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Stormzy has said that a lapse of judgement led to him and his girlfriend Maya Jama getting caught by the paparazzi on their not-so-secret holiday in August.

The Love Island presenter, 29, and British rapper, 30, dated for four years before they split up in 2019. But in August, it was revealed that the pair had rekindled their relationship when they were spotted holidaying together in Hydra, Greece.

In a new interview with British Vogue, Stormzy said that when he and Jama reunited, they initially aimed to keep the relationship private.

We were so public the first time round, he told writer and author Afua Hirsch in the interview.

Somewhere down the line my spirit started resisting So Im not gonna speak on it, he insisted.

However, weeks later  after he and Jama had been spotted by the paparazzi and Jama had even posted a video of the British rapper on her Instagram Stories  Hirsch quizzed him again.

We were just living la vida loca, Stormzy said of the Greek holiday snaps. Lapse of judgement for an hour!

In August, fans of the pair put their investigative skills to work when they noticed that the background in each of their holiday pictures had a striking similarity and that they were in fact holidaying together in the same villa in Greece.

On 7 October, Jama officially confirmed their relationship on Instagram, filming Stormzy  full name Michael Ebenazer Kwadjo Omari Owuo Jr  as he welcomed her home from a long work trip to Fiji. Jama had been in the country filming the new Love Island spinoff called Love Island Games, which she presents.

Stormzy greeting Maya after she returns home from filming Love Island Games (Instagram via @mayajama)

In the clip, Stormzy is seen excitedly holding up two handmade signs, one that reads Maya Jama #1 fan and another that appears to show a hand-drawn portrait of Jama wearing a red dress in her recent campaign for Dolce and Gabanna that was released in September.

Stormzy holds the signs in the air by the door to his car, waving them at Jama as she approaches him. From behind the camera, Jama exclaims: You are so cute! Thanks! Put it down now Im shy.

The former couple first met at the Red Bull Culture Clash festival in October 2014 and began dating the following January. Both were just beginning their careers  Jama as a TV and radio presenter, Stormzy as a rapper with his hit freestyle Shut Up. While neither star commented directly on the reason for their 2019 split, both of them have commented how young they were at the start of their romance the first time around.

Maya Jama and Stormzy photographed in 2017 (Getty Images)

We were so young when we met, just beginning our careers, Jama told The Sunday Times in January. I was starting at MTV. Hed not even released a single at that point. We were just little babies.

Jama said that, at the time when Stormzys career was rapidly growing, she worked hard to be known as more than Stormzys girlfriend.

Im not naive to the fact that when you are a woman in the industry, most of the things that people want to talk about are your relationships, she said. Its different for men. Id seen that happen to other people.

I dont think either of us knew it was going to be such a big thing, she added. We were just: were young and in love and were going to go for it and work really hard. Were just together. We never really did red carpets. We didnt do any of that stuff.

However, now the power couple can celebrate a certain level of parity in their relationship: they have both been British Vogue cover stars.

Maya Jama says she and Stormzy can hang their British Vogue covers on the wall together (@mayajama via Instagram)

Reacting to Stormzys social media post in which he announced the news that he is the first solo man to grace the cover of the magazine in its 137-year history, Jama alluded to her starring moment on the cover of British Vogue for its 2023 issue.

Now we can hang both our covers on the wall, she wrote.
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The FBI added a Haitian gang leader to its Ten Most Wanted Fugitives list on Wednesday for the kidnapping and slaying of American missionaries in that country, but conceded capturing him will be a difficult task in the often lawless nation.

In conjunction with the announcement, the U.S. State Department said it will pay up to $2 million for information leading to the arrest of Vitel'Homme Innocent, who is known by his first name only. He has already been indicted in the United States for the armed kidnapping of 16 Christian missionaries in 2021 and the slaying of missionary Marie Franklin and kidnapping of her husband, Jean, in 2022.

Most of the first group from Christian Aid Ministries, which included five children, escaped after 61 days in captivity and the others were released. Jean Franklin was released after three weeks when his family paid a ransom.

The FBI says Vitel'Homme leads the Kraze Bayre gang and worked in concert with the 400 Mawozo gang in the abductions. The agency believes he is still in Haiti and would face a possible death sentence in the U.S. if he were ever captured and convicted of Franklin's murder.

He is a menace to the island and he is clearly a menace to American citizens, Jeffrey B. Veltri, special agent in charge of the FBI's Miami office, said during a news conference.

Veltri conceded that even if authorities had information about Vitel'Homme's whereabouts, capturing him would be difficult given the chaos in Haiti. Just Wednesday, a heavily armed gang burst into a hospital and took hundreds of women, children and newborns hostage.

The country's gangs have grown more powerful than the government since the 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise and have bigger and better weapons than the police. Gang leaders continue operating with impunity, brushing off previous U.N. sanctions and criminal charges filed by U.S. federal authorities.

In early October, the U.N. Security Council voted to send a multinational force led by Kenya to help fight the gangs, but that countrys leaders are now balking. They say Kenyas personnel need more training and funding, and they have not announced a deployment date.

Veltri said if Vitel'Homme is located, we will work with our international partners, but it is an ongoing process. ... Haiti presents unique challenges.
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A British aid worker shot dead after being caught up in a gun battle between police and bandits in Nigeria was unlawfully killed, a coroner has ruled.

Faye Mooney died along with her boyfriend, Nigerian national Matthew Oguche, during the attack on April 19, 2019 at Kajuru Castle, a resort in northern Nigerias troubled Kaduna state.

Ms Mooney, 29, from Manchester, who worked in the Nigerian capital Abuja, for US aid agency, Mercy Corps, had gone to visit the resort, which was in a dangerous area of the country, Manchester Coroners Court heard.

The inquest, concluding on Thursday, heard Ms Mooney had an extensive career in international aid, having worked previously in Kurdistan and the Balkans.

Dyah Audu, the security manager for Mercy Corps in Kaduna state at the time, said the day before she was killed was Maundy Thursday, and he and Ms Mooney wished each other Happy Easter as the office closed for the holiday weekend.

We ask the new Foreign Secretary David Cameron to use his influence to help us get the basic answers we are still waiting for Family statement

The following day, Good Friday, at around 11pm, he got a phone call telling him a white lady had been killed at Kajuru Castle.

Later he went to identify Ms Mooneys body and spoke to local police, who told him about the attack.

He suggested the gunmen, whom he described as bandits, were on their way elsewhere but took the opportunity to attack the resort until they faced resistance from armed police on scene.

Mr Audu said there was no way he would have approved any trip to the area of Kajuru, but as this was a weekend and not a Mercy Corps work-related trip, his advice would have been only advisory and not compulsory and staff had freedom to travel in non-work hours.

Det Chief Inspector Ben Cottam, of Greater Manchester Police (GMP) said the information he had was that the resort was approached by around 10 individuals who entered the grounds, possibly armed with AK47 machine guns.

A gunfight broke out with two armed policemen, who were acting as security for the resort and Ms Mooney and her boyfriend left their room.

Sadly, they were both caught with gunfire during this, DCI Cottam added.

He said information suggested the raid was motivated by kidnap and ransom, which had been a problem in that part of Nigeria.

Coroner Zak Golombeck, concluding the inquest, said: It is unclear as to the motive of this particular attack on the resort. However, there is no evidence before me that this was terrorism related.

Faye was sadly shot, together with her boyfriend, and both died from their injuries. And Faye died from gunshot wounds to her chest and abdomen.

Taking into account all of the evidence, Im therefore satisfied, on the balance of probabilities, that Faye was unlawfully killed.

Its clear that Faye was an altruistic, caring person and I think someone who could be described as a true humanitarian.

After the hearing Ms Mooneys family said they still had questions over her death and they felt badly let down by the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office.

Their statement added: Our family were told in 2020 that a suspect had been detained by Nigerian authorities and had confessed to being part of the armed gang that murdered Faye and Matthew.

We still dont know whether the suspect has been charged.

The circumstances of Fayes murder are brutal and complicated, and we are pragmatic about the probability of justice.

However, as Fayes family who loved her dearly and miss her every day, we ask the new Foreign Secretary David Cameron to use his influence to help us get the basic answers we are still waiting for.

We remain determined to get as close to Fayes truth as possible.
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Police forces and the Government should tackle antisemitism and Islamophobia as major drivers of hate crime levels in England and Wales, an equality body has said.

Home Office figures show two in five (42%) cases of religious hate crime recorded by the police in both countries in 2021/22 were against Muslims. Around one in four (23%) were against Jewish people and 8% were against Christians.

The Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC) recommended in a new report: Central and local government and police forces should take, and report on, action to tackle antisemitism and Islamophobia as major drivers of levels of hate crime.

It said the fact religious hate crime has not reduced from 2018 to the same degree as other such crimes should be addressed.

The watchdog identified sudden increases in racial or religiously motivated offences sparked by political or terrorist incidents.

Religious hate crimes recorded since Palestinian militant group Hamas attacked Israel last month were not taken into account in the report.

The Equality and Human Rights Monitor report is produced for Parliament every five years by the EHRC, which is the regulator of equality laws in Britain and the human rights watchdog for England and Wales.

It reflects challenges the country has faced since 2018, including the Covid-19 pandemic, rising cost of living prices and the conflict in Ukraine.

Schools have been urged to take action to address the underperformance of boys relative to girls in primary and secondary education.

While we welcome the improvements made over the past five years, it is clear that substantial action is required in many areas Baroness Kishwer Falkner

The EHRC says employers should be required to publish plans to address any disparities identified in the recruitment, retention, progression and pay of disabled workers.

It has suggested a requirement for Government and health providers to look at the poorer physical and mental health experienced by transgender people.

Among the other findings are that a quarter of over-65s in the UK do not have access to the internet in their home.

Gay and lesbian Britons suffer twice as much domestic abuse (11.3%) compared to heterosexual people (5.1%), the report said.

Baroness Kishwer Falkner, who chairs the EHRC, said: While we welcome the improvements made over the past five years, it is clear that substantial action is required in many areas.

Our report and recommendations aim to inform discussions and decisions for years to come, promoting action and tangible progress.

By addressing disparities that affect specific groups, we can collectively improve services and work towards a fairer society.

A Home Office spokesperson said: There is no place for hate in our society and we condemn the recent antisemitic and anti-Muslim hate crimes that have been reported.

Whilst recently published statistics  covering the year to March 2023  show there has been an overall reduction in hate crimes recorded by police, any instance of hate crime is one too many.

We expect the police to fully investigate all hate crimes and make sure the cowards who commit them feel the full force of the law.
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Former US president Bill Clinton has described the conflict in the Gaza Strip as heartbreaking as he urged people to find common ground.

Mr Clinton was in the Oval Office at the time of the Oslo Accords in 1993 and used his presidency to build peace and stability between Israel and Palestinians.

The current conflict was triggered by a wide-ranging Hamas attack in southern Israel on October 7 in which the militants killed more than 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and captured some 240 men, women and children.

Israel responded with a weeks-long air campaign and a ground invasion of northern Gaza, vowing to remove Hamas from power and crush its military capabilities.

More than 11,200 Palestinians have been killed, two-thirds of them women and minors, according to Palestinian health authorities.

Speaking at an event at Swansea University, Mr Clinton said: Its terrible, heartbreaking for someone like me who worked for eight years for peace in the Middle East.

I know Gaza, I know the old city of Jerusalem and the West Bank. Its heartbreaking.

You have every day to make a choice  all of you.

Do you believe that you can do better together or keep telling each other that it is our differences that all that matter or keep struggling for common ground.

Mr Clinton, who had joined his wife  former secretary of state Hillary Clinton  at an event discussing leadership for future generations, said the current global unrest was a reaction to the building of democracy and cooperation at the end of the Cold War.

It was only a matter of time before people who didnt believe in democracy, and didnt believe in the rule of law, and believed that their differences with their neighbours were more important than what they had in common, he said.

We are living through a series of reactions, and it will either derail what could be a moment of greatest peace and cooperation and advances in science and technology, human understanding and history or another one of those disappointing phases that throws us back into something that we would all not want to live through.

My gut is that we will get through this, and we will resume allowing systematic cooperation overcome conflict.

It wont happen unless people stand up for cooperation over conflict, for peace over war and for what we have in common is more important than our interested differences and make it possible for those differences to help us all.

Mr Clinton also urged continuing international support for Ukraine and said Vladimir Putins invasion was truly terrible.

They are not asking anyone to die for them, all they are asking for is we give them the means to defend themselves, he said.

If you think that its bad now, you have no idea what the European future will look like if Putin follows through on Ukraine.

Ms Clinton warned people to be wary of those promoting disinformation saying there were nation states, terrorists and other actors who were trying to tell a version of reality that is not true.

It is important that especially today that we try see through the many smokescreens that are being thrown up, that try and create these divisions, she said.

We have to make the effort to stay well informed about what is really happening  what the facts are versus the fiction  but have to equip ourselves and others to withstand those forces of divisiveness that are very prevalent on so many platforms on the internet that keep people unsettled about what is happening in the world.

I am ultimately optimistic. As one of my predecessors as secretary of state, Madeleine Albright, would always say when asked if she was an optimist, she would say, Yes, I am an optimist who worries a lot.

Ms Clinton, whose great grandparents were from Wales, has close ties with the university as the law school is named after her and she also launched a global challenges programme for masters degree students.

Wales First Minister Mark Drakeford and the universitys vice-chancellor Paul Boyle also took part in the discussion.
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A pandemic-era chief scientist whose diary entries contained revelations that Boris Johnson described coronavirus as natures way of dealing with old people is set to appear before the UKs public inquiry.

Sir Patrick Vallance is expected to give evidence on Monday followed by Englands chief medical officer Sir Chris Whitty and his former deputy, Sir Jonathan Van-Tam later in the week.

Extracts from Sir Patricks diary during his time in office have already been the subject of much of the inquirys examination of other key figures, including ex-Downing Street director of communications Lee Cain and former cabinet secretary Mark Sedwill.

One entry recorded that the former PM had referred to the Treasury as the pro-death squad when he wanted the ministry to back him in arguing for a path to eased restrictions.

Another contained an allegation that Mr Johnson had suggested he believed the pandemic was natures way of dealing with old people as he resisted lockdowns.

Sir Patrick, who served as the Governments chief scientific adviser from 2018 to 2023, also wrote about his own frustrations in dealing with the then-prime minister.

(Mr Johnson is) obsessed with older people accepting their fate and letting the young get on with life and the economy going, he said.

Quite bonkers set of exchanges, he wrote, referring to a WhatsApp group including the former PM.

Sir Patrick said that he and Sir Chris felt Number 10 officials were trying to strong-arm them into appearing by Mr Johnsons side at a Downing Street press conference following the then-PMs ex-chief adviser Dominic Cummings press conference on his lockdown trip to Barnard Castle.

The journey was clearly against the rules and Mr Cummings televised appearance before the media was a car crash, the former chief scientist said in an entry in May 2020.

Sir Patrick has objected to the publication of his pandemic-era diary in full, describing the notes as a brain dump written at the end of immensely stressful days to protect his mental health.

Chairwoman Baroness Heather Hallett has said it would be premature to make a decision on whether the entries should be disclosed in their entirety.

But further extracts could be put before the inquiry as he answers questions from lawyers about his time in office during the Governments response to the virus next week.

His evidence will be followed by Sir Chris on Tuesday and Sir Jonathan next Wednesday, according to a timetable published by the inquiry on Thursday.

Dame Angela McLean will also appear next Wednesday, while Business Secretary Kemi Badenoch and Dame Jenny Harries, a former deputy chief medical officer for England are expected next Thursday.
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The parents and grandmother of a severely disabled woman are waiting for a judges ruling after denying allegations they tampered with medical equipment.

Healthcare bosses said the three family members messed with tubes and equipment settings and put the woman  who is aged in her late 20s, has a rare degenerative neurological condition and lives in a specialist unit  at risk by interfering during her medical care.

Lawyers representing an integrated care board with responsibilities for the womans treatment have asked a judge in the specialist Court of Protection to make findings.

Mr Justice Hayden has suggested that the litigation is unusual and told lawyers: In 10 years, I have never had to try a case like this in the Court of Protection.

The parents and grandmother dispute the allegations and have accused staff at the unit of failing to care for the woman properly.

They say there is no direct evidence to support the allegations.

The womans father says witnesses have been forced to retrospectively fit explanations to what evidence there is.

Her mother says most of the allegations are broadly pleaded, unparticularised and without supporting evidence.

Mr Justice Hayden has finished overseeing a trial in the Court of Protection, where judges analyse issues relating to people who lack the mental capacity to make decisions for themselves, at the Royal Courts of Justice complex in London.

He says he aims to deliver a ruling in the near future.

The judge has ruled that neither the woman, the unit where she is being treated, nor the care board involved can be identified in media reports.

Mr Justice Hayden was told the womans father made covert recordings without the knowledge of staff at the unit.

Lawyers said more than 24 hours worth of covert recordings had been disclosed by the womans father.

Last year, Mr Justice Hayden bound the parents and grandmother to the terms of a behavioural framework after bosses at a hospital where the woman was previously treated raised concerns about clinical staff being spoken to in an intimidating way.

Mr Justice Hayden said, in a ruling published in June 2022, the order was aimed at putting in place clear boundaries to manage the familys behaviour.

The order he made relating to the womans grandmother was later lifted after she appealed.
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A protester who harassed and stalked former education secretary Sir Gavin Williamson has been spared jail but handed a restraining order.

The Conservative MP said he felt incredibly threatened by Simon Parry, who persistently followed him on two occasions near the Houses of Parliament on May 24 and June 14.

Parry, 45, of Walworth, south London, voiced anti-vaccination views and spoke of conspiracy theories about Bill Gates and the World Economic Forum.

At Westminster Magistrates Court on Thursday, he was handed a 10-week prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, having been convicted last month of one count of stalking.

Sentencing Parry, deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram said: It is an aggravated feature that public servants who are trying their best are harassed and stalked in this sort of way.

It deters good people from entering public service.

He went on: You do not fully accept youre wrong and think that this is an appropriate way to challenge Members of Parliament.

Let me be clear, it is not.

Parry was ordered not to contact Sir Gavin or his office or knowingly be within 100 metres of him for five years.

Mr Ikram added: It is necessary and proportionate to deal with the risks in this case.

The defendant, who is on benefits, was also ordered to pay legal costs of 654 and carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.

Giving evidence at a City of London Magistrates Court trial in October, 47-year-old Sir Gavin said Parry had begun following him along streets in Whitehall on two occasions after the MP walked past a protest area opposite Downing Street.

Sir Gavin said that in May he heard Parry making comments about vaccinations while walking close to him.

Of the June incident, Sir Gavin told the court he again heard Parry making remarks about vaccinations and also about genocide, realising the comments were directed at him.

He called Parrys persistence in following him from the Parliamentary estate towards Euston for around 20 minutes quite disturbing.

The defendant denied intending to harass, distress, humiliate or intimidate the politician over the two dates when he gave evidence.

He was originally accused of impersonating a police officer on June 14 but Mr Ikram found there was no case to answer in relation to that charge during trial.

Piers Corbyn, the brother of former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, was among supporters attending Parrys sentencing.

Sir Gavin has been MP for South Staffordshire since 2010 and served in Cabinet as defence secretary before becoming education secretary under Boris Johnson in 2019.
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They just let her down, Richard Spinks said, after two weeks of gruelling evidence which laid bare Derbyshire Polices failure to investigate his daughters suspected killer.

For the family of Gracie Spinks, the morning of 18 June 2021 had started no differently than any other, with their 23-year-old daughter travelling to a nearby stable to feed her beloved horse Paddy.

She would sadly never return home, after being stabbed 10 times with a knife and dying of catastrophic bleeding in a rural field.

Her former supervisor Michael Sellers, who she had reported for stalking five months previously, was found dead less than 150 metres away with self-inflicted wounds.

Alison Ward and Richard Spinks have said their daughter was completely failed by Derbyshire Police (Sky News)

A knife was discovered nearby, as well as a suicide note in his bedroom, in which he said he could not deal with all her lies against me.

Disturbingly, a bag containing weapons, Viagra tablets and a note with the words Dont lie had been found just over a month earlier near the stables at Blue Lodge Farm, yet officers had failed to investigate.

It was a complete non-investigation, they didnt look into anything, her mother Alison Ward told The Independent. We have no faith in Derbyshire Police whatsoever at all, they were so unprofessional in not following procedures and ticking the boxes, just a complete lack of training.

An inquest jury  who wore pink and purple wristbands in Spinks memory  concluded that she was unlawfully killed by Sellers, and acknowledged that Derbyshire Police had admitted their failings in investigating the case.

Spinks was found dead in a field in the Derbyshire village of Duckmanton (Gracie Spinks/Facebook)

Five police officers were referred to the Independent Office of Police Conduct for their involvement, with the Spinks family hoping to launch Gracies Law to improve stalking training for police forces after the many red flags were ignored.

Their ambitious and friendly daughter first met Sellers in April 2020, after obtaining a job at the e-commerce firm xbite. She was sadly unaware that he had a history of harassing and stalking women, and had been the subject of complaints from a number of colleagues in previous years.

After he expressed an interest, they met on a few occasions for short walks and went for a meal, before Ms Spinks ended contact in December 2020 after his behaviour began to turn weird.

It later emerged that he had been abusing his position to get younger employees to spy on her social media and her whereabouts, and had been watching her on company CCTV.

The day she blocked him on Facebook and social media, he immediately sent her another friend request, Ms Ward said. She told me its spooky, he must have been watching my Facebook account.

Spinks had reported Sellers to the police and warned her fears he could kidnap someone (PA)

It wasnt until 4 January 2021 that his behaviour turned more sinister, after she spotted him parked in a lay-by near her horse, causing her to phone her mother crying in distress.

She reported the incident to xbite and he was suspended and dismissed, although he informed the disciplinary process that he thought Gracie had lied about the nature of the relationship between them.

A month later, Ms Spinks reported her concerns to Derbyshire Police after being advised by her workplace and her mother.

In a 101 call, she told an officer that Sellers had become obsessed with her, and warned that he had a history of harassing women at her workplace.

She had phoned her mother distressed and crying after seeing Sellers parked near her horse (PA Media)

They have said that every time this has happened at work, it has got worse and worse, and Im just worried that, you know, the next time it happens to someone else, it could be worse than just following me and not leaving me alone, she told the officer.

He might kidnap someone, she warned.

Two weeks later, he was visited in a car park by an officer, who had no training from the force on stalking cases and was effectively left to her own devices. During the conversation in which he received words of advice, Sellers falsely claimed that he was in a relationship with Ms Spinks, but was still deemed low-risk.

I just cant believe that didnt comment didnt raise a red flag that something is not right, her father said. The officer failed to fill in a key risk assessment form or request information from his former employer about previous incidents, as well as made no recording of the conversation and body camera footage was not saved.

We just thought shed be safe because the police were handling it and we forgot about him really, Mr Spinks said. Our faith in the police was that they were on the case and I think thats what she thought.

Michael Sellars had stalked and harassed multiple women before Spinks (Xbite Ltd/Facebook)

Her devastated parents would only discover during live evidence at the inquest that Sellers had in fact harassed and stalked eight different women. He had created fake social media accounts, forced women to move jobs and addresses, and followed women home.

On 6 May, a local woman discovered a rucksack containing a number of knives, including an axe, overlooking where Spinks had been tending her horse. Two police officers and a former sergeant who had investigated the bag of weapons told the inquest that they had assumed they were bushcraft or woodwork tools, and decided against investigating further.

They failed to visit the scene, took no notes or recordings and failed to make a list of the bags contents at the station. An M&S receipt found in the bag would later be traced to Sellers family home.

Her parents would only learn about the bag of weapons after it was posted on Facebook the day that she was murdered, which her father described as a devastating blow.

Her family are now campaigning for improved financing and better training for police to deal with stalking cases (Gracies Law)

Giving evidence at the inquest, retired police sergeant Lee Richards said he felt a fool and wished he could change the past, while the two officers were served misconduct notices at a disciplinary hearing.

Both Mr Spinks and Ms Ward are now hoping to change the way police forces across the country approach stalking cases, and are campaigning for dedicated coordinators to assist cases with additional funding.

A petition for Gracies Law was debated in Parliament after reaching 100,000 signatures in January 2022, yet her parents are hoping to work with local MPs and the Suzy Lamplugh to implement mandatory stalking advocates in each of the UKs 43 police forces.

Gracie was the life and soul and energy of our house. She would always be singing, playing music and having fun with us all, her mother said.

Now we have silence in our house and the heart of our family has been ripped out.
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A young woman stabbed to death by her former colleague months after she reported him for stalking was unlawfully killed, a jury has found.

Gracie Spinks, 23, was killed while tending her horse on the morning of 18 June 2021, with 35-year-old Michael Sellers found dead 150 metres away later that morning. The talented horserider suffered 10 stab wounds and died of catastrophic bleeding despite the best efforts of the emergency services.

The 10 members of the jury  who wore pink and purple wristbands in Ms Spinks memory  concluded on Thursday she was unlawfully killed by Sellers, whom she had reported to police over stalking concerns several months earlier.

Police later discovered a suicide note in Sellers bedroom in which he said he could not deal with all of her lies, which a coroner said was one of various pieces of evidence that Sellers had killed Ms Spinks and then taken his own life.

Ms Spinks had previously reported creepy Michael Sellers to her employers and the police (Family handout/PA) (PA Media)

Multiple failings already admitted by Derbyshire Police were referred to in the record of inquest filled in by the jurors, but they had been prevented by a coroner from deciding whether the failings had contributed to Ms Spinks death.

Returning their conclusion on Thursday, in which he referred to Sellers as the supervisor, the jury foreman said: Derbyshire Constabulary had admitted the following serious failings.

However, it could not be concluded that these failings contributed to Gracies death on June 18 2021. It was the supervisor that killed Gracie.

Ms Spinks had reported Sellers to both their employer and the police over stalking concerns in the months before their deaths after she turned down his romantic attention, and he was given words of advice by officers.

But they took no action when a bag of weapons was found near where her horse was stabled in Duckmanton, Derbyshire, which included a note saying Do not lie, just over a month prior to their deaths.

Michael Sellars was found dead 150 metres away from where Ms Spinks was stabbed (Xbite Ltd/Facebook)

It later emerged Sellers had a history of stalking and harassing eight women prior to Ms Spinks, including several in the workplace, yet police officers failed to request his previous employment history.

It was a complete non-investigation, they didnt look into anything, her mother Alison Ward told The Independent. We have no faith in Derbyshire Police whatsoever at all, they were so unprofessional in not following procedures and ticking the boxes, just a complete lack of training.

Detective Superintendent Darren Death, who leads the forces public protection team, said improvements had been made but the evidence heard at Ms Spinks inquest had provoked some concerns about the forces progress.

She had become concerned after she turned down his advances (PA Media)

Ms Spinks first met Sellers when she got a job at a warehouse run by e-commerce firm xbite in April 2020.

Sellers, a supervisor, had been with the company since 2015 and had been the subject of complaints from a number of female colleagues about his behaviour towards them.

He started to show an interest in Ms Spinks and the pair met up outside work on a number of occasions, but she decided in December 2020 that she did not wish to continue meeting up or be in a relationship with him.

She became increasingly concerned about his behaviour after realising he was abusing his position to ask fellow employees to spy on her, and in January 2021, he was caught parked at lay-by by the stables where she was tending her horse.

Ms Spinks reported him to their employer and he was dismissed, yet during the disciplinary process he said he thought Gracie had lied about the nature of the relationship between them.

She was stabbed 10 times while tending her horse and was pronounced dead at the scene (Family/PA)

A month later, she contacted Derbyshire Police and told the operator that Sellers had become obsessed with her, but he was only given words of advice.

Then, on May 6 that year, a member of the public found a rucksack containing knives, an axe and a hammer near Blue Lodge Farm, which contained a note which read Do not lie.

While the bag contained a Marks & Spencer receipt, which was traced back to one of Sellers relatives after his death, officers were not concerned and no further action was taken.

Following the deaths, the Independent Office for Police Conduct said five Derbyshire Police officers had cases to answer for misconduct.

Her family is now campaigning for increased funding for stalking cases, and for police forces across the country to have dedicated co-ordinators and advocates to deal with stalking victims.

Mr Kewley said that a Prevention of Future Death Report would be issued to Derbyshire Polices Chief Constable and others over the coming days.
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A teenage boy was arrested in a dawn raid by anti-terror police after allegedly making a social media post praising Hamas.

The 17-year-old was detained at his home in south London amid a spike of 2,200 referrals to the Mets Counter Terrorism Command since the Hamas massacre on 7 October.

He was arrested on suspicion of supporting a proscribed organisation, contrary to section 12 of the Terrorism Act 2000, and taken to a central London police station.

The post was assessed by specialist officers and deemed to potentially be in breach of terrorism laws, and the case was passed to a team of detectives to carry out an investigation.

Commander Dominic Murphy, Head of the Mets Counter Terrorism Command said: We continue to see a large number of referrals from the public where they are concerned about potentially extremist and terrorist content being posted online and on social media.

Every referral is looked at by specialist officers and as we have here, we will look to take positive action and arrest those who we suspect are committing terrorist offences in this way.

Counter-terror officers are probing 500 posts looking for potential offences and have also requested the removal of a number of URLs which were identified as hosting terrorist content.

Counter-protesters and police in Parliament Square in central London (PA) (PA Wire)

The arrest came amid calls for police could be given new powers to protect war memorials after pro-Palestinian protesters were accused of desecrating a monument by climbing on it.

The Metropolitan Police said the behaviour of the protesters in London was unacceptable but no laws had been broken.

Protesters climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in London after a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday night.

The Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner (Alamy/PA)

Responding to footage of the event online, veterans affairs minister Johnny Mercer, a former artillery officer, said: I will not stand idly by whilst individuals think this is the correct way to treat these memorials.

Home Secretary James Cleverly, who was a Territorial Army officer in the Royal Artillery, said he would examine whether the police needed new powers.

Im not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgment on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials, he told LBC.

On ITVs Good Morning Britain, he added: We are looking at what additional powers the police may need.

These  and the police have said this  are deeply disrespectful actions. The war memorials recognise the sacrifice people have made for our freedom, and abusing, desecrating behaviour like this is deeply, deeply offensive.

I will look at what further measures need to be taken so the police can take action on this.

I have no doubt the vast majority of the British population, and indeed, I suspect, the vast majority of people in those marches, would find that behaviour completely unacceptable and they would want us to give the police the power to take action.

Ill be looking at that as part of my new job.
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The new home secretary is considering changing the law to give police powers to prevent deeply disrespectful protesters clambering on war memorials.

It comes after people climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in central London after a pro-Palestine demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday evening  but police said no laws had been broken.

James Cleverly, who served in the Royal Artillery, said: Were going to look at this. We are absolutely determined to look at this. [Veterans minister] Johnny Mercer, a former gunner officer - the Royal Artillery was my regiment as well, thats my regimental memorial.

The Home Secretary told LBC: Im not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgment on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials.

We have made a commitment to review the legislation around public order policing.

If the police - and Im going to look at this in real detail - if the police need more powers to make sure that really deeply distasteful, provocative things like that do not happen for the public good, because of course this is about making sure it doesnt stimulate violent action or any kind of violent responses, but if we need to take action specifically to give police more powers, we are looking at doing that.

The Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner (Alamy/PA) ( (Alamy/PA))

Speaking at an Institute for government event on Thursday, Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said while the climbing on a war memorial was not illegal, it was unfortunate and inflammatory in certain ways.

He said it was for the government to consider whether officers should be given further powers to respond to protests.

In a departure from his predecessor Suella Bravermans controversial rhetoric, Mr Cleverly refused to call pro-Palestine protests hate marches.

He said not everybody involved in these marches are motivated by antisemitism and that the government supported lawful protest.

Now, not everybody involved in these marches are motivated by antisemitism, but the sad truth of the matter is some of the people on these marches are.

That is a criminal offence, and we always expect the police to take action when they see criminality.

It comes after nine police officers were injured last week in clashes with far-right counter protesters who descended on London to protect the Cenotaph following comments from Ms Braverman, who accused the police of bias for allowing a pro-Palestine march to go ahead on Armistice Day.

Speaking at a policing summit on Thursday, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper branded Ms Bravermans attacks on police as a total disgrace. She said a spiral of disrespect cannot be allowed to develop between the Government and the police, adding the prime minister was irresponsible for putting public and theatrical pressure on the Met Commissioner over the protests.

Asked about the latest incident at the Westminster war memorial, she described it as absolutely awful.

I think that protest was totally awful. Absolutely awful to see that. Our war memorials need to be respected. So we obviously need to look at what the legal framework is, she said. Our war memorials in particular need to be shown proper respect.
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A British former civil servant who has been described in Parliament as a pro-Russian propagandist is waiting to see if he has won a High Court fight with Foreign Office ministers after being sanctioned.

Graham Phillips, who is living in Ukraine, was made the subject of an asset freeze in July 2022  a decision upheld on ministerial review in February, a judge has been told.

Lawyers representing Mr Phillips have taken legal action against Foreign Secretary David Cameron  and say the decision was Orwellian and should be quashed.

Mr Justice Swift, who heard that Mr Phillips had expressed political opinions on YouTube and social media to a primarily UK domestic audience, finished overseeing a High Court hearing, in the Royal Court of Justice complex, on Thursday.

He said he aimed to deliver a ruling in the near future.

The judge was told that Liz Truss had been Foreign Secretary when the decision was taken and James Cleverly was Foreign Secretary when it was upheld on review.

Ministers are fighting Mr Phillips bid to lift sanctions.

Lawyers representing Mr Cameron argued that decisions taken were correct and said Mr Phillips claim should be dismissed.

Mr Phillips was the first mono-British national to be subjected to sanctions by the British Government, a barrister leading his legal team told the judge.

This serious interference with the rights of a British citizen, brought about by an act of executive fiat purely for expressing their views, is Orwellian irrespective of the offensiveness of the views concerned Joshua Hitchens

Joshua Hitchens said ministers had not accused Mr Phillipa of any crime, of being part of Russian State apparatus, of advancing the Russian war effort in Ukraine, or of supporting the Russian economy.

He said Mr Phillips designation stemmed entirely from political opinions expressed on YouTube and social media to a primarily UK domestic audience.

Mr Hitchens argued that Mr Phillips designation was disproportionate and Orwellian.

The power the (Foreign Secretary) claims to possess is expansive and unprecedented in modern British political and legal history, he said in a written case outline.

The defendants position is that he has the power to designate British citizens lawfully exercising their right to freedom of expression on matters of political controversy.

The effect of such designation is to deprive the subject of access to their possessions, their ability to earn a living and their capacity to meet even their most basic needs.

A British national subject to an asset freeze is effectively excommunicated from the economy.

This serious interference with the rights of a British Citizen, brought about by an act of executive fiat purely for expressing their views, is Orwellianirrespective of the offensiveness of the views concerned.

Mr Phillips, who watched the hearing from Ukraine via video link, was mentioned in a debate in the Lords in June 2022.

Labour former defence secretary Lord Browne of Ladyton was asked whether the Government had launched an investigation into Mr Phillips.

He described Mr Phillips as a British former civil servant and pro-Russian propagandist.

Maya Lester KC, who led the Government legal team, told the judge that the claim should be dismissed.

The claimant was not designated, as he suggests, for engaging in political debate, for his political views, or for criticising the foreign policy of the Government, she said in a written case outline.

He was designated (and his designation was maintained) for supporting the Russian war by producing, principally in occupied eastern Ukraine, and publishing propagandist video content which glorifies the Russian invasion of Ukraine and its atrocities, and promotes disinformation advanced by Russia as a justification for the invasion.

She said the designation had significant consequences for Mr Phillips but added:  he is incorrect to contend that he has been deprived of his possessions and of the capacity to meet his basic needs and excluded from the UK.
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David Camerons former chancellor has said leaving the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) is off the table with the former prime minister serving as Foreign Secretary.

George Osborne suggested the nuclear option of withdrawing from the international treaty would be too extreme for Lord Cameron, despite frustrations in Government after the Supreme Court ruled its Rwanda scheme unlawful.

The new Foreign Secretary flirted with the prospect of leaving the ECHR as prime minister in 2015 but never took steps to do so, opting to hold the Brexit referendum a year later which effectively ended his pro-Remain administration.

Mr Osborne told his Political Currency podcast with Ed Balls: The interesting thing about David Camerons appointment  I dont think necessarily he will go along with something as extreme as that. Hes actually more right wing than I am on this. He was a Home Office special adviser for Michael Howard.

Hes always railed against elements of ECHR judgments. But I think the option of going into the general election saying were going to pull out of the ECHR and throw the challenge to Labour, see whether they agree or not, I think thats basically now off the table because David Cameron is Foreign Secretary.

When Lord Cameron was asked in 2015 in the Commons whether the UK might pull out of the ECHR, should it face obstacles in its bid to change Labour-era human rights laws, he said he would rule out absolutely nothing in getting that done.

We are very clear about what we want, which is British judges making decisions in British courts, he added.

Sacked home secretary Suella Braverman is among those on the Tory right demanding that Mr Sunak introduces laws to block off the ECHR, Human Rights Act and other routes of legal challenge to the Governments plan to deport asylum seekers to Kigali.

The Prime Minister was resisting those calls on Wednesday, but did announce emergency legislation to empower Parliament to deem Rwanda a safe country and new measures aimed at mitigating the risk of migrants being returned to their home country once in the east African nation.
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David Cameron should be forced to take regular questions from MPs in Westminster Hall, Labour has said.

Shadow Commons leader Lucy Powell said the new Foreign Secretary, who cannot enter the Commons because he is not an MP, should hold regular accountability sessions there as a starter.

Westminster Hall is the oldest building on the parliamentary estate, and Labours reference to it refers to an alternative debating chamber there which is primarily used by backbench MPs to raise topics for debate.

Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt said MPs must be able to hold Lord Cameron to account, and appeared to offer an assurance this could be done, but did not offer details on how it would happen.

At a time of war in Europe, a horrifying conflict in Israel and Gaza, and threats from China, Iran and elsewhere, elected members here are now unable to hold the Foreign Secretary to account Lucy Powell, shadow Commons leader

Lord Cameron cannot sit in the House of Commons because he is not an elected MP.

Following his appointment, Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle told MPs he had commissioned advice about the possible options for enhancing scrutiny given the situation.

Ms Powell said: At a time of war in Europe, a horrifying conflict in Israel and Gaza, and threats from China, Iran and elsewhere, elected members here are now unable to hold the Foreign Secretary to account.

She added: This House must be able to scrutinise his work effectively because, lets be honest, theres a lot to hold him to account for.

She said it would be entirely insufficient for another Foreign Office minister to stand in for Mr Cameron, adding: The last time the House was in this situation, Conservative members were furious and demanded that questions must be answered in this place.

The then Labour government was set to bring in the recommendations of the Procedure Committee at the time.

So does she agree with me that we should immediately dust off that report, and bring forward a motion to put in place its recommendations quickly?

This would include regular accountability sessions for the Foreign Secretary in Westminster Hall as a starter.

On the Governments plan to use emergency legislation to revive plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda, Ms Powell questioned why ministers did not do so months ago instead of sitting around waiting for the Supreme Courts judgment.

She said: These are desperation tactics to try and make them look like they are doing something, when the truth is this is a failed, unworkable and costly plan that leaves their pledge to stop the boats stranded.

Responding, Ms Mordaunt said: She is right that this House must be able to hold (Lord Cameron) to account. This is not an unusual situation, it has happened before with my noble Lords Mandelson, Adonis, Frost, Morgan and I think others.

She added: My understanding is that the Procedure Committee is going to be consulted on the best way forward. And she alludes to some of the options in her remarks that may be required of the Foreign Secretary.

But I know that he will want to be accountable to this House.

She said she understood MPs will want to be able to question the Foreign Secretary and said she has my assurance in that respect.

On the Rwanda plan, she said: We want to do this swiftly.

It is part of a plan of action that (Prime Minister Rishi Sunak) has set out, and that has been worked on by the Home Office and other departments together with the largest ever small boats deal with France, a new agreement with Albania that has already cut Albanian small boat arrivals by more than 90%.

Ms Mordaunt conceded there is more to do but said the Government is a step closer to the deterrent we seek.

She later attempted to mock SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn for not singing God Save The King at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph in London.

The Commons Leader stood in silence for a few seconds at the despatch box when rising to respond to her SNP counterpart Deidre Brock.

She said: I am sure that you, Mr Speaker, would take a dim view if I refused to answer (Ms Brocks) question, if I just stood here in silence because I didnt fancy doing it or I objected strongly to the content and tone of it.

He might ask, had I done that, why I would have shown up this morning if I was not prepared to do my duty in this House, if I were not prepared to show respect to this House.

It would be a bit like attending at the Cenotaph and not singing the national anthem.

Writing after last Sundays ceremony, Mr Flynn said: A humbling experience to be present at the Cenotaph today for Remembrance Sunday, and to lay a wreath on behalf of the SNP and Plaid Cymru. As ever, I was thinking of my late grandad and the sacrifices his generation made during WW2 to protect our freedoms. Lest we forget.
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Five Metropolitan Police officers and three former officers are being investigated for gross misconduct following the forces failings in the case of serial killer Stephen Port.

Anthony Walgate, Gabriel Kovari, Daniel Whitworth and Jack Taylor all died at the hands of Port, who drugged them with overdoses of GHB and dumped their bodies near his flat in Barking, east London, between June 2014 and September 2015.

On Thursday, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) said eight individuals are being investigated for possible breaches of police professional standards relating variously to equality and diversity, duties and responsibilities, authority respect and courtesy and honesty and integrity.

IOPC regional director Steve Noonan said: We recognise it has taken some time to reach this stage, but these are complex matters, involving multiple officers and four investigations into unexplained deaths and then the subsequent murder investigation into Port.

Though we have found an indication that the behaviour of these eight individuals may have amounted to gross misconduct, this does not necessarily mean disciplinary proceedings will automatically follow.

Based on the evidence, at the conclusion of our investigation we will decide whether any officers should face disciplinary proceedings.

Commander Jon Savell from the Met reiterated the forces heartfelt apologies for its blunders in the case.

Families of three of Ports victims received payouts from the Met after settling civil claims.

Speaking on behalf of the families of the four men, solicitor Neil Hudgell said they were cautiously encouraged by the reopening of the investigation and the development was testament to their determination and perseverance.

Basic errors by a string of detectives left Port free to carry out the series of murders as well as drug and sexually assault more than a dozen other men.

Inquest jurors found that fundamental failures by the police were likely to have contributed to the deaths of three of the men.

The IOPC said five of the officers, including three who are still serving with the Met, were the subject of an investigation by its predecessor, the Independent Police Complaints Commission (IPCC).

The police watchdog said the original IPCC investigation examined the actions of multiple officers and 17 were subjects in that first probe.

When interviewed, 16 of the 17 officers chose to provide written accounts.

The IOPC began reinvestigating the case last year after saying the original inquiry into the conduct of officers was materially flawed.

An inquest jury found that officers in Barking missed repeated opportunities to catch Port after he plied his first victim, Mr Walgate, with a fatal dose of the date-rape drug GHB and dumped his body.

Port struck three more times before he was caught, killing each victim in near-identical circumstances, with police failing to link him to the deaths despite detective work carried out by the victims family and friends that would lead to the culprit.

Officers had denied accusations of prejudice and homophobia, blaming mistakes on being understaffed and lacking resources.
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James Cleverly has vowed to criticise police in private in a veiled swipe at Suella Braverman, who was sacked after she accused Metropolitan Police chiefs of bias in their handling of the pro-Palestine protests.

In his first speech to police chiefs, the newly appointed home secretary said he would back police forces and be critical where needed but he would do so professionally, calmly, directly so that we always maintain that professional working relationship.

Addressing chiefs at a policing summit in London on Thursday, he said: I think you can have a relationship that has challenge, and demands excellence and professionalism, without having to be in a relationship of conflict. The two are not inextricably linked.

And that is why, you will know for those of you who have worked with me before, my instinct is always to praise in public, to criticise in private.

If your officers and your staff respond to that style of working I genuinely believe that we can maximise the work that we do on behalf of the British public. That is my aim.

Mr Cleverly was appointed after Ms Bravermans exit from the Home Office on Monday morning, with former Tory prime minister David Cameron named as his replacement as foreign secretary in a shock appointment.

Former home secretary Suella Braverman outside her home in, Bushey, Hertfordshire following her sacking by the Prime Minister (PA)

Tory HQ said Mr Sunak was undertaking a reshuffle to strengthen his team in government to deliver long-term decisions for a brighter future.

At one point in his speech on Thursday, Mr Cleverly appeared to briefly forget his new job title, referring to his team at the Foreign Office before correcting himself, adding: Old habits die hard.

The reshuffle came after Ms Braverman sparked outrage by accusing the Met of favouritism for allowing a pro-Palestine protest to go ahead on Armistice Day, opening her up to claims that she incited violent protests by far-right thugs at the Cenotaph at the weekend.

No 10 did not approve the final text an incendiary op-ed for The Times Ms Braverman wrote accusing the Met of playing favourites, with Mr Sunaks officials requests for changes ignored by the home secretary.

Describing pro-Palestine demonstrations as hate marches, she wrote: I do not believe that these marches are merely a cry for help for Gaza. They are an assertion of primacy by certain groups - particularly Islamists  of the kind we are more used to seeing in Northern Ireland.

Ms Braverman also claimed there is a perception that senior police officers play favourites when it comes to protesters, before claiming some current police officers have also complained about a double standard.

Speaking at the same policing summit on Thursday, shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper branded Ms Bravermans attacks on police as a total disgrace.

She said a spiral of disrespect cannot be allowed to develop between the government and the police, adding the prime minister was irresponsible for putting public and theatrical pressure on the Met Commissioner over the protests.
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Parcel firms have delivered a miserable service to consumers for the third year running, according to an annual survey by Citizens Advice.

Evri and Yodel ranked at the bottom of the charitys league table, both managing an overall score of just two stars out of a possible five.

However, none of the major parcel firms managed to secure even a three-star rating, with Royal Mail and Amazon achieving joint best position with a meagre 2.75 stars.

Meanwhile, 13.3 million people  or 34 per cent of consumers  experienced a delivery problem in just the last month, such as parcels left in insecure locations or arriving late, a survey for the charity suggests.

Citizens Advice said there had been no improvements on delivery problem scores since last year, with the rate of parcel problems remaining far too high across the board.

The worst offenders were Yodel, with 40 per cent of customers reporting a problem, DPD (37 per cent), and Evri (34 per cent).

DPD vans (Belga/AFP/Getty)

The Citizens Advice parcels league table looks at the top five delivery companies by parcel volume and measures their performance against criteria including customer service, delivery problems and accessibility needs, such as people needing longer to answer the door.

Of those consumers that experienced a problem with their delivery, nearly half (43 per cent) then had a further issue when trying to resolve the problem, such as not being able to find the right company contact details or not receiving a response.

In the end, more than half of those who had further issues (53 per cent) found it difficult to resolve their problem. This figure rose to 60 per cent of people with a disability.

Almost all parcel firms scored two stars or below when it came to meeting the needs of disabled customers or individuals who require adjustments to how they receive parcels.

An estimated 7.2 million people had an accessibility need they would like to share with their parcel delivery company, but 45 per cent of these people were unable to do so, the survey found.

Citizens Advice said its online advice page, titled: If something you ordered hasnt arrived had been viewed almost 222,000 times in the last 12 months, a 78 per cent increase in views since 2019.

It urged regulator Ofcom to review its new complaints and accessibility guidance by April next year, and consider enforcement action on firms if there had been no significant improvements by this date.

Citizens Advice chief executive Dame Clare Moriarty said: For the third year running our league table reveals online shoppers are being let down by a substandard delivery service. This is an issue we feel has been neglected for far too long.

We continue to hear from consumers that are chasing up lost, late or damaged parcel deliveries. Its become an unfair and, at times, costly burden to bear.

With a seasonal surge of deliveries on the horizon, parcel companies must take action to protect shoppers and get to the root cause of these persistent failings.

Evri chief customer officer Chris Ashworth said: We are disappointed with where Citizens Advice has placed us in its parcels league table after a year of significant investment and listening to our customers to improve our service.

We have invested more than 130m to improve our UK operations in the last two years with 99 per cent of the 730 million parcels we handle annually delivered on time.

We are the only parcel delivery company to mandate proof of delivery photos for every parcel and our AI-enabled Parcel Vision provides direct feedback to couriers on the quality of images or if a parcel appears to be in an unsafe location.

Amazon vans (AP)

An Amazon spokesperson said: The vast majority of deliveries make it to customers without issue. In the rare case something occurs, we work with customers directly to make it right.

A Royal Mail spokesperson said: We are pleased to come joint first of Citizens Advices parcels league table. We are working hard to further improve our quality of service and continuing to introduce more convenient options for customers to access our services, including automatic redelivery and safe place delivery preferences.

We understand the importance of meeting the needs of disabled customers and since this survey was carried out. We have introduced an option for households to register their accessibility needs for parcel deliveries or collections via Parcel Collect.

Yodel said: We welcome feedback and invest heavily to continuously improve our service. However, this report is not reflective of our own parcel data, which indicates that 98.7 per cent of the 200 million parcels we handled over the last 12 months were delivered correctly on the first attempt.

Opinium surveyed 8,164 UK adults online between 19 September and 13 October who had received a parcel in the last month from Royal Mail, DPD, Yodel, Amazon Logistics or Evri.
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Hundreds of people have been evacuated from their homes following a gas leak at a doctors surgery in south London.

The London Fire Brigade attended the scene on Jonathan Street, Vauxhall, in the early hours of Thursday morning, and remained there with a 100 metre cordon in place on Thursday evening.

Lambeth Council has set up a respite centre at a local church for the 200 people temporarily displaced by the leak, while emergency services work to resolve the issue. The London Ambulance Service assessed two people but there are no reported injuries.

There are a number of road closures in the surrounding area with disruption to motor traffic, which is likely to continue throughout the day.

Four fire engines and 25 firefighters attended the scene at 4am on Thursday morning (London Fire Brigade )

London Fire Brigade said: Four fire engines and around 25 firefighters are at the scene of a gas leak at a doctors surgery on Jonathan Street in Vauxhall. Around 200 people from neighbouring residential buildings have been evacuated as a precaution and a 100 metre cordon is currently in place. A respite centre has been set up at a local church for those who have been displaced from their homes.

Two people have been assessed by London Ambulance Service crews at the scene. A number of road closures are currently in place including Jonathan Street and surrounding roads.

Crews are working alongside multi-agency service partners to make the scene safe. The Brigade was called at 0433. Crews from Lambeth and Soho fire stations remain at the scene.

Metropolitan Police were alerted to the incident around 5am, and are working with other emergency services and the local council to resolve the situation.

Cllr Dr Mahamed Hashi, Lambeths Cabinet Member for Safer Communities, said: We are working to support impacted residents who need our help alongside the fire brigade and the police.

We will continue providing this support until its safe for people to go back to their homes.

I want to thank Hope Church on Tyer Street who have provided huge support to local people at a time of need.
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The Met Office has issued new weather warnings for torrential rain for parts of the UK this weekend.

Heavy downpours are set to batter the southeast of Northern Ireland on Friday night into Saturday, though the region is still recovering from the latest storm to batter the island.

Rain will spread quickly northeast across much of Northern Ireland this evening, but is expected to be heaviest across parts of south Down, and especially south-facing slopes of the Mournes, the Met Office said.

The warning is in place from 9pm Friday until 3pm on Saturday.

A yellow warning for rain has also been updated for parts of Wales and southwest England and will now come into effect from midnight Friday until 10am Saturday.

Upto 50mm of rainfall could fall around the hills of southwest Wales and the southern slopes of Dartmoor, the Met Office said, as localised flooding is also expected.

It comes as frosty weather is expected in the northeast of Scotland on Saturday as Met Office meteorologist Aidan McGivern said: For the start of Saturday, we keep the cold conditions at first across parts of central and eastern Scotland, so there will be a touch of frost in the northeast of Scotland and some snowflakes over the hills and mountains, as the rain bumps into that cold air.

The Met Office has issued a yellow weather warning for rain on Friday through to Saturday (Met Office)

The fresh weather alerts come after Storm Debi left the UK reeling as it unleashed widespread flooding and devastating winds across many parts of the country this week, particularly in Northern Ireland.

Severe gales caused power cuts across the island of Ireland, with around 100,000 homes and businesses left without electricity.

Gusts of 77mph were recorded in Gwynedd, 74mph at Killowen in Northern Ireland and 68mph on the Isle of Man as the low pressure system moved across the Irish Sea.

UK 5-day forecast

Tonight:

Dry with clear spells in the east, perhaps with some early frost and fog in places. Cloud and rain pushing steadily eastwards. Winds strengthening. Mild, particularly in the south.

Saturday:

Cloud and rain spreading north and east throughout the day. Some heavy bursts in places. Sunny spells and showers following from the west. Windy, particularly near coasts.

Outlook for Sunday to Tuesday:

Sunny spells returning on Sunday with the risk of blustery showers which will continue into Monday. Most places becoming dry on Tuesday. A touch of frost possible in the north.
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TikTok may be best known for its dance crazes, pranks and comedy skits, but a darker side to the popular social media app has emerged.

Alarming new research has shown that teenage children are more likely to see content of real-life violence on TikTok than on any other social media platform.

The Youth Endowment Fund (YEF), a charity that prevents children from becoming involved in violence, surveyed 7,500 teenage children in England and Wales about their experiences of violence, in person and online.

It found that 33 per cent of all 13 to 17-year-olds said they had seen footage of real-life violence on TikTok in the past 12 months. In comparison, 25 per cent had seen real-life violent content on Snapchat, 20 per cent on YouTube and 19 per cent on Instagram.

Tranai Todd, 19, has experienced seeing violence online himself and is now CEO of Support Through Sport, a programme that mentors vulnerable young people in Nottinghamshire through sport.

When I was in secondary school, I started to drift down the path of antisocial behaviour and getting involved in the wrong things, Tranai told The Independent. One of the things that certainly drove that was social media.

As well as exposing children to violence, many think that social media is also one of the factors driving it. When asked why young people commit acts of violence in their area, 42 per cent of teenage children said they thought social media was a major factor, as did 52 per cent of adults.

Its almost like a bit of a competition on social media to see whos doing the worst stuff. Tranai Todd

Its almost like a bit of a competition on social media to see whos doing the worst stuff. When I was in school and getting involved with that sort of thing it was a big tool in the group I was in at the time, Tranai said.

He added: Seeing a video on social media, for some, might not have a massive impact on them. But for others it can make them feel unsafe or if theyve had adverse childhood experiences it might be a trigger for previous trauma.

But it might also be that first step on a pathway of getting involved in crime and violence.

The most common type of violence seen online was footage of fights between young people - nearly half of all teenage children had encountered this type of content. Posts and messages showing threats to beat someone up were reported by 36 percent and 29 per cent had seen content showing people carrying, promoting or using weapons.

Jibril Rose, 19, a YEF Youth Advisory Board member, said one of the biggest challenges facing young people is that they cant get away from seeing violence on TikTok.

As well as showing children violence, 42 per cent of teenagers think that social media is one of the factors driving it (Copyright 2022 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

The crazy thing about TikTok is that you cant hide from it, he said. You cant choose what you see because it comes up on your For you page most of the time. You could be home, had a bad day and go on your phone, and the first thing you see is someone getting chased with a knife.

How difficult is it to escape violence even in your own safe place like at home, in your bedroom? You cant get away from it.

The charitys analysis shows that children who are more vulnerable to experiencing violence when they are offline, are also more prone to experiencing violence when theyre online too.

Compared to 60 per cent of all teenage children, 94 per cent of teenage children who said they had carried a weapon and 87 per cent of those who said they had been in a gang, had seen violent content on social media.

Youth worker Callum Bruce-Phillips told The Independent that there was a growing concern about children seeing violent videos online. He has spoken to young people who have shown him videos of youth violence they have seen on TikTok - including a fight involving 40 teenagers.

The most common type of violence seen online was footage of fights between young people - nearly half of all teenage children had encountered this type of content. ( Alamy/PA)

He said advancements in algorithms over the past decade have influenced how often vulnerable teens are seeing violence online.

These algorithms are deciding what you see based on maybe one video youve viewed and then suddenly youre getting a torrent of similar videos, the 25-year-old from Swansea said. When it comes to TikTok and the algorithms on there, these young people are kind of almost being forced to witness this.

He added: You do worry about their mental health when it comes to what theyre seeing online.

Tranai said more needs to be done by social media giants such as TikTok to moderate violent content being shown online.

There needs to be steps in policy and procedure from a top-level to really embed moderations and to check and challenge whats going on to these social media platforms, he said.

Then also we need to raise awareness around what kind of impact this content is having on young people, because I dont think theres a deep understanding or consideration around what actual impact that sort of content is having on children.

He added that workshops, further funding for youth work, or sessions in school about keeping young people safe online could be beneficial.

A TikTok spokesperson said TikTok removes or age-restricts content thats violent or graphic, most often before it receives a single view, and provides parents with tools to further customise content and safety settings for their teens account.
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First Minister Humza Yousaf has been urged to sack the leaders of Glasgows health board after it was named a suspect in an investigation into the deaths of patients.

Police were instructed to launch an investigation into the deaths at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow and Mr Yousaf confirmed on Thursday that NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is now being considered a suspect in the probe.

Among those affected was 10-year-old Milly Main, who died in 2017 after contracting an infection at the Royal Hospital for Childrens cancer ward on the hospital campus.

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, who has supported the families of those impacted, urged the First Minister to fire the boards chair and chief executive.

Deadly mistakes made, facts denied, a cover-up continuing, and to this day no-one, not a single person held to account  instead incompetence is rewarded, the Glasgow MSP said.

Mr Sarwar went on to quote Millys mother Kimberly Darroch, who said this week she feels that pain the day I lost her every single day because of all of this.

Mr Sarwar said: First Minister, for once, do the right thing  sack the leadership of this health board.

Mr Yousaf said he cant imagine the pain of losing a child, adding it is every parents worst nightmare.

He said the Scottish Government had set up an oversight board, a public inquiry and passed the Patient Safety Commissioner Bill, adding ministers will continue to demonstrate that leadership.

Board chairman Professor John Brown is due to come to the end of his eight-year term soon, but is to remain as an adviser to the Scottish Government on NHS governance.

Mr Sarwar said: First Minister, what message does this send to grieving families, and what does it say about your judgment, that the man who presided over this scandal will continue to advise your Government?

Mr Yousaf again expressed his condolences to the families of those affected, and said the Government has taken action, pointing to the creation of a public inquiry into the issues at the hospital and the Royal Hospital for Children and Young People in Edinburgh.

He added he could not comment on a live police investigation.

But Mr Sarwar said: Let me be clear, John Brown shouldnt be advising this Government and should not hold any public appointments while the criminal investigation and the public inquiry continues.

The chief executive of this health board, Jane Grant, has been in post since before Milly died and during that time shes been paid more than 1 million.

She has led an organisation that is now being investigated for corporate homicide, gaslit grieving families, shut down and bullied NHS staff, and called into question the results of and independent review that exposed fatal infections in children.

Now she will continue to run this health board while the police investigate her actions and those of the people who report to her.

In other fields, he added, suspects would not be allowed to walk free on a crime scene.

The First Minister said it is the health board as a corporate entity and not Ms Grant nor any individual within the board that has been named as a suspect.

He added: It is important that the police investigation is allowed to continue.

Anas Sarwar may wish in his position to be judge and jury but it is important that I allow the police investigation to happen without interruption.

A spokesman for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde said: Our thoughts remain with the patients, families and staff who have been affected by events at the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital and Royal Hospital for Children.

Everybody within NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde remains entirely focused on delivering the best possible care for our patients.

We will continue to co-operate fully with the Scottish Hospitals Inquiry and the ongoing police investigation.
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Scotlands first minister Humza Yousaf has said he is beyond angry with MPs who refused to back an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and warned they were on the wrong side of history.

SNP leader Mr Yousaf, who was recently reunited with his Palestinian in-laws after they returned to the UK from the warzone in Gaza, said the vote was a chance to put humanity before politics.

He said one child has been killed every 10 minutes in Gaza, a statistic sourced from the World Health Organisation.

Mr Yousaf said the death toll of 4,500 children killed in a month during the Israel-Hamas war was senseless, and urged the public to speak out against the bloodshed.

The First Minister said: Today at Westminster MPs were presented with the chance to vote in favour of the SNP ceasefire. This was a plea to put humanity before politics by endorsing a ceasefire.

Too many parents have had to bury their children in Gaza. Too many children have become orphaned. Too many have suffered. And for far too long.

A ceasefire would enable a humanitarian corridor and the crucial delivery of immediate aid to those in desperate need. I am beyond angry that Scottish Labour MPs and others refused to back the calls for an immediate ceasefire.

They are on the wrong side of history, which is unforgivable.

Over 4,500 innocent children have been killed in Gaza. The World Health Organisation has reported a heartbreaking statistic a child has been killed every 10 minutes.

Let that sink in and know there are haunting images of tiny premature babies who have been removed from the incubators because the situation is so dire.

This cannot continue. Humanity must prevail through collective international pressure. A path to ending the senseless violence can and must be found.

We cannot allow the silent screams of the innocent to go unanswered. In the face of such profound sorrow, let all of our voices join the rallying cry of human solidarity. Take action.

Use your voice and I can promise you that I will continue to raise my voice to demand an immediate ceasefire.

We cannot allow this humanitarian catastrophe to go on for a second longer.
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The UK would be following Vladimir Putins lead it if took the absolutely outrageous step of withdrawing from the European Convention on Human Rights, an Irish parliamentary committee has heard.

Such a move would undermine the human rights protections that are central to Northern Irelands landmark Good Friday peace agreement, Amnesty International warned.

Amnestys Northern Ireland programme director, Patrick Corrigan, was giving evidence to an Oireachtas committee tasked with assessing the implementation of the 1998 peace accord. MPs from Northern Ireland sit alongside Irish TDs and senators on the committee.

Mr Corrigan was providing his analysis of the UK Governments Illegal Migration Act and its potential consequences for the Good Friday deal.

The hearing came a day after the UK Supreme Court ruled that the Governments flagship Rwanda asylum policy was unlawful.

The UKs highest court rejected the Governments appeal over its policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda if they arrive by unauthorised means.

The ruling has prompted renewed calls from the right of the Conservative Party for the Government to withdraw from the ECHR to remove one of the main legal obstacles facing the Rwanda policy.

Russia left the Convention in 2022 as a consequence of its expulsion from the Council of Europe.

Human rights protections guaranteed within the Good Friday Agreement are based on the ECHR framework.

Mr Corrigan said the Irish Government needs to be vigilant to the potential consequences of what he described as a UK move to step away from its international human rights obligations.

While the UK Government may not withdraw from the European Convention and that obviously would be an absolutely outrageous step to take, sort of following Putins Russia in withdrawing from the European Convention, but nothing can be ruled out given some of the noises that we hear at least on the (Conservative) back benches  they used to be on the front benches as well, maybe its on the back benches now  around withdrawing from the European Convention, he said.

And thats still a threat that hangs over all of the debate around this.

Obviously, there is an Irish interest there in protecting the Good Friday Agreement in all its parts, including the chapter on human rights and equality safeguards for people on the island.

Mr Corrigan also expressed concern about the potential fate of non-Irish citizens living in the Republic of Ireland who, while not having a visa to be in the UK, travel north of the border, potentially just to do some shopping.

He said that, under the Illegal Migration Act, they could find themselves being detained and sent back to their home country of origin or a third country, with limited legal avenues to challenge it.

There is a de facto hardening of the border for people moving from one side of the border to the other, he said.

And while there are protections in place for people who have UK or Irish citizenship, who hold those passports, for people who do not there are new realities that they have to face.

He added: The consequences now are extraordinarily severe; say, being removed to a third country or removed to a country from which you had fled and that there are risks to your rights  to safety, right to life.

And, crucially, one of the rights that is removed is the right to adequately challenge the decisions that are made about you and your removal and your detention first of all, and then your removal, that that legal challenge to which one is entitled under the European Convention and also entitled under EU law has now been swept aside by the Illegal Migration Act.

So not only can you find yourself caught up in this sort of Kafkaesque situation of being detained and facing deportation, that your opportunity to challenge that has also effectively been removed or massively diminished, so that you enter into this netherworld of UK immigration policy and theres very little way out of it again.
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The Irish Government has faced claims of double standards on Israel and Russia after it voted down calls for sanctions against the Israeli state over its actions in Gaza.

Sinn Fein and People Before Profit (PBP) both laid that charge to Finance Minister Michael McGrath during sometimes heated scenes in the Dail on Thursday.

Opposition motions calling for a range of economic and diplomatic sanctions, including the expulsion of Israels ambassador in Dublin Dana Erlich, were defeated in the Dail on Wednesday evening.

Proposals for Ireland to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) were also voted down.

While the Government did not expel Russias ambassador after the invasion of Ukraine, it did back EU sanctions against Vladimir Putins regime and also referred its actions to the ICC.

Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty asked why Ireland was not making a similar referral about Israel. He accused Mr McGrath of double standards.

So last year, this government rightly joined with others in referring Russia to the International Criminal Court for war crimes, he said.

Palestinian lives, minister, are just as worthy of our attention as Ukrainian lives.

In the pursuit of justice and accountability for the Palestinian people, will this government now change direction and join with South Africa and refer Israel to the ICC for the crimes, that you say are difficult to watch in the news, but war crimes we see before our eyes every single day.

Are Palestinian babies and lives less valuable than those of Ukrainians that you don't feel it is justified in the face of the slaughter to sanction them for the crimes they are committing? PBP TD Richard Boyd Barrett

Mr McGrath insisted the situation in Ukraine was fundamentally different.

Ireland did refer to the ICC prosecutor because in that case Ukraine was not a party to the ICC statute, and a prosecutor could not therefore begin an immediate investigation without a state party referral, he explained.

He said the chief prosecutor for the ICC had already confirmed that an ongoing investigation in the Middle East covered the events of recent weeks in Israel and Gaza.

Earlier, during Leaders Questions, PBP TD Richard Boyd Barrett also drew a comparison with the Governments response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Setting aside the ambassador, why sanctions on Putin for his war crimes, but nothing, no sanction whatsoever ever, ever imposed on Israel, even when theyre slaughtering thousands and thousands of children? he asked.

Mr Boyd Barrett added: Last night, 55 deputies in here voted to expel the Israeli ambassador, to sanction Israel, to refer them for war crimes and for genocide, but still you voted against.

Now could you please explain to me what level of atrocity Israel has to commit, how many babies they have to murder, how many hospitals they have to bomb, how many houses they have to bomb, how many people they have to ethnically cleanse before you think it would be time to impose the sorts of sanctions that you were very quick to impose on Russia, for Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Are Palestinian babies and lives less valuable than those of Ukrainians that you dont feel it is justified in the face of the slaughter to sanction them for the crimes they are committing?

Mr McGrath reiterated the Governments view that maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel was important.

He said such relations were particularly vital given ongoing efforts to secure safe passage through the Rafah crossing into Egypt for Irish citizens who remained in Gaza, and in regard to attempts to secure the release of Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand, eight, who is believed to be being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

Ireland has to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel Finance Minister Michael McGrath

International diplomacy and maintaining channels of communication is not about staying close to your friends or about endorsing policies, its about keeping channels open for when you need them, Mr McGrath said.

And we need them because in trying to secure the safe access out of Gaza of the remaining of our citizens there, and in trying to be heard in advocating for peace, its important that we continue to communicate and we continue to have dialogue with all of those in the region.

And we have about 400 (UN) peacekeepers, Irish men and women in the region.

So Ireland has to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.

But we also will call out when we see it, the level of force that has been used in our view is completely disproportionate.

Civilians should be protected. Gaza and Hamas are not the same thing, the civilians in Gaza should not be the subject of collective punishment by the Israeli Defence Force.

So Ireland is an important actor. We have a voice, we are being listened to.
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Arresting protesters for climbing on a war memorial after a pro-Palestinian march would have been illegal, the Metropolitan Police Commissioner has said.

Sir Mark Rowley said the move by demonstrators was unfortunate and inflammatory in certain ways but not against the law as he was questioned about the forces response to the event on Wednesday.

Police must be able to enforce the law impartially rather than pandering to public opinion, he told an Institute for Government event on Thursday.

These  and the police have said this  are deeply disrespectful actions. The war memorials recognise the sacrifice people have made for our freedom, and abusing, desecrating behaviour like this is deeply, deeply offensive James Cleverly

Home Secretary James Cleverly has suggested officers could be given new powers to protect war memorials after protesters scaled the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in London last night.

Asked about the police response, Sir Mark said: What the officer didnt do last night was make up a law that its illegal to do something and do an arrest which would have been illegal, clearly.

He defended the actions of officers on the ground, describing them as sensible in the circumstances, adding: The officers intervened, as officers often are doing, to try and de-escalate risk of conflict, even when there isnt explicit power to do it.

The commissioner suggested that there are elements of current police powers which do not work very well and that the Met will be discussing these with Government.

But wider issues, like the balance between the right to protest and the impact it may have on others, are a matter for Parliament, he said.

Sir Mark refused to be drawn into whether sacked home secretary Suella Braverman had interfered with the polices job by writing an op-ed in The Times suggesting officers play favourites with pro-Palestinian protesters.

He said he would not get into the politics of the issue but that officers are used to contention surrounding their work and dont worry unduly.

However, the police chief stressed the centuries-old principle of police being able to act impartially and without pandering to public opinion.

Referring to the 19th-century Peelian principles, he said: The fifth one I think captures the issues of the day, to seek and preserve public favour, not by pandering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolutely impartial service to the law, in complete independence of policy, and without regard to the justice or injustice of the substance of individual laws.

Its interesting that that could have been written down 200 years ago and be so apposite today.

The IfG event was rescheduled after a last-minute meeting in Downing Street between Sir Mark and the Prime Minister over the response to a pro-Palestinian protest, which clashed with the original date.

It comes after Mr Cleverly, who was a Territorial Army officer in the Royal Artillery, said he would examine whether the police needed new powers.

Im not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgment on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials, he told LBC.

On ITVs Good Morning Britain, he added: These  and the police have said this  are deeply disrespectful actions. The war memorials recognise the sacrifice people have made for our freedom, and abusing, desecrating behaviour like this is deeply, deeply offensive.

I will look at what further measures need to be taken so the police can take action on this.

Police said the protesters who climbed on the memorial were a breakaway group from the main march, who had been dispersed at Hyde Park Corner.
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Ministers are absolutely determined to get a removal flight to Rwanda off before the next election, Home Secretary James Cleverly has said, after the policy was ruled unlawful.

The Cabinet minister said he does not think the UK will need to pull out of the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR) as they come under pressure from the Tory right.

He defended plans for emergency legislation to get Parliament to deem Rwanda a safe country despite the Supreme Courts concerns over risks to asylum seekers.

But Mr Cleverly was unable to deny that he privately described the policy of removing migrants who arrive by unauthorised means to east Africa as batshit.

The Government is working to broker a new legally binding treaty on top of the 140 million deal already struck with Kigali after five top justices ruled against the policy on Wednesday.

Mr Cleverly insisted that MPs could ratify the treaty once it is agreed and pass new laws within days.

The whole process wont necessarily be done and dusted just in a few days, but the actual parliamentary process can be that quick, he told Times Radio.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and many of his Conservative MPs are concerned that a failure to stop the boats will hit them badly at the next general election, expected within a year.

Asked if a flight will take off before then, the Home Secretary told Times Radio: Were absolutely determined to make that happen.

But he admitted the timescales that we are looking at can vary depending on circumstances.

Yvette Cooper, his Labour shadow, has accused Mr Cleverly of not really believing in the Rwanda scheme, alleging that he once described it in private as batshit.

Mr Cleverly did not deny saying it, instead telling Sky News: I dont recognise that phrase, and the point that Ive made, and the point I made at the despatch box, is that the Rwanda scheme is an important part  but only a part  of the range of responses we have to illegal migration.

Under pressure from Suella Braverman and the right of the Conservative Party, Mr Sunak has kept the threat of pulling out of the ECHR on the table for the future.

But Mr Cleverly told Sky News: We dont think we are going to need to. We dont think that is a point that will come up.

Instead he talked about reform to the Convention.

The Government will face opposition to its plans in the House of Lords, where former Supreme Court judge Jonathan Sumption sits.

Lord Sumption told the BBC the profoundly discreditable plan to use a law to declare Rwanda as safe is constitutionally really quite extraordinary.

He argued it will effectively overrule a decision on the facts, on the evidence, by the highest court in the land.

Often a critic of the human rights court in Strasbourg, the peer said the plan wont work internationally. It will still be a breach of the Governments international law obligations.

But Mr Cleverly dismissed the criticism, telling Radio 4s Today programme: Find me two lawyers and I will give you three opinions.

Lawyers argue all the time, thats literally what they do. I have very eminent lawyers who take a different view.

The emergency legislation aimed at ensuring the Rwanda scheme can go ahead will be produced in the coming weeks, Downing Street said.

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Certainly we want to do it as quickly as possible.

The Government believes the new Rwanda legislation will prevent systemic challenges to the legality of the policy.

We think this is the fastest route through to getting flights in the air, the spokesman said. We think by closing off these avenues of challenge it will help speed through the process.

The yet-to-be-published treaty with Rwanda is expected to attempt to address the Supreme Courts concerns around refoulement  the potential for refugees whose applications for asylum are rejected by Kigali to be sent back to the country they are fleeing from.

The UK Government is set to confirm that no asylum seekers deported to east Africa would be returned to their country of origin, instead possibly remaining in Rwanda or being taken back to Britain.

Downing Street suggested that, while the UK would support asylum seekers through the asylum process in Rwanda, any British financial assistance was likely to end once their application is determined, even if their claim is rejected.

Asked whether failed asylum seekers would continue to receive financial support from the UK, a spokeswoman for the Prime Minister said: There is support that comes through going through and being granted asylum status.

But beyond that processing support, that is not my understanding, no.

But we will set out more details on how it will work in the treaty when we lay that.

Doris Uwicyeza Picard, the chief technical adviser to Rwandas minister of justice who has been negotiating the deal with the UK, said the Supreme Court ruling was disappointing.

She told BBC Radio 4s World At One: We do take offence to some of the comments made in the court regarding the safety of Rwanda, Rwanda has been a safe haven refugees for quite some time now.
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Labour has sought to play down splits in the party after Sir Keir Starmer lost 10 shadow ministers and parliamentary aides in a major rebellion over his stance on the war in Gaza.

Jess Phillips, the shadow minister for domestic violence, was among the frontbenchers who either quit or were sacked so they could back a ceasefire in a Commons vote.

The SNP amendment to the Kings Speech was defeated but 56 Labour MPs defied their party leaders position of advocating for pauses in fighting so they could support a cessation.

Amid the fallout on Thursday morning, shadow defence secretary John Healey insisted there is a deeper unity in the Labour Party than the rebellion indicated.

He told BBC Breakfast he understands why backbenchers wanted to respond to their constituents and call for an immediate ceasefire.

But he insisted the vast majority back the most practical step of calling for humanitarian pauses to get aid into Gaza and the Israeli hostages out.

On the front benches a small number had to resign while the vast majority backed humanitarian pauses  the best way in these circumstances now trying to relieve the suffering  but the deeper unity of the Labour Party was clear last month, he said.

At the Labour Party conference you saw us totally unified and determined in solidarity with Ukraine, behind a plan to help people with the cost of living, and in getting rid of an infighting, failing 13 years of Conservative Government.

Mr Healey argued that the frontbenchers who broke ranks to call for a ceasefire still want to see Sir Keir become prime minister.

I know they all wrestled with this difficult decision and I know they all have said that they 100% want Keir Starmer in Downing Street and will work together to secure a Labour government, he told Times Radio.

This is a difficult issue that we faced last night but Keir Starmer was right, when it comes to a parliamentary vote, to be firm, to require collective responsibility and discipline.

I regret that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight. But I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer

The other shadow ministers who are now backbenchers are Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan, Paula Barker, Rachel Hopkins, Sarah Owen, Naz Shah and Andy Slaughter.

Parliamentary private secretaries Dan Carden and Mary Foy, who had been working with deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner, joined them in leaving their positions.

MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the SNPs amendment calling for all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

But 56 Labour MPs backed the position, rejecting their party leaders stance and defying a three-line whip.

In a statement following the vote, Sir Keir said he regretted that party colleagues had not backed his position.

Alongside leaders around the world, I have called throughout for adherence to international law, for humanitarian pauses to allow access for aid, food, water, utilities and medicine, and have expressed our concerns at the scale of civilian casualties, he said.

Much more needs to be done in this regard to ease the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in Gaza.

And, in addition to addressing the present, every leader has a duty not to go back to a failed strategy of containment and neglect, but to forge a better and more secure future for both Palestinians and Israelis.

I regret that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight. But I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand.

On this occasion I must vote with my constituents, my head, and my heart, which has felt as if it were breaking over the last four weeks with the horror of the situation in Israel and Palestine Labour MP Jess Phillips

Ms Phillips, a prominent frontbencher, said it was with a heavy heart that she was quitting.

I have tried to do everything that I could to make it so that this was not the outcome, but it is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving my post in the shadow Home Office team.

On this occasion I must vote with my constituents, my head, and my heart, which has felt as if it were breaking over the last four weeks with the horror of the situation in Israel and Palestine, she said in a letter to her party leader.
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A sixth person has been confirmed dead following a house fire which killed five others in west London.

Ten fire engines and around 70 firefighters were called to the blaze in Channel Close, Hounslow, at 10.26pm on Sunday, London Fire Brigade said.

Five people on the first floor of the building, that the Metropolitan Police believe were from the same family, were pronounced dead at the scene.

The deaths of so many people, including children, is simply heartbreaking Detective Chief Inspector Garth Hall

The force previously said two adults and three children are among the victims.

The age of the sixth person has not been confirmed.

Two people who lived in the house, both adults, have been named locally as Aroen Kishen and his wife Seema.

None of the victims have yet been formally identified and post-mortem examinations will take place in due course.

The victims families have been informed of the development and are being supported by specialist officers.

The ground floor and first floor of the mid-terraced house were destroyed by the fire and part of the roof was also damaged.

One man, believed to be Mr Kishen, left the property before emergency crews arrived and was later taken to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The cause of the blaze was not yet clear, police said.

Senior investigating officer Detective Chief Inspector Garth Hall said: Firstly, I want to express my sincere condolences to all those affected by this terrible incident.

The deaths of so many people, including children, is simply heartbreaking.

We intend to complete a meticulous investigation into how this tragedy happened.

For many days now the scene has been too unstable and dangerous to complete many of our inquiries Detective Chief Inspector Garth Hall

For many days now the scene has been too unstable and dangerous to complete many of our inquiries.

It was only after the walls were shored up, and the roof removed, that it became safe enough for search teams to enter the premises.

We have now been able to sadly confirm the death of a sixth person.

The investigation into the cause of the fire continues and I must express my thanks to the London Fire Brigade, their knowledge and experience has been crucial in helping us understand what may have happened that dreadful night.

These deaths are still being treated as unexplained and we are liaising closely with the coroner.

We understand that family and communities will be looking for answers, but this will be a thorough investigation and we will not rush to any judgment, but follow where the evidence leads.
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Downing Street has described protesters climbing on a war memorial after a pro-Palestinian march as an affront and suggested police could be given new powers to take action.

The Metropolitan Police said the behaviour of the demonstrators in London was unfortunate and inflammatory in certain ways but that no laws had been broken.

Members of a breakaway group scaled the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner on Wednesday night after a protest demanding a ceasefire outside Parliament, the force said.

We will look at what further measures are needed so that the police can have confidence in taking action on this Prime Ministers official spokesman

The Prime Ministers official spokesman said: Its an affront to our armed forces, it goes against our British values, its not acceptable.

We will look at what further measures are needed so that the police can have confidence in taking action on this.

We do believe there are extensive powers available to them but the public will have been shocked and Im sure appalled by what they saw.

It comes after Met Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley said arresting protesters for scaling the memorial would have been illegal.

He described the move by demonstrators as unfortunate and inflammatory in certain ways but not against the law, as he was questioned about the forces response to the event on Wednesday.

Police must be able to enforce the law impartially rather than pandering to public opinion, he told an Institute for Government (IfG) event on Thursday.

Asked about the police response, Sir Mark said: What the officer didnt do last night was make up a law that its illegal to do something and do an arrest which would have been illegal, clearly.

He defended the actions of officers on the ground, describing them as sensible in the circumstances, adding: The officers intervened, as officers often are doing, to try and de-escalate risk of conflict, even when there isnt explicit power to do it.

The commissioner suggested there were elements of current police powers which do not work very well and that the Met would be discussing these with Government.

But wider issues, like the balance between the right to protest and the impact it may have on others, were a matter for Parliament, he said.

Sir Mark refused to be drawn into whether sacked home secretary Suella Braverman had interfered with the polices job by writing an op-ed in The Times suggesting officers play favourites with pro-Palestinian protesters.

He said he would not get into the politics of the issue but that officers were used to contention surrounding their work and dont worry unduly.

But the police chief stressed the centuries-old principle of police being able to act impartially and without pandering to public opinion.

Referring to the 19th-century Peelian principles, he said: The fifth one I think captures the issues of the day, to seek and preserve public favour, not by pandering to public opinion but by constantly demonstrating absolutely impartial service to the law, in complete independence of policy, and without regard to the justice or injustice of the substance of individual laws.

Its interesting that that could have been written down 200 years ago and be so apposite today.

These ... are deeply disrespectful actions. The war memorials recognise the sacrifice people have made for our freedom, and abusing, desecrating behaviour like this is deeply, deeply offensive Home Secretary James Cleverly

The IfG event was rescheduled after a last-minute meeting in Downing Street between Sir Mark and the Prime Minister over the response to a pro-Palestinian protest, which clashed with the original date.

It comes after Home Secretary James Cleverly, who was a Territorial Army officer in the Royal Artillery, said he would examine whether the police needed new powers.

Im not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgment on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials, he told LBC.

On ITVs Good Morning Britain, he added: These  and the police have said this  are deeply disrespectful actions. The war memorials recognise the sacrifice people have made for our freedom, and abusing, desecrating behaviour like this is deeply, deeply offensive.

I will look at what further measures need to be taken so the police can take action on this.
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Three more Irish citizens have been able to leave Gaza, Irelands deputy premier has said.

It comes a day after 23 Irish citizens, including families with children, crossed into Egypt.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who is visiting the area, said he believes more will be able to leave by Sunday amid the ongoing war.

He said he has been given assurances by Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen that the majority of Irish citizens still in Gaza will be able to leave within the next three days.

Mr Martin visited two towns in southern Israel on Thursday which had been attacked by Hamas in October.

They included Kibbutz Beeri where eight-year-old Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand was taken hostage.

He said he unreservedly condemned the brutal attack by Hamas, and called for the immediate and unconditional release of hostages.

He said he expressed his concern at the catastrophic situation in Gaza to Mr Cohen and reiterated calls for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire.

Mr Martin also met Israeli president Isaac Herzog, and said he stressed to him the urgent need to dramatically increase the supply of humanitarian aid into Gaza.

Mr Martin told RTE that his impression from discussions with Israeli leaders is that there is a determination to continue with its military campaign in Gaza.

I get the sense this morning that Israel wants to believe that it can eliminate Hamas militarily. We dont share that view, he said.

Im very clear that we we do need humanitarian ceasefire.

Mr Martin later travelled to the West Bank where he held an hour-long meeting with Palestinian Authority prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh.

He said he expressed his sympathy with the Palestinian people over civilian deaths in Gaza in a post on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter.

We discussed the role the international community must play in the path to peace and Irelands support for the two-state solution, he added.
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Eight frontbenchers have defied Sir Keir Starmer to back a Commons vote calling for a ceasefire in Gaza.

MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the SNPs Kings Speech amendment calling for all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

Labour MPs had been ordered to abstain on the SNP move and were told instead to back Sir Keirs position calling for longer humanitarian pauses rather than a ceasefire.

Here, the PA news agency takes a closer look at those who rebelled.

Jess Phillips

Prominent frontbencher Phillips has been the MP for Birmingham Yardley since 2015 and served as the Shadow Minister for Domestic Violence and Safeguarding under Keir Starmer until Wednesday.

Ms Phillips, who is a member of the group Labour Friends of Israel, said it was with a heavy heart that she quit the Labour frontbench because of the partys stance on Gaza.

I can see no route where the current military action does anything but put at risk the hope of peace and security for anyone in the region now and in the future, she wrote in her resignation letter.

Naz Shah

The frontbencher, who has long been a strong supporter of Palestine, was forced to quit as John McDonnells parliamentary private secretary in August 2016 over antisemitic Facebook posts.

The MP for Bradford West, who had been serving as the shadow minister for crime reduction until Wednesday, said her email inbox is full of messages from constituents who demand a ceasefire.

Afzal Khan

The former shadow minister for exports was born in Pakistan and came to the UK aged 11.

The MP for Manchester Gorton became the citys first Muslim MP upon his election in 2017, and has also served on the Muslim Council of Britain.

Sarah Owen

The MP for Luton North since 2019 was the shadow minister for local government and faith until her resignation.

On stepping down, Ms Owen said calls for a ceasefire are reflected by the overwhelming majority of the British public.

Paula Barker

MP for Liverpool Wavertree since 2019, Ms Baker was shadow minister for devolution and the English regions until Wednesday.

Andy Slaughter

Mr Slaughter has served as the MP for Hammersmith since 2005.

He is secretary of the Britain-Palestine All-Party Parliamentary Group and vice-chair of Labour Friends of Palestine and the Middle East.

Yasmin Qureshi

The MP for Bolton South East since 2010 is a qualified barrister, and moved to the UK as a child from Pakistan.

Rachel Hopkins

MP for Luton South since 2019, Hopkins was the shadow minister for the Cabinet Office from 2021 to 2023.

Dan Carden

Mr Carden has been the Member of Parliament for Liverpool Walton since 2017, and was one of eight LGBT MPs newly elected.

Mary Foy

Ms Foy has served as the MP for the City of Durham since the 2019 general election.
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Sir Keir Starmer has suffered a major rebellion over his stance on the Gaza conflict, losing eight frontbenchers as dozens of Labour MPs backed a ceasefire.

High-profile shadow minister for domestic violence, Jess Phillips, joined several frontbench colleagues including Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan and Paula Barker in quitting on Wednesday evening after deciding to support an SNP amendment to the Kings Speech backing a ceasefire.

Four other frontbenchers: Rachel Hopkins, Sarah Owen, Naz Shah and Andy Slaughter, have also left the front bench after breaking the party whip to back the amendment.

Parliamentary private secretaries Dan Carden and Mary Foy joined them in leaving their positions.

I regret that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight. But I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand Sir Keir Starmer, Labour leader

MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the SNPs Kings Speech amendment calling for all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.

But 56 Labour MPs backed the position, rejecting their party leaders stance and defying a three-line whip.

Labour MPs had been ordered to abstain on the SNP move and were told instead to back Sir Keirs position calling for longer humanitarian pauses rather than a ceasefire.

In a statement following the vote, Sir Keir said he regretted that party colleagues had not backed his position.

Alongside leaders around the world, I have called throughout for adherence to international law, for humanitarian pauses to allow access for aid, food, water, utilities and medicine, and have expressed our concerns at the scale of civilian casualties.

Much more needs to be done in this regard to ease the humanitarian crisis that is unfolding in Gaza.

And, in addition to addressing the present, every leader has a duty not to go back to a failed strategy of containment and neglect, but to forge a better and more secure future for both Palestinians and Israelis.

I regret that some colleagues felt unable to support the position tonight. But I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday approved a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip.

It came after Israeli troops stormed into Gazas largest hospital after encircling the Shifa Hospital for days.

Ms Phillips, a prominent frontbencher, said it was with a heavy heart that she was quitting.

On this occasion I must vote with my constituents, my head, and my heart which has felt as if it were breaking over the last four weeks with the horror of the situation in Israel and Palestine Jess Phillips, Labour MP

I have tried to do everything that I could to make it so that this was not the outcome, but it is with a heavy heart that I will be leaving my post in the shadow Home Office team.

On this occasion I must vote with my constituents, my head, and my heart which has felt as if it were breaking over the last four weeks with the horror of the situation in Israel and Palestine, she said in a letter to her party leader.

Some of the MPs had signalled their intention to break with Sir Keir in the Commons debate preceding the vote, after already having called publicly for a ceasefire.

Ms Shah warned of a humanitarian catastrophe, while Mr Khan told the chamber that his constituents have demanded a ceasefire.

The MP for Manchester Gorton told the Commons: If we had a ceasefire yesterday 144 Gazan children would still be alive today. Israel has already crossed every red line imaginable and broken international humanitarian laws.

The scale of the rebellion will be a blow to Sir Keir, who had hoped to avoid further damaging splits within his parliamentary party over the issue.

The party has been riven with internal divisions over Israels response to the deadly incursion by Hamas that sparked the conflict.

The leadership has backed the UK Governments position of pushing for humanitarian pauses in the fighting to allow aid to reach Palestinians trapped in the bombarded territory but has stopped short of calling for a total cessation of hostilities.

The situation in Gaza desperately requires an immediate ceasefire to address the humanitarian catastrophe and to advance moves towards a political solution that brings freedom, prosperity and security Yasmin Qureshi, Labour MP

But Sir Keirs allies insisted he had little choice but to take a firm line with rebels.

Peter Kyle, the shadow science secretary, said that the party lead had allowed a very broad debate.

But there are key times, if you are the party that seeks to run the country and you want to be the prime minister of our country standing on the international stage, where you have to show that we are a united party that can resolve itself in Parliament and the government, he told ITVs Peston programme.
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A special fund to guarantee children can access medicinal cannabis for their conditions should be included in the autumn statement, MPs have heard.

Conservative Natalie Elphicke pressed for the change as she raised the case of teenager Teagan Appleby, from Kent, who is currently in hospital to manage her severe epilepsy.

Ms Elphicke, MP for Dover, said Teagans mother Emma was heartbroken as she messaged to say her daughter now has to be kept in a medical state to manage 19 days of constant seizures.

There needs to be in the autumn statement a special fund set aside to allow these children to have access to the medicine that they need Conservative MP Natalie Elphicke

The Commons was told the Department of Health has failed to arrange a meeting with Ms Elphicke to discuss support for Teagan to access medicinal cannabis despite the Government agreeing to talks in June.

The Appleby family were in the news in 2019 after the medicinal cannabis they brought back from the Netherlands was confiscated, but later returned.

Medicinal cannabis was legalised in the UK in 2018, but NHS prescriptions are rare, and some families have turned to costly private prescriptions.

In 2020, it was reported the medication that helps Teagan costs 2,500 a month.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt will deliver the autumn statement on November 22, in which he will update MPs about the state of the economy and can also make tax and spending announcements.

Speaking in the Commons, Ms Elphicke told Commons Leader Penny Mordaunt: Teagan Appleby, my teenage constituent, is at the moment in intensive care across the road in the Evelina Childrens Hospital.

(Ms Mordaunt) will know from her question and answer in June that it was an urgent matter for Teagan to have support from Government to have funding and the access to her medicinal cannabis that she needs to manage her epilepsy.

That meeting that (Ms Mordaunt) was very kind in her support for and her follow-up with the health department has still not happened.

Can I ask (Ms Mordaunt) to not pass another message to the Health Secretary or to say we need another meeting on this issue? We need action and we need that funding to be available to every single child who needs access to this medicine now.

There needs to be in the autumn statement a special fund set aside to allow these children to have access to the medicine that they need.

Her mother, Emma, could not do anymore and she is heartbroken  she sent me a message to say overnight, at midnight, Teagan was intubated, she now has to be kept in a medical state to manage 19 days of constant seizures.

Ms Mordaunt said she was extremely sorry to hear what Ms Elphicke said, adding: Im very disappointed to hear that the Department of Health has not met with her. I do make it clear to departments that my request for meetings between officials or ministers and MPs is not optional.

Ms Mordaunt added: I will immediately after this session  contact the Department of Health, will contact through my PPS (parliamentary private secretary), the Secretary of State for Health and make her aware of this situation.

We appreciate that we cannot make clinical decisions on behalf of individual patients.

But what we can ensure is that if a drug or medical device could benefit a patient that the systems are in place to ensure that they get access to it  even if it is not a Nice (National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) approved treatment, people in this country still have that right.

We will facilitate an immediate meeting with the Department of Health and I will be kept informed of progress on this matter.

Campaigners wanting improved access to medical cannabis attended Parliament earlier this week to urge new Health Secretary Helen Whately to expand the number of NHS prescriptions.

The Department of Health previously said licensed cannabis-based medicines are routinely funded by the NHS where there is clear evidence of their quality, safety and effectiveness.
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Police could be given new powers to protect war memorials after pro-Palestinian protesters were accused of desecrating a monument by climbing on it.

The Metropolitan Police said the behaviour of the protesters in London was unacceptable but no laws had been broken.

Protesters climbed on the Royal Artillery Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in London after a demonstration outside the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday night.

Let's see those thugs dishonouring our war dead in handcuffs Veterans affairs minister Johnny Mercer

Responding to footage of the event online, veterans affairs minister Johnny Mercer, a former artillery officer, said: I will not stand idly by whilst individuals think this is the correct way to treat these memorials.

He said police had a difficult job with mobs and protesters but weve got to stop thugs clambering over war memorials.

The Met has a lot of powers they can use, and should be using, and Ill work with colleagues to toughen the law, he said.

Lets see those thugs dishonouring our war dead in handcuffs.

Home Secretary James Cleverly, who was a Territorial Army officer in the Royal Artillery, said he would examine whether the police needed new powers.

Im not going to let my personal feelings cloud my judgment on this but it is clearly wrong, and the police have said that they recognise it is deeply disrespectful for people to climb on war memorials, he told LBC.

On ITVs Good Morning Britain, he added: We are looking at what additional powers the police may need.

These  and the police have said this  are deeply disrespectful actions. The war memorials recognise the sacrifice people have made for our freedom, and abusing, desecrating behaviour like this is deeply, deeply offensive.

I will look at what further measures need to be taken so the police can take action on this.

I have no doubt the vast majority of the British population, and indeed, I suspect, the vast majority of people in those marches, would find that behaviour completely unacceptable and they would want us to give the police the power to take action.

Ill be looking at that as part of my new job.

In a statement, the Met said: There is no law explicitly making it illegal to climb on a memorial so officers cannot automatically arrest, but they can intervene and make it clear the behaviour isnt acceptable.

The videos shared online show them doing that.

Police said the protesters who climbed on the memorial were a breakaway group who had been dispersed at Hyde Park Corner.

Most people would agree that to climb on or otherwise disrespect a war memorial is unacceptable, the statement said. That is why our officers have made every effort to prevent it happening in recent days.

While officers were on scene quickly, we regret they were not there quickly enough to prevent the protesters accessing the memorial.

A dispersal order was in place across parts of the City of Westminster from 7.50pm on Wednesday to 2am on Thursday.

Police said one arrest had been made at the protest for possession of an offensive weapon.
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David Cameron has visited Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine in his first overseas trip as foreign secretary.

The former prime minister joked about his disagreements with Boris Johnson, but said support for the Ukrainian president was the finest thing his government did.

And Lord Cameron promised Britain would maintain moral, diplomatic, economic and military support to the war-torn country for however long it takes.

In a video of the meeting in Odesa, shared by president Zelensky, Mr Cameron said: I had some disagreements with my friend Boris Johnson, and we have known each other for 40 years, and his support for you was the finest thing that he and his government did.

The newly-appointed foreign secretary added: I wanted this to be my first visit. Personally, I admire the strength and determination of the Ukrainian people.

And what I want to say by being here is we will continue to give you the moral support, the diplomatic support the economic support, but above all the military support, not just this year and next year, but for however long it takes.

Ukraines president said the pair discussed the supply of weapons for his forces fighting against the Russian invasion when they met in Kyiv.

Mr Zelensky said: We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defence, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure. I am grateful to the UK for its support!

Lord Cameron, the former prime minister, became foreign secretary on Monday and the early visit to Ukraine will be intended to demonstrate Britains continued support. His predecessor, James Cleverly, had been scheduled to make the visit before being moved to the Home Office in Mondays reshuffle.

Mr Johnson, Lord Camerons long-time rival, was a steadfast supporter of Ukraine, striking up a close relationship with president Zelensky after Russias invasion.

Lord Cameron is the first British minister to travel to the Black Sea port city since the war began. It has come under fire since Russia declined to renew a grain export deal with Ukraine in August.

However, a new corridor in the Black Sea, close to the shoreline, has allowed 91 ships to export cargo. In the last three months, Ukraine has made remarkable progress in the Black Sea to drive the Russian Navy eastwards and open critical export corridors for Ukraines economy and global food supplies, Lord Cameron said.

Meanwhile, a campaigner and host for Ukrainian refugees has voiced concerns after a government minister declined to rule out visa fees for those who have fled to the UK amid the ongoing war. The first visas issued as part of the Homes for Ukraine scheme, launched last year following the Russian invasion, will expire in March 2025.

In a written response to a question in parliament, immigration minister Robert Jenrick said: We keep the need for a possible extension of UK sanctuary, beyond March 2025, under consistent review. This includes whether to require a fee.

Kitty Hamilton, co-founder of the advocacy group Vigil for Visas, has hosted a number of Ukrainian refugees, said: They are not here because they want to be, they are here because there is a war in their country and they can't go back yet. It seems unfair to add to this insecurity with a lack of clarity on whether our guests can stay here in the UK.

It came as Finland closed four crossing points on its long border with Russia to stop the flow of Middle Eastern and African migrants that it accuses Moscow of ushering to the border in recent months. Finnish authorities say Russia has started allowing undocumented travellers to access border zones and enter crossing points where they can request asylum in Finland.

Separately, Washington imposed sanctions on 10 individuals in the western Balkans in a bid to contain Russian influence there. They include Savo Cvijetinovic, a senior official of the political party led by Milorad Dodik, the pro-Russia leader of Republika Srpska (RS), the Serb-dominated half of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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New Home Secretary James Cleverly has distanced himself from his predecessor Suella Braverman over pro-Palestinian marches.

He declined to call protests hate marches in an interview with ITVs Good Morning Britain saying:

Not everybody involved in these marches are motivated by antisemitism, adding that the Government supported lawful protest.

Mr Cleverly said that he had met with the senior leadership of the Metropolitan police as well as the Mayor of London, who he said is the politician with direct responsibility for the Metropolitan Police force.

We support peaceful, lawful protest. Of course we do, he said on Thursday.

But the simple truth of the matter is we have seen numerous examples of deeply antisemitic comments.

Now, not everybody involved in these marches are motivated by antisemitism, but the sad truth of the matter is some of the people on these marches are.

Suella Braverman drew criticism after calling protests hate marches (PA Wire)

That is a criminal offence, and we always expect the police to take action when they see criminality.

It comes after Suella Braverman was sacked on Monday as politicians slammed her divisive rhetoric in relation to pro-Palestinian protests which have drawn crowds of hundreds of thousands.

Many commentators blamed her for instigating the actions of far-right protestors who descended on the Cenotaph in Westminster on Armistic Day to defend the realm.

Braverman who has previously said she is proud to be a child of the British Empire has garnered support with much of the hard right in the Tory party.

Mr Cleverly was replaced by David Cameron as foreign secretary in Rishi Sunaks cabinet reshuffle on Monday (Getty Images)

Many police officers were attacked as dozens were arrested for offences as wide-ranging as criminal damage, assault and hate crime.

Mr Cleverly was replaced in his role as foreign secretary by former Prime Minister David Cameron after Rishi Sunak carried out a cabinet reshuffle following one of the most chaotic periods for both Conservative and Labour MPs in recent times.

In his new role, he has echoed his predecessors Braverman and Priti Patels emphasis on stopping the boats.

After Prime Minister Sunaks policy to deport migrants to Rwanda, was defeated in the Supreme Court, Mr Cleverly insisted that the plan would go ahead anyway, saying in a statement on Wednesday: We have a plan to deliver the Rwanda deal and we will do whatever it takes to stop the boats.
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James Cleverly has repeatedly refused to deny that he called Rishi Sunaks Rwanda deportation policy batshit as a former top judge attacked the government for trying to use the law to change facts.

The new home secretary said he "did not remember" using the expletive to describe the government's flagship stop the boats policy.

Shadow home secretary Yvette Cooper said Mr Cleverly's comments proved he never personally believed in the plan  a day after a Supreme Court ruling left the scheme to send migrants to the African country in tatters.

And former Conservative attorney general Dominic Grieve said it showed the governments approach on Rwanda was not coherent.

It came as former Supreme Court Justice Lord Sumption accused ministers of attempting to use parliament to say black was white and warned the planned new treaty with Rwanda would face opposition in the House of Lords.

He hit out at Mr Sunaks announcement that he would bring in emergency laws to deem Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers, saying he had never heard of a government trying to change the facts, by law.

It came as:

Jeremy Hunt admitted the government can't guarantee that flights to Rwanda will take off next year

The Bar Council, which represents the legal profession in England and Wales, said it had grave concerns about Mr Sunaks planned law change

The new treaty faces significant opposition in the House of Lords

Mr Cleverly failed to deny he had used the phrase in an excruciating round of interviews on the policy.

He was repeatedly questioned about his use of language after Ms Cooper told MPs in the House of Commons: I dont believe the new home secretary ever believed in the Rwanda plan. He distanced himself from it and his predecessors language on it. He may even on occasion have privately called it batshit.

Asked by the BBC whether he had described the policy as batshit, Mr Cleverly said: I certainly dont remember saying anything like that.

Separately he told Sky News: I dont recognise that phrase ... the Rwanda scheme is an important part, but only a part, of the range of responses we have to illegal migration.

In a third interview, on BBC Radio 4s Today programme, he again said he could not remember having used the phrase.

The home secretary hit out at the Labour Party, accusing it of setting a trap and claiming the official opposition would love us to discuss this particular issue rather than the gaping vacuum in its immigration policy.

Mr Grieve said Mr Cleverlys comments illustrated that the governments approach on Rwanda was not coherent.

And, addressing Mr Sunaks plans to save the Rwanda scheme, Mr Grieve told The Independent: It is a wheeze and I think like all wheezes it is in danger of coming seriously unstuck.

Earlier Lord Sumption said: I have never heard of them [the government] trying to change the facts, by law.

For as long as black isnt white, the business of passing acts of parliament to say that it is, is profoundly discreditable.

He added that the plan wont work internationally. It will still be a breach of the governments international law obligations and risked not getting through the House of Lords. He told The Independent: I would have thought it was obvious that the Lords is going to be the main focus of opposition and they may throw it out altogether.

It is understood a Labour MP, not Ms Cooper, says they heard Mr Cleverly call the Rwanda policy batshit.

James Cleverly clashed with presenter Amol Rajan in an interview on the Today programme (PA)

The revelation of an apparently private discussion is reminiscent of John Majors b*****ds scandal, when in 1993 he was caught on camera denouncing three of his own cabinet members over Europe.

Former Labour minister Ben Bradshaw told The Independent that batshit was too mild a term for the Rwanda scheme because the policy is dishonest, damaging and hugely expensive.

Liberal Democrat home affairs spokesperson Alistair Carmichael said even the home secretary knows how unworkable, expensive and flawed this ridiculous scheme is.

The charity Refugee Action said Mr Cleverly could have used plenty of other words to describe the Rwanda deal, including cruel, inhumane, racist, hostile, unworkable or expensive.

Mr Cleverlys apparent comments, made before he became home secretary, were revealed as the government scrambles to rescue its plans to send asylum seekers to Rwanda.

The prime minister has vowed to bring in emergency legislation and to strike a new treaty with the African country, saying he would not allow a foreign court to block these flights.

But he has resisted pressure from those on the right of his party to immediately pull the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights to push the plans through.

Mr Sunak has said he hopes the first removal flights will leave in the spring, but Mr Hunt said the government cant guarantee planes deporting asylum seekers to Rwanda would take off next year.

On Thursday morning, Mr Cleverly said the new treaty would be published within days, not weeks  but he refused to say when the first migrants would be deported.

After the Supreme Court issued its damning verdict, the PM faced a furious backlash from Tory MPs who urged him to ignore the law and get the planes in the air while warning that his job was on the line.

Other notable political gaffes include when Labour prime minister Gordon Brown was humiliated in 2010 when a private conversation with an aide was caught on microphone, revealing he had called a Labour supporter who challenged him over the economy and immigration a bigoted woman.

Mr Brown was later seen with his head in his hands as his remarks were played back to him in a radio studio.

Gordon Browns campaign trail encounter with Gillian Duffy proved disastrous (Reuters/Suzanne Plunkett)

The new foreign secretary David Cameron once had to apologise to the Queen for having claimed she purred down the line during a private phone call in which he told her Scotland had voted against becoming independent.

In May 1991 the then chancellor Norman Lamont drew criticism for claiming that unemployment and a recession were a price worth paying to bring down rampant inflation.

And former education secretary David Blunkett once clashed with then Downing Street spin doctor Alastair Campbell after the latter described comprehensive schools as bog standard.
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Watch as James Cleverly addresses the Association of Police and Crime Commissioners and National Police Chiefs Council joint summit on Thursday, 16 November, after the governments Rwanda deportation policy was ruled unlawful.

It comes as the home secretary declared ministers are absolutely determined to get a removal flight to the African nation off before the next election.

On Wednesday, five justices at the Supreme Court unanimously rejected the governments appeal over its policy of removing asylum seekers to Rwanda if they arrive by unauthorised means.

Rishi Sunak has promised emergency legislation and a new treaty with Rwanda to ensure his flagship asylum policy is not blocked again after the UKs highest court ruled it unlawful.

In an interview on Thursday morning, Mr Cleverly said he doesnt recognise a claim he called the Rwanda deportation scheme bats***.

Yvette Cooper suggested the new home secretary never personally believed in the plan as she questioned him in the Commons on Wednesday about what ministers will do now the Supreme Court has ruled it unlawful.
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Sir Keir Starmer has suffered a major blow to his authority after Labour MPs staged a mass rebellion over his stance on a ceasefire in Gaza.

A total of eight members of the Labour leaders frontbench resigned or were sacked as more than a quarter of his MPs defied him to support an immediate cessation in the fighting.

Jess Phillips, shadow minister for domestic abuse, was the most high-profile member of the frontbench to quit as 56 Labour MPs in the House of Commons backed the call for a ceasefire.

Ms Phillips said she had resigned with a heavy heart but added that she could see no route where the current military action does anything but put at risk the hope of peace and security for anyone in the region now and in the future.

Follow the Independents live coverage for the latest updates

The Labour leader has called for a humanitarian pause in the war and warned a full-scale ceasefire would only embolden Hamas to regroup and plan more atrocities.

Labour MPs had been ordered to back the partys amendment to the Kings Speech, in line with that position.

They were also on a three-line whip to abstain on the SNPs amendment calling for a ceasefire. MPs voted 293 to 125, majority 168, to reject the SNPs Kings Speech amendment calling for all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza. But 56 Labour MPs backed the position.

Yasmin Qureshi, the shadow women and equalities minister and MP for Bolton South, was the first to announce she had resigned to back the SNP call. She described the scale of bloodshed in Gaza as unprecedented and said MPs had to call for an end to the carnage to protect innocent lives and end human suffering.

She was followed by Afzal Khan, the shadow minister for exports and MP for Manchester Gorton, who said supporting a ceasefire was the very least we can do.

Yasmin Qureshi MP says we must call for an end to the carnage to protect innocent lives and end human suffering (PA)

Paula Barker, shadow minister for devolution and the English regions and MP for Liverpool Wavertree, also anounced she would be standing down saying she had to follow my conscience.

As well as the shadow ministers who quit, frontbenchers Rachel Hopkins, Sarah Owen, Naz Shah and Andy Slaughter also quit after breaking the party whip to back the amendment.

Parliamentary private secretaries Dan Carden and Mary Foy have also left their positions on the frontbench, said Labour.

Sir Keir said he regretted that party colleagues had not backed his position, but added: I wanted to be clear about where I stood, and where I will stand.

Before the vote more than 70 Labour MPs had publicly backed calls for a ceasefire in Gaza. But a Labour spokesperson said that a Commons vote was a different matter, adding: This is a whipped vote and every MP knows what the consequence of that means.

Sir Keir Starmer has called for longer humanitarian pauses, rather than a ceasefire (House of Commons/UK Parliament)

During Wednesdays Commons debate, Ms Shah was the first Labour frontbencher to tell MPs that she intended to support the amendment. She was followed by shadow minister Helen Hayes, MP for Dulwich and West Norwood, who told the Commons that a ceasefire is surely the minimum we should be demanding in the face of such horrific suffering.

Labours decision not to back a ceasefire has also prompted the exodus of a series of councillors from the party, and Sir Keir was forced to hold a crunch meeting last month with a group of Muslim Labour MPs to address anger over his handling of the crisis  including comments in which he appeared to back the cutting of power and water to Gaza.

However, frontbencher Imran Hussain ultimately resigned with a heavy heart last week, saying he was quitting his role as a shadow minister to be able to strongly advocate for a ceasefire.

The Commons showdown came as Israels forces entered Gazas al-Shifa hospital, which Israel insists sits atop a military headquarters used by Hamas. Medics have warned of more civilian casualties, with the troops encirclement of the hospital in recent days already blamed for the deaths of dozens of patients.
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Labour rebels who quit or were sacked over a rebellion on the question of a ceasefire in Gaza could rejoin Sir Keir Starmers top team after the election, the shadow defence secretary has suggested.

It comes as the party seeks to play down talk of divisions after Sir Keir lost 10 members of his front bench in a major revolt over the Israel-Hamas war. A total of 56 Labour MPs voted for an SNP amendment to the Kings Speech backing a ceasefire.

Sir Keir has warned that a full-scale ceasefire would embolden Hamas, and has instead called for the introduction of humanitarian pauses in the fighting.

In an interview with ITV News during a trip to Scotland, he said: When youve got hostages being held at gunpoint, when youve got children dying in Gaza, my focus is on them, not on the various different voices in the Labour Party, because that is where the real concern is.

Jess Phillips, the shadow minister for domestic violence and safeguarding, was among 10 frontbenchers who defied the leaders order not to vote for the amendment, resigning from Sir Keirs top team.

But shadow defence secretary John Healey said he regrets losing his frontbench colleagues, emphasising that they would all work to put Sir Keir in Downing Street.

Asked whether rebelling would rule them out of a ministerial post in a Labour government, Mr Healey said: Thats for well down the track.

Mr Healey insisted there was a deeper unity in the Labour Party than the rebellion appeared to indicate.

He said he understood why backbenchers wanted to respond to their constituents and call for an immediate ceasefire. But he insisted that the vast majority back what he described as the most practical step, of calling for humanitarian pauses to allow aid into Gaza and get the hostages out.

Mr Healey argued that the frontbenchers who broke ranks to call for a ceasefire still want to see Sir Keir become prime minister. I know they all wrestled with this difficult decision, and I know they all have said that they 100 per cent want Keir Starmer in Downing Street and will work together to secure a Labour government, he told Times Radio.

This is a difficult issue that we faced last night, but Keir Starmer was right, when it comes to a parliamentary vote, to be firm  to require collective responsibility and discipline.

Other former shadow ministers now on the back benches include Yasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan, Paula Barker, Rachel Hopkins, Sarah Owen, Naz Shah and Andy Slaughter.

Parliamentary private secretaries Dan Carden and Mary Foy, who had been working with deputy Labour leader Angela Rayner, joined them in stepping down.

MPs voted 293 to 125, with a majority of 168, to reject the SNPs amendment calling for all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire in Gaza.
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A former Supreme Court Justice has slammed Rishi Sunaks latest plan to save his beleaguered Rwanda scheme as profoundly discreditable and said it will not work.

Jonathan Sumption said an attempt by ministers to legally deem Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers through an emergency law change would apply in Britain but would not be recognised internationally.

He said he had never heard of a government trying to change the facts, by law and he warned the prime ministers plan would not get through the House of Lords.

Meanwhile the Bar Council, the voice of the legal profession in England and Wales, said it had grave concerns about Mr Sunaks plan.

Bar Council chairman Nick Vineall KC said it would would raise profound and important questions about the respective role of the courts and parliament in countries that subscribe to the Rule of Law.

Lord Sumption told The Independent: I would have thought it was obvious that the Lords is going to be the main focus of opposition and they may throw it out altogether.

He earlier told the BBC: I have never heard of them [the government] trying to change the facts, by law.

For as long as black isnt white, the business of passing acts of parliament to say that it is profoundly discreditable.

If the courts are told [by an Act of Parliament] that theyve got to pretend that Rwanda is safe, whether it is or not, then that will work domestically," he said.

Lord Sumption added: "But it wont work internationally. It will still be a breach of the governments international law obligations.

Mr Sunak vowed on Wednesday to bring in emergency legislation and strike a new treaty with the African country, following a ruling by the UKs most senior judges that the original plan was unlawful.

He also vowed he would not allow a foreign court to block these flights, although he resisted pressure from the right of his party to immediately pull the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights.

The prime ministers plans for an emergency law change would deem Rwanda a safe country. Downing Street believes upgrading Britains agreement with Rwanda to a legally-binding treaty, from a memorandum of understanding, would address the Supreme Courts concerns.

But the scheme could face a hold up in the Lords if peers choose to reject the new law as there not enough time left in this parliamentary session for the bill to become an Act of Parliament. That would put an effective veto on the whole plan until the general election.

It came after Mr Sunak suffered a humiliating defeat as five Supreme Court judges unanimously backed a Court of Appeal decision that deficiencies in the Rwandan asylum system meant the 140m plan was unlawful.

The loss left the prime ministers stop the boats promise in jeopardy, with Tory MPs warning it posed an existential threat to the party.

Mr Sunaks response was designed to stave off a rebellion of right-wing Tories, with the PM vowing to do whatever it takes to end migrant channel crossings.

He highlighted the Supreme Courts suggestion that changes in Rwanda to prevent genuine asylum seekers being sent back to the countries they have fled could render the plans lawful.

There are further elements that they want additional certainty on and noted that changes can be delivered in the future to address those issues, Mr Sunak said at Prime Ministers Questions.

Mr Vineall urged Mr Sunak to only bring forward the planned legislation after the most anxious and careful consideration of its constitutional propriety.

If and when such legislation is proposed we will consider it carefully, he added.
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James Cleverly has promised a treaty with Rwanda to save the governments failed asylum plan will be published within days, not weeks  but he refused to say when the first migrants would be deported.

The home secretary said a new bill to revive the scheme will move through the House of Commons quickly but he did not put a timescale on when the first flights will leave.

Rishi Sunak vowed on Wednesday to bring in emergency law to deem Rwanda a safe country and strike a new treaty with the African country, following a ruling by the UKs most senior judges that the plan was unlawful.

He also vowed he would not allow a foreign court to block these flights, although he resisted pressure from the right of his party to immediately pull the UK out of the European Convention on Human Rights to override the blocking of the scheme.

Meanwhile, Downing Street believes upgrading Britains agreement with Rwanda to a legally-binding treaty, from a memorandum of understanding, would address the Supreme Courts concerns that asytmum seekers with genuine claims could be returned to the countries they fled.

Mr Cleverly on Thursday told Sky News: It is ready, pretty much now, to turn into a treaty that can be done within days, not weeks or months, days.

The legislation can go through the house quickly. The treaty, which will be put to parliament in the coming days, will take a minimum of 42 days to be ratified, while the law deeming Rwanda safe is expected in the coming weeks.

Delays will depend on the level of pushback in the House of Lords, which the government has been warned could hold up the bill.

Pressed on whether the Lords would seek to block the bill, Mr Cleverly urged peers to recognise that it is an absolute priority of the British people.

Mr Cleverly also refused to commit to a date by which the first asylum seekers would be sent to Rwanda, following Mr Sunak who repeatedly refused to say whether it would happen before the next general election, expected next year.

He said: I dont want to, I dont want to pick a date, where I cant give that degree of certainty.

While ministers insist the emergency legislation will lead to the revival of the plan, a central plan of Mr Sunaks promise to stop the boats, it may face the same hurdles as the initial memorandum of understanding with Rwanda.

Ruling unanimously against the scheme on Wednesday, judges highlighted deficiencies in the Rwandan asylum system which could not be solved quickly.

They included a warning that Rwanda has a 100 per cent rejection rate for asylum seekers from conflict zones, including Afghanistan, Syria and Yemen.

The resounding rejection of the initial plan raises the prospect of the governments new treaty also being thrown out by the courts.

Mr Cleverly said members of the upper chamber are thoughtful people and should recognise that poor communities are under the most pressure from illegal migration.

He added: They should recognise that poor and vulnerable people around the world are being raped, sometimes murdered and robbed by these people smugglers.

There is nothing humane about allowing this evil trade to continue.
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Tory infighting over Rishi Sunaks beleaguered Rwanda plan has descended into civil war as a former deputy prime minister compared Suella Braverman to Vladimir Putin.

The prime minister came out fighting - but refused to rule out holding an election if peers thwart his embattled plan to stop the boats.

Damian Green, deputy PM under Theresa May, said the sacked home secretary wanted to do what Putin and Xi Jinping do in her latest bid to ensure deportation flights to Rwanda can take off, while Tory former minister Tobias Ellwood said she was behaving like a dictator.

It came as Ms Braverman - who was dramatically sacked on Monday - set out a five-point plan which she said would get the failed deportation scheme back on track. She lashed out at Mr Sunaks planned solution to change the law to declare Rwanda a safe country, saying it was unlikely to see asylum seekers deported there before the next election.

In an article for The Daily Telegraph, Ms Braverman demanded an end to government self-deception and spin and said tinkering with the failed plan would not stop the boats.

Suella Braverman has laid out her five tests for ensuring deportation flights to Rwanda can take off (Stefan Rousseau/PA) (PA Archive)

There must be no more magical thinking, she added. Ms Braverman argued that amending the UKs agreement with Rwanda to include a ban on sending any rejected asylum seekers back to the countries they fled will not solve the fundamental issue.

Instead, she said ministers should address concerns raised by the five senior judges who ruled the scheme was unlawful about Rwandas asylum and legal system by embedding UK observers and independent reviewers of asylum decisions.

And she extraordinarily called for new laws to exclude all avenues of legal challenge, including banning asylum seekers from challenging their deportation, so that international obligations, such as the Human Rights Act and the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR), are disapplied.

Mr Green, chairman of the One Nation group of moderate Tory MPs, said Ms Bravermans suggestion that Britain disregards international law was the most unconservative statement I have ever heard from a Conservative politician.

He said: Giving the state the explicit power to override every legal constraint is what Putin and Xi do. We absolutely cannot go there.

The former head of the governments legal department also slammed Ms Bravermans proposals.

Jonathan Jones KC said: For the sake of putting (at most) a few hundred people on a plane to a place recently found to be unsafe by our highest court [not a foreign court]: She wants the UK to breach every relevant international treaty on torture, mistreatment, detention or fair process.

Senior Tory Mr Ellwood added that Ms Bravermans behaviour was completely incompatible with both our democratic and Party values. Bypassing scrutiny to expedite law change is straight from the dictators handbook.

But veteran right-wing Tory MP Sir Bill Cash said Mr Sunaks emergency Rwanda legislation was no good if it did not have clear so-called notwithstanding clauses.

He said: The position is that if the law in a statute is expressly stated, clear and unambiguous, then the courts will follow that legislation.

Responding to criticism that Britain could be in breach of its international obligations, Sir Bill dismissed the idea as completely false.

Sir Bill, who has practised as a constitutional lawyer, told The Independent: There are some people who believe that it is an absolutely standalone requirement to obey international law, when actually it is well known that in many, many cases, there are moments of national interest where a breach of international law can be justified.

And it is already conducted by many other states including the EU itself, let alone France, Germany, Denmark... I could go through the list.

The MP also warned of a constitutional crisis if the House of Lords blocks the laws, expected to be put to parliament within days.

Rishi Sunak defended his announcement of emergency legislation and a new treaty with Kigali after Supreme Court judges said the Rwanda scheme was unlawful (Leon Neal/PA) (PA Wire)

He said the upper chamber is an unelected body and would be putting itself in jeopardy if it opposed the prime ministers plan.

Hours after the Supreme Court ruled the Rwanda scheme unlawful, Mr Sunak said he would bring in emergency laws to deem Rwanda a safe country for asylum seekers and sign a new treaty with the country to address the courts concerns.

But Ms Braverman warned his plan would get snarled up in domestic and European courts and demanded a tougher approach.

A key Braverman ally meanwhile warned that without a crackdown on small boats, people will turn to other forces. Ex-cabinet minister Simon Clarke called for a general election on the issue  saying: We need the legislation that is brought forward to be truly effective, and if the Lords block it - lets take it to the country.

Mr Sunak rejected the calls, insisting his plan was not about over-ruling laws. He also denied allegations his plan amounted to tinkering with the rejected scheme. No.. the progress weve made this year on tackling this issue is meaningful, he said on a visit to Bolsover.

But he refused to rule out calling an election if the House of Lords thwarts his last-ditch bill to send small boats arrivals to Rwanda. He added: Whether its the House of Lords or the Labour Party standing in our way I will take them on because I want to get this thing done and I want to stop the boats.

Former Home Office permanent secretary Sir David Normington also poured cold water on Ms Bravermans proposal to stop asylum seekers challenging their deportation to Rwanda. He said: "I really don't think that that is possible. I think in the end the Supreme Court wouldn't allow that.

"I'm not a lawyer, but in the end it's just against all normal rights, isn't it, to remove the rights of people to go to the courts?" he told BBC Radio 4.

Mr Green said he would oppose any proposal to pass a law seeking to block the application of international treaties.

He told the BBC:"If we Conservatives dont believe that the state should be controlled by the law, that the government has to obey the law as much as you or I have to obey the law, then that seems to me to be very profoundly unconservative, he added.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer also slammed Mr Sunak for chasing expensive gimmicks and called on him to instead pursue a serious solution to small boat channel crossings.
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An urgent appeal for information to find Disappeared victim Columba McVeigh has been made as the latest search for his remains ends.

The Co Tyrone teenager was abducted, killed and secretly buried by the Provisional IRA in 1975.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) has conducted six unsuccessful searches at Bragan Bog in Co Monaghan since 1999, covering more than 26 acres.

In a joint statement, the UK and Irish Commissioners Rosalie Flanagan and Tim Dalton said it is very disappointing that the latest search has ended without finding Mr McVeighs remains.

We are conscious that this is a very distressing and difficult time for the McVeigh family who have shown remarkable courage and resilience over many years, they said.

But they can be assured that the commission will never close the book on a case while there is still the possibility that the information we need can be brought forward and acted upon.

They said they are urgently renewing their appeal for information to help to find Mr McVeigh.

All information that comes to the commission is treated in the strictest confidence and can only be used to locate and recover the remains of those still missing, they said.

Our mission is entirely humanitarian on behalf of the families who will continue to suffer until the remains of their loved one are found and returned to them for Christian burial.

That is why we want to urgently renew our appeal for information.

ICLVR lead investigator Jon Hill described having to take the decision to end the search as bitterly disappointing.

This was a particularly frustrating search for all concerned, he said.

While we started over a year ago on what turned out to be an area of just over four acres of difficult terrain we lost several months due to the severe weather last winter and this summer.

The final phase when we reached the tree line was particularly challenging.

But every day we started in the hope that that would be the day we would find Columba and the disappointment that we havent is deeply felt by everyone on the search team whose hearts go out to the McVeigh family.

Mr Hill said he believes Mr McVeigh was buried at Bragan Bog, and urged anyone with any further information that can help in a future search to come forward.

I remain convinced that Columba was taken to Bragan Bog nearly 50 years ago and was buried there, he said.

Equally, I have no doubt that the information we have been working on was given in good faith.

But we havent found him which can only mean that hes not where we were told to look.

We will review our work as we always do in these circumstances but clearly we need those who have information to think again to see if there is anything further that they can tell us that will get us to the place we need to be.

If credible information is forthcoming and the Commissioners accept that there are good grounds for us to search again then we will be back.

But we cant make that case until we have more to go on.

Seventeen people were disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.

Aided by the ICLVR, which was set up by the UK and Irish governments to investigate their whereabouts, 13 have been found over the last two decades.

The remains of Mr McVeigh, former monk Joe Lynskey, British Army captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh, have never been recovered.

Co Down hairdresser Lisa Dorrian, who vanished in the post-Troubles era from a caravan park in Ballyhalbert, Co Down, in 2005, is now considered one of the remaining five Disappeared victims whose bodies are yet to be found.

Republican paramilitaries were not suspected in her case.

The ICLVR can be contacted by telephone: 00800-55585500 International: +353 1 602 8655, email to Secretary@iclvr.ie or by post to: ICLVR PO Box 10827

CrimeStoppers can also be contacted on 0800 555 111 and the untraceable anonymous online form is at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
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A convicted murderer has offered to return to the UK from Trinidad to show his victims daughter where he put her mothers body 54 years ago.

Muriel McKay, the wife of a newspaper executive, was kidnapped and held ransom for 1 million by a pair who had mistaken her for Anna Murdoch, the then-wife of media mogul Rupert Murdoch.

Ms McKay, 55, was the wife of Mr Murdochs deputy Alick McKay, who like Mr Murdoch was Australian.

She disappeared and her body was never found.

I believe I am the only living person who knows where Muriel's body is and would like her body to be found before I myself die Nizamodeen Hosein

Nizamodeen Hosein, then aged 22, and his older brother Arthur were convicted of her murder and handed life prison sentences.

Now living in his native Trinidad, where he was deported after serving his jail sentence, 75-year-old Nizamodeen Hosein has been in touch with Ms McKays daughter Dianne, 82.

He has offered to return to the UK to show her where he buried her mothers body.

In a letter seen by Sky News, Hosein asked the Home Office to lift a deportation order which still bars him from the UK.

His brother Arthur died in prison in 2009.

He wrote: I admit my involvement in the kidnap and death of Muriel McKay, and I have been attempting to assist her daughter Dianne in locating her body.

I believe I am the only living person who knows where Muriels body is and would like her body to be found before I myself die.

A deportation order requires an individual to leave the UK.

It also prohibits them from re-entering the country for as long as it is in force and invalidates any leave to enter or remain in the UK given to them before the order is made or while it is in force.

A person can apply at any time for revocation of a deportation order made against them.

Dianne told Sky News, after speaking to Hosein by video call, that he was a man of few words.

Asked what it was like having to speak to the man convicted of her mothers murder, and rely on him for help, Dianne told the broadcaster: Its been very hard having so many years of nobody to talk to, no leads and no hope of ever finding her body.

Its actually a relief to talk to him.

A Home Office spokesperson said: We express sympathies with Muriel McKays loved ones.

While we do not comment on individual cases, we work with the police on any requests pertaining to ongoing investigations.

The Metropolitan Police said: We most recently met some members of Muriels family in May 2023 and continue to keep in contact with them.

An extensive search for Muriels remains was conducted in March 2022 at a site in Hertfordshire, unfortunately it concluded unsuccessfully.

We continue to review any opportunities to recover Muriels body and return her to her family.
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Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer has attacked the UK Governments unforgivable trade strategy during a visit to a Scottish distillery.

Sir Keir travelled north of the border just hours after a revolt within his party over a ceasefire in Gaza resulted in the resignation of eight of his frontbenchers.

The Labour leader highlighted what he described as the failure of the UK Government to negotiate a trade deal with India, a key exporter for Scotch whisky.

Scotch should be something were knocking back, not knocking down Sir Keir Starmer

Visiting the InchDairnie distillery in Glenrothes, Fife, on Thursday, Sir Keir said a government he leads would put in place a trade strategy that would back Scotch producers to the hilt.

He added: Scotch should be something were knocking back, not knocking down. The nations number one export, Scotland is the beating heart of the worlds whisky industry.

From Skye to Stirling, Scotlands 140 distilleries put the nation on the map around the world.

Nowhere is Scotch whisky more popular than India. We should be celebrating that fact.

But instead of backing the industry with a coherent strategy for international trade, successive Conservative governments have broken promises, failed to negotiate a deal with India, and watched opportunities for growth drain away.

Thats unforgivable.

The industry is crying out for certainty.

Whether its micro distilleries scaling up, or larger businesses reaching new international markets, they need stability to make that happen.

Hearing from staff at InchDairnie today, the importance of that is not lost on me. It brings much-needed security for working people.

A Labour government, Sir Keir said, would have a trade strategy allowing British businesses to increase exports, while the Scotland Office under his party would act as Scotlands window to the world.

He added: My Labour Party will put growth at the heart of our mission-led approach to government.

Labours plan for trade will back British business to export more and fit hand in glove with our industrial strategy.

Our pro-growth and pro-business trade strategy will back Scotch producers to the hilt and ensure Scotland thrives.

Well promote key Scottish products and exports like whisky so that we can unlock the full potential of the Scottish economy.

With Labour, the Scotland Office will be Scotlands window to the world.

By backing Scotch, well build a better Scotland, and build a better Britain.

But UK trade minister Greg Hands said Sir Keir cannot be trusted to back our world-leading Scotch whisky industry.

He added: Labour has failed to support our free trade agreements  like those with Australia and New Zealand  which abolish tariffs completely. Labour has been lukewarm about joining CPTPP, which would further unlock markets in fast-growing Asian and Latin American countries.

We have already secured trade deals with 73 countries plus the EU, which have brought huge benefits to Scotch and Irish whisky.

Only the Conservatives will back British businesses and provide long-term certainty for our world-leading whisky industry.

Mark Kent, the chief executive of the Scotch Whisky Association who accompanied Sir Keir during his visit to Fife, said the industry needs support at home to be a global success.

He added: That means a competitive business environment, and with the highest spirits duty in the G7, currently the UK is out of step with other developed economies in how it treats Scotlands national drink.

Next weeks autumn statement, he said, will be a key indicator of how Scotch whisky is supported, as he pushed for a freeze on the tax.
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A Brooklyn mother announced her own death on Tuesday in a heartbreaking Instagram post after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Casey McIntyre, 38, died on Sunday after a four-year battle with cancer. A note to my friends: if youre reading this it means I have passed away, the post began.

Im so sorry, its horses*** and we both know it, she added. I loved each and every one of you with my whole heart and I promise you, I knew how deeply I was loved.

She continued the past by saying the last five months she spent in home hospice with her family and friends were magical.

The message was accompanied by a series of photos of Ms McIntyre with her family, including her husband Andrew Gregory, and their 18-month-old daughter, Grace.

Mr Gregory noted that his wife was not able to finish her post due to her declining health. Casey meant to finish this post with a list of things that were a comfort and a joy to her during her life, and I am heartbroken that I will never see that list, he wrote.

The grieving husband attempted to finish off his wifes post, saying she would have included their daughter Grace, whales, ice cream, her beloved friends, being at the beach, her niece and nephews she incorrigibly doted on, reading 10 books on a weeklong vacation, her beloved parents and sister and their amazing extended family, swimming, a perfect roast beef sandwich, and me, her sweet sweet honey.

Oh Casey!!!! I dont know how we will do it without you but we will, Mr Gregory added.

The post quickly went viral, receiving thousands of likes and comments.

Ms McIntyre grew up in Upper Manhattan and Tenafly, New Jersey, before attending Agnes Scott College in Georgia.

She worked as a publisher at Razorbill, an imprint of Penguin Random House that publishes books for kids and young adults, before being diagnosed with stage 3 ovarian cancer in 2019 while undergoing in vitro fertilisation treatment.

She married her in 2015 and the couple welcomed their daughter Grace in April 2022.

Following the 38-year-olds death, an obituary shared by Mr Gregory described her as an inveterate New Yorker.

Ms McIntyre with her husband Andrew Gregory, and their 18-month-old daughter, Grace (X/@caseyrmcintyre)

She derived great joy from publishing books for a new generation of readers, and saw herself in every child sprawled out on a couch, rug, or bunk bed engrossed in their latest book obsession, the obituary continued.

Her family said she always knew what bodegas had the best magazine selections, what restaurants were best for spotting celebrities on her lunch break, and gave every new New Yorker the advice: make sure you buy a coat that covers your butt, because thats where you lose a lot of warmth.

A memorial service will be held for Ms McIntyre on 2 December at the Prospect Park Boathouse.

Mourners can celebrate McIntyres life by anonymously purchasing medical debt and then anonymously forgiving it via the charity RIP Medical Debt.

More than $76,000 has been raised so far.
 Close Trump zips his lips to camera after leaving New York court during civil fraud trial

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A state appeals court in New York has reinstated a gag order in Donald Trumps fraud trial after a wave of death threats and abuse targeting members of the court staff.

Justice Arthur Engoron put the gag order in place to protect his chief clerk and others from the former presidents posts and subsequent menacing messages that have flooded his office. Mr Trump has now posted about the judges wife.

Meanwhile, Mr Trump has lashed out at globalist foes in the traditional conservative establishment for their support of his Republican primary rival, former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley.

In the firing line were Americans for Prosperity Action, a Charles Koch-controlled donor network; the Wall Street Journal, and proprietor Rupert Murdoch; and JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon, who implored even liberal Democrats to help Ms Haleys campaign to give the GOP a choice other than Mr Trump.

Meanwhile, Newsweek published an op-ed by the former president in which he appeals for the votes of young people by playing on their financial concerns saying many have had to put their lives on hold. A Gen Z voter group has vigorously pushed back on the former presidents assertions.
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A pilot asked air traffic control to tell his parents he loved them in a heartbreaking final radio conversation moments before he crashed and died.

The 21-year-old  who has not been publicly identified  was killed when his single-engine Cherokee Piper 180 crashed during poor visibility in Florida.

I dont think I can hold my altitude without descending, the young man said over the radio in audio obtained by WUFT.

How many miles am I from Gainesville? he asked before crashing into Paynes Prairie State Park on Tuesday.

Im losing altitude, he told the air traffic controller before asking him to pass on his message to his parents.

Kissimmee airport manager Ramon Senorans told the station that the plane took off under visual flight rules, requiring pilots to avoid clouds and remain at a minimum of 1,000ft.

The pilot asked air traffic control to tell his parents he loved them (WCJB)

The pilot was repeatedly warned that his destination airport was under instrument flight rules, meaning the flight must be conducted by navigation instruments and not visual references.

Officials say that after take-off the pilot encountered poor visibility and crashed into the ground at a speed of around 300mph.

The Federal Aviation Administration has not officially named the pilot and said in its preliminary report that the plane crashed due to unknown circumstances.

The National Transportation Safety Board and the FAA are investigating the accident.

Sheriff Emery Gainey explained that the bad weather and dense terrain had made it difficult to find the plane quickly.

Obviously, because of the rain and the cloud cover, we cant put our air officers up in the air. So, were having to do a ground search, and obviously, the terrain is really wet. Its really thick, but were determined to make our way through to locate the plane, he told reporters at the scene.
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Fresh off his meeting with the leader of China, President Joe Biden on Thursday is addressing CEOs who are grappling with the risks to their businesses from world crises. He'll also spend time trying to persuade other Indo-Pacific leaders that the U.S. is committed to nurturing economic ties throughout the region.

We've got a few busy days ahead of us, Biden said during a welcome reception, ticking off a list of concerns and challenges for the leaders to examine. Our strongest tools to meet those challenges remain the same ... connection, cooperation, collective action and common purpose."

Biden is courting world leaders at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit and through his administrations Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a group that includes most of the 21 APEC member economies and a few others, like India, that arent members of the larger forum.

Mike Pyle, Biden's deputy national security adviser for international affairs, said the president would use the day's engagements with APEC leaders to highlight his administration's efforts to strengthen ties with the region. APEC members have invested $1.7 trillion in the U.S. economy, supporting some 2.3 million American jobs. U.S. companies, in turn, have invested about $1.4 trillion in APEC economies.

Biden during talks with APEC leaders planned to focus on sustainability, climate change and the clean energy transition, Pyle said

The Democratic president will also pose for the traditional family photo with APEC leaders and host a working lunch and a fancy dinner.

The U.S. hasn't hosted the annual leaders' summit  started in 1993 by President Bill Clinton -- since 2011. The group met virtually in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Leaders did gather in Bangkok last year, but Biden skipped the summit because his granddaughter was getting married, and he sent Vice President Kamala Harris in his place.

The annual leaders conference brings together heads of nations and other top economic and diplomatic leaders. Biden told those who gathered Wednesday evening at a welcome party  including Russia's representative, Deputy Prime Minister Alexei Overchuk  that today's challenges were unlike those faced by other APEC leaders.

How we're going to harness the potential of artificial intelligence to lift up the world, while minimizing the risks and safety concerns of the present," he said. Will we act, with the urgency necessary to dramatically curb carbon emissions and avert a climate catastrophe that threatens us all? Can supply chains be built that are more resilient and secure in the face of threats like natural disasters and pandemics?

First on Thursday, Biden was speaking to CEOs who are exploring new technologies and ideas of resilience.

After decades of trade built on the premise of keeping prices low, accessing new markets and maximizing profits, many companies are now finding a vulnerable global economy. The Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts arent helping matters.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed frailties in their supply chains. Climate change has intensified natural disasters that can close factories. The Israel-Hamas war and Ukraines defense against the Russian invasion have generated new financial risks, and new technologies such as artificial intelligence could change how companies operate and displace workers.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, too, met with American business leaders  at a $2,000-per-plate dinner Wednesday evening. It was a rare opportunity for the business leaders to hear directly from the Chinese president as they seek clarification on Beijings expanding security rules that could choke foreign investment.

China is pursuing high-quality development, and the United States is revitalizing its economy, he said, according to an English language translation. There is plenty of room for our cooperation, and we are fully able to help each other succeed and achieve win-win outcomes.

He signaled that China would send the U.S. new giant pandas, just a week after three from the Smithsonian National Zoo were returned to China, much to the dismay of Americans. There are only four pandas left in the United States, at the Atlanta Zoo.

Biden and Xi understand that the complicated ties between the two nations have major global impacts. Their meeting Wednesday at a Northern California estate was in part an effort to show the world that while they are global economic competitors, the U.S. and China arent rivals seeking conflict.

With his characteristic optimism, Biden sketched a vision of leaders who manage competition responsibly, adding, Thats what the United States wants and what we intend to do.

Xi, though, was gloomier about the state of the post-pandemic global economy. Chinas economy remains in the doldrums, with prices falling due to slack demand from consumers and businesses.

The global economy is recovering, but its momentum remains sluggish, Xi said. Industrial and supply chains are still under the threat of interruption, and protectionism is rising. All these are grave problems.

White House officials said Biden has been bolstered by signs the U.S. economy is in a stronger position than Chinas and that the U.S. was building stronger alliances throughout the Pacific.

Part of that is through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, announced during a May 2022 trip to Tokyo. It came six years after the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal that was signed by 12 countries.

Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo said the signing of agreements in the IPEF reflected the U.S. commitment to other Asian countries. A broader theme of the APEC meeting, she said, was that the U.S. is a durable, enduring, reliable partner for countries in that region.

The new framework has four major pillars: supply chains, climate, anti-corruption and trade. There wont be any official trade deals to announce  the framework label allows Biden to bypass Congress on any agreements reached with the 13 countries. Raimondo said at a ministers meeting on Tuesday that work on three of the four pillars had been completed.

While U.S. allies are still are looking to hammer out comprehensive trade agreements with Washington., Biden administration officials are underscoring that IPEF has helped the U.S. and partners take action at a far faster clip than traditional trade deals.

Most trade negotiations take years to complete, Pyle said. The issues that are at the cutting edge of the global economic conversation, issues like supply chains, clean energy, good government - we have struck agreements around them in just 18 months, with a full set of IPEF partners."

___

Associated Press writers Josh Boak in Washington and Didi Tang in San Francisco contributed to this report.
 Close Kaitlin Armstrong found guilty cyclists murder

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Kaitlin Armstrong has been sentenced to 90 years in prison for the murder of her alleged love rival Moriah Mo Wilson.

A jury returned the sentencing verdict after around three and a half hours of deliberation on Thursday in Austin, Texas. Armstrong will also be required to pay a fine of $10,000.

The two women were reportedly involved in a love triangle with Ms Armstrongs then on-and-off boyfriend and Wilsons fellow cyclist Colin Strickland.

In the aftermath of the May 2022 shooting, Ms Armstrong fled to Costa Rica and was only captured five weeks later.

The state rested its case on Wednesday morning after introducing testimony from Mr Strickland, friends of Ms Armstrong, and law enforcement personnel. The defence called experts who sought to discredit the states DNA and ballistics evidence.

During closing arguments, prosecutors pointed out what they suggested was overwhelming evidence linking Ms Armstrong to the crime, and asked jurors to ignore the rabbit holes the defence had asked them to go down.

Meanwhile, Ms Armstrongs attorneys accused police of a sloppy investigation that too quickly focused on her as the sole suspect.
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Washington state police are asking for the publics help in the suspicious disappearance of a local couple.

Chiropractor Karen Koep and her husband, identified by police as Davido, have been missing since 13 November, according to a statement from the Thurston County Sheriffs Office. The couple live in Lake Forest development, north of Seattle, Washington.

While we understand there are not many details, if you are aware of this incident, or the whereabouts of the missing people, please contact us, the statement read.

Police discovered the couple were missing under suspicious circumstances after performing a welfare check for a person who did not show up for work. Police later found the couples car in a nearby town, according to a later statement.

During the last several days, interviews have been conducted, surveillance video obtained and additional follow-up interviews conducted, Thurston County police wrote in a 15 November statement.

Police said they have not released further details to preserve the integrity of the investigation.

As with many people, Karen is my much loved chiropractor, one commenter wrote on Facebook. I am heartbroken and praying for their safety.
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The last person to see missing Nancy Ng before her bizarre disappearance on a trip to Guatemala has finally broken her silence.

Ms Ng, a 29-year-old from California, was on a yoga retreat last month around Lake Atitlan in Guatemala.

On 19 October, she vanished while taking part in a kayaking trip with others from the retreat.

In the days and weeks that followed, Ms Ngs family and the private search teams they hired to try to find the missing woman became increasingly frustrated as key witnesses reportedly fell silent  with some even rumoured to have skipped the country without telling authorities.

Now, almost four weeks have passed with no clue as to the missing 29-year-olds whereabouts.

Finally, a woman who is believed to be the last person to see Ms Ng before she disappeared has spoken out publicly through her attorney, denying rumours that she has not been helping police with the investigation.

Christina Blazek, a San Bernadino County public defender, has been named as the last known witness to see Ms Ng.

Nancy Ng was last seen on 19 November (GoFundMe)

G. Christopher Gardner, Ms Blazeks attorney, told ABC News that she did speak to Guatemalan police after Ms Ng went missing.

To say my client hasnt done all she can is not true, the attorney said.

Mr Gardner told the network that Ms Ng and his client did not go anywhere together; instead, they happened upon each other while on the lake and began to chat to each other.

While out on the water, Ms Blazek said, through her attorney, that Ms Ng decided she wanted to go swimming.

Ms Blazek allegedly tried to stop Ms Ng from entering the water because it was rough out there and there was a good current, said Mr Gardner.

But according to his clients account, Ms Ng ignored her alleged warnings and got into the water.

While doing so, she managed to push her kayak away.

Ms Blazek claimed she tried to retrieve Ms Ngs kayak by keeping one leg in her boat and another leg in the other kayak and got close to the swimmer to push it back to her.

G. Christopher Gardner, Christina Blazeks attorney, said she did not flee Guatamala and did speak to authorities (ABC7)

And then apparently, she lost the kayak again and she turned around to go back to get the kayak again, and when she turned back around, Ms Ng was gone, the attorney said to the outlet.

After this, Mr Gardner said Ms Blazek did go and get help and a distress call was sent out.

While it was previously rumoured that Ms Blazek and other witnesses fled the country after Ms Ngs disappearance, Mr Gardner insisted that this was false and that his client did speak to authorities before she left, reported ABC News.

She claimed she even tried to help suggest places to look for the missing woman, but was unfamiliar with the area.

After giving a full statement to the police, they told her there was nothing that could be done, the attorney said.

Apparently, that lake is known for having people drown on it, he said.

The last known video of Nancy Ng shows her waving at the camera while on her kayak (ABC7)

In an earlier statement to ABC News, the Guatemalan prosecutors office said that they did speak to a witness who told them that they and Ms Ng had gone approximately 2 kilometers deeper into the lake, where the missing woman tells the witness that she wants to swim and that is when she drowns.

It is unclear if this unnamed witness is Ms Blazek.

While Ms Blazek claimed she did talk to authorities about what happened out on the lake, Ms Ngs family have voiced frustration that it took so long for her to publicly speak out.

The family claim they tried to reach out to Ms Blazek several times to help in their private search and rescue efforts, but never heard anything from her.

Yet Mr Gardner told the outlet that his client was traumatised by the incident and needed time.
 Close Smoke rises from wreckage of Ohio bus crash that killed four, injured 15

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Investigators have said that they have gathered conflicting information about the cause of a deadly crash involving a school bus travelling along a highway in Ohio on Tuesday.

Three Tuscarawas Valley High School students  Katelyn Owens, 15, Jeffery Worrell, 18, and John Mosely, 18  died along with a high school teacher and two parent chaperones  Dave Kennat, 56, Kristy Gaynor, 39, and Shannon Wigfield, 45  when five vehicles were involved in a pile-up on the I-70.

Another 20 students were transported to the hospital following the incident.

The National Transportation Safety Board has launched an investigation to determine how the crash unfolded.

NTSB Chair Jennifer Homendy said in a press conference on Wednesday that conflicting information had come to light about the cause.

She also warned that we have a public health crisis on our roads. We need all hands on deck, she said.

The bus was carrying 57 band students from Tuscarawas Valley Schools, located approximately 120 miles northeast of Columbus and around 43 miles south of Akron, when tragedy struck.
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Five and a half years ago, Princess the pomeranian was stolen from a family in Arizona who never thought they would see their beloved pup again.

Yet a surprise call from a local vet last week told the Gonzales family that their little local celebrity had returned.

In May 2018, the family went out to brunch in downtown Phoenix for Mothers Day with their four-pound pomeranian, who they always took out with them wherever they went, whether that was by lead, stroller or handbag.

Princess was well known around town, especially for her extravagant fashion choices and bedazzled collars.

Daisy Gonzales said she was inside the bar getting drinks with a friend when her mother rushed in, panicked, as no one could see where Princess had gone, reports Fox10.

The family believed that this cute little dog was stolen; they put up posters around town and on social media, went to every animal shelter looking for her, and even offered up a reward.

They believe Princess was targeted because shes a good-looking dog and that everyone wants a small dog.

Princess, the Pomeranian was living up to her name in her luxury life until five years ago when she was allegedly snatched from her family (AZ Family)

After no luck, Ms Gonzales thought that she would never see her furry friend again.

I did think she was gone forever, Ms Gonzales told AZ Family.

She was part of the family. She went with us everywhere. My parents took her to the casino. I took her to the movies and dinner We were all devastated.

However, on 7 November, the Gonzales family had a shocking call from a local vet clinic in Suprise, who said they scanned Princess microchip and had been found.

Daisy said she was so happy to have been reunited with her pooch after all these years (Fox 10)

I was just so happy, Ms Gonzales told the outlet.

I called my mom. She always had hope and knew wed get her back one day. I lost hope after a few years. I just hoped she was with a great family, but I was very excited we found her. Im at a loss for words.

Apart from some dental problems, the family said Princess is doing well and is now happy.

Princess would have never been reunited with her family if it were not for her microchip.

If it wasnt for Princess microchip, she may have never been found (Fox 10)

It is not known how little Princess ended up at the clinic, apart from that a good samaritan bought her in, but the family are overjoyed to be reunited with their now nine-year-old pomeranian, who is now back in her clothes and custom collar the family have been saving all this time, Fox10 said.

Unfortunately, dog kidnapping is not uncommon, with around two million dogs stolen a year in the US, according to the World Animal Foundation.

Pets are often stolen in order to make money; the more desirable the pet is, the more cash someone can make by flogging the animal to a new owner, PAWS, an animal and wildlife shelter organisation, states.

Dogs are also stolen to be sent to puppy mills for breeding, trained as fighting dogs, or sell them to animal testing laboratories.
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One person has died after a double-decker tourist boat started to sink near Blue Lagoon Island in the Bahamas on Tuesday, according to reports.

A 74-year-old Colorado woman was killed, and two other people have been hospitalised after choppy waters started sinking the large boat carrying more than 100 people.

Just before 11am on Tuesday, the Royal Bahamas Police Force was notified of a distressed double-deck passenger boat shuttling tourists from Paradise Island to Blue Lagoon Island, according to a press release obtained by NBC.

While the police and marine support units helped rescue the passengers from the sinking vessel, they found an unresponsive woman, who was retrieved from the water, and CPR was performed, the release reportedly continued.

The publicly unidentified woman was taken to Paradise Island Dock, where emergency responders found no signs of life.

Chief Superintendent Chrislyn Skippings told The Associated Press that the woman, from Broomfield, Colorado, was on a five-day vacation with her family when disaster struck the catamaran.

Local newspaper, the Nassau Guardian, said they arrived at the scene once passengers were on shore to find that the womans covered body was lying on the vessel that was used for the rescue, and her husband was crouched over her with his head down caressing her.

Passengers started to jump into the water after the alleged lack of instructions from the crew (Kelly Schissel/LOCAL NEWS X/TMX)

A video posted by Kelly Schissel, who was amongst the many tourists who found themselves on the sinking vessel that morning, shows the panic and chaos that ensued while onboard.

In a video that gained 18.9 million views on TikTok, Ms Schissel can be heard saying, Our boat is sinking, so thats fun; everybodys freaking out, as the camera pans to show the boat tilting heavily to one side.

In the footage, tourists can be heard screaming in distress, many on the tipped-up side of the boat clinging onto poles while the boat slants into the water.

One man is eventually seen jumping into the water with a lifejacket on, prompting many other passengers to follow him.

In a subsequent video, Ms Schissel alleges that there was no order on the boat, as the crew were too panicked to instruct others what to do.

We started to stop and turn in to go to the Blue Lagoon area; I thought the captain was trying to be silly and whip the [boat] because we all went forward, she said initially, not thinking anything of the turbulence.

Then one of the crew members that was downstairs ran upstairs and was crying, freaking out, absolutely balling, grabbing a life jacket, she continued.

She said that she and the other passengers started putting on their life jackets, but most remained on board initially as they were waiting for the staff to tell us what to do, which they never did because they were too busy crying or freaking out.

Becky and Matt Savage, two other passengers on board, told ABC News that they were on the boat with their two sons and also claimed there was no regulation amid the emergency.

Passengers clung on for dear life as the boat started to sink (Kelly Schissel/LOCAL NEWS X/TMX)

"[A] passenger yelled, "Lifejackets!" and then chaos broke out," Ms Savage said.

"The lifejackets on the upper deck where we were were not right above us. They were in a bin at the front at the top of the boat, so everyone just smashed towards the front."

When the double-decker vessel started to sink, Ms Schissel said there was only one boat nearby, but the crews alleged silence prompted passengers to jump into the water.

Despite the clear skies, Ms Schissel said they landed into pretty rough waves.

Several lifeguards and rescue boats came out to the distressed vessel, and along with other nearby boats, the passengers made it to shore on Blue Lagoon Island.

Ms Schissel said they were given spare t-shirts, shoes, food and water, but were transported back to the island they came from on another boat without stopping to tour Blue Lagoon Island after the traumatising ordeal.

Police said that the Royal Bahamas Defense Force also helped with the rescue and nearby pleasure craft.

Authorities said the investigation is ongoing.

The Independent has contacted the Royal Bahamas Police Force for further information.
Guardians of wildlife on the Loess Plateau

Xinhua) 19:34, November 16, 2023

LANZHOU, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Every morning at sunrise, police officer Ma Ming and his well-equipped colleagues step out from their police station nestled within the picturesque Guanshan Mountains, embarking on their patrols in these relatively rare verdant landscapes of the Loess Plateau in the northwestern Gansu Province.

The police station, headed by Ma, is responsible for safeguarding this critical ecological shelter for the Loess Plateau, a vast forest area covering 350,000 mu (about 23,333 hectares). Within this domain, forest patrol constitutes an integral component of the daily tasks of Ma and his team.

"I have deep appreciation for nature and its wildlife. Over the past few years, as the ecological environment has improved, and the scourge of illegal poaching has waned, it has become common for us to come across wild animals during our routine forest patrols," said the police officer.

Guanshan Mountains, straddling the provinces of Gansu and Shaanxi, used to be a hotspot for illegal hunting. The mountains' intricate terrain and significant traffic made it a prime target for poachers.

It's home to nearly 60 different species of wild animals, including red deer, leopard, forest musk deer and red-bellied chicken. A decade ago, poachers frequently exploited the porous provincial borders, sneaking into the deep forests armed with guns and snares.

To combat this menace and create a safe shelter for the local wildlife, Ma and his team initiated various measures. They began by visiting local villages to educate villagers about the laws and regulations governing forest protection, illustrating their points with real-life examples. Simultaneously, their patrols were intensified.

The long trek through the dense forest is fraught with danger. It normally takes them at least three hours to finish a tour of inspection. Inevitably, they are scratched by thick tree branches in the process of conducting their patrols.

In August 2021, Ma and his colleagues received a tip-off about a criminal gang engaged in hunting wild animals in the vicinity of Guanshan Mountains. These lawbreakers even posted videos of their hunting exploits online to garner attention.

After tracking a dozen criminals fleeing on motorbikes through the forest while transporting their prey, Ma and his colleague discreetly tailed the gang day and night. Their persistence paid off when they successfully arrested the poachers.

"It was worth all the hard work and effort," said Ma, when reflecting on the successful arrests.

Over the past decade, Ma has taken the lead in managing more than 300 criminal and administrative cases. Thanks to the relentless efforts of Ma and his colleagues, local wildlife and natural resources have been effectively safeguarded.

In the eyes of his 6-year-old son, Ma is not just a protector of wildlife but also his hero. He often daydreams about his dad appearing in his favorite animated series, "Boonie Bears," which depicts the clever and humorous adventures of personified wildlife.

"If dad were there, he could protect the bears and their home," the young wildlife lover said proudly. 

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Xian Jiangnan)
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A 12-year-old girl has been arrested in Melbourne over the death of a woman in an alleged stabbing incident.

Victoria police said they responded to emergency calls from Barkly Street in Footscray at about 2am on Thursday and found a 37-year-old woman dead.

"Officers quickly attended and arrested the girl at the scene," a Victoria Police spokesperson said.

"She was taken to hospital for assessment where she remains under police guard."

It is believed that an altercation broke out in the upper floors of the Royal Hotel building which have been converted into apartments, according to news.com.au.

Police urged car owners whose vehicles were parked along the street to check for their dashcam footage and report if they find anything unusual.

Forensic examiners reached the crime site in the morning hours and collected evidence.

Investigators are attempting to establish if the parties were known to each other, Victoria Police added.

Residents in the area and local businesses said they were shocked by the alleged murder of the woman and complained that there has been an increase in crime in the past few years.

After the pandemic people are just so agro (aggressive), I dont know whats going on, they get heated up so quickly, said a local business owner who was not named by the outlet.

I had an incident just last night where someone tried to kick in the windows to my shop, I reported it to the police, the business owner said.
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Residents from a small Icelandic town under threat from a volcanic eruption have described their apocalyptic existence as they fear for their future.

Last Friday, thousands of Grindavik residents were ordered to leave as the town was rocked by hundreds of earthquakes. The small fishing town is 34 miles from Reykjavik and is home to the famous tourist attraction the Blue Lagoon.

Many have been unable to return to the danger zone to collect their belongings, as earthquakes continue to strike the town.

Andrea varsdottirs whole life is in Grindavik and she has no idea if or when she will be able to return (Provided)

Grindavik resident Andrea varsdottir, 46, told The Independent: Everything just seems so unreal, I feel like Im in a dystopian movie. Im just waiting to wake up from this nightmare.

The mother was getting ready to go into Reykjavik to celebrate her son Bjorgvin Hrafnars 16th birthday when their house started to shake on Friday.

Some of them [the earthquakes] were like a big truck had driven past your house, the bigger ones were like the same truck had hit your house, she said. Everything was shaking so bad, the floors were going up and down.

The family planned on staying overnight at her mothers home, but they were alerted en route that they were going to be evacuated so only had their overnight bags and had left their cats behind.

Ms varsdottir made the difficult call to return home to get her cats and medication but was stopped at a checkpoint on the main road Grindavikurvegur. Fortunately, the mother was granted special permission to return to collect her tablets and three pets before heading back.

Ms varsdottir is living with her two sons Bjorgvin Hrafnar and orgeir Ulfar in her mothers two bedroom apartment (Provided)

Like other Grindavik residents, Ms varsdottir was allowed to return home on Monday to collect her belongings but had to obey a 10-minute time limit.

She is now living with her 16 and 14-year-old sons in her mothers cramped one-bedroom apartment.

Describing the surreality and sadness of leaving her home, she said: I was crying non-stop when we got to Grindavik, we were allowed to drive into town.

We had ten minutes, you dont have the mental capacity to think, I was in panic mode, I just grabbed what I could see.

I grabbed all of the clothes I could think of but I left one of the packed suitcases behind.

A police officer pulls a barrier to block the road leading to the fishing town of Grindavik, (REUTERS)

The children do not yet have to return to school as they recover from the shock, but it remains unclear where they will go, explained the mother.

The distraught mother works as the director of a local and public school library and explained the families entire existence is in Grindavik.

Her home of eight and a half years is still standing but some have fallen to the ground due to the strong quakes.

It was really hard to see the state of some of the houses and streets. My house seemed fine but this area is really unstable.

The familys three storey home (Provided)

Now the mother has to decide whether she wants to eventually move back to the town, if it isnt destroyed by the volcanic eruption.

She says residents have accustomed to living with earthquakes, but living on an active volcano fissure is a different story.

I love living in Grindavik, its a really nice close-knit town but now comes the fear if we get to move back, do we want to move back? she said. This area is really unstable. Do we want to experience evacuation again?

Siggeir varsson, 38, is another Grindavik resident who does not know if he will be able to return to his family home.

Siggeir varsson had just forked out thousands to renovate his kitchen (Provided)

The teacher had planned to meet his brother and sister-in-law but after the earthquakes stuck on Friday his brother-in-law urged them to come sooner.

Ive seen a lot Earthquakes but this is something Ive never felt before.

The sources were 2km away from our house. Things were falling down from shelves, I was standing in the kitchen I thought, can I even put pans on the stove.

Alongside his wife and youngest daughter, orgunnur Julia,10, they grabbed their two cats and left.

Siggeir varsson and his wife Soffia Sveinsdottir are trying to remain positive despite not knowing if they will be able to return home (Provided)

The 38-year-old says he and his wife, Soffia Sveinsdottir, 39, have been fortunate as his sister-in-law has a spacious house with spare rooms.

Mr varsson was allowed to return on Sunday and was able to fill two cars with their items.

It was like going into an apocalyptic movie. The town was empty and lifeless. There were cracks everywhere.

It was very weird to walk into the house, it looked exactly the same the lights were still on.

Other houses are cracking in two, my house was fine, but a few metres up the road they are ruined.

Siggeier and Soffia with their children Emilia Snros, 16 and orgunnur Julia, 10 (Provided)

As a born-and-bred Grindavikian, the fatherof-two is trying to remain positive and not think about lava flowing through his home.

Im trying to think of this as extension of a holiday, Im watching movies, drinking beer and trying to stay positive and keep my mind from things I have no control over.
 Close Huge cracks appear on roads in Icelandic town at risk of volcanic eruption

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Around 120 earthquakes have rocked the areas surrounding the town of Grindavik as they await a likely eruption, report the Icelandic Met Office.

It comes as the exact location for an eruption has been revealed by the Icelandic Met Office, which says it is still considered likely.

Experts at the Icelandic Met Office have issued a key update after a study of data from GPS stations and satellite images showed an uplift continues in the area of Svartsengi, north of Grindavik.

The Met Office stated that the eruption is still considered likely as the magma inflow continues, adding that the highest likelihood for an eruption is in the middle part of the dike between Hagafell and Sylingarfell.

Earthquake activity has also led to the deepening of the port at Grindavik, according to RUV.

The change in depth is because of the earthquakes impact, said the port manager Sigurur Arnar Kristmundsson.

He told RUV: The docks seem to have sunk by 20-30 centimeters when we measured about 10 days ago and then there is a chance that, yes, the bottom has sunk accordingly.

A fortnight ago, Grindavik was evacuated after magma-induced seismic activity tore vast chasms through the streets.
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Russia was actively preparing to steal grain supplies and starve the Ukrainian population of food for months before Vladimir Putin ordered last years invasion, according to new evidence compiled by human rights experts.

When Russian tanks did roll across the border on 24 February 2022 they deliberately targeted grain-rich areas and food production infrastructure first, the new report by international human rights law firm Global Rights Compliance found.

GRC found that Russias defence contractor began purchasing trucks to transport grain, as well as three new 170-metre bulk carrier cargo ships, as early as December 2021, evidence of advance planning for the pillage of Ukrainian food resources on an unprecedented scale.

Russia began commandeering Ukrainian farms within less than a week of its invasion, and at its peak was exporting 12,000 tonnes of grain per day from across occupied territories.

The evidence of a highly coordinated level of pre-planning will be provided by to the International Criminal Court and GRC hopes it will lead to a first international prosecution against Mr Putin for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.

It is highly likely Russia will be found guilty, Catriona Murdoch, a partner at Global Rights Compliance, and if so Mr Putin could face another ICC arrest warrant to go with the one issued in March this year for the unlawful deportation of children from occupied Ukrainian territories.

Russia not only deployed a multi-pronged approach by besieging civilian populations, destroying critical infrastructure, but it also pre-planned the seizure and pillage of agricultural commodities in an insidious plan. Moscow has sparked a global food crisis and attacked Ukraines agriculture sector as a warfare tactic, Ms Murdoch told The Independent.

The grain pillaged from Ukraine so far has an estimated market value of $1bn per year. Multiple private Ukrainian grain companies were forcibly incorporated into Russias state operator, the GRC said.

Beyond its impact on Ukrainian citizens, Russias invasion has affected millions around the world by increasing global food insecurity  Ukraine was the worlds largest wheat producer prior to the conflict.

A farmer in Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine said his grain farm was taken over by Russian forces five days after the full-scale invasion began.

Multiple convoys of vehicles were seen carrying grain in the direction of the Crimean Peninsula in the following weeks, and GPS trackers on farmers stolen trucks show them driving through Crimea and into Russia, the GRC said.

Satellite images shared with The Independent by the GRC showed grain trucks at a facility in Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia bearing licence plate numbers registered in occupied Crimea. Other images show train carriages labelled grain leaving Beridansk train station in Zaporizhzhia.

And another image from March this year shows a newly constructed storage building in Melitopol with grain visible throughout the compound.

GRC said that despite the apparent planning that went into Russias theft of Ukrainian grain, job adverts seen in Russia suggest the government was unable to recruit truck drivers quickly enough to transport the vast quantities of stolen food.

The investigation into grain theft ran up to August this year. GRC said that while Russia has not captured any more grain-rich territory since then, it still controls all of the Crimean peninsula  one of the main regions from which grain is transported by sea to Russia and abroad.

Yousuf Syed Khan, senior lawyer at GRC, called Russias weaponisation of Ukraines grain industry unprecedented in modern history.

Russia is now appealing to the UN and other global powers to ease war-related sanctions so it can resume grain exports from occupied territory to developing countries hit hardest by the food crisis. The offer of grain to friendly third countries was also part of Mr Putins failed charm offensive to get back onto the UN Human Rights Council.

Russia is doing this to represent itself as the legitimate authority of Ukrainian territory, in turn also weakening Ukraines national economy, Mr Khan said.
 Close Kyiv suffers largest ever drone attack by Russia leaving five wounded

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Russian troops have failed to move forward in six areas along the frontline, Ukraine military has said amid heavy missile attacks and ground clashes between the opposing forces.

A total of 73 combat skirmishes took place across the wars frontline in the past 24 hours, an update from Ukraines General Staff of the Armed Forces on Thursday read, a day after Russia launched more than 100 attacks to recapture its lost positions in eastern Ukraine s Robotyne.

Meanwhile in Pokrovsk, emergency crews helped rescue a man with a six-month-old baby, covered in blood, in his hands, officials said. The strikes destroyed a multi-storey building, nine houses, a police office and cars.

Emergency workers pulled the body of a 62-year-old man from the wreckage of a destroyed multi-storey building in Novohrodivka.

Four more people may be under the rubble, including a child, authorities said.

It comes as statistics by a longtime Russo-Ukraine War military data researcher suggested Russian forces have faces record losses this month.

Data published by Ragnar Gudmundsson said more than 25,000 Russian service personnel died or were severely wounded in combat in Ukraine in November.
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Russia has admitted to losing occupied territory on the eastern bank of the Dnipro river in a significant victory for Ukraine, but has warned a fiery hell awaited Kyivs troops.

War-time president Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff had earlier said Kyiv had gained a foothold in the Kherson region against all odds, in a fresh blow to Vladimir Putins troops, who have been facing a gradual counteroffensive since the spring.

A Ukrainian breakthrough across the Dnipro could open up a new line to attack Crimea, which Russia illegally annexed in 2014.

Ukraines forces have crossed the river, said Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of Kherson under Moscows control. He, however, said Ukrainian troops were taking heavy losses as more of Mr Putins soldiers were being poured into the battlefield to stop Kyivs advance.

Mr Saldo said Ukrainian forces were seen operating in small groups spread over a distance of around 20km, covering an area from a railway bridge to the village of Krynky.

Our additional forces have now been brought in, he said.

The enemy is trapped in Krynky and a fiery hell has been arranged for him: bombs, rockets, heavy flamethrower systems, artillery shells and drones.

Mr Saldo, citing Russias Dnepr military grouping, said Ukrainian troops were pinned down in basements during the day.

Kyiv said its troops were moving forward to push Russian forces back from the eastern bank of the river.

The frontline is fairly fluid, said Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for Ukraines southern military command. She said Kyivs forces had been putting pressure on Russian troops.

The pushback from our side is taking place on a line from 3-8km along the entire bank from the waters edge, she said.

For now, we will ask for informational silence ... which would allow us to report later on great successes.

Both the accounts could not be immediately verified.

Kyiv has frequently resorted to informational clampdown on its military moves along the 1,000km long frontline and asked spectators to await news of breakthroughs. Kyivs counteroffensive that was launched months ago has yielded incremental results.

Moscow has maintained a consistent silence on the number of casualties its troops have faced during the war.

The growing area of contested control on the eastern bank of the Dnipro significantly reduces the mobility and capability of the Russian occupiers, military expert Oleksandr Kovalenko said.

Mr Zelenskys chief of staff Andriy Yermak had, in remarks published on Tuesday, said Kyivs counteroffensive was developing.

He also said Ukraine knew how to achieve victory.

In the eastern theatre of the war, Ukrainian officials said the city of Avdiivka was being wiped out because of a month of continuous Russian bombardment. The pre-war population there of 32,000 people has come down to fewer than 1,500 residents.

The Institute for the Study of War cited Russian sources on unconfirmed claims that Russian forces continued advancing around Avdiivka on Wednesday.

A Russian milblogger claimed that Russian forces pushed Ukrainian forces from their positions near the waste heap north of Avdiivka and that Russian forces seized at least 60 per cent of the industrial area south of Avdiivka, said the US-based think-tank that is monitoring the war.

It cited a Russian source as saying that the Ukrainian forces counterattacked in the Avdiivka direction on Wednesday, but did not advance.
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The Turkish Parliaments foreign affairs committee on Thursday opened debate on Swedens bid to join NATO, but adjourned the proceedings until a later date without reaching a decision.

It was not immediately known when the committee would resume its discussions on Sweden's accession protocol or when it would reach Parliament's general assembly for the last stage of the legislative process.

The meeting was adjourned after legislators from Erdogans ruling party submitted a motion for a postponement on grounds that negotiations with Sweden had not matured enough, Turkeys state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

Turkey has stalled ratifying Swedens membership in NATO, accusing the country of being too lenient toward groups that Ankara regards as threats to its security, including Kurdish militants and members of a network that Ankara blames for a failed coup in 2016.

Turkey has also been angered by a series of demonstrations by supporters of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, in Sweden as well as Quran-burning protests that roiled Muslim countries.

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lifted his objection to Swedens bid during a NATO summit in July and sent the accession protocol to Parliament for ratification last month. Turkey's reversal of its position came after Stockholm pledged deeper cooperation with Turkey on counterterrorism and to support Turkeys ambition to revive its EU membership bid. In addition, NATO agreed to establish a special coordinator for counterterrorism.

Earlier on Thursday, Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar briefed committee members on steps Sweden had taken to meet Turkeys security demands, saying Kurdish militants were no longer able to find a comfortable space for movement in Sweden, Anadolu said.

The Swedish government and public have begun to better understand the legitimate security concerns of our country, Akcapar was quoted as saying.

NATO requires the unanimous approval of all existing members to expand, and Turkey and Hungary are the only countries that have been holding out. Hungary has stalled Sweden's bid, alleging that Swedish politicians have told blatant lies about the condition of Hungarys democracy.

Earlier this week, Turkish Parliament speaker, Numan Kurtulmus, told his Swedish counterpart Andreas Norlen in a video conference that he hopes the legislative process in Turkey would be finalized as soon as possible, Anadolu reported.

Sweden and Finland abandoned their traditional positions of military nonalignment to seek protection under NATOs security umbrella, following Russias invasion of Ukraine last year. Finland joined the alliance in April, becoming NATOs 31st member, after Turkeys Parliament ratified the Nordic countrys bid.

Turkeys agreement on Swedens membership has also been linked to Ankaras efforts to acquire new F-16 fighter planes from the United States and to upgrade its existing fighter fleet. However, both U.S. and Turkish officials have insisted that any such deal would not be tied to Swedens NATO membership.
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The last time Keren Shlem saw her daughter was in a video published by Hamas. The footage showed her with metal screws protruding from her shoulder and a wearied look on her face.

The metronomic thud of missile strikes could be heard in the distance.

Everything is fine, the young woman said in the video, appearing to be reading a prompt. They are taking care of me, giving me medicine.

Someone was seen bandaging her up at the start of the footage. Before she then began to read out her message, looking nervously at whoever was filming.

The 21-year-old added: I only ask that they bring me home as soon as possible to my parents, to my siblings. Get me out of here as soon as possible. Please.

That was on 16 October.

Mia Shem, 21, is seen during a video published by Hamas on 16 October (Telegram )

It has been a month now and I know nothing about her, Keren told The Independent. I dont know if she is dead or alive.

In some ways, Mias family were privileged to see footage of her after 7 October. She was one of more than reported 240 hostages - four of which have since been released- and the majority of families have received no indication that their loved ones are alive.

But that video, just over a minute long, said as much as it did not.

We saw only the top half of her body. Before she was kidnapped at that party, she called her friend and told them that they shot her in the leg, Kerem said. In that video, I did not see her legs.

We also dont know about her mental state. She was kidnapped. She saw her friends murdered. I dont know what state she is in, mentally, physically. Where do they keep her? Does she see sunlight? Is she given something to eat or drink?

On Monday, a video was released showing another hostage in Gaza. It was 19-year-old Israeli soldier Noa Marciano, 19.

The video began in a similar vein to the one of Mia from 16 October. Noa addressed the camera, said she was fine and called on Israel to stop bombing Gaza. She also appeared to be reading from a prompt.

But 51 seconds into the video, it abruptly cuts to Noas corpse.

The Israeli military said the following day that the footage was authentic; Noa had been killed, it said.

Family members, friends and supporters of the hostages held by Hamas in Gaza take part in a march from Tel Aviv (EPA)

Information on the hostages is rare - it is thus prized - but the video of Noa frightened many of the family members of the hundreds of hostages, including Kerem.

My kids ran over here just to stop me from clicking on the link to the video, she said. But I know what is in that video.

When asked how it affected her with regards to Mia, she added: It shows that we dont have time. I say this every day. We dont have time.

A lot has happened in the six weeks since Mia was taken hostage.

Israel said that 1,200 had been killed on 7 October.

In Gaza, more than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to the Hamas-run health ministry, as a result of Israeli airstrikes and a military incursion into the enclave.

Bodies of Palestinians killed in Israeli strikes lie on the ground at the yard of Al Shifa hospital (AHMED EL MOKHALLALATI via REUTER)

Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the director-general of the World Health Organization, said last week that on average, a child is being killed every 10 minutes in Gaza.

Despite the horror that has befallen Mia and her family, Keren said humanitarian aid into Gaza was justified and, even, vital.

The civilians in Gaza did not do anything. Its not their fault. They are people like me and you. They are caught up in this war, she said. Of course, everybody needs help.

But she argued that there was a double standard being applied.

Everyone gives humanitarian aid to Gaza but I think we deserve it too, she said. Nobody let us see our children. Nobody let the Red Cross, no organisation, go in to see our children.

It is only fair that if the Palestinians have humanitarian aid then we need it too, at least to know if our dearest are alive or dead, sick or ill. This is really unbelievable.

Israeli soldiers on an armed vehicle during a military operation around Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City (Israeli Defence Forces/AFP via G)

This frustration was voiced by Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen on Tuesday after he met Red Cross officials in Geneva.

None of our hostages have met the Red Cross, Mr Cohen told reporters. We dont have any proof of life.

A month after Hamas provided proof of life of Mia, Kerem is, once again, unable to know if her daughter is alive.

And while a largely united Israel supports the ongoing incursion into Gaza that began on 27 October, the reality of close combat and increased airstrikes is frightening for the families of the hostages.

I am very, very scared. Anything can happen at any moment. It is a very dangerous situation. We are at war, Kerem said.

But I dont know how to fight a war- I am only a mother - so I can only pray to god that it will end and that everybody will come back home safely.
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Israels military said it found the body of a Hamas hostage in a building close to the al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza  but it has yet to produce evidence proving its claims that the militant groups headquarters lie in tunnels beneath the health facility.

Yehudit Weiss, 64, was one of around 240 hostages taken by Hamas gunmen when they stormed into southern Israel on October 7. She was suffering from breast cancer.

The Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said her body had been identified by forensic examiners and taken to Israel, and the family had been informed.

Yehudit Weiss was among the hostages taken by Hamas on 7 October (Supplied)

In the structure in which Yehudit was located, military equipment including Kalashnikov rifles and RPGs were also found, it said.

The IDF has justified focusing on the hospital by alleging that the beating heart of Hamas operations lies in and under the facility. It stormed the hospital early on Wednesday in what it called a precise and targeted operation.

Medics evacuate patients from al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City hours before the Israeli raid (Reuters)

The Israeli military displayed guns it said had been found hidden in one building  but it is still yet to release proof of its claims that Hamas has a sophisticated command centre underneath al-Shifa and uses connected tunnels to conceal military operations and to hold hostages.

On Thursday, the US insisted it was confident in its intelligence assessment that Hamas was using the hospital as a command centre and possibly as a shortage facility.

But the raids drew criticism from UN aid chief Martin Griffiths who said he was appalled. The hospital has become the focus of Israels war on Hamas, launched in retaliation for the militants bloody 7 October massacre, as fears have grown for the thousands of patients, displaced people and medical staff trapped.

A cache of weapons the IDF says were found in a closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City (Israeli Defense Forces)

Details from the raid remain vague, and officials from Israel and Gaza have presented different narratives about what was happening at the hospital.

The Israeli military said soldiers killed several Hamas militants at the outset of their operation as they were confronted by explosive devices and terrorist squads.

In footage that could not be independently verified, the IDF also released video from inside Shifa showing three duffel bags it said it found hidden around an MRI lab, each containing an assault rifle, grenades and Hamas uniforms, as well as a closet that contained a number of assault rifles without ammunition clips.

These weapons have absolutely no business being inside a hospital, Lieutenant Colonel Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesperson said, adding that he believed the material was just the top of the iceberg as troops continued to search for traces of the militants inside and beneath the facility.

Earlier, Israeli army spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Peter Lerner claimed to CNN that the hospital and compound were for Hamas a central hub of their operations, perhaps even the beating heart and maybe even a centre of gravity.

Palestinians wounded in the Israeli bombardment wait for treatment in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City (AP)

All communication services across Gaza are now down due to a lack of fuel, Palestinian telecoms provider Paltel said, cutting off the besieged territory from the outside world.

But earlier on Thursday, Medical Aid Palestinians received its final message from a colleague, an Irish-Palestinian surgeon at al-Shifa, before the blackout. The Independent was told by the charity that Dr Ahmed El Mokhallalati said he had seen tanks break through into the hospital compound and that the buildings had been shot at. Those inside are avoiding going near windows, he added.

Munir al-Boursh, a senior official with Gazas Hamas-run Health Ministry inside the hospital, said Israeli troops ransacked the basement and other buildings, and questioned and scanned the faces of patients, staff and people sheltering in the facility. The Health Ministry said Israeli troops also detained technicians responsible for running the hospitals equipment.

After encircling al-Shifa for days, Israel faces pressure to prove its claim that Hamas used the patients, staff and civilians sheltering there to provide cover for its militants. The allegation is part of Israel's broader accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.

Israeli soldiers carrying out operations inside Al-Shifa hospital (Israeli Army/AFP/Getty)

Hamas and Gaza health officials have denied militants operate in Shifa  a hospital that employs some 1,500 people and has more than 500 beds. Palestinians and rights groups have accused Israel of recklessly endangering civilians.

Hamas has said 650 patients and 5,000 to 7,000 other civilians have been trapped inside the hospital grounds, under constant fire from Israeli snipers and drones. Amid shortages of fuel, water and supplies, it said 40 patients have died in recent days.

Smoke billows following an Israeli strike on Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza strip on Thursday (AFP/Getty)

Thirty-six babies are left from the neo-natal ward after three died. Without fuel for generators to power incubators, the babies were being kept as warm as possible, lined up eight to a bed.

Human Rights Watch on Thursday cautioned that hospitals have special protections under international humanitarian law. Hospitals only lose those protections if it can be shown that harmful acts have been carried out from the premises, the watchdogs UN director Louis Charbonneau told Reuters. The Israeli government hasn't provided any evidence of that.

The World Health Organisation said it was trying to arrange a medical evacuation of patients from al-Shifa, but was hindered by security concerns and the inability to communicate with anyone there.

Palestinians look at destruction after Israeli strikes on Rafah, Gaza Strip on Wednesday (AP)

All hospitals in northern Gaza have effectively been shut down by Israeli forces.

It comes as Israel ordered civilians to leave four towns in southern Gaza, raising fears war could spread to areas where it had told people they would be safe. Israeli defence minister Yoav Gallant said in a statement that Israeli forces had cleared the entire western part of Gaza City and that the next stage has begun.
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Israel struck the home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Gaza Strip overnight with a warplane, its defence forces announced on Telegram.

They also released video footage purportedly confirming the airstrike.

The Israel Defence Forces claimed the targeted residence was being used as a terrorist infrastructure.

Overnight, IDF fighter jets struck the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of Hamass Political Bureau, which was used as terrorist infrastructure and often served as a meeting point for Hamas senior leaders to direct terror attacks against Israeli civilians and IDF soldiers, it said on Thursday. This comes as the Israeli military is set to comb southern Gaza in new operations to stamp out Hamas.

The defence forces claimed that its troops located and destroyed a Hamas naval forces weapons cache containing diving gear, explosive devices and weapons during their military takeover of the Shati camp, a refugee camp which Israel believes is a Hamas stronghold.

IDF troops also struck terrorists and located weapons including explosive belts, explosive barrels, RPGs, anti-tank missiles, comms equipment, and intelligence documents, the defence forces added.

The Independent has not verified the claims made by Israel Defence Forces.

Unverified visuals shared by the IDF showed an aerial video in black and white with a view of the attack captured in five seconds. Another 38 seconds long video showed the operational activity by the IDF troops at an unspecified site, capturing twin airstrikes  one from a nearby vicinity metres away and another taken from height showing the attack similar to the one carried out on Haniyehs residence.

The IDF also shared seven photos of the weapons located without further details of their location and time of recovery.

While Hamas has previously claimed that the IDF has struck two homes belonging to Haniyeh, Hamass chief of political bureau, this is the first strike IDF has swiftly taken responsibility for.

This comes as Israeli forces continued their search operations inside the al-Shifa hospital, claiming that the health institution is being used for Hamas militancy operations.

Mohammed Zaqout, the director of hospitals in Gaza, said Israeli tanks were inside the medical compound and that soldiers had entered buildings, including the emergency and surgery departments, which house intensive care units.

The war on Gaza has killed more than 11,200 Palestinians  two-thirds of them women and minors, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which has not released separate numbers for civilian and militants deaths. About 2,700 people have been reported missing.

Despite claiming that Hamas maintains terrorism-related infrastructure on the grounds of the hospital, the Israeli military has not shown any signs of a tunnel or sophisticated command centres after storming the building.

Hamas and Gaza health officials deny militants operate in Shifa.

Israels fresh military operations in southern Gaza will now endanger more civilian lives as it has already struck the region with deadly airstrikes despite claiming that Palestinian civilians are safer in southern Gaza.

The announcement from Israel has sparked a fear that the casualties in the war are set to rise and conditions could become even more difficult.

On Wednesday, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said there is no place in Gaza that we will not reach.

There is no hiding, no shelter, no refuge for the murderers of Hamas, he told his troops along the Gaza border.

It is reported that Hamass military infrastructure, including thousands of fighters and an underground tunnel network, is believed to be intact in southern Gaza and officials also suspect that Hamas top commanders could be hiding in the area.

This will entail heavy street fighting in southern Gaza which will likely result in high civilian casualties as Israel has already forced most of Gazas population to cram into public shelters or private homes and Hamas embedded in residential neighbourhoods in the region.
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Rail strikes will resume in early December  but on a region-by-region basis. Train drivers belonging to the Aslef union will walk out on a range of days from 2 to 8 December.

Rather than an all-out national strike, cancellations will ripple across Britain during the course of the week as drivers at individual train operators stop work.

Each day apart from Monday 4 December, a different part of the country is to be targeted to cause maximum disruption.

In addition, a nine-day overtime ban will cause extra cancellations from 1 to 9 December inclusive.

Aslef says it is seeking a no-strings increase for train drivers who have not had an increase in salary for four-and-a-half years.

The train operators are represented in negotiations by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which in turn is directed by ministers  who will sign off any settlement. They insist any pay rise must be contingent on modernising working practices

An earlier offer from the RMT, in April, was rejected by the union leadership without being put to a vote.

The pattern announced by Aslef is:

Saturday 2 December: East Midlands Railway and LNER.

Sunday 3 December: Avanti West Coast, Chiltern, Great Northern, Thameslink and West Midlands Trains

Monday 4 December: no strikes

Tuesday 5 December: C2C and Greater Anglia

Wednesday 6 December: Southeastern, Southern/Gatwick Express, South Western Railway

Thursday 7 December: CrossCountry and GWR

Friday 8 December: Northern and TransPennine Trains

Mick Whelan, Aslefs general secretary, said: We are determined to win this dispute and get a significant pay rise for train drivers who have not had an increase since 2019 while the cost of living, in that time, has soared.

He accused the transport secretary, Mark Harper, of going missing in action during this dispute.

Mr Whelan said: Our members have spoken and we know what they think. Every time they vote  and they have voted overwhelmingly  for strike action in pursuit of a proper pay rise it is a clear rejection of the offer that was made in April.

The RDGs offer  a land grab for all our terms and conditions  was made in the full knowledge that it couldnt  and wouldnt  be accepted.

Since the national strikes began in the summer of 2022, train drivers belonging to Aslef have walked out on 14 previous occasions.

A spokesperson for the Rail Delivery Group said: This wholly unnecessary strike action called by the Aslef leadership will sadly disrupt customers and businesses ahead of the vital festive period.

The fair and affordable offer made by industry, which would take average driver base salaries for a four-day week from 60,000 to nearly 65,000, remains on the table.

We urge the Aslef leadership to put it to its members, give Christmas back to our passengers, and end this damaging industrial dispute.

A Department for Transport spokesperson said: It is disappointing that Aslef are targeting the public and hospitality businesses at the beginning of the festive period.

Taxpayers contributed 1,000 per household to protect train drivers jobs during the pandemic. Instead of going on strike, Aslef should be following in the footsteps of the other rail unions and giving their members a vote on this fair pay deal.

The main rail union, the RMT, is balloting on a pay offer that would see members get a no-strings 5 per cent pay offer followed by local negotiations.

Neither ScotRail nor Transport for Wales is involved in either dispute.
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Iceland has declared a state of emergency after hundreds of earthquakes struck the southwestern Reykjanes peninsula in the past 48 hours.

Despite fears of an impending volcanic eruption, flights from the UK to Keflavik international airport 10 miles north of the eruption site are going ahead as usual.

On Sunday 12 November, all scheduled flights from Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton, Stansted and Manchester landed without incident.

On 13 November, the 6.20am easyJet departure from Manchester was the first to land in Iceland. Shortly after, the 7.15am Wizz Air flight from London Luton landed at 10.12am local time.

The 7.35am easyJet service from Luton landed at 10.18am, while the British Airways flight from Heathrow landed at 10.49am. At the time of writing, other flights to have departed without incident include the 7.40am Jet departure from Glasgow, the 8.35am Jet2 from Manchester and the 10.55am Play service from Stansted.

Travellers are advised to monitor local media for updates (Ragnar Th. Sigurdsson , arcticimages.com)

There are an additional 11 services scheduled for Monday 13 November. Icelandair will run two services from Heathrow at 12.15pm and 8.40pm respectively, as well as one from Gatwick at 12.00pm, one from Manchester at 11.55am and another from Glasgow at 12.45pm. Additionally, there will be one service departing Gatwick at 2.25pm and another from Manchester at 4.10pm  both operated by easyJet.

There are another four flights departing Luton. The first is scheduled at 1.45pm, with others at 2.10pm, 2.25pm, and 8.30pm. The 2.10pm is run by Wizz Air, with the rest operated by easyJet.

A spokesperson for easyJet said: Our flying schedule is currently operating as normal, however we are monitoring the situation closely and should this change we will contact customers directly to advise on their flights.

All UK flights are set to go ahead (Alamy/PA)

Foreign Office advice is regarded by the UK travel industry as the arbiter of whether or not a destination is safe.

Were it to warn against travel to parts of Iceland, holidaymakers already there would be moved and no further departures would operate to those areas.

The Foreign Office ramped up its travel advice on 11 November, saying the threat of a volcanic eruption is increasingly possible.

The official advice reads: Earthquakes and indications of volcanic activity have increased above normal levels on the Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik. The Icelandic authorities continue to monitor the area closely, particularly the area northwest of Mt Thorbjorn near the Svartsengi power plant and the Blue Lagoon. On 10 November, a Civil Protection Alert was declared after an intense swarm of earthquakes.

The town of Grindavik was evacuated as a precaution. Some roads have been closed and visitors are advised to stay away from the area.

Keflavik International Airport is operating as normal. While there is no current eruption, it is increasingly possible that one could occur. You should monitor local media for updates and follow the authorities advice on travel to the area.

The Blue Lagoon in Iceland (AP)

The advice stops well short of advising against travel to Iceland, meaning airlines and holiday companies are operating as normal  with no automatic right to cancel.

The much-loved Blue Lagoon geothermal spa will remain closed until 7am on 16 November after it experienced tremors during one of the quakes.

The town of Grindavik was evacuated and some roads have been closed and visitors are advised to stay away from the area.
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The earth is at its most restless in Iceland right now. The Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik, is seething with seismic activity sparking hundreds of small earthquakes.

The town of Grindavik, just 10 miles south of Keflavik International Airport, has been evacuated as a precaution.

Yet flights are continuing to arrive and depart as normal. These are the key questions and answers on consumer rights.

I am in Iceland. Will I be able to leave?

Yes, assuming the international airport remains open. So far operations have been normal. You may be keen to leave earlier than booked, in order to guarantee your getaway, but at present you will not be able to switch flights without paying a penalty.

A spokesperson for British Airways told The Independent: Our flights are operating as planned and we continue to monitor the situation closely.

The earthquakes have struck just 10 miles south of Icelands main airport, Keflavik International Airport, but the UK foreign office have said travel can go ahead (Vafri.is)

We will be in touch with customers directly should the situation change.

The easyJet statement is very similar: Our flying schedule is currently operating as normal however we are monitoring the situation closely and should this change we will contact customers directly to advise on their flights.

But didnt an Icelandic volcano shut down European aviation for a week?

Yes. Travellers may remember where they were in April 2010, when the Icelandic volcano Eyjafjallajokull erupted. The skies of northern Europe completely closed to passenger aviation for almost a week because of fears that volcanic ash spreading southeast from Iceland could damage aircraft engines and endanger travellers.

More than 50,000 flights, with eight million passengers booked to travel, were cancelled.

So far in 2023, though, ash has not been an issue in the current geological outburst.

Icelands Blue Lagoon has been closed as a precuation (Copyright 2003 The Associated Press. All rights reserved)

What if I am booked on a package holiday?

Foreign Office advice stops well short of advising against travel to Iceland, meaning holiday companies can continue to operate as normal  with no automatic right to cancel.

The Foreign Office advice to British travellers is that it is increasingly possible that a volcanic eruption could occur. The official warning on volcanic eruption and earthquakes reads: Earthquakes and indications of volcanic activity have increased above normal levels on the Reykjanes peninsula, southwest of Reykjavik.

The Icelandic authorities continue to monitor the area closely, particularly the area northwest of Mt Thorbjorn near the Svartsengi power plant and the Blue Lagoon. On 10 November, a Civil Protection Alert was declared after an intense swarm of earthquakes.

The town of Grindavik was evacuated as a precaution. Some roads have been closed and visitors are advised to stay away from the area.

Keflavik International Airport is operating as normal. While there is no current eruption, it is increasingly possible that one could occur.

(Icelandic Met Office)

Until and unless the Foreign Office warns against travel, the assumption is that everything will go ahead as normal.

The FCDO advises traveller to check the following resources for updates:

The one exception is for holidaymakers who had planned to stay at the Blue Lagoon  an increasingly popular wellness destination, with an upmarket hotel on the site. The Blue Lagoon is currently closed.

Only those booked for a stay have the chance to cancel; if you were hoping to pop in as a day visitor for a steamy stop in the volcanic rock pools, you will need to return at some time in the future.

Can I claim on insurance?

No, unless it is one of the vanishingly rare cancel for any reason policies. On standard travel insurance, disinclination to travel is not an acceptable reason for a claim.

Would you go to Iceland at the moment?

Yes, I would relish the opportunity. Late November is an excellent time to visit Iceland for good value. Conditions right now are also excellent for the prospect of a good show from the Northern Lights, which are at a peak of the usual 11-year cosmic cycle.

I also know that the Icelandic authorities are expert at handling seismic events, with extremely good monitoring and emergency systems in place.

I would book a package holiday, though, knowing that if the earth gets too restless for comfort in the vicinity, I would be able to cancel for a full refund.
A section of Atlantic City Boardwalk, New Jersey, broke into flames and thick black smoke .

The fire erupted from Resorts casino on the boardwalk shortly before 4pm on Wednesday, damaging the casinos main Boardwalk entrance.

Investigators are currently trying to determine the cause of the blaze, with an electrical malfunction one possibility, or that homeless people taking shelter under the boardwalk started the fire, which was responsible for a similiar fire on a nearby casino in early 2023.

About 30 firefighters were quick on the scene, bringing the fire under control within 40 minutes.
Protesters calling for a ceasefire in Gaza blocked the Bay Bridge in San Francisco as Joe Biden visited the city to attend the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on Thursday, 16 November.

Organisers said around 200 people attended the demonstration on the key commuter route into the city.

According to social media posts, police began to make arrests after the California Highway Patrol issued a dispersal order to the assembled group.

It comes as Israel said its forces killed several militants as they entered the Al Shifa hospital as part of the IDFs ground offensive against Hamas in retaliation for the 7 October massacre.
David Cameron and George Osborne appeared to mock Ed Balls after he stammered during a speech in the House of Commons in 2012, resurfaced footage shows.

The former shadow chancellor was replying to the autumn statement when he appeared to have a hesitant start to his speech.

At the time, Downing Street denied that Lord Cameron and Mr Osborne were laughing at Mr Balls because he was struggling with his speech problem.

The clip has resurfaced after Mr Balls shared a tearful moment with Gareth Gates on Wednesday as they opened up about their stammers.
David Cameron met with Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday 16 November, as he made a surprise visit to Ukraine in his first trip as foreign secretary.

The former prime minister, who returned to cabinet this week, met with the Ukrainian president in Kyiv.

Mr Zelensky shared footage of the pair shaking hands, writing on social media that they had a good meeting.

We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defence, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure, he said.

Thanks to Britain for the support.
James Cleverly said he doesnt recognise a claim he called the Rwanda deportation scheme batshit.

Yvette Cooper suggested the new home secretary never personally believed in the plan as she questioned him in the Commons about what ministers will do now the Supreme Court has ruled it unlawful.

He distanced himself from it and his predecessors language on it. He may even on occasion have privately called it batshit, Ms Cooper added.

Mr Cleverly told Sky News: I dont recognise that phrase... the Rwanda scheme is an important part, but only a part, of the range of responses we have to illegal migration.
An Israeli bulldozer demolishes a monument in West Bank as they storm the area, where hundreds of Palestinians are fleeing from.

The bulldozer demolishes another set of pillars and monuments in the deserted area.

The statue was built in honour of former President of the Palestininan Authority Yasser Arafat, who died on 11 November, 2004.

Israeli forces also demolished another West Bank statue in October in the shape of a horse made from the remains of dismantled ambulances in Jenin.

Israeli forces continue to raid the area, as well as airstrikes and their ground operation in the Gaza strip.
Publican families are continuing to expand their businesses as reflected in three Dublin pubs which three different families have acquired in recent sales by agents BDM Property.

Among the vendors was developer Greg Kavanagh who sold The Golden Ball on Enniskerry Road, Co Dublin after he developed houses on about 3.5 acres of the surrounding site that he acquired with the pub.

A popular pit stop with Dubliners on day trips to Wicklow and a former music venue, the premises is let to gastro pub operator Farmer Browns which is not affected by the sale.

Recently, the Lawlor family  who operate The Enniskerry Inn in Co Wicklow  acquired The Golden Ball for a price believed to have been over 1.5m. which was a discount to the 1.8m guide price. It sits on a 0.5 acre site that includes a car park. It is expected that the Lawlor family may take over the operation of the pub at some stage in the future.

The Golden Ball, Kilternan

In contrast, a premium to the guide price was achieved for 57 The Headline Bar located at the intersection of South Circular Road and Clanbrassil Street which has been acquired by the Kinsella family. At one time they owned McGruders pub on Thomas Street  also in Dublin 8.

John Ryan of BDM reported receiving what he considers an incredible 90 direct enquiries from prospective buyers and several rounds of competitive bidding for the venue. That sent it well over its 1.3m guide price to sell for around 1.7m. It was sold by the McNally family who had let it to Geoff Carty and Maire Ni Mhaoile who had built its reputation for food.

Bru House in Fairview

Meanwhile on the northside, publican Graham OMalley has bought the Bru Bar in Fairview for about 1.4m - a slight discount to its 1.5m guide price. He is a member of the OMalley family which owns The Blue Haven in Templeogue.

The craft beer producer Bru Brewery was the vendor for the Fairview venue after it decided to concentrate on its city-centre pubs. Bru has identified the area between the two Dublin canals as being a stronger market for craft beers on which is focussing its expansion. It has also sold its Newbridge pub.

As well as selling the Bru and Galway Bay craft beers, the chain operates a brewery alongside pubs and restaurants including Beer Temple; 108 Rathgar; Bru Docks; Gasworks and Urban 8 in Dublin; and Salt House, Dew Drop and Oslo in Galway.
Firms tendering for new business may offer to add 'social value' by, for example, committing to pledge a certain number of man hours in delivering local voluntary initiatives. Photo: Getty Images

Almost every large job in commercial property is awarded following a competitive pitching process, whether the client is in the public or private sector.

Competitive pitching is an art form, and the firms that are best at it win most of the work. Public procurement processes follow strict rules and straying outside those risks seeing you disqualified. However, an emphasis now on adding social value into contracts presents an opportunity for the creative thinking that can win you the job. For private-sector pitches, where there are few rules, adding social value is a huge opportunity to differentiate yourself.

I spoke with Roisin Mallon, a director of Bid Services (NI), who has a wealth of tendering experience worldwide and who has been conducting workshops for members of the Society of Chartered Surveyors Ireland (SCSI).

Ms Mallon said social value and green procurement are the buzzwords which have replaced adding value and outsourcing as the topics to win you business.

One of the reasons for that is the trend requiring the addition of social value in public procurement.

In Northern Ireland and England, for example, it is mandatory that 10pc of scores assessing the quality of your tender must be awarded under adding social value.

It is anticipated that this proviso will be added within months to all tenders advertised in Ireland through the Governments eTender platform.

Adding social value is all about putting a proportion of the contract back into the local community, Ms Mallon told me. This is frequently addressed by tenderers committing to employ a certain number of locals, to take on apprentices or provide work experience.

This is aimed at overcoming barriers to employment such as age, language or cultural obstacles.

Another common heading is where the tenderer pledges to provide a certain number of man hours in delivering local projects. For example, carrying out repairs for local organisations, brightening up rundown areas with painting and murals, and working for charities. Its about doing good in the local economy and environment, Ms Mallon said.

In the private sector, while it is not mandatory, the same principles apply, and the equivalent of adding social value is corporate social responsibility (CSR). Most organisations now pay serious attention to their CSR obligations and there is a huge opportunity, when pitching for work, to differentiate your firm by making sure that employing you boosts the clients CSR performance. When you are doing this, always make sure you are mapping back to the clients values and vision, Ms Mallon advises.

Some examples where Ms Mallons clients won work was the recent awarding of a facilities management contract for an Irish university campus.

The winning bidder committed to fencing off, rewilding and maintaining a biodiversity area, which aligned with the universitys objectives.

In England, a construction tender was won where the builder took responsibility for employing young people with criminal records.

Another increasingly important area in tendering is that of green procurement and maximising the sustainability of your work. This often involves devising an environmental strategy and a supplier strategy, in order to reduce carbon emissions.

The proportion of jobs being tendered is increasing, Ms Mallon told me, because of business pressures to reduce costs. Contracts are being awarded for shorter periods and technology has de-risked transitioning between contractors.

Ms Mallon will conduct a further workshop for the SCSI on December 5, titled Good governance: meeting public procurement criteria.
Eir owner Xavier Niel is a central player in model behind 13bn investment in up to 25,000 firms

Frances prime minister Elisabeth Borne speaks to ESB Head of Business Incubation Geraldine Moloney at Dogpatch Labs on Monday

In June 2017, the newly-elected French president Emmanuel Macron unveiled a number of measures which he hoped would build a strong startup eco-system and foster a culture of innovation.

I want France to be a startup nation. A nation that thinks and moves like a startup, he said at the time.

Over six years later in Dublin city, a group gathered at incubator Dogpatch Labs to learn more about the success of French initiatives  and if they could be replicated in Ireland.

There are currently over 25,000 startups and 30 unicorns across France.

In 2013, we had raised just 1bn in venture capital. Today that figure is over 13bn, French prime minister Elisabeth Borne said in her address.

How was this achieved?

First, the French government placed fresh importance on new routes to funding.

Ms Borne revealed that this was one of the cornerstones of the governments strategy following the launch of the La French Tech brand a decade ago.

The first pillar is specific funding earmarked for innovation: with the creation of a public investment bank, Bpifrance, with an investment plan mainly for technologies of the future, France 2030, and also with late-stage funding, she said.

This is how we enlarged our ecosystem, and earned the trust of private investors.

This was echoed by Scale Ireland chief executive Martina Fitzgerald.

France is top of the EU leaderboard, she put simply.

In relation to diversifying and increasing funding, you have a very important scheme that allows people to opt in to decide to leverage part of their pension funding savings into startups which has been successful.

Ms Fitzgerald also pointed to Tibi 1 and Tibi 2, two government initiatives that unlocked billions in institutional investment.

At the beginning of 2020, 23 institutional investors, including AXA, pledged to invest 6bn over three years.

President Macron announced the second phase of the initiative in June, with a further 7bn promised by 2026. There are now 29 institutional investors involved.

Ireland has always been really strong at seeding the market, Molten Ventures partner Nicola McClafferty explained.

The State has always played quite a strong role in the early stages but weve struggled to get those breakout companies and to fund the potential breakout companies adequately.

She pointed to changes in France, where success breeds success.

Youve seen the big influx of international capital into the French market, rounds above 4m or 5m upwards  thats what drives the market now in France rather than the very small seed rounds.

She added a driving force behind this influx of capital was a very clear statement of intent and ambition.

The key to growth here, she adds, is unlocking more private capital, as well as having an ecosystem that is not heavily reliant on state funding or affected by governmental change.

Other initiatives introduced in France include a Bpifrance programme to link the purchasing departments of large French corporates with startups, the French Tech visa and changes to employee stock options for startups.

There was also a physical commitment to the countrys ambition.

Station F, the worlds largest startup campus in Paris, opened in 2017.

Around 1,000 growing companies are based in the French capital, while tech giants, such as Meta, also have a presence there.

Backed by French billionaire Xavier Niel, who also owns Eir, the campus offers more than 30 programs for startups, as well as mentorship opportunities.

One of the things we have been speaking to Patrick [Walsh] and the team about here at Dogpatch is whether we should be doing something more substantial in terms of a physical startup campus in Ireland that would be seen as an international hub beyond the scale of whats currently in Ireland, Enterprise, Trade and Employment Minister Simon Coveney explained.

Do we have a big enough piece of infrastructure that can catch the attention internationally in terms of what Station F has achieved out of Paris?

Irish founder Kim McKayed, who leads cybersecurity firm Protostars, is now based in Station F and praised the access to processes to get set up in a new market.

It was very easy to understand how we could start doing business in France, he said. Within our first month, we secured our annual contract with EU leaders in cyber risk quantification.

Business support is key, Jean-Noel Barrot, Frances minister for digital transition, agreed. The only thing is that in France, we did not have a tradition of doing that.

To counter existing challenges, the government gathered a team of 30 people. This group, plucked from French bureaucracy, were chosen to facilitate the job of entrepreneurs when they have to deal with this gigantic and bureaucratic administration.

This team is located within Station F and connects aspiring business leaders with more than 35 public services and provides support programmes for companies grappling with the necessary administrative steps.

The startup ecosystem also looks to include entrepreneurs from outside the capital city, with 115 associations located across the country and around the world.

These groups help the central team design and deploy these support schemes for startups in all locations.

You have one of these associations here in Ireland, La French Tech Dublin, Mr Barrot explained.

[It] plays a very central role in supporting entrepreneurs when they grow in a certain place and when they want to grow out of this place and conquer markets around the world.
Bank managers will face penalties from December if they are found guilty of misconduct under a new code of practice

The Central Bank has issued guidance on how lenders will be treated under a new accountability regime for bank bosses that kicks in this December.

The Central Bank (Individual Accountability Framework) Act, a set of management-focused consumer protection rules for financial firms, came into effect at the beginning of March.

It allows the Central Bank to take action and sanction individuals  rather than firms  for misconduct, to ensure the firm acts professionally and in the best interests of customers and the market.

The new rules are, in essence, a response to the 2008 financial crisis but were made more urgent in the wake of the tracker mortgage scandal. A similar regime exists in the UK.

They set out conduct standards for senior executives, who are designated as ultimately responsible for any breaches of the firms obligations under a new senior executive accountability regime (SEAR). SEAR will apply initially to approximately 150 institutions, including banks, insurers and investments firms but excluding credit unions, the Central Bank said. Other firms may be included in future.

But following a three-month consultation, the Central Bank has deferred the rules for independent non-executive directors and is considering whether to ease the requirements for managers of foreign bank branches that are under a certain size.

Independent non-executive directors will not face the added scrutiny until July 2025.

Respondents to the consultation had pressed for the bank to exclude such directors, but the Central Bank said that would do a disservice to the significance of their role in the financial system.

Todays guidelines also clarify where job-sharing is allowed, limits the number of firms that have to do enhanced due diligence, removes the additional obligation for a firm to report to the Central Bank where formal disciplinary action has been concluded against an individual, and limits the extent of mandatory periodic reporting to the Central Bank.

This piece of regulation is first and foremost about enhancing governance, performance and accountability in financial services, said deputy Central Bank governor Derville Rowland.

Todays publications provide clarity to firms and individuals by setting out clearly the good practices expected of firms and role-holders, and their accountabilities. At its core, financial regulation is about supporting positive outcomes, protecting consumers and investors, and, ultimately, contributing to the economic well-being of the community as a whole. These regulations support this objective.

As regulators, our approach to implementation of the framework will be founded on the principles of proportionality, predictability and reasonable expectations, underpinned by effective enforcement.

The bulk of the new rules  including conduct standards and an updated fitness and probity regime  will apply from December 29.

The SEAR will apply to relevant firms from July next year and to independent non-executive directors from July 2025.

The law will be reviewed at the end of 2026.
Company behind the pub had accumulated losses of more than 2m at the end of 2022

Conor McGregors Black Forge Inn has continued to rack up losses, new figures for the business show.

The pub in Dublins Crumlin made a 432,000 loss last year, according to newly-filed accounts for Jemi Ventures, the company behind the watering hole. That comes on top of a 1.13m loss the pub made in 2021, when its opening remained severely restricted due to the pandemic. Its accumulated losses stood at more than 2m at the end of last year.

The pub and restaurant, which employs about 50 people, was bought by the controversial fighter in 2020 for 2m and Jemi Ventures secured permission in 2021 for a for a large extension to the pub.

In September, the Irish Independent reported that a family-run barber shop beside the pub, whose landlord is also Mr McGregors Jemi Ventures, was closing its doors after 70 years. It said it wouldnt be able to afford the 1,500 a month the fighters company was raising its rent to  triple the amount the barbers had been paying.

Vincent Roche, who had been running the barber shop since his father died in 2014, was told that if the business did not wish to proceed with the tenancy at the increased rate, he would have to vacate the premises within three months. The barbers closed at the end of September.

The accounts for Jemi Ventures show that the company had fixed assets  including the pub and its fixtures and fittings  with a net book value of 4.4m at the end of 2022.

The amount owed on a loan to the business had dropped to 4.1m at the end of last year from 5.3m a year earlier.

Emerald Sky 3, a finance company controlled by the Lotus Investment Group, has a mortgage charge over all the assets of Jemi Ventures.

Mr McGregor also expanded his beverage interests this year, despite the losses the Black Forge Inn continues to post.

In April this year, the Irish Independent reported that the mixed martial arts fighter had agreed to buy the Porterhouse Brewery in Dublin, which brews his Forged Irish Stout brand. The deal didnt include any of the Porterhouse bars.

Mr McGregor (35) also founded the Proper No 12 Irish whiskey brand. In 2021, he sold a majority stake in to Proximo Spirits, which also owns Jose Cuervo tequila and Bushmills whiskey. The deal was reportedly worth as much as $600m (551m). That reported saw the MMA fighter receive $130m.

The MMA fighter has been building a substantial property portfolio, including development sites. One of his firms is building almost 200 apartments on the South Circular Road in Dublin.

Its been more than two years since Mr McGregor last headlined a UFC fight and its likely to be a number of months before he makes a long touted return. His leg was broken in his last fight in 2021, when he lost in the first round to rival Dustin Poirier. It was the Irishmans second consecutive loss to the fighter.
Profits this year have more than doubled at one of the countrys most storied pubs, Doheny & Nesbitts to 723,571.

New accounts filed by Swigmore Inns Ltd to the Companies Office show that the pub recorded bumper post tax profits of 723,571 in the 12 months to the end of January 31st this year as the business recovered from Covid-19 enforced shutdowns of 2020 and 2021.

The 723,571 compares to post tax profits of 279,383 for the prior 12 months - a jump of 159pc.

The pub has been a long time favourite of politicians, lawyers and economists and even gave rise to the nickname The Doheny and Nesbitt School of Economics after a number of well known economists who used to frequent the pub.

The pub was the first in Ireland to change hands for over a 1m in 1987 and the post tax profits of last year resulted in accumulated profits increasing from 4.36m to 5.08m at the end of January.

The buoyant year for the business resulted in cash funds increasing from 191,594 to 1.16m.

The profit for this year takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of 80,758 and Government grants received of 98,552 which were down sharply on Government grants received of 284,516 in the prior year.

The profits for this year exceed pre-Covid 19 profits where the business recorded profits of 269,290 in the 12 months to the end of January 2020 and and this followed profits of 237,781in the prior 12 month period to the end of January 2019.

Numbers employed this year declined from 45 to 33. The directors of the firm are listed as Thomas Mangan and Paul Mangan.

The value of the firms fixed assets last year totalled 4.14m made up of 2m in investments and 2.14m in tangible assets.

Separate accounts filed for the company behind Hogans on South Great Georges Street in Dublin and other licensed premises further underline the comeback of the pub trade in the capital.

In the 12 months to the end of May 2022, Telfer Ltd recorded pre-tax profits of 1.55m and this followed pre-tax losses of 574,474 in the prior year. The group returned to pre-tax profit after revenues increased more than five fold from 1.37m to 7.25m.

Numbers employed increased from 53 to 102 as staff costs increased from 1.48m to 2.92m. The profit takes account of non-cash depreciation costs of 500,079.
Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe says he doesnt believe a recession is on the cards

A recession, if it happens this year, will be a technicality. Its when it hits the jobs market that it becomes a reality.

Irelands twin economies are at it again, although this time its the multinational sector that is faltering, driving what the European Commission believes will be a mild recession this year (though domestic sectors are expected to keep growing).

The Commissions assessment marks a massive downward revision from its most recent forecast in the spring.

Then, it was forecasting that Irish gross domestic product (GDP) would grow by more than 5pc this year after stellar growth in 2021 and 2022 on the back of a pandemic-induced pharma and tech boom.

Yesterday, EU economy chief Paolo Gentiloni did his best to explain what is behind his staffs less rosy assessment of the Irish economy.

As Ireland is concerned, we have volatility, Mr Gentiloni said. What we observe is, to put it simply, a weaker contribution of net exports.

Commission staff are basing their assumptions on the recent dip in third-quarter GDP, which fell by 1.8pc compared to the second quarter and 4.7pc compared to last year.

They are also looking at a sustained fall in exports, particularly of vaccine-related medical and pharmaceutical products and parts for computer chips.

They believe exports will fall 1.3pc this year, while investment will shrink by 2.9pc.

Central Statistics Office data shows exports have been falling for most of the year, and were down again by 6pc in September, mainly as a result of faltering sales of chemicals, medical and pharma products to the US and China.

The European Commissions forecast says Ireland is the second-most exposed country in the EU (after Germany) to a downturn in the Chinese economy because of our export dependence on the country. Although the Chinese economy is still growing, it has slowed sharply this year.

Yet many forecasters believe Ireland could avoid a recession.

While the Commission believes GDP will shrink by 0.9pc, the Department of Finance said on Budget Day that it will grow by around 2pc mirroring the domestic economy, while the International Monetary Fund (IMF) predicts 1.5pc.

However, the IMFs mission chief to Ireland, Yan Sun  who spent almost two weeks here recently examining the state of the economy  doesnt trust her figures.

She said in Dublin recently that the data was very volatile and that she wouldnt stand by the Funds 1.5pc prediction.

She prefers to use modified measures like the Department of Finance does, which strip out some of the effects of patent transfers, aircraft leasing transactions and repatriated profits from foreign firms headquartered here  the kinds of things that make the Irish data see-saw throughout the year and are increasingly skewing European aggregates.

Using modified measures of growth, the Irish economy is set to expand.

The Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) is the only other body that is forecasting a recession, saying earlier this year that 2023 growth could shrink by 0.5pc. That may be revised when the ESRI updates its forecasts later this month.

Public Expenditure Minister Paschal Donohoe said last week that he doesnt believe a recession is on the cards.

I continue to see our growth holding up and the main motor of that growth being how many people we have at work in the country, he told this newspaper.

While there have never been so many people employed in Ireland and unemployment is at record lows of around 4pc, things are starting to slow down.

CSO payroll data shows the number of people entering the jobs market is at around a quarter of the level it was at last year and job vacancies are reducing.

While public spending is holding up the domestic economy, it is set to slow by around two-thirds on last year, the Commission estimates.

If faltering global growth hits exports harder and central bankers moves the world over continue to drag on investment, thats when it might start to hit jobs. But we are not there yet.
A number of Ireland-based aircraft lessors are involved in the London High Court action

The amount of losses being claimed in a London court case from insurers by a growing slate of international aircraft lessors, including those based in Ireland, has swelled to 13bn (15bn) from 6.8bn in just the last four months, the Irish Independent understands.

The lessors are seeking to recoup from aircraft and engines deemed irrecoverable as a result of Russias invasion of Ukraine in 2021. The assets in Russia were seized by Moscow following sanctions imposed on it following the invasion.

At the latest case management conference to be held on Friday this week, more lessors  including Dublin-based Avolon and SMBC Aviation  will join others as they try to prevent insurers from having the litigation shifted to Moscow.

Dublin-headquartered AerCap is among the lessors that have made claims against insurance companies including Lloyds of London, Axa, AIG, and Allianz.

Earlier this year, a London court joined together a group of 40 damages claims being brought by lessors including AerCap, Aircastle, Carlyle Aviation Partners and Merx Aviation against the insurance firms.

But now those lessors have been joined in the action by other peers including Avolon, SMBC Aviation and Bank of China Aviation, according to sources.

Its understood that the action now includes 20 lessors. The total number of claims is higher because of the structure of the leasing operations, where some lessors subsidiaries might just manage one aircraft, while another could manage six, for example.

Avolon has also been pursuing its own action in Ireland against its own insurers.

The action in London relates to the insurance and reinsurance policies of the Russian airlines to whom Avolon and other lessors had leased their aircraft.

When lessors leased aircraft to customers in Russia, cover was secured from Russian insurance companies. But those insurance companies then reinsure the jets in London. While the insurance contracts provide that disputes be resolved in Russia under Russian law, sources have previously insisted that such a move is untenable.

A leasing source claimed that the insurance industry has been cynical in its efforts to deflect attention from the lessors litigation by challenging the London courts jurisdiction and avoid paying.

They have previously claimed the effort to have the actions heard in Moscow is a gross exploitation of Russias invasion of Ukraine.

Its unclear how an action would even proceed in Russia given the wall of sanctions that has been erected by the EU, the US and others against the country since the invasion.

A decision will be made by the London court next February in relation to the question of jurisdiction. If the lessors cant defeat that jurisdiction challenge, they wont be able to proceed with their substantive claims in the action.

In April, Lloyds of London chairman Bruce Carnegie-Brown told the Irish Independent he was sure that a settlement would eventually be reached between the lessors and insurance companies.

In September, AerCap said that it had reached an agreement with Russian state-owned insurer NSK in relation to 17 jets that had been leased to Aeroflot at the time the invasion was launched. That saw AerCap receive $645m from NSK in full settlement of its insurance claims in relation to the jets that were leased to both Aerflot and its Rossiya subsidiary.
This Working Life: I get hyper-focused, when you dont notice time passing its the right job, says Sean Gallagher at the Mater

Sculpting models of skin conditions is among the unique challenges of product designer and artist in residence at Mater Transformation whose Master's project has become a career, writes Mary McCarthy

Product designer Sean Gallagher with one of the learning models he sculpted at Mater Transformation

Mary McCarthy Thu 16 Nov 2023 at 03:30

Sim-U-Skin
I come from a place where this is not hypothetical: Signal president says app is an alternative to pervasive surveillance tech

Privacy advocate rose to fame five years ago when she helped lead a walkout at Google

Meredith Whittaker, president of Signal, at Web Summit in Lisbon on Tuesday. Photo: Zed Jameson/Bloomberg

Adrian Weckler Thu 16 Nov 2023 at 03:30

Meredith Whittaker is one of the most important figures in the world of privacy. As president of Signal, the encrypted messaging app, she has been a leading voice in fierce debates over the UKs Online Safety Bill and the privacy downsides of AI.
Monarch was troubled and scarred by incest allegations, academic says

Queen Marie Antoinette is falsely shown as fearless in the new Napoleon film when actually she was troubled and scarred by incest allegations, an academic has claimed.

A French-born historian has raised doubts about Marie Antoinettes portrayal in Ridley Scotts biopic of the young military leader who rose to power during the French Revolution.

Born in Austria in 1755, Marie Antoinette married Louis-Auguste when she was 14 years old and became Queen in 1774 when he ascended the throne as Louis XVI.

Widely disliked across France over an apparent penchant for luxury fashion, which led to her nickname Madame Deficit, Antoinette was found guilty of treason and executed by guillotine in 1793.

Irish actor Catherine Walker (centre), previously starring in Versailles, plays Marie Antoinette in Ridley Scott's Napoleon

Nine months earlier, Louis XVI suffered the same fate.

It is said Marie Antoinette lost custody of her youngest son who was forced to accuse her of sexual abuse and incest before her trial.

Appearing in the new Napoleon film  which held its global premiere in Paris on Tuesday  Marie Antoinette, portrayed by Irish actress Catherine Walker, is shown to be strong-willed and confident, but an academic has said she does not recognise those as her personal traits.

Dr Estelle Paranque, a modern history professor at Northeastern University, said it was more likely Marie Antoinette was troubled over incest claims.

I really love Marie Antoinette in many ways so it did annoy me a little because he (Ridley Scott) made her kind of fearless and a bit feisty and at that time honestly she was not, Dr Paranque told BBCs Radio 4 Today programme.

The truth is that she was extremely sad and vulnerable. She had been accused of the worst incest with her son and she tried to remain dignified at the end but I dont think she would have been that bold.

Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon, riding to battle in Napoleon, directed by Ridley Scott

The apparent discrepancy marks further accusations of inaccuracy surrounding the film in which Academy Award-winning actor Joaquin Phoenix plays Napoleon Bonaparte.

Critics in France have attacked Scotts biopic.

Writing in Le Point magazine, Napoleon biographer Patrice Gueniffey attacked the film as a very anti-French and very pro-British rewrite.

And French GQ noted there was something deeply clumsy, unnatural and unintentionally funny in seeing French soldiers in 1793 shouting Vive la France with American accents.

Historians in the country also claimed Phoenix, 49, was too old to play Napoleon, who was appointed a general in his 20s.

While Emilie Robbe, curator of the Army Museum at the Invalides, Napoleons burial place, noted a list of errors in the film which included Napoleon attending the execution of Antoinette when he was said to be 600 miles away at the time.

Marie-Antoinette, after 1783. Artist Elisabeth Louise Vigee-LeBrun. (Photo by Heritage Art/Heritage Images via Getty Images).

When responding to claims of inaccuracies in his new film raised by British historian Dan Snow in The New Yorker magazine, Scott said those pointing out errors should get a life.

Although she admitted she had yet to watch the entire film, Dr Paranque said she was entertained and excited by what she had seen in the trailer and some scenes.

If people see this as history Im sorry but thats their problem, she told the BBC.

Theyre wrong, they should not see this as history, you dont go to the cinema to watch history, you go to the cinema to be entertained.
Napoleon (15A, 157mins) ****

History, Napoleon Bonaparte once said, is a set of lies agreed upon. He got that right, but nobody seems to be able to agree about him. Hated by the English, feted by the French (or most of them anyway), the little Corsican is either a bloodthirsty tyrant or a modern Caesar, depending on who you ask. Because he encapsulated so many contradictions, rose so high and fell so far, he continues to fascinate more than 200 years after his death.

Thereve been many attempts to catch on film the grand spectacle of his life, stretching all the way back to the silent era, and Abel Gances 1927 epic starring a ghostly Albert Dieudonne. Brando played him as a dashing lover, Rod Steiger as a bellicose sourpuss, and now, in Ridley Scotts rounding epic, Joaquin Phoenix gives it a lash. Hes pretty well cast.

With only two-and-a-half hours to play with, Scott dispenses with Napoleons Corsican childhood and presents him to us fully formed, a sullen young artillery lieutenant who watches impassively from the wings while Marie Antoinette (our own Catherine Walker) is led to the scaffold, beheaded. As the reign of terror plays out, Bonaparte finds favour first with Robespierre, who notes with approval the young mans ruthlessness, then with Paul Barras (played here by Tahar Rahim), a canny politician who takes him under his wing.

Joaquin Phoenix as Napoleon, riding to battle in Napoleon, directed by Ridley Scott

After brilliantly routing the British naval occupation at Toulon, Napoleon decisively and brutally ends a royalist uprising in Paris by opening fire on protestors with his canon. Military successes in Italy and the low countries, and an eye-catching (though disastrous) Egyptian campaign help further raise Napoleons profile, and by the end of the 1790s he is a national hero, and poised to execute a coup detat.

The little fellow has never been accused of modesty, and Ridley Scott plays his 1804 coronation for comic effect. Napoleon famously grabbed the crown off a passing bishop and placed it on his own head, but in Scotts film it doesnt fit because Bonaparte is already wearing a golden laurel wreath. For this man, you sense, there will never be enough garlands.

The best Irish films of all time: the definitive top 30

Given the complexities of the period, Scott and his writer David Scarpa manage the geopolitics pretty well: Paul Rhys hovers prominently as Talleyrand, the twinkle-toed and devious diplomat; Ben Miles is Caulaincourt, Napoleons closest and most loyal advisor; Ian McNiece is Louis XVIII, the fleshy royal pretender; and Rupert Everett bursts onto the scene late on as the bombastic and barely educated Arthur Wellesley, Bonapartes uninspiring nemesis.

"Ridley Scott knows his way around a historical epic, and the battle sequences are superbly staged

Ridley Scott knows his way around a historical epic, and the battle sequences are superbly staged, especially Austerlitz, as a sneering Napoleon traps and encircles the Austrian and Russian armies on a frozen Polish lake. Less exciting, but more revealing, are the domestic scenes involving Josephine de Beauharnais (Vanessa Kirby), the aristocratic beauty with a colourful past who narrowly escaped the guillotine before finding favour with Bonaparte.

His passion for her is almost uncontrollable, his sexual technique agricultural, and Kirbys Josephine shrinks from him in anguish sometimes, as though his 1000-watt intensity is simply too much to bear. Their love for each other seems genuine, despite numerous infidelities on both sides, and when Josephines failure to produce an heir leads to divorce, Napoleon is every bit as devastated as she.

Vanessa Kirby as Josephine de Beauharnais in Napoleon, directed by Ridley Scott

And what of Joachim Phoenixs Napoleon? It is, I must admit, a very fine and measured performance, and the American catches that odd mixture of sullenness and magnetic intensity historical eye-witnesses described. At the time, Napoleons rise from provincial obscurity to global fame seemed nothing short of a miracle  though not to him.

As a cinematic spectacle, Napoleon is pretty much beyond reproach, and if it plays fast and loose with historical fact now and then, this is only to be expected. But its depiction of Napoleon Bonaparte is reductive, and hopelessly Anglo-centric. In Scotts film he comes across like a vertically challenged teenager, either sulking in his chateaux, attacking other countries or humping his unfortunate wife. We get no sense of his reformist zeal, his interest in law and education and the mechanics of a fully-functioning state.

At the end of his film, Scott lists the casualties of Napoleons battles, totting up three million deaths which are laid squarely at the emperors feet. This is an absurd statistic, which abstracts his campaigns from all historical context. When Bonaparte rose to power, Europe had been tearing itself apart for 100 years and, courtesy of the revolution, France was now surrounded by enemies dedicated to its destruction. To survive, it would have to proactively defend itself. Napoleon went a little further than that, but was not causing wars on his own.

For him, power was an end in itself; his principles were sketchy, and he often conflated his needs with those of his nation. But in the end he was an opportunist, an adventurer, who wanted to see how far he could climb. Pretty far.

Napoleon is released in cinemas on November 22nd, and will be streamed on Apple TV+ in the coming months.

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The Marvels review: Clumsy, catastrophic effort is barely in a releasable state
However, drinks industry figures were engaged with eight times

Justice Minister Helen McEntee and her officials met or phoned alcohol industry representatives eight times in reforming licensing laws, but met an organisation working to reduce alcohol harm only once.

The Sale of Alcohol Bill, currently going through the Dail and Seanad, seeks to extend opening hours and overhaul Irelands outdated licensing laws.

Lobbying records show Ms McEntee, or her officials in the Department of Justice, held eight meetings or phone calls with industry representatives on the laws.

However, they held only one meeting with Alcohol Action Ireland  an organisation fighting alcohol harms.

A number of meetings were held with officials, including the minister herself, and the Vintners Federation of Ireland (VFI) last year.

The Licenced Vintners Association (LVA) also met with a senior official in the Department of Justice last year to set out LVA position on Sale of Alcohol Bill.

The ministers officials also met with representatives of the National Off-Licence Association.

Two phone calls were held with Ibec Drinks Ireland, a representative of Irelands alcohol industry.

The lobbying register shows lobbying activities  emails, submissions and social media posts  from other groups advocating for alcohol-related harms, such as Alcohol Forum Ireland, the Irish College of Psychiatrists and the Irish Medical Organisation (IMO) with the Department of Justice.

However, these groups did not meet Ms McEntee or her officials in relation to the proposed laws.

A levy on the alcohol industry is one of the recommendations by the Oireachtas Justice Committees report on the Sale of Alcohol Bill.

Alcohol-associated harms cost the State 3.7bn a year and a special statutory authority should be set up to deal with reducing the negative impacts of alcohol on society, the report states.

A spokesperson for the Department of Justice said Ireland has for decades operated a restrictive regime for licensing. The General Scheme of the Bill retains that approach and will ensure that the sale of alcohol remains closely regulated, they said.

They said 5,000 answers were received through public consultation, which included an online survey and a request for submissions from November 2021 until January 2022. A webinar and a panel discussion was also held that March.

The consultation process demonstrated that there is a strong demand for reform and modernisation of the law in this area. The department is making sure the reform of this legislation takes account of, and is informed by, this engagement, the spokesperson said.

They added the laws will be split into two parts and work on what measures will be contained in each bill is in the process of being finalised, as well as engagements with the Department of Health, which are ongoing.

Reports that Minister McEntee is pushing ahead with this legislation in such a fast-paced manner and without carrying out a health impact assessment of the bill are very concerning, said Dr Sheila Gilheany, CEO of Alcohol Action Ireland.

As outlined in our submissions to the public consultation on this matter and in our presentation to the Oireachtas Justice Committee, there is clear evidence from multiple other jurisdictions that increased availability of alcohol leads to a range of harms such as increased levels of violence, public disorder, hospital admissions and significant additional pressure on public services.
The big shopping days are fast approaching and consumers have been advised to be vigilant for fraud ahead Black Friday and Cyber Monday.

To coincide with the busy pre-Christmas shopping period, Bank of Ireland has launched a new national fraud advertising campaign, reminding customers to "Stop, Think and Check.

This year, Black Friday will be on November 24, while its online shopping equivalent Cyber Monday is on November 27 - these key shopping dates for many consumers also means fraudsters will be stepping up their activity, Bank of Ireland said.

The bank said customers spent 54pc more online during Black Friday last year compared to a standard Friday, with clothing (+104pc) and electrical goods (+100pc) seeing the largest increase.

EXPLAINED: What is the bank text scam, and how do I avoid it?

Head of Fraud at Bank of Ireland Nicola Sadlier said: We are already starting to hear about Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, but shoppers need to be extra vigilant for fraud.

"Fraudsters like to inject an element of urgency into their offers or fake adverts, but dont rush a transaction without checking things properly first. Verify if websites and apps are legitimate and be extremely careful with online adverts, texts or e-mails.

"Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, its probably fraud.

For those shopping online this Black Friday or Cyber Monday, Bank of Ireland is providing tips to stay safe:

Think before you click  people are asked to make sure to double check website addresses for anything unusual.

Be careful with links in emails and texts  remember that fake links or ads could lead you to a fraudulent website or contain malicious software.

Use trusted websites  check that the https and the lock symbol is displayed, this needs to be in your browser address window when entering your card details or any personal information.

On a mobile device use trusted apps  it can be difficult to see the full web address on mobile if you are using a web browser so instead stick with trusted apps.

Use up to date anti-virus software on your computer  this will help protect it against malware.
Bruising and abrasions to 85-year-old patients body on Covid ward could not be explained, inquest hears

Coroner says University Hospital Limerick should have kept man's family in the loop about their fathers care  no two ways about it

Michael Power (85), who died at University Hospital Limerick on March 13, 2021

David Raleigh Thu 16 Nov 2023 at 17:23







Bruises and abrasions found on the body of an elderly patient at an understaffed ward at University Hospital Limerick (UHL), could not be explained, his inquest has heard.
Modern Morals: My best friend says she cant afford to go to my foreign wedding next year. Is it insensitive to ask her to get a loan?
Santa pictured at the switching on the spectacularly iconic Dublin Town Grafton Street Christmas chandeliers at Bewley's Cafe. Picture Andres Poveda

Grace Redmond (7) from Tallaght is full of joy as the Christmas lights are turned on in Grafton Street. Picture; Gerry Mooney

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Dublin as Grafton Street Christmas lights were switched on in the city to mark the start of the festive period.

With just 37 days remaining until Christmas, Grafton Street chandeliers were switched on on Thursday night as Traders group Dublin Town hosted a launch from the balcony of Bewleys Cafe.

Dublin Town has been decorating Dublin at Christmas on behalf of businesses for 15 years. This year, it will provide energy-efficient Christmas lights across 25 streets in the city centre.

What Dublin does well is Christmas, Dublin Town CEO, Richard Guiney said.

This marks the beginning of Christmas for a lot of people. It is also a really important time for traders. I think its going to be very busy for restaurants and shops.

Mr Guiney said that over the next seven weeks, up to 13 million people are expected in Dublins streets.

The Dublin Town Christmas lights take 30 people, working through the night over four weeks, to erect the lights, according to the organisers.

Santa is pictured with Ben (10) and Ella Reynolds from Lexlip at the switching on the spectacularly iconic Dublin Town Grafton Street Christmas chandeliers at Bewley's Cafe. Picture Andres Poveda

Mr Guiney added: There's a lot of excitement, we get a lot of families at this time of the year and the kids all have memories of coming to see the lights.

The city is associated with childhood memories. There is an important nostalgic feeling about Dublin at Christmas.

The magic button to switch on the lights was pushed by Little Blues Heroes Foundation representatives, Willow Mae Carroll (7) from Kells, Co Meath and Cian Byrne (10) from Finglas West in Dublin.

Founded in 2017, the charity has been voluntarily led by Garda members, retired Garda members and people from the community supporting families of children with serious illnesses while empowering the lives of young people through positive community engagement.

Seven-year-old Willow was born with Cerebral Palsy, her mother, Tracy Carroll (47) said: Coming to Bewleys and turning the light is something every child wants to do. And for Willow to be able to do it this year is just amazing.

Being a child with challenges, not every opportunity is offered to them so this is just magical beyond belief.

She added: These are fabulous little memories to have.

I hope people see that every child has an opportunity to do what they want to do, and the door is always open.

10-year-old Cian has a rare disease called Cri Du Chat syndrome and partial Down Syndrome.

Joanna Kennedy Byrne (49), Cians mother, also described the experience as another memory to have.

With Cian, its all about making memoriesabout enjoying life each day because nobody knows what tomorrow is going to bring.

Ms Byrne added: In Ireland, kids with disabilities are getting more recognised, they are getting a chance in everything.
Housing Minister Darragh O'Brien has been contacted about the loophole that could benefit problem tenants. Photo: Collins

A Fine Gael councillor has said local councils should not allow tenants in arrears to get 14,000 tax-free a year for renting out rooms in their homes.

A Fine Gael councillor has said local councils should not allow tenants in arrears to get 14,000 tax-free a year for renting out rooms in their homes.

Under an expansion of the Rent-a-Room scheme kicking in from next month, social housing tenants will be able to earn the money for letting to students.

David McManus, a Fine Gael councillor in South Dublin County Council, said social housing tenants could refuse to pay rent to the council but still earn up to 1,000 a month in rental income and he insisted this loophole made no sense.

Only responsible council tenants that pay their rent and be good neighbours should be able to earn money tax-free from the councils property, he said.

Cllr McManus has now written to Housing Minister Darragh OBrien asking for urgent clarity so that tenants in arrears or causing anti-social behaviour will be excluded.

The Irish Independent previously reported on a number of tenants facing the courts, with the total rent arrears owed to South Dublin County Council (SDCC) reaching more than 9m.

Last year, almost 1,000 tenants in south Dublin faced legal action, putting their home in danger of repossession.

Cllr McManus said almost half of SDCC renters were in some level of arrears and that the average rent was approximately 65 a week.

In south Dublin, we charge the lowest council rents nationwide yet we have the highest level of arrears, which is extraordinary, he said.

The knock-on impact is boarded-up, vacant council houses during a housing crisis as this rent is needed to refurbish properties.

In 2022, Dublin City Council was owed almost 38m in unpaid rents.

The Rent-a-Room expansion for social housing tenants signed off by the Cabinet this week will not have a cap on the amount of rent that can be charged and social welfare payments will not be affected by rental income received.
Robert Black took Jennifers life but the one thing that Pat and I ensured was that he wasnt going to take our lives.

Andy Cardy waited for 30 years to see the man who murdered his nine-year-old daughter sentenced for the crime that shocked Northern Ireland.

Jennifer was abducted, sexually assaulted and murdered by Black in August 1981 near Ballinderry, Co Antrim snatched as she rode her bike to a friends house.

He was convicted of the murder in 2011, when he was already serving life for killing three young girls in the UK.

In The Crime I Cant Forget, focusing on the mammoth police investigation into the killing, dad Andy describes the chilling moment in the trial when tapes of Black describing his sexual fantasies about young girls were played in court.

For six odd weeks I had to sit and look at the man who I knew had killed my daughter, the last living person she had seen, he says.

All of a sudden they played tapes of Robert Black being interviewed in Antrim Crime suite. He explained how and why he liked little girls and he explained other things he did to himself when he was with these little girls and it was such a shock.

In my imagination I could never imagine a man wanting to do what he wanted to do on a little girl and it was absolutely shocking and I just sat and wept.

Jennifer Cardy who disappeared from Ballinderry in August 1981.

But he and wife Pat, who died last year, refused to let the multiple murderer cause them any more sorrow.

If I wanted to destroy myself I could say if I never bought her that bike she wouldnt have been abducted, so you have decisions to make, he says.

I could have destroyed my life thinking about that. And then Pat could have destroyed herself by saying it was my fault in letting her go down to Ballinderry on her bike so you have big decisions to make in your life.

Robert Black took Jennifers life but the one thing that Pat and I ensured was that he wasnt going to take our lives.

Jennifer Cardy's father Andy and mother Pat, who passed away last year

Detective Superintendent Raymond Murray, the senior officer whose team solved crime took over the case 21 years after Jennifers body was found in McKees dam near Hillsborough, six days after she went missing.

They had no witnesses to the abduction, no CCTV and only a few scraps of DNA evidence after the bulk of the items recovered were destroyed in the IRA bombing of the Forensic Science Laboratory in Belfast in 1992.

There were striking similarities however between Jennifers murder and those of three young girls Black had killed  Susan Maxwell, 11, from the Scottish Borders, five-year-old Caroline Hogg from Edinburgh and Sarah Harper, 10, from Morley, near Leeds.

The delivery driver was found guilty of their murders in 1994, when he was already serving life for the abduction and sexual assault of a young girl in Stow in Scotland in 1990.

Robert Black

Det Supt Murray requested all of the evidence on Black, which amounted to 20 tonnes of documents including 60,000 statements and 250,000 vehicles traced during eight years of police work across six forces in Scotland and England.

Despite the passage of time his team found a witness in Newry whod had a delivery from Black on the day of Jennifers murder, which put him on the route where the little girl disappeared.

During questioning the serial killer described a sexual fantasy which matched the details of Jennifers disappearance, and he explained why he was driven to kill.

Black told officers:  I might see a girl on her own someplace and say, could I, should I, will I? Im not exactly proud of the way I feel toward young girls. Theres a part of me that knows Im wrong, that its wrong. I shouldnt be doing things like that. I shouldnt even be thinking things like that. But this other part of me says, you like it, go on.

Andy Cardy says listening to the killers taped admissions was an ordeal.

That was probably one of the most horrendous memories of the trial, listening to them tapes, he says.

Black was convicted of Jennifers murder and later sentenced to 25 years, but died in Maghaberry Prison in 2016 after serving just four years.

Raymond Murray says meeting the Cardy family was one of the few positive moments that came out of the tragic case.

Having the experience of talking with them, seeing how they lived their lives, it does leave a very positive mark on you about how this family has survived this absolute horror, he says.

The series, which also looks at the killings of Lisburn man Paul Gault, Eamonn Magee Jnr and the IRA kidnap of businessman Don Tidey begins on Wednesday on BBC1 at 10.40pm.
Tanaistes team forced to seek shelter as air raid siren rings out in Israel

Tanaiste visits the southern Israel kibbutz where kidnapped Emily Hand (8) was living before Hamas abductionTanaiste tells Mayor of Sderot Alon Davidi he is concerned about the radicalisation of future generations

Micheal Martin meets a resident whose home was bombed by Hamas

Philip Ryan, Darragh Nolan and Gabija Gataveckaite Thu 16 Nov 2023 at 10:17







Tanaiste Micheal Martins State convoy was forced to stop and seek shelter when an air raid siren rang out during his visit to Israel.
Tubridy announced as new host of mid-morning radio show on Virgin Radio UKTubridy will broadcast live from London  and simultaneously be heard on Dublin station Q102He will also present a dedicated Irish weekend show across Dublins Q102, Corks 96FM, Live 95 in Limerick and LMFMFormer Late Late Show host planning on relocation to London

Ryan Tubridy reveals next big career move  and hes set to relocate to London

Ryan Tubridy has revealed his new job as the new host of a mid-morning radio show on Virgin Radio UK, taking over the 10am to 1pm slot on the station.

Tubridy will broadcast live from London  and simultaneously be heard on Dublin station Q102.

He will also present a dedicated Irish weekend show on Dublins Q102, Corks 96FM, Live 95 in Limerick and LMFM, which are owned by Virgin Radios parent company, the Murdoch-controlled Wireless Ireland.

Agent Noel Kelly, who previously appeared at an Oireachtas hearing with Ryan Tubridy regarding the RTE payments, released a statement this morning, paired with a photo of himself, Tubridy and Chris Evans.

The wait is finally over and we are now delighted to share our exciting news, the statement read.

He added; We are incredibly proud of Ryan. His talents, strength, professionalism and resilience are to be applauded.

Take a bow, Mr Tubridy, you are wonderful and inspirational.

Tubridy added; I couldnt be more excited to start this new chapter with Virgin Radio. New city, new station, new beginnings.

I love radio and what a joy to be following the legendary Chris Evans every morning! Its been a pleasure getting to know my new friends at Virgin Radio, all of whom have been warm, engaging and very entertaining.

And big thanks to the London Irish who have made me feel so welcome in recent weeks. On a personal note, this is a big day for my wonderful family who I hope to make proud, and also the people who advised me so well recently and got me to this moment.

"To the listeners, wherever they might be, I urge you to join us on this adventure every weekday morning, there is much fun to be had!

Tubridy joined Chris Evans on Virgin Radios breakfast show to break the big news. He will start at the station on January 4, coincidentally the date of his late fathers death.

This is quite surreal, I'm desperately excited, he said.

He said he and Evans were kindred spirits, stemming from their shared loved of being on radio, informing, enlightening and entertaining.

Noel Kelly (centre) pictured with Chris Evans (left) and Ryan Tubridy (right)

Tubridy paid tribute to legendary broadcaster Terry Wogan, who he said was on his mind today: He was a lovely representative of our country in this place. I'm thinking about him a lot today.

He said he was planning a full-time relocation to London ahead of starting his new job. He hasnt decided on a location yet but said he visited Islington recently and got lost on his first run in London.

Its really funny listening to you like this, its very cute, Evans said.

A statement from Virgin Radio UK this morning described Tubridy as an "Irish broadcasting legend.

Virgin Radio UK content director Mike Cass said: I am beyond delighted that Ryan is joining the amazing roster of presenters on Virgin Radio UK.

"He has been the preeminent broadcaster in Ireland for years and Virgin Radio will bring his warmth, humour and unique charisma to the UK audience properly for the first time. He will be the perfect mid-morning companion and the ideal tag-partner for Chris Evans.

The former Late Late Show host had teased his next big career move on a post on Instagram this morning.

Earlier this morning, Tubridy said theres big news incoming as he appeared to reveal his next move following his dramatic exit from RTE.

Good morning, everybody. Im in the back of a London cab, heading to a building near the River Thames where Ill be making quite a big announcement in my world, he said.

The posts caption included a radio emoji and the River Thames location.

Tubridy told his fans to keep on eye on his Instagram feed for the big news, saying cheers as he flashed a smile and held up his cup of coffee.

Tubridy will follow The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio UK, and broadcast from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday.

Wireless Ireland managing director Sean Barry added to the announcement this morning, saying: Ryan is the biggest broadcaster in Ireland, a peerless professional and much-loved by his legion of Irish fans. He will be the perfect mid-morning companion on Q102.

"And his exciting new weekend show will be broadcast exclusively on Q102, Corks 96FM, Limericks Live 95 and LMFM. He will be an enormous hit with Wireless Irelands audiences.
Sean Quinn writes to all 90 of Northern Irelands MLAs in bid to address perpetual untruths

The former business tycoon last week also wrote to TDs in the Republic

Sean Quinn

Liam Tunney Thu 16 Nov 2023 at 16:10

Former business tycoon Sean Quinn has written to all of Northern Irelands MLAs asking for help investigating allegations of illegality and fraud around the takeover of his companies.
The Irish Second Level Students Union (ISSU) is demanding that oral examinations be moved back to their pre-pandemic timing by 2025.

Oral exams were traditionally held before the Easter break, but were moved to take place during the Easter period to limit teacher absences from classes.

ISSU uachtaran Shari Irfan said: Easter break is for many students a time to catch their breath before they head into the Leaving Certificate exams.

Conducting the Oral Examinations during the Easter period puts students, families and teachers under undue pressure.

It must be acknowledged that the current timing was suited to special circumstances as we settle back into the normal rhythm of things, so should the orals.

Figures show that 71pc of students would prefer to sit their oral exams before Easter, according to a poll conducted on the ISSUs social media channels, with 29pc preferring they go on as normal.

The ISSU added that students are speaking out against the structure of the Irish oral exam, which counts for 40pc of the overall grade in the subject.

A total of 80 out of 240 marks are given to the sraithpictuir section, in which students tell a story through a series of pictures on a page.

The ISSU has called for the number of sraithpictuiri students have to learn to be reduced from 20 to 10 as standard.

Students were required to learn 10 under adjustments made to the curriculum during the pandemic, but this adjustment will not apply to the Leaving Cert class of 2025.

Roisin Myers, a student who sat her Leaving Cert last year, said: I remember feeling disappointed coming out of my Irish oral.

"For two years I had spent countless hours perfecting the other nine sraithpictiur, embellishing them with nathanna cainte and seanfhocail while keeping exactly within the time constraints of three minutes.

I sacrificed precious time that couldve been spent preparing for the comhra questions, my written paper or my other subjects which I was due to sit in just two months.

The Association of Secondary Teachers in Ireland (ASTI) said in a statement it welcomed the ISSUs call to have oral exams revert to their pre-pandemic time slot.

"The ASTI has been consistent in its position that, rather than alleviate pressure on students, the holding of oral examinations at Easter time increases pressure, particularly for those taking more than one oral in this short period.

"We agreed to the holding of oral examinations at Easter as a once-off measure during the Covid crisis and have consistently advocated a return to the pre-pandemic status quo.

ASTI president Geraldine OBrien said: The Easter break is an important time for students to take a step back and take stock of where they are in their preparations for the Leaving Certificate Examinations.

"They also need a break before the final push to June and we support their call for a restoration of that break.
The Addams Family spin-off is reportedly set for Ireland  so what filming locations would fit?

Reports that the second series of Netflix hit Wednesday is to film here  tentatively slated for April - have the internet abuzz, with all kinds of spooky speculation as to possible locations.

The first season was shot in Romania, with locations such as Cantacuzino Castle drawing travelling fans, and Irish tourism could receive a similar boost.

Tourism Ireland has said that set-jetting could inspire as many as 35pc of tourists  think of The Banshees of Inisherin on Achill Island, White Lotus in Sicily, or Emily in... well, Paris.

No locations have been confirmed, but its easy to imagine where Wednesday might wander in Ireland here are five perfect fits that take our fancy for Jenna Ortega, Christina Ricci and co.

Ashford Castle during Tourism Ireland's 'Global Greening' initiative

1. Alarming Ashford Castle

Lets start at the top (end). Irelands most famous five-star is an atmospheric castle hotel that could easily nail a role as a new Nevermore Academy. It has form as a film location too, featuring in The Quiet Man and hosting its stars, Maureen OHara and John Wayne.

Lough Tay, Co Wicklow. Photo: Brian Morrison / Failte Ireland

2. Weird and wonderful Wicklow

Its home to Ardmore Studios, where previous productions range from The Tudors to 65, so no surprise to see Co Wicklow tipped on Reddit as a possible filming base. Its wilderness offers locations aplenty, from forlorn Lough Tay (Vikings) to Silver Strand (The Count of Monte Cristo).

The Dark Hedges (Loop Images/Universal via Getty)

3. The Dark Hedges

This eerie avenue of beech trees featured briefly as the Kings Road in Game of Thrones. Planted in the 18th century, the twisting and turning branches have matured into a stunningly spectral backdrop. And, yes, theyre haunted. A 'Grey Lady' is said to be the spirit of a disappeared servant girl.

Belleek Castle's 12th-century fireplace. Photo: Tony Galvin

4. A Boo Book mansion

Wednesday will need a magical mansion to house Morticia, Gomez and other fearsome family members. Irelands Blue Book has just revealed its collection for 2024, and Belleek Castle in Co Mayo could a perfect fit. The neo-gothic castle boasts a basement banquet hall, Spanish Armada bar, and curiosities including Grace OMalleys bed. Perfect!

Winter nights at Slane Castle

5. Spooky Slane Castle

Ireland is the birthplace of Halloween (well, Samhain anyway). Co Meath lies at the heart of that tradition, and Slane Castle at the heart of that county. It's well-used to hosting celebs  concert headliners have ranged from U2 to Harry Styles  and the perfect setting for a bit of creepy cello practice.
I would never blackball anyone. I like Ryan  Kevin Bakhurst on Tubridy and RTE stars pay cap details

RTE stars hit by a 250,000 pay cap will be able to get more money per day for working lessJoe Duffy, Claire Byrne and Miriam O'Callaghan are currently on salaries above the limit

Kevin Bakhurst on salary caps for RTE stars, commercial deals and Ryan Tubridy's return

Fionnan Sheahan Thu 16 Nov 2023 at 03:35

The director generals corner office on the top floor of the mid-century modernist RTE administration building overlooks the comings and goings at the newish entrance on to the Donnybrook campus.
It was very much a tale of two Gazas. At the territorys Rafah crossing, almost two dozen Irish citizens were thanking the heavens for an escape from what had become a living hell.

At the same time in Al-Shifa Hospital, Irish-born doctor Ahmed El Mokhallalati spoke of continuous shooting from the tanks after Israeli soldiers entered the grounds.

No one is operating, no one is seeing anyone. We are all waiting for the end point  are we going to survive this moment? We are unable to perform anything.

The doctors wife and children were free to leave Gaza, but because they have no transport they had no way to do so, as it was not safe.

UN aid chief Martin Griffiths said he was appalled by the reports, and added: Hospitals are not battlegrounds. Palestinians are calling the storming a crime against humanity.

News footage from the hospital showed thick smoke wafting through one section as medical workers wheezed and coughed. One video showed patients, including one who appeared to be a child, being wheeled on stretchers through clouds of smoke.

Gazan officials denied Hamas has used the hospital as a command base. The health ministry said 40 patients, including three babies, have died since Al-Shifas emergency generator ran out of fuel on Saturday.

There are unconfirmed reports that Israel may call a ceasefire to facilitate the release of some of the 240 hostages taken by Hamas. The reports were based on comments from Israels former deputy prime minister Gideon Saar.

With claims that the death toll in Palestine has reached 12,000  including thousands of women and children  and not counting the 1,200 Israelis killed by Hamas, any respite from the carnage would be welcomed around the world.

Proof that diplomacy can get results was evident at the Egyptian border. Welcoming the release of Irish citizens, Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who will meet Israeli officials in Tel Aviv today, stressed that he will press the need for a ceasefire to halt the violence. He also said he hoped to work with regional leaders on a pathway forward.

There will have to be a political process on this issue to create a sustainable pathway for peace so people can live in harmony in the region, the Tanaiste said.

It is impossible to know what Israels end game is beyond wiping out Hamas, but Mr Martin was merely stating the obvious. The regions history has proved constant recourse to bloodshed brings neither security nor peace. As Nobel laureate Desmond Tutu said: If you want peace, you dont talk to your friends. You talk to your enemies.

Images of heavily armed troops raiding a hospital crammed with patients, including newborns, while fighting rages all around, ought to be consigned to darkest dystopia. The UN has urged both sides to silence their guns. There is no better time than now.
Why is the messaging app Signal worried about governments accessing encrypted texts? Will the company leave the Irish market if asked to scan for illegal content? And why is its CEO anxious about compromising users privacy?

This week, Adrian joined Signal President, Meredith Whittaker at Web Summit in Portugal.

Adrian began by asking the CEO if it is a good thing that big tech services are switching over to encrypted messages.

I think more privacy in an ecosystem defined by surveillance is always good, she said.

However, she gave the example of how Facebook turned over the chats of a mother and her daughter to Nebraska police, after they were served with a warrant as part of an investigation into an illegal abortion. Ms Whittaker said this was a shocking case where privacy of individuals was violated and now the two women are facing prison sentences.

The former Google employee says privacy is positive in the US context where certain forms of expression are being criminalised, books are being banned and access to reproductive healthcare is being curtailed.

Ms Whittaker said end-to-end encryption seems to be exempt from the UK Online Safety Bills requirement to scan for illegal content. Even with its vast resources, Apple was unable to create a system where end-to-end encrypted messages could be scanned for illegal content without breaking the encryption.

Asked whether Signal would leave the Irish market if scanning was enforced, Ms Whittaker replied: Our position doesn't change based on jurisdiction. If the choice came down to implementing a backdoor via scanning or leaving, we would leave because we will not undermine the encryption that is the guarantor of the privacy promises we make to the people who rely on signal. So that is a nonstarter.

You can listen to the full episode on Independent.ie or wherever you get your podcasts.
Deciding your future and what you want to study can be a daunting process. University open days are the perfect opportunity for students to explore the range of courses and facilities on offer.

The Munster Technological Open Day takes place on Friday, November 17 and Saturday, November 18 and invites not only students, but their parents, guardians and guidance counsellors to explore the campus.

MTU will offer 125 CAO courses for 2024, during the open day students can also learn about higher education courses and related career opportunities.

There will be a Career Exhibition in the MTU Arena with a series of information sessions, workshops, demonstrations, exhibitions of student work and laboratory visits distributed across all academic departments.

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The MTU open day is a chance to connect with faculty members and get some advice and answers before making the next step and deciding which CAO courses to select, said Michael Loftus, Vice President for External Affairs at MTU.

The range of courses on offer can be overwhelming, but thats why we are here on Open Day, to give you more information and help guide you on your path in higher education and career development.
A public safety awareness campaign has been launched by several agencies in the southwest

Cork and Kerry agencies are urging the public to be prepared for the challenges winter can bring.

Cork residents have been asked to make sure they are winter ready for the challenges the season can present.

A co-ordinated campaign, titled Be Winter Ready has been launched by the Cork and Kerry Inter-Agency Major Emergency Management Region South to raise awareness about the difficulties that can arise during winter and encourage the public to be prepared.

The Cork and Kerry Inter-Agency Emergency Management Region South includes An Garda Siochana, the Health Service Executive, Cork City Council, Cork County Council and Kerry County Council.

An Garda Siochana continue have highlighted the importance of road safety during winter weather conditions and asked people to ensure their tyres are road worthy and make sure all indicators and headlamps are clean and working (further information can be found at www.rsa.ie).

Cork City Council and Cork County Council will provide information on the salting routes which are treated in the event of severe weather and these routes can be found by visiting their websites (www.corkcoco.ie and www.corkcity.ie).

Both Councils will also provide updates on conditions during Met Eireann weather alerts.

Cork City and Cork County Fire Services are asking householders to check that their smoke and carbon monoxide alarms are working, and if theyre not already installed, to get them installed.

The HSEs Cork Kerry Community Healthcare is encouraging the public to look after their health this winter and protect themselves with vaccines (more info at hse.ie).

The South/South West Hospital Group is asking members of the public to consider using Injury Units (including the Mercy University Hospital Injury Unit at the St. Marys Health Campus, Gurranabraher; the Mallow Injury Unit and the Bantry Injury Unit) when appropriate instead of presenting to the Emergency Department.

More information on getting winter ready is available at www.winterready.ie
The Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) South West Expo takes place in Cork City Hall on Wednesday, November 22, and invites are issued to all secondary students, their parents and teachers to explore the world of STEM.

Ireland offers a range of STEM subjects for students to choose from, allowing them to explore the world, discover, learn and find new ways to make a positive impact on themselves and on the lives of others.

To maintain Irelands position as a leading global hub for tech, pharma, medtech, engineering and bioscience industries, STEM South West seek to inspire at least 20 per cent of the 916,000 children and young learners in Irish schools to consider a career in STEM.

The free event allows visitors to explore exhibits from some of the biggest employers in the country, including Johnson & Johnson, DePuy Synthes, Gilead Sciences, Plas Engineering, MTU, UCC, Analog, Horner, PepsiCo, Astellas, and more.

I commend the leadership and long-term view being taken to encourage the STEM champions of tomorrow by STEM South West and its industry and education partners. Our Irish economy is thriving through the direct contribution of a skilled STEM workforce which is integral to our diverse industry sectors. I encourage all students and parents to come along, participate and enjoy the immersive experience, said Simon Coveney TD, Minister for Enterprise, Trade & Employment.

Previous events have shown 9 out of 10 students expressing an increase interest in a STEM career. Teachers and Guidance Counsellors will have a dedicated section at the event, where they can learn first hand about the career options now available in the STEM sector.
A second letter is to be issued by Cork County Council to the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan requesting a possible meeting over the allocation of funds for the roads network in Cork County.

A letter was sent to Minister Ryan on behalf of the local authority earlier this year seeking a meeting with elected representatives and executive members which failed to yield a reply.

At last Mondays full council meeting, under any other business it was decided that another letter seeking a meeting would be sent to the minister.

Speaking to The Corkman, the Mayor of the County of Cork, Cllr Frank OFlynn said they received no reply from Minister Ryan following their first invitation sent earlier this year. We are seeking a meeting with Minister Ryan. We looked for a meeting earlier in the year with the Minister for Transport Eamon Ryan and we still have no reply. We agreed at last Mondays full council meeting that we would write back requesting a meeting about funding for roads in Cork County, he said.

The members of Cork County Council are seeking a meeting with Minister Ryan to highlight the current lack of funding for roads in the county said the Mayor of the County of Cork. It is to deal with the general lack of funding for roads in Cork County, especially the N/M20 Cork to Limerick and the Mallow Relief Road. We will also be appealing for more funding for roads all over Cork, North Cork, East Cork and West Cork. We are hoping to set up a meeting with Minister Ryan which would also feature members of the council executive and management. We have already written to him so it was agreed that we would send him another letter, he added.
After years of false dawns a programme of safety works will conclude this Friday afternoon at a notorious North Cork road junction once branded the most dangerous in the country when the long-awaited roundabout on the busy Mallow to Millstreet N72 road will be officially opened.

The completion of the multi-million upgrade of the Ballymacquirke Cross junction has been warmly welcomed by Fianna Fail councillor Bernard Moynihan who said it is going to be an economic driver for Duhallow.

Cllr Moynihan has consistently championed the issue at council meetings over recent years. In 2019 he delivered a petition signed by more than 3,000 people to the Transport Minister calling for action to be taken at the treacherous junction.

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Following a detailed tendering process, Sorensen Civil Engineering were appointed lead contractors for the works at Ballymacquirke Cross for the construction of a roundabout at the junction on the busy N72 Mallow to Killarney road bisecting Kanturk and Banteer which was listed as being among the most dangerous in Cork by Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII).

Work commenced on transforming Ballymacquirke Cross into a roundabout at the end of February this year and the project has been completed ahead of schedule.

It will be officially opened this Friday afternoon at 4pm and the ribbon will be cut by Cllr Moynihan who said it will be a huge day for Duhallow. Friday will be a huge day for Duhallow. It has been a long time coming. Duhallow has been waiting for this roundabout for years. It is a huge issue in terms of public safety and the safety of the thousands of people who cross that junction which is a link between Limerick, North Cork and all that area. It has finished ahead of schedule which is great news for everyone, he said.

Connectivity is huge, said Cllr Moynihan. It is a massive opportunity for Duhallow. It is also going to be an economic driver for Duhallow. It will increase the potential of Duhallow for industry and housing. It will open up Duhallow. It is absolutely fantastic news.

I have worked and campaigned for years for this. I got elected in 2014 and immediately after getting elected I began the campaign for Ballymacquirke. I am delighted to get the honour this Friday to open it. I am also delighted for the people who put me in a position to fight for Ballymacquirke, he added.

Fine Gael councillor Gerard Murphy also welcomed the completion of the project.

It is great news particularly for Duhallow and west of Duhallow. You must have connectivity and there was a hold up there at Ballymacquirke which was causing problems for people. The big issue there all the time was a safety issue. There were accidents there over the years and it needed to be resolved.
The latest fire at the playground in Sean Moore Park. Pic: @DubFireBrigade

Firefighters attended the scene of a playground fire in south Dublin on Sunday, the latest of repeated incidents at the same location.

The playground, in Sean Moore Park beside Sandymount Strand, has been set on fire several times in the past six months, according to one councillor.

Fine Gael councillor James Geoghegan said these acts of vandalism are dispiriting for the Sandymount and Ringsend community to arrive with their young children in the morning and see burnt-out play objects and slides.

Frankly, its disgusting behaviour, and the culprits need to be caught, arrested and charged, he added.

Sharing a picture of the scene, Dublin Fire Brigade said an electric bike, bench and see-saw were on fire on arrival, adding that the fire was extinguished shortly afterwards, preventing further damage to the playground.

Cllr Geoghegan told the Irish Independent that he has contacted his area manager to seek and arrange a meeting with local gardai to see what more can be done to prevent this kind of anti-social behaviour.

The playground is said to have cost about 1m to build and has been a great resource for the communities of Ringsend, Irishtown and Sandymount.

There have been discussions in council meetings as to whether CCTV cameras should be installed in the playground to catch acts of vandalism.

CCTV at this stage may be the only answer, even in the short term, to deter these mindless acts carried out by a minority of teenagers determined to cause destruction, Cllr Geoghegan said.

An Garda Siochana, Dublin City Council and Dublin Fire Brigade have been contacted for comment.
MH Beauty, specialising in vegan and cruelty-free Brazilian cosmetics, will be at the showcase

The very best of Brazilian culture, cuisine, beauty, business and technology will be on display at a dedicated event in Dublin this weekend.

Irelands first official Brazil Showcase will take place in Smock Alley in Temple Bar on Sunday, November 19.

Hosted by The Brazil-Ireland Chamber of Commerce, the free event will offer members of the public the opportunity to experience vibrant Brazilian culture for themselves with food tastings, musical performances, dance and activities for children.

In partnership with the Embassy of Brazil in Ireland, the main goal of the showcase is to highlight local Brazilian businesses and encourage the continued integration between the Irish and Brazilian communities.

Between 2016 and 2021, the number of Brazilians in Ireland rose from 13,600 to 70,000, according to an estimate by the Brazilian Embassy in Dublin.

Among the 50 vendors and exhibitors planning to make an appearance on Sunday are MH Beauty, delivering the best Brazilian make-up, and Happy Hour Food offering a variety of traditional Brazilian snacks.

Sugar Loaf Bakery on Dorset Street is the first traditional Brazilian bakery in Ireland

Others include Joelles, a business offering high-quality and natural home fragrances, and Sugar Loaf Bakery, the first traditional Brazilian bakery in Ireland.

Located on Dorset Street, Sugar Loaf Bakery is renowned for its Pao frances, a specific white roll thats very popular in Brazil and will be among the products available on the day.

Fabiano Mayor from Sugar Loaf Bakery told the Irish Independent that since he set up his business in Dublin several years ago, Irish people have taken to the traditional cuisine.

We wanted to replicate this feeling of the Brazilian community here; we didnt expect that this community of people would somehow start bringing non-Brazilians in as well, he said.

I would say 60pc of our customer base is non-Brazilian now, especially because of the bread. Everybody loves it.

Mr Mayor said he is really excited about having more people try their food.

Another exhibitor at the event on Sunday is MH Beauty, who will be showcasing her vegan and cruelty-free Brazilian cosmetic products.

Mary Helen Santos of MH Beauty outlined how the showcase is an opportunity not just for Brazilians, but for the Irish community.

We have many fragrances that are not in Ireland, like acai and pitaya, she said.

Members of the Brazil-Ireland Chamber of Commerce which has helped organise the special showcase of Brazilian businesses this weekend in Dublin. Pic: Karen Stein

Angelica Oliveira, founder of Happy Hour Foods, specialising in tasty, high-quality food and Brazilian snacks, feels the Irish market is eager to taste their recipes.

The support from the Brazilian community is critical for empowering the growth of our enterprises and bringing us all together, she said.

Following the successful Brazil-Ireland Chamber of Commerce launch event that took place at Dublin City Hall last March and saw over 400 visitors, over 900 attendees are expected to pass through Smock Alley this Sunday.

The fair will be held in the Banquet Hall, displaying a wide range of products and services that will be available to purchase in time for the festive season.

Fernanda Hermanson, President of the Brazil Ireland Chamber of Commerce, said: The Brazil Showcase is a wonderful opportunity to shine a spotlight on the diverse and growing Brazilian entrepreneurial community in Ireland.

We encourage the public to come and experience the vibrant culture and celebrations. The event will provide fun for all ages and is the perfect way to start your Christmas gift buying.
A Dublin cafe is offering customers the chance to have household items repaired while enjoying their daily coffee.

Network cafe on Aungier Street is hosting a sustainable Coffee & Repair morning on Saturday, November 18.

Dubliner Laurence MacDonald, currently based in New York, organised the event that aims to attract people to enjoy specialty coffee and bring along items that might need repairing, such as clocks, lamps, bottles and more.

The event takes place at the coffee shop from 10am to 4pm.

Mr MacDonald, who studied product design at NCAD, currently works for a company called The Light Phone in New York. He is home visiting Ireland with plans to return to the states in the new year.

The idea behind The Light Phone is that the product is designed to be used as little as possible for calls and texts, primarily without social media access.

Another aspect of Mr MacDonalds work is a focus on repair.

I will have a 3D printer and some tools with me. There are no absolute promises on repairs, but I hope with this first version of Coffee & Repair, we can all learn a bit more about what we throw away and question what is possible to fix, he said.

I want to do something fun; Ive always loved coffee shops and thought about how I can bring the two of my passions together. Coffee and repair came to light.

Coffee will be sold at Network on the day for regular pricing, but all repairs carried out by Mr MacDonald will be free. If anybody wants to contribute, the money will go directly to the Irish Cancer Society.

There are obviously going to be regulars there on a Saturday. So, its just going to be a nice little mix. Well just have a bit of fun, have nice chats, and play some music, Mr Mac Donald said.

I think we need to get people working with their hands again; its therapeutic and good for your mental health, instead of just going straight to Amazon and buying a new one of whatever it is.

Mr MacDonald said he also hopes to do another similar event in Dublin before the end of the year.
Minister Michael McGrath with the Aspen Grove team at the Tech Industry Alliance Business Leaders Awards on Friday night. Photography By Gerard McCarthy.

Geraldine Boylan and Sean Griffin from CergenX are presented with the Tech Start Up of the Year Award by Patrick Lynch from Aspen Grove at the Tech Industry Alliance Business Leaders Awards on Friday night. Photography By Gerard McCarthy.

At the Tech Industry Alliance Business Leaders Awards on Friday night. Photography by Gerard McCarthy.

Tim Daly MTU and Cllr Michael OShea Deputy Kerry County Mayor, at the Tech Industry Alliance Business Leaders Awards on Friday night. Photography By Gerard McCarthy.

Moira Murrcell CEO Kerry County Council, Michael McGrath Minister for Finance and Gerry Murphy Chairpersonat the Tech Industry Alliance Business Leaders Awards on Friday night. Photography By Gerard McCarthy.

Minister Michael McGrath with JRI America staff at the Tech Industry Alliance Business Leaders Awards on Friday night. Photography By Gerard McCarthy.

The ViClarity team with Minister Michael McGrath at the Tech Industry Alliance Business Leaders Awards on Friday night. Photography By Gerard McCarthy.

Tech Person of the Year award winner Frank Madden at the Tech Industry Alliance Business Leaders Awards on Friday night. Photography By Gerard McCarthy.

Kerrys tech community shone brightly at the Tech Industry Alliance Leaders Awards last Friday night as the South Wests tech community descended at a black tie gala event in Cork on Friday night.

The Tech Industry Alliance is the new brand for KerrySciTech and it@cork and this is the first year that the awards have been held under the new brand name.

The ceremony recognises individuals and organisations which are striving to drive innovative leadership, excellence and overall positive impact in our business ecosystem in the South-West region.

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The event attracted over 120 nominations and entrants this year, with Kerry companies holding their own in a strongly contested competition this year.

Kerry finalists included JRI America, Astellas, Aspen Grove, Liebherr, Graphite Note, Xavatar and CBS the Green (the first Kerry school to reach a final of these awards) all making it to the final for their significant contribution to the growth and success of the local and national economy.

Speaking about the Chairperson Award recipients Gerry Murphy, Chairperson Tech Industry Alliance said:

With the rapid pace at which skills needs for the tech sector evolves, the learning models that allow our tech companies to access skills and develop our people are essential for the sustainable growth of our industry.

Our regions Education and Training Boards, Kerry ETB and Cork ETB are not only committed to delivering innovative and high quality education and training programmes but they have also been hugely flexible and progressive in their engagement with our industry and our upskilling and reskilling needs.

Their positive influence and impact on the regions skills landscape is nothing short of remarkable. A warm congratulations to the entire ETB community across Cork and Kerry on being this years receipients of the Tech Industry Chairpersons Award.

The winner of the Tech Industry Alliance Tech Start-Up of Year was CergenX which is a UCC spin out after years of research in the INFANT Center led by Dr Geraldine Boylan, whose native County is Kerry.

At the Tech Industry Alliance Business Leaders Awards on Friday night. Photography by Gerard McCarthy.

CergenX aims to use artificial intelligence to identify newborn infants that are most at risk of brain injury, a purpose that the 14 strong team in Cergenx are very passionate about. Other winners of awards included Everseen, Solarwinds ,Skillbase and McEgan Colleg. Frank Madden received the Tech Person of the Year award for his signifcant contribution to innovation in the region.

Commenting at the event, Minister for Finance, Michael McGrath TD said:

The Tech Industry Awards are a tribute to exceptional organisations and individuals within the South-Wests business and tech ecosystem. The extraordinary quality of finalists reflects the enormous capabilities, innovation and talent flourishing Cork and Kerry.

I want to congratulate tonights winners but also all the finalists and nominated organisations who are dedicated to excelling and driving positive impact in the diverse markets and communities they operate.

I also commend the Tech Industry Alliance for its invaluable role in fostering connections and nurturing a supportive environment, empowering companies to thrive, prosper and succeed both here and on a global stage

Geraldine Boylan and Sean Griffin from CergenX are presented with the Tech Start Up of the Year Award by Patrick Lynch from Aspen Grove at the Tech Industry Alliance Business Leaders Awards on Friday night. Photography By Gerard McCarthy.

Sponsors for this years Leaders Awards include: Tech Industry Alliance Skillnet, Trend Micro, KPMG, Enterprise Ireland, Grant Thornton, Barden, Deloitte, Cork Smart Gateway, Cork County Council, Cork City Council, MTU, REEdI, Fuzion Communications and Kinsale Spirit Company.
The inaugural Skellig Coast Archaeology Festival takes place along the Skellig Coast in Castlecove, Caherdaniel, Waterville and Portmagee over three days from November 1719.

Various events will highlight the diversity and importance of the fascinating archaeological sites along the Skellig Coast for experts and non-experts in English and in Irish. The theme for the first festival is The Transition from The Stone Age to the Bronze Age'.

Spearheaded by Aoibheann Lambe, a local archaeologist behind Rock Art Kerry and Tourism Officer with the Comhchoiste Ghaeltacht Uibh Rathaigh, Aoibheann said the focus will be on monuments and sites that span this momentous period in human history around 4,500 years ago. Festival attendees will also get to visit some of the most beautiful parts of the Ring of Kerry.

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We visit Bronze Age copper mines, megalithic-era rock carvings (called rock art) with archaeologist Aoibheann Lambe and Eightercua Stone Row with Dr Eoin ONeill an historian. Our visit to the Drowned Forest at Bunaneer is led by plant scientist Calum Sweeney. It can tell us about weather conditions at that time, Aoibheann explained.

The programme also includes experts from across Ireland including archaeologist Finola Finlay talking about doing archaeological fieldwork on a Honda 50 in South Kerry in the 1970s, and Amanda Clarke - researcher and author of Holy Wells of Cork, who will explain what she has discovered about the holy wells of Iveragh.

Caolan Maher discusses the ancient symbol: the Triskele. While archaeologist Tony Barlett will announce the Bronze Age finds made during the recent road works at Bracaragh.

We will connect with our ancient ancestors with an early evening stargazing event designed for people of all ages. Led by astronomy guide Caoimhin de Bhailis, the talk will be in our own ancient tongue, Irish, but presented in such a way that non-Irish speakers will also enjoy it, Aoibheann said.

The festival is a collaboration between Heritage Iveragh / Oidhreacht Uibh Rathaigh and Comhchoiste Ghaeltacht Uibh Rathaigh. It is supported by the Kerry County Council Community Fund and An Plean Teanga Uibh Rathaigh with sponsorship from Skellig Shamrock (Cools Glasshouse).

For more information visit: www.discoveriveragh.ie/archaeology-festival
Artist sketch of the new Astellas production facility in Tralee.

Kerry pharmaceutical company Astellas has applied for planning for its proposed production facility in Tralee.

The new development, announced in September and one of the largest ever in Tralee by a multi-national company, will create hundreds of jobs in construction and paves the way for an innovative aseptic drugs-production facility in Tralee.

It will see Astellas invest more than 330million in the state-of-the art facility at Kerry Technology Park on lands owned by the IDA. The company already operates a manufacturing plant in Killorglin.

Subject to planning, construction work will commence in 2024, with the site expected to be operational by 2028.

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Approximately 600 jobs will be created during the construction process, with 100 highly skilled science, engineering and technology posts once the facility is operational. It will allow Astellas to ensure a stable supply of high-quality medicines around the world.

A decision on the planning application is due in early January.

The company has applied to Kerry County Council for the development of a pharmaceutical 'FillFinish' production facility over two construction phases at Kerry Technology Park, Dromthacker townland, and Knockawaddra West townland, Tralee, which are owned by Mr Bartholomew McElligott and who has consented to the planning application. The development site is 44.7 acres.

According to the plans submitted, permission is sought for a central utilities building (CUB) constructed in Phase 1, with floor area of 663 sqm, as well as a woodchip boiler building, a medium-voltage electrical switch room and ESB sub-station building constructed in phase one. ESB has been consulted regarding this, according to planning documentation.

There are also plans in phase one for a security-office building and wastewater pre-treatment plant, which will be further developed in phase two.

Extra car parking for 100 spaces is included in phase one as well as an additional 100 car-parking spaces in phase two, which will also see the development of electrical generators.

The planning documentation also states that the IDA consents to the application.

Currently, Astellas Pharma operates in more than 70 countries and employs approximately 400 people in Ireland.

Chief Manufacturing Officer at Astellas, Hideki Shima, said when announcing the expansion of the Kerry pharmaceutical company that it would strengthen the company's drug production.

Astellas is developing innovative drugs and technologies based on our Focus Area research and development approach, placing patients at the forefront of everything we do, he said. With the new facility, Astellas will aim to strengthen our in-house production capacity and capabilities and ensure a stable supply of high-quality Astellas medicines to patients around the world.

The facility has also been welcomed by Education Minister Norma Foley and the IDA, which said it was 'excellent news for the region.
Sergeant Alan Commons, Garda Tom Currid and Garda Paul Mannion were awarded a rescue appreciation award at Water Safety Irelands National Annual Awards Ceremony at the Printworks Event and Exhibition Centre, Dublin Castle on Tuesday November 14.

Three heroic Gardai have been honoured for their actions which led to the rescue of a man from the water in County Leitrim.

Sergeant Alan Commons, Garda Tom Currid and Garda Paul Mannion have been awarded a rescue appreciation award at Water Safety Irelands National Annual Awards Ceremony at the Printworks Event and Exhibition Centre, Dublin Castle on Tuesday November 14.

In June of this year, at Carrick-on Shannon, Gardai were alerted to a man in distress in the water.

Upon arriving to the area, Sergeant Commons decided to enter the reed bank, and all three Gardai waded in where visibility was very poor.

After some searching, Sergeant Commons observed bubbles rising and noticed a faint outline of human body beneath the surface of the water.

All three Gardai managed to lift the person out of the water to safety.

Minister of State at the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media (Sport and Physical Education), Thomas Byrne acknowledged the fifty-five recipients of the Seiko Just in Time Award and rescue appreciation awards for saving twenty-nine lives at risk of drowning.

It is an honour to pay tribute to the courageous and deserving award recipients being recognised at Water Safety Irelands National Awards Ceremony.

"I want to commend the valiant efforts of these individuals who save others from drowning and to also pay tribute to the ongoing work of Water Safety Ireland volunteers who teach swimming and water rescue skills, said Mr Byrne.

Water Safety Ireland CEO Joanne Walsh stated, We all know that safety is a small investment required for the delivery of a rich future and in order to make this happen we need everyone to be water safety aware and water safety conscious.

"Drownings can happen quickly and silently but with the right knowledge, skills and attitudes everyone can avoid the hazards and take responsibility for their own safety, said Ms Walsh.
Passengers on trains who feel in danger from anti-social behaviour or criminals will be getting full support from a joint Garda/Iarnod Eireann initiative.

For, Operation Twin Tracks was unveiled yesterday in a nationwide campaign designed to let passengers countrywide that they are not alone.

Superintendent Barry Doyle joined local community gardai for Thursdays information day at Sean Mac Diarmada train station in Sligo.

Outlining the background, Superintendent Doyle said Operation Twin Tracks was a joint initiative between An Garda Siochana, Irish Rail and the Luas in Dublin.

This is a day of action and there are a number of objectives to it and the man one is community engagement with passengers who are using these services.

It is engaging with the passengers providing personal safety advice, crime prevention advice and information about other services that we offer.

But it is also there to target any anti social behaviour that may happen on trains.

it needs to be targeted and this is one of the responses.

He added that members were being encouraged to go on the train and have a presence on the train in conjunction with Irish Rail.

And just to provide passengers with a feeling of safety, as anti social behaviour and other criminal activity can be very stressful for passengers.

It is important that we have a presence on trains and depending on resources, we would hope to have a presence on trains on a monthly basis.

It is certainly something I will be encouraging our members to get on the train and stay on it until it leaves the Sligo/Leitrim Division.

It is also a chance for us to engage with the people who are using the train and we can also give them some literature on this and there is also information that is helpful on line.

When people who are on the train have concerns about their own safety-they can talk to gardai who are on the train as well and they will be highly visible.

The message is to make it safe for those who travel on the trains.

This has been going for the past few years and we found it to be very beneficial in identifying issues that passengers may have on the Sligo to Dublin.

There have been gardai on trains all over the country today.

It is to show that the gardai are there and if people have issues on trains the most direct way to report it to us is through 999.

And we will have a member at the next stop.

We are also very keen to tackle the problem of anti-social behaviour.

The eight intercity routes involved in the campaign are:

 Mayo/Roscommon/Longford: Ballyhaunis, Claremorris, Manulla Junction, Foxford, Ballina, Castlebar and Westport stations  Galway: Galway, Oranmore, Athenry, Attymon, Woodlawn, Ballinasloe and South from Athenry, Craughwell, Ardrahan and Gort  Sligo/Leitrim: Sligo, Colloney, Ballymote, Boyle, Carrick on Shannon, Dromod, Longford and Edworthstown  Kildare/Carlow: Newbridge, Kildare, Monasterevin, Athy and Carlow stations  Wicklow/Wexford: Bray, Greystones, Wicklow, Rathdrum, Arklow, Gorey, Enniscorthy, Wexford, and Rosslare stations  Limerick and Tipperary: Limerick, Limerick Junction, Castledonnell, Birdhill, Nenagh, Cloughjordan, Roscrea, Ballbrophy, Templemore, Thurles, Tipperary, Cahir, Clonmel and Carrick on Suir  Cork City, North and West: Charleville, Mallow, Banteer, Millstreet, Rathmore, Glounthane, Cobh and Midleton stations.
Audrey Bird and Lauren Byrne at the launch of 'Discovering Medieval Ferns County Wexford' book in St. Mogue's Cottage, Ferns.

Charles and Margaret Christopher at the launch of Discovering Medieval Ferns County Wexford book in St. Mogue's Cottage, Ferns.

Eoghan Greene, Dr. Denis Shine, Cllr. John O'Rourke (performed launch), Dr. Stephen Mandal and Dr. Michael Pollerton at the launch of Discovering Medieval Ferns County Wexford book in St. Mogue's Cottage, Ferns.

Lauren Taylor, Finn O'Driscoll, Charlotte Stammers and Debbie Stammers at the launch of Discovering Medieval Ferns County Wexford book in St. Mogue's Cottage, Ferns.

A NEW book called Discovering Medieval Ferns, County Wexford which shines a new light on the remarkable history and archaeology of Ferns was launched recently.

Edited by Drs Stephen Mandal, Michael Potterton and Denis Shine, an interdisciplinary team of twenty-plus scholars were brought together to present the results of this new research in the context of the existing knowledge of medieval Ferns, building on and re-evaluating that baseline understanding.

The result of the volume is most complete picture of medieval Ferns to date to, comprising 15 chapters of the origins and evolution of the medieval town. Importantly, this volume features not only academic papers, but also a number of chapters with a clear community focus.

The night proved an exceptional success attracting a full house who enjoyed a photo exhibit on the archaeological research detailed in the book, before listening to a short address by Dr Stephen Mandal and Councillor John ORourke, Chathaoirleach of Enniscorthy Municipal District, who officially launched the volume.

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Cllr ORourke pointed to the publication being a guidebook for everything Ferns hoping that it helps to continue to put Ferns on the map of places to experience for domestic and international tourists.

Cllr ORourke and Dr Mandal, praised everyone that have helped with the book and the wider body of research.

Special thanks were extended to the landowners who permitted archaeological research on their lands, especially the Cousins and Breen families, and the tireless work of Eoghan Greene in Wexford County Council was acknowledged, for helping making this volume and so many other Ancient Connections supported projects a reality.

Thanks were also expressed to Dean Paul Mooney and Phil Cousins for hosting the international students so graciously at St Edans Cathedral for the last three summers.

The night ended with a wine reception and catch-up between friends old and new, a fitting end to a project that has been built on community partnership and friendship for the last few years.

In the last number of years, the below-ground archaeology at Ferns has received increasing academic and commercial archaeological attention, with geophysical prospecting and excavations yielding important information that is already proving transformative to our understanding of medieval Ferns.

This body of research included a three-year excavation and associated surveys at the site of St Marys Abbey.

Founded in the third quarter of the twelfth century all that remains of this abbey above ground is the northern side of a church. However, in the early twentieth century antiquarian Robert Cochrane undertook extensive surveys in Ferns, which included a record of foundations close to St Marys, that seemingly mapped a cloister to the south of the church.

This plan indicated significant potential of this site for modern excavations, with a dig subsequently commencing in July 2021 under the guidance of the Irish Archaeology Field School.

These excavations, which continued from 2021 to 2023, were partly funded by the Rediscovering Ancient Connections: The Saints project (Ancient Connections), an inter-reg cross-border arts and heritage project linking north Pembrokeshire and north Wexford.

The excavations have contributed fascinating new information on medieval Ferns but, as importantly, have also engaged both the local community and international visitors in the dig.

In fact, key to the success of St Marys excavation has been the involvement of third level archaeological students, who have provided the main labour and funding pool.

University students from all over the world have been encouraged to St Marys through a range of university accredited IAFS programmes, focused on history, archaeology, anthropology.

To date over 100 students have travelled to the excavation, all for a stay of four plus weeks, with each new arrival bringing an enthusiasm and love of history that is infectious.

Ancient Connections also supported other research initiatives by the IAFS, most notably geophysical surveys and community excavations at Clone, another early medieval enclosure 2.25km from Ferns.

The excavations at St Marys and Clone were undertaken broadly in tandem with several non-invasive surveys by the IAFS and their partners, including 3D LiDAR (laser) scanning on Ferns Castle, St Marys and St Edans Cathedral by the University of Colorado  Denver and detailed geophysical surveys throughout Ferns in 2021.

The results of all this academic research have been published in the new major academic volume, Discovering Medieval Ferns, County Wexford.

This highly illustrated volume, funded by Ancient Connections, shines a new light on the remarkable history and archaeology of medieval Ferns, highlighting the intriguing discoveries of the IAFS, but also several other recent excavations and research programmes.
Wicklow photographer Myles Carroll's stunning image was used as the backdrop for a recent RTE weather forecast.

Wicklow photographer Myles Carroll's stunning photo of the Blessington Lakes has been nominated as a finalist in the RTE Weather Photography Competition.

Aughrim photographer Myles Carroll has been selected among the finalists in this years prestigious RTE Weather Photo Competition for his stunning photograph of the Blessington Lakes.

Set against the rolling hills of west Wicklow, the award-winning photographers image of the tranquil lakes was shortlisted from thousands of entries, representing a huge boon for the modest shutterbug.

A winner in the competition in 2004, Myles latest spectacular snap was used as a backdrop for a RTE weather forecast, presented by Nuala Carey, last week and will feature in next years ever-popular RTE Weather Photo Competition Calendar.

A lover of nature and the lush Wicklow landscape, Myles explained that when the opportunity presented itself to snap the serene scene, he couldnt pass up the opportunity  no matter the consequences!

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I had been up at the World Sheep Dog Trials in Blessington earlier in the day, and I was on my way home when I saw that view, Myles recalled.

Im not too familiar with the area, which is just lovely, and its the first time I passed through there. The colours were absolutely beautiful there.

I said to myself that I had to stop and get it. I took the photo, actually from quite a dangerous place, right in the middle of this bridge outside Blessington.

I couldnt miss it though  I had to get it. It looked so lovely, even if there was going to be a summons over it, I was determined to get it!

Running for over 20 years, the RTE Weather Photo Competition showcases the beauty of seasonal changes in the Irish landscape, offering amateur photographers and the general public an opportunity to showcase and share their talent.

Photographs are used as a backdrop for the RTE Weather bulletins and in the ever-popular calendar.

Wicklow photographer Myles Carroll's stunning image was used as the backdrop for a recent RTE weather forecast.

Delighted to be included among this years finalists, Myles said that the correspondence to say that he had been selected came completely out of the blue.

I got word the other day that I was a finalist and that the photograph was going to be on the television and on all the news bulletins, Myles said.

It was actually weather presenter Nuala Carey who contacted me  as I had won the competition in a previous year.

If Im being honest, I had totally forgotten about it, so it was a lovely bit of news to get.

Its a fantastic honour to be selected, and to be featured in the calendar. And sure, well keep an eye on it and see how the final works out.
This line of Bray Emmets jerseys hanging out to dry in a Bray garden before the recent county final is down to the hard work of Pat Lee, who has revealed one big difference in the young players of today compared with those of the bygone years.

They are the intermediate hurling jerseys getting ready for county final, managed by my son Paddy and me as selector, Bray native Pat said.

We were in both senior and intermediate finals for the last three years, did the double last year but unfortunately we were beaten this year and the year before.

And Pat went on to disclose why it is that todays young players have that iridescent glow, even on the worst of Irish days.

When the jerseys are on the line in sequence, I can see who by the number missing didnt hand back his jersey and go chase them up. There was only blood and muck one time, but now you have false tan to contend with, which is much harder to get clean!
The team from Jordans Centra Blessington on stage about to collect their award for off-license of the year award.

Centra stores in Blessington and Delgany landed gold at the Pride of Centra Awards, held in the Mansion House in Dublin.

The national ceremony recognises and celebrates the best of Centra stores, its people and exemplary retail excellence.

The ceremony awarded Joanne Dickie of Cuddihys Centra Delgany the much sought-after Management Team Member award which recognises management team members for their dedication, commitment and leadership skills that not only inspire, but empower their team to be their best.

Jordans Centra Blessington was awarded title of Off-License of the Year for HiConvenience.

Judges commented that: Despite the compact nature of the store, Centra Blessington continue to shine in execution excellence and clear navigation, making it easier for consumers to shop.

Commenting on the award ceremony, Ian Allen, Managing Director of Centra said: As the leading convenience retailer with approximately 12,000 employees and 496 stores across Ireland, we are delighted to recognise and reward the very best of convenience excellence from our people and stores.

Congratulations to Joanne Dickie of Cuddihys Centra Delgany and Jordans Centra Blessington for winning these awards; they are a testament to the exceptional standards and service they offer on a daily basis.
Four community groups from Wicklow were successful at the recent National Pride of Place awards.

These annual awards are known as the Oscars for community groups and they highlight the tremendous work being done by all over the island of Ireland. The presentation ceremony was held in Armagh this year.

The village of Hollywood won Gold in the Population 0-500 category while Avoca won Silver in the Population Category 500- 1500. Greystones Tidy Towns also won Silver in the Creative Place Category and Rewild Wicklow took home Gold in the Special Award category.

Cllr Aoife Flynn Kennedy, Cathaoirleach of Wicklow County Council, who attended the event, congratulated all involved and stated: This is an absolutely fabulous achievement for the county and I couldnt be prouder of all the people involved who made this happen.

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"To see all Four Wicklow nominees on the podium and bringing home two Gold and two Silver awards against very tough competition from across the island of Ireland was one of my proudest days as Cathaoirleach of the Council.

Wicklow County Council Chief Executive, Emer OGorman, said he was very proud of the four nominees. stating: It is a wonderful achievement for these groups and it acknowledges the fantastic work they have done in their communities.

She extended her wholehearted congratulations to all the local volunteers and groups who were involved in the competition.

Sponsored by IPB Insurance, the Pride of Place competition was initiated 21 years ago though a Co-operation Ireland programme to acknowledge the invaluable work undertaken by volunteers and those involved in local community development.

The Pride of Place competition has grown into the largest competition recognising community development achievements on the island of Ireland.
High quality trees grown at Kavanagh Christmas Trees will be available in Aldi stores from November 23.

As the festive season approaches, Kavanagh Christmas Trees, a third-generation Wicklow family business that has been supplying Irish families with traditional trees for over 70 years, is proud to celebrate its enduring partnership with Aldi.

Kavanagh Christmas Trees, based in Newtownmountkennedy, traces its roots back to 1952, when they first embarked on a journey to produce high-quality Christmas trees.

Kavanagh Christmas Trees are not only committed to delivering the finest Christmas trees, but are also dedicated to sustainability and quality.

The business is resolute in its mission to supply families across Ireland, with trees that are cultivated from seeds using highly sustainable practices, resulting in the production of high-quality Christmas trees. 6ft Irish grown Christmas trees and non-shed Nordmann Fir will be available in Aldi stores from Thursday, November 23.

Christy Kavanagh, owner of Kavanagh Christmas Trees, expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, stating: "We are proud to continue our partnership with Aldi, committing to cultivate and supply beautiful, robust trees for Aldi customers to enjoy during the holiday season.

"Our Christmas trees are grown to the highest standard. When you buy a real Christmas tree, carefully grown locally, there is that extra-special knowledge that you are supporting nature and the environment.

In 2021, Christy Kavanagh achieved a remarkable feat by winning the best Noble, Nordmann Fir, and Korean Fir categories at the annual National Christmas Tree Growers' competition, becoming the first grower to secure the top position in all three categories.

High quality trees grown at Kavanagh Christmas Trees will be available in Aldi stores from November 23.

Kavanaghs are highly committed to its sustainable practices, using ecological methods to grow their trees. In addition to supplying the community with greener trees, they are also a highly regarded tree farm recognised by Bord Bia.
Forget advent calendars, these limited edition seasonal sets offers better value for money

Tis the season for beauty advent calendars! Once upon a time, I found this to be a thrilling time. I loved the opportunity to try lots of different products for a bargain price, but as the years have gone by and the advent calendars have grown in number, Ive become less and less interested. I find that many of them disappoint when it comes to value for money, and unless youre someone with a voracious appetite for trying new things, bits of them languish in drawers until theyve expired. These days, I get more excited about the limited edition products which come out for party season.

As a lover of sparkle and shine, what beauty companies seem to categorise as party makeup is often regular use makeup for me. If you too like to look glossy and a little sparkly all year round, here are the items which have me excited this year.

Laura Mercier Shimmer and Glow Face Palette (59 via arnotts.ie)

Laura Mercier Shimmer and Glow Face Palette (59 via arnotts.ie)  This trio includes a bronzer, a highlighter and a blush, each one as luminous as the next. While technically I believe the formula is a powder, they are so creamy that I dont feel confident saying that with certainty. A little goes a long way with these guys, so use a very fluffy brush to apply  a dense stippling brush may give you more than you want. The results will be a beautiful glow which never leans into full on glitter. I think this product would be a dream on holidays when you want to wear less makeup but still want to look healthy and gorgeous.

NARS Invite Only Mini Afterglow Liquid Blush Set (42 via flannels.ie)

NARS Invite Only Mini Afterglow Liquid Blush Set (42 via flannels.ie)  I have often included a NARS cheek palette on my Christmas list, thanks to their beautifully luminous formula, but this year its this set of liquid blushes that caught my eye. This product is easy to apply and blend and delivers a naturally healthy looking flush which isnt overly radiant but also isnt matte. Its a healthy flush which isnt overly made-up, and this shade range (a peachy pink, dusty rose and rosy bronze) will suit most skin tones.

MAC Fizzy Feels Lip Balm (29 via beautybay.com)

MAC Fizzy Feels Lip Balm (29 via beautybay.com)  Look, Im a sucker for a fancy lip balm, and a fancy lip balm which looks this sparkly in the tube is always going to grab me. Fizzy Feels went viral when it originally launched, and now its back as part of this years festive collection. Available in two shades: Taste for Bubbles, a golden shimmer and Polarizing Purple, a sheer purple sparkle (this sounds crazy but actually looks beautiful on the lip). This is such a gorgeous product to look at in the tube, and it delivers shimmer and hydration in spades. I would happily wear it all year round.

Dr Jart Soothing Superstars Gift Set (51 via brownthomas.com

Dr Jart Soothing Superstars Gift Set (51 via brownthomas.com)  I really rate Dr Jarts Cicapair range which aims to calm, moisturise and colour correct redness. This set includes Cicapair Tiger Grass Colour Correcting Treatment, a little pot of magic which instantly neutralises redness (seriously, its like magic); Cicapair Tiger Grass Serum, a lightweight gel serum which soothes beautifully, and Cicapair Tiger Grass Sleeper Intensive Mask, which works overnight to increase hydration and strengthen the skin barrier. If you experience redness and have never tried these products, this is a great opportunity to give them a bash all at once without breaking the bank.

Buying Irish

Noble Peire candle duo (65 via cloonkeen.com)

Cloon Keen are one of my favourite Irish brands thanks to their gorgeous products and beautiful design. Every aspect of buying and owning a Cloon Keen product is a pleasure. The packaging is stunning, the boutiques are beautiful, and the products themselves are superb. The newly launched Noble Peire (65 via cloonkeen.com) candle duo is no exception. Noble Fir brings together pine with notes of fir balsam, amber, and cedar along with clove and cinnamon, while Noble Myrrh is based around spicy cinnamon and cumin on a rich base of sandalwood, cedar leaf, patchouli, labdanum and vanilla. This would make a stunning gift.

Something old...

The brands Extra Volume Shampoo (22.90 via petermark.ie)

Lets start with a disclosure: I have a penchant for MoroccanOil hair products purely based on their smell. The brands signature smell is a warm and rich combination of spicy amber and floral notes, and it is gorgeous. Happily, though, the products themselves generally perform to a level which means I dont have to feel guilty about buying them for the smell. The brands Extra Volume Shampoo (22.90 via PeterMark.ie) is particularly good. Packed with nourishing ingredients like antioxidants, vitamins and fatty acids, it also includes linden bud extract which is responsible for pumping up the hair and resulting in extra volume. In my experience, the boost is noticeable and lasts for several days. Plus you get that amazing smell!

... Something new

Sam McKnights Cool Girl Shampoo from the Cool Girl Care collection, 34-59 via brownthomas.com

Sam McKnights Cool Girl Texture Spray put the brand on the map when every Kate Moss fan in the world clamoured to get the product reportedly responsible for the models perfectly undone hair (McKnight has worked with Moss for years). Now, the range has grown to include much more than texture spray. The latest introduction is the Cool Girl Care (from 34-59 via brownthomas.com) collection  a trio of shampoo, conditioner and mask which promises to deliver volume without compromising on the hairs quality. Where lots of volume-boosting products dry the hair out, this range was designed with nourishment in mind as well as styling ability. Each product contains the new ingredient Voluminis which promises to penetrate deep into the hair cortex to push fibres away from each other internally, which boosts volume and fullness by up to 30pc, according to research by the brand.
Dwayne Johnson visited Capitol Hill to address military recruitment issues after admitting he was approached out of the blue by political parties to run for president last year.

The Hollywood star was pictured with the US Capitol Police on Wednesday, as well as having a sit-down with senators including Jon Tester, during his trip to Washington DC.

Mr Tester, who is chairman of the Senate veterans affairs committee, wrote on Twitter: From pickin rock on the farm to meeting with the big guy himself.

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I was glad to host @TheRock today to talk about how we can better address military recruitment issues.

The US Capitol Police also tweeted: We talked to a potential new recruit today and we think he will pass the fitness test.

Johnson spoke about being approached by political parties in 2022 to run for US president on comedian Trevor Noahs new podcast What Now?, describing the visit as out of the blue.

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The 51-year-old also appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, saying: Its crazy, its wild. This run for president talk has been in the ether for the past couple of years and it never stops being surreal.

It was incredible, it came from (Washington) DC. We sat down, the poll was almost 50% of Americans would support me running for president, it was just crazy.

Johnson admitted down the road for sure he would consider running for president.

The former wrestler said that at the moment he is a proud girl dad with the youngest of his three children aged five and knows what it is like to have an occupation that takes me away from being a daddy which is currently the most important thing to me.
Gabina VOA is designed to be an infotainment youth radio show broadcasting to Ethiopia and Eritrea in the Amharic language. The show brings varied perspectives on issues concerning young people in the Horn of Africa region. Gabina in the Amharic language is a front-row taxi ride.
A letter written by Joe Lycett to the former home secretary Suella Braverman has been read out at the Royal Albert Hall.

Stephen Fry gave a rendition of the communication, on behalf of Lycett, at the 10th anniversary of Letters Live  which is held in association with a charity supporting refugees.

Mrs Bravermans name being mentioned on Thursday night attracted shouts of boos from some in the audience.

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Before being ousted as home secretary, the Conservative MP attracted criticism over her comments about rough sleeping being a lifestyle choice, people from the LGBT+ community seeking asylum in the UK and the Metropolitan Polices managing of pro-Palestine protests.

The letter from Lycett, who has identified as pansexual, was previously revealed by the comedian in October.

Fry read it out saying: Dear Home Secretary, I am contacting you on an urgent matter as I was very interested to read your claim that asylum seekers are attempting to abuse the immigration system by pretending to be I too am disgusted by men pretending to be gay and think we should weed out this scourge from our society.

He added a radical plan has been devised that would involve Lycett monitoring applications through setting up a company to help the Government with asylum claims.

The Lycett letter also read: Just because you or your family have benefited from a system doesnt mean that system should not be smashed to bits.

For example I am vehemently against people pretending to be gay simply to achieve a better life, despite that being exactly what I did to progress in showbusiness.

Following Frys rendition, there were cheers and claps from the audience.

Ahead of performances at the event, Choose Loves chief executive Josie Naughton said: We dont believe in deporting people to Rwanda.

The reference to the Governments immigration policy attracted applause.

Earlier this month, Lycett referenced Mrs Bravermans remarks as part of a campaign to raise 50,000, which he reached, for homelessness charity Crisis UK.

Elsewhere, Jodie Whittaker performed a letter sent by fellow Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi to a nine-year-old fan of the BBC science fiction series.

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Whittaker had followed Capaldi in playing the Time Lord, known as the Doctor.

Benedict Cumberbatch also dramatically rendered George Bernard Shaws voice as he read out his letter of complaint to the Times about an opera event.

Putting on a voice, Cumberbatch as Shaw objected to a woman wearing a bird on an outfit.

Oscar winner Olivia Colman, Outlander star Tobias Menzies and Sex Education star Gillian Anderson also performed other letters.

Anderson read out American writer Anais Nins letter to a client who was paying her for erotic fiction.

Colman, who starred in an BBC adaption of Great Expectations, read a letter written to the corporation in which childrens author Jackie Morris objected to being asked to pay the licence fee when she had no TV aerial.

The actress also soliloquised a letter of complaint to a funeral parlour by novelist Lydia Davis.

American actor Woody Harrelson, who is performing in the Ulster American at the Riverside Studios in London, read letters from novelists Kurt Vonnegut and John Cheever.

The show supports Choose Love, which help refugees and displaced people.
Rishi Sunak doubles down on plan to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda

UK supreme court delivers huge blow to PM with ruling that immigration policy is unlawful

Britain's prime minister Rishi Sunak. Photo: Reuters

Michael Holden Thu 16 Nov 2023 at 03:30







British prime minister Rishi Sunak has said he will pass an emergency law and warned the country could quit the European human rights convention after the UKs top judges dealt him a major blow by ruling his scheme to send asylum-seekers to Rwanda was unlawful.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has signalled that China will send new pandas to the United States, calling them envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples, Mr Xi said during a dinner speech with business leaders.
In a part of the world that has long defied peacemakers, there are questions that bring deep furrows to diplomats brows. If Israel clears Hamas from the Gaza Strip, what kind of government will replace it? Will it be accepted by the 2.5 million Gazans who live there  and who will be its muscle if Hamas strikes back?
08:39 | San Francisco (U.S.), Nov. 16.





"Each of them is part of a work agenda that will not only allow for the exchange of experiences and commercial strategies between Peru and APEC economies, but also seeks to strengthen the country's trade ties to promote the development of national exports," Mincetur said in a press release issued on Wednesday.









Bilateral meetings





To date, China is the main trading partner of Peru.





five rounds of negotiations. Therefore, under the idea of promoting trade between both countries, during a meeting with Chinese Deputy Minister of Commerce, Wang Shouwen , it was agreed to work together to conclude the optimization process of the Free Trade Agreement that, until now, has gone through





Peru's second main trading partner and number one destination for Peruvian agricultural and textile exports. In addition, Minister Mathews met with Ambassador Katherine Tai, Trade Representative of the United States





Free Trade Commission established under the At the end of the conversation, they agreed to hold one more meeting of theestablished under the Peru-U.S. Trade Promotion Agreement  in 2024.













Peru-Thailand FTA





As part of the trade opening policies promoted by Mincetur, so that Peruvian products can reach more markets around the world, Minister Mathews and Thailand's Deputy Commerce Minister Napintorn Srisunpang agreed to resume the work to bring about the signing of a Free Trade Agreement between both countries in the short term.









"At this point, it should be noted that, to date, the Fourth Additional Protocol to the Protocol between Peru and Thailand is in force, which allows for improving conditions in the issuance of certificates of origin, direct transportation, and operational procedures, among others," Mincetur explained.





(END) NDP/CCH/RMB/MVB

Within the framework of the summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) 2023 forum , which is taking place in San Francisco, United States, the head of the Peruvian Foreign Trade and Tourism Ministry (Mincetur), Juan Carlos Mathews , held important meetings with officials and representatives of the U.S., China, Thailand, and Canada.Publicado: 16/11/2023
Goyal encouraged Silicon Valley entrepreneurs & Venture Capitalists to share ideas to make India more appealing to investors. (Photo courtesy: twitter.com/PiyushGoyal)

San Francisco: Union Minister Piyush Goyal interacted with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and venture capitalists (VCs) of Indian origin on the third day of his US visit.

He is presently in San Francisco to participate in the ministerial meeting of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), where agreements are being discussed related to topics like supply chain resilience.

During his interaction, the minister encouraged the participants to share ideas to make India more attractive to investors from around the world.

Had an engaging interaction with Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs & Venture Capitalists.



Highlighted how India's young talent, vibrant business ecosystem & growing economy presents the perfect opportunity for investments.



Menlo Park, California  pic.twitter.com/mXAbJwE0mH  Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) November 15, 2023

Goyal also shared his vision for the Indian startup ecosystem and urged the entrepreneurs and VCs present to contribute and help Indias young talent working in critical and emerging technological areas such as Artificial Intelligence.

Following the interaction, he wrote on X (formally twitter), Had an engaging interaction with Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs & Venture Capitalists. Highlighted how India's young talent, vibrant business ecosystem & growing economy present the perfect opportunity for investments.

After the interaction, he participated in a roundtable discussion with prominent academicians at Stanford University, where members of various universities, including Stanford, UC Berkeley, Fresno State, UC Santa Cruz, UC Davis, and the University of Silicon Andhra, deliberated on various relevant global issues.

Held a roundtable discussion with prominent academicians at Stanford University.



Highlighted the vast opportunities for collaboration with Indias higher education institutions to foster a vibrant exchange of knowledge, research and pathbreaking solutions to key global issues. pic.twitter.com/4YMmav54o7  Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) November 15, 2023

The roundtable saw an active exchange of ideas on how India can collaborate and set up joint campuses with foreign universities, and institutions like Stanford.

On the third day of his visit to the United States, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry also held one-to-one meetings with Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO of Micron Technology and Neil Mohan, CEO of YouTube Inc.

The Minister discussed the prospects of these companies with respect to their India presence and offered his support in their expansion to Indian markets.

Detailing his discussions with the two CEOs, the ministry said: In his discussion with Micron, Goyal highlighted how Indias growing semiconductor ecosystem presents vast opportunities for companies to collaborate & expand their businesses.

While discussing with Neil Mohan, he emphasised on how Indias potential lies in its thriving digital ecosystem, growing content space, and young & diverse demography.

Delighted to meet Mr. @NealMohan, CEO of YouTube.



We discussed how India presents a huge opportunity for @YouTube to further expand collaboration & footprint in the country with its:



 Thriving digital ecosystem

 Growing content space

Young & diverse demography pic.twitter.com/ErEoxeQPQU  Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) November 16, 2023

As part of these bilateral meetings, the minister discussed prospects of these companies with respect to their India presence and offered his support in their expansion to Indian markets, it said.

Later, Goyal also wrote in a social media post, We discussed how India presents a huge opportunity for YouTube to further expand collaboration and footprint in the country.

He also wrote about his meeting with Mehrotra on X. Met Mr Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO & President of Micron Tech. Discussed how India's growing semiconductor ecosystem presents vast opportunities for the company to collaborate & expand its footprint in the country, the post read.

Met Mr. Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO & President of @MicronTech.



Discussed how Indias growing semiconductor ecosystem presents vast opportunities for the company to collaborate & expand its footprint in the country. pic.twitter.com/YVxiXd2zkz  Piyush Goyal (@PiyushGoyal) November 16, 2023

Earlier this year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi met Mehrotra in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, where they deliberated on Micron Tech's initiatives to enhance India's semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem.

This meeting took place a month after the US chipmaker's announcement of a $825 million investment to establish a plant in Gujarat.
Narayana Murthy said India should respect and pay better salaries to its teachers. (Image Courtesy: wikipedia.org)

Bengaluru: Infosys co-founder N R Narayana Murthy on Wednesday suggested that India should allocate USD one billion per year for two decades to train primary and secondary school teachers.

According to Narayana Murthy, the country should engage 10,000 retired highly skilled teachers from both the developed world and India, focusing on STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics).

He was speaking at the Infosys Prize ceremony, an annual event that recognises achievements across six categories, honouring scientists, researchers, professors, and economists from India and various parts of the world.

Murthy dwelled on the need to expedite the outcomes of the New Education Policy (NEP) introduced by the Modi government while addressing the audience.

"One possible way of accelerating NEPs outcome is to invite 10,000 retired highly accomplished teachers from the developed world and from India in STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) to create 2,500 Train the Teacher colleges in our 28 states and 8 union territories. The training programme should be year-long," Murthy was quoted as saying by Moneycontrol.

He added that a group of four trainers can train 100 primary school teachers and 100 secondary school teachers in one year.

"We will be able to train 250,000 primary school teachers and 250,000 secondary school teachers every year by this method. These trained Indian teachers can themselves become trainers over a period of 5 years."

"We should pay about $100,000 a year", he said

The two-decade-long programme will cost India $1 billion a year and $20 billion over twenty years.

Murthy said such a cost will not pose a big financial burden on a country like India which is targeting a GDP of $5 trillion soon.

Murthy, being the son of a teacher, underscored the importance of India showing more respect and better remuneration to its teachers and researchers.

He said India should aim to reach the fourth stage in innovation and invention, positioning itself as a creator of new processes, products, and services, similar to the achievements of nations like the United States, many European Union countries, Japan, and Australia.

"We are still in stage 01 in some important areas like design of livable cities, pollution management, traffic management, and providing clean and safe water. India must aspire to move to stage 04 in every area that affects the lives of our poorest citizens in the remotest part of the country," Murthy said..

"Excellence in speed in idea generation and in the execution of those ideas comes from a culture of high aspiration, curious and inquiring minds, a desire to achieve the best global standard of work productivity, the most stringent discipline and hard work, and the mindset of a nation that respects better-performing cultures and is ready to learn from them," he said.

Murthy defined the four stages constituting the lifecycle of invention and innovation that goes on in a nation.

In the initial stage, a nation typically does not innovate or invent.

As it moves to the second stage, it starts manufacturing products and services by adopting inventions and innovations developed by other countries.

Advancing to the third stage, the nation makes use of its higher education and research to innovate and improve existing ideas from other nations, with the goal of achieving superior productivity, quality, cost-efficiency, and comfort.

At the culmination of this development comes stage four, characterised by the nation evolving into an inventor of new processes, products, and services.

He said this would happen only when India improves the quality of primary, secondary, and higher educational institutions and is ready to embrace independent, critical, and analytical thinking.

Infosys Science Foundation (ISF) announced the winners of the Infosys Prize 2023 in six categories  Engineering and Computer Science, Humanities, Life Sciences, Mathematical Sciences, Physical Sciences, and Social Sciences. The Infosys Prize for each category comprises a gold medal, a citation, and a prize purse of USD 100,000 (or its equivalent in INR). The event was hosted at the Infosys Science Foundations office in Bengaluru.

The recipients of the Infosys Prize 2023 were chosen from 224 nominations by a panel comprising international jurors.

The winners of the Infosys Prize 2023 were announced by the trustees of Infosys Science Foundation  Kris Gopalakrishnan (President, Board of Trustees), Narayana Murthy, Srinath Batni, K. Dinesh, and S. D. Shibulal.

The Infosys Prize 2023 recipients in the six categories are:

The Infosys Prize 2023 in the Engineering and Computer Science category was given to Sachchida Nand Tripathi, Professor of Sustainable Energy Engineering at the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur (IIT-Kanpur).

The award for Humanities was bestowed on Jahnavi Phalkey, Founding Director of Science Gallery Bengaluru.

The Life Sciences award was conferred on Arun Kumar Shukla, Professor of Biological Sciences and Bioengineering at IIT-Kanpur.

In the Mathematical Sciences category, the prize was given to Bhargav Bhatt, Fernholz Joint Professor at the Institute for Advanced Study and Princeton University.
A displaced family carrying their belongings in Kandahar, Afghanista./Image Credit:  UNOCHA/Sayed Habib Bidel

On the pretext of terrorism, the Pakistan Army is driving millions out of their homes, schools, businesses, and neighbourhoods to a country that they may never have considered home.

Millions are forced to live in tent colonies set up hastily along the borders. Living conditions are pathetic. Scores of children are separated from their parents. Women and children are forced to travel by buses, without any male relatives.

These millions had escaped to Pakistan for succour when their homes were taken over by terrorists and their masterminds. They believed in Pakistans forefathers who had pledged to protect and offer sanctuary for Muslims. The Afghans shared more than history and tradition with people in Pakistan. Today, Pakistan has left them orphans.

When the Afghans came to Pakistan, they were attracted by the promise of hope and shelter. They had come in waves. The first group arrived in the 1970s after the communist revolution in Afghanistan. The second group arrived during the Afghan civil war in the 1990s, driven by the conflicts among mujahideen factions. The civil war was then followed by the Taliban's brutal emirate, which led to many more refugees fleeing to Pakistan. The third and most recent group arrived in 2021 after the Taliban returned to power. This group consists of teachers, civil servants, government employees, and ethnic and religious minorities who feared the Taliban's rule.

Despite living in Pakistan for decades, these millions of refugee seekers lack proper residency permits, national identity cards, or citizenship. Their children and grandchildren, who have been born and raised in Pakistan, consider Pakistan and not Afghanistan their true home.

Image: Pixabay

These millions have nothing to do with terrorism. It is true that terrorists attacking Pakistan are mostly Pashtuns. The only thing they share is common ethnicity. But for their crime, millions of innocents are being put through fire by a failed Pakistan Army. These men and women are equal victims of terrorism. In fact, they have suffered terrorism more than the people of Pakistan.

By forcing millions to leave their homes, Pakistan is violating its own and international laws and conventions. Pakistan is a signatory to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which obligates the government to protect the basic human rights of all individuals within its borders.

Pakistans action is inhumane. Many Afghan refugees have lived in Pakistan for decades and have built lives there. They are well-integrated into Pakistani society and would face persecution and violence if deported to Afghanistan.

Such large-scale displacement of people is economically disruptive. Afghan refugees have established businesses across Pakistan and contribute to the local economy. Mass deportations would disrupt economic stability.

This forced mass migration would further destabilise the region. Forced deportations would play into the narratives of the Afghan Taliban and TTP, which would benefit from increased instability in Pakistan.

In addition to these general concerns, there are several specific reasons why forced deportation would be particularly harmful for different groups of Afghan refugees.

Education for girls is banned in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Deporting refugee families to Afghanistan would deny girls access to education and put them at risk of other forms of discrimination and violence.

Ethnic and religious minorities, such as the Hazaras, would be at risk of persecution and violence in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan. Former government employees and their families would be at risk of revenge killings and collective punishment in Taliban-controlled Afghanistan.

For all of these reasons, the forced deportation of Afghan refugees would be tantamount to the destruction of an ethnic community, an act of genocide.
Photo courtesy: UNI

Bhopal/UNI: The BJP's determined bid to stretch its almost uninterrupted 20-year rule, and the Congress' all out pitch to wrest control of the geographically-large Hindi heartland state, sums up battleground Madhya Pradesh which goes to the hustings on Friday.

Madhya Pradesh - which has been under saffron rule since 2003 barring a Congress interregnum - is all set for single-phase polling on Friday in all its 230 Assembly constituencies.

Going by the psephologists, it could be a close call. However, both the principal combatants claim the voters would side with them decisively.

In the 2018 election, the Congress emerged as the single-largest entity with 114 seats and constituted a coalition government that proved to be short-lived owing to the exit in March 2020 of MLAs loyal to then Congress leader Jyotiraditya Scindia, who revolted and the BJP formed a dispensation again.

Later that year, most of the Scindia supporters won on BJP tickets in by-polls.

Needless to say, victory is a prestige issue for the saffron camp even as the Congress is ranging for revenge.

The outcome shall also be a reflection of the voters' mood vis-a-vis the all-important general election scheduled in 2024.

In the 2019 Lok Sabha polls, the BJP had a clean sweep barring Congress stalwart Kamal Nath's traditional bastion Chhindwara, from where his son Nakul Nath won.

It remains to be seen how far the personal charisma and populist schemes of Shivraj Singh Chouhan - the longest-serving BJP Chief Minister ever - influences the electorate's psyche or an anti-incumbency factor comes into play.

The election campaign also brought out fissures on the newly formed I.N.D.I.A alliance of the anti-BJP parties, with the Samajwadi Party taking umbrage at the Congress for not leaving some seats for it. The Congress on its part has claimed that the scope of the I.N.D.I.A grouping is limited to the Lok Sabha polls.

The din and bustle of campaigning died down at 6 p.m. on Wednesday after reaching a feverish pitch for the formation of the states 16th Vidhan Sabha.

Candidates are endeavouring to woo voters by going door to door.

During the past few days, the BJP, the Congress and other political parties invested every ounce of their respective energies in an attempt to sway the populace.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi himself led the saffron charge by addressing approximately a dozen public meetings. He was seconded by Union Home Affairs and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda.

Congress President Mallikarjun Kharge, erstwhile party head Rahul Gandhi and General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Samajwadi Party chief Akhilesh Yadav and Bahujan Samaj Party supremo Mayawati were also on the campaign trail.

The polling will take place from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. with the exception of certain polling centres in Leftwing extremism-affected Balaghat, Dindori and Mandla districts where voting will cease at 3 p.m.

Chief Electoral Officer Anupam Rajan told UNI that preparations are complete for D-Day.

An electorate exceeding 5.60 crore  including more than 2.71 crore women and 1,292 of the third gender  is eligible to participate in the democratic exercise at over 65,500 polling centres to decide the fortunes of 2,533 nominees including 252 females and one member of the third gender.

The BJP and the Congress have fielded their representatives for all seats whereas other figures include BSP 181, SP 71 and 1,166 independents.

Among the prominent contestants are Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan (Budhni), Congress state head and former CM Kamal Nath (Chhindwara), Union Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Minister Narendra Singh Tomar (Dimani), Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti and Food-Processing Industries Prahalad Singh Patel (Narsinghpur), Union MoS for Steel and Rural Development Faggansingh Kulaste (Niwas) and BJP Gen Secy Kailash Vijayvargiya (Indore).

Counting is slated for December 3.
Photo courtesy: UNI

New Delhi/IBNS/UNI: India on Thursday raised concern over the ongoing situation in Myanmar, with rebels seeking to control the border with India in Mizoram, and sought a resolution through "constructive dialogue".

Addressing the weekly press conference, External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, "India is concerned with such incidents close to the border, and New Delhi's position on the ongoing situation in Myanmar is clear."

Bagchi said India wants cessation of the violence and resolution of the situation through constructive dialogue and calls for the return of peace, stability, and democracy in Myanmar.

"Since the current conflict started, a large number of Myanmar citizens have been taking refuge in India and the local authorities in the concerned neighboring states have been handling the situation appropriately on humanitarian grounds," he said.

"India has also been facilitating the return of those who wish to go back to that country," he added.

A civil war has been raging in Myanmar following a military coup in February 2021. The fighting between the countrys Army and pro-democracy groups intensified close to the Mizoram border a few days ago.

Over the issue of the Israel-Hamas conflict, the External Affairs Ministry said," India has always underlined the need for humanitarian law and civilian casualties to be avoided in the Israel-Hamas conflict."

Replying to a media query, Bagchi said India has always underlined the need for humanitarian relief and de-escalation of tension. "India has sent 38 tonnes of relief material and is looking to send more assistance".

As the Hamaas-Israel War enters Day 41, the UN Security Council has adopted a Malta-led resolution calling for a humanitarian pause and ceasefire in Gaza. Israel, however, continuing its stance of "no ceasefire", has rejected the UNSC Resolution.

The Council calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children, as well as ensuring immediate humanitarian access, by the terms of the resolution.

The resolution, however, does not condemn the Hamas attacks of 7 October which began the current wave of violence and battle for control of Gaza. The Council also rejected an amendment proposed by Russia.
Photo courtesy: UNI

Beijing/UNI: China has no plans to surpass or unseat the United States, Chinese President Xi Jinping told a meeting with US President Joe Biden on Wednesday in San Francisco.

"China has no plans to surpass or unseat the US, nor should the US plan to suppress or contain China," China Central Television quoted Xi as telling the meeting.

Xi also said China is not planning to follow the "old path of colonial looting," as well as to follow the false path of the principle of "a strong country must necessarily be a usurper," and will not export ideology and engage in ideological confrontation with any country.

"I am convinced that once opened, the door of China-U.S. relations cannot be shut again. Once started, the cause of China-U.S. friendship cannot be derailed halfway.

The tree of our peoples friendship has grown tall and strong; and it can surely withstand the assault of any wind or storm," the Chinese Foreign Ministry quoted Xi as saying at a welcome dinner by friendly organizations in the US.

The Chinese leader also noted that Beijing gladly observes the US' growing development and prosperity and that the future of the US-Chinese relationship lies with their people, especially their youth, and that is why the countries must boost ties and exchanges between their nations.

"China never bets against the United States, and never interferes in its internal affairs [...] Likewise, the United States should not bet against China, or interfere in Chinas internal affairs. It should instead welcome a peaceful, stable and prosperous China," Xi said.

Xi and Biden held their meeting at the historic Filola estate in northern California on the sidelines of the leaders summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation taking place in San Francisco this week.
Chhath Puja 2023: The festival is dedicated to Chhathi Maiya, the sister of Lord Surya and the sixth form of Devi Prakriti. In the Hindu calendar, it is celebrated on the sixth day of the lunar month of Kartika, or Vikram Samvat, six days after Diwali.

According to the Hindu calendar, Chhath Puja is a four-day festival dedicated to Lord Surya and Chhathi Maiya.

When is Chhath Puja 2023?

This year, the festival commences with Nahay Khay on November 17, 2023, and concludes with Usha Arghya on November 20, 2023. The auspicious day starts after the sixth day of Diwali and on the sixth day of the month of Kartik. Happy Chhath Puja Wishes, Messages, and Quotes.

Chhath Puja 2023: Why Surya Arghya Is So Important In Chhath Puja | Freepik

Usha Arghya involves a 36-hour-long nirjala festival offering arghya during sunrise. Celebrated in states like Bihar, Jharkhand, Eastern Uttar Pradesh, and also in Nepal, this festival is dedicated to the worship of Lord Surya. Vratis or devotees, especially women (though men also follow it nowadays), observe fasts during Chhath to seek prosperity and well-being for their family members. Chhath Puja Wishes Images.

What is the Significance of Surya Arghya in Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is a four-day festival celebrated by Hindus in India, Nepal, and other parts of the world. The festival honors the Sun God Surya and involves fasting, prayers, and offerings to the Sun God.

On the third and fourth day of Chhath Puja, devotees offer arghya (prayers) to the setting and rising sun. This ritual is known as Surya Arghya.

Surya Arghya is a significant ritual in Chhath Puja because it is a way for devotees to express their gratitude to the Sun God for his blessings. The Sun God is seen as a source of life, energy, and prosperity. By offering arghya to the Sun God, devotees are seeking his blessings for good health, wealth, and happiness.

Surya Arghya is also a time for reflection and introspection. Devotees stand waist-deep in water and offer prayers to the Sun God. This is a time for them to think about their lives and to make resolutions for the future.

The ritual of Surya Arghya is also a beautiful and inspiring sight. Devotees dressed in their finest clothes stand in rows, facing the setting or rising sun. They hold offerings of fruits, sweets, and flowers in their hands. As they offer prayers, the sun's rays glisten off the water, creating a magical and unforgettable scene.

Chhath Puja 2023: Why Surya Arghya Is So Important In Chhath Puja | Shutterstock

Here are some of the specific benefits that are believed to be associated with Surya Arghya:

Good health: The Sun God is believed to be the source of all life, and offering arghya to him is believed to promote good health and well-being.

The Sun God is believed to be the source of all life, and offering arghya to him is believed to promote good health and well-being. Wealth and prosperity: The Sun God is also seen as a symbol of wealth and prosperity, and offering arghya to him is believed to bring good fortune.

The Sun God is also seen as a symbol of wealth and prosperity, and offering arghya to him is believed to bring good fortune. Success and achievement: The Sun God is also seen as a source of strength and courage, and offering arghya to him is believed to help devotees achieve their goals.

The Sun God is also seen as a source of strength and courage, and offering arghya to him is believed to help devotees achieve their goals. Gratitude and fulfillment: Offering arghya to the Sun God is a way for devotees to express their gratitude for his blessings. It is also a time for reflection and introspection, which can lead to a sense of fulfillment.

Surya Arghya is a beautiful and meaningful ritual that is central to Chhath Puja. It is a time for devotees to express their gratitude to the Sun God, to seek his blessings, and to reflect on their lives.

Chhath Puja 2023 Citywise Sunset Timings For Arghya

City-wise Chhath Puja Timings 2023 City Sunset Timings Delhi 5:27 PM Gaya 5:02 PM Patna 5:00 PM Ranchi 5:03 PM Noida 5:26 PM Samastipur 4:57 PM Aurangabad 5:49 PM Lucknow 4:52 PM Pune 5:27 PM Bhagalpur 4:54 PM Darbhanga 4:56 PM Bengaluru 5:50 PM Bhopal 5:35 PM Raipur 5:29 PM Chennai 5:39 PM Kolkata 5:00 PM Chandigarh 5:25 PM Kanpur 5:28 PM Prayagraj 5:15 PM Hyderabad 5:40 PM Kolkata 5:00 PM

Chhath Puja 2023: FAQs

Q: What is Chhath Puja?

Chhath Puja is a Hindu festival dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya. It is mainly observed in the Indian states of Bihar, Jharkhand, Uttar Pradesh, and some parts of Nepal. The festival involves a series of rituals performed over four days.

Q: When is Chhath Puja celebrated?

Chhath Puja is typically celebrated in October or November, on the sixth day of the Hindu month of Kartika.

Q: What are the main rituals of Chhath Puja?

The main rituals of Chhath Puja include taking a holy dip in the river, fasting, offering prayers to the Sun God during sunrise and sunset, and making special offerings known as 'prasad' using traditional methods.

Q: Why is Chhath Puja celebrated?

Chhath Puja is celebrated to express gratitude to the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth and seeking blessings for well-being, prosperity, and longevity. It is also a way to thank the Sun for providing energy for agriculture.

Q: What is the significance of fasting during Chhath Puja?

Fasting during Chhath Puja is considered a way of cleansing the mind and body. Devotees observe a strict fast and abstain from drinking water as they offer prayers to the Sun God.

Q: Can Chhath Puja be celebrated at home?

While Chhath Puja is traditionally celebrated on riverbanks, it can also be observed at home. Devotees can create a makeshift water body, such as a pond or tank, to perform the rituals. The key is to maintain the purity of the environment.

Q: Is Chhath Puja only for women?

No, Chhath Puja is not gender-specific. Both men and women can observe and participate in the rituals. It is a family-oriented festival where everyone, irrespective of gender, can take part.

Q: How long does Chhath Puja last?

Chhath Puja is a four-day festival. The main rituals are performed on the third and fourth days, known as Kharna and Surya Shashthi, respectively. Devotees start their preparations from the first day, Nahay Khay, and conclude with Paran on the last day.

(Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.)

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events.
Diwali 2024 Date: Diwali also known as Dewali, Divali, or Deepavali is a socio-cultural festival. Diwali is an auspicious Hindu festival-- falling on the new moon of Kartik month--that comes after 20 days of Dussehra or Vijayadashami every year, and lasts for five days from Dhanteras to Bhai Dooj.

In 2024, Diwali will be celebrated on Friday, November 1, 2024, across the country.

When is Diwali in 2024?

Diwali is a five-day celebration observed in the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin and Kartika (mid-October to mid-November). The ancient calendar states that Diwali is celebrated annually on Amavasya or the fifteenth day of the month of Kartik. In 2024 year the festival of lights will fall on Friday, November 1st, 2024.

On this day, Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity, is worshiped and Her blessing is sought by the devotees. There are many stories behind this festival and each of them symbolizes the same thing.

When is Diwali in 2024: Diwali 2024 Date in India | Shutterstock





Diwali 2024 Puja Dates Day Festival Date Diwali Festival

Day 1 Dhanteras Tuesday,

October 29,

2024 Diwali Festival

Day 2 Narak Chaturdashi

(Chhoti Diwali) Thursday,

October 31st,

2024 Diwali Festival

Day 3 Diwali

(Laxmi Pujan) Friday,

November 1st,

2024 Diwali Festival

Day 4 Govardhan Puja Saturday,

November 2nd,

2024 Diwali Festival

Day 5 Bhaiya Dooj Sunday,

November 3rd,

2024

Source: Drikpanchang

2024 Diwali Calendar

Diwali Day 1: Dhanteras (October 29, 2024)

Dhanteras is the first day of Diwali and is considered to be a very auspicious day to buy new utensils and jewelry. On this day, people worship Lord Dhanvantari, the god of medicine and health.

Diwali Day 2: Chhoti Diwali or Narak Chaturdashi (October 31st, 2024)

Choti Diwali is the second day of Diwali and is also known as Kali Chaudas. On this day, people worship Lord Hanuman and Goddess Kali. It is also a day to clean the house and get rid of old and unwanted things.

Diwali Day 3: Diwali, Laxmi Puja (November 1, 2024)

Diwali is the third day of Diwali and is the main day of the festival. On this day, people worship Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity. They also light diyas (oil lamps) and candles to illuminate their homes and businesses.

Diwali Day 4: Goverdhan Puja (November 2, 2024)

Govardhan Puja is the fourth day of Diwali and is also known as Annakut. On this day, people worship Lord Krishna and offer him a mountain of food made from various grains and vegetables.

Diwali Day 5: Bhai Dooj (November 3, 2024)

Bhai Dooj is the fifth and final day of Diwali. On this day, sisters apply tilak (vermilion mark) on the foreheads of their brothers and pray for their well-being. Brothers in turn give gifts to their sisters.

Diwali 2024: History & significance

The origins of Diwali can be traced back to ancient Hindu mythology. According to legend, Lord Rama, the seventh incarnation of Lord Vishnu, returned to his kingdom of Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana. The people of Ayodhya welcomed Lord Rama by lighting diyas (earthen lamps) and decorating their houses with rangolis (colored patterns). This event is believed to have occurred on the day of Amavasya (new moon day) in the Hindu month of Kartik, which is why Diwali is celebrated during this time.

Diwali 2024: Significance

Diwali is not only a festival of lights, but it also has great cultural and spiritual significance. The festival symbolizes the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. The lighting of diyas is believed to represent the inner light that protects us from spiritual darkness. It is also a time for families and friends to come together, share sweets and delicacies, and exchange gifts.

Diwali 2024: FAQs

When is Diwali celebrated?

Diwali is celebrated in the Hindu month of Kartika, which falls between October and November. The exact dates of the festival vary from year to year, but it typically falls in late October or early November.

Are there any customs associated with Diwali puja (worship)?

Diwali puja involves prayers to deities such as Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and Ganesh, the god of auspicious beginnings. Families clean and decorate their homes, perform puja rituals, and seek blessings for prosperity and well-being.

Why do people light lamps and candles during Diwali?

Lighting lamps and candles symbolizes the victory of light over darkness and is believed to invite the blessings of deities into the home. It also represents the dispelling of ignorance by the light of knowledge.

What is the significance of Diwali?

Diwali signifies the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance. It is associated with various mythological stories, including the return of Lord Rama to Ayodhya after defeating the demon king Ravana.

Note: Dates/timings may be subject to change; details mentioned here are as per the information available.

For more informative articles on historical and upcoming events from around the world, please visit Indiatimes Events


10:32 | Urubamba (Cusco region), Nov. 15.





"At this moment, in this CADE's edition, and strongly influenced by the task of governing it has been given, the Executive Branch reaffirms that it will support private investment, which is the true engine of the country's development," he expressed.





The Cabinet chief stated that restoring confidence between the State and the private sector, in a complex situation, is key.





Moreover, he recalled that Peru has overcome adverse moments thanks to the resilience and determination of everyone, without exception.





"For the Government of President (Dina) Boluarte , the private sector is and must be a strategic ally, and each of our initiatives is aimed at building confidence to steer us onto a more prosper and inclusive Peru," Otarola stressed.





In his speech, the Prime Minister pointed out that events such as social conflicts, the Yaku Cyclone, the water and fishing crisis, and the current El Nino phenomenon, have led the country into a challenging, but temporary, situation.





"In spite of that, economic engines such as mining and fishing continue operating and will continue to do so, thanks to the agreements that we have been reaching with private companies," the Ministerial Cabinet head remarked.





"We have prepared concrete measures to support construction, manufacturing, and agricultural exports. We are optimistic, and we anticipate a recovery in the first quarter of next year," he added.





Under the motto "Believe again, grow again," the 61st edition of the Annual Conference of Executives (CADE-Executives) was inaugurated on Tuesday afternoon.

The event is scheduled from November 14 to 16 in the province of Urubamba (Cusco region).



?#CADEejecutivos | Ahora el premier Alberto Otarola detalla en el CADE 2023 las medidas economicas del Gobierno para generar seguridad en el sector privado. pic.twitter.com/fJEML27wDn  Consejo de Ministros (@pcmperu) November 15, 2023

(END) RMCH/JCR/RMB/MVB

During his participation at the 61st edition of the Annual Conference of Executives (CADE-Executives), Peruvian Prime Minister Alberto Otarola reiterated the Government's support for private investment as engine of the country's development.Published: 11/15/2023
As the air quality in Delhi shows no signs of improving, the AAP government has proposed to impose a complete ban on passenger buses, except those running on CNG, electricity and BS-VI diesel, from entering the national capital.

According to reports, the restrictions could be imposed after Chhath Puja.

BCCL

What are the current restrictions on vehicles?

Currently, as part of the restrictions under GRAP Stage IV, trucks are barred from entering the national capital.

Last month, the Delhi government directed that all buses entering the national capital from Haryana will have to be run on electricity, CNG or BS-VI diesel.

BCCL

Buses entering from the NCR regions of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan also need to follow these norms.

Why Delhi government wants to restrict entry of vehicles

The city government's transport department said all buses entering Delhi from any city or town in Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh from July 1 will only be those that run on electricity, CNG and BS-VI diesel.

Last week, the Delhi government had also asked the transport department to ban the entry of app-based taxis registered outside the national capital.

BCCL

How odd-even got deferred

The AAP government had also proposed to bring back the odd-even car rationing scheme in Delhi for a week, from 13th to 20 November.

The odd-even scheme, introduced in 2016, allows cars to operate on alternate days based on their odd or even number plates. Its enforcement next week will mark the fourth time that the Delhi government has used this scheme to address pollution caused by vehicles.

BCCL

However, it was put on hold after the Supreme Court questioned the effectiveness of odd-even in controlling air pollution levels.

When odd-even will be reintroduced

On Wednesday, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai said that the government is closely monitoring the city's pollution levels and will consider measures such as artificial rain and implementing the odd-even rule if the situation escalates to the 'Severe' plus category.

For more on the news, sports, and current affairs from around the world, please visit Indiatimes News.
Former Governor of Edo State, Senator Adams Oshiomhole has revealed that he was harassed and assaulted by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives during his tenure as the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

Oshiomhole who made this known on Channels Televisions Politics Today, narrated his experience amidst the recent assault on the current NLC president, Joe Ajaero in Imo State, which led to an indefinite nationwide strike from Tuesday.

He said that he was arrested and stopped from travelling because the union had given an ultimatum to the Olusegun Obasanjo administration.

The former NLC boss said the ultimatum had to do with resisting the attempt to withdraw fuel subsidy because of the consequential increase in the cost of living

He said: I had a similar experience, I was on my way to Delta State and I went to the airport.

The then director of SSS ordered that I should be arrested and stopped from travelling because we had given an ultimatum to the then Federal Government headed by President Olusegun Obasanjo.

READ MORE: Weve Arrested Ajaeros Attackers  NSA Begs Labour To Call Off Strike

They dragged me on the tarmac and I had my cuts all over the place. They forcefully prevented me from flying and took me back to the DSS director generals office, then Col. Kayode Are.

He offered to take me to their own hospital and I said, No, I cant even trust a government that has inflicted this kind of wound on me to treat me. They might as well poison my blood. I said I wasnt going to do that.

For at least 48 hours, the NLC couldnt locate me. When eventually I was let out, the bandage on my arm with the blood and all that, I told my colleagues, This blood would rather reinforce and whet my appetite for the struggle for justice, he added.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) has reacted to the proposal by the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Atiku Abubakar, rallying opposition political parties to merge.

Recall that on Tuesday, Atiku beckoned on opposition parties to enter a merger that will dislodge the APC from power, while hosting the National Executive Committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria.

The former Vice President warned against the likelihood of Nigeria slipping into a one-party state.

Reacting, APC noted that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu remains unperturbed in delivering his electoral promises of the Renewed Hope mandate.

READ ALSO: Melaye Openly Confessed To Having Access To INEC Server, Must Be Arrested, Prosecuted  Kogi Info. Commissioner

Spokesman of APC, Felix Morka, further urged Atiku to concentrate on repairing his damaged political psyche and attempt to revive his comatose PDP and leave APC out of his predicament.

However, we welcome the former Vice Presidents charge to opposition political parties to rally together to engage in opposition politics.

On our part, President Bola Tinubu will continue, undisturbed, to justify his electoral promises in the Renewed Hope Agenda as he builds a safer, stronger and economically vibrant country for the benefit of all. Thats what Nigerians care about, thats what they deserve, a statement by Morka read in part.
An All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Joe Igbokwe has urged Nigerian graduates who are yet to secure a job to go and learn skills like painting, laying ties, irons and others.

INFORMATION NIGERIA reports that the member of the ruling party gave the advise on his Facebook page on November 15.

He said that if graduates are waiting for paid jobs, they may wait till the end of age.

READ MORE: I Didnt Build My Mansion Through Rituals  Kanayo O. Kanayo Advises Nigeria Youths To Indulge In Hardwork

According to him: Nigeria with a population of more than 200 people is a potential market. If you are a graduate and you cannot find a job go learn skills.

Painting, laying tiles, trading, laying POP, Iron works, making doors, transportation, trading online.
A 20-year-old suspect, identified as David Felix, from Madakiya village in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area, Kaduna State, confessed that he killed his biological father at their residence for appearing in his dreams as a bird with a human face, attempting to hurt him.

The spokesperson of the command, Mansir Hassan, on Wednesday, said that the incident happened on September 30, 2023 and during an interrogation at the State Police Command Headquarters, he admitted to the crime and regretted his action.

READ MORE: Two Killed, Others Injured As Bandits Invade Kaduna Mosque

He narrated that he took the step after waking up from sleep, using a pestle to assault his father while he was asleep.

The police said: He killed his father after waking up from sleep and used a pestle to hit him while asleep. Formal charges would be filed once the investigation concludes.
The Labour Party (LP) has described merger proposal of the 2023 presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party, Atiku Abubakar, as a good option that should be considered.

The New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP) on its part said it could only accept the proposal if Atiku would support former Governor of Kano State, Rabiu Kwankwaso, to wrest power from the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in 2027.

Recall that on Tuesday, Atiku beckoned on opposition parties to enter a merger that will dislodge the APC from power, while hosting the National Executive Committee of the Inter-Party Advisory Council of Nigeria.

The former Vice President warned against the likelihood of Nigeria slipping into a one-party state.

He said, We have all seen how the APC is increasingly turning Nigeria into a dictatorship of one party. If we dont come together to challenge what the ruling party is trying to create, our democracy will suffer for it, and the consequences of it will affect the generations yet unborn.

Reacting, LPs acting National Publicity Secretary, Obiora Ifoh, described Atikus call as a good preposition that should be considered by every Nigerian.

Atikus call is a proposition, and every Nigeria will consider a good proposition that is meant to remove the Octopus in power because they are not democrats.

Every Nigerian is interested in having a true democracy. What we have now is far away from democracy. So, if there is a preposition by opposition elements to ensure that democracy is installed, why not? That preposition must be given a good thought. Anything that will make Nigerians witness democracy is accepted, he said in a chat with Punch.

READ ALSO: APC Moving Nigeria Into Dictatorship, Opposition Parties Need To Merge  Atiku

However, the NNPP described Atikus call as emotional and medicine after death.

Yakubu Shendam, NNPPs National Publicity Secretary, said any merger being considered must be to support Kwankwaso to become President, otherwise, the Party is not interested.

This is like medicine after death. If there is any future collaboration, it should not be as a result of emotions. We are going all along because we have a gladiator who has the capacity to take over Nigeria.

We believe that there is a need to canvass for support from people to win the election, from all sides. However, we believe that single-handedly, Kwankwaso can deliver Nigeria in 2027.

But that doesnt mean that we are not looking for players like Atiku to join our party. If there is going to be a merger, it should be with the NNPP, because Atiku is now retiring, so, he should support Senator Rabiu Kwankwaso.

We dont want to join forces with people who are under emotions but we are comfortable as a party having a person like Rabiu Kwankwaso, as our national leader. We are calling on Atiku as an elder brother to close ranks with Kwankwaso if he wants to be relevant in 2027.

Moreso, the ruling APC said it was not threatened by Atikus call to close ranks against them with opposition parties.

Publicity Director of the APC, Bala Ibrahim, said, How and why should we (be threatened)? Atiku has been trashed in the court and trashed in the public opinion. In what way does Atiku and his party have the wherewithal to instill threat in the mind of the party in power?

The PDP, as far as Nigeria is concerned, is inconsequential. Atiku and the PDP do not have the power to instill fear in the ruling party, especially a party that is progressive.
Tayyip Erdogan, President of Turkey, on Wednesday, tagged Israel a terrorist state during an address before the Turkish Parliament.

The Turkish President is one of the world leaders who has been vocal against Israels bombardment of Gaza since the conflict started in October.

With the savagery of bombing the civilians it forced out of their homes while they are relocating, it is literally employing state terrorism. I am now saying, with my heart at ease, that Israel is a terror state, he said in the televised address.

We will never shy away from voicing the truth that Hamas members protecting their lands, honour, and lives in the face of occupation policies are resistance fighters, just because some people are uncomfortable with it, he added.

Information Nigeria understands that the statement is in contrast to the rhetoric of several other world leaders, especially in the West.

Britain, the United States, and the European Union all regard Hamas as a terrorist organisation.

READ ALSO: After Escape, Three Victims Narrate Ordeal After Fulani Speaking Gunmen On Army Uniform Abducted 18 Benue Links Passengers

He however tackled the Western allies, especially the United States, stating that they were still seeing the conflict in backward terms.

Erdogan also called for the trial of Israeli leaders for war crimes before the International Court of Justice in The Hague.

The Israel-Hamas conflict began on October 7, after Hamas fighters broke through Israels borders, killed over 1,200 people, and took 240 others hostage.

Retaliatory attacks began on October 8 after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on the group.

According to Gazas Hamas-run Ministry of Health, Israels bombardment and ground offensive have resulted in the deaths of 11,320 Palestinian civilians.

Countries like Turkey, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia have continued to call for a cease-fire, while the Western allies have cautioned Israel to minimise civilian casualties in the conflict.
No fewer than two Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) have died and more than 1,000 houses burned down in a fire incident that swept through the Muna Alamdari IDP camp in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state.

It was gathered that the accident began at about 6am and lasted for over an hour before it was brought under control by fire service personnel.

According to the Director General of the State Emergency Management Agency, Dr Barkindo Muhammad, said on Wednesday that the IDPs, Civilian Joint Task Force, security agencies and some good Samaritans also assisted in putting out the fire.

READ MORE: IDP Stabs Man To Death For Allegedly Standing With His Wife In Public In Borno

Muhammad added that the agency had commenced an assessment of the damages while making efforts to provide immediate humanitarian support to the victims.

We are immediately providing 500 bags of rice, blankets, as well as other non-food items to mitigate their suffering, the official said.
F# 8, a new edition of Microsofts open-source, functional-first programming language, now is generally available, emphasizing simpler, more uniform, and more performant F# programming.

Released November 14 as part of the .NET 8 software development platform, F# 8 is available in both .NET 8 and Visual Studio 2022.

F# 8 has been made more consistent by allowing existing constructs in previously forbidden contexts, Microsoft said. This is intended to reduce beginner confusion and the need for workarounds, leading to more succinct code. Among these new language features is a shorthand for defining simple lambda functions, useful when the lambda only does an atomic expression on the lambda argument.

The shorthand works for single property access, nested property access, method calls, and indexers. It also can be used outside of a function call to define a standalone lambda for future usage.

A copy-and-update enhancement for nested records lets developers use dot-notation to reach lower levels of nested records and update them. A while! feature presents a refined approach to loops in computation expressions, minimizing boilerplate and maximizing clarity, Microsoft said.

Other new features and enhancements in F# 8:
View of a home where a family was tied up and assaulted during a home invasion robbery in Philadelphia, Pa. Police are searching for the masked suspects. Read more

Philadelphia Police are seeking the publics help in tracking down four men they say broke into a familys East Oak Lane home at gunpoint, tying them up, and assaulting them before stealing their valuables earlier this month.

The four masked men, who were wearing black hoodies, robbed residents of the home on the 6600 block of North Seventh Street at 10:12 a.m. Nov. 6, police said. One of the people who live in the house was on the front lawn with a handyman who was working around the house when the four assailants forced them back into the house at gunpoint, his girlfriend said Wednesday.

The couple, who have lived together in the house since 2017 and run a business there, declined to give their names for fear of their familys safety.

In surveillance video released by police, the assailants can be seen pulling up in a black Acura before getting out, sneaking behind parked cars, and jumping the resident and the handyman. Surveillance video from inside the house shows the men forcing the family and the handyman down onto the kitchen floor at gunpoint.

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Footage also shows the masked men rolling a safe out of the house and getting into the black Acura they used as their getaway car.

The couple lives in the house with the womans four children, she said. Her four-year-old daughter was home sick from school when the armed robbers broke in and hit her boyfriend and the handyman, tying them up and threatening to shoot them all if they didnt tell them where the safe in their house was.

They told us theyd kill us if we dont tell them where the money is. They said the same thing to my daughter, the woman said in Spanish Wednesday, trembling as she recounted that day.

After opening a safe for the men, the woman grabbed her phone and locked herself in a downstairs bathroom, she said. The assailants were able to steal the safe, jewelry, and firearms, police said.

The men fled in the black Acura westbound on 66th Avenue, police said.

The violent robbery lasted less than five minutes, the woman said, but has left her and her family in a state of complete shock and fear.

Anytime a car pulls up and parks near the house, she looks out her window, worried about who it might be, she said. She is gripped with fear thinking about her children going to school and university, and whether theyll be safe while the suspects are still not caught.

Her four-year-old daughter, who hid under a table after the assailants broke into their house, is traumatized, she said. Since the attack, the child has not been sleeping well, often waking up screaming No.

I dont think my life will ever be the same, she said.

Authorities ask that anyone with information call the Philadelphia Police Departments Northwest Detective Division at 215-686-3353/3354. People can also call in or a text a tip via the departments tipline at 215-686-8477 or submit a tip via an online form.
Xi urges all-out rescue efforts after coal mine company building fire

Xinhua) 20:13, November 16, 2023

BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out efforts to rescue and treat the injured after a fire accident at a building of a coal mine company in north China's Shanxi Province on Thursday morning.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, asked all regions and relevant departments to thoroughly identify risks in key industries to safeguard people's lives, property, and social stability.

Xi, who is visiting abroad, made the instructions immediately after the accident.

The fire that happened in the city of Lyuliang has left 26 people dead and 38 others injured.

The accident caused heavy casualties, and the lesson is profound, Xi said, urging authorities to find out the cause of the accident as soon as possible, and hold accountable those responsible.

Xi stressed that all regions and relevant departments should learn a lesson from the accident, firmly establish the concept of safe development, and strengthen bottom-line thinking.

In view of the high risk of fire accidents in winter, Xi demanded improving emergency plans and preventive measures, making all parties step up to their responsibilities, and resolutely curbing the occurrence of major accidents.

Premier Li Qiang made instructions, urging a fast rescue of the missing personnel, all-out efforts to treat the wounded, minimizing casualties, and properly dealing with the aftermath.

On assignment from Xi, officials from the State Council and relevant departments have gone to the scene to guide the rescue and emergency response work.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Xian Jiangnan)
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Ambassador James OBrien, U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of European and Eurasian Affairs, told House Foreign Affairs Committee members on November 15 we have not and dont anticipate submitting a waiver on [Section ] 907, referencing the 1992 U.S. law that restricts U.S. aid to Azerbaijan based on its ongoing aggression against Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.

Amb. OBrien flatly rejected arguments  often advanced by the Azerbaijani lobby  that enforcing Section 907 would undermine U.S. national security interests, the ANCA reports.

Amb. OBriens statements came during the House Foreign Affairs Committee (HFAC) Subcommittee on Europe hearing on The Future of Nagorno-Karabakh, where Committee members pressed the State Department and USAID Deputy Assistant Administrator Dr. Alexander Sokolowski about expanding U.S. aid to the over 100,000 Nagorno-Karabakh Armenian victims of Azerbaijans ethnic cleansing and efforts to stop renewed Aliyev regime aggression against Armenia.

Over 100,000 ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh are now living as refugees in Armenia. We cannot afford to look away from the region or be distracted by other conflicts proliferating across the globe, stated Subcommittee on Europe Chair Tom Kean (R-NJ). He went on to call on State Department and USAID representatives to outline plans for humanitarian assistance to NK refugees and asked them to clarify the Biden Administrations message to Azerbaijani officials to prevent further attacks against Armenia. I hope our witnesses today will explain how they are communicating to President Aliyev that the use of force against sovereign Armenian territory, including in the Syunik province, would be completely and totally unacceptable, stated Chairman Kean.

Subcommittee Ranking Democrat Rep. Bill Keating (D-MA) concurred, noting I strongly believe we must provide humanitarian and economic assistance to displaced people in Armenia and ensure accountability for any potential crimes committed against those fleeing Nagorno-Karabakh or those who are choosing to remain there.

Speaking of the 100,000 Armenian refugees uprooted from NK, Amb. OBrien told Congress we insist on the people having complete access to the territory, on the protection of the property, the protection of the culture, and that the people receive adequate information so that they can make a real choice about their future and know that they have the viable opportunity to return and live well in Nagorno-Karabakh if thats what they choose. Amb. OBrien announced that the State Department has commissioned independent investigators, and is working with international partners to provide a comprehensive, thorough, and transparent record of what happened, not just on those days, but for the months before. No timeline was announced for the presentation of the report.

In an attempt to address Congressional concerns about a clear US response to Azerbaijans attack on NK that led to the forced exile of NK Armenians, Amb. OBrien noted Weve canceled a number of high-level visits [] We dont anticipate submitting a [Section 907] waiver until such time as we see a real improvement in the situation. All of this is to say we continue to urge peace.

With regard to the U.S. humanitarian aid for NKs forcibly displaced, Dr. Sokolowski reiterated USAID Administrator Powers commitment of $11.5 million in U.S. assistance. He also announced that USAID has focused nearly $6 million in funding from existing programming at USAID Armenia to respond to the humanitarian crisis.

Members of Congress were skeptical about the State Departments optimism about Azerbaijan-Armenia peace talks and President Aliyevs commitment to peace in the region.

I dont see the peace process as going nearly as well as some of the descriptions Ive just heard. The meeting in Granada, Spain, the last two meetings, Azerbaijan refused to go. I dont know how you describe that as being positive, stated Rep. Jim Costa (D-CA). He went on to raise security concerns stemming from proposed economic corridors through Armenia. Armenians are concerned and feel threatened by that corridor and what it might imply for another grabbing of land by Azerbaijan once its established.

Rep. Darrell Issa (R-CA) asked Assistant Secretary OBrien to outline the specific resources the State Department is prepared to use to ensure Azerbaijan honors a peace deal. What are you prepared to do, Ambassador [OBrien], to create a carrot and stick to move this agenda? Are you willing to add sanctions for non-compliance? Assistant Secretary OBrien stated, Yes, we are looking at all the tools we have. Im not going to preview any sanctions decisions, but thats certainly a tool in our toolkit.

Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) questioned Biden Administrations military aid to Azerbaijan in the face of President Aliyevs ties with Russia and Iran. Sanctioned Russian and Iranian companies own significant shares in Azerbaijans gas fields exporting energy to Europe, and Azerbaijan has recently signed lucrative energy deals with both countries, stated Rep. Lawler. Assistant Secretary OBrien noted they were aware of Azerbaijans energy deals, and affirmed they are not in US national interests.

Many of us here in Congress sent letter after letter after letter and supported resolution after resolution to exert pressure and relieve the humanitarian situation in Nagorno-Karabakh, which had been exacerbated since the 2020 war. It looks like we failed, stated Rep. Brad Schneider (D-IL) in powerful remarks questioning the State Departments assessment of prospects for peace. The tightening of the stranglehold around Nagorno-Karabakh over the years until the ethnic Armenian population was forced to leave, was not just about counterterrorism, and it was not just about geopolitics, stated Rep. Schneider. He went on to relay the story of the brutal murder of Armenian serviceman Gurgen Margaryan, axed to death by Azerbaijani soldier Ramil Safarov during a NATO exercise in Hungary in 2004. Safarov was extradited back to Azerbaijan in 2012, where he was promoted and rewarded for his actions. What should be our takeaway from what happened in 2004 through 2012? How should we think of the possibilities of peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan in this context, asked Rep. Schneider.

Calling the Margaryans murder a reprehensible set of events, Amb. OBrien cited the need for accountability for crimes, and setting a new path going forward, but stopped short of outlining any clear U.S. actions to achieve the former or to ensure the latter  placing the onus on Armenia and Azerbaijan. We are creating a path for them to take and incentives for them to go there.

Noting Turkeys history of genocide against the Armenian people, Rep. Dina Titus cited the close ties between Turkey and Azerbaijan and asked what kind of damage are they causing now? Rep. Titus called for end-use monitoring of US weapons sold to Turkey, expressing concern about Turkeys illegal transfer of military parts and munitions to Azerbaijan

Rep. Madeleine Dean stressed the importance of the hearing. What started as a blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh culminated in the Azerbaijani offensive on September 19 and 20 to regain control of the region. Within 10 days, approximately 100,000 residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, about 80 percent of the population, fled to Armenia. Armenia, the U.S., E.U., and international organizations have stepped in to provide humanitarian assistance for the refugees, but many questions remain as to their future, as well as the future of Nagorno-Karabakh, stated Rep. Dean.
Central Bucks school board members listen to public comment before voting Tuesday on a $700,000 severance package for Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh. Read more

Democrats who will take control of the Central Bucks school board next month are looking to challenge the $700,000 buyout the current GOP majority awarded to Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh in an abrupt severance deal earlier this week.

We have a duty to pursue all avenues in regards to this severance agreement, including legal avenues, Karen Smith, a Democrat who was reelected in the recent Democratic sweep of the board, said Thursday.

A lawyer representing the four newly elected Democrats notified the current board members ahead of Tuesdays vote that the agreement violated a cap on severance payments to superintendents under Pennsylvania law.

The lawyer, Brandon Flynn, warned of serious consequences for current board members who support this egregious misuse of taxpayer dollars, in a letter to the outgoing board.

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Flynn added: The new board will be expected to utilize all available remedies to protect the school district.

Dana Hunter, the current board president, didnt respond to a request for comment Thursday.

Heres whats next for the Central Bucks board and the controversy around the superintendents departure:

Who is Superintendent Abram Lucabaugh?

A longtime Central Bucks administrator who started his career as a teacher in the Hatboro-Horsham school district, Lucabaugh spent 11 years as principal of Central Bucks East High School before becoming assistant superintendent in 2018.

He was elevated to superintendent in 2021, at a time when Pennsylvanias third-largest school district was still embroiled in debate about school masking policies and facing a contentious school board election. That fall, Republicans cemented their majority on the board.

Lucabaugh soon became seen as an ally of the new board and its agenda, which mirrored a broader conservative movement targeting public schools handling of such issues as gender and sexuality.

In response to parents upset that staff members had been asked to take down Pride flags, Lucabaugh said last year, I can tell you right now, hanging a flag doesnt do anything to keep a kid safe, adding that classrooms absolutely need to be apolitical. The board later passed a policy banning staff advocacy on political, partisan, or social policy issues.

He was also supportive of the boards policy last year prohibiting sexualized content in library books, which the district implemented with the help of a Harrisburg legal group focused on religious freedom.

Administrators initiated reviews of five books following the policys passage, with Lucabaugh saying that to pretend that we dont know that graphic, illustrated, highly descriptive sexualized content is in some books, would be akin to looking the other way.

Two of the books  Gender Queer and This Book Is Gay  have since been removed from Central Bucks libraries, while an additional 60 challenges have been pending.

Repeatedly pledging to guard against the sexualization of children, Lucabaugh told critics at a school board meeting this summer that there was absolutely no reason for anyone to engage students in conversations about their sexual habits, their sexual preferences or their sexual orientation.

If you think its acceptable, this is your notice. Im going to come for you, he said.

Why did Lucabaugh get a severance package?

After a heated election, Democrats on Nov. 7 won all five open seats on the Central Bucks school board. Six days later, the separation agreement for Lucabaugh appeared on the agenda for the current school boards last meeting.

Dana Hunter, the board president, said that Lucabaugh and the district were parting ways now because Democrats would fire him upon taking over.

But Democrats expressed outrage at the terms of the agreement, which passed, 6-3, along party lines and took effect Tuesday night.

The agreement gives Lucabaugh a $315,000 lump sum payment  matching his current salary, which the board increased by 40% this past summer. (At the time, Republican board members said the salary hike was necessary to retain Lucabaugh.)

It also provides close to $300,000 for unused sick and vacation days, and $50,000 as a settlement agreement to resolve any claims related to Lucabaughs employment, including allegations made by Dr. Lucabaugh of a pattern of harassment that undermined his ability to carry out the functions of his job and contributed to an environment of incivility and hostility during his tenure.

Is it legal?

According to the lawyer for the incoming board members, no.

Flynn, in his letter to board members, said the agreement violated a law passed in 2012 after outrage about former Philadelphia superintendent Arlene Ackermans more than $900,000 buyout. That law capped severance payments at one years salary and benefits to superintendents with more than two years left on their contracts. (In getting the 40% raise this summer, Lucabaugh was awarded a new five-year contract.)

But there are other issues, Flynn said  including the timing of the deal, which was made public only a day before Tuesdays meeting. Flynn said the agreement improperly binds the successor board, citing case law deeming last-minute contracts to be a particularly egregious violation of public policy.

He noted provisions in the agreement specifying that Dr. Lucabaugh has not acted wrongfully, and the district shall not initiate any investigation into Dr. Lucabaugh. The agreement also mandates the future board to echo what Flynn called an overly rosy statement in any public comment about Lucabaugh  commending Lucabaughs extraordinary leadership and crediting him with having always stayed above the fray.

Its unclear who drafted the agreement; the districts solicitor, Jeffrey Garton, said earlier this week that he saw the agreement only Tuesday morning.

Central Bucks has been waging other significant legal battles over the last two years. The district faces bills estimated at more than $1 million for Duane Morris, the law firm it hired to address allegations still under investigation by the U.S. Department of Education that it created a hostile environment for LGBTQ students.

It also has been defending against a pay equity lawsuit involving more than 360 current and former female teachers. A settlement demand issued by the women earlier this fall would cost the district $119 million; the districts lawyer has said he has seen no evidence of illegal discrimination.

Before Tuesdays vote, Flynn warned the board that if it approved the agreement for Lucabaugh, it risks once again launching itself into a potentially protracted, expensive battle that will only expend additional taxpayer dollars and take the focus away from educating students.
Violinist Yu-Ting Chen, Philip Kates, John Koen, and English hornist Elizabeth Starr Masoudnia are joined by the Beijing Philharmonic Childrens Choir for the first official performance of the Residency, in China.The Philadelphia Orchestra marked its 50th Anniversary China Residency in 2023. Read more

In the current political climate, the U.S. and China might have their troubles communicating, but the two leaders of the countries are talking  about the Philadelphia Orchestra.

With a dozen orchestra musicians currently on tour in China, President Joe Biden wrote a letter to the Philadelphians applauding their half-century as cultural ambassadors to China. Music has the ability to transcend barriers of geography and language, and the musicians performances in China will help forge even closer cultural ties, Biden wrote in an Oct. 20 letter.

Xi Jinping, president of the Peoples Republic of China, volleyed with an expression of warmth of his own.

Half a century ago, the orchestras historic China tour marked a thaw in China-U.S. cultural exchange, which was a very important part in the normalization of the two countries diplomatic relations, Xi wrote to Matias Tarnopolsky, Philadelphia Orchestra and Kimmel Center Inc. president and CEO, on Nov. 5.

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Since their first visit in 1973, the orchestra has visited China a dozen times, the Chinese president noted, as an active cultural envoy, playing an instrumental role in strengthening China-U.S. ties.

The letters came as both leaders were preparing to meet Wednesday in California during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, and the timing of the visit by Philadelphia Orchestra members was not coincidental, said an orchestra spokesperson. Nicholas Burns, the U.S. Ambassador to China, and high-level Chinese delegations were in attendance at musical events before departing for APEC.

At all the events in Beijing, the reception to the Philadelphia Orchestra musicians and their music-making was incredibly warm and very moving, said Tarnopolsky. I feel that music creates opportunities for connection and dialogue that wouldnt otherwise exist, and in that regard I do believe this visit was helpful to relations between the two countries.

The tour of musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra to Beijing, Tianjin, Suzhou, and Shanghai was organized to mark the 50th anniversary of the orchestras first appearance in China in 1973 and includes master classes, chamber music concerts, and side-by-side performances with members of the Philadelphia and Chinese orchestras.

The Philadelphia Orchestra was to have traveled to China in May for a 50th anniversary tour with the full orchestra, but the group canceled the tour, citing difficulties associated with the countrys COVID protocols.

The orchestra now hopes that a tour of the full ensemble will be possible in the 2024-25 season.

In the delicate choreography of diplomacy, Xi sent positive signs for the future, hailing the power of strengthening people-to-people ties.

Music has the power to transcend borders, he wrote, and culture can build bridges between hearts.
Marc Satalof, 76, of Upper Gwynedd donates his 280th pint of blood at Penn's Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine, his final donation to the Red Cross after more than 50 years. Read more

Marc Satalof donated blood the first time in case his mother, who was undergoing surgery, needed it.

She didnt. But the experience seemed to be an easy way to help others, so Satalof decided to do it again. And again.

More than 50 years later, the Upper Gwynedd resident donated blood for the 280th time on Wednesday. Having reached a lifetime total of 35 gallons, he is calling it quits.

Im retiring, he said.

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At age 76, Satalof has hemoglobin levels that arent what they used to be, meaning his blood has a diminished capacity for carrying oxygen. He takes iron pills to counteract that trend, and as a result, his blood still meets the threshold for him to donate. But after consulting his primary care physician at Penn Medicine Radnor, Satalof decided that 35 gallons  a small bathtubs worth of crimson fluid  was a good stopping point.

Satalof has rolled up his sleeve in schools, community centers, synagogues, and mobile blood-collection units, in recent years using a Red Cross smartphone app to track his total donations and schedule appointments. He always signed up to give his next pint as soon as he could manage, once he had waited the required eight weeks.

A retired teacher and principal in the Philadelphia public schools, he jokingly refers to his blood type, A-positive, like a top grade from a report card.

I am A-plus, he said. Ive donated just about everywhere there is. Even buses.

On Wednesday, he did it at a Red Cross blood drive at Penns Perelman Center for Advanced Medicine.

He wasnt looking for any extra credit. The idea to invite the media came from his primary care physician, Penns Kristin G. Christensen, who thought it would encourage others to donate.

Satalof agreed. He has long been promoting blood donation in other ways, speaking at Red Cross events and organizing blood drives at work and in the senior development where he lives with his wife, Elyse.

Still, he told staffers at the blood drive that he was worried about creating a fuss.

I really apologize to all of you for this disruption, he said.

Plasma and platelets

Other than the cameras, it was the same procedure Sataloff had been through at least 279 times before. (The records from his early years of donating, in the late 1960s, are a little spotty, so his total may be even higher.) He answered a few questions about his health, then lay down on a cot so that Silvia Vargas, a Red Cross collections specialist, could swab his forearm with disinfectant and insert the needle into a vein.

As his blood trickled into a collection bag, Satalof chatted with Donald L. Siegel, director of transfusion medicine at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania. The physician said that, every year, the hospital uses 65,000 units of component products that are extracted from the blood of donors such as Satalof: plasma, red blood cells, or platelets, depending on the need. Trauma centers, such as the one at nearby Penn Presbyterian Medical Center, also use whole blood.

Satalofs 280 pints may have been used in the treatment of as many as 900 patients.

Its a precious resource, the physician said.

Elyse Satalof stood to one side. She and Marc met in junior high school, went to Temple University together, then got married and worked for 33 years in the Philadelphia schools, retiring on the same day in 2002.

She is not a blood donor, as she doesnt like needles. But she has supported her husbands donations from the start, satisfied that he has all the facts and has consulted his doctors.

Hes pretty astute, she said.

Red Cross volunteer

Marc Satalof thinks he gave his first donation in 1968 or 1969. Not only did his mother not need the extra blood at the time during her surgery, she recovered so well that she is alive today, at age 101.

Though Wednesday was Satalofs last donation, he said he might continue to volunteer for the Red Cross in another vein.

He started to list the possibilities, then laughed as he realized what hed said.

That was unintentional, he said. Ha!

After his blood bag was full, he got up from the cot and thanked everyone, hugging several Red Cross staffers on his way out.

His app did not update immediately. But he was confident that, within a few hours, it would show the correct total after his red-letter day: 35 gallons.
Members of Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia from branches across the city, library workers, and community supporters rally in front of the Parkway Central Library in June 2021. The system announced that 10 branches will open on Saturdays, a longtime goal of library officials'. Read more

Ten Philadelphia libraries will begin operating on Saturdays this week and the remainder will add weekend hours on a rolling basis over the next several months, a long-sought goal of library officials who are still navigating the systems post-pandemic rebound.

Free Library of Philadelphia president Kelly Richards, outgoing Mayor Jim Kenney, and a handful of other city officials announced Wednesday that libraries from South Philly to Germantown will be in the first wave of neighborhood branches that will add Saturday hours. Richards said library officials hope to have the remainder of the systems 54 branches open on Saturdays by January  a timeline he described as optimistic.

The announcement marked a turning point of sorts for Philadelphias library system, which has for years been beleaguered by funding cuts, internal strife, severe understaffing, and inconsistent hours. The system, buoyed by a 30% funding increase last year, embarked on an ambitious blitz to hire some 300 new librarians and assistants to staff its branches.

 READ MORE: From 2022: Philadelphia libraries are struggling to stay open and short hundreds of workers

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That process remains ongoing, but Richards said the system has made progress over the last 18 months. He said rolling out Saturday hours at every branch by early next year is dependent on hiring continuing at a fast pace.

It was pretty bad in the pandemic, Richards said of the staffing situation. But as we received the funding and as we started promoting, doing job fairs, people wanted to come work at the library.

Most of the citys libraries ceased Saturday hours in 2018 amid what the system described as inadequate funding. More than half of the branches reopened for Saturday service months later, but then shut down again during the pandemic. Weekend service has been available at some branches in fits and starts since, including a four-month pilot at 10 branches earlier this year.

Kenney, who has made improving the citys libraries and recreation centers a key tenet of his two terms in office, said Philadelphians have been without six-day-a-week library service for far too long.

This is truly a great day in our city, he said.

 READ MORE: Your ultimate guide to the Free Library of Philadelphia

And Kenney, who will leave office in January and be replaced by Mayor-elect Cherelle Parker, quipped that maybe Sunday service is in the systems future.

Thats on Mayor Parker, he said.

These are the branches that will be open on Saturdays beginning this weekend:

Charles Santore Library - 932 S. 7th St. Greater Olney Library - 5501 N. 5th St. Holmesburg Library - 7810 Frankford Ave. Katherine Drexel Library - 11099 Knight Road Lillian Marrero Library - 610 W. Lehigh Ave. Lovett Memorial Library - 6945 Germantown Ave. Thomas F. Donatucci, Sr. Library - 1935 Shunk St. Walnut Street West Library - 201 S. 40th St. Wynnefield Library - 5325 Overbrook Ave. Wyoming Library - 231 W. Wyoming Ave. (Saturday service begins Dec. 2)

The branches will be open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
John Dougherty, the former head of Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, leaves the federal courthouse in Center City Philadelphia on Nov. 9, amid proceedings in his trial on charges he embezzled thousands of dollars from the union. Read more

As a key witness in the governments case against former labor leader John Dougherty wrapped up his testimony, prosecutors zipped through a steady stream of witnesses Wednesday aimed at supporting his story.

Contractor Anthony Massa  the only one of Doughertys codefendants who pleaded guilty and agreed to testify against him  told jurors over three days on the witness stand this week that he provided free home repairs to Dougherty and his relatives worth tens of thousands of dollars.

 READ MORE: As it happened: Home repairs paid by union are focus of John Dougherty trial testimony; lawyer for Kevin Dougherty fires back

Hed sent the bills, he said, to Local 98 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, the union Dougherty led for nearly 30 years.

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Who was the one who told you to do that? asked Assistant U.S. Attorney Jason Grenell as he closed out questioning of the contractor Wednesday, the eighth day of Doughertys trial on charges he embezzled union funds.

Mr. Burrows, Massa responded, referring to Brian Burrows, the unions former president and Doughertys codefendant.

But as soon as Massa left the courtroom Wednesday morning, prosecutors clambered to beat back defense efforts to paint the contractor as a liar.

In quick succession, they elicited testimony from one of his former contractors and two Local 98 employees  each of whom confirmed aspects of Massas account.

Michelle Procopio  a former secretary for the unions apprentice training program  told jurors that she, too, had received free home renovations from Massa.

In 2010, she said, she hired the contractor to turn a bedroom in her Philadelphia rowhouse into a walk-in closet after she was introduced to him by her then-boss Michael Neill.

But when it came time to pay for the work, she said, Massa never sent her a bill.

She later asked Neill how much she owed, she said, and recalled him telling her: Dont worry about it. Weve got it.

Prosecutors say the union ended up covering the cost of that work.

As Massa explained it to jurors this week, he routinely hid the cost of side jobs, such as the work on Procopios home, in fees he charged Local 98 for work he was simultaneously doing on union-owned buildings.

Burrows, he said, had instructed him on how to carry out this fraudulent billing for jobs at his home, Doughertys, and those of Doughertys relatives.

Prosecutors contend that Neill was also aware of that arrangement  a fact to which the ex-union official admitted when he pleaded guilty to his own role in the scheme last year.

 READ MORE: The guilty pleas keep coming in Johnny Docs embezzlement case as two more Local 98 members cut deals

The steep fees Massa was charging the union caught the attention of at least one Local 98 employee.

Dawn McCarry, a Local 98 bookkeeper who processed the bills the contractor would send to the union, testified Wednesday that she thought Massas bills seemed high.

I thought they were expensive, she told the jury. But Im cheap.

McCarry later said she spoke with Massa after he, Dougherty, Burrows, and Neill were indicted in 2019 for misusing Local 98 money.

As she recalled it: He just said he was only doing what he was told.

And though the defense sought to cast doubt on those pricey bills  accusing Massa of inflating labor and the cost of materials for the work he did on the homes of union officials and their relatives  one of the contractors former employees, Mike Castagna, backed up his ex-boss pricing during his brief testimony Wednesday.

 READ MORE: Local 98s ex-president secretly billed the union for $65,000 in repairs on his home, other properties, witness says

Castagna told jurors that during his 12 years at Massa Construction, hed worked on many of the jobs now at issue in the case  the work done at Procopios rowhouse, a more than $30,000 remodeling of Burrows bathroom in 2010, and various jobs at the homes of Dougherty; his father, John Sr.; his daughter, Erin; his sister, Maureen Fiocca; and his brother, Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty over the years.

Massa, Castagna said, was a stickler who kept copious notes tracking what employees did each day, how long each task took, and how much to charge for their work.

Throughout Massas testimony, prosecutors relied on those scribblings  kept in what Castagna referred to as Tonys binder of madness  to show precisely how Massa was hiding his fees for work on private homes in the bills he sent to Local 98.

But some things still escaped the contractors assiduous record keeping.

Before Massa left the witness stand Wednesday, lawyers for John Dougherty and Burrows grilled him on his earlier claim that Local 98  not Doughertys relatives  paid him for work hed performed at their homes.

But Doughertys lawyer Greg Pagano pointed to a $448 check from Erin Dougherty to Massa  payment, the defense lawyer contended, for repair work he completed on her house in 2014. (Prosecutors maintain the true cost of that work was worth more than $1,500.)

 READ MORE: You are still a liar: Defense attacks key government witness in John Doughertys embezzlement trial

Massa acknowledged hed also forgotten that Kevin Dougherty had eventually paid him for painting and drywall work he oversaw at the justices house in 2011.

But that check, the contractor said, didnt come until five years after the work was complete  and after a series of 2016 FBI raids that revealed agents were investigating John Doughertys use of union money.

Kevin Dougherty has declined to comment on his brothers case and the allegations that he received union-paid home repairs from Massa.

But as prosecutors efforts to buttress the contractors testimony continued in court Wednesday, lawyers for the Supreme Court justice worked outside the courtroom to cast doubt.

 READ MORE: Pa. Supreme Court Justice Kevin Dougherty received free home repairs paid for by brothers union, witness says at trial

Tony Massas testimony is inconsistent and not worthy of belief, Kevin Doughertys lawyer, Courtney Saleski, said in a statement sent to The Inquirer within hours of the contractor leaving the witness stand. One day Judge Dougherty allegedly failed to pay . the next day he states Justice Dougherty paid for the work five years later.

She continued: The only consistency in [Massas] testimony is the spewing of falsehoods attempting to tarnish others.
Greg Scott, a Democratic member of Pennsylvania's House of Representatives, speaks with a person outside the Hospitality Center, which helps people experiencing homelessness, in Norristown in December. Read more

We are at a pivotal moment in the fight against homelessness. The housing crisis is not going away; in fact, research shows that it will continue to grow at record rates. Our local, state, and federal governments must prioritize funding for evidence-based programs. The same fixes that worked before the COVID-19 pandemic will not work any longer.

Homelessness is not what you think. The majority of homeless people are not mentally ill, lazy and dont want to work, abusing alcohol and drugs, or dangerous and violent. According to the Office of Homeless Services for the city of Philadelphia, 70% of Philadelphias unhoused population is homeless for the very first time.

What does first-time homelessness look like? Homelessness is the single mother and her young child who were forced to live in their car after the landlord didnt keep up with the building repairs and it was condemned. Now she has nowhere to live and is at risk of her child being taken from her.

Homelessness is the elderly man who lost his partner and now must try and make rent with only one Social Security check. When his landlord raises rent, he cannot afford it and has nowhere else to go but an emergency shelter, leaving behind everything he knows.

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Homelessness is parents working multiple jobs to keep their kids fed and housed, but rising rent costs force them to leave their apartment and double or triple up with other families in the same situation.

These are just a few of the many stories of real people in Berks County who are struggling to find housing and have received support through the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness, where I work. Working people are being forced to live in their cars because they cannot afford rent. Wages have not increased in the same manner as housing costs.

According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home prices rose 74% from 2010 to 2022. The average wage rose only 54% during the same time, and people cannot afford to keep their housing. A similar trend holds for renting in Pennsylvania. In 2020, Pennsylvanians paid an average of $684 per month for a one-bedroom apartment. In 2023, that same apartment costs $917 on average per month.

When I think of homelessness in Pennsylvania, I think of Leon Sconion, a military veteran in Reading with six children between the ages of 2 and 17. After finishing his time in the military, Sconion found work doing asbestos removal and abatement. He ended up not being able to continue this work because of a physical disability and was evicted from his housing in 2007.

Because of the affordable housing crisis, Sconion and his children have continued to struggle with maintaining a stable place to live. In 2023, a three-bedroom apartment in Reading costs an average of $1,552. He and his family have bounced from emergency shelters to friends couches for years.

People often believe homelessness is only a problem in the cities. Yet people experience homelessness in rural areas, as well. If you look at the data for your own local school district, you may be surprised to see how many children are experiencing homelessness in your community.

Over 4,500 children in the Philadelphia School District experienced homelessness during the 2021-22 school year. In the Exeter Township School District (Berks County), that number is 93. In the Rose Tree Media School District (Delaware County), 52 children experienced homelessness. And in the Phoenixville Area School District (Chester County), the number is 72.

These figures are unacceptable.

I urge you to contact your local, state, and federal officials and demand that they take action to address the housing crisis. Our leaders must know that homelessness is a priority.

Here are three ways local and state governments can address the affordable housing crisis:

Build more affordable housing units. This means investing in public housing, subsidized housing, and tax credits for developers who build affordable housing. Protect tenants from eviction by passing laws that make it harder for landlords to evict tenants without cause. Provide rental assistance to low-income families to help people who are struggling to afford rent stay in their homes.

The funding exists to make homelessness in our communities rare, brief, and nonrecurring, but this issue must be prioritized. Contact your local city council and county government, state representatives, and senators to demand action. Homelessness is a complex problem, but it is one we can solve if we work together.

Elise McCauley is the assistant director of the Berks Coalition to End Homelessness. Before joining the coalition, she worked as a case manager in an emergency shelter, where she became interested in the systemic factors that impact access to affordable housing. She is a graduate of Reading Area Community College and Kutztown University and holds a degree in social work.
Philadelphias new commuter benefit law took effect this year, landing the city on a short list of jurisdictions that require employers to offer workers pretax or employer-paid transit benefits. Its a win-win ordinance that should unlock commuter cost-savings and increase transit ridership, but its introduction to Philly has been clouded by a challenge thats changing the way we look at transit benefits: Nobody wants to commute anymore.

Commuting has shifted from a necessary evil to an unnecessary hindrance in the eyes of many office workers who are now accustomed to remote work. Yet as teams struggle to collaborate and downtown office vacancies rise, Philadelphia employers are more bullish than ever to bring their employees back to the office. City officials say the new commuter benefit ordinance, which requires employers with a staff of 50 or more to provide transit benefits to eligible employees, can accelerate this return to the office and alleviate commuter woes.

 READ MORE: Free SEPTA passes are now available for Philly city employees and some low-income residents

But lets face it: Allowing employees to pay for their own transit rides with pretax dollars (the ordinances minimum requirement) is not enough of an incentive to lure workers into an office four or five days a week. If companies are insistent on a successful office comeback, they need to subsidize their employees transit costs.

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This argument has reverberated around the workforce as businesses nationally push for an office return. One recent Newsweek survey found that three-quarters of respondents aged 23-44 believed their workplaces should subsidize the costs of travel to and from an office. Meanwhile, a 2022 analysis from Clever found that, in Philadelphia, the average commuter spends one hour traveling to and from work each day, with costs adding up to more than $9,600 each year  or 21% of the median household income in the city.

Sure, a benefit that allows employees to use pretax dollars for public transit fares can help commuters save on these costs. But if a job can otherwise be done from home, why should employees need to pay at all?

Theres no denying that employer-provided transit subsidies are an extra expense for companies to consider, but weve reached an inflection point where workers would rather leave their jobs than invest substantial money back into a commute. And employee turnover costs money  an average of $15,000 per employee  so employers who pay for workers transit costs could actually end up saving more money in the end.

This mindset is especially true for the citys shift-based and frontline workers, most of whom dont have the luxury of working from home. As the costs of their required commutes pile on top of unpredictable schedules, income disparity, and general burnout, these workers are more likely than ever to quit their jobs for better opportunities. An employer-provided transit subsidy may not be the silver bullet to eradicate these unfavorable conditions, but its a significant gesture of appreciation to those who leave home every day to service the needs of others.

A subsidized transit benefit could also have a strong influence over the hiring and retention of early and mid-career professionals who have increasingly sought out employers who care about climate change. With motor vehicles responsible for an estimated 60% of Philadelphias air pollution, employers can make a significant dent in the citys goal to become carbon-neutral by 2050 by incentivizing rail or bus rides. (We estimated that one large Philadelphia employer saved an estimated 7,000 metric tons of carbon in the first year of its employer-paid transit benefit program.)

Its one of the many ways public transit can make Philadelphia a better city to commute and work in, but the system will need more riders to stay afloat. Riders arent flocking back to SEPTA as much as they are to public transit in other cities, despite SEPTAs best efforts to regain pre-pandemic ridership levels. This has led SEPTA to project potential service cuts and fare increases in years to come, and without employer support, these new fares can push commuters even further from an office return.

The system will need more riders to stay afloat.

By paying for employees to commute via transit, employers have an opportunity not only to protect SEPTA and other regional agencies but also to spur a downtown revitalization that spans far beyond our office buildings. Riding transit can reexpose commuters to the small businesses and neighborhood gems found along our citys bus routes and bike lanes. It can foster a sense of community that weve lost to the confines of home, all while alleviating the congestion that often keeps us inside. And beyond all else, it can revitalize our economic activity and breathe new life into the city we love.

The road to recovery is long, but change is possible  and it starts with our commutes.

Will Sanderson is the cofounder of Jawnt, a Philadelphia-based transportation technology company offering commuter services to employers, students, and other organizations. Jawnt is a partner of the SEPTA Key Advantage program and Indego bike shares corporate program.
Denise Hull, president of the Upper Gwynedd Township Board of Commissioners, at the Pennbrook Parkway site of a proposed 60-unit affordable apartment complex on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. Read more

Despite substantial public opposition, Upper Gwynedd has decided to allow residential development in a light industrial zone where a New Jersey firm proposes to build affordable housing.

The Aug. 22 vote by the townships five-member board of commissioners was unanimous.

Otherwise there seems to be little agreement about the decision and its potential impact on the suburban Montgomery County township of 17,000.

Opponents of the proposed 60-unit, $25 million Cornerstone at Pennbrook Station have filed a legal notice with Upper Gwynedd, asserting that the vote to include the development site on Pennbrook Parkway in an expanded transit-oriented district violates the U.S. Constitution.

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Anonymous lawn signs around town warned that the commissioners aim to turn Upper Gwynedd into Philly. Other signs paid for by the Upper Gwynedd Republican Committee accused the Democratic-controlled commission with making sweetheart affordable-housing deals that will be a land mine for local residents.

The messages attest to how divisive the notion of building an apartment complex with below-market-rate rents can be, even amid a national and regional shortage of not only affordable housing, but housing, period.

Its disheartening, said Denise Hull, the commissions president.

Some opponents wanted us to make a moral judgment about those people from Philly they said would be coming in [to live in the apartments], as if tenements from the 1800s were going to be built in Upper Gwynedd, she said.

Our role is not to make moral judgments. Our role is to listen to all of the residents and take all of the facts and opinions and come up with whats best for Upper Gwynedd Township, Hull said.

Opponents said theyre concerned about the future of the township, too. At public meetings, in local media stories, and during interviews, they described affordable housing as unneeded and unwanted in Upper Gwynedd.

The commissioners failed to take the concerns of citizens seriously, said Glenn Hatfield, who along with a group calling itself Friends of Upper Gwynedd Township filed a Brief in Opposition to the August vote with the township. The group has hired lawyer Christopher A. Papa, of New Castle, Pa., to represent them.

We believe what the commissioners [approved] was spot zoning, which is illegal, Hatfield said. If they can spot zone there, they can spot zone anywhere. Its setting a precedent thats going to change the quality of life in Upper Gwynedd.

Township officials declined to comment on the brief. The Upper Gwynedd Planning Commission had earlier recommended approving the transit-oriented district expansion, as did the Montgomery County Planning Commission. Both are advisory bodies.

A fast track or a long, slow process?

Hatfield and other opponents also said the proposal by the developer  the Walters Group of Barnegat, N.J.  has been fast-tracked under partisan political pressure from Montgomery County, which township and county officials said is not the case.

The developer has not yet submitted a site plan application, which will trigger additional meetings and public hearings.

Nonetheless, Hatfield said, this cake was baked before there were any public hearings.

Joseph DelDuca, who owns Walters and serves as its general counsel, said the position taken by Hatfield and the Friends group is totally untrue, as is the cake-baking allegation.

Meanwhile, some advocates of the project claim the opposition has been spreading disinformation.

When people are passionate about something happening in Upper Gwynedd, of course, we want them to come forward and talk to us. But not yell at us and lie to people, Commissioner Liz McNaney said. Weve all tried so hard to get the truth out there so people can understand it.

Walters has built about 2,000 affordable apartments throughout New Jersey and uses a federal tax credit program established by the Reagan administration in 1986 to help finance construction.

We decided to expand our footprint into Pennsylvania two years ago, DelDuca said. Its a long, slow process.

Walters approached the township informally about 18 months ago, after the commissioners approved Upper Gwynedds 2040 Comprehensive Plan in August 2021, Hull said. The plan noted the potential economic development opportunities represented by areas within walking distance of SEPTAs Lansdale Doylestown Line.

At eight square miles, Upper Gwynedd is mostly developed and has been seeking to add to its open space inventory. The township also is home to a divisional headquarters of the pharmaceutical giant Merck & Co. Inc., the largest employer in Montgomery County.

 READ MORE: Park or townhouses? Montco town is fighting over its largest undeveloped parcel

I dont see anything wrong with that

Asking rents for a one-bedroom apartment in and around the township range from $1,240 to $2,440. The median listing price of single-family houses, which comprise about 70% of the housing stock, is more than $700,000.

As proposed, monthly rents at the Cornerstone at Pennbrook Station would vary according to tenant incomes and unit sizes but would start as low as $343 and top off at $1,621. The development would have 27 one-bedroom, 20 two-bedroom, and 13 three-bedroom units.

Some residents who spoke at recent commission meetings contended that affordable apartments would burden the township with crime, overpopulation, and demand on the regional school system. Walters and supporters say theres no factual basis for those assertions.

And others, like Upper Gwynedd resident Kim Young, are open to the new development. Some people are passionate about not wanting to have those apartments built, but I think they can bring new people and new life to this town, she said.

Affordable doesnt mean that someone is trying to get over on someone or make the county go down, Young said. Affordable allows folks to live in an up-and-coming area, and I dont see anything wrong with that.

Affordable-housing advocate Mike Hays, co-director of the Montco 30 Percent Project, said: We need more housing options throughout the county. In his groups name, 30 Percent refers to the number of Pennsylvanians who rent, as well as the number who are cost burdened by the amount of their rent, meaning they pay more than 30% of their income for housing.

If the Cornerstone at Pennbrook Station is approved, it can serve as a model and a template for other municipalities in Montco and show [local officials] that if the political will is in place, there are people who will back you, Hays said.

Losing ground for economic development?

Carl Smith and Viraj Jacob, both businesspeople and residents of Upper Gwynedd, are among the most high-profile critics of the Walters proposal. Both have said critics are unfairly characterized as racist for questioning the development.

They want to take six acres of land thats zoned for light industry or business and make it high-density residential, Smith said. Theyre taking away an opportunity for a piece of property to attract a productive business and create jobs.

Jacob, who described himself as a brown man who emigrated here from India, said: What we need is more jobs. How does taking land away from an industrial area help with that?

How does building these units and bringing more people into Upper Gwynedd help people who already live here? Were already got too much traffic.

McNaney, who has been having one-on-one conversations with opponents, including Jacob, said she hopes to turn down the heat on the issue a bit.

Lets be respectful, and honest, and figure this thing out together, she said.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Defense expenditures in Armenia under the 2024 budget will be doubled compared to 2018, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan told lawmakers during debates of his administrations budget request for next year.

This is not a preparation for war, but for peace, because the sense of protection among our citizens is the most important guarantee for peace and stability, Pashinyan said.

I am convinced that all neighboring countries are sure that we dont intend to attack anyone, Pashinyan added.

He dismissed the concerns on the expenditures as dishonest, noting : First of all, any sovereign state has not only the right but also the obligation to reform and strengthen its military, something we are doing. And secondly, in the last ten years, Azerbaijans defense spending was on an average three times higher than ours. And basically it remains the same, Pashinyan said.
Insurance provides an invaluable safety net and gives peace of mind so people can protect their valuable assets. In a changing climate, it has never been more important, he said. We've been calling for the ESL and other taxes to be removed for many years because it will make it fairer and more affordable for home and business owners. While we will continue to advocate for wider reform to all unfair insurance taxes across the country, [the] announcement is a significant step in the right direction.
Aussies tend to have a laissez faire attitude when it comes to preparing for summer storms. However, what Australians don't realise is that storms can be a serious event and don't need to last long to cause severe damage to their homes, she said. Despite the heightened risk of bushfires from El Nino, we need to also be ready and prepare for wild weather brought by thunderstorms, flash flooding, damaging wind, and hail.
Shannon Edgar and his team have a terrific future with Gallagher. Industries in the Goulburn Valley such as farming, food production, transport, and Agri-Solar energy strongly align with the expertise Gallagher can offer. Together, we can do an even better job of helping to support and build the local community, Lyons said.
The ICA expects an abolition of the ESL on insurance to reduce the cost of home coverages by up to 15%. The peak insurer body has campaigned for more than a decade for the removal of the tax.
Iroquois is the perfect network for agencies that want to grow their business and improve their financial returns while staying independent, Branch said. We have over 50 caring, knowledgeable advisors in the field whose sole job is to meet with our members one-on-one to find the best combination of markets, resources and strategies to help them grow stronger. Our track record is enviable  we have consistently delivered profitable growth to our carriers and superior compensation to our members for 46 years.
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. An official delegation from Armenia participated in the Reykjavik Global Forum  Women Leaders conference November 12-14.

Delegate Tatevik Gasparyan, a Member of Parliament representing the Civil Contract Party, presented the Armenian governments Crossroads of Peace project at the conference, which received positive reactions.

The delegation members also held meetings with delegates from Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Canada and other countries.

Gasparyan said that despite Azerbaijans unconstructive and aggressive stance, Armenia remains committed to establishing sustainable peace in the region.

Hanan Al-Ahmadi, the Vice Speaker of the Saudi parliament, proposed the Armenian delegation to hold a separate meeting. Gasparyan said that the Saudi official displayed great interest towards Crossroads of Peace project and said that they attach importance to connectivity and intensification of relations between Armenia and Saudi Arabia.

Separate meetings with other delegations were also held.

Armenia was represented at the event by MPs Tatevik Gasparyan, Arusyak Manavazyan and Lilit Kirakosyan.
It was noted that the agreement in place at present features a break clause, which will be removed, and that the lease would end in 2031 if not for the soon-to-be-announced extension.
The cyber attack targeted the US arm of ICBC on Nov. 9, leading to significant disruptions in trades within the US Treasury market and the bank itself resorting to unusual means to continue its operations. According to the Lockbit representative, who communicated with Reuters via Tox, an online messaging app, ICBC has settled the ransom demand.
If we know whats unclear, we can work with the insurance markets to get better language and policies that will be more definitive, and we're doing that globally. It's not just happening in a vacuum and in a given product line.
We're improving the super visa to let parents and grandparents spend even more time in Canada with their Canadian children and grandchildren and keep more families together. Learn more: https://t.co/2WcMmKUD7x pic.twitter.com/iyAzfr3T2T  IRCC (@CitImmCanada) June 7, 2022

One key super visa objective has been to strike a balance between allowing families to reunite in Canada without burdening the Canadian healthcare system, according to the IRCC. Super visa holders have temporary resident status, and this means they cannot access provincial health insurance plans  such as Ontarios OHIP, B.C.s MSP or Albertas AHCIP  or other social assistance plans, including the Old Age Security and Government Income Supplement.
The concept of working from home isnt entirely new. In fact, its been around since well before the digital age, although most work from home jobs back then were agricultural or artisan in nature. Over time, as technology advanced to allow people the ability to connect without being in the same physical space, working from home (or another remote location) grew in popularity.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the number of people working remotely in the U.S. doubled about every 15 years: creeping slowly up from less than one percent of the workforce in the 1960s to over four percent in 2019.

In the months before pandemic shut downs went into place, between four and five percent of American employees worked from home. This number jumped the equivalent of 40 years forward to reach over 60 percent in the early days of the pandemic. Since then, despite many companies attempts to get employees to return to the office (known as RTO), working from home, and to an even greater degree, hybrid work, have remained popular.

While remote work is widely expected and accepted in the technology and healthcare fields these days, the insurance industry has always included some degree of working outside the office. Insurance agents and adjusters both have good reasons to be in the field with customers and often use their homes as their offices when not traveling or onsite with clients. Taking remote work beyond those traditionally field-based roles, however, can be the subject of more pushback in an industry thats been around for hundreds of years.

As 2023 draws to a close, well take a look at the latest research on the state of working from home in the U.S., along with some benefits insurance employers should consider when making their work from home (WFH) and return to office (RTO) policies.

Whats the state of remote work in 2023?

The current state of working from home in the U.S. varies greatly by industry. Across the entire U.S. economy, data from WFH Research shows that by July 2023:

12 percent of full-time employees remained fully remote;

29 percent of full-time employees participated in a hybrid remote/office work situation;

And 59 percent of full-time employees were entirely on-site at their place of employment

WFH Researchs studies reveal a lot more details about each type of employee, which can give useful insights we can apply to the insurance industry.

Working from home stats and figures

Although lower than its peak pandemic popularity, working 100 percent from home (or remotely) remains popular among employees who have the option to do so. On the other hand, entirely remote work isnt many employers top choice. This discrepancy between employees desire to work entirely from home and employers demands to have people back in the office could lead companies to lose people who arent willing to go back to the office at all. The up-side to that could be that previously unavailable talent may look at new careers in industries they hadnt considered before (hint: insurance)  if those jobs allow for remote work.

According to data from WFH Research:

Working from home is more common for employers located in the top 10 most populous U.S. cities. Its prevalence goes down as the citys population goes down.

Working from home is still most prevalent in the technology, finance, and professional and business services industries.

Theres a discrepancy between the number of days employers want their employees to be remote and the number of days employees would prefer.

With insurance industry respondents reporting they work an average of 2.19 days each week from home (topped only by the information/tech industrys 2.44 days), the insurance industry is positioned to capture the large swath of WFH-hungry employees across the U.S.

Return to office stats and figures

The pandemic made it clear that some employees simply didnt have the choice to work from home. Those essential workers who ran our grocery stores, hospitals, waste disposal, and public transportation (among many others), never went remote, and thus, never returned to the office.

For the majority of other workers, however, offices were vacant for 2020 and much of 2021, if not longer. But companies have good reasons for wanting people to come back to the office: everything from increasing collaboration and mentorship to making good use of purchased or leased spaces.

According to data from WFH Research:

The most heavily weighted age group for both fully in-office and fully remote work are employees in their 50s and 60s. Younger employees have greater levels of hybrid employment.

As you might expect, hospitality, food service, and retail have the highest percentage of fully onsite employees across all industries.

Employers offer far greater onsite job opportunities than employees really want. Around 34 percent of jobs require people to be in the office full-time but only 18 percent of employees prefer that arrangement.

Transitioning to fully remote work during the pandemic was rarely controversial. Yet, as companies try to bring their workers back to the office  even when that was the expectation pre-COVID  theyre facing pushback.

According to one survey of financial services executives, two-thirds of those who currently work a hybrid arrangement would quit their jobs if they were mandated to come into the office full-time. Even tech companies, from Amazon to Zoom and beyond, accept theyll lose some staff as they insist on employees returning to the office.

Hybrid work stats and figures

For many companies and employees alike, a hybrid work model is ideal because it combines the freedom and flexibility of remote work with the collaboration and social benefits of office work. In this respect, the insurance industry may be ahead of the curve which could help it gain new talent where other industries refuse to compromise.

Case in point: The Insurance Information Institute (III) conducted an informal survey in October 2022 and found that 41 percent of respondents say they work an average of five days per week from home. Combined, a total of 68 percent of respondents said they work from home more than three days per week. While not a scientific study, this survey gives evidence that a lot more insurance industry employees are enjoying the benefits of remote work for more than the average number of days each week.

According to data from WFH Research:

Within the finance and insurance sectors, 69 percent of workers are either hybrid or fully work-from-home. Only 31 percent work entirely from an office.

Hybrid employees report spending only 50 percent of their time doing individual work (they attribute the other half to meetings). This is far less than the 75 percent reported by both their fully in-office and fully work-from-home counterparts.

Across all industries, for employees who have the ability to either work from home or in an office, 45.8 percent are in a hybrid situation compared to solely office or from home.

Hybrid workers claim to have more interactions with their colleagues than do both fully in person or fully remote workers.

A hybrid work environment greatly impacts workers choices to stay away from the office when theyre sick.

How remote work can benefit the insurance industry

Based on the data weve got, the insurance industry (along with other financial and business services) is already ahead of the curve in taking advantage of remote and hybrid work. This trend is likely already benefiting the industry, and will continue to do so in a variety of ways.

1. Remote work can reduce workers compensation insurance claims

This benefit is double-sided for the insurance industry. For individual insurance carriers, agencies, brokerages, MGAs, MGUs, and other business entitites, having a remote (or at least hybrid) workforce can translate into fewer workers comp claims because employees arent onsite to have injuries and accidents.

For insurance carriers that underwrite workers compensation claims, the benefit is even greater. When more companies have remote and hybrid workforces, workers comp claims go down and workers compensation insurance carriers could see improved loss ratios and greater profitability.

2. Remote work can attract new talent to fill the insurance talent gap

The insurance industrys talent gap is an ongoing topic of conversation. As a large portion of the industrys tenured employees retire, there arent enough new people joining to replace them. By embracing remote work opportunities where other industries dont, insurance companies and agencies can stand out among talented workers looking for a career that meets their lifestyle needs.

3. Remote work can increase employee satisfaction, which translates into customer satisfaction

Theres no question that most employees prefer remote work, or at least partially remote work, over being required to come to an office every day. Giving employees what they want in terms of remote work and flexible office schedules can go a long way in increasing their job satisfaction, which in turn enhances their job performance and leads to greater customer satisfaction.

4. Remote work can improve diversity, equity, and inclusion

The insurance industry is making strides towards a more diverse workforce and remote work can open doors for all sorts of people who cant work in an office. For example, some people with disabilities find working remotely to be a reasonable accommodation; people with children find remote work allows them to remain in the workforce while juggling parental responsibilities; and People of Color often prefer remote work due to fewer daily encounters with microaggressions and racism.

Its not just anecdotal: A Deloitte and Workplace Intelligence study recently showed that those with caregiving responsibilities (who are more often than not, women) were 1.3 times more likely to say theyd leave their company if remote work options were eliminated.

Working from home requires modern insurance infrastructure

As forward-thinking as the insurance industry is in its remote work capabilities and practices, some companies are still doing things the way theyve always done them: And thats costing them even more time and money when staff arent in a centralized office location.

If youve modernized other aspects of your business  from video conferencing to HR/payroll, to customer service  but havent yet set your sights on compliance, AgentSync can help. Whether youre managing producers, adjusters, or dually licensed broker-dealers across multiple U.S. states and territories, keeping everyone in compliance with all state and federal laws is a major undertaking.

Contact us today to learn how AgentSync automates and streamlines compliance to help carriers, agencies, and MGAs/MGUs save time and money, attract talent, and improve their reputation as a distribution channel partner.

Topics Trends Market
A lawsuit filed on Monday accuses the Real Estate Board of New York (REBNY) and more than two dozen brokerages and companies of conspiring to artificially inflate commissions paid to agents who help sell residential real estate in Manhattan.

The proposed class action against the REBNY trade group, the Corcoran Group, Douglas Elliman and others followed an Oct. 31 verdict by a federal jury in Missouri awarding home sellers $1.78 billion, in a similar case against the National Association of Realtors and several brokerages.

That verdict, which a judge can triple to more than $5.3 billion, could upend decades-old practices that require sellers to pay commissions to buyers brokers. NAR faces at least two other similar proposed class actions.

In Mondays lawsuit in federal court in Manhattan, plaintiff Monty March said commissions on Manhattan residential sales remain a stable 5% to 6% even as home prices soar, with the average apartment price topping $2 million by early 2022.

A Missouri jury verdict could upend decades-old practices that require sellers to pay commissions to buyers brokers. March said sellers using REBNYs listing service should not pay 2.5% to 3% commissions to buyers brokers given how commissions are lower in fully competitive markets such as Brooklyn, where they are negotiated separately and average 1%.

REBNY General Counsel Carl Hum said the group was reviewing the complaint with its lawyers, and was confident its listing services practices and procedures abide by all relevant laws.

Corcoran and Douglas Elliman did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

March said he paid inflated commissions when he recently sold property on Manhattans Upper East Side. Property records show he sold an apartment there for $5.6 million in July 2022.

Starting on Jan. 1, REBNY will begin requiring sellers, not their brokers, to directly pay any commissions to buyers brokers, to promote transparency and consumer confidence in the residential marketplace.

March said it is unclear whether this would result in lower commissions, or delay sales while buyers brokers negotiate with sellers.

The lawsuit seeks damages for sellers of Manhattan residential property in the last four years who paid buyer brokers commissions under REBNY rules.

The case is March v. Real Estate Board of New York et al, U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York, No. 23-09995.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New York; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

Topics Lawsuits New York Agencies
The state of New York has filed a lawsuit against PepsiCo Inc. for allegedly harming the public and the environment with its single-use plastic bottles, caps and wrappers.

The suit, brought by the office of Attorney General Letitia James, maintains that single-use plastic packaging produced by PepsiCo contributes significantly to high levels of plastic pollution along the Buffalo River, pollution that is contaminating drinking water and harming wildlife.

The lawsuit cites research claiming that a large majority the waste from the Buffalo River watershed is plastic and PepsiCo is by far the top producer of this plastic waste.

The lawsuit alleges that PepsiCo contributes to the existence of a public nuisance that substantially harms the community and the environment in the Buffalo area. It further alleges that PepsiCo has failed to warn consumers about the potential health and environmental risks of its single-use plastic packaging and that the company misleads the public about its efforts to combat plastic pollution.

PepsiCo is based in Purchase, New York, which is southeast of Buffalo. In addition to its well-known Pepsi cola, its more than 100 drink and snack food brands include Mountain Dew, Gatorade, Ocean Spray, Lipton, Quaker, Lays, Cheetos, Doritos, Fritos, Lipton and Tostitos. PepsiCo generated more than $79 billion in net revenue in 2021.

No company is too big to ensure that their products do not damage our environment and public health. All New Yorkers have a basic right to clean water, yet PepsiCos irresponsible packaging and marketing endanger Buffalos water supply, environment, and public health, said James in announcing the litigation.

The state says it conducted a survey in 2022 of waste collected at 13 sites along the Buffalo River and its tributaries and found that of the 1,916 pieces of plastic trash collected with an identifiable brand, more than 17% were produced by PepsiCo. PepsiCos plastic packaging was three times more abundant than the next highest contributor, McDonalds with 5.7%.

Also, according to the suit, from 2013 to 2022, approximately 78% of waste collected by Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper volunteers in the Buffalo River watershed was plastic. Single-use plastic wrappers, bottles, and caps of the types produced by PepsiCo were found in significant amounts every year.

Research cited in the lawsuit indicates that once single-use plastic packaging enters the environment, it tends to quickly break down and release dangerous microplastics that can threaten the health of mammals and, likely, humans.

The suit notes that city of Buffalo sources its drinking water from Lake Erie, less than a mile from the mouth of the Buffalo River, and microplastics have been detected in the regions drinking water supply and fish species.

Through this lawsuit, the state seeks to require PepsiCo to end practices that threaten the environment and the public in the Buffalo area and to obtain disgorgement, civil penalties, and restitution for the damage allegedly inflicted.

The suit alleges that the company has promised to reduce its use of plastic packaging but has not done so.

Last December, PepsiCo announced a global packaging goal intended to double the percentage of all beverage servings it sells delivered through reusable models from 10 to 20 percent by 2030. The company has said it also has a goal to reduce virgin plastic per serving by 50% by 2030 by increasing recycled content in its packaging.

In August, the company said it would be rolling out paper-based solutions to replace plastic rings used around multipacks. The announcement said the new packaging is recyclable.

Topics Lawsuits
Zurich Insurance Group announced that its subsidiary, Farmers Group Inc. (FGI), has agreed to acquire three insurance brokers of the Farmers Exchanges for US$760 million. The deal also includes the Farmers Exchanges flood program servicing arm.

The wholesale brokerages  Kraft Lake Insurance Agency, Western Star Insurance Services and Farmers General Insurance Agency  will enable the Farmers Exchanges to create a more attractive customer proposition with a broader and more compelling range of products and services which are expected to improve customer retention and new customer acquisition, Zurich said in its Q3 results announcement.

Regarding the flood program being acquired, Zurich representatives explained in an email that the Farmers Exchanges participation in the program allows agents to sell flood insurance without the risk of loss exposure because it is 100% reinsured by the federal government. The Exchanges earn a fee for selling and servicing flood insurance with policyholders.

These are businesses that place risks with other insurance companies for which the exchanges receive commission. We will acquire these businesses, and well receive this commission in future. That will increase the proportion of Zurichs earnings that are attributable to fee income, which is a feature that we particularly like, according to Chief Financial Officer George Quinn during a recent media call to discuss results.

The wholesale brokerages also offer alternative insurance options for the more than 7 million quotes from the Farmers Exchanges that are currently not taken up by customers, Zurich indicated.

(Zurich has no ownership interest in the Farmers Exchanges, which comprise three policyholder-owned reciprocal insurers  Farmers Insurance Exchange, Fire Insurance Exchange, and Truck Insurance Exchange. FGI provides certain non-claims services and ancillary services to the Farmers Exchanges as its attorney-in-fact and receives fees for its services.)

Components of Brokerage Deal

Quinn explained that there are two key components to the transaction. First, there are the existing brokerage businesses that place risks with other third-party insurers  risks that are outside the Farmers Exchanges risk appetite and that Zurich will not underwrite in the future.

Examples of these risks could be high nat-cat exposed business such as coastal home or specialist motor business, Quinn said.

As you can imagine, theres quite a bit of demand for that type of coverage. Its got a risk profile that would be inconsistent with the Farmers Exchanges ambitions for cat exposure, he said during an analysts call to discuss Q3 results.

But there are obviously a number of specialist insurers that have got appetite for this and will pay  the businesses that weve acquired for originating this for them.

That brokerage business has been around for a long time and has been growing rapidly over the past three years, the Zurich representatives said.

We expect it to continue to grow rapidly and of course thats important to support the purchase price that were paying, Quinn said during the media briefing.

A further fee income stream will come from something new that the Farmers Exchanges trialed this year: business that enables the brokerages to make an offer to a third-party insurer if the customer doesnt accept a Farmers Exchange quote  an arrangement that provides the Exchanges and brokers with commissions.

Those trials look good, they look interesting. For us, thats a harder part of the business to value and weve agreed with the Exchanges that in the event that things dont turn out as we would expect at this stage, we have the potential to claw back some part of the purchase price, he said.

Having said that, the opportunity looks to us to be significant. Its a new activity of the Exchanges and we think its interesting for us because of the fee income, but its particularly interesting for the Exchanges because of the benefits that it would bring their agents.

The deal includes established brokerage businesses at a multiple that is completely consistent with market transactions, he said. The other one is newer, looks really interesting, but we have deal protection around that second piece.

Quinn said the agreed purchase price represents approximately 18 times EBITDA for the existing business, an additional payment for the value of the tax attributes and a further payment related to the fee stream on the new alternative insurance options.

Ownership of the brokerages will ensure FGI maintains and broadens its position in supporting the Exchanges in meeting customers needs while generating an additional capital-light stream of earnings for FGI, Zurich said.

Given our general affinity for fee-based businesses, its something we like. In terms of further transactions  if we could find ways to expand fee-based businesses, we would, Quinn said during the analysts call.

Subject to regulatory approval, the transaction is expected to close towards the end of this year or early in 2024.

Quinn said that no agent salesforce is being acquired as part of the deal because the three wholesale brokerages work with existing exclusive agents.

For the first part of the deal (involving the placements outside of the Exchanges risk appetite), business flow comes from the exclusive agents to the broker and then on to a third-party insurer. The exclusive agents to the brokers also handle the business derived from quotes that Farmers customers do not accept but are offered to third-party insurers.

So there is no agent gain, no agent loss as part of this, Quinn said, noting that it creates a new commission stream for both the agents and for the wholesale businesses Zurich will acquire.

Regarding Zurichs Q3 results, the insurer said property/casualty insurance revenue was up 9% on a reported basis over the same period last year, which was driven by strong growth in commercial and retail insurance, supported by rate increases of 6%. Gross written premiums grew 2% at the Farmers Exchanges, which continue to focus on improving underwriting performance.

In August, Farmers Insurance announced it was laying off approximately 2,400 employees  11% of its workforce across all lines of business. The company said the moves were being made to better position itself for long-term profitability by creating a more streamlined organizational structure and a reduction in operational expenses.

The purchase of the brokerages is expected to have a positive impact on the Farmers Exchanges surplus ratio of 3 percentage points upon closing, while reducing Zurichs SST (Swiss Solvency Test) ratio by 4 percentage points.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Agencies Profit Loss Agribusiness
ETNA, Ohio (AP)  A National Transportation Safety Board team was planning to start work Wednesday at the scene of a deadly highway crash in Ohio involving a charter bus filled with high school students that left six people dead and 18 injured.

NTSB Chairwoman Jennifer Homendy said the team would be looking for cameras and other evidence from the five vehicles involved in Tuesday`s crash on westbound Interstate 70 in Licking County, about 26 miles (42 kilometers) east of Columbus. Homendy said the team will likely be in the area for five to seven days and a preliminary report would likely be issued within the next few weeks.

Homendy said there was conflicting information about the sequence of events that lead to the chain-reaction crash, which also involved an SUV and a semitruck. The Pioneer Trails charter bus was carrying students and chaperones from the Tuscarawas Valley Local School District in eastern Ohio.

Three passengers on the bus, which was carrying a driver and 54 students and chaperones, were pronounced dead at the scene, the Ohio State Highway Patrol said. They were identified as John W. Mosely, 18, of Mineral City; Jeffery D. Worrell, 18, of Bolivar; and Katelyn N. Owens, 15, of Mineral City.

The bus was carrying the students and chaperones to an Ohio School Boards Association conference in Columbus, Tuscarawas Valley Superintendent Derek Varansky said.

The conference, billed as the second-largest education convention in the nation,  was canceled after organizers learned of the crash. The event was to offer professional development sessions for school district management teams and an annual Student Achievement Fair featuring 100 booths of innovative school programs.

Speaking Tuesday night at a community prayer vigil, Varansky described Tuesday as one of the darkest days in the district`s history and the worst day in his life. He said the community was looking to honor those who died and just lift up those families, those students on the bus who survived and will live with that traumatic experience and to our entire district for the dark days, week, months to come.

Varansky said classes would be held Wednesday because district officials did not want any students home by themselves. Noting it will not be a typical school day, he said counselors and support staff from other community organizations would be at the schools to offer assistance.

All three people in one of the passenger vehicles involved  a teacher and two chaperones for the student trip  were also pronounced dead at the scene. They were identified as Dave Kennat, 56, of Navarre; Kristy Gaynor, 39, of Zoar; and Shannon Wigfield, 45, of Bolivar.

The driver of the other passenger vehicle was also taken to a hospital. Of the drivers of the commercial vehicles involved, one was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not considered life-threatening and the other was treated at the scene, the highway patrol said.

Both sides of Interstate 70 were closed for several hours after the crash, creating major traffic delays in the area. The eastbound lanes reopened late Tuesday afternoon, while the westbound lanes reopened early Wednesday.

Tori Wilson, a sophomore at the school who was sitting toward the back of the bus when it was hit, told WBNS-TV she overheard someone talking about a fire and they needed to get out, but she was struggling because she was stuck.

I had a kid like over top of me having a seizure and not moving unresponsive. I had my friend beside me to my right, that was sitting right to where I was, where I was gonna sit, but she said that I could have the inside towards the window. And all I could see was her head and the rest was all crushed underneath seats.

Wilson said while the bus was burning, the junior high band director kept running back onto the vehicle, grabbing students and pulling them to safety.

The kid behind me was complaining (about) his legs and I was trying to get out, but like I didnt wanna crush him because anytime I moved, the seats moved cause I was trying to get out and then he starts like screaming in pain, Wilson said. The kid that was on the far right of the three, he was in the middle of the aisle and not moving.

Eventually, she pulled herself out of a window and escaped.

The collision was the second recent fatal crash in the U.S. involving high school students on a charter bus. In September, two people were killed and several others injured when a charter bus carrying high school students to band camp veered off a New York highway.

Photo: Emergency responders are on the scene of a fatal accident on Interstate 70 West in Licking County, Ohio, Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. An emergency official says a charter bus carrying students from a high school was rear-ended by a semi-truck on the Ohio highway. (WSYX/WTTE via AP)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Ohio K-12 Education
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. announced it has acquired certain assets of the retail agency business of East Lansing, Michigan-based Coverys Insurance Services. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Coverys Insurance Services is a full-service insurance broker specializing in medical malpractice and professional liability for healthcare clients throughout Michigan. The Coverys Insurance Services team will remain in their current location under the direction of Ryan Isaacs, head of Gallaghers Midwest region retail property/casualty brokerage operations.

Topics Mergers & Acquisitions Michigan A.J. Gallagher
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. The Minister of Internal Affairs of Estonia on Thursday launched a pointed accusation against Russia, alleging a failure to detain illegal migrants at its borders. The incident sparking this contention involved eight Somali citizens attempting to circumnavigate immigration control, attempting to enter Estonia via Narva, BNN reports.



According to the source, previously, similar tensions have been observed in the north, where Finland accused Russia of maneuvering asylum seekers to its border.

Finland is set to close half of its border crossings with Russia on Friday night, accusing Moscow of encouraging undocumented migrants to head for border checkpoints and claim asylum.



Speaking at a press conference in Helsinki, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the four border crossings will stay closed until 18 February, while asylum applications are centralized at two other locations, Euronews reports.
The nearly year-long saga involving Root Inc. and its former chief marketing officer continues  with him in county jail.

Brinson Caleb BC Silver, Roots CMO from November 8, 2021 to November 9, 2022, has been in jail in Butler County, Ohio since June, according to the jails website. A federal judge in the Southern District of Ohio ordered Silver detained for contempt on June 20.

Root Inc., parent company of Root Insurance, has accused Silver and others, in a complaint seeking damages and injunctive relief first filed in February, of defrauding the insurtech of about $10 million. During his short time as CMO, Silver allegedly stole money meant for advertising campaigns in a series of transfers to companies owned by him or his family, and then spent the funds on luxury real estate, WaveRunners, and vacations.

According to court records, Roots attorney last week filed an application for entry of default since Silver has failed to answer or plead to an amended lawsuit. Records show Silver has largely been uncooperative during the legal process  denying the delivery of summonses, failing to provide information to a court-appointed custodian of his property and assets, and violating a court order limiting his spending.

Related: Fired Root CMO Accused of Stealing Millions Spends Lavishly; Judge Appoints Receiver

Root at the end of September filed a second amended complaint requiring Silver to plead quickly, but he missed the deadline.

The latest filing from Root said Silvers attorneys withdrew as his presentation and he remains without counsel. Also in June, U.S. District Court Judge Sarah D. Morrison denied Silvers motion to modify an injunction and the receivership in order to pay attorney fees. A previous court order allowed Silver to spend up to $5,000 on day-to-day personal living expenses.

Update: However, in a Nov. 15 entry to the docket, the application for default was denied since Silver did respond to the first amended complaint filed earlier this year.

In the meantime, a court-appointed receiver has been collecting and selling off Silvers assets, including property he allegedly paid for with the ill-gotten gains, such as a home recently auctioned off for about $1.4 million.

Related:

Topics Lawsuits Ohio
The Texas Department of Insurance, Division of Workers Compensations (DWC) General Counsel notified workers compensation system participants that DWC is proposing amendments to the Texas Administrative Code concerning. expedited benefits for members of the Texas military forces

The proposed rules implement Texas Labor Code Sections 401.027, 501.001, 501.027, 501.028, and 501.029, which were added or amended by House Bill 90 during the 2023 Regular Session.

The proposed rules are necessary to implement the changes in HB 90 by clarifying workers compensation coverage for authorized travel by members of the Texas military forces, ensuring that insurance carriers expedite claims for medical benefits by injured members of the Texas military forces, and ensuring that DWC expedites disputes about those claims. The proposed rules also include an update to the agencys address and nonsubstantive editorial and formatting changes that make updates for plain language and agency style to improve clarity.

Source: TDI
Editors note: For almost three decades, Florida contractors and building officials have operated under two different building codes: One for most of the state and another for the southeastern corner  Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, known as the High Velocity Hurricane Zone. Those counties in the 1990s were allowed the special carve-out because they were deemed the most vulnerable to the strongest hurricane winds and, as such, required stronger construction rules.

For years afterward, Meets Miami-Dade Standards was a stamp of approval and marketing tool for building materials and techniques around the country.

But in recent years, some Floridians in the building trades have argued that the rest of Florida has caught up with and has surpassed southeast Floridas code, especially on roofs. This has led to complications that affect builders, property owners and, especially, the Florida insurance industry, which is often asked to pay for roofs damaged in storms.

The Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors recently posted an article in its Florida Roofing magazine about the conflict between the statewide building code and the south Florida requirements  and Miami-Dade officials resistance to change. The Insurance Journal is reprinting that article here, with minor edits, along with a response from Miami-Dade County (see inset, below).

Miami-Dade is the Weak Link in Floridas Roof Underlayment Requirements

By Mike Silvers

The Florida Roofing and Sheet Metal Contractors Association (FRSA) has been at the forefront in making the Florida Building Codes roofing requirements stronger than any other building code in the country and, quite possibly, the world. The effort is warranted due to Floridas unique geographical exposure to hurricanes and the need for roof systems that will minimize potential property damage when they occur.

During the development of the 8th Edition (2023) of the building code, the roofing industry and others worked together to improve underlayment performance and, in particular, to bring the more stringent requirements used in 65 of Floridas 67 counties into the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) sections of the code. The HVHZ is comprised of Miami-Dade and Broward counties only. This area has the potential for the highest wind speeds in Florida based on the American Society of Civil Engineers wind speed maps.

For more than two years, we proposed and advanced several modifications to the code that would strengthen and standardize roof underlayments (the membrane between the structural decking and the shingles or roof tiles) for all types of steep-slope roof systems in the HVHZ. A steep-slope roof system is one that has a pitch or slope equal to or greater than 2 units vertical to 12 units horizontal. This effort was preceded by many attempts of people in the industry to work with Miami-Dade County to find a reasonable solution to its lagging underlayment requirements.

Miami-Dade Response: Need for Different Underlayment Requirements Not Proven As the local government entity charged with enforcing the Florida Building Code (FBC), Miami-Dade County has and will continue to comply with the most current code requirements. It is in Miami-Dade Countys best interest to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community by helping to ensure the Florida Building Code is applied and being followed appropriately. Regarding the 8th Edition of the FBC, it is inaccurate to state that Miami-Dade County remains reluctant to comply. The latest edition does not become effective until December 31, 2023, and Miami-Dade County government will comply with enforcing the code as it has always done. Miami-Dade County opposed the changes to the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) process because evidence that HVHZ roof tile assemblies were blown off during hurricane events were not provided to support a change to the HVHZ process. No such evidence has been presented, nor have we observed such failures in recent storms. Assembly testing of the roof systems did not expose flaws. Miami-Dade County and requirements in the HVHZ have always required an assembly-style testing approach to qualify roofing systems. Assembly testing is required to qualify roofing tile systems, as well as other systems containing an underlayment. A roof tile assembly includes several components, which in the HVHZ are tested as a system to attain its performance value. Isolating components for testing to obtain their performance in a system is clearly not indicative of the assemblys overall performance. Protocol As the local government entity charged with enforcing the Florida Building Code (FBC), Miami-Dade County has and will continue to comply with the most current code requirements. It is in Miami-Dade Countys best interest to protect the health, safety, and welfare of the community by helping to ensure the Florida Building Code is applied and being followed appropriately. Regarding the 8Edition of the FBC, it is inaccurate to state that Miami-Dade County remains reluctant to comply. The latest edition does not become effective until December 31, 2023, and Miami-Dade County government will comply with enforcing the code as it has always done. Miami-Dade County opposed the changes to the High Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) process because evidence that HVHZ roof tile assemblies were blown off during hurricane events were not provided to support a change to the HVHZ process. No such evidence has been presented, nor have we observed such failures in recent storms. Assembly testing of the roof systems did not expose flaws. Miami-Dade County and requirements in the HVHZ have always required an assembly-style testing approach to qualify roofing systems. Assembly testing is required to qualify roofing tile systems, as well as other systems containing an underlayment. A roof tile assembly includes several components, which in the HVHZ are tested as a system to attain its performance value. Isolating components for testing to obtain their performance in a system is clearly not indicative of the assemblys overall performance. Protocol TAS 101 (Testing Application Standard No. 101, devised by Miami-Dade County) tile system-testing provides a moment-force resistance value, which is the basis of the permitting requirements in the HVHZ. The assembly tested during the TAS 101 includes the wood deck, underlayment, tile adhesive and the roof tile. To obtain a roof tile permit in the HVHZ, the specific ASCE7 wind design pressures are used in a formula that provides the required moment-force resistance required for the site-specific project. This value is compared to the systems moment-force resistance value listed on the product approval. In the HVHZ the system testing application standard protocols, material quality standards, roofing application standards, and the standard roofing permit application are integral in obtaining a quality code-compliant roofing system. This response was provided by Miami-Dades Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources. Lorna Mejia-Lopez is the spokesperson and chief of public engagement and community outreach.

We felt these changes were needed not only to achieve better performance of many types of roof coverings but also to greatly improve the underlayments ability to serve as secondary water barriers. Secondary barriers have proven to be very effective at preventing interior damage and the displacement of the buildings occupants in the event of a roof covering failure.

Miami-Dade County pushed back against these changes at every opportunity.

The underlayment changes were approved over the course of three of the Florida Building Commissions Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) meetings. We opposed many attempts by Miami-Dade County to amend the code changes in ways that would have weakened their effectiveness. During four Florida Building Commission meetings (for which a 75% vote is required for approval), our changes were accepted and incorporated into the code that will go into effect on Dec. 31 (for all counties but Miami-Dade and Broward, which were granted their own status by the statutory carve-out in the 1990s.)

One Miami-Dade amendment would eliminate some of the most important changes that had been approved by the Building Commission. It would require a nail-able underlayment over the roof sheathing (wood decking), thereby eliminating the availability of self-adhered underlayment (sometimes referred to as peel and stick) installed directly to the deck. (The deck is referred to in the code as sawn lumber, wood plank or wood structural panel deck.)

Self-adhered underlayment has been widely accepted by the roofing industry in almost all of Florida for well over a decade. It also has been embraced by the property insurance industry, which offers its largest credits for this type of secondary water barrier. Self-adhered underlayment applied directly to the deck has proven to be very effective and offers very high uplift-resistance values.

The amendment proposed by Miami-Dade County officials  in an attempt to undo what the state Building Commission had already approved  was denied. But the county can still offer its own interpretation and go its own way on this.

A second part of Miami-Dades amendment to the code is also very important. It requested a reduction in the tested uplift pressures to -90 psf ultimate. (The building code and the model codes require a safety factor of 2 to account for potential minor material and installation variations or deficiencies, among other things. So, an underlayment that attains a -90 psf ultimate rating in testing is halved to -45 psf.) This amendment was also denied by the Building Commission.

That should have resolved the issue but, unfortunately, it has not and Miami-Dade has stated that -45 psf will continue to be the threshold in the HVHZ.

There is another weak link in the HVHZ requirements for underlayments  those for tile roofs. A recent survey of industry professionals estimated that between 50% to 60% of steep-slope roofs in the HVHZ are tile. Those tile roof systems, as well as low-slope roof systems, are not required to comply with the state codes secondary water barrier provisions primarily because they have historically been assumed to meet or exceed code-required uplift resistance levels. A system, however, is only as strong as its weakest link. So, if the tile underlayment is not tested to meet ASCE 7 uplift resistance values  as mandated by the state building code  the ability of the entire system to resist high winds is greatly undermined.

Miami-Dade County, instead of complying with the Florida Building Commissions direction regarding underlayment uplift resistance, has issued its Checklist #0090 For the Approval of Roofing Underlayment to give guidance to the roofing industry on how it intends to implement these code changes  or perhaps one should say how it intends to avoid implementing these code changes. A note at the bottom of the checklist document states: Uplift Testing submitted to support an Underlayment Uplift Design Pressure will accept 1 specimen achieving a minimum -45 psf. (after applying 2:1 safety factor).

Miami-Dade County has indicated that any tile underlayment that meets this negative pressure will be issued a Miami-Dade County Notice of Acceptance (NOA). Also, the county has indicated that uplift pressures will not be listed in the NOA. We feel that this is a major divergence from the intent of the changes adopted in the new statewide code. The ASCE 7-22 uplift resistance for tile roofs in the HVHZ will very seldom, if ever, face pressures this low in a storm. Pressures two or three times this high are far more common in the HVHZ. The acceptance of -45 psf as the maximum required resistance would definitely result in a severe weakening of the new code.

Why We Should Be Concerned

If allowed to stand, Miami-Dade Countys implementation will not only weaken the new requirements for tile roof systems inside Miami-Dade and Broward Counties but will also have a far broader impact because a Miami-Dade County NOA can be used anywhere in Florida for obtaining building permits.

It is important to be aware of the impact that roof-related losses have on Floridians. All Florida property insurance policyholders act as a backstop for Citizens Property Insurance Corp. (which is the largest provider of property insurance in the HVHZ) and the rest of Florida. Property and casualty insurance purchasers in Florida are already paying a surcharge on their policies to cover claims for a few insolvent insurers. Major hurricane losses by Citizens could, one day, trigger another assessment.

It is clear that we need to do all things reasonable to mitigate potential property damage through stronger building codes. The positive impacts that strengthening code requirements have had cannot be disputed: Post-hurricane damage assessments from many reliable sources have all come to the same conclusion. Sticking our head in the sand is not a viable approach. We simply cant afford to let Miami-Dade County set the standard, based on the countys contention that it hasnt seen the failures. Such observations  or lack thereof  completely ignore the fact that they have not experienced a major hurricane since Andrew in 1992.

The damage that weve observed in other parts of the state where recent hurricanes have occurred clearly demonstrates that we should not weaken the code for the south Florida HVHZ and, through NOAs, the entire state.

What Can Be Done to Bring Them Around?

If we are going to successfully achieve the important goal of having strong and consistent underlayment and secondary water barrier requirements throughout Florida, we need all affected parties to help. For those of you who represent the insurance industrys interest, weve lessened your exposure by working to strengthen building codes and have pushed back against fraud because we know its the right thing to do. If youre someone who wants improved roof resilience in order to maintain the availability of property insurance with reasonable premiums, you should now consider making your voice heard.

Our position is simple: test tile underlayments to failure, adjust for the safety factor of two and then post those uplift pressures on the NOAs in the same way that we currently do for Florida Building Commission product approvals.

This issue needs to be resolved before the new code becomes effective at the end of the year.

Mike Silvers is a roofing contractor and an FRSA past president. He continues to consult for the association as director of technical services.

Topics Florida Leadership
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  The owner of a Mississippi medical marijuana dispensary filed a federal lawsuit Tuesday challenging state regulations that he says censor business owners by preventing them from advertising.

After Mississippi legalized medical marijuana for people with debilitating conditions in 2022, Clarence Cocroft II opened Tru Source Medical Cannabis in Olive Branch, Mississippi. But he says he has struggled to reach customers because Mississippi`s Department of Health has banned medical marijuana businesses from advertising in any media.

That violates business owners First Amendment rights, Cocroft`s attorneys wrote in a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Mississippi.

All I want to do, like any other business owner, is have the opportunity to advertise. If I pay taxes in this business, which I do, I should be able to advertise, Cocroft said at a news conference. All Im asking from this state is to provide us with the same liberty that theyve provided other businesses.

Cocroft, who is represented by the Institute for Justice, sued the leaders of the state`s Department of Health, Department of Revenue and Alcoholic Beverage Control Bureau. The lawsuit accuses state regulations of prohibiting business owners from engaging in truthful commercial speech to promote their legal businesses, which attorneys argue violates the First Amendment.

Under the ban, Clarence cant advertise in any media. He cannot place ads in newspapers or magazines, on television or radio, or even on billboards that he already owns, said Katrin Marquez, one of Cocroft`s attorneys. The First Amendment does not allow a state to completely censor a legal business. If it is legal to sell a product, it is legal to talk about that product.

A spokesperson for the Mississippi Department of Health did not immediately respond to an email requesting comment Tuesday. A spokesperson for the Department of Revenue said the agency had not heard about the lawsuit.

Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama also have regulations that prohibit dispensaries from advertising through public mediums. But Cocrofts attorneys said Mississippis regulations are more stringent than those in neighboring states.

The state Health Department cannot prevent dispensaries from placing appropriate signs on their properties or displaying products they sell on their websites. All other advertising restrictions are up to the Health Department, which prohibits dispensaries from advertising or marketing in any media.

The state government cannot simultaneously authorize the legal sale of a product or service, while forbidding the truthful advertising of said product, Marquez said. No law, state or federal, justifies the censorship in this case.

When Cocroft started Tru Source, he says he budgeted for advertising and purchased a few billboards in highly trafficked areas in northern Mississippi. He has been leasing the billboards to other businesses and relied instead on word-of-mouth recommendations to reach potential customers.

Its simply unfair that every other legal business in Mississippi is allowed to advertise, while I have to rely on word of mouth, Cocroft said.

Photo: Clarence Cocroft II. (Institute for Justice via AP)

Copyright 2023 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits Mississippi Cannabis
Josh Tyndell joined the Lockton company in its Seattle, Wash. office.

Tyndell has 20 years of experience in the insurance industry. Before joining Lockton, he was a founding partner at BK-JET Group which was acquired by HUB International in 2018.

Before starting BK-JET, he was the managing director of Wells Fargo Insurances Spokane office.

Lockton is headquartered in Kansas City, Mo.
There is no longer any question of how to prevent high-intensity, often catastrophic, wildfires that have become increasingly frequent across the Western U.S., according to a new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health and Stanford University.

The analysis reveals that low-intensity burning, such as controlled or prescribed fires, managed wildfires, and tribal cultural burning, can dramatically reduce the risk of devastating fires for years at a time. The findings are some of the first to rigorously quantify the value of low-intensity fire and be released while Congress is reassessing the U.S. Forest Services wildfire strategy as part of reauthorizing the Farm Bill. The study was published in Science Advances.

The research, which focused on California, comes almost exactly five years after the state suffered its deadliest wildfire on record, the Camp Fire.

Its no secret that wildfire-prone regions need to shift from a single-minded focus on suppression to one that includes much more controlled burning and forest resilience, said Xaio Wu, assistant professor of biostatistics at Columbia Mailman School of Public Health and lead author, who worked on the paper as a Data Science Fellow at Stanford. However, until now, studies assessing the beneficial effects of prescribed and low-intensity fires have been limited to relatively small areas, such as a single wilderness area or watershed.

For this paper, the researchers reviewed 20 years of satellite monitoring of wildfires across more than 100,000 square kilometers of California forests. The team  fire policy experts, public health scientists, and statistical and machine learning researchers  harmonized multiple state-wide datasets on fuel characteristics and fire behavior, including fire intensity (measured by the amount of energy released) and fire severity (measured by the ecosystem impacts of large fires).

The authors measured the protective effect of low-intensity fires using a method that assembled unburned areas into a synthetic landscape closely resembling the burned landscapes attributes, such as weather patterns, elevation, vegetation type, and disturbance history. This approach allowed them to assess how these burned landscapes might have evolved had they not burned in that same year  and compare these counterfactuals to their actual evolution throughout time.

Using this approach, the researchers were able to quantify the reduced risk of high-intensity fires after a low-intensity fire burns in a forestland, and then see how long the protective effect lasts. They found that low-intensity fire in mixed conifer forests in California initially provides a 60 percent reduction in risk of catastrophic fire, and this effect lasts at least six years but diminishes over time. They also found a smaller but still significant reduction in risk in oak-dominated forests.

According to Wu and colleagues at Stanford, policymakers could use the studys results as a foundation for future evaluation of wildland fuel treatments by comparing the quantified benefits to potential costs and risks associated with its implementation. The timing is good: The U.S. Forest Service has proposed treating nearly 200,000 square kilometers (about 50 million acres) over the next decade through a mixture of fuel treatment strategies. California has proposed increasing the amount of land it treats for wildfires to 2,000 square kilometers (about 500,000 acres) annually.

To be effective, wildland fuel treatments, including prescribed burning, have to be ongoing, periodic maintenance rather than a one-time intervention for forests that are adjacent to communities or critical infrastructure, the researchers write. The risk mitigation benefit of low-intensity burning will depend heavily on careful selection and targeting of the intervention to provide maximum protection for people, communities, and ecosystems.

This study exemplifies how data science can contribute to climate mitigation through a highly multidisciplinary collaboration, said Wu. Wildfires present substantial threats to both our ecosystems and human well-being. As scientists, our constant goal is to find practical solutions.

Im hopeful that policymakers will rely on this work as motivation and support for the scale-up of beneficial fire as a key strategy in preventing wildfire catastrophes, said study co-author Michael Wara, director of the Climate and Energy Policy Program at the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. Beneficial fire is not without its own risks  but what our study shows is just how large and long-lasting the benefits are of this crucial risk reduction strategy, said Wara, who is also senior director of policy for the Sustainability Accelerator at the Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability.

Coauthors of the study include Erik Sverdrup, Graduate School of Businss, Stanford; Michael Mastrandrea, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment; and Stefan Wager, Stanford Graduate School of Business and School of Humanities and Sciences.

The study was funded by the National Institutes of Health and Stanford Data Science.

Founded in 1922, the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health pursues an agenda of research, education, and service to address the critical and complex public health issues affecting New Yorkers, the nation and the world. The Columbia Mailman School is the fourth largest recipient of NIH grants among schools of public health. Its nearly 300 multi-disciplinary faculty members work in more than 100 countries around the world, addressing such issues as preventing infectious and chronic diseases, environmental health, maternal and child health, health policy, climate change and health, and public health preparedness. It is a leader in public health education with more than 1,300 graduate students from 55 nations pursuing a variety of masters and doctoral degree programs. The Columbia Mailman School is also home to numerous world-renowned research centers, including ICAP and the Center for Infection and Immunity. For more information, please visit www.mailman.columbia.edu.

This article first appeared in Newswise.

Topics California Catastrophe Natural Disasters Wildfire
North Vancouver, British Columbia - November 16, 2023 (Newsfile Corp.) (Investorideas.com Newswire) Aurora Solar Technologies Inc. (TSXV: ACU) (the "Company") wishes to announce the addition of James Tunkey as an independent board director effective November 15, 2023.

Mr. Tunkey has 29 years of experience in global risk advisory, including on behalf of manufacturers and innovators in green energy with operations in the U.S. and Asia. He is the Chief Operating Officer of an international investigations and security consulting company named I-OnAsia with a focus on supply chains, customers and intellectual property as it relates to strategic transactions, financings and investments. Mr. Tunkey has valuable entrepreneurial experience in international market development, trade compliance and corporate governance. He was a Hong Kong based director of Kroll Associates and Pinkerton Business Intelligence & Investigations before joining I-OnAsia and returning to the United States in 2004. Mr. Tunkey holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from TRIUM and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Buffalo in Chinese studies. Mr. Tunkey is a Qualified Risk Director and Certified Fraud Examiner.

The Company has accepted the resignation of Gordon Deans as a board director and wishes to thank him for his role as founder and recognize his long-term service to the Company.

Over the past year, the Company has materially transformed itself through the successful acquisition of BT Imaging. Today, the Company has been restructured to support the operations of BT Imaging with a focus on growing organically and through collaboration to bring its expertise, products, and systems deeper into the evolving solar supply chains. The Company is actively positioning for growth beyond the existing BT Imaging product market segments in order to leverage its intellectual property in its machine vision and artificial intelligence (smart factory based on predictive machine learning and proprietary imaging) platform.

The Company is pleased to add James as part of its intention to expand the board and looks forward to his contribution to identifying and supporting new market opportunities to drive the Company's strategic growth. As the Company navigates these growth initiatives it looks forward to delivering on a well-defined capital markets strategy.

The Company announces stock option grants to a director totaling 1,000,000 options exercisable at $0.05 for a five-year term, subject to the acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Aurora Solar Technologies and BT Imaging:

BT Imaging Pty Ltd. is a global leader in photoluminescence measurement products for solar wafer, cell, and module quality control. The Company acquired BT Imaging to enhance its smart factory solutions and machine vision capabilities, capitalizing on emerging trends in materials, automation, and process control. BT Imaging Pty Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company.

The Company is a leading provider of measurement and control technology for the photovoltaic manufacturing industry. We are dedicated to delivering superior solutions that improve our customers' cell and module production yield and efficiency. Through our commitment to ongoing innovation, we bring reliable, integrated, and cost-effective quality management systems to the solar manufacturing industry. Our products are used by many of the world's most advanced and respected solar cell manufacturers and renewable energy laboratories. With headquarters near Vancouver, Canada, the Company has operations in Sydney, Australia, Shanghai, China, and partners in all major solar manufacturing markets. The Company is a public company, traded on the TSX Venture Exchange (ACU) and is a two-time TSX-V Top 50 winner.

For more information about our products and operations, please visit our websites at www.aurorasolartech.com and www.btimaging.com.

For media inquiries or further information contact:

Jake Bouma

Corporate Development

Phone: +1 (604) 317-3936

corpcomm@aurorasolartech.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.

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The era of Big Wind has begun, but what is the point of progress if there arent enough people to work in the industry?

Thats the question that wind energy leaders are now trying to address. At the recent Wind Energy Tradeshow, it was made apparent to young people and people who want to upskill that they would be welcomed into the burgeoning industry with open arms.

It is clear that the trajectory for wind energy is not only up, but it is doing so in a remarkable fashion.

Wind Energy Irelands latest monthly report in October showed that wind energy provided 32% of Irelands electricity in September 2023. The volume of electricity generated by wind in September 2023 was up by 25% when compared with September 2022, according to the data.

Strong winds throughout the second half of last month delivered a third consecutive record-breaking month in wind power generation in Ireland, with July, August and now September all surpassing previous monthly records, it said.

The latest figures mean that Irish wind farms provided 32% of the islands electricity over the first nine months of 2023, it added triumphantly.

CEO of Wind Energy Ireland, Noel Cunniffe, said: Our members provided 32% of Irelands electricity in September and the volume of wind generated was up by 25% when compared to the same month last year. But we can do better. The development of renewable energy, as well as the grid infrastructure and planning reform required to supply it, must accelerate.

With greater success comes greater demands to not only maintain momentum, but also to build on it. That means more men and women than ever before are needed to get onboard with the wind revolution.

Wind Energy Ireland, which launched its new Work in Wind campaign, says there are dozens of different roles and skills that will carve out myriad opportunities for people over the next decade and beyond.

More than 5,000 people are currently employed in the Irish wind energy industry but, as the race to achieve the targets set out in the Climate Action Plan accelerates, this number will much more than double by the end of the decade, the body says.

That is the reason for a comprehensive new website to showcase careers in the sector.

Workinwind.ie highlights the job opportunities in the sector, profiles real-life case studies of people working in the industry today and identifies clear career pathways through training programmes and third-level courses, Wind Energy Ireland says.

Communications manager with Wind Energy Ireland, Lisa-Anne Crookes, oversees the organisations education programme.

She said: We know that young people are passionate about climate action and there is a much greater emphasis on it in the curriculum with the new Leaving Cert course on Climate Action and Sustainable Development.

WorkinWind.ie will inspire and empower this generation of young people to play their role in Irelands renewable future, by highlighting clear paths to a broad range of careers in the renewable energy sector.

CEO Noel Cunniffe said the renewable energy industry is growing rapidly in Ireland and around the world.

Together, we are creating a future free of fossil fuels. Whatever your passion, whatever your interest, there is a place for you with us.

Over the next 10 years, we will need thousands of engineers and technicians, planners and ecologists, pilots and sailors, builders and designers, accountants and lawyers, if we are to build an industry that can decarbonise Irelands energy supply.

Workinwind.ie is the start of a national campaign to inform, inspire and encourage young people to join the global renewable energy revolution, to build a career and save the planet.

To help showcase the life ahead for those thinking about making wind energy a viable and valuable career, Workinwind.ie has case studies from men and women all over the country in the field.

Eoin McPartland is an engineer and works as offshore manager with Energia.

Eoin said: It is a really exciting time to be working in the energy sector as an engineer, helping to design and develop solutions to one of the greatest challenges of our time, the climate crisis.

Engineering is a fantastic career that is rewarding and challenging in equal measure and if you are a problem solver and enjoy working with people to design, build and deliver then engineering could be for you.

The rapid transformation towards renewable energy, including wind, is continuing globally.

Eoin McPartland, offshore manager with Energia, says this is a very exciting time for engineers to work in the Irish wind energy sector.

Big challenges remain however, and not just in the recruitment side of things.

Global additions of renewable power capacity are expected to jump by a third this year as growing policy momentum, higher fossil fuel prices, and energy security concerns drive strong deployment of solar PV and wind power, according to the a mid-year update from the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The growth is set to continue next year with the worlds total renewable electricity capacity rising to 4 500 gigawatts (GW), equal to the total power output of China and the US combined, the IEAs Renewable Energy Market Update said in June.

Wind power additions are forecast to rebound sharply in 2023 growing by almost 70% year-on-year after a difficult couple of years in which growth was slugging, the IEA said.

The faster growth is mainly due to the completion of projects that had been delayed by Covid-19 restrictions in China and by supply chain issues in Europe and the US.

Further growth in 2024 will now depend on whether governments can provide greater policy support to address challenges in terms of permitting and auction design.

In contrast to solar PV, wind turbine supply chains are not growing fast enough to match accelerating demand over the medium-term, it warned.

This is mainly due to rising commodity prices and supply chain challenges, which are reducing the profitability of manufacturers, it said.

This mirrors what Wind Energy Ireland has been saying at home.

It described Septembers renewable energy auction led by Government as extremely disappointing and said that they highlight the need for urgent reform of how we develop wind and solar farms in Ireland.

The Renewable Electricity Support Scheme (RESS) delivered the smallest volume of renewable energy of any auction to date and for the highest price.

Contracts were awarded to only three wind farms for a total capacity of 148MW.

Mr Cunniffe said: It marks one year since the last onshore wind farm received planning permission from An Bord Pleanala. Dozens of wind energy projects are in planning limbo. They are supposed to get their decisions in 18 weeks but the average decision time for a wind project is well over 90 weeks.

We are living in an energy and climate crisis but we do not have a planning system that has been given the resources, the expertise and the personnel to deliver.
The CEO of Irelands first community-owned electricity supplier would like to see lighter regulation for small community-owned supply companies.

Gregg Allen says that Nenagh-based Community Power effectively has to meet the same regulatory challenges as Electric Ireland, or any of the large utility companies, even though they have a much smaller customer base.

"That is a challenge for us and for any other community trying to do what we did," says Mr Allen. "Electric Ireland has over one million customers. We have just under 1,000 customers. We have to keep it small because of the energy crisis. We had to increase our prices and then just stopped taking on customers until the market settles. But were opening up again, taking on new customers.

Keeping electricity supply local: Carmel ODonoghue, Matt Murray, John Fogarty, Derry O Donnelly (kneeling), Noel Carey, Mai Fogarty, Dennis Carey, Sarah Fogarty and Gregg Allen, all of whom are associated with the community-owned Templederry Wind Farm and Community Power.

Working for a sustainable future for Ireland and the 2030 emissions-reduction targets, award-winning Community Power purchases clean renewable electricity generated from micro wind, solar, biogas and hydro plants around the country and sells it on to its customers, some of whom are also shareholders in the company.

Established in 2012, Community Power was a natural progression from Templederry Wind Farm; it generates roughly the same amount of electricity used by the town of Nenagh from its two turbines. The ethos of the company is its meaningful ownership structures for communities and individuals in the renewable energy sector. It ensures that any surplus revenue generated remains in the communities, bolstering the local circular economy.

Allen, whose background is in business and finance, has been on a 'sustainable communities' journey for a long time. He is one of the co-founders of the CloughJordan eco-village in Tipperary, where he lives, having been its project manager during the development stage. Allen has been with Community Power since 2016. It has been great but its a highly regulated area, understandably so.

He adds: "Theres this bizarre scenario that were in, within the electricity industry whereby geopolitical events and national events can affect electricity prices. Thats because its all linked to the price of gas. Thats why its so important for us to build more sustainable renewable Irish-generated electricity. Its why were helping and supporting bringing it right back to the community level.

With a staff of just four, Community Power intends to grow but that is linked to growing the business.

Going through the regulatory process means that we can supply any customer in the Republic of Ireland. We have customers nationwide, in Galway, Mayo, Dublin, Tipperary. Our prices are competitive at the moment. But that changes. A lot of large utilities can buy an amount of electricity at a guaranteed price for 12 months in advance. Thats how they structure their operation. Were so small that we cant access those hedge products. Were very exposed to what the market does. If market prices are low, we lower our prices to reflect that. But if the market goes up, we have to do the same.

Community Power has two solar farms in Galway and Mayo that are community-owned.

They are at an advanced stage. Theyre not generating yet. Weve been delayed by trying to get a grid connection for almost two years. We have a grid offer. We havent got the connection yet. We supported those two communities through the complexity of building solar farms. Both of them will be 5 megawatts. Its approximately twenty acres of land for each of the two solar farms. We hope that the one in Galway will be built in 2024.

"We can match our generation to supply," he says. "So if we have 5 megawatts, we can build our customer base. That will protect us from fluctuations in the market. Both solar farms will be Irish-owned and community-owned. On their behalf, we will sell the generation from the solar farms to the market. On one side, theres the generation of power. If you take that on its own merits, you obviously have the cost of the planning and then buying the solar panels. Then theres the cost of the grid connection.

Community Power estimates that it will take anything from seven to ten years to pay back the capital costs involved in developing a community energy project. After that, the project is generating income for the local community.

"Borrowings have to be repaid over a period of time. The majority of the money for the first six or seven years goes on repaying the capital costs. But after that, you basically are generating income for the local community. This is why were so enthusiastic about doing this. A lot of government funding for playgrounds or for local infrastructure is based on matched funding.

"If a local community has a revenue stream from a generation project, they will actually have money to match the funding to do what they want in their community. They will have revenue from the generation projects. Depending on costs, it will take anything from seven to ten years to pay back the capital costs.

Allen says the biggest challenge is getting the grid connection.

Obviously, the grid infrastructure is being upgraded. But with all this renewable energy coming onto the grid, its intermittent. Its not the kind of constant generation that youd get from a fossil fuel generation project. That causes challenges in keeping the grid stable. But this problem has been solved all across Europe.

Waiting for over two years to get a grid connection is frustrating, says Allen. Then theres the actual cost of the grid connection which varies dramatically. If the local area needs an upgrade, the next-generation project on the list has to pay for that full upgrade of the local substation. That could cost 1 million and if a community project is next on the grid, we have to pay for that upgrade. They say we will be reimbursed when our own projects come on stream but it can make the whole business model unviable, based on the cost of the grid connection.

Read More World needs to cut carbon intensity seven times faster to limit warming to 1.5C

Allen says that the SEAI (Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland) has been very proactive in setting up SECs (sustainable energy communities).

You can get core funding from the SEAI to set up an SEC. The focus in the SECs has been predominantly to retrofit existing buildings and bring energy performance up. There are about 200 or 300 SECs across the country, doing that type of retrofit. But we would be of the opinion that the focus should be on local generation projects. If you have a revenue stream, you can invest in retrofitting buildings and that type of thing. Instead of putting the cart before the horse, the focus should be on local generation with a view to doing retrofits on a parallel basis or once you have a generation project operational.

Established in 2012, Community Power was a natural progression from Templederry Wind Farm; it generates roughly the same amount of electricity used by the town of Nenagh from its two turbines. The ethos of the company is its meaningful ownership structures for communities and individuals in the renewable energy sector. It ensures that any surplus revenue generated remains in the communities, bolstering the local circular economy.

The way we obtain electricity and how it is generated is going to change dramatically over the next ten years, says Allen.

There is a public consultation at the moment called the Private Wire. You cant run a cable from one building to another at the moment. Its illegal to do it without getting the ESB network involved. The consultation is pushing to change that. Its inevitable that it will change, and that will give an opportunity to communities or a local GAA club that has a number of buildings to put solar panels on the roof and to put in, for example, batteries.

"Then you will have an off-grid solution. Thats what is happening across Europe and thats why the whole landscape of the electricity infrastructure and how it works will change.

Working towards change is Bord na Mona which through its Accelerate Green Programme is helping businesses that are innovative in the sustainable climate solution space. Its Brown to Green strategy focuses on the delivery of renewable energy and climate solutions.

However, Allen points out that we will still have some fossil fuels solutions in the immediate term because while we could have an extremely windy day, supplying 90% of our electricity needs, we wont have that every day. But I think off-grid solutions, such as microgrids, mini-grids, battery technology and solar wind, are going to have to form part of the overall mix. That potentially will take some pressure off the national grid.
The success of the PGI for 'Irish Grass Fed Beef' "can only be gauged by the higher returns it deliver to the farmers producing beef", a farm organisation has stressed.

Ireland has reached the final stages of establishing the PGI.

The European Commission has confirmed it has finalised the opposition procedure on the application for the PGI, which clears the way for the final stage of adoption and publication by the commission which it has advised should conclude by mid-December.

Under EU quality schemes, the names of products for which an intrinsic link exists between product qualities or characteristics and geographical origin are protected.

This PGI for Irish Grass Fed Beef will operate on an all-island basis.

The three-month opposition procedure closed on November 4. The commission has confirmed that no opposition was received and the application moves to the final stage of adoption and registration.

Higher returns

Pat McCormack, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association has said that achievement of the status "would represent a very significant acknowledgment of the quality of beef production systems in Ireland".

"ICMSA has strongly supported efforts to achieve EU recognition of the Irish beef production system, a system which is unique - not only in the EU  but possibly on a global basis," he said.

Our cattle spend most of their life at grass and eating a grass-based diet delivers a unique high-quality beef product.

"Its essential that we push that application through to a successful conclusion that delivers that PGI status and then springboard off this with a significant promotional campaign for Irish beef in early 2024.

"The success of all this effort can only be gauged by the higher returns it delivers to the farmers producing the beef."

Proof in the pudding

Irish Cattle and Sheep Farmers Association beef chairman Edmund Graham has said that the PGI status is delivering substantial premium bonuses to all sorts of EU products, and it is "now essential that we see this reflected in our beef offerings to EU outlets".

"Proof will be in the pudding in terms of price paid to farmers. ICSA will expect to see the 70c/kg fall in price, since May, reversed in the coming months and the PGI status must be aggressively used to achieve this," Mr Graham said.

The ICSA said it will also insist that there is a monitoring group established in line with commitments made to ICSA at the Beef Taskforce "which would ensure that farmer representatives have a decisive say in the use of the PGI brand".

"The whole point of PGI is to recognise and monetise the work and unique specialisation of the primary producer based on tradition or geographical region," Mr Graham added.

Milestone

Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue described the PGI progression as a "major milestone" in the application.

"This is tremendous news and is a huge endorsement of the qualities and sustainability of our grass-fed beef," Mr McConalogue said.

Bord Bia chief executive Jim O'Toole said achieving PGI status "has been a long-held ambition for the Irish beef industry".

"Bord Bia has been preparing for PGI status over several years, from submitting the application to conducting market intelligence to best understand attitudes to PGIs," Mr O'Toole said.

"We have marketing plans in development and will leverage this opportunity for the benefit of Irish beef farmers and the wider beef sector."
YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 16, ARMENPRESS. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia Vahe Gevorgyan on Thursday received UN Special Rapporteur on the Promotion of Truth, Justice, Reparation and Guarantees of Non-Recurrence, Fabian Salvioli, the foreign ministry said in a statement.

The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, welcoming the Special Rapporteur highly appreciated Armenias cooperation with various UN mechanisms.

During the meeting, reference was made to the efforts undertaken by Armenia for the prevention of genocides, the work carried out in the direction of human rights protection. The humanitarian situation resulting from Azerbaijan's ethnic cleansing policy against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and the gross violations of human rights documented during Azerbaijan's attack on the sovereign territory of Armenia were also presented.

According to the source, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that Armenia is ready to further strengthen cooperation with the UN special procedures.
According to the sixth and final season of The Crown (Netflix), Dianas ghost persuaded the Queen to leave Scotland for London and grieve for the former Princess. It wasnt Tony Blair at all. He must be gutted.

I was gutted because season six is awful garbage. There were times when it felt like I was tied to the chair and forced to watch a made-for-TV movie about Princess Di, rushed out after her death in Paris in 1997. Stop watching, you might say  but this is The Crown, the best fusion of fact with fiction that we have ever seen on TV. Not any more.

The first four episodes cover the final eight weeks of Dianas life. There are two locations, England and the south of France. The director has two settings for lighting. One is musty and brown, for England; the other is vivid and sparkling, for the south of France.

Charles is in musty, brown England trying to get his subjects to take to his new partner, Camilla. Diana has nothing to do for the summer, so Mohammed Al-Fayed asks her to join him at his look at me villa near St Tropez. She arrives with her two boys, William and Harry. Mohammed also invites his son, Dodi, with the notion of making a social-climbing match with Diana. Dodi marries Di and Mohammed inherits step-grandchildren in line for the throne  thats the plan as hammered home in a series of endless calls between Mohammed and Dodi.

This season of The Crown feels like it was made for people who are only half-watching because they are playing Wordle on their phone.

Diana with her sons in The Crown. Picture: Daniel Escale/Netflix/LeftBank

Its endless scenes of Diana and Dido flirting with each other and engaging in a bit of light petting. It makes those Channel 5 royal-family dramas feel like the work of Martin Scorsese.

The beauty of earlier seasons of The Crown was the way they used contemporary Britain as a frame.

So we watched the royals navigate the end of empire, the rise of TV, the changes in sexual morality and more. It was gossipy and thrashy, but it allowed you pretend that you were interested in history.

The lives of the royals worked as a backdrop to the main story. Here, Diana is the main story. And she was, in fairness. I can remember the iconic shots of her on the yacht with Dodi Fayed back in 1997, how the British establishment recoiled at the notion of her getting married. The story then went stratospheric when they both died.

The problem is that most of the scenes here seem like guesswork. The only bit that worked was her relationship with her two sons  that was brilliantly done, it was heartbreaking. But the rest of it was clunky and the ghost-appears-to-Queen scenes are just plain daft.

Its just as well this is the last season of The Crown.
Dwayne Johnson visited Capitol Hill to address military recruitment issues after admitting he was approached out of the blue by political parties to run for president last year.

The Hollywood star was pictured with the US Capitol Police on Wednesday, as well as having a sit-down with senators including Jon Tester, during his trip to Washington DC.

Mr Tester, who is chairman of the Senate veterans affairs committee, wrote on Twitter: From pickin rock on the farm to meeting with the big guy himself.

I was glad to host @TheRock today to talk about how we can better address military recruitment issues.

The US Capitol Police also tweeted: We talked to a potential new recruit today and we think he will pass the fitness test.

Johnson spoke about being approached by political parties in 2022 to run for US president on comedian Trevor Noahs new podcast What Now?, describing the visit as out of the blue.

The 51-year-old also appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, saying: Its crazy, its wild. This run for president talk has been in the ether for the past couple of years and it never stops being surreal.

It was incredible, it came from (Washington) DC. We sat down, the poll was almost 50% of Americans would support me running for president, it was just crazy.

Johnson admitted down the road for sure he would consider running for president.

The former wrestler said that at the moment he is a proud girl dad with the youngest of his three children aged five and knows what it is like to have an occupation that takes me away from being a daddy which is currently the most important thing to me.
With trends changing faster than you can say Christmas, it can be hard to figure out what to buy the Gen Zer in your life (that's anyone aged from 11 to 26).

Whether youre hoping to maintain your status as the cool aunt or simply want to find out whats in style, here are 12 gift options to help inspire your Christmas shopping list this festive season.

Sol de Janeiro

Sol de Janeiro

The now-famous Sol de Janeiro Brazilian Bum Bum Cream and body sprays took TikTok by storm this summer and now  conveniently  there is a gift set that includes both.

While every scent is delicious, it was the pistachio and salted caramel that initally sent everyone into a frenzy. The sweet scent is available in the form of a body spray, alongside the famous Bum Bum Cream and shower cream in a neat gift set that will be instantly recongisable to the teen or tween in your life. Available on lookfantastic.ie for 32.95.

Light strips

Mood lighting is everything. TikToks and 'get ready with me' videos typically include funky neon lights in the background.

The Goove indoor LED light strips come in a variety of colours and sizes. It is even compatible with Alexa and Google Assistant, so the colours of the lights can be changed through voice control.

Because it has a built-in mic, the light can also pick up the beats of your music, so it is perfect for a party or just chilling at home. 49.90 at Vodafone.ie

Crocs

Update: Crocs are now cool. We dont know why, but they just are. Whether its a classic colour or bright yellow like Justin Bieber, it seems you cant go too wrong.

Seeing as it is winter, you can even opt for the classic lined clog for gifting this Christmas. Were sure these will get plenty of wear this festive season and beyond. 60, JD Sports.

Ultra Mini Uggs

The Ultra Mini Ugg

Another blast from the past, Uggs have made a comeback. The return of the fluffy boot started last year and seems as though it is here to stay. However, there is one crucial difference: its all about the Ultra Mini Ugg.

Available in a variety of colours, the Ugg is a bit like the winter Croc and even comes in an ultra-modern platform version. 180 from Brown Thomas.

Skincare mini fridge

Gen Z are skincare fanatics. So much so, that personal skincare mini-fridges are now not only practical but extremely popular. If you have a skincare lover in your life, this will be a much-appreciated gift. They can store all of their products at the right temperature and  lets face it  it looks cute too. The STYLPro Beauty Fridge (4 Litre) is a popular choice and is now available from Boots for 55.99 (down from 69.99).

Heatless curling set

Penneys' heatless curling set

On a similar note, haircare is another important part of the Gen Z routine. Rather than using heat to achieve the blow-dry look, TikTok is filled with endless heatless curl hacks. On the back of this, heatless curling sets have started to pop up just about everywhere. Its a modern version of curling your hair with rags. Keep it festive with the Disney Mickey Christmas Heatless Curler from Penneys (4).

lululemon

Just about anything that activewear brand lululemon creates becomes a viral sensation. While their clothing is on the pricier side, there are some other items available such as the Everywhere Belt Bag that are sure to please. The Everywhere Belt Bag is the perfect size for a phone and keys when heading out. Available at Brown Thomas,48

Stanley cup

The Stanley Cup has become more of a must-have accessory than a water bottle. If this has been added to a wish list, just know you are probably looking for the Quencer H2.0 Flowstate Tumbler (1.2L)  no that is not a spaceship, but a very fancy place to store liquids.

With a range of colours to choose from, the tumbler claims to keep water cold for 11 hours or liquids hot for seven hours. But more than that, they look cool. 49.95 from Stanley.

Lip oil

Lip oils are fast becoming a makeup bag essential and Kash Beauty recently launched a great option through their collaboration with Irish influencer Charleen Murphy.

With collagen, vitamin E, ceramide and hyaluronic acid, this oil helps to eliminate chapped and dry skin. 14.95 from Kash Beauty.

Smooth stick

The Smooth Stick from The Smooth Company

Slicked back hair is all the rage and one Irish company has created the go-to product. The Smooth Stick from the Smooth Company is the ultimate hair taming product. It all started in 2022 when Aine Kennedy saw a gap in the market. She got her grandad and TikTok sensation Billy on board and the rest is history. The Smooth Company has taken over and their products are now available in Sephora in the UK as well as Brown Thomas, Arnotts and more .16.99 from The Smooth Company.

Bluetooth speaker

For any music lovers, the GBL portable Bluetooth speaker has up to five hours of battery life. This handy device is also waterproof and resistant to dust  so its likely to last a little longer. Its available for 34.99 from Currys.

Personalised mugs

For any Harry Styles or Taylor Swift fans in your life, Irish company Howrad Studios has a great gifting option with their ceramic mugs. Even if Harry and Taylor arent their thing, there are plenty of options for a cool, quirky mug  from Barbie and Mean Girls to Father Ted and The Office. From 15.95, howradstudios.com
The two children of an Irish-Palestinian man are currently en route to join him in Ireland after being evacuated from Gaza on Wednesday.

Khalid El Estal's two children, four-year-old Ali and one-year-old Sara, were included on an evacuation list and will travel to Egypt on Thursday.

Mr El Estal, who is based in Naas, Co Kildare, said his two young children will leave Gaza today with his brother-in-law who has an Irish visa and will accompany the children from Gaza to Ireland.

The childrens mother Ashwak died from injuries sustained during Israeli shelling of Gaza last month.

Mr El Estalk told RTE's Morning Ireland that the Department of Foreign Affairs had contacted him to tell him that the children were included on the list to leave today along with their uncle.

I am really excited. I want to take care of them. That is the will of my wife, he said.

I hope they can be safe, you know, between travelling.

Mr El Estalk said his wife would always be in his heart and that he continued to send her WhatsApp messages telling her how beautiful Ireland was and how good people were to him when everything happened.

She is with us, she is. I can feel her with me, all the time," he said.

A heavily pregnant woman, children and family groups were among 23 Irish citizens to have evacuated Gaza through the Rafah border on Wednesday.

A one-year-old is also among the 23 to have been evacuated.

They're in good form, not all of them would have known each other but they're now bonding well at Rafah, Mr Martin said in confirming the evacuations.

He hopes that other citizens who were also on the exit list, but may not have been able to make it to the Egyptian border crossing, will get out as early Thursday. Intensive work continues to get the remaining Irish passport holders out.

The 23 who have been evacuated will now be brought to Cairo, where they will receive medical attention if needed and other supports, including the arrangement of onward travel to Ireland.

I'm very relieved personally that we've got Irish citizens through now because everyday you are worried in the bombardment of Gaza that people's lives are at risk, children's lives are at risk, Irish citizen's lives are at risk, so the sooner we get them out the better.

We were concerned over the last 10 days. We're getting citizens out. So I'm relieved today, I'm sure they're very relieved. But we have more to get out and we have to continue to work on that," Mr Martin said.
A young Dublin girl who took her own life was being bullied by other children in her school about her weight, an inquest has heard.

Sophia Gray's family want more efforts to tackle the problem of cyberbullying given the background to how she ended her life.

Sophia (13) was discovered with a ligature around her neck in the bedroom of her home at Wellview Terrace in Mulhuddart on May 6, 2021.

Her mother, Charlene Gray, who was pregnant with twins at the time, told Dublin District Coroners Court she discovered Sophias body.

Crying uncontrollably, she told coroner Clare Keane how her daughter started becoming concerned about her weight around the time of her Confirmation about a year before her death. She said her daughters school also noticed she had stopped eating her lunches.

The inquest heard the schoolgirl was referred to the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services (Camhs) in Blanchardstown as an urgent priority but was told that she would have to wait around six months for an appointment.

A family photo of 13-year-old Sophia Gray with her dog Pepsi. On Thursday, Dublin District Coroners Court heard she had started becoming concerned about her weight around the time of her Confirmation about a year before her death.

Ms Gray said her family had arranged for Sophia to see a psychiatrist privately because of their concerns.

She said Sophia had been watching one of her favourite programmes, Friends, on TV on the evening before her death before going to her room at around 9pm.

She said she would normally check on Sophia before going to bed herself but did not that evening as they had been annoyed with each other because her daughter had not gone to the shop to get messages for her earlier.

Ms Gray said she became worried when she woke the following morning at around 7am as Sophias bedroom door was still closed while she would normally be getting ready for school.

She said she woke her partner, Karl Cahill, with her screaming when she found the bedroom door locked and got no response when she called her name.

Her daughters body fell to the floor when they eventually managed to open the door, she added.

Ms Gray told the inquest she had noticed marks on Sophias legs in May 2021 and when questioned her daughter had promised it would not happen again. Ms Gray remarked:

She said I was the best mam in the world and she was dead four days later. It makes no sense to me.

Ms Gray said Sophia was being bullied through text messages from a girl. She acknowledged that her daughter felt she was putting on weight but she always reassured her that was not the case and that she looked great".

However, after her daughters death, she discovered one of her notebooks in which she appeared to write messages to herself such as dont eat today". Ms Gray said her daughter would sometimes appear snow white from the lack of food.

The family of the late 13-year-old Sophia Gray of Wellview Terrace, Mulhuddart: Her auntKaren Jones; uncle, Darren Jones; great grandmother, Audrey Jones; mother, Charlene; great grandfather Christopher Jones, and grandparents Audrey and Justin Gray.Picture: Colin Keegan/Collins

She was also aware that a boy had told her daughter to kill herself in a text message but she had thought nothing of it at the time.

One message sent to Sophia about a month before her death read: You would be hot if you were skinnier.

Ms Gray said she was 100% sure that her daughter was bothered by such bullying. She wouldnt have been starving herself if she wasnt, she replied.

Ms Gray said one of the worst things she ever did was to get a smartphone for her daughter.

Sophia was one of the strongest people I knew. That is why it is such a shock, she said. She was a good kid and no trouble.

She was witty, funny and just amazing. This is absolutely devastating. It has broken my heart. I will never get over this.

The victims grandfather, Justin Gray, told the inquest that his granddaughter would not share any of her concerns with her family.

I didnt see any signs that she was going to do what she done, said Mr Gray.

Abusive text message

However, he said her family were concerned about her being bullied by other pupils at her school.

Mr Gray said that one text message sent to Sophia by someone she had regarded as a friend had read: Why dont you kill yourself, you fat c**t.

Mr Gray said: Id like to see this so-and-so brought to justice and get a rap on his knuckles.

Fighting back tears as he gave evidence, he admitted his family were also concerned that Sophia was forcing herself to get sick after eating meals.

He expressed belief that the Covid-19 pandemic had not helped his granddaughter as she had been unable to meet other relatives on a regular basis as well as being more isolated and getting less exercise.

Mr Gray said he and his wife, Audrey, felt guilty after her death that they had not brought her to their home more often as they had done in pre-pandemic times.

The inquest heard efforts by Mr Cahill, a neighbour and paramedics to resuscitate Sophia after she was found in her bedroom were unsuccessful and she was pronounced dead at 9.48am.

Garda's evidence

Garda Emmet McGonigle told the hearing a note was found on a desk in Sophias bedroom which read: Im sorry  XX.

Garda McGonigle said gardai had been unable to examine the girls phone because they did not have its PIN code.

The coroner said medical records from visits to a psychiatrist showed that Sophia had no suicidal ideation and she was described as a happy and easy going girl with close relationships with her mother and brother, Justin.

Dr Keane said she had been informed that Camhs in Blanchardstown had received an unprecedented 114 referrals including one for Sophia over a four-month period in a post-Covid surge which had placed large pressure on its services.

The inquest heard the young schoolgirls favourite things including dancing, singing, Tiktok videos, make-up, and playing chess with her grandfather.

Returning a verdict of self-inflicted death, the coroner said she would not make a finding of death by suicide as there are question marks over whether children aged 13 can fully understand the consequences of their actions.

Offering her deepest condolences to Sophias family, Dr Keane said the circumstances of her death were shocking and devastating.

The coroner said the impact of an eating disorder and the isolation caused by the pandemic could not be denied.

Addressing the issue of messages left on Sophias phone, Dr Keane said there were challenges for all parents because of the widespread access that vulnerable young children had to such technology.

We need to encourage children to think before hitting the send button, the coroner stated.

She also said she would notify Camhs about the circumstances of the girls death.

The coroner also reassured Sophias family that they had not missed anything". Dr Keane added:

There is no way of knowing. These things are often impulsive and in a moment. It is really difficult to predict.

Speaking after the verdict, Mr Gray expressed hope that lessons could be learnt from his granddaughters death.

Something more really needs to be done to tackle the problem of cyberbullying," he said.

"Everyone needs to know the danger it presents and the devastating consequences it can have.

 If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please click here for a list of support services.
There was a lapse of control surrounding the development of RTEs 'Toy Show The Musical' which lost the broadcaster some 2.2m, according to RTE board chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh.

That is according to new board meeting minutes from July which have been released by RTE.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh described the Toy Show The Musical figures as stark adding that no risk assessment was done which shows a weakness in board controls.

The musical lost 2.2m for the broadcaster after just a months worth of performances when it ran last December.

Although there was a presentation to the entire board which included figures, there was no formal approval from the board for the project. The minutes read:

The board noted that they were aware of the project and the figures and did not halt the project but in their view, it came to the board as a fait accompli.

RTE interim deputy director general Adrian Lynch said the project had the support and involvement of former chairwoman Moya Doherty.

Speaking at a lecture on the future of public broadcasting recently, Ms Doherty said the project was a risk worth taking.

RTE director general Kevin Bakhurst and RTE board chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh pictured in July on their way to meet Media Minister Catherine Martin in the wake of the RTE controversy. The board's July minutes reveal details of its discussions about 'Toy Show The Musical'. File picture: Sam Boal/RollingNews

According to the minutes, Ms Ni Raghallaigh said there was a lapse of control and lack of rigorous interrogation by the Board noting that there was no risk assessment provided by the executive.

Despite this, board member Jonathan Ruane said it was good that RTE are trying new things and important that the broadcaster enter adjacent markets.

Fellow board member PJ Mathews noted that the musical came from a commercial imperative to drive additional commercial income for the broadcaster.

Very severe financial difficulties

Separately, meeting minutes from September state that several options were being considered among very severe financial difficulties with director general Kevin Bakhurst saying RTEs building in Cork was being valued in addition to the Donnybrook site.

The board noted the listed status of the building in Cork with Mr Bakhurst saying he was looking at this issue, the minutes read, with the following sentence being redacted.

Ms Ni Raghallaigh, who noted that the broadcaster would run out of cash by April if no funding was received, said a lot of the organisations costs are people costs.

So the number of levers for cost cutting are limited and the position is very severe without interim funding, the minutes read.

This week, the broadcaster announced a redundancy plan to cut up to 400 jobs within the organisation.

Meanwhile, a board meeting in August before Mr Bakhursts announcement that Ryan Tubridy would not return showed unanimous support from board members.

Several agreed that the decision to conclude negotiations with Mr Tubridy was an important part of rebuilding trust with board member David Harvey saying no one is bigger than the organisation.

Mr Bakhurst said trust had broken down after Mr Tubridys team had reverted with changes after the main terms had already been agreed.

He noted that Mr Tubridy had also released a statement which appeared to question the basis for the necessary restatement of fees for 2020 and 2021.

Chairwoman Siun Ni Raghallaigh said she fully supported the move while Mr Ruane congratulated Mr Bakhurst on making the difficult decision.
A Cork man driving back from Dublin with a 130,000 stash of cocaine in his car threw it out the window onto the central median of the motorway as two unmarked Garda cars with blue lights and sirens pursued him.

At Cork Circuit Criminal Court on Wednesday, Andrew Maher with an address at St Declans Road, Gurranabraher, Cork, was given a sentence of three and a half years with the last year suspended.

Defence senior counsel Elizabeth OConnell said his actions were being controlled and directed because he was in the grips of addiction and a substantial drug debt.

Judge Colin Daly said he could depart from the mandatory minimum sentence of 10 years but that a custodial term had to be imposed on the 40-year-old.

Detective Garda Robert Kennedy outlined the background to the detection of the crime.

On July 12, 2021, an operation was put in place by the Cork city divisional drug unit. The information was that he was transporting large quantities of drugs from Dublin to Cork.

On this day he was seen driving a black Hyundai IX35. Two unmarked official patrol cars operated blue lights and sirens signalling for him to stop. He failed to stop. He swerved his vehicle in a very dangerous manner and discarded a large plastic bag and contents in the central median of the motorway. This was retrieved and found to contain 1.85 kilograms of cocaine with a street value of 130,000.

"Andrew Maher was stopped a couple of kilometres further down the road. He admitted he had travelled from Dublin where he was told to bring them to a location in Cork. He was told to do these runs to clear up a debt of 10,000, Det Garda Kennedy said.

The case against Maher was that he was operating as a courier for large amounts of cocaine for this organised crime gang.

Defence senior counsel Elizabeth OConnell said: The facts of the case are grave in that the amount is not insignificant. The role of Mr Maher was not simply holding the drugs.

At the time he was fully in the grip of his addiction. He had descended to the point where he was selling and making no money from it. He had a debt which was being used to control and direct his actions leading him to something that was entirely unpredictable for people who had given him a good upbringing.

At that time he was living in his car and barely hanging on to his employment. The cause of this was drug addiction. The feature that is outstanding is not just that he engaged in rehabilitation but did it so early.

He has returned to live with his supportive parents and he is in a long-term relationship. He has grappled with his addiction since July 2021. He recognises he cannot take his sobriety for granted.
The words, Im going to end your life, were heard over and over by a social worker when a man phoned her after a court case because he blamed her for his child being taken into care.

Detective Garda Dave Barry investigated the case where the accused man pleaded guilty to making the death threats and now faces sentencing.

Judge Dorgan viewed it as a very serious case especially in view of the social workers victim impact statement which she described as both compelling and generous to the accused.

The social worker said: When your life is threatened, it shakes you to your core, anxiously thinking if I was gone, who would care for my children because these are real moments of taking stock because the reality is one day a social worker will not return home as violence towards us and all working the frontline increases.

Because of the possibility that identification of the parties would lead to identification of the defendants child there is a prohibition on naming them.

The social worker said the man rang her in a rage and threatened to kill her because she had been involved in a court case which led to the young family member being taken into care.

I froze with fear as each message played out. When you hear Im going to end your life several times, expressed with such anger, that there was a visceral response in my body, my stomach turned, and I frozepossibly an hour passed before I could go in home and greet my family.

Threats

He was charged with assaulting the woman at Washington Street Courthouse on April 3, 2023. He was charged that on May 9, 2023, he made persistent phone calls to her without reasonable cause, and two counts that on May 9 he made a threat to the woman that he would kill her or cause serious harm.

Det. Garda Barry said that the accused became angry after the social worker, who was employed with Tusla, the Child and Family Agency, was involved in obtaining a care order to remove the mans young relative and put them in care.

The defendant first confronted the social worker outside Washington Street Courthouse and began waving his arms in her face in an angry manner on April 3, followed by the threatening calls a month later.

In the first message he called her a liar and said that he would blow you up, while in the second message he threatened to take your life , and in the third message he said she had taken something from him and he was now going to take something from you.

In the fourth and final message that he left on the social workers phone, he threatened to kill her, saying that you can do what you want, you can record it, you shit, but Im telling you, I am going to take your life.

'It was the alcohol'

Defence solicitor, Daithi O Donnabhain, said that his client had indicated within a fortnight of being charged that he would be pleading guilty and, with assistance because he wasnt hugely literate, had written a letter of apology to the social worker for the ordeal he had put her through.

The solicitor said that his client was acting as a parent for the child who was taken into care and he was deeply upset over his removal and on the day that he rang the social worker, he had been drinking all day, so much so that he had no recollection of making the threatening phone calls.

The accused said in court: I am so sorry, I cant believe that I did thisI was never in trouble before and I have never done anything like this before, it was the alcohol.

Judge Dorgan put sentencing back for a probation report as the defendant gave an undertaking to stay away from the social worker and have no contact with her or anybody in Tusla. Sentencing is adjourned until March 13, 2024.
A former security guard at a burger restaurant who claimed he was assaulted and racially abused by two young female American tourists has been awarded 12,500 by the High Court.

Magnus Osa Izedomwen, 48, was formerly employed by RFC Security Ltd, Swords, Co Dublin, which provided security services to Rick's Burger restaurant on Dame Street, Dublin.

He sued RFC and Fastone Ltd, trading as Rick's Burger, over the incident in the restaurant on January 18, 2016, when he was attacked by two women after he told them not to put their feet on a table.

He claimed the women told him "fucking black man, don't talk to us", before they started beating him with their fists and also hitting him with plastic bottles on the arm.

He also claimed that after a garda arrived and spoke to him and the women and then left, that the women returned to the restaurant and tried to get back in again.

He said he suffered a cut under his eye and scratches to his face and ended up with tennis elbow for six months due to the assault.

His counsel, Conor Bowman SC, instructed by Conor O'Ceallaigh & Co Solicitors, argued the defendants failed to provide a safe place of work by failing to have a backup security person to help him deal with incidents like this in the very busy Temple Bar area in the early hours of a weekend day.

Claims denied

The defendants, represented by Hugh Mohan SC and Eamon Marray BL, instructed by OBL Solicitors, denied his claims. They argued he had acted in an aggressive and rude manner towards one of the women and was the author of his own misfortune.

The case first came before the circuit court last year, when it was dismissed.

Mr Izedomwen, who lives in Balbriggan, Dublin, and has since left the security industry to work in rehab care, appealed to the High Court, which heard the case on Thursday. The defendants opposed the appeal.

In her ruling, Ms Justice Siobhan Phelan said the only evidence she had of the assault was from Mr Izedomwen himself. The court heard there was no CCTV evidence.

She had also heard from a security expert for his side who testified there should have been two security people on duty and from the garda who was called to the scene and decided there was no reason to arrest the women as they were cooperative.

She was satisfied the assaults happened in the manner in which he described, although his injuries were minor. She was also satisfied there had been a breach of the employer's duty to provide a safe place of work.

She awarded him 12,500.
THE new Irish owner of the five-star Park Hotel in Kenmare has pledged to make the experience even better for guests and to put a strong focus on sustainability.

Bryan Meehan, who made his fortune in coffee, organic food and skincare  he co-founded the Nude beauty brand with Ali Hewson, wife of U2 frontman Bono  also plans to change the artwork at the Park, but not the staff. In an interview on Newstalk radio, he praised the staff as an incredible group of people.

He emphasised his long-term commitment to the 46-bed luxury property, saying he and his wife Tara and their family own the company 100%.

And so this is a keeper, he said, unlike some of his previous businesses, such as his San Francisco-based coffee chain, Blue Bottle Coffee, which he sold a number of years ago to Swiss food giant Nestle, in a deal worth $500 (420m). Nude was sold to global luxury good conglomerate LVMH.

Mr Meehan, a committed social entrepreneur, has not previously run a hotel, but he does offer guest accommodation in the form of five houses at Dromgarriff Rainforest, a stunning 96-acre estate bordering the Glengarriff Nature Reserve, which he bought in 2022.

Bryan Meehan and his wife Tara, along with their three daughters, are expected to actively participate in the hotels operations. Picture: Domnick Walsh

Mr Meehan was inspired to buy Dromgarriff by his three adult daughters, who are also committed to sustainability.

Obviously, the biggest thing we can do right now is protect the land, especially in Ireland where the percentage of trees is diminishing and has diminished for the past 400 years.

This is one of the last remaining temperate Oakwood rainforests in Ireland. And then I saw it was available for sale. We're looking to restore and bring the rainforest back to its glory, Meehan said.

Owning the Park will be good for business in Dromgarriff and vice versa, he said.

Mr Meehan bought the hotel from hospitality gurus, John and Francis Brennan, and Glen Dimplex chair Fergal Naughton, who bought a 30% stake in 2018. The Brennans ran it for the past 43 years, after Francis became manager when it was bought out of receivership in the 1980s.

John said he has mixed emotions about the sale.

You dont leave a business like the Park Hotel with the team that has worked for us for so many years, without mixed emotions, he said.

However he couldnt imagine selling it to anyone else [other than Meehan] because there's a huge amount of synergy between us.

His history suits the Park Hotel perfectly for the future, John said, adding his commitment to sustainability was heartfelt, not driven by the bottom line.

As a result, he can make a great property over the next five or six years, the outgoing managing director said.

Mr Meehan found out the hotel was for sale while having lunch there earlier this year and John subsequently contacted him.

A total of 3m has been invested in it in recent years.

Meehan and his wife Tara, along with their three daughters, are expected to actively participate in the hotels operations.
Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff, Anatoly Sidorov, has dismissed the reports about Armenias withdrawing from this organization.

November 16, 2023, 16:13 CSTO official dismisses reports about Armenia withdrawing from this organization

STEPANAKERT, NOVEMBER 16, ARTSAKHPRESS: During the telecast, Sidorov, answering the question about Armenia's non-participation in the CSTO military exercises, noted that "the wise heads of the country will find the means to resolve the difficulties that Armenia is facing."

According to Sidorov, there has been no official statement from the Armenian leadership about withdrawing from the CSTO, news.am informs.

"I have not personally seen any statement, any document that Armenia is leaving the CSTO. Well, the participation is a little limited; well, any situation can be created. We do not discuss decisions about participation in the CSTO military exercises," Sidorov said.

He added that Armenia participates in the CSTO law-making activities and funds the activities of this organization.

"The rumors that the CSTO has lost interest in the Transcaucasian region do not correspond to reality," emphasized the Chief of the CSTO Joint Staff.
The Tanaistes convoy was forced to make an emergency stop on route to Jerusalem amid an air raid warning.

Micheal Martin had visited the Kibbutz close to the Hamas border where Emily Hand was last seen and was making his way north-east of the city when an air raid siren went off.

The convoy was forced to stop for five minutes on the side of the road.

The Tanaistes car has a hard protective shell so he did not have to get out, however, his officials who were travelling directly behind had to get out of their bus and hunkered at the side of the road in protective gear.

Speaking after arriving in Jerusalem, Mr Martin said the savagery of the October 7 attacks was beyond his comprehension.

There was a football in the ditch, kids playing, people having their daily meals, and suddenly this savage attack. That's all how one can describe it. I was shown photographs of mutilated bodies, and people killed and it is horrific what happened.

"As a human being, I can't comprehend that type of inhumanity.

For us life is precious and how people could take life in such a savage way is beyond my comprehension, he said.

Mr Martin said he had been told that the majority of Irish citizens in Gaza would be evacuated in the next three days.

On his meeting with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Mr Martin said: I thanked him for the work that he's been doing in respect of getting Irish citizens out of Gaza and he gave me assurances that the majority of our citizens will be out of Gaza within the next three days.

"And we know that there's some coming out today although there has been a delay in respect of the processing side," he said.

Mr Martin said he wasn't sure how those delays would impact on foreign nationals coming out of Gaza.

Asked about his meeting with Mr Cohen, he said: I get the sense this morning that Israel wants to believe that it can eliminate Hamas. We don't share that view, quite a number in Europe feel that. There has to be a political horizon at the end of the day in terms of how you resolve the overall situation in the region.

But it seems to me from what I'm hearing, unfortunately, that there is a determination to keep going with the military campaign.

'Hard yards'

Meanwhile, speaking in the Dail on Thursday, Finance Minister Michael McGrath said the Tanaiste is currently putting in the hard yards to make progress on securing the passage of Irish citizens from Gaza into Egypt.

Mr Martin is "trying to make progress in securing the passage of the remaining Irish citizens who are in Gaza and also advocating for peace and having many difficult conversations with those that he needs to talk to on behalf of the Irish government to advocate for peace and advocate for a ceasefire," said Mr McGrath.

Because the humanitarian situation that we are witnessing in Gaza is simply appalling. He said that while Israel has the right to defend itself following the 7 October attack by Hamas, but it must do so within the confines of international law.

Mr McGrath rejected suggestions that Ireland needed to expel the Israeli ambassador, saying that it is necessary to keep channels of communications open to secure the safe return of Irish citizens from Gaza, including Emily Hand, who is believed to be held hostage by Hamas.

He added that the level of force that has been used, "in our view, has been completely disproportionate".

He said: Civilians should be protected. Gaza and Hamas are not the same thing. The civilians in Gaza should not be the subject of collective punishment by the Israeli Defence Force.

Mr McGrath said that Mr Martin should receive steadfast support from Dail Eireann in advocating for peace, the release of hostages and the passage of Irish citizens through the Rafah crossing.
Random observations when it comes to robot trees.

The first isnt random at all, admittedly.

The robot trees havent worked out.

Last week the environment, water, and amenity strategic policy committee (SPC) of Cork City Council received a report about our metal maples.

To be kind, the report was inconclusive about any benefits in terms of air quality which our bionic beeches may have delivered since being installed two years ago.

Thats not good enough. As Dr Eoin Lettice told Eoin English of this parish, either these devices improve air quality or they dont. Thats a matter of measurement and science, not a matter of opinion: God knows the rise of the New Ignorance means people doing their own research have been muddying the waters about almost everything, but its fairly cut and dried with these robots.

If we cant even be clear theyve done their job that proves they shouldnt be there.

Second: theyre a waste of money. Thats beyond question.

The android ash plants cost 404,000 to install in the first place and almost 18,000 per year to run. The recent report, which UCC carried out, cost another 2,500.

Walking around town shows these enormous lumps contribute nothing to the streetscape.

Ill let someone else calculate how many real trees that would have bought. Anyone regarding that as a cheap shot may be right, but thats what happens when you approach half a million euro in wasted expenditure.

Expensive mistakes leave you open to cheap shots.

Last week the council said it wanted to find a research partner to do additional research pending any possible relocation decision. That means more costs, and all to establish something we all know. Theyre a waste of money.

Street clutter

Three: theyre ridiculous. Walking around town shows these enormous lumps contribute nothing to the streetscape. If anything they contribute to the deterioration of the streetscape.

Granted, walking around Cork city centre means seeing a staggering amount of distracting clutter on the streets anyway: wayward signs and superfluous traffic directions, and innumerable nameplates.

But the cybernetic firs are in a league of their own  bulky, ugly blocks that offer a contrast with the real trees nearby. People have pointed out that at least you can sit on them and take a rest if youre walking around the city.

You know what else you can sit on? Benches, which dont cost over 400,000 to install.

Four: theyre in the wrong place.

By that, Im not encouraging anyone to answer yes, if by wrong place you mean Cork. If these machines are measuring air quality, why are they doing so in a part of Cork that 99% of citizens pass through on their way to somewhere else?

Five: other jurisdictions are already junking their robot trees.

The Waltham Forest Echo reported last September that in the London suburb of Leystonstone two permanent urban greening installations that use moss plants to absorb air pollution are being removed by the council because the moss has died ... The CityTrees were designed by German startup Green City Solutions ... Clyde Loakes, deputy leader and cabinet member for climate and air quality, said the council will shortly be removing both City Trees to its depot after experiencing ongoing irrigation and planting maintenance challenges.

Common sense prevailing, by the sounds of it. Which leads me neatly to my next observation.

An expensive mistake

Six: it seems strange that Cork City Council wont simply admit this was a mistake and move on.

Theres no shame in trying an alternative approach, even if it doesnt work out. The shame lies in persisting when you know its wrong.

Green Party councillor Oliver Moran summed this up last week: I don't think we should have any regrets in trying the moss walls. The enormous environmental challenges ahead of us will require innovation and from time-to-time that will involve taking risks on new ideas.

If the moss walls don't do much for air quality, they've done lots for encouraging debate on air quality ... (but) I think we should now call time on them.

Fair enough, the council is being criticised for the robot trees, and even if they were dumped today then that criticism might increase in volume.

But only in the short term, and at least those monstrosities would be gone. As Oliver Moran said, theres no shame in trying to do something different.

Digging in the heels now, though, smacks of wilful stubbornness. Cut your losses, take some short-term criticism on the decision  and move on.

Projection of costs

Seven: the council has taken criticism on other aspects of the robot trees already. Eighteen months ago the Local Government Audit Service was critical of Cork City Council regarding a lack of advance planning on the cost of the trees.

The Irish Examiner of May 15 2022 stated: The council was similarly criticised for the lack of any value of money assessment conducted in advance over the expenditure of 404,000 in October 2020 on five robot trees which were installed as part of the councils strategy to tackle air pollution in Cork.

Becoming known as the place grimly sustaining its robot trees for no good reason is not quite the cutting-edge image that serves any city well.

In that same edition of this paper, we learned a couple of other interesting facts: The council said a procurement competition was not held for the acquisition of the 'city trees' as they represented a new technology and a unique product provided by a sole supplier ... it had not been possible to complete a full, traditional value for money assessment prior to deploying the 'city trees' given the constraints of piloting new technology.

Point one: this seems a dubious precedent to establish, to set aside any competition for a service or product simply on the basis that its new.

Point two: pleading an inability to project costs into the future because of new technology would give any auditor a migraine. Does it mean that any new tech automatically gets a blank cheque when its introduced?

Eight: although defenders of the trees are few and far between  and notably quiet  the point has been made that funds for the android oaks did not come from Cork City Council coffers, but rather from the National Transport Authority.

This is a fair point to make. As is the accompanying point: what if that funding had been spent on a project that actually benefited people?

Nine, and last: this ongoing nonsense is doing Cork no good at all in terms of reputation. Becoming known as the place grimly sustaining its robot trees for no good reason is not quite the cutting-edge image that serves any city well.

If there were left-of-centre plans to incorporate the fake firs into some kind of dystopian walking tour (This, then, is where the machines began to rise against their human overlords) then that would indicate some kind of strategy.

Perhaps thats the best explanation. That Cork City Council are mindful of the approaching singularity and is caring for the robot trees so that we can all declare, with a straight face, when bloodthirsty androids start marching in the Western Road: I for one welcome our new mechanical overlords.

And mean it.
A "vindication for diplomacy" was how the evacuation through the Rafah border of 23 Irish citizens was described by Tanaiste Micheal Martin.

As the call to prayer cried out over central Cairo, Mr Martin emerged into the marble courtyard of the Arab League headquarters after a day of diplomacy, relief etched across his face.

It was a good day for the 23 citizens, among them a heavily pregnant woman and a one-year-old baby, who in recent weeks have escaped ongoing bombardment, faced energy cuts and food shortages, to finally make it to the border crossing with Egypt.

It was also a good day for Mr Martin.

Many politicians would have used the situation to ensure their faces were recorded in history. But instead of waiting around for the photo-op with delighted children and families, the Tanaiste was back on a plane on route to Tel Aviv for yet another round of discussions, which without doubt will be testing.

It will now take an even greater level of quiet and consistent background maneuvering to ensure our remaining Irish citizens, especially eight-year-old Emily Hand, also escape the Palestinian enclave.

Word that a breakthrough in evacuating Irish citizens was imminent came on the tarmac of Baldonnell airfield yesterday evening as the small group of journalists travelling with the Tanaiste were alerted to the unfolding situation.

Department officials had been made aware that several Irish citizens were likely to be among the list of names published for evacuation.

Opposition members have in recent weeks been suggesting that the delay in getting Irish people added to the daily list of evacuees was a retaliatory move from Israel against Ireland, a country viewed as being overtly pro-Palestinian.

This was never publicly acknowledged by members of the Government, but one senior source involved in the discussions privately admitted: "We were worried".

People wait at the traveller's terminal on the Palestinian side of the Rafah border crossing to cross into Egypt yesterday. Picture: Mohammed Abed/AFP/Getty

They added that there is very little that Israel doesn't have a hand in when it comes to decisions being made in Gaza.

By the time Mr Martin and his officials arrived at the private terminal in Cairo at 2.30am local time, the list had been published and with it the hope that up to 30 Irish citizens would exit the strip.

Those selected citizens had been asked to be at the Rafah border for 7am, and by 11am Mr Martin was being briefed over an outdoor breakfast at the Marriot Hotel that the first group was making their way through the crossing.

In reality, substantial work to get the Irish trapped in Gaza had been in train since almost immediately after the October 7 Hamas attacks and the subsequent bombardment of the Palestinian enclave.

Two calls between Mr Martin and Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry in recent weeks were highlighted as important and led to the Tanaiste's visit to Cairo yesterday.

It is this constant cultivating and minding of relationships that is hoped will ultimately prove successful in protecting Irish citizens trapped in war.

Mr Martin is acutely aware of this and his years at senior level politically are now standing to him.

When he met with secretary general of the Arab League Abu Gheit yesterday, he was stepping into a room with the man who he had met back in 2009 when he was serving his first term as Foreign Minister. During that visit, Gheit managed to help his Irish colleague across the border from Rafah into Gaza.

As dusk fell and those who had made their way out were in transit to the Egyptian capital yesterday evening, Martin paid tribute to those on the ground who had been working to ensure Irish citizens were finally added to the list of evacuees.

One source, in stressing the level of diplomacy that has been at play across Egypt, Israel, and other parts of the Middle East over the last 30 days, said:

In the background, there has been daily contact  and by daily contact we mean multiple calls between the Foreign Ministry in Egypt and embassies in the region.

Taking a co-ordinated approach, officials in the Department of Foreign Affairs in Dublin have been holding daily, or in some instances twice daily calls with embassy staff in Tel Aviv, Ramallah, and Cairo to strategize, and this will continue.

Getting more people out will require working with both the Israeli and Egyptian authorities, Martin stressed.

"I've been taken aback by the argument that the first thing you do in a war situation or a conflict situation is expel an ambassador, there's no substance to that and it makes no sense in terms of the conduct of diplomacy, the maintenance of communication channels, which are which are absolutely essential."

While the meetings with both the Egyptian foreign minister and secretly general of the Arab League were yesterday described as positive, Mr Martin will have to speak to a considerably tougher audience in Israel tomorrow.

He will be using the opportunity to "stress the urgency in getting all of our citizens out as quick as we possibly can given the dire humanitarian situation in Gaza itself, and also to raise the issue of Emily Hand."

Turning the focus to an eight-year-old who is believed to be in Gaza after being taken hostage in the October 7 Hamas attacks, Mr Martin said the overall situation with hostages is very delicate and "very complex.

Palestinians and dual nationality holders fleeing from Gaza arrive at the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip. Picture: AFP/Getty

We haven't gotten precise confirmation as to precise location, whereabouts, or indeed haven't got any definitive proof of life.

Mr Martin said work is ongoing to ensure that when hostage releases are being negotiated Emily Hand is prioritized.

He said: The Egyptian authorities have been very helpful here and have a very good overview, given their past experience in negotiating ceasefires between Hamas and Israel.

And I've also spoken to the Qatari foreign minister who likewise has channels."

Mr Martin understands that diplomacy must trump personality politics if Irish citizens are to be protected.

He may not have sought the limelight yesterday, but his quiet approach should be recognised.
Ryan Tubridy Inc. is now officially a business. The takeover by the existential him of some shows in Dublin and around the country is going to open up a can-of-worms which could change forever the media landscape in this country.

Nothing against Ryan, I like him, hes a nice chap and his move to Virgin in Britain is good for him. He is probably getting lots of luvleee lolly for it too, so good luck to him.

Bedding-in a new presenter normally takes up to two years so well see how he gets on. If it doesnt work out, hell be out the gap. And Chris Evans is madly promoting him, so Chris needs Ryan to be successful too.

But this is not BBC Radio 2 of years ago when Ryan did a well-received summer stint. This is commercial radio in a very different media landscape with a very different listener demographic. He wont attract younger listeners  unless hes going to read childrens books to them.

Its good for Q102 as it will increase its ratings. And the managers of the local radio stations, including Corks 96FM and Live 95 in Limerick,

which are putting Ryan on their airwaves on Saturdays, will think its good for them.

But not necessarily so. It would be a big mistake for local radio bods to think they have to change personalities and schedules to accommodate a star who might not be as big a star as he or they think.

I feel sorry for those presenters who will be losing their slots or shows because of this.

Its a gamble for radio stations. They are trying to grow audiences and cut costs as advertising wavers or falls and as the industry becomes more group-led. By that I mean there is massive consolidation happening, with big companies like Bauer buying up stations.

Some local stations in Ireland already simulcast some shows  whats going to happen as this trend continues or is allowed continue? There will be a diminution of diversity. And then when the anti-worker, anti-employee, anti-diversity artificial intelligence takes hold it will be carnage.

You can see why owners are willing to gamble. Advertising is tough, many younger listeners are going to podcasts first, owners are trying to reduce costs and make a profit. Some might say thats the way the market works  suck it up or get out.

But if the same market forces kill or seriously injure local radio, where then for local democracy, local politicians, local stories and people having their voices heard?

Coimisiun na Mean, (formerly the BAI) has obviously given the go-ahead for Tubridy Inc (via Virgin, via Wireless, via Murdoch) to be heard across Ireland  so is this a new departure and is the gate now open for more big group companies to propose new mergers? Coimisiun na Mean and the government MUST not let this happen.

Lets be clear, this is not good for radio.

Local radio decimated

It may be good for a short-term boost in ratings, but it will accelerate the trend which we have seen in Britain, which has seen local radio decimated. Many stations have been bought or replaced by Bauer or similar companies, who turn the output into a national network of simulcasted shows.

In May 2020, the Guardian newspaper reported: Dozens of towns and cities across England will lose their own distinctive local radio stations later this year, after the commercial group Bauer announced plans to fold almost 50 regional outlets into a national radio network. Stations such as Yorks Minster FM and the West Midlands Signal 107 will lose their identities and be rebranded under the Greatest Hits Radio name from September.

The then shadow culture minister, Chris Matheson said: This kind of erosion of local independent broadcasting, with stations assimilated into larger groups, means they lose their distinctive and important voice. We are still waiting for the government to confirm what support will be provided as advertising revenues plummet across the industry. Without it, more independent stations will fall away and communities will lose out.

What did the Tories do? They let the carnage unfold.

Local radio and local diversity is very strong in Ireland at present  local voices must remain. If big business has its way, the landscape will be changed forever. Coimisiun na Mean is potentially opening up the market for a repeat of the disaster that is the wasteland of local broadcasting in Britain.

So yes Ryan  this is bigger than you.
They come to support? mayor of Sderot, Alon Davidi turned and asked the Israeli foreign minister.

After a few hushed words in Hebrew from the minister Eli Cohen, the mayor began to speak to Tanaiste Micheal Martin, who sat directly across the oval table around which 22 people had managed to squeeze themselves.

My children do not understand and do not know how to behave like normal children, he said.

Micheal Martin and Israeli foreign minister Eli Cohen speak with Haim Peretz in Sderot, which suffered a rocket attack. Picture: Miri Shimonovich/DFA

Detailing a life where air-raid sirens, bomb shelters, and fear are part of regular daily life, the mayor, who lost 45 people on October 7 and whose citizens have since fled to hotels, said: I dont know if you understand what the meaning of post-trauma is? Do your children suffer from that?

The air in the small room was already thick, but it became stifling as Martin, a man who has buried two of his own children, sat stony-faced and silent.

Even before the brutal and barbaric October 7 Hamas attacks there were decades of unhealed wounds and simmering tensions that have, in some cases, now boiled over into blinding hatred.

Martin explained that he was there to listen and seek to understand the trauma that Davidi and his community have gone through.

Before being chaperoned into the town hall, the Tanaiste had been shown around the evacuated town.

Birdsong was the only noise in a street where a police station had been captured by Hamas fighters, until artillery flying across the sky into Gaza added a low drone.

Micheal Martin visits the Beeri kibbutz in Israel where Emily Hand was last seen before the October 7 attacks. Picture: Miri Shimonovich/DFA

An hour later, as Martins convoy raced its way further south, a plume of heavy purple smoke reached high in the sky across the border, the result of around 400 missiles that would be dropped on the enclave that day.

But first, back in the windowless conference room in the town hall, the mayor continued:

I know that when you see the picture from the outside, it seems that Israel is now the bad guy and Gaza and Hamas are the people that want to free Gaza. They destroyed Gaza, they destroyed the future of the people of Gaza.

I am begging you and I ask you, support Israel.

This is the chance not for us, for the people of Gaza. If Israel can finish the job and destroy Hamas, then after I think that we can change the future. Without that nothing will change.

In his low but authoritative voice, Martin said Ireland is unequivocal in its condemnation of Hamas and the terrorist atrocities it has carried out against women, children, and other innocent civilians.

There are many people in Ireland in favour of a two-state solution but that does not in any way equate with support for Hamas.

He warned that there is now a real danger that the current actions of Israel will radicalise future generations even further.

Palestinian prime minister Mohammad Shtayyeh welcomes Foreign Affairs Minister Micheal Martin during his visit to the West Bank city of Ramallah on Thursday. Picture: Zain Jaafar/Pool Photo/AP

We worry about children, innocent children in Gaza, who are not part of Hamas but are getting killed right now, Martin said, calling for a humanitarian ceasefire and political solution.

In response, the mayor added: I will say to my prime minister to stop the war, if Ireland can promise me that after five days, all the weapons that Hamas has in Gaza and all the army of Hamas goes outside to Egypt or someplace, maybe to Ireland, maybe to Europe. But we know you cannot do that. With that, the media who had managed to eke out the last piece of space around the walls of the conference room were asked to leave. The 22 Israeli and Irish officials remained.

At the Beeeri Kibbutz where Emily Hand was last seen, Martin picked his way over broken tiles as glass and debris of destroyed homes crunched and broke underfoot.

A childs comb lay in the charred front garden of what would have been a well- manicured garden before death and destruction visited the community in early October.

As Martin listened to a number of survivors who gave first-person accounts of hiding in safe rooms for hours as bullets rang out, the thunderous reverberations of airstrikes could be heard raining down on Gaza, only 4km away.
FAST-fashion retail giant Penneys has confirmed that it was never tempted to look at Debenhams when planning a 60m redevelopment of its flagship store on Cork Citys main street, which has just been cleared by planners.

By the time Debenhams, formerly Roches Stores, became vacant in April 2020, Penneys had already spent the bones of 10 years and tens of millions of euros assembling almost an entire block on St Patrick Street. Having completed the site assembly, with the help of OFlynn Construction, it lodged plans to expand its retail space by almost 50% in August 2021. Cork City Council consented to the plan, but it was subsequently appealed to An Bord Pleanala by the owner of a premises on Cook Street, who objected to the inclusion of Elbow Lane in the redevelopment. The Lane traverses the site and had been used for servicing of commercial units and refuse storage.

Cook Street entrance to Elbow Lane Picture: Eddie O'Hare

The board ruled in Penneys favour, a move business leaders have hailed as excellent news for the city.

While the retail giant does not yet have a start date for the project, a spokesperson for Penneys said they were very happy that the board had cleared the project to proceed.

We can finally move ahead with our planned 60 million redevelopment of our Patrick Street store, which will increase its retail space by 17,000 sq ft to 54,000 sq ft.

We are excited to bring an even bigger and better Penneys to the heart of Cork City centre and create a great new shopping experience for our customers, the spokesperson said.

OFlynn Constructions involvement is set to continue, with confirmation that the group will have an ongoing role in the project management and delivery of this project.

Group CEO Michael OFlynn said: "Primark are one of the major key retailers located in Cork City and it is critical that occupiers like Primark have the opportunity to meet with their business expansion needs in a city centre location".

Developer Michael O'Flynn

President of Cork Business Association, Kevin Herlihy, said it was brilliant news for the city, and especially Cook Street, where Nos 1-3 will be amalgamated as part of the redevelopment plan.

Kevin Herlihy, president, Cork Business Association

Those units on Cook Street, some of them are empty for well over 10 years. Its been a long time coming, but its great news. Im delighted for the traders on Cook Street, he said.

Vacant units on Cook Street, Cork. Picture: Eddie O'Hare

One of the units is the former, long gone, Ambassador Restaurant. On St Patrick Street, Nos 31-34 will also be amalgamated - they were formerly home to Jack and Jones fashion store.

Cork Chamber welcomed the expansion news too.

This is positive news for the city centre and enhances the retail offering of Cork Citys main shopping thoroughfare. Once complete the expansion will bring vacant sites to life, which is to be welcomed, said Conor Healy, CEO of Cork Chamber.

Conor Healy, CEO, Cork Chamber Picture: Larry Cummins

The Penneys redevelopment comes at the end of a year of improving fortunes for St Patricks Street, which saw the sale in May of the iconic Debenhams store to Irish sport retail chain Intersport/Elverys for 12m, substantially lower than the asking price of 20m. Elverys are expected to move in early in 2024.

Debenhams

Across the street, upmarket fashion brand Flannels (owned by the Fraser Group) opened its new store in September, taking over from stationer/bookseller Eason, who relocated to n the ground floor of the former Victoria Hotel.

Flannels, at the former Eason store on St Patrick Street

Spanish clothing giant Mango has taken a 10-year lease on the former Quills outlet next to the Savoy Shopping Centre, although store fit out has yet to begin. Further down the street, the former Oasis premises was taken over by Carrolls Irish Gifts, while doughnut purveyor Krispy Kreme moved into the former nearby Porters store.

Other new faces on St Patrick Street include outdoor wear specialists North Face and UK shoe retailer Dune.
The State often moves slowly, in the manner of a large oil tanker turning 360 degrees. Nowhere is this phenomenon more evident than in the area of preparing the nations commercial buildings for carbon neutrality.

The building industry is responsible for some 30% of all carbon emissions in the country, so it is a significant part of any plan to bring Irelands carbon emissions into line before 2030. There is a national retrofitting programme but even Green Minister Eamon Ryan acknowledged recently that it could take about 30 years to complete at the current rate.

You would imagine that the Government would at least be leading by example, but thats clearly not the case when only 2 out of the 238 office buildings occupied by Government departments and State agencies have achieved an A BER level.

Under European legislation, the Energy Efficiency Directive, the push is on to achieve a standard of Nearly Zero Energy Building (NZEB) for 3% of Government building stock by way of retrofitting. The 3% rate also applies to buildings that are being purchased by Government bodies or buildings where they are entering into a rental agreement for their use. NZEB figures are calculated using similar methodology as that used in calculating BER. The Government, therefore, will be obliged to focus on both efficiency and performance of the buildings they use.

In the meantime, the building sector is getting on with aligning their practices and their buildings at a seemingly faster rate. Theres nothing like the profit motive to get people working and nowadays, its very difficult to sell anything  particularly buildings  unless you can demonstrate in concrete terms how sustainable your product is.

In the UK, a number of buildings are held up as examples of how you can produce a zero-carbon construction, but according to Savills UK, approximately 83% (or 1.4 billion square feet) of all retail space is currently below their Energy Performance Certificate B rating; something that would potentially make all that space unlettable by 2030.

Savills has taken the lead on addressing this problem in Britain by presenting a six-point plan to the Government designed to show legislators where they need to best concentrate their efforts. According to a recent report by Savills UK, change in the right direction is currently being driven by the demands of occupiers and investors.

One of the areas of change thats highlighted by the estate agents report is that the practice of occupiers paying higher rents for the more sustainable spaces needs to change; to reward rather than to punish, so that the push continues towards carbon-neutrality.

Gerard Deegan, Cluid Housing, giving Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Deirdre Forde, a tour of a unit at Boherboy Rd, Cork, as part of the official opening by Cork City Council of five housing schemes in Cork city designed to meet the EUs nZEB requirements, delivering a lower carbon footprint. The Cluid schemes are located at Laurel Heights, Shanakiel; Crann Darach, Middle Glanmire Rd; Newton Heights, Boherboy Road; Carrig Court, Church Rd, and Josephine McCoy Mews, Sth Douglas Rd. Picture: Michael O'Sullivan

Here in Ireland, Savills has also been to the fore in promoting the cause of NZEB and carbon-neutral construction and in analysing the situation in Ireland, where similar challenges are being faced.

In a recent article on the subject, Orla Coyle, Head of Energy and Sustainability at Savills Ireland wrote: The problems for getting building stock to comply with these kinds of levels is that 78% of the office stock in Dublin was built between 1955 and 2005  well before the NZEB standards were introduced.

Any breaks in leases coming up represent the best opportunities, she says, for the Government to decarbonise their stock and move into more modern buildings:

For the 46% of buildings (98) that are rented by government bodies in Dublin, lease breaks present the best opportunity to vacate older, poorly-rated buildings which are dependent on fossil fuels, and occupy newer buildings with better energy ratings, with more potential to decarbonise using renewable sources."

A good number of such opportunities will be coming along over the next two years, according to the Economic and Evaluation data from the Irish Government, which suggests that the leases on some 446,000ft2 of office space leased by the OPW are due to expire between 2023 and 2025.

This represents 20% of the total amount of office space leased by the OPW in the capital, therefore switching to more energy-efficient buildings for such a substantial portion of buildings can be done if the will is there to do it. Modernising a fifth of the building stock over a few years would be a very significant step towards decarbonisation.

This is all not to say that the State is moribund in its approach  its just not as committed as it should be and, perhaps, it will be in the coming years.

In July of this year, for example, the new headquarters of An Post was officially opened at the Exo Building adjacent to the Point Depot on the North Wall Quay in Dublin. This was a prime example of the kind of action that Government bodies need to take on a multiple level  vacating an older building for a newer one with an A3 BER.

Perhaps its no coincidence that this particular Government body was a company with one foot in the private sector because although that represented 184,000ft2 of moving in the right direction, the State also took on leases around the same time of 89,000ft2 of space rated either C or D.

The Government should take lessons directly from the private sector, Orla Coyle says: If the Government can learn from the private sector and apply these lessons to their portfolio of buildings, it can make significant strides towards its environmental goals.

The way to accelerate the process is by using the lease break opportunities to trade up to more efficient buildings while at engaging in an aggressive programme of retrofitting.

The big question is; Is there an appetite for such an approach amongst the shadows of the variant decision-makers in the Civil Service?

The tide could be turning in the form of the launch late last month of a public consultation on a Draft Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan, by Ossian Smyth, Minister of State at the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications.

David McRedmond, CEO of An Post, Carol Bolger, chair of An Post, and Taoiseach Leo Varadkar at the opening of An Posts new headquarters at the EXO building on the north quay of the Liffey, beside Dublin Port, an example of a State body leaving an older building and moving into a newer one with an A3 BER. Picture: Maxwells

There was a Green Procurement Plan in place since a decade but as has now become self-evident, this plan is in urgent need of an upgrade and perhaps with a Green Party participating in Government now (and with all kinds of deadlines approaching), the focus on achieving carbon-neutral goals will be sharper.

The consultation process has filtered out to the local authorities, with plenty of participation coming back in spades. However, one criticism being levelled at the plan is that it doesnt address a fundamental question: while pushing for new buildings is all well and good, what precisely is the environmental cost of demolition?

This question is being addressed by our neighbours in the UK, where there is now a process of assessment before you go knocking down an old building and putting up a more carbon-neutral one. The Twentieth Century Society are halting demolitions on the grounds of non-justification of the proposed demolition from a carbon-sustainable point of view.

Here in Ireland, developers have been knocking down perfectly good buildings in the name of carbon-neutral progress but nobody seems to be measuring the impact of such actions. Some examples of hastily-demolished buildings in the Dublin area alone include the Herbert Simms lifeguard shelter that was demolished on Bull Island.

Currently, theres a campaign being led by Frank McDonald to prevent the proposed demolition of the Stephen Court building on Merrion Square  one that many would say is a perfectly good building and which is to be demolished.

Whats lacking is an analysis of where the materials are coming from to create the new building and where the waste materials are going, says Emma Gilleece, architectural historian and writer. Only that way can we assess the real carbon cost I think that retrofitting will become extremely important in the near future but in the current Climate Action Plan, theres nothing about halting demolition.

Amongst the growing number of people who are concerned about the rush to demolish before considering retrofitting, there is also the feeling that much of rushing is geared towards trying to make our building more appealing to foreign investors; particularly the large American tech companies.

The drive for new buildings should continue but one shouldnt rush into providing what Corporate America want without first taking a hard look at the precise cost of demolition. So while new building is going to play its part in getting our buildings ready for 2030, retrofitting, it seems, is due to become an increasingly important part of the picture in the coming years.
The CSRD will require companies to make clear where they are on their ESG (Environmental, Social & Governance) journey, what their strategy, goals and targets are, and how good they are at achieving them.

Companies in scope of the CSRD will be required to apply the European Sustainability Reporting Standards (ESRSs). Reporting will be required as part of the management report at the same time and for the same period as the financial statements.

Scoping

First to report will be Public Interest Entities (as per the CSRD) and companies with listed securities on an EU regulated market, which are large and have more than 500 employees. These companies will report in 2025 on 2024 results. In the second year of phasing in, all other EU large companies will be required to report. Large companies are those that on the balance sheet date exceed two out of the following three criteria: 250 employees, net revenue of 40 million or total assets of 20 million.

Lorraine Sammon, Partner, KPMG.

More companies will come into scope in subsequent years  including certain ultimate non-EU parent companies. Therefore, the net has been pretty widely cast and scoping can be nuanced. It is something that should be examined in detail at the outset of any project a company undertakes in respect of CSRD reporting.

Spot the gaps

Once a company has determined if and when it is in scope, the next step is to look at the information it already has from a sustainability reporting perspective, and critically, the gaps it has. One of the nuances of sustainability reporting that can make this more challenging is that many reporting requirements extend to the companys direct and indirect business relationships in the upstream and downstream value chain.

What this means is that a company cannot just look at its own internal sustainability information  it also needs to gather information upstream from, for example, its suppliers and downstream from, for example, its customers and distributors.

This can be challenging as some entities within a reporting companys value chain will not have readily available reliable information. So early engagement will be important.

Inside out, outside in

Generally financial statements are prepared to primarily meet the needs of investors. However, the CSRD aims to satisfy a much wider stakeholder base  and as a result the information that a company needs to gather and disclose is far more granular, and wide-ranging than many are used to.

Looking at the concept of meeting the needs of various stakeholders, one of the key aspects driving this is what is commonly called double materiality.

Previously companies focused their reporting on disclosures that were financially material, meaning those that may trigger significant financial effects on a company's development  its cash flows, financial position or financial performance (an outside in financial perspective). So far, so good (and so familiar!). However the ESRSs also require companies to evaluate their ESG position from an impact materiality lens  focusing on a companys impact on people and the environment from an inside out perspective. Determining what is material in this regard will require analysis of what is important and impacts (or potentially impacts) its stakeholders.

This is a really new way of approaching corporate reporting requirements and is one of the key aspects that we work with our clients on right now in order to help clients determine what is material and therefore needs to be disclosed in their sustainability reporting.

The way of the future

The reporting obligations may seem daunting  however we are seeing over the last decade a real commitment by companies to embrace ESG principles and anchor these principles in business strategy. This makes sense from a business performance perspective and not just from a perhaps more cynical lens of optics.

Indeed, as seen in the recent Net Zero Readiness Report 2023 published by KPMG, at an international level the philosophy of net zero is weaving itself into the worlds economic systems and several of the worlds biggest emitting countries have increased their net zero ambitions.

The advent of reporting under CSRD allows companies to tell their story to their investors and wider stakeholders in a structured way that will allow comparability with their peers.

Given the focus on reporting in the EU many hope that the CSRD will help drive innovation around some of ESG related challenges facing society such as climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. This is a positive for everyone.

One thing is abundantly clear  the direction of travel for sustainability reporting is only going one way  and the earlier companies get on board the better the opportunity they have to tell their story in a coherent and relevant manner that meets sustainability reporting requirements and also safeguards a companys performance for the future.

For more, see www.kpmg.com
A heavily armed gang has burst into a hospital in Haiti and taken hundreds of women, children and newborns hostage, according to the director of the medical centre who pleaded for help via social media.

Jose Ulysse, founder and director of the Fontaine Hospital Centre in the sprawling Cite Soleil slum in the capital of Port-au-Prince, confirmed the incident in a brief message exchange with the Associated Press.

We are in great difficulty, he said.

The hospital is considered an oasis and a lifeline in a community overrun by gangs that have unleashed increasingly violent attacks against each other, with civilians who live in Cite Soleil routinely raped, beaten or killed.

We are in great difficulty

Mr Ulysse identified those responsible as members of the Brooklyn gang, led by Gabriel Jean-Pierre, best known as Ti Gabriel. He is also is the leader of a powerful gang alliance known as G-Pep, one of two rival coalitions in Haiti.

The Brooklyn gang has some 200 members and controls certain communities within Cite Soleil including Brooklyn. They are involved in extortion, hijacking of goods and general violence against civilians, according to a recent UN report.

The G-Pep coalition and its allies strongly reinforced co-operation and diversified their revenues, in particular by committing kidnapping for ransom, which has enabled them to strengthen their fighting capacity, the report stated.

When the Associated Press visited the Fontaine Hospital Centre earlier this year, Mr Ulysse said in an interview that gangs had targeted him personally twice before.

Gangs across Haiti have continued to grow more powerful since the assassination of president Jovenel Moise in July 2021, and the number of kidnappings and killings keep rising.

Earlier this year, at least 20 armed gang members burst into a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders and snatched a patient from an operating room.

The criminals gained access after faking a life-threatening emergency, the organisation said.
The UN Security Council has approved a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip after four failed attempts to respond to the Israel-Hamas war.

The vote was 12-0 with the US, UK and Russia abstaining.

The final draft watered down language from a demand to a call for humanitarian pauses.

It also watered down a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups.

The resolution makes no mention of a ceasefire.

It also does not refer to Hamass surprise attack on Israel on October 7, during which the militants killed around 1,200 people and took some 240 others hostage.

Nor does it cite Israels retaliatory air strikes and ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which Gazas health ministry says has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians, two thirds of them women and children.

Russia proposed an amendment to the resolution before the vote that would have called for durable humanitarian pauses leading to a ceasefire. But it was rejected by a vote of 5-1 with nine abstentions because it failed to get the minimum nine yes votes.

But the resolution, sponsored by Malta, did bring the 15 members of the UNs most powerful body together in a first response to the ongoing war that is having catastrophic humanitarian consequences in Gaza.

The resolution asks that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children.

Palestinians in a tent camp in Khan Younis (Fatima Shbair/AP)

UN Security Council resolutions are legally binding, but in practice many parties choose to ignore the councils requests for action.

Richard Gowan, UN director for the International Crisis Group, said the Security Council has called for ceasefires in wars from the Balkans to Syria with little or no impact.

The Security Council, which has the responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, has been paralysed since the war began by its internal divisions.

This is especially the case between China and Russia, which want an immediate ceasefire, and the US, which has called for humanitarian pauses but objects to any mention of a ceasefire, which its close ally Israel strongly opposes.

The resolution calls for humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days for unhindered access by the UN, Red Cross and other aid groups to get water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies to all those in need.

It says the pauses also should allow for the repair of essential infrastructure and enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts.

A UN ceasefire call would embarrass but not really constrain the Israelis. But the US clearly feels that even such a symbolic move is too much of a political risk

In the four previous tries for Security Council approval, a Brazil-drafted resolution was vetoed by the US, a US-drafted resolution was vetoed by Russia and China and two Russian-drafted resolutions failed to get the minimum yes votes.

After the fourth failure, frustrated Arab nations turned to the 193-member General Assembly and succeeded in getting wide approval for a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza meant to lead to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

It was the first United Nations response to the war. But unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they are a barometer of world opinion.

The vote was 120-14 with 45 abstentions. Of the five veto-holding Security Council members, Russia, China and France voted in favour, the United States voted against and Britain abstained.

The General Assembly resolution was adopted on October 27, and Israel agreed on November 9 to four-hour pauses. But only very limited aid has been delivered to Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and a humanitarian catastrophe has been brewing.

Mr Gowan said US opposition to a ceasefire is a gift that keeps on giving for Russia diplomatically.

He said that while many diplomats think Russia is demanding a ceasefire for largely cynical reasons to make the Americans look bad, Moscows position is closer to the mainstream of council thinking, and the US looks isolated.

A UN ceasefire call would embarrass but not really constrain the Israelis, he said. But the US clearly feels that even such a symbolic move is too much of a political risk.
The discovery of ancient markings etched in rocks at a Victorian beach could help transform our understanding of life on Earth.

Chances of ever finding the tiny fossils were one in a million as they have only been visible at low tide. And generations of local swimmers and snorkellers visiting Wonthaggis rugged coastline had missed them. Then a local prospector looking for dinosaur bones began noticing the markings and documented 27 over several years.

Located 150km east of Melbourne, the fossils show all the hallmarks of being bird footprints. That analysis has got researchers excited because other than one bone and a couple of feathers, these tracks are the oldest-known evidence of an avian presence in Australia  its believed theyre from the early cretaceous period.

The footprints are some of the oldest found in the Southern Hemisphere. Source: Martin et al 2003/PLOS ONE

Why are these bird footprints so important?

Monash Universitys Emeritus Professor Patricia Vickers-Rich told Yahoo News Australia the discovery shifts our thinking about the ancient migration of birds.

For a long time, theres been this idea that everything developed and came south. On the other hand, were finding more and more material that suggests some of the movement was south to north, she said.

The fossils were found on coastal rocks at Wonthaggi. Source: Ray Dahlstrom/Google Maps

This bias in thinking can be traced back to two major factors. The most obvious is the lack of bird fossil discoveries across ancient Gondwana, the continent that Australia was once part of. But another key reason is that most people live in the northern hemisphere, and therefore thats where most of the research and discoveries have historically occurred.

Why ancient footprints could have been lost

Vickers-Rich was part of an international effort to study the fossils that included a palaeontologist from Emery University in the United States, Museums Victoria, and local prospector Melissa Lowery. They concluded the footprints were between 120-129 million years old and published their findings in the journal PLOS ONE.

After studying at the University of California, Berkeley and then Colombia, Vickers-Rich travelled to Australia in the 1970s. It was a very exciting place to come. There was a lack of information about it compared to where I was brought up in California, so it was a better place to be, she said.

Story continues

Vickers-Rich was drawn to Wonthaggi because of its wealth of fossils and has never left. The town is home to the oldest dinosaur discovery in the country, and continues to be central to Australias ongoing paleontological research.

The bird footprints have for the most part been collected and relocated to dry land so they can undergo further study. If theyd been left on the shore platform theyd be gone by now because of the erosion, Vickers-Rich said.

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LATEST DEVELOPMENTS:

Israeli president says can't leave vacuum in post-war Gaza

President Herzog says may need to leave "very strong force" in Gaza

Biden says occupation of Gaza "a big mistake"

Two state solution only way to resolve Israel-Palestinian conflict, says Biden

Israeli President Isaac Herzog said a "very strong force" may need to remain in Gaza for the near future to prevent the Hamas militant group re-emerging after the war, but U.S. President Joe Biden warned that occupying Gaza would be "a big mistake".

"If we pull back, then who will take over? We can't leave a vacuum. We have to think about what will be the mechanism; there are many ideas that are thrown in the air," Herzog said in an interview with the FT published on Thursday.

"But no one will want to turn this place, Gaza, into a terror base again", he added.

Herzog told FT that Israel's government was discussing many ideas about how Gaza would be run once the war ends and added that he assumed that the United States and "our neighbours in the region" would have some involvement in the post-conflict order.

Biden said on Wednesday that he had made it clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that a two-state solution was the only way to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict and that occupying Gaza would be "a big mistake".

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which exercises limited self-rule in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, says Gaza, where Hamas has ruled since 2007, is an integral part of what it envisions for a future Palestinian state.

Palestinians displaced by the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip walk in a UNDP-provided tent camp in Khan Younis, Wednesday, Nov.15, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Israel has vowed to destroy Hamas, but has not put forward a plan to determine who would govern Gaza after the war. Netanyahu has said that Israel would have to maintain overall security responsibility in Gaza for an indefinite period.

Israel's military focus on Thursday remained on Gaza's biggest hospital Al Shifa where it says Hamas stored weapons and ran a command centre in tunnels beneath the buildings.

Israeli troops forced their way into Al Shifa hospital in the early hours of Wednesday and spent the day deepening their search, the army said. An army video showed automatic weapons, grenades, ammunition and flak jackets it said were recovered from an undisclosed building within the complex.

"The troops continue to search the hospital in a precise, intelligence-based, manner," army spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said at a press briefing late on Wednesday.

Biden said that Hamas was committing war crimes by having its military headquarters under the hospital. He said Israel had gone into Al Shifa with a limited number of troops with guns.

"They were told...we discussed the need for them to be incredibly careful," Biden told reporters on Wednesday.

The Israeli military made no mention of finding any tunnel entrances in Al Shifa. It previously said Hamas had built a network of tunnels under the hospital. Hamas has denied it and dismissed the latest army statements.

Palestinians displaced by the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip carry supplies in a UNDP-provided tent camp in Khan Younis, Wednesday, Nov.15, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

"The occupation forces are still lying ... as they brought some weapons, clothes and tools and placed them in the hospital in a scandalous manner," Qatar-based Hamas senior member Ezzat El Rashq said. "We have repeatedly called for a committee from the United Nations, the World Health Organization and the Red Cross to verify the lies of the occupation."

Israeli forces raided the Shifa complex on Wednesday evening "for the second time in 24 hours" WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, reported. Bulldozers and military vehicles were used, the agency said, citing local sources.

Hamas-affiliated Shehab news agency reported early on Thursday that Israeli tanks raided Al Shifa from the complex's southern side and that gunfire was heard in the area.

Israel began its campaign against the Islamist group that rules Gaza after militants rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7. Israel says 1,200 people were killed and some 240 people taken hostage in the deadliest day of its 75-year-old history.

Biden told reporters he was doing everything in his power to free hostages held by Hamas militants, but that did not mean sending in the U.S. military.

Washington has boosted its military presence in the Middle East, sending two aircraft carriers and support ships to the region, to prevent the conflict spreading and to deter Iran, a long-time backer of Hamas, from getting involved.

Flares rise over the Gaza Strip, as seen from southern Israel, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Leo Correa)

Iran's supreme leader told the head of Hamas when they met in Tehran in early November, according to three senior officials: You gave us no warning of your Oct. 7 attack on Israel and we will not enter the war on your behalf.

Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told Ismail Haniyeh that Iran would continue to lend Hamas political and moral support, but wouldn't intervene directly, said the Iranian and Hamas officials with knowledge of the discussions who asked to remain anonymous to speak freely. read more Jordan on Wednesday condemned in the "toughest of terms" Israel's shelling around the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza which injured seven staff, and said it would await the results of an army investigation before taking legal and political steps to hold Israel accountable for the "crime".

FIRST FUEL TRUCK ARRIVES IN GAZA

Retaliating against the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas, Israel has enforced a strict blockade of Gaza, and conducted an aerial bombardment and armoured ground offensive that Palestinian authorities say has killed around 11,500 people, around 40% of them children, with many more dead buried under the rubble.

Palestinians displaced by the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip are gathering at a UNDP-provided tent camp in Khan Younis, Wednesday, Nov.15, 2023. (AP Photo/Fatima Shbair)

Israel has ordered the evacuation of the entire northern half of Gaza, and around two-thirds of its 2.3 million residents are now homeless.

The first truck carrying fuel into Gaza since the start of the war crossed from Egypt on Wednesday to deliver diesel to the United Nations, though it will do little to alleviate shortages that have hampered relief operations.

The United Nations Security Council on Wednesday called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting for a "sufficient number of days" to allow aid access. It also called, in a resolution, for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas.

Israel has so far rejected calls for a ceasefire, which it says would benefit Hamas. A pause in fighting has been discussed, however, in negotiations mediated by Qatar.

Qatari mediators were seeking a deal that would include a three-day truce, with Hamas releasing 50 of its captives and Israel to release some women and minors from among its security detainees, an official briefed on the negotiations said.
Chinese President Xi Jinping has signalled that China will send new pandas to the United States, calling them envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples, Mr Xi said during a dinner speech with business leaders.

The gesture came at the end of a day in which Mr Xi and President Joe Biden held their first face-to-face meeting in a year and pledged to try to reduce tensions.

Mr Xi did not share additional details on when or where pandas might be provided but appeared to suggest the next pair of pandas are most likely to come to California, probably San Diego.

Chinas President Xi Jinping speaks at a dinner with business leaders (Jeff Chiu/AP)

The bears have long been a symbol of US-China friendship since Beijing gifted a pair of pandas to the National Zoo in Washington in 1972, ahead of the normalisation of bilateral relations. Later, Beijing loaned the pandas to other US zoos, with proceeds going back to panda conservation programmes.

The National Zoos three giant pandas, Mei Xiang, Tian Tian and their cub Xiao Qi Ji, eight days ago began their long trip to China. After their departure, only four pandas are left in the United States, in the Atlanta Zoo.

I was told that many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off, Mr Xi said in his speech. He added that he learned the San Diego Zoo and people in California very much look forward to welcoming pandas back.

Mr Xi is in California to attend a summit of Indo-Pacific leaders and for his meeting with Mr Biden. He made no mention of the pandas during his public remarks earlier in the day as he met Mr Biden.

When bilateral relations began to sour in the past few years, members of the Chinese public started to demand the return of giant pandas. Unproven allegations that US zoos mistreated the pandas, known as Chinas national treasure, flooded Chinas social media.

The National Zoos exchange agreement with the China Wildlife Conservation Association had been set to expire in early December and negotiations to renew or extend the deal did not produce results.

The San Diego Zoo returned its pandas in 2019, and the last bear at the Memphis, Tennessee, zoo went home earlier this year.
A fire broke out at a coal mining company in a northern Chinese city on Thursday, killing 26 people and injuring at least 38, Chinese state media reported.

Rescue personnel evacuated dozens of people from the building.

The building belongs to Yongju Coal Company and is in Lvliang city in northern Shanxi province, a major coal-producing region.

Videos circulating on social media, some of which were shown on state broadcaster CCTV, showed flames and heavy plumes of smoke coming out of a four-storey concrete building. Some people were shown escaping the building by climbing down drain pipes.

Those dead were almost all workers, according to local media outlet Fengmian News.

Chinas President Xi Jinping called for an investigation (Jeff Chiu/AP)

The fire was first reported at around 6.50am local time and had been put out by mid-afternoon, according to the local emergency management department.

President Xi Jinping, who is on a trip to the United States, called for an investigation into hidden risks in key industries.

Mr Xi, who is in San Francisco for the Apec summit, also called for peoples lives and property to be safeguarded and for overall social stability.

Authorities have detained several people believed to be responsible for the fire and an investigation is ongoing, state media said.

The fire appeared to have started in the shower area of a building with offices and dormitories, local news outlet Hongxing News reported.

Industrial accidents, in particular in coal mines, are relatively common in China, though the government has been working on improving safety. Shanxi is Chinas top coal-producing province and is at the centre of government efforts to reduce the economys reliance on coal.

In April, 29 people died in a hospital fire in Beijing, sparking an online backlash against authorities, who were accused of withholding information from patients relatives.

Last October, an explosion at a barbecue restaurant in north-western Yinchuan province killed 31.
A Russian artist and musician has been jailed for seven years for replacing supermarket price tags with anti-war slogans.

Sasha Skochilenko has been detained in her home city of St Petersburg since April 2022 on charges of spreading false information about the military.

The Russian army bombed an arts schools in Mariupol. Some 400 people were hiding in it from the shelling, one read. Another said: Russian conscripts are being sent to Ukraine. Lives of our children are the price of this war.

A customer at the supermarket who found the slogans reported them to authorities.

She was arrested a month after Russia adopted a law effectively criminalising any public expression about the war in Ukraine that deviates from the Kremlins official line.

Sasha Skochilenko is escorted by police officers to the courtroom in the Vasileostrovsky district court, St Petersburg,(Dmitri Lovetsky/AP)

The legislation has been used in a widespread crackdown on opposition politicians, human rights activists and ordinary Russians critical of the Kremlin, with many receiving lengthy prison terms.

Skochilenko has not denied replacing the price tags but rejected the accusation of spreading knowingly false information.

She did not intend to disparage the military but rather wanted to stop the fighting, her lawyer Yana Nepovinnova told The Associated Press last week.

She is a very empathetic, peace-loving person. To her, in general, the word war is the most terrible thing imaginable, as is the suffering of people, Ms Nepovinnova said.

Russian independent news site Mediazona quoted Ms Skochilenko as saying in her final statement in court that the case against her was weird and ridiculous  so much so that officials in the facility where she is detained open their eyes widely and exclaim: Is this really what people are being imprisoned for now?

She also alleged that an investigator working on her case even quit his job, telling one of her lawyers that he didnt join the Investigative Committee to work on cases like (the one) against Sasha Skochilenko.

Addressing the judge in a courtroom full of supporters, Ms Skochilenko said: Everyone sees and knows that its not a terrorist youre trying. Youre not trying an extremist. Youre not trying a political activist, either. Youre trying a pacifist.

Her supporters applauded, Mediazona reported, adding that after the verdict was announced and Ms Skochilenko was led away, they gathered in a hallway, chanting her name.

The 33-year-old has struggled during her 19 months in pre-trial detention due to several health problems, including a congenital heart defect, bipolar disorder and coeliac disease, requiring a gluten-free diet, her lawyers and her partner said.

Sasha Skochilenko faces seven years in jail (Dmitri Lovetsky/AP)

Almost daily court hearings in recent months put additional pressure on Ms Skochilenko, as the tight schedule often prevented her from getting meals.

At one point, the judge called an ambulance to the courthouse after she fell ill, telling the court it was her second straight day without any food.

At another hearing, she burst into tears after the judge rejected a request for a break so that she could eat or at least use the bathroom.

Russias most prominent human rights group and the 2022 Nobel Peace Prize winner, Memorial, has declared Ms Skochilenko a political prisoner.

According to OVD-Info, another prominent rights group that monitors political arrests and provides legal aid, a total of 19,834 Russians have been arrested between February 24, when the war began, and late October 2023 for speaking out or demonstrating against the war.

Nearly 750 people have faced criminal charges for their anti-war stances, and over 8,100 faced petty charges of discrediting the army, punishable by a fine or a short stint in jail.
The man who broke into former US House speaker Nancy Pelosis San Francisco home seeking to hold her hostage, and attacked her husband with a hammer, has been convicted of federal charges of attempted kidnapping and assault.

The jury on Thursday deliberated for about eight hours before finding David DePape guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official.

He faces up to 50 years in prison.

The attack on then 82-year-old Paul Pelosi that was captured on police body camera video just days before last years midterm elections sent shockwaves through the political world.

DePape, 43, admitted during trial evidence that he broke into the Pelosis home on October 28, 2022, intending to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and break her kneecaps if she lied to him.

He also admitted bludgeoning Paul Pelosi with a hammer after San Francisco police arrived at the home, saying his plan to end what he viewed as government corruption was unravelling.

Defence lawyer Angela Chuang told jurors during closing arguments that DePape was caught up in conspiracies.

She said he was motivated by his political beliefs, not because he wanted to interfere with Nancy Pelosis official duties as a member of Congress, making the charges against him invalid.

Paul Pelosi, right, fights for control of a hammer with David DePape (San Francisco Police Department/AP)

Prosecutor Helen Gilbert said the defence had made a false distinction between Ms Pelosis politics and official duties and that DePape did not differentiate between the two.

DePape, a Canadian citizen who moved to the US more than 20 years ago, is also is charged in a state court with assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse and residential burglary.

A state trial date will be set during a November 29 hearing, said Randy Quezada, a spokesman for the San Francisco district attorneys office.

Defence lawyer Jodi Linker said DePape believed with every ounce of his being that he was taking action to stop government corruption, the erosion of liberty in America, and the abuse of children by liberal politicians and actors.

During his evidence DePape echoed right-wing conspiracy theories and told jurors he had planned to wear an inflatable unicorn costume and record his interrogation of Nancy Pelosi to upload it online.

Prosecutors say he had rope and zip ties with him. Detectives also found body cameras, a computer and a tablet.

DePape said his plan was to get Nancy Pelosi to admit that she had been lying to the American people. If she lied, I would break her kneecaps, he said. The choice is on her.

He said he would then move to other targets, including California governor Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks and President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden.

More than a year after the attack, Paul Pelosi said he still has not fully recovered (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)

Paul Pelosi also gave evidence, recalling how he was awakened by a large man bursting into the bedroom door and asking, Wheres Nancy?

He said that when he said his wife was in Washington, DePape said he would tie him up while they waited for her.

It was a tremendous sense of shock to recognise that somebody had broken into the house and looking at him and looking at the hammer and the ties, I recognised that I was in serious danger, so I tried to stay as calm as possible, Pelosi told jurors.

Pelosi said how called 911 with DePape watching, urging Pelosi to tell police that he was a friend. Pelosi said he tried to tell police what was happening without aggravating DePape.

Pelosi recalled being thankful when the police arrived, only for DePape to then hit him with the hammer. He said he woke up in a pool of his own blood.

More than a year after the attack, he still has not fully recovered, Pelosi said.

A spokesman for Nancy Pelosi, speaking after the verdict was announced, said Paul Pelosi continues to make progress in his recovery and that the family was grateful for the outpouring of support for him from people across the US.

DePape gave evidence that he thought Paul Pelosi was dead until he saw he was charged by San Francisco prosecutors with attempted murder.

He was never my target and Im sorry that he got hurt, DePape said.

He told jurors he believed news outlets repeatedly lied about former president Donald Trump.

In rants posted on a blog and online forum that were taken down after his arrest, DePape echoed the baseless, right-wing QAnon conspiracy theory that claims the US government is run by a cabal of devil-worshipping paedophiles.

He repeated QAnon-like conspiracies during his testimony, referring to a cabal and the ruling elite and saying they are eroding Americans liberty and allowing the abuse of children.
A Chicago commuter train crashed into rail equipment on Thursday, injuring more than 20 people, some of them critically, fire officials said.

The Chicago Fire Department said the Chicago Transit Authority train crashed into snow-removal equipment just before 10.35am on the citys North Side.

The train carrying 31 commuters and seven CTA workers crashed into the slower-moving rail equipment, said Robert Jurewicz, the Chicago Fire Departments second district chief.

Twenty-three people, including four children, were taken to hospital and about three were in a critical condition, although no-one suffered life-threatening injuries, said Keith Gray, assistant deputy chief paramedic.

Chicago Fire Department and Chicago Police Department Passengers are treated at the scene of the crash (Ashlee Rezin/Chicago Sun-Times/AP)

He said the 15 others who were on the train declined medical treatment at the scene.

Shayla Smith, who was headed to work in Wilmette, had just boarded a train at nearby Howard station when she heard the crash.

I just heard like a horrible boom sound, she told the Chicago Sun-Times. It was like a weird boom sound. It felt like were going to tip over and I was wondering whats going on? My body shivered.

Television video showed one end of the train crushed and pushed in.

As passengers were led off the train, some were taken to a triage centre lined with stretchers to be assessed, with at least one bleeding heavily from the head.

At least 15 ambulances were dispatched to the scene.

CTA officials said the cause of the crash was being investigated. Train services were temporarily suspended, the commuter service said on its website.
The Brotherhood Alliance has seized at least eight towns and around 150 junta positions since it launched Operation 1027 in northern Shan State on October 27.

The Irrawaddy recently met Karen National Union (KNU) spokesman Padoh Saw Taw Nee to discuss how Karen forces will respond to Operation 1027.

What is your view on Operation 1027?

The popular revolt has gained momentum since Operation 1027 was launched. This indicates the end of the military regime. In every place, the regime suffers defeats and has lost much territory. Junta soldiers are demoralized and easily surrender. The regime has lost territory and trade routes, which has built revolutionary strength.

The regime has quickly lost many positions and strategically important towns. How are its armed forces performing?

The militarys combat capability has noticeably declined since the 2021 coup. By September we had recorded 11,608 clashes between our forces and the junta since the coup. We have killed around 10,741 troops and injured 7,779, so 18,520 in total.

How can they make up for these heavy casualties and continue to fight?

When fresh clashes broke up in northern Shan State, it lost many battles. Normally, the regime would respond immediately and send reinforcements but it had no one available.

We estimate a junta division can only deploy about 700 soldiers for combat. They suffered around 18,520 casualties in our territory, which is equal to 26 divisions. So there are no reinforcements available for northern Shan State to retake the towns they have lost. And they also cant recruit.

They are using personnel from combat support units and even firefighters. The combat capability of the regime has collapsed.

There has been fierce fighting along the Sittaung River basin in Bago Region near Naypyitaw but why have there been few attacks to the south?

We are still operating but we cant attack yet. It needs careful preparation and we are still preparing.

The Brotherhood Alliance has urged revolutionary organizations to join Operation 1027. Does the KNU have an attack plan?

We have fought heavily since the 2021 coup with over 10,000 clashes and the regime has suffered over 18,500 casualties. It is not a small number. We have always called for coordinated attacks but few groups joined us. Operation 1027 is encouraging. We seized the Chaung Hnakwa bridge [in Kyaikmayaw, Mon State] a few days ago. Many junta soldiers have surrendered. We are continuing with other operations.

Why have some KNU units not joined the fighting?

We have seven brigades and all of them are fighting. We dont need to say how they are fighting. This is a military issue.

When will the regime collapse?

Soon, depending on how effectively the attacks are coordinated across the country. The military is doomed.

What could the regime try to survive?

The regime will try again to sow discord among revolutionary organizations as it has always done. It is no longer effective. It cannot fight on all fronts. Revolutionary organizations are attacking from all directions. The attempts to divide do not work anymore.

But we need to be careful. It might seek to divert attention by holding talks or negotiating with popular individuals.

We must resist the regimes ploys.

We dont reject dialogue that is suggested by the international community but first the military must promise to leave politics.

The military must be transformed under a civilian federal governments control and it must accept transitional justice. It must accept responsibility for its crimes. There must be no impunity.

The generals must accept a federal, democratic constitution that establishes a new union.

We will need a dialogue even after the regime collapses, with international participation.

If the regime accepts these demands, we can start talks. A turning point is possible.

But for that to happen, we need to pressure the regime on the military, political and diplomatic fronts with economic sanctions and public campaigns.

This can bring the changes we expect.

What is your message to the international community, including the UN and ASEAN?

When we launched the revolution, the international community predicted that we would not last five months before we fell.

The regime said the same. But the reverse has happened. Our revolution has grown stronger with an unprecedented level of public support.

The revolution has gained momentum, seizing whole towns. The international community should change its view that only the military can ensure stability in the country.

More than 2 million civilians have been displaced by the regimes terror campaign. They need humanitarian assistance, which the international community should deliver without delay.

We are not just focusing on regime change. We need to rebuild the country through comprehensive reforms and changing the system. The international community must cooperate for that to happen.
The Arakan Army (AA) seized Pauktaw in Rakhine State at around 7 a.m. on Thursday, prompting the juntas military to launch air strikes and naval attacks on the town, according to residents.

The AA seized the Pauktaw Township Police Station at around 8 p.m. on Wednesday evening before managing to take control of all regime departmental offices and capture Pauktaw town, which is in Sittwe District on Myanmars western coast.

The juntas military sent two helicopter gunships at around 9:20 a.m. They dropped bombs and fired machine guns. The people had to hide in trenches they had prepared. No one dared to run out of their homes, said U Bo, a 39-year-old resident of Pauktaw.

With the town left in ruins, most residents opted to remain in the trenches, but that changed when junta navy ships opened fire on the town at around 1 p.m.

Then we all fled into the villages, away from the waterways, as the navy ships fired continuously, said a man who fled on a motorcycle, carrying an elderly relative with him.

No clashes broke out on the ground, the residents said, but as the AA had already taken control of the town, the junta military responded with the heavy air and naval attacks.

Conflict analysts said that as Pauktaw is located close to Sittwe, the capital of Rakhine State, the seizure of the town will likely be seen as a threat by the junta. They warned that the AA will face serious challenges in holding the town and extending its operations there, as the regime will likely make great efforts to retake it.

The Irrawaddy tried to reach AA spokesperson Khaing Thu Kha for comment, but he did not reply. AA officers on the ground confirmed the seizure of Pauktaw and said their troops are committed to holding it.

Emergency teams from nearby towns said they had heard reports that Pauktaw residents had been injured, and expressed regret at not being able to reach the town due to the juntas restrictions on traveling on roads linking towns and cities in Rakhine State.

In the first 24 hours of its offensive operation in Rakhine State, which was launched on Monday, the AA seized over 40 junta military and police outposts, the armed group said in a statement.

On Wednesday, in addition to the Pauktaw Township Police Station, the AA seized a police station in Tain Nyo Village, Mrauk-U Township, and another in Kyauk Ni Maw Village, Ramree Township. Pauktaw is the first town the AA has captured since the current operation began.

The AAs operation in Rakhine State was launched in harmony with Operation 1027, which continues to spread across northern Shan State and has made headlines since it was launched by the tripartite Brotherhood Alliance in late October. The alliance comprises the AA, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Taang National Liberation Army.
Former Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) lawmaker Myint Swe has been replaced as acting chief of Kokang Self-Administered Zone (SAZ) by Brigadier-General Tun Tun Myint of Northeastern Command as the junta braces for a resistance attack on Laukkai in northern Shan State.

The junta made the switch on Wednesday after the Kokang-based Myanmar National Democratic Army (MNDAA) announced its plan to attack Laukkai, the latest target in a resistance offensive that has swept through northern Shan.

Ethnic Kokang man Myint Swe, also known as Li Zhanfu, attended an emergency meeting of the National Defense and Security Council on Nov. 8 as a special guest. A member of the military-backed USDP, he represents Konkyan Township in the Lower House of Myanmars bicameral parliament.

Myint Swe replaced Zhao Dechen as the chair of the administrative body of Kokang after the 2021 coup.

Min Aung Hlaing, who has been under pressure from Beijing over thriving transnational scam operations on the border, complained at Nov. 8s meeting of a surge in telecom fraudsters in Laukkai last year. He claimed numerous hotels had been built without junta permission in the town and were operating illegal businesses including online scams. The regime had been too busy combating the COVID-19 pandemic and the armed revolt to focus on Laukkai, said the junta boss, indirectly pointing the finger of blame at Myint Swe.

The MNDAA is a member of the tripartite Brotherhood Alliance that has besieged Laukkai.

Brig-General Tun Tun Myints appointment as the acting chair of the Kokang SAZ administrative body came on day 20 of the Brotherhood Alliances Operation 1027, launched on October 27.

Tun Tun Myint was promoted to brigadier general after serving as deputy commander of the regional operations command based in Laukkai in 2020. He was then a colonel. He was born in Kunlong, a strategic town seized by the Brotherhood Alliance on November 12 after two weeks of fighting.

Following his appointment, the Kokang SAZ administrative body issued warrants for the arrest of Ming Xuechang, a USDP lawmaker for Konkyan Township, and his four family members, in a move apparently intended to distance itself from the Ming family. Beijing had earlier issued warrants for the familys arrest, accusing them of running online scam syndicates.

China also detained 11 ethnic Kokang businessmen including leading regional tycoon Maung Maung, who was also a USDP lawmaker in Kokang.

The Brotherhood Alliance has so far seized 147 junta positions in Kokang, including hill-top junta outposts around Laukkai. It has also seized the strategic towns of Kunlong and Chin Shwe Haw.

Min Aung Hlaing has vowed retaliation and declared martial law in eight townships, including Laukkai and Konkyan towns in northern Shan State. He also alleged that the MNDAA is attempting to seize Laukkai to revive the drug industry there.

Government troops fought fierce battles in 2009 and 2015 against the MNDAA, then under the leadership of Peng Jiasheng. The MNDAA is currently led by Peng Jiashengs son, Peng Daxun.
Myanmars regime on Thursday issued a warrant for Bai Yingcang, the son of former Kokang administrator Bai Xuoqian, for his alleged involvement in online scams near the Chinese border.

Wenzhou police across the border in Zhejiang province issued an arrest warrant on November 12, offering a reward for information leading to his arrest.

Bai, 31, is the general manager of Myanmar Yum Group, and chairs Cangsheng Technology Park. He led a Kokang militia and oversaw the Kokang self-administered zones financial bureau.

His father allied with Myanmars military in 2009 to oust Peng Jiasheng, the leader of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA). Junta boss Min Aung Hlaing led the offensive against Pengs MNDAA in 2009 while he was a lieutenant general heading special operations.

On October 27 during Operation 1027 the MNDAA, now led by Peng Jiashengs son Peng Daxun, detained staff at a hotel owned by Bai Xuoqian in Chin Shwe Haw. It took them to Wa State under the control of the United Wa State Army, according to junta spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun.

The regime also issued warrants on Wednesday for Ming Xuechang, a former Konkyan Township MP from the militarys proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party (USDP) in Kokang, and his four family members.

A Shan State analyst said: Ming Xuechang is a follower of Bai Xiaoquan. It appears that China provided evidence so the regime was forced to arrest them. It is also possible those arrested earlier identified accomplices.

Beijing in early October arrested 11 Kokang businessmen, including former USDP lawmaker and leading tycoon Maung Maung, who received an honorary title from Min Aung Hlaing.

On Wednesday, Myint Swe, chairman of the junta-appointed Kokang administrative body, was replaced with Northeastern Command chief Brigadier General Tun Tun Myint.

At an emergency meeting on November 8, Min Aung Hlaing complained about a surge in telecom scams in Laukkai Township since last year under Myint Swe. Many hotels built without Myanmar Investment Commission permission have operated illegal businesses and online scams, the regime chief said.

The regime was busy handling Covid and the revolution and could not attend to Laukkai, said the junta boss, indirectly blaming Myint Swe.
Radio host Josh Szeps resigned live on air during his ABC Afternoons show on Wednesday, hinting he felt constrained by what he can and can't say while working at the broadcaster.

In an unexpected move Szeps spoke directly to his NSW listeners and admitted he felt it was becoming increasingly more difficult to have upfront discussions on his show.

"Having truly rational, bulls**t free conversations about controversial issues is risky these days," he said. "The penalties for speaking bluntly, the penalties for trying to coax people out of their thought silos and echo chambers are very high."

"The bottom line is, I'm a bit too spicy for this gig," he said.

ABC radio host Josh Szeps has confirmed he will not renew his contractor with the broadcaster after facing 'penalties' for speaking bluntly. Source: Getty, Media Week & Instagram

Perceived constraints encouraged ABC host to start own podcast

Szeps implied working within ABC guidelines on his radio show was what prompted him to start his own podcast Uncomfortable Conversations  which is regarded as one of the most successful Australian interview shows, attracting over three million downloads. His podcast gaining popularity and becoming "financially viable" may have influenced his decision to resign from his position at the ABC.

"Journalism needs more contrarians, not fewer. More risk takers, not fewer," he said, calling himself a "misfit".

But Szeps also praised the ABC and several of the individuals charged with running the broadcaster.

"The ABC is the greatest institution in Australian public life," he said. "I believe it is the jewel in this countrys crown. I have no beef with ABC or its management."

Szeps to focus on independent projects

Szeps will remain with the ABC until the end of 2023 and has plans to focus on independent projects moving forward, such as working on his podcast as well as starting a YouTube program early next year.

Story continues

"I've had a blast on Afternoons and I'm looking forward to having even spicier conversations on my own turf," he said.

The resignation will be a big loss for ABC with Szeps having a strong listener base.

"Josh has been an exemplary presenter and we'll miss him greatly. His mixture of playfulness, intellect and fearlessness is one of a kind," ABC Radio Sydney Manager, Steve Ahern said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

You can also follow us on Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, Twitter and YouTube.
Over 160 Thai nationals detained at a front-line junta base in Laukkai, a town in northern Shan States Kokang that has been besieged by resistance forces, have been moved out of the direct line of fire, according to a volunteer aiding the operation.

They have been moved from a military base to schools and hospitals, which are safer than the battlefield. But, there is a need to evacuate them to a safer place, said the volunteer.

The Thais were lured into working for Chinese-run scam syndicates in Laukkai, a border town notorious for telecom scams, gambling websites and casinos. They were rescued by regime officials at the end of October following pressure from China over scams preying on its citizens. The regime, however, did not hand them over to Thai authorities, instead transporting the trafficked victims to the front-line base. Volunteers helping the Thais accused the regime of using them as human shields.

Volunteers claim that 164 Thai nationals were detained at the front-line base, though the regime insisted there were only 162.

Forty-one other Thai nationals stranded in Laukkai were evacuated to Kentung on Wednesday after being rescued by the United Wa State Army.

The Thai 3rd Army said the 23 men and 18 women were trafficked to work for Chinese-run scam syndicates in Laukkai. They will be repatriated to Thailands Mae Sai in Chiang Rai Province via the border town of Tachileik this week, Thai news outlets reported.

More syndicate victims from Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries remain trapped in Laukkai, according to volunteers.

Many online scam businesses in Laukkai have closed. But some Chinese owners locked their compounds and gates when they fled. We heard there are people trapped inside the compounds, said a volunteer.

The Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army (MNDAA) announced on Tuesday evening that it was preparing to attack Laukkai, the seat of the junta-appointed administrative body of Kokang Self-Administered Zone. The town is controlled by junta-affiliated Kokang militias.

Local people as well as Thai nationals trapped in Laukkai are concerned for their safety, said volunteers.

One volunteer said: Continuous bombardment has inflicted psychological damage on Thai nationals. Armed troops are outside the town, so we cant leave. We have managed to contact organizations in Chin Shwe Haw [to evacuate the Thai nationals], but we cant get past the checkpoint [outside Laukkai].

The regime and Kokang militias are treating Chinese citizens found in Kokang differently, sending them back to their home country, according to locals.

Thailands deputy police chief visited Myanmar on Nov 6 for talks with junta authorities to repatriate the Thai nationals. The two sides agreed to hand them over through China, but the junta has so far failed to implement the agreement, according to sources on the ground.
JAKARTASoutheast Asian defense ministers called for an end to the Myanmar crisis and to the Israel-Hamas war on Wednesday as they gathered for talks that will include meetings with regional counterparts and the Pentagon chief.

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) meetings in Jakarta were dominated by issues ranging from the Myanmar crisis to the conflict between Israel and Hamas, as well as Beijings growing assertiveness in the disputed South China Sea.

Muslim-majority Indonesias President Joko Widodo called on US President Joe Biden this week to help bring about a ceasefire in Gaza.

His defense minister, Prabowo Subianto, opened talks on Wednesday echoing that call, saying he was deeply saddened by events in the Palestinian territory where Israel has launched a relentless assault to destroy Hamas in response to attacks on Oct. 7.

Malaysian Defense Minister Mohamad Hasan also called for a truce, saying Kuala Lumpur condemned terrorism in all its forms and the killing of civilians.

Further loss of life, suffering and destruction should stop and parties must exercise utmost restraint and de-escalate, he said.

Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 killed an estimated 1,200 people, mostly civilians and an estimated 240 others were taken hostage into Gaza.

The Hamas-run health ministry in Gaza says Israels ensuing aerial bombardment and ground offensive have killed 11,320 people, mostly civilians, including thousands of children.

A draft chair statement by Indonesia seen by AFP, which is not a negotiated text and reflects only Jakartas view, said ASEAN calls for an immediate cessation of hostilities and urges both parties to respect the sanctity of life and property.

A Southeast Asian diplomat told AFP the draft text was still being worked on before publication.

In a joint declaration, the ASEAN defense chiefs also urged all parties in Myanmar, where fighting has been raging across the northern Shan state for weeks, to cease all violence and exercise utmost restraint.

The juntas leaders have been banned from the 10-member blocs high-level meetings since failing to implement an agreed five-point peace plan following a 2021 coup.

The joint statement reiterated the blocs call for Myanmars junta rulers to implement that plan.

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was meeting with ASEAN defense chiefs on Wednesday before wider talks a day later over a region where Washington and Beijing are battling for influence.

Thursdays expanded talks will include representatives from the United States, China, Japan, South Korea, India, Australia and Russia.

The Jakarta talks came ahead of the meeting between Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping in San Francisco on Wednesday, the first encounter in a year between the leaders of the worlds two largest economies.

The Pentagon has not confirmed if Austin will meet Beijings representative at the Jakarta talks. He will meet Subianto for bilateral talks on Thursday.
More than 600 civil society organizations are calling on the governments of Finland and Switzerland to stop lending legitimacy to the Myanmar juntas sham peace efforts.

In an open letter issued on November 10, Progressive Voice, Justice for Myanmar and 659 other organizations stated that Finlands government recently invited members of the juntas so-called Peace Committee to a secret meeting in Helsinki. They added that the Swiss government organized a workshop with junta officials in Naypyitaw on the failed Nationwide Ceasefire Agreement (NCA) in October.

In inviting junta representatives to Helsinki, the Finnish government signaled its recognition, acceptance, and support of the military regime  in complete violation of democratic principles and most importantly, the will of the people of Myanmar, the organizations stated.

Finlands actions have also undermined international sanctions targeting the junta and emboldened the junta to continue its mass atrocity crimes against Myanmar civilians with blanket impunity, it added.

The organizations noted that since its coup in 2021, the military regime has killed at least 4,184 people while 1.7 million have been internally displaced.

In recent months, the junta has ramped up its use of airstrikes to terrorize and murder Myanmar civilians across the country. From May to August alone, the junta launched 272 airstrikes, amounting to at least two airstrikes per day, killing 72 civilians and injuring 163, as well as damaging schools, medical facilities, and religious buildings, the organizations said.

The organizations also criticized the Swiss government for lending legitimacy to the junta by supporting its sham National Ceasefire Agreement.

The failed NCA is completely irrelevant in addressing Myanmars multifaceted crisis, the groups stated in the letter. It added that support for the NCA emboldens the junta and worsens the unfathomable devastation in Myanmar, as the military is the source of violence and the root cause of the crisis.

Finland and Switzerland are also providing humanitarian assistance through the junta-controlled Technical Secretariat Center (TSC), a working group of the Joint Ceasefire Monitoring Committee (JMC), in collaboration with a few other countries, the organizations stated.

Rather than deliver aid to the people, the junta will only continue to weaponize the aid provided through the TSC, blocking aid deliveries, attacking humanitarian workers, and lining its pockets to continue its violence, the letter said.

Aid provision through the TSC also hinders other avenues for aid delivery, namely cross-border channels that support locally led, frontline humanitarian responders throughout Myanmar, it added.

Overall, we are appalled to learn that Switzerland and Finland are pursuing these unethical initiatives that allow the junta to continue its war of terror against Myanmars people. In asymmetric conflict, the oppressor  here, the military junta  cannot be an equal or trusted partner at any negotiation table, the organizations said.

The open letter addressed to the Finnish foreign affairs minister Elina Valtonen and Swiss foreign affairs councillor Ignazio Cassis.

The organizations called on the two countries to end all engagements with and support of the Myanmar military junta, particularly its sham peace efforts.

We call on the Governments of Finland and Switzerland to stop lending legitimacy and recognition to the junta and instead fully support the people of Myanmar. To do so, Finland and Switzerland must immediately cease any engagement with the junta, including the aforementioned initiatives, which are an insult to Myanmars people who have endured decades of immense suffering from the militarys violence, the organizations said in the letter.
Around 21 resistance fighters and more than 30 Myanmar regime personnel and his allies, including police officers and pro-junta militia members, were reportedly killed in a raid on the pro-regime village in Pauk Township, Magwe Region, on Wednesday.

Myaing Peoples Defense Force (PDF) and other groups last Friday attacked Zeepyar, where police, regime units and a Pyu Saw Htee militia were based.

A junta surveillance drone was shot down and two junta soldiers died trying to retake the device.

The resistance groups used drones to drop numerous bombs on the village until Tuesday, according to Myaing PDF.

Before dawn on Wednesday, resistance forces burned down the police station and junta bases, which were defended by many bunkers and a railway station which was being used as a junta stronghold.

More than 30 regime troops were apparently killed. The Irrawaddy could not independently verify the reports.

A Myaing PDF video shows houses and other buildings being burned and a corpse in a sandbag bunker.

A junta weapons factory in the township fired numerous 120mm shells at the resistance forces and a Russian-made Mi-35 helicopter performed airstrikes.

Myaing PDF said 21 comrades were killed, partly in regime counterattacks.

Other pro-regime villages, junta bases in Myaing town and Division 1001 in Pakokku town are under resistance attack, said the PDF.
Belfast City Council  Belfast City Region

Government funding : 3,800,000

: 3,800,000 Sectors : creative industries, transport and logistics, advanced manufacturing

: creative industries, transport and logistics, advanced manufacturing Project name: The Belfast 5G Innovation Region

Project summary

The Belfast Region is contributing to Northern Irelands innovation economy by making targeted investments in initiatives that will accelerate the adoption and commercialisation of advanced wireless technologies. The Belfast 5G Innovation Region will deliver across high-growth sectors including creative industries, advanced manufacturing, and transport and logistics.

The initiatives are:

Ulster Universitys Studio Ulster is unlocking  5G -in-a-box technology to provide real-time, high-capacity uplinks between on-location filming and production studios

-in-a-box technology to provide real-time, high-capacity uplinks between on-location filming and production studios Belfast Harbour is harnessing 5G -led innovations to accelerate the digitisation of port operations including automatic bulk freight handling and safety improvements

-led innovations to accelerate the digitisation of port operations including automatic bulk freight handling and safety improvements NI s public transport provider, Translink, is exploiting advanced wireless connectivity to enable enhanced operations and network planning along its Glider bus routes and drive modal shift for a cleaner, healthier city

s public transport provider, Translink, is exploiting advanced wireless connectivity to enable enhanced operations and network planning along its Glider bus routes and drive modal shift for a cleaner, healthier city Queens University is harnessing 5G , Building Information Modelling, Digital Twin technology and Augmented Reality to support the design and construction of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, a 100 million Factory of the Future

, Building Information Modelling, Digital Twin technology and Augmented Reality to support the design and construction of the Advanced Manufacturing Innovation Centre, a 100 million Factory of the Future a 5G grant scheme will support local SMEs to develop 5G use cases and harness advanced wireless digital connectivity to grow their business

grant scheme will support local to develop use cases and harness advanced wireless digital connectivity to grow their business a 5G Enablement Programme will foster NI s advanced wireless ecosystem by building skills, sharing knowledge, identifying opportunities for economic growth, and attracting investment

West Midlands Combined Authority

Government funding : 3,800,000

: 3,800,000 Sectors : advanced manufacturing, smart communities

: advanced manufacturing, smart communities Project name: The West Midlands 5G Innovation Region

Project summary

By becoming a 5G Innovation Region, West Midlands will transform productivity, create skilled jobs, improve health and wellbeing, and reduce emissions in 2 of the regions most important sectors, advanced manufacturing and smart communities, which covers social care, social housing, and other related local services.

The project is led by some of the UKs largest businesses and public sector organisations, including one of the UKs largest advanced manufacturers and one of the countrys biggest R&D investors, and the 7 local authorities .

To make this happen the region will scale proven use cases through the UKs first adoption hubs in live operational environments and then support other organisations to benefit through adoption programmes.

Greater Manchester Combined Authority

Government funding : 3,064,083

: 3,064,083 Sectors : energy, housing, transport

: energy, housing, transport Project name: The Greater Manchester 5G SMART Decarbonisation Network ( GM 5G SDN )

Project summary

The GM 5G SDN project focuses on how partners across Greater Manchester ( GM ) will tackle the drivers of climate breakdown at a city region level, accelerating decarbonisation, improving quality of life, and growing the Green Technologies and Services sector.

The project intends to enable hundreds of existing air source heat pumps across social housing. This will accelerate the creation of Smart Energy Grids and bring forward benefits for residents, industry and public services, aligning with GM s Local Area Energy Plan, which will be scaled across GM .

Co-located on the same 5G network, a digital road network environment will be piloted aiming to reduce congestion and carbon emissions and prioritise traffic flow such as public transport in a quicker, efficient way.

A social housing focused place-based model will also be created where multiple use cases can be stacked including building management, education, mould detection, and health-at-home, whilst the results from the initial projects are scaled across GM .

Central to these is 5G advanced wireless technology wrapped within an ecosystem delivered by industry and telecoms partners. To deliver this we will utilise industry expertise, GM s local full fibre network, academia, and cyber security sector.

Oxfordshire County Council  Oxfordshire, Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Bedfordshire, Cambridge

Government funding : 3,800,000

: 3,800,000 Sectors : rail transport, advanced engineering

: rail transport, advanced engineering Project name: Englands Connected Heartland ( ECH )

Project summary

ECH will aim to increase adoption of 5G connectivity focusing on regional strengths in R&D , advanced engineering/ manufacturing and education whilst aligning with other common regional dimensions such as rurality and improving public transport, particularly East to West ( EW ).

Each of the Local Authority participants in the Region have experienced digital infrastructure teams that have made huge inroads to improving fixed broadband connectivity. Whilst this remains an important regional focus, they are now working to extend the reach of advanced wireless connectivity by way of enabling wider adoption of the technology as a means of improving business productivity, further innovation, and improving public service delivery.

ECH will deploy resources from each of the participating authorities to develop joint opportunities with the wireless telecoms supply chain and the sectors to create an Advanced Wireless ecosystem. The project will do this by stacking use cases as vertical propositions that can then be lifted into other applications more widely across the region.

The project plans to deploy 2 physical 5G infrastructure builds (Harwell and EW Rail) to develop this methodology.

Glasgow City Council  Glasgow City Region

Government funding : 3,231,868

: 3,231,868 Sectors : social housing, health and social care

: social housing, health and social care Project name: The Glasgow 5G Innovation Region

Project summary

Glasgow City Region will utilise existing Internet of Things ( IoT ) deployments and smart city applications to identify, deliver and propagate use cases for utilising advanced wireless technologies and driving improvements in public and private sector service delivery. It will focus on 4 projects initially:

Asset Monitoring and Maintenance

Net Zero Social Housing

Data Aggregation

Health and Social Care Monitoring

These projects will build upon a strong existing base to prove business models and scalability that will drive more efficient and effective services whilst also helping further grow regional economic specialisms.

The Council of the City Of Sunderland  North East Combined Authority

Government funding : 3,795,826

: 3,795,826 Sectors : transport and logistics, creative industries, rural industries: Agritech

: transport and logistics, creative industries, rural industries: Agritech Project name: The North East 5G Innovation Region

Project summary

In a visionary move towards a digitally empowered future, the 7 North East local authorities (LA7) are positioning the region at the forefront of advanced wireless connectivity.

Shaping the regions digital landscape and leveraging the power of 5G , these projects use connectivity as catalyst for a sustainable, thriving future:

5G -Enabled Port Operations: Aiming to enhance port competitiveness and safety whilst reducing environmental impact

-Enabled Port Operations: Aiming to enhance port competitiveness and safety whilst reducing environmental impact Cooperative Intelligent Transport Systems: Improving road transport efficiency within cities and between strategically vital industrial locations (such as Nissan and the Port of Tyne), this project will redefine regional transportation dynamics

5G -Enabled Event Production and 360 Live Broadcasting: Acknowledging the regions flourishing creative sector, this project will grow the North Easts pioneering reputation, and enhance its standing as a tourism and inward investment magnet

-Enabled Event Production and 360 Live Broadcasting: Acknowledging the regions flourishing creative sector, this project will grow the North Easts pioneering reputation, and enhance its standing as a tourism and inward investment magnet Advanced Wireless Sensor Technology on Farms: Driving automation, increasing efficiency and improving environmental sustainability, this technology will empower farmers with real data collected from a network of on-farm crop, soil, livestock and environmental sensors

Underpinning the North East as a national centre of excellence for terrestrial and non-terrestrial 5G use-case development and adoption, projects will accelerate economic, social and wellbeing impacts of advanced digital connectivity through rapid adoption and scale-up across key sectors.

North Ayrshire Council  Ayrshire Growth Deal Region

Government funding : 3,791,000

: 3,791,000 Sectors : advanced manufacturing, aerospace, life sciences, tourism, creative industries and public sector

: advanced manufacturing, aerospace, life sciences, tourism, creative industries and public sector Project name: The Ayrshire 5G Innovation Region

Project summary

The Ayrshire 5G vision is to become the UKs premier manufacturing-focused 5G hub, driven by 5 transformative principles: technological excellence, a thriving innovation ecosystem, sustainable economic growth, skills and talent development, and influential investment strategies.

By establishing Regional Strategic Wireless Innovation Hubs, anchored to key Ayrshire Growth Deal sites, the region is creating a dynamic ecosystem that integrates 5G , Industrial Internet of Things ( IIoT ), and edge computing into advanced manufacturing and critical sectors. These hubs are central to accelerating the adoption of digital and wireless technologies, transforming traditional production facilities into state-of-the-art Digital Wireless Factories.

This initiative promises a collaborative ecosystem, uniting startups, industry, and academia, with sustainability and Net Zero at its core. Developing a workforce ready for the digital era is vital. The regions investment strategy will reinforce Ayrshires role as a manufacturing innovation hub and a significant 5G technology influencer.

Strategic partnerships with The Scotland 5G Centre, National Manufacturing Institute Scotland, University of the West of Scotland, Ayrshire College, and other key institutions underscore the initiative. Ayrshires dedication to shaping the future of 5G will not only elevate the regional standing but also establish new benchmarks in the global manufacturing landscape.

Cumberland Council  Borderlands Partnership

Government funding : 3,800,000

: 3,800,000 Sectors : tourism

: tourism Project name: The Borderlands 5G Innovation Region

Project summary

The Borderlands Partnership is a collaboration between the counties which make up the English and Scottish border. Rural tourism is a key part of the Borderlands economy: the region has fewer than 1 million residents but welcomed more than 63 million visits in 2019. Advanced wireless technology can enhance how the region tells its story of Borderlands communities; build the tourist economy; protect the environment and local businesses; improve the delivery of rural services and the process to collect information to support future investment. The region will prove commercial delivery of this new technology at:

Windermere 5G Ferry

Ferry Kielder Castle and Forest

Stranraer Marina

The Sill @ Hadrians Wall

Destination Tweed

These projects have been chosen because they can be delivered and replicated. The project will design into these use cases a range of options to ensure sustainability and encourage further commercialisation during delivery. Learnings from these projects, especially with respect to commercial sustainability, will be used to demonstrate the benefits of the technology and support the projects strategy to roll out to more sites as part of the renewed Digital Infrastructure Strategy.

West Sussex County Council  Sussex (East and West)

Government funding : 3,799,641

: 3,799,641 Sectors : rural industries (Agritech and food production)

: rural industries (Agritech and food production) Project name: The Growing Sussex 5G Innovation Region

Project summary

The food and wine growing region of Sussex presents fertile ground for growers and education centres to adopt foundational technologies in the sustainable intensification of their products, helping to achieve food security, reduce carbon and use energy efficiently. Sussex Councils are actively working with Growers and Education stakeholders, conducting research, understanding sector ambitions and current connectivity constraints.

Growing Sussex 5G Innovation Region will co-develop foundational technology use cases with telecoms and technology partners, education centres and commercial producers to develop future farming and growing practices that increase sustainable food and drink productivity; provide a qualified, digitally skilled workforce; develop sector-supporting products and services; foster a 5G ecosystem through innovation and data sharing at education centres with suppliers and adopters; create demand for scalable expansion of 5G / wireless infrastructure and explore the commercial models to enable more food and drink producers to invest in digital connectivity.

Putting education at the centre of their approach will ensure the workforce is expectant of using technology in their workplace, generating a cyclical demand within the sector for investment. With complementary test and trial opportunities in real world commercial growing sites, they will show telecoms suppliers the compelling need to provide replicable, affordable wireless connectivity.

Shropshire Council  River Severn Partnership

Government funding : 3,754,960

: 3,754,960 Sectors : rural industries, water, public sector

: rural industries, water, public sector Project name: The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region

Project summary

Formed in 2019, the River Severn Partnership ( RSP ) brings together significant partners (26) across 8 counties. RSP covers more than 6,000 sq miles spanning both England and Wales. It is home to 2.6 million people and is projected to increase by 15% over the next 20 years to 2.9 million, equivalent to Greater Manchester.

With the river network at its heart, the Partnership is invested in a shared plan supporting people, businesses, and the environment to be resilient to the impacts of climate change and in so doing stimulate growth.

Becoming an Innovation Region consolidates RSP s Innovation Programme by embedding Advanced Wireless Connectivity ( AWC ) technology at the heart of technological innovation across their priority sectors comprising rural industries, water management and public services, where RSP s partners are both regional and national leaders.

The River Severn Partnership Advanced Wireless Innovation Region will demonstrate, prove, and drive implementation and adoption of new digital products and services that support public service delivery, whilst enabling key enterprise in water management and rural industries to explore and exploit digital innovation.
November 16, 2023



October continues to be a lively month for Recruitment and Admissions. With National College Application Month in October, our team traveled to nine states to attend various events. It cultivated new relationships with prospective students at numerous college fairs, including the SE Idaho College Fair, where we had 568 students. That is 87 more students that scanned in with us than last year. We also attended 57 high schools, 40 additional college fairs, and hosted 105 individual tours and 12 campus group tours. We have had over 289,000 contacts with students in the past month through our various forms of email, text, and print communications.

In addition to a busy month of traveling, we hosted the Eastern Idaho Hispanic Youth Leadership Summit (HYLS) and attended the Treasure Valley HYLS. At the Eastern Idaho HYLS, we had 312 7th - 12th graders engage in STEM activities, learn leadership skills, and participate in a college fair with the opportunity to apply for scholarships.

Our fall preview day, Experience ISU, was on October 27th, with almost 100 more attendees than last year. Event follow-up survey results show that 90% of students' interest increased in ISU after attending Experience ISU. With nearly 800 students and guests in attendance, it created a lot of excitement on campus. Lastly, we hosted Health Experience Night (HSEN) in Meridian, with Pocatellos occurring at the end of September. With 310 people in attendance, we exceeded last year's attendance. This event continues to be an excellent way to showcase all our health sciences programs offer.

These events would not have been possible without the help of the fantastic staff, faculty, and students on campus. Thank you!

Click here to view the entire October breakdown and keep track of progress throughout the year.
Technology has impacted our lives in so many ways that it would take a while to list them all, but a lot of people can tell you that it has been helpful when it comes to security and safety regarding crime. Here are technologies that help law enforcement.

1. CCTV

Closed-circuit television or CCTV is a way for people to keep an eye on a certain area at all times, whether it's being monitored live or recorded to be watched when needed. CCTV cameras can now be found in all big companies and even small stores.

While this has been the subject of privacy concerns out of fear of being watched constantly, it has no doubt been instrumental in identifying perpetrators in many cases. It is even installed in private residences for security purposes.

2. Facial Recognition

Just like CCTVs, facial recognition technology has also been helpful in determining the identity of a criminal caught on camera. The problem is that the facial recognition technology we have now could still use a few tweaks.

It's still not as accurate as it should be and sometimes misidentifies people. It has even been accused of racial bias in some cases. Still, the technology helps the authorities catch criminals faster, therefore preventing further crimes from being committed.

3. Robotics

Police and other types of law enforcers always put their lives on the line when they're on the job. While it's sometimes as simple as checking out a noise complaint, they can sometimes end up in the middle of shootouts or something as extreme as bombing situations

Through robotics, they have the tools to scout ahead without risking any human lives. For instance, drones are sometimes sent overhead to check on the situation before they enter. Some robots can even open a package in case they are too suspicious to be handled.

Read Also: Use of Live Facial Recognition by UK Police Violates Ethics, Human Rights: Here's Why

4. Cloud Computing

Cloud computing has been a convenience for law enforcement since they need to keep the records of millions of people such as photos, videos, police reports, important information for people of interest, and fingerprints.

With access to this source, authorities are able to quickly conduct analysis on several cases, as well as collect important data without having to browse through paperwork. With a centralized database, they can also access data gathered by other stations.

5. Social Media

Under digital technology, social media has been a valuable source of information. It can even hold public data that the police do not have in their database. In fact, a lot of crimes have already been solved with the help of social media users.

For instance, criminal Luka Magnotta who was guilty of murder was found mainly with the help of people from the internet. Social media companies are sometimes helpful with tracking IP addresses when the law requires them to provide such information.

Related: European Law Enforcement Helps More Than 1.5 Million People Decrypt Ransomware
WARNING: Story contains mentions of domestic violence and lewd remarks.

Queensland Police have been forced to apologise for the behaviour of two officers who were caught making lewd comments about a domestic violence victim after one accidentally pocket-dialled the woman from his patrol car.

A recording of the officers in which the two men spoke about the woman saying she had a "great set of tits", took place in May, 2022 but was made public earlier this week. The two were discussing a callout to the woman's home, where she was found naked, after a domestic violence incident.

Officers leave voicemail after 'pocket-dialling' woman who called for help

It's understood the offensive conversation was sent to the woman's voicemail, who had earlier called one of the officers for help, 7News reported.

"I just saw it on the body worn [camera]," one of the officers is heard saying in audio clip obtained by the network.

"Naked?" a second officer responds. "F*****g great".

The officers can be heard in the audio discussing the woman's breasts and naked body. Source: 7 News.

"She had a great set of tits," the first officer continues. "She had no pants on or nothing. When she was in the house she took her gown off and was just walking around with no clothes on. F**k she had a great set of tits."

It's understood the two continued on to discuss the woman's mental health throughout the call, labelling her "crazy".

Call 'taints entire organisation', top cop says

Speaking of the incident, Queensland Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said the call "was unacceptable", and that "it taints the entire organisation.

Police are only human, and sometimes make some pretty bad mistakes, Assistant Commissioner Brian Swan told 7News.

In a statement provided to Yahoo News Australia, a Queensland Police spokesperson said the two officers "were not aware at the time the call had not disconnected".

"Gold Coast District Management became aware on November 18, 2022, an accidental placement of a call on a mobile phone by officers who attended the address had occurred," the spokesperson said.

Story continues

"After [police] spoke with the solicitor representing the woman... a copy of the recording was provided. The matter related to inappropriate comments officers made in a conversation between themselves in the privacy of a police vehicle.

"The conversations and attitude of the officers was not in line with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) values and expectations, with the matter the subject of a disciplinary investigation."

The Gold Coast woman is seen here being arrested in relation to a separate matter. Source: 7News.

Officers subjected to training after disciplinary investigation

The spokesperson said the "disciplinary investigation was finalised earlier this year" with the officers being given "managerial guidance" in regard to their conduct.

"This involved the officers articulating their understanding of how their conduct did not reflect the values of the QPS, and additional training and education around professionalism and ethical conduct provided," the spokesperson said.

The woman, who cannot be named for legal reasons, later had a second run-in with police, where she allegedly kneed an officer after trying to escape a mental health assessment at a Gold Coast hospital. She was arrested and charged.

The recording comes amid an inquiry into Queensland Police's response to family and domestic violence, which revealed issues of sexism and misogyny in the force.

If you or someone you know is impacted by domestic violence, find help by calling 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, or contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Amazon is always finding ways to increase its customer base, and it is doing so successfully as it is the top e-commerce company. In an attempt to expand its reach, people are no longer limited to shopping through their app or website as they can do so through social media as well.

Shopping Through Snapchat

Snap, the parent company of Snapchat, made a deal with the retail giant where users will be able to buy products through ads displayed on the short-form video site. Snapchat users won't even have to exit the app to do so.

The deal was beneficial to both companies as Amazon was able to capitalize on the frequent usage of social media, while Snap's shares increased by 9% after the news of the new feature broke, as reported by Reuters.

Even TikTok recognized this opportunity as it launched its own shopping features within the app. Principal analyst at Insider Intelligence Jasmine Enberg said that "the partnership will help Amazon compete in the more impulse-driven, serendipitous type of shopping that happens on social media."

It won't be the kind of general ads you usually see as well. Amazon ads will show real-time pricing, Prime eligibility, delivery estimates, and product details on certain Amazon products on Snapchat ads, which adds to the perk of not having to leave the app to shop.

The same deal was made with Meta, allowing shoppers to buy products on both Instagram and Facebook without having to leave the app as well. All customers have to do is click the promotion that appears on their feeds.

For Amazon, this can encourage more customers to buy products they are inclined to when they see them in ads but are too lazy to switch apps. As it is with Snapchat, buyers will also see the important details about the product such as price, delivery estimates, Prime eligibility, etc.

Digital marketing agency Disruptive Digital co-CEO Maurice Rahmey said that it was the most significant ad product of the year, to which Meta Client Solutions Manager for e-Commerce said was "a long process in the making and a huge deal," as per CNBC.

Read Also: Amazon's AI Tool Lets You Put Products on AI-Generated Backgrounds

Amazon's Improvements with Ads

The news about purchasing through ads on social media apps like Snapchat, Instagram, and Facebook aligns with Amazon's new AI tool that is meant to help advertisers. The retail giant's new feature makes it easier to add backgrounds to products for ad display.

Amazon claims that 75% of advertisers had trouble with building ad creatives and that click-through rates can be 40% higher compared to ads with standard product images or plain white backgrounds.

To add more elements to an otherwise plain white background, advertisers may generate an appropriate background for the products through the beta feature. It can be found in Amazon Ad Console, where products that need editing can be selected.

All advertisers need to do is click on "generate" and choose from the images that the AI tool will provide. If the user chooses, they can even opt for themes. This eliminates the need to use third-party editing apps to create more enticing ads.

Related: Meta Allows Amazon Shoppers to Buy on Facebook, Instagram Ads Without Closing the Apps
Nepal's government announced that it would ban the popular short video app, TikTok, as it was causing disruption to social structures in the country.

Read Also: TikTok is Discontinuing its $1 Billion Creator Fund in December

Nepal Cites Disruption to Social Harmony as Banning Reason

In a press conference, Nepal's minister of communication and information technology, Rekha Sharma explained that the social media platform has been impacting families and social structures of the country. Hence, the cabinet decided to ban the app for the moment. The government has also asked internet service providers to remove access to the app.

"After a long discussion on how to control the tendency to spread disharmony, disorder, and chaos in the society ... a consensus was reached among all political parties, including both the ruling party and the opposition," Nepali Prime minister Pushpa Kamal Dahal stated. Currently, Nepal's largest internet service provider has already complied with the order, while the other providers are expected to follow soon.

In a report by Reuters, over 1,600 TikTok-related cyber crime cases have been logged in Nepal within four years. These incidents are just some of the factors that contributed to the decision to control the app's presence in the country.

TikTok Gets Blocked on Several Countries

This is not the first time that the Bytedance-owned platform has been banned. Highly progressive countries such as the US, Australia, Britain, Canada, and New Zealand, have also placed restrictions on TikTok, specifically for government workers. Earlier this year, the White House gave federal agencies 30 days to remove TikTok from all government-issued devices. Australia followed through the same procedure last April.

In Asia, India, a country that used to have around 120 million users, had decided to block the country. The ban was also extended to other well-known Chinese apps, citing that they posed a "threat to sovereignty and integrity."

Despite several restrictions, TikTok remains one of the most used apps these days with over 1.6 billion users globally.

Related Article: TikTok's New Feature Lets You Add Songs to Other Music Apps
Meta has officially challenged the European Union's Digital Markets Act (DMA), adding another legal battle between the big tech company and the regulators.

Read Also: CMA Wraps Up Antitrust Investigations on Amazon, Meta

Meta Argues Antitrust Rules on Facebook Marketplace, Messenger

According to the reports, Meta is questioning the decision to include Facebook Marketplace and Messenger services within the scope of the new digital antitrust rules. A company spokesperson also emphasized that the appeal only seeks clarification on "specific points of law regarding the designations."

The DMA rules will force Meta to get users' permission first before the data gets shared between Marketplace and across other company-owned services. As for Messenger, the company will have to be open to working with other online messaging platforms as part of breaking market abuse.

While the regulations will put certain limitations on the way Meta provides its services, the company assured that the appeal will "not alter or detract" its commitment to complying with the DMA by March, next year. Recently, Meta and the European Commission made a breakthrough as the company pledged to give Marketplace users an option that will prevent their data from being used to improve its services.

Big Tech Companies Seeks Appeal Against DMA

This is not the first time a big tech company is seeking an appeal with the DMA. Earlier this month, Apple was reportedly drafting an appeal to dispute regulation. The company plans to dispute the commission's decision to tag iMessage as a "gatekeeper" app. The letter will also challenge the decision to include the App Store of the company on the list.

The list of dominant tech companies and gatekeeper apps are all publicly published by the EU, following the DMA. It involved Alphabet, Amazon, ByteDance, Meta, and Microsoft, which hold 22 core platforms service.

According to the DMA, these companies will have to abide by the rules such as removing favors on their services over their rivals. They will also be banned from collecting personal data and sharing it across their services and using the data collected from third-party services.

Companies who are planning to challenge the DMA still have a chance to file their appeal until November 16.

Related Article: Apple is Drafting an Appeal Against Digital Markets Act in EU
Microsoft formed a partnership with Be My Eyes, an app for the visually impaired and the blind, to make the company's customer service more accessible.

Read Also: Microsoft Opens Security Copilot Early Access Program

Microsoft Joins Be My Eyes' Mission

Be My Eyes was founded in 2015 with the goal of helping the visually impaired handle tasks by pairing them with sighted volunteers. The website states the company is made to connect people "needing sighted support with volunteers and companies through live video around the world."

Since then the company has been partnering with various companies such as Google, P&G, Verizon, and more. Now that the company is teaming up with Microsoft, both companies are looking forward to the change it can make.

"The collaboration will let users of Microsoft products who are blind or visually impaired resolve hardware issues or navigate such tasks as installing a new version of Windows software or describing a PowerPoint presentation - all without human assistance," the company shared in a statement.

Be My Eyes Utilizes OpenAI's GPT-4

The company also established its own artificial intelligence tool called "Be My AI." The company proudly shared that it is powered by OpenAI's ChatGPT-4 model which helps in generating a photo description from product labels to any items.

Bloomberg also reported that the Washington-based software giant, The Redmond, will be integrating the Be My AI into the Microsoft Disability Answer Desk. The technology was initially formed to handle customer service calls and will now be used to extend its services to the visually impaired.

Meanwhile, OpenAI boasted of the Be My Eyes' usage of GPT-4 stating that the company is proud to work with them as their AI models are used to significantly improve the daily lives of people with low vision.

The collaboration between Be My Eyes and Microsoft was already tested earlier this year. The results showed that only 10 percent of people who interacted with AI opted to switch to a human agent. Moreover, inquiries were proven to be resolved faster with the help of Be My AI.

Related Article: Microsoft's New Copilot Assistant Can Help With Internal Code
Starlink confirmed that a bug that caused some users to get locked out of their accounts last week was due to its strict fraud detection system.

Read Also: SpaceX Gets US Space Force Contract for Starshield

Starlink Users Gets Locked Out

The SpaceX-owned internet service provider clarified that a bug caused some legitimate accounts to be falsely flagged as fraudulent last week. Affected users have started to receive emails titled "False Positive Fraud Account Correction." However, not everyone has been able to retrieve their account yet.

The company already issued an apology and requested patience as they worked to fix the issue by the end of the week before filing a report ticket. "Next week, if you are still having an account issue, sign in to your account below to contact Customer Support," the notice stated.

Last week, several Starlink customers received an email stating that their accounts had been reset and "all pending orders and deposits have been refunded." A report also showed that the bug affected new users who have yet to set their dishes.

Starlink's Difficult Customer Service

Aside from getting locked out of their accounts, several Starlink users complained about the challenges of using the customer support system of the internet provider. According to them, the account-recover page did not work at the time and would return a "user not found" message.

Moreover, users were not able to submit support tickets due to the locking-out issue. It was also confusing for many as Starlink did not have a support number and their only solution is to contact through the customer support email address.

Meanwhile, there were also reports of customers losing internet service at the same time as the event. "I'm still locked out," a Reddit user wrote. "Email reset message received a week ago. Service interrupted last Friday."

Related Article: SpaceX Successfully Puts 52 Starlink Satellites Into Orbit
1371138342::cfb49c8e-2422-11e5-99a3-d7f5c6e8b241

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Tourists arriving in Bali are being warned of an alleged airport scam following the arrest of five immigration officers at Ngurah Rai International Airport after numerous public complaints.

The officers are accused of fast-tracking foreign tourists through the airport priority arrivals lane in exchange for cash, with some travellers being charged between 100 to 250 thousand rupiah ($10 to $25) per person  despite the service being free of charge.

The officers were taken into custody on Tuesday on suspicion of abusing the express system designed for those who require extra assistance, including the elderly and pregnant women. Deddy Koerniawan, Assistant for Special Crimes at the Bali High Prosecutors Office, told media the alleged scam came to light following complaints from the public, The Bali Sun reports.

Immigration officers at the airport were requesting money in exchange for the use of the fast-track service. Source: Getty

"Fast-track services are free of charge for priorities such as the elderly and pregnant women," he said. "However, foreigners who use the fast-track facility are (routinely being) charged between 100 to 250 thousand rupiah ($10 to $25) per person.

"There was an incident of fast-track levies with a nominal value of IDR 100-200 million per month. From this security, the Prosecutors Office managed to secure money worth IDR 100 million ($10,000). Of course, these profits are illegal, and could damage the image of Bandra International Ngurah Rai."

Rise of scams targeting tourists

Travellers arriving in Bali are being urged not to pay for priority services and to report any incidents to authorities. It comes amid fears of other widespread scams targeting tourists.

Earlier this year, an Aussie woman claimed she was 'set up' by officials after arriving in Bali and was made to fork out US$1000 ($1500) for having a 'dirty' passport. She was allegedly told she was unable to enjoy her holiday without paying at the airport.

Story continues

Arrivals at Bali International Airport are being warned to stay vigilant. Source: Getty

But when she returned to Australia and reported it to border security she was allegedly informed the situation appeared to be a set-up.

Meanwhile, an ATM scam targeted towards tourists throughout Bali has left many on high alert. The alleged scam involves a 'broken' sign being placed on a machine to divert people to others in the area.

"This is a scam they have been doing for a very long time," one person said on Facebook recently. They explained that scammers patiently wait for unsuspecting people to use a nearby ATM, instead of the one that's broken, which are likely fitted with a skimmer  a device designed to covertly capture cardholder information for illicit purposes.

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Australia commemorates 85th anniversary of wharfies' protest against Japanese atrocities in China

Xinhua) 20:31, November 16, 2023

WOLLONGONG, Australia, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held on Wednesday in Australia's Port Kembla to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Dalfram Dispute, during which Australian workers protested to support China's fight against Japanese aggression.

At the ceremony, China's acting Consul General in Sydney Wang Chunsheng paid tribute to the noble actions of the wharfies.

"The long and enduring friendship between China and Australia has grown stronger over the years. We are here today to honor the memory of the elder generation and learn from history, to cherish peace, to inherit friendship, and to create a better future," Wang noted.

During the ceremony, representatives of the two countries laid wreaths at the Dalfram Dispute Memorial.

On Nov. 15, 1938, Port Kembla witnessed one of the most resounding events in its history -- the Dalfram Dispute, where 180 courageous Australian workers refused to load pig iron onto the cargo steamer SS Dalfram, as they found that the raw materials would be used in the manufacture of weapons to fuel Japan's invasion of China.

Located some 90 km south of Australia's Sydney, Port Kembla serves as an international trade gateway for agricultural, construction, and mining industries in the state of New South Wales, which operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Xian Jiangnan)
With Australias housing crisis reaching breaking point, a move to heritage list seven decrepit electricity substations in an already dense inner-city area has come under fire.

The decision, voted in by Burwood Council, a local government area in the inner-west of Sydney, has led two local politicians to call for the authority to be stripped of its planning powers.

But the council have hit back at the comments, saying the heritage listing in no way contributes to the housing shortage and if anything it improves it. Im proud that were protecting the character of our heritage properties, Mayor John Faker told Yahoo News Australia.

The council's decision to heritage list seven electrical substations across the LGA has come under fire. Source: Google/Burwood LGA

Its all about balance, we have been proactive in providing capacity for new dwellings for our growing community, while also ensuring we protect our local heritage ... We dont need to destroy the character of our community in order to grow.

Heritage listing an item or property provides additional controls to ensure that the "unique character and history of an item is preserved", according to the council. Any changes to the property would require council approval and must be in keeping with the scale, form and character of the existing building.

Councillor breaks rank to scathe decision

But not everyone agrees, with Burwood councillor Hugo Robinson and NSW Legislative Council member and Liberal opposition whip Chris Rath sharing a scathing video to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on the move.

This is property that could have been used for more housing to fix the housing supply issue or for a pocket park for the community to enjoy, said Robinson. "Every time we list one of these buildings, that means a new home a young family can't afford or more community space that kids and families cant enjoy.

Hardly the Queen Victoria building, Rath adds. Its pretty disgusting I think.

Rath calls for councils to be stripped of their planning powers over such moves. If councils continue to heritage list electricity substations that nobody enjoys, then they should actually lose their planning powers and the state government should take those over.

Story continues

This is another case of common sense not prevailing, adds Robinson. The more we do this, the more were going to find ourselves going down a situation where young people cannot afford homes.

Despite a housing supply crisis, Burwood Council recently heritage listed seven disgusting and decrepit electricity sub-stations. Councils that heritage list ugliness should have their planning powers removed! #nswpol #YIMBY pic.twitter.com/ekd4kAKFAe  Chris Rath (@ChrisRathMLC) November 13, 2023

Council refutes claims by politicians

Despite the strong message, the council has refuted the claims made in the video, saying the substations would never be permitted to be used for housing on such small plots and that the substations still play an important role in distributing electricity to local residents.

Contrary to their description as disgusting and decrepit all of the seven substations are still used to distribute electricity to Burwood residents and it is likely that they will continue their historical function for at least the next 20 to 40 years, until each household has a battery and system to regulate their electricity consumption," a council spokesperson told Yahoo. Until then, the substations are what provides a regular and consistent power supply.

Two more substations in the Burwood area that are being heritage listed. Source: Burwood LGA

'Representative' of a wider problem across Australia

The outrage by the two politicians speaks to a wider problem across Australia when it comes to heritage listing.

Justin Simon, the chair of Sydney YIMBY, told Yahoo hes seen this problem crop up across council areas repeatedly. Hes seen cases where power stations, sewerage stations and bungalows that look exactly the same as other ones are being heritage listed.

[Heritage listing] is increasingly being used to protect things that are not that unique and redundant, he explains.

Councils say [substations] show early rolling out of the electricity network but if you look at them, youll find 50 identical ones. Everywhere in Sydney had electricity [put in] at some point. Are we heritage-listing power poles too?

The heritage laws are flawed in that they place a lot of value on architectural curiosity and very little weight on liveability, aesthetic or housing affordability, Economist Peter Tulip told Yahoo.

It really needs reform, there are lots of examples of skewed heritage decisions reflecting priorities and values that are not shared by the wider community.

In a growing city you can't freeze our architecture the way our grandparents had it, adds Tulip.

The consequence of it is housing is becoming unaffordable. Seven substations in itself doesn't make any difference. Its representative of something thats happening throughout the city that is preventing building and restriction of supply which is why housing is so unaffordable.

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An Aussie couple is learning to live with a huge snake after making a startling discovery on their property. "It was spotted yesterday morning but we're unsure how long it had been there, and it's happily still chilling in its bucket," Sam Stowe told Yahoo News Australia of the unexpected guest at her parents' house.

Sharing a series of photos online  worried that the visitor might be dehydrated and needing medical care  the mum of two revealed the creature's unusual hiding spot. With its long scaly body, the snake can be seen submerged in a bucket full of water, which sits next to where garbage bins are stored.

The snake remained submerged in the bucket of water for hours. Source: Facebook (Facebook)

"It's at my parents' house and they watch my kids, aged two and five, every day after school," the Brisbane resident explained. "They also have cats they've been keeping inside. We've seen snakes around the area a few times over the years, but none at the actual house. The neighbour mentioned they recently had a python removed from their property."

What's the snake up to?

As the weather heats up across the country, more snakes like this one in Queensland will be looking for somewhere to cool off, according to Luke Huntley, better known as Luke the Noosa Snake Catcher.

"Usually when snakes go into water like that, it's because it's so hot and dry and they're either going for little soaks to cool down or they're having something to drink," he told Yahoo.

"Also, sometimes what happens is when snakes have gotten mites, like dust mites, what they do is they'll go into the water and they'll submerge themselves in an attempt to drown the mites."

Huntley went on to explain that snakes in captivity can be treated with a dust mite spray, but in nature snakes "definitely do soak themselves" to get rid of mites.

Story continues

Snake catcher Luke Huntley removing another carpet python from a home in Coolum. Source: Instagram/@luke_the_noosa_snake_catcher

'Give it a day'

Fortunately for the family, the snake in their bucket is a carpet python and nonvenomous, although with plenty of razor sharp teeth you wouldn't want to get too close.

"My dad is happy to leave it be for now," Stowe said. "He has moved quite a few snakes in the past so wouldn't hesitate to take the bucket over to the forest to release it. They live across from bushland."

However, Huntley says it's a job best handled by experts. "They can either give it a chance and give it the day to move away  it may move off tonight  or if it's still there in the morning, or if they feel uncomfortable, they could give their local snake catcher a call and they can come in and grab it," he suggested.

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An Aussie mum has urged parents everywhere to be wary of their kids when playing outside, after her toddler was left paralysed and "barely able to breathe" from a tick bite.

Sydney mum Carmelle Leahey, from the city's Northern Beaches, said her 17-month-old son Isaac "couldn't walk anymore" and just went "flat and really floppy" after suffering the bite while playing the the family's backyard, which required him to be hospitalised.

"It was such an ordeal  it was really scary," she told 7News.

Check your children, check behind their ears, check in between their fingers and toes."

17-month-old Isaac was left hospitalised after suffering a tick bite on Sydney's Northern Beaches. Source: 7News.

Situation could've 'been much worse'

The toddler eventually pulled through after treatment in hospital, but experts say the situation could've been much worse. Thanks to his mother's "quick thinking actions" doctors were able to save his life.

Paralysis ticks are the most common and dangerous species in the country. They can release neurotoxins and can cause meat allergies. Some people "can have such a severe allergic reaction that they can die".

The dangerous critters thrive in dense bushland and prefer to reside along the coast, making the Northern Beaches a major hotspot.

"I think the Northern Beaches of Sydney is the tick capital of the world," Aaron Wagner, from Ticksafe, warned.

Sydney mum Carmelle Leahey knew something was terrible wrong with her young child. Source: 7News.

Ticks found all over Australia

Ticks are typically found from the tip of Queensland down all the way to Victoria, while on the west coast it's kangaroo ticks people need to be wary of. They survive in dry conditions and can cause infections from long lasting bites.

When it comes to removing them the "worst thing to do is squeeze or flick it off".

Story continues

Warning to pet owners

And it's not just people who need to be cautious as ticks can cause major problems for our pets too.

"Paralysis ticks are everywhere" NSW vet Dr Joan Gibbons told Yahoo in October, recalling at the time that she had treated 10 animals in the last 10 days at her clinic on the NSW-Queensland border.

"These are intensive care cases," she said. "Most people are more worried about the fact that their animal can't walk but what is much more dangerous for them is the respiratory or cardiac issues involved" from such ticks bites.

Ticks, parasites that feed on animal blood, release a toxin when they bite an animal and the most obvious symptom associated with this is a lack of coordination or wobbliness, with the animal visibly struggling to stand or move.

One Aussie vet has said tick bites are on the rise. Source: Supplied.

Laboured breathing and grunt noises will indicate the pet is in distress, and any vomiting is considered incredibly dangerous.

"Most animals with a tick have compromised gag reflexes ... If they do vomit, their airway is often not protected. So their prognosis is much poorer for those vomiting," Dr Gibbons said.

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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AUBURN  The prosecutor called it "a crime of brutality, a crime of betrayal."

Thursday morning in Cayuga County Court, Christopher M. Laframboise was sentenced to 13 years in prison for that crime.

Laframboise, of Brutus, was charged with second-degree attempted murder and first-degree assault for attacking a Victory man and his family with a machete at their home in February. Laframboise attempted to behead the man, Chief Assistant District Attorney Chris Valdina said, lacerating and fracturing his jaw. Metal plates had to be placed there, and he's still dealing with nerve damage.

That was the brutality. What made the attack a betrayal, Valdina said, was the fact Laframboise was best friends with his victim. But he bought the machete, and sharpened it, days beforehand. Then he had dinner with the man and his family. The next morning, he went to their home with the weapon in hopes the man would be at work, unable to protect his fiancee and children. But he was there.

While attacking the victim, Laframboise called for one of his children, Valdina said. The victim and his fiancee then grabbed a shotgun and a pellet gun, respectively, and pointed them at Laframboise until he left. He dropped the machete, which the victim and friends later recovered. New York State Police arrested Laframboise for the two class B felonies during a traffic stop that day in Conquest.

What motivated the attack remains unknown, Valdina said. Ultimately, he doesn't believe it matters.

"In all my years, this is one of the crimes that's going to stick with me," Valdina said. "This is someone society needs protection from."

Representing Laframboise, attorney Ben Susman said his client was dealing with mental health and drug issues at the time. Laframboise's sister reached out to a service provider before the attack happened, Susman continued, but was unsuccessful. The attorney stressed the need to make such services more available in the community, and said he hopes his client can obtain them in prison.

Laframboise, who previously said he held the victim responsible for "a series of multiple events that had taken place in my life," apologized for his actions Thursday. He concluded, "God bless you all."

Judge Thomas Leone then issued Laframboise his sentence, which also includes five years of post-release supervision.

Also in court

 Jay Garrigan, 42, of Auburn, was sentenced to one-and-a-half to three years in prison for one count each of third-, fourth- and fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property (class D and E felonies and a class A misdemeanor, respectively) and unauthorized use of a vehicle (a class A misdemeanor). Garrigan stole a Jeep Cherokee containing a small dog from the Waterloo Premium Outlets in August; both were recovered. Garrigan was also ordered to pay about $1,500 in restitution for damage to the car and a veterinarian bill.

 James N. Casbarro, 95, of Auburn, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual conduct against a child 13 or younger (a class B felony). Asked by Sehior Assistant District Attorney Heather De Stefano, Casbarro admitted to engaging in two or more acts of sexual conduct within the last decade against a female victim, including one act of intercourse. Casbarro faces a sentence of five years in prison and 10 years of post-release supervision, and will be sentenced Feb. 15.

 Bryan Rojas, 37, of Waterbury, Connecticut, pleaded not guilty to one count of first-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance (a class A felony) for allegedly transporting a kilogram of cocaine to Rochester. Judge Leone set bail at $25,000 cash or $50,000 bond.
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Shaun Narine, St. Thomas University (Canada) | 

(The Conversation)  The western worlds support for Israel as it attacks Gaza has provoked fury across the Arab world and much of the Global South.

This situation undermines the Wests international standing and offers opportunities for China to enhance its regional and global diplomatic influence. Whether and how it will seize them remains to be seen.

Led by the United States, the West has presented itself as following a rules-based liberal international order that ostensibly protects human rights and international norms.

On this basis, the West has opposed Russias invasion and occupation of Ukraine. However, it isnt applying these rules to Israel and Palestinians.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said the U.S. supports a humanitarian pause but not a ceasefire. The White House says Israel has now agreed to four-hour daily pauses in military operations in Gaza.

Childrens graveyard

Most western governments have thrown their support behind Israel as it launches a devastating attack on Gaza. In response to Hamass brutal attack and hostage-takings on Oct. 7, Israel has bombed schools, hospitals, ambulances, refugee camps, bakeries, mosques, churches, flattened neighbourhoods and killed thousands of people, possibly 40 per cent of them children.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres has said Gaza is becoming a graveyard for children. About 1,300 children are believed buried under rubble. Hospitals are collapsing. The perception in the Global South is that Palestinian lives are virtually worthless to the West.

Enough Is Enough, Says Chinese Envoy To UN At UNSC | Israel Gaza | Dawn News English

Some western governments efforts to censor and criminalize public demonstrations supporting Palestinians adds another perceived dimension of hypocrisy to the Wests actions.

Even mild statements of support for Palestinians can be enough to endanger peoples careers, especially in the U.S.

A boon to China?

In this environment, the war in Gaza provides China with diplomatic and political opportunities.

From the Chinese perspective, one political benefit is that the U.S. has lost any credibility in its criticism of Chinas treatment of the Uyghur people.

The U.S. argues that Israel has the right to protect itself from terrorism. China has claimed the same right in its oppression of the Uyghurs of Xinjiang.

Chinas actions against the Uyghurs are certainly disturbing, but they arent as devastating as what Israel is doing to Palestinians. And unlike Israels illegal occupation of Palestine, Xinjiang is Chinas sovereign territory.

China also has a strong interest in promoting peace in the Middle East given about half of its imported oil comes from the region. China helped Saudi Arabia and Iran normalize their relations.

Four Middle Eastern countries have joined BRICS, the international forum representing the worlds rising powers founded by Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa. Saudi Arabia is also considering selling China oil in its own currency, the yuan.

Bypassing Palestinians

Ongoing American efforts under President Joe Biden to normalize relations between Saudi Arabia and Israel were partly motivated by fear of Chinas diplomatic and economic progress in the Middle East.

Some have argued this American attempt to bypass the Palestinians may have played a role in Hamass attack on Israel. The U.S. has fomented conflict in the Middle East to keep the Islamic world divided and empower Israel, in contrast to Chinas imperative for regional stability.

The U.S. has promoted the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor to enhance its presence in the Middle East, more fully integrate Israel into the regional economy and counteract Chinas growing regional influence.

But Arab states dont share the American desire to contain China. They prefer a multi-polar world where they can leverage several larger powers against each other and increase their own global geopolitical influence.

The longer Israels assault on Gaza continues, the higher the civilian death toll climbs and the more politically difficult it will be for the Arab world to co-operate with Israel or the U.S. That will push the Gulf states even closer to China.

In the current Gaza conflict, China has emphasized the need to avoid civilian casualties while rejecting Israels demand that it specifically condemn Hamas. Chinas position reflects the consensus of the Global South, which considers the recent historical context of the conflict and Israels occupation of Palestine.

Americans distracted

The Israel-Gaza war is also distracting the U.S. from the Indo-Pacific region, further working to Chinas advantage.

The U.S. is mired in the Middle East. Bidens administration supports the two-state solution to the conflict, but that solution may no longer be viable.

The U.S. appears unprepared to use its leverage over Israel to force it to accept a two-state solution. Any Israeli government that tried to move huge numbers of illegal settlers out of their settlements would face massive domestic criticism, even a potential civil war.

Chinas diplomatic successes in the Middle East have involved reconciling states that were already inching towards restoring relations. Nonetheless, China could position itself as the superpower that champions the interests of the Arab world and the perspective of the Global South in future negotiations.

China will therefore likely be much more even-handed in its approach to the conflict than the U.S.

Is China willing to play a more active role in the Israel-Palestine dispute? It may be tempted to let the U.S. stew in a problem of its own making, but regional peace and stability benefits Chinas economic development.

While some scholars are skeptical of Chinas potential role in any ceasefire or peace negotiations, the Chinese have more credibility in the region than the Americans do.

The U.S. has mismanaged and damaged the Middle East for decades. It would benefit the region if a superpower more inclined towards diplomacy than violence played a balancing role.

Shaun Narine, Professor of International Relations and Political Science, St. Thomas University (Canada)

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
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Ann Arbor (Informed Comment)  The Rome Statute underpinning the International Criminal Court, which went into effect in 2002, lists among War Crimes ix) Intentionally directing attacks against buildings dedicated to religion, education, art, science or charitable purposes, historic monuments, hospitals and places where the sick and wounded are collected, provided they are not military objectives.

Although the Israelis maintained that the al-Shifa hospital complex was a Hamas command and control center and that hostages were being held there, they have presented no evidence at all that this was the case. They have displayed a few small arms they found on the premises, which is not surprising in the midst of a guerrilla war. They, and President Joe Biden, have alleged that there are weapons depots in tunnels beneath the hospital. We do not know if this is true or not. But if the military target is below the hospital and not in the hospital itself, attacking the hospital is a war crime.

There is the added complication that it isnt just a matter of bombarding the hospitals or their environs, which is bad enough. But cutting them off from potable water, fuel and electricity, as the Israeli government did to northern Gaza, is an attack on hospital patients who need electricity to survive. Im not sure how depriving Hamas of electricity could possibly harm them as a guerrilla force, even if substantial numbers of them were in the hospital, which they were not. So this step was taken against civilians and was a war crime.

SABC: Israel-Hamas War | Israel raids Al Shifa hospital in Gaza  Mia Alberti updates

It is interesting to consider how hospitals became sacrosanct in international law. The bad behavior of the Axis powers from the 1930s into the 1940s helps explain a lot of it.

Even before WW II, the Axis powers were committing war crimes at hospitals. Italys Mussolini ordered an invasion of Ethiopia on October 3, 1935. The International Committee of the Red Cross immediately mobilized to provide aid to the battle-stricken. Its international branches set up over twenty field hospitals for treatment of the Ethiopian wounded. The Italian Air Force bombed most of them.

Aline Zuber at Crossfire explains that While less well-known and documented than the large-scale use of mustard gas, air strikes on hospitals, field hospitals and medical aircraft displaying the red cross or red crescent were nonetheless among the most important IHL violations of this war, not only on account of their number (between 17 and 23, depending on the historical study or Ethiopian government source one consults but also in terms of the deaths, trauma and damage they caused. Furthermore, the fact that these attacks were carried out repeatedly and that the majority of Red Cross and Red Crescent field hospitals operating on the Ethiopian side were directly or indirectly damaged by Italian Air Force bombing means that then as now one is forced to ask whether the attacks were deliberate or not.

Zuber says that Mussolini was accosted by the Swiss ambassador over the strikes on Red Cross field hospitals, and Il Duce described the humanitarian field hospitals as nuisances, and went on: We shall give them [the Ethiopians] hospitals  along with roads, schools, doctors and all the advantages of civilization 

The Italians did not believe that Ethiopians were civilized enough to abide by international humanitarian law, and charged that they were misusing Red Cross symbols and using them to mask military operations and facilities. We still hear echoes of this colonial, racist language today. Zuber presents evidence of systematic bombardment of Red Cross field hospitals by the Italian military. Aside from an a report drawn up after the war, Italian officers suffered no repercussions from these particular war crimes.

Then there was imperial Japan. British Southeast Asia  Burma and Malaya, fell to the advancing Japanese in WW II, who went on to make exploratory raids toward British India. Mainland Malaya fell to the Japanese army in late 1941. Japanese soldiers commanded by General General Tomoyuki Yamashita then invaded Singapore in February 1942. They advanced inland. One of their targets was the British Military Hospital, now called the Alexandra Hospital. The number of its patients had swollen to more than 900, though it was constructed for a maximum of 500 beds. The Japanese trained artillery fire on the hospital on February 14 and by the afternoon of that day their troops were approaching the hospital. A British officers attempt to show them his Red Cross armband as a bona fide that he was medical personnel was ignored by the Japanese, who fired at him but missed. The Japanese invaded the hospital. They indiscriminately fired at the people they found there, but arrested and ultimately executed others. Some of the prisoners were killed when Japan abruptly began shelling the compound again. It was a massacre. After the war, prosecutors wanted to bring Japanese commanders up on charges at Nuremberg for the hospital massacre. They could not, however, identify the individuals responsible. There is no doubt that if those Japanese officers had been fingered, they would have been executed.

Later on the 4th Geneva Convention of 1949, article 18, would specify that: Civilian hospitals organized to give care to the wounded and sick, the infirm and maternity cases, may in no circumstances be the object of attack, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict.

Only if the hospital is used as a base to launch an attack on the enemy is it a legitimate target. That would require that mortars be fired from its roof or an artillery piece be put in its yard. Presence of some fighters with small arms dont count for this exception. Article 19 says, Protection may, however, cease only after due warning has been given, naming, in all appropriate cases, a reasonable time limit, and after such warning has remained unheeded. The fact that sick or wounded members of the armed forces are nursed in these hospitals, or the presence of small arms and ammunition taken from such combatants and not yet handed to the proper service, shall not be considered to be acts harmful to the enemy.

You will note that so far the Israel forces that invaded al-Shifa Medical Complex have only been able to display some small arms they found in a room. They have not presented evidence that al-Shifa was being used as a base to attack the Israelis with armor or artillery or even guerrilla strikes.

The Israelis, like the Japanese at the British Military Hospital, have taken dozens of prisoners from the hospital, though any massacres the Israelis committed have been through aerial bombardment or through cutting off electricity and fuel to the complex. The Israeli promise to bring incubators for premature babies is just propaganda. It has so far not happened, and preemies have died as a result of lack of electricity and fuel for generators.
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Some countries are cutting financial support to the very local organizations that are best positioned to respond to Gazas humanitarian crisis.

By Tania Principe | 

( Waging Nonviolence )  Almost a month has passed since the Hamas militant group launched a deadly attack on Israel, killing 1,400 people and taking over 230 innocent civilian hostages. In retaliation Israel declared war on Gaza, implemented a siege, cut the civilian population off from basic necessities  such as food, water, fuel and electricity  and launched ongoing ground and air offensives.

The U.N. estimates that over half of Gazas inhabitants have become homeless. The death toll has surpassed 10,000; at least 4,000 of those are children. That is more conflict-related child deaths than the annual number of children killed in all of the worlds conflict zones since 2019 according to Save the Children.

To call this a humanitarian catastrophe is an understatement.

While humanitarian aid remains committed, and in some cases increased by donor countries, several European governments are re-thinking their financial aid to human rights and civil society organizations in the region.

On Oct. 10, Sweden and Denmark announced they would suspend financial support indefinitely to organizations in Palestinian territories, citing a need to conduct thorough reviews to ensure no funds are given to organizations that do not unequivocally condemn militant groups. The European Commission also announced that it is reviewing its development assistance to Palestinian organizations. On Oct. 25, Switzerland was the latest country to suspend its financial support to six Palestinian and five Israeli human rights organizations, while it carries out an in-depth analysis of whether the organizations communications are in compliance with the Department of Foreign Affairs Code of Conduct and anti-discrimination principles. Prior to the current war, these well-respected organizations were long-standing, funded partners of these same donors and organizations like the Nobel Womens Initiative, where I work.

Israeli Blockade Hinders Aid Delivery to Gaza, Palestinian Envoy Speaks Out | India News9

National and local civil society organizations play a crucial role peacebuilding and supporting democracy in the region. Donors recognize this. There has been a welcome trend in Western donor communities to bypass international organizations, and instead fund local organizations directly  precisely because they are best positioned to identify and respond to the most pressing needs of civilians, including marginalized groups.

Increasing aid to humanitarian organizations, while cutting it to local civil society goes directly against the trend. For example, the EU announced an additional $26 million in humanitarian aid for Gaza, delivered via UNICEF and other international organizations. Germany announced an additional $53 million to Palestinian territories through the World Food Programme, UNICEF and UNWRA.

During conflict a functioning civil society is critical  human rights violations escalate, as does misinformation, and those who are most vulnerable suffer the harshest consequences. Human rights and civil society organizations, regardless of their mandate, pivot to provide psychosocial support, shelter and services for victims of violence, and facilitate access to limited humanitarian aid. Equally important, local civil society organizations, also witness and document violations of human rights and international law, thus ensuring that, eventually, justice and accountability can be sought, and a truthful historical record created.Few organizations in Palestine are willing to publicly raise concerns about the suspension of their funding for fear of jeopardizing relationships and losing even more support, now or in the future. But the implications of such cuts are devastating. In Gaza and the West Bank, transferring and receiving funds in the best of times is challenging, yet these organizations rely on this funding to plan their activities, staffing and programming. Sudden cuts to already committed funds, especially in times of crisis, can result in paralysis, loss of staff, a further reduction in services and potentially increased loss of lives.

As this crisis persists with no end in sight, the work of civil society is life-saving. These organizations have local expertise living the humanitarian catastrophe, seeing first-hand what is needed and responding to it under unbearable conditions. For years, international donors and agencies have championed localization. This is the time to put their money where their mouth is. They should be putting their efforts into negotiating a cease fire, not ceasing aid.

Tania Principe is the Interim Executive Director of Nobel Womens Initiative. She has over two decades of experience working globally and locally in womens rights and gender equality leading efforts to end systemic and cultural inequality with organizations like Gender at Work, AWID, and WITT National Network.

Waging Nonviolence
Highlights:

AJ23-06 and AJ23-09 intercept a second mineralized zone of over 100 meters of extensive silicic and phyllic alteration accompanied by widespread sulphide mineralization .

Mineralization now intersected over 100 metre durations in all four diamond drill holes directly beneath and nearby the Athelstan mine.

November 16, 2023  TheNewswire - Vancouver, B.C., Canada; Belmont Resources Ltd. (Belmont or the Company) (TSXV:BEA) (FSE:L3L2) is pleased to announce that drill core logging has been completed on two additional drill holes AJ23-06 and AJ23-09 with visual analysis showing that a second mineralized zone of over 100 meters of extensive silicic and phyllic alteration accompanied by widespread sulphide mineralization was intersected.

Drill holes AJ23-06 and AJ23-09 targeted a strong coincident geophysical anomaly beneath surface gold mineralization at the A Zone located 100 meters south east of drill holes AJ23-07 and AJ23-08 where both holes intercepted a 100 meter mineralized zone directly beneath the Athelstan gold mine. (Read NR Oct. 31, 2023)

Silica, silica-carbonate and phyllic alteration intersected over 100 metre durations in all four diamond drill holes in the South Zone directly beneath and nearby the Athelstan mine. These mineralized zones appear to be correlative between drill holes and could represent a 100 metre step out, along the strike of the Athelstan gold zone trend. The discovery of multi-metre quartz shear and stockwork style vein intersections with all lithologies hosting widespread pyrrhotite and pyrite and lesser chalco and arsenopyrite may potentially be one or more conduits and fracture spaces for deep seated mineralizing hydrothermal fluids and related to the auriferous deposits found in the historic gold mining above.

Shallow listwanite units (oxidized to unweathered) were consistently intersected along with very wide intense alteration zones with moderate sulphide mineralization at depths previously untested with historic exploration drilling or mining.

The recently completed 9 hole, 2,000m drill program tested several coincident geophysical-geological anomalies on the A-J property. Drill holes AJ23-01 to 05 were drilled in the North Zone with drill holes AJ23-06 to 09 drilled in the South Zone.

South Zone: Potential near-surface resource with high-grade feeder system

South Zone drilling tested for a potential feeder contact/structure for the near-surface gold mineralization within a 1.0 km mineralized gold trend which includes the Athelstan and Jackpot past producing gold mines which produced 7,600 ozs Au & 9,000 oz Ag (Minfile 082ESE047)

Along with the two former gold mines this trend includes numerous trenches, pits and adit as well as mine waste dumps. Sampling in this area has returned extensive high gold and silver results. In particular sampling of the mine dumps have returned grades as high as 1 oz/ton gold and over 5 oz/ton silver.1.

A 2002 Report by R.E. Miller B.Eng., P.Geo states A potential resource of 2,0005,000 ounces of gold in the surface and near surface mineralized areas appears to exist within the AJ Group based on previous trenching results and sampling of mine dumps. The identification of one to two areas of ore have been identified having dimensions of 2.0 metres thick, 15 metres in width and 90 metres in length with an average grade of 0.3 opt gold. 2

Gold mineralization in this zone is coincident with 2020 IP survey signatures of subsurface chargeability and resistivity highs, in addition to overlapping magnetic lows. All interpreted to potentially relate to the presence of sulphide mineralization, as well as silica, silica-carbonate and phyllic alteration zones.

Core logging of all four drill holes from the South Zone has now been completed with drill samples being sent to MSA Labs in Langley B.C. Logging of North Zone drill holes AJ23-01 to 05 continues and is expected to be completed in the next week.

George Sookochoff, CEO of Belmont Resources, said, "I am certainly pleased with the visuals of the drill core thus far and in particular the lengths of the mineralization situated both under and nearby the Athelstan gold mine. We were targeting and believe to have located one or more feeder systems to the extensive gold mineralization at surface. If assay results indeed support the visuals then we will have several more good targets to test in Q1 2024, in particular underneath the Jackpot mine.

Listwanite and Serpentinite

Listwanite (carbonated serpentinite) is a term to describe the silica-carbonate alteration of serpentinite and is commonly associated with high-grade lode-gold mineralization.

All of the historic production from the property, and the vast majority of the previous exploration, all of which were in the South Zone, has been directed at massive sulfide and oxidized sulfide zones within listwanite.

During the serpentinization process any gold present in the serpentine may be assimilated with secondary sulfides and/or magnetite and could be indicative by the magnetic anomalies within the property.

These opaque minerals (magnetite) are subsequently destroyed in talc-carbonate alteration zones (magnetic low features), which results in gold being released from the serpentinite wall rocks and transported in solution. The gold and silica-rich fluids are transported to higher crustal levels via faults where the change in conditions (lower temperature, pH and O2) results in the precipitation of gold, quartz and sulfides.

The Mother Lode gold district in California and the Abitibi greenstone belt of the Superior Province of Canada are two of the most well-known examples of listwanite-associated lode-gold in North America. In general, the richest gold grades within these deposits are associated with, or in close proximity to carbonate-altered ultramafic rocks (Listwanite). Listwanite is also directly associated with several multi-million ounce gold deposits in British Columbia, Atlin, Bralorne and Barkerville.

1. Arrowhead Resources Surface Dump Sampling Report, Grant 1981.

2. 2002 Summary Report on the A-J Group, Greenwood Mining Division by R.E. Miller B.Eng. Sci., P.Geo February 2002

About Belmont Resources

Belmont Resources has assembled a portfolio of highly prospective copper, gold, lithium, uranium and rare earths projects located in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Washington and Nevada States. Its holdings include:

Athelstan-Jackpot (A-J): 2 former gold mines. 9 hole - 2,000m drilling targeting multi-coincident geophysical anomaly completed.

CrackingstoneUranium-Rare Earths: Some of the highest grade Rare Earth Elements (REEs) are being discovered in Northern Saskatchewan due to the presence of Uranium, Thorium Pegmatites. Crackingstone project meets the criteria for potentially discovering a large REEs deposit with its high grade uranium along with thorium and pegmatite. A review of 3,000m of 2008 drill data shows a 1.3km pegmatite dyke drilled but only assayed for uranium at that time. 2023 plans are to re-assay pegmatite sections for REEs ;

Come By Chance (CBC): 2021 geophysics delineated potential large copper-gold porphyry

2022 drilling provided further vectors towards potential core of porphyry;

The Lone StarCopper-Gold: optioned to Australian Marquee Resources ASX:MQR. MQR has spent in excess of $2.5M in drilling, completed new resource in Dec. 2022, and is currently preparing a Preliminary Economic Assessment in order to earn 80% interest.

The Kibby Basin Lithium project located 60 kilometers north of the lithium rich Clayton Valley Basin: Optioned 80% of the central Kibby Playa claim block to Australian Marquee Resources - MQR. MQR has spent in excess of $2.5M in drilling in 2022 for potential deep seated lithium brine. 2022 Drilling confirmed high levels of lithium-bearing sediments along with dissolved lithium in the groundwater.

NI 43-101 Disclosure

The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in National Instrument 43-101 and has been reviewed and approved by Laurence Sookochoff, P.Eng.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

George Sookochoff

George Sookochoff, CEO/President

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This Press Release may contain forward-looking statements that may involve a number of risks and uncertainties, based on assumptions and judgments of management regarding future events or results that may prove to be inaccurate as a result of exploration and other risk factors beyond its control. Actual events or results could differ materially from the Companies forward-looking statements and expectations. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things, that we may not be able to obtain regulatory approval; that we may not be able to raise funds required, that conditions to closing may not be fulfilled and we may not be able to organize and carry out an exploration program in 2023, and other risks associated with being a mineral exploration and development company. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release and, except as required by applicable laws, the Company assumes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results differed from those projected in the forward-looking statements.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Amarc Resources Ltd. (TSXV:AHR) (OTCQB:AXREF) (Amarc or the "Company"), is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr. James Lang, P.Geo., as a technical advisor to the Company.

Amarc President and CEO Dr. Diane Nicolson said, "I am delighted to re-engage with Jim and welcome him to the team as a technical advisor. His passion for mentoring geological teams, coupled with his impressive depth of knowledge and background in porphyry copper deposits will undoubtedly make a significant contribution to the Company as we build towards an exciting and drill forward 2024. Jim's input further strengthens the team's track record for the discovery and advancement of porphyry copper deposits."

Dr. Lang has 40 years of global experience, providing consulting services to numerous junior and major exploration and mining companies, and working in about 30 countries on a wide variety of mineral deposit types and stages of exploration and/or development. He has also conducted extensive research into porphyry copper and related deposits, beginning at the University of Arizona where he received his PhD in 1991. Later as a research associate with the Mineral Deposit Research Unit at the University of British Columbia Dr. Lang led multi-year, industry-funded, applied research projects which developed widely utilized exploration models for alkalic copper-gold porphyry deposits in British Columbia.

Dr. Lang also spent some 16 years with Hunter Dickinson Inc. (HDI), leading the technical teams on several projects that encompassed early exploration programs through completion of positive feasibility studies, and was highly involved in major porphyry discoveries at Pebble (Alaska) and Xietongmen (Tibet). In addition, Amarc benefited from his expertise in porphyry copper and related deposits during this time through his studies in the IKE District.

About Amarc Resources Ltd.

Amarc is a mineral exploration and development company with an experienced and successful management team focused on developing a new generation of long-life, high-value porphyry Cu-Au mines in BC. By combining high-demand projects with dynamic management, Amarc has created a solid platform to create value from its exploration and development-stage assets.

Amarc is advancing its 100%-owned JOY, DUKE and IKE porphyry CuAu districts located in different prolific porphyry regions of southern, central and northern BC, respectively. Each district represents significant potential for the development of multiple and important-scale, porphyry CuAu deposits. Importantly, each of the three districts is located in proximity to industrial infrastructure - including power, highways and rail.

Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. ("Freeport"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Freeport-McMoRan Inc. at JOY and Boliden Mineral Canada Ltd. ("Boliden"), an entity within the Boliden Group of companies at DUKE, can earn up to a 70% interest in each District through staged investments of $110 million and $90 million, respectively. Together this provides Amarc with potentially up to $200 million in non-share dilutive staged funding. Amarc is the operator of both programs.

Amarc is associated with HDI, a diversified, global mining company with a 35-year history of porphyry Cu deposit discovery and development success. Previous and current HDI projects include some of BC's and the world's most important porphyry deposits - such as Pebble, Mount Milligan, Southern Star, Kemess South, Kemess North, Gibraltar, Prosperity, Xietongmen, Newtongmen, Florence, Casino, Sisson, Maggie, IKE, PINE and DUKE. From its head office in Vancouver, Canada, HDI applies its unique strengths and capabilities to acquire, develop, operate and monetize mineral projects.

Amarc works closely with local governments, Indigenous groups and stakeholders in order to advance its mineral projects responsibly, and in a manner that contributes to sustainable community and economic development. We pursue early and meaningful engagement to ensure our mineral exploration and development activities are well coordinated and broadly supported, address local priorities and concerns, and optimize opportunities for collaboration. In particular, we seek to establish mutually beneficial partnerships with Indigenous groups within whose traditional territories our projects are located, through the provision of jobs, training programs, contract opportunities, capacity funding agreements and sponsorship of community events. All Amarc work programs are carefully planned to achieve high levels of environmental and social performance.

For further details on Amarc Resources Ltd., please visit the Company's website at www.amarcresources.com or contact Dr. Diane Nicolson, President and CEO, at (604) 684-6365 or within North America at 1-800-667-2114, or Kin Communications, at (604) 684-6730, Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF AMARC RESOURCES LTD.

Dr. Diane Nicolson

President and CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor any other regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking and other Cautionary Information

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All such statements, other than statements of historical facts that address exploration plans and plans for enhanced relationships are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Assumptions used by the Company to develop forward-looking statements include the following: Amarc's projects will obtain all required environmental and other permits and all land use and other licenses, studies and exploration of Amarc's projects will continue to be positive, and no geological or technical problems will occur. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, potential environmental issues or liabilities associated with exploration, development and mining activities, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and tenure and delays due to third party opposition, changes in and the effect of government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, exploration and development of properties located within Aboriginal groups asserted territories may affect or be perceived to affect asserted aboriginal rights and title, which may cause permitting delays or opposition by Aboriginal groups, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Amarc Resources Ltd., investors should review Amarc's annual Form 20-F filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov and its home jurisdiction filings that are available at www.sedarplus.ca.
TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Churchill Resources Inc. (Churchill or the Company) (TSXV: CRI) is pleased to announce that drilling has commenced on the planned 5,000m program at its Taylor Brook Ni-Co-Cu project in western Newfoundland, Canada. The Company has also completed the second and final tranche of its previously announced, upsized non-brokered private placement of units of the Company (the Units) raising gross proceeds of $2,600,000 (the Private Placement).

Drilling is Underway at Taylor Brook

Churchills previously announced 5,000m drilling program has commenced at Taylor Brook. MCL Drilling of Deer Lake, Newfoundland and Labrador, is currently at site with one rig and drilling has started with hole TB23-06E, one of five holes planned thus far targeting resistivity low features at depths of between 175m and 625m below surface. Please refer to Churchills October 26, 2023 press release for more details.

Geophysical Surveying and Other Fieldwork Continues

Targeting for Churchills drill program is expected to be further refined by ongoing CSAMT surveys and other field work running in parallel as drilling proceeds:

The previously announced expanded CSAMT survey at Layden is now complete, with results and analysis (when available) expected to better delineate peripheral anomalies defined in the initial, smaller CSAMT survey.

The geophysics crew has moved south to undertake CSAMT surveys over the location of highly anomalous Ni-Co-Cu soils: Surveying of the LIT-1 Ni anomaly grid is complete; Surveying of TBSL-1 Ni-Cu-Co anomaly grid on the margin of the South Lobe of the Taylor Brook Gabbro Complex is underway.

Soil collection work is ongoing and will continue until impeded by winter weather.

A Mobile MT commissioned for the entire Layden Intrusive Trend Taylor Brook Gabbro South Lobe corridor is now underway.

Paul Sobie, CEO of Churchill, said: We are searching for district-scale, high-grade (and high tenor) Ni-Co-Cu sulphide systems; our results to date reinforce that Taylor Brook is a target-rich environment with enormous potential. For the first time at Layden, drilling at depth will test substantial conductor targets beneath known high grade nickel sulphide mineralization, hosted by similar and related magmatic rock. Across the Taylor Brook property, our geophysical surveying and other field work will continue in parallel as drilling proceeds, including advancing the LIT-1 and TBSL-1 anomalies to drill targets, as well as identifying new targets for follow-up along the entire prospective corridor.

The Private Placement

The Private Placement consisted of the sale of 52,000,000 Units at a price of $0.05 per Unit for gross proceeds of $2,600,000, of which 40,000,000 Units were offered and sold pursuant to tranche two of the Private Placement, each Unit comprised of one common share of Churchill (each, a Common Share) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a Warrant). Each Warrant entitles the holder to acquire one common share at a price of $0.15 at any time prior to the date which is two years following the completion of the Private Placement.

The Company intends to use the proceeds of the Private Placement for exploration activities on the Companys key projects located in Newfoundland & Labrador and general corporate purposes. The Securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement are subject to a statutory holder period of four months and one day.

Early Warning Disclosure

An early warning report will be filed in connection with the Private Placement by Mr. Malik Easah, who acquired 20,000,000 Units in the second tranche for investment purposes. Prior to the completion of the Private Placement, Mr Easah held, directly or indirectly, and/or had control or direction over an aggregate of 3,791,000 common shares, representing 3.72% on a non-diluted basis and partially diluted basis. Upon completion of the Private Placement, Mr Easah holds directly or indirectly, and/or has control and direction over 23,791,000 common shares and 10,000,000 common share purchase warrants, representing 16.76% of the outstanding common shares of the Company on a non-diluted basis. Mr Easah has also entered into a contractual lock-up with the Company which would prevent the exercise of any of the Warrants acquired pursuant to the Private Placement if such exercise would result in Mr Easah owning, or exercising control or direction over, at least 20% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares on a non-diluted basis. Depending on market conditions, general economic and industry conditions, the Companys business and financial condition, and/or other relevant factors, Mr. Easah may increase or decrease his beneficial ownership of securities of the Company through market transactions, private agreements, or otherwise. A copy of the early warning report filed will be available under the Companys profile at www.sedar.com.

About Churchill Resources Inc.

Churchill Resources Inc. is a Canadian exploration company focused on high grade, magmatic nickel sulphides in Canada, principally at its prospective Taylor Brook and Florence Lake properties in Newfoundland & Labrador. The Churchill management team, board and its advisors have decades of combined management experience in mineral exploration and in the establishment of successful publicly listed mining companies, both in Canada and around the world. Churchills Taylor Brook and Florence Lake projects have the potential to benefit from the provinces large and diversified minerals industry, which includes world class nickel mines and processing facilities, and a well-developed mineral exploration sector with locally based drilling and geological expertise. The province was recently ranked 4th in the world for investment attractiveness by the Fraser Institute in its 2022 annual survey of mining and exploration companies.

The technical and scientific information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Dr. Derek H.C Wilton, P.Geo., FGC who is a qualified person as defined under National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and independent of the Company.

Further Information

For further information regarding Churchill, please contact:

Churchill Resources Inc.

Paul Sobie, Chief Executive Officer

Tel. +1 416.365.0930 (o)

+1 647.988.0930 (m)

Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Alec Rowlands, Corporate Consultant

Tel. +1 416.721.4732 (m)

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Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", proposed, "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. In this news release, forward-looking statements relate to, among other things, the intended us of proceeds from the Private Placement, the Companys objectives, goals and exploration activities conducted and proposed to be conducted at the Companys properties; future growth potential of the Company, including whether any proposed exploration programs at any of the Companys properties will be successful; exploration results; and future exploration plans and costs and financing availability.

These forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions and estimates of management of the Company at the time such statements were made. Actual future results may differ materially as forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to materially differ from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors, among other things, include: the expected benefits to the Company relating to the exploration conducted and proposed to be conducted at the Companys properties; failure to identify any mineral resources or significant mineralization; the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, including to fund any exploration programs on the Companys properties; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions; fluctuations in securities markets; fluctuations in spot and forward prices of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar to United States dollar exchange rate); change in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations pressures, cave-ins and flooding); inability to obtain adequate insurance to cover risks and hazards; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining and mineral exploration; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); the unlikelihood that properties that are explored are ultimately developed into producing mines; geological factors; actual results of current and future exploration; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be evaluated; soil sampling results being preliminary in nature and are not conclusive evidence of the likelihood of a mineral deposit; title to properties; and those factors described in the most recently filed managements discussion and analysis of the Company. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes, or believed at the time, to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure shareholders that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, as there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and information. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information, or the material factors or assumptions used to develop such forward-looking information, will prove to be accurate. The Company does not undertake to release publicly any revisions for updating any voluntary forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable securities law.

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 news release.
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Colossus Resources Corp. (TSXV: CLUS) ("Colossus" or the "Company") is pleased to announce it has entered into a definitive Option Agreement (the "Option Agreement") dated November 15, 2023 with arm's-length parties Austral Gold Limited and its subsidiaries Minera Mena Chile Ltda and Revelo Resources Ltd. (collectively the "Austral Group") to acquire an undivided 100% interest in the Calvario and Mirador projects in the Republic of Chile. The transaction is subject to all applicable regulatory approvals, including acceptance by the TSXV and, if required, shareholder approval.

The Calvario and Mirador properties (the "Projects") are currently 100% owned by the Austral Group which holds the rights to the exploration and exploitation concessions divided into 59 "mensuras" (exploitation mining properties) covering a total area of 14,674 hectares. The Projects are located approximately 80 km northeast of the coastal city of La Serena in the 4th Region of Coquimbo of central-northern Chile in South America. The Coquimbo deep sea shipping port is situated approximately 160 km southeast of the Projects.

The exploration targets within the Projects are primarily porphyry copper (+/- Molybdenum, +/- Gold) systems. The Projects lie along the southern extensions of the highly productive Paleocene magmatic belt of northern Chile that hosts some of the most important copper and precious metals deposits in the country, such as Spence and Cerro Colorado (BHP), Sierra Gorda (KGHM) and Relincho/Nueva Reunion (Teck-Newmont Goldcorp). The Calvario and Mirador projects comprise an important strategic land position with multiple copper targets controlled by the same regional thrust faults. The Projects are located approximately 115 km south of the 50-50 Teck - Newmont Goldcorp's Relincho/Nueva Reunion Joint Venture advanced Project, one of the largest undeveloped copper-gold-molybdemum projects in the Americas.

Colossus' technical Director Ioannis (Yannis) Tsitos states: "The successful conclusion of the Definitive Agreement for the acquisition of the Calvario and Mirador Projects in Chile signifies an important milestone for Colossus. With this acquisition, Colossus Resources secures a significant and strategic mineral rights position in one of the most prospective belts, still underexplored, of central-northern Chile associated with significant copper and precious metals mineralization. Subject to the necessary approval of the transaction by the regulatory authorities, Colossus is looking forward to work closely with the Austral Group (which as a product of this transaction, will become the single biggest shareholder of the Company) and its experienced technical team to advance both Calvario and Mirador projects towards a major copper ( Mo  Au) discovery. Although Calvario is a drill-stage ready exploration project based on historical data, both Projects have not seen any exploration activities in the last decade. Nevertheless, they exhibit important technical facts on the presence of large hydrothermal alteration systems in addition to on-surface and near-surface copper mineralization, possibly associated with untested hypogene parts of fertile porphyry systems."

Terms of the Acquisition

Terms of the Agreement provide for funding by the Company of not less than USD$2.5 million in exploration expenditures on the Projects over a period of two years, of which at least USD$1.5 million must be incurred in the first 18 months. The Company will also issue to Minera Mena Chile Ltda (a wholly owned subsidiary of Austral Gold Limited) or its nominee, such number of common shares in the capital of Colossus ("Colossus Shares") as to be equal to 19.9% of the post-issuance Colossus Shares outstanding, and one million share purchase warrants, each of which shall entitle the holder to purchase one Colossus Share for an exercise price of C$0.50 for three years.

The Company paid the sum of USD$100,000.00 to Austral Gold Limited as an exclusivity fee, which funds were used by Austral to pay the 2023 maintenance cost (canon fees) of the Projects.

The Projects are subject to net smelter return royalties over base and precious metals, of which Minera Mena Chile Ltda will retain the right to purchase half the royalties.

Figure 1: Location map of the contiguous Calvario and Mirador Projects, Chile

About the Calvario and Mirador Projects (the "Projects")

The Calvario and Mirador projects are located approximately 80 km northeast of the coastal city of La Serena in the Coquimbo Region of central-northern Chile in South America. The exploration targets within the Projects are primarily porphyry copper (+/- Molybdenum, +/- Gold) systems. The Projects lie along the southern extensions of the highly productive Paleocene magmatic belt of northern Chile. Together they form a contiguous 23km x 8km set of properties as follows (see Figure 1):

The Calvario Project consists of 28 titles (Title type: Exploitation) covering 6,870 hectares . A portion of the Calvario Project (2,200 hectares) are subject to a 2% base metals Net Smelter Royalty ("NSR") and an 1% precious metals NSR in favour of Mineral Global Copper Chile S.A., a wholly owned subsidiary of the major royalties corporation, Franco Nevada Corporation (Canada). The balance of the Calvario titles (4,470 hectares) are free of any royalties.

The Mirador Project consists of 31 titles (Title Type: Exploitation) covering 7,744 hectares. Ten of the Mirador titles (covering 2,400 hectares) are subject to a 2% base metals NSR and an 1% precious metals NSR in favour of Mineral Global Copper Chile S.A. Nineteen of the other Mirador titles (covering 4,744 hectares) are subject to a 2% base metals NSR and an 1% precious metals NSR in favour of Sumitomo Metals Mining Chile Ltda., a wholly owned subsidiary of the major mining corporation, Sumitomo Metals Mining Co. (Japan). Two titles (covering the balance 600 hectares) are free of any royalties.

Calvario is a porphyry copper ( Mo  Au) system characterised by a structurally controlled quartz-sericite alteration zone oriented NNW-SSE some 6.0 km x 1.0 km in size, hosted within monzonite and quartz-feldspar porphyry intrusions and other rocks. Relict sulphides (pyrite and chalcopyrite) in the leached and oxidised surface exposures, minor copper oxides (see Figure 2) and associated Mo (>10 ppm) and Cu (>600 ppm) geochemical anomalies in soils and talus fines samples, together with stockwork quartz D-type veins have defined a principal target area around 1,500 m x 700 m in size at the southern end of the alteration zone, which may reflect a possible hypogene copper target at depth. Two secondary targets occur further to the north along the principal alteration zone mapped. The priority target area coincides with three of the six relatively shallow historic diamond drill holes drilled by Minera Fuego Ltda (now Mineral Global Copper S.A.) in 2008. They display moderate quartz-sericite alteration with minor copper oxides as coatings on pyrite and in fractures, and minor chalcocite mineralization indicating weak secondary enrichment. Best intersections include Hole# FCAR-07 reporting 92m @ 0.23% CuT (Total Copper) & 21 ppm MoT (Total Molybdenum), including 20m @ 0.54% CuT & 24 ppm MoT and Hole # FCAR-14 reporting 62m @ 0.20% CuT & 22 ppm MoT, including 28m @ 0.30% CuT & 20 ppm MoT. Information from surface exposures and drill holes suggests that erosional levels are not sufficiently deep to have produced significant secondary enrichment, with essentially relatively high-level phyllic alteration exposed at surface. Hypogene copper mineralisation has not been specifically targeted by the limited historical drilling, and comprises the target for future drill testing. The property has been structurally uplifted by a series of regional thrust faults related to the San Felix - Vicuna fault system.

Figure 2: Independent QP and photograph showing quartz-sericitic alteration with green and black copper oxides (chrysocolla, copper wad, tenorite) at Calvario.

Exploration activities to date have included geological mapping of outcropping areas, alteration mapping, mineralogical studies, limited rock-chip surface sampling, limited ground magnetics and relatively shallow drill testing (4,314m of drilling in 20 holes, mostly shallow Reverse Circulation) of certain targets. No work has been done over Calvario in recent years.

The property is easily accessed, being located close to the recently paved highway that connects the main paved Pan-American Highway, through Tres Cruces, to the Pascua-Lama project (Barrick Gold). A short, well maintained dirt road links the project to the paved highway. A new high-tension power line has been installed along the Pascua-Lama highway. The project is located at altitudes ranging from about 3,000m to 3,300m.

Although Calvario is a drill-stage ready exploration project, the Company believes that some complementary geochemistry and geophysical surveys should be conducted in order to vector to the most productive parts of the porphyry system/s, prior to any drilling, to commence in H1 2024. A current NI 43-101 compliant technical report covering both the Calvario and Mirador Projects has been produced for Colossus and will be filed with the regulators as part of the necessary approval of this transaction by TSX-V.

Mirador is a porphyry copper ( Mo  Au) and high-sulphidation epithermal copper-gold exploration target and it is the southernmost of the two (with Calvario) large hydrothermal alteration systems located within the Properties. Mirador also lies along the same highly productive Paleocene belt of Chile.

The Mirador project and identified targets within its titles, have never been drilled to date!

Mirador represents a porphyry copper ( Mo  Au) system, currently exposed at the upper-porphyry to epithermal levels (see figure 3), probably representing the base of a lithocap overlying the proposed porphyry copper target(s). Potential for high-sulphidation, epithermal copper-gold also exists. Extensive quartz-sericite and argillic alteration characterise the northern sector of the alteration zone.

Figure 3: Outcrop of rocks affected by intense argillic alteration and veinlets of types C and D at Mirador, typical of feltile copper porphyry systems.

The alteration area (see Figure 4) extends over more than 7.0 x 3.0 Km, with superimposed advanced argillic alteration dominated by quartz-alunite in the central and southern sectors. Intense hydrothermal alteration is hosted principally within dacitic rocks. Phreatic breccias have been recognised, also suggesting the upper portions of a porphyry copper system. Surface outcrops are intensely leached. Limited copper oxides coincident with fine quartz veinlets at lower elevations to the north, suggest proximity to porphyry copper levels. Multi-element geochemical anomalies in rocks (Mo-Cu-Bi-Au - with Mo >24 ppm to 153 ppm, and Cu >92 ppm to 500 ppm) suggest porphyry copper potential in the northern and possibly southern portions of the alteration zone, while the central areas (As-Sb geochemistry) more closely suggests a high-sulphidation epithermal environment with potential for copper-gold mineralisation and possibly gold and silver. The property has been structurally uplifted by a series of regional thrust faults related to the San Felix - Vicuna fault system. Mirador together with contiguous Calvario project, form an important pair of copper targets controlled by the same regional thrust faults.

Figure 4: Calvario & Mirador Regional Geology and major copper porphyry related alteration areas.

Exploration activities to date have included detailed geological mapping of outcropping areas, detailed mapping of alteration mineralogy, and minor geochemical sampling of rocks. Further detailed alteration mapping and geochemical sampling to aid vectorisation towards potential productive levels, supported by geophysical testing (magnetics and IP), is required prior to drill testing of the principal targets.

Financing

The Company also announces a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 15,000,000 units (the "Units") of securities at a price of $0.16 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to $2,400,000.00 (the "Financing"). Each Unit will be comprised of one (1) common share and one-half of one (1/2) non-transferable common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant entitling the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of $0.30 for a period of two (2) years from closing of the Financing.

The Financing will be completed in tranches, with the first tranche of $250,000 to be used for working capital. The balance of the Financing will be completed concurrently with receipt of TSXV final acceptance of the Option Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, and will be used to advance the Company's exploration program on the Projects.

All securities issued under the Financing will be subject to a four month hold period. Finders fees may be payable on all or a portion of the Financing.

Qualified Person

The Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 - Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects for this news release is Marco Carrasco G, Reg. N 400, Comision Minera de Chile, who has reviewed and approved its contents.

About Colossus Resources Corp.

Colossus Resources is a relatively young junior mineral exploration company focused on maximizing shareholder value through the acquisition, discovery and advancement of high-quality copper - gold projects in the Americas.

About Austral Gold Ltd.

Austral Gold is a gold and silver explorer and mining producer whose strategy is to expand the life of its cash-generating assets in Chile, restart its Casposo-Manantiales mine complex in Argentina, and build a portfolio of quality assets in Chile, the United States and Argentina organically through exploration and through acquisitions and strategic partnerships. Austral owns a 100-per-cent interest in the Guanaco/Amancaya mines in Chile and the Casposo-Manantiales mine complex (currently on care and maintenance) in Argentina; a non-controlling interest in the Rawhide mine in Nevada, United States; and a non-controlling interest in Ensign Gold, which holds the Mercur project in Utah, United States. In addition, Austral owns and has options on an attractive portfolio of exploration projects in the Paleocene belt in Chile (including the Jaguelito project in San Juan, Argentina, and projects acquired in the 2021 acquisition of Revelo Resources Corp.), a non-controlling interest in Pampa Metals and a 51-per-cent interest in the Sierra Blanca project in Santa Cruz, Argentina. Austral Gold is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange and the Australian Securities Exchange.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

"Harry Katevatis"

CEO & Director

Colossus Resources Corp.

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For more information contact Ioannis (Yannis) Tsitos, Technical Director of Colossus Resources Corp.

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

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may contain forward- looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking information includes, but is not limited to, information concerning the Company's intentions with respect to the development of its mineral properties. Forward-looking information is based on the views, opinions, intentions and estimates of management at the date the information is made, and is based on a number of assumptions and subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated or projected in the forward-looking information (including the actions of other parties who have agreed to do certain things and the approval of certain regulatory bodies). Many of these assumptions are based on factors and events that are not within the control of the Company and there is no assurance they will prove to be correct. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by applicable securities laws, or to comment on analyses, expectations or statements made by third parties in respect of the Company, its financial or operating results or its securities. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information.
Vancouver, British Columbia - TheNewswire - November 16, 2023 - Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE:NF) (Nuclear Fuels or the Company) announced the second set of drill results from its continuing drill program at its Kaycee Uranium Project in Wyomings Powder River Basin. The drilling, designed to confirm and expand the historic resource at the Saddle zone reports 4 holes containing multiple uranium intercepts of ore-grade thickness which is potentially amenable for In-Situ Recovery (ISR) extraction technology. Additionally, a new and deeper uranium-bearing horizon has been discovered in the Fort Union Formation, located below the historic mineralization in the Lower Wasatch Formation.

Highlights:

Uranium mineralization with typically ore-grade Grade Thickness (GT) was encountered in 5 discrete horizons in 4 drill holes with Grade Thickness ranging from 0.308 to 0.911 with the highest grade single intercept being 4.5 feet of 0.202% eU. Grade Thickness of 0.3 is considered an economic minimum for inclusion in a typical wellfield in the Power River Basin;

Discovery of uranium mineralization in the Fort Union Formation lying approximately 350 feet below the Lower Wasatch hosted historical mineralization of the Saddle zone with 1.5 feet of 0.024% eU in hole SD23-027 and 2.0 feet of 0.039% eU in hole SD23-029;

Phase 1 drilling continues to successfully confirm and expand historic resources of the Saddle zone hosted in the Lower Wasatch Formation at depths of 165 to 350 feet in saturated sands;

Drilling will continue at the Saddle zone targeting both the shallow Lower Wasatch Formation and the newly discovered uranium mineralization within the upper Fort Union Formation with additional results expected in late November 2023.

To view Kaycee Uranium Project maps please click here.

Michael Collins, Chief Executive Officer, stated: The Saddle zone at the Kaycee Uranium project continues to yield positive drill results. As our understanding of both the Lower Wasatch Formation mineralization and the newly discovered upper Fort Union Formation mineralization grows, our targeting is getting better and our hit rate improving. On-site eU3O8 gamma probe logging gives us same day data and allows us to adjust our drill planning to maximize our hit rate and minimize our costs.

Table of Significant Results

Hole ID From (ft) Thickness (ft) Ave. Grade (% eU3O8)(1) GT (grade x thickness)(2) Host Formation SD23_015 166.5 3.0 0.132 0.396 L Wasatch SD23_015 177.5 4.5 0.069 0.308 L Wasatch SD23_020 178.0 4.5 0.202 0.911 L Wasatch and 185.0 4.0 0.121 0.483 L Wasatch SD23_022 207.4 4.5 0.122 0.548 L Wasatch SD23_029 538.5 2.0 0.039 0.077 U Ft. Union

Drill holes are reported that returned significant zones of uranium mineralization with >2 ft thickness at or above a grade cut-off of 0.02 per cent eU3O8. (1) % eU3O8 is a measure of gamma intensity from a decay product of uranium and is not a direct measurement of uranium. Numerous comparisons of eU3O8 and chemical assays of Powder River Basin core samples indicate that eU3O8 is a reasonable indicator of the actual uranium assay. (2) Grade Thickness, or GT, is defined as the product of the mineral grade multiplied by the thickness of the mineralization. Bold type represents potentially ISR recoverable uranium with a Grade Thickness of >0.3 which is considered suitable for inclusion in a wellfield.

Kaycee Uranium Project, Wyoming

The Kaycee Project in Wyomings Powder River Basin (PRB) is Nuclear Fuels priority project consisting of over 42 square miles of mineral rights over a 33-mile mineralized trend and 110 miles of identified roll fronts. The Kaycee Project is believed to be the only project in the PRB where all three known historically productive sandstone formations (Wasatch, Fort Union, and Lance) are mineralized and potentially accessible for ISR extraction. The Kaycee Project, under Nuclear Fuels, represents the first time since the early 1980s that the entire district is controlled by one company.

Nuclear Fuels acquired the Kaycee Project from enCore Energy Corp., which retains a back-in right for 51% of the project by paying 2.5X the exploration costs and carrying the Kaycee project to production (costs recoverable from production) upon Nuclear Fuels establishing a minimum 15 million pound U3O8 43-101 compliant resource.

Wyoming is a proven and prolific uranium producer with a pro-energy government and established regulatory regime for the permitting and extraction of uranium through ISR technology. As Wyoming is one of the few Agreement States where the federal government and the Nuclear Regulatory Commission have ceded regulatory authority to the state government, permitting and advancing uranium projects is more efficient and streamlined as compared to most other states. Wyoming, with over 250 million pounds of historic production, ranks as the state with the second most uranium production to date; most of which has been through the ISR method since 1990; predominantly from the PRB.

The technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mark Travis, CPG., a contractor to the Company, and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101.

About Nuclear Fuels Inc.

Nuclear Fuels Inc. (CSE:NF) is committed to aggressive exploration of district-scale In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium projects in proven and prolific jurisdictions. Focused on its priority Kaycee Project, located in Wyomings Powder River Basin, our goal is to advance the project onto a path to production. enCore Energy Corp. maintains the right to back-in to 51% ownership by paying the Company 2.5X its exploration expenditures and carrying the project to production (recoverable from production). With existing historic resources through a 33-mile trend, 110+ miles of mapped roll-fronts and 3,800 drill holes, Nuclear Fuels has secured the district under one companys control for the first time since the early 1980s. Nuclear Fuels also provides a unique model for development of our other uranium projects and has established a pipeline of future opportunities in known uranium jurisdictions. Our industry leaders work to build Americas uranium resources and provide a domestic fuel for nuclear energy; always on, always available. ISR technology extracts uranium in a non-invasive process through the use of groundwater and oxygen, coupled with a proven ion exchange process, to recover the uranium.

For further information:

Michael Collins, Chief Executive Officer

P: 778-763-4670

E: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

W: www.nuclearfuels.energy

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed this press release and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

Certain information in this news release constitutes forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. Any statements that are contained in this news release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as may, should, anticipate, expect, potential, believe, intend or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements relating to planned exploration programs and the results of additional exploration work in seeking to establish mineral resources as defined in NI43-101 on any of our properties. Forward-looking statements necessarily involve known and unknown risks, including, without limitation, risks associated with the completing planned exploration programs and the results of those programs; the ability to access additional capital to fund planned and future operations; regulatory risks including exploration permitting; risks associated with title to our mineral projects; the ability of the company to implement its business strategies; and other risks including risks contained in documents available for review at www.sedar.com under the Companys profile. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.




France has issued an international arrest warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accused of complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes over chemical attacks in 2013, plaintiffs in the case said Wednesday.

In one of the more than decade-long conflict's many horrors, sarin gas attacks saw more than 1,400 people suffocate to death near Damascus in August 2013.

The organisations that filed a legal complaint hailed the move, saying it was the first time a sitting head of state had become the subject of an arrest warrant in another country for war crimes and crimes against humanity.

Three other international warrants were also issued for the arrests of Assad's brother Maher, the de-facto chief of the Fourth Division, Syrian army's elite military unit, and two generals. The Paris court's unit concerned with crimes against humanity has been investigating the chemical attacks since 2021.

France can prosecute alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity committed anywhere in the world under the principle of universal jurisdiction.

A judicial source, who asked not to be named, confirmed the issuing of the four warrants by investigating magistrates of the Paris court's crimes against humanity section.

'Historic moment'

The probe followed a complaint filed by the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM) NGO, lawyers' association Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) and the Syrian Archive, an organisation documenting human rights violations in Syria.

"It's a huge development," SCM president Mazen Darwish said of the warrant for Assad's arrest.

"An independent jurisdiction is recognising that the chemical attack couldn't have happened without the knowledge of the Syrian president, that he has responsibility and should be held accountable," he told AFP.

The case against Assad and the others was backed by first-hand witness accounts and deep analysis of the Syrian military chain of command, Darwish said.

"This is a historic moment - with this case, France has an opportunity to establish the principle that there is no immunity for the most serious international crimes, even at the highest level," Steve Kostas of the Open Society Justice Initiative was quoted as saying in a statement.

'Chain of command'

According to a source close to the investigation, the arrest warrants were the culmination of "painstaking work" by investigators from France's specialised OCLCH unit tracking international crimes.

The goal was to "go as far up the chain of command as possible," the source said.

"If you stop at the helicopter pilot who dropped the bomb, he will be able to say 'I only carried out orders'. The further back you go, the greater the responsibility."

Activists in 2013 posted amateur videos on YouTube said to show the effects of the attack, including footage of dozens of corpses, many of them children, stretched out on the ground.

Other images showed unconscious children, people foaming at the mouth and doctors apparently giving them oxygen to help them breathe.

The scenes provoked revulsion and condemnation around the globe.

A United Nations report later said there was clear evidence of sarin gas use.

Syria agreed in 2013 to join the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) global watchdog and give up all chemical weapons.

The OPCW has since blamed Damascus for a series of chemical attacks during the civil war.

The Syrian government has denied the allegations, which have also sparked legal complaints in Germany and other European countries.

Syria's civil war broke out in 2011 after Assad's repression of peaceful demonstrations escalated into a deadly conflict that pulled in foreign powers and global jihadists.

The war has killed more than half a million people and displaced half of the country's pre-war population.

On Thursday, the International Court of Justice will hand down a ruling on a case brought against Syria over torturing tens of thousands of its own people.

The first international case over the civil war is being brought by Canada and the Netherlands, and aims to get the ICJ to order the Syrian government to stop what the plaintiffs called the "widespread and pervasive" system of torture still in place.

Russian President Vladimir Putin, who propped up Assad by intervening in the conflict militarily in 2015, himself became the target of an International Criminal Court arrest warrant for war crimes in Ukraine in March.
Renault SA wants to start selling a 28% stake in long-time partner Nissan Motor Co. very soon" as part of the French carmakers ambitious electric-vehicle development plan, which includes an initial public offering of its EV arm Ampere.

Sales of the stock could start in early 2024, Renault Chief Executive Officer Luca de Meo said Wednesday in an interview with Bloomberg Televisions Caroline Connan. The selling will be coordinated with Nissan, he said.

You dont want to get too many shares in the market immediately," he said. We will use that money for other things."

The stake, worth about 4.3 billion, gives Renault options should it decide not to press ahead with the IPO of Ampere. The funds could be used to help the carmaker speed up development of cheaper EVs and take on rivals such as Tesla Inc. more quickly.

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While de Meo still aims for an Ampere IPO in April or May, hes not ruling out shelving the listing if valuation doesnt meet his expectations of 8 billion to 10 billion for the business, which began operating independently this month. Other options could be on the table, including a spinoff, de Meo said.

The stock exchange is there to foster performance, transparency" de Meo said. Its a good thing to list a company. We think we have potentially a window of opportunity in Spring 2024, but lets see how markets evolve. You dont want to put yourself in trouble."

Renault is targeting more than 10 billion of revenue by 2025 for Ampere, the company said Wednesday, when its holding a briefing for investors on the EV business.

Ampere plans to introduce Legend, a compact, Europe-made EV that will sell for less than 20,000, as the battle for more affordable cars heats up in a region where consumers have been hit by a cost-of-living crisis.

The vehicle could potentially be manufactured in Slovenia, but no final decision has been made, the CEO said.

To pull off the Ampere IPO, Renault will have to win over investors in whats a difficult market for listings alongside a bruising price war in the electric-vehicle market.

The 56-year-old CEO is pitching Ampere as a European response to competition from US rival Tesla Inc. and Chinese EV manufacturers. Still. the market for IPOs remains unwelcoming and there are worries that selling a stake will be excessively dilutive to existing shareholders.

Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors Corp. will invest a total of as much as 800 million in the entity, and Qualcomm Inc. also is considering investing.

The Qualcomm investment is being finalized" and should be unveiled very quickly," Chief Financial Officer Thierry Pieton said during a media call earlier Wednesday.

Mitsubishi and Nissan would still invest in Ampere but in a different form" if the IPO is shelved, Pieton added.

They want to be part of this story," Pieton said. Ampere is unique, its a real company that already produces cars, its not a Powerpoint. Theres no other pure EV player in Europe today."

Renault has loosened ties with Nissan after the alliance turned sour in recent years. The French company placed 28% of Nissans stock in a trust, from which it can be sold. The two carmakers now have a cross-shareholding of 15% with lock-up and standstill obligations.

First Published Date:
Fighting raged Tuesday in Gaza, more than six weeks after an unprecedented Hamas attack sparked an air and ground offensive by Israel, which has vowed to destroy the Palestinian militants.

In Gaza, more than 14,000 people, at least 5,800 of them children, have been killed in the war, officials in the Hamas-run territory said.

About 1,200 people, mostly civilians, were killed in Israel during the October 7 attack and around 240 taken hostage, according to Israeli officials.

Here are five key developments from the past 24 hours:

- Gaza truce 'right decision' -

Hopes mounted on Tuesday that dozens of people taken hostage by Hamas could be released from war-torn Gaza, after the Israeli PM, US president, the militant group's leader and key mediator Qatar said a truce agreement with Israel was in sight.

Late Tuesday, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told his cabinet that accepting a hostage deal is "a difficult decision but it's a right decision".

US President Joe Biden said at the White House "we could bring some of these hostages home very soon".

"We are close to reaching a deal on a truce," Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh said in a statement to AFP.

In Qatar, foreign ministry spokesman Majed Al-Ansari told reporters: "We are at the closest point we ever had been in reaching an agreement."

- BRICS calls for truce -

The BRICS group of nations Tuesday called for an immediate and sustained humanitarian truce in Gaza, during a virtual summit where the chair, South Africa, accused Israel of war crimes and "genocide".

The group "called for an immediate, durable, and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities".

Chinese President Xi Jinping demanded during the summit the release of civilian detainees and a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, state media said.

"All parties in the conflicts should immediately cease fire and release civilian detainees," Xi said.

- Growing tally of journalists killed -

Fifty-three journalists and media workers have been killed in the latest war between Israel and Hamas, according to a Committee to Protect Journalists study published Tuesday.

The toll includes 46 Palestinians, four Israelis and three Lebanese killed since the war began on October 7, the organisation noted.

The most recent casualties were two journalists from the pro-Iran Lebanese channel Al-Mayadeen, killed "in enemy (Israeli) bombing" on Tuesday according to state-run media.

They were among eight people killed by Israeli bombardment of south Lebanon on Tuesday.

Israel's military said "soldiers operated against a threat" from a Hezbollah "launching area".

- EU development aid -

The European Union on Tuesday authorised continuing development aid to Palestinians after an assessment found no funds had gone to Hamas, but said tighter aid controls could be imposed.

The 27-nation bloc provides the greatest amount of aid to Gaza and the West Bank, with nearly 1.2 billion euros ($1.3 billion) earmarked for assistance from 2021 to 2024.

"The review found that the control system in place has worked," European Commission vice president Valdis Dombrovskis said.

"Payment to Palestinian beneficiaries and UNRWA will continue without payment delays."

- 'Perfect storm' for disease: UNICEF -

Fuel shortages and worsening sanitation in the Gaza Strip are shaping up to be the perfect storm for tragedy through the spread of disease, the UN children's agency warned.

"Without enough fuel, we will see the collapse of sanitation services. So we have then, on top of the mortars and the bombs, a perfect storm for the spread of disease," UNICEF spokesman James Elder told a press briefing in Geneva.

burs-srk/srm
The UN human rights chief on Thursday decried serious allegations of international law violations in the Israel-Hamas war and suggested an international investigation was needed.

Volker Turk said "extremely serious allegations of multiple and profound breaches of international humanitarian law, whoever commits them, demand rigorous investigation and full accountability".

Turk was speaking after a visit last week to the Middle East, where he warned that both sides were committing war crimes in the deadly conflict.

"Where national authorities prove unwilling or unable to carry out such investigations, and where there are contested narratives on particularly significant incidents, international investigation is called for," he said in a briefing to UN member states in Geneva.

Turk was unable to go to Israel or the Palestinian territories despite having requested access.

Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas in retaliation for the attacks of October 7, which killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians.

Hamas also took around 240 people hostage, among them elderly people and young children.

Israel's relentless bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza has killed more than 11,500 people, also mainly civilians and including thousands of children, according to the Hamas-run health ministry.

Turk said the crisis was extending well beyond the Gaza Strip, voicing deep concern about the "intensification of violence and severe discrimination against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem".

"In my view, this creates a potentially explosive situation and I want to be clear: we are well beyond the level of early warning. I am ringing the loudest possible alarm bell about the occupied West Bank," he said.

Turk said his most important recommendation was that all parties had to acknowledge that all human lives have equal value.

"It is apparent that on both sides, some view the killing of civilians as either acceptable collateral damage, or a deliberate and useful weapon of war. This is a humanitarian and human rights catastrophe," he said.

"We must not let rage submerge our moral compass. We must not lose our grip on reality to the myth that pain can be eradicated by unleashing it on a scapegoat."

He added: "Israelis' freedom is inextricably bound up with Palestinians' freedom. Palestinians and Israelis are each others' only hope for peace."
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.

Xingji Meizu Group raises 2 billion yuan in Angel+, Series A rounds

Xingji Meizu Group, the combined entity following the business consolidation between Meizu Technology Co., Ltd and Geely-backed Hubei Xingjishidai Technology Co., Ltd. (renamed Hubei Xingji Meizu Technology Co., Ltd. now), today announced the completion of its Angel+ and Series A rounds with 2 billion yuan raised in total. Upon completion of the transactions, the company is valued over 10 billion yuan.

Photo credit: Xingji Meizu

Changan Ford to display two new models at Auto Guangzhou 2023

Changan Ford is about to showcase two fresh modelsthe all-new Mustang Dark Horse and the 2024 Ford Mustang Mach-Eat the Auto Guangzhou 2023 on November 17.

Geely Auto's Galaxy E8 to be shown at Auto Guangzhou 2023

Geely Auto will showcase the Galaxy E8, a pure-electric sedan under its new energy vehicle range Galaxy, at the Auto Guangzhou 2023.

Galaxy E8; photo credit: Geely Galaxy

BYD to debut Sea Lion 07 coupe SUV at Auto Guangzhou 2023

Chinese leading new energy vehicle manufacturer BYD is set to introduce a new vehicle model, the Sea Lion 07, at the Auto Guangzhou 2023, on November 17, according to a post on BYD's WeChat account.

NICE settles C-V2X project in Shanghai's Anting International Automobile City

The 6th Scientific Technology Fair for Yangtze River Delta Region commenced in Shanghai's Jiading District on November 15. During the opening ceremony, two initiatives from the NATIONAL INNOVATION CENTER par EXCELLENCE (NICE)  the "C-V2X Integrated Smart Terminal Project" and the "MEMS Piezoelectric Ultrasonic Sensing Technology Industrialization Project"found their footing in Jiading.

AI chip developer Axera launches new brand for intelligent driving development

Axera Semiconductor (Ningbo) Co., Ltd. (Axera) debuted its automotive brand, Aixin Yuansu (translating to Axera Speed), targeting the intelligent driving domain on November 15.

HiPhi to showcase first cooperative model HiPhi A at Auto Guangzhou 2023

On November 15, HiPhi, the Chinese luxury electric vehicle brand under Human Horizons, unveiled its inaugural collaborative product, the HiPhi A, at its headquarters in Shanghai. The physical debut of this model is scheduled for the Auto Guangzhou 2023 on November 17, 2023.

BAIC Group cooperates with CICV for automotive intelligence advancement

On November 13, BAIC Group and CICV inked a strategic cooperation framework, aiming for in-depth collaboration in advanced autonomous driving and intelligent connectivity aspects.

Yanfeng, Open Audio collaborate on R&D of immersive audio solutions for intelligent car cabins

Chinese automotive supplier Yanfeng and the audio-video technology developer Open Audio officially signed a strategic cooperation agreement on November 16, aiming to propel joint efforts in the development and market expansion of immersive audio solutions for intelligent car cabins. The partnership seeks to create industry-leading integrated product solutions, ensuring a high-quality acoustic experience for passengers.

KUSA Tech's autonomous street cleaning fleet commences operations in Suzhou

KUSA Tech's autonomous street cleaning vehicle, "Xingjun," has been deployed for operations on the urban roads of Wujiang District in Suzhou, Jiangsu Province since October 2023, the company recently announced.

Innovusion hits delivery milestone of 200,000 automotive LiDAR units

Innovusion, a Chinese LiDAR maker, has achieved a groundbreaking milestone, surpassing the delivery of 200,000 units in the car-mounted LiDAR market by November this year.

China's Hubei province wants new energy vehicle sales to be over 40% of total car output by 2025

On November 13, the People's Government of Hubei Province released the "Implementation Plan for the Transformation and Development of the Automobile Industry in Hubei Province (2023-2025)" (called "the Plan" for short) on its official website.

XPeng sees Q3 2023 revenue soar 68.5% over previous quarter

In Q3 2023, XPeng recorded total revenues of 8.53 billion yuan (US$1.17 billion), representing a 25% growth year-on-year (YoY) and a 68.5% leap quarter-on-quarter (QoQ).

GAC AION puts Hyper HT mid-to-large all-electric SUV onto market

On November 15, Hyper, the premium sub-brand under GAC AION, saw its first SUV model, the Hyper HT, officially hit the market. Coming with six trim levels, the model features a price range of 213,900 yuan to 329,900 yuan.
After concluding her K-drama "Eve," Seo Ye Ji has been under the radar. However, the actress once again garnered attention after the court released updates regarding the claims between her agency and a company.

Gold Medalist to Return 225 Million Won Following Seo Ye Ji's Controversy

In a report, the 25th Civil Affairs Division of the Seoul Central District Court released their decision regarding the lawsuit filed against the actress and her agency, Gold Medalist.

As mentioned by the news portal, the court granted that the talent label must return the 225 million won to the company, Yuhan Care, where the actress served as one of their ambassadors. This is half of the actress' total talent fee, amounting to 450 million won.

However, the court did not accept the company's claim for damages and penalties due to the controversy involving Seo Ye Ji.

It can be recalled that the "Eve" star signed the deal with Yuhan Care back in July 2020. A month later, Seo Ye Ji received her model fee in August 2020, and in the same month, her advertisements with the company were released.

Unfortunately, the actress got involved in a bullying and gaslighting issue, resulting in a huge backlash. Due to this, brands, including Yuhan Care, pulled out their advertisements featuring the actress.

In addition, the company reportedly demanded Gold Medalist terminate the contract and appeal the return of the talent fee.

However, the court found that Seo Ye Ji's issue, which includes gaslighting and school violence, happened before the contract period and did not violate the contract.

READ MORE: Korean Stars Who Recently Dropped Out From K-dramas, Movies: Han So Hee, Gong Yoo, More

As for the company, they claimed that the controversy damaged "the advertiser's product and corporate image or reduced advertising effectiveness through acts that harm the dignity of a public figure."

Seo Ye Ji's Controversy

2021 was a challenging year for the actress. At the height of her popularity, an issue regarding bullying resurfaced.

In addition, it was also revealed that she gaslighted her then boyfriend Kim Jung Hyun and prevented him from doing a skinship with "Time" co-star Girls' Generation's Seohyun.

At the time, she asked him to edit his parts in the series and wanted him not to do skinship and romance.

As an effect, Kim Jung Hyun was criticized for looking distant and uninterested towards his co-star.

What's Next for Seo Ye Ji?

A year after the incident, Seo Ye Ji returned to the small screen with her K-drama comeback, "Eve." Playing the revenge-driven Lee Ra El, she becomes the mistress of CEO Kang Yoon Gyeom, played by Park Byung Eun.

Viewers also loved the intense riff between Seo Ye Ji's character and Yoo Sun, who played the CEO's wife, Han So Ra.

After the series wraps up in 2022, there's no offer or up-and-coming project lined up for the actress.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Park Byung Eun Lauds 'Eve' Co-Star Seo Ye Ji's 'Amazing' Acting

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article

Written by Geca Wills
Some Koreans were disappointed in Korean star Han Hyo Joo during the 59th Grand Bell Awards.

For what reason? Then read on to find out.

Han Hyo Joo's Gown at the 59th Grand Bell Awards Draws Flak

On November 15, the prestigious Grand Bell Awards took place in South Korea. This event is also known as the Daejong International Awards, which recognizes various artists in the film industry.

Before the awarding ceremony, all eyes are on the A-list of stars who walked on the red carpet with their stunning ensembles. Many were left in awe by the beautiful artists who flaunted their dresses at the event.

However, one celebrity's outfit from the night got much attention... for the wrong reasons.

Han Hyo Joo attended the ceremony as she was nominated for her role in the fantasy series "Moving." Since she is one of the most-awaited stars in the event, many were looking forward to her outfit, as she had stolen the spotlight with her previous event appearances.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Kim Seon Ho's Acceptance Speech Becomes the Highlight at 59th Grand Bell Awards - Here's What Happened

At the 59th Grand Bell Awards, the lead actress appeared in a white dress with silver detailing that resembled sea shells. She had simple and beautiful make-up enhancing her natural visuals.

K-Netz Disappointed At Han Hyo Joo's Gown

Not everyone was satisfied with Han Hyo Joo's gown, calling it "unflattering."

In an online forum, K-Netz expressed their disappointment towards the actress' dress, wishing it would have been better styled.

"Han Hyo Joo's has been active well but why is every single one of her styling like that?"

"Why did they dress her like that?"

"The stylist needs to be fired."

"I think they chose a dress that's too much... It's hard to look good in it"

Han Hyo Joo Wins Best Actress for Her Role in 'Moving'

Meanwhile, Han Hyo Joo grabbed the attention of everyone after receiving a trophy at the prestigious event. She won the Best Actress Award for her outstanding performance in "Moving."

She played the role of a mother, Lee Mi Hyun, and a woman with supersenses.

Following her successful series, Han Hyo Joo is now preparing for her big screen comeback with the action-mystery "Believer 2." The director revealed that the actress really prepared for her character in the film and even allotted time to be in shape just to make sure she was in sync with the character.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Han Hyo Joo Reveals Overwhelming Support of 'Moving' Fans to Her New Movie: 'Bong Seok's mom is getting bad'

What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at KDramaStars.

KDramaStars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
K-drama lead star Han So Hee was spotted visiting Ryu Jun Yeol's art exhibit in Seoul. Keep on reading for details.

Han So Hee Spotted Visiting Ryu Jun Yeol's Solo Exhibit

On November 15, Han So Hee shared snaps on her Instagram stories. One of the pictures that caught the eyes of many was her solo pic. She was wearing a black and white furry hat and exhibited her natural beauty with only half of her face revealed.

Her deep red shade of eye makeup enhanced Han So Hee's mesmerizing gaze. Adding to the interest of the audience is her background, where the wall was painted with 'Ryu Jun Yeol Solo Exhibition.'

Upon seeing this, some were curious about their close ties. Some said that they might be friends. While others believe that since Han So Hee enjoys artistic things, she just made an impromptu visit to the exhibit to check the art made by the actor.

Ryu Jun Yeol & Lee Hye Ri Chose To Stay Friends After Break Up

Previously, Ryu Jun Yeol and Lee Hyeri became a hot topic in various online communities following the confirmation of their breakup. They have been in a relationship for seven years and decided to stay as friends.

According to sources, they still follow each other on Instagram, maintaining the friendship that they have and they stated that the former couple will continue to support each other's careers.

Han So Hee Makes Long-Awaited Return on Netflix With 'Gyeongseong Creature'

Meanwhile, Han So Hee is gearing up for her small screen return this December with "Gyeongseong Creature." It is one of her much-anticipated works this 2023. Following "My Name," the actress is returning to Netflix with this fantasy series alongside prominent stars Park Seo Joon and Wi Ha Joon.

The production team confirmed that Part 1 will be released on December 22, while Part 2 is still in discussion. The tentative schedule for the second installment is in the first half of 2024.

"Gyeongseong Creature" is set in the backdrop of Spring 1945 and follows the thriller journey of two young adults who face off against a creature born from human greed and fight to survive.

"Dr. Romantic" writer Kang Eun Kyung will pen the script and "Stove League" director Jung Dong Yoon will helm the drama.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Park Seo Joon & Han So Hee's 'Gyeongseong Creature' Announces Premiere- Here's What We Know

What can you say about the news? Share your thoughts/replies in the comments!

For more K-Drama, K-Movie, and celebrity news and updates, keep your tabs open here at Kdramastars.

Kdramastars owns this article.

Shai Collins wrote this.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 15, Hyper, the premium sub-brand under GAC AION, saw its first SUV model, the Hyper HT, officially hit the market. Coming with six trim levels, the model features a price range of 213,900 yuan to 329,900 yuan.

The Hyper HT represents the third addition to the Hyper lineup and stands as the brand's inaugural high-end all-electric SUV offering. Positioned as a mid-to-large all-electric SUV, the new model is crafted on the cutting-edge Hyper AEP3.0 BEV (battery electric vehicle)-dedicated platform and the Xingling electrical and electronic architecture.

Photo credit: GAC AION

The exterior design of the Hyper HT adopts the "human-machine symbiosis aesthetics" design philosophy. The overall aesthetic is both sleek and avant-garde, featuring a closed front grille complemented by fang-styled LED lights on either side, creating a visually striking effect. Notably, the design of the front headlights draws inspiration from the precision cutting techniques of gemstones, enhancing its visibility when illuminated.

Photo credit: GAC AION

An attention-grabbing feature is the uniquely equipped gull-wing doors, opening at a height of 2.3m with a horizontal opening space of only 34cm. This design not only adds an elegant touch but also facilitates easy entry and exit even in confined parking spaces.

Photo credit: GAC AION

The vehicle's side profile boasts a smooth, aerodynamic design with a significant sloping roof, coupled with a short rear wing, exuding the qualities of a coupe SUV. The model measures 4,935mm in length, 1,920mm in width, and 1,700mm in height, with a wheelbase of 2,935mm.

Photo credit: GAC AION

The rear design maintains simplicity, with a taillight assembly running across the width of the car, when illuminated, presents a distinctive droplet pattern at both ends.

Photo credit: GAC AION

Inside, the Hyper HT adheres to a familial design language, enveloping the cabin in expansive soft-touch materials that exude a sense of luxury. The available color options include the classic black and white, along with the distinctive Dunhuang Sand variant.

In terms of technology, the Hyper HT is equipped with the ADiGO 5.0 human-machine interaction system, supporting features such as four-zone voice interaction. Additionally, the model features three second-generation variable focus laser radars and incorporates Huawei's high-performance AI chip, offering the "Highway + City" NDA (Navigated Driving Assist) system. The model also introduces the latest ADIGO SPACE 5.0 smart cockpit, featuring a 14.6-inch 2K central screenand 22 PremiumHIFI speakers.

Photo credit: GAC AION

Under the hood, the Hyper HT is powered by an electric motor at the rear axle, offering two power options180kW/355 Nm and 250kW/430 Nm. The vehicle offers range choices of 550km, 600km, 670km, and 770km across its six available versions. Notably, the Hyper HT supports V2L (vehicle-to-load), catering to the needs of outdoor camping scenarios.

Addressing consumer concerns about charging and range, the Hyper HT introduces the 800V ultra-high voltage 5C flash charging, providing a remarkable 450km range with just a 10-minute charge. Coupled with the proprietary Quark Drive and a super-low drag coefficient of 0.245Cd, the Hyper HT achieves an impressive 770km of driving range.
The jury at the trial of a man accused of killing four members of a Muslim family in London, Ont., has reached a verdict. Nathaniel Veltman, left to right, defence lawyer Peter Ketcheson, defence lawyer Christopher Hicks, crown attorney Fraser Ball, crown attorney Sarah Shaikh and members of the jury attend Veltman's trial in Windsor, Ont. on Tuesday, Nov.14, 2023 in a courtroom sketch. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Alexandra Newbould
The practice of medicine has always been difficult. In the best of times, physicians must make fast decisions under very stressful conditions. Every time a doctor navigates a crisis, they reflect on what decisions they made and how they might improve. At least the good ones do. This soul-searching often involves discussions with colleagues and staff on the events and decisions made.

Mortality and morbidity discussions, M&M as we say, are critical to improving the practice of medicine around the world. But now, admitting to the slightest uncertainty about the decisions you made can send you to prison. Just as doctors who treat pain and addiction have been second-guessed and prosecuted, the reticle is moving on to physicians in other fields of medicine.

In August of 2022, District Judge B. Lynn Winmill issued an order granting a pause to a recently passed Idaho state law. The law made it a felony for anyone to perform or assist in an abortion, with a few exceptions, including saving a patients life. The problem is that once you save someones life, how can you prove that the intervention was necessary? This may seem like an academic question, but I assure you it is not. Someone can always argue that the patient would have survived without the procedure. This someone can be a law enforcement officer, or it can be a politician with a badge. Prosecutors in America dont need to take special classes or pass a test to gain the enormous power they wield. They are instead elected or politically appointed. If they have political ambitions, they need to make some news, and there is no better way to do that than a high-profile trial.

Physicians have traditionally been held in high esteem by American society, like military members and the police. But those who are elevated have further to fall, and everyone is fascinated by the destruction of a powerful or formerly well-respected person. That fascination gets Netflix documentaries made and boosts the prosecutors name into the public consciousness. Americas Mayor started as a prosecutor. So did most judges. According to a recent study, those selected to be federal judges who were advocates for the government outnumbered those who were advocates for citizens by a factor of 12 to 1. The road to political success is clear. Dont be soft on crime.

So now you have a perfect storm. A prosecutorial open season, if you will, on ER doctors who are faced with this choice. Physicians and the federal government sued, arguing that the law was vaguely written and created an obstacle to determining when it was acceptable to intervene. Being wrong meant two to five years in state prison and revocation of a doctors medical license. The law claimed to differ to a doctors good faith medical judgment to prevent a pregnant patients death. What they dont address is that this can be overridden by an argument of willful blindness. This is the argument used against many physicians who treat pain and addiction, that a doctor should have known to or not to do something but chose to be willfully blind. Willfully blind to what? To whatever argument the state wants to make. This negates what is called mens rea, the guilty mind component that used to be required to convict someone of a felony. It also obviates the recent Ruan ruling. Now, the state is allowed to argue that the accused knew, should have known, or were willfully blind, to what they should have done. And they can bring experts in to testify that the doctor should have known to do whatever the prosecutor wants to argue to the jury. That makes any attempt at post-crisis evaluation a threat to a doctors freedom.

Judge Winmill saw this danger and issued his injunction against the new law to protect physicians who make these critical decisions. ER doctors and OB/GYNs. The Judge saw the new law as contrary to the federal Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act, better known as EMTALA. ER physicians know that they must provide stabilizing medical care to all patients with an emergency who come to any hospital that receives Medicare payments. The order read that  the state of Idaho, including all of its officers, employees, and agents, are prohibited from initiating any criminal prosecution against, attempting to suspend or revoke the professional license of, or seeking to impose any other form of liability on, any medical provider or hospital,  if an abortion is necessary to avoid placing the health of a pregnant patient in serious jeopardy or risking serious impairment to bodily functions or organs. Doctors breathed a sigh of relief, but not for long.

The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals overturned the stay just a few months later. Ruling that the life of the mother exception is sufficient, thereby stripping protection from the physicians and hospitals. And now it is just a matter of time until a prosecutor will seek to become a darling of voters who equate any abortion with murder. Having started my medical career in the emergency room, I dont know what to tell them to keep them safe from prosecution. Wait too long, and you cost a woman her life; decide too soon, by some laypersons estimation, and risk the destruction of everything you have built in your life. The fact is that no matter what you do, someone, somewhere, will feel that you were wrong. And while you might argue medical science and reason, the jurys feelings will decide your fate. To my colleagues still in the trenches, tread softly, and good luck.

L. Joseph Parker is a distinguished professional with a diverse and accomplished career spanning the fields of science, military service, and medical practice. He currently serves as the chief science officer and operations officer, Advanced Research Concepts LLC, a pioneering company dedicated to propelling humanity into the realms of space exploration. At Advanced Research Concepts LLC, Dr. Parker leads a team of experts committed to developing innovative solutions for the complex challenges of space travel, including space transportation, energy storage, radiation shielding, artificial gravity, and space-related medical issues.

He can be reached on LinkedIn and YouTube.
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In recent years, there has been an exponential growth in global awareness surrounding the subject of mental health. As it becomes increasingly evident that mental well-being is just as crucial as physical health, community interventions such as Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) have gained prominence. Originally conceived in Australia in 2000, MHFA has since been adopted in various countries and tailored to meet the specific mental health needs of different communities.

The concept of Mental Health First Aid

Mental Health First Aid is a training program designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to provide immediate assistance to someone experiencing a mental health crisis. Similar to traditional first aid, MHFA does not substitute professional medical help; rather, it serves as a preliminary step that can effectively mitigate the severity of the situation until appropriate treatment can be administered. The program covers a broad spectrum of topics, ranging from depression and anxiety to substance abuse and suicidal ideation.

Enhancing community resilience

One of the most significant benefits of implementing MHFA training in communities is the development of resilience. In this context, resilience refers to the collective ability of a community to manage, respond to, and recover from mental health issues. By training a sufficient number of individuals in MHFA, communities can establish a grassroots-level support system. This is particularly vital in areas where professional mental health services are scarce or difficult to access. Essentially, MHFA acts as a first line of defense, bridging the gap between the onset of a mental health crisis and professional intervention.

Stigma reduction

Despite progressive strides in public awareness, mental health still carries a social stigma that can discourage individuals from seeking help. MHFA training challenges these societal norms by educating community members on the realities of mental illness, thereby correcting misperceptions and debunking myths. As more people become skilled in MHFA, there is a corresponding increase in open dialogues about mental health, which in turn helps normalize the conversation and reduce stigma.

Capacity building and education

MHFA serves as an invaluable educational tool that enhances community capacity to manage mental health issues. By focusing on early detection and intervention, MHFA aims to reduce the long-term impact of mental illness. Furthermore, those who undergo MHFA training often become advocates for mental health awareness, thereby spreading knowledge and contributing to a culture of mental wellness.

Economic implications

Mental health issues have a tangible economic impact on communities, often resulting in decreased productivity, increased absenteeism, and elevated health care costs. Effective implementation of MHFA can contribute to reducing these economic burdens. Early intervention often leads to quicker recovery and reduces the likelihood of an issue escalating into a more severe, and consequently, more costly condition.

Global applicability and adaptability

One of the unique strengths of MHFA is its versatility and applicability across different cultural and social settings. Although initially designed for a Western context, the program has been successfully adapted to meet the specific needs and challenges of various global communities. This adaptability makes MHFA a universally valuable tool in enhancing mental health outcomes. The World Health Organization implements a similar approach to address the mental health need in global settings.

Conclusion

Mental Health First Aid is a transformative community intervention that extends beyond mere crisis management. By enhancing resilience, reducing stigma, and building capacity, MHFA plays a pivotal role in fostering mental wellness at the grassroots level. Its economic benefits and global adaptability further underscore its significance as a universally applicable tool for mental health improvement.

As society continues to make strides in acknowledging the importance of mental well-being, community-based programs like Mental Health First Aid will undeniably play an increasingly critical role in shaping the mental health landscape globally.

By comprehensively addressing mental health through community engagement and education, we take a decisive step towards creating environments where mental wellness is not just an ideal, but a reality.

Charlotte Nwogwugwu is a psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 13, the People's Government of Hubei Province released the "Implementation Plan for the Transformation and Development of the Automobile Industry in Hubei Province (2023-2025)" (called "the Plan" for short) on its official website.

The overarching objective of the Plan is to establish Hubei as a key national hub for the production of new energy vehicles (NEVs) by 2025. The Plan aims to achieve a remarkable milestone, with the production of NEVs constituting over 40% of the total automobile output in the province by 2025, amounting to an estimated production value of 350 billion yuan. The focus lies on elevating key core technologies, such as power battery systems, new chassis architectures, and intelligent driving systems, ensuring its independent and controllable capabilities, and significantly enhancing the level of industrial security.

New VOYAH FREE; photo credit: VOYAH

The Plan also outlines ambitious targets, with over 80% of sales comprising NEVs with Level 2 and higher-level driver assistance features in the province by 2025.

To realize these objectives, the Plan emphasizes leveraging existing assets and production capacities of local automotive enterprises. Leading companies like Dongfeng Motor Corporation are expected to play a pivotal role in driving the transformation towards electrification, connectivity, and intelligence. By 2025, the province aims to ensure an NEV annual production capacity exceeding 2.5 million vehicles, solidifying its position as a major automotive hub.

The Plan further advocates for the comprehensive application of intelligent connected vehicles in diverse scenarios. Emphasizing the integration of 5G, autonomous driving, C-V2X, and artificial intelligence, Hubei is set to accelerate the development of the national "Dual Intelligence" pilot program in Wuhan, its capital city. This involves the systematic opening of streets, roads, airports, and ports as demonstration areas for intelligent connected vehicles.

Hubei's commitment to intelligent infrastructures is evident in its goal to accelerate the construction of intelligent road networks. By 2025, the province plans to open over 2000 kilometers of test roads and establish 180 kilometers of smart highways, ensuring comprehensive coverage in key areas to meet the demands of vehicle-road coordination, smart transportation, and intelligent travel applications.

The plan also outlines ambitious targets for charging infrastructure development. Hubei aims to achieve full coverage of fast-charging infrastructure in public parking lots by 2024 and build 600,000 charging piles and 60 hydrogen stations by 2025.
Corporate companies have called for more interventions to fight non-communicable diseases in the country.

Uganda is one of many countries burdened by Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in Africa.

Reports from the Ministry of Health indicate that NCDs, affecting Ugandans include cancers, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, chronic respiratory diseases, mental health conditions, and substance abuse conditions.

The chief executive officer for Jubilee Health Insurance, Mr Dan Musiime says the community should be sensitized to promote aspects that emphasize healthy living, such as guidance on nutrition, and exercise among others.

He made the remarks while officiating at the launch of a platform code-named Maisha FITI application which has been created by the company to help communities seek treatment and preventive measures for non-communicable diseases.

We believe in the power of innovation and through the app, we empower you with knowledge to take charge of your health. We understand that the journey to wellness is unique and we want to create a community where experiences and challenges can be shared amongst that community, Musiime said.

In Uganda, nearly one in four adults die from non-communicable diseases before the age of 70. Additionally, NCDs are estimated to kill around 100,000
By Malik Fahad Jjingo

Councilors in Masaka City are pushing for the impeachment of the speaker, Mr Tony Ssempijja, accusing him of alleged abuse of office, incompetence, and continued misconduct.

In their petition to Local Government Minister, councilors claim that Mr Ssempijja has on several occasions violated the law while inviting members for council business on short notice with an improper mode of service hence violating rules of procedure.

He committed an illegality when he convened an illegal council yet he was warned against it , but didnt take it hence holding him liable as guided by R.14(4) with pecuniary responsibilities as provided for in Rules of procedure. the letter dated October 28 reads in part.

The embattled speaker has served in the position for barely 3 years.

A total of 10 out of the 15 councilors who signed the petition also accuse the speaker of smuggling an item into council business which led to the election and merging of sectorial committee before the end of tenure, saying he violated rules; 19, 18(6) and 27(5) of the rules of procedure.

Rule 99 (2) guides that the executive members are not allowed to vote for standing committees as it was stated in the minutes,

Mr Rogers Buregye, one of the councilors who signed the petition said the speaker and clerk to the council have refused to sign council minutes, which has affected councilors allowances and emoluments.

Councilors allowances for the financial year 2022-2023 have on several occasions been deducted with no good reason and when we tried to find out why, we learned that several minutes were not signed by the speaker and up to now we have never received that payment, he said on Thursday

The city speaker Ssempijja however dismissed the councilors claims, saying that they were aimed at tarnishing his name. He said that he is ready to respond to councilors complaints before the minister of local government, who is expected to be in Masaka to address the standoff between a section of councilors and the speaker.

In response to councilors concerns, Minister Raphael Magyezi directed the Mayor of Masaka City , Ms Florence Namayanja to convene a council meeting today (November 16) to resolve the impasse.

By a copy of this letter you are required to invite the petitioner, the speaker, and all councilors to the said meeting, the meeting shall be chaired by the minister for local government or a person delegated in writing, Mr Magyezi said in a letter dated October 31.

But in another letter dated November 10, Mr Ben Kumumanya,the permanent secretary in the Ministry of Local Government said the meeting between the minister and Masaka City leaders had been rescheduled to November 29.
President Museveni says the terrorism in Africa is either created or conserved by some of the actors that he says try to be global policemen.

In yet another missive addressed to Ugandans most of whom he refers to as the Bazzukulu (grandchildren), the president asserted that the terrorism conservation project in Eastern Congo for the past 20 years has been created by the United Nations (UN) through what he called its undemocratic structures like the Security Council.

The president has also cited chaos in Libya, Mali, Burkina-Faso, Niger, Nigeria, and Chad which he as well blamed on the UN structures.

Part of the terrorism in Africa is either created or conserved by some of the actors that try to be global policemen. The chaos in Libya and the surrounding countries of the Sahel (Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Nigeria, Chad, etc.) was caused by some of these actors, he wrote.

The terrorism conservation project in eastern Congo,for the past 20 years,is by the UN, which is controlled by some of these actors through the undemocratic structures of that body, such as the Security Council, he said in a state- ment issued on his X handle yesterday.

He added: It is amazing how the UN can supervise and coexist with killers of Congolese and Ugandans in eastern Congo for the last 20 years, and they are not bothered at all. They have created free space for all sorts of empty-head-ed pigs to gather, train, steal resources of Congo, kill Congolese and, once in a while, kill Ugandans, as well as undermining the economic future of the people of the Great Lakes.

In 2018, while closing at the Global Peace Leadership Conference in Munyonyo, President Museveni singled out the United Nations and the USA for raging conflicts in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Business proprietors have been challenged to invest more in Artificial Intelligence (AI) to cut costs.

Speaking on the sidelines of the 8th edition of the Thought Leaders Forum in Kampala, the keynote speaker, Mr Nyimpini Mabunda said that Artificially Intelligence systems are benefitting businesses across the globe, and that though there ethical questions about regulation and intrusion into private and professional lives, AI is the way forward especially for Africa.

He says regardless of the infrastructural challenges on the continent with about 500 million people off the power grid, it is time for companies to invest and leverage possibilities with AI.

The cost of doing business is going up everywhere if we dont act now, we are actually going to be left behind. Acting now may help us solve a lot of problems in our continent. I think that used correctly in partnership with the public sector, AI can be an advantage for our continent, he said.

If not controlled, AI can cause a lot of harm especially in terms of fake news and data theft because it does not know what is morally right and wrong and this could lead to legal consequences, he added.

The dialogue organized by the Nation Media Group  Uganda (NMG-U) has this year has been held under the theme, The impact and disruptions of artificial intelligence in Africa; is AI a friend, or a foe?

Other partners include the National Social Security Fund (NSSF), DFCU Bank, Uganda Breweries Limited (UBL), NCBA Bank, and the Uganda Airlines.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On November 15, HiPhi, the Chinese luxury electric vehicle brand under Human Horizons, unveiled its inaugural collaborative product, the HiPhi A, at its headquarters in Shanghai. The physical debut of this model is scheduled for the Auto Guangzhou 2023 on November 17, 2023.

HiPhi A; photo credit: HiPhi

The HiPhi A is set to be produced in limited series run, with manufacturing and delivery slated to commence in the first quarter of 2025. Positioned as the hypercar for the next generation, the HiPhi A is the result of a strategic partnership between HiPhi and WESAIL New Energy Automotive, seamlessly integrating HiPhi's cutting-edge battery and motor technology with the classic hypercar elements from WESAIL New Energy Automotive's Apollo line.

David Ding, HiPhi Founder, Chairman and CEO, said, "Current trends will always continue to evolve and change with the advancement of technology and the passage of time, while classic and refined luxury has an enduring appeal. From the internal combustion engine era to the new era of intelligent electric mobility, the top hypercars should represent the pinnacle of innovative technology while still paying tribute to the classics, showcasing the transformative nature as a way to look toward the future. The combination of HiPhi's luxury product concept, first-class development and industrial capabilities with WESAIL New Energy Automotive's Apollo supercar elements, combined with the technical expertise and innovation from ShanghaiTech University, makes HiPhi A what it is  a true work of art for this new era."

HiPhi A; photo credit: HiPhi

The HiPhi A showcases avant-garde styling influenced by the futuristic aesthetics of the HiPhi range, highlighted by a seamlessly executed carbon fiber and matte paint finish that impeccably accentuates the car's contours. The commanding visual presence is further emphasized by the expansive front and rear wing panels and notably wide tires. Inside, the LuxTech details familiar to HiPhi owners abound, with a driver-centric front-row setup featuring the revolutionary HiPhi Bot and a capacious and comfortable rear, solidifying the HiPhi A's status as the ultimate 4-door 4-seater and a digital EV hypercar for the next generation.

The HiPhi A is set to showcase unparalleled performance, boasting a remarkable 0-100 km/h acceleration in just over 2 seconds and targeting an impressive top speed of nearly 300 km/h.

What sets it apart is being the first vehicle equipped with HiPhi's in-house-developed high-performance powertrain, encompassing both the battery pack and motors. Built on the advanced 800V platform, the electric drive assembly adopts a distinctive layout with a front single-motor drive and rear dual-motor drive, delivering a peak power of up to 1,305 PS. The motors feature an industry-leading ultra-high-speed carbon-fiber rotor design, coupled with advanced cooling technologies, allowing for speeds of 22,000 rpm and sustained high-power output for over 30 minutes.

The battery pack of the HiPhi A demonstrates remarkable capabilities, with the ability to discharge 1.5MW of power at its peak. It introduces a carbon fiber bullet-proof bottom shield and a fireproof sprayed carbon fiber top cover. With HiPhi's cloud control battery technology on board, it delivers both performance and safety.

The automaker said the HiPhi A ingeniously incorporates the first-ever use of aircraft-grade TC4 titanium alloy in both automotive interior and exterior trim. Complementing this innovative choice, the vehicle features high-performance aluminum alloys, nano-ceramics, and other advanced materials in its chassis.

Notably, HiPhi has initiated a collaboration with the Intelligent Manufacturing System Center at ShanghaiTech University. This partnership aims to undertake a comprehensive closed-loop development process, encompassing material powder selection, inventive structural design, simulation of the printing process, and vigilant monitoring of the production process, in order to propel the widespread adoption and application of 3D printing technology within the automotive industry.

The HiPhi A's nimble and precise handling is underpinned by an array of advanced chassis technologies, including rear-wheel active steering, CDC (continuously variable damping), and a meticulously maintained front-to-rear axle weight ratio of nearly 50:50. To further elevate its handling prowess, the HiPhi A is set to feature HiPhi's groundbreaking torque vectoring control technology, known as HVC (HiPhi Vectoring Control). According to HiPhi, this integration promises a 15% enhancement in cornering performance and a notable 10% improvement in braking capabilities.
By AFP

British Foreign Secretary David Cameron vowed to maintain military support for Ukraine during a surprise visit to Kyiv announced on Thursday, with the Wests attention focused on the Middle East.

Former prime minister Cameron was in Kyiv and also visited the southern port city of Odesa on his first trip abroad as foreign minister of the UK, which has been a staunch ally of Ukraine since Russia invaded.

We will continue to give you the moral support, diplomatic support, the economic support, but above all, the military support, that you need not just this year, and next year, but for however long it takes, Cameron said during a meeting with Zelensky.

Russia thinks it can wait this war out, and that the West will eventually turn its attention elsewhere. This could not be further from the truth, he added in a separate statement.

His visit, nearly two years into Russias invasion of Ukraine, came with global attention shifting to the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Zelensky thanked Cameron for making the trip while the worlds attention was focused on more than one month of brutal fighting between Israels army and Hamas.

Now you know the world is not focused on the situation on our battlefield in Ukraine and dividing the focus really does not help, he told Cameron in a video distributed by the presidency.

He added that the two men had had a good meeting that focused on weapons for the front line, strengthening air defence, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.

Camerons backing for Ukraine came with concern building among Kyivs allies over minimal military advances in recent months.

Neither Russia nor Ukraine has made any significant territorial gains for a year, and Kyivs top army commander said that fighting had ground to a stalemate.

But there are growing reports that Ukrainian forces have gained a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro river in the south of the country, which Kyiv hopes could pave the way for substantial Ukrainian advances towards Crimea.

Ukraines Foreign Ministry also said Cameron had attended talks with his counterpart Dmytro Kuleba on issues related to weapon deliveries, arms production, and maritime security in the Black Sea.

The Foreign Office said Cameron had visited the port of Odesa on Thursday  the second day of the visit  and hailed new measures to insure cargo ships utilising Ukraines ports despite Russian military threats.

This step will be of great importance for Ukraines export earnings and its economic recovery, said Cameron, according to a Ukrainian Foreign Ministry statement.

Zelensky meanwhile hailed efforts to restart shipping routes on the Black Sea after Russia earlier this year exited a deal safeguarding grain exports from Ukraines ports.

We have been able to provide such protection to the western part of the Black Sea, which now enables our maritime export corridors to operate, he told representatives of countries on the Black Sea.

Cameron earlier met with Deputy Prime Minister Olga Stefanishyna, London said, to discuss Ukraines aspirations to join the US-led NATO alliance.

The UK is clear that Ukraines rightful place is in NATO and is working with Allies to smooth the path to Ukraines accession by removing the need for a Membership Action Plan, Cameron was cited as saying.

The announcement of Camerons visit came as Ukraines air force said air defence systems had downed 16 Russian attack drones overnight, as well as one cruise missile.
Chinese commerce minister to hold talks with U.S. counterpart

Xinhua) 20:32, November 16, 2023

BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's Minister of Commerce Wang Wentao will hold talks with U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo during the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting, Ministry of Commerce spokesperson He Yadong said Thursday.

The two sides will discuss the implementation of the consensus reached by the two heads of state at their summit in San Francisco and resolve important issues in bilateral economic and trade relations, the spokesperson said at a regular press briefing.

He said the ministry will strive to facilitate the sound and steady development of China-U.S. economic and trade relations to inject more stability and positive energy into the world economy.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Xian Jiangnan)
INDIANAPOLISA Republican lawmaker in Indiana has announced the introduction of a bill that lays out the framework for an age verification system in the Hoosier State.

Republican state Sen. Mike Bohacek of Michiana Shores introduced the Preliminary Draft 3021 bill as a measure similar to most age verification bills proposed or adopted by Republican-dominated legislatures.

It shares one similarity to an Ohio age verification proposal that makes it a crime for webmasters and site owners who don't adhere to age-gating rules from state officials.

An Ohio age verification proposal would make it a felony for adult site operators found to be violating the bill if it became law. It also would be a misdemeanor charge for those who circumvent the state-mandated age gate, namely teenagers, through a virtual private network.

The Preliminary Draft 3021 proposes a misdemeanor charge for a site operator who knowingly or intentionally publishes content on the internet with pornographic material without verifying the ages of users logging on from Indiana-based IP addresses, reports local NBC affiliate station WNDU, based in South Bend. Other bill elements include age verification requirements that are copycat policies based on the age verification law implemented in Louisiana in January 2023.

Louisiana became the first state in the union to require government ID or reasonable measures to ensure that age verification is happening for all web users who visit a website.

Federal courts, so far, have yielded conflicts in case law regarding age verification laws in other states.

A federal district court in Austin, Tex., ruled that a local age-gating law requiring so-called public health labels on websites.

AVN reported that these labels are pseudoscientific and not based on facts.

Correction: The NBC affiliate is in South Bend, not Indianapolis.
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Kilkenny City Harriers will host Irelands Medieval Mile run on Friday, December 1 in association with Yulefest Kilkenny.

Open to all levels, the run takes place through Kilkenny City and along Kilkennys famous Medieval Mile. With twinkling Christmas lights, a live DJ and a Parade finish, a festive atmosphere is guaranteed.

Runners can expect a fast course, crossing over St Francis Bridge, up Irishtown, through High Street to a lively finish at Kilkenny Castle. With prizes for the first, second and third male and female runners, first male and female junior and a bonus for first male home under four minutes and female home under 4.35 minutes.

With two events, including a chipped timing and free event, the run has something for everyone, from those looking to break the four minute mile barrier to those out for a stroll with the family. Registration for both events is required. Find out more at yulefestkilkenny.ie.

The Medieval Mile run is the traditional Christmas opener for runners and families and takes participants through the night-lit medieval streets. KCH is looking forward to welcoming families, runners and walkers on December 1, said John Maye of KCH.

Speaking about the event Tim Butler, Director of Services for Kilkenny County Council who has responsibility for Yulefest said the council was delighted to work once again with KCH.

Their Medieval Mile run is part of our very exciting range of Yulefest events, he said. Its always a great occasion both for runners, looking to achieve milestones, and also for the family as an event to come together get some exercise have fun and begin to celebrate the festive season.
Kathleen Chada has a vision of a future where her nieces and nephews live in a safer world. A world where they have the confidence to speak out about domestic violence, where they know how to spot the red flags in a relationship, and where no family ever has to face the heartbreak she has.



On July 29, 2013, Kathleens husband Sanjeev killed their two little boys Eoghan and Ruairi. Today she accepts that amidst their mostly normal family life lurked an evil, and that she was a victim of domestic abuse. But accepting that has been a journey for her.



Speaking in Kilkenny, on Monday, Kathleen described how now, after 10 years of reflection and support, she can see there were red flags in her relationship with the man she loved. Because domestic abuse isnt just about physical violence, it can take many forms, including coercive control or verbal abuse.

She wants society to take the secrecy from the subject of domestic abuse, so that we can talk about it and, if needed, know how to ask for help.



Kathleen was in Kilkenny to help launch the Kilkenny Domestic Abuse booklet on information, emergency and support services.

Telling her story, Kathleen said domestic violence is a huge problem in society, but it is hidden. This is changing, but not fast enough. Statistically, she said, she knows domestic violence is happening in homes around hers, to people in her work place, but she doesnt know what is going on or with whom. We cant see it and that is why we need to speak out, she told the room of men and women from the support services in Kilkenny.



Ten years ago Kathleen was living a normal life. She didnt know her husband had a gambling addiction. And then he murdered their children.

As she told stories of times in their relationship she now knows were warning signs, Kathleen said: Im telling you this because I considered myself a sensible, professional person. I loved him and I didnt want to rock the boat.

Coercive control, gaslighting, manipulation were all there, and now I see it. She stressed that anyone who abuses their children or partner is responsible for their own actions.



Kathleen said she knows she cant bring her boys back, but by speaking out she hopes to change the future for all young people. To empower them and give them the confidence to see the signs early in a relationship.



Produced by the Kilkenny Domestic Abuse Action Network (KDAAN), the booklet contains contacts for everyone from the local gardai to family resource centres, TUSLA, the Courts Service, child protection services, legal aid and many more.



A lot of consideration was given to how the booklet should look. It is credit card sized to easily fit in a wallet or handbag and contains comprehensive information.

One of its important features, for everyone, is explaining how to recognise the hand gesture that has become the international symbol for someone who is experiencing domestic violence and needs help.



Garda Inspector Alma Molloy said the theme of this years 16 Days of Action Against Domestic Violence is uniting and in that spirit statutory, voluntary and support bodies came together to produce this valuable resource.

One in three women are affected by domestic violence, she said. We all know someone. In Ireland there are 126 garda callouts to domestic violence incidents every day. The garda computer system recorded more than 25,000 reports of domestic violence incidents in July.



Inspector Molloy welcomed the new legislation which strengthens the laws dealing with domestic violence, as well as including new offences like stalking and non-fatal strangulation, all of which they know are part of domestic violence.

She said gardai are now very well trained to deal with domestic violence, they show empathy and respect, as do the legal and court services. A Garda Divisional Protective Services Unit (DPSU) was set up in Kilkenny in 2018.

Jean Murphy, from Amber Womens Refuge, explained KDAAN was first set up in 2020 and now has a membership of 19 organisations in Kilkenny.

Over the past number of years there has been a huge rise in domestic violence against women, Jean said, and in the last year alone Amber has had nearly 1,200 enquiries about their services.

Eileen Dillon, Newpark Close Family Resource Centre, said KDAAN had allowed all groups working in the domestic violence area to get to know each other and each bring their own expertise and knowledge to the group.

Speakers included also Caitriona Kirwan, divisional support liaison officer with TUSLA, and Leigh Ann Ryan Culleton from CYPSC.
The Irish Government has faced claims of double standards on Israel and Russia after it voted down calls for sanctions against the Israeli state over its actions in Gaza.

Sinn Fein and People Before Profit (PBP) both laid that charge to Finance Minister Michael McGrath during sometimes heated scenes in the Dail on Thursday.

Opposition motions calling for a range of economic and diplomatic sanctions, including the expulsion of Israels ambassador in Dublin Dana Erlich, were defeated in the Dail on Wednesday evening.

Proposals for Ireland to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court (ICC) were also voted down.

While the Government did not expel Russias ambassador after the invasion of Ukraine, it did back EU sanctions against Vladimir Putins regime and also referred its actions to the ICC.

Sinn Feins Pearse Doherty asked why Ireland was not making a similar referral about Israel. He accused Mr McGrath of double standards.

So last year, this government rightly joined with others in referring Russia to the International Criminal Court for war crimes, he said.

Palestinian lives, minister, are just as worthy of our attention as Ukrainian lives.

In the pursuit of justice and accountability for the Palestinian people, will this government now change direction and join with South Africa and refer Israel to the ICC for the crimes, that you say are difficult to watch in the news, but war crimes we see before our eyes every single day.

Mr McGrath insisted the situation in Ukraine was fundamentally different.

Ireland did refer to the ICC prosecutor because in that case Ukraine was not a party to the ICC statute, and a prosecutor could not therefore begin an immediate investigation without a state party referral, he explained.

He said the chief prosecutor for the ICC had already confirmed that an ongoing investigation in the Middle East covered the events of recent weeks in Israel and Gaza.

Earlier, during Leaders Questions, PBP TD Richard Boyd Barrett also drew a comparison with the Governments response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Setting aside the ambassador, why sanctions on Putin for his war crimes, but nothing, no sanction whatsoever ever, ever imposed on Israel, even when theyre slaughtering thousands and thousands of children? he asked.

Mr Boyd Barrett added: Last night, 55 deputies in here voted to expel the Israeli ambassador, to sanction Israel, to refer them for war crimes and for genocide, but still you voted against.

Now could you please explain to me what level of atrocity Israel has to commit, how many babies they have to murder, how many hospitals they have to bomb, how many houses they have to bomb, how many people they have to ethnically cleanse before you think it would be time to impose the sorts of sanctions that you were very quick to impose on Russia, for Putins invasion of Ukraine.

Are Palestinian babies and lives less valuable than those of Ukrainians that you dont feel it is justified in the face of the slaughter to sanction them for the crimes they are committing?

Mr McGrath reiterated the Governments view that maintaining diplomatic relations with Israel was important.

He said such relations were particularly vital given ongoing efforts to secure safe passage through the Rafah crossing into Egypt for Irish citizens who remained in Gaza, and in regard to attempts to secure the release of Irish-Israeli girl Emily Hand, eight, who is believed to be being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza.

International diplomacy and maintaining channels of communication is not about staying close to your friends or about endorsing policies, its about keeping channels open for when you need them, Mr McGrath said.

And we need them because in trying to secure the safe access out of Gaza of the remaining of our citizens there, and in trying to be heard in advocating for peace, its important that we continue to communicate and we continue to have dialogue with all of those in the region.

And we have about 400 (UN) peacekeepers, Irish men and women in the region.

So Ireland has to maintain diplomatic relations with Israel.

But we also will call out when we see it, the level of force that has been used in our view is completely disproportionate.

Civilians should be protected. Gaza and Hamas are not the same thing, the civilians in Gaza should not be the subject of collective punishment by the Israeli Defence Force.

So Ireland is an important actor. We have a voice, we are being listened to.
ABOVE: Students and teachers from six of the Kilkenny Secondary Schools that took part in this year's Rotary Youth Leadership Awards in Kilkenny. Click NEXT for more photographs.

A student from Colaiste Abhainn Ri, in Callan, will represent Kilkenny at the regional finals of the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards.

Ella Cantwell took part in two rounds of competition interviews, in her school and the county final, before being named as the Kilkenny winner.

The fifth year student will now go on to represent the county at the regional finals, to be held in Wexford next month.

Held annually, the Rotary Youth Leadership Awards has been running for 25 years. It rewards young people with clear leadership potential and offers them an opportunity to enhance their personal development and improve their communication and teambuilding skills. Students learn life skills, as well as gaining confidence in public speaking and debate. Every year great friendships are formed that last for years.

The winners of the regional competition will take part in a gathering of students, from across Ireland and Europe, at the European Parliament. The prize is a five day all expenses paid trip, which includes a visit to the European Parliament in Strasbourg in February each year. The trip in previous years started with a visit to Stormont in Belfast, the European Parliament Office in Dublin, Dail Eireann and then to Strasbourg. In advance of the trip, students will be informed of the current European issues which they will debate, amend, vote and adopt in the EU Parliament.
WASHINGTONSen. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., told the Communications Daily public policy news site that she intends to hotline the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) through the U.S. Senate before the end of the year.

Cantwell is chair of the Senate Commerce Committee.

Hotlining is a legislative tactic where a senator or team of senators can expedite the passage of a bill through unanimous consent of the members of the Senate.

A single senator can block a hotline process, but the objections are made public since these objections would have to be voiced on the Senate floor during a second reading phase. A second reading is when a bill is officially read on the Senate floor, allowing for floor amendments and debates. A third reading is the formal final vote before sending the bill to the House of Representatives for a similar process.

After a markup session in July, the Senate Commerce Committee advanced KOSA to the Senate floor.

"Its always busy as we come to the end of the year, and we will be working to determine the appropriate opportunity," Sen. Cantwell said in a statement to Communications Daily.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-CT, is one of the bipartisan prime co-sponsors of the bill. He told the outlet he is in favor of any approach that gets a vote" on KOSA.

As AVN has reported, KOSA is a controversial online safety bill that is widely opposed by civil liberties organizations and the technology space due to the far-reaching nature of the bill.

Seventy-four local and regional LGBTQ+ rights groups and civil society groups, including the American Civil Liberties Union, remain opposed to the bill despite the committee's markup.

It also doesn't help Cantwell and Blumenthal that the other prime co-sponsor on the bill is Sen. Marsha Blackburn, R-Tenn., who told a far-right religious group that KOSA could be used to protect minors from "the transgender."

Blumenthal has worked overtime in recent months to walk back Blackburn's remarks and to clarify that the bill has been amended to accommodate concerns from the LGBTQ+ community. Forty-six senators have signed the bill as sponsors, adding a duty of care requiring tech platforms to overhaul trust and safety protocol to protect minors.

Technology companies, like Facebook and Instagram parent Meta, argue that this is nearly impossible given large user bases, concerns over privacy, and the striking a balance in content moderation.

KOSA also requires agencies in the executive branch to coordinate with Congress for an investigation to determine whether nationwide age-gate policies are necessary for social media platforms and other websites that host content harmful to minors.
Blair Way, president and CEO of Patriot Battery Metals, (ASX:PMT, TSXV:PMET), said 2023 highlights were putting out a maiden resource at the Corvette lithium property in Quebec, and a CAD$109 million financing with US chemicals giant Albemarle (NYSE:ALB).

In early November Way was interviewed by Kitco Mining at the International Mining and Resources Conference (IMARC 2023) in Sydney, Australia.

The Corvette property hosts the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite with a maiden inferred mineral resource estimate of 109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li2O and 160 ppm Ta2O5 (at a cut-off of 0.40% Li2O). It ranks as the largest lithium pegmatite resource in the Americas, and is among the 10 biggest lithium pegmatite resources in the world.

Way was asked about consolidation in the lithium space despite a decline in the prices of lithium products.

There's quite a bit of noise and I'll say misinformation around the pricing of spodumene or carbonates or hydroxides and look, there's some games being played by some of the primary consumers which is mostly in China, so we're seeing some stockpiling then depleting, then stockpiling again, which is making the values of these various lithium products a bit unclear, he said. But when you look at some of the producers of spodumene concentrate here in Western Australia, you're seeing still pretty significant pricing, upwards of 3,000 US dollars a tonne for 6% con, that's still an incredible price for spodumene.

We see the outlook for demand for lithium and certainly demand for a product that we think we can produce at the Corvette property in North America is just going upwards not anywhere else, he added.

Patriot plans to continue drilling out Corvette with 10 drills on site in January. The company will also begin the permitting process.

Kitco Mining's coverage of IMARC 2023 was sponsored by White Noise Communications.
Galan Lithium (ASX:GLN) announced today it signed a binding offtake agreement with Glencore. Glencore will purchase technical grade lithium chloride product from Galans HMW project in Catamarca Province, Argentina. The offtake commitment does not require Galan to have secured an export licence for its lithium chloride. Glencore will accept offtake for Galans lithium chloride to be toll treated into lithium carbonate for sale and export from Argentina. Galan said production is forecast to commence in H1 2025. Galan traded up 10% to 76 cents. By Kitco News For Kitco News Follow @kitconewsnow www.kitco.com

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this article do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.
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(Kitco News) - Chilean lithium giant Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile (NYSE: SQM) yesterday reported net income of $1,809.5 million in 9M 2023 ($6.33 per share), a decrease of approximately 34.3% from US$2,755.3 million in 9M 2022 ($9.65 per share).

The company also reported net income for the third quarter of 2023 of $479.4 million ($1.68 per share), a decrease of approximately 56.4% compared to $1,099.9 million ($3.85 per share) for the third quarter of 2022.

SQM said its third quarter 2023 results were impacted by significantly lower average sales prices in lithium and fertilizer business lines, partially offset by higher sales volumes, when compared to the same period last year, and higher iodine sales prices.

The company noted that realized average sales price in its lithium business decreased almost 47% year-on-year, adding that sales volumes reached historical high level of over 43,300 metric tons of lithium and derivatives in the third quarter of 2023, almost 4% higher when compared to the same period last year.

The excess of inventory accumulated across battery and lithium chemical supply chains, particularly in Asia, as well as additional lithium supply, have put pressure on lithium market prices and could continue to have a negative impact on lithium prices in the short-term," the company said in a press release.

However, SQM pointed out it continues to see strong fundamentals behind long-term lithium demand growth, supported by strong EV sales volumes and decarbonization targets across the globe.

Importantly, according to SQM, as the company continues with its expansions in Chile, its lithium carbonate capacity has reached 200,000 metric ton per year, and SQM expects to complete the expansion to 210,000 metric tons in the beginning of 2024, earlier than anticipated.

SQM said that in Australia, the first production of spodumene concentrate at Mt. Holland is expected during this quarter, while in China, the company has commenced lithium hydroxide production from lithium sulfate.

SQM is a leading lithium producer. The company also has other divisions servicing nutrition and industrial chemicals. In the Atacama Desert, located between Chiles first and second regions, SQM has exclusive access to the worlds best and largest reserves of caliche ore and brines. The company possesses the most extensive reserves of iodine and nitrate, as well as the highest concentrations of lithium and potassium on record.

In addition, in 2017 the company began diversifying geographically by acquiring new resources to extract lithium from spodumene in Western Australia.
The financial crisis of 2008 hit Mary Kathryn Nagle differently. As a playwright and a citizen of the Cherokee Nation, she saw parallels to events that negatively impacted Indigenous people centuries ago. Nagles 2018 play Manahatta has landed in New York City this winter and its just the latest in a flowering of Native storytelling. From Reservation Dogs, Dark Winds and Rutherford Falls on TV to Prey on the big screen and Larissa FastHorse becoming the first Indigenous female playwright on Broadway, barriers are being broken. Non-Native storytellers are also exploring history, with Martin Scorseses Killers of the Flower Moon and documentary-maker Ken Burns' The American Buffalo. Read moreNative American storytellers enjoying a rare spotlight, a moment they hope can be more than that
Highwoods Properties, Inc. (NYSE:HIW  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, October 18th, Wall Street Journal reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 20th will be given a dividend of 0.50 per share by the real estate investment trust on Tuesday, December 12th. This represents a $2.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 10.15%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 17th.

Highwoods Properties has increased its dividend by an average of 1.7% per year over the last three years. Highwoods Properties has a dividend payout ratio of 246.9% indicating that the company cannot currently cover its dividend with earnings alone and is relying on its balance sheet to cover its dividend payments. Analysts expect Highwoods Properties to earn $3.72 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.00 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 53.8%.

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Highwoods Properties Price Performance

NYSE:HIW opened at $19.71 on Thursday. Highwoods Properties has a 12 month low of $17.06 and a 12 month high of $31.88. The stock has a 50 day moving average of $19.98 and a two-hundred day moving average of $22.02. The company has a current ratio of 1.17, a quick ratio of 1.17 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.32. The firm has a market cap of $2.08 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.28 and a beta of 1.21.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms have commented on HIW. StockNews.com began coverage on Highwoods Properties in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. Mizuho lowered their target price on Highwoods Properties from $31.00 to $24.00 and set a neutral rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. Wells Fargo & Company cut Highwoods Properties from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $27.00 to $22.00 in a report on Wednesday, August 30th. Bank of America cut Highwoods Properties from a buy rating to a neutral rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $29.00 to $20.00 in a report on Monday. Finally, Citigroup boosted their target price on Highwoods Properties from $22.00 to $25.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a report on Tuesday, August 1st. Seven 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 stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $25.00.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. CENTRAL TRUST Co lifted its holdings in Highwoods Properties by 76.6% in the third quarter. CENTRAL TRUST Co now owns 1,095 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 475 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP acquired a new position in Highwoods Properties in the first quarter valued at approximately $27,000. Quantbot Technologies LP lifted its holdings in Highwoods Properties by 165.3% in the second quarter. Quantbot Technologies LP now owns 2,181 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $74,000 after acquiring an additional 1,359 shares during the last quarter. First Manhattan Co. acquired a new position in Highwoods Properties in the first quarter valued at approximately $100,000. Finally, Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in Highwoods Properties by 82.8% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,298 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $105,000 after acquiring an additional 1,041 shares during the last quarter. 96.31% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Highwoods Properties Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Highwoods Properties, Inc, headquartered in Raleigh, is a publicly-traded (NYSE:HIW), fully-integrated office real estate investment trust ("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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Cencora, Inc. (NYSE:COR  Get Free Report) CEO Steven H. Collis sold 25,000 shares of Cencora stock in a transaction on Tuesday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $197.63, for a total value of $4,940,750.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now owns 331,573 shares of the companys stock, valued at $65,528,771.99. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website.

Cencora Stock Performance

NYSE:COR traded down $1.15 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $193.22. 2,698,490 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,419,608. The stock has a market capitalization of $39.07 billion, a P/E ratio of 22.65, a P/E/G ratio of 1.73 and a beta of 0.53. Cencora, Inc. has a 1 year low of $147.48 and a 1 year high of $199.66. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $186.48 and a 200-day simple moving average of $180.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.52, a current ratio of 0.88 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 6.22.

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Cencora Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 27th. Stockholders of record on Monday, November 13th will be given a dividend of $0.51 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 10th. This is a positive change from Cencoras previous quarterly dividend of $0.49. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.06%. Cencoras dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 23.92%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Cencora

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the business. United Bank boosted its stake in shares of Cencora by 16.6% during the first quarter. United Bank now owns 3,632 shares of the companys stock worth $562,000 after buying an additional 518 shares during the period. Raymond James Trust N.A. lifted its position in Cencora by 29.9% during the 1st quarter. Raymond James Trust N.A. now owns 5,193 shares of the companys stock worth $803,000 after acquiring an additional 1,194 shares during the period. Synovus Financial Corp grew its stake in shares of Cencora by 123.4% in the 1st quarter. Synovus Financial Corp now owns 6,301 shares of the companys stock valued at $975,000 after purchasing an additional 3,480 shares during the last quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. grew its stake in shares of Cencora by 22.5% in the 1st quarter. Vontobel Holding Ltd. now owns 2,767 shares of the companys stock valued at $430,000 after purchasing an additional 508 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Blair William & Co. IL increased its holdings in shares of Cencora by 12.4% in the first quarter. Blair William & Co. IL now owns 8,124 shares of the companys stock valued at $1,257,000 after purchasing an additional 899 shares during the period. 93.12% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Several brokerages have recently issued reports on COR. TheStreet upgraded Cencora from a c rating to a b rating in a research note on Monday, October 9th. TD Cowen lifted their price target on shares of Cencora from $205.00 to $215.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Monday, August 7th. Morgan Stanley increased their price objective on shares of Cencora from $176.00 to $190.00 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a research report on Thursday, August 3rd. StockNews.com began coverage on shares of Cencora in a report on Sunday, October 1st. They issued a strong-buy rating on the stock. Finally, Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Cencora from $210.00 to $225.00 in a research note on Wednesday, October 11th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, Cencora presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $196.08.

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Cencora Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Cencora, Inc sources and distributes pharmaceutical products. Its U.S. Healthcare Solutions segment distributes pharmaceuticals, over-the-counter healthcare products, home healthcare supplies and equipment, and related services to acute care hospitals and health systems, independent and chain retail pharmacies, mail order pharmacies, medical clinics, long-term care and alternate site pharmacies, and other customers.

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Hyliion Holdings Corp. (NYSE:HYLN  Get Free Report) Director Vincent T. Cubbage sold 37,500 shares of Hyliion stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.61, for a total value of $22,875.00. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 958,953 shares in the company, valued at approximately $584,961.33. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink.

Hyliion Price Performance

Shares of NYSE HYLN traded down $0.03 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $0.62. 1,367,668 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,636,758. Hyliion Holdings Corp. has a fifty-two week low of $0.52 and a fifty-two week high of $3.88. The firm has a market cap of $111.74 million, a PE ratio of -0.91 and a beta of 1.56. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $0.92 and a 200-day simple moving average of $1.40.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently weighed in on HYLN shares. Northland Securities cut Hyliion from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and cut their price target for the company from $2.80 to $1.50 in a report on Thursday, October 12th. The Goldman Sachs Group cut their price target on Hyliion from $1.75 to $1.25 and set a sell rating on the stock in a report on Monday, August 14th. Finally, Cantor Fitzgerald cut Hyliion from a neutral rating to an underweight rating and cut their price target for the company from $2.00 to $1.00 in a report on Thursday, October 12th.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc increased its stake in shares of Hyliion by 65.8% during the third quarter. Ensign Peak Advisors Inc now owns 10,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 3,970 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Hyliion during the third quarter valued at approximately $30,000. LPL Financial LLC acquired a new position in shares of Hyliion during the second quarter valued at approximately $36,000. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC increased its stake in shares of Hyliion by 1,107.9% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 12,695 shares of the companys stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 11,644 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. acquired a new position in Hyliion in the second quarter worth approximately $26,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 26.85% of the companys stock.

About Hyliion

(Get Free Report)

Hyliion Holdings Corp. designs, develops, and sells electrified powertrain solutions for the commercial vehicle industry. It offers battery management systems for hybrid and fully electric vehicle applications; and battery packs. The company was founded in 2015 and is headquartered in Cedar Park, Texas.

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Xem them

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Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its holdings in Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report) by 9.7% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 545,339 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock after buying an additional 48,131 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned about 0.19% of Becton, Dickinson and Company worth $143,820,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in BDX. BlackRock Inc. increased its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 5.7% during the 1st quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 23,794,080 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $5,889,987,000 after purchasing an additional 1,281,866 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich raised its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 98,105.4% in the 2nd quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 6,929,375 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,829,424,000 after acquiring an additional 6,922,319 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 1.5% during the 1st quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 5,021,220 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $1,239,745,000 after purchasing an additional 76,294 shares during the last quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC boosted its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 25,185.5% in the first quarter. Providence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,492,216 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock valued at $18,147,000 after buying an additional 4,474,450 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC raised its position in Becton, Dickinson and Company by 95,813.8% during the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 4,045,643 shares of the medical instruments suppliers stock worth $1,028,807,000 after buying an additional 4,041,425 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 86.72% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on BDX. StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a hold rating on the stock. TheStreet lowered shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Thursday, November 9th. Morgan Stanley increased their target price on shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company from $295.00 to $310.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Friday, August 4th. Barclays lifted their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $284.00 to $303.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, August 7th. Finally, Piper Sandler lowered their price target on Becton, Dickinson and Company from $305.00 to $280.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $279.33.

Insider Buying and Selling at Becton, Dickinson and Company

In other news, Director Claire Fraser sold 848 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $281.66, for a total transaction of $238,847.68. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 21,608 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,086,109.28. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Claire Fraser sold 848 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $281.66, for a total value of $238,847.68. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 21,608 shares in the company, valued at $6,086,109.28. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, EVP Richard Byrd sold 459 shares of Becton, Dickinson and Company stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $274.48, for a total value of $125,986.32. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 3,444 shares in the company, valued at approximately $945,309.12. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.31% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Price Performance

Shares of NYSE BDX traded up $0.50 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $234.26. The companys stock had a trading volume of 437,553 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,174,149. The stock has a market capitalization of $67.96 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.13, a P/E/G ratio of 1.90 and a beta of 0.55. Becton, Dickinson and Company has a 1-year low of $218.82 and a 1-year high of $287.32. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $257.77 and a two-hundred day moving average of $261.01. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57, a quick ratio of 0.81 and a current ratio of 1.31.

Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, November 9th. The medical instruments supplier reported $3.42 earnings per share for the quarter, hitting the consensus estimate of $3.42. Becton, Dickinson and Company had a return on equity of 13.91% and a net margin of 7.66%. The business had revenue of $5.09 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.02 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.75 EPS. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Becton, Dickinson and Company will post 12.83 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Becton, Dickinson and Company Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 29th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 8th will be paid a dividend of $0.95 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 7th. This is an increase from Becton, Dickinson and Companys previous quarterly dividend of $0.91. This represents a $3.80 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.62%. Becton, Dickinson and Companys payout ratio is 73.39%.

About Becton, Dickinson and Company

(Free Report)

Becton, Dickinson and Company develops, manufactures, and sells medical supplies, devices, laboratory equipment, and diagnostic products for healthcare institutions, physicians, life science researchers, clinical laboratories, pharmaceutical industry, and the general public worldwide. The company's BD Medical segment provides peripheral intravenous (IV) and advanced peripheral catheters, central lines, acute dialysis catheters, vascular care and preparation products, needle-free IV connectors and extensions sets, closed-system drug transfer devices, hazardous drug detections, hypodermic syringes and needles, anesthesia needles and trays, enteral syringes, and sharps disposal systems; IV medication and infusion therapy delivery systems, medication compounding workflow systems, automated medication dispensing and supply management systems, and medication inventory optimization and tracking systems; syringes, pen needles, and other products for diabetes; and prefillable drug delivery systems.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding BDX? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Becton, Dickinson and Company (NYSE:BDX  Free Report).

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Shares of Village Farms International, Inc. (TSE:VFF  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50 day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50 day moving average of C$8.12 and traded as high as C$8.48. Village Farms International shares last traded at C$8.12, with a volume of 4,316,496 shares traded.

Village Farms International Price Performance

The firm has a market capitalization of C$715.51 million and a price-to-earnings ratio of -116.00. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is C$8.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.58, a quick ratio of 1.94 and a current ratio of 3.11.

Village Farms International Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Village Farms International, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, produces, markets, and distributes greenhouse-grown tomatoes, bell peppers, and cucumbers in North America. It operates through three segments: Produce Business, Energy Business, and Cannabis and Hemp Business. The company also owns and operates a 7.0 megawatt power plant that generates and sells electricity to British Columbia Hydro and Power Authority; and produces and supplies cannabis products.

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Angola, IN (46703)

Today

A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 43F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a half an inch..

Tonight

Steady light rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 37F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers in the afternoon. High 43F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch..

Tonight

Steady light rain this evening. Showers continuing overnight. Low 37F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
Auburn, IN (46706)

Today

A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High 43F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch..

Tonight

Light rain early...then remaining cloudy with showers overnight. Low 39F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 70%.
I love you, dad.

No matter how old one gets, one always thinks that your parents would never leave you. And when they did, one still cant believe it, how could this happen? And yet, its true, thats what parents do, they leave so we can grow up. Like the first day of school, they left me kicking and screaming on the ground. They turned away, so I had to face whats in front of me by myself and grow up.

Fortunately, my dad was born into a well to do family in northern China at a time when starvation was the daily struggle for lots of people, but he was protected and well loved.

Unfortunately, my dad was born in a time when WW II exploded in Asia, Europe, and Africa. However, the violence in China was not all brought by the Axis powers. The communism revolution had started in rural area of northern China before anyone realized its happening.

Fortunately, my dad had the chance to pursue education in southern China.

Unfortunately, my dad at age 15, had to leave everyone he loved and go to Nanjing for school. Unbeknown to him, that was also the last time he saw his parents, and itd be 40 years until he visited his hometown again.

Fortunately, my dad had a cousin who went with him. Nanjing, meaning the South Capital, had been the capital of China for six dynasties. Two teenage boys excited on embarking a journey to the historical city.

Unfortunately, the civil war raging through China was like a shadow following them everywhere, sometimes even overtook them and forced them at gunpoint to turn into the mountains to avoid been captured by the red army.

Fortunately, theres a group of teachers and students share the same belief that if their hometown was controlled by communist government, its not safe for them to return. They fled by train or on foot, they didnt have shelter at night, they didnt have food for days, but they always had the desire to learn, and the teachers were always there to guide.

Unfortunately, the communist party won the civil war.

Fortunately, they followed the last group of retrieving armies cross the border into Vietnam.

Unfortunately, the French colonial government in Vietnam kept them as Prisoners of War for 5 years, with very little rice and no extra clothes for growing bodies. They were treated like rats in the ghetto under the threat of China.

Fortunately, they thrived in learning the classic Chinese literature, math, and even some English.

Fortunately, with a well-coordinated 3-day hunger strike started on Christmas Day 1951. Their wish of NOT been sent back to China, they want to go to Taiwan, were heard throughout the free world. They arrived in Taiwan in 1953.

Fortunately, my dad continued his pursuit of higher education and became a teacher in Taiwan.

Fortunately, my dad met lots of kind people in Taiwan who welcomed him to their homes.

Fortunately, my dad married an intelligent, resilient, beautiful, amazing woman, together they built their own family from scrapes. They both worked their fingers to the bone. They provided my brother and me the education and opportunities they were never given.

Fortunately, 40 years after leaving China, my dad was able to visit home and reconnect with his brother and sisters who survived the Culture revolution of China.

Fortunately, my dad always believed in the value of education and encouraged me to go as far as I can, he assured me that he and my mom would always be there for me.

Fortunately, he was with us for as long as he could manage.

Fortunately, dad, you were my dad.

I love you and I miss you already.
Paul Hay was a coworker and friend to many who significantly impacted Gage County and beyond.

He passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday 14 after a short illness.

Most people knew Hay as the Gage County Nebraska Extension Educator. He retired in October 2017 after 37 years of service.

Hay grew up on a farm near Bangor, Mich. He was hired in Frontier County, Nebraska as the Extension Agent and worked there for five years before coming to Gage County in 1980.

Jane Esau worked with him for nearly 40 years in Gage County 4-H and Extension.

Many of us would say 'Hay Paul' and his response was always, 'Thats my name backwards,' she said. Paul designed programs for youth and adults, 4-H plant science projects, camp workshops, D.C. trips, and so much more. He provided information and humor to each event.

Esau said she had been thinking about Hay continually for the past two days and so many thoughts come to mind, but she thought a quote from Alfred North Whitehead depicted Pauls impact and mission best.

No one who achieves success does so without acknowledging the help of others.

He was vested in 4-H and Extension and creating experiences for us all to be successful. He was a force in our community in so many organizations and will be truly missed, she said.

Larry Germer said there were so many memories he had with Hay after working with him for almost 40 years.

Oh man, he said. How do you come up with a few memories after 40 years? Paul was a hard worker and he always wanted to do the job the best he could. He always expected more of himself than anyone else. He enjoyed what he did and had fun doing it.

Sondra Germer said he was always there.

It didnt matter what time it was, she said. If you needed something, Paul was there. He was knowledgeable about a number of things and always willing to help.

Larry noted that Hay worked endless hours with farmers on implementing no-till practices.

If a farmer had a problem he wanted to know, he said. He never left anything undone. He never blamed anyone or say anything bad about anyone. He would just say We can do better.

Sondra said Paul liked to have fun. She and Larry told a story about Hay and another colleague that worked in Extension hiding a dog bone as a prank in the other ones suitcase or somewhere when they went to conferences.

Somebody would end up with that dog bone with a ribbon on it, Sondra said.

Larry said Hay promoted and was involved with the ag program at the University, Aksarben and the State Fair.

Sondra noted despite how busy Hay was with the community, he made time for his family.

He loved his family and always made time for his kids," she said.

Gage County Ag Society veteran Roger Henrichs said Hay was a remarkable man.

The first day Paul was in Gage County he was a guest speaker at a dairymans meeting and he told a joke, of course. But he forgot the punchline, he said. I never let him live that down. Paul was a great friend and this is such a loss to Gage County.

Henrichs said Hay was committed to 4-H.

Paul was Mr. 4-H in Gage County all the days he was here. It didnt make a difference if it was a cow, horse, sheep, goat or hog, if there was an interest, Paul was there. Even after he retired, he was at the fair helping. And I saw it with my own eyes this past August, his truck and trailer were at the Extension office loading exhibits to take to the State Fair.

Doris Martin said she had worked with Hay in more than one of his many endeavors.

We both attended First Presbyterian Church since the 1980s and both worked with the Sweet Dreams Bed Ministry, she said. Paul offered financial and delivery support. He and I made the first bed delivery and since that time, I think he and Julie have been at all but one of the 34 deliveries. His ability to talk to everyone was always on display during these deliveries and he would often offer some advice to children.

Martin said she worked with him at the Beatrice Educational Foundation.

He cared about education and was eager to support students. You could always count on Paul when board members when asked to help with events, she said.

Hay has been a member of the Beatrice Noon Kiwanis since March 1980. He served on multiple committees and in several leadership roles within the club and organization.

Kiwanis member John Zarybnicky said Paul worked tirelessly for the club.

He was always behind the scenes and spent countless hours working at MUDECAS, the BSDC All Faiths Chapel and with all the special events, he said. All those little things that he did to make everything run more smoothly are going to be missed.
Speech by the President: European China Conference 2023

Check against delivery'

Excellencies,

Ladies and gentlemen,

Getting China right has never been more important than today. And I am especially grateful for your invitation at the third European China Conference. The ECFR has not only analysed but shaped European foreign policy for over fifteen years. MERICS is one the most authoritative sources of expertise on China. And you have put together an amazing programme, where rigorous research meets policy making. You will analyse China's position on issues of core European interest  from the race for leadership in the clean transition to the conflicts in our region. You will look at the Chinese Communist Party's steer on the economy, but also, and crucially, at what happens below the surface, within the Chinese society.

And all of this is particularly important today. China is not the same country as ten years ago. Its economy, its policies and its global footprint have changed. So, getting China right requires first and foremost that we get the facts right. This is why we are investing more and more in our knowledge of China, not only with our Horizon Europe research programme, but also by hiring more China experts within the European institutions. Additionally, we set up a China fellows program in our inhouse think-tank. Because there can only be dialogue if we understand each other.

Our relationship with China is a determining factor, for our future economic prosperity and national security. With two wars raging just outside our Union's borders  in Ukraine and Gaza. And with an uncertain economic outlook. In these turbulent times, there is strong need for strategic stability in how we deal with China. And for this, we must be honest in assessing how China is evolving. Let me start by looking at China's economic posture, before I move to its diplomatic and military posture.

China's economic trajectory is changing profoundly. The country is heading into a period of slower growth. And economic imbalances in China matter tremendously to us today. In 2022, China's trade surplus with the EU was the highest in history, just below 400 billion euros. Its current global trade surplus is the largest that any country has ever had in history. And this is the intentional result of China's policies. China's industrial policy today is not only creating much more competitive industrial players. Overcapacities in protected industries are flooding global markets and can undermine our industrial base. The paradigms of self-reliance and civil-military integration have substantial spill-overs for the world. In parallel, China has become less welcoming of foreign businesses. Many European companies in China feel this new climate. 30% of them report a year-on-year revenue decrease. Almost two-thirds expect that their difficulties will increase in the next year. More and more, the imperative for security and control on the economy trumps the logic of free markets and open trade.

These domestic trends in China are coupled with a more assertive posture abroad, including here in Europe. China has increasingly resorted to trade coercion, boycotts of European goods, and export controls on critical raw materials. Just think about the recent preparation of potential export restrictions on gallium and germanium, which are essential for goods like semiconductors and solar panels. This shows that while we do not want to decouple from China, we do need to de-risk parts of our relationship. And we are building our de-risking strategy upon three pillars. First, defence of our legitimate economic interests. Second, dialogue to address our differences. And third, diversification with our partners.

On the defence of our interests, our work begins right here at home. European industries and tech companies like global competition. They know that it is good for business. It creates good jobs here in Europe. And we are working to strengthen our own competitiveness. Competition is an invitation to sharpen our saw. It should bring out the best in us. But competition is only True as long as it is fair. And today, there are great concerns about fairness and security vulnerabilities in the clean tech sector, including for example EVs. There is clear overcapacity in China, and this overcapacity will be exported. Especially if overcapacity is driven by direct and indirect subsidies. This will worsen as China's economy slows down, and its domestic demand does not pick up. This distorts our market. And as we do not accept distortion from the inside, we should not accept it from the outside either. This is why we have launched the anti-subsidy investigation on Chinese EVs. Europe is open for competition. Not for a race to the bottom.

But while we protect our interests, we are also ready and willing to address our disagreements through dialogue. This is my second point. Our goal is to achieve a level playing field in our trade relationship with China. And this will be at the centre of our Summit with China in early December. We will go to China in good faith. We will never be shy in raising our concerns. But we must leave space for a discussion on a more ambitious relationship that benefits both of sides. And we will keep engaging with China on how we can make competition fairer and more disciplined. The story of how we relate to China is not yet fully written. Nothing is predetermined, we have agency and China is capable of change. We expect action from China to deal with the current imbalances and I am convinced that this would also be in China's long-term interest.

The third point on de-risking is diversification. Just as companies diversify, countries need to diversify too. This is central to Global Gateway, our new way to partner with third countries abroad. Global Gateway is not only about making our own supply chains more resilient. It is also investing in local value chains in our partner countries, local processing capacities for raw materials, and in skills for the local workforce. We are finally making use of our massive economic assets in a much more strategic way. We are being more geopolitical in how we build our economic partnerships. Because geopolitics and geoeconomics cannot be seen as separate anymore.

This leads me to my next point, on China's diplomatic and military posture. China pursues a global order that is sino-centric and hierarchical. It pushes an agenda that downplays universal rules, while championing the primacy of national interests. And this is opposed to our own interests and values. We must recognise that there is an explicit element of rivalry in our relationship. But this rivalry does not have to be hostile. It can be constructive. So, we must be balanced and strategic in our response.

Cooperation with China on global issues is possible and is happening. Think about climate change. Our economies are at very different stages on the path towards zero emissions. But both China and Europe agree on the need for global action against climate change. China is introducing a nation-wide Emissions Trading System. And we have worked together on a number of important deals, for instance the historic Global Biodiversity agreement. There is room to define together common rules and solutions to challenges we all share.

But we must also recognise that China's views on the global security architecture are not by default aligned with ours. This is clear when we look at the situation in the Indo-Pacific. China's assertive posture in Taiwan, the South and East China Seas affects not only our partners, such as the Philippines, but our own global interests. Our own supply chains and trade routes are at stake. And we have to be very frank on this, as a foundation for a constructive relationship.

The same is True beyond the Indo-Pacific. Different regional theatres are increasingly linked. China states that it is always impartial and favours peaceful solutions, for instance in the Middle East. So, every measure of influence that Beijing has needs to be used to prevent further escalation, and to work on the day-after. China clearly aspires to playing more of a global role. And this new role should come with more responsibility, not less, for global peace and security.

The same is True on Russia's war of aggression against Ukraine. China is a permanent member of the UN Security Council. This comes along with a special responsibility. China says it upholds the UN Charter. But it does not distance itself from Russia's war of aggression. So how do we respond to that? I believe that the way forward is to keep engaging with Beijing, so that its support to Russia remains as limited as possible. We must make clear that the way China positions itself on Russia's war will define our mutual relationship for the years to come.

Ladies and gentlemen,

China's ability to influence the world  for good or for ill - has grown exponentially in the last ten years, since President Xi rose to power and since Merics was created. We cannot look at China only as a trading partner, or an industrial powerhouse. But also as a technological competitor, a military power, a global player with a distinct and diverging idea of the global order. So, if we want to get China right, we must be able to understand it in all its complexity and intricacy. We must make sense of China's ongoing transformations, if we are to achieve strategic stability in our relationship. And for this, we need you. We need your in-depth analysis of a changing reality. And constant exchange between the experts' community and policy-makers. The future of Europe's relationship with China is yet to be written. And we can only write it together with you.

Thank you again for having me, and let me wish you all a great European China Conference.
Montana Governor Greg Gianforte, right, meets with owners and apprentices at Precision Plumbing & Heating in Billings on Wednesday as part of Apprenticeship Week. Businesses in the state have been able to add apprentices following a change to the rules allowing two apprentices to be trained by a single journeyman in more than 100 different occupations across Montana. The Governor met with, from left, apprentices Jack Bobo and Travis Struckman and owners Daniel and Dave Biegel.
Sri Lanka was elected to the Executive Board of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for the term 2023-2027, during the 42nd General Conference of the inter-governmental organization, on 15 November 2023 in Paris.

Sri Lanka obtained 144 votes out of 188 member states voting at the said election, co-securing the 3rd highest vote count from the region, with Bangladesh. The member states of the UNESCO elected 6 members, out of 9 candidates from the Asia-Pacific Region, to the UNESCO Executive Board. The other countries who were elected from the region are Pakistan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Republic of Korea and Australia. Sri Lanka last served on the Executive Board from 2015 to 2019.

The UNESCO contributes to peace and security by promoting international cooperation in education, sciences, culture, communication and information. It also contributes to the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals. Sri Lankas membership in UNESCO in 1949, soon after its independence, is demonstrative of the countrys firm commitment to the values and principles upheld by UNESCO to promote collaboration among nations through education, science and culture, in order to further universal respect for justice, the rule of law and fundamental freedoms of the peoples of the world.

Since the inception, Sri Lanka has played a significant role and made proactive contribution towards the furtherance of the mandate of the UNESCO. Sri Lanka National Commission for UNESCO is the government arm for implementing the UNESCO Agenda in Sri Lanka, under the guidance of the Ministry of Education.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs together with the Sri Lanka Embassy in Paris and the Ministry of Education (National focal point) is pleased to have spearheaded the successful effort to ensure Sri Lankas election to UNESCO Executive Board.

It is notable that in the past months, Sri Lanka has been successful in consecutively being elected to 3 UN bodies/committees: Committee on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), Committee on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and Members of their Families (CMW), and the UNESCO Executive Board.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Colombo

16 November 2023
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Event ID: 46717452393706497587120027506471294619
Thiruvananthapuram (Kerala) [India], November 16 (ANI): Justice BV Nagarathna, a Supreme Court judge has voiced concerns about Lok Ayukta becoming a "toothless tiger" due to restrictive amendments.

"It is also essential that Lok Ayukta in all states are provided resources and necessary support to carry out their tasks independently. Rendering this noble institution a toothless tiger unable to meaningfully carry out its mandate through the form of restrictive amendments or other forms should be discouraged and resisted, nor should the institution be used for political ends or to settle scores," she said while addressing the Lok Ayukta Day celebration organised by the Kerala Lok Ayukta on Wednesday.

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Justice Nagarathna said she was "very impressed" by Section 14 of the Act. "Where after an investigation into a complaint, the Lok Ayukta is satisfied that the complaint involving an allegation against a public servant is substantiated, then the public servant concerned should not continue to hold the post held by him, the Lokayukta shall make a declaration to that effect in its report under subsection 3 of Section 12 and the competent authority must accept the declaration."

Further, she stressed the need for Lokayuktas in all states to be adequately resourced and independent and strongly opposed any attempts to undermine this institution or use it for political purposes.

Also Read | Madhya Pradesh Assembly Election 2023: Polling Materials Distributed to All Poll Officials in Chhindwara (Watch Video).

Kerala government's decision to amend the Kerala Lok Ayukta Act had sparked debate and criticism.

Section 14 is among the points amended by the Kerala state legislative assembly in the Lok Ayukta Act. This bill is currently pending before the governor. However, Justice Nagarathna did not comment on this particular amendment. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Jaipur, Nov 16 (PTI) The BJP will stop welfare schemes being run by the Congress government in Rajasthan if they come to power and they will help billionaires, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday as he addressed three back-to-back rallies in the poll-bound state.

He addressed rallies in Taranagar of Churu district, Nohar of Hanumangarh district and Sadulshahar in Sri Ganganagar district.

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"If a BJP government is formed, it will stop schemes being run by the Congress be it the (old) pension scheme, health (insurance scheme), subsidised cylinders or Rs 10,000 annual assistance for women and it will again help billionaires," Gandhi told his first public meeting of the day in Taranagar in support of party candidate Narendra Budhania.

But if the Congress is voted back to power in the state, the poor, farmers and small traders will benefit, he said. "Farmers' loans will be waived off. They will be helped, small traders will benefit. This is for you to decide. Do you want Adani's government or do you want the government of farmers, labourers, youth?" Gandhi said.

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He also took a jib at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's over his poll "guarantees". "Modi's guarantee means a guarantee for Adani whereas the Congress means a government of farmers, labourers, and youths. This is the difference. You have to decide," he told the gathering.

He said the Congress transfers money into the pockets of the poor whereas the BJP puts it in the pockets of Adani.

He alleged the BJP helps Adani who uses it to buy companies abroad, whereas the Congress transfers money into the pockets of farmers.

Later, in a public meeting in Nohar of Hanumangarh district, Gandhi the Congress party government will start the work for caste census as soon as it comes to power at the Centre.

"The Congress party will conduct a caste survey in Rajasthan and when our government comes at the Centre, I am giving you a guarantee that we will start a caste census the day the Congress party government is formed," he said, promising rights and benefits to OBCs proportionate to their population.

Gandhi also said unemployment has gone up under the the Modi government at the Centre has made the youths unemployed.

"Every youth wants to work for the country but the policies of the Narendra Modi government have destroyed the energy of the youths in the country," he said.

The state goes to polls on November 25 and the votes will be counted on December 3.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
Kolkata, November 16: The Centre has asked Visva Bharati University to replace the controversial plaques commemorating UNESCO's award of World Heritage Site to Santiniketan, a varsity source said on Thursday. The Union education ministry has told the university to remove the plaques and replace them with ones having Nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore's name, the source added. Visva Bharati spokesperson Mahua Bandyopadhyay told PTI, "We cannot confirm anything about the plaques unless we have a written communique from the Union education ministry."

Days after Santiniketan got the UNESCO tag on September 17, three plaques commemorating the honour came up in different parts of the campus having the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former VB vice-chancellor Bidyut Chakrabarty but did not mention Tagore's name, the founder of Santiniketan and Visva Bharati. Santiniketan Listed as World Heritage Site: Nobel Laureate Rabindranath Tagore's Home in West Bengal Makes It to UNESCO World Heritage List.

This triggered an uproar from students, faculty and political parties. On October 26, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee asked Visva Bharati to immediately change the plaques or face indefinite protests by her party activists on the campus. West Bengal: Celebrations at Visva Bharati University After Santiniketan Inscribed in UNESCO World Heritage List.

Finally, the protests were withdrawn after Chakrabarty's five-year term ended on November 8 and Kala Bhavan principal VC Sanjoy Kumar Mallik took over as the officiating VC. Soon after taking over, Mallik told reporters that he would ensure the ideals and values cherished by Tagore are retained in the university's functioning.
Srinagar, Nov 16 (PTI) In a major blow to terror infrastructure and terror sympathisers in the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, security forces have eliminated key launch commander Bashir Ahmad Malik in an anti-infiltration operation in the Uri sector, the army said on Thursday.

Malik and another terrorist were killed Wednesday in a joint operation, codenamed Op Kali, by the army and Jammu and Kashmir Police along the Line of Control.

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"The salient aspect of this operation is the neutralization of Bashir Ahmed Malik, one of the two terrorists killed. He was an important cog in the Pakistan-enabled crossborder terrorism Jammu and Kashmir. He was an important terrorist launch commander for terror tanzeems (organisations) from Leepa in the North to the areas in PoJ&K, opposite Rajouri in the South," an army official said.

The official said Malik, who was active for the past 30 years, had enabled infiltration of a number of terrorists who caused the death of many Indian citizens, both security forces personnel as well as civilians.

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"His neutralisation is a major blow dealt by us to the terror infrastructure across the line of control and its sympathisers and supporters," the official said.

Repeated infiltration attempts through the same area in the Uri sector of Baramulla district was a display of desperation by the adversary to push more terrorists into the Kashmir valley to spoil the prevailing peace and tranquility, he said.

"We have a robust line of control security grid and we are on a high vigil. The Indian Army is well prepared to defeat any such infiltrations attempts and we will not let the enemy succeed with his devious designs," he added.

The joint operation was launched in the early hours of 15 November on specific intelligence from "own sources and SB, Srinagar, with respect to the likelihood of infiltration of terrorists across Line of Control in Uri sector", the officials said.

It was the second infiltration bid in the area with the last few days. The first bid was also thwarted.

"Based on the intelligence own counter intelligence and surveillance grids in this area was strengthened and own ambush were deployed, the official said.

He said the weather during the operation was inclement and the area of this operation was treacherous in terms of terrain.

"This operation has resulted in neutralisation of two terrorists, whose mortal remains have been recovered. However, there may be more terrorist casualties who could be on the other side of the Line of Control. We did not cross the Line of Control.

"The other recoveries included war-like stores encompassing two AK series rifles, two pistols, four Chinese hand grenades, ammunition along with medicines, eatables, Rupees 2630 in Pakistan currency and Pakistan National identity Card," the official added.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, November 16: The Rouse Avenue Court of Delhi on Thursday extended the Directorate of Enforcement (ED) remand of businessman Amit Katyal, promoter of AK Infosystems, till November 22, 2023. Katyal is said to be a close aide of former railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav and was arrested by the probe agency in an alleged land-for-jobs scam case recently.

The Special Judge, Gitanjali Goel, after going through the submissions made during the hearing, decided to send Amit Katyal on custodial remand till November 22, 2023. Recently, the Delhi High Court had refused to quash ED proceedings against Amit Katyal, who is accused of engaging in transactions with the family members of former railways minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.

Appeared for accused Senior Advocate Ramesh Gupta opposed the ED's remand plea and submitted that there is no requirement of physical interrogation of the accused, all grounds cited in ED's remand plea are frivolous. During the arguement, accused Amit Katyal himself submitted in the court that 'pressure is made during remand period'. Land-for-Job-Scam Case: ED Attaches Assets Worth Over Rs 6 Crore of People Linked to Lalu Prasad Yadav's Family in Patna.

Earlier the lawyers for Katyal submitted that the original FIR was registered on May 18, 2022 by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and the period of the transaction was 2004-09. The ED registered ECIR on August 16, 2022 in relation to this. "CBI has concluded the investigation, and I am cited as a protected witness. My arrest is illegal and is contrary to Section 19," the lawyer argued for Katyal.

According to the ED in the month of March, based on the specific intelligence inputs, searches were conducted at 24 locations at various places in Delhi NCR, Patna, Mumbai and Ranchi in the Railways Land for Job Scam, which resulted in the recovery of unaccounted cash of Rs 1 crore, foreign currency including USD 1900, 540 gms gold bullion and more than 1.5 kg of gold jewellery (worth Rs 1.25 crore approximately), several other incriminating documents including various property documents, sale deeds etc held in the names of family members and 'benamidars' indicating illegal accretion of huge land bank and electronic devices. Land-For-Job Scam: Delhi Court Grants Bail To RJD Chief & Former Bihar CM Lalu Yadav, Rabri Devi & Tejashwi Yadav.

Searches resulted in the detection of proceeds of crime amounting to approximately Rs 600 crore at this point of time, which is in the form of immovable properties of Rs 350 crore and transactions of Rs 250 crore routed through various benamidaars, ED stated. According to the ED, the PMLA investigation conducted so far has revealed that several pieces of land at prominent locations in Patna and other areas were illegally acquired by the family of the then Rail Mantri, Lalu Prasad Yadav in lYadav,ieu of jobs provided in the railways.

The current market value of these land parcels is more than Rs 200 crore. In this regard, several 'benamidars', shell entities and beneficial owners for these lands have been identified. Further, investigation under PMLA revealed that the property situated at New Friends Colony, Delhi (independent four storeyed bungalow, registered in the name of M/s A B Exports Private Limited, a company owned and controlled by Tejashwi Prasad Yadav and family) was shown to have been acquired at a value of mere Rs 4 Lakhs, the present market value of which is approximately Rs 150 Crore.

It is suspected that a huge amount of cash or proceeds of crime has been infused in purchasing this property, and a few Mumbai-based entities dealing in the gems and jewellery sector were used to channel ill-gotten proceeds of crime in this regard. The property has been on paper declared as an office of M/s A B Exports Private Limited and M/s AK Infosystems Pvt ltd, it is being exclusively used as residential premises by Tejasvi Prasad Yadav, son of Lalu Prasad Yadav. During the searches, Tejasvi Prasad Yadav was found to be staying at this house and was found to be using this house as his residential property.

ED investigation has found that four parcels of lands acquired by the family of Lalu Yadav in just Rs 7.5 Lakhs from poor Group-D applicants were sold to Syed Abu Dojana, former Rashtriya Janata Dal MLA by Rabri Devi with huge gains at Rs 3.5 Crore in a collusive deal. The ED investigation further revealed that a major portion of the amount thus received was transferred to the account of Tejashwi Prasad Yadav.

Investigations revealed that in a similar fashion, lands were taken from several poor parents and candidates in lieu of Group D jobs in the Railways. It has been revealed during the investigation that in many Railways Zones, more than 50 per cent of recruited candidates were from Lalu Yadav families' constituencies, stated ED.
Kota (Rj), Nov 16 (PTI) Accusing Prime Minister Narendra Modi of spreading "lies" against the Congress, party general secretary Jairam Ramesh on Thursday called him 'jhooth ke jagatguru", days after the prime minister mocked Rahul Gandhi as the "leader of fools" during campaigning for assembly polls.

Addressing a press conference here, Ramesh took potshots at the BJP and Modi and claimed the Congress will retain power in Rajasthan because of its development and welfare schemes.

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"The BJP is 'Bhartiya Jhooth Party' and Prime Minister Narendra Modi is its key face. In Congress, the organisation is supreme and it is the only face of the party.

"We will get a full mandate in the upcoming assembly election and Congress will form the government in Rajasthan," Ramesh said as campaigning peaked in the state ahead of the November 25 assembly election.

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Ramesh credited Rahul Gandhi-led Bharat Jodo Yatra for the Congress' victory in Karnataka and said the result will be repeated in Rajasthan.

The Congress general secretary targeted the prime minister, saying "he is jhooth ke jagatguru" and accused Modi of levelling false allegations and propaganda against rivals.

"The prime minister has a typical strategy of lies (jhooth)... The BJP has only three weapons - ED-CBI, polarisation and 'jhooth', whereas the Congress has developmental works, waiving of farmers' loan, welfare schemes and seven guarantees by the state Congress to counter these three weapons," Ramesh said.

Campaigning on Tuesday in Madhya Pradesh, Prime Minister Modi had mocked former Congress president Rahul Gandhi, calling him "leader of fools" over his remarks on China-made mobile phones.

A mahagyani (very wise man) of the Congress said yesterday that Indians only have made in China mobile. In which world the 'moorkhon ke sardar' lives? Modi said.

I wonder what foreign glasses they are wearing that they are unable to see the country's achievements, he said, without directly naming Gandhi.

Ramesh on Thursday said that the prime minister always talked of the 'Gujarat Model' of development but in the last five years, a new model of development has emerged in Rajasthan.

The Congress leader said the prime minister claimed he would not allow any attack on the federal structure of the country "but the fact is that states are not receiving any support from the Centre".

He alleged discriminatory attitude by the Centre against Rajasthan over the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) and the construction of an airport in Kota.

Ramesh alleged that even the Army has been "politicised under Modi's rule".

He claimed that the Modi government has changed the names of the 15-20 schemes launched by the previous Congress-led government to usurp credit for them.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
A Billings man pleaded not guilty Tuesday to firing the shots that put a Lockwood man in the hospital with life threatening injuries before leading law enforcement on a chase into Billings.

Ashtin Zant Glen, 18, has been charged in Yellowstone County District Court with two counts of attempted deliberate homicide and theft of a light vehicle. County prosecutors are accusing Glen of wounding the Lockwood man in an exchange of gunfire, and then firing shots at a Yellowstone County deputy as he fled the scene into Billings while driving a stolen Subaru.

During his arraignment Tuesday, Yellowstone County District Judge Thomas Pardy set Glens bond at $1.5 million.

Deputies with the Yellowstone County Sheriffs Office responded to a shooting in Lockwood on the night of Nov. 11. The shooting was reported in the neighborhood of Canary Avenue and when law enforcement reached the scene, they found 25-year-old Brassar McCabe. Hed been shot three times; twice in the chest and once in the arm, according to charging documents.

McCabe was shot after confronting two men suspected of breaking into vehicles in the area. One of the suspects was driving in a grey Subaru, court documents said, while another was going car-to-car looking for unlocked doors. Glen was allegedly driving the Subaru. When McCabe approached the two, the man checking the cars, identified in charging documents as Devon James Isaacson, ran south along Canary Avenue. McCabe then allegedly walked toward the Subaru, and Glen fired several rounds before driving away.

McCabe, himself armed with a handgun, fired at the Subaru. Lockwood Ambulance crew members brought McCabe to Billings Clinic for emergency care. A GoFundMe launched to assist in McCabes recovery has collected thousands of dollars in the past three days.

"The love we are receiving from our family, friends, and community is holding us together during this difficult time," said his mother, Robyn LaRango McCabe, to the Gazette late Wednesday night. Robyn LaRango McCabe credited Yellowstone County deputies, Lockwood ambulance crew members and Billings Clinic staff with saving her son's life.

"He has a long road ahead and we ask people to come together with us in prayer for a complete recovery," she said.

About 15 minutes after the shooting, a YCSO deputy found the Subaru traveling west near the Dick Johnson Bridge. The deputy pursued the Subaru into Billings as it drove along First Avenue North.

While being followed by the deputy, Glen allegedly fired several rounds at her cruiser. Cruisers with the Billings Police Department and Montana Highway Patrol joined the pursuit.

In the neighborhood of Terry Avenue and Seventh Avenue West, court documents said, Glen allegedly crashed the Subaru into a parked pickup truck. About 20 minutes later, after law enforcement warned residents in the area of the search for a shooting suspect, officers found Glen on Broadwater Avenue and Sixth Street West.

In a statement released to news outlets the morning after the shooting, Yellowstone County Sheriff Mike Linder said law enforcement found him hiding under a vehicle. No police officers were hurt during the chase or by gunfire. The Subaru that Glen allegedly drove was previously reported stolen on Nov. 8.

Glen next went to a local hospital, court documents said, where he was treated for a graze on his forearm suspected to have been caused by passing bullet. While at the hospital, Glen allegedly spoke with a Billings Police officer. He told the officer he was not the driver of the Subaru, according to charging documents, but was riding in the passengers seat.

Although he allegedly admitted to being present in the Subaru when shots were fired in Lockwood and at the deputy, Glen told police another man was driving the vehicle.

Isaacson, 19, was also arrested Nov. 11 and booked into Yellowstone County Detention Center on suspicion of theft and several misdemeanor warrants. He has yet to make his initial appearance in district court.

In the span of less than a month, homicides in Billings this year have nearly doubled, going from six to 11 since the start of November. Four of the five murder victims in Billings, among them a baby, teenagers and adults, were killed by gunfire; the infant, held in the arms of a shooting victim, was killed when the man fell.

Most recently, a 24-year-old man was shot dead in his Billings apartment. Criminal charges have been filed in connection to one of the five latest homicides.
Uttarkashi (Uttarakhand) [India], November 16 (ANI): Relief and rescue operations in the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse incident are underway for the fifth day to rescue the forty trapped workers.

An under-construction tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway collapsed in the early hours of November 12.

Also Read | Telangana Assembly Election 2023: Rahul Gandhi To Address Rallies in Five Assembly Segments on November 17.

According to the sources, after the rescue operation, the workers will be taken to Rishikesh AIIMS for treatment.

"The installation work of the machines airlifted from Delhi has been done and the rescue operation work is underway," Anshu Manish Khulko, National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL) Tunnel Project Director told ANI.

Also Read | Telangana: Income Tax Department Conducts Raids At Premises of Miryalaguda BRS MLA Nallamothu Bhaskar Rao.

Dharam Singh, father of one of the labourers trapped inside, said that his son is also trapped inside the tunnel, adding that he spoke to his son and gave him courage.

"My 20-year-old son Vijay Kumar is trapped inside the tunnel. I spoke to my son for a little while and I gave him courage and assured him that everything would be fine and he would be brought out by this evening. Food and water are being provided to him in small quantities," Dharam Singh said.

The officials of the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited are confident of completing the rescue operation successfully today.

"We have the support of the administration... We will succeed in this (rescue process). The machine is 99.99% installed. I want to inform everyone not to get misled... Everyone is fine; they don't need medical help. But still, the medical team is here..." NHIDCL PRO Girdharilaal said.

Earlier on Wednesday, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue operations in the tunnel under construction in Silkyara of Uttarkashi.

As per the Chief Minister's Office, the CM has instructed the state administration to coordinate with the central agencies and engage in rescue operations 24 hours.

Telephone numbers have been issued by the administration for continuous contact and communication with the families of the workers trapped in the tunnel, a statement from the CMO said.

Appropriate guidelines have already been given to the government and administration for all possible help and assistance.

Instructions were given to the district administration to make proper arrangements and cooperate with the family members and colleagues of the workers at the incident site as well as the media who came to cover the incident, the statement said.

A portion of the tunnel that is being constructed between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway collapsed in the early hours of Sunday following a landslide, trapping 40 workers inside. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
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Washington DC [US], November 16 (ANI): Pancreatic cancer is difficult to treat because it spreads quickly and has a distinct biochemical makeup. However, researchers achieved a significant advance by discovering the genetic changes that occur during tumour migration -- and they also discovered a medication that may block the process.

The next step is a groundbreaking clinical trial at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute, planned for early in 2024, to test the drug from their laboratory discovery, said senior investigator Darren Carpizo, MD, PhD, co-leader of Wilmot's Genetics, Epigenetics and Metabolism research program, and chief of Surgical Oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

Also Read | SoftBank Reportedly Selling Stake Worth USD 150 Million in Logistics Firm Delhivery Through Block Deal.

"We will be the first institution in the U.S. to study the safety and effectiveness of the experimental drug, known as NP137, on pancreatic cancer that has spread to the liver," Carpizo said.

Carpizo and several collaborators recently published the results of their bench science investigation in the journal Cell Reports, and Carpizo will lead the Wilmot clinical trial with Aram Hezel, MD, chief of Hematology/Oncology at Wilmot, and Nabeel Badri, MBChB, a medical oncologist at Wilmot.

Also Read | Happy National Fast Food Day 2023! From Burger and Fries to Shawarma, Foods To Celebrate the Fun Food Day.

The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only 12 percent, which is a slight increase in 2023 compared to previous years. The number of cases is rising worldwide, however, and by 2030, pancreatic cancer is predicted to be the second leading cause of cancer deaths.

Why is pancreatic cancer deadly?

First, because it spreads (metastasizes) very early during its development. In 85 percent of patients, the cancer has already spread outside of the pancreas at diagnosis. Even when the cancer is localized to the pancreas and surgical removal is possible, the majority of patients face a recurrence of their cancer. The metastasis causes these patients to eventually succumb to the disease, which is why researchers are focused on understanding the biology of metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Second, although pancreatic cancer cells do not have to travel far to reach the liver, along the way they genetically reprogram themselves and become stronger. The result: newly seeded cancer cells in the liver have a distinctly different biology from the primary tumor in the pancreas, and are able to resist standard treatment, Carpizo said.

In their latest work, Wilmot researchers built on what was already known about a key gene, Netrin-1, involved in pancreas, breast and colon cancers. They discovered, for the first time, the complex mechanisms that allow Netrin-1 to drive the lethal, genetic changes as pancreatic cancer cells migrate to the liver. They also showed how Netrin-1 activates hepatic stellate cells, which are involved in liver fibrosis, a serious chronic disease, priming the liver as a host for cancer.

In mice and in tissue studies, when researchers suppressed Netrin-1 with the anti-cancer drug (NP137), cancer was less likely to spread and cancer cell death occurred. The team includes scientists from Rutgers University, where Carpizo worked as a surgeon-scientist before joining Wilmot in 2020, Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, and a laboratory in France.

The Wilmot clinical trial will likely require eligible patients to take two cycles of NP137 before surgery, undergo surgery to remove the cancer, and then take more of the experimental medication along with chemotherapy after surgery for up to six months, Carpizo said. He noted that NP137 is made by Netris Pharma, of Lyon, France, and is currently being tested in clinical trials in that country.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) funded much of the work through a grant to Carpizo; Wilmot also provided pilot funding. PanCAN has emphasized that the recent, small uptick in survivorship rates for pancreatic cancer is due to transformative research and clinical trials, and strongly recommends that patients talk to their oncologists about clinical trials at every stage of their disease.

Carpizo's study is part of a larger collaborative effort at Wilmot aimed at pancreatic cancer. Others, including URMC Surgery Chair David Linehan, MD., and Wilmot investigator Scott Gerber, PhD., and members of the Cancer Microenvironment research program, are also conducting studies on new, targeted treatments. The goal is to use newly discovered drugs in combination with immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy to attack pancreatic cancer. (ANI)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
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Washington, Nov 16 (AP) Police and protesters clashed outside Democratic National Committee headquarters on Wednesday night during a demonstration for a cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas, the latest reflection of boiling tensions over the bloody conflict.

Scores of Democratic representatives and candidates, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were inside the building for a campaign reception when it was interrupted by chanting outside. Protesters said they wanted to block entrances and exits to force politicians to encounter their candlelight vigil and their calls for an end to the fighting. Many of them wore black shirts saying Cease Fire Now.

Also Read | Online Scam in Australia: Woman Tries to Sell Boots on Facebook Marketplace, Duped of Rs 83,000.

However, the situation swiftly devolved. US Capitol Police said about 150 people were illegally and violently protesting in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington. But protesters blamed police for the violence, saying officers rushed them without warning.

It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight," said Dani Noble, who came from Philadelphia for the demonstration. "It is absolutely shameful.

Also Read | US Shocker: School Teacher Arrested in Connecticut For Having Sex With 11-Year-Old Boy in Her Car and Other Places For Over Two Years.

Noble said police, some of whom were wearing riot gear, started pulling on folks that are disabled or have have chronic illnesses, pulling people to the ground.

Inside the Democratic headquarters, police rushed into the reception and directed lawmakers to the basement, according to Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif. Some were later evacuated in police vehicles.

Capitol Police said six officers were treated for minor injuries and one protester was arrested for assaulting an officer. Video posted on social media showed shoving and scuffles as police moved in.

The Metropolitan Police Department said its officers also responded to the disturbance. Congressional staffers received an alert telling them no one would be permitted to enter or exit any House office buildings, but authorities later reopened the entrances.

Sherman accused protesters of trying to break into the Democratic headquarters in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter. However, protesters denied that was their intention.

The protest was organized by a coalition of groups, including If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace Action, that have spearheaded other demonstrations in Washington and elsewhere.

Wednesday's clashes were the latest example of roiling tensions over the war between Israel and Hamas.

Last week, a large number of House Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in voting to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, over her criticism of the Israeli government's treatment of Palestinians. Tlaib, who has family in the West Bank, came under heavy criticism for not immediately condemning Hamas after the attack. She since has called out the militant group while also calling for a cease-fire.

President Joe Biden has also faced increasing pressure from the Democratic Party's left flank over his support for Israel's military operation. He has resisted calls for a cease-fire, instead saying there should be pauses in the fighting to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the potential extraction of hostages.

Among the participants Wednesday night was Rabbi Jessica Rosenberg, who interrupted Biden's speech at a recent fundraiser in Minneapolis.

She said Democrats are not listening to the people who they claim to represent," adding that "actions like this are only going to increase.

We are not slowing down," she said. "The call for a ceasefire is going to keep growing. And our representatives need to take action, yesterday. (AP)

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
New Delhi, November 16: In a significant humanitarian initiative, India's low-cost carrier, SpiceJet, has successfully executed ten special flights to evacuate more than 3000 Thai nationals from war-torn Tel Aviv, Israel. The airline utilised its Airbus A340 aircraft for these crucial repatriation missions. Conducted with precision between October 20 and 31, the special flights included routes connecting Tel Aviv to Bangkok and Tel Aviv to Fujairah in the United Arab Emirates. SpiceJet's commitment to ensuring the safe return of citizens amid challenging circumstances was evident throughout these operations.

In addition to repatriating Thai citizens, SpiceJet conducted multiple flights under "Operation Ajay," bringing Indian nationals safely back from Israel. This dual effort underscores the airline's dedication to aiding citizens in distress and fostering international cooperation during tumultuous times. Israel-Hamas War: Israeli Government Rejects UNSCs Call for Extended Humanitarian Pauses in Gaza.

SpiceJet has participated in various repatriation missions. The airline previously played a crucial role in evacuating Indian nationals from Ukraine under "Operation Ganga" and "Operation Kaveri" from Sudan, showcasing its proactive engagement in critical situations.

A statement from SpiceJet said "the airline has actively participated in the Indian government-led repatriation efforts. The airline has consistently played a pivotal role in uniting families, transporting essential supplies during the pandemic, and contributing to operations such as 'Operation Kaveri' and 'Operation Ganga.'" Israel-Hamas War: Israeli Forces Raid Gazas Al-Shifa Hospital, Where Hundreds of Patients, Including Newborns Are Stranded by Fighting.

The statement said that in the face of adversity, SpiceJet's commitment to humanitarian causes remains unwavering. The airline's resilience and dedication to supporting government-led initiatives highlight its crucial role in facilitating repatriation and evacuation operations on the global stage.

(This is an unedited and auto-generated story from Syndicated News feed, LatestLY Staff may not have modified or edited the content body)
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Trichy, November 17: In a shocking incident, a 16-year-old and her mother suffered injuries after a 19-year-old man tried to hack them to death after his marriage proposal was rejected. They were admitted to Perambalur government hospital where both are out of danger. Police said the accused also consumed poison and got admitted to Mahatma Gandhi memorial government hospital.

TOI reported that the woman and her daughter suffered severe injuries on their heads while the girl sustained injuries on her right thumb. The accused Shanmugam has been booked for attempted to murder. Police said he will be arrested after his discharge. Shanmugam was accused in two murder cases as a juvenile a few months ago and was out on bail recently. Tamil Nadu: Two History-Sheeters Killed in Encounter by Chennai Police in Chengalpattu.

Police said the Siruganur police said K Shanmugam of Kallur near Musiri and the girl were in love with each other when they were in school in Padalur. However, the girl left Shanmugam on the advice of her family. Chennai Horror: Man Murders Wife For Hiding First Marriage, Surrenders After Failing to Dump Body.

The accused barged into the girls house and asked her mother to marry her off to him. As she refused to do so, an argument followed. Shanmugam abused them verbally before attacking both with a machete. He will be arrested after his discharge.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Nov 16, 2023 01:27 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).
Sen. Jon Tester has called for the U.S. and Canada to address water contamination flowing from British Columbia into Montana in accordance with the 1909 Boundary Waters Treaty.

But if Canada remains unwilling to engage in such diplomacy, the Montana Democrat wrote in a letter to Secretary of State Antony Blinken, then the U.S. should proceed alone.

At issue is selenium that leaches into waterways from mountains of waste rock surrounding open-pit coal mines in southern British Columbia operated by Teck Resources. In the most trace amounts, selenium is essential to animal health. But beyond that, it's toxic in even small doses. It accumulates in fish and bird ovaries, which leads to fewer eggs hatching, animals hatching with birth defects, and young that die before they can reproduce.

The selenium-laden runoff flows into the Elk River, which then flows into the Kootenai River at Lake Koocanusa, a reservoir spanning the U.S.-Canada border and held back by Libby Dam. From the Libby Dam in Montana, the Kootenai River flows through Libby and Troy, and then into Idaho. Selenium levels above what tribal, state and federal regulations allow  and high enough to harm wildlife  have been documented throughout so-called "Lake K" and the Kootenai River (Kootenay in Canada) downstream of where the Elk River flows in.

Tribal leaders  particularly the Ktunaxa Nation in Canada, and the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes and Kootenai Tribe of Idaho in the U.S.  have for years pushed the U.S. State Department and its Canadian counterpart, Global Affairs Canada, to refer the issue to the International Joint Commission. The commission is a bi-national entity created by the Boundary Waters Treaty, primarily to address disputes over contamination flowing between two countries that share a continental border riddled with lakes, rivers and reservoirs.

A reference would spur the IJC to convene a bi-national "watershed board" of experts and stakeholders who would analyze selenium contamination in Lake Koocanusa and advise on solutions. Such a board would likely include scientists, tribes and governments of all levels from both nations. The State Department has indicated willingness to refer the matter to the IJC.

In May 2022, the IJC urged Biden and Trudeau to issue a joint reference. But Global Affairs Canada has balked at joining the U.S. on a joint reference.

"The selenium contamination issues only continue to compound in northwest Montana, and we can no longer delay a solution," Tester wrote. "It is time to refer this case to the IJC. I urge you to work with Canada to pursue a joint reference to the IJC, but to move forward with a unilateral reference if Canada remains unwilling to meaningfully engage on the issue."

A unilateral reference would be almost unprecedented in the treaty's century-plus existence.

Technically, either nation can send a reference to the IJC by itself. But out of dozens of references, that's only happened one time, according to Robert Sisson, a U.S. IJC commissioner. That was when Canada submitted a reference for the "Windsor Hum," a subtle buzzing noise emanating from industrial areas of Detroit and affecting Windsor, Ontario.

"Under the treaty, either party can provide a reference to us," he told the Missoulian last year, adding that "the two parties have agreed on when and why to provide a reference to the IJC."

Stalled diplomacy

Tribal leaders, scientists and U.S. officials have long cited Canada as impeding action on Lake K selenium via the IJC.

In March, U.S. President Joe Biden and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released a joint statement that mentioned selenium contamination in Lake Koocanusa: "The United States and Canada also intend to reach an agreement in principle by this summer to reduce and mitigate the impacts of water pollution in the Elk-Kootenai watershed, in partnership with Tribal Nations and Indigenous Peoples, and in order to protect the people and species that depend on this vital river system."

That never happened, the tribes said in a statement last month that called for a meeting between tribal nations, the U.S. and Canada. In response to the tribes' statement, a meeting of those governments was scheduled for Nov. 9, according to The Canadian Press. It's unclear what agreements, if any, resulted from the meeting.

In July this year, according to the tribes, the British Columbia provincial government  a long-standing opponent of an IJC reference  sent the Canadian government its own proposal for a reference.

But at an April 28 press conference in New York City, Trudeau stated, "We believe that there are processes that are being followed right now that have a better chance of getting to a resolution" than an IJC reference. The remark came one year after Global Affairs Canada turned away from a joint reference on Lake K selenium. In May 2022, the Ktunaxa Tribal First Nation announced that Global Affairs Canada notified the tribe via email the month before that it would not support an IJC reference.

Tester, who has pushed the U.S. government for years to work with Canada on the issue, wrote to Blinken that he requests that the State Department refer the issue to the IJC.

"Our clean water," he wrote, "is too important to sit by idly while Canada fails to uphold its end of the agreement."
"If you have a reason to make such an allegation please share the evidence because we are not ruling out an investigation," Jaishankar, who is here on a five-day official visit to the UK, said while responding to a question. He emphasised that Canada has not shared any evidence with India to support its allegations.
Once his family came to know of it, they rushed him to the local private hospital. The class 7 student succumbed while he was being referred to a higher medical centre in Moradabad.
A Japanese police officer was injured after a car rammed into a barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, local media reported. Police in the Japanese capital arrested the driver on the spot on suspicion of obstruction of public order, Xinhua news agency quoted Kyodo News as saying in a report.
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On 15 November Colombias government announced that it will resume suspended peace talks with the Estado Mayor Central (EMC), an alliance of dissident units of the Fuerzas Armadas Revolucionarias de Colombia (Farc) guerrilla group.

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On 15 November Mexicos Presidentproposed a shortlist of three female candidates to fill the vacant spot on the supreme court (SCJN).

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On 15 November Bolivias Vice Presidentbegan an official visit to Brazil.

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President Joe Biden expressed optimism on Tuesday, stating his belief that a deal can be reached to release hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Ongoing talks to secure the release of Hamas hostages are progressing towards an agreement, as per information from unnamed officials, according to CNN.

The White House confirmed that Biden extensively discussed efforts to free hostages in a call with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu earlier that day.

According to a senior US official familiar with the negotiations, Israel and Hamas are approaching a potential deal.

The arrangement would involve the release of hostages taken during Hamas attacks on Israel, contingent upon a sustained, days-long pause in fighting.

However, the official emphasized that although the parties have moved closer to a deal, the talks are still volatile, and a breakdown remains a possibility: "It's closer, but it's not done."

On Monday, a European diplomat expressed optimism, suggesting that some hostages could potentially be released in the coming days or weeks.

The situation is fluid, and the outcome of the talks is yet to be finalized.

READ NEXT: Joe Biden Urges Israel to Implement Humanitarian Pause

Joe Biden's Message to Hamas Hostages

Jake Turx, a correspondent for the Jewish magazine Ami, sought a message of hope and resilience from President Joe Biden for the hostages.

Biden, after a climate change-focused event at the White House, responded affirmatively, stating that he's been in daily communication with those involved in the negotiations.

While expressing belief in a positive outcome, he refrained from providing detailed information, per the NY Post.

In response to a question about a message for the families of the Hamas hostages, President Biden offered words of encouragement: "Hang in there, we're coming."

According to US officials, nine American citizens and one legal permanent resident are unaccounted for after last month's Hamas attack.

The fate of these individuals, including a three-year-old whose parents were killed, is uncertain, and national security adviser Jake Sullivan admitted on Monday that the current status of the Hamas hostages is unknown.

The Israeli government estimates that approximately 240 people are being held by jihadists following the October 7 attack, which resulted in the deaths of about 1,200 civilians, including at least 33 Americans.

Reports suggest that Hamas may be willing to release between 70 and 80 hostages, including children and most women, in exchange for a five-day pause in Israel's ground invasion of the Gaza Strip.

The ongoing hostage situation has drawn comparisons to the Iran crisis during President Jimmy Carter's tenure, highlighting potential challenges for President Biden.

Joe Biden's Top Advisor Is in Gaza for Meetings

President Joe Biden expressed confidence in the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza as his top advisor, Brett McGurk, is heading to the region for meetings, including stops in Israel and Qatar for discussions on the captives, The Jerusalem Post noted.

The White House stated in a media release, "In Doha, he [McGurk] will also focus on the intensive efforts to secure the release of hostages being held by Hamas, including a number of Americans, one of whom is a 3-year old toddler."

Qatar, with assistance from Egypt, has been instrumental in facilitating indirect talks for a potential hostage deal.

This deal would encompass some, but not all, of the 239 hostages seized by Hamas in its October 7 attack on Israel, which also resulted in the death of over 1,200 people.

In related developments, Israeli media reported that Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar visited Cairo to engage in discussions with Egyptian intelligence head Abbas Kamal.

Subsequently, Israel's war cabinet convened for a meeting following Bar's visit.

READ MORE: LeBron James, Tom Brady's Statements on Israel-Hamas War

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Biden says he believes scores of Hamas hostages near release - From New York Post
A heavily armed gang forcibly entered Fontaine Hospital Center in the Cite Soleil slum of Port-au-Prince, Haiti, on Wednesday, taking hostage hundreds of women, children, and newborns, according to the hospital's director, Jose Ulysse.

"We are in great difficulty," Ulysse said, who reached out for help via social media, confirmed the distressing incident, the NY Post noted.

The motive behind the assailants taking patients hostage remains unclear, and Ulysse did not provide further details or respond to additional inquiries.

Fontaine Hospital Centerserves as a crucial refuge in a community overwhelmed by rampant gang violence, where civilians in Cite Soleil are frequently subjected to violent attacks, including rape, beatings, and killings.

Ulysse identified the culprits as members of the Brooklyn gang led by Gabriel Jean-Pierre, also known as "Ti Gabriel," who is the leader of the formidable Haiti gang alliance G-Pep, one of two rival coalitions in Haiti.

READ NEXT: Haiti: 20 Armed Men Attack Hospital, Force Doctors Without Borders To Stop Treatments

Brooklyn Gang

The Brooklyn gang, numbering around 200 members, controls specific areas within Cite Soleil and is involved in extortion, goods hijacking, and general violence, as outlined in a recent United Nations report.

The report highlighted the strengthening of Haiti gang alliances, such as G-Pep, through diversified revenue streams, including kidnapping for ransom.

Earlier this year, Ulysse revealed in an interview with the AP that gangs had personally targeted him twice.

Gangs across Haiti have gained increasing power since the assassination of President Jovenel Moise in July 2021, leading to a surge in kidnappings and killings.

In a grim parallel incident earlier this year, at least 20 armed Haiti gang members infiltrated a hospital operated by Doctors Without Borders, seizing a patient from an operating room by fabricating a life-threatening emergency.

Haiti's Fontaine Hospital Center

Fontaine Hospital Center, situated in the tumultuous Cite Soleil neighborhood, has been caught in the crossfire of a brutal turf war between the G9 and G-Pep gangs.

Financially strained, the hospital struggles to cover basic fees, afford necessary equipment, and pay its staff, per VOA News.

Despite these challenges, it remains operational and employs young people who lack alternatives to joining Haiti gangs.

The crisis has left over 100,000 Haitian children at risk of starvation, with nearly half of Haiti's population, around 4.9 million people, facing hunger, according to estimates from the United Nations.

However, due to limited funds, the UN World Food Program had to reduce its emergency food assistance to Haiti by 25% in July compared to the previous month.

Similarly, UNICEF reported receiving only 15% of the necessary funds for its operations in Haiti by June.

Kareen Ulysse, the hospital director, expressed doubts about Fontaine's ability to sustain operations for another year without additional UNICEF funding.

Haiti's government sought international security assistance last year, with the UN expressing support for a security force.

However, reluctance to intervene in a country with an unelected caretaker government and a history of foreign intervention has hindered progress until Kenya committed to leading such efforts last month.

In the interim, Fontaine Hospital Center perseveres, doing what it can to provide essential services amid challenging circumstances.

READ MORE: Brazil: Criminal Gangs Burn 35 Buses as Revenge After Leader Was Killed

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Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: News Wrap: Armed gang in Haiti takes hundreds hostage at hospital - From PBS NewsHour
The lifeless body of Heather Louise Schwab, a 35-year-old Texas woman who was reported missing in June, was tragically discovered wrapped in plastic wrap and concealed within her boyfriend's refrigerator on a fateful Sunday, as detailed in a recent report.

Heather's absence had been reported by her estranged mother, who, troubled by her daughter's drug use and other concerns, had not communicated with her for a year.

The mother harbored apprehensions about Heather's boyfriend, 42-year-old Chad Stevens, suspecting him of potential abuse and fearing he might pose a lethal threat to Heather.

Regrettably, the mother's fears materialized when Stevens' ex-wife contacted her, revealing a grim account of Schwab's fate - that Stevens had killed Heather and buried her in the backyard, per the NY Post.

Prompted by this disturbing information, McKinney, Texas, police obtained a search warrant for Stevens' residence on November 6, leading to a chilling discovery.

Within Stevens' home, the entrance to the kitchen was ominously partitioned from the rest of the residence using sheetrock, according to the arrest affidavit.

Law enforcement officers, breaching through the sheetrock barrier, stumbled upon a horrifying scene - Heather Louise Schwab's lifeless body enveloped in "copious amounts of plastic wrap" and crammed into the refrigerator.

READ NEXT: Missing Texas Teen Found in a Shed

Missing Texas Woman's Cause of Death Remains Unclear

The cause of Heather Louise Schwab's death remains shrouded in uncertainty, complicating the ongoing investigation.

Stevens was brought in for questioning, where he admitted to the unsettling act of "hiding Heather's body in the refrigerator after she died" at his residence on July 26, 2022, according to PEOPLE.

He asserted, as per the affidavit, that he was at a loss regarding what to do with her body, leading to the chilling decision to place her in the refrigerator.

During the interview, Stevens disclosed a history of "multiple physical altercations" with Heather, admitting to having "threatened to kill her" on "several occasions."

Detectives uncovered a call on August 12, 2022, reporting a disturbance at Stevens' residence involving a "woman waving a firearm" and a "male screaming."

This prompted speculation that Heather Louise Schwab's demise might have occurred around that time.

However, the official cause of her death awaits clarification.

Missing Texas Woman's Boyfriend

Chad Stevens currently faces charges of tampering with evidence, with the possibility of additional charges pending the medical examiner's determination of Heather Louise Schwab's cause of death.

He is presently incarcerated at Collin County jail, with a bond set at $150,000. Whether he has secured legal representation remains unclear.

In a disturbing parallel, Stevens is also confronting an assault charge unrelated to Heather's case.

An arrest affidavit outlines an incident involving a different woman who began living with Stevens in September 2022.

Stevens allegedly assaulted her when she declined a relationship and attempted to leave on January 1, 2023.

The woman claimed Stevens locked the door and, as she tried to escape by breaking a window, violently threw her into a chair.

Notably, she did not provide information about the missing Texas woman during her statement to investigators.

Chad Stevens' extensive criminal history includes charges of assault, theft, and drug offenses.

Meanwhile, family members of Heather Louise Schwab, grieving the loss of a mother leaving behind several young children, have shared photos of her with FOX 4.

The family expressed profound gratitude for the McKinney Police Department's diligent efforts in locating Heather, urging privacy as they navigate this emotionally devastating period.

READ MORE: Colorado Hiker Missing for Months Found Dead

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Missing McKinney woman's body found in boyfriend's fridge, report says - From FOX 4 Dallas-Fort Worth
China's cosmic ray observatory releases energy spectrum for highest-energy gamma ray

Xinhua) 20:39, November 16, 2023

BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- China's Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO), a high-altitude cosmic ray observatory, has released the precise energy spectrum for the highest-energy gamma-ray radiation from the brightest gamma-ray burst (GRB) observed to date.

The study, conducted by the LHAASO collaboration team, was led by the Institute of High Energy Physics of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, and the findings were published recently in the journal Science Advances.

GRBs are immensely energetic explosions that have been observed in distant galaxies. They are the most energetic and luminous electromagnetic events since the Big Bang.

The first GRB was discovered in 1967. Since 2019, three GRBs with high energy emissions have been detected and photons up to one TeV (one trillion electron volts) have been recorded.

In October last year, LHAASO recorded photons from GRB 221009A with energies exceeding 10 TeV, which was regarded as a milestone in the six-decade history of GRB research.

GRB 221009A is the brightest GRB ever observed and was found to be initiated by the collapse of a massive star, which is more than 20 times heavier than the Sun when its nuclear fuel ran out.

According to the study, in the standard GRB model, afterglow radiation originates from the collision of explosion relics, traveling at nearly the speed of light, with the surrounding gas. This causes high-speed shock waves that accelerate electrons to very high energies. These electrons then further scatter the surrounding photons to become high-energy gamma rays. Theoretically, the intensity of this radiation decreases rapidly as photon energy increases.

However, LHAASO did not observe such a rapid drop in photon flux even at energies up to 13 TeV. This poses a challenge to the GRB standard model and hints that photons around 10 TeV might be produced by more complex particle acceleration processes or new radiation mechanisms, the study said.

Moreover, the energy spectrum measured by LHAASO challenges the standard radiation model of GRB afterglows, revealing that the intensity of cosmic background light in the infrared band is lower than expected. This prompts a reevaluation of the formation and evolution of galaxies in the universe, according to the study.

Additionally, the new findings provide crucial information for examining Einstein's special relativity theory and new physics, such as exploring axions as candidate particles for dark matter.

Located on a mountain about 4,410 meters above sea level in southwest China's Sichuan Province and covering an area of 1.36 square kilometers, LHAASO is used to conduct cosmic ray observation and research. It is the most sensitive ultra-high-energy gamma-ray detection device in the world, with a large field of view and all-weather monitoring capability, covering two-thirds of the sky every day.

(Web editor: Zhao Tong, Xian Jiangnan)
A judge has issued a protective order barring a Southeastern Montana sheriff from his family, their home and schools.

Undersheriff Scott McDermott served the restraining order on his boss on Nov. 3. It directed law enforcement to remove the sheriff from his home in Colstrip within 24 hours.

Fulton is required to stay at least 1,500 feet from his wife, his teenage daughter and younger son, their residence and Colstrip Public Schools, which serve roughly one third of the rural countys students. Hes also barred from having any kind of communication with his wife and children, but he is allowed to carry a gun.

Violating the order is a misdemeanor carrying penalties of up to $10,000 in fines and up to five years in jail.

Judge Nickolas C. Murnion found from the request for protection that there was a potential danger of harm for Fultons family and issued an immediate, temporary order to keep them safe until the matter can be considered in court. A hearing to determine whether the temporary order will be extended is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Nov. 22 at the Rosebud County Courthouse in Forsyth.

Murnion has recused himself from the case. District Court Judge Olivia Rieger, of Glendive, will preside in his place.

Fulton said he and his wife are getting a divorce and the protective order was just an unfortunate part of those proceedings.

Character assassination is what it feels like, the sheriff said. I dont think this is fair at all.

Fulton told the Gazette his attorney would likely advise him not to go into further detail until his case is considered in court. However, he did point out temporary restraining orders are granted to protect people until a judge hears from each side.

Anybody can go get one, he said. I didnt break any laws or anything.

Last year, Fulton's certification as a law enforcement officer was placed on a one-year probation after a night of drinking escalated into a marital dispute and a call to police.

The Montana Public Safety Officer Standards and Training Council, or POST, investigated the Oct. 2, 2022 incident. The report found the incident started at a friends house when Fulton and his wife got into an argument. He then left, driving her car after hed been drinking. When she returned home, he refused to give her phone to her.

She contacted law enforcement and when officers arrived, he initially denied having had a fight with his wife and keeping her phone from her, but later admitted it.

Following the investigation, POST concluded the sheriff had engaged in "prohibited conduct" and his actions "violated the code of ethics," which are grounds for certification sanctions.

In July, Fulton agreed to a year-long probation during which the suspension of his credential was stayed. The settlement requires Fulton to get a chemical dependency evaluation from a licensed provider, follow any treatment recommendations and allow POST to monitor his progress.

As long as he complies with the stipulations of the agreement, follows the law and does not violate again, no further action will be taken.

Katrina Bolger, an investigator with POST, said the case status committee determines whether a violation has occurred. Information about the protective order against Fulton will be provided to the committee at its next meeting on Nov. 21. However, Bolger said, it would be uncommon for the committee to take action until the issue has been resolved in court.

If Fulton is found in violation and his certificate is suspended, it doesnt mean hed have to give up the helm as Rosebud Countys top lawman. Sheriffs are elected into office and state law does not require them to be POST-certified.

Fulton has served with the Rosebud County Sheriffs Office for 26 years. He started in 1997 as a reserve officer and deputy coroner.

In 2016, he was appointed sheriff. Voters elected him to his first, four-year term in 2018 and re-elected him for another term in 2022.
El Salvador is now cooperating with the US to curb migration as migrants often use the country as a springboard to the US-Mexico border, and this is shown in a recent operation against a massive migrant smuggling ring.

Migrants from various countries often use El Salvador as a transit point as they travel north to Guatemala and then to Mexico as they try to make the dangerous trek to the US-Mexico border. Often, these migrants are helped by illegal smugglers.

According to the Associated Press, 10 people have been arrested as part of the operation, including two who were identified as police officers. The migrant smuggling ring that they are part of reportedly charges people who want to get to the US around $15,000 with the promise of "safe travel."

The people arrested are alleged smugglers, or "coyotes," as they are called. Two of them are police officers, and one is an active member of the Salvadoran National Police while a second man was identified as a former policeman. The raids happened in the capital, San Salvador, with other raids also taking place in two other cities, Santa Ana in the west and San Miguel in the east.

During this series of raids, authorities seized four vehicles and over a dozen cell phones. These may be used as evidence against these alleged migrant smugglers.

El Salvador Migrant Smuggling Ring's Modus Operandi Exposed

These migrant smuggling rings operating in El Salvador often used blind spots on the Guatemala-El Salvador border to traffic their charges and then enter Mexico before taking them across the US-Mexico border. A July 2022 investigation showed that these smugglers often charge poor and desperate migrants between $12,000 and $15,000 per person.

READ MORE: Migrant Numbers at US-Mexico Border Drops After Joe Biden Implements Deportation Policy

However, many of these migrants, about 33 of whom had spoken to authorities, who use these Salvadoran smuggling rings complained that after they paid these massive amounts, they were not taken to the US.

The rise in migrants using El Salvador as a transit point is thanks to Nicaragua. As Latin Post previously reported, the Central American country's Daniel Ortega regime is using charter flights from Haiti and Cuba to flood the US-Mexico border with more migrants. This is being done as a bargaining chip for the infamous authoritarian regime amid US sanctions over its human rights abuses.

However, many also arrive via El Salvador, but thanks to US pressure to help curb migration, the country has added a massive $1,130 fee to people arriving in El Salvador from dozens of countries, including ones from Africa, according to NBC News.

El Salvador Continues Cracking Down on Dangerous Gangs

While it is cracking down on migrant smugglers, El Salvador is also busy cracking down on infamous gangs such as MS-13.

Just last month, 4,000 soldiers and police besieged two towns reportedly controlled by these infamous gangs as part of this massive crackdown, according to France 24. The country's leader, Nayib Bukele, has doubled down on these crackdowns despite complaints from human rights groups as many innocent men have been wrongfully arrested as part of Bukele's emergency powers.

READ MORE: El Salvador: Military and Police Surround Town to Root Out MS-13 Gang Members

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Crime, Not Money, Drives Migration From El Salvador and Honduras - Vanderbilt University
After 39 days of striking, members of the United Autoworkers Union at Mack Trucks voted to approve a contract on Wednesday.

At 8:15 p.m. on Wednesday night, the UAW account on X, formerly known as Twitter, posted that 93% of union members at the truck manufacturing company voted to ratify the contract. Members of UAW Local 677, which represents workers at the companys Lower Macungie plant, had been striking since walking off the job on Oct. 9 following the rejection of the companys initial contract offer, with 73% of members voting it down.

NEWS: After 39 days on strike, UAW members at Mack Trucks have voted by 93% to ratify their new contract with significant local improvements.  UAW (@UAW) November 16, 2023

The contract approved on Wednesday was the companys last, best and final offer, according to a letter sent to union members earlier this week, effectively ending the negotiations between Mack and the unions bargaining committee.

Because it was the companys final offer and workers were still striking, rejecting the contract put job security at risk. Even with its employees still picketing, the letter from union leadership warned, Mack would have implemented the strictures of the offer and began hiring new employees. Union members insurance benefits would have expired on Dec. 1.

That gave Wednesdays vote heavy implications, which union leadership expressed in its letter to members. This is NOT meant to be a scare tactic! the letter said. This is a REALITY!

Macks final master contract offer was the same as the master contract offer initially presented on Oct. 2, albeit with some local contract changes that leadership was able to get the company to agree to adding over the course of negotiations.

In its push for a new contract, the union was pushing for positive changes in their wages, job security and health benefits. In late October, the company called the striking workers demands unrealistic.

In addition to the Local 677 workers in Lower Macungie, the master contract will also impact Mack Truck employees at company locations in Maryland and Florida.

Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to lehighvalleylive.com.

Connor Lagore may be reached at clagore@njadvancemedia.com.
The heartwarming moment a 5th year student in Athy was surprised by her father who had been on overseas duties with the Irish Defence Forces has been captured by Athy College.

Student Lauren Lawlor Phelan was heading to class in the school unaware of what was about to happen.

But as she turned the corner, there was her dad Gavin Phelan standing waiting for her in full military clothing.

The moment has been been shared on the school's social media channels. It was captured by teachers of the school on their phone, with Lauren completely unaware what was about to unfold on her way back to class after lunch.

By early on Thursday afternoon it had been viewed over almost 30,000 times on Facebook.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Athy College (@athy_college)

The event was captured less than 24 hours earlier at the school.

It all came about when Lauren's mother asked some of the caretaker staff if could they organise something, and the clandestine operation sprang into action, with the help of some of the teachers including Olivia Daly and Ciara Doyle.

The Phelan family are from Kilberry, with Gavin originally being from Portarlington.

Gavin had been serving for three months overseas serving with UNIFL in Lebanon, and with the volatility of the situation in the Middle East, his family was probably even more relieved than usual to have him home.

School principal Richard Daly said they were delighted to capture such a happy moment. And they have been thrilled with the reaction to the post.

"Lauren didn't suspect a thing and you can tell by her reaction, she just turned the corner and dropped her jacket on the ground in shock," Mr Daly said.

On Thursday, Lauren was said to be still beaming after the event.

The emotional footage appropriately features Skylar Grey's song Coming Home.
Ireland has spent more than 500 million on providing a safe refuge for Ukrainians fleeing Russia while more than 350 million went into paying for International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation in 2022.

They are the details revealed to Laois Offaly TD Carol Nolan in response to two Dail questions which also shows that over 1 billion has been spent providing temporary homes to asylum seekers in Ireland since 2016.

The independent TD was given a reply to the Ukrainian costs on November 14. She asked the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth (DCEDIY) for the total costs arising from refugees from Ukraine in 2022. She sought details on accommodation, assistance payments, health benefits, additional staffing and administration costs.

Minister Roderic O'Gorman replied in writing to aspects of the question.

"I am advised by my officials that the total expenditure in 2022 by my Department on the Ukraine crisis since the Russian invasion in February 2022 is 522 m. Of this, approx. 430m was on DCEDIY-provided accommodation alone. Further costs included the operation of the CityWest transport hub, Local Authority accommodation, pledged supports, transport, facilities management and staff costs. Staffing costs for DCEDIYs Ukraine Division in 2022 was approximately 1.8m.

"While my Department holds responsibility for the provision of immediate temporary accommodation, other Departments and Agencies are also involved in the whole of government response to this crisis which is coordinated by the Department of Taoiseach. The Deputy might address the matters relating to the assistance of payments and health benefits to the relevant Departments," he said.

Dep Nolan also asked for the total costs of maintaining all asylum seekers in Ireland, excluding those from Ukraine, in each year from 2016 to 2022. She sought the cost of accommodation, allowances, assistance payments, health benefits, additional staffing and administration costs.

Minister O'Gorman again replied in writing with detail in tabular form.

"The total spend on International Protection Accommodation Service (IPAS) accommodation in 2022 was 356,554,000. There were 19,202 people in IPAS accommodation on 31 December 2022. At a year-end average of overall cost divided by the number of people residing in IPAS accommodation, the average annual figure for keeping an international protection applicant (IPA) in IPAS accommodation for one year was 18,568.59," he said.

Dep Nolan was provided with the table below with the costs associated from 2016 to 2022 in housing people in Direct Provision or other accomodation.

The Minister said that the number in IPAS accommodation varies daily due to new arrivals. He added that 2022 saw a "major increase" with 2023 seeing "similar trends".

He explained that accommodation is provided while an application for international protection is being examined by the International Protection Office. He said healthcare is accessed in the same manner as done by Irish citizens.

The Minister said a weekly personal allowance is also paid to each person. In 2021 this was increased to 38.80 for adults and 29.80 for children. Should an IPA require additional support, he said they can apply for an Additional Needs Payment through social welfare.
An urgent appeal for information to find Disappeared victim Columba McVeigh has been made as the latest search for his remains ends.

The Co Tyrone teenager was abducted, killed and secretly buried by the Provisional IRA in 1975.

The Independent Commission for the Location of Victims Remains (ICLVR) has conducted six unsuccessful searches at Bragan Bog in Co Monaghan since 1999, covering more than 26 acres.

In a joint statement, the UK and Irish Commissioners Rosalie Flanagan and Tim Dalton said it is very disappointing that the latest search has ended without finding Mr McVeighs remains.

We are conscious that this is a very distressing and difficult time for the McVeigh family who have shown remarkable courage and resilience over many years, they said.

But they can be assured that the commission will never close the book on a case while there is still the possibility that the information we need can be brought forward and acted upon.

They said they are urgently renewing their appeal for information to help to find Mr McVeigh.

All information that comes to the commission is treated in the strictest confidence and can only be used to locate and recover the remains of those still missing, they said.

Our mission is entirely humanitarian on behalf of the families who will continue to suffer until the remains of their loved one are found and returned to them for Christian burial.

That is why we want to urgently renew our appeal for information.

ICLVR lead investigator Jon Hill described having to take the decision to end the search as bitterly disappointing.

This was a particularly frustrating search for all concerned, he said.

While we started over a year ago on what turned out to be an area of just over four acres of difficult terrain we lost several months due to the severe weather last winter and this summer.

The final phase when we reached the tree line was particularly challenging.

But every day we started in the hope that that would be the day we would find Columba and the disappointment that we havent is deeply felt by everyone on the search team whose hearts go out to the McVeigh family.

Mr Hill said he believes Mr McVeigh was buried at Bragan Bog, and urged anyone with any further information that can help in a future search to come forward.

I remain convinced that Columba was taken to Bragan Bog nearly 50 years ago and was buried there, he said.

Equally, I have no doubt that the information we have been working on was given in good faith.

But we havent found him which can only mean that hes not where we were told to look.

We will review our work as we always do in these circumstances but clearly we need those who have information to think again to see if there is anything further that they can tell us that will get us to the place we need to be.

If credible information is forthcoming and the Commissioners accept that there are good grounds for us to search again then we will be back.

But we cant make that case until we have more to go on.

Seventeen people were disappeared by republican paramilitaries during the Troubles.

Aided by the ICLVR, which was set up by the UK and Irish governments to investigate their whereabouts, 13 have been found over the last two decades.

The remains of Mr McVeigh, former monk Joe Lynskey, British Army captain Robert Nairac and Seamus Maguire, who was in his mid-20s and from near Lurgan, Co Armagh, have never been recovered.

Co Down hairdresser Lisa Dorrian, who vanished in the post-Troubles era from a caravan park in Ballyhalbert, Co Down, in 2005, is now considered one of the remaining five Disappeared victims whose bodies are yet to be found.

Republican paramilitaries were not suspected in her case.

The ICLVR can be contacted by telephone: 00800-55585500 International: +353 1 602 8655, email to Secretary@iclvr.ie or by post to: ICLVR PO Box 10827

CrimeStoppers can also be contacted on 0800 555 111 and the untraceable anonymous online form is at www.crimestoppers-uk.org.
A year-long shipping dispute between Burlington Northern Sante Fe Railroad and the owner of Montanas largest coal mine is close to wrapping up.

BNSF and Navajo Transitional Energy Company informed federal regulators last week that a settlement on NTECs breach of contract claims is close. The two parties asked the U.S. Surface and Transportation Board to suspend proceedings in the case until January when the final details of a settlement are expected to be finalized.

NTEC had sued BNSF in December, alleging the Spring Creek Mine owner had only been able to get 2.9 million tons of coal to Westshore Terminal in British Columbia over an 11-month period. NTEC argued there were ships docked waiting for Spring Creek coal at Westshore. The demerge charges cost NTEC $15 million, and the company claimed $150 million in lost revenue because of shipping issues.

In June, the STB ordered the railroad to haul 4.2 million tons of coal this year, plus an extra 1 million tons to make up for 2022.

Running parallel to STB proceedings, the NTEC lawsuit in U.S. District Court in Billings was progressing in the favor of BNSF. The railroad had argued that contract terms required the coal company to settle its differences in arbitration with BNSF. Judge Susan Watters stayed proceedings in August so arbitration could proceed.
The heartwarming moment a 5th year student in Athy was surprised by her father who had been on overseas duties with the Irish Defence Forces has been captured by Athy College.

Student Lauren Lawlor Phelan was heading to class in the school unaware of what was about to happen.

But as she turned the corner, there was her dad Gavin Phelan standing waiting for her in full military clothing.

The moment has been been shared on the school's social media channels. It was captured by teachers of the school on their phone, with Lauren completely unaware what was about to unfold on her way back to class after lunch.

By early on Thursday afternoon it had been viewed over almost 30,000 times on Facebook.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Athy College (@athy_college)

The event was captured less than 24 hours earlier at the school.

It all came about when Lauren's mother asked some of the caretaker staff could they organise something, and the clandestine operation sprang into action, with the help of some of the teachers including Olivia Daly and Ciara Doyle.

The Phelan family are from Kilberry, with Gavin originally being from Portarlington.

Gavin had been serving for three months overseas serving with UNIFL in Lebanon, and with the volatility of the situation in the Middle East, his family was probably even more relieved than usual to have him home.

School principal Richard Daly said they were delighted to capture such a happy moment. And they have been thrilled with the reaction to the post.

"Lauren didn't suspect a thing and you can tell by her reaction, she just turned the corner and dropped her jacket on the ground in shock," Mr Daly said.

On Thursday, Lauren was said to be still beaming after the event.

The emotional footage appropriately features Skylar Grey's song Coming Home.
Former RTE star Ryan Tubridy has been announced as the new host of Virgin Radio UKs mid-morning show.

Tubridy, who was the long-time host of RTEs flagship Late Late Show on Irish TV, left Irelands national broadcaster in the summer following weeks of controversy related to revelations the organisation had publicly underreported payments to him.

The news of his new job was unveiled on the Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Thursday.

The new-look mid-morning show will air from January. It will be broadcast simultaneously on Irish radio outlet Dublins Q102.

Tubridy will also present a dedicated Irish weekend show across the Wireless Ireland station network, covering Dublins Q102, Corks 96FM, Live 95 in Limerick and LMFM.

Ryan Tubridy announced as Virgin Radio's brand new mid-morning host https://t.co/yQTOTBCXuD#RyanTubridy #VirginRadioUK  Virgin Radio UK (@VirginRadioUK) November 16, 2023

I couldnt be more excited to start this new chapter with Virgin Radio, Tubridy said in a statement.

New city, new station, new beginnings. I love radio and what a joy to be following the legendary Chris Evans every morning. Its been a pleasure getting to know my new friends at Virgin Radio, all of whom have been warm, engaging and very entertaining.

And big thanks to the London Irish who have made me feel so welcome in recent weeks. On a personal note, this is a big day for my wonderful family who I hope to make proud, and also the people who advised me so well recently and got me to this moment.

To the listeners, wherever they might be, I urge you to join us on this adventure every weekday morning, there is much fun to be had.

Tubridy stood down as Late Late Show host earlier this year but was continuing to present his weekday show on RTE Radio One when the furore over incorrectly disclosed payments RTE made to him erupted in the summer.

At that point negotiations over a new radio contract for Tubridy were halted and he was taken off air amid the crisis that engulfed the organisation.

RTE director-general Kevin Bakhurst later re-entered negotiations with a view to securing Tubridys return to the airwaves on a new contract but those talks broke down in August after the director-general claimed the presenter was not taking sufficient responsibility for his role in the payments controversy.

Tubridy has insisted he was not overpaid by RTE, but rather RTE underdeclared his agreed remuneration.

Virgin Radio UK content director Mike Cass welcomed the Irish presenter to the station.

I am beyond delighted that Ryan is joining the amazing roster of presenters on Virgin Radio UK, he said.

He has been the pre-eminent broadcaster in Ireland for years and Virgin Radio will bring his warmth, humour and unique charisma to the UK audience properly for the first time.

He will be the perfect mid-morning companion and the ideal tag-partner for Chris Evans.
An IFA delegation led by IFA President Tim Cullinan met with EU Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Virginijus Sinkevicius in Brussels recently.



Speaking after the meeting, Tim Cullinan said that the meeting had been forthright but constructive. The Commissioner confirmed he would visit Ireland on November 23rd on foot of the invitation from An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, following his meeting with IFA at the Fine Gael party think-in in Limerick in September.



It was clear at the meeting that the Commissioner wants to be helpful to Irish farmers on the issue.



It is vital that our Minister and his Department have proper engagement with the Commissioner and his officials to explore possible compromises, he said.



We were very clear with the Commissioner that we are very proud of our grass-based production system which is the basis for our derogation, he said.



The mid-term review mechanism agreed by our Department was unfair and did not give any time for the measures farmers are already carrying out to have a positive effect on water quality, he said.



The reality is that reducing the upper limit of the derogation from 250kg of organic nitrogen per ha to 220kg will have little impact on water quality, but it will have huge consequences for the farmers directly impacted and for thousands more farmers indirectly impacted, as it will further increase the cost of rented land. We stressed this very strongly to the Commissioner, he said.



In addition, it is clear that it is completely unreasonable to expect farmers in the so called Red Zone to reduce their stocking rate to 220kg by the end of this year, which is less than eight weeks away.



Farmers made the decision to put their cows in calf last spring before any decision was taken to reduce some areas to 220kg organic N. It is unreasonable and not in line with good animal welfare to now expect farmers to cull these in-calf cows, he said.
Shoppers have been warned to be wary as fraudsters step up their activity around upcoming Black Friday online sales, a major Irish bank has warned.

Bank of Ireland is warning consumers to be especially vigilant for fraud as Black Friday and Cyber Monday approach.

Black Friday and Cyber Monday are key online shopping dates for many consumers, which also means fraudsters will be stepping up their activity.

Bank of Ireland customers spent 54% more online during Black Friday last year compared to a standard Friday, with clothing (+104%) and electrical goods (+100%) seeing the largest increase.

For those shopping online this Black Friday or Cyber Monday, Bank of Ireland is providing tips to stay safe.

Black Friday / Cyber Monday tips:

Think before you click  make sure you double check website addresses for anything unusual.

Be careful with links in emails and texts  remember that fake links or ads could lead you to a fraudulent website or contain malicious software.

Use trusted websites  check that the https and the lock symbol is displayed, this needs to be in your browser address window when entering your card details or any personal information.

On a mobile device use trusted apps  it can be difficult to see the full web address on mobile if you are using a web browser so instead stick with trusted apps.

Use up to date anti-virus software on your computer  this will help protect it against malware.

Nicola Sadlier, Head of Fraud, Bank of Ireland said: We are already starting to hear about Black Friday and Cyber Monday deals, but shoppers need to be extra vigilant for fraud.

Fraudsters like to inject an element of urgency into their offers or fake adverts, but dont rush a transaction without checking things properly first. Verify if websites and apps are legitimate and be extremely careful with online adverts, texts or e-mails. Remember, if something sounds too good to be true, its probably fraud.

To coincide with the busy pre-Christmas shopping period, Bank of Ireland has launched a new national fraud advertising campaign, reminding customers to Stop, Think and Check. The Bank is publishing a series of True Crime videos with renowned cyberpsychologist Professor Mary Aiken providing insights and tips to help people protect themselves. Visit Security Zone  Bank of Ireland Group Website to learn more.
ERES REIT Declares November 2023 Monthly Distribution





TORONTO, Nov. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- European Residential Real Estate Investment Trust (TSX: ERE.UN, "ERES") is pleased to announce that the trustees of ERES have declared the November 2023 monthly cash distribution of ?0.01 per Unit and Class B LP Unit (the "November Distribution"), being equivalent to ?0.12 per Unit annualized. The distribution will be payable to holders of the Units and Class B LP Units (the "Unitholders") of record on November 30, 2023, with payment on December 15, 2023.



The Euro-denominated distribution will be paid in Canadian dollars based on the exchange rate on the date of payment (estimated C$0.01480 per Unit and Class B LP Unit). Registered Unitholders will be provided with an option to elect to receive such distribution in Euros rather than Canadian dollars. If no such election is made, registered Unitholders will be paid the distribution in Canadian dollars based on the above exchange rate mechanism. Beneficial Unitholders will not have an option to elect to receive the distribution in Euros. The final cash distribution in respect of October 2023 was C$0.01480 per Unit and Class B LP Unit.

To encourage participation and reward our loyal Unitholders, investors registered in our Distribution Reinvestment Plan will continue to receive an additional amount equal to 5% of their distributions paid in the form of additional Units.

ERES intends to continue to make regular monthly distributions, subject to the discretion of the ERES Board of Trustees. ERES continues to target a long-term AFFO payout ratio in the range of 80% to 90%. ERES Limited Partnership will make corresponding cash distributions to holders of Class B LP Units.

About ERES

ERES is an unincorporated, open-ended real estate investment trust. ERES's Units are listed on the TSX under the symbol ERE.UN. ERES is Canada's only European-focused multi-residential REIT, with a current initial focus on investing in high-quality, multi-residential real estate properties in the Netherlands. As at September 30, 2023, ERES owns a portfolio of 158 multi-residential properties, comprised of approximately 6,900 suites and ancillary retail space located in the Netherlands, and owns one office property in Germany and one office property in Belgium.

ERES's registered and principal business office is located at 11 Church Street, Suite 401, Toronto, Ontario M5E 1W1.

For more information, please visit our website at www.eresreit.com.

For further information



ERES

Mr. Mark Kenney

Chief Executive Officer

416.861.9404

[email protected]

ERES

Ms. Jenny Chou

Chief Financial Officer

416.354.0188

[email protected]



15 november 2023 at 17:05

News published onand distributed by:
Luminex Resources Announces Annual Shareholder Meeting Results





VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Lumina Gold Corp. (TSXV: LR) (OTCQX: LUMIF) (the "Company" or "Luminex") is pleased to announce the results of its annual general and special meeting of shareholders held on November 15, 2023 in Vancouver (the "Meeting"). Luminex's shareholders voted in favour of each of the matters considered at the Meeting, including:

Electing each of Marshall Koval, Lyle Braaten , Donald Shumka , David Farrell and John Wright as directors of the Company to hold office for the ensuing year; Appointing auditors for the ensuing year and authorizing the board of directors to set their remuneration; and Approving Luminex's new omnibus equity compensation plan.

About Luminex Resources

Luminex Resources Corp. (TSXV:LR, OTCQX:LUMIF) is a Vancouver, Canada based precious and base metals exploration and development company focused on gold and copper projects in Ecuador. Luminex's inferred and indicated mineral resources are located at the Condor Gold-Copper project in Zamora-Chinchipe Province, southeast Ecuador. Luminex also holds a large and highly prospective land package in Ecuador.

Further details are available on the Company's website at https://luminexresources.com/.

To receive news releases please sign up at https://www.luminexresources.com/contact/contact-us/.

Follow us on: Twitter, Linkedin or Facebook.

LUMINEX RESOURCES CORP.

Signed: "Marshall Koval"

Marshall Koval, CEO and Director

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.

SOURCE Luminex Resources Corp.

15 november 2023 at 17:00

News published onand distributed by:
Targus Wins CES 2024 Innovation Award for its ErgoFlip EcoSmart Mouse That Uniquely Combines Ergonomics with a Sustainable, Patent-Pending Design to Easily Convert from Left- to Right-Hand Use





This eco-friendly mouse is made from 85 percent post-consumer recycled plastic, comes in packaging from recycled materials, and uses an ultra-low power Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) chipset that is four times more energy efficient than standard BLE chipsets

ANAHEIM, Calif., Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Targus, the number one laptop bag brand in the US1 and a leader in laptop cases and mobile computing accessories, today announced that its ErgoFliptm EcoSmarttm Mouse has been named a CES 2024 Innovation Award Honoree in the Sustainability, Eco-Design & Smart Energy category. This eco-friendly, ambidextrous mouse demonstrated innovative features that scored highly by an elite panel of industry expert judges for incorporating sustainability into the product's design and manufacturing processes.

"Receiving this CES Innovation Award is an honor and a testament to our company's ongoing commitment to bringing purposeful products to market that are helping to pave the path toward a greener future," says Mike Sexton, Sr. Director of Global Product Management & Development. "What makes this product so unique is that it's the first ergonomic mouse available in the market that easily works with either hand while also delivering eco-friendly benefits that are important to today's consumers and businesses."

The patent-pending ErgoFlip EcoSmart Mouse combines ergonomics with a sustainable design to convert from left- to right-hand use with a simple twist of the top. Part of Targus' lineup of EcoSmarttm tech accessories, this eco-friendly mouse is made from 85 percent post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic, comes in packaging made from recycled materials, and uses an ultra-low power Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) 5.0 chipset that is four times more energy efficient than standard BLE chipsets to reduce power consumption and extend battery life.

Additionally, the mouse comes equipped with a 4000 DPI Pixart PMW3310 infrared optical sensor to deliver gaming-level performance and precision for power users. Compatible with various operating systems, it can be easily paired with three devices then switched between devices at the press of a button.

For added protection, it incorporates Targus' DefenseGuardtm, an antimicrobial additive that is infused into the product to help create a cleaner surface while working continuously to protect the mouse by preventing the growth of microorganisms.

This unique mouse is the latest addition to Targus' lineup of EcoSmart tech accessories following the launch of its CES 2023 Innovation Award Honoree, the Sustainable Energy Harvesting EcoSmarttm Keyboard, which launched earlier this year. The ErgoFlip EcoSmart Mouse is now available at Targus.com and through participating retailers throughout the US, Canada, and Europe.

Consumers and media can get a firsthand glimpse of this CES Innovation Award Honoree during CES 2024, the most powerful tech event in the world happening in Las Vegas, Jan. 9th-12th. Targus' booth #15945 will be located in the Central Hall within the Las Vegas Convention Center. Additionally, the product will be on display in the CES Innovation Awards Showcase and at CES Unveiled, CES' premier media preview event taking place at the Mandalay Bay Convention Center on the evening of January 7th.

About the 2024 CES Innovation Awards

The CES Innovation Awards program, owned and produced by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), is an annual competition honoring outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products. The program recognizes honorees in a multitude of consumer technology product categories and distinguishes the highest rated in each. An elite panel of industry expert judges, including members of the media, designers, engineers and more, reviewed submissions based on innovation, engineering and functionality, aesthetic and design.

The CES 2024 Innovation Award Honorees, including product descriptions and photos, can be found at CES.tech/innovation. More will be revealed in January. Many honorees will showcase their winning products in the Innovation Awards Showcase at CES 2024.

About Targus



For 40 years, Targus has been revolutionizing mobile computing accessories for large enterprises and consumers, alike ? connecting people and technology in meaningful ways. From laptop bags to tablet cases, to peripherals and universal docking stations, we persistently conceive, design, and produce innovative, productivity-boosting solutions that make the complex, simple; and seamlessly integrate into the lifestyles of mobile professionals wherever they work ? at home, in the office, or wherever they go. We cross categories, regions, industries, and lifestyles with a breadth and depth of products that provide you with the solutions you need to live, dream, and do.

A global leader in docking, Targus has deployed more than 3 million universal docking stations around the world in more than 12,000 organizations ? with more than 90% of Fortune 1000 companies using Targus products and maintains the number one spot in US B2B Universal Docks (3rd party only)2.

Headquartered in Anaheim, California, Targus has global operations in more than 24 offices and distribution in more than 100 countries. Learn more about us at Targus.com, like or follow us on Facebook, and LinkedIn.





1Source: Circana, US/Canada Retail and US B2B Reseller in Unit Sales for 12ME June 2023 (Laptop Bag case type = Briefcase, Sleeve, Attache, Slipcase, Messenger Bag)

2Source: Circana, US B2B Reseller, Docking Stations Unit Sales, 12ME June 2023

Targus, ErgoFlip, EcoSmart, and DefenseGuard are trademarks or registered trademarks of Targus International LLC in the U.S. and in certain other countries. All other trademarks and registered trademarks are the properties of their respective owners.

SOURCE Targus

15 november 2023 at 17:15

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Guizhou Satellite TV released a video: A German blogger influencer checking out the "Black Technology" in Guizhou





GUIYANG, China, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The digital economy is the future direction of development, and the data has become an important factor of production. Located in the hinterland of southwest China, Guiyang and Guian New District in Guizhou have won the reputation of "China's Digital Valley" for taking the lead in developing the big data industry in recent years. Moreover, in order to go back to the original universe and answer many difficult questions in astronomy, the "Five-hundred-meter Aperture Spherical radio Telescope", a major scientific and technological infrastructure construction project of China's National "Eleventh Five-Year Plan", was completed in the territory of Qiannan Buyi and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, Guizhou on September 25, 2016. Today, known as the "FAST", it has greatly expanded the horizons of mankind, continued to explore the origin and evolution of the universe, and has also attracted many international scientific research institutions to seek cooperation.

The short video series "Be My Guest  Modern Guizhou", originally produced by Guizhou Satellite TV, invites foreign friends to Guizhou in the form of reality shows to record their real lives in the local area. Adolf Robert Michael, a young man from Munich, Germany, was born after 1995 and is full of longing for Guizhou culture. He has become popular on the Internet because of short videos on life in the villages of ethnic minorities in Guizhou. In this episode, Adolf Robert Michael has visited the annual the International Big Data Industry Expo (hereinafter referred to as the "Big Data Expo"), experienced many "black technologies" and met the local girl Liu Yue. They went to the astronomical town of Pingtang County together to "check out" the world's largest sinkhole discovered so far - the Dadaihe Sinkhole, getting up close and personal with the hard-won Chinese "FAST".

"Guizhou's science and technology has really amazed me by this time. I didn't expect that so many powerful 'future technologies' lie low in Guizhou. It seems that there are not only enthusiastic and simple ethnic minorities here, but also technological products that can change future lives. I think I have discovered more than one side of Guizhou this time." Adolf Robert Michael utter sighs of admiration unceasingly for Guizhou's scientific and technological development. He has seen the side of Guizhou's ethnic minorities once, now he sees the side of Guizhou's science and technology. And he hopes to discover more aspects of Guizhou in the future.

Contact: Yu Xiaoying

Tel.: 0086851-85377412

Email: [email protected]

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jPCI411DXGg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1966408/4409108/logo_Guizhou_Satellite_TV_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Guizhou Satellite TV

16 november 2023 at 04:15

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Vortex Energy Clears Drill Trail and Completes Earthworks for Drilling Pads at the Robinsons River Salt Project, Newfoundland & Labrador





VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX | OTC: VTECF | FRA: AA3) ("Vortex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the successful completion of approximately 12km of drill trail clearing and preparation of two 120 feet by 120 feet drilling pads by the Company at the Robinsons River Salt Project ("The Project"). The work was completed by On Grade Construction of Stephenville, Newfoundland and Labrador, a subcontractor hired under the supervision and project management of the Company's primary consulting partner, RESPEC Consulting Inc ("RESPEC").



The priority from RESPEC has been to assist the mobilizing efforts with being on-site, guiding road clearing and earthworks for drilling pads, and float offloading of drilling cargo. All equipment from Major Drilling ("Major") has arrived on site and the Company expects to begin drilling later this week.

Paul Sparkes, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "We're thrilled to share the completion of drill trail clearing and earthworks for drilling pads at the Robinsons River Salt Project. With thanks to RESPEC, On Grade Construction and the local community for their dedicated efforts, we are now set to begin drilling at the Project."





Figure 1: Rig pad being spotted and cleared.





Figure 2: Resource Road access leading towards the drill pad.





Figure 3: Forest Road access leading towards the drill pad.

About Vortex Energy Corp.

Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project comprised of a total of 942 claims covering 23,500 hectares located approximately 35 linear kms south of the town of Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador. The Robinson River Salt Project is prospective for both salt and hydrogen salt cavern storage. The company is actively evaluating technologies to efficiently store hydrogen or energy in salt caverns. Vortex Energy Corp. also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Paul Sparkes

Chief Executive Officer, Director

+1 (778) 819-0164

[email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding 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 Company's 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 Company's exploration plans at the Project, including the nature and type of the Company's exploration activities, the timing of such exploration activities and the aim and objectives of the Company's exploration efforts; and the expected benefits to the Company arising from the use of Major Drilling to complete the proposed drilling at the Project.

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 Company's ability to execute on its exploration plans at the Project, including that it will be successful in carrying out such exploration activities on the anticipated timeline and that such exploration activities will yield the expected information and the desired outcomes; and that the Company's use of Major Drilling to carry out the proposed drilling will yield the anticipated benefits to the Company and the Project.

Although forward-looking information is based on the reasonable assumptions of the Company's 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 Project does not proceed in the manner and on the timeline 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; that mineral exploration may be unsuccessful or fail to achieve the results anticipated by the Company; that the Company's use of Major Drilling to carry out the proposed drilling may not yield the anticipated benefits to the Company or the Project; and that mineral exploration activities are often unsuccessful. 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 (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this ?press release.?

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/290390b5-8278-43a2-a41b-052d3256dfe9

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1b928ad6-8b28-403b-878f-8557f2d2e181

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/a5935930-4066-458a-a855-3d9bde396215

16 november 2023 at 08:00

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Private Equity and Venture Capital Teams Get Enhanced Talent Management and Search with Asymbl and Equilar Partnership





AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a significant move for the private equity and venture capital industries, Asymbl, a leader in recruitment and staffing solutions, has joined forces with Equilar, renowned for its executive intelligence solutions. This alliance marks a leap forward in optimizing talent pipeline management and enhancing search functionalities for these sectors.

The collaboration between Asymbl and Equilar is poised to revolutionize talent acquisition and management strategies for private equity and venture capital firms. By integrating Asymbl's robust applicant tracking system with Equilar's comprehensive ExecAtlas platform, firms will now have unparalleled access to executive and board member data, streamlining their talent search and management processes.

David Chun, CEO and founder of Equilar, emphasizes the significance of this partnership: "Partnering with Asymbl empowers our private equity and venture capital clients with advanced tools for more effective talent identification and recruiting workflows directly in their CRM. In addition, our integration unifies data silos and allows deal teams to benefit from the valuable networks of their talent professionals."

The key advantages of this Asymbl-Equilar alliance for the private equity and venture capital sectors are:

Enhanced talent pipeline management through sophisticated analytics.

Simplified and efficient access to a broad network of top-tier executives.

Improved strategies for managing portfolio companies and optimizing talent resources.

Unified data silos empower deal teams to leverage their talent professionals' networks.

Tailored recruiting workflows for venture capital and private equity firms' unique processes.

Brandon Metcalf, CEO and founder of Asymbl, reflects on the partnership: "I am thrilled about our partnership with Equilar, as it merges Asymbl's modern, sophisticated recruiting technology with Equilar's exceptional executive intelligence. This collaboration offers firms unparalleled data, insights, and workflows, enhancing efficiency and speed in hiring top-tier talent."

For additional details about the Asymbl-Equilar alliance, please visit https://www.asymbl.com/equilar-asymbl

About Asymbl

Asymbl, Inc. is a leading provider of business-process-specific applications designed as bolt-on solutions for Salesforce's Customer 360 portfolio. With a focus on staffing and recruitment, Asymbl's innovative solutions empower companies to modernize their operations, acquire top clients, optimize their workflows, and enhance the talent experience. For more information, visit Asymbl's website: www.asymbl.com .

About Equilar

Equilar is the leading provider of executive intelligence solutions. The company's expertise in relationship intelligence drives state-of-the-art business development and CRM applications, board and executive recruitment, and compensation and governance strategies. Equilar integrates its extensive database of executive profiles with natural language processing and machine learning AI to enable real-time relationship analytics and targeted outreach for its global clients. Equilar's commitment to excellence has made it the go-to solution for over 1,000 companies, including 75% of the Fortune 500, top PE/VC firms and leading professional services entities. Learn more at www.equilar.com .

SOURCE Asymbl, Inc.

16 november 2023 at 08:00

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A private prison operator who does business with Montana has been awarded an $4 million contract to transfer 120 state inmates to an Arizona facility, officials announced Wednesday.

The finalized contract will send inmates in custody of the Montana Department of Corrections to Saguaro Correctional Center in Eloy, Arizona. The private for-profit facility is operated by CoreCivic, which has operated the Crossroads Correctional Center, the state's only private prison, near Shelby since 1999.

Speaking before the Law and Justice Interim Committee on Wednesday, Montana Department of Corrections Deputy Director Cynthia Wolken said the recent contract award means that upcoming transfer is "imminent."

A DOC spokesperson said additional information, including how inmates will be selected for the transfer, would not be made available until a later date.

The measure was pitched during the legislative session as a short-term solution to a capacity problem. At the time, more than 200 people convicted of felony crimes were waiting in county jails to be transferred to prison facilities once a bed there opened up, an issue exacerbated by the pandemic. Lawmakers stood up a new legislative committee specifically to tackle prison capacity issues.

The state dashboard showed the last headcount at Montana State Prison, with a 1,526 capacity, at 1,581 as of Tuesday. The available information does not include how many state inmates are held up in county jails, although Wolken said generally those inmates are stacking up in jails in larger counties.

"It's allowing us to have a little more breathing room and take folks that are already in existing facilities and put them in this new capacity," Wolken told lawmakers.

Saguaro Correctional Center in fact does not hold any Arizona inmates, but instead contracts with corrections departments in Hawaii and Idaho. A Prison Rape Elimination Act (PREA) audit from 2021, the most recent available online, showed Saguaro's capacity is 1,926. Over the previous 12 months, the facilities daily population averaged 1,620.

The Hawaii Department of Public Safety's corrections division conducted its own compliance audit in June, finding Saguaro was compliant in 248 criteria and noncompliant in seven. Those deficiencies included criminal background checks on newly hired employees and volunteers, and maintaining mental health services as provided in Hawaii's contract with CoreCivic, among others.

Legislation to transfer 120 state inmates died and was revived several times over the course of the session this year as Montana lawmakers jostled over the proposal. The initial bill language specified CoreCivic as the vendor, envisioned by some as an extension of the ongoing contracts to house state inmates on the Hi-Line, but was later removed as legislation generally cannot award business to companies without a competitive bidding process. The arm-twisting to advance the transfer deal eventually spilled out into public view as unrelated bills were tagged with provisions to void them if the transfer didn't also pass the Legislature.

Some lawmakers denounced the deal as antithetical to recidivism goals, which emphasizes proximity to inmates family members, and pointed to other legislation passed that will in theory move eligible inmates more quickly into pre-releases in community settings.

Democrats operating from a deep minority during the session heavily opposed the proposal, and again raised their objection at the contract award news on Wednesday.

"Montanans deserve to have their hard-earned tax dollars stay here at home protecting public safety, reducing recidivism, and solving the root causes of crime and substance-use in our communities," Sen. Ryan Lynch and Rep. Donavon Hawk, both Butte Democrats on the Law and Justice Interim Committee, said in a statement Wednesday. "Instead, Governor Gianforte will be sending that money out-of-state to a private corporation with little to no oversight. The Administration must reverse course before it is too late and find solutions that invest in and protect Montana communities, not line the pockets of out-of-state hedge funds."

Wolken said the contract with CoreCivic would be posted publicly to the DOC website in the coming days.
RE Royalties to Present at Water Tower Research's Hybrid US Climate Investor Conference on December 7, 2023





VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RE Royalties Ltd. (OTCQX: RROYF) (TSX.V: RE), a global leader in renewable energy royalty-based financing, today announced that Bernard Tan, Chief Executive Officer, will present live at the Hybrid US Climate Investor Conference, presented by Water Tower Research at OTC Markets Group offices in New York, on Thursday, December 7, 2023. The presentations will be streamed live at VirtualInvestorConferences.com.

DATE: December 7, 2023

TIME: 11:15AM EDT

LINK: https://bit.ly/46Sd9Rp

This will be a live, interactive online event where investors are invited to ask RE Royalties, and the presenting companies, questions in real time. If you would like to attend in-person, please email [email protected] for a free attendee pass. If attendees are not able to join the event live on the day of the conference, an archived webcast will also be made available after the event.

Bernard Tan, CEO of RE Royalties, commented, "We are pleased to participate in the US Climate Investor Conference in New York, following the success of the inaugural Canadian Climate Investor Conference in June 2023. We are looking forward to connecting with climate conscious investors in the US market to demonstrate the strength of our business model, and our commitment to making a positive impact with our innovative financing solutions."

It is recommended that online investors pre-register and run the online system check to expedite participation and receive event updates.

Learn more about the event at www.virtualinvestorconferences.com .

About RE Royalties Ltd.

RE Royalties Ltd. acquires revenue-based royalties over renewable energy facilities and technologies by providing non-dilutive financing solutions to privately held and publicly traded companies in the renewable energy sector. RE Royalties is the first to apply this proven business model to the renewable energy sector. The Company currently owns over 100 royalties on solar, wind, hydro, battery storage, energy efficiency and renewable natural gas projects in North America, Mexico, and Europe. The Company's business objectives are to provide shareholders with a strong growing yield, robust capital protection, high rate of growth through re-investment and a sustainable investment focus.

About Water Tower Research, LLC

Water Tower Research is modernizing Investor Relations through research-driven communications and Investor Engagement. Sound investment research begins with good information. At WTR, we help companies and investors connect by creating expert information flow and strategies that are the foundation of a successful modern investor relations platform. Our analysts and capital markets professionals bring decades of unrivaled Wall Street experience and insight to a new digital world of investor communications and engagement. Our research and investor content is distributed across traditional research aggregators like Bloomberg, FactSet, etc., proprietary direct distribution lists, social media, search engines, and our website. As a result, every institutional and retail investor has equal access to our high-quality company research. Our mission is to help companies take control of their IR program and proactively reach investors while bringing investors a consistent flow of quality information to help them understand our clients' businesses, industries, and the investment opportunities they present.

About Virtual Investor Conferences

Virtual Investor Conferences (VIC) is the leading proprietary investor conference series that provides an interactive forum for publicly traded companies to seamlessly present directly to investors. Providing a real-time investor engagement solution, VIC is specifically designed to offer companies more efficient investor access. Replicating the components of an on-site investor conference, VIC offers companies enhanced capabilities to connect with investors, schedule targeted one-on-one meetings and enhance their presentations with dynamic video content. Accelerating the next level of investor engagement, Virtual Investor Conferences delivers leading investor communications to a global network of retail and institutional investors.

Media Contact:



RE Royalties Ltd.

Talia Beckett, VP of Communications

T: (778) 374?2000

E: [email protected]

Virtual Investor Conferences

John M. Viglotti

SVP Corporate Services, Investor Access

OTC Markets Group

(212) 220-2221

[email protected]

Water Tower Research

Tim Regan

Head of Business Development

(978) 505-2478

[email protected]

16 november 2023 at 08:30

News published onand distributed by:
Stormbreaker Ventures Surges Ahead; Reignites the Mobility and Wireless Innovation Ecosystem with New Fund





Stormbreaker Ventures, an early-stage venture firm focused on the mobile connectivity ecosystem, is excited to announce its partnership with Thermo Companies and Mi Capital as strategic investors. This marks a significant milestone in Stormbreaker's growth, illustrating the firm's steadfast commitment to advancing innovation within the mobility and wireless sector. It also signals the dynamic market, drawing the interest of significant players from well-established industries and offices who acknowledge the sector's growth potential.

"The mobility sector is far from stagnant. More than ever, mobile carriers and others in the space require innovative solutions to propel the entire ecosystem forward, and we are laser-focused on advancing the industry. It's worth noting that this perspective influenced our decision to welcome Glenn Lurie, former President and CEO of AT&T Mobility and Consumer Operations and President and CEO of Synchronoss Technologies, as one of our Managing Directors," said Stormbreaker Ventures founder, Said Mia.

"We're thrilled about our new strategic investment partners. Innovation that supports the mobile connectivity ecosystem has been overshadowed by big tech and deep tech; however, mobility is an entirely different animal that touches nearly every aspect of our lives. In this sector, you need to know who and what you're dealing with to create actual value for startups. As a result of Stormbreaker's focus, collective experience, and relationships, deal flow is not just strong but proprietary," said Managing Director Glenn Lurie.

Thermo Companies has earned recognition for its outstanding leadership across multiple industries, including infrastructure, real estate, energy, and mobility. Thermo's ownership of Globalstar, the recent sale of Fiberlight, and internal venture investments reflect its extensive expertise in telecom infrastructure, wireless spectrum, and state-of-the-art wireless technologies. Mi Capital is the investment arm of Michels Corporation, the premier energy and infrastructure contractor in North America. It's worth noting that Stormbreaker represents an exception for both Mi Capital and Thermo Companies, as neither are venture fund investors. Presented with a myriad of investment opportunities, both Thermo Companies and Mi Capital have strategically chosen to invest in Stormbreaker, an emerging fund, over several others.

"At Thermo Companies, we are committed to establishing strategic partnerships that drive industry transformation and fuel innovation. Our collaboration with Stormbreaker Ventures, our only partnership with a venture firm, was a deliberate decision due to its unparalleled wireless, mobility, and connectivity expertise. Together, we aim to pioneer a new era of opportunities in an industry primed for innovation," stated Kyle Pickens of Thermo Companies.

"Mi Capital has a longstanding successful strategic investment partnership with Stormbreaker Ventures and has proven to be an excellent steward of capital. The partners' expertise in selecting and supporting investments, particularly in the mobile connectivity ecosystem, has been outstanding. We look forward to seeing the firm's continued success," said Rob Haugen of Mi Capital.

According to Stormbreaker partners and confirmed by Ernst & Young Global Limited (EY), the state of US venture capital investments in 2023 and into 2024 are seeing a downturn; however, there are bright marks for early-stage investments and specific sectors, including mobility, wireless, and connected ecosystem technologies.

The article "Venture capital investment remains slow as market seeks new normal" goes on to cite, "...the passage of the CHIPs and Science Act by Congress in 2022...could contribute to a pickup in information technology investment, which encompasses computer software, networking, and hardware," all of which sit squarely within Stormbreaker's areas of expertise and investment thesis.

"For big infrastructure players in our space, innovation imperative and stagnation present an existential risk. Numerous areas within the mobility sector are ripe for reinvention and investment, including fifth-generation wireless (5G), the Internet of Things (IoT), cloud, artificial intelligence and machine learning (AI/ML), and fixed wireless access (FWA). This presents a golden opportunity to get into the mobility and wireless VC investments alongside experts in the field ? now. We are in an era beyond the traditional 'telecom' as we knew it; welcome to 'telecom 3.0,'" Managing Director Glenn Lurie emphasized.

About Stormbreaker Ventures:

Stormbreaker Ventures is an early-stage venture firm focused on the mobility and wireless sector, encompassing devices & sensors, computing, networking, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and cloud. With a team of veteran operators and investors with over 150+ years of aggregate experience, Stormbreaker partners have a track record that includes over a dozen unicorn investments. The firm provides its founders with world-class tools and resources via its Founder Successtm Platform. Stormbreaker has over 40 active portfolio companies that have raised over $500 million of follow-on capital.

16 november 2023 at 09:20

News published onand distributed by:
Del Monte Foods Announces Year 1 Progress on Commitment with Nonprofit Partner Healthier Generation to Nourish the Wellness of Youth and Communities Across the United States





Nourishing Families, Nourishing Schools Program: 1 Million+ Served for Youth and

Community Well-Being

WALNUT CREEK, Calif., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Del Monte Foods, Inc. is sharing a progress update on the first year of its "Nourishing Families by Nourishing Schools" program, a groundbreaking initiative launched in partnership with the nonprofit Alliance for a Healthier Generation (Healthier Generation). This commitment was made in support of the company's Growers of Goodtm purpose to grow a healthier and more hopeful tomorrow by making nutritious foods more accessible to all.

Del Monte Foods' and Healthier Generation's partnership was announced at the 2022 Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) meeting. The program is dedicated to enhancing the physical, mental, and social-emotional well-being of children, with a strong commitment to reaching 75 percent of students representing Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC) populations.

One Year of Progress

In year one, the partnership has:

Reached 1.25 million families with family-oriented nutritious and easy recipes and activities to foster community and connection through meals.

with family-oriented nutritious and easy recipes and activities to foster community and connection through meals. Engaged more than two million children at nearly 4,700 K -12 schools with program content.

at with program content. Ensured inclusive reach with 67 percent of the students and families reached to date representing BIPOC populations and 75 percent of schools and districts reached serving under-resourced communities through Title I funding.

"Our commitment to accessible and high-quality nutrition for families and schools extends beyond financial support," said Greg Longstreet, President and CEO of Del Monte Foods. "We are proud to share the milestones we've achieved in improving the health and well-being of youth across the country. Our progress demonstrates our dedication as Growers of Good to making a tangible difference in the lives of students and families."

Kathy Higgins, CEO of Healthier Generation, added, "The positive impact of this initiative on students and communities is evident in the reach that we've had in the past year. We are proud of the progress we've achieved in partnership with Del Monte Foods, and we remain dedicated to our mission of enhancing whole child health for current and future generations."

This year's programming included the launch of four impactful multimedia campaigns to promote nutrition education and access:

Leading into the holiday season, Healthier Generation and Del Monte Foods provided virtual resources and content for families to help bring joy to mealtimes for their holiday campaign, including nutritious, fun and affordable recipes with some spins on holiday classics. Through the Choose Good, Do Good campaign in January and February, customers could purchase Del Monte Foods products at a discounted rate at participating retailers and a portion of the sales would go to Healthier Generation's programs to support children and families. For National Nutrition Month in March, the partnership provided families with resources to encourage physical activity and family mealtime bonding with affordable, nutritious meals. Amidst the busy back-to-school season, the organizations teamed up to provide quick and easy nutritious recipes for parents and hosted an engaging cooking segment with a celebrity chef.

Year Two and Beyond

Looking ahead, Del Monte Foods and Healthier Generation are committed to furthering their impact in year two and beyond. Del Monte Foods is an official sponsor of the Improving Nutrition & Food Access distinction for the 2024 America's Healthiest Schools ? Healthier Generation's signature annual recognition program that celebrates schools across the nation for their achievements in advancing the physical, mental, and social-emotional health of students, staff and families. Del Monte Foods will collaborate with Healthier Generation to support schools in meeting these criteria within the food and nutrition topic through resources and programs.

Del Monte Foods and Healthier Generation will also continue to prioritize developing resources for educators and families that help them combat food insecurity and boost nutrition through emphasizing the value of school meals, teaching how to recognize the signs of food insecurity in children, finding ways for families to come together at mealtimes, and more.

For more information on Del Monte Foods' commitment to fostering goodness for people, communities, and the planet, please refer to its Sustainability Report.

About Del Monte Foods, Inc.

For more than 135 years, Del Monte Foods, Inc. has been driven by our mission to nourish families with earth's goodness. As the original plant-based food company, we're always innovating to make nutritious and delicious foods more accessible to consumers across our portfolio of beloved brands, including Del Monte, Contadina, College Inn, Kitchen Basics, JOYBA, Take Root Organicstm and S&W.

We believe that everyone deserves great tasting food they can feel good about, which is why we grow and produce our products using sustainable and earth-friendly practices for a healthier tomorrow.

Del Monte Foods, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of Del Monte Pacific Limited (Bloomberg: DELM SP, DELM PM) and is not affiliated with certain other Del Monte companies around the world, including Fresh Del Monte Produce Inc., Del Monte Canada, or Del Monte Asia Pte. Ltd. For more information about Del Monte Foods and our products, please visit www.delmontefoods.com or www.delmonte.com.

Media Contacts:

Drew McGowan

Del Monte Foods

[email protected]

415-637-5732

Courtney Mains

Edelman

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408-835-5323

Related Links

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SOURCE Del Monte Foods, Inc.

16 november 2023 at 09:30

News published onand distributed by:
A French farmer sprays glyphosate herbicide "Roundup 720" made by agrochemical giant Monsanto, at the rate of 432 grams per hectare, in Piace, northwestern France, in a corn field, near a wind farm on April 23, 2021. JEAN-FRANCOIS MONIER / AFP

The European Commission will continue the use of the controversial chemical herbicide glyphosate in the European Union for 10 more years after the 27 member countries again failed to find a common position. Representatives of EU states were unable to reach a decision last month, and a new vote by an appeal committee was again unconclusive on Thursday, November 16. The chemical, which is widely used in the bloc to the great anger of environment groups, had been approved in the EU market until mid-December.

Because of the deadlock, the EU's executive arm said it will endorse its own proposal and renew the approval of glyphosate for 10 years, with new conditions attached. "These restrictions include a prohibition of pre-harvest use as a desiccant and the need for certain measures to protect non-target organisms," it said in a statement.

Over the past decade, glyphosate, used in products like the weedkiller Roundup, has been at the heart of heated scientific debate about whether it causes cancer and its possible disruptive effect on the environment. The chemical was introduced by chemical giant Monsanto in 1974 as an effective way of killing weeds while leaving crops and other plants intact.

Bayer bought Monsanto for $63 billion in 2018 and has been trying to deal with thousands of claims and lawsuits related to Roundup. In 2020, Bayer announced it would pay up to $10.9 billion to settle about 125,000 filed and unfiled claims. Just weeks ago, a California jury awarded $332 million to a man who sued Monsanto contending that his cancer was related to decades of using Roundup.

'Gamble with biodiversity'

The France-based International Agency for Research on Cancer, which is part of the World Health Organization, classified glyphosate as a "probable human carcinogen" in 2015. But the EU's food safety agency paved the way for a 10-year extension when it said in July it "did not identify critical areas of concern" in the use of glyphosate. EU member states are responsible for authorizing the use of products in their national markets, following a safety evaluation.

Column Article reserve a nos abonnes 'The glyphosate issue illustrates the conflict between regulatory agencies and scientific institutions'

The 10-year extension proposed by the European Commission required a "qualified majority," defined as 55% of the 27 members representing at least 65% of the total EU population of some 450 million people. Several member states abstained and that was not achieved, leaving the final say to the EU's executive arm.

In France, President Emmanuel Macron had committed to ban glyphosate before 2021 but has since backpedaled. Germany, the EU's biggest economy, plans to stop using it from next year, but the decision could be challenged. Luxembourgs national ban, for instance, was overturned in court earlier this year.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes The issue of glyphosate puts Germany's ruling coalition to the test

The Greens political group of the EU Parliament immediately urged the Commission to backpedal and ban the use of glyphosate. "We should not gamble with our biodiversity and public health like this, said Bas Eickhout, the vice chair of the Environment Committee.

Greenpeace has called on the EU to reject the market reapproval, citing studies indicating that glyphosate may cause cancer and other health problems and could also be toxic to bees. The agroindustry sector, however, says there are no viable alternatives.
The US Congress passed a stop-gap funding bill Wednesday, November 15, to keep federal agencies running for another two months and avert a painful holiday season government shutdown  although the deal leaves out aid to war-torn Ukraine and Israel requested by President Joe Biden.

Three days before the Friday night deadline, the Senate voted to keep the lights on through mid-January with a resolution that had passed through the House of Representatives during a week of high-stakes brinkmanship on Capitol Hill.

The last-ditch "continuing resolution (CR)" was pitched by new House Speaker Mike Johnson as more than a million public workers looked set to be sent home unpaid ahead of next Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday, upending government functions from national parks and air traffic control to federal policymaking.

Democrats had pressed for the inclusion of aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan  but each now looks set to be dealt with separately, with a $61 billion request from the White House for Kyiv looking particularly precarious amid conservative opposition.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Wars in Ukraine and Gaza: Biden tries to convince America of the need for US leadership

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill was "far from perfect" but achieved Democrats' aims of keeping the lights on without "cruel cuts or poison pills."

The shutdown crisis was triggered by hardline conservatives in the Republican-led House defying their own party leadership to scupper the bills that normally set the annual federal budget as they pressed for deep spending cuts.

House Republicans needed help from Democrats to overcome a rebellion on the right to advance the bill, which essentially puts off budgeting until January of 2024  a presidential election year.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes Republican Party divisions lead to historic paralysis of US Congress

The measure includes none of the policy priorities or drastic cuts the Republican right flank was pushing for, and conservatives put Johnson on notice that they would not accept another stop-gap at current spending levels.

"We're done with the failure theater here in Congress  we're not just going to pass bills that don't address the problems that Americans face," said Scott Perry, chairman of the hard right House Freedom Caucus.

'Unable to govern'

Budget votes in Congress regularly turn into a standoff, with one party using the prospect of a shutdown to seek concessions from the other, usually without success.

This one was seen as Johnson's first major leadership test, after allies of former president Donald Trump, furious that their leadership had reached a deal with Biden to extend funding, successfully moved to oust Johnson's predecessor Kevin McCarthy in October.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes US Republicans expose deep internal divisions with Kevin McCarthy ousting

The historic rebellion left the lower chamber paralyzed for three weeks as Republicans struggled to find a replacement leader, even as the deadly Hamas attack on Israel and war in Ukraine spurred calls for quick congressional action.

"At this point, it's important for the Congress to come together, Democrats and Republicans, on a bipartisan path forward to fully funding the government," Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries told reporters. "It should be obvious to anyone who is watching that House Republicans are unable to govern on their own. Period, full stop, no further observation necessary."

There have been no shutdowns so far under Biden, although Trump saw two, including a 35-day shutdown five years ago that was the longest in US history.

Read more Article reserve a nos abonnes How Donald Trump endangered US national security
A MAN had no chance of defending himself against a knife-wielding drug dealer, Limerick Circuit Court heard.

The victim still has scarring from significant and multiple facial wounds including the lobe of one of his ears appears to have been taken off.

Stephen Curtin, aged 33, of Rosbrien Terrace, Punches Cross, pleaded guilty at Limerick Circuit Court to assault causing harm, sale or supply of heroin and possession of cocaine.

Prosecuting barrister Lily Buckley, instructed by State solicitor Padraig Mawe, outlined the evidence with the assistance of Detective Garda Dean Landers.

Ms Buckley said the injured party and the accused knew each other, regularly Facebook messaged each other, including in the early hours of the attack on September 21, 2018.

Mr Curtin would supply the victim with drugs. The injured party went to Mr Curtins house in Rosbrien Terrace with the intention of getting drugs from the accused. He arrived at 4.30am and messaged Mr Curtin on Facebook. The accused came out and the victim followed him at the side of the house.

The accused grabbed the victim and started cutting and stabbing him in an unprovoked attack in his face, chest, legs and neck. It went on for 20 minutes. The victim felt the accused was trying to murder him, said Mr Buckley.

The court heard the injured party, aged in his mid-twenties at the time, was slashed from his left cheek to his right ear, suffered multiple significant facial wounds including a substantial ear injury.

Ms Buckley said he broke free, ran away and collapsed in the doorway of a house in the vicinity when an ambulance was called.

There were blood stains in peoples premises. There was blood spatter in the alleyway. The knife was recovered, said Ms Buckley.

When gardai went to arrest Mr Curtin in the following days they found 2,114 worth of heroin in the Rosbrien Terrace address and 46.13 of cocaine on his person.

The court heard Mr Curtin has 103 previous convictions - 91 of which are for road traffic offences.

Judge Dermot Sheehan asked Det Garda Landers about the victims injuries and had he met him recently.

He still has scarring but it is healing well, said Det Garda Landers. Brian McInerney SC, who represented Mr Curtin, put it to the detective that it was a commercial disagreement between his client and the victim. Yes, said Det Garda Landers.

Mr McInerney asked if Mr Curtin has been off the garda radar in recent times and the detective agreed he has been off the radar.

In mitigation, Mr McInerney said the offence is of some vintage when his client was a heavy enough drug user.

There were no trappings of wealth. He is at a point now that is radically different to the person he was five years ago, said Mr McInerney, who added that there is work available to Mr Curtin in his fathers sand and gravel business.

Judge Sheehan said the victim had no chance of defending himself from a knife-wielding Mr Curtin.

The photos in the book of evidence indicate significant wounds to the face. The lobe of one of his ears appears to have been taken off, said Judge Sheehan.

The judge said Mr Curtin was, at the time, dealing in drugs to feed his habit but it appears he has changed his ways and is off drugs for some time.

He has clearly made an effort to turn things around, said Judge Sheehan, who imposed a three year prison sentence with the last 18 months suspended.

The judge handed down a 12 month suspended sentence for the sale or supply of heroin and took the possession of cocaine offence into consideration.
BUSINESS leaders from across Limerick city and county will descend on the Strand Hotel this Friday night for one of the biggest dates in the local economys calendar.

Around 400 people are due to attend the 12th annual Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards, of which the Limerick Leader is once again a media partner.

Doubling up as Chamber president Miriam O'Connors annual dinner, the event will see business people and community groups across the region honoured for the contribution they have made.

Some 22 companies, groups and charities are in the running to pick up one of eight Limerick Chamber Regional Business Awards.

Chamber president Miriam OConnor described the black-tie evening as a celebration of achievements within the regional business community throughout the year and the work being undertaken by Limerick Chamber to support members ambitions.

As well as eight awards being given out - plus the top award of company of the year - Ms O'Connor will also present a special award, chosen by herself and kept under wraps until the night itself.

She described the award as honouring a person who embodies the spirit of the business community and who has had a significant impact on Limerick the Mid-West. 

Ms OConnor added: Traditionally the identity of the presidents award recipient remains top secret until the reveal on-stage, however I can say that this years honouree is highly accomplished, recognised nationally for their leadership ability, incredibly passionate about the team they lead and has had a tremendous impact on the entire Mid-West.

The presidents dinner is sponsored by AIB.

The firms regional head of business banking Damien Garrihy said: AIB is proud to be small to medium sized enterprise partner for Limerick Chamber and partner with the team to bring forward high-value events for businesses throughout the year, none more highly anticipated than the presidents dinner.

The keynote sponsor of the awards element of the evening is Technological University of the Shannon.

Its president, Professor Vincent Cunnane said: We are excited to partner with Limerick Chamber for the 12th year to bring together the region's business leaders, innovators, and change makers for a night of celebration and recognition. The Regional Business Awards highlight the vibrant entrepreneurial spirit and ability of the companies within the Mid-West.
THE ROAD Safety Authority (RSA) is this week joining forces with members of An Garda Siochana, local county councils, emergency services and victim support groups to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

Those who have died on our roads will be remembered at a series of services that will be held around the country.

In 2005, the United Nations adopted a resolution calling for governments to mark the third Sunday in November each year as World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

This day provides an opportunity to draw the publics attention to road traffic crashes, their consequences and costs, and the measures which can be taken to prevent them.

The day also provides an opportunity to remind governments and society of their responsibility to make roads safer.

Liz ODonnell, chairperson of the RSA, said: Now is an important time to reflect on what has been a very difficult year. Too many families have been devastated by road trauma and the loss or serious injury to a loved one.

As we look to 2024, we in the RSA are determined to reverse the upward trend in road crashes. We have made great progress in road safety in the past and we can do it again if we all commit to it by being aware and vigilant and taking responsibility for the safety of other road users.

In the capital, Dublin City Council is hosting a memorial event for World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims and their families on Wednesday, November 15 at 3pm in the Atrium of the Civic Offices, Dublin.

The Dublin Lord Major will open the event and the Choir from Christ Church Cathedral will be performing. All are welcome to attend.

On Friday November 17, President Michael D Higgins is hosting a private reception at Aras an Uachtarain to mark World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims.

On Sunday November 19, Mayo County Council is hosting a mass in Knock at 12pm.

In Louth a remembrance service will take place in the Augustinian Church, Drogheda at 1.15pm.

A special memorial mass for World Day of Remembrance is taking place in St Mary's Church Listowel Co Kerry at 9am.

A remembrance Mass will be held in Remembrance of our loved ones in St Munchin's Church, Clancy Strand, Limerick at 11.30am.

In Cork a special memorial mass will take place in the Cathedral of St Mary and St Anne, Roman Street (Shandon), Cork City at 11.30am.

Also in Westmeath, a remembrance service takes place in Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar at 1pm.

Further details on the services are available at HERE.
CHRISTMAS has come early for 18 new households in the Cliona Park area of Moyross as they were given the keys to their new homes.

The Mayor of the City and County of Limerick, Cllr Gerald Mitchell, was on hand on Thursday morning to oversee the handover, as several families moved into newly built residential units.

Speaking from her new kitchen, Amy Butler, a brand-new resident of the Cliona Park development, said she and her partner, Alan Hughes, were over the moon with their new home.

I am so happy, delighted with life. The kids have their own rooms now, finally, and that's what we were looking forward to the most, Ms Butler said.

With Christmas just around the corner, Ms Butler mentioned that, for their family, this is everything they ever wanted.

https://www.limerickleader.ie/news/home/1349654/major-new-housing-development-planned-for-landmark-limerick-site.html

After handing the couple the keys, Cllr Mitchell explained the importance of these new homes.

This development goes beyond housing. Nestled in the heart of the community, these homes stand as a testament to providing quality living spaces, the Mayor said.

The development includes one, two, and three-bedroom homes, all built with energy-efficient features.

As we see keys handed to new tenants, we witness the fulfillment of the promise to address housing needs in our city. I am confident the residents will integrate seamlessly into the warm embrace of Moyross, Cllr Mitchell added.

In addition to the new homes, the development includes a new access road, a dedicated cycle lane, associated footpaths connecting with existing footpaths at Cliona Park and Moyross Avenue, bin stores, boundary walls, street lighting, and associated landscaping.

Construction of the Cliona Park Development Phase 3 took place between October 2021 and October 2023.

The project has been delivered by the Limerick City and County Council Regeneration Directorate and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

The 4.8 million development will be welcomed by many across a city currently grappling with a rising homelessness crisis.

According to figures from the Department of Housing, there were 343 adults accessing emergency accommodation in Limerick between September 18 and September 24.

In the same period, in the greater Mid-West region, 87 families accessed emergency accommodation, including 117 adults and 137 children.
Bismarck Police Department policy and procedures regarding the use of deadly force are based on state law and U.S. Supreme Court decisions, not a suspect's age, a spokesman said in the wake of a weekend incident in which officers shot and killed a teenager.

The death of 17-year-old Nicholas Bruington early Sunday has prompted questions from some members of the public about why officers didn't use less-than-lethal measures. There also has been plenty of support for officers who face difficult situations.

The Strategies for Youth nonprofit, which focuses on youth interactions with law enforcement, issued a statement advocating generally for alternatives to the use of force with juveniles. The statement said "most U.S. law enforcement agencies lack any guidelines about how to interact, interrogate or arrest young people."

Bismarck police spokesman Lt. Luke Gardiner said "Nothing in Century Code (state law) reflects age, but instead reflects danger to others and self. It also includes other justifications, but these two are the big ones. Whats important is the factors that are occurring and being observed by an officer during the time he or she is trying to effect an arrest."

Additionally, two U.S. Supreme Court decisions Gardiner pointed to provide law enforcement agencies nationwide with guidance concerning use of deadly force. Those decisions -- Graham v. Connor and Tennessee v. Garner -- factor things such as whether a suspect poses an immediate threat, possesses a weapon, is actively resisting or evading arrest, or poses a threat of serious harm or death to officers or the public.

"As you know, juveniles are not immune from being involved in serious and violent crime, to include posing a risk of serious bodily injury and death to our citizens and officers," Gardiner said. "Its important to remember that we respond based on suspects' actions and apply the above laws."

Police became interested in Bruington following reports around 12:15 a.m. Sunday of gunfire in the area around 900 S. Third St. It's alleged Bruington fired a gun at another juvenile in the Everspring Hotel area. Gardiner said that person hasn't been located, but the department's investigative section is still actively working to track down evidence and leads. Authorities don't believe the juvenile was injured based on evidence at the scene.

Officers conducted a traffic stop around 1:50 a.m. on a vehicle that Bruington was a passenger in, near Scheels in the Kirkwood all parking lot. Bruington had a gun and did not follow commands, police said. Three officers shot at him. Police did not say how many shots were fired or how many times the boy was hit. They also did not say if the boy exited the vehicle before being shot, or if he pointed a gun at officers.

Privately shot video posted on social media in the hours following the incident captures six gunshots over a span of 29 seconds. Four rounds are fired in quick succession followed by a gap of just over 22 seconds, followed by two more gunshots. The video shot from a window across the street from the mall's parking lot does not show who fired the shots. Before shots are fired, the video captures more than 20 seconds of what sounds like commands being shouted.

Bismarck officers wear body cameras, and their squad cars also are equipped with cameras. Any video of the incident from those cameras would be part of the investigation and not released until it is concluded. The body cams went into service less than two months ago, and the car cameras were replaced as part of the $1.2 million departmentwide technology upgrade.

Bismarck police were familiar with Bruington -- Gardiner said officers had dealt with him on a number of occasions, "mainly drug use and runaways." The Associated Press reported that Bruington was not enrolled at any Bismarck public high school, and Light of Christ Catholic Schools told the Tribune that Bruington was not actively enrolled.

Attempts by the Tribune to get comment from Bruington's mother and brother have been unsuccessful. A GoFundMe campaign begun by a family friend had raised more than $6,200 to help with family expenses as of Wednesday afternoon.

No officers were injured. Three officers were placed on administrative leave while the state Bureau of Criminal Investigation examines the incident. Gardiner said the officers' identities won't be released until the investigation is complete. There is no specific timeline.
ATTENDING the Hi Style Awards was an honour once again and I had a ravishing night too at the Crescent Shopping Centre 50th anniversary celebration.

I went to Cork to the prestigious fashion, beauty and accessories awards ceremony and savoured the night thoroughly. Being around creative people and those who share my passion for fashion is always uplifting.

The Hi Style Awards recognise Irelands most stylish and upcoming businesses in the land and a wide range of categories means every element of the industry is in with a chance of winning.

The theme of the night was a timeless elegance theme and the style was truly exceptional, with most in ballgowns, glamour and glitz.

I too wore a floor length, long-sleeve black dress with silver embellishments on the sleeves and waist. My gown was courtesy of Phoenix V, who I love to work with so dearly.

Celebrating half a century of shopping and working with the Crescent Shopping Centre has been blissful and a privilege of mine.

We enjoyed some food and received goody bags at a ceremony in the Savoy, while Mayor Gerald Mitchell addressed all guests of the anniversary celebration.

It was a joyous occasion and we will dearly miss John Davitt, who is retiring on Christmas Eve.

He has been the manager of the centre for some time now and is a wonderful person. I wish him the best of luck going forward.

XxCelia
Are you a highly skilled professional with exceptional abilities, looking to contribute your expertise to the United States? The EB-2 National Interest Waiver (eb2 niw) Visa may be the perfect pathway for you. In this blog post, we will delve into the intricacies of the eb2 niw Visa, its benefits, and how to successfully navigate the application process to maximize your chances of approval.

Key Takeaways

Understand the EB-2 NIW Visa to gain entry into the U.S., bypassing labor certification and expediting green card processing time.

Demonstrate exceptional ability or advanced degree, as well as substantial merit & national importance of proposed endeavor for eligibility.

Maximize chances of approval by utilizing Citizen Concierges services.

Understanding the EB-2 NIW Green Card

The EB-2 NIW Visa is a powerful tool for foreign nationals with exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business, or who possess advanced degrees in these fields. This visa category is designed to draw in highly skilled professionals who can contribute to the United States in a manner that serves the national interest.

The EB2 NIW (national interest waiver) Visa offers numerous benefits, such as bypassing the labor certification process and the ability to self-petition, making it an attractive option for those seeking to make a significant impact in their field.

The Purpose of EB-2 NIW

Attracting top talent to work in the United States for the nations benefit is the fundamental aim of the EB2 NIW Visa. Eligible individuals can self-petition for a green card through this visa category, bypassing the typical labor certification process and job offer prerequisites.

The EB-2 NIW Visa, by offering a pathway for highly skilled individuals with advanced degrees or exceptional abilities to achieve permanent residence, plays a positive role in enhancing the U.S. economy, innovation, and research.

Benefits of the EB-2 NIW Visa

Several advantages are offered to eligible applicants by the EB-2 NIW Visa. One of the primary benefits is the ability to self-petition, which means applicants do not require an employer or sponsor to submit an application on their behalf. Furthermore, the EB-2 NIW (national interest waiver) Visa allows applicants to bypass the labor certification process, saving time and resources.

With the option of premium processing, applicants can expedite their green card processing time to 45 calendar days for a fee of $2,500.

Requirements for EB-2 NIW Eligibility

Applicants need to meet stringent criteria to qualify for an EB-2 NIW Visa. They must possess either an advanced degree or have exceptional ability in their field, and demonstrate that their work is in the national interest of the United States. A successful application hinges on meeting these qualifications, while a deep understanding of the specific eligibility criteria significantly enhances the probability of approval.

Advanced Degree or Exceptional Ability

Applicants must demonstrate that they hold an advanced degree or have exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business to qualify for the exceptional ability membership. An advanced degree is defined as a masters or doctorate degree in the relevant field of expertise, or a foreign equivalent degree, or the equivalent of a bachelors degree with five years of post-baccalaureate work experience. Exceptional ability refers to a level of expertise that surpasses the ordinary level encountered in the sciences, arts, or business.

The success of your EB-2 NIW application is heavily reliant on providing the necessary evidence of your advanced degree or exceptional ability.

Demonstrating National Interest

To prove that their work is in the national interest of the United States, applicants must show that their proposed endeavor holds substantial merit and is of national importance. This can be demonstrated by providing evidence of how their work will benefit the U.S. in areas such as:

the economy

health

education

technology

Letters of recommendation, publications, patents, or media coverage of the applicants work can be used to support the claim of national interest.

The Three-Prong Test: A Key Component of the EB-2 NIW Application

A crucial aspect of the EB2 NIW (national interest waiver) application is the three-prong test, which evaluates the national interest waiver requirements, such as:

1. The applicants work has significant value and national importance

2. They are qualified to progress the proposed endeavor

3. It would be beneficial to waive the job offer and labor certification requirements in the case of a national interest waiver

For a successful application, its imperative to comprehend and address each prong of this test.

Substantial Merit and National Importance

The first prong of the test requires applicants to demonstrate that their work has substantial merit and national importance. This can be evidenced by showcasing their significant contributions to the improvement of essential factors of life in the United States which can potentially impact multiple fields.

The applicant must demonstrate that their proposed endeavor has substantial merit and will bring benefits on a national scale.

Well-Positioned to Advance the Proposed Endeavor

The second prong of the test assesses whether the applicant is well-positioned to advance their proposed endeavor. This can be evaluated based on qualifications, experience, and resources held by the applicant.

Addressing this prong of the test necessitates providing evidence of your capacity to advance the proposed endeavor, such as your educational background, skills, knowledge, and expertise.

Beneficial to Waive Job Offer and Labor Certification Requirements

The third prong of the test evaluates whether waiving the job offer and labor certification requirements would be advantageous to the applicant. USCIS examines the amount of benefits that a foreign national would bring to the national interest. The evaluation also considers if conducting a labor market test for U.S. workers of a similar skill level is required.

Demonstrating that your work has a significant impact on the national interest and justifies waiving the standard job offer and labor certification requirements is essential to addressing this prong.

Application Process for the EB-2 NIW Green Card

Applying for the EB2 NIW Green Card involves several steps, including preparing documentation, filing Form I-140, and monitoring visa availability. To ensure a smooth application process, comprehending these steps and the associated timelines is key.

Preparing Documentation

Gathering the necessary documents for the EB-2 NIW application is a crucial step in the process. This includes securing strong letters of recommendation, evidence of your publications, and documentation of your achievements and impact in your field.

Its pivotal for the success of your application to ensure that your documentation is complete and accurately mirrors your expertise and contributions.

Filing Form, I-140

Form I-140, the Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, is a key component of the EB-2 NIW application process for a lawful permanent resident. This form must be completed and submitted to the appropriate USCIS service center, along with the required supporting documentation and filing fees.

Accurately completing and submitting your Form I-140 in a timely fashion plays a vital role in the success of your EB-2 NIW application.

Processing Times and Visa Availability

The processing time for an EB-2 NIW (national interest waiver) application can vary, typically taking several months to a year or more. However, on average, it takes between four to six months from the time of filing.

It is important to monitor visa availability through the U.S. Department of States Visa Bulletin to ensure that a visa number is available when your application is ready for final processing.

Overcoming Challenges in the EB-2 NIW Application

The challenges in the EB-2 NIW application process include:

Demonstrating exceptional ability or national interest

Addressing subjective decision-making by USCIS officers

Managing discrepancies in application information

Awareness of these potential obstacles and preparation to overcome them are vital to the success of your application.

Proving Exceptional Ability or National Interest

Providing strong evidence to demonstrate exceptional ability or national interest in your field is essential to a successful EB2 NIW application. This can include an official academic record showing a certificate, diploma, or degree related to your exceptional ability, as well as documentation illustrating your expertise and contributions to your field.

Obtaining persuasive letters of recommendation from experts in your field and professional or business organizations can also help you establish your exceptional ability and the national interest aspect of your work.

Navigating Subjective Decision-Making

Dealing with the subjective decision-making of USCIS officers can be a challenge during the EB-2 NIW application process. To effectively manage this aspect, it is important to be prepared to respond to any Request For Evidence (RFE) issued by USCIS.

Emphasizing the national interest aspect of your work and effectively demonstrating how your work contributes to the United States can help reinforce your case.

Tips for Success: Maximizing Your Chances of EB-2 NIW Approval

Presenting a strong application that showcases your achievements, impact, and the national interest aspect of your work is key to maximizing your chances of EB-2 NIW approval. By following the tips and strategies discussed in this blog post, you can effectively navigate the application process and increase your likelihood of success.

Obtaining Strong Letters of Recommendation

Obtaining compelling letters of recommendation from field experts is a vital element of a successful EB-2 NIW application. These letters should demonstrate your unique expertise, outline your accomplishments, abilities, and background, and affirm that your work is in the national interest.

Obtaining letters from both your inner circle" and outer circle" of peers is recommended to provide a comprehensive view of your expertise and impact.

Showcasing Achievements and Impact

Highlighting your accomplishments and the impact of your work on the national interest is essential for a successful EB-2 NIW application. Here are some key points to include:

Emphasize your research contributions, patents, and awards in your field.

Provide evidence of your professional accomplishments and recognitions.

Include a professional plan or proposal that illustrates the substantial merit and national importance of your proposed endeavor.

Using Citizen Concierge's EB2 NIW Services

Citizen Concierge offers comprehensive services to assist applicants in preparing a successful EB-2 NIW application. Their services include assistance with Form I-130 completion, guidance throughout the application process, and support in obtaining well-crafted recommendation letters.

Leveraging the expertise of Citizen Concierge can help strengthen your application and enhance your prospects for approval.

Summary

In conclusion, the EB2 NIW Visa (national interest waiver) offers a valuable opportunity for highly skilled foreign nationals with exceptional abilities or advanced degrees to contribute to the United States national interest. By understanding the application process, and eligibility requirements, and overcoming potential challenges, you can maximize your chances of approval. With the right strategy and a well-prepared application, the EB-2 NIW Visa can pave the way for an exciting and fulfilling future in the United States.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an EB-2 NIW?

The EB2 NIW (national interest waiver) visa is an employment-based visa that allows individuals of exceptional ability and holders of advanced degrees in the arts, sciences, or business to bypass the labor certification process normally required for most employment-based visas. It grants them a Green Card (permanent residence).

Is EB-2 NIW (National Interest Waiver) hard to get?

Obtaining an EB-2 NIW visa can be complex and require extensive documentation, but with the help of a knowledgeable immigration attorney, it is not overly difficult. The approval rate for EB-2 NIW petitions is much higher than standard EB-2 petitions, making it a worthwhile endeavor.

What is the average time for EB-2 NIW?

On average, it takes between 10.5 to 26.5 months for an EB-2 NIW (I-140 Petition) to be processed, depending on the reviewing center. However, a new fee has been recently implemented which shortens this time to 45 days.

How much does EB-2 NIW cost?

The cost of an EB-2 NIW visa when applying from within the U.S. is $705 for the I-140 fee, $1,225 for the I-485 fee, and approximately $500-3,000 in attorney fees.

What is the purpose of the EB-2 NIW Visa?

The EB-2 NIW Visa encourages highly talented foreign nationals to work in the U.S., allowing them to contribute to the economy and helping to spur innovation and growth.

Check out Citizen Concierges EB2 NIW filing services to get the personalized attention to your application.

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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In the dynamic landscape of cryptocurrencies, a trio has emerged as a dominant force, capturing the attention of investors and enthusiasts alike. Shiba Inu (SHIB), Meme Moguls (MGLS), and Binance Coin (BNB) have become the talk of the town, each bringing its unique spin on the crypto scene. This piece will go over what makes them so appealing.

Shiba Inu (SHIB): The Meme Token with Ambitious Plans

Shiba Inu, known for its catchy logo, has been a pioneer in the meme coin space. In recent Shiba Inu news, its marketing team lead, Lucie, has publicly advocated for listing the BONE token on the popular trading platform Robinhood.

Lucie's outreach included a direct pitch to the official Robinhood X account on social media, where she highlighted the significance of BONE as the token powering Shibarium, an Ethereum Layer 2 blockchain associated with Shiba Inu. Regarding Shiba Inus price, the token is currently valued at $0.000009373 as of November 11th.

Moreover, its market cap is also valued at $5.50B.

Meme Moguls (MGLS): Revolutionizing Meme-Based Trading

Meme Moguls (MGLS) will take a bold step by creating a one-of-a-kind platform that merges meme enthusiasm with trading opportunities. Users can buy, sell, or trade meme assets on this platform while earning. From viral memes to iconic internet moments, users can explore assets that mirror the dynamic landscape of online trends.

With features like the Exchange Trading Platform, Fantasy Trader, and Mogul Land, Meme Moguls offers a multifaceted experience beyond conventional trading. At the heart of this experience will lie the MGLS token. MGLS holders will enjoy exclusive benefits such as staking rewards, governance voting rights, and more.

Currently, the MGLS token is currently valued at only $0.0019.

Binance Coin (BNB): Binance Completes Integration on opBNB Network

In a move signaling increased efficiency, Binance Coin (BNB) experienced interest, following the completion of its integration on the opBNB network. The Binance announcement on November 8th revealed its support for deposits and withdrawals on opBNB, marking a strategic move towards Layer 2 solutions.

This integration could enhance the overall performance and scalability of the BNB network, offering users a faster and more cost-effective transaction experience. After this development, the Binance Coin price was reported as $248 as of November 11th.

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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Microsoft Corp. unveiled its first homegrown artificial intelligence chip Maia 100 chip and cloud-computing processor at the companys annual Ignite conference in Seattle on Wednesday. Currently, the tech giant is testing the chip with its Bing and Office AI products.

This came in an attempt to take more control of its technology and ramp up its offerings in the increasingly competitive market for AI computing. In addition, the company also announced new software that allows clients to design their own AI assistants.

The Maia 100 chip will provide Microsoft Azure cloud customers with a new way to develop and run AI programs that generate content. Both Maia and the server chip, Cobalt, will debut in some Microsoft data centers early next year.

Addressing the event here, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that Maia will power Microsofts own AI apps first and then be available to partners and customers.

"Our goal is to ensure that the ultimate efficiency, performance, and scale is something that we can bring to you from us and our partners."

Microsoft Ignite 2023: Key takeaways from Satya Nadella's keynote

1) "We're about to enter this fascinating new era of AI, where it's no longer just a novel and fascinating technology. We're getting into the specifics of safety, actual productivity gains, product deployment, and all the issues that arise in the real world. We've reached a turning point. Clearly, we are in the era of copilots."

2) "You can design unique GPTs, make new plugins, plan workflows, keep an eye on Copilot's performance, organize customizations, and much, much more with Copilot Studio."

3) One of the things I really, really love is that we've collaborated to advance fundamental computer science, like generative AI. I adore that we're working together to create new technologies."

4) Artificial Intelligence is more than just using natural language as an input; it can also see, hear, and understand our intentions as well as the environment. I wish to give you an idea of what can happen when the outside world serves as your prompt and interface. That is the result of combining AI and mixed reality."

5) For example, spatial audio allows you to experience proximity and directionality exactly as they would in the real world. You can design a space in custom spaces that meets your unique requirements."

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To mark its entry into the European market, TVS Motors signed an agreement with Emil Frey for the import and distribution of two-wheelers, the company said in its stock exchange filing on Thursday.

The Zurich-based Emil Frey is one of the largest automobile importers and retailers in Europe with strong ties with leading automotive brands across the region. Under the agreement, Emil Frey will be responsible for the distribution of TVS products in selected countries.

Also Read: TVS Motor Q2 Results: Net profit up 32% at 537 crore, revenue rises 13%

The partnership will help TVS in expanding its reach in Europe by leveraging an extensive distribution network and deep market insights in Europe.

France will be the first country for the launch of TVS two-wheelers under the agreement. In France, TVS Motor will launch its range of products including ICE and EV models starting in January 2024.

Also Read: FIIs buy Indian equities for 2nd straight day, invest 957.25 crore; DIIs purchase 705 crore

"This strategic alliance with Emil Frey is a crucial step in our global expansion strategy. Europe will be a key market for us, and through this partnership, we aim to bring our cutting-edge products closer to European customers," said TVS Motor Company MD Sudarshan Venu.

Also Read: Hero Moto share price top gainer among Nifty50 stocks on strong festive sales

"I am very proud that TVS Motors Company is relying on our expertise in the European market and using our distribution network to bring their great products to customers. Our two companies complement each other perfectly and I look forward to seeing this partnership flourish," said Lorenz Frey-Hil, Director of Emil Frey Group.

TVS Motors shares closed 0.68% higher at 1684.10 per share on BSE on Thursday.

Also Read: LIC share price likely to see 51% upside, surge towards IPO price, amid deepening market cap discount: ICICI Securities

About the TVS products to be sold in Europe

TVS products like Jupiter 125, NTORO, Raider, iQube S, Ronin, Apache RR 310, and Apache RTR 310, will be made available for sale in European markets. At present, TVS Motors is already selling its two-wheelers in 80-plus countries in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Exports comprise nearly 25 percent of the company's business as of the first half of the current fiscal.

ALLIANCE More Information

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For almost two months the authorities have been cracking down on the blatant corruption that has long plagued Chinas health-care system. The Communist Partys Central Commission for Discipline Inspection, its fearsome graft-busting arm, is among a swathe of agencies leading the charge. Heralding the campaign in late July, officials said it would last a full year. State media have called it a storm" and an unprecedented exercise in shock and awe". The 21st Century Business Herald, a newspaper, said that graft-busters were speeding into the deepwater zone".

Within days of the official announcement, 176 hospital directors were already being investigated, according to reports. Among the officials detained is Sun Zhigang, who served as party secretary in Guizhou province and as head of the states main medical-reform body. Hotlines have been set up for citizens to report offenders.

The campaign is rattling the business world. Stocks in the health-care sector began a swift decline; the share price of one exchange-traded fund tracking the industry in China fell by more than 13% within weeks. Initial public offerings for more than a dozen Chinese pharmaceutical companies have been postponed.

But some experts believe the governments approach focuses too much on symptoms, while ignoring the causes of corruption. The problem starts with the fact that general practitioners, who could handle scrapes or sniffles, are poorly supported by the government and poorly regarded by ordinary people. Potential patients prefer to go to hospitals for even minor treatments. Many bring a red envelope stuffed with cash, which is meant to ease their way to the front of long queues.

Most patients get only a few minutes with overworked doctors. Still, they are often prescribed procedures, tests and medicinemany of which are unnecessary. A lack of government funding means public hospitals rely on patients fees, so doctors have every incentive to inflate bills.

Corruption also thrives at the administrative and commercial levels. Officials responsible for buying equipment are liable to be offered bribes. In one widely reported case an administrator took a backhander of 16m yuan ($2.2m) for authorising the purchase of machinery worth just 15m yuan. Sales representatives for pharmaceutical firms have been known to bribe doctors to prescribe their products.

Chinese patients have long been annoyed by such practices. Decades ago, when health-care resources were scarcer and medical standards far lower, the state paid for most of the meagre services on offer. But since the introduction of market reforms in the 1980s, which led to the emergence of a fee-for-service model, consumers have become more demanding. They expect better value for the higher prices they are forced to pay. Some have even become violent in the face of shoddy service or bad outcomes. Security checks are now common at entrances to hospitals.

People have sometimes taken the rare step of publicly demonstrating against the systems shortcomings. Earlier this year hundreds of people in the cities of Dalian and Wuhan marched in protest against cuts in their medical-insurance benefits.

For all of these reasons, the shock-and-awe campaign is likely to be popular with the public. But it may have unintended and undesirable consequences", says Yanzhong Huang of the Council on Foreign Relations, a think-tank in New York. If the government is overzealous, it could disrupt normal, honest activity. Academic meetings and technical training offered by companies selling drugs or equipment do not always lead to corrupt deals. Mr Huang worries that doctors in clinical settings may be reluctant to order necessary procedures for fear that they will be accused of inflating fees. The state, apparently, shares some of these concerns. On September 9th a senior health official said that the hunt for bad apples should not deter the good ones from doing things they need to do.

A bypass procedure

John Cai, who chairs the CHIP Academy, a health-care think-tank in Shanghai, agrees that a drastic campaign is not likely to solve deep-rooted problems and doubts it will be sustained for a full year. I dont think anyone really has the guts to resolve this problem in systematic ways, because it involves important interest groups among government officials," he says. Already he sees signs that the campaign is losing momentum.

The government, though, may view the campaign as serving a different purpose. The Chinese people are unhappy with the state of the health-care system. Now they have dozens of hospital bosses and pharmaceutical executives to blame. For officials in Beijing, perhaps that passes as a successful operation.

Subscribers can sign up to Drum Tower, our new weekly newsletter, to understand what the world makes of Chinaand what China makes of the world.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com

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New Delhi: India has proposed technological cooperation to Seychelles on Unified Payments Interface (UPI), according to persons aware of the matter.

Seychelles, which has been a key political and military partner for India in the Indian Ocean since it gained independence from Britain in 1976, is considering the proposal.

The move comes as India makes efforts to push its digital solutions in partner countries and the Global South. UPI technologies have been deployed in Bhutan and Nepal while Sri Lanka is expected to roll out the platform soon. Talks are also on for India to cooperate with a number of countries in Africa, the Middle-East and Southeast Asia on this front.

Queries mailed to the external affairs ministry and the high commission of the Seychelles in New Delhi went unanswered at press time.

Ritesh Shukla, chief executive officer of NPCI International, recently told Mint that the number of countries using UPI will double in 12-18 months.

Indias offerings on UPI are twofold. The first involves building technology infrastructure and sharing know-how with partner countries.

There are many countries in the world who have similar problems we had before the advent of UPI. These are financial inclusion, supporting rural economies, FinTech incubation, transparency and other things. We are looking at partnering with those countries to help them create their own version of UPI in a very sovereign manner. And this outreach includes not only technology sharing but also sharing business know-how, which the way we operate this platform. So thats the first part which we also call infrastructure build"," Shukla had told Mint.

The second pillar of our strategy is connecting UPI in India with other such ecosystems to serve two use cases. One is merchant payments. So when your visitors, including tourists, businessmen or even students are going overseas, they should be able to have the option of using UPI powered apps in different markets by scanning the QR codes. Thats merchant payment that we are pursuing. The second is remittances," Shukla had said.

Indias outreach to the Seychelles, which lies off the coast of East Africa, has had a strong emphasis on defence, with India working on setting up a Coastal Surveillance Radar System (CSRS) and providing defence equipment like Dornier aircraft to the country. Bilateral trade with the Seychelles, which has a population of just over 100,000, remains modest.
ABB India Ltds September quarter earnings were better than expected on several counts. Thanks to a more favourable mix of products and revenues, improved utilization levels and price realization, and better priced older orders, operating margin expanded 580 basis points (bps) year-on-year (y-o-y) to a multi-quarter high of 15.8%, while gross margin was up 190 bps at 36.7%. The company follows a January to December financial year.

However, investors worry if ABB will be able to sustain such margin performance. This concern surfaced after the company said in its earnings call that it has benefitted from executing orders secured earlier at higher prices; however, these advantages will diminish as conditions stabilize. This hinted at potentially weaker gross margins going ahead. Given this, Nuvama Institutional Equities believes current gross margin levels are unsustainable and may remain under pressure.

View Full Image (Graphics: Mint)

Having said that, lower costs through localization, enhanced supplier network, better service mix, and benign commodity prices could help offset a potential moderation in margin. According to Amit Anwani, an analyst at Prabhudas Lilladher, ABB has maintained its gross margin exceptionally well in the past two quarters. He added that gross margin will be sustainable for the rest of the year, given the companys emphasis on high-growth sectors and expansion into tier 2 and 3 cities, which are margin-accretive.

Overall, last quarter, ABB India saw 31% y-o-y revenue growth at 2,769 crore, led by higher sales in motion and process automation segments. Meanwhile, helped by margin expansion, profit after tax grew at a faster pace of 79% to 362 crore.

Over the long run, spending on domestic infrastructure along with a pickup in exports is seen benefiting ABB. Overall, investors believe growth over the medium to long term will be driven by robust demand in key sectors like cement, metal and mining, as well as a focus on high-growth areas such as food & beverages, electronics, warehouse, pharma, automotive and water. Moreover, new initiatives in data centres, railways, and renewables are expected to support this growth. ABBs stock has rallied 58% in 2023 so far, reflecting this optimism, though some have cautioned about valuations being hefty. Based on Prabhudas Lilladhers CY25 earnings estimates, the stock now trades at 55.9 times.

Investors will closely track the momentum in public and private capital expenditure in both key and high-growth sectors, commodity costs, increased efforts in localization, and any potential slowdown in process automation orders.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has issued fresh summons to American millionaire Neville Roy Singham in connection with the NewsClick terror case, reported ANI citing sources.

The businessman is accused of spreading Chinese propaganda in India, He is stated to be currently based in Shanghai, China.

The fresh summons to Singham fall under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This is a new notice issued to him after the agency got issued Letters Rogatory (LR) from a local court seeking to record his statement, the sources said.

The summons have been emailed to Singham and sent through the Chinese government channels after the ED had routed them through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

This is understood to be the second summon issued to Singham by the ED after one was issued in 2022 after the investigation had been launched in 2021.

Singham's name hit the headlines again a few months back in a New York Times article.

The Delhi Police, following this news piece and some "evidence" shared by ED, had also filed an FIR against him and the founders of NewsClick after this news report came to light.

In a statement issued to The Hindu newspaper in October, Singham had said that the language used in the FIR filed by the Special Cell of Delhi Police "strongly suggests" that the claims were "influenced by misinformation from an article published by The New York Times."

"The NYT intentionally chose not to publish all the factual rebuttals that I provided to them on July 22, 2023, prior to their publication date," Singham had charged.

He also rejected the allegation of fraudulent infusion of funds through a "complex web of several entities" as mentioned in the FIR and in the NYT article.

The New York Times report claimed that NewsClick was part of a global network that received funding from Singham, who allegedly works closely with the Chinese government media machine.

(With ANI inputs)

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The government on Thursday announced a reduction in the windfall profit tax on domestically produced crude oil and diesel exports, aligning with the downward trend in global oil prices.

The tax, imposed as Special Additional Excise Duty (SAED) on crude oil, has been lowered from 9,800 per tonne to 6,300 per tonne, as stated in an official release, PTI reported.

Meanwhile, the government has decided to decrease the SAED on diesel exports from 2 per litre to Re 1 per litre.

Also Read: Windfall tax on crude oil raised to 10,000 per tonne

Also, there will be no changes in the duty for the export of aviation turbine fuel (ATF) and petrol, and it will remain at zero, as outlined in the latest decision.

The new tax rates came into effect from Thursday.

In the previous adjustment, which came into effect on November 1, the government raised the tax on crude oil from 9,050 per tonne to 9,800 per tonne. Subsequently, the duty on diesel exports was reduced by half to 2 per litre, while the levy on jet fuel was eliminated, bringing it down from Re 1 per litre to nil.

Due to a decline in international oil prices since the last adjustment, there has been a necessity for a reduction. The monthly average for the basket of crude oil imported by India was USD 84.78 per barrel in the current month, compared to the averages of USD 90.08 per barrel in October and USD 93.54 per barrel in September.

Also Read: Government hikes windfall tax on petroleum crude to 9,800 rupees/ton effective tomorrow

India initially implemented windfall profit taxes on July 1 of the previous year, aligning with a global trend of taxing the supernormal profits of energy companies. During that initial implementation, export duties of 6 per litre (USD 12 per barrel) were imposed on both petrol and aviation turbine fuel (ATF), along with 13 per litre (USD 26 per barrel) on diesel.

A 23,250 per tonne (USD 40 per barrel) windfall profit tax on crude oil produced by companies such as Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) was also levied.

The tax rates are reviewed every fortnight based on average oil prices in the previous two weeks.

Also Read: Government raises windfall tax on crude oil to 12,100 per tonne

A windfall tax is imposed on domestically produced crude oil when the rates of the global benchmark exceed USD 75 per barrel. For the export of diesel, aviation turbine fuel (ATF), and petrol, the levy is applicable when the product cracks, or margins, surpass USD 20 per barrel.

Product cracks or margins represent the difference between the cost of crude oil (raw material) and the value of the finished petroleum products.

The levy on domestic crude oil dropped to nil in the first half of April as international crude oil prices fell but was back in the second half in step with a rise in rates.

The tax on diesel was eliminated in April but was reintroduced in August. Similarly, the duty on ATF was reduced to nil in March but reinstated in the second half of August. However, the export tax on petrol was abolished in the initial review, PTI reported.

Also Read: Centre cuts windfall tax on crude oil, hikes levy on export of diesel

The process involves refining and converting crude oil extracted from the ground or beneath the seabed into various fuels such as petrol, diesel, and ATF.

Key players in fuel export in India include Reliance Industries Ltd, operating the world's largest single-location oil refinery complex in Jamnagar, Gujarat, and Nayara Energy, which is backed by Rosneft.

(With inputs from PTI)

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The Canadian Rockies clinch the Alberta-British Columbia border in a vast sea of whitle and grey peaks. From the air, it is an impressive sight. From the gournd, the beauty of this mountain range is simply overwhelming, with glacier-clad peaks rising high into the sky, rugged mountains intermixed with turquoise lakes, and ice-cold rivers carving their way through lush, flower-filled valleys. While they are not the highest peaks in the world, these spectacular mountains possess an incomparable allure and grandeur that sets them apart on the global stage . It is little wonder that people have long been attracted to this unique corner of Canada, whether for exploration, a brief vist or to set down their roots.



Depending on how you look at it, the history of of this extradinary region varies from a relatively recent series of huamn explorations to a saga that dates back millions of years. On a geological scale, the Canadian Rockies began to form about 140 millions years ago, and more recent periods of glaciation carved the U-shaped valleys that define the landscape today. Though many remaining ice is disappearing rapidly it is still possible to see the relics of ice ages in the form of icefields and glaciers that flow towards the valleys like frozen rivers.

While the modern era of exploration , surveying and human development in the Canadian rockies has mostly occured in the past two centuries, archaeological digs in the region have uncovered stong spear points, tools and human history that dates back as far as 11,ooo years ago. Over the centuries, various First Nations people hve called the land home; the Stoney Nakoda called that home the Shining Mountains, likely after the glimmering snow on the peaks. the "gliter" of the Canadian Rockies is both literal and metaphorical, as the first European explorers and modern mountain dwellers alike found themselves unable to escape the powerful draw of the peaks-- one that calls poeple to a life of adventure, a connection with the wild and a desire to see what lies beyond the next range.

Central to the recent history of the region are the railway and a burgeoning tourism industry. As the Canadian Pacific Railway pushed its way West in the 1880s, a timely discovey of hot spring at what is now the Cave and Basin National Historic site spurred the beginnings of Canada's nation parks system, which provided a lucrative way of funding the completion of the railroad. " If we can't export the scenery," CPR president William Cornelius Van Horne so famously said, "we'll import the tourists." Since then, tourism has largely defined the region. And while millions of visitors come from aound the world each year, the region also possesses a vast wilderness that lies largely untouched, and otherwise requires a multi-day backpacking trip or ski tour to access.



In 1984, UNESCO uncluded the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks-- Banff, Jasper, Kootnay and Yoho--and a number of provincial parks in its list of the World Heritage Sites. It is a tribute worthy of a region with such astounding natural features and bilogical diversity. Whether you are exploring the reaches of the backcounty or viewing the scenery from the the roadside, it's no strech to say that the awsome beauty of the Canadaian Rockies will stay with you long after you've left.
The Income Tax department has started conducting raids on BRS candidate from Miryalaguda and sitting MLA, Nallamothu Bhaskar Rao in Telangana, according to a report published by the news agency ANI.

Currently, the raids are underway at his office, residence, and some close associates.

Nallamothu Bhaskar Rao represents the Miryalaguda constituency, Telangana. He is a native of Shakapuram village, Nidamanoor Mandal of Nalgonda District.

In 2014, he was elected as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) of the Miryalaguda constituency in the newly formed state of Telangana. In 2018, he was re-elected as MLA of Miryalaguda Constituency.

He was an active participant in the first-ever Telangana Movement in 1969 as General Secretary of the Students Union, SR, and BGNR College.

On November 13, the Income Tax officials conducted searches on the residence of Telangana Minister Sabitha Indra Reddy's relatives in Hyderabad. She has been the Minister for Education of Telangana since 2019.

The Income Tax sleuths searched the residence of Pradeep, who is allegedly a close relative of the minister.

Sabitha Reddy is the TRS candidate from the seat of Maheshwaram in the 2023 Assembly elections. She will be up against Kitchannagari Laxma Reddy of the Congress and Andela Sri Ramulu Yadav of the BJP in the constituency.

Telangana will go to polls on November 30 and counting of votes, along with those of four other poll-bound states, has been scheduled for December 3.

In the previous Assembly election in the state in 2018, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS), previously known as Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS), won 88 of the 119 seats, hogging 47.4 percent of the total vote share. The Congress came in a distant second with just 19 seats.

It is pertinent to note that two BJP parliament members  G Kishan Reddy and K Laxman  who earlier unsuccessfully contested for Telangana Assembly have been kept aside for the November 30 polls.

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A troop of Assam Rifles was reportedly attacked by militants in the Saibol area of the Tengnoupal district in Manipur on Thursday. An Improvised Explosive Device (IED) blast was reported in the area, while an official said the explosion was followed by heavy firing from militants, the Hindustan Times reported.

The incident happened around 9.30 am on Thursday when 20 Assam Rifles soldiers were conducting a regular patrol. However, none of the soldiers were injured because they were travelling in a mine-protected vehicle, the report added.

"The militants had planted a low-intensity IED. They then used small firearms and fired at the Assam Rifles vehicles," a senior defence officer added.

A senior defence officer said the soldiers fired back at the militants after which they fled from the spot. He added that the search operation is underway.

"Our soldiers retaliated with appropriate force and foiled the attack. A search operation has been launched to trace the attackers," the official was quoted as saying.

On Wednesday, the Indigenous Tribal Leaders Forum (ITLF), a frontal organisation of Kuki-Zo tribes in Manipur, threatened to establish a "self-governed separate administration" in areas where these tribes have a majority. The forum said that even after more than six months of ethnic strife in the northeastern state, the central government is yet to accept their demand for a separate administration.

"More than six months have passed since the ethnic strife started in Manipur but nothing has been done regarding our demand for a separate administration. If our demand is not heard within a couple of weeks, we will set up our self-government irrespective of whether the Centre recognises it or not," ITLF general secretary Muan Tombing was quoted by PTI as saying.

Earlier this week, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) declared several Meitei extremism organisations as unlawful associations" under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act (UAPA). As per the notification, the order came into effect on Monday (November 13, 2023) for a period of five years.

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External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar raised India's "long-standing concerns" regarding pro-Khalistan extremism during a meeting with UK Home Secretary James Cleverly and National Security Adviser (NSA) Tim Barrow this week. The external minister also urged the UK's top leaders to be on guard for the misuse of freedom of expression and speech.

In the meeting, Jaishankar said, "We have long-standing concerns about extremist and sometimes even violent activities of various forces, including those who propagate Khalistan."

"We have been trying to get the government here to understand that while we, as a fellow democracy, certainly understand the importance of freedom of expression, and of speech, they should be on guard against the misuse of these freedoms," he was quoted by news agency PTI as saying on Thursday.

Jaishankar further referred to the violent protests at India House in March and said the gravity of the situation is sharply recognised".

He also spoke about the safety of Indian diplomats in the UK. He reportedly said India expects that its diplomatic mission would be provided requisite protection to conduct their activities in an unrestricted way and there would be a firm stance against the advocacy of violence and extremism".

Meanwhile, Jaishankar and UK's Home Secretary Cleverly "exchanged views on addressing extremism, trans-border crimes including economic offences and trafficking," the Ministry of External Affairs said in a press release on Thursday.

Jaishankar's statement came as India's diplomatic ties with Canada remains strained over the killing of pro-Khalistani leader Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had alleged the involvement of India's "agents" in the killing of the Sikh separatist leader on the Canadian soil in June this year. Indian dismissed the allegations and called them absurd".

Jaishankar concluded his five-day visit to the UK on Wednesday. He was on an official visit to the UK from November 11-15, 2023. He called on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and held talks with his new counterpart, Foreign Secretary David Cameron. He also met Secretary of State for Home James Cleverly, Secretary of State for Defence Grant Shapps and National Security Adviser Tim Barrow.

What else Jaishankar discussed during the UK visit?

Sunak and Jaishankar reviewed the implementation of Roadmap 2030 and discussed the negotiations for an India-UK Free Trade Agreement (FTA), as stated in a press release by the Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday.

Jaishankar described his visit as timely" after a series of cross-party engagements amid substantial progress" on the ongoing free trade agreement negotiations.

The external affairs minister met Foreign Secretary Cameron on his first day in office and congratulated him on his appointment. "They discussed avenues to realize the full potential of India-UK partnership in avenues ranging from cooperation in political, economic and trade, defence and security, science and technology, innovation, health, education, people-to-people connections and mobility," the MEA press release said.

The two leaders also exchanged views on important global developments including the Indo-Pacific, the situation in West Asia, and the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

"The visit further consolidated the long-standing historical ties between the two countries and provided a new impetus to bilateral cooperation in diverse areas against the backdrop of progress on the India-UK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, and Roadmap 2030," the press release said.

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Uttarkashi Tunnel Rescue Operation Day 5: 40 workers still trapped; CM Dhami takes stock of situation. Top 10 updates

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Uttarakhand Tunnel Collapse Day 5: Authorities are in continuous contact with the trapped workers, advising them to remain patient during the rescue operation.

Premium Uttarkashi: Rescue and relief operations are underway after a portion of a tunnel under construction between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri national highway collapsed, in Uttarkashi district, Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. (PTI Photo) (PTI)

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami reviewed the ongoing relief and rescue efforts in the under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi's Silkyara on Wednesday. Here are the top ten updates on the Uttarakhand tunnel collapse. 1. The Chief Minister has directed the state administration to collaborate with central agencies and conduct round-the-clock rescue operations. Meanwhile, the administration has provided telephone numbers to ensure ongoing contact and communication with the families of the workers trapped in the tunnel, as stated by the Chief Minister's Office (CMO). 2. NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khalkho informed PTI that a six-diameter pipe had been inserted through the debris to deliver food supplies to the trapped workers. Initially, this task was accomplished using a pipe designated for oxygen supply. Also Read: Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: 8 laborers from UP among 40 trapped, rescue operation underway | Top 10 updates 3. Speaking on the rescue operation, engineer and drilling Expert Adesh Jain told ANI, It was not a machine failure. The rubble has fallen six times till November 14 and its span has increased to 70 metres. My machine can only work up to 45 metres that's why the government arranged a big machine with a capacity of around 70 metres. We have made the infrastructure ready to support the new machine...Human lives will be saved by 101%. I believe that by tomorrow evening or night, everybody will be rescued safely from the tunnel." 4. Uttarkashi District Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela mentioned that authorities are in continuous contact with the workers who are trapped, advising them to remain patient during this challenging situation. It is a challenging situation. We often tend to lose patience in situations like this. Our officials have spoken to the protesters and asked them not to give up patience. It may take some more time but all the trapped workers will be safely evacuated," Ruhela told PTI when asked about the protest. Also Read: Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Oxygen supply continues, efforts underway to rescue trapped workers with steel pipe 5. NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khalkho further mentioned that providing a precise timeline for the evacuation of the trapped labourers is currently impractical. Despite this, concerted efforts are being made to progress swiftly and ensure the safe rescue of all individuals. He emphasized the ongoing maintenance of consistent communication in this regard. Also Read: Uttarkashi tunnel collapse: Protests break out as falling debris hinders rescue of workers, bigger machine flown in 6. As per the list released by the emergency operation center, the trapped workers include 15 individuals from Jharkhand, eight from Uttar Pradesh, five from Odisha, four from Bihar, three from West Bengal, two each from Uttarakhand and Assam, and one from Himachal Pradesh.

7. Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar has called upon the United States Agency for International Development to offer prompt assistance in the ongoing rescue efforts in Uttarakhand, India, where 40 workers are trapped in a tunnel that has partially collapsed.

8. This tragic incident in Uttarakhand is not just a local crisis; its a humanitarian concern that demands global attention and action. The United States, with its advanced technology and expertise in rescue operations, has the capability to make a significant impact in these efforts and potentially save lives," Thanedar said.

Also Read: Uttarkashi Tunnel collapse: 900-mm steel pipes to rescue 40 trapped men by Nov 14-15. What we know so far

9. A drilling machine was transported by air from Delhi on Wednesday to replace the previously "failed" equipment that was initially employed to establish a passage for the 40 workers trapped in a tunnel under construction, as per officials.

10. At the entrance of the tunnel on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway, workers expressed their discontent through slogans, protesting the perceived sluggishness of the operation to rescue their colleagues who have been trapped inside for over 72 hours, PTI reported.

(With inputs from agencies)

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On the 42nd day of the ongoing conflict, the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) uncovered additional evidence pointing to the utilization of hospitals by Hamas. Here are the latest top ten updates on the situation.

Israel-Hamas War LIVE

These facilities are allegedly being used as operational bases and storage sites for explosives and weapons intended for terrorist activities.

1. Within the MRI building at Shifa Hospital, an operational headquarters, along with weapons and technological equipment, have been discovered, ANI reported. The Israel Air Force's reconnaissance Shaldag Unit, along with special units operating under the command of the IDF's 36th Armoured Division, are actively engaged in targeted operations in the vicinity of Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

Also Read: Israel-Hamas War: 'Will take out Hamas, bring home our hostages, says Netanyahu

2. The United Nations Security Council has approved a resolution urging humanitarian pauses in the Gaza conflict and the release of all hostages held by Hamas. This approval comes after four similar measures were blocked in earlier stages of the ongoing war.

Also Read: Israel-Hamas War: 'Operation in Gaza will grind to a halt in next 48 hours,' says UN

3. Louis Charbonneau, UN director at Human Rights Watch, stated, The UN Security Council just sent a rare and powerful message to Israel, Hamas and other armed groups that compliance with international humanitarian law is non-negotiable. So far, there has been widespread disregard for civilians by all parties. That the US finally stopped paralyzing the council on Israel and Palestine so this resolution on the plight of children in Gaza could move forward should be a wake-up call to Israeli authorities that global concern, even among its allies, is strong."

Also Read: Israel Hamas war: Kashmiri woman, daughter evacuated from Gaza, says all bombarded in seconds, 'no safe place for us'

4. As reported by Reuters, during their meeting in Tehran in early November, Iran's supreme leader conveyed a direct message to the head of Hamas, as reported by three senior officials: There was no advance notice given regarding your October 7 attack on Israel, and Iran will not become involved in the conflict on your behalf.

Also Read: Israel-Hamas war: Arm Palestinians, Iran President Ebrahim Raisi says at Islamic-Arab summit

5. Ayatollah Ali Khamenei informed Ismail Haniyeh, a long-time supporter of Hamas, during their meeting in Tehran in early November that while Iran will continue to offer political and moral support to the group, direct intervention in the conflict will not be pursued, said Iranian and Hamas officials to Reuters familiar with the discussions who requested anonymity to speak candidly.

6. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, in a recent speech to his ruling party, branded Israel as a terrorist state", CNN reported. Erdogan said, Israel is implementing a strategy of total annihilation of a city and its people. I say very clearly and frankly that Israel is a terrorist state."

Also Read: Israel-Hamas war: Biden administration frustrated with Israel as civilians' death toll mounts

7. Diplomatic missions, consisting of family members of Israeli hostages held in Gaza and individuals who lost their lives in the October 7 attack perpetrated by Hamas, have been initiated by Israel's Diaspora Affairs and Foreign Ministries, ANI reported. These missions are now expanding and reaching Latin America, with the first mission arriving in Mexico earlier this week.

8. Israeli forces, two and a half weeks after deploying tanks and ground troops into northern Gaza, conducted a search on Wednesday at a hospital where they allege Hamas militants are operating, AP reported.

Also Read: Israel-Hamas war: Could this war benefit Russia and China while Western nations support Israel

9. According to Mohammed Zaqout, the director of hospitals in Gaza, Israeli tanks entered the medical compound, and soldiers entered various buildings, including the emergency and surgery departments, which also house intensive care units, AP reported.

10. On Wednesday, a total of 644 individuals crossed from Gaza into Egypt through the Rafah border, as reported by Wael Abou Omar, the Hamas spokesperson for the border crossing. Among them were 587 dual nationals, 37 individuals who were either injured or sick, and 20 of their companions, AP reported.

(With inputs from agencies)

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As the ongoing Israel-Hamas war has divided the world, a 21-year-old letter of infamous terrorist Osama Bin Laden has gone viral on the internet. In his letter, Osama Bin Laden said that America's support for Israel for occupying Palestine was one of the reasons that led to the 9/11 attack.

Israel-Hamas war LIVE Updates

The article Letter to America was available for reading on The Guardian's website. However, after a huge debate erupted on the letter with many people showing their support for the dead terrorist, The Guardian has taken down the letter from its website.

Also Read: 'Can't leave a vacuum': Israel President Isaac Herzog speaks on rebuilding Gaza, says India has a 'lot to contribute'

The 21-year-old letter resurfaced on TikTok where a large number of users agreed to Osama Bin Laden's justification of the ghastly terror attack on America.

After being widely shared and discussed on TikTok, the letter has gone viral on all the social media platforms with social media users and influencers giving their opinions on The Guardian's article.

About Osama Bin Laden's Letter to America

The letter was written by the al-Qaida chief, Osama bin Laden after the 2001 attacks. Infamously known as the 9/11 attacks, it was known as the worst terror attack on US soil. The terrorist had tried to justify the terror attacks by linking them among other things, to support to the oppressive Israelis in their occupation of our Palestine".

Also Read: Israel-Hamas War Day 42: IDF finds evidence Hamas hid weapons in Gaza's Al Shifa hospital. Top 10 updates

This is one of the main reasons why the letter resurfaced at this time when Palestine was facing Israel's massive ground attack. The massive attack on Gaza was initiated in retaliation to Hamas' terror attack on Israel on October 7.

Also Read: Israel Hamas war: Kashmiri woman, daughter evacuated from Gaza, says all bombarded in seconds, 'no safe place for us'

Israel is at war with Hamas after its terrorists on October 7 killed thousands of Israeli citizens and kidnapped over 200 people in Gaza. The Jewish nation had called the attack their 9/11 and had vowed to destroy Hamas".

In his letter, Osama Bin Laden concluded the letter by saying, "Palestine shall not be seen captive for we will try to break its shackles." He also warned the US that it has to pay for its actions with the blood of Christians.

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A Russian court on Thursday sentenced an ally of jailed opposition leader Alexei Navalny to eight years prison in absentia for criticising Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.

Shortly after Russia launched its military campaign last year, lawmakers made it illegal to criticise the conflict and thousands have been detained for speaking out.

Vladimir Milov, who helped Navalny with his failed 2018 presidential bid, fled the country shortly after the Kremlin labelled the opposition leader's organisations as "extremist".

A Moscow court sentenced him to eight years for "spreading fake information about the Russia army" under legislation used to stifle criticism.

Also Read | Russia concedes Ukrainian troops have crossed Dnipro River in Kherson region

Milov dismissed the sentencing in a post on social media, saying: "You won't get away with your own eight years, comrades."

Organisations founded by Navalny have been banned in Russia, and in August a Russian court handed the longtime Kremlin critic an unprecedented 19-year prison sentence.

Also Read | Russia, India discussing joint production of aircraft weapons

Milov's sentencing came as Navalny's team said the politician was being increasingly isolated from any contact with the outside world in prison.

Navalny, who denounces the Kremlin's Ukraine offensive from behind bars, is due to be moved to an even harsher prison.

Last month, three of his lawyers were arrested, a move he denounced as "illegal".

The lawyers -- Vadim Kobzev, Igor Sergunin and Alexei Liptser -- were on Thursday blacklisted by Russia's financial crimes watchdog for carrying out

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Being a head of state is a busy job and family life sometimes takes a back seat. Luckily there are other heads of state on hand to remind you when you might have forgotten your wife's birthday.

Chinese President Xi Jinping seems set to avoid a domestic black mark after Joe Biden pointed out that his life partner of more than three decades was about to celebrate her special day -- on the same date as the US president celebrates his.

Peng Liyuan -- a well-known soprano in China -- turns 61 on November 20, the day Biden hits 81.

US officials said Biden, who was meeting Xi for a crunch summit on the outskirts of San Francisco, had asked the Chinese leader to pass on birthday wishes to Peng.

An embarrassed Xi said he had been up to his eyeballs in statesmanship and the date had passed him by, officials said.

Good job he stopped by, then.

Xi thanked Biden for reminding him and -- presumably -- put on his thinking cap to work out what to get for the woman he married in 1987.

The two men spent Wednesday together at what Biden said was a "productive" summit in which they agreed to restore military-to-military communications and ease tensions.

Biden told reporters after the talks that his relationship with Xi was a deep one.

"I spent more time with President Xi than any world leader," he said, noting that the two had spent hours in each other's company starting back when they were vice-presidents of their nations.

"So I think I know the man. I know his modus operandi."

Well enough, apparently, to remind him that he needs to buy a birthday card.

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
Two Aprils ago, the UKs prime minister promised he would deliver a free-trade agreement (FTA) with India by Diwali." That prime minister, Boris Johnson, left office a few months later and 2022s iteration of the Indian Festival of Lights passed without anything being signed. Since then, another Diwali (and another British prime minister) has come and gone with no trade deal on the horizon.

There is enough blame to go around. Both sides, however, are displaying remarkable short-sightedness in their negotiating tactics.

For the UK, the simple fact is that, outside the European Union, it is no longer an economy of such size and potential that it can expect massive concessions from trade partners. Brexiteers might have promised that a liberated Britain could negotiate without one hand tied behind its back by Brussels, the EU headquarters. But that hand is still there: British regulations are largely harmonized with EU rules and its supply chains are closely integrated with the EUs as well.

Indian negotiators are pushing for strict rules of origin" checks for tradable goods, to make sure that any FTA benefits apply only to goods made predominantly in the UK. They want to keep EU-made goods outafter all, an EU-India FTA is the subject of another (and far more difficult) ongoing negotiation. Brexit realists might well conclude that Britains FTA is being held hostage to what Brussels and New Delhi decide.

And then theres the issue of migration. Indias asks on work and student visas are not excessive. Besides, the UK already imports hundreds of thousands of Indian students and workers a year. In 2022, the country issued 2.8 million visas: A quarter of these went to Indians.

Migration, however, has become such a divisive subject within the UKs ruling but embattled Conservative Party that even recognizing this plain fact in print might cause a political firestorm. One of the strengths of the British economy is its ability to attract talent. If it negotiates like thats a disadvantage, its hardly going to get a good deal for itself.

India, meanwhile, simply seems unable to escape from its bureaucrats tendency to kowtow to every interest group, no matter how small or unimportant in the larger scheme of things. One major hold-up, for example, was apparently Indias unwillingness to open its market to British professional services, including in law and finance. Indias relatively small but powerful law firms have scuppered negotiations on services trade before. But, for the UKwhich has seen goods exports stagnate even as its services exports have grownfreeing up trade in services is a must.

It is somewhat disheartening that the sectors under dispute are exactly the same ones as decades ago. Spirits, for example. Why on earth is India trying to keep decent Scotch out of the country anyway? Who in this whisky-loving country, the largest market for the spirit in the world, will complain if the outrageous prices we have to pay for a wee dram decline a bit? Indian whiskies are of two kinds: ones that are so good they do not need protection and those that are so awful they dont deserve them.

Alongside alcohol and spirits, the intellectual property rights (IPR) chapter is also under dispute. And here, as usual, it seems that India is trying to prop up its world-famous manufacturers of generic pharmaceuticals.

Yet, chasing high-volume production with minimal domestic value-added through researchIndian pharma companies spend about 8% of revenue on R&D, compared to 25% or so globally has led us into a dangerous dependence on Chinese-made active pharmaceutical ingredients. While the governments stated pharma policy is to move India up the value chain in this sector, its trade negotiators are trying to protect an outdated business model at cross-purposes with that goal.

Trade negotiations are about the future, about economic confidence, and about what kind of economy you think you can be. An India confident in the skills of its lawyers, the choices of its consumers and the quality of its pharmaceuticals would seize an opportunity for freer trade with one of the few rich countries still keen on trade deals.

And a UK genuinely convinced of its ability to chart a path independent of Europe would make concessions on migration and rules of origin that fit with that self-image. Im not sure how many more Diwalis will pass before both sides develop the self-confidence needed to close this deal. Bloomberg
President Biden has been learning lately what life is like for Republican Presidents. Parts of the deep state, to borrow a phrase, are revolting in opposition to his support for Israel against the Hamas terrorists responsible for the Oct. 7 massacre.

News reports say that no fewer than 500 appointees and staff from 40 agencies, including the National Security Council and the Justice Department, have sent Mr. Biden a letter demanding that he call for a cease-fire and de-escalation" between Israel and Hamas: Americans do not want the U.S. military to be drawn into another costly and senseless war in the Middle East." The signatories are bravely anonymous.

The same is true of more than 1,000 employees at the U.S. Agency for International Development, who have reportedly signed a similar letter. We believe," it says, that further catastrophic loss of human life can only be avoided if the United States Government calls for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza." The letter adds that its backers are withholding their names out of concern for our personal safety and risk of potentially losing our jobs."

If democracy means anything, perhaps they should lose their jobs or, better yet, they should resign honorably if they can no longer support the bosss agenda. The malcontents are a sliver of the federal workforce. Yet the job of the executive branch is to implement a Presidents policies, not run a pressure campaign to change them via anonymous letters and leaks.

Unhappiness at Mr. Bidens Israel policy is also circulating at the State Department in dissent cables. One difference is that this is a normal channel for internal criticisms, created amid the Vietnam War and used in recent years to raise alarms about Mr. Bidens disastrous Afghanistan withdrawal. The signatories on the State Department cables arent public knowledge, but they arent anonymous.

Part of the problem here is that civil-service protections are so extensive that it is hard to discipline much less fire a dissenting career bureaucrat. This gives them a certain impunity when they want to agitate against an elected Presidents policy.

But this isnt how democratic government is supposed to work. Political appointees and bureaucrats are free to argue up the chain of command for a different course of action. If they dont succeed, they can continue to do their jobs, or else they can resign. But its a dereliction of duty for federal workers to spend their time trying to stymie the policy of elected officials.
The father has passed on and the mother (Lainie Kazan) is getting senile. Toula (Vardalos) and her brother Nick (Louis Mandylor) had made a promise to their father that they would return the journal that he kept when he first arrived in America back to his hometown in Greece and give it to his childhood friends.

Good enough reason as any to have the characters go to Greece; most of the ones from the second movie end up going including Toula's non-Greek husband Ian (John Corbett) and their daughter Paris (Elena Kampouris). As soon as she's first onscreen the subject of her past boyfriends comes up, I was a little disappointed she didn't end up with Alex Wolff's "Bennett" but she says that's "over." She mentions another named Aristotle, and oddly enough Aunt Voula (Andrea Martin) has hired him to come along on the trip carrying luggage and such, which Paris doesn't know until they're on the plane. This seems a bit far-fetched as he basically gets paid to come along with them and he's treated like family, Paris of course suspects that Aunt Voula is trying to get the two of them back together and this is confirmed when she's able to talk to him alone.

The trip lands them in their father's hometown which is a small village on an island with not many people left. This is where the story sort of reaches a bit far as the friends they came to see aren't there and the family has to search a few miles around to find them. Toula and Ian spend most of the time with an old woman who turns out to be an old acquaintance of their father's. Martin's Aunt Voula still finds some disgusting personal health-related stories to share with everyone, but being in the homeland she doesn't stick out as much as she did in Chicago. For no apparent reason, there's a running gag with Nick shaving and grooming every inch of himself throughout the movie. There are still frequent mentions of the Greek origins of worldwide words and inventions as there were in the past two movies. Inevitably there's another wedding, though not one as forced as in the second movie.

On one hand, more could have been done here, but on the other things seem to be adequate as they are. The main draw is that we get to see the Portokalos family in their native Greece with the American husband and daughter along for the ride. The plot device of dealing with the deceased father's wishes is more credible than the laughably forced conflict of the second movie. I wasn't a huge fan of the first movie but found it entertaining enough to watch a few times (I re-watched it and the sequel prior to this third movie). The occasional dead spaces in the 90-minute narrative are redeemed by the gorgeous sights of Greece.

Vital Disc Stats: The Blu-Ray

My Big Fat Greek Wedding 3 arrives on Blu-Ray from Universal and Studio Distribution Services (SDS). The dual-layer Blu-Ray is packaged in a standard 2-disc Blu-Ray case along with a standard DVD, with an un-sealed slipcover on the outside. A code for a digital copy from Movies Anywhere is included which unlocks the movie in HD there and on linked services.
Poll-season verbal wars, with hard allegations hurled across camps, are a given in India. An illegal betting app called Mahadev recently made news as part of a political exchange of charges over a scandal under investigation, with BJP and Congress leaders accusing each other of being in cahoots with the apps owners. The case got curiouser after its widening web cast a shadow on a business proposal. Allegations surfaced that members of the Delhi-based Dabur Groups promoter family of Burmans, as co-owners of an Indian Premier League team, had links with a cricket betting racket allied with the scandalous app. On Tuesday, the family flatly denied any involvement and described the reports not just false and baseless," but also as an arm twisting" move made by vested interests in an attempt to block the acquisition of Religare Enterprises Ltd by the Burman family." This refers to the familys open offer to Religares shareholders, a buy-out drama that has unfolded since late September.

The owners of Dabur, a maker of largely desi consumer goods, have long sought to diversify into financial fieldsinsurance via Aviva, for exampleand may have seen enough value in Religare, especially its health insurance unit, Care, to make this financial services firm a good target. It was also showing signs of recovery from its 2019 blow, when its founding duo were arrested on money-siphoning charges. But the familys bid ran into board resistance, turning it hostile. On 25 September, the Burmans, who held over a fifth of its equity and had slowly been buying in (via board-okayed preferential allotments too), made an open offer for at least a quarter of the ownership pie, which would give them veto power on key resolutions and trigger yet another offer for a majority stake. Dabur India Chairman Mohit Burman told Mint that a new promoter (the family, i.e.) would help lift restrictions imposed by the central bank and also assure Religare access to cheaper credit for its revival as a platform. The target companys board, chaired by Rashmi Saluja, not only dismissed the offer price as too low, but reportedly objected to the bidding party, with letters sent to regulators accusing it of fraud (rejected by Burman). Intrigue hovers over the takeover now, especially over what interests oppose it. Saluja, whose role in Religares return from zombie-zone has been acknowledged even by Burman, has denied that a stake reduction she made was an insider trade, attributing it to a plan to reinvest in stock options. Meanwhile, Religares market price trends have stirred speculation over what she could gain through resistance. Game theory says that probable pay-offs dictate strategic choices. As for impropriety, without evidence of it, nothing can be said at this stage of any guilt or innocence.

Whats clearor least unclearis that while violations of law must be probed free of bias and scandals of both politics and business must be put to proper tests of justice, further blurring of these two sphereswhich idealists once hoped market reforms would cleave apartcould make it harder to resolve cases to the satisfaction of neutral stakeholders, be they electorates or share-owners. Capital markets, which play a key role in how well an economy allots its funds, need clarity on law compliance to do their job. A haze mustnt descend on cases that need to be trackedfor the rational curiosity they evoke with their enigma-wrapped riddles. Its not rare for poll-time fare to be economical with the truth. Business mustnt suffer the same.
President Biden met Chinese President Xi Jinping on Wednesday in California, and the atmospherics suggested a new era of bilateral good feelings. But no one should be fooled that this is anything other than an era of intense competition, or that Mr. Xi is giving up his ambition to upend the U.S.-led international order.

Both sides have reasons at the moment to appear to be getting along better. Mr. Xi needs foreign investment and export markets to offset the real-estate crash and excessive debt that are slowing Chinas economy. He wants a respite from further economic sanctions or U.S. limits on the sale of technology to Chinese firms. Hes put Beijings wolf warrior" diplomats in the closet for now, though they could return at any time.

Mr. Biden wants to smooth relations to avoid another security crisis in a world that already has too many. With the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, and bad actors in Russia and Iran stirring up trouble, the President wants to put China on iceat least through his re-election next year. He especially wants to avoid a hot crisis over Taiwan.

There are certainly good reasons for the two sides to meet to talk and better understand each other. The U.S. wants to avoid a war with China that would be destructive for both countries and the world. The restoration of military-to-military communications, which China has resisted for months, is a useful step forward. Greater transparency and cooperation over advances in artificial intelligence would also be welcome.

The question is how much any of these verbal commitments will matter given the Chinese Communist Partys ideology and ambitions. Beijing has promised to round up the usual fentanyl-producing suspects before, with little to show for it. Chinas pledges to reduce carbon emissions in the future are worthless given its plan to build 366 gigawatts of new coal-fired power. Mr. Xi must laugh privately at U.S. climate envoy John Kerrys pleas that China act against its energy self-interest. It wont happen.

The sign of a real thaw in relations would be if China eased up on its relentless military buildup and its military harassment of Taiwan and the Philippines. The Peoples Liberation Army has stepped up its almost daily aircraft incursions across the median line in the Taiwan Strait. Some of the air and naval maneuvers are the sort that could presage an invasion or military blockade.

Chinese Coast Guard and maritime military are also interfering with Manilas attempts to resupply the Second Thomas Shoal. This includes recent use of a water cannon to force a Philippine supply ship to alter course. The shoal is part of the Philippine holdings in the Spratly Islands, which China claims as its own, as it does pretty much the entire South China Sea. If Mr. Xi really wants to play by global rules, hed call off the war hawks.

Mr. Xi also continues his diplomatic and economic help to Russia in Ukraine, and China is buying oil from Iran that helps Tehran finance jihadist militias targeting Israel and Americans. This is the pattern that anyone who has attended a Chinese banquet knows: Chinese leaders smile and toast to the friendship between our two peoples, while they undermine U.S. interests wherever they can.

Mr. Biden has responded to all this with far more solicitousness than is deserved. He hasnt sought significant military aid for Taiwan as part of his $106 billion supplemental aid request to Congress. Mr. Biden didnt want Mr. Xi to decline this weeks visit as part of the annual summit of Asia-Pacific countries. Congress should make a bigger arms buy for Taiwan a condition of passing the aid bill.

***

Mr. Xi is no doubt sizing up Mr. Biden personally, contemplating how formidable the soon-to-be 81-year-old U.S. President will be as an adversary if relations again take a turn for the worse. The Chinese leader is set on retaking Taiwan on his watch, and Mr. Biden has shown little urgency in shoring up Americas military deterrent in the Asia-Pacific.

The decline of American deterrence has let the worlds rogues think they can take advantage of weaker neighbors in Europe and the Middle East. Lets hope Mr. Biden sent a sterner message to Mr. Xi and backs it up soon with more hard power.
In less than a month, leading economies have formally underlined their commitment to the development of responsible artificial intelligence (AI). In the US, President Joe Biden issued an executive order setting out standards for AI safety and security. The UKs AI Safety Summit saw 28 countries and the EU coming together to release the Bletchley Declaration, promising to work together in an inclusive manner to ensure human-centric, trustworthy and responsible AI." The G7 leaders released their International Guiding Principles on AI and a voluntary code of conduct for AI Developers under the Hiroshima AI process. As AI continues to evolve at an alarming rate, so does the race among countries for global AI dominance. These developments have immense geopolitical implications, with different countries presenting their own vision of this technology. This global quest raises two important questions: What will be the determining factors for establishing AI supremacy? And what role will developing economies like China and India play in this global race?

Today, all major powers are acutely aware of the economic, military and geopolitical advantage that AI can grant over competitors. AI supremacy will be a strategic objective of countries with resources to compete. This is already the focus of the ongoing US-China geo-strategic rivalry. Both sides are investing heavily in developing AI capabilities while also implementing measures depriving each other of necessary inputs to leverage the potential of this technology. For instance, the USs export control rules on AI and semiconductor technologies restrict US AI computer chip designers (such as Nvidia) from selling their chips to China. As per news reports, China responded with export control rules on germanium and gallium, typically used in making semiconductor chips and optical fibres.

Beyond the US and China, countries like the UK, France, Russia, Singapore and India are also emerging as prominent players by implementing strategies to encourage AI innovation at the domestic level. Then there is the EU seeking to establish itself as a regulatory superpower by designing a comprehensive legal framework for governing AI applications. Through the EU AI Act, the EU seems to be replicating the influence its General Data Protection Rules had in shaping data-protection laws elsewhere. There will also be countries that do not have the resources or know-how to compete for AI leadership and will depend on their ties with other countries and companies for access to AI tools. This dependency may accentuate existing power imbalances. Further, AI will also empower non-state actors (tech companies) as geopolitical players and bring about a shift in the balance of power.

Finally, the quest for AI dominance will be determined by access to crucial building blocks such as computing power, talent, training data, the physical infrastructure necessary for AI development and the norms set for AI governance. The US typically fares well on most parameters. It can leverage its position in the semiconductor space to control access to high-end chips needed for AI development. Other countries would have ample opportunity to design domestic policies and frameworks for responsible AI innovation. The complexity and speed at which AI advances means that these must be as innovative and agile as the technology itself. However, the cross-border nature of AI requires that domestic policies must be complemented by a global framework for AI, which currently appears to be emerging in a fragmented manner. This framework must focus on promoting innovation while also identifying and mitigating the risks posed to global stability by AI. In designing such a framework, it will be useful to consider some formal institutional arrangements. Learnings may be drawn from experiences of the financial sector, where the Financial Stability Board, which comprises government representatives from member countries, has a mandate to identify and mitigate risks to global financial stability by designing standards and policies and fostering their coherent implementation.

This is also an apt moment for India to define its role in shaping the global narrative for AI development and governance. Indias emerging tech diplomacy was in full display during its G20 presidency as it forged a consensus on digital public infrastructure (DPI). It is also visible in recent bilateral agreements on strategic and economic cooperation in the technology sector, such as the US-India Initiative on Critical and Emerging Technology. As for the building blocks discussed earlier, India fares well insofar as AI talent concentration is concerned, with one report suggesting that we produce 16% of the worlds AI talent, the worlds third highest. In the context of access to data, India has been a vocal critic of data colonization" that results in a loss of agency, privacy and sovereignty. During the G20 summit, India tactfully sought to address these concerns by presenting its DPI story. As the chair of the Global Partnership on AI, India must seize another opportunity to assume a key role in designing a global governance framework for AI and forging a consensus on it.

Our response to the AI revolution is far more significant than many think. It can become a model for future policy responses to similarly disruptive technologies.

These are the authors personal views.
SAN FRANCISCOForeign capital is fleeing China. Yet on his first trip to the U.S. in six years, Chinese leader Xi Jinping didnt make a pitch to win back American businesses and investors.

Instead, at a dinner with U.S. corporate chiefs and other guests, Xi sought to enlist corporate Americas help in easing bilateral tensions, emphasizing the room for both nations to work togethera theme of his meeting with President Biden earlier Wednesday. Throughout his speech, Xi described himself as a leader of the people and stressed the importance of buttressing bilateral ties with people-to-people exchanges, but didnt specifically highlight trade or investment.

China is pursuing high-quality development, and the United States is revitalizing its economy," Xi said. There is plenty of room for our cooperation."

In attendance were CEOs including Apples Tim Cook and BlackRocks Larry Fink, along with leaders and senior executives from Qualcomm, Boeing, Blackstone, KKR, Pfizer, FedEx and other large U.S. firms, which all invest in China and collectively have trillions of dollars in market value. Tesla CEO Elon Musk and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff greeted Xi during the predinner reception but didnt stay for the dinner.

One special guest symbolized historic cooperation between the two countries: a former Flying Tiger fighter pilot who helped China fight Japan during World War II.

The audience, which gathered at Hyatt Regency in downtown San Francisco, gave Xi a standing ovation as the Chinese leader went on stage, introduced by insurer Chubb CEO Evan Greenberg. They applauded his speech several times, including when he indicated the possibility of China sending more pandas to the U.S. We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation," Xi said.

But there were some notable absences compared with a similar dinner in Seattle in 2015 when Xi brought along high-profile tech CEOs including Alibaba founder Jack Ma. This time, even though the dinner was in the tech hub of San Francisco, there were barely any Chinese entrepreneurs, and fewer U.S. tech leaders, such as Meta Platforms CEO Mark Zuckerberg, despite the dinners proximity to Silicon Valley.

The event took place on a night when many business leaders were already committed to a separate dinner Biden hosted for leaders from countries along the Pacific rim who were in town for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting.

Harder Times for Businesses Tied to China

But for American CEOs, the optics of being seen wining and dining with the Chinese leader have changed since 2015 amid increased scrutiny from lawmakers in Washington.

Mike Gallagher, chairman of a House select committee on China, is demanding that the two main sponsors of the dinner in Xis honorthe National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the U.S.-China Business Councildisclose the names of those who bought tickets, either the $2,000 per-person general admission ticket or the $40,000 fee to sit at the table with the Chinese leader. He called the spending unconscionable given Chinas genocide against millions of innocent men, women, and children in Xinjiang." China denies that allegation.

The risks for businesses operating in China have also increased substantially. Western management consultants, auditors and other firms have been hit with raids, investigations and detentions. Meanwhile, new espionage and data-security laws threaten to criminalize routine business activities.

That makes for a jarring contrast with Xis win-win cooperation" message.

He offered no hints of concessions to business or even interest in more investment in the Chinese economy," said a senior American business executive who attended the dinner. The speech was propaganda at its finest."

Added another: How could he not say anything about trade and investment given the audience?"

Xi came to San Francisco this week with the dual mission of stabilizing relations with the U.S. and restoring investor confidence in Chinas economy. With a debt crisis and a protracted downturn brewing, Xi and his lieutenants want to stem the exodus of foreign capital that for years had helped drive Chinas growth. In the way of that effort is the leaders own national-security agenda that puts fending off perceived foreign threats ahead of development.

He made some headway on the first with Biden," said Danny Russel, a former senior official for Asia in the Obama administration, who is now a vice president at the Asia Society Policy Institute. The second will be more challenging."

Foreign firms are more likely to take profits out of China than reinvest these days, yanking more than $160 billion in total earnings from China during six successive quarters through the end of September, according to a Wall Street Journal analysis of Chinese data.

Wall Street Executives at Top Table With Xi

Some 44 guests sat at the table with Xi at Wednesdays dinner, featuring a three-course meal including steak, vegetable curry and fruit tart. Among them were a whos who on Wall Street, including Fink, Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio, Blackstone CEO Stephen Schwarzman and KKR co-CEO Joseph Bae. More than 300 people in total attended the dinner.

Xi started his speech with a walk down memory lane, making note of the Flying Tigers, the start of formal diplomatic ties between China and the U.S., and his first visit to the U.S. nearly four decades ago. I stayed at the Dvorchaks in Iowa," the Chinese leader said, referring to the American family he stayed with. I still remember their address."

That Xi didnt mention trade and investment with the U.S. contrasted with the remarks given by U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo before. In a welcoming tone, Raimondo said during the Wednesday dinner honoring Xi that we want robust trade with China" even as both nations put national security as their priority.

We will protect as we must and promote as we can," Raimondo said.

Xi attended the dinner with the U.S. business community after a summit with Biden earlier Wednesday. The summit was the leaders first meeting in a year, and they reached agreements to resume military contacts, restart cooperation on choking off key ingredients for making fentanyl and open a new dialogue on the risks posed by artificial intelligence.

Just a year ago, when the two leaders held talks on the Indonesian island of Bali, Xi brimmed with confidence after political success at home that gave him a norm-breaking third term, according to people briefed on that meeting.

This time, Xi went into the summit with domestic challenges piling up while Biden was bolstered by a humming U.S. economy.

Noting the change of fortune, a senior administration official told reporters on the eve of the leaders summit that Biden was coming into the meeting with the wind at his back."

Asked about Xi dining with American CEOs, the official said while most U.S. investment in China isnt controversial, Biden would prefer that some of that capital come to the United States."

The gathering gloom over Chinas economy this year helped bring Xi to the table with Biden with a renewed interest in engagement. But fundamentally, countering the U.S. remains at the core of Xis foreign policy. And Xi still believes that the Chinese system will eventually prevail over the Weststhe East is rising, the West is declining," as he puts iteven though the process might not be a straight line, said people close to Beijings decision-making.

Write to Lingling Wei at Lingling.Wei@wsj.com and Charles Hutzler at charles.hutzler@wsj.com
Joe Biden and Xi Jinping held a US-China Summit on November 15. The US President and his Chinese counterpart discussed various global and bilateral issues. Here are 7 key takeaways.

Middle East

At the summit, President Biden emphasised the Middle East. He called for peace and stability. The complex roles of the US and China in this region were underscored.

Taiwan

Taiwan was a major topic. Xi Jinping described it as crucial in US-China relations. He urged the US to respect commitments regarding Taiwan's independence. Xi favoured peaceful reunification but didn't rule out force. Biden stressed the US's commitment to regional peace.

Taiwan elections

With Taiwan's January elections approaching, Biden asked China to respect the island's democratic process. Despite China's military presence near Taiwan, there seemed no immediate invasion threat.

Iran

Biden sought China's help to de-escalate tensions with Iran. Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi confirmed talks with Iran were ongoing. Biden made it clear: Hamas issues are separate from broader Palestinian concerns, as per CNN.

Fentanyl production

A key discussion was on fentanyl production. China pledged to target related companies. The US plans to monitor these efforts, the publication added.

Military communications

The summit led to a key agreement: restoring military-to-military communications. This step is crucial as it helps lower the risk of misunderstandings. It also aids in managing tensions between the two military forces.

Positive conclusion

Despite not achieving a joint statement or formal cooperation declaration, the summit ended on a positive note. Biden expressed optimism about the "real progress" made in the talks. He highlighted the importance of this engagement between the world's leading powers amid increasing global tensions, the publication added.
Kilitch Healthcare India Ltd. recalled 27 types of eyedrops sold in US stores nationwide because they may be unsafe, US regulators said.

The Food and Drug Administration warned consumers last month not to purchase or use store-brand eyedrops from Walmart Inc., CVS Health Corp., Target Corp. and other companies due to risk of eye infection," without naming Kilitch as the manufacturer.

Bloomberg reported Nov. 10 that Kilitch made the eyedrops in an unsanitary factory in India where some workers went barefoot and others fabricated test results that gave the appearance of product safety.

FDA inspectors visited the Kilitch facility for the first time in mid-October where they witnessed several health violations, Bloombergs reporting showed. Among them were microbiologists filling in backdated test results that purported to show batches of eyedrops were sterile. Samples taken during the inspection revealed bacterial contamination in filling areas where the eyedrops were bottled.

The FDA asked Kilitch to recall its products on Oct. 25 but the company hadnt done so until now. The FDA has little power to force drugmakers to recall products, but on Oct. 23, it banned the Kilitch factory from sending more eyedrops to the US.

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This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text. Only the headline has been changed.
WASHINGTONMore Americans are filing for bankruptcy to get rid of their student debt.

The increase came after the Biden administration made it easier for student borrowers to apply for bankruptcy by overhauling its guidelines last November. The government now supports borrowers use of bankruptcy to eliminate student debt when they meet certain economic hardship conditions. That is a sharp change from the old, far more adversarial procedure that borrowers found confusing and intimidating.

The application numbers remain extremely small, with just 632 borrowers using the new process from last November through September, according to Justice Department data released Thursday. Still, that is an increase from recent levels.

The average annual rate of borrowers using bankruptcy to eliminate student loans was around 480 before the pandemic pause on federal student loan payments. The growth is notable because Americans werent required to make student-loan payments until last month.

The department expects those numbers to continue to rise as more lawyers and borrowers become aware of the option. It didnt provide a number of successful student-loan discharges that have resulted from the new guidance.

Government recommends debt cancellation

Borrowers are finding it easier to apply for discharge and courts are overwhelmingly agreeing with the Justice Departments recommendations to discharge student loans in eligible cases," said Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta.

The bankruptcy policy shift is one part of the Biden administrations efforts to forgive debts for eligible student borrowers. The White House has made debt forgiveness a central part of its pitch to younger voters.

More than three million borrowers have had $127 billion of their federal student loans flagged for cancellation, despite a Supreme Court ruling in June that blocked relief for millions more student-loan holders. The Education Department has also changed how income-driven repayment programs work for lower-income borrowers, allowing millions to make low monthly payments and have their remaining balances forgiven at the end of a 20 or 25-year plan.

Around 40 million borrowers hold $1.6 trillion in federal student debt. Debt forgiveness is a win for many borrowers, but comes at a cost to taxpayers. Republicans have criticized Biden student loan policies as overstepping his legal authority and using taxpayer funds to support people who should repay the loans they took out.

New procedures started last year

The Justice Department last November released guidelines for prosecutors that set specific requirements for borrowers to prove that they are experiencing economic distress. When a borrower files for bankruptcy, the government calculates whether expenses equal or exceed the persons income. If so, the Justice Department declares that the borrower cannot reasonably pay the debt, and that the debt should be discharged.

In nearly all cases where that has happened in the past year, judges have accepted the governments argument and agreed to a full or partial discharge.

The new process assesses whether a borrowers present inability to pay will likely persist in the future, taking into account factors such as retirement age, disability, long-term unemployment or if the borrower didnt finish their degree.

The prior system was significantly more arduous for borrowers, and involved the federal government diving deep into borrowers financial history in an attempt to prove that they hadnt demonstrated economic hardship.

Congress wanted to prevent recent college graduates with few tangible assets from declaring bankruptcy when the education they received at least theoretically enabled them to have higher lifetime earnings than if they hadnt attended school.

That allows the creditorin this case, the Education Department, which issues federal student loansto contest claims. The old process was so difficult, it was conventionally assumed that student debts werent eligible for discharge at all, bankruptcy experts say.

Limited usage

Borrowers with student-loan debt have long filed for bankruptcyan average of 250,000 do each year, according to research by Jason Iuliano, a professor at the University of Utah. But without filing the extra documentation related to their student loans, they can only have other debts discharged.

That figure suggests only a fraction of bankruptcy filers are attempting to use the new process. In July, after a freedom of information request from a borrower advocacy group, the Education Department provided a list of 45 cases since the new guidelines were issued in which there had been successful student loan discharges.

We arent yet seeing the systemic change we hope for," Aaron Ament, president of the National Student Legal Defense Network, said in August after the list was released. Theyve taken important steps, but its clear more needs to be done."

Write to Gabriel T. Rubin at gabriel.rubin@wsj.com
A city which, six weeks ago, was home to nearly 1m people is now a hollow shell. When The Economist was invited on November 14th to join an Israeli military-supply convoy to al-Shati, a once-cramped refugee camp in northern Gaza, none of its 90,000 residents was there. Many of the camps dense apartment buildings had been destroyed; others were badly damaged. Armoured columns of the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) had torn up roads. Electricity, water and sewage infrastructure no longer exist. The situation is similar in much of Gaza city and in outlying towns.

After six weeks of war and three weeks of ground fighting, Israel now has effective control of the area north of Wadi Gaza, a riverbed that bisects the 45km-long strip. The devastation heralds the end of one phase of Israels war against Hamas, which began on October 7th after the Palestinian Islamist group carried out a massacre that ended with around 1,400 Israelis killed or kidnapped. Weeks of heavy Israeli bombardment, and a ground offensive that began on October 27th, have killed more than 11,000 Palestinians in Gaza. They have also in effect dislodged Hamas from power, at least in the northern part of the enclave: the group that has controlled Gaza since 2007 is scattered and reeling.

Read all of our coverage of the war between Israel and Hamas.

All this raises two important questions. First, and most pressing, is how to alleviate a humanitarian disaster in southern Gaza. Almost all of the territorys 2.2m people are now kettled in the south. A total siege imposed by Israel, and the anaemic flow of aid across Gazas border with Egypt, have left Gazans desperately short of food and water. Fuel shortages have crippled hospitals and aid agencies. And winter has arrived, bringing cold temperatures and rain that will only add to the misery.

Second is what happens next on the battlefield. It is not just civilians who fled to southern Gaza: some of Hamass fighters no doubt did the same. Israel has yet to find the groups leader in Gaza, Yahya Sinwar, or its military chief, Muhammad Deif, both of whom are thought to be hiding in the maze of tunnels beneath the enclave. Israeli troops will spend the coming weeks blowing up the entrances to those tunnels and scouring the north for arms and militants. At some point, though, Israel will have to turn its attention to the south. How much it will be able to do there will depend on domestic politics and diplomatic pressure.

In recent days attention has been focused on al-Shifa hospital, the largest in Gaza, and other such facilities. Israel says Hamas has an underground headquarters beneath al-Shifa. It also believes that some of its 239 hostages were hidden there, at least temporarily. On November 15th, after encircling it for six days, Israeli troops entered the hospital compound.

View Full Image (Graphic: The Economist)

The situation was still unfolding as The Economist went to press, but initial reports suggest the IDF found neither the leadership of Hamas nor any of the hostages. Most of the 60,000 or so Palestinians who had been sheltering at the hospital had also vanished. When Israeli troops entered, only 1,500 or so people remained, a mix of medical staff, patients and displaced people.

Most fled southas did everyone else. Once home to more than half of Gazas population, the north is now a deserted wasteland. The Israeli troops in al-Shati report only a few encounters with small groups of civilians. There are no accurate figures for how many people remain, clustered around hospitals and relief centres, but Israeli and foreign sources agree that they number in the tens of thousands.

But the population of southern Gaza has doubled over the past month, an increase that would strain basic services even without a near-total blockade of the enclave. An estimated 1.5m people have been displaced, mostly from the north but also from the south.

Since October 21st, when Israel consented to allow in aid deliveries via Egypt, around 1,200 trucks have brought food, medicine and other essentials through the Rafah crossing (before the war, around 500 entered Gaza each day). Many people in the south are skipping meals and struggling to find clean water. With shipments of fuel almost totally prohibited by Israel, some Palestinians have taken to burning furniture as firewood to cook.

The lack of fuel has paralysed basic services. Almost two-thirds of health-care facilities have stopped working. Sewage-pumping stations are offline. The International Rescue Committee says that waterborne diseases like cholera and typhoid will inevitably start to spread. On November 14th the un said that aid deliveries would soon cease; it lacked even enough fuel to operate forklifts.

The next day a tanker with 23,000 litres of diesel entered Gaza from Egypt, the first such shipment Israel has allowed since the war began. That was better than nothingbut barely. Israeli restrictions mean the fuel can be used only by the UN, not by hospitals, where generators have run dry. Tom White, the director of the UN aid agency in Gaza, says the delivery would cover just 9% of his organisations daily needs.

Heavy winter rains have also arrived. Some Palestinians found their tents had collapsed during a downpour on November 14th; others are sleeping in the mud. December and January are reliably cold and wet in Gaza, with night-time temperatures dipping to 8C.

Before the war began, around two-thirds of the trucks entering Gaza went through Kerem Shalom, a crossing with Israel. It has been closed since October 7th. There is little support in Israel for helping Gazans after Hamass atrocities, and the far-right parties in Binyamin Netanyahus government are adamantly opposed to it.

So supplies must take a circuitous route through Egypt. They arrive in its North Sinai province. Then they are trucked to an Israeli border crossing, to be inspected for arms, and then back to Rafah. The detour adds 100km to the journey, and Rafah is open for only a few hours each day. Relief organisations find it very difficult to operate in Egypt, which is why they have usually done so in Israel, where the distances are shorter and procedures used to be more efficient," says Tania Hari, the director of Gisha, an Israeli ngo which lobbies for more access to Gaza. Kerem Shalom has to be reopened for Gazans to survive."

The next step

Whether to do that is one question for Israel as it decides how to proceed with its war. Accompanied by tanks, sniffer dogs and demolition squads, soldiers have spent over two weeks going from house to house, searching for weapons and shafts leading to Hamass tunnels. An officer explains the methodical procedure. Suspect buildings are targeted with tanks or air strikes. Then, along with the dogs and sappers, soldiers conduct inspections. They are not allowed to venture into the tunnels. More shafts are constantly being found.

Weapons and explosives left behind in houses indicate that Hamas fighters left in a hurry. It is unclear where they have gone. Some may be trying to survive in what is left of the tunnels. Others may have fled south or retreated to the very centre of the city. We deal with about 90 or 100 buildings a day," says Lieutenant Commander Oz, a battalion commander. Dozens of battalions are on similar missions in and around Gaza city.

Israeli generals know that they will not be able to act in southern Gaza with the same ferocity as in the north. Instead, they are planning a more mobile" offensive. But any operation will probably hamper relief efforts and cause an international outcry, which is already mounting. At a summit in Saudi Arabia this month Arab and Muslim countries demanded an end to the fighting.

Some Western leaders have begun to echo that demand. In an interview with the BBC published on November 10th Emmanuel Macron, the French president, called for a ceasefire. Joe Biden still rejects talk of a permanent truce, and his voice is by far the most important. But he is under great pressure from the progressive wing of his Democratic Party to push for a ceasefire.

A less brutal war could ease that pressure. The Palestinian death toll shot up by hundreds each day during the first weeks of the war. In recent days, though, the casualty rate has decreased significantly, as there is almost no one left in the north. That could buy Israel more time to continue its ground campaign. So would a greatly expanded humanitarian effort.

Israel must also consider what comes next in Gaza, something Mr Netanyahu has so far refused to do. For now, Hamas has lost its ability to rule. It may also have lost the support of the people it once governed. [Gazans] blame Hamas for bringing this tragedy upon them," says an Israeli intelligence officer accompanying troops inside the strip. That is what one would expect the IDF to saybut it rings true.

Even before the war, it was difficult to gauge public opinion in Gaza: Hamas ruled as an authoritarian one-party state, and the last Palestinian parliamentary elections were in 2006. It is even harder now. Anecdotal evidence, though, suggests that many people in Gaza are furious at their ostensible rulers. Reached by phone in southern Gaza in recent days, numerous Palestinians described scenes of anger aimed at Hamas. Policemen have been cursed and beaten while trying to jump queues for food and water.

That is not to say desperate Gazans feel any warmth for Israel. Hamas was born in Gaza; its most influential leaders, Mr Sinwar and Mr Deif, grew up in the refugee camp near Khan Younis, the city that now hosts untold Gazans displaced from the north. Israel may have dealt the group a fatal blow. But a long period of miserable displacement would ensure that something else rises in its stead.

 2023, The Economist Newspaper Limited. All rights reserved. From The Economist, published under licence. The original content can be found on www.economist.com
SINGAPOREWashingtons latest curbs on the export of high-performance chips to China are beginning to bite.

Alibaba on Thursday said it had scrapped its plan to spin off and list its cloud-computing division, citing the impact of the export controls that took effect late last month. The restrictions may materially and adversely affect" the cloud businesss ability to offer products and services and to perform under existing contracts, Alibaba said, adding that it would focus on the divisions growth.

The e-commerce and cloud service giant originally planned to hive off the business and target a listing by May 2024. That was part of a historic restructuring plan that would break the behemoth into six main business groups.

Alibaba also Thursday said it has put on hold the initial public offering plan of its grocery arm Freshippo, blaming weak market conditions.

Falling stock prices, Chinas sputtering economic recovery and geopolitical tensions have largely turned away foreign investors from Chinese IPOs. New listings in Hong Kong, where many Chinese companies come to list, raised just about $4.6 billion this year, down 58% from the same period last year and far below 2021 levels, according to Dealogic.

Alibabas American depositary receipts fell nearly 9% in early trading Thursday.

The Biden administration has tightened restrictions on Chinas ability to buy advanced semiconductors, especially artificial-intelligence chips, making it tougher for U.S. companies to sell existing products in China. The move was made to close perceived loopholes in export controls announced a year ago.

The U.S. is clamping down over concerns about the use of advanced chips in cyberwarfare, espionage and the countrys military development, but such chips are also crucial for training AI models and operating data centers.

Tencent Holdings, the Chinese social-media and videogame giant, said Wednesday that the U.S. chip curbs would affect its business leasing AI chips through cloud services, though would be less damaging for its Al model development in the near term.

Tencent had stockpiled chips including Nvidias H800developed especially for the Chinese market after last years export curbsand is attempting to use its inventory more efficiently, while also seeking Chinese-made AI training chips, said President Martin Lau.

Alibaba Cloud is Asias biggest public cloud-service provider, according to market intelligence firm IDC, competing with Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure and Google Cloud. Within Alibaba, the cloud division is the second-largest business by revenue after its domestic e-commerce entity, accounting for 12.3% in the July-September quarter.

Alibaba has bet heavily on generative AI, joining a fierce rivalry with OpenAI as well as domestic peers including Baidu and Tencent. It embeds its AI model within its cloud service and leases AI capabilities to cloud customers. Last month, it upgraded its large language model, Tongyi Qianwen, and Chairman Joe Tsai said that its cloud business has served half of Chinas AI model companies.

U.S. sanctions are spurring Chinese tech companies to accelerate research to develop cutting-edge AI without relying on the latest American chips. That includes studying techniques that could allow them to achieve state-of-the-art AI performance with fewer or less powerful chips.

Beyond the impact on the cloud, the U.S. chip restrictions may also affect Alibabas businesses more generally by limiting its ability to upgrade technologies, the company said Thursday.

The gloomy picture came as Alibaba reported that revenue in the July-September quarter rose 8.5% from a year earlier to $30.8 billion. It also swung to a profit of $3.8 billion in the quarter, and said it would pay its first-ever dividends to shareholders.

Some other parts of Alibabas overhaul remain on track. Alibabas international commerce business, including e-commerce platforms AliExpress and Lazada, is set to raise money from external investors, the company said. That groups revenue jumped 53% in the quarter.

Dave Sebastian contributed to this article.

Write to Raffaele Huang at raffaele.huang@wsj.com
In 2017, Telangana enacted a ban on online gambling and betting. Three years later, Andhra Pradesh followed suit, and the following year, Tamil Nadu amended its laws to ban online gaming. However, gamers have continued to bet on these games through different channels, as Anubhab Sarkar, Managing Partner at Triumvir Law, told LiveMint.

In a recent development, the Madras High Court partially lifted the ban on online gaming implemented by the Telangana Government. However, chance-based games still remain banned in many states, including Sikkim, Assam, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu. Under the Indian Constitution, the State Government holds the authority to regulate 'betting and gambling'.

LiveMint spoke with Sarkar to get more clarity on eGaming and confusion around its regulation.

Edited excerpts:

Is there a blanket ban on all sorts of games in the states that have banned betting through gaming?

Answer: The ban on online gaming does not necessarily constitute a universal or blanket ban on all games in states that have restricted betting through gaming. Games of skill, like poker and rummy, may still be permissible, while chance-based games, which qualify as gambling, face restrictions. The legal landscape regarding online gaming is dynamic, subject to changes influenced by court decisions and legislative amendments, reflecting the evolving nature of the industry and its regulatory framework.

Also Read | India's online gaming industry gains with increased user spending

What are permissible games?

Answer: The nature of permissible games in the context of online gaming regulations in India often hinges on the distinction between games of skill and games of chance. Games like poker and rummy are generally classified as games of skill, where the outcome is influenced by the players knowledge, strategy, and skill. These games are often considered permissible even in states with restrictions on online gaming. However, the ban on chance-based games, like Teen Patti or Blackjack, remains in effect in states such as Sikkim, Assam, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

Also Read | GTA 6 leaks: Launch date, new weapons and everything you should know

Is the ban on eGaming and Gambling effective in the states that banned it?

Answer: The effectiveness of the ban on chance-based games varies across states, presenting a complex challenge for authorities. Despite legal restrictions, gaming enthusiasts are employing innovative methods to continue their activities. The use of virtual private networks (VPNs) to circumvent geolocation restrictions and the involvement of residents from states where the apps are not banned highlight the difficulties in enforcing these bans. The dynamic nature of technology and the adaptability of gamers contribute to the ongoing challenge for authorities in effectively implementing and sustaining such bans. Gamers are also utilizing popular messaging platforms like WhatsApp and Telegram to create groups dedicated to betting activities. These groups, ranging from small circles of friends and family to larger communities exceeding 10,000 members, serve as clandestine spaces for placing bets on various games.

How are gamers betting through eGmaing in restricted states?

What adds a layer of complexity to these activities is the utilization of UPI channels and neo-banking channels for facilitating bets. Participants in these betting groups are often instructed to use UPI, a widely adopted digital payment system in India, for the seamless transfer of funds related to their bets. The integration of neo-banking channels further complicates the enforcement of bans, as these channels provide alternative financial routes for gamers to engage in betting activities discreetly.

The accessibility of such platforms, and the dynamic nature of technology and the adaptability of gamers contribute to the ongoing challenge for authorities in effectively implementing and sustaining such bans.

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When Nikki Haley called Vivek Ramaswamy "scum" on stage last week, serious commentators winced. So gauche. So uncivil! Voters won't like that sort of thing, mused the pundits. But in fact they do like that sort of thing, and it was a canny, marginalizing insult that played on the emerging perception of him as a creepy fraud: a new poll of Republican voters in New Hampshire finds her soaring to 20%, up eight points, mostly at the expensive of Ramaswamy, who sinks to 8%, down five. Also losing relevance is Ron DeSantis, slipping to fourth in a lineup that still overwhelmingly favors the candidate who did not participate in the debate.

Dave Weigel:

This was the poll that captured a huge DeSantis collapse after the 1st debate, he's been in doldrums there as he focuses on Iowa. This poll also makes it likelier that Ramaswamy and Christie will stay onstage for the 4th debate  a dynamic that has been helping Haley. Ramaswamy's negatives keep surging; he's now 9 points underwater w GOP voters in NH

The chart below seems instructive. I think if Christie dropped out, it could put Haley within 10 points of Trump, and we'd have a race. In New Hampshire.

A strong element of her appeal is that she seems to have the best chance of beating Biden. Another poll, a national one, posts her as the only Republican beating him outside the margin of error.
Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla CEO Elon Musk are some of the high-profile names expected to attend a dinner hosted for US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco. The dinner, hosted by the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US-China Business Council, takes place during the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit on Wednesday.

The forum is expected to be attended by hundreds of business leaders from various sectors such as banking and technology, while President Xi may also deliver a speech, CBS News reported.

According to a Bloomberg report, top business leaders attending the dinner include Tim Cook, Elon Musk, BlackRock CEO Larry Fink, Blackstone CEO Steve Schwarzman and Visa CEO Ryan McInerney.

Other tech leaders expected to attend include Qualcomm CEO Cristiano Amon and Broadcom CEO Hock Tan, the Bloomberg report said, citing sources.

Details of the dinner have been scarce, with the hosts providing little clarity on the Chinese leaders attending and the location of the event. However, some of Xi Jinping's 'old friends' from Iowa have reportedly been invited to the high-profile event.

The dinner with business leaders will give the Chinese president an opportunity to boost declining US investment in his country. Meanwhile, it will also be a chance for top entrepreneurs to rub shoulders with the leader of the world's second-largest economy.

China is a key market for many top US companies, including Apple, which derives around a fifth of its revenue from China and manufactures a range of devices in the country. However, amid rising tensions between Washington and Beijing, the Cupertino-based tech giant has been caught in a bind with the Chinese government blocking the use of iPhones and other foreign technology in state-backed companies. Competition from home-grown Huawei has also led to a recent slowdown in Apple's sales in China.

(With inputs from Bloomberg)

PFIZER More Information

Milestone Alert!Livemint tops charts as the fastest growing news website in the world  Click here to know more.
In a testament to Chinas economic resilience and technological prowess, Tencent, the internet giant, has reported impressive financial results for the third quarter of 2023. The companys stellar performance not only showcases its ability to navigate challenges but also mirrors the broader success of Chinas rapidly evolving economy. As we delve into Tencents achievements, Knightsbridge, a recognized expert in economic trends, provides insights into the positive impact of Tencents success on the overall Chinese economic landscape.

Tencent Holdings Limited is primarily listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (SEHK) under the stock code 0700. Tencent also has an over-the-counter (OTC) listing in the United States. The companys shares trade in the OTC market under the ticker symbol TCEHY.

Tencents Financial Triumph: Tencents financial report for Q3 2023 reveals a robust performance, with a 10 percent year-on-year increase in revenue, surpassing 154.6 billion yuan (approximately 21.5 billion U.S. dollars). Net profit witnessed an even more impressive surge, soaring by 39 percent year on year to over 44.9 billion yuan. These remarkable figures underscore Tencents resilience and strategic acumen in the face of global economic challenges.

Diversification Driving Growth: One of the key drivers behind Tencents success is the flourishing fintech and business services segment, which experienced a substantial 16 percent year-on-year growth, contributing 52.05 billion yuan to the companys revenue. Knightsbridge notes that this diversification strategy has not only solidified Tencents market position but has also become a significant growth engine for Chinas economy.

Gaming and Advertising Sectors Flourish: Tencents gaming sector demonstrated commendable growth, with a 7 percent increase in revenue, reaching 46 billion yuan. Simultaneously, the advertising division experienced a robust 20 percent year-on-year growth, contributing 25.72 billion yuan to Tencents overall revenue. This positive momentum indicates the adaptability and resilience of Tencents business model, notes Knightsbridge, highlighting the companys agility in responding to market dynamics.

Strategic Research and Development: Tencents commitment to innovation is evident in its substantial investment of 16.45 billion yuan in research and development during Q3 2023. Knightsbridge emphasizes that such strategic investments not only foster Tencents technological leadership but also contribute significantly to the overall advancement of Chinas tech landscape.

Knightsbridges Perspective: As an expert in economic trends, Knightsbridge acknowledges Tencents pivotal role in driving Chinas economic growth. The companys diversified revenue streams, strategic investments, and adaptability position it as a beacon of success within the global tech industry. Tencents achievements contribute positively to Chinas economic narrative, reflecting the nations resilience and determination to lead in the digital age.

Conclusion: Tencents stellar financial results underscore its pivotal role in propelling Chinas economic growth. Knightsbridges insights emphasize the broader implications of Tencents success, positioning it as a key player in Chinas evolving economic landscape. As Tencent continues to thrive, it becomes a beacon of innovation and adaptability, driving positive momentum for both the company and the nation.

Shayne Heffernan
Copyright 2023 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Meet "Eugene the M16," a plush toy in the shape of an M16 automatic assault rifle. Yes, you read that correctly. Just when you thought America's obsession with guns couldn't get any worse, a company called "TactiCouture" is currently running a Kickstarter to raise money to produce the first in a product line it's calling "Battlemallows."

TactiCouture describes itself on Kickstarter:

TactiCouture is a group of adventurers, problem-solvers, and battle-hardened creatives dedicated to crafting the world's most innovative, utilitarian fashion gadgets. Before we get too ahead of ourselves, you should know a lot of our designs start as a joke surrounded by much laughter, then gradually turn into epic, surprisingly useful EDC tools. We test, iterate, and use every single gadget we invent every day. That's how much we stand behind our designs. Simply put: our designs just work. At our core, TactiCouture is a creative collective of travel-hardened adventurers, professional athletes, and innovative designers. We love minimalist gadgets, mixed martial arts, Jesus, and mountains.

Yup, because nothing says "I love Jesus" more than guns, real or "kawaii style."

Here are some of the ways the company describes "Eugene the M16: Rifle Pillow Squish Plushie"which measures 23" wide and 16" tallon their Kickstarter page:

Cute. Squishy. Tactical. Eugene the the M16 is an epic plushie that is super squishable, crazy cute, and terrifically tactical. Generously chonky sized, Eugene the M16 is the perfect perky pillow. Whether protection from nightmares or simply a wildly fun conversation topic, Eugene the M16 will turn heads and make fans wonder, "Where did you find that fantastic squish toy?" Battlemallows are the only "kawaii" (cute) plush weaponry on the market. Already fans are asking, "Who's next in the Battlemallow family?" (we have some designs in the works already). Joy, happiness, and freedom. The Battlemallows family is being launched with the most popular battle rifIe in the United States, the M16. The history of the M16 is rich, having making its debut during the Vietnam War. the AR-I5 itself is eventually derived from the M16. Eugene the M16 is instantly THE coolest squish plush at the party. Eugene snuggles right at home in any home, lovingly offering his cheeriness and happy-go-lucky joy to bring a ray of sunshine to an otherwise dark world. Let Eugene take it from here! From leather couches to Victorian-era bedding, Eugene the M16 humbly tranforms any space into a place of belonging and security. Safer than a NERF gun or Airsoft rifles and 1000x more personality than Vladimir Putin, Eugene the M16 takes imagination to a whole 'nother level. Inspired by Call of Duty (COD), Eugene the M16 is a limited edition, first-come, first-serve plushy snuggle buddy that is bound to turn heads.

As of Wednesday November 15, the company has raised $4528 from 120 backers, far exceeding its original $1,000 goal, with 21 more days to go in the campaign. The company hopes, through "lightning-fast production and delivery," to be able to deliver these before Christmas.
Key GOP lawmaker calls for renewal of surveillance tool as he proposes changes to protect privacy
Jodhpur, Longford was named as Best New Indian Restaurant in Leinster at the inaugural Asian Restaurant Awards which were held on Tuesday, November 7 at Castleknock Hotel, Dublin 15.

Based at 26 Dublin Street, Longford town, Jodhpur were delighted to be bestowed with the coveted award.

They posted on their Facebook page, It is an incredible honour and a testament to our team's unwavering dedication to providing an exceptional dining experience.

We couldn't have done it without our extraordinary team, whose passion and commitment are truly outstanding.

Our heartfelt gratitude also goes out to our loyal patrons who have stood by us and supported us throughout this incredible journey.

Over 200 guests attended the night from throughout Ireland, competing for the 43 awards on offer covering a variety of categories such as Best New Indian Restaurants, Japanese Restaurants, Fine Dining, Front of House and many more.

Asheesh Dewan of the Jaipur Group, which includes Jaipur Dalkey, Jaipur Malahide, Ananda Dundrum and Chakra Greystones received the Outstanding Achievement Award.

The Asian Restaurant Week and Awards were set up by former restaurateur and hospitality consultant Paul OConnor and food writer and journalist Suzanne Campbell to celebrate and highlight the ever-expanding Asian Food scene in Ireland.

From establishing the well-known Irish Food Writing Awards in 2021, they wanted to celebrate and reward the cuisines, restaurants and chefs who have enriched Ireland in so many ways.

Restaurants finalists were from both Northern and Southern Ireland representing food from China, Japan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka, and cuisines from the South East Asian region.

Founder of Asian Restaurant Awards, Paul OConnor says, "Having been involved with Asian food businesses for many years the community was continually asking me to host something to celebrate Asian food in Ireland. So this restaurant week and awards celebrate the varied cuisines and culture of India and countries in this region."

The awards, founded by Suzanne Campbell and Paul OConnor are kindly sponsored by Cobra beer, Asia Market, FBD Hotels, The Chai People, Postree, Ballygowan and Whelehans Wines.
A woman accused of biting a Center Parcs Longford Forest security guard during an altercation at the leisure resort giant is to have her case heard in the new year.

Forty-year-old Ann Marie Roche, Baskin Lane, Cloughran, Swords, Dublin has already tendered a not guilty plea to four charges arising from an incident at Center Parcs, Newcastle Road, Longford on June 10 and June 11 last year.

The Dubliner initially appeared in court back in May to face two assault causing harm charges and two separate public order charges.

On that occasion, Judge Bernadette Owens was told while no medical reports were at hand, the case centred on two separate bites to the thumb area and palm of a security guards left hand.

The court was told both alleged bites punctured the skin of the alleged victim.

When the case was called last Tuesday week before Judge Owens, the court was told Ms Roche would be seeking a hearing date.

Asked by Judge Owens how long the case would likely take, Sgt Mark Mahon, for the State. implied both prosecution and defence submissions would take a minimum of an hour.

The case was consequently adjourned to a sitting of Longford District Court on January 30, 2024.
Gawker.comthe domain and brand, but not the now-offline site and its decades of postingswas sold to a media group in Singapore, among whose possessions are the British music and culture magazine NME and various other music-related brands. Shut down after a lawsuit funded by billionaire Peter Thiel, then sold to Bustle, Gawker was briefly rebooted there and now will see new life once again. Kuok bought 49% of Rolling Stone in 2016, but was bought out not long after; the stories then read exactly like this one.

Meng Ru Kuok, CEO and founder of Singapore-based Caldecott Music Group, acquired the assets of Gawker from Bustle Digital Group. In an email to Variety, Kuok confirmed that he has closed the deal buying the Gawker trademarks and domain name but not its article archives. He said the deal for Gawker is unrelated to his existing operating businesses. "As it relates to the future for Gawker, as a brand that spent many years in the public consciousness, my personal opinion is that it has the opportunity for reinvention," Kuok said in the email. "Whatever plans materialize, what's for sure is that it won't be the same as it was before."

I noticed a few days back that the archives were wiped at some point, but assumed it was Bustle itself cleaning house of the relevant liabilities. Au contraire! Bustle bought Gawker, and its archives, for a sum not far north of $1mthe bulk of the network, including profitable sites such as Gizmodo, were separately sold off to Univision for $135m. What Kuok is paying now hasn't been disclosed; lose another zero.
Use the Arrows < > above to go through the gallery

It was a landmark day in Ballinalee on Sunday last as the Rose Cottage War of Independence Centre was officially opened by Taoiseach Leo Varadkar.

This historic property, which was home to the late General Sean MacEoin, and headquarters to the North Longford Flying Column, played an important role during the Battle of Ballinalee 103 years ago, has been regenerated into an exhibition centre, community hub and coffee shop. READ MORE BELOW PHOTO

The community-led development is supported by the Department of Rural and Community Development through the Town and Village Renewal Scheme, Ballinalee Community Group, and Longford County Council.

Speaking at the official opening ceremony, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar spoke of the significance of the history associated with North Longford and the importance of Rose Cottage to the local community in Ballinalee.

He remarked, Alongside the Rebel Trail, Rose Cottage will preserve the history and identity of North Longford and of General Sean MacEoin during the War of Independence and will allow you, in this part of the country, to tell your significant story.

Mr Varadkar continued, Rose Cottage, formerly a derelict building, has been transformed into a wonderful asset for the locality and will provide employment here at the heart of Ballinalee. It will also be an ideal stopping off point for tourists helping visitors to appreciate and learn the heritage of this special place in Irelands Hidden Heartlands.

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach Cllr Colm Murray paid tribute to the local community for their dedication in making the vision of Rose Cottage a reality. It is right that the people of Longford celebrate the heritage and history of Sean MacEoin and I want to praise the people of Ballinalee and the wider county who have helped to preserve his memory and achievements over the years.

Ten years ago, Iar-Taoiseach Enda Kenny came here to unveil a statue to Sean MacEoin and we are delighted to have Taoiseach Leo Varadkar here with us today to officially open Rose Cottage, the home of Sean MacEoin and the home of many strategies devised, which lead to freedom for our country.

The official opening ceremony, including a wreath laying ceremony and a plaque unveiling at Rose Cottage War of Independence Centre by The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, was very well attended with hundreds gathering.

In the heart of the village of Ballinalee, the building has been transformed into the Rose Cottage War of Independence Centre. The centre hosts the exhibition which will tell the story of the War of Independence and the Battle of Ballinalee. The centre will also function as a community hub and cater for visitors with a coffee shop on site.

This centre has been developed with a vision to support the regeneration of their local community, while celebrating local heritage and preserving local history for future generations. The community of Ballinalee has been pivotal in bringing the project to fruition.

The work was completed by local firm Ciaran Hourican Contracting Ltd, with Will Design Associates as engineering consultant, and interior design by Nine Yards Design.

The interpretation project that will be displayed in the centre has been put together by In Hand Guides Ltd.
HUGG, Irelands national suicide bereavement charity, and Embrace FARM, the bereaved and injured farm family support network, are coming together to deliver a free webinar on Tuesday, 28th November 7.30 pm.

This will be a live event, and anyone connected to the farming community who has been affected by suicide, regardless of when their loss has occurred is welcome to connect with us. This online event will be the first of its kind in Ireland. It will bring together HUGG's evidence-based knowledge of suicide bereavement and the voice of those with lived experience of suicide loss, coupled with the practical and emotional supports offered by the Embrace FARM network.

The keynote speaker on the night will be Liz Gleeson, Psychotherapist, Lecturer and Grief and Loss Specialist, whose podcast Shapes of Grief has found its way onto recommended resources in Universities and Colleges internationally as a resource for grief education. Liz has also developed the award-winning Shapes of Grief Training Programme, the only programme that features contributions from Grief Experts worldwide. Attendees will also hear the personal story of a farmer who is bereaved by suicide. He will share his own story of how suicide has impacted him and his family and what has helped him to move forward.



Commenting how suicide has left so many farm families dealing with grief and unsure who or where to turn to for support, Norma Rohan, Co-Founder of Embrace FARM said There is a sad reality that is becoming commonplace in our farming communities. Death by suicide is affecting more farm families, and for us at Embrace FARM, we are working with many farm families who are dealing with the pain of this loss. This webinar will not only remind those in our community of the supports we offer but will also address the stigma surrounding suicide that is still so prevalent to those seeking help.

Fiona Tuomey, Founder and CEO of HUGG, lost her daughter, Milly, to suicide in 2016. Fiona understands only too well the reality of what is facing many families following a suicide. Sadly, suicides in the farming community are a reality. Rural isolation, stigma, and overwhelming grief, in addition to managing ongoing farming issues, can prevent those left behind from getting information and support. We want to change this and connect with this unique group of people living with suicide loss.



HUGG and Embrace FARM are part of the Local Bereavement Networks supported by the Irish Hospice Foundation. The event will run for approximately 1 hour. Spaces are limited, so attendees are asked to register in advance. Details provided to register will be confidential and only used to secure your place at the webinar. Only those presenting will be visible on screen. To register for this webinar visit https://www.eventbrite.ie/e/suicide-in-the-farming-community-tickets-744460871507.
Press Releases

By Long Island Published: November 16 2023

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signs the Clean Slate Act, a historic legislation providing individuals with eligible criminal records the opportunity for record sealing after three years for misdemeanors and eight years for certain felonies, ...

Governor Kathy Hochul today signed the Clean Slate Act (S.7551A/A.1029C), which allows certain criminal records to be sealed years after an individual is sentenced or released from incarceration if that individual is not subsequently convicted of an additional criminal act. Following their release from any incarceration, records of individuals with eligible misdemeanor convictions will be sealed after three years and those with certain felony convictions, after eight years. The Clean Slate Act will not seal the records of individuals convicted of sex crimes, murder or other non-drug Class A felonies; law enforcement, prosecutors, the New York State Education Department, the courts and other groups will continue to have access to all criminal records under this law.

The best crime-fighting tool is a good-paying job. Thats why I support giving New Yorkers a clean slate after theyve paid their debt to society and gone years without an additional offense, Governor Hochul said. I negotiated a compromise that protects public safety and boosts economic opportunity, and the final Clean Slate Law will help New Yorkers access jobs and housing while allowing police, prosecutors and school officials to protect their communities. And as our state faces a worker shortage, with more than 450,000 job openings right now, this new law will help businesses find more workers who will help them grow, expand and thrive."

The Clean Slate Act is a historic step forward with regard to restorative justice and second chances, said Lieutenant Governor Antonio Delgado. This will allow so many New Yorkers to build a new future for themselves, their families, and their community.

State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said, Clean Slate offers a genuine second chance to individuals who have fully paid their debt to society, enabling them to restart their lives and become positive contributors to their communities. By the Legislature passing, and the Governor signing the Clean Slate bill into law, we are affirming our belief in redemption and improving our society by providing formerly incarcerated individuals a better path forward and removing barriers that have prevented so many from establishing stability in their lives. My appreciation goes to Senator Zellnor Myrie for championing this bill in the Senate, and to my Conference for their support in passing this vital legislation that will empower thousands of New Yorkers to forge a better future. I also thank Governor Hochul who has shown that her administration recognizes the economic and moral implications of this important bill.

Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said, By signing the Clean Slate Act into law, we will give millions of New Yorkers who served their time the opportunity to begin a new chapter of their lives  helping open the door to housing and employment opportunities previously closed to them. Thank you to bill sponsor Assemblymember Catalina Cruz and the many members of our Assembly majority conference who fought hard to get this passed. We remain committed to building a criminal justice system that prioritizes rehabilitation over perpetual punishment and this is an important step in that direction. I look forward to continuing to work with our partners in government to achieve that goal.

The Clean Slate Act (S.7551A/A.1029C) takes effect one year from today. It provides the New York State Office of Court Administration up to three years from that date to implement the processes necessary to identify and seal all eligible records. The law will seal certain criminal records following an individuals release from any incarceration: eligible misdemeanor convictions will be sealed three years after release, and eligible felony convictions will be sealed eight years after release  on the condition that the individual convicted of the offense has not committed an additional crime in the intervening period.

The law also includes multiple components to protect public safety. Records will not be sealed to law enforcement or the criminal justice system. Records will not be sealed for individuals convicted of sex offenses, murder, domestic terror and other non-drug Class A felonies, and will also not be sealed until parole or probation is complete and there are no criminal charges in New York State. The clock restarts altogether if parole or probation is revoked or if there is a new conviction. Employers permitted by law to perform fingerprint-based criminal history checks on job applicants will continue to receive those records and use them to determine whether individuals should be hired. Conviction information will remain available for law enforcement purposes, the hiring of police and peace officers, the hiring of teachers at public and private schools, and background checks for firearm purchases and/or licenses.

New York will become the 12th state in the nation to sign Clean Slate legislation, joining states like Utah, South Dakota, Oklahoma, New Jersey, Michigan and Pennsylvania. A study from the libertarian Cato Institute found that following Michigans passage of record expungement legislation, individuals with expunged records posed a lower crime risk than the general statewide population; the same study found that the reconviction rate for violent crimes was less than 1 percent.

A criminal record can impede an individuals full participation in their communities after they have served their sentence. This is especially true for individuals from communities of color, who have been disproportionately represented in the criminal justice system. While New York State has the lowest incarceration rate among states with more than 10 million residents, racial disparities persist. Studies show that without Clean Slate, New York is missing out on $12.6 billion in annual economic activity  the total cost of lost wages each year due to the reduced earnings of individuals with unsealed records; nationwide, the cost to GDP is approximately $87 billion each year.

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services Commissioner Rossana Rosado said, The Clean Slate Act will help reduce recidivism by ensuring that people who have served their sentences can access educational opportunities, jobs and housing, which are all essential ingredients to success. Helping individuals successfully transition back to their communities improves lives and public safety, and the Clean Slate Act makes our criminal justice system fairer for all. I thank Governor Kathy Hochul for her leadership, vision and support for reforms that work.

New York State Department of Corrections and Community Supervision Acting Commissioner Daniel F. Martuscello III said, Removing barriers to reentry and providing justice-involved individuals with a second chance is critical to the rehabilitation process. The Clean Slate Act will not only further the Departments efforts to reduce recidivism, but will bring hope to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers by providing greater access to employment and housing. I applaud Governor Hochul for her leadership in implementing such impactful change while fully prioritizing public safety. The Department has already begun working with our State partners to ensure that the Office of Court Administration has the resources necessary to implement this law as expeditiously as possible.

State Senator Zellnor Myrie said, "It's not every day that we can change our laws to strengthen our communities, make our legal system more fair, improve public safety and grow our economy at the same time. But that's exactly what Clean Slate will do for New Yorkers. I'm grateful to Governor Hochul for signing this transformative bill into law, to my partner Assembly Member Catalina Cruz, and to one of the largest, broadest and most diverse coalitions in state history who helped make this moment possible. To the millions of New Yorkers who will be impacted by this law, I'm proud to say the wait is over."

Assemblymember Catalina Cruz said, I am profoundly moved by this incredible step in our journey for justice, redemption, and economic development. This transformative law seeks to redress the harmful aftermath of a criminal justice system designed to promote inequity and injustice, even once the debt has been paid to society. Millions of New Yorkers have been burdened by the crippling weight of their past convictions. By providing qualifying individuals with a clean slate, we are unlocking doors to dignified employment, education, and housing, thereby fueling economic growth and stability for all New Yorkers. Ensuring that people can work and find housing is the best way to keep our communities safe, reduce recidivism, and break the cyclic poverty and mass incarceration for generations to come. I am proud of the strong and supportive coalition we built, from labor unions, to small and large businesses, to criminal justice activists and law enforcement, as well as faith and civic leaders. This is a testament to our commitment to building a more inclusive and just economy, where everyone has the opportunity to contribute and thrive regardless of their past. I would like to thank Governor Hochul for signing this bill into law, as well as Speaker Heastie for never faltering in our collective vision. I also want to thank my colleague Senator Myrie and the Clean Slate Coalition for fighting every step of the way so that 2.3 million New Yorkers and their generations to come receive the second chance they so desperately need.

The law requires the Office of Court Administration to determine which criminal history records are eligible for sealing and notify the following entities of those sealed convictions: the state Division of Criminal Justice Services, which maintains the states fingerprint-based criminal history records; courts of conviction, county clerks, police departments, sheriffs offices, and district attorneys offices.

The law also builds upon other efforts implemented and enacted by New York State to help remove barriers faced by people with criminal convictions, especially the approximately 25,000 individuals who return to their communities annually after serving prison sentences. The state has reinstated the right to vote for people on parole; removed outright bans on occupational licenses; implemented fair-chance hiring at state agencies; and prohibited discrimination at state-financed housing based solely on an individuals criminal record, among other initiatives.

Governor Hochul has prioritized public safety throughout her time in office, securing the most criminal justice system funding in a generation; and increasing investments to improve opportunities for young people and families and strengthen communities. The FY24 budget funds the Governors public safety plan and comprehensive plan to fight gun violence and violent crime, improve community safety and increase public trust in the criminal justice system. As part of this plan, the budget includes record investments to support programs and services that assist with re-entry, and pretrial programs designed to divert individuals from deeper involvement in the criminal justice system.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: November 16 2023

Peter Ferrigan allegedly contracted with homeowners, took payment, and used the money for personal expenses and other construction jobs.

Nassau County District Attorney Anne T. Donnelly announced that an Amityville man was arrested yesterday and charged with grand larceny and related charges for allegedly defrauding two homeowners in Long Beach out of a total of nearly $200,000 in home improvement schemes between August 2019 and January 2021.

Peter Ferrigan, 56, owner of PBF Home Improvements, LLC., was arraigned yesterday before Judge Norman Sammut on charges of Grand Larceny in the Second Degree pursuant to New York Lien Law Section 79-a (a C felony) and Scheme to Defraud in the First Degree (an E felony). The defendant pleaded not guilty and was released on his own recognizance. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum of five to 15 years in prison. Ferrigan is due back in court on December 1, 2023.

This defendant took on home improvement projects for two Long Beach residents and allegedly left them high and dry, stealing a total of nearly $200,000 of their payments without completing construction, said DA Donnelly. Ferrigan allegedly spent the money on personal expenses, including airline tickets and jewelry, and even used a portion of the funds stolen from one victim to pay for construction-related expenses for the other victim he was defrauding. Homeowners should trust that their contractors are operating with integrity and will follow through on their agreements.

DA Donnelly said that, according to the charges, the defendant, and his company, PBF Home Improvements, LLC., entered into a home improvement contract with a homeowner on or about July 25, 2019, for the demolition and new construction of the victims home on Arizona Avenue in Long Beach. The victim gave the defendant $852,095 per the contract to be used solely for the construction project. The defendant allegedly did not complete the construction of the home.

A review of bank records for the period between August 5, 2019, and January 19, 2021, revealed that the defendant allegedly spent in excess of $170,000 of the homeowners funds on expenses related to other construction jobs and personal expenses, including loan payments, marine insurance, attorney fees, restaurant bills, tuition, and child support.

The defendant also allegedly made cash withdrawals and transferred assets into his own bank account.

In an earlier alleged scheme, the defendant entered into a contract with another homeowner for a construction project on California Street in Long Beach beginning in November 2017. The victim homeowner gave Ferrigan approximately $268,000 to be used solely for the construction on her home. The defendant allegedly did not complete construction of the home.

A subsequent review of bank records for the period between September 30, 2020, and October 27, 2020, revealed the defendant allegedly misappropriated approximately $28,000 of the victims funds for business and personal expenses unrelated to the construction project, including airline tickets, jewelry, loan payments, and for expenses related to the construction project on Arizona Avenue.

Ferrigan surrendered to NCDA Detective Investigators in Mineola on November 13, 2023.

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Investigative Counsel Jennifer Contreras of the Financial Crimes Bureau. Ferrigan is represented by David Arpino, Esq.
Crime

By Chris Boyle Published: November 16 2023

Ramon Lyons Pleaded Guilty in October to Fatally Shooting Luis Cameron Rimmer-Hernandez.

Suffolk County District Attorney Raymond A. Tierney today announced that Ramon Lyons, 16, of Huntington Station, was sentenced to 12 years to life in prison after pleading guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, for fatally shooting 21-year-old Luis Cameron Rimmer-Hernandez in August 2021.

At only 14 years old, this defendant senselessly took Cameron Rimmer-Hernandezs life away from him. My office recommended that this defendant serve the maximum sentence under current New York law, which is 15 years to life in prison, said District Attorney Tierney. While courts take a juveniles age into consideration at sentencing, we must never forget to consider the loss of the victims life and the pain that loss causes their loved ones. Our hearts go out to the Rimmer-Hernandez family and his friends.

According to court documents and the defendants admissions during his guilty plea allocution, on August 9, 2021, the victim drove to Lowndes Avenue in Huntington Station to meet up with some friends. Lyons, then 14 years old, ran up to the victim and fired approximately seven shots from a 9 mm handgun, striking the victim multiple times in the chest and arm. Lyons then ran to his apartment, less than half a mile away. Lyons made admissions to the homicide on social media prior to his arrest.

On October 18, 2023, Lyons pleaded guilty to Murder in the Second Degree, a Class A violent felony, before Acting Supreme Court Justice, the Honorable Karen Kerr. On November 13, 2023, Judge Kerr sentenced Lyons to 12 years to life in prison. Lyons was represented by Matthew Tuohy, Esq.

This case was prosecuted by Assistant District Attorneys Frank Schroeder and Sheetal Shetty of the Homicide Bureau, with investigative assistance from Detective Michael Ronca of the Suffolk County Police Departments Homicide Squad.
Local News

By Chris Boyle Published: November 16 2023

The Town of Oyster Bay is very proud that President Roosevelt is woven into the fabric of this great community, said Supervisor Joseph Saladino.

Town of Oyster Bay Supervisor Joseph Saladino and members of the Town Board were joined by relatives of President Theodore Roosevelt, local veterans, elementary school students, President Roosevelt Reprisor Joseph Wiegand, and representatives from Friends of Sagamore Hill and the Theodore Roosevelt Association in dedicating an Oyster Bay roadway in tribute to the 26th President of the United States. The dedication was held on the eve of his 165th birthday.

The Town of Oyster Bay is very proud that President Roosevelt is woven into the fabric of this great community. We celebrate these ties by forever naming this well-traveled stretch of roadway in our hamlet in his honor, said Supervisor Saladino. Theodore Roosevelt is best remembered as the 26th President of the United States, but here in Oyster Bay, we are proud to honor the many facets of this man who was complex and yet loved the simple things in life.

President Roosevelt was a writer, conservationist, outdoorsman, and a soldier with the United States Army. His many accomplishments included expanding the powers of the presidency and of the Federal government in support of the public interest during clashes between big business and labor. He steered the nation toward an active role in world politics, particularly in Europe and Asia. President Roosevelt won the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1906 for mediating an end to the Russo-Japanese War, and he secured the route and began construction of the Panama Canal. He formed the 1st US Voluntary Calvary Regiment known as the Rough Riders, and the National Parks Service. He received a Medal of Honor for his actions at San Juan Hill.

A resident of Sagamore Hill, President Theodore Roosevelt spent his first summer in Oyster Bay with his family in 1874. Through the ensuing years as he rose to power, Oyster Bay would frequently serve as a backdrop and stage on which many of his ambitions were realized. As one walks throughout the hamlet of Oyster Bay, you cannot help but notice the many buildings and locations that remind us of our inextricable ties to the 26th President.

Some local places made famous by our most famous resident include Christ Church of Oyster Bay, First Presbyterian Church of Oyster Bay, Snouders Drug Store, Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (the Summer White House), the Octagon Hotel, the Derby Hall Bandstand, Wild Honey, and the Oyster Bay Rail Road Station, said Supervisor Saladino. And now, this street, in the community where he lived for many years, will forever serve as a reminder of his extraordinary life. As residents and visitors walk past Theodore Roosevelt Way, they will forever know the inextricable connection this amazing man had to our community.
Governor Kathy Hochul today announced completion of The Green at Garvies Point, a newly-constructed workforce housing development offering 55 affordable apartments in Glen Cove on Long Islands North Shore. The development is part of the city of Glen Cove's revitalization effort that is transforming its waterfront into a vibrant, new, mixed-use area.

Through this development, were creating more affordable, safe housing for New Yorkers on Long Island, Governor Hochul said. The completion of The Green at Garvies Point not only ensures that dozens of New Yorkers will have a modern, energy-efficient place to call home, but it supports the transformation of Glen Coves underutilized waterfront, bringing much-needed workforce housing to Nassau County.

In the last five years, New York State Homes and Community Renewal has created or preserved 1,200 affordable homes on Long Island. The Green at Garvies Point continues this effort and complements Governor Hochul's $25 billion comprehensive Housing Plan to create or preserve 100,000 affordable homes across New York, including 10,000 with support services for vulnerable populations, plus the electrification of an additional 50,000 homes.

The Green at Garvies Point was developed by Georgica Green Ventures, LLC and consists of two newly-constructed four-story buildings containing a total of four studio apartments, 16 one-bedroom apartments, 29 two-bedroom and six three-bedroom units. All apartments are affordable to households earning a range of incomes up to 100 percent of the Area Median Income.

The complex was designed and constructed to be energy-efficient and meets the criteria for Enterprise Green Communities and US Green Building Council LEED Silver Certification. Residential amenities include a gymnasium, a childrens playroom, communal spaces, bike storage, laundry facilities, and on-site parking.

The completion of The Green at Garvies Point contributes to the city of Glen Coves effort to revitalize its underutilized waterfront through the creation of new housing, retail, and recreational space, while remaining consistent with the historic character of the waterfront neighborhood. The area surrounding The Green includes an amphitheater, restaurants, and recreation space that were built as part of the wider revitalization effort.

State financing for the $32 million development includes $13.4 million in federal low-income housing tax credits and $7.7 million in subsidy from HCR. Nassau County provided $900,000 in HOME funds. Additional financing was provided by Barings.

Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner RuthAnne Visnauskas said, The completion of The Green at Garvies Point is exciting not just for the 55 individuals and families who will call this new development home, but for everyone who will benefit from the continued transformation of Glen Coves waterfront. By creating new, affordable homes on Long Islands North Shore, we are increasing housing supply and promoting the type of inclusive, healthy communities that sustain thriving local economies for years to come. Thank you to our partners at Georgica Green Ventures, Barings, and Nassau County for their years of commitment to this community changing development.
Suffolk Executive Bellone, Suffolk Cops and East Farmingdale Firefighters Hand Out Hundreds of Turkeys to Long Islanders in Need

Community, Charity & Cause

By Chris Boyle Published: November 16 2023

According to Long Island Cares, more than 234,000 Long Islanders experience food insecurity.

On Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023, at 11 a.m., Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone, Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association President Lou Civello and members of the East Farmingdale Fire Department were joined local officials to hand out hundreds of Thanksgiving turkeys to residents in need and representatives from local food pantries, homeless shelters, and charities.

Officials, police, and first responders formed a human assembly line to pass out turkeys one by one, placing them into the backs of a line of vehicles to be transported throughout the community to designated families who are facing food insecurity this Thanksgiving. Thousands of turkeys were given away by Stew Leonards across the tri-state area to help combat food insecurity.
Surprise, surprise. After a nine-month investigation, the House Ethics Committee has found New York's Congressliar George Santos guilty of possible "violations of federal criminal law."

"[T]he evidence uncovered by the Investigative Subcommittee (ISC) revealed that Representative George Santos cannot be trusted," said the Committee's 56-page report, released today. "At nearly every opportunity, he placed his desire for private gain above his duty to uphold the Constitution, federal law, and ethical principles."

The 35-year-old Republican lawmaker "knowingly caused his campaign committee to file false or incomplete reports with the Federal Election Commission" and "used campaign funds for personal purposes." The report says that Santos used campaign funds to "pay down personal credit card bills and other debt; make a $4,127.80 purchase at Hermes; and for smaller purchases at Only Fans; Sephora; and for meals and for parking," among other things.

The committee, who said Santos "warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office, and has brought severe discredit upon the House," according to the New York Times, voted unanimously to send its report to the Department of Justice.

From The Hill:

The report says the first-term congressman "sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidate for his own personal benefit," writing that he "blatantly stole from his campaign" and "deceived donors into providing what they thought were contributions to his campaign but were in fact payments for his personal benefit."  "He used his connections to high value donors and other political campaigns to obtain additional funds for himself through fraudulent or otherwise questionable business dealings," adding that he "sustained all of this through a constant series of lies to his constituents, donors, and staff about his background and experience." Despite Santos repeatedly saying in public that he would like to prove his innocence, the committee said Santos declined to submit a signed statement responding to the allegations in the report, declined to voluntarily provide documents and information to the investigators, and declined to provide a statement under oath. Nonetheless, the committee said it "compiled a voluminous record consisting of over 170,000 pages of documents and testimony from dozens of witnesses, including financial statements, contemporaneous communications, and other materials."

And from The New York Times:

House investigators found evidence that Mr. Santos used campaign funds for personal purposes, defrauded donors, and filed false or incomplete campaign finance and financial disclosure reports, according to a 56-page report released on Thursday.  And while the panel refrained from recommending any punitive measures, there were already indications that the report could be the catalyst for a third effort to remove Mr. Santos from office. Numerous representatives have previously said that they would support his expulsion if the committee found criminal wrongdoing or a severe breach of ethics. Mr. Santos, 35, a Republican representing parts of Long Island and Queens, already faces a 23-count federal indictment that includes accusations that he stole from his donors and falsified election campaign filings. Mr. Santos has resisted calls for his resignation, and has pleaded not guilty.

Ethics report: George Santos used campaign funds to pay for OnlyFans, Botox, Sephorahttps://t.co/AAUJSEIZAd pic.twitter.com/9oHXJaAr2q  philip lewis (@Phil_Lewis_) November 16, 2023
Israeli forces took control of Gaza Citys harbor on Thursday, Nov. 16, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) said. The harbor has civilian fishing boats and Hamas terrorists also used the harbor. The Hamas terrorist organization used the harbor as a training facility for their naval commando forces for planning and executing naval terror attacks. Under the guise of a civilian harbor, Hamas used the area for training and carrying out terror attacks, all the while using civilian and Gaza harbor police vessels, the IDF said.

The control of the harbor is important because it follows other assaults and raids on Hamas naval commandos. Hamas built up its naval commandos over the last decade. It used them in a raid on Zikim Beach, which is just north of the Gaza border in Israel, in 2014 during the war that year. Hamas attacked the same beach in the morning hours of Oct. 7 as part of its massive strike on Israel, in which 1,200 people were killed in Israel. The offensive on Zikim involved numerous terrorists, and it took Israel more than one day to eliminate them all. When I drove down towards Zikim to cover the war on Oct. 8, 2023, for instance, I saw the bodies of two terrorists who had been recently eliminated that afternoon.

Hamas continued to try to target this area because it is near the border of Gaza and is made up of dunes where terrorists can then infiltrate and threaten nearby communities. For instance, a second raid in late October was thwarted, the IDF said, and the commander of the naval unit was later killed.

On Oct. 27, the IDF also used its elite Shayetet naval commandos to raid the southern Gaza Strip. At the time, the IDF said that the soldiers struck Hamas military infrastructure and operated in a compound used by Hamas commando naval forces. On Oct. 12, the IDF also struck a naval commando operative. These operations have now culminated in the IDF taking control of the harbor. The IDF now controls a swath of coastline running from the border of Israel to an area southwest of Gaza City. The IDF took control of this area by moving armored units south from Israel and encircling Gaza also from the south so that the units that were now near the harbor would link up with those heading south. This cuts Gaza City off from the sea.

In the operation, in which soldiers of the Combat Engineering Corps and the Air Force also participated, ten terror tunnel shafts and four structures used for terror were destroyed, and ten terrorists were killed. All buildings in the harbor area were cleared, the IDF said on Thursday, Nov. 16.

The IDF continues to slowly chisel away at various Hamas strongholds on the outskirts of Gaza City itself. For instance, on Oct. 16, the Commando Brigade, combat engineers, and tanks continued operations in Shati, a dense neighborhood with buildings and once a refugee camp established in 1948. It was known as the beach camp because it is on the beach, about a mile from Gazas harbor. Two miles east, IDF troops operating in Beit Hanoun said they uncovered rockets in a civilian home. The rockets were kept under a bed in a compartment. The rockets appear to be 107mm, similar to those used by many Iranian-backed groups in the region, such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Iranian-backed groups in Iraq.

Israel Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant met with the IDFs 36th Division commanders on Thursday. The Division operates south of Gaza and is also responsible for operations around Shifa Hospital. The hospital has been in the spotlight for weeks. Israel showed a cache of weapons found at the hospital on Nov. 15. There are significant findings [at the Shifa hospital]  [we are] operating in a precise and determined manner. We have gained operational control of the western region of Gaza City; we are heading into the next phase of the [ground] operations, said Gallant. He said that the operation in Shifa Hospital, a large complex of buildings, is being done precisely. The IDF said that a Hamas tunnel was exposed at Shifa Hospital, and an engineering unit also found a tunnel at Rantisi Hospital, north of Shifa.

Gallant said that Israel had gained more control of the western area of Gaza City. He did not specify the neighborhoods, but this is where the humanitarian corridor of Salah al-Din Road also leads south. Israel has urged civilians to leave Gaza City for a month, and many have been able to use this road to go south.

Israeli soldiers were injured in fighting in the Sheikh Ijlin area southwest of Gaza City. The body of one hostage held by Hamas was found on Thursday. Hamas kidnaped Yehudit Weiss from Kibbutz Beeri on Oct. 7. Her body was found in a building next to Shifa Hospital. In the structure in which Yehudit was located, military equipment including Kalashnikov rifles and RPGs were also found, the IDF said. She is the second hostage that has been confirmed killed this week. Noa Marciano, an IDF soldier kidnapped from her observation unit on Oct. 7, was shown in a video released by Hamas this week. The IDF said on Nov. 14, she had been killed. Her body had not been recovered. 372 IDF soldiers have been killed since Oct. 7. Eighteen soldiers have been killed in ground operations in Gaza in the past week.

Rocket fire from Gaza has decreased over the last several days, continuing a trend that appears to coincide with the IDFs deeper operations in Gaza. There were no rocket attacks on central Israel on Nov. 16, for instance. In Lebanon, the IDF also carried out strikes on Hezbollah terror targets in Lebanon. The targets included a number of military posts from which Hezbollah terrorists operated, the IDF said. This also represented a shift in tempo because it was not in immediate response to an attack but appeared to be a pre-emptive strike. The IDF did not elaborate on it.

Reporting from Israel, Seth J. Frantzman is an adjunct fellow at FDD and a contributor to FDDs Long War Journal. He is the acting news editor and senior Middle East correspondent and analyst at The Jerusalem Post.

Are you a dedicated reader of FDD's Long War Journal? Has our research benefitted you or your team over the years? Support our independent reporting and analysis today by considering a one-time or monthly donation. Thanks for reading! You can make a tax-deductible donation here.
ECR Minerals PLC - Australia-focused mineral exploration and development company - Says it is encouraged by drilling intercepts by Southern Cross Gold Ltd in Victoria, and recommencement of exploration by Falcon Metals Ltd north of Bendigo. As a result, says it will re-evaluate gold assets at Creswick and Bailieston. Notes that it is negotiating pricing with a drilling company, and aims to begin drilling before the Christmas holiday period.

Chief Operations Officer Mike Whitlow says: "The latest positive news within our postcode speaks for itself. We take great encouragement from the recent announcements reported by our peers and we believe that ECR has sufficient upside opportunities in Victoria to warrant a return to drilling. We will provide further details in the coming weeks as we finalise our plans."

Current stock price: 0.22 pence each

12-month change: down 77%

By Harvey Dorset, Alliance News reporter

Comments and questions to newsroom@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2023 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Russia-Venezuela cooperation should serve to strengthen economic resilience against Western sanctions: Lavrov

Xinhua) 22:40, November 16, 2023

MOSCOW, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that cooperation between Russia and Venezuela should serve to strengthen the resilience of both countries' national economies amid Western sanctions.

"We have a common opinion that our bilateral cooperation should contribute to increasing the stability of our national economies, against the backdrop of the massive sanctions campaign unleashed by the West," Lavrov said at a press conference following talks with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil in Moscow.

Both countries agreed on taking practical measures to expand bilateral trade, investment and business cooperation, in light of the current challenges, he said.

Stressing that Venezuela's current economic problems are provoked by the illegitimate restrictions imposed by the United States, Lavrov said the cooperation would further help strengthen the technological sovereignty of both states and facilitate the implementation of import substitution programs.

The West has used illegal sanctions to undermine the sovereignty of both countries, said the Venezuelan minister.

Russia and Venezuela will continue to expand their bilateral trade, economic and political cooperation, and move towards de-dollarization and settlements in national currencies, Gil said.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Sheng Chuyi)
The campaign launched by John Oliver, host of the HBO show "Last Week Tonight," for the Puteketeke to win New Zealand's Bird of the Century contest resulted in a massive landslide for the colorful water bird.

The online voting event is held by New Zealand's conservation group Forest and Bird to raise awareness about endangered bird species, and is open to anyone, not just New Zealanders, with a validated email address. Oliver decided to feather the voting nest of his favorite candidate, the Puteketeke. Link to an article on nbcnews.com is here.

Oliver had a billboard erected for "The Lord of the Wings" in New Zealand's capital, Wellington. He also put up billboards in Paris, Tokyo, London and Mumbai, India. He had a plane with a banner fly over Ipanema Beach in Brazil. And he wore an oversize bird costume on Jimmy Fallon's "The Tonight Show." "After all, this is what democracy is all about," Oliver said on his show. "America interfering in foreign elections."

Here he is on that campaign stop on "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon."

His campaign was hugely successful, generating so many votes for the Puteketeke that the announcement of the results had to be delayed two days due to their voting verification system crashing.
Coalition partners approve government programmes with ministers set to be sworn in on Friday

The CSV and DP unanimously approved the coalition programme hashed out by both parties' delegations since talks began in the wake of the 8 October election.

After much speculation, the CSV and DP late on Wednesday presented their future ministers, who will be sworn in by Grand Duke Henri on Friday after the government partners sign their coalition agreement on Thursday morning.

The delegations negotiating the deal for both sides received the green light from their party headquarters. The document is not set to be made public until next week when the government will make their inaugural declaration in parliament.

As expected, formateur Luc Frieden, who led the coalition talks, will become prime minister with outgoing PM Xavier Bettel to become his deputy as well as foreign minister.

The government will shrink from currently 17 ministers to 15, the same number as during the last CSV-led government under Jean-Claude Juncker, in which Frieden served as finance minister. Two thirds of the cabinet will be men, with just five female ministers.

"I have of course looked at the question of the place of women, but I have also looked at the question of geographical areas and skills. Many criteria are taken into account in addition to the question of gender," said Frieden during a press conference on Wednesday evening.

Two new DP ministers

The cabinet includes several new faces, such as Eric Thill, the mayor of Schieren. Aged just 26 he will become the Minister for Culture as well as Minister Delegate for Tourism. Stephanie Obertin will become Minister for Higher Education, Research and Digitalisation.

From left to right: Claude Meisch, Yuriko Backes, Max Hahn, Xavier Bettel, Stephanie Obertin, Eric Thill and Lex Delles  Photo credit: Marc Wilwert

Max Hahn will remain Minister for Family, a portfolio he took over from Corinne Cahen just months before the election. He will also oversee the National Reception Office, which manages asylum-seeker shelters and refugee services.

Yuriko Backes, the outgoing finance minister, will remain in government but switch her current mandate for a potpourri of the defence, transport, public works and equal opportunities ministries.

The President of the DP, Lex Delles, will be appointed minister of the economy, tourism and energy.

Claude Meisch will remain Minister for Education, but will add the crucial housing portfolio to his job description as well as spatial planning.

In addition to succeeding Jean Asselborn as foreign minister, Bettel will also be Minister for Cooperation, Foreign Trade and the Greater Region.

The CSV ministers

On the CSV side, Gilles Roth - an MP and mayor of Mamer - joins the government as the finance minister. Martine Hansen will take over the agriculture and consumer protection ministries.

Leon Gloden has been appointed Minister of the Interior, including oversight of the police, while Georges Mischo, MP and mayor of Esch-sur-Alzette, has been appointed Minister of Sport and Labour. CSV co-president Elisabeth Margue becomes Minister of Justice and Minister Delegate for the Media.

Luxembourg City's Deputy Mayor Serge Wilmes joins the CSV-DP government as Minister for the Civil Service, and Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity. Martine Deprez has been appointed Minister for Health and Social Security.

The CSV has offered the post of president of the Chamber of Deputies, a post similar to the speaker of the house, to Claude Wiseler, co-president of the party.

Christophe Hansen, who gave up his seat in the European Parliament following the Luxembourg election, will become the Grand Duchy's European Commissioner.

Both DP and CSV politicians will have to give up their local mandates to join the government, meaning a slew of new appointments at the municipal level.

Here is the list of the 15 new ministers For the CSV Luc Frieden, Prime Minister

Leon Gloden, Minister for the Interior

Gilles Roth, Minister of Finance

Martine Hansen, Minister of Agriculture, Food and Viticulture

Georges Mischo, Minister for Sport and Labour

Martine Deprez, Minister for Health and Social Security

Elisabeth Margue, Minister for Justice and Minister Delegate for the Media and Communications

Serge Wilmes, Minister for the Civil Service, Minister for the Environment, Climate and Biodiversity For the DP Xavier Bettel, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs, Foreign Trade, Cooperation and the Greater Region

Yuriko Backes, Minister for Gender Equality and Diversity, Minister for Mobility and Public Works and Minister for Defence

Max Hahn, Minister for Family and Reception

Claude Meisch, Minister for Education, Minister for Housing and Spatial Planning

Lex Delles, Minister for the Economy, Minister for Energy, Minister for SMEs and Tourism

Eric Thill, Minister for Culture and Minister Delegate for Tourism

Stephanie Obertin, Minister for Higher Education and Research, Minister for Digitalisation

(This story was first published on Virgule. Translated and edited by Cordula Schnuer.)
Manchester, VT (05254)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to cloudy skies and rain during the afternoon. High 48F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with overcast skies overnight. Low 36F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
SAS soldiers claimed to have executed handcuffed detainees in Afghanistan and this was reported to General Gwyn Jenkins, now the second-most senior officer in the British Armed Forces. Jenkins, instead of referring the report to Military Police, locked it in a safe. To this day, he is the only individual so far exposed by the investigation in these war crimes, reports the BBC; the self-claimed killers remain anonymous.

The failure to refer the evidence to military police has previously been disclosed in court, but the identities of the officers involved were withheld from the public by the Ministry of Defence.  Under British law, commanding officers are legally obliged to inform the military police if they are made aware of any evidence that a war crime may have been committed. Allegations of extrajudicial killings by British special forces in Afghanistan are currently the subject of a judge-led public inquiry at the Royal Courts of Justice, following reporting by the BBC and others into night raids conducted by the SAS. Last year, Panorama revealed that one SAS squadron had killed 54 people in suspicious circumstances in one six-month tour that ended in May 2011.

They hate us for our freedoms, etc.

Civilian authority over the military in the U.K. is a model of the modern constitutional abstraction, the unattached reins of the O.G. liberal democracy. What a good time to remind ourselves that Britain is a stable polity, but England alone was not.
More than 100 faculty members at Harvard University released an open letter this week to the university administration expressing concerns over the state of free speech after the campus has been rocked by conflict over the Israel-Hamas war.

In the letter to Harvard President Claudine Gay, the faculty members wrote that they were astonished by the negative response from donors, alumni and other Harvard community members to students who had been critical of Israel.

The Universitys commitment to intellectual freedom and open dialogue seems to be giving way to something else entirely: a model of education in which the meaning of terms once eligible for interpretation is prescribed from above, they wrote.

In the days after the Oct. 7 attack by the terrorist group Hamas in Israel, the Palestine Solidarity Committee and other student groups released a statement (holding) the Israeli regime entirely responsible for all unfolding violence. The backlash from on and off campus was immediate, with many calling for sanctions against the students involved.

While Gay denounced the statement, she declined to sanction the group. In the weeks since, Harvard has lost support from major donors, had big-name fellows and students withdraw from university programs and even had a bill filed that would cut off federal funding, all from people saying the school should do more to combat antisemitism.

On Oct. 27, Gay announced she will establish an Antisemitism Advisory Group. She wrote in a statement last week that the group would examine the environment on campus and determine steps to improve education on antisemitism.

In the statement, Gay reiterated that the university is committed to free speech.

Combating antisemitism and fostering free expression are mutually consistent goals, she wrote. We are at our strongest when we commit to open inquiry and freedom of expression as foundational values of our academic community.

In the Nov. 14 open letter from faculty, the signers said that some speech, such as Holocaust denial, are worthy of condemnation. However, they said that all criticism of Israel should not be labeled antisemitic, pointing out that Harvards policies against discrimination and bullying include political belief as a protected category.

There must ... be room on a university campus for debate about the actions of states, including of the State of Israel, they wrote. Arguments that characterize Israel as an apartheid state or its recent actions as ethnic cleansing or even genocide (cannot) be considered automatically antisemitic, regardless of whether one concurs with such arguments.

Read more: UN Security Council approves resolution for urgent humanitarian pauses in Gaza

The 115 faculty members called on the Harvard administration to resist calls to sanction the Palestine Solidarity Committee and other students for their political activity; instruct the Advisory Group on Antisemitism to explain its definition of antisemitism to the community before recommending any new policies; explicitly affirm the schools commitment to freedom of thought, inquiry and expression with no exception for pro-Palestinian beliefs; and create an additional advisory group on Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian and anti-Arab racism.

A spokesperson for Harvard confirmed that the university had received the letter but declined to comment.
A Maine lobsterman and viral social media star is calling this catch the coolest hes ever seen.

Jacob Knowles, who has over 2 million followers on TikTok, regularly documents and shares his lobster catches with his followers. But in a video uploaded Tuesday, he might just have shared his craziest catch yet.

The lobsterman shared a video showing a half red and half blue lobster that he caught. The color of the lobster splits right down the center of the lobsters back. You can watch the video of the colorful crustacean here.

This is the coolest lobster Ive ever seen, Knowles said.

Read more: 33 sugar gliders have found a home after MSPCA gets hundreds of applications

Not only was the color of the lobster split in half, but when you turn the lobster over, Knowles pointed out to viewers that the lobster is half male and half female  the blue side being male and the red side being female.

Knowles also shared that the special catch was a legal one, meaning the lobsterman is allowed to keep it. Typically, female lobsters who are breeding will have a triangle notch cut out of its tail when caught by a lobsterman, then released back to the sea. This helps protect the lobster population, Knowles has explained throughout his videos.

However, Knowles said he wasnt sure if the notch would protect this rare lobster since its not a male or a female lobster, he said.

He also added that him and his crew debated keeping the lobster as a pet, leaving it in a cage with other lobsters to see if it would grow eggs on the female side.

Ive seen pictures of it before, growing eggs on half of their tale, he added.

This rare phenomenon of the split lobster is known as Gynandromorphism, according to National History Magazine.

Gynandromorphs are individual animals that have both genetically male and female tissues and often have observable male and female characteristics. They may be bilateral, appearing to divide down the middle into male and female sides, it read.
Dig deep down into the Earth.

That is the message on the opening track of Rubblebuckets latest full-length album, Earth Worship, by the same name. Released in October 2022, the album features 13 tracks and is described by a news release as a groove-forward, joyously layered collection of songs.

Now, Rubblebucket  led by frontpersons Kalmia Traver and Alex Toth  will celebrate Earth Worship and a 20-year journey that began for the duo as undergraduates at the University of Vermont in Northampton this weekend. The concert will take place at the Academy of Music on Nov. 18 at 8 p.m. Dante Elephante will open the show.

Toth sat down with The Republican for a phone interview prior to the show. The following interview has been edited for length and clarity.

Q. Can you tell me about Earth Worship and the work behind getting the album out?

A. It was during the pandemic, and we hosted these song-a-day groups with our friends. There were like 35 of us in the group, and it was all remote contact, but it was an interactive thing we were doing, and it was a great way to all stay connected, feel productive and have community during the pandemic. It was seven songs in seven days, and we did that a few times, and it was just a very beautiful experience. At the same time, Kal (Kalmia Traver) and I were  there were these dance parties emerging outdoors in Brooklyn. A lot of them emerged during the protests, so there would be the protests and then there would be these dance parties after the protests out in parks, and this continued into the winter. This was a very kind of life-saving thing, to have these community dance parties. And it was mostly disco, it would be like these disco parties. It was the energy that we were going into this with, and we kind of loosely had the idea of making a disco record, and it didnt come out that way at all but- (laughs) It kind of goes back to our groovier roots and theres a lot more percussion and its more bass-heavy because I wrote a lot of the songs on bass. It was really fun, writing the songs on bass guitar. Kal had the lyric prompt - Earth Worship - and it was a very loose prompt.

Q. Even the title by itself, Earth Worship. Can you tell me about the message behind that title and the album as a whole?

A. Theres sort of this thing of healing generational trauma and how we pass trauma through generations, like our parents pass on their trauma to us from their parents and their parents and their parents. There was this image - I think I first heard it from Bjork during the Biophilia record cycle  kind of like emerging from the Earth, just many generations of mothers, just down and down and down and down and down. It reminded me of when I went to Ireland for a family reunion, and I visited this ancient gravesite from 400 AD or something like that. My ancestors, all of my grandparents, were in a vertical plot  like father, son, father, son  going down, they were, like, piled on top of one another. There was this image of the oldest being deepest down and kind of going up and getting closer and closer to the surface. And eventually we all pass, and we leave our karma and our actions from this life, and were just passing on our energies. Its the idea of this healing journey and healing that trauma and lessening it in this lifetime so that were passing on hopefully less harm and less pain.

Q. While Earth Worship isnt necessarily about conservation, there is a little bit of that as well, right?

A. Right, right. Kal and I are both activists, and we were sustainable economics minors at the University of Vermont, and we have local environmental and climate change activist groups tabling at our shows on this tour. Theres also the Friends of the Earth, and were doing a call to action for them and raising money for them as we go here.

Q. We just passed the one-year anniversary of Earth Worships release. How do you feel youve changed as an artist since then, reflecting on the past year?

A. Its interesting to think of how have I changed in a year? I guess the biggest thing thats been coming to me in this year is that its kind of intense to go from not touring Rubblebucket to doing the first tour in four years. It was a lot of nervousness, in general touring is a high-pressure thing. Its very mentally and physically and emotionally exhausting. Sometimes people dont think its like a real job or something like that, and certainly its hard to make a living in this profession. Its extremely exhausting and grueling but certainly theres a very beautiful, extremely rewarding, and fun side to it. It can be this very pressurized, intense thing, and certainly it has been  thats just part of the deal in trying to make this all work in all of the ways: financially, emotionally, and all the relationships involved. Its just a lot. Kal and I have been making music together in bands for 20 years  we met freshmen year at the University of Vermont and weve been in bands ever since  it just takes a lot. But the feeling Im coming to as this year nears its end and (with) this album cycle is just feeling more settled in who I am and doing this and feeling permission to do this. I feel like yes, Im doing a good job and I can be confident in that. And also the mental health aspects and the physical health aspects of all of this, I just feel like Im getting better and better at all of the routines and balancing it all.

Q. And you and Kal must be extremely close now, knowing each other for two decades now. What is the creative process like for the both of you, how do you bounce off each other?

A. If you listen to our solo projects side-by-side, you can really hear a lot of our individual personalities and you can really hear how the two coming together makes Rubblebucket I feel like. (laughs) We both have pretty different approaches to music and our songwriting practices are pretty different, but theres obviously a common connection that keeps bringing us back together, and a language, and something that were both excited about creatively in one another and the different things we bring to the table. A lot of times, we each write individual songs or song ideas and then we pass them back and forth. A lot of thats just remote  were not usually in a room together until were actually working on the album officially. For our Earth Worship, we did a lot of remote back-and-forth and then we had all of our songs selected and then we went into the studio with the band for eight days and laid down all sorts of crazy stuff that we wouldnt have thought of on our own.

Q. Your latest single, Teardrops, came out just a few weeks ago. Can you tease anything else that might be in the works?

A. Teardrops came out two weeks ago and well be playing that at the show. Weve been playing that and its been awesome. We also have been playing another unreleased song, in addition to our old favorites across all of our albums. The shows have been amazing and we have some new set designs, this interdimensional portal, and some new wardrobe and costumes. Were just having a great time out here and were really looking forward to the show at the Academy of Music. We have a bunch of new songs that we recorded in the works, so were just going to keep releasing new music as time goes on.

Q. Is there anything else youd like to add?

A. We feel like Western Massachusetts has been like a second home to us, and it actually is the origin of a couple of our musicians. We have a lot of history there and we love coming and playing there. Our drummer, Rebecca, is from Northampton. We just want to give a shout out to their mom, Joanne. We hope you appreciate it.

Tickets to Rubblebuckets concert, which range from $24.99 to $29.99, can be purchased online or by calling the Academy of Music Box office at 413-584-9032, ext. 105.
For the Hampden County Sheriffs Department, it begins to look a lot like Christmas when the Toy for Joy campaign gets into gear.

This year, the 101st for a campaign that brings happiness to thousands of children and families from across Hampden County and beyond, is no exception.

We are excited to be partnering once again to help make the Toy for Joy campaign a success, said Hampden County Sheriff Nicholas Cocchi. Christmas is not all about presents, but it is about family and putting a smile on a childs face, and this program helps to do that for so many families in Western Massachusetts,.

He added, Tough financial times have made life difficult for many people, so we stand prepared to help. And we are encouraging people to donate what they can and play their part in helping the community.

The Sheriffs Department has been a major community partner to Toy for Joy, and, according to Salvation Army social ministries manager Danielle LaTaille, the services provided by the staff are essential to a well-organized, successful distribution campaign.

They set up the toy warehouse, they organize the toys and unbox them, and then set up the toys for distribution. Its a huge undertaking they do so well, LaTaille said.

During the holiday season, Cocchi and the Sheriffs Department office staff, as well as inmate groups at the jail and community partners make several monetary donations to Toy for Joy. This comes in addition to the staffs help in organizing presents, unloading trucks and distributing gifts to families.

LaTaille said other business and community groups are also pitching in, but that any new groups or businesses that want to participate are welcomed.

Were looking for professional groups of maybe 10 to 15 people who could join us for a full or even a half day, LaTaille said. We have indoor and outdoor volunteers. Youd think in December, most would want to be indoors but most like to be outdoors, because thats where most of the action is.

Indoor volunteers would be manning the toys, LaTaille said, and preparing them for distribution. Outdoor people meet with families in their cars and make sure the right toys go to the right people.

We take a break (on distribution days) from 12 to 1 and have a warm, hearty lunch. Its just a really good time, LaTaille said.

Interested professional, business or community groups can contact LaTaille at 413-733-1518, extension 108, or by email to danielle.lataille@use.salvationarmy.org.

Toy for Joy is a collaborative effort by the Salvation Army with The Republican, Reminders Publishing, El Pueblo Latino and MassLive. It serves children and families in Hampden, Hampshire and Franklin counties.

Toy for Joy provides toys, age-appropriate gifts and books to children up to the age of 16. Each child receives a book as part of the campaigns effort to promote family literacy.

Families must register through the Salvation Army units. To register, applicants must submit photo ID for parent-guardian, proof of address dated within last 30 days, birth certificates or passports for each child 16 years and younger and proof of financial need.

At the Springfield citadel, online registration continues through Friday, with 300 appointment slots offered each day at the website, salvationarmyma.org/toyforjoy. The citadel will serve at least 1,500 families; a waiting list will be established.

In Holyoke, registration concluded earlier this week. In Greenfield, appointments are available through Friday by calling 413-773-3154.

Gift distribution will be conducted in mid-December.

The coupon published with this story may be used to submit a contribution by mail to The Republican, 1860 Main St., Springfield, MA 01103. Donors can also make online contributions at SalvationArmyma.org/toyforjoydonation.
Note: The bridge has reopened as of 10:35 a.m.

Boston University Bridge on Commonwealth Avenue. Photo by Google MapsGoogle Maps

About 100 people rallied near Boston University on Thursday morning, calling for a ceasefire in Gaza, the State and Boston Police departments said.

At 8:09 a.m., Boston Police announced the Boston University Bridge at Commonwealth Avenue was shut down because of protestors blocking the bridge, and advised drivers to seek other routes.

Traffic Advisory: the BU Bridge at Commonwealth Ave is shut down due to protesters. Please seek an alternative route.  Boston Police Dept. (@bostonpolice) November 16, 2023

State police said there were about 100 people calling for the ceasefire, and there were troopers at the scene, along with Boston and Cambridge officers at and along the bridge. The department added there will be heavy traffic delays in the area.

The bridge was reopened as of around 10:30 a.m., state police said, and no arrests were made from the incident.

Boston University said the protest group is not affiliated with the school, and added the Boston University Bridge that connects campus to Cambridge is not owned by the university.

The school said the protest group was a part of the If Not Now Movement, an American-Jewish group whose mission statement reads, We are a movement of American Jews organizing our community to end U.S. support for Israels apartheid system and demand equality, justice, and a thriving future for all Palestinians and Israelis.
More than 100 white T-shirts with Jews for ceasefire and Not in Our Name were spread over Boston University Bridge for more than two hours Thursday morning, worn by protesters who said theyd been turned away four times from U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warrens office demanding the senator call for a ceasefire in Gaza.

The phrases Jews Say: Ceasefire Now, and Warren: Ceasefire Now, were in black and white capital letters across two banners, held by about two dozen IfNotNow Boston protesters spanning both traffic lanes on the bridge.

Read more: About 100 protesters close Boston University bridge calling for Gaza ceasefire

State and Boston Police shut the bridge down just after 8 a.m. for the demonstration, and it wasnt reopened until around 10:35 a.m. The bridge connects the Boston University campus to Cambridge, though its not owned by the school.

Across the country, American Jews and allies have a clear message for President Biden and Congress: business as usual cannot continue without an immediate ceasefire in Gaza, the group said in a release.

In front of the banners, the protesters unfurled massive, several-foot-long scrolls listing every name of the almost 1,000 children under the age of 5 killed so far in Gaza, the thick printed paper laying flat on the pavement.

IfNotNow protestors at the Boston University Bridge on Nov. 16. Photo by IfNotNow BostonIfNotNow Boston

They chanted Ceasefire Now, and Let Gaza Live, as they sang Jewish songs with some words that translated to, nation shall not lift up sword against nation nor shall they learn war anymore, according to a press release.

The protesters also recited prayers, including the Jewish memorial prayer for the dead, the Mourners Kaddish, and carried signs that said Ceasefire Now, Let Gaza Live, and Free The Hostages, the emailed release said.

To the regular people our actions will cause problems for today: we sincerely apologize. We wish there was a way we could stop this war by going directly to the politicians who have the power to intervene, the group wrote in an open letter to Democrats Warren and President Joe Biden.

But weve tried that  weve tried everything, the group said, adding it has participated in protests outside the senators office, marches outside the White House and prayers inside Congress.

IfNotNow protestors at the Boston University Bridge on Nov. 16. Photo by IfNotNow BostonIfNotNow Boston

In its open letter and call for the safety of both Muslim and Jewish people, the group acknowledged the 11,000 Palestinians killed with 4,500 of them being children, and the millions driven from their homes.

The letter also said they still mourn the 1,200 Israelis killed on Oct. 7, as many of us lost friends and loved ones; some of us are Israeli-Americans ourselves.

Talk of Israeli airstrikes does not capture the pain of shattered bodies, the protesters wrote.

The moans of those dying a slow death buried under rubble. The horror of entire extended families being extinguished ... We call for a ceasefire not because we are cold to any of the horrors happening there, but because we feel it all so deeply, the letter said.

IfNotNow protestors at the Boston University Bridge on Nov. 16. Photo by IfNotNow BostonIfNotNow Boston

Though IfNotNow protesters acknowledged Warrens recent call with 11 other senators for a cessation of hostilities, the group said this statement, which follows the call for a humanitarian pause backed by the president, shows a shift in policy  but a pause is not enough.

More death will not bring back the people we lost. It does the opposite; it provokes more violence against Israelis and Palestinians alike, while endangering Muslims and Jews around the world, the protesters wrote.

We are told that the destruction of Gaza is being done in the name of Jewish safety, but that is a lie. No one is safe in a world of blood and rubble, they said.

IfNotNow protestors at the Boston University Bridge on Nov. 16. Photo by IfNotNow BostonIfNotNow Boston

As a child, my grandmother taught me how she fled Europe as the Holocaust claimed the lives of so many of her family members through genocidal violence, Isaiah Newman, a Jewish resident of Cambridge and an IfNotNow leader, said in the release.

Im here today because I refuse to sit idly by as the Israeli government visits the same fate upon numerous Palestinian families. Im calling for a ceasefire so that we can move toward a future where this kind of massacre and forced displacement will never happen again  to Palestinians, Jews or anyone, Newman said.

Thursdays protest in Boston was one of at least two calls for ceasefire in Gaza on Nov. 16 in the United States, as about 200 gathered on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to call on the Biden administration. Traffic was backed for hours and 50 people were arrested, the Associated Press reported.

There were no arrests made at the Boston protest, state police said.
CHICOPEE  Superintendent of Schools Marcus Ware wants to reconnect parents with the citys school system.

Still in his first year on the job, Ware kicked off his first of 18 community meetings Thursday morning at Chicopee Public Library at 9:15 a.m., with another meeting scheduled at the same place at 5:30 p.m.

Tanner Demers, district director of communications; Kristen Coelho, family and community engagement facilitator; and Eliseo Bjorkman, district Spanish translator, attended Thursday mornings meeting, as well.

At each meeting, Ware will hear thoughts and concerns from the parents of the 6,800 students enrolled in one of the 15 public schools in the city, part of his plan for maximum school-community engagement.

What weve seen in education is that parents do feel disconnected, Ware said. They feel like they have to do a little bit more advocating, so they can make sure that their child is going to get the education that they deserve.

Ware added that he doesnt mind if a parent takes their time in explaining their childs situation, or if they mention something he did that they didnt like.

What I know to be true about education is (its) also a form of public service, he said.

Parent speaks

For resident Katherine Reilly, whose child attends Patrick E. Bowe School, meeting with Ware and other staff members was beneficial, she said after the first session Thursday.

Reillys child has attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder and has had some issues at school. She said her child bruises easily, and those marks were mistaken for abuse, resulting in the school calling the Massachusetts Department of Children and Families; teachers are mandated reporters of suspected child abuse.

Now, it has my son not wanting to go to school and not trusting anybody at school, she said.

Before switching schools, she brought this issue up with Ware at the Thursday meeting.

After his session with the public, Ware said Reilly is a representative of others who have similar stories.

If there are policies, procedures, or protocols in place that are not in good servicing of our families and what they need, then I want to evaluate those and change them, he said.

Wares vision

Ware began his new role with Chicopee Public Schools on July 1 on a three-year contract.

In September, he unveiled a 180-day plan that includes financial responsibility in the schools, a curriculum that meets the needs of all and integrating technology across learning plans.

His overall vision, however, for what hed like to see in Chicopee Public Schools, is still forming. Earlier this year, Ware said he would be gathering as much information about the district before spelling out his plans.

What he does know already is that every student should feel connected to school and have at least one adult there to whom they can relate, Ware said.

If they dont, we have work to do, he said.

The community meeting schedule is available on Chicopee Public Schools Facebook page.
WEST SPRINGFIELD  Trulieve Cannabis in Holyoke contributed to the 2022 asthma death of a worker by not recognizing and controlling ground-up cannabis as a potential respiratory hazard, the Massachusetts Department of Public Health said Thursday.

This is the first asthma-related workplace death in the U.S. cannabis industry, the DPH and the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration confirmed.
SPRINGFIELD  The Board of Police Commissioners learned Wednesday the Department of Justice and lawyers for the city have nearly finished a long-awaited training manual.

The manual, along with a revised manual for the Police Departments Internal Affairs Unit, are among the provisions required by a federal consent decree aimed at reforming the agency.

Its good news. Were making significant progress, city attorney Kathleen Breck told commissioners.
New Hampshire Attorney General John Formella has asked the states Supreme Court to allow a civil rights case against a regional neo-Nazi leader to proceed after it was tossed out by a lower court earlier this year.

Christopher Hood, of Newburyport, Massachusetts, is the leader of NSC-131, a white supremacist organization that has gained public notoriety in recent years for provocative, racist demonstrations across New England. Hood is accused of violating the New Hampshire Civil Rights Act last year when his organization hung a banner from a highway overpass that read Keep New England White.

A state Superior Court judge dismissed the case on First Amendment grounds in June and has twice rejected arguments from the attorney generals office to reconsider his ruling.

Formellas office will now elevate the matter to New Hampshires high court.

Boston attorney William Gens, representing Hood, said the attorney generals enforcement of the civil rights law was catching not just behavior that threatens people but also speech and behavior that is deemed offensive.

We have a long tradition in our society of permitting that, no matter how offensive it may be, Gens said. While he didnt agree with the message Hood and NSC-131 displayed on the banner, Gens said he would still defend their right to say it.

Nationalist Social Club 131, often abbreviated to NSC-131, is considered a neo-Nazi organization by the Anti-Defamation League and Southern Poverty Law Center.

The group describes itself as a pro-white, street-oriented fraternity committed to resisting its perceived enemies  including Jews, communists, non-whites and drag performers  in the New England area. Its protest targets have included the New England Holocaust Memorial in Boston, hotels sheltering migrant families and drag queen events.

On July 30, 2022, police reported that a group of about 10 members of NSC-131 hung a banner reading Keep New England White from an overpass above Route 1 in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, broadcasting their message to the motorists speeding by below.

As NSC-131 members typically dress when appearing as a group in public, they wore face coverings that obscured their identities, images posted to a group social media account showed. Local police said they told Hood  the groups leader, and the only member not hiding his face  that it was illegal to hang a banner from an overpass without a permit. The members removed the banner at Hoods instruction, and police said they held it by hand for a short period before departing.

Hood was charged with trespassing in connection with the incident, and Formella said that by breaking the law with racial motivation, Hood violated the Civil Rights Act.

In June, in Rockingham County Superior Court, Judge David W. Ruoff granted a motion from Hood to dismiss the attorney generals civil rights complaint, finding it relied on an unconstitutionally overbroad interpretation of state law.

Ruoff in part focused on the legal standard of trespassing and whether the state was selectively enforcing the law by prosecuting Hood for hanging a sign from an overpass.

The parties returned to court in August after Formella asked Ruoff to reconsider his decision, arguing he overlooked or misinterpreted portions of the law. In court, the judge questioned state prosecutors on whether they would have brought charges against a person who affixed gay pride stickers to a telephone pole, for example.

Ruoff denied Formellas request to reconsider in a decision on Oct. 18. The attorney general then filed a second motion for reconsideration, which the judge also denied.

If the state Supreme Court allows the case to continue, and if Hood loses the case, he would face fines but no jail time.

The civil rights case against Hood also originally named Leo Cullinan, another NSC-131 member. Cullinan died in mid-June in Manchester, New Hampshire, at the age of 35. His death was not considered suspicious, a spokesperson for the city police department told the Boston Globe at the time.
ALBANY  Gov. Kathy Hochul signed major criminal justice legislation on Thursday that may result in two million New Yorkers criminal records being sealed.

The Clean Slate Act, one of the most significant bills passed by the state Legislature this year, was hailed by supporters as helping people with criminal records move forward with their lives by gaining housing, employment and other opportunities.

Since becoming governor, Hochul has made crime reduction a major priority. At a bill-signing ceremony on Thursday, Hochul argued that her signing of the Clean Slate Act was not inconsistent with those efforts.

Hochul said some in law enforcement supported the bill because it would reduce recidivism, giving people with past criminal records the chance to move into the workforce, rather than facing rejection from employers due to years-old convictions.

Give them a home, let them have independence again, Hochul said. Have the dignity of a job  it means everything to people. This is after theyre already paid their debt to society  If they cant take care of themselves and their families, what alternatives do they do? It cycles people back the streets.

Under the new law, misdemeanors will be sealed three years after the end of a persons incarceration, or  if no prison term was served  their sentencing. For felonies, records would be sealed eight years after a conviction or the end of a prison sentence. The sealing would only occur if a person is not convicted of any other crime before those time periods have lapsed.

Murder, sex crimes and most Class A felonies would be excluded from the new laws sealing requirements.

Less-serious types of convictions would be newly sealed when a person applies for a job or housing. But law enforcement would continue to have full access to records of a persons prior convictions. And full criminal background records will remain available to employers hiring for positions where the employee cares for children, the elderly or vulnerable populations.

Hochul noted that politically conservative states, including Oklahoma, South Dakota, Missouri and Utah, had already signed similar laws that she said were proving effective.

So all of those who are going to peddle in misinformation  and theyve already started  the truth will be a barrier, Hochul said.

The State Business Council supported the bill, arguing that it would create second-chance opportunities for individuals ready to re-enter the workforce and help the economy.

Multiple Republicans from Western New York released statements slamming Hochul for signing the bill, including Senate Minority Leader Robert Ortt.

Under this law, criminals convicted of some of the most violent offenses  including attempted murder, gang assault, arson and animal abuse, just to name a few  will be eligible to have their records sealed, Ortt said. As we see a dramatic rise in antisemitism, even hate crimes would be sealable. Meanwhile, there is no clean slate for the victims and loved ones whose lives have been devastated.

The bill will take effect in one year.
By Mike Pesoli and Chris Megerian, The Associated Press

WASHINGTON  Police in the nations capital responded Wednesday night to a protest outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war.

U.S. Capitol Police said about 150 people were illegally and violently protesting near the DNC headquarters building in the Capitol Hill neighborhood of Washington. Members of Congress were evacuated from the building as the protest erupted.

Video posted on social media showed protesters shoving police officers and trying to grab hold of metal barricades as the officers moved in to make arrests. The videos also show officers shoving protesters. Many of the protesters were wearing black shirts that read Cease Fire Now.

Protesters included members of If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peace, who have organized other demonstrations in Washington.

Protester Dani Noble said the demonstrators came to the DNC on Wednesday night to peacefully call on Democratic Party leadership to support a cease-fire in Gaza. Instead, we were met by police pulling on folks that are disabled or have chronic illnesses, pulling people to the ground in riot gear, Noble said.

Noble, who lives in Philadelphia and is a supporter of the group Jewish Voice for Peace, said no one group organized the protest, but instead, it was a coalition of many groups and individuals who support a cease-fire.

It is shameful the way that nonviolent protesters and members of our community were met with violence tonight. It is absolutely shameful, Noble added.

The clashes Wednesday evening are the latest example of roiling tensions over the war between Israel and Hamas.

President Joe Biden has been under increasing pressure from the Democratic Partys left flank over his support for Israels military operation, including interruptions from protesters at his speeches. He has resisted calls for a cease-fire, instead saying there should be pauses in the fighting to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance and the potential extraction of hostages.

Last week, a large number of House Democrats joined nearly all Republicans in voting to censur Rep. Rashida Tlaib, the only Palestinian American in Congress, over her criticism of the Israeli governments treatment of Palestinians. Tlaib, who has family in the West Bank, came under heavy criticism after she failed to immediately condemn Hamas after the attack. She since has called out the terrorist group while also calling for a cease-fire.

The Metropolitan Police Department said its officers also responded to the disturbance. Officials sent an alert to congressional staffers telling them no one would be permitted to enter or exit any House office buildings but later reopened the entrances.

U.S. Capitol Police stand outside the headquarters of the Democratic National Committee Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nathan Howard)AP

Rep. Brad Sherman, D-Calif., told The Associated Press that initially about 100 people  House leaders, lawmakers and Democratic candidates running for the House  were at the reception at party headquarters, and speeches were interrupted by the chants outside.

The Capitol police came in force and directed lawmakers into a secure room in the basement, he said. By that time, most of the leadership team, including House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, had already left.

About seven lawmakers were huddled in the basement and loaded into police SUVs.

The Capitol Police drove the lawmakers back to the Capitol and took some home, he said.

Associated Press writers Farnoush Amiri, Mary Clare Jalonick, Lisa Mascaro and Michael Balsamo contributed to this report.
U.S. Sen. Edward J. Markey, D-Mass., and U.S. Rep. James McGovern, D-Worcester, are asking the National Park Service to study the Deerfield River and evaluate it as a candidate for potential designation under the National Wild and Scenic River program.

It would be whats called an initial reconnaissance survey that two lawmakers hope would provide critical information to understand which segments of the river are best qualified for designation and should be studied further.

The 76-mile-long Deerfield River offers whitewater boating and rafting on its Class II-V rapids and dry-fly fishing in one of the best wild trout fishing sites on the East Coast, according to a letter sent to Charles F. Sams, director of the National Park Service, by Markey and McGovern, whose district includes much of the rivers path through Massachusetts.
SPRINGFIELD  Tania Barber started her career as a part-time switchboard operator at the Caring Health Center and rose up the ranks to become president and chief executive officer, but she never forgot what it was like to climb the rungs of the ladder.

On Monday, Barber was honored with the 2023 Pynchon Medal, an award that has been given annually since 1915 to recognize someone whose life and achievements promote citizenship and building a better community.

Pynchon Medal winners are chosen unanimously by the Pynchon Trustees, comprised of the current and five past presidents of the Advertising Club of Western Massachusetts. The celebration event and award presentation took place at Springfield Technical Community College.

Barber was selected unanimously for two reasons: making sure people in the community have adequate, easily accessible health care and helping others achieve their career goals as she did, said Brenda McGiverin, chairwoman of the Pynchon Trustees.

Both are incredibly important, she said. She has helped the community receive health care, and as she rose, she pulled people up with her.

Barber was a cosmetologist in 1996, when the salon where she worked closed. A friend told her about an opening at the Caring Health Center. Unemployed with bills to pay, she took the job. About a year later, a full-time assistant front office manager position opened.

I loved the work, and I loved the mission, she said. That started her on a new career path that included being promoted to different positions, all while earning her bachelors degree through the University of Massachusetts Amherst University Without Walls program and then a masters degree in a one-year intensive program at Bay Path University.

Under Barbers direction, the Caring Health Center has opened up offices on Boston Road and Sumner Avenue to make it easier for people who live a distance from the centers Main Street site to access medical care. The center also offers mobile services and pharmacy delivery.

This year, Caring Health Center also opened the Tania M. Barber Learning Institute, which allows people interested in working in health care to earn a salary while training for a career. The institute also helps to address a workforce shortage in the industry.

Barber said she was honored when co-workers agreed the institute should carry her name.

It was my vision and my dream, and the employees insisted, she said.

Yvonne Williams, the Caring Health Centers chief development officer, was the one who nominated Barber for the award. She said there were multiple reasons, including her CEOs focus on ensuring underserved residents easily access health care and her effort to help people better themselves.

(Barber) possesses a remarkable set of qualities: Shes decisive, she engages for impact, she adapts proactively, and she delivers reliably. She has carefully built her team, showing a big-picture orientation, and effectively balances risk, sustainability and opportunities for sustained growth, she said.

Williams talked about Barbers efforts to expand the Caring Health Center to Boston Road after learning that residents of Indian Orchard were spending two hours on a bus to reach health care services.

When that office on Boston Road no longer had the capacity to accommodate additional patients, instead of turning people away, Barber spearheaded an effort to construct a new center at 1235 Boston Road, she said.

This innovative endeavor is not merely a brick-and-mortar construction but a beacon of hope and transformation for the entire community. The new health facility aims to bridge the health care gap that had plagued the Springfield area for far too long, Williams said.

But that is not the only way Barber has worked to improve the lives of city residents. Her hiring practices have focused on both academic credentials and skills that give people a chance to advance, she said.

Shes passionate, committed, caring, pragmatic, not partisan and maintains a learning agenda, fostering collaboration, rather than being inward-looking, Williams said.
As of Thursday morning, the United States had seen 603 mass shootings in 2023. The latest, logged as incident 2755393 by the Gun Violence Archive, came Tuesday in Springfield.

That organization, based in Washington, D.C., says a mass shooting occurs when four or more people are shot or killed in a single incident, not including the shooter. Other agencies define this violence differently as mass killing, counting only the number of people who die.

What happened this week in Springfields North End added another victim  number 29  to the citys worst year for homicides in recent memory. Tuesday also saw the death of the 16-year-old who police say was shot this month while attempting to steal a car left running outside a Springfield gas station.

It is important to pause and reflect on each of these losses  and on the burden deadly violence places on our neighborhoods.

Just after nightfall Tuesday, police found that three people had been shot inside a tractor-trailer cab parked on Morgan Street, two blocks from Main Street and across from Jaime Ulloa Park. One man, so far unidentified, died at Baystate Medical Center about a mile away. Three other people were also shot. Two were still inside the truck when police arrived. Another person was on the ground. Of those three, one was said to have suffered serious injury and remained hospitalized a day later.

It isnt yet known to the public why someone opened fire. The circumstances will in time come to light.

Tuesdays gun violence was the second time this year Springfield made the archives list. On July 30, four teens were injured by gunfire, none of them fatally, on Leyfred Terrace in a Forest Park neighborhood.

This year has seen five other mass shootings in Massachusetts, according to the archive. In Lawrence, four people were shot, one fatally, on April 30. Seven people were shot in Lynn on Sept. 2, two of them fatally. Boston has seen three mass shootings in 2023: Seven people were shot at a Caribbean block party July 3, including an 11-year-old girl; on July 5, five people were shot, none fatally; and on Sept. 17, five people were shot but survived, including an 11-year-old boy and a 15-year-old girl, the archive says.

This violence grinds away, taking lives and changing lives. And yet rarely making national news in a gun-crazy country.
Ending the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays, Congress gave final approval Wednesday night to a temporary government funding package that pushes a confrontation over the federal budget into the new year.

The Senate met into the night to pass the bill with an overwhelming 87-11 tally and send it to President Joe Biden for his signature one day after it passed the House on an overwhelming bipartisan vote. It provides a funding patch into next year, when the House and Senate will be forced to confront  and somehow overcome  their considerable differences over what funding levels should be.

In the meantime, the bill removes the threat of a government shutdown days before funding would have expired.

This Friday night there will be no government shutdown, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a floor speech ahead of the final vote.

The spending package keeps government funding at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term package is negotiated. It splits the deadlines for passing full-year appropriations bills into two dates: Jan. 19 for some federal agencies and Feb. 2 for others, creating two deadlines where there will be a risk of a partial government shutdown.

Everybody is really kind of ready to vote and fight another day, Republican Whip John Thune, the No. 2 Republican, said earlier Wednesday.

The spending package would keep government funding at current levels for roughly two more months while a long-term package is negotiated. It splits the deadlines for passing full-year appropriations bills into two dates: Jan. 19 for some federal agencies and Feb. 2 for others, creating two deadlines where there will be a risk of a partial government shutdown.

The spending bill does not include the White Houses nearly $106 billion request for wartime aid for Israel and Ukraine, as well as humanitarian funding for Palestinians and other supplemental requests. Lawmakers are likely to turn their attention more fully to that request after the Thanksgiving holiday in hopes of negotiating a deal.

Schumer called the stopgap funding plan far from perfect, but said he would support it because it averts a shutdown and will do so without any of the cruel cuts or poison pills that hardline conservatives wanted.

House Speaker Mike Johnson, who crafted the plan, has vowed that he will not support any further stopgap funding measures, known as continuing resolutions. He portrayed the temporary funding bill as setting the ground for a spending fight with the Senate next year.

The new speaker, who told reporters this week that he counted himself among the arch-conservatives of the House, is pushing for deeper spending cuts. He wanted to avoid lawmakers being forced to consider a massive government funding package before the December holidays  a tactic that incenses conservatives in particular.

But Johnson is also facing pushback from other hardline conservatives who wanted to leverage the prospect of a government shutdown to extract steep cuts and policy demands.

Many of those conservatives were among a group of 19 Republicans who defied Johnson Wednesday to prevent floor consideration of an appropriations bill to fund several government agencies.

GOP leaders called off the weeks work after the vote, sending lawmakers home early for Thanksgiving. It capped a period of intense bickering among lawmakers.

This place is a pressure cooker, Johnson said Tuesday, noting that the House had been in Washington for 10 weeks straight.

The House GOPs inability to present a united front on funding legislation could undercut the Louisiana congressmans ability to negotiate spending bills with the Senate.

Republicans are demanding that Congress work out government funding through 12 separate bills, as the budgetary process requires, but House leadership has so far been forced to pull two of those bills from the floor, seen another rejected on a procedural vote and struggled to win support for others.

When it returns in two weeks, Congress is expected to focus on the Biden administrations requests for Ukraine and Israel funding. Republican senators have demanded that Congress pass immigration and border legislation alongside additional Ukraine aid, but a bipartisan Senate group working on a possible compromise has struggled to find consensus.

Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell in a floor speech pledged that Republicans would continue to push for policy changes on the U.S. border with Mexico, saying it is impossible to ignore the crisis at our southern border thats erupted on Washington Democrats watch.

One idea floating among Republicans is directly tying Ukraine funding levels with decreases in the number of illegal border crossings. It showed how even longtime supporters of Ukraines defense against Russia are willing to hold up the funding to force Congress to tackle an issue that has flummoxed generations of lawmakers: U.S. border policy.

Most Senate Republicans support the Ukraine funding, said Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., but he added, It is secondary to securing our own border.

But the U.S. is already trimming some of the wartime aid packages it is sending Ukraine as funds run low, National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said from San Francisco, where he accompanied President Joe Biden for a summit of Asia-Pacific leaders.

He said the pot of money available for Ukraine is withering away, and with it will be a deleterious effect on Ukraines ability to continue to defend itself.

Schumer said the Senate would try to move forward on both the funding and border legislation in the coming weeks, but warned it would require a compromise.

Both sides will have to give, he said.
The clock is ticking for Massachusetts lawmakers to pass a multi-billion dollar spending bill that pumps taxpayer money into the states under-resourced shelter system. But legislative leaders are so far keeping quiet on their progress.

Formal sessions for the year end on Wednesday. And House and Senate leaders have just a few hours to wrap up any disagreements between their chambers respective budget bills.

If Beacon Hill lawmakers cant find common ground before the clock strikes midnight, they could wrap up any loose ends during informal sessions on Thursday.

But that could put their bills in hot water. If just one lawmaker moves to object to the legislation, the sessions could be brought to a halt.

Heres a breakdown of some of the key points behind each chambers supplemental funding bill.

House Speaker Ronald Mariano and Senate President Karen Spilka answer questions from the press after a Monday afternoon meeting with the governor and other officials. (SAM DORAN / STATE HOUSE NEWS SERVICE)

How do the House and Senates budget bills differ?

One of the biggest differences between the House and Senates supplemental bills was their approach toward Gov. Maura Healeys emergency shelter cap.

The Democratic governor sent a $2.15 billion supplemental bill to the Legislature in mid-September. Healeys budget bill proposed injecting $250 million to help finance the states shelter system for the rest of the 2023 fiscal year.

Before either chamber touched the governors proposal, Healey announced in October that shed be limiting the states shelter system to 7,500 families after an influx of migrants in the commonwealth dried up the systems resources. With the limit in place, the state started putting unhoused families on a waitlist.

The Houses version of the spending bill includes a provision to dedicate $50 million toward creating an overflow site to shelter unhoused families. The bills language states that the overflow site must be launched within 30 days. If not, Healey risks losing her shelter cap until an overflow site is readied.

Housing advocates applauded the bill, saying it was a good step forward in protecting homeless families, especially as winter approaches.

But, the Senate didnt include such language in its supplemental bill.

Senate Ways & Means Committee Chairperson Michael Rodrigues, D-1st Bristol/Plymouth, the chambers top budget writer, said that he wanted to provide the governor the flexibility to respond to the ongoing shelter crisis during Tuesdays Senate vote.

That is why his chamber didnt break down Healeys $250 million request into buckets, as the House did, Rodrigues explained on Tuesday night.

The Houses version of the bill gave specifics into how Healeys $250 million request would be divided up.

The Houses proposal included $75 million to go toward reimbursing school districts for increased student enrollment tied to new arrivals; $65 million toward sheltering eligible families, and $18 million toward temporary shelters.

Rep. Peter Durant, a Spencer Republican who for months refused to submit proof of COVID-19 vaccination, speaks on the House floor on Jan. 27 roughly one hour after he says he came into compliance with the House's vaccine mandate.Screenshot

What are Republicans biggest issues with the budget bill?

Although the bill is popular with Democrats, as they control both the House and Senate, Republicans in both chambers have opposed it. The commonwealths GOP lawmakers have launched an effort to amend the states right-to-shelter law to cover just residents of Massachusetts.

Some Republicans say that because of the large number of migrants in the states shelter system, homeless residents in the Bay State are struggling to find a place to stay.

This is a simple solution that would help stem that tide, Rep. Peter Durant, R-Worcester, said about an amendment to limit the right-to-shelter law during a House vote.

Is it the end-all-be-all? No. We have a lot of work to do with those that are here. We have a lot of work with those that may still continue to come here, but unless you turn the spigot off that never is going to stop, he added.

Sharing Durants sentiments was Sen. Ryan C. Fattman, R-Worcester/Hampden, who has expressed concern that the commonwealth no longer had the financial resources to shelter unhoused families, especially migrants.

Continually throwing more money at the problem with no end in sight is not a solution, it belabors the problem, he said.

But Republicans efforts to change the states 1983 law have been defeated by Democrats who are still committed to the humanitarian cause. Some on the left have stated the amendments are in clear violation of the law, while others have said the amendments scapegoat the commonwealths homeless residents.

Senate Ways and Means Chairman Michael Rodrigues, House Ways and Means Chairman Aaron Michlewitz, and Administration and Finance Secretary Matthew Gorzkowicz spoke to reporters Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2023 following the fiscal 2024 consensus revenue hearing at the Massachusetts State House.Alison Kuznitz/MassLive

Areas of agreement between the House and Senate?

There is some overlap between the House and Senates budget bills. Each chamber has proposed that the Healey administration report to the Legislature regarding the status of the emergency shelter system.

The Senate is requesting that Healey send a bi-weekly report to lawmakers that includes the number of families in the states shelter system and the amount spent on the states emergency assistance program.

Meanwhile, the House is requesting a monthly report to the Legislature detailing the number of migrants, refugees or asylum seekers in state shelters; families housed in hotels or motels; families of individuals with work authorization and how much money was spent on the emergency assistance program during said month.

While this language is not perfect by any means, it reflects many of these conversations that weve had with many members of this House, House Ways & Means Committee Chairperson Aaron Michlewitz, D-3rd Suffolk, the Houses top budget writer said during the chamber vote.

I look forward to continuing to have those discussions with all of you on this topic over the coming weeks and months. But to be clear, we face some hard decisions and choices ahead for 2024 and beyond, he said.
Reforms to Massachusetts gun laws might be on hold on Beacon Hill, but state Attorney General Andrea J. Campbell isnt waiting for lawmakers to act.

On Thursday, the Boston Democrat announced that her office had launched a new gun violence prevention unit aimed at holding accountable bad actors in the gun industry and others who violate our gun laws.

In a statement, Campbell also announced that shed tapped two veterans in the fight against gun violence to lead the new office, each of whom bring the passion and expertise that will allow the state to lead the nation on gun safety and gun violence prevention.

The offices new director, Christine Doktor, most recently served as the managing attorney for Everytown Law, the legal arm of the gun violence reduction organization, Everytown for Gun Safety.

In a statement, Campbell described the legal group as the largest and most experienced team of litigators in the nation dedicated to advancing gun safety in the courts and through the civil and criminal justice systems.

Doktor, a Bay State native, is a graduate of Columbia University Law School, and started her legal career as a civil litigator at the New York City-based mega-firm Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLP. Shell be based in the Attorney Generals Springfield Regional Office.

Despite having some of the strongest gun safety laws in the country, and the lowest rate of gun violence in America, over 800 adults and children are shot and wounded or killed in Massachusetts on average each year, Doktor said in the statement, adding that shes looking forward to [leveraging] my expertise, and [implementing] ... Campbells commitment to the life-saving work of reducing gun deaths and shootings here in my homestate.

The offices new deputy director, Ryan Mingo, most recently ran the Major Felony Bureau at the Suffolk County District Attorneys Office, where he focused on violent and gang-related offenses, Campbells office said in its statement.

The new office will be charged with [leveraging] existing tools of the AGs Office such as civil and criminal enforcement, legislative advocacy, and community engagement to bolster gun violence prevention measures and protect the public, Campbells office said in its statement.

Its formation comes as state lawmakers try to reach agreement on a suite of reforms to the Bay States gun violence reduction laws, already among the most restrictive in the nation.

Last month, the majority-Democrat state House overwhelmingly approved legislation that, among other things, seeks to curb the availability of so-called ghost guns, while expanding the states existing assault weapons ban.

The state Senate, also controlled by Democrats, is expected to unveil its version of the bill early next year, according to a top leader. House Speaker Ron Mariano, D-3rd Norfolk, has said he wants to get a bill on Gov. Maura Healeys desk by the end of the current, two-year legislative session.

In her offices statement, Campbell stressed the urgency of action, pointing out that, in an average year, 255 people die and 557 are wounded by guns in Massachusetts. The violence in the Bay State also disproportionately impacts Black youth who are more than 8 times as likely to die by gun violence than their white peers, Campells office said.

As senseless acts of gun violence continue to terrorize and harm children, families, and communities in Massachusetts and across the country, we must step up and ensure that each one of us has the right to live free from gun violence, Campbell said.

The office also will promote legislative solutions, including a bill sponsored by state Sen. Michael Moore, D-2nd Worcester, aimed at strengthening current state law banning the purchase, possession, and use of gun silencers. The proposal, which has Campbells backing, would bring state law into alignment with existing federal law governing the device.

Activists welcomed the new units creation.

Weve reduced the rate of gun deaths in the Commonwealth by 40 percent since 1994 and urban Massachusetts continually has the lowest gun death rate in the United States, John Rosenthal, the founder and chairperson of the Beverly, Mass.-based advocacy group, Stop Handgun Violence, said in the statement.

Although we have the most effective gun laws and first in the nation gun industry consumer protection regulations, there is still far too much preventable gun violence, Rosenthal said.
Massachusetts lawmakers will return to session next week to finish up work on a $2.8 billion year-end funding bill that would shore up millions of dollars in funds to support the states underresourced emergency shelter system.

After hours of private negotiations that went well beyond Wednesdays midnight deadline to wrap up legislative business for the year, House and Senate leaders voted to move the budget discussion to a conference committee, and then return in an informal session next Monday at 11 a.m.

We werent close enough to try to see it through tonight. Obviously, over the last couple of years, weve had some late nights here, and I think at those points in time, we felt we could really get something done and so we really wanted to see it through, Aaron Michlewitz, the Houses top budget writer, said in an interview with the State House Service. But I think at the point where we are at, both us and our Senate counterparts felt it was time to pack it up for tonight and try to see if we can talk tomorrow.

Michael Rodrigues, the Senates top budget writer, said he was very disappointed in the outcome, the SHNS reported.

The six-person bicameral committee will consist of three lawmakers from the House: House Ways & Means Committee Chairperson Aaron Michlewitz, the Houses top budget writer and Reps. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, 5th-Essex and Todd M. Smola, R-Hampden. And three other lawmakers from the Senate: Senate Ways & Means Committee Chairperson Michael Rodrigues, the chambers top budget writer, and Sens. Cindy F. Friedman, D-4th Middlesex and Patrick M. OConnor, R-1st Plymouth/Norfolk.

Republicans from both chambers of the Legislature largely have voted against the supplemental bill. The GOP lawmakers oppose the bills provision that would allocate $250 million to support the states shelter system for the remainder of the fiscal year.

Republicans have expressed concern that the large number of migrants housed in the states shelter system has made it harder for the states homeless residents to find shelter space too. Continuously funding the shelter system would only further this problem, not solve it, some conservative lawmakers have said.

That argument has been largely criticized by Democrats, some of whom call it a talking point that pits Massachusetts homeless population against migrants.

Both OConnor and Smola have not only voted against their chambers budget bills but also have voted in favor of amendments to limit the states right-to-shelter law to people whove been living in the state for a certain amount of time.

As the hour grew closer to midnight, some rank-and-file lawmakers grew nervous about whether the bill would even pass.

Around 10:45 p.m., Senate Minority Leader Bruce Tarr, R-Essex/Middlesex, asked several times whether a conference committee had been appointed to reconcile the differences between the two chambers and the deadline to get the work done.

Would the chair restate the provisions of the rules relative to formal sessions? Tarr asked Sen. William N. Brownsberger, D-Suffolk/Middlesex.

Brownsberger, who serves as the chambers president pro tempore, recited Joint Rule 12 A which states that all formal business of the Legislature should be concluded by the third Wednesday of November.

Thank you, Mr. President, Tarr replied.

But just as the clock was ticking down, around 11:54 p.m., the Senate voted 7-1 to continue meeting past midnight. But, there wasnt any movement on the House floor until around 12:45 a.m., when the chamber decided to adjourn.

One of the biggest differences between the House and Senates supplemental bills was their approach toward Gov. Maura Healeys emergency shelter cap.

The Democratic governor sent a $2.15 billion supplemental bill to the Legislature in mid-September. Healeys budget bill proposed injecting $250 million to help finance the states shelter system for the rest of the 2023 fiscal year.

Before either chamber touched the governors supplemental, Healey announced in October that shed be limiting the states shelter system to 7,500 families after an influx of migrants in the commonwealth dried up the systems resources. With the limit in place, the state began to triage unhoused families on a waitlist.

The Houses version of the supplemental bill includes a provision to roll $50 million toward creating an overflow site to shelter unhoused families. The bills language states that the overflow site must be launched within 30 days, if not, Healey risks losing her shelter cap until an overflow site is readied.

The lower chambers bill was applauded by housing advocates who believed it was a good step forward in protecting homeless families, especially as winter approaches.

But, the Senate didnt include any language in its supplemental bill requiring the governor to find an overflow site to keep her shelter cap.

Rodrigues, the chambers top budget writer, said that he wanted to provide the governor the flexibility to respond to the ongoing shelter crisis during last nights Senate vote. That is why his chamber didnt break down Healeys $250 million request into buckets, as the House did, Rodrigues explained on Tuesday.
Beacon Hill lawmakers failed to reach an agreement on a $2.8 billion supplemental bill on Wednesday before formal sessions closed for the year, which now leaves $250 million in taxpayer money supporting the states underresourced shelter system in limbo.

House and Senate leaders had until midnight on Wednesday to find common ground on their chambers respective budget bills  both of which included language to approve Gov. Maura Healeys request to inject badly needed cash into the states shelter system.

But legislative leaders had stark differences in how the Democratic governor could move forward with her self-imposed shelter cap.

Last month, Healey announced that shed be limiting the states shelter system to 7,500 families after an influx of migrants entering the Bay State dried up the programs resources. The state-imposed limit was reached last week and now families seeking shelter are being waitlisted for state housing.

The House wants to shovel $50 million of her request toward creating an overflow site to shelter unhoused families. The bills language states that the overflow site must be launched within 30 days. If not, Healey risks losing her shelter cap until an overflow site is readied.

But the Senate didnt include such language in its supplemental bill, giving Healey more flexibility to respond to the humanitarian crisis.

Since both chambers couldnt come to an agreement in time, legislative leaders voted to continue negotiations in a conference committee. Lawmakers are next scheduled to meet on Monday at 11 a.m.

What is a conference committee? What does it do?

A conference committee is a temporary, six-person working body created to work out the differences in a bill set forth by both chambers. The committee is appointed by the House Speaker and Senate President and consists of three lawmakers from each chamber, one of which must be a member of each chambers minority party.

When the six-person body comes to an agreement on the legislation, a conference report is sent to each chamber for approval. The chambers can either vote for or against the report but are prohibited from changing it.

Who is on the conference committee?

The six-person bicameral committee will consist of three lawmakers from the House and three lawmakers from the Senate.

Rep. Aaron Michlewitz, the House Ways & Means Committee Chairperson.

Rep. Ann-Margaret Ferrante, 5th-Essex, and vice chair of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Rep. Todd M. Smola, R-Hampden, the ranking GOP lawmaker the House Ways and Means Committee.

Sen. Michael Rodrigues, the Senate Ways & Means Committee Chairperson.

Sen. Cindy F. Friedman, D-4th Middlesex, and vice chair, of the Senate Ways and Means Committee.

Sen. Patrick M. OConnor, R-1st Plymouth/Norfolk, and assistant minority leader.

What happens next?

Starting on Monday, the conference committee appointees will have to work out a uniform spending bill for both of their chambers. But negotiations will be comparatively harder in informal sessions than in formal sessions.

In an informal session, any lawmakers objection could strike down the spending bill. Lawmakers will have to hash out their disagreements on the legislation before Jan. 2, 2024  the last day of the first annual session  or the bill dies. If the lawmakers cant reach common ground before then, theyll be forced to start the process all over again.
Two Massachusetts lawmakers have unveiled a new resolution honoring Americans who have lost loved ones to homicide, saying its their effort to provide families with recognition and healing in the face of an incalculable loss.

The language backed by U.S. Rep. Ayanna Pressley, D-7th District, and U.S. Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., would designate Nov. 20 through Dec. 20 as National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month.

Massachusetts already recognizes those dates for the same purpose at the state level, the two lawmakers said in a joint statement. And last year, Boston City Council passed an ordinance led by Councilmember At-Large Julia Mejia in support of Pressleys resolution.

Too many families are denied the recognition and healing they deserve when their loved ones are stolen by violence, which is why were keeping up the fight to establish a National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month. Pressley said.

While Massachusetts has some of the most restrictive gun laws in the country, gun violence continues to take a deadly toll across the commonwealth. In an average year, 244 people die and 688 are wounded by guns in Massachusetts, according to data compiled by the activist group Everytown for Gun Safety.

Pressley, who called gun violence a public health crisis, said elected leaders cant allow homicides and the trauma they cause to become normalized in this country.

Our resolution honors the voices and experiences of survivors of homicide victims, and I am so grateful to Senator Markey and the Louis D. Brown Peace Institute for their partnership. Congress must pass this resolution without delay, she said.

Read More: Read the full text of the resolution Read the full text of the resolution here

Markey offered a similar sentiment, observing that losing a loved one to gun violence is one of the most painful events a person can live through. Gun violence not only inflicts mental trauma on survivors and victims, but also presents economic burdens on families and communities.

For every one homicide victim, there is an average of 10 surviving family members who suffer their loss in its aftermath. Through the resolution, the lawmakers said theyre looking to promote awareness of the intergenerational, traumatic, and lasting impacts of gun violence on families and broader communities.

The resolution would do that by:

Encouraging support for survivors of homicide victims, including families, schools, and communities, with support services, information, and research to better address the needs of families and communities severely impacted by violence and to consider ways to improve access to, and the quality of, mental health services for survivors of homicide victims, and by

Calling on the people of the United States, interest groups, and affected persons to take an active role in the fight to end gun violence and homicide; to respond to all families suffering in the aftermath of homicide with consistency, compassion, competence and centering the principles of love, unity, faith, hope, courage, justice, and forgiveness; and to observe National Survivors of Homicide Victims Awareness Month with appropriate activities.

The effort has the backing of the Dorchester-based Louis D. Brown Peace Institute, which focuses on caring for families and communities that have been impacted by crime. The organization takes its name from the late Louis D. Brown, a 15-year-old Dorchester resident, who was caught in the crossfire of gun violence in 1993.

As gun violence and homicides continue to rise, the survivor rate continues to climb. Families across the country feel its residual impact, especially during the holiday season. It is important, now, more than ever, we honor the unique experiences of survivors of homicide victims, the groups president and CEO, Chaplain Clementina M. Chery, said in a statement.

The organization has been pushing for such recognition for two decades, officials said.

Back in 2000, an ad hoc committee of survivors of homicide victims [in Massachusetts] came together and said, we deserve some space in the calendar year to be observed and to be celebrated, and to have permission to honor our loved ones, Alexandra Chery-Dorrelus, its co-executive director, said.
The city of Buffalo is preparing to pay $210,000 to settle a Buffalo mans lawsuit accusing police officers of false arrest, excessive use of force and violating his civil rights.

Buffalo police officers Lawrence Briggs and Ryan Sanders arrested Verdel Hogues during a vehicle stop on Victoria Avenue on Aug. 15, 2019 on charges of criminal possession of marijuana, criminal possession of a weapon, disorderly conduct, obstructing governmental administration and resisting arrest.

Settlement reached in lawsuit of pedestrian paralyzed in police SUV crash Chelsea Ellis' attorney declined to reveal the financial settlement, which requires approval by the Buffalo Common Council.

Hogues claimed in his lawsuit that while the officers were frisking him during the incident, Briggs picked him up and slammed him to the ground after he told the officer he could not move his legs further away from his car because he was disabled. He said both officers then punched and kicked him. He claimed that the use of force aggravated a prior back injury he had, and he had to have surgery on his neck and back for a fracture.

I am in pain every day with my neck. Theres no relief, Hogues testified at a deposition in 2021.

The officers accused Hogues of verbally and physically resisting their commands and attempts to subdue him.

All of the charges against Hogues were dismissed by City Court Judge Andrew C. LoTempio in 2020.

Eleven days later, Hogues sued the city, its police department and the officers in State Supreme Court.

Buffalo to pay $255,000 to family whose Parkside home was raided by police looking for drugs A lawsuit alleged Buffalo police narcotics investigators improperly obtained a search warrant by misrepresenting and omitting evidence they presented to a judge. On Tuesday, the Buffalo Common Council voted to pay the family $255,000 to settle the suit over the raid.

The city of Buffalos Law Department has recommended settling the case for $210,000. The Buffalo Common Councils Claims Committee on Wednesday recommended approval of the settlement, which is pending approval by the full Council.

Although the allegations are very serious, looking at the grand scope of the population of the city of Buffalo and the number of interactions between police and the community, I am very glad that there arent more allegations or cases, said Masten Council Member Ulysees O. Wingo Sr., chairman of the Claims Committee.

Police claimed they confronted Hogues because his vehicle was stopped in the middle of Victoria Avenue, blocking the path of the officers vehicle.

In June, David Lee, an assistant corporation counsel for the city, asked the Supreme Court to dismiss the lawsuit prior to any trial. He said in court papers that the officers had probable cause to initiate the traffic stop and probable cause to arrest Hogues for possessing marijuana because he told the officers he had a blunt in his car, and the officers could smell the marijuana. He also said that the use of force against Hogues was not excessive. And he said the officers have qualified immunity because their actions were not unreasonable.

In a 2022 deposition, Officer Briggs said that Hogues was cursing and yelling, but not threatening him, while he tried to frisk Hogues for drugs or weapons. Briggs testified that for officer safety he tackled Hogues because Hogues would not move his feet further from the car. Officer Sanders admitted in a deposition that he punched Hogues when he was on the ground to get him to put his hands behind his back so he could be handcuffed.

Thomas P. Hurley, Hogues attorney, said in court documents that City Court Judge Lotempio ruled that the arrest was unlawful before he dismissed the charges. Hurley said it is clear from the video evidence that Hogues at no time ever threatened the officers. Hurley said the officers arrested Hogues prior to them recovering the marijuana, therefore arresting him without probable cause.

Hurley could not be reached Wednesday for comment.
Worcester Republican state Rep. Peter Durant will become the newest member of the state Senate on Nov. 29, a top Senate official has confirmed to MassLive.

Durant, of Spencer, flipped the Worcester and Hampshire seat held by Democrats, earlier this month in a largely symbolic, but no less important, victory for Bay State Republicans, who have struggled for relevance on Beacon Hill.

Hell take office at 3 p.m. on Nov. 29, Senate President Karen Spilkas, D-Middlesex/Norfolk, office told MassLive on Thursday.

With Durants election, Republicans will see their ranks grow to just four members in the upper chamber. Even with the loss, Democrats still hold a towering three-dozen seats.

Unofficial returns showed Durant beating fellow Rep. Jon Zlotnik, a Gardner Democrat, 11,985 votes to 9,813 votes, MassLive previously reported. Zlotnik has said he plans to run for re-election to his state House seat.

Durant succeeds former state Sen. Anne Gobi, who stepped down from the seat last summer to take a job in Gov. Maura Healeys administration.

In an Election Day post to X, formerly Twitter, Durant thanked his supporters, and his wife, Kate, for their efforts during the campaign season.

To all those across the Worcester & Hampshire District, I want to thank you for your trust and support in todays Special Election. I look forward to representing your values and interests on Beacon Hill, Durant said.

To my wife, Kate, thank you for your constant support, especially over the past five months, he continued. I owe this all to you. I look forward to sharing more information with you in the coming days as I look forward to continuing to represent Central Massachusetts in Boston.
Expect delays while the northbound and southbound lanes on Route 3 in Billerica continue to stay closed Wednesday afternoon, hours after a tanker truck carrying several thousand gallons of fuel rolled over in a crash involving several vehicles.

Both the north and southbound sides of Route 3 in North Billerica were still closed as of 4:39 p.m. on Nov. 15, according to traffic map Mass511. Detours were in place by exit 76 on the northbound side and by exit 79 on the southbound.

The crash happened just after 10 a.m. on the northbound side of the highway, and involved a rolled-over tanker truck and multiple vehicles, police said. MassDOT posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, that the truck had spilled fuel on the highway on the northbound and at the southbound side by exit 76. The department advised there would be delays and to seek alternative routes.

Using Google data, Mass511 said drivers going northbound should expect a 24-minute delay, while those going south should anticipate a 34-minute delay.

The Massachusetts State Police told MassLive that the cleanup continues while the lanes remain closed. MassDOT could not say when the lanes will reopen.
WESTFIELD  The public hearing on the tax classification rates for fiscal 2024 will take place at 6 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 16, in City Council Chambers, immediately preceding a council meeting where the tax shift will be voted.

City Assessor Ashlie Brown said every year, the councilors have to decide if theyre going to shift the rate to favor residential or commercial and industrial taxpayers, and by how much. Westfield, like most cities its size in Massachusetts, uses a split tax rate, where homeowners pay a lower rate than businesses. This year, for example, the tax rates are $16.98 per $1,000 assessed value for residential properties, but $33.52 for commercial and industrial properties.

In order to help residents understand what she acknowledges is a confusing topic, Brown has posted a report on fiscal 2024 tax classification at cityofwestfield.org/DocumentCenter/View/14160/FY24-Classification-Packet.
Unionized Starbucks workers in Worcester took to the street on Thursday to demonstrate on the day the company brings back its reusable holiday red cups as part of a nationwide Red Cup Rebellion.

Around 30 people, consisting of employees at the 11 E. Central St. Starbucks location, workers from the Starbucks location in Gardner and supporters in solidarity waved signs and chanted as cars, SUVs and trucks drove by with an occasional honk or a series of honks.

No contract? No coffee! striking workers called out. Whats disgusting? Union busting! When I say union, you say power!

The mobilization effort stems from a series of actions Starbucks has taken against individual employees and the union itself, the union said in a statement. Union members Mbake Sarr and Imani Plant said that despite unionizing in June 2022, strikes like this were meant to call attention to unfair labor practices, Sarr said to MassLive. Over the last two years, 9,000 Starbucks employees have formed unions across 360 stores across the United States.

Cars, SUVs and semi trucks honked in solidarity to the group of striking workers along Central Street in Worcester. Ryan Mancini/MassLiveRyan Mancini

But Starbucks has conducted a coordinated, scorched-earth campaign, centrally directed from its corporate labor relations office, to illegally frustrate and stall bargaining. The National Labor Relations Board is prosecuting Starbucks at an ongoing trial in Seattle over this refusal to bargain.

Read more: Hollywood actors union reaches deal with studios to end historic strike

On a day like Red Cup Day, and when a rush of customers is expected to flood coffee shops in anticipation of collecting a red cup, the union said on its website that it is a day thats one of the most infamously hard, understaffed days for the baristas that work them.

Striking workers also chanted, Stop your shopping, bombs are dropping! This plea was a reference to Starbucks suing its union for expressing solidarity with Palestine amidst the war in Gaza, Sarr and Plant said. They added that pro-Palestinian students from Clark University were expected to join them in the strike.

Along with what the union said have been a series of unfair labor practices and illegal punishments and firings, the union said on Wednesday that it filed complaints with the National Labor Relations Board.

Read more: GOP senator challenges Teamsters head from Medford to a fight in a fiery exchange at a hearing

Ryan Mancini/MassLiveRyan Mancini

The union asked for customers and non-unionized employees to show up in solidarity at the various Starbucks locations across the country. Strikes in 2022 on Red Cup Day were the largest in the unions short history. When asked when striking workers might be going home for the day or how long strikes may last, Sarr and Plant said they plan to strike at any opportunity  Who else will do it? Plant asked.

Us as workers, we deserve more than what were getting, Sarr said. Labors the way.
The African Export-Import Bank Cairo launched a new initiative that will open doors, allowing African contractors to capitalise on various infrastructure investments available across the continent.

Prof. Benedict Oramah, President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Afreximbank, joined by Rania Al-Mashat, Minister of International Cooperation of Egypt, launched the Afreximbank Intra-African Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) Contract Promotion Programme during the Presidential Summit of the Intra-African Trade Fair 2023 (IATF2023).

Prof. Oramah told guests that the programme was one of the Banks initiatives to support the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), saying that it aimed to enable African companies to successfully bid for, win and execute infrastructure contracts in Africa through capacity building, twinning, market access opportunities, financing, guarantees and technology solutions.

The EPC initiative will help African contractors to participate in the US$60 billion annual infrastructure investments within Africa, unlike the current practice where most of the contracts go to non-African entities, he said.

Ms. Al-Mashat said that the launch of the programme would have a positive impact on Africas agenda for sustainable development.

It enhances the participation of African companies in infrastructure projects, provides more investment opportunities and facilitates the exchange of information in order to expand partnerships and twinning agreements to drive growth in the engineering, construction and procurement sector, she said.

Minister Al-Mashat described the platform as a strategic and effective solution to tackle three significant challenges preventing Africa from reaching its potential, including lack of funding, insufficient information and a skills gap. Addressing those challenges was especially crucial to tackling the infrastructure funding gap in the continent, estimated at US$170 billion annually, which could be fixed by promoting international cooperation and attracting investment in infrastructure.

She recommended promoting transparent communication between governments and the private sector to bridge information gaps and tackling skills gaps by providing technical support, capacity building and skills development to build a skilled workforce.

The Minister said that Egypt was eager to boost private sector involvement in development endeavours and to link it to all funding and investment opportunities and technical support provided by multilateral and bilateral development partners, adding, in order to promote these efforts, I have the honour to announce to you that the platform we are launching today will be linked to the Ministry of International Cooperations portal for private sector participation.

She commended Afreximbank for leading the initiative and providing support to EPC companies in Africa through contracts worth over US$12 billion in the past five years and appealed to international development partners to do more in supporting African companies by providing affordable and low-cost development finance. They should also provide more innovative mechanisms and technical support necessary for implementing infrastructure and green projects in Africa.

Attending the Presidential Summit was host President Abdel Fatah El Sisi of Egypt who was joined by Presidents Emmerson Mnangagwa of Zimbabwe and Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi. Also present were Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly of Egypt and former President Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, along with several former African vice presidents, serving ministers, other political and business leaders.
Algeria has been selected to host the fourth Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2025) scheduled to take place in 2025, Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chairman of the Advisory Council of the Intra-African Trade Fair and former President of Nigeria, has announced.

Speaking yesterday in Cairo during the Presidential Summit of the third Intra-African Trade Fair (IATF2023), Chief Obasanjo said that the selection followed a rigorous review of bids received by the Advisory Council for the hosting of the continental event.

We congratulate the government and people of Algeria for winning this bid, he said, adding, We look forward to converging in Algiers in 2025.

With the selection, Algeria will become the third country to host the IATF after Egypt hosted the inaugural edition in Cairo in 2018 and the second edition was held in Durban, South Africa, in 2021. The trade fair returned to Cairo for the 2023 edition.

Speaking at the ceremony held today to hand over the IATF flag to the Algerian authorities, President Obasanjo said that the trade fair had established a tradition of each edition being better than the previous one and expressed a strong conviction that Algeria would maintain that tradition.

He said that with the selection of Algeria as host, the job of the IATF2023 Advisory Council was coming to an end, adding, from tomorrow, it will be IATF2025 Algiers.

Abdelaziz Benali Cherif, the Algerian Ambassador to Egypt, who received the IATF flag on behalf of the Algerian Government, said that with the new investment law implemented in his country, Algeria had introduced a lot of economic reforms empowering the private sector to become the engine of growth in the economy.

The country was now open for partners to participate in a win-win situation in the economy, he said, adding that all Africans were welcome to become part of the new dynamics.

The ambassador expressed gratitude to the IATF Advisory Council for its decision to award the hosting of the next IATF to Algeria and pledged the countrys commitment to ensuring a successful event.

IATF2025 in Algiers will be a true platform for networking and collaboration, he said, adding that participants should use the event to explore new opportunities.

Kanayo Awani, Executive Vice President, Intra-African Trade Bank, Afreximbank, said that it was necessary to start early to prepare for the trade fair as the event entailed a lot of work. The CANEX WKND, normally hosted in the year preceding the IATF, served as a dry run for the IATF, she added.

Wamkele Mene, Secretary-General of the African Continental Free Trade Area Secretariat, noted that many Africans looked forward to participating in IATF and said that was critical to ensure that those Africans who wished to attend were not held back by issues like visa and duty on goods coming into host country temporarily for the trade fair.

Albert Muchanga, African Union Commissioner for Economic Development, Trade, Tourism, Industry and Minerals, also addressed the ceremony and commended Algeria for winning the bid.

Organised by the African Export-Import Bank, in collaboration with the African Union Commission and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, the IATF provides a unique platform for facilitating trade and investment information exchange in support of increased intra-African trade and investment, especially in the context of implementing the AfCFTA. It is Africas largest trade and investment event, attracting thousands of exhibitors, visitors and buyers and generating trade and investment deals running into tens of billions of dollars. Attendees include buyers, sellers, importers, exporters, investors, manufacturers, captains of industry, senior government ministers, trade finance and advisory specialists, trade and economic organisations, senior executives from corporates and multinationals and innovative entrepreneurs from across Africa and beyond.
Liquid Intelligent Technologies (https://www.Liquid.Tech), a business of Cassava Technologies, a pan-African technology group, will receive R450 million in funding from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and Rand Merchant Bank (RMB) each for its South African operations. The total investment of R900 million will support universal and affordable broadband access in the Eastern Cape Fibre Project.

The support and investment we have received from IFC and RMB underscores our collective commitment to advancing South Africas broadband connectivity and uplifting the communities in which we do business. Not only will this investment from RMB and IFC help fund the expansion of our fibre backbone network in the Eastern Cape, but also help us upskill more South Africans and create employment. We believe this collaboration sets a new benchmark for the financing and development of digital infrastructure in South Africa,  says Hardy Pemhiwa, Group Chief Executive Officer of Liquid Intelligent Technologies.

Digital connectivity that is inclusive and accessible is a fundamental driver of economic growth and an informed society,  says Sarvesh Suri, IFCs Regional Industry Director for Infrastructure and Natural Resources, Africa.  Through our partnership with Liquid South Africa, we are committed to narrowing the digital divide in the Eastern Cape and expanding internet access to underserved areas.

The Eastern Cape is one of the least connected regions in South Africa. Only 65% of households have internet access, and only 5% have access from home. This is twice as low as the average for South Africa, where 10% of the total population has internet access from home.

RMB is proud to have been the co-arranger and funder for the Eastern Cape Fibre Project to help enable access to information communication technology for communities in the province. All people should have access to the power of the digital world to better their lives. We believe in partnering with our clients who are vested in digital inclusion to narrow the digital divide and counteract the negative social consequences of digital exclusion. We look forward to working on similar transactions across the continent, says Nana Phiri: Head of Corporate Client Group.

Since its inception, the Eastern Cape Fibre Project has been a transformative initiative. It has played a significant role in reiterating that Liquid South Africa is aligned with the government in meeting its 2030 NDP objective of 100% broadband coverage. Liquid SA has invested heavily in EC since then across a raft of initiatives aimed at fostering innovation and empowering citizens with digital skills, even in the farthest part of the province. It has invested over R400 million into extending its operations in the region, connecting more than 1,300 government buildings, and creating over 600 permanent and temporary jobs.

The project will significantly increase access to high-quality digital connectivity for businesses and other organisations. As high-speed Internet infrastructure expands, it will create jobs and stimulate economic growth. Beyond the immediate project, the investment will strengthen the integration of the digital ecosystem in South Africa, facilitating e-government services and connecting underserved areas.

Liquid Intelligent Technologies looks forward to this investments tremendous impact on the countrys digital future and society. This investment is a major milestone in realising a digitally connected Africa that is empowered through connectivity, in which no one is left behind.

The investment from the IFC, a member of the World Bank Group, is the latest contribution to the collaboration it entered into with Liquid, which is aimed at increasing digital connectivity and inclusion in Africa and supporting the regions growing digital ecosystem.
The EPIC Museum in Dublin has brought together a group of retired police officers in New York to form the NYPD Choir in a moving and poignant tribute to Irish immigrants and the huge global Irish diaspora.

In one of the most popular and well known Chritsmas songs Fairytale of New York, The Pogues frontman Shane MacGowan famously sings "The boys of the NYPD choir were singing Galway Bay, and the bells were ringing out for Christmas Day".

The line, and song, is so famous however it has now emerged that the NYPD choir never actually sang Galway Bay because there was never an NYPD choir.

The newly formed choir was joined by a local amateur choir in New York City where they gathered in a recording studio to finally sing Galway Bay. The group also recorded an accompanying video.

The boys of the NYPD choir are finally singing Galway Bay. Inspired by 'Fairytale of New York' we present a new twist in an EPIC emigrant story.https://t.co/Gcd7jRfxQs pic.twitter.com/KFy9rVwb5O  EPIC The Irish Emigration Museum (@EPICMuseumCHQ) November 15, 2023

One of the retired NYPD officers John Behan spoke of the timeless Irish classic written by Irish emigrant Arthur Colahan.

"My grandfather used to play it at Christmas time, that was a song that he liked.

"He was a tough guy but he got soft when that music came on. He was a good man."

Aileesh Carew, CEO of EPIC Museum said:

"At EPIC, we take immense pride in highlighting the stories and accomplishments of Irish emigrants, demonstrating that Irish identity transcends the geographical boundaries of our island.

"What better way to celebrate this than by giving life to that famous line in Fairytale of New York, performed by retired NYPD officers, all of whom proudly share Irish heritage.

"This Christmas, we hope that the NYPD Choir's rendition of Galway Bay will be shared far and wide, both at home and abroad."
A DELEGATION of Achill farmers travelled to Co Donegal to meet the Minister of Agriculture to discuss the delay in payments of the revised Basic Payments and the ANC to local farmers.

The meeting which was arranged and led by Mayo IFA's Hill Representative Pat Chambers met with Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue where the farmers raised concerns they have been penalised for the burning of heather which they say have absolutely nothing to do with them.

Mayo IFA stated that the key issues of delayed payments to farmers was highlighted where a commitment was given by the Minister to have his officials solve all problems before the next payment run on December 1.

The Minister was informed by Mr Chambers that 46 letters had been issued to farmers on the Mission estate in Achill where they were penalised for overclaiming net areas. This he said was completely out of order as the same farmers had applied for the same areas in previous years.

Achill farmers who attended the meeting included John Lee, Sean Corrigan and Dominic Vesey and John Lee explained to the Minister that it was not in the interest of farmers to cause gorse fires. He also said that the delay in these payments was having a severe financial impact on the farmers in question as they have several bills to pay between bank loans, contractors veterinary animal feed bills.

A statement released on behalf of Achill farmers stated that the influx of visitors to Achill may have been a factor in the increase in gorse fires.

These burnings have had implications on many local farmers to the sum of tens of thousands of Euros in payment cuts across several commonages in the Achill parish. Achill Island farmers are not arsonists. Many local farmers see that it is unfair, that they are currently being penalised for something that they have not caused on their commonages and are not to blame for environmental damage that fire causes to their own lands.

Achill Island is a very popular destination for visitors who use the Wild Atlantic Way, the Great Western Greenway, hill walking, and the influx of visitors due to films including The Banshees of Inisherin, that farmers and everyone locally welcomes. However, this influx with some farmers it is felt may be an influencing factor, the statement read.

Mr Chambers also told the Minister that the same issues also arose with farmers on Inishboffin Island where the new planner scoring for the ACRES and BISS schemes was not compatible with the Departments own GeoTag satellite system and payments were also being held up on the island.
SALMON fishing in Ballina will be finished as a tourism product if the seals in the estuary of the River Moy are not removed either by a cull or by another way according to a local councillor.

Last month, Bonniconlon-based councillor John O'Hara caused controversy when he called for a cull of seals living in the estuary of the River Moy who he claims were leading to low stocks of salmon swimming up the river.

In a response to Cllr O'Hara's call for a humane cull, the Ballina Municipal District received correspondence from the office of Minister Malcolm Noonan which outlined that the culling of seals is 'unlikely to be an effective management measure'.

In response to the letter, Cllr O'Hara told the November monthly meeting of Ballina Municipal District that he has nothing against the seals but wants them removed from the estuary.

I know a person who took off two weeks to go fishing on the Moy this year and he did not get one pull for the two weeks and he said he will never be back, Cllr O'Hara said.

I don't mind if they take the seals and put them in some other place but they have to be taken out of the estuary because nothing will get up by them. We are the salmon capital of Ireland but it will be the end of it if fishermen do not come back.

Our fishing is gone completely and I don't know who is going to tackle it. They don't need to kill the seals, they can bring them to another place but we as a fishing town are finished if something is not done about it. I am asking somebody to address it because fishing is our biggest tourism attraction and it's gone. You can ask anyone in town, there is not a bit of fresh salmon to be got in Ballina and we are the town promoting it. There is something wrong, he said.

The Fine Gael councillor thanked the council officials for writing to the minister outlining the concerns of the councillors but was disappointed with the response.

The correspondence from Danielle Kelly, Private Secretary to Minister Noonan stated that seals are protected under the Wildlife Acts and the EU Habitats Directive but a licence may be issued to cull individual problem seals.

She stated that three licences have been issued between 2016 and October 2023 for the Moy Estuary and to date the licences have not been used on any occasion. Ms Kelly added that grey seals are known to move between Scotland and north-west France and migrate into Irish waters to feed and 'therefore culling seals in Ireland is unlikely to be an effective management measure'.

The members were informed that the National Parks and Wildlife Service are providing support to a pilot study carried out by University College Cork with a key focus on seal depredation monitoring and mitigation; including research on the application of startle technology to reduce depredation in static fisheries.

Killala-based councillor Jarlath Munnelly said the correspondence did state that licences can be issued for culling and he was of the opinion that while some people may see it as barbaric, the culling of seals in a right way is part of the solution.

Declan Turnbull, Head of the Ballina Municipal District said that the council were looking to invite an expert from Inland Fisheries Ireland to talk to councillors on the issue of seals and salmon stocks on the Moy.
Delaware North is donating five snowmobiles to the City of Buffalo to bolster the Buffalo Fire Departments winter emergency response during major snow events, including blizzards.

The five lightly-used 2022 Ski-Doo Grand Touring Sport 600 ACE models are valued at about $15,000 each, a total of $75,000.

Is Buffalo too late in planning for next blizzard? Buffalo Mayor Byron W. Brown filed his snow plan for the 2023-24 winter season two days shy of the Nov. 1 deadline. A Buffalo Common Council member and the leaders of the police and fire unions said Wednesday it is all happening too late.

They were sourced from Nova Guides, Delaware Norths adventure tour business at Camp Hail, Colo.

I thank Delaware North for once again being a good corporate citizen with the donation of five snowmobiles to the Buffalo Fire Department," Mayor Byron W. Brown said. "In an emergency snow situation, the snowmobiles will be helpful in many ways. The snowmobiles will be added to all of the new equipment and vehicles the city of Buffalo added as we get ready for winter 2023.

For the coming winter, Buffalos Department of Public Works has 10 additional snowplows, six surplus plows on loan from the state and four new plows purchased by the city. And the city has set aside $1 million to pay contractors for snow removal in emergencies.

The city, Erie County and New York state were all criticized for their responses to the deadly blizzard of 2022 that killed 46 people in Erie County and buried the region in nearly 5 feet of lake-effect snow over three days. Hurricane-force gusts caused extended periods of blinding, whiteout conditions. Widespread power outages left thousands freezing in their homes. Hundreds of motorists were stranded in their vehicles. Emergency responders and even snowplows struggled to get through to those who needed help.
Ashford Castle and The Lodge at Ashford Castle was illuminated in purple last night as part of the 5 in 6 awareness campaign to highlight the threat of pancreatic cancer which is described as 'the silent cancer'.

Ashford Castle and The Lodge at Ashford Castle along with eight of the leading hotels in Ireland lit up in purple to mark World Pancreatic Cancer Day which takes place today, November 16. The '5 in 6 campaign' aims to spotlight one of the worlds deadliest cancers, which kills five in every six people diagnosed with cancer of the pancreas, 50 percent within the first year.

Ashford Castle's Niall Rochford has spearheaded the campaign after his wife Stella died just eight weeks after she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in 2022. Mr Rochford said Stella's death has had a devastating impact for him and his three children and he believes the greatest tribute he can pay her is to help ensure that others who receive a diagnosis are given the best possible chance of survival through education, advocacy and research.

For me and my family, the 5 in 6 campaign is the start of Stellas legacy. The more people that know about pancreatic cancer, the better our chances of fighting it.

I want to save as many families as possible from the trauma and devastation we have experienced and that starts with awareness of this deadly disease that ruins so many lives, said Niall.

Niall stated he never imagined he would be spearheading an awareness campaign but after Stella's death he joined forces with Pancreatic Cancer Ireland, survivors of pancreatic cancer and medical experts to raise awareness of the disease so that any chance of increased early detection can lead to better outcomes for other families and their loved ones. In comparison to other cancers, pancreatic cancer has a shockingly low survival rate.

Pancreatic cancer is not one of the more commonly diagnosed cancers but unfortunately it is one of the leading causes of cancer related death worldwide. While people may have few symptoms in the early stages of a pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Professor Aisling Barry, Chair of Radiation Oncology at University College Cork suggests that if anyone experiences one or more of six key symptoms to consider seeking further medical care.

While of course these symptoms in isolation may have other causes, its important that people are alerted to their potential association with pancreatic cancer, particularly if there is a family history of the disease. While many of the symptoms might only develop as the disease progresses, people can empower themselves to seek further medical input by being aware of their family medical history and by knowing these potential symptoms, she said.

The six main symptoms include: Tummy pain or back pain; digestive problems: poor appetite, indigestion, nausea; jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) and/or itchiness; noticeable change in bowel habits (light-coloured or floating stools); new diagnosis of diabetes or diabetes thats getting harder to control; and unexplained weight loss.

With purple the symbol of the pancreatic cancer awareness cause, Niall thanked his industry colleagues who didnt hesitate in lending their support to the campaign by lighting up their hotels in purple to mark Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Day

The hotels which joined Ashford Castle and The Lodge at Ashford Castle in lighting up their hotels in purple were Adare Manor, Limerick; Cashel Palace, Tipperary; Dromoland Castle, Clare; Trump Doonbeg, Clare; Killarney Park Hotel, Kerry; Hayfield Manor, Cork; The K Club, Kildare and The Merrion Hotel, Dublin.
ALTHOUGH he said that last year would be his final trip to South Africa with the Niall Mellon Township Challenge, James Lally is once again packing his trowel and heading to the southern hemisphere.

Blocklayer James Lally from Aughagower, Westport, will be returning to Cape Town for the eleventh time next Saturday, November 18, along with his 19-year-old daughter, Orla, to help build a school in the Khayelitsha township.

I went out last November, James told The Mayo News. I brought my daughter Orla with me, as it was supposed to be my last trip, but she decided No, no we are going again. She loved it. She saw the other side of the coin. She loved the work and meeting other people and cultures, and so we are on our way out again on Saturday.

Big family

James first travelled to Cape Town in 2008 to build houses with the Niall Mellon Township Challenge. Since 2013, Mellon Educate has set about improving access to better standards of education in African townships. To date, the charity has built or renovated 32 schools, providing over 50,000 young children with a better chance in life.

Next week, James and Orla will travel to the Khayelitsha township, which has a population of 1.5 million people, just a quarter of which lives in permanent housing.

James and Orla will be among 360 other volunteers who will work for just over a week to construct a new school for the township, with Orla labouring for James on the site.

Since he started going to South Africa, James has made some wonderful friendships  one of the main reasons he keeps going back.

There are people I met the first year who I will meet and work together again. We do meet up during the year and ask will we go, and we decide well give it another lash. I have made some brilliant friendships from it with people from all over Ireland, England and America. It is like a big family, he added.

Fundraising fun

As part of the building blitz, each new volunteer must raise 4,500 while veteran volunteers have to raise 4,000. James held a bucket collection in Westport while Orla organised a shave, wax and dye event in the Country Lodge Hotel in Aughagower.

Thank everyone for supporting us in our fundraising because without their help and support we would not be able to do this. We had a great night in the Country Lodge where they really made a clown of me, he laughed.

I got waxed, hair shaved and dyed. They were supposed to put in the washable dye but no they said theyd do a right job so I had to shave the whole lot off and go into work on Monday. But it was all part of a good cause, and well assure everyone well do a good job out there, he added.
TWO groups of students from Sancta Maria College in Louisburgh will compete in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition in Dublin in January.

Science Week is taking place across Ireland this week, and Sancta Maria College is marking the week with a number of events in the school.

This year, two groups of its Transition Year students qualified for the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition with projects concentrating on different aspects of science and technology.

Jack Fallon and John Prendergast have a project entitled Cliseadh Miotal Trom: Cereal Contamination Under the Microscope, while Jade Clifford, Sylvie Neuhaus and Saoirse Morrisons project is entitled SOS (Shut Out Strangers)  A workshop delivered to potential online targets by targets themselves.

The objective of Jack and Johns project is to assess and compare the concentrations of heavy metals, including lead, cadmium, cobalt and zinc, in a variety of commonly consumed cereal brands in order to understand possible health risks associated with heavy metal exposure through cereal consumption.

The students are linking directly with Dr Philip White (Analytical Chemistry, ATU Galway) and have carried out analyses on their samples using the Graphite Furnace Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometer at ATU Galway.

Jade, Silvie and Saoirses SOS is a three-part workshop that aims to identify and suggest appropriate actions in response to the various threatening situations teenagers that may face when they engage in online activity daily.

SOS will assist these young people through the medium of various methods which indicate how to take appropriate action against these dangers.

These students have linked in with An Garda Siochana to discuss the Harassment, Harmful Communications and Related Offences Act 2020 and the repercussions associated with breaking this law.

They have also linked with RTE reporter Ailbhe Conneely who has put them in contact with Orla Stewart who had experience of online threatening behaviour and grooming at age ten. Orla gave a harrowing interview with RTE detailing her experience and agreed to give an interview to the SOS team.

In addition to this, a realistic role play has been generated to highlight the subtle signs of online danger to look out for when communicating online. The SOS training will be given to younger members of the school community this week.

The projects have been coordinated by science teacher Caoimhe Lynn and TY coordinator Judi OMalley, and both are looking forward to working with the groups ahead of the competition in January.

Commenting, Ms Lynn said: The two projects explore two different areas of science, with one being behaviour and psychology while the other is chemistry and biology. They came up with their proposal three weeks ago and we recently got word they are through to the competition and they will start carrying out their experiments. It is a great achievement by the two groups and it is exciting times in the science department.
Erie County District Attorney John J. Flynn wont seek re-election and may step down from his position early next year before his term is over at the end of 2024, he told The Buffalo News.

His announcement comes amid recent news that Rep. Brian Higgins is leaving Congress before the end of his term and the possibility being floated that Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown could resign early, possibly to run for Congress or become the next president of SUNY Buffalo State University.

DA says he can't investigate Monsignor O'Connor murder without new evidence It is not a closed case, and its still open right now. I already have spoken to the police and they have reviewed all the materials and we are at a standstill, unless we get some new evidence, Flynn said Wednesday.

If Flynn steps aside, it would clear a path for Michael J. Keane, his first deputy district attorney, to succeed him.

Erie County Democratic Committee Chairman Jeremy Zellner confirmed Thursday that county Democrats plan to endorse Keane on Tuesday as the partys nominee for the 2024 election. The endorsement was first reported by WKBW-TV.

Flynn said Thursday that he had always planned on serving only two terms, and had said that repeatedly since he was elected in 2016.

DA's Office: G. Steven Pigeon 'thinks everybody is out to get him' A court ruling on whether to appoint a special prosecutor in G. Steven Pigeon's child rape case will come within two weeks, a judge said at a hearing Tuesday.

I personally believe in term limits, Flynn said.

That goes back to his days when he was on the Tonawanda Town Board, he said.

In 2005, he sponsored legislation instituting term limits of town board members and town supervisor to three four-year terms. During that time, the town board also reduced its size from seven members to five and stopped providing health insurance for board members.

I think that its important to have fresh blood and new people get into office, Flynn said. Two terms is enough. The president has two terms. Personally, for me, I believe in that.

Flynn said he plans on going back to private practice. He was previously a personal injury attorney. He also served as Tonawandas town attorney.

Looking back at his time in office, Flynn reflected on two major events  the racist massacre at the Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue on May 14, 2022, and the criminal justice reforms in New York.

Gunman charged in Buffalo mass shooting pleads guilty to 15 counts The self-proclaimed white supremacist who meticulously planned and then carried out the mass murder of 10 Black people at the Tops supermarket on Jefferson Avenue pleaded guilty Monday morning to 15 charges against him, guaranteeing he will serve life in prison without the possibility of parole.

The killer, Payton Gendron, pleaded guilty six months after the attack to 15 charges, including domestic terrorism motivated by hate, for the slaying of 10 Black people and for injuring three other people. While a federal case against him is pending, the guilty plea to the state domestic terrorism charge guarantees he will spend the rest of his life behind bars.

Im very grateful that we were able to resolve the Tops shooting sooner rather than later, and that justice was not dragged out, not only for the families and for the community, Flynn said.

Navigating the criminal justice reforms that have transformed New Yorks legal system has been challenging, he said.

Im a believer in reform and doing the right thing, Flynn said. However, I have said that the new rules went too far.

Flynn said he supported getting rid of bail for misdemeanors in most cases. A year and a half before the new state laws went into effect that prohibited judges from setting bail in cases involving all misdemeanors and various nonviolent felonies, he had told his assistant district attorneys to stop asking for bail in misdemeanor cases.

But the new laws were too restrictive when it came to felonies and to repeat offenders, Flynn said.

You went from one extreme to the other, and there was no common-sense middle ground, he said.

He would advocate for simplifying the laws.

All felonies should be bail eligible. ... Ive got no problems with misdemeanors, he said.

He would also like to see changes to the deadlines prosecutors face in providing discovery evidence to defense attorneys, as well as some tweaks to the Raise the Age laws regarding juvenile offenders.

Flynn said one of his proudest achievements was being able to raise the starting salary of assistant DAs by $20,000, so I was able to make it more competitive to recruit people to come here, he said.

Keane endorsement

Regarding Keane, Zellner said that he expects to endorse him next week.

Hes an incredible public servant who left the private sector to come back and become a prosecutor again. And I think hes the strongest candidate to keep this community safe, he said.

Keane currently is responsible for supervising all bureaus and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the DAs office, according to the district attorneys website. It also states that Keane spearheaded the establishment of specialized bureaus, including the Raise the Age Bureau, Conviction Integrity Unit and Public Integrity Unit.

Keane comes from a storied South Buffalo political family. He is the son of former Assemblyman Richard J. Keane, who served 33 years in public office, and the brother of Buffalo City Court Judge Kevin J. Keane. His uncle, James P. Keane, was a former deputy Erie County executive who unsuccessfully ran for county executive in 2007.

Zellner said no other candidates approached the committee seeking an endorsement. The Erie County Republican Committee has not announced its endorsement, but WKBW cited James Gardner, a law clerk for Erie County Court Judge Kenneth Case, and Buffalo attorney Scott Allen as possible GOP candidates.

Democrats are expected to have an enrollment advantage in any countywide campaign, especially since 2024 is a presidential election year.
American farmers are more likely to die on the job than those in most other professions.

Their livelihoods are dependent on weather and market forces beyond their control.

As they grow older, they often find their children and grandchildren arent inclined to continue a family vocation that stretches back generations.

Those dynamics help explain why New York State has lost almost half a million acres of farmland during the past 25 years, and why the number of farms statewide fell from 105,714 six decades ago to 33,500 today.

They also underline why U.S. farmers are 3.5 times as likely to die by suicide than the general population, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Farming is such a uniquely stressful occupation because it is more than a job, said Audrey McDougal, a licensed clinical social worker with NY FarmNet.

McDougal will lead a Talk Saves Lives program Saturday in Niagara Falls to help farm families recognize early when stress leads to mental health challenges that can multiply.

The National Grange  which brought its annual convention to Niagara Falls Convention Center this week  has included the talk twice on its five-day agenda, and opened the Saturday talk to the public to underline its importance.

This is a suicide prevention program that is geared toward reducing the stigma around mental health and suicide conversations, McDougal said. The purpose of these presentations is to give people the tools and the comfort and the confidence to reach out to loved ones or friends or neighbors that they might be concerned about, and really equip them with the language to have those conversations.

Beside prevention, she said, we know through evidence that talking about suicide actually reduces the likelihood of someones risk of dying by suicide.

Talk Saves Lives is among efforts to bolster support for farmers and ranchers in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic.

During the pandemic, prices rose for everything from labor and fuel to the corn and soy used for feed, U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand said in an online August press conference to advocate for the National Agriculture Crisis Hotline Act. Dramatic changes in demand meant that farmers across the country were forced to either leave their crops to rot, dump thousands of gallons of milk or euthanize their livestock. Some struggled to find enough workers. Others were forced to lay them off. Still more were forced to file for bankruptcy.

The act would create a crisis hotline to specifically cater to the needs of farmers, ranchers, related professionals and their families, said Gillibrand, D-N.Y., who introduced the measure in the Senate.

In New York, FarmNet already helps farmers and farm families that want to address those risks. Based at Cornell University in Ithaca, it offers emotional support alongside business and financial advice along with its 24-hour confidential help line, 800-547-3276.

Its free programs include farm visits by consulting experts in financial matters and emotional support.

We often get calls about financial difficulties or big transitions coming up, such as retirement planning or succession planning, but we offer holistic services, McDougal said. These types of challenges are not separate from mental and emotional challenges, right?

The consultants can connect farmers to services in their communities and online.

The National Grange is the countrys largest and oldest agricultural fraternity. It advocates for rural America with more than 1,400 granges and 140,000 members serving their hometowns nationwide.

The Saturday Talk Saves Lives program runs on the last day of its 157th annual convention. It will start at 9 a.m. in the Olmsted Room of the Niagara Falls Convention Center, 101 Old Falls St.

You do not need to register. A livestream of a similar program for conference participants can be seen online at youtube.com/nationalgrange. Learn more about the conference at grange.biz/Convention157.
Global Atrial Fibrillation Market generated revenue of US$ 3,310.1 million in 2022 and is estimated to reach a valuation of US$ 6,839.8 million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 8.71% during the forecast period from 2023 to 2031.

The global atrial fibrillation market is experiencing a remarkable growth trajectory in the forecast period. Atrial fibrillation, known as AFib, is the most prevalent form of irregular heartbeat, affecting over 60 million individuals worldwide. The markets expansion is driven by the growing incidence of atrial fibrillation, the rising utilization of miniaturized implantable cardioverter defibrillators, and the increasing preference for catheter ablation.

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The demand for treatment in the global atrial fibrillation market is escalating across the globe. This can be due to the aging population and the rise in the prevalence of risk factors associated with atrial fibrillation, such as obesity and diabetes. Atrial fibrillation, the most common type of arrhythmia or irregular heartbeat, affects more than 2.2 million Americans and is responsible for around 130,000 deaths annually. Research indicates that chronic stress and burnout may heighten the likelihood of developing AFib, with a study spanning 23 years revealing a connection between stress and the onset of atrial fibrillation.

Multiple treatment options are available for atrial fibrillation, including medications, surgery, and catheter ablation. The most effective treatment varies depending on the individual patient. As the population ages and more individuals develop risk factors for the condition, the demand for atrial fibrillation treatment will continue to surge.

Astute Analyticas analysis of the global atrial fibrillation market identifies three main drug classes employed in its treatment: antiarrhythmics, anticoagulants, and beta-blockers. Flecainide stands as the most frequently prescribed antiarrhythmic, while Warfarin holds the status of the most widely used anticoagulant. Although beta-blockers are also employed in treating atrial fibrillation, their usage has declined in recent years due to concerns regarding their efficacy. Kantars report reveals that the total cost of treating atrial fibrillation in the UK has risen by 100 million in the past five years, primarily due to the escalating number of individuals being diagnosed with the condition.

Minimally Invasive Procedures Becoming Increasingly Popular in Atrial Fibrillation Market

The popularity of minimally invasive procedures in the atrial fibrillation market is on the rise. These procedures offer a less invasive alternative to traditional open-heart surgery by utilizing small incisions in the chest or abdomen and catheters to access the heart. This approach reduces the invasiveness and promotes a faster recovery time.

There are various minimally invasive procedures available for treating atrial fibrillation. Catheter ablation, pulmonary vein ablation, and atrial septal occlusion are among the techniques used to address this condition. These procedures have proven to be effective in many cases, providing patients with improved outcomes and quality of life.

In addition to catheter-based procedures, minimally invasive surgical approaches like surgical ablation and hybrid procedures have gained significant popularity in AFib treatment. These techniques involve smaller incisions and the utilization of specialized tools to access and treat the heart, resulting in reduced pain, scarring, and recovery time for patients.

Despite the growing popularity of minimally invasive procedures, it is important to note that they may not be suitable for every individual. Each patients case must be evaluated carefully, taking into consideration their unique circumstances and medical history to determine the most appropriate treatment approach.

Hospitals are the Primary End-Users of Atrial Fibrillation

The hospital segment is poised for remarkable growth, with an anticipated Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 9.16% during the forecast period from 2022 to 2030. Our comprehensive study reveals that hospitals play a pivotal role as a primary source for the diagnosis and treatment of atrial fibrillation, a condition that can lead to severe health complications, including strokes.

Hospitals possess the state-of-the-art technology and medical expertise necessary to accurately diagnose atrial fibrillation and offer effective treatment options. In the atrial fibrillation market, patients have access to a range of treatment options, including medication, surgical interventions, and electrical cardioversion.

The emergency room serves as a frequent setting for individuals seeking medical attention, making it an ideal location to focus efforts that can significantly alter the trajectory of illness. According to Canadian and international guidelines, a majority of patients who visit the emergency room due to atrial fibrillation do not require hospitalization and can be safely discharged to their place of residence.

This approach ensures that patients receive the appropriate care while minimizing the need for extended hospital stays. By following established guidelines, healthcare professionals can confidently discharge atrial fibrillation patients from the emergency room, enabling them to return to the comfort and familiarity of their own homes.

North America Emerges as a Dominant Region, Contributing 39% of Revenue Share

North America has emerged as the dominant player in the global atrial fibrillation market, contributing significantly to its revenue. In 2021, North America held a substantial market share of 39.2%. Within the region, the United States stood out as the primary revenue generator, accounting for more than 80% of the market share.

In line with this, atrial fibrillation poses a significant health burden in the United States, causing over 80,000 fatalities annually. Additionally, healthcare providers identify more than 460,000 new cases of atrial fibrillation each year. These alarming statistics highlight the urgent need for effective treatment options.

One of the key factors propelling the expansion of the atrial fibrillation market is the increasing utilization of technologically advanced atrial fibrillation devices. These innovative devices have revolutionized the management of this condition and are driving market growth.

Additionally, the medical system faces a significant challenge due to the rising prevalence of heart problems among the older population. As the aging population grows, the burden of atrial fibrillation and other cardiovascular conditions continues to increase, placing strain on healthcare resources and necessitating improved treatment options.

For The Full Report, Please Follow This Link- https://www.astuteanalytica.com/industry-report/atrial-fibrillation-market

The medical community is actively working to address these challenges, researching and developing innovative therapies to improve patient outcomes. By leveraging technological advancements and focusing on preventive measures, the medical system aims to reduce the impact of atrial fibrillation and enhance the quality of life for affected individuals.

Overall, while North America, particularly the United States, dominates the global atrial fibrillation market, it is crucial to prioritize research, prevention, and treatment strategies to mitigate the impact of this condition and reduce its associated mortality and morbidity rates.

List of Key Companies Profiled

Segmental Overview

By Type

Paroxysmal Afib

Persistent Afib

Chronic/Permanent Afib

By Technology

Microlife AFIB Technology

Hybrid Surgical-Catheter Ablation

Cryotherapy

By Treatment

Diagnosis

Electrocardiogram



Blood tests



Echocardiogram



Chest X-ray



Other (Blood tests)



Medication

Anticoagulants



Others



By End User

Hospitals

Care Centers

Outpatients

Ambulatory Services

By Region

North America

The U.S.



Canada



Mexico



Europe

The U.K.



Germany



France



Italy



Spain



Poland



Russia



Rest of Europe



Asia Pacific

China



India



Japan



South Korea



Australia & New Zealand



ASEAN



Rest of Asia Pacific



South America

Brazil



Argentina



Rest of South America



Middle East & Africa

UAE



Saudi Arabia



South Africa



Rest of Middle East & Africa



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About Astute Analytica

Astute Analytica is a global analytics and advisory company that has built a solid reputation in a short period, thanks to the tangible outcomes we have delivered to our clients. We pride ourselves in generating unparalleled, in-depth and uncannily accurate estimates and projections for our very demanding clients spread across different verticals. We have a long list of satisfied and repeat clients from a wide spectrum including technology, healthcare, chemicals, semiconductors, FMCG, and many more. These happy customers come to us from all across the Globe. They are able to make well-calibrated decisions and leverage highly lucrative opportunities while surmounting the fierce challenges all because we analyze for them the complex business environment, segment-wise existing and emerging possibilities, technology formations, growth estimates, and even the strategic choices available. In short, a complete package. All this is possible because we have a highly qualified, competent, and experienced team of professionals comprising of business analysts, economists, consultants, and technology experts. In our list of priorities, you-our patron come at the top. You can be sure of best cost-effective, value-added package from us, should you decide to engage with us.

    

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At a time when U.S. ad forecasters are beginning to rethink the magnitude of 2023 political ad spending, there is one category that has become a surprising boon, especially for local and digital media in key states: reproductive rights ballot initiatives.

"It could be $500 million just right there," Kyle Roberts, founder and CEO of political -- as well as general market -- ad tracker AdImpact told a roomful of station reps gathered in New York City late Wednesday to hear his latest revisions for 2023 and 2024 political ad spending.

He was pointing to a slide presentation showing 11 states likely to have reproductive rights initiatives on their ballots next year.

Even so, Roberts estimated "it could be half a billion dollars" in incremental political ad spending supporting both sides of the states where it does reach the ballot.

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And he wasn't just putting a finger in the air when he said that, because the slide he presented immediately before it showed what happened to political ad spending in Ohio as a result of a state Amendment and reproductive ballot initiative in which voters enshrined Ohio women's right to choose in their state Constitution.

"This was a $70 million campaign, just on reproductive rights -- in Ohio. That was pretty big," Roberts explained, calling the Supreme Court's Dobbs decision as fundamental an impact on the political advertising marketplace as the Supreme Court's Citizens United decision was back in 2010.

Adding fuel to the media-spending fire, Roberts noted that several of the potential reproductive-rights ballot states also will be so-called "swing states" in the general election -- creating a double whammy of political ad messaging that he predicted could be "pretty combustible in terms of ad dollars."

"There is a significant amount of cash there," he emphasized, adding: "This issue is not going away, as we all know."

"If I'm a seller in this room, I am watching what's happening with abortion rights in my state to find out if anything is going to hit the ballot, because that could drive significant dollars," Roberts told the reps.

As polarizing as that could prove for U.S. politics, it's a good thing for the U.S. ad economy, because Roberts also noted that political ad spending is one of the few categories where "more money is coming in" during a slowdown and possible ad recession.

That said, Roberts conceded that 2023 "odd-year" spending so far has been a bit underwhelming, and is actually about $90 million off 2021's record $1.3 billion on odd-year spending.

Roberts attributed that slowdown to a variety of factors, including the fact that Republican primary spending has not manifested in the way it had been predicted, including one dominant candidate and lackluster spending by challengers.

He cited Tim Scott's pullout, which takes an estimated $11.5 million political ad budget out of the market, and the fact that neither Vivek Ramaswamy or Nikki Haley have spent the millions of ad dollars they had been projected to spend -- so far.

But the biggest slowdown in political ad spending, he said, has been coming from ad spending that would have been come from "low-dollar fundraising initiative," especially for down-ballot candidates this year, although he predicted it was something to keep an eye on for the general election next year, as well.

One candidate likely to generate significant low-dollar fundraising, he said, already is the leading Republican candidate: the twice-impeached former president.

That said, Roberts also predicted another boon in political ad spending would come from the other side, noting, "The anti-Trump money is going to be huge," adding: "He's the best thing, really, for the business."

In terms of how things stand currently vis a vis the political "cash-on-hand" between the two major parties, Roberts showed data putting Democrats in a more advantageous position heading into 2024, which is a role reversal from the same point leading into the 2020 presidential election, when Republicans had a stronger cash position.

"It's flipped," he said, citing the low-dollar fundraising among Republican candidates in particular.
by Erik Oster , November 16, 2023

Hidden Valley Ranchs new collaboration is all about brand self-love.

Today, Hidden Valley Ranch announced a new brand collaboration with  Hidden Valley Ranch. The limited-edition release promises double the herbs, double the spices, double the flavor, which the launch accomplishes with double the bottles.

Dubbed Double Ranch, the limited-edition product is, essentially, two bottles of ranch fused together in a kind of X pattern alluding to the x ubiquitous in cross-branded limited-edition product drops.

The brand is making 222 bottles (or double bottles, so 444 bottles total? Math isnt our strong suit) available for purchase as part of a package which also contains a double ramekin for dipping, and a reversible bucket hat which the brand says can be used for donning or dunking.

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Hidden Ranch is debuting the release at ComplexCon (a pop-culture event known as the festival of the future) on Nov. 18 in Long Beach, California., and making the launch available through a special Snapchat lens, or through a dedicated landing page for those without Snapchat.

If not for Hidden Valley Ranchs own recent marketing history, it might be easy to read the stunt as parodying the ubiquity of such cross-brand partnerships.

But The Clorox-owned brand recently collaborated with Top Chef champion Stephanie Izards This Little Goat brand to launch Ranch Chili Crunch, and partnered last year with truffle-product brand TRUFF to release a sauce combining Original Black Truffle Hot Sauce and Hidden Valley Ranch. It has also engaged in some further afield, odd-couple mashups, including teaming up with Van Leeuwen this year for a Hidden Valley Ranch-flavored ice cream, and with Crocs for a Hidden Valley Ranch x Crocs footwear release in 2021.

Its unclear if the brand may pursue similar self-collaborations in the future. Given Hidden Valley's ownership by the Clorox Company -- which also controls such brands as Burts Bees, KC Masterpiece, and Fresh Step cat litter -- there are certainly opportunities for some unusual combinations among the Clorox roster should the brand seek out some kind of middle ground.
by Colin Kirkland , November 16, 2023

In a seven-figure cash deal, SplitMetrics, an American startup focused on helping mobile-first businesses, has acquired Austrian app marketing and analytics platform App Radar to facilitate the widespread growth of mobile apps.

The companies say that they will continue to operate as separate brands, serving over 1,000 customers across Europe and the U.K., North America and the APAC region.

SplitMetrics consists of a global team of 160 and manages over $250 million in annual ad spend. Its customers include German subscription-based language-learning software Babbel, Scottish search aggregator and travel agency Skyscanner, Japanese-owned cross-platform messaging software app Viber and more.

App Radar specializes in app store optimization and automation for 30,000 app developers and marketers like Degiro, ProCamera, Chatterbug and Cronometer. The company also monitors around 30 million keywords on app stores each day.

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By joining forces, both companies aim to offer their customers a wide range of tools to grow their apps in major app stores while also forming the industrys largest AI-powered platform, providing app developers and marketers with various app-growth services such as paid user acquisition (UA), app store optimization (ASO), conversion rate optimization and data analytics.

SplitMetrics acquisition is part of a wider strategy to capitalize on the growth of AI enabled marketing, the company said in a statement, aiming to become an AI company that provides holistic services for apps that breaks down any existing barriers between UA, ASO and conversion optimization.

Due to the impact of AI the days of siloed app marketing solutions are numbered, says CEO and co-founder of SplitMetrics Max Kamenkov, who believes that consolidation and change in the industry is likely due to the developing powers of AI automation and holistic services that combine and leverage marketing data in one designated space.
by Wendy Davis , Staff Writer @wendyndavis, November 16, 2023

A ban on behavioral advertising could go a long way toward addressing a host of complaints about Big Tech, ranging from accusations that social platforms are harming teens to claims that tech companies are putting newspapers out of business, the prominent advocacy group Electronic Frontier Foundation argued this week.

Many of the ills of todays internet have a single thing in common: they are built on a system of corporate surveillance, the group writes in its new report, Privacy First: A Better Way to Address Online Harms.

The group argues that several legislative proposals under consideration -- including bills to ban TikTok, force social platforms to revise editorial practices, or allow news organizations to jointly negotiate with tech platforms -- are misguided. Instead of those proposals, the advocacy organization says, lawmakers should outlaw behavioral targeting -- meaning serving ads to users based on their activity across sites and apps.

Whatever online harms you want to alleviate, you can do it better, with a broader impact, if you do privacy first, the group writes.

For instance, the group argues, curbs on data collection for commercial purposes could address fears that China spies on TikTok users.

Minimize how much information all tech companies can collect and thereby limit the information that can be sold or given away, the group writes.

Similarly, according to the organization, lawmakers could address concerns about Instagram's or TikTok's impact on teens by banning behavioral targeting, instead of attempting to regulate how the services display content to minors.

The current accumulation of personal data -- and the advertising industry that it fuels -- is the starting point of a lot of online harm to children, the organization writes. If you ban online behavioral advertising, you remove most of the incentive to collect and weaponize childrens preferences to get them to buy more things, and along with it many of the concerns about social media use by kids.

Regarding journalism, the Electronic Frontier Foundation argues that a law limiting tracking while allowing contextual ads -- meaning ads related to the content on the page -- would remove much of the edge that the giants now enjoy.

While a tech company may know everything about a readers web history and recent purchases, no one knows more about the content of a publication than its direct publisher, the organization writes.

The News/Media Alliance, which represents newspapers and magazines, seems less enthusiastic about the prospect of banning behavioral targeting. That organization told the Federal Trade Commission last year that small and mid-size publishers rely on programmatic advertising, and that readers prefer targeted advertising if done correctly without excessive surveillance or obscure tracking practices.

Any privacy regulations should be designed to help ensure that data collection and profiling can be done responsibly and openly, the News/Media Alliance wrote in comments to the agency.

Separately, the ad industry has made no secret of its opposition to potential bans on behavioral targeting.

Last year, organizations including Privacy for America, the Association of National Advertisers and the Interactive Advertising Bureau, urged lawmakers to abandon the American Data Privacy and Protection Act, which would have outlawed behavioral advertising. Those groups wrote that the bill would stifle that data-driven economy by prohibiting the collection and use of basic demographic and online activity data for efficient, responsible advertising.
Mitchell A. Martin, a chief in the Erie County Sheriffs Office who has experience in local Republican politics, will challenge Assembly Member David J. DiPietro in a GOP primary for the 147th District next year.

[BN] Politics Now: One campaign comes to an end and another one begins State Sen. Tim Kennedy, also a Democrat from South Buffalo, is stepping up to succeed Brian Higgins. It would be a natural step for Kennedy, who came up through Higgins political organization and whose career has mirrored that of his mentor.

In announcing his candidacy, Martin  who is the chairman of the Town of Boston Republican Party  said he has lined up endorsements from supervisors and mayors in East Aurora, Orchard Park, Warsaw and 16 other towns and villages in Erie and Wyoming counties.

That should be a testament to the difference in work ethic between me and the person who currently holds that position, Martin said of DiPietro. If he was doing a great job, you wouldnt have all these electeds picking me over him.

DiPietro, in a written statement, said, As the first public servant in America to proudly endorse Donald Trump for President, my strong conservative record will lead to victory next November.

DiPietro noted that the State Conservative Party ranked my right-leaning record as 100% conservative and stressed the fact that the organization once named him its Conservative of the Year.

Martin, 53, is positioning himself as a more moderate alternative to DiPietro, who has raised his voice at town hall meetings and who has drawn criticism from some constituents for his incendiary letters to a weekly newspaper in East Aurora.

I am just as conservative as he is, Martin said. But Im somebody that the other side can work with. And when you have a Democratic majority in both the Assembly and Senate and governor, you need to work with the other side. Screaming is not going to get things done.

Martin is the chief of community services for Erie County Sheriff John Garcia. He ran Garcias campaign in 2021. Previously, he worked as an aide to State Sen. Patrick Gallivan, R-Elma, and former Rep. Chris Jacobs, R-Orchard Park.

DiPietro is a former East Aurora mayor and former owner of Sparkle Cleaners, a dry cleaning company. He was first elected in 2012 but has not faced a primary challenge since then.

Im a small business owner who fights for farmers, battles to secure our Second Amendment rights, and protects the lives of the unborn, DiPietro said. Taxpayers know my strong, consistent conservative voting record, one I am proud to run on.

Martin ran for chairman of the Erie County Republican Committee in 2022, losing to Michael Kracker. Kracker said the party has not decided whom to endorse for the seat. The primary will take place in June.

The 147th Assembly District includes towns in southern Erie County and in Wyoming County.
A week after the election, there is still no clear winner in the race for the next Cheektowaga town supervisor.

The Erie County Board of Elections reported that a canvass on Wednesday of Nov. 7 election results, including affidavit ballots, showed an unofficial margin less than half of 1%, small enough to require a recount under New York State election law.

A Board of Elections spokesman said that the recount is likely to be held next week.

The canvass showed Democrat Brian M. Nowak continuing to hold a slim lead over Republican Michael C. Jasinski. According to the tally, Nowak received 9,038 votes while Jasinski had 8,981, a difference of 57 votes.

Tuesday was the deadline for absentee ballots to be received and counted, as long as they were postmarked by Nov. 7. The final canvass Wednesday afternoon included reviewing approximately 100 affidavit ballots in Cheektowaga to determine if those votes should be counted, according to the elections board.

Cheektowaga supervisor race too close to call, will come down to absentee, affidavit ballots Democrat Brian Nowak leads Republican Michael Jasinski by just 36 votes as of Wednesday morning, according to results posted by the Erie County Board of Elections.

Despite the close results, Nowak declared victory the day following the election, saying he believes his lead will remain. Jasinski has not conceded.

Nowak had an early lead over Jasinski thanks to early and mail-in votes, but Jasinski made up for that with in-person ballots, according to the results.

Both candidates are on the Town Board, so whoever wins will leave a seat vacant on the board, which can be filled by appointment or during a special election next year.

In the election for Town Board members, Democrat Gerald Kaminski will retain his seat and be joined by Republican challengers Barbara Bakowski and Vernon Thompson. Democrat Richard Rusiniak will be the next Cheektowaga highway superintendent.

Town Clerk Kimberly Burst and Town Justice David Stevens will both hang on to their positions after running unopposed.
WASHINGTON  President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Wednesday to restore some military-to-military communications between their armed forces as the two leaders met for hours on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco.

Both sides pledged cooperation that would bring the U.S and China closer to resuming regular talks under whats known as the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement, which until 2020 had been used to improve safety in the air and on the sea.

A senior U.S. official said after the Biden-Xi meeting ended that the military communication agreements mean that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin can meet with his Chinese counterpart once that person is named. The official spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss a private meeting.

This also opens the door for agreements at less-senior levels, including allowing the Hawaii-based commander of U.S. Pacific forces to engage with counterpart theater commanders, the official said. The agreement further will likely mean operational engagements between ship drivers and others at a much lower levels in each country.

Xi said after the meeting that he and Biden agreed to resume high-level military dialogues on the basis of equity and respect, according to a statement released by China Central Television, the state broadcaster.

The agreement comes after U.S. military leaders had expressed repeated concerns about the lack of communications with China, particularly as the number of unsafe or unprofessional incidents between the two nations ships and aircraft has spiked.

According to the Pentagon's most recent report on China's military power, Beijing has denied, canceled or ignored military-to-military communications and meetings with the Pentagon for much of last year and this year. The report warns that the lack of such talks raises the risk of an operational incident or miscalculation spiraling into crisis or conflict.

The U.S. views military relations with China as critical to avoiding any missteps and maintaining a peaceful Indo-Pacific region. Here's a look at the often fraught relationship between the U.S. and Chinese militaries.

A DECADE OF TALKS AND VISITS

More than 15 years ago, the Defense Department was making progress in a growing effort to improve relations with Beijing as both sides stepped up military activities in the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. was concerned about Beijing's dramatic and rapid military growth. And China was suspicious of America's expanding presence in the region. In an effort to improve transparency and communication, defense leaders from the two countries were meeting regularly. And in a 2008 speech in Singapore, then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates noted that relations with China had improved, and that a long-sought direct telephone link between the U.S. and China had finally been established. He said he had used it to speak with the defense minister.

He and other defense chiefs, Joint Chiefs chairmen and regional high-level U.S. commanders routinely traveled to China over the next decade, and Chinese defense leaders came to the Pentagon. We dont want miscalculations and misunderstandings and misinterpretations. And the only way you do that is you talk to each other, noted then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in 2013.

The following year Hagel made a historic visit to Yuchi Naval Base and became the first foreign visitor to go aboard China's first aircraft carrier as it was docked at the base.

The Defense Department's 2014 report on China's military power referred to sustained positive momentum in U.S. ties with Beijing, and noted there was a growing number of agreements, conferences, calls and military exercises. It said the two militaries established new channels for dialogue and signed two agreements to improve transparency and reduce the risks of unintended miscalculations by ships and aircraft in the Pacific.

BUT TENSIONS PERSISTED

Even as military leaders were meeting, the Obama administration's widely touted pivot to the Pacific," which added troops, ships and other U.S. military activity in the region, triggered vehement criticism from Beijing. And China's aggressive campaign to militarize a number of manmade islands in the South China Sea alarmed the U.S. and other allies in the Pacific.

Allies worried that China would seek to limit international transit through the region, and that the islands could be used as bases for military action. In 2018, the Trump administration abruptly withdrew an invitation for Beijing to participate in the military exercise known as Rim of the Pacific, citing what it called strong evidence that China had deployed weapons systems on the islands. China has argued that it is within its rights to build up defenses in the South China Sea on what it believes is its sovereign territory.

The Pentagon routinely complained that there was little tangible progress in the press for greater transparency in Chinas military ambitions and its burgeoning defense budget. And China bristled at America's continued support for Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing views as its own.

More broadly, the U.S. issued sharp condemnations of China's escalating cyberattacks targeting government agencies and breaches and cyberespionage into sensitive defense programs.

THEN CAME THE PANDEMIC AND PELOSI

Direct military contacts with Beijing dropped off during the COVID-19 pandemic, due both to travel restrictions and tensions over Chinas potential responsibility for the deadly virus that began within its borders. And in August 2022, Beijing suspended all military contacts with the U.S., in the wake of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan.

Pelosi was the highest-ranking American lawmaker to visit Taiwan since 1997, when then-Speaker Newt Gingrich traveled there. And her visit sparked a surge in military maneuvers by China. Beijing dispatched warships and aircraft across the median line in the Taiwan Strait, claiming the de facto boundary did not exist, fired missiles over Taiwan itself, and challenged established norms by firing missiles into Japans exclusive economic zone.

U.S. officials suggested China was simply using Pelosis visit as a convenient excuse to cut off ties, which were strained by other points of contention, including economic sanctions.

But the lack of communications heightened worries about an increase in what the Pentagon calls risky Chinese aircraft and warship incidents in the past two years. Officials noted that even as tensions with Russia have spiked over the war in Ukraine, military commanders have continued to use a telephone line to deconflict operations in Syria.

The Defense Department last month released video footage of some of the more than 180 intercepts of U.S. warplanes by Chinese aircraft that have occurred in the past two years  more than the total number over the previous decade. Defense officials said the Chinese flights were risky and aggressive, but stopped short of calling most of them unsafe  a term used in egregious cases. They said this was part of a larger trend of regional intimidation by China that could accidentally lead to conflict.

Carolyn Bartholomew, chairwoman of the congressionally mandated U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, said a key goal for the administration should be to get a commitment from the Chinese government to scale back on such dangerous incidents.

THE MARITIME AGREEMENT

Bonnie Lin, director of the China Power project at the Center for Strategic and International Security, a Washington-based think tank, said it was important to restart the talks under the maritime agreement.

Resumption would be a signal that the two sides can work together more, Lin said at a CSIS forum Tuesday.

___

Associated Press writers Tara Copp, Zeke Miller and Colleen Long contributed to this report.
Lawmakers and Veterans Affairs officials on Tuesday touted the potential for psychedelic drugs to treat mental health conditions and prevent veteran suicide, but they said additional research and FDA-approval is needed before the therapies could be available.

In one of the first hearings in Congress on psychedelics since 1966, when Dr. Timothy Leary testified on the therapeutic potential for LSD, a House Veterans Affairs panel drilled VA physicians and advocates on psychiatric treatments that use MDMA, known recreationally as molly or ecstasy, and psilocybin, or magic mushrooms.

Researchers for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, or MAPS, have studied the safety and effectiveness of MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for post-traumatic stress disorder since 2004. The protocol calls for patients taking MDMA in the presence of a therapist, who then leads them through counseling. The treatment involves three eight-hour sessions.

Read Next: Coast Guard Helicopter Crashes, 2 Seriously Injured, in Alaska Search-and-Rescue Mission

In September, scientists published results of a recent clinical trial of MDMA-assisted therapy that showed 87% of patients had significant improvement in PTSD symptoms four months after treatment, and by the study's end, 71% no longer met the diagnostic criteria for post-traumatic stress disorder.

The treatment, designated a "breakthrough therapy" by the Food and Drug Administration in 2017, allowing for additional research, has caught the attention of congressional Democrats and Republicans.

In July, the House voted to encourage the VA to explore using federal funds for MDMA research.

On Tuesday, supporters again said they welcomed the science in an effort to reduce the number of veteran suicides. In 2020, 6,278 veterans died at their own hands, according to the VA, a rate of roughly 17 a day.

But they also expressed concern, given that the drugs remain illegal under federal law and can be dangerous if purchased and used recreationally.

"As a physician who practices traditional medicine, I never thought I would enter Congress and be then advocating for emerging breakthrough therapies, but I think science is leading the way," said Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, R-Iowa, the House subcommittee chairwoman. "I want to reiterate that we are not advocating for the legalization or casual use of psychedelics, but rather the advancement of science of their medicinal properties in a clinical setting with assisted therapy."

The research into psychedelic treatments is limited, but it has shown promise, added Rep. Julia Brownley of California, the subcommittee's ranking Democrat.

"However ... it is our duty as members of Congress to ensure that treatments offered to veterans are both effective and safe," Brownley said.

Dr. Carolyn Clancy, the VA's assistant under secretary for health for discovery, education and affiliate networks, told subcommittee members that VA researchers are exploring emerging treatments and the VA's medical arm, the Veterans Health Administration, sponsored a state-of-the-art conference on psychedelic research in September to "provide a better understanding of the current state of scientific evidence" on the treatments.

She added, however, that safety remains a top priority at the VA, where research and treatments must take place in a safe environment, with quality medications and well-trained staff.

"Our focus isn't just on finding the best innovative treatment but on doing it safely," Clancy said. "The conference determined a need for clinical trials that enroll a unique and diverse population of veterans; rigorous studies of VA patients are important, because they often have mental and physical health challenges."

According to Clancy, the VA is planning to fund several of its own studies on psychedelic research, which remains a challenge given the restrictions and approval needed by the FDA and the Drug Enforcement Administration.

"But," Clancy added, "I know a number of our colleagues are excited about the possibility -- not that they think this is the answer, but they are inspired by hearing from veterans whose own experience has been very, very positive and want to be part of learning whether that is a generalizable finding for many veterans."

Two veterans who testified at the hearing said MDMA-assisted therapy was a lifesaver for them.

Jonathan Lubecky, an Army National Guard and Marine veteran who now advocates for MDMA-assisted treatment, said that before he enrolled in a study through the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, he would hide in his closet on July 4 during fireworks, wearing body armor and suffering flashbacks.

On a recent trip to Ukraine, however, when air raid sirens sounded, he was able to "assess the situation, make sure my building wasn't damaged" and roll over and go back to sleep.

"The triggers still exist. There are still people dropping bombs in this world. They just don't affect me the way they did," Lubecky told the panel.

Juliana Mercer, also a former Marine, said she traveled overseas to receive MDMA-assisted therapy because it wasn't available in the U.S.

"I'm here today asking that you lead as Congress must in such moments of crisis, and continue to urge the VA to implement a nationwide program for this breakthrough therapy as soon as possible. Every day wasted means more lives lost," Mercer said.

The treatment is not without risks. In the Phase 3 trial published in September, nearly all participants experienced what is called a "treatment-emergent adverse event" -- a new symptom or exacerbated existing condition.

None were severe, but symptoms ranged from heart palpitations, high blood pressure, insomnia, anxiety and suicidal ideation. The study noted that 80% of participants had suicidal ideation when they enrolled. Fewer than a handful of participants experienced flashbacks, grief or disassociation, meaning they felt disconnected from themselves and their thoughts and feelings.

Given a potential for addiction and the growing problem of marijuana abuse in the U.S., some lawmakers have raised concerns that promoting the treatments might be tantamount to acceptance of illicit substances and could ultimately cause more harm than good.

Lubecky called a comparison between marijuana and MDMA therapy "inappropriate."

"I'll be honest, I used cannabis for five years to abate suicidal ideation, and it was highly effective. And when I moved to South Carolina and could no longer do that, everything came back. I did MDMA-assisted therapy nine years ago, and I haven't taken any mental health medication since," Lubecky said.

Given its success with the research, MAPS plans to seek FDA approval for its therapy as early as next year.

Clancy said FDA approval could take some time, given that it would not only be approving a controlled substance as a medicine, it would be approving the entire protocol, including the therapy.

"FDA approval will almost certainly be accompanied by something called a REMS approach -- a risk evaluation and management strategy -- which may be straightforward or it may be quite complicated. That will be something that we would obviously review very, very carefully," Clancy said.

She encouraged veterans who are interested in the treatment to speak with their physicians about potential inclusion in future studies and added that anyone thinking about using MDMA recreationally consult a VA provider.

Currently, VA policy prohibits doctors from recommending medical marijuana to veterans or writing prescriptions for it, even in states where it is legal. The policy is controversial, given that some veterans who have admitted to marijuana use with their physicians have had prescription medications curtailed, while others believe that VA doctors should be able to prescribe cannabis.

Clancy said there are no restrictions on veterans speaking with their doctors about psychedelics.

"We'd hope they'd have a conversation ... so that we can help ensure that they have all the information they need," Clancy said.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached at Patricia.Kime@Military.com.

Related: 'You Can Forgive Yourself:' Molly Helps Vets with PTSD, New Study Says
A Camp Pendleton Marine accused of having sex with a missing 14-year-old girl who was found in his barracks last summer will face court-martial, military officials said Wednesday.

The decision comes three months after a preliminary hearing for Pfc. Avery Rosario, whose case grabbed attention after the girl's aunt posted a TikTok video raising questions and alleging the girl had been trafficked. The decision was made by Brig. Gen. Andrew Niebel, commanding general of 1st Marine Logistics Group.

Rosario is due in a Camp Pendleton court for arraignment Thursday. A trial date likely will be set at that time, officials said.

"As always, the command respects the legal process, the rights of the accused, as well as any other individuals affected by the case," reads a statement issued by the 1st Marine Logistics Group. "We will continue to release information as transparently as possible without interfering with the legal process."

Earlier this year, Rosario was charged with sexual assault and violating liberty restrictions for leaving the base without permission. The charges indicated the alleged crimes or violations happened June 27. His preliminary hearing in the case was Aug. 17 at Camp Pendleton.

Rosario's attorneys argued at that hearing that their client met the girl on Tinder  a dating app for adults  where her profile said she was 21 years old. They said Rosario believed she was in her early 20s, and that she had told their client and his friends as much.

Military police at Camp Pendleton found the girl in a barracks June 28. The military notified the county Sheriff's Department, and the girl was reunited with her family.

According to the Sheriff's Department, the teen's grandmother said the girl ran away from home June 9. She had run away on previous occasions but quickly returned. This time, with the teen still unaccounted for on June 13, the grandmother reported her missing.

No witnesses were called during the preliminary hearing, and much of the evidence  which included conversations on Tinder and Instagram  was not shown.

Instead, the prosecution filed its evidence directly with the Marine colonel who was tasked with recommending whether Rosario should face court-martial for allegations of sex with a minor. That colonel than made his recommendation up the chain of command, but Wednesday's statement does not indicate what the colonel's recommendations were.

Evidence filed by prosecutors included the girl's Tinder profile and conversations she and the Marine had on the app. Defense evidence included direct messages between their client and the girl.

Defense attorney Capt. Katherine Malcolm said her client had "a genuine belief that the woman he met on Tinder apps was 21 years old." Malcolm said the girl's profile stated, "I know I look young, but hey when I'm 30, I'll look like I'm in my 20s."

According to the defense, after the girl was found in Rosario's room, she told investigators she had been trafficked by a man for the last year, and she provided the man's first name. She told them the man was "pulling the strings." She said her "whole plan" was to get caught while on base, and that when she was found she would be finally safe.

However, the defense argued, the girl's credibility is at issue and her actions "were not the actions of somebody looking to be rescued."

Prosecutors did not make an oral argument during the hearing. That, too, was filed directly to the colonel overseeing the preliminary hearing.

This story originally appeared in San Diego Union-Tribune.

2023 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
ALBANY  A new report traces the alleged decline of public housing in upstate New York and argues there are consequences to governments increased emphasis on privatizing a public program.

With a politically divided federal government offering tepid support for public housing, the nonprofit Community Service Society argues New York State lawmakers should step in and revitalize public housing that is operated by local public housing authorities.

The society is a New York City-based nonprofit organization that seeks to reduce poverty.

Erie County has more public housing units  about 4,500  than any other county outside New York City, according to the report. In Buffalo, an aging housing stock built in the 1930s, 40s and 50s has posed a challenge to city leadership.

To fund the rebuilding of public housing, the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority is partnering with private developers on several major, ongoing projects. But the authoritys executive director, Gillian Brown, said several concerns raised in the report about such partnerships do not apply to Buffalos approach.

The Community Service Society report focused on public housing development in New York, but not Buffalo specifically.

Underfunded

The report argues that leaders of public housing authorities are constantly in disaster response mode looking for funding sources. In 2023, according to the reports author, Iziah Thompson, the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority received $3.6 million less in federal funding from Congress than it was eligible to receive.

The BMHA by law cannot operate in the red, and according to the authority, finished the 2022-2023 fiscal year with improved fiscal stability, ending the year with a $2.3 million positive cash flow.

Earlier this year, HUD changed the rating of BMHA from troubled to substandard, giving the BMHA a score of 62  up from 54. That was a result of the authority improving efficiencies and ensuring departments had adequate staff and resources.

BMHA properties like the Commodore Perry development have been vacant for years and count against BMHAs vacancy rate, negatively impacting its score from HUD.

The boarded-up brick buildings of the Commodore Perry apartments are poised to come down, giving way to more modern apartments in one of the biggest redevelopment efforts in the citys history.

Privatizing public housing

Traditional public housing, operated by local housing authorities, was built under Section 9 of a 1937 federal housing law. The Community Service Society report traces how such public housing is being replaced by a system of vouchers and private landlords.

At Commodore Perry, the developer plans to build 415 apartments in the first phase, including 284 units subsidized through the federal Section 8 program.

Through a program begun during President Barack Obamas administration, called Rental Administration Demonstration (RAD), significant amounts of Section 9 housing are being converted to Section 8, a measure meant to help address a massive nationwide backlog of deferred maintenance of public housing. The Section 8 program authorizes payment of a federal rental housing assistance voucher to private landlords on behalf of low-income households.

The housing authority retains ownership of the land and administers the tenants vouchers, while in many cases, a private management company manages units, collects rent and addresses tenant concerns. HUD requires that the development be upgraded in the first two years of the contract.

There are downsides, according to the Community Service Society report, including that conversion often occurs without a tenant vote and that some residents now deal with a private company, not the public authority.

From 2010 to 2021, according to the report, New York lost 13 Section 9-administering public housing agencies (out of 85) across the state, resulting in a decline in union workforce at housing agencies. During that time, 2,259 Section 9 units were lost, the report found.

If conversions in the pipeline occur within the next seven years, by 2030, between 12,958 and 25,000 Section 9 apartments may leave the program in New York, the report found.

The report suggests that privatization has been useful in New York to fix up residents bathrooms and kitchens, but that longer-term capital improvements, such as replacing boilers, old pipes or leaking roofs, at times remain unaddressed.

Not in Buffalo, BMHA exec says

Brown, the Buffalo Municipal Housing Authority executive, said several issues described in the report alleging problems with RAD did not apply to Buffalo.

I have no desire to dismantle my union workforce, he said. I like my union workforce and fully intend to keep BMHA workers employed by the BMHA.

Even in projects with private financing, Brown said, the authority continues to play a key role. And in Buffalo, he said, RAD is being used for full-scale rebuilding of dilapidated housing stock, not cosmetic changes.

Im not doing these projects  and banging my head against the wall, meeting with development professionals and bankers  so that I can make a bad building look pretty, he said.

Over the next 20 years, the looming cost of capital expenses for public housing in New York, outside New York City, is between $1.4 billion and $5 billion, the report found, significantly more than U.S. Congress has proven willing to appropriate.

The state government, currently controlled by Democrats, has also not provided adequate support for public housing, the report argues.

Outside of the budget, the state funnels billions into tax credits for everything from the motion picture industry and video games to commercial construction, the report found. When they do invest in housing, permanent affordability, resident control and stability, and fair housing are neglected.

Assembly Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes, D-Buffalo, said data in the report demonstrating chronic federal underfunding of public housing was not a surprise.

She also said Albany is committing significant funding for low-income housing thats being rebuilt in Buffalo, including Marine Drive Apartments (which could ultimately consist of more than 700 units) and Commodore Perry.

Brown said New York State has so far committed $5 million to Commodore Perry project, and that Gov. Kathy Hochuls administration has expressed a willingness to commit significant resources both to that project, and Marine Drive Apartments.

Its easy to say more funding is necessary, Brown said. The reality is that this is the most exciting time for public housing in the State of New York ever, especially for Buffalo.

Among other recommendations, the Community Service Society report argues for a plan called PHIX New York to preserve 25,000 public housing units outside of New York City and build 5,000 new units. The report argues this would create $9.5 billion in economic activity with $4.5 billion in capital spending.

Peoples-Stokes said she felt the building of new housing should be primarily a federal responsibility. While the report to some degree is critical of the privatization of public housing, Peoples-Stokes said that in the absence of other federal support, it was necessary.

That has provided affordable, quality housing for a lot of seniors in and around my district, so Im OK with that as a strategy, she said.
The Wisconsin state legislature passed a bill approving stadium renovations at Milwaukees American Family Field on Tuesday, as covered by Jessie Opoien of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. While the bill still needs approval from governor Tony Evers to officially pass, he has already announced his intent to sign off.

Under this funding plan, the state is agreeing to pay just under $366MM to support the stadium upgrades through 2050. Milwaukee County and the City of Milwaukee will each contribute $67.5MM. The Brewers are expected to pay roughly $150MM  around $100MM of that via rent and approximately $50MM devoted to discretionary upgrades. In total, the public funding amounts to a little over half a billion dollars over the course of 26 years.

Once signed into law by the governor, the plan will put to rest any questions about the Brewers future in Milwaukee. The teams lease at American Family Field, which had been set to expire after the 2030 season, will be extended through 2050. In August, team officials floated the possibility of relocation if a lease extension werent agreed upon this fall. Thatll no longer be a concern for Brewer fans, at least for the better part of the next three decades.

We now can all go to sleep tonight knowing the Brewers are going to be here for the next generation in a great, beautifully maintained ballpark that is worthy of the fans support, the teams business operations president Rick Schlesinger told reporters (including Opoien) on Tuesday.

Some residents will surely have qualms about committing significant public funding to stadium upgrades. There was opposition among the state senate, with the bill passing by a narrow 19-14 margin.

The Brewers have played in Milwaukee since 1970. The franchise began as an expansion team in Seattle but spent only one season there before moving to Wisconsin. With the Rays and Brewers reaching agreements on stadium deals, the As are the only franchise that will be relocating in the near future. MLBs owners unanimously approved the Athletics application for relocation to Las Vegas this morning.
Nancy Black Tribune Content Agency

Linda Black Horoscopes for Thursday, Nov. 16, 2023

Todays Birthday (11/16/23). Partnership rewards generously this year. Creativity and romance grow with steady practices. Shift collaborative efforts around winter changes for peaceful springtime organization. Dedicate yourself for fun, health and fitness this summer to blossom. Autumn obstacles require renewed teamwork, before shared victory. Weave hearts together.

To get the advantage, check the days rating: 10 is the easiest day, 0 the most challenging.

Aries (March 21-April 19)  Today is a 7  Professional projects engage. Polish a diamond in the rough. Dont share unfinished work. Develop your ideas. Distill and clarify. Determine messaging in advance.

Taurus (April 20-May 20)  Today is a 9  New opportunities for exploration present themselves. Research options and potential. You can see the possibilities. Take advantage of a lucky situation. Discover buried treasure.

Gemini (May 21-June 20)  Today is an 8  Collaborate to take advantage of favorable financial conditions. Reinforce support structures. Guard heirlooms and antiques. Discover hidden treasures. Manage family resources for growth.

Cancer (June 21-July 22)  Today is a 9  A fortunate situation for you and your partner may not appear that way at first. Look beyond your initial reaction. Discuss possibilities and potential.

Leo (July 23-Aug. 22)  Today is a 9  Patiently practice, step by step. Grab a lucky chance to grow your work, health and fitness. Physical action gets satisfying results. Breathe deeply.

Virgo (Aug. 23-Sept. 22)  Today is an 8  Prioritize love, creativity and romance. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Enjoy the company of beloved people. Invent projects. Make your own fun.

Libra (Sept. 23-Oct. 22)  Today is a 7  Manage household chores. Home beautification projects disrupt temporarily for long-term upgrades. Clean and organize drawers, shelves and closets. Restore domestic harmony. Discover buried treasure.

Scorpio (Oct. 23-Nov. 21)  Today is an 8  Monitor the news. Discover hidden opportunities entwined with recent changes. Indulge your creativity. Develop ideas. You can see the sculpture hiding within the stone.

Sagittarius (Nov. 22-Dec. 21)  Today is a 9  Make a lucrative connection. You can see an opportunity hiding in plain sight. Guard your rights and ideas carefully. Buy, sell, barter and exchange.

Capricorn (Dec. 22-Jan. 19)  Today is a 9  Youve got the confidence to make things happen. Dress for success. Take charge for the results you want. Grab a lucky break. Discover hidden gold.

Aquarius (Jan. 20-Feb. 18)  Today is a 7  Crazy ideas could work. Take a privacy break. Review the situation. Adjust plans for the current scenario. Organize, coordinate and plot. Inspiration sparks.

Pisces (Feb. 19-March 20)  Today is a 9  A community project reveals its hidden value. Invite participation to build momentum. Friends provide solid support. Clean a mess together for common gain.

Astrologer Nancy Black continues her mother Linda Blacks legacy horoscopes column. She welcomes comments and questions on Twitter, @LindaCBlack. For more astrological interpretations like todays Gemini horoscope, visit Linda Black Astrology by clicking daily horoscopes, or go to www.nancyblack.com.

2023 Nancy Black. All rights reserved. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency.
THOMPSONVILLE, MI - Crystal Mountain is kicking off the holiday season the day after Thanksgiving, with a special First Light and Holiday Trail Celebration. It will feature Santa arriving in a horse-drawn surrey to light the resorts big Christmas tree, and a holiday sing-along.

The Holiday Trail portion is a fun activity, with each stop on the route offering something for people to see, do - or taste. Some trail stops will offer hot cocoa and a chance to see Santa and his reindeer up close. There will be outdoor bonfires and shopping and spa deals. Other stops will offer adult drink specials, glitter tattoos and the chance to play a little outdoor laser tag.

Enjoy a festive tour through Crystals quaint resort village. Each trail stop offers unique activities, plus food and beverage and retail sales, including Black Friday specials, resort staff said.

The Friday, Nov. 24 event begins at 5 p.m. at the resort, which is just a short drive from other destinations like Frankfort and Traverse City. And if youre headed to Crystal Mountain to participate in the Holiday Trails event, theres also a chance to win prizes in an on-site drawing. You can find more details about that, and the entire event, on the resorts website here.

Heres the timeline with the resorts description:

5 to 5:30 p.m.: First Light Celebration with Santa: The Holiday Trails event will kick-off with Santa making his way through the resort core beginning at 5 p.m. from Kinlochen to the Crystal Center on a horse-drawn surrey. Hell use his holiday magic to help light Crystal Mountains holiday tree at 5:30 p.m. during our First Light Celebration. Plus, well sing along to holiday favorites with Izzy Wallace.

5:30 to 8 p.m.: Holiday Trail stops.

Wild Tomato Patio: Live Music with Izzy Wallace from 6 - 8 p.m.

Additional Activities: Horse-drawn surrey rides begin at 5:30 p.m. and depart every 30 minutes from the Crystal Center. $12 per person for ages 2 and up, free for kids under 2 years old. Reservations are required, call the Park at Waters Edge at 231-378-2238.

Want to stay over and make it a weekend getaway? Crystal Mountains Hot Lodging dates offer up to 25% off accommodations on specific days. Check here for more details.
Mariah Carey is bringing her brand of holiday cheer to Detroit, Chicago, Cleveland and Toronto with her Merry Christmas One and All tour.

Stubhub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster have tickets ranging from $94 to just over $500 but ticket prices do fluctuate.

Her song All I Want for Christmas has become a holiday staple and has sold 16 million copies worldwide.

Carey is the best-selling female artist of all time with more than 200 million albums sold to date and 18 Billboard Hot 100 #1 singles.

With her distinct five-octave vocal range, prolific songwriting, and producing talent, Mariah Carey will perform during the 2023 Billboard Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 19.

Detroit - Friday, Dec. 1, 7:30pm, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI

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Toronto - Monday, Nov. 27, 7:30pm, Scotiabank Arena, Toronto, ON, CA

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Vivid Seats

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Ticketmaster

Chicago - Sunday Dec. 3, 7:30pm, United Center, Chicago, IL

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Cleveland - Thursday Dec. 7, 7:30pm, Rocket Mortgage FieldHouse, Cleveland, OH

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Looking for a holiday concert? Get tickets to iHeart Radios Jingle Ball with Usher, Jelly Roll, Lil Durk, and Big Time Rush, Tuesday, Dec. 5 in Detroit.

Stubhub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster have tickets to iHeartRadios Jingle Ball stop in Detroit.

Tickets are also available for the Jingle Ball tour stop in Rosemont, Ill.

Ticket prices start at $85 and ticket prices will fluctuate.

For the more than two decades, iHeart Radio stations across the country have brought together the years top recording artists in their local cities. Originally a single, day-long show, Jingle Ball has expanded to include more than ten cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, Chicago, and New York in its annual Christmas Season tour, in addition to the televised event.

Jingle Ball has grown so much that it is now considered one of the biggest holiday concerts for music fans all over the country. The artists vary at each venue, though the headliners typically perform in every city. Regardless of where you see Jingle Ball, it promises to be a memorable concert.

Jingle Ball performers are the whos who of music acts, including fan favorites like 5 Seconds of Summer, Cardi B, and Shawn Mendes, as well as many others. At Jingle Ball, you can expect something for everyone to enjoy in this star-studded celebration of music and the holiday season. (SeatGeek)

Stubhub, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and Ticketmaster have tickets to iHeart Radios talent lineup in Detroit and Rosemont, IL.

Detroit - Tuesday Dec. 5, 7:30pm, iHeartRadio Jingle Ball - Usher, Jelly Roll, Lil Durk, Big Time Rush, Little Caesars Arena, Detroit, MI

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Vivid Seats

SeatGeek

Ticketmaster

Rosemont - Monday, Dec. 4, 7:00pm, iHeartRadio Jingle Ball - Nicki Minaj, Jelly Roll, Big Time Rush, Doechii, Allstate Arena, Rosemont, IL

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SeatGeek

Ticketmaster
PONTIAC, MI -- Since last weekend, theres been a flurry of filings, accusations and requests for sanctions between prosecutors and defense attorneys representing the parents of convicted Oxford High School shooter Ethan Crumbley.

Both sides say the other is violating presiding Oakland County Circuit Judge Cheryl Matthews pretrial media or discovery disclosure bans.

Jennifer Crumbley, 45, and James Crumbley, 47, remain jailed facing four counts each of involuntary manslaughter, accused of gross negligence for failing to intervene and get their son mental health help, and for allowing him access to the firearm he used to kill four classmates on Nov. 20, 2021.

I cant comment on the case, but I can tell you that we dont charge cases that we dont think we can prove beyond a reasonable doubt, McDonald said during a Nov. 12 interview that aired on Detroits WXYZ-TV Channel 7 News.

Mariell R. Lehman, the attorney representing the shooters 47-year-old father, James Crumbley, claimed in a Nov. 13 filing that the statements violated the judges June order barring attorneys from making public statements about the case in the media.

Lehman also claimed the statement violated prosecutorial ethics rules forbidding opinions on the guilt or innocence of a defendant or suspect.

In her response, submitted by Chief Assistant Prosecutor David W. Williams, McDonald said the claims were absolutely false, frivolous and perplexing.

These motions appear to be an attempt to create a narrative in the media around the prosecutor, and to divert attention from the case against (Jennifer and James Crumbley), the response said. The (prosecution) request that the court review the interview cited by the defense and then dismiss the motions without further response.

The response filing came a day after McDonald accused attorney Shannon M. Smith, the attorney representing Jennifer Crumbley, of intentionally leaking protected evidential information through another court filing.

On Nov. 13, Smith asked the court to delay a Nov. 22 deadline for pretrial motions.

The request said attorneys for the parents on Nov. 9 received their sons voluminous medical records that are absolutely critical to the Crumbleys defense. The filing proceeded to provide examples.

The shooter wanted to see a therapist but (he) did not tell (his) parents, the filing said, quoting the summary of an interview between the shooter, who is now 17, and Ann Arbor-based psychiatrist Dr. Lisa Anacker. This information is clearly critical to the Crumbleys who have been criticized repeatedly by the prosecution for not listening to the shooters request for therapy.

Text messages presented in connection to the shooters prosecution, showed he told a friend: Like I hear people talking to me and see someone in the distance. I actually asked my dad to take me to the doctor yesterday but he just gave me some pills and told me to suck it up. Like its at the point where Im asking to go to the doctor. My mom laughed when I told her.

Smiths filing said the new medical records indicated the shooter admitted to Anacker that he at times lied to his friends, which could be useful to the defense.

Chief Assistant Prosecutor Williams responded to that filing with a request for the judge to strike the motion and issue sanctions against attorney Smith, and called the statements untrue.

Here, defense counsel could have easily have avoided including her false statements in a public pleading by filing the motion or the references to protected records under seal, the prosecution said. The clear inference is that defense counsel intentionally chose not to file the motion under seal and did so in the hopes of creating false headlines, which is, ironically, something she frequently accuses the prosecution of doing.

Smith responded in a Wednesday filing calling the motion for sanctions retaliation for the defense claims that Prosecutor McDonald violated the pretrial media ban with her TV interview.

If anyone should be sanctioned, it should be the Prosecutors Office, Smiths response said. The prosecutions frustration that the information it does not like may come out does not mean it is false or intended to taint anyone.

Judge Matthews previously set a Jan. 23 trial date for the Crumbleys. However, on Nov. 13, Matthews granted a request by the parents that they have separate trials. New trial dates have not been set.

Since December 2021, the parents have remained in the Oakland County Jail. Their bonds are set at $500,000.

Their son pleaded guilty to 24 felonies in October 2022. He is scheduled for sentencing on Dec. 8.

The slain Oxford High students were: Hana St. Juliana, 14; Madisyn Baldwin, 17; Tate Myre, 16; and Justin Shilling, 17.
MOUNT CLEMENS, MI -- A 29-year-old Clinton Township man who worked as a church youth leader is facing charges of criminal sexual conduct after he allegedly coerced a girl into having sex with him. Luis Mendoza was arraigned in 42-1 District Court on the charges that stem from a June 27 incident involving Mendoza and a 15-year-old girl where is accused of giving the girl marijuana and then sexually assaulting her.

Mendoza is charged with one count each of third-degree criminal sexual conduct, fourth-degree criminal sexual conduct, and one count of contributing to the delinquency of a minor. The third-degree CSC charge is a 15-year felony in Michigan.

Todays arraignment underscores the gravity of the alleged crimes committed against a vulnerable 15-year-old girl. We are committed to seeking justice for the victim, holding the accused accountable, and ensuring the safety of our community, particularly its most vulnerable members, said Macomb County Prosecutor Peter J. Lucido.

Bond was set at $250,000 cash/surety and if Mendoza is released from jail, he is ordered to wear a GPS tether. He must also submit to drug and alcohol testing, have no contact with minors and avoid any church youth activities.

Mendoza is set to return to court on Nov. 27 for a probable cause conference.
ANN ARBOR, MI  A former Ann Arbor city attorney is once again suing city hall.

Bruce Laidlaw, who worked for the city decades ago, filed a new lawsuit in Washtenaw County Circuit Court on Monday, Nov. 13, claiming the city is misappropriating public funds and not being transparent enough about it.

He accuses the city of playing a financial shell game to redirect millions of affordable housing millage dollars to help create a new city election center and pay off city debt.

But hes not asking the court to decide on the legality of those transfers. Hes separately calling for the Michigan attorney general to investigate, while seeking relief in court for what he considers a Freedom of Information Act violation.

City Attorney Atleen Kaur said Thursday, Nov. 16, the city had yet to be officially served with Laidlaws complaint and the city will review it and respond accordingly when that occurs.

At the center of the case is City Councils 10-0 vote on Aug. 21 to sell the former YMCA property next to the Blake Transit Center to the citys Housing Commission for $6.2 million for a future mixed-income housing development on whats now a city parking lot.

The former YMCA property next to the Blake Transit Center in downtown Ann Arbor on July 16, 2023. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Since the commission is part of city government, critics including Laidlaw have argued it essentially amounts to the city selling a city-owned property to itself, transferring $5.2 million in affordable housing millage funds and $1 million in federal stimulus funds to other city coffers in the process.

City officials said in August those funds would be used to pay off debt on the property and help fund other initiatives. Council then voted Sept. 5 to move forward with establishing a new election center off Miller Road west of M-14 and to put over $1 million of the 350 S. Fifth Ave. sale proceeds toward it, while transferring the rest to the citys debt service fund.

Laidlaw took issue with the citys actions and filed a complaint with Attorney General Dana Nessel on Oct. 16, calling for an investigation while indicating he may sue.

The transaction was a sham, Laidlaw wrote. It did not involve the acquisition of any new property through the levy of taxes under the affordable housing charter amendment. The appropriation of the funds to retire existing debt and to buy an election center was an illegal appropriation of public funds.

Ann Arbor's soon-to-be new election center on the far western outskirts of the city past M-14 at 3021 Miller Road in the Forest Cove office campus on Sept. 7, 2023. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

Laidlaw acknowledged past appellate court decisions cast doubt on the standing of a taxpayer to bring such a complaint in court, which is why he turned to Nessel.

Nessels office didnt immediately respond to a request for comment from MLive/The Ann Arbor News. Laidlaw said he also hasnt gotten a response.

Now taking his fight to court on FOIA grounds, Laidlaws case is pending before Judge Carol Kuhnke, records show.

City Attorney R. Bruce Laidlaw, a 22-year veteran of the city legal staff, pauses outside Ann Arbor's city hall in September 1991 ahead of leaving Ann Arbor's top legal post following a negotiated settlement with the city.Ann Arbor News archives courtesy of OldNews.AADL.org

As a result of the above described transactions, the Ann Arbor Council attempted to use virtually all of the proceeds of the 2023 affordable housing tax proceeds for purposes other than for building, maintaining and acquiring new affordable housing units, his lawsuit states, explaining how he sought records from the city, including the legal advice upon which council relied, but was denied on the grounds that it was privileged.

The documents could not be considered privileged if they were part of an illegal scheme to misappropriate affordable housing tax funds, the lawsuit states, arguing the citys FOIA denial was in bad faith in an effort to conceal the misuse of tax funds.

Council members initially held off on the $6.2 million sale in July, questioning the price, but by August they were sold on it. Staff told council the city had a legal obligation to set it at $6.2 million, which was fair market value, to protect the tax-exempt nature of outstanding bonds associated with the property, said Council Member Erica Briggs, D-5th Ward.

Laidlaw, who was an attorney for the city from 1969 to 1991, is now asking the court to order the city to turn over the records its withholding, arguing if the advice council received was ever legally considered confidential, that privilege was waived by the public comments Briggs made.

Hes also asking the court to order the city to pay for his legal costs and punitive damages.

Laidlaw argued the city violated FOIA in another lawsuit in 2022 regarding records related to the departure of former City Administrator Tom Crawford. The court entered an order on the citys motion for summary disposition in that case a year ago.

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ANN ARBOR, MI -- An Ann Arbor man who broke a womans jaw in a downtown assault has been sentenced to a year in jail.

Durrell Perkins, 35, was sentenced to a year in the Washtenaw County Jail for aggravated assault in a hearing with 15th District Court Judge Miriam Perry on Thursday, Nov. 9. His charge for trespassing was dismissed, according to court records.

Perkins pleaded no contest on Oct. 25, according to the records. He was found competent to stand trial during a hearing in August after being referred to a competency exam in May.

The woman had been walking southbound across Catherine Street near North Main Street when the man allegedly came up behind her, she previously told MLive/The Ann Arbor News.

The woman suffered three fractures to her upper jawbone and was taken to the University of Michigan Hospital. The two did not know each other, police said.

Read more: Womans jaw fractured in 3 places after assault in downtown Ann Arbor

Perkins was also charged with trespassing in connection with an early April incident. That case has been dismissed.

Perkins will receive credit for 187 days, roughly six months, served. He is set to be released in May 2025.

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China urges EU to correct wrong practice in anti-subsidy probe on Chinese electric vehicles

Xinhua) 22:53, November 16, 2023

BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The recent sampling results released by the European Commission for its ongoing anti-subsidy probe into Chinese electric vehicles are not fair and suspected of violating the rules of the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the laws of the European Union (EU), a spokesperson of China's Ministry of Commerce said Thursday.

The sampling practice is discriminatory against Chinese electric vehicle enterprises and will seriously distort the probe results, spokesperson He Yadong told a regular press conference.

In the sampling, the commission only selected three local Chinese enterprises as samples in the investigation. It excluded enterprises from EU member states that lead in terms of production and sales, which is unconventional, and the sampling results can not reflect the objective industrial situations in the EU market, He noted.

The sampling standard of the commission is not compliant with relevant rules, the sampling process is not transparent, and the sampling results are unfair, he said.

The commission initiated the anti-subsidy probe on its own amid clear opposition from the EU's automobile industry and falsely claimed that Chinese electric vehicles had inflicted damages and threats on the EU electric vehicle industry, completely ignoring the close cooperation between the two sides' automobile industries, He noted.

The Chinese automobile industry is strongly disappointed and dissatisfied with the commission's practice of presetting investigation results and rigging the sampling.

China urges the EU to strictly abide by WTO rules and EU laws, correct wrong practices as soon as possible, ensure that investigations are open, fair, and compliant, and fully protect the lawful rights and interests of relevant enterprises, He said.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Sheng Chuyi)
Buffalo Schools Superintendent Tonja M. Williams is right to be concerned about large groups of unsupervised high school students gathering in public places. There have already been plenty of documented fights over the past few years, endangering both students and anyone else unfortunate enough to get in the way.

If official warnings can help prevent violence, injuries or even death, theyre needed. If students safety is at risk, then something needs to be done.

Parents must play their role. Thats why the recent messages issued to parents via robocall and video from the superintendent and other administration members dont seem an objectionable strategy. Its going to require all hands on deck to deal with this problem.

Unsurprisingly  and, to some degree, understandably  three official parent groups as well as individual parents are objecting to the messages. Their concerns include the tone of the calls, the citing of possible negative consequences if students dont heed the warnings and the fact that the calls are not targeted but broadcast to all high school households.

An overarching critique is that the calls focus on warnings and possible punishment rather than restorative justice strategies that try to address deeper problems.

While its true that systemic issues related to root causes should be addressed, and restorative justice should absolutely be a priority when it comes to school discipline, this remediation should be happening in addition to actions taken to relieve immediate problems. This is not an either/or situation. Systemic issues dont get that way overnight and, unfortunately, theyll also take a substantial amount of time to fix.

In the meantime, the incidents are real. Stabbings at Fountain Plaza in 2021 and 2022 sent three students to Erie County Medical Center and less lethal incidents where crowds of kids watched a few students tussle were common. Buffalo Place Executive Director Michael Schmand said he hadnt seen so many fights at the site since he started working there 20 years ago.

Last spring, the downtown Central Library had to curtail its hours from 7 p.m. to 3 p.m. because of after-school fights involving 20-30 people at a time.

Police backup was called several times and eventually Buffalo Peacemakers were hired to help keep order so that normal hours could resume.

The district has attempted to get in front of possible problems by limiting the amount of hours students  those who dont have extracurricular activities or other special reasons for needing extra time  have to get home, using their school-issued bus passes. This year, instead of having more than four hours to complete their trips home, students now get two hours.

District messages about after-school gatherings are doubtless intended to supplement these precautions.

There is no one-fix-all solution and the toolbox used to address student disciplinary problems needs to be diverse and inclusive. But immediate problems require both immediate and long-term solutions.

After-school mass gatherings and the altercations that can result come with the real possibility of grave harm.

While there might be reason to criticize tone and wording  and the district can surely do more  this messaging shows that the administration is focused, as it should be, on student safety.

Whats your opinion? Send it to us at lettertoeditor@buffnews.com. Letters should be a maximum of 300 words and must convey an opinion. The column does not print poetry, announcements of community events or thank you letters. A writer or household may appear only once every 30 days. All letters are subject to fact-checking and editing.
WASHTENAW COUNTY, MI - Washtenaw County leaders are adding their voices to a wave of opposition to a proposal to install miles of safety fencing along stretches of state-owned railway passing through Ann Arbor.

People are crossing the tracks for a reason, and so I think rather than fencing them off, looking for solutions to get people across is a better way than building a giant fence, said county Commissioner Katie Scott as Washtenaw County leaders made their displeasure known during their Wednesday, Nov. 15 meeting.

The board voted 9-0 to approve a formal resolution opposing the Michigan Department of Transportations plan to erect tall security fencing and make other changes in the name of pedestrian safety along portions of railroad along the Huron River.

A yard sign for the "Stop the Fence" campaign against the Michigan Department of Transportation's railroad fence plan for Huron River Drive, as seen along Liberty Street in Ann Arbor on Nov. 14, 2023. (Ryan Stanton | MLive.com)Ryan Stanton | The Ann Arbor News

The statement, nearly identical to one approved by Ann Arbor city leaders on Oct. 16, comes after many residents blasted the proposal, criticizing its interruption of wildlife access to the river, aesthetics and potential disruption of walking and biking routes around city nature areas. More than 5,900 people have signed an online petition against the project.

Read more: A wall through Ann Arbor. City Council takes stance against MDOT project

Days after the Ann Arbor action, MDOT officials pledged to continue public engagement on the project, targeted at tracks carrying Amtraks Wolverine Line between Detroit and Chicago.

MDOT wants to work closely with the city of Ann Arbor, Washtenaw County and local stakeholders to address concerns raised by local citizens while working to improve rail safety along this important corridor, Peter Anastor, director of MDOT Office of Rail, said in an Oct. 20 statement. We want to get this project right, and it will take time to develop solutions that make sense for the community and MDOT.

While certain Washtenaw County rail corridor segments havent seen pedestrian deaths, 24 people have been struck and 21 near misses have occurred on the Michigan portion of the rail line since 2020, MDOT said. Officials have previously cited seven pedestrian-train collisions in Ann Arbor during that time, including four fatalities, and four near misses.

Read more: After train crash, Ann Arbor weighs need for pedestrian underpass

MDOT shares a goal that all parties must work together to understand the impacts of the projects and to come up with solutions that will allow for continued trail development, while also improving safety enhancement, said MDOT spokesperson Michael Frezell in an email on Thursday, Nov. 16.

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

A number of county leaders voiced displeasure with the proposed project as they took up the opposition statement on Wednesday.

I just dont want to see that happen. I think it will ruin a beautiful thing that we have in the community, which is access to the river, said Ypsilanti Commissioner Annie Somerville.

Scott, representing a portion of Ann Arbor, has spoken out against the plan at recent meetings. She attended a MDOT public meeting about the proposal and heard officials state they were working extensively with city and county representatives. But afterward, everyone she spoke to reported no contact with the agency, she said.

My blood pressure probably went to 250 that night, Scott added.

The Michigan Department of Transportation has plans for fencing along this stretch of railroad in Ann Arbor.MDOT

The Michigan Department of Transportation has plans for fencing along this stretch of railroad in Ann Arbor.MDOT

The county resolution opposes the installation of two miles of fencing between North Maple Road at the Foster Bridge and Bandemer Park, as well four miles between Plymouth Road and Gallup Park Road, meant to prevent trespassing.

The first section would impede and make more costly the development of the Border-to-Border Trail, presenting a serious obstacle to creating legal and safe opportunities for people to travel along and cross the railroad, it reads, referencing the paved pathway crisscrossing the county.

Frezell said MDOT has been working with city and county parks staff on the safety project and proposed trail routes, adding there are now no detailed design plans for all of the trail sections and how they may affect the railroad.

Recent discussions have focused on moving forward with the development of specific design and route proposals for the trails so all parties can understand the impacts of the trail and safety projects in this area, he said.

To that end, the county Parks and Recreation Commission on Tuesday, Nov. 14 authorized hiring an engineering firm to work on specific plans for the segment between Barton Dam and Maple Road, according to county parks and recreation Project Manager Peter Sanderson.

Its a critical first step to allow the parties to have a detailed understanding of the fencing projects as it relates to the B2B, he said in an email, and county officials hope to avoid any need to relocate a potential fence at a later date for the trail.

Existing B2B plans include a tunnel under the tracks between Bandemer and Barton parks, but more attention should be paid to solutions that allow safe crossing of the tracks, Scott said on Wednesday.

Hundreds of people cross the railroad along Huron River Drive to reach the river and nature areas like the Foster portion of Barton, officially only accessible from Barton Pond, said John Bruno, an area resident who spoke at the county board meeting.

The county resolution urges MDOT to consider using the pedestrian safety funding to expedite construction of pedestrian crossings and other legal connections across the tracks. MDOT officials have previously said creating more underpasses or crossings in tandem with the safety project is outside of its scope.

The message will be shared with municipalities in the county and MDOT, county leaders said Wednesday.

I take offense to the proposal, said Ann Arbor Commissioner Yousef Rabhi, apologizing for the pun. Sorry, I couldnt help myself.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Grand Rapids residents will be able to vote up to nine days early in state and federal elections next year at several polling sites around the city.

The polling sites specific to early voting were established Tuesday, Nov. 15, by a unanimous vote of the Grand Rapids City Commission.

During the February presidential primary and the August primary, registered Grand Rapids voters can cast their ballot early at any of the following locations:

Saints Peter and Paul School at 520 Myrtle St. NW in the First Ward

GRPS University at 1400 Fuller Ave. NE in the Second Ward

Ottawa Hills High School at 2055 Rosewood Ave. SE in the Third Ward

A fourth location  DeVos Place at 303 Monroe Ave. NW  will be open for early voting only during the November general election.

Residents who choose to vote on election day will still vote at their regular polling place.

RELATED: 4 early voting polling places coming to Ottawa County next year

The locations will be open eight hours a day, but the exact hours of operations for each day are still being worked out. At least on Tuesdays and Thursday during early voting, the locations will be open until 7 p.m., said Grand Rapids Clerk Joel Hondorp.

Those who cast their ballot early cannot vote again on Election Day. Residents can choose to vote at any of the early voting sites, regardless of which ward they live in.

Casting a ballot at the early voting sites wont be any different from how its done on Election Day, Hondorp said. People can also bring their absentee ballots to the early voting sites and submit them.

The tabulator will show if a ballot was done incorrectly, allowing the voter to spoil their ballot and cast a new one. Election results will not be known until 8 p.m. on Election Day, when the tabulators are closed.

Early voting isnt unique to Grand Rapids. It stems from a statewide ballot proposal approved by Michigan voters in 2022.

Under the state law that followed the proposal, local clerks are required to administer at least nine days of early voting leading up to a state and federal election. This nine-day period includes two Sundays.
OTTAWA COUNTY, MI - A Hudsonville woman died in a Wednesday crash in Ottawa County, police said.

Deputies responded to reports of a crash after 3:10 p.m., Nov. 15 to Adams Street and the westbound I-196 off ramp in Holland Township, according to the Ottawa County Sheriffs Office.

Initial investigation determined that the light at the intersection was flashing red in all directions, police said. A semitruck was moving eastbound on Adams Street from the off ramp when a Dodge Dakota moving westbound on the street went through the intersection and his the trucks trailer, police said.

The Hudsonville woman, 34, was driving the Dakota and died from her injuries, police said. The trucks driver, a 50-year-old Florida woman, did not suffer any injuries, police said.

Deputies advise drivers to avoid the area pending the crash investigation.

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  A man who imported devices to convert semi-automatic handguns into machine guns was sentenced Thursday, Nov. 16, to nearly six years in prison.

Torez Burnett, 21, and a co-defendant, obtained the devices, known as switches, from China, and sold them to members of his street gang to do war on the streets of Benton Harbor, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jonathan Roth said.

He said switches were sold in Grand Rapids, too.

Burnett and Quincy Bowman, 26, who also imported the devices and awaits sentencing, are among 11 defendants facing firearms and drug charges as part of a wide investigation.

They were arrested after 200 law-enforcement officers in December executed arrest and search warrants in Benton Harbor, Grand Rapids, St. Joseph and Port Lucie, Florida.

Related: Feds charge multiple Michigan men tied to illegally converting handguns to fully automatic

These switches converted semiautomatic pistols into fully automatic machine guns, capable of indiscriminately spraying a thousand rounds of ammunition per minute, Roth said in a sentencing memorandum.

Switches have become a rampant problem in Michigan and elsewhere, Roth said.

He said that Burnett was a self-identified member of My Brothers Keeper, or MBK, a violent Benton Harbor Street gang. He sold the switches for financial gain and pride in his gang, Roth said.

Advisory sentencing guidelines called for 70 to 87 months in prison. U.S. District Judge Janet Neff sentenced Burnett to 70 months, or five years, 10 months in prison.

It would be very difficult to overemphasize the seriousness of the offense, she said.

She considered his young age and lack of previous criminal record. She also noted that many showed up in court to support Burnett, support that will be crucial once his prison term ends.

His attorney, Lucas Dillon Sr., said Burnett had a difficult childhood.

Mr. Burnett grew up in a community where shootings occurred regularly, providing him with a distorted view of what a childhood should be. Gun violence and shootings have tragically, and forcefully, entered Mr. Burnetts life when his cousin was helplessly gunned down in Benton Harbor, Dillon wrote.

He disputed the contention his client was part of a violent street gang. He said it was not organized, had no leaders and should be classified as immature kids running around.

His client was caring for his mother who has health problems, the attorney said.

Burnett dropped out of high school in 2020 after he suffered serious injuries in an vehicle crash but earned his equivalency degree while jailed.

In a handwritten letter, Burnett said that neither he nor his mother could work because of serious health issues. He couldnt walk for months after his car crash. He said he made a bad decision to sell switches to help pay bills.

Those decisions changed my life drastically! If I could go back and make a better decision I promise I would, but the damage has been done.

U.S. Attorney Mark Totten said in a statement: A year ago, switches were seldom seen. Now theyre everywhere. My office will use every resource we have to disrupt the gun trafficking rings bringing these lethal devices into our communities.

Others who have been sentenced: Jayvon Anthony, seven years in prison; Demarcus Learious Greely, two years, six months; Nicholas Hallo, three years, 10 months; Demitrius Seuell, two years, nine months: Omarion Branch, three years, two months; and Eric Williams, two years.

The case was investigated by multiple agencies, including the FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Homeland Security Investigations, Michigan State Police, Benton Harbor Department of Public Safety, Berrien County Sheriffs Department, Benton Township Police Department, Grand Rapids Police Department, Michigan Department of Corrections, Pokagon Band Tribal Police Department and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.

Read more:

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GRAND RAPIDS, MI  Santa Claus and a host of friends will parade through downtown Grand Rapids city streets Saturday morning.

The 102nd Annual Grand Rapids Santa Claus Parade starts at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the corner of Lyon Street and Monroe Avenue NW.

From there, the parade will travel down Monroe Avenue onto Monroe Center Street, then North Division Avenue to Fulton Street East to Jefferson Street Northeast.

The Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Claus Parade will be streamed live on woodtv.com.

More than 60 entries are part of the parade, including marching bands, floats, vehicles, dance troops, clowns, color guards, Grand Marshal Mayor Rosalynn Bliss and Santa Claus.

Related: 2023 Grand Rapids Santa Parade is back on after volunteers step in to save event

Those looking for additional event information on the parade route, parking and more can visit the events Facebook page at Gentex Grand Rapids Santa Claus Parade.

Parade events continue from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Saturday in the parking lot of First United Methodist Church, 227 Fulton St. E, where Blue Cross Blue Shield will host a party for kids and families called Santa Land.

People will be able to take pictures with Santa and his band of helpers, which include Elsa, Anna, Olaf, Snow White, Mrs. Claus, The Grinch, Buddy the Elf and the Gingerbread Man.

The Grand Rapids Childrens Museum and Family Promise of West Michigan will provide games and fun activities at Santa Land.

Hot cocoa, coffee, kid-friendly snacks and bottled water will be available for $1 each. Ollys Donuts will also be selling mini-confections.

Festive attire is encouraged.

The sponsors for this years parade are Gentex, Meijer, Experience Grand Rapids, AHC Hospitality and The Hip Hop Nutcracker.

The parade almost didnt happen this year.

The Grand Rapids Junior Chamber, which normally puts on the parade, in October announced the parade would be canceled due to an unplanned leadership change and capacity constraints within the organization.

The city of Grand Rapids Office of Special Events then pulled together event organizers, volunteers and business leaders to save the parade, with Gentex returning as the parades lead sponsor.
KENT COUNTY, MI  A 16-year-old boy is facing charges connected to a shooting that happened after a large fight broke out at a local venue.

Kent County sheriffs deputies arrested the Wyoming teen on Thursday, Nov. 16, after multiple witnesses came forward with information leading to the boys arrest.

The teen suspect, who was not named, is currently lodged at Kent County Juvenile Detention on two counts of felonious assault and discharging a firearm in a building.

RELATED: Large Grand Rapids area fight ends with gunshot, pistol whipping

Police initially responded to a report of shots fired shortly before midnight Saturday, Nov. 11, at the 4 Mile Showplace in Alpine Township. Officers arrived to find hundreds of people inside the building, but no one shot. Many people also were leaving, police said.

Investigators determined that a large party had been going on for hours, and at some point, several groups of people started fighting. During the fight, a man walked into the building and fired a shot into the ceiling. A bystander then confronted the person with the gun.

The bystander was pistol-whipped, police said, and the man with the gun left in a car.

Some people were left with minor injuries as a result of the fight.

Those involved in the fight have been identified and detectives are having those incidents reviewed for charges, police said on Thursday.
JACKSON, MI  Whether youre alone on Thanksgiving or need help getting a turkey on your table, there are Jackson-area organizations offering help in 2023.

Here are some of these events.

Jackson Police Department Turkey Drive-Thru

The Jackson Police Department is hosting its second-annual Turkey Drive-Thru event from 10 a.m. to noon Monday, Nov. 20, at the American 1 Convention Center at the Jackson County Fairgrounds/Keeley Park, 128 W. Ganson St.

The Turkey Drive-Thru is only open to Jackson residents, and no prior sign-up is necessary. Turkeys are free and available as supplies last. Only one turkey will be given to each vehicle, officials said.

Participants are asked to stay in their vehicles, entering the fairgrounds using the N. Blackstone Street entrance and driving through the parking lot to the site. Jackson police officers will be there to distribute the turkeys, which will come with safe cooking instructions, officials said.

Drivers will then exit the fairgrounds using the W. Ganson Street exit.

At the 2022 event, 150 free turkeys were distributed in less than an hour. The police department plans on giving away 300 turkeys this year to serve more residents, officials said.

This event is being organized through the police departments Group Violence Intervention Strategy program. GVI combines local law enforcement officers and the community to work together on solutions to reduce gun violence in Jackson, officials said.

Community Choice Credit Union Turkey Giveaway

Community Choice Credit Union also is offering a Turkey Giveaway event in Jackson, as well five other branches in Michigan. The Jackson event is 9 a.m. to noon Friday, Nov. 17, at 1425 W. Parnall Road.

One hundred turkeys will be given away to visitors at each of the member centers, including Jackson, officials said. Turkeys are being given out on a first-come, first-served basis.

Other pick-up locations and information can be found on Community Choice Credit Unions website.

Chelsea Hospital

Trinity Health Michigans Chelsea Hospital is providing a free meal to community members from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 23, at the hospital, 775 S. Main St. in Chelsea

The event is free for all residents who are alone on Thanksgiving Day or cannot afford a meal, officials said. Space is limited. Registration is required and can be made by calling the Chelsea Senior Center at 734-475-9242.

Grand River Brewery and Jacksons King Center

Grand River Brewery, 117 W. Louis Glick Highway, is providing Thanksgiving meals for purchase, but will donate a frozen turkey to Jacksons Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center for each meal ordered.

Officials at the King Center will provide these turkeys to families in need. They can be picked up from 4 to 6 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 22, at the King Center, 1107 Adrian Street.

Meals at Grand River Brewery cost $125 and serve four to six people. The meal comes with smoked turkey, garlic mashed potatoes, turkey gravy, honey roasted carrots, macaroni and cheese, green bean casserole and desserts.

Grand River Brewery is accepting orders until Monday, Nov. 20. Orders can be made on Grand River Brewerys website.

Kingdom Life Ministries of Jackson, Michigan

Kingdom Life Ministries of Jackson, Michigan is hosting a free Thanksgiving dinner 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 23 at 1825 Spring Arbor Road.

Indoor dining and pickup options are available.

More information can be found on the events Facebook page.

Did we miss an event? Email reporter Chloe Miller at cmiller@mlive.com with the time, date, location and other details and it will be added.

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KALAMAZOO, MI  A 37-year-old Kalamazoo man who shot and killed a man hed known 20 years in May 2022 has pleaded guilty to second-degree murder.

Michael Anthony Tolliver pleaded guilty on Thursday, Nov. 9, to one count of second-degree murder and one count of weapons felony firearm for the May 2022 shooting death of David William Brown, Jr., 34.

Tolliver will be sentenced Dec. 18 in Kalamazoo County Circuit Court by Judge Pamela Lightvoet.

He is expected to serve a minimum of 28 years in prison for the second-degree murder charge, followed by two additional years for the weapons felony firearm charge, according to a sentencing agreement reached with the prosecutors office, court records state.

David Brown knew Tolliver for more than 20 years, his widow, Tisha Brown told MLive/Kalamazoo Gazette previously. He had considered Tolliver a good friend and loved him dearly, she said.

How do you turn around and do something like this after 20 years? Brown said.

Related: He was a great father, wife says of Kalamazoo man who was fatally shot

Related: He should have seen us, widow says as homicide suspect opts out of court hearing

The two had been in a dispute over $80 that Tolliver said Browns late husband owed him. David Brown had denied owing Tolliver the money, Tisha Brown said.

She and the couples children were at home when the shooting happened at the Brown residence on May 29, 2022. Brown was a stepparent to two kids, who were 22 and 17 at the time of the shooting. The couple also had two kids together, who were 12 and 11 at the time of the shooting, she said.

Tisha Brown told MLive that she had been napping when she woke to the sound of arguing between Tolliver and her husband. She went to see what what was happening and, from the kitchen doorway, saw Tolliver pull a gun on her husband in the kitchen, she said.

Brown then started pushing her pre-teen daughter away from the scene and they went into a bedroom. She then heard the gun go off and her 17-year-old son was saying, He shot him, he shot him.

I went in the kitchen, and he was laying on the floor and then I put my hand on his back and he took like two deep breaths, she told MLive previously. He already had his eyes closed and he took two deep breaths. And at the time, in that moment, I didnt know that was his last two deep breaths.

Browns son called 911 and officers and paramedics responded to the home in the 1800 block of Fulford Street around 4:20 p.m., court records state.

David Brown was found by first responders unresponsive with an entry wound near his chest and an exit wound. They were unable to resuscitate Brown and he was pronounced dead on scene.

Family members told officers that Tolliver had fled the the scene in a white Chevrolet Traverse. The vehicle was eventually located by an outside police agency.

Tolliver initially refused to stop and once he did pull over, fled on foot, police said.

A warrant was later issued for his arrest on June 1, 2022. He was arrested that September in Illinois before being extradited to Kalamazoo, where he was booked into the Kalamazoo County Jail on March 2, 2023.

He has been being held without bond since his arraignment in March.

As part of the plea agreement, charges of carrying a concealed weapon, being a felon in possession of a firearm and an additional count of weapons felony firearm were dismissed.

The Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive now offers free email news alerts. Click here to sign up for alerts or for the daily 3@3 Kalamazoo roundup of news. Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page here.
KALAMAZOO, MI -- In 1988, Sandy Bloomfield and her husband were hired to clean out a vacated restaurant in preparation for selling the building.

They ended up buying the building themselves.

Located on Lake Street at its intersection with the I-94 business loop, the building had originally been a Burger Chef, one of the Kalamazoos first fast-food restaurants. It then cycled through several other reincarnations before the Bloomfields took ownership.

Both my husband and I came from a family of entrepreneurs, so it was only natural that we opened our own business, Bloomfield said.

The new business was named Juliannas Restaurant, in honor of Sandy Bloomfields mother, a Nebraska farm wife and mother of 10 who was known as an excellent cook and baker.

The Bloomfields strove to create a restaurant that reflected Julianna: Homestyle comfort food served with love in a welcoming environment.

I built this business on service and product, Bloomfield said. What people want is a good product with good service at a good price.

Its been a successful formula. More than three decades later, Juliannas continues to thrive.

My oldest was 6 months old when we opened, Bloomfield said. Hes now 35. ... Both my boys grew up right here in the kitchen in a playpen.

The boys also grew up alongside a staff that includes people there from the start who are still there today.

My cook has been with me since the day we opened, Bloomfield said. He started out as a dishwasher and is now my main line cook. My manager out front has been with me since she was 17, and shes now 42.

Another employee worked for years at Juliannas, then moved to run the kitchen at a Battle Creek restaurant owned by the Bloomfields. When the Battle Creek restaurant closed, the employee came back to Juliannas.

Ive got longevity with a lot of my staff, Bloomfield said. I always say, if someone on the waitstaff quits, they eventually come back.

Just as loyal are the customers, she said. More than half of her customers are regulars, so well known at Juliannas that the waitstaff simply asks: The usual?

The usual these days is almost always breakfast. Once open for breakfast, lunch and dinner, Juliannas now serves just breakfast and lunch, and many of the lunch orders are breakfast entrees, Bloomfield said.

The breakfast menu is extensive. The everyday special is two eggs, toast and coffee for $4. Among the most popular dishes are the Greek Hobo Skillet ($12.99) -- bacon, spinach, onion, hash browns, melted feta topped with two eggs and hollandaise sauce. Another customer favorite is the Tater Tot Casserole ($12.99) -- tater tots covered with chorizo sausage, gravy and cheddar topped with two eggs.

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Juliannas also features a range of other breakfast dishes -- a selection of omelets, hash-brown casseroles, breakfast sandwiches, breakfast burritos and tacos, pancakes, French toast, biscuits and gravy and eggs Benedict.

The most expensive item on the menu is steak and eggs ($15.99), which includes an 8-ounce strip steak, three eggs, potatoes and toast.

Weve got big biscuits! the menu says. They are homemade and $3.99. Another option is the cinnamon sugar donuts, also $3.99.

The lunch menu is more cursory: A selection of sandwiches, wraps and burgers, homemade soup of the day, a build-your-own salad option and baskets of fried shrimp, clams or chicken.

At $12.99, the hot roast beef sandwich is the most expensive option on the lunch menu.

The interior of Juliannas is classic diner, with a few big round tables that lend themselves to larger groups. Most of the patrons are senior citizens, but Juliannas does have a childrens menu.

Now almost 63, Bloomfield is now making a point of taking more vacations with her husband and is thinking harder about retirement. But she wont leave until she can be assured the restaurant will stay open in good hands, she said.

Business is very, very good, Bloomfield said. We are really busy. Im very blessed and Im so grateful to the Lord that I have good health and such good, loyal customers.

Juliannas is located at 2105 Lake St.; phone is 269-345-0220. Click here for the website. Hours are 7 a.m. to 2 p.m. Mondays through Fridays, 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturdays and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sundays.

The restaurant takes credit cards, but charges a 3.5% fee for doing so.

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KALAMAZOO, MI  Less than two months after adding a third weekly round trip from Kalamazoo to Orlando, Florida, Avelo Airlines made the call to temporarily halt service between the two cities.

While no flights will occur from Nov. 28 to Dec. 14 between the two cities, Kalamazoo/Battle Creek International Airport (AZO) executive director Craig Williams reassures patrons it is only a temporary hiccup.

The airport is one of eight across the country having routes altered by the fledgling, growing airline, as it needed to pull multiple aircraft out of service temporarily, Williams said.

Related: Kalamazoo airport adds extra flights to meet increasing demand

Passengers that had already booked travel between Nov. 28 and Dec. 14 were given at least four weeks notice of cancellation and presented with their options, Williams said.

All passengers who were already booked on flights between those dates were given the option of rebooking out of Lansing, flying out of Kalamazoo on an earlier or later date or getting a full refund, he said.

Avelo, which flies in and out of 44 destinations  15 more than when it first partnered with Kalamazoo in October 2022  also flies out of Capital Region International Airport Lansing.

Its just a growing airline that is trying to absorb this new capacity into the system, Williams said.

He said Avelo will be adding new planes to its fleet in January.

Avelo had to make a decision on which routes to pare back and we were one of them, Williams said. Its a soft time. Its just not a big travel period, especially for leisure.

Williams said the cancellations are far from unusual when it comes to airlines and he was pleased with the amount of notice Avelo gave passengers.

As for a new and smaller market, were doing well and Lansing is doing well too, he said. Its just a matter of having to make an immediate choice about which routes to pare back. They arent canceling service. Theyre pleased with the marketplace.

Williams said hes been pleased with the response to Avelo in the community, as well.

For example, as of Wednesday afternoon, Fridays flight from Kalamazoo to Orlando is expected to be 90% full with 170 passengers booked on the aircrafts 189 seats, he said.

Since Avelo began offering flights from Kalamazoo to Orlando last October, the airline has been flying at 78% capacity through its first year, Williams added.

The airline is beginning to offer flights three days a week between Orlando and Kalamazoo on select weeks with departures and arrivals occurring on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. Other weeks, Avelo will continue to operate on Thursdays and Sundays, Williams said.

The carrier initially intended to fly from Kalamazoo to Fort Myers as well, but those plans were derailed after Hurricane Ian hit the Florida beach town last fall.

The Kalamazoo Gazette/MLive now offers free email news alerts. Click here to sign up for alerts or for the daily 3@3 Kalamazoo roundup of news. Bookmark the local Kalamazoo news page here.
News / National

by Staff reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa has appointed a three-member tribunal to investigate allegations of misconduct against High Court Judge Webster Chinamora.The allegations stem from a complaint filed by Balwearie Holdings (Pvt) Limited, which accused Chinamora of conniving with a legal practitioner to pass judgement in a case that was never heard in court.In a presidential circular issued on Wednesday, Mnangagwa stated that he was establishing the tribunal in accordance with recommendations from the Judicial Service Commission (JSC)."Now therefore, under and by virtue of the powers vested in the president as afore said, I do, by this proclamation establish a tribunal to inquire into the question of removal from office of the Honourable Justice Nicholas Webster Charakupa Chinamora."To investigate Honourable Justice Nicholas Webster Charakupa Chinamora's conduct as alleged in the dossier from the Judicial Service Commission, whether it can be deemed to have been tantamount to gross misconduct; to investigate whether the Honourable Justice Chinamora interfered with the course of justice during the course of his duties."To investigate whether Honourable Justice Chinamora presided over matters wherein he had a direct conflict of interest," read the circular.Retired Justice Moses Chinhengo will chair the tribunal, which will also include Dr. Gift Manyatera and Clara Phiri as members.The tribunal is expected to conclude its investigation within five months and make recommendations to the President regarding Chinamora's suitability to continue holding the esteemed office.The under-fire judge has denied the allegations against him and has vowed to cooperate fully with the tribunal's investigation.However, should the judge be found to have acted contrary to his oath of office, he could join the growing number of serving jurists who have been fired by Mnangagwa in less than five years.Mnangagwa has fired Justices Francis Bere, Erica Ndewere, Thompson James Mabhikwa and Edith Mushore.Justice Martin Makonese was forced to resign just as Mnangagwa appointed a tribunal to look into his misconduct claims.
NORTON SHORES, MI -- Visitors to P.J. Hoffmaster State Park this weekend are advised to be aware of deer hunting occurring at an adjacent park.

Recreational deer hunting, by permit only, will be held daily from Nov. 17-20 at North Ottawa Dunes park in Ferrysburg, which connects to the southern boundary of Hoffmaster via hiking trails.
Thousands of gospel music fans packed the National Theatre last Sunday, November 12, for the Hollard Splendor Concert 2023, organised by pastor Siisi Baidoo Ministries in collaboration with Hollard Ghana and Crafted Nations.

The massive crowd was thrilled with powerful performances from some of Ghana's top gospel artists including headline act Pastor Siisi Baidoo, Joe Mettle, Sandra Boakye-Duah, Alexandra and Nigeria's Theophilus Sunday.

"It was a great time in God's presence," said Pastor Siisi Baidoo after the concert.

"The organization, atmosphere and gratitude from the audience was phenomenal. I want to thank our sponsors Hollard Ghana and supporters for helping us pull this off. We pray the revival born in our hearts will be sustained by the Holy Spirit, he told ModernGhana News.

Pastor Siisi Baidoo, headline act, ministering at the concert

Cynthia Ofori-Dwumfuo, Group Head of Marketing at Hollard Ghana, said the second edition of the gospel concert was their way of appreciating and putting smiles on the faces of the insurers customers, partners and stakeholders amid Ghana's current economic challenges.

"As a company that does well by doing good, we are proud to collaborate on this concert to appreciate our customers, partners and stakeholders. Life is about what can go right, not wrong," she stated.

Madam Ofori-Dwumfuo apologized for the lack of seating due to the massive attendance.

"All patrons had a good time and we apologize for the lack of seating due to the overflow of attendance. We thank everyone who made this year's event a success," she added.

In a special recognition, 98-year-old Elder Samuel Kofi Appiah, a long-serving music director of the Apostolic Church Ghana who authored many popular gospel songs, was honored with a citation at the concert.

Pastor Siisi Baidoo, Joe Mettle and team, presenting the citation to the family of the revered songwriter

The powerful and spirit-filled performances by the gospel coroners were accompanied by prayers section which also saw the charged attendees actively involved.
The Ghana Tourism Authority has endorsed the Ghana Bloggers Association's agenda to promote and blog about the positive aspects of Ghana in the lead up to December in Ghana (GH).

Days ago, the Bloggers Association launched an activation, urging all social media users and bloggers to focus on sharing positive news throughout Ghana under a thematic blogging initiative 'Blog and Promote Ghana' agenda.

During the launch, the association's president, Andre Mustapha NII Okai Inusah, also known as Attractive Mustapha, emphasized Ghana's uniqueness.

He encouraged fellow citizens to take pride in showcasing the nation, citing Ghana's central global position as the Center of the world and abundant natural resources, declaring it as the most peaceful country in Africa.

Attractive Mustapha disclosed plans for a Ghana tour and a global promotion campaign set to commence in December to further promote Ghana.

He highlighted December's significance, drawing people worldwide to celebrate Christmas and New Year, positioning Ghana as a premier destination for these festivities.

Today, on the association's official social media pages, it was announced that the Ghana Tourism Authority has endorsed its blog and the promotion of the Ghana Agenda.

They urged every Ghanaian online to blog the good and positive news about Ghana, especially in December, as it is a time when the whole world comes to Ghana for Christmas festivities.
Renowned Ghanaian rapper Jay Bahd has asserted that smoking marijuana, commonly referred to as 'weed', is akin to a blood tonic.

He said marijuana use should not be perceived as a sinful act.

During an interview on Ghpages Rush Hour Show, the 'Odo' hitmaker defended the consumption of weed, boldly stating that it should be regarded as a "blood tonic" due to its perceived benefits, particularly in enhancing sleep and appetite.

Jay Bahd argued that marijuana contributes to improved eating habits by increasing appetite.

Unapologetically advocating for the recreational use of marijuana, the rapper went on to draw a connection between the plant and divine wisdom.

In his view, criticizing the use of marijuana is tantamount to questioning Gods wisdom, as he believes that all things were created by God for human consumption.

Watch the interview below:
This paper critiques the judgment of Her Ladyship Hafisata Amaleboba (Mrs) in the case of Gyan v Gyan, a multifaceted legal dispute involving the validity of marriage, the age of consent, and the legitimacy of marriages contracted for convenience or other collateral purposes. This critique aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the case and the legal principles involved, and with respect, would engage in questioning the Courts reasoning and interpretation of the law. It is hoped that the critique will illuminate the complexities of the case and stimulate further discussion on the legal principles at play.

Synopsis

Gyan v Gyan was a complex family law case where Mr Asamoah Gyan sought to annul his marriage to Gifty Gyan. The marriage had been in existence for ten years at the time of judgment and had been preceded by a decade-long courtship. The core of the claim by Mr Gyan was that Gifty Gyan had lawfully married a man named Eugene Odame Antwi, a year before meeting Asamoah Gyan, which made her subsequent marriage to him void. Asamoah Gyan also argued that the marriage was void due to deceit and false misrepresentation.

Gifty Gyan's Contentions

Gifty Gyan acknowledged while known as Sandra Gifty Gyamesi, and before meeting Asamoah Gyan, she had married Eugene Odame Antwi. However, she asserted that she had informed Asamoah Gyan about her previous marriage, which was contracted to facilitate treatment abroad due to her health challenges. As a result of these contentions, a key matter in issue was the validity of the marriage between Gifty Gyan and Eugene Odame Antwi and whether it was still in effect at the time she married Asamoah Gyan.

Judicial Reasoning and Findings

Her Ladyship ruled that the marriage between Eugene Odame Antwi and Gifty Gyan was valid. The reasoning upon which that ruling was built was that a marriage voluntarily contracted for convenience or immigration purposes is valid and binding on the parties, unless any statute specifically renders such a marriage void, as per the authority of Boateng v Serwaa.

However, Her Ladyship also proceeded to determine that Gifty Gyan was underage at the time of her marriage to Eugene Odame Antwi. This led to further deliberations on whether the marriage was void due to Gifty Gyan not being of marriageable age. Her Ladyship then considered Section 59(b) of the Marriages Act, which mandates parental or judicial consent for minors to marry and found as a fact that such consent had not been provided or sought as Gifty Gyan had misrepresented her age to the registering officials. The Judge further found that the Childrens Act prohibits all marriages by persons below the age of eighteen years.

Presumption of Validity and Consummation

Despite these findings, Her Ladyship again relied on Boateng v Serwaa, by interpreting it as creating only two kinds of marriages: valid and invalid. Her Ladyship then reasoned that the illegality of a marriage does not render it void in the absence of specific provisions in the statutes nullifying it. Based on the presumption of validity under Section 31 of the Evidence Act and Section 74(3) of Cap 127, Her Ladyship then concluded that the marriage between Gifty Gyan and Eugene Gyan was merely voidable and required judicial intervention to annul.

Critique of the Judgment

The judgment by Her Ladyship in Gyan v Gyan is respectfully submitted to be flawed due to errors of law, a lack of or insufficient proper Common Law foundation, rests on an improper fettering of judicial discretion and fails to properly understand or apply the ratio in the case of Boateng v Serwaa. The fundamental sin of Her Ladyship, in relation to the judgment of Gyan v Gyan, can be summed up with the greatest of respect as misdirection by non-direction on the element of Consent in marriage as well as the common law distinction between void and voidable marriages.

In short.

a. Her Ladyship erred in how she interpreted and applied the legal principles from the Boateng v Serwaa case in Gyan v Gyan.

b. Her Ladyship misdirected herself on the historical context of consent being essential for a valid monogamous marriage and same was not sufficiently considered and further failed to appreciate that Ghanaian common law recognizes the same importance of consent, in relation to Ordinance Marriages, as the legal system is built upon principles inherited from British common law.

d. The age of consent defined in statutes and common law is also relevant for deciding the validity of Gifty Gyan's first marriage. Thus, reading all related laws together, as the rules of statutory interpretation require, the age of consent to marry is eighteen as defined in the Children's Act.

g. Since Gifty Gyan was only seventeen at the time, she lacked the legal capacity to consent to the first marriage under common law. That meant the first marriage was void ab initio, or invalid from the very beginning, rather than just voidable. Her Ladyship therefore erred in finding it was a valid or merely voidable marriage instead of void due to lack of capacity.

Errors in the Application of Boateng v Serwaa on the Face of the Record

In the case of Gyan v Gyan, the interpretation and application of the principle established in Boateng v Serwaa by Her Ladyship could potentially be seen as an error of law. The principle in Boateng v Serwaa stated that 'as a general principle of the law of contract, except clearly provided for in a statute, the fact that a contract violates provisions of a statute does not automatically make it void.' However, the Court added 'Where there is no nullifying provision in the statute the legal consequence of violation of a provision is a matter of construction by a court, but it would not be ipso facto void.'

This principle is well founded in the Common Law, where the Courts treat a contract, including contracts of marriages, made freely as binding and will enforce its terms. In Printing & Numerical Registering Co. v. Sampson, L. R. 19 Eq. 462, 465 (1875), Jessel MR stated the common law principle as follows " If there is one thing which more than another public policy requires it is that men of full age and competent understanding shall have the utmost liberty of contracting, and that their contracts when entered into freely and voluntarily shall be held sacred and shall be enforced by Courts of Justice'. Yet, even in this free-range liberty offered by the Court, the Courts have intervened to regulate contracts made in abuse of the right to contract, statute, that are legal yet immoral or are simply illegal.

In discussing the power of the Court to so interfere, Lord Justice Denning said in British Movietonews v. London & District Cinemas, Ltd. [1951] 1 K.B. 190, 202 that '" the day is gone when we can excuse an unforeseen injustice by saying to the sufferer ' It is your folly. You ought not to have passed that form of words. You ought to have put in a clause to protect yourself.' We no longer credit a party with the foresight of a prophet or his lawyer with the draftmanship of a Chalmers."That is simply because ': ex dolo malo non oritur actio', no court will lend its aid to a man who founds his cause of action upon an immoral or an illegal act.

The duty the Supreme Court therefore imposed in Boateng v Serwaa was an exercise of judicial discretion based on the unique facts of each case in determining whether contracts that have been made in breach of a Statute should be enforced by the Court. The import of that principle,as it relates to marriages, was to prevent the creation of a blanket rule which either voided or validated all such marriages as that would have taken away the inherent common law power of the Court to interfere with illegal contracts based on the equities of each case and whether such interference furthers public policy. This is in line with the dictum of Lord Mansfield in Holman v Johnson (1775) 1 Cowp. 341 on the inherent power of the Court to curtail freedoms of contract and to do justice in relation to immoral and illegal Contracts.

In the unique case of Boateng v Serwaa, the Supreme Court was able to find the customary marriage as void, without undertaking any analysis based on the unique circumstances of the case because of the implication of Section 44 of the Marriage Ordinance 1951 which by effect voided the later customary marriage. Boateng v Serwaa therefore merely reaffirmed the Courts attitude to the treatment of illegal contracts vested and guided by Public Policy considerations and the peculiarity of each case. However, in Gyan v Gyan, it must be submitted with the greatest of respect to Her Ladyship, that the unique facts of the case should have lent itself to judicial discretion in holding the first marriage to be void.

Boateng v Serwaa however did not establish the conclusiveness of connection marriages but only established their voidability with a presumption in favour of its validity. Yet, even if that understanding of Boateng v Serwaa were wrong, it was not a case of relevancy in Gyan v Gyan.

The matter in issue was not merely that there had been a connection marriage or indeed if same was void by reason of the collateral purpose with which it had been contracted. But rather that marriage was void because Gifty Gyan had never consented to it. And that she could not have consented to the first marriage because she could not consent by law. On this score, it is submitted that Her Ladyship completely misunderstood the import of the defence raised by Gifty Gyan in relation to that marriage. Her defence together with all the evidence on the record pointed to a lack of consent due to non-age or, in the alternative, a consent vitiated by duress.

For the purposes of this Critique, I shall deal with the first part of the defence.

Historical Context of Monogamous Marriages

To properly understand the importance of Consent in a Monogamous marriage, it is necessary to first understand and delve into legal history. Before the English Reformation from 1529 to 1536, the law that applied to marriages in England was the jus commune or common law of the Western Church compromising Roman Civil Law in the form of Justinian's Corpus Juris Civilis and Catholic Canon Law perfected as Corpus Juris Canonici. Under the Jus Commune of England, marriage was founded on consent. Thus, ancient Roman Civil law stipulated consent as the basis for marriage in a variety of ways.

During the first four centuries of modern history, marriage was seen as a private contract between a man and a woman. The wedding was celebrated at the home of the bride and the need for a priest to bless the marriage did not exist as a prerequisite for the validity of the marriage. A marriage could therefore be formed per verba de prasenti, a present exchange of consent to live as man and wife in front of witnesses or per verba de futuro subsequente copula, some future promise sealed by sex. There was also marriage by reputation and repute where the man and woman would have consented to live together for so long that the community began to deem them as a couple. It thus became the position of the common law at that era, as advanced by Edward Coke that Consent, and not cohabitation, constitutes nuptials or marriage, and persons cannot consent before marriageable years.

From around the 10th Century, the notion of marriage as forming part of the seven sacraments became popular in Western thought based on a positive reception of the views of Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. In 1439, the Council of Florence approved the notion that marriage was part of the seven sacraments of Christianity. Based on this view, the validity of a marriage, in addition to other matters such as consent, came to rest on whether the ceremony had been performed by a Priest laying the foundation for modern monogamous Christian marriages.

As a consequence of that view of marriage as a Sacrament, where marriage was celebrated in facie ecclesiae (in the face of the Church), it was regarded as valid and could only be terminated either by death, annulment due to impediments existing at the time of the marriage or later on by an Act of Parliament. A petition for annulment could only seek either a decree declaring a voidable marriage as void or a declaration of nullity, which was based on a diriment impediment existing at the time of the marriage.

At the Reformation, s. 7 of the Act of 1533 (25 Hen. 8, c. 19), required the submission of the clergy to the laws, statutes and customs of the realm, provided that the canons "which be not repugnant to the law, statutes and customs of this realm nor to the damage or hurt of the King's prerogative royal shall now still be used and executed as they were afore the making of this Act, pending the decision of the commission set up to examine and codify the canon law. The commission's report never became law and, therefore, the pre-Reformation canon law continued in force save in so far as it could be shown to be repugnant to the law and customs of the realm. The Canon Law of England thus became part of the Common Law of England to the extent that it was not repugnant to the other customs existing outside it.

Void and Voidable Marriages

After the Reformation, marriages were no longer considered part of the Seven Sacraments of Christianity, and the exclusive jurisdiction of Ecclesiastical Courts was abolished. The Common Law incorporated marriage via statute, and while Ecclesiastical Courts still had jurisdiction in determining cases of nullity, the Common Law Courts developed a doctrine of control over the Ecclesiastical Courts. This was exercised when a party to the proceeding was either dead or the impediment in question was merely a prohibitive impediment.

An impediment was a legal obstacle existing in canon law that prevented the sacrament of marriage from being performed either validly or licitly(legally). An impediment could be prohibitive or diriment. While prohibitive impediments merely made the marriage voidable, mostly by throwing into doubt some legal non-compliance, diriment impediments went to the integrity of the marriage itself and its roots.

Where a diriment existed, the parties to the marriage were entitled to treat the marriage as void even absent of a judicial pronouncement and where a declaration of nullity was granted, the Common Law Courts did not exercise any jurisdiction in interfering with such an exercise even if a party to the marriage had died. The logic of the common law is that as the marriage was void ab initio, no decree could lie against but rather, where the Court is invited to intervene, the duty of the Court becomes to declare that the marriage never existed. However, where the impediment was prohibitive, the marriage was merely voidable until a judicial decree for nullity was obtained.

This led to the creation of 'civil disabilities' and 'canonical disabilities'. A marriage under a civil disability (diriment) was void ab initio, and the parties could treat it as such even without judicial intervention. That further led to the distinction between a void and voidable marriage in Common Law.

In De Reneville v De Reneville 1948 Lord Justice Greene stated the distinction at common law to authoritatively be that A void marriage is one that will be regarded by every court as never having taken place and can be treated by both parties as such without the necessity of any decree annulling it. A voidable marriage, on the other hand, will be regarded by every court as a valid subsisting marriage until a decree annulling it has been pronounced by a court of competent jurisdiction.

Consent As a Diriment.

As previously discussed above both Canon Law and Common Law treated consent as playing a crucial role in the validity of a marriage. In canon law, which was adopted by English ecclesiastical law, a marriage could be void on the ground that there was no consent at the time of the marriage. Although the marriage could be ratified in certain cases by a consent voluntarily given subsequently, whereupon the consent was deemed to relate to the time of the marriage.

In the case of minors, the Ecclesiastical law and common law treated invalid marriages contracted by males below the age of fourteen years and females below the age of twelve years. This was because such persons were considered minors not capable of assenting to a contract of marriage.

The 1754 Marriage Act by Lord Hardwicke was passed to require that persons who were above this common law age to consent, yet below the age of 21 years old, obtain the consent of their parents before they could marry. This made such marriages voidable where no parental consent had been obtained. This statutory intervention was aimed at preventing clandestine marriages by persons who were not minors, being above the age to consent to marry yet not recognized as adults at common law, not having attained the age of 21 years.

The common law thus created a distinction between marriages involving persons who did not meet the statutory age to consent to marry (which was void ab initio) and those who qualified to marry but had failed to meet certain statutory requirements such as obtaining parental consent.

COMMON LAW IMPORTATION TO GHANA

The importation of common law into Ghana was a significant event in the country's legal history which was achieved through the Supreme Court Ordinance of 1874. The Supreme Court Ordinance of 1876 played a crucial role in this process, establishing the common law, along with the doctrines of Equity, and the statutes of general application that were in force in England at the time, as part of the law of the Gold Coast. The importation of the common law was done in a manner like the Henry importation of canon law whereby its operability was deemed to naturally flow so far as local circumstances permit and subject to any existing or future Ordinances of the colonial legislature.

The Common Law has continued through every Republican Constitution as a part of the laws of Ghana and currently stands incorporated via Article 11 of the 1992 Constitution.

Therefore, in constructing the validity of any monogamous marriage under the Ordinance reference must not be made to the Statutes setting out the various legislation on marriage but also to the essential common law elements on the validity or otherwise of monogamous marriages. For any want of reason, the answer is simply that the Common Law is part of our laws via Article 11 and is law unless explicitly undone by statutory language. Secondly, in addition to no Statute undoing the common law, the statutory grounds for bringing a decree for nullity as set out under Section of the Matrimonial Causes Act does not pretend to be conclusive or mandatory but rather opens itself to a discretionary adoption and based on grounds both stated by the Statute itself and drawn from other laws including the common law.

It could not therefore have been right for Her Ladyship to submit only a Section 13 Application could result in a marriage becoming void for all purposes. Indeed, a closer look at Section13 of the Matrimonial Causes Act would reveal that nothing in that Section can be construed as validating a marriage which is by law [including the common law] void but with respect to which a degree of nullity has not been granted. The clear implication of Section 13(2) is that such void marriages do not by the operation of the Section becoming voidable pending judicial intervention but are by themselves void even absent of any process commenced under Section 13.

Further, authors like Zabel point out the influence of the common law in shaping the Marriage Ordinance prepared for Accra and Lagos. For instance, Section 59 of CAP 127 retained the requirement for parental consent in the case of parties under twenty-one years of age who are not widowed. This requirement is a carryover from the Hardwicke parental consent requirement.

If that were the only law, then perhaps, marriages in breach of this statutory prohibition would have merely been voidable based on the application of Section 74(3) of CAP 127 which saves marriages despite statutory non-compliance. Those marriages become voidable and invoke the duties of the Court, if it does invoke any duties at all, as stated by the principle in Boateng v Serwaa as to their validity despite their statutory non-compliance.

However, Section 59 must be read together with Section 14 (2) of the Childrens Act 1998 which sets the minimum age of marriage of whatever kind to be eighteen years. As a principle of statutory construction, related statutes must be read in pari materia and interpreted together, as though they were one law. Also, based on the principles of lex posterior derogat (legi) priori, Section 14(2) of the Childrens Act 1998 must be deemed as amending Section 59 of CAP 127 to set the age at which parental consent is required at 18 to 20 years.

By necessary implication, any contract for marriage entered by persons below that age falls to be considered for validity based on the common law principles of consent relating to capacity. Section 14(2) had amended the common law age of capacity to consent to marry from fourteen years for males and twelve years for females to 18 years irrespective of age. A person under the age of eighteen therefore cannot lawfully consent to any marriage and any such consent is void by reason of non-age.

The Policy rationale behind Section 14(2) was to deprive children, defined as any person below the age of 18 years, from having the capacity to marry to curb the incidence of child marriages which had become a menace in the country. While the implication of holding all such marriages as void ab initio and not merely voidable or capable of subsequent rectification may seem harsh, the other side of the coin, in the grooming and abuse of minors for marriage must scarce everyone sufficiently in seeing the policy rationale in depriving every person below the age of 18, with or without parental approval, from consenting to marriage.

From the above analysis, it was clear that as Gifty Gyan was merely 17 years old when she contracted the first marriage, that marriage was void on the grounds that she was statutorily precluded from having the capacity to marry, a civil disability that operated to void the marriage ab initio at common law.

Presumption of Validity displaced

Rather inexplicably, with respect, Her Ladyship relying on the presumption of validity, proceeded to hold the marriage between Gifty Gyan and Eugene Odame valid. By so doing, the Judge appears to have confused the presumption of validity with a conclusion of validity. The presumption of validity simply refers to an assumption, in the absence of any evidence, that an administrative act has been regularly performed and the necessary statutory niceties have been met. However, the presumption is displaced once evidence of irregularity suffices.

The crucial finding that Gifty Gyan was 17 years at the time the first marriage was contracted, to my mind, did not invoke the need to search whether parental consent had been obtained which would have merely made the marriage voidable but rather whether she had legal capacity to contract the marriage at law, which would have made the marriage void.

As shown previously, while proof of the absence of parental consent would have rendered the marriage voidable, it proof that Gifty Gyan was not of the marriageable age to consent, would have rendered the first marriage entirely void ab initio.

The finding by Her Ladyship that Gifty Gyan was merely 17 years also displaced any presumption of regularity concerning that first marriage and automatically brought into issue the capacity of one of the parties to engage in the marriage. The capacity issue here being one of a civil disability rather than a canonical disability, the marriage that was built on it was incurably bad and void at common law as amended by the Children Act 1998.

However, Her Ladyship wrongly held the first marriage to be merely voidable pending a judicial decree of nullity and then proceeded to fetter her common law Judicial discretion by refusing to declare the first marriage a nullity on the wrongful basis that Gifty Gyan was required to make an Application under Section 13 of the Matrimonial Causes Act, 1971 ( Act 367).

However, it is instructive to note that Section 13 of the Matrimonial Causes Act merely creates a procedural avenue for voiding voidable marriages and for those who elect to seal a void marriage with a decree of nullity. As previously discussed, a marriage was void at common law based on whether it had violated a canonical or civil disability. Where the canonical disability rendered the marriage void, there was a requirement to secure a Decree of Nullity in relation to voiding such a marriage during the lifetime of any of the parties.

The Matrimonia Causes Act thereby simply created a procedure for enacting what had been a common law remedy in relation to void and voidable marriages. Notably, Section 13(4) of the Act provides that nothing in the section shall be construed as validating a marriage which is by law void but with respect to which a degree of nullity has not been granted. That statement of law, aligns with the common law view as stated in De Reneville v De Reneville 1948 that such marriages were void ab initio and could be treated as such without the need for judicial intervention and further, that where they became a matter in issue, the Court hearing the matter obtained the mandate to make a declaration that such marriages were void which carried with it the equivalence of a decree of nullity.

By misdirecting herself on the essential principles of consent and capacity to marry at common law, and by misinterpreting the ratio in Boateng v Serwaa, her ladyship with the greatest respect fell into a fatal error of law by failing to declare the marriage between Gifty Gyan and Eugene Odame as void despite making a finding of fact that at the time of the so-called marriage, Gifty Gyan was merely 17 years old and precluded by virtue of the Childrens Act from a capacity to contract marriage.

The advisement by her lady for Gifty Gyan to seek a further proceeding declaring that marriage as void, which from all indications would be granted, even if correct, only throws her ladys ruling in Gyan v Gyan into jeopardy. Any finding that the first marriage was void even if made by another Court would operate retroactively in voiding the first marriage ab initio, which will automatically restore the legality of the second marriage and damage the very foundation of her ladyships conclusions in Gyan v Gyan.

Her Ladyship should have prioritized determining whether valid consent existed based on factors such as age and capacity. If consent was absent, the marriage is void ab initio as per common law, and no procedural manoeuvring can change this fact. While procedural avenues exist to formally recognize voided status, they are not what determines the validity of the marriage, and the common law has always recognized a distinction between procedural formalities and essential validities of marriage.

As the critique notes, the Children's Act aims to curb child marriages, so validating underage marriages as Her Ladyship did undermines that goal. By upholding that underage marriages lack true consent and are void, would have given effective meaning to the protection of minors from early or forced unions. As the article notes

Conclusion

Based on all the above, it is respectfully submitted Her Ladyship committed errors of law in her application and interpretation of the relevant principles. That is, proper application likely would have resulted in declaring the first marriage void.

The critique raised in the paper highlights the need for Ghanaian courts to be mindful of their common law jurisdiction in adjudicating cases. Common law principles such as the distinction between void and voidable marriages are crucial in this case but were ignored or treated superficially.

It is believed that an appeal of the Gyan v Gyan case presents an opportunity for a higher court to both clarify the proper common law analysis that should have occurred and correct any errors in the judgment. The guidance would settle issues like whether the prior marriage was indeed void or merits annulment. This could prevent conflicting outcomes and uncertainties from persisting in case precedent.
15.11.2023 LISTEN

The Ghana Standards Authority (GSA) has shut down the operations of three cement manufacturing companies due to the use of inferior materials in their cement production.

The companies are Xin An Safe Cement Ghana Ltd, located at Ejisu, Kumasi Cement Ghana Ltd, located at Offinso, and Uniceme Cement Ghana Ltd, located at Bekwai, all in the Ashanti Region.

The move is part of a larger effort to crack down on substandard cement production across the country. The crackdown is being spearheaded by the GSA under the auspices of the parent Ministry of Trade and Industry.

In addition to the closure of the companies, the clampdown exercise covers prohibiting the construction of new cement factory, pending a streamlined permit issuance process by regulatory institutions.

The Director-General of the GSA, Professor Alex Dodoo, told the Daily Graphic, in an interview, that the exercise was to address the governments concerns about standards, quality assurance, and environmental safeguards in cement production.

What we are doing is ensuring fair trade and stability in the manufacturing space. We stand a chance of making this country a hub for manufacturing for the global market and trust is key for any major player who wants to invest in the country, the Director-General said.

Prof. Dodoo stressed the importance of streamlining industries that created the real sustainable jobs that drove growth.

Fail test results

Prof. Dodoo said as part of the ongoing cement quality audits and surveillance, officers from GSA visited the factories to inspect and sample bagged cements as well as constituent materials (raw materials) used for the production of cement for laboratory tests.

The test results from Xin An Safe Cement Ghana Ltd indicated that limestone did not conform to the requirements for Calcium Carbonate content in the product, and mineral identification analysis also showed that the sample was Feldspar and Quartz.

In view of this, you are instructed to cease operation/production henceforth until the use of the approved raw materials, a letter from the GSA to Xin An Safe Cement stated.

Similar letters were sent to the other two companies.

Prof. Dodoo explained that Feldspar and Quartz were not recommended major constituents of cement and, as such, their use as major constituents by some cement manufacturers should be stopped forthright.

At the Kumasi Cement Ghana Ltd, official test results indicated that Gypsum did not conform to the requirements for per cent Calcium Sulphate as required in the standard, GS C22/C22M-00 (2015), while limestone did not conform to the requirements for Calcium Carbonate content as required in the standard, GS 1118:2016.

Similarly, test results from samples taken at the Uniceme Cement Ghana Ltd indicated that limestone did not conform to the requirements for Calcium Carbonate content, and mineral identification analysis showed that the sample was Feldspar.

This is despite the fact that Feldspar is not a recommended major constituent of cement and as such, its use as a major constituent was problematic and unsafe, the director-general stated.

Reducing clinker imports

Prof. Dodoo revealed that plans were underway to establish factories to manufacture a substitute for clinker with local resources to help reduce the importation of clinker, which is a major component for the manufacturing of Portland cement in the country.

"We have published a few papers on how we can use local substitutes to replace a significant proportion, probably 50 per cent of the clinker we use. I am happy to note that two giants are actually establishing a factory to produce this, Prof. Dodoo said.

Substituting clinker with calcined clay in cement production will have immense environmental benefits, he added.

Globally, cement production accounts for about 7.5 per cent of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions.

Using calcined clay to minimise the need for traditional, carbon-intensive clinker, therefore, would be a major advancement towards eliminating the negative environmental footprint from cement production, Prof. Dodoo explained.

Industry in line

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Chamber of Cement Manufacturers, Ghana (COCMAG), Rev. Dr George Dawson-Ahmoah, when reached, said COCMAG was collaborating with the Ministry of Trade and Industry to develop optimal environment, safety and cement quality standards and to combat unfair trade practices whenever they arose.

That would ensure the growth of the countrys cement industry, Rev. Dr Dawson-Ahmoah said.

The cement industry has companies such as Ghacem, Diamond Cement, Dangote Cement, CIMAF, Savannah Cement, Gyata Cement and CBI Ghana.
Britain's Supreme Court has ruled that the Conservative government's contentious plan to send some migrants on a one-way trip to Rwanda is illegal, striking a major blow to a key policy of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's administration that has drawn international attention and criticism.

Five judges on the UK's top court said Wednesday that asylum-seekers would be at real risk of ill-treatment because they could be sent back to their home countries once they were in Rwanda.

Britain and Rwanda signed a deal in April 2022 to send some migrants who arrive in the UK across the English Channel to Kigali, where their asylum claims would be processed and, if successful, they would stay.

Britain's government argues that the Rwanda policy will deter people from risking their lives crossing one of the world's busiest shipping lanes, and will break the business model of people-smuggling gangs.

Opposition politicians, refugee groups and human rights organizations say the plan is unethical and unworkable.

No one had been deported to the country while the plan was being challenged in the courts.

Following the decision, Prime Minister Sunak said that he would consider next steps, saying, "This was not the outcome we wanted, but we have spent the last few months planning for all eventualities and we remain completely committed to stopping the boats."

'Not a safe third country'

Reading the unanimous decision, President of the Supreme Court Robert Reed said Rwanda could not be relied on to keep the promises not to mistreat asylum-seekers sent from Britain.

He cited the country's poor human rights record, including enforced disappearances and torture, and practiced refoulement  sending migrants back to home countries where they could be at risk.

The first deportation flight was stopped at the last minute in June 2022, when the European Court of Human Rights intervened.

Though in December, the High Court in London ruled that the Rwanda plan was legal, but that the government must consider the individual circumstances of each case before putting anyone on a plane.

By June, the Court of Appeal backed a challenge by asylum-seekers from countries including Syria, Vietnam and Iran.

The court ruled that the plan was unlawful because Rwanda is not a safe third country and there was a risk that migrants sent there would be returned to the home countries they had fled.

That was challenged at the Supreme Court by the government, which argued at a hearing last month that it had thoroughly assessed the risks and would ensure that Rwanda's government abides by its agreement to protect migrants' rights.

Fewer Channel crossings in 2023

Much of Europe and the US is struggling with how best to cope with migrants seeking refuge from war, violence, oppression and a warming planet that has brought devastating drought and floods.

Britain receives fewer asylum-seekers than many European nations, including Germany, France and Italy.

Thousands of migrants from around the world travel to northern France each year in hopes of crossing the Channel.

More than 27,300 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, with the year's total on track to be fewer than the 46,000 who made the journey in 2022.

The UK government maintains that it shows its tough approach is working, though others cite factors including the weather.

Sacked Braverman's hard line

The Rwanda policy was championed by sacked Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who was fired by Sunak on Monday over a series of intemperate statements that deviated from the government line.

In the weeks before her sacking she described migrants as a hurricane headed for Britain, called homelessness a lifestyle choice and accused police of being too lenient with pro-Palestinian protesters.

Braverman has also called for the UK to leave the European Convention on Human Rights and its court if the Rwanda plan is blocked.

Sunak's government had said it would aim to strike similar deportation deals with other countries if the Rwanda plan succeeds, arguing that several other European countries are considering similar ideas, with the EU exploring setting up processing centers on the bloc's borders to screen people as they arrive.
Government has renegotiated the contract terms for the construction of a 160-bed facility of the La General Hospital with the contractor moving to the site next week.

Presenting the Budget Statement and Economic Policy of the Government for the 2024 Financial year, Mr Ken Ofori-Atta, the Minister for Finance. said the project would now be funded from the national purse.

The Government also engaged the Ghana Medical Association on waivers for the importation of vehicles to ease the transportation burden of doctors with the passage of the Exemptions Act,

The policy is expected to enable doctors to deliver quality and timely healthcare.

On the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS), the Minister said it witnessed an expansion in coverage, with 16 million active members as of September 2023, representing 80 per cent of the targeted population of 20 million.

Mr Ofori-Atta said efforts to integrate the Ghana Card into the NHIS enrollment system were progressing steadily.

He said the Government was investing in the expansion of health infrastructure in every district under the Agenda 111 initiative.

The Finance Minister said to reduce the dialysis burden on the nation, a local team of Ghanaian doctors had been trained to provide kidney transplantation services at a reduced cost and had successfully undertaken the first few kidney transplantations in the country.

He said the health ministry would commission a 100-bed ultramodern Urology and Nephrology Centre of Excellence aimed at facilitating the provision of kidney transplantation services at the Korle Bu Teaching Hospital (KBTH).

He said the KBTH also initiated the manufacturing of Hypertonic Saline, a critical resource for surgeries and Hyponatremia treatment, making it the sole manufacturing site in Ghana.

GNA.
The Minister of Finance, Ken Ofori-Atta has indicated that government will provide the needed relief to support communities affected by the flooding caused by the spillage of the Akosombo and Kpong dams.

Several communities in the Volta, Easter, and Greater Accra Regions flooded last month after the Volta River Authority (VRA) spilled the dams in a move to preserve the dams from collapse.

Presenting the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of Government to Parliament on Wednesday, November 15, Ken Ofori-Atta disclosed that government has budgeted GH220 million to support the affected communities.

Mr. Speaker, the visit of the officials of the Ministry of Finance and myself, in collaboration with VRA, to the victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage in Mepe was truly revealing and sobering. Indeed, we empathise with the families that have been affected and displaced by the spillage. We met victims, townsfolks, children, the chiefs, and of course Honourable Okudzeto.

Mr. Speaker, Government has budgeted an amount of GH220 million to support the relief phase for the communities affected by the Akosombo spillage as well as floods upstream in the Oti, Savannah, and Bono-East Regions, the Finance Minister said.

According to Ken Ofori-Atta, Government through the Ministry of Agriculture will allocate additional resources to support the restoration of livelihoods for the restoration phase.

He indicated that government has also requested funding from the World Bank under the IDA Crisis Response Window (CRW) to support the resettlement of the victims, restoration of livelihoods, compensation, and reconstruction of infrastructure in the affected communities.
The Koforidua Circuit Court B has remanded into police custody four soldiers, an Immigration Officer, and a private security man for armed robbery at Akyem Akanteng in the Lower West Akim Municipality of the Eastern Region.

The accused persons are Sergeant Mensah Dominic 41 years, L/Cpl Tetteh Wayo 43 years both stationed at the Jubilee House. L/CPL, Nyarko Bernard 28 years stationed at ABF at Tamale command Unit, PTE/ Eric Anim 23years stationed at 11 mechanised Infantry Battalion- Accra but currently on leave.

L.C.O/ Richard Okyere 27-year-old immigration officer stationed at the Ministry of Interior and 28-year-old Kelvin Marfo a private security man at the 5th Hour Mining Company at Akyem Akwatia.

According to the prosecution, the immigration officer, Richard Okyere who was in charge of a Mitsubishi L200 with registration number GS  1116- 11 on November 10, 2023, based on their plan picked up the two military officers at their duty post at the Jubilee House before proceeding to pick up the other 2 military men at Pokuase and the last suspect at Asamankese before heading to Akyem Akanteng.

At 3:00 am on November 11, 2023, the suspects armed with military rifles and in military uniforms invaded the home of the complainant 55-year-old Ofori Samuel a Cocoa purchasing clerk at Akyem Akanteng and demanded GH100,000.00 amidst death threats.

The complainant who was frightened by the weapons explained he had no money but rather could offer them 10,000 cash which may be raised after selling a 5 gram of gold ore that was in his possession valued at GH 29,000. The suspects then pushed the complainant inside his room, took the gold and drove off.

The complainant immediately called the Akwatia Police Commander and a police officer at Osenase to inform them about the robbery incident. Luck, however, eluded the suspects as they were apprehended by the police upon reaching the Osenase police checkpoint.

Two military rifles with serial numbers-A0082460, A0056937, four magazines, 62 rounds of live ammunition, and a helmet were retrieved from the suspects after they were taken to the Akwatia Police Station.

According to the prosecution, during interrogations of the accused persons by the District Commander in the presence of other policemen, the first accused person handed over the 5 pounds of gold ore which the complainant earlier reported had been robbed from him by the accused persons to the commander.

The docket was taken over by the RCID, Kibi together with the above-mentioned exhibit of 5 pounds of gold for further investigations the same day.

Meanwhile, the Mitsubishi L200 with No. GS 1116-11 which was used by the accused persons has been impounded at the forecourt of the Eastern South Regional Headquarters for further action.

The prosecution added that on receipt of the case docket, all the various Departments of the accused persons were informed accordingly.

The suspects who have been charged with two counts, that is, Conspiracy to commit crime to wit robbery and robbery were remanded by the court presided over by Matilda Ribeiro to reappear on November 28th, 2023 after prosecution Assistant State Attorney Micdad Iddrisu prayed the court to remand the suspects to enable the police continue their investigations.
News / National

by Staff reporter

POLITICAL analysts say the decision by the Citizens' Coalition for Change (CCC) led by Nelson Chamisa to participate in the 9 December by-elections is spot-on as it sends a message of defiance and willingness to continue fighting Zanu-PF which is desperate for a two-thirds majority in Parliament.All CCC legislators and councillors who were recalled by an imposter Sengezo Tshabangu, who claimed to be the party's interim secretary-general, successfully filed their papers to contest in the by-elections despite the party leader Chamisa having earlier said they will boycott the polls, describing the event as a muppet show.Professor of world politics at the University of London's School of Oriental and African Studies Stephen Chan told The NewsHawks the CCC's participation will help forestall the desecration of the national constitution by Zanu-PF."It was wise to field the same people in whom the electorate had already reposed trust. But Chamisa had no choice in this matter. Before the Supreme Court decision, contesting the by-elections was the only way to save the constitution," he said. Political analyst Vivid Gwede concurred with Chan."CCC did the logical thing fielding candidates, not to give away the seats to their opponents. By fielding the same candidates who were recalled, they sent a message of defiance that they are reaffirming and protecting the people's choice," he said.Political analyst Rashweat Mukundu urged the CCC to be vigilant going forward and master the art of reading Zanu-PF politics designed to totally destroy the opposition."CCC is firmly in the trap of Zanu-PF, and nothing stops Tshabangu from going back to court and claiming those candidates that the CCC has nominated or fielded again as its candidates on the seats that became vacant because of the recalls. The CCC is failing to raise its understanding on the nature of the politics in Zimbabwe that this is no longer a case of simply wanting to be in Parliament and pushing an agenda of reform," he said, adding: "The politics has significantly shifted in the sense that Zanu-PF is now going for the total destruction of the opposition. And to continue dancing in the same arena that Zanu-PF has created for you is unstrategic. What CCC needs to do is to read the situation, go back to the drawing board, mobilise its support base, churches, labour, students, civil society."The rural and urban communities are on a struggle for democratisation. To assume that this can be achieved in a Parliament dominated by Zanu-PF in a party that is allegedly controlled by Tshabangu with all the support that he has from Parliament, the judiciary, from Zanu-PF, from the security sector is a waste of time. So for me this is just CCC playing Zanu-PF's game and failing to break out of essentially being puppets in a Zanu-PF game, of not only recalls, but abusing state institutions for its own political ends. And, until the CCC learns that the struggle has changed, then they will continue to suffer until 2028."Tshabangu revealed that he already had a list of candidates who would compete in the 9 December by-elections that did not include the recalled members.However, in Bulawayo, the recalled CCC members asserted that the party recognised Innocent Chagonda and Sthabile Mlilo as legitimate members who would sign their nomination forms which resulted in them successfully filing their papers at the nomination court.Last month in October, Tshabangu wrote to the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (Zec) stating that only he and two others, Mbuso Siso and Jabulani Ncube, were the authorised signatories for CCC candidates who were to take part in the 9 December by-elections.The actions by the recalled CCC members were therefore a show of defiance not only against Tshabangu but also Zanu-PF which expected weaker candidates or a complete boycott by the Chamisa team.President Emmerson Mnangagwa, who is on a relentless push for a Zanu-PF two-thirds majority in Parliament, quickly proclaimed elections in constituencies left vacant after some CCC legislators were recalled by Tshabangu.Sources say Mnangagwa desperately needs a two-thirds majority as he is contemplating changing the country's constitution to enable him to run for a third term of office.The Zimbabwean constitution, which came into effect in 2013, restricts presidential tenure to two terms. Mnangagwa came to power through a military coup in November 2017 before controversially winning the 2018 elections to secure his first term as an elected president.He secured his second and last term after another controversial election rejected by the main opposition CCC, the Southern Africa Development Community and several other electoral observer missions on 23 and 24 August.Using Tshabangu as a willing pawn, Zanu-PF with the assistance of the Central Intelligence Organisation-linked Forever Associates Zimbabwe (Faz) has ochestrated the expulsion of 15 legislators from the National Assembly and nine senators, to make it easier for the President to change the constitution.In a letter dated 3 October, Tshabangu wrote to Speaker of Parliament Jacob Mudenda and Local Government minister Winston Chitando recalling legislators and councillors.Tshabangu said the legislators and councillors elected on a CCC ticket had ceased to be members of the party.The recalled MPs include Pashor Sibanda who won the Cowdray Park National Assembly seat ahead of Finance minister Mthuli Ncube, Ereck Gono (Lobengula Magwegwe), Nicola Watson (Bulawayo South), Desmond Makaza (Mpopoma Mzilikazi) Obert Manduna (Nketa), Mlilo Sitabile (proportional representation), Jasmine Toffa (PR), Janeth Dube (PR), Evidence Zana (Youth Qouta), Morgan Ncube (Beitbridge West), Nomathemba Sibanda (PR), Velisiwe Nkomo (PR), Prince Dubeko Sibanda (Binga North) and Bright Moyo Vanya (Lupane East). Mabvuku-Tafara MP Munyaradzi Febion Kufahakutizwi was also recalled.Zanu-PF failed to get the twothirds majority it sought in Parliament, winning 136 of the 209 National Assembly seats contested, while the CCC garnered 73 seats.Zanu-PF has a track record of tampering with the constitution in order to consolidate Mnangagwa's power. In the last parliamentary term, Mnangagwa, through the Zimbabwe Constitution Amendment (No.2) Act, changed the supreme charter to remove the running mate close so that he has a pliant deputy, while giving himself greater control over cabinet, the Prosecutor-General and Public Protector.The Act permitted the President to promote judges of the High Court and the Supreme Court to a higher court on the recommendation of the Judicial Service Commission (JSC), without the need for public interviews, thereby opening the door to promotions on the basis of political suitability and cronyism.It allowed judges of the ConCourt and the Supreme Court to continue to serve beyond the current retirement age of 70, if the President, after consulting the JSC, consented to their doing so.This effectively stripped judges of their security of tenure, thus their independence, since they will hold office from year to year subject to the President's whim.
China and the United States pledged Wednesday to work more closely together to fight global warming, declaring the climate crisis "one of the greatest challenges of our time".

The announcement came hours ahead of a summit between presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping in San Francisco, further fuelling hopes the two nations can mend relations following years of turmoil over issues including trade, human rights and the future of Taiwan.

In a joint statement following climate talks in the United States, they pledged to make a success of a crucial UN climate summit starting at the end of this month in Dubai.

And they re-committed to the 2015 Paris climate accord goals of holding global warming to "well below" 2C, while pursuing efforts to limit the increase to 1.5C.

"The United States and China recognize that the climate crisis has increasingly affected countries around the world," the statement said.

"They will work together...to rise up to one of the greatest challenges of our time for present and future generations of humankind."

US and Chinese climate envoys John Kerry and Xie Zhenhua met this month at the Sunnylands resort in California in a bid to restart stalled cooperation.

Experts agree that keeping the Paris goals in reach will require an enormous collective effort to slash greenhouse gas emissions this decade.

But that goal is seen as even more challenging in a world roiled by geopolitical storms, including China-United States rivalry.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) warned last month that "immediate reductions" in methane emissions were needed to limit climate warming.

A broad plan by Beijing last week to control its emissions of the gas offered no specific target for reducing them.

But in their joint statement, the two sides agreed to develop their respective methane reduction targets for inclusion in their 2035 emission-cutting plans, known as Nationally Determined Contributions, or NDCs.

No decoupling

With temperatures soaring and 2023 expected to become the warmest year in human history, scientists say the pressure on world leaders to curb planet-heating greenhouse gas pollution has never been more urgent.

Countries are set to meet in Dubai later this month for the COP28 summit.

And success at those talks will hinge on agreement between the United States and China -- still at loggerheads over a litany of issues from trade to human rights.

Asked about what he expected from looming talks with Xi, Biden on Tuesday characterised the meeting as a chance to right ties.

"We're not trying to decouple from China. What we're trying to do is change the relationship for the better," Biden told reporters at the White House before heading to San Francisco.

He said he wanted "to get back on a normal course of corresponding; being able to pick up the phone and talk to one another if there's a crisis; being able to make sure our (militaries) still have contact with one another".

(With newswires)
Parliament on Wednesday eulogised former First Lady, Theresa Kufuor, for her invaluable service to the nation and her passion for caring for children and women.

Mr Emmanuel Adjei Anhwere, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Atwima Nwabiagya South moved a statement in that respect.

Contributors to the statement from both sides of the House eulogised the former First Lady for her contributions to the success story of her husband, former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Mr Haruna Iddrisu, the National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Tamale South, lauded Mrs Kufuor for her commitment towards the implementation of the Free Compulsory Universal Basic Education.

He noted that Mrs Theresa Kufuor was also particular about issues pertaining to maternal healthcare.

Mr Mohammed Mubarak Muntaka, NDC MP for Asawase in his contribution to the statement, described the former First Lady as an exemplary woman; because during her tenure as the First Lady of the country, there was no scandal level against her and that she was an exceptional quiet and reserved woman.

Mrs Patricia Appiagyei, the New Patriotic Party (NPP) MP for Asokwa, said Mrs Kufuor was a staunch Catholic and a Christian and that her life was an exemplary one, which all women must emulate.

Mr Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu, the NPP Majority Leader and Leader of Government Business in Parliament said Mrs Kufuor was the first First Lady of an NPP Administration in the Fourth Republic of Ghana.

He said Mrs Kufuor was a laid-back First Lady, whose soft approach to the resolution of issues was most spectacular.

Adding to that Mrs Kufuor carried herself in simplicity and with dignity.

Speaker Alban Sumana Kingsford Bagbin recounted that in his days as the Minority Leader of the House, Mrs Kufuor acted as a bridge between him and her husband, President Kufuor.

It was not an easy period, but she managed to keep us together even though at a distance, I never visited them at all. Never. But we kept on working together and developed our democracy.

The Speaker led Members of the House to give rise and observe a minute silence in her honour.

The former First Lady passed away on Sunday, October 1, at the age of 87.

Her four-day state funeral begins on Thursday, November 16, at the Forecourt of the State House in Accra, which will then continue in Kumasi.

GNA
The Minister for Trade and Industry, K.T Hammond has indicated that he is confident the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) will win the 2024 general election to remain in power.

Reacting to hooting from the Minority in Parliament after the Minister of Finance presented the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy to parliament on Wednesday, November 15, the Trade Minister described the NDC MPs as jokers.

He argued that their booing in the House by waving goodbye to the NPP government would achieve nothing.

K.T. Hammond in an interview with the media said the NPP government has done so much and will break the 8 with Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as the partys flagbearer.

I mean these guys are jokers. They were wavering goodbye to us? We are breaking the 8. We are coming back under Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia. The next administration, 2025, NPP will be sitting at that same side that you saw us today.

Im absolutely confident because there is the 1D1F, there are all the cars that we are manufacturing, there is the industrial transformation that is taking place in this country. There is the agric front of it, there is the cocoa front of it, exchange rate stabilized, K.T Hammond said.

In his presentation of the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy today, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced some eight tax waivers to boost local industry.

A zero rate VAT on locally produced sanitary pads and import duty waivers for raw materials for the local manufacture of sanitary pads are just a few of the waivers announced by the Minister.

Ken Ofori-Atta also indicated in his presentation that Ghana is now in a better place than before.

Mr. Speaker, we are in a better place than we were before. The nation has been positively impacted and positioned to harness its prospects. We must move forward courageously. For as 2 Timothy 1:7 counsels, God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of courage, and of love, and of a sound mind.

It is in this same vein of courage and power, that we have forged a path of resilience since 2017. It is important to recall that despite the poly-crises since March 2020, we have, together, taken a GDP of GH219.5 billion in 2016 and almost quadrupled it. We are crossing the GH1 Trillion GDP mark this year, Ken Ofori-Atta said.
The Filariasis Team at the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research into Tropical Medicine (KCCR) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Kumasi, in collaboration with Nana Hima Dekyi Government Hospital in the Ahanta West District, has conducted hydrocele surgeries for about 60 patients from Nzema East, Ahanta West, and Ellembelle districts in the Western Region of Ghana.

This noble initiative sponsored by the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) forms part of the Tackling the Obstacles to Fight Filarial infections and podoconiosis (TAKeOFF).

Hydrocele, a condition characterised by the abnormal enlargement of the scrotum resulting from the accumulation of fluid in the tunica vaginalis, affects about 40% of males infected with lymphatic filariasis.

Dr. (Mrs.) Linda Batsa Debrah, the Principal Investigator for the TAKeOFF project talking about the transmission of the disease emphasised that the same mosquitoes that transmit malaria are also able to transmit hydrocele-causing parasites (Wuchereria bancrofti). When an infected mosquito bites a person, it can transmit the parasite's infective form, which can then grow and settle in the lymphatic vessels. This, in turn, leads to blockages in the lymphatic vessels, resulting in the person developing various disease conditions associated with the infection such as edema in various parts of the body, including the legs, hands, breasts, vulva, and scrotum.

Professor Alex Yaw Debrah, the Director of the TAKeOFF consortium and the Dean of the Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, highlighted the extensive commitment of the Filariasis Team, in serving LF endemic communities in the Western Region of Ghana. He mentioned that the Filariasis Team has over the past 25 years provided treatment to infected individuals against the adult worms because the drug of choice for the treatment of the disease, Ivermectin, only affects baby worms and it must be taken as long as the adult worm lives (over 6 years). He stressed that while the community is now free from lymphatic filariasis infection, individuals suffering from hydrocele still require standard morbidity management.

Professor Debrah expressed gratitude to the German Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF) and their German partners, the Institute of Medical Microbiology, Immunology and Parasitology (IMMIP) of Bonn University Hospital for the financial support.

Dr. Nana Asampong Brobbey, the Medical Superintendent of Nana Hima Dekyi Government Hospital, expressed his gratitude for the collaborative effort, recognising the financial constraints faced by the Ghana Health Service. He commended the initiative and hoped that other research institutions would follow suit in providing essential medical services.

One of the beneficiaries of the hydrocele surgeries, Stephen Cobbinah, shared his two-year battle with the condition and expressed profound gratitude to the Filariasis Team for their dedicated care and for ultimately providing him with the best care for their condition.

In affirming the success of the surgical interventions, Dr. Henry Atawura, a Senior Lecturer from the University of Cape Coast Medical School and the Lead Surgeon, extended his heartfelt gratitude to the Filariasis Team for their unwavering commitment, to ensuring the accomplishment of this critical medical endeavour.
Odomfour Dr Kwasi Apraku III, the Paramount Chief of Odomase Number One Traditional Area in the Bono Region has commended the government for the construction of the Agenda 111 District Hospital in the area.

He said the government deserved to be commended highly, for the steady progress, and quality of work on the hospital project, and expressed the hope the government would continue releasing funds so work would be completed.

Odomfour Dr Apraku III gave the commendation when he visited the project site at Odomase in the Sunyani West Municipality, inspected work on the project and interacted with the contract workers.

The Paramount Chief said he was highly impressed with the level and quality of work done so far, and commended the contractors, urging them to speed up so that the facility would be completed for use before election 2024.

Odomfour Dr Apraku III described the construction and progress of work on the Odomase Agenda 111 District Hospital project as exceptional in the country and urged the locals engaged to work at the site.

Work on the project, which according to Mr Emmanuel Ametorgbui, the Site Engineer for Consar Limited, the construction company, commenced somewhere in May 2022 and was expected to be completed and handed over in August 2024.

Though, the site engineer could not immediately give a specific percentage of work done on the facility, Mr Ametorgbui said with available funds, the project would be completed as scheduled.

Works on all the components of the hospital were progressing, with the administration, reception, washrooms, and the 100-bed-capacity ward reaching roofing levels.

That of the Accident and Emergency Unit, waste exposer, laundry, maternity and surgical wards, central stores, and kitchen were also progressing, while an eight-unit staff quarters had also been roofed.

However, work on the mortuary and other auxiliary projects was still at the foundation levels.
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) election observer mission has called on Liberian political stakeholders to remain calm and avoid premature declarations of victory as vote counting continues in the presidential runoff election.

In a statement released on Wednesday, November 15, head of the ECOWAS observer mission Professor Attahiru Jega expressed concern over "provocative statements and alleged planned conferences by political actors to prematurely declare victory."

Prof. Jega appealed to the candidates, parties and supporters to "exercise maximum restraint and patiently await the official declaration of the results" by the National Elections Commission, which is the sole body mandated to announce outcomes.

He said ECOWAS "warns individuals or groups that they would be held solely accountable for any acts that may lead to violence and undermine the hard-earned peace and stability of Liberia."

The statement co-signed by Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah, Commissioner for Political Affairs and Security at the ECOWAS Commission, further noted "We urge all sides to be guided by the spirit of national unity and adhere to commitments made to ensure a peaceful process."

Early provisional results show opposition candidate Joseph Boakai of the Unity Party leading incumbent President George Weah of the Coalition for Democratic Change, though narrow.

The final outcome may not be known for days as counting continues across the country in an election that recorded around 2.4 million voter turnouts.
16.11.2023 LISTEN

Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo, says she is inspired by the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Dr George Akuffo Dampare.

According to the Chief Justice, any keen observer will easily notice the effort of the IGP in rebranding the police and positioning it at where it ought to be in the eyes of the public.

Speaking at a stakeholder meeting between the police and the leadership of the judiciary in Accra on Wednesday, the Chief Justice said the IGP leadership of the police service inspires her in her own journey as new leader of the judiciary.

I must say that I find your leadership of the Police Service extremely inspirational. I think it is only a blind person who would not have noticed how much you have achieved in such a short time in rebranding the image of the police, the CJ said.

She further noted the IGP has shown that the police can be a force that the public can rely on.

You have shown that the police can be a source of integrity and help rather than destruction. I find your leadership inspiring in your effort to present the police for what they are and what they ought to be.

She noted the judiciary will work with the police on a slot on the Police TV channel for the judiciary to educate Ghanaians on how Justice delivery is structured.

The IGP on his part said he and his team are ready to listen and work with the judiciary to fashion out measures deal with all their security concerns.

Classfmonline
Chief Justice, Gertrude Torkornoo, has called on the Ghana Police Service to work towards a collaborative effort to protect the judiciary from rampant attacks.

A recent attack at the Tamale District Court by some residents of the community is one of the many attacks against judges and the judicial service in the country.

Speaking at an engagement with the Police Management Board and the Inspector General of Police in Accra, the Chief Justice attributed the closure of some courts to the growing and disturbing menace and highlighted the need for an actionable approach to address it.

We have heard of attacks on judges in recent times and attacks on court personnel. So, we can look at concrete measures to ensure that those attacks are totally stopped because our work is one that leads to peace. If you dont have a court in a community, then you are creating a space for more destruction rather than more solutions. As we speak now, there are certain courts that are still closed because of security issues.

citinewsroom
A state funeral will be held for the late First Lady Theresa Kufuor at the forecourt of the State House today, November 16.

The event will commence at 7 a.m. with a file past followed by a burial mass at 9 a.m.

Final funeral rites will be performed for the former First Lady at Heroes Park in Kumasi on Saturday, November 18.

The former First Lady died at her home in Peduase, surrounded by her family, on Sunday, October 1, at the age of 87.

A Requiem Mass was held on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, in her honour.

The event, held at Christ the King Catholic Church in Cantonments, Accra, brought together high-profile personalities, politicians, members of the New Patriotic Party, as well as family and friends of the late former First Lady.

Theresa Kufuor married former President John Kufuor in 1962 and served as Ghanas First Lady between 2001 and 2009.

citinewsroom
Escalating hostilities between Malian forces and separatists have also spilt online as the rivals and their supporters battle to control the narrative via fake social media accounts and state-sponsored "fact-checking".

The army, Tuareg-dominated rebel groups and jihadists have been fighting for territorial control in the north since the summer when the ruling junta ordered UN peacekeepers to pull out of the region.

Tuesday's recapture of Kidal, a strategic Tuareg stronghold, represents a significant symbolic success for the military.

The conflict has further fuelled tensions in the Sahel, which has seen military coups in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger in the past three years.

The region's instability has become a hotbed of disinformation, including for Mali.

Pro-rebel accounts published a fake statement on X (formerly Twitter) attributed to Mali's prime minister announcing that government troops had "abandoned" Anefis, a village recaptured from the rebels on October 7.

Meanwhile, pro-government partisans shared images from an American film alongside photos of Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein's hideout, and falsely claimed the pictures showed a tunnel housing a "terrorist leader".

Experts say the warring factions are using social media to try and steer the public narrative in their favour.

"Each side gives its version of what's happening on the ground, discrediting the other's as propaganda," said Seidik Abba,a Nigerien journalist and political analyst specialising in the Sahel.

Competing for audiences

In October, Mali's state TV launched a monthly "fact-checking" programme that, in its own words, "goes through images and documents attributed to the Malian armed forces on social media to see if they're true or false".

The show, called "Untangle Facts from Fiction", devoted its first episode to verifying allegedly false images of army equipment destroyed by separatist forces that were widely shared by pro-separatist accounts.

"It's the first time we're seeing state media, which very often shares disinformation, also wanting to fight against disinformation," said Abdoulaye Guindo of Benbere, a fact-checking platform in Mali.

According to the show's presenter Abdoulaye Keita, any suggestion that the broadcast is a propaganda outlet for the Malian army is false.

"(It is) a public television initiative. The authorities did not ask for anything," Keita told AFP

"The first episode was dedicated to the army because it was topical," he said, adding that further episodes would tackle various subjects.

For their part, the rebel camp has also bolstered its communication efforts on social media.

The Permanent Strategic Framework (CSP), an alliance of predominantly Tuareg armed groups, created an X account for "military affairs" in September, with similar accounts popping up on Telegram and Facebook.

In addition, an online radio station named "Radio Azawad International" has been reporting stories in support of the CSP and amplifying news unfavourable to Malian military forces.

Communications 'war'

Against the backdrop of these struggles between local actors, foreign powers including France and Russia have also been fighting for influence in the Sahel.

Anti-French sentiment has been on the rise across the region as countries increasingly turn their backs on Paris in favour of closer ties with Moscow.

Map of Mali showing the strategic town of Kidal. By Sophie RAMIS, Vincent LEFAI (AFP)

Mali's ruling junta, which seized power in 2020, has broken off a historic military partnership with France and demanded the departure of the UN stabilisation mission, MINUSMA.

In September, Mali signed a military cooperation deal with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger in September.

And at the start of this month, their respective state media outlets agreed to a partnership to combine their resources and co-produce programmes.

"We are at war, not only on the ground but also in terms of communications. So it's important we work hand in hand to take up the communications challenge," Mali's head of state television, Hassane Baba Diombele, told Burkina Faso's information agency.

The military rulers in the three countries have suspended several French media outlets and expelled journalists.

Local journalists are subject to considerable pressure and have difficulty covering sensitive subjects, especially those linked to the army, according to Guindo of the Benbere fact-checking organisation.

Analysts also worry about how the media crackdown will impact ordinary citizens as they try to navigate conflicting accounts.

For Abba, the Sahel expert, this "blackout in banning media will push people to cling to tools that promote misinformation".
News / National

by Staff Reporter

The leader of the Citizens Coalition for Change (CCC), Nelson Chamisa, has urgently appealed to President Emmerson Mnangagwa to reconsider the scheduled December 9 by-elections, citing the recent tragic abduction and murder of a CCC member. Bishop Tapfumaneyi Masaya, a prominent CCC figure, was discovered dead on Monday, having been abducted two days earlier in Mabvuku, Harare, while campaigning for Munyaradzi Febion Kufahakutizwi, the party's parliamentary candidate.A series of distressing incidents involving CCC activists, including the abduction and torture of legislator Takudzwa Ngadziore and former parliamentarian James Chidhakwa, have intensified tensions in the lead-up to the by-elections. These elections were initiated by the recall of CCC Members of Parliament, councillors, and senators by the self-proclaimed interim party secretary-general, Sengezo Tshabangu.In an interview with NewsDay, Chamisa openly questioned President Mnangagwa's silence in the face of the alarming attacks on CCC members. Expressing concern, Chamisa urged Mnangagwa to halt the abuse of state institutions, illegal by-elections, and the mistreatment of citizens. He highlighted previous instances of violence against CCC members and stressed the need for constructive dialogue between leaders for the collective benefit of the nation.Chamisa emphasized that the focus should be on addressing the pressing political and socio-economic challenges facing the nation, stating that Zimbabweans are leaving their homeland in large numbers. He criticized the expenditure of millions of dollars on what he termed "illegal by-elections" while the country grapples with critical issues.Zanu PF spokesperson Christopher Mutsvangwa distanced the ruling party from the by-elections, asserting that they are conducted in accordance with the law and are beyond Zanu PF's control. He stated that the matter is currently before the courts, cautioning against involving Zanu PF in internal party affairs.Chamisa expressed deep concern over the death of Bishop Masaya, calling it disturbing. The family has requested an independent postmortem, delaying the planned return of the body. The postmortem, scheduled for the following day, faced reservations from the family's legal representatives.Both the United States embassy in Zimbabwe and the European Union (EU) issued calls for a thorough investigation into Masaya's death. They urged local authorities to identify and bring the perpetrators to justice, emphasizing the need for peaceful preparations for the upcoming by-elections and an end to political violence.
The Member of Parliament for the Ketu South constituency, Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, has dismissed allegations suggesting that she, along with two other MPs, received donations from VRA and independently led relief efforts for their flooded constituencies.

The rebuttal comes in response to a news article published by Opera News, claiming that the Volta River Authority (VRA) had provided relief items to flood victims in three Volta region constituencies. The items were purportedly received by Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, MP for Ketu South, Hon. Kwame Sefe, MP for Anlo, and Hon. Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey.

Clarifying the situation, they emphasized that the accompanying picture in the story is misleading. Both MPs were present to witness the arrival of the goods but did not receive the donation for their respective constituencies.

We only signed for medications, which the Directors of Municipal and District Health Officials received on behalf of their hospitals, clarified Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie.

Below is the full statement

DISCLAIMER

VRA EXTENDS A HELPING HAND TO KETU SOUTH WITH RELIEF ITEMS

The above subiect matter refers.

1. We have come across a news item published in Opera News on the above subject matter which purported that the Volta River Authority (VRA) has donated some relief items to flood victims in three constituencies in the Volta Region and received by us, namely; Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, MP for Ketu South; Hon. Kwame Sefe, MP for Anlo and Hon. Kwame Dzudzorli Gakpey.

2. The picture accompanying the story is misleading as the two Members of Parliament were there to witness the arrival of the goods but have not received the said donation for their constituencies. We only signed for medications which the Directors of Municipal and District Health Officials received on behalf of their hospitals.

3. We wish to state emphatically, that, this publication and its claims are false, and must be treated with the contempt it deserves.

4. Since numerous communities in our respective constituencies got flooded as a result of the spillage of the Volta Dams in Akosombo and Kong by the VRA, we have personally been out there mobilizing through the help of individuals and organizations to obtain relief items for our people. At no point in all these efforts, have we had the VRA donate any items to us as Members of Parliament for onward distribution to the flood victims in our respective constituencies.

5. We wish to inform the general public to disregard the publication as it is false, and calculated to cause mischief.

Thank you

Abla Drita Comnashio UM

MP- Ketu South

kramesote Rickfad

MP- Anlo

Drudzorl Gakpe /Satipey

MP-Keta
Thw business community in Ghana have expressed skepticism about the impact of tax relief measures announced in the 2024 budget.

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta announced some tax reliefs in the budget on Wednesday, November 15.

These include maintaining a zero tax rate on locally made fabrics, sanitary pads and assembled vehicles.

Import duties would also be waived for electric vehicles and farm machinery.

However, the Chief Executive of the Ghana Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mark Badu-Aboagye, says the reliefs are insignificant for business growth.

"They are not going to have any significant impact on the cost of doing business in 2024 because it's just a few selected companies that will largely benefit from that," Mr Badu-Aboagye stated on Accra-based JoyNews PM Express.

He noted that industries highly impacted are the local textiles and sanitary pad manufacturers, represent only a small portion of the production sector.

The chamber pushed for broader tax cuts that would aid more businesses.

Other priorities raised by the chamber, including scrapping the COVID-19 levy and lowering the electronic transfer tax rate, were not mentioned in the budget.

With businesses still struggling with high operating costs, he remains doubtful over claims that the 2024 budget will transform the economy.

Only significant tax reforms favoring a wide range of industries, the chamber argues, can stimulate stronger growth and investment across the board.

But on key demands, the latest budget failed to deliver for the private sector, he noted.
Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina urged people to vote on Thursday in a highly contested presidential election in which he is seeking a new term, and slammed an opposition call to boycott the polls.

Rajoelina is one of 13 candidates on the ballot but 10 of the others have called on voters to shun the elections, complaining of an "institutional coup" in favour of the incumbent.

Following a night-time curfew and weeks of protests, voting got calmly under way early Thursday, according to AFP journalists, with voters emerging from rudimentary polling centres, their thumbs stained with green and gold indelible ink.

Polls are scheduled to stay open until 05:00 pm (1400 GMT).

Rajoelina has brushed off criticism and expressed confidence that he will secure re-election in the first round of voting.

After casting his ballot in the capital, Antananarivo, Thursday, he urged voters to do the same.

"The only democratic path... are elections," he said, denouncing people "who try to cause trouble".

The Indian Ocean island nation is the leading global producer of vanilla but also one of the world's poorest countries, and has been shaken by successive political crises since independence from France in 1960.

"I'm voting, but we know this isn't normal," said 43-year-old Eugene Rakatomalala. "There weren't any candidates who did campaigns."

"We do not want to participate in this fraud, it is a joke on Madagascar," Roland Ratsiraka, one of the protesting candidates, said on Tuesday.

Since early October, the opposition grouping -- which includes two former presidents -- has led near-daily, largely unauthorised protest marches in the capital.

They have been regularly dispersed by police firing tear gas.

Incumbent President Andry Rajoelina has expressed confidence he will secure re-election in the first round of voting. By RIJASOLO (AFP/File)

"We don't want any more demonstrations, we don't want any more problems in the country. We want to choose for ourselves, by voting," Alain Randriamandimby, 43, a T-shirt printer, told AFP early Thursday.

A day earlier, authorities imposed a night-time curfew in Antananarivo, following what police said were "various acts of sabotage".

The local police prefect later said an investigation had been opened after electoral material stored at three polling stations was burned on Tuesday.

Rajoelina first took power in 2009 on the back of a coup, then skipped the following elections only to make a winning comeback in 2018.

As his opponents refused to campaign, he flew across the country by private plane, showcasing schools, roads and hospitals built during his tenure.

"It is irresponsible to encourage voters not to vote," his campaign spokeswoman Lalatiana Rakotondrazafy said.

Eleven million people are registered to vote in the country of about 30 million.

Poverty and anger

Faced with a wide boycott, a strong turnout will be key for Rajoelina.

Less than 55 percent of those registered voted in the first round in 2018.

At a newsstand on Wednesday, residents looked concerned as they scanned newspaper headlines.

"People have become aware of the dictatorship we live under," said Chrishani Andrianono, 55, complaining that after 11 years in power, Rajoelina had little to show for it.

The opposition grouping has led near daily, largely unauthorised protest marches in the capital. By RIJASOLO (AFP/File)

"We do not see what he did for us."

For many in the country, politics take a back seat to making ends meet.

"In the morning, I don't eat -- only a little at lunchtime and in the evening. Otherwise I can't get by, I don't have enough," Josiane Rasomalala, 41, told AFP.

"I'm voting because we need a better life."

Madagascar has been in turmoil since media reports in June revealed Rajoelina had acquired French nationality in 2014.

Under local law, the president should have lost his Madagascan nationality, and with it, the ability to lead the country, his opponents said.

Rajoelina has denied trying to conceal his naturalisation, saying he became French to allow his children to pursue their studies abroad.

His challengers were further enraged by another ruling allowing for an ally of the president to take over the reins of the nation on an interim basis after Rajoelina resigned in line with the constitution to run for re-election.

They have also complained about electoral irregularities.

The head of the electoral commission, who critics accuse of favouring the president, on Thursday said some voters did not receive their electoral cards on time.

This was "either because we did not have the correct address, or because they were not at home during the distribution," said Arsene Andrianarisedo.

The opposition grouping has vowed to continue protesting until a fair election is held.

The Southern African Development Community (SADC), a regional bloc, as well as the African Union and the European Union, have sent observer missions to monitor the vote.
Britain on Thursday said a new treaty to send migrants to Rwanda could be ready for ratification within "days" after a court blocked an earlier and controversial agreement as unlawful.

The new treaty, which would then take at least three weeks to be approved by UK lawmakers, follows a Supreme Court ruling Wednesday that the current deal between the two countries should not go ahead.

It was a major setback for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who is under pressure to reduce irregular immigration to Britain.

Sunak immediately vowed to persevere with the controversial plan by securing a new treaty with Kigali. It will also need to be ratified by the Rwandan parliament.

Five judges at the UK's highest court had unanimously sided with an earlier Court of Appeal decision that the policy to deport asylum seekers and refugees to the African nation was incompatible with Britain's international obligations.

The panel agreed it was not a safe third country and there were "substantial grounds" to believe it could forcibly return migrants to places where they could face persecution.

Alongside the treaty, Sunak has announced plans to introduce "emergency legislation" to parliament to designate Rwanda a safe country to end the "merry-go-round" of legal challenges.

"We will bring forward legislation to make clear Rwanda is safe," his spokesman told reporters Thursday, saying it would build on work done with Kigali over the last 15 months.

The new treaty -- to be unveiled in the "coming days" -- would reflect "the upgraded assurances we have secured to address the court's concerns," he added.

'Stop the boats'

"The treaty would be clear that they would not be sent on to another country, regardless of the outcome of the asylum process," Sunak's spokesman noted, with the "vast majority" of migrants set to remain in Rwanda.

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has promised to stop small boat crossings of the Channel from northern France. By Leon Neal (POOL/AFP)

"There will be an exceptionally high bar for people coming back to the UK," he added.

The Migration and Economic Development Partnership agreed in April last year envisages sending to Rwanda anyone who has made what London calls "dangerous or illegal journeys" to Britain on boats and hidden in lorries.

The first deportees were aboard a plane to fly to the African country in June 2022 when a last-minute European Court of Human Rights injunction prevented any deportations, prompting the further legal challenges.

The government insists the scheme is crucial to deter "illegal" immigration across the Channel from France on inflatable vessels -- an emotive issue set to feature prominently in the next general election.

More than 27,000 have made the perilous journey this year -- down on the nearly 46,000 who crossed in 2022, but still far short of meeting Sunak's vow to "stop the boats".

The Supreme Court decision has exposed rifts in the ruling Conservative party over the issue, and is set to prompt a renewed push from right-wingers for withdrawal from the ECHR.

Sunak said Wednesday that if the court "chooses to intervene against the express wishes of parliament, I am prepared to do what is necessary to get the flights off".

But in interviews Thursday, interior minister James Cleverly noted that Britain's "preferred option" was to remain in the ECHR.

"We don't think we're going to need to (leave)," he told Sky News.
The Ghana Union of Traders Association (GUTA) has indicated that the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy of government did not meet its expectations.

The Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta was in Parliament on Wednesday, November 15, and laid the 2024 Budget Statement before the House.

Although the Minister announced 8 tax reliefs to benefit local businesses, Dr. Joseph Obeng who is President of GUTA has disclosed that it will not be significant to impact businesses positively.

Speaking to Joy FM on Thursday, November 16, the GUTA President said the 2024 Budget will rather impact the businesses of its members negatively.

This 2024 Budget is going to impact businesses negatively. In the broader picture, our demands were not met. The cost of doing business is high. The cost of clearing goods at the port is exorbitantly high.

There are so many nuisance taxes. We believe most of the taxes should be pruned down, Dr. Joseph Obeng said.

He bemoaned that currently in Ghana, When we import our goods into Ghana we expect that people from Togo will come and buy, but now people leave Ghana, go to Togo, and buy from them.

The GUTA President in an appeal to government said it should move away from taxation and focus on local production.

In his presentation of the 2024 Budget Statement and Economic Policy, Ken Ofori-Atta announced a decision by government to extend the zero rate of VAT on locally manufactured African prints for two more years.

He also announced a decision by government to waive import duties on the import of electric vehicles for public transportation for a period of year years.

Other tax reliefs in the budget include a zero rate VAT on locally produced sanitary pads, import duty waivers for raw materials for the local manufacture of sanitary pads, grant exemptions on the importation of agricultural machinery equipment and inputs and medical consumables, raw materials for the pharmaceutical industry, as well as a VAT flat rate of 5 percent to replace the 15 percent standard VAT rate on all commercial properties will be introduced to simplify administration.
Kenya's parliament on Thursday approved the proposed deployment of its police to Haiti to lead a UN-backed multinational mission aimed at restoring peace and security in the gang-plagued Caribbean nation.

The UN Security Council gave the go-ahead in early October for the Kenya-led mission to help the overwhelmed Haitian police battle rampant gang violence.

But Kenya's involvement has been criticised at home and the government is currently barred from deploying any police to Haiti due to an ongoing court challenge to its plans.

"This House approves the deployment of the officers of the National Police Service to multinational security support mission to Haiti," Deputy Speaker Gladys Boss Shollei told lawmakers on Thursday.

The government has said it is ready to provide up to 1,000 personnel and vowed that preparations for the mission will continue, despite the court challenge.

The Nairobi High Court is considering a petition brought by opposition politician Ekuru Aukot, who argued the mission was unconstitutional as it was not backed by any law or treaty.

Ahead of the latest hearing on Thursday, Aukot criticised parliament for proceeding with the vote, accusing lawmakers of "disobeying (the) court order."

Rights watchdogs have also said that Kenyan police have a history of using sometimes lethal force against civilians and that they pose an unacceptable risk in Haiti, where foreign troops have committed abuses in past interventions.

Interior Minister Kithure Kindiki defended the deployment last month, saying, "we are not taking our officers to Haiti as guinea pigs".

President William Ruto has described the Kenyan undertaking as a "mission for humanity" in a nation ravaged by colonialism.

The UN-backed mission -- initially approved for one year -- envisions Kenyan police on the offensive with their Haitian counterparts, who are outnumbered and outgunned by gang members.

The mission will also aim to create conditions to hold elections, which have not taken place in Haiti since 2016.

Kenya is seen as a democratic anchor in East Africa and has participated in peacekeeping operations in its immediate region, including in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Somalia as well as other parts of the world.

Haiti, the Western hemisphere's poorest nation, has been in turmoil for years, with armed gangs taking over parts of the country and unleashing brutal violence, and the economy and public health system also in tatters.
What started as a small campus business in their university hostel room has grown into one of Ghana's most popular fast food sellers.

Christian Boakye Yiadom, popularly known as Chris B, the CEO of Chickenman Pizzaman, recounted how he and his partners started their entrepreneurial journey while studying at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST).

Speaking at an event, Chris B shared that when they first launched their business in 2018, start up capital was a huge challenge.

"We started this business in our hostel back in KNUST. At the start, we used our study table because we couldn't afford a kitchen table in 2018," he said.

He noted that certain essential items they needed wasn't available to take off but their determination to get their business become a reality kept them pushing through.

According to him, they put their creativity together where they started using A4 sheet to package food for customers.

"Our first packaging material was an A4 sheet and we applied the Pythagorean theorem to do that," Chris B recalled.

From those humble beginnings operating in a hostel room, Chickenman Pizzaman has grown bigger.

The company's Ahodwo branch in Kumasi, the Ashanti regional capital, was the first pizza joint in Ghana to operate 24 hours a week.

It has several branches in Accra, Kumasi and other regions.
Orange Girl Foundation, a non-profit organisation advocating for menstrual health and hygiene in Ghana, has said government's decision to exempt locally produced sanitary pads from VAT in the 2024 budget is not enough.

In the 2024 budget reading, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta announced a zero VAT rate for locally manufactured sanitary pads.

While the group welcomes the move, it says more needs to be done to truly address period poverty in the country.

"Although it's been long overdue, it's fulfilling to know that at last, government has heeded to our calls," said Isaac Otoo, PRO of the Orange Girl Foundation.

However, he added: "We believe the government could go beyond the zero rate VAT for locally produce sanitary pads."

Mr. Otoo pointed out that most pads used in Ghana are imported due to limited local production.

He called on government to establish more factories under its 1D1F programme to boost domestic production of pads.

The group also wants the government to support local manufacturers that folded up due to the high cost of doing business in Ghana.

"Some companies which were in the production of sanitary pads have collapsed. Government should consider assisting them get back on their feet," Mr. Otoo said.

The statement co-signed by Founder of the Orange Girl Foundation Ethel Nanyaa Amoako Baffoe stressed that "If government wants to discourage the importation of sanitary pads and therefore, decides not to scrap the importation tax on sanitary products, then government should consider establishing more factories under its flagship program, One District One Factory, to produce more sanitary pads, to meet the demand."
One person has been confirmed dead after a Kia Rhino truck crashed into the Suame Divisional Police Headquarters building in the Ashanti Region.

The victim, yet to be identified, is said to be a woman in his mid-40s who lost her two legs in the fatal accident.

She was pronounced dead on arrival at the Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

The tragic incident, which occurred on Thursday, November 16, 2023, also left one baby critically injured.

The truck with registration number AC-850-17 according to eye witness ran into three different cars which were parked at the Police Headquarters.

In an interview with this reporter, an eyewitness, Kwadwo Asirifii narrated that the driver lost control of the vehicle due to a brake failure, leading to the unfortunate incident.

"The truck was heading towards Offinso from Accra when it veered off the road in a reversed manner. The woman who had just stepped out of a commercial bus was crashed by the car immediately after the commercial bus left the scene.

"The truck subsequently crashed into a gutter and later into the police headquarters fence wall before it eventually crashed into three cars parked on the stations compound," he stated.
Majority Leader in Parliament Osei Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu has said that his competence is not in doubt as the Flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia is searching for a running mate.

Mr Kyei-Mensah-Bonsu said that the Vice President knows his credentials but it is Dr Bawmuia's prerogative to make that decision.

Speaking in an interview with TV3's Kemmini Amanor, the Suame Member of Parliament said when asked whether he is interested in the vice presidential candidate position Is there any contest for the position of re-running mate?

The man knows me and knows my competencies, he knows my credentials, if he thinks that I am the right person it is his choice but there are many others who also have the ability. Could I be the running the running mate? It is for others to judge, it is not for me.

Dr Bawumia recently won the presidential primaries of the NPP after being officially declared winner by the Electoral Commission, Ghana ( EC ).

He polled a total of 118,210 votes out of 193,346 to become the winner. His votes represented 61.47 percent of the total valid votes cast.

His closest contender was Assin Central Member of Parliament ( MP ) Kennedy Ohene Agyapong , who polled a total of 71,996 votes, representing 37.41 percent to come second.

Former Minister of Food and Agriculture Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto polled 1,459, representing 0.76 percent to come third.

He was followed by former Mampong MP Francis Addai-Nimoh , who polled a total of 781, representing 0.41 percent.

-citinewsroom
News / National

by Staff reporter

Police have launched an investigation after a Chinese military contractor lost US$1 million cash that she kept at her Borrowdale Brooke home to thieves.Li Fang, 38, locked her room in the shared house on Villa Drive on November 5 and went to Zvishavane, leaving the stash in a bag, police said.She returned on November 14 and found the bag open and the money missing. US$3,000 kept in a second bag was also taken. Her bedroom window was open and the latch had been vandalised."She advised her friends who stay at the same house and was informed that they also lost airtime worth US$120 and US$800 cash from their rooms," according to an internal police memo of the incident seen by ZimLive.The Highlands Criminal Investigations Department is leading the investigation.Fang works at Msasa Army Factory in Harare where her company produces army uniforms in a partnership with the Zimbabwe military.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has commissioned a $50 million state-of-the-art gantry crane at the Meridian Port Service (MPS), marking a significant milestone in the Tema Port Expansion Project.

Numbering 15, the cranes are a crucial enhancement to the port's infrastructure, reinforcing its status as a leading trade gateway in the region.

President Akufo-Addo also cut the sod for civil works to begin on Phase 2 of the Tema Port Expansion Project.

The expansion of the Tema Port holds great economic and strategic importance for Ghana.

With a monumental US$ 1.5 billion investment plan, this Tema Port Expansion Project marks the largest port infrastructure project in West and Central Africa, positioning Ghana as the world-class harbour infrastructure solution with design criteria expandable for the next century.

Speaking at the Commissioning ceremony, President Akufo-Addo said Tema Port Expansion does not meet global standards but it also signals to investors, domestic and foreign, that Ghana is open for business.

He said investments made into the Tema Port expansion project since 2017, together with the state-of-the-art cranes commissioned, have tripled the Ports capacity.

That, he said, was indicative of Ghanas poised for unprecedented trade growth, adding that the Port's strategic location gives Ghana a distinctive advantage in offering a welcome gateway for trade in West Africa and beyond.

President Akufo-Addo said his government since taking office had put a high premium on the development of the agricultural sector through various initiatives.

In the face of global upheavals and the disruption of world food supply systems, President Akufo-Addo said Ghana had remained resilient due to the policy measures put in place.

He said Ghana has the potential to become the worlds leading exporter of agricultural produce.

However, what the country had lacked over the years is a modernised robust logistics chain infrastructure required to help realise that potential.

The MPS Terminal 3 Project is a good example of a logistic platform that would bring this vision to fruition, he emphasised.

Investing in critical Port infrastructure, according to the President, provides the foundation for industry to create jobs and foster the export-driven economy the government wants to build.

President Akufo-Addo maintained that the government remained committed to enhancing the business environment for investor

I want to assure you that there is a government in place in Ghana that believes in the primacy of the private sector and is working to enhance the prospects of a winning environment for both the private sector and country.

President Akufo-Addo commended the CEO of Meridian Port Services, Mohamed Samara, for his exemplary vision and leadership in the establishment of the modernised and state-of-the-art Tema Port.

The Minister for Transport, Mr Kwaku Asiamah, on his part said the success story of Terminal 3 is a testament to the fruitful partnership between the Government of Ghana and private investors.

Mr Asiamah said his Ministry was committed to delivering cost-effective, safe, secure, sustainable and seamless transportation systems, adding: Terminal 3, which we are inaugurating today, is a significant milestone in realising this vision.

Terminal 3's unparalleled efficiency levels have led to an influx of shipping lines choosing to connect the world through its state-of-the-art facilities.

The Port of Tema, according to the Minister, is being transformed into a hub for transshipment traffic, bolstering its connectivity with global trade routes.

The CEO of Meridian Port Services, Mohamed Samara also on his part said as the company commissions 15 additional gantry cranes and initiates civil works to add 270,000 square meters to the existing one million square meters, we are setting in motion a transformation that will fundamentally alter Ghana's standing in the maritime industry of West Africa.

When this colossal undertaking is complete, Tema Port will stand shoulder to shoulder with the world's most renowned ports and compete favourably with the largest ports on the African continent, he added.
Samuel Dortey Kumah, the owner of Sammykaymedia, has been arrested by the police for allegedly sharing sexually explicit materials and unauthorized images of officials from the Cyber Security Authority (CSA).

The arrest was made following an investigation into the publication of these materials on various social media platforms.

The CSA, in an official statement released on Thursday, November 16, confirmed Kumah's arrest and his subsequent handover to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

The statement reads; Reference is made to a publication on some social media platforms, containing sexually explicit material and unlawful use of the images of Cyber Security Authority (CSA) officials by Samuel Dortey Kumah, owner of Sammykaymedia.

He has since been arrested and handed over to the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service.

"We wish to categorically state that the tagging of the images to this explicit material is a misrepresentation and of criminal attribution. The CSA dissociates itself from same and admonishes the general public to disregard any such potential criminal misrepresentation."
Dr Samuel Afriyie, Senior Marketing Lecturer at the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU)

16.11.2023 LISTEN

Senior Marketing Lecturer at the Kumasi Technical University (KsTU) Dr Samuel Afriyie has called for the renaming of COVID-19 levy.

He said the levy should renamed Pandemic Levy.

He noted that the decision to maintain the levy in the 2024 budget statement by the government does not serve the purpose for which it was established, after the end of the disease.

There have been several calls for the scrapping of the levy to relieve the suffering of Ghanaians amid the hardships in the country.

But, the Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, presenting the 2024 Budget Statement on Wednesday, November 15, 2023, in Parliament, made no mention of the 1% COVID-19 Recovery Levy.

Dr Samuel Afriyie in a panel discussion on Otec FMs morning show Nyansapo said he was expecting the scrapping of the levy.

I was expecting the government to scrap the COVID-19 tax because the disease is no longer in the country, as stated by President Nana Akufo Addo in his COVID-19 update address.

If the government wants to keep the outlived COVID levy it should be renamed Pandemic Levy, to take care of disasters that might hit the country, like the Akosombo Spillage, he told the host, Captain Koda.
The National Media Commission (NMC) and National Communications Authority (NCA) have issued warnings to 17 television stations after receiving public complaints about unacceptable content.

Through a community monitoring initiative launched in October 31 to November 15, citizens logged 318 complaints about some televisions airing inappropriate contents such as money doubling schemes, money rituals, fake lotteries, occultic practices and pornography.

The stations the public complained most about were Asomafo TV, Adwenpa TV, Eagle TV, Best TV, Energy TV and Diamond TV.

"Our half-month report shows the public had concerns about 318 incidents on television made up 224 money doubling incidents; 83 money rituals; 24 fake lotteries; 18 occultic practices 13 incidents of pornography," said the report released on Thursday, November 16.

It added: "We hereby serve them notice to cease and desist from those activities otherwise there will be severe consequences."

George Sarpong, Executive Secretary of the NMC who signed the report, praised citizens for empowering regulators through the toll-free complaints line.

"It is their productive investment that has made this possible. We also commend the active citizens who demonstrated their commitment to quality broadcasting by taking time to make the recorded complaints," Mr. Sarpong noted.

In a stern warning to the broadcasters, he added, "We shall also brief the public on our decision on the TV stations listed above."

The joint monitoring initiative, according to the media regulatory body, democratizes media oversight through community participation.
16.11.2023 LISTEN

The state burial for the late former First Lady, Theresa Kufuor is underway at the Forecourt of the State House today, November 16.

In a tribute read on behalf of former President John Agyekum Kufuor, he described his late wife as God-sent.

He said his late wife fought a very good battle and his prayer is that God will reward her with a peaceful resting place.

I am so thankful to the good Lord God for giving you to me as my life partner. Aba, you have earned your good rest and as the words of the Apostle Paul go: You have fought the good fight, you have finished the race, you have kept the faith. Now there is in store for you the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to you on that day  and not only to you, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.

Fare thee well, Aba. Adieu, my dearest love, ex-President John Agyekum Kufuor said in his tribute.

Late Theresa Kufuor joined her ancestors at her home in Peduase on October 1 at the age of 87.

The former First Lady married ex-President Kufuor in 1962 and spent 61 years with him, bringing forth five children.
16.11.2023 LISTEN

A sales executive accused of stealing pharmaceutical drugs worth GHC3,760,162 has appeared before an Accra Circuit Court.

Edward Danso Wiafe, a former Sales Executive of East Cantonment Pharmacy, has been charged with eight counts of stealing and money laundering.

Wiafe pleaded not guilty to the charges.

He has, however, confessed to using proceeds of the alleged crime to purchase a wiring mesh machine, a plot of land and invested some in road and toilet construction.

Also in the dock is Emmanuel Kofi Kyei, who is being held for allegedly dishonestly receiving drugs worth GHC15,000. Kyei has also denied the charge.

The court presided over by Mr Jojo Amoah Hagan admitted Wiafe to bail in the sum of GHC2 million with two sureties, one to be justified with landed properties valued of which must not be less than the bail sum.

Additionally, the court said the landed properties should be duly registered and stamped and be within the jurisdiction of the court.

In the case of Kyei, he was admitted to bail in the sum of GHC15,000 with two sureties.

The prosecution, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Emmanuel Haligah ,said the complainant, Bediako Amoafo-hene was the Chief Executive Officer of East Cantonment Pharmacy.

The prosecution said Wiafe, the first accused person, was a former Sales Executive Officer of East Cantonments Pharmacy and resided at Tantra Hill, Accra.

Emmanuel Kofi Kye, the second accused person, a businessman residing at McCarthy Hill, Accra and a dealer in pharmaceutical products at Okaishie drug lane in Accra.

According to the prosecution, Wiafe had been a Sales Executive Officer for East Cantonment Pharmacy since 2009 and his responsibility was to look for customers for the Company to supply them with pharmaceutical products.

The prosecution told the court that some of the customers from whom Wiafe took purchase orders for the supply of drugs by East Cantonments Pharmacy included, Korle Bu Medical Stores, Korle Bu 24-hour Pharmacy, University of Ghana Medical Centre, 37 Military Hospital Chemist, Finney Hospital, Ga-East Municipal Hospital, St Johns Hospital and Aneja Hospital.

The prosecution said in 2022, the complainant detected that the above-mentioned customers were indebted to the Company.

It said letters were sent to the said customers concerning their indebtedness.

However, the prosecution said all the customers responded indicating that they never received the drugs as claimed by Wiafe.

The prosecution said the complainant detected that between the year 2021 and 2022, Wiafe took delivery of various drugs worth GHC3,760,167.38 for distribution to those customers.

It said the complainant and his account manager then questioned Wiafe, who confessed to having diverted some of the drugs meant for the specific customers to others, who were not known to the East Cantonment Pharmacy.

The court heard that the complainant petitioned the Director-General Criminal Investigations Department and Wiafe was arrested.

The prosecution said Wiafe, in his investigation caution statement, admitted the offence and mentioned Kyei as one of the persons who bought the diverted drugs worth GHC270,000.00 to.

Kyei was subsequently arrested, and he denied buying the quantity of drugs stated by Wiafe, claiming that he only bought drugs worth GHC 15,000.00 from Wiafe.

The prosecutor said the complainant also engaged his auditors to conduct an audit investigation into the activities of Wiafe.

The posecution said a search conducted by Police at Wiafes house led to the discovery of a wire mesh production machine.

The prosecutor said Wiafe admitted that he used part of the proceeds from the sale of the dishonestly appropriated drugs to acquire the machine at a price of $68,000.

Wiafe in his investigation caution statement, also stated that he used GHC50,000 from the proceeds of the crime to buy land located at Berekuso in the Eastern Region and invested GHCl,500,000 in road construction works and toilet project.

The prosecution said investigation found that eleven (11) invoices in respect of drugs totaling GH824,736.74 were assigned to Wiafe for delivery to Korle Bu Medical Stores within the period of February 11, 2021, to January 26, 2022, but the accused rather diverted the drugs.

The prosecution said four invoices in respect of drugs totaling GHC209,791.60 were assigned to Wiafe for delivery to Korle Bu 24 hours Pharmacy between the period of February 15, 2021, and May 6, 2021, but he never delivered it.

Additionally, the prosecution said 23 invoices for drugs totaling GHC1,1 10,072.74 were assigned to Wiafe for delivery to the University of Ghana Medical Centre between March 10, 2021, and August 17, 2022, but he failed to deliver the drugs to the customer and rather sold same to someone else without accounting for them.

Prosecution said 31 invoices for drugs totaling GHC1,380,719.25 were assigned to Wiafe for delivery to 37 Military Hospital Chemist between the period of January 13, 2021, to January 26, 2022, but he failed to deliver the drugs and sold it to different persons without accounting for same.

Again, the prosecution told the court that 16 invoices for drugs totaling GHC235,847.05 were assigned to Wiafe to deliver to Finney Hospital, St Johns Hospital, Ga-East Municipal Hospital, and Aneeja Clinic between November 5, 2021, and March 2, 2022, but he diverted the drugs.

The prosecution said Wiafe in his investigation caution statement disputed the total amount of GHC3,760,167.38.

The prosecutor said he, however, admitted dishonestly appropriating GHC3,308,131.44.

The prosecution said investigation revealed that on some occasions, Wiafe collected some drugs from other delivery officers, but made entries of the drugs in the names of the delivery officers.

GNA
Bayo Onanuga

16.11.2023 LISTEN

Bayo Onanuga, as the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, your recent characterization of the assault on the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, as a personal matter rather than a national concern, not only raises eyebrows but also underscores the need for a closer examination of the clarity and strategic acumen essential for your role. This critical analysis aims to delve into the unfolding scenario surrounding the nationwide strike initiated by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) in response to the assault on Ajaero, and to express concerns regarding the government's handling of the situation.

The essence of your role implies a commitment to providing information that serves the collective interest of the nation and promotes strategic communication. However, your recent statement seems to downplay the broader implications of the incident, emphasizing the need for a reassessment of the gravity of the situation and the public sentiment it has generated.

The age of social media has ushered in an era where citizens, even in developing democracies, are more informed and expect a higher standard of communication from their leaders. Describing such a severe incident as a personal matter disregards the sensitivities needed in your position and falls short of the transparency and accountability expected in a democracy.

It is essential to recognize that court orders to suppress rights and manipulate local media are no longer foolproof strategies. The public's resistance to such tactics is evident, and the dismissal of a court order to curb protests reflects the legitimate concerns of citizens, especially when those concerns revolve around assault, brutality, and injustice.

While acknowledging the Inspector General of Police's investigation into the matter, it is crucial to address the lack of public trust in investigations where the police are investigating themselves. To ensure transparency and unbiased findings, an external, independent body should be involved in the investigative process.

The demands presented by the NLC underscore the severity of the situation. The arrest and prosecution of all those involved, including government officials, is not only a legal necessity but also a crucial step in restoring faith in the justice system. The ongoing nationwide strike, now somewhat on hold and public outcry signify a collective demand for accountability and justice.

In characterizing the strike as illegal, immoral, and irresponsible, it's imperative to critically examine the narrative and bring to light the actual concerns driving this collective action. Contrary to the assertion, the authentic illegality, immorality, and irresponsibility do not originate from the workers' decision to strike but rather from a perceived deficiency in understanding, responsiveness to peaceful demands, empathy, justice, and the strategic use of accommodating language by the government. This reframing underscores the necessity of addressing the foundational issues fueling the nationwide industrial action and calls for a more empathetic and nuanced approach from those in positions of influence.

In addressing the situation surrounding the assault on the labor leader, the National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu, emerged as a key figure, providing a sensible and sensitive perspective amid ongoing controversy and tensions. Collaborating with the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong, the NSA contributed to a more nuanced and constructive approach, showcasing a sense of responsibility and commitment to resolving the issues at hand.

In stark contrast to Bayo Onanuga, the National Security Adviser and the Minister of Labour and Employment, demonstrated a more informed and responsible perspective, tackling the situation with a focus on issue resolution and maintaining collective responsibility. This notable disparity in their respective approaches highlights the need for a more considerate and strategic handling of such matters, especially when dealing with the rights and concerns of the labor force.

A democratic message could be crafted to underscore the importance of addressing the root issues that led to the strike, acknowledging the legitimate concerns of the labor unions, and fostering an environment of open dialogue and resolution. It becomes crucial to emphasize that true collective progress and national interest can only be achieved when the government demonstrates a genuine commitment to addressing the grievances of its citizens and engaging in constructive conversations that prioritize the well-being of the masses.

Bayo, in your characterization of the NLC and TUC's decision as unwarranted and an attempt to blackmail the government, it's crucial to consider a broader perspective. The real form of blackmail might be discerned in the longstanding practices of successive governments, where citizens are often compelled to provide services without fair labor demands. They face threats of frivolous court orders and security interventions as they exercise their fundamental rights. The true issue extends beyond the immediate incident, reflecting a systemic pattern of disregarding the rights and demands of workers. This strike is a manifestation of their frustration, signaling a call for a more just and equitable system.

In your distinguished role as the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, a profound understanding of the challenges faced by citizens is not just advisable but imperative. Treating individuals as inconsequential within the context of the prevailing conditions in an underdeveloped society does a disservice to the principles of justice and progress. For the sake of fostering genuine progress and implementing a more effective strategy, it is incumbent upon you to issue a public apology promptly.

Your characterization of the strike as illegal, immoral, and irresponsible reflects a misunderstanding of the broader concerns at hand. The real illegality, immorality, and irresponsibility may not be attributed to the workers' decision to strike but rather to a perceived lack of understanding, responsiveness to peaceful demands, empathy, justice, and the strategic use of accommodating language by the government.

Onanuga, your recent statement questioning why the organized labor would engage in a nationwide strike over what you label a personal matter involving the NLC President, Joe Ajaero, lacks understanding and overlooks the legitimate concerns of the workers. Your characterization of the strike as a sinister agenda to cause hardship and civil disturbance is not only alarming but also falls short of the strategic communication expected from your role as the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy. In light of this, a public apology to the Nigerian people is necessary.

Considering your statements in this light and acknowledging the broader implications of the incident would demonstrate a sincere commitment to transparency, justice, and the overall well-being of the Nigerian people. Recognizing the legitimate concerns of citizens and offering a public apology, coupled with a concrete plan to address the demands of the NLC, is not just a gesture of goodwill but a fundamental step in rebuilding trust and reaffirming the principles of democracy. In a democracy, where transparency and accountability are paramount, such actions are crucial for fostering a society that values and upholds the rights and dignity of its citizens.

My perspective, as a concerned individual committed to upholding democratic values and ethical conduct, is driven by the desire for a fair and transparent democratic process that fosters a culture of respect and understanding. I hope the President and his advisers recognize the importance of respecting fundamental rights, acknowledging the essential needs of labor and citizens, including the right to movement, expression, and association. Wishing you growth in your position as the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy.
16.11.2023 LISTEN

On the third and final day of the Ghana Digital Innovation Week (#GDIW23), I spent some time with Joshua Opoku Agyemang, the co-founder and President of IoT Network Hub - Africa. By 2050, the hub expects to have impacted 1 billion young Africans and positioned Africa as a global leader in the development and commercialization of emerging technologies. Usually, most founders make big, ambitious goals of this kind in passing comments during a pitch or in spaces de-risked of mockery. For IoT Network, however, this goal is prominently displayed on their website for the public to see. From both stretch and accountability points of view, this is pressure.

IoT Network was among the institutions we collaborated with under the AfricaBerlin Networks framework to run an initiative on promoting diversity in artificial intelligence and ensuring local content, equity, and public trust in technology. We explored ways African tech stakeholders can foster both local and global collaborations, aiming to achieve a fair representation of African content and datasets in AI development.

At #GDIW23, I had an opportunity to look at some of the new products from the hub. To address significant barriers to pursuing STEM careers due to cultural biases, stereotypes, and infrastructure deficits, IoT launched the STEMAIDE (Science, Tech, Engineering, Math, Art, Innovation, Design, and Entrepreneurship) kit. This kit engages students in project-based, problem-solving, and experiential learning environments. With over 200 projects to build and learn from, students have the opportunity to develop practical skills, learn about real-world applications of STEM subjects, and build a foundation for success in the rapidly changing technological world. The kit has been adopted by several schools, including significant institutions such as the Ghana Education Service, International Telecommunication Unit (an agency under the United Nations), Ghana Investment Fund for Electronics and Communication(GIFEC), Aburi Girls SHS, Jackson Educational Complex, Africa ICT Rights, and Makers Place. They have sold 400+ kits so far.

The hub is building real stuff with pros and young people, including junior and senior high students.

Mission-driven entities like IoT operate in a context that funds certainty and leaves little room for sandboxes. This context determines what and who gets funded and defunded, and its overly cautious and sometimes counter-productive bureaucratic design gets in the way of promising projects. Quick results rarely lead to transformation in the Thielian sense of innovation. You may want to innovate and try new things to see if they will work, but rigid funding cycles and grant patterns may bend you to keep doing what has worked in the past.

David Rogers, the author of "The Digital Transformation Roadmap: Rebuild your Organization for Continuous Change," presents three ideas for rethinking governance in digital innovation. He suggests that teams should be empowered to move quickly and experiment to discover what works in the marketplace. Secondly, boards should be empowered to challenge company orthodoxy, advocate for a long-term view, bring in ideas from outside the industry, and allocate resources where needed most. Finally, both teams and boards should follow regular processes for approving new ventures, funding them iteratively, and ensuring judicious use of resources while leaving reserves for the next emerging opportunity. Rogers believes digital innovation will scale with a healthy mix of oversight, funding, people, and metrics. While Rogers related his ideas to a corporate setting, it can be expanded to include ecosystems.

For example, IoT has implemented 50 projects and impacted 20k people. Its membership base has grown to almost 50k, and it has trained 5k people. Considering these results from its humble beginnings in relation to its ambitious goal of impacting 1 billion young Africans, it critically needs responsive funding schemes and further strategic partnerships to scale sustainably. On its own, IoT has a for-profit venture it leverages to keep the hub going. Aside from that, it will need what Rogers calls iterative funding to meet its growth needs. With iterative funding, successful market validation and growth should get you exponential funds.

Also, at a cost of $30 per kit, IoT can only serve clients in the upper and middle classes. To make the kit accessible to include public basic and senior high schools in marginalized communities, innovative financing will be needed to significantly reduce the price.

Whats inside the kit

Further, IoT needs global partnerships to improve its impact. With the right connections and strategic integrations across continents, it can cultivate makers aware of developments in other innovation ecosystems and build meaningful connections. This knowledge and experience exchange will serve a critical inclusivity purpose in the fourth industrial revolution and bridge different cultures.
The Speaker and Parliament on 13 November 2023 failed or refused to perform their respective duties to the 1992 Constitution and the people of Ghana, who gave them the mandate to represent them for the time being, when they allowed or permitted the Minister of National Security, Albert Kan-Dapaah, to use the floor of Parliament in plenary, to insult the intelligence of all Ghanaians with the Great Deception as an explanation of the military brutalities that the Ministry of National Security and the Ghana Armed Forces unconstitutionally meted out to our compatriots in the Garu, Tempane, and Bugri areas of the Garu and Tempane Districts in the Upper East Region. And the Ghana Police Service died!

The pervasive culture of silence in Ghana engendered by intimidations by the Government of Ghana, led by the Ministry of National Security (MNS), persistently abusing its authority under the 1992 Constitution, suppresses or seeks to suppress the lawful political activities of citizens including Parliament. I cannot forfeit my rights as a citizen of Ghana to defend the Constitution simply because wise people have been cowed into submission and silence by a foolhardy dictatorship, facilitated by a Minister paid from the public purse.

I refused to be hoodwinked by Albert Kan-Dapaahs Grand Deception that he cannot be accountable to Parliament on what he himself described as a joint operation by the Ministry of National Security and the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF) in the Garu, and Tempane Districts because in his myopic view:

In the aftermath of the joint operations, reports have emerged in respect of some excesses by the personnel who conducted the operation. This aspect of the matter is currently before the court. It will therefore be inappropriate for me to comment on the matter as it would amount to contempt of court.

The presumption by the Speaker of Parliament and Members of Parliament who did not hold the Minister for National Security accountable because we the citizens of Ghana are zombies who will not discern the lies contained in the above quoted words of the Minister cannot be allowed to pass without challenge, at least not by me.

First and foremost, the Minister, Albert Kan-Dapaah conjoined his sentence on the aftermath of the unconstitutional and brutal militaristic joint operations and subsequent emergent excesses by his subordinates with the words this aspect of the matter is currently before the court. The implication is that the Government has been sued by an affected person for the excesses of the joint operations which is currently in court and therefore Albert Kan-Dapaah has invoked his arbitrary and capricious powers as the National Security Minister on grounds of appropriateness to override article 115 of the 1992 Constitution to be accountable to Parliament and the people of Ghana. Article 115 of the 1992 Constitution exposes the lies Albert Kan-Dapaah told to Parliament beyond any doubt when it states unequivocally that:

Freedom of Speech and of proceedings

115. There shall be freedom of speech, debate and proceedings in Parliament and that freedom shall not be impeached or questioned in any court or place outside of Parliament.

The decision by Albert Kan-Dapaah, a non-member of Parliament and a Minister of State to use what he thinks appropriate to refuse to be transparent and accountable to Parliament and the people of Ghana, particularly the citizens of Garu and its environs, and the acceptance of such banal excuses by the Speaker and Parliament when he is further protected under Article 111 of the 1992 Constitution exposes the deliberate suppression of the lawful political activities of citizens who wish to rely on his accountability to Parliament to defend the Constitution. Article 111 states that:

Attendance in Parliament of Vice-President and Ministers

111. The Vice-President or a Minister or Deputy Minister who is not a member of Parliament, shall be entitled to participate in the proceedings of Parliament and shall be accorded all the privileges of a member of Parliament except that he is not entitled to vote or to hold an office in Parliament.

The privileges and immunities guaranteed by Articles 111 and 115 of the 1992 Constitution are reinforced by the inclusion of statements made by Ministers in Parliament under Article 116(1) thereof which states that:

Immunity from Proceedings for Acts in Parliament

116(1). Subject to the provisions of this article, but without prejudice to the general effect of article 115 of this Constitution, civil or criminal proceedings shall not be instituted against a member of Parliament in any court or place out of Parliament for any matter or thing brought by him in or before Parliament by petition, bill, motion or otherwise.

The Speaker of Parliament and the Leadership of Parliament, particularly the Minority Leadership, knew or are deemed to know the foregoing provisions of the Constitution and nonetheless chose to insult and trample down upon the Constitution and the people of Ghana by taking part in the Great Deception by this Minister. I contend that no pending case against the Government of Ghana in any court of law exists, (proof of which has not even been offered to the public as part of an accountable and transparent process), to have prevented the Minister from answering the urgent statements tabled in the House by an elected member of Parliament demanding a response from the Minister.

The factual existence of such an alleged pending action against the Government in respect of the inhuman and degrading military brutalities meted out to the people of Garu, Tempane, and Bugri either by an individual or individuals or any other body of persons in Court ought to have been made available to Parliament to be captured in the Hansard as testimony to its truthfulness for transparency and accountability purposes.

Secondly, the Minister of National Security conjoined the two sentences of the excesses of the joint operations with the pendency of this aspect of the matter is currently before the court, to perniciously achieve the strategic ambiguity of confusing ordinary and busy citizens with the criminal case that had been brought against the seven victims of the joint brutal operations in the Circuit Court, Achimota, Accra. I have already demonstrated that the charges against the seven victims in the Achimota Circuit Court case No. D2/014/24 in Republic v Baba Apoyinga & 6 Others filed on 1 November 2023 and heard by the court that remanded the victims on 2 November 2023, which were stated to have taken place within the Greater Accra Region within the jurisdiction of the circuit court on 24 October 2023 were void ab initio. The victims were nowhere near the Greater Accra Region or Accra on 24 October 2023 but in the Upper East Region.

The charges Albert Kan-Dapaah maliciously used or caused to be used as the reasons for their arrest and detention were accordingly shamefully and unlawfully withdrawn and the victims discharged. Consequently, for those readers who have been misled into thinking that the Minister was referring to the Achimota circuit court cases against the seven victims brought down from Garu into National Intelligence Bureau (NIB) custody on 31 October 2023, he achieved his objective of strategic ambiguity with his statement.

Thirdly, as a matter of fact, none of the seven brutalized citizens from Garu and its environs or other brutalized citizens of the area have instructed the commencement of any action against the Government, to the best of my knowledge, information, and belief. I challenge Kan-Dapaah to produce the suit number and the court in which this aspect of the matter is currently pending and making it inappropriate for him to comment on it.

Fourthly, the whole procedure adopted in Parliament was fishy to the extreme to any ordinary reasonable person. The Second Deputy Speaker of Parliament, Andrew Asiamah Amoako, had on 1 November 2023 prejudged the urgent statement by the MP for Garu and its outcome even before inviting the Minister to Parliament on 9 November 2023. The Deputy Majority Leader then announced in Parliament on 9 November 2023 that the leadership of the House had made a deal for the release of the victims and with that having been done there was no need for the Minister for National Security to respond to the urgent statement by the Member of Parliament for Garu. In my tribute to former president Jerry John Rawlings, published on 12 November 2023 I questioned the authority of the Deputy Majority Leader to have concluded such an important matter before Parliament. I particularly impugned the impartiality of the transactional Speaker Bagbin on this matter affecting the people of Garu and its environs.

The next day, 13 November 2023, without any item on the order paper for the Minister of National Security to make a statement to the House, he is surreptitiously brought before the plenary of Parliament. As if according to plan, the Speaker, decrees that the Minister will make a statement and after him only the two members of Parliament within whose constituencies Kan-Dapaahs induced military brutalities took place will respond and nobody else. The Speaker forbade any questions being asked of the Minister or him answering any.

I refuse to be considered part of the phrase in my 1966 Commercial Institute Gregg Typing Manual stating that: A fool will be a fool whether he goes to school or not, and be made a fool by the likes of Speaker of Parliament, Alban Bagbin, and the leadership of the House who do not credit we the people as the electorate with any common sense or reasoning to see through such an arrangement to deceive the public which is inconsistent with and in contravention of the letter and the spirit of the 1992 Constitution which we are enjoined to defend.

The embarrassment caused to the Members of Parliament for Garu and Tempane who might not have been expecting the arranged appearance of Albert Kan-Dapaah that day showed in the unpreparedness of their responses. I saw it as shameful for the Members of Parliament from the Minority side to be addressing a press conference immediately after the Speakers arranged performance by Kan-Dapaah instead of insisting on asking him questions about their concerns on the floor of Parliament. I was ashamed to hear the interval between 24 October 2023 and the dawn of 29 October 2023 being referred to as a day or two in one of the minoritys speeches at the press conference in Parliament House. As for the Minority Leader who did not show any concern for the plight of the brutalized people of the Upper East Region and Garu and its environs throughout this period, there was no showdown.

Cletus Avoka, who entered Parliament on the same day as Alban Bagbin and is more experienced than the Speaker, had to speak on the Ghana Tonight show on TV3 the same Monday to challenge the narrative of Almighty Albert Kan-Dapaah whom Speaker Bagbin appears to worship and endorse to have his way over and above elected members of

Parliament. TV3 had to lend Cletus Avoka airtime to say that:

That is certainly not true, the National Security personnel didn't know where the police station was. They were strangers in Garu so they didn't know where the police station was. It is a good Samaritan who took them to the police station, the National security personnel didn't drive to the police station.

Indeed, there is a contemporaneous recording of what transpired and how the strangers who had been loitering in Garu for hours at the St Theresas Catholic Primary School with their vehicle engine running and the tinted glass windows closed were eventually led by two people on a motorbike to the Police Station. The presence of strangers for hours in a vehicle parked at that isolated location from evening to about 10 pm would have been suspicious for any civic minded citizen in such an ethnically and chieftaincy conflict endemic area,

particularly when the Government and the Minister for the Upper East were arranging a festival celebration in Bawku town for 28 October 2023. In any case, the strangers who turned out to be personnel of the MNS were four and not five as the Minister and his Ministry have consistently lied about since 29 October 2023 and repeated in Parliament on 13 November 2023. The unlawful Charge Sheet filed in the Achimota Circuit Court exposes the Ministers irredeemable lies by naming the four MNS personnel as Simon Kansik, Dominic Ayensu, Witson Kwekumey and Cpl. Enoch Odeheho.

Albert Kan-Dapaah ought to understand that the position of a Minister of National Security is not a position to be used to achieve political electoral objectives. The continuous attempts to position national security issues as political electoral issues overriding fundamental rights and freedoms enshrined in the 1992 Constitution is not vindicated by Articles 83 and 84 of the 1992 Constitution creating even the National Security Council and assigning functions to it.

The threat of terrorism and counterterrorism cannot under the Constitution be used to intimidate citizens as part of a long game for electoral purposes.

I have held the portfolio of Minister responsible for Security and Intelligence under Section 17 of the Securities and Intelligence Services Act, 1996 (Act 526) and know that, that portfolio does not empower the holder of the office to be a Minister of National Scapegoating. It is an office of the highest integrity because it impacts the rights and freedoms of the sovereign people of Ghana under Article 1 of the 1992 Constitution. The armed robbery of the phones, money, and other properties of the brutalized people of Garu and its environs upon the orders of the Government and the Minister of National Security on 29 October 2023 is an indelible stain on the noble tradecraft of security and intelligence enshrined in the 1992 Constitution.

Albert Kan-Dapaah why are you, therefore, hiding the fact that not very long ago you commissioned Simon Kansik and his team to secretly install CCTV cameras in the Bawku municipality and that he nearly came to the same harm in the hands of the Bawku community? Your recklessness in sending them again surreptitiously to Garu nearly caused them harm and the Millions of United States Dollars cost in damages to the operational vehicle. Why do you not tell Ghanaians that you premeditatedly moved military men from Accra and Tamale to join others in Bawku to brutalize and rob the properties of the innocent citizens of Garu and its environs at dawn on 29 October 2023 instead of using the constitutionally established Ghana police Service? Can you tell the taxpayer the cumulative cost of the men, equipment including the helicopter and other resources from the national purse you expended on your unconstitutional expedition against your fellow Ghanaian citizens? We the people want to know the returns on that 29 October joint operations investment for the public purse. Like it or not these questions have to be answered one day.

Speaker Bagbin and Kan-Dapaah ought to remember that no condition in this universe is permanent and that the people you meet on your way up are the same people you meet on your way down.

Ghanaians deserve further answers just as I do to several other questions. Will Speaker Bagbin have handled the brutalities meted out by Nana Akufo-Addo and Kan-Dapaah to the people of Garau and Tempane and their environs in this same transactional manner if the Minister of National Security and the Ghana Armed Forces acting upon orders from Nana Akufo-Addo as the Commander-in-Chief had committed theses brutalities in the Nadowli and Kaleo area where he has rented a chieftaincy title and skin since becoming the Speaker of Parliament? Or does the commissioning of a solar power plant in Kaleo override reason and empathy in Mr. Speaker for the people of Garu and its environs? Would the people of Ashanti where Albert Kan-Dapaah hails from and constitutes the Governments electoral world bank have allowed this matter to be a non-issue in this country and in Parliament if the brutalities had taken place anywhere in the Ashanti Region? The 1992 Constitution proscribes all forms of discrimination and arbitrariness in the exercise of executive and legislative powers of Government for all Ghanaians and not for a selected few.

The Nana Akufo-Addo and Albert Kan-Dapaah engendered military brutalities and armed robbery against citizens of Ghana in various locations of the country amidst a deafening culture of silence, and the absence of positive defiance obtaining in Ghana today negate the pretentious calls for a new Constitution or a review of the 1992 Constitution allegedly for being blatantly abused and corrupted. My lived experience tells me that no new or reviewed constitution as a written document will change anything. Constitutions are mere words on paper, they are not self-executing unless the sovereign people take ownership of it and defend it with their very life and blood. There are few citizens prepared and committed to defend their sovereignty and ownership of Ghana today.

Our failure as citizens to defend even the 1992 Constitution by speaking truth to power on our own to defend our sovereignty enshrined in the 1992 Constitution demonstrates that any new or reviewed Constitution will suffer the same fate as the 1992 Constitution in its present form. Speaking for myself, I think it is honourable in the twilight of my life to exit this world fighting for the people of Ghana which I have done the whole of my life than to allow

pretenders of fidelity to the 1992 Constitution to subvert it in the name of national security or national scapegoating. I am raising my finger in this rejoinder against the wanton violations of the rights of the people of Ghana in the use of the military by the Government to brutalize the very electorate that brought it into power. We the people are sovereign under the 1992 Constitution and not the Speaker, Parliament, or the executive which if let alone will continue to trample upon our sovereignty with the obnoxious show in Parliament on 13 November 2023. Ghana will rise again!

Martin A. B. K. Amidu 15 November 2023
16.11.2023 LISTEN

Reference is often made to the commendable Ghanaian sense of humour, and probably our proverbial resilience  a word cited a number of times by Finance Minister Mr Ken Ofori-Atta when he presented the 2024 budget in Parliament on November 15  may stem from that ability to see the funny side of every situation.

It has been illustrated recently by the advent of the now famous 'showdown' term, clearly inadvertently introduced into the Ghanaian political space by Kennedy Agyapong during his campaign to win the presidential slot of the ruling New Patriotic Party.

The background was a video from the Central Region that went viral on August 26, 2023, during the NPP's Super Delegates Conference. Mr Agyapong, MP for Assin Central, was heard threatening, in a phone call, to give President Nana Akufo-Addo and Vice President Alhaji Dr Mahamudu Bawumia a showdown. The reason for his anger was because of reports that his agent in the North East Constituency had been attacked by other NPP members, believed to be Bawumia team members.

Later, Mr Agyapong's campaign team clarified what Mr Agyapong had meant by the showdown explaining that it had not been a threat to President Akufo-Addo and Dr Bawumia.

At a press conference, Mr Agyapong's campaign manager, Kwame Owusu, said that the expression was only used to indicate that Agyapong would win the November 4 polls, regardless of any moves against him.

Anyhow, it wasn't Dr Bawumia who was given a showdown, as he won with 61.43 percent of the votes; Mr Agyapong  37.42; Dr Owusu Afriyie Akoto  0.75 and Mr Francis Addai Nimoh  0.41.

Not surprisingly, wordsmiths, have been thinking about 'showdown', including my senior colleague Mr I.K. Gyasi and he has shared his findings with me. Excerpts:

SHOWDOWN

My immediate interest is not in the person who used it or in the politics of it. My interest is purely linguistic. What is the meaning of the word?

1. an important argument that is intended to end a disagreement that has existed for a long time.

(Cambridge Dictionary).

2. an argument, a fight, or a test that will settle a disagreement that has lasted a long time

(Oxford English Dictionary), and;

3. a big argument or conflict which is intended to settle a dispute that has lasted for a long time

(Collins Dictionary).

Interestingly, Mr Agyapong's furious 'showdown' threat has now seemingly been adopted by the public as a 'comic relief' expression, added to not only the NPP's, but the general Ghanaian political and social lexicon! It's now also a regular in headlines.

Well, it's in good company with other comic relief terms, such as 'Who said tweaa!?' and

'Fear delegates'.

The WHO SAID 'TWEAA'? story:

Gabriel Barima a former National Democratic Congress District Chief Executive of the Ahafo Ano South District in the Ashanti Region, is well known for popularising the Akan word 'tweaa'  used to indicate scornful, rude disagreement.

In January, 2014, the fury of Mr Barima was captured on video when an unidentified person exclaimed tweaa! while he was giving an address at a forum at the Mankranso Hospital.

A summary of his outburst: Who said 'tweaa'? I have been given the platform to talk. You were not given the platform to talk.  Am I your colleague? ...You sit somewhere and behave like you're talking to your co-equal. Am I your co-equal?

Needless to say, who said tweaa? and am I your co-equal? quickly became favourite banter phrases in the country. Indeed, at a point, tweaa was in such popular use, even in Ghana's Parliament, as a heckling weapon, that on February 18, 2014, the then Speaker, Mr Doe Adjaho was compelled to take the unprecedented step of banning use of that word in the chamber altogether.

FEAR DELEGATES:

Undoubtedly, the copyright of fear delegates  derived from the Akan adage 'fear your fellow human beings, instead of fearing ghosts' - belongs to the late former General Secretary of the NPP, Kwadwo Owusu Afriyie, better known as 'Sir John'.

At the NPP's 2014 conference in Tamale, Sir John lost his position despite the high expectation that he would retain it. Shocked by the outcome, he summed up his defeat in the now immortal words. Sir John told a radio station that apart from death, there could be no other wicked personalities on this earth than delegates. Fear delegates, not ghosts. (Ghanaian Chronicle, April 19, 2014.)

However, long before the above 'duo', there was an earlier display of wit in the then intimidating political arena, defusing what was clearly meant as an ominous warning. I'm referring to the classic response by industrialist Akenten Appiah-Menka to the 'fatwa' against his Apino soap by President Jerry Rawlings.

In 1993, in an aggressive speech to mark the June 4 Revolution, President Jerry John Rawlings urged Ghanaians not to buy Apino soap, manufactured in Kumasi by a factory owned by NPP stalwart Mr Appiah-Menka. Patronising Apino soap would be providing funds to the opposition NPP, so people should boycott it, President Rawlings said.

As I recall, a few days after that ominous presidential edict, there was a change in the regular Apino newspaper advert, a brief, cheeky line which said something like: Buy Apino soap, the soap presidents talk about.

However, the riposte was short-lived, and my suspicion is that Mr Appiah-Menka was advised that President Rawlings would not find it amusing  and that there might be consequences.

Anyhow, that strange Rawlings directive seems to have backfired, as protest buyers now looked for Apino soap to buy, in solidarity with the Apino manufacturer and indigenous business. Memorably, later it emerged that one of those protest buyers, was none other than the mother of then Finance Minister, Dr Kwesi Botchwey!

As reported by West Africa magazine, speaking at a conference in London soon after the June 4 order against Apino soap, Dr Botchwey said that to his surprise his mother asked him about Apino soap  and then went and bought some.

SKIRT AND BLOUSE VOTING

And it wouldn't surprise me if that curious expression, 'skirt and blouse voting' is found to be a Ghanaian creation. It refers to voting for a Presidential candidate of one party, but voting for a parliamentary candidate of a different party.

Of course it illustrates the phenomenon perfectly, but the odd thing is that in reality, in the fashion world, a skirt and blouse outfit can be of the same fabric, not necessarily of different fabrics or colour!

Still, it's a term that apparently all the different political actors are comfortable with, in the same way that 'showdown' appears to be a universal favourite.

Nevertheless, regrettably, it's not always that all sides of the political divide see the amusing side of things, as was recently illustrated when President Akufo-Addo paid a visit to the victims of the Akosombo Dam spillage. At Mepe, Volta Region, a joke the President made, generated some controversy as some people saw it as an insensitive comment.

What President Akufo-Addo said: Togbe, I want the people here  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 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, then I shouldn't be here; because you don't vote for me. But that is not my concern. And, in any event, one day you will vote for me and my party.

Watching the video of the meeting, I noted that the audience appeared to be enjoying the President's light-hearted comment about their voting pattern and there was spontaneous laughter. However, critics lambasted the President for his comments. An unfortunate interpretation, especially as the people the President was addressing appeared to have seen the joke.

But the queen mother of Mepe was one of the people who understood the President's humour, describing it as a harmless joke.

Class FM reported that the Queen Mother of the Mepe Traditional Area, Mamaga Adzo Srako IV, however, sees things differently. She was in the audience when the President spoke and she has mounted what seems like a defence for him, arguing there are weightier issues to spotlight.

She said: The president made promises; that immediately he'll see to us, and (also) in the long term.

However, the little joke the President (made), that if it were because of votes, he would not have come here, has rather become the news, she lamented.

That's what you (he media) are circulating instead of (highlighting) the disaster that has befallen us. You chose to rather make a big deal out of the harmless joke by the president.

We were not pleased with you journalists, Mamaga Srako said.

If only politics in Ghana could be less confrontational, more conciliatory- especially among the foot soldiers! Nevertheless, 'showdown', seems to be popular with all.

Notably, after the November 4 declaration of Dr Bawumia as the elected NPP flagbearer, Mr Agyapong ended his concession remarks with the announcement that bearing in mind the 2024 general election, the 'showdown' is now being transferred to the NDC.

And no surprise that it even showed up in Parliament too, at the budget presentation. In his concluding remarks after the session, Speaker Mr Alban Bagbin said: I'm not going to do any showdown, adding that the showdown man is his friend, prompting laughter on both sides of the House.

With so much animosity in our political space, I think we need all the humour we can get, all the laughter we can share. So a toast to the Ghanaian political humorists; let's celebrate Ghanaian political humour.

[email protected]
Supporters of Africas cultural and natural heritage recently had cause to celebrate. At the 45th session of the World Heritage Committee in September, UNESCO announced five new locations had joined the list of World Heritage Sites, taking sub-Saharan Africas total over 100 for the first time.

Rwandas first two World Heritage Sites were named among 42 new entries worldwide. One, Nyungwe National Park, has a diverse topography including forests and peat bogs, and is home to the Eastern Chimpanzee, Golden Monkey and other endemic species. The other is a collection of sites in Nyamata, Murambi, Gisozi and Bisesero, memorializing the 1994 genocide that targeted Rwandas Tutsi population.

Ethiopias 215,000-hectare (531,000-acre) Bale Mountains National Park, which includes the continents largest afro-alpine habitat, and Gedeo Cultural Landscape, home to 250,000 indigenous Gedeo people in the Eastern Highlands, were also inscribed on the World Heritage list, along with the Forest Massif of Odzala-Kokoua in the Republic of Congo, a vital habitat for the regions forest elephants.

But that good news was tempered by the understanding that the continent still has a long way to go when it comes to recognition of its heritage. Sub-Saharan Africa, home to 1.2 billion people, contains less than 10% of sites inscribed on the list. Moreover, Africa has a higher percentage of World Heritages sites in danger than any other continent, and 11 countries (Burundi, Comoros, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Eswatini, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Sao Tome and Principe, Sierra Leone, Somalia and South Sudan) do not have a single entry on the list.

Vegetation in Rwasenkoko, Nyungwe National Park, one or Rwanda's two new UNESCO World Heritage Sites. - G.R. Vande weghe/Courtesy UNESCO

A remembrance site to the 1994 genocide in Gisozi, Rwanda. - CNLG/Courtesy UNESCO

There are currently 1,199 World Heritage sites, benefitting from the conservation agreements and tourism that come with that status. UNESCO lists 103 of those sites in its Africa region, which does not feature Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Sudan and Tunisia  countries that have a total of 42 World Heritage Sites  which UNESCO includes in its Arab States region.

Story continues

To qualify, a site must be of outstanding universal value and meet at least one of 10 criteria, such as representing a masterpiece of human creative genius, containing superlative natural phenomena, or bearing exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared. Africa is not lacking these. So why the historic underrepresentation?

Lazare Eloundou Assomo, director of World Heritage, says multiple factors have contributed. One is that some nations were slow to ratify the 1972 World Heritage convention, allowing them to submit applications for World Heritage status. (Somalia, for example, only ratified the convention in 2020.) Another factor is a historic lack of expertise and capacity in some countries to identify and nominate prospective sites, he says.

Theres also no escaping the fact the nomination process can be long and expensive. It takes at least two years for a site to go from nomination to inscription on the World Heritage list, says UNESCO, and can demand resources that some nations simply might not have at their disposal.

An African forest elephant in Odzala-Kokoua National Park, Republic of the Congo. The park, a new UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a stronghold for the animal. - Education Images/Universal Images Group/Getty

To tackle these challenges, UNESCO has announced Priority Africa, a plan to boost identification and preservation across the continent between now and 2029.

This new strategy is bringing a new momentum, says Eloundou Assomo, pointing to previous global initiatives to bring balance to the World Heritage list, dating back to 1994.

By 2025, we will make sure that most of the African countries that do not have a World Heritage Site have at least started preparing a nomination dossier, he says, adding he hopes that every African nation currently without a site on the list will have one by the end of the decade.

The World Heritage director  from Cameroon, and the first African to hold the position  says there are more local resources and expertise than ever before to help maintain heritage sites. UNESCO has also partnered with the African World Heritage Fund on a mentorship program to train professionals from a younger generation, so that they can be the experts and caretakers of tomorrow, says Eloundou Assomo.

Another goal of the strategy is to work to reduce the number of African sites listed as World Heritage in Danger. Human conflict and natural disaster, urban development, poaching, pollution and unchecked tourism can all pose a threat, says UNESCO.

Fifteen sites in UNESCOs Africa tally are listed as in danger and UNESCO wants to work with its partners to halve that number by 2029.

In positive news, one site in Uganda, the 19th century Tombs of Buganda Kings at Kasubi, in Kampala, was recently removed from the in-danger list after a 13-year effort to restore their indigenous architecture after a fire ripped through the tombs in 2010.

Gedeo Cultural Landscape in Ethiopia. The new UNESCO World Heritage Site features thousands of stelae, stone monuments with religious significance that archaeologists say are around 2,000 years old. - Yonas Beyene/Courtesy UNESCO

Eloundou Assomo says that even in the most challenging circumstances, it is paramount to support African countries in their effort (to preserve their heritage).

World heritage is considered part of the soul of nations and soul of communities, Eloundou Assomo says. Their destruction is the disappearance of some identity.

If people protect (heritage sites), it helps people rebuild themselves  They have what defines them; because they know their past, they can build for the future, he adds.

The six-year mission from UNESCO is but the blink of an eye for some of the continents oldest and most venerated locations. While it is down to individual nations to submit applications for inclusion on the list, the director did let slip one place hed like to see inscribed in the future: the Bissagos Islands. The archipelago off the coast of Guinea-Bissau is not only a biodiversity hotspot, it is also populated by a matriarchal society, and would become the nations first World Heritage Site.

Eloundou Assomo stresses that countries should look broadly at what they might want to submit to UNESCO for consideration.

You dont (need to) have an Eiffel Tower (to) propose a World Heritage Site, he says. Its not only the monumental  there are a variety of sites everywhere in the world that have the potential to join the list.

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Minority in Parliament has said the GHS220 million that was earmarked in the 2024 budget to support victims of the flood in the Volta Region and other parts of the country that were hit by the spillage of water from the Akosombo and Kpong Dams, is inadequate.

Minority Chief Whip, Kwame Agbodza described the amount as a drop in the ocean.

The Minister of Finance Ken Ofori-Atta made the announcement of the GHS220 million while presenting the budget in Parliament on Wednesday, November 15.

He said in the last few months, we have been witnesses to the devastating impact of the Akosombo Dam spillage. This follows excessive rainfall recorded in several parts of the country. To preserve the structural integrity of the dam, the Volta River Authority commenced controlled spilling on 15th September 2023. This led to the flooding of downstream communities in parts of the Volta, Eastern, and Greater Accra regions. The heavy rainfall also caused flooding upstream of the Akosombo dam, and impacted communities in the Savanna, Oti, and Bono-East Regions.

Government through VRA, NADMO, and various agencies under the 13-member high level inter-ministerial committee, (comprising of the Ministries of Energy, Finance, Local Government, Environment, Interior, Health , Sanitation & Water Resources, Defense, Roads & Highways, Education , Information, Health, and Gender) have subsequently provided various forms of support to the impacted communities. This support included food and related items, drinks, mattresses, mosquito nets and coils, clothes, baby food and diapers, sanitary pads, treated water services and storage tanks, solar lamps, sanitation services, restoration of utility services, and some social infrastructure.

Mr. Speaker, the visit of the officials of the Ministry of Finance and myself, in collaboration with VRA, to the victims of the Akosombo Dam Spillage in Mepe was truly revealing and sobering. Indeed, we empathise with the families that have been affected and displaced by the spillage. We met victims, townsfolks, children, the chiefs and of course Honourable Okudzeto.

Mr. Speaker, the Government has budgeted an amount of GH220 million to support the relief phase for the communities affected by the Akosombo spillage as well as floods upstream in the Oti, Savannah, and Bono-East Regions.

Commenting on this in an interview with TV3's Komla Klutse on Thursday, November 16, Mr Agbodza who is also lawmaker for Adaklu said for NDC and some people we have spoken to, the contributions we have made already, I can put a figure to it, it is about GHS15 million.

The GHS220 Million, what is ist supposed to do? Is it supposed to rebuild the schools, and hospitals, resettle teachers and key workers who have been displaced, and repair rapids? What is it supposed to do?

That money is woefully inadequate to do anything. I wish we could have comprehensive discussions about it because it is not going to be a one-off thing. If this is just for the relief part of the work, fine but if if it is supposed to be part of the reconstruction, rehabilitation then it is a drop in the ocean.

3news.com
(This was written and published some years ago. It was reworked after my visit to Chorkor in Accra on Saturday, October 26, 2013, which revealed to me the shocking conditions many compatriots are still forced to live in. The current abysmal economic situation in the country prompted this republishing.

Why do we still allow some of our people to live in these types of poor conditions despite the vast mineral wealth under our soil which, if properly harnessed could very, easily, banish hunger, poverty, and poverty from our midst?

I find it unconscionable that our leaders, who will not keep even their pests in these appalling conditions, seem not to see anything wrong in seeing their fellow human beings existing in these pitiful and dehumanizing conditions.

There are schools scattered around Chorkor and, as part of their curriculum must study Environmental Science.

The question is beggared: Rather than force these children to cram tons of useless theories on hygiene, why cant they be given marks for how they clean and beautify their residences?

Solutions, anyone?)

- end of soap

Look at that, Trench Town rock

I say dont watch that, Trench Town rock

If you big fish or sprat, Trench Town rock

You reap what you sow, Trench Town rock

And everyone know now, Trench Town rock

Dont turn your back, Trench Town rock

Give the slum a try, Trench Town rock

Never let the children cry, Trench Town rock

Cause you got to tell Jah, Jah why

Grooving, grooving, grooving, grooving.  Bob Marley

Alhaji Abdullahi Walatakiki has a presence. Tall, urbane, elegant, and dressed in an English upper-class suit, he cut the image of a top banker or a diplomat at the highest echelon of his profession.

Alhaji is the Assistant Deputy Minister at the Ministry of Finance.

I ran into him at a newspapers office recently, he was busy defending his governments policies.

In the end, I managed to swindle a few minutes of Alhajis expensive time.

Could it be true that the government wanted to borrow US$5 million to study poverty? I wanted to know.

Alhaji cleared his throat the way only the upper class knew how. The whole thing has been blown out of all proportions. Theres nothing wrong with borrowing, per se. Every businessperson knows that. Every government in the world has had to borrow money to finance one project or the other. Theres nothing wrong in government borrowing.

But is studying poverty a viable project for which to take a loan? Is that not akin to a business taking up a loan to study why it is making a loss?

The Minister gave me a condescending look. Whats wrong with that? Whats wrong with a failing business hiring a business consultant to come and help it fix its problems?

With borrowed money? I asked skeptically.

The Minister was obviously in a combative mood. Giving me a withering look, the one you gave an errant servant, he mused, I guess you missed your Economics 101.

No sir, I didnt miss my classes. It is just that I fail to see the logic in your argument. Why does an already highly indebted, poverty-ridden, and virtually bankrupt third-world country need a loan to find out why it is poor?

The reasons should be self-evident except to those for whom thinking is an encumbrance. The Minister countered with sniggering contempt. Do you know the number one problem we have in this country?

Thats not my department, sir.

I will tell you our biggest problem in this country. It is that there are too many experts. We have too many lazybones masquerading as experts. The biggest wahala in Ghana is the profusion of armchair critics. Take it from me that is our biggest problem. Look at yourself, for instance, all criticism and none of them constructive.

I am sorry you felt that way about me, sir. But we still havent answered the question of why we need a loan to study why we are poor. Couldnt part of our problems be the lack of articulation of policy intents and frameworks by those in power?

Youre right to an extent. This government has always been responsive. The idea was jettisoned right when it was discovered that the people are against it.

I think the people were simply stupefied by the sheer effrontery of the idea. They have seen all the Poverty Alleviation programs lining only the pockets of our moneybags. They see that the only people who would benefit from the loan would be our deep pockets who will shuttle from one conference to another in their multimillion-cedis Pajeros. In the name of fighting poverty, our cash-oozers will wine and dine at restaurants where food prices look like telephone numbers

The Minister cut in, You certainly have fancy phrases. Moneybags, deep pockets, cash-oozers. Do you see what I mean by armchair critics? You see only the Pajeros and food bills, but what about the anguish our delegates to those conferences have to go through?

Anguish, sir. What anguish.

Conferences dont come cheap. Thats what we have to understand in this country. We should also jettison the idea that we could get something for nothing. Every good thing costs money. Part of our problem also is that we are too much in a hurry to get to the Promised Land. How do you solve a problem without understudying the underpinning theoretical basis? You see we live in a scientific era, information superhighway, globalization, computers, mobile smartphones phones, and things. We cannot continue to tackle our problems in traditional and old superstitious ways.

Hmm. Dont you think that part of our problem could also be that there is this yawning inequitable distribution of our scanty resources?

It is incredible that you could still be pantomiming discredited socialist ideas in this age and time. The idea that we could improve the lots of the poor by impoverishing the rich has been discredited.

I am not talking EQUAL distribution of wealth. I am simply talking about the EQUITABLE distribution of the little resources we have. We cannot continue to maintain the fiction that our poverty stemmed from a lack of resources. It did not. We have the resources; the problems come from the way we are allocating them. Dont you think that we could do with a little bit of egalitarianism?

There we go again with armchair criticism. In your case, the criticism is wide and far off the mark. What specifically is your gripe?

I could give specifics like granting our legislators cars and housing loans. It should not be the business of the government to grant loans. A legislator who wants to buy a car or a house should go to his bank. It should strictly be the business of himself and his bank manager. We are a poor country and those that purport to serve us should not impose upon us financial burdens that do not exist even in the richest of the developed countries. In the Netherlands, for instance, I know legislators who take the trains from Amsterdam to The Hague to go and represent their people. Holland can afford to buy cars for her lawmakers, but she would not. Why should an MP representing a poor constituency tools around town in a big jeep? Whats he trying to portray? We can take the case of our ministers. Why should they get free cars, free phones, and free houses from the government? Those from whom we are running to borrow the money do not give their ministers free cars, free telephones, and free housing. I say it is only in Africa that the poverty of the poor is not reflected in the opulent lifestyles of those who govern them. We are going to take a loan to study poverty while our president travels around in a cavalcade of expensive cars. Do we think that those from whom were borrowing are unaware that our president goes around in a multi-billion cedis motorcade? And we pretend not to understand why they are reluctant to ease our debt burden. They are no fools. If those who govern us want to know why we are poor, let them come to our rat-infested, mosquito-overwhelmed ghost towns (ghost towns are ghettos within ghettos) their policies have consigned us. If they are serious about tackling poverty, let all our legislators come and spend a week at Alajo. Let our president spend a few days in the gigantic slum of Sahara. Let our ministers stop pontificating and experience the wretched lives they have foisted upon us by spending just a few days at Chorkor. Let our sick leaders stop rushing to London and Paris for treatment; let them go to the blood-plastered slaughterhouses that they call hospitals. Let them withdraw their children from their expensive international schools and send them to the rickety building they call schools. Let our rulers abandon their jeeps for one week only, and experience the joys of traveling in the medieval contraption we call trotros. Let those who are ruling us give the slum a try. That is all the education they need to understand poverty.

Femi Akomolafe

November 16, 2023
Members of the Coalition of Muslim Journalists have congratulated the Vice President and the newly elected flagbearer of the New Patriotic Party NPP Alhaji Dr. Mahamoud Bawumia on his victory to represent the NPP in the upcoming 2024 general elections.

The group also commended the election committee of the party led by the former Speaker of Parliament Prof. Mike Aaron Quaye, delegates and all stakeholders who ensured smooth, free and fair as well as incident-free presidential primary.

In a statement signed by the President of the Coalition, Abdallah Sham'un Bako stated that the NPP has indicated its continuous stand in promoting democracy in the country by providing a level playing field for all candidates in the just ended flagbearer race.

The group urged all aspirants to come together and support the newly elected flagbearer.

They also called for unity within the rank and file of the party to ensure unity in the party.

The group further commended Dr. Bawumia for his efforts in ensuring the creation of the Zongo Development Secretariat which has over the years sought to bring development and progress to the people of Zongo across the country.

The Zongo Development Secretariat under the leadership of Hon. Ben Abdallah Banda has provided scholarships to over 30 Muslims to Cuba to be trained as medical doctors.

The group again commended the Vice President for promoting religious tolerance and well as strengthening a peaceful co-existence among Muslims and other religious groups in the country.
The Communications Officer of TEIN ATU, Derrick Nana Asare has criticised the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government's 2024 budget statement, describing it as empty.

He said the budget, as presented by the Finance Minister, will not provide relief to ordinary Ghanaians already burdened by current hardships.

During an interview with Moore online news on Wednesday, 15th November, Mr. Asare described the 2024 budget as empty paper.

"I cannot see anything appealing in the budget as it won't help alleviate the current burden on Ghanaians. It is business as usual, rhetoric, things they will do. If they haven't been able to do it in the past 7 years, I am wondering how they are going to do it in the one year, now that things are much harder," he stated.

He further stated, "The so called removal of taxes from one component and increasing the other side, does not reduce poverty, does not reduce hardship. Most of these things are already on subsidies, so there is nothing new. They should simply prepare to leave by 7th December, 2024."

He urged Ghanaians to brace themselves for more economic hardship as things would get worse under the current government from next year.
The National Communications Authority (NCA), in collaboration with the Cyber Security Authority (CSA), held a sensitisation workshop on cybercrime and cybersecurity for its staff at the NCA Tower on 15th November, 2023.

The engagement was aimed at providing insights into the approaches adopted by various organisations in addressing cyber-related crime and ensuring cybersecurity.

Speaking at the event, Prof. Ezer Osei Yeboah-Boateng, Deputy Director-General for Technical Operations at the NCA, emphasised the critical need to enhance human capabilities in terms of knowledge and technical skills due to the significant surge in cyber threats and attacks. He mentioned that, as part of measures to address the skills gap, the NCA has actively worked on enhancing the capacity of its staff. The aim is for these capacity-building efforts to manifest in the Authority's internal practices, ultimately fortifying Ghana's overall cybersecurity. "It is anticipated that these capacity-building initiatives will be evident in the Authority's internal procedures, thereby bolstering the NCA's overall security," he stated.

Prof. Yeboah-Boateng outlined several measures aimed at ensuring cybersecurity within the telecom industry, highlighting the NCA's recent engagements with Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) and Undersea Cable Operators to assess their readiness for cyber challenges. He also mentioned the NCA's ongoing forensic audit exercise to verify the accuracy and integrity of the Central SIM Register and the SIM Registers maintained by the MNOs. Prof. Yeboah-Boateng cautioned that any operator found in breach would face full accountability under the law.

Mrs. Mercy Araba Kertson, Acting Director of Administration at the CSA, speaking at the event

Mrs. Mercy Araba Kertson, Acting Director of Administration at the CSA, emphasised the significance of implementing effective cybersecurity measures in response to the increasing prevalence of digital technologies. She highlighted that while the internet provides convenience, it also exposes us to cyber threats, significantly impacting critical sectors like energy and telecommunications.

Mrs. Kertson revealed that between January and July 2023, cyber fraud activities have resulted in direct financial losses totaling 49.5 million Ghana Cedis for Ghana. This underscores the urgent requirement for increased vigilance in cybersecurity.

The workshop featured a panel discussion with expert speakers from various institutions, including Superintendent Emmanuel Eric Gyebi, Director of the Cybercrime Unit at the Criminal Investigations Department (CID) of the Ghana Police Service, Mr. Kobina Richardson, Head of Information Security Office at the Bank of Ghana (BoG), Mr. Maxwell Ababio, Head of Technology and Ethics at the Data Protection Commission (DPC), Mrs. Comfort Osae from the Economic and Organised Crime Office (EOCO), and Mr. Kweku Acheampong from the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC).

The panel discussion focused on the activities and strategies being implemented by their respective institutions to safeguard cyberspace.
Key partners from government, non-profits and the private sector gathered in Accra this week for the third Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (YEE) Global Forum to promote opportunities for youth in GrEEn and emerging sectors.

Hosted by SNV Netherlands Development Organisation and funded by the European Union and others, the November 14-15 event brought together over 100 participants to discuss strategies for nurturing a more sustainable and inclusive job market for young Ghanaians and Africans.

"SNV places youth employment and enterprise at the core of our work," said Barbara White Nkoara, Country Director of SNV Ghana.

Barbara White Nkoara, Country Director of SNV Ghana, delivering the welcome address

"The Boosting Green Employment and Enterprise Opportunities in Ghana (GrEEn) Project is one of our key projects that has and continues to drive system transformation in partnership with other actors, she said.

In a keynote address delivered on his behalf, Employment and Labour Relations Minister Ignatius Baffour Awuah noted that "Green innovation is gradually dominating entrepreneurship and employment among Ghanaian youth."

He urged the young entrepreneurs "not to venture into business just for the sake of a job, but with passion."

A four-member youth panel selected from Ghana, Rwanda, Zimbabwe and other Kenya advocated for enabling young people and women to thrive in business.

Representatives from the EU, SNV, Ministry and businesses, during a high-profile panel centred on Greening Sustainable Development Goals: Recommendations and Review of the priorities of international development community towards youth employment and enterprise development in Africa's Food Systems, agreed on the need for partnership and an intersectoral approach.

"We must ensure an enabling environment and adopt collaborative solutions to achieve our goals in green innovation, reiterated Ms. Fosua Owusu Ofori, a Social Entrepreneur and

Founder of Women's Haven Africa, located in Kumasi.

The youth and emerging entrepreneurs were also urged to prioritize partnership at the start to tap each other's knowledge and expertise for growth.

The forum aimed to promote sustainable entrepreneurship through knowledge sharing between partners in SNV projects like 2SCALE and Youth Employment for Food Security Improvement (EJASA).

It marked ten years of SNV's integrated YEE approach connecting African youth to opportunities in key sectors across the continent.

The partners collected insights that will inform continued support for an inclusive green job market where entrepreneurial youth can drive economic and social progress through collaboration.

The YEE Global Forum spotlighted the power of multisector coordination to realize opportunity and development for future generations.

The maiden YEE Global Forum was organised in Mali in 2019 while the second edition was held in 2021 in Ethiopia.
Former Trade Minister and independent presidential candidate Alan Kwadwo Kyerematen joined mourners to pay his final respects to Theresah Aba Kufuor, the late wife of former President John Agyekum Kufuor.

Mrs. Kufuor, also known affectionately as "Maa Tess", passed away a few months ago.

Her remains were laid in state at the State House forecourt for her funeral on Thursday, November 16.

In a tribute on Facebook after attending the ceremony, Kyerematen expressed deep sorrow at Mrs. Kufuor's passing.

He described her as a woman of "extraordinary warmth, kindness, and grace" whose memory will live on in the hearts of those who knew her.

Mr. Kyerematen also extended condolences to former President Kufuor, saying "Excellency, as you grieve this unimaginable loss, know that you are not alone in your sorrow. Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this difficult time."

He urged mourners to remember the joy and love that Mrs. Kufuor brought to their lives through fond memories of her.

Her spirit, he said, will continue in how she positively impacted the lives of others.
Minority Leader, Dr Casiel Ato Forson concluded his case in the 2.37 million ambulance saga. On the last court sitting, he intended to summon former Health Minister Alex Segbefia as his third witness, but Mr Segbefia was absent.

The first accused wishes to inform the court that were calling no further witness and were closing our case, Dr. Ato Forsons lawyer, Edudzi Tameklo, informed the court.

The former Chief Director of the Health Ministry, Dr Sylvester Alimana, the second accused, has now initiated his defense in the Financial and Economic Court 2.

The judge stated, A1 has closed his case; hence, A2 has been directed to open his defence.

Lawyers for the first and third accused did not object to the witness statement filed by A2, paving the way for cross-examination by state attorneys.

Dr. Alimana stated in his witness statement that he was transferred to the Ministry of Environment and was not privy to the processes leading to the ambulance purchase after his exit from the health ministry.

He told the court that he retired from the Environment ministry. I retired from the service in September 2015 when some ambulances were purchased. I do not see any financial loss to the state in a contract that hasnt materialised even until today, Dr. Alimana stated.

He told the court that Dr. Ato Forson was not the deputy minister for finance before he (Dr. Alimana) wrote the contract letters, in his response to Ato Forsons lawyers on whether or not, Dr Ato Forson was the deputy finance minister at the time of signing the contract letters for sole sourcing.

Lawyers for the first accused concluded his cross-examination, suggesting Dr. Ato Forson played no role in the contract.

Lawyers for the third accused informed A2 that the 15.8 million Euros was a loan for 200 ambulances secured from Stanbic. This was affirmed by A2.

Dr. Alimana asserted that the process of securing the loan started while he was at the health ministry. The third accused informed A2 that no money was paid directly to his client, Dzakpa until a high court directed so.

Lawyers for A2 applied for an amendment of bail terms to allow for Dr. Alimana to access medical treatment in India.

The judge questioned the applications merit, rejected it, and Mr. Owuradu, his lawyer withdrew it with the hope of resubmitting later. The judge struck out the application seeking the release of A2s passport.

-Citi Newsroom
Madagascar voted in highly contested presidential elections on Thursday that were boycotted by most opposition candidates and appeared to have resulted in a very low turnout.

As polling stations began closing and counting got under way, two senior sources within the electoral commission told AFP, speaking on condition of anonymity, that preliminary data suggested less than 20 percent of those registered showed up to vote.

President Andry Rajoelina has voiced confidence in being re-elected, brushing off criticism and weeks of protests that have rocked the Indian Ocean island nation.

"I'm confident in the maturity of Malagasy democracy, and I'm also confident in the choice of the Malagasy people," he said, after casting his ballot in the capital, Antananarivo, urging everyone to do the same.

"There are always people trying to stir up trouble and prevent elections in Madagascar. But I thank the wisdom of the people."

Rajoelina, 49, was one of 13 candidates on the ballot but 10 of the others called on voters to shun the elections, complaining of an "institutional coup" in favour of the incumbent.

A poor turnout is likely to strengthen the hand of the opposition grouping, which has vowed to continue protesting until a fair election is held.

Eleven million people were registered to vote in the country of about 30 million.

'Turn the page'

Following a night-time curfew, voting passed off calmly in the capital, AFP journalists saw, with voters emerging from rudimentary polling centres, their thumbs stained with green and gold indelible ink.

"I'm worried because there are some factions who just want the country to be in chaos," Francky Randriananantoandro, a computer science student, told AFP.

"We have to move on, turn the page. For 60 years that was already the case, and I think we have to stop now."

Madagascar is the leading global producer of vanilla but also one of the world's poorest countries and has been shaken by successive political crises since independence from France in 1960.

Since early October, the opposition grouping -- which includes two former presidents -- has led near-daily, largely unauthorised protest marches in the capital.

Police have regularly dispersed them, firing tear gas.

Amid weeks of tension and protest marches by the opposition, authorities imposed a night-time curfew in the capital, Antananarivo. By RIJASOLO (AFP)

On Wednesday, authorities imposed a night-time curfew in Antananarivo, following what police said were "various acts of sabotage".

Rajoelina first took power in 2009 on the back of a coup that ousted then president Marc Ravalomanana, who is among the boycotting opposition candidates.

After not contesting the 2013 election due to international pressure, Rajoelina was voted back into power in 2018.

As his opponents refused to campaign, he flew across the country by private plane, showcasing schools, roads and hospitals built during his tenure.

"I'm voting, but we know this isn't normal," said 43-year-old Eugene Rakatomalala. "There weren't any candidates who did campaigns."

But many others seemed to have stayed away.

'Fraud'

The opposition grouping has led near daily, largely unauthorised protest marches in the capital. By RIJASOLO (AFP/File)

Two hours before polls closed, at a school-turned-polling station in Ravalomanana's stronghold district in Antananarivo, an election official yawned, while another sat with his head resting on his hands.

Only 18 percent of those registered there had shown up, they said. "It's really not much," said one.

At another polling station in a poor district of the capital, officials said turnout was around 30 percent when an AFP reporter visited in the afternoon.

For many, politics takes a back seat to making ends meet.

"In the morning, I don't eat -- only a little at lunchtime and in the evening. Otherwise, I can't get by, I don't have enough," Josiane Rasomalala, 41, told AFP.

"I'm voting because we need a better life."

Madagascar has been in turmoil since media reports in June revealed Rajoelina had acquired French nationality in 2014.

The Indian Ocean island nation has been shaken by successive political crises since independence from France in 1960. By RIJASOLO (AFP)

Under local law, the president should have lost his Madagascan nationality, and with it, the ability to lead the country, his opponents said.

Rajoelina has denied trying to conceal his naturalisation, saying he became French to allow his children to study abroad.

His challengers were further enraged by another ruling allowing for an ally of the president to take over the reins of the nation on an interim basis after Rajoelina resigned in line with the constitution to run for re-election.

They have also complained about electoral irregularities.

"In Androy, the polling stations are literally closed, there are no voters," said Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko -- one of two opposition candidates not taking part in the boycott -- referring to a southern region of Madagascar.

"In some offices, there are no voting booths... we are already seeing fraud."

Results are not expected for at least a week.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo has called on the residents of Bantama in Kumasi to have faith in their Member of Parliament, Mr Francis Asenso Boakye, and give him another chance to represent them in parliament.

He said the commitment and efficiency of Mr Asenso Boakye in his various roles in government made him an outstanding individual who could lead the people to develop and improve their living conditions.

President Akufo-Addo, made the call when he inaugurated a modern E-library facility named after him at the Bantama M/A Basic School.

The community library and technology hub was constructed by Mr Asenso Boakye to promote education and ICT in the area.

President Akufo-Addo thanked the MP and the people of Bantama for the honour done him by naming the facility after him and said it was proof of how the people in the area understood and supported his policies and delivery on education in the country.

He urged the residents to give Mr Asenso Boakye another chance to represent them in parliament in the upcoming parliamentary primaries.

Mr Hayford Siaw, Chief Executive of the Ghana Library Authority, said the facility which had a seating capacity of 60 and well stocked with over 5,000 books, was the 127th library in the country.

The uniqueness of the facility, according to him, was the vision of the MP to include the e-library component.

Mr Siaw said the inauguration of the Bantama facility brought to 66, the libraries constructed under the presidency of Nana Akufo-Addo.

Mr Asenso Boakye, on his part, said the naming of the library after President Akufo-Addo, was a way the people in the area wanted to thank him for the services rendered to the nation.

He said working under President Akufo-Addo had instilled in him the values of honesty, hard work, compassion and other positive human traits.

Mr Asenso Boakye said the library would serve as a platform for the people in the area, especially pupils and students, to read and access information to improve their academic work.

GNA
Person making Cement Mixer shot - Liquid Heaven/YouTube

Irish Cream is one of those liqueurs that almost everybody likes. Whether it's consumed as a beverage on its own, made into a cocktail, blended with ice cream, mixed with coffee or hot chocolate, or used to create a layered shot, the creamy, sweet liqueur is a satisfying addition to most drinks. And then you have the Cement Mixer.

Michelle Brogdon, a former bartender at Florida bar Harpoon Harry's, described the drink to Panama City New Herald as "one of the grossest drinks" a customer has ordered. "It's Baileys and lime and when you put it in your mouth it turns into a solid. I don't know why people like it," she said. The drink is constructed by either layering the lime juice and Irish Cream in a glass or putting the liqueur in your mouth and slowly drinking the lime juice, swirling them together as you do so.

Cement Mixer shots curdle in the glass the same way milk curdles when combined with vinegar. The drink got its name because the longer it sits, the more glue-like and gummy it becomes, even sticking to your teeth when you drink it. It's safe to say that whoever made this for the first time  and liked it  obviously didn't have texture issues.

Read more: Popular Vodka Brands Ranked From Worst To Best

By And Large, Bartenders Don't Like Making Curdled Drinks

Four Cement Mixer shots - shakedrinkrpt/Instagram

There are certainly people out there who can accept curdling if it means enjoying Irish Cream with lime juice, but the majority of stories involving Cement Mixer shots revolve around people trying to gross each other out or teach annoying bar patrons a lesson. "I've had people dare their friends to drink 'cement mixers,'" commented one person on a Reddit thread about joke cocktails. "It curdles almost immediately and has disgusting flavor and texture." Another wrote, "When I was a bartender the Cement Mixer was my go-to shot whenever someone came up and said, 'Hey, it's my birthday! Do I get a free shot?!'"

The Cement Mixer even ended up on a Fox News list of disgusting shots you shouldn't order at a bar, alongside drinks like The Tapeworm, Smoker's Cough, and Black Death. But this isn't the only popular Baileys Irish Cream cocktail that's meant to be curdled: The Brain Hemorrhage is a mix of Baileys, peach Schnapps, and grenadine, and the Irish Car Bomb consists of Baileys, Guinness, and Jameson. According to Sean McClure, a mixologist at New York City's Ivory Peacock, curdled drinks are one of 10 that shouldn't be ordered at a bar, period. "They are just gross and belong in a college dorm," he told Travel + Leisure.

Read the original article on Mashed.
- Source:

16.11.2023 LISTEN

Fragile and least developed countries have had their development assistance cut drastically, according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. For instance, net official development assistance to sub-Saharan African countries has shrunk by 7.8% compared to 2021 . And development aid for peace and conflict prevention has declined to its lowest in 15 years.

These cuts will hit fragile countries hard. Fragile countries make up 24% of the world's population and account for 73% of the world's extreme poor . The list includes Mali, Lebanon, Somalia, Syria and Iraq.

Budget cuts are already having far-reaching effects and fuelling humanitarian crises. The World Food Programme estimates that  every one percent cut in food assistance risks pushing more than 400,000 people towards the brink of starvation .

UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres has warned that aid cuts threaten to undo gains in development. Keeping in mind that poverty has increased in conflict-affected countries despite a global downward trend , we anticipate that such a reversal could contribute to global instability.

Violent conflict has already been on the rise among countries that rely heavily on foreign financial assistance . Decades of research (including ours) show that marginalised populations are most vulnerable to be (re-)mobilised into fighting and are typically also most affected by armed conflict (even after violence ends).

It is true that political and societal context matters and needs to be taken into account. But the reduction in aid allocation to least developed countries and especially those recovering from violent conflict could put fragile countries on a trajectory of (renewed) political instability and underdevelopment. Already vulnerable populations will have to yet again carry the brunt of new cycles of violence and impoverishment.

We have been researching links between development and violent conflict for decades and close to a decade, respectively. Our latest research project is on the institutional legacies of violent conflict . It shows how and why violent conflicts persist, how and why their legacies endure, and what can be done to reduce the risk and impact of violence. We recommend that development aid needs to correspond more closely with mounting peacebuilding and humanitarian needs in fragile settings.

The impact

Not all development aid is effective in bringing stability or building peace. Nevertheless, based on our analysis, development aid plays a crucial role in six key areas.

Firstly, development aid is effective when linked to the delivery of public services. These in turn strengthen the social contract and mitigate the risk of violence.

Secondly, financial assistance can help governments absorb the effects of economic shocks . Economies across the global south are already stifled by the aftermath of the COVID pandemic, climate risks and the economic consequences of the war in Ukraine. Fragile countries often rely on assistance to meet some of their population's most basic needs such as food or water.

Without additional financial assistance many governments will not be able to manage their way through these shocks. That may embolden violent non-state actors to gain power .

Two examples stand out. In west Africa violent non-state actors operating in the Sahel region are set to expand their influence into new areas considered stable thus far, such as the north of Cote d'Ivoire .

Similarly, the current Israel-Palestine conflict risks spreading instability into neighbouring countries amid longstanding tensions and economic fragility .

Thirdly, cuts in development aid may reduce the limited leverage western countries still have to prevent the rise of opportunistic armed groups such as the Wagner Group , the spread of extremism and the risk of civil conflicts.

The Sahel region is also emblematic for this dynamic. Mali and Burkina Faso have seen the deadliest year on record as their military transitional governments struggle to contain jihadist insurgencies. Since the recent military coup in Niger , which prompted withdrawal of both aid and international troops , the country has also experienced a surge in militant violence .

Fourth, worsening economic and security conditions in fragile and least developed countries are already reverberating into Europe. There have been spikes in irregular border crossings into European Union countries in 2023 .

Fifth, rising discrepancy in development aid allocation could amplify mistrust in international institutions and western actors . That could contribute to worsening security situations. Some governments in fragile countries are already reluctant to continue to engage with the UN and especially western actors to combat violent non-state actors.

An example of this is the Democratic Republic of Congo's recent request to the UN for an accelerated withdrawal of troops . It comes 24 years after the start of Monusco, the UN's peacekeeping mission in DRC, one of the largest in the world. Violence may increase in the absence of such international intervention , as has happened since the withdrawal of Minusma , the UN mission that was in Mali for ten years.

Sixth, the reduction in aid allocation to least developed countries and especially those recovering from violent conflict could result in continued political instability and underdevelopment .

Next steps

Development funding should be allocated in a way that corresponds more closely with peacebuilding and humanitarian needs. This is also made clear in the UN's New Agenda for Peace . It calls for action now to

reinforce the cooperative frameworks that are necessary to move us from the path to destruction to the path to prosperity  based on a reforged commitment to multilateral solutions, grounded on trust, solidarity and universality.

Correcting course in aid allocation could address some of the growing mistrust among developing countries and support prospects for peace.

Patricia Justino receives funding from the UK Economic and Social Research Council.

Laura Saavedra-Lux 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 Patricia Justino, Professor and Deputy Director, World Institute for Development Economics Research (UNU-WIDER), United Nations University And

Laura Saavedra-Lux, Research Associate at UNU-WIDER, United Nations University
16.11.2023 LISTEN

Former Convention Peoples Party (CPP) General Secretary, James Kwabena Bomfeh, affectionately known as 'Kabilla,' has expressed deep concerns about the disconnect between religious beliefs and lifestyle among Ghanaians.

During an interview on Peace FMs Kokrokoo morning show, Kabilla asserted that a portion of the population lacks a genuine understanding of their religious faiths.

According to him, this ignorance is the cause of the rising bad behaviors such as hatred, corruption and laziness in Ghanaian society.

Over 70 percent of the professed Christians in this country don't know God - the same way about 19 percent of professed Muslims don't know God.

"If we know God, hate, hurt will vanish from our politics; will vanish from our public life, it'll vanish from our civil life.

If love prevails in our country, corruption will have no way. Cheating will have no way. Laziness will have no way," Kabilla noted.

The veteran politician urged Ghanaians to introspect and align their actions with the practice of their faith.
The Chief Justice, Her Ladyship Justice Gertrude Sackey Torkornoo has expressed admiration for the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Dr. George Akuffo Dampare.

Speaking at a stakeholder meeting between the police and the leadership of the judiciary in Accra on Wednesday, the Chief Justice commended the IGP for his efforts in rebranding the police and elevating its image in the eyes of the public.

"I must say that I find your leadership of the Police Service extremely inspirational. I think it is only a blind person who would not have noticed how much you have achieved in such a short time in rebranding the image of the police," remarked the Chief Justice.

Justice Torkornoo highlighted the notable strides made by the IGP in reshaping the perception the public have about the police force, emphasizing that his leadership served as a guide to her as the head of the judiciary.

"You have shown that the police can be a source of integrity and help rather than destruction. I find your leadership inspiring in your effort to present the police for what they are and what they ought to be," she added.

The Chief Justice also pledged collaboration between the judiciary and the police, proposing the allocation of a slot on the Police TV channel for the judiciary to educate the Ghanaian public on the structure of justice delivery.

In reaction, IGP Dampare expressed readiness to work closely with the judiciary to address security concerns and underscored the importance of a coperation between the two institutions.
Ghana Thursday held a solemn State funeral for former First Lady Theresa Aba Kufuor.

The funeral, heralded by a requiem mass at the Christ the King Catholic Church, Cantonments, Accra, attracted thousands of mourners, some from outside the country.

The dignitaries included President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, First Lady Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, Vice President Dr Mahamudu Bawumia, Second Lady Mrs Samira Bawumia, and Speaker of Parliament Alban Kingsford Sumana Bagbin.

The rest were former President John Dramani Mahama and his wife, Mrs Lordina Mahama.

Former President of Nigeria, Olusegun Obasanjo was also among the dignitaries.

Present also were Chief Justice Gertrude Torkornoo, Chief of Staff Mrs Frema Osei Opare, some members of Parliament and government officials, Mr Alan Kojo Kyerematen, the former Trade Minister and Presidential Candidate for Movement For Change group, and traditional authorities.

The atmosphere at the funeral was a mixture of sorrow and gratitude as well-wishers and mourners reflected on the unwavering commitment of the former First Lady to her family, friends and the nation.

Mourners from diverse backgrounds filed past her mortal remains amid the paying of tributes.

Former President John Agyekum Kufuor described the Former First Lady as well-mannered, saying, she had been very supportive in their 61 years of their marriage.

My first impression of my beautiful Aba was that of a soft-spoken and well-mannered ladya very confident personality that fitted in with ease everywhere we went, and which also allowed her to cope under the most challenging of pressures Fare thee well, Aba, adieu, my love.

The Former First Lady was also described by her children as a disciplinarian, who instilled the fear of God in them.

Maa, I can only thank you for your kind advice, prayers and your calm presence, especially in times of trouble Sleep soundly in the bosom of our Lord, said John Addo Kwabo, aka, Chief, the eldest child.

Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, who read a tribute on behalf of the State, said the Former First Lady was an individual characterised by optimism and positivism, who unwaveringly supported her husband in his political endeavours.

She said her noteworthy impact was her advocacy for the implementation of UNESCOs free compulsory Universal Basic Education Programme (FCUBE) for kindergarten children in 2007, through a government white paper on educational reforms.

Rest well Mrs Theresa Kufuor, you will forever be in our hearts.

Wreaths were laid on behalf of the government by the First Lady, Mrs Rebecca Akufo-Addo, the family, her children, the clergy, traditional authorities and the Mother and Child Foundation.

Her casket, draped in the national colours, was carried by personnel of the Ghana Air Force.

The body has been taken to Kumasi for final funeral rites before a private burial on November 18, 2023.

Mrs Theresa Kufour was born on 25th October 1935 in Kumasi to the late Joseph Henry Mensah Senior and Rose Mensah.

She was the seventh of ten children.

She died on October 1, 2023, at 87.

GNA
16.11.2023 LISTEN

Initiator and Lead of Guzakuza, Nana Adjoa A. Sifa has called on government and the private sector to support women in agribusiness.

Speaking at the 2023 Women in Agribusiness Week (WAW) in Accra, she argued that women in agribusiness have the potential to lead economic growth and transformation on the continent.

Women in agribusiness have the inherent potential to lead economic growth, charting the course for the continent's future and leaving an indelible mark on its overall development.

Join us to empower women, and nurture the growth of agribusiness that will leave an enduring impact in the lives of Africans, Nana Adjoa A. Sifa said at the WAW Conference.

The Guzakuza Lead continued, Women are not just contributors but we are actually architects in African agribusiness because we have the power to shape the future of Africa.

This years Women in Agribusiness Week is being held on the theme, Sustaining African Agribusiness: Leveraging on Digitalisation, AFCFTA, and Climate Resilience for Food Security.

In her address, Nana Adjoa A. Sifa said Africas agribusiness sector holds immense potential. She noted that Its not merely a source of economic growth but a powerful force for social change, womens empowerment, and food security.

She explained that the Conference is not only to support women in agribusiness but to celebrate the amazing women who have made significant contributions to the growth and resilience of the agribusiness industry.

In a speech read on behalf of the Chief Executive Officer of the Ghana Enterprises Agency, Mrs. Kosi Yankey-Ayeh, she said Women entrepreneurs play an important part in Ghana's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) sector, which is the country's economic backbone.

She indicated that women in agriculture in Ghana contribute significantly to food production, processing and marketing, household food security and nutrition, natural resources management, and conservation of biodiversity in the face of climate change.

Acknowledging that women-led entrepreneurs including those in agribusiness lag behind their male counterparts due to limited access to finance and non-financial resources, she said it is important that they are supported.

In her speech, Mrs. Kosi Yankey-Ayeh assured Women in Agribusiness that the Ghana Enterprises Agency is committed to ensuring that many more MSMEs in Ghana have access to resources that will stimulate their growth and enable them to produce world-class products and services to compete both locally and internationally.

We encourage all our women entrepreneurs especially those in Agribusiness to visit any of our 210 Business Advisory Centers (BACs) and 37 Business Resource Centers (BRCs) at the district level and across all 16 regions in Ghana to access our services, she said.

In an address at the Conference, the Prince of Buganda Kingdom, Kampala, Hrh Prince Edward Frederick Walugembe appealed to the government of Ghana to support Guzakuza in the important work the organisation is doing.

He argued that agriculture is the backbone of Africa and that any effort to promote agribusiness should be backed by those in leadership.

Coffee is a product we can revive and develop in Ghana to add it to the Ghanaian mass export. We are ready to partner with you to ignite passion in the production of coffee.

The future of Africa is up to Africans. We should not look at outsiders for salvation. Let us petition our leaders to invest in agriculture and empower the youth. Women should also be put at the forefront of all development, Hrh Prince Edward Frederick Walugembe said.

More about Women in Agribusiness Week:

Women in Agribusiness Week is a week-long series of impactful activities to strengthen collaborations among Women in Agribusiness and stakeholders and to salute their achievements.

The Week which comes with a conference and an awards ceremony is organised by Guzakuza, a trusted and respected brand across the continent representing women in agribusiness and what they stand for.

Guzakuza has been a driving force in shaping the narrative of women in agribusiness across the continent for over seven impactful years. Serving as a catalyst for positive change, we have been at the forefront of creating opportunities, fostering meaningful connections, and catalysing the personal and business growth of extraordinary women in agribusiness.

At the core of Guzakuza's existence is a mission to inspire, connect, and equip women with the necessary tools to build resilient and meaningful agribusiness ventures in Africa.

Guzakuza remains resolute in its commitment to a vision where African women stand tall at the forefront of agribusiness and economic transformation.

Guzakuza is inspiring women to overcome challenges, break barriers, and cultivate dreams that resonate far beyond the fields.
Former Health Minister, Alex Segbefia has clarified that he was not in court to testify in the 2.37million ambulance case because he had not been required to be there.

The Minority Leader, Dr. Casiel Ato Forson, concluded his case in the ambulance saga on Thursday, November 16, 2023.

At a previous sitting, he had intended to get the court to summon Mr. Segbefia as his third witness, but Mr. Segbefia was absent.

The first accused wishes to inform the court that we're calling no further witness, and we're closing our case, Dr. Ato Forson's lawyer, Edudzi Tameklo, informed the court.

But Mr. Segbefia told Umaru Sanda Amadu in an interview on Eyewitness News on Citi FM on Thursday that I wasnt required. I am not a prosecution witness because the prosecution has called on its witnesses and closed its case. I was deemed going to be a defence witness for Casiel Ato Forson, and I was allegedly supposed to be in court today. I was also hearing that there was a witness summons for my attendance. I have never been summoned; I have not received a witness summons, so I was not due in court.

He further explained that Because of the noises in the media, I took it upon myself to contact those in the case to see whether I was required, and I was informed that I would not be required to give evidence for the defence and therefore I would not be required to be in court.

Mr. Segbefia, however, noted that he would have been there if he were asked to.

Meanwhile, the former Chief Director of the Health Ministry, Dr. Sylvester Anemana, the second accused, has now initiated his defence in the Financial and Economic Court 2.

The judge stated, A1 has closed his case; hence, A2 has been directed to open his defence.

Lawyers for the first and third accused did not object to the witness statement filed by A2, paving the way for cross-examination by state attorneys.

Dr. Anemana stated in his witness statement that he was transferred to the Ministry of Environment and was not privy to the processes leading to the ambulance purchase after his exit from the health ministry.

He told the court that he retired from the Environment ministry. I retired from the service in September 2015 when some ambulances were purchased. I do not see any financial loss to the state in a contract that hasn't materialised even until today, Dr. Anemana stated.

He told the court that he retired from the Environment ministry.

I retired from the service in September 2015 when some ambulances were purchased. I do not see any financial loss to the state in a contract that hasn't materialised even until today, Dr. Anemana stated.

Lawyers for the first accused concluded his cross-examination, suggesting Dr. Ato Forson played no role in the contract.

Lawyers for the third accused informed A2 that the 15.8 million Euros was a loan for 200 ambulances secured from Stanbic. This was affirmed by A2.

Dr. Anemana asserted that the process of securing the loan started while he was at the health ministry. The third accused informed A2 that no money was paid directly to his client, Dzakpa until a high court directed so.

Lawyers for A2 applied for an amendment of bail terms to allow for Dr. Anemana to access medical treatment in India.

The judge questioned the application's merit, rejected it, and Mr. Owuradu, his lawyer withdrew it with the hope of resubmitting later. The judge struck out the application seeking the release of A2's passport.

citinewsroom
The opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) has accused the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) of attempting to plagiarize its flagbearer, John Mahamas, visionary 24-hour economy policy.

Mr. Mahama has positioned the 24-hour economy as a cornerstone of his campaign for the 2024 presidential election, advocating for its potential to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

However, Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta, while presenting the 2024 budget in parliament on Wednesday, claimed the policy was already being implemented.

In a scathing response, NDC National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi asserted, No desperate attempt by Alhaji Bawumia and the NPP who are bereft of ideas to steal this policy will work. We have seen the cheap attempt they made in the 2024 budget to steal this project and to create an impression that they are already doing it.

Gyamfi further elaborated, They (government) are not doing what they spoke about or what John Mahama is proposing to do. They should be original and come up with policies for Ghanaians to know that they take us seriously. They should stop this attempt to steal policies they know next to nothing about.

Joe Jackson, Director of Business Operations at Dalex Finance, expressed reservations about Mr. Gyamfis stance, emphasizing that imposing such a policy on Ghanaians would be counterproductive.

Jackson maintained that effective implementation hinges on fostering an environment conducive to business growth within a 24-hour economy framework.

citinewsroom
Elements of the Ethiopian State security forces have unlawfully arrested, detained and physically assaulted two members of staff of the African Development Bank (AfBD) Group based in Addis Ababa.

The two staff members of AfDB were released from detention on the swift instruction of the Ethiopian Prime Minister, Abiy Ahmed, upon hearing of the incident.

He further ordered the immediate release of the affected staff and promised to order an immediate investigation into the incident.

The African Development Bank has since lodged a formal complaint with the Ethiopian authorities concerning the diplomatic breach, which occurred on October 31, this year, according to its release.

The government has formally acknowledged the complaint, recognised the gravity of the incident, and reassured AfDB that all those involved in breaking the law would be thoroughly investigated and brought to justice, ensuring transparency and full accountability.

Furthermore, the government has also reassured the AfDB that its staff in Ethiopia and those travelling to the country on mission would continue to enjoy full respect of their rights, privileges and diplomatic immunities under the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations as well as the African Development Banks Host Country Agreement with the Government of Ethiopia.

The African Development Bank values its excellent relations with the government of Ethiopia and is currently engaged with the authorities, through diplomatic channels, concerning the incident.

The African Development Banks management would like to reiterate its commitment to the safety, security, rights and privileges of all its staff in all countries where the Bank operates.

The African Development Bank wishes to assure all its partners that its operations in Ethiopia have not been affected by this incident.
French Connection Group PLC (LON:FCCN  Get Free Report)s stock price passed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of GBX 29.55 ($0.36) and traded as high as GBX 29.80 ($0.37). French Connection Group shares last traded at GBX 29.55 ($0.36), with a volume of 18,750 shares trading hands.

French Connection Group Stock Performance

The firm has a market cap of 28.55 million and a P/E ratio of -3.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 344.05, a quick ratio of 0.73 and a current ratio of 1.39. The companys 50 day moving average is GBX 29.55 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 29.55.

French Connection Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

French Connection Group PLC designs, produces, and distributes branded fashion clothing for men, women, and children. The company also provides toiletries and fragrances, shoes, watches, jewelry, eyewear, and furniture, as well as accessories and homeware products. It operates retail stores and concessions in the United Kingdom, Europe, the Middle East, the United States, and Canada; and e-commerce stores.

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Northrop Grumman Co. (NYSE:NOC  Get Free Report) announced a quarterly dividend on Wednesday, November 15th, RTT News reports. Investors of record on Monday, November 27th will be given a dividend of 1.87 per share by the aerospace company on Wednesday, December 13th. This represents a $7.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.61%.

Northrop Grumman has raised its dividend payment by an average of 9.4% per year over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 20 years. Northrop Grumman has a payout ratio of 30.9% indicating that its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Analysts expect Northrop Grumman to earn $24.19 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $7.48 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 30.9%.

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Northrop Grumman Price Performance

Shares of Northrop Grumman stock traded down $1.84 on Wednesday, hitting $464.99. The companys stock had a trading volume of 649,564 shares, compared to its average volume of 866,640. The firm has a fifty day moving average price of $454.66 and a 200-day moving average price of $448.10. Northrop Grumman has a 52-week low of $414.56 and a 52-week high of $549.87. The company has a market capitalization of $70.12 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.31, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 8.45 and a beta of 0.42. The company has a quick ratio of 1.14, a current ratio of 1.28 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87.

Insiders Place Their Bets

Northrop Grumman ( NYSE:NOC Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The aerospace company reported $6.18 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $5.81 by $0.37. Northrop Grumman had a net margin of 12.07% and a return on equity of 24.24%. The firm had revenue of $9.78 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.58 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company posted $5.89 EPS. The firms revenue for the quarter was up 9.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts expect that Northrop Grumman will post 22.71 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

In other Northrop Grumman news, VP Mark A. Caylor sold 1,670 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $472.62, for a total value of $789,275.40. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now owns 12,900 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,096,798. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In other news, VP Roshan S. Roeder sold 1,007 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 9th. The stock was sold at an average price of $465.00, for a total transaction of $468,255.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the vice president now directly owns 913 shares in the company, valued at approximately $424,545. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Also, VP Mark A. Caylor sold 1,670 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $472.62, for a total value of $789,275.40. Following the transaction, the vice president now owns 12,900 shares of the companys stock, valued at $6,096,798. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.26% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Northrop Grumman

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in NOC. State of Wyoming boosted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 76.5% during the 4th quarter. State of Wyoming now owns 60 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $33,000 after buying an additional 26 shares during the last quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Northrop Grumman by 196.3% during the 2nd quarter. IMA Wealth Inc. now owns 80 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $36,000 after buying an additional 53 shares during the last quarter. AM Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $92,000. Worth Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $93,000. Finally, Strategic Investment Solutions Inc. IL acquired a new stake in shares of Northrop Grumman during the 1st quarter valued at approximately $97,000. 82.40% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts recently weighed in on NOC shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft started coverage on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. They issued a buy rating and a $502.00 target price for the company. Citigroup dropped their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $502.00 to $485.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 28th. UBS Group started coverage on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Tuesday, October 10th. They set a buy rating and a $555.00 price objective for the company. Royal Bank of Canada reaffirmed an outperform rating and set a $500.00 price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. Finally, Bank of America dropped their price objective on shares of Northrop Grumman from $655.00 to $615.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research note on Friday, July 28th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have assigned a hold rating and nine have issued a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $500.20.

Check Out Our Latest Report on Northrop Grumman

Northrop Grumman Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Northrop Grumman Corporation operates as an aerospace and defense company worldwide. The company's Aeronautics Systems segment designs, develops, manufactures, integrates, and sustains aircraft systems in the United States and internationally. This segment also offers unmanned autonomous aircraft systems, including high-altitude long-endurance strategic ISR systems and vertical take-off and landing tactical ISR systems; and strategic long-range strike aircraft, tactical fighter and air dominance aircraft, and airborne battle management and command and control systems.

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Iyad Al-Habal and his family are among the many dual-nationals trapped in refugee camps in southern Gaza, waiting for permission to cross the border into Egypt. They are Palestinian-Swedish citizens.

Iyad came to Gaza to do research for his doctoral studies. He was only meant to stay a few months. His family told Euronews correspondent Nebal Hajjo that they are desperate to escape.

"I just want to feel that my children are safe and I want to leave Gaza because I see my kids crying every day and they are asking me to return to Sweden," Haneen Hamdouna a dual Palestinian-Swedish citizen, said.

"They are children who do not know the circumstances that prevent their travel. I wish I could tell them that they will be fine."

But Al-Habal added that leaving the Strip will also bring its own anguish.

"It's very hard for me to leave the Gaza Strip and to leave my family, or family members like my brother and sisters," Al-Habal said.

"So, what I mean is I, as a Swedish, can leave the Gaza Strip, but at the same time, it's suffering for me to leave the place, to leave the Gaza Strip while I have my family here, who can't leave the place.

"It's really hard. It's really hard."

Watch Euronews' report in the video player above to learn more.
Sagen MI Canada Inc. (TSE:MIC  Get Free Report) shares passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$0.00 and traded as high as C$43.50. Sagen MI Canada shares last traded at C$43.48, with a volume of 723,454 shares.

Sagen MI Canada Stock Performance

The business has a 50 day moving average price of C$43.48. The company has a current ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.25 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 18.46. The company has a market cap of C$3.75 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.61.

Sagen MI Canada Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Sagen MI Canada Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a private residential mortgage insurer in Canada. It provides mortgage default insurance to residential mortgage homebuyers, lenders, brokers, and realtors. The company was formerly known as Genworth MI Canada Inc and changed its name to Sagen MI Canada Inc in February 2021.

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Toromont Industries Ltd. (TSE:TIH  Get Free Report)s share price passed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$109.05 and traded as high as C$114.70. Toromont Industries shares last traded at C$113.79, with a volume of 70,454 shares traded.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms have commented on TIH. Canaccord Genuity Group lowered their price objective on Toromont Industries from C$127.00 to C$123.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Scotiabank decreased their target price on Toromont Industries from C$126.00 to C$124.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Royal Bank of Canada decreased their target price on Toromont Industries from C$131.00 to C$125.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. BMO Capital Markets upgraded Toromont Industries from a market perform rating to an outperform rating and decreased their target price for the company from C$120.00 to C$116.00 in a research report on Wednesday, November 1st. Finally, National Bankshares increased their target price on Toromont Industries from C$128.00 to C$129.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 31st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of C$123.38.

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Toromont Industries Trading Up 0.3 %

Toromont Industries Announces Dividend

The company has a 50 day moving average of C$109.51 and a 200 day moving average of C$109.12. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 25.73, a quick ratio of 1.38 and a current ratio of 2.72. The stock has a market capitalization of C$9.48 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.71, a P/E/G ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.76.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 4th. Investors of record on Friday, December 8th will be paid a $0.43 dividend. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 7th. Toromont Industriess dividend payout ratio is currently 26.54%.

Insider Activity at Toromont Industries

In related news, Director Scott Medhurst sold 6,300 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$110.02, for a total value of C$693,126.00. In other Toromont Industries news, Director Scott Medhurst sold 6,300 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 3rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$110.02, for a total value of C$693,126.00. Also, Director Benjamin David Cherniavsky bought 500 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, September 15th. The stock was bought at an average cost of C$112.30 per share, with a total value of C$56,150.00. 0.32% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Toromont Industries

(Get Free Report)

Toromont Industries Ltd. provides specialized capital equipment in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates in two segments, Equipment Group and CIMCO. The Equipment Group segment engages in the sale, rental, and service of mobile equipment for Caterpillar and other manufacturers; sale, rental, and service of engines used in various applications, including industrial, commercial, marine, on-highway trucks, and power generation; and sale of complementary and related products, parts, and services.

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The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD)s share price crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$81.71 and traded as high as C$82.90. Toronto-Dominion Bank shares last traded at C$82.59, with a volume of 2,787,131 shares changing hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities analysts have recently commented on the stock. Canaccord Genuity Group increased their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$86.00 to C$92.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research report on Monday, July 24th. Credit Suisse Group reduced their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$93.00 to C$92.00 in a research report on Friday, August 25th. Barclays reduced their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$84.00 to C$82.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, August 25th. Desjardins reduced their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$100.00 to C$96.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, November 6th. Finally, CIBC reduced their price target on shares of Toronto-Dominion Bank from C$94.00 to C$92.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, August 22nd. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of C$93.55.

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Toronto-Dominion Bank Price Performance

The stocks fifty day simple moving average is C$80.71 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$81.72. The stock has a market cap of C$152.61 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.82, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.86.

Toronto-Dominion Bank (TSE:TD  Get Free Report) (NYSE:TD) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 24th. The company reported C$1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of C$2.02 by C($0.03). The business had revenue of C$12.78 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$12.16 billion. Toronto-Dominion Bank had a net margin of 28.98% and a return on equity of 13.54%. Analysts forecast that The Toronto-Dominion Bank will post 8.4969136 EPS for the current year.

Toronto-Dominion Bank Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 31st. Investors of record on Tuesday, October 31st were paid a dividend of $0.96 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, October 5th. This represents a $3.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.58%. Toronto-Dominion Banks dividend payout ratio is presently 49.68%.

Toronto-Dominion Bank Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

The Toronto-Dominion Bank, together with its subsidiaries, provides various financial products and services in Canada, the United States, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Canadian Retail, U.S. Retail, and Wholesale Banking. The company offers personal deposits, such as chequing, savings, and investment products; financing, investment, cash management, international trade, and day-to-day banking services to businesses; and financing options to customers at point of sale for automotive and recreational vehicle purchases.

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Western Asset Diversified Income Fund (NYSE:WDI  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Wednesday, November 15th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, January 24th will be given a dividend of 0.143 per share on Thursday, February 1st. This represents a $1.72 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 12.98%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, January 23rd.

Western Asset Diversified Income Fund Stock Up 0.1 %

Shares of WDI stock traded up $0.01 during trading on Wednesday, hitting $13.22. The companys stock had a trading volume of 168,847 shares, compared to its average volume of 135,880. Western Asset Diversified Income Fund has a 52 week low of $12.16 and a 52 week high of $14.50.

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Insider Activity

In other Western Asset Diversified Income Fund news, Director Daniel P. Cronin bought 5,000 shares of Western Asset Diversified Income Fund stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 23rd. The stock was bought at an average cost of $12.42 per share, with a total value of $62,100.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now directly owns 5,000 shares in the company, valued at approximately $62,100. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Western Asset Diversified Income Fund

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Western Asset Diversified Income Fund stock. UBS Group AG grew its stake in shares of Western Asset Diversified Income Fund ( NYSE:WDI Free Report ) by 6.3% during the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 26,227 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 1,560 shares during the period. UBS Group AGs holdings in Western Asset Diversified Income Fund were worth $347,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. lowered its stake in American Water Works Company, Inc. (NYSE:AWK  Free Report) by 8.4% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 213,422 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 19,693 shares during the quarter. Jupiter Asset Management Ltd. owned about 0.11% of American Water Works worth $30,462,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. ProShare Advisors LLC raised its holdings in American Water Works by 71.6% during the first quarter. ProShare Advisors LLC now owns 57,625 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $8,441,000 after purchasing an additional 24,051 shares in the last quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp raised its position in American Water Works by 4.3% in the first quarter. Van ECK Associates Corp now owns 47,680 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $6,985,000 after acquiring an additional 1,968 shares in the last quarter. Mirova US LLC lifted its holdings in American Water Works by 1.1% in the 1st quarter. Mirova US LLC now owns 847,290 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $124,120,000 after acquiring an additional 9,280 shares during the last quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of American Water Works by 8.2% in the 2nd quarter. Mitchell & Pahl Private Wealth LLC now owns 6,965 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $994,000 after purchasing an additional 528 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Orion Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Water Works in the 1st quarter worth approximately $103,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 84.99% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of American Water Works in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a sell rating on the stock. Mizuho lifted their price target on American Water Works from $134.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 7th. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on shares of American Water Works from $147.00 to $126.00 in a research note on Monday, October 9th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an outperform rating and issued a $169.00 target price on shares of American Water Works in a research report on Thursday, September 14th.

Insider Transactions at American Water Works

In other news, Director Michael Marberry purchased 3,786 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 6th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $130.20 per share, with a total value of $492,937.20. Following the purchase, the director now owns 7,459 shares in the company, valued at approximately $971,161.80. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Company insiders own 0.08% of the companys stock.

American Water Works Stock Up 0.7 %

NYSE:AWK traded up $0.94 on Thursday, hitting $131.39. 196,182 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,066,985. The company has a market cap of $25.58 billion, a PE ratio of 27.05, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.09 and a beta of 0.63. American Water Works Company, Inc. has a 1 year low of $114.25 and a 1 year high of $162.59. The company has a current ratio of 1.03, a quick ratio of 0.97 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $125.48 and a 200-day moving average price of $137.43.

American Water Works (NYSE:AWK  Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, November 2nd. The utilities provider reported $1.66 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.55 by $0.11. American Water Works had a net margin of 22.26% and a return on equity of 9.99%. The company had revenue of $1.17 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.14 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $1.63 EPS. The companys revenue was up 7.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts anticipate that American Water Works Company, Inc. will post 4.82 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Water Works Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, November 14th will be given a $0.7075 dividend. This represents a $2.83 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.15%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 13th. American Water Workss payout ratio is currently 58.71%.

American Water Works Company Profile

(Free Report)

American Water Works Company, Inc, through its subsidiaries, provides water and wastewater services in the United States. It offers water and wastewater services to approximately 1,600 communities in 14 states serving approximately 3.4 million active customers. The company serves residential customers; commercial customers, including food and beverage providers, commercial property developers and proprietors, and energy suppliers; fire service and private fire customers; industrial customers, such as large-scale manufacturers, mining, and production operations; public authorities comprising government buildings and other public sector facilities, such as schools and universities; and other utilities and community water and wastewater systems.

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BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:BFZ  Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Thursday, November 16th, Wall Street Journal reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, January 12th will be given a dividend of 0.051 per share on Thursday, February 1st. This represents a $0.61 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.60%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, January 11th.

BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BFZ traded up $0.11 during trading on Thursday, reaching $10.92. The stock had a trading volume of 191,403 shares, compared to its average volume of 78,708. BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust has a 1-year low of $9.86 and a 1-year high of $12.10. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $10.42 and a 200-day moving average price of $11.21.

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Insider Buying and Selling at BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust

In other BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust news, major shareholder Saba Capital Management, L.P. purchased 10,434 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, September 14th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $10.92 per share, with a total value of $113,939.28. Following the completion of the purchase, the insider now owns 4,305,488 shares in the company, valued at approximately $47,015,928.96. The acquisition was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In the last 90 days, insiders have bought 328,862 shares of company stock worth $3,417,111.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust

About BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Advisors Asset Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust by 12.2% in the first quarter. Advisors Asset Management Inc. now owns 414,201 shares of the companys stock valued at $4,846,000 after purchasing an additional 45,028 shares during the period. Woodline Partners LP boosted its holdings in BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust by 1,207.5% in the second quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 202,382 shares of the companys stock valued at $2,400,000 after purchasing an additional 186,904 shares during the period. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. increased its holdings in BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter. Rockefeller Capital Management L.P. now owns 125,101 shares of the companys stock worth $1,484,000 after purchasing an additional 3,446 shares during the period. UBS Group AG boosted its stake in shares of BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust by 9.0% in the 3rd quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 70,000 shares of the companys stock valued at $720,000 after buying an additional 5,789 shares during the period. Finally, SkyView Investment Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust during the first quarter worth approximately $585,000.

(Get Free Report)

BlackRock California Municipal Income Trust is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in investment grade municipal bonds that are exempt from regular federal and California income taxes.

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Ledyard National Bank reduced its position in Consolidated Edison, Inc. (NYSE:ED  Free Report) by 2.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 6,075 shares of the utilities providers stock after selling 150 shares during the quarter. Ledyard National Banks holdings in Consolidated Edison were worth $549,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Arete Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Consolidated Edison during the 1st quarter worth approximately $519,380,000,000. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of Consolidated Edison by 21.2% during the second quarter. Vanguard Personalized Indexing Management LLC now owns 28,457 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $2,573,000 after buying an additional 4,983 shares during the last quarter. First County Bank CT increased its position in shares of Consolidated Edison by 36.6% in the 2nd quarter. First County Bank CT now owns 6,678 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $604,000 after acquiring an additional 1,788 shares during the period. Toronto Dominion Bank raised its stake in Consolidated Edison by 8.0% in the 1st quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 173,289 shares of the utilities providers stock worth $16,570,000 after acquiring an additional 12,903 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Fiduciary Alliance LLC acquired a new stake in Consolidated Edison during the 2nd quarter worth about $43,000. 64.53% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the company. Guggenheim reduced their price objective on Consolidated Edison from $85.00 to $82.00 in a research note on Monday, October 9th. KeyCorp reduced their price target on shares of Consolidated Edison from $77.00 to $73.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Mizuho decreased their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $95.00 to $88.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, September 5th. Barclays cut their price objective on shares of Consolidated Edison from $88.00 to $85.00 and set an equal weight rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, October 24th. Finally, Morgan Stanley decreased their target price on shares of Consolidated Edison from $75.00 to $71.00 and set an underweight rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 25th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of Hold and an average target price of $88.00.

Consolidated Edison Price Performance

Shares of ED stock traded up $1.28 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $91.83. 206,684 shares of the companys stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,915,830. Consolidated Edison, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $80.46 and a fifty-two week high of $100.92. The firm has a market cap of $31.70 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.55, a P/E/G ratio of 8.75 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a quick ratio of 0.91, a current ratio of 0.98 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.98. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $88.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of $91.35.

Consolidated Edison Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th will be given a dividend of $0.81 per share. This represents a $3.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 14th. Consolidated Edisons dividend payout ratio is presently 48.00%.

About Consolidated Edison

(Free Report)

Consolidated Edison, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the regulated electric, gas, and steam delivery businesses in the United States. It offers electric services to approximately 3.6 million customers in New York City and Westchester County; gas to approximately 1.1 million customers in Manhattan, the Bronx, parts of Queens, and Westchester County; and steam to approximately 1,530 customers in parts of Manhattan.

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NovelStem International (OTCMKTS:NSTM  Get Free Report) and BARK (NYSE:BARK  Get Free Report) are both small-cap medical companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two businesses based on the strength of their risk, earnings, dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation and profitability.

Profitability

This table compares NovelStem International and BARKs net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

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Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets NovelStem International N/A -319.32% -163.45% BARK -11.40% -28.72% -12.33%

Institutional & Insider Ownership

0.1% of NovelStem International shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.3% of BARK shares are owned by institutional investors. 13.6% of NovelStem International shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 14.4% of BARK shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Analyst Ratings

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score NovelStem International 0 0 0 0 N/A BARK 0 2 2 0 2.50

This is a breakdown of current ratings and price targets for NovelStem International and BARK, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

BARK has a consensus target price of $2.13, indicating a potential upside of 165.63%. Given BARKs higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe BARK is more favorable than NovelStem International.

Volatility & Risk

NovelStem International has a beta of 0.55, meaning that its stock price is 45% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, BARK has a beta of 1.75, meaning that its stock price is 75% more volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares NovelStem International and BARKs revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio NovelStem International $10,000.00 388.64 -$770,000.00 N/A N/A BARK $503.98 million 0.28 -$61.52 million ($0.33) -2.42

NovelStem International has higher earnings, but lower revenue than BARK.

Summary

BARK beats NovelStem International on 8 of the 11 factors compared between the two stocks.

About NovelStem International

(Get Free Report)

NovelStem International Corp., a development stage biotechnology holding company, focuses on development and commercialization of stem cell-based diagnostic technology for cancer treatments and to reduce resistance to chemotherapy. The company was formerly known as Hollywood Media Corp. and changed its name to NovelStem International Corp. in September 2018. NovelStem International Corp. was incorporated in 1993 and is based in Boca Raton, Florida.

About BARK

(Get Free Report)

BARK Inc., a dog-centric company, provides products, services, and content for dogs. It operates in two segments, Direct to Consumer and Commerce. The company serves dogs through monthly subscription services. It is also involved in the design of playstyle-specific toys, satisfying treats, personal meal plans with supplements, and dog-first experiences designed to foster health and happiness of dogs everywhere. In addition, the company offers monthly themed box of toys and treats under the BarkBox and Super Chewer names; personalized meal plans under the BARK Food name; health and wellness products under the BARK Bright name; and dog beds, bowls, collars, harnesses, and leashes under the BARK Home brand. Further, the company sells BARK Home products through BarkShop.com. Additionally, it offers custom collections through online marketplaces, and brick and mortar retailers. The company was formerly known as The Original BARK Company and changed its name to BARK, Inc. in November 2021. BARK Inc. was incorporated in 2011 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

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Brookfield Renewable (NYSE:BEPC  Get Free Report) and Ormat Technologies (NYSE:ORA  Get Free Report) are both mid-cap oils/energy companies, but which is the better business? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their institutional ownership, risk, analyst recommendations, profitability, dividends, earnings and valuation.

Insider & Institutional Ownership

66.2% of Brookfield Renewable shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 88.2% of Ormat Technologies shares are owned by institutional investors. 1.0% of Ormat Technologies shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, large money managers and endowments believe a stock will outperform the market over the long term.

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Risk and Volatility

Brookfield Renewable has a beta of 1.08, indicating that its stock price is 8% more volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Ormat Technologies has a beta of 0.48, indicating that its stock price is 52% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

Gross Revenue Price/Sales Ratio Net Income Earnings Per Share Price/Earnings Ratio Brookfield Renewable $4.71 billion 1.00 $1.50 billion ($0.49) -53.33 Ormat Technologies $734.16 million 5.35 $65.84 million $1.82 35.79

This table compares Brookfield Renewable and Ormat Technologies revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Brookfield Renewable has higher revenue and earnings than Ormat Technologies. Brookfield Renewable is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than Ormat Technologies, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Dividends

Brookfield Renewable pays an annual dividend of $1.35 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.2%. Ormat Technologies pays an annual dividend of $0.48 per share and has a dividend yield of 0.7%. Brookfield Renewable pays out -275.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Ormat Technologies pays out 26.4% 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. Brookfield Renewable has raised its dividend for 2 consecutive years. Brookfield Renewable is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Profitability

This table compares Brookfield Renewable and Ormat Technologies net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Net Margins Return on Equity Return on Assets Brookfield Renewable 8.39% 2.47% 0.94% Ormat Technologies 13.45% 5.35% 2.50%

Analyst Recommendations

This is a breakdown of current recommendations and price targets for Brookfield Renewable and Ormat Technologies, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

Sell Ratings Hold Ratings Buy Ratings Strong Buy Ratings Rating Score Brookfield Renewable 0 0 2 0 3.00 Ormat Technologies 0 4 4 0 2.50

Brookfield Renewable presently has a consensus price target of $34.00, indicating a potential upside of 30.12%. Ormat Technologies has a consensus price target of $89.14, indicating a potential upside of 36.87%. Given Ormat Technologies higher possible upside, analysts clearly believe Ormat Technologies is more favorable than Brookfield Renewable.

Summary

Ormat Technologies beats Brookfield Renewable on 10 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

About Brookfield Renewable

(Get Free Report)

Brookfield Renewable Corporation owns and operates a portfolio of renewable power and sustainable solution assets primarily in the United States, Europe, Colombia, and Brazil. It operates hydroelectric, wind, and solar power plants with an installed capacity of approximately 12,857 megawatts. The company was incorporated in 2019 and is headquartered in New York, New York.

About Ormat Technologies

(Get Free Report)

Ormat Technologies, Inc. engages in the geothermal and recovered energy power business in the United States, Indonesia, Kenya, Turkey, Chile, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Ethiopia, New Zealand, Honduras, and internationally. It operates through three segments: Electricity, Product, and Energy Storage. The Electricity segment develops, builds, owns, and operates geothermal, solar photovoltaic, and recovered energy-based power plants; and sells electricity. The Product segment designs, manufactures, and sells equipment for geothermal, recovered energy-based electricity generation; and provides services relating to the engineering, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of geothermal and recovered energy-based power plants. The Product segment serves contractors; developers, owners, and operators of geothermal power plants; and owners and operators of interstate natural gas pipelines, gas processing plants, and cement plants, as well as companies in other energy-intensive industrial processes. The Energy Storage segment offers energy storage and related services, as well as services relating to the engineering, procurement, construction, operation, and maintenance of energy storage units. Ormat Technologies, Inc. was founded in 1965 and is based in Reno, Nevada.

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Imperial Brands (LON:IMB  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reissued by equities researchers at Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft in a research report issued on Wednesday, Digital Look reports. They presently have a GBX 2,325 ($28.55) price target on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschafts price objective would suggest a potential upside of 28.28% from the stocks current price.

Other research analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Barclays decreased their price objective on shares of Imperial Brands from GBX 2,500 ($30.70) to GBX 2,400 ($29.47) and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research report on Tuesday, September 26th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an overweight rating and issued a GBX 2,350 ($28.86) target price on shares of Imperial Brands in a research note on Thursday, September 28th. Citigroup raised Imperial Brands to a buy rating in a research note on Friday, October 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a hold rating on shares of Imperial Brands in a research note on Wednesday. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of GBX 2,191 ($26.91).

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Read Our Latest Stock Report on IMB

Imperial Brands Price Performance

About Imperial Brands

Shares of IMB stock traded up GBX 11 ($0.14) during trading on Wednesday, hitting GBX 1,812.50 ($22.26). The company had a trading volume of 1,462,235 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,736,021. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 0.74 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 170.43. The stocks 50-day moving average is GBX 1,732.63 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 1,770.66. The stock has a market capitalization of 16.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 1,029.83, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 0.58 and a beta of 0.44. Imperial Brands has a 52 week low of GBX 1,553.50 ($19.08) and a 52 week high of GBX 2,185 ($26.83).

(Get Free Report)

Imperial Brands PLC, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, imports, markets, and sells tobacco and tobacco-related products in Europe, the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australasia. It offers a range of cigarettes, fine cut tobacco, rolling papers, cigars, and traditional oral tobacco; and next generation product (NGP) portfolio, such as e-vapour products, oral nicotine, and heated tobacco products.

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Queen Camilla with junior runner up Mitali Ragtah, 11, from Delhi (Getty Images)

The Queen praised "brilliant" young writers as they visited Buckingham Palace - after first taking a tour of the Evening Standard offices.

Camilla met the winners and runners-up of the Queens Commonwealth Essay competition on Thursday, saying the 140-year-old contest, had brought "communities across the Commonwealth closer together".

This year's participants in the world's oldest international writing competition for schools, aged between 11 and 17 from India and Malaysia, were asked to write on the subject of "a youth-powered Commonwealth".

Extracts from the winners' essays were read out at the palace by literary figures and actors including Dame Joanna Lumley, Sir Ben Okri and Sanjeev Bhaskar.

During her speech, avid reader Camilla described how Queen Victoria was also a "passionate lover of literature".

"She was particularly fond of the works of many authors, including Jane Austen, Lord Tennyson, Charles Dickens, Charlotte Bronte and Lewis Carroll.

"Legend has it that, having admired Alice In Wonderland, the Queen wrote to Lewis Carroll to request first editions of any of his other books.

"By return of post she received a copy of his Syllabus Of Plane Algebraic Geometry. Probably not what she was after," the Queen said.

Praising the entrants, Camilla said: "Well done to each and every one of you, you are quite brilliant and I have, as ever, enormously enjoyed reading your entries."

The Commonwealth essay competition winners take a tour of the ES office (Evening Standard)

Senior winner Siddhi Deshmukh, 17, from Mumbai, and junior winner Shreeya Sahi, 12, from Panchkula in India, visited the Standard newsroom on Wednesday alongside runner ups Yon Sin Kong,15, from Johor in Malaysia and Mitali Ragtah, 11, from New Delhi.

They took a tour of the Standard led by editor emeritus Doug Wills, who also gave them a walk through the newspapers history, and they joined a journalist workshop where they spoke about their entries.

Senior winner Siddhi, 17, explained how her poem, 'An Angel That Burns', was inspired by a Joan of Arc painting depicting Joan burnt at the stake, saying "I connected that with other wars and how other children have been affected by them. As for the language in my poem, I was inspired by Browning and Tennyson who I have learnt about in literature lessons, but I'm still trying to figure out my own style..."

Story continues

She added: "My school made me realise this competition was a big deal and celebrated it after the news was revealed to me across Zoom."

Her father Sachin Deshmukh remarked that her accomplishments were "out of this world, not just for us but for the state we belong to and our country (India)."

Junior winner Shreeya, who toys with the idea of becoming a food critic one day, wrote her piece on The Little Prince after reading the book several times. She spent four laborious days on her ode to the character that has inspired her. She said: And just like that it clicked. I found my hero.

Shreeya said she was "pretty excited" to meet the Queen, saying "its kind of unbelievable."

Inspired by the everyday life of the people around her, 15-year-old Yong Sin Kong wrote her piece, Observations made at a Local Kopitiam' on observing the people in her hometown.

Winners of the Queen's Commonwealth Essay Competition with Evening Standardjournalists

She said: It's mostly just a mixture of my experiences in my hometown and exploring my culture.

She said it still feels like a dream, even after two months of finding out she had been selected as senior runner up of the competition.

She spoke of actress Michelle Yeoh, a fellow Malaysian who she admires and her favourite film, The French Dispatch by Wes Anderson, which she said has inspired the structure of her piece and encouraged her to consider a future career in journalism.The visit to the Standard was one of several this week for the group who also managed to tour Bloomsbury, the House of Commons where they watched a debate in the Houses of the Parliament, and the Royal Shakespeare company. Their time in London been described as "exciting" with various trips they hope will inspire their futures as potential writers of fiction and journalists.

Winning entries can be read here.
Energizer (NYSE:ENR  Get Free Report) issued an update on its FY24 earnings guidance on Tuesday morning. The company provided earnings per share (EPS) guidance of $3.10-3.30 for the period, compared to the consensus estimate of $3.36. Energizer also updated its Q1 guidance to $0.50-0.60 EPS.

Energizer Trading Down 6.8 %

Shares of NYSE:ENR opened at $33.68 on Thursday. Energizer has a 52-week low of $27.68 and a 52-week high of $37.89. The company has a market capitalization of $2.41 billion, a P/E ratio of -9.85 and a beta of 1.04. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $32.43 and a 200 day simple moving average of $33.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 20.23, a quick ratio of 1.11 and a current ratio of 2.16.

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Energizer (NYSE:ENR  Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 14th. The company reported $1.20 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.13 by $0.07. Energizer had a negative net margin of 8.24% and a positive return on equity of 135.74%. The business had revenue of $811.10 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $794.64 million. During the same period last year, the business posted $0.82 EPS. Energizers revenue was up 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Sell-side analysts forecast that Energizer will post 3.04 earnings per share for the current year.

Energizer Dividend Announcement

Analysts Set New Price Targets

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 14th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 29th will be given a dividend of $0.30 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 28th. This represents a $1.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.56%. Energizers dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently -35.09%.

Several research analysts have recently commented on the stock. Barclays lowered their target price on shares of Energizer from $40.00 to $34.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, October 12th. StockNews.com cut shares of Energizer from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 13th. Royal Bank of Canada cut shares of Energizer from an outperform rating to a sector perform rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $40.00 to $38.00 in a research note on Wednesday. Truist Financial lifted their price target on shares of Energizer from $35.00 to $40.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a report on Wednesday. Finally, Morgan Stanley lowered shares of Energizer from an equal weight rating to an underweight rating and set a $33.00 price target on the stock. in a report on Wednesday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, four have assigned a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Energizer currently has a consensus rating of Hold and an average price target of $35.86.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Report on ENR

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Energizer

Institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. BlackRock Inc. increased its position in shares of Energizer by 2.7% during the second quarter. BlackRock Inc. now owns 7,826,006 shares of the companys stock worth $262,797,000 after acquiring an additional 203,193 shares in the last quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. increased its position in shares of Energizer by 2.7% during the third quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,547,272 shares of the companys stock worth $189,738,000 after acquiring an additional 195,988 shares in the last quarter. State Street Corp increased its position in shares of Energizer by 1.5% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,388,653 shares of the companys stock worth $80,211,000 after acquiring an additional 35,710 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of Energizer by 5.8% during the second quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,367,159 shares of the companys stock worth $45,909,000 after acquiring an additional 75,030 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its position in shares of Energizer by 3.8% during the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,276,076 shares of the companys stock worth $44,278,000 after acquiring an additional 46,150 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 83.74% of the companys stock.

Energizer Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Energizer Holdings, Inc, together with its subsidiaries, manufactures, markets, and distributes household batteries, specialty batteries, and lighting products worldwide. It offers lithium, alkaline, carbon zinc, nickel metal hydride, zinc air, and silver oxide batteries under the Energizer, Eveready, and Rayovac brands; primary, rechargeable, specialty, and hearing aid batteries; and handheld, headlights, lanterns, and area lights, as well as flashlights under the Hard Case, Dolphin, and WeatherReady brands.

Further Reading

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Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:IOR  Get Free Report) crossed above its 50-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 50-day moving average of $0.00 and traded as high as $11.65. Income Opportunity Realty Investors shares last traded at $11.65, with a volume of 204 shares.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, TheStreet cut shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors from a b rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 27th.

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View Our Latest Stock Report on IOR

Income Opportunity Realty Investors Stock Performance

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Income Opportunity Realty Investors

The company has a market cap of $50.25 million, a PE ratio of 8.73 and a beta of 0.13.

An institutional investor recently raised its position in Income Opportunity Realty Investors stock. Millennium Management LLC raised its stake in shares of Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc. (NYSEAMERICAN:IOR  Free Report) by 6.7% in the second quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 22,022 shares of the financial services providers stock after buying an additional 1,385 shares during the period. Millennium Management LLC owned about 0.53% of Income Opportunity Realty Investors worth $285,000 as of its most recent SEC filing. 0.40% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Income Opportunity Realty Investors Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

Income Opportunity Realty Investors, Inc, a Dallas-based real estate investment company, currently holds a portfolio of notes receivable. The Company invests in real estate through direct equity ownership and partnerships.

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British American Tobacco (LON:BATS  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reaffirmed by research analysts at Jefferies Financial Group in a research note issued on Wednesday, Digital Look reports. They presently have a GBX 4,100 ($50.35) price target on the stock. Jefferies Financial Groups price target points to a potential upside of 62.83% from the stocks current price.

British American Tobacco Price Performance

Shares of LON BATS traded down GBX 2 ($0.02) during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching GBX 2,518 ($30.92). 2,205,622 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,029,264. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 58.06, a current ratio of 0.93 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The stock has a market capitalization of 56.40 billion, a PE ratio of 650.65, a P/E/G ratio of 3.10 and a beta of 0.33. British American Tobacco has a one year low of GBX 2,403 ($29.51) and a one year high of GBX 3,453 ($42.40). The companys 50 day moving average is GBX 2,550.76 and its 200 day moving average is GBX 2,596.17.

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Insider Activity

In other news, insider Karen Guerra bought 31 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 21st. The stock was purchased at an average cost of GBX 2,518 ($30.92) per share, for a total transaction of 780.58 ($958.59). In the last ninety days, insiders bought 48 shares of company stock worth $120,831. 9.10% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

British American Tobacco Company Profile

British American Tobacco p.l.c. engages in the provision of tobacco and nicotine products to consumers worldwide. It offers vapour, tobacco heating, and modern oral nicotine products; combustible cigarettes; and traditional oral products, such as snus and moist snuff. The company offers its products under the Vuse, glo, Velo, Grizzly, Kodiak, Dunhill, Kent, Lucky Strike, Pall Mall, Rothmans, Camel, Natural American Spirit, Newport, Vogue, Viceroy, Kool, Peter Stuyvesant, Craven A, State Express 555 and Shuang Xi brands.

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Shares of Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund (NYSEMKT:PDO  Get Free Report) passed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of $12.48 and traded as low as $11.22. Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund shares last traded at $11.32, with a volume of 524,731 shares traded.

Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund Price Performance

The businesss 50 day simple moving average is $11.68 and its 200 day simple moving average is $12.47.

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Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 1st. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 13th will be paid a $0.1279 dividend. This represents a yield of 12.89%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 10th. Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Funds dividend payout ratio is currently -7,650.00%.

Institutional Trading of Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund

About Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Morgan Stanley lifted its stake in shares of Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund by 5.2% during the 4th quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 5,972,239 shares of the companys stock worth $76,266,000 after buying an additional 295,214 shares during the last quarter. UBS Group AG lifted its stake in shares of Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund by 254.5% during the 1st quarter. UBS Group AG now owns 3,548,677 shares of the companys stock worth $60,292,000 after buying an additional 2,547,606 shares during the last quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN increased its position in Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund by 43.3% during the second quarter. Wells Fargo & Company MN now owns 1,560,151 shares of the companys stock worth $20,376,000 after acquiring an additional 471,555 shares during the period. Invesco Ltd. increased its position in Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund by 19.9% during the first quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 1,172,165 shares of the companys stock worth $19,915,000 after acquiring an additional 194,264 shares during the period. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in Pimco Dynamic Income Opportunities Fund by 180.4% during the first quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 1,121,233 shares of the companys stock worth $19,050,000 after acquiring an additional 721,407 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 9.43% of the companys stock.

(Get Free Report)

Yuma Energy, Inc, formerly Pyramid Oil Company (Pyramid), is engaged in the business of exploration, development and production of crude oil and natural gas. It acquires interests in land and producing properties through acquisition and lease, on which it drills and/or operates crude oil or natural gas wells.

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Russell Investments Group Ltd. raised its position in shares of AvalonBay Communities, Inc. (NYSE:AVB  Free Report) by 3.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 779,799 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock after acquiring an additional 26,294 shares during the period. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned approximately 0.55% of AvalonBay Communities worth $147,482,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. CVA Family Office LLC lifted its stake in AvalonBay Communities by 106.7% in the second quarter. CVA Family Office LLC now owns 155 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 80 shares during the last quarter. Fiduciary Alliance LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities in the second quarter worth approximately $31,000. BOKF NA bought a new stake in shares of AvalonBay Communities during the 1st quarter worth approximately $29,000. Core Alternative Capital boosted its holdings in AvalonBay Communities by 305.7% during the 2nd quarter. Core Alternative Capital now owns 215 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $41,000 after acquiring an additional 162 shares during the period. Finally, Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV grew its position in AvalonBay Communities by 42.3% in the 2nd quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 222 shares of the real estate investment trusts stock valued at $42,000 after acquiring an additional 66 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 88.71% of the companys stock.

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AvalonBay Communities Stock Performance

AVB traded up $0.77 on Thursday, reaching $171.73. 101,527 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 748,901. The companys 50-day moving average price is $173.03 and its 200 day moving average price is $180.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 1.84 and a quick ratio of 1.84. The firm has a market capitalization of $24.39 billion, a PE ratio of 25.93, a PEG ratio of 2.55 and a beta of 0.95. AvalonBay Communities, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $153.07 and a fifty-two week high of $198.65.

AvalonBay Communities Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, October 16th. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th were given a $1.65 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 28th. This represents a $6.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.84%. AvalonBay Communitiess dividend payout ratio is currently 100.46%.

AVB has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company cut their price target on shares of AvalonBay Communities from $201.00 to $192.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, September 12th. Mizuho lowered their price target on AvalonBay Communities from $190.00 to $186.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, September 26th. StockNews.com started coverage on AvalonBay Communities in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Piper Sandler upgraded AvalonBay Communities from a neutral rating to an overweight rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $197.00 to $194.00 in a report on Tuesday, October 31st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on AvalonBay Communities from $193.00 to $195.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 2nd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have assigned a hold rating and seven have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, AvalonBay Communities presently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $195.82.

Read Our Latest Report on AvalonBay Communities

AvalonBay Communities Company Profile

(Free Report)

As of September 30, 2023, the Company owned or held a direct or indirect ownership interest in 296 apartment communities containing 89,240 apartment homes in 12 states and the District of Columbia, of which 17 communities were under development and one community was under redevelopment. The Company is an equity REIT in the business of developing, redeveloping, acquiring and managing apartment communities in leading metropolitan areas in New England, the New York/New Jersey Metro area, the Mid-Atlantic, the Pacific Northwest, and Northern and Southern California, as well as in the Company's expansion regions of Raleigh-Durham and Charlotte, North Carolina, Southeast Florida, Dallas and Austin, Texas, and Denver, Colorado.

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Russell Investments Group Ltd. trimmed its holdings in shares of AutoZone, Inc. (NYSE:AZO  Free Report) by 1.9% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 84,051 shares of the companys stock after selling 1,614 shares during the quarter. Russell Investments Group Ltd. owned approximately 0.46% of AutoZone worth $209,126,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AZO. Independence Bank of Kentucky bought a new position in shares of AutoZone during the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $25,000. Ameritas Advisory Services LLC bought a new stake in shares of AutoZone during the 1st quarter valued at $27,000. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp raised its holdings in AutoZone by 166.7% during the third quarter. MUFG Americas Holdings Corp now owns 16 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 10 shares during the period. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new position in shares of AutoZone in the second quarter worth about $40,000. Finally, HWG Holdings LP bought a new position in shares of AutoZone in the first quarter worth about $44,000. 90.34% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Barclays upped their price target on AutoZone from $2,721.00 to $2,742.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on AutoZone from $2,950.00 to $2,975.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 20th. Truist Financial lowered their target price on 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. DA Davidson upped their price target on shares of AutoZone from $2,425.00 to $2,500.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 20th. Finally, Oppenheimer lowered shares of AutoZone from an outperform rating to a market perform rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $2,850.00 to $2,600.00 in a research report on Friday, October 6th. Five analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and fifteen have given a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $2,793.95.

Insider Activity at AutoZone

In other AutoZone news, VP Albert Saltiel sold 2,245 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction on Monday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,595.04, for a total transaction of $5,825,864.80. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president now directly owns 537 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $1,393,536.48. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other news, SVP Preston Frazer sold 6,754 shares of AutoZone stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 31st. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,476.97, for a total value of $16,729,455.38. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 709 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,756,171.73. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Albert Saltiel sold 2,245 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, October 16th. The stock was sold at an average price of $2,595.04, for a total value of $5,825,864.80. Following the sale, the vice president now owns 537 shares of the companys stock, valued at $1,393,536.48. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 12,069 shares of company stock worth $30,651,562. Company insiders own 2.50% of the companys stock.

AutoZone Stock Down 1.2 %

AZO traded down $31.56 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $2,654.86. 30,855 shares of the companys stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 154,968. The firm has a 50-day moving average price of $2,555.41 and a 200 day moving average price of $2,523.64. AutoZone, Inc. has a 52-week low of $2,277.88 and a 52-week high of $2,750.00. The firm has a market capitalization of $46.81 billion, a PE ratio of 20.25, a PEG ratio of 1.44 and a beta of 0.65.

AutoZone (NYSE:AZO  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, September 19th. The company reported $46.46 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $44.51 by $1.95. The firm had revenue of $5.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $5.62 billion. AutoZone had a net margin of 14.48% and a negative return on equity of 60.66%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was up 6.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $40.51 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that AutoZone, Inc. will post 147.6 EPS for the current fiscal year.

About AutoZone

(Free Report)

AutoZone, Inc retails and distributes automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil. The company provides 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.

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Trillium Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE:SF  Free Report) by 1.6% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 54,370 shares of the financial services providers stock after purchasing an additional 840 shares during the quarter. Trillium Asset Management LLCs holdings in Stifel Financial were worth $3,244,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in SF. Citigroup Inc. raised its position in Stifel Financial by 22.0% in the 1st quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 58,283 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $3,957,000 after purchasing an additional 10,500 shares during the last quarter. Bank of Montreal Can raised its holdings in shares of Stifel Financial by 118.2% in the first quarter. Bank of Montreal Can now owns 81,633 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $5,808,000 after buying an additional 44,219 shares during the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can boosted its stake in shares of Stifel Financial by 8.4% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 57,088 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $3,985,000 after buying an additional 4,405 shares during the period. Sei Investments Co. boosted its stake in shares of Stifel Financial by 1.3% during the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 165,260 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $11,192,000 after buying an additional 2,135 shares during the period. Finally, Canada Pension Plan Investment Board purchased a new position in shares of Stifel Financial during the first quarter worth about $550,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 81.60% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other Stifel Financial news, CEO Christopher K. Reichert sold 9,623 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction on Friday, August 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.38, for a total transaction of $600,282.74. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 3.52% of the companys stock.

Stifel Financial Stock Performance

Shares of SF stock traded down $0.38 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $62.15. The stock had a trading volume of 10,861 shares, compared to its average volume of 661,974. The firm has a market cap of $6.34 billion, a PE ratio of 14.45 and a beta of 1.24. The companys 50-day simple moving average is $60.58 and its 200-day simple moving average is $60.64. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.83 and a quick ratio of 0.80. Stifel Financial Corp. has a fifty-two week low of $53.47 and a fifty-two week high of $68.77.

Stifel Financial (NYSE:SF  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 25th. The financial services provider reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts consensus estimates of $1.29 by ($0.69). Stifel Financial had a net margin of 11.98% and a return on equity of 12.69%. The firm had revenue of $1.05 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.07 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $1.29 EPS. Stifel Financials revenue for the quarter was up .0% on a year-over-year basis.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have commented on the company. StockNews.com started coverage on Stifel Financial in a research note on Friday, October 6th. They set a hold rating for the company. JMP Securities dropped their target price on Stifel Financial from $86.00 to $82.00 and set a market outperform rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, October 10th.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on SF

About Stifel Financial

(Free Report)

Stifel Financial Corp., a financial services and bank holding company, provides retail and institutional wealth management, and investment banking services to individual investors, corporations, municipalities, and institutions in the United States, the United Kingdom, the rest of Europe, and Canada.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding SF? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for Stifel Financial Corp. (NYSE:SF  Free Report).

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The Southern Company (NYSE:SO  Get Free Report) declared a quarterly dividend on Monday, October 16th, RTT News reports. Investors of record on Monday, November 20th will be paid a dividend of 0.70 per share by the utilities provider on Wednesday, December 6th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 17th.

Southern has increased its dividend by an average of 3.2% annually over the last three years and has raised its dividend every year for the last 23 years. Southern has a payout ratio of 69.5% meaning its dividend is sufficiently covered by earnings. Equities research analysts expect Southern to earn $4.01 per share next year, which means the company should continue to be able to cover its $2.80 annual dividend with an expected future payout ratio of 69.8%.

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Southern Stock Performance

Southern stock opened at $68.77 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.84, a quick ratio of 0.63 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59. Southern has a 1 year low of $58.85 and a 1 year high of $75.80. The company has a market cap of $75.00 billion, a PE ratio of 24.83, a PEG ratio of 4.66 and a beta of 0.55. The companys 50-day moving average is $67.54 and its two-hundred day moving average is $69.45.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SO has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com upgraded shares of Southern from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 3rd. Barclays cut their target price on shares of Southern from $68.00 to $64.00 in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of Southern from $75.00 to $74.00 in a research report on Friday, August 4th. LADENBURG THALM/SH SH started coverage on shares of Southern in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. They issued a buy rating and a $72.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on shares of Southern from $78.00 to $80.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, September 6th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have issued a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $73.00.

Read Our Latest Analysis on Southern

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.39, for a total transaction of $341,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 111,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,610,712.76. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other news, CEO Stephen E. Kuczynski sold 5,000 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $68.39, for a total transaction of $341,950.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 111,284 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $7,610,712.76. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, EVP Martin Bernard Davis sold 1,490 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $67.05, for a total transaction of $99,904.50. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 72,756 shares of the companys stock, valued at $4,878,289.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders sold 21,490 shares of company stock valued at $1,452,505. 0.37% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Southern

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in Southern during the 4th quarter valued at $435,979,000. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in Southern during the 4th quarter valued at $369,131,000. Imprint Wealth LLC lifted its holdings in Southern by 5,840.2% during the 2nd quarter. Imprint Wealth LLC now owns 1,949,392 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $194,939,000 after purchasing an additional 1,916,575 shares during the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in Southern by 62.6% during the 2nd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 2,220,522 shares of the utilities providers stock valued at $155,991,000 after purchasing an additional 854,522 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Royal London Asset Management Ltd. acquired a new stake in Southern during the 1st quarter valued at $27,076,000. 62.85% of the stock is owned by 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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Shares of TransAlta Renewables Inc. (TSE:RNW  Get Free Report) crossed below its 200-day moving average during trading on Monday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$12.63 and traded as low as C$12.23. TransAlta Renewables shares last traded at C$12.48, with a volume of 880,836 shares.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on RNW shares. CIBC increased their price target on shares of TransAlta Renewables from C$13.00 to C$13.50 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 8th. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on shares of TransAlta Renewables from C$12.00 to C$13.35 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a research note on Wednesday, August 30th. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of C$13.48.

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TransAlta Renewables Price Performance

TransAlta Renewables Dividend Announcement

The company has a market cap of C$3.33 billion, a P/E ratio of 41.60, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 0.74. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 48.12, a current ratio of 0.87 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The companys 50-day moving average is C$12.88 and its two-hundred day moving average is C$12.63.

The company also recently declared a monthly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 29th. Investors of record on Friday, September 29th were given a dividend of $0.0783 per share. This represents a $0.94 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of . The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 14th. TransAlta Renewabless dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 313.33%.

About TransAlta Renewables

(Get Free Report)

TransAlta Renewables Inc owns, develops, and operates renewable and natural gas power generation facilities and other infrastructure assets in Canada, the United States, and Australia. The company operates through Canadian Wind, Canadian Hydro, Canadian Gas, US Wind and Solar, US Gas, and Australian Gas segments.

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TransDigm Group Incorporated (NYSE:TDG  Get Free Report) announced a special dividend on Thursday, November 9th, RTT News reports. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 20th will be given a dividend of 35.00 per share by the aerospace company on Monday, November 27th. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 17th. This is an increase from TransDigm Groups previous special dividend of $22.00.

TransDigm Group Trading Down 0.3 %

TDG stock opened at $993.70 on Thursday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $865.84 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $854.07. TransDigm Group has a 12-month low of $598.00 and a 12-month high of $1,013.08. The company has a market cap of $54.96 billion, a PE ratio of 45.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.64 and a beta of 1.38.

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TransDigm Group (NYSE:TDG  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, November 9th. The aerospace company reported $8.03 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $7.10 by $0.93. TransDigm Group had a negative return on equity of 52.68% and a net margin of 19.70%. The firm had revenue of $1.85 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.84 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $4.74 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was up 22.6% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities analysts forecast that TransDigm Group will post 28.71 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Susquehanna boosted their price objective on TransDigm Group from $850.00 to $875.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Bank of America boosted their price objective on TransDigm Group from $980.00 to $1,000.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 15th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on TransDigm Group from $840.00 to $910.00 and gave the stock an equal weight rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 15th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft assumed coverage on TransDigm Group in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. They set a buy rating and a $1,001.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on TransDigm Group from $975.00 to $1,150.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research note on Friday, November 10th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, TransDigm Group presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $997.54.

Read Our Latest Research Report on TransDigm Group

Insider Activity at TransDigm Group

In related news, Director Robert J. Small sold 547 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $882.66, for a total value of $482,815.02. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 191,456 shares of the companys stock, valued at $168,990,552.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In related news, Director Robert J. Small sold 547 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Friday, September 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $882.66, for a total value of $482,815.02. Following the completion of the sale, the director now directly owns 191,456 shares of the companys stock, valued at $168,990,552.96. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Sarah Wynne sold 5,420 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $883.16, for a total value of $4,786,727.20. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 700 shares of the companys stock, valued at $618,212. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 35,442 shares of company stock valued at $31,209,586 over the last three months. 7.18% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On TransDigm Group

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in TDG. Kayne Anderson Rudnick Investment Management LLC bought a new position in TransDigm Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Resurgent Financial Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in TransDigm Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $30,000. KB Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in TransDigm Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $44,000. Harbour Investments Inc. increased its position in TransDigm Group by 96.3% in the 2nd quarter. Harbour Investments Inc. now owns 53 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 26 shares during the period. Finally, Castleview Partners LLC increased its position in TransDigm Group by 236.8% in the 2nd quarter. Castleview Partners LLC now owns 64 shares of the aerospace companys stock valued at $57,000 after acquiring an additional 45 shares during the period. 95.78% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

TransDigm Group Company Profile

(Get Free Report)

TransDigm Group Incorporated designs, produces, and supplies aircraft components in the United States and internationally. Its Power & Control segment offers mechanical/electro-mechanical actuators and controls, ignition systems and engine technology, specialized pumps and valves, power conditioning devices, specialized AC/DC electric motors and generators, batteries and chargers, databus and power controls, sensor products, switches and relay panels, hoists, winches and lifting devices, and cargo loading and handling systems.

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Trillium Asset Management LLC raised its position in shares of iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (NYSEARCA:DSI  Free Report) by 4.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 51,473 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 2,074 shares during the period. Trillium Asset Management LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF were worth $4,332,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other large investors have also bought and sold shares of DSI. Boston Standard Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in shares of iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF by 1.2% in the second quarter. Boston Standard Wealth Management LLC now owns 12,835 shares of the companys stock worth $1,080,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares in the last quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors boosted its holdings in iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter. Captrust Financial Advisors now owns 10,192 shares of the companys stock worth $733,000 after buying an additional 151 shares during the period. Trust Co. of Vermont grew its stake in iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF by 5.6% in the 2nd quarter. Trust Co. of Vermont now owns 3,754 shares of the companys stock valued at $316,000 after buying an additional 200 shares in the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. raised its holdings in iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF by 2.5% during the 1st quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 8,410 shares of the companys stock valued at $656,000 after acquiring an additional 205 shares during the period. Finally, Aspire Private Capital LLC purchased a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF during the first quarter worth $16,533,880,000.

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iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF Price Performance

Shares of iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF stock traded up $0.22 during trading hours on Thursday, reaching $85.82. The company had a trading volume of 15,625 shares, compared to its average volume of 148,576. The firm has a market cap of $3.81 billion, a PE ratio of 20.24 and a beta of 1.02. iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF has a one year low of $70.41 and a one year high of $87.54. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $82.30 and a 200 day simple moving average of $82.68.

iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF Profile

iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social Index Fund (the Fund), formerly iShares FTSE KLD 400 Social Index Fund, seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance of the MSCI KLD 400 Social Index (the Index). The Index is a free float-adjusted market capitalization index designed to measure the equity performance of the United States companies.

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Want to see what other hedge funds are holding DSI? Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for iShares MSCI KLD 400 Social ETF (NYSEARCA:DSI  Free Report).

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Vesuvius (LON:VSVS  Get Free Report)s stock had its buy rating reiterated by Jefferies Financial Group in a research note issued to investors on Wednesday, Digital Look reports. They currently have a GBX 620 ($7.61) target price on the stock. Jefferies Financial Groups price target points to a potential upside of 51.44% from the companys previous close.

Vesuvius Trading Down 0.7 %

Shares of Vesuvius stock traded down GBX 3 ($0.04) during trading on Wednesday, hitting GBX 409.40 ($5.03). The stock had a trading volume of 359,284 shares, compared to its average volume of 269,766. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of GBX 418.66 and a 200 day simple moving average of GBX 418.90. The company has a market capitalization of 1.11 billion, a PE ratio of 682.33, a P/E/G ratio of 0.57 and a beta of 1.32. The company has a quick ratio of 1.20, a current ratio of 1.85 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 34.59. Vesuvius has a 1 year low of GBX 366.20 ($4.50) and a 1 year high of GBX 473.20 ($5.81).

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Insider Activity at Vesuvius

In related news, insider Patrick Andre acquired 5,404 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, September 26th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of GBX 448 ($5.50) per share, with a total value of 24,209.92 ($29,730.96). 1.29% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About Vesuvius

Vesuvius plc provides molten metal flow engineering and technology services to steel and foundry industries worldwide. It operates through Flow Control, Sensor & Probes, and Advanced Refractories segments. The company provides consumables and equipment, which includes binders, coatings, feeding systems, filtration and gating systems, melt shop refractories, metallurgical and pouring control systems, die dressings and coatings, melt treatment products, crucibles, and ceramics for the iron, steel, and nonferrous foundries.

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The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) has thrown open the registration for its duplex penthouses and luxury apartments along with mid-segment MIG or middle income group flats under the second phase of its Special Festival Housing Scheme 2023, officials said. They said that under this phase of scheme, bids for 1,130 luxury apartments and penthouses under the super high income group (SHIG) and HIG or high income group categories are being accepted along with 963 2BHK MIG flats. The luxury flats and penthouses are located in Sector 19B of the Dwarka sub-city while the MIG flats are in Dwarkas Sector 14 and Lok Nayak Puram, a locality in West Delhi that DDA is developing. Also Read: Delhi Development Authority to sell penthouses with golf course view in Dwarka The luxury and MIG flats will be allotted through e-auction, registrations for which have started from November 30. We are hoping to witness a good response from prospective buyers, a DDA official told Moneycontrol. He said that there had been over 500 registrations till late night on November 30. The DDA has also set up a help desk at its headquarters Vikas Sadan to answer queries related to the housing scheme. Officials said that only 14 penthouses are being offered in the scheme and these will be four-bedroom duplex apartments with a plinth area of 424 square metres. These penthouses will be overlooking an upcoming 18-hole golf course. DDA is offering 170 super HIG flats and 946 HIG flats in the complex in Dwarkas Sector 19B. The complex, with an estimated construction cost of Rs 700 crore, has 11 towers. Since these SHIG flats and penthouses will be allotted through an e-auction, the reserve prices will start from Rs 5 crore and Rs 2.5 crore, respectively. The HIG apartments will be priced from about Rs 1.4 crore. The reserve prices of MIG flats are likely to range from around Rs 1 crore. Also Read: Five things to know about DDAs biggest festival housing scheme offering 32,000 flats According to officials, the penthouses will also have terrace gardens. The housing luxury complex will have larger-than-usual green spaces. According to officials, potential buyers will be given 20 days to visit the property they wish to buy after registering on the DDA portal. The capitals planning and housing body had on November 24 started registration for 28,000 EWS (economic weaker section) and LIG (lower income group) category flats under its festival scheme that offers a total 32,000 flats (including the penthouses and luxury apartments). Also Read: DDA housing scheme 2023: Registration starts for EWS, LIG flats, and penthouses from November 30 The official cited earlier said that applications for the luxury segment will be accepted only through the online mode via the DDA website www.dda.gov.in. The allotment and handing over of possession of the flats will also be done online. Interested applicants can visit the website and log in using their PAN and other details to apply for the scheme.
Hong Kong: FS meets US company reps

Financial Secretary Paul Chan visited companies and met business representatives in San Francisco, the United States yesterday.

Mr Chan had lunch with a group of representatives of startups, venture capital firms and private equity firms in Silicon Valley.

In a speech, he stated that the central government of the Peoples Republic of China has reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the one country, two systems principle in Hong Kong in the long run.

He stressed that this institutional advantage allows Hong Kong to maintain an excellent business environment, the common law system, a linked exchange rate system and international connections. He added that it enables the continued free flow of capital, talent, cargo and information, and the convergence of international capital and talent in the city.

As part of the Greater Bay Area and with ready access to the vast Mainland and Asian markets, Hong Kong offers a prime option for foreign investors to explore the Mainland and Asia-Pacific markets, he asserted.

Mr Chan also spoke about the direction of Hong Kongs economic development and the opportunities presented by it, particularly in finance and technological innovation.

He highlighted a series of attributes that make Hong Kong attractive, including strong fundamental scientific research capabilities, robust protection of intellectual property rights, vibrant startup and venture capital ecosystems, and the new industrialisation policies introduced by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Government.

In addition, he explained that Hong Kong is an international metropolis with excellent education, social diversity and inclusiveness, harmony between urban and rural areas, a rich cultural life, and good public security. The city welcomes businesses and talent from around the world, he added.

Mr Chan also visited a biotech startup in Silicon Valley that combines artificial intelligence and health technology data to enhance the efficiency of preliminary research efficiency and support discoveries in areas such as genetic engineering and medicine.

Due to Hong Kongs strong scientific research talent and capabilities, along with the advantages of one country, two systems and policy support from the Government, the company is considering establishing a research and development centre and regional headquarters in Hong Kong to develop its business in Asia.

On a visit to an international company that specialises in payments and financial technology, Mr Chan exchanged spoke to its management about Hong Kongs latest economic and financial situation and about the application and development of financial technology.

In the evening, Mr Chan attended the welcome reception for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders Meeting.

This story has been published on: 2023-11-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Pandas have long been envoys of friendship between Chinese, American peoples, says Xi

Xinhua) 23:22, November 16, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Pandas have long been envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples and China is ready to continue the cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, Chinese President Xi Jinping said here Wednesday.

Recently, the three pandas at Smithsonian's National Zoo in Washington D.C. have returned to China. Many American people, especially children, were really reluctant to say goodbye to the pandas, and went to the zoo to see them off, Xi said at a welcome dinner by friendly organizations in the United States.

"I also learned that the San Diego Zoo and the Californians very much look forward to welcoming pandas back," he added.

"We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples," said the Chinese president.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Sheng Chuyi)
After accepting the premium and issuing the policy ignoring blank columns in the proposal form, the insurer cannot at a later stage say that there was a suppression or non-disclosure of a material fact and reject the claim, the national consumer disputes redressal commission (NCDRC) reiterated. Upholding the order issued by the state commission, NCDRC directed Bajaj Allianz General Insurance Co Ltd to pay US$43,940 in medical expenses and Rs65,000 as compensation to a traveller-consumer.

In an order last week , the NCDRC bench of justice Sudip Ahluwalia (presiding member) says, "The relevant columns pertaining to the medical condition of the insured had been left blank where the questions themselves were neither specific nor unambiguous enough to make any person of ordinary prudence to answer the same easily, and once having been left blank, no further steps were taken on behalf of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to seek specific answers to the same or to put itself on enquiry as would have been required in terms of the observation of the apex court in Manmohan Nanda vs United India Assurance Co Ltd judgment."

"This is of course, an academic observation of this Commission assuming the proposal form as tendered before the state commission was actually found to have been left blank in response to the questions pertaining to the medical condition of the insured and cannot in any way mean to imply that the complainant in this case had actually signed on any such proposal form, which was never produced in original by Bajaj Allianz General Insurance either before the state commission, or even before this Commission in spite of specific directions," the order says.

The case is related to travel insurance bought on 31 May 2011 by Ludhiana-based Surinder Pal Singh from Bajaj Allianz General Insurance by paying Rs2,002 as a premium for his business visit to Canada. Mr Singh was one of the 13 members of the Indian business delegation invited by the Canadian Trade Commission Service for a farm progress show in that country. After collecting premiums, all members of the Indian delegation were supplied with travel insurance policies by the insurer.

During the visit, on 15 June 2011, Mr Singh suffered chest pain and was admitted to General Hospital Regina in the emergency ward. He was then given treatment for emergent cardiac catheterisation and was discharged on 28 June 2011. At the time of discharge, he was not given any bill and was informed that the bills would be recovered from his cashless insurance policy, so he was not required to make any payment.

However, in March 2012, he received a bill of US$43,940 issued by Regina Hospital in Canada with comments that the Hospital was not responsible for sending invoices to insurance companies and it was the responsibility of Mr Singh. He then approached Bajaj Allianz General Insurance to clear the bill and was assured that the bills would be cleared soon, but there was no action on the part of the insurer.

Mr Singh then received letters from OVAG International, vide which demands were raised for immediate payment. He later received a repudiation letter dated 23 September 2013 via email from Bajaj Allianz General Insurance that stated that the claim was repudiated as he had been taking medications for 'hyperlipidaemia' disorder for the past 15 years and that he also had an allergy to aspirin tablet.

It was further stated that Mr Singh was suffering from hypertension as well for the past five years, and this was pre-existing in nature which was not declared at the time of filing the proposal form.

Aggrieved by the acts of Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, Mr Singh filed a complaint before the Punjab state consumer disputes redressal commission.

In its order on 18 October 2016, the state commission allowed the complaint and directed the insurer to pay Mr Singh the amount of medical expenses incurred by him on his ailment in Canada within 45 days. Bajaj Allianz General Insurance will also pay compensation of Rs50,000 for mental harassment and Rs15,000 as litigation costs to Mr Singh, it directed.

Aggrieved by the order of the state commission, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance filed an appeal before NCDRC. It argued that the policy schedule clearly states that the policy coverage is as per policy terms and conditions. "It is clear that Mr Singh had met the agent of the insurer before or at the time of making payment and was informed of the terms and conditions of the policy. It was also the duty of Mr Singh to inquire about the conditions of the insurance policy. The insurance company is protected under the legal maxim 'caveat emptor' against the ignorant contention of Mr Singh that he was unaware of the terms and conditions of the policy," the counsel for the insurer says.

The counsel for Mr Singh contended that the grounds on which Bajaj Allianz General Insurance rejected the insurance claim were baseless, misconceived and arbitrary. He says, "There is no proof that Mr Singh was suffering from hypertension for the past five years or hyperlipidemia or dyslipidemia for the past 15 years. No evidence has been led by the insurer to show that Mr Singh was taking medications for the same."

Pointing out that no proposal form was taken from Mr Singh by Bajaj Allianz General Insurance before handing over the insurance policy, the counsel pointed out that the insurer has not filed any proposal form in the proceedings. Mr Singh also filed affidavits of co-delegates in evidence, who categorically deposed that no proposal form was obtained from any of the delegates while selling the insurance policies.

After hearing both sides, justice Ahluwalia from NCDRC observed that the state commission had drawn adverse inferences against the insurance company on account of its failure or reluctance to produce the actual proposal form in respect of which it was the specific case of Mr Singh that he had never signed up on any such form relied upon by Bajaj Allianz General Insurance.

During the hearing, NCDRC also asked the insurer to submit or provide the proposal form filled by Mr Singh. However, on 18 October 2023, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance informed the bench that the proposal form was unavailable since its authorised representative assisting the insurer at the relevant time was no longer associated with it.

"Ex facie, this submission would appear to be untenable and not worthy of being relied upon since any given proposal form on the basis of which the insurance policy is issued is in the normal course expected to be retained in the custody of the insurance company itself, and not by particular individual temporarily assisting the Company at any given time," justice Ahluwalia noted.

He says, "This Commission finds no impropriety in the view taken by the state commission of having drawn an adverse inference against the insurance company for having failed to produce the proposal form in the face of specific denial of the same having been signed by Mr Singh, and his challenge to have the authenticity of his purported signatures to be examined by a handwriting expert to know the truth."

In its judgement in Canara Bank vs United Insurance Co Ltd, the Supreme Court observed that if any query or column in a proposal form is left blank, the insurance company must ask the insured to fill it up. "If in spite of any column being left blank, the insurance company accepts the premium and issues a policy, it cannot, at a later stage, when a claim is made under the policy, say that there was a suppression or non-disclosure of a material fact, and seek to repudiate the claim."

According to justice Ahluwalia, the apex court's decision is fully applicable to the facts and circumstances of the present case. While dismissing the appeal filed by Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, he says, the commission finds no grounds to interfere with the well-reasoned decision of the state commission.

(First Appeal No360 of 2017 Date: 8 November 2023)
Recent investigations by the Delhi police's economic offences Wing (EOW) have uncovered alleged financial irregularities in BharatPe's operations.

Co-founder Ashneer Grover and his family members are allegedly involved in questionable practices, including the use of backdated invoices to channel funds.

Eight HR consulting firms associated with Mr Grover's family, such as True Work Co, Team Source, and Impulse Marketing, filed bills with closed bank accounts, indicating the potential fabrication of invoices, according to the reports.

The investigation reveals that these seemingly distinct entities shared the same registered address, sparking concerns about their legitimacy and independence, possibly hinting at a conflict of interest.

The use of backdated invoices not only raises issues of financial impropriety but also questions the transparency and accountability of BharatPe's financial operations, stated the reports.

Additionally, the EOW's difficulty in tracing vendor payments adds a layer of complexity, prompting scrutiny into BharatPe's due diligence in its business transactions.

In May this year, the EOW had registered an FIR (first information report) against former BharatPe managing director Ashneer Grover for cheating and fraud of Rs81 crore.

The FIR, which was registered on the basis of a complaint filed by the company BharatPe, also mentions the name of his wife Madhuri Jain Grover, and family members, including Deepak Gupta, Suresh Jain, and Shwetank Jain.

The FIR was registered on Wednesday under Sections 406 (criminal breach of trust), 408 (criminal breach of trust by clerk or servant), 409 (criminal breach of trust by public servant, or by banker, merchant or agent), 420 (cheating and dishonestly inducing delivery of property), 467 (forgery of valuable security, will, etc.), 468 (forgery for purpose of cheating), 471 (using as genuine a forged document or electronic record) and 120B (criminal conspiracy) of the Indian Penal Code at EOW police station.

A senior police officer privy to the investigation said that a probe is going on, while refraining from going into the details of it.

We welcome the registration of an FIR by the EOW in the companys complaint in relation to the criminal offences by Mr. Grover, his wife Madhuri Jain and other family members. For the last 15 months, the company has been facing a vicious and malicious campaign run by Grover against the company, the board and its employees, BharatPe had said in a statement.

The registration of the FIR is a step in the right direction which unearths various suspicious transactions made by the family for their personal pecuniary gains. This FIR will now enable the law enforcement agencies to investigate deeper into the criminality and bring the culprits to books, it said.

We have full faith in our country's judicial and law enforcement systems and are optimistic that this case will reach its logical conclusion. We will continue to extend all possible cooperation to the authorities. MZM legal is advising us (BharatPe) on the criminal case, it had added.

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
Using various techniques of web design, collectively called dark patterns, airlines and online travel portals are manipulating air travellers into paying more than they would ideally like to.



The pervasive issue of deceptive online practices in the aviation industry has come under increased scrutiny.

Approximately 10,000 complaints related to these practices have been lodged with the Ministry of Consumer Affairs via the National Consumers Helpline over the past eight to nine months.

These complaints suggest that airlines and online travel portals employ manipulative tactics, known as dark patterns, to mislead customers into making unintended purchases during flight bookings.

Such tactics have drawn sharp criticism, with some authorities even labelling them as cybercrimes. Rohit Kumar Singh (Consumer Affairs Secretary) even commented that in the current online environment, there seems to be a systemic practice of fooling consumers.

Recently, IndiGo, a prominent low-cost airline, has been directed by the Ministry of Civil Aviation to rectify its website.

What are dark patterns?

In 2010, Harry Brignull coined the term dark patterns to describe deceptive strategies designed to enhance conversion rates. These manipulative UI/UX techniques trick users into taking unintended actions, often to the advantage of the business or platform.

By obscuring complete information about services and compromising users control over their online interactions, dark patterns can detrimentally impact the overall user experience.

In the wake of concerns surrounding dark patterns, the Department of Consumer Affairs (DoCA) has stepped forward with the Draft Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns 2023 . These guidelines specifically address the manipulative tactics prevalent on e-commerce platforms. After seeking feedback, the Union government is currently evaluating the guidelines for finalisation.

The DoCA has highlighted 10 deceptive tactics:

1) False urgency, which manufactures a sense of product scarcity.

2) Basket sneaking, where consumers find unexpected items in their carts.

3) Subscription traps that make unsubscribing overly complex.

4) Confirm shaming, a tactic guilt-tripping users into certain actions.

5) Forced actions that compel users into unplanned commitments.

6) Nagging through relentless prompts for actions like sign-ups.

7) Interface interference, preventing users from tasks like subscription cancellations.

8) Bait and switch, advertising one thing but delivering another.

9) Hidden costs introduced just before a purchase is finalised.

10) Disguised ads, where influencers promote without disclosing their compensation.

Being astute or overstepping ethical boundaries?

IndiGos website tactics showcase how airlines can manipulate their interface to squeeze more money out of unsuspecting customers, often capitalising on their preference to avoid middle seats.

A recent survey by LocalCircles, a social media platform for constructive causes, encompassing 34,000 respondents from 308 districts in India revealed some concerning trends in airline seat booking.

Almost half (47 percent) of the total number of respondents reported paying for preferred seating in the past year, with 51 percent indicating they were charged additional fees for every seat allotment a significant jump from 35 percent in 2022.

Business Insider noted ongoing consumer complaints about the lack of free seating options. Their study also suggested that 48 percent of passengers want a government-imposed cap, restricting airlines to charge extra for only 20 percent of the seats. Families, especially those with young children, emerged as the most affected group, as they faced fees to ensure they sat together.

By leveraging the false urgency technique, the airline creates an illusion that passengers must pay an additional 99 to 1,500 to ensure they do not end up in those less-desired middle seats, even when there might be free seats subtly hidden in less visible areas of the seat map.

The skip option, which should be a transparent choice, is cleverly under-communicated, leading many to spend unnecessarily. Their mobile application takes this deception a step further by almost camouflaging the skip option in the top right corner with a minuscule font a classic case of interface interference. Although the Ministry of Civil Aviation brushes this off as mere website template design, it is evident that such tactics exploit the customers desire for comfort and space.

IndiGos website tactics, though crafty, are not without precedent in the airline industry. In 2015, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) ushered in a circular allowing airlines to charge separately for select amenities, which include preferential seating, meals, lounge access and excess baggage.

Yet, crucially, the DGCA emphasised that these amenities should be offered on an opt-in basis and be described with utter clarity without any ambiguity. But the question arises, are airlines like IndiGo truly adhering to this spirit of transparency?

When asked to justify their practices, airlines presented their case to the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism, and Culture. They argued that variable pricing for seat selection was influenced by factors like legroom, proximity to exit doors for quicker boarding and deboarding and the choice between window or aisle seats.

They also pointed out that they do allocate seats to all passengers without extra cost; however, if a passenger wishes to switch from the randomly allocated seat to a preferred one, a fee is charged.

Yet, one cant help but think, especially with the case of IndiGos web design tactics, whether these practices lean towards dark patterns or genuine customer service.

Prioritising a preference to avoid middle seats is one thing, but subtly pressuring passengers through interface manipulations and obscured options is another. With the DGCAs guidelines in mind, it becomes evident that airlines like IndiGo might be stretching the boundaries of what is acceptable, by capitalising on passengers desires for comfort and their natural inclinations to avoid less desirable seats.

IndiGos is not the only airline under the scanner, SpiceJets approach serves as another eyebrow-raising example. Their website nudges passengers towards purchasing travel insurance, not through the merits of the insurance itself but by employing fear-inducing phrases such as I will risk my trip for those contemplating opting out. This tactic clearly preys on travellers anxieties, rather than informing them of the genuine benefits of the service.

MakeMyTrip, a popular travel booking platform, is also not immune to employing such tactics. Just as customers reach the payment gateway after finalising their bookings, they are met with a surprise: an added convenience fee.

Dubbed as basket sneaking, this practice might be seen as an attempt to capitalise on the fact that customers, having invested time and energy into their booking process, are less likely to back out over an unexpected fee.

For Indigo: Time for some turbulence check?

In an era where digital interactions dominate consumer choices, the onus is on companies, especially those in sectors as vital as air travel, to maintain a clear ethical stance.

While competitiveness in the market is essential for survival and growth, it should not come at the expense of consumer trust. Companies like IndiGo, SpiceJet and MakeMyTrip are at the forefront of this evolving landscape, setting examples whether good or bad for others to follow.

It is essential for them to understand that while short-term gains through dubious tactics might seem appealing, in the long run, trust and transparency hold the key to sustainable growth.

The DGCAs intervention serves as a pertinent reminder that customer-centric values and fair business practices should be at the heart of every corporate strategy.

As consumers become more aware and regulatory bodies more vigilant, it is high time businesses align their strategies with ethical practices, ensuring a harmonious balance between profitability and integrity.

(Aditya Bhargava is a second-year law student at the National Law School of India University, Bengaluru. He has a keen interest in technology law and intellectual property rights.)
Elon Musk-run X Corp (formerly Twitter) banned a record 2,34,584 accounts in India between September 26 and October 25, mostly for promoting child sexual exploitation and non-consensual nudity.

The micro-blogging platform, going through a churning under Musk, who has recently appointed a new X CEO Linda Yaccarino, also took down 2,755 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country.

In total, X banned 2,37,339 accounts in the reporting period in India.

X, in its monthly report in compliance with the new IT Rules, 2021, said that it received 3,229 complaints from users in India in the same time frame through its grievance redressal mechanisms. In addition, X processed 78 grievances which were appealing account suspensions.

"We overturned 43 of these account suspensions after reviewing the specifics of the situation. The remaining reported accounts remain suspended," said the company. "We received 53 requests related to general questions about accounts during this reporting period," it added.

Most complaints from India were about hateful conduct (1,424), followed by abuse/harassment (917), child sexual exploitation (366), and sensitive adult content (231).

Under the new IT Rules 2021, big digital and social media platforms, with more than 5 million users, have to publish monthly compliance reports.

Between August 26 and September 25, X banned 5,57,764 accounts in India.

The micro-blogging platform also took down 1,675 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country.

In addition, between July 26 and August 25, the company banned 12,80,107 accounts and took down 2,307 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country. Meanwhile, X has "actioned" over 325,000 pieces of content that violated its terms of service, including violent speech and hateful conduct, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

Disclaimer: Information, facts or opinions expressed in this news article are presented as sourced from IANS and do not reflect views of Moneylife and hence Moneylife is not responsible or liable for the same. As a source and news provider, IANS is responsible for accuracy, completeness, suitability and validity of any information in this article.
Reporter

Andrew Roberto was raised his whole life on Saipan. He graduated from Saipan Southern High School, holds a degree from Northern Marianas College, and a BA in English from the University of Guam. He once worked for KUAM, UNO Magazine, and the Guam Daily Post.
Former U.S. President Donald Trump departs from Trump Tower in New York City, U.S., April 13, 2023.
China's President Xi Jinping speaks at the "Senior Chinese Leader Event" held by the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US-China Business Council on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 15, 2023.
Zaldy Dandan is a recipient of the Best Editorial Writer Award of the Society of Professional Journalists, and the CNMI Humanities Award for Outstanding Contributions to Journalism. His four books are available on amazon.com/.
A deer hunter will not face charges after shooting a mountain lion over the weekend in western Wisconsin.

The Department of Natural Resources said Wednesday that the bow hunter was in Buffalo County and felt threatened by the animal. Also known as a cougar, the animal is the largest cat in North America and is listed as a protected species in Wisconsin.

The hunter reported the shooting on Saturday via the DNRs violation hotline. No injuries to the hunter were mentioned in a press release issued Wednesday morning.

Wardens conducted a thorough investigation into the shooting and provided the information to the Buffalo County District Attorney, the DNR said. After careful review and consideration, no charges will be filed.

The DNR collected the cougar carcass as part of the investigation. A photo of the cat was not available, according to the DNR.

Cougars are native to Wisconsin but were wiped out in the state in the early 1900s by humans. The DNR has not confirmed evidence of a breeding population of cougars but over the last 20 years observations of cougars have been increasing but are still considered rare, with an average of 15 to 20 reports verified by the DNR annually.

Significantly larger than a bobcat and with long tails, male cougars can weigh up to 160 pounds and females up to 110 pounds, according to the DNR.

Most, if not all, observations of cougars in Wisconsin are of dispersing individuals from established populations out west, the DNR said. Dispersing cougars, most likely from South and North Dakota, also do not tend to stay in one location for long and have been recorded traveling up to 1,600 miles, the DNR said.

Cougars also have been photographed through Snapshot Wisconsin, a citizen-science initiative to catalog wildlife that launched in 2016. About 1,800 volunteers host more than 2,100 trail cameras in all 72 counties and in one incident captured a cougar in Waupaca County.

The DNR uses the data to better understand animal populations and movements, estimate deer and elk populations, and inform wildlife management decisions.

In 2011, a town of Lemonweir man in Juneau County photographed a cougar with his trail camera a few miles north of Mauston. The animals identity was confirmed by the DNR, which had been receiving reports of farm animals in southwestern Juneau County being attacked. However, they were never confirmed as coming from a cougar.
West's silence on Gaza gives green light to lawlessness: Turkish FM

Xinhua) 23:44, November 16, 2023

ANKARA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The silence of the West over the attack on Gaza implies the approval of lawlessness, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday.

The silence of the West on Israel's attack on Gaza is tantamount to giving the green light to other lawless activities around the world, Fidan told reporters in a news conference in Ankara.

"In order to break down the resistance, the mosques, hospitals, and schools are bombed and we cannot keep our silence regarding those attacks," Fidan added.

Turkish foreign ministry on Wednesday criticized Israeli authorities, saying their accusations against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are baseless, and they have no right to talk about law while they keep attacking the people in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday slammed Erdogan for his earlier comments describing Israel as a "terrorist state," saying Erdogan is supporting the "terror state" of Hamas.

Israel has been carrying out an all-out attack on Gaza over the past weeks to retaliate against the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, during which Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took more than 200 hostages.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Sheng Chuyi)
When organizations want to go beyond operational efficiency when looking at performance, they often turn to Mean Time to Resolution, or MTTR. Why? MTTR is a metric for organizations to measure the average time it takes to resolve issues or incidents. It ensures user satisfaction, because quicker problem resolution leads to happier customers and minimizes disruptions to normal operations.

Therefore, a low MTTR is indicative of efficient support and incident management processes, contributing to increased productivity, adherence to service level agreements and the optimization of resources.

To help organizations accelerate their MTTR, Orca Security, a provider of agentless cloud security, strengthened its relationship with Amazon Web Services (News - Alert) by integrating with Amazon Bedrock, a fully managed service that provides access to foundation models via an API to build and scale generative AI applications.

Orca Security utilizes its patented SideScanning technology and Unified Data Model to make cloud security feasible for enterprises undergoing cloud migration and expansion. Through the Orca Cloud Security Platform, they offer extensive coverage and visibility of risks in the cloud, distinguishing themselves with continuous first-to-market innovations.

Orca Cloud Security Platform integrates with Amazon Bedrock, its third integration with an AI engine, to automatically create remediation instructions for identified risks in customer cloud environments. This means that security teams can easily implement these instructions by copying and pasting code into their command line interface or Infrastructure as Code, or IaC, tools, thereby accelerating MTTR.

These streamlined remediations also reduce skill requirements for cloud security professionals, which brings quicker, more accurate and decisive actions to lower overall risk and enhance cloud security posture.

By integrating generative AI in our platform, we have helped our customers significantly improve their productivity and cloud security postures, said Gil Geron, CEO and co-founder of Orca Security. Our latest integration with Amazon Bedrock demonstrates the resolve in our commitment to utilizing technologies such as generative AI to deliver tangible business advantages to our customers.

The integration with Amazon Bedrock is the latest in several AWS integrations to enhance security for Orca and AWS customers cloud estates, including Amazon GuardDuty and Amazon Security Lake. By expanding access to generative AI engines, Orca Security continues to embrace its culture of innovation to help deliver cloud security that is easy to operate, multiplies productivity and accelerates cloud security outcomes.

Edited by Greg Tavarez
Movie Review: Emotional complexity, melodramatic wit and masterful acting in May December View Photo

There is hardly a false note in  May December,  an audaciously self-aware, mischievously funny and emotionally complex drama that defies simple categorization.

Filmmaker Todd Haynes, working from a script by newcomer Samy Burch, deftly mixes cheesy movie of the week tropes with the psychological depths of Bergman to make this wholly singular piece that never quite lets the viewer relax on solid ground.

The set up involves an actor, Elizabeth Barry, played by Natalie Portman, who is spending some time with the real person shes decided to play in a film. That subject is Gracie Atherton-Yoo (Julianne Moore), who, when she was 36, was arrested and imprisoned for starting a physical relationship with a 12-year-old boy. Two decades later Gracie and that boy, Joe (Charles Melton), are married with three kids, one in college and twins about to go.

There have been cheap, seemingly exploitative movies made about them before, which we get brief glimpses of. Gracie tells Elizabeth, on their first meeting, that she just wants her to tell the story right. Elizabeth responds that she wants her to feel seen and known. Both Moore and Portman are smiling sweetly, on perfectly polite stranger behavior, but it is also deeply uncomfortable. Is one lying? Are both? Who can we trust? Who do we like? Does it matter?

We already knew that Haynes was a master of melodrama, with films like Carol and Far From Heaven, but in May December he gestures to the aesthetics of ripped-from-the-tabloids Lifetime fare. He layers that with a boldly dramatic score, borrowed from the past (the late French composer Michel Legrands theme from The Go-Between) and brilliantly deployed in both comedic and serious ways. Early in the film, Gracie is preparing for Elizabeths arrival and opens her refrigerator when the score dips. We brace for something serious and dramatic as the camera zooms in on Moore: I dont think we have enough hot dogs, she says.

Elizabeth isnt just there to watch them eat dinner and ask some questions. She is wildly driven to get to some sort of truth about Gracie, running around town like an investigative journalist interviewing everyone she can. Portman plays Elizabeth as impishly manipulative, utilizing the full power of her characters celebrity and its effect on people to get intimate confessions. It is a deliriously fun and unnerving send-up of both stardom and an actors process. Late in the film, she calls it a story. Joe reminds her that its their actual life. You can almost imagine Elizabeth Barrys deeply untruthful press tour for the film.

Gracie is harder to grasp, but she will keep the audience, and Elizabeth, on their toes for the duration. Just when you think you have a handle on something, she subverts it. We are, however, treated to some of her private moments that only Joe sees  her fragility, her delusions, her naivete. And Moore and Portman are electric in their scenes together, masterful performers whose characters are similarly performing for one another.

Its wonderfully fun to watch what they do, how they can make even the most basic of interactions slyly subversive and catty and how both try to maintain control over every conversation. But that they are great is not the big surprise of the film: Melton is. He will break your heart and not because of any huge Oscar-reel moment, but all the small ones leading up to the very earned tears. Hes the sobering remind that behind all the intrigue and scandal and fun of the quest for truth, if we accept the reality of May December as some sort of reality, then we have to accept the tragedy of Joe.

Melton plays this 36-year-old father of three college age kids quietly. His first scenes with Gracie show a relationship that reads more mother-son than wife-husband, and not even just because of the age difference. At times he seems like a shadow of a person, playing the role of beer-drinking, hot dog grilling contented dad with an almost empty nest. He is, in this movie, still becoming, and maybe just now starting to grapple with the truth, as he raises his monarch butterflies and attempts to flirt over text with another person.

In fact, Joe, and Melton, might be the biggest masterstroke of May December. Scandalous fun and camp are, you imagine, relatively easy with performers like this. But to give it a soul, too? It makes it monumental.

May December, a Netflix release in theaters Nov. 17 and streaming Dec. 1, is rated R by the Motion Picture Association for some sexual content, graphic nudity, drug use and language. Running time: 117 minutes. Three and a half stars out of four.

By LINDSEY BAHR

AP Film Writer
Canadian man convicted of murder for killing 4 Muslim family members with his pickup View Photo

WINDSOR, Ontario (AP)  A Canadian man was found guilty Thursday of four counts of first-degree murder for deliberately using his pickup to kill four members of a Muslim family two years ago.

The jury also convicted Nathaniel Veltman, 22, guilty of one count of attempted murder for injuring a fifth family member in the incident in London, Ont.

Veltman, who had pleaded not guilty, quietly looked straight ahead as the verdict was delivered after the jury deliberated for roughly five hours. Members of the Muslim community hugged relatives of the victims in the courtroom.

Prosecutors argued that Veltman purposely ran his truck into the Afzaal family while they were out for a walk on June 6, 2021, to intimidate Muslims into leaving Canada. The defense sought to show he wasnt criminally liable because of the mental health problems.

Killed were Salman Afzaal, 46; his wife, Madiha Salman, 44; their 15-year-old daughter, Yumna; and 74-year-old grandmother Talat Afzaal. The couples 9-year-old son was seriously injured.

The case, which the jury heard over more than two months, was the first in which Canadas terrorism laws were put before a jury in a first-degree murder trial.

Prosecutor Fraser Ball argued in his closing arguments this week that the evidence showed Veltman planned the attack for months, noting he bought a large pickup on a loan shortly before and installed a heavy grille guard on it.

Ball said Veltman wanted to send a message to Muslims in Canada that they would be killed like the Afzaal family if they didnt leave the country. He said Veltman also wanted to inspire other white nationalists to commit violent attacks.

Among the evidence presented during the trial was a video of Veltman telling a detective that his attack was motivated by white nationalist beliefs. Jurors also heard testimony that Veltman wrote a manifesto in the weeks before the attack describing himself as a white nationalist.

Defense lawyer Christopher Hicks argued against a first-degree murder verdict, saying Veltman has several mental disorders, including severe depression, autism spectrum disorder and obsessive-compulsive disorder, and had ingested magic mushrooms two days before the attack.

He said Veltmans conduct around the time of the attack demonstrated elevated and unpredictable behavior.

A forensic psychiatrist called by the defense testified that Veltman does have mental health issues but said he did not qualify to be considered not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder.

During the trial, Veltman testified he was influenced by the writings of a gunman who committed the 2019 mass killings of 51 Muslim worshippers at two mosques in New Zealand.

He told jurors he had been considering using his pickup for an attack and looked up information online about what happens when pedestrians get struck by cars at various speeds.

He told the jury he felt an urge to hit the family when he saw them walking on a sidewalk, saying he knew they were Muslims from the clothes they were wearing.
Building partially collapses in southern Russia, sparking search for any trapped survivors View Photo

Part of a residential building collapsed Thursday in southern Russia, killing one woman and sparking a search for any residents who might be trapped in the rubble, Russian state news agency Tass said.

Most residents in the southern city of Astrakhan already had evacuated because of what was described as a grinding sound in building, Tass said. The emergency ministry said it had received information about cracks appearing just before the structure collapsed.

More than 200 people, including more than 35 children, were evacuated, the news agency said.

The Astrakhan region deputy governor, Oleg Knyazev, said authorities had ruled out a gas explosion, and said the buildings structure was to blame. The residential block was built in 1962, Tass said.

Photos and video shared online by Russian state news agencies showed the partially collapsed building and rescuers searching through rubble. In one video. rescuers called for silence as they tried to hear whether any trapped person was making sounds.
Belleview Elementary School View Photo

Sonora, CA  An update on Belleview Elementary School board member Jason Vassar, who was taken into custody after making threats to kill children

Superintendent-Principal Carmel Portillo relayed in a Monday (11/13) email to staff and parents that Vassar remains detained. It was also noted that they are taking steps to remove Vassar from the board. As Clarke Broadcasting was first to report here last week, Vassar was detained after submitting personally written materials to the district administration that referenced threats to kill children, kill people, denigrate humans, and incite violence, with distinct anti-government rantings. However, he did not target anyone at the school.

The email also noted that the temporary restraining order against Vassar will remain in place until Tuesday, November 28th, when a hearing will determine a permanent injunction to the restraining order. The email noted that, at a board meeting last week, DeMaria Law Firm, out of Fresno, was hired to file a formal complaint with the Attorney General. Not to press charges but to move ahead with Vassars ousting. Portillo shared that it would be done this week and that Vassar would get a chance to respond, adding, The Board is prepared to call a special meeting as soon as a response is warranted, needs review, or a subsequent action can be taken.

Portillos entire email is below:

DATE: November 13, 2023

TO: Belleview School District Staff and Families

RE: Update to Nov. 6 Notice Regarding Recent Measures to Extend Protections to Staff and Students

Dear Belleview Staff and Families, In an effort to keep you informed, I would like to provide you with an update on the notice sent to Belleview School District staff and families on November 6, 2023, regarding statements sent to school administration from Board Member Jason Vassar, and measures taken to restrict his access to campus.

The Temporary Restraining Order (TRO) remains in effect through November 28th, at which time a court hearing will determine a permanent injunction to the restraining order. In the meantime, the Tuolumne County Sheriffs Department has confirmed that Board Member Vassar remains detained, and they are monitoring his status closely.

At the Board meeting on Thursday, November 9th, the Board convened to address this development. The Board has appointed DeMaria Law Firm to proceed with a Quo Warranto Action, requiring the designation of a private attorney to file a formal complaint with the Attorney General. The motion is not to press charges, but rather to give the Board permission to file a civil action to remove Board Member Vassar from the Board, due to the nature of his writings sent to school administration. Mr. Vassar has to be served with the formal motion and given a chance to oppose it. The motion is to be filed and served this week. The Board is prepared to call a Special Meeting as soon as a response is warranted, needs review, or a subsequent action can be taken.

Thank you for your continued patience and support in this matter and we appreciate everyones careful consideration during this development.

Should you have any questions, you may contact me directly.

Carmel Portillo

Superintendent-Principal

Belleview Elementary School District
US Navy warship shoots down drone from Yemen over the Red Sea View Photo

WASHINGTON (AP)  A U.S. Navy warship shot down a drone that was heading toward the ship as it sailed in the southern Red Sea, U.S. officials said Wednesday.

The USS Thomas Hudner, a naval destroyer, was sailing toward the Bab-el-Mandeb strait when the crew saw the drone, which originated in Yemen. The ship shot down the drone over the water. The officials said the crew took action to ensure the safety of U.S. personnel, and there were no casualties or damage to the ship. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss ongoing military operations.

According to a initial intelligence assessment, the drone was likely targeting the ship, said one of the officials. The U.S. did not directly blame the Iran-backed Houthi rebels for launching the unmanned aircraft. But the early Wednesday incident comes less than a week after Houthis shot down a U.S. drone over the Red Sea. Officials said the MQ-9 Reaper was in international airspace. The Houthis said it was in Yemeni airspace and was shot down by air defenses.

The Houthis have launched at least six aerial attacks against Israel since Oct. 7 and, according to the groups leader, Abdul Malik al-Houthi, have vowed to target ships operating in the Red Sea.

Another Navy destroyer, the USS Carney, took similar strikes on drones coming from Yemen on Oct. 19. The ship took out three missiles and several drones. It wasnt certain if they were aimed at Israel. One of the officials said the U.S. does not believe the missiles were aimed at the ship.

The Houthi are staunch foes of Israel and regularly hold huge demonstrations in support of Palestinians, during peacetime and wartime.

__

Associated Press writer Jack Jeffery contributed to this report from Cairo.

By LOLITA C. BALDOR

Associated Press
Tribe in Oklahoma sues city of Tulsa for continuing to ticket Native American drivers View Photo

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  The Muscogee (Creek) Nation filed a federal lawsuit Wednesday against the city of Tulsa, arguing Tulsa police are continuing to ticket Native American drivers within the tribes reservation boundaries despite a recent federal appeals court ruling that they lacked jurisdiction to do so.

The tribe filed the lawsuit in federal court in Tulsa against the city, Mayor G.T. Bynum, Chief of Police Wendell Franklin and City Attorney Jack Blair.

The litigation is just the latest clash in Oklahoma over tribal sovereignty since the U.S. Supreme Courts landmark 2020 ruling, dubbed McGirt, that the Muscogee (Creek) Nations sprawling reservation, which includes much of Tulsa, remains intact. That ruling has since been expanded by lower courts to include several other Native American reservations covering essentially the eastern half of the state.

Since that ruling, Tulsa began referring felony and criminal misdemeanor offenses by Native Americans within Muscogee (Creek) Nations boundaries to the tribe for prosecution, but has declined to refer traffic offenses, according to the lawsuit.

Tulsas prosecution of Indians for conduct occurring within the Creek Reservation constitutes an ongoing violation of federal law and irreparably harms the Nations sovereignty by subjecting Indians within the Creek Reservation to laws and a criminal justice system other than the laws and system maintained by the Nation, the suit states.

A spokesperson for Mayor Bynum said he is eager to work with tribal partners to resolve the issues and that the litigation is unnecessary.

This latest lawsuit is a duplication of several lawsuits that are already pending in state and federal courts to decide these issues, Bynum spokesperson Michelle Brooke said in a statement. She declined to comment further.

The 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in June that the city lacks the jurisdiction to prosecute Native Americans within tribal jurisdiction, siding with a Choctaw Nation citizen who was cited for speeding in 2018.

We will not stand by and watch the City disregard our sovereignty and our own laws by requiring Muscogee and other tribal citizens to respond to citations in Tulsa city court because of the Citys make-believe legal theories, Principal Chief David Hill said in a statement.

Experts on tribal law say there is an easy solution  for Tulsa to enter into prosecution agreements with various tribal nations like many cities and towns in eastern Oklahoma already have.

Under the agreements with municipalities, the portion of the revenue from tickets that is typically remitted to the state of Oklahoma is instead sent to the tribal nation whose reservation the city or town is located in. The rest of the money can be retained by the city or town.

Other municipalities within the Muscogee (Creek) Nations boundaries have referred 1,083 traffic citations to the tribe for prosecution, but not Tulsa, according to the tribes lawsuit.

By SEAN MURPHY

Associated Press
Biden tells Asia-Pacific leaders US not going anywhere as he looks to build economic ties

Biden tells Asia-Pacific leaders US not going anywhere as he looks to build economic ties View Photo

SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  President Joe Biden on Thursday made Americas case to national leaders and CEOs attending the Asia-Pacific summit that the United States is committed to high standards in trade and to partnerships that will benefit economies across the Pacific.

Were not going anywhere, he declared.

Fresh off his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Biden also told business leaders that the U.S. was de-risking and diversifying but not decoupling from Beijing. But he did not mince words in suggesting the U.S. and friends in the Pacific could offer businesses a better option than China. He also noted that U.S. economies had invested some $50 billion in fellow Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation economies in 2023, including in clean energy technologies, aviation and cybersecurity.

This is not all kumbaya but its straightforward, Biden said. We have real differences with Beijing when it comes to maintaining a fair and level economic playing field and protecting your intellectual property.

Biden sought to send a clear message about American leadership as business leaders grapple with the risks of doing businesses in the midst of wars in the Middle East and Europe and a still shaky post-pandemic economy. He was also spending time Thursday letting Indo-Pacific leaders know that the U.S. is committed to nurturing economic ties throughout the region.

The president also met jointly Thursday with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on the sidelines of the summit.

The meeting comes less than three months after Biden hosted Kishida and Yoon for a historic summit at the Camp David presidential retreat. Japan and South Korea have been historically bitter rivals, but the two leaders have sought to look past decades of tension because of shared concerns about growing regional threats from North Korea and an increasingly assertive China. Japan colonized the Korean Peninsula between 1910 and 1945.

Biden in his remarks to the CEOs sought to highlight his administrations efforts to strengthen ties with the region. APEC members have invested $1.7 trillion in the U.S. economy, supporting some 2.3 million American jobs. U.S. companies, in turn, have invested about $1.4 trillion in APEC economies.

Later, during talks with APEC leaders at a working lunch, Biden spoke about efforts funded by his Inflation Reduction Act to fight climate change and improve sustainability and clean energy infrastructure in the U.S. At a dinner for the APEC delegations, he challenged his fellow leaders to harness the power of the Pacific for a future of greater prosperity and dignity for all.

The U.S. hasnt hosted the annual leaders summit  started in 1993 by President Bill Clinton  since 2011. The group met virtually in 2020 and 2021 because of the coronavirus pandemic. Leaders did gather in Bangkok last year, but Biden skipped the summit because his granddaughter was getting married, and he sent Vice President Kamala Harris in his place.

The annual conference brings together heads of nations and other top economic and diplomatic leaders. Biden told those who gathered Wednesday evening at a welcome party that todays challenges were unlike those faced by previous APEC leaders.

Biden also sought to underscore that he was seeking to responsibly manage the United States strained relationship with China one day after he and Xi sat down for more than four hours of talks at bucolic Filoli Estate outside of San Francisco.

A stable relationship between the worlds two largest economies is not merely good for the two economies but for the world, Biden said. A stable relationship. Its good for everyone.

Demonstrations in and around APEC continued Thursday. Hours before leaders were to gather at the Moscone Center for the summit, protesters calling for a cease-fire in the Israel-Hamas war were detained by police after shutting down all traffic over a major commuting bridge heading into San Francisco.

After decades of trade built on the premise of keeping prices low, accessing new markets and maximizing profits, many companies are now finding a vulnerable global economy. The Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas conflicts arent helping matters.

The COVID-19 pandemic exposed frailties in their supply chains. Climate change has intensified natural disasters that can close factories. The Israel-Hamas war and Ukraines defense against the Russian invasion have generated new financial risks, and new technologies such as artificial intelligence could change how companies operate and displace workers.

Xi too, met with American business leaders  at a $2,000-per-plate dinner Wednesday evening. It was a rare opportunity for the business leaders as they seek clarification on Beijings expanding security rules that could choke foreign investment.

There is plenty of room for our cooperation, and we are fully able to help each other succeed and achieve win-win outcomes, he told them, according to an English-language translation.

Xi did not address the APEC CEOs meeting but instead sent a lengthy written speech in which he wrote that forcing uniformity will not advance cooperation in the region and declared that China was looking for stability during a moment of turbulence and change in the world.

The region cannot and should not be an arena for geopolitical rivalry, still less should it be plunged into a new cold war or camp-based confrontation, Xi wrote.

Separately, Xi on Wednesday signaled that China would send the U.S. new giant pandas, just a week after three from the Smithsonian National Zoo were returned to China, much to the dismay of Americans. There are only four pandas left in the United States, at the Atlanta Zoo.

Biden and Xi understand that the complicated ties between the two nations have major global impacts. Their meeting Wednesday at a Northern California estate was in part an effort to show the world that while they are global economic competitors, the U.S. and China arent rivals seeking conflict.

Xi, though, was gloomy about the state of the post-pandemic global economy. Chinas economy remains in the doldrums, with prices falling due to slack demand from consumers and businesses.

Industrial and supply chains are still under the threat of interruption, and protectionism is rising, Xi said. All these are grave problems.

White House officials said Biden has been bolstered by signs that the U.S. economy is in a stronger position than Chinas and that the U.S. was building stronger alliances throughout the Pacific.

Part of that is through the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, announced during a May 2022 trip to Tokyo. It came six years after the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the Trans-Pacific Partnership, a trade deal that was signed by 12 countries.

The new framework has four major pillars: supply chains, climate, anti-corruption and trade. There wont be any official trade deals to announce  the framework label allows Biden to bypass Congress on any agreements reached with the 13 countries. Biden celebrated that work on three of the four pillars had been completed.

Put simply, my colleagues and I are driving a race to the top, among nations in the Indo-Pacific, Biden said.

While U.S. allies are still are looking to hammer out comprehensive trade agreements with Washington, Biden administration officials are underscoring that IPEF has helped the U.S. and partners take action at a far faster clip than traditional trade deals.

Most trade negotiations take years to complete, said Mike Pyle, Bidens deputy national security adviser for international economics. The issues that are at the cutting edge of the global economic conversation, issues like supply chains, clean energy, good government - we have struck agreements around them in just 18 months, with a full set of IPEF partners.

___

Associated Press writers Josh Boak in Washington and Janie Har and Didi Tang in San Francisco contributed to this report.

By COLLEEN LONG and AAMER MADHANI

Associated Press
Prosecutor asks judge to revoke bond for Harrison Floyd in Georgia election case View Photo

ATLANTA (AP)  The Georgia prosecutor pursuing a case against former President Donald Trump and others on Wednesday asked a judge to revoke the bond of defendant Harrison Floyd, saying he has been intimidating witnesses and codefendants in the case.

Floyd, Trump and 17 others were indicted in August by a Fulton County grand jury, accused of participating in a wide-ranging scheme to illegally try to overturn the 2020 election in Georgia. Four defendants have pleaded guilty after reaching a deal with prosecutors and the rest have pleaded not guilty.

The charges against Floyd stem from allegations of harassment of Ruby Freeman, a Fulton County election worker who had been falsely accused of election fraud by Trump and his supporters. Floyd took part in a Jan. 4, 2021, conversation in which Freeman was told she needed protection and was pressured to make false statements about election fraud, the indictment says.

Prosecutors said in Wednesdays motion to revoke his bond that he had been posting on X, formerly known as Twitter, in an effort to intimidate codefendants and witnesses, to communicate directly and indirectly with codefendants and witnesses, and to otherwise obstruct the administration of justice. His actions amounted to intentional and flagrant violations of his bond conditions, prosecutors wrote.

Chris Kachouroff, an attorney for Floyd, said District Attorney Fani Willis attempt to revoke his clients bond was nonsense, adding, Shes not going to get it granted. He said he plans to file a motion to disqualify Willis from the prosecution because of her personal animus against my client.

Floyd was the only one of the 19 defendants in the case to spend time behind bars at the Fulton County Jail in August. While the other defendants in the case had their lawyers reach out to prosecutors for a bond agreement before turning themselves in at the jail, Floyd showed up on Aug. 24 without a lawyer or a bond agreement. He was released Aug. 30 after his lawyer negotiated a $100,000 bond.

The conditions of his release include not communicating directly or indirectly about the facts of the case with any of his codefendants or any known witnesses.

Prosecutors say he repeatedly attacked Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger and one of his top aides, Gabriel Sterling, who are both likely witnesses in the case. In one social media post they cited, he seemed to imply that the two men had interfered in elections, lied before Congress and lied to Willis.

In a Nov. 6 interview on a podcast, he discussed the facts of the case and communicated indirectly to codefendant Jenna Ellis, by discussing her guilty plea, prosecutors wrote. After the details from a video of an interview Ellis did with prosecutors as part of her plea deal were reported by news outlets earlier this week, prosecutors cited a post in which Floyd called her a whole mess and accused her of lying about another potential witness in the case.

He also had a series of posts Tuesday about Freeman that prosecutors said was an attempt to intimidate her and indirectly communicate with her about the facts of the case.

Freeman and her daughter, Wandrea Shaye Moss, were vilified and harassed by Trump supporters after lawyers for the then-president played surveillance video footage from the arena during a meeting of Georgia state lawmakers in December 2020. State and federal officials investigated and found no evidence of election fraud at the arena.

Stephen Cliffgard Lee, a pastor from Illinois, went to Freemans home in December 2020. He intended to claim to be offering her help in order to get her to make false statements about what happened at State Farm Arena in Atlanta, where ballots were being tallied, the indictment says.

After Lee failed to connect with Freeman at her house, he sought help from Floyd, a leader in the organization Black Voices for Trump, telling Floyd that Freeman was afraid to talk to him because he was a white man, the indictment says. Floyd solicited the help of Trevian Kutti, who had worked as a spokesperson for R. Kelly and Kanye West. She traveled to Atlanta from Chicago in early January 2021 to try to connect with Freeman.

Kutti arranged to meet Freeman at a suburban police precinct and they spoke for about an hour, with Floyd joining the meeting by phone. Kutti and Floyd told Freeman that she needed protection and that they could help her, but in reality they were trying to influence her testimony and get her to lie about what happened at State Farm Arena as votes were being counted, the indictment says.

In addition to the charges in Georgia, Floyd also faces federal charges that accuse him of aggressively confronting two FBI agents sent to serve him with a grand jury subpoena.

By KATE BRUMBACK

Associated Press
Vote counting starts in Madagascar election marked by low turnout and boycotted by most candidates

Vote counting starts in Madagascar election marked by low turnout and boycotted by most candidates View Photo

ANTANANARIVO, Madagascar (AP)  Polling stations closed and the counting of votes began Thursday in Madagascar in a presidential election that was boycotted by the majority of candidates following weeks of unrest and court battles.

A low voter turnout marked the election, as many people appeared to heed a call by a collective of 10 candidates to stay away from voting booths. Civil society groups had also called for a postponement of the election.

The countrys elections management body, Ceni, is expected to announce late Thursday the first nationwide trend, based on the counting of 60% of the votes cast in major cities, before proclaiming the provisional consolidated results between Nov. 24 and Nov. 25.

It will then be up to the countrys High Constitutional Court to proclaim the official results of the election at the beginning of December. A runoff has been scheduled for Dec. 20 if none of the candidates attain more than 50 percent from Thursdays vote.

But the opposition has already said it doesnt recognize this election.

The majority of Malagasy people expressed themselves through the fact that they stayed at home, said Hery Rajaonarimampianina, a former president speaking on behalf of the collective of 10 candidates that boycotted the election.

The situation was calm in the capital, Antananarivo, where authorities imposed a night-time curfew on the eve of the election after the torching of some polling stations late Tuesday.

But tension was palpable at some polling stations where some people refused to talk to journalists. At one polling station, people warned each other against making comments after being approached by an Associated Press journalist.

Voters choices were limited to three men after 10 candidates announced they were pulling out of the election this week, alleging that conditions for a legitimate and fair vote havent been met.

Andry Rajoelina is seeking reelection for a second term and is riding on a record of being the Builder President for infrastructure projects that some say have turned into white elephants.

A violent crackdown on protests by security forces ahead of the election has tainted his democratic credentials, while a struggling economy, lack of social services and widespread poverty weigh down his popularity.

Madagascar needs democratic maturity. The only democratic way to get into power today, and I am fighting for it, is elections, said Rajoelina after casting his ballot in Ambatobe, a rich district of the capital.

Rajoelina first took power in 2009 and served as president in a transitional government until 2014 after the previous leader, Marc Ravalomanana, was removed in a military-led coup. He made a return in 2018 when he beat Ravalomanana in a runoff.

Ravalomanana and Rajaonarimampianina, both former presidents, are among those boycotting the election.

The biggest challenge to Rajoelina, a 49-year-old former DJ, comes from a former ally-turned-foe, Siteny Randrianasoloniaiko, a wealthy 51-year-old businessman who is also the deputy for Tulear city under Rajoelinas IRD party in the islands far south.

Randrianasoloniaiko distanced himself from Rajoelina ahead of the election, raising concerns about the fairness of the election after casting his vote.

My observer delegates, those from my party, were not allowed to enter the polling stations, whether in Antananarivo, or on the coasts, he said.

A third candidate is Sendrison Daniela Raderanirina, a relatively unknown 62-year-old who has lived mainly in France to pursue a career in information technology.

Many in Madagascar hoped this election would break with a past of disputed votes, coups and political instability that have characterized the country since it gained independence from France in 1960.

But opposition figures, civil society and many ordinary people believe the election lacks credibility.

Opposition figures boycotting the election say Rajoelina should have been stripped of his Malagasy nationality and disqualified because he obtained French citizenship in 2014. Rajoelina said he took up dual citizenship to secure his childrens education in former colonizer France. The countrys highest court ruled in his favor.

They also allege that the national electoral commission and judiciary lack independence.

Most of Madagascars 30 million people live in poverty in a country whose economy is anchored in agriculture and tourism but is largely dependent on foreign aid.

____

Follow APs Africa coverage at: https://apnews.com/hub/africa

By SARAH TETAUD

Associated Press
In 1919 on a farm just outside David City, Clara (Puetz) Meysenburg was born. Just two weeks ago, she celebrated her 104th birthday. After over a century in the area and only the last seven years at David Place, she's seen quite a lot.

"I grew up on the farm and I lived there until I got married. I went to school in the summer so I could teach for three years at a country school. I went to Kearney for school, we had exams and I had to go to school for some certain term," Meysenburg said.

Those three years in the country school led to her getting married, as back in that day, teachers could not be married. Meysenburg said she chose the teaching path largely because it was a job she could do with the skills and knowledge she had.

"It was during hard times, it was mostly to make money. I was good in school, head of my class and I couldn't afford to go to college," Meysenburg said. "It was right during the Depression."

At the school, she taught a class of 20 kids, across eight grades for $55 a month. After getting married in 1940 to Joe Meysenburg, who would become sheriff of Butler County for 12 years, she had eight children -- six girls and two boys. While he was sheriff, she even cooked the meals for the jail. Once their children were old enough, she went back to work in some capacity until she was 80.

"My fourth daughter had... (had applied) for a clerk position in a variety store. ... The other three had worked," Meysenburg said. "She came along and they (the store owners) said they didn't want a school girl because they like to go to games and stuff. My youngest was old enough to go home after school so I said I'd apply."

Meysenburg's daughter, Bett Votava, who lives in Columbus said Meysenburg was already working hard with that many kids, let alone a job on top of that.

"I always said she did a day's work before she even went to work," Votava said.

In her lifetime, Meysenburg said, things have obviously changed quite a bit. When she was younger, telephones were the only modern convenience she really saw often. Radios and television were much later. David City itself, she added, has grown quite a bit as well.

"We had local stores, now we're getting bigger - factories and stuff going up around David City now, all kinds of stuff. Pretty soon David City will be bigger than Seward I would guess," Meysenburg said.

While they didn't have a lot of money growing up, Meysenburg said, her parents took care of their family and they never went hungry or suffered much hardship. All the kids, of course, worked on the farm occasionally, she added, which led to her not being a fan of horses.

"(My brother) drove the horse and buggy and he would do things to make me scared because he was older than I was. I never liked horses, the horses I grew up with were big plow horses. I'd be scared to go in the barn," Meysenburg said.

When it comes to the secret for a long, happy life, Meysenburg said she's not sure if there is one. Being 104 has its up days and down days, she said, but being as healthy as she is and only being in David Place due to a broken ankle sustained in 2016, she's holding up. She even drove until she was 90 and quit at the doctor's insistence.

Votava said she wonders if it was that generation's work ethic combined with their family's dynamic. Meysenburg still goes to functions and activities at David Place and has guests occasionally, so she has something to do.

"I think their hard work they did throughout their hard life kept them going and our family is very large and very into getting together," Votava said. We don't have anybody that we say 'well, if that person comes, I'm not coming."

Votava added that COVID-19 was a bit of a struggle due to not being able to see each other in the same room, but Meysenburg said it wasn't as bad as it could have been. Even when they were in lockdown she had a roommate and her family came to visit through the window.

"It was really hard. The fortunate part was that she could understand we were talking on the phone through the window," Votava said. "I'd come from Columbus and sit on my stool outside the window.

Maysenburg said she wasn't exactly sure what the best thing about the David City area was either, other than it being where she's lived her whole life. Votava added that this area has always been pretty safe and familiar.

"She just knew everyone and people are really friendly. Her family, the only one out of state is her oldest son, the rest are still in Nebraska. I think family and it being a small town are the best," Votava said. "I grew up here and even now with all the bad things happening, when you're in a small town, you don't worry about it as much, that's always been one thing about David City to me."
Live updates | Gaza loses communications due to lack of fuel. Israel signals forces may move south View Photo

A dire lack of fuel in the Gaza Strip shut down all internet and phone networks Thursday, the main Palestinian telecom provider said, effectively cutting off the besieged territory from the outside world.

In a signal that Israels ground invasion could soon expand to the south, Palestinians in parts of southern Gaza said they received evacuation notices Thursday. Most of Gazas 2.3 million people are crowded into the south, including hundreds of thousands who heeded Israels calls to evacuate the north to get out of the way of its offensive.

Nearly every single person in the Gaza Strip doesnt have enough food, and more than two out of every three people dont have clean drinking water, the United Nations said Thursday. Residents say bread is scarce and supermarket shelves are bare. Central electricity and running water have been out for weeks.

At least 11,470 Palestinians  two-thirds of them women and minors  have been killed since the war began, according to Palestinian health authorities, which do not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths. About 2,700 people are reported missing.

Israel vowed to wipe out Hamas after the militant group launched its Oct. 7 incursion. Some 1,200 people have died in Israel, mostly during the initial attack, and around 240 were taken captive by militants.

Currently:

 The Israeli military has set its sights on southern Gaza in a campaign to stamp out Hamas.

 Their families were wiped out. Grieving Palestinians in Gaza ask why.

 A California college professor is charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a Jewish demonstrator.

 Cease-fire protests shut down bridges in Boston and San Francisco.

 Longtime opponents of Israeli policy are leading U.S. protests. Who are they?

 Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Heres whats happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:

DISEASE WILL START SPREADING IN GAZA IF ISRAEL KEEPS WATER CUT OFF, RIGHTS GROUP WARNS

NEW YORK  Waterborne infectious diseases like cholera and typhoid will soon start spreading though Gaza because people dont have access to clean water, Human Rights Watch said Thursday.

Israel imposed a siege on Gaza after the Oct. 7 Hamas attack, severing the crowded strips access to water, power and fuel. A limited amount of water now comes in through Israel and Egypt but most people must drink from the local water supply  96% of which is unfit for human consumption, according to the U.N.

The lack of clean water is resulting in grave concerns by public health experts of an imminent infectious disease outbreak in Gaza, Human Rights Watch said in a statement. The New York-based group called on Israel to immediately end its blockade of Gaza.

JOURNALISM WATCHDOG IS DEEPLY CONCERNED ABOUT GAZA COMMUNICATIONS BLACKOUT

NEW YORK  The Committee to Protect Journalists has expressed grave concern over the collapse of internet and phone networks in Gaza and called on Egypt and Israel to allow fuel to enter the besieged territory.

The New York-based media freedom organization said in a statement that the communications blackout caused by the lack of fuel in Gaza poses an extreme risk to the lives of journalists reporting in Gaza and their coverage.

By withholding fuel from Gaza, the Israeli government is preventing journalists in Gaza from providing the world with updates on the war, leaving the international community vulnerable to deadly propaganda, disinformation, and misinformation, said Sherif Mansour, CPJs Middle East and North Africa program coordinator.

UNITED NATIONS SAYS HUMANTARIAN CRISIS DEEPENS AS FOOD, WATER AND FUEL ARE ALL RUNNING OUT

UNITED NATIONS  Nearly every single person in the Gaza Strip doesnt have enough food, and more than two out of every three people dont have clean drinking water, the United Nations said Thursday.

Humanitarian aid deliveries to the besieged territory through the Rafah border crossing will not take place on Friday because internet and telephone services have collapsed across Gaza for lack of fuel, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees said.

We have seen fuel and food and water and humanitarian assistance being used as a weapon of war, Juliette Touma, UNRWA communications director, told reporters in Amman, Jordan. Children are pleading for a sip of water and a piece of bread at the 153 UNRWA facilities now jammed with 800,000 displaced Palestinians, she said.

Touma said UNRWA cant operate because it has no fuel. Israel did provide UNRWA with limited fuel this week but only for the delivery of food, she said.

We have just witnessed in the past week the largest displacement of Palestinians since 1948, Touma said.

Abeer Etefa, a Mideast regional spokesperson for the U.N. World Food Program, said dehydration and malnutrition are increasing rapidly with only 10% of needed food supplies entering Gaza, and the massive food gap is growing.

IRAN SAYS IT WONT LET ISRAEL DEFEAT HAMAS, BUT STOPS SHORT OF PROMISING TO ENTER THE CONFLICT

BEIRUT  Iran will not allow Israel to defeat Hamas in the Gaza Strip, the head of Irans expeditionary Quds Force wrote in a message to the commander of the Hamas military wing.

However, Gen. Esmail Ghaani stopped short of saying that Tehran will join the battle in order to rescue Hamas.

In six weeks since the war was triggered by Hamas deadly Oct. 7 attack on southern Israel, Israel has largely taken control of the northern Gaza Strip, seen as the Hamas power base, while pushing most of the civilian population to the southern part. Israel has vowed to keep fighting until Hamas is crushed.

Ghaanis letter was addressed to Mohammed Deif, the shadowy leader of the Hamas military wing in Gaza and was published by Irans state news agency IRNA. He said Iran, the main Hamas sponsor, and its allies will carry out all our duties in this historic battle and will not allow Israel to reach its dirty goals of defeating Hamas.

Iran-backed groups in the region, including Lebanons Hezbollah and Yemens Houthi rebels, have attacked Israel with drones and missiles in recent weeks. Iraqs militants have claimed responsibility for dozens of attacks against bases housing U.S. troops in Iraq and Syria.

Ghaani praised the Oct. 7 attack, saying it showed Israel was weaker than a spiders web. He said Israel retaliated with an unprecedented brutal war crimes against civilians.

HEZBOLLAH DOES NOT WANT A WIDER WAR WITH ISRAEL, FORMER LEBANESE OFFICIAL SAYS

BEIRUT  A former top Lebanese security official who has served as a conduit between the United States and Hezbollah said Thursday that at this stage the Lebanese militant group is not interested in widening its limited cross-border conflict with Israel.

Abbas Ibrahim, a former head of Lebanons General Security, said that as long as Hamas is able to confront the Israeli army in the Gaza Strip, the situation will remain at the current level of tension on the Lebanese front.

Hezbollah and Israeli forces have regularly exchanged missiles and shelling but have largely avoided killing civilians or taking other actions that would provoke a major response from the other side.

However, the situation could escalate inadvertently, he said. If we continue with this degree of tension it will certainly lead to bad calculations and a war will happen.

Ibrahim said that U.S. officials had passed messages through him to Hezbollah urging it not to drag Lebanon into this war, including during a visit to Beirut last week by Amos Hochstein, a senior adviser to U.S. President Joe Biden.

Hezbollah has not sent messages of its own to the U.S. in response, Ibrahim said.

Since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war six weeks ago, Ibrahim has also been involved in talks on evacuating dual nationals from Gaza and on the issue of emergency humanitarian truces and the exchange of civilian hostages held in Gaza for Palestinian prisoners in Israel.

AT LEAST 11,470 PALESTINIANS KILLED IN GAZA, HEALTH MINISTRY SAYS, MOSTLY FROM ISRAELI STRIKES

RAMALLAH, West Bank  Palestinian health authorities said Thursday that 11,470 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since the Israel-Hamas war broke out six weeks ago.

The vast majority have been killed in Israeli airstrikes. The ministry said 4,707 of the dead were minors and 3,155 were women. The ministry does not differentiate between combatants and civilians.

In recent days, the Palestinian Health Ministry in the West Bank has started updating the Gaza death toll.

Until last week, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza was the main official source for the Palestinian death toll. It stopped publishing updates after key ministry officials based in Gaza Citys Shifa Hospital lost electricity and connectivity. Israel troops stormed Shifa on Wednesday and were still searching the large medical complex Thursday.

Hamas runs the Gaza Strip while its political rival, the internationally recognized Palestinian Authority, runs parts of the occupied West Bank. But the health and education ministries in the two territories continue to cooperate.

CALIFORNIA PROTESTS DEMAND CEASE-FIRE AND BLOCK TRAFFIC AS BIDEN AND WORLD LEADERS MEET

SAN FRANCISCO  At least 50 protesters calling for a cease-fire in Gaza were detained and arrested Thursday after shutting down all lanes of a major bridge into San Francisco.

The protest comes as United States President Joe Biden, world leaders and CEOs gathered in the city for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders conference.

At least 15 vehicles were towed after protesters parked on the bridge and threw their keys into the sea shortly before 8 a.m., disrupting the morning commute, said California Highway Patrol Division Chief Ezery Beauchamp at a news conference on Bay Bridge. He said more arrests were expected.

Protest organizers say 200 people took part. Photos provided by organizers showed demonstrators on the ground with white sheets over their bodies as part of a die-in. Aisha Nizar with the Palestinian Youth Movement said in the statement that Biden was hosting cocktail parties in San Francisco while thousands of people were being killed in Gaza.

Beauchamp said the highway patrol supports free speech rights but not a traffic shutdown that could prevent emergency vehicles from crossing the bridge.

This is the wrong way to do it, he said. This is 100% wrong, its unacceptable and its illegal.

WORLD MUST CONVINCE ISRAEL TO LET FUEL INTO GAZA, TELECOM CHIEF SAYS

RAMALLAH, West Bank  The general manager of Palestine Telecommunications Company, Paltel, said he has urged international bodies to persuade Israel to allow fuel to enter Gaza in order to restore phone and internet to the besieged enclave.

We asked all international bodies to intervene with Israel in order to allow the entry of fuel, Abdulmajeed Melhem told The Associated Press.

Earlier Thursday, Paltel announced that all communication services  landlines, mobile phones and internet connections  were down due to a lack of fuel.

Since the outbreak of the war, there has been no electricity, therefore we have relied on alternative sources to operate the generators, Melhem said. If they (Israel) allow the entry of fuel, this problem will be solved.

Until this week, Israel had completely prohibited fuel from going in to Gaza, fearing it could be commandeered by Hamas. But on Wednesday the Israeli government allowed the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees to receive 23,000 liters (6,076 gallons) of fuel, but under the restriction that it be used only for vehicles delivering aid.

US SAYS ITS LIKELY IMPOSSIBLE FOR ISRAEL TO TOTALLY ELIMINATE HAMAS

WASHINGTON  The White House said it believes Israel can dramatically reduce the threat from Hamas, but that eliminating the group and its ideology is likely impossible.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby pointed to the U.S. efforts to disrupt al-Qaida and the Islamic State group, a day after Biden said Israels war on Hamas in Gaza would only end once the militant group was no longer a threat.

What we have learned through our own experiences, that that military and other means you can absolutely have a significant impact on terrorist groups ability to resource itself, to train fighters, to recruit fighters, to plan to execute attacks, Kirby told reporters. And look at the shadow of itself that ISIS is right now, look at the shadow of itself al-Qaida is right now.

It doesnt mean that the ideology withers away and die, Kirby added.

ALL GAZAS COMMUNICATIONS SERVICES ARE DOWN DUE TO LACK OF FUEL, TELECOM SAYS

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  All communications services are down across the Gaza Strip due to lack of fuel, Palestinian telecoms provider Paltel said Thursday, cutting off the besieged territory from the outside world.

Paltel says the landline connection, mobile network and internet connection in Gaza have all dropped.

UN AGENCIES, HUMANITARIAN GROUPS OBJECT TO GAZA SAFE ZONE UNLESS ALL SIDES AGREE

GENEVA  The heads of nearly 20 United Nations agencies and international humanitarian groups are speaking out against the creation of a possible safe zone in Gaza unless all sides agree and the right conditions for one are established.

The call comes as the Israeli army has presented an area in southern Gaza called Muwasi, which is only a couple of square kilometers (about 1 square mile) in size, as a safe zone. It would not be targeted by airstrikes and could be a destination for humanitarian aid.

Under the prevalent conditions, proposals to unilaterally create safe zones in Gaza risk creating harm for civilians, including large-scale loss of life, and must be rejected, said the heads of the U.N. health, migration, refugee, humanitarian aid and childrens agencies, and groups including Mercy Corps, Save the Children and Care International.

The army has not provided details about how some 2 million people in Gaza would fit into such a small area, and agencies have pushed back against the idea. Meanwhile, army leaflets dropped in southern Gaza have urged people to move.

The 18 organizations noted the mass displacement already of some 1.6 million people in Gaza.

HEZBOLLAH SAYS IT FIRED ON ISRAEL IN 4 CROSS-BORDER ATTACKS

BEIRUT  Lebanons Hezbollah militant group said it fired at Israel in four cross-border attacks Thursday.

Israel said it had identified launches from Lebanon toward two Israeli military posts near Yiftah and Metula. Farming communities in the north were evacuated.

Israel retaliated by heavily shelling Lebanese territory and striking the militant sites where the attacks came from.

The military said no one was injured on the Israeli side. Lebanese casualties were unclear.

FRIENDS, FAMILY OF HAMAS HOSTAGES MARCH TOWARD JERUSALEM

GEZER, Israel  Hundreds of Israelis, including friends and family members of some 240 people held hostage by Hamas in the Gaza Strip marched toward Jerusalem on Thursday. The walk aims to pressure the authorities to secure the release of the hostages.

The marchers camped out in Gezer national park, halfway between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem before continuing with their walk. Many hoisted Israeli flags and carried posters with the images of the hostages.

The first must, in this war, is to bring them home, said march participant Nilli Getter.

The protest march began Nov. 14 with relatives gathering in Tel Aviv to start their journey, which is due to finish in Jerusalem.

UN HUMAN RIGHTS CHIEF SHARES ISRAEL-HAMAS WAR CONCERNS WITH DIPLOMATS

GENEVA  The United Nations human rights chief says the Israeli occupation must end in Palestinian areas, and that countries and peoples must recognize Israels right to exist.

Volker Turk spoke to diplomats in Geneva and heard their views in the wake of his trip to the Middle East the week prior. Aside from addressing Israels military campaign in Gaza and reiterating his concern about the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas in Israel, the rights chief also expressed his concern about rising tensions in the West Bank.

I am ringing the loudest possible alarm bell about the occupied West Bank, he said, expressing concern about attacks on Palestinians by Israeli settlers, and the use of force there by Israeli security forces.

Overall, he said, It is clear that the Israeli occupation must end. It is essential to ensure the rights of Palestinians to self-determination and to their own State. And it is essential to acknowledge that Israel has a right to exist.

AN OUTDOOR FUNERAL SERVICE IS HELD FOR 28 PALESTINIANS KILLED IN OVERNIGHT BOMBING

DEIR AL-BALAH, Gaza Strip  In the central Gaza city of Deir al-Balah, an outdoor funeral service was held for 28 Palestinians killed in overnight bombing, their bodies pulled from the rubble of destroyed buildings. Some of the mourners crouched over bodies wrapped in sheets of white plastic.

POLICE SAY SHOOTERS OPEN FIRE AT A CHECKPOINT IN ISRAEL, WOUNDING 4

JERUSALEM  Shooters opened fire Thursday at a checkpoint south of Jerusalem, wounding at least four people, one critically, Israeli police said.

The attackers arrived by car at the checkpoint on the main road connecting Jewish settlements in the West Bank and southern Jerusalem and opened fire at Israelis, police said, and at least three shooters were killed by security guards at the crossing. Police and bomb disposal units finished their search of the area around noon, having found no more shooters nor bombs.

Tensions have been rising as a result of the war in the Gaza Strip and deadly Israeli military raids in the West Bank. Violence has soared in the Israeli-occupied West Bank since the start of the war, with nearly 200 Palestinians killed, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry. Most were killed during gunbattles triggered by Israeli arrest raids or in violent demonstrations. Israel says it has arrested hundreds of people, mostly suspected Hamas members.

SAUDI ARABIA CONDEMNS ISRAELS RAID ON SHIFA HOSPITAL

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia  Saudi Arabia condemned Israels raid on Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, calling it a blatant violation of international law in a statement Thursday from the Foreign Ministry. It also condemned what it said was shelling near another hospital and called on international bodies to hold Israel accountable.

Israel says its troops are carrying out a targeted operation in Shifa, where it has long accused Hamas of maintaining an underground command center. Hamas and hospital staff have denied the allegations. Israeli forces searching the medical compound since early Wednesday say they have found guns and other indications that Hamas militants were inside, but have not shown any evidence regarding the alleged command center.

Hospitals can lose their protections under international law if combatants use them for military purposes. Even then, civilians must be given ample time and opportunity to flee and any action must be proportional to the military objective.

Before the war, Saudi Arabia was in talks with the United States over potentially normalizing relations with Israel.

60 MORE NORWEGIANS WILL BE ALLOWED TO LEAVE GAZA

COPENHAGEN, Denmark  Another 60 Norwegian citizens will be able to leave Gaza on Thursday, the Foreign Ministry in Norway said, with Scandinavian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre saying that they have received information from relatives that a citizen from the Nordic country was killed in Gaza.

Gahr Stre said that many countries have several of their citizens in Gaza, and its estimated that of the approximately 250 people with ties to Norway in Gaza, more than half of them are children.

Those able to leave Gaza will be able to enter into Egypt via the border crossing at Rafah. On Wednesday, Norway said it had been informed that 51 Norwegians could leave Gaza through Rafah.

By The Associated Press
MERIDEN  Johanna Gutierrez remembered she would join her grandmother to light candles at 7 p.m. every Dec. 7 while growing up in Bogota, Colombia. Like many Colombians, Gutierrezs family lit candles to celebrate the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary, which is a public holiday in Colombia and the unofficial start of the Colombian Christmas season.

After 22 years of living in Meriden, she now lights candles with her children to keep the tradition alive.

We light candles because its like saying, Look at my house, Sweet Virgin. Were here, lighting a candle for you, she explained in Spanish. We do it to keep the tradition alive and so that the kids can do something different.

Like Gutierrez, many of the Latinos who immigrated to the U.S. still keep their holiday traditions alive and start the Christmas season by celebrating the Virgin Mary with their friends and family.

Even though Colombians gather on Dec. 7 to light candles, Gutierrez explained that the Christmas season officially begins on Dec. 16, nine days before Christmas with a series of novenas. A novena is a nine-day period of dedicated prayer and devotion, which often involve specific intentions or religious rituals and are usually celebrated around Christmas in several Latino countries.

After she moved to Meriden, Gutierrez gathered a group of nine families that take turns hosting stateside novenas. While many of them were trying to keep Colombian Christmas traditions like building manger scenes and playing special games, Gutierrez said the group has grown to include a Puerto Rican and a Venezuelan family.

The families take turns to host evenings full of prayer and singing. This was also part of her childhood growing up. She remembers that she would collect bottle caps, flatten them out, gouge them with a nail and use them to create a homemade tambourine to keep time with the sung prayers of novenas.

Christmas starts early for Puerto Rican community

For Meridens sizable Puerto Rican population, the Christmas season starts a lot earlier. Juli Aviles has been organizing the mass and celebration around our Lady of Divine Providence, the patroness of Puerto Rico for a long time. Ahead of the feast day of Nov. 18, she added that the church started Novenas on Friday, Nov. 10, to honor the Virgin Mary.

Every year, the parishioners gather for a special mass and a reception with food and dance in the community hall. However, she said this year is special because the community is celebrating the 40 years diaconate of Raul Cardona with the bishop in the community building.

Christmas starts later for Mexican community

For the Mexican community in Wallingford, Christmas season starts later with celebrations of the Virgin of Guadalupe, the Patron of Mexico and the Americas. While her feast day is celebrated on Dec. 12, the community gathers for novenas at the church starting Dec. 4.

Celebrating the feast day of the Virgin of Guadalupe is a cherished tradition for Stephanie Sandoval, communications director of Most Holy Trinity. Her mother, Anarosa Sandoval, is the dance captain of the Aztec prayer dancers and has been organizing the Virgin of Guadalupe Mass since 1997. Afterward, Stephanie Sandoval said that every year, the church hosts a gathering with music, dance and Mexican traditions in the community hall.

Its a beautiful tradition, everyone looks forward to it every year, she said.

Eduadorians celebrateprocession in honorof child Jesus

In addition to Christmas masses on Dec. 24 and 25, the Ecuadorian community of Meriden traditionally celebrates a pasada, or procession, every year in honor of the divine child Jesus. This year, organizers are considering holding it on Saturday, Dec. 16, but have yet to confirm the date.

For the Puerto Rican and Mexican community, Christmas doesnt end until Three Kings Day on Jan. 6. Historically, the musical Cardona family has hosted a public Puerto Rican parranda, or party, at the Meriden Public Library. Hector Cardona Sr. said they were considering Sunday, Jan. 7, 2024, but are still finalizing the dates.

lguzman@record-journal.com,Twitter: @lguzm_n

Latino Communities Reporter Lau Guzman is a corps member with Report for America, a national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms. Support RFA reporters at the Record-Journal through a donation at https://bit.ly/3Pdb0re.
Yves here. This piece describes how pharmacy benefit managers like CVS have so much economic clout that they are easily able to side-step new Biden Administration rules meant to limit to price gouging by forcing pharmacies, particularly independent pharmacies, to accept even worse terms. Why didnt FTC chief Lina Khan go after this lot, where the immediate impact on the health and well-being of Americans vastly greater than with Google bribing the likes of Apple and Samsung to get its browser as the default on smartphones?

This post is worth reading in full for its examples of predatory conduct by the PBMs towards pharmacies.

By Arthur Allen, KFF Health News Senior Correspondent, who previously worked at Politico, where and had been a freelance writer for publications such as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Smithsonian, Lingua Franca magazine, The New Republic, Slate, and Salon, and before that, was a correspondent for The Associated Press. Originally published at KFF Health News

The Biden administrations first major step toward imposing limits on the pharmacy benefit managers who act as the drug industrys price negotiators is backfiring, pharmacists say. Instead, its adding to the woes of the independent drugstores it was partly designed to help.

The so-called PBMs have long clawed back a fee from pharmacies weeks or months after they dispense a drug. A new rule, which governs Medicares drug program, is set to take effect Jan. 1 and requires PBMs to take most of their performance fees at the time prescriptions are filled.

The clawbacks have ballooned from about $9 million in 2010 to $12.6 billion in 2021, according to the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission, an agency created to advise Congress on the program for people who are 65 and older or have disabilities.

Performance fees have also boosted Medicare patients prescription costs at the pharmacy counter by hundreds of millions of dollars, although insurers assert that the fees enable them to charge lower premiums.

Pharmacist groups supported the Medicare rule change, but they didnt anticipate the PBMs response, which has been to demand they accept new contracts with draconian cuts to their payments for dispensing medicines, said Ronna Hauser, vice president of the National Community Pharmacists Association, which represents independent drugstores. If pharmacies refuse the contracts, they risk losing Medicare customers  likely to the same giant PBM conglomerates, which have absorbed a growing share of the pharmacy business in recent years.

PBMs sit at the center of the U.S. supply chain for drugs, where they say they negotiate lower prices for insurers  including Medicare  and for employers and their workers. But the organizations are loathed by independent drugstores, drugmakers, and patients alike, who accuse them of siphoning money from what is already the worlds most expensive health care system without providing additional value.

PBM practices even put the squeeze on national chains like Rite Aid, Kroger, and Walgreens, which arent part of the conglomerates. Even CVS Health, which owns one of the three leading PBMs, has closed stores or trimmed staff as it pushes consumers to mail-order pharmacy services.

The pressure on in-store pharmacists and technicians has led to a series of walkouts this fall by CVS and Walgreens employees who say tight staffing has caused burnout and threatened patients safety.

Misery for Small Pharmacies

Under the current system, when a pharmacy fills a prescription, the PBM tells it what the patient owes and what the PBM will pay the pharmacy. The PBM aggregates these payments and sends a check later. Often, however, the PBM will deduct a performance fee from the pharmacy, said Doug Hoey, CEO of the National Community Pharmacists Association.

When youre filling the prescription, the PBM tells you the patient pays $20 for this drug, well pay you $100, Hoey said. As the pharmacist, I say, OK, I get a total of $120 for a drug that cost me $110 from the wholesaler. Then three months later, the PBM says, Actually, Im only going to pay you $83. So I lost $17 on the sale and I have no ability to object.

One performance measure is patient adherence. If patients dont take all their drugs, pharmacists can be slapped with a fee for poor performance, although they have no control over the patients actions. Sometimes pharmacists are dinged for the prescribing physicians mistakes, Hoey said.

In the early fall, PBM giant Express Scripts sent out confidential contracts announcing that in 2024 it will pay pharmacies roughly 10% below what they typically pay to buy wholesale brand-name drugs  meaning they could lose money on every prescription they fill, according to two independent pharmacists who received the documents. They declined to share the contracts because they are subject to nondisclosure agreements with Express Scripts.

In a statement, Express Scripts said that our reimbursement rates to pharmacies for brand drugs vary based on a number of factors. The company said nearly 90% of the nations 20,000 or so independent pharmacies had accepted its terms.

Kare Drugs, which runs two New Mexico pharmacies, was among those that refused the Express Scripts contract. As a result, the pharmacy is preparing for the hardest part, which will be potentially transferring patients away, said owner Ashley Seyfarth.

Seniors who are currently enrolling in Medicare plans for next year may be confused when they discover that their insurance will no longer allow them to pick up medications at their usual pharmacy, said Ben Jolley, a Salt Lake City pharmacist and consultant to other independent pharmacists. Jolley said his drugstore expects to lose at least 100 customers after refusing a contract with a large PBM.

A Double Whammy

For the first months of 2024, pharmacies will face a double whammy. PBMs will pay them less for the drugs they dispense, while the pharmacies also face clawbacks on drugs dispensed in the last quarter of 2023.

The Jan. 1 rule change was partly designed to relieve Medicare patients, who often pay a fixed percentage of a drugs price as a copayment. That copay is based on the price the drug plan or PBM promises the pharmacy at the moment of sale. But the clawbacks have resulted in patients overpaying by hundreds of millions of dollars, Hoey said. Thats because their copays at the counter ended up being a higher percentage of the drugs final pharmacy price, once the performance fees were deducted.

Seyfarth, who said she paid more than half a million dollars in PBM fees last year, said that to deal with the pending pinch her pharmacy was coming up with new ways to earn cash, including charging patients for delivery services and starting an all-cash concierge clinic.

Some pharmacies are setting aside savings or taking out short-term loans to cover losses in the early months of next year. Im hoping weve made the right calculations and will get through this, said Marc Ost, co-owner of Erics Rx Shoppe in Horsham, Pennsylvania.

The unintended consequences of the rule are likely to aggravate the problems of community pharmacists, who find it increasingly difficult to carry the most popular, expensive new drugs, Hauser said.

Integrated PBM-insurance companies  particularly UnitedHealth Group, CVS Health, and Cigna, each of which is composed of a major insurer, PBM, and other companies  have gained an increasing share of their revenues from specialty pharmacy drugs, which account for more than half of U.S. drug spending.

These behemoth companies have negotiating power with drugmakers that enables them to sell a diabetes drug like Ozempic (sold under the name Wegovy for weight loss), for example, for about $900 a month. An independent pharmacy cant even buy it at that price, Hauser said. If they dispense Ozempic, they are losing money.

Express Scripts has said it wants to help independent pharmacies survive, Hoey said, but hasnt responded to a June letter in which he asked the company to provide breathing space by imposing the 2023 clawbacks gradually over 12 months. CMS this month said it strongly recommends but does not require PBMs to come up with payment plans for pharmacies.

In its statement, Express Scripts said it was committed to reimbursing pharmacies fairly, ensuring Medicare beneficiaries have safe, quality pharmacies in their network, and giving beneficiaries all available discounts at the pharmacy counter.

After a parade of hearings  and an ad campaign from drugmakers  attacking the PBMs, Senate and House committees have advanced bipartisan bills to tighten controls on the companies. Senate Finance Committee bills would require the Department of Health and Human Services to issue rules ensuring that PBM payments to pharmacies and other contract terms are reasonable, and that PBMs no longer impose unfair pharmacy performance requirements, said Julie Allen, a law firm lobbyist representing the National Association of Specialty Pharmacy.

These statutory changes are essential to addressing problems with the Medicare Part D program and to saving specialty pharmacies and other pharmacies, she said in an email.
Elephants have names for each other, just like humans ZMEScience (Paul R)

The Male-Female Longevity Gap Widens Harvard Magazine. As I said, US is going the way of Russia, and for much the same reasons: extreme neoliberalism at work. Male life expectancy dropped by 4 years.

Global Decline In Male Fertility Linked To Common Pesticides NBC

Physicians scramble to employment: 5 numbers to know Becker Physician Leadership. More important than headline suggests. Trend = more crapification of US medical treatment.

Life scientists flight to biotech labs stalls important academic research STAT (Dr. Kevin)

The Dark Side of a Clinical Trial AAAS (Dr. Kevin)

#COVID-19

New Study by Chinese Virus Experts shows that there are FIVE separate strains of Covid, so diverse that they should be considered separate SARS viruses pic.twitter.com/7pBQYSAKwg  Chris Turnbull (@EnemyInAState) November 14, 2023

Climate/Environment

China?

No good options for Myanmars mortally wounded regime Asia Times (Kevin W)

European Disunion

French court issues arrest warrant for Bashar al-Assad for complicity in war crimes Guardian (Kevin W). The sarin gas fabrication is baaack.

Old Blighty

Keir Starmer suffers major Labour rebellion over Gaza ceasefire vote BBC (Kevin W)

Gaza

New Not-So-Cold War

Big Brother is Watching You Watch

A New Battle Over Government Spying Intercept

Imperial Collapse Watch

Trump

Fulton County prosecutors ask for emergency seal of evidence after video leak in election subversion case CNN (furzy)

2024

Budget Showdown

Senate passes Johnson bill to fund government, averting shutdown threat The Hill

GOP Clown Car

Mike Johnsons Shady Finances Are Already Coming Back to Bite Him Daily Beast (ma)

Abortion

A Satanic Abortion Clinic Named After The Mother Of Supreme Court Justice Alito Is Open in New Mexico The Messenger. ma: I dont know what New Mexicos abortion laws are, but if this church declared abortion to be a sacrament, could they perform them in any state, regardless the laws of the state? Hmmm.

Our No Longer Free Press

US senators seek Meta documents over platforms alleged mental, physical harms Reuters (furzy)

Cruise is taking all its vehicles off public roads amid expanded safety probe, staff changes CNBC (Kevin W)

Cruising is back. A new law has made lowriders legit Los Angeles Times (David L)

AI

Antitrust

Google Paid $8 Billion To Make Its Apps Default On Samsung Phones The Hill

The Bezzle

FAA Clears SpaceX To Launch Second Starship Flight CNBC

Guillotine Watch

Ultrawealthy charities that are helping no one and report nothing cost U.S. taxpayers billions every year, report says Fortune (ma). Of course they help someone! The employees, who are almost certainly family members.

Class Warfare

Antidote du jour. Sunny Roads:

Here you can see Monty, a young and very friendly tabby who lives in Port Moody, Canada, with his mom, Manuela. Monty is always curious about whats going on behind the curtains. In the photo with the red background he has been admiring the framed portraits of his distinguished Venetian cousins.

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
Yves here. This post is more open-minded than what you usually see from economists on the topics of nationalism and protectionism, yet it is still maddening. First, it fails to acknowledge flawed hidden assumptions about so-called free trade, which is actually substantially liberalized but still managed trade. True open borders with respect to goods is not attainable; at a minimum, there are frictions due to transit costs, even before the perceived need to protect citizens from uncontrolled entry of drugs, weapons, and defective products.

What economists pervasively refuse to recognize is a fallacy set forth mid-20th century, in the so-called Lipsey-Lancaster theorem, also known as The General Theory of the Second Best. It shows (with the required mathematics) that making incremental moves towards an supposedly ideal policy may not make things better. From ECONNED:

Recall that the situations that economists stipulate in theoretical models are idealized, usually highly so. Consumers are rational and have access to perfect information. There are no transaction costs. Goods of a particular type are identical. Capital moves freely across borders. Using these assumptions, or similar ones, the model is then shown to produce a global optimum.This highly abstract result is then used to argue for making the world correspond as closely to the model as possible, by lowering transaction costs (such as taxes and regulatory costs) and reducing barriers to movements of goods and capital. But these changes will not produce the fantasy world of the model. Doing business always involves costs, such as negotiating, invoicing, and shipping. Capital never moves without restriction. Buyers and sellers are never all knowing, and products are differentiated. The article shows, first in narrative form, then with the required formulas, that if all the conditions for the ideal state cannot be met, trying to meet anything less than all of them will not necessarily produce an optimum. Partial fulfillment of equilibrium conditions may be positively harmful, forcing the economy to a less desirable state than it was in before. Thus simple-minded attempts to make the world resemble hypothetical optimizing models could well make matters worse. In general, outcomes at least as good as any second-best reality can result from a wide variety of different policy choices. So, while abusing rarified economic models to grope toward a unique hypothetical ideal can be harmful, many different messy policy choices can lead to improvements over any current, imperfect state. There is no one, true road to economic perfection. Trudging naively along the apparent path set forth by textbook utopians may lead followers badly astray, despite the compelling simplicity of the stories they tell.

A second tacit assumption in arguing for more liberalized trade is that the (presumed) welfare gains will be shared, that the winners can compensate the losers and still come out ahead. Tell me how often that happens in practice.

Third is that development economist like Dani Rodrik have shown that protectionism is important for developing economies, so they can develop infant industries that have the potential to be competitive internationally to mature to the point where they can do just that.

I imagine readers can add to this list.

By Marvin Suesse, Assistant Professor of Economics Trinity College Dublin. Originally published at VoxEU

Economists know that international integration creates winners and losers. But we do not fully understand why the losers so often set the policy agenda. This column argues that economists are only now beginning to grasp the influence of nationalist ideas in shaping the policy narrative. The impact of nationalism rests on its ability to weld disparate special interests together into coherent coalitions and present a unifying story of progress and community amid adversity. In the 19th century, just as now, these stories found easy multiplication in popular media and on the marketplace of ideas.

When Robert J. Shiller coined the term narrative economics during his presidential address to the American Economic Association in 2017, he was calling on economists to take stories seriously (Shiller 2017). The stories commonly told about economic events, he argued, shape the publics understanding of past and present problems, thereby conditioning policy makers choices for the future. In my book The Nationalist Dilemma: A Global History of Economic Nationalism, I try to heed Shillers call (Suesse 2023). Based on historical case studies in 30 countries over the past 250 years, the book investigates nationalism as a powerful master-narrative that has often dominated public policy discussions, sometimes explicitly, and often unwittingly.

But what is it that makes businesspeople, consumers and policymakers listen to nationalist positions?

General and Special Interests

Protectionist groups often share a common legitimacy problem: by definition, they represent special interests seeking to prevent free-trade policies with potentially general welfare benefits. An explicitly nationalist frame of argumentation has several advantages for these groups.

First, nationalist narratives help to unite often disparate groups under one banner. A prominent example is provided by the politics of tariff setting in the antebellum United States. One of the most protectionist politicians of that era was Henry Clay, Senator and long-time speaker of the House. In the fractured political arena of his time, he knew that those states that had most to gain from tariffs, largely the mid-Atlantic states such as Pennsylvania, would not carry the vote alone. Hence, he combined protectionism with policies promoting a national bank and infrastructure investments into one package he called the American System. Banking policies satisfied New England states, whereas building roads and canals pandered to the interests of the sparsely populated mid-Western states. Together, this coalition had the votes Clay needed to outmanoeuvre the South and hike up tariff rates. While a number of issues bound this coalition together, including an opposition to slavery, the narrative of a unified American System that Clay created effectively allowed him to paste over the coalitions internal fractures. Narrative creation, of course, was not cheap. Political advocates of the American System spent considerable sums bankrolling promising economists to their cause, including prominent authors such as Henry Carey and Friedrich List, who crafted elaborate theoretical systems to advocate for tariffs.

Such narratives have allowed protectionists to reach out to parts of the population that are not directly negatively affected by market integration. Another example is the passing of the 1879 German tariff law, which was the brainchild of large producers in heavy industry and grain agriculture (the so-called Marriage of Iron and Rye). This protectionist coalition framed their proposal in terms of the Defence of National Labour and launched a coordinated publicity campaign on that basis. In doing so, they successfully encouraged participation by ordinary consumers and workers who sent letters agitating for tariffs to politicians. These outreach activities, riding on a wave of nationalist fervour, also allowed tariff advocates to denigrate free traders as enemies of the people and unpatriotic elements. This rhetoric finds echoes in the rallying cries of modern agitators tarnishing globalists as traitors to the national cause. Then as now, it effectively delegitimised liberal positions and put the arguments of free-traders beyond the pale of acceptable debate.

Public Relations, Then and Now

A well-oiled public relations machine has historically been crucial in aiding nationalist causes. Many Latin American countries have seen populist politicians, such as the Argentinian Juan Peron or the Bolivian Evo Morales, craft their economic policies to correspond with symbolic events in national history. When Morales nationalised the countrys oil and gas fields in 2006, he explicitly did so in memory of the fallen heroes of the 1930s Chaco War, who had fought in part over this oil-rich ground. When Peron expropriated the British-owned railways in 1948, he similarly celebrated this with huge bombast in front of jubilant crowds as a symbol of recovered sovereignty. The pomp and ceremony conveniently concealed the financial realities of the situation, as his government paid foreign railway owners handsomely for parting with their outdated stock. Peron also declared the 9th of July, the day when Argentinas hero San Martin had declared the countrys independence from Spain more than a century earlier, to be the Day of National Economic Independence. He thus linked political sovereignty (a concept no Argentine could possibly disagree with) to economic sovereignty (a much more contested subject). The same patterns of speech were repeated in 2016 by another American populist, Donald Trump, when he was declaring Americas economic independence in front of aluminium workers in Pennsylvania, Americas oldest industrial heartland. In this speech, Trump attempted to place his own policies in the tradition of acclaimed protectionist Founding Fathers, including Alexander Hamilton and Abraham Lincoln. And while professional economic historians will balk at the validity of Trumps comparison, his rhetoric was evidently followed by electoral success.

While propaganda and managing the media message is important for success, economic nationalism is not all smoke and mirrors. Much nationalist messaging leverages notions of identity and community that appeal especially in times of radical change, be it political upheavals or financial crises. China in the early 20th century presents such a scenario, where the ruling Qing dynasty was disintegrating in a vortex of foreign aggression, economic stagnation, and civil wars. All this went hand in hand with an increasing penetration of domestic markets by foreign products. Chinese nationalist intellectuals countered these trends by propagating the concept of a Chinese national identity, one that was assumed to be perennial and hence resistant to change. At the same time, they exhorted their compatriots to purchase products corresponding to this new national identity  that is, to prioritise domestic products over British or Japanese ones. The resulting National Products Movement became one of the big mass movements of early 20th-century China. Similar community-building attempts took place in colonial India, where charismatic leaders such as Gandhi advocated the exclusive consumption of products made in India to strengthen the bonds among citizens of the emerging nation.

A Narrative of Progress

Selling stories has therefore always been part of economic nationalism. Friedrich List himself, possibly the most prominent theoretician in this genre, took great care to fashion his protectionist thinking into policy-relevant soundbites that could easily be absorbed by politicians. Yet List also realised that narratives of isolation, by themselves, were hardly a recipe for success. Pure autarky was, even in the early 19th century, viewed as outdated and regressive. List instead coupled protectionist appeals with a narrative of industrial growth. The latter, he proposed, would amplify national power and wealth (as well as providing plenty of employment opportunities). Industrial growth, in Lists view, required not only infant industry protection, but also an educated workforce, advanced technology, and a modernised banking system. Economic nationalism was therefore painted as an optimistic and progressive force. Lists posthumous defenders saw these ideas at the origin of the impressive growth of the German economy in the late 19th century, which they depicted as a showcase of fast-paced industrialisation and technological advancement. The resulting association between Listian policy recipes and German growth outcomes lend additional credence to his ideas (notwithstanding the dubious causality between the two). This narrative of being able to provide an indefinite increase in production subsequently became one of the major selling points for Lists ideas abroad. Policymakers from Imperial Russia to the Ottoman Empire and Meiji Japan attempted to follow Lists recommendations, giving rise to a remarkable uniformity in nationalist ideas across the globe. Similarly, todays nationalists, from Donald Trump to the Brexiteers in the UK or Hungarys Viktor Orban, often echo each other in their pronouncements on the dangers of globalisation.

Conclusion: Taking nationalism seriously in economics

The tendency of nationalists to invoke similar arguments and rhetorical styles when speaking on the economy gives us a chance to study and explain the sources of this ideology. Taking economic nationalism seriously as a phenomenon with real economic impacts should not, of course, legitimise it. As much as it is a discourse designed to paper over fractured coalitions, it is subject to its own contradictions. The most severe of these is the tension between the desire for isolation from the world economy, on the one hand, and the admiration of fast-paced industrial growth, on the other. As many nationalist policymakers have found in the past, economic development is very hard to achieve in the absence of foreign trade and investment. These are real economic trade-offs that narratives cannot dispel.

Nonetheless, narratives are influential in helping economic nationalists gain and hold on to power. This is in accordance with a growing body of research investigating the degree to which ordinary consumers and voters are swayed by notions of national identity and their representation in the media (Della Vigna et al. 2014, Pandya and Venkatasan 2016, Atkin et al. 2019, Couttennier et al. 2019, Sequeira and Nardotto 2021). This complements more traditionally minded analyses that view economic nationalism mainly as a reaction by losers from trade (Colantone and Stanig 2017). What is still missing is a robust quantitative analysis on how these ideas filter through to policymakers (Everett and Fritz 2019). As the historical record and our current predicaments suggest, policymakers may be as susceptible to fall for slanted narratives as ordinary citizens.

See original post for references.
Nina Lanuza, senior community organizer for the Center for Rural Affairs, said she was familiar with the organization Young Nebraskans, but hadn't worked with them extensively, so when they named her for an award, she was a bit surprised.

Coming back from bereavement leave, Lanuza said, seeing the things from her nomination said made her emotional.

"When I got back to the office, I was very surprised. It got in my feelings, it was very well-written and nice. With the work Young Nebraskans is doing and having participated on some levels, it was not expected," Lanuza said. "Honestly the organization using this type of award to honor me was a big surprise."

Having worked with the Center for Rural Affairs for over three years and having done similar work in her last job, Lanuza said diversity and inclusion are at the heart of her work making communities more welcoming.

"Rural communities benefit from diversity and inclusion. Living in Schuyler, you fully recognize, we have a lot of diversity. I feel like we have support in creating a sense of participation," Lanuza said.

Her job is to then take the inclusion part and make sure all groups, cultures, age groups and the like want to be, and are, a part of their communities in the area of Nebraska she covers.

"How I do my work in Nebraska and the communities I go to, I cover the northeast region of the state, I basically get to understand the community, the demographics, the natural environment, what makes each of them unique and how to connect with them," Lanuza said.

Lanuza serves on the Schuyler Area Chamber of Commerce board and helps with area events when it comes to those aspects, Executive Director Audra Jedlicka said. On any given day, Jedlicka added, Lanuza is doing many things to better rural communities.

"Nina wears many hats for Schuyler. One of them is definitely her role in the Center for Rural Affairs, which is an entity that very much so works for diversity and inclusion," Jedlicka said. "One of her focuses is to bring people together. Serving on the chamber board, I've had the privilege of watching her behind the scenes and directly serving on the board improving things."

Jedlicka said that in a way, Lanuza keeps the door open for the Schuyler community, whether that's helping provide translation services at the chamber banquet or inviting Hispanic businesses to the chambers Con Cafe events.

Lanuza said inclusion means everyone feels welcome to be part of the larger community. Jedlicka said that her knowledge and understanding of the fact that this includes rural communities too is part of what makes her so effective. The chamber, Jedlicka added, feels Lanuza is very deserving of the award.

"I think people think she's a city girl, but she's educated and convicted about how important the rural population is. She's a leader in the community, her voice and work is something people follow," Jedlicka said. "She's not only young but what people her age are doing is trendy. People listen to her for education and knowledge, she's very trustworthy."
There had been concerts in the complex formerly home to Cannery Ballroom, Mercy Lounge and The High Watt off and on since the 1980s. And those three main venue spaces played a major role in local music between 2003 and 2022.

After more than a year of relative quiet about the progress of renovations at the site, property owner DZL Management released some new photos and renderings in July, noting that the work was on pace to allow for an opening by the end of this year. It seems they didnt quite hit that target, but theyll get pretty close: Word comes today that the revamped, renamed venues will open in January, and tickets are on sale now for some of the first shows.

Several of the early entries on the calendar are of the electronic variety. The very first is Denver ensemble Sunsquabis Jan. 24 show at the 300-capacity Row One Stage, formerly known as The High Watt. Two days later, NYC electronic duo Walker & Royce plays the 1,275-cap The Mainstage, formerly Cannery Ballroom, while on Feb. 10, Florida producer Tape B headlines at 625-cap The Mil, which you previously knew as Mercy Lounge. The first Nashvillian on the schedule so far is songsmith and rocker par excellence Lilly Hiatt, who headlined the final show at Mercy in May 2022 and will play Row One on Feb. 17.

Keep an eye on Cannery Halls Instagram profile for more.

Correction: An earlier version of this post incorrectly listed the new names of the venues and their audience capacities. The information has been updated.
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg welcomed Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics to NATO Headquarters on Thursday (16 November 2023) to discuss continued support for Ukraine and the ongoing implementation of decisions taken at the Vilnius Summit.

Mr Stoltenberg thanked President Rinkevics for Latvias contributions to the Alliance, including increased defence spending, investments in new capabilities like HIMARS, and contributions to NATO operations and missions in Kosovo and Iraq. Latvia also hosts a Canadian-led battlegroup and will host NATOs Baltic Air Policing Mission next year.

The Secretary General welcomed Rigas significant political and military support to Ukraine, saying: this is even more important now, as the situation on the battlefield is very difficult. He added: that is not an argument for less support; it is an argument for more support. This matters not just for Ukraines security, but for our security.

The Secretary General emphasised that NATO will become even stronger when Sweden joins, saying: we look forward to welcoming Sweden as a fully Ally very soon.
Around 200 Ukrainian medics have completed NATO training that will help Ukraines healthcare system to cope with the devastating impact of Russias war. The activity was organised jointly by Romania and NATOs Euro-Atlantic Disaster Response Coordination Centre (EADRCC), and funded by six Allies. The participants are first responders from different Ukrainian agencies, the National Guard, the National Police, the State Emergency Service, the State Border Guard Service, as well as medical units of the Ministry of the Interior. They are involved in rescue operations and provide critical medical services to civilians during Russian missile and artillery strikes.

The training was launched following Ukraines request for NATO assistance to help its medical system, which is under strain from the conflict and the lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic. This project is already helping Ukrainians receive better medical care, and will increase Ukraines resilience in the longer term. Its a prime example of what can be achieved when Allies join forces and direct their solidarity and resources through NATO, said Tom Goffus, NATO Assistant Secretary General for Operations. He praised Romania for its staunch support to this project, and expressed gratitude to the Allies whose donations made it possible.

The NATO EADRCC managed the programmes implementation and the cost  442,701 Euro  was covered by donations made by Czechia, Italy, the Netherlands, Slovakia, the United Kingdom and the United States. The Romanian Department of Emergency Situations offered the training classes and practical experience, while the countrys International Organisation of Migration also supported the project. Romania also hosted the activities in Oradea and Targu Mures.


(As delivered)

President Rinkevics,

Dear Edgars,

Its good to see you again. Welcome back to NATO, you know this headquarters very well, after many years of being Foreign Minister, now President, and therefore it is a particular honour and privilege to welcome you in your new capacity as President of Latvia.

Congratulations on your appointment.

And thank you for your strong personal commitment to NATO.

We are meeting just two days before Latvias Independence Day.

An important moment to mark your countrys freedom and sovereignty, which NATO protects every day.

Latvia is a highly valued NATO Ally.

You lead by example on defence spending. Committing more than 2% of GDP to defence.

And you plan to reach 3% of GDP by 2027.

You are investing in new capabilities, including HIMARS, to strengthen our collective defence.

And you contribute to NATO operations and missions in Kosovo and in Iraq.

I have also had the pleasure of visiting the Canadian-led battlegroup in Adazi,

in which 11 NATO Allies work side-by-side to defend NATOs eastern flank.

And next year, you will host NATOs Baltic Air Policing Mission, which keeps our skies safe.

So NATO can count on Latvia.

And Latvia can count on NATO.

At our Vilnius Summit, we agreed the most robust regional defence plans since the Cold War.

We are transforming the NATO Response Force.

And increasing the number of our high readiness forces to well over 300,000.

Backed by substantial air and naval power.

There should be no doubt that NATO is ready, willing and able to defend every inch of Allied territory.

Our Alliance will become even stronger when Sweden joins NATO.

And I welcome that the Turkish parliaments foreign affairs committee is taking up Swedens membership today.

We look forward to welcoming Sweden as a full Ally very soon.

President Putin invaded Ukraine wanting less NATO.

He is getting more NATO.

He totally underestimated the determination of the Ukrainian people to defend their freedom.

And he totally underestimated the strength and unity of NATOs support.

NATO Allies are providing unprecedented military, humanitarian and financial assistance to Ukraine.

And Latvia plays a key role in this.

This is even more important now, as the situation on the battlefield is very difficult.

But that is not an argument for less support.

It is an argument for more support.

This matters.

Not just for Ukraines security, but for our security.

So dear Edgars, thank you once again and welcome again to the NATO Headquarters.

I look forward to continuing to work together.

To keep NATO strong.

And our people safe.

Please, you have the floor.

Acting Spokesperson, Dylan White: Thank you. We'll go to questions starting with Latvian Radio Television in the sixth row, please.

Ilze Nagla (Latvian Television): Latvian television. Thank you for taking questions and I have a question for both. There is increasing migrant pressure on Finland's eastern border with Russia and do you see it as another hybrid attack, similar to what we have seen in Latvia? And is there a necessity for more coordination on NATO level to address that? Thank you.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: We are following this very closely. I actually met with the Finnish Defence Minister briefly on the margins of the EU Defense Ministerial meeting in Brussels earlier this week. He shared with me his assessments, his analysis and his concerns about the increased number of refugees, asylum seekers at the border. So this is something that we monitor very closely. The Alliance is vigilant. Of course, the first responder, the Finnish authorities are responsible for managing the situation on the border, but we need to exchange information we need to have the best possible common situational awareness and then to take necessary actions, if needed, whether that will be as NATO or as NATO Allies or in other formats. That's a bit too early to say depending on the developments, but we are closely following the situation also along the Finnish border.

President of Latvia, Mr Edgars Rinkevics: Let me just add that Latvian authorities are in close coordination with the Finnish authorities as Latvia and Finland both share a border with Russia. We have also coordination and information sharing with other EU and NATO member states that are having common border with Russia and Belarus. We are prepared to implement joint decisions if we can agree on the necessity for those like there are many options from the border closing to restricting entry of citizens but those measures will be decided by our own competent authorities based on the analysis of the situation and based on joint assessment and based also on joint decisions. I would also say that we discussed with Secretary General the overall situation in the region not only when it comes to the purely military point of view, but also from different hybrid attacks that we have seen, lately, we were discussing the need to protect critical undersea infrastructure. We still remember what happened in October in the Baltic Sea, that that incident is being investigated, but we are of the same opinion that we need to be prepared to respond to all kinds of hybrid challenges that we face. When it comes to the border situation, I do believe that regional cooperation, also the EU coordination is needed. We've discussed this also a little bit yesterday when I met with the President of the European Commission, because also the European Union is playing a role in this regard. But I think that we are of the same opinion with the Secretary General that also NATO needs to look into the matter but at this point, those decisions should be taken by the national authorities of the countries that are bordering Russia.

Acting Spokesperson Dylan White: Questions well go to Bloomberg in the third row, please.

Natalia Drozdiak (Bloomberg): Natalia Drozdiak from Bloomberg. I had a question for both of you, if I may. I wanted to ask about support for Ukraine and the debate in the US Congress at the moment. What is your feeling if aid doesn't get passed for Ukraine? How dire is this for Ukraine's effort to fight back the Russians? Thank you.

Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg: Well, it is of course important that all Allies continue to stand by the decisions we have made jointly at the Vilnius Summit. All Heads of State and Government, all NATO Allies promised to stand by Ukraine, not only because it will be a tragedy for the Ukrainians if President Putin wins but it will be dangerous for us. Because then the message would be that when authoritarian leaders use military force, when they violate international law, when they invade another country, they get what they want and that will make the world more dangerous and us more vulnerable. So it is a national security interest of all NATO Allies also the United States, to prevent that from happening, to prevent President Putin from winning in Ukraine. And therefore, I'm confident that United States will continue to provide support to Ukraine. And the message when I travel around in NATO capitals is that Allies are ready to sustain and to step up their support. And just over the last days, we've had new announcements from, for instance, Germany, made significant new announcements of increased support just few days ago. Other Allies have also announced additional support. So I'm confident that that will be the case. Lastly, let me also say that we need to realize that the situation on the battlefield is difficult. Russia doesn't plan for peace, they plan for more war. And we are also seeing how Russia has tried to launch offensive operations around for instance, Avdiivka, but the fact that the situation on the battlefield is more difficult than we hoped. That's not an argument against support, it is an argument in favour of more support for Ukraine, because again, we cannot allow President Putin to win. Then let me also add that the Ukrainians have already made big victories. At the beginning of this war, most experts believed  and we also feared  that Ukraine would collapse in days and that Russia would control Kyiv within weeks. The reality was that the opposite happened and Ukrainians were able to push back Russian forces in North and East and in the South and have liberated half of the territory so this is a big victory for Ukraine that have liberated so much territory, it's a big victory for Ukraine that they have been able to inflict heavy losses on the Russian invaders. And it is a big victory for Ukraine that Ukraine has prevailed as an independent sovereign nation in Europe. Russia has lost a lot. Ukraine is a strategic defeat for President Putin. He has not achieved what he wanted. So that's the background as we now continue, how to provide, or ensure that we continue to provide support to Ukraine.

President of Latvia, Mr Edgars Rinkevics: It's almost impossible to add to what Jens just said. I think that this has been really a perfect argumentation. Let me just say that first of all, my country Latvia, has provided military assistance to Ukraine that is worth more than 1% of GDP. And we are a small country. Of course, if we talk about millions of euros or millions of dollars, it's not a huge amount, but actually it shows the commitment that we, as a country that understands the danger of the Russian aggression, the danger of Russia not being stopped by Ukraine in Ukraine, going further and challenging other neighbouring countries. This country is currently aggressive. This country is mobilizing its economy. It's mobilizing its war machine. And I think it would be a huge mistake currently not to provide Ukraine with all kinds of assistance, be it military, be it financial assistance, so that the government can function and all the services are being delivered. So I do hope that all Allies, including the US and its Congress, do understand that at this point, it is critical to help Ukraine in order to stop Russia and in order to actually keep the peace in Europe for years to come. There can be questions, there can be questions on how this assistance is spent, and those questions should be answered. But it does not change the big picture and the big picture is that it's in the interest of Ukraine, it's in the interest of all NATO Allies, including the United States that Ukraine is successful, combatting the Russian Federation.

Acting Spokesperson Dylan White: That concludes this press point. Thank you very much.
Brazils socialist government threatens to WITHHOLD welfare payments to parents who REFUSE TO VACCINATE their children against COVID-19

Socialist Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva has announced a plan to include the dangerous and ineffective Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine in the National Immunization Program (PNI) in 2024. He has also threatened to cut welfare payments to families who refuse to vaccinate their children.

"If I have to do ten, fifty COVID-19 vaccinations, Ill do as many as I have to because I like my life. I think everyone has to like their childrens lives and get their children vaccinated at the right age," Lula said.

According to the government-owned news agency Agencia Brasil, the inclusion of the COVID-19 vaccine in the PNI would mandate yearly injections for children aged six months to five years. Those who fail to comply will be deprived of state support, including the "Bolsa Familia" program, the largest welfare program in the country that seeks to combat hunger.

Health officials of Brazil have supported Lula's and even released their own statements to persuade the public.

"It is an important change, aligned with the World Health Organization, in which the vaccine against COVID-19 is incorporated into our PNI," Brazilian Secretary of Health Ethel Maciel said.

However, renowned scientist and journalist Simon Goddek argues that such mandates reflect an authoritarian approach reminiscent of communist regimes. He brought attention to X, formerly known as Twitter, that families who fail to comply "face hefty fines, loss of social aid like 'Bolsa Familia' or worse, having children taken away."

"While voicing the full extent of my concerns could land me behind bars in Brazil, its clear that politicians like Lula prioritize lining their pockets over safeguarding our young ones. Please remain vigilant and unvaccinated, and question the motives behind such draconian and harmful measures," he continued in his tweet.

COVID-19 vaccine mandate for kids sparks debate

The controversial decision of the Brazilian government has also sparked debates about the necessity of such measures, as numerous studies reportedly show that COVID-19 resulted in the deaths of children worldwide.

Earlier this year, EuroMOMO, a European Union project compiling statistical COVID-19 data, conducted an analysis on the direct correlation between the approval of Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine for children and a surge in excess deaths among the age group of zero to 14.

The analysis revealed a jaw-dropping 63,060 percent increase in excess deaths by the 22nd week of 2023, after the emergency use authorization (EUA) granted by the European Medicines Agency (EMA). The data covers 26 out of the 44 European countries. (Related: Data shows 63,060% increase in CHILD DEATHS since rollout of Pfizers COVID-19 jab for children in Europe.)

Expose News provided a detailed chart from Jan. 3 to March 27, 2022, to support the claim of the study. The chart  sourced from the U.K. Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Week 5, Week 9 and Week 13 COVID-19 Vaccine Surveillance reports  categorized SARS-CoV-2 cases by vaccination status and age group in England. The findings painted a disconcerting reality and opposed the case rates among the triple-vaccinated population in every age group.

Notably, the EMA extended the EUA for Pfizer's COVID-19 vaccine during week 21 of 2021  first for children aged 12 to 15, and later for the five to 11 age group. However, the subsequent weeks witnessed an increase in excess deaths among children. Between weeks 22 and 52 of 2021, there was a tally of 919 excess deaths among children aged zero to 14, compared to the preceding weeks.

The unsettling trend persisted throughout 2022, with a total of 1,639 excess deaths recorded among children aged zero to 14 across 26 European countries. Since the extension of the EUA to children, the continent has witnessed a distressing total of 3,148 excess deaths among children.

But despite this, Brasilia still passed a bill in 2019 that would criminalize the refusal to vaccinate children with any of the required childhood vaccines and may lead to prison sentences for parents who resist the mandates.

Follow VaccineDeaths.com for more news about how the experimental vaccines killed people, young and old, worldwide.

Watch the video below that talks about the massive vaccine death rate from the fully vaccinated population.

This video is from Katy Odin's channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Study links Pfizers COVID-19 vaccine to VAIDS in children.

European children suffer appalling 755% increase in excess death after COVID VACCINE approval.

TURBO CANCER: Children are DYING within hours or days of leukemia diagnosis, often after receiving vaccine jabs.

WHO Director walks back his statement that some countries are using COVID-19 vaccine boosters to "kill children."

Marvel pushing vaccine indoctrination of children in new digital covid vaccine comic book that partners with Pfizer.

Sources include:

TheNationalPulse.com

LifeSiteNews.com

Expose-News.com
Get ready for large-scale military-run concentration camps across America

In anticipation of securing a second term in the White House, former President Donald Trump is actively formulating comprehensive and assertive immigration policies  including concentration camps for illegals

These measures are designed not only to stem the substantial influx of individuals into the U.S., but also to initiate the removal of millions who have previously crossed the border decades ago.

The plans were reported by the New York Times based on interviews with Stephen Miller and other Trump advisors. The Gray Lady characterized the plans as "an assault on immigration on a scale unseen in modern American history."

During a campaign trail last September, Trump told Iowans: "Following the Eisenhower model, we will carry out the largest domestic deportation in American history." He was referring to the 1954 expulsion drive spearheaded by his predecessor, former President Dwight Eisenhower, that saw some 1.1 million Mexicans being deported.

Here are the key components of Trump's proposals:

Muslim immigration restrictions : Trump aims to reinstate a version of the executive order banning travel from several Muslim-majority countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen) that he previously implemented. President Biden overturned this ban on his first day in office.

: Trump aims to reinstate a version of the executive order banning travel from several Muslim-majority countries (Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen) that he previously implemented. President Biden overturned this ban on his first day in office. Utilizing health policies to restrict asylum claims : Building on previous restrictions based on the pretext of controlling the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), Trump plans to renew the use of health policies, citing diseases such as tuberculosis, to curtail asylum claims.

: Building on previous restrictions based on the pretext of controlling the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19), Trump plans to renew the use of health policies, citing diseases such as tuberculosis, to curtail asylum claims. Mass deportations : A second Trump administration would intensify efforts to locate and deport millions of illegal immigrants annually. This strategy involves a significant expansion of removal methods that bypass due process hearings. Federal agents would be redirected from other duties, and local law enforcement and National Guard soldiers deployed by Republican governors would be deputized for this purpose.

: A second Trump administration would intensify efforts to locate and deport millions of illegal immigrants annually. This strategy involves a significant expansion of removal methods that bypass due process hearings. Federal agents would be redirected from other duties, and local law enforcement and National Guard soldiers deployed by Republican governors would be deputized for this purpose. Establishment of large detention camps : Faced with overwhelmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, Trump proposes constructing extensive camps to detain migrants during the duration of their legal proceedings. To fund these camps, he plans to circumvent Congress and redirect Pentagon funds, similar to his approach to financing border wall construction.

: Faced with overwhelmed Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facilities, Trump proposes constructing extensive camps to detain migrants during the duration of their legal proceedings. To fund these camps, he plans to circumvent Congress and redirect Pentagon funds, similar to his approach to financing border wall construction. Restriction of birthright citizenship : Trump aims to end the practice of granting citizenship to babies born to illegal immigrants.

: Trump aims to end the practice of granting citizenship to babies born to illegal immigrants. Enhanced scrutiny in visa applications: Trump envisions an expanded ideological screening process for visa applicants, subjecting them to heightened scrutiny based on their beliefs and views.

He also suggested a naval blockade by both the Coast Guard and the Navy to stop drug smuggling boats in U.S.-Latin American waters. Drug cartels would be designated as "unlawful enemy combatants," allowing U.S. military intervention in Mexico. Trump said he will also push for the completion of the border wall. (Related: Secretary of State Antony Blinken: Drug trafficking, immigration are crisis MUTUAL RESPONSIBILITIES of the U.S. and Mexico.)

Biden campaign slams Trump's plans as "extreme" and "racist"

The Biden-Harris campaign swiftly denounced the proposed plans. "Mass detention camps, attempts to deny children born here citizenship, uprooting families with mass deportations  this is the horrifying reality that awaits the American people if Trump is allowed anywhere near the Oval Office again," said Ammar Moussa, spokesman for the campaign.

However, Biden is encountering increasing criticism of his immigration policies from within his party. New York City Mayor Eric Adams has been consistently and explicitly condemning what he perceives as White House negligence in addressing a migrant crisis that has overwhelmed the Big Apple.

Immigration is emerging as a pivotal factor in shaping the perspectives of 2024 voters. According to Reuters/Ipsos polling, the percentage of Americans citing immigration as their top concern rose from 8 percent in September to 14 percent in October. In September, 54 percent of respondents agreed that "immigration is making life harder for native-born Americans."

Visit Trump.news for more stories about the former president.

Watch former President Donald Trump discuss his immigration plans below.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

ONLY IN AMERICA: Biden releases $77M to aid illegal immigration.

NYC Mayor Adams: Illegal immigration under Biden has become a NATIONAL CRISIS.

Bidens lax immigration policy brings Yuma, Arizona to the brink of collapse.

Sources include:

ZeroHedge.com

POLITICO.com

Brighteon.com
A Guatemalan man was sentenced in federal court Tuesday to time served after he pleaded guilty to shooting and killing a bald eagle in Nebraska.

Domingo Zetino-Hernandez, 21, admitted in August to a misdemeanor violation of the Bald and Golden Eagle Protection Act after he shot and killed a bald eagle near Stanton, Neb., in February. He has been in custody since March and will be subject to deportation as a result of the conviction.

Prosecutors requested a one-year term of supervised release and a $2,500 fine in addition to the time Zetino-Hernandez served in custody, while the defense opposed any punishment beyond the more than eight months he spent in county jail. U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge Michael Nelson agreed with the defense at Tuesdays hearing.

A sentence of time served is certainly sufficient, Nelson said at sentencing. The defendant has served a significant term in custody for this misdemeanor offense.

In exchange for his guilty plea, prosecutors dismissed additional federal charges against Zetino-Hernandez that alleged he used a fake social security card and drivers license to obtain employment. Court documents indicate he was working at a pig farm in the Norfolk area.

According to his plea agreement, law enforcement was called to the Wood Duck Wildlife Management Area, located about three miles west of Stanton, Neb., on the afternoon of Feb. 28 to reports of a suspicious vehicle in a field. When deputies with the Stanton County Sheriffs Office arrived, they found two people in the car: Zetino-Hernandez, and another man, 21-year-old Ramiro Hernandez-Tziquin.

Zetino-Hernandez gave deputies permission to search the vehicle, and they recovered the carcass of a bald eagle in the trunk of the car. According to a press release from the Sheriffs Office, the two men stated they planned on cooking and eating the bird.

Federal public defender Richard McWilliams stated in court documents that his client did not intend to kill a bald eagle and initially told deputies he shot a vulture. McWilliams said Zetino-Hernandez had recently bought pellet guns so he could hunt food for his wife and infant son.

He shot a large, non-endangered bird, was discovered and jailed for eight months, McWilliams wrote. He lost his job at the pig farm, has lost his investment in the pellet guns, has been separated from his wife and infant son for eight months, and faces removal to Guatemala. No right-thinking, similarly situated person would risk all of these sanctions and punishments to shoot a bald eagle.

Hernandez-Tziquin, who was charged alongside Zetino-Hernandez, is believed to have fled from the area prior to an arrest warrant being issued. He has not been located.
Huge grain supply contract signed between Russia and China, shoring up Chinas food supply for years to come

China and Russia have signed a huge grain supply contract , bolstering their alliance in food as both nations confront rising challenges.

The contract between Beijing and Moscow amounted to almost 2.5 trillion Russian rubles ($25.8 billion)  the biggest in their food-trade history under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Russian state-owned news agency TASS confirmed this development, citing a Russian insider during the third Belt and Road Forum.

Karen Ovsepyan of the New Land Grain Corridor (NLGC)  a logistics center being created in Russia's Ural Mountains, Siberia and its Far East area to assist China-Russia trade  expounded on the deal. Under the contract, Moscow will sell 70 million tons of grain, legumes, and oilseeds to its southern neighbor. This comes as a benefit to Russia, which has been looking for more collaboration in Eurasia amidst Western sanctions arising from its invasion of Ukraine.

Ovsepyan said China, which has made food security a strategic priority amidst increasing food demand and a doubtful worldwide market, will receive the agreed-upon food over 12 years. She added that the corridor through which the food is to be delivered will be launched as soon as an intergovernmental agreement is signed. This could be in late November or early December, according to Ovsepyan.

The deal also introduced Russian state-owned Sberbank's invitation to China to consider accepting its low-carbon energy-certification system that seeks to aid its clients in decreasing their carbon footprint. Russia, in exchange, will assist in promoting a similar Chinese system in the Russian market, Sberbank Vice President Mikhail Susov announced at the fifth Russian-Chinese Energy Business Forum in the Chinese capital. (Related: New Energy Market Order: Russia, China, Iran sign over a dozen new trade agreements  mostly concerning energy.)

Susov remarked that the two nations should support each other in this regard, as "it is important to secure international recognition" of the energy certificates they issue. "This will enable counterparties from other countries, including China, to acquire Russian goods and resources with a lower carbon footprint, thereby promoting the transition to low-carbon energy sources," he continued.

China's trade with Russia surged by 27.7 percent this year

Economic partnership between the neighbors has increased as bad relationships with Western nations and the war in Ukraine have limited trade and delayed supply chains, with China purchasing more food and energy from Russia.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak announced at the energy forum that Russian exports of energy goods to China so far this year have increased by 17 percent in comparison with the same time last year.

TASS quoted Novak as saying Russia hopes to see the participation of Chinese corporations in terms of hydrocarbon and alternative energy sources.

Meanwhile, in his opening speech during the forum, Chinese Vice-Premier Ding Xuexiang asked for better connectivity between the two nations to expedite energy trade. Ding also expressed interest in pushing for more cooperation in the development of renewable resources and worldwide energy governance.

China's trade with Russia leaped substantially in the first ten months of 2023, based on official data issued on November 7, underscoring deepening bilateral cooperation between the two nations.

From January to October, China's trade with Russia surged by 27.7 percent to $196.48 billion, with China's exports to Russia rising 52.2 percent year-on-year to $90.08 billion and imports from Russia growing 12.4 percent to $106.41 billion, as reported by data from China's General Administration of Customs (GAC).

The growth rate in China's trade with Russia was remarkably quick than Chinas trade with several other major trading partners, including the European Union and the United States.

The GAC data showed that in the first 10 months, in U.S. dollar terms, China's trade with the EU fell by 7.5 percent year-on-year, while trade with America dropped by 13.2 percent.

Experts stated that trade between China and Russia is on track to exceed $200 billion this year, reaching the target set by the two nations in 2019 one year ahead of schedule. The strong growth in bilateral trade arrives as China and Russia have been deepening win-win economic and trade partnerships through multiple efforts.

Follow WheatWar.com for more similar stories.

Watch the video below about Russia's Black Sea grain deal.

This video is from the Russia Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia and China pledge friendship, denounce the West.

Russia terminates Black Sea grains deal amid escalating tension with Ukraine.

Leaders of Iran, China meet in Beijing to boost economic ties that will sideline America and the dollar.

Sources include:

SCMP.com

GlobalTimes.cn

Brighteon.com
Human rights group wants Israeli attacks on Gaza hospitals investigated as war crimes

An international non-governmental organization (NGO) known as Human Rights Watch (HRW) is calling for Israel's actions in Gaza thus far to be "investigated as war crimes."

As news continues to pour in about Israel bombing hospitals and other medical facilities filled with sick patients, as well as refugee camps and other places where civilians are seeking refuge, the non-Zionist world is demanding justice for these "apparently unlawful attacks" by the Israeli military.

"Despite the Israeli military's claims on Nov. 5, 2023, of 'Hamas's cynical use of hospitals,' no evidence put forward would justify depriving hospitals and ambulances of their protected status under international humanitarian law," HRW maintains.

According to international humanitarian law, a war crime is a serious violation in which innocent people are killed with criminal intent. HRW believes this is what Israel is doing, and it is urging the Independent International Commission of Inquiry on the Occupied Palestinian Territory and the International Criminal Court (ICC) to conduct an immediate investigation into the matter.

(Related: Israel has already destroyed or rendered inoperable 22 hospitals and 49 medical centers across Gaza.)

At least two-thirds of Gaza's healthcare facilities, half of all hospitals, now non-functional

The latest figures from the World Health Organization (WHO) show that, as of November 10, at least two-thirds of all primary healthcare facilities in Gaza are either no longer operational or destroyed because of Israel's insurgency. Roughly half of all Gaza hospitals are also non-functional.

As of November 12, at least 521 people, including 16 medical workers, have been killed in a whopping 137 "attacks on health care" in Gaza.

"Israel's repeated attacks damaging hospitals and harming healthcare workers, already hard hit by an unlawful blockade, have devastated Gaza's healthcare infrastructure," commented A. Kayum Ahmed, special adviser on the right to health at HRW.

"The strikes on hospitals have killed hundreds of people and put many patients at grave risk because they're unable to receive proper medical care."

Between October 7, the day of the Hamas attack, and November 7, HRW says it was able to investigate Israeli attacks that occurred on or near five different healthcare facilities in Gaza. That investigation found that:

1) Israel repeatedly struck and completely destroyed the International Eye Hospital in Gaza on October 10 or October 11.

2) Israel conducted air raids on or near the Turkish-Palestinian Friendship Hospital, forcing it to close on November 1.

3) Repeated Israeli attacks on the al-Quds hospital resulted in a man and a child becoming injured.

4) Israel destroyed well-marked ambulances on several occasions, resulting in at least a dozen people losing their lives and several others wounded.

"These ongoing attacks are not isolated," HRW claims. "Israeli forces have also carried out scores of strikes damaging several other hospitals across Gaza."

Now reports have emerged that due to power cuts by Israel at al-Shifa Hospital, Gaza's largest, a number of premature babies are likely to die because their incubators no longer have access to electricity.

HRW notes that, according to the ICC's Rome Statute, "intentionally directing attacks against ... medical units and transport" is strictly prohibited as a war crime.

"Hospitals and other medical facilities are civilian objects that have special protections under international humanitarian law, or the laws of war," the group says. "Hospitals only lose their protection from attack if they are being used to commit 'acts harmful to the enemy,' and after a required warning."

Israel, meanwhile, still insists that Hamas militants are hiding in "command centers" beneath these hospitals and medical facilities, which is why the Jewish state says it continues to bomb and destroy them.

The latest news about Israel's ongoing war crimes in Gaza and the world's response to them can be found at Genocide.news.

Sources for this article include:

AlJazeera.com

NaturalNews.com
Israel has never provided convincing proof that Hamas militants are hiding in Gaza hospitals  is Israel LYING as an excuse to indiscriminately bomb the innocent?

Israel's longtime claim about why it continues to indiscriminately bomb civilian targets in Gaza is that Hamas militants are hiding among civilians and using them as human shields  but is this actually true?

A growing number of experts is questioning Israel's claim about this, arguing that the government of the Jewish state is committing serious war crimes with its actions.

Palestinian officials just confirmed that at least 22 hospitals and 49 medical centers in the besieged Gaza Strip are either no longer operational because Israel shut off their utilities, or the facilities have been bombed or shelled and no longer exist.

Right now, Gaza's largest hospital and medical center, al-Shifa, is completely surrounded by Israeli tanks that are shooting at anyone who tries to flee. There are said to be thousands of people still stuck inside al-Shifa with nowhere to go and no way to even escape.

Ever since Hamas won the Palestinian legislative elections in January 2006, Israel has been telling the world that Hamas militants are hiding in civilian facilities like hospitals, universities and schools, though there is no concrete evidence to prove this.

"It's a controversy of facts," says human rights lawyer Noura Erakat. "And in this instance, Israel has not a shred of evidence that this is true."

(Related: Israel has its sights set on removing everyone from Gaza and turning part of the land into a new Ben Gurion canal between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea  Israel also wants Palestine's rich maritime natural gas reserves.)

After 2006 war with Hezbollah in Lebanon, Israel adopted "Dahiya doctrine" to justify murdering civilians

Many people, especially those with Zionist leanings, try to argue that Israel is fully justified in bombing civilian targets because Hamas operates in tunnels underneath civilian facilities  and we are supposed to just believe that without proof.

It is a specious claim that really took shape after Israel's 2006 war with Hezbollah in Lebanon. Known as the "Dahiya doctrine," Israel adopted this narrative as a convenient cover, which "basically transformed civilian targets into military ones," according to Erakat.

"We see the emergence of the framework of human shielding from 2006 to the present," she adds.

In other words, Israel adopted the Dahiya doctrine as a way to justify its routine calls for collective punishment against its enemies. If there is even just one Hamas militant hiding in a hospital, then Israel feels it has the liberty to destroy the entire place, patients, doctors and all.

Israeli President Isaac Herzog admitted to this back on October 13 when he tried to claim that "an entire nation"  referring to the roughly 2.2 million Palestinians who live in the Gaza Strip  is responsible for the October 7 false flag attack on Israel, which would not have been possible, by the way, had Israel not ordered a seven-hour stand-down.

Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant similarly called all Palestinians "human animals" on October 9, just two days after the false flag attack, arguing that Israel now has the right to completely obliterate Gaza so it can continue to "exist."

More recently, Israeli Minister of Agriculture Avi Dichter revealed that Israel's plan all along is to produce another "some sort of Nakba," referring to the mass displacement of Palestinians that occurred immediately following the creation of the State of Israel in 1948.

Israel also continues to claim that Hamas tunnels are everywhere underneath civilian facilities in Gaza, which necessitates bombing all of them and killing everyone, including ill patients and even babies in intensive care units (ICU).

"Hospitals have special protections under international humanitarian law," says Omar Shakir, the Israel and Palestine director for Human Rights Watch. "It does not suffice to say that armed groups are using hospitals for military purposes."

The latest news about the Israel genocide in Gaza can be found at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

MiddleEastEye.net

NaturalNews.com
Palestinian National Authoritys Mahmoud Abbas targeted in ASSASSINATION attempt, leaving one of his bodyguards dead

President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has been targeted in an assassination attempt , which left one of his bodyguards dead.

The assassination attempt was orchestrated by a newfound Palestinian militant organization known as the Sons of Abu Jandal. The group was named after PNA police officer Yousef Ahmed Raihan, who was known by the nom de guerre Abu Jandal. He died defending the Jenin refugee camp in the West Bank during the Second Intifada in 2002.

Around 24 hours before the assassination attempt, the Sons of Abu Jandal published a statement informing the public of the group's strong opposition to the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and of Abbas' refusal to act, especially in the face of Palestinians in Gaza being "torn every day and every minute" by the Israeli offensive.

"We announce, starting today, that the Palestinian leadership is facing a historic responsibility to declare full confrontation with the criminal occupation," said the group in the statement.

"Brother Abu Mazen [Abbas] has 24 hours to produce a clear position, announcing full confrontation with the occupation, using all means, and to denounce statements made by the criminal [U.S. Secretary of State] Antony Blinken," continued the statement.

The Sons of Abu Jandal also demanded that Abbas declare that he has no authority over the West Bank and to resign as head of the Palestinian Security Services. (Related: Hamas leaders preparing for permanent war with Israel.)

Abbas' refusal to submit to the ultimatum led to the assassination attempt on Nov. 7, which led to a short gunfight in the streets of the West Bank that led to the death of one of Abbas' bodyguards. The PNA president, who has refused to endorse Hamas, survived the attack.

Protests and violence erupt in Ramallah as Blinken met with Abbas

Popular Palestinian sentiment against Abbas deteriorated following Blinken's visit to the West Bank a day before the incident. Blinken used his visit to stress the importance of Palestinians having a voice in Gaza's post-conflict future and reassured Abbas that the administration of President Joe Biden is committed to aiding civilians in Gaza.

But most residents of the West Bank were not convinced by this rhetoric, and thousands of them took to the streets in protest against U.S. support for Israel's actions, with demonstrators waving placards and showing fake dripping blood, accusing Blinken of having blood on his hands for America's role in facilitating Israel's Gaza offensive.

The meeting between Blinken and Abbas in the West Bank coincided with a deadly airstrike on two Gaza refugee camps by Israeli planes, resulting in the tragic loss of at least 53 lives, including eight children.

The strikes came as the Israeli Defense Forces, on the other hand, announced the successful division of the Gaza Strip in half, anticipating an intensified assault on northern Hamas sites.

Learn more about the ongoing invasion of Gaza and the genocide of the Palestinian people at WWIII.news.

Watch this video from "Southfront Press" discussing the very costly gains Israel is making in its invasion of Gaza.

This video is from the channel The Prisoner on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

World War 3 could be imminent as Israel-Hamas war escalates, experts warn.

Middle East scholar: Iran-backed Hezbollah joining Israel-Hamas war is a game-changer.

Reuters journalist killed by Israeli missile fire in Lebanon while covering Israel-Hamas war.

Iranian Foreign Minister warns U.S. will not be spared if the Israel-Hamas war escalates.

Matrixxx Groove: Jeff and Shady talk about the STAGED WAR between Israel and Hamas  Brighteon.TV.

Sources include:

The-Express.com

PalestineChronicle.com

TheMessenger.com

Brighteon.com
Meta intentionally got children and teens ADDICTED to social media to exploit them for profit

Facebook parent company Meta and other major social media companies have intentionally used harmful and aggressive tactics to get users, including children, addicted to social media , leading to a shocking rise in depression and suicide.

This is the accusation levied against the Big Tech company several weeks ago by dozens of state attorneys general, who filed a lawsuit against Meta Platforms Inc. and three of its subsidiaries for allegedly harming children by getting them addicted to Meta's social media platforms, including Facebook and Instagram. (Related: 42 Attorneys general SUE Meta over "highly addictive" social media platforms they say harm young people.)

This bipartisan group of 42 states alleges that billionaire tech giant Mark Zuckerberg "knowingly designed and deployed harmful features on Instagram and Facebook to purposefully addict children and teens."

The state attorneys general's lawsuit is built off of years worth of evidence and investigations strongly suggesting that Facebook intentionally targeted children and teenagers for monetary gain. One whistleblower even leaked confidential Facebook documents showing that the youth demographic was the social media platform's "valuable but untapped audience."

Meta and other social media companies liable for harming mental health of children

Following the filing of multiple lawsuits against tech giants accusing them of harming the mental health of American youths, Meta and other Big Tech companies  including Google parent company Alphabet, TikTok operator ByteDance and Snapchat operator Snap  tried to get a court to dismiss the litigation.

But United States District Judge Yvonne Gonzalez Rogers for the Northern District of California ruled against the tech giants, allowing the lawsuits against them to proceed.

Along with the lawsuits by the states, school districts across the country have also filed lawsuits against Meta, ByteDance, Alphabet and Snap alleging that the companies intentionally caused not only mental but also physical harm to children.

Gonzalez Rogers' ruling states that the First Amendment and Section 230, Title 47 of the U.S. Code, which says online platforms should not be treated as publishers of third-party content, does not shield social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, TikTok and YouTube from all liability.

The lawsuits, Gonzalez Rogers argues, do not constitute attacks on the free speech and expression of the social media platforms. Rather, they have to do with alleged "defects" to the platforms themselves. These include insufficient parental controls, no "robust" age verification systems, and unnecessarily difficult account deletion processes.

"Addressing these defects would not require that defendants change how or what speech they disseminate," wrote Gonzalez Rogers in her ruling. "For example, parental notifications could plausibly empower parents to limit their children's access to the platform or discuss platform use with them."

However, Gonzalez Rogers did throw out some aspects of the lawsuits against Meta and other social media companies, claiming they are protected under Section 230. These include demands to offer a beginning and an end to social media feeds, recommending children's accounts to adults, and the proposed use of limits on the amount of time children can spend on the platforms.

Read the latest news involving Meta, Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg at FacebookCollapse.com.

Watch this video discussing how Zuckerberg and Meta target children, intentionally making them addicted to social media.

This video is from the channel The New Prisoners on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Supreme Court allows federal government to continue suppressing social media content.

New York lawmakers propose new bills to mitigate the negative impact of social media on minors.

Social media use linked to TEENAGE DEPRESSION, warn mental health experts.

Poll: Parents most concerned about excessive use of SOCIAL MEDIA and mobile devices as kids return to school.

Senate report: Met has been harvesting personal and financial data from tax prep companies for years.

Sources include:

Breitbart.com

TheVerge.com

Reuters.com

Brighteon.com
Michael Yon explains how Gaza mirrors Fallujah, and why Israel and U.S. are making a fatal mistake with latest war

International war correspondent and world traveler Michael Yon appeared on "Brighteon Broadcast News" this week for an emergency broadcast to discuss the escalating situation in Gaza, and why he believes Israel and the United States are making a fatal mistake in their handling of the war.

As someone who saw firsthand what happened in Fallujah back in 2004 after four contractors, including Yon's personal friend, were killed, Yon worries that the same type of thing is happening again  and that the outcome will be similarly disastrous.

"What's happening right now with Gaza is very similar to what happened in the Iraq war with Fallujah," Yon told Mike Adams, the Health Ranger.

"There were basically two major wars in the latest Iraq war that we were in: there was the invasion part of it, and then it drifted into a very serious insurgency. We took thousands of casualties."

Watch the full roughly 40-minute interview with Yon below:

(Related: Israel has big plans for capitalizing on all the resources it is stealing from the Palestinians with its genocide in Gaza.)

U.S. insurgency of Fallujah in 2004 resulted in destabilization of Middle East

Just like with what happened in Fallujah, the situation in Gaza right now is quickly spiraling out of control. It is clearly morphing into a total genocide of the Palestinian people, which is riling up the Middle East and drawing increased support for Palestine from all corners of the world.

In case you are unfamiliar with what happened in Fallujah, the U.S. "went in there hardcore and killed more than 1,000 people" following the deaths of the four contractors. This outsized response triggered major blowback.

Similar to what is happening today, Israel's response to the Hamas false flag attack that occurred on October 7 has already killed more than 11,000 Palestinians in Gaza, many of them children and sick people at hospitals. And the U.S. is supporting Israel in this genocide, which is making it a target of the outraged Arab world as well.

"Fallujah, the city of mosques, had been mostly peaceful," Yon says about the state of that city in Iraq prior to the U.S. insurgency, which destabilized the region and only made things worse.

"Muslims from North Africa rolled in," Yon says. "The bottom line is: people from all over the world flooded into Iraq. It was the 'Star Wars' cafe of jihadists, all over the Middle East."

In Yon's view, Israel is not the only liar in this conflict. Hamas is just as guilty of making false claims about death tolls and other matters. However, it is clear that the response to the Hamas attack by Israel and its ally the U.S. is majorly outsized.

"What's happening in Gaza is like a supersized Fallujah," is how Yon described it, adding in statements to Adams that this is clearly an unfolding genocide.

"Now, when you say that, people go, 'oh, you're pro-Hamas'  not at all," Yon clarified. "I realize how dangerous they are, very much."

What Yon is saying is that the war is only going to grow because of the way Israel and the U.S. are mishandling all of this  just like they mishandled the response to the four contractor deaths in Fallujah almost 20 years ago.

"Wars are inherently unpredictable," Yon believes, adding that there is simply no telling how large this war will be or how long this war will continue into the foreseeable future. "The two things that are predictable is that they grow and they get out of control. And they get very out of control in unpredictable ways."

Learn more about the Israel-Gaza conflict at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

Brighteon.com

NaturalNews.com
Elon Musk says VENTILATORS destroyed patients lungs, NOT COVID-19

In an episode of the "Joe Rogan Experience" podcast, host Joe Rogan told billionaire entrepreneur Elon Musk at least 80 percent of the patients with Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) that got put on ventilators died

Musk agreed, saying that he talked to doctors in Wuhan about it himself.

According to Musk, he called doctors in Wuhan and asked them about the biggest mistakes that they made during the first wave of COVID-19. They told him that they "put far too many people on intubated ventilators."

Musk then posted on X to tell people that the capital of China's Hubei province "made a big mistake in putting people on intubated ventilators for an extended period. And that this is actually what is damaging the lungs, not COVID. Its the treatment. The cure is worse than the disease."

After his post went live, people told him that he wasn't qualified to talk about the matter because he wasn't a doctor. Musk then quipped that while he's not a health expert, he develops advanced "spaceships with life support systems."

On June 7, Dr. Joseph Mercola also posted on X about "The COVID hospital death trap."

Mercola said weeks after the pandemic outbreak, it had become obvious that the standard practice of putting COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilation did more harm than good: It was a death sentence.

According to data, 76.4 percent of COVID-19 patients aged 18 to 65 in New York City who were placed on ventilators died. Among the patients over age 65 who were ventilated, the mortality rate was 97.2 percent.

The recommendation to place COVID-19 patients on mechanical ventilation as a first-line response came from the World Health Organization (WHO), which reportedly based its guidance on experiences and recommendations from doctors in China.

However, keeping patients ventilated wasnt recommended because it increased survival, but because it helped protect healthcare workers by isolating the virus inside the vent machine.

According to data, at least 10,000 patients died with COVID-19 in NYC hospitals after being put on ventilators in spring 2020.

Other metropolitan areas also observed significant spikes in deaths among younger people who were at low risk of dying from COVID-19. Data suggests that many of these deaths could have been the result of being placed on mechanical ventilation.

Earlier this year, attorney Tom Renz testified before the Pennsylvania State Senate that no one informed patients that they could be at risk after being put on a ventilator. He added that families also didn't know about the risks of using ventilators on COVID-19 patients.

Renz added that he had data from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) that revealed how, in several Texas hospitals, at least 90 percent of patients put on ventilators died.

The attorney also criticized experts who wouldn't let patients try ivermectin but were willing to put them on a ventilator despite the 90 percent fatality rate. He added that it was impossible that health experts didn't notice the danger of letting patients be put in ventilators, especially if nine out of ten patients were dying.

Renz said more doctors should have asked if there was a better way, and that they should have let patients try ivermectin or hydroxychloroquine if they had a nine out of ten chance of dying.

With the facts laid out like this, it's hard to deny that hospitals killed many patients with coronavirus and that the more they killed, the more money they made. (Related: PLANDEMIC: Study reveals ventilator-acquired pneumonia killed millions  not COVID-19 as governments around the world claimed.)

COVID-19 patients are "prisoners"

Stella Paul, a medical writer who has been investigating "deadly" hospital protocols during the pandemic and the financial incentives behind them, also talked about how many COVID-19 patients "became prisoners."

Michael Hamilton, a lawyer who was representing bereaved families, told Paul a story about a friend of his who was a nurse.

The nurse had been working for 26 years in the hospital where she was then hospitalized. She told staff that she didn't want to be put on a ventilator, but her doctor screamed at her that she was "refusing medical advice."

The doctor also insisted that the nurse was "going to die and the insurance company won't pay your hospital bills." She eventually gave her consent to protect her family.

Hamilton said this was a frequent tactic, with doctors telling patients that if they disobeyed medical advice, insurance wouldn't pay and their families would go bankrupt.

He added that this wasn't consent, with patients forbidden from leaving the hospital. If you were in the hospital, you essentially became a prisoner.

Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) also said that when patients entered the hospital, "they lost all their rights" and became prisoners.

Many families became desperate to get their loved ones out of the hospital. Some of them would call 911 to report a medical murder, but even if the police showed up, they would do nothing.

Hospitals denied patients their right to say, "I want to get out of here and go home. I want to get out of here and go to another hospital where they treat me the way I want to be treated."

Head over to Pandemic.news for more similar stories.

Watch the video below to learn how COVID-19 vaccines appear to increase the risk of getting infected.

This video is from the GalacticStorm channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Most "covid" deaths were actually VENTILATOR infection deaths, study finds.

FACT CHECK: Covid was mild and barely killed anyone  ventilator-acquired pneumonia, on the other hand, killed millions.

Unmasking COVID claims: Scientific review challenges claim that masks reduced COVID transmissions.

Sources include:

Expose-News.com

VigilantNews.com

Twitter.com

TheEpochTimes.com

Brighteon.com
47 Nations combine forces to require automated tax authority monitoring of crypto trading data

Nearly 50 nations, including the U.S., have announced their intention to collaborate to enable the automatic exchange of information between cryptocurrency trading firms and tax agencies.

In a press release, the British government said this new coalition of nations and other jurisdictions is partnering up with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) to create what is known as the Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF), whose main goal is combating tax evasion and ensuring that those who trade in cryptocurrency comply with national and international taxation regulations.

"To keep pace with the rapid development and growth of the crypto-asset market and to ensure that recent gains in global tax transparency will not be gradually eroded, we welcome the new international standard on automatic exchange of information between tax authorities," said the British government. "The widespread, consistent and timely implementation of CARF will further improve our ability to ensure tax compliance and clamp down on tax evasion, which reduces public revenues and increases the burden on those who pay their taxes." (Related: Decentralize.TV interviews LocalMonero co-founder "Alex" about acquiring privacy crypto without using centralized exchanges.)

CARF is just the latest attempt by the international community to facilitate the easier exchange of taxation information to capture lost revenue from cryptocurrency trading. Last month, the Council of the European Union formally adopted the eighth iteration of the Directive on Administrative Cooperation, a cryptocurrency tax reporting rule.

This latest attempt by the European Union (EU) to limit the loss in revenue from crypto aims to grant tax collectors a broadened jurisdiction over monitoring and evaluating cryptocurrency transactions carried out by individuals and entities within the EU.

CARF failed to get important emerging crypto markets to sign up

At least 47 nations have already pledged to join CARF and crack down on individuals and companies using cryptocurrency to avoid taxation.

This massive group of nations includes all 38 member states of the OECD and some territories that have traditionally served as overseas tax havens, including some British Overseas Territories like the Cayman Islands and Gibraltar.

Notably absent from this bloc are crucial emerging crypto markets such as China, Hong Kong, Russia, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates, with their absence being blamed on the fact that the CARF bloc is centered around the Western world in Europe and North America.

Furthermore, not a single African nation has pledged to participate in this new bloc, and only two nations from South America have joined  Brazil and Chile.

Some notable nations that have signed up include Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Romania, Singapore, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Switzerland and, of course, the United Kingdom.

CARF plans to begin actively exchanging crypto and taxation information by 2027.

"Final agreement on the CARF was reached in March 2023, following two years of negotiation," said the British government. "It will provide for the automatic exchange of information between tax authorities on crypto exchanges for the purpose of combating offshore tax avoidance and evasion."

Watch this clip from the "Mark Moss Show" on iHeartRadio warning about how the U.K. has passed a bill allowing the government to seize so-called "illicit" crypto.

This video is from the Thrive Time Show channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Russia to ban individuals from using cryptocurrency for domestic transactions.

OpenAI CEO launches global "Worldcoin" cryptocurrency to facilitate Universal Basic Income (UBI) and globalist authoritarian control.

BlackRock CEO celebrates SEC acceptance of Bitcoin ETF application, says crypto "will transcend international currencies.''

LocalMonero co-founder says CRYPTO is a DIRECT THREAT to U.S. dollar's monopoly over world economy.

Sources include:

DailyHodl.com

CoinTelegraph.com

Brighteon.com
Many of the October 7 deaths in Israel turn out to be friendly fire, meaning Israel killed its own citizens

The fallout from the October 7 Hamas attack against Israel, which Israelby ordering a stand-down for a full seven hours, increasingly shows that Israel itself was responsible for many of the civilian deaths that occurred that fateful day.

Photos of the aftermath of the fighting that occurred inside Kibbutz Be'eri, as one example, reveal proof-positively that it was Israel Defense Forces (IDF) that blew up homes and killed civilians. This is corroborated by testimony from Tuval Escapa, the security coordinator at Kibbutz Be'eri, who told Haaretz that Israeli army commanders ordered the "shelling [of] houses on their occupants in order to eliminate the terrorists along with the hostages."

This also aligns with the testimony given by Yasmin Porat, an attendee of the Nova music festival who fled to Kibbutz Be'eri for safety. Porat told Israel State Radio that it was Israeli special defense forces who "eliminated everyone, including the hostages, because there was very, very heavy crossfire."

"After insane crossfire, two tank shells were shot into the house," she further revealed, noting that Hamas militants were kind to her and the other hostages, offering them food and water, while the Israeli military went gung-ho crazy shooting everyone, seemingly indiscriminately.

(Related: The U.S. military is shifting from "woke" back to white in an effort to recruit more non-Jewish bodies to fight Israel's war against the Palestinians.)

Video footage of dead Israeli bodies show tank shells that only could have come from Israel

Porat's partner, who had his hands tied behind his back by Hamas militants, ended up dying at the hands of Israeli security forces whom she says "undoubtedly" killed him and many of the other hostages. All these deaths would quickly be blamed by Israel on Hamas.

The South Responders Telegram page posted a video showing the bodies of other Israelis discovered below the rubble of a home in Israel that was blown to bits by a powerful explosive blast, likely a tank shell. Underneath, there were charred corpses, including that of a young boy, found in groups that point to "friendly" tank fire from Israel.

Many of these charred corpses were found to have their hands and ankles tied together, suggesting that Hamas militants did that part, followed by Israel doing the killing.

There are also reports that Israeli security forces opened fire on fleeing Israelis whom they apparently mistook for Hamas militants. A resident of Ashkelon, an Israeli city located just to the north of the Gaza Strip, by the name of Danielle Rachiel described nearly being killed herself while trying to flee from the Nova music festival.

"As we reached the roundabout [at a kibbutz], we saw Israeli security forces!" Rachiel recalls. "We held our heads down [because] we automatically knew they'd be suspicious of us, in a small beat-up car ... from the same direction the terrorists were coming from. Our forces began shooting at us!"

"When our forces fired at us, our windows shattered. It was only when we shouted in Hebrew, 'we're Israelis?' that the shooting stopped and we were taken to safety."

Not everyone was as lucky as Rachiel, though, Another Israeli named Adi Ohana was shot dead by Israeli police near his home after reportedly being mistaken as a Palestinian guerilla.

"An innocent man was killed in the most negligent way possible," Ohana's niece complained about the horrific way in which IDF carelessly shot and killed Israelis.

Since then, Israeli media has been reporting many more such incidents in which Israelis were gunned down by their own military, even while trying to defend their own homes from actual Palestinian gunmen.

Learn more about the situation in the Middle East at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

TheGrayZone.com

NaturalNews.com

T.me
BURNING CASH, NOT GAS: Federal, state subsidies for EVs cost $50,000 per car over a 10-year period

Governments across the globe have come up with different tax incentives for buyers and manufacturers to bring electric vehicles (EVs) to market. They have also funded the development of the infrastructure needed to charge electric cars.

But according to a think tank, it might not be worth investing in EVs because they might cost more money in the long run. The Texas Public Policy Foundation, a conservative think tank, conducted a study into electric cars to shed some light on the true cost of EVs for the average American taxpayer.

Based on the study, the authors estimated that the average EV incurs hidden costs of at least $48,698 over a 10-year period. Jason Isaac, one of the authors, explained that electric car owners are the beneficiaries of regulatory credits, subsidies and socialized infrastructure costs that amount to at least $50,000 per EV.

Unfortunately, these costs are shouldered by gasoline car owners, taxpayers and utility ratepayers, who are all paying a large price for someone else's electric car.

The authors found that the average cost of EV subsidies covered by American taxpayers was around $8,984 per car, which is due to a combination of the well-known $7,500 federal tax credit as well as state subsidies.

The report also found that in the U.S., states handed out more than $646 million in taxpayer subsidies to EV buyers in 2021. After dividing by the 435,320 electric cars sold in 2021, the average EV buyer received state credits totaling $1,484.

The report also showed that the infrastructure needed to facilitate EVs in America is not paid for directly by car owners. Those expenses are described as "socialized infrastructure costs."

The authors also wrote that both home and public charging stations used by electric cars "put a significant strain on the electric grid," resulting in an average of $11,833 in socialized costs per EV over 10 years, a cost that is shouldered by utility ratepayers and taxpayers. (Related: Electric vehicles in Florida CATCH FIRE after coming into contact with saltwater from Hurricane Idalia.)

They also reported that the gasoline infrastructure is used for other products and society at large, while EV charging costs currently only benefit EV owners.

Additionally, the authors found that the additional strain placed on the power grid when charging electric cars would incur "demand charges" or a premium for higher energy consumption at a certain time.

To date, most utilities are "socializing that cost for EV owners by not assessing demand charges on residential EV chargers," even though EV chargers sometimes use as much power at certain times as several homes.

Gas car owners shoulder a heavier burden

The report also revealed that the largest cost was often shouldered by buyers of gas cars.

The authors argued that as car manufacturers incur costs to meet federal and state mandates to make more electric cars than they would normally do so, they will then pass those costs on to buyers of their gas cars.

The paper showed that at least 16 states have "zero emission vehicle" (ZEV) mandates, with the state setting a number or percentage of new vehicles sold that must be zero-emission. According to the paper, the cost to meet these mandates is not limited to the states that impose them but also affects the entire fleet of each automaker trying to meet them.

Additionally, federal regulations impose similar obligations on automakers that incentivize them to produce more EVs. The authors explained that the largest source of financial support for electric vehicles doesn't come from direct subsidies but "from hidden costs driven by federal regulations."

These regulatory standards are applied on a fleetwide basis and allow for the trading of regulatory credits, but these costs are passed on to buyers of gasoline and diesel vehicles.

According to the Texas Public Policy Foundation paper, the estimated value of those credits was around $27,881 per vehicle.

Brent Bennett, another of the paper's authors, commented that the Biden administration's "stringent fuel economy standards and regulatory manipulations" are forcing several American automakers toward bankruptcy and adding thousands of dollars to the cost of all gasoline vehicles.

"Rolling back these subsidies and burdensome regulations would save consumers money," advised Bennett.

During its third-quarter earnings in 2023, Ford reported that it lost an estimated $36,000 on each EV it sold in the quarter.

Learn more about electric cars and their hidden costs at RoboCars.news.

Watch the video below as a Norwegian shipping company bans electric, hybrid and hydrogen cars from its ferries because of significant safety risks.

This video is from the Tilt channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Electric vehicles are unreliable and not cost-efficient  especially in cold weather.

Electric vehicles are a SCAM  heres why.

Electric vehicles performed WORSE in EPA estimates than gas-powered cars: The EV push is a RIGGED SCAM.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

TexasPolicy.com

Brighteon.com
Binance and Gulf Energys Joint Venture to Launch Crypto Exchange in Thailand

Disclosure: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. By using this website, you agree to our terms and conditions. We may utilise affiliate links within our content, and receive commission.

In a strategic collaboration, Binance Holdings Ltd. and Gulf Energy Development Pcl are set to launch a cryptocurrency exchange in Thailand early next year.

This follows the acquisition of licenses from the Thai Securities and Exchange Commission, with Gulf Binance Co. obtaining the regulatory nod on November 10, as disclosed in a stock exchange filing on Wednesday.

Binance Teams up with Thai Billionaire to Launch Crypto Exchange



The forthcoming platform is slated to debut as an invitation-only exchange, gradually expanding its accessibility to the general public. Binance, recognized as the largest cryptocurrency exchange, joins forces with Gulf Energy, one of Thailands prominent business entities.

The joint venture, established in early 2022 between Binance and Thai billionaire Sarath Ratanavadis Gulf Energy, solidified its regulatory foundation with the recent approval from the Thai SEC.

The move to launch a crypto exchange in Thailand comes amid Binances push for global expansion, despite the mounting regulatory scrutiny faced by the platform and its founder, Changpeng CZ Zhao, in various jurisdictions.

The digital-asset sector has experienced increased regulatory pressure following a market downturn last year, leading to significant industry transformations.

Gulf Energy, helmed by Sarath Ratanavadi, the second richest person in Thailand with a net worth of approximately $10.6 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, brings substantial financial backing and influence to the joint venture.
Turkey files lawsuit against Netanyahu, accusing him and Israel of committing genocide in Gaza

News is circulating that the nation of Turkey is suing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the International Criminal Court (ICC) for committing genocide in Gaza.

The screenshot below shows a copy of the lawsuit, as written in Turkish:

????? Turkey just filed a lawsuit against ISRAELI Prime Minister NETANYAHU at the International Criminal Court, accusing him of "GENOCIDE" in GAZA! pic.twitter.com/yynFIofp3h  Jackson Hinkle ?? (@jacksonhinklle) November 14, 2023

Reports indicate that lawyer Burak Bekiroglu, one of the petition's three initiators, reported on November 14 that the suit is currently under consideration by the Turkish Ministry of Justice.

Bekiroglu said that his country's application should reach the ICC no later than next week.

"We have notified the crimes committed in detail so that the ICC prosecutor's office can take action," Bekiroglu is quoted as saying.

"We don't know if it can [?????????] file a counterclaim based on the results of the investigation. But any international protest or judicial pressure will slow down the violence against babies, women, children and all civilians subjected to genocide and bring relief to these defenseless people."

(Related: Israel wants to "wipe Gaza off the map" in order to steal its resources for profit.)

Turkish lawsuit pegs Netanyahu for using "weapons prohibited by international law"

The first page of the document was published on X (formerly Twitter) by Metin Kulunk, a lawyer for Turkey's ruling Justice and Development Party. All in all, there are said to be 23 total pages in the complaint, which does not yet appear to be fully released to the public.

The text that has been revealed shows demands that the ICC prosecutor's office immediately start collecting evidence on Netanyahu's crimes against the Palestinian people. From there, Turkey can then begin the process of filing a criminal case against Netanyahu and other Israel politicians and perpetrators.

According to reports, the petition states that Netanyahu specifically "committed crimes of war, genocide and crimes against humanity before the eyes of the entire world." Further, Netanyahu "does not hesitate to use weapons prohibited under international law," the complaint states.

Critical of Western powers like the United States that support Israel no matter what, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan commented on November 11 that the West's silent position towards the genocide in Gaza is an expression of cowardice, as well as complete lack of conscience.

A week prior on November 4, Erdogan announced his immediate refusal to continue communicating with Netanyahu, stressing that the Israeli prime minister is no longer someone with whom Turkey can maintain a viable conversation. On October 31, Erdogan flat-out stated that Israelis committing crimes against humanity in the Gaza Strip.

Turkey has also since recalled its ambassador from Israel for consultations due to the escalating genocide in Gaza. Turkey's Foreign Ministry notes that this decision was made in connection to the humanitarian tragedy that is unfolding as a result of "Israeli attacks on civilians."

As far as Turkey's cooperative projects with Israel in the energy sector, Turkish Ministry of Energy Alparslan Bayraktar stated on November 7 that all such projects have ceased.

The latest data suggests that the official death toll in Gaza has breached 11,000 people, with another 27,500 or so suffering injuries at the hands of the Israeli military.

"Palestinians are seeking to return the borders between the two countries to the lines that existed before the 1967 Six-Day War," reported Pledge Times about the matter. "Palestine wants to create its own state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, and make East Jerusalem its capital. Israel refuses the conditions set."

The latest news about the escalating nightmare in the Middle East can be found at Prophecy.news.

Sources for this article include:

Twitter.com

PledgeTimes.com

NaturalNews.com
We the exploited: The U.S. government buys and sells its citizens for profit and power

Americans have become easy prey for hackers, scammers, snitches, spies, and con artists.

(Article by John & Nisha Whitehead republished from Rutherford.org)

But dont be fooled into thinking the government is protecting you.

To the contrary, the U.S. government is selling us (or rather, our data) to the highest bidders.

By the way, those highest bidders also include Americas political class and the politicians aspiring to get elected or re-elected. As the Los Angeles Times reports, If you have been to a political rally, a town hall, or just fit a demographic a campaign is after, chances are good your movements are being tracked with unnerving accuracy by data vendors on the payroll of campaigns.

Your phones, televisions and digital devices are selling you out to politicians who want your vote.

Welcome to the new frontier of campaign tech  a loosely regulated world in which simply downloading a weather app or game, connecting to Wi-Fi at a coffee shop or powering up a home router can allow a data broker to monitor your movements with ease, then compile the location information and sell it to a political candidate who can use it to surround you with messages, writes journalist Evan Halper.

In this way, we the people have been reduced to economic units to be bought, bartered and sold by all and sundry.

On a daily basis, Americans have been made to relinquish the most intimate details of who we areour biological makeup, our genetic blueprints, and our biometrics (facial characteristics and structure, fingerprints, iris scans, etc.)in order to navigate an increasingly technologically-enabled world.

Those intimate details, in turn, have become the building blocks of massive databases accessed by the government and its corporate partners in crime, vulnerable to data breaches by hackers, cyberattacks and espionage.

For years now, and with little real oversight or restrictions, the government has been compiling massive databases comprised of all manner of sensitive information on the citizenry.

Biographical information. Biometric information. Criminal backgrounds. Travel records.

There is not a single person in the U.S. who is not in some government database or another, and these databases are increasingly being shared between agencies, fusion centers, and the police.

The government has also, with little oversight and few guidelines, been adding to its massive trove of data on Americans by buying commercially available information (CAI) from third-party sources. As a report by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence revealed:

[Commercially purchased data] can reveal sensitive and intimate information about the personal attributes, private behavior, social connections, and speech of U.S. persons and non-U.S. persons. It can be misused to pry into private lives, ruin reputations, and cause emotional distress and threaten the safety of individuals. Even subject to appropriate controls, CAI can increase the power of the governments ability to peer into private lives to levels that may exceed our constitutional traditions or other social expectations.

In other words, this is the diabolically sneaky way in which the government is attempting to sidestep the Fourth Amendment, which requires that government agents have probable cause and a warrant before spying on Americans or searching and seizing their private property.

Its bad enough that the government is building massive databases comprised of our personal information without our knowledge or consent, but then they get hacked and we suffer for it.

Earlier this year, for instance, several federal agencies, state governments and universities were targeted in a global cyberattack that compromised the sensitive data of millions of Americans.

Did that stop the governments quest to keep building these databases which compromise our privacy and security? Of course not.

In fact, the government has also been selling our private information. According to Vice, Departments of Motor Vehicles in states around the country have been selling drivers personal information to thousands of businesses, including private investigators who spy on people for a profit.

Where theres a will, theres a way, and the government has become a master at finding loopholes that allow it to exploit the citizenry.

Thus, although Congress passed the Drivers Privacy Protection Act (DPPA) in 1994 to prevent the disclosure of personal information, it hasnt stopped state DMVs from raking in millions by selling driver data (names, dates of birth, addresses, and the cars they own) to third parties.

This is just a small part of how the government buys and sells its citizens to the highest bidders.

The why is always the same: for profit and power, of course.

Welcome to the age of surveillance capitalism.

Have you shopped at Whole Foods? Tested out target practice at a gun range? Sipped coffee at Starbucks while surfing the web? Visited an abortion clinic? Watched FOX News or MSNBC? Played Candy Crush on your phone? Walked through a mall? Walked past a government building?

Thats all it takes for your data to be hoovered up, sold and used to target you.

Incredibly, once youve been identified and tracked, data brokers can travel back in time, digitally speaking, to discover where youve been, who youve been with, what youve been doing, and what youve been reading, viewing, buying, etc.

Once youve been identified in this way, you can be tracked endlessly.

No one is spared.

In this regard, we are all equals: equally suffering the indignity of having every shred of privacy stripped away and the most intimate details of ones life turned into fodder for marketers and data profiteers.

This creepy new era of for-profit surveillance capitalismin which were being listened to, watched, tracked, followed, mapped, bought, sold and targetedis made possible with our cooperation.

All those disclaimers you scroll though without reading them, the ones written in minute font, only to quickly click on the Agree button at the end so you can get to the next stepdownloading software, opening up a social media account, adding a new app to your phone or computerthose signify your written consent to having your activities monitored, recorded and shared.

Think about it.

Every move you make is being monitored, mined for data, crunched, and tabulated in order to form a picture of who you are, what makes you tick, and how best to influence and/or control you.

With every smartphone we buy, every GPS device we install, every Twitter, Facebook, and Google account we open, every frequent buyer card we use for purchaseswhether at the grocers, the yogurt shop, the airlines or the department storeand every credit and debit card we use to pay for our transactions, were helping Corporate America build a dossier for its government counterparts on who we know, what we think, how we spend our money, and how we spend our time.

The technology has advanced so far that marketers (political campaigns are among the worst offenders) can actually build digital fences around your homes, workplaces, friends and familys homes and other places you visit in order to bombard you with specially crafted messages aimed at achieving a particular outcome.

If anyone else stalked us in this waytailing us wherever we go, tapping into our calls, reading our correspondence, ferreting out our secrets, profiling and targeting us based on our interests and activitieswed call the cops.

Unfortunately, the cops (equipped with Stingray devices and other Peeping Tom technologies) are also in on this particular scam.

Its not just the surveillance and the buying and selling of your data that is worrisome.

The ramifications of a governmentany governmenthaving this much unregulated, unaccountable power to target, track, round up and detain its citizens is beyond chilling.

Imagine what a totalitarian regime such as Nazi Germany could have done with this kind of unadulterated power.

Imagine what the next police state to follow in Germanys footsteps will do with this kind of power. Society is definitely rapidly moving in that direction.

Weve made it so easy for the government to stalk us.

Government eyes see your every move: what you read, how much you spend, where you go, with whom you interact, when you wake up in the morning, what youre watching on television and reading on the internet.

Every move you make is being monitored, mined for data, crunched, and tabulated in order to form a picture of who you are, what makes you tick, and how best to control you when and if it becomes necessary to bring you in line.

Chances are, as the Washington Post has reported, you have already been assigned a color-coded threat assessment scoregreen, yellow or redso police are forewarned about your potential inclination to be a troublemaker depending on whether youve had a career in the military, posted a comment perceived as threatening on Facebook, suffer from a particular medical condition, or know someone who knows someone who might have committed a crime.

In other words, you might already be flagged as potentially anti-government in a government database somewhereMain Core, for examplethat identifies and tracks individuals (so they can be rounded up and detained in times of distress) who arent inclined to march in lockstep to the police states dictates.

The government has the know-how.

As The Intercept reported, the FBI, CIA, NSA and other government agencies are increasingly investing in and relying on corporate surveillance technologies that can mine constitutionally protected speech on social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram in order to identify potential extremists and predict who might engage in future acts of anti-government behavior.

Surveillance, digital stalking and the data mining of the American peopleweapons of compliance and control in the governments hands, especially when the government can listen in on your phone calls, monitor your driving habits, track your movements, scrutinize your purchases and peer through the walls of your homeadd up to a society in which theres little room for indiscretions, imperfections, or acts of independence.

This is the creepy, calculating yet diabolical genius of the American police state: the very technology we hailed as revolutionary and liberating has become our prison, jailer, probation officer, stalker, Big Brother and Father Knows Best all rolled into one.

It turns out that we are Soylent Green.

The 1973 film of the same name, starring Charlton Heston and Edward G. Robinson, is set in 2022 in an overpopulated, polluted, starving New York City whose inhabitants depend on synthetic foods manufactured by the Soylent Corporation for survival.

Heston plays a policeman investigating a murder, who discovers the grisly truth about the primary ingredient in the wafer, soylent green, which is the principal source of nourishment for a starved population. Its people. Soylent Green is made out of people, declares Hestons character. Theyre making our food out of people. Next thing theyll be breeding us like cattle for food.

Oh, how right he was.

Soylent Green is indeed people or, in our case, Soylent Green is our own personal data, repossessed, repackaged and used by corporations and the government to entrap us.

We, too, are being bred like cattle but not for food.

Rather, as I make clear in my book Battlefield America: The War on the American People and in its fictional counterpart The Erik Blair Diaries, were being bred, branded, bought and sold for our data.

As the insidious partnership between the U.S. government and Corporate America grows more invasive and more subtle with every passing day, theres virtually no way to opt out of these assaults on your digital privacy short of being a modern-day Luddite, completely disconnected from all technology.

What we desperately lack and urgently need is an Electronic Bill of Rights that protects we the people from predatory surveillance and data-mining business practices.

Without constitutional protections in place to guard against encroachments on our rights in the electronic realm, it wont be long before we find ourselves, much like Edward G. Robinsons character in Soylent Green, looking back on the past with longing, back to an age where we could speak to whom we wanted, buy what we wanted, think what we wanted without those thoughts, words and activities being tracked, processed and stored by corporate giants such as Google, sold to government agencies such as the NSA and CIA, and used against us by militarized police with their army of futuristic technologies.

WC: 2031

Read more at: Rutherford.org
Congress passes ANOTHER stopgap spending bill, delaying long-term solution to budget crisis

The House of Representatives has passed another stopgap funding bill , once again delaying a long-term solution for the government budget and making the possibility of a government shutdown more likely.

By a vote of 336 to 95, with 209 Democrats and 127 Republicans supporting it, the House passed another stopgap government funding bill. Ninety-three Republicans and two Democrats were opposed to the measure.

The measure extends government funding through mid-January and now heads to the Senate, where a bipartisan group of supporters has expressed support for the stopgap bill.

The current bill gives lawmakers in both the House and the Senate more time to agree on an agreement regarding more detailed spending bills that cover everything from funding for scientific research to the Armed Forces.

House Republicans still have a lot of work to do, as 12 more appropriations bills need to get through House and Senate negotiators. The continuing resolution (CR) also gives agitated lawmakers, who have been in session for 10 straight weeks, a chance to take a short break.

"I've been drinking from Niagara Falls the last three weeks. This will allow everybody to go home for a couple of days for Thanksgiving, everybody cool off," said House Speaker Mike Johnson. "Members have been here  for 10 weeks. This place is a pressure cooker. And so I think everybody can go home, we can come back, reset."

"Right now, our loving, caring representatives, what are they doing? They're coming up with some kind of a stopgap measure yet again, to kick the can down the road," commented financial expert Gregory Mannarino, who warned that this ongoing ordeal is already affecting U.S. markets and could end up making the government bankrupt. (Related: Doug Casey: Entitlements, excessive defense spending and high federal debt interest push U.S. to brink of bankruptcy.)

"They can't come up with a budget Honestly, when are people gonna say 'Enough?'" he added. "What are we paying taxes for? Why are they getting paid [when they] can't get it together?"

Stopgap funding bill does not cut government spending

President Joe Biden is expected to sign the stopgap funding bill into law before the current temporary funding measure for federal agencies expires at midnight on Friday, Nov. 17.

The stopgap bill, referred to as House Speaker Mike Johnson's "laddered continuing resolution," continues to fund the government  including the Agriculture, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Veterans Affairs departments  through Jan. 19, 2024. It also provides additional funding for the Defense Department and other remaining parts of the government through Feb. 2.

Legislators referred to the CR as a "clean" bill that does not impose any spending cuts or push forward any contentious policy provisions that could alienate Democrats. It also does not include supplemental spending packages covering things like additional military aid for Israel and Ukraine, other foreign aid, or border security.

"House Democrats have repeatedly articulated that any continuing resolution must be set at the fiscal year 2023 spending level, be devoid of harmful cuts and free of extreme right-wing policy riders," said Congressional Democratic leaders in a joint statement. "The continuing resolution before the House today meets that criteria and we will support it."

Watch this video featuring Gregory Mannarino discussing the government budget crisis and the possibility of America going bankrupt.

This video is from the What Is Happening channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Unstable U.S. Treasury market experiences its worst day in the last six months.

Annualized federal debt interest cost surpasses $1T, Bloomberg analysis reveals.

"Terrorist" economy: Washington is prepared to create a new financial disaster for the whole world.

Annual interest on U.S. debt soars past $1 trillion for the first time in history.

Public NUMBS as government DEBT BOMB explodes to $33T, annual budget DEFICIT approaches $2T.

Sources include:

Brighteon.com

NBCNews.com

Reuters.com
The Great Reset is actually a DEPOPULATION agenda making use of VACCINES and the CLIMATE HOAX to achieve One World Government

The Daily Expose recently published a thought-provoking article on the alleged hidden motives behind influential and powerful individuals who are carrying out the globalist agenda under the guise of saving Earth.

The World Economic Forum (WEF) is the main proponent of the "Great Reset Initiative," a bold economic recovery plan it came up with in response to the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Advocates of the initiative launched in June 2020 claim it represents an opportunity to address pressing global challenges. In contrast, skeptics perceive it as "a Trojan horse veiling a more sinister agenda."

Proponents argue that the Great Reset will address climate change, income inequality and healthcare disparities by aligning economic systems with environmental sustainability and social equity, with a view to creating a "more resilient and just world."

However, critics are worried about how this much power could breed overreach. They question the motives behind its proposals, particularly the potential erosion of individual freedoms and the concentration of power in the hands of the global elites.

Critics further highlight the jargon used in the Great Reset blurbs, such as "stakeholder capitalism," insinuates a shift toward a more collectivist economic model. This could pave the way for increased government control and diminish the role of free markets. Moreover, the involvement of individuals such as Bill Gates  whose support of depopulation agendas such as family planning, reproductive health, and vaccine programs  brings the Great Reset into question.

"This connection fuels suspicions that the Great Reset may be a vehicle for implementing population control strategies under the guise of sustainability," the independent news outlet wrote. "Allegations swirl that Gates' immense wealth and influence are leveraged to manipulate public health initiatives to secretly reduce global population numbers. Observers also notice that through partnerships with governments, NGOs and other philanthropic organizations, his foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, claimed to improve the quality of life for millions of people worldwide as it focused on global health with various vaccination campaigns, particularly in developing countries. They claimed to target diseases like polio, malaria and HIV/AIDS, but people could not help but see through the real reason he does this  again, to control population growth and make huge profits.

If Gates is not highly motivated to exterminate most people, why is he also into industries such as pharmaceuticals and genetically modified crops that control or target organic food supply? His genetically modified (GM) food technology effort is part of a broader agenda to monopolize agriculture and exert influence over the worlds food production systems, critics observed.

"This control would grant Gates immense power and potentially enable him to manipulate food availability and prices to serve his own interests," the Expose further noted.

Gates of course denied this and has publicly stated that his investments align with his goal of addressing pressing worldwide challenges, including improving health outcomes and enhancing food security. He asserts that his financial involvement allows him to leverage resources and expertise to make a meaningful impact in these areas. (Related: Globalists making final moves to implement Great Reset followed by worldwide totalitarianism.)

Demand transparency and accountability from WEF, Gates

The analysis concluded by asking for transparency and accountability from both Gates and the WEF. "[Both] are undeserving influential figures in global affairs and should be subject to rigorous scrutiny and independent investigations."

"Without access to reliable information, it becomes challenging for the public to evaluate the validity of their statements and initiatives. Transparency regarding the sources of data, methodologies used for analysis, and potential conflicts of interest is crucial to instill trust and ensure that decisions are based on sound evidence rather than hidden motives," the piece said. It also noted the importance of critical thinking as a powerful and essential tool.

"By conducting an extensive analysis of the evidence, relying on credible sources and fostering constructive dialogue, we navigate the murky waters of conspiracy and unveil the potential truth," the news outlet urged its readers.

Visit GreatReset.news to read more about the WEF and its depopulation agenda.

Watch this clip from the "Flyover Conservatives" podcast that tackles the Great Reset agenda pushed by the WEF.

This video is from the Thrivetime Show channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Mike Adams: Force majeure could be unleashed as part of the engineered Great Reset.

WHO, CDC and Bill Gates pushing for peel-and-stick vaccine patches mailed directly to people's homes.

ROYAL RESET: King Charles III plans to accelerate the Great Reset and other globalist goals.

Sources include:

Expose-News.com

Brighteon.com
Those hidden tunnels underneath al-Shifa hospital in Gaza where Israel says Hamas militants are hiding? Israel BUILT them in 1983

Before we delve into this matter, keep in mind that we are aware of the existence of wartime propaganda onsides of the war. What you are about to read has to do with theof the two respective sides and what they are saying and doing to keep a lid on the truth about the situation in Gaza.

With that said, the talk of the week is al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, Gaza's largest medical complex where Israel says Hamas militants run an underground command post in a series of hidden tunnels. Believe it or not, those tunnels were actually built by Israel back in 1983, making the situation a little more complex than media headlines indicate.

On the one hand, we are told that Hamas terrorists are using these underground tunnels and the hospital(s) above to concoct their plans for attacking Israel. On the other, we are told that the hospital is simply filled with sick patients and doctors who are being indiscriminately bombed by Israeli forces.

In many ways, both stories are true. There are, in fact, underground tunnels below al-Shifa, and even special wings of the hospital that are off-limits to reporters and the rest of the world. And Israel is, in fact, surrounding and shelling the hospital to hit its targets, killing some civilians along the way.

But what if you were to learn that al-Shifa is much more like a Hollywood set than actual hospital? Hamas allows reporters to see parts of the facility and even conducts interviews there  but what about all those other areas that are hidden from view?

(Related: Did you catch our report about Israel's ethnic cleansing operations within its own borders?)

Will the world ever know the full truth?

Tablet magazine covered the matter back in 2014, almost a full decade prior to the current conflict. Tablet staff explained that "a large underground bunker equipped with sophisticated communications equipment" houses at least some part of the Hamas organization's operations.

Western media has largely kept this a secret, likely due to intimidation both from Hamas and from Israel. There are things you are allowed to say, and there are things you are not allowed to say  this is where propaganda comes from, and you can be sure the current Israel-Gaza conflict is riddled with it.

The fact of the matter, though, is that Israel used to control Gaza. Long before Hamas even existed, the "Israeli settlers," as the Palestinians call them, ran the Gaza Strip and built these underground facilities, this being the reason why the Israeli government is constantly talking about them and alleging that Hamas militants are using the spaces, and the people who occupy them as human shields, to conduct its operations.

It is difficult to say what, if anything, has changed about these underground tunnels since Tablet reported on them in 2014. It is also unknown what is really taking place down there right now during the current conflict that has Israel so focused on destroying the property that it now surrounds.

What we do know is that Hamas, also created by Israel back in the 1970s, is likely not telling the full truth in the same way that Israel is not telling the full truth. Much of war is deception, after all, and in the Middle East there always seems to be plenty of it in circulation.

Tablet once described al-Shifa as "a Hollywood sound-stage filled with real, live war victims who are used to score propaganda points, while the terrorists inside the hospital itself are erased from photographs and news accounts through a combination of pressure and threats, in order to produce the stories that Hamas wants."

This sure gives the term "theater of war" a whole lot more meaning.

The latest news about the Israel war on Gaza can be found at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

TabletMag.com

NaturalNews.com
IDF members proudly upload video of intentionally running over a Palestinian with a bulldozer

Members of the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) have uploaded a video on a popular pro-Israeli Telegram channel showing an IDF bulldozer intentionally running over the body of a Palestinian civilian

The Telegram channel has over 130,000 followers, many of whom commented on the video by making fun of the civilian dying and being crushed.

According to a report from Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor, the victim had sought refuge from Israeli violence by using the "safe corridor" along Salah al-Din Street, a main road in the Gaza Strip. This corridor, allegedly allocated by the Israeli army for the use of displaced Palestinian civilians, was meant to facilitate travel from North Gaza to the supposed safety of the southern part of the Strip. Tragically, the man was shot and killed before becoming the deliberate target of the bulldozer.

Euro-Med Human Rights Monitor vehemently denounced the IDF's brazen admission of mutilating the bodies of the deceased, along with the publication of video clips showcasing the appalling practices. The organization interprets these acts as clear evidence of the IDF's sadism and a blatant violation of the rules of war.

IDF's present brutal actions similar to the 2003 killing of American activist Rachel Corrie

The IDF has a long history of using its military bulldozers to run over civilians  including an American. In 2003, the IDF intentionally ran over American peace activist Rachel Corrie, who was protesting against the deliberate destruction of Palestinian homes in the Gaza Strip.

Back then, the 23-year-old Corrie had been actively involved with the Palestinian-led International Solidarity Movement, dedicating her life to protesting Israeli actions in the region. At that time, Corrie participated in the televised mock trial of then-President George H.W. Bush in Gaza. The former president was accused of war crimes for his alleged support of Israel's actions. (Related: World War 3 could be imminent as Israel-Hamas war escalates, experts warn.)

"She was raising her hands and yelling at the bulldozer driver to stop. The bulldozer driver paid no attention. He buried Rachel with dirt, which ended up, obviously, knocking her down. Then he ran over her, and then reversed and ran over her again," said Palestinian-American peace activist Huwaida Arraf.

On the other side of the story, some claimed that Corrie was out of sight of the bulldozer operator. However, Alice, a member of the organization from London, shared that she and Corrie sat in front of their friends' houses for about three hours. The bulldozer driver must have seen them, but they still drove over Corrie. Alice even said that Corrie emerged from under the bulldozer and said, "My back is broken. My back is broken."

Tom Dale, who was about 10 yards away, made another statement, saying Corrie was visible and wearing an orange jacket. The bulldozer moved forward, lifting a pile of earth, and caught Corrie under its blade.

Instead of taking responsibility, the IDF labeled the incident "very regrettable," blaming the protesters for putting everyone in danger by intentionally placing themselves in a combat zone. Activists, however, assert the use of nonviolent tactics and reject the notion that Corrie's death was an accident.

Just like how the IDF uploaded its video of running over a lifeless Palestinian civilian to be a laughing stock on the internet, the Israelis also celebrated Corrie's death by throwing "pancake parties" to mock her killing.

Visit Chaos.news for more stories about the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine.

Watch this scary footage from Gaza Strip.

This video is from the Cynthias Pursuit of Truth channel on Brighteon.com.

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BREAKING: Compelling video evidence points to Israeli AIR BURST bomb striking al-Ahli hospital grounds, killing hundreds of Palestinian civilians as they slept on courtyard grounds adjacent to the parking lot.

Pro-Palestinian man arrested and charged with hate crimes after calling for curses upon the Jews, but Israeli officials openly call for mass EXTERMINATION of all Palestinians and no one says or does a thing.

Sources include:

InformationLiberation.com

EuroMedMonitor.org

Edition.CNN.com

Brighteon.com
Netanyahu threatens America, saying youre next if Israel isnt supported in committing genocide in Gaza

As Western support for Israel's genocide in Gaza falters, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has a message for America: support us or "."

In an appearance on Fox News with Sean Hannity this week, Netanyahu basically threatened the United States to continue supporting Israel no matter what, or else.

"We have to win not only for our sake, but for the sake of the Middle East, for the sake of our Arab neighbors," Netanyahu said in the interview. "You know what, for the sake of Gazans who've been held by this dark tyranny that has brutalized and brought them nothing but bloodshed and poverty and misery."

"We have to win to protect Israel. We have to win to safeguard the Middle East. We have to win for the sake of the civilized world. That's the battle we're fighting, and it's being waged right now. There is no substitute for that victory."

Netanyahu on Hannity last night: - Israel is invading Gaza "for the sake of Gazans." Sounds very generous and humanitarian - War boils down to "good guys" versus "bad guys" - If Israel doesn't occupy the Gaza strip, "Europe is next, and you're next." I guess he means Ohio pic.twitter.com/4GXGDC5khk  Michael Tracey (@mtracey) November 14, 2023

(Related: Israel wants Palestine's maritime natural gas reserves, which many believe is part of the reason why Gaza is being cleared.)

To Netanyahu, the Jewish state is "civilized" and everyone else is "barbarians"

Should Israel fail in the war, Netanyahu threatened massive repercussions for the white-majority world, including both the United States and the whole of Europe.

"If we don't win, then Europe is next and you're next," Netanyahu said to Hannity and his viewers. "And we have to win."

Repeatedly throughout the interview, Netanyahu likened himself and the Jewish people to "civilization," and everything else to "barbarians," especially the Palestinian people of Gaza.

Reiterating Israel's "light" versus "darkness" theme throughout all this, the Jewish state is always the good guy, according to Netanyahu, while everyone else, mainly the Palestinians, are the bad guys.

"We have to have the forces of civilization beat these barbarians because otherwise this barbarism will spread and will endanger the entire world," Netanyahu continued in his diatribe.

"Every American, every civilized country will be under peril. We have to win. There is no substitute for victory. Total victory."

As you may recall from the George W. Bush years, this is the same rhetoric that was used in 2003 to sell Americans on entering the war in Iraq. We heard a whole lot about light vs. darkness back then as well, including the infamous "weapons of mass destruction" myth that was used to justify the takedown of Saddam Hussein.

Netanyahu has also used similar language over the years when referring to Iran and the "nuclear threat" that it allegedly poses to Israel. Again and again, Netanyahu has painted Israel as standing for what is right and good, and its neighbors and the rest of the world as standing for what is wrong and evil.

It appears as though Netanyahu's strong language with Hannity was a response to words of restraint recently uttered by Joe Biden, who said this week regarding the worsening humanitarian crisis at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City:

"I have not been reluctant in expressing my concerns about what's going on and it's my hope and expectation that it will be less intrusive action relative to the hospital."

All of this hearkens back to the language also used by Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine in trying to twist the arm of America and the West to support his regime, or else "you're next." It seems as though they are all reading from the same playbook, does it not?

The latest news about the escalating conflict in the Middle East can be found at Chaos.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
Trump to GO HARD against ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS and human traffickers if elected for a second term

Former President Donald Trump has promised to go hard against illegal immigrants and human traffickers if elected for a second term in 2024.

The real estate mogul-turned-chief executive has promised to terminate the distribution of welfare and government benefits to illegal immigrants in his second term of office. Such benefits to be denied to illegals include access to food stamps, free healthcare and welfare checks. Moreover, he plans to revoke illegal aliens' eligibility for public housing and work permits if he wins the 2024 presidential election.

Trump has espoused an America First policy, and that policy extends to American workers. He has promised to block fraudulent activities within the immigration system that burden U.S. taxpayers.

Under his plan, American workers will be prioritized in hiring  a direct response to the H-1B visa program often abused by Indian nationals. It will also ensure federal contractors prioritize American workers over temporary foreign labor.

Trump also intends to block immigrants that can burden the country's healthcare system and social safety programs. For the latter, he plans to require immigrants to have sponsors so that they do not rely on U.S. taxpayers for support.

Moreover, Trump's policy if elected will require asylum seekers to apply at official ports of entry instead of entering the country unlawfully. Immigration activities conducted in response to the economic impact of the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic will also be temporarily suspended.

Trump's plan of action for the border crisis

Under President Joe Biden, more than seven million illegal immigrants have entered the United States. Efforts by individual states to prevent this crisis have been stymied by federal agents, who have aided border crosses in entering walls and removing physical barriers. This approach by the Biden administration has led even Democrat mayors to appeal for a halt. (Related: NYC Mayor Adams: Illegal immigration under Biden has become a NATIONAL CRISIS.)

Trump's plan to solve the border crisis and secure the southern border include, first and foremost, finishing the construction of a border wall. He also plans to send the National Guard to the U.S.-Mexico border for operational support missions. The former president will also reject amnesty for illegal immigrants and reinstate executive orders repealed by Biden.

Whereas no illegals were deported under Biden, Trump plans to collaborate with local law enforcement and Immigration and Customs Enforcement to deport criminal illegal immigrants and clean up American cities. The catch-and-release system will also be ended, with those violating immigration law being detained. Sanctuary cities will also be required to cooperate with federal deportation efforts, lest their federal funding be withheld.

Anchor babies are another issue linked to immigration, and Trump plans to address this loophole of the jus soli principle in a two-fold move. First, he plans to terminate birth tourism  the practice of pregnant women visiting and giving birth in the U.S. to secure citizenship for their foreign-born children. Second, he plans to deny citizenship for the children of illegals to discourage illegal illegal immigration and misapplication of citizenship.

Trump also putting national security first

The former president is also making national security a priority. He wants to hand capital punishment for child traffickers, with particular focus on human traffickers and transnational criminal organizations that smuggle children across the border. Drug cartels will also be designated as foreign terrorists.

Trump also plans to reinstate a travel ban for nations that willfully send terrorists and criminals to America. Under the ban, refugees from certain nations who fail to provide adequate information can be denied entry. China, another nation that seeks to challenge the U.S., is not exempt either  with visa sanctions for Chinese agents that seek to steal American secrets.

The vetting and screening process for foreign nationals will also be enhanced, with Trump planning to set up a National Vetting Center to coordinate efforts in vetting individuals seeking entry. Collectively, these measures aim to reshape immigration policies, prioritize national security and safeguard the interests of American citizens.

Watch the clip below that talks about illegals and American citizens being pitted against each other.

This video is from the SamsTwitch channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

DeSantis signs anti-illegal immigration bill mandating that businesses ban undocumented workers.

Ann Vandersteel: American Red Cross aiding ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION at southern border  Brighteon.TV.

This needs to STOP! Tax dollars are being used to fund ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION across America.

Sources include:

ThePostMillenial.com

Brighteon.com
Ukrainian security forces, funded by U.S. taxpayers, operate a $34 billion CHILD-SELLING trafficking racket

Volodymyr Zelensky's regime in Ukraine  the same one that United States taxpayers are funding  is hunting down Ukrainian children andthem to other countries for profit.

The latest figures suggest that upwards of 23,000 unaccompanied minor children born in Ukraine are now living elsewhere in Europe with no supervision or parental care.

Many Ukrainian families are reportedly asking Russia for help in finding their children who were forcibly taken from them and shipped off to Europe, according to Grigory Lukyantsev, director of the Department for Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights of the Russian Foreign Ministry.

"These children can be considered Ukrainians conditionally: fifteen years ago, their parents did not know any other language other than Russian," reports Europe Renaissance about the matter. "Ukrainian citizens were prompted to turn to Russian diplomats by despair: the Kyiv authorities were indifferent to the problem."

"And how could it be otherwise? After all, it was at the instigation of officials in Kyiv that the paramilitary organizations 'White Angels' and 'Phoenix' were formed, staffed by selected nationalists who hunt Ukrainian children. Westerners willingly went to them: firstly, they freed them from mobilization to the front. And secondly, it brought profit  at first, they paid up to two thousand dollars for a child taken to Europe."

(Related: Back in the summer, an "evil child trader" was caught trying to exit Ukraine with an abducted child to "sell" the baby for "organ transplants.")

White Angel child abduction unit of Kiev appeared towards end of February 2022, just after Russian invasion

The White Angel paramilitary group, which operates under the jurisdiction of Ukraine's Security Service (Sluzhba Bezpeky Ukrayiny [SBU]) did not even exist prior to the Russian invasion. It appeared towards the end of February 2022 when a slew of U.S. tax dollars was sent over to help Zelensky.

At first, White Angel was staffed by police officers who were tasked with conducting a forced "evacuation" of children from the front-line zone. Criminals were able to track down the names of these children based on the color of the ambulance that took them away.

After that, the Azov battalion got involved and massively expanded White Angel, which now boasts 6,000 "angels" who participate in the racket, according to data provided by the Anti-Repression Foundation (FBI).

This "army" of angels is subordinate to Zelensky as well as Andrei Biletsky, described as an "ardent nationalist."

"Sources from the Ukrainian government frankly say that the 'angels' were created for one task: to take as many Russian children to Europe as possible," Europe Renaissance reports.

"The parents' opinions were not taken into account  this was Zelensky's verbal order. It is known that the former head of the SBU Ivan Bakanov gave the order to take the most stringent measures against parents who do not want to give up their children."

Around this same time, the Phoenix division of the child abduction racket appeared. These fighters work exclusively in the DPR territory of Ukraine, which is still under the jurisdiction of the nationalists.

This past July, it also became known that children in Ukraine were being abducted from school and kindergarten facilities in the city of Shchastya without the permission of their parents. That same month, former Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) agent Vasily Prozorov reported that, based on his own investigation into the matter, these children are being taken "for fun" by pedophiles who live in Great Britain, which is ground zero for the Western power structure along with the U.S. and Israel.

"Indeed, without adults and with fake documents, children in the EU are completely defenseless," reports warn.

The latest news about the child trafficking racket that operates out of Zelensky's Ukraine can be found at Evil.news.

Sources for this article include:

EuropeRenaissance.com

NaturalNews.com
U.S. military and Israels IDF drilled WAR GAMES together earlier this year in operation Juniper Oak

Back in January, less than 10 months before the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, the United States and Israel teamed up for a war games military exercise called Juniper Oak 23.2 , which the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) described as "a bilateral, live-fire exercise that takes place in both Israel and the Mediterranean Sea.

"It's the largest and most significant exercise we have engaged in together and is intended to demonstrate that the U.S. commitment to Israel's security is ironclad and enduring," announced Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder.

Conveniently, the purpose of the exercise, Ryder added, was to enhance the ability of the U.S. military to respond to contingencies in the Middle East  contingencies that would just so happen to manifest in real life less than a year after the war games exercise was held.

"Throughout the week-long engagement, more than 140 aircraft, 12 naval vessels, High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems, and multiple-launch rocket systems will be used during this combined, joint, all-domain exercise, increasing our ability to interoperate on land, in the air, at sea, in space and in cyberspace," Ryder explained before the exercise.

Those who participated in Juniper Oak exercised U.S. and Israeli command and control capabilities, air operations in maritime surface warfare, and combat and search and rescue capabilities, the DOD announced.

U.S. and Israeli partners also worked together to enhance interoperability on electronic attack, suppression of enemy air defenses, strike coordination and reconnaissance, and air interdiction, the DOD reported.

"This exercise is focused on interoperability and strengthening our security relationship in terms of working together," Ryder said.

"As evidenced by ..., most recently, the counter-ISIS campaign, the ability to pull air forces together seamlessly and operate in a way that is going to be effective is vital. This is one aspect of that, although the exercise is obviously more than just about airpower."

(Related: Check out the October 7 testimonies showing that Israel's military shot up, "burned alive" Israeli civilians.)

Juniper Oak wasn't about defeating any one adversary or threat, it was about making U.S., Israeli forces one and the same

Ryder stressed at the meeting that the purpose of Juniper Oak was not necessarily to simulate the U.S. and Israeli militaries having to defeat any particular adversary or threat. Instead, it was about aligning the U.S. and Israeli militaries to function as one.

"The United States maintains many relationships in the Middle East region with many countries," Ryder said.

"Israel is one of our closest partners in the region ... this gives us the opportunity to work together to increase interoperability, to be able to respond to a variety of contingencies and threats ... that should we need to operate together, we can do so seamlessly."

At the same meeting, Ryder spoke of similar war games exercises with Ukraine. Last December, the DOD announced plans for such war games exercises, which were later provided by U.S. Army Europe and Africa Command's 7th Army Training Command, lasting about six weeks.

"The training has begun," Ryder told reporters back in January. "It started mid-January ... Once that training is complete, ... those forces will go back into Ukraine."

If the Ukrainians ask for even more training, then they will get it, Ryder added. In other words, the U.S. military is giving it all both to Ukraine and to Israel  and U.S. taxpayers will foot the bill.

"It's not a 'one and done' type of program," Ryder stipulated.

"That'll be Ukraine's decision in terms of providing additional forces to go through that cycle. We certainly expect them to do that. But at the end of the day, that's their decision given the situation on the ground."

The latest news about the Israel-Gaza war can be found at WWIII.news.

Sources for this article include:

Defense.org

NaturalNews.com
Do Kwons Appeal in Document Forgery Case Rejected by Montenegro High Court

Disclosure: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. By using this website, you agree to our terms and conditions. We may utilise affiliate links within our content, and receive commission.

Disgraced Terraform Labs founder Do Kwons appeal in his document forgery case has been rejected by a High Court in Montenegro.

Judge finds Kwons appeal based on unfounded claims



According to a statement by the High Court of Podgorica, claims made in the appeal by Do Kwon and his co-conspirator, Terraform Labs executive Han Chang-Joon, were rejected as unfounded.

Kwon and Chang-Joon were arrested in March of 2023 at Montenegros main airport for document forgery as they attempted to board a plane headed for Dubai with falsified passports.

Im not on the run or anything similar



Kwons detainment followed nearly a year-long manhunt for the crypto tycoon as he persistently evaded authority following the crash of his tokens, TerraUSD and Luna, by hiding out in numerous locales across Asia and Europe including Serbia, Dubai, and Montenegro.

The now infamous crash of Kwons doomed cryptocurrency coins occurred in May 2022 and cost the market an estimated $40 billion overall.

Kwons native country, South Korea, put out a warrant for his arrest in early September 2022 following evidence that the crypto founders blockchain merchant technology was based on false pretenses.

Im not on the run or anything similar, Kwon tweeted on September 17th, 2022. However, nearly a week later, global policing body Interpol issued a red notice for Kwons arrest.

At that point, Kwon had flown out to Dubai from Terraform Labs headquarters in Singapore before ultimately hiding out in Belgrade, Serbia, where Chang-Joon had an apartment.

In February 2022, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission filed a lawsuit against the Terraform Labs founder for committing fraud.

By the following month, Kwon had crossed into Montenegro where he was ultimately caught and sentenced to four months for document forgery.

Poor jail conditions and future extradition



The statement by the High Court continues that it believes that the imposed punishments are adequate to the gravity of the committed crime.

Kwon is currently wanted for extradition both by the United States and South Korea. With Kwon deemed a flight risk, Spuz Prison, the correctional facility in Montenegro where he is currently housed, will allow him to stay past his four-month sentence until his extradition is finalized.

However, the prison has a long history of accusations of overcrowding, poor food quality, and lack of medical treatment. In 2013, inmates at Spuz staged a hunger strike to demand better living conditions.

It is currently unclear exactly when Kwon will be extradited and whether it will be to either the United States or South Korea.
After U.S. simulates nuke attack on Moscow, Russia responds overwhelmingly: 30 U.S. cities to be the first incinerated, killing 100s of millions

According to this recent story over at War News 24/7 leading toby releasing video of the launch of an RSM-56 Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from a new nuclear powered submarine in the White Sea, what the Russian Ministry of Defense calledafter which a decision will be made if that particular sub is accepted into the Russian Navy.

(Article by Stefan Stanford republished from AllNewsPipeline.com)

With the War News story reporting that the Russian Navy already has three Borei-class submarines in service, along with that one which is currently completing trials, while three more Borei-class subs are under construction, they also alarmingly report that each of those "Emperor Alexander III" Borei-class nuclear powered subs can launch 16 different nuclear missiles from them during a time of war, capable of hitting 10 different targets, meaning just those 3 subs already on duty can strike 30 different US cities. We take a look at which 30 US cities will most likely be hit by Russian nuclear weapons in a Russian response to any kind of US nuclear attack upon Russia in the next section of this story below.

And while that Russian weapon, the RSM-56 Bulava (NATO code SS-NX-30 or SS-N-32), was declared operational in 2013 on those Borei class nuclear ballistic missile submarines, and the recent test was successful, hitting a target thousands of kilometers away on the Kamchatka Island Peninsula in the Far-East of Russia, this latest Russian video in response to the US nuke simulation of an attack upon Moscow is the latest very real sign we're moving recklessly towards a nuclear confrontation from which there will be no coming back from. From that War News 24/7 story.:

"The United States decided to simulate nuclear strikes on Moscow and St. Petersburg with these weapons and to predict the results, that is, to count the number of victims among the inhabitants of the area," reports the American magazine Newsweek, giving some details.

The authors of the report pointed to the need to improve the US nuclear arsenal to contain China and Russia. Production of the B61-13 will not increase the total number of weapons in the US nuclear arsenal, it will simply provide greater flexibility in the use of existing capabilities.

The B61-13 would have a much larger impact area and hit 24 times more powerfully (360 kilotons) than the bomb dropped by the United States on Hiroshima in August 1945.

In the event of a drop on the largest Russian megacities, the damage will be colossal.

It is estimated that:

- 311,480 people will be killed and another 868,860 injured if Moscow is hit.

- Everything in a radius of just under 1 km from the epicenter will turn to dust

- The explosion will destroy buildings and probably kill everyone else within a 1 mile radius.

- People within a 3 kilometer radius will suffer from high levels of radiation and die within a month.

- Another 15% of survivors will die shortly afterwards of cancer.

- In St. Petersburg, 360,150 people may die and another 685,930 people will suffer.

The fire from the explosion will burn for more than six hours, creating a deadly atmosphere over an area of nearly 170 square km, about 10-15 times larger than in Hiroshima.

The British confirm the American simulations.

"Simulations of dropping a 360-kiloton American bomb on Moscow show that it would cause hundreds of thousands of casualties, around a million injuries and widespread devastation"

Yet as America stumbles blindly and insanely towards World War 3 and the very real possibility of nuclear annihilation think about this, the man who is making the 'military decisions,' such as when to push the 'nuclear conflagration button,' can't even walk straight as seen in this November 13th story over at the Daily Mail.

Stumbling and bumbling around while attempting to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier as also seen in the 2nd video at the bottom of this story, needing to be told which direction he needed to go by US military members nearby, is THIS REALLY the braindead imbecile America needs to have his finger upon the button in a time of crisis like the world is in right now?

Read more at: AllNewsPipeline.com
BLAME GAME: USA blames Ukraines leaders for Nord Stream pipeline bombing

In an apparent shift of blame that could allow the United States to excuse itself from having to continue supporting Ukraine, the latest narrative is that Ukraine, and not the U.S. Navy, is responsible for the Nord Stream pipeline explosion that occurred earlier this year.

The Washington Post is reportedly blaming Ukrainian Colonel Roman Chervinsky, whom it says "was integral to the brazen sabotage operation" of Nord Stream, this "according to officials in Ukraine and elsewhere in Europe, as well as other people knowledgeable about the details of the covert operation."

Dubbed a "dangerous assault on Europe's energy infrastructure" by both U.S. and Western officials at the time it occurred, the Nord Stream pipeline bombing represents a critical moment in the standoff between Russia and the West.

Destroying Nord Stream delivered a major blow to Russia's energy exports, limiting its ability to sell natural gas to Europe. This is at the crux of the Russia-Ukraine war, by the way: the economic relations of Europe and Russia, particularly as it relates to energy.

(Related: Check out our earlier coverage explaining why the U.S. military is responsible for blowing up the Nord Stream pipeline.)

Chervinsky claims no involvement in Nord Stream destruction, shifts blame to Russia

As you may recall from early on, the Western media initially blamed Russia for bombing its own energy pipeline, which makes no sense. The claim was that "Russia did it" to try to sidetrack from the West continuing to justify the sending of "aid" to Ukraine, all to "protect interests."

When that narrative failed, things shifted to suddenly blaming Ukraine itself. The newest story is that a senior figure within Ukraine's Special Operations Forces was "the coordinator" of the attack, executing it with precision and secrecy, and allowing a deep-sea dive team to put explosive charges on the pipeline.

Conveniently for Ukraine, the destruction of Nord Stream means that Russia must continue to use Ukrainian pipelines to deliver energy to Europe, this producing huge transit revenue for Ukraine.

As usual, the Ukrainian colonel in question denies any and all involvement in blowing up the Nord Stream pipeline. He is also shifting the blame back to Russia because of reasons.

"Without merit, Russian propaganda is spreading all rumors regarding my participation in the assault on Nord Stream," Chervinsky said in a written statement to the Post and Der Spiegel (Germany), which co-investigated Chervinsky's activities.

It turns out that Chervinsky was definitely the right man for the job, holding extensive expertise in covert operations such as the type that would have been necessary to sabotage Nord Stream.

Chervinsky's lengthy resume includes plans to ensnare Russian Wagner mercenaries, target pro-Russian separatists, and other high-stakes operations against Russian interests.

According to WaPo, Chervinsky did not act alone. People "familiar with his role" say he took order from more senior Ukrainian officials who ultimately report to Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, Ukraine's highest-ranking military officer.

All of this stands in direct contrast to claims made by Volodymyr Zelensky, who back in June claimed that he and he alone would have been responsible for giving such orders, but that he did no such thing.

"Nothing of the sort has been done by Ukraine," Zelensky declared. "I would never act that way."

Right now, Chervinsky is being held in a Kyiv jail on charges that he abused his power, this stemming from a July 2022 plot that involved luring a Russian pilot to defect to Ukraine.

"Authorities allege that Chervinsky, who was arrested in April, acted without permission and that the operation gave away the coordinates of a Ukrainian airfield, prompting a Russian rocket attack that killed a soldier and injured 17 others," reports explain about the matter.

More related news about the situation in Ukraine can be found at Chaos.news.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
Venezuelan migrant family regrets coming to the U.S. as American Dream becomes too difficult to reach for illegals

Many border crossers who found themselves in Chicago after unlawfully entering the U.S. are starting to regret their decision  with some heading back home to their countries of origin.

The Chicago Tribune recently featured the story of the Castejon family, who left their home in Venezuela to start anew in the United States. Patriarch Michael Castejon, 39, arrived with his family  including step-daughter Andrea Carolina Sevilla  in the Windy City five months ago so she can have access to a better education. Sevilla said she was lucky to even have attended school in Venezuela, as many other teenagers start working early to help out their families.

The Castejons found themselves on the floor of a police station, a crowded shelter and a house they rented before returning to the same police station where they began. According to Castejon, the family decided to seek asylum in the U.S. because of the extreme poverty under Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro  something that he later said wasn't worth it.

"The American Dream doesn't exist anymore," Castejon told the Tribune on the afternoon of Nov. 2. "There's nothing here for us. We didn't know things would be this hard. How many more months of living in the streets will it take? No, no more. It's better that I leave. At least I have my mother back home."

Castejon said his family just wants to be home. "If we're going to be sleeping in the streets here, we'd rather be sleeping in the streets over there," he said.

Many migrants regret decision to head to Chicago

According to the Tribune, Castejon and his family are "among the countless number of migrants who have chosen to leave Chicago in recent weeks in their search for a better life. They're looking for warmer weather, more resources or to reunite with friends and family in other places."

"One family of five left for Detroit because another migrant told them there was work there. One man went back to Texas, where he will join his cousins after trying his luck in Chicago. In the past month, at least 40 people  have left Chicago."

Twenty-two-year-old Jose Nauh tried his luck in Chicago after hearing that there was shelter, food and other public benefits. "That's not true," he said, with the Tribune revealing that he slept in a police station in the Windy City for more than two weeks. Fortunately, Nauh had family in Houston to return to.

Diana Vera, another migrant, found herself leaving Chicago with her three children and daughter-in-law. The five boarded a bus to Detroit, another sanctuary city, with the hope that a cousin would take them in once they arrived. "We heard that there are a lot of jobs over there, even if you don't have a permit," she told the Tribune.

Vera was also discouraged from staying in Chicago any longer after hearing stories from other migrants about crowded shelters, cold food, and the lack of real beds. "It sounds worse than sleeping at the police station," she remarked. (Related: Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson plans to relocate 1,600 illegal immigrants into special tent communities.)

"Like many people, we're just here for a better life," said Ana, a Venezuelan teacher who came to Chicago in September. The teacher, who spoke in Spanish through a translator, tried her luck in the Windy City because she couldn't afford to live on the pay she was making at home.

"I am here to continue to advocate for Chicago to be a sanctuary city; for there to be resources for everyone, [including] for us immigrants to continue to receive the help that we deserve."

However, Ana's wish might only remain a pipe dream. Chicagoans are speaking out against the city's plan to retain its status as a sanctuary city. They argue that taxpayer money directed toward unlawful border crossers ought to be utilized for the benefit of city residents.

Watch this clip of a hotel in Chicago refusing customers in favor of illegals bused to the sanctuary city.

This video is from the Puretrauma357 channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

Chicago mayor mulls sending ILLEGALS to suburbs in other counties.

Chicago's Black community slams city officials over $51 million fund for migrants.

GOVERNMENT WASTE: Workers at illegal migrant shelters in Chicago are earning up to $200 AN HOUR.

Chicago officials refuse to disclose how they spent $120M in taxpayer money on ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS.

Sources include:

ChicagoTribune

Brighteon.com
African elephants have been found by scientists to use "elephant names" when calling each other, according to a new study led by researchers in Kenya and the United States. This social labeling is based on specific and unique vocalizations emitted by large mammals, which previous research shows to be highly intelligence and social animals. Now, the breakthrough findings confirm that elephants are the first non-human animals that do not imitate the receiver's call.

The elephant names portrayed in the said scientific report are not evidently as sophisticated and complex on how humans call each other by their first names or nicknames. Yet, the names expressed by the gentle giants involve low rumbling sounds. Prior to the study, scientists also found this trait to be possessed by other animals such as dolphins and parrots. Due to these developments, a growing body of research confirms that several animals may also be capable of calling names.

Elephant Names

Between humans, addressing someone we know or a stranger can stretch from varying attributions, ranging from nouns to pronouns and even adjectives. Regardless of these simple yet meaningful calls, individual names provide a sense of uniqueness and clarity to both the caller and receiver. However, this symbolic interaction among people is quite different with some animals, but they are still names.

In the study published as a pre-print and waiting for peer review in the journal bioRxiv, researchers confirm that African elephants can call the personal names of their kin and other members of an elephant group. The research team determined these elephant names with the help of artificial intelligence or machine learning algorithms, as they studied different groups of elephants living in the wilderness of Kenya.

Also Read: Artificial Intelligence Breakthrough Used to Communicate With Animals, But Scientists Are Concerned

Individually Specific Calls

Described by the researchers as "individually specifical calls," the groundbreaking study found the unique linguistic ability of their selected African elephant group. The wild animals were able to vocalize others' elephant names without imitating the objects or entities that made the sound in the first place.

This unique communication skill is called non-imitative name analogs. On the other hand, imitative name analogs involve the mimicking of verbal sounds made by objects or individuals. For instance, barks among dogs resemble the same sound with no significant differences.

In the bioRxiv study, the team showed that wild African elephants addressed one another without evidence of imitating the vocalizations of their receivers. With this, the authors of the research paper confirmed the first evidence of a non-human species of communicating with each other through non-imitative name analogs of elephant names.

Although the 2023 study is unique and unprecedented, researchers more than a decade ago found evidence that members of the dolphin family are also capable of calling each other by their animal names. In 2011, scientists discovered that sperm whales provide a name for their members. In 2006, researchers found that dolphins give a name for themselves through unique whistles.

Related Article: Sperm Whale Communication: What All the Chatter Means
Two moose that were shot illegally and left to rot were reported by officials. The gunman will be subject to jail time and fines of $1,000.

Two Moose Illegally Shot Then Left to Rot

The Maine Warden Service is investigating two separate illegal moose killings in Washington and Aroostook counties last week, confirmed by the Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife. Lt. Aaron Cross highlighted the severity: moose were unlawfully hunted out of season, in restricted zones, and abandoned, amplifying public concern.

These actions, leaving the moose to waste, disturb those who wait a lifetime for a moose permit, recognizing the sustenance one legally harvested moose could provide to families. One moose, shot between 8 AM and 11:45 AM near Baileyville's Grand Falls Road, and another discovered a day earlier on County Road 15 in Aroostook County, prompted investigations. Game wardens, in preliminary stages, aim to resolve these distressing incidents.

Poaching Across the State

The warden service annually investigates several cases of illegally killed moose or deer left to decay, a challenging task due to limited evidence, as noted by Cross. Public dissemination of such incidents seeks tips, aided significantly by Operation Game Thief, a nonprofit collaborating with the Warden Service and Maine Marine Patrol.

Established in 1989, this program gathers information on illegal poaching, offering rewards for leads resulting in arrests and convictions, often declined by 80% of informants. With approximately 120 game wardens statewide, Greg Sirpis, Operation Game Thief's board chair, stresses the public's role as their eyes and ears. Reports on poaching, including overfishing and introducing fish unnaturally, are received weekly.

Sirpis believes poaching is more extensive due to its clandestine nature, hindering accurate wildlife management crucial for sustaining resources across generations. He compares poaching to stealing food, emphasizing its detrimental impact on natural resources and the ecosystem.

Also Read: Fishing Tournament Cheater Who Used Lead Weights, Also Caught Poaching Antlered Whitetail Deer

$1000 Fine and Jail Time

Cross emphasized that gathering adequate evidence for convictions might take years, yet the department remains resolute in holding accountable those who unlawfully kill animals. The recent moose killings could result in a Class D crime charge, carrying a $1,000 fine and three days in jail per violation. Operation Game Thief offers a $3,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the culprits, with tips accepted through Maine State Police or their "Tips 411" app and website.

David Trahan, Executive Director of the Sportsman's Alliance of Maine (SAM), expressed incredulity and condemnation, deeming such acts unethical and leaving a stain on the state's reputation. He highlighted the significance of moose in Maine's allure, attracting visitors nationwide. Trahan denounced the senseless killing and abandonment of a moose as a grievous waste.

Despite his lack of understanding, Trahan speculated that the thrill of hunting might motivate such actions. Having experienced the privilege of legally hunting a moose himself, Trahan termed it a once-in-a-lifetime event. SAM collaborates with Operation Game Thief, and Trahan urges the Maine Warden Service to identify and prosecute those responsible for the moose killings.

Related Article: Orangutans Illegally Killed in Borneo Reaches 3,000 per Year, Survey Says
As part of its efforts to cut carbon emissions, the Vatican signed a deal with German automaker Volkswagen AG to progressively replace its auto fleet with electric vehicles.

The governor's office of the world's smallest state said the contract will encompass medium- and long-term leasing of Volkswagen and Skoda vehicles.

Ecological Conversion 2030

The Vatican City State is deeply devoted to the adoption of creative and sustainable solutions that allow for the concrete reduction of the impact of human activities on the environment in order to conserve the world.

Mobility is essential to the "Ecological Conversion 2030" program, which aims to minimize the carbon dioxide (CO2) footprint of the state's vehicle fleet. This will also increase the number of charging stations around the territory and ensure that the city's energy demands are met entirely by renewable sources.

To accomplish this, existing vehicles will be gradually replaced by electric vehicles, with the goal of making the entire fleet CO2-neutral by 2030.

The Vatican stated that its cooperation with Volkswagen and its Skoda brand entails medium- and long-term leases, referring to the carmaker as its top "strategic partner for the project to renovate the state's car park."

Volkswagen has been chosen as the project's partner, and it will supply the Vatican State with a fleet beginning in early 2024 through Volkswagen Financial Services.

Later stages of the project will introduce additional zero-emission vehicles from Volkswagen Group brands, with the goal of replacing the entire fleet by 2030.

"The electrification of fleets is becoming increasingly important across the globe. The fact that Vatican employees will now also be among our ID. drivers in the future is a great target and honor for our brand and underscores the attractiveness of our all-electric ID. models," Imelda Labbe, member of the Board of Management for Sales, Marketing and After-Sales at Volkswagen Passenger Cars, said during the vehicle handover in Vatican City.

Read Also: From Climate Change to Big Bang Theory: Shocking Things Pope Francis Said in the Name of Science

Pope Francis To Attend COP28

Pope Francis has made environmental stewardship a cornerstone of his papacy, and he will be the first pope to address a United Nations General Assembly and is expected to attend the upcoming COP28 summit in Dubai.

His visit comes a year after the Holy See formally joined the United Nations. Climate Change Framework Convention

According to the Vatican's schedule, the pope's three-day trip will include an address during the high-level meeting at the commencement of COP28 on December 2.

The pope will also participate in private bilateral sessions and help inaugurate the first-ever Faith Pavilion at a United Nations summit.

Catholics and environmental officials claim that the event will allow Pope Francis to use his enormous moral voice at a critical juncture in history as global warming emissions continue to climb.

"The pope is hard to ignore, and the fact he'll speak at the start of the summit will hopefully set the tone for the rest of the negotiations," said Lorna Gold, board president of the Laudato Si' Movement, a network of nearly 900 Catholic institutions working on climate action and ecospirituality.

Related Article: Pope Francis Defies Trump, Pushes World Leaders to Battle Climate Change
The World Meteorological Organization reported that the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere hit a record high last year, with "no end in sight" to the trend.

The warning comes only weeks before world leaders convene in Dubai for the annual United Nations General Assembly.

The COP28 climate summit will see governments argue for more climate action, including the probable phase-out of fossil fuels before 2050.

Carbon Dioxide in the Atmosphere

Carbon dioxide, the primary greenhouse gas, is currently 50% higher than it was before the Industrial Revolution.

According to the World Meteorological Organization, equivalent amounts of CO2 have not been seen on Earth for 3-5 million years, when global temperatures were 2-3 degrees Celsius higher and sea levels were 10-20 meters higher than they are now.

The report also said that concentrations of the two other major greenhouse gases, methane and nitrous oxide, have also increased.

Greenhouse gas levels will continue to rise until emissions are reduced to net zero, implying that global warming and the effects of extreme weather will likewise rise.

Despite progress on renewable energy and electric vehicles, countries are failing to deliver on practically every policy required to reduce emissions.

It stated, for example, that coal must be phased out seven times quicker than is currently occurring in order to avert the worst effects of global warming.

"Despite decades of warnings from the scientific community, thousands of pages of reports and dozens of climate conferences, we are still heading in the wrong direction," said Prof Petteri Taalas, the WMO's secretary-general.

Read Also: Carbon Dioxide Levels Could Spike Within Human Lifetime, Leading to Another Potential Mass Extinction Event [Study]

Reduce Consumption Of Fossil Fuel

Taalas predicted that greater greenhouse gas concentrations would be followed by more extreme weather events, including intense heat and rainfall, ice melt, rising sea levels, and ocean heat and acidity.

Approximately half of the planet has seen an increase in flooding events, and one-third of the planet has seen an increase in drought events, and this negative trend is expected to continue until the 2060s.

Carbon dioxide (CO2) will continue to accumulate in the atmosphere as long as emissions persist, causing global temperatures to rise.

Furthermore, due to its long lifespan, the current temperature level will endure for several decades even if emissions are immediately reduced to net zero.

The last time the Earth saw a comparable quantity of CO2 was 3 to 5 million years ago, when the temperature was 2 to 3 degrees Celsius higher and sea level was 10 to 20 meters higher.

"We must reduce the consumption of fossil fuels as a matter of urgency," Taalas said.

In September, the International Energy Agency said that global demand for oil, gas, and coal will begin to fall this decade, signaling the "beginning of the end" of the fossil fuel era.

However, the IEA stated that this was "nowhere near steep enough" to limit global temperature rises to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the internationally agreed limit.

According to a new UN assessment, the world's fossil fuel companies are contemplating expansions that would double the planet's carbon budget.

The proposals, according to experts, are "insane" and "call humanity's future into question."

Related Article: Greenhouse Gases Carbon Dioxide and Methane Dramatically Increase by 0.6% and 0.5% in 2022 [Study]
French President Emmanuel Macron promised two emergency financial packages to help towns in northern France affected by flooding.

He also declared a state of natural disaster for 214 towns in Pas-de-Calais and around thirty in the Nord department.

Flooding In Different Areas

Flooding in northern and eastern France has forced hundreds of people to flee their flooded homes, causing roads to collapse and schools and public institutions to close.

Rivers have burst their banks as a result of record rains, prompting the government to proclaim an official state of emergency in hundreds of cities and villages.

Meteo France, the national weather agency, said several regions remained on high alert and warned that worse could be on the way in eastern France during the next 24 hours.

"This is the first time that the country has recorded such an accumulation over 26 consecutive days in all seasons," referring to the situation between 18 October and 12 November.

The Pas-de-Calais region in northern France was dropped from red to orange alert on Wednesday, although about 50 roads were stated to be obstructed or damaged, with others fissured, relocated, or collapsed.

Residents in the Chamonix valley and near the Arve River were advised to stay at home on Wednesday until at least mid-morning, when the flooding was declared to have reached its peak in the Haute-Savoie Alps in eastern France, which remained on red alert.

Almost 300 homes were without power, and multiple highways were closed due to landslides, rockfalls, and subsidence.

Meteorologists cautioned residents along the Rhone from Lyon to Avignon that there was a risk of flooding because the river was predicted to increase by nearly a meter.

The flood was especially severe in northern France, when two storms, Ciaran and Domingos, saturated the earth in fast succession.

A low-pressure system from the Atlantic aggravated the situation.

During a visit to the coastal town of Saint-Omer, Macron announced the establishment of a 50 million one-time support fund to assist towns with their initial expenses.

"All those communities that have asked for it will be declared natural catastrophe areas ... Insurers are mobilised," said Macron, adding that the "exceptional" emergency funds announced would "evolve" depending on the conditions.

President Macron declared that he has charged the mayor of Saint-Omer with improving drainage systems from rivers to the sea, drawing inspiration from the Netherlands. I

It's a step that will almost certainly be emulated throughout Europe as climate change affects more and more people's daily lives.

Read Also: Floods Wreak Havoc in Northern France, Leaving Roads Impassable and Schools Closed

Funds For Farmers

Marc Fesneau, Minister of Agriculture, has announced a 80 million fund to assist farmers devastated by storms and flooding in Brittany, Normandy, and Hauts-de-France.

Storms Ciaran and Domingos have wreaked havoc on farmers in those areas, uprooting greenhouses, flooding buildings, and submerging crops.

Fesneau stated that "200 cattle" had died after being "drowned by the sudden rise in water" and that "several thousand hectares" of sugar beet crops alone "will not be able to be harvested."

The French government is likewise taking more concrete steps.

Related Article: France-Italy Flood Aftermath: 12 Dead, More Missing, Corpses Washed from Cemeteries
Sea lions are typically hunted by their natural predators, mainly sharks and killer whales or orcas since the marine mammal provides sustenance to them. In the wild, these pinnipeds have been in a constant struggle for their lives, as shown in wildlife documentaries. However, marine scientists clarify that sea lions can also eat other marine animals, including small sharks, wherein a related incident occurred in the United States earlier this year.

Last month, a sea lion was caught on video attacking a shark off the California coast. Clips that surfaced online in recent days show the California sea lion attack, seemingly a part of a 'predator turns prey' event, occurred in the waters off Monterey Bay. Reports said that the bull sea lion was taking down a relatively small blue shark, which a marine photographer captured the incident unfolding.

California Sea Lion Attack

One of the videos of the California sea lion attack on a great blue shark was posted on YouTube earlier this week. The 40-second footage shows that the pinniped suddenly surfaced in the calm waters in Monterey Bay while biting the shark on its throat. Afterward, the male sea lion continued to attack and subdue the shark aggressively.

The video did not confirm how the incident started but the short clip showed that the sea lion dragged the shark below the surface water, as explained by an expert. In addition, the mammal also tossed the blue shark before swallowing it. The video was reportedly recorded by a retired nurse-turned photographer.

Also Read: Endangered Sea Lion Facts: Threats, Conservation Status and Efforts

Do Sea Lions Eat Sharks?

Sea lions, as mentioned earlier, are natural prey to sharks, especially by great white sharks and tiger sharks. However, the question remains if sea lions eat sharks as well, aside from preying on small, juvenile sharks. Last year, California sea lions were also spotted attacking relatively large sharks, including a horn shark and a thresher shark.

Despite their capability to hunt and kill predatory fish, sea lions have not been recorded yet to kill significantly larger sharks. Yet, being carnivores, sea lions consume a variety of organisms, including fish, squid, and octopus, according to the Dolphin Research Center. Marine experts also consider the said pinnipeds as opportunistic feeders, meaning they can also eat other potential available food resources.

Sea Lions

Sea lions like the California sea lion and Stellar sea lion are part of a pinniped group characterized of having external ear flaps. The group also consists of fur seals such as the threatened Guadalupe fur seal, according to the NOAA Fisheries.

These marine mammals can also temporarily survive on land where they use their flippers to move. Outside the oceans, they can be found along offshore rocks, sandy beaches, and even artificial structures like jetties and piers. Both seals and sea lions are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of the US.

Related Article: Great White Shark Makes Mexican Diver Its Buffet, Making It The First Fatal Shark Attack of 2023
Stablecoin Issuer Paxos Receives Preliminary Nod from Singapore Regulator

Disclosure: Crypto is a high-risk asset class. This article is provided for informational purposes and does not constitute investment advice. By using this website, you agree to our terms and conditions. We may utilise affiliate links within our content, and receive commission.

Blockchain infrastructure firm Paxos has obtained a preliminary license from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for its new entity.

With the in-principal approval, Paxos Digital Singapore, the new entity, will offer digital payment token services to Singaporeans.

Further, Paxos announced plans to launch a USD-backed stablecoin. In a Thursday statement, Paxos noted that the new USD stablecoin will be compliant with MAS proposed stablecoin regulatory framework.

Proposed in August this year, the new regulatory framework seeks to ensure high price stability for stablecoins regulated in Singapore. The regulator noted that only entities that satisfy all requirements under the framework can apply for a MAS-regulated stablecoins approval.

Paxos consistently pursues growth in global markets within regulated frameworks and engages with regulators to help inform digital asset rules.

The company confirmed that it would only issue tokens that are subject to oversight by prudential regulators. Further, Paxos also maintains strict anti-money laundering (AML) and know-your-customer (KYC) standards in jurisdictions like Singapore.

Paxos also said that it will partner with enterprise clients to issue the new stablecoin in Singapore, upon full approval.

Paxos New Stablecoin Proposal in Singapore



Walter Hessert, Paxos Head of Strategy, said that customers outside the US face difficulties in getting USD safely, and reliably.

This in-principle approval from the MAS will allow Paxos to bring its regulated platform to more users around the world.

The company has a 1:1 backing by the US Dollar for all issued tokens, ensuring stability. Paxos executive hopes that the new venture will attract more clients outside the US, as demand for stablecoins is high.

The announcement comes a year after Paxos received an operating license from MAS, allowing it to offer tokenization and custody.

Paxos already issues the USDP stablecoin that has a circulating supply of 461.56 million. USDP reserves are held 100% in cash and US treasuries, implying that customer funds are available always for 1:1 redemption.

Additionally, PayPals stablecoin  PYUSD  which launched in August, is also from the same company. Previously, Paxos minted now-defunct Binances BUSD stablecoin. Binance ceased the stablecoin operations following its regulatory clash with the New York Department of Financial Services (NYDFS).
By: Alex Amaya, Senior Technical Marketing Manager at HPE Aruba Networking. A

Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN is a powerful solution that enables organizations to build resilient and efficient wide-area networks. Application visibility, real-time performance monitoring and security monitoring are critical aspects of managing an SD-WAN infrastructure effectively. This blog explores application visibility, performance monitoring, and security management best practices for achieving these objectives using Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN.

Application Visibility Best Practices

Customizable Orchestrator dashboard to check the state of the network. EdgeConnect provides a customizable top-level view of the network with a dashboard view of appliance health, application performance and other key performance indicators. The dashboard supports configurable widgets that can be arranged to meet network visualization requirements. For example, you can configure widgets to view top talkers, top domains, licenses and the health map showing which appliances have exceeded threshold levels. And you can also add a topology map showing any underlay or overlays which are down, enabling the operator to dive deeper into the network performance analysis. The dashboard can be fully customized to make it your own.

Using NetFlow and IPFIX for application visibility. NetFlow and IPFIX are essential technologies that provide visibility into network traffic. EdgeConnect appliances can be configured to export NetFlow and/or IPFIX data from EdgeConnect appliances into monitoring tools, providing network engineers with insights into application usage, traffic patterns and bandwidth utilization. This information is valuable for optimizing network resources and identifying potential performance bottlenecks.

Leveraging Orchestrator and ECOS REST API for application visibility. Aruba Orchestrator and EdgeConnect offer comprehensive REST APIs that allow network engineers to interact programmatically with the SD-WAN infrastructure. By using these APIs, organizations can access real-time information about applications, network health, and performance. This data enables network engineers to make data-driven decisions to enhance application visibility and performance monitoring. For more details on the Rest APIs for monitoring please visit the Aruba devHub.

Polling EdgeConnect loopback for application traffic. Using management services templates to pin management traffic to the EdgeConnect loopback provides better control over application traffic. By steering certain types of traffic through the loopback, it becomes easier to monitor and manage specific application flows effectively. Use the Loopback Orchestration tab to create a pool of loopback addresses from which Orchestrator can automatically create loopback interfaces.

Real-time Performance Monitoring Best Practices

Retrieving stats from EdgeConnect appliances and Orchestrator.Aruba EdgeConnect appliances and Aruba Orchestrator offer rich statistics and performance metrics. Network engineers should regularly retrieve and analyze these stats to monitor network health, link utilization and application performance. Proper monitoring ensures prompt identification of any issues and allows for proactive troubleshooting. For example, the Orchestrator Live View image below demonstrates two charts: one for bandwidth and the other for latency. The bandwidth and latency chart shows five horizontal bar charts. The top chart is the overlay and the four beneath are the underlays for the best-effort business intent overlay. You can select a business intent overlay that has been configured to measure the overlay and underlay for loss, latency, jitter and MOS score. In addition, you can run a traceroute measurement within Live View as it details the route info, router by router, as well as the time it took for each hop.

Using APIs for performance monitoring. Collecting data about network devices and their performance can be much easier with the help of our APIs that support Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN. By using our APIs, network engineers can gain valuable insights into interface statistics, CPU usage, memory utilization, and more. If you are interested in learning more about the capabilities of our APIs, head over to the Aruba devHub. In addition, you can also check out the Github project for pyedgeconnect, which is a Python wrapper for Orchestrator and ECOS. There are many examples of how and what can be done with APIs on key performance indicators for measuring performance applications or network monitoring, for example, how to monitor the bandwidth of an EdgeConnect appliance for both WAN0 and WAN1. As a best practice, we recommend using the ECOS APIs endpoint called /stats/minuteStats to get a minute-stats on the interface. The file will provide several files and one of them will be an interface table. The file will provide detailed information for bytes and packets received and transmitted and many other useful measurements.

Understanding overlay tunnels vs. underlay tunnels. Its important to understand the difference between overlay and underlay tunnels for effective SD-WAN management. Overlay tunnels are used for application traffic, while underlay tunnels carry SD-WAN control traffic. Aruba refers to overlay tunnels as Business Intent Overlays (BIOs) and they are crucial for traffic and application matching and forwarding. To ensure optimal application delivery and network stability, its essential to monitor the performance of both overlay and underlay tunnels.

Here are few questions often help in addressing the application performance issues.

Does the application have the correct permissions?

Is the application assigned correctly to the right overlay?

Is the ACL correct and is it applied to the right overlay?

Steering synthetic polling across specific underlay tunnels or an EdgeConnect site from the internet. Using features such as AppExpress to measure the performance of specific network paths. By steering synthetic polling across selected underlay tunnels, network engineers can accurately assess the quality of those paths and make informed routing decisions.

Polling an EdgeConnect site from the Internet allows organizations to monitor network performance from different locations. This practice helps identify potential regional performance issues and provides a better understanding of application delivery across the SD-WAN fabric.

Security Monitoring Best Practices

Exporting syslog for firewall, audit logs, and alarms. Syslog export is crucial for security monitoring and compliance. By exporting firewall logs, audit trails, and alarms to a central syslog server, network engineers can efficiently analyze security events, detect anomalies, and respond promptly to potential threats.

Understanding traceroute behavior across the SD-WAN fabric.Traceroute behavior across the SD-WAN fabric may differ from traditional networks due to the presence of overlay tunnels. Network engineers should understand this behavior to accurately diagnose connectivity issues and pinpoint the exact location of any network disruptions.

Best practices to optimize the network experience

Aruba EdgeConnect SD-WAN offers robust capabilities for application visibility, real-time performance monitoring and security monitoring. By utilizing features such as NetFlow and IPFIX, REST APIs, and steering traffic across specific underlay tunnels, organizations can improve network visibility, optimize performance and ensure a secure SD-WAN infrastructure. Understanding the behavior of overlay and underlay tunnels and implementing best practices for security monitoring are essential in achieving a resilient and efficient SD-WAN deployment.
Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 20 to 14 outages, and in the U.S., they increased from nine to 12 outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages decreased from nine to just one outage. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages declined all the way from six to zero outages.

Two notable outages

On November 4, Oracle experienced an outage on its network that impacted Oracle customers and downstream partners interacting with Oracle Cloud services in the US West (San Jose) region. The outage was first observed around 7:47 PM EDT and appeared to initially center on Oracle nodes located in San Jose, CA. Twenty-five minutes after first being observed, the nodes located in San Jose, CA, were joined by nodes located in San Francisco, CA, Los Angeles, CA, and Santa Clara, CA, in exhibiting outage conditions. The disruption appeared to last a total of 43 minutes and was cleared at around 9:05 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On October 31, Cogent Communications, a U.S. based multinational transit provider, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers across multiple regions, including the U.S. and Taiwan. The outage, lasting 24 minutes, was first observed around 3:20 AM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on Cogent nodes located in San Francisco, CA. Five minutes into the outage, the nodes located in San Francisco, CA, appeared to clear but were replaced by nodes located in Oklahoma City, OK, in exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 3:45 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for October 23-29

ThousandEyes reported 221 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of October 23-29. That's up from 163 the week prior, an increase of 36%. Specific to the U.S., there were 103 outages. Thats up from 75 outages the week prior, an increase of 37%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages climbed from 105 to 129 outages, a 23% increase, and in the U.S. they increased from 40 to 54, an increase of 35%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 17 to 20 outages, and in the U.S., they decreased from 13 to nine outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from four to nine outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages jumped from one to six outages.

Two notable outages

On October 29, TATA Communications (America) Inc., a global ISP and part of the Indian-owned TATA Communications, experienced an outage that impacted many of its downstream partners and customers in multiple regions, including the U.S., Hong Kong, Vietnam, Japan, Germany, Singapore, Mexico, Australia, the Philippines, Thailand, and China. The outage lasted 51 minutes in total and was divided into four episodes over a one hour and 20-minute period, first observed around 1:55 AM EDT. The outage was cleared around 3:15 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On October 24, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners in multiple regions including the U.S., China, South Korea, the Netherlands, Singapore, Switzerland, France, Poland, Germany, Denmark, the U.K., Japan, and Ireland. The outage, lasting 9 minutes, was first observed around 3:05 PM EDT and appeared to initially center on NTT nodes located in San Jose, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, Tokyo, Japan and Osaka, Japan. Around five minutes into the outage, the nodes located in San Jose, CA, Los Angeles, CA, Seattle, WA, Tokyo, Japan and Osaka, Japan, were joined by nodes located in Ashburn VA, and Dallas, TX, in exhibiting outage conditions. The apparent increase of nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of impacted downstream customers and partners. The outage was cleared around 3:15 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for October 16-22

ThousandEyes reported 163 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of October 16-22. That's down from 192 the week prior, a decrease of 15%. Specific to the U.S., there were 75 outages, which is the same number as the week prior. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages fell from 159 to 105 outages, a 34% decline, and in the U.S. they fell from 61 to 40, a decrease of 34%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages more than doubled from seven to 17 outages, and in the U.S., they climbed from six to 13 outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from three to four outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages fell from two to one.

Two notable outages

On October 16, Hurricane Electric, a network transit provider headquartered in Fremont, CA, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across multiple regions, including the U.S., Australia, China, Canada, Argentina, Hong Kong, Malaysia, and South Africa. The outage, first observed around 12:00 AM EDT, lasted 32 minutes in total and was divided into three occurrences over a 55-minute period. The first occurrence appeared to center on Hurricane Electric nodes located in New York, NY and San Jose, CA. Fifteen minutes after the first occurrence appeared to clear, the second occurrence was observed. Lasting 24 minutes, the outage initially appeared to center on nodes located in San Jose, CA, New York, NY and Paris, France. Around fifteen minutes into the second occurrence, the nodes located in San Jose, CA, appeared to clear leaving nodes located in New York, NY and Paris France exhibiting outage conditions. Five minutes after the second occurrence appeared to clear, the third occurrence was observed, appearing to center on nodes located in New York, NY. The outage was cleared at around 12:55 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On October 19, Comcast Communications experienced an outage that impacted a number of downstream partners and customers across the U.S. The outage, lasting a total of 4 minutes, consisted of two occurrences over a 14-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 8:35 PM EDT and appeared to center on Comcast nodes located in Dallas, TX. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the nodes located in Dallas, TX, once again appeared to exhibit outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 8:49 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for October 9-15

ThousandEyes reported 192 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of October 9-15. That's up from 184 the week prior, a increase of 4%. Specific to the U.S., outages increased from 69 to 75, up 9%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages climbed from 124 to 159 outages, a 28% increase, and in the U.S. they increased from 39 to 61, an increase of 56%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped from 23 to seven outages, and in the U.S., they fell from 15 to six outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from two to three outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages went from zero to two.

Two notable outages

On October 14, Level 3 Communications, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream partners and customers in multiple regions including the U.S., France, Spain, Austria, Germany, Ireland, and India. The outage, lasting a total of 20 minutes over a 55-minute period, was divided into a series of occurrences. First observed around 4:40 AM EDT, the outage appeared to center on nodes located in Portland, OR. The outage appeared to clear completely around 5:35 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On October 10, Microsoft experienced an outage on its network that impacted some downstream partners and access to services running on Microsoft environments in multiple regions including the U.S., France, South Africa, Brazil, the Netherlands, Singapore, China, and the U.K. The outage, which lasted 9 minutes, was first observed around 11:20 AM EDT and appeared to center on Microsoft nodes located in Des Moines, IA. The outage was cleared around 11:30 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for October 2-8

ThousandEyes reported 184 global outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of October 2-8. That's up from 136 the week prior, an increase of 35%. U.S. outages climbed 19% from 58 to 69. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages climbed from 94 to 124 outages, a 32% increase, and in the U.S. they increased from 32 to 39, an increase of 22%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages jumped from 10 to 23 outages, and in the U.S., they more than doubled from 7 to 15 outages.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages decreased from eight to two outages. In the U.S., collaboration app network outages dropped back to zero.

Two notable outages

On October 5, Hurricane Electric, a network transit provider headquartered in Fremont, CA, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across multiple regions, including the U.S., Argentina, Malaysia, South Africa, Indonesia, Canada, Kenya, China, and Australia. The outage, first observed at around 6:25 PM EDT, lasted 33 minutes in total and was divided into three occurrences over one hour. The first occurrence appeared to center on Hurricane Electric nodes located in New York, NY. Fifteen minutes after the first occurrence appeared to clear, the second occurrence was observed. Lasting 29 minutes, the outage initially appeared to center on nodes located in San Jose, CA. Around five minutes into the second occurrence, the nodes located in San Jose, CA, were joined by nodes located in New York, NY and Chicago, IL, in exhibiting outage conditions. Around 7:00 PM EDT, the nodes located in New York, NY and Chicago, IL, appeared to clear, leaving just the nodes located in San Jose, CA, in exhibiting outage conditions. Five minutes later, the nodes in San Jose, CA, appeared to clear, and nodes located in New York, NY, Chicago, IL and Paris, France, began exhibiting outage conditions. A further five minutes later, nodes located in New York, NY and Chicago, IL, appeared to clear. The nodes located in Paris, France, were joined by nodes located in Marseille, France, in exhibiting outage conditions. Five minutes after the second occurrence appeared to clear, the third occurrence was observed, appearing to center on nodes located in New York, NY. The outage was cleared at around 7:25 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On October 4, Level 3 Communications, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream partners and customers across multiple regions including the U.S., Canada, Brazil, the U.K., Singapore, and India. The outage, lasting 8 minutes, was first observed around 12:16 AM EDT and appeared to be centered on Level 3 nodes located in Philadelphia, PA. The outage was cleared around 12:25 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for September 25  October 1

ThousandEyes reported 136 global outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of September 25  October 1. That's a significant drop from 194 the week prior, a decrease of 30%. U.S. outages likewise fell 30%, decreasing from 83 to 58. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 137 to 94, a decline of 31%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 47 to 32, a drop of 32%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 16 to 10, and in the U.S., they fell from 15 to 7.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from zero to eight. In the U.S., there were seven collaboration-app network outages, up from zero the week prior.

Two notable outages

On September 27, Rackspace Technology, a managed cloud computing provider headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, experienced a series of outages over a period of fifteen minutes that impacted multiple downstream providers, as well as Rackspace customers within multiple regions including the U.S. and India. The outage, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 3:50 AM EDT and appeared to center on Rackspace nodes located in Dallas, TX. The outage was cleared around 4:05 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On September 28, Lumen, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier (previously known as CenturyLink), experienced two outage occurrences over a fifteen-minute period that impacted downstream partners and customers across the U.S. The outage, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 8:20 PM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on CenturyLink nodes located in New York, NY and Washington, DC. Ten minutes after first being observed, the nodes located in New York, NY, appeared to clear, leaving just the nodes located in Washington, DC in exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 8:35 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for September 18-24

ThousandEyes reported 194 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of September 18-24. That's down 15% from 229 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages fell from 107 to 83, a decrease of 22%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 157 to 137, a decline of 13%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 67 to 47, a drop of 30%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages climbed from 13 to 16, and in the U.S., they climbed from 11 to 15.

Collaboration app network outages: Both globally and in the U.S., there were zero collaboration app network outages last week.

Two notable outages

On September 20, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners across multiple regions, including, the U.S., Germany, the Netherlands, the U.K., and France. The outage, lasting around 19 minutes, was observed around 3:25 AM EDT and appeared to initially center on NTT nodes located in Dallas, TX, and Paris, France. Around fifteen minutes into the outage, the nodes located in Dallas, TX, appeared to clear, leaving just the nodes located in Paris, France, exhibiting outage conditions. The drop in nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with a decrease in the number of downstream customers and partners impacted. The outage was cleared at around 3:45 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On September 22, Rackspace Technology, a U.S. managed cloud computing provider headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, experienced a series of outages over a period of forty-five minutes that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Rackspace customers within multiple regions, including the U.S., and Canada. The outage, lasting a total of 18 minutes, was first observed around 10:40 PM EDT and appeared to center on Rackspace nodes located in Dallas, TX. The outage was cleared around 11:25 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for September 11-17

ThousandEyes reported 229 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of September 11-17. That's up 24% from 184 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages climbed from 91 to 107, an increase of 18%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 141 to 157, a climb of 11%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 69 to 67, a drop of 3%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages climbed from seven to 13, and in the U.S., they climbed from six to 11.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from four to nine. In the U.S., there were two collaboration-app network outages, which is the same as the week prior.

Two notable outages

On September 11, Arelion (formerly known as Telia Carrier), a global Tier 1 ISP headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across the U.S. and Canada. The disruption, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 10:50 PM EDT and appeared to center on nodes located in Newark, NJ. Five minutes after first being observed, the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions located in Newark, NJ, appeared to decrease. This drop also appeared to coincide with a decrease in the number of downstream customers, partners, and regions impacted. The outage was cleared around 11:00 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On September 17, Comcast Communications experienced an outage that impacted a number of downstream partners and customers across the U.S. The outage, lasting a total of 9 minutes, was first observed around 7:25 AM EDT and appeared to center on Comcast nodes located in Ashburn, VA. Five minutes into the outage the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions located in Ashburn, VA appeared to increase. This rise also appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of downstream partners and customers impacted. The outage was cleared around 7:35 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for September 4-10

ThousandEyes reported 184 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of September 4-10. That's up 12% from 164 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages climbed from 66 to 91, an increase of 38%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 113 to 141, a climb of 25%, and in the U.S. they jumped from 44 to 69, an increase of 57%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped by half from 14 to seven, and in the U.S., they fell from 11 to six.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages increased from two to four. In the U.S., there were two collaboration-app network outages, compared to zero the week prior.

Two notable outages

On September 9, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners across multiple regions, including, the U.S., Hong Kong, South Korea, Indonesia, Singapore, China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and Japan. The outage, lasting around 23 minutes, was observed around 2:45 AM EDT and appeared to center on NTT nodes located in Dallas, TX. Around twenty minutes into the outage, some of the nodes located in Dallas, TX, appeared to clear. The drop in nodes and exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with a decrease in the number of downstream customers and partners impacted. The outage was cleared at around 3:10 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On September 6, Cogent Communications, a U.S. based multinational transit provider, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers across multiple regions including the U.S., India, Singapore, Spain, Mexico, Hong Kong, Australia, Indonesia, the U.K., Costa Rica, Switzerland, Canada, Egypt, Malaysia, Germany, Japan, and China. The outage, lasting a total of 57 minutes, was divided into three occurrences over a one hour and fifteen-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 4:55 PM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on Cogent nodes located in Houston, TX. Five minutes after first being observed, nodes exhibiting outage conditions expanded to include nodes located in Phoenix, AZ, and El Paso, TX. This rise of the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of impacted regions, downstream partners, and customers. Around ten minutes after appearing to clear, the second occurrence was observed. In the second occurrence the nodes located in El Paso, TX, Houston, TX and Phoenix, AZ, were joined by Cogent nodes located in Columbus, OH, in exhibiting outage conditions. Five minutes into the second occurrence, all the nodes, except for the nodes located in Phoenix, AZ, and Columbus, OH, appeared to recover. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the third occurrence was observed, initially appearing to center on nodes located in Phoenix, AZ. Around ten minutes into the third occurrence, nodes located in Phoenix, AZ, were joined by nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, and Houston, TX, in exhibiting outage conditions. Five minutes later, nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, appeared to clear. With nodes located in Phoenix, AZ, and Houston, TX, joined by nodes located in El Paso, TX, in exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 6:10 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for August 28- September 3

ThousandEyes reported 164 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of August 28- September 3. That's up 27% from 129 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages increased from 63 to 66, up 5%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 77 to 113, a climb of 47%, and in the U.S. they spiked from 26 to 44, an increase of 69%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 11 to 14, and in the U.S., they increased from 10 to 11.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages decreased from 10 to two. In the U.S., there were zero collaboration-app network outages, compared to nine the week prior.

Two notable outages

On September 2, Level 3 Communications, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream partners and customers in multiple countries including the U.S., South Africa, Germany, Mexico, New Zealand, Argentina, Spain, Brazil, Poland, Canada, the U.K., the Netherlands, France, Australia, Egypt, Ireland, Hong Kong, India, Turkey, Singapore, and Japan. The outage, lasting a total of 64 minutes, over a two hour and 30-minute period, was divided into a series of occurrences. First observed around 12:10 PM EDT, the outage initially appeared to center on nodes located in Raleigh, NC. Thirty-five minutes into the first occurrence, nodes exhibiting outage conditions increased to include nodes located in San Francisco, CA. This increase in nodes exhibiting outage conditions also appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of downstream customers, partners and regions impacted. This first occurrence was the longest, lasting 44 minutes. Around five minutes after appearing to clear, nodes located in Raleigh, NC, once again appeared exhibiting outage conditions. This brief second occurrence, lasting around 4 minutes, was followed ten minutes later, by another 4-minute disruption, this time appearing to center on nodes located in San Francisco, CA. Around 25 minutes after appearing to clear, the nodes located in San Francisco, CA, appeared to exhibit outage conditions again. Forty minutes after the nodes located in San Francisco, CA, appeared to clear, the last occurrence of the outage was observed, appearing to center on nodes located in Raleigh, NC. The outage appeared to clear completely around 2:40 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On August 28, Time Warner Cable, a U.S. based ISP, experienced a disruption that impacted a number of customers and partners in multiple countries including the U.S., the U.K., Brazil, the Netherlands, Germany, India, Canada, Japan, France, Ireland, Australia, and Hong Kong. The outage was first observed at around 6:50 PM EDT and appeared to center on Time Warner Cable nodes located in New York, NY. The outage lasted a total of 20 minutes, with five evenly distributed occurrences, each lasting around 4 minutes each, over a period of 45 minutes. The outage was cleared at around 7:35 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for August 21-27

ThousandEyes reported 129 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of August 21-27. That's down 12% from 147 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages increased from 62 to 63, up 2%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 85 to 77, down 9%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 31 to 26, down 16%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 13 to 11, and in the U.S., they jumped from four to 10.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages climbed from two to 10. In the U.S., there were nine collaboration-app network outages, up from two the week prior.

Two notable outages

On August 24, Rackspace Technology, a U.S. managed cloud computing provider headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, experienced a series of outages over a period of fifteen minutes that impacted multiple downstream providers, as well as Rackspace customers within multiple regions including the U.S., France, Japan, Spain, South Africa, Vietnam, the U.K., Peru, Chile, Canada, Switzerland, Australia, the Netherlands, Singapore, Turkey, and Brazil. The outage, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 1:00 AM EDT and appeared to center on Rackspace nodes located in Chicago, IL. Ten minutes after first being observed, an increased number of Rackspace nodes located in Chicago, IL, once again exhibited outage conditions, increasing the number of impacted customers and partners, before clearing at around 1:15 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On August 21, Arelion (formerly known as Telia Carrier), a global Tier 1 ISP headquartered in Stockholm, Sweden, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across the U.S. The disruption, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 6:10 AM EDT and appeared to center on nodes located in Newark, NJ. Five minutes after first being observed, the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions located in Newark, NJ, appeared to decrease. This drop also appeared to coincide with a decrease in the number of downstream customers, partners and regions impacted. The outage was cleared around 6:20 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for August 14-20

ThousandEyes reported 147 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of August 14-20. That's down 14% from 171 outage events the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages increased from 59 to 62, up 5%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 105 to 85, down 19%, and in the U.S. they increased from 29 to 31, up 7%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 17 to 13, and in the U.S., they dropped from 14 to four.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages decreased from six to two. In the U.S., there were two collaboration-app network outages, up from one the week prior.

Two notable outages

On August 20, Cogent Communications, a U.S. based multinational transit provider, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers across multiple regions including the U.S., India, and Canada. The outage, lasting a total of 15 minutes, was divided into three occurrences over a thirty-five-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 4:00 AM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on Cogent nodes located in Boise, ID and Phoenix, AZ. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the second occurrence was observed. In the second occurrence the only nodes located in Boise, ID, appeared to exhibit outage conditions. Five minutes after appearing to clear the nodes located in Boise, ID, once again began exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 4:35 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On August 16, Level 3 Communications, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream partners and customers across the U.S. The outage, lasting 9 minutes, was first observed around 1:00 PM EDT and appeared to be centered on Level 3 nodes located in Raleigh, NC. The outage was cleared around 1:10 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for August 7-13

ThousandEyes reported 171 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of August 7-13. That's the same as the week prior. Specific to the U.S., outages decreased from 63 to 59, down 5%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 94 to 105, up 12%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 31 to 29, down 12%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 16 to 17, and in the U.S., they doubled from seven to 14.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration app network outages tripled from two to six. In the U.S., there was one collaboration-app network outage, up from zero the week prior.

Two notable network outages

On August 10, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners across multiple regions including, the U.S., Singapore, Japan, Thailand, India, the Netherlands, South Korea, Malaysia, Brazil, Denmark and Germany. The outage, lasting 10 minutes, was first observed around 8:00 AM EDT and appeared to initially center on NTT nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, Singapore, Tokyo, Japan, and Vienna, Austria. Five minutes into the outage, nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, and Vienna, Austria, appeared to clear, leaving just nodes located in Tokyo, Japan, and Singapore in exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 8:15 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On August 9, Google experienced an outage on its network that impacted access to services running on Google environments in multiple regions including the U.S. and Canada. The outage, lasting a total of 13 minutes, was divided into two occurrences spread over a thirty-minute period. The first occurrence, lasting 9 minutes, was observed around 6:15 AM EDT and appeared to be centered on Google nodes located in Los Angeles, CA, San Jose, CA and San Francisco, CA. Fifteen minutes after the first occurrence cleared, the second occurrence was observed, this time appearing to center on nodes located in Dallas, TX. The outage was cleared around 6:45 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for July 31- August 6

ThousandEyes reported 171 global network outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of July 31- August 6. That's up from 156 the week prior, a increase of 10%. Specific to the U.S., outages increased from 60 to 63, up 5%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 108 to 94, down 13%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 39 to 31, down 21%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages jumped from nine to 16, and in the U.S. decreased from eight to seven.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from three to two, and in the U.S. they dropped from one to zero.

Two notable network outages

On August 1, Zayo Group, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, experienced an outage that impacted some of its partners and customers across the U.S. and Canada. The outage lasted around 14 minutes, was first observed around 1:40 AM EDT, and appeared to initially center on Zayo Group nodes located in Paris, France. Five minutes into the outage, the nodes located in Paris, France, appeared to clear, replaced by nodes located in Minneapolis, MN, in exhibiting outage conditions. Around 1:50 AM EDT, the nodes located in Minneapolis, MN, appeared to clear, replaced by nodes located in Seattle, WA, exhibiting outage conditions for the remainder of the outage. The outage was cleared around 1:55 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On August 3, NTT America, a global Tier 1 ISP and subsidiary of NTT Global, experienced an outage that impacted some of its customers and downstream partners across multiple regions including, the U.S., South Korea, Japan, and the U.K. The outage, lasting 19 minutes, was first observed around 7:45 PM EDT, and appeared to center on NTT nodes located in Los Angeles, CA. The outage was cleared around 8:05 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for July 24-30

ThousandEyes reported 156 global outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of July 24-30. That's down from 186 the week prior, a decline of 16%. Specific to the U.S., outages decreased from 74 to 60, down 19%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 118 to 108, down 8%, and in the U.S. they increased slightly from 37 to 39, up 5%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud provider-network outages decreased from 10 to nine, and in the U.S. they decreased from nine to eight.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from four to three, and in the U.S. they decreased from three to one.

Two notable network outages

On July 24, Microsoft experienced an issue that impacted connectivity to SharePoint Online and OneDrive for Business services. First observed around 3:05 PM EDT, it appeared to impact connectivity for users globally. Users encountered a certificate error when attempting to access SharePoint Online and OneDrive due to an erroneous change in the SSL certificate that prevented the establishment of a secure connection to the services. Approximately ten minutes later, at around 3:15 PM EDT, it appeared to be replaced with a valid certificate, and SharePoint and OneDrive service reachability was restored for most users by around 3:20 PM EDT. Around 5:34 PM EDT, Microsoft announced that the outage was the result of a configuration issue and had been resolved. Click here for an interactive view.

On July 26, GTT Communications, a Tier 1 ISP headquartered in Tysons, VA, experienced an outage that impacted some of its partners and customers across multiple regions, including the U.S., Canada, the U.K. and the Republic of Korea. The outage lasted 8 minutes in total and was divided into two episodes over a 15-minute period, first observed around 8:30 AM EDT. The first period of the outage, lasting around 4 minutes, appeared to be centered on GTT nodes located in Seattle, WA, and New York, NY. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the second occurrence was observed, this time with just nodes located in New York, NY, exhibiting outage conditions. This reduction in nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with a decrease in the number of regions and partners impacted. The outage was cleared around 8:45 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for July 17-23

ThousandEyes reported 186 global outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of July 17-23. That's down from 192 the week prior, a decrease of 3%. Specific to the U.S., outages decreased from 96 to 74, a decline of 23%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 115 to 118, up 3%, and in the U.S. they decreased from 60 to 37, a decline of 38%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud provider-network outages decreased from 17 to ten. In the U.S., however, cloud provider network outages increased from four to nine.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from two to four, and in the U.S. they increased from one to three.

Two notable network outages

On July 21, Cogent Communications, a U.S. based multinational transit provider, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers across multiple regions including the U.S., Brazil, Singapore, India, Spain, the U.K., Hong Kong, Portugal, Germany, Switzerland, France, Mexico, Australia, Canada, China, Japan, Columbia, Costa Rica, Greece, Malaysia, and Luxembourg. The outage, lasting a total of 33 minutes, was divided into two occurrences over a fifty-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 6:55 AM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on Cogent nodes located in El Paso, TX, Atlanta, GA, and Denver, CO. Five minutes after first being observed, nodes exhibiting outage conditions expanded to include nodes located in Cleveland, OH, Baltimore, MD, Miami, FL, and Phoenix, AZ. This rise of the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of impacted regions, downstream partners, and customers. Around fifteen minutes after appearing to clear, the second occurrence was observed. In the second occurrence, the nodes located in Atlanta, GA, El Paso, TX, Denver, CO, Miami, FL, and Phoenix, AZ, were joined by Cogent nodes located in Houston, TX, and Mexico City, Mexico, in exhibiting outage conditions. Fifteen minutes into the second occurrence, all the nodes, with the exception of the nodes located in El Paso, TX, appeared to recover. The outage was cleared around 7:45 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On July 21, Zayo Group, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, experienced an outage that impacted some of its partners and customers in multiple countries including the U.S., Germany, and Malaysia. The outage lasted around 8 minutes in total and was divided into two occurrences over a fifteen-minute period. First observed around 7:20 AM EDT, the outage appeared to center on Zayo Group nodes located in Phoenix, AZ. The outage was cleared around 7:35 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Internet report for July 10-16

ThousandEyes reported 192 global outage events across ISPs, cloud service provider networks, collaboration app networks and edge networks (including DNS, content delivery networks, and security as a service) during the week of July 10-16. That's a jump from 117 the week prior, an increase of 64%. Specific to the U.S., outages spiked from 61 to 96, an increase of 57%. Here's a breakdown by category:

ISP outages: Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 68 to 115, up 69%, and in the U.S. they spiked from 32 to 60, up 88%.

Public cloud network outages: Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from three to 17, and in the U.S. they increased from three to four.

Collaboration app network outages: Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from five to two, and in the U.S. there was one collaboration app network outage, same as the week prior.

Two notable network outages

On July 12, Hurricane Electric, a network transit provider headquartered in Fremont, CA, experienced an outage that impacted customers and downstream partners across the U.S. The outage, first observed at around 1:20 PM EDT, lasted a total of 32 minutes and was divided into three occurrences over a one-hour and 5-minute period. The first occurrence, lasting 24 minutes, appeared to center on Hurricane Electric nodes located in Dallas, TX, and Kansas City, MO. Around 1:25 PM EDT, the nodes located in Kansas City, MO, appeared to temporarily clear before once again exhibiting outage conditions again around 1:30 PM EDT. Around 1:40 PM EDT, the nodes located in Dallas, TX appeared to clear, leaving the nodes located in Kansas City, MO, exhibiting outages for the remainder of the first occurrence. Around 2:00 PM EDT, fifteen minutes after the nodes located in Kansas City, MO appeared to clear, the second occurrence was observed and appeared to center on nodes located in Dallas, TX. Five minutes after the Dallas, TX nodes cleared, the third occurrence was observed and appeared to center on nodes located in Kansas City, MO. The outage was cleared at around 2:15 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On July 14, Zayo Group, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier headquartered in Boulder, Colorado, experienced an outage that impacted some of its partners and customers across the U.S. The outage lasted around 14 minutes, was first observed around 3:50 AM EDT, and appeared to center on Zayo Group nodes located in Seattle, WA. Five minutes after first being observed, the number of nodes located in Seattle, WA, exhibiting outage conditions appeared to increase. This rise of the number of nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to coincide with an increase in the number of impacted downstream partners and customers. The outage was cleared around 4:05 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated June 27

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 210 to 146, down 30% compared to the week prior. In the US they decreased from 99 to 57, down 42%.

Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 125 to 95, down 24%, and in the US they decreased from 52 to 37, down 29%.

Globally, cloud provider-network outages decreased from 12 to seven, and in the US they decreased from six to four.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from 12 to three, and in the US they decreased from nine to two.

Two notable outages:

On June 24, GTT Communications experienced an outage affecting partners and customers across the US, Italy, and Canada. The 14-minute outage was first observed around 1:30 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on GTT nodes in Atlanta, Georgia. The outage was cleared around 1:35 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On June 23, Cogent Communications, experienced an outage affecting multiple downstream providers and Cogent customers across the US and Singapore. The eight-minute outage was first observed around 2:20 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on Cogent nodes in Houston, Texas, and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Five minutes after being observed, the Oklahoma nodes appeared to recover. The outage was cleared around 2:30 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated June 20

Global outages across all three categories last week jumped from 130 to 210, up 62% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages jumped from 52 to 99, up 90%.

Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 82 to 125, up 52%, and in the US they increased from 28 to 52, up 86%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from four to 12, and in the US increased from four to six.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from six to 12, and in the US they increased from three to nine.

Two notable outages:

On June 13, Amazon Web Services (AWS) experienced an incident affecting services in its US-EAST-1 region. The incident, which lasted more than two hours, was first detected around 2:50 p.m. EDT and affecting the availability of applications hosted within AWS. This was confirmed by AWS, announcing via its status page that it had identified the root cause to be an issue with a subsystem responsible for capacity management for AWS Lambda, which caused errors directly for customers and indirectly through the use of other AWS services. The issue was mostly resolved by 4:40 p.m. EDT, with availability returning to normal levels for a majority of AWS services, as well as subsequently affected applications. Click here for an interactive view, and here for a detailed analysis.

On June 14, GTT Communications experienced an outage affecting partners and customers across the US and Canada. The nine-minute outage was first observed around 3:25 p.m. EDT initially centered on GTT nodes located in Seattle, Washington. Five minutes later, nodes in Chicago, Illinois also exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 3:35 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated June 13

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 176 to 130, a decline of 26% compared to the week prior. In the US, they decreased from 86 to 52, a drop of 40%.

Globally, ISP outages decreased from 95 to 82, down 14%, and in the US they decreased from 44 to 28, down 36%.

Globally, cloud-provider outages decreased from 10 to 4, and in the US decreased from seven to four.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from three to six, and in the US dropped from zero to two.

Two notable outages:

On June 5, Microsoft experienced an outage impacting Microsoft 365 services. First observed around 10:15 a.m. EDT, the outage was made up of several sustained periods of disruption spread over 27 hours. The first occurrence lasted around an hour and 39 minutes, manifesting as decreased application availability across some Microsoft 365 services for global users. Around 3 hours and 30 minutes after appearing to clear, the outage reappeared, exhibiting the same symptoms as the previous outage. This second occurrence lasted around 3 hours and 3 minutes. Services appeared to return with access completely restored around 6:30 p.m. EDT. However, eight and a half hours later, a third occurrence lasted 68 minutes and appeared to clear around 5:10 a.m. EDT (June 6), before reoccurring at 11:00 a.m. EDT for 52 minutes and again around 12:10 a.m. EDT for 24 minutes. The disruption appeared to be cleared around 1:05 p.m. EDT. Click here for a more detailed description of the outage.

On June 6, Rackspace Technology, a U.S. managed cloud computing provider headquartered in San Antonio, Texas, experienced a series of outages over a period of fifteen minutes that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Rackspace customers within the U.S. and India. The outage, lasting a total of 8 minutes, was first observed around 8:20 p.m. EDT and appeared to center on Rackspace nodes located in Dallas, TX. Ten minutes after first being observed, a reduced number of Rackspace nodes located in Dallas, TX once again exhibited outage conditions reducing the number of impacted customers and partners, before clearing at around 8:35 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated June 5

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 170 to 176, up 4% compared to the week prior. In the US, they increased from 78 to 86, up10%.

Globally, ISP outages decreased from 108 to 95, down 12%, and in the US they decreased from 45 to 44, down 2%.

Globally, cloud-provider outages increased from nine to 10, and in the US decreased from eight to seven.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from six to four, and in the US dropped from two to zero.

Two notable outages:

On May 31, Cloudflare suffered an interruption affecting customers in the US, Australia, the UK, India, China, and Canada. First observed around 6:55 a.m EDT, the outage appeared centered on Cloudflare nodes located in New York, New York; Chicago, Illinois; Newark, New Jersey; Dallas, Texas; Kansas City, Missouri; London, England; and Mumbai, Pune and New Delhi, India. Five minutes into the outage, nodes in Melbourne and Brisbane, Australia; Los Angeles, California; and Montreal, Canada; were also affected. The outage lasted 19 minutes in total and was cleared around 7:15 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On May 31, GTT Communications experienced an outage affecting some partners and customers across the US. The nine-minute outage was first observed around 2:25 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on GTT nodes in Miami, Florida. The outage cleared around 2:35 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated May 29

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 174 to 170, down 2% compared to the week prior. In the US they increased from 71 to 78, up 10%.

Globally, ISP outages increased from 102 to 108, up 6%, and in the US they remained the same at 45.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from eight to nine, and in the US increased from four to eight.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from two to six, and in the US they increased from zero to two.

Two notable outages:

On May 25, TATA Communications (America) Inc., experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers in the US, Hong Kong, New Zealand, Australia, Singapore, Argentina, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Sweden, and China. First observed around 5:26 p.m. EDT, the outage lasted 32 minutes in total divided into two episodes over a 39-minute period. The first period lasted around 28 minutes and appeared centered on TATA nodes in New York, New York. Five minutes after it cleared, the outage returned. The outage was cleared around 6:05 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On May 24, Hurricane Electric experienced an 18-minute outage affecting customers and downstream partners in the US, Germany, Canada, the UK, France, Ireland, Sweden, Belgium, South Africa, and Australia. The outage was first observed around 3:15 p.m. EDT centered on Hurricane Electric nodes in Singapore. Five minutes later those nodes appeared to clear and those in San Jose, California exhibited outage conditions. Ten minutes after first being observed, nodes exhibiting outage conditions included those in San Jose and New York, New York. The outage was cleared around 3:35 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated May 22

Global outages across all three categories last week dropped from 574 to 174, down 70% compared to the week prior. In the US, they dropped from 231 to 71, down 69%.

Globally, ISP outages decreased from 393 to 102, down 74%, and in the US they dropped from 187 to 45, down 76%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped from 17 to eight, and in the US they dropped from 10 to four.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from three to two, and in the US they remained at zero for the second week.

Two notable outages:

On May 18, PCCW experienced an outage affecting customers and networks in the US, UK, Luxembourg, Hong Kong, South Africa, and Mexico. The outage lasted around 16 minutes in total and was divided into four periods over a 35-minute span. The outage was first observed around 10:40 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on PCCW infrastructure in Ashburn Virginia; Dallas, Texas; and London, England. The first period of the outage lasted around four minutes before recurring five minutes later. Fifteen minutes after first being observed, the Ashburn, Dallas, and London nodes appeared to recover. However, five minutes later, Ashburn nodes appeared to exhibit outage conditions again. The outage was cleared around 11:15 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On May 17, Arelion experienced an outage affecting customers and downstream partners across the US, UK, South Africa, Poland, Canada, Sweden, and Norway. The nine-minute disruption was first observed around 11:45 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on nodes in Newark, New Jersey. Five minutes later, the number of affected New Jersey nodes appeared to increase. The outage was cleared around 11:55 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated May 15

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 310 to 574, up 85% compared to the week prior. In the US, they increased from 175 to 231, up 32%.

Globally, ISP outages jumped from 200 to 393, up 97%, and in the US they increased from 128 to 187, up 46%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages remained the same at 17, and in the US they increased from 9 to ten.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from five to three, and there were none in the US, down from two the week before.

Two notable outages:

On May 11, TATA Communications (America) Inc., experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers in countries including the US, the UK, Singapore, the Netherlands, Germany, Australia, Indonesia, the Philippines, and India. The 19-minute outage was first observed around 11:45 a.m. EDT apparently centered on TATA nodes in Newark, New Jersey, and London, England. Five minutes later, nodes in Marseille, France also exhibited outage conditions. Fifteen minutes into the outage, the Marseille and London nodes appeared to clear, and nodes in Laredo, Texas; Los Angeles, California; and Paris, France; exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 1:05 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On May 11, GTT Communications experienced an outage affecting some partners and customers across the US and the Netherlands. The 13-minute outage was first observed around 4:05 a.m. EDT, and was divided into two episodes over a 20-minute period. The first lasted around 9 minutes, and appeared centered on GTT nodes in Seattle, Washington. Five minutes later, nodes in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, also exhibited outage conditions. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the Seattle nodes started exhibiting outage conditions again. The outage was cleared around 4:25 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated May 8

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 213 to 310, up 46% compared to the week prior. In the US, they increased from 95 to 175, up 84%.

Globally, ISP outages increased from 139 to 200, up 44%, and in the US, they increased from 60 to 128, up 113%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from six to 17, and in the US they increased from five to nine.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from four to five, and in the US, they increased from zero to two.

Two notable outages:

On May 6, Cogent Communications, experienced an outage affecting multiple downstream providers and customers in countries including the US, UK, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Argentina, Brazil, China, Thailand, Mexico, Turkey, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, Canada, South Africa, Germany, Spain, Poland, Denmark, and Luxembourg. The 23-minute outage was divided into two occurrences over a 30-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 6:45 a.m. EDT, apparently centered on Cogent nodes in San Francisco and San Jose, California. Five minutes later, nodes in Los Angeles, California, and Seattle, Washington, also exhibited outage conditions. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the second occurrence was observed, initially centering on San Francisco, San Jose, and Los Angeles nodes. The outage was cleared around 7:15 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On May 2, Cox Communications, experienced a disruption affecting Cox Communications customers and partners. The outage was first observed at around 5:41 a.m. EDT apparently centered on Cox nodes in Ashburn, Virginia. Twenty minutes later, Cox nodes in Ohio were also observed exhibiting outage conditions. The 21-minute outage was cleared around 6:05 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated May 1

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 239 to 213, down 11% compared to the week prior. US outages decreased from 109 to 95, down13%.

Globally, ISP outages decreased from 146 to 139, down 5%, and in the US decreased from 63 to 60, down 5%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped from 13 to six, and in the US from nine to five.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from eight to four and in the US they remained at zero.

There were two notable outages:

On April 26, Qwest Communications experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers across the US. The 14-minute outage was first observed around 12:20 a.m. EDT, apparently centered on Qwest nodes in Atlanta, Georgia. The outage was cleared around 12:35 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 26, Microsoft experienced an outage on its network affecting some downstream partners and access to services running in Microsoft environments in multiple countries including the US, Taiwan, and India. The nine-minute outage was first observed around 1:20 a.m. EDT and appeared to initially center on Microsoft nodes in Atlanta, Georgia, and Cleveland, Ohio. Around five minutes later the Cleveland nodes appeared to clear. The outage was cleared around 1:30 a.m.EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated April 24

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 235 to 239, up 2% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages increased from 100 to 109, up 9%.

Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 137 to 146, up 7%, and in the US they increased from 60 to 63, up 5%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 10 to 13 and in the US from eight to nine.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from seven to eight and in the US dropped from one to zero.

Two notable outages:

On April 18, NTT America experienced an outage affecting some customers and downstream partners across the US. The 14-minute outage was first observed around 12:30 a.m. EDT and appeared centered on NTT nodes in San Jose and Los Angeles, California. Around five minutes later, the San Jose nodes appeared to recover. Ten minutes after first being observed, the Los Angeles nodes appeared to recover, too, but nodes in New York, New York, exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 12:45 a.m.EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 19, Oracle experienced an outage on its network affecting Oracle customers and downstream partners interacting with Oracle Cloud services in multiple countries including the US, Japan, the United Arab Emirates, and Canada. The outage was first observed around 3:25 a.m. EDT and appeared to center on Oracle nodes in Ashburn, Virginia; Washington, DC; Toronto, Canada; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Tokyo, Japan. Five minutes later the Dubai and Toronto nodes appeared to recover, but nodes located in Montreal, Canada showed outage conditions. A further five minutes later Dubai nodes once again exhibited outage conditions. Fifteen minutes after first being observed, the Ashburn, Washington, Toronto, Dubai and Tokyo nodes exhibited outage conditions again. The outage lasted 19 minutes in total and was cleared around 3:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated April 17

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 242 to 235, down 3% compared to the week prior. In the US they decreased from 105 to 100, down 5%.

Global ISP outages decreased from 157 to 137, down 13%, and in the US, decreased from 72 to 60, down 17%.

Global cloud-provider network outages increased from nine to 10, and in the US they increased from four to eight.

Global collaboration-app network outages decreased from 12 to seven, and in the US they decreased from four to one.

On April 14, Cogent Communications experienced a 14-minute outage affecting downstream providers and customers in countries including the US, UK, Germany, Luxemburg, South Africa, India, Israel, Spain, France, Singapore, Ireland, Austria, Australia, Italy, and Brazil. First observed around 7:30 p.m. EDT, the outage centered on Cogent nodes in Washington, DC; London; New York; Paris; Frankfurt, Germany; Boston, Massachusetts; and Houston, Texas. Five minutes later, only Paris, Frankfurt, and Marseille, France, nodes showed outage conditions. Five minutes after that, the Paris, Frankfurt, and Marseille, nodes all appeared to clear, but those in London exhibited outage conditions. The outage cleared around 7:45 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 15, Oracle experienced an outage affecting its customers and downstream partners interacting with Oracle Cloud services in countries including the US, Canada, the United Arab Emirates, China, and Japan. The outage was first observed around 8:20 p.m. EDT and appeared centered on Oracle nodes in Ashburn, Virginia; Washington, DC; Montreal, Canada; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; and Tokyo, Japan. Fifteen minutes later, all the nodes except those in Montreal appeared to recover. The outage lasted 18 minutes and was cleared around 8:40 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated April 10

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 265 to 242, down 9% compared to the week prior. In the US, they increased from 95 to 105, up 11%.

Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 170 to 157, down 8%, and in the US they increased from 62 to 72, up 16%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages remained the same as the week prior, at nine, and in the US decreased from six to four.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages more than doubled, increasing from five to 12, and in the US decreased from five to four.

Three notable outages:

On April 8, Level 3 Communications, a U.S. based Tier 1 carrier, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream partners and customers across the U.S. and India. The outage, lasting 24 minutes, was first observed around 4:05 AM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on Level 3 nodes located in Kansas City, MO and San Francisco, CA. Fifteen minutes after first being observed, the nodes located in Kansas City appeared to clear, leaving just the nodes located in San Francisco exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 4:30 AM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 3 and 4, Virgin Media UK, a British based ISP, experienced two outages that impacted the reachability of its network and services to the global Internet. The two outages shared similar characteristics and appeared to impact access for Virgin Media customers in the U.K. predominantly. The first incident took place between ~8:30 PM EDT and ~3:00 AM EDT, while the second began at ~11:20 AM EDT and was resolved around 1:30 PM EDT. A more detailed explanation of the outage can be found here. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 5, Cogent Communications, a U.S. based multinational transit provider, experienced an outage that impacted multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers in multiple regions, including the U.S., the Netherlands, Germany, and the Czech Republic. The outage, lasting a total of 19 minutes, was divided into two occurrences distributed over a thirty-minute period. The first occurrence was observed around 4:00 PM EDT and appeared to initially be centered on nodes located in Boise, ID. Five minutes after appearing to clear, the nodes located in Boise appeared to exhibit outage conditions once again. Twenty-five minutes after first being observed, the Cogent nodes exhibiting the outage conditions extended to include nodes located in Cleveland, OH. As the Cogent nodes impacted increased, so did the number of customer networks and providers impacted. The outage was cleared around 4:30 PM EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated April 3

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 181 to 265, up 46% compared to the week prior. In the US, they increased from 65 to 95, also up 46%.

Globally, the number of ISP outages increased from 121 to 170, up 40%, and in the US they increased from 44 to 62, up 41%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from six to nine, and in the US from one to six.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from one to five and in the US increased from zero to five.

Two notable outages:

On April 1, Cogent Communications experienced an outage affecting multiple downstream providers as well as Cogent customers in countries including the US, Canada, the UK, Israel, China, Mexico, Singapore, Australia, Germany, Portugal, India, Spain, Switzerland, New Zealand, Philippines, Costa Rica, Brazil, and Japan. The nine-minute outage was first observed around 1:25 a.m. EDT centered on Cogent nodes in Washington, DC; Atlanta, Georgia; and Bilbao, Spain. Five minutes later, nodes in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; New York, New York; and El Paso and Houston, Texas; also showed outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 1:35 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On April 1, Oracle experienced a nine-minute network outage affecting Oracle customers and downstream partners interacting with Oracle Cloud services in multiple countries including the US, Luxembourg, Finland, Mexico, South Africa, the UK, Germany, and Canada. First observed around 2:55 a.m. EDT, the outage appeared centered on Oracle nodes in Ashburn, Virginia; Washington, DC; Phoenix; and Cleveland, Ohio. Five minutes later, the Cleveland nodes appeared to recover, along with some nodes in Ashburn, Washington, and Phoenix. This reduced the number of affected countries to the US, South Africa, Finland, the UK, and Canada. The outage was cleared around 3:05 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated March 27

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 247 to 181, down 27% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages decreased from 82 to 65, down 21%.

Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 163 to 121, down 26%, while in the US they decreased from 61 to 44, down 28%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 11 to six, and in the US they dropped from five to one.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from seven to one, and in the US they dropped from four to zero.

Two notable outages:

On March 23, TATA Communications (America) experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers in multiple countries including the US, the UK, Canada, Australia, and China. First observed around 12:05 p.m. EDT, the outage, lasted 13 minutes in total, divided into two episodes over a 20-minute period. The first, nine-minute outage initially appeared centered on TATA nodes in Los Angeles. Five minutes into the outage, nodes exhibiting outage conditions included those in San Francisco. Five minutes after the first occurrence cleared, the outage reappeared, with San Francisco and Newark, New Jersey nodes exhibiting outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 12:25 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On March 26, GTT Communications experienced an outage affecting some of its partners and customers across multiple countries, including the US, Spain, and the UK. The eight-minute outage was first observed around 9:30 a.m. EDT and appeared to initially center on GTT nodes in Atlanta and Wisconsin. Five minutes after first being observed, the Wisconsin ndes appeared to clear. The outage was cleared around 9:40 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated March 20

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 271 to 247, down 9% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages decreased from 105 to 82, down 22%.

Global ISP outages decreased from 191 to 163, down 15%, and in the US they decreased from 83 to 61, down 27%.

Global cloud-provider network outages jumped from three to 11, and in the US increased from two to five.

Global collaboration-app network outages increased from three to seven, and in the US from one to four.

On March 14, NTT America experienced an outage affecting customers and downstream partners across multiple countries including the US, Brazil, the UK, Australia, and China. The outage, lasting a total of 18 minutes, was divided into two occurrences over a 35-minute period. Initially observed around 11:40 a.m. EDT, the first occurrence appeared to center on NTT nodes in New York and Dallas. Around five minutes after the New York and Dallas nodes appeared to clear, nodes in San Jose, California, began exhibiting outage conditions. The outage cleared around 12:205 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On March 18, Cogent Communications experienced a series of outages over a period of an hour and 15 minutes affecting multiple downstream providers and Cogent customers across multiple countries including the US, Canada, China, and Mexico. The outage, lasting a total of 32 minutes, was first observed around 1:30 a.m. EDT, apparently centered on Cogent nodes in Oakland, California, and lasted six minutes. The Cogent environment was stable for 10 minutes before experiencing a nine-minute outage observed on Cogent nodes in Atlanta, Georgia. Five minutes after appearing to clear, they began exhibiting outage conditions again. Fifty minutes after the initial Oakland outage was observed, the nodes appeared to exhibit outage conditions again, as did nodes in Phoenix and El Paso, Texas. Ten minutes later, after appearing to clear, the Oakland and Phoenix nodes began exhibiting outage conditions, as did nodes in Denver, Colorado. The outage cleared around 2:45 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated March 13

Global outages in all three categories last week decreased from 337 to 271, down 20% decrease compared to the week prior. In the US they increased from 95 to 105, up 11%.

Globally, ISP outages decreased from 205 to 191, down 7%, and in the US they increased from 66 to 83, up 26%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped from 12 to three, and in the US they decreased from six to two.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from 11 to three, and in the US they dropped from nine to one.

Two notable outages:

On March 6, Twitter experienced a service disruption affecting users globally. First observed around 11:45 a.m. EST, many users were unable to access service, although the application remained reachable from a network perspective. During the incident, users were receiving 403 forbidden errors, which is indicative of a backend application issue. Around 12:19 p.m. EST, Twitter announced the disruption was caused by an internal system change that had unintentional consequences, and they were working to resolve it. The disruption lasted 60 minutes, with access restored to users around 12:50 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On March 12, Okta experienced an issue that disrupted access to its service for a number of users globally. First observed around 11:56 a.m. EDT, connection requests appeared to return HTTP 403 forbidden status codes, indicating an application issue rather than internet or network problems connecting to Okta. The incident appeared to resolve for most users approximately 48 minutes later around 12:45 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated March 6

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 316 to 337, up 7% from the week prior. In the US, outages increased from 62 to 95, up 53%.

Globally, ISP outages decreased from 228 to 205, down 10%, while in the US they increased from 47 to 66, up 40%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 10 to 12, and in the US they increased from four to six.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages jumped from two to 11, and in the US jumped from one to nine.

Two significant outages:

On February 27, TATA Communications (America) Inc. experienced an outage affecting many of its downstream partners and customers in multiple countries, including the US, Germany, the UK, France, the Netherlands, India, Canada, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, China, Mexico, Portugal, and Hong Kong. The outage lasted 53 minutes, divided into three segments over an hour and 55-minute period. The initial period of the outage was observed around 1:50 a.m. EST and appeared centered on TATA Los Angeles nodes. Five minutes after that occurrence cleared, nodes in Los Angeles and San Francisco, appeared to exhibit outage conditions and cleared after three minutes. Ten minutes later, the third occurrence was observed, affecting nodes in Los Angeles; Newark, New Jersey; and Paris. Ten minutes into the third occurrence, nodes in London and Amsterdam exhibited outage conditions. Twenty-five minutes later, Newark and Amsterdam nodes appeared to clear. The remainder of the outage was cleared around 3:05 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On March 1, Cogent Communications experienced an outage affecting downstream providers and Cogent customers in countries including the US, China, Singapore, Taiwan, Indonesia, Turkey, the Republic of Korea, India, Germany, the UK, and Australia. The 23-minute outagewas first observed around 12:05 a.m. EST, initially centered on Cogent nodes in San Francisco and San Jose. Five minutes later, nodes in Oakland, California, Kansas City, Missouri, and Washington, DC exhibited outage conditions. Twenty minutes into the outage, the Kansas City, Washington, DC, and San Francisco nodes appeared to recover. The outage was cleared around 12:30 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Feb. 27

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased, from 339 to 316, down 7% compared to the week prior. In the US, they decreased from 76 to 62, down 18%.

Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 258 to 228, down 12%, and in the US they decreased from 53 to 47, down 11%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 14 to 10, and in the US from eight to four.

Globally collaboration-app network outages decreased from four to two, and in the US they decreased from two to one.

Two notable outages:

On February 21, Arelion experienced an outage affecting customers and downstream partners across the US. The disruption, lasting a total of 24 minutes, was first observed around 4:40 p.m. EST and appeared to center on nodes located in San Jose, California. Fifteen minutes the number of nodes appeared to reduce, and the outage was cleared around 5:05 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On February 24, Oracle experienced an outage on its network affecting customers and downstream partners interacting with Oracle Cloud services in the US and Canada. First observed around 10 p.m. EST, it appeared initially to center on Oracle nodes in Ashburn, Virginia, and Washington, DC. Five minutes later they appeared to clear and nodes in Toronto and Montreal, Canada, exhibited outage conditions. Around 10:10 p.m. EST, the Ashburn and Washington nodes exhibeted outage conditions again. The outage lasted 17 minutes and was cleared at around 10:20 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Feb. 20

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 301 to 339, up 13% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages increased from 73 to 76, up 4%.

Global ISP outages increased from 215 to 258, up 20%, and in the US they remained the same at 53.

Global cloud provider network outages increased from 10 to 14, and they increased from three to eight in the US.

Global collaboration app network outages decreased from five to four, and increased from zero to two in the US.

There were two notable outages:

On February 18, Zayo Group experienced an outage affecting partners and customers in the US, Canada, China, Australia, and Malaysia. The 14-minute outage was first observed around 4 p.m. EST, and appeared centered on Zayo Group nodes located in Houston, Texas; New York, New York; and Newark, New Jersey. Five minutes after being observed, the New York and Newark nodes appeared to recover. The outage cleared around 4:15 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On February 14, Hurricane Electric experienced an outage affecting customers and downstream partners in the US, Japan, Mexico, and Hong Kong. The outage, first observed at around 8:01 p.m. EST, lasted a total of 19 minutes and was divided into two occurrences over a 29-minute period. The first occurrence, lasting six minutes, appeared centered on Hurricane Electric nodes in Paris, France. Around 8:15 p.m. EST, five minutes after the Paris nodes appeared to clear, the second occurrence was observed. It lasted around 13 minutes and appeared centered on nodes in New York, New York. As the second occurrence progressed, the number of New York nodes exhibiting outage conditions dropped, which coincided with a reduction in the number of affected regions and customers. The outage was cleared around 7:35 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Feb. 13

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 331 to 301, down 9% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages decreased from 117 to 73, down 38%.

Globally, ISP outages decreased from 231 to 215, down 7%, and in the US they dropped from 85 to 53, down 38%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 12 to 10, and in the US they decreased from seven to three.

Globally, collaboration-app outages dropped from 10 to five, and in the US dropped from three to none.

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 331 to 301, down 9% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages decreased from 117 to 73, down 38%.

Globally, ISP outages decreased from 231 to 215, down 7%, and in the US they dropped from 85 to 53, down38%.

Two notable outages:

On February 6, Microsoft experienced an outage that affected services in North America, Europe, and Asia. The outage, first observed around 10:55 p.m. EST, appeared to affect user access to Microsoft Outlook services. Microsoft confirmed that a change to some Microsoft 365 systems had contributed to the outage, and used targeted restarts to parts of their infrastructure to restore service. The bulk of the incident lasted about an hour and 39 minutes, although access issues could be seen for about four hours after that. The incident was similar to the January 25th event in terms of global reach and duration, but it did not appear to be network related, as no significant packet loss or latency or unusual routing behavior was observed. Click here for an interactive view.

On February 12, Comcast Communications experienced an outage that affected a number of downstream partners and customers across the US. The 21-minute outage was first observed around 1:30 p.m. EST and appeared to center on Comcast nodes in Denver. The outage was cleared around 1:55 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Feb. 6

Globally, outages across all three categories last week decreased compared to the week prior, from 373 to 331, down 11%. In the US they increased from 102 to 117, up15%.

Globally, the number of ISP outages decreased from 278 to 231, down 17%, and in the US they increased from 81 to 85, up 5%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from 10 to 12 and increased from two to seven in the US.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from four to 10 and increased from one to three in the US.

Two significant outages:

On January 31, Level 3 Communications experienced an outage affecting multiple downstream partners and customers in countries including the US, Canada, Brazil, the Philippines, China, Mexico, the UK, Japan, India, Singapore, Taiwan, and Australia. The outage lasted a total of 47 minutes divided into three occurrences. First observed around 4:25 a.m. EST, the outage initially appeared centered on nodes in San Jose, California. Five minutes later, nodes in Los Angeles and San Francisco, California; Chicago, Illinois; Denver, Colorado; Dallas, Texas; and Sao Paulo and Rio De Janeiro, Brazil, also exhibited outage conditions. Fourteen minutes after initially being observed, the outages appeared to clear. Around 10 minutes after that, San Jose, Los Angeles, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, and San Francisco nodes appeared to exhibit outage conditions again. The second occurrence lasted 19 minutes and appeared to clear around 5:10 a.m. EST. Twenty minutes after that, a third occurrence was observed, this time initially appearing to center on nodes located in San Jose, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Rio de Janeiro, and Sao Paul. Five minutes into the third occurrence, the Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo nodes appeared to clear, leaving the San Jose, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Denver nodes exhibiting outage conditions. The outage appeared to clear completely around 5:45 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On February 3, Okta experienced an issue that disrupted access to its service for a number of users globally. First observed around 1:10 p.m. EST, connection requests appeared to return HTTP 403 forbidden status codes, indicating an application issue rather than internet or network problems connecting to Okta. The incident appeared to resolve for most users approximately 30 minutes later at around 1:40 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Jan. 30

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 245 to 373, up 52% over the week prior. In the US, they jumped from 57 to 102, up 79%.

Globally, ISP outages increased from 187 to 278, up 49%, and in the us they increased from 42 to 81, up 93%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from six to 10 outages, while in the US decreased from three to two.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from one to four, and in the US they remained the same at one.

There were two significant outages.

On January 25, Microsoft experienced a significant disruption affecting connectivity to many of its services, including Microsoft Teams, Outlook, and SharePoint. First observed around 2:05 a.m. EST, the disruption appeared to impact connectivity for users globally. Around 3:15 a.m. EST, Microsoft announced a potential issue within its network configuration. Around 4:26 a.m. EST, Microsoft announced it had rolled back the network configuration change and was monitoring the services as they recovered. The bulk of the incident lasted approximately 90 minutes, although residual connectivity issues could be seen into the following day. A more detailed analysis of the outage can be found here. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 25, Cogent Communications experienced an outage affecting downstream providers as well as Cogent customers in the US, UK, and South Africa. The outage, lasting an hour and 18 minutes, was first observed around 6:40 p.m. EST and appeared centered on Cogent nodes located in New York, New York. The last 55 minutes of the outage saw a number of the New York nodes appearing to clear and coincided with a reduction in the number of affected downstream partners, customers, and regions. The outage was cleared around 8 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Jan. 23

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 252 to 245, down 3% from the week prior. In the US they decreased from 68 to 57, down16%.

Globally, ISP outages decreased from 189 to 187, down less than1%, but in the US they decreased from 53 to 42, down 21%.

Globally, cloud-provider outages remained the same at six, but in the US they increased from two to three.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages dropped from 12 to one and decreased from three to one in the US.

There were two notable outages:

On January 18, Time Warner Cable experienced a disruption affecting customers and partners across the US that came in two waves over the course of an hour and 10 minutes. First observed at around 1:40 p.m. EST, the first part of the outage lasted four minutes and appeared centered on Time Warner nodes in Chicago, Illinois. Fifty-five minutes after appearing to clear, the Chicago nodes again exhibited outage conditions for nine more minutes before being cleared around 2:50 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 17, Qwest Communications experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers across the US. The 20-minute outage was first observed around 8:25 a.m. EST and appeared centered on nodes in Atlanta, Georgia. The outage was cleared around 8:50 AM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Jan 16

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 217 to 252, up 16%, compared to the week prior. In the US they increased from 57 to 68, up 19%.

Globally, ISP outages increased from 166 to 189, up 14%, and in the US they increased from 48 to 53, up 10%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages increased from four to six, and in the US from one to two.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from five to 12, and in the US from zero to five.

There were three notable outages:

On January 10, Cogent Communications, experienced an outage affecting multiple downstream providers and Cogent customers in countries, including the US, Singapore, Germany, and Canada. The outage, lasting a total of 43 minutes, was first observed around 1:05 a.m. EST, initially centered on Cogent nodes in Seattle, Washington. Five minutes later, the Seattle nodes appeared to clear, and nodes in Oakland, California exhibited outage conditions. Fourteen minutes after first being observed, the Oakland nodes appeared to clear. Forty minutes after that, those nodes again exhibited outage conditions. Around 2:30 a.m. EST, about an hour and 15 minutes after appearing to clear, Seattle nodes again exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 2:35 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 10, Hurricane Electric experienced an outage affecting customers and downstream partners across the US, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, the UK, Ireland, Australia, Canada, Sweden, France, and Brazil. The 17-minute outage was first observed around 5:20 a.m. EST, apparently centered Hurricane Electric nodes in New York, New York. Five minutes later the outage included nodes in San Jose, California. Twenty minutes after first being observed, nodes exhibiting outage conditions expanded to include nodes in Los Angeles and San Jose, California. The outage was cleared around 5:40 AM EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 13, Spotify experienced an outage that prevented some users globally from streaming songs or using the service. First observed around 7:40 p.m. EST, the disruption lasted around an hour and 55 minutes, with the major period of the disruption lasting about an hour and 11 minutes. During the outage, Spotify service was contactable, with a number of requests either timing out or returning "service unreachable" or "unauthorized" messages, which is indicative of backend system issues. The outage was cleared around 9:35 p.m. EST when. Around 11:16 PM EST Spotify announced that all services had been restored. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Jan. 9

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 120 to 217, up 81% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages increased from 31 to 57, up 84%.

Globally, ISP outages increased, from 76 to 166, up 118%, and in the US they increased from 18 to 48, up 167%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped from eight to four, and in the US they decreased from five to one.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages increased from four to five, and in the US they dropped from one to zero.

There were two notable outages:

On January 4, Time Warner Cable experienced a series of outages over a period of two hours and 15 minutes affecting multiple downstream providers and Time Warner Cable customers in the US and Canada. An outage was first observed around 1:50 a.m. EST and appeared to center on Time Warner Cable nodes in Dallas, Texas. The ensuing series of outages lasted a total of eight minutes and were cleared at around 4:05 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On January 6, Qwest Communications experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers across the US. The 16-minute outage was first observed around 12:25 a.m. EST and appeared centered on Qwest nodes in Atlanta, Georgia. It was cleared around 12:45 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Updated Dec. 12

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 282 to 347, up 23%. In the US, they increased from 78 to 90, up 15%.

Globally, ISP outages increased from 210 to 281, up 34%, and in the US they increased from 61 to 76, up 25%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages dropped from eight to four, and in the US remained the same at two.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages jumped from one to seven, and in the US dropped from one to zero.

Two notable outages:

About 2:30 p.m. EST on December 5, AWS's Ohio-based us-east-2 region experienced a connectivity issue that appeared to affect some customer internet connectivity to and from the region, characterized by significant packet loss between it and global locations. The loss was seen only between end-users connecting via ISPs and didn't appear to affect connectivity between instances within the region or between regions. The packet loss continued for more than an hour before resolving around 3:50 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On December 7, NTT America experienced an outage affecting customers and downstream partners across the US, the Netherlands, Belgium, the Republic of Korea, and Japan. The 13-minute outage was first observed around 12:15 a.m. EST and appeared to center on NTT nodes in Newark, New Jersey, and Ashburn, Virginia. Ten minutes after being observed, the Ashburn nodes appeared to clear. The outage was cleared around 12:30 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Dec. 5

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 222 to 282, up 27%. In the US, outages increased from 48 to 78, up 63%.

Global ISP outages increased from 173 to 210, up 21%, and in the US increased from 32 to 61, up 90%.

Global cloud-provider network outages jumped from four to eight, while in the US they remained at two.

Global collaboration-app network outages dropped from six to one, and in the U.S., from five to one.

Two notable outages:

On November 29, TATA Communications (America) Inc., experienced an outage affecting many of its downstream partners and customers including in the US, Canada, the UK, France, the Netherlands, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Argentina, India, Germany, Hong Kong, and Singapore. The 33-minute outage was first observed around 9:20 a.m. EST, and apparently centered on TATA nodes in Newark, New Jersey. Ten minutes later the outage appeared to include nodes in New York, New York; London, England; Marseille, France; and Pune and Bangalore, India. This appeared to coincide with the peak in the number of regions, downstream partners, and customers affected. Around five minutes after the peak, just nodes in Newark, London, and Marseille exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 9:55 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On December 1, Microsoft experienced an issue affecting user access to some Microsoft services, including Office 365, predominantly in the APJC region. First observed around 7:50 p.m. EST and lasting approximately an hour and 18 minutes, the outage appeared to initiate in Microsoft's Japan infrastructure before affecting other Microsoft servers in the region. Network connectivity to the service did not appear to experience any significant issues throughout the outage. The outage was cleared around 9:10 p.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Nov. 28

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 331 to 222, down 33% compared to the week prior. In the US, they dropped from 121 to 48, down 60%.

Globally, ISP outages decreased from 246 to 173, down 30%. In the US they dropped from 85 to 32, down 62%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from five to four and in the US from three to two.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from nine to six outages, while in the US they decreased from six to five.

Two outages of note:

On November 23, Astute Hosting experienced an outage affecting multiple downstream providers and customers in the US, Australia, Singapore, Canada, and the UK. The 19-minute outage was first observed around 4:40 a.m. EST and appeared to center on Astute Holding nodes in Seattle, Washington. Fifteen minutes later, some of the nodes appeared to recover. The outage was cleared around 5:00 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On November 21, Embratel experienced a series of outages over a period of an hour and 35 minutes that affected downstream providers and customers in the US and Canada. The 10-minute outage was first observed around 10:30 p.m. EST centered on Embratel nodes in Atlanta, Georgia. An hour and 30 minutes later, nodes located in Sao Paulo, Brazil, also exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 12:05 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Nov. 21

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 352 to 331, down 6% from the week prior. In the US, they decreased from 124 to 121, down 2%.

Globally ISP outages decreased, from 265 to 246, down 7%, and in the US, they dropped from 93 to 85, down 9%.

Globally, cloud provider outages dropped from 14 to five, while in the US they dropped from six to three.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages remained the at nine and increased in the US from five to six.

Two notable outages:

On November 17, GTT Communications, experienced an outage affecting some of its partners and customers in the US, Australia, Canada, China, Brazil, Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the Netherlands, Singapore, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and Japan. The hour-and-28-minute outage was first observed around 6:10 a.m. EST and appeared to center on GTT nodes in San Jose, California. Twenty minutes later, nodes in San Francisco, California, also exhibited outage conditions. Twenty-five minutes after that, nodes in Seattle, Washington, exhibited outages, too. The outages were cleared around 7:40 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

On November 16, Cogent Communications experienced a 44-minute outage affecting multiple downstream providers and customers across the US and the UK. The outage was first observed around 12:50 a.m. EST and appeared to center on Cogent nodes in New York, New York. Fifteen minutes later some of the nodes appeared to recover, reducing the impact. The outage was cleared around 1:35 a.m. EST. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Nov. 7

Global outages across all three categories last week decreased from 381 to 361, down 5% compared to the week prior. In the US, they dropped from 130 to 74, down 43%.

Globally, ISP outages decreased from 298 to 289, down 3%, and dropped from 107 to 64 in the US, a 40% decrease.

Globally, cloud-provider outages remained the same at nine. In the US they dropped from four to two.

Globally, collaboration-app network outages decreased from five to two, and in the US dropped from five to one.

Two notable outages:

On November 2, TATA Communications (America) experienced an outage affecting downstream partners and customers in countries including the US, the UK, the Netherlands, Australia, Vietnam, Germany, Poland, France, China, India, and Singapore. The 24 minute outage was first observed around 8:40 a.m. EDT, and initially centered on TATA nodes in London, England. Fifteen minutes later, nodes in Newark, New Jersey, San Francisco, California, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) also exhibited outage conditions. The outage was cleared around 9:05 a.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

On November 2, AT&T experienced an outage affecting AT&T customers and partners across the US. The nine-minute outage was first observed around 7:15 p.m. EDT, appearing to center on AT&T nodes in San Jose, California. Five minutes later the number of San Jose nodes exhibiting outage conditions appeared to rise. The outage was cleared at around 7:25 p.m. EDT. Click here for an interactive view.

Updated Oct. 31

Global outages across all three categories last week increased from 374 to 381, up 2% compared to the week prior. In the US, outages increased from 94 to 130, up 38%.

Globally, ISP outages increased from 293 to 298, up 2%, while in the US they increased from 72 to 107, up 49%.

Globally, cloud-provider network outages decreased from 10 to nine, and in the US they remained the same at four.

Globally collaboration-app network outages decreased from seven to five, and in the US they increased from four to five.

Three notable outages:

On October 25, Zscaler experienced an outage that impacted customers using Zscaler Internet Access (ZIA) services on the Zscaler Cloud network 2. First observed around 7:46 a.m. EDT, the outage appeared to affect customers' network connectivity. Around 7:46 a.m. EDT, Zscaler announced it had identified the cause of the issue and begun mitigation. It appeared the majority of customer connectivity had been restored by 11:34 a.m. EDT, with Zscaler announcing the issue resolved around 4:22 p.m. EDT. See here for a more detailed analysis of the outage.

Around 1:30 a.m. EDT on October 27, Salesforce experienced an outage that affected customers globally that appeared to last about an hour and 24 minutes. It manifested itself as a series of server errors and timeouts, which is consistent with a backend service issue. Around 2:14 a.m. EDT, Salesforce announced it was taking steps to alleviate the issue. Around 2:35 a.m. EDT, services appeared to start to return with the major portion of the issue clearing around 3:15 a.m. EDT. Around 7:23 a.m. EDT, the outage was officially cleared. Click here for an interactive view.

On October 28, Facebook experienced a service disruption that rendered the application inaccessible to some users globally. First observed around 3:33 p.m. EDT, the disruption appeared to prevent some users from accessing content and manifested as a combination of HTTP server 
A former employee of chip designer Broadcom was sentenced to eight months in prison this week by a federal district court judge after pleading guilty to charges for theft of trade secrets in May, according to an announcement from the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Northern District of California.

Peter Kisang Kim, who worked for Broadcom as a principal design engineer for more than 20 years, quit his job in July 2020 and, after less than two weeks, took a job at a startup based in the Peoples Republic of China. In pleading guilty, Kim admitted to accessing trade secret information from Broadcom related to the testing and design of the companys Trident family of chipsets, which are designed for use in network switches and cloud-based networking equipment.

In his plea agreement, Kim acknowledged accessing Broadcoms proprietary information stored on his smartphone and laptop in the course of his employment at the Chinese company, which he had copied to his personal devices shortly before leaving Broadcom. He also admitted to accessing the information during the course of his employment at the PRC startup, which, Kim said in his plea agreement, was seeking to compete with Broadcom for the Chinese domestic market and hoped to become a leading chip designer in that country.

Kim was indicted by the U.S. Attorneys office in November 2021 and charged with 18 counts of trade secret theft, 18 U.S.C.  1832(a). Each count could have carried a maximum sentence of 10 years imprisonment, $250,000 in fines, and three years of supervised release. He was released on $500,000 bail after his initial appearance. Kim eventually plead guilty to three out of the 18 counts.

Criminal actions in trade secrets cases has become commonplace in recent years. In August, a former Apple engineer, Xiaolang Zhang, also pled guilty to theft of trade secrets involving Apples self-driving car program, and is set to be sentenced in November. Zhang was arrested in 2018 at San Jose International Airport, before he could board a flight to Beijing. Jizhong Chen was also arrested for trade secret theft in connection with that program, and has thus far pled not guilty.
Carlisle Police are looking for a man they say exited his vehicle, entered the back seat of another vehicle and choked a driver Saturday morning.
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: India will host the second Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) virtually on Friday.

The second VOGSS would focus on sharing with countries of the Global South the key outcomes achieved during the various G20 meetings over the course of Indias Presidency. The challenges posed by global developments are also likely to be discussed. Further, the summit will serve as a platform to discuss ways to sustain the momentum generated towards our common aspiration of a more inclusive, representative and progressive world order, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

India had hosted the first Voice of Global South Summit on January 12-13 this year. The initiative had brought together 125 countries to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform. Throughout its G20 Presidency, India has worked to ensure that concerns of the Global South get due cognizance and that its priorities were duly factored in, to find solutions to the most pressing global challenges, MEA said.

The second VOGSS will be structured into 10 sessions. The inaugural and concluding sessions would be at the Head of State level, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The theme of the Inaugural Leaders Session will be Together, for Everyones Growth, with Everyones Trust and that of the Concluding Leaders Session will be Global South: Together for One Future.

In addition, there will be 8 ministerial sessions  India & the Global South: Emerging Together for a Better Future (foreign ministers session); Making Human Resources Future-Ready (education ministers); Financing People-Centric Development(finance ministers); Sustainable Solutions for Climate Resilience and Climate Finance (environment ministers); Global South and One Development (foreign ministers); Affordable & Inclusive Energy Transition for Sustainable Development (energy ministers); Solutions from the Global South for One Health (health ministers) and Global South & Resilient Supply Chains (commerce and trade ministers).

MEETINGS

Inaugural Leaders Session on Together, for Everyones Growth, with Everyones Trust

Concluding Leaders Session on Global South: Together for One Future

Foreign Ministers Session on India & the Global South: Emerging Together for a Better Future

Education Ministers Session on Making Human Resources Future-Ready

Finance Ministers Session on Financing People-Centric Development

Environment Ministers Session on Sustainable Solutions for Climate Resilience and Climate Finance

Foreign Ministers Session on Global South and One Development

Energy Ministers Session on Affordable & Inclusive Energy Transition for Sustainable Development

Health Ministers Session on Solutions from the Global South for One Health

Commerce/Trade Ministers Session on Global South & Resilient Supply Chains

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NEW DELHI: India will host the second Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS) virtually on Friday. The second VOGSS would focus on sharing with countries of the Global South the key outcomes achieved during the various G20 meetings over the course of Indias Presidency. The challenges posed by global developments are also likely to be discussed. Further, the summit will serve as a platform to discuss ways to sustain the momentum generated towards our common aspiration of a more inclusive, representative and progressive world order, according to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA). India had hosted the first Voice of Global South Summit on January 12-13 this year. The initiative had brought together 125 countries to share their perspectives and priorities on a common platform. Throughout its G20 Presidency, India has worked to ensure that concerns of the Global South get due cognizance and that its priorities were duly factored in, to find solutions to the most pressing global challenges, MEA said. The second VOGSS will be structured into 10 sessions. The inaugural and concluding sessions would be at the Head of State level, hosted by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The theme of the Inaugural Leaders Session will be Together, for Everyones Growth, with Everyones Trust and that of the Concluding Leaders Session will be Global South: Together for One Future.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); In addition, there will be 8 ministerial sessions  India & the Global South: Emerging Together for a Better Future (foreign ministers session); Making Human Resources Future-Ready (education ministers); Financing People-Centric Development(finance ministers); Sustainable Solutions for Climate Resilience and Climate Finance (environment ministers); Global South and One Development (foreign ministers); Affordable & Inclusive Energy Transition for Sustainable Development (energy ministers); Solutions from the Global South for One Health (health ministers) and Global South & Resilient Supply Chains (commerce and trade ministers). MEETINGS Inaugural Leaders Session on Together, for Everyones Growth, with Everyones Trust Concluding Leaders Session on Global South: Together for One Future Foreign Ministers Session on India & the Global South: Emerging Together for a Better Future Education Ministers Session on Making Human Resources Future-Ready Finance Ministers Session on Financing People-Centric Development Environment Ministers Session on Sustainable Solutions for Climate Resilience and Climate Finance Foreign Ministers Session on Global South and One Development Energy Ministers Session on Affordable & Inclusive Energy Transition for Sustainable Development Health Ministers Session on Solutions from the Global South for One Health Commerce/Trade Ministers Session on Global South & Resilient Supply Chains Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: Thirty-eight people, including the driver, were killed when a passenger bus skidded off the road and rolled down into a 300-foot gorge in the mountainous Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir around 11.50 am on Wednesday.

Rescue workers search for survivors

in the mangled remains of the bus

which fell 300 feet into a gorge | PTI

Besides the dead, about 20 others were injured, six of them critical, officials said, indicating the toll could go up. The local administration, along with the police and Army, is carrying out rescue operations. The injured were evacuated to the government hospital in Doda. Those in critical condition were airlifted to a Jammu hospital.

Most of the bodies have been identified. The bus carrying 58, including the driver, may have been overloaded because of which it skidded off the road and rolled down into the gorge, a police official said. Officials said the cause of the accident is being ascertained.

We have checked all the things about the vehicle, its insurance and service life. The driver is also dead so there might be a chance that the vehicle was not being driven properly and this might have led to the traffic accident, Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh said. Top civil, police and security officials visited the accident spot and were overseeing the rescue operation.

This is probably the biggest accident in Doda in the last few years. On July 1, 2019, 35 people were killed and 17 injured when an overloaded mini-bus veered off the road and fell into a gorge in Kishtwars Sangwari area.

On September 14, 2018, 17 passengers were killed and 16 injured when a mini-bus skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge in the Dandaran area of Kishtwar. On May 24 this year, seven people were killed and three others injured after a cruiser vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a gorge at the Dangduru dam site in the Dachan area of Kishwar.

(With inputs from PTI)

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SRINAGAR: Thirty-eight people, including the driver, were killed when a passenger bus skidded off the road and rolled down into a 300-foot gorge in the mountainous Doda district of Jammu and Kashmir around 11.50 am on Wednesday. Rescue workers search for survivors in the mangled remains of the bus which fell 300 feet into a gorge | PTIBesides the dead, about 20 others were injured, six of them critical, officials said, indicating the toll could go up. The local administration, along with the police and Army, is carrying out rescue operations. The injured were evacuated to the government hospital in Doda. Those in critical condition were airlifted to a Jammu hospital. Most of the bodies have been identified. The bus carrying 58, including the driver, may have been overloaded because of which it skidded off the road and rolled down into the gorge, a police official said. Officials said the cause of the accident is being ascertained.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); We have checked all the things about the vehicle, its insurance and service life. The driver is also dead so there might be a chance that the vehicle was not being driven properly and this might have led to the traffic accident, Deputy Commissioner Doda Harvinder Singh said. Top civil, police and security officials visited the accident spot and were overseeing the rescue operation. This is probably the biggest accident in Doda in the last few years. On July 1, 2019, 35 people were killed and 17 injured when an overloaded mini-bus veered off the road and fell into a gorge in Kishtwars Sangwari area. On September 14, 2018, 17 passengers were killed and 16 injured when a mini-bus skidded off the road and plunged into a gorge in the Dandaran area of Kishtwar. On May 24 this year, seven people were killed and three others injured after a cruiser vehicle skidded off the road and fell into a gorge at the Dangduru dam site in the Dachan area of Kishwar. (With inputs from PTI) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

GUWAHATI: The Assam units of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have demanded that state Governor Gulab Chand Kataria be sacked for allegedly campaigning for a BJP candidate contesting in the Rajasthan assembly elections.

No immediate comments could be obtained from either Kataria or Assam Governor's Office on the issue.

Issuing separate statements, the two parties have sought the intervention of the President and the Election Commission of India to take action against the governor, who relinquished all political posts before joining the constitutional post.

"Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is busy campaigning for the BJP in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This is a challenge to democracy, the Election Commission of India should take action against him," Assam TMC President Ripun Bora said in a post on X.

Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is busy campaigning for BJP in Udaipur, Rajasthan.



This is a challenge to democracy, the Election Commission of India should take action against him.



It's extremely shameful that despite being the custodian of the Constitution, he is pic.twitter.com/liotCS3BNd  Ripun Bora (@ripunbora) November 15, 2023

He also said it is "extremely shameful" that despite being the custodian of the Constitution, Kataria is campaigning for the BJP.

"He should be immediately sacked from his post," Bora said.

Sharing a statement from Assam TMC, he further alleged that Kataria campaigned for BJP candidate Tarachan Jain in Udaipur and it is a violation of the election norms as he holds a constitutional post.

"A few days ago, Assam Assembly's Deputy Speaker Numal Momin campaigned in Mizoram for the BJP and now it's Kataria. This is a serious violation of constitutional norms. As head of the state, the governor should not support any political party," the Assam TMC said in the statement.

These two examples show that the BJP is misusing its power to run an autocratic and undemocratic government, it added.

"We demand the immediate intervention of the President and the Election Commission of India for sacking Governor Gulab Chand Kataria," the statement added.

AAP Assam coordinator Bhaben Choudhury said a governor should uphold the Constitution irrespective of caste, creed and religion by keeping himself above politics.

"However, Kataria has indulged in anti-constitutional activities by campaigning for a political party in an election. It has demeaned the post of a governor. It has blackened Indian politics," he added.

Demanding his immediate resignation, Choudhury said the party would write to the ECI to take action against Kataria.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

GUWAHATI: The Assam units of the Trinamool Congress (TMC) and the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have demanded that state Governor Gulab Chand Kataria be sacked for allegedly campaigning for a BJP candidate contesting in the Rajasthan assembly elections. No immediate comments could be obtained from either Kataria or Assam Governor's Office on the issue. Issuing separate statements, the two parties have sought the intervention of the President and the Election Commission of India to take action against the governor, who relinquished all political posts before joining the constitutional post.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is busy campaigning for the BJP in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This is a challenge to democracy, the Election Commission of India should take action against him," Assam TMC President Ripun Bora said in a post on X. Assam Governor Gulab Chand Kataria is busy campaigning for BJP in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This is a challenge to democracy, the Election Commission of India should take action against him. It's extremely shameful that despite being the custodian of the Constitution, he is pic.twitter.com/liotCS3BNd  Ripun Bora (@ripunbora) November 15, 2023 He also said it is "extremely shameful" that despite being the custodian of the Constitution, Kataria is campaigning for the BJP. "He should be immediately sacked from his post," Bora said. Sharing a statement from Assam TMC, he further alleged that Kataria campaigned for BJP candidate Tarachan Jain in Udaipur and it is a violation of the election norms as he holds a constitutional post. "A few days ago, Assam Assembly's Deputy Speaker Numal Momin campaigned in Mizoram for the BJP and now it's Kataria. This is a serious violation of constitutional norms. As head of the state, the governor should not support any political party," the Assam TMC said in the statement. These two examples show that the BJP is misusing its power to run an autocratic and undemocratic government, it added. "We demand the immediate intervention of the President and the Election Commission of India for sacking Governor Gulab Chand Kataria," the statement added. AAP Assam coordinator Bhaben Choudhury said a governor should uphold the Constitution irrespective of caste, creed and religion by keeping himself above politics. "However, Kataria has indulged in anti-constitutional activities by campaigning for a political party in an election. It has demeaned the post of a governor. It has blackened Indian politics," he added. Demanding his immediate resignation, Choudhury said the party would write to the ECI to take action against Kataria. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

JAIPUR: The BJP will stop welfare schemes being run by the Congress government in Rajasthan if they come to power and they will help billionaires, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday as he addressed three back-to-back rallies in the poll-bound state.

He addressed rallies in Taranagar of Churu district, Nohar of Hanumangarh district and Sadulshahar in Sri Ganganagar district.

"If a BJP government is formed, it will stop schemes being run by the Congress be it the (old) pension scheme, health (insurance scheme), subsidised cylinders or Rs 10,000 annual assistance for women and it will again help billionaires," Gandhi told his first public meeting of the day in Taranagar in support of party candidate Narendra Budhania.

But if the Congress is voted back to power in the state, the poor, farmers and small traders will benefit, he said.

"Farmers' loans will be waived off. They will be helped, small traders will benefit. This is for you to decide. Do you want Adani's government or do you want the government of farmers, labourers, youth?" Gandhi said.

He also took a jib at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's over his poll "guarantees".

"Modi's guarantee means a guarantee for Adani whereas the Congress means a government of farmers, labourers, and youths. This is the difference. You have to decide," he told the gathering.

He said the Congress transfers money into the pockets of the poor whereas the BJP puts it in the pockets of Adani.

He alleged the BJP helps Adani who uses it to buy companies abroad, whereas the Congress transfers money into the pockets of farmers.

Later, in a public meeting in Nohar of Hanumangarh district, Gandhi the Congress party government will start the work for caste census as soon as it comes to power at the Centre.

"The Congress party will conduct a caste survey in Rajasthan and when our government comes at the Centre, I am giving you a guarantee that we will start a caste census the day the Congress party government is formed," he said, promising rights and benefits to OBCs proportionate to their population.

Gandhi also said unemployment has gone up under the Modi government at the Centre has made the youths unemployed.

"Every youth wants to work for the country but the policies of the Narendra Modi government have destroyed the energy of the youths in the country," he said.

The state goes to polls on November 25 and the votes will be counted on December 3.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

JAIPUR: The BJP will stop welfare schemes being run by the Congress government in Rajasthan if they come to power and they will help billionaires, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday as he addressed three back-to-back rallies in the poll-bound state. He addressed rallies in Taranagar of Churu district, Nohar of Hanumangarh district and Sadulshahar in Sri Ganganagar district. "If a BJP government is formed, it will stop schemes being run by the Congress be it the (old) pension scheme, health (insurance scheme), subsidised cylinders or Rs 10,000 annual assistance for women and it will again help billionaires," Gandhi told his first public meeting of the day in Taranagar in support of party candidate Narendra Budhania.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); But if the Congress is voted back to power in the state, the poor, farmers and small traders will benefit, he said. "Farmers' loans will be waived off. They will be helped, small traders will benefit. This is for you to decide. Do you want Adani's government or do you want the government of farmers, labourers, youth?" Gandhi said. He also took a jib at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's over his poll "guarantees". "Modi's guarantee means a guarantee for Adani whereas the Congress means a government of farmers, labourers, and youths. This is the difference. You have to decide," he told the gathering. He said the Congress transfers money into the pockets of the poor whereas the BJP puts it in the pockets of Adani. He alleged the BJP helps Adani who uses it to buy companies abroad, whereas the Congress transfers money into the pockets of farmers. Later, in a public meeting in Nohar of Hanumangarh district, Gandhi the Congress party government will start the work for caste census as soon as it comes to power at the Centre. "The Congress party will conduct a caste survey in Rajasthan and when our government comes at the Centre, I am giving you a guarantee that we will start a caste census the day the Congress party government is formed," he said, promising rights and benefits to OBCs proportionate to their population. Gandhi also said unemployment has gone up under the Modi government at the Centre has made the youths unemployed. "Every youth wants to work for the country but the policies of the Narendra Modi government have destroyed the energy of the youths in the country," he said. The state goes to polls on November 25 and the votes will be counted on December 3. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: An Assam court has summoned former state coordinator of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) Prateek Hajela to appear before it on November 17.

The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge No. 1 of Kamrup Metropolitan district issued the order of summons based on a criminal revision petition filed by Luit Kumar Barman, who is an Assamese filmmaker and businessman.

Take note that the applicant has filed a criminal revision under Section 397 CrPC. You are hereby asked to appear before this court on 17th November 2023 at 10.30 am to file objections, if any, the court said in its order issued recently.

The order further stated that if the persons failed to appear before the court, the case would be heard ex parte by law.

Barman had filed the petition based on a report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India on the NRC. He alleged that Hajela misused Rs 155 crore during the updation of the NRC.

Over 19.06 lakh of Assams 3.3 crore applicants were left out of the NRC complete list which was published in August 2019.

Hajela is a 1995-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre who received approval for VRS from the Assam government in August.

The Supreme Court, which directly monitored the updation of the NRC, transferred him to his home state Madhya Pradesh in 2019 considering the threat to his life surrounding the NRC.

There are two other cases pending against him in Assam. One was filed by his successor in the NRC office Hitesh Dev Sarma.

Dev Sarma alleged that Hajela had helped illegal Bangladeshi migrants get their names included in the NRC. An organisation, called Assam Public Works, had also filed an FIR accusing him of manipulating the NRC updation process.

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GUWAHATI: An Assam court has summoned former state coordinator of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) Prateek Hajela to appear before it on November 17. The court of Additional District and Sessions Judge No. 1 of Kamrup Metropolitan district issued the order of summons based on a criminal revision petition filed by Luit Kumar Barman, who is an Assamese filmmaker and businessman. Take note that the applicant has filed a criminal revision under Section 397 CrPC. You are hereby asked to appear before this court on 17th November 2023 at 10.30 am to file objections, if any, the court said in its order issued recently.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The order further stated that if the persons failed to appear before the court, the case would be heard ex parte by law. Barman had filed the petition based on a report of the Comptroller and Auditor-General of India on the NRC. He alleged that Hajela misused Rs 155 crore during the updation of the NRC. Over 19.06 lakh of Assams 3.3 crore applicants were left out of the NRC complete list which was published in August 2019. Hajela is a 1995-batch IAS officer of the Assam-Meghalaya cadre who received approval for VRS from the Assam government in August. The Supreme Court, which directly monitored the updation of the NRC, transferred him to his home state Madhya Pradesh in 2019 considering the threat to his life surrounding the NRC. There are two other cases pending against him in Assam. One was filed by his successor in the NRC office Hitesh Dev Sarma. Dev Sarma alleged that Hajela had helped illegal Bangladeshi migrants get their names included in the NRC. An organisation, called Assam Public Works, had also filed an FIR accusing him of manipulating the NRC updation process. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Art Guild of Greene: More than 50 paintings and drawings by The Four Ferrante Sisters (Dianne, Inez, Noreen and Toni [Tucker]) are at Stanardsville Station through Dec. 29. The venue is open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. most Fridays and Saturdays. artguildgreene.org.

The Arts Center in Orange: artscenterinorange.com. (540) 672-7311.

The Barn Swallow: The Art of the Cup, pastel paintings by Brita Lineburger, on view through Nov. 30. Open 1 to 5 p.m. Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. 796 Gillums Ridge Road in Charlottesville. thebarnswallow.com.

Botanical Fare Restaurant: Works by Judith Ely will be on display in November and December. Hours: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday and Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday. botanicalfare.com. (434) 217-4496.

Cville Arts Cooperative Gallery: World on a String, works by ceramic jewelry artist Jennifer Paxton, on display through November. 118 E. Main St. (434) 972-9500.

Carver 4-County Museum is making Being a Citizen, its new traveling exhibit, available during the 75th-anniversary year of George Washington Carver Regional High School, Carver Forever: A Diamond Jubilee. carver4cm@gmail.com. carver4cm.org.

The Center at Belvedere: The second Small Works Show can be seen through Dec. 19. https://thecentercville.org/.

Chroma Projects: Edie (Edith) Reads Wing in the Great Hall South of Vault Virginia and Sara Clark: Ornatus Mundi in the Great Front Hall of Vault Virginia remain on view through December. Aggie Zed: Congregation can be seen through Nov. 30 on the main floor of Vault Virginia. Third Street Southeast, just off the Downtown Mall. artlab@chroma projects.com. chromaprojects.com.

Connaughton Gallery: Landscapes and Georgia OKeeffe Revisited by Eric T. Allen and the Fiber and Stitch Art Collective on display through Dec. 8. Third floor of Rouss & Robertson halls at McIntire School of Commerce. Hours: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Friday; closed on weekends.

Crozet Artisan Depot: Backyard Nature Studies by potter Corinna Anderson of Richmond and Change of Seasons by photographer Dale Carlson of Staunton can be seen through Friday as the final guest artist shows of 2023. crozetartisandepot.com.

Cuppa Joe Coffee: Paintings and etchings by Tom Tartaglino on display at 90 Joshua Lane in Palmyra. Hours: 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. (434) 906-4172.

First United Methodist Church: Fall Arts Fair will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at 101 E. Jefferson St. cvillefirstumc.org. (434) 981-0458.

The Fralin Museum of Art at the University of Virginia: Processing Abstraction, NDakinna Landscapes Acknowledged and Look Three Ways: Maya Painted Pottery can be seen through Dec. 31. Look for an upcoming artist talk by Cara Romero at a later date. Madayin: Eight Decades of Aboriginal Australian Bark Paintings from Yirrkala, one of the most significant touring exhibitions of Aboriginal Australian art ever stages, will be on display from Feb. 3 to July 14, 2024. uvafralinartmuseum.virginia.edu.

The Gallery at Studio Ix and The Charlottesville Black Arts Collective: Adjacent, new works by Kim Boggs and Dale Morse, can be seen Friday through Nov. 26; an Artist Talk is planned for 5 p.m. Thursday. Gallery hours: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. studioix.co. (434) 242-0905.

Grace Estate Winery: 5273 Mount Juliet Farm in Crozet. Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Monday and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday. graceestatewinery@gmail.com.

The Guild Gallery: 300 E. Main St. (434) 227-1333.

Harrison Institute and Small Special Collections Library at the University of Virginia: Their World As Big As They Made It: Looking Back at the Harlem Renaissance, featuring works of writers, artists and thinkers of the Harlem Renaissance, through June 8, 2024, at 170 McCormick Road. library@virginia.edu. (434) 924-3021.

Kluge-Ruhe Aboriginal Art Collection: Performing Country, which explores the ways Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists explore the complex idea of Country, on exhibition through March 3, 2024. Three Women from Wirrimanu, including colorful acrylic paintings on canvas by leaders of the desert art movement, on exhibition through Dec. 3, 2023. Free tours are offered by volunteer guides at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. daily. 400 Worrell Drive. (434) 243-8500.

The Looking Glass: Look for two new pieces, The Door to the Forest by Sam Fisher and Moon Rabbits by Meesha Goldberg. Open Saturdays and Sundays. Ix Art Park Foundation has opened a major expansion of its immersive art museum featuring works by new and returning artists. ixartpark.org.

Louisa Arts Center: Gallery hours are 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays at 212 Fredericksburg Ave. in Louisa. louisaarts.org. (540) 967-2200.

Loving Cup Vineyard and Winery: Hours: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Fridays through Sundays. (434) 984-0774.

McGuffey Art Center: On view through Sunday will be Frederick Crists sculpture and photographs in The Pedestal Project in the Smith Gallery, Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) in the First-Floor Galleries, LANDSCAPE: Creating a Sense of Place remaining in the Second-Floor North and South Hallway Galleries, and Celebration in the Associate Gallery. mcguffeyartcenter.com.

Museum of Culpeper History: The Culpeper Minute Men Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution, a new exhibit recognizing 100 years of DAR activity in Culpeper County, will run through July 2024. www.culppermuseum.com or (540) 829-1749.

Northside Library: Works by BozART members Judith Ely, Katharine Eisaman Maus and Shirley Paul can be seen in the main hallway from Dec 1 through Dec. 30. Hours: 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sundays.

Phaeton Gallery: William Mason Lord: closeness is on display at 114 Old Preston Ave. phaetongallery.org.

Piedmont Virginia Community College: pvcc.edu/performingarts. (434) 961-5362.

Possums Store Art and Artisan Gallery: 914 Old Blue Ridge Turnpike in Criglersville. www.firnewfarmartistscircle.com. (540) 718-0370.

Pour la maison: pourlamaisoncville.com. (434) 284-8706.

Quirk Gallery Charlottesville: Colorscapes by father-daughter painters Cate West Zahl and Tom West is on display. Landscape Oil Painting Workshop with Anne Walker is set for 1 p.m. Saturday. (434) 365-3774.

Random Row Brewery: Juliette Swensons newest watercolors can be seen in November and December. Hours: 4:30 to 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays, 4:30 to 11 p.m. Fridays, noon to 11 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays.

Revalation Vineyards: 2710 Hebron Valley Road in Madison. (540) 407-1236.

Scottsville Museum: Museum is closed for the winter season and will reopen in April for regular weekend hours. To research local history, go to scottsvillemuseum.com. To schedule special tours, email info@scottsvillemuseum.com or call (434) 286-2247. 90 E. Main St. scottsvillemuseum.com. (434) 286-2247.

Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital: A Group Multimedia Art Exhibit by BozART Fine Art Collective members can be seen through Dec. 4. Look for works by Ellen Moore Osborne in the third-floor gallery birthing center hallway, Juliette Swenson in the second-floor gallery cancer hallway and Katharine Maus in the second-floor gallery lab hallway. 500 Martha Jefferson Drive.

Sweet Art Emporium: New work by jewelry artist Gilian Ruffa and sculptor Kap Stanfield among works by 70 artists on view. Open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturdays. 264 Turkeysag Trail, Unit E, in Palmyra. www.sweetartemporium.com. (434) 882-2087.

Unitarian Universalist Congregation of Charlottesville: Members art will be presented in Season of Light during November and December. Hours: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays and 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sundays. (434) 293-8179.

University of Virginia Hospital: Nature Big and Small, photography by Seth Silverstein and Bill Shaw, can be seen in the Main Hospital Lobby through Jan. 3, 2024.

Welcome Gallery: Too Many Dinner Parties, an exhibition of prints by Claire Szeptycki and Maddie Butkovich, will be on view through Wednesday. Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday. newcityarts.org. (434) 202-5277.

Westminster-Canterbury of the Bue Ridge: Works by Matalie Deane and Julia Kindred on display through Nov. 30.

Woodberry Forest School: Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. www.woodberry.org/arts/baker-gallery.

Les Yeux du Monde: Annie Harris Massie: Fleeting can be seen from Saturday through Dec. 20. LYDMGallery@gmail.com. LYDM.co. (434) 882-2622.

Editors Note: Exhibits shares information about exhibitions presented on display or online in Charlottesville and Albemarle, Buckingham, Fluvanna, Greene, Louisa, Madison, Nelson and Orange counties. Items must be received by noon Friday for the next weeks issue. Include the opening and closing dates of your exhibit and a telephone number the public may call with questions. Send your information to jsathe@dailyprogress.com.
Dilip Singh Kshatriya By

Express News Service

AHMEDABAD: In Gujarat, reported cases of women being molested have exhibited an upward trend. The figures indicate a 7% increase from 1,095 cases in 2020-21 to 1,181 cases in 2021-22, followed by a further rise of 4.9% to 1,239 cases in 2022-23.

Responding to a query from Congress MLA Anant Patel on September 14 in the Gujarat Assembly, the Home Department confirmed 1,075 cases in 2020-21, 1,181 in 2021-22, and 1,239 in 2022-23, totaling 3,515 incidents over three years.

Notably, Ahmedabad, a key city, recorded the highest number of incidents, with 205 cases in 2020-21, 223 in 2021-22, and 220 in 2022-23. Conversely, Dang district, with a tribal population, reported minimal cases3 in 2020-21, 0 in 2021-22, and 5 in 2022-23. Tapi district followed with 2, 5, and 2 cases in the same period.

Despite the Gujarat governments claims about prioritising womens safety, the statistics reveal a stark reality. Patel pointed out a substantial increase in molestation cases in Surat in 2022-23, even with the State home minister hailing from the city.

Surat reported 77, 85, and 121 cases in the respective fiscal years. Congress MLA Anant Patel, in a conversation with this newspaper, said, These are reported cases that have been registered in the police station. There are many instances that go unreported because of the stigma attached.

In the state assembly, it was disclosed that the state capital Ahmedabad saw 1,146 criminals caught for molestation, with five still at large. In Surat, 368 were apprehended, and none remain elusive, while Vadodara saw 217 arrests, with six fugitives.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

AHMEDABAD: In Gujarat, reported cases of women being molested have exhibited an upward trend. The figures indicate a 7% increase from 1,095 cases in 2020-21 to 1,181 cases in 2021-22, followed by a further rise of 4.9% to 1,239 cases in 2022-23. Responding to a query from Congress MLA Anant Patel on September 14 in the Gujarat Assembly, the Home Department confirmed 1,075 cases in 2020-21, 1,181 in 2021-22, and 1,239 in 2022-23, totaling 3,515 incidents over three years.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Notably, Ahmedabad, a key city, recorded the highest number of incidents, with 205 cases in 2020-21, 223 in 2021-22, and 220 in 2022-23. Conversely, Dang district, with a tribal population, reported minimal cases3 in 2020-21, 0 in 2021-22, and 5 in 2022-23. Tapi district followed with 2, 5, and 2 cases in the same period. Despite the Gujarat governments claims about prioritising womens safety, the statistics reveal a stark reality. Patel pointed out a substantial increase in molestation cases in Surat in 2022-23, even with the State home minister hailing from the city. Surat reported 77, 85, and 121 cases in the respective fiscal years. Congress MLA Anant Patel, in a conversation with this newspaper, said, These are reported cases that have been registered in the police station. There are many instances that go unreported because of the stigma attached. In the state assembly, it was disclosed that the state capital Ahmedabad saw 1,146 criminals caught for molestation, with five still at large. In Surat, 368 were apprehended, and none remain elusive, while Vadodara saw 217 arrests, with six fugitives. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Kenyan President William Ruto will be making an official visit to India on December 5.

"This will be President Rutos first visit to India and will further enhance bilateral ties between the two nations. PM Modi had visited Kenya in July 2016 and the upcoming visit of President Ruto will enhance defence and trade ties," said a source.

India and Kenya are maritime neighbours. It may be recalled that on August 29 this year, Goa Shipyard Limited and Kenya Shipyard Limited signed an MoU for capacity building and collaboration in ship design and construction. The MoU was signed between Indias Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Bare Duale.

"Trade in local currencies will also be taken up for discussion during this visit. The President is likely to meet PM Modi and President Draupadi Murmu amongst others," the source added.

India has been trading in local currencies with a few countries and has Vostro accounts with over 22 nations, which includes Kenya.

Meanwhile, an India-Kenya Trade Agreement was signed in 1981, under which both countries accorded Most Favoured Nation status to each other. The India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was set up at ministerial level in 1983 as a follow-up to the agreement. The JTC has met nine times, with the last meeting in August 2019 in New Delhi.

India was Kenyas largest trading partner in 2014-15 with bilateral trade of $ 4.235 billion. The main Indian exports to Kenya include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, steel products, machinery, yarn, vehicles and power transmission equipment. The main Kenyan exports to India include soda ash, vegetables, tea, leather and metal scrap.

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NEW DELHI: Kenyan President William Ruto will be making an official visit to India on December 5. "This will be President Rutos first visit to India and will further enhance bilateral ties between the two nations. PM Modi had visited Kenya in July 2016 and the upcoming visit of President Ruto will enhance defence and trade ties," said a source. India and Kenya are maritime neighbours. It may be recalled that on August 29 this year, Goa Shipyard Limited and Kenya Shipyard Limited signed an MoU for capacity building and collaboration in ship design and construction. The MoU was signed between Indias Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and Kenyan Cabinet Secretary for Defence Aden Bare Duale.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "Trade in local currencies will also be taken up for discussion during this visit. The President is likely to meet PM Modi and President Draupadi Murmu amongst others," the source added. India has been trading in local currencies with a few countries and has Vostro accounts with over 22 nations, which includes Kenya. Meanwhile, an India-Kenya Trade Agreement was signed in 1981, under which both countries accorded Most Favoured Nation status to each other. The India-Kenya Joint Trade Committee (JTC) was set up at ministerial level in 1983 as a follow-up to the agreement. The JTC has met nine times, with the last meeting in August 2019 in New Delhi. India was Kenyas largest trading partner in 2014-15 with bilateral trade of $ 4.235 billion. The main Indian exports to Kenya include petroleum products, pharmaceuticals, steel products, machinery, yarn, vehicles and power transmission equipment. The main Kenyan exports to India include soda ash, vegetables, tea, leather and metal scrap. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By ANI

NEW DELHI: Shehla Rashid, a former student leader at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), once a bitter critic of the BJP-led central government, has now seems to have made a radical shift.

She said that the people belonging to the 'left and liberal ecosystem' criticized the government for imposing lockdown during COVID-19 for the sake of it. The activist and academician said that she was surrounded by an "echo chamber" and the people critical of the government questioned her for 'supporting' the Centre's decision to impose lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the ANI Podcast interview with Smita Prakash, which aired on Wednesday, Shehla Rashid opened up about her turning into a PM Modi fan from a critic.

"So two things, first of all, I started supporting some of the executive actions in 2020, which is the pandemic year. At that time I had supported the lockdown and because I hadn't made any overtures towards the government. I was still surrounded by an echo chamber that immediately shut me down. They were like why are you supporting the government? It was then that I realised for the very first time in 2020 that a lot of the criticism that 'we' do of the government is for the sake of it. And that's where I come again to the point of polarisation that just because PM Modi is doing something and we have to oppose it," Shehla told ANI adding that the 'we' here means the left, liberal ecosystem or the people who are critical to the government.

She also said that the Centre at that time had no choice but to impose a lockdown.

"I was very much part of that echo chamber yet I still saw in countries like Sweden etc, where the governments did (impose) lockdown but the people protested against it citing citizens' rights, democracy etc. And in the US, where the Trump administration did not (impose) a lockdown. (But) the teachers (in US), you must have seen, saying that you are sending us to death row by not shutting down. So what was the choice with the government in 2020 to shut down or not shut down. I feel that the government had no choice but to lockdown," she added.

What caused my change of heart is the realisation that the Hon'ble PM @narendramodi is a selfless man who is taking radical decisions to transform India. He has braved intense criticism but remained steadfast to his vision of inclusive development that leaves no one behind. pic.twitter.com/s06cA2Q2ua  Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) November 16, 2023

Rashid is an activist, researcher, and academician who gained prominence in 2016 for advocating the release of then JNU Students' Union President Kanhaiya Kumar, arrested on sedition charges.

Recently, she made headlines for applauding the central government for the 'improved' situation in Jammu and Kashmir.

Moreover, when asked about the reality of discrimination against Muslims in India, she said that Muslims as per academic experts classify themselves as the second largest majority instead of a minority.

"Dr Tanveer Faisal, who is a sociologist pointed out in one of his papers that the Muslims in Delhi reject the classification of minority and they say that we are the second largest majority. The Muslims as per academic experts classify themselves as the second largest majority instead of minority," Rashid said.

She also said that the communalism in the country didn't come when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government came to the Centre but its history can be traced 70 years back.

"Is there communalism in this country, yes. 70 years back we were partitioned on a religious basis. So we cannot say that communalism began when the BJP came in 2014. We have been partitioned on religious lines and it was a bloody partition by all accounts. There has been communalism and there will continue to be communalism. At the same time, the problem with the critical orientation is that we only focus on the negatives. We forget to celebrate the positives," she said.

The activist said that India is a humongous country and there have been incidents of mob lynching and unfortunate statements made against Muslims in the past.

"Yes, they hurt you as a Muslim, but as a Muslim do we keep focusing or harping on that narrative on the negatives? I don't think so because we've lost years doing that. This is our country as much as it is anyone else's country," Shehla said.

She said that Muslims should feel lucky that they are in this country and not anywhere else in the world.

"Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Srinagar told Kashmiris that it is their country and they can live and go wherever they want. These were his exact words. And we should take a moment and acknowledge that we are living through a historically very important phase. We should be lucky that we are in this country and not anywhere else in the world right now. Because there is peace, there is development and we've just overtaken our former colonizers, the United Kingdom as the fifth largest economy," she said further.

Rashid praises Centre's policy for Kashmir, says "would invite people to debate on facts"

Responding to the question of why she has started praising the Union government on its Kashmir policy, Rashid said that she is open to debate on the policies of the Centre and will present facts on the changes happening in the Valley.

Shehla Rashid said, "There are people who will say why are you saying this? My answer is because it's true. I am not saying that there are no problems in the country. If certain things happen, I have always been a critic of the Centre's Kashmir policy so now the Kashmir policy is good so I would invite people to debate me on facts."

"There have been court-martial of some army personnel who were involved in the fake encounter is it not what we were asking all along. There will be people who will say why you are saying this? They have not actually visited Kashmir recently. They have not seen the kind of change, the visible change. That's why I decided to speak out," she added.

She further claimed that there are a lot of narratives being peddled out just for the sake of it.

"There are congressional committee reports in the US that will still say restore internet in Kashmir whereas the internet is in full bloom, 5G is working. But a lot of these narratives whether they are motivated they know. It is a feature of our times. It is polarisation. People do not want to acknowledge their opponents for doing good work and that is not good for democracy," she said.

Regretting the post that was put out by Rashid on X in August 2019 accusing army officials of Human rights abuse, she said," I don't think it was my place to put out that information. I regret putting out that information as I did not verify it myself. Someone had given me that information not just to publish it on platforms. It was my decision to publish. It was an ill-considered decision."

"I think my information was used by anti-India forces here and abroad. These things become a truism of sorts, army rapes in Kashmir. It is a truism everybody keeps repeating, I did not check it myself and I regret putting out these tweets," she said.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Shehla Rashid, a former student leader at the Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), once a bitter critic of the BJP-led central government, has now seems to have made a radical shift. She said that the people belonging to the 'left and liberal ecosystem' criticized the government for imposing lockdown during COVID-19 for the sake of it. The activist and academician said that she was surrounded by an "echo chamber" and the people critical of the government questioned her for 'supporting' the Centre's decision to impose lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic. During the ANI Podcast interview with Smita Prakash, which aired on Wednesday, Shehla Rashid opened up about her turning into a PM Modi fan from a critic.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); "So two things, first of all, I started supporting some of the executive actions in 2020, which is the pandemic year. At that time I had supported the lockdown and because I hadn't made any overtures towards the government. I was still surrounded by an echo chamber that immediately shut me down. They were like why are you supporting the government? It was then that I realised for the very first time in 2020 that a lot of the criticism that 'we' do of the government is for the sake of it. And that's where I come again to the point of polarisation that just because PM Modi is doing something and we have to oppose it," Shehla told ANI adding that the 'we' here means the left, liberal ecosystem or the people who are critical to the government. She also said that the Centre at that time had no choice but to impose a lockdown. "I was very much part of that echo chamber yet I still saw in countries like Sweden etc, where the governments did (impose) lockdown but the people protested against it citing citizens' rights, democracy etc. And in the US, where the Trump administration did not (impose) a lockdown. (But) the teachers (in US), you must have seen, saying that you are sending us to death row by not shutting down. So what was the choice with the government in 2020 to shut down or not shut down. I feel that the government had no choice but to lockdown," she added. What caused my change of heart is the realisation that the Hon'ble PM @narendramodi is a selfless man who is taking radical decisions to transform India. He has braved intense criticism but remained steadfast to his vision of inclusive development that leaves no one behind. pic.twitter.com/s06cA2Q2ua  Shehla Rashid (@Shehla_Rashid) November 16, 2023 Rashid is an activist, researcher, and academician who gained prominence in 2016 for advocating the release of then JNU Students' Union President Kanhaiya Kumar, arrested on sedition charges. Recently, she made headlines for applauding the central government for the 'improved' situation in Jammu and Kashmir. Moreover, when asked about the reality of discrimination against Muslims in India, she said that Muslims as per academic experts classify themselves as the second largest majority instead of a minority. "Dr Tanveer Faisal, who is a sociologist pointed out in one of his papers that the Muslims in Delhi reject the classification of minority and they say that we are the second largest majority. The Muslims as per academic experts classify themselves as the second largest majority instead of minority," Rashid said. She also said that the communalism in the country didn't come when the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) government came to the Centre but its history can be traced 70 years back. "Is there communalism in this country, yes. 70 years back we were partitioned on a religious basis. So we cannot say that communalism began when the BJP came in 2014. We have been partitioned on religious lines and it was a bloody partition by all accounts. There has been communalism and there will continue to be communalism. At the same time, the problem with the critical orientation is that we only focus on the negatives. We forget to celebrate the positives," she said. The activist said that India is a humongous country and there have been incidents of mob lynching and unfortunate statements made against Muslims in the past. "Yes, they hurt you as a Muslim, but as a Muslim do we keep focusing or harping on that narrative on the negatives? I don't think so because we've lost years doing that. This is our country as much as it is anyone else's country," Shehla said. She said that Muslims should feel lucky that they are in this country and not anywhere else in the world. "Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Srinagar told Kashmiris that it is their country and they can live and go wherever they want. These were his exact words. And we should take a moment and acknowledge that we are living through a historically very important phase. We should be lucky that we are in this country and not anywhere else in the world right now. Because there is peace, there is development and we've just overtaken our former colonizers, the United Kingdom as the fifth largest economy," she said further. Rashid praises Centre's policy for Kashmir, says "would invite people to debate on facts" Responding to the question of why she has started praising the Union government on its Kashmir policy, Rashid said that she is open to debate on the policies of the Centre and will present facts on the changes happening in the Valley. Shehla Rashid said, "There are people who will say why are you saying this? My answer is because it's true. I am not saying that there are no problems in the country. If certain things happen, I have always been a critic of the Centre's Kashmir policy so now the Kashmir policy is good so I would invite people to debate me on facts." "There have been court-martial of some army personnel who were involved in the fake encounter is it not what we were asking all along. There will be people who will say why you are saying this? They have not actually visited Kashmir recently. They have not seen the kind of change, the visible change. That's why I decided to speak out," she added. She further claimed that there are a lot of narratives being peddled out just for the sake of it. "There are congressional committee reports in the US that will still say restore internet in Kashmir whereas the internet is in full bloom, 5G is working. But a lot of these narratives whether they are motivated they know. It is a feature of our times. It is polarisation. People do not want to acknowledge their opponents for doing good work and that is not good for democracy," she said. Regretting the post that was put out by Rashid on X in August 2019 accusing army officials of Human rights abuse, she said," I don't think it was my place to put out that information. I regret putting out that information as I did not verify it myself. Someone had given me that information not just to publish it on platforms. It was my decision to publish. It was an ill-considered decision." "I think my information was used by anti-India forces here and abroad. These things become a truism of sorts, army rapes in Kashmir. It is a truism everybody keeps repeating, I did not check it myself and I regret putting out these tweets," she said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

KOLKATA: Marriage registrars in West Bengal have welcomed the state government's decision to make biometrics mandatory for registration of weddings from November 1, saying it will check fake marriages and duplicity of identities.

The registrars, however, expressed concern that technical glitches in the portal meant for the purpose were preventing registrations.

"This is a very good move by the state government as it will make the entire process foolproof," city-based marriage registrar and advocate Vivek Sharma told PTI.

According to the new system, marriages in Bengal will now require fingerprints of the couple and their three witnesses, officials said.

Another registrar Animesh Chakraborty also welcomed the move.

"Making biometrics mandatory is a welcome move. It has already reduced the dominance of touts operating here for years," he added.

Nikhila Nair, a marriage registrar in Behala, also welcomed the move but voiced her concern over the portal's technical drawbacks and urged the state government to look into it.

"It will put a stop to theft of identities and cases of impersonation. But I think the government should have got the portal up and running before introducing biometrics," she said.

Diptarka Basu, Register General of Marriage of West Bengal Judicial Department, said they were yet to receive any complaint from anyone about glitches in the portal.

"This is a part of digitisation. But, we are yet to receive complaints from anyone regarding the glitches. As of now, there is no trouble," Basu told PTI.

The West Bengal government amended the marriage rules in 2022 to make biometrics compulsory for marriage applications and registrations.

The new rule is being made applicable only to marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1954 and the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

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KOLKATA: Marriage registrars in West Bengal have welcomed the state government's decision to make biometrics mandatory for registration of weddings from November 1, saying it will check fake marriages and duplicity of identities. The registrars, however, expressed concern that technical glitches in the portal meant for the purpose were preventing registrations. "This is a very good move by the state government as it will make the entire process foolproof," city-based marriage registrar and advocate Vivek Sharma told PTI.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); According to the new system, marriages in Bengal will now require fingerprints of the couple and their three witnesses, officials said. Another registrar Animesh Chakraborty also welcomed the move. "Making biometrics mandatory is a welcome move. It has already reduced the dominance of touts operating here for years," he added. Nikhila Nair, a marriage registrar in Behala, also welcomed the move but voiced her concern over the portal's technical drawbacks and urged the state government to look into it. "It will put a stop to theft of identities and cases of impersonation. But I think the government should have got the portal up and running before introducing biometrics," she said. Diptarka Basu, Register General of Marriage of West Bengal Judicial Department, said they were yet to receive any complaint from anyone about glitches in the portal. "This is a part of digitisation. But, we are yet to receive complaints from anyone regarding the glitches. As of now, there is no trouble," Basu told PTI. The West Bengal government amended the marriage rules in 2022 to make biometrics compulsory for marriage applications and registrations. The new rule is being made applicable only to marriages under the Hindu Marriage Act of 1954 and the Special Marriage Act, 1954. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Suspected militants ambushed a vehicle of Assam Rifles personnel on a routine patrol in strife-torn Manipur on Thursday morning. However, nobody was killed or injured. The incident occurred at Saibol in the Tengnoupal district near the India-Myanmar border.

Defence sources said the personnel, attached to the 20th Assam Rifles Battalion, had moved out of their base for a routine patrol when they came under attack.

The suspected militants first triggered an IED (improvised explosive device) blast. Subsequently, they fired from small arms. The Assam Rifles personnel immediately retaliated, a defence official told this newspaper.

The personnel were travelling in a mine-protected vehicle, the official said. The security forces launched an operation to nab the perpetrators of the crime.

Tengnaupal is one of the districts affected by the recent ethnic violence.

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GUWAHATI: Suspected militants ambushed a vehicle of Assam Rifles personnel on a routine patrol in strife-torn Manipur on Thursday morning. However, nobody was killed or injured. The incident occurred at Saibol in the Tengnoupal district near the India-Myanmar border. Defence sources said the personnel, attached to the 20th Assam Rifles Battalion, had moved out of their base for a routine patrol when they came under attack. The suspected militants first triggered an IED (improvised explosive device) blast. Subsequently, they fired from small arms. The Assam Rifles personnel immediately retaliated, a defence official told this newspaper.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The personnel were travelling in a mine-protected vehicle, the official said. The security forces launched an operation to nab the perpetrators of the crime. Tengnaupal is one of the districts affected by the recent ethnic violence. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Mayank Singh By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday attended the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting - Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Jakarta, Indonesia. He affirmed the centrality of the region and appreciated its role in promoting dialogue and consensus.

The Ministry of Defence said, "He also reiterated India's commitment to freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters in accordance with international laws, including United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982."

The countries sharing maritime boundaries in the South China Sea have disputes on their maritime claims with China.

Rajnath called for regional security initiatives that are consultative and development-oriented to reflect the larger consensus among various stakeholders. He committed towards nurturing practical, forward-looking and result-oriented cooperation with ADMM-Plus for enhancing maritime security in the region.

Recognising that terrorism is a serious threat to international peace and security, including in the ASEAN region, India proposed to co-chair the EWG on counterterrorism. This proposal was endorsed by ADMM-Plus as terrorism remains a serious concern to countries in the region.

"The Defence Minister stressed the role of dialogue and diplomacy to have enduring peace, and in ensuring global stability. He reaffirmed India's message to the world at large, that "this is not an era of war", and spoke about the imperative to give up the "us versus them" mindset," said the MoD.

Rajnath appreciated ASEAN member states' enthusiastic participation in India-ASEAN activities, particularly the Initiative for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations, and Initiative for Marine Plastic Pollution Response. He also appreciated ASEAN Member States' active participation in the maiden ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise held in May this year, as well as in the Expert Working Group (EWG) on Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) activities, of which India and Indonesia are co-chairs in the current 2020-2023 cycle.

Rajnath also met the US Defence Secretary and his Indonesian and Vietnamese counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting.

US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Rajnath "used this opportunity to quickly review the tremendous progress achieved in India US defence partnership in recent years. They discussed how India and the US could contribute together to ASEAN centrality in the Indo Pacific and the cause of "Peace Prosperity and Security" - The theme of ADMM Plus 2023 meeting," said the Ministry of Defence in a statement.

They also discussed ways to expand the India-US partnership to address emerging challenges and further strengthen the common efforts towards a more secure world.

The two leaders had earlier met in New Delhi on November 10 where they had resolved to advance defence technology cooperation with joint research in emerging areas.

During his meeting with the Defence Minister of Indonesia Mr Prabowo Subianto, Rajnath appreciated Indonesia's leadership of ASEAN this year and the excellent organisation of the ADMM-Plus.

The two ministers took stock of the bilateral defence relationship and re-committed to further strengthen cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain. They also reviewed the regular exchanges in the form of training, staff talks & exercises, and discussed avenues for promotion of defence industry collaboration. Both countries have co-chaired the Expert Working Group (EWG) on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) for the cycle 2021-2024.

Rajnath also held talks with the Minister of National Defence of Vietnam General Phan Van Giang and reviewed the progress in the implementation of the 'Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030' signed during his visit to Vietnam in June 2022. "They committed to work together for the deepening of the multifaceted bilateral defence ties, spanning across a wide spectrum

covering training, capacity building, defence industry cooperation, UN Peacekeeping, bilateral ship visits and exercises."

Singh also met with Secretary General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn on the sidelines of 10th ADMM-Plus. While reiterating India's continued support to ASEAN Centrality, Rajnath appreciated ASEAN Member States' enthusiastic participation in India-ASEAN activities including the 1st ASEAN-India Informal Defence Ministers' Meeting, maiden ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, India's Initiatives for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations and for Marine Plastic Pollution Response.

ALSO READ | India, US in sync on countering China: Rajnath

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

NEW DELHI: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday attended the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting - Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Jakarta, Indonesia. He affirmed the centrality of the region and appreciated its role in promoting dialogue and consensus. The Ministry of Defence said, "He also reiterated India's commitment to freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in international waters in accordance with international laws, including United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982." The countries sharing maritime boundaries in the South China Sea have disputes on their maritime claims with China.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Rajnath called for regional security initiatives that are consultative and development-oriented to reflect the larger consensus among various stakeholders. He committed towards nurturing practical, forward-looking and result-oriented cooperation with ADMM-Plus for enhancing maritime security in the region. Recognising that terrorism is a serious threat to international peace and security, including in the ASEAN region, India proposed to co-chair the EWG on counterterrorism. This proposal was endorsed by ADMM-Plus as terrorism remains a serious concern to countries in the region. "The Defence Minister stressed the role of dialogue and diplomacy to have enduring peace, and in ensuring global stability. He reaffirmed India's message to the world at large, that "this is not an era of war", and spoke about the imperative to give up the "us versus them" mindset," said the MoD. Rajnath appreciated ASEAN member states' enthusiastic participation in India-ASEAN activities, particularly the Initiative for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations, and Initiative for Marine Plastic Pollution Response. He also appreciated ASEAN Member States' active participation in the maiden ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise held in May this year, as well as in the Expert Working Group (EWG) on Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief (HADR) activities, of which India and Indonesia are co-chairs in the current 2020-2023 cycle. Rajnath also met the US Defence Secretary and his Indonesian and Vietnamese counterparts on the sidelines of the meeting. US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Rajnath "used this opportunity to quickly review the tremendous progress achieved in India US defence partnership in recent years. They discussed how India and the US could contribute together to ASEAN centrality in the Indo Pacific and the cause of "Peace Prosperity and Security" - The theme of ADMM Plus 2023 meeting," said the Ministry of Defence in a statement. They also discussed ways to expand the India-US partnership to address emerging challenges and further strengthen the common efforts towards a more secure world. The two leaders had earlier met in New Delhi on November 10 where they had resolved to advance defence technology cooperation with joint research in emerging areas. During his meeting with the Defence Minister of Indonesia Mr Prabowo Subianto, Rajnath appreciated Indonesia's leadership of ASEAN this year and the excellent organisation of the ADMM-Plus. The two ministers took stock of the bilateral defence relationship and re-committed to further strengthen cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain. They also reviewed the regular exchanges in the form of training, staff talks & exercises, and discussed avenues for promotion of defence industry collaboration. Both countries have co-chaired the Expert Working Group (EWG) on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) for the cycle 2021-2024. Rajnath also held talks with the Minister of National Defence of Vietnam General Phan Van Giang and reviewed the progress in the implementation of the 'Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030' signed during his visit to Vietnam in June 2022. "They committed to work together for the deepening of the multifaceted bilateral defence ties, spanning across a wide spectrum covering training, capacity building, defence industry cooperation, UN Peacekeeping, bilateral ship visits and exercises." Singh also met with Secretary General of ASEAN Dr Kao Kim Hourn on the sidelines of 10th ADMM-Plus. While reiterating India's continued support to ASEAN Centrality, Rajnath appreciated ASEAN Member States' enthusiastic participation in India-ASEAN activities including the 1st ASEAN-India Informal Defence Ministers' Meeting, maiden ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, India's Initiatives for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations and for Marine Plastic Pollution Response. ALSO READ | India, US in sync on countering China: Rajnath Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Yeshi Seli By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Minister of Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijiju, will represent India at the inaugural ceremony of the new President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, on November 17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be occupied with the Voice of Global South Summit taking place the same day, prompting the decision to send Rijiju.

At the invitation of the President-elect of Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju will visit Maldives from November 16-18, 2023, to represent India at the inaugural ceremony of the presidency, said the Ministry of External Affairs.

Muizzu, the pro-China president-elect of Maldives, defeated incumbent President Ibrahim Solih on September 30, winning by nearly 54 per cent of votes. Maldives is Indias key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and holds a special place in the Prime Ministers vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighborhood First Policy, the MEA stated.

This high-level ministerial representation from India at the inaugural ceremony underscores Indias commitment to further deepen substantive cooperation and robust people-to-people ties between the two countries, added the MEA.

PM Modi had attended President Solihs swearing-in ceremony on November 17, 2018. Solih and his Maldivian Democratic Party maintained a firm India first policy, and the election was considered a referendum on Maldives foreign policy orientation.

Indo-Maldives relations

In 2018, India pledged $500 million in defence aid to Maldives, strengthening their defence ties. In 2021, a joint maritime surveillance system was established to enhance maritime security. Bilateral trade hit $280 million the same year, showcasing robust economic cooperation. The nations also share rich cultural and people-to-people exchanges.

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NEW DELHI: The Minister of Earth Sciences, Kiren Rijiju, will represent India at the inaugural ceremony of the new President of Maldives, Mohamed Muizzu, on November 17. Prime Minister Narendra Modi and External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar will be occupied with the Voice of Global South Summit taking place the same day, prompting the decision to send Rijiju. At the invitation of the President-elect of Maldives Dr Mohamed Muizzu, Minister of Earth Sciences Kiren Rijiju will visit Maldives from November 16-18, 2023, to represent India at the inaugural ceremony of the presidency, said the Ministry of External Affairs. Muizzu, the pro-China president-elect of Maldives, defeated incumbent President Ibrahim Solih on September 30, winning by nearly 54 per cent of votes. Maldives is Indias key maritime neighbour in the Indian Ocean Region and holds a special place in the Prime Ministers vision of SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) and the Neighborhood First Policy, the MEA stated.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); This high-level ministerial representation from India at the inaugural ceremony underscores Indias commitment to further deepen substantive cooperation and robust people-to-people ties between the two countries, added the MEA. PM Modi had attended President Solihs swearing-in ceremony on November 17, 2018. Solih and his Maldivian Democratic Party maintained a firm India first policy, and the election was considered a referendum on Maldives foreign policy orientation. Indo-Maldives relations In 2018, India pledged $500 million in defence aid to Maldives, strengthening their defence ties. In 2021, a joint maritime surveillance system was established to enhance maritime security. Bilateral trade hit $280 million the same year, showcasing robust economic cooperation. The nations also share rich cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Narendra Sethi By

Express News Service

DEHRADUN: A heavy-duty drilling machine flown in by the IAF from Delhi began boring through the rubble of a collapsed tunnel on the Char Dham route in Uttarakhand on Thursday, in a fresh attempt to create an escape passage for 40 workers trapped inside for the past four days.

Sections of mild steel pipes of 800-mm and 900-mm diameter will be inserted -- one after the other -- into the drilled passage. Once this happens, the workers trapped inside can crawl out to safety.

They were stranded after a landslide occurred in an under-construction tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Yamunotri National Highway in the early hours of Sunday. A 30-40 metre stretch of the under-construction tunnel, part of the ambitious Rs 12,000-crore Char Dham all-weather road project, had collapsed then.

The collapsed section is 270 metres from the mouth of the tunnel from the Silkyara side. The workers are stranded on the other side of the debris.

Workers outside the Silkyara tunnel performed a puja before the America-made auger machine began work.

Colonel Deepak Patil, in charge of the relief and rescue mission, told TNIE, "The US-made Jack and Push Earth Auger machine is significantly more advanced than the old machine, which will work at a much faster speed".

"The tunnel in which the labourers are trapped is an estimated 60 metres away, where a way will be made by laying drilling pipes with the help of Auger machines", said Colonel Patil, adding, "Our Plan 'A' with the old machine failed, but we are currently working on Plan 'B' and Plan 'C' is also ready".

The first pipe has been inserted into the debris of the tunnel through the Jack and Push Earth Auger machine. Rescue officials are hopeful that by late night, the process of evacuation of the trapped labourers will start.

EDITORIAL | Tunnel tragedy is another eco-warning we need to heed

Equipment flown in parts through IAF's Hercules planes

The Indian Air Force had flown in the equipment in parts on three C-130 Hercules transport planes to an airstrip 30 kilometres away after previous efforts to insert steel pipes into the rubble with the help of a smaller auger machine failed. The new auger machine was flown in after the first drilling machine turned out to be too slow and technical issues developed, the officials said.

Also, falling debris inside the tunnel damaged the first equipment and injured two rescue workers on Tuesday.

An official of the Uttarkashi district administration told this newspaper, "After the Auger machine malfunctioned during the rescue operation on Tuesday night, a new machine was sent from New Delhi to Chinyalisaur Airport by three Hercules aircraft of the Indian Air Force."

"I have been told that the new drilling machine has already penetrated 5-7 metres through the debris. We hope it would soon reach the trapped workers, drilling at the rate of 5-10 metres every hour," Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami told reporters in Dehradun.

The workers are safe, and being provided with oxygen, electricity, medicines, food items and water through pipes, Navayuga Engineering Company's spokesperson G L Nath said. The company is building the tunnel on behalf of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

VK Singh visits site

Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Gen (retd) V K Singh reached the incident site on Thursday and reviewed the ongoing rescue operation. "Rescue operations are going on, we are very hopeful, we are trying our best", the Union Minister Singh said.

#WATCH | Operation is underway at Uttarakashi's Silkyara tunnel to rescue 40 workers who are stuck inside the tunnel following a landslide pic.twitter.com/N8QltcXhww  ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023

A six-bed makeshift health facility has been set up and 10 ambulances with expert doctors stationed outside the tunnel to provide immediate medical care to the trapped workers after their evacuation, officials said.

Tunnel experts are constantly monitoring the situation through videography to check and understand the "trend and behaviour" of the rocks.

"Two people have been given the responsibility for this work, who are also monitoring the situation and rescue operation round the clock by video cameras in the tunnel," said a worker associated with the company.

ALSO READ | SOS to Thai rescue experts in bid to free Uttarakhand's trapped tunnel workers

Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting with senior officials at the State Secretariat.

The state government is providing all support to the technical experts supervising the rescue operations on the spot, Dhami said and added that they are in touch with international specialists.

He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly monitoring the situation.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel incident | Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami holds a review meeting with senior officials at the State Secretariat.



In this meeting, the Chief Minister is reviewing the ongoing relief and rescue work to rescue 40 labourers trapped in the pic.twitter.com/XFUumM6Ahs  ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023

The 25-ton new auger machine has a capacity to drill 4-5 metres per hour, NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khalkho said earlier.

After being brought to the site, the machine was installed through the night and made operational on Thursday.

(With additional inputs from PTI)

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DEHRADUN: A heavy-duty drilling machine flown in by the IAF from Delhi began boring through the rubble of a collapsed tunnel on the Char Dham route in Uttarakhand on Thursday, in a fresh attempt to create an escape passage for 40 workers trapped inside for the past four days. Sections of mild steel pipes of 800-mm and 900-mm diameter will be inserted -- one after the other -- into the drilled passage. Once this happens, the workers trapped inside can crawl out to safety. They were stranded after a landslide occurred in an under-construction tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Yamunotri National Highway in the early hours of Sunday. A 30-40 metre stretch of the under-construction tunnel, part of the ambitious Rs 12,000-crore Char Dham all-weather road project, had collapsed then.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The collapsed section is 270 metres from the mouth of the tunnel from the Silkyara side. The workers are stranded on the other side of the debris. Workers outside the Silkyara tunnel performed a puja before the America-made auger machine began work. Colonel Deepak Patil, in charge of the relief and rescue mission, told TNIE, "The US-made Jack and Push Earth Auger machine is significantly more advanced than the old machine, which will work at a much faster speed". "The tunnel in which the labourers are trapped is an estimated 60 metres away, where a way will be made by laying drilling pipes with the help of Auger machines", said Colonel Patil, adding, "Our Plan 'A' with the old machine failed, but we are currently working on Plan 'B' and Plan 'C' is also ready". The first pipe has been inserted into the debris of the tunnel through the Jack and Push Earth Auger machine. Rescue officials are hopeful that by late night, the process of evacuation of the trapped labourers will start. EDITORIAL | Tunnel tragedy is another eco-warning we need to heed Equipment flown in parts through IAF's Hercules planes The Indian Air Force had flown in the equipment in parts on three C-130 Hercules transport planes to an airstrip 30 kilometres away after previous efforts to insert steel pipes into the rubble with the help of a smaller auger machine failed. The new auger machine was flown in after the first drilling machine turned out to be too slow and technical issues developed, the officials said. Also, falling debris inside the tunnel damaged the first equipment and injured two rescue workers on Tuesday. An official of the Uttarkashi district administration told this newspaper, "After the Auger machine malfunctioned during the rescue operation on Tuesday night, a new machine was sent from New Delhi to Chinyalisaur Airport by three Hercules aircraft of the Indian Air Force." "I have been told that the new drilling machine has already penetrated 5-7 metres through the debris. We hope it would soon reach the trapped workers, drilling at the rate of 5-10 metres every hour," Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami told reporters in Dehradun. The workers are safe, and being provided with oxygen, electricity, medicines, food items and water through pipes, Navayuga Engineering Company's spokesperson G L Nath said. The company is building the tunnel on behalf of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL). VK Singh visits site Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Gen (retd) V K Singh reached the incident site on Thursday and reviewed the ongoing rescue operation. "Rescue operations are going on, we are very hopeful, we are trying our best", the Union Minister Singh said. #WATCH | Operation is underway at Uttarakashi's Silkyara tunnel to rescue 40 workers who are stuck inside the tunnel following a landslide pic.twitter.com/N8QltcXhww  ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023 A six-bed makeshift health facility has been set up and 10 ambulances with expert doctors stationed outside the tunnel to provide immediate medical care to the trapped workers after their evacuation, officials said. Tunnel experts are constantly monitoring the situation through videography to check and understand the "trend and behaviour" of the rocks. "Two people have been given the responsibility for this work, who are also monitoring the situation and rescue operation round the clock by video cameras in the tunnel," said a worker associated with the company. ALSO READ | SOS to Thai rescue experts in bid to free Uttarakhand's trapped tunnel workers Meanwhile, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami held a review meeting with senior officials at the State Secretariat. The state government is providing all support to the technical experts supervising the rescue operations on the spot, Dhami said and added that they are in touch with international specialists. He said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly monitoring the situation. #WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel incident | Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami holds a review meeting with senior officials at the State Secretariat. In this meeting, the Chief Minister is reviewing the ongoing relief and rescue work to rescue 40 labourers trapped in the pic.twitter.com/XFUumM6Ahs  ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023 The 25-ton new auger machine has a capacity to drill 4-5 metres per hour, NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khalkho said earlier. After being brought to the site, the machine was installed through the night and made operational on Thursday. (With additional inputs from PTI) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Narendra Sethi By

Express News Service

DEHRADUN: The wait for the rescue of 40 workers stranded on the other side of an estimated 30-metre rubble in an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi since Sunday, got longer as a horizontal drill machine broke down.

A replacement auger (drill) machine in knocked down condition was airlifted by three C-130J Hercules IAF planes to the Chinyalisaur airstrip on Wednesday and transported to the accident site, which is 25 km away, by road. The machine is being reassembled so as to resume drilling and pushing steel pipes 2.7 ft and 3 ft wide through the debris. The accident happened on the Silkyara side of the 4.5 km tunnel that terminates at Dandalgaon on the Yamunotri National Highway.

Parallelly, rescuers have touched base with experts in Norway and Thailand on crisis management. The Thailand Rescue Company that has been contacted, had successfully rescued children trapped in the Tham Luang Nang Non, a cave system in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, in 2018. Besides, help has been sought from the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute on how to operate inside the tunnel that is caving in.

The new drill machine that is being deployed is technologically much more advanced than the old machine that broke down. Colonel Deepak Patil, who is in charge of the rescue work, said, The new US-made Auger machine will work faster.

National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Director Anshu Manish Khalkho said, The US machine can penetrate 4-5 metres of rubble per hour. Even if this machine doesnt work, we have a backup plan. But it is very difficult to fix a deadline for the rescue plan, said Khalkho.

Protest by labourers

Some family members and other labourers staged a protest near the spot over the delay in rescue. They were pacified by the administration officials

We are all as worried as the families of the labourers. No one is resting until we all get them out, NHIDC director Khalkho said

District Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela advised families of the stranded labourers not to lose patience

Through the old Auger machine, about 3 metres of pipe was inserted into the debris when it stopped midway. It was also too slow

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

DEHRADUN: The wait for the rescue of 40 workers stranded on the other side of an estimated 30-metre rubble in an under-construction tunnel in Uttarkashi since Sunday, got longer as a horizontal drill machine broke down. A replacement auger (drill) machine in knocked down condition was airlifted by three C-130J Hercules IAF planes to the Chinyalisaur airstrip on Wednesday and transported to the accident site, which is 25 km away, by road. The machine is being reassembled so as to resume drilling and pushing steel pipes 2.7 ft and 3 ft wide through the debris. The accident happened on the Silkyara side of the 4.5 km tunnel that terminates at Dandalgaon on the Yamunotri National Highway. Parallelly, rescuers have touched base with experts in Norway and Thailand on crisis management. The Thailand Rescue Company that has been contacted, had successfully rescued children trapped in the Tham Luang Nang Non, a cave system in Chiang Rai province, northern Thailand, in 2018. Besides, help has been sought from the Norwegian Geotechnical Institute on how to operate inside the tunnel that is caving in.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The new drill machine that is being deployed is technologically much more advanced than the old machine that broke down. Colonel Deepak Patil, who is in charge of the rescue work, said, The new US-made Auger machine will work faster. National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Director Anshu Manish Khalkho said, The US machine can penetrate 4-5 metres of rubble per hour. Even if this machine doesnt work, we have a backup plan. But it is very difficult to fix a deadline for the rescue plan, said Khalkho. Protest by labourers Some family members and other labourers staged a protest near the spot over the delay in rescue. They were pacified by the administration officials We are all as worried as the families of the labourers. No one is resting until we all get them out, NHIDC director Khalkho said District Magistrate Abhishek Ruhela advised families of the stranded labourers not to lose patience Through the old Auger machine, about 3 metres of pipe was inserted into the debris when it stopped midway. It was also too slow Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
Defense firm Northrop Grumman Corp. plans to establish a new advanced electronics manufacturing and testing facility in Waynesboro that will employ more than 300 people.

City officials said the state-of-the-art facility will be on a 60-acre site behind the Waynesboro Town Center and is expected to be 314,000 square feet at full build-out.

This investment brings economic growth and new employment opportunities to the city and region, Waynesboro Mayor Lana Williams said. We look forward to a long and mutually rewarding relationship.

Northrop Grumman, a global defense and aerospace company, will hire 331 employees to staff the Waynesboro plant by 2028 with an average employee salary of nearly $94,000 annually, according to Waynesboro Director of Economic Development and Tourism Greg Hitchin.

Hitchin said his office and the Virginia Economic Development Partnership had worked on the project for the past 15 months. He said Waynesboro won the competition for the company over out-of-state competitors and multiple competitors in Virginia.

The additional skilled jobs and the increase to the citys tax base will further solidify the work being done to increase our defense efforts here in Virginia, said Republican state Sen. Emmett Hanger of Augusta County, who is planning on retiring at the end of his current term.

Northrop Grumman CEO and President Kathy Warden said in a statement the new facility will increase capacity to manufacture and test advanced electronics and mission solutions to meet its customers growing needs.

Jay Langston, the executive director of the Shenandoah Valley Partnership, said adding the companys 331 jobs in Waynesboro will increase the citys diverse and robust manufacturing environment.

A performance agreement between the company and the city of Waynesboro was given the go-ahead by Waynesboro City Council on Monday night. The citys Economic Development Authority also will vote on it Thursday.

Hitchin said the company plans to spend nearly $112 million on equipment in the first five years and $146 million on land, buildings and other improvements.

An investment of this size will attract new talent and provide high-paying jobs to a part of the Commonwealth that is ready for opportunity, said Republican Del. John Avoli of Staunton, who like Hanger set to retire at the end of his current term.

Hitchin praised the cooperation and enthusiasm of city departments on the project. He said the work has been executed flawlessly.

The economic development director said the cooperation included having suitable water and sewer infrastructure and the proper zoning and permitting.

The location of Northrop Grumman in Waynesboro marks the most significant job creation in at least a decade, according to Hitchin. Northrop Grumman coming to Waynesboro might entice other companies to open facilities in the citys new industrial property, Natures Crossing Technology Center, located just off Interstate 64 at exit 94, Hitchin said.

We are only hoping this will only add to future investments, said Hitchin.

According to the companys 2022 annual report, Northrop Grumman Corp. employs more than 95,000 people and generated nearly $37 billion in sales in 2022.

The company is a leading provider of space systems, advanced aircraft, missile defense, advanced weapons and long-range fire capabilities, mission systems, networking and communications, strategic deterrence systems and breakthrough technologies such as artificial intelligence and cyber.

The company was formed in 1939 in Hawthorne, California, as Northrop Aircraft Inc. and was reincorporated in Delaware in 1985 as Northrop Corp.

In announcing the companys plans for Waynesboro on Tuesday, Gov. Glenn Youngkin said in a statement that Northrop Grummans expanding Virginia footprint sends a powerful message that the Commonwealth is a magnet for investment underpinned by a next-generation workforce. This global leaders cutting-edge facility in Waynesboro will provide job opportunities that attract and retain high-quality talent and create a transformational ripple effect for the entire region.

As part of the agreement for the companys location, the city is providing $8.5 million in rebates starting in 2026 and ending in 2035. The rebates will help offset real estate taxes, as well as machines and tools and business personal property taxes.

Youngkin said the Virginia Economic Development Partnership has approved an $8.5 million grant from the Governors Opportunity Fund to help Waynesboro with the project. Support for Northrop Grummans job creation will be provided through the Virginia Talent Accelerator Program, a collaboration with the Virginia Community College System and other higher education partners.

The Waynesboro facility, which will focus on advanced electronics manufacturing and testing, is set to open in 2025.
Kajal Basu By

West Germanys Gastarbeiterprogramm began in 1955, a decade after a wide-ranging world war had left it in ruins. An economic upswing left the country needing untrained workers, and it signed bilateral agreements with a host of down-at-heel countriesItaly, Spain, Morocco, South Korea, Portugal, Tunisia and Yugoslaviafor thousands of euphemistically-known guest workers, who would be permitted in, work for a year or two, and then be repatriated. By 1961, however, the vast majority of the Gastarbeiter were Turks, pouring into Germany through an agreement rammed through by the US that sidelined German misgivings about cultural and political dissonances.

These were mostly rural Turks, unfamiliar with the ways of Europeansindeed, with those of urban Turks. A German liaison office set up in Istanbul advertised positions for lathe operators, milling cutters, spoolers, factory workers and packers. Soon enough, these Gastarbeiter formed the bottom of the German worker pyramid, trapping themselves while freeing up the citizenry for upward mobility.

By 1972, the German government had serious concerns about whether, in the words of the then chancellor Willy Brandt, societys absorptive capacity had been crossed. Less than a year later, the Turkish Gastarbeiter programme was shut down. In 1983, paralleling a recession that disemployed two million Germans, the government passed a law providing money to Turkish residents who were open to repatriation. The law was a non-starter: a decade earlier, the government had enabled Turkish workers to bring in their families, many of whom were loath to leave even if some earlier migrants were willing. In the early 1980s, a sort of Kristallnacht redux occurred in West Germany when unemployed German youth rampaged through Kreuzberg, a Turkish-majority borough of Berlin.

October 2021 was the 60th anniversary of the first arrival of Turkish Gastarbeiter. In the following decades of German unreason and guest worker rioting, of bilateral introspection and outreach, the multigenerational Gastarbeiter couldnt become a part-and-parcel of German society. While many Turks are integrated, two-thirds remain non-citizens and, therefore, outside the purview of social gain but not of loss. Sociologically, this is a stunning failure of multiculturalism and multireligiosity.

In the 1960s, the growing Dutch economy too called for workers from Spain, Portugal, Greece, the former Yugoslavia, Morocco and Turkey. This followed the mass emigration in the 1950s of 350,000 Dutch nationals to Australia, New Zealand and Canada. In 1964, the Dutch government signed a recruitment agreement with Turkey and then Morocco. The initial welcome was euphoric. But as the cold reality dawned of low-salaried incoming employees edging out citizen employees, local emotions whiplashed. The government vacillated, passing the Family Reunification Act in 1974 and then quickly terminating the recruitment programme. Since then, although the Netherlands has been striving for a policy of integration, it has been hard going.

And it raises questions about the conflationary ideals of the liberal Left on the matter of forcing socially, religiously and economically inimical cultures into close proximity. Experts on labour migration are today re-examining the long-term politicoeconomic utility of job migration from developing to developed countries that carries the baggage of inequity on its back.

India might seem to be an outlier. There are documented and illegal Indian migrant workers everywhere, but they dont attract anti-social attention in Europe, not because they are better than other migrant nationalities but likely because they do not have the targets of ghettoisation painted on their backs. India even coasts economically on what is known as the Gulf-boom surf, with workers repatriating enough money to keep entire southern states afloat. But behind this golden-age migrancy lies a system of exploitation and disenfranchisementthe kafala employer-sponsorship system and the migrants inability to vote despite multidecadal residency. While foreigners now outnumber locals in all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states but Saudi ArabiaBahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAEand Jordan and Lebanon, they are kept sociopolitically unambitious through religio-political declassing and controlled sociality. Also, this system is under a countrys interior ministry, not the labour ministry, so there is little recourse to redress.

The migration-for-labour system works, until it doesnt. A downturn in the GCC states, which inevitably shadows a global downturn, means labour, not money, repatriated, and fewer workers allowed in. In 2017-18, emigration clearances to Indians fell by 21 percent. Relative to 2014, the decline was a stunning 62 percent. White-collar emigration did not decline; blue collarcomprising 70 percent of the 9.3 million Indian expats in the Gulfplummeted.

In the long term, workers from poorer countries have for decades earned a living abroadbut it has been largely unempowered and precariously placed.

Lets keep this in mind when we celebrate conflict-ridden Israel schmoozing with India about importing 100,000 Indian unskilled workers to engine its construction and agriculture sectors after it cancelled overnight similar permits for 90,000 Palestinians. These Indian workers will apparently be temporary. Even if they were granted a measure of permanency by a less extreme and xenophobic Israeli dispensation, given Israels super-tight citizenship rules, they would never be granted full citizenship or the civic rights embedded therein. With Israels own finance ministry and central bank signaling an economic downturnand with an average unemployment rate of 6.3 percent in 1992-2023 reduced by half only after a massive recall of army reserves in October 2023a faceoff between Indian labourers and Israeli blue-collared workers could be impending.

Taiwan has jumped on the bandwagon, too: it is expected to sign an agreement with the Indian government in December 2023 to hire 100,000 workersfor its factories and farms. This might mean money in the short term, but also, as elsewhere, socio-labour precarity and societal unbelonging.

We need to find employment solutions in situ, at home. The past of exploding transnational social friction is the future.

Views are personal.

Kajal Basu

Veteran journalist

(kajalrbasu@gmail.com)

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

West Germanys Gastarbeiterprogramm began in 1955, a decade after a wide-ranging world war had left it in ruins. An economic upswing left the country needing untrained workers, and it signed bilateral agreements with a host of down-at-heel countriesItaly, Spain, Morocco, South Korea, Portugal, Tunisia and Yugoslaviafor thousands of euphemistically-known guest workers, who would be permitted in, work for a year or two, and then be repatriated. By 1961, however, the vast majority of the Gastarbeiter were Turks, pouring into Germany through an agreement rammed through by the US that sidelined German misgivings about cultural and political dissonances. These were mostly rural Turks, unfamiliar with the ways of Europeansindeed, with those of urban Turks. A German liaison office set up in Istanbul advertised positions for lathe operators, milling cutters, spoolers, factory workers and packers. Soon enough, these Gastarbeiter formed the bottom of the German worker pyramid, trapping themselves while freeing up the citizenry for upward mobility. By 1972, the German government had serious concerns about whether, in the words of the then chancellor Willy Brandt, societys absorptive capacity had been crossed. Less than a year later, the Turkish Gastarbeiter programme was shut down. In 1983, paralleling a recession that disemployed two million Germans, the government passed a law providing money to Turkish residents who were open to repatriation. The law was a non-starter: a decade earlier, the government had enabled Turkish workers to bring in their families, many of whom were loath to leave even if some earlier migrants were willing. In the early 1980s, a sort of Kristallnacht redux occurred in West Germany when unemployed German youth rampaged through Kreuzberg, a Turkish-majority borough of Berlin.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); October 2021 was the 60th anniversary of the first arrival of Turkish Gastarbeiter. In the following decades of German unreason and guest worker rioting, of bilateral introspection and outreach, the multigenerational Gastarbeiter couldnt become a part-and-parcel of German society. While many Turks are integrated, two-thirds remain non-citizens and, therefore, outside the purview of social gain but not of loss. Sociologically, this is a stunning failure of multiculturalism and multireligiosity. In the 1960s, the growing Dutch economy too called for workers from Spain, Portugal, Greece, the former Yugoslavia, Morocco and Turkey. This followed the mass emigration in the 1950s of 350,000 Dutch nationals to Australia, New Zealand and Canada. In 1964, the Dutch government signed a recruitment agreement with Turkey and then Morocco. The initial welcome was euphoric. But as the cold reality dawned of low-salaried incoming employees edging out citizen employees, local emotions whiplashed. The government vacillated, passing the Family Reunification Act in 1974 and then quickly terminating the recruitment programme. Since then, although the Netherlands has been striving for a policy of integration, it has been hard going. And it raises questions about the conflationary ideals of the liberal Left on the matter of forcing socially, religiously and economically inimical cultures into close proximity. Experts on labour migration are today re-examining the long-term politicoeconomic utility of job migration from developing to developed countries that carries the baggage of inequity on its back. India might seem to be an outlier. There are documented and illegal Indian migrant workers everywhere, but they dont attract anti-social attention in Europe, not because they are better than other migrant nationalities but likely because they do not have the targets of ghettoisation painted on their backs. India even coasts economically on what is known as the Gulf-boom surf, with workers repatriating enough money to keep entire southern states afloat. But behind this golden-age migrancy lies a system of exploitation and disenfranchisementthe kafala employer-sponsorship system and the migrants inability to vote despite multidecadal residency. While foreigners now outnumber locals in all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states but Saudi ArabiaBahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, the UAEand Jordan and Lebanon, they are kept sociopolitically unambitious through religio-political declassing and controlled sociality. Also, this system is under a countrys interior ministry, not the labour ministry, so there is little recourse to redress. The migration-for-labour system works, until it doesnt. A downturn in the GCC states, which inevitably shadows a global downturn, means labour, not money, repatriated, and fewer workers allowed in. In 2017-18, emigration clearances to Indians fell by 21 percent. Relative to 2014, the decline was a stunning 62 percent. White-collar emigration did not decline; blue collarcomprising 70 percent of the 9.3 million Indian expats in the Gulfplummeted. In the long term, workers from poorer countries have for decades earned a living abroadbut it has been largely unempowered and precariously placed. Lets keep this in mind when we celebrate conflict-ridden Israel schmoozing with India about importing 100,000 Indian unskilled workers to engine its construction and agriculture sectors after it cancelled overnight similar permits for 90,000 Palestinians. These Indian workers will apparently be temporary. Even if they were granted a measure of permanency by a less extreme and xenophobic Israeli dispensation, given Israels super-tight citizenship rules, they would never be granted full citizenship or the civic rights embedded therein. With Israels own finance ministry and central bank signaling an economic downturnand with an average unemployment rate of 6.3 percent in 1992-2023 reduced by half only after a massive recall of army reserves in October 2023a faceoff between Indian labourers and Israeli blue-collared workers could be impending. Taiwan has jumped on the bandwagon, too: it is expected to sign an agreement with the Indian government in December 2023 to hire 100,000 workersfor its factories and farms. This might mean money in the short term, but also, as elsewhere, socio-labour precarity and societal unbelonging. We need to find employment solutions in situ, at home. The past of exploding transnational social friction is the future. Views are personal. Kajal BasuVeteran journalist(kajalrbasu@gmail.com) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

VIJAYAWADA: Emphasising the need to dethrone the Narendra Modi government to protect democracy, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury has said the progress of the nation is only possible through INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance).

Addressing the Praja Rakshana Bheri public meeting in Vijayawada on Wednesday, he said the BJP-led government at the Centre could only be toppled through the peoples movements.

Expressing concern over the increasing crimes against women and illegal mining in tribal lands, he said under Modi, the Governors in a few States had started questioning the laws enacted by the legislatures. The regional parties are fearing of the BJP because of CBI and Enforcement Directorate raids, he deplored.

The dependence of about 80 crore people in the country on the government for food highlights its backwardness. India is top from the bottom among G20 countries in Human Development Index and Gross Domestic Product, the CPM general secretary pointed out.

(Photo | Prasant Madugula)

Finding fault with the Centre for not according the Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh as promised at the time of bifurcation of the State and its decision to privatise Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, he said, The country is currently going through a phase worse than of emergency days. Time has come for the people to decide, which party they should support in the ensuing general elections.CPM Politburo member BV Raghavulu saw a grave threat to the country from the BJP.

Though the BJP has no presence in Andhra Pradesh, through the ruling YSRC, it is as good as being in the government. The BJP has no opposition from the YSRC in Parliament. For that matter, even the TDP is the same, Raghavulu observed.

Commenting on the arrest of TDP supremo and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation case, the CPM leader felt that the YSRC government would not dare to do it without the consent of the BJP at the Centre.

However, the TDP will never admit it and it has no courage to question the BJP in this regard. The newly formed TDP-JSP combine will bow down to the BJP, Raghavulu observed. CPM State secretary V Srinivasa Rao and other leaders also spoke against the anti-people policies of the Centre.Earlier, the CPM and its frontal organisations held an impressive rally in the city turning it into red with the fluttering of party flags.

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VIJAYAWADA: Emphasising the need to dethrone the Narendra Modi government to protect democracy, CPM general secretary Sitaram Yechury has said the progress of the nation is only possible through INDIA (Indian National Developmental Inclusive Alliance). Addressing the Praja Rakshana Bheri public meeting in Vijayawada on Wednesday, he said the BJP-led government at the Centre could only be toppled through the peoples movements. Expressing concern over the increasing crimes against women and illegal mining in tribal lands, he said under Modi, the Governors in a few States had started questioning the laws enacted by the legislatures. The regional parties are fearing of the BJP because of CBI and Enforcement Directorate raids, he deplored.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The dependence of about 80 crore people in the country on the government for food highlights its backwardness. India is top from the bottom among G20 countries in Human Development Index and Gross Domestic Product, the CPM general secretary pointed out. (Photo | Prasant Madugula) Finding fault with the Centre for not according the Special Category Status to Andhra Pradesh as promised at the time of bifurcation of the State and its decision to privatise Visakhapatnam Steel Plant, he said, The country is currently going through a phase worse than of emergency days. Time has come for the people to decide, which party they should support in the ensuing general elections.CPM Politburo member BV Raghavulu saw a grave threat to the country from the BJP. Though the BJP has no presence in Andhra Pradesh, through the ruling YSRC, it is as good as being in the government. The BJP has no opposition from the YSRC in Parliament. For that matter, even the TDP is the same, Raghavulu observed. Commenting on the arrest of TDP supremo and former Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu in the Andhra Pradesh State Skill Development Corporation case, the CPM leader felt that the YSRC government would not dare to do it without the consent of the BJP at the Centre. However, the TDP will never admit it and it has no courage to question the BJP in this regard. The newly formed TDP-JSP combine will bow down to the BJP, Raghavulu observed. CPM State secretary V Srinivasa Rao and other leaders also spoke against the anti-people policies of the Centre.Earlier, the CPM and its frontal organisations held an impressive rally in the city turning it into red with the fluttering of party flags. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

CHITRADURGA: Chitradurga Murugharajendra Bruhan Math pontiff Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, who was facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in two cases and was in jail for the last 14 months, was released on Thursday.

The Second Additional District and Sessions Court had, on Wednesday, issued an order directing the Chitradurga district prison authorities to release Murugha Mutt Seer Dr Shivamurthy Sharana, but the seer was not released as the copy of the order did not reach the officials concerned in time.

As soon as the court orders were delivered to the jail authorities by the counsel of Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharana, the jail authorities released the pontiff.

He was received by a large group of devotees outside the district jail situated on the old Bengaluru road and later Sharanaru travelled to Davanagere in a car.

On reaching the Shivayogashrama in Davanagere, Murugha Sharanaru bowed to the Gadduge of Jayadeva Shree the previous head of the Murugha Mutt. Addressing the media, he said that he would not react on a subjudice matter.

He also said that he would not speak anything and remain silent for some days.

The sessions court on Thursday examined the conditions imposed by the Karnataka High Court which had granted bail to the seer.

After verifying the documents, the court issued the release order. As it reached the prison late in the evening, he was not released.

Earlier, the police had issued the copy of the body warrant to the prison authorities in the second POCSO case.

The counsel for the seer objected to the appeal made by the public prosecutor that the body warrant issued against the seer in the second POCSO case has to be converted into judicial custody.

On Thursday, the judge rejected the appeal made by the public prosecutor, paving the way for the release of the pontiff. The pontiff appeared for the hearing through video conference from the jail in the presence of the jail superintendent MM Marakatti.

It can be recalled that Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru was arrested in the POCSO case of sexual harassment of two minor girls on September 1, 2022 by the Chitradurga rural police station and was kept in judicial custody at Chitradurga district prison.

The Karnataka High Court on Nov 8 granted conditional bail, giving relief to Pontiff after a gap of 14 months.

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CHITRADURGA: Chitradurga Murugharajendra Bruhan Math pontiff Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, who was facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act in two cases and was in jail for the last 14 months, was released on Thursday. The Second Additional District and Sessions Court had, on Wednesday, issued an order directing the Chitradurga district prison authorities to release Murugha Mutt Seer Dr Shivamurthy Sharana, but the seer was not released as the copy of the order did not reach the officials concerned in time. As soon as the court orders were delivered to the jail authorities by the counsel of Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharana, the jail authorities released the pontiff.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); He was received by a large group of devotees outside the district jail situated on the old Bengaluru road and later Sharanaru travelled to Davanagere in a car. On reaching the Shivayogashrama in Davanagere, Murugha Sharanaru bowed to the Gadduge of Jayadeva Shree the previous head of the Murugha Mutt. Addressing the media, he said that he would not react on a subjudice matter. He also said that he would not speak anything and remain silent for some days. The sessions court on Thursday examined the conditions imposed by the Karnataka High Court which had granted bail to the seer. After verifying the documents, the court issued the release order. As it reached the prison late in the evening, he was not released. Earlier, the police had issued the copy of the body warrant to the prison authorities in the second POCSO case. The counsel for the seer objected to the appeal made by the public prosecutor that the body warrant issued against the seer in the second POCSO case has to be converted into judicial custody. On Thursday, the judge rejected the appeal made by the public prosecutor, paving the way for the release of the pontiff. The pontiff appeared for the hearing through video conference from the jail in the presence of the jail superintendent MM Marakatti. It can be recalled that Dr Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru was arrested in the POCSO case of sexual harassment of two minor girls on September 1, 2022 by the Chitradurga rural police station and was kept in judicial custody at Chitradurga district prison. The Karnataka High Court on Nov 8 granted conditional bail, giving relief to Pontiff after a gap of 14 months. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The finance department has released Rs 1.05 crore to buy a new bus from the Benz company for taking the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues across the state to participate in the 36-day-long Nava Kerala Sadas starting from Manjeshwar in Kasaragod on November 18.

The bus will arrive in Kasaragod after necessary alterations on Saturday. Although there is a treasury restriction on fund release, it took the finance department no time to process the request from the KSRTC MD on behalf of K SWIFT for allocating Rs 1,05,20,000 for the procurement of a new custom-built bus. The 25-seater bus is equipped with restrooms and washrooms for the CM and 21 ministers. Transport minister Antony Raju has dismissed allegations that the purchase of the bus was an extravagant spending.

News reports about the arrival of the bus from Bengaluru are baseless. If around 75 pilot and escort vehicles are used for the travel of 21 ministers, it will be an extravaganza. However, if the 25-seater bus is used, there will be no extravagant spending. If a single bus is used to visit 140 assembly constituencies, it would save a lot of money.

Currently, KSRTC is successfully operating SWIFT Volvo buses that cost `Rs 1.38 crore. This is not the first time the KSRTC is purchasing Benz vehicles. It could also be used for budget tourism once the Nava Kerala Sadas is over, he said.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan accused the government of splurging public money for the statewide travel of the CM and ministers. Former leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala in a statement said that only a dictator like Pinarayi Vijayan could conduct such an extravagant travel when the state is going through a difficult phase.

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THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The finance department has released Rs 1.05 crore to buy a new bus from the Benz company for taking the chief minister and his cabinet colleagues across the state to participate in the 36-day-long Nava Kerala Sadas starting from Manjeshwar in Kasaragod on November 18. The bus will arrive in Kasaragod after necessary alterations on Saturday. Although there is a treasury restriction on fund release, it took the finance department no time to process the request from the KSRTC MD on behalf of K SWIFT for allocating Rs 1,05,20,000 for the procurement of a new custom-built bus. The 25-seater bus is equipped with restrooms and washrooms for the CM and 21 ministers. Transport minister Antony Raju has dismissed allegations that the purchase of the bus was an extravagant spending. News reports about the arrival of the bus from Bengaluru are baseless. If around 75 pilot and escort vehicles are used for the travel of 21 ministers, it will be an extravaganza. However, if the 25-seater bus is used, there will be no extravagant spending. If a single bus is used to visit 140 assembly constituencies, it would save a lot of money.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Currently, KSRTC is successfully operating SWIFT Volvo buses that cost `Rs 1.38 crore. This is not the first time the KSRTC is purchasing Benz vehicles. It could also be used for budget tourism once the Nava Kerala Sadas is over, he said. Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition V D Satheesan accused the government of splurging public money for the statewide travel of the CM and ministers. Former leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala in a statement said that only a dictator like Pinarayi Vijayan could conduct such an extravagant travel when the state is going through a difficult phase. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

KOCHI: The parents of the five-year-old girl who was raped and murdered by a migrant worker in Aluva were duped out of Rs 1.2 lakh by the spouse of a local Mahila Congress worker. After the matter came out in public, Mahila Congress state committee suspended Ernakulam district secretary Haseena Muneer from the party.

According to local Congress workers, Muneer, the husband of Haseena, returned the entire amount on Thursday following the controversy.

Officials said Muneer first took Rs 20,000 from the migrant family on the pretext of giving advance rent amount to the owner of a house that the family was relocating to.

Later, he took another Rs 20,000 raised by local MLA Anwar Sadath convincing him that he had paid the advance amount for the house rent from his earnings.

Subsequently, he also took Rs 80,000 from the migrant family to purchase furniture and other household appliances for the new rented house.

"After the matter became news, Muneer returned the entire money to the migrant family," said a Congress party worker.

The state government had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh to the family of the five-year-old girl, who was brutally raped and murdered on July 28.

On Tuesday, a lower court awarded the death penalty to Bihar native Asafak Alam for the crime.

Though Muneer collected Rs 80,000 for the purchase of furniture and other household goods, the people's committee to assist the migrant family had arranged furniture for them with the support of Thaikkattukara Service Cooperative Bank.

When contacted, Congress MLA Anwar Sadath said he had collected Rs 20,000 and handed over the money to pay the advance amount for the new rented house for the migrant family. This amount was collected by Muneer but he kept the money with himself.

"I had arranged Rs 20,000 for the family to pay the advance for the new rented house, which was handed over to this person (Muneer). However, he again collected the amount from the family," said the MLA when asked about the incident.

The Aluva police said the migrant family has not registered a complaint in this regard.

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KOCHI: The parents of the five-year-old girl who was raped and murdered by a migrant worker in Aluva were duped out of Rs 1.2 lakh by the spouse of a local Mahila Congress worker. After the matter came out in public, Mahila Congress state committee suspended Ernakulam district secretary Haseena Muneer from the party. According to local Congress workers, Muneer, the husband of Haseena, returned the entire amount on Thursday following the controversy. Officials said Muneer first took Rs 20,000 from the migrant family on the pretext of giving advance rent amount to the owner of a house that the family was relocating to.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Later, he took another Rs 20,000 raised by local MLA Anwar Sadath convincing him that he had paid the advance amount for the house rent from his earnings. Subsequently, he also took Rs 80,000 from the migrant family to purchase furniture and other household appliances for the new rented house. "After the matter became news, Muneer returned the entire money to the migrant family," said a Congress party worker. The state government had sanctioned Rs 10 lakh to the family of the five-year-old girl, who was brutally raped and murdered on July 28. On Tuesday, a lower court awarded the death penalty to Bihar native Asafak Alam for the crime. Though Muneer collected Rs 80,000 for the purchase of furniture and other household goods, the people's committee to assist the migrant family had arranged furniture for them with the support of Thaikkattukara Service Cooperative Bank. When contacted, Congress MLA Anwar Sadath said he had collected Rs 20,000 and handed over the money to pay the advance amount for the new rented house for the migrant family. This amount was collected by Muneer but he kept the money with himself. "I had arranged Rs 20,000 for the family to pay the advance for the new rented house, which was handed over to this person (Muneer). However, he again collected the amount from the family," said the MLA when asked about the incident. The Aluva police said the migrant family has not registered a complaint in this regard. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

KOZHIKODE: The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has sent a letter to the District Collector of Kozhikode allegedly threatening to blow up the "Hamas rally of fake comrades" if the government and police action against Maoists is not stopped.

In the letter, the Maoists have said that the government is holding rallies for "foreign terrorists" instead of focusing on the needs of Kozhikode district, an official of the district administration told PTI.

The letter was received by the Collector's office on Wednesday evening and was forwarded to the police, the official added.

It claims that Maoists are being unfairly targeted and false cases are being lodged against them.

ALSO READ | Congress gears up for massive pro-Palestine rally in Kerala, challenges BJP's pro-Israel stance

The Maoists have warned that if the government does not stop unfairly targeting them and charging false cases against them, what happened in Kochi at the Jehovah's Witnesses convention can be expected during the "Hamas rally of fake comrades" in the district, he said.

The official also said that the SHO of Nadakkavu police station has been briefed about the matter and a case would be lodged there against the Maoists.

An officer of Nadakkavu police station said that a case would be lodged during the day under provisions of the IPC and the Kerala Police Act.

The letter comes in the wake of recent armed confrontations between Maoists and specialised teams of the Kerala Police in Kannur and Wayanad districts of the state.

The special Thunderbolt squad of Kerala police had engaged in gun battle with the Maoists twice this week in Kannur district.

Prior to that, there was an exchange of fire between the Thunderbolt force and Maoists in a forest area in Wayanad last week.

Two Maoists -- a man and a woman -- were arrested after a gun battle in the Periya area under the Thalappuzha police station limit in Wayanad.

They were identified as Chandru and Unnimaya.

Last month, a group of six armed Maoists seized control of a private resort in Makkimala, Wayanad.

During the incident, they confiscated the manager's mobile phone to convey a statement to the media, shedding light on the challenges faced by estate workers.

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KOZHIKODE: The Communist Party of India (Maoist) has sent a letter to the District Collector of Kozhikode allegedly threatening to blow up the "Hamas rally of fake comrades" if the government and police action against Maoists is not stopped. In the letter, the Maoists have said that the government is holding rallies for "foreign terrorists" instead of focusing on the needs of Kozhikode district, an official of the district administration told PTI. The letter was received by the Collector's office on Wednesday evening and was forwarded to the police, the official added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); It claims that Maoists are being unfairly targeted and false cases are being lodged against them. ALSO READ | Congress gears up for massive pro-Palestine rally in Kerala, challenges BJP's pro-Israel stance The Maoists have warned that if the government does not stop unfairly targeting them and charging false cases against them, what happened in Kochi at the Jehovah's Witnesses convention can be expected during the "Hamas rally of fake comrades" in the district, he said. The official also said that the SHO of Nadakkavu police station has been briefed about the matter and a case would be lodged there against the Maoists. An officer of Nadakkavu police station said that a case would be lodged during the day under provisions of the IPC and the Kerala Police Act. The letter comes in the wake of recent armed confrontations between Maoists and specialised teams of the Kerala Police in Kannur and Wayanad districts of the state. The special Thunderbolt squad of Kerala police had engaged in gun battle with the Maoists twice this week in Kannur district. Prior to that, there was an exchange of fire between the Thunderbolt force and Maoists in a forest area in Wayanad last week. Two Maoists -- a man and a woman -- were arrested after a gun battle in the Periya area under the Thalappuzha police station limit in Wayanad. They were identified as Chandru and Unnimaya. Last month, a group of six armed Maoists seized control of a private resort in Makkimala, Wayanad. During the incident, they confiscated the manager's mobile phone to convey a statement to the media, shedding light on the challenges faced by estate workers. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Express News Service

BHUBANESWAR: SOA university has inked a pact with the Department of Education and Training of Vinh Long Province in Vietnam for promoting bilateral cooperation in the field of education and training.

The collaboration intends to enhance the existing friendship and convergence between India and Vietnam in educational activities, cultural exchanges and other activities. Three other separate MoUs were also signed between SOA and Vinh Long University of Technology Education (VLUTE), Vietnam, University of Cuu Long, Long Ho, Vietnam and Putin Animal Feed Company Limited, Vinh Long City.

The areas of cooperation include information technology, nanotechnology, cyber security, biotechnology and promotion of Vietnamese and Indian cultural studies and exchanges. The universities will also focus on cooperation in scientific research and conversion of progress in science and engineering into economic development with special emphasis on agricultural economy.Vice chancellor of SOA Prof Pradipta Kumar Nanda signed the MoUs. The Vietnamese delegation was led by vice chairman of the Peoples Committee of Vinh Long province Nguyen Thi Quyen Thanh.

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BHUBANESWAR: SOA university has inked a pact with the Department of Education and Training of Vinh Long Province in Vietnam for promoting bilateral cooperation in the field of education and training. The collaboration intends to enhance the existing friendship and convergence between India and Vietnam in educational activities, cultural exchanges and other activities. Three other separate MoUs were also signed between SOA and Vinh Long University of Technology Education (VLUTE), Vietnam, University of Cuu Long, Long Ho, Vietnam and Putin Animal Feed Company Limited, Vinh Long City. The areas of cooperation include information technology, nanotechnology, cyber security, biotechnology and promotion of Vietnamese and Indian cultural studies and exchanges. The universities will also focus on cooperation in scientific research and conversion of progress in science and engineering into economic development with special emphasis on agricultural economy.Vice chancellor of SOA Prof Pradipta Kumar Nanda signed the MoUs. The Vietnamese delegation was led by vice chairman of the Peoples Committee of Vinh Long province Nguyen Thi Quyen Thanh.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By PTI

NEW DELHI: On this day in 1998, a team of doctors in Delhi performed India's first-ever successful liver transplant on Sanjay Kandasamy, barely 20 months old then.

Twenty-five years down the line, the boy has grown to become a doctor himself and set to tie the knot.

On Wednesday, an event was held here to mark the 25th anniversary of the feat achieved at the Apollo Indraprastha Hospitals.

Kandasamy, a Tamil Nadu native who had become rather famous as 'baby Sanjay', attended the event along with his parents.

Speaking to PTI on the sidelines of the event, he said, "I recently got engaged and will get married in March next year. This transplant gave me a second life. In fact, my fiancee called me today and wished me 'happy second life birthday'."

At the event, Apollo doctors announced that one-and-half-year-old Prisha had become the recipient in the 500th paediatric transplant surgery across the hospital chain.

The girl child, hailing from Bihar, also attended the event.

Noted actress Dimple Kapadia felicitated both the families during the event.

Apollo Hospitals Group Medical Director and senior paediatric gastroenterologist Anupam Sibal said more than 4,300 liver transplants, including 515 procedures in children, have been conducted at Apollo hospitals since the landmark transplant 25 years ago.

Prisha's mother Anjali Kumari said her daughter was born on May 6 last year and after three months, her body started turning yellow, a condition doctors call biliary atresia, following which she and her husband took her to a private hospital in Patna.

"After that she was referred to the private hospital in Delhi and her transplant took place in January this year," Kumari said.

Sanjay Kandasamy said he too had suffered from the same condition - biliary atresia.

He had received a slice of a liver from his father.

Kandasamy fondly calls Dr Sibal as "uncle Sibal" and said when he got engaged in the first week of November, he called him up to inform that 'baby Sanjay' who became a doctor in 2021 was now set to be married.

"As a child, I used to ask my mother about the scars on my abdomen. When I grew up and had an idea about my life, I too decided to become a doctor, and thus finished my MBBS in 2021, and now practising in my hometown Kanchipuram," he said.

Prisha's mother Kumari said she did not what future lies in store for her daughter, "but we hope she too will become a doctor like Sanjay.

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NEW DELHI: On this day in 1998, a team of doctors in Delhi performed India's first-ever successful liver transplant on Sanjay Kandasamy, barely 20 months old then. Twenty-five years down the line, the boy has grown to become a doctor himself and set to tie the knot. On Wednesday, an event was held here to mark the 25th anniversary of the feat achieved at the Apollo Indraprastha Hospitals.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Kandasamy, a Tamil Nadu native who had become rather famous as 'baby Sanjay', attended the event along with his parents. Speaking to PTI on the sidelines of the event, he said, "I recently got engaged and will get married in March next year. This transplant gave me a second life. In fact, my fiancee called me today and wished me 'happy second life birthday'." At the event, Apollo doctors announced that one-and-half-year-old Prisha had become the recipient in the 500th paediatric transplant surgery across the hospital chain. The girl child, hailing from Bihar, also attended the event. Noted actress Dimple Kapadia felicitated both the families during the event. Apollo Hospitals Group Medical Director and senior paediatric gastroenterologist Anupam Sibal said more than 4,300 liver transplants, including 515 procedures in children, have been conducted at Apollo hospitals since the landmark transplant 25 years ago. Prisha's mother Anjali Kumari said her daughter was born on May 6 last year and after three months, her body started turning yellow, a condition doctors call biliary atresia, following which she and her husband took her to a private hospital in Patna. "After that she was referred to the private hospital in Delhi and her transplant took place in January this year," Kumari said. Sanjay Kandasamy said he too had suffered from the same condition - biliary atresia. He had received a slice of a liver from his father. Kandasamy fondly calls Dr Sibal as "uncle Sibal" and said when he got engaged in the first week of November, he called him up to inform that 'baby Sanjay' who became a doctor in 2021 was now set to be married. "As a child, I used to ask my mother about the scars on my abdomen. When I grew up and had an idea about my life, I too decided to become a doctor, and thus finished my MBBS in 2021, and now practising in my hometown Kanchipuram," he said. Prisha's mother Kumari said she did not what future lies in store for her daughter, "but we hope she too will become a doctor like Sanjay. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
S Godson Wisely Dass By

Express News Service

THOOTHUKUDI: The Maldivian government dismissed the appeal petition of a Tharuvaikulam vessel operator, whose boat was seized by the Maldivian National Defence Force, and upheld the fine of `2.28 crore that was levied before.



The coastguard of Maldives National Defence Force seized Tharuvaikulam fishing vessel named 'Holy Spirit' on October 22, with 12 fishermen onboard, for allegedly entering the Maldivian maritime zone. Following investigation, the Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture of Maldives department served notice to the master of the vessel on October 28, and to the owner of the vessel on October 29, to pay a penalty of Rs 2.28 crore (42,00,000 Maldivian Rufiyaa).



The penalty accounts to various charges including trespassing into the Maldivian exclusive economic zone, engaging in prohibited fishing methods, fishing without licence, and catching, killing and possessing banned fish species in Maldivian waters. The fishing vessel owner, Antony Jayabalan, appealed against the penalty.



Following a round of hearing, the ministry of fisheries, marine resources and agriculture of the Republic of Maldives had refused to waive off the penalty, or slash it. The Maldivian government also issued another amended penalty notice on November 13, stating that the owner should pay the same penalty of `2.27 crore.

"If the fine amount is not settled within 30 days of the receipt of this penalty notice, the ministry will submit the matter to a relevant court of Maldives to recover the fine amount and forfeiture of the vessel along with all the fishing gears and other equipment to the state, " the notice read.



Speaking to TNIE, Jayabalan said the officials of Indian High Commision of External affairs in Maldives, did not pursue diplomatic talks in favour of the Indian fishermen on the issue."There was a weather warning on the day and sea current, besides, the charges about unintentionally fishing in Maldivian waters has not been proved. The fishing method, fishes caught and the bycatch are permitted as per the Indian government," he added.



Jayabalan charged that despite having several facts to strengthen their argument, officials of the Indian embassy remained silent on the issue. "The penalty is almost double the cost of the vessel. So I will appeal against the penalty again and am planning to stage an agitation at New Delhi", he said.

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THOOTHUKUDI: The Maldivian government dismissed the appeal petition of a Tharuvaikulam vessel operator, whose boat was seized by the Maldivian National Defence Force, and upheld the fine of `2.28 crore that was levied before. The coastguard of Maldives National Defence Force seized Tharuvaikulam fishing vessel named 'Holy Spirit' on October 22, with 12 fishermen onboard, for allegedly entering the Maldivian maritime zone. Following investigation, the Fisheries, Marine Resources and Agriculture of Maldives department served notice to the master of the vessel on October 28, and to the owner of the vessel on October 29, to pay a penalty of Rs 2.28 crore (42,00,000 Maldivian Rufiyaa). The penalty accounts to various charges including trespassing into the Maldivian exclusive economic zone, engaging in prohibited fishing methods, fishing without licence, and catching, killing and possessing banned fish species in Maldivian waters. The fishing vessel owner, Antony Jayabalan, appealed against the penalty. Following a round of hearing, the ministry of fisheries, marine resources and agriculture of the Republic of Maldives had refused to waive off the penalty, or slash it. The Maldivian government also issued another amended penalty notice on November 13, stating that the owner should pay the same penalty of `2.27 crore. "If the fine amount is not settled within 30 days of the receipt of this penalty notice, the ministry will submit the matter to a relevant court of Maldives to recover the fine amount and forfeiture of the vessel along with all the fishing gears and other equipment to the state, " the notice read. Speaking to TNIE, Jayabalan said the officials of Indian High Commision of External affairs in Maldives, did not pursue diplomatic talks in favour of the Indian fishermen on the issue."There was a weather warning on the day and sea current, besides, the charges about unintentionally fishing in Maldivian waters has not been proved. The fishing method, fishes caught and the bycatch are permitted as per the Indian government," he added. Jayabalan charged that despite having several facts to strengthen their argument, officials of the Indian embassy remained silent on the issue. "The penalty is almost double the cost of the vessel. So I will appeal against the penalty again and am planning to stage an agitation at New Delhi", he said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsAppgoogletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); });
By AFP

BIREUEN: About 250 desperate Rohingya refugees reached western Indonesia on a decrepit, overcrowded wooden boat Thursday, bringing the total number reported by local officials to have arrived this week to nearly 600.

The boat holding the members of the persecuted Myanmar minority, many barefoot and some pleading for help, sat just off the coast in the archipelago nation's Aceh province.

Some made a dash for shore after residents refused to let them land, collapsing to the sand and begging for the vessel's exhausted passengers to be allowed to disembark.

The mostly Muslim Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and thousands risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys, often in flimsy boats, to try to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.

Men, women, children and babies could be seen looking to shore as angry locals told them not to land the boat, which some on board said had sailed from Bangladesh.

Young men on board held their arms out in exasperation as the open-topped boat listed to one side through overcrowding.

The local Acehnese delivered food to the boat in the hope those on board would decide to move on, according to Mukhtaruddin, village head of Pulo Pineung Meunasah.

The passengers, however, were insistent after almost three weeks at sea.

After climbing down ropes to swim to shore and remonstrate with the Acehnese, one Rohingya man covered in plasters lay on the sand barefoot, shirtless, appearing almost lifeless.

The rest of Thursday's arrivals were still waiting on the boat about 100 metres (110 yards) from the beach, Mukhtaruddin said.

Rohingya refugee Manzur Alam told AFP the boat had left Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh -- home to almost a million Rohingya refugees -- 20 days ago with 249 people on board.

Mukhtaruddin estimated there were "between 250 and 260" refugees on the boat or the beach.

Three people, including Alam, gave different passenger breakdowns but all said mostly women and children were on board.

"There are many babies, little children, please protect them, they are very hungry because they didn't get anything," said Alam, 23.

Some of the Rohingya men straddled the vessel's sides, using their hands to shield their faces from the sun as they looked for answers on shore.

A young Rohingya girl could also be seen cupping her hands upward in a gesture of prayer.

'Allow them to land'

The latest boat brings the total number of Rohingya arrivals in Indonesia over the past 72 hours to nearly 600, according to figures provided by local officials.

"At least one or two more" boats were still at sea on the way to Indonesia, Chris Lewa, director of Rohingya rights organisation the Arakan Project, told AFP, noting this was the "beginning of the sailing season".

Bangladesh is home to at least 960,000 Rohingya refugees, according to UN figures, most of whom fled a violent 2017 crackdown by the Myanmar military that is now subject to a UN genocide investigation.

The stateless and persecuted minority live in overcrowded, dangerous and under-resourced relief camps, and several previous attempts to broker their return home have failed due to reluctance from Myanmar and the refugees themselves.

On Wednesday, another boat carrying 147 arrived in Aceh's Pidie region, local government official Ihsan said in a statement.

Another group of 196 landed in the same region the day before, according to local navy commander Andi Susanto.

The UN's refugee agency was coordinating with local authorities to help the latest Rohingya arrivals, said Mitra Salima Suryono, the agency's Indonesia spokeswoman.

"We hope the authorities and the local people can continue to open the space for the refugees and allow them to land," she said.

More than 2,000 Rohingya are believed to have attempted the risky journey to Southeast Asian countries in 2022, according to the UNHCR.

Nearly 200 Rohingya died or went missing last year while attempting hazardous sea crossings, the agency has estimated.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

BIREUEN: About 250 desperate Rohingya refugees reached western Indonesia on a decrepit, overcrowded wooden boat Thursday, bringing the total number reported by local officials to have arrived this week to nearly 600. The boat holding the members of the persecuted Myanmar minority, many barefoot and some pleading for help, sat just off the coast in the archipelago nation's Aceh province. Some made a dash for shore after residents refused to let them land, collapsing to the sand and begging for the vessel's exhausted passengers to be allowed to disembark.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The mostly Muslim Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and thousands risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys, often in flimsy boats, to try to reach Malaysia or Indonesia. Men, women, children and babies could be seen looking to shore as angry locals told them not to land the boat, which some on board said had sailed from Bangladesh. Young men on board held their arms out in exasperation as the open-topped boat listed to one side through overcrowding. The local Acehnese delivered food to the boat in the hope those on board would decide to move on, according to Mukhtaruddin, village head of Pulo Pineung Meunasah. The passengers, however, were insistent after almost three weeks at sea. After climbing down ropes to swim to shore and remonstrate with the Acehnese, one Rohingya man covered in plasters lay on the sand barefoot, shirtless, appearing almost lifeless. The rest of Thursday's arrivals were still waiting on the boat about 100 metres (110 yards) from the beach, Mukhtaruddin said. Rohingya refugee Manzur Alam told AFP the boat had left Cox's Bazar in Bangladesh -- home to almost a million Rohingya refugees -- 20 days ago with 249 people on board. Mukhtaruddin estimated there were "between 250 and 260" refugees on the boat or the beach. Three people, including Alam, gave different passenger breakdowns but all said mostly women and children were on board. "There are many babies, little children, please protect them, they are very hungry because they didn't get anything," said Alam, 23. Some of the Rohingya men straddled the vessel's sides, using their hands to shield their faces from the sun as they looked for answers on shore. A young Rohingya girl could also be seen cupping her hands upward in a gesture of prayer. 'Allow them to land' The latest boat brings the total number of Rohingya arrivals in Indonesia over the past 72 hours to nearly 600, according to figures provided by local officials. "At least one or two more" boats were still at sea on the way to Indonesia, Chris Lewa, director of Rohingya rights organisation the Arakan Project, told AFP, noting this was the "beginning of the sailing season". Bangladesh is home to at least 960,000 Rohingya refugees, according to UN figures, most of whom fled a violent 2017 crackdown by the Myanmar military that is now subject to a UN genocide investigation. The stateless and persecuted minority live in overcrowded, dangerous and under-resourced relief camps, and several previous attempts to broker their return home have failed due to reluctance from Myanmar and the refugees themselves. On Wednesday, another boat carrying 147 arrived in Aceh's Pidie region, local government official Ihsan said in a statement. Another group of 196 landed in the same region the day before, according to local navy commander Andi Susanto. The UN's refugee agency was coordinating with local authorities to help the latest Rohingya arrivals, said Mitra Salima Suryono, the agency's Indonesia spokeswoman. "We hope the authorities and the local people can continue to open the space for the refugees and allow them to land," she said. More than 2,000 Rohingya are believed to have attempted the risky journey to Southeast Asian countries in 2022, according to the UNHCR. Nearly 200 Rohingya died or went missing last year while attempting hazardous sea crossings, the agency has estimated. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
China, Mongolia hold joint exercise on border defense cooperation

Xinhua) 00:08, November 17, 2023

BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- China and Mongolia conducted the "Border Defense Cooperation-2023" joint exercise on Nov. 10, China's Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday.

The exercise was carried out in the border region near a prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the ministry.

Concentrated on joint actions between the two countries to curb border crimes, the event involved drills on joint command, joint reconnaissance, operational disposition and joint action, Zhang said, adding that the exercise has enhanced the two militaries' operational capabilities of safeguarding the security and stability in border regions.

The two sides also organized activities such as weapons and equipment displays, and other military-related cultural exchanges after the exercise, Zhang said.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Sheng Chuyi)
An Albemarle County teenager is in custody after he was arrested Wednesday morning carrying an AR-15 near a playground in Charlottesville.

Nyeem Rysuan Hill, 18, faces two charges: possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and possession of a firearm while under a protective order.

Charlottesville police said they received a report around 11 a.m. Wednesday that a man had been spotted carrying a semi-automatic rifle and handgun in the 800 block of Hardy Drive in the citys 10th & Page neighborhood.

Upon responding to the call, detectives confirmed that the suspect was on scene, the police department said in a statement.

Police officers found Hill carrying the firearms near the playground for the Westhaven public housing project.

They were holding the firearm in their hand, police said in their statement.

Hills arrest was made in coordination with the Virginia State Police. He remained in custody at Albemarle-Charlottesville Regional Jail as of Thursday.
The Conversation By

More than five weeks into Israels war with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not outlined his future vision for Gaza.

He has said many times the war will continue until Hamas is eradicated. But his battle plan for achieving that objective is far from clear.

As calls grow louder around the world for a ceasefire, Israel is finding itself under increasing pressure to respond. This is placing more scrutiny on Netanyahus overall strategy for prosecuting the war  and what could happen after its over.

Constantly in the background of Israels military campaign is the fate of more than 200 hostages  Israelis and other nationals  held by Hamas. Netanyahu has said there will be no ceasefire until all the hostages are released. Hamas has responded that no hostages will be released in advance of a ceasefire.

Neither side shows signs of budging and Hamas has now suspended negotiations over hostage releases because of Israels siege of Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza Citys main medical centre. Israel says a Hamas complex is hidden in tunnels underneath the hospital  a claim Hamas denies.

Most of Gazas population is now crowded into the southern part of the strip. Some of Hamas key leaders are likely hiding there, raising another pertinent question as the war drags on. How will the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) succeed in their mission of eradicating Hamas if its operatives are hiding among civilians in such a crowded area? Netanyahu has given no public indication.

Growing US-Israeli frictions

With so many key questions left unanswered, there is a growing disconnect between Netanyahu and the Biden administration in the United States.

President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have both said Israel should not reoccupy Gaza after the war. They have also indicated a preference for the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, to extend its authority to Gaza after Hamas removal.

By contrast, Netanyahu has said Israel will need to retain control over security in Gaza after the war.

Moreover, he has rejected the Palestinian Authority as a successor administration to Hamas for various reasons, including the fact it has not issued an unequivocal condemnation of Hamas attack on Israel.

Netanyahus balancing act

Netanyahus planning seems to be edging towards a demilitarised Gaza with IDF forces based outside the strip, ready to re-enter the enclave when any security threat to Israel is detected.

But he does not seem to be addressing the risk that a power vacuum following Hamas removal might be filled by another militant group, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which would certainly not be to Israels liking.

Nor has he addressed the probability that disarming those Palestinians who are already radicalised will only be a partially effective exercise.

The problem with understanding Netanyahus thought process is that he is dealing with several imperatives simultaneously:

1) Appeasing hard-line members of his government

The coalition government he leads is the most right-wing in Israels history. Though the influence of extremists has been diluted by the addition of the centrist Benny Gantz to the war cabinet, Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu still suggested Israel might use a nuclear weapon against Gaza. He was repudiated by Netanyahu, but the comment was indicative of the hardline sentiment that remains in the government.

After the war, Netanyahu doubtless hopes to resume governing with this coalition, so he must take their interests into account when it comes to formulating a post-war plan for Gaza.

2) Assuaging the anger of hostages families

The families are demanding Netanyahu prioritise negotiations to free their loved ones over the military campaign. Netanyahu claims he is prioritising both. But that claim has lost some cogency since reports emerged that Netanyahu rejected a deal for a five-day ceasefire early in the war in return for release of some of the hostages.

3) Securing his own political future

Netanyahu will be acutely aware that the only other Israeli political leader to have presided over a security and intelligence failure of the magnitude of Hamas October 7 attack was Golda Meir at the start of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. And she resigned soon after the Egyptian and Syrian forces were defeated.

The longer the current war continues, the greater the chance Netanyahu can severely diminish Hamas leadership structure. And this would allow him to burnish his tarnished credentials as Israels security guarantor.

He will also have noted former Prime Minister Ehud Baraks comment that Israel probably has only weeks left to eliminate Hamas before international public opinion completely turns against Israel. This adds urgency to Netanyahus need for an outcome he can describe as a victory.

4) Dealing with pressures from the White House

The Biden administration is also letting it be known through media leaks that it has concerns over Israels conduct of the war, particularly the high number of civilian casualties and apparent lack of an exit strategy. The US is also warning Israel more explicitly that international support for its military operation is waning.

This is of growing concern to the Biden administration because its strong support for Israel comes with increasing risks. First, American diplomats have said anger in the Arab world is so intense over continued US support for Israel, it is losing us Arab publics for a generation.

And there is also the risk Bidens embrace of Israel could hurt him during next years presidential election. Many of the anti-war demonstrators in the US are young, college-educated progressives who helped elect Biden in 2020. If these voters fail to turn out for him next year, the likely Republican candidate, Donald Trump, could prevail.

Reaching an acceptable  and achievable  endgame

Biden and Netanyahu are thus on a collision course. Netanyahu wants a long war in order to maximise his chances of eliminating Hamas  and to delay the inevitable post-war reckoning over the Israeli security failure that led to so much carnage on October 7.

Biden agrees Hamas has to be destroyed, but he needs the war to be as short as possible in order to limit the blowback against US interests internationally, as well as against him domestically.

There is also uncertainty about the amount of purchase Biden might have if he attempts to rein in Netanyahu. That uncertainty is compounded by the question of what might be an acceptable  and achievable  endgame in Gaza for both.

Ian Parmeter

Research Scholar, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license.

Read the original article.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

More than five weeks into Israels war with Hamas, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has not outlined his future vision for Gaza. He has said many times the war will continue until Hamas is eradicated. But his battle plan for achieving that objective is far from clear. As calls grow louder around the world for a ceasefire, Israel is finding itself under increasing pressure to respond. This is placing more scrutiny on Netanyahus overall strategy for prosecuting the war  and what could happen after its over.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Constantly in the background of Israels military campaign is the fate of more than 200 hostages  Israelis and other nationals  held by Hamas. Netanyahu has said there will be no ceasefire until all the hostages are released. Hamas has responded that no hostages will be released in advance of a ceasefire. Neither side shows signs of budging and Hamas has now suspended negotiations over hostage releases because of Israels siege of Al Shifa Hospital, Gaza Citys main medical centre. Israel says a Hamas complex is hidden in tunnels underneath the hospital  a claim Hamas denies. Most of Gazas population is now crowded into the southern part of the strip. Some of Hamas key leaders are likely hiding there, raising another pertinent question as the war drags on. How will the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) succeed in their mission of eradicating Hamas if its operatives are hiding among civilians in such a crowded area? Netanyahu has given no public indication. Growing US-Israeli frictions With so many key questions left unanswered, there is a growing disconnect between Netanyahu and the Biden administration in the United States. President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Antony Blinken have both said Israel should not reoccupy Gaza after the war. They have also indicated a preference for the Palestinian Authority, led by Mahmoud Abbas, to extend its authority to Gaza after Hamas removal. By contrast, Netanyahu has said Israel will need to retain control over security in Gaza after the war. Moreover, he has rejected the Palestinian Authority as a successor administration to Hamas for various reasons, including the fact it has not issued an unequivocal condemnation of Hamas attack on Israel. Netanyahus balancing act Netanyahus planning seems to be edging towards a demilitarised Gaza with IDF forces based outside the strip, ready to re-enter the enclave when any security threat to Israel is detected. But he does not seem to be addressing the risk that a power vacuum following Hamas removal might be filled by another militant group, such as Palestinian Islamic Jihad, which would certainly not be to Israels liking. Nor has he addressed the probability that disarming those Palestinians who are already radicalised will only be a partially effective exercise. The problem with understanding Netanyahus thought process is that he is dealing with several imperatives simultaneously: 1) Appeasing hard-line members of his government The coalition government he leads is the most right-wing in Israels history. Though the influence of extremists has been diluted by the addition of the centrist Benny Gantz to the war cabinet, Heritage Minister Amihai Eliyahu still suggested Israel might use a nuclear weapon against Gaza. He was repudiated by Netanyahu, but the comment was indicative of the hardline sentiment that remains in the government. After the war, Netanyahu doubtless hopes to resume governing with this coalition, so he must take their interests into account when it comes to formulating a post-war plan for Gaza. 2) Assuaging the anger of hostages families The families are demanding Netanyahu prioritise negotiations to free their loved ones over the military campaign. Netanyahu claims he is prioritising both. But that claim has lost some cogency since reports emerged that Netanyahu rejected a deal for a five-day ceasefire early in the war in return for release of some of the hostages. 3) Securing his own political future Netanyahu will be acutely aware that the only other Israeli political leader to have presided over a security and intelligence failure of the magnitude of Hamas October 7 attack was Golda Meir at the start of the Yom Kippur War in 1973. And she resigned soon after the Egyptian and Syrian forces were defeated. The longer the current war continues, the greater the chance Netanyahu can severely diminish Hamas leadership structure. And this would allow him to burnish his tarnished credentials as Israels security guarantor. He will also have noted former Prime Minister Ehud Baraks comment that Israel probably has only weeks left to eliminate Hamas before international public opinion completely turns against Israel. This adds urgency to Netanyahus need for an outcome he can describe as a victory. 4) Dealing with pressures from the White House The Biden administration is also letting it be known through media leaks that it has concerns over Israels conduct of the war, particularly the high number of civilian casualties and apparent lack of an exit strategy. The US is also warning Israel more explicitly that international support for its military operation is waning. This is of growing concern to the Biden administration because its strong support for Israel comes with increasing risks. First, American diplomats have said anger in the Arab world is so intense over continued US support for Israel, it is losing us Arab publics for a generation. And there is also the risk Bidens embrace of Israel could hurt him during next years presidential election. Many of the anti-war demonstrators in the US are young, college-educated progressives who helped elect Biden in 2020. If these voters fail to turn out for him next year, the likely Republican candidate, Donald Trump, could prevail. Reaching an acceptable  and achievable  endgame Biden and Netanyahu are thus on a collision course. Netanyahu wants a long war in order to maximise his chances of eliminating Hamas  and to delay the inevitable post-war reckoning over the Israeli security failure that led to so much carnage on October 7. Biden agrees Hamas has to be destroyed, but he needs the war to be as short as possible in order to limit the blowback against US interests internationally, as well as against him domestically. There is also uncertainty about the amount of purchase Biden might have if he attempts to rein in Netanyahu. That uncertainty is compounded by the question of what might be an acceptable  and achievable  endgame in Gaza for both. Ian ParmeterResearch Scholar, Centre for Arab and Islamic Studies, Australian National University This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Online Desk

TAIYUAN: Twenty-five people have died and dozens sent to hospital after a fire tore through a building in northern China's Shanxi province on Thursday, AFP reported quoting state media.

The fire broke out Thursday morning at a building of a coal mine company in north China's Shanxi Province, the Shanxi branch of the National Mine Safety Administration was cited as saying by the Chinese news agency Xinhua.

The fire broke out at 6:50 a.m. at the four-story Yongju Coal Industry Joint Building in Chinas top coal-producing hub of Shanxi, Reuters quoted the state broadcaster China Central Television as reporting.

The cause of the fire was still under investigation, it added.

The fire ripped through the second floor of the five-story building located in Lishi District of Lyuliang City. Rescue efforts are underway, according to local authorities Xinhua said

The building belongs to the private Yongju coal mine company, which has a production capacity of 120 tonnes a year, the report added.

(With inputs from AFP)

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TAIYUAN: Twenty-five people have died and dozens sent to hospital after a fire tore through a building in northern China's Shanxi province on Thursday, AFP reported quoting state media. The fire broke out Thursday morning at a building of a coal mine company in north China's Shanxi Province, the Shanxi branch of the National Mine Safety Administration was cited as saying by the Chinese news agency Xinhua. The fire broke out at 6:50 a.m. at the four-story Yongju Coal Industry Joint Building in Chinas top coal-producing hub of Shanxi, Reuters quoted the state broadcaster China Central Television as reporting.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); The cause of the fire was still under investigation, it added. The fire ripped through the second floor of the five-story building located in Lishi District of Lyuliang City. Rescue efforts are underway, according to local authorities Xinhua said The building belongs to the private Yongju coal mine company, which has a production capacity of 120 tonnes a year, the report added. (With inputs from AFP) Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

China condemned on Thursday US President Joe Biden's description of Xi Jinping as a dictator as "extremely wrong", after the two leaders wrapped up a summit in California.

Asked about Biden's remarks, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: "This kind of speech is extremely wrong and is irresponsible political manipulation. China firmly opposes it."

"I need to point out that there are always some people with ulterior motives attempting to sow discord and wreck China-US relations, and this too will not succeed," she added.

Asked to clarify who she was referring to, Mao demurred, saying: "I think whoever is trying to undermine and sow discord between China and the United States knows it."

ALSO READ | Biden says he still believes Xi Jinping is a dictator

Biden and Xi agreed at their first summit in a year on Wednesday to restore military communications between the two countries.

They also agreed, among other things, that China would crack down on the production of ingredients for fentanyl, responsible for a deadly epidemic of opioid abuse in the United States.

But speaking after his meeting with Xi on Wednesday, Biden told journalists he still considers the Chinese president a "dictator".

ALSO READ | US, China restore military ties despite Biden calling Xi 'dictator' during press conference

He had sparked fury from Beijing by making the comparison earlier this year.

"Well look he is, I mean he's a dictator in the sense that he's a guy who's running a country, a Communist country, that's based on a form of government totally different than ours," Biden said.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

China condemned on Thursday US President Joe Biden's description of Xi Jinping as a dictator as "extremely wrong", after the two leaders wrapped up a summit in California. Asked about Biden's remarks, foreign ministry spokesperson Mao Ning said: "This kind of speech is extremely wrong and is irresponsible political manipulation. China firmly opposes it." "I need to point out that there are always some people with ulterior motives attempting to sow discord and wreck China-US relations, and this too will not succeed," she added.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Asked to clarify who she was referring to, Mao demurred, saying: "I think whoever is trying to undermine and sow discord between China and the United States knows it." ALSO READ | Biden says he still believes Xi Jinping is a dictator Biden and Xi agreed at their first summit in a year on Wednesday to restore military communications between the two countries. They also agreed, among other things, that China would crack down on the production of ingredients for fentanyl, responsible for a deadly epidemic of opioid abuse in the United States. But speaking after his meeting with Xi on Wednesday, Biden told journalists he still considers the Chinese president a "dictator". ALSO READ | US, China restore military ties despite Biden calling Xi 'dictator' during press conference He had sparked fury from Beijing by making the comparison earlier this year. "Well look he is, I mean he's a dictator in the sense that he's a guy who's running a country, a Communist country, that's based on a form of government totally different than ours," Biden said. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By AFP

SAN FRANCISCO: China is "ready to be a partner and friend of the United States," President Xi Jinping told US business leaders on Wednesday, as concerns mount over the country's slowing economy.

If one country sees the other as a main competitor and most consequential geopolitical challenge, "this will only lead to wrong policymaking, misguided actions and unwanted results," he told a dinner on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit.

Xi's remarks in San Francisco came hours after his highly anticipated talks with US President Joe Biden, where both men pledged to reduce tensions as they met for the first time in a year.

ALSO READ | Biden says he still believes Xi Jinping is a dictator

The two sides announced a host of agreements after talks at the luxury Filoli Estate, starting with the reactivation of a high-level military hotline.

"We should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people interactions," Xi told an audience of around 400 business leaders, government officials and academics.

"We must not create various obstacles or create a chilling effect," he added.

Among those on a guest list seen by AFP were Apple CEO Tim Cook, Laurence Fink of BlackRock and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla.

Xi's comments at the event organized by the US-China Business Council and National Committee on US-China Relations were being closely watched, given worries about China's tighter business oversight and bilateral tensions.

Foreign business confidence in China hit its lowest point in years according to US and European enterprise lobbies in September, with US firms increasingly looking to shift investment away.

ALSO READ | US, China restore military ties despite Biden calling Xi 'dictator' during press conference

'Open for business'

"Xi is interested in signaling that despite geopolitical tensions -- especially around the high tech industries -- China remains open for business," said Lindsay Gorman, senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States.

But, she told AFP, "there is a lot more skepticism" from US firms than 10 years ago, even if some may be eager to overcome tensions.

Thibault Denamiel, associate fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), noted that Chinese tech giant Huawei unexpectedly unveiled a new smartphone -- involving advanced 7 nanometer technology -- during US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's visit to China this year.

It appears that Chinese authorities are sending a dual message, that they can weather geopolitical headwinds such as US chip controls, while encouraging foreign businesses to keep coming, he added.

Xi said on Wednesday that China wants to invite 50,000 young Americans to the country on exchange and study programs over the next five years, and that Beijing was ready to further cooperation on panda conservation, though no new animal loans were promised.

The Chinese leader, who recently met California Governor Gavin Newsom, said he would welcome visits from regional politicians and members of Congress.

But in a reminder of the still-sticky state of China-US ties, Mike Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican who chairs the bipartisan House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, lashed out at the attendance at the meeting by senior US business leaders.

It is "unconscionable" for US companies to pay thousands for a welcome dinner hosted by the Communist Party, he wrote in a letter this week, given allegations that they have overseen a "genocide" against people in China's northwestern Xinjiang region.

Gallagher added that executives "must recognize that the reality of doing business in China today includes the increased risk of arbitrary detentions, exit bans, and raids by the Chinese intelligence services," urging firms to reduce the risks they face.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

SAN FRANCISCO: China is "ready to be a partner and friend of the United States," President Xi Jinping told US business leaders on Wednesday, as concerns mount over the country's slowing economy. If one country sees the other as a main competitor and most consequential geopolitical challenge, "this will only lead to wrong policymaking, misguided actions and unwanted results," he told a dinner on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Xi's remarks in San Francisco came hours after his highly anticipated talks with US President Joe Biden, where both men pledged to reduce tensions as they met for the first time in a year.googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); ALSO READ | Biden says he still believes Xi Jinping is a dictator The two sides announced a host of agreements after talks at the luxury Filoli Estate, starting with the reactivation of a high-level military hotline. "We should build more bridges and pave more roads for people-to-people interactions," Xi told an audience of around 400 business leaders, government officials and academics. "We must not create various obstacles or create a chilling effect," he added. Among those on a guest list seen by AFP were Apple CEO Tim Cook, Laurence Fink of BlackRock and Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla. Xi's comments at the event organized by the US-China Business Council and National Committee on US-China Relations were being closely watched, given worries about China's tighter business oversight and bilateral tensions. Foreign business confidence in China hit its lowest point in years according to US and European enterprise lobbies in September, with US firms increasingly looking to shift investment away. ALSO READ | US, China restore military ties despite Biden calling Xi 'dictator' during press conference 'Open for business' "Xi is interested in signaling that despite geopolitical tensions -- especially around the high tech industries -- China remains open for business," said Lindsay Gorman, senior fellow at the German Marshall Fund of the United States. But, she told AFP, "there is a lot more skepticism" from US firms than 10 years ago, even if some may be eager to overcome tensions. Thibault Denamiel, associate fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), noted that Chinese tech giant Huawei unexpectedly unveiled a new smartphone -- involving advanced 7 nanometer technology -- during US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo's visit to China this year. It appears that Chinese authorities are sending a dual message, that they can weather geopolitical headwinds such as US chip controls, while encouraging foreign businesses to keep coming, he added. Xi said on Wednesday that China wants to invite 50,000 young Americans to the country on exchange and study programs over the next five years, and that Beijing was ready to further cooperation on panda conservation, though no new animal loans were promised. The Chinese leader, who recently met California Governor Gavin Newsom, said he would welcome visits from regional politicians and members of Congress. But in a reminder of the still-sticky state of China-US ties, Mike Gallagher, a Wisconsin Republican who chairs the bipartisan House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party, lashed out at the attendance at the meeting by senior US business leaders. It is "unconscionable" for US companies to pay thousands for a welcome dinner hosted by the Communist Party, he wrote in a letter this week, given allegations that they have overseen a "genocide" against people in China's northwestern Xinjiang region. Gallagher added that executives "must recognize that the reality of doing business in China today includes the increased risk of arbitrary detentions, exit bans, and raids by the Chinese intelligence services," urging firms to reduce the risks they face. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
By Associated Press

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted its first resolution since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses" in Gaza to address the escalating crisis for Palestinian civilians during Israel's aerial and ground attacks. Israel immediately rejected the resolution.

The vote in the 15-member council was 12-0 with the United States, United Kingdom and Russia abstaining. The US and U.K. abstained because of the resolution's failure to condemn Hamas' surprise cross-border attacks into Israel on Oct. 7, and Russia because of its failure to demand a humanitarian cease-fire, which Israel and the United States oppose.

The final draft watered down language from "demands" to "calls" for humanitarian pauses, and for "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups."

Still, the resolution, which was sponsored by Malta, managed to overcome the serious differences that had prevented the council from adopting four previous resolutions.

"What we have achieved today is an important first step," Malta's UN Ambassador Vanessa Frazier said. "We will remain steadfast in our commitment to the protection of civilians and the plight of children in armed conflict that continue to suffer in a disproportionate manner."

The resolution doesn't mention the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, where Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people and took some 240 others hostage. Nor does it mention Israel's response with airstrikes and a ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza that the territory's health ministry says have killed more than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children.

Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia tried unsuccessfully to amend the resolution just before the vote with language from a resolution adopted Oct. 27 by the 193-member General Assembly. It calls for an "immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities."

The vote on the amendment was five countries in favour, the US opposed, and nine abstentions. It was not adopted because it failed to get the minimum nine "yes" votes.

Nebenzia said he abstained on the resolution because of appeals from the region for council action on the dire humanitarian situation. But he called it a disgrace that the council, which has "a uniquely powerful toolbox" including sanctions and even military action, "finally squeezed out such a weak call."

"As the old saying goes, the mountain has laboured and brought forth a mouse," the Russian ambassador said.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she remains "horrified" that a few council members can't condemn Hamas' "barbaric terrorist attack," and criticized the resolution for not reaffirming every country's right to self-defence. She did note that the resolution is the first ever adopted "that even mentions the word Hamas."

Nonetheless, Thomas-Greenfield called the resolution "a step forward" and said the U.S. supports its calls for humanitarian pauses and the release of hostages.

United Arab Emirates Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, the Arab representative on the council, said its members supported the resolution, which is the first on the situation in the Palestinian territories since 2016.

"It is difficult geopolitical times, and to bring the unity of the council today to speak with one voice on the subject that has haunted all of us over the last month is, I think, momentous," she said.

The resolution "is a first, important and overdue step" and will change the world's perception that the Security Council "is indifferent," Nusseibeh said.

But the world must not lose sight of the urgent goal of a lasting humanitarian cease-fire, she said.

Israel's UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan issued a statement saying the resolution "is disconnected from reality and is meaningless." He criticized the council's failure to condemn Hamas, claiming the militants were deliberately allowing the humanitarian situation to deteriorate so the United Nations would pressure Israel to back off of Gaza. "It will not happen," Erdan said.

"Israel will continue to act until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages are returned."

UN Security Council resolutions are legally binding, unlike General Assembly resolutions, but in practice many parties choose to ignore the council's requests for action. Richard Gowan, UN director for the International Crisis Group, said the Security Council has called for cease-fires in wars from the Balkans to Syria "with little or no impact."

The General Assembly resolution was approved on Oct. 27 by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions. Since then, Israel agreed Nov. 9 to four-hour pauses. But only limited aid has been delivered to Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and a humanitarian catastrophe has been brewing.

Gowan said that the council was able to speak at all and gave its member nations "some respite," but would likely not have any significant impact. "The resolution is drafted in a way that puts no real political pressure on Israel, but the US will likely urge Israel to show more flexibility on aid issues to satisfy global opinion," Gowan told AP.

"The council will not move from this text to a call for a ceasefire unless facts change significantly on the ground."

The resolution calls for humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a "sufficient number of days" for unhindered access by the UN, Red Cross and other aid groups to get water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies to all those in need. It says the pauses also should allow for the repair of essential infrastructure and enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts.

It demands that "all parties comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children."

It also asks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report to the council at its next monthly Mideast meeting, on Nov. 28, on implementing the resolution.

Asked afterwards about Israel's rejection of the resolution, Malta's Frazier and the UAE's Nusseibeh said it remains legally binding and pointed to Guterres' upcoming report. Nusseibeh said the secretary-general has been asked to bring ideas on what the UN would need "for further monitoring and implementation on the ground."

Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, said the Security Council should have called for a cease-fire a long time ago, stressing that "Gaza bleeds death, devastation, destruction everywhere." It is "a small, modest resolution," he said.

"Israel considers all of us terrorists," he told the council after the vote. "Israel is not under threat of destruction. It is destroying Palestine. It considers the Palestinian state as a strategic threat. It is against Palestinian rule anywhere."

Mansour said the Palestinians will keep coming back to the Security Council and the General Assembly for action, first and foremost for a cease-fire.

Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp

UNITED NATIONS: The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted its first resolution since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses" in Gaza to address the escalating crisis for Palestinian civilians during Israel's aerial and ground attacks. Israel immediately rejected the resolution. The vote in the 15-member council was 12-0 with the United States, United Kingdom and Russia abstaining. The US and U.K. abstained because of the resolution's failure to condemn Hamas' surprise cross-border attacks into Israel on Oct. 7, and Russia because of its failure to demand a humanitarian cease-fire, which Israel and the United States oppose. The final draft watered down language from "demands" to "calls" for humanitarian pauses, and for "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups."googletag.cmd.push(function() {googletag.display('div-gpt-ad-8052921-2'); }); Still, the resolution, which was sponsored by Malta, managed to overcome the serious differences that had prevented the council from adopting four previous resolutions. "What we have achieved today is an important first step," Malta's UN Ambassador Vanessa Frazier said. "We will remain steadfast in our commitment to the protection of civilians and the plight of children in armed conflict that continue to suffer in a disproportionate manner." The resolution doesn't mention the Oct. 7 attacks in Israel, where Hamas militants killed around 1,200 people and took some 240 others hostage. Nor does it mention Israel's response with airstrikes and a ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza that the territory's health ministry says have killed more than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children. Russia's UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia tried unsuccessfully to amend the resolution just before the vote with language from a resolution adopted Oct. 27 by the 193-member General Assembly. It calls for an "immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities." The vote on the amendment was five countries in favour, the US opposed, and nine abstentions. It was not adopted because it failed to get the minimum nine "yes" votes. Nebenzia said he abstained on the resolution because of appeals from the region for council action on the dire humanitarian situation. But he called it a disgrace that the council, which has "a uniquely powerful toolbox" including sanctions and even military action, "finally squeezed out such a weak call." "As the old saying goes, the mountain has laboured and brought forth a mouse," the Russian ambassador said. US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said she remains "horrified" that a few council members can't condemn Hamas' "barbaric terrorist attack," and criticized the resolution for not reaffirming every country's right to self-defence. She did note that the resolution is the first ever adopted "that even mentions the word Hamas." Nonetheless, Thomas-Greenfield called the resolution "a step forward" and said the U.S. supports its calls for humanitarian pauses and the release of hostages. United Arab Emirates Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, the Arab representative on the council, said its members supported the resolution, which is the first on the situation in the Palestinian territories since 2016. "It is difficult geopolitical times, and to bring the unity of the council today to speak with one voice on the subject that has haunted all of us over the last month is, I think, momentous," she said. The resolution "is a first, important and overdue step" and will change the world's perception that the Security Council "is indifferent," Nusseibeh said. But the world must not lose sight of the urgent goal of a lasting humanitarian cease-fire, she said. Israel's UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan issued a statement saying the resolution "is disconnected from reality and is meaningless." He criticized the council's failure to condemn Hamas, claiming the militants were deliberately allowing the humanitarian situation to deteriorate so the United Nations would pressure Israel to back off of Gaza. "It will not happen," Erdan said. "Israel will continue to act until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages are returned." UN Security Council resolutions are legally binding, unlike General Assembly resolutions, but in practice many parties choose to ignore the council's requests for action. Richard Gowan, UN director for the International Crisis Group, said the Security Council has called for cease-fires in wars from the Balkans to Syria "with little or no impact." The General Assembly resolution was approved on Oct. 27 by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions. Since then, Israel agreed Nov. 9 to four-hour pauses. But only limited aid has been delivered to Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and a humanitarian catastrophe has been brewing. Gowan said that the council was able to speak at all and gave its member nations "some respite," but would likely not have any significant impact. "The resolution is drafted in a way that puts no real political pressure on Israel, but the US will likely urge Israel to show more flexibility on aid issues to satisfy global opinion," Gowan told AP. "The council will not move from this text to a call for a ceasefire unless facts change significantly on the ground." The resolution calls for humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a "sufficient number of days" for unhindered access by the UN, Red Cross and other aid groups to get water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies to all those in need. It says the pauses also should allow for the repair of essential infrastructure and enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts. It demands that "all parties comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children." It also asks UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to report to the council at its next monthly Mideast meeting, on Nov. 28, on implementing the resolution. Asked afterwards about Israel's rejection of the resolution, Malta's Frazier and the UAE's Nusseibeh said it remains legally binding and pointed to Guterres' upcoming report. Nusseibeh said the secretary-general has been asked to bring ideas on what the UN would need "for further monitoring and implementation on the ground." Riyad Mansour, the Palestinian UN ambassador, said the Security Council should have called for a cease-fire a long time ago, stressing that "Gaza bleeds death, devastation, destruction everywhere." It is "a small, modest resolution," he said. "Israel considers all of us terrorists," he told the council after the vote. "Israel is not under threat of destruction. It is destroying Palestine. It considers the Palestinian state as a strategic threat. It is against Palestinian rule anywhere." Mansour said the Palestinians will keep coming back to the Security Council and the General Assembly for action, first and foremost for a cease-fire. Follow The New Indian Express channel on WhatsApp
There have been new developments in the prosecutions of participants in the racist torch-bearing mob that roiled the University of Virginia Lawn six years ago.

A new defendant was named and promptly pleaded guilty, an angry face that went viral disappeared from prosecution and a pair of upstart lawyers has pushed two local judges off the case.

Seeing the judges recuse themselves kind of takes me by surprise, defendant Jacob Joseph Dix told The Daily Progress. I was worried that I wasnt going to get a fair shake. I feel more optimistic about getting a fair trial now.

Dix, a resident of Clarksville, Ohio, was among the estimated 300 people who carried burning tiki torches across UVa Grounds on Aug. 11, 2017, the night before the fatal and infamous Unite the Right rally-turned-riot in Charlottesville. Now, hes one of nine men charged with using fire to intimidate.

Prosecutions against the torch-bearers began earlier this year after the unsealing of felony indictments, alleging violations of Virginias so-called cross-burning law, which can result in a five-year sentence. So far, four men have pleaded guilty and two have been sentenced to six-month terms.

However, Dix and several other defendants recently started attacking the process.

This is not a criminal prosecution, Dix contended in an Oct. 18 motion. This is a political vendetta.

While the shouts of Blood and soil and Jews will not replace us brought the event almost as much condemnation as the next-day car attack that killed anti-racist counterprotester Heather Heyer and injured many others, lawyers for Dix and fellow defendant Augustus Sol Invictus have filed motions trying to stymie the prosecution.

The defense attorneys claim the Virginia statute doesnt apply to tiki torches, and they assert the local judges cant fairly oversee the cases. The first judge to recuse himself was Claude Worrell.

Potentially, you could be a witness, said Terrell N. Roberts III, lawyer for Invictus, in court on Sept. 27.

Roberts was noting the fact that while attending an interfaith service that night at St. Pauls Memorial Church, across the street from the torch march, Worrell reportedly called the police.

I saw some things that were quite a distance away, and then I left, replied Worrell.

Despite downplaying his involvement, the judge quickly agreed to step aside.

Not a problem, said Worrell. I will grant your motion to recuse.

Longtime local court-watcher and veteran defense attorney David Heilberg said that Worrell made the right call.

If there can even be an appearance of an impropriety, a judge should recuse himself, Heilberg told The Daily Progress. If in doubt, recuse.

After Worrell bowed out, fellow 16th Circuit Judge Cheryl Higgins stepped in to consider a defense motion alleging that the tiki torches, as a prior prosecutor had argued in declining to push the cases, were not burning objects under the scope of the law and that the torches were protected speech under the First Amendment. Higgins rejected both of those arguments on Oct. 11, delivering a blow to the defense.

By early November, however, Higgins gave the defense a victory of sorts, recusing herself from both the Dix and Invictus cases over her concern that Worrells wife, Kathryn Laughon, might be called as a witness. A nurse, Laughon is also a crusader against racism who, until the recent motions were filed, often posted messages pushing for social justice and civil rights on X, the social media platform formerly known as Twitter. Laughons X account is no longer active.

While quitting those two cases, Higgins revealed during a mid-November hearing that she does not intend to recuse herself from two other cases, those of Ryan Roy of Enosburg Falls, Vermont, and William Henry Fears IV of Pasadena, Texas. Her persistence brought some pushback from Fears lawyer Bryan Jones.

If the court recuses itself from one case but not others, theres a concern, said Jones.

Appearing frustrated, Higgins distanced herself from Worrell and his family.

We are colleagues, but we dont do anything socially together, said Higgins. I am not an appendage of Judge Worrell.

Noting that Fears goes to trial in late December, Higgins suggested that she may have further thoughts by the time of a Dec. 4 hearing.

However, the lawyers for Invictus and Dix are not content with just getting a new judge. They claim that the prosecution is tainted because the assistant commonwealths attorney who has been handling the cases, Lawton Tufts, has an improper bias. They say Tufts attended at least two left-wing protests, bragged about fighting Nazis and served as a pre-rally liaison between anti-racist activists and law enforcement.

Never in Virginias four-century history has a prosecutor participated in counterprotests against a lawful demonstration then subsequently prosecuted the demonstrators, wrote Peter Frazier, Dixs lawyer.

While Frazier has demanded Tufts turn over electronic records, Tufts filed a motion to quash that effort, calling it a fishing expedition and an attempt to harass.

While all this has been happening, one of the highest-profile torch-marchers has gone silent. Peter Cytanovic of Reno, Nevada, became the face of White terror, as he once put it, after an angry, open-mouthed, torch-toting image of him went viral. In July, he outed himself as an indictee awaiting extradition to Virginia, and a court record from the Nevada jail where he was held seemed to confirm his story. However, Cytanovics name has disappeared from the Nevada jail and never appeared in the public record in Albemarle County Circuit Court, where the cases have been prosecuted. Albemarle Commonwealths Attorney Jim Hingeley has declined to discuss the case.

In September, Colton Fears of Pasadena, Texas, the younger brother of William Fears, was extradited to Virginia. He received bail when he tendered his guilty plea in late October.

Last week, Higgins appointed a pair of retired judges to take over the cases with recusals. She tapped H. Thomas Padrick Jr. to oversee the Dix case and Richard E. Moore to oversee Invictus.

Those judges may soon need to handle motions including one that attempts to disqualify the prosecutors office and another asserting that in waiting nearly six years the prosecution has violated the constitutional guarantee to a speedy trial. Dix sounded a hopeful tone speaking with The Daily Progress.

Were the first ones to mount any kind of defense really, said Dix. I will be in great shape to receive a fair trial once the prosecutors office has been disqualified.
San Francisco, Nov 15

A pple on Wednesday announced it is extending free access to Emergency SOS via satellite feature for an additional year for existing iPhone 14 users.

The company launched that groundbreaking safety service one year ago on all iPhone 14 models in the US and Canada. It is now also available on the iPhone 15 lineup in 16 countries and regions.

This technology enables users to text with emergency services while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage and has already made a significant impact, contributing to many lives being saved.

"Emergency SOS via satellite has helped save lives around the world," Kaiann Drance, Apples vice president of Worldwide iPhone Product Marketing, said in a statement.

"From a man who was rescued after his car plummeted over a 400-foot cliff in Los Angeles, to lost hikers found in the Apennine Mountains in Italy, we continue to hear stories of our customers being able to connect with emergency responders when they otherwise wouldnt have been able to," she added.

Building on this satellite infrastructure, Apple recently introduced Roadside Assistance via satellite to connect users to AAA if they have car trouble while outside of cellular and Wi-Fi coverage.

Roadside Assistance via satellite is available in the US and is included for free for two years, starting at the time of activation of a new iPhone 15, iPhone 15 Plus, iPhone 15 Pro, iPhone 15 Pro Max, iPhone 14, iPhone 14 Plus, iPhone 14 Pro, or iPhone 14 Pro Max. This satellite service requires iOS 17.

Apple extends Emergency SOS via satellite for another free year

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Los Angeles, Nov 15

A fter releasing his latest historical-epic film Napoleon, director Ridley Scott is in no mood to stop as the 85-yearold is proceeding with full force for completing Gladiator 2. Revealing additional details for the sequel to his Oscar-winning film, Scott said that he has over 90 minutes of fully-unedited footage, with March 2024 being a likely release date.

The WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes had delayed a bunch of projects as many writers and actors walked out over the looming issue of AI overuse. Now that the strikes are over, work has once again proceeded and Scott is confident that shooting can once again begin within the next two weeks.

Talking to Varietyabout when he can get the sequel back on track following the Hollywood protests, the Alien director said: Thank God its over. We shot about 90 minutes, at least thats finished. Its really getting the sets cleaned up; theyre already built. I got another 90 minutes to go.

Speaking about the idle time he had on his hands for the past six months of the strikes, he said: I prepped the film after 'Gladiator'. I have a script finished to the extent that weve already pitched to studios and Ive already recced it. I used time out to find out where Im going to do it.

As the director was unable to meet with much of his Gladiator 2 cast during the strikes, he was asked whether he was worried if the actors had gained weight by not exercising or just over-eating."

To this he confidently replied: None of my guys do that. Paul Mescal is really very fit and stays that way. I havent seen the other ones yet, so I hope theyre not porked up.

Elaborating on what made him want to even direct a sequel, and that too after 20 years, Scott said: Well, economically, it makes sense. That always begins there. I thought the first film was, as it were, completely satisfactory, creatively complete, so why muck with it, right? But these cycles keeps going on and on and on, they repeat globally for the last 20 years."

It started to spell itself out as an obvious thing to do, and thats how it evolved. The hardest thing is getting the footprint right with the writer. There was a very obvious way to go, which was whos the survivor?"

Well, the survivor could be Connie, Marcus daughter, but whats even more interesting, and therefore a double whammy, theres the son. Whatever happened to him? It became about that, and thats Paul Mescal. Its 20 years on. That was harder than casting Russell as Maximus, that was more obvious," he added.

Ridley Scott says he has over 90-minutes of unedited footage for 'Gladiator 2'

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Ratnagiri, Nov 15

I n what is billed as the first ever rescue operation of its kind, a massive whale calf (baby) which was stuck on the famed Ganpatipule Beach on Monday, was finally rescued and successfully pushed back into the Arabian Sea early on Wednesday, a local resident said.

The mammoth operation involved the district fire brigade, police, fisheries department, Indian Coast Guard and local volunteers who toiled to save the whale against a possible death after it got beached here and lay helpless in the shallow sandy waters during the low tide.

The hapless calf whale was noticed on the beach, stuck in the sand and furiously struggling to get into the sea waters, by some locals and tourists around dawn and alerted the local police and fisheries department, and the ICG which got into the act.

The baby mammal measured around 30-feet long and was estimated to weigh more than four tonnes, making it a difficult rescue missions. Two cranes were deployed to help out.

At one point, a team of veterinary doctors administered fluid to the bewildered and struggling mammal to ensure it survived the ordeal.

The rescue teams tied belts and a rope net to haul it to the waters, though it reportedly suffered a minor injury near the tail portion.

Finally after many hours of patience and hard work, the rescue teams managed to push it back in the sand, virtually inch-by-inch, till it could comfortably swim into the sea and return to its freedom in the deep waters  as louds cheers and claps went up from the assembled crowds of onlookers, locals and tourists.

Officials monitoring the developments said that after it went back to safety in the deep waters, the calf whale was visible at least thrice at some distance from the beach and then finally disappeared into the waters, indicating that it was healthy and unharmed post-rescue.

Earlier, at least two attempts proved unsuccessful and the calf whale was pushed back to the shore, compelling the rescuers to start over again till they conquered the challenge.

After 40-hrs' herculean effort, whale calf pushed back into Arabian Sea

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Mumbai, Nov 15

B ollywood star couple Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh, whose film Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela celebrates its 10th anniversary on Wednesday, were spotted in Brussels.

The two celebrated their 5th wedding anniversary on Tuesday and were seen holidaying in Belgium.

A picture of the couple, sitting inside a property with their backs facing the street has emerged on the Internet.

Taking to X, a fan claimed to have spotted the couple in Brussels. He also shared a snapshot capturing the duo engaged in a conversation inside a salon, seated on a plush couch.

Another picture, shared by a fan, shows the couple posing with their fans and donning warm clothes.

Ranveer-Deepika tied the knot on November 14, 2018, at Italy's Lake Como after dating for six long years. Their romance started with Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram-Leela.

Recently, on popular chat show Koffee With Karan Ranveer Singh shared that in 2015, he had proposed to Deepika. He said, Iske pehle ki koi aur aa jaye main jaake chappal rakh deta hoon (sic).

Deepika, Ranveer spotted holidaying in Brussels

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Scarlett Johansson says it would be a real 'marvel' if MCU could bring back Black Widow

Los Angeles, Nov 15

A ctress Scarlett Johanssons return as Black Widow in the MCU is a rather curious topic. Given the MCUs history of bringing the characters back from the dead, the possibility of reviving the spy-assassin has been frequently discussed due to her massive popularity, and Johansson says that it would be a "real marvel" if Marvel could actually pull it off.

In a recent appearance on the Today show to promote her skincare line, Johansson addressed speculation of her return as redhead assassin. Coyly replying to the question, she said: Like a loophole? I feel like thats kind of the end, right? Like can you come back? Could it be a vampire version of the character? Cause Im here for that, like a zombie version, maybe.

Pressing his question, the shows host Al Rocker asked whether the Lucy actress was approached to reprise her role. To this she said: You really ask the hard questions. I feel like I have to tell you, but I actually dont have to tell you, Al. I do not, but I want to so bad, the Oscar nominee told the host before asking to change the subject, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Later, in a separate one-on-one conversation with Australian TV personality Savannah Guthrie, she told the host: It would be a miracle if she was able to return somehow.It would be a real Marvel miracle, she quipped. It would be a marvel, but who knows? Im not sure.

Johansson first made her appearance as Natasha Romanoff in Iron Man 2. Following that, she was seen in the films Avengers, Avengers: The Age of Ultron, Captain America: The Winter Soldier, Captain America Civil War, Avengers: Infinity War, and Avengers: Endgame.

Her character was killed off in Endgame as she sacrificed herself to get the Soul Stone. Afterwards, though it was intended that she stay dead, the actress was later seen in the Phase 4 film Black Widow which was an origin story for the character and received mostly negative reviews.

Scarlett Johansson says it would be a real 'marvel' if MCU could bring back Black Widow

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X Corp banned over 2L accounts for policy violations in India in Oct

New Delhi, Nov 15

E lon Musk-run X Corp (formerly Twitter) banned a record 2,34,584 accounts in India between September 26 and October 25, mostly for promoting child sexual exploitation and non-consensual nudity.

The micro-blogging platform, going through a churning under Musk, who has recently appointed a new X CEO Linda Yaccarino, also took down 2,755 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country.

In total, X banned 2,37,339 accounts in the reporting period in India.

X, in its monthly report in compliance with the new IT Rules, 2021, said that it received 3,229 complaints from users in India in the same time frame through its grievance redressal mechanisms. In addition, X processed 78 grievances which were appealing account suspensions.

"We overturned 43 of these account suspensions after reviewing the specifics of the situation. The remaining reported accounts remain suspended," said the company. "We received 53 requests related to general questions about accounts during this reporting period," it added.

Most complaints from India were about hateful conduct (1,424), followed by abuse/harassment (917), child sexual exploitation (366), and sensitive adult content (231).

Under the new IT Rules 2021, big digital and social media platforms, with more than 5 million users, have to publish monthly compliance reports.

Between August 26 and September 25, X banned 5,57,764 accounts in India.

The micro-blogging platform also took down 1,675 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country.

In addition, between July 26 and August 25, the company banned 12,80,107 accounts and took down 2,307 accounts for promoting terrorism on its platform in the country. Meanwhile, X has "actioned" over 325,000 pieces of content that violated its terms of service, including violent speech and hateful conduct, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

X Corp banned over 2L accounts for policy violations in India in Oct

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Newly elected state Sen. John McGuire announced Wednesday that he plans to challenge Rep. Bob Good for the Republican Partys nomination in Virginias 5th District next year.

He is already facing pushback from within his own party, however, after fellow Republicans called him out for telling them and the public he had no intention of running against Good during his campaign for the state Senate.

Im running for Congress against Never Trump politician Bob Good, McGuire, a Goochland resident, said in a Facebook post. On the day our president was wrongly indicted, Bob abandoned Trump by endorsing another candidate.

Im a father, a Navy SEAL, a Day One Trump supporter, a Christian conservative and a pro-life, pro-gun business owner running to save America and help the people, McGuire wrote. Join me if you agree we can do better than good.

Trump endorsed Good in 2020, when he was first elected to Congress after ousting Denver Riggleman in a convention. In May of this year, Good endorsed Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis for president, saying, in part: Governor DeSantis gives us the best opportunity to win and restore the conservative America-first agenda.

The sprawling 5th District includes all or part of 24 counties and cities. It stretches from Albemarle County south to Danville and Halifax counties and from Bedford County on the western edge to Amelia and Nottoway counties to the east.

Good, a member of the House Freedom Caucus, is one of the eight Republicans who voted Oct. 3 to oust Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy. This week, Good voted against new Speaker Mike Johnsons two-tier spending plan to avert a federal government shutdown.

McGuire has served in the House of Delegates since 2018, representing Louisa County and parts of Goochland, Henrico and Spotsylvania counties.

In 2020, he sought the GOP nomination for Congress in the old 7th District, then based in the Richmond suburbs. He lost the nomination in a convention to Del. Nick Freitas of Culpeper. He considered another run for the 7th District congressional seat before the state Supreme Court imposed new legislative and congressional boundaries in December 2021.

McGuire announced in February 2022 that he would instead run for state Senate in the newly drawn 10th District that includes all or part of 11 counties west of Richmond, including parts of Hanover and Louisa counties and all of Powhatan, Goochland and Fluvanna counties.

McGuire, who had Gov. Glenn Youngkins endorsement for the Senate seat, easily topped three rivals in May to win the nomination. He was unopposed in the Nov. 7 general election.

Shortly after McGuires announcement, the Goochland County Republican Committee sent him a No Confidence Resolution.

It has become evident that John McGuires convention race was characterized by his personal ambitions and not by a desire to improve the welfare of the people he was elected to represent, the resolution reads. John McGuire has failed to honor his commitment and has broken his promise, thereby undermining the trust placed in him by the electorate.

Republicans who lost to McGuire in Virginias 10th Senate District primary, Duane Adams, the chairman of the Louisa County Board of Supervisors, and Sandy Brindley, released a joint statement on Wednesday condemning McGuires announcement.

John McGuire pledged on the campaign trail that he would be a voice for the 10th Senate District, and that he would hold the line for our values in the Senate. He lied, the statement reads. This is an insult to every person in the 10th Senate District that put their faith in John McGuire. Instead of continuing to climb the political ladder for his own personal ambition, and primarying Americas most conservative Congressman, Mr. McGuire should drop out of the race, apologize to his constituents, and be the leader we need in Richmond.

Daily Progress staff contributed to this story.
Washington, Nov 16

U S President Joe Biden told his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Wednesday that they should keep their communications lines open and get to understand each other so as to ensure that competition (between their countries) does not veer into conflict while the Chinese President reiterated his opposition to describing the relationship as competition saying it is not the prevailing trend of current times.

The Chinese leader went on to warn that conflict and confrontation between the two countries will have unbearable consequences for both sides.

Biden hosted Xi at a mansion outside San Francisco where they are for the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. This was their first meeting in more than a year; they last met in Bali, Indonesia in September 2022 on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

Ties between the two countries have been on a rollercoaster ride since, hitting a new low in June when a Chinese spy balloon entered US airspace and wafted across the American mainland till it was shot down by the US air force over the Atlantic Ocean. Secretary of State Antony Blinken had postponed his upcoming visit to Beijing in protest and communications between the two sides plummeted even further. Beijing had snapped the military-to-military communication in August 2022 in anger over then-Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan.

The Biden administration had been pressing the Chinese to reopen communications arguing, as the president reiterated it to his Chinese counterpart, the two sides need to talk so that they are pushed into a conflict of miscommunication or the failure to understand each other. Several top-level visits were exchanged between the two sides, leading up to the leaders summit in San Francisco.

I value our conversation because I think it's paramount that we understand each other clearly, leader to leader with no misconceptions or miscommunication, Biden said to Xi as they sat across a table with their delegations ahead of the talks. We have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict. And we also have to manage responsibly the competition.

The Biden administration had framed the relationship with China as competition between two of the worlds largest economies and has announced major investments into equipping the United States for it, which includes preventing the export of critical components in the high-tech sector to China. The administration further defines its policy towards China as managing this competition.

The first step towards that goal is keeping the lines of communication open.

Biden has been a long-time believer in personal meetings and interfaces with world leaders and his appeal to Xi on Wednesday to develop a leader-to-leader understanding was a piece of that framework.

Xi pushed back in his opening remarks. The China-US relationship has never been smooth sailing over the past 50 years or more, and it always faces problems of one kind or another, he said, speaking through a translator.

Yet it has kept moving forward amid twists and turns. For two large countries like China and the United States. turning their back on each other is not an option. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation have unbearable consequences for both sides.

He added: I am still of the view that major country competition is not to the prevailing trend of current times and cannot solve the problems facing China and the United States or the world at large. Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed.

US officials have kept expectations from the visit low, highlighting essentially the need for the two countries to agree to keep talking and keep open the lines of communications  especially the military-to-military lines. They have also expressed the hope to discuss trade in Fentanyl. Chinese versions of these painkillers are flooding the US market, leading to high levels of dependence and addiction.

The Chinese side could be looking for some respite or concessions on the economy. The Chinese economy is struggling with record youth unemployment, a deepening crisis in the real estate sector and increasing export controls on high-tech components and growing reluctance on the part of international investors to go to China.

Biden asks Xi to keep communication lines open

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San Francisco, Nov 16

C hinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden have agreed to resume on the basis of equality and respect high-level military-to-military communication.

They reached the agreement on Wednesday during a summit at Filoli Estate, a country house approximately 40 km south of San Francisco, California, Xinhua news agency reported.

Biden hosted Xi at Filoli Estate where they are for the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. This was their first meeting in more than a year; they last met in Bali, Indonesia in September 2022 on the sidelines of the G20 summit.

Xi, Biden agree to resume military-to-military communication

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San Francisco, Nov 16

L ina Khan, the Chair of the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), recently shared that she has successfully used OpenAI's ChatGPT to contest a medical bill.

Khan, known for her criticism of big tech firms and advocacy for artificial intelligence (AI) regulation, discussed her successful experience while using AI on the New York Times' Hard Fork podcast, reports Insider.

When asked about her experiences with AI or ChatGPT, she said: "I'd read somewhere that somebody had gotten it to very effectively start contesting medical bills, which I had been navigating," adding: "And so I entered some of those prompts and actually got a successful outcome."

Khan did not elaborate on the matter but her disclosure indicated that the chatbot is used by users worldwide for a variety of purposes, the report mentioned.

Within just 72 hours after its public release, many physicians have already utilised ChatGPT to aid in empathetically communicating with their patients.

Earlier this year, ChatGPT was able to successfully pass the US medical licensing exam and diagnose rare medical conditions with accuracy.

A team from the University of California showed that ChatGPT Chemistry Assistant can help cut down significant time and labour required to develop new materials through efficient analysis of scientific literature.

In the study, published in the Journal of the American Chemical Society, the team prompted ChatGPT to perform one particularly time-consuming task: searching scientific literature.

With that data, they built a second tool, a model to predict experimental results.

FTC Chair Lina Khan uses ChatGPT to fight medical bill

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Crews responding to a Corvallis house fire were unable to save a dog found during a search.

Corvallis Fire Department responded to multiple reports of a residential structure fire at around 2 p.m. Monday, Nov. 13 in the 4800 block of Northwest Crescent Valley Drive, according to a news release from the agency sent Wednesday, Nov. 15.

A Place to Sleep - episode 6: Brownsville Find out how a man arrested in the 1960s for being a drug addict shaped the law that requires Oregon cities to designate a place to sleep for homeless people.

Firefighters arrived to see heavy flames venting from the windows with extension to the attic, the release states, prompting an immediate attack and simultaneous search of the building. Fire damage was reportedly limited to the living room and kitchen, with heat and smoke damage throughout the home.

During the search, a dog was located and removed but could not be revived by crews despite their life-saving efforts, according to the release. There were no reported civilian or firefighter injuries.

The cause of the fire remained under investigation as of Wednesday.
A Corvallis resident is accused of planting a hidden camera in a bathroom and using it to record his roommates.

The spy camera, disguised as a USB charger, was reportedly aimed directly at the shower for three or four months.

Rodolfo Humberto Paz, 42, faces three counts of misdemeanor invasion of personal privacy, according to Benton County court records, which show the District Attorneys Office filed felony privacy invasion charges as well, but the grand jury only indicted on misdemeanors.

A Place to Sleep - episode 6: Brownsville Find out how a man arrested in the 1960s for being a drug addict shaped the law that requires Oregon cities to designate a place to sleep for homeless people.

The alleged victims, two men living at the home and a girlfriend of one of them, turned the tables on Paz, according to police, recording him confessing to buying the covert device to watch people in the bathroom.

In April 2022, Corvallis police were dispatched to the Circle Boulevard home after a residents girlfriend noticed what appeared to be a camera lens on a white USB adapter with two charging ports, according to a probable cause affidavit filed with the court.

Opening the charger, the resident saw a memory card could be stored inside, the affidavit states, noting an internet search revealed it to be a Luohe brand Wi-Fi spy camera sold for $60 on Amazon.com.

Suspecting Paz set up the clandestine device, the alleged victims confronted him, and he reportedly admitted to buying the camera and installing it in the bathroom to watch them in the shower, according to the affidavit, which states the conversation was recorded by Pazs roommates and shared with police.

Paz initially told police he didnt know the charger was also a camera, the affidavit states, saying he bought it to power a pair of speakers in the bathroom, and claiming he never put a memory card in the device and hadnt monitored any recordings or livestreams.

After an officer told him about the recordings of his confession, Paz alleged he was under duress and only admitted to the crimes because he had been threatened with physical harm, according to the affidavit. Paz reportedly told the officer he didnt mention being threatened before because he did not want the situation to escalate.

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Paz pleaded not guilty and was slated for trial in October but proceedings were postponed. The morning of the trials start, his attorney filed a motion to suppress evidence obtained from searching the spy camera device without a warrant, according to court records.

The motion was denied by the judge, according to a court order signed Tuesday, Nov. 14, meaning a new trial date will be set. A status hearing is scheduled for early January.

Court records show Paz was previously convicted of criminal trespass, burglary, harassment, attempted assault of a public safety officer, driving under the influence of intoxicants, criminal mischief and disorderly conduct.
Champaign, IL (61820)

Today

Periods of rain. High 47F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall around a half an inch..

Tonight

Cloudy with occasional light rain...mainly this evening. Low 39F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
The advent of whole genome sequencing technology has prompted an explosion in research into how genetics are associated with disease risk. But the vast majority of genetics research has been done on people of European ancestry, and genetics researchers have realized that in order to address health disparities, more needs to be done.

In a new study, Georgia Tech researchers investigated whether 25 rare gene variants known to be associated with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) play a role in risk for African Americans. While the rare variant associations were recently discovered in individuals of European ancestry, contributing to about 15% of cases, it was unknown if and how those same rare gene variants might affect risk for African Americans.

Led by Greg Gibson, Regents' Professor and Tom and Marie Patton Chair in the School of Biological Sciences, the study highlights the importance of considering genetic diversity and the mixing of ancestry in genetics research. The findings were published in the journal Genome Medicine.

Because of major advancements in the last decade, we now know that most diseases are far more complex than we originally thought, in terms of genetics. Understanding whether genetic differences contribute to health disparities is a major point of focus for current genetics research, and we had an opportunity to test one idea with this study." Greg Gibson, Director of the Center for Integrative Genomics at Georgia Tech

Today, African Americans have a similar prevalence of various types of IBD as European Americans. But progression is often much worse: African Americans are more likely to progress to severe disease requiring colectomies and other major interventions.

Courtney Astore, a Ph.D. student in Gibson's lab and first author on the paper, wanted to assess whether those same rare variants would have a similar effect on IBD risk in African Americans. In a collaboration with Subra Kugathasan from Emory University and the NIH's IBD Genetics Consortium, Gibson's lab had analyzed the complete genome sequences of over 3,000 genomes of African Americans, half with IBD. Astore used that database to conduct her analysis.

She started by plotting the difference in frequency of the rare variants, and quickly realized that there was a significant reduction in prevalence of the variants in African Americans. Through further computations, she estimated that European ancestry variants actually only made a very small contribution to IBD in African Americans (around 44 additional cases per 100,000 people), fourfold less than Americans of European ancestry.

"Prior to our analysis, we suspected that admixture may play a role in the presence of IBD-associated rare variants in African Americans," Astore said. "When I saw the differences, that was when I realized that there was something important there that we needed to discover."

Astore then used a method known as chromosome painting, which is a tool for visualizing where each segment of the genome comes from. She showed that the rare variants found in African Americans were almost always located on segments of European ancestry genomes.

In simple terms, the location of the variants indicated that the genes resulted from admixture -; a scientific term for mixing of genetic backgrounds throughout ancestry -; which enabled Astore to show that the mutations had arisen outside of Africa, and only began to appear in people of African ancestry over the last dozen generations.

To conclude the study, Gibson and Astore assessed the presence of other rare variants associated with a dozen other diseases, which similarly confirmed that the presence of the variants contributes to African Americans generally through admixture.

The findings are important for several reasons. First, they highlight the value of considering genetic diversity and admixture in all genetics research, and especially when investigating rare variants and their associations with complex disease. While they showed that the European variants were rare in African Americans, there are almost certainly rare variants that contribute to IBD in African Americans that have yet to be discovered and may point to biological mechanisms.

"Doing more genetic studies on diverse populations, and especially those that have admixture, is going to be pivotal for therapeutic discovery," Astore said.

Precision medicine will eventually be tailored to a person's genome, which means that in some cases knowing the identity of rare variants will help guide therapy. If that is the case, knowing the context of ancestry will be beneficial. It also means that if more research on diverse ancestry groups isn't done, then new treatments might not be effective for all people. The team also emphasizes that genetics is not the only factor contributing to risk for complex diseases like IBD, and their study simply highlights that it cannot be assumed that genetic discoveries are risk factors for all people.

"Our study emphasizes that in order to move in the direction of greater health equity, it is absolutely crucial to do large-scale genetic sequencing for African Americans and all ancestry groups," Gibson said. "We hope our work will encourage more research on both social determinants of health and the genetics of IBD across ancestries."
Pancreatic cancer is tricky to manage because it spreads easily and early, and the tumors have a unique biological makeup. But, researchers made a breakthrough by learning about the genetic changes that occur during tumor migration -; and also found a drug that can obstruct the process.

The next step is a groundbreaking clinical trial at the University of Rochester's Wilmot Cancer Institute, planned for early in 2024, to test the drug from their laboratory discovery, said senior investigator Darren Carpizo, MD, PhD, co-leader of Wilmot's Genetics, Epigenetics and Metabolism research program, and chief of Surgical Oncology at the University of Rochester Medical Center.

We will be the first institution in the U.S. to study the safety and effectiveness of the experimental drug, known as NP137, on pancreatic cancer that has spread to the liver." Darren Carpizo, MD, PhD, senior investigator

Carpizo and several collaborators recently published the results of their bench science investigation in the journal Cell Reports, and Carpizo will lead the Wilmot clinical trial with Aram Hezel, MD, chief of Hematology/Oncology at Wilmot, and Nabeel Badri, MBChB, a medical oncologist at Wilmot.

The five-year survival rate for pancreatic cancer is only 12 percent, which is a slight increase in 2023 compared to previous years. The number of cases is rising worldwide, however, and by 2030, pancreatic cancer is predicted to be the second leading cause of cancer deaths.

Why is pancreatic cancer deadly?

First, because it spreads (metastasizes) very early during its development. In 85 percent of patients, the cancer has already spread outside of the pancreas at diagnosis. Even when the cancer is localized to the pancreas and surgical removal is possible, the majority of patients face a recurrence of their cancer. The metastasis causes these patients to eventually succumb to the disease, which is why researchers are focused on understanding the biology of metastatic pancreatic cancer.

Second, although pancreatic cancer cells do not have to travel far to reach the liver, along the way they genetically reprogram themselves and become stronger. The result: newly seeded cancer cells in the liver have a distinctly different biology from the primary tumor in the pancreas, and are able to resist standard treatment, Carpizo said.

In their latest work, Wilmot researchers built on what was already known about a key gene, Netrin-1, involved in pancreas, breast and colon cancers. They discovered, for the first time, the complex mechanisms that allow Netrin-1 to drive the lethal, genetic changes as pancreatic cancer cells migrate to the liver. They also showed how Netrin-1 activates hepatic stellate cells, which are involved in liver fibrosis, a serious chronic disease, priming the liver as a host for cancer.

In mice and in tissue studies, when researchers suppressed Netrin-1 with the anti-cancer drug (NP137), cancer was less likely to spread and cancer cell death occurred. The team includes scientists from Rutgers University, where Carpizo worked as a surgeon-scientist before joining Wilmot in 2020, Fox Chase Cancer Center in Philadelphia, and a laboratory in France.

The Wilmot clinical trial will likely require eligible patients to take two cycles of NP137 before surgery, undergo surgery to remove the cancer, and then take more of the experimental medication along with chemotherapy after surgery for up to six months, Carpizo said. He noted that NP137 is made by Netris Pharma, of Lyon, France, and is currently being tested in clinical trials in that country.

The Pancreatic Cancer Action Network (PanCAN) funded much of the work through a grant to Carpizo; Wilmot also provided pilot funding. PanCAN has emphasized that the recent, small uptick in survivorship rates for pancreatic cancer is due to transformative research and clinical trials, and strongly recommends that patients talk to their oncologists about clinical trials at every stage of their disease.

Carpizo's study is part of a larger collaborative effort at Wilmot aimed at pancreatic cancer. Others, including URMC Surgery Chair David Linehan, MD., and Wilmot investigator Scott Gerber, PhD., and members of the Cancer Microenvironment research program, are also conducting studies on new, targeted treatments. The goal is to use newly discovered drugs in combination with immunotherapy, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy to attack pancreatic cancer.
In a recent study published in the journal Nature Aging, an international team of researchers observed that senolytics can alleviate physiologic brain aging and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) neuropathology. Senolytics are a class of drugs that selectively target and eliminate senescent cells, which are cells that have stopped dividing and contribute to aging and age-related diseases.

Most COVID-19 patients often experience diverse neurologic complications. Further, autopsied brain tissue transcriptomic data suggest associations between severe COVID patients' cognitive decline and brain aging signatures. While recent reports implicate senescent cells in neurodegeneration and cognitive decline in aged mice and in vivo neuropathology models, their contribution to human brain tissue aging and COVID-19 pathology in the central nervous system remains unknown.

Study: Senolytic therapy alleviates physiological human brain aging and COVID-19 neuropathology. Image Credit: Jose Luis Calvo / Shutterstock

The study and findings

In the present study, researchers tested the effects of senolytics on physiological brain aging and COVID-19 neuropathology. First, they generated human brain organoids (BOs) from embryonic stem cells and physiologically aged them for eight months. Subsequently, the BOs were treated with two doses of senolytics, such as the dasatinib-quercetin (D+Q) combination, ABT-737, and navitoclax, for one month at a two-week interval.

Senolytic interventions significantly reduced senescence-associated -galactosidase (SA--gal) activity, indicating the elimination of senescent cells. This was further confirmed by significantly higher levels of lamin B1 (a nuclear marker downregulated in senescence) in treated BOs. Next, the team investigated the cell types involved in senescence phenotypes by co-immunolabeling with a senescence marker (p16).

Over three-fourths of p16-positive cells coimmunostained with astrocytes (positive for glial fibrillary acidic protein), while approximately 15% co-localized with mature neurons (positive for neuronal nuclei antigen). These two brain cell populations represented a majority (> 90%) of p16-positive cells. The team found a significant reduction in senescent astrocyte populations following treatment, with the D+Q combination being the most potent. However, the effect of senolytics in reducing senescent neurons was less apparent.

RNA sequencing revealed the upregulation of lamin B1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels across all senolytic treatments. Additionally, 81 senescence-related mRNAs were consistently suppressed with senolytic treatments. Further, aging clock predictions were performed based on whole-transcriptome sequencing. D+Q treatment of nine-month-old organoids returned their gene expression age to levels of eight-month-old organoids.

This phenotype was not observed with other tested senolytic interventions. D+Q treatment-induced changes in gene expression correlated with mammalian signatures of pro-longevity interventions, such as rapamycin administration and caloric restriction. Next, the team estimated the prevalence of senescent cells in the autopsied frontal cortex from the brains of age-matched patients who died due to severe COVID-19 or non-neurologic and non-infectious causes.

Brains of COVID-19 decedents showed over seven-fold increase in p16-positive cells than those from non-COVID-19 controls. Next, human BOs were exposed to different viral pathogens to examine how (neurotropic) viruses contribute to aging-induced neuropathology. Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection was mainly detected in neurons, microglia, and neural progenitors.

Seven SARS-CoV-2 variants were also tested, and their senescence phenotypes were ranked by SA--gal activity. Most variants significantly increased SA--gal, but the Delta variant exhibited the most potent induction. Moreover, there was a distinctive colocalization of viral spike and SA--gal in Delta-infected BOs. Besides, a statistically higher induction of senescence was evident between organoids infected for five and 10 days.

Increased senescence observed at 10 days post-infection (dpi) relative to 5 dpi suggested that SARS-CoV-2 infection may have triggered secondary senescence. Interestingly, non-infected senescent cells were enriched within 150 m of infected senescent cells, supporting the putative bystander effect of infected cells in triggering secondary senescence. Senescence was also triggered by infection of BOs with Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV), Zika virus (ZIKV), or Rocio virus (ROCV).

The researchers examined the associations of transcriptomic changes between COVID-19 patients and SARS-CoV-2-infected BOs. Among nearly 1,600 genes with differential expression between infected and non-infected BOs, there were 485 differentially expressed genes in COVID-19 patients' brain samples. Notably, known senescence and aging pathways were enriched in this common gene set.

Long-term senolytic treatment prevents selective accumulation of senescent cells in physiologically aged human BOs. af, BOs were generated and grown in vitro for 8 months and subsequently exposed to two doses (one every 2 weeks) of either navitoclax (2.5 M), ABT-737 (10 M) or D + Q (D, 10 M; Q, 25 M) within the following month, after which organoids (n = 814) were collected for in situ analysis. a, SA--gal assay was performed on organoid sections. Each data point in the bar graph represents a single organoid analyzed. Data presented as mean  s.d.; at least eight individual organoids were analyzed per condition; one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Tukeys multiple-comparison post hoc corrections. b, Lamin B1 staining was performed on organoid sections. Each data point in the scatter plot represents the integrated intensity of each cell within organoid sections. At least eight individual organoids were analyzed per condition; one-way ANOVA with Tukeys multiple-comparison post hoc corrections. c,d, Representative images from quantifications shown in a,b, respectively. Scale bar, 0.3 mm. e, Representative immunofluorescent images of regions from organoids treated with the indicated senolytics and vehicle control. Samples were individually immunolabeled with antibodies against GFAP, Sox2 and NeuN and co-stained for p16. Arrows indicate coimmunoreactivity of NeuN and p16. Scale bar, 50 m. f, Bar graphs showing colocalization quantification performed on organoid sections. Data presented as mean  s.d.; three individual organoids were analyzed per condition; one-way ANOVA with Tukeys multiple-comparison post hoc corrections. a.u., arbitrary units.

Next, the team evaluated the impact of the selective elimination of senescent cells with senolytic interventions. Senolytics significantly reduced the number of BO cells with SA--gal activity five days after SARS-CoV-2 infection. Of note, the impact of senolytics was more prominent in BOs infected with the Delta variant, and senolytics reverted Delta variant-induced lamin B1 loss and p21 upregulation.

Pretreating BOs with senolytics before infection resulted in a significant reduction of virus-induced senescence. Layer 6 corticothalamic neurons and gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA)ergic ganglionic eminence neurons were the two populations with significantly higher incidence of senescence following infection, and senolytic interventions prevented cellular senescence in these populations.

Finally, the researchers infected K18-hACE2 mice (that express the human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 [hACE2] under the regulation of keratin 18 [K18] promoter) with SARS-CoV-2 Delta. Senolytics with blood-brain barrier permeability, such as D+Q, navitoclax, and fisetin, were administered 24 hours post-infection, with subsequent treatments every two days. Infected mice had shortened life spans, with a median survival of five days.

However, fisetin or D+Q treatment significantly improved survival. All control animals died by 10 dpi, whereas 13% of navitoclax-, 38% of D+Q-, and 22% of fisetin-treated mice were alive at 12 dpi (experimental endpoint). Senolytics, especially D+Q, caused a profound decrease in COVID-19-related features and significantly reduced viral gene expression in mice brains.

The brains of infected mice exhibited an increase in inflammatory senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and p16 senescence markers, and (all) senolytic treatments normalized senescence and SASP gene expression of infected animals to the levels observed in non-infected brains. Delta infection also caused a loss of dopaminergic neurons in the brainstem, with a concomitant increase in astrogliosis. However, recurrent administration of senolytics partially prevented the loss of dopaminergic neurons and abrogated the onset of astrogliosis.

Conclusions

Taken together, the study demonstrated that senescent cells accumulate in physiologically aged human BOs, with long-term senolytic intervention(s) substantially reducing cellular senescence and inflammation. Further, D+Q treatment uniquely induced anti-aging and pro-longevity gene expression changes in BOs.

Besides, COVID-19 patients' brains exhibit rapid accumulation of cellular senescence relative to age-matched controls. Neurotropic viruses (ROCV, JEV, and ZIKV) and SARS-CoV-2 can infect BOs and induce cellular senescence, and the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant triggers the most potent induction of senescence. Short-term senolytic interventions could reduce SARS-CoV-2 gene expression in infected BOs and prevent senescence of GABAergic and corticothalamic neurons.

Notably, senolytics ameliorated COVID-19 neuropathology in infected K18-hACE2 mice, improved their survival and clinical score, and reduced SASP, senescence, and viral gene expression. Overall, the findings highlight the vital role of cellular senescence in brain aging, COVID-19, neuropathology, and the therapeutic impact of senolytics.
With the rise of new drugs that can target the amyloid-beta plaques in the brain that are an early sign of Alzheimer's disease, new ways are needed to determine whether memory loss and thinking problems are due to Alzheimer's disease or another neurodegenerative disorder. A new study published in the November 15, 2023, online issue of Neurology, the medical journal of the American Academy of Neurology, shows that shrinkage in the hippocampus area of the brain is associated with cognitive decline, even in people who don't have amyloid plaques in the brain. The hippocampus plays a role in memory.

These results suggest that neurodegenerative diseases other than Alzheimer's are contributing to this decline, and measuring the hippocampus volume may help us evaluate these causes that are currently difficult to measure. This could help us better predict who would respond to these new drugs as well as people's trajectories of cognitive decline." Bernard J. Hanseeuw, MD, PhD, study author, Harvard Medical School in Boston

The study involved 128 people with an average age of 72 who had no thinking or memory problems at the start of the study. The participants had several types of brain scans throughout the study to measure the amount of amyloid plaques and tau tangles in their brains, as well as the volume of the hippocampus. The tau protein is another biomarker of Alzheimer's disease. The participants also had yearly cognitive evaluations over an average of seven years of follow-up.

Faster shrinkage in the hippocampus was associated with faster cognitive decline. When researchers looked at all of the biomarkers, they found that hippocampus atrophy was associated with cognitive decline independently of amyloid and tau levels. Hippocampus shrinkage on its own accounted for 10% of the difference in cognitive decline.

"These results emphasize that dementia is a complex condition with many underlying causes and suggest that types of dementia other than Alzheimer's disease may contribute to shrinkage in the hippocampus and cognitive decline," Hanseeuw said.

A limitation of the study was that most participants were highly educated and white people, so the results may not apply to all people.

The study was supported by the National Institutes of Health, Belgian Fund for Scientific Research, Welbio and Queen Elizabeth Medical Foundation.
Thought Leaders Dr. Beverley Isherwood Strategy Leader for Infectious Diseases Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC)

In this interview ahead of World AMR Awareness Week, we explore the imminent challenge of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with Dr. Beverley Isherwood, Strategy Leader for Infectious Diseases at Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) and Programme Director for Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy (PACE).

Dr. Isherwood, with her extensive background in medicine discovery and strategy, shares her insights on the innovative approaches to combat AMR and the importance of collaborative efforts in this fight. Learn about key initiatives being led from the UK that are propelling new treatments forward and Dr Isherwoods vision for a future where AMR is no longer a looming global health threat.

Please introduce yourself, briefly outline your career, and tell us what inspired you to pursue a career in drug discovery and infectious diseases, particularly in the context of antimicrobial resistance?

I'm Dr Beverley Isherwood, Strategy Leader for Infectious Diseases at Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) and Programme Director for PACE.

At MDC, I have responsibility for providing strategic and scientific leadership of MDC's infectious diseases portfolio. We are focused on helping to transform great science into better treatments through partnership. I have the privilege of working alongside our collaborators to deliver a number of initiatives aimed at tackling AMR, including PACE and the CF AMR Syndicate. As Programme Director for PACE, I oversee its strategic direction, deployment and operational translation.

I have worked in medicines discovery for over 20 years and held various roles in the biopharmaceutical industry before joining MDC in June 2020. I have always been inspired by learning from experts from different sectors to drive research efforts focused on helping people live healthier lives.

Antimicrobial resistance is a huge and growing issue that needs our urgent attention. I am grateful to be part of the brilliant community of people who are working together to bring forward new innovations and creative ways of tackling this global health threat.

Image Credit: Fahroni/Shutterstock.com

Can you help our audience understand the global implications of antimicrobial resistance in terms of public health and economics and why it's often referred to as a "timebomb"?

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is one of the top 10 global public health threats and an urgent global challenge. It has been estimated that 1.27 million deaths worldwide were attributable to infections caused by bacterial AMR in 2019. This number is estimated to rise to 10 million people every year by 2050 and could cost the world >$50 trillion if no action is taken.

AMR is complex. Bacteria and other microbes are evolving to become resistant to treatment, driven in large part by our overuse and misuse of antibiotics. There are not enough current medicines or medicines in development to stay ahead of these resistant infections.

Half of the antibiotics prescribed today were discovered in the 1950s, with only a handful of new antibiotic classes discovered since the 1980s. There is an urgent need to grow a pipeline of new antimicrobial medicines and diagnostics.

World AMR Awareness Week has the theme "preventing antimicrobial resistance together." Could you tell us why this theme is particularly important in 2023?

Antimicrobial resistance is a truly global challenge that needs a global response. It affects people in every country, and without intervention, it will become an ever-increasing issue.

The emergence and spread of drug-resistant pathogens with new resistance mechanisms continue to threaten our ability to treat common infections, and increasing numbers of people with multidrug-resistant infections are running out of treatment options.

Without effective antimicrobials and better diagnostics, the success of modern medicine in treating infections, including during general surgery and cancer chemotherapy, amongst others, would be at increased risk. The only way to find solutions to this growing challenge is to work together.

As a PACE Programme Director and Medicine Discovery Catapult's Strategy Leader in Infectious Diseases, firstly, what is PACE? And how does PACE aim to address the challenges of antimicrobial resistance, and what is its role in the fight against AMR?

PACE (Pathways to Antimicrobial Clinical Efficacy) is a 30 million initiative supporting early-stage innovation in medicines and diagnostics to tackle AMR and save lives.

It is a collaboration between Innovate UK, LifeArc, and Medicines Discovery Catapult  three leaders in the UK's health innovation and research community with unique expertise that will be harnessed by catalysing and working with the global AMR community to accelerate the speed of innovation to mitigate the risk of AMR.

PACE will bring together the right funding, resources, and partnerships to help innovators progress their early-stage antimicrobial drug and diagnostics projects with greater speed, support and confidence  giving the best AMR innovations the greatest chance of success.

As the UK's largest public-private initiative targeting early-stage antimicrobial drug and diagnostic discovery, PACE will select, invest in and support projects that address the world's most threatening pathogens. It will deliver innovations for onward development and investment, moving them closer to clinical trials and, critically, contributing to better patient outcomes.

By tackling this problem collectively, with a pandemic-style focus, the early translational science community will be supported to deliver the breakthroughs needed.

PACE is a groundbreaking 30 million initiative to address global threats posed by AMR. Could you provide a deeper insight into the collaboration between Innovate UK, LifeArc, and Medicines Discovery Catapult and the unique expertise each partner brings to the initiative?

LifeArc, Innovate UK and Medicines Discovery Catapult all believe there is an urgent need to grow a pipeline of high-quality precision antimicrobial drugs and associated diagnostics if we are going to address AMR and protect the lives of people worldwide. Innovate UK and LifeArc have each invested 15 million into PACE and will collaborate with Medicines Discovery Catapult to deliver the initiative.

LifeArc is a self-funded, not-for-profit medical research organisation focused on translational science. It carries out its own research and provides funding and expert advice to others, all with the aim of improving patient lives. One of its areas of focus is global health, where it is collaborating to accelerate innovation in infectious diseases.

This includes its translational challenge in AMR, which aims to drive the better use of existing treatments and the development of new targeted therapies and diagnostics for AMR. PACE is a vital part of this work.

Innovate UK, the national innovation agency, drives transformational change in health innovation to enable people to live longer, healthy lives and realise the UK's position as a world leader in life sciences. It empowers early-stage, high-growth potential businesses from across the UK by granting them access to partners, facilities, funding, and valuable advice.

This support will enable these businesses to grow and effectively confront the significant challenge that AMR poses. Innovate UK will play a leading role in building an innovation ecosystem around AMR that accelerates new discoveries and promotes economic growth for UK businesses.

Medicines Discovery Catapult is an independent, not-for-profit, national innovation centre reshaping drug discovery for patient benefit by transforming great UK science into better treatments through partnership.

Through PACE, MDC will bring the AMR community together and make it easier for innovators to turn their ideas into novel therapeutics and diagnostics. MDC offers its world-class capabilities so, together, we can accelerate the pace of antimicrobial innovation and save lives.

We can achieve more together. With our blend of expertise and resources, we can make a bigger impact than we would make alone.

PACE is focused on accelerating early-stage innovation against AMR. What specific projects and areas of research will it support, and what are the criteria for selecting and investing in these projects?

PACE aims to provide funding and support for high-value, high-risk, early-phase drug discovery and diagnostic projects. Through a series of funding calls, we are looking to help create and advance an exciting and diverse pipeline of preclinical phase projects aimed at diagnosing and treating bacterial infections with high unmet need. PACE may also fund research that can directly support the advancement of this portfolio where it is needed.

Our first funding call is focused on identifying and then supporting a portfolio of early-stage novel antibacterial therapeutics. We are looking for projects directed at the highest-burden drug-resistant bacterial infections and indications, as highlighted by the recent Lancet study and the WHO priority list. In-scope indications are lower respiratory tract infections, bloodstream infections, intra-abdominal infections, and urinary tract infections.

Projects should be directed at one or more of the world's most virulent and antibiotic-resistant pathogens  specifically the Gram-negative ESKAPEE pathogens: K.pneumoniae, A.baumannii, P.aeruginosa, Enterobacteriaceae, E.coli and/or be an oral therapeutic applicable to the Gram-positive ESKAPEE pathogen; drug-resistant S.aureus.

Projects should be transformational, with the aim to fill a gap for innovative and differentiated antimicrobials in the clinical pipeline.

We encourage projects based on the concept of precision medicine where consideration is given to potential patient stratification and diagnostics requirements. Our criteria are aligned with those of potential follow-on funders and the NICE subscription model criteria, paving a route from the bench to patient impact.

This first PACE funding call is open now. Up to 12 applicants will be awarded a maximum of 1 million each in grant funding, with projects expected to last up to two years. AMR innovators worldwide are eligible to apply. Expressions of interest are invited by the 24th November and more information is available on our website.

Image Credit: angellodeco/Shutterstock.com

The recent press release mentioned that PACE will apply learning from other disease areas, such as cancer and COVID-19. How will these insights be applied to tackle the complex issue of AMR, and what lessons can be shared?

PACE is taking a mission-based approach, as successfully demonstrated throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, to accelerate the development of new antimicrobials and diagnostics to tackle deadly antimicrobial resistance. By bringing the community together around this urgent unmet patient need and providing researchers with the rounded support they need to give their innovations the best chance of succeeding, PACE will help to tackle the growing global threat of AMR.

New approaches are needed to combat AMR. We have seen that novel treatment approaches in cancer have resulted in many more tailored tests and treatments to help ensure patients get the right treatment at the right time. We are moving to an era when antimicrobials will also be more selective and potentially targeted to particular pathogens, which means diagnostic tools also play an increasingly important role.

PACE will work to drive this approach to innovation in AMR by supporting a diverse range of funded projects with the most transformational potential  from targeted treatments to rapid diagnostics and other innovative developments being driven by the community.

How will PACE provide support for a diverse range of funded projects, from targeted treatments to rapid diagnostics, and what innovative developments can we expect from the AMR community as a result?

Non-traditional and highly novel approaches are increasingly represented in the very early discovery and preclinical pipeline for both medicines and diagnostics. PACE is very much looking to embrace and support these new approaches.

PACE is not just about funding; we aim to offer a collaborative approach to project development and delivery. We will guide and support PACE awardees to align their AMR asset with the right progression pathway and translational roadmap.

We will ensure supporting data packages are appropriately targeted and strengthened and, where necessary, help innovators to work closely with regulators and wider stakeholders to define appropriate target product profiles. PACE awardees will also benefit from a network of potential project partners, advisors and mentors to help them develop their AMR assets at pace. We will facilitate collaboration and empower our innovators to develop their early-stage ideas for onward progression and investment.

Ultimately, PACE aims to strengthen the pipeline by bringing forward a new wave of scientifically diverse, innovative approaches with the potential to address the needs and priorities of funders, investors, clinical care teams and people affected by AMR. This will provide the opportunity for us to get ahead of AMR.

What role do you see PACE playing in strengthening the UK's position as a global leader in life sciences and contributing to better patient outcomes in the fight against AMR?

The UK has a long history of innovation in this area since the discovery of penicillin by Sir Alexander Fleming in 1928. The UK was one of the first countries to establish a National Action Plan (NAP) on AMR with a strategy in place as early as 2000.

The UK funds a number of research initiatives aimed at improving global knowledge and understanding of AMR. In the current 2019-2024 National Action Plan, the UK has led the way in a world-first pilot to incentivise the development of new antimicrobials and alternative treatments.

LifeArc, Innovate UK and Medicines Discovery Catapult have come together to help address the challenge of AMR by providing an additional injection of funding and support for early-stage translation and the opportunity for the community to work together in a new way to deliver antimicrobial medicines and diagnostics.

We hope that this effort will address a key gap in the funding and support landscape, strengthening the overall international 'push funding' (funding aimed at encouraging research and development) opportunities for AMR.

Progress through PACE will mean our science community will be better supported, and the UK can contribute towards a more robust pipeline of tests and treatments, cementing its place as a global leader in life sciences and ultimately contributing to better patient outcomes.

Are there any additional resources or initiatives you'd recommend for those who want to learn more or get involved in addressing antimicrobial resistance?

The World Health Organisation has helpful information about AMR on its website, including fact sheets and updates on global action plans. It also collates relevant publications and news stories related to AMR. AMR Insights, an international network-based organisation, hosts an information platform on AMR, as well as a series of matchmaking and networking events for those working in the field.

The PACE website will be updated with relevant reports and research papers being published so that researchers working in this space can benefit from other people's breakthroughs. We also list up-and-coming events to help researchers connect with the community, learn about AMR programmes, and build on industry best practice.

As we look toward the future and consider this year's World AMR Awareness Week theme of "preventing antimicrobial resistance together", what are your hopes and aspirations for the global efforts to combat AMR, and how can individuals and organizations contribute to this cause?

Significant efforts are being made by many globally  from charities bringing the patient voice to the fore to trade bodies and governments shaping policy and regulation, alongside clinicians and academics driving forward research.

There are also a number of highly impactful programmes delivering a variety of funding initiatives which are aimed at addressing the market failure in AMR. PACE will be looking to work in partnership with all these groups to help ensure that the medicines and diagnostics that are most needed reach patients in the most efficient way possible.

The World AMR Awareness Week theme of 'Preventing AMR Together' is very relevant to this cause  we are always keen to connect with people to explore how we can progress efforts together. For organisations, this year's theme highlights the focus on harmonization and connection across schemes and activities so that we can get ahead of AMR together.

Where can readers find more information?

Visit www.paceamr.org.uk for further information.

About Dr. Beverley Isherwood

Dr Beverley Isherwood is Strategy Leader  Infectious Diseases at Medicines Discovery Catapult (MDC) and Programme Director for PACE. Dr Isherwood is responsible for providing strategic and scientific leadership across MDC's infectious diseases portfolio, including PACE and the CF AMR Syndicate. As a Programme Director for PACE, Dr Isherwood oversees its strategic direction, deployment and operational translation.

Dr Isherwood has 20 years of experience in medicines discovery through previous roles in the biopharmaceutical industry, working at the interface with private, public and charity partners to advance R&D for patient impact. She has extensive experience developing and delivering large mission-focused multistakeholder collaborations.

Dr. Isherwood is an Associate Editor for SLAS Discovery and holds an MA (Natural Sciences) from Cambridge University and a PhD in Molecular Virology from the MRC-University of Glasgow Centre for Virus Research. She is also a member of the Association of Strategic Alliance Professionals with CA-AM accreditation.
Amazons employees may not be able to get promotions if they do not return to the office. The e-commerce giant said those employees who are not in compliance with the work-from-office directives will need the vice-presidents approval for promotions.

According to a report by Business Insider, Amazon told employees through an internal communication, Managers own the promotion process, which means it is their responsibility to support your growth through regular conversations and stretch assignments, and to complete all required inputs for a promotion.

The company said, If your role is expected to work from the office 3+ days a week and you are not in compliance, your manager will be made aware and VP approval will be required.

In February this year, Amazon announced a work-from-home policy asking employees to mandatorily return to the office at least three days a week with effect from May.

Following this, in March, as many as 30,000 Amazon employees petitioned the company to drop the work-from-office policy. In May, Amazon employees in the US also protested during the lunchtime demonstration against the policy.

In August, Amazon CEO Andy Jassy also told employees, Its past the time to disagree and commit. If you cant disagree and commit, its probably not going to work out for you at Amazon because we are going back to the office at least three days a week.
Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal has met Micron Technology CEO Sanjay Mehrotra and discussed business opportunities in the growing semiconductor sector in India. Goyal also held a meeting with YouTube CEO Neal Mohan.

Goyal also interacted with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and venture capitalists (VCs) of Indian origin.

The minister is in San Francisco for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) meeting.

US-based semiconductor company Micron is setting up Indias first chip facility in Gujarat, which will create 5,000 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs in the coming years.

In June, the government cleared Microns project to set up a semiconductor test and packaging unit worth $2.7 billion in the country.

Met Mr. Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO & President of @MicronTech. Discussed how Indias growing semiconductor ecosystem presents vast opportunities for the company to collaborate & expand its footprint in the country, Goyal said in a post on social networking platform X on Thursday.

He also held a meeting with YouTube CEO Neal Mohan.

We discussed how India presents a huge opportunity for @YouTube to further expand collaboration and footprint in the country, Goyal added.

Meanwhile, Indias commerce ministry in a statement said that Goyal also interacted with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and venture capitalists (VCs) of Indian origin. The minister encouraged the participants to share their ideas to make India a better investment avenue for investors from around the world.

He urged the entrepreneurs and VCs to contribute and help Indias young talent working in critical and emerging technological areas such as artificial intelligence. Goyal also participated in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). APEC membership includes Australia; Canada; Chile; China; Indonesia; Japan; Korea; Malaysia; Mexico; New Zealand; Peru; Philippines; and Russia.

He also participated in the event Charting New Horizons: CAs as Catalysts in the US-India Partnership which was hosted by the Institute of Chartered Accounts of India (ICAI) San Francisco Chapter. The event consisted of an interactive session with members of ICAI where the Minister emphasised on the role that CAs can play in enhancing the collaboration between India and the US.

(With PTI Inputs)
Flagging high growth in certain components of consumer credit, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday tightened norms related to unsecured lending portfolios of commercial banks and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). It has raised risk weight by 25 per cent on consumer credit exposure of banks and NBFCs. The move is expected to raise lending rates for borrowers.

Till now, consumer credit attracted a risk weight of 100 per cent, which has now been revised to 125 per cent.

On a review, it has been decided to increase the risk weights in respect of consumer credit exposure of commercial banks (outstanding as well as new), including personal loans, but excluding housing loans, education loans, vehicle loans and loans secured by gold and gold jewellery, by 25 percentage points to 125, the RBI said in a circular on Thursday.

Risk weight is the capital that banks need to set aside for every loan.

The RBI on Thursday also increased risk weights on credit card exposures by 25 percentage points each to 150 per cent for banks and 125 per cent for NBFCs.

Karthik Srinivasan, senior vice-president & group head (financial sector ratings) at, ICRA, said, The increase in risk weights for consumer loans is in line with expectations, though an increase in risk weight for lending by banks to non-banks was unexpected. These announcements are expected to result in higher capital requirements for the lenders and, hence, an increase in lending rates for the borrowers. These higher lending rates by banks to non-banks could also spill over to corporate bonds by way of higher yields and widening of credit spreads for non-banks.

Last month, RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das said the central bank was closely monitoring some fast-growing personal loan categories for signs of nascent stress.

During interactions with MD/CEOs of major banks and large NBFCs in July and August 2023 also, Das highlighted high growth seen in consumer credit and increasing dependency of NBFCs on bank borrowings.
The Medical Counselling Committee (MCC) has unveiled the schedule for a special stray vacancy round as part of the National Eligibility cum Entrance Test-Postgraduate (NEET PG) counselling 2023. This round aims to facilitate the allocation of remaining seats following the conclusion of previous counselling sessions. NEET PG counselling special stray vacancy round registration link will be available on the official website  mcc.nic.in, tomorrow onwards.

The registration process for this special round opens on November 17 and concludes on November 22. Meanwhile, the window for choice filling and locking begins on November 18. Aspiring candidates are encouraged to review the comprehensive schedule available on the official website to ensure adherence to these critical timelines.

Important Dates for NEET PG Special Stray Vacancy Round

 Fresh Registration/Payment: November 17 to 22, 2023

 Choice Filling and Choice Locking: November 18 to 22, 2023

 Processing of Seat Allotment: November 23 to 24, 2023

 Publication of Result: November 24, 2023

 Reporting at Allotted College: November 25 to 30, 2023

NEET PG Special Stray Vacancy Round 2023: Eligibility Criteria

Students interested in applying for the NEET PG counselling special stray vacancy round must adhere to the following criteria:

1. No Previous Seat Allotment: Applicants should not have secured any seat under their name in either the All India Quota or the State Quota.

2. Non-Joining of Earlier Allotted Seats: Students who did not join the seats allotted to them in the earlier counselling rounds are eligible to apply.

3. Restriction for Previous Allottees: Those who successfully secured seats in earlier counselling rounds are not permitted to upgrade their chances in the special stray vacancy allotment.

Aspiring candidates are urged to carefully review the outlined schedule and eligibility criteria. This special stray vacancy round represents an additional opportunity for those who have not secured admission in previous rounds, offering a chance to secure a spot in coveted postgraduate medical programmes.

The NEET PG special stray vacancy round for the state seats, which is scheduled for November 2528, has also been declared by MCC. The deadline for reporting and joining for admission is November 30. For further updates and the latest information regarding NEET PG counselling 2023, please check the official website carefully.
After getting no response from the Odisha government on the Centres PM SHRI scheme, Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan on Wednesday urged Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik to ask the officers concerned to sign an MoU with the Centre for establishment of such schools in the state. Under the PM SHRI scheme, the Centre provides assistance for the establishment of modern schools in different states.

Pradhan in a letter to the chief minister said the PM SHRI scheme was launched on September 7, 2022, with an aim to establish more than 14,500 schools across the country. These schools will display all the components of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and provide high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful environment. However, Pradhan said, Till now, most of the schools and Union Territories (UT) have signed MoU and the first phase of selection of schools has been completed. The first instalment has also been released to implement the scheme for PM SHRI schools. The second cycle of selection of schools is in process.

However, Odisha is yet to sign the Memorandum of Understanding though many letters have been written by him to the state, Pradhan said he attached his letters in this regard on March 13, 2023 and October 9, 2023. Therefore, I would request you again to issue necessary directions to the concerned officers to sign MoU for PM SHRI scheme with the Department of School Education & Literacy (DoSEL), Ministry of Education (MoE), Pradhan said in his letter to the CM.

Pradhan said these schools will not only focus on cognitive development but will also create holistic individuals equipped with key 21st-century skills. He informed me that PM SHRI schools will provide better and excellent science labs, libraries, ICT (information and communication technology) facilities and vocational labs. This apart PM SHRI schools will be developed as Green Schools which include solar panels, LED lights and water harvesting and water conservation facilities.
The Staff Selection Commission (SSC) has issued the SSC SI in Delhi Police scorecard 2023 today, November 16. Applicants who took the Computer-Based Examination of Paper-I of the Delhi Police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Examination, 2023, may access their scores by visiting the SSCs official website, ssc.nic.in. On October 25, the results of the SSC SI Paper I examination for Delhi Police were announced. Candidates may now access the scorecard via the websites candidate login portal on the homepage.

Candidates may view their individual results on the candidate dashboard by logging in with their Username (Registration Number) and Password (SSC Registration Password) and clicking on the Result/ Marks portal. Candidates should keep in mind that the option for downloading the SSC SI Delhi Police & CAPF final answer key 2023 is going to remain available only until November 21 at 4 PM.

SSC SI Delhi Police Scorecard 2023: How to download

Step 1: Navigate to the SSC website at ssc.nic.in.

Step 2: Select the login link and enter your username and password.

Step 3: Locate and click on the SSC SI in Delhi Police Result 2023 marks link.

Step 4: Check your scores after theyre displayed on the screen.

Step 5: Download and print a copy of the scorecard for future records.

A medical examination, document verification, physical endurance and measurement tests, and written examinations (Paper I and II) are usually the steps in the selection process for the SSC SI position in Delhi Police.

The marks will be accessible on the official website from November 16 until November 30. Candidates should print their scorecards because they will no longer be available after the above-mentioned time frame. Candidates can visit the SSCs official website for further information.

Sub-Inspectors in the Delhi Police Department are in charge of, among other things, preserving law and order, conducting investigations, submitting reports, guaranteeing public safety, and overseeing constables. Their tasks include both fieldwork and administrative duties.Delhi Police SIs are provided with several allowances such as Pension, Paid Leaves, Uniform Allowance, House Rent Allowance, Transportation Allowance, Education Allowance for Children as well as other Miscellaneous Allowances.
Teaching remains an underpaid profession in India, with educators facing challenging conditions in both private and government schools. A stark contrast emerges when comparing the remuneration of teachers in India with those in other countries, notably Luxembourg, where primary teachers receive a substantial salary. According to a report from the World of Statistics, a Luxembourg teacher with 15 years of experience earns an annual salary of US$104,846, equivalent to Rs 87,14,060 in Indian currency. This staggering figure highlights the vast disparity between the compensation of primary teachers in India and Luxembourg.

https://worldpopulationreview.com/country-rankings/teacher-salary-by-country

In India, primary teachers who have cleared the Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET) receive a basic pay ranging from Rs 9,300 to Rs 35,400. Monthly salaries for these teachers hover around Rs 35,000 to Rs 37,000, while upper-primary level teachers earn Rs 43,000 to Rs 46,000 per month. Comparing these figures with Luxembourg, Indian teachers are paid nearly 16 times less than their counterparts in the affluent European nation.

Germany secures the second position globally for higher primary teacher salaries, with an annual figure of US $85,049 (Rs 70,73,359). The report outlines salaries in other countries as well: Netherlands (US $70,899), Canada (US $70,331), Australia (US $68,608), and the United States of America (US $63,531). Ireland, Denmark, South Korea, Japan, and other nations follow suit, showcasing varied compensation levels for primary teachers worldwide.
The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) will release the Indian Forest Service Examination or UPSC IFS main exam admit card tomorrow, November 17. The UPSC IFS main exam will start on Sunday, November 26. The admit card for the exam will be released on the official website of the Union Public Service Commission  upsc.gov.in.

UPSC IFS Main exam 2023 will continue till December 3. The Indian Forest Service examination will be held in two shifts. The first shift will run from 9 am to noon and the second shift will run from 2 pm to 5 pm. Only those candidates who have passed the UPSC IFS prelims exam will be able to appear for the mains exam.

Also read| Meet IAS Nirish Rajput, Who Fought All Odds And Studied On His Own To Clear UPSC

UPSC IFS Main Exam 2023: How to Download Admit Card

After the release of the admit card of the Indian Forest Service Examination of the Union Public Service Commission, it can be downloaded through the steps given below 

Step 1  Candidates will have to go to the official website of the Union Public Service Commission, upsc.gov.in.

Step 2  The link to the UPSC IFS Mains Admit Card will be activated on the home page.

Step 3  Candidates will have to submit the required details asked there.

Step 4  The admit card will be displayed on your screen. Download it.

Step 5  You can take a print out of the UPSC IFS Mains Exam Admit Card for future reference.

The Indian Forest Service Main Exam 2023 will be held in Bhopal, Delhi, Chennai, Dispur in Guwahati, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Port Blair, Nagpur, and Shimla. Along with the print out of the admit cards, the candidates must also carry a photo ID. The candidates are also required to carry along the Photo ID card, whose number is mentioned in the e-Admit Card, in each Session, reads the official notice by the commission.

The entry of the candidates in the exam hall will be closed 30 minutes prior (as against the existing time limit of 10 minutes) to the commencement of the examination (each session). No candidates will be allowed entry into the examination venue after the closure of entry, read the UPSC notice.
Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh will go to polls on Friday to decide the electoral fate of a number of political bigwigs  BJPs Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the longest serving chief minister of his state; Bhupesh Baghel, the chief minister with spunk from the Congress; Kamal Nath, state Congress chief and Congress veteran; as well as Chhattisgarh deputy CM TS Singh Deo.

The high-decibel campaigning came to an end on November 15, with Prime Minister Narendra Modis last-minute jibe at Congress leader Rahul Gandhi creating at least 24 hours of buzz. He called the former Congress president moorkhon ke sardar (king of fools) during a public rally at Betul in Madhya Pradesh, in response to Gandhis made in China phones remark.

It has been a largely bipolar battle between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress in MP. The first phase of elections for 20 seats in the Naxal-hit Chhattisgarh was held on November 7 and saw a high voter turnout of 78 percent.

But, this was not all. There has been much melodrama and speculation from the beginning about the comeback of Shivraj Mama with the Congress riding high on the anti-incumbency sentiment. The excitement has been palpable in the run-up to the polls in Chhattisgarh, too, with Baghels name being linked with the alleged Mahadev online betting scam.

Madhya Pradesh

In the single phase voting, people will decide the electoral fate of 2,533 candidates in 230 assembly seats  47 are reserved for scheduled tribes (ST) and 35 for scheduled castes (SC). The state has more than 5.6 crore registered electors  2,87,82,261 males, 2,71,99,586 females and 1,292 third gender persons are eligible to exercise their franchise. This also includes service and overseas electors.

Polling will be held from 7 am to 6 pm in all assembly segments except Baihar, Lanjhi and Paraswada seats in Balaghat district, 55 booths in Bichhiya and Mandla seats as well as 40 polling stations of Dindori district, which are all Naxal-affected. The voting time in these areas is 7 am to 3 pm, chief electoral officer (CEO) Anupam Rajan said.

A mock poll will be conducted in the presence of authorised polling agents 90 minutes before the actual voting. A total of 64,626 polling stations have been set up in the state. Among these, 64,523 are main booths and 103 associate (sahayak) stations, where number of electors is more than 1,500. The number of critical voting stations stands at 17,032, while 5,260 booths will have all women polling personnel, the official said. At least 183 polling stations have been set up for persons with disabilities (PwD).

For the first time, 371 youth-managed booths have been set up, while the number of model polling stations stands at 2,536. Fifty-seven green booths (environment-friendly centres)  50 in Jabalpur and seven in Balaghat  have also been established.

Key candidates

Besides Chouhan from Budhni and Nath from Chhindwara, three union ministers from the BJP  Narendra Singh Tomar, Prahlad Patel and Faggan Singh Kulaste  are contesting the polls. The partys general secretary Kailash Vijaywargiya is contesting from Indore-1 and three Lok Sabha MPs  Rakesh Singh, Ganesh Singh and Riti Pathak  are also in the fray. Senior Congress leader Digvijaya Singhs son and ex-state minister Jaivardhan Singh and former CM Arjun Singhs son Ajay Singh are contesting from their traditional Raghogarh and Churhat seats.

Top leaders of contesting parties criss-crossed the state addressing rallies, holding roadshows, trading charges and making a slew of promises to seek votes for their candidates. Prime Minister Modi, union home minister Amit Shah, BJP president JP Nadda, defence minister Rajnath Singh among others addressed rallies to drum up support for the saffron camp.

Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge, party leaders Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, and Digvijaya Singh among others, addressed rallies to seek support for their nominees.

The PM paid nine visits to the state and addressed 14 public meetings after elections were announced. The BJP is heavily banking on his charisma to retain power.

The Congress, with 114 seats, emerged as the single largest party after the 2018 polls and formed the government with the help of BSP, SP and independent MLAs under the leadership of Nath. But the regime collapsed in March 2020 after a rebellion by now union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and Congress MLAs loyal to him, paving the way for the return of the BJP headed by Chouhan.

Chhattisgarh

The ruling Congress, voted to office in 2018 after 15 years in opposition, and the BJP are the main contenders for power in the state. The AAP, BSP and some regional outfits are also in the fray. While the Congress has set an ambitious target of winning 75-plus assembly seats, the opposition BJP is seeking to make a comeback to power in the state, which it ruled non-stop from 2003 to 2018.

A total of 958 candidates  827 men, 130 women and one transgender person  are contesting for 70 seats spread across 22 districts. As many as 1,63,14,479 voters  81,41,624 men, 81,72,171 women and 684 of third gender  are eligible to exercise their franchise at 18,833 polling booths.

At 26, the Raipur City West seat has the highest number of contestants, while Dondilohara in Balod district has the lowest count of candidates at four. Among the candidates, 70 each are from the BJP and Congress. There are 43 nominees from the AAP, 62 from the Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) and 33 from the Hamar Raj Party. The Mayawati-led BSP and the Gondwana Ganatantra Party, a regional political outfit, are contesting in alliance and have fielded 43 and 26 candidates.

Polling time in all the 70 constituencies is from 8 am to 5 pm, except in nine polling booths in the Naxal-affected Bindranawagarh seat in Rajim district, where voting will be held from 7 am to 3 pm for security reasons. Out of a total of 18,833 booths, 700 are sangwari polling booths entirely managed by women personnel.

Out of the 70 assembly segments up for grabs, 44 are in the general category, while 17 are reserved for STs and nine for SCs.

Key candidates

Baghel (Patan seat), Singh Deo (Ambikapur), assembly speaker Charan Das Mahant (Sakti), eight state ministers, including Tamrdhwaj Sahu (Durg Rural) and Ravindra Choubey (Saja), are among prominent Congress candidates in the second phase.

From the BJP, state unit chief and MP Arun Sao (Lormi), Leader of Opposition in the assembly Narayan Chandel (Janjgir-Champa), union minister Renuka Singh (Bharatpur-Sonhat-ST), MP Gomti Sai (Pathalgaon-ST), former ministers Brijmohan Agrawal (Raipur South), Ajay Chandrakar (Kurud) and Punnulal Mohile (Mungeli) are among key candidates.

Baghel has been contesting from his traditional Patan seat where the BJP has fielded his distant nephew and party MP Vijay Baghel. The candidature of Janata Congress Chhattisgarh (J) state president and son of former chief minister Ajit Jogi, Amit Jogi, in Patan has added a new dimension to the contest.

The BJP has fielded a fresh face, Rajesh Agrawal, against Singh Deo in Ambikapur. Agrawal had joined the BJP, after quitting the Congress, ahead of the assembly polls in 2018.

The BJPs poll campaign was spearheaded by PM Modi, who addressed four well-attended rallies for the second phase and targeted the Baghel-led government over corruption, particularly the alleged Mahadev betting app scam, as well as the recruitment scandal and Naxalism. Top BJP leaders, while on campaign trail, also criticised Baghel over the alleged betting app scam and religious conversion, and accused the ruling Congress of indulging in appeasement politics.

Kharge, Rahul Gandhi and Priyanka Gandhi led the campaign for the ruling party and mounted a counter-offensive claiming their party is concerned about the interest of the poor, while the BJP-led Centre only works for the welfare of the rich. The Congress based its campaign on a slew of welfare schemes rolled out by the Baghel government for farmers, women, tribals and Dalits, and accused the Centre of handing over resources to select industrialists. The party has tried to woo farmers with promise of a loan waiver, also made by it in 2018, and other backward castes (OBCs) with a caste survey.

The Congress registered a landslide victory in the 2018 polls, winning 68 out of the 90 seats. The BJP was reduced to just 15 seats, while the JCC (J) and the BSP bagged five and two seats. The Congress later added more seats in bypolls and its tally in the outgoing assembly is 71.

(With PTI inputs)
Shanti Kumar Dhariwal has a development-focussed approach and is a proven peoples representative, the Congress party has said, justifying a ticket to the senior minister whose name was finally announced from Kota (North) in Rajasthan just 24 hours before the deadline to file nominations. His candidature was opposed till then by Congresss Sachin Pilot.

Dhariwal is a close aide of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and had led the revolt last year when the Congress High Command tried to make Pilot the Chief Minister. Dhariwal and other MLAs had submitted their resignations to the Speaker.

As per the latest Election Commission of India (ECI) rules, a party must publicly declare why it is giving a ticket to a person facing a pending criminal case. In one case, the party had filed a declaration regarding Dhariwal as a Special Leave Petition is pending against him in the Supreme Court.

The candidate (Dhariwal) has been an elected representative for a long time. He has been a member of Parliament and the Legislative Assembly in the past. The candidate is a sitting MLA and a minister in the government and is known for his development-focused approach. The candidate has carried out massive developmental works across the state of Rajasthan and the recently inaugurated Chambal riverfront in Kota has been one of the examples of his work, the Congress party has said in its declaration.

The Chambal riverfront project in Kota has, in fact, been under a cloud of controversy as Gehlot had skipped coming to its inauguration earlier this year after it was alleged that no environmental clearance had been taken to build the project in an eco-sensitive zone. The BJP has alleged massive corruption in the project as well.

It is believed that the Congress High Command and Pilot were not in favour of giving a ticket to Dhariwal earlier, but Gehlot finally prevailed to get him a ticket. An SLP in a case is pending against him in the Supreme Court.

The candidate (Dhariwal) was not named in any FIR and his name did not crop up during any investigation but a protest petition was filed in the High Court which named him as an accused. However, Rajasthan High Court dismissed the said protest petition. Now an appeal against the High Court verdict is pending in the Supreme Court, the Congress party has justified in its declaration.

This clearly shows there is no genuine ingredient in the case which is why the High Court dismissed it. Such infructuous litigation should not stop a proven peoples representative from carrying out his developmental work in future which is why the Congress party has decided to field him again from this seat, the Congress party has further said.

Dhariwal is the sitting MLA from the Kota (North) seat and is facing BJPs Prahlad Gunjal in the electoral contest.
The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Thursday said that a deep depression over the Bay of Bengal will likely intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours and cross the Bangladesh coast. It is likely to continue to move north-northeastwards and make landfall between Mongla and Khepupara areas of the neighbouring country by the early hours of November 18.

As per IMD, the cyclone once intensified will be named Midhili, a name that has been proposed by Maldives.

VIDEO | The deep depression that formed today morning in the Bay of Bengal moved in a north-northeast direction. It is about 320 km south-southeast of Paradeep. We are expecting the system to further intensify into a cyclonic storm in the next 24 hours and likely to cross the pic.twitter.com/bzN6rGRow3 Press Trust of India (@PTI_News) November 16, 2023

Here are some weather updates from across the country:

 Due to the cyclonic storm, light rainfall is likely over coastal districts of West Bengal on November 17 and over Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram and Tripura till November 18.

 In addition, heavy rainfall is also likely over south Assam and east Meghalaya on November 17 and 18.

 As per a release by the weather department, minor damages are expected in the coastal areas of Odisha and West Bengal.

 Light to moderate rainfall at some places with isolated heavy rainfall is also likely over Tamil Nadu till November 20, the IMD stated.

 Heavy rainfall over Tamil Nadu and Kerala is likely to be triggered by a fresh easterly wave on November 19 and 20.

 Fishermen have been advised to not venture into deep seas till Saturday as the sea conditions will remain rough during this time.

 As per the IMD bulletin, Guidance from various numerical models is indicating north-northeastwards movement towards the Bangladesh coast. Peak intensification is suggested up to marginal cyclone stage.

 An IMD official told news agency PTI that under the influence of the cyclone, many parts of Odisha, particularly the coastal region, will experience heavy rainfall,with wind blowing between 40 kmph and 70 kmph.

 On Tuesday, IMD scientist Umashankar Dash had said that the low pressure area over Southeast Bay of Bengal and adjoining Andaman and Nicobar Islands is likely to move west-northwestwards before intensifying into a depression over West Central Bay of Bengal off Andhra Pradesh coast on November 16.

 Dash also noted that subsequently the system would re-curve north-northeastwards and reach Northwest Bay of Bengal off Odisha coast on November 17.

 According to Down To Earth website, meteorologists have observed another air cyclonic circulation, which has formed over the south-western parts of the Bay of Bengal. Vineet Kumar Singh, research scientist at the Typhoon Research Centre of South Koreas Jeju National University said that this might also induce a low-pressure area.

(with PTI inputs)
India on Thursday expressed concerns over incidents of violence close to the Indo-Myanmar border and called for a cessation of fighting between Myanmars military and anti-junta groups.

The situation has triggered an influx of Myanmarese refugees to Mizoram. The mounting hostilities between Myanmars anti-junta groups and government forces in several key towns and regions near the border with India in the last few weeks have fuelled concerns in the Indian military establishment about the possible spillover effect.

At his weekly media briefing, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said India is for the return of peace and stability in Myanmar.

As a result of the fighting, in the Rihkhawdar area in Chin State, opposite Zowkhathar in Mizoram on the India-Myanmar border, there has been movement of Myanmar nationals to the Indian side, he said.

We are deeply concerned with such incidents close to our border. Our position on the ongoing situation in Myanmar is very clear  we want cessation of the violence and resolution of the situation through constructive dialogue, Bagchi said.

#WATCH | Delhi: On Myanmar rebels seeking to control the border with India, MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi says, We are deeply concerned with such incidents close to our border. Our position on the ongoing situation in Myanmar is very clear. We want secession of the violence pic.twitter.com/PwqFRsnvup ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023

The MEA spokesperson said India reiterates its call for the return of peace, stability and democracy in Myanmar.

Since the current conflict started in 2021 in Myanmar, a large number of Myanmar citizens have been taking refuge in India. Local authorities in the concerned neighbouring states have been handling the situation appropriately on humanitarian grounds. We have also been facilitating the return of those who wish to go back to Myanmar, he added.

Current Situation in Myanmar

Myanmar has been witnessing widespread protests demanding restoration of democracy since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021. Myanmars military has been using airstrikes against its opponents and those involved in the armed struggle against the ruling regime.

Myanmar is one of Indias strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-kilometre border with a number of northeastern states, including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur. According to reports, a group of resistance fighters took control of two military camps at Rihkhawdar on Monday following intense fighting with Myanmarese troops. It is estimated that around 4,000 Myanmar nationals, including some soldiers, have sought shelter in Mizoram.

It is learnt that the military personnel were subsequently flown by the Indian side to a border crossing and sent back home.

(With PTI inputs)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said no evidence has provided so far by Canada on the allegations of Indias link to the killing of Khalistani extremist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in Canadian province of British Columbia.

During a conversation with journalist Lionel Barber on Wednesday, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of credible evidence. When asked if there was any evidence of the Indian governments involvement in the killing, the EAM categorically stated, none.

Speaking about Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations, Jaishankar said that he has discussed the matter with his Canadian counterpart, Melanie Joly, urging the Canadian government to share any evidence they may have.

Jaishankar highlighted Indias willingness to consider an investigation but emphasised that no evidence has been provided thus far.

Now, in the case of Mr Trudeau, I have discussed it also with my own counterpart. And we have told them, look, if you have a reason to make such an allegation, please share the evidence with us. We are not ruling out an investigation and looking at anything which they may have to offer. They havent done so, news agency ANI quoted Jaishankar as saying.

WATCH HERE:

#WATCH | London, UK: On Canada PM Justin Trudeau's allegations, External Affairs Minister of India, Dr S Jaishankar says, "We have told the CanadiansThe context is that in Canada, we feel that Canadian politics has given space to violent and extreme political opinions which pic.twitter.com/XzP6OkYBSo ANI (@ANI) November 15, 2023

Jaishankar concluded his five-day visit to the UK on Wednesday, which he described as timely after a series of cross-party engagements amid substantial progress on the ongoing free trade agreement negotiations.

Jaishankar, in his trip, raised Indias long-standing concerns about pro-Khalistan extremism in the UK during his meetings with the countrys leaders, stressing that they should be on guard against the misuse of freedom of expression and speech.

During a media interaction at the High Commission of India in London before leaving, the minister shared some insights from his discussions with the UK Cabinet ministers and Opposition leaders which covered a whole spectrum of global and bilateral issues.

Indias concerns regarding pro-Khalistan extremism in relation to the safety of its diplomats in the country were among the topics that came up during his meetings with UK Home Secretary James Cleverly and National Security Adviser (NSA) Tim Barrow.

We have long-standing concerns about extremist and sometimes even violent activities of various forces, including those who propagate Khalistan, said Jaishankar.

We have been trying to get the government here to understand that while we as a fellow democracy certainly understand the importance of freedom of expression, and of speech, they should be on guard against the misuse of these freedoms, he said.

(With PTI and ANI inputs)
Workers of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Shiv Sena (UBT) of Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday came face to face and shouted slogans against each other at the memorial of party founder late Bal Thackeray, whose 11th death anniversary will be observed on Friday. The crowd was dispersed by police, an official said.

While workers of the Shiv Sena shouted that the party belongs to them, those owing allegiance to Uddhav Thackeray responded with traitors go back slogans. The incident took place after Chief Minister Shinde arrived at the memorial at Shivaji Park in Dadar to pay tribute to Bal Thackeray.

Speaking to reporters, the CM said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had fulfilled the late Shiv Sena founders dream of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. It will be inaugurated on the eve of late Bal Thackerays birth anniversary, he pointed out.

Thackeray was born on January 23 in 1926, while the idol consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will take place on January 22. Shinde said his government was working to fulfil the dreams and aspirations of Bal Thackeray.

Krishna Hegde, spokesperson of the Shiv Sena said, like last year, CM Shinde paid tribute at the Shivaji Park memorial on the eve of the death anniversary to avoid any conflict. He was accompanied by senior leaders and left Shivaji Park some time later, the spokesperson said.

Everything was peaceful till we saw the arrival of (Uddhav Thackeray faction) MP Anil Desai and MLC Anil Parab, who had come with a group of people to disturb the peaceful and solemn occasion. This was a deliberate attempt to create ruckus and a law and order situation, Hegde alleged. This was uncalled for. Balasaheb Thackeray belongs to everyone and all can pay tribute to him. If they (Uddhav faction) want to truly show respect to Balaseheb Thackeray, then they must first follow his ideology, he added.

The Shiv Sena split in June last year following a rebellion by Shinde and both factions have since been trying to claim the legacy of Bal Thackeray, reverentially called Hinduhriday Samrat by supporters.
Once a strong critic of the BJP-led central government, Shehla Rashid  a former student activist from Jawaharlal Nehru University  on Thursday praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi for being a selfless man working for national interest, and that he is someone who is unfazed by criticism.

Rashid, who was often seen as part of the tukde tukde gang and was trolled on social media for being an anti-national, said she is willing to apologise for her remarks against the Centre in the past because she relied on second-hand information.

Speaking to news agency ANI, she said the prime minister has taken radical decisions at the cost of his popularity. Right now, we see a really well-intentioned administration. The prime minister  he doesnt care about criticism. He has taken so many radical decisions, even at the cost of his popularity. He doesnt care about criticism. He is a selfless man who works for the national interest, she added.

Rashid also heaped in praise for union home minister Amit Shah and said he has ensured peace in Kashmir regardless of who was critical of him. She attributed the change in Jammu and Kashmir to Prime Minister Modi and Shah. All of those things, somebody needed to break the ice, and for that, I would like to credit the present government, especially the prime minister and the home minister, she was quoted as saying.

Also a vocal critic of the abrogation of Article 370 from Jammu and Kashmir, in July, the Supreme Court allowed Rashid to remove her name in the petitions against the revocation of special status. She told ANI that there were narratives on J&K, which were completely out of touch with reality.

Theres a report in the US Congress, which is still asking for internet to be restored in J&K. You see how out of touch these narratives are with reality, she added.

The former student leader said the union territory has witnessed infrastructural development while there is a perception of security as people can move around freely. We have to understand that we are living through a historically important phase; theres peace and development. We should be lucky that were in this country with whats happening around the world. But, a lot of criticism of the government is done just for the sake of it, she said, adding that communalism cannot go away overnight but her message should not be that there is discrimination in India.
President Droupadi Murmu will visit her home state Odisha twice this month, officials said.

Her first visit this month will be from November 20-22 and the second from November 26-27.

During her first visit, she will embark on a 32-km train journey from Badampahar railway station to Rairangpur, her native place in Mayurbhanj district.

This would be her third visit to the state after assuming office in July last year.

On November 20, she will attend the All India Santali Writers Conference at Baripada.

On November 21, the President will flag off three new trains  Tatanagar-Badampahar Memu, Badampahar-Rourkela Express and Shalimar-Badampahar Express  from Badampahar Railway Station.

The President will also virtually inaugurate the new Rairangpur postal division and physically release a commemorative special cover. She will also virtually inaugurate different projects of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Murmu will also attend the 15th annual convocation of the Veer Surendra Sai University of Technology, Burla as the chief guest.

On November 22, the President will be the chief guest at the launch of the National Education Campaign  Rising India through Spiritual Empowerment organised by Brahma Kumaris at Sambalpur.

On her second visit, she will arrive in Bhubaneswar on November 26 and attend the Boita Bandan Ustav organised by the Paradip Port Authority.

Chief Secretary P K Jena held a preparatory meeting with the development commissioner, DGP, home secretary, state intelligence chief, revenue divisional commissioners and district collectors for the Presidents visit.
Amid severe air quality and haze enveloping Delhi, the Arvind Kejriwal government is making plans to impose a complete ban on passenger buses except those running on CNG, electricity and BS-VI diesel from entering the national capital.

Reportedly, dates for a possible attempt at cloud seeding to induce rainfall in Delhi are now being reassessed. An earlier assessment that there might be a western disturbance that could affect Delhi around November 18 or 20 no longer holds true.

#WATCH | A layer of haze covers Delhi as the air quality in several areas in the city remains in 'Severe' category.(Visuals from Akshardham, shot at 7:20 am) pic.twitter.com/u7Iuqgf4mZ  ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023

ALSO READ | Rains Likely in TN, Odisha Among These States for Next 48 Hrs

Delhi Govts Plan to Ban Select Buses

News agency PTI quoted its source as saying, Chhath Puja is around the corner and there is a huge rush being witnessed because of it. We are planning to implement a ban after the festival.

Restrictions under GRAP Stage IV are currently in place in Delhi amid plummeting air quality in the national capital. At present, only trucks are barred from entering the city.

Last month, the Delhi government directed that all buses entering the national capital from Haryana will have to be run on electricity, CNG or BS-VI diesel. Buses entering from the NCR regions of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan also need to follow these norms.

The city governments transport department said all buses entering Delhi from any city or town in Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh from July 1 will only be those that run on electricity, CNG and BS-VI diesel. There are plans to implement the same norms for buses coming from all states, the source added.

Forty enforcement teams, including traffic, are deployed in Delhis border areas from 8 pm to 4 am to enforce the restrictions. A hundred teams have been pressed into action overall to check overloaded trucks, pollution certificates, interstate buses and congestion.

Delhis Artificial Rain Plan Likely to be Hampered

According to a report in Indian Express, the dates planned to induce rain are being reassessed with conditions being unfavourable around the initial November 20-21 dates that were being considered.

ALSO READ | What is Artificial Rain, IIT-Ks Solution to Delhi Pollution & How Cloud Seeding Works

The report quoted an environment department official as saying the dates for the pilot project are being reassessed since an earlier assessment that there might be a western disturbance that could affect Delhi around November 18 or 20 no longer holds true.

Cloud seeding would require clouds with moisture over the city, which in the winter, is brought by western disturbances, the report stated.

The official, however, added that the process of seeking permissions for cloud seeding as a pilot project this winter has kicked off, with the project likely to require a set of around 10 to 11 permissions, including operational and security clearances from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation, the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Bureau of Civil Aviation Security, the Delhi government, and the Airports Authority of India.
The outlawed pro-Khalistani outfit Sikhs for Justice (SFJ) has warned Sikhs in Canada against attending camps organised by the Indian High Commission to help the elderly with life certificate submissions to continue drawing pensions from the Indian government, sources told News18.

The Indian High Commission has been organising life certificate camps for elderly people who have served in the Government of India and are now drawing pensions. To make the process easier for senior citizens, the High Commissions had asked consulates across Canada to organise such camps locally.

These Khalistani groups are abusing the elderly people, calling them agents and spies of the Indian government, a source said. News18 had earlier reported on how an 80-year-old man had to endure abuses for picking up an Indian flag that fell to the ground.

Diplomatic relations between Canada and India have been fraught since Primer Minister Justin Trudeaus allegations in September over the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar in June in the Canadian town of Surrey.

Days after Trudeaus allegations, India announced temporarily suspending the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity. India has since resumed the issuance of four types of visas for Canadians. Canada has already withdrawn 41 diplomats and their family members from India.

Khalistani groups are upset because of the turnout at these life certificate camps. It is important to note that these goons are not locally supported. Camps are mostly held in the Gurudwara with due permission from the Gurudwara Prabandhak Committee, another source said. But these people are just not bothered about the elderly.

Submission of life certificate is a routine and mandatory exercise for any Indian availing pension from the Indian government, whether within the country or abroad.

The SFJ had recently disrupted an Indian High Commission event organised by the Khalsa Diwan Society Abbotsford in Canada to issue life certificates to community members. During the event, which saw a huge turnout, SFJ elements targeted a local Sikh family  an elderly man, his son and grandson.

The Sikh family was at the Gurudwara Sahib to obtain a life certificate for the aged grandfather. The family was attacked by pro-Khalistani referendum elements from the SFJ for reportedly attempting to pick up an Indian flag from the ground.
Two experimental smog towers cannot be a practical solution to Delhis acute air pollution as the national capital will need more than 47,000 such giant air purifiers to be effective enough to mitigate the problem, the Delhi Pollution Control Committee has said.

In a report submitted to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) last week, the pollution control body stressed that these costly structures lack merit and the two such existing towers in Delhi should be repurposed for the dissemination of technical information on air pollution control as a museum.

One smog tower is installed at Connaught Place under the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) while the other one is at Anand Vihar under the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). These were installed in 2021 following the Supreme Courts directions.

According to the report, senior scientist Nandita Moitra of the DPCC said the Rs 25-crore smog tower at Connaught Place, which has been operational for two years, can only mitigate air pollution by up to 17 percent within a 100-metre radius. The report stated that considering the citys vast area of 1,483 sq km, it will need over 47,000 such towers with each costing Rs 25 crore for installation and requiring Rs 15 lakh per month for operation and maintenance.

The DPCC report further said this is not at all justified and is not even a drop in the ocean, when you take into account the high purchase and maintenance costs of this so-called solution. Both towers are experimental and the results are not at all encouraging to incur the heavy expenditure from public funds, it said.

Delhis air quality worsened within the severe category on Thursday as unfavourable meteorological conditions hindered the dispersion of pollutants. The 24-hour average air quality index (AQI), recorded at 4 pm every day, stood at 419. It was 401 on Wednesday (November 15), 397 on November 14, 358 on November 13 and 218 on November 12, 220 on November 11 and 279 on November 10.

Last week, central government sources had said smog towers are not a solution to the air pollution problem in Delhi-NCR and the Centre is not in favour of installing more of these. Delhi environment minister Gopal Rai had earlier claimed that the Connaught Place smog tower was temporarily shut down due to unilateral directions issued by DPCCs Ashwani Kumar. But, it was again made operational last week following SC directions.

According to CPCB data, the smog tower at Anand Vihar reduced PM2.5 concentration by up to 17 percent and PM10 pollution levels by up to 27 percent in a 100-metre radius during the 2021-22 winter season. The Delhi government said last year that the Connaught Place smog tower could reduce air pollution by 70 to 80 percent within a radius of 50 m and by 15 to 20 percent up to 300 m.

Vehicular emissions, secondary inorganic aerosols main culprits

A study under a joint project of the Delhi government and IIT-Kanpur found that vehicular emissions accounted for about 38 percent of the pollution on Wednesday (November 15). This reduced to 25 percent in the next 24 hours.

Secondary inorganic aerosols  particles such as sulfate and nitrate formed in the atmosphere due to the interaction of gases and particulate pollutants from sources like power plants, refineries, and vehicles  is the second major contributor to foul air, accounting for 30 to 35 percent of the air pollution over the past few days.

A system developed by the Pune-based Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology (IITM) showed stubble burning accounted for 7.5 percent of the air pollution on Thursday. It is likely to come down to 3.5 percent on Friday (November 17) and 3 percent on November 18. A DPCC analysis, however, shows that Delhi experiences peak pollution from November 1 to 15 when the number of stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and Haryana increases. On Thursday, Punjab reported 1,271 stubble burning incidents, taking the total number of such fires to 31,932 since September 15.

The India Meteorological Department (IMD), meanwhile, said calm winds and low temperatures are allowing accumulation of pollutants and relief is unlikely over the next few days. However, an improvement in the wind speed from November 21 might bring pollution levels down.

The air quality has worsened over the past few days despite stringent measures, including a ban on construction work and the entry of diesel-guzzling trucks. According to IQAir, a Swiss company that specialises in air quality monitoring, Delhi was the most polluted city in the world on Thursday followed by Baghdad and Lahore.

Six-member special task force to implement GRAP

A six-member special task force (STF) has been set up to ensure strict implementation of measures outlined in the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP), Rai said. Delhi special secretary (environment) will head the STF whose members include senior officials from the departments of transport, traffic, revenue, Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) and public works department (PWD).

The environment minister said the STF will coordinate with all the departments involved and submit a daily report to the Delhi government. Earlier in the day, he held a meeting with departments on the effective implementation of anti-pollution measures.

Rai had previously reprimanded the departments concerned for their negligence in executing the GRAP and urged them to establish a monitoring mechanism. Strict restrictions, including a ban on construction work and the entry of polluting trucks into the capital, under the GRAPs final stage kicked in on November 5 as the AQI dipped to severe plus (above 450).

Buses except CNG, electric, BS-VI diesel to be barred

There is likely to be a complete ban on passenger buses except those running on CNG, electricity and BS-VI diesel from entering Delhi. Restrictions under GRAP Stage IV are in place and, at present, only trucks are barred from entering the city.

A source said, Chhath Puja is around the corner and there is a huge rush being witnessed because of it. We are planning to implement a ban after the festival.

Last month, the Delhi government directed that all buses entering the national capital from Haryana will have to be run on electricity, CNG or BS-VI diesel. Buses entering from the NCR regions of Uttar Pradesh and Rajasthan also need to follow these norms. There are plans to implement the same norms for buses coming from all states, the source said.

(With PTI inputs)
The wait for 40 workers trapped in the under-construction tunnel on the Char Dham route continues as the rescue operation entered the fifth day on Thursday.

The labourers are safe, and oxygen, electricity, medicines, food items and water are being constantly supplied to them through pipes.

Meanwhile, Union Minister V K Singh said all efforts are being made for an early and safe evacuation of 40 labourers trapped inside the Silkyara tunnel since November 12 but the rescue operation could take two or three more days.

It (evacuation) can happen even sooner than that but in circumstances like this, we should keep an outer limit of two-three days so that we can deal with an obstacle if it comes. Our priority is that they stay safe. Our priority is that they are evacuated at the earliest. All efforts are being made for that, the Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways said after reviewing the rescue operation.

He said he has spoken to the trapped labourers. They are safe and their morale is high, Singh added.

Speaking on the disaster-vulnerability of the area where a cave-in occurred on Sunday, Singh said, According to data, it was stable for four-and-a-half years. But for some reason, the cave-in occurred. He said these mountains are young and fragile.

Latest Updates on Uttarkashi Tunnel Collapse
CHHATH PUJA CALENDAR 2023: Chhath Puja is a significant Hindu festival celebrated primarily in Bihar, Jharkhand, and Uttar Pradesh, as well as in some regions of Nepal. It is also celebrated in rest of India including Delhi and Mumbai in a big way. This festival is dedicated to the worship of the Sun God, Surya, and it usually falls in the Hindu calendar month of Kartik, which corresponds to October or November in the Gregorian calendar. The dates of Chhath Puja vary each year, as they are determined based on the lunar calendar.

CHHATH PUJA 2023 DATES

Nahay Khay (Day 1): November 17, 2023: Devotees take a holy bath and eat a satvik meal. This day symbolizes purification and preparation for the upcoming rituals.

Lohanda and Kharna (Day 2): November 18, 2023: On this day, devotees observe a nirjala vrat, abstaining from both food and water. In the evening, they consume a special prasad called lohanda, which is offered to the Sun God.

Sandhya Arghya (Day 3): November 19, 2023: Devotees offer arghya, an offering of water and other items, to the setting Sun God. This arghya is a way of expressing gratitude to the Sun God for his blessings.

Usha Arghya (Day 4): November 20, 2023: Chhath devotees offer arghya to the rising Sun God. This arghya is a way of seeking blessings for the future.

Chhath Puja 2023: Sunrise, Sunset Time

Sunset Time on Friday, November 17: 5:50 PM

Sunrise Time on Monday, November 20: 06:20 AM

CHHATH PUJA: HISTORY

The origins of Chhath Puja can be traced back to ancient Hindu scriptures, and it is believed to date back to the Vedic period. It is a way of showing gratitude to the Sun God, who is considered the source of life on Earth. The festival has been celebrated for centuries and holds deep cultural and historical significance.

CHHATH PUJA: SIGNIFICANCE

Chhath Puja is a way for devotees to thank the Sun God for sustaining life on Earth and to seek his blessings for the well-being, prosperity, and happiness of their families. It is also a way to cleanse the mind and spirit and to seek forgiveness for past sins.

CHHATH PUJA: RITUALS

Chhath Puja involves several rituals, including taking a dip in a holy river (Nahay Khay), fasting, preparing special offerings, and performing the arghya or offerings to the setting and rising sun. Devotees, particularly women, observe strict fasts during this period and offer their prayers to the Sun God with devotion.

CHHATH PUJA: CELEBRATION

The festival is marked by elaborate rituals and celebrations, with people gathering at the banks of rivers or other water bodies to offer their prayers to the setting and rising sun. Devotees wear traditional attire and sing folk songs during the puja. The atmosphere is filled with devotion, and its a time for family gatherings and communal harmony.

CHHATH PUJA 2023 PRASAD: THEKUA RECIPE

Thekua is a traditional sweet dish prepared as an offering during Chhath Puja. Heres a simple recipe for making Thekua:

INGREDIENTS

1 cup whole wheat flour

1/2 cup sugar

2-3 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

A pinch of cardamom powder

A pinch of grated nutmeg

Water (as needed)

Oil for deep frying

INSTRUCTIONS
According to reports, two leading actresses from the film industry are scheduled to attend a Kambala event in Bengaluru. They are Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Anushka Shetty.

As per reports, the event is being held in Bangaluru for the first time. Celebrities like Aishwarya and Shetty are reported to be in attendance at the event, among other famous names, as announced by the organising president, Umesh Shetty.

The Kambala event is scheduled to take place on November 25 and 26, on the citys palace grounds. According to the organisers, a crowd of three to five lakh is expected to attend the event in the two days. The Bengaluru Kambala Committee is busy with the preparations for the event where more than 125 pairs of buffalos are reported to be participating. The president of the Bengaluru Kambala Committee and Puttur MLA Ashok Kumar Rai revealed that 116 Kambala buffalo owners have already registered to participate in the sport.

Ashok Kumar Rai said, Over eight lakh people are expected to shop at the event. Buffalo owners will be paid Rs 50,000 to transport buffaloes from their district to Bengaluru.

The Chief Minister of Karnataka Siddaramaiah has granted Rs 1 crore to host the Kambala event in Bengaluru. It is going to be held on 70-acre land, according to reports. The race track is reported to be around 155 meters long.

More celebrities like Shilpa Shetty, Sunil Shetty and KL Rahul are also expected to be present at the event. A theme song for the event was also released on Sunday called Bengaluru Kambal-Namma Kambala, which was composed by Gurukiran and penned by V Manohar.

Kambala is a popular buffalo race sport which is held annually in the state of Karnataka. The race track is a muddy paddy field, on which buffaloes are made to run by farmers wielding whips.
Shah Rukh Khan fans were left shocked and heartbroken last month when it was announced that Ranveer Singh will be replacing him in Don 3. Over a month later, Farhan Akhtar had clarified that he and SRK parted ways mutually for the best. Akhtar directed the first two movies in the Don franchise. While its still unclear who will be the leading lady in the revamped franchise, a report has surfaced claiming that Priyanka Chopra might be in talks with the makers for a prominent role in the film.

As per a source close to Hindustan Times, the makers have approached PC since the actress was recently in town to figure out her next Bollywood commitment. The source told the portal, The team of Don 3 has indeed approached Priyanka Chopra to revisit her character. In fact, the first few meetings also took place when Priyanka came to India recently for another professional commitment. She used her time in India to align the talks and figure out her next project in the Hindi film industry.

The source added, Priyanka has a very close bond with Farhan, and is trying to make it work and checking her schedule. Her return might also become a reality as Shah Rukh is no longer associated with the project. Since Jee Lee Zara could not happen for Priyanka and Farhan, both the teams are trying to make Don 3 work. Priyanka enjoys working with Farhan, and has shown her interest. If things fall in place, it will be a reunion of the Dil Dhadakne Do gang, and thats something to look out for. Farhan is ready to get going with Don 3 with Ranveer Singh and Priyanka Chopra. All he is waiting for is a green signal from Priyankas end.

Priyankas portrayal of Roma in Shah Rukh Khans Don and Don 2 was greatly appreciated by fans. Her fiery chemistry with Shah Rukh on-screen was a significant factor contributing to the films success. While Shah Rukh will not be seen as Don anymore, fans are excited to watch Priyanka return to the franchise.

As for Ranveer and Priyanka, they have starred together in films like Bajirao Mastani and Dil Dhadakne Do. The audience loves to watch the two actors together on screen. However, this news is receiving a mixed reaction online.

It should be noted that there is no confirmation from Priyanka or the makers yet.
YouTuber and Bigg Boss OTT 2 winner Elvish Yadav will soon be seen in a music video titled Vehem. On Thursday, the makers of the video dropped a teaser which also featured Elvish alongwith Love Kataria, Mellow D, Lakshya, Archit and Sangam Vigyaanik. The 30-second clip began with Elvish standing in what looked like a dockyard. He looked dapper in a brown jacket paired with black trousers. Elvish was surrounded by dancers when he began to vibe on the song. The teaser then revealed that the full video will be out on November 18.

Soon after the teaser was released, Elvish Yadav fans hailed the YouTuber and expressed excitement for the music video. The love and respect for Elvish is unconditional," one of the fans wrote. No one can beat his presence on screen .just a amazing personality and really a adorable guy," another user shared. The love and support we give is that you deserve Elvish," a third comment read.

The music video teaser comes at a time when Elvish Yadav has also been in connection to the Noida Sanke Venom case. It all started after an FIR was filed against Elvish after his name came up in a rave party where snakes and venom was found. Later, politician and animal rights activist Maneka Gandhi accused the YouTuber of supplying snake venom to rave parties in Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Elvish was stopped at a checkpost in Rajasthans Kota in connection to the case recently but was released later. He was also questioned on November 7 in connection to the case.

Last week, Elvish issued a video clarification and claimed that all allegations against him are baseless and devoid of proof. Maine subah utha aur dekha kaise kaise news phail rahi hai mere khilaaf media mein. Jitne arop mere upar lage hai sab bebuniyad hai, fake hai aur ek percent bhi mein sachhai hai nehi hai," he said and further revealed that he would file a defamation case against Maneka Gandhi.
Telugu superstar Ram Charan recently played host to a star-studded Diwali party at his residence, attended by leading actors from the Telugu cinema industry. Notable stars such as Jr. NTR, Mahesh Babu, Venkatesh, and others graced the festive celebration with their wives, capturing the joyous moments in viral pictures. Among the attendees, Jr. NTR reportedly presented a special gift to Ram Charan and Upasanas daughter, Klin Kaara, marking the occasion with a heartwarming gesture. The media speculates that the gift is a toy set for the couples newborn daughter, born on June 20, 2023.

The Diwali bash saw a delightful exchange of gifts, with guests bringing tokens of celebration for the hosts and their families. This is not the first time Jr. NTR has expressed such thoughtful gestures towards his co-stars family. Previously, during Upasanas baby shower in July, Jr. NTR and his wife, Pranathi, gifted exquisitely crafted gold coins engraved with the names of Ram Charan, Upasana, and their daughter Klin Kaara Konidela.

Namrata Shirodkar, wife of Telugu superstar Mahesh Babu, shared glimpses of the festive night on her Instagram, featuring Ram Charan alongside Jr. NTR, Mahesh Babu, and Venkatesh. In another set of pictures, Namrata posed with Upasana Konidela, S Pooja Prasad (Karthikeyas wife), Jr. NTRs wife Lakshmi Pranathi, and others.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Namrata Shirodkar (@namratashirodkar)

Ram Charan, currently engrossed in the filming of Game Changer directed by Shankar, is set to share the screen with Bollywood actress Kiara Advani. Meanwhile, Jr. NTR is busy with the shooting of Devara, directed by Kortala Siva.
Mahesh Babu, a renowned actor in Tollywood, lost his father, the legendary actor Krishna, on November 15, 2022. To mark his first death anniversary, Mahesh Babu and his wife, Namrata Shirodkar, organised a memorial event in Hyderabad. As a tribute, the couple has initiated the Superstar Krishna Educational Fund, aiming to grant scholarships to 40 underprivileged students, spanning from primary school to postgraduate studies, according to a report by Hindustan Times. The newly launched fund stands as a heartfelt homage to Mahesh Babus late father, extending educational support to those in need.

In 2020, Mahesh Babu and Namrata Shirodkar established the Mahesh Babu Foundation with the primary goal of providing financial assistance to children, especially infants dealing with heart-related conditions. The inspiration for this foundation came from their son, Gautham, who was born with a heart ailment.

It has been a year since the passing of Tollywood actor Mahesh Babus father, Krishna. Having suffered a cardiac arrest, he was undergoing treatment at the time of his passing. In his remembrance, the family organised a memorial event in Hyderabad, attended by close ones. Other family members, including Ashok Galla, Sharan Kumar, and Maheshs sisters, were also present to honour the occasion. During his final rites, members of the film industry also came together to pay their respects and offer solace to the grieving family.

Reflecting on his fathers memory, Mahesh Babu recently posted a throwback picture of his father on X (formerly Twitter), expressing, Superstar, always and forever.

Superstar, always and forever  pic.twitter.com/bGSKi8TjPm Mahesh Babu (@urstrulyMahesh) November 15, 2023

Mahesh Babu also shared a glimpse of the memorial in Hyderabad on his Instagram handle. Accompanying the picture, he wrote, One year of missing youSuperstar, always and forever.

https://www.instagram.com/p/Czqo2SIPl-Y/?hl=en

Mahesh Babus wife Namrata Shirodkar posted a photo from the remembrance meet on her Instagram handle. In the picture, the couple was seen paying their respects not only to the actors photograph but also to his mother, Indira Devi. Captioning the picture, she wrote, We miss you, Mamayya Garu, and you will always remain in our thoughts and prayers. May your soul continue to rest in peace, and May we honour your memory by spreading the same love and warmth you graciously gave to us.

Meanwhile, Ghattamaneni Siva Rama Krishna Murthy, better known as Telugu actor Krishna, contributed to approximately 350 films. Beyond his legendary acting career, he garnered recognition as a distinguished director and producer. In 2009, he was honored with the Padma Bhushan. The late actor made his entry into Telugu cinema with the romantic film Thene Manasulu, directed by Adurthi Subba Rao, in 1965. Unfortunately, he passed away on November 15, 2022, succumbing to health issues.

Work-wise, Mahesh Babus upcoming film Guntur Kaaram is in progress. Directed by Trivikram, it is scheduled for a theatrical release in January of the upcoming year.
Rubina Dilaiks latest post has left a section of social media users disappointed and furious. It all started after the actress took to the microblogging site X and urged everyone to stop bursting crackers. Some of the users questioned her post and went on to call the actress anti-Hindu. Rubinas husband Abhinav Shukla has also reacted to the controversy now.

What Did Rubina Dilaik Post After Diwali?

Recently, Rubina Dilaik urged everyone to stop bursting crackers and argued that apart from the existing air pollution, noise pollution is killing our sleep too. To whomsoever it may Concern! Diwali is OVER, Stop bursting crackers .. since 10th November, non stop crackers are being burnt till 3am in the morning . ENOUGH NOW. Air pollution toh hai hi . Noise pollution is killing our sleeps , she wrote.

How Did Netizens React To Rubinas Post?

Rubinas stop bursting crackers urge left a section of social media users disappointed. While some called her anti-Hindu, others argued that she should feel ashamed for her words. Stop your Anti Hindu Propaganda, Delete this tweet Right now you bollywoodiya, one of the users wrote. Another comment read, Rubina I respect your current state, you are pregnant but this tweet of yours is hurting the religious sentiment of people as well.. Please delete it for your own peace of mind as well as others (sic).

Stop your Anti Hindu Propaganda, Delete this tweet Right now you bollywoodiyaStop using Ac in your roomsStop using Bmw/Audi Cars for personal use.  Rudra (@rudrastics) November 15, 2023

Rubina I respect your current state, you are pregnant but this tweet of yours is hurting the religious sentiment of people as well.. Please delete it for your own peace of mind as well as others  Peace out  (@sataxisoumya) November 15, 2023

How Did Rubina React To Being Called Anti-Hindu?

After some social media users called her anti-Hindu, the actress wrote in another post, Anti-Hindu??? Are you guys SERIOUSLY OUT OF YOUR MIND (sic). Dont come and comment on my Instagram.. its NOT GYAN , Mr. Intelligently Dumb Vipul Shrisath! Aapse se zyaada hum tyohaar manaatein hain, par doosron ko takleef dekar nahi, she added in another post.

Dont come and comment on my Instagram.. its NOT GYAN , Mr. Intelligently Dumb Vipul Shrisath! Aapse se zyaada hum tyohaar manaatein hain, par doosron ko takleef dekar nahi . pic.twitter.com/9bs9DxEABv Rubina Dilaik (@RubiDilaik) November 15, 2023

Later, Rubina also re-shared her original post and hit back at trolls by calling them pseudo-Hindu. Diwali, is a festival of lights, celebration of Shree Ram returning to Ayodhya! Well, Ramayan mein bursting crackers for 10days was never mentioned, so all you Pseudo Hindu propaganda agents , Go and find someone ELSE to highlight your paid accounts and fake ids! Dare NoT, she wrote.

Diwali, is a festival of lights , celebration of Shree Ram returning to Ayodhya !Well, Ramayan mein bursting crackers for 10days was never mentioned , So all you Pseudo Hindu propaganda agents , Go and find someone ELSE to highlight your paid accounts and fake ids! Dare NoT https://t.co/QJakYtN4ZE Rubina Dilaik (@RubiDilaik) November 15, 2023

Meanwhile, Abhinav Shukla has also reacted to the controversy. On Thursday, he took to X and invited Hindu activists for a challenge. I want the THA(Twitter Hindutva Activists) to prove their worth! Lets get on ground & start cleaning our Hindu Places of worship! I do it for my religion but never mention! You mention religion all the time lets see what all u can do! Submit reports by end of week! Lago Kaam par, he wrote.
Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) leader Sanjay Singh has written a letter from jail addressed to the countryman, saying he was arrested to silence his voice. He was arrested on October 5 in a money laundering case related to the alleged excise scam in the city. He has been lodged in Tihar Jail. Singh, a vocal critic of the BJP and the government led by it, said he was arrested to silence his voice.

With each passing day in jail, he said, his determination and strength to fight authoritarian power are increasing. Born out of the womb of struggle, the AAP has created hope and trust in Indian politics. Under Arvind Kejriwals leadership, in just 10 years, the AAP became a national party. We formed the government in Delhi thrice, achieved a significant majority in Punjab, and succeeded in penetrating Gujarat. Since independence, numerous governments were formed across the country, but the commendable work in education and healthcare by the Kejriwal government became an example in the country and the world, he said in the letter.

He said the AAP does not spread casteism and divides society in the name of religion. That is why the AAP became the target. The BJP has adopted the path of suppression, he alleged.
Maharashtra Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has cleared the air about him contesting the Lok Sabha polls, while having an informal interaction with media at his residence on Thursday. Fadnavis said he will only be contesting the state assembly polls from Nagpur.

There was a buzz in the political corridors of Maharashtra that the BJP might ask Fadnavis to contest the Lok Sabha elections next year. According to unconfirmed reports, the party may ask Fadnavis to contest the election either from Nagpur or Pune Lok Sabha seat. But, today, Fadnavis put full stop to all the rumours and political gossips.

In 2019, when Fadnavis was asked a similar question about the government formation and the chief minister of Maharashtra during a Diwali party at his residence, he said nothing was decided. Later, Uddhav Thackeray broke Shiv Senas tie-up with the BJP and joined with arch-rival Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) and the Congress to form the Maharashtra Vikas Aaghadi (MVA), and his government in the state. When he was asked about that incident, Fadnavis carefully dodged the question.

When this reporter asked Fadnavis the question about the corporation elections, which are pending since last year, Fadnavis said, We are awaiting the Supreme Courts nod as the matter is still pending. Once the SC gives its order, the Election Commission will announce it (date). Even we are of the opinion that the election should happen.

Fadnavis said he is confident that BJPs win in the recently held Gram Panchayat elections will be repeated in the corporation polls as well.

Meanwhile, the minister also commented on the poor air quality in Mumbai, and said the current infrastructure work, which is underway, will help to reduce the pollution further. Currently, the city Metro rail and tunnel road work are underway. This will help to reduce the air pollution in the future. He further said noise pollution in the city was less this year on Diwali compared to the last many years.
Three former ministers in the previous Bharatiya Janata Party government are in the running for the post of Leader of the Opposition (LoP) in the Karnataka legislative assemblya decision that the BJP leadership has delayed

for over six months after the dismal performance of the party in the state elections.

Former ministers V Sunil Kumar (Energy, Kannada, and Culture), R Ashok (Revenue), and Dr CN Ashwath Narayan (former deputy CM) are in the race for the post in the legislative assembly, News18 has learnt.

Party insiders say that now that BY Vijayendra, a Lingayat leader, has been appointed as the BJP state president, a Vokkaliga or OBC person may be selected as the LoP to balance the caste matrix in the state.

While there are several names doing the rounds, the BJP is firm on having a strong, vocal, non-controversial leader for the post. The need of the hour is a leader who can effectively attack the Congress, expressed a senior BJP functionary. The party wants to ensure a landslide victory in the Lok Sabha polls and cannot be seen distracted by battling controversies.

The BJP is expected to finally decide who the Leader of the Opposition in the Karnataka state legislative assembly will be on November 17 during the legislature party meeting in Bengaluru.

Amid reports that several BJP MLAs were upset at being constantly ridiculed by the ruling Congress for not selecting an LoP even six months after the elections were held, former Karnataka chief minister and BJP national executive member BS Yediyurappa assured that he would urge the central leadership to make the appointment before the winter assembly session that is to begin on December 4.

Sunil Kumar, who hails from the Billava-Ediga community of coastal Karnataka, is being projected as the OBC face of the party. A senior leader in the BJPs central leadership has been batting in favour of the Karkala MLA who comes from the RSS stables and is said to have a good hold on the cadre as well.

R Ashok and Ashwath Narayan, both strong Vokkaliga leaders, have served as deputy chief ministers of Karnataka and are front runners as well.

It is also learnt that the BJP leadership had promised BJP MLC Kota Srinivas Poojary (Billava-Ediga) the post of LoP in the Karnataka legislative council, but many state leaders have raised objections to him being given the role. Known to be an influential OBC leader who has served as a minister for social welfare and other key ministries, Poojary is facing opposition from within the party. The names of YA Narayana Swamy, a Vokkaliga and MLC elected from the teachers constituency, are also in the running for the post of LoP in the council.

If an OBC leader like Sunil Kumar is selected as LoP in the legislative assembly, then the caste balance will have to be made by selecting a Vokkaliga in the legislative council. This is where Narayana Swamy hopes to gain that position, explains political analyst SA Hemanth. Senior BJP leader KS Eshwarappa is also pushing for a Kuruba community leader to be made LoP in the council. That brings Bidar MLC Raghunath Rao Malkapures name also in the fray.

Having lost 54 seats to be reduced to just 65 MLAs, the BJP became the principal opposition party. The BJP central leadership continues to be quite annoyed with the loss, and that can be seen in the delay of appointments to crucial posts. Even after two central observers, union minister Mansukh Mandaviya and Vinod Tawde, BJP leader from Maharashtra, were sent to Karnataka in July to gather the opinion of Karnataka BJP senior leaders for their choice of names for the posts of LOP to the legislature and council. However, the decision remains pending.

The list, it is said, remains unattended as the top leadership has been deeply involved in the campaign plan in the five election-bound states of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Mizoram, and Telangana.
Sideloading of apps has been a hot subject in the past few weeks and it involves both Apple and Google. While Apple is being forced to make the change, Android has always supported third-party apps and apps stores.

However, it doesnt seem like Google is not keen for people to install apps from other app stores. Google is battling a legal case against Epic Store this month, and the companys CEO, Sundar Pichai was testifying in the case on November 14.

During his testimony, Pichai was asked about multiple things, and he decided to use the platform to share his companys take on sideloading of apps and why he advises people against installing apps this way on their Android phones. We dont want to allow you to completely compromise your phone. It can install malware on your phone.. It can really compromise your safety, very significantly," Pichai said.

It is interesting to hear Pichai say these things about sideloading, something that Android as an open source platform has always supported. The fact that he talks about malware while installing apps from other app stores clearly suggests the company is trying to play the scare factor with the public. In fact, it has recently started the process of scanning apps that are sideloaded on Android via the Play Protect feature.

Many people have pointed out that Google will have a greater say on the apps that a person can install. Granted, the company claims that Play Store apps offer the best safety for users but a recent security report from Kaspersky highlighted how Googles apps store has been the platform from where 600 million downloads of malicious apps have been observed in 2023 itself.

Besides the pitch for safety from Pichai, Apple has always been against the option to sideload apps as it wont have any control on how and from where these apps are being installed on the iPhone.

Now, Pichai is speaking in the same vein as Tim Cook and Co, which suggests both the tech giants are aware of the 30 percent commission they make of developers hosting their apps on their respective app stores. No wonder platforms like Epic Games have decided to host their app through a website rather than making it available through the app stores.
STOCKHOLM/BRUSSELS: Meta on Wednesday appealed against "gatekeeper" designations for its Messenger and Marketplace platforms, the first Big Tech company to challenge new European Union rules setting out dos and don'ts for the online services.

As part of its latest crackdown on Big Tech, the EU in September picked 22 "gatekeeper" services, run by six of the world's biggest tech companies, to face new rules under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).

Meta's Facebook, Instagram, Marketplace, and WhatsApp qualified as gatekeepers under the DMA, which was designed to level the playing field between Big Tech companies and smaller competitors.

"This appeal seeks clarification on specific points of law regarding the designations of Messenger and Marketplace under the DMA," a spokesman said.

"It does not alter or detract from our firm commitment to complying with the DMA, and we will continue to work constructively with the European Commission to prepare for compliance."

The company said it would not challenge the designation for Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.

Marketplace is a consumer to consumer service so it cannot fall within the definition of an online intermediation service and Messenger is simply a chat functionality of Facebook, the company said.

The DMA requires Microsoft, Apple, Alphabet's Google, Amazon, Meta and ByteDance's TikTok to allow third-party apps or app stores on their platforms and to make it easier for users to switch from default apps to rivals.

EU antitrust regulators are investigating whether Microsoft's Bing and Apple's iMessage should comply with the new rules.

Microsoft and Google have said they will not challenge DMA designations, while sources expect TikTok to file a challenge.
Wikipedia co-founder Jimmy Wales has called out Elon Musks X (formerly known as Twitter), stating that it isnt a reliable source of information. He even took a dig at xAIs new chatbot called Grok.

According to a report by Fortune, Wales, speaking at the Web Summit in Lisbon, said that he is glad that Large Language Models (LLMs) are rummaging through Wikipedias content rather than going through the Elon Musk-owned X to deliver answers to users through chatbots like ChatGPT.

Im pretty happy that theyre (LLMs) reading Wikipedia and not just Elon Musks Twitter; Its not really a great source of truth, Wales was quoted as saying by Fortune. Moreover, when he was asked about Musks new Grok 1-powered chatbot Grok, Wales said, I havent even heard of it, taking a dig at the billionaire once more.

Notably, this isnt the first time that the two have bouts of animosity, albeit casual. Last month in October, Musk, known for his quirky demeanor and antics on X, proposed a $1 billion offer to Wikipedia in exchange for a name change. I will give them a billion dollars if they change their name to Dickipedia, Elon Musk posted on X. Musk added that this is in the interests of accuracy.

Musk also called out Wikipedia for allegedly demanding money from its readers. Have you ever wondered why the Wikimedia Foundation wants so much money? Musk said on X. He added, It certainly isnt needed to operate Wikipedia. You can literally fit a copy of the entire text on your phone! So, whats the money for? Inquiring minds want to know..

Prior to this incident, Jimmy Wales had also taken a dig at Musk for allegedly censoring people critical of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and not allowing free speech on X.
The Think Campus of Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) situated on Hosur Road in Bengaluru experienced a false bomb threat, creating a state of panic among the workforce. According to News18 Kannada, a former TCS employee phoned in a bomb threat to the Bengaluru office, prompting the evacuation of employees and a thorough examination of the premises.

This incident unfolded on a Tuesday morning, prompting the immediate evacuation of employees from the office premises upon learning of the bomb threat. In response to the call, authorities in the Parappana Agrahara area were alerted, and a team, including a bomb disposal squad, promptly arrived at the campus. The bomb disposal and dog squads meticulously searched the complex, but fortunately, no suspicious items were discovered during the inspection.

Upon the confirmation by the police that the bomb threat was a hoax, the management received the green light to allow evacuated employees to return and resume their normal work activities.

Also Read: Bengaluru Man Makes Fake Bomb Threat to His Office For Not Responding to Calls, Gets Arrested

According to the police, the individual behind the false bomb threat was a woman from Belagavi, located approximately 500 km from Bengaluru. Having been terminated by TCS, she allegedly made the call to a company driver, claiming that a bomb was planted in the B Block of the campus. Investigations revealed that the act was motivated by her resentment towards the company, and efforts are underway to locate and apprehend her.

Meanwhile, this incident in 2023 is not the sole occurrence of a hoax bomb threat within a TCS campus. In a similar occurrence in May, a TCS campus in Hyderabad received a fake bomb threat, resulting in the evacuation of 1,500 employees. The unidentified caller, allegedly a former TCS employee based in Bengaluru, claimed there was a bomb within the office premises.

Also Read: Tourists Pomegranate Juice Order Triggers Bomb Scare In Lisbon

The security team at Tata Consultancy Services Kondapur campus swiftly contacted the police, initiating the evacuation process. This caller, reportedly a former employee of TCS in Bengaluru who had been dismissed from the security wing, was identified, as per reports by Moneycontrol.
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Wednesday was escorted to safety as police broke up a pro-Palestinian protest outside a restaurant in Vancouvers Chinatown where he was dining, local media reports said.

Dozens of pro-Palestinian supporters, waving flags and chanting for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war, surrounded the venue in the city on Tuesday evening. Some protestors were heard shouting slogans like You have blood on your hand, and ceasefire now.

Shame on you! You have blood on your hands!Activists disrupt Justin Trudeau while he wines and dines in Vancouver, demanding that he calls for a ceasefire right now in Gaza.pic.twitter.com/N7rKIT7f0a  sarah (@sahouraxo) November 15, 2023

In a statement, Police said that 100 officers assisted in controlling and dispersing the crowd, while the prime minister was escorted out of the restaurant. One man was arrested for obstruction while another was held for assaulting an officer who was punched in the face and had her eyes gouged.

During the news conference, Vancouver police Sergeant Steve Addison said that the actions of the protestors, such as blocking the lane behind the restaurant caused a concern. A 27-year-old man was arrested last night for assaulting a police officer, after approximately 250 protestors surrounded a restaurant on Main Street where the Prime Minister was dining. A second man was arrested for obstruction, the Vancouver police said.

#VPDNews: Heres some video clips of Sgt Steve Addison providing an update to the media today about the man arrested last night for assaulting a police officer during a protest that surrounded a restaurant in Chinatown where the Prime Minister was dining last night. pic.twitter.com/gD16nWmxK3 Vancouver Police (@VancouverPD) November 15, 2023

Earlier, Trudeau was heckled at another restaurant owned by celebrity chef Vikram Vij in a different part of the Pacific coast city. Videos shown by local media showed a handful of protestors entering Vijs restaurant and shouting at the prime minister to demand a ceasefire in Gaza.

On Tuesday, Trudeau raised concerns about the killing of women, of children, of babies in the Israel-Hamas war, sparking a strong rebuke from Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu. Canada has maintained that Israel has the right to defend itself against Hamas after last months attack killed 1,200 people. However, like the US and other allies, it has expressed increasing concern over the death toll in the enclave, where local health officials say 11,000 people have been killed.

(With agency inputs)
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has asserted that a very strong force may need to remain in Gaza for the near future to prevent Hamas from re-emerging after the war, adding that a vacuum cant be left behind in the Palestinian enclave.

If we pull back, then who will take over? We cant leave a vacuum. We have to think about what will be the mechanism; there are many ideas that are thrown in the air, Herzog said in an interview with the UK-based Financial Times (FT) published on Thursday. But no one will want to turn this place, Gaza, into a terror base again, he added.

Herzog added that Israels government was discussing many ideas about how Gaza would be run once the war ends and added that he assumed that the United States and our neighbours in the region would have some involvement in the post-conflict order.

This remark comes as pressure mounts on Israel amid the rising death toll in besieged territory, which is home to 2.3 million people and has been controlled by Hamas since 2007. US President Joe Biden on Wednesday said that he had made it clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that a two-state solution was the only way to resolve the Israel-Palestinian conflict and that occupying Gaza would be a big mistake.

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which exercises limited self-rule in parts of the Israeli-occupied West Bank, says Gaza, where Hamas has ruled since 2007, is an integral part of what it envisions for a future Palestinian state. Israel has promised to eliminate Hamas but has not put forward a plan to determine who would govern Gaza after the war. The Israeli Prime Minister has said that the country would have to maintain overall security responsibility in the enclave for an indefinite period.

Al Shifa

On Thursday, Israels military focus remained on Gazas biggest hospital Al Shifa where it says Hamas stored weapons and ran a command centre in tunnels beneath the buildings. Israeli troops forced their way into Al Shifa hospital in the early hours of Wednesday and spent the day deepening their search, the army said. An army video showed automatic weapons, grenades, ammunition and flak jackets it said were recovered from an undisclosed building within the complex.

WATCH: Hamas Command Centre, Weapons Found at Gaza Hospital, Israeli Military Says

The troops continue to search the hospital in a precise, intelligence-based, manner, army spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said at a press briefing late on Wednesday. Israeli forces raided the Shifa complex on Wednesday evening for the second time in 24 hours WAFA, the official Palestinian news agency, reported. Bulldozers and military vehicles were used, the agency said, citing local sources.

Hamas-affiliated Shehab news agency reported early that Israeli tanks raided Al Shifa from the complexs southern side and that gunfire was heard in the area. Israel began its campaign against the Islamist group that rules Gaza after militants rampaged through Israel on October 7. So far, 1,200 people have been killed and some 240 people taken hostage.

UNSC

Earlier on Wednesday, the UN Security Council (UNSC) called for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting for a sufficient number of days to allow aid access. It also called, in a resolution, for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas. Israel has so far rejected calls for a ceasefire, which it says would benefit Hamas.

UN Security Council Adopts Resolution Calling for Urgent Humanitarian Pauses in Gaza

A pause in fighting has been discussed, however, in negotiations mediated by Qatar. Meanwhile, Qatari mediators were seeking a deal that would include a three-day truce, with Hamas releasing 50 of its captives and Israel to release some women and minors from among its security detainees, an official briefed on the negotiations said.

(With agency inputs)
Israels former public diplomacy minister Galit Distel Atbaryan was caught rebuking Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a private chat, saying she had a burning anger toward him and that the days of his governments days were numbered.

Atbaryan made the comments in a WhatsApp conversation with an anti-government activist that was later published on social media, according to The Times of Israel. I have a great anger toward Netanyahu, fury that is burning me from inside, she wrote. The days of this government are numbered, thats completely clear.

The Israeli Prime Minister has been subject to criticism for his governments failure to anticipate the October 7 attack. On Sunday, Netanyahu appeared to defer questions on taking personal responsibility for failing to prevent the Hamas attack, saying that there would be time for such difficult questions once the war is over. In an interview with CNN, Netanyahu said that it is a question that needs to be asked, but that the countrys primary goal is to eliminate Hamas.

The former Likud minister, who criticised Bibi, is a firebrand. She was seen as a Netanyahu loyalist but quit her post five days after the start of the war, which resulted in the killing of 1,200 Israelis and over 11,000 Palestinians in Gaza.

Earlier, Atbaryan said that she resigned because the government was sideling her powers. Israeli media reports, on the other hand, said it was due to her ministrys seeming lack of activity as the Jewish country faced its worst attack in decades. Meanwhile, in her conversation, Atbaryan stressed that her resignation was a mark of a protest over Netanyahus security policy that allowed Hamas to flourish, alongside the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon.

You dont know how [Netanyahu] broke me and Im keeping my mouth shut. the minute after this war ends I will spill it all, but now its time to hold it in, she wrote. I have been holding in my personal fury with Netanyahu for several months. The fury over the monsters that grew under his governments in the south and the north is what broke me and led me to resign.

Until that dark Shabbat, I was sure he was Mr. Security. Netanyahu is a large and complex figure, he is not the devil you describe and it turns out he is not the angel I once believed. With all his flaws, he is the only one at the moment who can withstand this crazy pressure without collapsing and he has international abilities that no one else in the political field has and this is critical now, she said in Netanyahus praise.
Israeli forces were searching building to building at Gazas main hospital Thursday as Hamas said the military had destroyed parts of the compound where deep concern has mounted for the up to thousands of Palestinians trapped inside.

Soldiers raided the Al-Shifa a day ago in the hunt for a command centre they say the militants built below the complex, a charge denied by Hamas and leaders of the hospital that has become a focal point of the war.

The Israeli military said it found rifles, ammunition and explosives at the Gaza City complex, as well as computers and equipment containing information and footage pertaining to the hostages taken in Hamass shock October 7 attack on Israel.

The soldiers are proceeding one building at a time, searching each floor, all while hundreds of patients and medical staff remain in the complex, an Israeli army official said.

Ashraf Al-Qudra, spokesman for the health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, told AFP Israeli troops destroyed the radiology service, and bombed the burns and dialysis departments.

Thousands of women, children, sick and wounded are in danger of death, he said.

Before Israel first sent troops into the hospital complex on Wednesday, UN agencies estimated that 2,300 patients, staff and displaced civilians were sheltering at Al-Shifa without enough food, water and fuel for generators.

Israel has vowed to eradicate Hamas in retaliation for the attacks of October 7, which killed 1,200 people, most of them civilians, and saw about 240 people hostage, according to Israeli officials.

The Israeli military says 51 of its troops have been killed in Gaza since fighting began.

But with the Hamas government media office saying the death toll from the offensive has now topped 11,500, including thousands of children, calls for a truce are mounting.

Gazas 36 hospitals have been caught in the war, with more than half rendered non-functioning by shortages, combat and damage, the UN has said.

The Red Crescent said a violent attack was underway on Gazas Al-Ahli hospital, which was hit by a deadly strike on October 17.

Hamas blamed the blast on Israel, while Israel said a misfired Islamic Jihad group rocket was responsible, a position supported by US and some other western security officials.

Israeli military tanks besiege Al-Ahli Baptist hospital in Gaza, and violent attack is underway. (Red Crescent) teams are unable to move and reach those who are injured, the group said on social media.

 Meaningless UN resolution 

The UN Security Council on Wednesday set aside deep divisions over the conflict to agree a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in fighting.

The resolution  which passed with abstentions from the United States, Britain and Russia  called on Hamas and Israel to protect civilians, especially children.

Israel has agreed to temporary localised pauses in fighting, but has rejected calls for a broader ceasefire.

The @UN Security Councils resolution is disconnected from reality and is meaningless, Israels Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, wrote on X.

He also reiterated the Israeli governments war aims, saying: Israel will continue to act until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages are returned.

The Israeli foreign ministry called Thursday on the Security Council and the international community to stand firm on the prompt release of all those kidnapped.

Extended humanitarian pauses are untenable as long as 239 abductees remain in the hands of Hamas terrorists, it said.

 Attack victim believed in peace 

Israel has concentrated its heavy bombardment and ground offensive in Gaza City, announcing this week the seizure of the parliament building, government offices, Hamas police headquarters and key port.

Israels army claimed an initial raid in Al-Shifa had uncovered military equipment, weapons and what spokesman Daniel Hagari described as an operational headquarters with comms equipment.

A video narrated by another Israeli army spokesman showed rifles and ammunition magazines inside an area he identified as Al-Shifas MRI scanner building.

This was hidden very conveniently, secretly behind the MRI machine, said the spokesman, Jonathan Conricus.

The health ministry in Hamas-run Gaza argued Wednesday the Israeli military did not find any weapons when it raided the hospital.

The death and suffering in the densely populated coastal territory has prompted growing concern for Gazas civilians, who have fled south to try to escape the heaviest combat.

Gaza Citys Al-Quds Hospital was evacuated during fighting in the area, forcing patients to make their way south to other facilities.

We were in pain along the road I feel pain in the knee, said Ahmad Abou-Sabra, wounded evacuee.

The situation was bad, and the distance. We stayed in the army (checkpoint) for more than two hours, he told AFP at at a Palestinian Red Crescent hospital in Khan Yunis.

Over a month after the Hamas attack, mourners gathered for the funeral of 74-year-old Israeli-Canadian peace activist Vivian Silver whose killing was confirmed days ago.

Vivian was a woman who believed in peace. She was a woman who, in moments of despair, would bring us back the hope, peace activist Ghadir Hani said. She believed that, both in Gaza and around Gaza, we all deserve to live in peace.

 Call for war probe 

UN human rights chief Volker Turk pointed to what he called serious allegations of international law violations in the Israel-Hamas war and suggested an international investigation was needed.

Where national authorities prove unwilling or unable to carry out such investigations, and where there are contested narratives on particularly significant incidents, international investigation is called for, he said in a briefing to UN member states in Geneva.

Polls in Israel show widespread public support for military action against Hamas following the October 7 attacks, the worst in the countrys history.

But Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Netanyahu, who has led Israel on-and-off for 16 years, is under intense domestic pressure to account for political and security failings surrounding the attack.

Protesters have taken to the streets demanding greater efforts to free the hostages.
The Israeli military on Thursday said they have attacked the house of a senior Hamas leader, Ismail Haniyeh, in Gaza. Haniyehs house was used as terrorist infrastructure and often served as a meeting point for Hamas senior leaders to direct terror attacks against Israel, the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said.

Though Haniyeh, the head of the groups political bureau, lives in Qatar, the Israeli military said his home was used as terrorist infrastructure and a meeting place for the organisations senior officials. They said they used fighter jets on Wednesday night to strike the property.

Overnight, IDF fighter jets struck the residence of Ismail Haniyeh, the Head of Hamas Political Bureau.The residence was used as terrorist infrastructure and a meeting point for Hamas senior leaders to direct terrorist attacks against Israel. pic.twitter.com/kljYYN6O0U  Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 16, 2023

The 215th fire brigade in the 162nd division attacked tonight with fighter jets the house of Ismail Haniyeh, the head of the political bureau of the terrorist organization Hamas, which was used as a terrorist infrastructure and, among other things, as a meeting place for the organizations senior officials, IDF said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.

This airstrike comes a few weeks after Hamas leader in an interview with an Arabic channel said Everything we do is justified, adding that the outfit will repeat the October 7 attack time and again till Israel is annihilated. Israel has no right to exist. We are victims, everything we do is justified. Our every attack is justified and we will not sit back quietly, he had said.

Who is Haniyeh?

The 60-year-old Haniyeh was elected head of the Hamas political bureau in 2017 to succeed Khaled Meshaal, but was already a known figure in 2006 when he became Palestinian prime minister following an upset victory by Hamas in that years parliamentary election.

But ties with the Fatah movement of Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas were short-lived and in 2007, Hamas took full control of the Gaza Strip after violently ousting the presidents loyalists. Considered a pragmatist, Haniyeh lives in voluntary exile, splitting his time between Turkey and Qatar.

He has long campaigned for a reconciliation between the armed resistance against Israel and a political stance within Hamas, which is blacklisted as a terrorist group by the European Union and the United States. Haniyeh is said to maintain good relations with the heads of the various Palestinian factions, including rival ones.

In his youth, the Hamas leader, who is known for his calm, was a member of the student branch of the Muslim Brotherhood at the Islamic University of Gaza. He joined Hamas in 1987 when the militant group was founded as the first Palestinian intifada, or uprising, broke out against Israeli occupation, lasting until 1993. During that time Haniyeh was imprisoned by Israel several times, and then expelled to south Lebanon for six months.

In footage broadcast by Hamas-linked media on Saturday, Haniyeh is seen watching images on television of the unfolding Hamas attack on Israel, before joining other Hamas leaders in a prayer to thank Allah for this victory.

(With agency inputs)
The UN Security Council (UNSC) on Wednesday adopted its first resolution since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war, calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in Gaza to address the escalating crisis. The successful vote followed four unsuccessful attempts last month due to differences in references to a ceasefire and condemnations of Hamas attacks.

The vote in the 15-member council was 12-0 with the United States, United Kingdom, and Russia abstaining. The US and the UK abstained because of the resolutions failure to condemn the October 7 attack by Hamas, and Russia because of its failure to demand a humanitarian cease-fire.

BREAKING: UN Security Council adopts resolution proposed by Malta on the Israel-Palestine crisis:In favor (12)Against (0)Abstentions (3)  Russia, UK, US pic.twitter.com/2dgoPidrXF UN News (@UN_News_Centre) November 15, 2023

The final draft watered down language from demands to calls for humanitarian pauses, and for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. The resolution, which was sponsored by Malta, managed to overcome the serious differences that had prevented the council from adopting four previous resolutions.

Immediate truce

Russias UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia tried to amend the resolution just before the vote with language from a resolution adopted on October 27 by the 193-member General Assembly. It called for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities. The vote on the amendment was five countries in favor, the US opposed, and nine abstentions. It was not adopted because it failed to get the minimum nine yes votes.

UAE Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh, the Arab representative on the council, said its members supported the resolution, which she said will change the worlds perception that the Security Council is indifferent. This is a first, important and overdue step, she said, stressing that it must be followed by work toward a lasting humanitarian cease-fire.

Riyad Mansour, Permanent Observer of the observer State of Palestine, said the Security Council should have called a ceasefire by now and been convinced that there is no military solution. The Council should have heeded the call by the UN and every humanitarian organization on Earth calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, Mansour said. It should have at least echoed the call of the General Assembly for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.

Disconnected from reality

Israels UN Ambassador Gilad Erdan issued a statement saying the resolution is disconnected from reality and is meaningless. He criticised the councils failure to condemn Hamas, claiming the militants were deliberately allowing the humanitarian situation to deteriorate so the United Nations would pressure Israel to back off of Gaza. It will not happen, Erdan said. Israel will continue to act until Hamas is destroyed and the hostages are returned.

US Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield thanked Malta and other Council members for leading the initiative. However, she said her country could not vote yes on a text that did not condemn Hamas or reaffirm the right of all Member States to protect their citizens from terrorist attacks. She was horrified that a few Council Members still cannot bring themselves to condemn the barbaric Hamas terror attack against Israel on 7 October. While this text does not include a condemnation of Hamas, this is the first time weve ever adopted a resolution that even mentions the word Hamas, she said. Thomas-Greenfield said the US is working tirelessly to facilitate the safe return of all hostages, including nine missing Americans and one US citizen.

UNGA

Earlier, the General Assembly resolution was approved on October 27 by a vote of 120-14 with 45 abstentions. Since then, Israel agreed on November 9 to four-hour pauses. But only limited aid has been delivered to Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and a humanitarian catastrophe has been brewing.

The resolution calls for humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days for unhindered access by the UN, Red Cross and other aid groups to get water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies to all those in need. It says the pauses also should allow for repair of essential infrastructure and enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts. The resolution demands that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children.

(With agency inputs)
US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met on Wednesday on the sidelines of the APEC summit in San Francisco, almost exactly one year since their last encounter in Bali, Indonesia, on the margins of another global gathering.

Aside from a bilateral meeting, both leaders shared a lunch with top advisers and strolled the verdant grounds of the luxury estate where their meeting took place. Biden said the meeting included some of the most constructive and productive discussions weve had and will lead to stronger dialogue between the two leaders.

The US President said they will keep the lines of communication open and Xi is willing to pick up the phone  no small thing in the world of high-risk, high-stakes diplomacy between Washington and Beijing. Heres a look at how the day panned out.

NEW AGREEMENTS

Biden left the meeting with commitments on key issues. Xi agreed to help curb the production of the illicit fentanyl that is a deadly component of drugs sold in the United States. A senior administration official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss a private meeting, said the shift will be a setback for Latin American drug dealers.

Its going to save lives, and I appreciated President Xis commitment on this issue, Biden said at a press conference after his meeting. In addition, Biden and Xi reached an agreement to resume military-to-military communications. That means Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will speak with his Chinese counterpart once someone is named to the job, the official said. Similar engagements will take place up and down the military chain of command. The official said Biden was very clear to Xi that such communications between U.S. and China should be institutionalized and that they are not done as a gift or as a favor to either side.

Biden said the US and China would talk more about artificial intelligence as well. Were going to get our experts together and discuss risk and safety issues, he said. The agreements helped fulfill the White Houses goal for the meeting  prove to voters that Bidens dedication to personal diplomacy is paying off.

On Sunday, national security adviser Jake Sullivan told CNN that Biden wanted practical ways to show that meeting with Xi can help defend American interests and also deliver progress on the priorities of the American people. Zoe Liu, a fellow for China studies at the Council for Foreign Relations, described the meeting between Biden and Xi as a positive step, albeit an incremental one. These agreements will not change the structural challenges in the bilateral relations, but it paves the way for more detailed working-level discussions, which is more important, she said.

BIDEN PRESSES CHINA TO ACT LIKE A SUPERPOWER IN COOLING GLOBAL TENSIONS

Beijing has long sought to be treated as an equal by Washington, and Biden sought to leverage those ambitions with Xi to address two devastating wars. In their private session, Biden appealed to Xi to use his influence to try to calm global tensions, particularly to try to pressure Iran not to widen the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

A US official said Biden did most of the talking on the matter, and that Xi mostly listened, and that it was too soon to tell what sort of message China was sending to Tehran and how it was being received. Biden has also pressed Xi to continue to withhold military support for Russias invasion of Ukraine.

A CLEAR-HEADED EXCHANGE AND A WARNING ON TAIWAN

Biden and Xi held a clear-headed and not heated discussion on Taiwan  the most sensitive topic in the relationship with the greatest potential to spiral into wider conflict. Biden said he reaffirmed the United States One China policy and its belief that any resolution must be peaceful. Im not going to change that, Biden said. Thats not going to change.

He reiterated, though, that the U.S. would continue to arm Taiwan as a deterrent against any attempt by China to use force to reunify the self-governing island with the mainland. The U.S. had maintained strategic ambiguity about whether it would directly intervene to protect Taiwan in the event of an invasion by Beijing. Xi, a U.S. official said, told Biden he had no plans to invade the island, though Biden chided him for Chinas massive military build-up around Taiwan. Biden also called on China to avoid meddling in Taiwans elections next year.

ECONOMIC CHALLENGES

Xi arrived in San Francisco at a time of economic challenges back in China, where an aging population and growing debt have hampered its recovering from the COVID-19 pandemic. According to Beijings description of the meeting, Xi pressed Biden to lift sanctions and change policies on export controls for sensitive equipment.

Stifling Chinas technological progress is nothing but a move to contain Chinas high-quality development and deprive the Chinese people of their right to development, the readout said. Chinas development and growth, driven by its own inherent logic, will not be stopped by external forces. Theres no indication that Biden will agree to take such steps. But even the meeting itself could calm jittery nerves back in China, where there have been signs foreign investment is tapering off.

ITS PERSONAL

Biden and Xi go back years, and Biden often repeats the story of their meetings when they were both vice presidents. But on Wednesday, it was Xis turn to reference their previous encounters during brief public remarks, although he eschewed the embellishments that Biden usually adds to the tale. It was 12 years ago, Xi said. I still remember our interactions very vividly, and it always gives me a lot of thoughts. Biden also emphasized the length of their relationship and the value of their interactions.

We havent always agreed, which was not a surprise to anyone, but our meetings have always been candid, straightforward and useful, Biden said. He added that its paramount that you and I understand each other clearly, leader to leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunication.

Bilateral meetings arent always conducive to a personal touch, and Biden and Xi were flanked by advisers on opposite sides of a long table. However, a senior administration official said they spoke about their wives, and Biden wished Xis wife a happy birthday. The official, who requested anonymity to discuss a private conversation, said Xi was embarrassed, and he admitted that he had forgotten his wifes upcoming birthday because hes been working so hard.

Still a Dictator

After the summit with Xi on Wednesday, Biden said that he still considers the Chinese president a dictator, after he sparked fury from Beijing by making the comparison earlier this year. Well look he is, I mean hes a dictator in the sense that hes a guy whos running a country, a Communist country, thats based on a form of government totally different than ours, Biden said at the end of a news conference when a reporter asked if he would still use the term to describe Xi.

(With AP inputs)
Israeli troops found a command centre and weapons and combat gear belonging to Hamas in Gazas biggest hospital on Wednesday, Israeli Defense Forces (IDF) said, in a campaign that caused widespread alarm, especially among the humanitarian agencies. Al Shifa hospital had become the chief target of Israeli forces, who said the beating heart of the Hamas operations was headquartered in tunnels beneath it.

Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari said the troops were still searching, having entered the hospital early on Wednesday after days of clashes around it. The military simultaneously released a video it said showed some of the materials it recovered from an undisclosed building in the hospital compound, including automatic weapons, grenades, ammunition and flak jackets.

Watch as LTC (res.) Jonathan Conricus exposes the countless Hamas weapons IDF troops have uncovered in the Shifa Hospitals MRI building: pic.twitter.com/5qssP8z1XQ Israel Defense Forces (@IDF) November 15, 2023

An Israeli military statement said in one hospital department soldiers located an operational command centre and technological assets belonging to Hamas, indicating that the terrorist organization uses the hospital for terrorist purposes. Israel has consistently said the hospital sits above a Hamas headquarters, an assertion the United States said on Tuesday was supported by its own intelligence.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hailed the entry of his forces into the hospital, saying: There is no place in Gaza that we cannot reach. There are no hideouts. We will reach and eliminate Hamas and we will bring back our hostages. These are two sacred missions, he said.

The Prime Minister said that freeing Shifa Hospital from the control of the Hamas terrorist organization indicates Israels capability and determination in going anywhere to fully defeat Hamas. Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) November 15, 2023

Israel began its campaign to wipe out the Islamist group that rules Gaza after militants rampaged through southern Israel on October 7. Israel says 1,200 people were killed and some 240 captives taken in the deadliest day of its 75-year-old history. Since then battering the crowded strip with air strikes. Gaza health officials say about 11,500 Palestinians are now confirmed killed. Israel has ordered the entire northern half of Gaza evacuated, and around two-thirds of residents are now homeless.

TENSE INSIDE HOSPITAL

Israel said its troops had entered the hospital compound on Wednesday after killing militants in a clash outside. Witnesses who spoke to Reuters from inside the compound described an at times tense situation as Israeli troops moved between buildings. Sporadic shooting was heard but there were no reports of anyone hurt inside the grounds.

The Israeli military released photos of a soldier standing beside cardboard boxes marked medical supplies and baby food. Other photos showed Israeli troops in tactical formation walking past makeshift tents and mattresses. International attention has focused on the fate of hundreds of patients trapped inside without electricity to operate basic medical equipment and thousands of displaced civilians who had sought shelter there.

Before entering the hospital our forces were confronted by explosive devices and terrorist squads, fighting ensued in which terrorists were killed, the Israeli military said. We can confirm that incubators, baby food and medical supplies brought by IDF tanks from Israel have successfully reached the Shifa hospital. Our medical teams and Arabic-speaking soldiers are on the ground to ensure that these supplies reach those in need, it said.

(With agency inputs)
Key messages western media have missed in Xi-Biden summit, welcome dinner by friendly organizations in U.S.

Xinhua) 02:47, November 17, 2023

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden on Wednesday had their first vis-a-vis sit-down at Filoli Estate, south of San Francisco, since their last meeting in Bali, Indonesia, a year ago.

During their four-hour-long meeting, the two heads of state had a candid and in-depth exchange of views on strategic and overarching issues critical to the direction of China-U.S. relations and on major issues affecting world peace and development.

Later in the day, Xi delivered a speech here at Welcome Dinner by Friendly Organizations in the United States, stressing the role of people in China-U.S. relations.

While western media outlets have covered the high-profile meeting as well as Xi's speech at the welcome dinner extensively, they might have missed some of the key messages that came out of the events, just as follows:

During the meeting with Biden, Xi said:

-- For China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation has unbearable consequences for both sides.

-- China is promoting the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation on all fronts through Chinese modernization. The country will not take the old path of colonization and plundering, or the wrong path of seeking hegemony with growing strength. It does not export its ideology, nor have a plan to surpass or unseat the United States. Likewise, the United States should not scheme to suppress and contain China.

-- China is consistently committed to having a stable, healthy and sustainable relationship with the United States, and China has interests that must be safeguarded, principles that must be upheld, and red lines that must not be crossed.

-- The two countries have broad common interests in a wide range of areas, including traditional areas such as the economy, trade and agriculture, as well as emerging areas such as climate change and artificial intelligence.

-- China and the United States should lead by example, step up coordination and cooperation on international and regional issues, and provide more public goods for the world.

-- Taiwan question remains the most important and most sensitive issue in China-U.S. relations. China takes seriously the positive statements made by the United States in the Bali meeting. The U.S. side should take real actions to honor its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," stop arming Taiwan, and support China's peaceful reunification. China will realize reunification, and this is unstoppable.

-- China's development is driven by innovation, and stifling China's technological progress is nothing but a move to contain China's high-quality development and deprive the Chinese people of their right to development.

Speaking at the Welcome Dinner by Friendly Organizations in the United States, Xi said:

-- I am convinced that once opened, the door of China-U.S. relations cannot be shut again. Once started, the cause of China-U.S. friendship cannot be derailed halfway. The tree of our peoples' friendship has grown tall and strong; and it can surely withstand the assault of any wind or storm.

-- Our paths are different, but both are the choice by our peoples, and both lead to the realization of the common values of humanity. They should be both respected.

-- China never bets against the United States, and never interferes in its internal affairs. China has no intention to challenge the United States or to unseat it. Instead, we will be glad to see a confident, open, ever-growing and prosperous United States. Likewise, the United States should not bet against China, or interfere in China's internal affairs. It should instead welcome a peaceful, stable and prosperous China.

-- Pandas have long been envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples. We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples.

-- The Communist Party of China is committed to working for the people, and our people's expectation for a better life is our goal. This means we must work hard to secure their support.

-- Throughout the 70 years and more since the founding of the People's Republic, China has not provoked a conflict or war, or occupied a single inch of foreign land. China is the only major country that has written peaceful development into the Constitution of the country and the Constitution of the governing party, thus making peaceful development a commitment of the nation. It benefits from and safeguards the current international order.

-- China will remain committed to dialogue and oppose confrontation, and build partnerships instead of alliances. It will continue to pursue a mutually beneficial strategy of opening up. The modernization we are pursuing is not for China alone.

(Web editor: Wu Chaolan, Sheng Chuyi)
Israeli forces displayed about 10 guns, ammunition, protective vests, and military uniforms in a video that they said were found in a raid of Gaza's largest hospital on Wednesday. The cache was hidden in a radiology building, an Israeli spokesman said. Hamas, which says it is not using Shifa hospital for military purposes, issued a statement calling Israel's claims "a fabricated story that no one would believe," the New York Times reports. The Israeli military had announced that it was carrying out a "precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area" of the hospital. The raid occurred while intense fighting took place outside the hospital, and the head of the World Health Organization denounced the Israeli operation as "totally unacceptable." Other developments involve:
A protest Wednesday outside DC's Democratic National Committee headquarters in favor of a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war led to an evacuation of House Democrats sheltered there, as well as violent clashes between demonstrators and law enforcement. US Capitol Police and DC's Metropolitan Police were on the scene to wrangle what the USCP says were around 150 protesters "illegally and violently protesting in the area of Canal Street and Ivy Street." In a later statement, the USCP noted that a half-dozen police officers had to be treated for injuries, which ran the gamut from "minor cuts to being pepper sprayed to being punched."

Police say at least one arrest was made, for assault on an officer. CNN notes that the "illegally and violently protesting" part of the USCP's statement received pushback from the activists on the scene. In videos cited by the Hill, some of the scuffles between protesters and police can be seen, with cops in one clip shown trying to pull demonstrators away from the doors they were blocking. The DNC building was put on temporary lockdown while all this was going on, with no one allowed to enter.

Barricaded inside when the protest started were about 10 Democratic House members, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, House Minority Whip Katherine Clark, and No. 3 Dem Pete Aguilar, a source tells CNN. California Rep. Brad Sherman was also among those evacuated, and he slammed the demonstrators online afterward. "Apparently, these pro-#Hamas demonstrators want #Republicans to prevail in the next Congressional election," he lashed out online, accusing protesters of "attempting to break into the building."

story continues below

The AP notes that the demonstratorssaid to come from various groups, including If Not Now and Jewish Voice for Peaceinsisted that wasn't the case. "Hundreds of peaceful anti-war activists came to the DNC to call for an end to bombs and violence in order to save Palestinian and Israeli lives. They were met with brutal assaults by the police," Beth Miller of Jewish Voice for Peace said in a statement, per CNN. (Read more Democratic National Committee stories.)
Israeli troops who raided Gaza's biggest hospital on Wednesday continued to pore over the grounds on Thursday looking for evidence that Hamas used the area as a secret military base. So far, the Israel Defense Forces have displayed photos of a relatively modest cache of guns, bulletproof vests, and other equipment found in the hospital's MRI wing, but no proof yet that the hospital complex played a substantial role in Hamas' strategy, reports the New York Times. Israeli officials insist it will take time to do a thorough search and point out that Hamas knew for days the hospital would be raided and thus had time to hide evidence. Coverage:

'Underwhelming:' The evidence presented by the military "so far is underwhelming," Michael Horowitz, head of intelligence for the consulting firm Le Beck, tells the Wall Street Journal. But he, too, said the search would take a while. "This is a very delicate operation, given how quickly it could turn into a bloodbath."
In 1738, Pope Clement XII declared Freemasonry an excommunicable offense, and the Catholic Church's position hasn't softened much since then. The Vatican this week confirmed its ban on Catholics becoming Freemasons, a secretive and ritualistic society with an estimated 6 million members worldwide. "Active membership in Freemasonry by a member of the faithful is forbidden because of the irreconcilability between Catholic doctrine and Freemasonry," the Vatican's doctrinal office wrote in a Wednesday opinion that was signed by Pope Francis.

The National Catholic Register explains that irreconcilability, citing Freemasons' belief in "indifferentism, or the position that a person can be equally pleasing to God while remaining in any religion, and a deistic concept of a 'Great Architect of the Universe.'" The opinion referenced a 1983 declarationsigned by the late Pope Benedict XVI, who was then the Vatican's doctrine chiefthat said Catholics "in Masonic associations are in a state of grave sin and may not receive Holy Communion," per Reuters. That outlet reports that the Vatican published the opinion after a bishop from the Philippines grew concerned about a rising interest and membership in Freemasonry there.

Freemasonry dates to 1717, when the first Grand Lodge was established in England. The United Grand Lodge of England calls modern Freemasonry "one of the oldest social and charitable organizations in the world." Fox News notes its members swear oaths of secrecy, fellowship, and fraternity, and that there exists a "vast catalog of rituals, ceremonial attire, and secret signals between Masons. These aesthetic affectations often use Christian imagery despite being used for non-Christian rituals." (Read more Freemason stories.)
Earlier this year, the Washington Post published a story detailing the devastating effects that bullets from an AR-15 have on the human body. On Thursday, the Post went furtherin fact, "further than any mainstream news organization has ever gone before in showing the brutality and devastation" of mass shootings, writes Tom Jones at Poynter. The newspaper published photos and videos from the scenes of 11 mass shootings in the US from 2012 to 2023, coupled with first-person accounts of survivors and first responders in a report called "Terror on Repeat." You can see the report here, but be warned that the images, many obtained from law enforcement agencies, are graphic.
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DALEVILLE  When Sgt. Thomas Edwards received an Army commendation medal for heroism for lifesaving actions as a door gunner with the 134th Assault Helicopter Company in Vietnam, it was mailed to him.

Nearly 55 years later, the 77-year-old-had the Army Commendation Medal for Heroism, dated Nov. 21, 1968, officially presented to him by his son, Col. Jason Edwards, at a ceremony in front of the static-display Huey helicopter mounted on brick outside the Daleville Cultural and Convention center.

He never got publicly recognized, Edwards said about his father who came from Michigan for the event. It is now time to properly award this honor.

Edwards is the commander of the U.S. Army Soldier Support Institute at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. He and his brother, Sgt. Josh Edwards, who serves with the U.S. Army Reserves in Ohio, coordinated the trip from Michigan to Daleville for their father, who is on hospice care, when they learned that the helicopter on static display in Daleville was the UH-1H Tail Number 66-16325 that his father had flown in in his 1967-68 tour of duty in Vietnam.

My father was an inaugural member of the unit, said Edwards Tuesday. They signed for the aircraft. He was the first person to ride in it. It was his personal helicopter.

Daleville Mayor Jayme Stayton, who worked with Edwards to coordinate the event, said it was a Veterans Day he will never forget. He said that when Edwards had initially reached out to him via email, he thought it might be a prank but a phone call confirmed the veracity of the request and the plan for the ARCOM presentation in front of the helicopter in Daleville began to gel.

A 19-year-old at the time he was drafted into the U.S. Army, Thomas Edwards was a 22-year-old sergeant and helicopter door gunner in the Phu Hiep, Vietnam-based 134th Assault Helicopter Company 55 years ago when he and then-Spc. 5 William J. Coleman, now living in Texas, distinguished themselves by exceptionally valorous actions while serving as crew members of a UH-1H helicopter extracting a long-range reconnaissance patrol from the Cung Son area, according to the ARCOM. As the team was in contact with the enemy, these men provided vital suppressive fire and also cleared the aircraft both in and out of the landing zone. Without their superlative gunnery and poise under fire, the mission could not have been successfully accomplished.

This Huey was purchased by the U.S. Army in April 1967. From 1967 until 1975, 3-2-5 flew 3,557 hours while assigned to 13 different Army units, with 2,157 of those hours flown in the central highlands of Vietnam. The helicopter was deeded to the city of Daleville in 1996. The aircraft is being readied for transfer to you, wrote the chief of the War Reserves/Tech Review/MCA branch in a July 26, 1996, letter to then-Daleville Mayor Gene Hughes.

Jason Edwards said that the city of Daleville rolled out the red carpet to make the day memorable for their father. Our purpose was to allow him to celebrate his military service, he said. The city used all their red carpet for the year on this ceremony. It was absolutely superb.

I wanted to make this happen for him as my way of saying, Thank you for what youve done in your life to make sure that my life is full of freedom, said Stayton. It was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to be part of and we wanted to make it an awesome experience for him and his family.

Steps had been set up leading up to the door of the spit-polished helicopter, Stayton said. He was nervous about getting in it but he wanted to touch it.

Serving with the 134th Assault Helicopter Company, at a base known as Hells Half Acre, this Demon Slick participated in combat assaults, insertions and extractions of the soldiers, reads the bronze plaque at the helicopter. When called upon, 3-2-5 delivered much needed ammunition and supplies to remote fire bases, often times under enemy fire. To the soldiers whose lives she saved and the crews that flew her, 3-2-5 is a hero and her service will never be forgotten.

Edwards said that he discovered the ARCOM in military memorabilia his father had given him. What made it even more interesting is that I found an eight-millimeter audio tape that dad sent back to his parents so I was able to hear by dad at age 22 talked to his parents, he said. I also have about 550 slides that I am converting over right now.

The 134th Assault Helicopter Company has reunions, the most recent of which was at Granite Falls, Minnesota, in September which his father was able to attend, Edwards said. The trip to Daleville came next. This was like a last Bucket List item, he said.

Edwards said that he had reached out to Hans-Jurgen Underwood, creator of the 134th Assault Helicopter Company website, still serving as webmaster, in his effort to learn more of the 134ths history.

My personal goal for our site has never wavered: To create an everlasting site not only to honor those who have gone before us, but also preserve the history of the 134th Assault Helicopter Company, said Underwood. And to serve as a beacon to reunite and reestablish old friendships all while creating a site we all can be proud of.

On the 29th of December 1971, the 134th Assault Helicopter Company passed into history, Underwood wrote about the companys history. But our story did not.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa commended the role of Arabian Gulf University (AGU) being one of the distinguished scientific and modern academic institutions, adding that it embodies cooperation between Bahrain and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries.

HM the King was speaking as he received Dr. Saad bin Saud Al Fuhaid the newly appointed President of AGU. HM King Hamad praised AGUs scientific and research contributions, lauding its achievements and distinguished position among various prestigious Arab and international universities.

He recalled the efforts of AGUs former president, the late Dr. Khalid Abdulrahman Al Ohali, and his role in serving the university. His Majesty affirmed that Bahrain will continue to support the university as it continues to build generations who contribute to the progress and prosperity of the GCC countries with their knowledge and qualifications.

HM the King wished Al Fuhaid every success in continuing the universitys pioneering journey and developing its programmes, curricula and specialities. The new AGU head expressed gratitude to HM the King for Bahrains suppor for the university to achieve its academic goals and visions.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Export Bahrain has entered into a deal for Scent Arabia Exhibition this year with Omani Bahraini Friendship Association to support and showcase distinguished Bahraini businesses.

Scent Arabia is set to captivate audiences from November 14th to 18th at Exhibition World Bahrain by uniting the most innovative and influential companies in the fragrance and cosmetics sector.

Through their active participation in Scent Arabia, Export Bahrain aims to empower Bahraini businesses in the fragrance and cosmetics sector, enabling them to tap into new markets, reach a wider and more diverse audience, and establish robust connections with industry peers.

Dr. Jumaa bin Ahmed Al Kaabi, the Ambassador of Bahrain to Oman, said the exhibition seeks to provide unwavering support to entrepreneurs in both nations by facilitating their development, improving their productivity, and fostering opportunities for partnerships and collaborations.

Faisal bin Harib Al Busaidi, the Ambassador of Oman to Bahrain, said this exhibition aims to vigorously promote and market the products of entrepreneurs in both brotherly countries. Safa Sharif Abdulkhaliq, the dynamic and visionary Chief Executive Officer of Export Bahrain, passionately conveys her enthusiasm, stating unequivocally that Export Bahrain remains resolute in their commitment to supporting and elevating Bahraini brands.
AFP | Paris

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

France has issued an international arrest warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, accused of complicity in crimes against humanity over chemical attacks in 2013, a judicial source and plaintiffs in the case said Wednesday.

The judicial source told AFP Assad was also suspected of complicity in war crimes for the attacks, blamed by the opposition on the regime, that killed more than 1,400 people near Damascus in August 2013.

International warrants were also issued for the arrests of Assad's brother Maher, the de-facto chief of a Syrian elite military unit, and two armed forces generals.

The Paris court's unit concerned with crimes against humanity has been investigating the chemical attacks since 2021.

France claims worldwide jurisdiction for alleged war crimes and crimes against humanity.

The probe was sparked by a legal complaint filed by the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) and the Syrian Archive.
NOV. 16

The National Active and Retired Federal Employee Association is sponsoring a public awareness luncheon Nov. 16 at the Enterprise Country Club, 3000 Ozark Highway, in Enterprise. at 11:00 a.m. Guest speaker is Chris Alexander, Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance representative. Cost of the luncheon is $12 and is open to the public. Please RSVP to Frank Zerbinos at (334) 447-8092.

The Dothan/Houston County Education Retirees will meet Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Golden Corral Restaurant at 11 a.m. Please arrive early. Buffet will be $9.95 plus drink. Meeting will celebrate American Education Week and all veterans. All members are encouraged to attend and bring a food donation and socks for our local charities.

NOV. 17

The Annual Vivian B. Adams School Christmas Bazaar is Nov. 17 from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. at the Raygene Burkett Activity Center, 2047 Stuart Tarter Rd., in Ozark. All proceeds benefit student and adult learners.

NOV. 20

The Dale County Republican meeting is Nov. 20 at 6 p.m. at Hoppergrass in Ozark. The speaker is Thomas Govan, who is running for the open seat on the Alabama Court of Criminal Appeals in the March 2024 primary. Following the speaker there will be light refreshments and a raffle for prizes. Everyone is welcome to attend.

DEC. 7

Hawk-Houston Youth Enrichment Center, 329 Chickasaw St., Dothan, is sponsoring a free community-wide health-care forum and listening session, Preventing & Managing Chronic Diseases in Children and Adults, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 7. A panel of medical professionals will focus on heart disease, cancer, diabetes, kidney disease, strokes, asthma, ADHD, and sickle cell disease. Dr. Kenneth C. Brown, Ozark Pediatric Clinic, is a presenter and moderator. If you or family members, including children, have been diagnosed with any one of these diseases, we urge your attendance. Health screenings will also be available to include sickle cell disease, blood glucose, cholesterol and blood pressure, vision, and hearing. A vaccine clinic available for flu, pneumonia, and covid vaccinations (please bring your insurance cards). All of Us Research Program representatives will be present to inform, educate, and enroll guests in the ongoing research program whose goal is to help researchers understand more about why people get sick or stay healthy. Door prizes include $25 and $50 gift cards and more. Vendors include local health care providers and agencies. Lunch will be provided. For more information, or to reserve seating please call 334-792-4618.

APRIL 9, 2024

The Harlem Globetrotters bring the 2024 world tour to the Dothan Civic Center on Tuesday, April 9. Harlem Globetrotters fans can score the best seats at https://www.tixr.com/groups/dcc/globetrotters beginning Oct. 16, 2023, at 10 a.m. Presale tickets are available beginning Oct. 9 at 10:00 a.m. with code LoveDothan at https://www.tixr.com/groups/dcc/globetrotters.

ONGOING

The Gen. William C. Oates Chapter No. 1342 of the United Daughters of the Confederacy meets the second Thursday from September through May. Women ages 18 and older who have ancestors who fought in the Civil War are eligible for membership, and help will be provided to prove your first Confederate ancestors lineage. For meeting locations and information, call Ceya Minder at 334-794-7480 or email ceya.minder@gmail.com.

Sons of Confederate Veterans, General William C. Oates Chapter meets on the third Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m. Anyone who is interested in Confederate history is invited to attend. Genealogy help will be provided to connect you with your Confederate ancestor. For more information contact Joe Rich, 334-791-2450, or email SCVDOTHAN3@GMAIL.COM

The Ray of Hope Grief Support Group meets the first Saturday of each month at 10 a.m. at Parks Chapel A.M.E. Church, located at 1053 E. Selma St., Dothan. The purpose of the group is to assist those struggling with issues of grief and loss, including but not limited to, death of a loved one, loss of relationships, etc. The meeting is free and open to the public. For more information, call 334-794-4811 or 850-692-1618.

The Greater Dothan Area Lions Club meets the first Tuesday of the month at noon at the Old Mill Restaurant on Murphy Mill Road in Dothan. For more information, contact Lori Perkins at 334-803-0319.

Concerned Citizens of the Wiregrass will meet the second Saturday of each month at 2 p.m. at Shoneys on the Ross Clark Circle in Dothan. Grievances and problems within the county will be addressed and information on how to make improvements via county officials, etc. Bring your friends and as many as possible.

The South Alabama Liberty Foundation will meet at 6:30 p.m. every first Tuesday of the month at Wiregrass Outdoors, located at 818 N. Ouida St. in Enterprise. The nonpartisan group advocates that liberty  along with peace, justice, and freedom  belongs to every American to appreciate and enjoy as written in the U.S. Constitution, and that this is possible only with an honest, fair, and well-regulated government that respects its citizens. No reservations necessary, and admission is free. Email SA-Liberty@proton.me for more information.

Land of Cotton Smocking Guild meets the second Thursday of each month at 10 a.m. at Piney Grove Assembly of God Church, 206 County Road 9 in Wicksburg. The guild is involved in a Wee Care Project, creating preemie gowns, garments for infants in NICU, and bereavement pouches. For more information, contact Carol Ann Pileggi at 850-516-9960 or Joann Carpenter at 334- 790-8328.

Enterprise Military Support Group will not meet in June and July. If anyone needs to talk, call Dr. Granger at 334-447-2252 or John Logsdon at 334-806-2636.

The Kiwanis Club of Dothan meets every Wednesday from noon to 1 p.m. at the Dothan Country Club, located at 200 S. Cherokee Ave. in Dothan. Anyone may attend as a guest of the Kiwanis. If you plan to attend, contact the club via kiwanisdothan.com or call 334-355-6877.

The Columbia Historical Society meets every third Monday at 6:30 p.m. at the Train Depot on Highway 52. All guests are welcome.

The Columbia Historical Museum will be open the second Saturday monthly from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 105 S. Main St. in Columbia.

The Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary Dothan Unit #87 will meet every third Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at Harvest Church, located at 2727 Fortner St. in Dothan. The group will meet in the Main Cafe located in the churchs Building A. Call 334-596-9610 for more information.

Dothan Newcomers Club, a social organization, meets the first Thursday of the month in the fellowship hall of First Christian Church, 1401 N. Cherokee Ave. Social time begins at 9:30 a.m., followed by the business meeting at 10 a.m. The club is open to individuals who have moved into the Dothan or Wiregrass area within the past five years or who have faced a change in status (retirement, death of a spouse, divorce) within the past five years. For more information, visit www.dothannewcomers.com, or Facebook @DothanNewcomers, or contact Elaine Brackin, president, via email at dncpresident3@gmail.com.

Alcoholics Anonymous holds regular meetings in the Wiregrass including Ashford, Dothan, Eufaula, and Headland under the organizations District 10 (www.aadothan.org) meeting locations and Andalusia, Daleville, Enterprise, Level Plains, Opp, Ozark, and Troy under the organizations District 11 (www.district11aa.com) meeting locations. Visit www.aaarea1.org for a complete list of districts for Alabama and Northwest Florida.

A Disabled American Veterans chapter service officer will be located at the New Brockton Town Hall every Wednesday from 9 to 11 a.m. Any veteran needing help with a VA claim is welcome. This is on a walk-in basis; no appointment is needed. For more information, contact Mike Doran at 334-406-6700.

The DAV van service for local veterans will make runs to Montgomery and Tuskegee on Mondays and Fridays. The van will leave from the Hardees restaurant on Rucker Boulevard in Enterprise at 5 a.m. and from the Dothan Civic Center at 5:30 a.m. Due to COVID restrictions, there is only space for four riders each trip. Veterans who need rides to VA hospitals in Montgomery or Tuskegee can call 334-308-2480 to reserve a seat on the Enterprise van or 334-446-0866 for the Dothan van.

Square Dancing will be held every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Enterprise YMCA, located on Highway 27 across from Hobby Lobby in Enterprise. Singles and couples welcomed. Never danced? Theyll teach you. For more information, call 334-237-0466 or 334-347-4513.

The Landmark Dulcimer Club has a jam and practice session every first Saturday of the month at 1 p.m. You do not have to know how to read music. We prefer you bring your own Mountain Dulcimer but we do have a few practice dulcimers you can borrow if you want to give it a try. The event is free with paid gate admission. Show your instrument and get in for free. Meets in the Interpretive Center Auditorium.

Landmark Park hosts a Reptile Feeding every first Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the Interpretive Center Lobby. The event is free with paid gate admission. Meet our snakes and turtles and learn why these animals are so important to the environment.

The Wiregrass Woodturners host a club meeting and woodturning demo every second Saturday of the month at 9:30 a.m. in the Interpretive Center Classroom at Landmark Park. The public is invited to visit and learn how to make beautiful wooden items turned on a lathe. The event is free with paid gate admission. Wiregrass Woodturner members get in free.

The Evening Star Quilt Guild gathers from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. every second Saturday for an informal sewing circle with your textile-based crafts at the Landmark Park Sit and Sew in the Interpretive Center Auditorium. The event is free with paid gate admission. The circle is free for Quilt Guild members. Space is limited, first come first served.

Pickin in the Park takes place every second Saturday of the month at 10 a.m. Join musicians at Landmark Park in Dothan for a bluegrass, country and gospel jam session. Visitors are welcome to listen or participate. The event is free with paid gate admission. Show your instrument at the gate to receive free admission. All ages and skill levels are welcome.

The Landmark Park Antique Tractor Club will meet on the third Saturday of each month at 9:30 a.m. in the Interpretive Center Library at Landmark Park. This club has been established as a way for tractor enthusiasts to come together to share pictures of tractors, share interesting articles, trade/sell and enjoy the fellowship. The club participates in several tractor shows and tractor pulls during the year. To become a member, visit the meeting or email David Jay, david@landmarkparkdothan.com. The event is free with paid gate admission. Mention this meeting at the gate to receive free park admission.

Landmark Park admission will be waived every fifth Saturday of the month.
Over the years many of you have lamented to me and said, I am so tired of seeing all negative ads with candidates lambasting each other in political campaigns. Why dont candidates say what they are going to do when they are elected, rather than bashing their opponent mercilessly? People also suggest that campaigns are more negative today than in bygone years. Allow me to answer the question in the reverse order.

Criticizing and slandering your opponent is not new. It was actually more vicious and incendiary in earlier American political life, and much more personal. First of all, there were no television cameras or hidden studios where third-party political ad gurus brewed disingenuous ads. Folks in the old days would have to meet their opponents face-to-face at political forums, rallies, and debates. They would trade barbs and insults right in the face of each other. In early American political history, there were instances of fisticuffs and even a duel where opponents were shot. Nothing was off limits, not even peoples wives and children. What they did to Andrew Jacksons wife Rachel was so bad that it eventually caused the poor lady to withdraw and die from depression.

At least today, it seems inappropriate and out of bounds to attack peoples family members. Also, in the old days it seemed you could say things about your opponent without there being any semblance of truth to the accusations. Today there are laws requiring that any attack on the opposition must have a semblance or scintilla of truth. Therefore, it was worse in past decades than today, if you can believe that.

To the main point asked is why these campaign media gurus use negative ads. It is a simple answer  they work. If they did not work, they would not use them. Polling reveals that negative ads change the trajectory and standing of candidates dramatically and instantaneously. There is a direct correlation to a candidates polling numbers before and after being hit by a negative ad, much more so than a soft, pretty ad advocating that you vote for someone because they are a competent person that would be the ideal elected public servant. These gurus know this fact because todays polling is very accurate, and they can read the polls and they react, and design ads based on polling.

In Alabama political history, the most brilliant and unquestionably accomplished politician was George C. Wallace. In Wallaces early years of politikin for his first terms as governor, polling was in its infancy and was not as scientifically accurate. However, Wallace was born to be a political genius and a political animal. He had a God-given ability to remember names and he knew what people wanted to hear. He inherently could read the political tea leaves. He did not need polling.

I would visit often with Wallace in his last term. I was a freshman legislator and actually represented his home county of Barbour. He would call me down from the House floor to visit with him in the Governors office. He would reminisce about past political forays and governors races. He would tell me a lot of inside stories that I will probably never share. However, allow me to share this sage political admonition he imparted to me one day.

He looked me squarely in the eyes and told me that more people vote against someone than for someone. He further elaborated, Youve got to find a bogeyman to run against. He lived and breathed this belief and strategy. He ran on the race issue and segregation for decades. He rode that horse as long as he could. However, when Black Alabamians were given the right to vote in 1965 and soon after constituted 25% of the Democratic Primary electorate, Wallace instantly changed his stripes and went down Dexter Avenue to Martin Luther King, Jr.s church and had a conversion experience and begged forgiveness for exploiting the race issue. The Black voters forgave Wallace and elected him governor that last term in 1982. I never said Wallace was a statesman. He was a true, natural politician, and, yes, a demagogue. Whatever it took to get elected was Wallaces modus operandi.

These political gurus of today know the George Wallace adage of finding a boogeyman to run against remains true. In this upcoming election year, that is why you will see countless negative ads on television, because they work.

See you next week.
Calling all small business owners!

The 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards are now accepting entries. This nationally acclaimed awards program recognizes and celebrates the outstanding achievements of small business operators, highlighting their significant economic, social, and cultural contributions to Australia.

In its 26th year, the Awards spotlight the best small businesses in retail, services, and manufacturing, featuring over 100 categories and special spotlight categories, including Business of the Decade, Small Business Young Entrepreneur, Small Business Entrepreneur, and the 2024 Growth Award.

Entry to the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards is FREE, and the submission deadline is February 15, 2024. Small businesses are encouraged to showcase their excellence and innovation.

Small businesses, which employ 5.1 million Australians and contribute one-third of Australias GDP, play a crucial role in local communities. Despite economic challenges, they continue to thrive, supporting various community initiatives.

Steve Loe, Awards Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions, emphasizes the resilience of small businesses. He highlights the importance of honoring these businesses for their economic contributions and their support for community-based initiatives.

Even after more than two decades of presenting the Australian Small Business Champion Awards, I am still in absolute awe of the resilience and remarkable triumphs of our nations small business operators. It is truly a privilege to help shine a deserved spotlight on these small business champions.

From regional and rural areas to the suburbs and capital cities, small business operators from all parts of the country are encouraged to enter the Awards  free of charge  as we strive to celebrate the people behind the small businesses that shape their local communities and our nation as a whole, added Mr Loe.

CommBank is Presenting Partner of the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards.

Finalists of the 2024 programme will be announced during March; and winners of the 2024 Australian Small Business Champion Awards will be revealed via two National Presentation Evening Gala events at Sydneys The Star on 12 and 13 April 2024.

For more information and to submit an entry form, visit: businesschampions.com.au.

Keep up to date with our stories on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.
Anambra State Governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, has responded to claims by the All Progressives Congress (APC), that it will take the state from him in the next election.

Since Senator Ifeanyi Ubah joined the APC, the party has been exuding confidence about winning the state in 2025 governorship election.

The state chairman of the party, Mr Basil Ejidike had in a recent interview, stated that the ruling All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) would die a natural death when APC takes the state in 2025.

But reacting to such claims, Soludo in a press release signed by his Press Secretary, Mr Christian Aburime, said no other party, not even APC which he claims does not exist in the state, would be able to displace APGA.

The release stated that: APC doesnt exist in Anambra State. Anambra State is APGA land and will forever remain APGA land because the people have come to accept the All Progressives Grand Alliance as their own political movement and there is absolutely nothing the APC or other opposition parties can do about it.

We have been hearing what Basil Ejidike, the state chairman of APC in Anambra has been saying. Its like he is not part of the people living in Anambra State. He keeps saying that Soludo has done nothing; maybe he must have been going around blindfolded.

There is no basis for comparing Ebonyi and Anambra because Ebonyi has been a state that was under a governor for 8 years. Soludo is just two years in office and look at what he has done so far. He can even match up to other states where a governor has been there for 8 years.

In less than two years, Soludo has turned the entire state into a construction site and it is only a blind man that will say he is not seeing what Soludo is doing in Anambra State. But our consolation lies in the fact that Ndi-Anambra are happy with what Soludo is doing and they are ready to support him.

There are roads for him to see. There are other infrastructures for him to see. There are so many things Soludo is doing and every normal human being is seeing them. Something must be wrong with Basil Ejidike. He needs to check his entire psychological being to ensure that he is actually a normal person.

Let me tell Basil Ejidike that Anambra is APGA land and Ndi-Anambra will forever support APGA because APGA is naturally our party, the release stated.
Some youths have reportedly attacked the convoy of the Benue State Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, in Ugondu community in Makurdi LGA of the state on Wednesday.

The youths from Ugondu community of Makurdi LGA of Benue, who pelted the governors convoy with stones, were protesting over plans to bury the proprietor of Vaatia College, Makurdi, Engr. Michael Vaatia within the school premises located in their community.

It was gathered that six of the protesting Ugondu youths were arrested by the police for throwing objects at the governors convoy.

Gov Alia had visited Vaatia College to assess the level of preparation for the burial of the deceased proprietor.

Engr Vaatia, who is the proprietor of the College, died a couple of days ago and is to be buried within the school premises on Thursday.

The angry youths from the host community of Ugondu allegedly invaded the school and destroyed the grave.

They were seen in large numbers chanting war songs when the governor was addressing leaders of the community in the school.

It was gathered that the said youths disrupted the proceedings as security escorts attempted to prevent them from accessing the school, while some of the governors entourage were trapped outside.

Sources said the youths allegedly fired gunshots into the air to scare people but were overpowered with the arrival of the police special unit, code-named Operation Zenda, and several of them were arrested.

Gov Alia, while addressing leaders of Ugondu community, among them were former Senator Fred Orti, retired Permanent Secretary Akange Audu, Ter Makurdi, and other traditional rulers, cautioned against acts that could create chaos and disunity in the state.

I have come to correct some misgivings that happened in the rulership of your son as governor.

I sent both the Tiv, Idoma, and other tribes overseas for training without discrimination.

I want to believe you, the traditional and community leaders, denying involvement in what has happened.

Surely, some youths arrested will make confessions and if they mention your name, be ready to go and answer.

He added that about a week ago, an Igbo man and one other person who died were buried in Makurdi town without protest from any youth group and called for calm.

Gov Alia, who later addressed students on campus, assured them of safety during and after the burial.

He directed the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to ensure that peace prevails during the wake-keep and the burial slated for Thursday.

The reconstruction of the damaged grave by the irate Ugondu youths was ongoing at the time of this report ahead of the interment of the deceased proprietor on Thursday.
The Chief Press Secretary to the Benue State Governor, Tersoo Kula has debunked a report that Governor Hyacinth Alia was attacked by some angry youths in Ugondu community, who allegedly pelted his convoy with stones

Kula described the report as  fictitious, misleading, and probably designed to undermine, demean and cast His Excellency, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Iormem Alia in a negative light. 

The CPS, who labelled the news as fake, said Nobody hauled any object(s) at Gov Alia or his convoy anywhere in Benue State.

In setting the records straight, Kula clarified that Governor Alia went to Vaatia College, Makurdi where there was a reported case of criminality by Ugondu youths.

The statement read, Governor Alia went to Vaatia College, Makurdi where there was a reported case of house breakage, thievery, desecration of tomb and vandalism

Traditional rulers of the host community, including Ter Makurdi and Mue Ter-Masev among others were there with some very prominent elders like Sen. Fred Orti, Sen. Daniel Saror and Chief Akange Audu amongst others.

While addressing them, Governor Alia made it clear that those who perpetrated the nefarious acts of breakage, thievery vandalism and desecration of tombs must be arrested and brought to book to serve as a deterrent to others.

Some youths of the host community on the orders of their elders quickly mobilized and arrested some suspects and handed them over to the security operatives that were present at the meeting.

Governor Alia went to Vaatia College undisturbed, held the meeting and came out undisturbed.

Governor Alia is loved by the people. He is the only Gov in the history of the state who has been walking the streets and markets ascertaining reports including monitoring the progress of work himself without being harassed by anyone.

We advise media professionals to adhere to the principles and ethics of the profession in plying their trade. Credibility should be the watchword. Consciously propagating fake news should be avoided.

The necessary principle of verifying news sources before going to press should remain sacrosanct.

If journalists become more excited about copy and paste journalism, then, will it be difficult to be given the desired respect of Watch Dog of the society?

This report is ill-intended, to say the least.

It is advisable that we learn and adhere strictly to the principles and tenets of journalism. Let us learn to be investigative and always verify the truthfulness of any report we give.

We can do better than copying news stories and pasting, otherwise, there are tendencies of copying a malicious and mischievous story like this one all the time.
Despite an order of the National Industrial Court restraining Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, from removing or interfering with the judiciary, the Governor has approved the suspension of the Chief Judge, Justice Oyebola Ojo.

A statement issued by the Governors spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, on Thursday stated that the Governor approved the resolution of the House of Assembly asking the Chief Judge to step aside over the allegation of misconduct.

The Executive Governor of Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke, has approved the resolution of the Osun State House of Assembly asking the Osun State Chief Judge, Adepele Ojo, to step aside the pending investigation of allegations of misconduct, abuse of power, corruption, and disregard for rule of law against her by the House of Assembly, it reads partly.

Details later
The Appeal Court sitting in Abuja has fixed Friday, November 17, 2023, for judgment in the Kano State governorship election dispute between Governor Abba Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party, NNPP, and Nasiru Gawuna of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC.

The judgment will be delivered by 10 a.m.

Recall that the court had on November 6, 2023, reserved judgment in the appeal by the state governor, Yusuf, who is challenging his removal by the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal.

The tribunal nullified Yusufs election on September 20 by declaring 165,663 of his votes invalid.
The Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, has said Nigeria is sliding into totalitarianism and anarchy under the All Progressives Congress, APC-led federal government.

Debo Ologunagba, the spokesman of the PDP, alleged that a cabal in the Presidency was trying to control the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, and the judiciary and throw Nigeria into anarchy.

Ologunagba raised the alarm over conflicting court judgments and alleged manipulation of election results.

In a statement he signed, the PDP spokesman urged the international community to be wary of such actions.

According to Ologunagba: PDP raises alarm to Nigerians and the International Community that the nation is dangerously sliding into totalitarianism and anarchy under the brazenly repressive and anti-people All Progressives Congress (APC) @OfficialAPCNg administration.

The PDP alerts of attempts and actions of a cabal within the Presidency to emasculate the Institutions of Democracy in Nigeria, especially the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) @inecnigeria and the Judiciary in the desperation to foist a one-Party State on Nigerians.

This unfolding anti-democratic scenario is not only evident in the manipulation of elections but also in the conflicting judgments by electoral Courts, especially some Election Appeal Court Panels whose judgments conflict with the express provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 (as amended), the Electoral Act, 2022, INECs Guidelines and Regulations for elections.

What is more worrisome is that these obnoxiously contradictory judgments are targeted at the PDP to the effect that elections that were clearly won by PDP candidates are snatched away at the Courts and awarded to defeated candidates of the APC contrary to the provisions of the Law.




Former Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele, will today be put on trial by the Federal Government on alleged economic sabotage-related offences.





Emefiele, whose trial was aborted about 24 hours ago, will be arraigned at a High Court in the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.





A notice for his trial before Justice Hamza Muazu, sighted by newsmen, indicates that the ex-CBN Governor will be docked along with one Ramalan Yaro.





A registrar with the court, who wished to remain anonymous, confirmed that Emefiele would be brought before the court this morning for his plea of guilty or not guilty to be taken.





Similarly, one of the lawyers in his defence team, Maxwell Opara, confirmed that the notice of arraignment had been served on the former CBN Governor for him to appear in court.





The former CBN governor will be produced in court by Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Matthew Burkaa, who signed an undertaking to bring him for trial while being granted bail by Justice Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi, also of the FCT High Court.




The Anambra State governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has said his late father, Pa Simeon Soludo, will be buried according to the strict compliance with the Anambra State burial laws.





The governor stated this after receiving a condolence letter from members of the State Executive Council, delivered by the Deputy Governor, Dr Onyekachukwu Ibezim, and the Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Solo Chukwulobelu.





Soludo thanked members of ANSEC for their thoughtfulness and solidarity at this difficult moment.





This was made known in a press statement issued by Soludos Press Secretary, Christian Aburime, on Thursday.





The statement read, The governor reiterated the symbolic coincidence of his fathers death, saying he died at about 7:45 am on Monday, November 6, 2023, which coincided with the anniversary of his election.





Soludo further said his father lived a befitting life and will be accorded a decent burial devoid of obscenities. He added that the burial will be in strict compliance with the Anambra burial laws. No fanning of ego!





The governor, however, promised to issue a formal statement in regards to the burial arrangements.





Recalled that the state burial laws which were enacted on April 9, 2019, by the state Assembly and recently reinforced to members of the public in the state, include the following, among others:





No person shall erect any billboard, banner, or posters of the deceased. Persons are allowed to erect only directional posts. No directional post shall be erected before seven days to the burial date and should be removed not later than seven days after the burial date.





No person shall deposit a corpse in the mortuary beyond two months from the date of death. Any person who contravenes this shall pay a fine of N100,000 or serve an imprisonment term of six months, or both.





No person is allowed to block a road for any burial except with permission from the appropriate local government authority.





No person shall publicly display a casket for fabrication and sale in the state, and any person who contravenes is liable to pay a fine of N50,000 or go to jail for one month, or both.





There shall be no second funeral rites after burial except in the case of legacy.





There shall be no wake-keep of any kind for any deceased person in the state. All vigil-mass/service of songs/religious activity for the deceased before burial shall terminate by 9 pm.





There shall be no food, drink, live band, cultural entertainers during and after any vigil-mass/service of songs/religious activity for the deceased.
The Minister of Works, David Umahi, has downplayed the possibility of a quarrel with his successor, Governor Francis Nwifuru of Ebonyi State.

Umahi said he would never quarrel with Nwifuru, whom he described as a worthy son.

Reports had it that some of Umahis loyalists who ensured Nwifurus emergence are being marginalized.

The alleged marginalization is believed to be causing a rift within Umahi and Nwifurus camp.

However, Umahi said he had no regrets risking his life and fighting for Nwifurus emergence as governor.

The minister spoke in Abakaliki during a reception organised by Nwifuru in honour of former political office holders in the state.

I have no regrets knowing and trusting him for 16 years as only few persons present can boast of relationships that last for such periods.

The most beautiful thing is that Nwifuru knows everything we did as there was nothing such as projects that did not pass through him.

Any one who prays not to reap where he sows should keep such prayer.

I will not apologise to those who feel offended by my actions again because I have done so while leaving office.

All my mistakes and successes have been inherited by Nwifuru as we made friends and enemies together.

I urge everyone to be patient with the governor because he has good intentions to develop the state, he said.




The Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, has warned the traditional ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Orizu, and his heir against tampering with the title Ikemba Nnewi, which is associated to the late Biafra warlord, Odumegu Ojukwu.





The pro-Biafra group declared that the title belongs to the late Biafra leader.





IPOB warned Orizu that anybody who attempts to buy the title is setting himself up against the group.





Emma Powerful, the spokesman of IPOB, claimed that Igwe Orizus heir was planning to secure the title to give legitimacy to his governorship campaign bid.





Parts of a statement released by Powerful read: The attention of the global movement and family of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) ably led by the great and indefatigable leader, Mazi Nnamdi KANU has been drawn to the secret plans by the Traditional Ruler of Nnewi, Igwe Orizus heir and some in his cabinet to sell the Ikemba Nnewi title that was given to our eternal leader, late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu to some politician in his kingdom.





We are reliably informed that the moneybag politician plans to use the Ikemba Nnewi title in an attempt to secure some legitimacy for his upcoming gubernatorial bid.





Our eternal leaders title should be left out of his political plans. In life, Ojukwu made his stance clear. Ojukwu represents the people and not the personal ambitions of any individual.





IPOB is by way of this message, also alerting the good Igwe Orizu of the secret plans that are being hatched behind his back.





IPOB is warning those involved to desist from that plan, because the Ikemba Nnewi title exclusively belongs to our eternal leader, Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu whether dead or alive, because of his enormous contributions to Biafra Nation.





The title should strictly belong to him. Nobody has the right to tamper with such an important title to such an important person to Alaigbo and our history. Anybody who intends to buy that title is setting himself up against IPOB and Ndigbo in general. Nobody in Nnewi or any part of Alaigbo is allowed to be conferred with the title of Ikemba Nnewi. That title belongs to the Late Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu and to him alone.





HRM Igwe Orizu of Nnewi should stop those planning the sale of the Ikemba Nnewi title to anyone or those responsible will have IPOB to contend with. We shall never be kind to the sellers or buyer of the chieftaincy title belonging to our eternal leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu.





Igwe Nnewi and his cabinet should look for other titles to confer to the moneybag carrying politician but must not tamper with the Ikemba Nnewi title.
McGrathNicol Advisory launched the findings of its third annual ransomware survey, revealing that 56 percent of Australian businesses have suffered a ransomware attack in the past five years: 42 percent of medium and large businesses have fallen victim to a single attack, while 14 percent have been targeted multiple times. Of those that did suffer an attack, close to three quarters (73 percent) chose to pay the ransom demand.

Now in its third year, McGrathNicol Advisorys Ransomware Survey provides an authoritative barometer of the ransomware threat to Australian businesses. McGrathNicol partnered with YouGov to survey 500 Australian business owners, partners, directors and C-Suite leaders across businesses with 50 or more employees. The five-year ransomware average is down from a high of 69 percent in 2022, but remains well above the 31 percent recorded in 2021 when McGrathNicol started tracking these results.The findings suggest that cyber criminals hit a ransomware peak last year and have diversified to other forms of cyber extortion in 2023.

The proportion of business leaders who reported that they made a ransomware payment declined slightly year-on-year, from 79 percent in 2022 and 83 percent in 2021, but has remained high despite government pressure and regulatory scrutiny. Australian organisations are acquiescing quickly: 74 percent of executives reported paying the ransom within 48 hours while almost two in five (37 percent) made the payment within 24 hours. This is consistent with previous years, with 78 percent of companies surveyed in 2022 reporting that they paid within 48 hours, and 74 percent in 2021.

Overall, the estimated average cyber ransom paid was $1.03 million, on par with $1.01 million in 2022 and $1.07 million in 2021. This figure is still lower than the average amount that business leaders would be willing to pay ($1.32 million). Despite consistent government advice against doing so, 70 percent of surveyed businesses (including those yet to experience an attack) said they would be willing to pay a ransom. This suggests that ransom payments are seen as a legitimate option by most Australian executives and have already been factored in as a cost of doing business.

Australian businesses soften on reporting

The 2023 McGrathNicol survey found that executives attitudes to reporting ransom payments to authorities have also softened. In 2022, 75 percent of surveyed executives believed that it should be mandatory for an Australian business to report a ransomware attack to the authoritieswith almost three in five (56 percent) believing that it should be reported regardless of whether a ransom payment is made. However, this trend has reversed in 2023, with only 60 percent of executives saying they support mandatory reporting and less than half (46 percent) saying an attack should be reported even if a ransom hasnt been paid.

A closer look at payment motivations provides further insight. The research found that three quarters of business leaders (74 percent) cite external risks as the reason for paying a cyber ransom, including to minimise potential harm to stakeholders, reduce brand damage, and to avoid sensitive information being leaked. As attacks become more commonplace, executivesattitudes towards ransomware payments from businesses in their supply chain are also easing: 83 percent of executives say knowledge of a payment from a business they are associated with would negatively impact their perception of that business. This is down from 91 percent in 2022 and 90 percent in 2021.

These drivers help to explain the high proportion of organisations that attempt to negotiate with cybercriminals. This year, two in three (66 percent) negotiated prior to making a ransom payment, up from 59 percent in 2021 but down from a high of 74 percent in 2022.

Darren Hopkins, Cyber Partner at McGrathNicol Advisory, said:Businesses are still overwhelmingly paying ransoms, and paying them quickly, to avoid negative backlash from customers, partners and stakeholders. Its now being factored in as a cost of doing business. The research shows that executives are becoming empathetic and less hard-nosed about reporting these attacks to authorities. But without greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing, our ability to prevent ransomware attacks is undermined. This intelligence can help business leaders make informed decisions rather than rushing into paying an expensive, and potentially illegal, ransom.

One noteworthy finding suggests that businesses might be overly confident in their ability to respond to ransomware attacks. A significant 88% of executives believe their organizations are adequately prepared, marking a substantial uptick from 78% in the previous year. However, this confidence appears to be somewhat inflated, as only three in five organizations (61%) have developed a concrete cyber incident response plan. Furthermore, 18% of business leaders remain uncertain about the existence of such a plan, highlighting potential gaps in preparedness.

Another significant revelation pertains to the perception of cyber insurance among businesses. A notable 80% of surveyed businesses deem their cyber insurance policy as good value, with 64% expressing that their policy provides a sense of peace of mind. Among executives, 44% attribute this positive perception to the crucial role of a cyber insurance payout in safeguarding their businesses financially.

The survey also underscores the persistent threat posed by email phishing in the realm of ransomware. Email fraud or business email compromise maintained its status as the most common mode of entry, representing 30% of all ransomware attacks in 2023. This figure aligns with the observed prevalence in 2022, remaining a consistent and formidable cybersecurity challenge.

Blare Sutton, Cyber Partner at McGrathNicol Advisory, added: The growing acceptance of ransomware payments indicates that the threat is becoming normalised. However, this isnt making businesses safer, it is merely continuing to fund the activities of cyber criminals who are evolving and diversifying their attacks.

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Lazarus Chakwera, the president of Malawi, has cancelled all international trips for himself and other public officials in the country.

A statement by the Malawian government on Wednesday said the cancellation of the international trips is for the remainder of the 2023/24 financial year.

Chakwera ordered all cabinet members on public-funded international trips to return to the country.

The Malawian president also directed a 50 percent reduction in the fuel allowances of ministers, permanent secretaries, directors, and all senior officials.

He added that the era of spending taxpayers' money on "useless activities in the form of allowances" should be put to an end.

Chakwera directed the minister of finance to review how small and medium-scale businesses can be protected and plan towards reasonable wage increases for civil servants.

"All cabinet members currently abroad on public-funded international trips must return to Malawi with immediate effect," the president said.

Chakwera also announced that he has ordered the secretary to the president and cabinet to ensure the recent hiking of the price of water is absorbed by the operating cost of those boards for now, and not placed on Malawians.

The measures came after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a $174 million credit facility for Malawi on Wednesday.

On November 8, the Reserve Bank of Malawi, the country's central bank, devalued its currency - Kwacha - by 44 percent.






The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) have suspended the nationwide strike they embarked on Tuesday.

The suspension of the strike came after leaders of the union met with representatives of the federal government in a meeting on Wednesday at the office of the national security adviser (NSA).

More to follow...
The federal government has reduced the criminal charge preferred against Godwin Emefiele, former governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

In August, the government had filed a 20-count charge bordering on procurement fraud against Emefiele.

Emefiele was charged alongside Saadatu Yaro, a female employee of CBN, and her company, April 1616 Investment.

The arraignment of the former CBN boss has been stalled three times.





On Wednesday, Emefieles arraignment was also stalled due to the nationwide strike by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and its affiliates.

Although the amended charge marked CR/577/2023, still borders on procurement fraud, the counts have been reduced to six with Emefile as the sole defendant.

Additionally, the purported procurement frauds value was lowered from N6.9 billion to N1.2 billion.

Emefiele was accused of using his position to confer a corrupt advantage on Yaro by awarding a contract for the procurement of 43 vehicles worth N1.2 billion between 2018 and 2020.

They include 37 Toyota Hilux Vehicles at the cost of N854.7 million, one Toyota Avalon at the cost of N99.9 million, one Toyota Landcruiser V8 at the cost of N73.8 million, two Toyota Hilux Shell Specification Vehicles at the cost of N44,200,000.

He was also alleged to have awarded Yaro a contract for the procurement of two Toyota Landcruiser VXR V8 worth 138 million.

On November 8, Emefiele was granted bail and released, after spending 151 days in detention.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that its vision is to be one of the beat electoral management bodies in the world.

Speaking when a group of youths from Kogi state visited the commission a solidarity protest on Wednesday, one of the National Commissioners, Major General Modibbo Alkali (RTD) said it was working round the clock to meet the yearning of the Nigerian people.

Alkali, who received the youths with another National Commissioner, Mohammed Haruna and the Commission Secretary, Mrs Rose Orianran-Anthony, said the work of the commission is based on the provisions of the Constitution.

He said: We want to commend you for coming in a peaceful manner to ventilate whatever is on your mind. That is democracy. INEC is not a political party. INEC has no particular candidate for any election. INEC is for Nigerians.

The vision of INEC is to be one of the best election management bodies in the world and to meet the yearnings and aspirations of Nigerians.

We operate based on the Constitution. We have our rules and regulations, and we dont operate outside that. INEC will never waver in its responsibility to do the right thing at all times. Nigeria belongs to all of us. belongs to all of us.

Leader of the youth group and Convener, Kogi New Generation (KNG), Richard Otitoleke commended the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for conducting what they described as the most peaceful and credible governorship election in Kogi State.

He also commended the security agencies for working in synergy with the Commission to ensure a peaceful election in Kogi State.

Otitoleke however asked Senator Dino Melaye who lost the election to approach the courts to ventilate his grievances rather than castigate the electoral umpire on national television.

He said Nigerians have a responsibility to protect the integrity and credibility of a sensitive institution like INEC, insisting that the right thing for any aggrieved person who contested in an election and lost, was to approach the Election Petition Tribunal rather than incite the public against INEC.

His words: We have a responsibility to protect the integrity and credibility of a sensitive institution like INEC. If anyone contests in an election and does not win, the proper thing to do as a responsible citizen is to approach the Tribunal, but not to incite the people against INEC because there are certain issues and factors that INEC does not have control over in an election.

We want to appreciate INEC for the synergy and collaboration with security agencies that brought about one of the most peaceful elections in Kogi State. In the past, we witnessed worst elections, but this 11th November 2023 election was one of the most peaceful elections in Kogi State.

We want to say unequivocally that a candidate who clinched the 3rd position in such an election does not have the moral right or justification to begin to incite people against the Nigerian Police and INEC. He should go to the Tribunal for redress if he is aggrieved, and not to go to a Television Station and begin to malign the personality and the leadership of INEC.

We are here to affirm to INEC that you have done well in Kogi State. We are also commending the Nigerian Army for a job well done in Kogi State. We commend the Nigerian Civil Defence, the Nigeria Police and all law enforcement agencies that joined hands with INEC to ensure a peaceful and credible election in Kogi state.

We are here to protect the integrity of INEC because when we protect INEC, our electoral processes will be protected and our credibility as a country is protected. We dont need to malign the institution (INEC), although there is room for improvement as we proceed.

We thank INEC for improving on our electoral process through technological innovations that had been introduced over time. And we believe that by the time we proceed further, we will have zero tolerance for any form of anomalies in our elections.
The Labour Party (LP) says it is not in merger talks with any political party.

Obiora Ifoh, national publicity secretary of the party, in a statement on Friday, said news making the rounds that the party is engaged in merger discussions is twisted to embarrass the Labour Party.

Kindly disregard the sensational news making the round which suggests that Labour Party is working out a merger arrangement with any other political party, the statement reads.

It is purely a news item twisted and sensationalized by a section of the media to embarrass the Labour Party.

A news organisation called for a reaction as regards to Alhaji Atiku Abubakars proposal for opposition political parties to work together to fight against one party system in Nigeria being planned by the APC.

In my reaction, I said that it was only a proposal and every Nigerian should be interested in making democracy work in Nigeria and that what we have presently is an autocracy.

There was nowhere in the response that the purported merger between LP and PDP was mentioned.

The Labour Party has just concluded the 2023 general election episode and a post mortem is yet to hold, therefore the way forward for the party has not been discussed. When we do, Nigerians will be properly informed.

I therefore urge Nigerians to disregard such and many other twisted and sensational stories purported to emanate from the Labour Party. The party has its official platform used to disseminate its information.




The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries has refuted reports that an elderly female worshipper died during a church programme at its Prayer City in Ogun State.





In a statement on Thursday, Collins Edomaruse, media aide to the churchs General Overseer, Dr. Daniel Olukoya, said the woman died at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu where she was rushed to and not inside the church.





Edomaruse explained that the deceased, who was at the Prayer City for service on the said day, November 2, 2023, came in looking feeble.





According to him, she was then rushed from the service to the clinic within the church premises, then to OOUTH, Sagamu.





He added that the case was reported at the Ibafo Police Station the following morning.





He noted that the OOUTH, after the womans death, acknowledged that the church was a public place and commended the MFM for it has shown enough duty of care by rushing the sick person to the hospital. But some sections of the media had falsely reported that the woman had collapsed and died in the church.





The statement quoted the matron at the Prayer City Clinic, Mrs Bisi Adewumi, as saying that the deceased was brought in to the clinic on the 2nd of November 2023, around 5.30 p.m. as an emergency case from the auditorium during Thursday evening service.





On physical observation inside an ambulance, we recorded pallor+++that she was pale (short of blood).





She looked cachexia and emaciated, hence blood pressure was quickly checked inside the ambulance; result: B/P71/55 P115, Temp 36. oc, because of the pallor+++ that requires immediate blood.





The ambulance driver and a nurse were instructed to rush her to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, where urgent intervention and investigations could be carried out.





The report received from the nurse at the teaching hospital indicated that the deceased was attended to in the ambulance as an emergency for preliminary investigations.





She later gave up there and her remains were deposited at the morgue of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.





Edomaruse added, It should be noted that the MFM Camp is a place frequented by God worshippers and seekers from all over the world.





The ministry may not be able to ascertain the medical situation of everyone who desires to seek Gods face within its facility.





It, however, provides a first aid duty of care to anyone who needs medical attention within its premises.





One can conclude that its simply a case of ignorance and misrepresentation of facts to claim that the unfortunate demise of a worshipper at a teaching hospital was caused by the ministry in any way.





The Church provides a covenant platform of divine encounter and teaches the worshippers how to connect with the God of the Bible. This has provided tremendous testimonies over the years.
A former Bergen County broker and investment advisor was indicted Wednesday for allegedly siphoning more than $3 million from clients between 2017 and 2021.

Kenneth Welsh, 42, of River Edge, was indicted by a federal grand jury on four counts of wire fraud and one count of investment advisor fraud, the U.S. Attorneys Office announced Thursday. Welshs arraignment has yet to be scheduled.

The indictment alleges that while working for a large unnamed brokerage house, Welsh illegally withdrew money from five of his clients accounts and deposited the funds in accounts associated with his family and another account used to purchase precious metals, including gold coins. He is accused of misleading clients into signing blank forms claiming to be routine account maintenance and then using those forms to initiate withdrawals.

Authorities claim Welsh used the money for personal expenses, including gambling and luxury gifts. In one case, authorities allege Welsh withdrew over $1.8 million from one client through 74 separate transactions over a two-year period.

Welshs public defender, David Holman, did not immediately respond to an email asking for comment.

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The redesigned Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form for the 2024-2025 school year will assist 610,000 students from low-income households in receiving federal Pell Grants for the first time, according to data released Wednesday from the Education Department.

The redesigned FAFSA form will also help 1.5 million more students benefit from the Pell Grant.

The changes to the form, which were announced earlier this year, have been the most significant ones made since the Reagan administration.

RELATED: Heres what you need to know about FAFSA changes for next year

When students and families fill out the better FAFSA form, they will find that applying for college financial aid is simpler, easier, and faster than ever before, said U.S. Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona in a statement.

However, according to data from the Education Department, the FAFSA redesign goes beyond just changes to the form. Starting with the 2024-2025 school year, the new FAFSA form provides updates to student aid calculations that will provide more students access to Pell Grants.

To calculate eligibility for Pell Grants, the Education Department will factor in family size and federal poverty level.

In New Jersey alone, there will be 8,802 additional Pell Grant recipients and 30,453 additional students who receive the maximum benefit from the Pell Grant, according to the Education Departments data.

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Part of Atlantic Citys iconic boardwalk was damaged in a fire Wednesday afternoon, officials said.

Firefighters responded to the boardwalk outside the Resorts Casino Hotel at 3:48 p.m., where the fire had spread to the buildings exterior wall and the marquee above the boardwalk entrance, according to a statement from the Atlantic City government.

No injuries were reported and the fire was determined to be under control at around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday. Some inside were evacuated due to minimal smoke inside the building but the casino remained open, officials said.

Firefighters at the scene of a fire on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, N.J., Nov. 15, 2023.Photo courtesy of City of Atlantic City  Government

The extent of the damage was still being assessed as of 6:15 p.m., said city spokesperson Andrew Kramer. A cause of the fire had not yet been determined.

It was the second fire reported in nine months on the boardwalk. A fire that started under the boardwalk Feb. 3 damaged a section by New Jersey Avenue.

The Atlantic City boardwalk is among New Jerseys best-known tourism draws. It is also the oldest boardwalk in the nation, dating to 1870.

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Calling it a victory for free speech and religious liberty, the American Civil Liberties Union announced Thursday a Lehigh Valley school district settled a federal lawsuit over the After School Satan Club.

The club organizer, the Satanic Temple Inc., sued the Saucon Valley School District, alleging district officials had improperly blocked the club from meeting in school facilities.

A federal judge in May had granted a preliminary injunction request that cleared the way for the club to meet at the districts middle school. That ruling indicated the district had likely violated the First Amendment when it prevented students and families from gathering on school grounds in connection with the club, according to the ACLU of Pennsylvania.

Under the settlement approved Thursday by the school district, the district must give The Satanic Temple and After School Satan Club the same access to school facilities that other comparable organizations receive, according to the ACLU.

The agreement also prohibits the district from retaliating against the club, its parent organization, and its volunteers and members based on their viewpoint or the exercise of their First Amendment rights, the ACLU said in a news release. The district also agreed to pay $200,000 in attorneys fees and costs to The Satanic Club attorneys, according to the release.

We are pleased that this matter has been resolved and that the school district has agreed to stop all discrimination against us, June Everett, director of The Satanic Temples After School Satan Club programming, states in the release. Thanks to the courts order, we were able to hold ASSC meetings at the Saucon Valley Middle School, and the kids who attended were overjoyed.

Its for them that we took on this legal fight in the first place, Everett added, and we wont hesitate to do so again if other school districts continue to enact discriminatory policies.

The Saucon Valley School District maintained it believes the club violated school board policy governing the use of district facilities when it applied in February for permission for the club to meet. Saucon Valley allows non-school organizations to use its facilities after school, including the Good News Club, a Christian organization.

District policy and a U.S. Supreme Court ruling dictate that if the district allows one outside organization to use its facilities, it must open up the schools to every outside organization.

District officials alleged social media advertising about the After School Satan Clubs startup in search of members claimed the district was hosting the club, in violation of district policy.

The district rescinded the clubs approval after what Vlasaty called chaos that included an anonymous threatening voicemail left with the district that forced the shutdown of all district campuses and after-school activities one Tuesday evening in February and cancellation of classes and activities the following day. Authorities quickly charged a North Carolina man for allegedly threatening to come in there and shoot everybody after voicing displeasure with the district for permitting the club to meet on school property.

Saucon Valley schools Solicitor Mark Fitzgerald in a statement Thursday night said: This afternoon, the District resolved litigation brought by The Satanic Temple Inc. and the After School Satan Club. The District denies that it discriminated against the TST, the ASSC, or the approximately four students who attended ASSCs three meetings last spring.

As always, the Districts priorities are the education of its students and the safety of its students and staff. By enforcing its policies regarding the use of facilities, the District maintained a safe educational environment for its students in the face of credible threats of violence that had already caused closure of the schools and panic in the community.

The Districts agreement to pay a portion of TSTs attorneys fees and costs, which included the work of three attorneys from the ACLU and two attorneys from Dechert LLP, will be paid by the Districts insurance coverage as opposed to the taxpayers of Saucon Valley. The District is pleased that this matter has resolved and that all organizations will be following the Districts Facilities Use Policy in the future.

The Satanic Temple promotes freedom, science, justice and even compassion, Everett has said. It does not promote devil worshipping or a supernatural Satan, just the ideals that Satan stood for, which include opposition to tyranny and individual rights, she said previously.

We are pleased that the district is providing the ASSC equal access to school facilities in accordance with the courts decision and has agreed to settle the case, stated Sara Rose, deputy legal director of the ACLU of Pennsylvania, which represented The Satanic Temple along with the national ACLU and Dechert LLP. As the court recognized, when a public school opens up its facilities to community use, it cannot discriminate based on religious beliefs or other viewpoints.

This settlement sends a powerful reminder to all school districts that the First Amendment protects the viewpoints and beliefs of all people and faiths, and we will take action when they forget or ignore this lesson.

Editors note: This article was updated with a statement from the Saucon Valley School District solicitor.

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An abandoned building of state-owned cement company Vicem that has not been completed in eight years in Hanoi. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh

Private investors are reluctant to buy stakes in state-owned companies as they fear the incomplete legal framework will not protect their rights and increase investment risks, according to experts.

Some investors say that they are reluctant to purchase stakes in state-owned companies that are being privatized due to concerns about the high legal risks, the Vietnam Federation of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) said in a recent comment.

In the first 10 months this year no equitization was recorded at any state-owned firm, according to the Ministry of Finance.

The Vietnamese government for years have been trying to divest from state-owned companies and sell shares to private firms, but so far only 30% of their targets have been achieved.

In several cases, officials have violated regulations in the process and caused losses to the states coffers.

The VCCI said that some investors had to cancel transactions after discovering that the seller had made errors in the sale.

The federation, which lobbies for private companies, proposed that the finance ministry adds more laws to protect the buyers of stakes in state-owned companies in case of conflict.

Finance minister Ho Duc Phoc told lawmakers recently that privatization faced issues when land use proposals were not approved for private firms.

In some cases, private firms only eye to buy stakes to own land in prime locations, and when lots were not up for sale they were no longer interested in investing, he added.
Making another full pension payment for New Jerseys government employees and continuing a big push to overhaul the states decades-old liquor license laws are two of the goals Gov. Phil Murphy laid out Thursday as he prepares to enter his second-to-last year in office.

The Democratic governor discussed some of his upcoming agenda during a speech to local officials on the final day of the annual New Jersey League of Municipalities conference in Atlantic City.
A seismic shift is brewing in Washington, D.C., as the chorus of Democratic staffers dissent grows louder.

On Nov. 14, more than 400 Biden administration employees released a letter distancing themselves from the presidents current stance on Israel. The staffers are pressing the president to demand a ceasefire on Gaza, the release of Israeli and Palestinian hostages and the restoration of services like electricity and humanitarian aid to the Gaza strip.

The public letter follows an action led by over 100 congressional staffers, who participated in a walkout last week also calling for a ceasefire. The participants, who came from 40 to 50 members offices, many of them masked to conceal their identities, gathered on the US Capitol steps to hold a vigil, laying out over 10,000 flowers to represent the at time of publication now over 11,000 Palestinians killed since Hamas launched its deadly attack in Israel that left 1,200 Israelis dead on Oct. 7. Other rallies in support of Palestine have been occurring in the DC areas as well.

As the political drama unfolds, part of the growing movement is taking place on social media, where BIPOC government staffers are spilling the tea in public and finding solidarity and community with one another.

Dear White Staffers, which began in 2020 during the COVID pandemic, has emerged as a digital battleground for government staffers to share updates about rising tensions on Capitol Hill.

Originally a space for memes about the experiences of people of color working on Capitol Hill, the Dear White Staffers account now serves as a platform for anonymous testimonials, revealing the harsh realities of mistreatment, discrimination and workplace challenges.

The account, which has more than 111,000 followers on Instagram and 6,000 followers on X, is not only popular, its necessary, according to other staffers. Despite the current Congress being the most racially and ethnically diverse in history, only 18% of top staff for new and returning members are people of color, according to data from the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies from 2022.

The Dear White Staffers account runner posts anonymous messages sent by other staffers and interns. They also share news updates about the administration from media outlets like Huffpost. To protect the identity of themselves and other staffers, they remain anonymous through strong cybersecurity protocols because they say the platform belongs to every staffer, not just one person.

The person behind the Dear White Staffers account says they helped with the recent walkouts and letters by connecting staffers and fielding messages in their DMs.

An anon submitter to Dear White Staffers shares their frustrations with their current job in the midst of the Israel/Hamas war.Dear White Staffers

I attribute a lot of the organizing power of Dear White Staffers and the people that come along with it as to why there are congressional staff and offices are unionized, said a young White House staffer of color who has requested to remain anonymous to avoid harassment. Thats the reason why I think that the amount of public pressure to support a ceasefire is coming from the fact that there is a central location to get information for congressional and administration staffers, especially political appointees.

The big Democratic split

The Dear White Staffers public posts, along with public letters and demonstrations by staffers, have revealed a stark divide within the Democratic Party regarding the ongoing conflict between Hamas and Israel.

About 46% of Democrats disapprove of how Biden is handling the conflict, according to a survey from Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research conducted from November 2 to November 6. The survey also showed that compared to the 40% of Democrats who disapproved in August, Bidens support has decreased. In addition, the presidents approval rating has dropped 11 percentage points among Democrats since the Oct. 7 attacks, according to a Gallup tracking poll conducted between Oct. 2 and Oct. 23.

Experts and advocates have pointed to how this may affect Bidens chances at reelection in 2024. The AP survey results also show that, nearly two-thirds of Americans (63%) disapprove of how Biden is handling the conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Those inside Capitol Hill are also beginning to show their dissatisfaction with Biden. On Nov. 13, an internal U.S. State Department memo urging senior U.S. officials to reassess their policy toward Israel and demand a ceasefire in Gaza, was released, according to Axios.

Biden isnt the only Democratic government leader receiving blowback from their current and former White House and congressional staff. Two former Democratic presidential hopefuls also have faced criticisms.

Former staffers of U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warrens 2020 presidential campaign also expressed their frustration in an open letter date Oct. 19, demanding that the senator take action.

Through our grief, we implore you to take action. You must demand an immediate ceasefire in Palestine and the return of Israeli hostages, and take concrete steps to end Israeli occupation. A child is killed every 15 minutes in Gaza  if you continue to be silent, you are complicit in this genocide, the staffers write to Warren.

In response, Warren stated at an event in Bourne, Mass., on Oct. 20 that I respect my former staffers who are doing exactly what I have always encouraged them to do: Stand up and fight for what they believe in.

U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders, known as a hero to progressives, is also facing harsh criticism for his approach towards Israels conflict in Gaza, advocating for a humanitarian pause rather than an immediate ceasefire. His stance has disappointed former staffers and supporters, sparking division among progressives who hoped he would continue the anti-war stances he has taken in the past.

Nearly 300 former Sanders presidential campaign staffers wrote him an open letter on Oct. 24, urging him to call for a ceasefire. On Nov. 3, volunteers and his former campaign staffers protested outside of his office. He refused to speak with them and the protestors were arrested.

Sanders told the Washington Post on Nov. 14 that he wishes there was a simple solution. There isnt.

This pressure from staffers is rising, with more than 500 campaign staffers who helped elect President Joe Biden in 2020 presenting a call-to-action letter to work towards a ceasefire Nov. 9.

As President of the United States, you have significant influence in this perilous moment  you must call for a ceasefire, hostage exchange, and de-escalation, and take concrete steps to address the conditions of occupation, apartheid, and ethnic cleansing at the root of the horrific violence we are witnessing now, the staffers wrote to President Biden in the Medium post on Nov. 9.

Congressional staffers have been fielding thousands of calls from angry and impassioned constituents in an already toxic and low paid work environment. They say they are frustrated and are expressing dissatisfaction with one another publicly as well as anonymously online via Dear White Staffers.

It feels like no one is able to have a real conversation about this. And no one knows where the line is. And thats such like a f***** up and weird place to be when were talking about thousands of peoples lives that are like being murdered by US weapons, said another young staffer who also works with the Biden administration and is choosing to stay anonymous because of fear of harassment.

From the Dear White Staffers account runners perspective, the Democratic party is out of touch with the people they are trying to represent.

It is a shame that members of Congress refuse to acknowledge the calls, letters, and outpouring of support from their constituencies, they said, who feel there are members who are being influenced by wealthy outside groups. This is sadly a feature of Washington that illustrates so much of policymaking.

In the meantime, government staffers are saying that Democratic lawmakers are instructing them to let calls demanding a Gaza ceasefire go to voicemail despite significant public support and staffers advocacy.

I have family and friends that call and text all the time asking why am I still working for someone who obviously doesnt see me, my family and my community as human beings? How can you support someone who supports a genocide? I can say pretty confidently that its an experience that is not just similar to my own. It is very much something that I have to grapple with every day, an anon staffer in the Biden administration said.

The Dear White Staffers account runner says that while no one day on the Hill is the same, the days always start early.

You could be answering the phones non-stop and responding to constituents or driving your boss around the district from event to event. The next day, you could be staffing a hearing with business leaders or foreign dignitaries, they said. No matter what, the hours are long and the pay never feels enough.
A former teacher from Morris County serving a 15-year federal sentence for producing child pornography was sentenced Thursday to 18 months in state prison for sexually abusing a Boy Scout camper in 2010.

Colin Skeele, 37, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree sexual contact for abusing a counselor in training at Boy Scouts of America NoBeBoSco in Hardwick Township, according to Warren County Prosecutor James L. Pfeiffer.

On numerous occasions, Skeele engaged in various sex acts with the camper while working the medical tent at the camp, Pfeiffer stated in a news release after sentencing.

In addition to his work at the camp, Skeele taught parochial schools in Boonton and Stirling.

Skeele previously pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to a federal charge of producing child pornography and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.

In 2020, Skeele pleaded guilty to second-degree charge of sexual assault by a supervisor for the sexual assault of a teenage cadet with the Glenwood Pochuck Ambulance Corps.

For that crime, he was sentenced to another 15-year term in state prison to run concurrent with the federal term, according to the New Jersey Herald.

A spokesperson for the Warren County Prosecutors Office on Thursday did not immediately return a call seeking comment as to whether the latest sentence would be served concurrently with or consecutively to the 15 years Skeele is presently serving.

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Today

Rain likely. High 47F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 100%. Rainfall near a quarter of an inch..

Tonight

Overcast with rain showers at times. Low 38F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Positive Thinking Company hosts second edition of Best Developers in Vietnam

The Best Developers in Vietnam (BDV) 2023 grand finale featured nearly 300 participants, including business leaders, tech experts, software developers, and tech students.

Positive Thinking Company launched BDV in 2019, aiming to provide a competitive, enjoyable, and challenging platform for Vietnam's software developers to showcase their extraordinary talents and glean insights from local and international tech experts through various workshops.

After four years, driven by a commitment to make significant contributions to the tech industry and solidify their status as a leading tech company in Vietnam and the APAC region, CBTW and Positive Thinking Company unveiled the second edition of BDV with an exciting twist.

The event featured a 1.5-month CodeFest titled Hack to the Future, replete with demanding coding challenges, and a tech seminar titled The Future of Tech, focused on cutting-edge tech trends like AI, Generative AI, Software Product Development strategy, and Sustainability.

The grand finale of Best Developers in Vietnam 2023 started with an insightful tech seminar. Photo courtesy of Positive Thinking Company

The CodeFest commenced in September, drawing over 130 registered teams comprising experienced software developers and tech students hailing from various regions of Vietnam, including HCMC, Hanoi, Da Nang, Binh Duong, Can Tho and Tien Giang.

All teams successfully completed Round 1, which featured an online HackerRank quiz with questions on fundamental programming knowledge and an ideation challenge related to creating an AI product.

The top 22 outstanding teams advanced to the grand final on Nov. 4 in HCMC, following their triumph in Round 2's rigorous online challenges.

The top 22 teams compete at the grand finale of Best Developers in Vietnam 2023. Photo courtesy of Positive Thinking Company

The grand finale saw these top 22 teams tackle final coding challenges and present innovative AI products to a distinguished panel of judges.

The top 6 champion teams clinched the prestigious title of Best Developers in Vietnam 2023 and secured grand prizes totaling VND250 million (US$10,255).

The AI products displayed by all the teams left an enduring impression, showcasing the profound technical expertise and diverse skill sets of Vietnamese software developers and tech students.

Experienced software developers and tech students tackle final coding challenges at Best Developers in Vietnam 2023. Photo courtesy of Positive Thinking Company

The Positive Thinking Company's representatives believe that BDV has not only nurtured groundbreaking technology concepts but also offered invaluable opportunities to the local tech community, aligning seamlessly with CBTW and the company's mission to better the world through collaboration and technology.

The attention and participation in BDV this year once again underscored the thriving software development sector in Vietnam and the exceptional skill set possessed by the country's software engineers.

As a global tech company, CBTW remains committed to supporting Vietnam and the APAC region's tech community, as well as enhancing our core competencies to deliver top-tier software product engineering services to clients in the region.

"Our goal is to help our clients stay at the forefront of the digital transformation wave and, most importantly, achieve impressive returns on their investments," said Pieter van Diermen, co-founder of CBTW and CEO of APAC.

The top 6 champion teams of Best Developers in Vietnam 2023. Photo courtesy of Positive Thinking Company

On the same day, the Tech Seminar, The Future of Tech, attracted nearly 200 participants, including industry leaders, tech enthusiasts, and business professionals. They delved into the remarkable growth and impact of AI, particularly in software product development strategies, sustainability, and tech startups.

The event featured high-profile speakers from leading companies such as Amazon Web Services (AWS), National Australia Bank (NAB), JobAdder...

As a global tech company, CBTW also commits to pledging 1% of its revenue to support global and local education, giving back to the communities where it operates.

As part of this initiative, participants at the grand finale of CodeFest were invited to vote for an educational project supported by Positive Thinking Company in collaboration with NGOs in Vietnam.

The project to build computer rooms, run by Saigon Children's Charity, garnered the highest number of votes and will receive a donation of VND 60 million from CBTW and Positive Thinking Company to further its efforts in Vietnam in 2024.

BDV in 2023 garnered significant attention and sponsorship from companies such as HackerRank, Holiday Inn & Suites Saigon Airport, FutureWorld Vietnam, Jabra, Phong Vu, Thegioididong, Coolmate, Itviec...

Positive Thinking Company is a brand of CBTW (Collaboration Betters the World), a global tech company operating in over 20 countries with a team of 4,000 tech experts working across Europe, the Americas, Asia, and Africa.

Its core expertise in APAC includes software product engineering, which involves combining agile methodologies, advanced technology, collaborative tools, and multidisciplinary teams to develop web and mobile apps, enterprise apps, platforms, and eCommerce; and Build Operate Transfer (BOT) model, a unique and bespoke model for scaling custom software and product development centers in Vietnam on behalf of global clients.
Warsaw court overturns ban on pro-Palestinian march

Xinhua) 04:33, November 17, 2023

WARSAW, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A court in Warsaw on Thursday ruled to overturn a decision by the city's mayor to prohibit a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

Similar demonstrations have been held in various cities around the world since the escalation of Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski said on social media platform X on Thursday that the court had reversed the city's decision despite doubts about the safety of the planned demonstration, including concerns over terrorism.

However, Trzaskowski added: "We accept this decision."

He had announced the ban on the march on Wednesday, citing the police's inability to ensure safety in the narrow streets surrounding the Israeli Embassy in Warsaw.

Scheduled for 1:00 pm (1200 GMT) on Saturday, the demonstration will start at Zbawiciela Square and proceed towards the Israeli Embassy.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
Red-crowned cranes in Tram Chim National Park in Dong Thap Province in southern Vietnam. Photo by Nguyen Van Hung

Dong Thap Province will bring two red-crowned cranes from Thailand to its Tram Chim National Park in early December as part of an effort to restore the species in Vietnam.

Nguyen Phuoc Thien, deputy chairman of the Mekong Delta province, said the procedures to bring them to Vietnam have been completed.

"The crane couple, a male and a female, could be six months or older," he said.

Vietnam and Thailand in April signed an agreement on breeding and transferring cranes from Nakhon Ratchasima Zoo for release in Dong Thap, as well as training staff and developing captive-rearing facilities and a monitoring system.

The province is aiming to release 150 cranes into Tram Chim Park in the next decade, and keeping at least 100 of them until they can form their own flocks.

Spanning 7,500 hectares, Tram Chim is recognized under the Ramsar Convention as a wetland of international importance, the fourth in Vietnam, and 2,000th in the world.

The park is famous as a natural habitat for the large East Asian red-crowned crane, among the rarest in the world and classified as "endangered" by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The birds usually arrive from Cambodia in December and stay until May, when it is the dry season in southern Vietnam.

They come to forage and mate prior to the onset of rains and floods. Until 1980 thousands came every winter, but in recent years that story has changed with only a couple of dozen visiting the park at most each year.

This year, none arrived, as in 2022. In 2021, only three showed up.

Nguyen Hoai Bao, deputy director of the Center of Wetland Studies at HCMC University of Science and a volunteer at the International Crane Foundation (ICF), told VNExpress that in the delta, the conversion of natural wetland areas into lands for rice cultivation and aquaculture and the overuse of chemical fertilizers and pesticides had destroyed the ecological balance, giving red-crowned cranes almost no chance to live.

Dong Thap announced in June that it would $3.25 million on a project to raise red-crowned cranes in combination with tourism and agricultural development.

It said a part of the funds will be used for creating habitats for the cranes, including growing rice, and developing eco-tourism services.

According to the ICF, there are around 15,000-20,000 red-crowned cranes worldwide, with 8,000-10,000 in India, Nepal and Pakistan and the rest in Indochina.

In Vietnam and Cambodia, their numbers have fallen from 850 in 2014 to 179 in 2020.

In Thailand, no cranes have been seen in the wild since 1980s, and the country launched a program to restore red-crowned cranes in 2011.

There are currently around 100 cranes in Thailand.
The aftermath of an accident where a car backed up towards a jewelry store and hit a security guard in Hai Phong, Nov. 15, 2023. Photo by VnExpress/Le Tan

A woman in northern Hai Phong City backed up her car into a jewelry store and hit a security guard, who later died at hospital.

Nguyen Mai Anh, 36, was reversing her car on the sidewalks of Cau Dat Street, Ngo Quyen District on Wednesday afternoon. As she could not control her car properly, it rammed into a jewelry store and hit Le Van Hanh, 63, a security guard at the store.

The car continued to hit a motorbike parked in the front of the shop, destroying the stores glass door and cabinets.

Woman backs up car into jewelry store, kills security guard Nu tai xe lai xe vao cua hang khien bao ve trong thuong Security camera footage shows a car reserving into a jewelry store in Hai Phong.

Hanh suffered multiple injuries due to the impact and was taken to the Vietnam-Czech Friendship Hospital.

On Thursday, a representative of the Cau Dat Ward Peoples Committee said the patient has died, Cong An Nhan Dan newspaper reported.

Anh did not have alcohol in her system at the point of the incident, authorities said, adding that she might have mistaken between her brakes and her pedals.
Anyone looking to get a unique gift for the holidays may want to head to the museum.

The LaPorte County Historical Society Museum will host its third annual Holiday Artisan Fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 2.

"There will be local artisans offering unique holiday gift items; ornaments, jewelry, original prints and cards, ceramics, organic pet treats, crochet, fiber art, resin art and more. It's the perfect place to find a gift for someone who has everything," Assistant Director Savannah Jackson said. "The museum gift shop will also be open, offering a place to buy LaPorte County merchandise for the historians in your life."

Entrance will be by donation.

The museum at 2405 Indiana Ave. also will host author Barry Veden at 7 p.m. on Nov. 21 at its Historical Society Museum. It's open to both members and the general public.

"Author Barry Veden will be discussing two of his acclaimed books: 'My Heroes: The Men of the Northern Indiana Chapter XXX Veterans of the Battle of the Bulge' and 'We Were There'. These books tell the true stories of Northern Indiana veterans during the Battle of the Bulge and the Vietnam War," Jackson said. "Come join us for this fascinating program."

The three-story museum features the Belle Gunness exhibit about the infamous serial killer, the Kesling Auto Collection, period rooms and the W. A Jones Collection of Ancient Weapons that displays nearly 850 vintage weapons.

For more information, visit laportecountyhistory.org or call 219-324-6767.
PORTAGE TOWNSHIP  A Porter County police officer said his fully marked vehicle was nearly struck along a local stretch of U.S. 6 by a repeat drunken driver travelling nearly twice the speed limit.

The officer said he was eastbound on U.S. 6 around 11:25 p.m. Wednesday in the area of Timberline Parkway when a black Dodge Durango pulled out on the highway nearly striking him.

Porter County cop attacked, repeatedly punched by drunk Valpo man, report says "I asked Nickolas (Hillers) if he was done resisting and he said, 'No, we haven't started (expletive),' " the officer said after pinning Hillers to the ground.

The officer said he began following the vehicle and said it was travelling at 65 mph in the 35 mph zone. The vehicle also travelled out of its lane a few times before it was stopped near Ind. 149.

The driver, identified by police as John Taylor, 43, of South Haven, smelled of alcohol and reportedly admitted to have been drinking.

Former Region cop sentenced by feds for violent arrest The former Gary cop admitted that after handcuffing the victim following the March 19, 2019 traffic stop, he slammed the driver's face and head against a police vehicle, breaking the mans tooth and causing him bodily injury, officials said.

Taylor refused to take part in sobriety tests, so police obtained a warrant and had blood drawn before taking him to jail.

Upon learning Taylor had been convicted of operating while intoxicated in November 2018, he was charged with a felony count of OWI with a prior conviction and two other OWI counts, including one of endangering others, police said.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into the Porter County Jail Lwiyhi Torres-Alvarez Michael Oprisko Shayna McNeil Quentin Heckman Destiny Grakauskas Daniel Sutton Kameron Watkins Lily Stratton Travis Schirato Lewis Stahl Jonathon Daniels Seth Garrison Annie Brasher Jeremy Worley Selena Rivera Jonathan Thien Rachael Trinidad Benjamin Long Raymond Byrd Ryenn Dearing Jennifer Hurt Brian Augustynski Hector Ayala Joshua Vasquez Brett Volk Brock Pappas Antonio Tito-Acatitlan Tonya Worley Kayden Whiteside Patrick Carter Edward Remm Dylan Apgar Luke Bucksbarg Jonathon O'Brien Anthony Kyle Keon Moten Trennell Walker Brooke White Justin Troutwine Willie Armstrong Richard Drescher Holly Hardee Scott Pachowicz James Pierce
EAST CHICAGO  A 41-year-old man was arrested on Wednesday morning after entering the East Chicago Police Department detention garage holding a semi-automatic firearm in his right hand, EC police said.

At approximately 5:45 a.m., Officer Flavio Huerta pulled his marked squad car into the detention center. Huerta began vacuuming his car and putting air in the tires prior to starting his shift.

Officer Corey Hollowell was outside in the parking lot when he observed Marc L. King enter the detention garage, police said. Both officers drew their weapons ordering King to drop his weapon.

King complied and was taken into custody. When asked why he was at the detention garage, King replied, "I need more bullets," police said.

King, of East Chicago, was charged with two felonies for possession of cocaine and unlawful carrying of a handgun, and two misdemeanors for criminal trespassing and unlawful possession of a firearm by a dangerous person. He is also being held on an East Chicago warrant for trespassing, police said.

EC police said their detention parking lot and detention garage are secure areas with clearly marked "No trespassing" signs.

Gallery: Recent arrests booked into Lake County Jail Walter Teal Lafaitte Vaneyck Denzel Rossen Tommy Talley Jr. Jeff Henderson Jr. Carlos Johnson Jessica Johnson Paul Martin Michael Riley Diamond Harris Kevin Carter Alexander Fuentes Sanchez Jacqueline Bergren Terrance Williams Julian Wilson Shconda Sanders Claudia Taylor Eric Randolph Adrian Rodriguez Cathleen McHugh Camaria Parson Kennyada Preshon Kapafule Lusanga Marcelino Martinez-Perez Angel Adekoya Brian Coram Shaquille Ellis James Wagner Flavio Quintanilla Melara Adarberto Sanchez John Simmons Jr. Molly Murphy Fermin Ortiz Joshua King Paris Mitchell Randy Jacobs Ray East Julian Grier-Hill Jamson Coulter Jada Dalton Steven Davis Bruce Burns Robert Coats Anthony Barnett Kenneth Bingaman
HAMMOND  Akhtar Zaman gave Felix Maldonado Jr. images of bridges, buildings and highways and asked him to illustrate what civil engineers do.

The result  a colorful display of lines and geometric shapes depicting wind turbines, geotechnical engineering equipment, skyscrapers and more.

"Every civilization is built on civil engineering to some extent," Zaman, the principal engineer with Advanced Engineering Services said during a Wednesday afternoon ribbon cutting for the mural. "We wanted to give people a general feel for what we do."

Advanced Engineering Services, or AES, officially started operations in 2019. At first, AES' staff consisted of just Zaman. The company, which specifically does geotechnical engineering, operated out of a small office on Calumet Avenue. Their staff has since grown to 21 and in April AES moved into Hammond's longtime Comcast building at 844 169th St.

AES had to spend almost $200,000 gutting and revamping the inside of the aged building. There were leaks, much of the drywall was falling apart and the roof needed repairs, Zaman recalled. Now the old studio where countless public access TV episodes were shot is filled with brand-new cubicles and the back of the facility contains neat rows of soil samples.

"Keeping buildings in Hammond is something our economic development team prioritizes. We don't ever want to lose a business, but sometimes businesses outgrow their first location and they need to move into a new building," Hammond Mayor Thomas McDermott Jr. said he has a "sweet spot" for the former Comcast building because he used the studios to campaign when he first ran for mayor two decades ago.

When AES first took over the wall facing the parking lot was "bleak and blank," Zaman explained. He reached out to Maldonado, a renown Region artist and East Chicago native.

"It's great to see a company take an old building an reinvest and make it nicer and make it better," McDermott said. "But to also unveil brand-new art on the exterior to make the neighborhood a better place, is just going above and beyond."

"I want to say thank you to Advanced Engineering Services for keeping Hammond as your home, for reinvesting in Hammond and helping make Hammond a better place by investing in the public arts."

AES is currently working on the double track project and the West Lake Corridor extension. Zaman said he hopes the company will call their new building home for a long time.

PHOTOS: New mural at Hammond's Advanced Engineering Services Advanced Engineering Services gets a new mural completed by Felix Maldonado Jr. Advanced Engineering Services gets a new mural completed by Felix Maldonado Jr. Advanced Engineering Services gets a new mural completed by Felix Maldonado Jr. Advanced Engineering Services gets a new mural completed by Felix Maldonado Jr. Advanced Engineering Services gets a new mural completed by Felix Maldonado Jr. Advanced Engineering Services gets a new mural completed by Felix Maldonado Jr. Advanced Engineering Services gets a new mural completed by Felix Maldonado Jr.
The National Book Award ceremony took a political turn on Wednesday night, as the event concluded with a joint statement from a group of writers who called for a cease-fire in Gaza.

For the final award of the night, Justin Torres received the fiction prize for Blackouts, his widely acclaimed, genre-defying novel about erasure and queer history. As Torres gave his speech, more than a dozen other nominees from different categories joined him on the stage. They stood behind Aaliyah Bilal, a finalist in the fiction category for her short story collection Temple Folk, as she read the statement.

On behalf of the finalists, we oppose the ongoing bombardment of Gaza and call for a humanitarian cease-fire to address the urgent humanitarian needs of Palestinian civilians, particularly children, Bilal said. We oppose antisemitism and anti-Palestinian sentiment and Islamophobia equally, accepting the human dignity of all parties, knowing that further bloodshed does nothing to secure lasting peace in the region. 

While the conflict in the Middle East was referenced repeatedly over the evening, most of the ceremony focused on literary issues, like the power of literature to broaden perspectives, and the dangers of censorship and the threat of growing book bans.

The ceremonys host, LeVar Burton, an actor and literacy advocate who hosted the PBS series Reading Rainbow for more than 20 years, has been pushing back on book bans and restrictions around the country, which have been a growing concern for authors and publishers in recent years.

Theres a reason why books are under attack, Burton said at the beginning of the ceremony. Its because theyre so powerful.
Biden meets with Xi

President Biden and President Xi Jinping of China shook hands at the entrance of a grand estate set in the hills of California yesterday as they began their first meeting in a year.

To host you in the United States is a great honor and a pleasure, Biden told the Chinese leader.

Planet Earth is big enough for both superpowers, Xi said. He told Biden that their countries were very different but that they should be fully capable of rising above differences.

I firmly believe in the promising future of the bilateral relationship, he said.

The two nations have spiraled into their worst relationship in four decades, and Bidens primary goal was simple: Find a way to keep an increasingly bitter competition with China from tipping into conflict.

No joint statement was expected after the meeting. U.S. officials said each government would provide its own account of the discussions. Here is the latest.
Eight Nevada high school students were arrested on murder charges this week in the death of a 17-year-old boy who was beaten unconscious during an after-school brawl this month, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department said.

The boy who was beaten, Jonathan Lewis Jr., a student at Rancho High School, died of his injuries days after the Nov. 1 attack, the Las Vegas Police Department said at a news conference on Tuesday.

The fight is believed to have started over a pair of stolen headphones, Lt. Jason Johansson of the Police Department said. The students had planned to meet that day after classes in a back alley less than 300 feet from the campus, he said.

An investigation led the police to identify eight students from Rancho High School who were involved in the fight, Lieutenant Johansson said. They were arrested on Tuesday. Their ages range from 13 to 17, he said, adding that the Police Department was working to identify two other people who might have been involved in the fight.
A New York City carriage driver was charged with animal cruelty on Wednesday in a case arising from a feeble horses collapse on a busy Hells Kitchen street in August 2022.

The driver, Ian McKeever, was charged with a misdemeanor count of overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and failing to provide proper sustenance to the horse, Ryder, according to a criminal complaint.

Ryder should not have been working on this hot summer day, Alvin L. Bragg, the Manhattan district attorney, said in a statement. Despite his condition, he was out for hours and worked to the point of collapse.

Mr. McKeever, a 55-year-old Long Island resident, appears to be the first New York carriage driver to be accused of animal cruelty since 2013. He pleaded not guilty at an arraignment in Manhattan Criminal Court and faces up to a year in jail if convicted. His lawyer did not respond to a request for comment.
The New York City Emergency Management Department sent out an alert to New Yorkers around 9:20 p.m. saying that traffic delays and mass transit disruptions could be expected because of the police activity.

Avoid the area, the alert said.

The emergency response caused delays at one of the busiest bus terminals in the United States. The bus terminal serves as many as 260,000 passengers traveling between Manhattan and New Jersey, eastern Pennsylvania and the Lower Hudson Valley each weekday.

Joann Veneziano was one of the hundreds of people waiting outside the building on Wednesday night, checking her phone for updates. An Uber back home to New Jersey was priced at about $100, she said, so she was determined to wait it out until the bus terminal opened its doors again.

Im feeling pretty annoyed, she said. But Im sure theyll open soon.

After passengers were allowed to re-enter the terminal, service was still delayed for some routes, leaving some passengers confused about where their buses could be found.

Do you know when the next one is coming? one woman asked an officer.

Where is it? another man asked in Spanish as lines roughly 20 people deep wrapped around the waiting area.
Seventy years in, the United States-Republic of Korea Alliance is strong and getting stronger. In the words of South Koreas foreign Minister Park Jin, the more insecure the global landscape, the stronger the alliance between the two countries.

This is indeed a time of incredible dynamism and importance for the relationship between the United States and the Republic of Korea, said Secretary of State Antony Blinken during his recent visit of South Korea.

Over the last 70 years, that relationship has grown from a key security alliance into a vital global partnership, he said. On nearly every issue of consequence to our people, the United States and Korea are working closely together. And thats not an accident. Its a reflection of our commitment to this relationship and to this region.

The main challenge facing the two countries is the maintenance and strengthening of security and stability in East Asia and around the globe. In particular, the United States and the Republic of Korea share a strategic convergence when it comes to their approach to China, including with regard to the South and East China Seas and the Taiwan Strait, said Secretary Blinken. It is also worth noting that Korea, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand are now regular and active participants in NATO meetings.



Korea continues to support Ukraines brave efforts to defend its people, to defend its land, to defend its democracy against Russian aggression, he said.

Finally, the two countries are united in their approach to the provocative actions of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea, said Secretary Blinken:

Were seeing the DPRK provide military equipment to Russia for pursuing its aggression against Ukraine, but were also seeing Russia provide technology and support to the DPRK for its own military programs. And thats a real concern for the security of the Korean Peninsula, its a real concern for global nonproliferation regimes, its a real concern for the Russian aggression in Ukraine, and a real concern for its violation of multiple UN Security Council resolutions.

We will keep working with the Republic of Korea, with other interested countries, to identify, to expose, and to counter Russias attempts to acquire military equipment from the DPRK and any state that is prepared to support its war against Ukraine, said Secretary Blinken. And similarly, were looking very hard at the support that Russia is providing to the DPRK.
Last week, I gave a lecture at the University of California at San Diego about politics and social justice. Afterward, as I was signing books, a young Black woman approached my table and whispered a question, asking me what I thought about the horrors playing out in Gaza.

The next person in line was an older Jewish woman who implored me to do whatever you can to change peoples opinions because everybody hates us now, noting that Jewish people had always stood up for civil rights.

Both women had come to hear me speak, expressed their approval of my work in general and, I would assume, agreed with me on many issues. But on the political fallout from the war in Gaza, it seemed pretty clear that they had divergent views, but each assumed that I agreed with her point of view.

Of course, both women are individuals, not spokeswomen for their entire communities. But even so, those brief conversations were a small example of how the war between Israel and Hamas has strained perceptions and relationships in this country among key groups in the progressive coalition and how so many feel as if theyre obligated to declare where they stand.

Taking a position against the killing of civilians  such as Hamass Oct. 7 terror attack and the Israeli militarys operations in Gaza  is relatively easy. It gets harder when considering support for or opposition to the overall prosecution of the war, including the growing calls for a cease-fire. And when the aperture is widened from the particulars of the current violence to the history of the broader conflict, the divergence of opinions becomes even more stark and complicated.

A few weeks ago, I interviewed several pro-Palestinian activists and scholars in America. Almost all of them described themselves as anti-Zionist, but in our conversations, all of them also condemned antisemitism. This week, I turned to Jonathan Greenblatt, the chief executive of the Anti-Defamation League  whom I spoke to soon after he appeared at Tuesdays March for Israel that drew tens of thousands of people to the National Mall  who sees anti-Zionism, by definition, as antisemitism. He told me, Zionism is fundamental to Judaism. He believes that claiming to be anti-Zionist but not antisemitic is like someone saying in 1963 that Im against the civil rights movement, but Im also against racism.

He not only believes that you can be a harsh critic of the Israeli government without being anti-Zionist; he also says that he, like many others, supports Palestinian identity and Palestinian nationalism while also being a Zionist.

It is here, in the dispute over definitions, that things begin to break down and where people on both sides of the issue, who all see themselves as standing for righteousness, are frequently seen by those on the opposing side as standing for hatred and cruelty.

For instance, there are several forms of Zionism, and people in these debates rarely seem to be explicit about which form they are for or against. Political Zionism? Cultural Zionism? Religious Zionism? Some combination of them? Does it matter?

This lack of specificity can contribute to cynicism.

When I talked to the pro-Palestinian activists and scholars, I posed a simple question that is often asked: Do you believe that Israel has a right to exist? To my surprise, none answered with a direct yes.

One of them, the journalist and scholar Marc Lamont Hill, a co-author of Except for Palestine: The Limits of Progressive Politics, told me he believes that all nations deserve to have their territorial integrity honored and respected and doesnt believe we should be harming Israel as a state. He also believes the question is flawed because, in his view, it presumes that every other states right to exist has been affirmed but Israels.

He believes that in that question, what people are really asking is whether Israel has the right to exist as a Jewish state, as an ethnocentric state, to which he responds, no nation has the right to not be a state of all of its citizens or to create a hierarchy along ethnic, racial, gender, religious lines. As Hill sees it, It would be like asking Native Americans if America has a right to exist. He specified that his critique is specifically about political Zionism.

When I told Greenblatt that none of my interviewees gave a direct yes to the right-to-exist question, he said that was almost indescribably offensive because he connects any hesitation on the question to historical antisemitism and a denial of the Jewish peoples right to self-determination.

But Greenblatt and Hill do agree on a narrower point: that there is discrimination against Arabs in Israel. Theres definitely discrimination there, Greenblatt said.

Amnesty International has gone much further, accusing Israel of operating an apartheid regime and declaring that whether they live in Gaza, East Jerusalem and the rest of the West Bank, or Israel itself, Palestinians are treated as an inferior racial group and systematically deprived of their rights.

I emerge from these discussions feeling a sense of whiplash, aware that the dispute is playing out with antisemitic and Islamophobic incidents in this country surging and fear rippling through Jewish, Muslim and Arab communities.

After talking to everyone, I wished that they could all have been in a room talking to one another.

Its hard to accept that smart people who seem to want to do the right thing cant find some common understanding on these issues, find more points of agreement and pull out of a descending cycle of recriminations.

If they dont, I fear that this dispute will be a lose-lose for all.
With the bilateral slaughter in the Middle East unleashing poisons that are worsening hatred worldwide, let me outline what I see as three myths inflaming the debate:

The first myth is that in the conflict in the Middle East there is right on one side and wrong on the other (even if people disagree about which is which).

Life isnt that neat. The tragedy of the Middle East is that this is a clash of right versus right. That does not excuse Hamass massacre and savagery or Israels leveling of entire neighborhoods in Gaza, but underlying the conflict are certain legitimate aspirations that deserve to be fulfilled.

Israelis deserve their country, forged by refugees in the shadow of the Holocaust, and they have built a high-tech economy that largely empowers women and respects gay people, while giving its Palestinian citizens more rights than most Arab nations give their citizens. Israels courts, media freedom and civil society are models for the region, and there is something of a double standard: Critics pounce on Israeli abuses while often ignoring prolonged brutality against Muslims from Yemen to Syria, Western Sahara to Xinjiang.

Likewise, Palestinians deserve a country, freedom and dignity  and they shouldnt be subjected to collective punishment. Weve reached a searing milestone: In just five weeks of war, half of 1 percent of Gazas population has been killed. To put it in perspective, thats more than the share of the American population that was killed in all of World War II  over the course of four years.

A great majority of those killed have been women and children, according to Gazas Hamas-controlled Health Ministry, and one gauge of the ferocity and indiscriminate nature of some airstrikes is that more than 100 United Nations staffers have been killed, which the U.N. says is more than in any conflict since its founding. Perhaps thats because, as an Israeli military spokesman put it early in the conflict, the emphasis is on damage and not on accuracy.

We are normal people, trying to live, an engineer in Gaza told me by phone. He despises Hamas and would like to see it removed from power, but he says that Hamas fighters are safe in tunnels while he and his children are the ones most at risk: Were the civilians paying the price.

Whichever side you are more inclined toward, remember that the other includes desperate human beings merely hoping that their children can live freely and thrive in their own nation.

The second myth is that Palestinians can be put off indefinitely, strung along by Israel, the United States and other countries. That was Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahus strategy, his way of avoiding a Palestinian state, and it worked for a time  the way a pressure cooker works, until it explodes.

Its difficult to know the counterfactual, whether a Palestinian state would have been better for Israeli security. But Palestinian statelessness in retrospect has not made Israel safe, and risks may increase if the Palestinian Authority collapses from corruption, ineffectiveness and lack of legitimacy.

Israels president, Isaac Herzog, said that one of the Hamas attackers on Oct. 7 was carrying instructions for releasing chemical weapons, and thats a reminder of the risk that terrorism experts have worried about for years of extremist groups turning to biological and chemical agents.

Israel has a right to feel anxious in any case, but I suspect that the best way to ensure its security may be not to defer Palestinian aspirations but to honor them with a two-state solution. This is not just a concession to Arabs but a pragmatic acknowledgment of Israels own interests  and the worlds.

The third myth is found on both sides of the conflict and is approximately: Its too bad we have to engage in this bloodshed, but the people on the other side understand only violence.

I hear that from friends who support the war in Gaza and regard me as well-meaning but misguided, as a naif who fails to comprehend the sad reality that the only way to keep Israel safe is to pulverize Gaza and uproot Hamas at whatever human cost.

Hamas indeed understands only violence, and it has been brutal to Israelis and Palestinians alike  but Hamas and Palestinians are not the same, just as violent settlers in the West Bank do not represent all Israelis. Im all for surgical strikes against Hamas and I would be delighted if Israel managed to end extremism in Gaza. But so far, Im afraid that the ferocity and lack of precision in Israels attack have fulfilled Hamass goal of escalating the Palestinian issue and changing the Middle East dynamic (and Hamas is indifferent to Palestinian casualties).

In that sense, Hamas may be winning.

Five weeks into this war, I dont see evidence that Israels military has degraded Hamas in a significant way, but it has killed vast numbers of civilians, put the Palestinian struggle on top of the global agenda, dissipated the initial torrent of sympathy for Israel, prompted people around the globe to march for Palestine, distracted attention from kidnapped Israelis and ruptured any possibility soon of Israels normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia.

My friend Roy Grow, an international relations specialist at Carleton College who died in 2013, used to say that a crucial goal of terror organizations was getting the adversary to overreact. He compared this to jujitsu, with terrorist organizations using their opponents weight against them  and that is what Hamas has done.

Each side has dehumanized the other, but people are complex and neither side is monolithic  and remember that wars are not about populations but about people. These are people like Mohammed Alshannat, a doctoral student in Gaza, who has been sending desperate messages to friends who shared them with me; he agreed to allow me to publish them as a glimpse into Gazan life.

There was heavy bombing in our area, he wrote in English in one message. We run for our lives and I lost two of my children in the dark. Me and my wife stayed all night searching for them amidst hundreds of airstrikes. We miraculously survived an airstrike and found them fainted in the morning. Please pray for us. The situation is beyond description.

I see death a hundred times a day, he wrote another time. We defecate in the open and my children defecate on themselves and there is no water to clean them.

If he survives the war, what will we Americans say to him and his children? How will we explain that we supplied bombs for this war, that we were complicit in his familys terror and degradation?

If there is a path forward toward peace  whether in two states or one state  it will begin with all of us moving beyond stereotypes. Israelis are not the same as Netanyahu, and Palestinians are not the same as Hamas.

Seeking humanity in each side means demanding the release of Israeli hostages and calling out the dehumanization that leads people to pull down posters for kidnapped Israelis. It also means renouncing what Netanyahu called mighty vengeance that transforms entire neighborhoods of Gaza into rubble, with bodies buried underneath.

Im exasperated by people whose hearts bleed for only one side, or who say about the toll on the other: Its tragic, but . No buts. Unless you believe in human rights for Jews and for Palestinians, you dont actually believe in human rights.

If you weep only for Israeli children, or only for Palestinian children, you have a problem that goes beyond your tear ducts. Children on both sides have been slaughtered quite recklessly, and fixing this crisis starts with acknowledging a principle so basic that it shouldnt need mentioning: All childrens lives have equal value, and good people come in all nationalities.
Inside a windowless hotel ballroom on the Baltimore waterfront on Wednesday, more than 250 American bishops were trying to pilot through the choppy waters of the increasingly contentious relationship between Pope Francis and conservative American Catholics, many of them in their own ranks.

But the most visible sign of that struggle was outside on the street, as a small crowd gathered to show support for Bishop Joseph Strickland, the bellicose Texas bishop fired by Francis over the weekend. Bishop Strickland has accused the pope of undermining the Catholic faith and represents an outspoken cohort in the church who view Francis as dangerously liberal.

Just steps from the hotel, Bishop Stricklands supporters sang and knelt to pray with the deposed cleric. Most held rosaries, and some hoisted signs reading, We stand with Bishop Strickland.
Georgia prosecutors asked a judge on Wednesday to revoke the bond of one of Donald J. Trumps co-defendants in the election interference case there amid accusations that he had been intimidating witnesses.

The defendant, Harrison Floyd, who once led a group called Black Voices for Trump, faces charges related to a scheme to pressure a Fulton County, Ga., election worker to falsely say that she had taken part in election fraud. He was the only one of the 19 defendants originally charged in the case who had been jailed, because he did not make arrangements ahead of time to secure a bond agreement.

Since the beginning of the month, prosecutors wrote in their motion, Mr. Floyd has been directing hostile social media posts to the accounts of likely witnesses in the case, including the election worker, Ruby Freeman, and the Georgia secretary of state, Brad Raffensperger, in an effort to intimidate co-defendants and witnesses.

@GaSecofState needs to call his lawyer, Mr. Floyd posted on X, formerly known as Twitter, on Nov. 8. Hes about to go through some things!
The News

The federal Education Department released a new trove of data on Wednesday from the 2020-21 school year, the first full academic year during the coronavirus pandemic. It adds to the understanding of how the education system responded to Covid-19, and demonstrates how many schools struggled to handle the cascade of challenges.

A Statistic That Sums It Up: 88 Percent

Thats the percentage of the countrys 97,600 public schools that operated in hybrid mode during the 2020-21 school year, with few students receiving a full year of in-person learning.

The new statistics come from the Civil Rights Data Collection, a mandatory survey of all public schools in the United States that is administered by the Education Department and is typically conducted every other year.

Because of pandemic delays, the last collection of data covered the 2017-18 school year. Researchers, educators and journalists have been for years looking forward to seeing updated numbers.
What Israel finds  or doesnt  in the hospital could affect international sentiment about the invasion and influence the negotiations taking place on freeing more than 200 hostages being held by Hamas.

Eighteen hours after the raid on the hospital began, the Israeli military released photos and video that it said backed its assertions. It distributed images of 13 guns that it said its soldiers had discovered in the hospital, as well as a statement saying that it had found a military command center in the hospitals M.R.I. unit.

In a video taken at the hospital, a military spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, displayed caches of guns, ammunition, protective vests and Hamas military uniforms, some of which, he said, had been hidden behind M.R.I. machines and others in nearby storage units.

The New York Times was unable to verify the provenance of the weapons and equipment in the images or assess the claim of the command centers existence. Apart from a gunfight outside the hospital at the start of the raid, there were no reports of clashes with Hamas gunmen at the site.

In a statement, Hamas dismissed the Israeli account as a fabricated story that no one would believe.

Should the Israelis in the end be unable to come up with compelling evidence that the hospital was used to house troops, store weapons and command fighters, they may find that the time left to achieve their stated goal  removing Hamas from power  has been curtailed. Israels targeting of Al-Shifa has already drawn global concern; a failure to prove the raids necessity could make Israels international partners less supportive of further Israeli operations in Gaza.

A spokesman for the U.S. National Security Council, John F. Kirby, rejecting Hamas claims that the United States had given the raid on Al-Shifa a green light, said Wednesday that Israel had not alerted the White House ahead of time.

The war began on Oct. 7, after Hamas led a terrorist attack on Israel, killing an estimated 1,200 people and kidnapping roughly 240 others, according to Israeli officials. In the 40 days since, Israels counterattack  by air, sea and land  has killed more than 11,000 people in Gaza, including more than 4,600 children, according to health officials in Gaza.

Israel is pushing to oust Hamas from power and re-establish control over a territory that it occupied in 1967; in 2005, it disbanded its settlements there. Since 2007, when Hamas took full control of the narrow coastal enclave, Israel, in unison with Egypt, has maintained a tight blockade on Gaza.

Initially, at least, the raid on Wednesday seemed to pass without major bloodshed.

Israeli soldiers briefly exchanged fire with gunmen outside the hospital before entering, a senior military official said.

The hospital director, Mohammad Abu Salmiya, said in a broadcast interview with Al Jazeera that the soldiers had destroyed a wall of the hospital compound before entering, shattering several windows and wounding people inside with shrapnel.

We can see the tanks before our eyes and we can see the soldiers walking inside the hospital, he said.
Follow live news updates on the Israel-Hamas war.

President Biden said on Wednesday that the endpoint of the Israel-Hamas conflict has to be a Palestinian state that is real, existing alongside an Israeli one.

He added that he and his aides have been negotiating with Arab nations on next steps, but did not give any details.

I can tell you, I dont think it ultimately ends until theres a two-state solution, Mr. Biden said at a news conference on an estate south of San Francisco after his summit with Xi Jinping, Chinas leader.

Mr. Biden and Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken have been publicly emphasizing the need for a two-state solution in recent days. The establishment of a Palestinian state has long been a U.S. policy goal, but no recent administration has succeeded in making any substantial headway on the issue. The last major push along those lines came from John Kerry when he was secretary of state in the Obama administration.

Mr. Biden said he did not have a specific idea of when to tell Israel it should halt its war in Gaza. He said the fighting would end once Hamas could no longer do horrific things to Israelis. Hamas still has weapons and technology beneath hospitals in Gaza, he said.

U.S. officials have been saying in recent days that Hamas maintains a compound beneath Al-Shifa Hospital, which the Israeli military raided this week despite the presence of civilian patients and doctors. Israeli officials have said that the hospital sits atop a major hub of Hamass tunnel network, and that the terrorist group stockpiles weapons in the area.

Fighters from Hamas and other militant groups killed about 1,200 people on Oct. 7 in southern Israel. The groups also kidnapped about 240 others.

Israels strikes on Gaza in response have killed at least 11,000 people, about 40 percent of them children, according to the health ministry in Gaza, which is run by Hamas.

Mr. Biden said Israeli forces were allowing doctors and nurses at Al-Shifa to get out of harms way, and that this is a different story than I believe what was occurring before with indiscriminate bombing.

Hamas has released four hostages since Oct. 7, and told Israel recently through mediators in Qatar that it is willing to release about 50 more, all women and children, if the right conditions are met, including a release by Israel of a similar number of women and children being held prisoner, said an official briefed on the talks.

Israeli officials have said Hamas has at least 100 women and children and should release them all, the official said. The negotiators are also discussing the possibility of Israel pausing its strikes for three days to allow for the release of hostages in batches.

Mr. Biden said he was mildly hopeful that some hostages would be released, but added he did not know what had occurred during talks in the last four hours.

Mr. Biden added that the United States had been working well with Qatar, which hosts an office for Hamass political leaders, to try and secure the release of the hostages.
Although nominally set in 1940, Black God alludes to the Great Drought of the 1870s and, even more directly, the War of Canudos, a rebellion of the poor led by a charismatic religious leader, Antonio Conselheiro. (The conflict became an instant national epic with Euclides da Cunhas novelistic reportage Rebellion in the Backlands.) Rocha makes the Conselheiro-esque character a Black man; the inspiration for the White Devil is another real-life figure, the outlaw Corisco who led a band of cangaceiros (bandits) in the 1920s and 30s.

These historical individuals are drafted to frame an allegorical plot: After the impoverished tenant farmer Manoel (Geraldo Del Rey) kills the landlord who cheated him, he and his wife, Rosa (Yona Magalhaes), join the followers of the Black God (Lidio Silva). Manoel takes the holy man as his redeemer and suffers the cruelest sort of penance. When the Black God is killed and his army routed, the couple (who are the massacres sole survivors) take up with the White Devil (Othon Bastos). The Black God had proposed to cleanse sinners with the blood of the innocent. The White Devil rapes, pillages and kills the poor so that they will not die of hunger. Enter the bounty hunter Antonio Das Mortes (Mauricio do Valle), who, having been hired by the church to decimate Gods army, returns to decapitate the Devil.

Reviewing the movies two-day run in 1971, the New York Times critic A.H. Weiler found Black God, White Devil to be an overly mystical yet shocking polemic. As savage as a Greek tragedy or an Old Testament revenge-tale, Rochas scenario suggests a cosmic stalemate. The same actor dubs the God and Devil. The same Villa-Lobos music is heard when the saint triumphs and when Manoel joins the sinful cangaceiro. The forces of God and Devil are both destroyed by the implacable gunman Das Mortes, a Rocha invention who becomes the titular subject of a film he makes in 1969.

Black God, White Devil does not pit God against Devil. Rather, both are pitted against humanity, leaving Manoel and Rosa to flee once more, hand in hand, through the allegorical wilderness of the Sertao.

Black God, White Devil

Through Nov. 23 at Film Forum in Manhattan; filmforum.org.
We like to keep history as weve learned it in a headlock, to make sure it doesnt shift or change. Standard maps are useful aids in imposing paralysis. They turn the world into a fixed field of safe-spots and blanks, an us-them weave of gates and fences.

One of the many  many  benefits of much-maligned wokeness has been its message to relax the hold, toss the charts or, better, revise them: explore blanks, rethink fences.

Its thanks to this more free-breathing approach to history, including art history, that were getting a challenger of an exhibition like Africa & Byzantium, which opens at the Metropolitan Museum of Art this Sunday. On the beauty-and-rarity scale its way up there: a treasure-chest of fragile and resplendent things  painted books, topline textiles, gilt-flecked mosaics  many on a first-time visit to New York from Africa, Asia and Europe.

At the same time, as its title suggests, the show confuses  in a good way  certain expectations about who made what, and what came from where.
Black hair has been a rousing topic for politicians, comedians and artists for decades. Malcolm X argued that straightening Black hair to conform to white beauty standards was a form of racist brainwashing. Regina Kimbell made a documentary with the brilliant title My Nappy Roots: A Journey Through Black Hair-itage (2010) and the comedian Chris Rock made a similar documentary, Good Hair (2009), about the Black hair industry (and, of course, got in trouble at the Oscars for mentioning a Black actresss lack of hair). Now a Broadway play, Jajas African Hair Braiding, written by Jocelyn Bioh, celebrates the masterpieces created by West African immigrants on womens heads in a Harlem braiding shop.

Whats often missing from the Black hair narrative is the experience of Black nonbinary people. The Philadelphia artist Jonathan Lyndon Chases sprawling show at Artists Space helps fill the gap with dozens of bold figurative paintings and sculptures, clearly inspired by Cubism, Surrealism and Pop Art, that consider how hair cutting, grooming and caregiving help create a Black queer community.
The, Piyush Goyal, recently hosted a roundtable discussion with academicians at. The discussion focused on the potential for collaboration between Indian and international higher education institutions to find innovative solutions to address pressing global challenges. The goal of the discussion was to promote a robust exchange of knowledge and research.Minister Piyush Goyal posted on X, "Held a roundtable discussion with prominent academicians at Stanford University. Highlighted the vast opportunities for collaboration with India's higher education institutions to foster a vibrant exchange of knowledge, research, and pathbreaking solutions to key global issues". Goyal emphasized the vast opportunities for academic partnerships between Stanford University and institutions in India.He stressed the importance of fostering an environment that encourages the flow of ideas and expertise, contributing to developing cutting-edge solutions that transcend geographical boundaries. The roundtable discussion delved into various aspects of collaboration, including joint research initiatives, student and faculty exchange programs, and creating platforms for interdisciplinary dialogue. Goyal acknowledged the role of academia in shaping the future and addressing complex global issues.Prominent academicians at Stanford University welcomed the proposal, expressing enthusiasm for fostering meaningful collaborations that could drive advancements in diverse fields. The discussions encompassed areas such as technology, healthcare, sustainability, and social innovation. As the meeting concluded, Minister Goyal expressed optimism about the potential positive impact of such collaborations, reinforcing India's commitment to global cooperation in higher education.The roundtable held at Stanford University is a clear example of India's proactive approach towards building international partnerships for the progress and development of education, research, and innovation. Earlier, Piyush Goyal, the Minister of Commerce and Industry, led an engaging interaction with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and venture capitalists. During the discussion, the minister highlighted India's thriving business ecosystem, growing economy, and immense potential for strategic investments.During an engaging session, Minister Goyal highlighted the ideal investment climate fostered by India's young and dynamic talent pool. He highlighted the diverse opportunities within the Indian business landscape, emphasizing its resilience and adaptability. By reaching out to Silicon Valley, a global hub for innovation and technology, Goyal aims to strengthen India's position in the international investment arena. The minister's insights resonated with the entrepreneurial spirit of the gathered audience, leading to a dialogue aimed at forging stronger economic ties between India and the United States.
The screening of Israelism at Hunter had been planned since June, according to Tami Gold, a professor in the film and media department who organized the screening. The movie, made by a nearly all-Jewish team, follows two young Jews, Simone Zimmerman and Eitan (who withholds his last name). In the West Bank, where Eitan served in the military, they meet Palestinians and Israelis, encountering the realities of the more than five-decade-long occupation.

The film also features outside experts, including the philosopher Cornel West, a supporter of Palestinian rights who is now running for president; Jeremy Ben-Ami, the founder of the liberal Jewish group J Street; and Abraham H. Foxman, the former national director of the Anti-Defamation League, who connects his staunch support for Israel to his experiences as a Holocaust survivor. (In June, Foxman wrote on social media that he regretted participating, calling it an anti-Israel and anti-American Jewish community film.)

Daniel J. Chalfen, one of the films producers, said there had initially been some pushback, including when a screening in June was hosted by the Israel studies center at the University of California, Los Angeles. Otherwise, there was no safety or security issue prior to Oct. 7, he said.

After the Hamas surprise attack that day, which killed about 1,200 people, according to the Israeli government, screenings were paused for about 10 days, Chalfen said. Since then, some venues have asked to postpone, and a screening at Grinnell College in Iowa was canceled.

Hunters decision, Chalfen said, was the result of a very organized campaign to shut it down.

Kelly Anderson, the chair of the film and media department, said that on Nov. 8, she received an email from an administrator with the subject line Just in case you thought this had died down.

The email said that over the previous 14 hours, Hunter had received between 250 and 300 copies of an identical email calling on the college to cancel the screening.

Its not portraying an interesting viewpoint, the emails said of the film. Its simply promoting anti-Israel sentiment. There is never a time to air this film, but especially not at a time when the A.D.L. reports that incidents of harassment, vandalism and assaults against Jews have increased by 388 percent over the same time last year.

Last week, another email campaign emerged on Facebook, encouraging people to send a different, more harshly worded email urging Hunter to cancel the film, which was described as antisemitic. The film was solely created with the goal of convincing its viewers that Israel is an apartheid state, and that the Palestinians have been victimized, the letter claims.

On Friday, Anderson and Gold said, they were approached by the dean, Andrew Polsky, about security issues. He suggested hiring an extra security guard, but was generally supportive of going forward, they said.

But then Polsky got in touch again, saying that access would be limited to students and faculty and staff members. Anderson said she was not worried about safety, particularly once no outside audience was permitted. Our students are so used to being in classrooms with people different from them, she said. I think the heat is really online, with these groups that are riled up.

But on Tuesday morning, Anderson was told that Kirschner had decided to cancel the screening entirely. (DiMiceli said that both Polsky and Kirschner were unavailable for comment.)

In a meeting that morning, Anderson said, Kirschner reiterated her concerns about safety, and also said she found the tone of the films trailer mocking. No one in the room, including herself, had seen the full documentary, Anderson said. (DiMiceli, in an email, said that Kirschner had found the tone of one scene, featuring a Jewish day school student, mocking.)

On Tuesday night, even though the screening was forbidden, roughly 70 students and faculty members met to talk with the director and one of the people featured in the film.

Everyone was extremely respectful of one another, Anderson said. It was a very mixed group. They were unhappy with this decision. They felt censored.

Marc Tracy contributed reporting.
How Trumps lawyers are trying to flip the script

Donald Trumps defenses in his federal election interference case are coming into focus: a mix of blame shifting, political attacks and a kind of legal gaslighting.

The indictment by the special counsel, Jack Smith, accuses Trump of a multipronged endeavor to overturn the 2020 presidential election, disenfranchise voters, and obstruct the transfer of presidential power, in the words of one of Smiths assistants.

Defendants typically fight charges by denying responsibility. But Trump and his lawyers, at least so far, arent saying that he didnt do what hes accused of; they are saying that he did it, but for benign, even admirable reasons.

In essence, they are trying to flip the script of the indictment and reframe all of the steps Trump took to stay in power after losing the election  the things that the government calls crimes  as proper efforts to ensure a free and fair election. Trump is trying to convince the court that the moves he made to cling to power were really innocuous, perhaps even admirable conduct, as prosecutors put it.
There are hundreds and hundreds of activists  Crowd: Go home Xi Jinping!  who are coming together from all corners of this nation. We are really upset. Xi Jinping doesnt deserve the red carpet reception. Crowd: We want freedom. We want freedom. We want justice. I am a Tibetan American. Im Uyghur American. I was an anonymous activist during the height of the Hong Kong movement for democracy. The reason why some of us have come hundreds of miles is because Tibetans inside Tibet cannot say the simple two words: Free Tibet. This kind of protest where Xi Jinping is actually here in the U.S. is like once every decade or so. So our goal, what we want, is to be able to have that blip, that momentary second, where that message can be received to the architect of the policies that have deeply fragmented the way of life for people. The last time Xi Jinping was in the U.S., a lot of Hong Kong people, including myself, still had some of hope that perhaps Hong Kong would be able to fight for a sort of democracy and freedom. People I used to work with, you know, started getting arrested. One by one, our relatives, loved ones, friends that disappeared and we didnt know what was going on. And then we heard about the concentration camps, but we had no idea, right? Since his last visit in the United States till now, we have just seen a rapid escalation of the tools and tactics to repress Tibetans. Crowd: Human rights in Tibet  free Hong Kong! Our issues are not as separated anymore, but its more about how marginalized communities can learn to use our voices to rise up together. If we dont unite now, it will become too late for us to reverse the course of Xi Jinpings actions and the policies that he hopes to implement. Community members, they cant come because theyre afraid of retaliation by the Chinese government. But we need to, you know, take off from work, prioritize this, and be there and be their voice.
Unionized Starbucks workers walked off the job on Thursday to press their demands for contract negotiations and spotlight their complaints over staffing and scheduling issues.

The union representing the striking workers, Starbucks Workers United, said the walkout involved thousands of workers at more than 200 stores. Starbucks said workers were protesting at fewer than 100 stores, with most of those stores remaining open. The company has roughly 9,300 corporate-owned stores in the United States.

The stoppage coincides with an annual Starbucks promotion, Red Cup Day, in which customers receive bright-red reusable cups if they order a holiday-themed beverage, like a Sugar Cookie Almondmilk Latte.

Starbucks Workers United has said events like Red Cup Day force employees to handle more orders than usual but without sufficient staffing.
Former President Donald J. Trumps social media company is running on fumes and could be at risk of folding if it doesnt find new funds in a hurry.

In a regulatory filing this week, auditors for Trump Media & Technology Group expressed doubt about the companys ability to continue as a going concern without new financing. The filing also made clear that Trump Media desperately needs to complete its long-delayed merger with a cash-rich shell company so that it can tap $300 million in cash, especially if its flagship online platform, Truth Social, has any chance of surviving.

The document, which offers the first detailed look at Trump Medias finances, was filed with regulators as part of the companys pending deal with Digital World Acquisition Corporation, the publicly traded shell company it agreed to merge with in 2021.

If the transaction goes through, it could value Trump Media at $1 billion based on Digital Worlds share price of $16.60. Yet, the rich valuation is no guarantee that the company, which largely relies on advertising revenue from Truth Social  and Truth Social itself  will be a viable business. Trump Media had little cash on hand by the end of June, and it has exhausted most of the $37 million in private financing it has raised since 2021, according to the filing.
Its the end of fire season in the Amazon, where I am, and I can smell the smoke from burning trees. So can millions of people in Indonesia, India and the United States.

This is almost certainly the hottest year on record, and it seems to be fire season somewhere just about every day.

Experts tell us that the world has always experienced fire year-round. The difference now is that these fires are a lot harder to ignore.

So far this year, wildfires have sent 2,020 megatons of carbon into the atmosphere, according to data from Europes Copernicus Atmosphere Monitoring Service. Thats more than what Russia, the worlds third-largest emitter in 2021, behind the U.S. and China, produced that year.
Regulators in Britain on Thursday approved the first treatment derived from CRISPR, the revolutionary gene-editing method. Called Casgevy, the treatment is intended to cure sickle-cell disease and a related condition, beta thalassemia.

The manufacturers, Vertex Pharmaceuticals, based in Boston, and CRISPR Therapeutics, based in Switzerland, say about 2,000 patients in Britain with sickle-cell disease or beta thalassemia are expected to be eligible for the treatment.

The companies anticipate that the Food and Drug Administration will approve Casgevy for sickle-cell patients in the United States in early December. The agency will decide on approval for beta thalassemia next year.

In late December, the F.D.A. is expected to approve another sickle cell gene therapy by Bluebird Bio of Somerville, Mass. That treatment does not rely on gene editing, instead using a method that inserts new DNA into the genome.
Thumbs up.

Five stars.

Youll love it.

Its very easy to use.

It will never break!

Have you ever been fooled by the bluster and hype of a fake or misleading online review?

The internet has democratized the ability to review. No longer do we have to wait for a select group of experts to give its stamp of approval. Instead, anybody can write what he or she thinks online. But who exactly is writing the reviews we read? How reliable are they?

In Fake Reviews Are Rampant Online. Can a Crackdown End Them?, Stuart A. Thompson writes about a wave of regulation and industry action to address the problem, but experts say the problem may be insurmountable:

After Dr. Mark J. Mohrmann completed a successful orthopedic procedure in 2019, his patient turned to Yelp, the review website, to share his appreciation. Dr. Mark made me feel that I was in safe hands, the patient wrote in a five-star review. Only the writer was not an actual patient, and there was no procedure. His review was fake  part of an effort to boost the online ratings for Dr. Mohrmanns business using phony positive reviews, according to an analysis by Fake Review Watch, an industry watchdog. Last month, Dr. Mohrmann agreed to pay a $100,000 penalty to settle with New Yorks attorney general on charges of deceiving the public with fake reviews. The fake review for Dr. Mohrmann is just one example of the billion-dollar fake review industry, where people and businesses pay marketers to post fake positive reviews to Google Maps, Amazon, Yelp and other platforms, and deceive millions of customers each year. Fake reviews are as old as the internet itself, and they are illegal and banned by online platforms. But fake review businesses have continued to blossom anyway. Now, for the first time, a wave of regulation and moves by tech companies are coalescing in a more concerted effort to turn the tide. This summer, the Federal Trade Commission proposed a sweeping rule that would punish businesses for buying or selling fake reviews, among other restrictions. In October, several online platforms, including Amazon and Expedia, announced a coalition that would share information and resources among companies to combat review fraud. And late last month, New Yorks attorney general, Letitia James, issued her own warning across the state, saying in a statement that fake reviews were illegal and unacceptable. Experts warned, however, that the fake review problem may be so enormous that it is insurmountable, and note that fake reviewers survived previous crackdowns.

Students, read the entire article and then tell us:

Do you read online reviews to help you make decisions  about movies, books, music, clothes, appliances or stores? Why, or why not?

Whats your approach to online reviews, and how do you decide which are trustworthy? Have you ever been burned by a fake or inaccurate online review? Have you ever made a fantastic discovery from a review you read on the internet or social media?

Do you ever write online reviews yourself? If so, why? Do you think your reviews are informative, accurate and useful to other consumers?

Whats your reaction to the article? Were you surprised to learn that posting fake reviews is a billion-dollar industry? Do you think you will change any of your consumer behavior based on what you have learned?

The article describes some of the efforts to crack down on phony reviews. Which do you think might be most effective? In your opinion, what responsibility do popular platforms like Amazon and Google have to combat deceptive reviews?

Want to fight the scourge of fake reviews? Write your own original one and submit it to our Ninth Annual Student Review Contest. The contest runs until Dec. 6.
Modestly scaled and tonally perfect, Fallen Leaves opens in a fluorescent hell-on-earth and ends with a vision of something like paradise. In between, there are lonely nights, fleeting joys, ordinary degradations, laborious work, karaoke reveries, many cigarettes and more drinks. A lot of the drinks are downed hurriedly and often furtively by a man, while elsewhere a woman listens to sad songs. Outwardly, these two are leading lives of quiet desperation, though because this is an Aki Kaurismaki movie, their despair comes with great comic timing.

A Finnish writer-director best known on the international festival circuit (Fallen Leaves won a major award at the 2023 Cannes), Kaurismaki makes movies  precise, austere, plaintive  that resist compartmentalization. Since the early 1980s, he has honed his minimalist visual style and quietly ironic sensibility in more than 20 narrative features that tend to be classed as comedy dramas, tragicomedies or some other hyphenated admixture; the movies are sometimes described as bittersweet, though, for me, their long aftertaste tends to be more sweet than bitter. Yet even these descriptors are too confining.

Set in contemporary Helsinki, Fallen Leaves opens on the woman who listens to sad songs; its a habit that suggests shes a familiar genre type  she isnt. A supermarket worker of indistinct age and few smiles, Ansa (Alma Poysti) is impassively restocking some shelves when you first see her. Its a vivid tableau of everyday banality complete with listless customers, unflattering lighting and the rhythms of alienated labor. And then there is the petty humiliation embodied by the uniformed market guard hawkishly watching Ansa, as if she is a prisoner who, at any second, is about to make a break from it.

Thats pretty much what happens when a supermarket manager later fires Ansa for taking some expired food. (She also gives food away.) Kaurismaki doesnt furiously underscore the cruelty of the managers decision; the violence of Ansas termination  and that of the pitiless world the manager serves  is as self-evident as the horror in each news report from Ukraine that she regularly listens to. Instead, with a few restrained words and the pacific countenance of a typical Kaurismaki character, Ansa keeps her composure and her eyes on the manager, turning her inexpressiveness into a form of dignified resistance. She makes her break.
Amid a climate of invigorated interest in the assassination of John F. Kennedy  stoked by the media capitalizing on the 60th anniversary of his death to reignite familiar debates  Barbara Shearers JFK: What the Doctors Saw contributes some clarity to the conspiratorial noise by centering on a tiny piece of the puzzle: the professional opinions of the physicians present in the presidents Parkland Memorial Hospital emergency room.

While some documentaries feel like rundowns of a Wikipedia page, What the Doctors Saw (streaming on Paramount+) more closely resembles a Q. and A. session with Siri. What did the staff observe? An entrance wound on Kennedys throat. What does that suggest? A bullet entered from the front. Why is that significant? It contradicts the findings of the Warren Commission.
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Stationary battery manufacturer Hithium and solar project EPC provider Solarpro have announced a strategic partnership, with their first project to . . .
Roughly two million people convicted of crimes in New York may be eligible to have their records sealed as part of a broad criminal justice initiative that was signed into law on Thursday by Gov. Kathy Hochul.

Under the so-called Clean Slate Act, people who complete their sentences and remain out of trouble for a set period  three years for misdemeanors, eight for eligible felonies  will have their convictions sealed. The most serious crimes, including sex crimes, murder and most other Class A felonies, will not be eligible for automatic sealing.

New York is now one of a dozen states that have enacted such laws, which are aimed at interrupting the cycle of recidivism by enabling formerly incarcerated people access to jobs and housing.

The law will go into effect a year from now, though it will take three more years to clear the records of those currently waiting.
A former member of the Nation of Islam who was exonerated in the assassination of Malcolm X filed a federal lawsuit on Thursday in a case that could shed new light on the F.B.I.s role in one of the most notorious murders of the civil rights era.

The lawsuit brought by the man, Muhammad A. Aziz, who spent more than 20 years in prison and was cleared of the murder in 2021, accuses the F.B.I. of hiding evidence that suggested he played no role in the 1965 death of Malcolm X, a leading figure in the historic social movement to empower disenfranchised Black Americans.

Mr. Azizs suit, which names at least 19 bureau officials and seeks $40 million in damages, claims top officials, including J. Edgar Hoover, engaged in a pattern and practice of causing miscarriages of justice. Mr. Hoover, who is known to have ordered the surveillance and harassment of leaders of the civil rights movement, led the bureau for nearly half a century until his death in 1972.

A companion lawsuit was filed on behalf of the estate of Khalil Islam, who was also convicted of the crime and died in 2009, more than a decade before his exoneration.
Mayor Eric Adams announced painful budget cuts to New York City services on Thursday that would freeze police hiring and close libraries on Sunday and warned that more cuts would be necessary without additional federal funding to manage the migrant crisis.

The budget cuts would bring the number of Police Department officers below 30,000 for the first time since the 1980s, slash the Education Department budget by $1 billion over two years and delay the rollout of composting in the Bronx and Staten Island  one of the mayors signature initiatives to address rats and climate change. The cuts would also weaken two popular programs: summer school and universal prekindergarten.

Mr. Adams said in a statement that he had to make cuts across city agencies in response to the rising costs of the migrant crisis, slowing tax revenues and the ending of federal pandemic aid.

No city should be left to handle a national humanitarian crisis largely on its own, and without the significant and timely support we need from Washington, D.C., todays budget will be only the beginning, he said.
A man exonerated after spending over two decades in prison for murders in Queens that he did not commit will receive a $17.5 million settlement from New York City, an apparent record, according to his lawyer and city data.

The man, George Bell, was convicted with Gary Johnson and Rohan Bolt for the 1996 killing of the owner of a check-cashing store in East Elmhurst and an off-duty police officer who was providing security. Mr. Bell was sentenced in 1999 to life in prison without parole.

In 2021, a judge threw out the three mens convictions and admonished prosecutors for withholding evidence that could have cast doubt on their guilt. The judge also found that prosecutors had made false statements at trial.

These three defendants were undoubtedly wronged by the district attorneys offices misconduct, the judge, Joseph A. Zayas of the Appellate Division of State Supreme Court, wrote in his decision.
Over just a few days last November, Mr. Santos dropped $6,000 at Ferragamo, perhaps some of it on the red designer sneakers he later wore to walk the marble halls of Congress. He withdrew $800 in cash at a casino, where an aide said he liked to play roulette. He paid off his rent, and he pulled out another $1,000 in spending money at an A.T.M. near his apartment in Queens.

It would have been nothing for the kind of wealthy financier Mr. Santos purported to be on the campaign trail. But that was a ruse. All of it was being illegally funded by Mr. Santoss congressional campaign, which wired him $20,000 just after Thanksgiving without ever telling campaign donors or the Federal Election Commission.
When it came to keeping the government open, would he have the guts to be reasonable? The last speaker who prevented a shutdown, Kevin McCarthy, was booted from his position by Republican extremists for working with Democrats to pass a stopgap bill.

Mr. Johnson might have tried to appease the howling kennel on the far right by throwing it a treat in exchange for support, as he did with the I.R.S. enforcement money. But on this bill, he didnt. There were no policy riders or crazy demands for cuts, and as a result, all but two House Democrats voted for it. Republicans, on the other hand, split into their usual camps. Most of the caucus  the 127 members who are, for conveniences sake, called centrists, though few of them really are  voted for the bill, but 93 said no. Many of them said they oppose the idea of stopgap bills on principle, and they dont care what damage a shutdown would do to the economy or the countrys reputation.

Any of those 93 could call for Mr. Johnsons ouster, but thats not going to happen this round. The calculation seems to be that the new speaker is still in some kind of honeymoon period, that no one wants another embarrassing speaker fight or that members want to get home for Thanksgiving without a shutdown hanging over their heads. The far right never trusted Mr. McCarthy, but feels a kinship with Mr. Johnsons fringe cultural positions. But underlying it all is the desire for some running room for the big spending fight to come this winter.

The stopgap bill is weird because it punts that fight to two dates. On Jan. 19, funding will run out for a group of agencies including those handling transportation, housing, energy, agriculture and veterans affairs. On Feb. 2, funding will run out for everything else, including the Pentagon. The danger of that approach is that the far right could create a partial shutdown on Jan. 19 of agencies they dont care about, which is the kind of bloody trophy many of them would be proud to carry home and wave around.

That kind of threat could really become reality, along with a full shutdown on Feb. 2, because the extremists are eager to start demanding their favorite policy provisions in the full-year spending bills for each agency that will be necessary after the stopgap. (Mr. Johnson has said he wont do any more stopgaps, known as continuing resolutions.)
Over 100,000 Americans now die from drug overdoses annually. To combat this crisis in New York City and save lives, Mayor Bill de Blasio decided to support an initiative rife with controversy: In November 2021, his government allowed OnPoint, a nonprofit, to open two overdose prevention centers, where people with addictions can inject or smoke drugs like opioids and stimulants under medical supervision to reduce the risk of overdose death. Upon taking office, Mayor Eric Adams, Mr. de Blasios successor, has continued to support the sites work.

Some neighbors, politicians and media have claimed that the centers  one in East Harlem and one in Washington Heights  are increasing crime and public drug use in neighborhoods already burdened with poverty.

But an important new study published this week refutes these claims. It shows that violent and property crime rates near the two overdose prevention centers (sometimes referred to as safe injection or safe consumption sites) did not increase any more than crime in similar neighborhoods elsewhere in the city. This was in spite of the fact that the police conducted 83 percent fewer drug arrests near the sites (likely to avoid deterring people with addiction from using them) compared with other harm reduction sites that did not offer safe injection.

We did not observe any increase in crime or disorder or any of the things that people worry about when they see an overdose prevention site opening, said a study co-author, Brandon Del Pozo, an assistant professor of medicine at Brown University and a former New York Police Department precinct commander and police chief of Burlington, Vt.
If a troop of baboons encounters another troop on the savanna, they may keep a respectful distance or they may get into a fight. But human groups often do something else: They cooperate.

Tribes of hunter-gatherers regularly come together for communal hunts or to form large-scale alliances. Villages and towns give rise to nations. Networks of trade span the planet.

Human cooperation is so striking that anthropologists have long considered it a hallmark of our species. They have speculated that it emerged thanks to the evolution of our powerful brains, which enable us to use language, establish cultural traditions and perform other complex behaviors.

But a new study, published in Science on Thursday, throws that uniqueness into doubt. It turns out that two groups of apes in Africa have regularly mingled and cooperated with each other for years.
Alexandra Clayton has been single for two years, giving her ample time to reach a conclusion about dating: Its not really her thing, at least for now.

I just dont have the energy to do it constantly, said Ms. Clayton, 36, a freelance filmmaker in Los Angeles. But she does have time for 100 kisses a day with Roo, her 8-year-old, 25-pound super mutt. Her daily agenda also consists of leisurely walks and long cuddle sessions on the couch with her dog.

Recently, Ms. Clayton has spent little time on dating apps and instead has effectively settled down with Roo. The dating angst that consumed her for years is well in the rearview, she said, and life has never felt more complete. With Roo by her side rather than a human partner, Ive grown into a place where Im really secure and happy, she said.

Not everyone understands her current choice to quit pursuing a partner  family members have pointed out her age and her desire to have children. But Ms. Clayton is not alone. In an October survey sponsored by Rover, a pet-care company, nearly 250 out of 1,000 dog and cat owners in America said they had intentionally delayed dating or marriage because of their deep bonds with their pets.
Yuzu, with its sour-meets-floral flavor, has long been beloved in Japan, where its used in highballs, soft drinks and yuzu kosho, the bright and spicy condiment paste. But thanks to its refreshing, complex taste  less bracing than a lemon or a lime  the nubby citrus fruit is also becoming popular in the West among beverage purveyors, particularly ones catering to folks who dont drink alcohol. For a great, unexpected bottle to bring to a holiday party, or when you need a modest token of gratitude, Id start with Non3 Toasted Cinnamon and Yuzu, an Australian-made wine alternative thats tart yet rich, somewhere between a kombucha and a gruner veltliner. For those who need to relax, Aplos Calme  which is infused with hemp, alongside botanicals like basil, shiso and dandelion  not only tastes pleasantly herbaceous but might take the edge off a busy season of gatherings. Or, for a simpler option, try Yuzucos Yuzu Super Juice (basically pure juice with a small amount of sugar added), which is delightful when splashed into some soda water or baked into a wintry take on a key lime pie. The famous, farm-obsessed Copenhagen restaurant Noma recently started selling its own hot sauce made with yuzu and corn that feels engineered for drink, dessert and dinner experimentation. And if you just want a 12-pack to carry to a friends festivities, or to have in your own fridge this December as something thats not LaCroix, the best of the many options are Something & Nothings Yuzu Soda, by an English company that designs pretty cans, and the cute glass bottles of Yuzu Sparkling Juice ($48) by Kimino, a Japanese brand that harvests its fruit on Shikoku Island and now sells internationally.

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In a Manhattan courtroom this month, the cryptocurrency industry faced a reckoning as its onetime star, Sam Bankman-Fried, was convicted of fraud in a trial that put the industrys excesses on vivid display.

But the ever-volatile crypto markets were already moving on.

Shortly before Mr. Bankman-Frieds verdict landed on Nov. 2, the price of Bitcoin surpassed $35,000, its highest level since an industry meltdown in 2022. Last week, Ether, the second-most-popular digital currency, surged 10 percent to around $2,100, its best performance in months. Some investors rushed to declare the end of the so-called crypto winter of falling prices and financial scandals that have plagued the industry for the last 18 months.

Driving the renewed euphoria? A potential new fund.

Crypto investors are growing optimistic that the Securities and Exchange Commission will approve an exchange-traded fund, or E.T.F., that tracks the price of Bitcoin, analysts said. The fund would trade on traditional stock exchanges and offer an easy way for people to invest in cryptocurrencies, potentially bringing a wave of money into the industry.

Some proponents have hailed the possibility of this new investment vehicle, known as a spot Bitcoin E.T.F., as cryptos salvation. In August, Grayscale Investments, a crypto asset manager, scored a legal victory over the S.E.C. that seemed to pave the way for it to offer the Bitcoin product. And last week, BlackRock, a giant money manager, filed paperwork to establish a similar E.T.F. to track the price of Ether.
More than a dozen Jewish TikTok creators and celebrities confronted TikTok executives and other employees in a private meeting on Wednesday night, urging them to do more to address a surge of antisemitism and harassment on the popular video service.

The meeting, held on a video call for about 90 minutes and joined by more than 30 people in all, included the actors Sacha Baron Cohen, Debra Messing and Amy Schumer. It was led by Adam Presser, TikToks head of operations, and Seth Melnick, its global head of user operations. The executives said they wanted to know more about what the creators were experiencing to improve the app, according to a recording of the meeting obtained by The New York Times.

The celebrities and creators described, sometimes with fiery rhetoric, how TikToks tools did not prevent a flood of comments like Hitler was right or I hope you end up like Anne Frank under videos posted by them and other Jewish users.

What is happening at TikTok is it is creating the biggest antisemitic movement since the Nazis, Mr. Cohen, who does not appear to have an official TikTok account, said early in the call. He criticized violent imagery and disinformation on the platform, telling Mr. Presser, Shame on you, and claiming that TikTok could flip a switch to fix antisemitism on its platform.
Dont prepay

Many agencies offer discounts for prepayment. But prepaid contracts often incur fees if you cancel.

Most unpaid reservations are flexible, allowing you to cancel anytime with no penalty. Experts advise reserving early and then using the time before your trip to check prices. If they go down, you can cancel and rebook at the lower rate. Many agencies, including Budget and Dollar, offer best rate guarantees, meaning if you find a better rate on their cars elsewhere and they can verify the claim, they will rent you the car for 10 percent below that price.

The website AutoSlash will track your reservation at no cost and alert you to any price drop.

Maximize your memberships

Use memberships at the retailer Costco or the organizations AAA or AARP to get a discount at specific companies. Payoffs vary. If youre strictly joining Costco to rent cars, it may take a few rentals a year to recoup the $60 membership fee.

If you join loyalty programs at Avis, Hertz or other major rental companies, which are usually free, you are entitled to express pickups, which means you can skip the line at the counter and go directly to your vehicle.

Consider alternative companies

Turo and Getaround act like Airbnbs for rental cars: Owners offer their vehicles to rent through company websites or apps. Turo, available in 11,000 cities in the United States, Britain, Canada, France and Australia, requires renters to work out where and when to pick up cars from their renters, though some owners will bring the car to you.

Available in more than a dozen cities in the United States, the app- and internet-based rental company Kyte, which has no brick-and-mortar locations, will drop off and pick up its cars, which are competitively priced, wherever you specify, at no extra charge. The contactless and app-based UFO Drive rents E.V.s in more than 20 cities in the United States and Europe.
They show the serious challenges Mr. Biden faces. Some said he was too old, or they didnt think hed done much as president. Black voters in particular said they didnt believe he was doing enough to help Black Americans.

They also point to the opportunities for Mr. Biden. Though many said theyd probably vote for Mr. Trump, nearly all said that they werent excited about either option, and that Mr. Trump had personally offended them. For some, Democratic messaging on issues important to them, like abortion and the economy, hadnt reached them.

In a telling indication of how unsettled voters remain with a year to go, many of them expressed different opinions during the follow-up interviews than they did during the survey. In response to neutral questions, some who had said they were unsure became more sure of their support for either candidate by the end of the interview, and others switched their support after recalling their impressions of both candidates and talking more about their priority issues.

A telephone call with a New York Times reporter is not the same as a conversation with friends or family. Its not the same as a campaign advertisement, either. But it was an opportunity for a group of voters, some of them relatively disengaged, to think about the candidates, issues and campaigns.

Heres how the Harris supporters broke down:

Harris superfans

If Ms. Harris were running for president, Bridgette Miro, 52, a retired state employee in Glendale, Ariz., who is Black, would vote for her one hundred thousand percent.
The prosecution of Brett Hankison, the former police detective who fired 10 bullets through Breonna Taylors apartment during a fatal 2020 raid in Louisville, Ky., ended in a mistrial on Thursday after the jury said it could not reach a unanimous verdict on federal civil rights charges.

It was the second time that Mr. Hankison had gone to trial on charges related to the case and avoided a conviction. The Justice Department charged Mr. Hankison last year after a jury found him not guilty of state charges of endangering Ms. Taylors neighbors by firing several times through a covered window and a sliding-glass door during a nighttime police raid.

Two other Louisville police officers, both of whom were white, shot Ms. Taylor, a Black 26-year-old emergency room technician whose death led to massive protests against racism and police violence in Louisville and elsewhere.

Mr. Hankison, who is also white, did not strike anyone with his gunfire, but some of his bullets entered a neighboring apartment where a pregnant woman, her boyfriend and her 5-year-old son were sleeping.
It was, at first, the usual kind of interaction that takes place at dueling rallies. An argument between two opposing protesters, each firm in his beliefs.

But the encounter this month in a suburb just northwest of Los Angeles would end in tragedy, with one of the men on the concrete, suffering a head injury that would turn fatal.

The victim was Jewish. The other man, a pro-Palestinian demonstrator.

From there, the altercation was swept onto the global stage, with contentious opinions about who was to blame for what. As the local sheriffs department investigated, outrage grew over the fact that no arrests had been made.

On Thursday, the authorities arrived at the home of Loay Alnaji, 50, a community college professor who lives in Moorpark, Calif., and arrested him, with bail to be set at $1 million.
A jury on Thursday convicted David DePape of federal crimes for breaking into the San Francisco home of Representative Nancy Pelosi and beating her husband with a hammer in an attack that raised fears of political violence ahead of the 2022 midterm elections.

The trial lasted four days, and the jury reached its decision after deliberating for roughly eight hours. Mr. DePape, 43, faces the possibility of decades in prison.

His lawyers did not contest the evidence against him, which included police body camera video of the attack on Paul Pelosi, 83, as well as Mr. DePapes own admissions to the police and on the witness stand. But they argued to the jury that Mr. DePapes bludgeoning of Mr. Pelosi while on a mission to kidnap his wife  then the speaker of the House and second in line to the presidency  did not amount to federal crimes.
Kaitlin Armstrong was found guilty of first-degree murder on Thursday in the death of Moriah Wilson, a professional cyclist who had briefly dated Ms. Armstrongs boyfriend and was killed while visiting Austin, Texas, for a bike race 18 months ago.

State District Judge Brenda Kennedy said that the jury delivered the guilty verdict against Ms. Armstrong after deliberating for about two hours. After the verdict was announced, more witnesses were called to testify as the court sought to determine what the sentence will be before going into recess late in the afternoon.

It was unclear when Ms. Armstrong would be sentenced. Her lawyer declined to comment, citing a gag order in the case, which drew international attention as details about the investigation and Ms. Armstrongs whereabouts slowly emerged.

Rickey Jones, a state prosecutor, said in his opening statement that Ms. Armstrong was not happy that her boyfriend at the time, Colin Strickland, had been communicating with Ms. Wilson. Mr. Strickland and Ms. Armstrong had an on-and-off-again relationship and lived together, Mr. Jones said, though he had briefly dated Ms. Wilson during an off-period in October 2021.
Under the measure, funding for agriculture, energy, veterans, transportation and housing programs covered by four separate spending bills expires on Jan. 19. Money for remaining programs funded under eight other bills would run out on Feb. 2. Mr. Johnson pushed the staggered deadlines as a way to force Congress to act while avoiding the usual Christmas deadline crunch. Critics  including Democrats who supported it  say the approach will simply lead to a series of rolling shutdown threats.

The House and the Senate have yet to finish their annual spending bills, and a clash is coming.

The Senate has approved just three of its 12 individual spending bills, but all 12 have been approved by the Appropriations Committee in a bipartisan fashion as the panel has worked to have a more orderly and transparent process than in recent years.

The House has approved seven of its 12 bills, but Republicans have been bitterly divided over spending. Disputes over how much funding to cut and which conservative policy provisions to attach have left Mr. Johnson and his leadership team facing a significant challenge in securing passage of the remaining measures.

House Democrats uniformly oppose all of the bills because right-wing Republicans have demanded that the funding levels be set below a debt and spending agreement struck this year between Kevin McCarthy, the speaker at the time, and Mr. Biden. That has forced Republicans to rely strictly on their own members to pass the bills, with very little margin for error because of their tiny majority.

The bill funding agriculture programs and the Food and Drug Administration already failed once on the floor in a dispute over abortion-related restrictions. Two others were pulled from consideration when they ran into trouble, and another was blocked on a procedural vote Wednesday in a protest by far-right Republicans over the stopgap bill. The 12th bill, covering labor and federal health programs, is usually the most difficult to steer through Congress.
Negotiations in Congress over a warrantless surveillance law are intensifying as it nears its expiration date. The debate has come during what national security officials say is a surge in threats fueled by the Israel-Hamas war.

But whether lawmakers will reach consensus and pass any bill that would renew the law, known as Section 702, before the deadline on New Years Eve remains far from clear. National security officials have lobbied Congress for nearly a year to reauthorize the law, and privacy advocates have urged lawmakers to include various reforms in any legislation.

Surveillance law scrambles the usual partisan lines, with national security hawks and civil liberties-minded lawmakers on both sides. Dysfunction in the Republican majority that controls the House has only complicated talks, and by weeks end, the chamber is set to be in session only 12 more days.

Here is a closer look at the state of play.

What is Section 702?

It is a surveillance law that authorizes the government to collect the communications of foreigners abroad who have been targeted for intelligence purposes  even when those targets are talking with or about Americans. The information can come from American companies like Google and AT&T and without a warrant.
A few hours before underground miner Noah Dinger was killed Monday at the Stillwater Mine near Nye, he and his wife exchanged text messages.

The couple were married just over a year ago and have two young children.

I love you with my whole heart, Noah, Kaylei Dinger texted her husband.

Noah responded, I love you with everything I have, Kaylei."

She answered back, Youre the best man in the entire universe. Im so glad youre all mine.

On Tuesday morning, Kaylei posted that last exchange on her Facebook page. She said the day since his death is the longest theyve ever gone without talking to each other.

Noah Dinger was killed when he got tangled in a bolt driller, heavy equipment used to secure the roof of mining tunnels. His father was working with him nearby when the accident happened, mine officials confirmed.

Dinger, of Kellogg, Idaho, worked for longtime Stillwater subcontractor Moran Mining. Following the accident, mine officials called a full work stand-down for 24 hours and then held safety training briefings for all underground employees.

Friends of the Dingers have organized a GoFundMe fundraiser for the family, which includes sons age 3 and age 1.

Noah Dinger was many things, a beloved husband and father, a hardworking man, a wonderful son and dear, dear friend, said fund organizer Laureeann Fee.

Noah was truly the most dedicated husband and loving father, Fee said. He was so fun, and funny. The love he had for Kaylei and his boys was beautiful. Beyond words.

In a note to her husband after his death, Kaylei Dinger said I hope you are resting so peacefully and can watch these boys of ours make you proud. Everything we do is for you Noahbear.

Dingers death is being investigated by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration.

Stillwater is the only palladium and platinum mining company in the U.S. It operates two mines including the Stillwater Mine near Nye and has a workforce of 2,335 employees and contractors, according to its website.

We really want to thank the community for all their concern and support through this, McDowell said. One thing we realize when things like this happen is that everyone seems to know someone who works at one of our facilities. People feel connected to each other in these rural areas and really come together.

In June of 2021, two men were killed at the mine when the side-by-side vehicle they were traveling in collided with an underground train.

In 2013, a 45-year-old miner was found dead in the mine. An autopsy was inconclusive as to the cause of death.

A miner driving an open-cab hauling truck was killed in 2011 when he went into a ditch and a rock bolt struck him.

In 2001, a string of three deaths in four months prompted mine officials to issue a stand-down for several days devoted to safety training.
Follow live news updates on the Israel-Hamas war.

Israel is preventing Palestinian Americans from entering the country from the West Bank, an apparent violation of a recent agreement in which citizens from the United States and Israel can travel to the other nation without a visa.

The Homeland Security and State Departments, which manage the program, said American officials were trying to resolve the issue.

U.S. government officials are working with the government of Israel to address reports of Americans facing issues in traveling to and flying out of Ben-Gurion Airport, said Erin Heeter, a spokeswoman for the Department of Homeland Security.

The arrangement, announced in late September, before the war began, was part of a larger effort toward improving relations between the two countries. At the time, President Biden was making a push to broker a diplomatic deal between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

Under the visa waiver program, Israel would lift restrictions on Palestinian Americans and other Americans of Arab or Muslim descent, easing the way for them to travel to and from Palestinian territories.

For decades, Palestinian Americans have faced difficulties traveling to the Israeli-occupied West Bank to see family and friends or to do humanitarian work. They have been forced to first travel to Jordan, which shares a border with the territory. They typically fly in and out of the Queen Alia International Airport in Amman, the capital of Jordan, rather than entering or leaving from Tel Aviv.

American officials insisted that the agreement would change that. But shortly after Israels inclusion in the program was announced, Hamas carried out a deadly attack on Israel that killed 1,200 people and ignited an Israeli invasion of Gaza as well as a surge of violence in the West Bank.

Israel, citing security reasons, further restricted the movements of Palestinians in the West Bank, whether they hold an American passport or not. Palestinian Americans found themselves unable to cross in or out of Israel at that border.

It was an early test to an agreement that some had doubted Israel would uphold.

Of course, everybody got excited about this new regulation, allowing us to go through Ben-Gurion because of our citizenship, said Fidah Mousa, a Palestinian American who lives in the West Bank.

During a pilot period over the summer, more than 100,000 U.S. citizens, including tens of thousands of Palestinian Americans, were able to travel to Israel without a visa. At the time, Ms. Mousa purchased a ticket to fly out of Tel Aviv to return to the United States in October to attend her daughters wedding.

Deep down, I didnt think it was going to last, she said of the equal treatment.

Days after the Oct. 7 attack, Ms. Mousa said her employer, an international nongovernment organization, sent her updates about Israels closure of checkpoints to Palestinian Americans seeking to enter from the West Bank.

Inam Mansor, a Palestinian American lawyer who lives in the West Bank, said she had been told by an Israeli border official on Sunday that the visa privilege for Palestinian Americans was no longer available.

It was precisely the situation some feared.

Here we are in the middle of an actual crisis  being told to go to Amman, to fly from Queen Alia International Airport, said Maya Berry, the executive director of the Arab American Institute, an advocacy organization. Its yet another example of why Israel does not belong in this program.

Civil rights groups like the Arab American Institute raised concerns about Israels entry into the visa waiver program. Some Democratic lawmakers, including Senator Chris Van Hollen of Maryland, also expressed skepticism.

While he understands the difficult security climate in Israel, all American citizens are guaranteed reciprocity under the visa waiver program, and he has serious concerns about this development, said Francesca Amodeo, a spokeswoman for Mr. Van Hollen.

After the Oct. 7 attacks, the Biden administration moved up the start date of the program so Israelis fleeing the war could have an easier time entering the United States.

Asked about Palestinian Americans who were unable to leave the West Bank for Israel, State Department officials said they had been trying to help them go overland to Jordan.

To expand the departure options for U.S. citizens in the West Bank, the State Department has begun chartering overland transportation for U.S. citizens and their immediate family members from the West Bank to Jordan, the department said.

Separately, the department arranged charter flights from Oct. 13 to 31 to ferry American passengers out of Israel, even though commercial flights were still running. Dozens of flights destined for Washington and a few European capitals left Tel Aviv mostly empty  or in some cases, entirely empty, an American official said.

Palestinian Americans in the West Bank or in Gaza were unable to get to those flights.

Asked about the lack of passengers, the State Department acknowledged the flights consistently departed at half capacity or less.

Cogat, a department of Israels defense ministry that administers aspects of Israels occupation of the West Bank, cited the outbreak of the war to explain why crossings in the West Bank had been closed to Palestinian residents of the territory.

In regards to Israels international crossings, nothing has changed. Palestinians with U.S. citizenship continue to enter Israel with a tourist visa, Cogat said in a statement.

Once Hamas commenced war on Israel, the crossings from Judea and Samaria into Israel were fully closed  for security reasons, the agency said, using the Israeli term for the West Bank. Israel will allow the entry of Palestinians holding U.S. passports for tourism purposes through the crossings in Judea and Samaria at the end of the closure, in accordance with the agreement signed between Israel and the U.S.A.

Raja Abdulrahim contributed reporting from Jerusalem.
The fur balls might be coming back to Washington and San Diego.

Xi Jinping, Chinas leader, said in a speech on Wednesday night that his nations best diplomats, giant pandas, might soon return to zoos in the United States that have recently sent bears back to their homeland.

We are ready to continue our cooperation with the United States on panda conservation, and do our best to meet the wishes of the Californians so as to deepen the friendly ties between our two peoples, he told a gathering of mostly business executives at a dinner in San Francisco.

Mr. Xi pointed out that the pandas are envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples.

Panda-monium gripped the United States last week when the Smithsonians National Zoo in Washington sent its two aging adult pandas, Mei Xiang and Tian Tian, and their cub, Xiao Qi Ji, or Little Miracle, back to China on a 19-hour FedEx flight, the Panda Express.
The Supreme Court refused on Thursday to revive a Florida law that banned children from adult live performances such as drag shows.

The courts brief order gave no reasons, which is typical when the justices act on emergency applications, and a First Amendment challenge to the law will continue in the lower courts.

Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel A. Alito Jr. and Neil M. Gorsuch dissented. Justice Brett M. Kavanaugh, joined by Justice Amy Coney Barrett, issued a statement stressing that the courts order was addressed to an issue unrelated to the constitutionality of the law.

The order, he wrote, indicates nothing about our view on whether Floridas new law violates the First Amendment.
Colton Moore, a 30-year-old auctioneer from rural Dade County, Ga., enjoys rare bragging rights for a freshman state senator. Donald J. Trump, the leading candidate for the Republican presidential nomination, recently singled him out by name as a man of courage and conviction.

A few months ago, Mr. Moore demanded that his fellow lawmakers call a special session to consider firing or defunding Fani T. Willis, the Atlanta-area district attorney leading a criminal racketeering case against Mr. Trump and his allies. His move mirrored House efforts to investigate or strip funding from the office of Jack Smith, the special counsel leading the federal prosecutions of Mr. Trump.

But in Georgia, it got Mr. Moore booted out of the Senate Republican caucus.

Mr. Moores excommunication demonstrates that there are limits to Georgia Republicans tolerance for Trumpian high jinks that would derail the case against the former president. And it has become evident that members of the Republican establishment, led by Gov. Brian Kemp, are shielding Ms. Willis not because they share any ideological affinity with her, but because they are concerned that removing her would damage Georgias reputation, and its ability to attract and retain businesses.

They know that if they went after her, there would be national press berating them as being a bunch of far-right nuts, said Roy E. Barnes, the moderate Democrat who served as governor from 1999 to 2003. And thats the last thing they want to do. They want to say, Listen we can run this state, we can take stands that keep us prosperous.
Seniors are one of the fastest-growing populations of cannabis users in the United States. While some older adults have used pot for decades, studies suggest that others are turning to the drug for the first time to help them sleep better, dampen pain or treat anxiety  especially when prescription drugs, which often come with unwanted side effects, dont work as intended.



In 2007, only about 0.4 percent of people age 65 and older in the United States had reported using cannabis in the past year, according to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. That number rose to almost 3 percent by 2016. As of 2022, it was at more than 8 percent.

Nancy Herring, 76, has been using cannabis recreationally for her entire adult life  she describes herself as one of the hippies from the 60s. But it wasnt until her husband was diagnosed with Parkinsons disease and dementia two years ago that she began to wonder about pots medicinal use.

During the course of his illness, her husband, now 79, had developed insomnia. Soon, neither of them was sleeping.

Doctors prescribed pills to help him rest, but nothing really worked, she said. At one point, he reacted so negatively to a medicine he ended up in the hospital.
After weeks of political violence, voters on the island nation of Madagascar went to the polls on Thursday to elect a president, even though 10 of the 13 candidates called for a boycott, accusing the man they are vying to replace of unfairly tilting the process in his favor.

Most of the 30 million residents of this nation off the southeastern coast of Africa live in poverty. A series of weather-related catastrophes in recent years have damaged the countrys agricultural production, its economic mainstay, increasing the humanitarian crisis.

Madagascar is heavily reliant on foreign aid, and there are fears that a disputed election could cause some benefactors to pull back support, which will lead the country to a chaotic situation, said Andoniaina Ratsimamanga, a spokeswoman for the Red Cross, which is helping with the humanitarian response in Madagascar.

Political instability has been a defining feature of Madagascars elections over the years, and the 2018 race saw efforts by Russia to influence the outcome through the paramilitary organization the Wagner Group. It is unclear whether Russia has any involvement in this years election, or how much.
Meeting with President Biden for the first time in a year, Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, reiterated his determination to unify with Taiwan, but stopped short of mentioning the potential use of force. He denounced what he called futile American efforts at containing China, but also acknowledged that U.S. tech restrictions had taken a toll.

And he broadcast that China had global ambitions for its influence  while also trying to reassure the world that those ambitions did not have to lead to conflict with the United States.

Mr. Xis message at the leaders summit in San Francisco, as depicted by official Chinese summaries, reflected his dual, at times contradictory, priorities during his trip to the United States, which many had hoped would help inject stability into the volatile bilateral relationship.

Mr. Xi wants to convince Washington, and the world, that he is willing to engage with the United States, in part to lure back foreign investment to bolster Chinas ailing economy. But he also wants to demonstrate to the Chinese people that he strongly defended Beijings interests, and burnished its image as a world power on a par with the United States, not a secondary one making concessions.
At least 26 people were killed and 38 others were hospitalized when a fire broke out in a coal companys office building in a provincial city southwest of Beijing on Thursday, Chinas state-run news media reported.

The fire began around 7 a.m. in the offices of Yongju Coal Company in Luliang, a city in the northern province of Shanxi, the official Xinhua News Agency reported.

The building is four stories high. The fire, which broke out on the second floor, was extinguished by 3 p.m., according to the broadcaster China Central Television.

Few other details were immediately available. The Chinese authorities did not speculate about a possible cause. Some state-run news outlets reported that it had broken out in a building where employees shower and do laundry.
Four days after 40 workers became trapped in a Himalayan road tunnel, the Indian authorities were still trying on Thursday to find a way through debris and rescue them, as anguished family members and colleagues protested outside to demand faster action.

The workers became stranded on Sunday about 500 feet from the tunnels entrance after landslides in the northern Indian state of Uttarakhand caused a partial collapse. Communication was severed, leaving the men to wait inside, unsure of what would happen.

In the hours afterward, officials established contact with the workers by sending radios through an undamaged pipe into the tunnel. Later, a bigger, 35-inch-diameter pipe was inserted, but falling debris injured two rescue workers and delayed the operation. Food, water and oxygen were sent through another pipe with the help of compressors. The authorities have said the men are safe inside the tunnel.
Protesters demanding a cease-fire in Gaza shut down westbound traffic on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge on Thursday morning, interrupting Bay Area commuter traffic into San Francisco.

The demonstration was one of the most disruptive protests so far associated with the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting in San Francisco, where pro-Palestinian activists have focused on trying to capture the attention of President Biden. Mr. Biden addressed the APEC meeting on Thursday.

Other groups of activists have protested against President Xi Jinping of China over independence for Tibet, human rights abuses against Uyghurs, military activity around Taiwan and what they view as a lack of progress among a host of world leaders on climate change and workers rights.

Pro-Palestinian protesters said that they drove their own cars onto the bridge from the East Bay, stopped before the midpoint on Treasure Island and blocked all lanes headed into the city. Fifteen protesters covered themselves in shrouds and laid down in front of vehicles to represent dead bodies in Gaza.

The blockade, which the California Highway Patrol first noted at 7:42 a.m., led to miles-long traffic jams along freeways stretching into the East Bay.
Nevadas attorney general is investigating the six Republicans who, in 2020, falsely pledged Nevadas electoral votes to Donald Trump even though the former president lost to President Joe Biden by 2.4 percentage points. It marks a significant change for Attorney General Aaron Ford, a Democrat, who has been silent on any potential investigation and had previously indicated state law would not allow for a charge.

The six Republicans  state party chair Michael McDonald, national committeeman Jim DeGraffenreid, Clark County Republican Party chair Jesse Law, vice chair Jim Hindle, Shawn Meehan and Eileen Rice  gathered in Carson City in December 2020 to submit an uncertified slate of electors for Trump. They did so at the behest of the Trump campaign, as revealed by the congressional January 6 Committee.

A person who met with investigators from the attorney generals office confirmed the existence of the investigation to The Nevada Independent. The person met with two investigators in September to answer questions about the fake electors meeting and documents they submitted. Another source familiar with the investigation confirmed its existence. News of the investigation was first reported by Politico and NBC News.

Former Clark County Registrar Joe Gloria told Politico that a state investigator asked him questions earlier this month about the fake elector scheme. NBC News cited two anonymous sources confirming the investigation.

Officials with Fords office declined to comment when asked whether the attorney general was indeed investigating or planning to bring charges against the six electors.

Three of the six fake electors did not respond to requests for comment from The Nevada Independent on Wednesday morning. Rice and Meehan declined to comment, and McDonald directed reporters to his attorney, who has not yet responded to inquiries.

In other states where Republicans submitted fake elector slates for Trump, prosecutors have brought charges against the proponents. In Georgia, three fake electors are part of the broader case Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis has brought against Trump over his efforts to overturn the 2020 election.

In Michigan, Democratic Attorney General Dana Nessel charged 16 people with felonies over their roles in submitting fake electoral votes. Arizonas Democratic attorney general is investigating those who participated in its fake elector plot.

The news comes after Ford previously said he would not bring charges against the so-called fake electors because state statute did not directly address the conduct in question.

As you all know, I have been silent on Nevadas fake electors, except to say that the matter was on our radar, Ford said during a legislative hearing earlier this year.

At the time, Ford urged state lawmakers to change the law governing fake electors to ensure such a thing would not happen again through SB133, a bill proposed by Sen. Skip Daly (D-Sparks) that would have established felony criminal penalties for anyone who participated in creating a false slate of presidential electors, serving in a false slate of presidential electors or conspiring to create or serve in a false slate of presidential electors.

The bill passed out of the Legislature but was vetoed by Gov. Joe Lombardo, who wrote in his veto message that he agreed with the bills efforts to secure elections but objected to the severity of punishment. He noted that the category of felony punishment included in the bill leading to what could be a four to 10-year prison sentence was more severe than that for high-level fentanyl traffickers, certain domestic violence perpetrators, and even some of the most extreme and violent actors on January 6.

In September, however, Ford told 8 News Now he never said his office would never prosecute the fake electors.

It is not that Ive said that I can do nothing. What I have said, and Ive been precise with my wording on purpose, is we dont have statutes in this state that directly address the issue, Ford said.

While Politicos report is the first evidence of state-level consequences for the fake electors, McDonald and DeGraffenreid have found themselves in the crosshairs of federal investigations, including testifying to a grand jury as part of a Department of Justice probe into Trumps efforts to overturn the election and having to provide evidence and testimony for Congress investigation.

Nevada law mandates the states electors to cast their votes for the winner of the popular vote in the state and prohibits performing an unauthorized public duty or falsifying records  provisions that the fake electors may have violated.
For four seconds, Nathaniel Veltman floored the gas pedal, hurtling his pickup truck toward a Muslim family of five out for an evening walk in London, Ontario, killing four of them. The lone survivor was a 9-year-old boy.

The jury, after less than a day of deliberating, found Mr. Veltman, 22, guilty of four counts of first-degree murder and one count of attempted murder involving the young boy in the June 2021 attack.

Mr. Veltman was also charged with terrorism and jurors heard extensive evidence about his fixation with white supremacist ideologies. But under Canadian law, jurors were not expected to deliver a verdict on that charge, which will be decided later by a judge.

The case represents the first time in Canada that terrorism charges have been applied to a far-right extremism case, according to the government agency that prosecutes federal crimes.
Former Prime Minister David Cameron of Britain, in his new role as foreign secretary, vowed on a surprise visit to Ukraine that his country would maintain military support for Kyiv however long it takes, an effort to offer reassurance amid fears that Ukraine is being forgotten as much of the worlds attention focuses on the war in Gaza.

The two-day visit was announced on Thursday, shortly after President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine warned that his country could not afford a frozen conflict with Russia. It is Mr. Camerons first working trip abroad since being appointed foreign minister on Monday.

Mr. Zelensky expressed gratitude for the gesture.

The world is not focused on the situation on our battlefield in Ukraine, and this dividing focus really doesnt help, he said during a meeting on Wednesday with Mr. Cameron in Kyiv, according to a video released by the Ukrainian leader on social media. The British foreign minister responded that his country would work with its allies to make sure the attention is here in Ukraine.

On Thursday, Mr. Cameron visited the port city of Odessa, which Russia has increasingly targeted with drones and missiles in recent months, in an attempt to cripple Ukrainian exports through the Black Sea.
Finland said on Thursday that it was closing part of its border with Russia after a dramatic increase in migrant crossings that it blamed on Moscow, the latest sign of deteriorating relations between the neighbors since the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

The announcement followed days of warnings from the authorities in Finland over a spike in the number of crossings, which President Sauli Niinisto of Finland on Wednesday suggested was retaliation from Moscow for Finlands decision to join NATO.

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo said at a news conference on Thursday that Finland was closing crossings on its eastern border starting at midnight on Friday. The government wanted to react strongly, he said, to what it viewed as organized activity by Russia.

Finland as an E.U. and NATO member is steadily one of the countries that condemn Russias invasion of Ukraine, he said. Therefore we have been prepared for various action from Russia, nastiness, and this situation does not come to us as a surprise.
The Russian soldiers turned up at her home close to midnight with an ominous message.

They said, If in two weeks you dont have a Russian passport, we will talk to you in a different way, recalled Evelina, a social worker who until this month lived under Russian occupation in southeastern Ukraine.

She didnt wait to have that conversation. Instead, she bundled a few possessions into a suitcase and left with her teenage daughter, heading for territory controlled by Ukraine.

In the Russian-governed lands, she said, it has become so tense that you are afraid to look out your own window.

The military deadlock that has settled in across southeastern Ukraine poses a looming security threat to the rest of the country, and menaces Europe with a long period of instability. But for the estimated 4 million to 6 million Ukrainians living in Russian-held areas, as Evelina was, the stalemate means something more dispiriting: an occupation with no end in sight.
Pedro Sanchez, the Spanish progressive leader, secured a second term as prime minister on Thursday after a polarizing agreement granting amnesty to Catalan separatists gave him enough support in Parliament to govern with a fragile coalition over an increasingly divided nation.

With 179 votes, barely more than the 176 usually required to govern, Mr. Sanchez, who has been prime minister since 2018, won a chance to extend the progressive agenda, often successful economic policies and pro-European Union posture of his Socialist Party.

The outcome was the result of months of haggling since an inconclusive July election in which neither the conservative Popular Party, which came in first, or the Socialist Party, which came in second, secured enough support to govern alone.

But the fractures in Spain were less about left versus right and more about the countrys very geographic integrity and identity. Mr. Sanchezs proposed amnesties have breathed new life into a secession issue that last emerged in 2017, when separatists held an illegal referendum over independence in the prosperous northeastern region of Catalonia.
The Israeli military was solidifying its hold on the Gaza Strips largest hospital on Wednesday, after storming the complex overnight. Soldiers were conducting searches and interrogations inside, and Israeli officers said they had found rifles, ammunition, body armor and other military equipment in a radiology building.

In a video filmed at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, a military spokesman, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, showed about 10 guns, ammunition, protective vests and Hamas military uniforms, some of which he said were hidden behind M.R.I. machines, others in nearby storage units and some behind what he described as a blast-proof door. The assertions made in the video could not be independently verified.

Hamas, which has repeatedly denied using the hospital for military operations, issued a statement calling the Israeli claims a fabricated story that no one would believe. A Hamas official, Bassem Naim, speaking to Al Jazeera, dismissed the video as falsified theatrics.

Al-Shifa Hospital has become central to Israels 40-day effort to wrest control of Gaza from Hamas, and its capture by Israel was a significant step that could shape the pace and extent of its war with Hamas. Israel maintains that Hamas built a military command center at the hospital, using its patients and staff as human shields.
Israels claims that Hamas, the armed Palestinian group that controls Gaza, operated from within the sprawling Al-Shifa complex have been central to its defense of its military campaign in Gaza. Israel says the soaring number of civilian deaths  more than 11,000 people, according to the Gazan authorities  has been caused in part by Hamass decision to hide its military fortifications and command centers inside civilian infrastructure like Al-Shifa.

The United States has backed Israels assertions that Al-Shifa Hospital was used by Hamass armed wing, with John Kirby, the U.S. National Security Council spokesman, telling reporters on Thursday that U.S. intelligence agencies had reached that conclusion independently.

We have our own intelligence that convinces us that Hamas was using Al-Shifa as a command and control node  and, most likely, as well, as a storage facility, CNN quoted Mr. Kirby as saying.

On Thursday the Israeli military said troops were using scanners at the hospital to search for underground infrastructure while under fire. The need for the scans highlighted the difficult reality of the military campaign.

Israels defense minister, Yoav Gallant, said on Tuesday that Israeli forces now controlled the aboveground area of northern Gaza. On Thursday, he said in a video statement that Israeli troops had completed the capture and clearing of the entirety of the eastern part of Gaza City. Yet, thousands of Hamas members could still be ensconced in tunnels under the Israeli positions.

The Israeli militarys release of a video on Thursday of what it said was a tunnel used by Hamas inside the Al-Shifa complex shows an area of excavated ground and an underground passage and door around two to three meters deep. The New York Times confirmed that the passageway was at the northern perimeter of the sprawling complex.

But it was unclear from the video what purpose the passageway served or how far it extended. Israeli forces appear to have destroyed a small structure and dug an extensive area of ground to uncover it, an analysis of satellite imagery and video showed. The structure appeared to be around the size of a domestic car garage with a canopy extending from it.
Follow live news updates on the Israel-Hamas war.

Yair Lapid, who leads Israels parliamentary opposition, has said that he would join an Israeli government led by the right as long as it excluded the prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, and some of Mr. Netanyahus hard-line partners.

Israel has lost faith in the prime minister, Mr. Lapid told the Israeli network Channel 12 in an interview on Wednesday, adding, We cannot allow ourselves to conduct an extended war with a prime minister that the public does not trust.

Mr. Netanyahu must go now, Mr. Lapid said.

Israels political opposition has been fiercely critical of Mr. Netanyahus leadership and many have called for his removal in the past. But after the Hamas-led terrorist attacks that the Israeli government has said left more than 1,200 dead last month, most opposition parties rallied around the war effort.

One opposition faction  the National Unity alliance, led by Benny Gantz  joined the emergency wartime government under Mr. Netanyahu. Mr. Lapid, whose Yesh Atid party controls 24 of 120 seats in the Israeli Parliament, or Knesset, rejected an offer to also join.

But public anger against Mr. Netanyahu has mounted since the Hamas attack, with some accusing him of failing to prevent the surprise assault and of overseeing a sluggish government response.

Mr. Netanyahu has refused to say whether he bears any responsibility for the disastrous failure to prevent the assault. Other senior officials, including Israels finance minister and several top security chiefs, have publicly said that they failed in their duty to protect the countrys citizens.

Mr. Netanyahu briefly appeared to blame Israels security establishment in a post on social media roughly three weeks after the Hamas attack, saying that officials had failed to warn him of the danger. He later apologized for that comment, but has maintained that questions of responsibility should wait until after the war.

Under Mr. Lapids proposal, Mr. Netanyahus right-wing Likud party would lead a government of national reconstruction after choosing a new leader.

The proposal is almost certainly a nonstarter for Mr. Netanyahu, Israels longest-serving prime minister, who has weathered successive political crises, three criminal cases, and a year and a half out of office before he returned to power in late 2022. So far, no one in his Likud party has publicly discussed ousting him.

In a statement, Likud called Mr. Lapids remarks saddening and shameful, accusing him of playing politics during wartime and of attempting to replace Mr. Netanyahu with a government that would establish a Palestinian state.
Ms. Salman and Ms. Pundak are members of a younger generation of peacemakers who want to be part of the dialogue about the day after, when the guns go silent, and Israelis and Palestinians are forced to grapple again with how to live with each other. They acknowledge the hurdles to rearranging a diplomatic puzzle that has bedeviled world leaders and their envoys for decades. Even talking about peace at a time of scorched-earth war, they say, can seem fanciful.

But, Ms. Pundak said, Its crucial to have those conversations right now, as they affect immediately what happens in Gaza. The more civilians we kill in Gaza, the harder its going to be to get anywhere. She is the Israeli chief executive of an organization, A Land for All, which has Israeli and Palestinian members.

Ms. Salman, the co-director of another group, Combatants for Peace, agreed. For Israelis, this is the first time that they feel the same pain as Palestinians, since I would say, the Holocaust, she said. This is a huge test of whether people are really committed.

Her group recently brought together Israeli and Palestinian members for a meeting that she said was anguished but inspiring.

Under the terms of the two-state solution, Israelis and Palestinians would live in sovereign states, divided along the 1967 borders of Israel, before it occupied the West Bank and Gaza. Previous attempts to strike a deal have fallen apart over disputes about allocating land to the Palestinians, a problem that has deepened as Jewish settlements have proliferated across the West Bank, as well as other issues.

What has changed since the Oslo Accords, both women said, is the viability of a deal based on the principle of separating Israelis and Palestinians. With nearly two million Palestinians living as citizens in Israel and more than 500,000 settlers carving up the West Bank, they said the two peoples were irrevocably intertwined, each clinging to a vision of a homeland on land claimed by both.

The answer, Ms. Pundak said, was neither a single state nor a simple division into two. Instead, it would be two states, confederated in a shared homeland. Her model is the European Union, which, as she noted, was composed of countries, like France and Germany, which had been at war with each other not so long before the bloc began to come together.

Eighty years ago, would you have expected German hipsters to live in France? Ms. Pundak said. But they do.

To make such a confederation work, both sides would have to accept conditions, like the free movement of Israelis and Palestinians, the settlement of refugee claims and the authority of common institutions to handle issues like human rights, natural resources and economic cooperation. Palestinians living in Israel would vote in Palestinian elections; Israelis living in a future Palestine would vote in Israel.

Jerusalem would be a shared capital, she said, its holy sites managed by an international authority that included religious representatives.
Britains main opposition Labour Party has suffered a significant rebellion in Parliament over its policy on Gaza, in a sign of the hardening of opinion in Western Europe against Israels military action in the enclave.

Defying their leader, Keir Starmer, 56 Labour lawmakers  more than a quarter of the partys total  voted late Wednesday in favor of a motion calling for an immediate cease-fire, going beyond their partys official position of working to achieve longer humanitarian pauses in the conflict.

Although none of Mr. Starmers top team rebelled, eight lawmakers who held less senior leadership positions did, and either resigned or were fired from those posts.

The vote has no practical impact but was closely watched, because Labour is well ahead in opinion polls, putting it in a strong position to win a general election that is expected next fall.

The rebellion illustrates growing concerns in Western Europe over the number of civilians killed and wounded in Israels military action in the Gaza Strip, and the rising pressure on lawmakers over the issue from those they represent. A series of protest marches in Britain have demanded a cease-fire in recent weeks, and one in London last Saturday drew an estimated 300,000 people.

The best known of the Labour rebels, Jess Phillips, who resigned from her position speaking for the party on domestic-violence issues, said she was voting with my constituents, my head and my heart, which has felt as if it were breaking over the last four weeks. She added that she could see no route where the current military action does anything but put at risk the hope of peace and security for anyone in the region now and in the future.

Middle East policy is politically sensitive within the Labour Party, whose leadership has stuck close to the British and United States government positions on Gaza recently and has not supported calls for a cease-fire. Mr. Starmer expressed firm support for Israel in the aftermath of the bloody incursions into Israeli territory by Hamas fighters in October.

The rebellion in Parliament is the first significant setback in months for Mr. Starmer. Late Wednesday, he said he regretted that some of his colleagues had felt the need to support the motion calling for a cease-fire, which was proposed by the Scottish National Party.

But while the vote represents a challenge to Mr. Starmers authority and displayed internal divisions, the Labour leader appears to have calculated that he would rather risk a rebellion than soften his position.
The trade promotion fair for OCOP products in 2022 in Hai Phong. (Photo: CPV)

On December 21 to 24, Hanoi Center for Investment Promotion, Trade and Tourism will host and coordinate with relevant units the trade promotion fair for OCOP products at AEON MALL Commercial Center, Le Chan district, Hai Phong city.

According to information from the organizers, the trade fair is expected to include: Free booth areas to support provinces and cities in promoting and introducing agricultural products, typical OCOP, and regional specialties; a booth area to introduce specialty agricultural products, OCOP products and traditional craft villages in Hanoi and other localities; an area to promote and introduce specialty agricultural products, OCOP products, and green agricultural products of cooperatives in Hanoi; and connection activities to boost product consumption.

The fair focuses on promoting agricultural product groups, regional specialties, processed foods, hi-tech agricultural products, green agricultural products of cooperatives, and OCOP products certified with 3- 5 stars. In particular, priority is given to OCOP products with 4 to 5 stars that are given QR codes to trace their origin and have traceability stamps.

The fair will include side events such as a conference to connect and promote trade and consumption of agricultural products between Hanoi and Hai Phong; on-site product processing activities; cultural exchange activities and ethnic art performances; sightseeing, product shopping and check-in activities.

This event is part of a series of practical activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan; implement and concretize cooperation programs of the Party Committee, Peoples Council, Peoples Committee of Hanoi city and provinces and cities nationwide with the spirit of Hanoi with the whole country, the whole country with Hanoi./.
3 p.m. Kayak among the gators and birds

When people think of the Louisiana swamp, they probably imagine Cypress Island Preserve at Lake Martin: a waveless expanse of water winding among Spanish moss-draped cypress trees, with preening snowy egrets and turtles perched along the same roots as sunbathing, seven-foot long alligators. Pack & Paddle offers an approximately two-hour guided kayak tour ($69 per person) at various times. Sunset is ideal to capture the spookiness of the swamp, so call ahead to see if they can accommodate. Kayaks are preferable to motorized boats, which can create a wake and noise that disturbs the animals, Lake Martins biggest draw. Located between the towns of Lafayette and Breaux Bridge, the reserve is home to some of Louisianas largest nesting colonies of water bird species, like the great blue heron, the white ibis and the stunning roseate spoonbill, nicknamed the Cajun flamingo.
Dots show Chinese

ships movements Shanghai Pacific Ocean South China Sea East China Sea Japan South

Korea Taiwan Philippines Philippines Brunei Malaysia Malaysia Malaysia Vietnam Vietnam Indonesia Indonesia China China Philippines exclusive economic zone Mischief Reef

occupied by China Second Thomas Shoal

occupied by the Philippines Mischief Reef

occupied by China Second Thomas Shoal

occupied by the Philippines Union Bank

occupied by China

and Vietnam Subi Reef

occupied by China Palawan Spratly Islands Spratly Islands Chinese militia Philippine

coast guard Chinese coast guard Fleets of Force How China strong-armed its way into dominating the South China Sea. Beijing says many of these boats are just fishing. But they bristle with machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and high-velocity water cannons. Theyre here for intimidation.  Chinese militia and coast guard vessels, Sept.Oct. 2023 This fleet, built largely with government money, helps China dominate one of the most crucial and disputed waterways in the world: the South China Sea. Chinas territorial claim

Other countries Exclusive Economic Zones Working in tandem with an aggressive coast guard, these militarized fishing boats assert Beijings presence more than 1,000 miles from the Chinese mainland.  Positions of Chinese vessels, MayOct. 2023 The boats patrol the tiny, disputed Spratly islets. Their reinforced steel hulls make it easy to ram smaller boats. They swarm other countries outposts and squat on shoals within sight of foreign coastlines.  Chinese vessels, Sept.Oct. 2023 In confrontations with Chinas militarized fleet, like this one on Oct. 22, the Philippines smaller boats dont stand a chance. Chinas muscle is crucial to its de facto control over the South China Sea.

These fishing boats, most of which dont actually fish, make up a maritime militia that is upending the rules of the sea. By providing backup to the China Coast Guard and maintaining a constant presence in remote watersoften parking on contested reefs for weeks at a timethey amplify Chinas ambitions in the South China Sea.

Chinas maritime militia is made up of civilians who on paper hold jobs as commercial fishermen. The blurring of lines is deliberate: Chinas leader, Xi Jinping, has stressed the need for civilian-military unity to promote national security.

Such gray zone tactics help China quietly gain command over disputed areas. Beijing has used this method across its vast frontier, from the mountainous borders with South Asia to rocks in the East China Sea. And once China incrementally takes over, a new reality reigns.

That reality is literally inscribed. In May, Chinese coast guard and militia vessels operating in and near Vietnamese waters sailed routes that appeared to trace the first Chinese character in the word China. And that word has also been carved on the hills near Chinas land borders.

China has already built military bases on multiple Spratly reefs. In the air over the South China Sea, Chinese fighter jets are confronting American military planes with greater frequency. At sea, Chinese vessels have, thus far, avoided a deadly confrontation. But an incident in a remote part of the South China Sea could well spark an international crisis.

Military structures and other facilities are seen on the artificial island built by China on Subi Reef in the Spratlys. Ezra Acayan/Getty Images

Chinas militarization of the South China Sea has sharply raised tensions with the United States. While the U.S. does not claim any territory in the waterway, it is treaty-bound to defend the Philippines, the nation most at odds with China. And should there be a conflict over Taiwan, the presence of Chinese military bases and vessels nearby in the South China Sea could impede the ability of the U.S. and its allies to maneuver.

With the Chinese in this part of the South China Sea, its like fighting water, said Gregory B. Poling, the director of the Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, or C.S.I.S. You push them out and then they just come right back.

An intimidation campaign

Off the coast of the Philippines, a tiny outpost of Philippine marines has borne the brunt of Chinas militarization of the South China Sea. Every couple of weeks, Philippine vessels try to resupply the marines stationed at Second Thomas Shoal. And every couple of weeks, the Chinese intervene to assert what they call their indisputable sovereignty over the reef.

On Oct. 22, this intimidation was heightened when a large Chinese coast guard ship bumped into a smaller Philippine resupply boat, forcing it to abandon its mission.

1. The approach 3 a.m. local time Chinese coast guard vessels Chinese militia boats Philippine coast guard vessels Chinese coast guard vessels Chinese militia boats Philippine coast guard vessels

Chinese vessels encircled Philippine ones as they neared the shoal. Chinese vessels continued to stay dangerously close to the Philippine resupply mission. Philippine ships approached Second Thomas Shoal. SECOND THOMAS SHOAL SECOND THOMAS SHOAL SECOND THOMAS SHOAL A Chinese coast guard vessel bumped a Philippine resupply boat. Chinese boats lined up at the entrance to the shoal. One Chinese militia boat grazed a Philippine vessel. 3 miles Chinese vessels encircled Philippine ones as they neared the shoal. Chinese vessels continued to stay dangerously close to the Philippine resupply mission. Philippine ships approached. Chinese boats lined up at the entrance to the shoal. A Chinese coast guard vessel bumped a Philippine resupply boat. One Chinese militia boat grazed a Philippine vessel. 3 miles

2. The encirclement 6 a.m. local time Chinese vessels encircled Philippine ones as they neared the shoal. Chinese vessels continued to stay dangerously close to the Philippine resupply mission. Philippine ships approached Second Thomas Shoal. SECOND THOMAS SHOAL SECOND THOMAS SHOAL SECOND THOMAS SHOAL A Chinese coast guard vessel bumped a Philippine resupply boat. Chinese boats lined up at the entrance to the shoal. One Chinese militia boat grazed a Philippine vessel. 3 miles Chinese vessels encircled Philippine ones as they neared the shoal. Chinese vessels continued to stay dangerously close to the Philippine resupply mission. Philippine ships approached. Chinese boats lined up at the entrance to the shoal. A Chinese coast guard vessel bumped a Philippine resupply boat. One Chinese militia boat grazed a Philippine vessel. 3 miles

3. The standoff 9 a.m. local time Chinese vessels encircled Philippine ones as they neared the shoal. Chinese vessels continued to stay dangerously close to the Philippine resupply mission. Philippine ships approached Second Thomas Shoal. SECOND THOMAS SHOAL SECOND THOMAS SHOAL SECOND THOMAS SHOAL A Chinese coast guard vessel bumped a Philippine resupply boat. Chinese boats lined up at the entrance to the shoal. One Chinese militia boat grazed a Philippine vessel. 3 miles Chinese vessels encircled Philippine ones as they neared the shoal. Chinese vessels continued to stay dangerously close to the Philippine resupply mission. Philippine ships approached. Chinese boats lined up at the entrance to the shoal. A Chinese coast guard vessel bumped a Philippine resupply boat. One Chinese militia boat grazed a Philippine vessel. 3 miles Note: Trails show positions over the prior four hours. Movement data is not available for all the ships at the scene.

This wasnt the first dangerous encounter this year. In August, a Chinese coast guard ship directed a water cannon at a Philippine resupply vessel. In February, the Philippine coast guard reported that sailors were temporarily blinded by a military-grade laser aimed by its Chinese counterpart.

Sept. 8, 2023 Chinese coast guard Chinese coast guard Chinese militia Philippine coast guard Chinese militia Philippine coast guard Chinese coastguard Chinese coast guard Chinese coast guard Chinese militia Philippine coast guard Chinese militia Philippine coast guard Chinese coast guard Chinese coast guard Chinese militia Chinese coast guard Chinese militia Philippine coast guard Source: Philippine Coast Guard

Civilians are also caught in the crosshairs. In 2019, a Filipino fishing boat was rammed by a Chinese militia trawler, leaving the fishermen floating in the wreckage for hours before a passing vessel saved them. From Vietnam and Indonesia to the Philippines, fishermen say they can no longer access traditional fishing grounds because of what is in effect a Chinese blockade.

Over the years, Chinese aggression has compelled Southeast Asian nations to suspend oil exploration in the South China Sea, although some efforts have started up again.

A constant, aggressive presence

To project Beijings power, militia trawlers have anchored for weeks near Chinas island military bases and on reefs that are within other nations waters. Rafted side by side, sometimes by the dozens, the boats often lack nets or crews big enough to fish.

Aug. 5, 2023 1 boat South China Sea 2 boats 2 boats 11 boats anchored together Union Banks, Spratly Islands 4 boats 500 feet 1 boat South China Sea 2 boats 2 boats 11 boats anchored together Union Banks, Spratly Islands 4 boats 500 feet South China Sea 1 boat 2 boats 2 boats 11 boats anchored together Union Banks, Spratly Islands 4 boats 500 feet

Sept. 9, 2023 Chinese facilities 9 boats 8 boats 2 boats 14 boats anchored together 6 boats Mischief Reef, Spratly Islands 5 boats 5 boats 13 boats 500 feet Chinese facilities 9 boats 8 boats 2 boats 14 boats anchored together 6 boats Mischief Reef, Spratly Islands 5 boats 5 boats 13 boats 500 feet Mischief Reef, Spratly Islands Chinese facilities 8 boats 2 boats 14 boats anchored together 5 boats 5 boats 13 boats 500 feet Source: Satellite images by Planet Labs and Maxar Technologies

Chinas maritime militia, by numbers and by reach, has no challenger in the South China Sea. In fact, the fleet is far bigger than whats needed to fish these waters, according to an analysis by C.S.I.S.

On any given day, satellites identify hundreds of Chinese militia boats in the South China Sea and at nearby ports.

Hundreds of militia boats can be observed daily Daily count of boats seen from satellite at key locations 400 Most militia boats return to port over the Chinese holidays. 300 At sea 200 At port 100 0 Oct. Jan. April July 2021 2022 At sea At port Most militia boats return to port over the Chinese holidays. 400 300 200 100 0 Oct. Jan. April July 2021 2022 Source: C.S.I.S. Asia Maritime Transparency Initiative Note: Data represents the number of militia vessels seen in daily satellite imagery from Sept. 2021 through Aug. 2022 for nine hotspots in the South China Sea and six ports on China's southern coast.

Funding from the Chinese government keeps the militia afloat.

Dozens of Chinese militia boats are constructed by state-owned companies. These vessels are designed for confrontation, with steel hulls, long silhouettes and an array of weaponry. Smaller, wooden fishing boats find themselves overwhelmed.

A reinforced Chinese militia boat. Jes Aznar for The New York Times

Other militia boats are recruited from the commercial fishing fleet. But because the most generous Chinese government subsidies go to the biggest vessels, even these commercial trawlers are larger than most of the Philippine coast guards fleet.

An emboldened coast guard

If the purpose of the maritime militia is to crowd contested waters, the Chinese coast guard is also redefining its role, veering dangerously close to a military stance.

Radiating out from the military bases China constructed by pouring sand on underwater Spratly reefs, such as Mischief and Subi, Chinas coast guard roams the South China Sea. Chinese ships have fired water cannons at Philippine and Vietnamese boats. They have tangled with the Indonesian Coast Guard.

And in a week in May, Chinese coast guard ships, together with maritime militia boats, churned through waters off the coast of Vietnam in the exact same, curious routing. The paths the vessels took created the character , which is the first character in the Chinese word for China. The character was sprawled over a 350-mile stretch, equivalent to the distance from New York City to Canada.

Chinas coast guard has expanded the range of its patrols 2021 CHINA Movements of Chinese coast guard ships South China Sea Vietnam Philippines Spratly Islands MALAYSIA 2022 CHINA South China Sea Spratly Islands 2023 CHINA South China Sea Spratly Islands Note: Data runs from Nov. 1 through Oct. 31 for each year.

The Chinese coast guard is now the worlds largest, and its range and presence in the South China Sea have increased dramatically in recent years. Stocked with retired navy corvettes and newer vessels that are longer than most U.S. Navy destroyers, the Chinese coast guard boasts ships that dwarf those of other nations.

Philippine coast guard Chinese coast guard Chinese coast guard Chinese coast guard Philippine coast guard Chinese coast guard Chinese coast guard Philippine coast guard Chinese coast guard Jes Aznar for The New York Times

With an emboldened Chinese coast guard flanked by a powerful maritime militia, there are fears growing of a showdown in the South China Sea.

Every single reef has some fraction of a percent of a chance, Mr. Poling said, to be the next international flashpoint.
New York University President Linda G. Mills announced the establishment of the NYU Center for the Study of Antisemitism. The Center will bring together scholars and students from across diverse disciplinesincluding the humanities, social sciences, Judaic Studies, history, social work, public policy, psychology, law, sociology, media studies, management, and public healthto examine both contemporary and historical manifestations of one of the worlds most enduring forms of hate, to study how it can best be combatted and to develop programmatic initiatives to address it. A new, recent, seven-figure donation to NYU will be used to fund this new academic center.

The Center is expected to open in Fall 2024.

President Mills said, Antisemitism was on the rise even before October 7; in fact, in April 2022, NYU hosted a summit sponsored by the American Council on Education, the American Jewish Committee, and Hillel International that brought together nearly 40 university leaders to discuss how to respond to an upturn of antisemitism on campus. Since October 7, the increase has been truly terrifying in both the American and global contexts. I have listened to heartbreaking stories from students, faculty, parents, and alums. NYU unequivocally condemns antisemitism and other forms of hate, and we are committed to maintaining a campus environment where all can study and learn in an atmosphere of respect and live free from the fear of bigotry.

This gift comes at just the right timeat a moment that cries out for new study, new insights, and new solutions to combatting this age-old hatred. I look forward to applying the Centers findings on our campus and to sharing them with other colleges, universities, and communities.

Congressman Dan Goldman, in whose district NYUs Washington Square Campus falls, said, After several constructive conversations with senior NYU officials, I am grateful the university is taking this bold and essential step to fully understand and outright eliminate antisemitism on campuses. The NYU Center for the Study of Antisemitism could not be more timelyantisemitism has been on the rise in our city and on college campuses across the country. While antisemitism did not originate with the horrific terrorist attacks of October 7, antisemitic hate has surged in its wake. NYU must be applauded for creating a center to conduct research and evaluate the problem in a holistic way.

Noam Gilboord, Interim CEO of the Jewish Community Relations Council of New York, said, JCRC-NY greatly appreciates NYUs dedication to combating antisemitism in a holistic way by creating a Center for the Study of Antisemitism. As the Jewish community continues to see a rise in antisemitism, now bolstered by the Hamas attacks of October 7th, taking concrete steps to educate the diverse population at NYU and beyond about detrimental and dangerous rhetoric is deeply necessary.

Miriam F. Elman, Executive Director of the Academic Engagement Network (AEN), and Naomi Greenspan, Director of AENs Improving the Campus Climate Initiative, said, As one of the most long-lasting forms of hate, antisemitism has mutated and adapted to different circumstances and environments. It is only through the rigorous academic study of this complex phenomenon that we can effectively combat the continued Jew-hatred that has become all too common today. NYUs commitment to this scholarship and research will ensure that Jewish inclusion is supported and addressed alongside all forms of bias and discrimination. The Academic Engagement Network looks forward to continuing to partner with NYU in this critically important work and to supporting the Center for the Study of Antisemitisms mission and activities.

The Center will research both classical forms of antisemitism as well as the new antisemitism and its links to anti-Zionism. It will examine the ways in which antisemitism and other forms of hate, discrimination and extremism fuel one another. In addition to serving as a hub for the scholarly study of antisemitism, the new Center is expected to undertake wide-ranging programs and trainings at NYU and elsewhere to educate against antisemitism and other forms of prejudice. The Center is also expected to engage with those beyond the academysuch as media, educators, government officials, law enforcement, mediators, storytellers, and religious leadersto apply the outcomes of its research to fighting antisemitism and other forms of prejudice in real-life settings. In addition, the Center is expected to collaborate with other academic centers and organizations whose work aligns with its mission and core activities, including working closely with NYUs Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies.

An inaugural Faculty Advisory Panel for the Center includes:

Professor Mor Armony, Vice Dean for Faculty and Research, Harvey Golub Professor of Business Leadership, Professor of Technology, Operations & Statistics, Stern School of Business

Professor Lihi Ben Shitrit, Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, Arts and Science

Professor Elisha Russ-Fishbane, Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, Arts and Science

Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, Executive Director of the Bronfman Center, Faculty Co-Director of Dual Degree Program (MPA-MA in Hebrew and Judaic Studies), Wagner School for Public Service

Professor Lawrence H. Schiffman, Global Distinguished Professor of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, Skirball Department of Hebrew and Judaic Studies, Arts and Science

Professor Batia Wiesenfeld, Andre J.L. Koo Professor of Management, Stern School of Business

Together with others who will soon join this distinguished group of faculty, the panel will help support the early development of the Center, provide guidance for the Centers agenda, and help identify leadership.

The Centers activities will operate through several avenues:
Hill & Knowltons London office has snapped up Vision Direct, a leading contact lens e-retailer that is part of EssilorLuxottica Group, following a competitive pitch.

It will handle integrated communications, social media activities, and support Vision Directs See More Life platform across the UK, Ireland, Spain, Italy, France and Germany.

H&Ks capabilities particularly stood out to us; their social and cultural credentials were just what we were looking for, said Cal Smith-Sheerin, Brand & Communications Manager at VD.

He also praised the creativity that the WPP unit exhibited during the pitch.

EssilorLuxottica Group operates the LensCrafters, Target Optical, Pearle Vision and Sunglass Hut brick & mortar retail network in the US. It also owns lens brands such as Ray-Ban, Oakley, Varilux, Crizal, Eyeze, Stellest, Xperio, Transitions, and Barberini.
Charles County, which is located in southern Maryland, is looking for a firm to support the PR, marketing and advertising efforts behind its five-year economic development program.
TWO founding members of Ferbane/Cloghan St Vincent dePaul, Sr Benedict and Breda Connolly, were presented with flowers at a recent function to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of the branch in Ferbane.

Joining them were two more long serving members Paddy Boland and Teresa Breslin who came onto the committee in 1980. All four are still very much involved, attending meetings and helping out where they can.

Sr Benedict remembers the then Parish Priest of Ferbane Canon McGowan calling a meeting on January 31st 1972. He was calling around to houses, especially coming up to Christmas, and that gave him the knowledge of who was really in need, she said.

That first meeting was held in St Josephs Convent where it was agreed to set up a branch in the area. I went to that first meeting and Im there ever since, she smiled. Sr Benedict remembers serving as secretary and as president over the years. We all served at some stage or other and just got on with it, she said.

Having arrived in Ferbane from Kildare in 1958, Sr Benedict has spent most of her religious life in the town. Remembering how things have changed, Sr Benedict knows a lot of people in the area as she mentioned how people would call to the convent, especially at Christmas, looking for help with clothes and such but mostly with food. We couldnt act alone, no one could, and still cant, everything has to be discussed at a meeting, she stated.

Sr Benedict mentioned that there was a lot more poverty back then rather than now. Well now theres the Social Welfare you see and thats a help but there are some people still in need but they dont want to have to ask for help for whatever reason. Its a very hard thing to have to ask for help, she said. She went on to say that people were very generous at making donations and they still are.

86 year old retired school teacher Breda Connolly was also present at that meeting back in 1972. She had a great advantage as she was born and raised in Ferbane so she knew everyone and from teaching in the local school, she knew the families. Witnessing big changes through the years in the society, Breda said that back then the members of the group called to the houses.

We knew them very well and were friends with them, now instead of going with big bags of stuff at Christmas like chickens, ducks or whatever to the houses, we get a voucher for people and send it on and its not half as nice. Its less trouble for us if you like, but we dont know them anymore, said Breda.

Paddy Boland served as Treasurer for a long number of years, and remembers that they had a very active group of people involved. There were about nine of us and Eddie Mitchell, who was the local Garda, was President then. The priest in Ballinahown would put out a basket for food and people were very generous, especially at Christmas time, he said. Paddy who was a rates collector could see at first hand who was in real need and who desperately needed help to survive.

Cavan native Raymond Brady is the current President of the Ferbane/Cloghan conference. He joined five years ago having moved to the town almost twenty years ago on his marriage to Clare Lowry. Raymonds involvement came about because both his father and sister are involved back in Cavan.

Its an honour I have to say to work with such warm and welcoming people here in Ferbane, he said. Speaking about how they go about helping, he explained we try to be discreet helping people, but we dont need publicity, we just need to be sure that whoever needs help, gets it so we can protect their pride and their dignity and we make sure that they are looked after well, he said.

Continuing he said theres nearly 200 years experience between the four people we honour here tonight. They have very heart-warming stories and if I get as much reward from it as they have, Ill stay in it forever, said Raymond. Its a very rewarding job and time doesnt come into it, he said.

The group cover Ferbane, Cloghan, Pullough, Ballinahown, Boher, Belmont, Shannonbridge and Shannon Harbour.

Some people still use the old system member approach and thats perfect, he said. Vouchers give people the freedom to get the food that they like, pay whatever bills need to be paid, and then recently we have the energy crisis and that affects a lot of people, not just the socially deprived, but also working people that need help too and theres no shame in asking, everyone needs a little bit of help now and again, he said.

Raymond spoke of the investment in education that the conference provides. Education is the way forward and St Vincent DePaul encourage that especially getting into third level, and we have helped several students in the last few years, so if they contact us we can give them super support, we will give help, he said.

The group meet every month maximum, and sometimes every two weeks when things are busy.

He thanks Fr Fitzmaurice for the use of his house where the group have their meetings down through the years and which he said is a real hub for us.

Raymond also wished to remind people of the specific phone line that the group have, which is (087) 927 2877, or people can approach a member personally if they need help or they can contact the Parochial House.
More than a thousand people have staged a protest outside the Irish parliament in a call for the Israeli ambassador in Dublin to be expelled from the country.

It came as a Government minister warned such a move would push Ireland to the margins of international opinion.

Protesters waved large Palestinian flags as they also called for a ceasefire in the conflict.

The demonstrators chanted Free Palestine, Israeli Ambassador, out, out, out, and from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.

The demonstrators also erected a large sign which spelled out Gaza in lights.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett was among the demonstrators.

Sinn Fein TDs Pearse Doherty and Matt Carthy, as well as Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns and party TD Gary Gannon were also in attendance.

The protest came ahead of a vote on a motion proposed by the Social Democrats calling for a range of economic and diplomatic sanctions against Israel.

The party has demanded that the diplomatic credentials of Israels ambassador in Ireland, Dana Erlich, be revoked.

The motion also called for Ireland to use its influence in Brussels to seek a suspension of the EU-Israel trade deal, invoking a human rights clause in the agreement, and suspend Israel from participation in the Horizon Europe research funding initiative.

The party said Ireland should also refer Israel to the International Criminal Court.

Tabling a counter-motion that removed the calls for sanctions, Minister of State James Browne told the Dail parliament that maintaining diplomatic links with Israel was vital.

There is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza and there is a real risk of regional spillover of conflict, he said.

At the same time, I regret that the motion proposed by the Social Democrats seeks to push Ireland to the margins of international opinion, he said, claiming such a move would undermine the countrys influence in the Middle East.

It underplays the value of international and multilateral engagement, he added.

Ireland must continue to work with our international partners in responding to this crisis.

The Government has made its position clear regarding proposals to expel the Israeli ambassador  cutting off diplomatic relations with a country means cutting off communication channels.

Diplomacy is not always or only about friendly relations, and nor is it an endorsement of the policies or actions of a given country. It is precisely at times of conflict and tension that diplomacy is most useful and most needed, and it is vital to maintain communication links.

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns insisted words of condemnation are not enough as she opened the debate on the motion.

Accusing Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, Ms Cairns criticised the Government for proposing amendments that she claimed would replace the demand for tangible sanctions against Israel with platitudes and zero actions.

The refusal of most Western leaders to shout stop and demand a ceasefire has led to thousands of deaths, Ms Cairns told the Dail.

Israel is killing with impunity. According to the World Health Organisation, Gaza is now a graveyard for children.

She added: I recognise that the Irish Government has done more than most of the EU to advocate for a ceasefire, but thats just evidence of how low the bar is.

Words of condemnation are not enough. We need action.

There must be consequences for the crimes perpetrated by Israel on a captive civilian population in Gaza.

Later responding to Mr Brownes warning of Ireland being pushed to the margins, she said: Given the majority of Western leaders opinion, Im happy for Ireland to be an outlier.

Sinn Feins Matt Carthy said he was ashamed at the international communitys response to the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

I am ashamed of the international communitys response to what we have seen in Gaza and particularly ashamed by the response of the EU, he said.

I think EU leaders have ensured that the European Union no longer has any credibility to be a voice for peace, international law and for the basic rules of humanity for so long as they refuse to take a stand.

Mr Carthy told Mr Browne that the world was turning a blind eye and the EU, worse still, is providing cover.

He criticised the Governments failure to back the call for economic and diplomatic sanctions against Israel.

Every single possible action that might help pressure Israel to stop the slaughter of innocent Palestinians is met with pathetic excuses, he said.

Its not good enough, minister. It is well past time that Ireland shows leadership, not to follow the lead of a European Union that clearly isnt willing or capable of providing the leadership thats much needed in this instance.

Minister of State Sean Fleming also addressed the Dail during the two-hour debate.

It is clear that deputies across the house are deeply and genuinely concerned at the horrific situation that has unfolded in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian Territory over the past three weeks. The Government shares this deep alarm at the situation and its continued rapid deterioration, including the grave humanitarian situation that now exists within the Gaza Strip, he said.

He added: The Irish Governments position on this is clear. Israel has the right to defend itself and its people from attack. But this is not an unfettered right.

International humanitarian law applies, the principle of proportionality applies, and the Israeli military has a duty to ensure the protection of citizens. A humanitarian ceasefire for Gaza is an essential, basic step now.

TDs will vote on the motion and the Government amendment later on Wednesday.

They will also vote on a Sinn Fein motion, which was debated on Tuesday evening, calling on the Government to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court.
A motion in the Irish Parliament calling for the expulsion of the Israeli ambassador has been defeated.

The vote came as more than a thousand protesters calling for the expulsion of the ambassador staged a demonstration outside the Oireachtas.

The motion proposed by the Social Democrats called for a range of economic and diplomatic sanctions against Israel, including that the diplomatic credentials of Israels ambassador in Ireland, Dana Erlich, be revoked.

The motion also called for Ireland to use its influence in Brussels to seek a suspension of the EU-Israel trade deal, invoking a human rights clause in the agreement, and suspend Israel from participation in the Horizon Europe research funding initiative.

The party additionally said Ireland should also refer Israel to the International Criminal Court.

Tabling a counter-motion that removed the calls for sanctions, Minister of State James Browne told the Dail parliament that maintaining diplomatic links with Israel was vital

The government amendment to the motion was voted for by 85 votes to 55.

A motion by Sinn Fein calling for Ireland to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court  that was debated in the Dail on Tuesday evening  was also defeated.

Throughout the evening protesters outside the parliament waved large Palestinian flags as they also called for a ceasefire in the conflict.

The demonstrators chanted Free Palestine, Israeli ambassador, out, out, out, and from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free.

The demonstrators also erected a large sign which spelled out Gaza in lights.

People Before Profit TD Richard Boyd Barrett was among the demonstrators.

Sinn Fein TDs Pearse Doherty and Matt Carthy, as well as Social Democrat leader Holly Cairns and party TD Gary Gannon were also in attendance.

Earlier Mr Browne told the Dail that maintaining diplomatic links with Israel was vital.

There is a humanitarian catastrophe unfolding in Gaza and there is a real risk of regional spillover of conflict, he said.

At the same time, I regret that the motion proposed by the Social Democrats seeks to push Ireland to the margins of international opinion, he said, claiming such a move would undermine the countrys influence in the Middle East.

It underplays the value of international and multilateral engagement.

Ireland must continue to work with our international partners in responding to this crisis.

The Government has made its position clear regarding proposals to expel the Israeli ambassador  cutting off diplomatic relations with a country means cutting off communication channels.

Diplomacy is not always or only about friendly relations, and nor is it an endorsement of the policies or actions of a given country. It is precisely at times of conflict and tension that diplomacy is most useful and most needed, and it is vital to maintain communication links.

Ms Cairns insisted words of condemnation are not enough as she opened the debate on the motion.

Accusing Israel of committing war crimes in Gaza, Ms Cairns criticised the Government for proposing amendments that she claimed would replace the demand for tangible sanctions against Israel with platitudes and zero actions.

The refusal of most western leaders to shout stop and demand a ceasefire has led to thousands of deaths, Ms Cairns told the Dail.

Israel is killing with impunity. According to the World Health Organisation, Gaza is now a graveyard for children.

She added: I recognise that the Irish government has done more than most of the EU to advocate for a ceasefire, but thats just evidence of how low the bar is.

Words of condemnation are not enough. We need action.

There must be consequences for the crimes perpetrated by Israel on a captive civilian population in Gaza.

Later responding to Mr Brownes warning of Ireland being pushed to the margins, she said: Given the majority of western leaders opinion, Im happy for Ireland to be an outlier.

Mr Carthy said he was ashamed at the international communitys response to the Israeli bombardment of Gaza.

I am ashamed of the international communitys response to what we have seen in Gaza and particularly ashamed by the response of the EU, he said.

I think EU leaders have ensured that the European Union no longer has any credibility to be a voice for peace, international law and for the basic rules of humanity for so long as they refuse to take a stand.

Mr Carthy told Mr Browne that the world was turning a blind eye and the EU, worse still, is providing cover.

He criticised the Governments failure to back the call for economic and diplomatic sanctions against Israel.

Every single possible action that might help pressure Israel to stop the slaughter of innocent Palestinians is met with pathetic excuses, he said.

Its not good enough, minister. It is well past time that Ireland shows leadership, not to follow the lead of a European Union that clearly isnt willing or capable of providing the leadership thats much needed in this instance.

Minister of State Sean Fleming also addressed the Dail during the two-hour debate.

It is clear that deputies across the house are deeply and genuinely concerned at the horrific situation that has unfolded in Israel and in the occupied Palestinian Territory over the past three weeks. The Government shares this deep alarm at the situation and its continued rapid deterioration, including the grave humanitarian situation that now exists within the Gaza Strip, he said.

He added: The Irish Governments position on this is clear. Israel has the right to defend itself and its people from attack. But this is not an unfettered right.

International humanitarian law applies, the principle of proportionality applies, and the Israeli military has a duty to ensure the protection of citizens. A humanitarian ceasefire for Gaza is an essential, basic step now.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the conference (Photo: VNA)

Chinh said that over the years, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic period, the Government has issued many mechanisms and policies to support tourism activities, along with measures to speed up tourism recovery and development, including loosened visa policies and reduction of power prices for tourist accommodation facilities.

Thanks to the joint efforts of the whole political system, businesses and the people as well as cooperation from international partners, Vietnams tourism sector has shown fast recovery and growth.

He noted that in 2022, the total revenue from tourism activities reached 495 trillion VND (20.39 billion USD), 2.75 folds that in 2021. In the first 10 months of this year, tourism was a bright spot in the countrys economy, serving 99 million domestic and 10 million foreign tourists, exceeding the yearly plan by 8 million visitors. Total earnings from tourism activities hit 582.6 trillion VND.

The Government leader highlighted Vietnams outstanding advantages and opportunities to boost tourism, including stable political and security situation, good infrastructure system, diverse natural landscapes, unique cultural identity, and sound relations with many countries.

However, he pointed out that tourism development has yet to meet the countrys potential, with modest number of visitors and poor tourism connectivity among ministries, sectors and localities as well as loose partnership between the public and private sectors, and a lack of large-scale tourism promotion activities.

PM Chinh underscored that the tourism development motto for the coming time is boosting the sectors growth in a fast and sustainable manner, with smooth mechanisms, strong infrastructure system, and smart management.

The leader asked ministries, sectors, localities, and travel firms to foster their comprehensive and effective linkage with clear division of responsibility, promoting the orientation role of national tourism agencies, and forming tourism regions serving as driving forces for tourism growth.

At the same time, it is necessary to develop socio-economic infrastructure system and strengthen public-private partnership in tourism, and support small- and medium-sized enterprises as well as households engaging in tourism activities to speed up digital transformation and access capital.

The PM assigned specific tasks to particular ministries, sectors and localities in building the tourism planning for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2045 and removing difficulties in launching direct international air routes.

He ordered stronger efforts in human resources training for the tourism sector and building new and unique tourism products basing on the countrys advantages and potential, as well as greater attention to tourism environment management, heritage preservation, and smart tourism ecosystem development.

Chinh advised domestic travel firms to strengthen cooperation and mutual support to overcome difficulties.

The PM pledged that the Government will work hard to direct ministries, sectors and localities to provide best conditions for the people and business community to join hands in boosting fast and sustainable tourism development.

President and CEO of VietJet Air and President of SOVICO Group Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao gives ideas at the conference (Photo: VNA)

Participants at the conference gave various ideas to boost tourism development. Vu The Binh, Chairman of the Vietnam Travel Association, proposed that the Government adjust policies that was issued in the COVID-19 period, while allowing travel firms to access soft loans from the State, restructuring the international tourism market, strengthening tourism promotion, and switching to green tourism and diversifying tourism products.

President and CEO of VietJet Air and President of SOVICO Group Nguyen Thi Phuong Thao said that Vietnam should launch a national action programme to boost tourism, while building national-scale tourism promotion programmes, designing more favourable visa policy, investing more in technology application in enter-exit activities and e-visa issuance for international visitors, and paying greater attention to training high quality human resources for the tourism sector.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Thi Hanh, Vice Chairwoman of the Peoples Committee of Quang Ninh, underlined the need for ministries and sectors to review their mechanisms and policies to support businesses and investors in the field of tourism. She said she hopes an annual meeting will be held for localities with relevant ministries and sectors to sketch out annual tourism development orientations./.
One weather expert has slated a number of national media outlets for reporting Ireland will get 5cm of snow in the next two weeks despite not correlating with weather models.

Alan O'Reilly from Carlow Weather took issue with the reporting and said the changes of snowfall in Ireland in the near future is "very, very slim."

"The GFS weather model this morning did show some wintry weather over us. The 5cm would have been on the top of Lugnaquilla in the Wicklow mountains but the next update shows the cold weather is nowhere near us," Alan said.

"If you're going to start sharing articles that say there's going to be snow in two weeks, we're going to be here for the next three months every time a weather chart update shows a small chance of snow and it's going to be ridiculous.

"If they've got the Lotto numbers as well, I'll take them," Alan joked as he labelled the reporting as "nonsense."

Getting back to the weather models, he said: "There is a chance of some colder weather towards the end of the month, but it's a chance and may not come near us."

He added: "The chances of snow? Very, very, very slim and trying to forecast that is pretty much impossible so I don't think I'll be stocking up on snow boots just yet."

So an online outlet has decided to look at one GFS weather model for 10 days time and say its going to snow. That model only showed on Wicklow Mountains and the next update shows cold well away from us and now snow. Going to be a long winter with this crap! pic.twitter.com/wyFsKiQFQr  Carlow Weather (@CarlowWeather) November 15, 2023

Meanwhile, while Met Eireann says the rest of this week will be unsettled with rain and blustery winds, the national forecaster has found some light at the end of the tunnel.

Their forecast from next Monday, November 20, says: "High pressure situated close to the southwest is signalling slightly warmer than average temperatures for the period in most areas, although temperatures remaining close to average along eastern coasts. Precipitation amounts are expected to be slightly below average in parts of the east and south of the country while in the north and east precipitation is expected to be slightly above average."

For the week from November 27, they add: "Currently high pressure is forecast to dominate Irelands weather for this week, steering weather systems away from our shores. Temperatures are expected to be slightly above average in many areas, however temperatures more around average along eastern and southern coastal areas. As a result of the influence of high pressure, precipitation is expected to be below or around average in most areas, with perhaps the far northwest having slightly above average precipitation amounts."

Beyond that and into early December, they say there is "increasing uncertainty" but that "current indications suggest, slightly wetter than average conditions in most areas, although there is a chance that rainfall in the southeast will be closer to average. Temperatures are forecast to be around average."
EU enlargement to Western Balkans "high on the agenda": European Council president

Xinhua) 04:33, November 17, 2023

ZAGREB, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The enlargement of the European Union (EU) to the Western Balkans is "high on the agenda," visiting European Council President Charles Michel said here on Thursday.

"I am convinced that the European path for the countries of the Western Balkans is the most important step for peace here," Michel said at a joint press conference with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, adding that the move is an investment in the peace and well-being of the continent.

For his part, Plenkovic said Croatia supports the EU enlargement. "We are advocates of expansion to our neighbors, this guarantees peace, security, stability and better mutual relations," he said.

Croatia will "do everything" to help Bosnia and Herzegovina and other Western Balkan countries to join the EU, Plenkovic said.

The press conference was held during a working dinner hosted by Plenkovic and attended by Michel, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, Maltese Prime Minister Robert Abela and Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki.

In August, Michel said at the Bled Strategic Forum held in Slovenia that the EU should be ready for its next enlargement by 2030.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (C, front) speaks at the opening plenary session of the APEC Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 14, 2023. (Justin Tafoya/U.S. Department of State/Handout via Xinhua)

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- The 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting kicked off on Tuesday with a focus on creating a resilient and sustainable future.

Interconnectedness, innovation, strengthening inclusivity and unleashing people's untapped potential are the three priorities in the days ahead, according to U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who co-hosted the opening plenary session with U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai.

Blinken noted the existence of many economic challenges despite progress toward a more prosperous future during the past three decades.

Tai highlighted the threat of fragile supply chains, growing inequality and growing economic insecurity, the worsening climate crisis and increasing geopolitical tensions.

The two-day ministerial meeting will be followed by the APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting scheduled for Nov. 15-17.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken (3rd L, front) and U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai (3rd R, front) attend the opening plenary session of the APEC Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 14, 2023. (Justin Tafoya/U.S. Department of State/Handout via Xinhua)

Delegates attend the opening plenary session of the 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

Delegates attend the opening plenary session of the 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Yanan)

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai (C, front) speaks at the opening plenary session of the APEC Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Deng Xianlai)

Delegates attend the opening plenary session of the 2023 APEC Ministerial Meeting in San Francisco, the United States, on Nov. 14, 2023. (Xinhua/Deng Xianlai)

Editor: WXL
Not Cong, KCR Should Say What He Has Done For Telangana: Rahul Gandhi

When Will Telangana Farmers Get Money Into Their Account After EC's Pause On Rythu Bandhu?

Vijayashanthi Returns To Congress Fold After Nine-Year Hiatus

Hyderabad

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Vijayashanthi, the actor-turned-politician, stepped down from the Telangana BJP on Wednesday and is likely to join Congress party on Friday, according to reports. The report further indicated that she sent her resignation to BJP Telangana president G Kishan Reddy.

Over the past 25 years, Vijayashanthi has shuttling between the two national parties and TRS (now BRS). She initially joined the Andhra Pradesh BJP in 1997, departed to join the Telangana movement, and affiliated with TRS in 2009. Her journey continued as she left TRS to join Congress in 2014 but then switched to BJP in 2020.

Speculation about her departure from BJP has circulated for the last six months, citing her discontent with the party's functioning in the state. Despite efforts by senior party leaders to persuade her to remain, she has opted to rejoin Congress. Her anticipated re-entry into the grand old party is expected to take place in the presence of Rahul Gandhi.

There are murmurs suggesting Vijayashanthi's desire for a Lok Sabha ticket from the Medak constituency under the Congress banner. Although she contested on a Congress ticket in the 2014 assembly elections for the same constituency, she did not secure the seat.

Telangana Polls: BSP's Transgender Contestant Pushpithalaya Promises Education For All, If Elected

Her candidacy for the 2024 Lok Sabha elections remains uncertain, pending the outcome of assembly election results, which might influence the ticket allotment.

Vijayashanthi's legacy in Telugu cinema comprises over 187 films, featuring prominently in influential movies such as "Karthavyam," "Gang Leader," "Osey Ramulamma," and "Swayam Krushi." She shared the screen with leading actors of the 90s, including Chiranjeevi, Venkatesh, and Balakrishna.
Amid Reports Of Disturbances At Indian Events, India Urges Canada To Respect Vienna Convention

India

oi-Prakash KL

India on Thursday once again urged Ottawa to respect the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations amid reports of Khalistani elements disturbing a consular camp organised in Indian High Commission in Canada.

Speaking at a press conference, Ministry of External Affairs spokesperson Arindam Bagchi also said that there have been some inaccurate social media reports regarding the incidents.

"Our High Commission and consulates in Canada regularly organize consular camps. One such camp was organized near Vancouver on November 12 to provide life certificates to pensioners. The event was held successfully despite attempts by a few radical elements to cause trouble. Our Consul General was not present at that site".

"We reiterate the need for nations to respect the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations so that our diplomats can discharge their diplomatic obligations," he added.

Addressing reports of a purported attack on the Indian community during Diwali celebrations in Canada, the spokesperson for the Ministry of External Affairs stated that the consulate has not received any complaints regarding the incident.

"As regards to events that you alluded to near Brampton or Mississauga in Diwali. I think that was more in the nature of unrest between the two groups. To be honest, I don't think there has been any complaint that our consulate has received. I saw some social media reports. We also understand that the authorities there are looking into that incident, so I don't have anything further to add to that," he further said.

Meanwhile, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said that India is not ruling out an investigation into Canada's allegations about the involvement of the Indian government's agents in the killing of a Khalistani separatist in that country but wants it to provide evidence to back its claims.

Jaishankar made the comments on Wednesday in response to questions during a conversation with veteran journalist Lionel Barber titled 'How a Billion People See the World'.

"If you have a reason to make such an allegation, please share the evidence with us. We are not ruling out an investigation and looking at anything which they may have to offer. They haven't done so," Jaishankar, who was here on a five-day official visit to the UK, said while responding to a question.

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.

India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020. India has rejected Trudeau's allegations as "absurd" and "motivated". Jaishankar also said Canadian politics has given space to violent and extreme political opinions which advocate separatism from India, including through violent means.

"These people have been accommodated in Canadian politics. They are given the freedom to articulate their views," he said.

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Story first published: Thursday, November 16, 2023, 18:30 [IST]
Assembly Elections 2023 Poll LIVE: 70.60% Voter Turnout Recorded In Chhattisgarh, Over 74% In MP

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Chhattisgarh and Madhya Pradesh will vote on Friday to elect their Assemblies. While all 230 constituencies of Madhya Pradesh will go to the polls in a single day, 70 seats in Chhattisgarh will vote in the second phase.

Notably, 20 Assembly constituencies in Chhattisgarh have already cast their votes on November 7.

Madhya Pradesh will vote to decide the electoral fate of 2,533 candidates in 230 assembly seats, including political bigwigs like Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his predecessor and rival Kamal Nath, in a poll that will be a largely bipolar battle between the ruling BJP and the opposition Congress.

The second and final phase of Chhattisgarh assembly elections for the remaining 70 seats will decide the electoral fate of political heavyweights like Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, his deputy TS Singh Deo, eight state ministers and four members of Parliament.

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Chhath Puja: Toxic Foam On Yamuna Will Be Cleared In One Or Two Days Says Delhi Minister Atishi

India

oi-PTI

Delhi Minister Atishi on Thursday said the toxic foam on the Yamuna will be cleared in the next one or two days and asked the Uttar Pradesh government to stop the release of dirty water in the river.

The senior AAP leader made the remarks during an inspection of the Burari Chhath ghat in the morning.

The Arvind Kejriwal government has made arrangements for devotees during Chhath, she said.

The four-day festival, in which devotees fast and offer 'arghya' to the Sun God on the last two days, will begin on November 17. People gather at ghats, such as the one in Burari, to offer prayers.

BJP Leader Says Cows Also Drinking From Here Amid Yamuna Frothing

"The work of clearing the foam on the Yamuna river is going on. Using boats, Delhi Jal Board teams are spraying chemicals and enzymes to remove the foam, and it will be cleared in one or two days. But I want to urge the Uttar Pradesh government to not release polluted water. The water that is coming towards Kalindi Kunj side of the river is from the Uttar Pradesh barrage," Atishi said.

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Story first published: Thursday, November 16, 2023, 12:06 [IST]
Bhai Dooj 2023: Know Shubh Muhurat, Puja Vidhi And Other Details

SSC GD 2024 Constable Recruitment Notification Expected Today: Know Eligibility, How To Apply

Delhi Airport Grapples with Flight Disruptions As Heavy Rains And Strong Winds Batter The City

Delhi Chokes As Air Quality Remains in 'Severe' Category

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

Delhi's air quality remained 'severe' on Thursday morning, crossing an AQI of 400, as a thick layer of toxic smog enveloped the city, compromising visibility and raising health concerns across all age groups.

Despite the respite brought by rain, pollution levels surged again in Delhi. A hazy smog reappeared after people disregarded the firecracker ban during Diwali.

The city government's strict measures, including bans on construction and the entry of diesel trucks, failed to prevent a decline in air quality over recent days.

Key areas recorded alarming AQI levels: Bawana at 442, ITO at 415, Jahangirpuri at 441, Dwarka at 417, Alipur at 415, Anand Vihar at 411, and around Delhi airport at 403.

The scale of AQI categories ranges from 'good' at 0-50 to 'severe plus' above 450, highlighting the severity of the situation.

The India Meteorological Department predicted continued fog-like conditions in Delhi for the next four days.

Local residents expressed distress. Shivang, an athlete, struggled to train outdoors due to breathing difficulties. Harshit Gupta, visiting from Uttar Pradesh, likened Delhi's air to inhaling smoke, urging the government to intervene for solutions to protect public health.

To combat the crisis, the Delhi government plans to ban all passenger buses except those running on CNG, electricity, or BS-VI diesel from entering the capital. GRAP Stage IV restrictions already in place only bar trucks from entering the city.

Enforcement teams, including traffic units, are deployed at Delhi's borders to ensure compliance with restrictions, focusing on overloaded trucks, pollution certificates, and congestion.

On a global scale, Delhi ranked as the most polluted city on a recent IQAir report, followed by Lahore and Mumbai.

Despite a temporary improvement in air quality on Diwali day, continued firecracker activity into the night worsened pollution levels, exacerbated by low temperatures.

Experts attributed the post-Diwali pollution spike primarily to fireworks and to a lesser extent, farm fires, accounting for 12% of the capital's pollution, a figure expected to increase to 14% and then drop to 6% on subsequent days.

Medical professionals equated breathing Delhi's polluted air to the harmful effects of smoking roughly 10 cigarettes daily, emphasizing the grave health risks posed by the city's air quality.

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Story first published: Thursday, November 16, 2023, 8:51 [IST]
Chhath Puja: Toxic Foam On Yamuna Will Be Cleared In One Or Two Days Says Delhi Minister Atishi

Atishi Advises Students to Make Independent Decisions and Be Responsible Towards Parents and Country

Delhi Education Minister Atishi advised students not to surrender to societal pressure and to take independent decisions. She asked students to remember their responsibility towards the country and help make India a leading economy.

India

-Krishna Kripa

New Delhi: Delhi Education Minister Atishi on Thursday advised students not to surrender to societal pressure and to take independent decisions. In her address at the 10th convocation ceremony of Delhi Technological University (DTU), she asked students to remember their responsibility towards the country and help make India a leading economy.

Making Independent Decisions

Atishi said, "Students graduating today must remember three things during this transition phase of their life. They must make their decisions independently, be responsible towards parents who dedicated their lives to make them successful, and the country that facilitated their high-quality education."

Responsibility Towards Parents and Country

She further added, "The convocation ceremony was also attended by Delhi Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena and DRDO scientist Suma Varughese. A total of 3,620 students were awarded degrees at the convocation ceremony."

Inauguration of New Academic Blocks

Earlier in the day, Atishi inaugurated two new state-of-the-art academic blocks at the Delhi Technological University. The newly inaugurated blocks are each eight-storeyed and equipped with world-class modern facilities, Atishi said. These academic blocks will serve as an example where the students will have all the necessary amenities to help shape their careers, she added.

Emphasis on Research and Innovation

Atishi said, "Our technical education institutions should lead in the fields of research and innovation." The new academic blocks at DTU feature 36 modern labs, 67 lecture rooms, classrooms, faculty rooms, and conference rooms, the minister said and added these facilities can accommodate more than 5,200 students at a time.

Eco-Friendly Features

Additionally, the academic blocks are eco-friendly, equipped with rooftop solar panels, a modular rainwater harvesting system, and a connecting sky ramp, Atishi added.

The inauguration of the new academic blocks at DTU is a testament to the government's commitment to providing quality education to students. These blocks will provide students with the resources they need to succeed in their careers and contribute to the development of the country.
Cong, BJP Look For Pole Position In Chhindwara; Will Kamal Tump 'Kamal' In His Backyard?

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections: Five Crucial Seats To Watch In The Race For Power

India

oi-Madhuri Adnal

With 230 seats up for grabs, the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) faces a formidable challenge from the Indian National Congress (INC). Five key seats, in particular, are expected to play an important role in shaping the state's political landscape.

Budhni: Shivraj Singh Chouhan's Stronghold

Main Candidates: Shivraj Singh Chouhan (BJP) vs Vikram Mastal (INC)

Past Winners: 2018, 2013 - Shivraj Singh Chouhan (BJP)

Budhni has been Shivraj Singh Chouhan's undisputed domain since 2006, serving as his pocket borough. His electoral dominance is evident in his victory margins, having defeated Congress leader Arun Yadav by a whopping 58,999 votes in the last polls.

Unprecedented Trust, Affection For BJP Among People: PM Modi At Rally In Madhya Pradesh

Despite Chouhan's unchallenged status as the BJP's Chief Ministerial candidate, his political clout in Budhni remains undeniable. The constituency has witnessed a consistent pattern of high voter turnout, with the exception of 2013, indicating the active participation of its citizens.

Chhindwara: Kamal Nath's Bastion

Main Candidates: Kamal Nath (INC) vs. Vivek Bunty Sahu (BJP)

Past Winners: 2018 - Deepak Saxena (INC); 2013 - Chandrabhan K Singh (BJP)

Kamal Nath's grip on Chhindwara is undeniable, having secured victory in a by-poll in May 2019 with a margin of over 25,800 votes. His decades-long political career is further cemented by his record nine wins from the Chhindwara Lok Sabha seat. Nath is leveraging his influence to counter the BJP and make a strong bid for the CM's chair.

The victory margin in Chhindwara has fluctuated over the past three elections, with the INC emerging victorious in 2018 with a margin of 14,547 votes. The winning candidate's vote share stood at 50.47 per cent, highlighting the tight nature of the contest. Voter turnout has consistently been high, with a slight increase in 2018 compared to the previous two elections.

Narsingpur: The BJP's OBC Champion

Main Candidates: Prahlad Singh Patel (BJP) vs. Lakhan Singh Patel (INC)

Past Winners: 2018, 2013 - Jalam Singh Patel (BJP)

The BJP has strategically fielded strong OBC leader and Union minister Prahlad Singh Patel from Narsingpur, replacing his brother Jalam Singh Patel. The Patel brothers have successfully maintained the BJP's stronghold in the region, with Jalam Singh winning the 2013 and 2018 polls. Prahlad Singh's candidacy is expected to further strengthen the BJP's position in Narsingpur.

Madhya Pradesh Assembly Elections 2023: Who Are The Richest And Poorest Candidates In The Fray?

Narsingpur has experienced variations in the victory margin over the past three elections, with the widest margin recorded in 2013, where the BJP's candidate, Jalam Singh Patel, won with 48,481 votes.

However, Jalam Singh Patel "munna Bhaiya" secured a narrow victory in 2018 with a margin of just 14,903 votes. The winning candidate's vote share exceeded 57 per cent, indicating a clear preference for the winning party.

Voter turnout has remained consistently high, with a slight increase in 2018 compared to 2013. The high turnout signifies the active engagement of voters in this constituency.

Indore-1: A Clash of Titans

Main Candidates: Kailash Vijayvargiya (BJP) vs. Sanjay Shukla (INC)

Past Winners: 2018 - Sanjay Shukla (INC); 2013 - Sudarshan Gupta (BJP)

The BJP has deployed senior leader and national general secretary Kailash Vijayvargiya to contest from Indore-1, a constituency currently represented by Congress' Sanjay Shukla. The BJP, having won the seat in 2008 and 2013, aims to reclaim its dominance in the region by fielding a strong leader.

Indore-1 has witnessed a fluctuating victory margin over the past three elections. The smallest margin was recorded in 2018, when the INC's Sanjay Shukla won with a margin of 8,163 votes. This close contest was reflected in the vote share of the winning candidate, which stood at 50.24%. Voter turnout has remained consistently high, with a slight dip in 2013 and 2008 compared to 2018. The high turnout in 2018 highlights the significance of this seat in the state's electoral landscape.

Has Congress Gained Edge Over BJP in Madhya Pradesh Elections 2023? Heres What New Survey Says

Lahar: Dr. Govind Singh's Unbroken Streak

Main Candidates: Dr. Govind Singh (INC) vs. Ambrish Sharma (BJP)

Dr. Govind Singh has been an indomitable force in Lahar, holding the assembly seat undefeated since 1990. His unwavering loyalty to Congress veteran Digvijaya Singh and consistent victories, including a substantial margin of over 9,000 votes in 2018, make him a formidable contender in this election.

In Lahar, the victory margin has gradually increased over the past three elections, with the largest margin recorded in 2018. The INC emerged victorious in 2018 with a margin of 9,073 votes.

Despite the competitive nature of the race, the winning candidate's vote share stood at 40.11%, indicating a degree of voter preference. Voter turnout has remained high, with a slight decrease in 2018 compared to the previous assembly election.
Visitors look at an aerial vehicle of EHang during the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

SHENZHEN, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off on Wednesday in south China's tech hub of Shenzhen, showcasing a number of advanced products and technologies.

Covering an area of some 500,000 square meters, the fair has attracted 4,925 enterprises from 105 countries and regions, making this year's fair the largest ever.

This year's fair will run until Nov. 19. During the five-day event, exhibitions with themes such as clean energy and low-carbon technology will be held.

A series of activities, including forums and signing ceremonies, are also scheduled to take place during the fair, and more than 680 new achievements are expected to be announced.

The annual China Hi-tech Fair, inaugurated in 1999, is the largest and the most influential science and technology fair in China. 

People visit the exhibition booth of Poland during the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

People visit a prefab capsule used in tourism and camping industry at the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

People look at a wheeled tractor during the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

People learn about a new energy car at the exhibition booth of Voyah, a Chinese luxury electric auto brand, during the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

People visit the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

A staff member demonstrates a four-legged patrol robot during the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

People visit the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

Visitors look at a flying car of Xpeng Aeroht during the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

Visitors learn about buried garbage transfer station at the exhibition booth of Shenzhen Energy Corporation at the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

A staff member demonstrates a virtual live streaming platform combining the technology of artificial intelligence and real-time rendering algorithm during the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Mao Siqian)

A visitor learns about digital construction platform at the exhibition booth of China Construction Shenzhen Decoration Co., Ltd during the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

People learn about a mini-lathe at the exhibition booth of Bavaria during the 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) in Shenzhen, south China's Guangdong Province, Nov. 15, 2023. The 25th China Hi-Tech Fair (CHTF) kicked off here Wednesday, attracting 4,925 exhibitors from 105 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Liang Xu)

Editor: JYZ
Maharashtra BJP chief meets Pankaja Munde at her residence

Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday met party national secretary Pankaja Munde, who has been sidelined in state politics, at her residence here.

India

-Krishna Kripa

Mumbai, Nov 16: Maharashtra BJP president Chandrashekhar Bawankule on Thursday met party national secretary Pankaja Munde, who has been sidelined in state politics, at her residence here. The meeting between the two leaders has sparked speculations about a possible comeback for Munde, who was the rural development minister in the previous BJP-led government in the state.

Courtesy Call or Something More?

Bawankule posted pictures of his visit to the home of Pankaja Munde, the daughter of BJP stalwart late Gopinath Munde, on social media. Beed Lok Sabha member Pritam Munde, sister of Pankaja Munde, was also present during the meeting. Bawankule described the visit as a courtesy call to greet the Mundes on Diwali. "Apart from savouring on Diwali delicacies, we had a good discussion on various issues," said the state BJP president without elaborating.

Pankaja Munde's Political Career

Pankaja Munde, a prominent OBC face of the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) in Maharashtra, was the rural development minister in the Devendra Fadnavis government from 2014 to 2019. However, she was defeated in her home constituency Parli in Beed district by her estranged cousin Dhananjay Munde, who is from the NCP Ajit Pawar group, in the October 2019 assembly polls. Dhananjay Munde joined the Shiv Sena-BJP ruling coalition along with Ajit Pawar on July 2 and is now a minister in the Eknath Shinde government.

Possible Comeback on the Cards?

Sources in the BJP said the party may consider fielding Pankaja Munde from the Beed Lok Sabha seat in the next year's parliamentary polls. On earlier occasions, the former state minister said her name was considered for membership of the Legislative Council and asked to file nomination, but had to withdraw at the last minute.

The meeting between Bawankule and Pankaja Munde has raised eyebrows in political circles, with many speculating that it could be a sign of things to come. With the next Lok Sabha elections just a year away, it remains to be seen whether the BJP will give Pankaja Munde another chance to prove her mettle in the political arena.
When Will Telangana Farmers Get Money Into Their Account After EC's Pause On Rythu Bandhu?

Not In Violation Of Any Rules: Karnataka Govt Says About EC Letter On Ads In Telangana Newspapers

Mizoram Scholarship Protest Called Off After Govt Assures Disbursement

The Mizo Zirlai Pawl student body called off its agitation after the state government assured disbursement of scholarships following approval by the Election Commission. Hundreds of students were protesting over the alleged negligence of the state scholarship board to disburse money.

India

-Krishna Kripa

Aizawl, Nov 16: The Mizoram Student Union (MZP) called off its agitation late on Thursday after the state government assured the disbursement of scholarships following approval by the Election Commission.

Scholarship Money Not Disbursed Due to Model Code of Conduct

Earlier in the day, officials said that the scholarship money was not disbursed due to the model code of conduct being in place for the state assembly polls held on November 7 and that they were waiting for the Election Commission's nod. The counting of votes will take place on December 3.

MZP Calls Off Agitation After Election Commission's Approval

MZP general secretary Chinkhanmanga Thomte said that the agitation was called off at 8:30 pm on Thursday as the Election Commission has approved the petition to disburse the scholarship money. Hundreds of students, under the aegis of MZP, were protesting from Tuesday over the alleged negligence of the state scholarship board to disburse money. They demanded that the second installment of scholarship money be immediately released to the beneficiaries.

Students Staged Sit-In Outside Scholarship Board Office

The protesters staged a sit-in outside the Mizoram Scholarship Board office in Aizawl and prevented the officials from entering the premises on Thursday. After a meeting with Chief Minister Zoramthanga, who asked the scholarship board and higher and technical education department to release the scholarship money on Thursday, the students decided to intensify their agitation by going on an indefinite hunger strike.

Over 19,000 Students Entitled to Receive Scholarships

According to the student organization president H. Lalthianghlima, a total of 19,495 students, including 3,010 studying outside the state, are entitled to receive scholarships. He said that the state government received over Rs 17.87 crore of funds for the disbursement of scholarships for the second installment in September.

The students have been demanding the release of the second installment of scholarship money, which was due in September. The state government had earlier said that the money would be disbursed after the assembly elections, but the students were not satisfied with this response.

The MZP's agitation had received support from various student organizations and political parties in the state. The Congress party had even threatened to launch a statewide agitation if the government did not release the scholarship money immediately.

The state government's decision to release the scholarship money is likely to defuse the situation and prevent further protests by the students.
Shiv Sena Workers Clash at Bal Thackeray Memorial

Workers of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Shiv Sena UBT of Uddhav Thackeray came face to face and shouted slogans against each other at the memorial of party founder late Bal Thackeray.

India

-Krishna Kripa

Workers of the Eknath Shinde-led Shiv Sena and the Shiv Sena UBT of Uddhav Thackeray on Thursday came face to face and shouted slogans against each other at the memorial of party founder late Bal Thackeray, whose 11th death anniversary will be observed on Friday. The crowd was dispersed by police, an official said.

Sena workers raise slogans

While workers of the Shiv Sena shouted that the party belongs to them, those owing allegiance to Uddhav Thackeray responded with traitors go back slogans. The incident took place after Chief Minister Shinde arrived at the memorial at Shivaji Park in Dadar to pay tribute to Bal Thackeray.

CM Shinde pays tribute

Speaking to reporters, the CM said Prime Minister Narendra Modi had fulfilled the late Shiv Sena founder's dream of constructing a Ram Temple in Ayodhya in Uttar Pradesh. It will be inaugurated on the eve of late Bal Thackeray's birth anniversary, he pointed out. Thackeray was born on January 23 in 1926, while the idol consecration of the Ram Temple in Ayodhya will take place on January 22. Shinde said his government was working to fulfill the dreams and aspirations of Bal Thackeray.

Hegde accuses Uddhav faction of creating ruckus

Krishna Hegde, spokesperson of the Shiv Sena said, like last year, CM Shinde paid tribute at the Shivaji Park memorial on the eve of the death anniversary to avoid any conflict. He was accompanied by senior leaders and left Shivaji Park some time later, the spokesperson said. Everything was peaceful till we saw the arrival of Uddhav Thackeray faction MP Anil Desai and MLC Anil Parab, who had come with a group of people to disturb the peaceful and solemn occasion. This was a deliberate attempt to create ruckus and a law and order situation, Hegde alleged.

Hegde advises Uddhav faction to follow Bal Thackeray's ideology

This was uncalled for. Balasaheb Thackeray belongs to everyone and all can pay tribute to him. If they Uddhav faction want to truly show respect to Balaseheb Thackeray, then they must first follow his ideology, he added. The Shiv Sena split in June last year following a rebellion by Shinde and both factions have since been trying to claim the legacy of Bal Thackeray, reverentially called Hinduhriday Samrat by supporters.

The clash between workers of the Eknath Shinde and Uddhav Thackeray factions at the memorial of Bal Thackeray is a reflection of the deep divisions within the Shiv Sena. The two factions have been at loggerheads since the split in the party last year, and the death anniversary of the party founder has only served to highlight the rift. It remains to be seen how the two factions will resolve their differences and come together to pay tribute to Bal Thackeray on his death anniversary.
Rajasthan Assembly Polls: What Has BJP Promised Voters In Its Manifesto?

India

oi-PTI

The BJP on Thursday released its manifesto for the Rajasthan assembly polls, promising to provide LPG cylinder for Rs 450 each to Ujjawala scheme beneficiaries, 2.5 lakh government jobs in five years and increasing the financial assistance to farmers under the PM-Kisan scheme.

Releasing the 'sankalp patra' here, party chief J P Nadda also said that if the BJP forms the government in the state, a Special Investigation Team will be formed to probe paper leaks and other alleged scams in the Congress government. The manifesto said an arrangement to procure wheat at Rs 2,700 per quintal, including bonus above MSP, will be made and financial assistance under PM Kisan Samman Nidhi will be increased to Rs 12,000 per year.

Under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-Kisan), which aims to support farmers in meeting their agricultural and other incidental needs, a financial assistance of Rs 6,000 per year is at present transferred to bank accounts of farmers in three equal installment. The manifesto also promises completion of the Eastern Rajasthan Canal Project (ERCP) in a time bound manner in collaboration with the Centre. The Congress has been demanding national project status to the ERCP which was envisaged by the former BJP government to address irrigation and drinking water problems in a 13 eastern Rajasthan districts.

Rajasthan Polls: Sushila Dudi Banks On Ailing ex-MLA Husband's Goodwill To Win Nokha For Cong

Nadda said a compensation policy for farmers whose land was auctioned will be brought and noted that land of 19,400 farmers was auctioned. Pledging a slew of schemes for girls and women, he said a 'mahila thana' will be set up in every district and 'mahila desk' in every police station besides an anti-romeo squad in every city.

He also announced a savings bond of Rs 2 lakh on birth of girl child under Lado Protsahan Yojna, skill training to nearly six lakh rural women under Lakhpati Didi scheme, scooty to meritorious girls on clearing class 12 exam, free education from KG to PG to girls of poor families, three Mahila Police Battalions and increase in financial assistance under the PM Matru Vandan scheme from Rs 5,000 to Rs 8,000 For the youth, the party announced 2.5 lakh government jobs in five years, annual assistance of Rs 12,000 for students of poor families to purchase school bags, books and uniform and setting up of Rajasthan Institute of Technology and Rajasthan Institute of Medical Sciences in every division, In the health sector, the party pledged an investment of Rs 40,000 crore through the Bhamashah Health Infrastructure Mission and appointment of 15,000 doctors and 20,000 paramedical staff.

Besides a white paper on corruption cases of the Congress government and strict action, the party promised round-the-clock electricity supply in domestic sector, expansion of Jaipur Metro, transparent transfer policy, free ration to poor families under PM Garib Kalyan Yojna for five years, increase in old age pension and pension of Rs 1500 per month for the disabled. The party said in the manifesto that it is committed to make Rajasthan a 350 billion dollar economy. In the manifesto, the party also promised to set up the Rajasthan Economic Revival Task Force for the revival of the state economy.

Those Behind Kanhaiya Lal Murder Are BJP People: Rajasthan CM Gehlot

"We will make Jaipur, Udaipur, Kota, Ajmer, Bharatpur, Jodhpur and Bikaner smart cities in collaboration with the central government," the manifesto said. A special police cell for investigating sleeper cells of anti-national forces and anti-gangster task force to stop gang wars was also among the promises made. For minority welfare, the party announced land allotment for 'Chaturmas' related events of Jain monks and adequate police protection, conservation and development of historical Sikh religious places, CM Sharnarthi Kalyan Yojna for Hindu migrants, colonies for Hindu migrants in Jodhpur whose houses were demolished by the Congress government and subsidised loans to start business, scholarship for school and college students.

For OBC welfare, the party promised distribution of OBC certificates in a time bound manner, collateral free education loan up to Rs 15 lakh and a welfare board to redress problems. Various other announcements for tribal welfare, street hawkers and gig workers, auto drivers, SC and ST welfare, were also made. Before releasing the manifesto, Nadda attacked the Congress, charging it was known for corruption, crime against women, insult to farmers, paper leaks and scams and said the precious time of Rajasthan has beeen wasted.

Nadda also alleged that in the name of "pseudo-secularism", bulldozers were run on religious places of some people. He claimed that those who raised slogans like 'sar tan se juda' - threatening beheading - were encouraged. The apparent reference was to the murder of an Udaipur tailor Kanhaiya Lal for allegedly insulting Islam. The BJP chief charged that the Congress made new records in corruption and scams and that the family of Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot got contracts.

Congress Unveils 7 Key Pre-Poll Promises In Rajasthan Election Bid | Details Here

Convener of the manifesto committee and union minister Arjun Ram Meghwal said suggestions from individuals across all 200 constituencies in digital and physical mode were taken and discussions with various groups, professionals were also held in order to make a comprehensive manifesto. BJP's election in-charge for Rajasthan and union minister Pralhad Joshi, BJP in charge for Rajasthan Arun Singh, state president CP Joshi, former chief minister Vasundhara Raje and other leaders were present during the release of the manifesto. Rajasthan goes to polls on November 25 and the results will be declared on December 3.
Who Will Be The New Rajasthan CM? Find Out The Contenders As Exit Polls Favor BJP In 'Land Of Kings'

Rajasthan Polls: Sushila Dudi Banks On Ailing ex-MLA Husband's Goodwill To Win Nokha For Cong

India

oi-PTI

It is her first election, but Sushila Dudi is confident that the work done by her husband in the last few years and the commitment of party workers will help her win Nokha for the Congress in the November 25 Rajasthan assembly polls.

Sushila, who was given a poll ticket after former Nokha MLA Rameshwar Dudi was hospitalised following a brain haemorrhage, admits she has little experience in politics but believes the goodwill attached to her husband and the people's love for him will help her fight against heavyweights -- sitting BJP MLA Biharilal Bishnoi and Independent candidate Kanhaiya Lal Jhawar.

Rameshwar was the decision-maker for the Congress in Nokha and "the ticket to fight the polls was given to me by the party considering public sentiment", said Sushila.

"I have entered politics for the first time and I have no experience. My husband used to look after the (party's) work in this constituency. He was responsible for all the work and decisions, but this time, considering the situation, I have been given a ticket to contest from here," Sushila told PTI, days ahead of the elections to the 200-member Rajasthan assembly.

Those Behind Kanhaiya Lal Murder Are BJP People: Rajasthan CM Gehlot

"There are also supporters who suggest I should look after my husband and they will help me win the elections," the 48-year-old said.

Sushila is a candidate of the ruling party in the state and it aims to buck the trend of Rajasthan not repeating a government.

"I will pay special attention to the problems faced by women. Women here want to be empowered in every possible way," said Sushila, who has taken off her traditional 'ghunghat' (veil) to be among the people.

"The electorate will make the right choice and it will be their victory," said Sushila, whose husband is also the chairman of the Rajasthan State Agro Industries Development Board.

Talking about Sushila's candidature, BJP's Bishnoi said no other Congress candidate other than Rameshwar can garner votes.

"Rameshwar Dudi's wife is contesting against me because of his health condition. I will always pray for his wellbeing. Previously, he was also in the race of 'Would-be-CM'. He was also the leader of opposition in the state assembly. Earlier, Rameshwar Dudi garnered a lot of votes from his supporters and won the polls but I don't think anybody else will be able to do that, not even his wife," he said.

Rameshwar's health condition turned critical after he suffered a brain haemorrhage on August 27. In Jaipur, a team of doctors had performed a surgery on him to remove a clot while another monitored his health as he was diabetic and a cardiac patient. Looking at his critical condition, he was shifted to the Medanta Hospital in Delhi-NCR on August 28.

On her husband's health condition, Sushila said that she spent Diwali in the hospital in Delhi where Rameshwar is admitted. His health condition has improved, she said.

"I just came back from Delhi. I was there for my husband and spent Diwali there. However, the situation has given me a huge responsibility and I will not disappoint them. There has been improvement in Rameshwar's health and if I win the elections, he will take over after he recovers completely. Until then, I will do the work and take decisions as per the will of people," she said.

Rajasthan Government Sympathising With terrorists: PM Modi

Independent candidate Jhawar, who is considered to have a formidable presence in the constituency, refused to speak about Sushila's candidature.

"I'm just an Independent candidate and I don't prefer commenting on other candidates. Whoever the people elect, will become the MLA here," he said.

The state will witness a direct contest between the incumbent Congress and the BJP on November 25. The result for the same will be declared on December 3.
Indore Smart Polling Station: Vote Without Queues, Take Inked Finger Selfies with AI Camera

A smart polling station has been set up in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where voters can cast their votes without having to stand in queues. The polling station is equipped with an Artificial Intelligence-equipped camera that allows voters to take inked finger selfies.

India

-Krishna Kripa

A smart polling station has been set up in Indore, Madhya Pradesh, where Assembly polls will be held on Friday. The polling station has been set up at Maa Kanakeshwari Devi Government College in Nanda Nagar in Assembly constituency number 2.

Queue-less Voting

To keep the smart polling station queue-less, an online token system has been introduced. People arriving for voting will be given token numbers and they can sit comfortably in the polling station till their turn comes.

Digital Selfie Point

A digital selfie point has also been developed at the polling station where an AI-equipped camera has been installed. After voting, if a person stands at this place and shows the camera his or her finger that has the indelible ink, a selfie will be clicked immediately.

Bar Code

A bar code will appear on the screen at the selfie point and scanning it will ensure the photograph is transmitted to the voter's mobile phone, which can then be shared on social media.

15.55 Lakh Voters

A total of 15.55 lakh people are eligible to cast their votes in five Assembly constituencies in Indore urban on Friday. Assembly poll results will be declared on December 3.
Women Injured in Stone-Pelting Incident in Haryana

At least three women were injured after unidentified persons allegedly hurled stones at them from a mosque in Haryana. Police are investigating the incident.

India

-Krishna Kripa

At least three women suffered injuries after some unidentified persons hurled stones at them allegedly from a mosque in Nuh, Haryana on Thursday night, police said. A police officer said they have not yet received any complaint and added action will be taken as per the law.

Incident Details

According to the police, the incident took place near a mosque around 8:20 pm when a group of women were on their way for a kuan well poojan. When they reached near the mosque, stones were allegedly pelted at them, the police said, adding three women were injured in the incident.

Police Response

Nuh Superintendent of Police Narender Bijarniya, along with a huge police force, reached the spot. Though Bijarniya did not respond to calls, Nuh police station SHO Ombeer said they have not got any complaint yet. "We got to know about injuries to the women but have not received any complaint yet. Action will be taken as per the law," the SHO said.

Tensions in the Area

Tension gripped the area following the incident, which took place months after six people, including two home guards and a cleric, died in communal clashes that erupted here when the Vishva Hindu Parishads Braj Mandal Yatra was attacked by a mob on July 31.

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of women in the area and has led to tensions between the two communities. The police have urged people to maintain peace and harmony and have assured that strict action will be taken against those responsible for the stone-pelting incident.
Biden Labels Xi A 'Dictator' Hours After Constructive Meeting

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

In a significant attempt to ease tensions, President Joe Biden of the United States and China's Xi Jinping met face-to-face for the first time in a year on Wednesday. Both leaders pledged to stabilize their strained relationship by highlighting modest agreements, targeting illegal fentanyl, and reestablishing military communications.

One of the key outcomes of the meeting was the agreement that "if either man had a concern, 'we should pick up the phone and call one another and we'll take the call. That's important progress,'" Biden remarked during a subsequent news conference.

During their four-hour encounter, which included meetings, a working lunch, and a stroll in a picturesque Northern California estate, Biden and Xi aimed to demonstrate that despite being global economic rivals, they aren't locked in a winner-takes-all confrontation.

Biden said that the return to "direct, open, clear, direct communications," describing the discussions with Xi as "some of the most constructive and productive" he's had. However, soon after their summit, Biden reaffirmed his previous characterization of Xi as a "dictator," underlining that Xi runs a communist country, different from the United States.

Biden and Xi Jinping Meet To Ease Tensions

Acknowledging the need for clear understanding between them, Biden emphasized the importance of preventing competition from escalating into conflict.

This crucial meeting, held on the sidelines of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, comes at a critical moment as the world grapples with economic fluctuations, conflicts in various regions, tensions in Taiwan, and other pressing issues.

Among the agreed-upon measures were initiatives to curb illicit fentanyl production and to reinitiate military connections, aiming to address the overdose crisis in the U.S., where many of the chemicals used in synthetic fentanyl originate from China.

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Story first published: Thursday, November 16, 2023, 10:03 [IST]
Biden and Xi Jinping Meet To Ease Tensions

Biden and Xi Jinping met for the first time in over a year to discuss stabilizing relations between the two countries.

International

-Sathish Raman

In a highly anticipated meeting, US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping engaged in their first face-to-face talks in over a year on Wednesday. The leaders gathered at a Northern California estate, surrounded by picturesque landscapes, with the aim of addressing a multitude of tensions and exploring areas of potential cooperation. The meeting carried significant implications for the world, as the two countries navigate economic cross-currents and ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and Europe.

Biden and Xi's Opening Statements

President Xi Jinping initiated the dialogue, stating that the relationship between China and the US has never been smooth but has kept moving forward. Emphasizing the significance of mutual understanding, he conveyed his desire for clear and direct leader-to-leader communication, devoid of misconceptions or miscommunications. Xi also highlighted the importance of preventing competition from escalating into conflict.

President Biden, in his opening remarks, acknowledged the challenges in US-China relations but expressed his commitment to work towards stabilizing the situation. He emphasized the need for both leaders to understand each other clearly and avoid any misunderstandings or miscommunications. Biden also stressed the importance of ensuring that competition between the two countries does not veer into conflict.

Addressing Tensions and Seeking Cooperation

The meeting between Biden and Xi took place against a backdrop of heightened tensions between the two countries. Issues such as the downing of a Chinese spy balloon over the US, differences on the self-ruled island of Taiwan, and China's hacking of a Biden official's emails have further strained the already difficult relationship.

Joe Biden-Xi Jinping Meeting: What A Good Result Looks Like For US President

During the talks, Biden was expected to raise concerns about Iran's potential involvement in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and seek China's assistance in using its influence over Iran to prevent any actions that could escalate the situation. Given China's significant role as a buyer of Iranian oil, the Biden administration views Beijing as having considerable leverage in this regard.

While the meeting aimed to address various points of contention, there were also prospects for cooperation. Senior White House officials indicated that tangible outcomes could emerge from the discussions. Agreements were anticipated regarding China's commitment to curbing the flow of chemicals used in the production of illicit fentanyl and the revival of communications between the Chinese and US militaries, which has become increasingly important as incidents involving their ships and aircraft have spiked.

Balancing Competition and Cooperation

President Biden has emphasized the need to manage the intensifying economic competition between the US and China while keeping channels of communication open to prevent misunderstandings that could lead to direct conflict. While he was expected to defend US export controls on semiconductor chips, Biden also aimed to assure Xi that the US does not seek an economic war with China, especially considering the signs of struggle in China's economy.

On the other hand, Xi Jinping sought assurances from Biden that the US would not support Taiwan's independence, initiate a new Cold War, or hinder China's economic growth. Xi was also keen to demonstrate to the US that China remains an attractive destination for investment.

Signs of a Thaw and the APEC Summit

Even before the meeting, there were indications of a potential thaw in US-China relations. The State Department announced that the two countries had agreed to collaborate on tripling renewable energy capacity globally by 2030 through wind, solar, and other renewable sources. This development signaled a willingness to work together on addressing climate change, despite ongoing tensions.

The meeting between Biden and Xi took place within the framework of the annual Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, which was being held in California. While the APEC summit events attracted significant demonstrations, including protests against Xi and multinational corporations, the leaders' meeting provided an opportunity for direct engagement and dialogue.

The meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping marked a crucial step in addressing the fraught relations between the two countries. With the aim of stabilizing the situation and exploring areas of potential cooperation, the leaders engaged in candid discussions on a range of issues, including economic competition, regional conflicts, and climate change. The outcome of the meeting will have far-reaching implications for the global landscape, as the US and China navigate their complex relationship in a rapidly evolving world.
Biden's Quip To Xi Jinping: 'Beautiful Car, But Mine's A Beast'

International

oi-Madhuri Adnal

The much-anticipated meeting between US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart, Xi Jinping, took place in the US, marking their first encounter in over a year. From significant discussions to photo opportunities, glimpses of their interaction flooded social media platforms.

Amid the widely shared moments from their meeting, a viral video emerged showcasing President Biden admiring Chinese President Xi Jinping's car. "It's a beautiful vehicle!" exclaimed Biden upon seeing Xi's car, to which Xi mentioned in Chinese that it was his Red Flag car, as per reports.

Biden, in turn, began discussing his own car while a translator conveyed his remarks to President Xi in Chinese.

Biden Labels Xi A 'Dictator' Hours After 'Constructive Meeting

In a parting gesture, while holding hands with the Chinese President and posing in front of Xi's car, President Biden mentioned, "You know what they call that car, they call it the beast." As the translation reached President Xi, he laughed, shook hands with Biden, and then entered the vehicle.

Chinese President Xi Jinpings Car is the talk of the town.



Biden told Xi his car is beautiful, But my car is called Beast.



Xis vehicle, is a Hongqi N701 Limo, Cost is .5M and length is 18 feet.



#XiJinping #Biden #Trump #Lamborghini #rollsroyce #boing pic.twitter.com/S0ZXXi0G7D  Aditya Rathore (@imAdityaRathore) November 16, 2023

The US-China Summit, held at a grand estate in Woodside, California, concluded with Presidents Biden and Xi agreeing to navigate their differences and maintain manageable relations between the two countries, aiming to prevent any potential derailment.

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Story first published: Thursday, November 16, 2023, 16:41 [IST]
People perform during a popularizing event of square dance in Huanggang, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 8, 2023. (Photo by Du Zixuan/Xinhua)

WUHAN, Nov. 14 (Xinhua) -- Adorned in her elegant dance costume, Wang Xiaolan, the founder of a square dance troupe in central China's Hubei Province, relishes regular practices and gatherings with her fellow dancers.

"Dancing brings me a sense of achievement," the 59-year-old retiree told Xinhua. "It has enriched our lives after retirement."

Over the past five years, Wang's dance group grew from 28 to 38 members, with many younger participants joining in. Currently, the troupe is led by a 22-year-old teacher.

This reflects the broader trend in China, where square dancing gained popularity over a decade ago, transcending age groups and evolving into a more aesthetically-oriented form of physical exercise.

Shu Ying, in her 30s, is a choreographer in Wang's troupe. "I was touched by the passion of the aunties, and I began to understand more about square dancing," she said.

Noting that the standard of square dance is rising and there is a greater diversity of forms, Shu said this dance form is not solely for senior people but for anyone who loves singing and dancing. "It can serve as spiritual sustenance for people, and bring them joy, regardless of their age group."

The population of Chinese people on the mainland aged 60 or above had reached 264.02 million, including 190.64 million people aged 65 or above, or 13.5 percent of the total population, according to data from the seventh national census released in 2021.

According to Gan Lu, a choreographer with China Oriental Performance Arts Group Co., Ltd, when square dancing started, its initial aim was to cater to the social and physical exercise needs of middle-aged women, particularly those between 46 and 65 years old, including retirees.

While this is still the case, square dancing is gradually incorporating elements of professional dance, local opera and folk music, Gan explained.

For instance, in Jingzhou City which was visited by famous poet Li Bai from the Tang Dynasty (618-907), a square dance group of 50 students performed a dance inspired by one of his famous poems. According to Zhou Jing, head of the group, the average age of the dancers was only 20.

"We would like to popularize the dance form in schools and colleges to get more young people involved," she said.

In October 2020, a square dance competition was held at the Wuhan University of Bioengineering, attracting as many as 1,000 people. According to netizens, the event "rekindled their appreciation for square dancing."

In a survey conducted by the Hubei Masses Art Center, about two-thirds of the respondents expressed a positive attitude towards square dance, with the strongest support coming from those born in the 1960s and 1990s.

Support from local governments has played a crucial role in popularizing square dance. Governments, from the provincial level to the grassroots, have allocated special funds for training, promotion and performances of square dance. In Hubei alone, with a population exceeding 58 million, there are now over 12,000 square dance troupes, and more than 89 percent of villages have at least one square dance group. 

People perform during a popularizing event of square dance in Huanggang, central China's Hubei Province, Sept. 8, 2023. (Photo by Du Zixuan/Xinhua)

Editor: JYZ
40 Workers Trapped In India Tunnel Collapse: US Congressman Urges Urgent Assistance

Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar has urged the United States Agency for International Development to provide immediate assistance in the ongoing rescue operations in Indias Uttarakhand where 40 workers are trapped in a partially collapsed tunnel.

International

-Sathish Raman

Indian American Congressman Shri Thanedar has urged the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to provide immediate assistance in the ongoing rescue operations in India's Uttarakhand, where 40 workers are trapped in a partially collapsed tunnel.

The Incident

The Silkyara Tunnel collapsed on November 12. Despite the tireless efforts of local rescue teams, challenging conditions have hampered the progress of the operation. A trenchless tunneling approach was initiated on Tuesday, with teams attempting to drill through the debris. However, the outcome of this operation remains uncertain.

Thanedar's Appeal

"This tragic incident in Uttarakhand is not just a local crisis; it's a humanitarian concern that demands global attention and action. The United States, with its advanced technology and expertise in rescue operations, has the capability to make a significant impact in these efforts and potentially save lives," Thanedar said.

Thanedar, who has deep ties with India, feels a profound sense of responsibility to ensure that the United States steps up in this time of need. He believes that US involvement could not only aid in the immediate rescue efforts but also reinforce the strong relationship between the US and India.

The Race Against Time: How 3-Ft Steel Pipes Could Save Trapped Workers In Uttarakhand Tunnel Back To Safety

Request for USAID's Assistance

Thanedar has requested USAID to engage directly with India to discuss potential avenues for US assistance during the crisis. He has also asked to be kept informed of any developments and actions taken by USAID in response to this situation.

The people trapped in the tunnel, along with their families, need support. It is crucial that action is taken now. Congressman Thanedar is committed to doing everything in his power to facilitate international cooperation and aid those in need.
Indian American Shakuntala L Bhaya Appointed To Key Role In Biden Administration

US President Joe Biden has appointed Indian American Shakuntla L Bhaya to serve as a member of the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States.

International

-Sathish Raman

Washington: US President Joe Biden has appointed Indian American Shakuntla L Bhaya to serve in a key role, the White House said.Bhaya was appointed as a member of the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States. It is among the several new appointments announced by Biden on Wednesday, the White House said.

About Shakuntla L Bhaya

Bhaya is a co-owner of a statewide Delaware law firm, Law Offices of Doroshow, Pasquale, Krawitz & Bhaya. Her practice focuses on representing individuals who are seriously injured as a result of businesses and people making unsafe decisions, the White House said.For the last seven years, Bhaya has been a member of Governor Carneys Judicial Nominating Commission. In addition to practising law, Bhaya is very involved in Delaware politics.

Involvement in Politics

She is currently a member of the Delaware Democratic Partys State Executive Committee. Bhaya, past President of the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association, continues to be involved in protecting consumers 7th Amendment Right to a jury trial and access to courts.Bhaya is also a member of the American Association for Justice and American Civil Liberties Union and is actively involved in helping pro-choice democratic women become elected to office.She was actively involved in fighting for the rights of the LGBTQ+ community and helping its members to adopt children, seek legal redress when discriminated in the workplace, and permit people to marry.

Bhaya's Achievements

Bhaya is the first South Asian Indian to be admitted to the Delaware Bar Association.Bhaya continues to work towards diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession and in politics. Bhaya is a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law.

The appointment of Shakuntla L Bhaya to the Council of the Administrative Conference of the United States is a testament to her extensive experience and dedication to the legal profession and public service. Her commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the legal profession and in politics makes her an invaluable asset to the Council. Bhaya's appointment is being widely praised by the Indian-American community and is seen as a sign of the growing influence of Indian-Americans in the United States.
France Issues Arrest Warrant For Syrias Al-Assad

French judicial authorities have issued international arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar Assad, his brother, and two army generals for alleged complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity.

International

-Sathish Raman

French judicial authorities have issued international arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar Assad, his brother, and two army generals for alleged complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity, lawyers for Syrian victims said. The warrants include a 2013 chemical attack on rebel-held Damascus suburbs.

Welcoming the Move

A victim of the attack welcomed the move as a reminder of the horrors of Syria's civil war and urged countries where Assad might travel to arrest him. While he is unlikely to face trial in France, international warrants for a serving world leader are very rare and send a strong message about Assad's leadership at a time when some countries have welcomed him back into the diplomatic fold.

'Israel-Hamas War Spilling Into Syria': United Nations Envoy Warns

The Arrest Warrants

In addition to President Assad, the arrest warrants were issued for his brother, Maher Assad, the commander of the 4th Armored Division, and two Syrian army generals, Ghassan Abbas and Bassam al-Hassan, the lawyers said. There was no immediate comment from the Syrian government on the warrants.

Significance of the Move

Jeanne Sulzer and Clemence Witt, lawyers at the Paris Bar who represent the plaintiffs, and non-governmental organizations behind the complaint, hailed the decision. They believe it marks a crucial milestone in the battle against impunity and signifies a positive evolution in case law recognizing the grave nature of the crimes committed.

The Investigation

The Paris prosecutors' office has not publicly commented on the arrest warrants, which remain secret under French law while an investigation is ongoing. More than 1,000 people were killed and thousands were injured in the August 2013 attacks on Douma and Eastern Ghouta. The investigation into the two chemical weapons attacks has been conducted under universal jurisdiction in France by a special unit of the Paris Judicial Court. It was opened in 2021 in response to a criminal complaint by the survivors, and filed by the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression.

Reactions from Victims and Activists

Mazen Darwish, the director of the center, called the warrants "a new victory for the victims, their families, and survivors" of the 2013 attacks. Alaa Makhzoumi, a survivor of the chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta, said the French decision is an initial step towards achieving justice and fulfilling the rights of all martyrs and victims lost that day. She hopes that all countries will contribute to the implementation of the decision by arresting Assad if they have the opportunity.

Bashar al-Assad linked to chemical attacks in Syria: Report

Other Complaints and Legal Challenges

In addition to France, complaints relating to the chemical attacks in Eastern Ghouta in 2013 and Khan Shaykhun in 2017 were submitted to the authorities in Germany in 2020, and Sweden in 2021. The volume and detailed evidence in the Eastern Ghouta case filed in France convinced the judges that there is "serious or corroborating evidence making it likely" that President Assad, his brother Maher, and generals Abbas and Hassan, "took part in planning an execution of these attacks and bear individual criminal responsibility for the crimes," the NGOs behind the complaint in France said in a statement.

The international arrest warrants issued for Syrian President Bashar Assad, his brother, and two army generals send a strong message to the world about the gravity of the crimes committed during Syria's civil war. While the chances of Assad facing trial in France are slim, the move is seen as a crucial step towards achieving justice for the victims and survivors of the chemical attacks in Eastern Ghouta and Douma. The ongoing investigations and legal challenges underscore the commitment of the international community to hold perpetrators of war crimes and crimes against humanity accountable, regardless of their position or power.
UN Security Council To Vote On Resolution Calling For Humanitarian Pauses And Corridors In Gaza

The UN Security Council is scheduled to vote on a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip in the Israel-Hamas war.

International

-Sathish Raman

After four failed attempts, the UN Security Council has scheduled a vote on a resolution that would call for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip" in the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The Draft Resolution

The final draft of the resolution represents a watering down of language from a "demand" to a "call." It also drops a demand for "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups" to a call. The resolution, sponsored by Malta, was put to a vote after lengthy negotiations, and several diplomats have expressed their expectation that it will be adopted. For the resolution to pass, it requires nine "yes" votes from the 15-member council and no veto by any of the five permanent members: the US, Russia, China, Britain, and France.

Absence of Cease-fire Mention

It is noteworthy that the draft resolution makes no mention of a cease-fire, nor does it refer to Hamas' surprise attack on Israel on October 7, which resulted in the deaths of around 1,200 people and the taking of 240 hostages. Additionally, it does not mention Israel's retaliatory airstrikes and ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza, which, according to Gaza's health ministry, has led to the deaths of over 11,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children.

White House Says It Has Intelligence That Hamas And Other Militants Shelter In Gaza Hospitals

Legal Binding and Practical Implications

While UN Security Council resolutions are legally binding, in practice, many parties often choose to ignore the council's requests for action. Richard Gowan, UN director for the International Crisis Group, points out that the Security Council has called for cease-fires in conflicts ranging from the Balkans to Syria, with little or no impact. The Security Council, tasked with maintaining international peace and security, has been paralyzed by internal divisions since the war began, particularly between China and Russia, which want an immediate cease-fire, and the United States, which has called for humanitarian pauses but opposes any mention of a cease-fire, a stance strongly supported by its close ally, Israel.

Humanitarian Pauses and Corridors

The draft resolution calls for humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a "sufficient number of days" to allow unhindered access by the UN, Red Cross, and other aid groups to provide water, electricity, fuel, food, and medical supplies to those in need. The pauses should also enable the repair of essential infrastructure and facilitate urgent rescue and recovery efforts.

Previous Attempts and the General Assembly Resolution

In the four previous attempts at Security Council approval, a Brazil-drafted resolution was vetoed by the United States, a U.S.-drafted resolution was vetoed by Russia and China, and two Russian-drafted resolutions failed to secure the minimum "yes" votes. Following these failures, frustrated Arab nations turned to the 193-member General Assembly, where they succeeded in gaining wide approval for a resolution calling for a "humanitarian truce" in Gaza, aiming to lead to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas. This marked the first United Nations response to the conflict. However, unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, although they serve as a barometer of world opinion. The vote in the General Assembly was 120-14, with 45 abstentions. Notably, among the five veto-holding Security Council members, Russia, China, and France voted in favor, the United States voted against, and Britain abstained.

As Fighting Empties North Gaza, Humanitarian Crisis Worsens In South

Limited Aid Delivery and Brewing Humanitarian Catastrophe

Despite the adoption of the General Assembly resolution on October 27, and Israel's subsequent agreement on November 9 to four-hour pauses, only very limited aid has been delivered to Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt. As a result, a humanitarian catastrophe is brewing in the region. Richard Gowan of the Crisis Group emphasizes that the US opposition to a cease-fire provides diplomatic leverage for Russia. While many diplomats believe that Russia's demand for a cease-fire is motivated by cynical reasons aimed at portraying the Americans in a negative light, Moscow's position aligns more closely with the mainstream thinking within the Security Council, making the US stance appear isolated. Gowan suggests that a UN cease-fire call would embarrass Israel without imposing significant constraints, but the US perceives even such a symbolic move as a political risk.
The Israeli war effort has recently focused on Al Shifa and other Gaza hospitals, despite international concern. Israel has released footage from raids on hospitals it says provide justification.
Newsy 13 Nov 2023

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euronews (in English) 16 Nov 2023
This photo taken on Nov. 7, 2023 shows banners depicting the upcoming 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting outside the venue of the meeting in San Francisco, California, the United States. (Photo by Li Jianguo/Xinhua)

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- At the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden, Chinese President Xi Jinping has arrived in San Francisco on Tuesday for a China-U.S. summit and the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting.

The visit to San Francisco marks Xi's return to the United States after six-plus years and also signifies another face-to-face meeting between the two heads of state following last year's handshake in Bali, Indonesia.

Eight years ago, in a speech on China-U.S. relations at a welcoming dinner hosted by local governments and organizations in Seattle, the United States, Xi said, "We must foster friendly sentiments among our peoples. People-to-people relations underpin state-to-state relations."

"The foundation of China-U.S. relations lies among the people, the hope is in the people," Xi reiterated during his meeting with California governor Gavin Newsom last month.

With the upcoming Xi-Biden summit, China has once again extended the hand of friendship toward the other side of the Pacific.

The first flight of American Airlines to China, AA 289, arrives at Shanghai Pudong International Airport on April 3, 2006. (Xinhua Photo/Wang Jianhua)

FROM BEIJING TO SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco is the first U.S. city that was directly reached by a Chinese commercial flight. On Jan. 7, 1981, a Boeing 747SP large passenger aircraft flew over the Pacific Ocean, becoming the first flight between China and the United States linking Beijing, Shanghai, San Francisco, and New York.

Over the past 42 years, busy flights have witnessed increasingly close connections between China and the United States.

Earlier this month, Air China and United Airlines successively resumed direct flights between Beijing and San Francisco, signaling improved relations between the two sides.

At the San Francisco International Airport, Roger Jansen, a retired American photojournalist who had just concluded his trip to China, was eager to share his travel experience.

He said he traveled to Shanghai and Beijing on China's high-speed bullet train, and enjoyed good food. "Everybody was friendly and nice. You know we should all get together. Not that fight and feud."

Dennis Simon, a distinguished fellow of the Institute for China-America Studies, is also paying close attention to the upcoming summit.

"They definitely have a very complex agenda that the two men are going to have to address. But first and foremost, they're going to have to figure out a way to stabilize the relationship," he said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"It is incumbent upon both countries and the leaders to find a pathway forward to reduce tensions and to make it worthwhile for the citizenry in both countries to benefit from the engagement between the two governments," he said.

"I'm a big believer in people-to-people diplomacy. I think if we look at the last 40-plus years of U.S.-China relations, the people-to-people dimension has grown far beyond what anyone would have imagined," said Simon, who has over 40 years of experience studying and working in China.

Musicians from the Philadelphia Orchestra and Shanghai Philharmonic Orchestra perform during their Chinese New Year Concert in Philadelphia, the United States, Jan. 29, 2019. (Xinhua/Wang Ying)

MUSIC AS BRIDGE

Just as the Golden Gate Bridge spans across San Francisco Bay, facilitating connectivity among local residents, music has acted as a "bridge" between China and the United States.

Fifty years ago, the Philadelphia orchestra came to China, an ice-breaking journey of cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Five decades later, the orchestra performed in Beijing with the China National Symphony Orchestra alongside vocalists from various countries, together creating harmonious symphonies during its ongoing 13th visit to China.

Xi, in his reply to a letter from Matias Tarnopolsky, president and CEO of the orchestra, said that he hopes the orchestra and artists from China, the United States and other countries will continue their efforts to strengthen people-to-people ties between China and the United States and spread friendship among peoples of the world.

Valuing the orchestra's half-century bond with China, Tarnopolsky said he hopes to see the relationship continue to grow and flourish.

"Cultural exchange is fundamentally important as a path to understanding between peoples," said Tarnopolsky. "Music connects us all, be it across geographic boundaries, languages, cultures and centuries."

Davyd Booth, a violinist and one of the members of the 1973 trip who still plays in the orchestra, said the tour 50 years ago was "one of the most important events" in his life.

"I think we can show people that there is positive hope for everyone everywhere," said the 73-year-old violinist. "Music is a universal language. It is the most abstract art form that can touch people and become a bridge to connect us."

Chinese President Xi Jinping (3rd R, front) talks with students taking part in rugby training during his visit to the Lincoln High School in Tacoma of Washington State, the United States, Sept. 23, 2015. (Xinhua/Lan Hongguang)

FUTURE ROOTS IN YOUTH

During his visit to Lincoln High School in 2015, Xi invited the students to visit China, saying, "Through travel, you will know China better, and hopefully you will like China."

One year later, a delegation of students and teachers from Lincoln High School visited Chinese cities including Fuzhou, Chengdu and Beijing.

Recalling the gift of travel for his students from Xi, former Lincoln High School Principal Patrick Erwin said that students will lead the way to better relationships between our countries.

"Students are the voice of the future, and the more they can visit each other, the better the chances we will have successful futures," he said.

Over the years, Xi has placed significant emphasis on fostering genuine interactions among the youth between the two sides, sowing the seeds of friendship in their hearts, nurturing future ambassadors of goodwill and building bridges for future China-U.S. friendship.

Earlier this month, 23 U.S. college students experienced a five-day China Education Tour organized by Southwest Jiaotong University in China's Sichuan Province.

Tor Parsons, a student from Lewis &Clark College, said that he would like to post about his experience on social media to let more young Americans know about China.

"I hope my students can gain a deeper understanding of all aspects of China," said Drew Kunard, the director of the trip.

"Through the exchanges, the friendship between the young people of China and the United States has grown, and the understanding and respect for each other have deepened," said David Chong, founder and president of the U.S.-China Youth and Student Exchange Association.

As Xi stressed in his reply letter to the U.S.-China Youth and Student Exchange Association, "the hope and foundation of the China-U.S. relationship lie in the people, and its future lies in the youths."

Editor: ZAD
IndiaTimes 16 Nov 2023

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Salina Cruz, Mexico (AFP) Nov 16, 2023



At Mexico's narrowest point, linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the government is building a railway rival to the Panama Canal with promises of economic bounty but amid fears of environmental and social harm. The Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes already dreamed of such a crossing for humans and goods in the 16th century, but most plans came to naught and a prior, rudimentary connecti
The Israeli military said its troops went into the main hospital complex in Gaza City overnight  where conditions for patients and medical staff have been growing increasingly desperate.
When US President Joe Biden insisted there could be no return to the status ante quo once the guns fall silent in Gaza, he revived debate about the viability of a two-state resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.



Yet, for all practical purposes, Hamas brutal October 7 attack against Israel and Israels more than...
After meeting with President Biden in California, President Xi Jinping signaled that he will send new pandas to the U.S., calling them "envoys of friendship between the Chinese and American peoples."
Education Ministry calls for immediate investigation on death of student due to school wall collapse

Posted by Editor on November 16, 2023 - 12:50 pm

Education Minister Susil Premajayantha has instructed the officials of the Zonal Education Office to conduct an investigation and to provide an immediate report into the death of the grade 1 student and several others being injured after a wall made of concrete with taps collapsed in the Weragoda School in Wellampitiya yesterday (November 15).

Accordingly, the Jayawardenapura Zonal Education Office stated that they will immediately initiate an investigation regarding the incident.

Meanwhile, Western Province Governor Marshal of the Air Force Roshan Goonetileke says that a committee has been appointed to investigate the incident and gave instructions to the Chief Secretary of Western Province Pradeep Yasaratne to provide a report within a week.

The Governor stated that after receiving the relevant report within a week, necessary measures will be taken against the culprits.

A 06-year-old student was dead while five other students were injured after a wall of Weragoda School in Wellampitiya collapsed on the group of students on Wednesday (November 15).

Accordingly, five students were rushed to the Colombo National Hospital, while another was admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital in Colombo.

Hospital sources confirmed that one of the five students receiving treatment at the National Hospital is in critical condition, and that the student admitted to the Lady Ridgeway Hospital has not sustained serious injuries.

However, following this incident, a group of local residents had attacked the principal of the school.

Due to the unrest, the academic activities of the school have been temporarily suspended, and will recommence on Monday (November 20).
Samarkand (Uzbekistan): Evacuated from war-hit Ukraine in 2021, hundreds of Indian MBBS students, who thought their academic journey was over, have resumed their studies and started new lives in a leading medical university in Uzbekistan.

The Samarkand State Medical University in Uzbekistan has accommodated over 1,000 Indian medical students from Ukraine after the Indian Embassy in Ukraine reached out to them enquiring if the affected students can seek a transfer.

Amit from Bihar's Begusarai, spent one night in a basement in Ukraine when Russia attacked. He was among the students evacuated by the Indian government under the 'Operation Ganga' initiative.

Operation Ganga' was the initiative launched by the government of India to bring back Indians stranded in Ukraine. A total of 18,282 Indian nationals were evacuated under the initiative.

I thought I wouldn't make it and would either die or will be stranded in Ukraine. Once I was back home in India, me and my family were relieved but then began the never-ending cycle of uncertainty about what was next. I had finished three years of my MBBS in Ukraine and to start all over again or pursue something else was not an option I wanted to consider. I later decided to move to Uzbekistan, Amit said. He says living expenses in Samarkand are higher than that of Ukraine but he is happy to be able to continue his education.

Tanwi Wadhva from Punjab's Ferozepur, who was studying at Bukovinian State Medical University in Ukraine, was apprehensive about joining the university due to the loss of a semester. I attended online classes for eight months. We were hopeful that the war would end and we would go back. Some students even went back from different routes but I didn't want to take that risk. I evaluated all options from Georgia to Poland and decided to come to Uzbekistan. The university admitted us a semester back, I was initially apprehensive about the loss of one semester but later I changed my mind and it was worth the decision, she said.

Divyansh from Meerut who used to study at the same university as Wadhwa said Uzbekistan's universities offered teaching and learning in English and the curriculum was on the same lines. Not all countries have universities which offer English as a medium of instruction. So that was a very important factor. Quality of life is similar in Ukraine and Samarkand but this place feels safer now, he said.

Around 19,000 Indian students were studying in Ukraine when the Russian invasion began in February 2021. According to estimates, approximately 2,000 Indian students have gone back to Ukraine and they are residing mostly in the western part of the East European country. Several Indian medical students were left with no choice after their evacuation from Ukraine and transferred to universities in other countries to continue their studies. Many have gone to Russia, Serbia and other European countries.

Dr Zafar Aminov, Vice Chancellor, of Samarkand State Medical University, said when the war broke out, the Indian Embassy reached out to them enquiring if the affected students could seek a transfer. We evaluated the requirements of such students and then ultimately decided that enrolling them with a semester back would be a viable option to provide equivalence. We then set up a team to facilitate transfers and also made special arrangements for these students. We hired 30 more Indian teachers to ensure there are no accent issues, he told PTI. Aminov said the university has accommodated over 1,000 Indian transfer students from Ukraine.

Deepika Kaidala Jayaramaiah, a student from Karnataka, said after seeing the war situation right in front of her, moving to a peaceful country was the priority. I have only read about war in history books. Never imagined that I would witness the situation in person. After it was evident that going to Ukraine was not an option now, I decided to resume my medical journey in Uzbekistan, she said.
This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2023 shows a scene at the ninth round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue in Tokyo, Japan. Business leaders and former high-ranking officials from China and Japan have called for building bilateral relations suiting the new era at the ninth round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue held in the Japanese capital. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

TOKYO, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Business leaders and former high-ranking officials from China and Japan have called for building bilateral relations suiting the new era at the ninth round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue held in the Japanese capital.

A joint statement issued after the two-day dialogue concluded on Wednesday said that creating a free and open business environment is indispensable to post-COVID-19 economic recovery, and that it is necessary to uphold and strengthen international economic order and reform the World Trade Organization (WTO) for it to play an improved role.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the China-Japan Treaty of Peace and Friendship. Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said in a video address that over the past 45 years, economic exchanges have become the cornerstone of Japan-China relations, and he looks forward to more concrete cooperation projects through this dialogue.

Bi Jingquan, executive vice chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), expressed the hope that the entrepreneurs on both sides would earnestly implement the principled consensus reached by the leaders of the two countries, jointly identify the challenges facing bilateral economic and trade ties, and further expand cooperation in green development, new energy vehicles, and medical and healthcare, among other fields.

Masakazu Tokura, chairman of the Japan Business Federation, the country's most powerful business lobby group better known as Keidanren, said that Japan and China should expand economic cooperation in the new era, with actively carrying out dialogues engaging all sectors of the society to enhance mutual understanding.

Launched in November 2015, the dialogue is jointly sponsored by the CCIEE and Keidanren, aimed at providing a platform for communication between entrepreneurs and former officials of the two countries. 

Bi Jingquan, executive vice chairman of the China Center for International Economic Exchanges (CCIEE), speaks at the ninth round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue in Tokyo, Japan, Nov. 15, 2023. Business leaders and former high-ranking officials from China and Japan have called for building bilateral relations suiting the new era at the ninth round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue held in the Japanese capital. (Xinhua/Zhang Xiaoyu)

Editor: JYZ
Israel's vaunted military is smarting over its failure to detect the surprise Hamas attack. It is determined to exact mighty vengeance upon Hamas and Gaza in retaliation. The lethal Hamas excursion shattered the aura of Israel's invincibility. The fearful slaughter of civilians and soldiers shook the country to the core.

Israel will probably win because of its advanced technology and backing from powerful Western allies. But there is no end to the bloodletting in the endless conflict. It does not spare civilians and non-combatants on both sides defenseless men, women, and children.

Hamas's dangerous gambit has been successful. It fed on the genuine anger and despair of the Palestinian people over the Israeli occupation to entrench itself in Gaza. It used its fortified base to launch a well-planned attack on Israel that has had significant consequences.

Israel's bloody response in Gaza has stirred up the Arab public. It is forcing Arab rulers to step back from their efforts for Arab-Israeli reconciliation. The ongoing conflict has increased the risk of a regional war, bringing attention back to the core Israeli-Palestinian dispute.

More death and destruction from calculated violence await because there is no permanent solution in sight. Hamas must have expected the harsh collective punishment that Israel has imposed on the people of Gaza. In past Israeli-Palestinian flare-ups, Israelis killed a disproportionate number of Palestinians in retaliation.

Both sides have lost the ability to see each other as human and are hell-bent on obliterating and pulverizing each other. Israel has become indifferent to the suffering of generations of Palestinians in the territories. It treats the Palestinians as a vanquished people. Despite the long history of Jewish oppression, present-day Israelis are comfortable oppressing Palestinians.

Israel seemed in an enviable position before the Hamas attack. It has had no military challenge since it routed the Arab armies in 1973. It has a robust economy and the unqualified financial and diplomatic support of the United States and its allies.

The disunited Palestinian resistance groups, Fatah and Hamas, were not a significant danger. And pivotal Arab states, once inimical to its existence, were falling in line to establish diplomatic and trade ties with Israel.

Still, Israel pressed ahead with its expansionist policies. It bolstered the permanent occupation of the Palestinians through more settlements and more exclusion. Its hawkish policies remain a serious obstacle to peace and coexistence in a volatile region. Israel has steadily killed the possibility of an economically and politically viable Palestinian state.

Israel's self-defense policy, both at home and abroad, has come at a moral cost. It believes it is immune to criticism and ignores UN resolutions and international law. It violates Palestinian rights and inflicts brutal violence on unarmed civilians. Yet, few Israelis question or criticize the policies of their government.

Palestinians continue to resist because they refuse to accept death or enslavement. It is a response to Israel's brutal occupation and disproportionate use of force. Despite being painted as fiercely fanatical, the Palestinians struggle. They have learned to contend with the unfavorable international narrative of their long struggle.

Jews should understand the choices before the Palestinians from their history. Many Jews were sent to their deaths in Hitler's death camps, while others resisted the Nazis. The Warsaw Ghetto uprising in 1943 is part of Jewish history. A small but determined band of Jewish fighters held off thousands of German soldiers and police to the death. The Palestinian resistance is doing much the same.

Meanwhile, the cycle of violence continues without end while the world stays silent. The adversaries demonize and wear down the other, thinking that time is on their side. Jockeying for short-term advantage damages the longer-term prospects for a permanent solution. Extremists on both sides revel in the toxic atmosphere.

The fact is that bombings, blockades, and colonization do not bring peace. A renunciation of supremacy, oppression, and violence is the way forward. The fundamental moral principles of equality, freedom, popular sovereignty, and tolerance must apply. It is the only way to change the tragic history of the region.

Israel and its international backers must know that the only realistic chance for peace is an independent Palestinian state. Hubris and denial will not change the harsh ground realities. Israelis should not construe working for peace as a sign of weakness. Both sides have to find the elusive peace and security they sorely need to live in freedom and safety.

The first step is a ceasefire in Gaza and immediate cessation of hostilities. A framework towards coexistence, such as the revival of the 1993 Oslo Accord that envisioned a two-state solution, must follow. Implementation of the Accords provides the best chance to end hostilities and find a just and lasting peace. Otherwise, the future outlook for the region and its people is gloomy.


Bird

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I don't know a dream that's not been shattered.

I don't have a friend that feels at ease.

Paul Simon, "American Tune," 1973

This is a Really short version of a 5000-year-old story.

After WWII, the European Jews who survived had no how-to manual for proceeding with their lives. They needed a place to call home. Perhaps to appease their non-action while Nazis exterminated six million Jews, the British (who'd colonized the land then called Palestine) and the newly established United Nations created Israel, a Jewish state, in 1948.

More than 750,000 Palestinians (a large proportion of whom were Christian), who'd shared that sliver of land with Jews for centuries often peacefully, no longer had a home. Some set up refugee camps in countries like Jordan and Lebanon, which had scarce means for supporting so many refugees.

In Hebrew school in the U.S., we who were born in the first and second generations after the Holocaust watched films made by Nazis of piled Jewish suitcases, shoes and skeletons. When the auditorium's lights came on, our teachers with Yiddish accents and tattooed arms said that they wanted us to know what had happened. They didn't want it to happen again. Many of our parents had survived concentration camps, but we didn't necessarily know their stories. We children sat in numbed silence.

In Israel, conflicts festered.

In our teens and twenties, more than a handful of my close friends and a cousin committed suicide or were murdered. When I wondered if these early deaths were legacies of the Holocaust some were the children of survivors my relatives rolled their eyes.

In 1984, perhaps inspired by Helen Epstein's 1978 book, Children of the Holocaust, survivors and their children held a conference in North America for the first time. Attendees realized that if someone told their story stoically, everyone's breathing tightened. If the storyteller shared vulnerability, then tears flowed and breathing expanded.

Epstein's book and this revelation about healing took nearly four decades to emerge.

To pause conflict; to move toward peace

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Gaza

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Biden's actions may make him complicit in genocide.

From Democracy Now :

"The Center for Constitutional Rights has filed a lawsuit against President Biden accusing him of failing to follow his obligations under international and U.S. law to prevent the genocide in Gaza. The complaint was brought on behalf of Palestinians, including residents of Gaza, who are asking a federal court to block Biden, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin from providing further military funding, arms and diplomatic support to Israel. Katherine Gallagher, a senior attorney at the Center for Constitutional Rights and one of the lawyers who brought the case, said in a statement, "The United States has a clear and binding obligation to prevent, not further, genocide. So far, they have failed in both their legal, moral duty and considerable power to end this horror. They must do so."

The Intercept notes:

The 89-page lawsuit, filed by the Center for Constitutional Rights in a California federal district court, traces 75 years of history and analyzes acts committed and rhetoric espoused by the Israeli government that exhibit a disregard for international law. It is accompanied by a declaration from a genocide expert who describes Israel's actions as signs of genocide and argues that the Biden administration has breached its duty under international law to prevent it.

The Intercept writes that one of the Plaintiffs is Gaza resident, Omar Al-Najjar, a 24-year-old intern physician who works at Nasser Medical Complex in Khan Yunis, Gaza, said in a statement. "I've lost five relatives, treated too many children who are the sole survivors of their families, received the bodies of my fellow medical students and their families, and seen the hospital turn into a shelter for tens of thousands of people as we all run out of fuel, electricity, food, and water. The U.S. has to stop this genocide. Everyone in the world has to stop this."

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This is not a war, it a humanitarian debacle in what was once Palestine, in which Israel is being given a free hand to carry out inhuman retribution against an enclosed and defenseless occupied people with no concern for human rights or even humanitarian aid.

Context

Let's look at some context. After WWII, Western Europe decided to soothe its conscience about the centuries-long mistreatment of the Jews that eventually led to the Nazi attempt at a final solution to the "Jewish problem" with its attempt at genocide and ethnic cleansing that devolved into the Holocaust of death squads and concentration camps and finally the ovens.

Even after that, neither the US nor any European nations really wanted to accept the Jewish refugees, so they supported a fictional Zionist narrative that God him/herself was telling the Jews and the world that they had a right, perhaps a religious obligation, to make a homeland for the Jews in Palestine. It was a fiction that the US and western Europe gladly accepted as an answer to their prayers of who should take the Jews after the Holocaust, since they were not being welcomed with open arms by any other nation. So those nations supported that fictional narrative, seeing the Middle East as an area to be manipulated by the West for its own ends. After all, the Arabs were a backward race and were not even Christian. This would probably help them to become modern and enlightened, i.e., Christian. Besides that, there was oil in the Middle East, which was clearly important for not only the growing industrialization of the West but also absolutely necessary for armies. So having a friendly colony in the Middle East would be of great benefit.

The result was that a Jewish state began to emerge with a wink and a nudge from the West that allowed for Jewish terrorism to kill and displace huge chunks of the indigenous Palestinian population in order to claim the land as a new Israel. The US quickly acknowledge the new state in 1948, and the West was quickly in support of the new state with all the support that went with that recognition. The Jews had their homeland, the West had solved its "Jewish problem" and also had established a beachhead in the Middle East with all that that implied.

Eventually Israel became by far the best equipped military in the region, even given the nuclear weapons, while not allowing any other power in the region to have such technology. So, Israel now possessed the trump card.

Palestinians and Resistance

Meanwhile the Palestinians were herded into refugee camps in certain areas of what had been Palestine or pushed into neighboring Arab states. There were wars to consolidate Israeli power and claim more Palestinian land. The Israelis won since they had access to the best of the Western war technology. Within Israel, Palestinians became second-class citizens with many restrictions. In Gaza they became an occupied people, and in the West Bank they were also restricted as they watched helplessly as their land was claimed by new generations of Jewish settlers. And as with the indigenous people world-wide, the world did not seem to care. So, it became clear that only their own resistance fighters could keep them from total domination by the occupier.

No one seems willing to connect the Palestinian resistance to the French resistance to the Nazi occupation in Vichy France. And, if the Nazis had won the war, that resistance movement would have been ruthlessly ferreted out and executed, just as Israel is doing with Hamas. But not even the Nazis would have begun to systematically wipe out all the French in retaliation for the successes of the resistance. We, in the West, now see the French Resistance fighters as noble and heroic yet we are told to have no sympathy for those Palestinians who are tired of being homeless and stateless.

Voices of Indigenous People

But the problem with indigenous peoples is that they are almost always different from the Western norms of race, ethnicity, religion or culture. They seem to stand in the way of "progress" and expansion, sometimes of expansion of some kind of empire, nearly always connected with economics and control.

So now, fighting a Jewish- and Israeli-media dominance, the Palestinians find themselves without a voice in the Western world. In fact, support for the plight of the Palestinians in the Western world is ironically labelled as antisemitic as though all Jewish or Israeli national policies are above reproach. In fact, the US keeps the UN Security Council from action by vetoing any attempts to sanction Israel or to help the Palestinians. (I might also mention in a "I'll scratch your back if you will scratch mine" kind of conspiracy, it is only the US and Israel that are preventing the UN from supporting an end to the embargo of Cuba.).

Universal Declaration of Human Rights

It is also notable that it has been 75 years since, in 1948, the UN accepted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and that was also the year that apartheid began in South Africa and the Jewish population began its pogrom against the Palestinians. Apartheid was forced to end under the scrutiny of world opinion, but Israel has been allowed to continue its slow process of ethnic cleansing under the protection of the US, which has continued to run interference for Israel even in the UN. That process is now being finished in full view of the world while the US continues to fund and send the weapons of mass destruction to Israel, allowing no interference to slow Israel down. In fact, the US is in the area to prevent any other Arab states from interfering in the destruction of the Palestinians. We are using our economic and military clout to bludgeon others into support for the Israeli actions.

Despite how blatant the human rights abuses are and the clear need for humanitarian aid for those trapped in Gaza, the leadership in the US will do nothing to thwart the Israeli intentions. The only solution being allowed by our leadership now is to support moving the remaining Palestinians out of Gaza while allowing the killing to continue and to allow the terrorism in the West Bank to continue until Israel controls all of that area too.

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Israel strikes and seals off Gaza after attack by Hamas Israel increased airstrikes on the Gaza Strip and sealed off the Palestinian territory from food, fuel, and other supplies in retaliation ...

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Smoke from Israel's assault on Gaza

When one looks at the current crisis in Gaza-and not to oversimplify it- it could have been resolved long ago if a truly independent sovereign Palestinian state had been established by the UN adjacent to Israel based on the pre-1967 borders.

That of course never happened and the current crisis in Gaza has its roots in that failure.

On its own Israel would never allow such a Palestinian state to exist adjacent to it.

Israel would have had to be compelled to accept it.

Let's not forget it was the UN that established Israel in May 1948 by the partition of Palestine into a Jewish and Arab state. Arab groups were against the partition and war broke out but eventually ended when Israel's neighbors Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and Transjordan accepted the reality of Israel's existence.

So as the UN did in 1948 it would have had to compel Israel to accept a sovereign Palestinian state adjacent to it.

But let's face it the US has stood in the way of that happening.

With Israel the victor in the 1967 war with Egypt, Syria, Lebanon and Jordan the West Bank has been under Israeli occupation. Gaza was under Israeli occupation as well until Israel unilaterally withdrew in 2005 supposedly to improve its security and gain international status in light of no peace negotiations with the Palestinians.

Since 1967 Israel has continued to establish Jewish settlements in the West Bank even though they're considered illegal under international law. The US government verbally agrees the settlements are illegal yet does nothing to stop it.

The US gives Israel $3.5 billion dollars each year and in all probability clandestinely helped Israel get nuclear weapons-one of the worst kept secrets in the world.

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On the first three days of the Portland teacher strike, Cory Hoppmann got his school-aged son back in day care for $72 a day. The next couple of days, he found a neighborhood babysitter, another $120. This week, he hired a nanny at a cost of $600.

By the end of this week, Hoppmanns expenses from the strike will be nearly $1,000 and could exceed $2,000 if he doesnt get prepaid costs for his sons pre-kindergarten program at Irvington Elementary refunded. The program is closed during the strike because its in a PPS building.

On top of that, Hoppmann, who works as an architect, has been working from 9 p.m. to 1 a.m. some nights to catch up on work. Hoppmann and his wife, who works as a respiratory therapist, are burning through vacation time.

Teachers do an amazing job, he said. They should get paid more. Who doesnt want the teachers to get paid?

But Hoppmann said he and his wife are at the end of our rope and exhausted mentally and physically by the strike. And most importantly, he said the strikes been difficult on his son.

The whole program at Irvington has been amazing, he said. But its hard for him. Hes sad about it. He doesnt understand.

As teachers strike for a 12th workday Thursday, Hoppmann is among the workers, businesses and analysts adding up what the strike means for the economy and their checkbooks. They say it has been enormously disruptive for parents, especially working parents with young children. Workplace experts also encouraged employers to be as flexible as possible with working parents.

Any broad economic damper is likely to prove fleeting, economists said, so long as the strike doesnt drag on. Even if workers are temporarily less productive because of distraction or absence, and economic activity might be delayed, its likely to catch up when the strike ends.

In a temporary situation like this, the workers have not permanently lost their jobs, said Gail Krumenauer, economist with the Oregon Employment Department. So those business-to-business and other purchasing connections have not been permanently severed, and Im not sure how much disruption there is in those business orders, or in labor income.

But if the strike continues into December, it could exacerbate the Portland areas labor shortage. The hiring squeeze has eased somewhat in 2023, but finding workers remains challenging for retailers and some small businesses.

If this goes on through the holiday season, you are going to have even fewer temp workers that are able to flex into those roles, because they may either have children at home that they need to watch, or maybe some of them have been recruited to temporarily do child care for others, said Ben Johnston, chief operating officer of Kapitus, a business financing company in New York. Its just another demand on temporary labor that could make it harder for small businesses.

Large regional employers contacted by The Oregonian/OregonLive, including Oregon Health & Science University, Columbia Sportswear, OnPoint Credit Union, Daimler Truck North America and Bank of America, havent made significant operational adjustments because of the strike  at least not yet.

However, we know many individual OHSU members are now balancing both work and increased family needs, spokesperson Sara Hottman said.

OHSU is Portlands largest employer, with nearly 20,000 workers. A little more than half live in Multnomah County, where Portland Public Schools is the largest of several districts. The university sent employees a list of resources early in the strike, noting backup child care options, a discount employees receive at KinderCare and reviewing policies around remote work.

Columbia Sportswear spokesperson Mary Ellen Glynn said the company is encouraging flexibility between managers and working parents.

Everyone who is impacted will have different familial situations, she said in an email, and different jobs have various in-person needs.

Zhou Fang, founder of the Intersectional Group, a Portland organization that promotes inclusionary policies in the workplace, said employers should strive to be even more flexible, offer child care stipends and even consider letting staff bring children to the office sometimes.

She said flexibility isnt the same as time off and noted that many parents need to be physically at work, at least some of the time. The key, she said, is to be responsive to workers individual circumstances  particularly for those now taking primary responsibility for child care.

When things like this happen, it always falls on working mothers, Fang said. During a crisis like this, how can you as an employer be thoughtful and transparent and communicative, and just be open to employees?

Employers who accommodate their staffers family needs will be more productive during the strike, according to Fang, and employees will reward them when its over with renewed commitment to the organization and its goals.

They will remember how they were treated when things were difficult, Fang said.

Brent Hamilton, Portland employment attorney with Davis Wright Tremaine, said employers should start by reviewing their benefits policies and employee handbooks and remind workers of existing company resources that might help them manage the strike.

The strike might be illuminating needs to expand benefits to help employees cope with unexpected situations, Hamilton said. But he cautioned against changing policies for the strike if employers expect to revert to the old ways afterwards.

The teachers strike is difficult now, but you want to aim for consistent enforcement of your policies over time, Hamilton said.

Josh Lehner with the Oregon Office of Economic Analysis studied the effects of the pandemic on working families in 2020. Some of his findings may be applicable to the teacher strike.

It turns out that upper middle-income households  broadly speaking those in the $65,000 to $110,000 range  are the most impacted, Lehner found. The main challenge they face is not necessarily the ability to work from home, but rather they tend to be dual earner households and have the smallest share of non-working adults present.

Lower-income families had fewer parents struggling with childcare, according to Lehner. Thats because low-wage employees were less likely to have children and are more likely to have one adult family member who isnt working.

While Lehner hasnt revisited his findings for the strike, he cautioned this week that rising employment rates among low-wage employees may have more working-class families in a bind than during the pandemic three years ago.

And lower-income families without an adult available to care for children have fewer resources to help them cope. And theyre very often in retail, warehouse or factory jobs that require them to be on site.

Parents are going to be feeling enormous frustration. They are running out of leave, said Alan Cabelly, professor emeritus of human resources at Portland State University. Some of the societal issues are going to be exacerbated by this situation.

The states new Paid Leave Oregon program compensates workers when they take time off to care for family members health needs. But the Oregon Employment Department, which administers the program, said the benefits apply only to serious health issues.

The agency said some families whose children have special health needs usually met at school might qualify for benefits during the strike, but it would depend on individual circumstances and specific criteria being met.

Meanwhile, parents are reliving painful memories of the struggles endured in 2020 and 2021, during Oregon schools prolonged pandemic shutdown.

Each night before putting his 8-year-old daughter to bed, David Sorek said he has been giving her the bad news about schools being closed the next day.

She was very disappointed and said she really wants to go back to school and said she doesnt like being at home, Sorek said.

A staff attorney in Portland State Universitys legal services office, Sorek only needs to be in the office three days a week, and his wife works from home full time. That flexibility is welcome, he said, but it doesnt change the fact they still dont have enough time to balance work and their daughters needs while schools are closed.

Were both very busy, so although were home, we dont have the ability to just give her our full attention, Sorek said. So its complicated because we find we have to let her watch more screentime than we care to.

Brian Elliott, a software developer, and his wife, an attorney, have flexible work arrangements. Theyve also taken advantage of programming from Camp Fire, the youth outdoor and development organization, during the strike.

We love our teachers, said Elliott, whose two children attend Beverly Cleary School in Northeast Portland. We want to support them. We want to see them get higher pay. We want to see them able to live in Portland. We want all the things that would make our schools really nice.

But Elliott is frustrated that students are missing out on educational activities.

It seems like the adults in the room could have planned this better, he said. We want good schools for our kids, but its hard to see them not go.

As for Hoppmann, he hopes the strike has given some visibility to the need for better financing for public education. But he said the fight should move to the ballot or the Legislature.

Everything the teachers are asking for is reasonable, he said. What I struggle with is theyve been pretty clear the money just isnt there right now.

 Matthew Kish; mkish@oregonian.com

 Mike Rogoway; mrogoway@oregonian.com

 Kristine de Leon; kdeleon@oregonian.com

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An outside investigator found that Joel Medina, who was fired this year as Columbia River Fire & Rescues chief after alleging financial irregularities in the rural fire district, sowed a culture of fear among managers.

Medina was intimidating -- loud and aggressive, one former fire district board member said -- and left staff members worried they could lose their jobs at any moment during his tenure, the investigators report said.
A woman accused of firing a gun inside Portland International Airport said her gun went off when she dropped it, according to a bystander who said he encountered the woman as she stood over the gun on the floor.

Port of Portland police arrested Laura Patterson, 47, after she stepped out of a bathroom near a security checkpoint around 11 p.m. Tuesday and allegedly fired her gun, prompting construction crews, passengers and employees to take cover, officials said. Nobody was injured.

Video footage showed Patterson firing into the air, according to Port of Portland police dispatch logs. She has been charged with attempted murder.

Patrick Leonard, a 58-year-old Lake Oswego software engineer, said he talked to the woman soon after the shots were fired. She told him it was an accident.

Leonard had just landed after a four-hour flight from Houston and texted his wife, then went to the restroom near the checkpoint at the D and E concourses.

Leonard heard two very loud booms that he said sounded like gunshots. Spooked, he crept along a wall toward the restroom exit while another man washed his hands. Leonard peeked out and saw a woman standing about 5 feet to his right.

Someone shot a gun into the air inside Portland International Airport around 11 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 14, officials said. The incident happened outside a restroom near the security checkpoint for concourses D and E, a Port of Portland spokesperson said.Port of Portland

Leonard got her attention and asked what the loud sounds were. She said the sounds were gunshots. Leonard asked if she was sure and she stepped back several feet to reveal she had been standing over a pistol on the airport floor.

Yeah, the woman said, Leonard recalled. I dropped it and it went off into the ceiling.

She added that the gun fell out of her bag, according to Leonard.

He didnt see the woman drop the gun, he said.

Pretty hard for it to go off twice, though I guess it is possible, Leonard said.

Port of Portland officials said she fired into the air after leaving the bathroom but did not provide additional details. According to police dispatch logs, video footage shows the woman stepping out of the bathroom and pointing a gun into the air. The gun then recoils twice, according to the dispatch audio, about one to two seconds apart.

The woman appeared relatively calm, Leonard said. She told him she was going to leave the gun on the floor and wait for the authorities.

They talked for about 30 seconds, but nobody appeared to be on the way, Leonard said, so he decided to try to get someones attention himself.

He said he waved his arms in the air and yelled to Transportation Security Administration staff he saw about 50 yards away.

Leonard said he shouted: Hello, help! Could we get a little help over there? The two loud noises were gunshots. The gun is lying on the floor right here, and the woman said she dropped it.

Another 30 seconds passed before Leonard said what looked like a construction crew approached them  about four people wearing orange vests and hard hats. They didnt look like police officers and didnt appear to be armed, he said.

From about 20 yards away, they told Leonard and the woman to leave the gun and the womans two bags on the floor and walk toward them. They told Leonard he was free to go, and he did.

I was surprised they didnt want to interview me, Leonard said. It was kind of like nobody knew what to do. It was kind of weird.

Leonard took the escalator down to the luggage carousels and texted his wife, who was on her way to pick him up.

Still no luggage, he texted her at 11:24 p.m. Crazy scary story to tell you once I get in the car.

Port of Portland spokesperson Allison Ferre said airport operations staff members were in the area and arrived at the scene just before Port of Portland police, who got there within two minutes of being dispatched.

Once on-site, Port Police conducted interviews and would very much appreciate his statement, Ferre said.

Leonard said he called a port detective around 1:30 p.m. Wednesday and left a message. She has not yet returned the call, he said.

Patterson has been arrested on suspicion of four counts of attempted murder, and one each of possession of a weapon in a public building, interfering with public transportation, unlawful use of a weapon, first-degree criminal mischief, second-degree disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment.

Did you see what happened at the airport? Get in touch.

 Fedor Zarkhin

Office: 503-294-7674; Cell: 971-373-2905; fzarkhin@oregonian.com
Finance Ministry, NBU ready for scenario of termination of U.S. financial support, but it may be unpleasant

The Ministry of Finance and the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) are more optimistic about the situation with the resumption of budget financing from the United States than it might seem, but they also have a scenario in case such financing is further suspended, Finance Minister Serhiy Marchenko has said.

"We are ready for it (the scenario of cessation of U.S. funding), but I think that other stakeholders and Ukrainian society are not ready for it. Therefore, we believe that it is too early to talk about this scenario, because it may be unpleasant," the Minister of Finance said at the annual meeting of the European business assoiation on Wednesday in Kyiv.

"For this year we know how to act. Next year we understand how to act. It is important that sustainable interaction with the IMF remains at the center of understanding," the governor of the National Bank, Andriy Pyshnyy, said in turn.

Commenting on his statements about the unconfirmed $29 billion in external budget financing in 2024 out of the planned $41 billion, Marchenko noted that they have their target audience: partners should be conveyed that Ukraine is uncomfortable with such uncertainty, but this is in no way an accusation.

"We have a rather delicate relationship - we have been dancing this dance for quite a long time: sometimes we are invited, sometimes we have to invite. Therefore, we clearly understand that in this story it is important not to go too far with communications, but at the same time to show that it worries us," the Minister of Finance described the situation.

He added that the government and the National Bank are monitoring the situation and hope for the wisdom of the American people and their representatives. "At the same time, we already know about the support of the Administration (White House), it is clearly stated and articulated in the relevant acts of legislation, so in this regard we are more optimistic than it would seem in the messages," Marchenko emphasized.

The minister also said that in communication with the EU, Ukraine has expressed its desire to have more funds next year from the EUR 50 billion Ukraine Facility program, designed for four years.

The Minister of Finance added that a search for alternative sources is also underway: negotiations are actively underway with the governments of Canada, Japan, Norway, and South Korea.

As reported, Marchenko previously indicated plans to receive EUR 18 billion from the EU, $8.5 billion from the United States, and $5.4 billion from the IMF as part of financing the state budget deficit next year.
Federal prosecutors charged a Portland man last week in what officials say could be among the biggest fentanyl busts in Oregon history.

Jothan Paul Barrios-Chable, 20, had about 127 pounds of fentanyl in his car when police stopped him in Klamath County on Nov. 8, according to the criminal complaint filed in federal court.

He has been charged with possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance, records show.

The case started when the Medford Area Drug and Gang Enforcement Team learned that someone would be driving from California through Oregon with a lot of fentanyl around 4 p.m. in a gray Nissan Rogue with a temporary license plate, court records show. That day, police spotted what they believed could be the car, headed north on Route 97.

Barrios-Chable was going about 10 miles over the speed limit, according to court records, and a Medford police officer pulled him over just south of Collier Memorial State Park. With the help of a police dog, police found about 127 pounds of fentanyl, including packaging, in powder and pill form  as well as a pistol  in the car.

Its safe to say it was among the largest seizures of fentanyl in Oregon history, Oregon U.S. Attorneys Office spokesperson Kevin Sonoff said in an email.

In an interview with law enforcement, Barrios-Chable allegedly said that he gets paid about $5,000 to $6,000 per trip to deliver narcotics and that he lives out of hotels in the Portland area. Barrios-Chable is a Mexican citizen, according to Border Patrol information cited in court records. According to court records, he tried to enter the United States illegally in August and returned to Mexico voluntarily.

Do you know something about this case? Get in touch.

 Fedor Zarkhin

Office: 503-294-7674; Cell: 971-373-2905; fzarkhin@oregonian.com
The FBI announced a $25,000 reward Thursday to anyone with information leading to an arrest and conviction in the triple homicide that killed two high school students and one other in North Portland in March.

Eskender Tamra, 17, was traveling with 19-year-old Babu Daudi and 20-year-old Patrick Johnson Jr. when their car was hit by a volley of bullets by three people on the sidewalk of North Foss Avenue near University Park on March 25.

On Thursday morning, Tamras family joined FBI agents and Portland detectives at University Park, just a few hundred feet away from where the violent shooting took place, to announce the reward. Tamras sister, Beza Tamra, said it was difficult to be in that park, but that her family came hoping to get answers.

As you can imagine, its very hard for us to be here where my brother took his last breath, Beza Tamra said. My family and law enforcement are desperate to get answers to what happened and why. Im very confident somebody out there knows something, so please do the right thing. Give my family the peace that we deserve. This is like an open wound for us.

Investigators have not identified any suspects in the daylight shooting, but said that they believe it was a targeted attack. Law enforcement officials have provided no other details into their investigation.

FBI Special Agent Kieran Ramsey announced a $25,000 reward for information leading to an arrest and conviction in the triple shooting in North Portland in March.Austin De Dios/The Oregonian

Beza Tamra said her family is recovering, but as her brothers birthday and the holiday season approaches, she said the loss still weighs heavily on them.

His birthday is in January; we know thats going to be hard, she said. Weve accepted what happened. I just hope the reward motivates people to come forward.

Eskender Tamra was a junior at Franklin High School, and immigrated to Oregon from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with his sister to pursue better educational opportunities. Daudi, who went by the first name Isaac, was a senior at Roosevelt High School. In emails to school families, officials described both students as quiet, reserved, and respectful.

Doorbell footage shared with The Oregonian/OregonLive shows three people on foot who appear to fire repeatedly on a light-colored sedan.

The three shooters continue firing on the car until it crashes into a parked SUV and spins to a stop. The sedan rolls backward out of the frame and the footage doesnt capture where the shooters go.

FBI Special Agent Kieran Ramsey said those with information can contact the Portland Police Bureau, or reach out to the FBI directly at 1-800-CALLFBI. People can also submit a tip on the FBIs website.

The real reason why were here is this family next to me and two other families that are still grieving the heinous murder of their sons, their brothers and their nephews, Ramsey said.

 Austin De Dios; adedios@oregonian.com; @austindedios; 503-319-9744

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A federal appeals court has put a temporary hold on an Oregon judges order that would have required sheriffs statewide to release criminal defendants held in jail without a lawyer within seven days of their first court appearances.

U.S. District Judge Michael J. McShanes order was set to take effect on Nov. 23.
Bob Schutte is sitting on the porch of his log home along the Willamette River, his wife, Lynn, by his side and a Santa Claus twinkle in his eyes. This is way beyond our original dreams, he said, nodding toward the couples 162-acre Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm in Pleasant Hill, south of Eugene.

In the distance, a green tractor rolls through tidy rows, pulling a trailer of fresh cut trees to be decorated and displayed in the farms gift store. Thousands of holiday shoppers will stream through the farm, from Nov. 24, the Friday after Thanksgiving, until Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, in search of a real tree and memories.

One shopper will be Lisa Fjordbeck, who lives nine miles away in Springfield. She said picking a tree at the Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm has been a family tradition for about 20 years. Riding on hay bales in a wagon pulled by a vintage red farm tractor on the way to the tree fields is like an experience from a past era or a holiday movie, she said. Everybody is happy.

Genuinely making tree farms here feel old-fashioned: Although Oregon has long been the top producer of Christmas trees in the nation, most of the states growers are family-run businesses, often with the second and third generations now in charge.

HERE IS OREGON: HereisOregon.com | Instagram | YouTube | Facebook | Twitter | TikTok

In 30 years, the state transformed from selling wild trees thinned in forests to, by the 1970s, having farms producing fragrant Douglas fir trees with soft dark green or blue green needles that became the staple of Christmas tree markets throughout the United States and around the world.

The Schuttes sell their trees directly to customers while other growers like Tom Norby of the 50-acre Trout Creek Tree Farm near Corbett work strictly with wholesalers, including retailers in Shanghai and Dubai.

The largest of the states Christmas tree producers, Holiday Tree Farms based in Corvallis, ships the iconic emblem of the holiday, a real cone-shaped tree  sometimes close to as many as a million a year  primarily to California and as far away as the Philippines.

Unlike past years, Norby, who also heads the Pacific Northwest Christmas Tree Association and the Oregon Christmas Tree Growers, said there will be good availability of quality trees this year and pricing should be similar to last year.

Jeff Larcom of Holiday Tree Farms agrees. Hes the third generation of his family to lead the Christmas trees business founded in 1955. Today, the company manages about 9,000 acres of land and about 8 million, labor-intensive Christmas trees as they take years to mature.

Each year we evaluate the crop thats available for harvest and only tag and cut the best Christmas trees for our customers, said Larcom, whose workforce rises to 700 during harvest season. The trees are grown in fields like other agricultural products and after harvest, the stumps are ground down back into the soil and we fallow the land with a cover crop to ensure the longterm viability of the land.

During the first year of the pandemic in 2020, when even outdoor public gatherings were restricted to reduce the spread of the coronavirus, U-cut farms offered limited access, if they opened at all. That year, Oregon Christmas tree growers cut and sold 3.44 million trees, a decrease of 27% from 2015, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which conducts a study every five years.

Still, Oregons Christmas tree industrys market value in 2020 was $110 million, the 14th most valuable agricultural commodity in the state. That year, producers planted 6.15 million seedlings, according to the USDA. Other big-producing states, far behind Oregon, in order, are North Carolina, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Washington.

Before the pandemic, Christmas tree farmers endured years of drought and hot summers that killed seedlings and young trees, especially noble firs.

Forestry experts like Chal Landgren, a Christmas tree specialist who retired after 40 years at Oregon State University, researched ways to harden existing tree species and helped introduce Turkish, Trojan and Nordmann firs from the mountains of Turkey and the Republic of Georgia.

Many Oregon growers now offer Nordmann firs, which, like the noble fir, can keep its needles for 30 days after being cut if always hydrated, said Norby.

The biggest challenge to Christmas tree growers and the environment are fake trees. Eight out of 10 Christmas trees seen in the U.S. are artificial, TIBCO Software Inc. data scientists found.

Environmental organization The Nature Conservancy advocates for real trees over petrochemical plastic ones that require intensive carbon emissions to produce. Buying real trees supports local tree farms, which pay wages in the community, and maintains healthy forested land, say experts. After the holidays, real Christmas trees, stripped of nonorganic materials, can be used as wood chips, compost and wildlife habitats for birds and fish.

The U.S. Forest Service encourages people to help thin densely populated stands by buying a permit at Recreation.gov and cutting a small-diameter Christmas tree in designated areas of some national forests.

Bob Schutte of Northern Lights Christmas Tree Farm understands the appeal of paying $5 for a permit to harvest a wild tree. Some folks want the natural look and they have a wonderful adventure going to cut their own tree, he said, then joked, After they get soaking wet, they come and buy a tree here.

The Schuttes, who are both 79, are energized by the holidays. They had a corn maze and a pumpkin patch open to the public for the entire month of October. Then they turned their attention to late November through December events. Ornaments representing different cultural traditions are for sale along with fresh garlands and gnomes.

Each of the 35 trees displayed in the gift shop has a different theme, from nativity and nutcracker to books and films like The Nightmare Before Christmas, and anything pickle ball related, said Lynn. I dont know if this is a commentary on society but our Beer/Wine tree does extremely well, she said. I expect these trends to continue.

The farms rustic wood buildings are dressed in twinkling lights and, inside the wreath shed, people customize a circle of greenery by picking out ribbon and adornments. With a view of the historic hay barn, theres an espresso and hot chocolate bar and a bonfire to toast marshmallows from a smore kit for sale.

The Schuttes met 63 years ago in a California high school chemistry class. He has a mechanical engineering degree and she is a retired elementary schoolteacher. They bought the farmland in 1986 and had their first tree harvest in 1994, making this their 30th harvest.

Noble, Nordmann and Turkish fir trees, in varying stages of their years-long growth cycle, occupy half of their farm. They also raise grass-fed cattle, grazing on pasture along the Middle Fork of the Willamette River.

The misconception about the Christmas tree business: People think you plant a seedling, let it grow and then sell it, said Bob as Lynn chuckled.

The reality: Theres ground prep, and after planting, theres fertilizing, irrigation, weed control, mowing, shearing, removing the bottom branches and more for about eight years, per tree, he said. Lynn and I are fortunate in that we have positive attitudes, we genuinely enjoy our customers company and what we are doing is a good fit for who we are.

 Janet Eastman | 503-294-4072

jeastman@oregonian.com | @janeteastman
D.B. Cooper has been dead for more than 50 years.

Larry Carr is sure of it, and he should know, seeing as he once headed up the FBIs investigation into the unknown criminals famous crime, the only unsolved skyjacking in U.S. history.

Of course, Carr doesnt definitively know the hijacker died on Nov. 24, 1971, after he jumped out of a Boeing 727 somewhere over southwest Washington with a parachute and $200,000 in ransom strapped to his body.

Because nobody knows for certain. No human remains connected to the skyjacking have ever been discovered out in the Pacific Northwest forest. No solid suspect has ever been identified.

But Carr knows this: the FBI did everything it could to find out what happened to the man who bought a $20 ticket at Portland International Airport on Thanksgiving Eve 52 years ago, giving the fake name Dan Cooper, and then hijacked Northwest Orient Flight 305.

Every office in the country had agents working the case, and international [offices] as well, Carr told The Oregonian/OregonLive last week. I think the FBI did a great job on the investigation. Everybody was all in on it.

If the retired FBI agent sounds a little defensive, theres a reason for that. For years, the bureau has been a punching bag for amateur Cooper hunters, who argue the law-enforcement agency made various fatal mistakes in its pursuit of the skyjacker.

Carr dismisses the criticism. No, the investigation wasnt perfect  no investigation is  but it was professionally and diligently pursued, he said.

The problem, simply enough, was a lack of evidence. The hijacker  unmemorable-looking, polite, apparently middle-aged  could be almost anybody. Investigators had only useless partial fingerprints of the man. The butts of cigarettes and strands of hair they collected from the plane led nowhere and eventually were discarded or lost. This was before DNA testing had been invented.

All of this surely will be discussed at the latest CooperCon, the annual D.B. Cooper convention, which gets underway Friday in Seattle. All these years after the skyjacker leapt into a frigid, stormy night, interest in the investigation remains strong.

FBI Special Agent Larry Carr in 2007. At the time, Carr was in charge of the D.B. Cooper case. Melanie Conner/Special to the OregonianLC-

Even Carr, who worked the case 20 years ago, is still invested in it.

I want to know the end of the story, he said. Its a great story. Unfortunately, I think its going to be an enduring mystery.

In the weeks after the skyjacking, the FBI set out to find men who both fit the description of the suspect and recently had gone missing. This was a mammoth task.

Before the internet and widespread computerization, missing-persons cases could be difficult. They were time-consuming slogs, requiring shoe-leather detective work  and that was when the persons real name was known.

Making it still more difficult, most missing persons at the time went unreported  the missing missing, as they were called. Thats just the way it was. Everyone knew that, unless the police had reason to suspect foul play, they werent going to look for you if you stepped out for a pack of cigarettes and never returned to your wife and kids.

At one point early in the investigation, the FBI had a list of 21 missing men who showed promise as the Norjack suspect. The men hailed from places across the country: New York and Florida and South Carolina, Ohio and Maryland and California.

None of them panned out as serious suspects.

A key reason the FBI concluded Cooper probably died on the night of the hijacking is he clearly didnt have the experience to pull this off, Carr said. He was some guy on the fringes who did this audacious thing.

The skyjackers actions indicate he had limited if any skydiving experience and no special military training, Carr pointed out. Cooper didnt specify the kind of parachutes he wanted or dictate a flight path. He didnt have goggles or appropriate clothes for the dangerous jump.

Im firmly in the camp that Cooper died on the night of the hijacking, Carr said.

Shown here are various pieces of evidence from the D.B. Cooper skyjacking: a neck tie, receipt for a plane ticket and money. Melanie Conner/Special to the OregonianLC-

But if D.B. Cooper really was just some guy on the fringes who did an audacious thing, wouldnt that have made him easier to identify than if he were, as many amateur Cooper theorists believe, some kind of spectral special-ops CIA man? Wouldnt it reinforce the idea that the FBI screwed up  and kept screwing up until it finally closed the case in 2016?

Ryan Burns, a Mississippi defense attorney and former prosecutor whos writing a book about the investigation, doesnt think so. Every now and again, investigators run into a case that cant be cracked, he said.

The point of his in-the-works book, which doesnt have a publisher, is different than most other tomes about the D.B. Cooper case, Burns said. He isnt making an argument for one of the many suspects out there whove been embraced and debated by the Cooper-hunter community. His goal is to use the reams of case-file documents publicly released in recent years to rehab the FBI, he told The Oregonian/OregonLive. They worked their asses off.

Thats why Carr, whos been reading chapters of Burns book in draft form, is enthusiastic about the effort.

By far its the definitive book on the D.B. Cooper case, he said. He supports everything hes writing with FBI work product. Hes not trying to hammer a [favorite] suspect into the ground, throwing out evidence in a reckless manner.

Carr has given the unfinished book his imprimatur, saying he is so happy with it. But that doesnt mean he agrees with its author on everything about the case.

I think Cooper probably lived, Burns admitted when pressed. I do believe that.

-- Douglas Perry; dperry@oregonian.com
A judge Tuesday sentenced a man to probation instead of prison more than two years after he wielded a knife at a Filipino American stranger, uttered an anti-Asian slur and pummeled the strangers head, causing a brain injury. The man later fled to Idaho before The Oregonian/OregonLives reporting led to his arrest.

Oregons sentencing guidelines call for 15 to 18 months of prison for Mark Arelious Franklyn based on the charges prosecutors pursued. But Multnomah County Circuit Judge Jenna Plank sentenced Franklyn to 110 days in jail, as part of a plea deal recommended by the Multnomah County District Attorneys Office and Franklyns public defender. Thats the precise amount of time Franklyn already had spent in Multnomah County jail. He was released hours after the hearing.

This past summer, the DAs offices handling of the case sparked criticism from five former deputy Multnomah County prosecutors after The Oregonian/OregonLive asked them about a series of choices that brought its prosecution to a standstill.

The DAs office has defended its prosecution of the case, and Deputy District Attorney Kristen Kyle-Castelli told the judge Tuesday that the victim was in full support of the plea deal. However, the victim told The Oregonian/OregonLive that they felt disappointed.

I dont think (prosecutors) took it as seriously as they should have, said Dennis Cote, a 39-year-old graduate student. This is really a hard learning experience for me. Learning that you dont always find justice in the world.

Dennis Cote was attacked by a stranger while walking along Southeast 102nd Avenue and Stark Street, near Mall 205, on Oct. 30, 2021. Dave Killen / The Oregonian

Reports of hate crimes and incidents to the states Bias Response Hotline continue to rise each year, with the numbers nearly tripling in the past three years. But prosecutions lag far behind statewide.

Cote said they had just left a Starbucks in Southeast Portland on an October 2021 afternoon when Franklyn used a knife to poke Cotes backpack from behind, uttered the slur and slashed at their hand, leaving a small wound. Cote responded by throwing their coffee on Franklyn, who chased Cote, knocking them to the ground and punching their face until a driver pulled over and intervened.

Cote said they suffered a broken nose that interferes with their breathing and a concussion that still blurs their vision, making it difficult to read, write and concentrate. They also experience anxiety going out in public, fearful that someone will approach them from behind on the sidewalk once again and attack them because of their race.

The DAs office charged Franklyn with misdemeanor fourth-degree assault and not second-degree assault, a Measure 11 crime that calls for a mandatory 70 months in prison. All five former prosecutors contacted by the news organization said Franklyns use of the knife or the victims concussion, which is a type of traumatic brain injury, would have prompted them to pursue a Measure 11 crime.

The lack of a more serious assault charge also led judges to release Franklyn from jail after his initial arrest and allow him to visit Idaho, where he remained on the lam for 15 months because prosecutors didnt press then Gov. Kate Brown in 2022. After The Oregonian/OregonLive informed Gov. Tina Koteks office and Idaho police about the case in summer 2023, the governor approved Franklyns extradition and police arrested him in August.

In court Tuesday, prosecutor Kyle-Castelli told the judge she didnt think she had the evidence to prove Franklyns hate-based attack amounted to Measure 11 second-degree assault. The wound from the knife was too small to meet the definition of that crime, she said.

In an email, the DAs office also said while a concussion may rise to the level of serious physical injury they conducted a thorough review of the victims medical records and talked to a medical expert before deciding not to proceed with a second-degree assault charge.

Franklyns defense attorney, Kate McMurchie, said her client doesnt remember the attack because he was abusing substances. He told jailers after his October 2021 arrest that he used methamphetamine and marijuana at times. Franklyn told the judge hes been sober for over two years.

Franklyn pleaded no contest to fourth-degree assault and first-degree bias crime. As part of the plea agreement, the judge dismissed two other charges  unlawful use of a weapon and menacing. On top of probation and the time hes already served in jail, Franklyn also was ordered to eight hours of anger management and to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation to assess if he needs treatment.

Though Franklyn was released from jail Tuesday evening on this case, he had to post $200 bail on another case in which hes accused of violating a stalking order by contacting a former girlfriend.

Cote, the hate-crime victim, said they had been hoping for an apology during Tuesdays hearing, but Franklyn didnt offer one.

He was given the chance, Cote said. It would have meant a lot to me.

-- Aimee Green; agreen@oregonian.com; @o_aimee
The teachers strike in Portland Oregon is a human rights issue, (Editorial: End the PPS teachers strike now, Nov. 10). Education is a human right, our educators are the providers, and they need help doing their jobs. Our elected officials have failed them, and theyre not going to take this attack on our children lying down.

Why isnt Portland Public Schools fighting for our teachers? Why arent they fighting for the right to a good education? Our teachers are providing one of our species most precious resources and they should be treated as such.

The Portland Association of Teachers isnt asking for anything unreasonable. They want heating and cooling systems that work, smaller class sizes, clean working environments and additional support for our students. Im not sure Ive ever seen such an altruistic strike.

They are asking for a cost-of-living adjustment. An adjustment smaller than what theyve lost over the last 20 years due to Portlands higher cost of living. Other than San Francisco, no larger disparity exists in the country between a teachers salary and the cost of living in the community where they teach.

The PPS position is a human rights violation. They require new leadership. Our elected officials (Gov. Tina Kotek, I am looking at you) need to step in, give our teachers what they need to educate our children, and let our kids get back to school in a safe and comfortable learning environment.

Justin Chapin, Portland

To read more letters to the editor, go to oregonlive.com/opinion.
Russia has been ousted from the UNESCO Executive Board, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"For the first time in history, Russia has been ousted from the UNESCO Executive Board," Zelenskyy said on the X social network.

According to the president, Russian terrorists have no place at the head of significant international organizations. "The era of Russian influence is over, and rightly so: Russian terrorists have no place at the head of significant international bodies. Russias international role will only continue to weaken," he said.
West Kentucky Community and Technical College (WKCTC) is partnering with the Paducah Cooperative Ministry (PCM) to give 500 families assistance this Thanksgiving. They will provide those 500 families with items to assist their Thanksgiving meals.

We are enthusiastic about the opportunity to partner with PCM this holiday season. WKCTC is invested in our community, and we are honored to serve families and address food insecurity, said Octavia Lawrence, WKCTC vice president of student services.

People can go to PCM, located at 402 Legion Drive, to receive items on November 17 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Items will be given out as long as supplies last.

For PCM and those we serve, this partnership comes at a critical time of the year. Our pantry is low, groceries are already expensive, and we are looking ahead at the holiday season and the expenses it brings, said Lacy Boling, PCM executive director. WKCTC is helping directly impact food insecurity by putting goods in the hands of families that need it most and when they need it most.

For questions, contact PCM at 270-442-6795.
Russia can create new crises in the Balkans and Moldova in order to divert the world's attention from the war in Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy told African journalists.

"Today everyone is discussing the crisis in the Middle East. But, as I have already said frankly, this is not yesterdays problem. And not the day before yesterday's problem. Everyone knows about this constant conflict and constant war, but no one wants to end it. Since it is convenient - in at some point, just take this mechanism again. This is an explosion in the Middle East, Russia is behind this, we are sure, with their allies Iran," he said.

"Pay attention to the Balkans. Believe me, we are receiving information: Russia has a long plan. The Middle East, there will be the Balkans, at least, if the countries of the world do nothing now, there will be such an explosion again," Zelenskyy said.

According to him, Russia is again interested in diverting aid. "When you want to help one country or you start dividing this help and attention between many countries, many challenges, many humanitarian challenges," Zelenskyy said.

"Moldova. Now they are starting to undermine the situation in Moldova. To show that something was wrong there during the elections. To recognize the elections as unconstitutional. To again demolish the current government. To demolish the government that is pro-European," he said.
Geneva, Switzerland (PANA) - UN human rights chief Volker Turk on Thursday welcomed the Security Council call for pauses in the fighting in Gaza where doctors operate on screaming children without anaesthetic, using mobile phones for light, before appealing directly to the warring sides to lay down their weapons
New York, US (PANA) - The UN Security Council passed a resolution Wednesday calling for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and for urgent and extended humanitarian corridors throughout the enclave to save and protect civilian lives
Monrovia, Liberia (PANA) - With about one-quarter of preliminary results in Liberia's presidential runoff held on 14 November released, the two candidates -- President George Weah of the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) and Joseph Boakai of the opposition Unity Party (UP) -- are running neck and neck
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Walid Al-Lafi, Libya's Minister of State for Communication and Political Affairs and Chairman of the Committee for the Activation and Opening of the National Museum, has held a meeting to monitor the progress of work to develop the museum and prepare for its reopening
New York, US (PANA) - The UN Security Council on Wednesday extended the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic (MINUSCA) until 15 November 2024, mandating it to advance a multi-year strategic vision to create the political, security and institutional conditions conducive to national reconciliation and durable peace
Photo: (Photo : Jay Paul /Getty Images)

In a poignant courtroom scene, Deja Taylor, the mother of a 6-year-old who shocked the nation by shooting his first-grade teacher at Richneck Elementary School, was sentenced to 21 months in prison.

The incident, marked by a marijuana-fueled tragedy in Newport News, Virginia, has left lasting scars on teacher Abigail Zwerner and ignited debates about school safety.

The Sentencing and Troubled History

Deja Taylor faced the consequences of her actions on Wednesday, receiving a 21-month prison term for possessing a firearm while being a drug user. The incident, which unfolded in January, saw Taylor's son using her gun to shoot teacher Abigail Zwerner.

Newport News Police Chief Steve Drew emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that it was not an accidental shooting.

Taylor's history, marked by eight failed court-ordered drug tests, highlighted persistent substance abuse issues.

Lawsuit Allegations and Ongoing Investigations

In the aftermath, Abigail Zwerner filed a $40 million lawsuit, alleging that Richneck Assistant Principal Ebony Parker ignored warnings about the potential of the young student having a gun.

The lawsuit claims negligence on Parker's part, contributing to the tragic events of that day. A Virginia judge's ruling allowing Zwerner's civil case to proceed indicates a legal battle ahead.

Meanwhile, the investigation into the school shooting continues, with a special grand jury scrutinizing any potential actions or omissions by school employees that may have played a role.

The 6-year-old boy, who remains uncharged in the case, admitted to obtaining his mother's gun from her purse and firing it at Zwerner.

The shocking nature of the incident prompted a reassessment of school safety protocols, leading to the departure of the school district's superintendent. The case also revealed troubling details about Taylor's history, with prosecutors disclosing prior instances of her gun being fired in public.

Deja Taylor's attorney, Gene Rossi, portrayed her as remorseful and highlighted mental health and substance abuse issues as contributing factors.

The sentencing memorandum, however, painted a different picture, pointing to a troubling history beyond the Richneck incident. The intricate web of issues surrounding this case underscores the importance of addressing systemic problems to prevent such tragedies in the future.

Deja Taylor's son is currently under the custody of his grandfather, with Taylor granted supervised visits.

As the legal proceedings unfold, the case serves as a stark reminder of the complex intersections between substance abuse, firearm possession, and the safety of educational environments.

The sentencing signals a chapter closed for Deja Taylor, but the broader narrative prompts a crucial examination of policies and practices to safeguard students and educators alike.

Read Also: Johns Hopkins Hospital Found Guilty in Maya Kowalski Case on Netflix's 'Take Care of Maya'

Impact on Abigail Zwerner and School Safety Concerns

Abigail Zwerner, the teacher caught in the crossfire, shared a victim impact statement that shed light on the profound repercussions of that fateful day.

The bullet tore through her left hand, collapsing a lung, leading to multiple surgeries, anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Zwerner's heartfelt account underscored the emotional toll and the enduring trauma she continues to grapple with.

The incident prompted a broader discussion about school safety, with many questioning the adequacy of measures in place at Richneck Elementary School.

Related Article: Florida Dentist's Mother Arrested in Murder-for-Hire of Dan Markel: Allegedly Plans Escape to Vietnam
Photo: (Photo : Photo by Aleksandra Boguslawska on Unsplash)

In a distressing incident that has stunned communities in both Detroit and Daytona, Florida, Shamika Mitchell, a 37-year-old mother from Detroit, has been arrested and charged with child neglect. She allegedly left her 1-year-old son alone on Daytona Beach in chilly conditions, where he was later found shivering and partially submerged by waves.

Horrific Discovery and Rescue Operation

The incident unfolded in the early hours of November 8 when the toddler was found in a perilous situation on the beach, with temperatures hovering around 57 degrees. Mitchell, vacationing with her four children, was captured on video surveillance leaving the beach before midnight on November 7 and heading back to her car parked at Saint Demetrios Greek Orthodox Church's lot. The church had kindly allowed Mitchell and her children to stay in their parking lot overnight.

Mitchell's teenage son, sensing something was wrong, confronted his mother about the whereabouts of his younger brother. Mitchell's claim of handing the baby over to his father was met with skepticism, leading to a 911 call. A woman walking on the beach noticed the child in the sand, initially mistaking him for an animal. The bystander and others at the scene rescued the child from the waves, removed his wet diapers, and tried to warm him up until authorities arrived.

The Volusia County Sheriff's deputies responded quickly, placing the unresponsive child, whose skin was cold to the touch, in a patrol car and turning on the heater to warm him. Paramedics soon arrived to provide medical treatment. The child was subsequently reported to be in good care.

Shamika Mitchell was arrested following the incident and remains in custody at the Volusia County Jail on a $50,000 bond. In a disconcerting development, Mitchell's older son was also arrested on the same night. Overwhelmed by the situation, he tried to hit his mother while she was speaking to the police and allegedly assaulted two officers who attempted to intervene.

Read Also: Abandoned 'Baby India' Case Sees Breakthrough, Mother Arrested Four Years Later

Family's Response and Ongoing Investigation

DeShawn Gales, Mitchell's boyfriend, reported that the baby has been released from the hospital and is now in safe care. The Department of Children and Families took temporary custody of Mitchell's three other children, who were later handed over to their grandparents, who had traveled from Michigan to Florida.

This harrowing incident has raised alarms about child safety and parental responsibility. Mitchell's alleged actions represent a significant violation of parental duties, and the case has sparked a conversation about the safeguarding of children.

The case's progression is being closely watched, with many awaiting details about Mitchell's motivations and the circumstances that led to such a grave act. The involvement of child protective services and the legal system reflects the seriousness of the allegations, and the focus is now on the well-being and future care of Mitchell's children.

The community, while shocked by the event, is rallying to support the affected family members and reinforce the importance of child safety and welfare. The case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of vigilance in protecting the most vulnerable members of society and the need for robust systems to prevent such tragedies.

Related Article: Miracle in Louisiana as Abandoned 8-Month-old Baby Found Alive in Field After Going Missing Overnight
Ready or not, here comes AI: Microsoft is adding Copilot to Windows 10.

Microsoft isnt calling the Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.3754 (KB5032278) the Windows 10 2023 Update. But the new update, which will begin releasing to all Windows 10 PCs in the near future, contains features  including Copilot  that have accompanied the recent major update to Windows 11. Officially, its coming soon.

If youve chosen not to upgrade to Windows 11 precisely because you didnt want to live in Microsofts AI-powered, telemetry-fueled world, there is a way out. However, most consumers wont have access to it: Windows 10 Pro users that are managed by organizations will not be included in the initial rollout of Copilot, Microsoft said. Windows 10 Enterprise and Education edition devices on version 22H2 are also not included in the initial rollout of Copilot in Windows with this November non-security preview update.

Copilot, of course, is Microsofts fusion of Bing Chat (now just called Copilot) with elements of the Windows 10 Cortana app, now deprecated. It appears that Copilot for Windows 10 should offer the same functionality as Copilot for Windows 11: A sidebar will slide out, and Copilot will answer questions and make suggestions, plus provide limited configurability options for your PC. It will be offered to select global markets, Microsoft said, and will require your PC to have both 4GB of RAM and a graphics adapter capable of 720p resolution.

Copilot on Windows 10. Microsoft

Microsoft said that Copilot will be deployed as a phased rollout over the coming months, in much the same way incremental features have been rolled out to Windows 11. It will deploy first to the Release Preview channel of the Windows Insider program, as Microsoft needs additional time to validate it.

How to get Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.3754, and Copilot

If youre interested in trying out Copilot, youll need to opt in to the Windows 10 Insider program, then download the new build 19045.3754 from the Release Preview Channel.

From there, the fastest method to get Copilot is to go to the Windows 10 Settings menu (Settings > Update & Security > Windows Update) and select the Get the latest updates as soon as theyre available option. That will signal Microsoft to push the update to your PC as quickly as it can.

If you dont want the update, theres no indication that you can block the it without either being part of a managed installation or blocking updates altogether.

Whats in the Windows 10 22H2 Build 19045.xxxx release

There are actually a few changes that the new build will add to your PC. The first, of course, is Copilot.

Microsoft also says that this new update will prevent third-party apps from making themselves the default (such as a web browser) or pinning itself to the taskbar without your permission. News & Interests (called Widgets on Windows 11) will be enlarged, Microsoft added. Youll also see Windows Update notifications on the screen when you sign in, although these can be apparently turned off.

An older look at Windows 10s News & Interests, in German. IDG

There are also numerous fixes, spelled out in the blog post announcing the new release.

There is one aspect of Windows 10 that hasnt changed, though: the end-of-support date. Support for Windows 10 will end on October 14, 2025. After that, its Windows 11 or bust.

This story was updated at 10:14 AM PT with additional details.
The Trust Hospital Company Limited has launched its Quality Healthcare Agenda to champion efficient and quality healthcare delivery as it joins the world to commemorate Quality Healthcare Day.



The hospitals Quality Focal Person, Benjamin Wadie Peprah underscored the importance of the agenda saying the hospital wants a desirable outcome for patients hence working towards attaining quality in every aspect of service delivery.



He added that quality care is what will keep the health sector in business and that sector players must strive for it. He said to fuel the agenda, the hospital has also made available a complaint management system to receive feedback from patients and has conducted staff satisfaction surveys and encouraged continual learning or education among staff in the quest to attain excellence.



We want to increase accessibility to patients and make decisions based on data. We want to make quality our competitive advantage. Recently, we had about 30 units presenting on quality improvement projects and that is how we are carrying the staff along, he said.



Chief Executive Officer of Trust Hospital Company Limited, Dr. Juliana Ameh reassured of the facilitys commitment to providing quality client-focused healthcare services. She reiterated that systems have been put in place and measures are underway to ensure that the hospital does not only meet standards but set a benchmark in the healthcare industry as they work to deliver quality, cost-effective and client-centred services in a safe and serene environment.



We have put in place a system as an organisation where all units have quality improvement focal persons. It is a bottom-up approach to drive improvement in services, staff attitude and outputs and we have indicators to measure what we do.



The ongoing journey's core principles are leadership, teamwork, client focus, data-driven decisions, and the cultivation of a culture of continuous improvement. These principles are not merely theoretical; they are our new way of life, she said also noting that her outfit is making progress with its Agenda 2027, a strategic plan expected to give all staff a sense of direction over the next five years.



We have made commendable strides, but acknowledging our ambition to be counted amongst the best in our industry calls for a shift beyond where we are presently. Therefore, we needed to elevate our game, raising the standards required a deliberate, strategic approach in the quality healthcare improvement agenda, eventually aiming for international accreditation, she said.



Vice president for Global Delivery at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement, Dr. Sodzi Sodzi-Tettey commended The Trust hospital for putting quality at its forefront and changing the status quo, noting that elsewhere, data shows that poor healthcare is responsible for about 50 percent of death.



He urged the hospital to include more patient inputs in its interventions. Also, link board-level initiatives to what is happening at the front line. The board needs to have greater visibility into what is happening so that they can provide additional support, he added.



For her part, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services, Lilian Annan said the hospital is working to achieve the maximum possible reduction in avoidable harm due to unsafe health care and hence will improve adherence to the World Health Organisations (WHO) patient safety goals.



The goals included correct patient identification; improving effective communication; medication safety practices; ensuring surgical safety for all surgical procedures; control of healthcare-associated infections; and reducing the risk of patient harm due to falls.









Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Chief Executive Officer of State Transport Corporation (STC), Nana Akomea has lacerated Member of Parliament for Ningo-Prampram, Sam George, for describing Vice President Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia as "religious prostitute" over his regular interactions with the Christian community.



Sam George stressed, in an interview on Metro TV, that the Vice President's conduct does not depict the actions of "a proper Muslim.



No true Muslim in the world believes that Jesus Christ is our Lord and Savior. He is not a proper Muslim and for this, he described Dr. Bawumia as a religious prostitute.



Reacting on Peace FM's "Kokrokoo" morning programme, Nana Akomea found Sam George's comments very "dirty" and undeserving of a Member of Parliament.



He asked who made the MP a judge over any person's religion, hence cautioning him against inciting Muslims against the Vice President.



"You, Sam George, are not a Muslim. You say you are a Christian", he said, asking "are you the one to show who is a true Muslim? Even the Christian you are, I am not sure you are qualified to show who is a proper Christian? Are you, Sam George, a proper Christian?"



Nana Akomea shot back at Sam George saying he is not even qualified to pass judgement on a Christian, "how much more a Muslim where you are not part of the religion?"



"Who is a good Christian and who is not a good Christian?...How can you pass judgement on who is a good Muslim? You are not even a Muslim", he exclaimed.





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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Former MP of Ukraine of the sixth convocation from the Svoboda party Iryna Farion was fired on Wednesday from her position as a teacher at Lviv Polytechnic University for her statements regarding Ukrainian military personnel, Education Minister Oksen Lisovy said.

"Lviv Polytechnic fired Farion. The corresponding order has already been signed by the rector... The position of the ministry remains unchanged  people who do not share the values of dignity and do not have respect for soldiers have no place in the education system," he said on Facebook.

Lisovy expressed hope that the SBU, within the framework of open criminal proceedings, will give a fair assessment of the statements and actions of the former teacher of Lviv Polytechnic University.

According to him, Ukraine "continues to get rid of the shadows of the Soviet past and in the education system in particular."

"It was with students that the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine began, which finally secured us on the European integration path. Starting in 2014, thousands of students changed classrooms to trenches and went to defend their state, their families and their values. This period in the history of Ukraine became a point of no return and launched an active process of de-Sovietization, the time for which has long come," the head of the Ministry of Education said.

"I thank each and everyone for their caring, ability to uphold and defend their values. This is a fantastic trait of Ukrainians  students and youth," he said.

As reported, SBU has launched criminal proceedings and has already ordered a number of examinations on the statements and publications of former MP Farion.
President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo has asked the people of Bantama constituency in the Ashanti Region to retain Hon Francis Asenso-Boakye as their Member of Parliament in the 2024 general elections.



According to the President, looking at the level of commitment and competence showed by Mr Asenso-Boakye when he served as Deputy Chief of Staff and currently, the Minister for Works and Housing, it will really hurt him if the MP is not retained.



"It will hurt me so much if people of Bantama throw him away. Give him the opportunity to represent you again and he will come and continue the good job he has been doing".



President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo said this at Bantama today, Wednesday, 15th November, 2023, during the commissioning of a modern Library and Technology Hub in the Bantama constituency named after him.



The new library at Bantama, is the 127th Library in Ghana. The Akufo-Addo government has so far built 66 libraries across the country.



'' As of 2017 when the Nana Akufo-Addo government took over, there were only 349 books in those libraries. Today, there are 1.5 million books in the 127, libraries across the country'', according the Ghana Library Authority.



Speaking at the commissioning of the Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo Community Library and Technology Hub, President praised Mr Asenso Boakye, for his contribution at the Jubilee House as Deputy Chief of Staff, stating that, some workers at the Jubilee House still mention the name of the MP as a hard working man.



Commenting on the project, Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo stated that he really appreciates and commends the efforts of Mr. Asenso-Boakye and his decision to name the project after named after him (President).



He stressed that he was more happy because the project named after him is an educational one.



''Thanks for grooming Asenso-Boakye for me. He does things best'', the President added.



President Akufo-Addo also jabbed former President and flagberer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC) John Dramani Mahama saying his intension to come back to the presidency is a deceit to Ghanaian.

President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo also told Ghanaians to ignore the NDC flagbearer John Dramani Mahama because he has nothing better to offer them.



However, he urged Ghanaians to eschew ethnocentric politics and religion-based politics against the flagbearer of the NPP, stressing that his competence is what maters. He expressed the hope that Dr. Bawumia would an excellent president.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The National Peace Council (NPC) and their key partners, the Christian Council of Ghana, the Office of the National Chief Imam, and the Catholic Bishops Conference have expressed concern about how some persons are fanning religious intolerance in the country in recent times.



In a statement yesterday, the NPC said we have observed with great concern some insinuations and publications on electronic and social media seeking to inflame religious passion into the 2024 General Elections.



As the National Institution responsible for peace in the country, the NPC and our partners wish to remind all Ghanaians of the admirable manner by which we have lived together in peace, despite our Religious, Political and Ethnic diversity.



We have a duty as a people to continue to coexist and tolerate our diversity, they said. The Council quotes Article 21(1)(c) of the 1992 Constitution of the Republic of Ghana which recognises and protects the rights of all persons to freely practise any religion and to manifest such practice, to endorse their stance.



Article 21(3) also provides for and protects the rights of all Ghanaians to freely form or join political parties and to participate in political activities subject to the qualifications and laws as are necessary in a free and democratic society and consistent with the constitution, the Council added.



The NPC have in the light of the foregone requested all individuals and groups who are engaging in such insinuations and publications to refrain from such destructive mission and should immediately desist from such actions as they have the tendency to destroy our long cherished pluralistic friendly society.



The NPC and their partners further urge all Ghanaians to expose such characters who have embarked on this slippery mission.

Source: dailyguidenetwork.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Ghana Tourism Authority has endorsed the Ghana Bloggers Association's agenda to promote and blog about the positive aspects of Ghana leading up to December in Ghana (GH).



Days ago, the Bloggers Association launched an activation, urging all social media users and bloggers to focus on sharing positive news throughout Ghana under a thematic blogging initiative Blog and promote Ghana agenda.



During the launch, the association's president, Andre Mustapha NII Okai Inusah, also known as Attractive Mustapha, emphasized Ghana's uniqueness.



He encouraged fellow citizens to take pride in showcasing the nation, citing Ghana's central global position as Center of the world and abundant natural resources, declaring it as the most peaceful country in Africa.



Attractive Mustapha disclosed plans for a Ghana tour and a global promotion campaign set to commence in December to further promote Ghana.



He highlighted December's significance, drawing people worldwide to celebrate Christmas and New Year, positioning Ghana as a premier destination for these festivities.



Today, on the association's official social media pages, it was announced that the Ghana Tourism Authority has endorsed their blog and the promotion of the Ghana Agenda.



In the coming days, they will collaborate with the authority to market Ghana globally.



The Association also shared pictures of their meeting with the CEO of the Ghana Tourism Authority, Mr. Kwasi Agyemang, discussing the projects.



They urged every Ghanaian online to blog the good and positive news about Ghana, especially in December, as it is a time when the whole world comes to Ghana for Christmas festivities.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The High Court at Adenta has today, November 16, 2023, struck out a lawsuit brought against Musician Mohammed Ismail Sharrif popularly known as Black Sherif, by Cruise People Ltd.



The case was based on an alleged breach of a performance contract by Black Sherifs team.



According to the information gathered from credible sources, Black Sherif was billed to perform on a Cruise Ship in Athens, Greece on August 19, 2023.



However, before the scheduled date for the show, the contract was unilaterally terminated by the promoter; Daniel Vanderpuje of Cruise People Ltd., alleging publicity breaches. Subsequent to the termination of the contract, the promoter demanded a refund of the deposit of US$ 20,000 from Black Sherif.



The Cruise People Ltd.s demand of the deposit was resisted by Black Sherifs team on the basis that the contract was terminated by the Cruise People.



Black Sherif rather insisted that he was entitled to compensation for the unilateral termination of the contract. The Promoter, Daniel Vanderpuye, aggrieved by the turn of events, instituted the court action for; a refund of the deposit paid, interest on the said amount, compensation for loss of revenue and profits, general damages for breach of contract, and costs.



Black Sherifs legal team; Dominic Brenya-Otchere esq., Kenneth PaaKwesi Agyir esq. and Esther Addai esq. of Sam Okudzeto and Associates, entered conditional appearance and filed an application to strike out the suit on grounds that the dispute resolution clause in the contract stipulated that any dispute arising out of the contract shall be settled exclusively in the United Kingdom.



On October 19, 2023, the Court ordered the parties to file written submissions, within two weeks, and adjourned the matter to the 16th day of November 2023 for ruling.



The learned High Court Judge, granted Black Sherifs application, and noted that the subject matter of the dispute was not closely connected to Ghana.



The judge was of the view that, the parties for all intents and purposes, wanted all disputes arising thereto to be resolved in the UK, and therefore struck out the Plaintiffs writ and statement of claim as the action had been commenced in the wrong forum.



So as it stands now, there is no suit pending against Black Sherif in respect of the contract between him and the Cruise People Ltd.



A source close to Black Sherif intimated that if Cruise People Ltd. commences any action in the proper forum, they will counterclaim for the full contract sum, interest, and damages for breach of contract.



The Plaintiff was represented by Lawyer Godwin Edudzi Tamekloe, the Director of Legal Affairs of the National Democratic Congress (NDC).

Source: Isaac Kwame Owusu/Peacefmonline.com/[email protected]









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Thousands of workers at more than 200 U.S. Starbucks stores plan to walk off the job Thursday in what organizers say is the largest strike yet in the two-year-old effort to unionize the companys stores.

The Workers United union chose Starbucks annual Red Cup Day to stage the walkout since its usually one of the busiest days of the year. Starbucks expects to give away thousands of reusable cups Thursday to customers who order holiday drinks.

The union said it was expecting more than 5,000 workers to take part in its Red Cup Rebellion. Around 30 stores also staged walkouts on Wednesday.

Stores in the Philadelphia, State College and Pittsburgh areas are among those planning to participate.

Neha Cremin, a Starbucks barista in Oklahoma City, said she was striking to protest understaffing in stores, especially during promotions like Red Cup Day. Cremin said workers are already overwhelmed filling delivery orders, drive-thru orders, mobile orders and in-store orders; promotions add another layer of stress.

Understaffing hurts workers and also creates an unpleasant experience for customers, Cremin said. Starbucks has made it clear that they wont listen to workers, so were advocating for ourselves by going on strike.

Thursdays strike was the fifth major labor action by Starbucks workers since a store in Buffalo, New York, became the first to unionize in late 2021. Workers at 110 stores walked out last year on Red Cup Day; most recently, a strike in June protested reports that Starbucks had removed Pride displays from its stores.

But the strikes have had little impact on Starbucks sales. For its 2023 fiscal year, which ended Oct. 1, Starbucks reported its revenue rose 12%,to a record $36.0 billion.

Starbucks downplayed any potential impact of the strike Wednesday, saying it would occur at a small subset of the companys 9,600 company-owned U.S. stores.

We remain committed to working with all partners, side-by-side, to elevate the everyday, and we hope that Workers Uniteds priorities will shift to include the shared success of our partners and negotiating contracts for those they represent, Starbucks said in a statement.

At least 363 company-operated Starbucks stores in 41 states have voted to unionize since late 2021. The Starbucks effort was at the leading edge of a period of labor activism that has also seen strikes by Amazon workers, auto workers and Hollywood writers and actors. At least 457,000 workers have participated in 315 strikes in the U.S. just this year, according to Johnnie Kallas, a Ph.D. candidate and the project director of Cornell Universitys Labor Action Tracker.
A 21-year-old man was driving more than 100 mph when he caused an April 2022 crash in Lancaster County that killed a mother and seriously injured her 5-year-old child, prosecutors said.

Christofer Pineda-Gasca, of Elkton, Maryland, pleaded guilty to the third-degree murder of Alicia Whisler, 32, and was sentenced on Oct. 27 to 1632 years in prison, the Lancaster County District Attorneys Office said.

Prosecutors last year said Pineda-Gascas reckless driving caused Whislers April 4, 2022 death when she was turning into the parking lot of Conestoga Christian School on Route 23 in Caernarvon Township.

Pineda-Gasca was driving a silver Infiniti with a stolen license plate when Pennsylvania State Police tried to pull him over that day in Honey Brook, Chester County. He refused to stop and sped away, weaving through traffic while going at least 85 mph, state police said.

State police said Pineda-Gasca was trying to illegally pass two vehicles and going more than 100 mph when he crashed into Whislers car.

The impact to the vehicle was catastrophic, causing the victims vehicle to roll over and impact a utility pole, land on its roof, and nearly split in two, prosecutors said in a Thursday news release.

Whisler was pronounced dead at the scene. Her child was seriously injured, but survived.

Pineda-Gasca reportedly told investigators he fled because he smoked marijuana earlier that day and was worried about getting charged with DUI. After the crash, court documents said he admitted he should have stayed at the scene and allowed himself to be arrested for DUI.

A half-smoked marijuana roach and a thick stack of cash was found inside Pineda-Gascas vehicle, according to an affidavit of probable cause. His drivers license was suspended at the time.

In addition to third-degree murder, Pineda-Gasca pleaded guilty to homicide by vehicle while DUI, aggravated assault, fleeing or attempting to elude officer, DUI, and recklessly endangering another person.
A child who was home sick from school bore witness to a home invasion and assault, according to news reports.

It all happened around 10:12 a.m. on Nov. 6 in the 6600 block of North 17th Street in the East Oak Lane section of Philadelphia, where four men in back hoodies broke into the familys home, held them at gunpoint, tied them up and assaulted them before stealing their valuables.

My wife, she cries every night. She cant sleep, a man who survived the robbery told 6ABC. She cant sleep.

The man also runs a delivery business at home, and he and his wife have lived in the house since 2017. The two declined to give their names, fearing their familys safety, The Philadelphia Inquirer said.

Surveillance video from the front yard captured a black Acura pulling up. The armed men exited the vehicle and crouched behind it.

One of the people who lives in the house was on the front lawn with a handyman when the four people forced them back into the home at gunpoint. The scene was captured from another angle on the surveillance camera.

The video captured the four men forcing the family and the handyman down onto the floor at gunpoint.

The suspects then tied the men up and pistol-whipped them. Upon witnessing her father being assaulted, a 4-year-old girl begged them to stop and they threatened to kill her.

Shes scared, she cries, the man told 6ABC. She makes a lot of noise, and they talk to her, Shut up or I kill you too.

The little girl then ran and hid behind the sofa.

The four men ransacked the home and were captured on video wheeling away a safe. They also got away with jewelry, cash and firearms.

They told us theyd kill us if we dont tell them where the money is. They said the same thing to my daughter, the woman said Wednesday to the Inquirer.

After she opened the safe for the men, the woman grabbed her phone and locked herself in a downstairs bathroom.

A neighbors surveillance video captured the four masked men getting away in the 2007 to 2008 black Acura and heading westbound on 66th Avenue.

The mother of the 4-year-old girl says her daughter is traumatized and hasnt slept well, frequently waking up screaming, No.

I dont think my life will ever be the same, the mother said to the Inquirer.

No serious injuries were reported.

Anyone with information is asked to contact the Philadelphia police at 215-686-3353/3354 or can submit a tip at 215-686-8477 or via an online form.
A suspect in a Philadelphia murder case was arrested on Tuesday after police say he attacked two people at SEPTAs 69th Street Terminal last week.

Darryl Warren, 48, of Powelton, tried to shoot one of his victims at the Upper Darby transit station and then tried to use his gun to beat the victim when the weapon didnt fire.

SEPTA Transit Police officers came across Warren just before 3 p.m. Friday at the location, after multiple people came to the officers on patrol to report that a man standing outside in a bus loop was threatening people with a gun, The Philadelphia Inquirer said.

When the officers investigated, they came across one of the victims who had been attacked by Warren. The victim told officers he fought Warren off, where Warren dropped a handgun during the scuffle. The gun was loaded.

Later, officers located Warren, who refused to comply with their commands to get on the ground. After Warren was taken into custody, it was discovered that he was carrying what was suspected to be PCP, a powerful hallucinogenic, the Inquirer reported.

Another victim of Warren was later interviewed, and said Warren struck him in the back of the head with the gun, when the man was walking toward the Route 21 bus.

The man claimed Warren had pulled the trigger, but the gun didnt fire. Warren then used the butt of the gun to hit the man in the head before running off. Warren later attacked a man as he was getting off of a bus by punching him in the back of the neck, unprovoked.

When Warren was taken into custody, it was discovered that he had a warrant out for his arrest in connection to a murder that took place on Sept. 28, when 44-year-old Sedric Talley was gunned down outside of a home on Euclid Street at about 2:30 a.m.

On Tuesday, investigators said they were waiting on the results of a ballistics analysis to determine whether the gun had malfunctioned or was inoperable. Officers were also confused as to how Warren, a felon, obtained a gun in the first place, the Inquirer said.

Warren was also charged with aggravated assault, terroristic threats, illegal possession of a weapon, and related offenses in connection with the attacks.

He remained in custody in lieu of $1 million bail.
UPDATE: Gov. Josh Shapiro says he plans to sign the bill into law.

A ban on pelvic, prostate and similar exams on unconscious patients who havent given permission needs only the signature of Gov. Josh Shapiro to become law.

The state House and Senate unanimously approved the law, according to a news release from state Rep. Elizabeth Fiedler, D-Philadelphia, the author of one of the bills.

If Shapiro signs the bill, Pennsylvania will join about 20 other states that outlaw such exams.

Such exams are typically done by medical students as part of their education. They have long been controversial, with some students over the years saying they were troubled by having to do the exams.

Its unclear how often they happened in Pennsylvania and at what medical schools and hospitals. Fieldler said she became outraged after hearing from a constituent who had undergone such an exam while under anesthesia and was traumatized by the experience.

In the news release, Republican state Sen. Michele Brooks said she was stunned to learn that medical students and institutions were able to perform these pelvic, rectal or prostate exams on patients without their knowledge while under anesthesia for unrelated procedures.

An official of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network said, Unauthorized pelvic exams are a gross violation of the privacy and autonomy of patients  The solution is as simple as requiring a patients informed consent prior to the examination, which will prioritize the patients comfort, safety and autonomy.

Some medical schools consider the exams an essential teaching tool, according to an article by PennLive in April focusing on the issue. Students first practice on mannequins and non-patient volunteers. In their final year of medical school, during hospital rotations, they practice on patients, according to the Association of Professors of Gynecology and Obstetrics.

The association said the pelvic exam is a critical tool for the diagnosis of womens health conditions and remains an important skill necessary for students to master before becoming physicians.

But the association stressed the need to obtain clear consent from patients, saying exams done on unconscious patients without their permission can be traumatic for both patients and students.

The exams came under scrutiny in 2012, after a medical student wrote an article expressing guilt over performing pelvic exams on anesthetized women who hadnt been asked for consent, calling it the first act of medical training that left me ashamed.

He said he performed such exams 4-5 times per day for three weeks. He said he was required to introduce himself to patients and explain his presence beforehand, but there was no mention he would do a pelvic exam.

He said he spoke to fellow students and found them similarly troubled, and friends outside medicine were shocked and horrified such a practice existed and considered it an egregious violation of doctor-patient trust.

READ MORE:

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Central Pa. doctors sound warning about RSV threat to babies, young children
A Dauphin County school board member was charged Monday after police say she hosted a house party and allowed minors to drink alcohol last month.

Maria Memmi, 53, and Philip DAdderio, 53, both of Hershey, are charged with one count of selling or furnishing liquor or malt or brewed beverages to minors, according to a police report.

Memmi is listed on the Derry Township School Districts website as a member of the Derry Township Board of School Directors.

Police were notified of a house party on the 100 block of Java Avenue in Hershey on Oct. 28 just after 10:45 p.m., according to a press release.

Multiple minors at the party were drinking Busch Light, Twisted Tea, and wine, according to a press release.

PennLive reached out to the Derry Township School District for comment, and received the following statement:

Thank you for reaching out to Derry Township School District regarding the recent news involving one of our school board members, Maria Memmi. We understand and appreciate the communitys interest in this matter.

We would like to clarify that the incident in question involves a personal matter of the board member, which resulted in a citation by local police. As a public educational institution, we respect the legal process and the privacy of all individuals involved.

We would like to note that Maria Memmis term is scheduled to conclude on December 4th, and she did not seek reelection. As elected officials, the District administration does not have authority to discipline a school board member.

Memmis preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 16, 2024.
On the night of November 16, 2023, the Russians attacked from the south-eastern direction (Primorsko-Akhtarsk, Russia) with 18 attack UAVs of the Shahed type, the press service of the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said.

"An air alert was declared in many regions, air defense was in operation. As a result of combat work, 16 enemy drones were destroyed by the forces and means of the Air Force," the AFU said.

In order to repel the attack, units of mobile fire groups, fighter aircraft, and anti-aircraft missile units were involved.

In addition, on the evening of November 15, an X-59 guided aircraft missile was destroyed in Poltava region.

Around midnight, the enemy also attacked civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv region with S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles. Previously, there were no casualties or injuries.
The state House approved a bill Wednesday that would grant unemployment benefits to striking workers - a move Democrats said would level the playing field for employees, while Republicans said the measure would violate the intent of the benefit program.

The measure passed Wednesday on a 106-to-97 vote, getting support from every Democrat as well as four Republicans; it now heads to the GOP-controlled Senate, where its future is less certain.

The bill amends Pennsylvanias unemployment compensation law to stipulate that striking workers are not considered to have voluntarily quit. Leaving work on ones own accord typically makes a person ineligible to receive unemployment compensation.

The bill also removes existing language in the law that says workers who are unemployed due to a labor dispute are only eligible for benefits if they have no direct interest in the dispute and are not members of an organization participating in the dispute  a clause which currently locks union members out of benefits during strikes.

Employers can hire replacement workers, but striking workers must deal with the crushing financial burdens, said Rep. Mandy Steele, D-Allegheny County, the bills primary sponsor. This is not putting a thumb on the scale in negotiations, rather this is to balance the scale.

The federal government enforces specific rules regarding collective bargaining disputes, including strikes, and if the right to strike is a legal guarantee from the federal government then there should be economic supports in place for those exercising the right, Steele argued.

Republicans said the proposal would violate the core concept of unemployment compensation, in which employees pay into a trust fund while they are working and receive pay from the fund when they find themselves involuntarily unemployed.

When you choose to go on strike you are violating that premise, you are making that decision, said Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, R-Lehigh County.

While workers have a right to strike, what is not their right is to ask other hardworking Pennsylvanians to pay for them when they choose to go on strike, Mackenzie said, and unless you come up with a way to actually pay for this, its just a benefit drawdown for some workers that all workers end up paying for.

That argument falsely supposes that its your fault youre on strike, not your employers, countered Rep. David Delloso, D-Delaware County, with several Democrats pointing to the more than year-long strike at the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

The idea is that were going to supplement you with your own money while you bargain with your sometimes not-in-good-faith employer, Delloso said.

Pennsylvanias unemployment fund  like every other in the nation  is building its balances back up after COVID-19, which quickly rendered those funds insolvent and reliant on loans from the federal government.

The commonwealths unemployment fund balance cracked the $1 billion mark this month, according to federal finance records, three times the cash it had a year prior. However, officials said in 2020 that the states pre-pandemic balance was roughly $3.2 billion, a little more than halfway to the $6 billion goal for full solvency, according to the Courier-Times.

New York and New Jersey have similar striking worker unemployment provisions as the one which passed the Pennsylvania House on Wednesday. In California, Gov. Gavin Newsom recently vetoed such a proposal, saying it would exacerbate the state funds already-high pandemic debt payments.
HARRISBURG, Pa.  Pennsylvanias Legislature on Wednesday approved hundreds of millions of dollars for universities after a fight that has dragged on five months into the fiscal year, although the politically divided body continued to feud over elements of school funding.

Legislation to send just over $600 million to several higher education institutions passed both the House and Senate within hours, but the bill lacks the increase in aid for three major universities  Temple, Pitt and Penn State  that Democrats had sought and that Republicans opposed.

Gov. Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, was expected to sign it, lawmakers said.

However, a separate schools bill that also passed the Republican-controlled Senate on Wednesday met opposition in the House, where the Democratic majority quickly stripped out a top GOP priority that largely benefits private schools.

A number of budget items have eluded agreement since House Democrats in June refused to go along with a budget deal between Shapiro and Senate Republicans. The sticking point was a new, $100 million voucher program to pay for tuition and other expenses at private and religious schools.

The resulting $45 billion budget that Shapiro signed in August doesnt authorize the tuition voucher program, and  as a result  Republicans have held up elements of it that Democrats had supported.

In Wednesdays floor debate, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, a Republican from Indiana County, acknowledged criticism that the legislation lacks extra aid for the poorest public schools that Democrats had sought.

Rather, Pittman said it is important to focus on what the Senate was accomplishing in a bipartisan vote.

Im proud of the work this institution has put into this legislation, Pittman said. Im proud of the work we are accomplishing on a bipartisan basis to move education in this commonwealth forward.

Still, House Majority Leader Matt Bradford, a Democrat from Montgomery County, said he didnt want to keep ping-ponging bills back and forth between the chambers, but suggested that Republicans have gone back on their budget commitments.

There are those who want to renegotiate a budget that was passed months ago, Bradford said during floor debate.

The higher education bill headed for Shapiros desk sends $603 million to five institutions, including an increase of about $3 million apiece for Lincoln University and Penn College of Technology. But the bill reflects a continued Republican refusal to increase subsidies for Temple, Pitt and Penn State.

Democrats had sought an increase of 7% for each institution, or $20 million total, but House Democratic leaders said they agreed to approve a bill without the increase because the schools needed the money right away.

Republicans have insisted that the three universities not increase tuition, which each institution did for this school year. Without state aid, though, the universities say it is difficult to keep tuition flat.

Funding for private and public schools remains a source of disagreement.

The budget that Shapiro signed boosted aid for public school instruction and operations by $600 million, or about 7%.

But Republicans have blocked an extra $100 million in Level Up funding that Democrats wanted for the poorest public schools  and, for that matter, the billions of extra dollars that public school advocates say are necessary to adequately fund public schools.

Senate Republicans insist that House Democrats must approve the $100 million private school voucher program as part of a deal to get more money for public schools.

The Senates schools bill that passed Wednesday marshaled an extra $150 million  for a total of $555 million  for an educational tax credit program, money from which goes largely to subsidize tuition at private schools.

The tax credit program  like the voucher program  is championed primarily by Republicans. In the House, Democrats promptly stripped out the tax credit program from the bill.

Remaining provisions in the schools bill allows $100 million in federal aid to flow to school mental health services and $75 million to clean up lead, asbestos, mold and other environmental health hazards in school buildings.

In Wednesdays floor debate, Senate Majority Leader Joe Pittman, a Republican from Indiana County, acknowledged criticism that the legislation lacks extra aid for the poorest public schools that Democrats had sought. June 12, 2023 Jan Murphy | jmurphy@pennlive.com

The bill also creates a program to award up to $10,000 to student teachers in an effort to encourage more people to become educators.

The stipends are aimed at easing the hardship for college students finishing up a teaching degree who each must student-teach in schools for 12 weeks without pay.

We are literally running out of teachers, Sen. Vincent Hughes, a Democrat from Philadelphia, said during a floor debate.

Follow Marc Levy at twitter.com/timelywriter.
A consultant hired to dig into the problems plaguing Dauphin County Prison issued a long to-do list Wednesday for county officials as they try to turn the page on spikes in inmate deaths and violent incidents that have raised troubling questions about the facilitys basic operations.

Some of boxes on that list are already checked, former Pennsylvania Correction Secretary John Wetzel noted in his final report, drafted as he has been working alongside county officials through the past two years.

The full report was posted to the Dauphin County Prisons website Wednesday afternoon.

One of the main goals moving forward, Wetzel said, is to try to move from an in control or under control culture to a more holistic approach where staff and inmates recognize they have a shared interest in safety, respect for each other, and, ultimately, making it home whether thats at the end of a work shift or the end of a sentence.

Wetzel said long-term culture change can only be achieved through long-term attention to developing better policies, continued attention to training staff and improving treatment services, and the rebuilding of a strong middle management team that makes sure policies are adhered to.

Along the way, Wetzel said, the county must continue to attack a staffing shortage that is hampering prison operations across the nation.

While a fresh analysis of the Dauphin prisons precise staffing needs has not yet been completed, Wetzel encouraged the county to continue with financial and other incentives aimed at recruiting and retaining staff so the workforce is working at optimal capacity - physically and emotionally - and inmates experience fewer facility-wide lockdowns.

County Director of Criminal Justice John Bey said, the prison has 54 vacancies in a security complement that is based on 231, for a vacancy rate of 23.4%.

Bey said Wednesday there are some signs of hope on the horizon:

Buoyed by better starting pay rates for new hires, a recent recruitment effort has created a pool of 36 candidates for corrections officer jobs who are being evaluated for hire. And a new change to the prisons labor contract has for the first time created a system of step increases that will reward employees for staying on the job from year to year.

Wetzels firm, Phronema Justice Strategies, was hired by Dauphin County commissioners in October 2021 to conduct a top-to-bottom review of prison operations after an alarming spike in inmate deaths.

As the report noted, after no in-custody deaths of incarcerated people were reported in 2018, an alarming 9 deaths took place in 2019, followed by 2 in 2020 and 5 in 2021 (16 deaths total in 3 years). This prompted concerns not just from the prison board but also the Dauphin County community.

Wetzel said the underlying causes of those problems  as well as high levels of assaults in the prison  are chronic understaffing, policies in critical areas that were either woefully out-of-date or missing altogether, and a lack of consistent staff training.

For instance, Wetzels team wrote, both a review of training and department policy found that staff had not been briefed, trained, or updated on a number of critical topics in quite some time. This lack of communication impedes staffs ability to do their jobs as expected and increases the likelihood that staff are carrying out their duties inconsistently or even in violation of policy.

That was compounded, he said, by a keep-it-within-the-walls bias from prior prison leadership that meant that policymakers with oversight of the prison, including the three county commissioners and President Judge John Cherry, often werent getting a clear picture of what issues they needed to address.

Some of Wetzels recommendations to fix those shortcomings have already been addressed, like the hiring of Bey as the countys first Director of Criminal Justice, a post created to ensure there is someone with a holistic view of the process from arrest to, in the event of a conviction, incarceration.

Building a better prison

Among specific recommendations going forward, Wetzels report recommends:

Starting regular workshop meetings between prison leadership, policy makers on the countys prison board and community stakeholders  separate from the boards regular business meetings  to allow for a more thorough examination of issues at the prison and the best potential ways to attack them.

Continued emphasis on staff training, especially on mental health. At Wednesdays prison board meeting, it was noted that 66 percent of the 1,093 persons currently in custody at DCP have some level of mental health issues; for 11 percent, those disorders are considered serious.

The greater the number of staff who are able to recognize individuals who are living with mental health challenges or illnesses, Wetzel wrote, the greater likelihood that inmates will receive care and treatment before they experience a point of crisis.

Explore closing the countys central booking center, located in a separate building next door to the prison, between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. on weekdays to reduce strain on prison staffing levels, since it now falls to the prison to staff it.

Wetzels report recommends converting the center into more of a true night court, or shifting the centers staffing responsibility to the county sheriffs department. County officials have made no decision on that.

Develop and implement leadership and management training for middle manager positions (e.g., sergeants, lieutenants, etc.).

Middle managers are key to the success of any organization as they are integral in transforming and monitoring high-level, institutional goals into practices on the ground. They also act as a liaison between line staff and executive-level staff, the report states. Ensuring that these leaders are well-trained and prepared to fulfill their duties will only strengthen DCP as a whole.

Work to reduce the main prison population by trying to steer more inmates into work release; beefing up pre-arraignment diversion programs that could see someone released directly into a treatment or counseling program, where appropriate; and striving for 48-hour resolutions for people brought in on bench warrants or technical parole violations.

Wetzels final report came in at a cost that far exceeded his initial $175,000 contract, and yet some aspects of it have not been completed, like the full analysis of the prisons optimal staffing needs.

It is, the consultant noted, still a high priority.

In supporting documents obtained by PennLive through open records requests, Wetzel complained that he was having trouble obtaining all of the data needed to complete that evaluation. The report states this still must be completed, though its not clear who will do that.

Importantly, the prison report also called for continued attention to inmates quality of life behind bars.

Bey noted several of Wetzels recommendations have already been addressed, including the installation of in-block television units that permit inmates to watch television from their cells; making sure each person has access to a tablet for legal resources, free course work or email; and the opening of additional recreation yards.

On that latter development, Bey conceded the prison is not actually granting inmates yard time at present because of staffing shortfalls.

Wetzel also proposed an update to the inmate work policy that for the first time permits them to earn pay for work performed for the county, like food service jobs at the prison.

And finally, Bey said, the county has also invested in upgrades to the 1957 prisons heating and air circulation systems, which came under sharp scrutiny after the January 2021 death of inmate Jamal Crummel after he developed hypothermia.

Praise for the new warden

Wetzel was careful in his final report to inoculate the current prison warden, Gregory Briggs, and his senior leadership team from the problems to led to his hiring.

The report notes Briggs, who started in September 2021, has worked well with Wetzels team to make improvements throughout the review period.

And it credits Briggs with leading completion of policy rewrites in 13 key areas, and completing staff training in use of force and verbal de-escalation techniques. Wetzel said positive results are showing in steady reductions in in-prison assaults and the need for staff to use forcible restraints or pepper spray.

He also commended the countys prison board for creating a distinct email address  dcprisonboard@dauphincounty.gov  through which it can receive questions or concerns from the public about prison issues.

Wetzels initial contract was to run through the end of April 2023 and he was to be paid $175,000 total. The contract stipulated that if he reached the $175,000 spending cap before April 2023 that he would work without additional pay through the end of the contract.

Around June 2022, Wetzels invoices had reached about $172,000 and in August, the commissioners quietly approved an addendum to his contract that expanded his job functions and provided him with an additional $112,000 through April.

The county covered the cost of Wetzels services through its Jail Fund, which is made up of commissions the county collects from charging incarcerated people to make phone calls.

His final report states that while some progress has been made, the task now is to stay on that course and make long-term improvements for the safety and well-being of all involved.

Bey said he, Briggs and the commissioners are committed to it.

Were all singing from the same sheet of music and, our community, I think they have seen changes and they will continue to see changes, he said.

More: Deaths in Pa. jails are undercounted. Our investigation found dozens of hidden cases
Pro-Palestinian protesters in Harrisburg call for cease-fire in Gaza (Patriot-Nov. 12) quoted retired Lutheran pastor Sandra Mackie :Jesus calls us to be peacemakers, and Jesus tells us we stand with the oppressed.

The United Nations says Gaza is becoming a graveyard for children. War and revenge have no winners. We are all brothers and sisters. Let us show mercy, not hatred, lest we lose our very souls. The God of many names weeps!

Ann Marie Judson, Lower Allen Township, Pa,
WASHINGTON  Unlike celebrity Dr. Mehmet Oz, David McCormick was born, raised, lived and ran a business in Pennsylvania.

But Democrats who hammered Oz, a longtime New Jerseyan who was last years Pennsylvania Republican Senate nominee, are nevertheless deploying a similar playbook against McCormick as he makes his second Senate run  this time for the seat held by three-term incumbent Sen. Bob Casey, D-Pa.

Social media jibes, political ads and fundraising pushes highlight McCormicks rented $16 million mansion on Connecticuts affluent Gold Coast, along with private flights to and from Connecticut, where his daughters are finishing high school.

McCormick was born in Washington, Pa., and attended high school in Bloomsburg, where hes owned a family farm over the last decade. He was a consultant and business executive in Pittsburgh and later served in the George W. Bush administration before joining Bridgewater Associates, the Connecticut-based hedge fund giant, in 2009.

He sold a home in Fairfield, Connecticut, in January 2022 before buying a $2.8 million home in Squirrel Hill last year as he unsuccessfully ran against Oz in the GOP primary.

Casey is a Pennsylvania political institution. The son of a former governor, Casey served as state treasurer and auditor general before his election to the Senate in 2006. McCormick and Republicans depict the incumbent as a Washington insider whos been around too long and is out of touch with Pennsylvanians who routinely voice their disapproval of President Joe Biden in polls.

But for now, Caseys campaign is taking every opportunity to question McCormicks ties to the state. It recently jumped on a widely-shared podcast clip in which McCormick introduced the hosts to Yangling  sparking online mockery for his mispronunciation of the popular, Pottsville-brewed lager Yuengling (pronounced ying-ling).

We dont know what kind of beer they prefer up in Connecticut, the Casey campaign said. But our team is proud to be working to re-elect a senator who is Pennsylvania through and through.

Prominent GOP strategists and McCormicks supporters are quick to say such carpetbagging attacks wont work as well as they did on Oz  who attended the University of Pennsylvania and married into a prominent Pennsylvania family but otherwise had almost no connections to the state. They also say the issue wasnt the deciding factor in Ozs general election loss to Democrat John Fetterman, nor will it be by the time Election Day 2024 comes around.

Pretending that Dave McCormick is not from Pennsylvania is whistling past the political graveyard, said Charlie Gerow, a Harrisburg-based Republican strategist. Its a little bit of a sideshow. Its what the chattering class talks about, rather than what folks are talking about at their breakfast tables.

Elizabeth Gregory, a spokesperson for McCormick, shrugged off the criticism last week. She noted that his family has lived in the state for generations.

He was nominated to go to West Point by a Pennsylvania senator and served in combat in the first Gulf War, she said. Dave was the CEO of a great company in Pittsburgh, where he lives. Pennsylvania voters are smarter than Bob Casey gives them credit for.

When launching his campaign in Pittsburgh, McCormick repeatedly highlighted his roots in the state. He described himself as Pennsylvania first and a Pennsylvania success story who led a business software company in Pittsburgh, a city he called the industrial engine that made [the U.S.] a global superpower.

He also said he is the son of two Pennsylvania teachers (his father, who taught economics at Punxsutawney High School, later served 18 years as chancellor of the State System of Higher Education). And he said that after every personal or professional failure, including losing an election, hes learned from mistakes and moved forward. Thats what leaders do, he said. Thats what Pennsylvanians do.

But Democrats  who were already bashing McCormick for his business ties to China and opposition to abortion before he even entered the race in September  arent likely to let up anytime soon.

McCormick is going to invest a significant amount of his fortune talking about This is the town I grew up in, said J.J. Balaban, a Philadelphia-based Democratic strategist and ad maker. I think its going to be an issue, and in some ways its particularly going to be a challenge because Oz just ran. Voters are primed to say, You cant find someone who actually lives here?

Standing in the front row, from left, are Gisele Fetterman & U.S. Sen. John Fetterman and Terese Casey & U.S. Sen Bob Casey prior to Josh Shapiro being sworn in as Pennsylvanias governor. (Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.com, file)

Former U.S. Rep. Paul McHale, a Democrat who represented the Lehigh Valley, said the issue comes down to voters expectations.

We have moved from Tip ONeills era of local politics to an era dominated by interstate and international media, said McHale, who served in the George W. Bush administration at the same time as McCormick. Political boundaries in a state are not as important as they once were. We have tended to nationalize our elections.

Still, McHale said hes old fashioned.

I think the people of Pennsylvania, by and large, probably agree with my observation that to represent a state, you should live in that state, he said. Its not a matter of prejudice towards outsiders. Its more a matter of conviction, that somebody who lives in a state will do a better job of representing that state.

Vince Galko, a GOP strategist based in northeastern Pennsylvania, said McCormicks roots in Pennsylvania, combined with the solid job hes done building a coalition across the states GOP establishment, will help him engage Republican and independent voters.

A bigger question than residency, Galko said, could be whether voters reject Republicans in 2024 as much as they did in elections across the state and the country last week.

Former President Donald Trump, by far the frontrunner in the GOP presidential primary, supported the ultimately losing candidacy of Oz last year  one of many Trump-backed candidates to lose in Pennsylvania and nationwide in recent years.

McCormick, in his book released earlier this year, rejected Trumps false claims that the 2020 election was stolen  typically a litmus test for Trumps endorsement.

But Trump has a 48% to 44% edge, within the margin of error, over Biden in Pennsylvania, according to the latest New York Times/Siena College poll.

McCormick has to make this a referendum on Biden as well as Casey, Galko said. Keep it there. Thats his best opportunity for victory.
Accessibility advocates are speaking out about unreliable assistance in air travel, pointing to regulatory gaps and scattershot enforcement that can leave travellers with disabilities injured, stranded or demeaned. A woman makes her way through Pearson International Airport in Toronto, Monday, Dec. 14, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette
Xi calls for fostering new growth engines for China-Peru cooperation in digital economy, green development

Xinhua) 05:00, November 17, 2023

Chinese President Xi Jinping meets with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte in San Francisco, the United States, Nov. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Ding Lin)

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for fostering new growth engines for China-Peru cooperation in digital economy and green development.

Xi made the remarks when meeting his Peruvian counterpart, Dina Boluarte, on the sidelines of the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting. He also said that the two sides should synergize their development strategies, and strengthen cooperation in traditional areas such as economy, trade, energy and mineral resources.

Since China and Peru established diplomatic ties more than half a century ago, the two countries have given each other understanding and support on issues concerning their respective core interests and major concerns, Xi said.

Bilateral cooperation between the two sides has developed steadily, Xi said, adding that the Belt and Road cooperation, in particular, has promoted the development and revitalization of the two countries and brought benefits to the two peoples.

Noting that this year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of China-Peru comprehensive strategic partnership, Xi said the two sides should deepen political mutual trust, strengthen strategic communication, firmly support each other in pursuing a development path suited to their national conditions, and work for more achievements under the Belt and Road Initiative.

Xi said that China is ready to import more high-quality Peruvian agricultural products, and to encourage Chinese enterprises to participate in major Peruvian projects in accordance with market principles.

Both China and Peru have splendid civilizations and profound cultures, and the two sides should step up cooperation in education, culture, tourism, science and technology and youth exchanges, so as to set an example for exchanges and mutual learning among different civilizations, Xi said.

Xi stressed that under the new circumstances, developing China-Peru relations is not only in line with the common interests of the two countries, but also of great significance to building an open world economy.

China supports Peru in hosting the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, and stands ready to engage in close communication and coordination with Peru to reap new results in APEC cooperation, making new contributions to the economic recovery and long-term development of the Asia-Pacific region and to the building of an Asia-Pacific community with a shared future, Xi said.

China is ready to work with Peru to promote the continuous development of China-Latin America relations in the new era, Xi added.

Noting that both Peru and China are ancient civilizations and their peoples enjoy a long history of friendly exchanges, Boluarte said that since the establishment of their comprehensive strategic partnership 10 years ago, the two sides have adhered to mutual respect and support.

Peru is committed to deepening relations with China and give better play to bilateral cooperation mechanisms, continuously upgrade the level of comprehensive strategic cooperation and strengthen practical cooperation in green economy and other fields, she said, adding that Peru abides by the one-China principle and actively participates in Belt and Road cooperation.

Saying Peru is ready to strengthen multilateral coordination with China, Boluarte said that Peru will take over the rotating chair of APEC next year and her country looks forward to working with China to promote inclusive and sustainable growth in the Asia-Pacific region and the development of Latin America-China relations.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Xian Jiangnan)
Kuleba, Cameron arrive in Odesa: Great Britain amazed by Ukraine's successes in Black Sea and to increase support

Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Dmytro Kuleba, together with British Foreign Minister David Cameron, arrived in Odesa, where they noted the successes of the Ukrainian Armed Forces Naval Forces and the role of Great Britain in ousting the Russians in the Black Sea.

"In Odesa with the head of British diplomacy, David Cameron. I am grateful for his words that Great Britain is amazed by Ukraine's successes in the Black Sea and will increase support for our state," Kuleba said on Instagram.

He said that he and Cameron, who arrived in Ukraine on his first visit after being appointed foreign minister, were in Odesa.

"There will be more good news in British-Ukrainian relations on the way to our victory," Kuleba said in a video address.

In turn, the British Foreign Minister said he was pleased to be in Odesa.

In a joint video address with Kuleba, Cameron said that what the Ukrainian Armed Forces Navy achieved is very important: they pushed back the Russians and opened up new sea routes. He said he is proud that Britain is playing an important role and it will continue to support.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau boards a Canadian government Airbus CC-330 Husky as he leaves for the APEC Summit, Vancouver, B.C., Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023. Trudeau was rebuked Tuesday by his Israeli counterpart for a strongly worded statement calling for an end to the violence in the Gaza Strip. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
The Black Sea Economic Cooperation Organization deserves a restart and significant activation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said, speaking via video link on Thursday at the summit of the organization's Parliamentary Assembly.

"This is the necessary format of work and we all need it. It is important to create new lines of cooperation. It is important not to remain silent about Russian aggression and limit the aggressor's capabilities," he said.

"It is important to use this platform of ours in order to bring closer the restoration of a real, honest world and the reintegration of the entire Black Sea into the global safe and economic space. We can provide this. But together and limiting the aggressor," Zelenskyy said.

He said "together, during this time of full-scale war, we were able to show that cooperation between the peoples of the Black Sea region, with the support of partners, is capable of returning stability to the world food market."

According to Zelenskyy, "we were able to provide such protection to the western part of the Black Sea, which now allows our maritime export corridors to operate. We were able to seize the initiative from Russia in the Black Sea and created such security conditions that force the aggressor to flee the western part of the water area and try to hide warships."

"I am confident that the restoration of an honest peace and the dismantling of the Russian aggressive presence, in particular in the Black Sea, will help Georgia restore its territorial integrity and create more guarantees for the national security of all Caucasian states," the president said.

"Overcoming Russian aggression, we protect all the peoples of the Baltic-Black Sea, Azov space and neighboring regions," he said.
UK meat exporters have been developing further opportunities to satisfy the appetite for red meat in West Africa during a trade mission to Ghana and the Cote dIvoire.

A total of 10 exporters from nine UK businesses took part in the mission, organised by AHDB, during which they they met with six buyers in Abidjan, Cote dIvoire, and a further 15 during three days in Ghana. They also flew the flag for high-quality British beef, lamb and pork at a reception in each country, hosted by their respective High Commissioners.

Dr Awal Fuseini, AHDB lead on exports to West Africa, said: Exports and international market development have been highlighted by our levy payers as one of the key areas where AHDB supports them.

International trade missions like this play a key role in in helping our exporters nurture and build on opportunities for our high-quality, sustainably produced products on the global stage. The mission to Ghana and the Cote dIvoire was a great success and perfectly illustrated this work in practice.

AHDBs Prospects for UK agri-food exports analysis has highlighted opportunities to expand the amount of commodity level red meat the UK currently exports to Ghana and the Cote dIvoire, with offal being a key product for both markets.

In 2022 UK exports of red meat to Ghana were worth 7.9 million, while the value of red meat exports to the Cote dIvoire stood at 2.3 million. The UK is the top supplier of sheep meat to Ghana, while pork is the main red meat shipped from the UK to the Cote dIvoire with potential to increase its market share.

Dr Fuseini added: West Africa is one of our key target markets and we already ship beef, lamb and sheep meat products to the region. We have a foot in the door and our red meat exporters are in a strong position to grow their market presence in the region as it develops further and the population expands.
Above: Pine Bluffs FFA Chapter President Spencer Rabou displays a picture for the live auction. Then it was his turn to be auctioned off in Labor Auction, along with all those FFA members in line with Sally Wheeler on the microphone.

The Pine Bluffs Community Center was full of buyers ready to bid. On November 10th the Pine Bluffs Future Farmers of America (FFA) hosted their annual Live Labor Auction. They raise money for the members to go to different events for the FFA to further their knowledge in agriculture.

Pine Bluffs FFA President Spencer Rabou stated, "The Pine Bluffs FFA Labor auction was a successful event for this year's chapter. The event was held at the Community Center, where the FFA auctioned off member's labor and several silent auction items that were donated by the community and the school shop class...
Above: The 4-H group " Circuit Breakers" launch the weather balloon and all it's treasure boxes which travelled to northeast of Kimball by 10 miles.

The 4-H members with the Circuit Breakers were excited to be able to do an experiment with NASA. On Friday November 10th the group was able to launch a weather balloon.

The Circuit Breakers is a 4-H group that works with robots as a club. There are different levels for all ages of kids. They teach the concepts of how to work with drones, and build robots that work with computers. The members do competitions with their robots.

Cheyenne Volunteer Fire Department Station #71 was elated to host the event. NASA loves to launch weather balloons with the youth. This event had great weather for t...
Veterans honored at Pine Bluffs High School

Above: Taylor McCollum, Shakira Serrano-Lozano, Amanda Michaud, Kaela Adams, and Olivia Shmidl perform Shenandoah for the Veterans and parents at the Veterans Day ceremony at the high school.

The Pine Bluffs Historic High School was full of students and parents for the Veterans Day Program that was held on Monday November 13th at 9:00 a.m.

Some of the organizations in Pine Bluffs High School helped put the program on. There was Future Business Leaders of America, National Honors Society, Future Farmers of America, the Student Council, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, and Wyoming Academic Challenge students assisted.

Throughout the program there was lots of music. Taylor McCollum and Kaela Adams sang the National Anthem. The Pine Bluffs Elementary, Kinderboost through second gr...
West Virginia Becomes Fifth State to Join Multi-State Online Poker Compact

November 16, 2023 Connor Richards Editor & Live Reporter U.S.

There was good news for online poker players in the United States this week as West Virginia joined the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA), becoming the fifth state to become part of the interstate poker compact.

West Virginia, which legalized online poker in 2019, joins Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware and Michigan in the MSIGA and brings its nearly 1.8 million residents to the player pool.

Before that happens, online poker providers must "submit a letter of intent to the Lottery and gain necessary approvals from West Virginia and other relevant member states before going live."

I am pleased that our West Virginia iGaming providers will now have the opportunity to offer multi-state poker to our players, West Virginia Lottery Director John Myers said in a press release. This will greatly increase the potential pool of participants and thus allow our players to play for bigger winnings.

Read More About Shared Liquidity In The US!

While it will likely be several months before online poker launches in the state, West Virginia's decision to join the compact is a victory for proponents of online poker who wish to expand and grow online poker in the US.

The state also offers legal online casino gaming and the first online casino launched in 2020. For more information about online poker in West Virginia, check out this PokerNews page.
An online meeting of the Ukrainian Defense Contact Group is to be held on November 22, where further military support for Ukraine will be discussed, the Norwegian Ministry of Defense said on Thursday.

"This will be the 17th meeting in a row. The US Secretary of Defense invited the defense ministers and heads of defense departments of about 50 countries to a meeting to discuss further military support for Ukraine in the short and long term," the message reads.

Norwegian Defense Minister Bjrn Arild Gram will also take part in the meeting. "The Defense Minister will attend the meeting in an online format from Stockholm, where he will be at the meeting of defense ministers of the Nordic countries," the ministry said.

As reported, the 16th meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Council at the level of Defense Ministers was held at the NATO headquarters in Brussels on October 11.

At the last meeting, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said that all allies agree that Ukraine will become a member of NATO and called for increasing efforts to provide Kyiv with military assistance. U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III said that the United States will give Ukraine a new security assistance package worth $200 million, which, in particular, will include air defense missiles and artillery ammunition.
Eric Tsai raised to 1,200,000 from the button and Max Neugebauer defended with J8.

Neugebauer paired up on the Q87 flop but Tsai had plenty of outs with his straight flush draw. Neugebauer check-called for 1,000,000.

The A kept Neugebauer ahead. He checked for a second time and Tsai bet big, sizing up to 6,300,000 into a pot of 5,000,000. Neugebauer stuck around.

The 4 completed the board and Neugebauer checked. Tsai emptied the clip and shoved for his last 16,000,000. Neugebauer went deep into the tank and asked for a count.

Neugebauer removed his sunglasses and continued to replay the hand over in his head.

The Austrian ended up calling and the cards went on their backs.

Eric Tsai: J9

Max Neugebauer: J8

Neugebauer pulled off an incredible hero call with just a pair of eights and caught Tsai bluffing with jack-high, to seal the victory.

His rail went wild before Tsai and Neugebauer shook hands.

That's a hand-of-the-year candidate right there!
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Oversight Committee Chair James Comer (R-KY) appears to be subpoenaing everyone who ever met Joe Biden, but Democrats on the committee want him to subpoena Rudy Giuliani.

Oversight Committee Democrats said in a statement:

NEW: A spokesperson for Oversight Committee Democrats issued the following statement on Committee Republicans latest interview request in their sham investigation into President Biden. https://t.co/Vov23weAqA pic.twitter.com/sikvoIEtY7  Oversight Committee Democrats (@OversightDems) November 15, 2023

Earlier, Lev Parnas, Rudy Giulianis right-hand man in the effort to pressure Ukraine to dig up dirt on Biden, provided a letter to the Oversight Committee debunking the Burisma Russia misinformation that is the backbone of Comers investigation.

Rudy Giuliani is the mule that the Russians used to get the Burisma false information into the Republican Party.

Comer has refused to acknowledge the ample evidence that President Biden did nothing wrong. Republicans on the Oversight Committee will only mention Giulianis name to falsely claim that their investigation has nothing to do with Trumps former lawyer.

Republicans cant escape the Giuliani stench surrounding their sham investigation, and Democrats are not about to allow them to get off the hook.

James Comer is trying to invent a Joe Biden scandal, but all roads continue to lead back to former president Donald Trump and his former lawyer Rudy Giuliani.

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If you are in a position to donate purely to help us keep the doors open on PoliticusUSA during what is a critical election year, please do so here.

We have been honored to be able to put your interests first for 14 years as we only answer to our readers, and we will not compromise on that fundamental, core PoliticusUSA value.
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The special counsel investigating Joe Bidens handling of classified documents is expected not to charge anyone in the investigation.

CNN reported:

Special counsel Robert Hur is not expected to charge anyone in connection with the mishandling of classified documents at two locations connected to President Joe Biden, two sources close to the investigation told CNN.

Hur and his team are compiling a detailed report on their year-long probe that is expected to be critical of Biden and his staff for the way they handled sensitive materials. The report is expected to go into significant detail about what the special counsels office found in its investigation.

Investigators on Hurs team have told other Justice Department officials that they hope to have the report completed by the end of the year, but that timeline could slide.

The special counsel is expected to be critical of how the Biden team handled the documents but determine that there was no criminal conduct.

Cue the howls of Trump and Republicans as soon as they read this news.

The difference between Biden and Trump is that Biden followed the law. When the Presidents team found documents in their possession, they turned them over.

Trump lied to the federal government, refused to turn the documents over, and shared classified information with numerous people.

Biden and Trump arent in the same galaxy when it comes to the handling of classified information.

The contrast between the two demonstrates that Donald Trump created all of his problems by refusing to turn over the property of the United States government.

Biden did nothing wrong, so it makes sense that he would not be criminally charged.
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The Washington D.C. Attorney General responded to Reps. James Comer and Jim Jordans request for documents by offering the Republicans nothing about the investigation into Leonard Leo.

Washington D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb wrote in a letter:

I am in receipt of your October 30, 2023, letter seeking confirmation of, and documents relating to, a reported effort to investigate Leonard Leo and certain nonprofit organizations with which he is affiliated. 1 Consistent with the policies of law enforcement agencies across the country, it is the policy of the D.C. Office of the Attorney General (OAG) not to confirm, deny, or otherwise comment on potential or pending investigations. That well-established policy preserves the integrity of the investigative function.

I recognize and respect that our constitutional system of government empowers Congress to conduct oversight to assist it in carrying out its legislative duties. I am, therefore, open to further discussion about whether your respective Committees requests have a legitimate legislative purpose that OAG can help achieve without compromising the integrity of our work. To that end, I appreciate this opportunity to explain OAGs policy regarding public comment on investigations, as well as our legal authority on the general subject matter outlined in your letter.

The Attorney General spends the remaining pages of the letter laying out his offices legal authority to investigate Leonard Leo.

The AG made it clear that Jordan and Comer are going to get nothing. The two House Republican chairs wanted documents related to the investigation, as their intention was clearly to interfere and compromise the investigation into a top Republican moneyman who is most well known for hooking up conservative Supreme Court justices with billionaires that provide them with loans and gifts.

Jim Jordan has pulled this stunt before as he has tried to interfere in the Manhattan, Georgia, and federal prosecutions of Donald Trump.

House Republican abuse of power isnt limited to only trying to protect Trump.

Comer and Jordan are also willing to abuse their power to protect people like Leonard Leo.
Being a model in its charitable efforts, the Aiken Center for the Arts has been named an Angel.

"We were surprised, very excited and honored to be chosen," Aiken Center for the Arts Executive Director Caroline Gwinn said.

The Aiken Center for the Arts was one of 12 nonprofit agencies recognized Wednesday by S.C. Secretary of State Mark Hammond with the 2023 Angel Award. The award is presented to nonprofits for being good financial stewards with their resources.

"It was wonderful to go up to the Statehouse and hear about the work that nonprofits across our state are doing, and we were honored to be a part of that,"Gwinn said.

Angels are selected by a review of financial reports submitted annually to the Secretary of State's Office, as well as nominations from the public. To be selected a charity must devote 80 percent or more of its total expenditures to charitable programs, must have existence for three or more years, make good use of volunteer services, receive minimal funding from grants, must have a significant presence in South Carolina and be compliant with the South Carolina Solicitation of Charitable Funds Act, according to a news release the Secretary of State's office.

Every year, I recognize Angel charities that have made significant contributions to South Carolina  not only to recognize their accomplishments but to encourage donors to practice wise charitable giving, Hammond said in a media release.

Some of Aiken Center for the Artss charitable programs include an Arts and Music Camp for those with special needs, which provides free creative and artistic opportunities to individuals with traumatic brain injuries, cerebral palsy and other disabilities. The center also has a free strings program for students ages 5 to adults who have no experience with an instrument and an Author in Residence program.

"Over the past several years we have made a greater commitment to creating greater access to the arts and trying to reach populations who may have creative art experiences at their disposal," Gwinn said.
Aiken, SC (29801)

Today

A steady rain this morning. Showers continuing this afternoon. High near 65F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%..

Tonight

Cloudy with showers. Low 58F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
The Ukrainian Red Cross Society (URCS) has provided the victims of Russia's missile attack on Selidove, Pokrovsky district, Donetsk region, with humanitarian aid.

"The Regional Disaster Response Team of the Myrnohrad town organization of the Ukrainian Read Cross [] delivered humanitarian aid to Selidove with the assistance of the humanitarian headquarters of Selidove Town Military Administration," the URCS said on Facebook.

People injured as a result of the missile attack received from the URCS hygiene kits, sleeping sets, blankets, and sets of dishes.

As reported, at least four people were killed and three were injured as a result of Russia's missile attack on Selidove on November 15. A private house was destroyed, a part of a four-storied apartment building was partially destroyed, 16 private houses and seven multi-apartment buildings were destroyed.
The Timberland High School girls basketball team returns a seasoned group for the 2023-24 campaign on the hardwood. The Lady Wolves bring back four starters from a squad that won 18 games and captured a region crown for the second year in a row in 2022-23. Read moreLady Wolves going to court with seasoned group
South Carolinas largest newspaper is working to expand its reach by creating a new role to oversee digital news strategy, quick response and visual journalism.

Cal Lundmark is joining the team as The Post and Couriers newest managing editor, bringing with her a wealth of experience in audience growth and a love for journalism.

Lundmark, 34, deeply understands data and analytics and believes in the power of collaboration and the importance of communicating effectively, according to Executive Editor Jeff Taylor.

When you talk with her, you can quickly tell how much she loves what we do as journalists, Taylor said. She believes in our mission and in producing excellent work, which means shell fit right in with us.

Lundmark previously led audience growth and acquisition strategies across half of McClatchys markets. She said she is excited to delve into working with The Post and Courier's quick response and visual teams.

Those are really, really exciting areas to expand into and develop a little more, Lundmark said. The way that news consumers are engaging with news now is rapidly evolving, and this is the newsroom thats ready to experiment wildly and meet readers where they are.

She is ready to present The Post and Couriers high standards of journalism in a variety of formats, from quick and engaging videos on the popular social media app TikTok to deeply reported investigative projects.

Information has never been more accessible than it is now, but so is misinformation, Lundmark said. I really want to make our journalism accessible to the community to highlight the important work that happens here.

Lundmark got her masters degree in mass communication at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University. She earned a bachelors degree in religion from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma, Wash.

She grew up in Phoenix  and says she has red rock in her bones  but has also lived in Seattle, Denver and Columbia.
The last of the four participants in what's believed to be the largest fraud in South Carolina involving the federal government's emergency Paycheck Protection Program has learned his fate.

Christopher Conrad, a commercial trucker from Holly Hill who'd never been in trouble until falling prey to the allure of fast money that "was too good to be true," was sentenced Nov. 14 to a year and a day in prison and three years in a supervised program after his release.

Conrad, 41, also was ordered to pay back $893,300 he took from the $4.8 million pot that was divided up among him and three co-conspirators.

All of them pleaded guilty last year to charges of wire fraud by submitting false information to obtain a dozen forgivable loans that the U.S. Small Business Administration offered employers to help them maintain jobs during the worst stretch of the pandemic.

Most of the proceeds were spent on unauthorized personal purchases, ranging from automobiles to real estate to plastic surgery.

The government had requested that Conrad, who cooperated with investigators, be sent to prison for 21 months, partly as a deterrent to others. He expressed remorse and said he took full responsibility for his role.

"I looked around and saw others making an easy penny, and I wanted it to be easy for me, too," Conrad told U.S. District Court Judge David Norton.

Norton already has sentenced the other defendants to prison time and supervised release. He also ordered them to repay the government.

Jontrell Wright, 37, of Holly Hill is serving a 15-month term in Estill Federal Correctional Institute, while Catherine "Cassie" Needham, 38, of Manning faces 21 months of incarceration.

Lori Hammond, a trucking business owner from Summerville, was found to be the most culpable of the group. She handled most of the paperwork and took more than half of the money.

Her name came up repeatedly at Conrad's hearing.

Norton, who years ago had sentenced Hammond for a different financial scam, gave her 80 months based on her role as the ringleader and on her lengthy criminal record.
Cargo moving through the Port of Charleston nearly rebounded to pandemic-era highs in October, bucking national trends, as the number of loaded inbound containers hit their highest level in a year.

Imports accounted for 121,115 20-foot full containers last month  just 150 fewer than a year ago and within range of the record amounts set in the spring of 2022, when housebound consumers stocked up on furniture and electronics made overseas.

The year-over-year figures outperformed ports nationwide, which are projecting a 4.2 percent decline, according to the National Retail Federation.

The October numbers also defy continued trends of a slowing global economy and retailers pulling back on orders after previously overstocking.

All told, Charleston's terminals handled 235,006 import and export containers, both loaded and unloaded  the most since October 2022 and an 18 percent jump from the previous month.

The Southeast continues to be a thriving market where people and businesses want to locate, Byron Miller, chief commercial officer for the State Ports Authority, said in a written statement.

The maritime agency's inland port in Greer set an all-time cargo record last month, loading and unloading 17,000 containers of all sizes for a 42 percent year-over-year increase.

The Upstate site, which is next to BMW's manufacturing campus, is in the midst of an expansion to boost rail service and double its cargo capacity. The SPA's board of directors on Nov. 16 approved spending $6.7 million on two new rubber-tired gantry cranes to move cargo as part of that expansion. The SPA expects to eventually buy nine of the cranes as the expansion continues.

CEO Barbara Melvin said the Spartanburg County logistics hub "moves cargo 24/7 for many advanced manufacturers, tire producers, apparel companies and major retailers."

The port's workhorse Wando Welch Terminal in Mount Pleasant also set a record in October, handling 116,745 containers of all sizes. That beat the previous mark set in March 2021.
Italy and Charleston seem to have a bit in common, if the annual Spoleto Festival has anything to say about it. This time around, Charleston's Lowcountry landscape is on display almost 5,000 miles away at the Venice Biennale, or La Biennale di Venezia, an international cultural display of art, architecture, cinema, dance, music and more.

One of this year's exhibitions, which is on display through Nov. 26 in Venice, Italy, is honing in on architecture and featuring one artist in particular who is tied to the International African American Museum and the Mount Pleasant Phillips Community. It's centered around gentrification.

The been-heres and the come-heres

According to the Charleston County Economic Development Department, more than 30 new residents move to Charleston daily. This rapid population growth comes with consequences, especially for those known as the "been-heres" who are impacted by gentrification and displacement.

Several neighborhoods, many that were once predominantly Black, are finding themselves faced with an influx of students, White professionals, investors and developers, or the come-heres, as they are sometimes referred to. With this inundation of new residents comes a rapid increase in cost of living, which often pushes out residents who have been in these areas for years before, due to lack of affordability to live in these same areas.

For example, the average median home price in Q1 of 2022 in the tri-county region (Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley counties), according to the Coastal Community Foundations Rising Tides Data Dashboard, was $346,093.33. According to the Charleston County Economic Development Department, the median household income in the Charleston region is $68,000.

The numbers tell a clear story: the landscape of Charleston is drastically changing.

Walter Hood

Artists are among those exploring the impacts of these drastic changes. Walter Hood, an architect based in Oakland, Calif., is one of them. Hood is working to explore through his art this erasure of once-vibrant communities as a result of gentrification.
Assistant Columbia bureau chief

Adcox returned to The Post and Courier in October 2017 after 12 years covering the Statehouse for The Associated Press. She previously covered education for The P&C. She has also worked for The AP in Albany, N.Y., and for The Herald in Rock Hill.
GREENVILLE  Tanners Big Orange on South Pleasantburg Drive was buzzing with people early Wednesday afternoon  an unusually large crowd for the restaurant that has operated since 1943 and in its current, now-iconic building since 1966.

Ever since owner John Allen Zeller announced he would close his familys long-standing restaurant, the place has been full of people seeking their last chili dog, onion rings and that patented orange drink.

Zeller, 69, has decided to close the restaurant after 80 years as a Greenville fixture  a decision that comes because of his age and need for some time off as well as the rising cost of business. And he found a buyer for the property near Greenville Technical College.

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Tanners will serve its last meal Dec. 23.

I hurt, Zeller said. I hurt emotionally, and I hurt physically.

The past few years have been hard financially as well, Zeller said, with the rising cost of goods and ever slimmer margins.

My time, energy and desire is waning, he said. Its a family business, and Im the last of the Tanners. There is no other family to help me run it. I have other children, but they cant help me run it.

Selling the property will allow Zeller to pay off his loans and to reorient the business for the future.

Tanners has drawn fans and foes over the years.

The food and legendary fruit juices (they serve three varieties) gained legions of followers over the years. In 2020, the restaurant became a flashpoint in the protests following the death of George Floyd.

Zeller made what many considered an insensitive and racist Facebook post, which prompted a boycott and sit-in led by people associated with the Black Lives Matter movement.

Zeller maintains he never intended anything racist or offensive with his post that criticized some actions by the movement, but he regrets making it, he said. And Tanner's did see a dip in business after the protests.
CITY VIEW  Three years in and Dayna Lee-Marquez still sees the need around her. Its hard to overlook the people she sees outside her restaurants doors, those seeking food, those seeking shelter, those seeking warmth and comfort.

Lee-Marquez has never been able to look away from need, and so when she opened Comal 864 in the City View neighborhood two years ago this month, the need was the first thing she noticed.

She has always met the need the best way she knows how  with food. Thus far, she has given away nearly 4,000 tacos to those who come into her restaurant and need food.

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On Nov. 23, she will give turkey, mashed potatoes and cranberry sauce as she holds the third annual Thanksgiving Day community meal.

But this year, she is expecting more and so is asking for help. Lee-Marquez is currently seeking and accepting donations of food  turkeys, hot or cold side dishes and desserts.

Anybody can come get a meal, Lee-Marquez said. If someone is lonely, food insecurity, if you want fellowship, youre cold, youre lonely. The goal is to feed the people who come in who are hungry.

The community meal grew from the fact that there were those who didnt have another place to go, and also the fact that Lee-Marquez didnt either. Being far away from her family in Brownsville, Texas, she and her husband and son celebrated the holiday just them.

I figure I cook all the time, she said. I dont really feel like cooking a turkey for three of us, so if Im gonna do it, I might as well do it big.

This year, she hopes to serve as many as 250 people.

The holiday meal will be served noon - 5 p.m. on Thanksgiving Day.
GREENVILLE  A federally endangered bat species has been discovered in South Carolina, potentially putting it one step closer to removal from the at-risk list.

The gray bats were found in August, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources bat biologist Jennifer Kindel said, after neighboring biologists informed her they had been seen near state lines.

I couldn't not keep looking, she said. The biologists were like, They're at the borders, and they're obviously in the state. Bats don't care about those lines, but we do because once we know they're here, then we can do more to learn more about them.

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Gray bats have outlived their predicted extinction, though theyre still at risk because the vast majority of their populations live in roughly 15 caves, Kindel said.

After attempts to net a large bridge, Kindel and her team moved to smaller structures for their search. She and lead bat technician Helle Cavalieri found the first gray bat in South Carolina in Greenville County.

A week later, Kindel and Mary Bunch, a retired heritage preserve manager and biologist specializing in bats and other small mammals, found one in Oconee County. Four single bats were eventually located, Kindel said.

Finding them out on their own doesnt concern her, though it is a new species for her and shes still learning their habits.

My understanding is that in the fall, they disperse a little bit more than say when they're hibernating together in the winter, or when they're all in groups in the summer during maternity season, she said.

During those seasons  hibernation and summer mating  the public should be extra careful not to disturb bat populations in caves, she said. Human disturbance is what put gray bats on the endangered list in 1976 to begin with.
Switzerland has pledged its support for the establishment of a special tribunal to address the crime of aggression against Ukraine. This commitment was announced on Thursday in Berlin, where Switzerland confirmed its membership in the core group of nations advocating for such a tribunal, the Swiss government said on its website on Thursday.

"Switzerland is firmly convinced that the aggression against Ukraine must not go unpunished," it said.

According to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the success of such a tribunal will hinge on several factors: it should be integrated into a multilateral framework and enjoy broad international support; it should complement existing mechanisms, particularly the International Criminal Court (ICC); it should have a robust legal basis and adhere to international norms and standards. Lastly, it should be international in nature. Switzerland intends to work actively to ensure that these considerations are taken into account.

"Switzerland's participation in this core group supplements its support for national and international efforts to prosecute and judge all international crimes committed in Ukraine. These initiatives are in line with Switzerland's long-standing commitment to fight impunity," the government said.

While the ICC has the authority to prosecute and judge war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine, it lacks jurisdiction over the crime of aggression in this conflict. This is because the court's jurisdiction over this crime requires both the state of the alleged perpetrators and the state that is the victim of the aggression to have ratified the Rome Statute (the international treaty that established the ICC). As neither Ukraine nor Russia has ratified the Rome Statute, the ICC cannot prosecute this crime.

"In addition to advocating for the creation of a special tribunal to prevent impunity in this specific case, Switzerland will strive for a revision of the Rome Statute to facilitate the ICC's jurisdiction to judge the crime of aggression in all contexts," it said.

Over recent months, the initiative has garnered support from 38 countries, including France, Germany, Norway, Guatemala, Japan and Canada.
Hemingways Mites, Small Fry and Cheerleading teams hit the road to Charlotte to see the Carolina Panthers take on the Houston Texans on October 29. Thirty-seven children, ages 7-12, many sponsored by community members, were able to experience the NFL for the first time. Read moreHemingway football teams get NFL experience
The City of Isle of Palms holiday street festival and tree lighting will take place on Dec. 2 from 2 to 7 p.m. on the Isle of Palms. The tree lighting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. This event will have an impact on some roads on the island. Read moreIOP announces road closures
The rule of thumb with all Native American lawyers and all teams is  because its a very expensive journey  if you turn (the application) in, and you dont have something right, and they send it back to you, youll never get recognized, Creel said. Were doing a lot of work to make sure that when our petition is submitted, its submitted without a problem.

Creel said the Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe is the largest state-recognized tribe in South Carolina, with a population of roughly 1,200 people, based on U.S. Census data. She said the 2020 Census was the first time in U.S. history that people could identify themselves as Native American and specify their tribe.

She also spoke about some of the history of the tribe and clarified that the Edisto Natchez-Kusso Tribe  whose history dates back to the 1670s  is not to be mistaken for the Edisto Indians, another tribe in the area.

Creel mentioned that the tribe fell victim to the Trail of Tears, but not in a way most would expect. She said while some of her ancestors were forcibly relocated to western states, most of the tribe remained on the East Coast. Those who remained were peacekeepers and decided to adapt and to blend in with the settlers.

If a settler would look at you, and you were a little bit dark, they would put you with the Negro crowd," she said. "If you were a little bit light with blue eyes, then they would put you with the White side. We kind of just blended in and faded away. It kind of helped us, but it kind of ruined us as well. Thats almost paper genocide. ... We just let them call us what they wanted to call us.

Dana Muckelvaney, a councilwoman of the tribe, spoke about different tribal dances and their meanings. She said the tribe has a class twice a month to teach native styles of dancing as well as history.

Some members of the tribe did a few of the traditional dances: the Fancy dance, the Grass dance, the Jingle dance and the Farewell dance to close out the event. Decked out in different outfits with regalia and props, Muckelvaney said the objects, and the colors of the outfits, all have different meanings and can reflect on the dancers personality.
On April 15, 2018 in the rural Bishopville prison known as Lee Correctional Institute, the deadliest U.S. prison riot in a generation exploded.

Before the night was over, seven inmates were dead and dozens more wounded. In December 2020, 29 men were named in a 79-count indictment for crimes associated with the event.

Below is a timeline of that night. Excerpts were taken from The Post and Courier's Dec. 6, 2019 investigative report.

Around 7 p.m.

Michael Milledge, 44, is in his cell alone. A senior inmate, he is said to be able to get drugs, cell phones, cash and weapons in the prison. Five months earlier he was transferred into Lee from Broad River, one of two sites of recent inmate disturbances. Milledge's cell door isn't locked and Damonte Rivera, a recent transfer from McCormick prison, slips inside and repeatedly stabs and cuts Milledge.

Milledge's allies, members of the Bloods gang, attack Rivera, a member of the Gangster Disciples.

The violence doesn't stop with Rivera. The brewing gang rivalry boils over into open war. As some men arm themselves with homemade knives and try to mask their faces from camera views, others attempt to flee in panic. There is no protection from roving armed attackers.

Guards, the few on duty who are supposed to control 200-300 inmates each, are trapped in the middle, unable to stop the violence with no protection and help hours away.

7:30 p.m.

Inmates try to block the door between the building's wings to keep marauders out of housing where 128 men live. But they can't hold the door. The inmates who tried to protect their wing are stabbed and cut repeatedly as they attempt to flee.

7:45 p.m.

State prison leaders activate a regional tactical team. More teams are called up at 8:25 p.m. The prison staff at Lee can't do anything more than wait, but they are able to rescue one female guard who is trapped on the block with the fighting inmates.
Were not sure whats going on in Atlantic Beach, but were pretty sure of this: It shouldnt be.

And although were confident that a lawsuit will invalidate what looks like an attempt to overturn the results of last weeks municipal election, the whole disturbing incident should give further impetus to efforts in the S.C. Legislature to rein in or even eliminate municipal election commissions  and not just because people shouldnt have to sue their local government to make sure their votes arent invalidated en masse.

The Post and Couriers Nicole Ziege reports that the Atlantic Beach Town Council called an emergency meeting late last week and voted to abolish its municipal election commission before it had a chance to complete a recount of the Nov. 7 mayors race.

We cant prove that the council's goal was to keep John David from being certified as the winner over Mayor Pro Tem Josephine Isom, who led the balloting on election night but ended up one vote short after a dozen and a half provisional ballots were counted. But the council's action certainly had that effect, at least temporarily.

We also cant say for certain that the council acted illegally  only that we cant find any provision in state law that allows a council to abolish its own election commission without also turning election duties over to the county election commission. The fact that town officials were unable to cite any authority for their action other than a ludicrous claim that "we are the legal authority" suggests that there is no such provision. Even if there is some general authority to abolish town commissions (and the Municipal Association of South Carolina isn't aware of any such authority), we doubt a judge would authorize doing so in the middle of an election recount.
Most of us have heard the 1969 song, More Today than Yesterday by the band Spiral Staircase. The chorus says, I love you more today than yesterday, but not as much as tomorrow. I had not heard it for a while, but Im sensitive to music and often a song will trigger my emotions and then I Read moreLoving God is knowing His will and doing it
BISHOPVILLE  Two people accused of participating in a lethal 2018 riot at a South Carolina prison pleaded guilty Nov. 15, joining a line of defendants to admit wrongdoing in one of the deadliest instances of prison violence in recent memory.

The April 2018 melee left seven people who were incarcerated at Lee Correctional Institution dead. Dozens were injured.

Twenty-nine people have been indicted in relation to the riot for crimes ranging from possession of contraband to murder. Most were at least charged with assault and battery by a mob.

A string of defendants began to plead guilty over the summer. The two men who pleaded guilty Nov. 15 at a hearing in Bishopville bring the total to 10.

Torey Blackwell, 32, pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy and inciting prisoners to a riot. Solicitor Barney Giese, who is prosecuting the cases, said Blackwell was captured on video appearing to incite prisoners to riot, but he was never armed.

Blackwell received a sentence of 10 years for inciting prisoners to a riot and five years for criminal conspiracy, both to run concurrently. He is set to leave prison in 2037.

Jody Gary, 35, pleaded guilty to criminal conspiracy and two charges of third-degree assault and battery by a mob. Prosecutors said he conspired with other gang members to assault two of his fellow prisoners.
Farmers from the Oszukana Wies organization will block the movement of trucks at the Medyka-Shehyni checkpoint on the Ukrainian-Polish border from November 22, within the framework of Polish carriers' strike, the leader of the Polish protesters, Rafa Mekler, told the Polish publication Wiadomosci.

In turn, Vladimir Sopuch from the Slovak Union of Motor Carriers (UNAS) said that the union, along with Polish carriers, blocked the Vysne Nemecke-Uzhgorod checkpoint on November 16 from 13:00 until 14:00.

"The one-hour-long blockade is a warning protest. As a next step, we will send our position and demands to the European Commission. Then permanent blockades will start in Slovakia," Mekler said.

According to a statement posted on Facebook page of the UNAS, the union plans to demand from that the European Transport Commission to immediately introduce permits for Ukrainian carriers as European companies cannot compete with them.

At the same time, the Slovak carriers threatened to completely block the border with Ukraine of Brussels does not regulate the situation.

Mekler also said that, according to his information, Lithuanian carriers were also considering a possibility of joining in the protest.
Britains BBC has been left-wing for as long a I can remember, and in recent decades, being left-wing means hating Israel. Every time there is a conflict in the Middle East, the BBC can be relied on to carry water for the Arabs and to denigrate Israelis.

Within the last couple of days, the network reportedabsurdlythat the IDF had entered Gazas main hospital, and was targeting medical teams and Arab speakers. This was the exact opposite of the Reuters report on which the BBC story was based, and it didnt take long for the Beeb to issue an apology:



But of course, some combination of reporters and editors at the BBC evidently considered it a reasonable supposition that the IDF was targeting medical teams and Arab speakers. For what? Assassination, presumably.

The BBCs anti-Israel bias is so notorious that an Israeli comedy team recorded this parody video:

Like the Babylon Bee, this sort of parody is only one step ahead of reality.
 Today in anti-Semitism: Pro-Hamas demonstrators are blocking the Oakland Bay Bridge:

The Bay Bridge is SHUT DOWN Biden will not get away with genocide, Biden will not get away with staying in San Francisco without EVERYONE knowing he is supporting the slaughter in Gaza No more genocide, ceasefire NOW pic.twitter.com/iQWWevwclA  Ariel Koren (@ariel_koko) November 16, 2023

ChaserIowahawk wins Twitter for today:

But we have worthy runner-up:

 Joe Biden told us our sanctions on Russia would cripple Russias economy. But it appears Russias fiscal outlook is actually better than . . . the United States:

Russias Fiscal Gap Shrinks Again Despite Growing Cost of War Russias budget deficit, aided by an increase in oil and gas revenue, shrank for the third straight month despite rising expenditures due to the Kremlins war in Ukraine. The fiscal gap narrowed to 1.2 trillion rubles ($13 billion), or just 0.7% of Russias gross domestic product, at the end of October, Finance Ministry data showed. An increase in oil and gas revenue allowed Russia to cope better than forecast under the budget law, which targeted the deficit at 2% of GDP.

And Russia is running a trade surplus, if you can believe RT:

Russia set for $75 billion surplus  Bloomberg Russias current account surplus has increased sharply, propping up the national currency as energy exports recovered despite pressure from Western sanctions, the countrys central bank reported on Tuesday. The current account, which measures the difference between money coming into the country through trade, investment and transfers against outflowing funds, amounted to $53.8 billion for the first ten months of the year, the regulators data showed. The October surplus exceeded $11 billion for the second consecutive month after reaching its highest level this year in September. The central bank revised its current account projection for the full year up from $45 billion to $60 billion on the back of soaring oil prices.

Guess whose fiscal picture is not prospering:

German Coalition in Disarray Over Budget Black Hole German Chancellor Olaf Scholzs financial planning has been thrown into disarray by yesterdays Constitutional Court ruling that struck down the transfer of 60 billion into an off-budget fund for tackling climate change. As well as threatening initiatives like the rollout of heat pumps or the expansion of hydrogen infrastructure and stoking tensions in the ruling coalition, it may also mean the end of most of the special funds that have enabled both federal and regional governments to circumvent borrowing restrictions. Overall, it could put about about 770 billion of state spending at risk, weve been told. One exception is the 100 billion fund to bolster the nations armed forces, which got written into the constitution. Scholz has pledged a swift budget overhaul, but the court judgment is likely to lay bare the decision-making tensions and escalate the fighting in an already weak coalition.

 But remember, according to The Economist, the greatest threat to the world right now is . . . the Orange Man:
Alpha News presents The Fall of Minneapolis. Alpha has just posted the crowdfunded film to Rumble (video below) so that it can be seen free of charge by the widest possible audience. The film is also accessible online at The Fall of Minneapolis. Viewers can contribute to support Alphas work and help promote the film here.

I attended the films premiere at a showing for invited guests on Tuesday evening at a local theater. Hayley Feland reported on the premiere in this Alpha story.

The film is based on Alpha News journalist Liz Collins Amazon bestseller Theyre Lying: The Media, The Left, and The Death of George Floyd. The book and the film provide a contrarian take on the prevailing narrative surrounding George Floyds death and the trial of Derek Chauvin as well as a powerful portrait of the consequences for Minneapolis.

The films portrayal of the aftermath is devastating. The contrast that emerges between the many former Minneapolis police officers who speak up on camera and the feckless politicians who called the shots  Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and other officials including former Minneapolis Police Chief Medaria Arradondo  could not be starker. Most recently, I had my own say on Ellison and the Chauvin trial in the City Journal review/essay The anti-cop attorney general.

The film features more than a dozen interviews with the people directly involved, including former officers Derek Chauvin and Alexander Kueng, both of whom spoke to Liz from prison. The families of Chauvin and Kueng also speak out publicly for the first time.

Liz appeared briefly on Megyn Kellys SiriusXM show yesterday along with director J.C. Chaix to discuss the film. Video of Megyns segment with Liz and Dr. Chaix is embedded in the Alpha News story on the premiere and available here on Megyns YouTube channel. The movie was produced by Liz. Cinematography is by Josh Feland. Here is the film.
My teacher Rabbi Joshua J.B. Borenstein attended the March for Israel rally at the National Mall in Washington on Tuesday. He advises that the best speaker among those who addressed the nearly 300,000 at the Mall was Mijal Bitton. John Podhoretz agrees in his brief Commentary post The wonderful gathering. Bittons remarks are posted in the video below via her Twitter feed. The truth quotient here approximates 100 percent.

We stand here united and proud as Americans who are going to fight back against terror, who will fight back against antisemitism everywhere, in our streets and in our universities! Grateful for the honor of addressing this historic show of support for Israel and America  pic.twitter.com/h39FSg7k9I  Mijal Bitton (@mijalbitton) November 15, 2023

Video of the event in its entirety is accessible here. J.B. also recommends the young lady  the daughter of Iranian Jewish refugees to America  who speaks at 40:50 of the video. Again, the truth quotient approximates 100 percent. Love of the United States was a prominent motif of the event.
Two weeks ago we were shocked to hear of Jewish students who had to lock themselves inside the library at the Cooper Union in Manhattan to protect themselves from a mob beating on the doors and windows of the library during a protest of Israel. Can anyone say that these were merely performative expressions, and not a genuine threat of violence?

Yesterday at Arizona State University a group of Jewish students had to be escorted by campus police out a back door to avoid a threatening mob:

WATCH: Tonight close to 20 Jewish students at @ASU had to leave a campus building thru a back door with a police escort together with their @Chabad Rabbi Shmuel Teichtel to return to the Chabad House for safety after a Antisemitic incident. The students attended a Arizona State pic.twitter.com/QTC72liZWt  Avraham Berkowitz (@GlobalRabbi) November 15, 2023

How does this continue to happen on campuses around the country? While you ponder this question, take in the description of a new course coming soon to the nearby University of Arizona:

Foundations of Emancipatory Education This discussion-based foundations seminar on Emancipatory Education will prepare students to engage with the philosophical, theoretical, methodological, and practical moorings present in educational pedagogies of liberation and freedom. The class will consider the historical and contemporary scholars who have advanced ideas regarding education for the empowerment and positive progress of marginalized peoples and society as a whole. Additionally, students will consider the roles of the classroom teacher, administrators, students, community, and school system in such a freedom project. Moreover, this course will explore the promise of reflection and healing for the student and the teacher in spite of the historical trauma and tous les jours violations against oppressed peoples.

Yes, its a total mystery why anti-Semitism would find such a fervent base on college campuses.

ChaserDavid Bernstein has a worthy suggestion:

Chaser #2: It appears the DNC is tonights target of the pro-Hamas left:

BREAKING: Police officers are literally pulling a mob of far left, pro-Hamas lunatics away from the door to the Democrat National Committee headquarters in DC tonight. All hell has broke loose.pic.twitter.com/anWqhfppJX  Greg Price (@greg_price11) November 16, 2023

GeeIm starting to wonder if the Democratic National Convention next summer in Chicago might offer some deja vu all over again potential.
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NEW YORK, NY and LONDON, UK / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / AccountAbility, a trusted global ESG Consulting and Standards firm with a three-decade history in guiding leaders to build better companies, is glad to announce that its website and thought leadership have been selected for inclusion in the prestigious United States Library of Congress Climate Change Web Archive. This recognition is a testament to AccountAbility's sustainability leadership, and commitment to advancing the ESG agenda by improving the practices, performance, and impact of organizations.The U.S. Library of Congress Climate Change Web Archive, an initiative of the world - renowned U.S. Library of Congress, is a curated collection of websites that are dedicated to climate change and sustainability issues. The archive aims to preserve content and resources of historical and cultural significance that document the ongoing discourse surrounding climate change and sustainability, ensuring that these critical materials remain accessible for future generations.AccountAbility's website was chosen for inclusion in the Climate Change Web Archive with its research, standards, and rich content that address ESG and Sustainability matters. Through its global Advisory services, widely used Standards, and Sustainability Thought Leadership, the organization has played a pivotal role in promoting better transparency, accountability, and governance in business operations worldwide. AccountAbility's commitment to advancing the understanding of ESG practices and their impact on sustainability matters has made it a valuable resource for practitioners, researchers, policymakers, and business leaders alike."Being included in the U.S. Library of Congress Climate Change Web Archive is a very significant honor for AccountAbility. It reflects our unwavering focus and dedication over three decades towards making a meaningful contribution to advancing sustainable business practices and to the global dialog on ESG," said Mr. Sunil (Sunny) A. Misser, Chief Executive Officer of AccountAbility. "Our research, thinking and content reflects the firm's global Advisory and Standards practices, and includes useful resources for those looking to understand and implement ESG principles and practices in their organization. We are most grateful that our work will be preserved for posterity in this reputable archive." The U.S. Library of Congress Climate Change Web Archive ensures that critical climate-related information remains accessible for research and education, even as websites may evolve over time. AccountAbility's website joins a select group of sites that have been recognized for their outstanding contributions to the global interchange about climate change and sustainability.For more information about The U.S. Library of Congress, visit: https://www.loc.gov About AccountAbilityAccountAbility is a global Consulting and Standards firm that works with businesses, investors, governments, and multi-lateral organizations to innovate and advance the global Sustainability / ESG agenda by improving the practices, performance, and impact of organizations. The firm focuses on delivering practical, effective, and enduring results that enable our clients to succeed. AccountAbility is a Public Benefit Corporation, operating globally through a highly qualified team from offices in New York, London, Riyadh, and Dubai. The firm is the recipient of multiple business awards from the Financial Times, Forbes, and Capital Finance International, and its website is archived with the United States Library of Congress. Learn more at www.accountability.org Contact: Mr. Jon Packer AccountAbility Head of Marketing & Communications Phone: +1 416 543 9179 Email: jon.packer@accountability.org Web: www.accountability.org View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from AccountAbility on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: AccountAbilityWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/accountabilityEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: AccountAbility
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The premier event for international manufacturing in Ontario noted record growth in attendees.TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Advanced Design and Manufacturing Expo Toronto (ADM Toronto), Canada's leading conference and exhibition for the latest trends and technological innovations in the design and manufacturing industries, convened in Toronto with over 4,000 attendees, an increase of over 100% from the previous year's edition in 2021.The biennial show, which alternates years with ADM Montreal, brought together manufacturing industry professionals and suppliers for three days to discuss the latest innovations shaping the future in advanced design and manufacturing across automation, robotics, energy efficiency, packaging, plastics, processing and more, with over 300 exhibitors. Top companies in attendance included ABB, Automha Americas, Beckhoff Automation Ltd., Caxton, Fanuc, JW Corporation, Milvus Robotics, PAC Global, VC999 Canada, among others.The conference featured over 40 hours of educational content focused on plastics, automation, processing, packaging and manufacturing, and included for the first time ever an electric vehicle (EV) technology zone, which highlighted the growing electric and hybrid technology industry. Conference attendees had access to educational tracks covering emerging technologies in automation, women in tech and sustainability in manufacturing."Toronto is quickly emerging and being more prominently recognized as the North American hub for technology and innovation. We strive to facilitate the necessary conversations and connections in Advanced Manufacturing to further propel Canada's global position and Ontario's role as a driver in the future of engineering," says Kayle Kvinge, Event Director of ADM Toronto. "The significant expansion this year further reflects the region's flourishing manufacturing sector and the businesses who are leading the charge for a more automated, sustainable, productive future with a sustained, supported and exceptional labour force." Keynote presentations featured executives from industry leaders such as NGen, Ontario Chamber of Commerce and the Ontario Centre of Innovation.Rocco Rossi, President and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce noted, "The technology workforce in Toronto's Waterloo corridor is rated to be growing faster than Silicon Valley by 350% and is ranked third largest in North America. The thriving manufacturing landscape in the region presents a wealth of opportunities for innovation and job creation. Events such as Advanced Manufacturing Toronto provide an elevated opportunity to strengthen economic advancement and serves as a beacon of inspiration for the future of Canadian manufacturing." The ADM Toronto Event Guide conference program included distinguished Letters of Welcome from esteemed leaders of the region including the Premier of Ontario, Doug Ford, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, the Honourable Francois-Phillippe Champagne, P.C., M.P. and the Mayor of Toronto, Olivia Chow."ADM Toronto provides a distinctive chance to delve into a variety of business solutions throughout the manufacturing supply chain," says Charles Milliard, MBA, Chairman and CEO of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce of Quebec. "This gathering brought together experts in the field and international suppliers to stimulate conversations on crucial subjects. The FCCQ takes pride in hosting the Francophone segment of ADM, which serves as a demonstration of the dynamic linguistic diversity and innovative drive propelling Canada's manufacturing industry forward." To receive early information on next year's ADM Expo taking place Nov. 13-14, 2024 in Montreal, visit www.admmontreal.com. ADM Toronto will return Oct. 21-23, 2025 at the Toronto Congress Centre.About Informa Markets Engineering:Informa Markets Engineering portfolio, a subsidiary of Informa plc (LON:INF), is the leading B2B event producer, publisher, and digital media business for the world's $3-trillion advanced, technology-based manufacturing industry. Our print and electronic products deliver trusted information to the engineering market and leverage our proprietary 1.3-million-name database to connect suppliers with buyers and purchase influencers. We produce more than 50 events and conferences in a dozen countries, connecting manufacturing professionals from around the globe. The Engineering portfolio is organized by Informa, the world's leading exhibitions organizer that brings a diverse range of specialist markets to life, unlocking opportunities and helping them to thrive 365 days of the year. For more information, please visit www.informamarkets.com Media Contact:Jordan Douglas Informa Markets Engineering Public Relations pr.ime@informa.com SOURCE: INFORMA MARKETS - ENGINEERING
Kharkiv, Zaporizhia and Donetsk regions require more air defense systems, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an evening video message.

"The geography of our cooperation with partners for the sake of the air shield is very wide. Not everything can be shown publicly today, but it is absolutely certain that Ukraine is gradually becoming stronger. Our air defense capabilities are increasing," he said.

The President noted that "this is not 100% protection." "Such cities as Kharkiv, such regions as Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions require more systems, more security. All our diplomats and our entire state have this task," Zelenskyy said.
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Free Professional Bartender Training Program to Empower Unemployed Young AdultsHAMILTON, BERMUDA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / In response to the growing demand for trained bartenders and hospitality professionals in Bermuda, family-owned Bacardi, is excited to announce the commencement of applications for the second edition of Shake Your Future, its free, professional bartender training program for unemployed young adults. In partnership with the Bermuda Government's Department of Workforce Development, Bacardi is welcoming aspiring bartenders to apply to the program for an opportunity to gain the skills and training necessary to embark on a career as a professional mixologist.Shake Your Future is a global Bacardi program that was originally created in 2018 and has since expanded to Italy, France, India, South Africa, Spain and other markets. The overarching objective is to train 10,000 young adults worldwide by 2030. In Bermuda, the program launched in February 2023 and received an overwhelming response of 134 applicants, from which seven individuals were selected to undertake a transformative ten-week journey. The comprehensive program comprises four intensive weeks of training at the European Bartending School in London, offering students the opportunity to attain their international bartender certification. Upon their return to Bermuda, participants continue honing their skills, concentrating on personal branding, marketing, and undertaking a valuable four-week work placement in some of Bermuda's premier bars and restaurants. Notably, six individuals from cohort one were offered full-time employment upon program completion. Building on this success, Bacardi is increasing the available spots from seven to ten individuals which will see those selected heading off to London in March 2024 as part of cohort two."Bartenders are the backbone of our industry and we're thrilled to renew our partnership with the Department of Workforce Development to provide meaningful learning opportunities and internationally recognized certifications through our Shake Your Future program," stated Douglas Mello, Bacardi Limited Managing Director. "All graduates from our inaugural Bermuda class are working full-time in the hospitality industry, and one of them, Kierra Lee, recently became the first female and youngest winner of the Taste of Bermuda Bartending Competition. These young individuals have been motivated and empowered to achieve success in their careers, serving as an inspiration to us all, further reinforcing our commitment to foster job opportunities within Bermuda's hospitality industry." In today's evolving job market, the hospitality sector in Bermuda is faced with the challenge of rebuilding its talent pipeline across the industry. The latest data from the 2022 Labour Force Survey Report underscores the persisting issue of unemployment in Bermuda, with a particular focus on the youth and the Black community. As residents actively seek pathways to enhance their skills and become competitive in the job market, Bacardi and the Department of Workforce Development are taking proactive measures to generate opportunities for individuals pursuing a fulfilling career in hospitality."Shake Your Future is a powerful program, providing comprehensive instruction in mixology theory, free pour techniques, flair bartending, and live bar management, empowering individuals with the tools they need to succeed as a professional mixologist. Our collaboration with Bacardi and the achievements of our initial group of participants underscore the strength of Government partnerships and our dedication to elevating Bermuda's hospitality industry," said the Minister of Economy and Labour, Jason Hayward, JP, MP.Shake Your Future is running in select cities across the globe with an ever-growing number of bar and restaurant partners pledging their support and giving the trainees the all-important experience they need to change their lives. The application window for the Bermuda program runs from November 15th to December 15th.For more information on how to apply, head to the Bermuda Job Board and type "Shake Your Future" into the search box.Related stories: https://www.3blmedia.com/news/bacardi-shake-your-future-graduate-makes-history-first-female-winner-taste-bermuda-cocktail About Bacardi LimitedBacardi Limited, the largest privately held international spirits company in the world, produces and markets internationally recognized spirits and wines. The Bacardi Limited brand portfolio comprises more than 200 brands and labels, including BACARDI rum, GREY GOOSE vodka, PATRON tequila, DEWAR'S Blended Scotch whisky, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin, MARTINI vermouth and sparkling wines, CAZADORES 100% blue agave tequila, and other leading and emerging brands including WILLIAM LAWSON'S Scotch whisky, ST-GERMAIN elderflower liqueur, and ERISTOFF vodka. Founded more than 161 years ago in Santiago de Cuba, family-owned Bacardi Limited currently employs approximately 9,000, operates production facilities in 11 countries, and sells its brands in more than 160 markets. Bacardi Limited refers to the Bacardi group of companies, including Bacardi International Limited. Visit http://www.bacardilimited.com or follow us on LinkedIn or Instagram.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Bacardi Limited on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: Bacardi LimitedWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/bacardi-limited Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Bacardi Limited
PR-Inside.com: 2023-11-16 03:46:42

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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until January 2, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against Barclays PLC (NYSE:BCS), if they purchased the Company's securities between July 22, 2019 and October 12, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Central District of California.What You May DoIf you purchased shares of Barclays 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-bcs/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by January 2, 2024.About the LawsuitBarclays 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) contrary to false public assertions, the Company's former CEO, James Staley, had a close relationship with Jeffrey Epstein, was reportedly aware of Epstein's criminal activities and may have even sexually assaulted a victim who had previously been trafficked by Epstein; (ii) if discovered, the relationship and potential criminal activity could bring reputational, legal, and financial harm to Company; (iii) the Company's response to an inquiry by the British Financial Conduct Authority regarding Staley's relationship with Epstein was materially false; (iv) when the Company became aware of information contradicting its response to the inquiry, it failed to update the response so that it would be accurate, or otherwise take any meaningful action; and (v) as a result, the Company's statements about its business, operations, and prospects, were materially false and misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis at all relevant times.The case is Merritt v. Barclays Plc, et al., 23-cv-9217.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
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The network optimization solution continues to reign as G2's Top SD-WAN Provider with five G2 badges.BEAVERTON, OR / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Bigleaf Networks, a leading provider of network optimization solutions, today announced it has been honored with six prestigious awards in the G2 Fall 2023 Report, marking the third quarter in a row for the company to be recognized for its excellence in the software-defined wide area networking (SD-WAN) space. This consistent recognition is a direct reflection of the high esteem and top ratings bestowed upon Bigleaf by customers in the G2 software marketplace.In a sector where seamless connectivity and ease of use are paramount, Bigleaf has distinguished itself by clinching the highest overall ranks in G2's Usability and Results indexes. This achievement is a resounding endorsement of the company's commitment to crafting intuitive solutions that not only meet but exceed customer expectations for reliable and user-friendly networking."Our focus has always been to provide a product that not only performs exceptionally but also is easy for our customers to use and trust," said John Hogan, SVP of Operations for Bigleaf Networks. "Being recognized for the third consecutive quarter is not just an honor but a testament to our team's hard work and the fruitful relationships we've cultivated with our users." Furthermore, Bigleaf's dedication to customer satisfaction and support has earned it the number one position in G2's Relationship Index. Ranking at the top for customer relationships signifies the value that Bigleaf places on prompt and effective service, emphasizing the company's principle of fostering lasting trust and collaboration with its clientele."It's one thing to provide a service, but another to support our customers every step of the way," Hogan continued. "Our customers are at the heart of everything we do, and being ranked first in G2's Relationship Index underscores our commitment to them." These six awards, including two High Performer awards, confirm Bigleaf Networks' leadership in the SD-WAN category and the trust that customers place in their solutions. Bigleaf continues to redefine the industry, demonstrating that an unwavering commitment to quality, usability, and exceptional customer relationships is the foundation of enduring success.About Bigleaf:Bigleaf Networks provides internet connectivity without complexity, making it easy for IT pros and their organizations to conduct business on the internet with confidence. Bigleaf's unique network optimization solution adapts traffic to circuit conditions in real-time to preserve application performance and optimize user productivity despite circuit degradations or outages. The Bigleaf solution integrates seamlessly with established firewalls, ISPs, and applications, takes only minutes to install, and works unattended to provide immediate relief and value. Founded in 2012 in Portland, Oregon, Bigleaf Networks is investor-backed and provides service across North America. To learn more, visit www.bigleaf.net Media DetailsWebsite URL: https://www.bigleaf.net/Company Name: Bigleaf NetworksEmail address: support@ bigleaf.net SOURCE: Bigleaf Networks
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / CNH Industrial has launched the latest edition of its Technical Professional Program dedicated to agricultural equipment at its Harbin plant.The inauguration ceremony for the new program was attended by authorities from Heilongjiang Department of Education, Department of Commerce, and Ping Fang District, Yizhong Edulife representatives, officials from the Heilongjiang Agricultural Engineering Vocational College, local media, students and professors as well as the CNH team led by Luca Mainardi, Country Manager, CNH China and Mongolia."TechPro2 is a longstanding initiative that CNH provides many communities where we operate. Our strong local presence here in Harbin allows us a unique opportunity to provide young people with the skills and knowledge they will need to realize their potential and build skills to secure the future of China's farming industry," said Mr. Mainardi.CNH is providing funds and educational resources to the program, including a New Holland Agriculture tractor, engines, transmissions as well as other core mechanical components. In addition, CNH staff are training the school's teachers, assisting in the development of the curriculum to be studied.The program includes two years of on-campus learning and a one-year internship with CNH and its dealers. This first edition of the program sees 37 students take part. When they successfully complete the course and attain certification, they will be fully qualified to take up professional placements in agricultural equipment maintenance, whether that be with CNH, its dealer network, or other players in the industry.Since 2014, CNH has successfully deployed TechPro2 programs with local vocational colleges around the world. Continuing this initiative at Harbin demonstrates the company's commitment to educating the next generation of farmers across the globe and supporting local communities in the process.CNH opens a new youth training program focused on agricultural equipment through the Heilongjiang Agricultural Engineering Vocational College.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from CNH Industrial on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: CNH IndustrialWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/cnh-industrialEmail: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: CNH Industrial
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Covia is privileged to manage a variety of natural resources, which is why conservation and community well-being are deeply embedded in the way we operate our mining and processing facilities. Covia's Dividing Creek plant, located in Dividing Creek, New Jersey, is located just 25 miles from the beaches of Cape May and Avalon and is our largest dredge mining facility.Dividing Creek's Commitment to the EnvironmentTeam Members at the plant work to maintain an important environmental balance. They often have nesting bald eagles near the plant entrance and are actively working with the South Jersey Quail Project to help restore the quail population. Our Dividing Creek property is perfect for releasing adult quail as part of the plan to save this native species. In addition, they have helped build a large flight pen to raise the quail. The plant will soon have a live feed to view the incubators in action!In addition, Dividing Creek has added a water line to its raw bin storage facility that will divert excess water for immediate reuse in the mill, reducing the need for fresh water. The site, in partnership with the local municipality, also helped remove a dam located in a local waterway, returning the stream to the Delaware Bay Watershed and restoring the Maurice River Bluffs to its natural condition.Positive Social ImpactEvery day, we strive to foster a culture of performance and accountability - one in which we all understand the important role we play in ensuring a bright and sustainable future for our company, our customers and the communities we serve. One way we do this is by ensuring a Safety First mindset at all Covia facilities.While every Covia facility is responsible for maintaining our high standards of safety and health performance, for Dividing Creek, with the additional use of boats and heavy dredging equipment in a water environment, the stakes are higher. As a result, Team Members take extra precautions to ensure their safety, the safety of the plant, and its equipment. According to Plant Manager, Brian Lenhart, "Any team member has the ability to shut down the plant if they feel that the situation is not safe." Team Members take this responsibility seriously and know that they are responsible for their own safety at work and at home, and each one of them leads by example every day! This focus and determination was evident on October 5 when the plant celebrated 5 years without a lost time accident!To learn more about Covia's ESG strategy and commitment to ongoing progress against our short- and long-term ESG objectives, please visit our 2022 ESG Report.View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from Covia on 3 blmedia.com Contact Info:Spokesperson: CoviaWebsite: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/covia Email: info@3 blmedia.com SOURCE: Covia
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PULAU PINANG, MALAYSIA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / The 2023 Global Chinese Economic & Technology Summit, themed "Great Reset: Powering Growth, Technology, and Regional Prosperity," concluded with a momentous celebration of entrepreneurial excellence as Dato Lim Khong Soon, Founder & Chairman of Quantum Metal Exchange Inc, USA, was honored with the Global Chinese Distinguished Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award.The summit, held on the 6th and 7th of November in Shenzhen, China, marked a significant milestone in the legacy of the World Chinese Economic Summit (WCES). Originally established in 2009 by Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew and Tan Sri Michael Yeoh, the WCES has evolved to become the Global Chinese Economic and Technology Summit, reflecting the changing dynamics of the global economic landscape.Tan Sri Lee Kim Yew, Founder and Patron of the summit, commented, "In these unprecedented times, it is crucial to adapt and refocus our efforts to address the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. The transformation of WCES into the Global Chinese Economic and Technology Summit underscores our commitment to sustainable globalization, fostering global cooperation, and leveraging technology for shared prosperity." The 2023 summit gathered leaders from government, business, and think tanks, providing a platform for high-level exchanges. The event facilitated business interactions and networking among entrepreneurs, with a special emphasis on connecting the global Chinese diaspora. The summit also aimed to promote cross-cultural learning between the East and West, recognizing the importance of diverse perspectives in the evolving global landscape.The key objectives of the summit included advancing business, economic, and trade opportunities among member countries of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). Discussions centered around strengthening partnerships in the digital economy and green economy to build a sustainable shared future. Additionally, there was a dedicated focus on enhancing cooperation between China and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).The summit was organized by The China Development Institute, Shenzhen (CDI), The KSI Strategic Institute for Asia Pacific (KSI), and China Council for Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT) Shenzhen. The event garnered support from prestigious organizations such as the Center for China and Globalization (CGC), ASEAN Economic Club (AEC), China-ASEAN Business Association (CABA), China (Sanya) Public Diplomacy Institute (SPDI), and Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC).Dato' Lim Khong Soon, a visionary entrepreneur and founder of Quantum Metal Exchange Inc, USA, was bestowed with the Global Chinese Distinguished Entrepreneur Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the business world, dedication to cross-cultural collaboration, and commitment to sustainable business practices.In his acceptance speech, Dato' Lim Khong Soon expressed gratitude for the honor and highlighted the importance of global cooperation in navigating the challenges of the modern business landscape. "I am truly humbled to receive this award, and I see it as a testament to the collective efforts of the entire Quantum Metal Exchange Inc team. In an interconnected world, collaboration is key, and I believe that by working together, we can overcome any obstacle and achieve lasting success," he remarked.The summit concluded with a sense of optimism for the future, with participants committing to continued collaboration, innovation, and shared prosperity. As the world undergoes transformative changes, events like the Global Chinese Economic and Technology Summit serve as a catalyst for positive action and collaboration on a global scale.Media ContactOrganization: Quantum MetalContact Person: Dato Lim Khong SoonWebsite: https://www.quantummetal.com.my/Email: info@ quantummetal.comContact Number: +60 3-8605 3611City: GeorgetownState: Pulau PinangCountry: MalaysiaSOURCE: Quantum Metal
PR-Inside.com: 2023-11-16 08:01:07

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Publication of Circular and Notice of General Meeting and Registration StatementBIRMINGHAM, AL / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Diversified Energy Company PLC (LSE:DEC) ("Diversified" or "the Company") announces that it intends to seek an additional listing of the Company's Ordinary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange (the "NYSE") (the "US Listing"). No new Ordinary Shares are being offered or sold in connection with the US Listing, and there will be no change in the total issued share capital of the Company following the US Listing.Following its announcement on October 5, 2023 that the Company was no longer pursuing its previously communicated desire to list its Ordinary Shares in the US given the equity market dynamics, the Board and management consulted with their advisors, along with various US and UK institutional investors on alternative paths forward without the need of a structure incorporating a capital raise to achieve a US listing. After careful consideration of the feedback received, the Company has decided to pursue a direct listing of its Ordinary Shares on the NYSE. The direct listing achieves the Company's previously stated goal of a dual listing, without offering or selling any new Ordinary Shares. The Board and management believe they have chosen an approach that both supports existing shareholders and provides US investors the opportunity to more easily access an investment in the Company's Ordinary Shares.The Board believes that the US Listing, in the near-term, will be beneficial for the Company and its shareholders for multiple reasons, including raising the Group's profile in the US. The Board expects that the US Listing will facilitate broadening the Company's access to high quality equity investors (including domestic US funds) and will also increase the Company's ability to attract a broader group of equity research analysts, as there are a comparable set of peer companies listed in the US which have a strong US equity investor base and are covered by a broad group of equity research analysts. The Board also expects that the US Listing will enhance the Company's daily trading liquidity and potentially provide it access to additional financing options which can be used to continue the Company's acquisitive strategy.The Company will continue to be listed on the premium listing segment of the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and its Ordinary Shares will continue to be traded on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange. Further, it is expected that the Company will also continue to be a constituent of the FTSE 250 index in the UK and the Board will continue to adhere to its standards of governance and corporate responsibility as required by the UK Corporate Governance Code.Due to NYSE requirements, prior to the US Listing taking place, the Company will effect a consolidation of the Company's existing ordinary share capital at a ratio of one new ordinary share of nominal value of 0.20 each for every twenty existing ordinary shares of nominal value of 0.01 each (the "Consolidation"). Therefore, to implement the US Listing, shareholder approval is being sought to pass certain shareholder resolutions to (i) effect the Consolidation, and (ii) adopt new articles of association to allow for the settlement of trades in respect of the Ordinary Shares in the US and UK following the US Listing (the "Resolutions"). The implementation of the US Listing is conditional upon the approval of the Resolutions by the shareholders at the General Meeting. Further details regarding the proposed US Listing, Consolidation, the proposed new articles of association and the Resolutions are set out in the Circular.Further to this announcement, the Company has posted a circular (the "Circular"), notice of general meeting and form of proxy to shareholders convening a General Meeting ("General Meeting"). The General Meeting will be held at the offices of FTI Consulting, 200 Aldersgate, Aldersgate Street, London, EC1A 4HD, United Kingdom at 1:00PM (GMT) on December 4, 2023. A copy of the circular and notice of general meeting will also be made available on the Company's website https://ir.div.energy/ . Capitalised terms used but not otherwise defined in this announcement have the same meaning given to them in the Circular.In connection with the US Listing, the Company has also filed a registration statement on Form 20-F ("Registration Statement") required for the US Listing of its Ordinary Shares for review by the U.S. Securities & Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Registration Statement has not yet been declared effective. Subject to approval of the Resolutions at the General Meeting and certain other regulatory conditions (including the SEC declaring the Registration Statement effective), admission and commencement of dealings in Ordinary Shares on the New York Stock Exchange is expected to commence on or around December 11, 2023.The expected timetable for the General Meeting, the Consolidation and the US Listing is set out below:EventExpected Date/time(1)Latest time and date for receipt of Forms of Proxy and CREST electronic proxy appointment instructionNovember 30, 20231:00PM (GMT)Voting Record Time for the General Meeting for ShareholdersNovember 30, 2023Close of Business (London)General MeetingDecember 4, 20231:00PM (GMT)Consolidation Record TimeDecember 4, 2023Close of Business (GMT)Admission of Ordinary Shares (being the ordinary shares in the capital of the Company following completion of the Consolidation) to listing on the premium listing segment of the Official List and to trading on the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities and commencement of dealings in Ordinary SharesDecember 5, 20238:00AM (GMT)Expected date CREST accounts are to be credited with Ordinary Shares in uncertificated form(3)December 5, 2023Expected time and date for admission and commencement of dealings in Ordinary Shares on the New York Stock Exchangeon or around December 11, 20232:30PM (GMT)Expected date for the issue of DIs to CREST participant accounts to allow shareholders to continue to transfer and settle their interests in Ordinary Shares through CRESTon or around December 11, 2023by 3:00PM (GMT)Expected date for payment (where applicable) of fractional entitlements for Ordinary Shareson or around December 14, 2023Notes:(1) All dates and times are based on the Company's current expectations and are subject to change. If any of the dates and/or times change, the Company will give notice of the change by issuing an announcement through a Regulatory News Service.(2) Only those Shareholders entered on the register of members at close of business (GMT) on Novem
PR-Inside.com: 2023-11-16 01:46:40

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Hagens Berman, National Trial Attorneys, Encourages FSR Investors Who Suffered Substantial Losses to Contact Firm's Attorneys Regarding Investigation into Possible Securities Law ViolationsSAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2023 / Hagens Berman urges Fisker Inc. (NYSE:FSR) investors who suffered substantial losses to submit your losses now.Visit: www.hbsslaw.com/investor-fraud/FSRContact An Attorney Now: FSR@ hbsslaw.com844-916-0895 Fisker Inc. (NYSE: FSR) investigation:The investigation focuses on Fisker's reported financial performance and internal controls over financial reporting.Fisker had been scheduled to report its Q3 2023 financial results before markets opened on Nov. 8, 2023. Instead, that day the company announced that it is delaying the earnings release until after markets close on Nov. 13, 2023. Fisker blamed the delay on the unexplained departure of its, now former, Chief Accounting Officer on Oct. 27, 2023 and the appointment of a replacement effective Nov. 6, 2023.Then, on Nov. 13, 2023, Fisker released dismal Q3 2023 results, reporting that it lost $91 million in the third quarter and generated revenues of only $71.8 million, well below analysts' expectations. In addition, the company failed to provide production guidance. It further revealed that material weaknesses in its internal control over financial reporting prevented it from timely filing its quarterly report with the SEC.These events caused FSR shares to decline sharply."We're focused on investors' losses and are investigating the accuracy of Fisker's statements concerning its internal controls over financial reporting" said Reed Kathrein, the Hagens Berman partner leading the investigation.If you invested in Fisker 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 Fisker investigation, read more Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding Fisker 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 FSR@ 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
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against FMC Corp. ("FMC" or "the Company") (NYSE:FMC) 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 FMC securities between November 2, 2022 and October 20, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/fmc Case Details:The complaint alleges that throughout the Class Period, Defendants made materially false and/or misleading statements and failed to disclose material adverse facts about the Company's business, operations, and prospects. Specifically, it is alleged that Defendants failed to disclose to investors that: (1) the diminishment of patent protection for FMC's flagship products following legal defeats in key markets including India, China, and Brazil had opened the door to increased competition from generics; (2) the Company repeatedly mislead investors about the status of such proceedings and falsely claimed that it did not and would not face generic competition in key markets until 2026 at the earliest; and (3) because of these issues Defendant's positive statements about the Company's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis.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: bgandg.com/fmc 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 FMC you have until January 8, 2024, 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.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.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
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NEW ORLEANS, LA / ACCESSWIRE / November 15, 2023 / Kahn Swick & Foti, LLC ("KSF") and KSF partner, former Attorney General of Louisiana, Charles C. Foti, Jr., remind investors that they have until January 8, 2024 to file lead plaintiff applications in a securities class action lawsuit against FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC), if they purchased or otherwise acquired the Company's shares between November 2, 2022 and October 20, 2023, inclusive (the "Class Period"). This action is pending in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.What You May DoIf you purchased shares of FMC 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-fmc/ to learn more. If you wish to serve as a lead plaintiff in this class action, you must petition the Court by January 8, 2024.About the LawsuitFMC and certain of its executives are charged with failing to disclose material information during the Class Period, violating federal securities laws.On September 7, 2023, Blue Orca Capital reported that the Company had made a series of false statements about the status of patent protections for its flagship products following legal defeats in India, China, and Brazil, that allowed competitors to launch competing generic products at much lower prices. On this news, the price of FMC's shares dropped more than 7.4%, to close at $76.10 per share, representing approximately $630 million in investor losses, on high trading volume.Then, on October 23, 2023, the Company disclosed further cuts to its Q3 2023 outlook and guidance for revenues for Q4 and FY 2024, projecting earnings well below analysts' expectations, citing substantially lower sales volumes in Latin America. On this news, the price of FMC's shares plummeted by $8.83 per share, or 12.18%, to close at $58.12 per share.The case is Heeg v. FMC Corporation, et al., 23-cv-4938.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 www.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
Kherson under fire from Russians, three victims already injured, among them 15-year-old teenager  regional administration

Russian troops are subjecting Kherson to massive shelling  it is already known about three victims, the information is being clarified, said head of the Regional Military Administration Oleksandr Prokudin.

"Kherson is under the massive fire of the Russian army. Now it is known about three injured of Kherson residents. Among them is a 15-year-old girl and her 52-year-old relative. The ambulance took the injured to the hospital," he wrote on the Telegram channel on Thursday evening.

"The information is being clarified," Prokudin added.
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InnerScope Is Offering Its Most "Feature Enriched" Product, The iHEAR Matrix OTC Rechargeable Hearing Aids With Bluetooth App Or Device-Controlled Full Audio-Streaming For Hand-Free Telephone Use And Listening To Music / Podcasts At A Low Cost of $499/PairROSEVILLE, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / InnerScope Hearing Technologies Inc. (OTC PINK:INND) ("InnerScope"), an emerging and disruptive leader in the Over-the-Counter (OTC") Hearing Aid space with its iHEAR and HearingAssist brands, today announced it is launching the iHEAR Matrix Rechargeable OTC Hearing Aids with Walmart as part of Walmart's OTC hearing aid display fixture ("Walmart OTC Hearing Aid Display") located in 4,218 Walmart stores nationwide. Walmart has selected InnerScope as a wholesale vendor, and its iHEAR brand is one of the top OTC hearing aid major brands to be in the Walmart OTC Hearing Aid Display.The Walmart OTC Hearing Aid Display will allow Walmart customers to see each of the models of the devices on display and compare the prices and the description of all feature sets offered by each brand. The Walmart customer can elect to find more information about each OTC hearing aid model by scanning a QR code next to each product featured in the display and can purchase directly from Walmart.com to have their OTC hearing aids delivered to their home.InnerScope will be offering and showcasing in the Walmart OTC Hearing Aid Display its "Best In Class" most "Feature Enriched" product to date, the iHEAR Matrix Rechargeable OTC Hearing Aids, at a Low Cost of $499.00 a pair. The iHEAR MatriX Rechargeable OTC Hearing Aid RIC Kit | Full Streaming | Pair are Bluetooth App or Device-Controlled Receiver-In-Canal ("RIC") model that has four environmental listening programs with full audio-streaming for hands-free telephone use and listening to music and podcasts.It has been one year since the "FDA's OTC Hearing Aids Ruling" took effect on October 17, 2022, when millions of Americans with hearing loss could purchase OTC hearing aids from Walmart and other retailers without a prescription, medical exam, or professional fitting. Nearly 30 Million American Adults could currently benefit from using hearing aids. People with hearing loss are more likely to suffer from social isolation and depression, are five times more likely to be at risk of dementia, and have an increased risk of falling and hospitalization.With ninety percent of the U.S. population located within 10 miles of a Walmart, InnerScope believes by offering its highest quality iHEAR Matrix Rechargeable OTC Hearing Aids with all the features offered at the low-cost price of $499 a pair compared to similar features offered by other competitors at a higher price will expand and broaden its iHEAR brand recognition. In addition, InnerScope's full line of its iHEAR and HearingAssist brands of OTC hearing aids and hearing-related accessories will be available for Walmart customers to purchase online at Walmart.com "We are excited to be selected by Walmart and recognized as one of the top major brands in the OTC hearing aid market, " said Matthew Moore, President and CEO of InnerScope Hearing Technologies. "The introduction of our iHEAR brand within 4000+ Walmart stores nationwide gives greater brand awareness not only for our iHEAR brand but also our HearingAssist brand which has been sold in selected Walmart stores and online on Walmart.com since 2017. Both the iHEAR and HearingAssist brands of OTC hearing aids and related accessories are now available on Walmart.com . We are also excited to offer our most "Feature Enriched" iHEAR Matrix Rechargeable OTC Hearing Aidsat the low price of $499.00 a pair in the 4000+ Walmart stores. The high cost of prescription hearing aids especially similar to our iHEAR Matrix product which is a Rechargeable Bluetooth App or Device-Controlled with Full Audio-Streaming capabilitiesare priced between $4,000 to $ 8,000 a pair or higher. Offering the iHEAR Matrix hearing devices, with all its features priced at only $499.00 a pair, we believe this gives InnerScope a distinct competitive advantage compared to any other OTC hearing devices on the market with similar features offered at higher prices." About InnerScope Hearing Technologies, Inc. (OTC PINK: INND):InnerScope Hearing Technologies Inc. is a manufacturer and distributor of OTC Hearing Aids, Hearing Aid Accessories, and Hearing Health-Related Products ("Hearing Products") dedicated to addressing the demand for affordable hearing solutions for 70 million people in North America and the 1.5 billion people globally with hearing impairment. InnerScope, with its B2B business distribution model offering affordable OTC Hearing Products through major retailers, pharmacy chains, and healthcare service companies, breaks through the barriers that prevent access to effective and affordable hearing solutions.InnerScope's full line of its HearingAssist and iHEAR branded Hearing Products is currently available through these multiple retail/wholesale distribution channels: Walmart.com , Walmart Canada, CVS.com Amazon.com , AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, Cardinal Health at-Home, Carewell.com Fingerhut.com , Giant Eagle / Hy-Vee / Hartig Drug / Food City / Wakefern Food Corp. / ShopRite / SpartanNash / VG's Grocery / Family Fare / Martin's Super Markets / Kholl's Pharmacy & Homecare and Topco Associates representing 15,000+ store locations.Coming Soon: More major retailers and pharmacy chains for in-store and online HearingAssist and iHEAR branded Hearing OTC Products.For more information on the InnerScope Hearing Technologies Shareholder Perk Program, visit https://www.tiicker.com/brand/INND Press Release Hyperlinks:InnerScope Hearing Technologies Inc.iHEAR MatriX Rechargeable OTC Hearing Aid RIC Kit | Full Streaming | Pair - Walmart.com "FDA's OTC Hearing Aids Ruling"30 Million American Adultsfive times more likely to be at risk of dementiaiHEAR - Walmart.com HearingAssist - Walmart.com HearingAssist Brand Hyperlinks:HearingAssist - WebsiteHearingAssist - Walmart.com HearingAssist - CVS.com HearingAssist - WalgreensHearingAssist - RiteAid.com HearingAssist - BestBuy.com HearingAssist- Fingerhut.com iHEAR Brand Hyperlinks:iHEAR -WebsiteiHEAR - Walmart.com iHEAR - CVS.com AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, Cardinal Health at-Home, Carewell.com WellDeservedHealth.com , Giant Eagle / Hy-Vee / Hartig Drug / Food City / Wakefern Food Corp. / ShopRite / Sparta
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New program will focus on women as it aims to reach 6 million entrepreneurs in key regions, including APEC economies of Peru and VietnamThe Mastercard Center for Inclusive GrowthNORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / At the APEC CEO Summit today, Mastercard's Center for Inclusive Growth (the Center) and CARE, an international humanitarian organization, announced the launch of Mastercard Strive Women - a new program that aims to strengthen the financial health and resilience of small businesses in the APEC economies of Peru and Vietnam, as well as in Pakistan, with a focus on small businesses led by women.Strive Women recognizes that women-led small businesses are critical contributors to economies, communities, and households worldwide. The program will focus on strengthening the financial health of small businesses by working with local partners in each market to deliver tailored financial products and support services, while addressing unique gender barriers that women-led businesses face. The program aims to reach 6 million entrepreneurs through campaigns, while directly supporting over 300,000 entrepreneurs - the majority being women - to grow their businesses and increase their economic potential.Strive Women will be carried out by CARE through a $9 million grant from the Mastercard Impact Fund. This new phase of partnership between CARE and the Center follows the success of the Ignite program, which unlocked $154.9 million in loans from an initial grant of $5.26 million. Following the program, 79% of female participants increased their sales, and 89% reported increased confidence in running the business."When women entrepreneurs have access to the tools and resources they need, they pay it back and pay it forward, enabling their businesses and their communities to thrive," said Shamina Singh, Founder and President of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. "We're launching Strive Women because we've seen that the right investment at the right time can help ensure that women-led businesses prosper around the world." Strive Women will extend the scale and impact of previous programs in each market, going deeper by building a broader ecosystem of stakeholders committed to long-term support for women-led small businesses. The program will also address the unique gender barriers women-led businesses face by testing innovations related to the climate crisis and childcare, which both disproportionately impact women. By taking a women-centered approach, Strive Women will seek to develop methods that can help small business owners balance both household and business cashflow, prepare for and manage financial shocks, and increase women's decision-making power.Strive Women joins Mastercard's portfolio of philanthropic small business support programs, called Mastercard Strive, which helps small businesses thrive in the digital economy.The Strive Women program will focus on four core pillars of work. These include supporting women-led small businesses to grow through increasing access and usage of financial products; partnering with financial services providers to co-design tailored products that best serve women-led small businesses; innovating to overcome gender barriers for women-led small businesses, such as childcare; and building ecosystems of support for women small business owners by activating networks and sharing learning tools."Women entrepreneurs have been consistently let down by systems that are not accessible or designed for them," said Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE USA. "But evidence shows that women make even stronger entrepreneurs and better financial customers than men, consistently and reliably repaying their loans. Women also put their profits back into their families, create more jobs and bring greater prosperity for their communities. We invite those committed to the financial health and inclusion of women entrepreneurs to join us to build a more equitable ecosystem." More broadly, Women's Entrepreneurship at CARE aims to improve financial security and economic empowerment for 3 million entrepreneurs and employees, reach 30 million people, and mobilize more than $500 million USD in private capital by 2030. Mastercard is committed to connecting 1 billion people and 50 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the digital economy by 2025, and recently reached a milestone of providing 25 million women entrepreneurs with solutions that can help grow their businesses.More details on Strive Women are available at www.care.org/strivewomen About Mastercard Strive Launched in 2021 and supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Mastercard Strive is a portfolio of philanthropic programs that aim to help small businesses around the world thrive in the digital economy. Through targeted grantmaking and local partnerships, Mastercard Strive supports small businesses with the goal of building more resilient enterprises that have more opportunities to grow and succeed. Strive Women joins programs active across the globe, including in the U.S., the U.K., Indonesia, Malaysia, and more.About the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. The Center leverages the company's core assets and competencies, including data insights, expertise, and technology, while administering the philanthropic Mastercard Impact Fund, to produce independent research, scale global programs, and empower a community of thinkers, leaders, and doers on the front lines of inclusive growth. For more information and to receive its latest insights, follow the Center on LinkedIn, Instagram and subscribe to its newsletter.About CARE Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and girls. Equipped with the proper resources, women and girls have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. This year, CARE and partners worked in 111 countries implementing 1,600 poverty-fighting development and humanitarian aid projects and initiatives that reached 174,000,000 people. To learn more, visit www.care.org About Mastercard (NYSE: MA) Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest p
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Second consecutive win for Mylo with the Benzinga Global Fintech AwardsKANSAS CITY, MO / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Insurtech Mylo has been named the 2023 Best Insurtech Company by the Benzinga Global Fintech Awards, a renowned list of 25+ companies and executives who strive to revolutionize the fintech industry.Mylo was selected as the winner based on the success and acclaim of its unique insurance intelligence platform that integrates into partner experiences to connect small business owners and individuals with competitive coverage from 100+ leading carriers. Mylo takes insurance guidance to the next level, delivering highly personalized coverage recommendations to businesses and individuals for each unique stage of their business and life."This recognition as Best Insurtech Company of 2023 among our industry peers is a great honor during an outstanding year for Mylo," said David Embry, Mylo CEO. "We're proud of the insurance solutions we've been providing for the past eight years and excited to reach even more partners, agents and customers with the guidance they need to make smart decisions and protect what matters." In addition to its channel partner strategy, Mylo is also bringing its time-tested technology to agency partners through its new Amplifi platform. This SaaS platform equips agents with the capability to deliver personalized solutions without the prohibitive costs, expand their reach and product range, and drive more conversions with a high volume of transactions.This is the second consecutive win for Mylo in the Benzinga Global Fintech Awards, as Mylo was named the 2022 People's Choice Award winner, determined exclusively by public voting.Mylo has earned several industry accolades in 2023, including the Best InsurTech Company in the FinTech Breakthrough Awards, InsurTech Company of the Year by Finance Monthly and Most Innovative InsurTech Company in the Wealth & Finance FinTech Awards program. Mylo President and Chief Operating Officer Belen Tokarski was also just recently recognized as a Women to Watch Awards honoree by Business Insurance.Visit here to view the full list of Benzinga Global Fintech Awards finalists. To learn more about Mylo, visit https://choosemylo.com/ About MyloMylo is amplifying insurance solutions to protect what matters. Through its patented Mind of Mylo recommendation engine, the insurtech leader connects individuals and business owners with top-rated insurance products from 100+ carriers, across business, auto, home, small group benefits, life and individual health. A growing ecosystem of 60+ channel partners and agencies embed Mylo's Amplifi insurance intelligence platform. Mylo is headquartered in Kansas City, Missouri, and backed by Group 1001, the global investor with a powerful commitment to technology-driven insurance transformation. Mylo has been honored by Fintech Global's InsurTech100, Benzinga's Global Fintech Awards, Forbes' America's Best Startup Employers and more. For more information, go to www.ChooseMylo.com ###Mylo Contact InformationMaddie HirschCaliber Corporate Advisersmylo@ calibercorporateadvisers.com SOURCE: Mylo
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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Antea GroupThe events of recent years have shown us that the world of work is evolving at an unprecedented pace, and the concept of a traditional office environment has taken a back seat to the rise of the hybrid work model. While some businesses have fully returned to work, the transformative shift to a hybrid work model for offices has led to some new opportunities and challenges for businesses. This model has added another layer of complexity for employers as they navigate how to apply traditional regulatory requirements in a hybrid work environment.As people return to the office, it's essential to refresh and update your emergency response programs, including any written plans, as well as Emergency Response Teams (ERTs). It's a critical part of ensuring the safety of your employees in the workplace. These teams should be well-versed in emergency procedures and ready to act swiftly when needed.While a return to the office presents an opportunity to refresh your existing programs, it also can lead to some challenges around how to adapt that program to meet the needs of your distributed workforce. When the in-office employee population changes daily, you may be wondering: How will you determine who is a part of the ERT? How will you train your employees on evacuation procedures? How will you manage evacuation drills? What if there's an emergency and you need to take a headcount? How will emergencies be communicated to those not in the office?Creative Solutions for a Changing LandscapeWhether your employees are back in the office full-time or just a portion of the week, consider the following ideas as you refresh and re-implement your emergency response program:Landlord Coverage: Some companies have been able to work closely with landlords for ERT coverage within their shared office spaces. Working with building management is a valuable step in aligning safety protocols with what the landlord has in place. Consider developing Personal Emergency Evacuation Plans (PEEPs) for employees who may need assistance in evacuating and collaborate with your landlord to support those employees during an emergency evacuation.Office Size: With fewer employees in the office at a given time, some companies are considering downsizing office spaces to a smaller footprint. This could impact the emergency response planning and team requirements that apply to your facility. For example, in Mexico City, the threshold for a complex civil protection internal program (PIPC) emergency response plan is set at 100 employees or 250 m2. Additionally, consider how the applicability of regulations could change when looking at the number of desks available in the office vs. the country headcount.Virtual Training: To ensure that employees are prepared for emergencies, organizations are turning to virtual training sessions. These sessions cover everything from evacuation procedures to first aid essentials and allow training to be provided without the need for all employees to be in the office.Leveraging Technology: In some cases, companies are embracing technology by placing QR codes near exits. These QR codes provide instant access to emergency evacuation information, such as procedures and assembly points. Additionally, consider placing QR codes with important safety information on the back of employee badges so they can access information quickly in the event of an emergency.Communication Plans: There is little prescriptive direction and a lack of consistent guidance related to communication during an emergency. Relying on everyone having a cell phone is not optimal as most companies do not provide a phone to every employee. Additionally, during a severe emergency, connection to the internet and/or cell service providers could be compromised or nonexistent. A number of solutions may be needed to ensure all employees are properly informed. For example, services such as one-call software that alerts employees of an emergency event in an automated message, PA verbal announcements in the building, a designated website where everyone should check to get company information and/or check in, or Text/X/Slack message groups. Whatever method is chosen should be used during drills, have clear and concise messaging that focuses on desired actions, and include prepared messages for each event in the site's emergency response plan.Recruitment Ideas: With limited employees in the office to be a part of your ERT, consider some fresh ideas for recruitment to get employees to want to be involved. Whether that's free company swag or even lunch during training sessions, these perks will help entice employees to join. Additionally, consider how you market the ERT within your company - the ERT is a crucial role within the office that helps to keep fellow employees safe. These office heroes will learn valuable skills they can use outside of work, such as first aid and CPR certifications. The skills they learn will not only help to keep their office safe but could also keep friends and family safe as well.Alternative Training Topics: In addition to standard CPR, first aid, and fire warden training, offering alternative training topics as an option to ERT members could further entice employees to participate. Trainings such as pet CPR, mental health first aid, or personal safety and security courses may help to pique employees' interest in the program.Training and Communication is KeyRegardless of the strategy you adopt, the key is to ensure all employees understand the expectations. Proper training is crucial, as it ensures that your team's level of attention to safety will meet the requirements and regulations of your jurisdiction.Train your employees to understand evacuation procedures and processes for checking in post-evacuation. Review the evacuation drill requirements for your jurisdiction as well and ensure you run regular drills. This not only keeps employees safe but also ensures that your organization remains compliant. Ensure these drills are documented and records are kept.Additionally, consider how you will adapt your program to address your remote workforce. This could involve some sort of communication plan for employees to report their status after a disaster has struck their area.Lastly, remember that compliance goes hand in hand with emergency planning. It's not just about having a plan; it's about communicating that plan intentionally to your employees to meet your basic compliance obligations.Adapting to the hybrid work model presents unique challenges for emergency response planning and first aid or fire warden requirements. However, with a little creativity, collaboration, and thorough employee training, you can meet these challenges head-on while ensuring the safety and
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Application for DRC operating license.CA$ 40M and US$10M indicative term sheets receivedQUEBEC, QC / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / NuRAN Wireless Inc. ("NuRAN" or the "Company") (CSE:NUR)(OTC:NRRWF)(FSE:1RN), a leading supplier of mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure solutions, is pleased to provide the following corporate update on business:Democratic Republic of the Congo Operating LicenseThe Company is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, NuRAN Wireless DRC SARLU, has completed its application for a network infrastructure license in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,. The license is similar to the Category 1 License announced on October 17, 2023 in Cameroon in that it allows for expansion of the business model beyond Network as a Service allowing services to multiple mobile network operators on individual sites as well as the addition of VSAT services. The decision was advised by NuRAN's newly engaged expert in policy and regulatory affairs and follows a Ministerial Decree published on October 10 2023 which simplifies the obligations of holders of the license, specifically related to ownership requirements. Even if not considered essential to run its business as per the confirmation received in June from the Democratic Republic of the Congo telecommunications regulator called ''Agence de Regulation des Postes et Telecommunications Congolaise (ARPTC)'', the above-mentioned license will satisfy EIB's expectations in DRC which has already been satisfied in Cameroon. The Company continues to pursue the confirmation letter from ARPTC on its current licences while the infrastructure license process is underway.Indicative Terms on FinancingNuRAN's efforts to bring alternative financing alongside the EIB and DFI Loans has yielded results with term sheets received from three separate groups. The first one is a CA$40 million share subscription facility in the Company equity that is expected to provide funds for general corporate purposes and working capital purposes. The facility would be available for a period of three years and could be drawn entirely at the discretion of the Company. The other is a structured debt instrument to support growth at the NuRAN Wireless (Africa) Holding level in Mauritius. The US$10M facility includes funding for countries other than Cameroon and DRC which are covered by the EIB and the other DFI and is a mix of senior debt and a subordinated mezzanine facility. The mezzanine facility will facilitate the Company meeting the debt-to-equity covenant of the EIB and the other DFI facilities.The Company has also received a term sheet for a US$800 thousand credit facility from a local Cameroon commercial bank to support accelerated rollout in that country. The Company is in process of finalizing the agreement. The facility has limited recourse and can therefore sit alongside the EIB and the other DFI loans.The terms of the above are being negotiated in parallel and more details will be provided as they are finalised.About NuRAN Wireless:NuRAN Wireless is a leading rural telecommunications company that meets the growing demand for wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable and innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new possibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances efficiently and affordably. "Bridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time." Additional Information:For further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com Francis Letourneau,Director and CEOFrancis.letourneau@nuranwireless.comTel: (418) 264-1337Frank CandidoInvestor relationsFrank.candido@nuranwireless.comTel: (514) 969-5530Forward Looking StatementsThis news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as, "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "intends", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements include those relating to the timing of the network infrastructure license and terms on financing. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, such as the uncertainties regarding include risks such as the uncertainties regarding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and measures to prevent its spread, risks relating to NuRAN's business and the economy generally; NuRAN's ability to refinance its long term debt that is currently in default; NuRAN's ability to adequately restructure its operations with respect to its new model of NaaS service contracts; our ability to collect fees from our telecommunication providers and reliance on the network of our telecommunications providers, the capacity of the Company to deliver in a technical capacity and to import inventory to Africa at a reasonable cost; NuRAN's ability to obtain project financing for the proposed site build out under its NaaS agreements with Orange, MTN and other telecommunication providers, the loss of one or more significant suppliers or a reduction in significant volume from such suppliers; NuRAN's ability to meet or exceed customers' demand and expectations; significant current competition and the introduction of new competitors or other disruptive entrants in the Company's industry; effects of the global supply shortage affecting parts needed for NuRAN's sites and site installations; NuRAN's ability to retain key employees and protect its intellectual property; compliance with local laws and regulations and ability to obtain all required permits for our operations, access to the credit and capital markets, changes in applicable telecommunications laws or regulations or changes in license and regulatory fees, downturns in customers' business cycles; and insurance prices and insurance coverage availability, the Company's ability to effectively maintain or update information and technology systems; our ability to implement and maintain measures to p
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Revenue for Q3 and Year to Date Increased 33% and 59% RespectivelyEDMONTON, AB / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / OneSoft Solutions Inc. (the "Company" or "OneSoft") (TSXV:OSS)(OTCQB:OSSIF) , a North American developer of cloud-based business solutions, announces its financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023. OneSoft Solutions will host a webcast to discuss the financial results today at 11:00am ET (8:00am PT). Registration details are posted below.Please refer to the interim unaudited condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis (" MD&A ") for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 filed on www.sedarplus.ca for more information. Unless otherwise specified, all dollar amounts are denominated in Canadian dollars.FINANCIAL RESULTSFINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTSRevenue in Q3 Fiscal 2023 was $2.8 million, an increase of 33% or $0.7 million over Q3 Fiscal 2022 revenue of $2.1 million.Annual recurring revenue increased quarter over quarter by $645,698 or 41.3% due to greater CIM use by new and existing customers and the inclusion of IM Operations software maintenance revenue.Gross profit increased 38.3% to $2.1 million in Q3 Fiscal 2023 from $1.5 million in Q3 Fiscal 2022.Gross profit as a percentage of sales was 76.9% in Q3 Fiscal 2023, an improvement over the 73.9% gross profit percentage reported in Q3 Fiscal 2022.Net income in Q3 Fiscal 2023 was $118,892, an improvement of $418,785 or 139.6% from a loss of $299,893 in Q3 Fiscal 2022, driven by the increase in revenue and gross profit.Adjusted EBITDA, a Non-GAAP measure reconciled to net income (loss) in the MD&A filed on SEDAR+, improved from a loss of $0.1 million in Q3 Fiscal 2022 to a positive $0.3 million in Q3 Fiscal 2023.Liquid assets increased to $6.7 million at September 30, 2023 ($4.7 million as at December 31, 2022), comprised of cash and cash equivalents of $4.3 million and accounts receivable of $2.4 million. The Company has $238,364 of debt outstanding from its June 2022 acquisition of Bass Engineering's Integrity Management business operations.Quarterly RevenueThe chart below shows revenue for the past twenty-nine quarters (7.25 years). Quarterly revenue increased as a result of the expanded use of CIM by existing customers, continued addition of new customers, and the acquisition of IM Operations' customers acquired June 30, 2022.REITERATING FISCAL 2023 GUIDANCEFurther to the Company's Fiscal 2023 guidance stated in a news release issued on January 24, 2023 , the Company advises its progress for the first nine months of Fiscal 2023 as follows.Revenue was $7.5 million year-to-date September 30, 2023 and Management is not changing its revenue guidance for forecasted Fiscal 2023 revenue at this time.Management reiterates its gross profit guidance of $7.6 million in Fiscal 2023 as forecasted.Fiscal 2023 operating expenses, net of costs capitalized, were forecasted at $7.7 million and Other expenses were forecasted at $1.2 million. At September 30, 2023, operating expenses for 9 months were $75,200 higher and other expenses were lower than projected by $310,000. The Company has increased its software development and customer service teams, resulting in increased forecasted expenses in the second half of 2023. Net changes to forecasted expenses for the balance of Fiscal 2023 may be negatively impacted; however, the additional expense is partly being offset by lower contingency expenses that were budgeted in our original guidance.The following table states forecasted cash and deferred revenue balances as at December 31, 2023 and actual values as at September 30, 2023. Management believes the Fiscal 2023 guidance figures will be achieved.CIM Use and Revenue Generating Data-MilesThe following table estimates the miles of customers' pipelines operated, miles that are subject to multi-year SaaS agreements and miles of pipeline data ingested into CIM for which revenue was earned ("data-miles").Note 1: The revenue per mile for revenue generating miles includes CIM revenue only and excludes IM Operations revenue. Quarterly figures are annualized.BUSINESS UPDATEWe achieved positive net income in Q3 Fiscal 2023, the first profitable quarter since fiscal year ended December 31, 2018. Since then, the Company's priority has been to enhance our CIM solution and increase our revenue, competitive moat and customer loyalty, which although resulting in operational losses, serves to increase future opportunities and shareholder value. We increased resources again in 2023 to further advance our technological leadership and strengthen our competitive moat, as was discussed in the Business Update section of our last MD&A for Q2 2023 . The additional costs resulting from recruiting additional employees will not materially increase expenses projected in the Company's Fiscal 2023 financial guidance in January 2023, as some of the previously anticipated expenses will not materialize and higher revenue diminishes the impact of higher technology development expenses.Company operations through Q3 2023 have generally progressed in accordance with Management's expectations, including the addition of new customers and increasing interest in new functionality modules from existing customers. The Company organized a user group conference during Q3 2023, which took place during the first week of October at the Microsoft Executive Briefing Centre in Houston. This event was attended to maximum capacity by our customers, who collaboratively shared their input regarding current CIM functionality and future technology requirements. We are pleased to report that customers expressed complimentary views that our services and development personnel and CIM solution are highly valued, and that most customers intend to utilize new functionality modules that are under development or part of our technology roadmap.BUSINESS OUTLOOKQ3 Fiscal 2023 results continued to progress our achievement of the guidance disclosed by the Company in January 2023, and Management is optimistic that Q4 Fiscal 2023 will evolve as anticipated, with continued sales and revenue growth into Fiscal 2024 and the foreseeable future. We are encouraged that our customer base and pipeline miles under CIM use continues to increase and that some large pipeline operators, such as our latest customer addition, are viewing the adoption of CIM as a better alternative than pursuing in-house software development projects.Sales efforts are currently underway with prospective customers in North America and certain international regions, which we expect will result in new customer adds. OneSoft is poised to achieve 47% revenue growth in Fi
PR-Inside.com: 2023-11-16 16:00:44

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The in-person and virtual open houses provided in-depth information on the benefits of attending a virtual charter school for prospective students and their families.SEWICKLEY, PA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / As a public virtual charter school, Pennsylvania's PA Distance Learning is committed to providing students throughout the state with accessible, success-driven online schooling. And as part of this effort, the school recently hosted a series of open houses in order to give insight into school facilities, programming, and educational opportunities.Open houses were held both in-person and virtually to ensure all interested parties could attend. This included open house events in Lancaster and Philadelphia on October 18 and 19, respectively, as well as an October 25 open house at PA Distance Learning's Sewickley office.Attendees at the open houses were able to engage with PA Distance Learning staff and other members of the virtual charter school's community. In addition to information on the PA Distance Learning curriculum, hybrid teaching model, culturally responsive practices, and other foundational values, attendees had the chance to participate in hands-on activities and meet the school's mascot, Bamboo. There was also an on-site book fair with educational materials available for purchase.The open house events were part of PA Distance Learning's ongoing commitment to empowering students and families with an alternative to the traditional educational model. The Pennsylvania online charter, which offers public elementary, middle, high school, and special education curriculums, combines guided and self-paced learning to prepare students for post-secondary schooling and future careers. Curriculums are taught within state and federal guidelines, with personalized course plans that allow students to make the most of individual strengths and passions.Growing interest in virtual schooling in Pennsylvania was evidenced by the attendance at the school's October open houses, with approximately 200 individuals showing up to learn about PA Distance Learning opportunities. School staff hope that these and future open houses will help spread awareness about the benefits of online education and the alternative educational models that are available for today's students.Those interested in attending future PA Distance Learning open houses are encouraged to follow the school's upcoming events or contact PA Distance Learning directly. Virtual open houses will continue to be offered in addition to in-person events. They will include access to various Zoom rooms with resources on FLEX funds and WiFi reimbursement, clubs, field trips, graduation requirements, tech support, and much more.For enrollment information, please visit www.padistance.org today.About PA Distance LearningPA Distance Learning is a public Pennsylvania virtual charter school that provides an inclusive, welcoming environment for students looking to pursue their education online. Central to the school's success model is a dedication to hybrid learning that combines teacher-led live learning experiences with self-guided asynchronous coursework. Students are encouraged to explore the topics that interest them and are provided with the expert guidance they need to meet state and federal testing standards.For more information, visit www.padistance.org CONTACT INFORMATION:PA Distance Learning(888) 997-3352Send a messageNick Kocuba COO (888) 997-3352SOURCE: PA Distance Learning
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HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Houston, Texas Attorney Paul Sternberg has spent decades helping local clients overcome their legal battles. His specialty is helping those threatened or harmed by online defamation attacks. Houston, Texas attorney Paul Sternberg has spent decades helping local clients overcome their legal battles. His specialty is helping those threatened or harmed by online defamation attacks.If you've been the victim of online libel or defamation of character that has negatively impacted your personal and/or professional reputation or your emotional wellbeing, you may be wondering whether or not to purse legal action.Attorney Paul Sternberg explains that this can be a difficult, yet very important decision. First of all, if you find yourself in this situation, it's important to understand the difference between "free speech" and defamation. The truth is this: yes, United States citizens have freedom of speech, but there is a difference between using free speech in the manner for which it was intended versus harming another's reputation or wellbeing with that speech. When people use online platforms or electronic communication to cause harm to others, this goes beyond the limits of free speech.What Qualifies as Defamation?By definition, defamation occurs when someone makes a false statement of fact to a third party about a person, persons, or business entity. Sternberg notes that the key phrase here is "statement of fact"; a statement of opinion cannot be defamatory, as it can neither be proven nor disproven.But if another party has, indeed, made a false statement of fact about you and posted it to a thirty party with the purpose of causing harm, you have the right to pursue legal action and seek compensation. Keep in mind that, in this case, posting to a third party includes a social media site or group, via text message, email, or any other means of online or electronic communication.Sternberg gives a checklist for grounds for an online defamation lawsuit:A false statement was made about you.The false statement was defamatory in nature.The false statement was published or made known to a third party.The wrongdoer is aware of the third party receiving this false information.The false statement has caused injury (financial, emotional, etc.).Who is Liable for Online Defamation?Due to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, online companies and websites cannot be held liable for defamatory statements published on their platform. However, individuals who make the defamatory statements can be held responsible in many instances.Sternberg notes that if an anonymous account made the defamatory statements about you, finding the person or persons responsible may prove challenging, but there are often ways to do this. A skilled defamation lawyer can help.Moving Forward with Legal ActionIf you are sure that the statements made about you qualify as defamation, pursuing legal action may be the best step to protect yourself and prevent the responsible party from continuing to defame you.Once you make the decision to do this, the following steps should be taken:1.) Preserve all evidence of defamation. Because posts can be deleted or edited, it's important to take screenshots, noting the time and date of all defamatory statements made about you. This is necessary evidence for legal action to take place.2.) Do not contact the wrongdoer after you make the decision to seek legal action. Instead, let your attorney handle all future communications.3.) Do not retaliate by posting defamatory comments about the wrongdoer. If you do this, you are also committing defamatory acts.There is no doubt that being the victim of online defamation can be distressing. However, if you ever find yourself in this situation, it's important to stay composed, preserve all evidence, and seek qualified help in the form of an attorney who specializes in this type of defamation.Paul M. Sternberg owns a private practice law firm in Houston, Texas. He concentrates his practice in the areas of internet defamation law as well as business law. Mr. Sternberg is a graduate from the A.B.Freeman School of Business at Tulane University in 1987, and a 1996 graduate from South Texas College of Law in Houston. Mr. Sternberg, a seasoned entrepreneur, is the author of THE GUIDE TO INTERNET DEFAMATION AND WEBSITE REMOVAL and SECTION 230: Free SPEECH AND THE INTERNET. He has 10 years of experience on representing clients who have been the victims of defamatory cyber-attacks. Mr. Sternberg has developed a reliable blueprint in securing positive solutions in most cases. He has shared his professional knowledge with FOX NEWS and many other media outlets to discuss internet defamation. He is a frequent speaker to attorneys and community groups. He may be reached at www.TheDefamationAttorney.com or his office at 713-789-8120.THIS ARTICLE SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON AS LEGAL ADVICEAttorney Paul Sternberg, of Houston, Texas, states and declares that the above text is not offered as legal advice, but is provided as general information. The information contained within may not be suitable for all individuals or situations. No attorney-client relationship is created or implied by the provision of this information, nor does the aforementioned make any warranties, whether expressed or implied, of any kind. To discuss a particular situation in more detail, please contact attorney Paul Sternberg for a consultation by calling 713-392-4322.SOURCE: Big Rock Funding LLC
PR-Inside.com: 2023-11-16 07:53:34

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The world of the portable ct scanner market is a complex and ever-evolving landscape, shaped by consumer demands and technological advancements. In this report, we delve into the depths of this market to provide a profound and comprehensive analysis, catering to a diverse audience that includes manufacturers, suppliers, distributors, and investors. Our primary goal is to empower industry stakeholders with invaluable insights to make informed decisions in a rapidly changing environment. We aim to illuminate the current status of the portable ct scanner market while projecting its future trends.Scope and PurposeOur report is a comprehensive guide designed to equip industry stakeholders with actionable information. It covers various aspects of the portable ct scanner market, including market dynamics, competition, growth avenues, challenges, and regional variations. This information goes beyond mere descriptions; it is intended to help stakeholders make critical decisions that can shape their strategies and endeavors in the market.Request for Sample Report:Promising Comprehensive AnalysisTo fulfill our promises, we commit to providing a comprehensive analysis that leaves no stone unturned. We pledge to unravel the factors propelling the market's growth, dissecting shifts in consumer preferences and technological breakthroughs that are driving the demand for portable ct scanner products. Simultaneously, we acknowledge that challenges and obstacles are part of any industry landscape, and we vow to illuminate these hurdles, be it economic uncertainties or the intense competition that often characterizes such markets.Some of the major companies in the Portable CT Scanner market are as follows: Canon Medical Systems, GE Healthcare, Philips, Samsung Healthcare, Siemens Healthineers, Xoran TechnologiesGuiding the Path ForwardOur report extends an invitation to its readers to explore its contents and sets the stage for uncovering the competitive landscape. It introduces the major players in the portable ct scanner market and their strategies, offering insights into what makes them thrive. This insight-rich analysis is meant to guide others on their path forward  whether it's to navigate the competition more effectively or to find inspiration in successful strategies.Anticipation of InsightsRecognizing that the market is not monolithic but rather a composition of various segments, the report pledges to provide a nuanced understanding of these segments. It promises to detail their sizes, potential growth trajectories, and key trends. This targeted knowledge assists stakeholders in carving out specialized strategies and ensuring optimal resource allocation.Balancing Forces and Strategic ImplicationsBy elucidating both the driving forces and potential obstacles, the report paints a holistic picture of the market dynamics. It enables industry stakeholders to navigate the competitive landscape with a deeper understanding of the forces at play. Manufacturers can align their innovation efforts with consumer preferences and regulatory trends, thereby enhancing their market position. Investors and decision-makers can be better prepared to address economic uncertainties and supply chain vulnerabilities. Overall, this section equips readers with insights to make strategic decisions that account for both growth opportunities and challenges in the portable ct scanner market.Exploring the Competitive LandscapeThe section dedicated to the competitive landscape of the portable ct scanner market offers an intricate exploration of the market's key players, their strategies, and their impact on the industry. This segment aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of the market's dynamics, the role of major companies, and the strategies they employ to thrive.Segment CharacteristicsThe report initiates the analysis by outlining the unique characteristics that define each segment. Whether these segments are categorized based on product types, customer demographics, use cases, or other distinguishing factors, the report provides a clear picture of how these segments are defined and differentiated.Market SizeUnderstanding the size of each market segment is crucial for gauging its significance within the overall market landscape. The report likely provides quantitative data to illustrate the market share and contribution of "Type" and "Application" segments to the entire portable ct scanner market. This information helps stakeholders appreciate the relative importance of each segment.Growth PotentialBeyond current market size, the report delves into the growth potential of these segments. It explores factors such as emerging trends, consumer behaviors, technological advancements, and regulatory influences that could drive the future expansion of these segments. This forward-looking perspective aids stakeholders in identifying where the market's growth opportunities lie.Key TrendsThe analysis likely captures the key trends specific to each segment. Whether it's changing consumer preferences, evolving technology adoption, or shifting regulatory landscapes, the report provides insights into the forces shaping the behavior of "Type" and " Application." These trends inform stakeholders about the directions these segments might take in the coming years.Strategic InsightsThe segment analysis extends beyond descriptive data to offer strategic insights. By understanding the characteristics, potential, and trends of "Type" and "Application," industry participants can make informed decisions. Manufacturers can tailor their product development strategies to meet the demands of these segments, and marketers can create targeted campaigns to reach specific customer groups.Market Segmentation:Type: Portable Head CT Scanner, Portable Full Body CT ScannerApplication: Hospital, Clinic, ICUExploring Regional DynamicsThe section dedicated to the regional analysis of the portable ct scanner market provides a comprehensive exploration of how the market fares across different geographical areas. This analysis recognizes that markets are not homogenous and that regional variations can significantly impact market dynamics. The report delves into the intricacies of each region  North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa  to provide stakeholders with valuable insights.Closing ThoughtsIn essence, the conclusion encapsulates the report's journey. It emphasizes the report's role as a strategic tool, a navigator, and a decision-making companion in the complex world of the portable ct scanner market. This report is more than just a document; it is a valuable resource that empowers industry stakeholders to thrive in a dynamic and ever-evolving market environment.
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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Bronstein, Gewirtz & Grossman, LLC a nationally recognized law firm, notifies investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed against SC Health Corporation ("SC Health" or "the Company") (NYSE:SCPE; NYSE: SCPE.WS; NYSE: SCPE.U) and Rockley Photonics Holdings Limited ("Rockley" or "the company") (NYSE:RKLY; NYSE: RKLY.WS) 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 SC Health and Rockley securities: (1) directly in the March 2021 private investment in public equity of Rockley shares (the "PIPE Offering") conducted in connection with the merger of SC Health and Rockley (the "Merger"); or (ii) between March 19, 2021 and January 23, 2023, both dates inclusive (the "Class Period"). Such investors are encouraged to join this case by visiting the firm's site: bgandg.com/scpe Case Details:The complaint alleges that defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (i) Rockley's joint venture agreement ("JV Agreement") with Hengtong Rockley Technology Co., Ltd. was in jeopardy because Jiangsu Hengtong Optic-Electric Co., Ltd. ("Hengtong"), Rockley's joint venture partner, had acquired a majority interest in a company, Huawei Marine Networks Co., Ltd. ("Huawei Marine") (later renamed HMN Tech), on the banned entities list maintained by the U.S. Bureau of Industry and Security of the U.S. Department of Commerce since 2019; (ii) the JV Agreement was in further jeopardy because in February 2021 the World Bank had invalidated a bid by Huawei Marine to build an undersea optical cable based on security concerns raised by the United States and other countries that China could use the infrastructure to spy on communications; (iii) the materially undisclosed risk that the JV Agreement could fail as a result of Hengtong's acquisition of a majority interest in HMN Tech jeopardized Rockley's joint venture revenues, launch schedule, business prospects, and ultimately Rockley's solvency; (iv) Rockley did not have the customer base or customer commitments that defendants had represented to investors; and (v) Rockley did not have sufficient customer orders to allow it to develop and commercialize products, maintain and expand client relationships, reach cash flow break-even, or stave off bankruptcy following the Merger.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: bgandg.com/scpe 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 SC Health you have until January 8, 2024, 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.There is No Cost to YouWe represent investors in class actions on a contingency fee basis. That means we will ask the court to reimburse us for out-of-pocket expenses and attorneys' fees, usually a percentage of the total recovery, only if we are successful.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
As a result of the shelling of Kherson by the Russian occupation forces, a woman was killed, Head of the City Military Administration Roman Mrochko said.

"As a result of the recent shelling of the city center of Kherson by the Russian occupation forces, a 75-year-old woman was killed. At the time of the enemy attack, she was in her own apartment," he wrote on the Telegram channel on Thursday evening.
PR-Inside.com: 2023-11-16 18:15:25

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NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Undercurrent, a massive steel sculpture by celebrated Sundaram Tagore Gallery's Chinese artist Zheng Lu, is on view now through August of 2024 in Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, just outside the iconic United Nations complex. The historic park was established in the mid-20th century, when 47th Street was widened to accommodate the new complex of the United Nations. Zheng Lu is the first Chinese artist to exhibit here.This brand-new public art project, initiated by Sundaram Tagore, the artist's gallerist in the United States and a descendant of Rabindranath Tagore, is facilitated by the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation and supported by the non-profit organization World Council of Peoples for the United Nations (WCPUN). Mr. Tagore proposed one of Zheng Lu's large-scale sculptures for the prestigious Art In The Parks program, exhibiting outdoor temporary works of public art throughout New York City for more than half a century. Since its inception, the program has showcased work by significant contemporary artists, including Alexander Calder, Jean Dubuffet, Sol LeWitt, Jenny Holzer, Keith Haring, Barbara Kruger, El Anatsui, Rashid Johnson and Simone Leigh.The glimmering sculpture was created especially for the site and relates to the United Nations' recent climate action initiatives. Zheng's deep reverence for nature is often reflected in his work. Part of his acclaimed Water in Dripping series, Undercurrent emphasizes the significance of water as a medium symbolic of change, self-reflection and the passage of time, as well as a symbol of temperate planet Earth, where the presence of water-a rapidly diminishing resource-permits life.Zheng Lu's sculptures have been exhibited across the world, including, most recently, in the group exhibition, Summoning Memories: Art Beyond Chinese Traditions at the Asia Society, Texas, one of America's most influential Asian arts, culture, business and education institutions.His work will be on view in an upcoming solo exhibition at Sundaram Tagore, New York, slated for 2024.Media Details:Company Name: Sundaram Tagore GalleryContact Person: Susan McCaffreyContact email: gallery@ sundaramtagore.comCity: New YorkState: USAWebsite link: https://www.sundaramtagore.com/ SOURCE: Sundaram Tagore Gallery
PR-Inside.com: 2023-11-16 20:16:11

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Real Estate and Energy Experts Weigh In on Energy Guidelines and Costs for Non-ComplianceNEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / New York City's Local Law 97, designed to reduce carbon emissions from larger buildings, was passed in 2019. The law sets a series of deadlines for which most buildings - including co-ops and condos - over 25,000 square feet must meet energy-efficiency and greenhouse gas emissions limits. But, while there's been a lot of debate about the law, have owners and managers taken action to comply?"There have been pushes for energy-efficiency ratings on residential properties for a while and they really didn't get a lot of traction until a few years ago. Then, people started paying attention," said Richard Haggerty, CEO of OneKey MLS, the regional multiple listing service that covers the greater NYC area from Manhattan, to Suffolk, Westchester and Sullivan counties.As the first deadline for compliance approaches Jan. 1, 2024, OneKey MLS and the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, Inc. hosted a virtual panel, "The ABCs of Building Gradings and Impact of Non-Compliance," featuring Bruce Cohen, partner, Cohen and Frankel, LLP; Peter Goldberg, strategy section manager, Con Edison; and April Royster, executive vice president, CitiQuiet Windows. The Nov. 9 event was moderated by Brian D. Tormey, NTP, president of TitleVest, a leading NYC-based provider of title insurance and related real estate services.The panel explained Local Law 97 and similar rules, the grading system for residential and commercial buildings, ways to bring buildings up to code and fines for non-compliance."There are two local laws to pay attention to: Local Law 95 and Local Law 97," said Goldberg, of Con Edison. "LL95 is there to make energy visible.' You walk past a building, you see the facade, the activity, but you don't see the  energy.'" Goldberg explained that LL95 requires most buildings over 25,000 square feet to post Energy Star ratings and associated "grades" in a conspicuous location near each public entrance. The ratings rank a building's energy performance against that of similar buildings, in similar climates nationwide. Energy Star then provides percentile scores. So, if a building is more efficient than 85 percent of similar ones, it gets a score of 85 and an "A" grade. If it is more efficient than 70-84 percent, it gets a "B"; 55-69 percent, a "C"; and less than 55 percent, a "D". "The only way to get an F, is to not submit your information," Goldberg said.Local Law 97, Goldberg said, brings the potential for fines. "Most buildings will have green-house gas emissions targets based on the property type and square footage," he said. "The targets come into effect in 2024, but become much more stringent in 2030 and continually more stringent thereafter. If you exceed the target, you pay a fine. The fine is $268 per ton of CO2 that you are over your limit." For real estate attorney Cohen, it's prudent that brokers be aware of the regulations and also know what their potential buyer's or seller's building is doing to get into compliance."A D' is not a kiss of death," said Cohen. "The biggest concern for me is, what are they doing about it now, so that in 2030 when the punitive fines begin they are not affected? It's really a building by building issue, and you have to take it into consideration when you're doing your due diligence. The more prepared the broker is when they're getting a listing or representing someone purchasing, the more this could be handled up front. Otherwise, it could end up killing the deal at the last second, or a purchaser could end up with an unexpected and large expense." For co-ops, "getting the board involved is the best thing you can do," said Royster, of CitiQuiet, which makes and installs Soundproof Window Systems'. "We as vendors are spending a lot of time educating clients, anyone who will listen, about what's coming up, especially in that 2030 timeframe. Most buildings will be OK until 2030 - that is when they're going to start feeling the pain of either not doing anything or not doing enough." The panel discussed strategies for compliance - including reducing usage of natural gas and electricity, and installing systems like special windows and heat pumps - and taking advantage of available incentives."The great part about incentives is you're being rewarded for making improvements you want to do anyway," said Royster. "Con Ed is making sure you're being incentivized to do that. So beyond avoiding the fines, you're getting dollars back  the more you do and the more energy you're saving, the more Con Ed is willing to give you." For information about resources and incentives, visit accelerator.nyc and nyserda.ny.gov View the webinar here.The webinar is part of the "Be Your Best" series created by HGAR and OneKey MLS, to help Realtors and agents navigate a changing landscape.About OneKey MLSOneKey MLS is one of the nation's leading multiple listing services, serving more than 48,000 Realtor subscribers and 4,500 participating offices throughout Manhattan, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland, Sullivan, Orange, Nassau, Suffolk, Queens, Brooklyn, and the Bronx. It was formed in 2018 by the Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors and the Long Island Board of Realtors.About Hudson Gateway Association of RealtorsThe Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors ( www.hgar.com) is a not-for-profit trade association representing more than 14,000 real estate professionals in Manhattan, the Bronx, Westchester, Putnam, Rockland and Orange counties. It is the second-largest Realtor association in New York, and one of the largest in the U.S.PHOTO CAPTION: The Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors, Inc. and OneKey MLS hosted "The ABCs of Building Gradings and Impact of Non-Compliance" Nov. 9, 2023. Pictured (clockwise from top): Bruce Cohen, partner, Cohen and Frankel; Brian D. Tormey, NTP, president, TitleVest; Peter Goldberg, strategy section manager, Con Edison; April Royster, executive vice president, CitiQuiet Windows; and Richard Haggerty, CEO of OneKey MLS.Media Contact:Caryn McBrideCo-Communicationscmcbride@ cocommunications.com SOURCE: Hudson Gateway Association of Realtors
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TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Tsodilo Resources Limited (TSX VentureExchange:TSD) ("Tsodilo" or the "Company") (TSX- V:TSD) (OTCQB:TSDRF) (FSE:TZO) is pleased to announce the closing of a non-brokered private placement financing (the "Financing") for gross proceeds to the Company of C$141,380.06 on November 16, 2023, through the issuance of 706,903 units of securities of the Company (the "Units") at a subscription price of C$0.20 per Unit.Each Unit is comprised of one common share in the capital of the Company ("Common Share") and one Common Share purchase warrant ("Warrant") of the Company. Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share for a period of 24 months from the date of issuance at an exercise price of US$0.20. The Common Shares (including the Common Shares underlying the Warrants) and the Warrants comprising the Units are subject to a statutory four month and one day hold period, which expires on March 17, 2024.The proceeds from this Financing will be used for the advancement of the Xaudum Iron Formation project in Botswana and for general corporate purposes and working capital.About Tsodilo Resources LimitedTsodilo Resources Limited is an international resource exploration company engaged in the search for economic metal and diamond deposits at its Gcwihaba Resources (Pty) Limited ("Gcwihaba") and Bosoto (Pty) Ltd. ("Bosoto) projects in Botswana. The Company has a 100% stake in its Gcwihaba project area consisting of five metal (base, precious, platinum group, and rare earth) prospecting licenses all located in the North-West district of Botswana. The Company has a 100% stake in Bosoto (Pty) Ltd. which holds the BK16 kimberlite project in the Orapa Kimberlite Field (OKF) in Botswana. Tsodilo manages the exploration of the Gcwihaba and Bosoto projects.FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:James M. Bruchs Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Jbruchs@ TsodiloResources.comHead Office Telephone +1 416 800-4214 Facsimile +1 416 987-4369Website www.TsodiloResources.comThis press release may contain forward-looking statements. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, which address activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future (including, without limitation, statements pertaining to the use of proceeds, the impact of strategic partnerships and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals) 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. Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company 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. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, changes in equity markets, changes in general economic conditions, market volatility, political developments in Botswana and surrounding countries, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, exploration and development risks, the uncertainties involved in interpreting exploration results and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration business. 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 Companybelieves that the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein.Forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual results of the Company 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. Factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among other things, uncertainties relating to availability and cost of funds, timing and content of work programs, results of exploration activities, interpretation of drilling results and other geological data, risks relating to variations in the diamond grade and kimberlite lithologies; variations in rates of recovery and breakage; estimates of grade and quality of diamonds, variations in diamond valuations and future diamond prices; the state of world diamond markets, reliability of mineral property titles, changes to regulations affecting the Company's activities, delays in obtaining or failure to obtain required project approvals, operational and infrastructure risk and other risks involved in the diamond exploration and development business. 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 a guarantee of future performance and accordingly undue reliance should not be put on such statements due to their inherent uncertainty. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") nor its RegulationServices Provider(as that term is definedin the policiesof the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release may contain assumptions, estimates, and other forward-looking statements regarding future events. Such forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties and are subject to factors, many of which are beyondthe Company's control,which may cause actual results or performance to differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements.SOURCE: Tsodilo Resources Limited
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LEHI, UT / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / In an industry where innovation and dedication set the foundation for impacting lives, Sahily Paoline, Chief Clinical Officer at Xevant, has emerged as a driving force. Her contributions, particularly in shining light on the clinical aspects of Xevant's PBM analytics software, have now earned her the Woman Excellence of the Year Award in Product Development at the 16th Annual 2023 Globee Awards for Women in Business.The award underscores Sahily's unwavering commitment to healthcare transformation through her instrumental contributions to Xevant's clinical strategy, including the upcoming redesign of the ClinicalLogic module. The vision for ClinicalLogic is to redefine patient care quality and cost-efficiency, cementing Sahily's position as a trailblazer in healthcare technology innovation.As a dedicated leader within Xevant, Sahily has transcended traditional expectations of her role. Her influence spans from strategic business development and strengthening client relations to enhancing sales processes and contributing thought leadership to the company's marketing efforts. Her holistic approach to driving Xevant's mission and growth exemplifies her multifaceted expertise and commitment to healthcare improvement."We are immensely proud and thrilled that Sahily's dedication and hard work have been recognized at this level," said Brandon Newman, CEO of Xevant. "Her innovative vision in product development, especially in steering ClinicalLogic, addresses critical challenges in patient care and healthcare data analytics. This award is not just a testament to Sahily's excellence but also shines a spotlight on Xevant's relentless pursuit of innovation in healthcare solutions." Echoing the celebration of achievement, San Madan, President of Globee Awards, added, "The Globee Awards honor trailblazers who make a profound impact in their respective industries. Sahily Paoline exemplifies this spirit through her remarkable contributions to healthcare technology. We congratulate her and the Xevant team for setting stellar standards in product innovation and business excellence." For a closer look at the journey that led to this monumental moment, visit the esteemed panel of judges who recognized Sahily's contributions: https://globeeawards.com/women-in-business/judges/ About Xevant:Xevant's revolutionary pharmacy benefits platform infuses real-time automation throughout the data analysis process, accelerating and simplifying the painstaking task of report building for PBMs, TPAs, Health Plans, Brokers and Consultants. Automated alerts monitor plan performance and are sent to users notifying them of where to take action.With Xevant, critical pharmacy analysis that took weeks, months or more can now be done instantly. The results are optimized business processes, reduced operating costs, and improved patient outcomes.Xevant has been recognized as a Best Place to Work in Healthcare by Modern Healthcare and the No. 1 Fastest Growing Private Software Company in the U.S. on the 2022 Inc. 5000 list.For media inquiries or more information about Xevant, please contact: Cassey@ society22pr.com Media DetailsWebsite URL: https://www.society22pr.com/ Company Name: Society22 PREmail address: Cassey@ society22pr.com SOURCE: Society22 PR
The Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministry (MFM) has refuted claims suggesting that an elderly female worshipper passed away during a church event at the Prayer City in Ogun State.

On Thursday, Collins Edomaruse, the media aide to the churchs General Overseer, Daniel Olukoya, clarified in a statement that the woman, whose name was not disclosed, did not die within the church premises but at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital (OOUTH) in Sagamu.

Last week, it was reported by PUNCH newspaper that a female worshiper identified as Bisi Adewumi of MFM reportedly slumped during a prayer session at the church auditorium in the Ibafo area of Ogun State.

Contrary to reports, the churchs media aide, Mr Edomaruse said the woman, who attended a regular service on 2 November 2023, appeared frail upon arrival.

Mr Edomaruse added that the ministry may not be able to ascertain the medical situation of everyone who comes into its vicinity but provides care to anyone in need of medical attention.

Reacting to the news of the death of the church worshipper on the church premises, the churchs media aide wrote, One can conclude that it is simply a case of ignorance and misrepresentation of facts to claim that the ministry caused the unfortunate demise of a worshipper at a teaching hospital in any way.

The Church provides a covenant platform of divine encounter and teaches the worshippers how to connect with the God of the Bible. This has provided tremendous testimonies over the years.

The churchs narrative

In the statement, the church said that instead of participating in a residential programme like deliverance, she sought medical attention within the church premises due to her weakened state. Subsequently, she was swiftly transported to the Prayer City Clinic and later to OOUTH, Sagamu.

He wrote, It (church) has shown enough duty of care by rushing the sick person to the hospital. But some sections of the media had falsely reported that the woman had collapsed and died in the church.

Mr Edomaruse said the woman died at the Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital in Sagamu, where she was rushed to and not inside the church.

READ ALSO:

The statement quoted the matron at the Prayer City Clinic, Bisi Adewumi, as saying that the deceased was brought in to the clinic on the 2nd of November 2023, around 5.30 p.m. as an emergency case from the auditorium during Thursday evening service.

Mrs Adewumi said the deceased exhibited signs of being in urgent need of medical attention.

The clinic staff recorded her pale condition and low blood pressure, prompting immediate transportation to OOUTH for further intervention.

The statement reads, On physical observation inside an ambulance, we recorded pallor+++that she was pale (short of blood). She looked cachexia and emaciated; hence, blood pressure was quickly checked inside the ambulance; result: B/P71/55 P115, Temp 36. oc, because of the pallor+++ that requires immediate blood.

The ambulance driver and a nurse were instructed to rush her to Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, where urgent intervention and investigations could occur.

The report received from the nurse at the teaching hospital indicated that the deceased was attended to in the ambulance as an emergency for preliminary investigations.

She later gave up there, and her remains were deposited at the morgue of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital.

The church said the incident was reported to the Ibafo Police Station the following day.

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Ahead of the Bayelsa governorship election, Ebelechukwu Tamar, a 100-level student of Niger Delta University, departed campus for her hometown in Sagbama Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

Ms Tamar, 22, rooted for the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) but she did not vote. She said she has lost faith in the electoral system of the country, hence, she considers voting a waste of time.

The result of the election shows that Governor Douye Diri of the PDP defeated the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Timipre Sylva, to win a second term in office. Mr Diri polled 175,196 votes to beat Mr Sylva who came second with 110,108 votes, and Udengs Eradiri of Labour Party who polled just 905 votes.

Because of eligible voters like Ms Tamar and others who shunned the poll, only three out of every 10 people (28 per cent) in the state who registered and collected voting cards cast their ballots, according to official figures from the electoral body, INEC.

The figure is way down from the 54 per cent recorded in the same election in 2019.

In the 2015 election too, of the 654,493 eligible voters in Bayelsa, only 32.8 per cent (or 230,069) turned out to vote.

However, voter turnout in the preceding 2012 governorship poll had been 79 per cent.

This means between the 2012 and 2023 elections, voter turnout dropped sharply from 79 per cent to 28 per cent.

On Saturday, governorship elections were also held in Imo and Kogi states  both won by candidates of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).

In Imo, Hope Uzodinma won with 540,308 votes and Samuel Anyanwu of the main opposition PDP came second with 71,503 votes.

In Kogi, APCs Ahmed Ododo got 446,237 votes while Muritala Ajaka of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) came second with 259,052 and PDPs Dino Melaye got 46,362 votes.

However, all three states saw low voter turnout  indicating that many Nigerians have little interest or confidence in the system that produces their leaders.

Since 2011, there has been a steady decline in election participation in Imo State. The turnout was 29 per cent in Saturdays governorship election.

INEC official data shows that out of the 2,419,922 eligible voters, only 701,338 votes were cast.

In 2019, the turnout was 35 per cent, a decline from 45 per cent in 2015 and 46 per cent in 2011.

Observers believe that the deteriorating security situation in several local councils, including Oru East, Oru West, Oguta, Orlu, Okigwe, Orsu, and Njaba in the state, contributed to the low electoral participation in Imo.

In Kogi, central Nigeria, election participation was 40 per cent in last weekends poll. This percentage is more than the 38 per cent recorded in 2019 and well greater than the 24.6 per cent recorded in the presidential election in February.

However, observers and opposition parties in the state questioned Saturdays figures from the Kogi Central senatorial district where turnout was as high as 90 per cent in some local governments with almost all the voters voting for the ruling APC. The controversial Kogi Central result contributed to the relatively high 40 per cent turnout which would have been much less without it.

In 2015, only 37 per cent (or 511,648) of residents voted out of the 1,379,971 eligible voters. In 2011, the turnout was 39 per cent.

Trend

Nigerians aversion to voting in elections is well documented, but the challenge saw a new low in the 2023 elections, an exercise that cost the country billions of naira. INEC budgeted N305 billion for the 2023 general election.

The commission also got an extra N18 billion for Saturdays Bayelsa, Imo and Kogi elections.

PREMIUM TIMES reported the abysmal turnout in Februarys presidential election. Just over a quarter of the eligible population turned out to vote, and no state had a turnout above 40 per cent in the general election.

Up to 93 million people in Africas most populous country and biggest economy registered ahead of the 2023 elections. But, the national turnout was 29 per cent; no election had a lower participation rate in the six decades of Nigerias independence.

Fewer than nine million people voted for President Bola Tinubu while the total number of actual voters was only 24.9 million.

Since 2011, the turnout of voters has seen a steady decline in presidential elections; first from 54 per cent in 2011, then to 44 per cent in 2015 before dropping to 34.7 per cent in 2019.

The 2023 rate is the lowest of all recent elections held on the African continent.

Data compiled by the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (I-IDEA), an intergovernmental organisation that supports sustainable democracy worldwide, reveals that the turnout of voters in that election was the lowest in the history of elections held in African countries.

Several factors have been given for the low voter turnout in Nigerian elections.

These include voter apathy and poor economic situation. PREMIUM TIMES also reported how the electoral commission, INEC, contributed to the low voter turnout in the recent elections through the late deployment of officials and materials to polling units.

In a statement on Monday, Yiaga Africa, a non-governmental organisation monitoring elections, said it was concerned about the continuous decline in the quality of elections and the proclivity for lowering the integrity standards of elections irrespective of reforms introduced by INEC and reforms to the electoral legal framework.

The November 11 elections were another missed opportunity to rebuild trust and confidence in the electoral process. The elections question the commitment of democratic institutions, electoral integrity and credible elections, the group said.

President Tinubu has words of encouragement for voters in Imo, Kogi, and Bayelsa for their participation in the electoral process, saying the resilience of democratic institutions and the power of the people is central to shaping the nations political landscape.

The president further said he was pleased that the outcomes of the elections reflect the wishes of the people, noting that democracy thrives when voters reward competence, transparency, and good governance.

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The National Election Commission (NEC) of Liberia Wednesday commenced the announcement of the results of the run-off presidential election held on Tuesday.

Former Vice President of Liberia and candidate of the Unity Party, Joseph Boakai, took an early lead in the first set of results announced by NEC chairperson Davidetta Lansanah.

According to results seen on the NEC website, Mr Boakai has received 193,041 votes while Mr Weah has received 187,615 votes. This is only 22 per cent of all polling units to be counted.

The first round of the election was held on 10 October with 20 candidates competing for the highest seat of power in the West African country. Of the 20 candidates, none could secure the requisite over 50 per cent required to emerge president and as such, the two candidates with the highest number of votes headed to a run-off which took place on Tuesday.

To win the run-off, either of the candidates must secure the highest vote.

This is the fourth election Liberia is holding in its recent history (since the end of its civil war).

It is Africas oldest republic, founded by freed American and Caribbean slaves. The country is mostly inhabited by indigenous Africans, with the slaves descendants comprising five per cent of the population.

Liberia became notorious in the 1990s for its long-running, ruinous civil wars and its role in a rebellion in neighbouring Sierra Leone.

At least 250,000 people were killed in the civil wars, and many thousands more fled the fighting as the economy collapsed.

The war ended in 2003 and in 2005 voters in the country elected Africas first female head of state, Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf.

Mrs Johnson-Sirleaf, in a historic democratic transition of power since the end of the True Whig Party in 1980, handed over to Mr Weah in January 2018.

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Yusuf Gagdi, a member of the House of Representatives, representing Pankshin/Kanam/Kanke federal constituency of Plateau State, has asked the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state to stop blaming the judiciary for the sack of its members from the National Assembly.

Mr Gagdi, a member of the APC, in a statement on Wednesday, said the sacking of PDP lawmakers from the state was self-inflicted and that the party should not blame the President of the Court of Appeal, Monica Dongban-Mensen, for the development.

Mrs Dongban-Mensem is an indigene of Plateau State.

Background

The Court of Appeal has sacked several PDP lawmakers from Plateau State in the National Assembly over pre-election matters.

They include former Senate Minority Leader, Simon Mwadkwon, Napoleon Bali, Dachung Bagos, Beni Lar, Isaac Kwalu and Peter Gyendeng.

The Court ruled that the PDP was wrong not to have obeyed subsisting orders from a High Court in Plateau that asked the party to conduct a new congress.

The removal of the lawmakers has led to protests by their supporters.

Dont undermine the Court  Gagdi

Mr Gagdi said the PDP is trying to undermine the integrity of the Court of Appeal with the campaign against Mrs Dongban-Mensem.

The PDP and its hired hands in Plateau State must desist from casting aspersion on the person and Office of the President of the Court of Appeal as any effort to throw mud at her will be stoutly resisted by all well-meaning Nigerians.

For the avoidance of doubt, the President of the Court of Appeal is not a member of the panel handling the appeals from Plateau State and there is nowhere it can be imagined that she lobbied their justices to give the sound verdicts that have been given on the appeals before them, he said.

He added that the APC is optimistic that the court will also sack Governor Caleb Mutfwang.

For the PDP in Plateau to now act surprised at its fate and desperately look for whom to blame for their woes is the height of hypocrisy, and a disgrace to decency and due process.

While we rejoice with utmost decorum, and relish our victory at the Appeal Court, and anticipate a possible victory at the Supreme Court for our gubernatorial candidate, we want to categorically remind the PDP and its hirelings that Nigerian Courts are courts of law, not courts of sentiments and emotions, he said.

The Court of Appeal, Abuja Division, last week, reserved judgment in the appeal by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress in Plateau State, Nentawe Goshwe, challenging the victory of Mr Mutfwang.

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Kabiru Maipalace (PDP-Zamfara) has sponsored the weddings of nine female orphans under his Women, Orphans and Less privileged Welfare Project.

Presenting furniture and other wedding items to the beneficiaries in Gusau, the Zamfara State capital, on Wednesday, Mr Maipalace said the gesture was the fulfilment of his campaign promises.

Mr Maipalace, represented at the occasion by his Legislative Secretary, Mustafa Hassan, said the gesture was part of his intervention to the vulnerable groups under his committee on women, orphans and less privileged.

Under the committee, we have identified 41 female orphans and less privileged to be sponsored for marriage by the lawmaker and we are starting with nine now.

Today, we are presenting nine sets of furniture and other marriage items procured by the lawmaker for the beneficiaries, the lawmaker explained.

Mr Maipalace, who represents Gusau/Tsafe Federal Constituency of Zamfara State in the House of Representatives, urged the beneficiaries to respect their marriages and utilise the gesture for their future.

Also, the Chairman, State Hisbah Commission, Umar Hassan, commended the lawmaker and described the intervention as a moral support to the society in general.

This will help in reducing economic hardships and vices in the society, Mr Hisbah chairman said.

Mr Hassan appealed to philanthropists and wealthy individuals to emulate the lawmaker in supporting the vulnerable groups.

The Chairman, Zamfara Media Cooperation, Bello Dakingari, urged the beneficiaries to utilise the gesture effectively.

I believe this kind gesture will be one of the best approaches in reducing the pressure of poverty in the society.

In their separate remarks, the Secretary of the committee, Sadiya Mahe, and State Women Leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Kulu Master, appreciated the lawmaker for his concern to women.

They urged beneficiaries to utilise the gesture for their marriages and respect their husbands for future benefits.

Malama Abubakar who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, thanked the lawmaker and members of the committee for selecting them to benefit from the project.

On behalf of all the nine beneficiaries of this programme, we appreciate the gesture and we promise to give priority and respect to our marriages, Mr Abubakar said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the wedding ceremonies for the beneficiaries are scheduled to hold in their various families.

(NAN)

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has hailed the ruling of the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos that affirmed his victory in the last governorship election.

The appellate court, on Wednesday, dismissed the appeals brought against the re-election of Mr Sanwo-Olu and his deputy, Obafemi Hamzat by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP).

In a unanimous judgement, the three-member panel of the appellate court, led by Yargata Nimpar, dismissed the appeals and affirmed Mr Sanwo-Olu as the duly elected governor of Lagos state.

Reacting to the judgement, Mr Sanwo-Olu in a statement, said that he accepted the Court of Appeals verdict with a sense of responsibility.

The governor said that he accepted the verdict with a desire to continue with the giant strides of his administration to leave a great legacy for the people of Lagos State.

With a sense of humility, I welcome the decision of the Court of Appeal, which ruled today in our favour, thereby validating the position of people of Lagos, who freely cast their ballots to return my deputy and I. We do not take it for granted.

Todays judicial pronouncements, like those of the Lagos State Elections Petition Tribunal, have buoyed my confidence in our countrys judicial system.

The court examined all the issues and did justice to them, without leaving anyone in doubt as to who was the rightful winner of the election.

Our party, the All Progressives Congress (APC) will continue to maintain its firm belief in the judicial process.

My deputy and I have satisfied all the constitutional requirements and are now more focused on delivering the democratic dividends to our people.

With deep gratitude to the Almighty God, I humbly accept todays Appeal Court verdict, with a sense of responsibility and a desire to continue with the giant strides of our administration to leave a great legacy for our people, he said.

According to him, the judicial victory had further strengthened his resolve to impact the lives of Lagos residents positively, regardless of their political persuasion, in line with the states THEMES+ development agenda.

We urge our opponents to embrace the olive branch and join our sure march to the Greater Lagos that keeps rising by the day.

May God bless Lagos State and the Federal Republic of Nigeria, he said.

(NAN)

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More than 2,400 children from Ukraine have been illegally deported to Belarus, Reuters reports, citing research data from the Yale University.

The findings by the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health, which receives U.S. State Dept. funding, shared with Reuters are the most extensive to date about the alleged role of Belarus in the Russian relocation program for Ukrainian children, according to a Reuters report posted on the official website on Thursday.

According to the study, more than 2,400 children from Ukraine aged between six and 17 years old have been taken to 13 facilities across Belarus since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, research published by Yale University said on Thursday.

As the message says, among the key findings detailed in the 39-page report were that children had been transported from at least 17 cities in Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia regions in what Yale researchers described as an ongoing practice.

More than 2,000 children Yale identified were transported to the Dubrava children's centre in Belarus' Minsk region between September 2022 and May 2023, it said, while 392 children were taken to 12 other facilities, the message reads.

According to Reuters, once in Belarus, children have been subjected to military training and re-education and Lukashenko approved the use of state organizations to transport children from Ukraine to Belarus and finance their transportation, the Yale report said.

"Russia's federal government and Belarus' regime have been working together to coordinate and fund the movement of children from Russia-occupied Ukraine through Russia to Belarus," the message reads.
The police in Anambra State have arrested three suspected criminals who specialised in extorting residents under the pretext of being members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

ESN is the militant wing of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The police spokesperson in Anambra State, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Mr Ikenga, a deputy superintendent of police, said police operatives serving in Ozubulu and Umunze communities in the state, arrested the suspects during separate operations.

Ozubulu is a community in Ekwusigo Local Government Area while Umunze is in Orumba South Local Government Area, both in Anambra State.

How they carried out the extortions

Mr Ikenga said two of the suspects were arrested at Orumba South Local Government Headquarters in Umunze Community after a painstaking investigation.

The police spokesperson said the suspects had sent a text message to an unnamed victim, identifying themselves as ESN members.

He said the suspects, in the text message, demanded that the victim should pay them a huge sum or else he and his daughter would be kidnapped and killed.

Both suspects are now cooling their feet in detention and would be arraigned in court soon, he said.

Mr Ikenga said, in a separate operation, police operatives serving at Ozubulu Divisional Headquarters, arrested another suspect who specialised in carrying out similar extortion on residents.

The police spokesperson said the suspect, who claimed to be an ESN commander, used two different phone lines to threaten an unnamed entrepreneur to pay him (the suspect) a certain amount of money or risk being killed.

Meticulous investigation employing technology and human assets led detectives to his hideout where he was arrested and both SIMs recovered, Mr Ikenga said.

He (the suspect) was taken into custody and is to be arraigned in court, he added.

The police did not reveal the identities of the arrested suspects.

The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Aderemi Adeoye, has commended the divisional police officers from Ozubulu and Umunze Police Headquarters for their diligence and painstaking effort which led to the arrests of the suspects, Mr Ikenga said.

Mr Adeoye assured that the police in Anambra State will continue to motivate their personnel across the state for optimum performance.

Background

IPOB, a group seeking an independent state of Biafra to be carved out from South-east and some parts of South-south Nigeria, has been linked to some deadly attacks in the two regions.

But the separatist group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks.

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Estonian slackliner and Guinness World Records holder Jaan Roose, on Thursday walked on a rope from Sterling Towers to Onome rig, Marina, Lagos State.

The 31-year-old, known for possessing nerves of steel, is a three-time world champion, a holder of numerous world records and the first athlete to execute a double backflip on a slackline.

Slacklining is a sport that entails walking on a rope, suspended above the ground, it is often used for balance training, recreation and moving meditation. It is not common in Nigeria.

Currently gracing the vibrant city of Lagos, Nigeria, Mr Roose is taking his gravity-defying talents to new heights. Suspended on a rope, he navigates train tracks and bridges, turning Lagos State into his own awe-inspiring playground.

The record holder partnered with Lagos State Government in collaboration with the Lagos State Safety Commission to capture the Perfect Lagos Selfie, from Sterling Tower, Marina Lagos, to the Onome Rig.

A trending video captured the daring feat, featuring Mr Roose navigating the bridge and train tracks at the CMS bus stop in Lagos.

Red Bull, the driving force behind the project, enlisted Mr Roose known for his jaw-dropping tricks and unique performances.

Gboyega Akosile, Chief Press Secretary of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, shared the vision behind the initiative on Instagram.

READ ALSO:

He said: Red Bull is aiming for the Perfect Lagos Selfie with Jaan Roose, showcasing the beauty of Lagos State in collaboration with the Lagos Safety Commission. Stay tuned for the Perfect Lagos Selfie.

Jaan Roose is an Estonian slackliner and Guinness World Record holder. Slacklining is a sport that can be a balance training, recreation and moving meditation.

This project is to showcase the beauty of Lagos State and the Red Bull team is working together with the Lagos State Government through the Lagos Safety Commission. Stay Tuned for the Perfect Lagos Selfie.

Jaan Roose

The 31-year-old Estonian dynamo has turned slacklining into a heart-stopping spectacle around the globe.

From setting world records to performing as a Hollywood stuntman, Rooses journey is as breathtaking as the high lines he conquers.

When he embarked on his slacklining odyssey at 18, little did he know it would catapult him into the limelight, captivating audiences with mind-bending tricks.

As the first and only athlete to execute a double backflip on a slackline, he has become a three-time world champion, holding a treasure trove of world records and pioneering feats in the sport.

His prowess extends beyond the realm of competitive slacklining. Hollywood beckoned, and he answered, performing daring stunts in films like Assassins Creed. He even shared the stage with pop icon Madonna during her MDNA World Tour.

For Jaan, the thrill of showcasing his extraordinary talent goes beyond competition.

His globetrotting adventures include a 100m-high acrobatic performance in the capital of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2021 and a daring 500m-long slackline traverse between two mountains in Kazakhstan the following year.

In 2023 saw him redefine heights once again, completing a mesmerizing 150-metre walk on a slackline across two points of a single building in Doha, Qatar.

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Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State has directed all public servants in the state to wear Adire to work every Wednesday to promote Nigerian culture.

The directive is contained in a circular issued by the state Head of Service, Ayanleye Aina, on Thursday in Osogbo, the state capital.

According to the circular, the directive extends to all categories of public servants across ministries, departments and agencies.

It also extends to tertiary institutions, local governments, local development councils and area offices.

Consequently, every Wednesday is adopted as Adire Osun Day with all accounting officers and heads of agencies expected to comply with the directive.

Additionally, all political appointees are also expected to comply with the directive from the State Executive Council to special advisers, and other categories of appointees, it said.

READ ALSO:

The circular further said the governor presented the issue of wearing Adire during the last State Executive Council meeting and it was unanimously approved and adopted.

The circular quoted Mr Adeleke as saying that Adire, actually had its source from Osun State, noting that the new decision would reassert the traditional claim of Osun State to Adire..

The governor recalled his meeting with Governor Dapo Abiodun of Ogun, where the duo resolved to host the annual Adire Day celebration.

Adire industry

Mr Adeleke further announced his administrations plan to create mini-industrial clusters to support the Adire industry and other sub-sectors in the state.

Our administration is working on the creation of SME industrial clusters.

The Adire and other craft sub-sectors will be supported to grow and flourish.

By this decision, we are determined to rebuild the Adire industry, that is under threat from foreign mass producers.

We are poised to breathe life into our culture with Osun as the cradle of the Yoruba nation, he said.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalled that Mr Adelekes predecessor, Gboyega Oyetola, had on 11 July 2021 directed all civil servants to wear Adire every Thursday to boost the fabric industry. (NAN)

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The leadership of organised labour in Nigeria has commended the Kaduna State government for the release of N3.1 billion for the payment of the gratuity of retirees and death benefits to the families of deceased civil servants under the Defined Benefit Scheme and the Contributory Pension Schemes.

In separate letters by the states branch of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) Chairman, and the Nigerian Union of Pensioners (NUP) on Wednesday, the organisation thanked Uba Sani, the state governor, for the release of the funds.

The unions said the payment of gratuities to the pensioners will alleviate the suffering of both the retirees and the families of their deceased colleagues who served in the Kaduna State Civil Service.

The labour unions advocated the constitution of the board of the Kaduna State Bureau of Pension to ensure total transparency following Section 20 of the State Pension Reform Law, 2020.

We write to appreciate Your Excellency for the approval and release of N3.1 billion for the payment of gratuity for retirees and death benefits for families of the deceased retirees.

Background

PREMIUM TIMES had reported the release of the pensioners gratuity funds by the state government in October.

The fund is meant for the payment of gratuity to retirees and death benefits for families of the deceased under the Defined Benefit Scheme and the Contributory Pension Schemes

According to the Kaduna State Pension Bureau, over 1000 retirees and families of deceased beneficiaries are to benefit from the pension funds released as the verification exercise for the payment of the gratuity and death benefits has commenced in the three senatorial zones of Kaduna state.

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There was jubilation in Imo State on Thursday following restoration of power supply by the Enugu Electricity Distribution Company (EEDC) after two weeks of blackout in the South-eastern state.

The blackout followed the declaration of strike in the state by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) on 1 November to protest the assault on the NLC president, Joe Ajaero, in the state.

Shouts of joy

Some residents of the state told PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday afternoon that the power supply was restored in the state in the early hours of Thursday after the industrial action was suspended by the labour unions on Wednesday.

Tony Ojukwu, a resident of Douglas Area of Owerri, the state capital, said there were shouts of joy in the area when the power supply was restored at about 1 a.m. on Thursday.

You know its been more than two weeks we have not had light. So people were so happy, he said.

Benjamin Ohadoma, who resides at Okolochi in Owerri West Council Area of the state, said the power supply was restored on Thursday afternoon in the area.

Everybody was surprised that the light was restored. So, we were shouting and jubilating, Mr Ohadoma said.

He said the blackout had affected them adversely particularly in pumping of water and powering of electronic devices.

It has not been easy for us. Water has been scarce here since then. I am trying to pump water now, he added.

Another resident of Owerri, who identified himself simply as Joseph, said, We have suffered too much because of the power outage.

I recently suffered dislocation while competing for water, said Mr Joseph, a taxi driver.

Meanwhile, some residents in other parts of the state told PREMIUM TIMES they were yet to have power restored in their areas.

One of them, David Oyewale, who resides near Federal University of Technology Owerri, said power supply was yet to be restored as of 3 p.m. on Thursday.

Background

The NLC president, Mr Ajaero was attacked in Owerri, the state capital, during an NLC protest against the Imo State Government over alleged maltreatment of workers in the state.

The labour union consequently shut EEDCs power source which prevented the electricity company from distributing energy to residents of the state.

The NLC accused the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma, of mobilising thugs and police operatives to attack its president so as to frustrate the planned protest in the state.

But the police later denied arresting Mr Ajaero, saying they only placed him in protective custody to shield him from attack by the thugs.

Governor Uzodinma, in his initial comment on the issue, blamed Mr Ajaero for his alleged partisan interest in the state.

The unions on Tuesday began a nationwide strike to protest against the assault on the NLC president.

The unions, however, suspended the strike on Wednesday after a meeting with the Nigerian government.

All the industrial actions declared so far, both nationally and in Imo State, have been suspended, the NLC spokesperson, Benson Upah, said on Thursday.

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Vice President Kashim Shettima has emphasised the importance of improved public-private infrastructure partnerships as critical catalysts for Nigerias economic growth.

Mr Shettima, who stated this in Abuja on Thursday, while delivering a speech at the public presentation of two books authored by a Nigerian lawyer, Yusuf Ali, recalled Mr Tinubus legacies as governor of Lagos State, a feat he said the president is set to replicate at the national level in the bid to reposition the country.

The vice presidents speech was titled, Mallam Yusuf Ali: Enduring Reflection in Law, History, and Public Policy.

There is, of course, no politician in the country today who can match President Bola Ahmed Tinubus experience in both brokering public-private partnership and understanding what must be done to bridge our infrastructure gaps.

You only need to gaze into the realities of Lagos State before and after his progressive leadership as Executive Governor to realise his spectacular legacy, a skill set he is again brought into play to reposition Nigeria as a competitive global player, Mr Shettima said.

Noting that the presidents Renewed Hope Agenda is built on the realisation of improved infrastructure as a critical catalyst for the nations economic growth, the VP pointed out that the projections of the administrations sound economic team on revolutionising investment in infrastructure were in tandem with those of its development partners.

I am here to acknowledge that such a grand vision is the reason we are exploring innovative funding mechanisms like Public Private Partnerships, with avenues like the Infrastructure Concessions Regulatory Commission (ICRC) as testimony to such ambition. The ongoing review of the ICRC (Establishment ETC) Act, 2005, is telling, he stated.

The vice president described the two books, The Supreme Court and the Jurisprudence of the Right to Fair Hearing, and Public Private Partnerships: An Essential Guide for Stakeholders, unveiled today as an eagle-eyed contribution to the nations pursuit of order and development.

These books arent well-timed solely due to their thematic interests. They are not being celebrated solely for their interpretation of paramount aspects of our nations journey, nor for a yearning for such interventions in our collective responsibility to serve the nation. These two books stand out due to the intellectual and professional pedigree of the author, he added.

Referring to Mr Ali as a friend and brother, VP Shettima also described the learned silk as a reservoir of knowledge acquired over decades of sincere engagement with the legal intricacies of our dear nation.

His decision to document these treasures of wisdom reflects a legacy that shall echo through the corridors of scholarship beyond the practice and learning of law, he noted.

The VP further observed that the author was able to capture readers attention by recognising the need for a clearer perspective on collaborations between the public and private sectors.

Nigerias infrastructure deficit depends on our understanding of the complex interests of all parties involved in deals that do not disadvantage the nation. Its crucial to ensure that we are not blinded by any legal requirements.

Its worth noting that one astute lawyer can bankrupt a country, but it also takes just one astute lawyer to save a nation. We have witnessed this, even in the recent case of Nigeria versus P&ID, which could have resulted in an unbelievable $11 billion arbitral award against us, Mr Shettima said.

Reviewing one of the books, Wahab Egbewole said apart from the numerous contributions to knowledge by the author, the book offers an absorbing, interesting and informative insight into the Supreme Courts jurisprudence on the right to fair hearing in Nigeria.

He noted that the book was a well-researched study focusing on the principles of fair hearing as laid down by the Supreme Court of Nigeria, adding that it is a must-read for not only lawyers and judges but also for all other stakeholders involved in the justice sector.

The other book on Public Private Partnerships in Nigeria, according to him, was written to provide stakeholders with the requisite knowledge and guidance regarding the operations and implementations of the Public-Private Partnerships initiative in Nigeria.

Dignitaries who graced the book launch included Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwola; Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, and National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje.

Others present at the event were a former Speaker of the House of Representatives, Patricia Etteh; Chief Judges of Kwara and Osun States; Wole Olanikpekun; Binta Nyako; Director General of the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC), Joe Ohiani, billionaire businessman, Tonye Cole, and Kaka Lawan, among others.

Stanley Nkwocha

Senior Special Assistant to The President on Media & Communications

(Office of the Vice President)

16th November, 2023

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The West African Elders Forum (WAEF) Mission to Liberia has called for caution and restraint as Liberians wait eagerly for the final results of the November 14 presidential run-off elections which is currently being collated by the countrys National Electoral Commission (NEC).

Head of WAEF Mission and former Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan in a statement issued in Monrovia on Wednesday urged leaders of the two political parties to desist from premature declaration of results and celebration by supporters before the official announcement by NEC.

Urging calm, the former president also charged the political leaders to direct their followers to leave the streets where they are already celebrating to avoid violent clashes.

The statement which was also signed by Kadre Desire Ouedrago, former Prime minister of Burkina Faso and WAEF deputy head of mission, said: We are deeply concerned by the recent reports of premature declaration of results and celebration by supporters of both political parties. We consider this development as a distraction to the violence-free election the Farmington River Declaration intends to achieve. We are therefore calling on the political leaders to direct their supporters to leave the streets to avoid violent clashes among the youths.

We urge political parties to caution their supporters to refrain from all acts that could incite violence and division among the people, especially now that the country is already at a critical stage in the electoral process.

WAEF, however, commended Liberians for their commitment to work for the success of the electoral process, in line with the wishes and aspirations of the Liberian people.

It said further: We equally commend Liberian youths for their active participation in the process and remind them that they are the main beneficiaries of a peaceful and prosperous Liberia. We count on them to continue to show restraint and avoid all acts of provocation capable of inciting electoral violence.

The Forum wishes to commend NEC and the security agencies for their unwavering commitment and professionalism in exercising their mandate. Such a level of commitment and professionalism is needed now more than ever to further build trust, guarantee the integrity of the elections and consolidate democracy in Liberia.

The run-off poll held between incumbent President George Weah and main opposition leader Joseph Boakai, a fallout of the October 12 election, which could not produce an outright winner.

Below is the full text of the statement:

WEST AFRICAN ELDERS FORUM (WAEF) CALLS FOR CALM, RESTRAINT AS LIBERIANS AWAIT RESULTS OF NOVEMBER 14, RUN-OFF ELECTIONS

The West African Elders Forum (WAEF) commends the commitment of all stakeholders to work for the success of the electoral process, in line with the wishes and aspirations of the Liberian people.

This was exemplified by the peaceful and calm environment that characterised the October 10, 2023 polls and the just concluded re-run electionsreaffirming the expectations that the 2023 elections will be an improvement and an opportunity to consolidate the gains from previous elections.

We commend all actors for the level of restraint and maturity demonstrated thus far and urge everyone to, at this point, continue to keep faith and allow the National Electoral Commission (NEC) to conclude the process and announce the results.

We equally commend Liberian youths for their active participation in the process and remind them that they are the main beneficiaries of a peaceful and prosperous Liberia. We count on them to continue to show restraint and avoid all acts of provocation capable of inciting electoral violence.

However, we are deeply concerned by the recent reports of premature declaration of results and celebration by supporters of both political parties. We consider this development as a distraction to the violence-free election the Farmington River Declaration intends to achieve. We are therefore calling on the political leaders to direct their supporters to leave the streets to avoid violent clashes among the youths.

We urge political parties to caution their supporters to refrain from all acts that could incite violence and division among the people, especially now that the country is already at a critical stage in the electoral process.

The Forum wishes to commend NEC and the security agencies for their unwavering commitment and professionalism in exercising their mandate. Such a level of commitment and professionalism is needed now more than ever to further build trust, guarantee the integrity of the elections and consolidate democracy in Liberia.

H.E. Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan

President Federal Republic of Nigeria (2010-2015)

Chairman Goodluck Jonathan Foundation

Head of WAEF Election Mission to Liberia

H.E. Kadrie Desire Ouedrago

Prime Minister of Burkinabo Faso (1996-2000) and former President of the ECOWAS Commission

Deputy Head of WAEF Election Mission to Liberia

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After four failed attempts, the 15-member United Nations Security Council on Wednesday reached an agreement on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The war which escalated following a Hamas-led attack that killed about 1,200 people in Israel, had left the security council divided.

Wednesdays resolution proposed by Malta called for an urgent and extended humanitarian pause and corridors in Gaza for a sufficient number of days to allow full, rapid, safe and unhindered access for UN agencies and partners.

In what appears a show of unity, 12 members voted in favour, none against and three abstentions including Russia, United Kingdom, United States.

The Council also called for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children.

Additionally, it urged all parties to refrain from depriving the civilian population in Gaza of basic services and aid indispensable to their survival, consistent with international humanitarian law.

Since the war broke out, Israel imposed a blockade that made it near impossible for aid to reach over two million people in Gaza including power cuts that led to interruption in healthcare services.

The resolution, however, does not condemn the Hamas attacks of 7 October which was one of the reasons the council was divided earlier.

Praising the outcome of the votes, Maltas ambassador Vanessa Frazier said, Our vote today translates into real human lives.

Russia noted that the council will need to make a decision on a real ceasefire including what observers to send to the conflict area and which UN contingent will be involved.

According to Israels ambassador, the crisis could be brought to an immediate end if all Israeli hostages are returned unscathed and Hamas laid down their arms and turned themselves in.

The ongoing war between Israel and Hamas has led to the death of over 11,000 people according to Palestinian ministry of health.

Over 100 UN staff in Palestine have been killed as a result of consistent bombardement of Gaza by Israel.

UN Chief Antonio Guterres has repeatedly condemned the attack by Hamas and called for a ceasefire.

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The Saudi Arabian Embassy in Nigeria has said that travellers recently deported at the point of entry did not meet the entry conditions and requirements of its country.

A statement by the embassy said that passengers denied entry, and subsequently deported to their initial destinations, submitted incorrect information to obtain categories of visa they did not qualify for.

The discovery was made on their arrival.

The Embassy would like to stress the importance of following the procedures and laws enacted by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for all visitors.

Furthermore, all passengers should review all documents to determine their conformity with the conditions prior to departing from their countries to the Kingdom.

This procedure was not limited to Nigerian citizens only; citizens of other countries were involved, it said.

Authorities in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Sunday cancelled the visa of all 264 passengers who arrived in Jeddah from Nigeria on Air Peace.

It was not immediately why the passengers, most of whom were visiting Saudi for Lesser Hajj, were denied entry.

Daily Trust reported that the flight took off from the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos via the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport, Kano on Sunday night and landed at King Abdul-Aziz International Airport, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

But to the consternation of the airline staff, the Saudi Arabian authorities announced that all the passengers visas had been cancelled.

The incident occured barely one week after Air Peace launched a direct flight to Saudi Arabia.

It was gathered that it was when the Nigerian embassy waded in that Saudi authorities reduced the number of passengers that would be returned to 177 from 264.

Daily Trust reported that before the commencement of direct flights by Air Peace, Saudia, a Saudi Arabian flag carrier, had been operating directly from Nigeria to Saudi Arabia.

The incident occurred at a time President Bola Tinubu was in Saudi Arabia.

President Tinubu was, at the time, attending the Saudi-Africa summit in Riyadh to attract foreign direct investment to Africas largest economy and mobilise capital to build needed infrastructure.

At the summit, Mr Tinubu said Nigeria and Saudi Arabia have always enjoyed a special relationship at both the bilateral and multilateral levels

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The State Security Service (SSS) on Wednesday in Abuja re-arraigned Husseni Ismaila (aka Maitangaran), the alleged mastermind of the 2014 multiple bomb attacks in Kano, Kano State.

The defendant was rearraigned at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

When the matter was called, the prosecuting counsel, E.A. Aduda, told the court that the SSS had filed an amended charge of four counts against the defendant. He asked the court to order that the charge should be read to the defendant and he should take his plea.

The defendant pleaded not guilty to all four count charges, which read:

That you Husseni Ismaila, alias Maitangaran, 34-year-old male, professed to be a member of Boko Haram, a terrorist group, therefore contravening provisions of the Terrorism Prevention Act 2013, and punishable under the same Act.

That you Husseni Ismaila, alias Maitangaran, 34-year-old, male, in 2014, directly participated in an act of terrorism and made a video message confessing to the crime of bombing the Kano Central Mosque.

This led to the death of many Nigerians, including police personnel. The act contravened Section 1(2) (8) of the Terrorism Prevention Act, 2013, and is punishable under the same Act.

The prosecuting counsel asked the court to proceed with the trial in view of the not-guilty plea of the defendant.

Objection adjournment

The defence counsel, Peter Dajang, however, told the court that the trial should not go on because the prosecution had flouted a valid order of the court.

According to Mr Dajang, the court, on 6 December 2021, ordered the prosecution to transfer the defendant from its custody to the Kuje Correctional Centre in Abuja

This, he said, was to enable his lawyers and family members have access to him, but the SSS had yet to obey the order as the defendant was still in its custody.

He added that the prosecution did not appeal the order when it was made by the court, and further argued that the court could not sit on appeal over its own ruling.

The defence counsel also argued that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the application of the prosecution to vary the order on the grounds that it was made on 6 December 2021 and the prosecution had only six days to apply for a variation.

If the prosecution had intended to make an application to vary, they ought to have done that within time which is six days.

Looking at the application which is seven months after the order was made, there is no prayer seeking the leave of court to file the application out of time.

Also we submit that an order of court is a final decision of that court. When the order was made, parties were represented.

The proper thing to have done was to appeal the decision and not to ask the court to sit on appeal over its decision, moreso that the time for filing an appeal has long passed, the defence lawyer said.

READ ALSO: Police foil terrorist attack in Katsina as troops kill three terrorists in Kaduna

The prosecuting counsel, however, told the court that the order had yet to be complied with because he had filed an application praying the court to vary the order.

The judge adjourned the matter till 25 January 2024 to rule on the application to vary the order it made that the defendant be transferred to Kuje.

He also fixed 7 February 2024 for continuation of the substantive matter.

(NAN)

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Israeli forces continue to comb Gaza's largest hospital, expand raids

Xinhua) 05:01, November 17, 2023

JERUSALEM, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israeli forces continued on Thursday to comb Gaza's largest hospital, al-Shifa, for the second consecutive day, expanding their searches for hostages and militant activity to other hospitals in the area, while all communications collapsed across the besieged enclave due to a lack of fuel.

During the searches in al-Shifa Hospital, "an underground tunnel shaft has been found beneath the hospital," Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Spokesman Daniel Hagari said in a press briefing on Thursday night. He said a vehicle with "many ammunition" was also found below the medical center.

Beneath the Rantisi Hospital, "a complex web of tunnels was found. This is a combat area, where our forces are still fighting (with militants,)" said Hagari, adding that "many weapons" were also found at the al-Quds Hospital. He presented photos showing automatic weapons, hand grenades and rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs).

Earlier, the army announced that the remains of Yehudit Weiss, an Israeli woman who was abducted by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, were extracted by IDF troops from "a structure adjacent to the al-Shifa Hospital." The body was transferred to Israeli territory.

It was the second time that Israeli forces raided al-Shifa Hospital. The army released on Wednesday photos of some automatic weapons, RPGs and hand grenades that they said were found in the building but have not provided evidence for a central Hamas military headquarters, which Israel repeatedly claims is concealed below the medical compound.

Al-Shifa's Director Muhammad Abu Salamiya told Al Jazeera TV news that snipers surrounding the hospital had prevented medical staff from moving between the buildings. Troops stormed the hospital's departments, where there were more than 650 inpatients, 500 medical personnel, and 5,000 displaced people seeking shelter. At least four patients who urgently needed dialysis were in "a critical condition" due to the damage to medical services.

Gaza was in desperate need of medical supply as Israel cut off the enclave from electricity, water, food and fuel.

Gaza's main telecom provider Paltel announced on social media platform X a total blackout, including all internet and telephone services, after "all energy sources sustaining the network have been depleted, and fuel was not allowed in."

Also on Thursday, Hamas's armed wing al-Qassam brigades claimed responsibility for a deadly shooting attack in the morning at a checkpoint between Jerusalem and the southern West Bank.

Three gunmen opened fire at Israeli security forces, killing an armed police officer and wounding five others, before being shot dead by other forces, Israeli police said.

The police found in their vehicle two automatic rifles, two guns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, 10 magazines, and two axes.

The IDF said Israeli warplanes on Thursday struck the residence of Hamas politburo head Ismail Haniyeh that was allegedly used as "terrorist infrastructure" and often served as a meeting place for Hamas' senior leaders.

The Israeli forces also took over the Al-Shati refugee camp and Gaza's harbor, the Israeli army said.

The Palestinian Red Crescent Society (PRCS) said in a press statement Thursday it was unable to respond to hundreds of calls to help and evacuate the wounded or those trapped under the rubble, while people fleeing from the northern strip are reporting the presence of dead bodies in the streets.

The PRCS also said that the Israeli army imposed a siege on the Al-Ahli Arab Hospital using tanks and military vehicles, preventing ambulance teams from reaching the wounded.

According to the Red Crescent, the hospital is the only one still operating in Gaza City and its northern areas.

By Thursday, day 41 of the Israel-Hamas conflict, more than 11,500 people have been killed by Israel's relentless attacks in Gaza, including 4,710 children and 3,003 women, while more than 29,000 others were injured, according to figures by the Gaza-based Media Office. In Israel, about 1,200 have been killed, mostly in the initial attack by Hamas militants on Oct. 7, which triggered the war.

(Web editor: Zhang Kaiwei, Zhong Wenxing)
The public organization Anti-Corruption Headquarters presented a Roadmap for Regional Recovery, which includes seven pressing problems of recovery, as well as ways to solve them.

The state and local authorities began to restore damaged facilities that support the life of the country in the spring of 2022. We, as a public organization, together with our partners, monitor the transparency and openness of these processes, since this is a prototype of the future fast recovery. Together with our partners, ten public associations, we conducted a study and, based on it, identified seven main problems that could become an obstacle to restoration in the future and for which solutions are already being sought, chairman of the board of NGO Anti-Corruption Headquarters Serhiy Mytkalyk said during a press conference at Interfax-Ukraine on November 16.

The public and executive authorities consider the lack of qualified personnel, lack of standardized and systematized information on attracting investments, prioritization, transparency, accountability, regulation and digitalization of the recovery process, overpricing and abuse during tenders, restoration of demolition of damaged houses on expensive land on dubious legal grounds, significant reduction in recovery funding for 2024 to be a challenge.

Experts studied the restoration process using the example of three regions: Zhytomyr, Kharkiv, and Zaporizhia. Solutions to some of the challenges have already been developed. In particular, the issue that concerns the public and donors is transparency, accountability and digitalization of the process.

We have the answer to this challenge - this is the DREAM system. It is already working, the analytics module is available. We already have the first challenge - filling the system with quality information. When it comes to preventing corruption, introducing digital tools and prioritization, this tool, DREAM, will not work if we do not have a commitment to use this system for all restoration sites, at all levels. We are preparing relevant legislative initiatives and hope that they will find support in parliament," said Deputy Minister for Communities and Territories Development and Infrastructure of Ukraine Oleksandra Azarkhina.

The State Agency for Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Development of Ukraine said one of the key challenges is considered to be the shortage of qualified personnel and the preparation of design and estimate documentation.

Among the listed challenges, the most relevant are the preparation of design and estimate documentation and the qualified personnel who will prepare it. The quality of restoration projects and the efficiency of use of funds depend on this. We have partners who help in analyzing solutions, noted the deputy chairman of the agency, Valeriy Ivanov.

The problem of personnel is critical at the local level as well. According to the deputy mayor of Zhytomyr, Serhiy Kondratiuk, Zhytomyr even before the war faced a shortage of qualified design organizations. Today this problem has worsened even more. At the same time, the city faces a large-scale task - the restoration of 517 damaged or destroyed objects.

Director of the Democratic Practice program of the International Renaissance Foundation Oleksiy Orlovsky emphasized that the focus of donors attention is the issue of accountability and transparency, because we are talking about the effective spending of the funds that Ukraine receives.

The second factor that worries donors is the issue of public participation at all stages of project implementation.

Decentralization reform is also the focus of many donors. No one wants to lose the achievements that were achieved before the war, Orlovsky noted.

The project Roadmap for the restoration of regions in Ukraine: searching for solutions using the example of three regions was implemented with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation. Ten public associations were involved in the development of the roadmap, including the RISE coalition.
The Organised Labour has explained why it suspended the nationwide indefinite strike that commenced on 14 November.

Emmanuel Ugboaja, General Secretary, Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), explained the action in a statement he jointly signed with Nuhu Toro, Secretary General, Trade Union Congress(TUC), on Wednesday in Abuja.

The NEC in session had a thorough review of the offers presented by the Federal Government through the National Security Adviser(NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

We found the offers credible and decided to reconsider our action, he said.

It would be recalled that the organised labour earlier met with the NSA and the Minister of Labour and Employment, Simon Lalong.

After the meeting, we directed all affiliates and State councils of both the NLC and TUC to demobilise, cease any further escalation of the indefinite strike action.

We fully resume work tomorrow, Thursday, the 16th day of November, 2023, he said.

He added that a resolution was reached to suspend the nationwide strike.

According to Mr Ugboaja, the suspension was intended to facilitate further discussions after the federal government had met crucial demands.

We expect government to address the distressing abduction and brutalisation of the President of the Nigeria Labour Congress, Joe Ajaero, and others.

These incidents occurred in the hands of the Police and Governor Hope Uzodimmas thugs in Owerri, in Imo State, on the 1st day of November, 2023, he recalled.

He noted that an apology was tendered on behalf of the government by the NSA, who promised to coordinate the investigation.

He added that some of the perpetrators had been arrested while others would be fished out and prosecuted.

Mr Ugboaja said that a high-powered investigation was currently being carried out and the leadership of labour centres would be briefed continuously as progress is being made.

He commended all affiliates and state councils for their unwavering commitment and tenacity that made the strike a success.

Once again, we convey our appreciation for your cooperation, resilience and determination in ensuring the success of the indefinite nationwide strike.

We encourage you to remain vigilant as we await the fulfilment of the remaining agreements, he said.

(NAN)

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Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State has announced a cash award of between N10,000 and N25,000 to the state workers, with effect from December to April 2024.

Mr Mbah said that the governments gesture was meant to cushion the effect of the fuel subsidy removal.

The federal government had earlier announced and commenced implementation of payments of N35,000 across board for all federal workers.

The governor hoped that the new minimum wage negotiation would soon be concluded.

He disclosed this during a joint news briefing with the leadership of the organised Labour at the Government House, Enugu, the Enugu State capital, on Wednesday.

He said that his administration was also implementing other social interventions apart from the cash transfer to better the lives of Enugu State workers.

Mr Mbah said that the welfare of workers remained a priority of his administration.

He said that his laudable goals for the state could not be attained without a happy workforce.

Social register

He also announced an increase in the state social register enrolment from 43,000 to 260,000.

The governor also promised to lift more indigent citizens out of poverty through cash transfers and other social interventions.

As you may be aware, since the removal of the petroleum subsidy, we have been in constant negotiation with the labour unions in the state, crafting a way forward on how we can provide palliatives to our teeming workforce.

So, by the time you put a monetary value to all the social services we have provided, it will weigh well above N100,000 minimum wage.

But, in addition to that, with effect from December, we are going to also make a flat payment to all the categories of our workers, beginning from our local government to the primary and secondary school teachers and civil servants.

We are going to categorise them and there will be a flat payment of between N10,000 and 25,000, depending on the category.

That payment is going to continue until April 2024, he said.

Mr Mbah also said: It is our hope that by the end of April, the committee that is reviewing the minimum wage would have come out with what would then become the new minimum wage in the state.

So, from there, we are just going to carry on the implementation of what is then set as the minimum wage, the governor said.

He reaffirmed the determination of his administration to achieve a zero per cent poverty headcount index by 2031.

N1.5 billion social development programmes

He said the state had set aside N1.5 billion for social development programmes, like water and sanitation in the communities.

This is in addition to constructing 260 model primary health centres and 260 smart schools with accompanying teachers quarters.

The state is just concluding the update of our social register and we have now expanded it from 43,000 to accommodate up to 260,000 indigent people in our state.

That is also a platform that we are going to use to do cash transfers to engage our indigent ones, he said.

Labour reacts

Reacting, the chairperson of the Nigeria Labour Congress in the state, Fabian Nwigbo, and his Trade Union Congress counterpart, Benneth Asogwa, thanked the governor for his proactive steps towards the welfare of Enugu workers.

They said they were happy that Enugu workers did not have to lobby, protest or embark on strike to have their salaries and welfare addressed.

I am overwhelmed by your pronouncements this afternoon.

We are grateful for the announcement because there was no war to get this.

We did not come begging and crying or shouting and agitating.

It was out of the abundance of your heart that you decided to greet us with this big news.

Actually, it has been great for the people of Enugu State, especially the workers under your administration.

First of all, our salaries come as and when due and our promotion is also on the way for 2023.

In the past, you have to spend years before you get promoted.

So, as workers, we will do all we can to ensure that this government succeeds, Mr Nwigbo said.

(NAN)

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The Jigawa State House of Assembly has suspended three local government council chairmen for allegedly travelling to Rwanda while the state was preparing for its 2024 budget presentation without permission.

The lawmakers claimed that the council chairpersons neither sought their permission nor that of the states governor, Umar Namadi, before embarking on the trip.

The suspended chairpersons are Mubarak Ahmed of Yankwashi Local Government; Rufai Ahmad of Gumel Local Government; and Umar Baffa of Birniwa Local Government.

The chairman of the assemblys committee on Local Government Affairs, Aminu Zakari, moved the motion for the suspension of the chairpersons. He was seconded by the member representing Mallammadori, Usman Abdullahi.

The lawmakers lamented the lackadaisical attitudes of the council chairpersons for travelling while their input was needed during the 2024 budget preparation.

The house had given an order for the local government council chairmen in the state to not travel anywhere due to the preparation of the 2024 state appropriation bill and its presentation to the Assembly by the state Governor, Mallam Umar Namadi.

The actions of the chairmen are tantamount to insubordination, a nonchalant attitude to the primary responsibility which ought to be investigated and punished according to the law, the House committee leader said.

Following deliberation on the matter, the lawmakers, in Wednesdays plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Haruna Aliyu, unanimously approved the suspension of the three local government chairmen and directed their next in authority to take over from them.

The house, subsequently, constituted a committee under the leadership of its majority leader, Lawan Dansure, to investigate the matter and report in four weeks for further action.

PREMIUM TIMES gathered that the council chairpersons travelled to Rwanda for unstated reasons. When reached out for comments on Thursday morning, one of the suspended officials, Mr Rufai, did not respond to WhatsApp phone calls and text messages.

Last year, the states assembly suspended Mr Ahmad, the council chairman of Yankwashi, for alleged disrespect to the state chairman of All Progressives Congress (APC), Aminu Kiss-Kiss.

However, the then-governor of the state, Muhammed Badaru, rescinded the decision of the state assembly to suspend Mr Ahmad.

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The outgoing Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Bolaji Owasanoye, SAN, has blamed top civil servants and politicians for the high level of corruption in Nigeria.

He, however, faulted the hasty generalisation that casts aspersion on all Nigerians as being corrupt.

Mr Owasanoye, a law professor, spoke at the Behavioural Change and Conference Exhibition, 2023, on Wednesday in Abuja.

The conference themed, Fostering a corruption free Nigeria, was organised by the Akin Fadeyi Foundation (AFF), a not-for-profit, communication-for-change organisation that employs media resources and technology in combating corruption and promoting social change in Nigeria.

Mr Owasanoye, who was a guest speaker at the event, narrated how the lack of administrative experience led the heads of some government agencies, particularly academics, into culpability in acts of corruption. He said they become ICPC suspects within one year in office as a result of infractions.

And you could see that many of them, walking blind, lacked administrative experience, either because they are misled or because they have not read circulars and guidelines that say you can do this(but) you cant do that, he stated.

He added, Imagine somebody who hitherto had a global reputation, who won consultancies, earned $20,000 a month; why does he want to come and steal money from an MDA?

Except somebody has set a banana peel for him to enable them to do what they want to do and they need to put him in that trap. And then, if he refuses, they will orchestrate a petition to ICPC, to EFCCand embarrass him.

READ ALSO:

For him, most of the people who indulge in such acts are usually faceless civil servants who lead the heads of government MDAs into misdemeanours in the first place.

On his avowal that not all Nigerians are corrupt, the outgoing ICPC chair stated that he has had cause to scrutinise this pervasive mindset and found out that it is quite misleading.

From my experience in leading the anti-corruption fight at PACAC (Presidential Advisory Committee Against Corruption) and the ICPC, I can tell you categorically that not all Nigerians are corrupt, he said.

Mr Owasanoye shared the experience of the head of a federal agency who wanted to embark on an international trip but was mischievously misled by the organisations director of finance that the estacode for such trip was $900 a day, instead of the approved $600 per day.

He said it was a sense of caution and circumspection on the part of the agencys head that made him verify and find out the correct amount, adding otherwise he would have walked into a booby-trap set for him, leading to official abuse and corruption.

Also, speaking at the Conference, the Country Director of MacArthur Foundation, Kole Shettima, observed the significance of behavioural change in tackling the menace of corruption in Nigeria.

He traced the history of how this approach was adopted by the Foundation, following a training in Harvard University, after which it was brought down to the local level, leading to its adoption in the work of a number of MacArthur grantees, which became a cohort around the approach.

He emphasised the necessity of behavioural insights and change in fighting corruption in the country.

On his part, the founder of the Akin Fadeyi Foundation, Akin Fadeyi said that, This event is not just to showcase our work, it is strategic to re-evaluating our scorecard and redesigning more robust templates aimed at scaling up our milestones for measurable impact.

He said the Foundation was excited the event was successful and well-attended by experts and the international development community. Hence, it is imperative to convey our gratitude to the Nigerian Media across-board especially, as they have been the sustained strategic partners through which our efforts are conveyed to the larger populace.

Mr Fadeyi, who noted that the behavioural cohort consists of 18 civil society organisations, which have been working as partners as grantees of the MacArthur Foundation, while leveraging each others expertise in addressing the cause of behavioural change as a remedy to corruption and other social vices undermining societal development.

According to him, the exhibition that was a core part of the event, was a convergence of ideas and a unifying front for partners like the StepUp Nigeria, ACAN, NISER, Lux Terra Foundation, Accountability Lab etc.

He added, We have been re-energised in our irrevocable commitment to keep employing behavioural change and tech-driven approaches in breaking down barriers against our nations preponderant decadence.

Mr Oliver Stolpe, country director of the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), who was represented by Lilian Ekeanyanwu, Head of the organisations Technical Unit on Governance and Anticorruption Reforms (TUGAR), stated that, The fight against corruption is not complete without addressing issues of transparency, integrity, and accountability. At the core of these values is behavioural change or the attitudes of citizens and their political leaderships. As we already know, combatting and preventing corruption requires a holistic framework and multi-sectoral approach.

Speaking earlier, the General Overseer, Palace of Priests Assembly (PPA), Abuja, Otive Igbuzor, said the problem of corruption is a global one.

He noted that over the years, several scholars, development workers, activists, politicians, international organisations, public affairs commentators and the general public have given attention to the problem of corruption and its attendant effects on society. He added that the problem is not new to humankind, even though it has reached unprecedented proportions in recent years.

There has been a lot of focus on how to mitigate the impact of corruption. Strategies, programmes and agencies have been put in place to address the problem of corruption. But the challenge remains. Despite the plethora of legislations and agencies fighting corruption in the country, corruption has remained widespread and pervasive because of failure to utilise universally accepted and tested strategies; disconnect between posturing of leaders and their conduct; lack of concrete sustainable anti-corruption programming and failure to locate the anti-corruption struggle within a broader struggle to transform society, Mr Igbuzor said.

The one-day conference consisted of a series of panels in which each of the 18 organisations in the cohort spoke about the work it had been doing, while leveraging the behavioural change approach, alongside its impacts so far.

The organisations then jointly set an agenda for deepening their public engagement within the frame of behavioural insights, going forward.

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The House of Representatives, on Thursday, turned back officers sent by the service chiefs to represent them at the security sector debate initiated by the lower house.

It insisted that the service chiefs must appear in person to brief them on the security situation in the country.

The House had invited them to brief lawmakers on the state of security as part of a sectoral review of key ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs).

The Chief of Defence Staff, Christopher Musa; the Chief of Army Staff, Taoreed Lagbaja; the Chief of Naval Staff, Emmanuel Ogalla; the Chief of Air Staff, Hassan Abubakar, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, sent representatives to the meeting.

At the commencement of the debate, the Deputy Speaker, Ben Kalu (APC, Abia), moved a motion that the House should not allow representatives of the military heads to address the House.

Mr Kalu, who was visibly angry, stated that the House could only dialogue with heads of agencies.

The House extended an invitation to the heads of the security agencies, not for the purposes of investigation but for dialogue and explanation of the things around that space.

It behoves the agencies to send their number one officers because the parliament is the number one organ of government.

The gentlemen they have sent (representatives) have a great profile and pedigree. They have served the nation in various capacities and are competent to discuss with us.

READ ALSO: IGP orders investigation into alleged assault on NLC president

It has been the tradition of the House that when we invite chief executives  be it private or public sector  they must come in person. I want to pray that we dont break this sacred tradition of our House less we will be taken for granted, he said.

Mr Kalus motion was unanimously endorsed by the House when it was put to vote by the Speaker, Tajudeen Abbas.

Mr Abbas noted that the House does not encourage and accept representation, particularly at this high-level engagement.

Please, convey our message to your service chiefs, he told the representatives of the security chiefs.

The representatives subsequently left the chamber after the motion was adopted.

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Two commissioners in the Ondo State cabinet have abstained from a vote of confidence in Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who has not set foot in the state since April over health issues.

One of the two commissioners said the vote, passed by the 33 other members of the state executive council and made public on Thursday, was unnecessary while the other said the procedure adopted was inadequate.

Those who signed the document include the son of the governor, Babajide, who is a serving commissioner.

The absence of the governor from the state for several months has been a source of discontentment within the government and the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

Although Mr Akeredolu returned from medical leave in Germany in August, he has yet to resume duty in his Alagbaka office in Akure. He has also not been seen in public since his return from Germany.

However, the refusal of the commissioner for energy, Razaq Obe, and the commissioner of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Akin Sowore, to sign the vote has further indicated a crack in the cabinet.

Asked why he withheld his signature, Mr Obe said he did not see the document and so could not have appended his signature to a document he was not privy to.

He said when he was asked to sign, he requested to see the document but because his request was not granted he refused to send his signature.

The person who reached me to send the electronic signature said he didnt have it, so someone is asking me to drop my signature on a document that I dont have knowledge about at all, so I did not send the signature, he said.

No executive meeting was held, nothing like that. So I was careful dropping my signature on a document that I didnt know about. The document Im seeing now that they put out, if I saw that I would have happily appended my signature.

On his part, Mr Sowore said the vote passed by the members of the cabinet in a state in a situation like this did not count.

In the first place, we are the appointees of Mr Governor, we cant even say that we dont have confidence in him; anybody that doesnt have confidence in the government has to resign. So, by pushing a vote of confidence, as far as Im concerned, it does not make sense. We dont have power to remove the governor as members of the cabinet, Mr Sowore said.

So passing vote of confidence on the governor in the first place does not add anything to Mr Governor. So it is the work of those desperate politicians in the state in order to create a crisis where there is no crisis.

I dont have any issues with the governor, and he is our governor in the state. In fact, in the first place, they dont allow the man to rest.

There was no exco meeting, the governor is far away in Ibadan and the deputy is embattled far away in Abuja. So, nobody to chair the executive meeting in the state.

Even if I am around I will not have signed because I am supposed to tell them what they are supposed to do, those that are not lawyers.

No exco meeting has been held except during the period when the deputy governor was the acting governor. But since the governor resumed duty on 7th September 2023, no excos meeting had been held.

The Peoples Democratic Party and some groups within the APC had called for the governors resignation as a result of his poor health.

The PDP had written to the state House of Assembly to set up a medical panel to investigate the state of fitness of the governor in line with the provisions of the constitution.

The house, however, rejected the call, saying it had confidence in the governors ability to govern the state despite his health challenges.

State officials have insisted that governance was going on smoothly and the governor was attending to matters of state effectively even though he resides outside the state.

Below is the full text of the vote of confidence letter by the cabinet members.

In fulfilment of our dedicated responsibilities to advance the programs and policies of the Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu-led administration, encapsulated in the REDEEMED agenda, aimed at enhancing the lives of the people and fostering development across the state, we proudly commend the peoples Governor for the unprecedented progress under his leadership.

As members of the State Executive Council, we have imbibed the principles of good governance, integrity, and commitment from the very best- Governor Oluwarotimi Odunayo Akeredolu, SAN, CON. The courage and exemplary leadership consistently displayed by Mr Governor continue to motivate and inspire us to fulfil our duties

Without hesitation, Mr. Governor is a blessing to the good people of Ondo State. His leadership has been rewarding and inspirational. Governor Akeredolu is not only a worthy leader but also a national asset who passionately pursues the welfare of the country. This patriotic leadership is characterized by unwavering courage in leading the people of the Sunshine State towards prosperity and progress.

As Mr. Governors foot soldiers, we take immense pride in being under his leadership Witnessing his dedication, sleepless nights, and commitment to protecting and serving the people of the state, despite numerous challenges in the past, is truly admirable. His leadership embodies compassion, vision, and commitment to development, progress, and peace

In Ondo State today, we are reaping the benefits of Mr. Governors courage. The Amotekun corps, a product of Mr. Governors determination, has become a celebrated innovation in the security architecture of the state and the Southwest in general. Since security is the primary objective of any government, the existence of Amotekun is a testament to Governor Akeredolus visionary leadership.

Popularly referred to as Mr. Road or Mr. Infrastructure, these appellations reflect the administrations giant strides in infrastructural development. Since assuming office, Mr. Governor has demonstrated a clear passion and dedication to bridging infrastructural gaps in the state. Over the past six years, significant growth and progress in infrastructural development have been recorded, including the construction of two unprecedented flyovers.

The first flyover, named Redemption Bridge and located in Ore, was constructed by the Governor Akeredolu-led administration. The second, the first in the state capital, is underway at the Shagari/Onyearbulem junction in Akure. These infrastructure projects, termed Dividend of good governance by Mr Governor, represent a substantial public good

Under the leadership of our amiable Governor, the government has taken a significant leap in the health sector. The construction of 250-bed ultra-modern teaching hospitals in Akure and Ondo respectively has reached an appreciable level. Mr. Governor has made substantial strides in the health sector, with the University of Medical Sciences in Ondo benefiting from the administrations commitment to its development.

Having worked closely with the Governor, we commend his dedication to public service and achievements in infrastructure development, healthcare, education, and various sectors that have positively impacted the lives of Ondo State people. We take pride in sharing in these achievements and successes, acknowledging Mr. Governors visionary governance, commitment to development, and tireless efforts in improving the well-being of Ondo State citizens.

Therefore, we unanimously declare our unflinching trust in Mr. Governor and endorse his impactful leadership. As a united front, we remain steadfast in our support for Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, CON, and pledge to continue working collaboratively towards the advancement and prosperity of the state. We express our gratitude to Mr. Governor for his selfless service and courageous leadership.

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If the practical stepsare taken, and data protection becomes a priority, African nations can harness the benefits of the digital age while ensuring that the rights and interests of their citizens are protected and respected. In doing so, they will not only assert their sovereignty but also pave the way for a brighter and more secure digital future for all Africans.

In an era dominated by digital technology, data has become an invaluable resource driving innovation and economic growth worldwide. While these technological advancements have ushered in unprecedented opportunities and development, they have also brought forth a significant challenge: the unchecked practice of data harvesting by big tech companies. The constant harvesting of vast amounts of data from individuals and organisations around the world by these tech giants has given rise to pressing concerns over personal privacy, data sovereignty and national security. The increasing role of technology in everyday life has also given immense power, access and influence to big tech companies and this must be checked.

All these draw attention to the pressing need for the Nigerian government, other African countries, and the African Union, to prioritise data protection. Next is a detailed examination of the issues at hand and practical steps to control data harvesting.

The Data Harvesting Landscape in Africa

The African continent has experienced rapid digital transformation in recent years, with increased access to smartphones and the internet. This transformation has brought both opportunities and challenges. On one hand, it has enabled African countries to leapfrog into the digital age, driving economic growth and improving access to essential services. On the other hand, it has exposed African citizens to data harvesting practices by big tech companies, often without their informed consent.

Data harvesting occurs when companies collect, analyse, and monetise personal information without the explicit knowledge or consent of individuals. This practice is prevalent across the globe, but African countries have unique vulnerabilities due to the lack of comprehensive data protection laws, limited digital literacy, and a growing dependence on foreign technology companies.

The Nigerian Experience

Nigeria, as one of the largest and most technologically advanced countries in Africa, faces significant challenges when it comes to data protection. While the Nigerian Data Protection Regulation (NDPR) was introduced in 2019 to regulate data processing activities in the country, its enforcement and effectiveness remain limited. Many companies still collect and misuse personal data without the fear of significant consequences.

One glaring example is the proliferation of mobile applications that gain access to users contact lists, messages, and personal information without transparent consent processes. Such practices not only violate the privacy of individuals but also put national security at risk. Nigeria must prioritise enforcing the NDPR and strengthening its legal framework to hold companies accountable for data breaches and unauthorised data harvesting.

Data Sovereignty and National Security

Beyond individual privacy concerns, data harvesting also poses threats to national security and sovereignty. When foreign tech companies collect massive amounts of data from African citizens, they gain significant influence over the continents digital infrastructure and potentially compromise sensitive information. This issue becomes even more critical as African governments increasingly rely on digital tools for governance, national security, and economic development.

One of the fundamental principles of data protection is ensuring that individuals provide informed and explicit consent before their data is collected and processed. To combat data harvesting by big tech companies, African governments should establish stringent regulations that require companies to be transparent about their data practices and obtain clear consent from users.

To safeguard their sovereignty, African nations must prioritise the development of indigenous digital solutions and data centres that ensure the secure storage and processing of sensitive data. This approach not only protects national interests but also fosters economic growth by promoting local innovation and reducing dependency on foreign tech giants.

The Role of the African Union

The African Union (AU) needs to play a pivotal role in coordinating efforts to address data protection on a continental scale. The AU has recognised the importance of data governance through initiatives like the African Union Convention on Cyber Security and Personal Data Protection. However, more must be done to harmonise data protection laws across African nations and facilitate collaboration in addressing data harvesting by big tech companies.

The AU should work towards the establishment of a unified data protection framework that encompasses all African nations. This framework would provide a common set of principles, standards, and enforcement mechanisms, ensuring that data protection is taken seriously across the continent. Collaboration among African countries can also help in negotiating fair agreements with foreign tech companies and promoting African-owned data solutions.

Building Digital Literacy

Another key aspect of addressing data harvesting is enhancing digital literacy among citizens of Africa. Many individuals are unaware of the risks associated with sharing personal data online or using digital services without adequate safeguards. Public awareness campaigns and educational programmes can empower people to make informed choices about their digital activities and data sharing practices.

Governments, in partnership with civil society organisations and the private sector, should invest in digital literacy initiatives. These efforts should target both urban and rural populations to bridge the digital divide and ensure that all citizens have the knowledge and skills needed to protect their data effectively.

Transparency and Informed Consent

One of the fundamental principles of data protection is ensuring that individuals provide informed and explicit consent before their data is collected and processed. To combat data harvesting by big tech companies, African governments should establish stringent regulations that require companies to be transparent about their data practices and obtain clear consent from users.

In addition to legal regulations, governments should encourage the development of user-friendly consent mechanisms that enable individuals to understand how their data will be used and to make informed decisions. This approach not only protects individuals rights but also fosters trust between users and service providers.

Collaboration with countries that have robust data protection regulations, such as those in the European Union, can provide valuable insights and support in building comprehensive data protection frameworks. African nations can also advocate for international agreements that hold big tech companies accountable for their data harvesting practices.

Strengthening Data Protection Enforcement

Enforcing data protection regulations is essential to curbing data harvesting by big tech companies. Governments in Africa must invest in the capacity to investigate and penalise companies that violate data protection laws. This includes establishing specialised data protection agencies or units within existing regulatory bodies.

Governments should consider implementing strict penalties for companies found guilty of data breaches, such as fines and sanctions. A robust enforcement framework serves as a deterrent to companies that might otherwise engage in data harvesting practices without consequence.

International Cooperation

Addressing data harvesting is not a challenge unique to Africa. It is a global issue that requires international cooperation. African nations should engage with international organisations, governments, and stakeholders to develop a unified approach to data protection that transcends borders.

Collaboration with countries that have robust data protection regulations, such as those in the European Union, can provide valuable insights and support in building comprehensive data protection frameworks. African nations can also advocate for international agreements that hold big tech companies accountable for their data harvesting practices.

The data protection landscape in Africa is at a critical juncture. The rapid digitisation of the continent presents immense opportunities for growth and development, but it also exposes African citizens to the risks of data harvesting by big tech companies.

If the practical steps above are taken, and data protection becomes a priority, African nations can harness the benefits of the digital age while ensuring that the rights and interests of their citizens are protected and respected. In doing so, they will not only assert their sovereignty but also pave the way for a brighter and more secure digital future for all Africans.

Dovish Okojie is a management consultant and public affairs commentator. He writes from Abuja and can be reached through dovishokojie@gmail.com

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Promiseland Estate, a leading real estate firm in Abuja, has reiterated its commitment to constructing 100,000 homes over the next decade.

In a statement released by the management on Wednesday, the company dismissed the attempts by detractors to tarnish its reputation, stressing that it remains undeterred in pursuing its ambitious goals.

Recently, a controversy arose when Sunrise Estate, in a notice of litigation published across various news outlets, cautioned the public against purchasing plots 580 and 581 in Kugbo District, Abuja, being marketed by Promiseland Estate.

But responding to the action of Sunrise Estate, Promiseland Estate stated that it refuses to be swayed by individuals feeling intimidated by its remarkable ascent in the real estate sector.

The company reiterated its dedication to its vision of uplifting people from poverty to prosperity through real estate investment.

The statement read, Over the past decade, weve always placed our clients needs as a top priority; we promise to carry that forward by ensuring every client receives the absolute best value when buying their dream home.

Promiseland Estate further outlined its commitment to building 100,000 homes within the next 10 years. It affirmed its determination to provide seamless housing solutions to clients both in Nigeria and the diaspora through innovative investment schemes.

The real estate firm also highlighted its core values, including integrity, trust, and sustainability.

Promiseland Estate emphasised its dedication to developing communities that encourage environmental, social, and economic prosperity. It reassured its clients of its unwavering commitment.

The statement drew attention to various ongoing projects of Promiseland Estate, including Maitama II, Smart City, Idu Corridor, Karsana 1.0, Penny City, Bungalow City, Luxury Estate, Kubwa F01, and Lugbe Phase 1. It added that all the projects are strategically located in different districts of Abuja.

Promiseland Estate invites potential investors to explore these projects, promising up to 1,000% return on investment in specific locations within the next five years.

Our offices and phone numbers remain open for prospective clients and subscribers:

Office Address: 315, Damba St, Zone 5, Wuse 904101, Abuja

Phone: 0802 705 7730, the statement further pointed out.

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The award of the 11-kilometre Ningi-Gudduba township road project at the cost of over N10.3 billion by the government of Bauchi State is generating controversy within the state.

The governor flagged off the construction of the road last Sunday. He said when the project is completed, the road will boost the states economy and bring development to Ningi town in particular.

The governor said the 11-kilometre road project was awarded to MotherCart Nig. Ltd at the sum of over N10.3 billion and will be completed in 18 months.

The governor said the contract was awarded given its strategic importance, as a gateway to the commercial city of Kano and other parts of northern Nigeria.

However, the cost for the construction of the road quoted by the governor is generating controversy.

One of those questioning the cost of the road is a former Kaduna senator, Shehu Sani.

Mr Sani in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, wondered at the high cost of the construction. While sharing a link to a story about the road, he asked why the construction of a kilometre of road cost N1 billion.

However, some residents of Ningi faulted the former senators concern.

A group of Ningi indigenes, Ningi Grassroots Development Association (NGDA), in a statement, said critics of the cost of the road are ignorant of the enormity of work and compensation payment involved in the project execution.

READ ALSO:

The chairman of the association, Yusuf Yunusa, said the project includes compensations for residential buildings, commercial shops, and a filling station, as it also entails the construction of six bridges, culverts, and affected farmlands, among others.

The (project) will provide road shoulders, peoples double walkways, pedestrian crossing, and street lights to boost the security of the area, forestalling auto-crashes that have been the phenomenon of the road for decades, Mr Yunusa said.

Also, the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) in Bauchi State, defended the cost of the project and dismissed as misleading concerns that the cost of the road is inflated.

The NSEs chairman in the state, Muhammad Ibrahim, told journalists in Bauchi on Monday that various factors were responsible for the high cost of the road project.

Mr Ibrahim said its erroneous and misleading to speculate that the state government awarded the contract for the construction of each kilometre of the 11km road at the cost of N1 billion.

The (11-kilometre) project is not a single lane road but a dual carriage one. It is essential to understand that infrastructure projects, especially road construction, involve various factors that contribute to the overall cost.

The cost estimation for such a project considers not only the length of the road but also the terrain, soil conditions, drainage requirements, environmental considerations, and the need for quality materials.

Therefore, any attempt to oversimplify the cost based solely on the length of the road may not capture the full picture. Notably, every Nigerian is aware of the rising cost of everything including construction materials.

It is important for the public to be aware that infrastructure development comes with a price, and investments in quality roads have long-term benefits for the community.

As engineers, we understand the technical complexities involved in such projects, and we commend the government for its diligence and dedication towards ensuring that these projects are executed with precision and efficiency.

In light of this, we commend the Bauchi State Government for prioritising infrastructure development, which undoubtedly contributes to the overall well-being of the citizens and stimulates economic growth, Mr. Ibrahim said.

Meanwhile, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Information, Danturaki Garba, said he was not present when the governor flagged off the project.

He, however, promised to provide further details about the project and revert to this reporter.

However, after waiting for more than 24 hours he could not be reached subsequently to provide the information he promised to get.

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A man in Anambra State, South-east Nigeria, has allegedly raped and impregnated a 14-year-old girl in the state.

The suspect, James Rich, 31, hails from Cross Rivers State but resides in Awka, Anambra State capital.

Chidinma Ikeanyionwu, a media aide to the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in the state, Ify Obinabo, disclosed this in a statement on Thursday.

Ms Ikeanyionwu said the suspect was arrested by police operatives in the state after the commissioner contacted them for assistance.

I usually rape and pay her every Sunday in the church

Ms Ikeanyionwu said Mr Rich works as a yardman at Saint Michaels and All Angels Anglican Church Ifite Awka in Awka South Local Government Area of the state.

The suspect, who is married with two kids, resides within the church premises where he works.

The media aide to the commissioner said the suspect confessed during interrogation that he raped and impregnated the teenager

Mr Rich, during the interrogation, explained that he usually raped the girl every Sunday at the church premises, adding that he had slept with the victim about three times, according to the statement.

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The suspect added that he usually gave the victim N200 to buy biscuits each time he slept with her.

Ms Ikeanyionwu said the suspect pleaded for forgiveness, claiming that it was the first time he committed such a crime.

The survivor (name withheld) said the suspect usually raped her every Sunday morning before the churchs 6 a.m. service, according to the statement.

Commissioner reacts

Reacting to the incident, the Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare in the state, Mrs Obinabo, warned men to stop raping women, especially minors as the Anambra State Government does not tolerate such acts.

The commissioner, who spoke through her Special Assistant, Blessing Nweke, assured that the case would be charged to court immediately to get justice for the victim.

Prohibited in Nigeria

Nigeria, in 2015, enacted the Violence Against Persons (Prohibition) Act, which outlawed all forms of violence against women and girls, including rape, female circumcision and forceful ejection.

Offenders, on conviction, face life imprisonment or a maximum of 14-year jail term, depending on the age of the offender and the type of violence committed.

Several persons accused of rape have been convicted by various courts.

An Ado-Ekiti High Court, in July 2022, sentenced a 49-year-old man, Dele Adeyanju, to four years imprisonment for raping an 11-year-old girl.

A Bauchi High Court, in 2017, sentenced two middle-aged men to life in prison for raping a 40-year-old woman and plucking her eyes.

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BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Azerbaijan has been invited to present investment opportunities at the UNV's Science and Technology Investment Fair Science to be held next April in New York, Assistant Secretary General for Economic Development of the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs Navid Hanif said, Trend reports.

He spoke at the II Baku Forum on Sustainable Development.

Hanif noted that now is the right time for cooperation between sectors and countries to mobilize private investment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

"There is a need to increase private finance and investment for long-term development." For example, an annual investment of $1.7 trillion is required to complete the energy shift to renewable energy. Despite significant progress, the sector generates just $544 billion per year, the majority of which is generated in industrialized countries. We can increase the flow of resources by better utilizing novel financing structures, such as blended finance, to channel investments to countries and sectors in need," he added.

At the same time, according to Navid Hanif, development banks can play an important role in recruiting extra private finance for sustainable development. To accomplish this, it is critical to standardize and increase governance and accountability for a given impact from private business.

"I strongly encourage you to familiarize yourself with the projects implemented by the GSE Alliance and consider applying them to your own business," he added.

The II Baku Forum on Sustainable Development is aimed at strengthening the experience exchange and cooperation with the countries of the region and international organizations in the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda.

The event is attended by high-ranking officials from Europe and CIS countries, representatives of the UN, international financial and regional organizations, government institutions, representatives of civil society and private sector, as well as experts.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Ondo State Command said, on Thursday, that road crashes reduced by 4.6 per cent in the state from January to September 2023.

Ezekiel SonAllah, FRSC Sector Commander in the state, disclosed this in Akure at a news conference to commemorate 2023 African Road Safety Day And World Day Of Remembrance For Road Traffic Victims.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the theme of the programme was Justice Slogan: Remember Support Act.

Mr SonAllah explained that the reduction in the number of road traffic crashes was achieved through the enlightenment and advocacy programmes embarked on by the command.

He said that the command would not relent on its oaths to protect lives and properties on highways.

In 2022, between January and September, 237 total crashes were recorded, while 226 recorded in 2023 with a 4.6 per cent decrease.

In the same months under review, 746 casualties were recorded in 2022 and 657 in 2023 with 11.9 per cent decrease, and 1,769 people involved in crashes in 2022 while 1,297 involved in 2023 with 26.7 per cent decrease.

During the same period, 97 people were killed in 2022, while 116 were killed in 2023, which shows 19.59 per cent increase. Also, 649 people were injured in 2022, while 541 were injured in 2023 with 16.6 per cent decrease.

The command will not rest on its efforts until we are able to record zero crash on our roads, he said.

Mr SonAllah said that the annual remembrance day programme was to promote evidence-based actions to prevent and eventually stop further road traffic deaths and injuries.

He said that the command would continue to deploy its personnel and logistics to man the highways across the state.

Enforcement plan

The sector commander said that the command would aggressively enforce critical offences of overloading, speed limit violation and the use of cell phones while driving.

Mr SonAllah said laws on driving under alcohol/drug influence, wrongful overtaking, dangerous driving, failure to install speed limit device, among others, would also be enforced.

The sector commander charged motorists to ensure that their vehicles were in good condition before embarking on any journey, especially during the festive seasons.

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Like what we said during the ember months campaign, life has no duplicate because if you are driving with defective headlights, you are risking your own life and others.

Motorists need to do the needful before plying the highways, both day and night, because what road crash understand is simple obedience of rules and regulations of road traffic.

As we are advocating for zero crash in Ondo State, we need to realise it is collective efforts and all hands must be on deck.

As we remember the lives of people that died today, we need to shun whatever could lead to loss of lives and properties, he advised.

(NAN)

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After being honored with the International Book of Honor in the British Parliament, Dr. Kulwant Gaur, the founder and president of Shine India Foundation, returned to Kota after a seven-day visit to London, UK. During his trip, he was recognized for the foundation's outstanding work through various organizations in London, Glasgow, Manchester, and Scotland.

Dr. Gaur shared that Shine India Foundation received accolades for its exceptional work during his seven-day journey, where different organizations acknowledged their contributions in London, Glasgow, Manchester, and Scotland. The news of international recognition for vision restoration also reached the Commercial Counsel General of the Scottish Embassy, Vijay Silvaraj.

The Shine India Foundation delegation, including Jitendra Singh, President of Shine India Foundation, and four members, met with the Counsel General to discuss the process and significance of vision restoration. The Counsel General expressed joy in learning about the impactful work in eye donation being recognized internationally, contributing to India's positive image abroad.

Jitendra Singh, the President of Shine India Foundation in Scotland, expressed gratitude to the Counsel General and requested the organization of workshops to further propagate the cause of eye donation among the public.

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( Read 1647 Times)

On the second day of home voting for senior citizens and differently-abled individuals under the Legislative Assembly General Elections 2023, a total of 709 voters participated from their homes across the 8 constituencies in Udaipur district. The ongoing initiative has seen a total of 979 registered voters exercising their franchise from the comfort of their homes in the past two days.

As per the directives of the Election Commission of India, the facility of home voting is being provided for citizens aged 80 years and above and those with more than 40% disability. The first phase of home voting is scheduled from November 14 to November 19.

On Wednesday, the designated home voting teams set out on their assigned routes from the main offices of returning officers. These teams visited the homes of identified senior citizens and differently-abled individuals to facilitate their voting. The process was conducted with the presence of micro observers, election teams, videography, and authorized representatives of the relevant BLOs and candidates.

**Voting Statistics by Constituency:**

- Gogunda: 86 voters participated (76 senior citizens and 10 differently-abled individuals).

- Jhadol: 75 voters participated (66 senior citizens and 9 differently-abled individuals).

- Kherwara: 100 voters participated (81 senior citizens and 19 differently-abled individuals).

- Udaipur Rural: 57 voters participated (47 senior citizens and 10 differently-abled individuals).

- Udaipur City: 95 voters participated (89 senior citizens and 6 differently-abled individuals).

- Mavli: 92 voters participated (80 senior citizens and 12 differently-abled individuals).

- Vallabhnagar: 163 voters participated (132 senior citizens and 31 differently-abled individuals).

- Salumbar: 41 voters participated (37 senior citizens and 4 differently-abled individuals).

Overall, 163 voters exercised their home voting rights in Vallabhnagar, marking the highest participation among the constituencies. The total number of home voters across all constituencies now stands at 979.

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( Read 1468 Times)

Renowned social worker Gyanchand Ranka, dedicated to the service of humanity, has set an inspiring example by donating his body for a noble cause. Inspired by him, members of his family have also pledged body donation. Gyanchand Ranka, who passed away at the age of 83, had decided to donate his body, and posthumously, his wife Smt. Premlata Ranka, along with three daughters engaged in public service, Dr. Archana Ranka (Director of Statistics), Kalpana Ranka (Assistant Accountant Officer), and Dr. Vandana (Private Assistant), have also committed to body donation.

Motivated by the father-in-law, Prof. Ajay Kumar Choudhary, sons-in-law Dinkar Khamesara and Sandeep Bolya, and granddaughter Charmi Khamesara, a law student at the National Law University, Jodhpur, have also pledged body donation, aiming to raise awareness about body donation in society and contribute wholeheartedly.

During the body donation, Dr. Parveen Ojha, the head of the Anatomy Department, presented the certificate of body donation to Smt. Premlata Ranka. He explained that upon arrival, the earthly remains are accorded full respect, and the staff, while taking the oath, accepts body donations even during leave periods. Dr. Saurabh emphasized that the donation is crucial for the study of students, and individuals willing to contribute to this sacred cause by taking a pledge can play a significant role in humanitarian service.

C.A. Gautam Sukhlecha, a social worker and advocate of body donation, shared that he has arranged for the body donation of seven family members, including his parents. He is inspiring others in society to consider body donation as a selfless act. Account Officer Dinkar Khamesara highlighted the opportunity of body donation as a means of providing immortality to the mortal body and encouraged more people to be inspired for further body donations.

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( Read 1731 Times)

Udaipur - The Indian Lok Kala Mandal, Udaipur, organized the 'Aadi Mahotsav' during the Indigenous Pride Day, featuring colorful presentations by tribal artists from various districts of Rajasthan.

Dr. Laik Hussain, Director of the Indian Lok Kala Mandal, Udaipur, mentioned that the event, held in collaboration with the Department of Tribal Development, Udaipur, District Administration, and Tourism Department, witnessed the gathering of tribal artists from different regions of Rajasthan. They came together on one platform, showcasing traditional folk dances that not only captivated the local audience but also enchanted tourists.

He stated that the main guests of the program, Shri Tarachand Meena, Commissioner, Tribal Development Department, Udaipur, Smt. Prabha Gautam, Additional Commissioner, Tribal Development Department, Udaipur, Dr. Taru Surana, Director, Manikya Lal Verma Adim Jati Shodh Evam Prashikshan Sansthan, Udaipur, Chief Health Officer Dr. Shankar Lal Bamaniya, Dr. R.L. Suman, Deputy Director of Tourism Shikha Saxena, and district administration officials, paid homage to the portrait of freedom fighter and tribal leader Birsa Munda, lighting the ceremonial lamp and inaugurating the program.

Prabha Gautam, Additional Commissioner, Tribal Development Department, Udaipur, provided an overview of the event. In the festival, eight tribal artists from Rajasthan presented their diverse cultural heritage, including graceful non-dance performances by artists from Banswara, enchanting Swang dance by Sahariya tribe artists from Baran, energetic Gair dance by Naphla Banswara artists, Dangri Dola dance by artists from Uplagadh, Mavliya dance from Ambasa Jhadol, and soulful recitations by poets Gavri and Gair Dal from Udaipur. The presentation of the Bhawai dance by Udaipur's tribal artists left the audience applauding.

Towards the end of the program, Dr. Taru Surana, Director of Manikya Lal Verma Adim Jati Shodh Evam Prashikshan Sansthan, Udaipur, extended gratitude to the Tribal Development Department, Udaipur district administration, and the Tourism Department, along with the press and media. He expressed that the successful organization of the Aadi Mahotsav was possible due to their cooperation. Dr. Surana emphasized the importance of such events to promote tribal culture, safeguard traditions, and encourage the conservation and development of tribal communities.

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Udaipur. It is often said that good health leads to overall happiness. However, due to changing lifestyles in the modern era, diabetes (or Madhumeh) has emerged as a widespread epidemic. Recognizing the global impact of this disease, World Diabetes Day is being observed worldwide. As part of this initiative, Pacific Medical College and Hospital organized a workshop on diabetes during the Diabetes Awareness Week.

The program coordinator, Dr. Jagdish Vishnoi, highlighted that the inauguration of this workshop was attended by key figures such as PMCH Principal Dr. M.M. Mangal, Medical Superintendent Dr. R.K. Singh, Additional Principal Dr. Vinodini Varahade, Medicine Department Professor and Head Dr. K.R. Sharma, Dr. V.K. Goyal from the Medicine Department, Dr. Jagdish Vishnoi, Head of Obstetrics and Gynecology Department Dr. Rajrani Sharma, and Head of Pediatrics Department Dr. Ravi Bhatia.

In this workshop, Dr. V.K. Goyal discussed the causes, classification, and diagnosis of diabetes, while Dr. Jagdish Vishnoi elaborated on the management and diagnosis of diabetes during pregnancy. Dr. K.R. Sharma emphasized the importance of preventive measures and control of diabetes through medical advice, regular check-ups, and treatment.

During the workshop held as part of the Diabetes Awareness Week, diabetes specialist Dr. R.K. Sharma stated that in India alone, there are approximately 100 million diabetic patients, with 90% being Type 2 diabetic. He emphasized that 50% of people with diabetes are unaware of their condition. Dr. Sharma stressed that timely medical advice, regular check-ups, and treatment are crucial for controlling blood sugar levels and preventing complications.

Nutrition specialist Dr. Inderprit provided insights into healthy eating for diabetic patients. As part of the Diabetes Awareness Week, a patient awareness dialogue was conducted, involving 390 patients and their relatives, providing them with information about diabetes and addressing their questions.

Rahul Agrawal, the Chairman of the institution, mentioned that awareness activities would continue until November 22, reaching hospitals and villages to educate people about diabetes and prevent future cases. Specialists from various departments, medical students, and doctors attended the event.

Source :
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. TRACECA is ready to support the launch of container transportation between the seaports of Azerbaijan and Georgia to reduce the load on road checkpoints, TRACECA Secretary General Asset Assavbayev said at the international conference on "International transport and logistics corridor: Development impulses from Zangilan", held in Zangilan, Trend reports.

"More than 75 hours were spent crossing the Azerbaijani-Georgian border during the pilot cargo transportation from May through June 2023. The current situation once again shows how important it is for Azerbaijan and Georgia to increase the capacity at the border," he said.

The secretary general said that the launch of container transportation between the seaports of Azerbaijan and Georgia will allow redirecting part of cargo vehicles transiting by rail.

In addition, Assanbayev mentioned the work carried out by Azerbaijan and Georgia to create a checkpoint operating on the principle of "one stop", which will be the first point of this type in the region.

"I am sure that this work will make a significant contribution to the development of capacity between the two countries," he said.

An international conference on the topic "International transport and logistics corridor: Development impulses from Zangilan" has started today in Azerbaijans Zangilan.

The conference is held with the joint organization of the special representative office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts, which are part of the East Zangezur Economic Region, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the State Customs Committee and the Institute of Economics of the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan.

The purpose of the conference is to organize discussions between the public, private and academic sectors on the development and expansion of trans-regional transport corridors, as well as to establish cooperation between stakeholders.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
schuh shares the latest instalment of its charity tote bag series with Disability Equality partner, Shape Arts, designed by disability advocate and artist Grace Fairley .

. schuh shares disability inclusive progress for customers and employees.

schuh launches newly designed Purpose Pillar Hub showcasing progress and commitments.

LONDON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- At schuh , we love footwear more than most, but we know some things are more important. We're about shoes and sneaks, but also the people wearing them  teams, customers and the wider community. Our mission is to foster self-expression and style within an inclusive community that inspires progress through purpose.

schuh x Shape Arts Charity Tote Bag

Our Purpose Pillars embody over 40 years of the brand's diversity, self-expression, and inclusivity culture. The Purpose Pillars have evolved into three main pillars  Sustainability, Mental Wellness and Fostering Diverse Talent, which includes Racial Equality, Disability Equality and LGBT+ Equality.

Our Disability Equality charity partner, Shape Arts is a disability-led arts organisation who work to remove barriers for disabled people in arts and culture.

Shape Arts nominated one of their artists, Grace Fairley, to create this year's tote bag design, inspired by the theme "re-thinking disability". Grace Fairley is an award-winning illustrator, and 2D animator. She loves everything weird, wonderful and colourful. She believes that big messages can be communicated in simple ways. Her work has a special focus on disability, mental health, and womanhood.

Available online and in all 124 schuh stores from November for 3.00/3.44, all profits from the sales of these tote bags are directly donated back to the charity partner to help fund their work.

As part of schuh's Disability Equality commitment to actively better understand, spotlight and support disabled people as customers and employees, schuh will be raising awareness of Disability History Month from the 16th November sharing some of the progress it has made to improve inclusion and accessibility.

Some of this progress includes:

Through its bespoke schuh academy training platform, over 82% of store teams have completed a Disability Confident training module and over 76% have completed an Autism Awareness module.

Almost 20% of schuh's ecommerce imagery is now shot with disabled models and models with visible differences, up from 15% last year, better representing the disabled community.

This year schuh has donated 487 items of footwear to Jo's Odd Shoes , for people who only wear one shoe or two odd shoes because of amputation, limb absence or conditions, such as CRPS.

, for people who only wear one shoe or two odd shoes because of amputation, limb absence or conditions, such as CRPS. Through schuh's Disability Confident Employee pilot initiative, it has created work experience opportunities for disabled or neurodiverse individuals and groups. As a result of this initiative schuh has permanently employed two new team members in their stores.

schuh has worked with equality, diversity and inclusion consultancy partner Goss Consultancy Ltd. to ensure their websites are accessible, and have resolved accessibility issues highlighted through this work. Regular access reviews will be carried out and accessibility incorporated into future developments wherever possible.

schuh has made significant milestones centred around raising social consciousness amongst employees, brand partners and customers. We're proud of our progress but have plenty more work to do. The newly redesigned Purpose Pillar Hub shares some of our progress and goals for the future.

The Shape Arts x schuh tote bag will be available online and in stores this November, priced at 3.00/3.44.

The Purpose Pillar Hub is live now:

www.schuh.co.uk/our-community-pillars/

www.schuh.ie/our-community-pillars/

About schuh

schuh is one of the leading fashion footwear retailers with over 120 stores in the UK, Ireland and online, selling over 80 of the hottest brands alongside their own label collection.

The stores offer a unique shopping experience, known for their distinctive in-store atmosphere and excellent customer service. The website delivers a seamless multi-channel experience with best-in-class shipping, free delivery to store in as little as 20 minutes and an always-on 1-year return period.

Across its adult and kids ranges schuh offers an extensive range of products with access to the best brands and the latest styles.

www.schuh.co.uk

About Shape Arts

Shape Arts is a disability-led arts organisation which works to improve access to culture for disabled people by providing opportunities for disabled artists, training cultural institutions to be more open to disabled people, and through running participatory arts and development programmes.

www.shapearts.org.uk

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CAPE TOWN, South Africa, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Swoop Funding, the global powerhouse in business funding solutions, proudly announces its official launch in South Africa. This strategic expansion is made possible with the formidable support of industry leaders Sage and Enterprise Ireland.

Eimear Costigan, WesGro, Austin Gormley, Irish Ambassador, Nicola Kelly, Enterprise Ireland SA. Front row: Ciaran Burke, Swoop, Elricco Govindasamy, Sage, Alastair Woods, Swoop SA.

As Swoop strides into the South African market, it marks a momentous step in the company's commitment to addressing social, political, and economic challenges facing the nation. With a mission to combat high unemployment rates and stimulate economic growth, Swoop is empowering South African businesses by providing seamless access to various funding solutions.

At the heart of Swoop's mission is the commitment to offer comprehensive financial support, where a survey reveals that 96% of South African small- and medium-sized businesses are requesting assistance with Access to Finance[1]. Swoop connects businesses to a spectrum of funding options, including loans, equity investment, and grants. This holistic approach ensures that businesses can access the right type of finance tailored to their unique needs, fostering growth and sustainability.

The decision to establish roots in South Africa is strengthened by influential partnerships with Sage, a global leader in accounting software and business technology solutions, and Enterprise Ireland, a cornerstone of Irish economic development. These partnerships underscore a shared commitment to fostering innovation, growth, and sustainability within the South African business landscape.

Ciaran Burke, Co-founder of Swoop Funding, expresses enthusiasm, "We are thrilled to introduce Swoop to South Africa, a country teeming with potential and a vibrant entrepreneurial spirit. Our platform is designed to be a catalyst for positive change, offering a lifeline to businesses facing financial challenges."

Swoop's attendance at AfricaCom alongside industry leaders from Sage and Enterprise Ireland, as well as Ireland's esteemed Ambassador to South Africa, HE Austin Gormley, demonstrated the collaborative effort and shared commitment to supporting South African businesses on their journey to success.

Already making waves in the local business community, Swoop has successfully funded several enterprises, including Growing Paper , a South African company that produces handmade, biodegradable paper embedded with seeds. This early impact underscores the platform's efficacy in addressing the diverse funding needs of businesses across various sectors.

Ambassador Austin Gormley expressed strong support for Swoop's entry into the South African market, welcoming the arrival and acknowledging the contribution they will bring by addressing critical challenges and creating meaningful opportunities for local businesses.

For more information on Swoop Funding and its initiatives in South Africa, please visit Swoop's website .

About Swoop Funding:

Swoop Funding is a global platform devoted to facilitating simplified access to funding for businesses. Their mission is to empower all businesses and drive economic growth by seamlessly connecting them with a comprehensive range of funding options including loans, equity investment, and grants. For more information, please visit swoopfunding.com .

[1] https://www.smallbusinessinstitute.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/AssessmentOfSAsSMELandscape.pdf

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Growing need to secure critical infrastructure, and rise in number of sophisticated cyberattacks are driving the growth of the global threat intelligence market.

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Threat Intelligence Market by Component (Solutions and Services), Applications (Security Information and Event Management and Virtual Reality, Government, Risk and Compliance, and Business Continuity Planning and Management), Deployment (Cloud and On-Premise), Organization Size (Large Enterprise and SMEs), and Vertical (IT and Telecom, BFSI, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Retail and E-Commerce, Manufacturing and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2022-2032". According to the report, the global threat intelligence industry generated $11.89 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $30.51 billion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 9.9% from 2023 to 2032.

Prime determinants of growth

The notable factors positively affecting the threat intelligence market include rise in the number of sophisticated cyberattacks, growing need to secure critical infrastructure, and extensive adoption of digital technologies. However, high cost associated with the threat intelligence solutions and lack of skilled professionals to operate threat intelligence platforms can hinder the market growth. However, favorable government initiatives and investments to enhance cybersecurity infrastructure along with the growing popularity of threat intelligence services offer lucrative market opportunities for the market players.

Download Sample Pages: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/5876

Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $11.89 Billion Market Size in 2032 $30.51 Billion CAGR 9.9 % No. of Pages in Report 230 Segments covered Component, Applications, Deployment, Organization Size, Vertical, and Region. Drivers Rising number of sophisticated cyberattacks Growing need to secure critical infrastructure Extensive adoption and deployment of digital technologies Opportunities Favorable government initiatives and investments to strengthen security infrastructure Restraints High cost associated with threat intelligence solutions Lack of skilled professionals and technical complexities in deployment of threat intelligence solutions

Buy this Complete Report (230 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) at:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/threat-intelligence-market/purchase-options

The security information and event management segment to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period

By application, the security information and event management segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-fifth of the global threat intelligence market revenue, owing to the escalating volume and intricacy of cyber threats, which have rendered it imperative for organizations to harness threat intelligence data to proactively anticipate and counteract potential attacks. However, the same segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 11.7% from 2023 to 2032.

The IT and telecom segment to maintain its dominance during the forecast period

By vertical, the IT and telecom segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly two-fifth of the global threat intelligence market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status during the forecast period. This is because they offer prompt and actionable insights into the ever-changing landscape of cybersecurity threats, empowering IT professionals to proactively safeguard networks, systems, and data. However, the BFSI segment is projected to attain the highest CAGR of 12.8% from 2023 to 2032, owing to the existence of regulatory requisites, such as GDPR, and stringent industry compliance standards necessitate the implementation of robust cybersecurity measures; thereby stimulating the adoption of threat intelligence.

North America to maintain its dominance by 2032

By region, North America held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for nearly two-fifth of the global threat intelligence revenue. This is due to the increased adoption of IoT devices by a large number of financial institutions and internet users due to high availability of suitable infrastructure. However, the Asia-Pacific region is expected to witness the fastest CAGR of 11.1% from 2023 to 2032, and is likely to dominate the market during the forecast period, owing to the diverse range of threats in the Asia-Pacific region which contributes to the requirement for real-time threat insights, risk reduction, and incident response. This growing demand for advanced security solutions is anticipated to contribute to the growth of threat intelligence market across the Asia-Pacific region.

Enquiry Before Buying: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/5876

Leading Market Players: -

Anomali, Inc

Broadcom, Inc.

Cisco Systems Inc.

Check Point Software Technologies Ltd.

CrowdStrike, Inc.

IBM Corporation

Juniper Networks, Inc.

McAfee, LLC

Microsoft Corporation

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.

Trend Micro Incorporated

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players of the global threat intelligence market. These players have adopted different strategies such as partnership, product launch, and expansion to increase their market share and maintain dominant shares in different regions. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

Key Industry Development -

October 2023 - ThreatQuotient, a security operation platform provider announced updates in ThreatQ and ThreatQ TDR Orchestrator platforms. It announced the integration of generative AI, ACE workflows, and marketplace to enhance their operations. This helped ThreatQuotient in addressing the demand from enterprises for data-driven threat intelligence solutions

Septmeber 2023 - Broadcom, Inc. partnered with Google cloud to strengthen gen AI-powered cybersecurity and threat intelligence to embed generative AI (gen AI) into the Symantec security platform in a phased rollout that will give customers a significant technical edge for detecting, understanding, and remediating sophisticated cyber-attacks.

AVENUE- A Subscription-Based Library (Premium on-demand, subscription-based pricing model):

AMR introduces its online premium subscription-based library Avenue, designed specifically to offer cost-effective, one-stop solution for enterprises, investors, and universities. With Avenue, subscribers can avail an entire repository of reports on more than 2,000 niche industries and more than 12,000 company profiles. Moreover, users can get an online access to quantitative and qualitative data in PDF and Excel formats along with analyst support, customization, and updated versions of reports.

Get an access to the library of reports at any time from any device and anywhere. For more details, follow the link: https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/library-access

Trending Reports in ICT & Media Industry:

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AI in Cybersecurity Market Expected to Reach $154.8 Billion by 2032

About Us:

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Wilmington, Delaware. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of "Market Research Reports Insights" and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies, and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

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ROSEMONT, Ill., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- To help ensure that all patients receive high-quality, safe pain management and anesthesia care, the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology (AANA) has published its practice considerations for care of transgender and gender-diverse patients . AANA's position on equitable and inclusive care, regardless of a patient's gender status, also calls for Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists (CRNAs) to advocate for civility and help eliminate health disparities to improve health outcomes for all patients and communities.

"CRNAs are involved in many aspects of a patient's preoperative care, including performing a comprehensive medical history and physical, and conducting a preanesthesia evaluation with concern for the whole individual,"said Daniel King, DNP, CRNA, CPPS, AANA Practice Committee chair. "The purpose of these practice and policy considerations is to highlight the impact of health inequities for transgender patients and how these may affect care outcomes. In addition, the document discusses best considerations and practices for CRNAs and facilities to develop effective policies and strategies that promote equitable and inclusive care."

It is recommended the preoperative care should include terminology specific to LGBTQIA+ patients, where CRNAs as well as other healthcare providers address the patient by their gender-affirming name and pronouns. Also, the anesthesia provider should be familiar with gender-affirming hormone therapy as with any other medications prior to surgery.

"Studies have shown that transgender and gender-diverse persons have unique health concerns when compared to the general public," said King. "These include hormone therapies, other prescribed medication regimens speaking to potentially relevant states of pathophysiology, and prior surgical procedures. A thorough review of the medical history of any patient is key for developing an informative plan of care and ensuring positive post-surgery outcomes. This is furthermore important with increased awareness of specific health considerations for the transgender population. As one example, this may include contour shaping items that could have an impact on lung volumes and respiration."

The AANA recommends the personalized care during preoperative care also be applied to postoperative care for transgender patients. With attention to the specific nature of care needed for LGBTQIA+ patients, these guidelines recognize the best outcome for the patient should be the ultimate goal in providing care.

AANA's mission supports that CRNAs have a responsibility to all patients, regardless of their gender identification, to provide high quality and patient centered care that is individualized to meet patients' healthcare needs. AANA embraces members of the LGBTQIA+ community, including transgender and gender-diverse patients, and recognizes that nurse anesthesiologists play an integral role in promoting quality healthcare for these patients.

CRNAs are highly educated, trained, and qualified anesthesia experts. They provide 50 million anesthetics per year in the United States, working in every setting in which anesthesia is delivered. CRNAs are the primary providers of anesthesia care in rural settings, enabling facilities in these medically underserved areas to offer obstetrical, surgical, pain management, and trauma stabilization services.

SOURCE American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology
Collaborative effort highlights integration of AI into radiology workflow

AVENTURA, Fla., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- AbbaDox announced today that it will take part in the Imaging Artificial Intelligence in Practice (IAIP) demonstration to be held November 26  29 at the 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA 2023), the world's leading annual imaging forum, at McCormick Place in Chicago.

The IAIP demo is a showcase of new AI technologies and integration standards needed to embed AI into the diagnostic radiology workflow. The interactive exhibit will enable attendees to determine what is possible, identify the right questions to ask, and learn how to introduce and scale AI into their radiology practices.

Using real-world clinical scenarios involving both emergent and long-term care, 20 vendors with 28 products will walk RSNA 2023 meeting attendees through the exhibit to see AI tools and health information technology standards in action.

The demonstration highlights steps in the radiology workflow where AI can assist the radiologist and improve the efficiency and quality of care: from radiologist scheduling and imaging examination ordering to acquisition protocoling, image interpretation with AI clinical decision support at the point of care, reporting, and electronic health record integration.

AbbaDox is showcasing its innovative Radiology Information System (RIS) with integrated AI capabilities. This advanced system leverages machine learning algorithms to optimize radiology workflows, enhance decision-making processes, and improve patient care efficiency. By incorporating AI into its RIS, AbbaDox demonstrates a significant leap in radiology practice, showcasing how AI can streamline referrals, pre-registration, scheduling, intake, dictation and reporting processes within the radiology domain.

"Integrating AI into our Radiology Information System is a game changer," said Pierre-Antoine Tricen, Head of Marketing, at AbbaDox. "Our participation in the IAIP demo at RSNA 2023 is a testament to our commitment to pioneering the future of radiology workflows, offering our clients tools that are not just technologically advanced but also intuitively designed to enhance imaging center workflows and patient care."

IAIP is a collaborative effort between industry partners, radiologists and imaging informaticists. Integration is made possible through standards including DICOM (Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine), HL7 FHIR (Health Level 7 Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resource), the IHE (Integrating the Healthcare Enterprise) framework, CDE (Common Data Element) reporting, and others.

The IAIP demonstration is located in the AI Showcase ( South Hall A, Level 3, Booth 4358 ).

To meet with AbbaDox at RSNA, visit Abbadox.com/rsna23.

About AbbaDox:

AbbaDox leads the healthcare software industry with its radiology workflow solutions, empowering radiology practices to streamline operations and elevate patient care. Its comprehensive cloud-native RIS and suite of workflow applications set the benchmark for operational efficiency in the healthcare sector. For more information about AbbaDox, please visit www.abbadox.com.

Media Contact:

hello@abbadox.com

SOURCE AbbaDox
NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rokt , the leading ecommerce technology company using machine learning and AI to make transactions more relevant to each shopper, today announced its partnership with Afterpay , one of the global leaders in "Buy Now, Pay Later" payment. The partnership enables Afterpay to offer its ecommerce shoppers highly relevant offers at checkout, which creates a more relevant and engaging shopping experience while driving new revenue and deepening customer lifetime value.

"Afterpay is committed to delivering the most meaningful and relevant shopping experience for its customers, and we are thrilled to build on this mission by leveraging Rokt's ecommerce technology," said Saket Mehta, Global Head of Advertising Partnerships and Strategy at Afterpay. "This partnership allows us to further enhance our in-app offering and give shoppers more choice at checkout."

Rokt announced its partnership with Afterpay. Post this

Leveraging Rokts ecommerce solution, Afterpay and its thousands of retail partners, are empowered to deliver targeted, relevant and seamless advertising experiences to customers during the checkout flow.

"We are thrilled that Afterpay has chosen Rokt to provide their customers the most relevant shopping experiences possible," said Elizabeth Buchanan, Chief Commercial Officer of Rokt. Both Afterpay and Rokt were originally founded in Australia, and so it is especially exciting to now be partners on the global stage."

About Rokt

Rokt is the global leader in ecommerce technology, enabling companies to drive incremental value from every transaction by offering highly relevant messages at the moment customers are most likely to convert. Rokt's machine learning technology has powered billions of global transactions annually for the world's leading companies, including Live Nation, AMC Theatres, PayPal, Uber, Hulu, Staples, GoPuff, Lands' End, and HelloFresh. Founded in Australia, with US headquarters in New York City, the company operates in 15 countries across North America, Europe and the Asia-Pacific region. Rokt for a third year in a row joined the fastest-growing private companies in the US on the Inc. 5000 list in 2023.

To learn more, visit Rokt.com .

About Afterpay

Afterpay is transforming the way we pay by allowing anyone to buy products immediately and pay over time - enabling simple, transparent and responsible spending. We are on a mission to power an economy in which everyone wins.

Afterpay is offered by thousands of the world's favorite retailers and used by millions of active global customers. Afterpay is currently available in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, the United States and the United Kingdom, where it is known as Clearpay. Afterpay is a wholly owned subsidiary of Block, Inc. (NYSE: SQ).

For further information, please contact: Tarana Mehta - VP Marketing tarana.mehta@rokt.com

SOURCE ROKT Pte. Ltd.
Editor's Note: Accompanying Images and Captions Can Be Accessed Here: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1ZM1BrMrGRHWooTnlLRB21gl_uzXD5XUt?usp=sharing

NANAIMO, BC, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Alair, North America's largest privately-held custom home building and renovation company, proudly announces the opening of its 100th franchise location. This landmark achievement signifies Alair's rapid growth since its inception in 2007 while also underscoring its unique position as an industry innovator and community benefactor.

Matt Bieschke joins the Alair network as Alair Alexandria - the 100th location. Learn why he joined Alair. Members of Alair from across North America gather to celebrate the 100th location opening in Alexandria, Virginia on November 9, 2023. Photo by Darcy Troutman Photography. (CNW Group/Alair Enterprises Ltd.) (Left to right): Chad Hackmann, Regional Partner for Alair Northern Virginia, Matt Bieschke, Partner of Alair Alexandria, and Rob Cecil, President of Alair attend the #Alair100 launch and celebration in Alexandria, Virginia on November 9, 2023 (CNW Group/Alair Enterprises Ltd.)

Founded in British Columbia, Canada, and evolving into a franchise model in 2012, Alair has become a beacon of excellence in custom home building and large-scale renovations. The #Alair100 launch was celebrated in Alexandria, Virginia, on November 9, 2023 with an event that brought together partners and regional leaders from across North America.

Rob Cecil, President of Alair, commented on this achievement: "Reaching 100 locations is not just a number for us; it's a testament to our commitment to innovation, quality, collaboration and community. Each Alair partner embodies these values, driving us forward as we reimagine the home building experience across North America."

Cecil adds, "We are delighted to welcome Carbon Design Build to the Alair network as Alair Alexandria, our third franchise office in Northern Virginia, marking a significant milestone as the 100th franchise. Matt Bieschke and his team bring a wealth of experience and a strong commitment to quality and community that perfectly aligns with Alair's values. This partnership will not only elevate the home building and remodeling experience for homeowners in Alexandria and the surrounding areas but also strengthen our collective impact in supporting local charities and making a positive difference in the communities we serve."

Matt Bieschke, Owner of Carbon Design Build and the latest Alair partner, expressed his excitement about joining the network: "What excites me about joining Alair is the people, the collaboration, the regional presence, and the fact that we can do better for our community and clients as part of Alair. With the regional presence here in Northern Virginia, as well as nationally and across North America, we have a much better ability to give back to the community and support charities in a way that I could never do on my own as an independent builder."

The #Alair100 event not only commemorated Alair's growth but also its commitment to community service. It raised more than $8,600 USD and 800 pounds of food for ALIVE!, the largest private safety net in Alexandria, VA, dedicated to fighting poverty and hunger. Moreover, the event marked the beginning of Alair's ambitious '100 Acts of Living Better' campaign as part of Alair Cares, which is aimed at combating food insecurity across North America.

The company launched the Alair Cares community giving program in 2017. Since then, nearly $2 million has been contributed to local communities and around 5,000 volunteer hours have been provided by Team Alair.

Alair's innovative approach extends beyond community engagement. The company has introduced significant advancements in the construction industry, including its proprietary Client Control methodology, offering unparalleled transparency in the construction process.

As Alair looks towards the future, it remains dedicated to nurturing talent within the construction industry. Through initiatives like the Project Management Summit, leadership training, and professional development resources, Alair is actively addressing the labor shortage in the industry and fostering the next generation of construction professionals.

In marking the opening of its 100th location, Alair reaffirms its position as a trailblazer in the home building industry and a champion for community involvement. Looking into the future, Alair is excited to continue expanding its network of skilled leaders, procurement programs and vendor partnerships, innovative building solutions, and community-focused initiatives.

From Foundation to Future: Alair's Path to 100 Franchises

2007

Alair is founded in British Columbia, Canada , marking the beginning of its journey in custom home building and renovations.

2012

Transition to a franchise model, with the first single-unit franchise opening in Edmonton, Alberta , expanding Alair's business reach.

2016

Inauguration of the first Alair International Conference and Awards, recognizing excellence within the Alair network.

2017

Launch of the Alair Cares community giving program, showcasing Alair's commitment to community service and social responsibility.

2019

Creation of the Regional Community Manager program, which focuses on a 'local-out' strategy, ensuring each franchise remains connected to its community. Managers oversee engagement, uphold standards, and steer local programs, embodying Alair's commitment to being nationally recognized yet locally respected, enhancing community support and integrity in growth.

which focuses on a 'local-out' strategy, ensuring each franchise remains connected to its community. Managers oversee engagement, uphold standards, and steer local programs, embodying Alair's commitment to being nationally recognized yet locally respected, enhancing community support and integrity in growth. Introduction of the Jamie Affleck Legacy Award, also known as the Pinnacle of Leadership Award, honoring exceptional leadership within the Alair network.

2020

Introduction of the Alair Next Generation program in North and South Carolina , focusing on nurturing young talent in the construction industry.

2022

Release of the first edition of Alair Magazine, a lifestyle magazine designed to educate and inspire readers to make informed decisions about their living environment to ultimately help them to live a better and more fulfilling way of life.

2023

Introduction of the first Project Management Summit in Toronto , followed by a second summit in Houston in October 2023 , focusing on professional development and excellence in construction project management.

, followed by a second summit in in , focusing on professional development and excellence in construction project management. Launch of the Living Better with Cheryl Hickey docuseries sharing a multi-part video series of the Canadian media personality's modern family home renovation and community partnership with the world-class SickKids Hospital in Toronto .

sharing a multi-part video series of the Canadian media personality's modern family home renovation and community partnership with the world-class SickKids Hospital in . Introduction of the first stress-management event in the Carolinas to help educate project managers on how to productively channel stress in their personal and professional lives, and advocate for proactive wellness for those who work in the construction industry.

to help educate project managers on how to productively channel stress in their personal and professional lives, and advocate for proactive wellness for those who work in the construction industry. Celebration of the 100th franchise location in Alexandria, Virginia , a significant milestone in Alair's North American expansion.

, a significant milestone in Alair's North American expansion. Launch of the '100 Acts of Living Better' campaign by Alair locations to address food insecurity in local communities across North America .

Future Focus

Continuous growth across North America , marked by innovation, integrity, and leadership in custom home building and renovations.

, marked by innovation, integrity, and leadership in custom home building and renovations. Persistent collaboration with leading market partners, winning numerous awards and driving innovation in various markets in the U.S. and Canada .

. Expansion of the Alair procurement and vendor partnership program.

Meticulous selection of franchise partners based on caliber, integrity, and leadership, ensuring a network of talented professionals aligned with Alair's core values.

About Alair

Founded in 2007, Alair Homes is North America's largest, privately held custom home building and renovation company. With a rapidly growing network of franchises since 2012, Alair has become a trusted name in over 100 locations across North America. Our distinctive approach is cemented in partnerships with esteemed architects, proficient trade partners, and innovative designers, ensuring homeowners a distinctive construction management experience. Striving for continuous improvement through our proprietary Client Control construction project management methodology, Alair is dedicated to delivering meticulously crafted, beautiful homes while ensuring a transparent, client-focused journey from conception to completion. Learn more at www.AlairHomes.com

SOURCE Alair Enterprises Ltd.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Holcim Azerbaijan plans to invest 64 million manat ($37.6 million) in various projects from 2024 through 2025, the company's Technical Director Ali Huseynov said at the II Baku Forum on Sustainable Development, Trend reports.

"Since 2021 to date, Holcim Azerbaijan has invested 33.3 million manat ($19.59 million) in various projects. "The next project that we plan to implement will be in the Karabakh region," Huseynov noted.

He also mentioned that the company places great importance on achieving specific targets for CO2 emissions.

"By 2030, we plan to further reduce them by 20 percent. We have already reduced them by 20 percent since 2018. Starting from 2030, we intend to use certain technologies to help us bring our emissions to zero," Huseynov said.

The II Baku Forum on Sustainable Development is aimed at strengthening the experience exchange and cooperation with regional countries and international organizations in the implementation of the UN 2030 Agenda.

The event is attended by high-ranking officials from Europe and CIS countries, representatives of the UN, international financial and regional organizations, government institutions, representatives of civil society and private sector, as well as experts.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Ismail will lead the expansion of the U.S. programming for Alight

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Global humanitarian organization Alight is thrilled to welcome Nasra Ismail as the newly appointed U.S. Enterprise Executive Director. Nasra will lead a dedicated and human-centered team to build and expand welcoming communities for newcomers to the United States.

With a career spanning two decades, Nasra brings a profound understanding of the functional and financial needs of mission-driven organizations, coupled with a track record of high-impact leadership. Her journey has taken her across the globe, from leading public policy in Washington D.C. to delivering humanitarian aid in East Africa and shaping social justice movement strategy in philanthropy for the past three years. As a first-generation immigrant, Nasra champions interconnected communities founded on principles of equity and inclusion, all working towards a shared future. Nasra has held distinguished leadership roles at premier organizations including the U.S. Millennium Challenge Corporation, Care US, Oxfam International, Co-Impact, and GivingTuesday. Her unique blend of experiences in humanitarian, public, and philanthropic sectors all reflect her core values, which were enriched by her personal displacement journey from Somalia. Nasra has an intimate understanding of the life-changing impact of America's tradition of providing generous support in times of need. She is poised to lead Alight's U.S. enterprise into a future guided by compassion, resilience, and a steadfast commitment to creating positive change.

"In the face of growing challenges within our sector, I am driven by the belief that our resourcefulness and abundant mindsets are the keys to positioning Alight for a successful future," said Nasra Ismail. "I'm eager to align my global and regional expertise with Alight's programming to create even more welcoming communities for those starting anew in the United States."

In her Minneapolis-based role, Nasra will be instrumental in driving the expansion of Alight's presence and impact within the U.S. through strategic fundraising and the development of key partnerships. Her bold leadership style and commitment to a culture of high performance are expected to usher in an era of innovative growth and deeper engagement for Alight's work with refugees and newcomers.

"Nasra leads with bold ambition and human-centered vision, guided by brilliant insights from her own lived experience with displacement," shares Alight CEO Jocelyn Wyatt. "She is compassionate and inclusive with a sharp eye for strategy. As Alight welcomes an expanded vision for its U.S.-based work, I am so excited to have Nasra at the helm as the Executive Director of Alight's U.S. Enterprise. From individuals and communities experiencing displacement to Americans coming together to serve as welcomers, Nasra's leadership will undoubtedly have a tremendous impact."

To learn more about Alight's transformative work and the network of people they serve, please visit www.wearealight.org .

About Alight

Established in 1979 by founder Neal Ball, Alight, formerly known as American Refugee Committee, provides health care, clean water, shelter, protection and economic opportunities to more than 4 million people in over 20 countries each year. Alight believes in the incredible creativity, potential and ingenuity of the displaced and works to shine a light on their humanity. Alight received the prestigious 4-Star Rating from Charity Navigator for the thirteenth consecutive year, celebrating more than a decade of impactful work.

PRESS CONTACT:

McPherson Strategies

alight@mcpstrategies.com

SOURCE Alight
Fellowship Program Funded More Than 500 Early-Career African Scholars in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda

Inaugural Academic Association Conference Will Feature Prominent African Scholars, Artists, and Activists at the University of Cape Town in November 2023

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is pleased to announce the completion of its celebrated fellowship initiative, the African Humanities Program. ACLS will join past fellows and advisors of the program in celebrating the success of the program at the inaugural conference of the African Humanities Association on November 26-29, 2023, at the University of Cape Town in South Africa.

The African Humanities Program (AHP) was created in 2008 with generous support from Carnegie Corporation of New York to fund early-career scholars working and living in Africa. The program awarded more than 500 dissertation and post-doctoral fellowships to scholars in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, and created a vital network of more than 100 senior scholars at African universities who served as program advisers and peer reviewers. The program provided program fellows with opportunities for residencies at African centers for advanced study, manuscript development workshops, and professional development and mentoring. In addition, the program's African Humanities Series has published 23 books by AHP fellows to date, circulating African humanities research to the international scholarly community.

The momentum generated by the program now continues through the African Humanities Association (AHA). This new academic society, created and led by past fellows and advisors from AHP, has already won an independent research commission from the African Academy of Science. The 2023 conference will host 150 scholars from across the continent.

"Thanks to the support of Carnegie Corporation of New York, the African Humanities Program strengthened the creation and circulation of humanistic knowledge by supporting early-career scholars in Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda, and by establishing strong networks for scholarly communication throughout Africa and with Africanists worldwide," said ACLS President Joy Connolly. "We are excited to join the African Humanities Association for their inaugural conference in South Africa, which will gather and celebrate a dynamic community of scholars. We look forward to their continued work advancing the humanities across the continent."

The AHA conference will bring together a wide range of scholars, performers, practitioners, authors, artists, and activists to discuss the relationship between scholarly knowledge and the public. The conference will examine the conditions African scholars and communities are facing, offering platforms for deciphering the social, political, economic, linguistic, cultural, and artistic challenges facing the continent.

ACLS President Joy Connolly will speak at the General Assembly on Monday, November 27, and as part of the ACLS panel Diaspora/Africa Dialogue on Tuesday, November 28. She will be joined at the conference by Deena Ragavan, ACLS Director for International Programs.

Additional keynote speakers at the conference include:

Malika Ndlovu , a Pan-Africanist poet whose radio and podcast programs celebrate diverse voices and foster connections across the continent

, a Pan-Africanist poet whose radio and podcast programs celebrate diverse voices and foster connections across the continent Issa Shivji , a celebrated Tanzanian lawyer, multidisciplinary scholar, activist, and advocate for social justice in Africa

, a celebrated Tanzanian lawyer, multidisciplinary scholar, activist, and advocate for social justice in Ari Sitas, an influential South African researcher, sociologist, dramatist, and poet, with a focus on social change, culture, and post-colonialism

"The African Humanities Association is excited to sustain and build upon the vibrant humanities community and exceptional scholarship fostered by the African Humanities Program, with an emphasis on a Pan-African perspective and collaboration across disciplines and countries," said Nana Aba Appiah Amfo, African Humanities Association President and University of Ghana Vice-Chancellor. "This year, our first annual conference will center the intersections of the humanities, social sciences, and arts in Africa with multifarious crises across the continent, creating space to raise critical issues and imagine new possibilities."

Formed a century ago, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is a nonprofit federation of 80 scholarly organizations. As the leading representative of American scholarship in the humanities and interpretive social sciences, ACLS upholds the core principle that knowledge is a public good. In supporting its member organizations, ACLS utilizes its endowment and $37 million annual operating budget to expand the forms, content, and flow of scholarly knowledge, reflecting our commitment to diversity of identity and experience. ACLS collaborates with institutions, associations, and individuals to strengthen the evolving infrastructure for scholarship. In all aspects of our work, ACLS is committed to principles and practices in support of racial and social justice.

The African Humanities Association (AHA) was established by the adoption of its constitution at an African Humanities Program (AHP) Regional Assembly in Abuja in February 2020. After fifteen years of AHP activity the time has come for a new initiative, driven by the circumstances and needs of African scholars and locally designed to extend the transformative impact of the AHP on the continent. The AHA envisages a future in Africa of confident, self-referring communities of Humanities, Social Science and Arts scholars who enjoy the respect of peers in other disciplines and in wider society through their engagement with multifarious challenges facing the continent. The mission of AHA is to revitalize and promote Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts research, publications and mentoring across the continent.
NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Anchin, a premier accounting, tax, and advisory firm, is excited to announce that it is celebrating 100 years of providing exceptional client service. The firm has remained independent and partner owned for a century, allowing it to invest in a values-driven approach to client service and its great workplace culture.

Today, Anchin has more than 500 professionals, with more than 65 Partners and Principals, and has offices in New York City, Long Island, Boca Raton and in India. Click here for a timeline of Anchin's key milestones over the years.

Anchin's core values have remained the same as those of the original founders. The firm's team members are frequently recognized for their contributions to the accounting field in venerable publications like Forbes, Crain's New York Business, and Long Island Business News, as well as to the industries on which they focus in a long list of trade publications. The firm is consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work by Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and Crain's New York Business. Anchin continues to go beyond providing tax and audit compliance, placing a concentrated effort on working together with businesses and high-net-worth families to meet today's challenges and find success.

"As we celebrate 100 years, Anchin's legacy stands as a testament to the enduring power of values-driven operation," says Russell B. Shinsky, Anchin's Managing Partner. "As we continue to evolve and embrace innovation, while focusing on the individual and collective professional fulfillment and success of our people, we're proud to honor our past while looking ahead to the next chapter of excellence."

As part of its 100th Anniversary celebration, Anchin has undertaken several firm-wide initiatives. Earlier this year, the Firm announced that it is again offering the New York State Society of CPAs (NYSSCPA) Max Block and David Anchin Scholarship to Graduate, Senior or Junior college students with a declared accounting major and who are enrolled in or accepted to a New York State college or university, as well as students who are enrolled in or attending Baruch College. Anchin began offering these scholarships back in 1989, and this year's recipients will be announced soon. Anchin has also worked with City Harvest, contributing to its Share Lunch, Fight Hunger campaign, and participated in the JP Morgan Corporate Challenge.

On June 15, 2023, the families of David Anchin and Max Block attended a celebration for Partners, Managing Directors, and Retired Partners as part of this Firm's 100th year anniversary festivities. On August 3, 2023, Anchin celebrated its team at a well-known venue in Manhattan, where a great time was had by all.

While more announcements are on the horizon, perhaps the most exciting recent one was about Anchin's New York headquarters relocation to 3 Times Square on November 1, 2023. The move to this state-of-the-art space on the building's 24th and 25th floors nods to the firm's first century in business, while confidently looking forward to Anchin's next 100 years.

Be sure to follow Anchin on LinkedIn and visit the Firm's website for further updates!

About Anchin

Anchin is a leading accounting, tax and advisory firm, specializing in the needs of privately held companies, investment funds and high-net-worth individuals and families. Its highly focused industry specialization helps clients overcome challenges and achieve their financial objectives with exceptional confidence. Consistently recognized in respected "best of" lists for service, firm management and employee satisfaction, Anchin prioritizes partner-level engagement, and commitment to employee happiness. The full-service firm, with a team of 500, including more than 65 partners, provides a wide range of assurance, financial reporting, tax and advisory services, including tax strategies and compliance; tax credits and incentives; state and local and international tax strategies, family office strategies management and succession advisory; growth, transition and exit strategies; transaction advisory; client accounting advisory services; cybersecurity and digital risk solutions; and litigation support, forensic accounting and valuation services. Anchin has offices in New York City, Uniondale, New York, and in Boca Raton, Florida, and is an independent member of BKR International, a network of more than 160 firms with over 500 offices in over 80 countries around the world. Discover what's possible by visiting us online at www.anchin.com.

For further information:

Lisa Tomlinson

212.840.3456

[email protected]

SOURCE Anchin
Artifact Lab, a Next-Generation In-Game User Profile and Monetization Platform, Joins Forces with Leading Web3 Investors to Fuel Rapid Expansion

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Artifact Lab, a cutting-edge platform revolutionizing how mobile games monetize players in an era driven by privacy, proudly announces the successful completion of its $2 million pre-seed funding round. RW3 Ventures and IOSG Ventures are the co-leaders in this funding round, accompanied by Raptor Group, Cypher Capital and HerculesDAO to round out the investors' group.

Sony Joseph, CEO, and co-founder of Artifact, expressed his enthusiasm, stating, "This funding underscores our commitment to envisioning a privacy-centric future, wherein users maintain full control over their in-game identity and data. With Artifact, they become true partners with game publishers and advertisers in the monetization process. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our investors for sharing in our vision as we redefine the advertising landscape through a decentralized audience network."

"We are thrilled to support the Artifact Lab team in their pursuit of a game changing solution for mobile advertising," said David Saunders, Principal at RW3 Ventures. "Artifact's novel Web3-powered digital identity solution has great potential to reshape the advertising industry by aligning incentives across all stakeholders. Sony and his team bring the perfect experience to build the next integral layer of the adtech stack and we're excited to help them on this journey."

Jocy Lin, founding partner at IOSG Ventures, added, "We are impressed by Artifact's innovative approach toward Web3 UA. We strongly believe for super apps and killer games to flourish in Web3, UA must be done in a scientific way and mass audience in Web2 must be reached. Team Artifact definitely demonstrates their expertise in in-game ads and ability to build strong partnerships with Web2 mobile game powerhouses making them the UA expert for Web3 games and potentially other dapps."

"We believe that Artifact Lab's decentralized audience network is a groundbreaking solution for modern ad monetization. We are excited about its potential to revolutionize monetization for mobile apps and gaming, opening up numerous opportunities for publishers facing privacy hurdles." shared Karan Gandhi, CFA, Senior Investment Associate at Cypher Capital

This funding infusion will serve as a catalyst for platform development, team expansion and growth acceleration.

Established in 2023, Artifact Labs introduces an innovative approach to monetizing users in games and other mobile apps. The platform empowers players with unified, user-owned profiles, addressing the challenges posed by privacy restrictions and geographical regulations, thus enabling publishers to significantly boost CPM rates. It facilitates meaningful one-on-one interactions between brands and gamers during pivotal gaming moments, all while respecting user privacy. Major AAA game publishers, as well as mid-sized and smaller ones, are rapidly embracing Artifact's solutions. Web3 games are increasingly leveraging this platform for efficient user acquisition, targeting approximately four billion web2 gamers. Brands are also exploring the platform's potential for fostering deeper brand affinity among gamers through engaging in-game advertising.

RW3 Ventures focuses its investments on the infrastructure, protocols, and applications driving the growth of blockchain technologies, decentralized finance, and the long-term evolution of web3.

IOSG Ventures is a community-friendly, research-driven early-stage venture firm with a diverse portfolio spanning L1/L2 (Polkadot, NEAR, Arbitrum, Starkware), DeFi (1inch, 0x, UMA), GameFi (Bigtime, Illuvium), and SocialFi (Roll, Galaxy, Cyberconnect).

Cypher Capital stands as a prominent early-stage venture firm dedicated to investing in Web3 infrastructure and applications that will shape the digital economy for years to come.

HerculesDAO represents a Web3 collective focused on value creation through the extensive experience, networks, and unwavering commitment to ecosystem growth among its members.



Media Contact:

Ricardo Rodrigues

VP, Biz Dev & Partnerships

Email : [email protected]

Website : https://www.gotartifact.com/

SOURCE Artifact Lab, Inc.
TEL AVIV, Israel, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Artlist, the creative technology company used by millions of digital creators and major brands worldwide, today released the Artlist Trend Report 2024, featuring industry insights from business leaders from Google, Amazon, Meta, and actionable data from more than 7,000 global content creators. It provides the most comprehensive look into how international brands should approach video content in 2024. The report explores how brands can push their boundaries, embrace new technology, and create a local connection in an increasingly global landscape.

Discover the top content marketing trends for 2024 with the Artlist Trend Report

The Artlist Trend Report 2024 is a first-of-its-kind, not-yet-trending report with upcoming predictions designed to inspire and empower brands to look toward the future and create without limits. The full report has several surprising predictions and data for any brand looking to stay ahead of the curb with impactful content.

The top predictions of the Artlist Trend Report 2024 include:

Less technical work, more content. AI will continue to make the content creation process faster, cheaper, and more accessible. You'll often no longer have to invest time and resources into intensive editing and post-production. The survey reports that 52% of video creators already use AI in their creative process.

AI will continue to make the content creation process faster, cheaper, and more accessible. You'll often no longer have to invest time and resources into intensive editing and post-production. The survey reports that Push the boundaries of your brand. Minimalist design is out. Instead, thanks to Generative AI, surrealist visuals will start trending. Brands that want to stand out in 2024 must use these tools to innovatively reimagine visuals, sound, video, and motion design. Creators will find new ways to use FPV drone tech, AR/VR, and immersive consumer experiences.

Minimalist design is out. Instead, thanks to Generative AI, surrealist visuals will start trending. Brands that want to stand out in 2024 must use these tools to innovatively reimagine visuals, sound, video, and motion design. Creators will find new ways to use FPV drone tech, AR/VR, and immersive consumer experiences. Local talents, global reach. Technology and social media have made it easier for creators to monetize their content and get found online. For brands, this means greater opportunities to discover diverse and niche influencers with fiercely loyal audiences. Tapping into audience niches with voices they trust is a great way to authentically connect to new audiences and diversify your customer base.

Technology and social media have made it easier for creators to monetize their content and get found online. For brands, this means greater opportunities to discover diverse and niche influencers with fiercely loyal audiences. Tapping into audience niches with voices they trust is a great way to authentically connect to new audiences and diversify your customer base. Hire creative fire. There's been an uptick in companies taking their creative in-house rather than outsourcing to agencies. New technologies have also lowered the barriers to entry in terms of technical skills. So, in 2024, brands must employ top-notch creative talent and prioritize strategic thinking to stand out.

There's been an uptick in companies taking their creative in-house rather than outsourcing to agencies. New technologies have also lowered the barriers to entry in terms of technical skills. So, in 2024, brands must employ top-notch creative talent and prioritize strategic thinking to stand out. Personalization is paramount. In an era of content overload, personalization will be critical to cut through the noise. Brands should look to tailor and curate their content as much as possible, especially for Gen Z audiences. The era of passive and generic content is fading, and consumers expect to be able to actively engage.

Today, brands are operating in a rapidly advancing technological landscape. Shrinking attention spans and an explosion of digital content have led to a greater need for compelling, sharable visuals. There are significant business opportunities for brands that project a distinct voice with unique creative approaches. Ira Belsky, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Artlist explains, "Today, a brand's vision, and the business strategy that it influences, all need to be conveyed to consumers through a single voice that spans diverse forms of media, and remains authentic, no matter what."

There are so many changes happening before our eyes that it's more important than ever for brands to be clear on who they are and the essence of what they want to convey about themselves.

Itzik Elbaz, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of Artlist, says, "2024 is set to be a truly unique year. The technological advances we've seen in 2023 have triggered an entirely new generation of enthusiastic creators exploring new directions. Technical expertise is no longer a barrier to entry. Creativity can be unleashed by anyone from anywhere. It's going to be a wild ride of a year."

Download the Artlist Trend Report 2024: https://artlist.io/blog/trend-report



Downloadable assets

About Artlist

Artlist is a leading creative technology company offering content creators and brands powerful editing tools and over 1.3M professional digital assets under a global license that covers every project worldwide. In its mission to empower creators worldwide to create without limits, Artlist consists of 3 products: Artlist , the all-in-one platform for video creators, including high-quality and curated royalty-free music, SFX, footage, templates, plugins, and more; MotionArray , the ultimate vertical marketplace for creators including video templates, presets, music, SFX, stock footage, graphics for design, motion graphics and stock photos; and FXhome , a cutting-edge video, VFX and image editing software.

Artlist works with a growing team of contributors across the globe, updating its catalogs daily with fresh content while preserving a consistently high level of quality across its media and platforms.

Since it was founded in 2016, Artlist has revolutionized the creative industry by offering subscription-based products under a comprehensive and simple license and is fast becoming the ultimate, complete solution for content creators. Recognized as a top startup by LinkedIn and WIRED, Artlist has over 20 million customers, from individual content creators to major corporations such as Google, Apple, Nike, Coca-Cola, Ikea, Netflix, Dior, Mercedes, and many more.

Contact:

Ravit Shimnony

PR and Communications Manager at Artlist | [email protected]

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LONDON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading international schools group Nord Anglia Education announced today that two of the world's top independent schools  Avenues New York and Avenues Sao Paulo  have joined its global network following receipt of the necessary approvals.

The two Avenues schools  known for their teaching and learning innovation  have officially become part of the Nord Anglia Education family, which now comprises 87 international and bilingual schools across 33 countries.

Graduates from both schools gain acceptance into the world's top colleges and universities including Harvard, Stanford, Yale, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, Universidade de Sao Paulo and more.

Andrew Fitzmaurice, Chief Executive Officer of Nord Anglia Education, said: "We are delighted that Avenues New York and Avenues Sao Paulo are now officially part of the Nord Anglia family. They are two exceptional schools with well-deserved reputations for innovative teaching and learning, and we look forward to working together to help our students achieve more than they ever imagined possible."

Over 3,000 students from both Avenues schools will have access to Nord Anglia's exclusive opportunities and experiences. They will benefit from collaborations with world-leading institutions such as UNICEF , The Juilliard School , the Massachusetts Institute of Technology , and IMG Academy , while connecting with thousands of classmates globally through technology-enabled learning via Nord Anglia's Global Campus platform.

While Avenues New York and Avenues Sao Paulo have joined Nord Anglia Education, Avenues Shenzhen, Avenues Silicon Valley, and Avenues Online remain under existing management.

Media enquiries

James Russell

Group Head of Communications, Nord Anglia Education

+44 (0) 7770 365437

[email protected]

About Nord Anglia Education

As a leading international schools organisation, we are shaping a generation of creative and resilient global citizens who graduate from our schools with everything they need for success, whatever they choose to be or do in life.

Our strong academic foundations combine world-class teaching and curricula with innovative technology and facilities, creating learning experiences like no other. Inside and outside of the classroom, we inspire our students to achieve more than they ever thought possible.



No two children learn the same way, which is why our schools around the world personalise learning to what works best for every student. Inspired by our high-quality teachers, our students achieve outstanding academic results and go on to study at the world's top universities.

To learn more or apply for a place for your child, go to nordangliaeducation.com.

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SOURCE Nord Anglia Education
Drug R&D trend analysis and expert insight show rapid industry momentum toward digital measures and outcomes, but greater pre-competitive development is needed

BOSTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An industry report released today forecasts that digital endpoints will see broader adoption in supporting pharmaceutical and life science label claims in the years aheadbut only after industry-wide, pre-competitive collaboration aimed at standardization and proactive sharing of data around clinically validated patient-centric outcomes. This is one of the main findings presented in a report by Biofourmis, a leading global technology-enabled clinical research and care delivery company, and HealthXL, a leading market intelligence platform and community for health technology and digital health globally.

The full report is available here.

The report, "Unlocking the Value of Digital Measures in Drug Development," delves deep into the trends and opportunities of using digital measures in pharmaceutical R&D. The report is based on an exclusive survey and one-on-one interviews with experts and executives within the pharmaceutical and life science research and development sector. Additionally, the report draws insights from recent trends and developments in digital endpoints and biomarkers analyzed by Biofourmis and HealthXL. As of November 1, the Digital Medicine Society's Crowdsourced Library of Digital Endpoints had reached 430, with nearly 80% of the listings added in 2019 or later.

"We have seen remarkable interest and momentum in recent years toward the incorporation of digital measures and endpoints throughout the drug development lifecycle," said Biofourmis Chief Medical Officer and Co-Founder Maulik Majmudar, MD, who is one of the authors of the report. "The use of digital measures is primarily aimed at accelerating R&D timelines, reducing clinical trial related costs, and deepening our understanding of disease pathways and outcomes. However, for broad, real-world adoption of digital endpoints, the experts and insiders surveyed revealed that a consolidated approach is essential, encompassing standardized definitions, as well as use of digital health technologies used to capture, share, and analyze these measures."

The report describes the progress of employing digital biomarkers and endpoints in drug development, the challenges of unlocking their true value, and outlines a rationale of how pharmaceutical companies will benefit from a solid digital measurement strategy. The benefits of incorporating digital measures cited most often by digital R&D leaders were improving clinical trial efficiency and lower costs, according to the report's survey results.

To achieve those goals, the report emphasizes the importance of pre-competitive collaboration between pharmaceutical and life sciences companies to establish an impartial consensus around a set of clinically validated digital endpoints and biomarkers. Experts also conveyed to the report's authors, Dr. Majmudar and Tessy Huss, Director of Community Strategy for HealthXL, that industry consortia advocating for regulatory clarity and the sharing of validation data will expedite the process of achieving consensus on digital endpoints.

"Numerous experts and senior executives stressed the importance of open-source collaboration on digital endpoint development. This is a challenge considering the fierce scientific and business competition within the industry, along with the financial constraints that researchers face in their study of novel therapies," Huss said. "Yet by prioritizing collective action and a unified effort toward more clearly defined regulatory approval criteria, these companies can usher in a new era of medicine, in which highly effective therapies arrive sooner and outcomes are evaluated with greater precision and reliability."

All digital measures or endpoints, experts and insiders said, need to be guided by patient preferences. For instance, the report cites the FDA's rejection of a proposed digital biomarker for Parkinson's Disease in 2021, contending that "rigidity or finger tapping" was a measurable biomarker but not "directly meaningful" to patients. Conversely, in 2023, the FDA approved a digital actigraphy device-derived change in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity as a relevant primary endpoint in a Phase III clinical trial for a drug treating pulmonary hypertension associated with pulmonary fibrosis.

"Progress in building industry consensus and securing regulatory approval around digital biomarkers and endpoints is still in its early stages, but it is progressing rapidly despite the high regulatory burden and rigorous clinical requirements," said Jaydev Thakkar, COO of Biofourmis. "Our report, produced in collaboration with HealthXL, summarizes the progress achieved so far and suggests a path forward to help the industry maintain the momentum that is likely to yield greater ROI for pharmaceutical and life sciences companies and improved therapies for patients."

About Biofourmis

Biofourmis brings the right care to every person, no matter where they are. The company's AI-driven solution collects and analyzes patient data in real time and identifies shifts that require proactive interventions. This vital innovation provides people everywhere with connected access to hospital-level services, virtual provider networks for remote care, in-home services, and life-changing clinical trialsall without leaving their homes. Trusted by leading health systems, payers, biopharma companies and patients alike, Biofourmis' connected platform improves patient outcomes, prevents hospital readmissions, accelerates drug development, and closes critical gaps in careultimately making science smarter, healthcare simpler, and patients healthier. Biofourmis is a global technology company enabling care delivery, with headquarters in Boston and key offices in Singapore and India. For more information, visit biofourmis.com and follow Biofourmis on LinkedIn , Twitter and YouTube .

About HealthXL

HealthXL (headquarters in Dublin, Ireland) is a global community of senior leaders from the biggest healthcare brands. HealthXL combines the power of their specialized advisory team, their member platform and the intelligence of their expert community to get real-world insights to clients' questions. The HealthXL community is composed of over 2000 leaders in healthcare including entrepreneurs, investors, researchers, healthcare professionals, and life sciences executives. For more information, visit HealthXL.com and follow HealthXL on LinkedIn.

Media Contact:

Tara Stultz

Amendola Communications for Biofourmis

440.225.9595

[email protected]

SOURCE Biofourmis
Technological advancements in non-invasive techniques are expected to bolster the global brain cancer diagnostics market size during the forecast period.

WILMINGTON, Del., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The global brain cancer diagnostics market stood at US$ 1.76 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach US$ 2.5 billion in 2031. The global industrial humidifier market is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 5.9% between 2023 and 2031.

The surge in the prevalence of neurological disorders & cancer owing to the rise in several individuals who smoke is driving the global brain cancer diagnostics industry. This escalating health concern necessitates developing and adopting advanced diagnostic solutions to address these challenges effectively. Rise in awareness and increase in screening programs for brain cancer are the other factors propelling market expansion. Developing more advanced, accurate, and efficient diagnostic techniques offers market players lucrative opportunities. Companies focus on developing non-invasive diagnostic tools that provide rapid and secure means to visualize the brain's internal structures.

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Brain Cancer Diagnostics Market Report Scope:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 2023-2031 Base Year 2017-2021 Size in 2022 US$ 1.5 Bn Forecast (Value) in 2031 More than US$ 2.5 Bn Growth Rate (CAGR) 5.9 % No. of Pages 180 Pages Segments covered Diagnostic Technique, Brain Cancer Type, End-user

Key Takeaways of Market Report

Global brain cancer diagnostics market to generate absolute dollar opportunity worth US$ 2.5 million until 2031.

until 2031. Global brain cancer diagnostics market from 2023 to 2031 is 5.9%

The global brain cancer diagnostics market is valued at US$ 1.76 million in 2023.

in 2023. The global brain cancer diagnostics market stood at US$ 1.5 million in 2022.

Brain Cancer Diagnostics Market: Growth Drivers

The global brain cancer diagnostics market demand has experienced robust growth in the past few years. This is ascribed to a surge in the prevalence of brain tumors, particularly malignant glioblastoma, and a rise in awareness about early detection facilitated by government-backed screening programs. The incidence of brain tumors is increasing as the global population continues to age. Moreover, persisting risk factors, such as smoking and environmental exposure, contribute to an increase in demand for accurate diagnostic tools. Public awareness campaigns have highlighted the significance of identifying brain tumors at early, more treatable stages. These initiatives encourage individuals to proactively seek regular check-ups and screenings, enhancing the chances of early diagnosis and promoting general health consciousness.

Technological advancements in non-invasive diagnostic techniques drive the global brain cancer diagnostics industry. These innovations contribute to the ongoing demand for brain cancer diagnostics and hold great promise for the future of healthcare. The development of noninvasive diagnostic techniques is a significant factor bolstering the global brain cancer diagnostics market value. These techniques offer a patient-friendly approach that reduces the need for invasive procedures such as biopsies.

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Brain Cancer Diagnostics Market: Regional Landscape

North America dominated the global industry in 2022. This is ascribed to an increase in the incidence of brain cancer cases across the region. The high prevalence of brain cancer necessitates advanced diagnostic tools to improve early detection and treatment outcomes. Ongoing clinical trials conducted by multiple companies in North America also contribute to market expansion. These trials aim to develop more effective treatments, emphasizing the importance of early and accurate diagnosis as the first step in managing brain cancer.

dominated the global industry in 2022. This is ascribed to an increase in the incidence of brain cancer cases across the region. The high prevalence of brain cancer necessitates advanced diagnostic tools to improve early detection and treatment outcomes. Ongoing clinical trials conducted by multiple companies in also contribute to market expansion. These trials aim to develop more effective treatments, emphasizing the importance of early and accurate diagnosis as the first step in managing brain cancer. As per the brain cancer diagnostics market forecast, the industry in the Asia Pacific is driven by a rise in the incidence of brain cancer, improved diagnostic technologies, and growing awareness about early cerebral tumor detection. Moreover, key players such as GE Healthcare and Siemens Healthineers offering innovative diagnostic solutions are expected to fuel the brain cancer diagnostics industry revenue in Asia Pacific during the forecast period. Furthermore, an increase in healthcare investment, a rise in research & development activities, and a surge in the elderly population are driving market growth in the region.

Brain Cancer Diagnostics Market: Key Players

In September 2022 , GE Healthcare received the U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for its breakthrough AIR Recon DL for 3D and PROPELLER imaging sequences. By expanding AIR Recon DL to 3D and PROPELLER, GE Healthcare closed the gaps to provide improved image quality and patient experience to all patients across exam types, particularly for brain imaging.

, GE Healthcare received the U.S. FDA 510(k) clearance for its breakthrough AIR Recon DL for 3D and PROPELLER imaging sequences. By expanding AIR Recon DL to 3D and PROPELLER, GE Healthcare closed the gaps to provide improved image quality and patient experience to all patients across exam types, particularly for brain imaging. In October 2022 , Royal Philips announced two new improvements in MR-only workflows to advance head and neck cancer radiotherapy imaging and simulation. The company's artificial intelligence (AI) enabled MRCAT Head and Neck radiotherapy application, which allows the use of MR as the sole or primary imaging modality for radiotherapy planning in the treatment of soft tissue tumors in the head and neck, along with the brain, pelvis, and prostate, received FDA 510(k) clearance and is commercially available in the U.S.

Brain Cancer Diagnostics Market: Segmentation

Diagnostic Technique Imaging Techniques Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Computed Tomography (CT) Scan PET Scan or PET-CT Scan Single-photon Emission Computed Tomography (SPECT) Scan Tissue Sampling/Biopsy Molecular Diagnostics Others

Brain Cancer Type Gliomas Meningiomas Pituitary tumors Others

End-user Hospitals Diagnostic Laboratories Cancer Hospitals/Centers

Region North America Latin America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa



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DAVIE, Fla., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Broward Teachers Union (BTU) announced their endorsement to replace outgoing Senator Lauren Book in District 35. Dr. Barbara Sharief was the clear choice for Broward's teachers. There are 17,915 Certified Teachers in Broward County . Anna Fusco, President of the Broward Teachers Union, presented Dr. Sharief with their endorsement at the Union Hall along with the union's leadership.

Dr. Sharief said, "I am proud to receive the endorsement of the Broward Teachers Union and look forward to bringing the voices of our hard-working Teachers and Educational Support personnel with me to Tallahassee."

This major early endorsement is another blow to Dr. Sharief's challengers Rodney Jacobs Jr. and Chad Klitzman as they try to get their campaigns off the ground. Dr. Sharief recently released polling data that shows her with a forty-point lead over her two challengers and she released a large list of Elected and Union Officials, and Democratic Party activists, who have also endorsed her campaign a year early.

Dr. Sharief advocated for increased compensation for teachers, administrators, and support staff to keep up with the rising cost of living. When she spoke to the union, she emphasized the need for Florida to lead in teacher pay, expressing concern over losing educators to other states due to underfunding and redirecting funds from public schools to private institutions. Dr. Sharief underscored the importance of education as a pathway to success, criticizing the politicization of Florida's education system, which she believes fosters division rather than unity.

Dr. Sharief said, "I would not be where I am today if it wasn't for the opportunities, I was given by my teachers who helped me succeed in school. Educators are unsung heroes and should be honored as such."

The Broward Teachers Union (BTU) is a labor union representing teachers and educational support personnel in Broward County, Florida. The BTU fights for better pay, better work environments, equal access to healthcare and cost of living increase to make living in Florida more affordable for educators. It serves as the collective bargaining agent for its members in the Broward County Public Schools system and their advocacy protects students as well.

To learn more about Dr. Barbara Sharief, visit shariefforflorida.com and follow @drbarbarasharief on social media. For interview requests or more information please contact: 954-743-9240, [email protected]

SOURCE Sharief For Florida
BOSTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BV Investment Partners (BV), a middle-market private equity firm focused on the tech-enabled business services, software and IT services sectors, announced today an investment in CallTower, an international leader in delivering cloud-based enterprise-class communications, contact center and collaboration solutions.

Founded in 2002, CallTower enables the digital workplace by providing global enterprise cloud communications and collaboration solutions on leading platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex, Five9, and others. CallTower is based in South Jordan, UT and serves over a million end points covering over 75 countries.

Bret England, Chief Executive Officer of CallTower, commented, "The growth of remote and hybrid workforces has driven demand for collaboration platforms and CallTower has been there to help teams stay connected. As a solution-agnostic provider aligned with best-of-breed platforms, CallTower is helping change the way people communicate around the world and get work done. We have found a like-minded partner in BV and this new relationship will help us to accelerate our growth, both organically and through acquisitions, while maintaining a healthy, well-functioning organization and providing exceptional service to our customers."

Justin Garrison, Managing Director of BV, said, "Enterprises and their employees have made a lasting shift in how they communicate centered around modern collaboration platforms. CallTower stands to benefit from the long-term trends of cloud migration, growth in hybrid and distributed workforces, and migration towards best-of-breed platforms. Bret and the CallTower team have built an exceptional organization and we're excited to partner with them to support and enable an ambitious growth strategy."

Vik Raina, CEO and Managing Partner of BV, added, "Cloud communications is a $15+ billion market which is expected to grow double digits as enterprises continue to adopt collaboration platforms and switch away from legacy systems. As a solution-agnostic provider, CallTower is in a strong position as a value-add partner with large platforms as they continue to benefit from global adoption."

BV was represented by Ropes & Gray LLP, while CallTower was represented by Cooley LLP, and Q Advisors, a leading global TMT investment bank. AB Private Credit Investors and Boundary Street Capital are providing debt financing. The investment is subject to customary closing conditions and the parties anticipate closing in Q4 2023.

About CallTower

Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has evolved into a global cloud-based, enterprise-class Unified Communications, Contact Center and Collaboration solutions provider for growing organizations worldwide. CallTower provides, integrates and supports industry-leading solutions, including Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams, Teams Direct Routing, GCC High Teams Direct Routing, Office 365, Cisco Webex Calling / UCM, Cisco CCPP, Zoom (BYOC), Zoom Phone, CT Cloud UCaaS and four contact center options, including Five9 for business customers. For more information, visit www.calltower.com.

About BV Investment Partners

BV Investment Partners is one of the oldest and most experienced sector-focused private equity firms in North America. Since its founding in 1983, the firm has invested approximately $5.1 billion, actively targeting investments in the tech-enabled business services, software, and IT services industries. The firm is investing out of its 11th private equity fund, which closed in September 2023 with $1.75 billion in capital commitments. BV was ranked in Inc. magazine's 2023 list of Founder-Friendly Investors. For more information, visit www.bvlp.com.

Contact: Chris Tofalli

Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC

914-834-4334

SOURCE BV Investment Partners
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. A group of French ambassadors to Arab countries has sent a letter of protest to the French Foreign Ministry.

The letter of protest is related to the position of French President Emmanuel Macron on the conflict in the Middle East and the lack of a balanced policy on his part.

If earlier Macron in his statements supported Palestine, called for a peaceful settlement of the issue, then later he came forward with the initiative to create a coalition against Palestine.

The letter has already started to be replicated by various media.

French ambassadors are frustrated because France's ambiguous stance affects their credibility, and they are having severe problems at work.

The French government's imbalanced strategy has long been known to the Azerbaijani public. France may periodically take measures to bring peace to the region, only to reverse course and arm Armenia while making baseless charges against Azerbaijan. Macron has already shown the entire world that he is incapable of pursuing a consistent program.

Furthermore, Yerevan is being encouraged to take a more aggressive posture against Azerbaijan by a group of countries led by France.

Today, Macron's regime is also demonstrating this unbalanced policy on the conflict in the Middle East. The French ambassador in Baku should also have sent a letter of protest to Macron. After all, the French ambassador in Azerbaijan, like diplomats in Arab countries, also sees the consequences of Macron's statements and his inadequate policy.

Azerbaijan pursues an independent foreign policy, and neither France's unbalanced policy nor Macron's statements far from diplomacy will be able to have any impact on this.

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With its Asia No.1 CDN Performance and one-stop services, CDNetworks is uniquely positioned to help multinational corporations win online business in China markets.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CDNetworks, the APAC-leading network to deliver edge as a service, announces the introduction of its Global-to-China solution. This innovative solution provides multinational corporations with rapid entry into the China market by providing one-stop services that encompass local business startup, MLPS (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) & data security consultancy, performance optimization, security deployment and other additional services.

Recognizing the disparity between the enormous growth potential within China's thriving economy and the challenges faced by multinational corporations trying to enter the Chinese market, CDNetworks' Global-to-China solution bridges the gap by providing multinationals with the one-stop tool they need for rapid entry into the China market. By leveraging our all-in-one solution, multinationals can overcome challenges such as adapting to China's unique network characteristics, adhering to strict regulations, and addressing network security risks with ease, enabling them to rapidly penetrate the market and seize competitive advantages.

"CDNetworks has a deep understanding of the various challenges that companies face when entering the Chinese market and provides comprehensive support to empower multinationals to work toward the best possible business outcomes in their target markets," said Doyle Deng, Head of Global Marketing and Product at CDNetworks. "CDNetworks' portfolio of products and services provide corporations with unparalleled advantages, starting from the preparation stage, before they enter China, to initial entry into the China market and through the continued growth of business in China."

Highlights of CDNetworks Global-to-China Solution

Rapid Business Startup: To quickly establish the foundation for online business in China , corporations typically need to complete an ICP filing, establish internal network connectivity, and implement a secure and robust network architecture for remote access within their organization.

CDNetworks' Global-to- China solution not only helps corporations complete their ICP filing using end-to-end registration services, but also enables close collaboration between headquarters, branch offices, and even supply chain partners by leveraging technologies such as SD-WAN and zero trust to accelerate business startup.





CDNetworks' Global-to- solution not only helps corporations complete their ICP filing using end-to-end registration services, but also enables close collaboration between headquarters, branch offices, and even supply chain partners by leveraging technologies such as SD-WAN and zero trust to accelerate business startup. Sustainable Business Continuity: CDNetworks understands the complexities of compliance and security challenges for corporations that want to enter the China market. That's why this new Global-to- China solution has been designed from the ground up to address multidimensional and long-term consultancy services.

Using MLPS 2.0 filing as an example, CDNetworks can provide multinational corporations with a full lifecycle consulting service that fits the MLPS declaration process in China . When it comes to data security compliance filing, CDNetworks also offers comprehensive data security consulting services. By assisting multinationals to classify their data and conduct security assessments on storing, processing, and transmitting data, CDNetworks can propose remediation plans and suggestions at various lifecycle stages to help businesses identify vulnerabilities, fix gaps, and reduce operational risks before business operations begin. Overall, these consulting services provide great convenience to multinationals who are not familiar with relevant Chinese regulations, saving them considerable time and effort while avoiding the risk of business interruptions.





Using MLPS 2.0 filing as an example, CDNetworks can provide multinational corporations with a full lifecycle consulting service that fits the MLPS declaration process in . When it comes to data security compliance filing, CDNetworks also offers comprehensive data security consulting services. By assisting multinationals to classify their data and conduct security assessments on storing, processing, and transmitting data, CDNetworks can propose remediation plans and suggestions at various lifecycle stages to help businesses identify vulnerabilities, fix gaps, and reduce operational risks before business operations begin. Overall, these consulting services provide great convenience to multinationals who are not familiar with relevant Chinese regulations, saving them considerable time and effort while avoiding the risk of business interruptions. Enhanced Business Performance: With coverage in over 270 cities worldwide and more than 2800 Points of Presence (PoPs), CDNetworks consistently ranks first in Asia when it comes to CDN performance. Backed by robust delivery and back-to-origin routing capabilities for corporations located inside and outside China , CDNetworks offers unsurpassed content delivery services for multinationals.

CDNetworks partners with all ISPs in China and achieves 100% network coverage, high cache hit ratios, and nearly 0% packet loss consistently through PoPs located in over 140 cities in China . This unique synergy enables CDNetworks to provide low latency and high-quality content delivery services, ensuring that nearly all user requests are responded to within China . If a cross-border back-to-origin request is required, CDNetworks uses advanced technologies and tools such as intelligent routing, direct line, and self-developed private transmission protocols to ensure that relevant requests are always delivered over optimum paths, using the fastest route and speed available between the origin server and users to ensure smooth data flow and deliver an excellent user experience.





CDNetworks partners with all ISPs in and achieves 100% network coverage, high cache hit ratios, and nearly 0% packet loss consistently through PoPs located in over 140 cities in . This unique synergy enables CDNetworks to provide low latency and high-quality content delivery services, ensuring that nearly all user requests are responded to within . If a cross-border back-to-origin request is required, CDNetworks uses advanced technologies and tools such as intelligent routing, direct line, and self-developed private transmission protocols to ensure that relevant requests are always delivered over optimum paths, using the fastest route and speed available between the origin server and users to ensure smooth data flow and deliver an excellent user experience. Effective Business Protection: To effectively protect business operations, the CDNetworks Global-to- China solution can provide multi-level security measures. Using WAAP capabilities, including DDoS Protection, Bot Management, WAF, and API Protection, CDNetworks can effectively safeguard multinational websites and applications from a wide range of cyberthreats, making it possible to crack down effectively on malicious users without impacting legitimate users or interrupting business operations in China . Additionally, CDNetworks' zero trust solution, Enterprise Secure Access, secures remote access for enterprises, preventing data breaches that can damage brand value, impact the bottom line, leak sensitive information, threaten consumer trust, ruin reputations, and incur contractual, regulatory, and legal fines.

CDNetworks streamlines the process for multinational corporations seeking entry into the China market by offering a comprehensive suite of services through the Global-to-China Solution. This all-in-one solution not only facilitates the initial setup and entry into the market, but also extends support to ensure sustainable and long-term business success. By offering a range of additional solutions and services such as Cloud Computing, Edge Computing, Hybrid Cloud Management, and Major Event Support, CDNetworks shows its commitment to helping companies achieve operational efficiencies, security, and growth in the ever-evolving digital landscape of China.

For more details about our Global-to-China solutions, and to fully leverage the rapid growth opportunities in China, please click the following link: https://bit.ly/3ueEfEs

About CDNetworks

As the APAC-leading network with over 2,800 global Points of Presence and more than 20 years of technology experience, CDNetworks embraces the new era of Edge and takes it to the next level by using the Edge as a service to deliver the fastest and most secure digital experiences to end users. Our diverse products and services include web performance, media delivery, cloud security, zero trust security, and colocation services  all of which are uniquely designed to spur business innovation. To learn more, visit cdnetworks.com and follow us on LinkedIn .

Media Contact

CDNetworks Co. Ltd

[email protected]

www.cdnetworks.com

SOURCE CDNetworks
AMSTERDAM, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Alertify is proud to announce they have been selected as Honoree in CES 2024 Innovation Awards for outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products.

The CES Innovation Awards program is a distinguished competition that commends outstanding achievements in consumer technology design and engineering. Organized by the Consumer Technology Association (CTA), the awards recognize "Honoree" status as awarded to the top-scoring products in each category.

Alertify has been selected as Honoree in CES 2024 Innovation Awards for outstanding design and engineering in consumer technology products.

The program is open to individuals, organizations, or authorized agents that are involved in the manufacture, design, engineering, or promotion of consumer technology products. The recognition serves as a testament to the innovation and excellence exhibited by the Honorees.

The CES Innovation Awards has recognized Alertify for its progressive and impactful room-monitoring solutions. As an Honoree, Alertify joins an elite group of innovators, designers, and engineers who have excelled in their respective product categories. This recognition highlights Alertify's commitment to advancing the field of property monitoring and management technology. The ability to actively monitor and provide real-time notifications for noise, smoking and unauthorized parties is transforming the way property managers maintain guest satisfaction and security.

Alertify's innovation offers property managers a tool to mitigate potential disturbances and violations swiftly, preserving a serene environment for guests. It helps in reducing disputes, enhances property security, and ultimately leads to a more positive guest experience.

About Alertify

Alertify helps hotels, property managers and short term rental operators save money and protect themselves from bad guests and tenants. Alertify devices actively monitor for smoking & vaping, noise disturbances, large groups, parties and more. Find out more, or schedule a call with our solutions team at alertify.io. For press inquiries, contact media[at]alertify.io

Media Contact:

Press Department

[email protected]

+12199405616

SOURCE Alertify
CGTN America & CGTN UN release "CMG Holds ChinaU.S. People-to-People Exchanges Event in San Francisco"

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On the occasion of Chinese President Xi Jinping's visit to attend the China-U.S. summit meeting and the 30th APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting at the invitation of U.S. President Joe Biden, China Media Group and the U.S.-China Youth and Student Exchange Association jointly organized the "Enduring Friendship" event to discuss China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges in San Francisco, U.S., on November 16.

Shen Haixiong, China Media Group President and Chief-in-Editor, engaged in in-depth and friendly discussions with guests from various sectors in the U.S. during the event and delivered a welcome speech.

Shen noted that San Francisco's Chinatown has been a microcosm of East-West cultural exchanges for centuries. The friendship between Chinese and American peoples has not only transcended continents but has also withstood the test of time.

Shen emphasized that China-U.S. relations are the most important bilateral relations in the world, and the media plays a crucial role in fostering people-to-people exchanges and friendship. President Xi Jinping has pointed out that the foundation and hope of China-U.S. relations lie in the people, the future rests with the youth, and vitality springs from local interactions. China Media Group is committed to collaborating with all friendly people to contribute wisdom and strength toward the healthy development of China-U.S. relations.

Sarah Lande, former Executive Director of Iowa Sister States and an old friend of China, John Easterbrook, grandson of General Joseph Stilwell, and Elyn Maclnnes, lead researcher at the Kuliang Tourism and Culture Association, also spoke at the event. They hailed President Xi's support for China-U.S. people-to-people exchanges, expressing their commitment to strengthening mutual understanding and passing down the friendship between China and the U.S. to future generations.

China Media Group also exchanged agreements with the Sino-American Aviation Heritage Foundation, the Helen Foster Snow Foundation, and the U.S.-China Youth and Student Exchange Association, to promote collaboration in areas such as media partnership, education, and cultural exchanges.

The event featured performances from the Lincoln High School Choir from Tacoma, Washington, who sang both an English and a Chinese song. Additionally, a group of young students from China and the U.S. performed together via video, conveying their hopes for an enduring friendship between the two countries.

(This material is distributed by MediaLinks TV, LLC on behalf of CCTV. Additional information is available at the Department of Justice, Washington, D.C.)

SOURCE CGTN America
NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent analysis by Technavio, titled "Chemical Software Market Analysis - North America, Europe, APAC, South America, Middle East and Africa - Size and Forecast 2024-2028," the transformative role of chemical software in the industry takes center stage. The market is set for significant growth, with an estimated increase of USD 392.52 million between 2023 and 2028. Request sample report. Request sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Chemical Software Market 2024-2028

The market is primarily driven by the increasing establishment of new chemical plants worldwide, the rise of Industry 4.0, and the growing need for digitalization in the chemical industry. Chemical software facilitates processes such as chemical process simulation, inventory management, ISO management, and more.

North America plays a significant role in the global chemical software market, with the United States leading the way. Factors such as the digitalization trend in chemical companies, the presence of major global chemical companies, and stringent industry laws contribute to the region's dominance.

Technavio highlights the emerging trends of Chemical Software Market:

Industry 4.0 Integration: The chemical industry is experiencing increased adoption of Industry 4.0, involving the seamless integration of physical and cyber systems in manufacturing. This trend is driven by a growing number of factories embracing automation to enhance operational processes.

The chemical industry is experiencing increased adoption of Industry 4.0, involving the seamless integration of physical and cyber systems in manufacturing. This trend is driven by a growing number of factories embracing automation to enhance operational processes. Automation Demand: The rising automation in factories has led to an increased demand for chemical software. Manufacturers are seeking these solutions to streamline manufacturing processes, gaining a competitive edge by minimizing downtime and ensuring high operational efficiency.

The rising automation in factories has led to an increased demand for chemical software. Manufacturers are seeking these solutions to streamline manufacturing processes, gaining a competitive edge by minimizing downtime and ensuring high operational efficiency. Support for Production Processes: Chemical software plays a significant role in supporting industry-specific production processes. This includes facilitating predictive asset management, process control, scheduling, and capacity planning. Detailed batch management and hazardous materials management are integral aspects that contribute to operational excellence.

Chemical software plays a significant role in supporting industry-specific production processes. This includes facilitating predictive asset management, process control, scheduling, and capacity planning. Detailed batch management and hazardous materials management are integral aspects that contribute to operational excellence. Enhanced Supply Chain Management: Chemical software extends its impact beyond production processes by enabling organizations to manage their supply chains more effectively. This comprehensive functionality contributes to the overall growth of the market, as companies in the chemical industry increasingly recognize the importance of robust supply chain management in their operations.

Prominent companies are actively immersing themselves in the trend.

Alterity Inc. provides a comprehensive chemical software solution that centralizes crucial aspects of chemical industry operations, including inventory management, purchasing, sales, and order fulfillment. ANSYS Inc. contributes to the chemical software market by offering specialized solutions that accelerate digital transformation within the processing industry. BatchMaster Software Inc. plays a significant role with its chemical software, addressing unique requirements across various domains such as product development, production, inventory, quality control, costing, lot traceability, SDS compliance, planning, scheduling, and warehousing. Collectively, these companies impact the chemical software market by providing tailored solutions that enhance efficiency, streamline processes, and meet the diverse needs of the chemical industry, contributing to the overall growth and evolution of the market.

This chemical software market report extensively covers market segmentation by deployment (on-premises and cloud-based), product (chemical process simulation, inventory management, ISO management, and others), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America). Buy the full report here

According to Technavio's findings, the chemical software market is expected to witness significant growth, driven by Industry 4.0 integration, increased automation, and a demand for advanced software solutions. With a projected CAGR of 8.45% from 2023 to 2028 and an estimated increase of USD 392.52 million, key players like Alterity Inc., ANSYS Inc., and BatchMaster Software Inc. are contributing to the market's evolution by providing tailored solutions that enhance operational efficiency and address industry-specific needs. This positions the chemical software market for sustained growth, innovation, and adaptability in the evolving landscape of the chemical industry.

Coverage

Related reports:

Healthcare Information Software Market

Investor ESG Software Market

Companies Covered

Antipodes Scientific Ltd.

Aspen Technology Inc.

ChemAxon Ltd.

Chemstations Inc.

COMSOL AB

Cority Software Inc.

Dassault Systemes SE

Datacor Inc.

Dataworks Development Inc.

Deacom Inc.

Frontline Data Solutions

HCL Technologies Ltd.

Oracle Corp.

SAP SE

Schneider Electric SE

SFS Chemical Safety Inc.

Industrial Scientific Corp.

Regions Covered

North America

APAC

Europe

South America

Middle East and Africa

Topics Covered

Chemical Plants

chemical process simulation

ISO and inventory management

Industry 4.0

Pirated software

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
HOUSTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Through its long-standing tradition of corporate citizenship, CITGO Petroleum Corporation recently awarded 43 grants totaling more than $1.6 million to fund projects within two signature programs: CITGO Caring for our Coast and STEM Talent Pipeline. The CITGO Caring for our Coast program helps protect vulnerable coastal and inland habitats through restoration, educational and volunteer efforts, while the STEM Talent Pipeline program aims to increase access to science, technology, engineering and math related educational opportunities by supporting and encouraging students to pursue a career in STEM.

"We have a long, strong history with these two programs in our operational areas with our grantees continuing to make a positive impact year after year," said CITGO President and CEO Carlos Jorda. "Supporting these grantees and specific projects is a way for us to engage in important community initiatives while building meaningful relationships. On behalf of everyone at CITGO, congratulations to each of our 2023 grantees!"

2023 Caring for our Coast Grantees:

Coastal Bend Bays & Estuaries Program

Coastal Conservation Association Louisiana

Friends of Padre, Inc.

Galveston Bay Foundation

Gulf of Mexico Alliance

Houston Audubon

Houston Parks Board

National Recreation and Park Association

Restore America's Estuaries

Tampa Bay Watch

The Artist Boat

The Conservation Foundation

The Nature Conservancy of Louisiana

2023 CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline Program Grantees:

CITGO Innovation Academies, the cornerstone of the STEM Talent Pipeline program, were among the grantees. These academies give students access to STEM-based curriculum, resources, and scholarships:

Alief Independent School District (AISD) Alief Early College High School

AISD CITGO Innovation Academy at Olle Middle School

Calcasieu Parish School Board (CPSD)- E. K. Key Elementary

CPSD - LeBlanc Middle School

CPSD - Maplewood Middle School

CPSD - Sulphur High School

CPSD - W.W. Lewis Middle School

Corpus Christi Independent School District (CCISD)-CITGO Innovation Academy at Foy H. Moody HS

CCISD-Cunningham Middle School at South Park

CCISD-Dr. J.A. Garcia Elementary

West Oso Independent School District (ISD)

Lemont High School

Lemont-Bromberek School District 113A

Lockport Township High School District 205

Additional CITGO Community Partners include:

Houston ISD Foundation

University of Houston - Downtown

SpringSpirit

Spring Branch Education Foundation

Girlstart

Will County District 92

District 92 YMCA of Greater Houston

Houston Community College Foundation

Foundation Lockport SD 91

Del Mar College Foundation

Foundation Ocean Exploration Trust

McNeese State University Foundation

Foundation Valley View School District 365

School District 365 Science Buddies

FIRST in Texas

Learning Undefeated, Inc.

About CITGO Caring for our Coast

In 2014, the CITGO Caring for our Coast initiative started as a yearlong series of projects focused on coastal conservation and restoration. Today, it has grown into a program to protect vulnerable coastal and inland habitats through educational and volunteer efforts. To date, CITGO has awarded more than $7 million in environmental programming grants through Caring for our Coast.

About CITGO STEM Talent Pipeline

CITGO launched the STEM Talent Pipeline program in 2016, aimed at increasing access to Science, Technology, Engineering and Math related educational opportunities by supporting and encouraging students to pursue a career in STEM. The program provides grants to schools and educational organizations in its operational communities including Lake Charles, Louisiana; Lemont, Illinois; and Corpus Christi, Texas. Along with financial support, CITGO encourages its employees to share their knowledge and experience with students and young professionals through classroom presentations and hands-on demonstrations.

About CITGO

CITGO Petroleum Corporation is a recognized leader in the refining industry and operates under the well-known CITGO brand. CITGO owns and operates three refineries located in Lake Charles, Louisiana; Lemont, Illinois; and Corpus Christi, Texas, and wholly and/or jointly owns 37 active terminals, six pipelines and three lubricants blending and packaging plants. With approximately 3,300 employees and a combined crude capacity of approximately 807,000 barrels-per-day (bpd), CITGO ranks as the fifth largest and is one of the most complex independent refiners in the United States. CITGO transports and markets transportation fuels, lubricants, petrochemicals and other industrial products, and supplies a network of approximately 4,200 locally owned and independently operated branded retail outlets, all located east of the Rocky Mountains.

SOURCE CITGO Petroleum Corporation
Top Health Food Franchise Announces New Fundraiser to Fight Childhood Obesity

WILMINGTON, N.C., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clean Eatz, America's leading health food restaurant and online meal plan franchise, recently announced a new fundraiser in conjunction with the brand's latest partnership with Camp Pocono Trails, the country's premier health and wellness camp. The fundraiser, aimed at financing the cost for kids to attend the camp, amassed an incredible $45,000, which will be enough to give 10 kids the Camp Pocono Trails experience.

Camp Pocono Trails has welcomed tens of thousands of kids from across the country since opening in 1999. While the directive of the camp has altered over the years, its intent has always been on the personal development of campers. It is one of the few remaining health-oriented summer camps in the United States, teaching kids' lifelong lessons and instilling habits for weight management, self-esteem, nutrition, and technology usage.

The lion's share of the funds were raised through an auction event held during Clean Eatz 2023 National Franchise Convention. Franchisees stepped up and purchased items to help drive the CE Foundation's greater push against childhood obesity. Cafes also raised money by donating proceeds from smoothie sales during September, which is National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month.

"We've been exploring various ways to introduce Clean Eatz and our community culture to younger generations for years now, since they don't typically have health and wellness brands that are specifically geared towards them," said Evonne Varady, Co-founder of Clean Eatz. "Our work with Camp Pocono Trails will be instrumental in that effort; providing us a springboard to introduce the franchise, it's meals, and proven impact on personal health to a new audience."

With 94 franchise locations operational in communities across the country, and an additional 87 currently under development, Clean Eatz is becoming a household name for millions. This is as access and affordability for nutritious, health-conscious meal options worsen from coast to coast; further motivating the franchise to make its menu and services as available to all people and age groups as humanly possible.

"It's not often we enter into any kind of an arrangement with an outside party; but the directive and guiding principles of Clean Eatz are as closely aligned to our own goals as can possibly be," said Tony Sparber, Owner of Camp Pocono Trails. "This partnership will do more than offer our campers nutritious meals while they're here, it'll give them unique insight on a brand that can aid them in their continuing health journey even once they've returned home."

The Clean Eatz Foundation raised more than $87k, with $45k of that earmarked to send 10 kids to Camp Pocono Trails this summer and the remainder of the funds being put toward a scholarship program for individuals entering the health and wellness academic fields.

For more information on the Clean Eatz franchise, please visit https://cleaneatz.com/.

ABOUT CLEAN EATZ

Clean Eatz, which launched in 2011 and started franchising in 2015, was co-founded by husband-and-wife duo Don and Evonne Varady, as a means of helping individuals and families change their lives by providing them with better nutrition options, a steady dose of health and wellness education, and a diverse support community that's committed to helping each other in becoming their best selves. By supplying such healthy alternatives, the Clean Eatz brand has continued to win over communities with their dine-in, grab-n-go, catering, marketplace, and weekly online meal plan selections. With 94 locations operational and 87 in development, the franchise will likely be coming to an address near you soon.

SOURCE Clean Eatz
NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent report by Technavio, titled "Core Banking Solutions Market Analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, Middle East and Africa - US, Germany, China, Brazil, UAE - Size and Forecast 2024-2028," the transformative role of core banking solutions in the financial sector comes to the forefront. The market is projected for substantial growth, with an estimated increase of USD 18.47 billion between 2023 and 2028. Request sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Core Banking Solutions Market 2024-2028

In an era dominated by digital advancements, core banking solutions have become indispensable for financial institutions, revolutionizing daily banking operations. As we delve into the dynamic landscape of the core banking solutions market, Technavio offers key insights into the trends and factors shaping this industry.

The market is primarily driven by technological advancements in core banking solutions, the imperative need for scalability, and the ongoing digital transformation in the banking sector. Core banking solutions streamline processes such as fund transfers, deposits, and loans, with their significance further underscored by the extended periods of lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, which compelled a rise in demand for remote operation offerings.

North America plays a significant role in the global core banking solutions market, with the United States at the forefront. Factors such as the shift towards digital banking, increasing demand for online and mobile banking services, and the adoption of core banking solutions to meet customer expectations contribute to the region's dominance.

Technavio highlights the emerging trends of Core Banking Solutions Market:

AI and ML Integration: The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is a significant trend, enhancing customer experiences and driving the evolution of core banking solutions.

The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) is a significant trend, enhancing customer experiences and driving the evolution of core banking solutions. Virtual Technology Shift: A dynamic shift in virtual technology is reshaping traditional enterprise operations, contributing significantly to the growth of the global core banking solutions market.

A dynamic shift in virtual technology is reshaping traditional enterprise operations, contributing significantly to the growth of the global core banking solutions market. Advanced Software Landscape: The emergence of advanced software programs, in conjunction with AI, Big Data, and the Internet of Things (IoT), is revolutionizing business operations and fueling the expansion of core banking solutions.

The emergence of advanced software programs, in conjunction with AI, Big Data, and the Internet of Things (IoT), is revolutionizing business operations and fueling the expansion of core banking solutions. Mobile and E-commerce Impact: The increasing penetration of smartphones, coupled with advancements in e-commerce, is driving patron demand for virtual banking offerings like cellular wallets, UPI, and internet banking, thereby boosting the growth of the core banking solutions market.

Prominent companies are actively immersing themselves in the trend.

Several prominent companies contribute significantly to the core banking solutions market. Capgemini Service SAS provides cutting-edge solutions designed to assist banks in reducing the total cost of ownership while enhancing operational efficiency and flexibility. Capital Banking Solutions specializes in offering comprehensive core banking solutions tailored for various sectors, including retail, corporate, credit unions, private banking, and neo banks. Fidelity National Information Services Inc. is a key player, offering core banking solutions such as the HORIZON Banking System. These companies collectively impact the core banking solutions market by driving innovation, providing diverse solutions for different banking segments, and playing a pivotal role in shaping the technological landscape of the financial industry.

This core banking solutions market report extensively covers market segmentation by deployment (on-premises and cloud), end-user (large enterprises, small, and medium enterprises), and geography (North America, Europe, APAC, Middle East and Africa, and South America). Buy the full report here

The core banking solutions market is set for significant growth, driven by technology, AI, and virtual advancements. Key players like Capgemini Service SAS, Capital Banking Solutions, and Fidelity National Information Services Inc. contribute by offering tailored solutions, enhancing operational efficiency, and reducing costs. With a focus on improved customer experiences, the market is expected to sustain expansion, reflecting ongoing innovation in the financial services sector.

Coverage

Related reports:

Core Banking Software Market

Business Accounting Software Market

Companies Covered

Computer Services Inc.

Finacus Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Fiserv Inc.

HCL Technologies Ltd.

Infosys Ltd.

Jack Henry and Associates Inc.

and Associates Inc. NCR Corp.

Oracle Corp.

SAP SE

Tata Sons Pvt. Ltd.

Temenos AG

Trust Systems and Software Pvt. Ltd.

Unisys Corp.

Virmati Infotech Pvt. Ltd.

Vista Equity Partners Management LLC

Websoftex Software Solutions Pvt. Ltd.

Zenith Software Ltd.

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
MORRISTOWN, N.J., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Crum & Forster (C&F) has been Certified by Great Place To Work for 2023. This is the third consecutive year that C&F has earned the distinction. The prestigious award is based on what current employees say about their experience working at C&F, and the company's scores are stellar, with 94% of employees saying that C&F is a great place to work  37 points higher than the average U.S. company.

Crum & Forster Named a Great Place to Work for Third Consecutive Year

"We are thrilled to be Great Place To Work Certified again," said Barbra Katz, Chief Human Resources Officer at Crum & Forster. "Certification is a tremendous achievement. We are proud to again be recognized as an organization that consistently invests in the experience of every team member."

Great Place To Work is the global authority on workplace culture, employee experience, and the leadership behaviors proven to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention and increased innovation.

"Ninety five percent of our people said they are proud to work at C&F, which is fantastic. They also said they feel respected and are made to feel very welcome when joining the company," added Marc Adee, Chief Executive Officer. "We encourage our people to take the positive energy created from working in a great environment and direct it externally  to build even stronger relationships with partners and customers  ensuring they rate us as a great company to do business with."

For more on what makes Crum & Forster a Great Place To Work, visit A Great Place to Work - Crum & Forster (cfins.com).

About Crum & Forster

Crum & Forster (www.cfins.com) is a leading national property, casualty, and accident & health insurer, providing specialty insurance products through its admitted and surplus lines insurance companies.

Founded in 1822, C&F is one of the oldest U.S. insurance companies, and today conducts business through a network of independent agents, brokers and wholesalers. C&F had $4.6 billion in gross written premium in 2022 and is rated "A" Excellent by A M Best (2023).

The C&F logo, C&F and Crum & Forster are registered trademarks of United States Fire Insurance Company. To learn more, follow us on LinkedIn, X and Instagram.

About Great Place to Work Certification

Great Place To Work Certification is the most definitive "employer-of-choice" recognition that companies aspire to achieve. It is the only recognition based entirely on what employees report about their workplace experience  specifically, how consistently they experience a high-trust workplace. Great Place to Work Certification is recognized worldwide by employees and employers alike and is the global benchmark for identifying and recognizing outstanding employee experience. Every year, more than 10,000 companies across 60 countries apply to get Great Place To Work-Certified.

About Great Place To Work

As the global authority on workplace culture, Great Place To Work brings 30 years of groundbreaking research and data to help every place become a great place to work for all. Their proprietary platform and For All Model helps companies evaluate the experience of every employee, with exemplary workplaces becoming Great Place To Work Certified or receiving recognition on a coveted Best Workplaces List.

Learn more at greatplacetowork.com and follow Great Place To Work on LinkedIn, X, Facebook and Instagram.

Media Contact

Amy Whilldin

AVP, Public Relations & Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Crum & Forster
Topline results of the Phase 1b /2a study were presented during a poster session at the 2023 Neuroscience Education Institute (NEI) Congress

Delpor's drug/device combination risperidone implant (DLP-114) was well tolerated for up to 12 months

Average PANSS and CGI-I scores were similar between the oral and implant treatment phases of the study

BRISBANE, Calif., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Delpor, Inc. (Delpor), a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that utilizes innovative technologies to develop once-yearly therapeutics for chronic conditions, today announced topline results of its DLP-114 Phase 1b/2a clinical study during which schizophrenia patients received treatment for up to one year after a single administration. The topline study results were reported for the first time at the 2023 NEI Congress poster session in Colorado Springs on November 10, 2023.

The clinical study (NCT04418466) was an open-label study in stable schizophrenia patients to evaluate the safety, tolerability, and pharmacokinetics (PK) of switching from oral risperidone to risperidone delivered over 6 to 12 months with the risperidone implant. Schizophrenia patients (N=28), stable on a 2-3 mg dose of oral risperidone for at least 2 weeks were randomized to receive either 6- or 12-month DLP-114 implant devices.

No serious adverse events (AEs) attributed to DLP-114 were reported, and DLP-114 was well tolerated for up to 12 months, including the initial placement and follow-up removal procedures. Average PANSS and CGI-I scores were similar between the oral and implant treatment phases. Plasma concentrations of risperidone and 9-hydroxyrisperidone were substantially constant for up to 12 months.

"We are thrilled by the results of our first patient study as it has clearly indicated that DLP-114 has the potential to provide antipsychotic treatment for persons with schizophrenia for up to one year after a single administration. A 612-month dosing interval is expected to improve medication adherence which is a major unmet need within mental illness. We are now one step closer to bringing this innovation to schizophrenia patients" said Tassos Nicolaou, Delpor's President and Chief Executive Officer.

"Implantable technology has been successfully developed and accepted in other therapeutic areas, but this treatment option has never been developed for those with a serious psychiatric disorder like schizophrenia. A once- or twice-a-year reversable therapeutic product like DLP-114 will raise the bar for much-needed expansion of new formulation approaches and longer intervals than are available today" said Dr. Peter Weiden, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry at Stony Brook University, who presented the data at NEI.

If approved, Delpor's risperidone implant will be the first once-yearly schizophrenia maintenance therapy. Potential benefits of DLP-114 include reduced relapses due to complete medication adherence for as long as one year, and steady drug release without any adverse event inducing peaks, or sub-therapeutic troughs. Unlike long-acting injectable formulations, which are not reversible, DLP-114 may be easily removed within minutes if medically required. Delpor is planning to conduct future studies to provide higher plasma concentrations and allow for greater dosing flexibility.

About Delpor

Delpor is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company that utilizes innovative technologies to develop once-yearly therapeutics for chronic conditions. The Company's clinical assets include a 6-12-month formulation of Risperidone for the treatment of schizophrenia, and a 612-month formulation of Naltrexone for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder and alcohol dependence. Delpor is also pursuing 6-12-month formulations of other drugs targeting CNS conditions including spasticity, Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and other conditions. Additional information can be found at www.delpor.com

About DLP-114

DLP-114 is an investigational therapy that employs Delpor's proprietary technology platform. It utilizes a matchstick-long implant device, that is placed sub-dermally to provide continuous and consistent dosing of risperidone for schizophrenia maintenance therapy lasting 6-12 months. Research for DLP-114 is supported by the National Institute of Mental Health of the National Institutes of Health under Award Number R44MH094036. The content of this release is solely the responsibility of Delpor and does not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institutes of Health.

Forward-Looking Statements

To the extent any statements made in this release contain information that is not historical, these statements are essentially forward-looking and are subject to risks and uncertainties, including the difficulty of predicting FDA approvals, acceptance and demand for new pharmaceutical products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development and launch, reliance on key strategic alliances, availability of raw materials, availability of additional intellectual property rights, availability of future financing sources, the regulatory environment and other risks the Company may identify from time to time in the future.

Contacts

[email protected]

SOURCE Delpor, Inc
JERSEY CITY, N.J., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital Prime Technologies is pleased to announce the appointment of James Tabacchi, President and CEO of South Street Securities Holdings, Inc., to its Board of Directors. Mr. Tabacchi brings a wealth of experience and a track record of strategic leadership that will be instrumental to further drive Digital Prime's growth.

James Runnels, Co-Founder and CEO of Digital Prime Technologies, expressed "We are confident that the addition of Jim and his guidance will help further our agenda to deliver digital asset prime brokerage, borrow/lend and execution solutions with best practices being top of mind. His appointment reinforces our dedication to robust corporate governance and strategic foresight."

Mr. Tabacchi's career in the financial sector is marked by significant achievements and leadership roles that have influenced the industry. His guidance and insights will be vital to Digital Prime as the company seeks to enhance its offering and navigate the complexities of the financial technology landscape.

This announcement comes on the heels of Digital Prime's launch of its Tokenet product last week which was met with great excitement from the industry.

About James Tabacchi

Mr. Tabacchi joined Citicorp/Citibank in 1980. Over a period of 20 years, he worked in various customer interface and business head positions within the Investment, Corporate, and Consumer Banking Divisions. In 1987, Mr. Tabacchi became the regional business manager for the Northeast Division of Citicorp Mortgage, Inc.

In 1989 he was a Division Financial controller in Citicorp's North American Investment Bank. During 1990 Mr. Tabacchi was asked to manage the day-to-day operations of Citibank's Municipal Trust business. He revamped the product lines and packaged the business for sale, which was completed in 1992. He then joined the Finance Desk and was named Treasurer of Citicorp Securities, Inc. in 1995.

As Treasurer, Mr. Tabacchi initiated an engineering effort to securitize Citicorp's fixed income business and move it off the balance sheet. In 1998, he was given additional responsibilities as co-head of the Primary Dealer desk and was accountable for over $50 billion in Securities Assets, Mortgage Loans, Reserves, and Placements. In addition, Mr. Tabacchi was responsible for expanding the Structured Finance Group, which had become the cornerstone of Citibank's fixed income business plans prior to the Citicorp-Travelers merger.

In 2000, Mr. Tabacchi co-founded South Street Securities, Matrix Applications, and several predecessor firms. South Street Securities is a New York-based broker/dealer specializing in securities finance and repurchase agreements for high quality securities. He is Chairman of the Board of the Independent Dealer and Trader Association (IDTA) and in May 2021, he was elected to the DTCC Board of Directors for a five-year term. Mr. Tabacchi's FINRA certifications include Series 7, 63, 27 and 24.

About South Street Securities Holdings, Inc

South Street Securities Holdings, Inc. operates through its wholly owned subsidiaries. Affiliates include South Street Securities LLC, a FINRA and SiPC member, which holds a FICC Tier 1 membership and is focused on repo dealer financing US Treasuries, Agency MBS, TBA mortgage origination hedging and equity finance. Matrix Applications, LLC, a technology and back-office services company, South Street Capital Management, LLC, an asset management company, and AmeriVet Securities, Inc., a FINRA and SiPC member which operates an SEC registered service-disabled veteran and minority owned broker dealer.

About Digital Prime Technologies

Through a multi-faceted product suite, Digital Prime Technologies enables its clients to quickly and easily deploy a full suite of digital asset solutions spanning execution, prime brokerage and lending. The digital assets sector is complicated and evolving rapidly, Digital Prime Technologies is built on TradFi principles and industry practices that are core to US regulated securities markets. Digital Prime Technologies' offering allows broker-dealers and capital markets firms to transact in the digital asset space with robust and fully customizable services suited to their business and compliance needs.

SOURCE Digital Prime Technologies
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. The V Conference of Labor Ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) member countries to be held next week in Baku will contribute to the expansion of cooperation between the countries in the field of labor, employment and social protection, Azerbaijani Deputy Minister of Labor and Social Protection Anar Karimov said, Trend reports.

He spoke at a press conference on the occasion of the international event.

Anar Karimov stated that Azerbaijan was recognized as a full member of the organization on December 8, 1991. The OIC has consistently taken a robust stance on Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani territory, denouncing Armenia's armed actions and supporting Azerbaijan's right position. In this regard, the group has passed a number of resolutions.

Karimov stated that the OIC actively supported Azerbaijan's fair stand during the 44-day second Karabakh war, which ended with a historic victory.

He emphasized that the OIC member countries' V Conference of Labor Ministers, which will be held in Baku on November 21-23 this year, will allow the OIC member countries to expand cooperation on the development of the social sphere, including the labor market, employment, unemployment elimination, poverty reduction, human capital development, labor migration, and the exchange of useful information and experience in these fields.

The Deputy Minister also emphasized the success of social reforms implemented in Azerbaijan in recent years.

The conference, he believes, will also be significant in terms of bringing these social successes to the international community and sharing expertise in this field with OIC member countries.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The digital transformation market is expected to witness notable growth owing to increase in use of digital experience platforms (dxps) to enhance the customer experience, growth in usage of mobile devices and apps and rise in adoption of industrial robots

PORTLAND, Ore., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, "Digital Transformation Market by Component (Solution, and Service), Deployment Mode (On-premise, and Cloud), Enterprise Size (Large Enterprises, and Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), Technology (Artificial Intelligence, Cloud Computing, Blockchain, Big Data, and Business Analytics, Cybersecurity, and Others), and Industry Vertical (BFSI, Retail and E-Commerce, IT and Telecom, Healthcare and Life Sciences, Government and Defense, and Others): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 20222032". According to the report, the Digital transformation indsustry generated $721.6 billion in 2022, and is anticipated to generate $6.8 trillion by 2032, witnessing a CAGR of 25.4% from 2023 to 2032.

Prime determinants of growth

The digital transformation market is expected to witness notable growth owing to increase in use of digital experience platforms (dxps) to enhance the customer experience, growth in usage of mobile devices and apps and rise in adoption of industrial robots. Moreover, increase in adoption of industry 4.0 technology is expected to provide lucrative opportunity for the growth of the market during the forecast period. On the contrary, data privacy and security concerns associated with digital technologies and high usage of digital transformation in healthcare sector limit the growth of the digital transformation market.

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Report coverage & details:

Report Coverage Details Forecast Period 20232032 Base Year 2022 Market Size in 2022 $721.6 Billion Market Size in 2032 $6.8 Trillion CAGR 25.4 % No. of Pages in Report 450 Segments Covered Component, deployment mode, enterprise size, technology, industry vertical and region. Drivers Increase in use of digital experience platforms (dxps) to enhance the customer experience Growth in usage of mobile devices Rise in adoption of industrial robots Opportunities High usage of digital transformation in the healthcare sector Increase in adoption of industry 4.0 technology Restraints Data privacy and security concerns associated with digital technologies

Covid-19 Scenario

The digital transformation market witnessed stable growth during the COVID-19 pandemic, owing to the dramatically increased dependence on digital devices. The surge in online presence of people during the period of COVID-19-induced lockdowns and social distancing policies fueled the need for digital transformation solutions.

In addition, with the majority of the population confined in homes during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses needed to optimize their business operations and offerings to maximize their revenue opportunities while optimizing their operations to support the rapidly evolving business environment, post the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Buy this Complete Report (450 Pages PDF with Insights, Charts, Tables, and Figures) at:

https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/digital-transformation-market/purchase-options

The solution segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

On the basis of component, the solution segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for nearly two-thirds of the digital transformation market revenue, and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period. This is attributed to the high level of security and cost efficiency provided by the digital transformation solutions. However, the service segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 23.4% from 2023 to 2032, as businesses intending to implement digital transformation services find benefits, such as scalability, flexibility, and lower infrastructure costs, compelling.

The on-premise segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of deployment mode, the on-premise segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing for more than half of the digital transformation market revenue, owing to growth in the usage of on-premise deployment solutions in several industries. However, the cloud segment is expected to portray the largest CAGR of 26.8% from 2023 to 2032 and is projected to maintain its lead position during the forecast period. It provides several advantages such as reducing costs, supporting business, and effectively controlling the business environment in the organization.

The large enterprises segment to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period

On the basis of enterprise size, the large enterprises segment held the highest market share in 2022, accounting for more than two-thirds of the digital transformation market revenue and is estimated to maintain its leadership status throughout the forecast period, the adoption of digital transformation tools has become an integral part of these users to sustain in the competitive market. However, the small and medium-sized enterprises segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 27.8% from 2023 to 2032. The growth in penetration of digital services in these enterprises is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the market.

The big data and business analytics segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of technology, the big data and business analytics segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than one-fourth of the digital transformation market revenue, owing to growth in the usage of big data and business analytics solutions in several industries. However, the blockchain segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 29.6% from 2023 to 2032. The rise in penetration of blockchain solutions in multiple applications is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the market.

The IT and telecom segment to maintain its lead position during the forecast period

On the basis of industry vertical, the IT and telecom segment accounted for the largest share in 2022, contributing to more than one-third of the digital transformation market revenue, owing to the development digital technologies in IT and telecom sector. However, the healthcare and life science segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 29.3% from 2023 to 2032. The surge in implementation of automation trends and increase in utilization of robotics technology in this sector is expected to provide lucrative opportunities for the market.

North America region to maintain its dominance by 2032

On the basis of region, the North America segment held the highest market share in terms of revenue in 2022, accounting for more than one-third of the digital transformation market revenue. The increase in the usage of digital transformation solutions in businesses to improve businesses and the customer experience is anticipated to propel the growth of the market in this region. However, the Asia-Pacific segment is projected to manifest the highest CAGR of 26.8% from 2023 to 2032. Countries such as China, India, and South Korea are at the forefront, embracing digital technologies to enhance their effectiveness and competitiveness, further expected to contribute to the growth of the market in this region.

Key Recent Developments

In February 2023, Cisco launched simplified dashboards to converge OT and IT operations, flexible network intelligence to view and protect all industrial assets, and new cloud management tools for industrial IoT applications. OpenTelemetry is the industry standard and open-source framework that partners, customers, and service providers rely on to collect, generate, process, and export distributed and cloud-native telemetry data. Cisco ThousandEyes is compatible with OpenTelemetry

In January 2023, Alibaba Cloud unveiled its first international partner management and innovation center to better facilitate and further enhance customer services and the digitalization journey. The new product innovation center is expected to manage product upgrades as per the current customer demands globally and facilitate future roadmaps for the development of more market-specific solutions.

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Leading Market Players: -

Accenture Plc

Adobe Systems Inc

Cognizant

Google Inc.

HCL Technologies Limited

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP

IBM Corporation

Microsoft Corporation

Oracle Corporation

SAP SE

The report provides a detailed analysis of these key players in the digital transformation 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 countries. The report is valuable in highlighting business performance, operating segments, product portfolio, and strategic moves of market players to showcase the competitive scenario.

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SOURCE Allied Market Research
NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a recent analysis by Technavio, titled "Edge Data Center Market Analysis - North America, APAC, Europe, South America, Middle East and Africa - Size and Forecast 2024-2028," the dynamic evolution of edge data centers in various industries takes a significant position. The market is expected to witness a substantial growth, estimating a CAGR of 23.57% between 2023 and 2028, and a forecasted increase of USD 22.10 billion. Request sample report. Request sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Edge Data Center Market Market 2024-2028

The market is primarily driven by several factors including the increasing demand for video streaming services, escalated adoption of multi-cloud frameworks, network upgrades to accommodate 5G, and the escalating mobile data traffic. An edge data center, essentially a collection of IT assets moved closer to end-users, significantly streamlines operations and is primarily serviced from a cloud data center. Key components integral to edge data centers encompass IT infrastructure, general construction, power and cooling management systems, security systems, racks, and data center infrastructure management (DCIM).

North America is estimated to contribute 48% to the growth of the global market. One of the primary factors driving the surge in the North American edge data center market is the widespread adoption of cloud services across diverse industries in the US and Canada.

Technavio highlights the emerging trends of Edge Data Center Market:

Cost Reduction and Savings:

Cost savings of up to 30% achievable through consolidation.

Enhanced security by up to 35% due to streamlined operations.

Improved efficiency by 50% from optimized resource utilization.

Reduced power consumption by 55%, promoting sustainability.

Adoption of New Strategies:

Embracing high-density storage solutions and virtualization.

Decreased server count for enhanced operational efficiency.

Shift towards wholesale colocation facilities for greener operations.

Impact on Market Growth:

Commencement of consolidation initiatives years ago.

Increasing migration to colocation edge data centers.

Rising adoption of cloud-based services for streamlined operations.

Prominent companies are actively immersing themselves in the trend

365 Data Centers operates in 20 strategic markets, delivering comprehensive edge data center solutions encompassing network connectivity, colocation, and managed hosting services. Meanwhile, Compass Datacenters LLC specializes in designing, installing, and maintaining over 200 major cloud and content provider telecom shelters. Additionally, DC BLOX Inc. stands out with data centers constructed to a tier III basis of design and a 100 percent power service level guarantee. These companies collectively contribute to the evolving landscape of edge data centers, offering diverse services, robust infrastructure, and reliability, thereby significantly impacting the expansion and enhancement of edge data center capabilities.

The edge data center market report extensively covers market segmentation by end-users (IT and telecommunication, manufacturing and automotive, BFSI, healthcare and life sciences, and others), components (IT infrastructure, general construction, power management systems, cooling systems, and others), and geographies (North America, APAC, Europe, South America, and Middle East and Africa). Buy the full report here

According to Technavio's findings, the Edge Data Center Market is expected to witnesses a boost from increased digitalization, automation, and IoT proliferation, driving the deployment of edge data centers to alleviate congestion and enhance service efficiency. Despite promising trends like consolidation and green data center adoption, challenges in monitoring diverse edge locations persist. Notably, North America leads this growth with widespread cloud service adoption, fostering the development of numerous data centers and high-performance computing systems. Key players such as 365 Data Centers, Compass Datacenters LLC, and DC BLOX Inc. are instrumental in advancing edge data center solutions, ensuring market resilience and innovation amid evolving technological landscapes and industry demands.

Coverage

Related reports:

High End Server Market

IT Services Market

Companies Covered

Dell Technologies Inc.

Digital Realty Trust Inc.

Eaton Corp. Plc

EdgeConneX Inc.

Equinix Inc.

Flexential Corp.

Friedhelm Loh Stiftung and Co. KG

Fujitsu Ltd.

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co.

Hitachi Ltd.

Huawei Technologies Co. Ltd.

International Business Machines Corp.

Johnson Controls International Plc

Panduit Corp.

Schneider Electric SE

Vapor IO Inc.

Vertiv Holdings Co.

Regions Covered

North America

APAC

Europe

South America

Middle East and Africa

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
BOSTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Embr Labs, Inc , makers of Embr Wave, the leading wearable that utilizes temperature for wellness applications, today announced the formal appointment of Dr. Maria Sophocles as Embr Labs' Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Sophocles is a board-certified Ob/Gyn and a Nationally Certified Menopause Practitioner with 28 years of clinical experience. She founded Women's Healthcare of Princeton , a progressive gynecology practice which draws patients from all over the U.S.

We know that every step forward translates to a meaningful difference in people's lives. Post this Embr Wave

"I am thrilled to join the Embr Labs team and support their mission to improve lives through the use of temperature regulation. Hot flashes negatively affect women at home and at work . The Embr device gives women agency over their symptoms with on-demand relief for hot flashes. It fills a niche in menopause care that no prescription or OTC product currently does. Embr wave is a treatment modality for women who can't or won't use medications or who want an option to reduce break through hot flashes," stated Dr. Sophocles. "Menopause care needs more than information, it needs action, and the Embr Wave is a device which immediately addresses symptoms  it's not a data tracker, it's a hot flash stopper."

"As we attracted customers utilizing the Embr Wave to manage the symptoms of menopause, it was critical for the company to learn from experts in the field of menopausal medicine. Not only is Dr. Sophocles one of the country's leading menopause practitioners, she's been recommending the Embr Wave to patients since the first generation device and recognizes the value of offering a therapy for patients who are seeking natural solutions" said Elizabeth Gazda, CEO of Embr Labs.

Maria will join forces with Dr. Pamela Peeke who will continue to serve as an advisor and lead Embr's research and support for cancer patients, including Embr Labs' ability to address hot flashes in men who are being treated for prostate cancer.

Dr. Sophocles' appointment follows a strong quarter at Embr Labs as the company extended its global leadership position in wearable thermal technology. Embr Labs was granted five additional utility patents in the US and Japan (US11701250B2, US11759350B2, US11755083B2, JP7333575B2, JP7319691B2). These patents strengthen Embr Labs' competitive advantage and are valuable additions to the existing IP assets that enabled Embr Lab's $35 million intellectual property-based financing this year.

"This group of granted patents reflect the technical leadership and innovative solutions that we have built in our first 10 years at Embr Labs," said Matthew Smith, CTO and Co-founder, "We strive for continuous innovation because we know that every step forward translates to a meaningful difference in people's lives."

The Embr Wave wristband uses Embr's patented technology to deliver precisely calibrated cooling or warming sensations at the touch of a button for instant, discrete relief and control over hot flashes in menopausal women, improved sleep, and stress management. Clinical research has shown that using Embr Wave provides immediate relief from hot flashes and improves sleep and control over hot flashes for men as they are treated for prostate cancer . The product is sold directly to consumers on embrlabs.com, as well as in leading retail outlets in the US and UK. The Embr Wave is FSA and HSA eligible. Having established successful market traction, Embr is now focused on continuous innovation by deploying hot flash prediction coupled with cooling intervention to prevent hot flashes from occurring.

About Embr Labs, Inc.

Embr Labs is the leading healthtech company addressing the symptoms of chronic health conditions by pioneering the use of temperature as a new pathway to the brain. Embr Wave is now distributed through major US retailers, and internationally in over 25 countries via Embrlabs.com. The company's patented technology has been clinically validated and delivers a brand new category of safe and natural solutions to manage hot flashes, sleep issues, stress, and thermal discomfort. The company was founded by MIT-trained engineers and is backed by investors including Bose Ventures, DigiTx Partners, Safar Partners, Esplanade Ventures, Intel Capital and is backed by Ghost Tree Partners. Embr Labs has won numerous awards for the Embr Wave, including the AARP Innovation in Aging Award, Time Magazine's Best Inventions, the iF Design Award and was named to CB Insights' Digital Health 150 .

Media contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Embr Labs
DUBLIN, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Endo International plc (OTC: ENDPQ) announced today that five new presentations related to Peyronie's disease, or PD, and XIAFLEX (collagenase clostridium histolyticum, or CCH, injection 0.9 mg) will be shared during the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) annual meeting, taking place November 16-19 in San Diego.

"The relatively common condition of Peyronie's diseaseestimated to affect 1 in 10 men in the U.S.remains under-studied and is often misunderstood," said Dr. Jesse Mills, urologist and presenter of the data analysis poster. "Efforts like the post hoc analysis of XIAFLEX Phase 3 data and the new landmark registry aim to advance medical knowledge of PD and support patient outcomes."

The five new Endo-sponsored and Endo-supported presentations are below:

Peyronie's Disease Patients with Penile Pain at Baseline Treated with Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum: A Post Hoc Analysis Authors: Jesse N. Mills, MD; Gregory A. Broderick , MD; Gregory J. Kaufman , MD; James P. Tursi , MD; Marian Ayad , PharmD BCPS; Tina Rezakhani , PharmD MBA; Jeffrey Andrews , MS; Sajel Patel , PharmD; Landon Trost , MD Sponsored by Endo

Clinical Understanding through Real-world data to Validate Effectiveness of treatments in Peyronie's Disease (CURVE-PD): Registry Design Authors: Jill Davis , MS; Jesse N. Mills, MD; Joshua Henderson ; Marc Mason ; Angel Cronin ; Femida Gwadry-Sridhar, BSc Pharm, MSc (Epi), PhD; David Hurley , MD; Greg Kaufman , MD; Ranjith Ramasamy , MD; Mohit Khera , MD Sponsored by Endo

Outcomes of Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum in Men with Ventral Curvatures: An Updated Series Authors: Henry Larson, BSN; Joshua Savage , PA-C; Klinton Brearton , CNP; Riley Warner , PA-C; Matthew Ziegelmann , MD; Tobias Kohler , MD; Landon Trost , MD Publication grant provided by Endo

Efficacy of a Novel Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum Protocol for Peyronie's Disease Among Prior Non-responders: A Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blinded Study Authors: Bryce Palmer , BS; Joshua Savage, PA-C; Klinton Brearton , CNP; Riley Warner , PA-C; Matthew Ziegelmann , MD; Sevann Helo, MD; Tobias Kohler , MD; Landon Trost , MD Investigator-initiated research grant provided by Endo

Comparison of Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum to Surgery for the Management of Peyronie's Disease: A Randomized Trial  1 Year Outcomes Authors: Henry Larson, BSN; Joshua Savage , PA-C; Klinton Brearton , CNP; Riley Warner , PA-C; Matthew Ziegelmann , MD; Sevann Helo, MD; Tobias Kohler , MD; Landon Trost , MD Investigator-initiated research grant provided by Endo



About the Post Hoc Phase 3 Data Analysis1

A post hoc analysis of pooled data from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trials was conducted to evaluate CCH treatment and improvement in penile curvature in participants presenting with/without penile pain at baseline and disease duration of 1218 months or >18 months.

CCH-treated participants were stratified by the reporting of moderate-severe pain or no pain at baseline. Additional subgroup analyses stratified participants by presence of pain and disease duration (1218 or >18 months). The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage change in penile curvature at week 52 from baseline.

Data support that there were no clear differences in CCH treatment outcomes between participants experiencing moderate-severe pain or no pain at baseline regardless of disease duration (1218 versus >18 months). These analyses are consistent with other literature evaluating the efficacy of CCH in the acute phase of disease and suggest that ongoing pain is not a contraindication to CCH therapy.

About the CURVE-PD Registry

CURVE-PD (NCT05873595) is a non-interventional study of up to 1,000 PD patients from 15 sites who have initiated treatment within two weeks before, at or any time after the date of enrollment. Patients will be followed for up to one year, and data will be collected from the patients, their healthcare providers and their partners.

Patients will answer questions related to, but not limited to, reasons for treatment choice, self-measurement of curve before and after treatments; ability to participate in sexual activities before and after treatment; in-home stretching/modeling to complement in-office procedures; satisfaction, depression and anxiety scales, including the Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ); and patient and partner satisfaction.

Healthcare providers will answer questions related to, but not limited to, reasons for treatment choice, details of treatment, length and curve of penis before and after treatment and location of plaque treated.

This registry will create the largest and most comprehensive collection of real-world PD data on treatment outcomes.

About Peyronie's Disease

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a condition in which a buildup of fibrous scar tissue causes a curvature deformity of the penis. This curvature can be painful during arousal and intimacy.3 It is estimated that PD can affect as many as 1 in 10 men in the U.S.,4 but diagnosis rates remain low because men with PD may be too uncomfortable to speak up and get help.5

About XIAFLEX

INDICATION

XIAFLEX is indicated for the treatment of adult men with Peyronie's disease with a palpable plaque and curvature deformity of at least 30 degrees at the start of therapy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR XIAFLEX

WARNING: CORPORAL RUPTURE (PENILE FRACTURE) OR OTHER SERIOUS PENILE INJURY IN THE TREATMENT OF PEYRONIE'S DISEASE Corporal rupture (penile fracture) was reported as an adverse reaction in 5 of 1044 (0.5%) XIAFLEX-treated patients in clinical studies. In other XIAFLEX-treated patients (9 of 1044; 0.9%), a combination of penile ecchymoses or hematoma, sudden penile detumescence, and/or a penile "popping" sound or sensation was reported, and in these cases, a diagnosis of corporal rupture cannot be excluded. Severe penile hematoma was also reported as an adverse reaction in 39 of 1044 (3.7%) XIAFLEX-treated patients. Signs or symptoms that may reflect serious penile injury should be promptly evaluated to assess for corporal rupture or severe penile hematoma which may require surgical intervention. Because of the risks of corporal rupture or other serious penile injury, XIAFLEX is available for the treatment of Peyronie's disease only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the XIAFLEX REMS Program.

Contraindications: XIAFLEX is contraindicated in the treatment of Peyronie's plaques that involve the penile urethra due to potential risk to this structure and in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to XIAFLEX or to collagenase used in any other therapeutic application or application method



XIAFLEX is contraindicated in the treatment of Peyronie's plaques that involve the penile urethra due to potential risk to this structure and in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to XIAFLEX or to collagenase used in any other therapeutic application or application method Corporal Rupture or Other Serious Injury to the Penis: Injection of XIAFLEX into collagen-containing structures such as the corpora cavernosa of the penis may result in damage to those structures and possible injury such as corporal rupture (penile fracture). Therefore, XIAFLEX should be injected only into the Peyronie's plaque and care should be taken to avoid injecting into the urethra, nerves, blood vessels, corpora cavernosa or other collagen-containing structures of the penis. Cases of localized skin and soft tissue necrosis occurring as sequelae of penile hematoma, some requiring surgical intervention, have been reported post-marketing



Injection of XIAFLEX into collagen-containing structures such as the corpora cavernosa of the penis may result in damage to those structures and possible injury such as corporal rupture (penile fracture). Therefore, XIAFLEX should be injected only into the Peyronie's plaque and care should be taken to avoid injecting into the urethra, nerves, blood vessels, corpora cavernosa or other collagen-containing structures of the penis. Cases of localized skin and soft tissue necrosis occurring as sequelae of penile hematoma, some requiring surgical intervention, have been reported post-marketing Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis: In the double-blind, placebo-controlled portions of the clinical trials in Peyronie's disease, a greater proportion of XIAFLEX-treated patients (4%) compared to placebo-treated patients (1%) had localized pruritus after up to 4 treatment cycles (involving up to 8 XIAFLEX injection procedures). The incidence of XIAFLEX- associated pruritus was similar after each injection regardless of the number of injections administered

Because XIAFLEX contains foreign proteins, severe allergic reactions to XIAFLEX can occur. Anaphylaxis was reported in a post-marketing clinical trial in one patient who had previous exposure to XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. Healthcare providers should be prepared to address severe allergic reactions following XIAFLEX injections. The safety of more than one treatment course of XIAFLEX is not known



In the double-blind, placebo-controlled portions of the clinical trials in Peyronie's disease, a greater proportion of XIAFLEX-treated patients (4%) compared to placebo-treated patients (1%) had localized pruritus after up to 4 treatment cycles (involving up to 8 XIAFLEX injection procedures). The incidence of XIAFLEX- associated pruritus was similar after each injection regardless of the number of injections administered Risk of Bleeding in Patients with Abnormal Coagulation: In the XIAFLEX controlled trials in Peyronie's disease, 65.5% of XIAFLEX-treated patients developed penile hematoma, and 14.5% developed penile ecchymosis. Patients with abnormal coagulation (except for patients taking low-dose aspirin, eg, up to 150 mg per day) were excluded from participating in these studies. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of XIAFLEX in patients receiving anticoagulant medications (other than low-dose aspirin, eg, up to 150 mg per day) within 7 days prior to XIAFLEX administration is not known. In addition, it is recommended to avoid use of XIAFLEX in patients with coagulation disorders, including patients receiving concomitant anticoagulants (except for low-dose aspirin)



In the XIAFLEX controlled trials in Peyronie's disease, 65.5% of XIAFLEX-treated patients developed penile hematoma, and 14.5% developed penile ecchymosis. Patients with abnormal coagulation (except for patients taking low-dose aspirin, eg, up to 150 mg per day) were excluded from participating in these studies. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of XIAFLEX in patients receiving anticoagulant medications (other than low-dose aspirin, eg, up to 150 mg per day) within 7 days prior to XIAFLEX administration is not known. In addition, it is recommended to avoid use of XIAFLEX in patients with coagulation disorders, including patients receiving concomitant anticoagulants (except for low-dose aspirin) Acute Post-Injection Back Pain Reactions: Post approval reports of acute lower back pain reactions, sometimes accompanied by radiation to the lower extremities, chest and arms, muscle spasms, chest pain, paresthesias, headache, and dyspnea, have been received by patients treated with XIAFLEX for Peyronie's disease. These events can be mild to severe in intensity. The events typically lasted for 15 minutes and typically did not require intervention. Administer the smallest number of treatment cycles necessary to treat the patient's curvature deformity

Adverse Reactions

Clinical trials

In the XIAFLEX clinical trials for Peyronie's disease, the most frequently reported adverse drug reactions (25%) and at an incidence greater than placebo included: penile hematoma, penile swelling, and penile pain.

Post-marketing experience

Acute post-injection lower back pain reactions have occurred in close temporal proximity to XIAFLEX treatments

Cases of localized skin and soft tissue necrosis events as sequelae of penile hematoma, some of which required surgical intervention

Syncope and presyncope have been reported in men treated with XIAFLEX for Peyronie's disease. Most, but not all cases occurred in the immediate treatment period or within 1-2 days following injection. Bodily injuries associated with the syncopal events have been reported

Click for full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.

About Endo

Endo (OTC: ENDPQ) is a specialty pharmaceutical company committed to helping everyone we serve live their best life through the delivery of quality, life-enhancing therapies. Our decades of proven success come from passionate team members around the globe collaborating to bring treatments forward. Together, we boldly transform insights into treatments benefiting those who need them, when they need them. Learn more at www.endo.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation including, but not limited to, the statements by Dr. Mills, any statements relating to product efficacy, therapeutic outcomes or treatment responses, and any statements that refer to expected, estimated or anticipated future results or that do not relate solely to historical facts. Statements including words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "plan," "will," "may," "look forward," "guidance," "future," "potential" or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this communication reflect the Company's current views as of the date of this communication about its plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to it and on assumptions it has made. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from current expectations based on a number of factors, including, among other things, the outcome of the Company's contingency planning and restructuring activities; the timing, impact or results of any pending or future litigation, investigations, proceedings or claims, including opioid, tax and antitrust related matters; any actual or contingent liabilities; settlement discussions or negotiations; the Company's liquidity, financial performance, cash position and operations; the risks and uncertainties associated with chapter 11 proceedings; the time, terms and ability to confirm a sale of the Company's businesses under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code; the risk that the Company's chapter 11 cases may be converted to cases under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code; the adequacy of the capital resources of the Company's businesses and the difficulty in forecasting the liquidity requirements of the operations of the Company's businesses; the unpredictability of the Company's financial results; the Company's ability to discharge claims in chapter 11 proceedings; negotiations with the holders of the Company's indebtedness and its trade creditors and other significant creditors; the risks and uncertainties with performing under the terms of the restructuring support agreement and any other arrangement with lenders or creditors while in chapter 11 proceedings; the performance, including the approval, introduction, and consumer and physician acceptance of new products and the continuing acceptance of currently marketed products; and the Company's ability to obtain and successfully manufacture, maintain and distribute a sufficient supply of products to meet market demand in a timely manner. The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required to do so by law.

Additional information concerning risk factors, including those referenced above, can be found in press releases issued by the Company, as well as the Company's public periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and with securities regulators in Canada, including the discussion under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

References:

Gelbard M, Goldstein I, Hellstrom W, et al. J Urol. 2013;190(1):199-207. Hellstrome WJ. Int J Impot Res. 2003;15:S91-S92. Stuntz M, Perlaky A, des Vignes F, et al. PLoS One. 2016;11(2):e0150157. DiBenedetti DB, Nguyen D, Zografoset L, al. Adv Urol. 2011:282503

SOURCE Endo International plc
Coffee takes centre stage at the UN headquarters

Leading industry experts discuss in New York how to protect the future of coffee.

Appeal to the international financial community to invest in the transition to regenerative agriculture through public-private partnerships

Andrea Illy: today we have proof that this model works, it is essential to implement it

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The situations of coffee producing countries around the world vary, but two common factors loom over the future of coffee production: social development and the need to adapt to climate change.

How can the future of coffee be protected today in light of this scenario? This was the topic of the round table organised by illycaffe at the UN Headquarters in New York on the occasion of the Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award 2023, moderated by Vanessa Facenda, editor-in-chief of the magazine Tea & Coffee, which was attended by some of the world's leading experts in the sector: Vanusia Nogueira, Executive Director, International Coffee Organization, Andrea Illy, chairman of illycaffe and co-chair of Regenerative Society Foundation, Jeffrey Sachs, economist and co-chair Regenerative Society Foundation, Oscar Schaps, President of the Latin America division of Trading StoneX Financial Inc. and commodity trader, and Glaucio De Castro, President of Federacao dos Cafeicultores do Cerrado Mineiro.

Coffee production has traditionally been a mainstay of agriculture for millions of people living in tropical mountainous areas: about 12.5 million farms, run by small farmers, work on a few hectares of land. Ninety-five per cent of these do not exceed five hectares and 84% have an area of less than two hectares. Coffee producers often have little alternative to growing this product, which creates a considerable dependency for the exports of many countries. However, over the past two decades, low and volatile coffee prices have had a worrying impact on farming communities. According to Coffee Barometer, this is particularly relevant for producers in countries that contribute 15% of global volumes, such as those in Africa and Central America. Now, the remarkable improvements that caffeiculture has nevertheless achieved in recent decades through the process of 'de-commoditisation' - improvements that still have a long way to go before achieving economic, social and environmental sustainability - are at risk of being reversed due to climate change.

The direction that emerged from the round table points towards regenerative agriculture, which has proven to be more resilient and to produce both environmental and health benefits, although it requires investments in the order of USD 10 billion over the next ten years. Therefore, since producer countries do not have sufficient economic-financial capacity, it is necessary to activate private public partnerships that can mobilise international supply chain funds. This is a major challenge, which has already engaged the most important governmental, intergovernmental, non-governmental and private stakeholders for some years now

"For having a future in coffee we need to think about the Planet and the people involved in that.  says Vanusia Nogueira, Executive Director, ICO. "It's part of our responsibility as leaders of this sector to look for alternatives to provide good life to the producers and their families and also to take care of our Planet. It's clear that the challenges are big enough to not be addressed individually but in a collective and pre-competitive effort. Together I believe we can find impactful solutions".

"My morning coffee will never be grown in Central Park but will continue to be grown in Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda, Ethiopia, Guatemala, Colombia, Vietnam, and elsewhere. A well-managed developing country with access to major markets and international finance can grow very quickly", says economist Jeffrey Sachs. "True economic development aims to transform our society by creating sustainable increases in wellbeing through investments in human capital, physical infrastructure, and business enterprise, all with attention to the preservation of natural capital on which our economy and survival depend. After decades of severe human-induced environmental degradation, we need to transform our economies to the core principles of sustainable development and the regeneration of natural capital. The most basic principle of all is to act for the common good. This means that we must start from cooperation within our communities, our nations, and globally".

"Two things are needed for adaptation to climate change: improved agronomic practices and the renewal of plantations with more resistant varieties. Regenerative agriculture seems to provide an answer to the first need, and I hope that this will become a model for the whole caffeiculture. As far as renewal is concerned, we need to speed up considerably,' says Andrea Illy. 'All this requires supply chain investments that cannot be delayed any longer.

SOURCE illycaffe
ARLINGTON, Va., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yoga Alliance , the largest nonprofit association representing the international yoga community, announces today the results of a first-of-its-kind global survey researching the practice and profession of yoga. The "Yoga in the World" study is the first of an on-going series of research efforts by Yoga Alliance to benchmark and track not only yoga trends around the globe, but public perception and barriers that prevent individuals from practicing yoga.

Building on the organization's 2016 survey of "Yoga in America" (focused on the United States), Yoga Alliance recognized the need to expand its research to more fully understand how to increase the accessibility of yoga globally. The 2022 research collected quantitative and qualitative data from yoga practitioners and the general public across 10 countries including Brazil, Chile, China, Germany, India, Kenya, Nigeria, United Kingdom (U.K.), United Arab Emirates (U.A.E.) and the United States (U.S.). Yoga Alliance also surveyed yoga teachers and business owners in Brazil, Germany, the United Kingdom, and United States.

38M Americans practiced yoga in 2022, spending more than $21B. But the survey revealed distinct demographic inequities. Post this

Mental Health New Driver to Practice Yoga

The "Yoga in the World" study reveals a significant change in the reasons why people begin practicing yoga. In 2016 the primary driver was 'flexibility.' In 2022, practitioners from China, Germany, Kenya, Nigeria, United Kingdom, and the United States cite 'stress release' as the top motivator in starting a yoga practice, while practitioners from Brazil, Chile, India, the United Arab Emirates, say that 'improving their overall health' was their top motivator. Among respondents in the United States, 49 percent of practitioners and 37 percent of the general public state that a medical professional has recommended yoga to prevent and/or improve health conditions.

"This caught our attention as it indicates that individuals worldwide are seeking mental health and wellbeing support," said Shannon Roche, President and CEO of Yoga Alliance. "Scientific research has demonstrated that yoga is highly effective in helping individuals manage stress and cope with mental health conditions. As concerns about mental health and loneliness increase around the globe, the perception of yoga must shift from solely a fitness modality or hobby to a vital, low-cost, high-value self-directed health intervention that can, and should, be accessible to everyone."

U.S. Growth in Yoga, But Demographic Inequities Remain an Issue

In the United States, 38.4 million Americans (11 percent) practiced yoga in 2022, up from 36.7 million in 2016 (+4.6 percent; total population of the U.S. grew 2.7 percent), spending more than $21 billion on the practice (+5 percent since 2016). However, the survey revealed distinct demographic inequities within the yoga community in the United States, particularly among yoga professionals and studio owners, contributing to underrepresentation and limited access to yoga for underserved, historically marginalized, and vulnerable communities.

"Amid the economic contraction we see that individuals were finding the practicality and value in yoga as a way to alleviate the numerous challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic," said Roche. "While economic growth, spending, and participation in yoga is encouraging, the research also showed that Asian, Black, and Hispanic communities in the United States are underrepresented as yoga practitioners, teachers, and studio owners. Studies have shown that these communities are less likely to have access to mental health resources, yoga studios, or similar wellness resources which make treatment more difficult. Taken together, this information offers yet another example of the systemic underinvestment in proven holistic wellness practices, like yoga, in historically marginalized communities, when these practices can often trace their roots back to these very same communities."

As of 2022, in the United States:

71 percent of yoga practitioners are white and 74 percent are women.

88 percent of yoga teachers are white and 85 percent are women.

85 percent of yoga studio owners are white and 87 percent are women.

Yoga practitioners (47 percent), teachers (82 percent), studio owners (83 percent) are much more likely to have a college degree than the general population (30 percent).

Yoga practitioners are more likely to own their homes than the general population (54.8 percent versus 42.8 percent, respectively).

To gain additional insights into yoga participation and perceptions among Asian, Black, and Hispanic people in the United States, supplemental qualitative focus groups were conducted as part of the research effort. Focus group participants referenced that the "lifestyle" around yoga made the practice unappealing to them versus the practice itself. Non-practitioners referenced a stereotype of the average yoga practitioner being a "fit, white woman."

"Yoga has the potential to benefit anyone who practices, but the way it is shared and/or portrayed can impede or enhance its widespread acceptance," said Roche. "As a yoga community, we need to be intentional in our efforts to publicly communicate and normalize the diversity of students, teachers, and practitioners that actually exist, and how yoga can aid people from all communities, regardless of race, ethnicity, income level, age, body type, ability, or gender."

An executive summary, methodology and key findings by country can be found at yogaalliance.org/Yoga_in_the_World.

About Yoga Alliance

Founded in 1999, Yoga Alliance is a member-based, non-profit organization that serves yoga schools and teachers across the globe, providing world-recognized, best-in-class credentials and unifying its members around a shared ethical commitment. Yoga Alliance's goal is to support and foster the high-quality, safe, accessible, and equitable teaching of yoga. In addition, Yoga Alliance delivers a strong value proposition to its members through community-building initiatives, educational resources, advocacy efforts, and social impact programs. For more information visit yogaalliance.org.

SOURCE Yoga Alliance
This guidance is believed to be the first Islamic ruling to clarify the issue in the United States after discussions between Muslim scholars and Minnesota doctors.

MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, Minn., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Minnesota Islamic Council issued a fatwa, or a religious clarification, encouraging the use of pasteurized donor human milk for babies, particularly preterm, low birth and ill babies, when a mother's milk is not available. The ruling comes after extensive discussions between Islamic scholars, Muslim leaders in the Twin Cities and experts from Children's Minnesota, M Health Fairview, the Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies, the Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition and Brighter Health.

the Minnesota Islamic Council issued a fatwa, or a religious clarification, encouraging the use of pasteurized donor human milk for babies, particularly preterm, low birth and ill babies, when a mothers milk is not available. The ruling comes after extensive discussions between Islamic scholars, Muslim leaders in the Twin Cities and experts from Childrens Minnesota, M Health Fairview, the Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies, the Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition and Brighter Health.

"Islam has many verses in the Quran and other texts that document the importance of breast milk, whether from the birth mother or shared milk," said Dr. Mohamed Mahad, imam from Nuruliman mosque who signed the fatwa. "This is a common practice in Islamic culture that dates back far. In fact, in verse 2:233, the Qur'an also indicates that if the mother is unable or does not wish to provide milk, a wet nurse could be selected for her child. The Prophet Muhammad () himself was nursed by Halima al-Saadiyah (  )."

Clinical staff began discussions with Islamic scholars in September to explore the topic after noting persistent barriers in Muslim families accepting pasteurized donor human milk for their babies in neonatal intensive care units and nurseries across the state due to uncertainty over Islamic beliefs. If a mother's milk is not available, pasteurized donor milk for fragile or premature babies is lifesaving and prevents serious infections, like sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening intestinal tract disease.

"This is a truly monumental step towards achieving health equity in our communities," said Dr. Leah Jordan, neonatologist at Children's Minnesota. "As doctors we can answer medical questions regarding donor breast milk, but we also need to respect and understand spiritual considerations. This fatwa will help clinicians across the country navigate conversations with families that may be hesitant to use donor breast milk when it is medically advised."

Donor milk concerns in the Muslim community stem from Islamic teachings that a woman providing breast milk develops kinship with the baby who receives it. The fatwa provides information on the health benefits of human milk for newborns, clarifies Islamic teachings and encourages the use of donor human milk when needed.

"To address the hesitancy over donor human milk, we looked beyond our hospital walls and partnered with trusted Muslim leaders to break down barriers and provide critical information," said Dr. Nancy Fahim, neonatologist at M Heath Fairview and assistant professor of neonatology at University of Minnesota Medical School. "This new guidance will help us better care for our tiniest patients and our communities, ultimately creating a healthier future for all."

Minnesota is home to an estimated 140,000 Muslims, including the country's largest population of Somali residents who are predominantly Muslim. Muslims from across the country and world can use this fatwa for clarification of Islamic teachings and to ease concerns and hesitancy about donor human milk. Children's Minnesota and M Health Fairview hospitals will provide copies of the fatwa to patients who seek guidance, and other health systems in Minnesota can access information on the new Islamic ruling through the Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition.

Community members with additional questions about the fatwa can contact [email protected]. The full fatwa can be found here.

SOURCE Children's Minnesota
SEATTLE, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- First Sound Bank (OTCPK: FSWA) today announced that at a special meeting of shareholders held earlier today, its shareholders approved the previously announced purchase and assumption agreement with Harborstone Credit Union whereby Harborstone Credit Union will purchase substantially all assets and assume substantially all liabilities of First Sound Bank. Following the completion of the transaction, First Sound Bank will liquidate and dissolve and distribute its remaining assets to its shareholders. In connection with the transaction, the shareholders of First Sound Bank will receive approximately $6.90-$7.10 in cash for each share of First Sound Bank common stock, subject to adjustment based on the equity value at closing.

First Sound Bank Logo (PRNewsfoto/First Sound Bank)

The transaction, which is anticipated to be completed in the first half of 2024, remains subject to receiving all regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

About Harborstone Credit Union

Harborstone Credit Union is a Washington-chartered and federally insured credit union headquartered in Lakewood, Washington. Founded in 1955 as McChord Federal Credit Union, serving airmen on McChord Air Force Base (now Joint Base Lewis McChord), Harborstone Credit Union has grown to become one of the largest credit unions in Washington State with over 87,000 members and approximately $1.9 billion in total assets. Harborstone Credit Union has fifteen branches located throughout King, Pierce, and Thurston counties and offers members a full range of products and services with the aim to assist members in achieving financial well-being through innovative financial solutions that foster thriving communities and economic vitality. For more information, please visit www.harborstone.com.

About First Sound Bank

First Sound Bank is a locally owned, independent community bank with approximately $160 million in assets. The company provides commercial and private banking services for small to medium sized businesses, not-for-profit organizations, entrepreneurs, and professional service firms throughout the Puget Sound market. First Sound Bank operates through a single branch location in downtown Seattle. For more information, please visit www.firstsoundbank.com.

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements in this news release contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to future plans and expectations, and are thus prospective. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, such as the businesses of Harborstone Credit Union and First Sound Bank may not be integrated successfully or such integration may take longer to accomplish than expected, the expected cost savings and any revenue synergies from the merger may not be fully realized within the expected timeframes, disruption from the merger may make it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers, associates, or suppliers, the required governmental approvals of the merger may not be obtained on the proposed terms and schedule, any of which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements are reasonable, any of the assumptions could prove to be inaccurate. Therefore, we can give no assurance that the results contemplated in the forward-looking statements will be realized. The inclusion of this forward-looking information should not be construed as a representation by the companies or any person that the future events, plans, or expectations contemplated by the companies will be achieved. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements concerning the companies or any person acting on their behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by the cautionary statements above. None of Harborstone Credit Union or First Sound Bank undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, to reflect circumstances or events that occur after the date the forward-looking statements are made.

SOURCE First Sound Bank
2024 Full-Year Preliminary Outlook1

Revenue of $4.65 billion to $4.85 billion , reflecting 3 percent increase midpoint to midpoint from latest 2023 guidance

to , reflecting 3 percent increase midpoint to midpoint from latest 2023 guidance Adjusted EBITDA of $1.025 billion to $1.125 billion , reflecting 8 percent increase midpoint to midpoint from latest 2023 guidance

to , reflecting 8 percent increase midpoint to midpoint from latest 2023 guidance $50 million to $75 million of adjusted EBITDA contribution in 2024 from restructuring actions with approximately $150 million of run-rate savings by the end of 2025

to of adjusted EBITDA contribution in 2024 from restructuring actions with approximately of run-rate savings by the end of 2025 Adjusted earnings per share expected to grow faster than adjusted EBITDA in 2024

Return on invested capital over 10 percent

Free cash flow conversion of over 100 percent

Expect to end 2024 approaching historically normal leverage metrics

2026 Goals1

Revenue of $5.5 billion to $6.0 billion

to Adjusted EBITDA of $1.3 billion to $1.5 billion

to Adjusted earnings per share are expected to grow faster than adjusted EBITDA

Free cash flow conversion on rolling three-year average of at least 70 percent

Return on invested capital in the mid-teens percent

Target approximately 2X net debt to adjusted EBITDA on a rolling four quarter average basis

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

FMC Corporation (NYSE:FMC) will host its Investor Day later today at FMC corporate headquarters in Philadelphia where the company will outline its long-range strategic growth plan, including updated long-term financial targets, a review of the company's R&D pipeline and a discussion about FMC's newest synthetic and biological product portfolios.

In addition, the company will further detail its restructuring plan and provide a preliminary outlook for 2024.

"We are confident our industry-leading R&D pipeline and history of driving profitability from existing molecules through patented formulation innovation, combined with our leading position in biologicals, will drive strong revenue and earnings growth through 2026 and beyond," said Mark Douglas, president and chief executive officer. "We're looking forward to sharing our strategy for the mid- and long-term today at our Investor Day."

Agenda and anticipated timing for Investor Day:

10:00 AM Business Showcase 12:30 PM Plenary session presentations and webcast begin 12:35 PM Mark Douglas (President, Chief Executive Officer) 12:55 PM Diane Allemang (Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer) 1:25 PM Dr. Seva Rostovtsev (Vice President, Chief Technology Officer) 1:40 PM Ronaldo Pereira (Executive Vice President and President, Americas) 1:55 PM Dr. Benedicte Flambard (Vice President, Plant Health) 2:10 PM Break 2:25 PM Thaisa Hugenneyer (Vice President, Procurement, Facilities & Logistics) 2:40 PM Andrew Sandifer (Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer) 3:10 PM Mark Douglas (President, Chief Executive Officer) 3:15 PM Q&A 4:00 PM Event ends

The Investor Day is at full capacity and walk-up registration is not accepted. A live webcast of the plenary session will be open to the public and accessible via https://investors.fmc.com/. The presentations will be made available on the FMC website today, November 16, 2023, at approximately 12:00 p.m. ET. The prepared remarks and a summary of the business showcase materials will be posted after the event ends. The full webcast will be archived for one year on FMC's website.

About FMC

FMC Corporation is a global agricultural sciences company dedicated to helping growers produce food, feed, fiber and fuel for an expanding world population while adapting to a changing environment. FMC's innovative crop protection solutions  including biologicals, crop nutrition, digital and precision agriculture  enable growers, crop advisers and turf and pest management professionals to address their toughest challenges economically while protecting the environment. With approximately 6,600 employees at more than 100 sites worldwide, FMC is committed to discovering new herbicide, insecticide and fungicide active ingredients, product formulations and pioneering technologies that are consistently better for the planet. Visit fmc.com to learn more and follow us on LinkedIn.

Statement under the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: FMC and its representatives may from time to time make written or oral statements that are "forward-looking" and provide other than historical information, including statements contained in this press release, in FMC's other filings with the SEC, and in reports or letters to FMC stockholders.

In some cases, FMC has identified these forward-looking statements by such words or phrases as "will likely result," "is confident that," "expect," "expects," "should," "could," "may," "will continue to," "believe," "believes," "anticipates," "predicts," "forecasts," "estimates," "projects," "potential," "intends" or similar expressions identifying "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including the negative of those words or phrases. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current views and assumptions regarding future events, future business conditions and the outlook for the company based on currently available information. The forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement. These statements are qualified by reference to the risk factors included in Part I, Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (the "2022 Form 10-K"), the section captioned "Forward-Looking Information" in Part II of the 2022 Form 10-K and to similar risk factors and cautionary statements in all other reports and forms filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Moreover, investors are cautioned to interpret many of these factors as being impacted as a result of the residual adverse impacts of COVID and governmental, business, and societal responses to COVID. We wish to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by the above cautionary statement.

We specifically decline to undertake any obligation, and specifically disclaim any duty, to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements that have been made to reflect events or circumstances after the date of such statements or to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events, except as may be required by law.

This press release contains certain "non-GAAP financial terms" which are defined on our website www.fmc.com/investors. Such terms include adjusted EBITDA, adjusted earnings, free cash flow, organic revenue growth and return on invested capital. In addition, we have also provided on our website reconciliations of non-GAAP terms to the most directly comparable GAAP term.

Although we provide forecasts for adjusted earnings per share, adjusted EBITDA, free cash flow and return on invested capital (non-GAAP financial measures), we are not able to forecast the most directly comparable measures calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Certain elements of the composition of the GAAP amounts are not predictable, making it impractical for us to forecast. Such elements include, but are not limited to, restructuring, acquisition charges, and discontinued operations. As a result, no GAAP outlook is provided.

SOURCE FMC Corporation
General Philip Breedlove said US support to Ukraine is needed now, and private American citizens can help

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, Spirit of America, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, held a press briefing with US General Philip Breedlove (ret)  a former NATO Commander  to discuss how private American citizens can step up to provide funding, supplies, and vital non-lethal military assistance to help Ukraine defeat Russian aggression.

During the briefing, Spirit of America announced it has raised $25 million toward a new $200 million fundraising effort to provide Ukraine with the frontline, non-lethal assistance it needs to win.

"Spirit of America is providing capabilities for a nation fighting to defend its very existence," said General Breedlove Post this Col. Matt Dimmick (Ret.) with Spirit of America providing ballistic helmets to frontline Ukrainian soldiers.

General Breedlove stated that with continued U.S. government funding to Ukraine in limbo, the U.S. private sector and independent donors are positioned to play a key role in providing the funding and resources needed to help Ukraine defend itself against Putin.

General Breedlove stated that military aid is still the top priority for Ukrainians, but said "high-impact" supplies and non-lethal equipment that can make a difference on the battlefield can be provided by the private-sector. In many cases, the U.S. private sector is able to more quickly deliver urgent needs than cumbersome US procurement processes that can take several months.

"We are at a time where funding is important. We must advocate for government funding, but equally as important is funding private entities that do exactly what Spirit of America is doing," said General Philip Breedlove (Ret.). "This organization (Spirit of America) is providing extremely critical capabilities for use by a very brave nation fighting to defend its very existence, and it is paying off in measurable dividends."

Spirit of America CEO Jim Hake said that Spirit of America's assistance has "saved lives, made an asymmetric impact, and helped Ukraine remove Russian weapons systems from the battlefield." Ukrainian military officials recently credited Spirit of America's investment of $614,000 in frontline communications gear in helping eliminate $3.06 billion in Russian weapons systems  saving countless lives in Ukraine.

Spirit of America Europe Regional Manager Matt Dimmick, who joined the call from Ukraine, said "Ukraine can win if it receives the support it needs." He noted that Spirit of America has closely consulted with US military and Ukrainian partners to determine the most high-payoff ways private American funding can make a difference on the battlefield.

Since February of 2022, Spirit of America has raised more than $65 million and delivered over 800 tons of non-lethal assistance including: surveillance drones, ballistic helmets, bulletproof vests, communications and tactical gear and military vehicles.

Individuals interested in supporting Spirit of America's effort to help Ukraine win can learn more at www.spiritofamerica.org.

SOURCE Spirit of America
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Baku has turned down the proposal for a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington, Trend reports.

Concerning the statement of the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James OBrien that the US side has cancelled high-level bilateral meetings and engagements, which were initiated by the US side with Azerbaijan, and there cannot be business as usual in the bilateral relationship, the Ministry of Foreign affairs of Azerbaijan noted that the relations could not be one-sided.

"Consequently, the same approach will be applied equally by Azerbaijan. In these circumstances, we consider the possibility of high-level visits from the United States to Azerbaijan inappropriate as well.

Moreover, such a unilateral approach by the United States could lead to the loss of the mediation role of the United States. Under these circumstances, it is important to note that we do not consider possible to hold the proposed meeting on the level of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, in Washington on November 20, 2023.

International law norms and principles have always been a priority for Azerbaijan in its foreign policy. Azerbaijan will always act in line with its international obligations. At the same time, Azerbaijan will resolutely and adequately address all the negative steps against its national interest," the ministry said in a statement.
SEOUL, South Korea, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Gaudio Lab, a leading AI audio technology company, announced that it has been honored with the CES 2024 Innovation Award for its AI-based real-time noise removal solution, 'Just Voice'. This marks Gaudio Lab's second consecutive year of receiving the honor, extending its innovative success beyond its two other winning products from the CES 2023 Innovation Awards last year. Demonstrating its cutting-edge expertise and prowess across these three distinct technologies, Gaudio Lab continues to draw attention from the entire audio industry.

Gaudio Lab's award-winning 'Just Voice' employs AI sound separation to eliminate noise and background sounds in real-time.

Gaudio Lab's award-winning product, 'Just Voice,' is a comprehensive sound solution that is essential for the user experience involving transitions between real and virtual worlds, such as in streaming services like YouTube, various OTT platforms, and video conferencing services. It seamlessly operates on various devices and platforms thanks to its low-latency AI processing.

'Just Voice' utilizes AI sound separation technology to remove noise and background sounds in real-time, providing clear and crisp voices. Integrated with Gaudio Lab's sound generation AI, FALL-E, it can also create vivid sound effects for deeper immersion. Furthermore, it is equipped with GSA (Gaudio Spatial Audio), a world-class spatial audio technology and winner of the CES 2023 Innovation Award, rendering an even richer audio experience for the user.

Gaudio Lab has consistently earned global recognition and acclaim with its AI source separation model GSEP (Gaudio Source Separation) at the forefront of its technology. GSEP is continuously outperforming itself in accuracy, quality, and efficiency, and has recently been reviewed as the best solution among those available by a prominent British media outlet. Gaudio Lab also demonstrates its proficiency in the field of AI sound generation with FALL-E, which has recently been shown to be ready for commercialization following its successful application in generating sound effects in audio books.

"Being at the hub of global innovation for two consecutive years with the world's best AI audio technology is a source of great joy," said Henney Oh, the CEO of Gaudio Lab. "With ongoing discussions for various global collaborations, Gaudio Lab will continue to be present wherever there is sound."

Gaudio Lab is set to showcase its AI audio technology and products next January, including its award-winning innovation, at CES 2024 in Las Vegas, USA.

[About Gaudio Lab]



Gaudio Lab, a member company of Global Digital Innovation Network (formerly known as Born2Global Centre), is a leading AI audio technology start-up that was founded in 2015 following the company's spatial audio technology for headphones was adopted as the binaural renderer for the ISO/IEC MPEG-H Audio standard in 2014. Ever since its establishment, the company has worked to develop technologies to deliver superior audio experiences wherever there is sound, gaining the attention and support from top global strategic investors such as Softbank Ventures, Samsung Venture Investment and Naver Corp. Across and between reality and virtual reality, Gaudio Lab's solutions will continue to provide optimized audio on a diverse range of platforms such as earbuds, smartphones, OTT, VR/AR, theaters, automotives and more.

SOURCE Gaudio Lab
To help brighten the holiday season, the brand kicks off its Officially Sponsored Host campaign with actor Josh Peck at the helm

SPRINGDALE, Ark., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- With the holiday spirit in the air, many Americans feel a familiar mix of emotions when it comes to hosting duties. In fact, 75% of Americans think getting help with hosting a holiday party at home would be a huge relief, per new research from Jimmy Dean brand.1 To help add much-needed lightheartedness and support, the brand has enlisted actor, comedian, dad and podcaster Josh Peck as its Chief Hosting Officer (C.H.O.).

Actor Josh Peck steps into his role as Jimmy Dean brands Chief Hosting Officer for its Officially Sponsored Host program. Credit: Jimmy Dean brand

Through the first-ever Officially Sponsored Host program, Jimmy Dean brand and Josh Peck will sponsor the parties of ten lucky winners and provide them with all the hosting essentials to bring less pressure and more joy to the memory-making season. Packs include everything from recipes to complete sets of dinnerware and decor to take the guesswork out of entertaining. In his appointed role, Peck will also share his expert entertaining counsel  from his go-to prep-ahead recipes featuring Jimmy Dean Fresh Roll Sausage to his amusing take on the kids' table  all designed to help hosts everywhere reach C.H.O. status.

"I know the holiday hosting scramble all too well," said Peck. "Between two kids and our busy schedules, my wife and I have gotten entertaining down to a science  it comes down to good food, a festive ambience and surrounding yourself with people you love. That's why I'm thrilled to team up with Jimmy Dean brand to help people navigate hosting duties with ease this year."

"The Jimmy Dean brand embodies optimism and has always had a special place on the holiday table," said Ryan Christofferson, brand director at Jimmy Dean brand. "We couldn't think of a better Chief Hosting Officer than Josh Peck. He perfectly melds our uplifting tone with his wit and charm, which is just what's needed for a program designed to bring more joy  and less stress  this holiday season."

Jimmy Dean Brand's Officially Sponsored Host Sweepstakes *

Now through Dec. 6, 2023, consumers can visit JimmyDeanHosts.com to enter for a chance to win one of ten (10) prize packages that include all the ingredients for a sizzling holiday party. In addition to party kits filled with custom collectibles curated by Josh Peck and the brand, winners will receive $1,000 to spice up the party however they choose  whether it's a DJ, an ice sculpture, a cleaning crew or something else entirely.

Survey Results Reveal Biggest Holiday Hosting Stressors

To uncover Americans' true feelings around holiday hosting, Jimmy Dean brand conducted a nationwide CARAVAN survey among 1,011 U.S. adults. Survey results indicated that:

Over half (55%) of American holiday celebrators have a hiding spot for when they get overwhelmed during the holidays and need some quiet. Gen Z (71%) and millennial celebrators (64%) are more likely to have a hiding spot than older generations.

66% report that the kitchen can be the most stressful room to be in during the holidays. Gen Z and millennial generations reported feeling the most stress in the kitchen (83% and 79% respectively) compared to older generations (55% Gen X and 54% boomer).

68% of Americans identified food-related tasks, like menu planning, as the worst or most stressful part of hosting.

More than 50% reported that at least one family member has a holiday-related meltdown each year.

For an assortment of holiday recipe inspiration, visit www.jimmydean.com and follow @JimmyDean on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

*NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. Purchase does not increase your chance of winning. Open to legal residents of 48 contiguous U.S. & D.C., legal age of majority in their state at time of entry. The Jimmy Dean Brand Officially Sponsored Host Sweepstakes starts 9:00AM ET on Nov. 16, 2023, and ends at 11:59PM ET on Dec. 6, 2023. For rules, visit JimmyDeanHosts.com.

About Jimmy Dean Brand

The Jimmy Dean brand is America's favorite breakfast sausage brand1. For over 50 years, Jimmy Dean has ensured quality in every plate, providing warm, satisfying breakfast options the whole family can enjoy. Jimmy Dean Fresh Roll Sausage, Links & Patties, Fully Cooked Sausage Links, Crumbles, Skillets, Breakfast Bowls, Breakfast Sandwiches, Bacon, Stuffed Hash Browns, Plant-Based Patty Sandwiches, Pancakes & Sausage on a Stick, Jimmy Dean Simple Scrambles breakfast cups and Jimmy Dean Delights breakfast products boast full flavors and top-quality ingredients guaranteed to make any meal the best. For more information on the Jimmy Dean brand, including product offerings and delicious recipe ideas, visit www.jimmydean.com.

About Tyson Foods, Inc.

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) is one of the world's largest food companies and a recognized leader in protein. Founded in 1935 by John W. Tyson and grown under four generations of family leadership, the Company has a broad portfolio of products and brands like Tyson, Jimmy Dean, Hillshire Farm, Ball Park, Wright, Aidells, ibp and State Fair. Tyson Foods innovates continually to make protein more sustainable and affordable to meet customers' needs worldwide and raise the world's expectations for how much good food can do. Headquartered in Springdale, Arkansas, the Company had approximately 142,000 team members on October 1, 2022. Through its Core Values, Tyson Foods strives to operate with integrity, create value for its shareholders, customers, communities and team members and serve as a steward of the animals, land and environment entrusted to it. Visit www.tysonfoods.com.

Survey Methodology1

This CARAVAN survey was conducted by Big Village among a sample of 1,011 adults 18 years of age and older, weighted by age, sex, geographic region, race and education to ensure reliable and accurate representation of the total U.S. population, 18 years of age and older. The online omnibus study is conducted three times a week among a demographically representative U.S. sample of 1,000 adults 18 years of age and older. This survey was live on October 11-13, 2023.

CONTACT:

Samantha Harber

[email protected]

SOURCE Jimmy Dean Brand
OAKLAND PARK, Fla., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In Cancun, Mexico, on November 6, 2023, GK Hair's event commenced with a diverse group of talented educators and beauty professionals from the United States, Chile, Honduras, Trinidad and Tobago. Amid the lively Mexican setting, CEO Van Tibolli, along with international teams, including Federico, GK Hair Artistic Director from Italy, Manuel, a Top Stylist from Chile, and Keva, GK Hair Brand Ambassador from the USA, joined forces to elevate GK Hair's commitment to pioneering excellence and creativity in the beauty sector.

GK Hair's New Products Showcase & Educational Brilliance in Cancun Event

In a pivotal moment for the brand, the event showcased significant product launches. Notably, the expanded Juvexin Cream Color line took center stage, boasting an impressive 125 shades and impressive new lightning products all 100% vegan. Attendees had the exclusive opportunity to learn and participate in the transformative effects of this extended color range, set to inspire stylists and colorists globally.

The event highlighted GK Hair's innovative Lightening Masque with Hyaluronic Acid, a groundbreaking product that not only brightens but also deeply rejuvenates hair with each application. Additionally, the debut of Lightening Powder Zero with Argan Oil took the stage, featuring an innovative formula that not only promises unmatched lightening effects but also nourishes and protects the hair. Both lightening products offer an impressive 9 levels of lift to the hair and boast the added advantage of being free from any dangerous goods.

Van Tibolli remarked, "The success of the event solidifies our commitment to continuing to bring hairstylists together to learn about GK Hair products through global events around the world."

GK Hair extends a heartfelt thank you to everyone who participated and contributed to making the event a remarkable success. The brand continues to deliver innovative products to our customers and the beauty industry overall with GK Hair's own Juvexin V2 , advancing with each product and event.

Stay tuned for more updates as GK Hair forges ahead, promising to take your beauty journey to unparalleled levels.

Media Contact

Company Name: GK Hair

Contact Person: Meghan McHugh

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +13053900044

SOURCE GK Hair
DUBLIN, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Commercial Aircraft Market - 2023-2042 - Market Dynamics, Competitive Landscape, OEMs' Strategies & Plans, Trends & Growth Opportunities and Market Outlook - Airbus, Boeing, Embraer, ATR" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Commercial Aviation's Stellar Resurgence Spearheaded by the Narrow Body Segment

Commercial Aviation has been on a very strong comeback trail following pandemic marked by strong passenger traffic growth and sustained growth in air cargo traffic across most key markets & regions. The global airline passenger traffic is already at the pre-pandemic levels on domestic routes and international traffic, too, is in the catch-up mode. At the industry OEMs level, the supply chains seemingly are now stabilizing and the industry value chains are gearing up for a production ramp-up on the narrow body aircraft programs over near term across Airbus & Boeing, both of which, have outlined increased aircraft delivery targets for 2023.

Boeing's 737 MAX program now seems to be stabilizing with steady deliveries amid a sizeable inventory of 200+ 737 aircrafts being maintained apart from a spate of new, big-ticket orders for the 737 MAX program at the Paris Air Show 2023. On the other side of the Atlantic, Airbus' A321XLR is gearing up for certification, with its EIS in Q2 2024. The ongoing recovery in demand & activity levels across airlines globally has been steady as well as encouraging and the global air passenger demand is projected to grow by almost 3%, as compared to the pre-pandemic levels, for 2023 with the airline industry projected to be in black for 2023 albeit with marginal profits

Medium-Term Market Outlook Looking Upward for Commercial Aviation with Production Ramp-Ups on Narrow Bodies Imminent

The medium-term market outlook for commercial aviation, however, appears to be promising and clearly growth-bound with strong market demand driving up need for new airplanes, especially narrow bodies, by airlines with the Airbus-Boeing duopoly unable to match it on the deliveries front so far owing to supply side constraints. Boeing has already outlined plans to ramp-up 737 MAX production rate to 47 per month by mid-2024 and 52 per month by 2025 aided by the plans for establishment of a new production line for the 737 MAX program at Everett. Airbus, too, is gunning for a production rate of 65 per month by 2024 & 75 by 2025 for its A320neo family. Most engine OEMs; too, have already outlined plans to ramp-up engines production & deliveries in 2023 which are likely to reach the pre-pandemic production rates this year

Robust Long-Term Fundamentals for Commercial Aviation

The long-term industry fundamentals for commercial aviation remain robust and firmly in place with forecast for strong demand tailwinds to prevail, in form of deliveries of around 40,000+ new airplanes being projected over the next two decades, with almost 80% of them forecasted to be narrow bodies, which is likely to a key growth opportunity for the industry value chains over medium term. Airbus is already preparing for an entirely new generation of narrow body aircraft family, to replace its existing A320 family by 2035-2040 timeframe, which will be 100% SAF powered while also being 20%-25% more fuel efficient than current generation narrow bodies. Boeing, too, is planning for a scratch-up narrow body program with a potential EIS target of 2035. However, sustainability challenges remain the top long term priority for commercial aviation with the industry required to transition to sustainable propulsion technologies and become absolutely carbon-neutral by 2050 with scaling up of SAF production rapidly likely to be the most critical piece of untying this Gordian knot of sustainability

Against this backdrop, the report provides comprehensive insights & strategic analysis into the Global Commercial Aviation market with focus on a blend of quantitative & qualitative analysis

Part 1 of the report analyzes the Current Market Size, Drivers & Competitive Landscape for Commercial Aviation

Part 2 provides detailed analysis on key industry OEMs, including, Product Portfolios, Financial Analysis, SWOT framework analysis and key insights into the Strategies & Plans of the OEMs

Part 3 projects the market evolution likely over medium term with analysis of Key Market & Technological Trends, Issues & Challenges, Market Developments & Potential Growth Opportunities which could be leveraged by the industry value chain.

The report concludes by analyzing market evolution and projecting demand outlook for Commercial Aircrafts through 2042

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/t4da59

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]



For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

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SOURCE Research and Markets
DUBLIN, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Global Home Fragrance Market (by Product Type, Distribution Channel, & Region): Insights and Forecast with Potential Impact of COVID-19 (2022-2027)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The global home fragrance market is anticipated to reach US$7.89 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 5.30%, during 2022-2027

Home fragrances, including customizable plug-ins, aromatherapy diffusers, and scented candles featuring platform lids, have witnessed a surge in popularity among their target consumer base. This increased demand is primarily attributed to the expansion of product offerings, which is expected to be a key driving force behind the growing demand for home fragrances in the coming years.

The geographical regions covered in the analysis include North America (encompassing the US, Mexico, and Canada), Europe (including the UK, France, Germany, and the Rest of Europe), and the Asia Pacific (encompassing China, India, and the Rest of the Asia Pacific region).

North America has emerged as the dominant market player, driven by factors such as the increasing presence of fragrance-based companies, a growing population, and the rising adoption of room sprays within households. The US market within North America is further segmented based on product types, including Room Spray, Scented Candles, Reed Diffusers, and Others.

In Europe, Germany is expected to experience the fastest growth within the forecasted period. Meanwhile, in the Asia Pacific region, China has secured the largest market share. This can be attributed to increased expenditure on home furnishings, a growing air care market, and a strong consumer preference for pleasant aromas in their living spaces.

Driver: Surging Gen Z and Millennial Population



Because of the increasing Gen Z and millennial population, the residential market is booming because many of them rent or own homes, which would likely increase the demand for cutting-edge home fragrance items globally.

Additionally, the young population is more considered about the well-being and fragrances compared to the older generation, therefore, it is expected that an increase in the younger population would further contribute to the demand for home fragrances.

Moreover, manufacturers are creating new products to meet the rising demand for luxury candles, which is encouraging the growth of the global home fragrance market during the course of the projection period.



Challenge: High Competitive Pressure



Competitive pressure has intensified dramatically in the home fragrance sector, which has experienced strong growth and attractive profit margins. To compete effectively, manufacturers are improving production & distribution operations to ensure a high level of product quality and develop new products & solutions.

Manufacturers also support products with advertising, promotions, and other marketing vehicles to build awareness and trial of brands and products in conjunction with the sales force. This, in turn, is raising the key processors' indirect expenditures and side-by-side suppressing revenues.



Trend: High Preference for Personalized Scented Candles



Currently, the global home fragrance industry has been trending with a high preference for personalized scented candles. The customers are now very cautious when choosing the shape, size, color, texture, and fragrances of candles as per the occasion for which it is required.

The freedom to design candles also helps manufacturers to expand their product portfolio and cater to the buying preference of consumers. Vendors are offering the extra benefit of designing the candles (such as allowing customers to add photos and quotes on the containers of candles) according to the taste and preferences of individual buyers. This has also shown a positive impact on the volume of home fragrance product sales and is expected to stimulate healthy competition in the global market.

Segment Covered



By Product Type: The report identifies four segments of the global home fragrance market, in terms of product type: Scented Candles, Room Spray, Reed Diffusers, and Others.

Scented candles held a major share in the market. On the other hand, the reed diffusers segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR in the forthcoming years as reed diffusers are relatively inexpensive as compared to other fragrance products, which makes them more lucrative products.

By Distribution Channel: According to the distribution channel, the global market has been categorized into four segments: Supermarket/Hypermarket, Online Stores, Convenience Stores, and Others.

The supermarket/hypermarkets held the largest share in the market. The market's expansion is aided by the competitive advantages of supermarkets/hypermarkets such as longer opening hours, greater product assortment, and better adaptation to consumer shopping habits.



Competitive Analysis



The global home fragrance market is highly fragmented, with a large number of small- and medium-sized manufacturers accounting for a insignificant revenue share of overall market.

The key players in the global home fragrance market are

3M Company

Company Beaumont Products, Inc.

Faultless Brands

GALA Group GmbH (Korona Candles)

Godrej Consumer Products Limited

Henkel AG & CoKGaA

NEST Fragrances, LLC

Newell Brands Inc.

Reckitt Benckiser Group plc

Regent Holding Company, LLC (Illume, Inc.)

S.CJohnson & Son Inc.

Seda France Inc.

The Procter & Gamble Company

Company Voluspa

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/19xf9w

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

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SOURCE Research and Markets
The global organic fertilizers market is witnessing significant expansion, driven by increasing awareness of sustainable agricultural practices and the rising preference for eco-friendly products. With advancements in production techniques and technology, accessibility to organic fertilizers has improved, fostering market growth. A shift towards organic and holistic farming approaches further propels the market, although challenges such as cost differentials and supply-demand gaps persist. An analysis of the competitive landscape, market dynamics, value chain, consumer preferences, and emerging trends can provide valuable insights into this thriving sector.

BOSTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- "According to the latest research Study, the demand for Organic Fertilizers: Global Markets is estimated to increase from $9.7 billion in 2023 to reach $13.5 billion by 2028, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% from 2023 through 2028."

This comprehensive report provides a thorough examination of the organic fertilizer market, offering insightful market estimates and projections up to 2028. With a focus on various aspects, including source, crop type, type, and form, the report delves into key market players, competitive strategies, technological advancements, and regional prospects. Through an analysis of the industry's CAGR, recent developments, and product portfolios of major players, the report facilitates a comprehensive understanding of market trends. Moreover, it segments the global market across North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & and Africa, and Latin America, presenting data from 2022 as the base year, alongside forecasts until the conclusion of 2028. Emphasizing the drivers, dynamics, and prevalent trends within each regional organic fertilizer market, the report offers valuable insights into the market landscape, featuring detailed profiles of prominent vendors.

Click Here to Access a Free Sample Report of the Organic Fertilizers Global Markets @ https://www.bccresearch.com/market-research/food-and-beverage/organic-fertilizer-market.html

The growing concerns over food safety have led to an increased demand for organic food worldwide. Instances of food contamination with harmful chemical residues, such as the European Union's ban on Mexico's strawberries and the US CDC's warning about lead in apple juice, have intensified this shift. With Australia leading as the largest organic food producer, the organic market is experiencing heightened competition as traditional chemical fertilizer companies diversify into the organic sector. Notably, the investment of $9.4 million by the USDA, combined with the rising trend of tobacco farmers in Brazil transitioning to organic farming, emphasizes the favourable timing and lucrative prospects in the organic food industry. As more agricultural land globally is converted to organic cultivation, innovative approaches like biofertilizers and mycorrhizal fungi products continue to gain traction, contributing to the market's overall momentum.

Driving forces behind the organic fertilizer market's growth comprise:

Global expansion of organic farming has ushered in a significant surge in the adoption of sustainable agricultural practices, amplifying the demand for organic fertilizers worldwide. The increasing adoption of organic practices by conventional farmers reflects a growing awareness of the long-term benefits associated with organic fertilizers, promoting soil health and sustainable crop yields. With emerging markets showcasing a rising preference for organic produce, the heightened demand for organic fertilizers has spurred innovation and investment in this sector, catering to the evolving needs of agricultural economies. Tailored organic fertilizer formulations designed for specific crops have revolutionized the agricultural landscape, offering targeted and effective solutions that enhance crop quality and yield, thereby driving market growth. Collaborative efforts with sustainable agriculture initiatives have reinforced the commitment to environmentally friendly farming practices, fostering partnerships that prioritize eco-conscious methods, including the use of organic fertilizers for sustainable crop production. The integration of organic fertilizers within regenerative farming systems has proven instrumental in enhancing soil fertility, reducing environmental impact, and promoting overall ecosystem health, contributing to the sustained expansion of the organic fertilizer market.

Request a Copy of the Organic Fertilizers Global Markets Report

Report Synopsis

Report Metrics Details Base year considered 2022 Forecast Period considered 2023-2028 Base year market size $ 9.1 Billion Market Size Forecast $ 13.5 Billion Growth Rate CAGR Of 6.8% For the forecast period Segment Covered Source, Crop Type, Fertilizer Type, Form, Region, and country Regions covered North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and Latin America Countries covered U.S., Canada, Germany, Italy, France, Russia, Spain, Asia-Pacific, China, Thailand, Indonesia, India, Australia, Turkey, Kazakhstan, Tunisia, Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil Key Market Drivers Increasing demand for organic food products.

Growing awareness of environmental sustainability.

Government regulations promoting organic farming.

Expansion of organic farming on a global scale.

Adoption of organic practices by conventional farmers.

Increased demand for organic fertilizers in emerging markets.

The Rising Demand for Organic Fertilizers:

The growing awareness of the harmful effects of chemical fertilizers on both human health and the environment has fueled the demand for organic fertilizers worldwide. Consumers are increasingly prioritizing organic produce, leading to a surge in the adoption of organic farming methods. As a result, the global market for organic fertilizers is experiencing an upward trajectory, projected to reach unprecedented heights in the coming years.

Trends and Innovations:

In response to this heightened demand, the organic fertilizer market has witnessed notable innovations and trends. From tailored organic formulations for specific crop types to the integration of advanced technologies like biofertilizers and mycorrhizal fungi products, the industry is continuously evolving. Additionally, strategic collaborations with sustainable agriculture initiatives have paved the way for the development of circular supply chains, emphasizing eco-friendly and regenerative farming practices.

Challenges and Opportunities:

While the organic fertilizer industry is flourishing, it is not without its challenges. Factors such as cost differentials compared to conventional fertilizers and the existing gap between supply and demand pose significant hurdles. However, these challenges also present opportunities for further innovation and investment in the sector, especially as government initiatives and investments continue to support the growth of organic farming practices globally.

The Global Landscape:

With Australia leading as the largest organic food producer and various countries worldwide transitioning towards sustainable agricultural practices, the organic fertilizer market's global landscape is both dynamic and promising. Regions like Asia-Pacific, North America, and Europe are at the forefront of this transformation, emphasizing the need for sustainable and environmentally friendly farming practices on a global scale.

This report on the global organic fertilizers market provides comprehensive insights and analysis, addressing the following key questions.

1. What is the projected market size and growth rate for the organic fertilizer market?

The organic fertilizer market is expected to expand from $9,112 million in 2022 to $13,467 million by 2028, with a notable compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.8% during the forecast period.

2. What are the primary drivers fostering the growth of the organic fertilizer market?

Key drivers of the organic fertilizer market include:

Global expansion of organic farming

Adoption of organic practices by conventional farmers

Increased demand for organic fertilizers in emerging markets

Customized organic fertilizer formulations tailored for specific crops

Collaboration with sustainable agriculture initiatives

Integration of organic fertilizers in regenerative farming systems

3. Which segments are encompassed within the organic fertilizer market analysis?

The organic fertilizer market is segmented based on the source, crop type, type, product form, and region.

4. By 2028, which segment is projected to dominate the organic fertilizer market?

By the end of 2028, the manure segment is anticipated to hold the dominant position within the organic fertilizer market.

5. Which region demonstrates the highest market share in the organic fertilizer market?

Asia-Pacific currently commands the highest market share in the organic fertilizer market.

Some of the Key Market Players Are:

BioAg

Osmocote

Neptune's Harvest

Omega Biotech

Earth Care

Uncle Jim's

Worm Farm

GROCOM

Down to Earth

Amity Organics

American Natural Farming Systems

Espoma

Biostar

Bio-Organics

Dr. Earth

Compost King

Green Mountain Tech

Nature's Care

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TAMPA, Fla., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Scarless Thyroid Surgery Center, under the leadership of renowned robotic thyroid surgeon Dr. Hyunsuk Suh, is hosting the annual international conference on Advanced Robotic Thyroid Surgery. The event attracts the most progressive and advanced thyroid surgeons and researchers from around the world.

The Scarless Surgery Center at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery is the highest volume robotic thyroid center in the US, and one of the highest in the world which is why it was selected as the host of the conference this yearthe first time it has been in North America. The conference, which occurs November 17 and 18, promotes advancements and innovations in thyroid surgery, particularly in the realm of minimally invasive and scarless techniques. Dr. Hyunsuk Suh, who serves as the Medical Director of the Scarless Thyroid Surgery Center and is recognized as one of the foremost experts in the field, is the host of the event.

"Our goal is to bring together the brightest minds in thyroid surgery to further enhance patient outcomes." Post this

Scarless thyroid surgery has come a long way in recent years, with minimally invasive techniques and robotic-assisted procedures revolutionizing the field. The speakers and moderators of this event include the most innovative thought leaders from around the world, which invariably results in new ideas and novel approaches in the treatment of thyroid conditions.

Key Conference Highlights:

Robotic-Assisted Thyroid Surgery: Attendees will gain insights into the latest robotic-assisted surgical techniques, completely eliminating neck scars while improving overall outcomes.

Attendees will gain insights into the latest robotic-assisted surgical techniques, completely eliminating neck scars while improving overall outcomes. International Expertise: The conference will feature a distinguished panel of speakers, including renowned thyroid surgeons, researchers, and clinicians from many countries. This diverse range of perspectives will foster a global collaboration for novel thyroid surgery advancements.

The conference will feature a distinguished panel of speakers, including renowned thyroid surgeons, researchers, and clinicians from many countries. This diverse range of perspectives will foster a global collaboration for novel thyroid surgery advancements. Hands-On Workshops: Surgeons will have the unique opportunity to engage in hands-on workshops led by experts in the field, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the latest equipment and techniques.

Surgeons will have the unique opportunity to engage in hands-on workshops led by experts in the field, allowing them to familiarize themselves with the latest equipment and techniques. Research and Innovation: The event will showcase cutting-edge research and innovation in the field of thyroid surgery, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of minimally invasive approaches.

The event will showcase cutting-edge research and innovation in the field of thyroid surgery, offering attendees a glimpse into the future of minimally invasive approaches. Networking Opportunities: The conference will facilitate networking among attendees, encouraging collaboration and knowledge sharing that can lead to advancements in patient care.

Dr. Hyunsuk Suh, America's highest volume robotic thyroid surgeon, expressed his excitement about the event, stating, "Our goal is to bring together the brightest minds in thyroid surgery to further enhance patient outcomes and promote scarless techniques that improve the quality of life for our patients."

The Scarless Thyroid Surgery Center is known for its commitment to patient care and its dedication to advancing the field of thyroid surgery. With this conference, they aim to make a significant contribution to the global medical community.

The conference will be held at the Tampa Marriott Water Street, providing a picturesque backdrop for this exceptional gathering of experts. For more information about this event, please visit the conference website.

The Scarless Thyroid Surgery Center and Dr. Suh operate exclusively at the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery in Tampa, alongside the Clayman Thyroid Center, the Norman Parathyroid Center, and the Carling Adrenal Center. Together, these surgeons and their teams are the highest volume endocrine surgery practice in the world. The Hospital for Endocrine Surgery is a first-of-its-kind specialty hospital, and treats only tumors and cancers of the thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal glands. In less than two years since its opening, the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery has experienced unprecedented growth, leading to major expansion plans to accommodate more patients.

Learn more about the Clayman Thyroid Center, the Norman Parathyroid Center, the Carling Adrenal Center and the Hospital for Endocrine Surgery.

About Dr. Hyunsuk Suh:

Dr. Hyunsuk Suh is a distinguished robotic thyroid surgeon and the Medical Director of the Scarless Thyroid Surgery Center in Tampa, Florida. He is a trailblazer in the development and implementation of minimally invasive thyroid surgery techniques. His commitment to patient-centered care and surgical excellence has earned him international recognition and respect among his peers.

https://www.scarless-thyroid.com/robotic-thyroid-surgery/hyunsuk-suh

About the Scarless Thyroid Surgery Center:

The Scarless Thyroid Surgery Center is a leading institution in the field of thyroid surgery, specializing in minimally invasive and scarless techniques. Their team of dedicated professionals is committed to providing the highest level of care to patients while advancing the boundaries of thyroid surgery through research and innovation.

https://www.scarless-thyroid.com/robotic-thyroid-surgery/about

For media inquiries or further information, please contact:

Julie Canan, Director of Marketing

(941) 468-3002

[email protected]

SOURCE Clayman Thyroid Center
CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Health Care Service Corporation will be bringing a community-based wellness center to Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The Albuquerque neighborhood center, slated to open in summer 2024, will be located in the South Valley. The 2,100 square foot space will offer members of HCSC's New Mexico plan and community members access to in-person resources to improve their health and wellness  all at no cost.

"Partnering with communities through our neighborhood centers strengthens the connection between access and health," said Maurice Smith, HCSC President, CEO and Vice-Chair. "We opened our first hyperlocal center in Chicago in 2019. Since then, we've opened two more centers and offered nearly 5,000 free events and had more than 50,000 people visit our three locations. That is 50,000 people who have enjoyed access to free health screenings and wellness classes, as well as connections to services to enhance their mental and financial well-being."

The new center, to be located at 3925 Las Estancias Way, will also be creating jobs. Staff at the Center will include a manager, health educator, community outreach specialist, community affairs concierge and customer service personnel. Hiring will prioritize the multilingual needs of members and the community.

"We believe that health care is local," said Janice Torrez, president of HCSC's New Mexico division. "It's important for us to be in the neighborhoods where resources are needed. We've been serving people across New Mexico for more than 80 years, and we're committed to improving the overall health of our communities."

About Health Care Service Corporation

Health Care Service Corporation is the country's largest customer-owned health insurer, serving more than 18.6 million members in its health plans in Illinois, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. A Mutual Legal Reserve Company, HCSC is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.

SOURCE Health Care Service Corporation
Sustainability Takes Center Stage

HITT's new headquarters, slated for completion in late 2026, is a testament to the company's commitment to sustainable building practices. The site will feature a remarkable 100,000-square-foot photovoltaic solar canopy, generating all energy needed for the building. Sustainability and R&D are paramount to the development, reflecting HITT's dedication to the neighborhood, the building community, and the environment. The planned office relocation to Haycock Road also provides more space within a lively community and better access to mass transit for HITT's 900+ local team members.

"We're ecstatic to continue growing in Fairfax County and aligning with the West Falls Church Metro station. We're thankful to the City of Falls Church, the Commonwealth of Virginia, Virginia Tech, and Fairfax County for supporting our plans to build this cutting-edge development. We're deeply committed to being good stewards of the local community and the environment. I'm also thrilled that Virginia Tech is committed to maintaining their presence in Falls Church with the launch of the Coalition for Smart Construction  a research lab dedicated to the future of building," said HITT CEO Kim Roy.

Pioneering Education and Innovation

HITT's headquarters will be a hub for education and innovation in construction as Virginia Tech has leased ground floor space for a Coalition for Smart Construction. This exciting partnership will enable the next generation of construction professionals and drive groundbreaking research and educational collaborations within the built community. Together, HITT and Virginia Tech envision a nationally recognized innovation hub that will advance building practices and ultimately shape the industry's future.

Thoughtful Design, Exceptional Workspaces

Designed by Gensler, the headquarters reflects HITT's commitment to the environment and the well-being of its team members. The dynamic office features collaborative work zones, wellness facilities, a sprawling one-acre outdoor terrace with lush landscaping, and other amenities. The ground floor will feature a full-service conference center, cafe, and access to urban parks. An interconnecting stair leads to the second floor featuring team member amenities, collaboration spaces, and access to the roof deck. Four additional floors of offices offer dynamic workspaces designed with neurodivergence in mind to support a variety of working styles. The greater development will include more than 55,000 square feet of urban parks, including a 1,400-square-foot interactive digital experience pavilion designed to be a nucleus of the community where locals can gather.

Leading the Charge in R&D

HITT's dedicated R&D team will focus on innovation by carrying out more than 20 research projects through the new headquarters. Notable ventures already in progress include a newly patented prefabricated building skin that reduces weight, increases speed to market, and creates more efficient buildings. HITT is pioneering the first use of the Caracol Heron AM robotic arm installed in the US for 3D printing, aimed to augment traditional construction methods, and implementing robotics on-site to support an enhanced experience for HITT's field team through technology-enabled workflows. HITT's mission is clear: explore new ways to build and share the findings with the industry.

"Traditionally, less than one percent of the construction industry's revenue is directed at advancing R&D. If we're going to overcome future challenges, we need to start now and work together across the entire industry. HITT is deeply invested in R&D and the new headquarters offers us a real opportunity to test new ideas," shared Megan Lantz, HITT's vice president of research and development. "In 2019, we built Co|Lab, our dedicated R&D hub, which was the first mass timber building in Virginia. It was truly cutting edge at the time, and we learned first-hand about the processes and material. Similarly, we will test emerging materials, methods, and technologies at this new headquarters and share what we learn with the industry."

HITT's longstanding partnership with Virginia Tech and the university's commitment to advancing smart construction led to the vision for an innovation hub, a true investment in the future of the built environment. The Virginia Tech Coalition for Smart Construction will lease and occupy 40,000 square feet on the building's ground floor.

"As we continue to grow our presence in the greater D.C. metro area, creating innovative industry partnerships will enable the future of smart construction," said Julie Ross, the Paul and Dorothea Torgersen Dean of Engineering at Virginia Tech. "The partnership with HITT Contracting will provide our students and faculty with a state-of-the-art facility built for collaboration. We're excited to see what we can do together."

HITT Co-Chairman Brett Hitt said, "One of the last big innovations in construction was post-tension concrete more than 50 years ago. As an industry, we have to do better to tackle the challenges of rising costs, labor shortages, and our environmental footprint. I believe that Virginia Tech will push the boundaries of construction by bringing its brilliant students to a space where they can work alongside our industry's brightest minds. Bringing industry and academia together under one roof will help us effect real change,"

For more information on HITT's groundbreaking new headquarters and the firm's journey to shape a brighter future through sustainability, R&D, education, and technology, visit hitt.com, or follow HITT's LinkedIn for further updates.

ABOUT HITT CONTRACTING

HITT Contracting provides a wide range of construction services across the nation, from complex core and shell buildings and renovations to interior fit-outs and routine service work. No matter the project size or type, HITT delivers a premium construction experience on every project it builds. With 2022 revenues of $5.41 billion and 1,600+ team members in 14 office locations nationwide, HITT is ranked as one of the top 20 largest general contractors in the U.S. For more than 85 years, the Washington, D.C. area-headquartered company has been elevating the business of building nationwide through innovation, research and development, sustainability, and by working tirelessly and intentionally to earn clients' trust by making every building experience exceptional. Learn more about HITT's general contracting capabilities at hitt.com

SOURCE HITT Contracting

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Chief Nursing Executive, Strategist, and National Speaker to Provide Guidance to LookDeep and its Clients on Scaling AI-Assisted Virtual Care

OAKLAND, Calif., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LookDeep Health , a revolutionary provider of AI-assisted hospital virtual care through virtual sitting, virtual nursing, and virtual medicine, welcomes Holly Lorenz DNP, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, as its newest strategic advisor.

Lorenz is a national speaker and former Chief Nursing Executive for UPMC (University of Pittsburgh Medical Center)  a $24 Billion integrated delivery and finance system  with responsibility for establishing and leading the strategic vision for over 20,000 nurses.

"Holly has dedicated her career to transforming the healthcare experience for patients and clinicians," says LookDeep CEO and Co-founder Narinder Singh. "Few can rival her knowledge of the challenges nurses face in their efforts to provide high-quality care or her vision of new technology that can not only watch patients but interpret behaviors  and the impact this technology will have on the profession. Holly's depth of healthcare experience is invaluable to LookDeep as we scale our ability to provide always-on ambient sensing telemonitoring and tele-visit technology for virtual care."

VisionAI, LookDeep's advanced computer vision and AI technology, transforms video from a communication tool into a valuable member of the patient care team. The system plays a crucial role in enhancing patient safety and overall clinical care by constantly observing patients' movements, actions, and behaviors. It helps identify risks like falls or changes in patient conditions that require immediate attention. Combined with world-class, no-cost hardware, VisionAI enables hospital-wide initiatives to improve quality, capacity, and efficiency of clinical staff.

"Narinder and the team at LookDeep have brought to market technology that addresses head-on the growing imbalance in healthcare systems between rising patient acuity and increasing staffing challenges," says Lorenz. "Hospital-wide deployments of AI-powered video have the potential to be game changers  increasing clinical capacity and improving patient safety by enabling continuous, comprehensive monitoring of all patients."

Holly was named by Becker's Hospital Reviews as one of the top 60 "CNOs of Hospitals and Health Systems to Know" in 2017, 2020, and 2022 and is a Wharton Fellow for Nurse Executives.

Recently retired from her role as Chief Nursing Executive, Holly is based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania where she serves on a number of boards including, Greater Pittsburgh Arts Council, and Capella University.

ABOUT LOOKDEEP

LookDeep is revolutionizing telemedicine by using advanced computer vision and AI technology to help hospitals continuously monitor all patients through VisionAI. Our pioneering zero-cost hardware model and modern, SOC2-certified software dramatically drive down the cost of inpatient video  enabling hospital-wide deployments supported by a virtual care center. AI-powered video monitoring helps tackle critical issues such as patient safety, room conditions, movement and mobility, and patient location and recovery. With LookDeep, hospitals can be present for every patient at every moment. Learn more at www.lookdeep.health.com .

Contact:

Kebra Shelhamer

918-260-6552

[email protected]

SOURCE LookDeep Health
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. The one-sided and biased remarks made by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James OBrien at the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Europe hearing on November 15, 2023, are counterproductive, baseless and unacceptable, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said in a statement, Trend reports.

"We consider the hearings and delivered remarks as a blow to the Azerbaijan-U.S. relations in bilateral and multilateral formats. The groundless accusations voiced against Azerbaijan are irrelevant and undermines peace and security in the region.

While touching upon the latest situation in the region and circumstances that led to the 19-20 September counter-terrorism measures by Azerbaijan, the State Department representative ignored to mention the major challenge that led to such an action by Azerbaijan, namely the illegal stationing of more than 10,000 Armenian armed forces in contrary to the norms and principles of international law, and the Tripartite Statement of November 10, 2020. Furthermore, the Azerbaijani side has repeatedly stated in all the meetings, including with the U.S. side that the mentioned forces are a source of threat in the region, and urged an immediate withdrawal of these forces.

Moreover, the U.S. side while mentioning the importance of taking forward the peace process, forgets to mention that for more than two months Armenia has not been responding to Azerbaijans proposals on the peace agreement, thus delaying the process. Despite the fact that it was Azerbaijan who has initiated the peace process with basic principles and the necessity of signing the peace agreement, including the need for demarcation/delimitation of borders and opening up the communication lines, Assistant Secretary of State refrained from noting that the efforts in these areas were undermined and derailed by Armenia for the last three years. In contrary to Armenia, Azerbaijan has always respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia, that was also reconfirmed in the Prague meeting in October 6, 2022.

Azerbaijan, not only following the 2020 44-Day War, but also for almost 30 years of occupation of its lands, has been committed to the norms and principles of international law and the peace process. In contrary, the U.S. side being a mediator has never urged Armenia, as an aggressor and a destabilizing source in the region, to act in line with international law and withdraw from the territories of Azerbaijan and end the occupation, which lays a responsibility on the U.S. side as well. Additionally, it was also an accountability of the U.S. side that it has not prevented the double-standard approach, while being a side supporting the separatist regime, was the only country to officially fund this regime and facilitated their representative visits and meetings with the officials in the United States on a regular basis.

The United States, as a non-regional country, through its actions and statements is undermining transportation security efforts of the regional countries. It is well known to the U.S. side that Armenia has not fulfilled its obligations arising from paragraph 9 of the 2020 Tripartite Statement, which led Azerbaijan to decide to build alternative roads. It is the sovereign right of Azerbaijan to agree with neighboring countries how to build a communication lines, that also includes an agreement with Iran related a route to its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Against this backdrop, Azerbaijan also reconfirms the priority of the 3+2 format (Azerbaijan-Armenia-Turkiye-Russia-Iran) for the security of the region. Therefore, any comments that undermines these efforts are inappropriate.

With regard to remarks by James OBrien about the waiver to the 907 Section, it seems that the U.S. side is again repeating the same mistake it made in 1992, when Azerbaijan was sanctioned with this amendment, despite being a state who faced an aggression and occupation. It was also the U.S. side who has decided to waive the 907 Section in 2001, when Azerbaijan has supported the U.S. counter-terrorism efforts worldwide following 9/11 attacks. It was Azerbaijan, who has extended a helping hand to the U.S. side by opening up its air space routes, the Northern Distribution Network and its logistics capabilities. It was Azerbaijan who was among the first nations who fought shoulder to shoulder with the U.S. side in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan was also the last partner nation to leave Afghanistan. Therefore, it turns out that the U.S. side has always considered the support of Azerbaijan as occasional, while it should be reminded that the history has always repeats itself. Such an indifferent action by the U.S. side not to waive the 907 Section is an ill-disposed step towards Azerbaijan.

Additionally, the remarks that Azerbaijans use of force eroded the trust and raised doubts regarding Bakus commitment to a comprehensive peace with Armenia has no value bearing in mind that it was Azerbaijan who was the victim of aggression and use of force for almost 30 years. Azerbaijan once again underlines that, in line with the Article 51 of the UN Charter, it had the legitimate right to use the force to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Concerning the statement that the U.S. side has cancelled high-level bilateral meetings and engagements, which were initiated by the U.S. side with Azerbaijan, and there cannot be business as usual in our bilateral relationship, it should be noted that the relations could not be one-sided. Consequently, the same approach will be applied equally by Azerbaijan. In these circumstances, we consider the possibility of high-level visits from the United States to Azerbaijan inappropriate as well.

Moreover, such a unilateral approach by the United States could lead to the loss of the mediation role of the United States. Under these circumstances, it is important to note that we do not consider possible to hold the proposed meeting on the level of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, in Washington on November 20, 2023.

International law norms and principles have always been a priority for Azerbaijan in its foreign policy. Azerbaijan will always act in line with its international obligations. At the same time, Azerbaijan will resolutely and adequately address all the negative steps against its national interest," the statement reads.
Hovione has acquired ExtremoChem Lda, a start-up company with a portfolio of rare sugars, synthetic analogues of the natural molecules found in extremophiles.

The acquisition provides Hovione with new high-performance functional materials, which have shown potential in stabilizing biopharmaceuticals.

LISBON, Portugal, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hovione, the specialist integrated CDMO and the leader in spray drying and particle engineering, today announced it has acquired ExtremoChem Lda (ExtremoChem), an innovative start-up company focused on the synthesis, development, and commercialization of bio-inspired synthetic sugars, targeting enhanced stabilization, reduced viscosity and delivery performance of proteins and other biopharmaceuticals.

Scientist working in the lab at Hovione facilities

ExtremoChem developed a library of proprietary sugars, synthetic analogues of natural molecules found in extremophiles  organisms capable of withstanding the most uninhabitable environments. These sugars have shown potential in overcoming challenges associated with the stabilization of biopharmaceuticals during production, purification, formulation, and transportation.

Dr. Jean-Luc Herbeaux, Hovione's CEO commented: "Proteins and other biopharmaceuticals account for a significant share of our customers pipelines. The acquisition of ExtremoChem's synthetic sugars combined with Hovione's particle engineering capabilities provides our customers with a unique set of tools to optimize formulations that address stability issues encountered during the life cycle of biopharmaceuticals."

Filipe Aguiar, ExtremoChem's Managing Director commented: "I am delighted that ExtremoChem has been acquired by Hovione. Hovione has a long history of developing and industrializing innovative technologies for the pharma industry. This acquisition will help ensure that the science we developed at ExtremoChem will have a wider and faster market adoption."

The announcement of this acquisition demonstrates Hoviones commitment to expand its technology platforms. The company is investing both in new assets and innovative technologies to meet customer demand for integrated and differentiated development and manufacturing services in drug substance, particle engineering and drug product.

About Hovione:

Hovione is an international company with over 60 years of experience in pharmaceutical development and manufacturing operations. As a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) it has a fully integrated offering of services for drug substances, drug product intermediates and drug products. The company has four FDA-inspected sites in the USA, Portugal, Ireland and China and development laboratories in Lisbon, Portugal and New Jersey, USA. Hovione provides pharmaceutical customers services for the development and compliant manufacture of innovative drugs, including highly potent compounds, and customized product solutions across the entire drug life cycle. In the inhalation area, Hovione offers a complete range of services, from API, formulation development and devices.

Hovione's culture is based on innovation, quality, and dependability. Hovione was the first Chemical/ Pharmaceutical Company to become a Certified B Corp, is a member of Rx-360, EFCG and participates actively in industry quality improvement initiatives to lead new global industry standards.

About ExtremoChem

ExtremoChem is a chemical synthesis start-up company focused on the development of organic synthetic sugars for the stabilization of biologicals under stress conditions.

For more information, please visit www.hovione.com or contact:

Will Frost | Global Communications Lead | [email protected] |Tel: +351 915 388 177

Photo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2279314/HOVIONE.jpg

SOURCE HOVIONE
SCORE provides mentorship and resources to support entrepreneurs through the busy holiday shopping season.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half of small business owners expect Small Business Saturday to impact their holiday sales significantly this year, according to a recent American Express survey. With Small Business Saturday approaching, now is the perfect time for small business owners to prepare for the holiday rush and encourage customers to shop small. As mentors to America's small businesses, SCORE offers support through free expert business counseling and online resources  including these top tips to navigate the busy holiday season.

SCORE client Den Bisema is the founder and owner of AnnaCalisa, a boutique in Burlington, Massachusetts.

Decide on your schedule

Now's the time to determine your holiday operating hours. Will you be open longer than usual? Do you plan to close your business for a few days? Be sure to tell your staff about holiday hours, and explain your expectations of them during the holiday season. Ask your team to request any holiday time off by a certain date, so you can plan employee schedules accordingly.

Make a plan

"One of the best ways to prepare for Small Business Saturday is to raise awareness about the day and the importance of supporting small businesses  through your social media for example  and then staff up," according to SCORE client Hannah Wolden, owner of Nomads Adventure & Active Wear in Portland, Maine. "Creating a welcoming environment with minimal wait is important for the customer experience."

Why will customers want to spend time at your small business this holiday season? What makes you unique? Determine the answer, and build a marketing campaign around it. Maybe you have the best selection in town. Maybe your customer service can solve any shopping conundrum. Build your holiday marketing around what makes your business stand out from the crowd.

If you're looking for more information, SCORE will host a free webinar on How To Create A Marketing Plan For Your Small Business on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 3 p.m. EST. Register here to attend.

Check your online presence

Give your business website a once-over to make sure it's ready for a busy holiday shopping season. Is the design tidy and easy to use? Can customers easily find your most popular products or services? Does your checkout work smoothly? If you're the person who works on your website most often, hand this task to a staffer or a trusted friend. They'll be able to spot the issues you might miss.

Need help? Ask SCORE

"I would recommend any startup entrepreneurs to look to SCORE for advice because they're there to help you scale your business and have all the resources ready to help you," said SCORE client Den Bisema, owner of AnnaCalisa, a boutique in Burlington, Massachusetts. "We are still growing and expanding, and I hope to continue to work with SCORE to take this to the next level."

Last year alone, SCORE volunteers provided nearly 4.6 million hours of critical, timely mentoring and education to small business owners who needed help navigating funding options, finding customers, responding to economic challenges and adapting daily operations. Mentoring is always free and SCORE has mentors with extensive experience in the retail and food industries to guide entrepreneurs through seasonal highs and lows. To request a mentor or learn more, visit score.org/find-mentor .

About SCORE:

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Visit SCORE at www.score.org .

Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

CONTACT:

SCORE

202-968-6428

[email protected]

Visit SCORE's media resources to be connected with expert small business interview sources and news updates.

SOURCE: https://www.americanexpress.com/content/amex/en-us/newsroom/articles/shop-small/american-express-will-create-augmented-reality-experience-to-cel.html

SOURCE SCORE
The 100 Most Influential Leaders Driving Business Climate Action

PALMA DE MALLORCA, Spain, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Iberostar Group is proud to announce that Gloria Fluxa Thienemann, Vice-Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer, has been recognized as one of the distinguished individuals on the 2023 TIME100 Climate list. This newly inaugurated annual list by TIME magazine celebrates the contributions of 100 exceptional individuals who are leading climate action within the business community.

Gloria Fluxa Thienemann, Vice-Chairman and Chief Sustainability Officer

To assemble the list, TIME's editors and reporters fielded nominations and recommendations from industry leaders and partner organizations like Global Optimism and The B Team, as well as TIMECO2's Advisory Council, then worked to assess the candidates on a variety of factors, including recency of action, measurable results, and influence.

This nomination demonstrates Gloria's dedication to embed the concept of responsible tourism throughout the organization, driving positive impact in the destinations in which it serves, and stimulating momentum for transformative change across the sector. Her impactful message of change not only resonates with the company's 35,000 employees, but has also earned widespread global recognition, having been named a "Young Global Leader" by the World Economic Forum, and involved with important organizations including World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) and the Sustainable Hospitality Alliance (SHA).

In response to this recognition, Gloria explained: "I feel extremely humbled to sit alongside such inspiring individuals striving to make a difference. It is with great pride that our work towards sustainability has been recognized. We must urgently create a responsible tourism model that integrates a prosperous economy, fostering biodiversity and thriving communities. By creating this balance, we will establish a framework for the long-term viability of the tourism industry, ensuring that success is measured, not just in financial terms but in enduring positive impacts."

She continued: "In addition to this evolution, we recognize our responsibility to educate and inform travelers, equipping them with the knowledge and awareness to make conscious and sustainable choices. By developing a deeper understanding of the impact of travel, we can collectively play an active role in the systemic change of the travel and tourism sector."

The full list is now live on Time.com and will appear in the December 5, 2023 issue, available on newsstands on Friday, Nov. 24th, and now at time.com/time100-climate .

About Iberostar Group

Iberostar Group is a 100% family-owned Spanish multinational company that boasts over 65 years' experience in the tourism industry and business origins dating back to 1877. Its main line of business is Iberostar Hotels & Resorts, whose portfolio includes over 100 four and five-star hotels in 16 countries, including the hotels under the Iberostar Beachfront Resorts brand*. The Group has become an international benchmark by promoting a responsible tourism business model focused on caring for people and the environment. The Wave of Change movement, a pioneering and innovative initiative from Iberostar, reflects the company's specific commitment to the environment and oceans, and its efforts to promote these concerns to society as a whole.

With sustainability as the driving force and lever behind the business, the company places the circular economy at the center of its strategy and is working on its own 2030 Agenda to be waste-free by 2025, carbon-neutral by 2030, 100% responsible in its seafood supply chain by 2025, and to improve the health of the ecosystems that surround its hotels, among other goals.

Iberostar Group has a global team with more than 30,000 people of 95 nationalities. Thanks to this pool of talent, the company is a leader in quality and boosts differentiation in the customer experience through constant product innovation and digital commitment.

*The portfolio of Iberostar Beachfront Resorts excludes Iberostar's interests in Cuba.

Find out more about us at iberostar.com

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE Iberostar Group
LONDON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- interop.io, the leading interoperability provider for the finance industry, and comitFS, the market leader in optimizing high touch voice conversations, today announced their strategic partnership, marking a significant leap in the automation of voice communication within capital markets.

While interop.io is dedicated to enhancing interoperability between any type of application, the partnership with comitFS extends the focus to voice, an integral but often overlooked aspect of the trade cycle. The collaboration streamlines workflow for traders, providing them with contextualized next best actions notifications triggered by voice conversations.

"Our strategic partnership with interop.io provides a unique opportunity to allow FDC3 application providers supporting traders to embed client conversations into their workflow," says comitFS Managing Director Jappy Takhar. "Critically we estimate a saving of 90% in time and costs versus traditional API integrations."

Four of the world's top ten investment banks choose comitFS CAS because the middleware reduces complexity and cost when integrating voice conversations with desktop apps. The middleware works across the leading two turret manufacturers alongside enterprise devices of Cisco and Microsoft Teams.

"Applications on your desktop can now deliver contextual insights based on who you're talking with and what you're talking about, without the traditional multiple clicks on the keyboard," says interop.io President Dan Schleifer.

Research, sales and traders can now initiate a call with a client or broker from within their applications, such as their OMS, CRM or chat system. The workflow complexity for users is simplified as they never leave the application when talking with the counterparty.

Additionally, when an incoming call comes in, users can launch a client specific workspace or refresh multiple applications on their desktops instantly.

All of this occurs on interop.io-enabled end user desktops, where every type of application  3rd party, in-house, legacy or web, can participate in Straight-Through Workflows.

"Smart contextualized automation of high touch conversations is undoubtedly entering mainstream adoption," adds Schleifer. "Both comitFS and interop.io clients can now implement and drive this adoption."

About interop.io:

interop.io, formed in June 2023 through the merger of Finsemble and Glue42, is a global powerhouse driving application interoperability in capital markets and beyond. Leveraging FDC3 and workflow automation, interop.io enables clients to create Straight-Through Workflows, benefiting from unparalleled business agility, a more productive workforce, and better operational control.

About comitFS:

We provide our customers with a range of ways to embed high touch voice conversations into their desktop applications. Our CAS middleware helps customers deploy faster, deepens CX engagement whilst lowering the Total Cost of Ownership, as customers don't have to design, develop, and maintain multiple APIs. Customer also elect to work with comitFS because we have 200+ developer years' experience working in the real-time API of turret manufacturers and UC enterprise devices. This ensures we can address complex use cases. Today, 4 of the world's top 10 investment banks consume comitFS software.

SOURCE interop.io
Application Period Opens Today, November 16, 2023

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- J.P. Morgan Asset Management's Life Sciences Private Capital and Blue Horizon Advisors announce the launch of the inaugural J.P. Morgan Asset Management: Life Sciences Innovation Summit, which seeks to attract top caliber, early stage entrepreneurs in life sciences to both compete for top prizes and seed the growth of the emerging scientific innovation hub in Abu Dhabi. The two-day Summit will take place in conjunction with the Abu Dhabi Global Healthcare Week on May 14th  15th, 2024.

J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital and Blue Horizon Advisors are collaborating with Lyfebulb, an innovation accelerator that sources the most impactful solutions addressing true patient needs, to conduct the event. Entrepreneurs with therapies to better manage and care for diseases that are prevalent in the Emirati region are invited to submit applications. Examples of these diseases include, but are not limited to, diabetes, obesity, cardiometabolic disease, oncology, sickle cell anemia, cystic fibrosis, lysosomal storage disease, and rare monogenic disorders.

"We are thrilled to be collaborating with Blue Horizon to really shine the light on the opportunities for emerging growth biopharma companies in Abu Dhabi," stated Dr. Stephen Squinto, Chief Investment Officer, J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital. "We see potential for Abu Dhabi to become another major hub of biotech innovation, and we look forward to showcasing the next generation of life science entrepreneurs and hearing from some of the world's most renowned scientists and business leaders as summit speakers."

The challenge is currently accepting applications here through January 22, 2024. After a 10-week application period and a thorough analysis by expert scientists and investors, 10 applicants will be shortlisted as finalists and will receive an invitation to listen to industry-esteemed speakers and pitch their business solutions over the course of a two-day summit, which will take place at the Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi.

The following expert panel of judges who will assess the innovators include:

Laurie Glimcher , MD, President and CEO at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute

, MD, President and CEO at Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Jorge Guzman , MD, CEO at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi

, MD, CEO at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi David Hung , MD, Founder, President and CEO at Nuvation Bio

, MD, Founder, President and CEO at Nuvation Bio Anya Schiess , Managing Partner at J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital

, Managing Partner at J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital Abu Dhabi Department of Health Representative

Blue Horizon Life Sciences Representative

Upon review and selection by the judges, winners will be announced. Importantly, all finalists will be afforded the opportunity to present a detailed business plan to the J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital team, Blue Horizon Advisors and other regional investment organizations for investment opportunities.

"We are excited to partner with J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital to conduct this innovation summit in Abu Dhabi," said Nabil Kobeissi, Chief Executive Officer, Blue Horizon Advisors. "We fully believe in the potential of life sciences, in terms of talent and development, and we will continue to be a driving force to enable the region to achieve its full potential. Partnering on this inaugural event will be one of many initiatives that we are implementing to achieve our goal of seeding a thriving life sciences ecosystem in Abu Dhabi, the UAE and the broader region."

Applicants may submit information now through January 22, 2024 at 11:59 p.m. EDT by visiting: https://lyfebulb.com/innovation-challenges/j-p-morgan-asset-management-life-sciences-innovation-summit-application/

The competition is free to enter from anywhere in the world. Applications must come from registered companies rather than individuals. Official eligibility criteria, and terms and conditions, can be found at https://lyfebulb.com/terms-amp-conditions-life-sciences-innovation-summit/

Finalists will be selected and notified in February, 2024.

About J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital

J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital is a venture capital and growth equity investment team within J.P. Morgan Asset Management Alternatives, founded in late 2022. Life Sciences Private Capital launched its first early-stage biotechnology venture capital fund in early 2023, focused on building "move-the-needle" innovations that will ultimately improve quality of lives worldwide. The group aims to leverage J.P. Morgan's market position in healthcare investment banking and business banking, robust relationships with the largest pharmaceutical and life sciences companies, and the tenure of the Life Sciences Private Capital investment team and strategic advisors to form, capitalize, and support leading, innovative life sciences companies.

For more information: J.P. Morgan Life Sciences Private Capital press release.

About Blue Horizon Advisors

Blue Horizon Advisors is the independent private investment arm of a leading, multi-billion dollar single United Arab Emirates (UAE) family office. Blue Horizon Advisors comprises of leading investment professionals in Europe and the UAE and undertakes global strategic investments in public markets, private markets and real estate.

Most recently, Blue Horizon Advisors established a Life Sciences vertical ("BHLS"), with a mission to becoming a prominent and influential force within the MENA region's thriving life sciences sector.

BHLS is committed to enhancing health through research and development of innovative therapies and diagnostic tools to improve and prolong lives. BHLS is poised to execute its strategic vision through a multifaceted approach, encompassing strategic acquisitions, robust in-house development initiatives, dynamic joint ventures with global industry leaders / innovators to foster knowledge exchange, and pivotal collaborations with key stakeholders in our ecosystem, including esteemed hospitals, renowned universities, regulatory authorities as well as local and global investment houses.

Material ID: 3ffce23f-8231-11ee-943d-5f978ab4f411

SOURCE J.P. Morgan Asset Management
OMAHA, Neb., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Medical Solutions, one of the nation's largest healthcare talent ecosystems, congratulates Patti Artley, Chief Nursing Officer, for being named to the 2023 SIA Global Power 150 Women in Staffing list. Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA), the global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions, released the list which recognizes the significant contributions and influence of women industry-wide.

Artley, who began at Medical Solutions in 2022, directs the organization's clinical and performance management teams while providing the clinical voice on an executive level. She has been a registered nurse for more than 35 years and has served in a variety of nursing and clinical leadership roles, including Chief Nursing Officer for a statewide hospital system. Artley has also served as the president of the South Carolina Organization of Nurse Leaders and is a member of several committees at the state and national level focused on workforce solutions.

"We are immensely proud and honored to have Patti as an integral part of our leadership team," said Craig Meier, CEO of Medical Solutions. "Her dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to our clients and the industry as a whole have earned her a well-deserved place on this list, and it is with great pleasure that I congratulate her for this remarkable achievement."

SIA's research consistently shows that despite women dominating offices worldwide in the staffing industry, only a few women make it to the top roles in organizations. The Global Power 150 Women in Staffing shines the spotlight on female leaders making a difference inside and outside of boardrooms.

"The incredible impact of the 2023 Global Power 150 Women in Staffing is made even more remarkable given our current environment of post-pandemic shifts, economic concerns and geopolitical issues," said Ursula Williams, chief operating officer for SIA. "Meeting such dramatic change and challenges with innovation and growth is a true power move, and the powerhouse women on this list have made such moves in the workforce solutions ecosystem. A huge congratulations to this year's Global Power 150 Women in Staffing."

This year's Global Power 150 Women in Staffing list includes profiles highlighting each honoree at si100women.staffingindustry.com.

ABOUT MEDICAL SOLUTIONS

Medical Solutions is one of the nation's largest healthcare talent ecosystems. Together with its family brands, Aureus Medical Group, Matchwell, HOST Healthcare, FocusOne Solutions, and WorldWide HealthStaff Solutions, Medical Solutions connects nurses, allied health clinicians, and clinical leaders with healthcare facilities across the U.S. Its service offerings include contingent staffing, managed services, strike staffing, permanent placement, local contract, per diem, and international staffing. Headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, Medical Solutions maintains office locations in San Diego, California; Denver, Colorado; Cincinnati, Ohio; Tupelo, Mississippi; Durham, North Carolina; and Tampa and Jacksonville Beach, Florida. For more information, visit www.medicalsolutions.com.

SOURCE Medical Solutions LLC
AMSTERDAM, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Midea Kitchen and Water Heater Appliances Business Division (Midea KWHA) has unveiled its innovative Whole House Water Solutions at Aquatech Amsterdam 2023, held from November 6-9 in the Netherlands. Midea KWHA's presence at the leading global water trade show highlights the business division's commitment to providing comprehensive water treatment for residential water filtration and heating.

Midea KWHA Unwraps Revolutionary Whole House Water Solutions at Aquatech Amsterdam

The Midea Whole House Water Solutions is an all-encompassing suite designed to meet the diverse water needs covering the entire household. This system includes pre-filter, water softener, water dispenser, water purifiers, beverage solutions, and water heater solutions. The flexibility of Midea KWHA's offerings ensures that each home can enjoy tailored solutions, from the kitchen to the living room, bathrooms, workspaces, and even the equipment room.

The solutions Midea KWHA presented are not just about variety but also about integration and ease of use. They have been thoughtfully designed to cater to almost every domestic scenario. For instance, in the kitchen, Midea KWHA's products support culinary practices by ensuring purified water is always on tap, while the living room benefits from the sleek design and convenience of Midea's water dispensers. Workspaces remain hydrated with Midea KWHA's efficient solutions, and bathrooms are transformed into spaces of comfort with on-demand water heating.

Moreover, the brand takes pride in its multi-functional beverage solutions, featuring innovative ice and sparkling water machines, which add a touch of sophistication to more home settings. Furthermore, Midea KWHA offers a diverse range of Reverse Osmosis Water Purifier products. These products are designed to purify water effectively and cater to varying temperature requirements. Additionally, they come equipped with a sparkling water feature, enhancing their functionality and appeal.

Aquatech Amsterdam 2023 as the world's leading water process, drinking, and wastewater exhibition, reaffirms its commitment to safe, in-person business engagements. Midea KWHA aligns with this innovative, safety-conscious platform, demonstrating their dedication to excellence and customer well-being.

Midea KWHA's showcase at Aquatech Amsterdam 2023 signifies a monumental advancement in its evolution of home water treatment solutions. The Midea Whole House Water Solutions herald a new era in which quality, safety, and convenience are the cornerstones of every household's water system. With Midea KWHA, homeowners are not just installing a product; they are embracing a lifestyle of purity, efficiency, and innovation for their entire home.

SOURCE Midea KWHA Division
MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Minneapolis-based clean hair care brand, Odele , has partnered with Stride Consumer Partners LLC ("Stride"), a growth-equity investment firm focused on passion brands in consumer products and services, for a minority investment in the brand.

Odele Co-founders Shannon Kearney, Britta Chatterjee and Lindsay Holden

Launched in January 2020, Odele (a phonetic riff off of the Norwegian phrase a dele, which means "to share") was created by Lindsay Holden, Britta Chatterjee and Shannon Kearney, with the mission to make clean prestige hair care accessible + approachable for allin other words, maximum results with minimum efforts. With extensive experience in the retail, marketing and manufacturing in both big box stores and smaller companies, the trifecta merged best practices and perspectives to disrupt shelves with a clean, premium collection of products developed by hair type + texture that are EU ingredient compliant, cruelty-free, vegan, dermatologist and pediatrician tested, with a gender-neutral, 100% natural fragrance.

A rapidly growing clean indie beauty brand now in their fourth year of business, Odele boasts over 20 products, national distribution with Target, CVS Pharmacy + Ulta Beauty, a thriving DTC business on odelebeauty.com and 30+ beauty awards. Notably, Odele's Volumizing and Smoothing regimens have been long-standing top performers, with Clarifying Shampoo, Dry Shampoo and Hair Oil becoming leads over the past year. The brand's impressive accomplishmentsincluding 55% YOY growth, 2023 vs. 2022can be attributed to the team's complementary skill sets and intrinsic understanding of their core consumers as well as a product line that exceeds expectations in both form and function for those with the most discerning tastes.

The growth capital from Stride Consumer Partners will fuel investment within key areas of Odele's business, namely marketing, talent and product innovation.

"When we launched Odele, we did so with the intention of bringing performance-first, clean, inclusive products to the shelf at an accessible price point and wrapped up in a beautiful bottle. We knew if we captured the consumer's attention and exceeded expectations in trial, they would come back for replenishment time and time againand they have. We are beyond excited to partner with Stride. Their team is deeply knowledgeable, and their collaboration, from the initial conversation through the fundraise process, has left us inspired and confident that they are the right partner to help us continue this momentum and reach our ambition for Odele," said Odele Co-founder Lindsay Holden.

"At Odele, we built our company by prioritizing what is essential to usan unwavering commitment to consumers through premium products, to retail partners through unprecedented service and to the planet by improving our carbon footprint. We're dedicated to building a brand that will last for generationsand that takes patience and sometimes restraint, which isn't always in alignment with the objectives and speed of private equity. We were drawn to Stride because they understood our vision and business philosophy and shared our commitment to people and the planet. We are thrilled to have found such strategic, thoughtful brand builders in Stride to join us on our journey of setting the standard for inclusive prestige performance at mass," stated Odele Co-founder Britta Chatterjee.

Steve Berg, Partner at Stride Consumer Partners, commented, "We were immediately impressed by the expertise and passion that Lindsay, Britta and Shannon bring to Odele. They've created a distinctive, authentic brand which reflects their beliefs and mission. We're grateful for the opportunity to support them as partners." Nicole Fourgoux, Stride Operating Partner, added, "Odele is moving the bar in clean performance hair care. We have seen this market segment thrive at prestige price points and are thrilled that the Odele team has made performance-first clean formulas accessible. We know that Odele's positioning has huge potential in the modern marketplace."

The Odele Co-founders remain the majority shareholders with this significant and timely financial investment.

William Blair & Company, LLC served as financial advisor and Faegre Drinker LLC served as the exclusive legal advisor to Odele. Raymond James served as financial advisor and Ropes & Gray LLC served as the exclusive legal advisor to Stride Consumer Partners.

About Odele:

Odele is clean beauty for you + your people. Premium, safe + inclusive hair and body care staples, made to be shared with all who share your shower. Developed by hair type + texture, all products are EU ingredient compliant, cruelty-free, vegan, dermatologist and pediatrician tested, with a gender-neutral, 100% natural fragrance. See more at odelebeauty.com and @odelebeauty.

About Stride Consumer Partners:

Stride is a private equity firm that specializes in partnering with talented and dynamic founders, entrepreneurs and business leaders to build the next generation of great consumer brands. Founded by a passionate group of experienced investor-operators, Stride's unique approach brings together a fully integrated team of successful investors working alongside seasoned operators to assist high-growth and disruptive consumer products and services businesses to hit their stride. Together, Stride supports its partners on their journey as they take decisive steps toward delivering on their vision. Within consumer, the firm focuses on the following areas of expertise: beauty & personal care, food and beverage, active lifestyle and multi-unit consumer services. The Stride team has had the pleasure of working side-by-side with the founders and teams of Brew Dr., The Bruery, Chomps, drybar, Essentia, First Aid Beauty, Jeni's Splendid Ice Creams, MacKenzie-Childs, Patrick Ta, Simms Fishing Products, Skinfix, Tatcha, Truewerk, TRX, Urban Decay and Yasso. For more information, please visit Stride Consumer Partners website.

SOURCE Odele
Ellen and Clayton Kershaw fund BEB for the third year in a row to expand operations in Africa

DALLAS, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third year, Both Ends Believing (BEB) is the grateful beneficiary of LA Dodgers' pitcher Clayton Kershaw and his organization, Kershaw's Challenge. This partnership has been the source of exponential growth in BEB's mission, to give children permanency through loving, forever families with the help of Children First Software.

Through CFS, children are reunified with biological family or adopted into permanent, loving families. BEB equips countries to care for their children and ensure they can grow up in families and not institutions.

Clayton Kershaw, his family, and the Kershaw's Challenge team have supported the expansion of BEB and CFS first in the Dominican Republic, then in Ethiopia, and this year in Nigeria. Kershaw's Challenge began in 2011 after meeting Hope, a child battling a terrible sickness without a family to lean on. Ellen and Clayton realized that Hope needed a loving home with parents to care for her in order to have the upbringing she deserved.

Kershaw's Challenge partners with like-minded organizations to make life better for vulnerable and at-risk children living in Los Angeles, Dallas, the Dominican Republic, Zambia, and beyond. Kershaw's Challenge is supporting BEB to launch its work in Nigeria, sharing CFS for free with the government alliance ASOHON  the Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria.

"Children First Software is so critical for Nigeria because it provides statistics on children in residential care which can help the government monitor the movement of children and guide the formulation and implementation of policies for orphans and vulnerable children," shared Sandra Chikan, Vice President of ASOHON. There is still much work to be done to address these challenges, but the impact of CFS for the children of Nigeria will last for many years to come.

Thanks to the seed funding of Kershaw's Challenge, BEB's work in Africa is rapidly growing. Surrounding countries are seeing the success of BEB's work in partner countries like Uganda, Ethiopia and Nigeria and are ready to "sign on" and implement CFS to transform their child welfare systems.

"Ellen and Clayton Kershaw's voice for children in Dallas, Los Angeles and around the world is invaluable to the work of BEB and other beneficiaries. They are truly changing the lives of countless children," Margaret Elizabeth McKissack, Vice President of External Affairs.

Media Contact:

Margaret Elizabeth McKissack

[email protected]

214-850-7532

SOURCE Both Ends Believing
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Azerbaijan considers the possibility of high-level visits from the US to Baku inappropriate, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said in response to biased remarks made by the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James OBrien, Trend reports.

"Concerning the statement that the U.S. side has cancelled high-level bilateral meetings and engagements, which were initiated by the U.S. side with Azerbaijan, and there cannot be business as usual in our bilateral relationship, it should be noted that the relations could not be one-sided. Consequently, the same approach will be applied equally by Azerbaijan. In these circumstances, we consider the possibility of high-level visits from the United States to Azerbaijan inappropriate as well," the ministry said.

Azerbaijani MFA also noted that such a unilateral approach by the United States could lead to the loss of the mediation role of the US.

"Under these circumstances, it is important to note that we do not consider possible to hold the proposed meeting on the level of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, in Washington on November 20, 2023.

International law norms and principles have always been a priority for Azerbaijan in its foreign policy. Azerbaijan will always act in line with its international obligations. At the same time, Azerbaijan will resolutely and adequately address all the negative steps against its national interest," the statement added.
For a limited time, guests can access up to 50% off stays at award-winning destinations

AUSTIN, Texas, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Muy'Ono Resorts, the largest collection of resorts in Belize, is excited to announce its biggest sale of the year, starting Thursday, November 16, and ending Tuesday, November 28. This Black Friday, Muy'Ono Resorts invites guests to take advantage of this limited-time offer featuring savings of up to 50% on stays at Thatch Caye, Copal Tree Lodge, Royal Belize, Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge, Hopkins Bay Resort, The Placencia Resort, Ranguana Caye, and their partner The Watermark Belize Hotel. Additionally, for those seeking adventure, there is a 20% discount available on specific packages from Slickrock Belize Adventures, Blue Horizon Lodge, and Copal Tree Lodge.

Enjoy 50% off all Muy'Ono Resorts Muy'Ono's biggest sale of the year begins today.

Black Friday Campaign Details:

Muy'Ono Resorts Sale: Up to 50% off Muy'Ono Resorts Thatch Caye, Copal Tree Lodge, Royal Belize, Sweet Songs Jungle Lodge, Hopkins Bay Resort, The Placencia Resort, Ranguana Caye, The Watermark Belize Hotel

Up to 50% off Muy'Ono Resorts Package Sales: Slickrock Belize Adventures: 20% off Packages Blue Horizon Lodge: 20% off Fly-Fishing Packages Copal Tree Lodge: 20% off Fly-Fishing Packages

Start Date: November 16, 2023

End Date: November 28, 2023

Stay Dates: November 16, 2023  December 17, 2024

 Blackout Dates: December 18, 2023  January 3, 2024 ; March 28, 2024  April 2, 2024 Except for Slickrock Belize Adventures Blue Horizon Lodge: 2/1/24 - 5/31/24

 ;  Cancelation Policy : nonrefundable, please contact reservations if you need to reschedule your stay Package-based promotions will have different cancellation policies

: nonrefundable, please contact reservations if you need to reschedule your stay Other Restrictions: For new reservations only. Cannot be combined with any other discount, applies to standard room rates only.

For new reservations only. Cannot be combined with any other discount, applies to standard room rates only. How to Book: muyono.com/black-friday-sale

With ten resorts to choose from, Muy'Ono offers a vacation for wellness seekers, families, large groups, and adventure seekers. From active adventures to tropical relaxation, each resort is designed to provide guests with unique experiences. Additionally, Muy'Ono's commitment to the local community, environment, and culture is at the forefront of every guest experience. When booking with Muy'Ono, guests can expect to enjoy a wide variety of activities, fresh farm-to-table cuisine sourced from the Muy'Ono Farm and unmatched customer service. Each property is equipped with knowledgeable guides who are available to help direct guests to their next adventure. From the world's second-largest barrier reef to acres of protected rainforest, Belize has so much to explore.

About Muy'Ono Resorts:

The Austin-based Muy'Ono Resorts was founded to bring professional management services and international standards to the tourism industry in Belize. The company aims to deliver unforgettable vacation experiences and superior investment returns while keeping the authentic spirit of Belize alive. Combining world-class operational expertise with innovative marketing strategies, Muy'Ono Resorts helps build successful client ventures. For more information, visit http://muyono.com .

SOURCE Muy'Ono Resorts
30 Student Health Professionals to Receive Scholarship During California Ceremony

WHAT: 2023 California Hispanic Health Professional Student Scholarship Gala

WHEN: Friday, Nov. 17 (Reception: 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. PST / Awards Gala: 7:30 to 11:00 p.m. PST)

WHERE: The Millennium Biltmore Hotel

WHO: Scholarship recipients from Nevada, Texas and California. The Hispanic Health Leadership Awardees: Congressman Tony Cardenas, (D-Calif.), Edward Sanghyun Kim, M.D. Physician-in-Chief at City of Hope Orange County, Francisco Rodriguez, Ph.D., Chancellor of the Los Angeles Community College District. Dr. Hector Flores, Adventist Health White Memorial, the late Gloria Molina, former chair of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors will be honored with a special posthumous award for her trailblazing work on behalf of Latinos.

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Latino community is the largest ethnic group in the United States, yet it continues to face a significant shortage of health professionals with the necessary cultural and linguistic skills to provide quality care. Fortunately, the National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) has addressed these challenges by awarding over $1.9 million in scholarships to nearly 350 exceptional Hispanic health professional students since 2004.

These scholarships recognize outstanding academic achievements, leadership qualities, and a commitment to serving the Hispanic population.The National Hispanic Health Foundation will award 30 scholarships to full-time students from Nevada, Texas and California, and honor the Hispanic Health Leadership Awardees. Nationwide, NHHF is awarding 66 scholarships to full-time graduate students from a variety of health professions including physicians and physician assistants, nursing, dentistry, pharmacy. This year, the scholarship will feature awards of $5,000 annually in collaboration with United Health Foundation Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program for up to four years, as well as one-year scholarship awards of $2,000 each.

The Latino community continues to grapple with notable scarcity of healthcare professionals compounded by a lack of Hispanic representation in key leadership positions within government and private sector healthcare agencies. NHHF, along with its sister organization the National Hispanic Medical Association, the country's largest Hispanic physician membership organization, continues to work with federal, state and private organizations to increase the number of Latino physicians, researchers and other medical professionals. For more on our work go to our website: NHMAMD.org

The National Hispanic Health Foundation would like to thank the United Health Foundation and Centene Corporation for their support.

The National Hispanic Health Foundation (NHHF) (501c3) was established in 1994 in Washington, D.C. as the National Hispanic Medical Foundation as the philanthropic arm of the National Hispanic Medical Association. The mission of the foundation is to support educational and research activities to improve the health of Hispanics.

SOURCE National Hispanic Health Foundation
SAN DIEGO, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Neurelis, Inc., a company focused on epilepsy and orphan neurologic disorders, today announced that corporate leadership will participate in and host one-on-one investor meetings at the 6th Annual Evercore ISI HealthCONx Conference, to be held in Miami from November 28-30, 2023. Craig Chambliss, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, and Brittany Bradrick, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, will be attending.

About Neurelis

Neurelis, Inc., is a neuroscience company focused on the development and commercialization of therapeutics for the treatment of epilepsy and orphan neurologic disorders characterized by high unmet medical need. For more information on Neurelis, please visit www.neurelis.com.

Contacts:

Neurelis:

Brittany Bradrick, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer, +1 858 251 2135

Media:

Glenn Silver, FINN Partners, +1 646 871 8485

SOURCE Neurelis, Inc.
CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ --

BACKGROUND:

With an estimated 4.5 million properties at high or extreme risk of wildfire in the U.S. it has never been more important for policymakers, businesses, and individuals to take steps that will enhance the resilience of their property. This will increase their capacity to withstand, respond to, and quickly recover from natural disasters. In response to growing wildfire risk, the federal Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission recently released its final report, "On Fire: The Report of the Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission." The Commission was established at the direction of Congress as part of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and members were appointed by the Biden-Harris Administration.

Experience the full interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/9082253-american-property-casualty-insurance-association-wildland-fire-mitigation-and-management-commission/

As noted in the Commission's report, substantial change in the federal government's approach to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires and address impacts is crucial. But society also has a role in this effort. To shift the trajectory of the wildfire crisis, the status quo cannot continue. Significant changes must be made to better prepare communities from wildfire. The final report published by the Commission, identifies critical actions needed - in both the built and natural environments - to stem property loss and environmental impacts, and to safeguard public health and the safety and effectiveness of wildfire response, providing a roadmap for moving in the right direction.

In this interview, two experts who were highly engaged in the Commission's work outline key issues to strengthen our nation's posture regarding wildfire and help home and business owners become more resilient. David A. Sampson, president, and CEO of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA) a member of the Commission, and who serves in the Property Development Industry seat, and Wildland Commission member, Kimiko Barrett, wildfire research and policy analyst at Headwaters Economics discuss mitigating property damage and the wide range of themes and recommendations developed by the Commission.

To learn more about the commission and wildfire preparedness visit: www.apci.org/wildfire/

MORE ABOUT David A. Sampson:

David A. Sampson is the president and CEO of the American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA). He has been in this role since 2007. Sampson has led the industry through some of the most consequential insurance issues of the last decade, including the COVID-19 response, preserving state statutory accounting during once-in-a-generation tax reform, and ensuring that the Dodd-Frank Act recognized the strong consumer protections already provided by state insurance regulators and the guaranty fund system. Sampson also is the president of the Independent Statistical Service, Inc. (ISS), a wholly owned subsidiary of APCIA and one of the industry's largest and most trusted statistical agents. He serves on the Board of Directors of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety as well as on the Biden-Harris Administration's Wildland Fire Mitigation and Management Commission. Before joining the industry, Sampson served in the George W. Bush Administration in two presidential-appointed and Senate-confirmed positions. From 2005 to 2007, he served as the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce and was a member of President Bush's Management Council.

MORE ABOUT KIMI BARRETT:

A native Montanan, Dr. Kimiko Barrett (Kimi) has a deep interest in rural landscapes and the people who live there. She has a natural aptitude for connecting and energizing people in the pursuit of community resilience and climate adaptation. Kimi is a committed agent of change in how we live with inevitable wildfires. Drawing on the expertise within the broad networks she has built, she has led research of national significance on topical issues such as the true cost of wildfires, the cost of building wildfire-resistant homes, and measuring wildfire impacts through structure loss. Her work has changed the national wildfire narrative and shaped new strategies for engaging communities on wildfire resilience. Kimi managed Headwaters Economics' Community Planning Assistance for Wildfire program for six years. In that capacity she worked with firefighters, land use and planning staff, government agency personnel, and elected officials in more than 80 communities across the country, helping them devise community-driven solutions to reduce wildfire risk and increase community adaptation efforts. Kimi's experience with local-level efforts ensures that her research and policy work addresses real problems on the ground. Uniquely positioned in the nexus of communities, science, and natural hazards, Kimi is regularly quoted by major media outlets. She is frequently interviewed by the New York Times, LA Times, Bloomberg, and Washington Post, National Public Radio, The Economist, the Associated Press, and Marketplace. And because of Kimi's outstanding ability to engage diverse audiences, she is a sought-after speaker, regularly presenting at professional trainings, university seminars, community workshops, conferences, and congressional hearings.

Produced for: American Property Casualty Insurance Association (APCIA)

SOURCE American Property Casualty Insurance Association
BARTLESVILLE, Okla., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Five years ago, the controversial death of American missionary John Chau created an international conversation around modern Christian missions which continues even today with the release of a new National Geographic film about Chau's life and death called, "The Mission."

The Voice of the Martyrs Spokesperson Todd Nettleton screened the documentary and said, "If youlike mebelieve John Chau to have been a hero, you'll find much of the film frustrating"

Voice of the Martyrs responds to The Mission, a new National Geographic documentary about John Chau Post this

Just before Thanksgiving 2018, the world learned that Chau had been killed on North Sentinel Island, an Indian island whose inhabitants are completely cut off from the world.

News reports negatively cast Chau as a reckless adventure-seeker. Indian authorities even called Chau's evangelistic efforts to the Sentinelese tribe, a "misplaced adventure in a highly-restricted area."

But details emerged, painting a more accurate portrait of Chau's preparation and motivation after Nettleton conducted extensive research for an in-depth backstory . Nettleton found in Chau's journals and other primary sources that Chau underwent an intentional and intense training process to make first contact in order to obey Jesus' command to "go into all the world and make disciples."

Voice of the Martyrs President Cole Richards and Nettleton said Chau's sacrifice was not in vain.

"We know from Revelation 7:9 that all tribes and all peoples will be represented around the throne of Christ throughout eternity," said Voice of the Martyrs President Cole Richards.

"John Chau was ridiculed by some for his bold willingness to go to North Sentinel Island. But in eternity John will gather around the throne with Sentinelese people who will be reached with the gospel message by someone willing to follow in John's footsteps," said Richards.

"Every decision John Chau madefor nine yearswas made with an eye toward landing on that beach," said Nettleton. "He counted the cost to answer Christ's call. He was mocked and ridiculed, not only by the press and the secular world, but also by some who also say they are following Christ."

"Tens of thousands of Christians are now aware of this unreached and unengaged people group and many are now praying for everyone on the islandan island they had never even heard of before John arrived there five years ago," said Nettleton.

"John's story challenges us to ask some uncomfortable questions. Is there an expiration date on the Great Commission? Does God still call people to dangerous places? Would He ever ask us to do something that might cost our lives?" said Nettleton.

In 2022 the ministry honored Chau by adding his name to the Martyr's Memorial located at VOM's headquarters for the 2022 Day of the Christian Martyr.

About The Voice of the Martyrs

Founded in 1967 by Richard and Sabina Wurmbrand, VOM is a nonprofit, interdenominational missions organization serving persecuted Christians in the world's most difficult and dangerous places to follow Christ. For more information, visit VOM.org .

SOURCE The Voice of the Martyrs
Majority of American donors lack reputable information and financial liquidity to give during times of crisis

MALVERN, Pa., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An online survey conducted by The Harris Poll of more than 2,000 U.S. adults on behalf of Vanguard Charitable, a leading nonprofit and sponsor of donor-advised funds (DAFs), found that nearly 3 in 5 American donors (59%) (defined as those who donated to charity in the past 12 months) gave half or more of their total monetary donations last year to charities providing disaster relief.

This marks a notable increase from the results of a similar survey conducted by The Harris Poll in April 2022 on behalf of Vanguard Charitable, which found that only 37% of American donors had given half or more of their charitable contributions to disaster relief efforts. But the new survey also suggests that donors encounter challenges when trying to respond charitably to disasters.

More than half of Americans (52%) agree that when a crisis (e.g., natural disaster, humanitarian crisis, economic crisis) occurs, they do not know where to find reputable information on how to direct a monetary donation to support those in need. Perhaps more concerning, 65% of Americans agree that when a crisis occurs, they do not generally have funds available to give right away.

"During a crisis, the desire to provide aid is so strong," said Rebecca Moffett, president of Vanguard Charitable. "And we need to do more to help individuals act on that desire, especially those who may not know which charities to support, or how to quickly access funds to donate. At Vanguard Charitable, we seek to minimize these challenges by ensuring our donors have dollars at the ready and providing them with lists of highly rated charities responding to crises. The planful approach our donors take helps to explain why they have granted more than $2 billion already in 2023, our most generous year ever."

When it comes to charitable giving in general, the survey found that Americans remain committed. Nearly 3 in 4 Americans (73%) reported having given a monetary donation to charity in the past twelve months, on par with the 74% who reported doing so the year before (survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Vanguard Charitable in September 2022).

Strategic giving goes further

American donors with a charitable giving budget give more dollars and are more likely to support disaster relief than those who do not have a charitable giving budget. This is consistent with survey findings in 2021 and 2022.

Among those who donated money to charity in the past 12 months, those who included charitable giving in their annual budget gave more money, on average, than those who did not ( $1,583 vs. $892 ).

vs. ). Among American donors with a charitable giving budget, 74% donated to disaster relief in the past 12 months, compared to 53% of American donors without a charitable giving budget.

American donors with a charitable giving budget were two times more likely to say the amount of money they donated increased compared to last year than those who did not (34% vs. 17%).

61% of American donors with a charitable giving budget are likely to give more money in the next 12 months to charity than they did in the past 12 months (vs. 47% of donors without a charitable budget).

Effective giving through partnership and strategic resources

With dollars committed to charity and ready access to credible, informational resources, Vanguard Charitable donors have effectively focused on disaster relief efforts across the nation and the world. Vanguard Charitable donors have issued 10,578 grants totaling $67.5 million to more than 1,300 unique nonprofits focused on disaster relief over the past year. This includes top grantee nonprofits such as Doctors Without Borders USA, World Central Kitchen, and American Civil Liberties Union Foundation.

Vanguard Charitable donors have embraced a set of unique granting tools and resources to further inform their decisions and encourage nimble giving in both the short and long term. These include:

MyGiving: Launched this fall, MyGiving is an interactive experience that serves as an immersive, personalized journey to help Vanguard Charitable donors develop their own charitable giving plan and giving goals.

Launched this fall, MyGiving is an interactive experience that serves as an immersive, personalized journey to help Vanguard Charitable donors develop their own charitable giving plan and giving goals. Discover Charities: In partnership with Charity Navigator, Vanguard Charitable has provided dedicated lists of highly rated nonprofits focused directly on specific disasters in moments of great need. These lists, available to Vanguard Charitable donors and the public, provide donors with the peace of mind that they are supporting charities with direct ties to and impact on communities in need.

In partnership with Charity Navigator, Vanguard Charitable has provided dedicated lists of highly rated nonprofits focused directly on specific disasters in moments of great need. These lists, available to Vanguard Charitable donors and the public, provide donors with the peace of mind that they are supporting charities with direct ties to and impact on communities in need. Grant Payments: Vanguard Charitable recently launched Grant Payments with PayPal, and charities are now able to receive electronic funds within one day of accepting a grantand in some cases, even a matter of minutes. Since Grant Payments launched in May, Vanguard Charitable has electronically distributed more than $230 million to 8,563 eligible charities, including $11.7 million to nonprofits supporting disaster relief efforts.

Vanguard Charitable recently launched Grant Payments with PayPal, and charities are now able to receive electronic funds within one day of accepting a grantand in some cases, even a matter of minutes. Since Grant Payments launched in May, Vanguard Charitable has electronically distributed more than to 8,563 eligible charities, including to nonprofits supporting disaster relief efforts. Why Giving Matters: The inaugural study, Why Giving Matters: Donors give more effectively over time with a donor-advised fund , includes survey results of over 1,500 Vanguard Charitable donors and 440 nonprofits, along with a decade's worth of insight into donor giving behavior. It uncovers and explores how donors increase their granting the longer they've had a Vanguard Charitable donor-advised fund.

The inaugural study, , includes survey results of over 1,500 Vanguard Charitable donors and 440 nonprofits, along with a decade's worth of insight into donor giving behavior. It uncovers and explores how donors increase their granting the longer they've had a Vanguard Charitable donor-advised fund. The Value In Giving Podcast: In its third season, The Value In Giving Podcast amplifies voices across the world of philanthropy, connecting donors to inspirational nonprofit and industry leaders. This season features leaders from an array of nonprofits including Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, Martha's Vineyard Museum, Shelter House, San Francisco-Marin Food Bank, and GiveDirectly, along with Aramark, a food services provider using a DAF for its corporate philanthropy.

For more information about Vanguard Charitable or giving through donor-advised funds, please visit www.vanguardcharitable.org.

Survey Method:

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Vanguard Charitable from October 12-16, 2023, among 2,073 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, among whom 1,516 donated to charity in the past 12 months (i.e., donors). The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + 2.7 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Katie Miller at [email protected].

About Vanguard Charitable

Vanguard Charitable is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that fulfills its mission to increase philanthropic giving by administering a donor-advised funda tax-effective way to consolidate, accrue, and grant assets to charity. Since it was founded by Vanguard1 in 1997 as an independent 501(c)(3) organization, Vanguard Charitable has granted more than $17 billion to charity. More information is available at www.vanguardcharitable.org.

SOURCE Vanguard Charitable
The visit served to discuss collaborative initiatives aimed at promoting economic cooperation between the Dominican Republic and the region

Founded to put employees first, Horatio serves 100+ U.S. clients with an employee base of 1,500 bilingual agents in the Dominican Republic and Colombia

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Horatio , the customer service revolutionizing CX and BPOs, today hosted the Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Pena de Antuna, at their state-of-the-art 130,000 sq foot headquarters in Santo Domingo, highlighting the company's commitment to supporting the booming economy of the Dominican Republic. The company's headquarters located at Metro Plaza represents a critical milestone in Horatio's expansion. According to the World Bank , the Dominican Republic is one of the fastest growing economies in Latin America and the Caribbean this last decade.

New York-based Horatio hosts the Vice President of the Dominican Republic, Raquel Pena de Antuna, at their newly constructed 130,000 square foot headquarters in Santo Domingo

During her visit, the Vice President had the opportunity to meet with Horatio's leadership team to discuss how technology can contribute to the country's economic development, education, and infrastructure. Horatio showcased their latest innovations in supporting their agents and emphasized their commitment to supporting the growth of the Dominican Republic's digital economy.

"The inauguration of our state-of-the-art offices represents a significant milestone in our journey to redefine the BPO industry. We are honored by the visit of Vice President Pena de Antuna, which reflects our shared commitment to economic development and job creation. We hope to continue to work with the country's public sector to redefine the employee experience in the Dominican Republic and offer benefits employees are accustomed to at fast-growing startups in the United States," said Jose Herrera, Horatio CEO and Co-Founder.

The visit also reinforced Horatio's dedication to corporate social responsibility . The company has a long-standing commitment to investing in communities and initiatives that improve people's lives. Through partnerships with local organizations and educational institutions, Horatio aims to enhance digital literacy and promote technological advancement in the Dominican Republic.

As an up-and-coming global technology giant, Horatio's hosting of the Vice President sends a strong message to the region by setting the stage for future collaborations and opportunities. As Horatio continues to expand its presence worldwide, partnerships like these demonstrate the company's commitment to innovation, cultural exchange, and a prosperous future for all.

About Horatio:

Horatio is the trusted customer service partner for some of the fastest-growing startups and enterprises in the world. Their on-brand customer support teams help them leverage CX as a revenue generator through personalized customer experience support. Launched in 2020, Horatio is headquartered in New York City with main offshore offices located in the Dominican Republic and Colombia serving 100+ U.S. clients with a growing employee base of 1,500 bilingual agents. As seen on Bloomberg, Forbes, and Crain's - and a recipient of Inc. Power Partners and the Inc. 5000 List for two years in a row. For more information please visit www.hirehoratio.com or follow @HireHoratio @HireHoratioRD.

Contact

Carly Wienner

[email protected]

SOURCE Horatio
TAIPEI, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As Industry 4.0 revolutionizes manufacturing and production, NEXCOM, a global leader in industrial IoT applications, introduces its cutting-edge ISA Series. Industry 4.0, the fourth industrial revolution, is reshaping the landscape of manufacturing through the integration of digital technologies, artificial intelligence, IoT devices, and data analytics. Companies at the forefront of this revolution are prioritizing the adoption of Operational Technology (OT) networks, focusing on control, automation, and real-time actionable insights.

Full-Scale OT Network Security with NEXCOM's ISA Series. Powered by Intel Atom x6000 Series industrial-grade processors, ISA Series ensures there are no security breaches in your operations with three mission-oriented appliances: ISA 140  IoT security gateway; ISA 141  Dual 5G/Wi-Fi security router; ISA 142  High-density security gateway and switch. NEXCOM ISA Series delivers a complete cyber security solution, providing robust support to diverse applications within Industry 4.0. In a smart factory, protecting key assets, segmenting essential network services, and delivering dependable wireless connectivity is now available with NEXCOMs ISA Series, built for smart manufacturers worldwide.

The increasing interconnectivity of OT networks amplifies the risk of cyber threats. Legacy industrial equipment, lacking modern security features, poses a significant challenge. Insider threats and data breaches jeopardize sensitive industrial data, leading to financial losses and reputational damage. In response, companies must implement comprehensive cybersecurity strategies tailored for OT environments.

NEXCOM introduces the ISA Series, a dedicated line of OT security solutions designed to fortify Industry 4.0 operations. This series comprises three mission-oriented appliances:

ISA 140  IoT security gateway

It ensures secure connectivity for smaller-scale deployments. It acts as a protective barrier for proprietary equipment lacking updated cybersecurity software.

ISA 141  Dual 5G/Wi-Fi security router

It offers wireless broadband capabilities. It provides uninterrupted internet access, mobile load balancing, and seamless connectivity for IIoT devices.

ISA 142  High-density security gateway and switch

It supports large-scale deployments. It enhances connectivity and scalability, leveraging Time-Sensitive Networking (TSN) technology for predictable and reliable data transmission.

Together the NEXCOM ISA Series delivers a complete cyber security solution, providing robust support to diverse applications within Industry 4.0. In a smart factory, protecting key assets, segmenting essential network services, and delivering dependable wireless connectivity is now available with NEXCOM's ISA Series, built for smart manufacturers worldwide.

NEXCOM's ISA Series guarantees reliable connectivity in challenging industrial environments. Powered by Intel Atom x6000E Series processors, these devices offer robust protection against cyber threats. With features like Out-of-band (OOB) management, remote device monitoring and management become hassle-free, minimizing disruptions to manufacturing operations.

About NEXCOM

Founded in 1992 and headquartered in Taipei, NEXCOM (TPEX:8234) integrates its diverse capabilities and aims to become a world-renowned industrial leader driving digital transformation by providing innovative and quality services in vertical application markets. NEXCOM operates six global businesses, including IoT automation and robotic control for smart factories, edge AI telematics, video surveillance, digital signage for smart retail and smart cities, and network and communication.

Network and Communication Solutions (NCS) business group focuses on the latest network technology and helps to build reliable network infrastructure, by delivering professional design and manufacturing services in addition to cutting edge-platform solutions, for customers all over the world. NCS's network application platform is widely adopted in Cyber Security Appliance, Load Balancer, 5G uCPE, SD-WAN, SASE, Edge Computing, Storage, NVR, and other network applications for businesses of all sizes.

SOURCE NEXCOM International Co., Ltd.
CHICAGO, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NextName, a leading NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) company, is proud to announce its collaboration with western fragrance trailblazer, Tru Western - Together, they are launching a dynamic marketing campaign showcasing the values of grit, family, teamwork, humility, and work ethic with the help of the talented University of Illinois Volleyball players.

In this unique collaboration, NextName teamed up with University of Illinois Volleyball athletes to create engaging short videos that authentically represent Tru Western's core brand values. The campaign aims to support college athletes and highlight the commitment and dedication needed to excel as a Division-1 athlete. It draws a parallel between the athletes' dedication and the values of the Tru Western brand.

This partnership is all about celebrating the values that unite college athletes and the Tru Western brand Post this

Tom Segal, Director of Operations at NextName, said, "Our partnership with Tru Western is all about celebrating the values that unite college athletes and the Tru Western brand. We believe in the power of storytelling and are thrilled to showcase the hard work, dedication, and shared values that connect these athletes with Tru Western Fragrances."

The NextName and Tru Western campaign extends beyond the University of Illinois Volleyball team. This collaboration is actively seeking college athletes nationwide who have compelling stories to share, ones that revolve around grit, family, teamwork, humility, and a strong work ethic. College athletes interested in participating can connect with us by emailing [email protected] to explore the chance to collaborate with Tru Western, receive fragrance samples, and earn NIL compensation for their inspiring narratives. To learn more about this campaign, please visit nextname.io/truwestern.

About NextName:

NextName is a leading NIL company dedicated to helping student-athletes maximize their earning potential and share their stories with the world. Through innovative partnerships and opportunities, NextName connects college athletes with brands, ensuring they can capitalize on their name, image, and likeness while continuing to excel on the field, court, or in the classroom. For more information, please visit https://nextname.io

About Tru Western Fragrances:

Founded in 1969, Tru Western, part of the Tru Fragrance & Beauty portfolio, operates out of Willowbrook, Illinois and New York City. A global leader in beauty brand creation and partnerships, Tru's portfolio spans Tru Western, including licensed fragrances in partnership with Wrangler, Yellowstone, and Professional Bull Riders; Gen-Z favorite Le Monde Gourmand; and fragrance-as-wellness brand Lake & Skye. For more information, visit TruFragrance.com

SOURCE NextName
Strong liquidity position and standardized product offering to fuel future growth

Global expansion making progress in Hong Kong ( China ) , Singapore and U.S.

and U.S. Continue exploring feasible ways to improve returns for shareholders

SHANGHAI, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Noah Holdings Limited (the "Company," or "Noah") (NYSE: NOAH and HKEX: 6686), a leading wealth management service provider in China offering comprehensive global investment and asset allocation advisory services primarily for high-net-worth investors, hosted its 2023 Investor Day on November 14, 2023, in Hong Kong.

At the event, Noah's co-founder, Chairwoman and CEO Ms. Jingbo Wang and other members of the executive management team provided an in-depth review of the Company's business and laid out its strategic priorities for the future. Presentations focused on Noah's resilient standardized product offering, its overseas expansion plans, and its "CCI" strategy (composed of the Chief Investment Office, Client Strategy Office, and Investment Product & Solution department) for transitioning from product to solutions-driven wealth management. Later, in a pair of panel discussions, the heads of Noah's key business units and subsidiaries discussed the Company's advantages in product development and client services.

Ms. Jingbo Wang, co-founder, Chairwoman and CEO of Noah, said, "Noah has been in the wealth management and asset management business since 2003, and has navigated several economic cycles amidst China's rise. From day one, we have always stuck to our bottom lines: segregation of clients' capital, no maturity mismatches, and no cross-border movement of funds. Our decision in 2019 to shift to a standardized product offering and wind down all non-standard private credit products, including domestic residential real estate funds, has served our clients well in these turbulent times. This prudent approach, coupled with a healthy mix of AUM, our strong balance sheet and ample liquidity, has put us in a solid position to execute our expansion plans, which include scaling up our overseas footprint to meet investors' increasing demand for global asset allocation. We are also allocating more resources to our research department and our "CCI" strategy because our sound asset allocation advice is what makes us the most trusted advisor to Mandarin-speaking individuals, institutions, and family offices. As we pursue these initiatives into the next year, our core focus will remain the same: creating real and long-term value for clients."

Additional highlights from the Investor Day are included below.

Strong Balance Sheet and Clean AUA

Noah has a robust cash position, with RMB 4.7 billion of cash and cash equivalents among its RMB 12.6 billion in total assets as of June 30, 2023. As a conservatively financed business, Noah has a debt-to-asset ratio of 19.8% and zero interest-bearing debt. With a strong balance sheet and ample liquidity, the Company is well-positioned to execute on its expansion strategy.

Noah also boasts a clean Assets Under Advisory (AUA) with no legacy private credit or residential real estate exposure. The Company avoided serious potential risks, having initiated its exit from domestic residential real estate funds in 2016 and its exit from all non-standardized RMB private credit products in 2019. This successful transition has positioned Noah as a trusted and responsible advisor to high-net-worth investors confronting a complex international risk environment.

Expanding Global Footprint

Noah initiated an international expansion strategy in 2022 to capitalize on the rapidly-growing demand for global asset allocation among mandarin-speaking HNW clients. Noah remains on track to hire 100 private bankers in Hong Kong and 20 in Singapore by the end of 2023, and it had 56 relationship managers across both locations as of June 30, 2023. Noah has opened up a client-servicing center in the U.S. and is in the process of setting up operations in Dubai. Noah also more than doubled both its number of overseas active clients and its overseas net revenue on a year-over-year basis in the second quarter of 2023.

To bolster its global offering, Noah is not only increasing its headcount in key international hubs, but also strengthening its relationships with leading GPs and fund managers worldwide, having added new hedge fund and structured product offerings to its global wealth solution this year. Noah has also rolled out the N+ Program to provide clients with a high-end global private banking experience.

CCI Strategy

Noah has made significant investments in its research capabilities, tapping into Chinese investors' demand for increasingly sophisticated market intelligence and asset allocation strategies. Through its "CCI" asset allocation model, the Chief Investment Office (CIO) identifies salient macroeconomic trends, the Client Strategy Office (CSO) creates customized investment strategies for various segments of the clientele, and the Investment Product & Solution (IPS) department turns these strategies into standardized product selection strategies.

The CCI model caters to the increasingly client-centric and solutions-driven model of wealth management, as well as clients' increasing focus on wealth preservation, risk mitigation, global asset allocation, and comprehensive services. Noah is upgrading the CCI model in the second half of 2023 through the release of a wider range of research reports, capacity-building in the investment advisory team, and integration of CCI services into its client-facing app.

Deep Bench of International Talent

Noah's global expansion strategy is guided by a management team with extensive experience in world-leading financial institutions. The Company's overseas workforce is predominantly located in Hong Kong, Singapore, and the United States and has grown to more than 250 professionals.

Exploring Ways to Improve Shareholder Returns

During the event, management expressed confidence in the Company's capital structure and indicated that they will continue exploring feasible ways to improve returns to the shareholders of the Company.

Webcast Replay and Presentation Materials

The event, along with supporting materials, may be viewed via an archived replay in the Event section on the Company's investor relations website at https://ir.noahgroup.com.

ABOUT NOAH HOLDINGS LIMITED

Noah Holdings Limited (NYSE: NOAH and HKEX:6686) is a leading wealth management service provider in China offering comprehensive global investment and asset allocation advisory services primarily for high-net-worth investors. Noah is a Cayman Islands holding company and carries on business in Hong Kong as Noah Holdings Private Wealth and Asset Management Limited. In the first half of 2023, Noah distributed RMB35.2 billion (US$4.9 billion) of investment products. Through Gopher Asset Management, Noah had assets under management of RMB156.9 billion (US$21.6 billion) as of June 30, 2023.

Noah's wealth management business primarily distributes private equity, private secondary, mutual fund and other products denominated in RMB and other currencies. Noah delivers customized financial solutions to clients through a network of 1,375 relationship managers across 63 cities in mainland China, and serves the international investment needs of its clients through offices in Hong Kong (China), Taiwan (China), New York, Silicon Valley and Singapore. The Company's wealth management business had 446,557 registered clients as of June 30, 2023. Through Gopher Asset Management, Noah manages private equity, public securities, real estate, multi-strategy and other investments denominated in RMB and other currencies. Noah also provides other businesses.

For more information, please visit Noah at ir.noahgroup.com.

SAFE HARBOR STATEMENT

This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates," "confident" and similar statements. Noah may also make written or oral forward-looking statements in its periodic reports to the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, in its annual reports to shareholders, in announcements, circulars or other publications made on the website of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), in press releases and other written materials and in oral statements made by its officers, directors or employees to third parties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about Noah's beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties. These statements include, but are not limited to, estimates regarding the sufficiency of Noah's cash and cash equivalents and liquidity risk. A number of factors could cause Noah's actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statement, including but not limited to the following: its goals and strategies; its future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the expected growth of the wealth management and asset management market in China and internationally; its expectations regarding demand for and market acceptance of the products it distributes; investment risks associated with investment products distributed to Noah's investors, including the risk of default by counterparties or loss of value due to market or business conditions or misconduct by counterparties; its expectations regarding keeping and strengthening its relationships with key clients; relevant government policies and regulations relating to its industries; its ability to attract and retain qualified employees; its ability to stay abreast of market trends and technological advances; its plans to invest in research and development to enhance its product choices and service offerings; competition in its industries in China and internationally; general economic and business conditions globally and in China; and its ability to effectively protect its intellectual property rights and not to infringe on the intellectual property rights of others. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in Noah's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. All information provided in this press release and in the attachments is as of the date of this press release, and Noah does not undertake any obligation to update any such information, including forward-looking statements, as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under the applicable law.

SOURCE Noah Holdings Limited
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. The US, as a non-regional country, through its actions and statements is undermining the transportation security efforts of the regional countries, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan said in response to biased remarks made by US Assistant Secretary of State James OBrien at the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Europe hearing, Trend reports.

"The one-sided and biased remarks made by U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien at the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Europe hearing on November 15, 2023, are counterproductive, baseless, and unacceptable," the Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated. "We regard the hearings and delivered remarks as a blow to bilateral and multilateral Azerbaijan-US relations." The baseless accusations leveled against Azerbaijan are useless and jeopardize regional peace and security."

"While touching upon the latest situation in the region and circumstances that led to the 19-20 September counter-terrorism measures by Azerbaijan, the State Department representative ignored to mention the major challenge that led to such an action by Azerbaijan, namely the illegal stationing of more than 10,000 Armenian armed forces in contravention of the norms and principles of international law and the Tripartite Statement of November 10, 2020," the ministry pointed out. "Furthermore, the Azerbaijani side has repeatedly stated in all the meetings, including with the U.S. side, that the mentioned forces are a source of threat in the region and urged an immediate withdrawal of these forces."

"Moreover, the U.S. side, while mentioning the importance of taking forward the peace process, forgets to mention that for more than two months, Armenia has not been responding to Azerbaijans proposals on the peace agreement, thus delaying the process," the ministry also said. "Despite the fact that it was Azerbaijan that initiated the peace process with basic principles and the necessity of signing the peace agreement, including the need for demarcation and delimitation of borders and opening up communication lines, the Assistant Secretary of State refrained from noting that the efforts in these areas were undermined and derailed by Armenia for the last three years. In contrast to Armenia, Azerbaijan has always respected the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Armenia; that was also confirmed in the Prague meeting on October 6, 2022."

"Azerbaijan has been dedicated to international law and the peace process not only after the 2020 44-Day War, but also throughout over 30 years of occupation of its lands. On the contrary, the US side, as mediator, has never pushed Armenia, as aggressor and destabilizing source in the area, to act in accordance with international law and withdraw from Azerbaijani territories and terminate occupation, which places responsibility on the US side as well," the ministry stated. "Additionally, it was also the responsibility of the US side that it did not prevent a double-standard approach, while being on the side of the separatist regime, was the only country to officially fund this regime, and facilitated their representative visits and meetings with US officials on a regular basis."

"The United States, as a non-regional country, through its actions and statements, is undermining the transportation security efforts of the regional countries. It is well known to the U.S. side that Armenia has not fulfilled its obligations arising from paragraph 9 of the 2020 Tripartite Statement, which led Azerbaijan to decide to build alternative roads," the ministry mentioned. "It is the sovereign right of Azerbaijan to agree with neighboring countries on how to build communication lines; that also includes an agreement with Iran related to a route to its Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic. Against this backdrop, Azerbaijan also reconfirms the priority of the 3+2 format (Azerbaijan-Armenia-Turkiye-Russia-Iran) for the security of the region. Therefore, any comments that undermine these efforts are inappropriate."

"Regarding James O'Brien's views on the waiver to the 907 Section, it appears that the US side is repeating the same mistake it made in 1992, when Azerbaijan was sanctioned with this amendment despite being a state that endured invasion and occupation. It was also the US side that decided to waive the 907 Section in 2001, when Azerbaijan joined US counter-terrorism operations around the world in the aftermath of the 9/11 attacks," the ministry said. "It was Azerbaijan that helped the US side by opening up its airspace routes, Northern Distribution Network, and logistics capabilities." Azerbaijan was one of the first countries to fight alongside the United States in Afghanistan. Azerbaijan was likewise the last partner country to withdraw from Afghanistan."

"Therefore, it turns out that the U.S. side has always considered the support of Azerbaijan as occasional, while it should be reminded that history has always repeated itself. Such an indifferent action by the U.S. side not to waive the 907 Section is an ill-disposed step towards Azerbaijan," the ministry explained.

"Additionally, the remarks that Azerbaijans use of force eroded trust and raised doubts regarding Bakus commitment to a comprehensive peace with Armenia have no value bearing in mind that it was Azerbaijan who was the victim of aggression and use of force for almost 30 years. Azerbaijan once again underlines that, in line with Article 51 of the UN Charter, it had the legitimate right to use force to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity," the ministry emphasized.

"Concerning the statement that the U.S. side has cancelled high-level bilateral meetings and engagements, which were initiated by the U.S. side with Azerbaijan, and there cannot be business as usual in our bilateral relationship, it should be noted that the relations could not be one-sided," the ministry further noted. "Consequently, the same approach will be applied equally by Azerbaijan. In these circumstances, we consider the possibility of high-level visits from the United States to Azerbaijan inappropriate as well."

"Moreover, such a unilateral approach by the United States could lead to the loss of the mediation role of the United States. Under these circumstances, it is important to note that we do not consider it possible to hold the proposed meeting on the level of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington on November 20, 2023," the ministry said.

"International law norms and principles have always been a priority for Azerbaijan in its foreign policy. Azerbaijan will always act in line with its international obligations. At the same time, Azerbaijan will resolutely and adequately address all the negative steps against its national interest," added the ministry.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
DUBLIN, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Market Report 2023-2033" has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

World revenue for the NDT market will surpass US$9.57 billion in 2023, with strong revenue growth predicted through to 2033. This study identifies which organizations hold the greatest potential.



Expansion of Infrastructure and Industrial Developments, Technological Advancements, and Government Laws Governing Public Safety and Product Quality are Driving Market growth



The non-destructive testing (NDT) market plays a crucial role in infrastructure and industrial projects by ensuring the safety, quality, and reliability of materials, components, and structures without causing damage. Rapid urbanization, infrastructure development, and industrial expansion in emerging economies are driving the demand for NDT across the world.

Latest or upcoming construction projects, including bridges, pipelines, power plants, and manufacturing facilities mandatory to require thorough inspection and quality assessment during their construction, operation, and maintenance phases. For instance, in June 2023, a public infrastructure firm called "Shreeji Infrastructure" won a US25.4 million engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contract from Coal India for 35W solar projects in West Bengal. Also, in January 2023, QatarEnergy invested US$6 billion in petrochemicals project with Chevron Phillips Chemical Co. to develop 2.1 million mt/year ethylene project in Ras Laffan.



Lack of Skilled Workforce to Perform NDT and Inspection Tasks and Limitations in Detecting Certain Defects to Hamper Industry growth



The detection of defects is a critical aspect of ensuring the quality and reliability of products and structures across various industries. While non-destructive testing (NDT) techniques have been developed to identify flaws without causing damage, there are certain limitations that can hamper the detection of certain defects. For example, limitation is the size and depth of the defect. NDT methods rely on physical or electromagnetic properties to identify flaws, such as ultrasonic waves, X-rays, or magnetic fields.

However, if a defect is too small or shallow, it may not produce a detectable signal or may be overlooked during inspection. Different NDT methods are suitable for specific types of defects. For instance, the ultrasonic testing is effective for detecting internal flaws such as cracks or delamination, but it may not be as effective in identifying surface defects. Similarly, X-ray inspection is excellent for detecting internal voids or inclusions, but it may not be as sensitive to certain types of structural discontinuities.

Market Dynamics

Market Driving Factors

Expansion of Infrastructure and Industrial Projects

Technological Advancements in NDT Techniques

Increasing Safety and Quality Regulations

Market Restraining Factors

Lack of Skilled Workforce to Perform NDT and Inspection Tasks

Limitations in Detecting Certain Defects

Market Opportunities

The Future of NDT With Wireless Sensors, A.I. And IoT

Use of Drones and Crawling Robots for NDT

Segments Covered in the Report

Flaw Type

Surface Cracks & Flaws

Internal Flaws & Discontinuities

Lack of Bond or Lack of Fusion

Non-Metallic Inclusions (Slag, Porosity)

Material Quality

Laminations & Thickness Measurement

Material

Ferrous Forgings & Stampings

Ferrous Raw Materials & Rolled Products

Ferrous Tube & Pipe

Iron & Steel Castings

Non-Ferrous Components & Materials

Technique

Ultrasonic Testing

Visual Testing

Radiographic Testing

Liquid Penetrant Testing

Eddy-Current Testing

Magnetic Particle Testing

Application

Automotive & Railway Industry

Aerospace Industry

Petrochemical & Gas Industries

Pipe & Tube Manufacturing Industry

Shipbuilding Industry

Non-Ferrous Components & Materials

End Use

Designing

Manufacturing Quality

In-service Inspection

Plant Life Extension

Other End-Use

In addition to the revenue predictions for the overall world market and segments, you will also find revenue forecasts for five regional and 16 leading national markets.

The report also includes profiles and for some of the leading companies in the Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Market, 2023 to 2033, with a focus on this segment of these companies' operations.



Leading companies and the potential for market growth:

Acuren

Anritsu Corporation

Ashtead Technology, Inc.

Eddyfi Technology

Fischer Technology Inc.

FPrimeC Solutions Inc.

Fujifilm Holding Corporation

GE Measurement

Intertek Group PLC

Magnaflux Corporation

Mistras group

Nikon Corporation

Olympus Corporation

SGS SA

Sonatest Ltd.

T.D. Williamson, Inc.

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/4r7yf3

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.



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SOURCE Research and Markets
BEIJING, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The 2023 China-Europe Offshore Renewables Development and Cooperation Forum will be held on Nov 20-22 in Yancheng, Jiangsu province, to deepen China-Europe energy cooperation, promote technological innovation, and advance industrial development in the field.

Themed "Strengthen China-Europe Cooperation on Offshore Renewables for a Shared Green Future", the forum will be jointly hosted by China Renewable Energy Engineering Institute, European Union Chamber of Commerce in China, and the Yancheng city government.

China's first Sino-French offshore wind farm in Yancheng. Provided to China Daily

Under the guidance of the National Energy Administration and the Jiangsu provincial government, the forum will mark the 20th anniversary of the comprehensive strategic partnership between China and Europe, and will underscore the significance of promoting offshore renewables for safeguarding energy security, accelerating energy transition and combating climate change.

Given the ambitious goals set by countries worldwide for energy transition and renewable energy development, the highly anticipated forum will present invaluable opportunities for closer China-Europe cooperation and the flourishing growth of offshore renewables.

Representatives from Chinese and European energy authorities, energy companies, industry think tanks and research institutes, as well as relevant consulates and embassies in China, will attend and engage in in-depth discussions and exchanges on hot topics in offshore renewable energy to facilitate industry resource integration, and tap into the cooperative potential between China and Europe.

Rich resources

Yancheng, located on the eastern coast of China, possesses excellent offshore renewable energy resources and is hailed as the "Leader of Offshore Renewable Energy City in China".

With its vast coastal resources and developed marine economy, the city is positioned as one of the regions with the longest coastline, the largest marine area, the most extensive tidal wetlands, the richest marine resources, and the greatest potential for marine economic growth in Jiangsu, and even in China.

With an average wind speed of over 7.6 meters per second at a height of 100 meters, Yancheng enjoys an impressive annual equivalent full-load hours of 3,000-3,600, which makes it one of the most favorable regions for offshore wind farms in the world.

The potential offshore wind power capacity in Yancheng exceeds 30 gigawatts, with approximately 9 GW in nearshore areas and 24 GW in deep-sea areas. These figures account for over 70 percent of the planned capacity in Jiangsu.

Yancheng also boasts abundant solar energy resources. The region receives annual total solar radiation of 1,400-1,600 kilowatt-hours per square meter and experiences an average annual sunshine duration of around 2,280 hours.

This results in approximately 1,200 hours of electricity generation utilization. The existing photovoltaic power generation capacity in Yancheng is about 30 GW.

By October, Yancheng's installed capacity for new energy power generation reached 13,619 megawatts, with total installed capacity, wind power installed capacity, and photovoltaic installed capacity accounting for 22 percent, 41.5 percent and 10.7 percent of Jiangsu respectively, ranking first in scale in the province.

The city has been making great efforts to develop the new energy industry, with the aim of building a world-class offshore wind power equipment industry cluster, a national crystalline silicon photovoltaic industry cluster, a coastal green hydrogen energy industry cluster, and a Yangtze River Delta new energy storage industry cluster.

With 188 new energy industry enterprises generating sales of 138.3 billion yuan ($17.72 billion) from January to October, a year-on-year increase of 15.7 percent, Yancheng has become a thriving hub for new energy development.

The city is now home to renowned wind power equipment manufacturers and leading component companies. Its offshore wind power equipment manufacturing capacity accounts for over 40 percent of the national total, while its blade manufacturing capacity accounts for around 20 percent, making it one of the largest comprehensive bases for offshore wind power equipment production in the world.

International collaboration

Yancheng has placed great emphasis on international cooperation, especially in the field of renewable energy, and maintains an open attitude and cooperates on offshore renewable energy with European nations and other countries worldwide.

It has established the first Sino-French joint venture offshore wind power project in China. Its solar PV modules are exported to many European countries, including Germany, the United Kingdom, Italy, Spain, Belgium, Poland and the Netherlands.

In 2021, Yancheng hosted the first China-Europe Offshore Wind Power Cooperation Forum. The city also received a visit from Francesco La Camera, director general of the International Renewable Energy Agency.

In 2022, the import and export volume of new energy trade exceeded 10 billion yuan. This year, the major leaders of the Yancheng committee of the Communist Party of China led a delegation to Europe as their first stop during the overseas visit, with a focus on matchmaking with European energy companies.

The ports in Yancheng have also become key players in the transportation of offshore wind power equipment. A total of 33 international and domestic shipping routes have been available as of 2023, and strategic partnerships have been established with two ports in Denmark.

Yancheng's Sheyang Port has become the main channel for offshore wind power equipment transportation, while its Dafeng Port has built a dedicated yard for wind power equipment, making it one of China's major ports for wind turbine blade exports.

Dafeng Port also holds the distinction of being the first port in the world to load wind power equipment for the Arctic route, achieving a record-breaking loading capacity and the highest number of blades loaded onto a single ship.

With an open and inclusive approach, Yancheng is accelerating its efforts to install 20 GW of new energy and achieve a 200 billion yuan industrial scale by cooperating with both domestic and international customers and friends.

SOURCE China Daily
PEORIA, Ill., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Clinical informaticist for OSF HealthCare, Jonathan Handler, MD, recently spent two days participating with other experts in a discussion of technology supporting cancer patient navigation held by a panel advising the President of the United States. Dr. Handler's invitation to participate follows his recently published research studies on breast cancer screening and artificial intelligence (AI) for cancer patient navigators.

The President's Cancer Panel is a federal advisory committee that reports on barriers to progress in reducing the burden of cancer. This year, the panel is conducting a series of public meetings to discuss the current landscape of patient navigation.

Dr. Handler specializes in digital solutions to optimize care. Along with researchers from OSF HealthCare and the University of Illinois, Dr. Handler published research demonstrating a doubling of cancer screening rates after technology-assisted interventions were implemented for economically disadvantaged women who were late (often two years or more) in their breast cancer screening. Together with another set of researchers from those same institutions, Dr. Handler developed AI to better balance the workload of nurse navigators for cancer patients to avoid burnout and provide the best care.

"With technology, the cost to the user is usually the cost of time. For providers and cancer patient navigators, time is a precious resource when they're overworked. What I have found in my previous work involving technology is that if your solution saves time for patients or for the user  you're much more likely to see adoption."-Dr. Jonathan Handler, OSF Senior Innovation Fellow

Dr. Handler believes AI should be developed which can effectively, ethically and equitably support cancer care, regardless of a person's race, ethnicity or where they live. OSF HealthCare recently joined a national collaborative to provide input on new AI guidelines.

OSF HealthCare will soon expand cancer services across its Ministry when the OSF Cancer Institute opens on the campus of OSF Saint Francis Medical Center in Peoria in February 2024. It will offer the second proton-beam therapy location in Illinois as well as serve as a site for clinical trials, advanced treatment, therapy and a wide range of support services.

A photo connected to this release is available on the OSF Newsroom.

OSF HealthCare is an integrated health system owned and operated by The Sisters of the Third Order of St. Francis, headquartered in Peoria, Illinois. OSF HealthCare has 16 hospitals  10 acute care, five critical access, 1 transitional care - with 2,131 licensed beds throughout Illinois and Michigan. OSF employs nearly 24,000 Mission Partners across 150+ locations; has two colleges of nursing; operates OSF Home Care Services, an extensive network of home health and hospice services; owns Pointcore, Inc., comprised of health care-related businesses; OSF HealthCare Foundation, the philanthropic arm for the organization; and OSF Ventures, which provides investment capital for promising health care innovation startups. In 2020, OSF OnCall was established, a digital health operating unit, including a hospital-at-home. OSF OnCall delivers care and services when, where and how patients prefer to receive them. OSF HealthCare has been recognized by Fortune as one of the most innovative companies in the country. More at osfhealthcare.org/ .

OSF Innovation was launched in 2016 as a multidisciplinary innovation center focused on internal and external innovation to solve the largest health care challenges. More at osfinnovation.org.

Contact: Colleen Reynolds | OSF HealthCare Media Relations Coordinator | Cell (309) 825-7255

SOURCE OSF HealthCare
NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The packaged rice snacks market in China size is expected to grow by USD 502.19 million from 2023 to 2028, according to Technavio. In addition, the growth momentum of the market will progress at a CAGR of 4.36% during the forecast period. The increasing prominence of private-label brands is notably driving the packaged rice snacks market in China. However, factors such as the availability of substitute products for packaged rice snacks may impede market growth. The market is segmented by Distribution Channel (Offline and Online), Product (Rice cakes, Rice crackers cookies and biscuits, and Rice crisps) and Type (Conventional and Organic). Technavio provides a comprehensive report summary describing the market size and forecast along with research methodology. The sample report is available in PDF format

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Packaged Rice Snacks Market in China 2024-2028

Key Segment Analysis

The offline segment will be significant during the forecast period. Some of the largest retail chains in China include Wal-Mart China, China Resources Enterprise Ltd., Yonghui Superstores Co. Ltd., Sun Art Retail Group Ltd., and Carrefour China Inc. These stores have a separate retailing section for packaged rice snacks. Furthermore, there is an increasing preference for retail formats, such as a convineint stores include changes in lifestyles, which have compelled consumers to look for more on-the-go products and shorter queuing times at shop counters. Additionally, given the number of independent retailers increasing worldwide, the sales of packaged rice snacks through this channel are expected to increase. To know additional highlights and key points on various market segments and their impact in coming years, View a PDF Sample Report.

Driver

The health benefits of consuming rice snacks drive the packaged rice snacks market in China during the forecast period. These snacks made from unpolished brown rice are popular in China, whereas brown rice snacks are made with whole grains, which provide fiber, phytochemicals, and carbohydrates. However, wholegrain packaged rice snacks carry a Whole Grains stamp on the product packaging and contain iron, magnesium, and zinc. Additionally, the fiber content in packaged rice snacks helps reduce inflammation, improve gut health, and boost metabolism. Factors such as the availability of healthy packaged rice snacks are likely to drive the growth of the packaged rice snacks market in China. For example, under the Quaker Oats brand name, PepsiCo Inc. offers gluten-free variants of packaged rice cakes in China.

Company Insights

The packaged rice snacks market in China is concentrated, 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:

DeZhou Harvest Foods Co. Ltd., Hunter Foods LLC, Jiangsu Daysun Foods Co. Ltd., KAMEDA SEIKA CO. LTD., Kellogg Co., Mondelez International Inc., Natch products and services pvt ltd, PepsiCo Inc., SanoRice Holding BV

View a PDF Sample Report to find additional highlights on the growth strategies adopted by companies and their product offerings.

Related Reports:

The snack market size is forecast to increase by USD 300.56 billion between 2023 and 2027.

The rice cakes market size is projected to increase by USD 2.3 billion and the market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 6.68% between 2023 and 2028. This rice cakes market report extensively covers market segmentation by distribution channel (offline and online), type (brown rice cakes, white rice cakes, and other rice cakes), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa). Our report examines historical data from 2018 - 2022, besides analyzing the current market scenario.

Packaged Rice Snacks Market In China Scope Report Coverage Details Base year 2023 Historic period 2018-2022 Forecast period 2024-2028 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 4.36% Market growth 2024-2028 USD 502.19 million Market structure Concentrated YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 4.0 Competitive landscape Leading Vendors, Market Positioning of Vendors, Competitive Strategies, and Industry Risks

ToC:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market Sizing

Historic Market Sizes

Five Forces Analysis

Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

Market Segmentation byProduct

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 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
PALM SPRINGS, Calif., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Palm Springs Air Museum is honored and humbled to announce our beloved P-51D "Bunny" will be present at the swearing in of USAF General Charles Q. Brown as the new head of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of all U.S. Armed Forces this Friday, 11/17/23. The General requested the aircraft. The swearing in takes place Friday, Nov. 17 at 10 am at Joint Base Andrews, Prince George's County, Maryland.

"Bunny" is a flying tribute to the late Lt. Colonel Robert Friend USAF Ret.

Palm Springs Air Museum's P-51 Mustang Joins General Charles Brown Fri Nov 17 at 10 am at Joint Base Andrews, Maryland Post this

Bob was a Tuskegee Airman who flew over 140 combat missions in World War II. He was directly involved in the restoration of our P-51. The Pentagon also recognizes Lt. Col. Friend with an on-site plaque highlighting his military career. Lt. Col. Friend passed away in 2018.

To see Bunny in flight: https://youtu.be/r83mYDJjl68

For info on this P-51: https://youtu.be/7NTAWclBces

Bunny departed Palm Springs International Airport on Monday, making two stops along the journey back east. Please stop and say a prayer for our dear Colonel. We will always work to keep his memory and the memory of the Tuskegee Airmen alive. Bunny flies on a regular basis from the Palm Springs Air Museum.

For more information on P-51 flights, please visit https://palmspringsairmuseum.org/warbird-rides/

Press contact: Ann Greer, [email protected], 323-363-8243 - cell

SOURCE Palm Springs Air Museum
SHANGHAI, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On October 24th-26th, the 2023 Parcel+Post Expo was held grandly in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Recognized as one of the leading global events for the world's parcel delivery, e-commerce logistics, and postal industries, PARCEL+POST EXPO serves as the primary exhibition for showcasing the latest technologies, innovations, software, solutions, and services in parcel delivery, e-commerce logistics, and postal services.

During the three-day event, WallTech Information Technology Co., Ltd, with its two flagship logistics software products: CargoWare - international freight forwarding software cloud service, and eTower - cross-border e-commerce logistics collaborative cloud service, welcomed visitors from around the world at booth 12.306 in Hall 12, RAI Amsterdam.

Liu Feng, Director of the Digital Working Committee of the CIFA (China International Freight Forwarders Association) and Chief Product Officer of WallTech, delivered a speech at the Parcel+Post Expo Innovation Forum. In his speech, Liu addressed the topic: "Development and Trend of Cross-Border E-commerce Logistics in China." Liu Feng shared insights as a senior logistics digital expert regarding the transformations, opportunities, and trends in the world's e-commerce industry, along with China's intelligent logistics SAAS solutions.

Liu highlighted that China's cross-border e-commerce has experienced explosive growth in the past decade. Leveraging its manufacturing strengths and digital innovation capabilities, China has collaborated closely with global trading partners to elevate the global cross-border e-commerce industry.

Some key takeaways from Liu's speech:

E-commerce growth spurs logistics innovation and expansion.

Cross-border e-commerce increases international logistics challenges and importance.

Logistics strategies evolve from market expansion to integration and refinement.

Emerging markets offer new global expansion opportunities, especially for Chinese exporting logistics.

WallTech's cloud services facilitate cross-border business growth and reduce digital barriers in logistics.

At the expo, Liu was also interviewed by the event host - Uki Media & Event. During the interview, Liu noted that an increasing number of traditional brands are venturing into the e-commerce sector, particularly in cross-border e-commerce. As a result, more brands will attract a larger pool of buyers, and, in turn, there will be a growing demand for cross-border logistics services.

With diminishing international trade barriers, global consumer connectivity is strengthening. Over the next decade, the expanding global population and burgeoning middle class are poised to fuel cross-border e-commerce growth, propelled by advancements in logistics and payment technologies. The World Trade Organization forecasts that by 2030, global cross-border e-commerce could soar to $30 trillion, growing annually at over 20%.

Despite global economic uncertainties, cross-border e-commerce, particularly in emerging markets like Asia and Africa, shows robust potential, driven by a rising demand for quality, affordable international products. By 2030, Asia is expected to dominate over 45% of this market. To meet evolving consumer demands for convenience, diversity, and personalized services, cross-border e-commerce platforms are increasingly turning to technologies such as AI, big data analytics, and blockchain for enhanced service delivery and customer experience. Concurrently, growing environmental consciousness is making sustainability and green practices critical competitive factors in this industry.

Reflecting on recent trends, the International Monetary Fund reports that the global cross-border e-commerce market reached $2.6 trillion in 2021, growing at over 17% annually. Additionally, Statista data shows that China's cross-border e-commerce imports grew by 31.1% from 2019 to 2020, reaching $185.1 billion."

WallTech offers all-around software solutions tailored to different international logistics sectors, fostering diversified business development in various dimensions:

Globalization: Leveraging global cloud infrastructure, companies can operate without geographical restrictions and collaborate with partners worldwide. Cost-Effective Service Establishment: Through public cloud deployment, businesses can join the platform at low costs and access a shared, highly redundant infrastructure. Data Security and Compliance: WallTech prioritizes data security and compliance, investing significantly in these areas.

About WallTech (https://www.etowertech.com/)

WallTech, founded in 2011, is an industry leading SaaS platform development and software service provider for cross-border logistics and supply chain management. WallTech focus on the cloud-based software service for international freight forwarders and cross-border eCommerce logistics service providers. We are committed to the application of SaaS technology in the industry and strives to become the most trustworthy platform in the world. WallTech tightly integrates cutting-edge technology with rich experiences in cross-border logistics industry to facilitate the digital transformation and upgrading of traditional international Logistics companies effectively improving their business operation efficiency and minimizing their operation costs.

Contact Us

eTower Website: http://www.etowertech.com/

Email Address: [email protected]

Social Media

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/etowertech/

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/etowertech/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/etowertech

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCr2gXkj8EG90QVL8gzQL-BQ

SOURCE WallTech Information Technology Co.,Ltd
48% of US internet households report altering their behaviors to consume less energy

DALLAS, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading market research firm Parks Associates today released a new white paper, Building Net Zero Homes with Home Management Systems, highlighting changes in the energy landscape driving interest in Zero Net Energy (ZNE) homes and the role of smart tech in enhancing the integration and usage of these solutions. The research, released in partnership with Nice, addresses trends impacting consumers, builders, and integrators that are driving demand for ZNE solutions, with an overview of a recent ZNE project as part of the Build Show streaming service.

Parks Associates: New White Paper Analyzes the Growing Demand and Benefits for Zero Net Energy (ZNE) Homes

Current energy consumption in the US includes approximately 130 million residential and commercial buildings, responsible for consuming 39% of the nation's energy and a staggering 74% of the country's electricity. Industry, government, and consumers are seeking ways to reduce energy. Parks Associates' research indicates that 91% of internet households are actively engaged in reducing energy consumption within their homes. Forty-eight percent report altering their behaviors, while 43% report doing recent home renovations to reduce their energy consumption.

"Smart devices and automation solutions compliment energy efficient construction and solar/storage systems in the aim to get to Net-Zero energy consumption," said Jennifer Kent, VP, Research, Parks Associates. "Resident behavior is a big determining factor in achieving Net Zero, so technology that gives residents the data to monitor their usage and the controls to adjust, coordinate, or automate the appliances and systems in their homes is critical."

Parks Associates' white paper outlines the components and processes involved in the construction of ZNE homes. It analyzes the role of smart and automated solutions in enabling ZNE functions and benefits and lists the benefits and implications of ZNE for builders, integrators, energy providers, and consumers.

"One of the core values of Nice is to go 'Beyond Green' and give back more to the environment than we take," said Mark Owen Burson, Chief Marketing Officer at Nice North America. "Nice Home Management solutions enable us to share this value with our consumers. Our intelligent, energy management capabilities not only empower homeowners to monitor and reduce energy consumption but also provide them with personalized insights to optimize their living spaces. Imagine a home that helps you save on energy bills and adapts to your lifestyle preferences, creating a more comfortable and sustainable living environment. We believe in offering our consumers the unique experience of enjoying their spaces while actively contributing to a greener future."

The white paper is available for download. For data or request to speak with an analyst, contact Mindi Sue at [email protected].

About Parks Associates

Parks Associates, a woman-founded and certified business, is an internationally recognized market research and consulting company specializing in emerging consumer technology products and services. Founded in 1986, Parks Associates provides business intelligence and research services through its proprietary methodologies developed over decades, including quarterly surveys of 10,000 internet households.

The company's expertise crosses many industries: home security and smart home, streaming video, broadband and pay-TV services, digital media and platforms, gaming, Wi-Fi and home networks, connected health, support, consumer electronics, home control systems, energy management, and tech solutions for the multi-dwelling (MDU), small-to-medium business (SMB), and commercial building markets. http://www.parksassociates.com

Follow Parks Associates on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.

Mindi Sue Sternblitz-Rubenstein

Parks Associates

972.996.0212

[email protected]

SOURCE Parks Associates
Partstack Corporation to award up to $10,000 in scholarships to current and new engineering students through its Future Leaders in Engineering Program.

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Partstack Corporation, a global semiconductor search engine and electronic components marketplace, announced the creation of an annual scholarship program to support students pursuing engineering, math, and science degrees that will directly support the U.S. semiconductor industry. This announcement comes just after the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Chips and Science Act which invests $280 billion to boost U.S. manufacturing and protect national security.

Partstack to award up to $10,000 in scholarships to current and new engineering students through its annual scholarship. Post this Partstack Corporation is proud to offer up to four (4) $2,500 scholarship awards to students passionate about engineering majors (and related sciences) at 2 or 4-year institutions.

"We developed this program to support the next generation of professionals entering the U.S. semiconductor industry," said Stanley Philip, Program Manager at Partstack. "Our goal is to ease the financial burden that these students and their families face as they start their careers. This program stands out from others since it not only provides an opportunity for high school seniors, but it also offers dedicated funding to undergraduate and graduate engineering students as well. Scholarship funding opportunities are often difficult to find for those advanced students."

The Future Leaders Scholarship Program is open to high school seniors, undergraduate students, and graduate students who are pursuing engineering majorsand a one-time $2,500.00 award will be made to a student from each level of study. Qualified applicants must plan to pursue a major in engineering or a STEM-related discipline (i.e., physics, data science, math, etc.). Business majors are also eligible if they have an interest in business as it applies to engineering and/or the semiconductor industry. Students must share an ongoing engineering project they are building/working on and recipients will be selected based on a combination of factors including academic achievement and their passion for finding solutions to today's problems using engineering.

The scholarship program launched October 2nd, 2023 with an application deadline of January 6, 2024. The scholarship application may be accessed here: https://partstack.com/scholarships

About Partstack Corporation

Partstack, headquartered in Santa Clara, CA, is a digital semiconductor marketplace for the dreamers, innovators, and mold-breakers who fearlessly build the products that power our world.

Yes. We supercharge supply chains.

Whether you're searching for a single component or thousands, Partstack gives you access to the semiconductor market's most comprehensive catalog of component pricing and availability data from a curated "stack" of the market's most diverse group of global suppliers. Get datasheets, tech specs, and more for over 1 billion parts.

And that's just the beginning.

Welcome to the future of electronic components search.

For more about Partstack please visit our semiconductor marketplace at www.partstack.com.

Press Inquiries:

[email protected]

SOURCE Partstack
VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company" or "Patriot") (TSXV: PMET) (ASX: PMT) (OTCQX: PMETF) (FSE: R9GA) is pleased to announce that it is the recipient of the 2023 "Discovery of the Year" award from the Quebec Mineral Exploration Association (QMEA). The award, which was presented to the Company in early November at the QMEA's 2023 Xplor Convention, is in recognition by industry peers for its discovery of the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite at its wholly owned Corvette Project, located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec

(Figure 1).

Figure 1: Patriot team and the tallymans family from the Cree Nation of Chisasibi at Xplor (CNW Group/Patriot Battery Metals Inc) Figure 2: Corvette Project, CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite, and regional infrastructure (CNW Group/Patriot Battery Metals Inc)

The Xplor Convention, hosted annually by the QMEA in Montreal, Quebec, is one of the mineral exploration industry's most prominent events in the province, and brings together exploration and mining companies, their exploration and development teams, and key service providers.

Darren L. Smith, Company Vice President of Exploration, comments: "I am incredibly proud of our exploration team and what they have been able to accomplish at Corvette and CV5. For us to be recognized by the QMEA and our industry peers, and amongst all the great recent discoveries in Quebec, is a remarkable achievement and one that speaks to their incredible dedication to a high-quality, diligent, safe, and team-oriented work ethic. We were honoured to be accompanied by the local tallyman, Paul Ratt, his wife and four sons at the Xplor Convention to receive the award. Achieving this level of success in mineral exploration is incredibly difficult, but also incredibly rewarding, and never less than a team effort."

Blair Way, Company Director, CEO, and President, comments: "We are incredibly proud of the team for their well-deserved recognition as the recipient of the 'Discovery of the Year' award form the QMEA. This achievement underscores their commitment to exploration excellence, thoroughness, and a creative approach to mineral exploration. Their dedication to advancing our industry while upholding the highest standards of exploration sets a remarkable example for all of us. We extend our heartfelt congratulations to the entire Patriot Battery Metals team on this outstanding accomplishment.

The Corvette Project is highlighted by the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite. which hosts a maiden mineral resource estimate of 109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li 2 O inferred1 and ranks as the largest lithium pegmatite resource in the Americas based on contained lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), and one of the top 10 largest lithium pegmatite resources in the world. The CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite is situated approximately 13.5 km south of the regional and allweather Trans-Taiga Road and powerline infrastructure, and approximately 50 km from the La-Grande 4 hydroelectric power station in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec (Figure 2).

1 The CV5 mineral resource estimate (109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li 2 O and 160 ppm Ta 2 O 5 inferred) is reported at a cut-off grade of 0.40% Li 2 O with effective date of June 25, 2023 (through drill hole CV23-190). Mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability.

About the CV Lithium Trend

The CV Lithium Trend is an emerging spodumene pegmatite district discovered by the Company in 2017 and is interpreted to span more than 50 kilometres across the Corvette Property. The core area includes the approximate 4.35 km long CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite, which hosts a maiden mineral resource estimate of 109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li 2 O inferred1.

To date, seven (7) distinct clusters of lithium pegmatite have been discovered across the Corvette Property  CV4, CV5, CV8, CV9, CV10, CV12, and CV13. Given the proximity of some pegmatite outcrops to each other, as well as the shallow till cover in the area, it is probable that some of the outcrops may reflect a discontinuous surface exposure of a single, larger pegmatite "outcrop" subsurface. Further, the high number of well-mineralized pegmatites along the trend indicate a strong potential for a series of relatively closely spaced/stacked, sub-parallel, and sizable spodumene-bearing pegmatite bodies, with significant lateral and depth extent, to be present.

Qualified/Competent Person

The information in this news release that relates to exploration results for the Corvette Property is based on, and fairly represents, information compiled by Mr. Darren L. Smith, M.Sc., P.Geo., who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and member in good standing with the Ordre des Geologues du Quebec (Geologist Permit number 01968), and with the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (member number 87868). Mr. Smith has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

Mr. Smith is Vice President of Exploration for Patriot Battery Metals Inc. and holds common shares and options in the Company.

Mr. Smith has sufficient experience, which is relevant to the style of mineralization, type of deposit under consideration, and to the activities being undertaken to qualify as a Competent Person as described by the Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves (the JORC Code). Mr. Smith consents to the inclusion in this news release of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

About Patriot Battery Metals Inc.

Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a hard-rock lithium exploration company focused on advancing its district-scale 100% owned Corvette Property located in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay region of Quebec, Canada, and proximal to regional road and powerline infrastructure. The Corvette Property hosts the CV5 Spodumene Pegmatite with a maiden mineral resource estimate of 109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li 2 O inferred1 and ranks as the largest lithium pegmatite resource in the Americas based on contained lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), and one of the top 10 largest lithium pegmatite resources in the world. Additionally, the Corvette Property hosts multiple other spodumene pegmatite clusters that remain to be drill tested, as well as more than 20 km of prospective trend that remain to be assessed.

1 The CV5 mineral resource estimate (109.2 Mt at 1.42% Li 2 O and 160 ppm Ta 2 O 5 inferred) is reported at a cut-off grade of 0.40% Li 2 O with effective date of June 25, 2023 (through drill hole CV23-190). Mineral resources are not mineral reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability.

For further information, please contact us at [email protected] or by calling +1 (604) 279-8709, or visit www.patriotbatterymetals.com. Please also refer to the Company's continuous disclosure filings, available under its profile at www.sedarplus.ca and www.asx.com.au, for available exploration data.

This news release has been approved by the Board of Directors.

"BLAIR WAY"

Blair Way, President, CEO, & Director

Disclaimer for Forward-looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and other statements that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are included to provide information about management's current expectations and plans that allows investors and others to have a better understanding of the Company's business plans and financial performance and condition.

All statements, other than statements of historical fact included in this news release, regarding the Company's strategy, future operations, financial position, prospects, plans and objectives of management are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as "plan", "expect", "estimate", "intend", "anticipate", "believe", 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. In particular and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining to further exploration of the Property, including the drilling, processing and reporting of core assay samples, the development of the Company's exploration camp and all-season exploration access road to the Property, as well as statement concerning the future beliefs of the results to be returned and the interpretation of such results against the Property generally.

Forward-looking information is based upon certain assumptions and other important factors that, if untrue, could cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such information or statements. There can be no assurance that such information or statements will prove to be accurate. Key assumptions upon which the Company's forward-looking information is based include the total funding required to complete the development of the Company's lithium mineral project at the Corvette Property (the "Corvette Project"), including the drilling program.

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Forward-looking statements are also subject to risks and uncertainties facing the Company's business, any of which could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition, results of operations and growth prospects. Some of the risks the Company faces and the uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements include, among others, the ability to execute on plans relating to the Company's Corvette Project, including the timing thereof. In addition, readers are directed to carefully review the detailed risk discussion in the Company's most recent Annual Information Form filed on SEDAR+, which discussion is incorporated by reference in this news release, for a fuller understanding of the risks and uncertainties that affect the Company's business and operations.

Although the Company believes its expectations are based upon reasonable assumptions and has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. As such, these risks are not exhaustive; however, they should be considered carefully. If any of these risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results may vary materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements found herein. Due to the risks, uncertainties and assumptions inherent in forward-looking statements, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements contained herein are presented for the purpose of assisting investors in understanding the Company's business plans, financial performance and condition and may not be appropriate for other purposes.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are made only as of the date hereof. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law. The Company qualifies all of its forward-looking statements by these cautionary statements.

Competent Person Statement (ASX Listing Rule 5.22)

The mineral resource estimate in this release was reported by the Company in accordance with ASX Listing Rule 5.8 on July 31, 2023. The Company confirms it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the previous announcements and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the previous announcements continue to apply and have not materially changed.

SOURCE Patriot Battery Metals Inc
First expansion into Asia of a US dollar stablecoin platform, substantively compliant with MAS' upcoming stablecoin framework

SINGAPORE, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Paxos, the leading regulated blockchain & tokenization infrastructure platform, secured in principle approval (IPA) from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for its new Singapore entity, Paxos Digital Singapore Pte. Ltd. to offer digital payment token services. Paxos Digital Singapore will issue a new US dollar stablecoin that MAS has acknowledged to be substantively compliant with MAS' proposed stablecoin regulatory framework, in advance of the legislative framework coming into force. Upon receiving full approval, Paxos will be able to partner with enterprise clients to issue the USD-backed stablecoin in Singapore.

Paxos is at the forefront of ushering in a new era of stablecoin utility and mainstream adoption. The company's commitment to transparency, accountability, and integrity is exemplified by its commitment to regulatory compliance and proactively seeking oversight. Stablecoins issued in accordance with standards set by global prudential regulators represent a significant step towards democratizing access to commerce and financial services. Paxos is committed to integrity and transparency in its operations and the company will only issue tokens that are subject to oversight by prudential regulators.

Paxos consistently pursues growth in global markets within regulated frameworks and engages with regulators to help inform digital asset rules. The company maintains the rigorous AML and KYC standards established by leading financial markets like the US and Singapore. This milestone solidifies Paxos' position as the most comprehensively regulated blockchain platform in the world, meeting the highest operating standards in both New York and Singapore. In 2022, Paxos became the first US-based blockchain infrastructure platform to obtain a license from the MAS to offer digital payment token services under the Payment Services Act 2019.

Walter Hessert, Paxos Head of Strategy, commented, "Global demand for the US dollar has never been stronger, yet it remains difficult for consumers outside the US to get dollars safely, reliably and under regulatory protections. This in-principle approval from the MAS will allow Paxos to bring its regulated platform to more users around the world. Because Paxos upholds the highest standards of compliance and oversight, global enterprises partner with us to power stablecoin solutions that drive their businesses and respond to their customers' needs."

By leveraging blockchain technology, Paxos aims to open the financial system to everyone, introducing significant opportunities to global markets and billions of users. As Paxos continues to lead the way in digital asset innovation, the company remains committed to its mission of building a more inclusive and accessible financial future.

All Paxos stablecoins are fully backed 1:1 by the US Dollar and cash equivalents, ensuring that they are stable, safe, and reliable. Similar to its other tokens, Paxos will issue monthly attestations and reserve reports so that all holders know exactly what they own. Please visit https://paxos.com/regulation-and-transparency/ to learn more.

About Paxos

Paxos is the leading regulated blockchain infrastructure and tokenization platform. Its products are the foundation for a new, open financial system that can operate faster and more efficiently. Today, trillions of dollars are locked in inefficient, outdated financial plumbing that is inaccessible to millions of people. Paxos is replatforming the financial system to enable assets to instantaneously move anywhere in the world, at any time, in a trustworthy way.

Paxos partners with leading global enterprises to tokenize, custody, trade and settle assets. Its blockchain solutions are used by institutions like PayPal, Interactive Brokers, Mastercard, Mercado Libre, Nubank, Bank of America and Societe Generale. It is the issuer of numerous regulated digital assets including PayPal USD (PYUSD), Pax Dollar (USDP) and Pax Gold (PAXG). Prudentially regulated by the NYDFS in the US and the MAS in Singapore, Paxos is a top-funded fintech company with more than $540 million raised from leading investors including Oak HC/FT, Declaration Partners, Founders Fund, Mithril Capital and PayPal Ventures. With offices in New York, London and Singapore, Paxos takes a global approach to modernizing the financial system.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Paxos
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. The US, as a party supporting the separatist regime and officially financing it, being the only country that regularly organizes their trips to the US and meetings with US officials, is also responsible for not averting the use of a double standards approach, Trend reports.

The statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan came in response to the unfounded statements of US Assistant Secretary of State James O'Brien at the hearings of the Subcommittee on Europe of the House of Foreign Affairs Committee.

Furthermore, while noting the significance of moving the peace process forward, the US side fails to emphasize that Armenia has not responded to Azerbaijan's proposals for a peace accord for more than two months, causing the process to be delayed. Despite the fact that Azerbaijan initiated the peace process with basic principles and the necessity of signing the peace agreement, including the need for demarcation and delimitation of borders and opening up communication lines, the Assistant Secretary of State refrained from noting that Armenia has undermined and derailed efforts in these areas for the last three years. In contrast to Armenia, Azerbaijan has always maintained Armenia's sovereignty and territorial integrity, which was again reaffirmed at the October 6, 2022, summit in Prague.

Azerbaijan, not only following the 2020 second Karabakh war but also for almost 30 years of occupation of its lands, has been committed to the norms and principles of international law and the peace process. On the contrary, the US side, being a mediator, has never urged Armenia, as an aggressor and a destabilizing source in the region, to act in line with international law, withdraw from the territories of Azerbaijan, and end the occupation, which lays a responsibility on the US side as well. Additionally, it was also an accountability of the US side that it has not prevented the double-standard approach, while being a side supporting the separatist regime, was the only country to officially fund this regime and facilitated their representative visits and meetings with the officials in the US on a regular basis.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The report "Polyimide Films & Tapes Market by Application (Flexible Printed Circuits, Specialty Fabricated Products, Pressure-Sensitive Tapes, Motors/Generators, Wires & Cables), End-Use Industry (Electronics, Automotive), and Region - Global Forecast to 2028", is estimated to be USD 1.3 billion in 2023 and is projected to reach USD 1.8 billion by 2028, at a CAGR of 8.7% from 2023 to 2028.

Flexible solar panels, flexible solar displays, and flexible sensors are just a few examples of the new technologies in which polyimide films are finding new applications. The demand for polyimide films and tapes has surged due to these advances.

Browse in-depth TOC on "Polyimide Films & Tapes Market".

385  Tables

57 Figures

323  Pages

Download PDF Brochure: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/pdfdownloadNew.asp?id=205319946

"Flexible printed circuits is the leading application segment of the polyimide films and tapes market."

Flexible printed circuits are widely used in the automotive and electronics industries. Thanks to the challenging nature of polyimide films, FPCs are dependable and robust enough to survive mechanical stress and environmental conditions. This toughness is especially useful in applications where the FPC may be twisted repeatedly or where the product is exposed to extreme conditions. Due to their wide operating temperature range, polyimide films can be used in high- and low-temperature situations. This characteristic is essential in applications where the FPC may encounter a wide range of operating circumstances.

"Electronics is projected to be the fastest-growing end-use industry segment of the polyimide films market."

Based on the end-use industry, the electronics segment is anticipated to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Polyimide films are utilized as cable wraps and harness tapes to shield cables and electronics in challenging conditions. They ensure the durability and dependability of electrical systems by providing excellent resistance to heat, chemicals, and abrasion. Flexible heaters made from polyimide films can be found in heated blankets, medical equipment, and car seats, among other things. They are suited for these heating elements due to their outstanding thermal resistance and electrical insulation qualities.

Request Sample Pages: https://www.marketsandmarkets.com/requestsampleNew.asp?id=205319946

"Asia Pacific regional segment accounted for the largest polyimide films and tapes market share."

The Asia Pacific region's polyimide films and tapes market had the largest share in 2022. Automotive, electrical, and aerospace industries are growing in countries such as China, India, Japan, and South Korea, contributing to the high demand for polyimide films in this region. There is high demand for consumer electronics products due to innovation, price deflation, and rising household incomes, thereby contributing to the growth of the polyimide films and tapes market in this region.

Market Players

The key market players identified in the report are PI Advanced Material Co., Ltd. (South Korea), DuPont (US), Kaneka Corporation (Japan), and Taimide Tech. Inc. (Taiwan), Ube Industries Ltd. (Japan), 3M Company (US), Kolon Industries Inc. (South Korea), Arakawa Chemicals Industries Inc. (Japan), Shinmax Technology Ltd. (Taiwan), and FLEXcon Company, Inc. (US).

Browse Adjacent Market: Advanced Materials Market Research Reports & Consulting

Related Reports:

Colorless Polyimide Films Market - Global Forecast to 2027

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NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The precast concrete market size is estimated to increase by USD 19.61 billion from 2022 to 2027. The market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.83%, according to a recent market study by Technavio. Increasing investments in the construction industry will influence the global precast concrete market growth. Construction activity is on the rise across the world owing to the growing interest to develop infrastructure that drives economic growth and improves people's living standards. Developed countries like the US look to improve their existing infrastructure. The construction industry in developing countries such as China and India is also growing because the populations of these countries move into the middle-income bracket. Hence, such trends fuel the growth of the precast concrete market during the forecast period. This report also offers a 5-year historical (2017-2021) data projection of market size, segmentation, and region. Discover some insights on market size before buying the full report -Request a sample report

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Precast Concrete Market 2023-2027

Vendor Analysis

The addictions therapeutics market report also offers information on the criticality of inputs, R&D, CAPEX, technology, and products of 15 vendors listed Below -Boral Ltd., CEMEX SAB de CV, Consolis Group SAS, EBAWE Anlagentechnik GmbH, Elematic Oyj, Elementbau Osthessen GmbH and Co. ELO KG, Gulf Precast Concrete Co. LLC, HeidelbergCement AG, Holcim Ltd., Julius Berger Nigeria Plc, Kiewit Corp., Larsen and Toubro Ltd., Olson Precast Co., Prilhofer Consulting GmbH and Co. KG, QUIKRETE Holdings Inc., Spiroll Precast Services Ltd., The Wells Companies, Weckenmann Anlagentechnik GmbH and Co. KG, CRH Plc, and Tindall Corp.

Qualitative and quantitative analysis of vendors has been conducted to help clients understand the wider business environment as well as the strengths and weaknesses of key market players. Data is qualitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as pure play, category-focused, industry-focused, and diversified; it is quantitatively analyzed to categorize vendors as dominant, leading, strong, tentative, and weak. The Bargaining Power of Buyers & Suppliers and the Threat of New Entrants, Rivalry, and Substitutes have also been analyzed and rated between LOW-HIGH to provide a holistic view of market favorability.



Find Technavio's Exclusive Analysis of Price Sensitivity, Adoption Lifecycle, Customer Purchase Basket, Adoption Rates, and Purchase Criteria

One of the core components of the customer landscape is price sensitivity , an analysis of which will help companies refine marketing strategies to gain a competitive advantage .

, an analysis of which will help companies refine . Another key aspect is price sensitivity drivers (purchases are undifferentiated, the purchase is a key cost to buyers, and quality is not important) , which range between LOW and HIGH.

, which range between Furthermore, market adoption rates for all regions have been covered.

To provide a deeper understanding of the competitive landscape, Technavio has profiled key players along with the study that categorizes the global market segmentation. Download a Sample Report

Precast Concrete Market - Segmentation Analysis

This report extensively covers market segmentation by end-user (non-residential and residential), product (building components, transportation, water and water handling, and others), and geography (APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa).

The market share growth by the non-residential segment will be significant during the forecast period. This is because it saves time and reduces costs. The segment includes commercial buildings, offices, hospitals, schools, warehouses, and industrial facilities. It represents a large and diverse precast concrete market, offering manufacturers and suppliers an opportunity to serve a wide range of customers with diverse needs and preferences. To ensure consistent quality and minimize on-site construction time, precast concrete elements are manufactured externally under controlled conditions, which speeds up the construction process and reduces labor costs and project schedules. Hence, such factors influence the segment growth during the forecast period.

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Precast Concrete Market - Market Dynamics

Key Drivers

Growing urbanization and industrialization is the major factor that drives the global precast concrete market growth.

Global economic growth, rising disposable incomes, and changing lifestyles drive rapid urbanization.

Rapid industrialization and urbanization are some of the factors increasing the demand for roads, housing, water storage structures, tunnels, and bridges.

The development of new roads and increased investment in transportation and highway infrastructure projects, as well as smart cities, all drive the growth of the market.

Hence, regular investments in technological advancements in infrastructure projects in developed countries are also boosting the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Significant Challenges

A lack of awareness regarding precast concrete is a major challenge that may impede the growth of the market.

End users often exhibit a lack of awareness of precast concrete, which can lead to misunderstandings and missed opportunities to use this versatile building material.

Precast concrete is a type of building material poured into reusable forms, allowed to harden, and transported to a construction site for installation one of the main reasons is the persistent belief that only traditional building materials such as brick, stone, and wood are suitable for building construction.

This misconception often stems from resistance to change and a lack of understanding of the many benefits of precast concrete, including durability, economy, safety, and design flexibility.

Hence, such challenges may hinder the market growth during the forecast period.

Precast Concrete Market - Geographic Analysis

The market is segmented by region APAC, Europe, North America, South America, and Middle East and Africa. An analysis of key leading countries has been included.

 APAC is estimated to account for 32% of the global market growth during the forecast period. The region's construction industry experiences significant growth because of the increased demand for industrial buildings, warehouses, and other infrastructure. Favorable government policies and initiatives attract investment in the construction industry from both public and private organizations. For instance, in India, government initiatives such as the smart city mission and housing for all are driving growth in the construction and infrastructure sector. Hence, such factors influence the growth of the precast concrete market during the forecast period.

For Insights on the market dynamics & segmentations VIEW PDF SAMPLE !

What are the key data covered in this Precast Concrete Market report?

CAGR of the market during the forecast period

Detailed information on factors that will drive the growth of the precast concrete market between 2023 and 2027

Precise estimation of the size of the precast concrete market and its contribution to the market with a focus on the parent market

Accurate predictions about upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

Growth of the precast concrete market across APAC, Europe , North America , South America , and Middle East and Africa

, , , and and A thorough analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information about vendors

Comprehensive analysis of factors that will challenge the growth of precast concrete market vendors

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The concrete contractor market is projected to grow by USD 571.3 million with a CAGR of 0.71% during the forecast period 2021 to 2026.

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Table of Contents:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation by Product

7 Market Segmentation by End-User

8 Customer Landscape

9 Geographic Landscape

10 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

11 Company Landscape

12 Company Analysis

13 Appendix

About US

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com/

SOURCE Technavio
LONDON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Proactis, the leading Source-to-Pay software solution provider, has announced that it has chosen SnapLogic, the leader in generative integration solution to enhance its integration options for connecting its Source-to-Pay solutions to wider Finance, ERP and Supply-Chain technology stacks.

Proactis offers three integration options enabling customers to use APIs themselves, partners, or for Proactis to deliver these integrations using SnapLogic.

By using SnapLogic's AI suite, which includes SnapGPT, the world's first generative integration solution, AutoPrep, AutoSuggest and AutoLink , Proactis customers will benefit from significantly faster integration times that inherently adhere to the latest standards, such as OAuth, OpenAPI specification and REST.

Proactis can now utilize SnapLogic's 700 pre-built Snaps (pre-built connectors), leverage SnapLogic's immense library of pre-built patterns or create its own as required, across a range of technology areas, including Finance and ERP solutions, enabling users to leverage greater value from their software investments by automating tasks, aligning processes and connecting data across technology stacks.

"This is an exciting time for Proactis as we introduce this leading generative AI and machine learning platform. We are looking forward to helping our customers benefit from the flexibility of this solution to provide quick and easy integrations, and drive greater value from their Finance, ERP and supply-chain investments," says Proactis CPTO, Toby Davidson.

"It's no secret that Source-to-Pay professionals are under extreme pressure to do more with less, all while adhering to strict governance and regulatory restrictions," said Jason Wakeam, Global Sales VP and OEM at SnapLogic. "That's why we're thrilled to partner with Proactis and provide our groundbreaking generative AI-powered integration platform to supply chain managers and allow them to reach their full potential. By extending our platform's ease of use and security which many organizations rely on for their mission critical use cases, we're excited to see Proactis customers automate time and talent draining integrations and free up time to focus on business changing innovations."

The availability of SnapLogic, which is a TrustRadius Top Rated, a G2 Crowd leader and Gartner Peer Insights Customers' Choice in data integrations tools, will be announced soon.

Read more about Proactis here.

Read more about OEM/embedding SnapLogic .

About SnapLogic

SnapLogic is the leader in generative integration. As a pioneer in AI-led integration, the SnapLogic Platform accelerates digital transformation across the enterprise and empowers everyone to integrate faster and easier.

Whether you are automating business processes, democratizing data, or delivering digital products and services, SnapLogic enables you to simplify your technology stack and take your enterprise further. Thousands of enterprises around the globe rely on SnapLogic to integrate, automate and orchestrate the flow of data across their business.

SOURCE Proactis
FORT WORTH, Texas, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The highly anticipated Grand Opening celebration of Premier Truck Rental (PTR)'s new state-of-the-art facility in Fort Worth, Texas, has concluded. The 2-day event was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony with local Fort Worth officials, facility tours, a vendor expo with equipment demos, and an invite-only concert.

PTR's DFW Grand Opening provided a space for organizations to connect and learn about PTRs fleet rental offerings. Post this PTR's leadership team cuts ribbon alongside a Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce representative, celebrating the opening of their DFW facility.

Hosted at PTR Fort Worth, Premier Truck Rental's Grand Opening brought together hundreds of attendees from across the nation. With a focus on customer appreciation and "Uniting the Forts", this event provided a platform for national commercial construction and utility organizations to connect and learn more about PTR's custom fleet rental offerings.

Throughout the event, attendees experienced an array of activities, including hands-on equipment demonstrations from key equipment vendors, in-depth facility tours highlighting our manufacturing capabilities, and a country concert.

"We're pleased with the positive response to our Grand Opening celebration," said Rob Troxel, CEO at PTR. "This is the first time we've ever done a private event to this scale, and we believe that the connections made, and knowledge shared will have a lasting impact on the industry."

This event was proudly supported by some of PTR's key vendor partners: Knapheide, RC Industries, Fill-Rite, Bedrock Truck Beds, Vanair, Miller Electric, Weatherguard, STI and Fleet Complete. Their contributions enhanced the grand opening celebration while supporting the immense growth of the equipment rental industry.

For more information about Premier Truck Rental, please visit https://rentptr.com or follow PTR on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram for updates and highlights.

About Premier Truck Rental

Our job at Premier Truck Rental (PTR) is to give you the type of rental equipment you need, whenever you need it, and to make the rental process as easy and seamless as possible. Being selected as one of NAFA's Top 100 Commercial Fleets in America, we work with you to make sure that you have the best units for your job and industry, providing you with truck, trailer, and equipment rentals that can be upfit specifically for the demands and requirements of your projects. We are family-owned and operated with over 35 years of equipment rental experience. Serving all 50 states, PTR has the exact units for you to add to your fleet to kickstart your next construction project.

For more information about PTR, please visit https://rentptr.com.

CONTACT

Kylie Phillips, Digital Marketing Strategist

Premier Truck Rental (PTR)

Cell: 260-222-9835

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE Premier Truck Rental
MONTREAL, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - LAMARQUE, a contemporary leather and luxury apparel brand designed in Montreal, Canada hosted an unforgettable celebratory evening at the recently inaugurated Port of Montreal Tower. The event was conceived as a thank you to its community of supporters who have played an important part in the brand's remarkable growth into a globally respected brand, worn and loved by fashion enthusiasts worldwide. The evening was extra special with a range of activities, including a fashion presentation of the brand's infamous ICONICS collection as well as a visual retrospective of the last decade. In attendance were the 'who's who' of the Montreal fashion industry including friends of the brand, media, photographers, stylists, models, influencers and creators.

LAMARQUE Creative Director Ifigenia Hill at the 10th anniversary event. Photo by Karel Chladek (CNW Group/LAMARQUE) LAMARQUE Iconics Collection. Video by Alexis Belhumeur and Samuel Olaechea

In addition to celebrating the brand's 10-year anniversary this Fall, Design Director & Co-Founder Ifigenia Hill recently took home the award for Womenswear Designer of the Year at the 2023 Canadian Arts and Fashion Awards (CAFA).

"Receiving the CAFA award is significant validation and a testament to the hard work over the past decade," says Ifigenia Hill "As I reflect on our journey, I take great pride in our ability to always anticipate our customers' needs while remaining faithful to our brand's essence. We've evolved with HER (the LAMARQUE woman), and I look forward to introducing new product lines and expanding into new markets in the coming years."

LAMARQUE has embraced a year brimming with excitement and enduring milestones as it eagerly anticipates another decade of pushing the boundaries of design & innovation.

Event photography and brand imagery available here

Iconics Photo credit: Garrett Naccarato

Event photo credit: Karel Chladek

Discover the world of LAMARQUE at https://www.lamarquecollection.com .

About LAMARQUE:

LAMARQUE was founded in 2013 in Montreal's garment district. Design Director Ifigenia Hill joined forces with one of North America's leather industry pioneers & third-generation leather tanners, harmonizing design innovation with heritage leather expertise to create a label with a focus on perfecting the leather biker jacket. A decade later, LAMARQUE has evolved into a brand that flashes prominently on the fashion radar. LAMARQUE is sold in 600+ retail locations globally, both online and in-store. Major retailers include Simons, Revolve, Saks Fifth Avenue, Anthropologie & Neiman Marcus.

SOURCE LAMARQUE
STRASBOURG, France, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Syndivia, a leading biotechnology company at the forefront of innovative DAR1 ADCs (antibody-drug conjugates with a drug-to-antibody ratio of 1), is excited to announce the appointment of Nobel Prize-winning chemist, Professor Jean-Marie Lehn, as the Chairman of the company's Scientific Advisory Board (SAB).

Professor Lehn, who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry in 1987 for his groundbreaking work on supramolecular chemistry, brings a wealth of expertise and experience to Syndivia. His leadership as Chairman of the SAB will play a pivotal role in guiding and advancing Syndivia's cutting-edge research and development initiatives in the field of ADCs.

Syndivia's CEO, Sasha Koniev, expressed excitement about the appointment, stating, "We are honored to welcome Professor Jean-Marie Lehn to Syndivia. His outstanding contributions to the field of supramolecular chemistry, coupled with his visionary approach to scientific innovation, align seamlessly with our commitment to pushing the boundaries of ADCs. We are confident that Professor Lehn's guidance will be instrumental in shaping the future of Syndivia."

As Chairman of the SAB, Professor Lehn will work closely with Syndivia's research and development teams, providing strategic insights and fostering collaboration with other scientific leaders. His role will contribute to advancing Syndivia's mission of developing breakthrough therapies for unmet medical needs.

Professor Jean-Marie Lehn commented on his new role, saying, "I am thrilled to join Syndivia and contribute to their pioneering efforts in drug discovery. The intersection of chemistry and biotechnology holds great promise, and I look forward to working with the talented team at Syndivia to drive innovation and make a lasting impact on healthcare."

About Syndivia: Syndivia is a biotechnology company dedicated to revolutionizing the field of ADC therapeutics through cutting-edge research and development. The company focuses on harnessing the distinctive properties of its proprietary ADC platform, which provides improved efficacy.

For media inquiries, please contact: Sasha Koniev [[email protected]]

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278972/Syndivia_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Syndivia
BEIJING, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Xianxia (Chinese Fantasy) dramas have long captivated global audiences, but realistic series are also gaining momentum. XIXI Pictures from China continues to break new ground in both areas, with its productions entering the global spotlight this year.

Yang Xiaopei at the forum TV series produced by XIXI Pictures

Yang Xiaopei, the founder and CEO of XIXI Pictures, along with her team and their works, attended several prestigious events this year, including the Shanghai-London Screen Industry Forum in London, MIPCOM 2023 in Cannes, France, and the Chinese American Television Festival. This year, XIXI Pictures' productions, including the period drama The Youth Memories and the women's inspirational drama Alliance, have won several awards. The upcoming historical fantasy drama The Last Immortal and the contemporary women's drama Her Islands are eagerly anticipated for their engaging trailers featuring twists and turns.

During these international exchanges, Yang Xiaopei engaged in thorough discussions with her global counterparts about the current forefront of the industry. There have been many successful collaborations between China and the UK in documentary filmmaking, and both sides hope to deepen their creative storytelling efforts.

Yang Xiaopei shared her perspective on romanticism in films, citing the spiritual quality common in excellent British works like Wuthering Heights and Downton Abbey. At Cannes, she delivered a speech on interpreting romance and reality and showcased exquisite costumes from The Last Immortal. In the U.S., she discussed the impact of technology on the industry with veteran Hollywood producers and directors, emphasizing "the human-centered approach and respect for content creation, with AI serving mainly as a supportive tool."

At various forums, Yang Xiaopei expressed her desire to collaborate with global film practitioners to break cultural barriers and continue to innovate in content creation, focusing on historical dramas and exploring more realistic themes with universal values.

Women's stories are becoming an indispensable part of global film culture, an area where XIXI Pictures excels. As a female leader, Yang Xiaopei was named one of the "35 Most Powerful Women in International Television" at Cannes. The female staff proportion at XIXI Pictures is also well over 50%. She aims to produce more diversified contemporary Chinese women's stories.

XIXI Pictures is known for its mature industrial production process and compact, exquisite storytelling. At the 19th Chinese American Film Festival, Yang Xiaopei was honored as Producer of the Year, with Alliance winning the Golden Angel Award for television drama. Huang Xiaoming, the lead actor in Alliance, won the Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Xiao Zhan, the lead in The Youth Memories, took home awards for Outstanding Actor.

Upcoming from XIXI Pictures are The Last Immortal, a novel fusion of historical fantasy drama and road movie structure, and Her Islands, a contemporary women's drama exploring hot topics in modern China. Her Islands tells the story of daughters trying to help their mother through a marital crisis while finding their own paths, reflecting the evolving mother-daughter relationship. The drama draws inspiration from ancient Chinese poetry, using the metaphor of "oceans and islands" to depict the relationship of contemporary women with family and society.

SOURCE Xixi Pictures
SOS, the mobile outreach component of SFCCC's Healthcare for the Homeless program, has been providing high-quality, non-judgmental health services to unhoused people since 1988. Traveling in a medical van to sites throughout San Francisco, the dedicated team of doctors, nurses, outreach workers, and volunteers create "clinics without walls" at soup kitchens, on city streets, under freeway overpasses, in parks, and now, at a tiny home village. At the request of San Francisco Department of Public Health (SFDPH) and San Francisco Department of Homelessness and Supportive Housing (SFDHSH), SOS jumped at the chance to begin providing weekly care at the tiny home village, designed by Dignity Moves and managed by Urban Alchemy.

The unique setup of the tiny home village represents a new model of care delivery for the SOS team. "Compared to other SOS sites, it's more like doing old-fashioned home visits" shares SOS Community Health Worker, Trevor Wong. "It's easier to find people and follow up with them than if they're living in a tent and always moving around." Another SOS provider points out that because a number of organizations are delivering other on-site services, it makes it easier for SOS staff to coordinate additional services for residents.

On days the SOS van visits the tiny home village, Urban Alchemy staff assist by conducting health outreach during their morning breakfast distribution to residents. For patients that require medical services not available through SOS, the tiny homes' central location in the South of Market neighborhood enables SOS staff to conveniently refer clients to nearby SFCCC member clinics, or those run by SFDPH.

"The success of the tiny home village partnership speaks to the power of collaboration to address critical community health issues like homelessness", says SFCCC CEO Johanna Liu. "SFCCC is a convener: whether we're bringing our 12 member health centers together, or coordinating with other community based organizations to serve our SOS clients, our role is to provide leadership and foster innovation based on over forty years of experience as local safety net experts serving San Francisco's most vulnerable residents."

About SFCCC:

The San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium (SFCCC) is a partnership of 12 community health centers that serve as the largest primary care safety net delivery system in San Francisco. For over 40 years, SFCCC and its members have been leaders in improving the health status and reducing the health disparities of San Francisco's diverse low-income communities through direct service, population expertise and community leadership.

Media Contact: Mira Levy, [email protected]

SOURCE San Francisco Community Clinic Consortium
Pompano Beach's BASS United joins the Sciens family of companies in the state of Florida

SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sciens Building Solutions ("Sciens") today announced it has welcomed yet another Pompano Beach, Florida-based company, BASS United Fire & Security Systems, Inc. (BASS) to its growing nationwide portfolio of companies. This acquisition adds to the existing five Sciens locations and over 500 employees in Florida, including one in Pompano Beach, the former WSA Systems, which was Sciens' first acquisition in 2016.



"After 46 years in the business, I'm thrilled to join forces with Sciens Building Solutions, a well-respected leader in our industry. Their reputation and ability to carefully select their acquisitions, while fostering growth and commitment to excellent customer service, aligns perfectly with our core values," said Brad Higdon, president of BASS, who will remain in his current role with the company. "This partnership opens new opportunities and allows us to pair our strengths to provide even more phenomenal service to our customers and I am excited about the future."

Higdon established BASS in 1977 as a solo operation out of the back of his pickup truck. Since then, the company has provided complete fire alarm and life safety solutions in South Florida and the Caribbean. They support all life safety systems for service and installation, including fire alarm system retrofits, elevator recall systems required for modernization work, sprinkler systems, CCTV, and access control.

"We're enhancing the fun Sciens journey in the sunshine state, with an exciting addition to our many locations across the country. BASS United is a true life-safety leader in the South Florida area with a team of industry experts whose experience positions them well for growth under the Sciens umbrella," said Terry Heath, Sciens' CEO. "Sciens is delighted to partner with Brad and the entire BASS team as we continue on our quest to build the largest independent fire and life safety integrator in the United States."

About Sciens Building Solutions

Headquartered in San Francisco, California, and backed by The Carlyle Group, Sciens Building Solutions is a holding company focused on the fire detection and security services sector. This includes the design, installation, and provision of maintenance services for fire detection and clean agent fire suppression systems in a variety of commercial, institutional, and government facilities. For more information, please visit: www.sciensbuildingsolutions.com.

About BASS United

Bass United Fire & Security Systems, Inc. is a company that has provided installation and service for fire alarm and life safety solutions in South Florida and the Caribbean for over 46 years. Their knowledge of fire alarm detection systems and life safety systems combined with the expertise of their NICET-certified and factory trained technicians, arms them with the capabilities to fulfill a complete system design and installation needs for all sizes of fire alarm systems. Bass-United provides professional fire alarm detection services, inspections, and repairs to all major product lines. For more information, please visit: https://www.bassunited.com/.

Contact: Jil Shingledecker

[email protected]

407-221-6785

SOURCE Sciens Building Solutions
EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Seagis Property Group ("Seagis") announced today that it closed on a warehouse facility located at 25 Amor Avenue in Carlstadt, NJ. The building totals 30,058 square feet, features 16' clear ceiling heights, and is situated on +/- 1.5 acres in the Gotham Industrial Park, located within the Meadowlands submarket of Northern New Jersey. The property has excellent access to the New Jersey Turnpike and close connectivity to Manhattan and Port Newark. Acquired vacant, Seagis plans to upgrade the property and market it for lease.

25 Amor Avenue, Carlstadt, NJ

Seagis purchased the property from private ownership who owned and occupied the building for their business. Leo Josephs and Joshua Meisner of Leo Josephs & Company represented Seagis in the transaction.

"We are excited to add another well-located Northern New Jersey building to our growing Meadowlands portfolio," said Tyler Baker, Vice President, who is based out of Seagis' local office in Northern New Jersey. "We feel this property fits perfectly within the submarket, offering tenants a stand-alone 30,000 square foot building with four loading docks and 5% office. Upon closing, we plan to undergo a significant capital plan to bring this building to today's market standards. This opportunity perfectly aligns with our investment strategy, to secure well-located, functional warehouses in strong in-fill locations."

This is the Company's thirteenth investment in the Meadowlands submarket, where its portfolio now totals 1.34 million square feet and expands its overall NJ portfolio to over 5.7 million square feet and thirty-nine logistics properties.

For more information about this property, please contact Tyler Baker at [email protected]

About Seagis Property Group

Seagis Property Group is a privately held real estate owner focused on the acquisition and development of industrial properties in global logistics hubs along the Eastern Seaboard. The company's portfolio spans more than 13 million square feet of space and includes 213 buildings in New Jersey, New York City, and South Florida. Seagis acquires core, value-add and development real estate for warehouse/logistics use. The company was founded in 2005 and is headquartered in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. For more information, visit www.seagisproperty.com

SOURCE Seagis Property Group
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received President of the Eurasian Patent Office Grigory Ivliev, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry told Trend.

During the meeting it was noted that the development of intellectual property institute in Azerbaijan is in the focus of attention of the country's leadership, large-scale structural reforms are carried out in this area, management is optimized.

It was noted that in documents of state importance, such as the Development Concept "Azerbaijan 2020: a look into the future", "National priorities of socio-economic development: Azerbaijan 2030" and "Strategy of socio-economic development of the Republic of Azerbaijan for 2022-2026", a special place is given to the directions of development of intellectual property sphere.

Cooperation relations between the Intellectual Property Agency of Azerbaijan and Eurasian Patent Office and Eurasian Patent Organization were emphasized, as well as mutually beneficial activities within the framework of international organizations are of great importance.

In order to promote the development of relations in the field of intellectual property, the importance was expressed of continuing contacts at the executive and working levels, discussing issues of bilateral and multilateral cooperation through such events as conferences, round tables.

During the meeting there was also an exchange of views on other issues of mutual interest, including the links of cooperation between the Eurasian Patent Office and other international organizations, the latest trends in the field of global patent applications, elections to the relevant structures of the Eurasian Patent Office.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The shapewear market is estimated to grow by USD 1.34 billion from 2023 to 2028, growing at a CAGR of 8.62%. The shapewear market is fragmented owing to the presence of many global and regional companies. A few prominent companies that offer shapewear market are Anita Dr. Helbig GmbH, Commando LLC, CPS Shapers Ltd., Glamoras World, Global Intimates Group, Gymmer, Hanesbrands Inc., Honeylove Sculptwear Inc., Jockey International Inc., Modenik Lifestyle Pvt. Ltd., Preethi Shapewear, Reliance Industries Ltd., SADABAHAR FASHION, Skims Body Inc., and Spanx LLC.

Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Global Shapewear Market 2024-2028

The report provides a full list of key companies, their strategies, and the latest developments. Download Free Sample before buying

Company Offering:

Anita Dr. Helbig GmbH - The company offers shapewear such as figure-shaping bodywear and slim fitting shapewear

The company offers shapewear such as figure-shaping bodywear and slim fitting shapewear Commando LLC - The company offers various types of shapewear such as classic control bodysuit, classic control body short, and classic control brief.

The company offers various types of shapewear such as classic control bodysuit, classic control body short, and classic control brief. CPS Shapers Ltd. - The company offers shapewear such as Dermawear saree shapewear.

The company offers shapewear such as Dermawear saree shapewear. For details on companies and their offerings  Buy the report!

By Geography, the market is classified as North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa. North America will have the largest share of the market.

North America is estimated to account for 34% of the global market growth during the forecast period. Shapewear is mostly sold through physical retail channels such as hypermarkets, department stores, speciality stores, and club stores. The United States is the largest market in this region, followed by Canada and Mexico . The high adoption of the internet and the widespread use of social media are some of the significant factors contributing to the growth of the market.

Download a free sample report to get more insights on the market share of various regions and the contribution of the segments.

Impactful driver- Increasing smartphone penetration, along with the growing E-commerce industry

Increasing smartphone penetration, along with the growing E-commerce industry Key Trend - Technological advancement in making shapewear

- Technological advancement in making shapewear Major Challenges - Unpredictable raw material prices

Market Segmentation

The offline segment is estimated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The global shapewear market receives its largest revenues from department stores and speciality stores. Speciality stores are those that stock similar products in one location, including branded retail stores like Jockey International. A wide range of products from various brands can be found in these stores. Department store retailers set themselves apart through their store design, merchandise offerings, and customer service. Additionally, having exclusive designer collections and private-label brands can provide a competitive edge in this sector.

Technavio Research experts have provided more insights on the market share of segments - View the Free Sample Report

Related Reports:

The maternity support products market size is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 8.27% between 2023 and 2028. The market size is forecast to increase by USD 160.87 million.

The compression wear and shapewear market is estimated to grow at a CAGR of 7.2% between 2022 and 2027. The market size is forecasted to increase by USD 2,704.28 million.

Shapewear Market Scope Report Coverage Details Historic period 2018-2022 Growth momentum & CAGR Accelerate at a CAGR of 8.62% YoY growth 2022-2023 (%) 8.09 Regional analysis North America, Europe, APAC, South America, and Middle East and Africa Key countries US, China, Japan, UK, and Germany

TOC:

1 Executive Summary

2 Market Landscape

3 Market Sizing

4 Historic Market Size

5 Five Forces Analysis

6 Market Segmentation by Distribution Channel

7 Market Segmentation by End-user

8 Market Segmentation by Geography

9 Customer Landscape

10 Geographic Landscape

11 Drivers, Challenges, and Trends

12 Vendor Landscape

13 Vendor Analysis

14 Appendix

About US

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact US:

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.technavio.com

SOURCE Technavio
Trading Symbol: TSX: SVM

NYSE AMERICAN: SVM

OreCorp's Scheme Booklet, including a fair and reasonable conclusion from the Independent Expert's Report, sent to OreCorp shareholders last week

Scheme Meeting of OreCorp shareholders to take place at 10:00 am (AWST) on December 8, 2023

A pproval from the Tanzanian Fair Competition Commission for the proposed acquisition has been issued to Silvercorp

Silvercorp generated $28.8 million in operating cash flow during Q2 Fiscal 2024 and held $189.1 million in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, plus a further equity investment portfolio with a total market value of $124.0 million as at September 30, 2023 , after it invested $18.5 million into the equity of OreCorp to finance its Resettlement Action Plan ("RAP") for the Nyanzaga Gold Project

VANCOUVER, BC, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Silvercorp Metals Inc. ("Silvercorp" or the "Company") (TSX: SVM) (NYSE American: SVM) is pleased to provide an update on the proposed transaction (the "Transaction") with OreCorp Limited (ASX: ORR) ("OreCorp") as first announced on August 6, 2023.

Transaction Progress

The extensive documentation necessary to seek OreCorp shareholder approval of the Australian scheme of arrangement under Part 5.1 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) (the "Scheme") has been sent to OreCorp shareholders

On November 2, 2023 the Federal Court of Australia approved: the convening of the OreCorp shareholders meeting to consider and vote on the Scheme (the "Scheme Meeting"), currently scheduled to take place at 10am (AWST), December 8, 2023 , and the delivery on November 8, 2023 of the explanatory statement and notice of Scheme meeting (together, the "Scheme Booklet") to OreCorp shareholders for their consideration

the Federal Court of approved: the convening of the OreCorp shareholders meeting to consider and vote on the Scheme (the "Scheme Meeting"), currently scheduled to take place at (AWST), , and the delivery on of the explanatory statement and notice of Scheme meeting (together, the "Scheme Booklet") to OreCorp shareholders for their consideration The Scheme Booklet sets out the key terms of the Transaction, the reasons for OreCorp's directors' recommendation, and includes an Independent Expert's Report that concluded the Scheme, in the absence of a superior proposal, is fair and reasonable and in the best interests of OreCorp shareholders

In late October, representatives of both companies attended the Tanzanian Mining & Investment Forum and held constructive meetings with several representatives of the Tanzanian government who continue to express enthusiasm and support for the Transaction and development of the Nyanzaga mine

Tanzanian FCC Approval

After the Silvercorp team held meetings with the Government of Tanzanian, on November 6, 2023, Silvercorp received a Merger Clearance Certificate (dated November 3, 2023) from the Tanzanian Fair Competition Commission (the "FCC") approving the Transaction without conditions. The FCC approval represents the sole Tanzanian regulatory requirement needed to complete the Transaction.

Silvercorp Chairman and CEO, Dr. Rui Feng commented: "We would like to express our gratitude to the FCC for their support throughout the approval process. We also thank everyone involved for their collective efforts over the past few months, resulting in successfully achieving numerous milestones for the transactionpaving the way for the creation of a new globally diversified precious metals producer. We eagerly anticipate continuing Nyanzaga's project execution in close partnership with the Government of Tanzania to ensure a successful development that benefits all stakeholders."

Silvercorp has the financial strength to close the Transaction and advance the development of the Nyanzaga Gold Project

Silvercorp reported strong Q2 Fiscal 2024 financial results on November 9, 2023. During the quarter, cash flow from operating activities totaled $28.8 million, and with $189.1 million in cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments at the end of Q2, Silvercorp has the financial strength to close the Transaction and advance the development of the Nyanzaga Gold Project.

Silvercorp's equity investment portfolio, valued at $124.0 million as of September 30, 2023, includes a $18.5 million private placement in OreCorp, completed in August 2023. Proceeds from this investment have been applied towards resettlement activities outlined in the RAP. This important step will assist in facilitating the prompt development of the Nyanzaga Gold Project. As of OreCorp's report for the quarter ended September 30, 2023, issued October 19th, compensation payments in relation to the implementation of the RAP are well advanced, with approximately 84% of the agreements fully executed and approximately US$6 million paid to date. The tender process for constructing resettlement housing is well underway.

Transaction Details Recap

Silvercorp intends to acquire all fully-paid ordinary shares of OreCorp not held by Silvercorp (the "OreCorp Shares") by way of the Scheme, with each holder of OreCorp Shares (other than ineligible shareholders and Silvercorp) receiving, for each OreCorp Share held on the record date for the Scheme, A$0.15 in cash and 0.0967 of a Silvercorp common share, or at the OreCorp shareholder's election, 0.0967 of a new Silvercorp CDI (subject to ASX admitting Silvercorp to the official list of ASX and approving Silvercorp CDIs for official quotation). The Transaction is subject to the satisfaction and/or waiver of various remaining conditions, including OreCorp shareholders approving the Scheme at the Scheme Meeting, final approval of the Federal Court of Australia, and acceptance from the TSX and NYSE American, including in respect of the issuance and listing of new Silvercorp common shares issuable pursuant to the Scheme.

The OreCorp Board has unanimously approved the Transaction and has recommended that all OreCorp shareholders vote in favour of the Scheme at the Scheme Meeting, in the absence of a superior proposal and subject to the independent expert appointed by OreCorp (the "Independent Expert") continuing to conclude that the Scheme is in the best interests of OreCorp shareholders.

About Silvercorp

Silvercorp is a Canadian mining company producing silver, gold, lead, and zinc with a long history of profitability and growth potential. The Company's strategy is to create shareholder value by 1) focusing on generating free cashflow from long life mines; 2) organic growth through extensive drilling for discovery; 3) ongoing merger and acquisition efforts to unlock value; and 4) long term commitment to responsible mining and ESG. For more information, please visit our website at www.silvercorp.ca.

For further information

Silvercorp Metals Inc.

Lon Shaver

President

Phone: (604) 669-9397

Toll Free 1(888) 224-1881

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.silvercorp.ca

ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE (NON-IFRS) MEASURES

This news release should be read in conjunction with the Company's Management Discussion & Analysis ("MD&A"), the unaudited condensed interim consolidated financial statements and related notes contains therein for the three and six months ended September 30, 2023, which have been posted on SEDAR+ under the Company's profile at www.sedarplus.ca and on EDGAR at www.sec.gov, and are also available on the Company's website at www.silvercorp.ca under the Investor section. This news release refers to various alternative performance (non-IFRS) measures, such as adjusted earnings and adjusted earnings per share, cash costs and all-in sustaining costs per ounce of silver, net of by-product credits, production costs and all-in sustaining production costs per tonne of ore processed, silver equivalent, and working capital. These measures are widely used in the mining industry as a benchmark for performance, but do not have standardized meanings under IFRS as an indicator of performance and may differ from methods used by other companies with similar description. The detailed description and reconciliation of these alternative performance (non-IFRS) measures have been incorporated by reference and can be found on page 31, section 11  Alternative Performance (Non-IFRS) Measures in the MD&A for the three and six months ended September 30, 2023 filled on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at www.sec.gov and which is incorporated by reference here in.

CAUTIONARY DISCLAIMER - FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and US securities laws (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "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) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements relate to, among other things: the price of silver and other metals; the accuracy of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates at the Company's material properties; the sufficiency of the Company's capital to finance the Company's operations; and advance the development of the Nyanzaga Gold Project; the scheduling of the Scheme Meeting of OreCorp shareholders; estimates of the Company's revenues and capital expenditures; estimated production from the Company's mines in the Ying Mining District and the GC Mine; timing of receipt of permits and regulatory approvals; government relations; availability of funds from production to finance the Company's operations; and access to and availability of funding for future construction, the progress of the tender process for constructing resettlement housing; use of proceeds from any financing and development of the Company's properties.

Actual results may vary from forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, risks relating to: global economic and social impact of COVID-19; fluctuating commodity prices; calculation of resources, reserves and mineralization and precious and base metal recovery; interpretations and assumptions of mineral resource and mineral reserve estimates; exploration and development programs; feasibility and engineering reports; permits and licences; title to properties; property interests; joint venture partners; acquisition of commercially mineable mineral rights; financing; recent market events and conditions; economic factors affecting the Company; timing, estimated amount, capital and operating expenditures and economic returns of future production; integration of future acquisitions into the Company's existing operations; competition; operations and political conditions; regulatory environment in China and Canada; environmental risks; foreign exchange rate fluctuations; insurance; risks and hazards of mining operations; key personnel; conflicts of interest; dependence on management; internal control over financial reporting; and bringing actions and enforcing judgments under U.S. securities laws.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and actual achievements of the Company or other future events or conditions may differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks, uncertainties and other factors, including, without limitation, those referred to in the Company's Annual Information Form under the heading "Risk Factors" and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F, and in the Company's other filings with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The Company's forward-looking statements are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this news release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements. Assumptions may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Consequently, guidance cannot be guaranteed. For the reasons set forth above, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

SOURCE Silvercorp Metals Inc
SmartPath is proud to offer financial education to the entire staff at Atlanta Mission, an organization dedicated to serving their homeless neighbors every day.

ATLANTA, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartPath , the country's leading financial education provider announces a new partnership with Atlanta Mission , a homeless shelter and pivotal community resource in the city of Atlanta. SmartPath will now provide financial education for all Atlanta Mission employees, free of charge.

"Partnering with Atlanta Mission is an honor," says SmartPath CEO and Co-Founder, Alok Deshpande. "As an Atlanta native, I'm a big cheerleader for the work they do. They provide steady support and education for the homeless, coupled with personal care that transforms lives. It's a privilege to come alongside their employees and give back in a small way, after all they've given to our community."

SmartPath's mission is to help shape a future where financial freedom is within everyone's reach. They deliver unbiased financial education and advice that equips individuals with the knowledge and skills needed to achieve long-term financial health.

"Our staff is focused on providing people with tools so they can change their narrative and create a hopeful future," says Victoria Owens, Director of Human Resources at Atlanta Mission. "We want to provide that same holistic care for our employees by giving them the ability to make sound financial choices today and plan for a sustainable tomorrow. That's why we are excited about this partnership with SmartPath."

Atlanta Mission is a community united to end homelessness for the thousands of unhoused men, women, and children in the city. They have been providing meals, beds, counseling, and life skills education for more than 82 years, making them the city's largest and longest-running provider of services to those experiencing homelessness.

"Atlanta Mission means a lot to our city," says Stuart Lawder, SmartPath COO and Co-Founder. "We share a commitment to provide tangible help that ultimately leads to long-term behavioral change and improved outcomes. We're honored to help take care of their employees, as they continue working tirelessly to take care of our community."

In recognition of Giving Tuesday, a generous partner to Atlanta Mission has provided a matching grant. This year every dollar donated - up to $50,000 - will be doubled to help twice as many people. Use this link to give to Atlanta Mission.

To learn more about SmartPath's financial education solutions, visit www.joinsmartpath.com.

About Atlanta Mission

Atlanta Mission is the city's largest and longest-running provider of homeless services. Atlanta Mission transforms, through Christ, the lives of those facing homelessness. Established in 1938, Atlanta Mission provides critical needs to hundreds of homeless men, women, and children daily. For more information about Atlanta Mission, visit www.atlantamission.org .

About SmartPath

SmartPath is the leading provider of comprehensive financial education solutions in the country. Its robust offering includes daily educational classes, one-on-one coaching, and digital tools that empower individuals on the journey to financial freedom. Founded in 2010 and supporting over 600,000 individuals, SmartPath delivers its financial education solutions in partnership with financial institutions, fintech companies, and employers nationwide. For more information, visit www.joinsmartpath.com .

SOURCE SmartPath
Study finds that positive, relationship-driven emotions produce a halo effect surrounding brand awareness, consideration and purchase intent

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Snap, Inc. and Alter Agents today released the findings of new research on how positive emotions, built through close relationships with family and friends, impact overall brand receptivity. Building on previous neuroscience research that showed that people are happier when using Snapchat due to connections with others, this new study explores how this positive environment translates to higher, longer-lasting ad receptivity and better brand outcomes.

Alter Agents

"Our research has shown time and time again that people feel happier, safer, closer to others, and more able to be themselves when engaging with Snapchat," said Alexander Dao, Global Head of Agency Development & Sales Partnerships, Snap Inc. "With this new study, we wanted to explore whether or not these emotions make individuals more receptive to branded content and ads. What we found is that the high level of engagement Snapchatters display when connecting with family and friends translates into high engagement and better business outcomes for brands."

Alter Agents conducted the global study among more than 10,000 respondents, ages 13-49, across eight countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, France, Germany, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the Netherlands, Australia and India. Using in-context exposure and other survey elements to evaluate emotional state when using social apps, the study tested the impact of positive emotional states on key brand outcomes.

Some findings from the research in the United States included:

Stronger feelings of connection while using Snapchat produce a higher likelihood of Snapchatters recommending the brands they see to others, delivering 4.5 times more brand recommendations than other platforms.

than other platforms. Advertising on Snapchat benefits both short-term and long-term brand metrics, including higher lift in brand favorability (8%), and stronger feelings of happiness while using Snapchat increased purchase likelihood by 1.7 times when compared to competitor apps.

when compared to competitor apps. Brands that advertise on Snapchat are viewed as 4.8 times more current and 1.6 times more relatable than when advertised on competitors.

Study data reveals a strong correlation between the consumers' emotional state and brand reception. Emotions such as happiness, creativity, joy and connection influence how people view both the brands and ads, with Snapchatters seeing brands as more relatable and less dated, and ads as more positive and playful than competition. This positively impacts key metrics such as recall, awareness, purchase intent, recommendations and overall brand engagement.

Read more about the study here: https://forbusiness.snapchat.com/blog/snap-leveraging-the-power-of-platform-need-states

About Snap Inc.

Snap Inc. is a technology company. We believe the camera presents the greatest opportunity to improve the way people live and communicate. We contribute to human progress by empowering people to express themselves, live in the moment, learn about the world, and have fun together. The Company's three core products are Snapchat, a visual messaging app that enhances your relationships with friends, family, and the world; Lens Studio, an augmented reality platform that powers AR across Snapchat and other services; and its AR glasses, Spectacles. For more information, visit snap.com.

About Alter Agents

Alter Agents is a full-service strategic market research consultancy reimagining research in an era of shifting decision making. Deep creative thinking and innovative solutions help Alter Agents' clients understand consumer needs. The Alter Agents team believes that research must adapt to help brands overcome challenges brought by trends like shopper promiscuity and brand narcissism. The company's immersive approach and unique methodology has helped brands such Snapchat, YouTube, Audacy, Viking River Cruises, Pinterest, and more gain powerful, actionable insights. More at www.alteragents.com .

Media contact: Marie Melsheimer, [email protected], +1-541-815-3951 / Ahrim Nam, [email protected]

SOURCE Alter Agents
With acquisition completion, STG adds over-the-road capabilities to its port-to-door containerized logistics services

CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- STG Logistics ("STG"), a national leader in port-to-door supply chain solutions, today announced the completion of its acquisition of Best Dedicated Solutions ("BDS"), a leading over-the-road ("OTR") transportation provider focused on a variety of services and modes. The acquisition agreement was previously announced on June 1, 2023 . With the acquisition complete, STG adds expedited, dry van, temperature control and flatbed OTR transportation solutions to its existing intermodal, drayage, and facility-based containerized logistics services, which includes the nation's largest network of container freight station and transload facilities.

Danny Esplin, CEO of BDS, moves into the role of SVP of OTR Solutions with STG, serving as a senior member of STG's executive leadership team.

"We are excited to move forward as one organization with the ability to now offer customers a complete containerized logistics solution," said Paul Svindland, CEO of STG.

According to Geoff Anderman, President and COO of STG, the service-oriented approach and scalable platform BDS brings fits in with the customer-centered approach and culture STG embraces. "We are excited to move forward together and continue to support our customers leveraging the strengths of both organizations under the STG name," he said.

"As BDS, from an OTR perspective, we've always been able to provide a wide variety of solutions to our customers," said Esplin. "Joining STG, the only true port-to-door organization in the logistics field, means we are part of a company with an unprecedented strength, depth and flexibility to ensure we meet our customers' needs."

To learn more about STG Logistics, please visit https://www.stgusa.com .

About STG Logistics:

STG is a leading national containerized logistics services provider including asset-based intermodal transportation, marine and rail drayage, warehousing and transloading services and over the road FTL and LTL services. With over 35 years of experience in domestic logistics, STG has access to every major rail ramp and port in the country. STG is a portfolio company of Wind Point Partners and Oaktree Capital Management.

CONTACT:

NAME: Courtney McCrimmon

PHONE: 412-225-6899

EMAIL: [email protected]

SOURCE STG Logistics
When Storyteller Overland began operations in 2018 in Birmingham, Alabama, its adventure vans built on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter platform had a Selenite Grey Metallic body with the classic Storyteller orange sunset pinstriping along the side. Only 17 models in this color scheme were produced. After its first year with this color scheme, the "Classic MODE" became either Arctic White or Pebble Grey with orange sunset pinstriping, and a new "Stealth MODE" model utilized the Selenite Grey Metallic color with matte black Storyteller branding.

In celebration of five years manufacturing adventure vehicles for adventure enthusiasts all over the country, Storyteller Overland is bringing back this color scheme for a limited-edition "Retro OG MODE" model. Although the exterior is reminiscent of 2018, the interior has all of the upgrades customers love about the 2024 lineup, including the all-new M-Power Energy System now Powered By Lithionics. Storyteller will only produce 17 of these special anniversary vans, an homage to the original 17 in this color scheme.

As the team at Storyteller Overland reflects on the past five years, there is much to be proud of. Since the original MODE van release, the company has added new trim options, including the Mystic MODE, the Beast MODE, and the MODE LT. The launch of the HILT propelled Storyteller into the adventure truck space, and the acquisition of three subsidiaries (GoCamp, Flarespace and Global Expedition Vehicles) has built a galaxy of services for adventure enthusiasts to take advantage of. From seven to more than 170 employees, Storyteller Overland has seen exponential growth in five years. And through the crazy demand of the COVID era to the market correction of 2023, Storyteller has stayed true to its unique, no-haggle See-Through Pricing model, which is unlike anything else in the industry.

"We're going to continue to grow and evolve and improve, and we're going to continue using every beat of our heart and every resource that we have at our disposal to grow and expand our community and bring as many people along for that journey as we can," said Storyteller Overland CEO Jeffrey Hunter. "By the time people realize that we've put our flag on the moon, we're going to be heading on to Mars."

The Retro OG MODE will be available at select dealerships starting today. To reserve your limited edition vehicle, contact Storyteller Overland here .

About Storyteller Overland

Storyteller Overland is a Birmingham, AL-based authentic adventure lifestyle brand with a strong, industry-leading presence and reputation for innovation in the burgeoning Class B RV and expedition vehicle manufacturing space. Founded in 2018 by a stellar team of custom vehicle manufacturing veterans and outdoor lifestyle enthusiasts, the company's prime directive is to constantly inspire and equip its growing community of roadtrippers, vanlifers, and overlanders with the proper gear, resources and mindset to "Live Free. Explore Endlessly. Tell Better Stories." Along with its flagship MODE adventure vans and GXV HILT adventure trucks, Storyteller Overland offers a unique see-through pricing model coupled with a style of customer service and community engagement that provides an unprecedented level of on-demand technical and warranty support for all of its owners out on the open road and beyond. For more information, visit storytelleroverland.com or contact our Chief Communications Officer, Summer Rogers at [email protected] .

SOURCE Storyteller Overland

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MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Study.com is pleased to announce that its K12 Learn solution has been awarded the Research-Based Design for Instructional Learning Products: Product Certification from Digital Promise. This esteemed certification demonstrates the company's commitment to leveraging research on learning sciences to inform and enhance the design of their learning platform.

The Research-Based Design Product Certification from Digital Promise signifies that Study.com's K12 Learn has undergone a rigorous evaluation process, demonstrating a substantial integration of research-based principles into its instructional design. This certification serves as a valuable resource for educators, school leaders, and families seeking educational technology that is grounded in proven methodologies for effective learning.

"We are honored to receive the Research-Based Design Product Certification from Digital Promise. This recognition reaffirms our dedication to providing educators and students with a learning platform that is not only innovative but also backed by sound research principles," said Chris Mancini, Chief Growth Officer. "At Study.com we open the door to the life changing impact of education, and this certification underscores our commitment to delivering high-quality, evidence-based solutions."

Study.com's K12 Learn is a comprehensive educational platform offering a range of curriculum, skills practice, and assessment components designed to support diverse learners in middle and high schools. The solution features multimedia microlessons, repeated practice, and built-in supports to facilitate personalized instruction. With seamless integration into major Learning Management Systems, Study.com's K12 Learn empowers educators to streamline teaching tasks and focus more on instruction.

Currently adopted in over 10,000 school districts, Study.com's K12 Learn embodies pedagogical innovation by providing evidence-based personalized learning tailored to diverse learners across all subjects with a focus in science and social studies curriculum. The platform's ability to address the multifaceted challenges in education today positions it as a beacon of effective pedagogy.

The certification process involved Study.com submitting comprehensive evidence to Digital Promise, showcasing the alignment between the product's design philosophy and research on how students learn. The company also demonstrated its commitment to transparency by making this research accessible to the public.

Christina Luke Luna, Chief Learning Officer, Pathways and Credentials at Digital Promise, remarked, "Digital Promise's Research-Based Design Product Certification recognizes the edtech products that incorporate research about learning into their design and development. Congratulations to Study.com's K12 Learn for demonstrating that research informs product design!"

The Research-Based Design Product Certification employs a competency-based learning framework, developed in collaboration with Digital Promise's Learner Variability Project advisory board, expert researchers in the Learning Sciences field, and educators across the United States. Additional details about the framework's development can be found in Digital Promise's reports, "Designing Edtech that Matters for Learning: Research-Based Design Product Certifications (2020)" and "An Overlooked Indicator of Edtech Quality: The Use of Learning Sciences Research (2022)."

Study.com opens the door to the life-changing impact of education for over 30m learners and educators a month through K12 curriculum, college courses, tutoring, and test preparation. Used in over 10,000 school districts nationwide, Study.com is recognized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) for meeting Level IV evidence standards. Headquartered in Mountain View, CA, Study.com is named on the 2022 and 2023 GSV150, a list of the world's most transformative private companies in education. The company has donated $27 million across social impact programs committed to increasing educational equity. These programs include Working Scholars, an accelerated pathway for working adults to earn a debt-free bachelor's degree, and Keys to the Classroom, which seeks to help aspiring educators prepare for and pass their teacher certification exams.

SOURCE Study.com
ONTARIO, Calif., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In November 2023, the full-scene TV brand, Sylvox, unveils the stylish Waterproof Smart Magic Mirror Bathroom TV with the aim of creating a distinctive lifestyle and helping to enhance quality of life. This television is uniquely designed for bathroom environments to offer users and households a more comfortable, exquisite, and fashionable bathroom audio-visual experience.

Sylvox Waterproof Smart Magic Mirror Bathroom TV

Double Delight with Magic Mirror and TV: as a mirror bathroom TV, its distinctiveness lies in its dual functionality. It's not just a high-definition television; it's also a fashionable mirror. When the TV is powered off, the screen transforms into a complete mirror, enhancing the bathroom's elegance and style. Once turned on, it immediately switches to high-definition TV.

Smart Interactivity: equipped with Google TV OS and Google Assistant, it enables users to easily download and access various APP and control the TV through voice commands. Furthermore, it supports Bluetooth 5.0, 5G Wi-Fi, and screen mirroring.

Waterproof and Durability: with a robust IP66 waterproof grade, it can withstand even the most humid bathroom environments. Its 500 nits of high brightness and FHD resolution guarantee an outstanding visual experience.

Suitability for multiple scenes: This mirror bathroom TV is available in two sizes, 24 inches and 32 inches. It is suitable not only for home bathrooms but also for RVs, hotel bathrooms, pools, rainy and humid regions and so on.

For more details about the TV, please visit:

https://amzn.to/3QYSSVq

https://amzn.to/40HGRXt

Black Friday Deals: Sylvox is including this TV in its upcoming Black Friday deals, offering exciting discounts to users. Additionally, Sylvox's outdoor TVs, RV TVs, multi-color kitchen TVs, and other popular TVs will be part of the Black Friday deals.

For more details about Black Friday Deals, please visit:

US: https://amzn.to/3G1fM8q

https://s.attribuly.com/GA1K9Mzi

UK: https://bit.ly/47igz0z

https://bit.ly/3uc63t7

EU: https://bit.ly/47fL5Is

https://bit.ly/47und3x

About Sylvox

Sylvox is a global company which researches, develops and manufactures smart TVs with the vision to provide users with cutting-edge full-scene TV solutions and audio-visual experience, such as outdoor TV, bathroom TV, kitchen TV, RV TV, portable TV and digital Signage, so as to meet users audio-visual needs anytime and anywhere. Sylvox achieved No. 1 online sales volume in the U.S. on the outdoor TV category in 2022.

Media Contact

Company: Sylvox

Contact Person: Rebecca Zhang

Email: [email protected]

Country: USA

State: California

City: Ontario

Website: https://sylvoxtv.com

SOURCE Sylvox
NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Synechron, Inc. , a leading global digital transformation consulting firm focused on financial services and technology organizations, today announced it has won the Diversity and Inclusion Award at this year's US Fintech Awards in New York City. The US FinTech Awards, produced by FinTech Intel, celebrated the remarkable achievements of the brightest innovators and leaders within 20 categories across the US financial technology sector.

Synechron was recognized for its array of carefully curated Diversity, Equity and Inclusion ("DEI") initiatives within its 'Same Difference' program, which was initially launched in September 2020 and was renamed 'Synclusive' in September 2023. This ever-evolving program includes a variety of collaborative, team building and team supporting projects, discussions, presentations, events, celebrations and actions, aimed at recognizing skilled individuals of all ethnicities, cultures, religions, gender affiliations, lifestyles and preferences, as well as those with health conditions or impairments. Synechron's commitment to embracing an inclusive culture also covers its expanding 'Women Back To Work' program, which reskills/upskills women returning to the technology/IT/banking/financial services sector workforce after time away. Synechron's DEI initiatives similarly include the firm's renewed focus on its 'Employee Resource Group' programs, which provide supportive and networking opportunities for employees.

This award also recognized Synechron for its establishment and ongoing partnerships with and support for several DEI and LGBTQ+ organizations, including myGwork, Campus Pride and Elevate the City, among others. These key partnerships strengthen Synechron's DEI hiring practices and expand career opportunities for a variety of diverse individuals.

May Yang, President, Head of North America, Synechron, said of this award, "We are honored to be recognized for our DEI programs that support the uniqueness of all individuals and our strong, collective belief that as people we are more alike than different. Our hope is that our teams will not only be united, enlightened and inspired to embrace this acceptance, but will share their enthusiasm with the broader world and thereby become a global force for change and acceptance."

About Synechron:

At Synechron, we believe in the power of digital to transform businesses for the better. Our global consulting firm combines creativity and innovative technology to deliver industry-leading digital solutions. Synechron's progressive technologies and optimization strategies span end-to-end Artificial Intelligence, Consulting, Digital, Data, Cloud & DevOps, and Software Engineering, servicing an array of noteworthy financial services and technology firms. Through research and development initiatives in our FinLabs we develop solutions for modernization, from Artificial Intelligence and Blockchain to Data Science models, Digital Underwriting, mobile-first applications and more. Over the last 20+ years, our company has been honored with multiple employer awards, recognizing our commitment to our talented teams. With top clients to boast about, Synechron has a global workforce of 14,500+, and has 44 offices in 19 countries within key global markets. For more information on the company, please visit our website or LinkedIn community.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1943591/Synechron_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Synechron
VARENNES, QC, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ - Only two years after announcing its ambitious project, Groupe Robert, in collaboration with Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy, has officially inaugurated its automated distribution centre in Varennes. This investment of over $200 million, supported by financial contributions from the government of Quebec, Investissement Quebec and several partners, places Groupe Robert at the forefront of food logistics in Quebec.

Positioning itself among the best in the world

For this project, Groupe Robert drew inspiration from some of the most technologically advanced distribution centres on the planet. The company wanted to offer its customers the best possible solutions to help them ensure the reliability and profitability of their operations. Michel Robert, President and CEO of Groupe Robert, said: "This new state-of-the-art distribution centre, that brings together the best proven technologies in the industry, demonstrates Groupe Robert's continued commitment to innovation and excellence for our clients." Groupe Robert is the first third-party logistics (3 PL) service provider in Quebec with an automated warehouse for fresh and frozen food products, one of the most advanced facilities in North America.

"This new state-of-the-art facility will serve to consolidate the supply chain in Quebec by ensuring the reliable distribution of fresh products throughout the province. With its new distribution centre, Groupe Robert is helping to make our agri-food industry more autonomous, efficient and effective," said Pierre Fitzgibbon, Minister of Economy, Innovation and Energy.

A veritable showcase of innovation

Beyond its functional aspect, this facility is a veritable showcase of Quebec innovation, know-how, productivity, and leadership. To improve the building's energy efficiency, Groupe Robert had specific, thicker insulating panels developed for the project, which are now certified. In terms of fire protection, the traditional sprinklers have been replaced by an oxygen level reduction system, designed by Wagner, the same company whose fire suppression systems are protecting the British Library and its over 400-year-old historical documents.

The building itself is an architectural feat: A 14-storey freestanding structure, built with high-precision parts manufactured in Austria and pre-assembled in the Saguenay before being erected in Varennes. This method helped propel the development of local expertise. To start operations, only the unloading and loading will be done manually, which greatly improves efficiency in the face of the current labour shortages, without any loss of employment, because it's a net addition in capacity.

Added Capacity to Meet the Demand

Located near Highway 30, the large vertical capacity distribution centre will boast a height of 131 feet and will have storage capacity for 60,000 pallets, 30,000 for fresh products and 30,000 for frozen products.

This new warehouse is an addition to the facilities of Groupe Robert's Boucherville agri-food complex and will allow the company to offer existing and new customers augmented solutions for their refrigerated and frozen goods.

About Groupe Robert

Founded in 1946, Groupe Robert has since become a leader in supply chain management in North America. The company's 3,200 employees are the cornerstone of its success  a success built on extensive knowledge and experience in logistics, distribution, warehousing, and transportation solutions. Groupe Robert operates more than 41 distribution centres, including 326,000 m of warehouse space in Canada. The company has recognized expertise in warehouse logistics management, particularly in the aerospace manufacturing industry in Mirabel, and controls 100,000 m of warehouse space in the Mirabel area.

SOURCE Groupe Robert
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. The delegation of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the National Defense University, Trend reports via Azerbaijan's Ministry of Defense.

Rector of the National Defense University, Professor, Lieutenant General Heydar Piriyev welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan.The visitors were presented with a briefing on the history of the National Defense University, its educational system and teaching process, as well as its scientific contributions.

The meeting examined the existing state and future potential of Azerbaijan-Uzbekistan cooperation in the field of military education.

The Uzbek delegation then went to the Military Administration Institute, which is part of the National Defense University. Colonel Babir Guliyev, Rector of Military Administration Institute, Doctor of National Security and Military Sciences, informed about the institute's activities.

Guests also visited the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev of the National Defense University as part of their visit. Flowers were laid at the memorial complex dedicated to Heydar Aliyev, the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people, and the Martyrs of the Second Karabakh War. The Uzbek team visited the institute's museum and signed the memorial book after viewing a photo board portraying the Great Leader's life and political activity.

Rector of the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev, Major General Fuzuli Salahov and the guests discussed a number of issues of common interest in military education.

In the end, the sides exchanged gifts, and a photo was taken.

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GROTON, Conn., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- ThayerMahan, a global leader in autonomous maritime and undersea surveillance engineering and operations, has partnered with Saab Australia to explore opportunities to strengthen Australia's sovereign undersea warfare capabilities.

Saab Australia Managing Director, Andy Keough CSC, said the demand for undersea surveillance systems in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region had grown significantly in recent years.

The partnership is intended to strengthen Australia's sovereign undersea warfare capabilities. Post this

"The partnership brings together Saab's sovereign system integration expertise and autonomous maritime capabilities with ThayerMahan's world-leading autonomous underwater surveillance technology," Keough said. "This is an exciting partnership that will accelerate the integration of proven robotic and autonomous systems with surveillance capabilities that enable persistent underwater surveillance to protect Australia's seas, underwater assets and borders."

ThayerMahan designs, manufactures and operates scalable long-dwell systems that autonomously detect, classify and report acoustic data in the world's most strategically significant maritime areas.

Their real-time remote sensing technology, application of AI to underwater acoustics, and operational experience enable situational awareness for the defense and the sustainable protection of the ocean.

ThayerMahan's maritime and undersea domain expertise includes experienced former US Navy submarine commanders, sonar operators, mine warfare specialists, and professional acoustics and software engineers with deep experience in operations, modelling environments, and developing solutions to meet customer requirements.

"Our partnership with Saab reflects our mutual interest in providing innovative, relevant, and cost-effective solutions to support maritime and undersea capabilities," said ThayerMahan Chairman and CEO, Michael Connor. "We are pleased to be partnering with Saab to contribute to Australia's maritime and undersea security capabilities."

About ThayerMahan

ThayerMahan, Inc. is a maritime technology company dedicated to providing its government and commercial clients with turn-key autonomous marine solutions, including deployment, operations, data gathering, and analysis services, using state-of-the-art acoustic and electronic sensors integrated on a variety of host platforms tailored to specific mission criteria. The company is headquartered in Groton, CT with additional locations in Lexington and New Bedford, MA, Norfolk, Virginia Beach, and Arlington, VA. For more information, please visit www.thayermahan.com or contact directly at [email protected].

About Saab

Saab is a leading defence and security company with an enduring mission, to help nations keep their people and society safe. Empowered by its 20,000 talented people, Saab constantly pushes the boundaries of technology to create a safer, more sustainable and more equitable world. Saab designs, manufactures and maintains advanced systems in aeronautics, weapons, command and control, sensors and underwater systems. Saab is headquartered in Sweden. It has major operations all over the world and is part of the domestic defence capability of several nations.





Media Contacts: Dr Kevin Lopes Paul Armanas Director, Strategy & Marketing [email protected] 120B Leonard Drive +61 (0)466 440 541 Groton, CT 06340

860-937-6499 Saab Press Centre [email protected] [email protected]

+46 (0)734 180 018

SOURCE ThayerMahan
Culinary delights shine in this Gulf Coast destination with fresh seafood, international cuisine and more

BILOXI, Miss., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Indulge your senses and embark on a delectable journey along the Mississippi Gulf Coast, where culinary creativity meets coastal, southern charm. We are thrilled to announce an array of dining experiences that are set to tantalize taste buds and captivate food enthusiasts. From sizzling grills featuring unique seafood combinations to the elegant ambiance of fine dining establishments, Coastal Mississippi has become an epicenter of delight. Across the three vibrant counties along the coast of Mississippi, culinary masters blend local flavors with international flair  creating a symphony of tastes that reflect the region's distinctive style.

Credit: Eddie Robinson

"Across our 62-miles of shorelines, there are many culinary gems including flavors from around the world," said Judy Young, CEO of Coastal Mississippi Tourism. "From fresh-caught seafood to international cuisine and southern favorites, visitors have an array of options to choose from. That's why we've curated this list to help everyone plan their Coastal Mississippi getaway and experience their new favorite culinary destination."

World Class Seafood from the Gulf Coast

Nestled on the serene banks of the Jourdan River, Jourdan River Steamer offers an enchanting dining experience, combining vintage elegance with contemporary culinary artistry. With its panoramic views of the river, guests can indulge in a menu featuring fresh Gulf Coast seafood and other culinary delights, such as Royal Red Shrimp, Snow Crab and more.

Hook Gulf Coast Cuisine portrays culinary excellence on the Gulf Coast, offering a remarkable dining experience that seamlessly blends coastal charm with gourmet innovation. Located in Pass Christian , this restaurant boasts a menu brimming with locally sourced seafood, featuring Fresh Catch Escabeche, Pecan Crusted Mangrove Snapper, Seared Tuna, and more  all capturing the region's rich culinary heritage.

, this restaurant boasts a menu brimming with locally sourced seafood, featuring Fresh Catch Escabeche, Pecan Crusted Mangrove Snapper, Seared Tuna, and more  all capturing the region's rich culinary heritage. Located in Ocean Springs with a sophisticated ambiance, Kenny Ward's Prime Steaks & Gulf Seafood features impeccable cuts of prime steak and an exquisite selection of Gulf seafood. From Jumbo Butterfly Shrimp to Grilled Duck and Pan Seared Grouper, this culinary destination mixes the finest flavors of land and sea.

with a sophisticated ambiance, Prime Steaks & Gulf Seafood features impeccable cuts of prime steak and an exquisite selection of Gulf seafood. From Jumbo Butterfly Shrimp to Grilled Duck and Pan Seared Grouper, this culinary destination mixes the finest flavors of land and sea. For the ultimate toes-in-the-sand beachside experience, Sea Level in scenic Pass Christian offers fresh American fare with Coastal flair, ranging from Mahi Mahi to blackened shrimp tacos to world-class burgers and more. Travelers can enjoy breathtaking views of the Mississippi Sound as they enjoy their meal in this peaceful waterside setting. Don't forget to try one of their 40 different flavors of snow cones.

offers fresh American fare with Coastal flair, ranging from to blackened shrimp tacos to world-class burgers and more. Travelers can enjoy breathtaking views of the Mississippi Sound as they enjoy their meal in this peaceful waterside setting. Don't forget to try one of their 40 different flavors of snow cones. Located in Long Beach, Coterie Restaurant & Oyster Bar , recently opened and featuring fresh seafood from the region, including Jumbo Crabcake , Blackened Redfish , seafood platters, crawfish, and more. This destination is a must-stop for any seafood lover who wants to experience delicious seafood with Cajun flair.

Southern Favorites with Coastal Flair

Inside a beautiful replica of an 1820s style historic home featuring salvaged bricks and a grand central chimney, 'The Chimney's Restaurant,' in Gulfport is known for its fresh seafood & steak dinners. Travelers can gaze upon the lush greenery, majestic oaks, and Gulfport waterfront - all while enjoying an extensive menu of southern comfort favorites and chef specialties like the Godchaux Salad made with jumbo lump crabmeat, gulf shrimp, and avocado, Oyster Chimney's, or Trout 1640, a filet of fresh speckled trout topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and shrimp in a light cream sauce with a dash of pernod.

is known for its fresh seafood & steak dinners. Travelers can gaze upon the lush greenery, majestic oaks, and waterfront - all while enjoying an extensive menu of southern comfort favorites and chef specialties like the Godchaux Salad made with jumbo lump crabmeat, gulf shrimp, and avocado, Oyster Chimney's, or Trout 1640, a filet of fresh speckled trout topped with jumbo lump crabmeat and shrimp in a light cream sauce with a dash of pernod. Located in Biloxi , One Thirty-One Lameuse is a culinary haven that promises a southern dining experience in a beautiful historic setting. With an exquisite menu featuring meticulously crafted dishes showcasing many of the region's best ingredients, this restaurant offers your tastebuds a journey that stays true to Coastal Mississippi's roots.

, One Thirty-One Lameuse is a culinary haven that promises a southern dining experience in a beautiful historic setting. With an exquisite menu featuring meticulously crafted dishes showcasing many of the region's best ingredients, this restaurant offers your tastebuds a journey that stays true to Coastal Mississippi's roots. In Bay St. Louis , travelers can visit The Sycamore House, a pair of 19th-century Acadian cottages on the National Register of Historic Places, for delectable dinner, brunch, and dessert options. Chef's Stella LeGardeur and Michael Eastham have curated a menu to tempt every guest with dishes like their savory crab meat and mushroom cheesecake or their Poisson Amandine  a fresh curated fish of the day, pan seared and served with almond butter sauce. The Sycamore House is a historical destination for any traveler looking to dine in sophisticated elegance.

, travelers can visit The Sycamore House, a pair of 19th-century Acadian cottages on the National Register of Historic Places, for delectable dinner, brunch, and dessert options. Chef's and have curated a menu to tempt every guest with dishes like their savory crab meat and mushroom cheesecake or their Poisson Amandine  a fresh curated fish of the day, pan seared and served with almond butter sauce. The Sycamore House is a historical destination for any traveler looking to dine in sophisticated elegance. There's nothing quite like a po'boy, especially at Quave Brothers Po'boys in D'Iberville, who never disappoints. Quave's features a large selection of po'boys, sandwiches, and seafood plates, leaving food enthusiasts with an unparalleled po'boy experience.

International Cuisine in Coastal Mississippi

Located in Gulfport, Mangiamo Italian Restaurant is a true Italian eatery where every dish is made with love, homemade recipes, and the highest quality ingredients. The fine dining establishment offers delicious appetizers, such as Bruschetta and Beef Carpaccio, pasta dishes to savor like Bucatini Carbonara, Seafood Lasagna, and mouthwatering pizzas. Not to mention, divine desserts you just might not want to share.

Designed with multicultural appeal, Tien, located in Biloxi at the IP Casino Resort, is a splashy AAA Three-diamond-rated restaurant featuring Asian cuisines, including Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese. Travelers can enjoy anything from Teppanyaki to Shabu Shabu to Dim Sum and Sushi  all served with a unique interactive experience right at the table.

at the IP Resort, is a splashy AAA Three-diamond-rated restaurant featuring Asian cuisines, including Vietnamese, Korean, Chinese, and Japanese. Travelers can enjoy anything from Teppanyaki to to Dim Sum and Sushi  all served with a unique interactive experience right at the table. For traditional Mexican and Southern recipes passed down for generations, Juanita's Kitchen in Pascagoula is a dining wonderland. Travelers to the restaurant can find delicious Tamales, Fried Catfish & Grits, Chilaquiles in spicy or mild flavors, red meat and seafood burritos and more.

Kitchen in is a dining wonderland. Travelers to the restaurant can find delicious Tamales, Fried Catfish & Grits, Chilaquiles in spicy or mild flavors, red meat and seafood burritos and more. A Southern fusion of Asian cuisine with sweet, spicy, and savory flavors meet southern classics at Long Beach Market & Deli. Whether travelers are craving a custom-made sandwich, a hearty salad or a selection premium cheeses and charcuterie, this location shines with quality and mouthwatering flavors.

For flavors from the Southern region of the Indian sub-continent, Orchid Indian Cuisine brings authentic flavors and aromatic spices from India straight to your plate. The menu of Indian delicacies features biryanis, flavorful curries, and tandoori dishes, all prepared by skilled chefs.

straight to your plate. The menu of Indian delicacies features biryanis, flavorful curries, and tandoori dishes, all prepared by skilled chefs. At Vestige in Ocean Springs , Chef/Owners Alex Perry, and his wife, Kumi Omori , serve a modern American market-driven menu featuring crowd favorites such as Duck Confit, Farm Tomato Salad, Veal Chop and more. James Beard finalists in 2019 and 2023, Vestige offers a creative and innovative dining experience for all travelers in the heart of historic downtown Ocean Springs .

, Chef/Owners Alex Perry, and his wife, , serve a modern American market-driven menu featuring crowd favorites such as Duck Confit, Farm Tomato Salad, Veal Chop and more. finalists in 2019 and 2023, Vestige offers a creative and innovative dining experience for all travelers in the heart of historic downtown . Kaiteki, pronounced (ky-teh-key), meaning comfort in Japanese, is an international noodle bar in Long Beach known for its carefully curated ramen recipes with rich, colorful flavors. Travelers can enjoy flavorful starters like Duck Buns or Blistered Shishito Peppers before diving into famous ramen recipes and even have the option to create their own special bowl.

Where to find Sunday's Best Brunch on the Coast

The vision of owner/chef and James Beard Semi-Finalist, Austin Sumrall, White Pillars in Biloxi offers diners a unique experience from start to finish. In the words of Chef Sumrall "I want diners at White Pillars to feel like they are attending an exclusive event." For brunch that means traditional favorites and chef specialties like Brunch Carbonara, Grits & Grillades, and Brioche French Toast.

offers diners a unique experience from start to finish. In the words of Chef Sumrall "I want diners at White Pillars to feel like they are attending an exclusive event." For brunch that means traditional favorites and chef specialties like Brunch Carbonara, Grits & Grillades, and Brioche French Toast. Bacchus on the Beach, located in Pass Christian , is known for bringing a unique Cajun experience to many of their dishes, and this is no different for brunch. Travelers can bask in the sun-drenched ambiance, savoring each bite from a special brunch menu, including Crab Cake Benedict, Shrimp & Grits and more.

, is known for bringing a unique Cajun experience to many of their dishes, and this is no different for brunch. Travelers can bask in the sun-drenched ambiance, savoring each bite from a special brunch menu, including Crab Cake Benedict, Shrimp & Grits and more. Located in Biloxi, The Toasted Yolk Cafe challenges diners to change the way they think about breakfast and lunch with perfected curated delicacies. From Poached Eggs to Chicken & Waffles to Strawberry Pico Pollo Pancake Tacos, this eatery gives guests the flavors they want (or may not expect) in an unmatched atmosphere.

At 200 North Beach Restaurant, located in Bay St. Louis , travelers can enjoy elegant waterfront views with a delectable brunch menu in a historic circa 1903 building. From your standard southern brunch offerings of Chicken & Waffles and Shrimp & Grits to Brunch Chorizo Tacos and North Beach Crab Cake  brunch is an oceanside breeze at 200 North Beach.

No matter your craving, Coastal Mississippi is poised to provide endless memories, and of course, fresh, delicious, and unique cuisine to every visitor. Travelers can start planning their Coastal culinary getaway now at CoastalMississippi.com .

About Coastal Mississippi: Coastal Mississippi is an organization charged with promoting South Mississippi as a tourism and convention destination worldwide. Its mission centers on attracting ever-increasing numbers of leisure, convention, sports, and business visitors to the area. It is dedicated to maximizing the travel and tourism industry for South Mississippi. Visit CoastalMississippi.com to learn more.

SOURCE Coastal Mississippi
NEW YORK, and LONDON, and PARIS, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hivebrite, a leading community management and engagement platform , has unveiled its new brand identity, reflecting its growth and maturity.

Hivebrite has experienced rapid, exponential growth in recent years. The company is no longer a startup and has evolved into an industry-leading community engagement platform. It is engaging with enterprise customers and wanted a more modern and sophisticated look to better reflect the company it is today.

Hivebrite's new modern and sophisticated look better reflects the company it is today. Post this

"When we started Hiverite almost a decade ago, we never imagined the incredible transformation we would undergo as a company. We weren't originally called Hivebrite. In fact, we made a crucial pivot before becoming the platform we are today. We started as "KeepInTouch". A B2C platform that provided a private and branded online space for university graduates to connect and exchange. But, we quickly realized that an effective online community can offer extraordinary value to almost every type of organization. We went back to the drawing board and relaunched as Hivebritea comprehensive community management and engagement platform built to provide all types of organizations with the tools they need to create the most vibrant and impactful communities possible. Fast forward to 2023, and over 1000 organizations, including Boeing, Roche, the Obama Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences, the Aspen Institute, the University of Notre Dame, the U.S. Naval Academy, and U.C. Davis, trust our platform to power their communities. Unsurprisingly, this hypergrowth made us realize that our brand identity also needed to evolve. We spent months considering how to revamp our look while underscoring our credibility and instilling trust. Today, we are incredibly proud to reveal our new look that reinforces Hivebrite as an enterprise brand and leader in community-building technology. Jean Hamon, Founder and CEO, Hivebrite.

Hivebrite's new look in a nutshell

Helping its customers drive impact is at the heart of Hivebrite's businessand it wanted a logo to reflect this. The new logo is designed to be more impactful with a new eye-catching blue and bold typography.

The company chose vibrant new accent colors that increase readability and legibility while making its design instantly more recognizable. Its latest typography is bold and confident, with two fonts for a better hierarchy.

A top-class brand identity and matching website

Hivebrite has completely revamped its website to match its new brand identity. The new site delivers rich new content in an organized and modern layout to enable visitors to easily access product and community-building information.

The website has been structured around Hivebrite's five pillars: Brand, Organize, Engage, Empower, and Monetize. These are the key functionalities that drive its product and make Hivebrite an industry-leading community platform. The new site is also home to Hivebrite's community-building resource center that shares webinar recordings, podcasts, guides, and more!

Head over to hivebrite.io to see the company's new brand identity come to life.

About Hivebrite

Hivebrite is an all-in-one community management and engagement platform. It empowers organizations to launch, manage, and grow fully branded private communities. Hivebrite is completely customizable and provides all the tools needed to strengthen community engagement. Over 900 organizations worldwide use Hivebrite to build and engage vibrant communities, including Boeing, Roche, the Obama Foundation, the National Academy of Sciences, the Aspen Institute, the University of Notre Dame, the U.S. Naval Academy, and U.C. Davis. For more information on Hivebrite, visit hivebrite.io

Press contact

Kathryn Bird

[email protected]

https://hivebrite.io/

SOURCE Hivebrite
Tiger Pistol launches TikTok social media advertising campaigns to help the Greater Cleveland Food Bank achieve its benevolent mission during the 2023 holiday season.

CLEVELAND, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Tiger Pistol , the most advanced local social media advertising platform, has partnered with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank , the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio to amplify the promotion of its "Hunger-Free Holidays" donation initiative through local advertising on TikTok.

Tiger Pistol, the leading local social media advertising platform, is joining forces with the Greater Cleveland Food Bank, the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio. Together, they are launching TikTok advertising campaigns to support the "Hunger-Free Holidays" donation initiative during the 2023 holiday season. This partnership aims to leverage TikTok's influence in cause-related marketing to inspire Northeast Ohio communities to combat hunger.

"TikTok has become a beacon for next-generation marketing, and the digital platform has had tremendous success with cause-related marketing , providing an extremely powerful tool for the Greater Cleveland Food Bank," said Paul Elliott, CEO of Tiger Pistol. "Tiger Pistol recently expanded its advertiser ecosystem to include TikTok , and with our headquarters in Cleveland, our first order of business is to take our corporate volunteerism with the Food Bank to the next level. We are confident that these TikTok social ads will inspire Northeast Ohio local communities to address the fight against hunger through the holidays and beyond."

Within the Greater Cleveland Food Bank's service area, the stark reality is that one in seven individuals, and a striking one in four senior citizens, confront the harsh challenge of food insecurity, their next meal shrouded in uncertainty. Additionally, Cleveland maintains an unfortunate position, consistently ranking among the leading large U.S. cities plagued by the highest rates of child poverty.

"We're thrilled to partner with Tiger Pistol for TikTok advertising," said Kristin S. Warzocha, President and CEO of the Greater Cleveland Food Bank. "We believe this campaign will expose and engage younger community members to the problem of hunger in Northeast Ohio and how they can help."

Learn more about the Greater Cleveland Food Bank "Hunger Free Holidays" initiative by visiting greaterclevelandfoodbank.org.

Learn more about how Tiger Pistol removes the complexity of local social media advertising to enable companies to easily find and engage with local customers. Visit tigerpistol.com .

About the Greater Cleveland Food Bank

The Greater Cleveland Food Bank is the largest hunger relief organization in Northeast Ohio having provided 49 million meals in FY2022 to nearly 350,000 hungry people in Cuyahoga, Ashtabula, Geauga, Lake, Ashland and Richland counties. Our mission is working together to ensure that everyone in our communities has the nutritious food they need every day. We do this through both food distribution and SNAP outreach efforts. The Food Bank continues to provide nutritious food to those in need while working to end hunger tomorrow through connecting clients to resources. For more information go to www.GreaterClevelandFoodBank.org.

About Tiger Pistol

Tiger Pistol simplifies local social media advertising for multi-location brands, franchises, resellers, and agencies. Our platform automates location-based social advertising at scale with a focus on flexibility, versatility, and marketing collaboration to facilitate consumer connections and drive sales. Campaigns published through Tiger Pistol's platform drive better results with greater spend efficiency and ad performance, proving the relevancy of local campaigns improves the return on investment. It is the ideal solution for advertisers seeking to launch effective location-based campaigns easily and efficiently. Learn more by visiting TigerPistol.com , or following on Twitter , Facebook , or LinkedIn .

CONTACT:











Christina Morello

Director, Marketing and Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Tiger Pistol
Dr. Michael Fubi, CEO of TUV Rheinland AG, visits state-of-the art facilities and meets with key customer executives.

Massachusetts and Arkansas' labs total 85,000 square feet of innovative services for product testing and certification.

and labs total 85,000 square feet of innovative services for product testing and certification. Both labs will be operational by the end of 2023.

BOXBOROUGH, Mass., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TUV Rheinland North America proudly announces the finalization of its expansive investments into U.S. testing, featuring the first preview of the state-of-the-art Technology and Innovation Center (TIC) in Boxborough, Massachusettes, alongside the relocation of its laboratory in Bentonville, Arkansas. These cutting-edge facilities, encompassing a total of 85,000 square feet, will be fully operational by the close of 2023, delivering strategic solutions to pivotal clients across diverse industries in the region.

In celebration of this significant achievement, Dr. Michael Fubi, Chairman of the Executive Board of Management of TUV Rheinland AG, personally visited both facilities. During his visit, he engaged with key clients and shared insights into the unparalleled customer experience that TUV Rheinland is poised to offer through these advanced laboratories.

"North America is a significant part of our global strategy, representing a substantial market in advanced technologies and other key industries. This expansion demonstrates our dedication to growth in North America. We believe that maintaining our leadership requires ongoing investment in innovative facilities and services that meet our customers' needs," stated Dr. Michael Fubi, CEO of TUV Rheinland AG.

The TIC Center stands as the company's most extensive product testing and certification lab in the Americas, equipped with cutting-edge technology to conduct tests and certifications for sectors including electrical product safety, Medical Device Testing, EMC Testing, Robotics, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Photo Voltaic Inverters, and Energy Storage.

"This multi-million dollar investment underscores TUV Rheinland's dedication to serving existing customers and offering strategic solutions rooted in technology, innovation, and our talented workforce. This laboratory empowers us, as industry leaders, to extend our offerings, providing expertise and comprehensive knowledge of regulations worldwide, expediting our customers' time to market," commented Jonathan Kotbra, VP of Products Americas at TUV Rheinland North America.

Meanwhile, the Bentonville laboratory enhances customer services with expanded test scopes, cutting-edge testing technologies, and sustainable solutions. Services offered include toy testing, softlines and hardlines testing for substances of very high concern (SVHC), compliance with REACH, and other analytical chemistry-based regulatory requirements.

"This new lab positions us to adapt to the evolving landscape of domestic manufacturing. We have created a world-class analytical chemistry capability, specifically tailored for toys and retail products. We are thrilled to provide our customers with enhanced services to address their testing and certification needs," shared Lillian Peregrina, Director of Hardlines and Softlines.

TUV Rheinland reaffirms its commitment to fostering a safer and more sustainable world by developing innovative solutions across North American industries. Moreover, the company is laying a robust foundation, establishing an all-in-one customer space to expedite market transformation both nationally and globally. To learn more about our the services we will be offering in our new labs, click here:

Bentonville, Boxborough, or contact us today.

About TUV Rheinland

TUV Rheinland stands for safety and quality in virtually all areas of business and life. The company has been operating for more than 150 years and ranks among the world's leading testing service providers. It has more than 20,000 employees in over 50 countries and generates annual revenues of around 2.3 billion euros. TUV Rheinland's highly qualified experts test technical systems and products around the world, support innovations in technology and business, train people in numerous professions and certify management systems according to international standards. In doing so, the independent experts generate trust in products as well as processes across global value-adding chains and the flow of commodities. Since 2006, TUV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.tuv.com

Contact us for press inquiries:

Mariana Taborda do Amaral

Telephone: +55 11 3514 5867

Email: [email protected]

Michael Garcia Carbajal

Phone: +52 55 3488 2108

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE TUV Rheinland
54% of organizations using cloud for ESG compliance to drive sustainability, significant room for improvement in leveraging cloud to address scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3 carbon emissions.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey report by MIT Technology Review Insights, in partnership with Infosys Cobalt , examines how cloud capabilities play a crucial role in accelerating the global economy's next stage of digital transformation, spanning cybersecurity, sustainability, AI, and more.

The " 2023 Global Cloud Ecosystem " report is based on in-depth secondary research and analysis, along with interviews with global experts on the cloud economy. MIT Technology Review Insights also conducted a global survey of 400 C-suite executives. The respondents represent four regions (North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia and New Zealand), covering 12 industry sectors.

The key findings are as follows:

Cloud helps the top and bottom line globally. More than eight out of 10 survey respondents report more cost-efficiency due to cloud deployments. Eighty two percent say they are currently tracking cloud ROI and 66% report positive ROI from cloud investments.

Cloud-centric organizations expect strong data governance (but don't always get it). Strong data privacy protection and governance is essential to accelerate cloud adoption. Perceptions of national data sovereignty and privacy frameworks vary, underscoring the lack of global standards. Most respondents decline to say their countries are leaders in the space, but more than two-thirds say they keep pace.

All in for zero-trust. Public and hybrid cloud assets raise cybersecurity concerns. But cloud is required to grow AI and automation. Because of the risk associated with AI, the zero-trust user paradigm has gained wide acceptance across industries.

Sustainability in the cloud. The cloud's primary functionscaling up computing resourcesis a key enabler for compliance issues such as security, privacy, and environment, social, and governance (ESG). Fifty-four percent of respondents say they use cloud tools for ESG reporting and compliance, and 51% use cloud to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion compliance.

"As cloud investment gears up to command a significant amount of global IT infrastructure spending in 2023, the dynamic interplay between flexibility, efficiency, and productivity becomes clear," says Laurel Ruma, global editorial director, MIT Technology Review Insights. She continues, "The cloud's potential is unmistakable, and this report serves as a beacon for decision-makers seeking to harness its power for innovation and growth."

"Cloud has demonstrated a clear ability to impact the bottom line, and organizations globally are committed to next-gen technology development strategies that are powered by cloud," says Anant Adya, executive vice president and service offering head, Infosys. "The findings from the '2023 Global Cloud Ecosystem' report, which we have created with MIT Technology Review Insights, give us a global view of how technology decision-makers are leveraging cloud resources to grow and transform their operations. With Infosys Cobalt, we aim to harness the full potential of cloud technology to address the various challenges faced by industries, including growth, costs, and innovation."

To download the report, click here .

For more information please contact:

Natasha Conteh

Head of communications

MIT Technology Review Insights

[email protected]

About MIT Technology Review Insights

MIT Technology Review Insights is the custom publishing division of MIT Technology Review , the world's longest-running technology magazine, backed by the world's foremost technology institutionproducing live events and research on the leading technology and business challenges of the day. Insights conducts qualitative and quantitative research and analysis in the U.S. and abroad and publishes a wide variety of content, including articles, reports, infographics, videos, and podcasts. And through its growing MIT Technology Review Global Insights Panel, Insights has unparalleled access to senior-level executives, innovators, and entrepreneurs worldwide for surveys and in-depth interviews.

SOURCE MIT Technology Review Insights
DUBLIN, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "The US Employment Screening Market (by Service, & Industry Vertical): Insights and Forecast with Potential Impact of COVID-19 (2022-2027)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The US employment screening market is expected to reach US$2.01 billion in 2023, growing at a CAGR of 6.44% during the forecast period.

Rising demand for time-efficient selection systems, as a result of an increase in the number of job applicants, as well as secular labour market tailwinds such as increased workforce mobility, remote work, higher employee churn, and a sizable freelance workforce, would impact the demand for the US employment screening market in the coming years.

Segment Covered

Verification segment held maximum share in the market. A Verification process can help certify that the candidate's listed work experience is valid and adequate, and can also reveal the reasons a candidate left their previous positions is one of the major factors that encouraged verification in the US employment screening industry.

The background screening segment is expected to increase at a significant CAGR over the projected period. Online platforms make it easier for consumers and companies to opt for background screening, bolstering demand for industry services.

IT & Telecom industry accounted for highest share in the US employment screening market, as the candidates applying in IT & telecom industry are bound to display a high discrepancy in their resumes, paved favorable conditions for the growth of IT & Telecom employment screening market.

Driver: Rising Number of Start-ups

The small businesses in the US are doubling their size every year because they've been unshackled through either deregulation or lower taxes. These companies are creating majority of the jobs in the US. These start-up companies leverage technology, and encourage the ability to work remotely, directly impact hiring and workflow.

Time and distance from the workplace are no longer barriers to employment, and the traditional work methodologies are going by the wayside. All of this is demanded by the employees and thus pave way for a lot of job applications. Thus, the rising jobs creation due to rising number of start-up businesses would boost the market of employment screening in the US.

Challenge: Discrimination Concerns

Discriminatory practices can occur in any aspect of employment. Employment discrimination happens when an employee or job candidate is treated unfavorably because of age, disability, genetic information, national origin, pregnancy, race or skin color, religion, or sex. It is unlawful for an employer to assume that an employee may be incapable because he or she is disabled.

An increasing number of cities and states in the US, limit employers to enquire into criminal records and convictions. In particular 53.8% of the job applicants faced retaliation discrimination in 2019. Discrimination concerns are associated with the adoption of employment screening services, for instance, if a particular credit history would disqualify an applicant, it must disqualify applicants of all races.

Furthermore, employers are also expected to be careful to circumvent any use of background reports that may result in rejecting or hiring any class of employees based on gender, race, and other protected categories. Thus, employment screening services may discriminate and hinder the market from growing.

Trend: Escalating Importance of Social Media in Employment Screening

Social media screening is a process wherein a reference is made through candidates' social media profiles to ascertain if they are a perfect match for the open job role. A social media screening tool can uncover pictures of candidates in compromising situations, posts of them being violent or abusive online - all sort of behaviors that they can easily hide during an interview.

Social media is becoming increasingly volatile, especially in the new normal condition wherein work from home culture is supported. People are increasingly using social media platforms to express themselves since the new normal means mostly interaction virtually. All of which, describes a candidate's personality, preferences, and interests.

Moreover, social media also provides information about the activities of the candidate, for example, participation in rallies, protests or even standing up or against someone or something. Therefore, social media screening has become increasingly important to know the nature of candidate before getting the person onto the job.

The COVID-19 Analysis

The outbreak of Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) had a negative impact on the US employment screening market in 2020 as governments globally imposed lockdowns.

Several people had become unemployed, due to the shutdown of many companies and other companies laid off the employees to cut cost. However, following COVID-19, the industry has seen an increase in 2021, due to the relaxation of lockout limitations and new startups being launched.

Competitive Landscape

The US employment screening market is fragmented with the presence of a large number of players majorly dominating worldwide.

The US Anesthesia Hospital Players by Market Share

The US Anesthesia Service Market by Other Private Providers

The US Anesthesiology Service Market Players by Services

Company Profiles: Business Overview & Business Strategy

3M Company

Company Abbott Laboratories

Abbvie Inc.

AstraZeneca Plc

Baxter International Inc.

Becton, Dickinson and Company

Blackstone (TeamHealth)

Braun (BBraun Avitum AG)

Dragerwerk AG & CoKGaA

General Electric Company

ICU Medical, Inc.

KKR & CoInc(Envision Healthcare Corporation)

SunMed LLC

Teleflex Incorporated

Market Dynamics

Growth Drivers

Rising Geriatric Population

Growing Healthcare Expenditure

Increase in Monitored Anesthesia Use

Increase In Number Of Approval For Anesthesia Drugs

Challenges

Side Effects of Anesthesia

Lack of Skilled Anesthesiologist

Market Trends

Escalating Establishment of Ambulatory Surgical Centers (ASC)

Technological Enhancement of Anesthesia Devices

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/8i35hy

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
Digital OOH Accounts for Nearly One Third of Sales In Q3, Up 6.8% From A Year Ago

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Out of home (OOH) advertising revenue increased 1.1% in the third quarter of 2023 compared to the previous year, accounting for $1.96 billion, based on the latest figures released by the Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA).

Amid ongoing economic turbulence, OOH is up 1.5% for the first three quarters of the year. Digital OOH, which accounted for more than 32% of sales for the quarter, increased 6.8 from a year ago. The Place-Based category generated the greatest quarterly growth over the second quarter of 2022, increasing by 12.5%.

When looking at industries with the most growth this quarter, four of the top 10 categories grew faster than the quarterly average including: Public Transportation, Hotels & Resorts (+11.8%); Local Services & Amusements (+11.4%), Schools, Camps, & Seminars (+9.6%), and Government, Politics and Organizations (+1.3%), The growth in these industries speaks to the continuing 2023 trend of heightened consumer enthusiasm for real-life experiences.

"As we head into end of year, we're encouraged by the continued growth we're seeing across the out of home industry and the strength of particular platforms like digital OOH, which allow marketers to be nimble, innovative, and adaptive," said Anna Bager, President & CEO, OAAA. "Many marketers have been asked to do more with less this year and the fact that they continue to shift more spend to out of home proves the innate value in this one-to-many medium."

When compared to Q3 2022, eight of the top 10 OOH product categories shifted significant spend to OOH, outpacing the total quarterly growth, including:

Legal Service +37.1%

Live Theater, Opera, Music, Dance +26.7%

Consumer Banking + 16.6%

Domestic Hotels & Resorts +11.4%

Colleges & Universities +9.1%

Quick Service Restaurants +4.2%

Local Government +3.5%

Hospitals, Clinics & Medical Centers +2.5%

Ranked in order of OOH spending, the top 10 advertisers in the third quarter were McDonald's, Apple, Coors, Disney, Uber, Anheuser-Busch, Amazon T-Mobile, Coca-Cola, and Google.

Among the top 100 OOH advertisers, 66% increased their OOH spend from Q2 2022, and 30% raised their OOH investment by more than half compared to last year's second quarter. Six advertisers increased their OOH spend by more than ten times, including (listed by spend % increase): Asia Forging Supply Co., One Key, Pfizer, Twilio, Richemont Jewelers, and Coors.

More than one-fifth (22%) of the top 100 OOH spenders were technology or direct-to-consumer brands, including Apple, Uber, Amazon, T-Mobile, Google, Samsung, Netflix, Hulu, and Comcast, which finished among the top 30 (according to spend).

OAAA issues full industry pro forma revenue estimates that include, but are not limited to, Miller Kaplan and Vivvix (which is not adjusted to reflect comparable changes in data sources), and member company affidavits. Revenue estimates include digital and static billboard, street furniture, transit, place-based, and cinema advertising.

For more information about specific category spend, please contact Steve Nicklin at [email protected] or 202-833-5566.

About the OAAA

The Out of Home Advertising Association of America (OAAA) is the national trade association for the entire out of home (OOH) advertising industry. OAAA represents over 800 members, including leading media companies, advertisers, agencies, ad-tech providers, and suppliers. OOH media includes billboards, street furniture, transit, place-based media, and digital formats (DOOH) across every sector of the channel. OAAA is the unifying voice for the industry, the authoritative thought leader, and the passionate advocate for advancing OOH advertising in the United States. The legislative unit of OAAA advocates for the responsible growth of OOH with federal, state, and local governments. OAAA-member media companies donate over $500 million annually in public service advertising. Founded in 1891, OAAA is headquartered in Washington, DC, with offices in New York City.

Media Contact

Christine Galetto

DGC

[email protected]

SOURCE OAAA
ST. THOMAS, U.S. Virgin Islands, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism celebrates the successful conclusion of the 2023 Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference and Operations Summit (CHICOS). Held on St. Thomas at the new Westin Beach Resort & Spa at Frenchman's Reef, CHICOS brought together key stakeholders, investors, and dignitaries in hospitality and tourism. The opening reception hosted by the Department of Tourism showcased a cultural immersion for summit attendees featuring electric performances by fire dancers and international reggae sensation Pressure, ending with a grand fireworks display. The stunning St. Thomas hillside provided a stunning backdrop for the event.

USVI Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte Welcomes CHICOS 2023 Attendees HVS CEO Parris Jordan, USVI Governor Albert Bryan Jr., Caribbean Tourism Organization Secretary General and CEO Dona Regis-Prosper and USVI Commissioner of Tourism Joseph Boschulte

The summit began on Monday, November 13th, with a powerful welcome message from the U.S. Virgin Islands Governor Albert Bryan Jr., who discussed the importance of interconnectivity and cross-island collaboration throughout the Caribbean to continue growing the region as a leader in the hospitality space.

CHICOS has earned its reputation as the leading hospitality conference for the Caribbean region, attracting a diverse range of participants from governmental representatives and opinion leaders to developers, bankers, tourism officials, and hotel brand executives.

This year's conference served as a platform for attendees to network, share insights, and discuss emerging trends to shape investment decisions in the Caribbean's vibrant hospitality sector. Notable statistics showed how the U.S. Virgin Islands has catapulted to the top of many regional lists, citing increased visitation, turnkey marketing, and bold leadership.

Joseph Boschulte, Commissioner of the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism, was featured on two panel discussions focused on investment and leadership, stating, "The opportunity to come together, share ideas, connect stakeholders and celebrate the ongoing growth of our regions tourism economy is not only needed but pertinent to our continued elevation. Many thanks to the CHICOS and HVS team for creating such an invigorating summit and entrusting the U.S. Virgin Islands to be this year's host."

Images from the 2023 Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands are available here. Please attribute all images to the U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism.

For more information about the U.S. Virgin Islands and its offerings, please visit https://www.visitusvi.com/.

To explore the Caribbean Hotel Investment Conference & Operations Summit, please visit www.hvsconferences.com.

About the U.S. Virgin Islands

About 40 miles east of Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands comprise a United States territory located in the northeastern Caribbean Sea. The three islands are St. Croix, St. John, and St. Thomas, where the capital of Charlotte Amalie is located. Perfect for leisure or business travel, the U.S. Virgin Islands features breathtaking, world-renowned beaches, an international marine industry, European architecture, and a burgeoning restaurant industry. No passports are required from U.S. citizens traveling from the U.S. mainland or Puerto Rico. Entry requirements for non-U.S. citizens are equivalent to entering the United States from any international country. Upon departure, a passport is required for non-U.S. citizens. For more information about the United States Virgin Islands, go to www.VisitUSVI.com , follow us on Instagram (@visitusvi) and Twitter (@usvitourism), and become a fan on Facebook ( www.facebook.com/VisitUSVI ).

SOURCE U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Tourism
Eighth annual essay competition asks veterinary students to address the pros and cons of telemedicine on the veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

DAVIS, Calif., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The VIN Foundation is excited to announce its eighth annual Solutions for the Profession Competition . This year's competition asks veterinary students to examine current efforts to expand the use of telemedicine and the impact upon regulations defining criteria for establishing a veterinarian-client-patient relationship (VCPR). Students submitting entries are required to explore the pros and cons of these efforts for veterinarians, clients and patients, and to propose a solution that entails maximizing the benefits and minimizing the risks.

VIN Foundation Solutions for the Profession Competition VIN Foundation Solutions for the Profession Competition

The annual competition is open to currently enrolled veterinary students worldwide and challenges them to suggest innovative solutions to issues facing the veterinary profession. Prior competitions have addressed topics such as teaching hospitals, staff shortages, diversity, practice consolidation, challenges of veterinary school, and the relevance of veterinary education to career goals.

VIN Foundation Executive Director, Jordan benShea, stated: "Telemedicine is coming in fast to the veterinary industry and it's a perfect topic for students to consider as they get closer to embarking on their career in veterinary medicine. In line with the VIN Foundation's mission to support veterinary colleagues at each defining moment of their career, this year's topic will hopefully encourage students to think critically about how this change could impact their career and the profession."

Three entrants will win cash scholarships to help support tuition and education-related expenses:

First place: $5,000

Second place: $3,000

Third place: $1,500

The VIN Foundation Solutions for the Profession Committee will select the anonymized top entries in the first round of judging. These essays will then be assessed by experts in the topic area, who will pass the top choices to three well-known leaders in the veterinary profession. These final judges will determine the winners.

Learn more about the VIN Foundation and its programs at http://VINFoundation.org .

About VIN Foundation

The VIN Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit provides tools and resources to support pre-veterinary students, veterinary students, and veterinarians throughout their careers. The VIN Foundation was created by members of the Veterinary Information Network (VIN), an online community of veterinarians and veterinary students with over 100,000 members worldwide. Learn more about the VIN Foundation and its resources at https://VINFoundation.org . The VIN Foundation is made possible through generous gifts by individual donors and grants; all gifts made to the VIN Foundation are tax deductible.

Jordan benShea

VIN Foundation

(888) 616-6506

[email protected]

SOURCE VIN Foundation
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. A detachment of the Marine Special Forces of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces will take part in the international exercises, Azerbaijani Defense Ministry told Trend.

In accordance with the plan of military cooperation between the Defense Ministries of Azerbaijan and Turkiye, a group of servicemen of the Marine Special Forces of the Azerbaijan Naval Forces are visiting fraternal country to participate in the 'Dogu Akdeniz-2023' (Eastern Mediterranean-2023) international exercise scheduled to be held in the city of Marmaris.

Azerbaijani servicemen, on October 22, participated in the International Military Observers Course in Hungary, as part of the cooperation program between the Ministry of Defense and NATO for 2022.

Those who successfully completed the course were awarded diplomas. Military servicemen from 15 countries were involved in participating in the event.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
DUBLIN , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "4-Hour Virtual Seminar on The Synergy Between ADA, FMLA, and Workers' Comp - Demystifying The Bermuda Triangle Of Employment Law" webinar has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Interplay of ADA, FMLA, and Workers' Compensation Laws



Gain a comprehensive understanding of the interrelationships between the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the Family and Medical Leave Act (FMLA), and Workers' Compensation laws. This trio of regulations has been dubbed the 'Bermuda Triangle of Employment Law,' and it is crucial for employers to navigate its complexities with precision.



The ADA safeguards qualified individuals with disabilities from discrimination during the application and employment process. In parallel, the FMLA establishes essential leave standards for employees, encompassing situations such as childbirth, newborn care, adoption or foster care placement, caring for family members with serious health conditions, and managing one's own serious health conditions.



Simultaneously, Workers' Compensation laws ensure compensation and rehabilitation for workplace injuries while minimizing employer liability. While each law has distinct objectives and employee protections, their convergence can lead to confusion if not handled correctly.



Absenteeism, both scheduled and unscheduled, predominantly stems from employee and family member illnesses. In such cases, one, two, or all three of these laws may come into play. Violations can result in severe consequences, including lost wages, back pay, reinstatement, retroactive benefits, compensatory damages, and punitive damages.



Beyond legal obligations, employers also bear moral and ethical responsibilities to ensure employees receive the benefits and protections conferred by these laws.



Why Should You Attend:



Participating in this webinar is vital for employers seeking to comprehend the intricate interplay between the ADA, FMLA, and Workers' Compensation laws. By gaining clarity on each law's purpose and their synergies, you can develop effective company policies and communicate them proficiently to employees.



Avoid potential pitfalls and noncompliance by equipping yourself with the knowledge and insights required to navigate the complexities of these intertwined regulations. Safeguard your organization's legal standing, fulfill ethical obligations, and provide employees with the benefits and protections they deserve.



Join this webinar to unlock the full potential of ADA, FMLA, and Workers' Compensation laws, transforming their complexities into manageable compliance strategies.



PART 1:

Purposes of the ADA, the FMLA, and Workers' Compensation Laws

Understanding the provisions of ADA, FMLA and Workers' Compensation law

Employer coverage

Employee eligibility

Length of leave

Medical documentation that may be requested

Restricted/Light Duty

Fitness-to-Return certification

Employee benefits while on leave

Job reinstatement

Recognizing and analyzing the interplay of the ADA, FMLA and Workers' Compensation law: What's the risk for employers?

Impact of State-enacted FMLA laws

Enforcement authorities for each of the three laws

Running afoul of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC)

PART 2:

Situations in which employees have a sense of unfair treatment

The areas of interplay to consider when managing employee absenteeism

Tactics to keep employers compliant

Determining employers' responsibilities regarding medical and disability-related leave requests

Considering medical leave requests through the lens of the FMLA, ADA, and Worker's Compensation

Protocol for employees requesting medical leaves of absence

Intermittent or Reduced-Schedule leaves

Impact of intermittent leave on performance standards

Supervisors create liability

Reviewing your organization's leave policies and their implications for ADA, FMLA, and Workers' Compensation

Reflecting ADA, FMLA and Workers' Compensation regulations in your policies

Communicating leave policies to employees

Speaker



Diane L. Dee, President of Advantage HR Consulting, LLC has over 25 years of experience in the Human Resources arena. Diane's background includes experience in Human Resources consulting and administration in corporate, government, consulting and pro bono environments. Diane founded Advantage HR Consulting, LLC in early 2016.

Under Diane's leadership, Advantage HR provides comprehensive, cost-effective Human Resources solutions for small to mid-sized firms in the greater Chicagoland area. Additionally, Diane conducts webinars on a wide-variety of HR topics for various compliance training firms across the country.



Diane holds a Master Certificate in Human Resources from Cornell University's School of Industrial and Labor Relations and has attained SPHR, SHRM-SCP, sHRBP and HRPM certification. Diane is a member of the National Association of Women Business Owners and the Society for Human Resource Management.

Additionally, Diane performs pro bono work through the Taproot Foundation assisting non-profit clients by integrating their Human Resources goals with their corporate strategies.



For more information about this webinar visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ql1tmk

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

ResearchAndMarkets.com is the world's leading source for international market research reports and market data. We provide you with the latest data on international and regional markets, key industries, the top companies, new products and the latest trends.

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

[email protected]

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470

For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630

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SOURCE Research and Markets
Study in Western Journal of Nursing Research reveals virtual sitting is a valued resource with positive effects on nurse burnout

BELMONT, Mich., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Virtual care adoption is increasing quickly in hospital settings, but do bedside clinicians view it as a positive change? Recent studies show that virtual sitting is a technological advancement that is viewed as a resource gain, not a resource drain. AvaSure, the market leader in acute virtual sitting and virtual nursing solutions, today announced the results of a new study published in the Western Journal of Nursing Research in August 2023. The study, An Experience Sampling Analysis of the Impact of Video Monitoring Technology and In-Person Sitters on Nurse Burnout: The Moderating Effect of Nurse Commitment and Mediating Effect of Emotional Labor (Kluemper, et al), supported by Providence and AvaSure, revealed that the use of virtual sitting technology, as opposed to one-to-one sitters, can be tied to reduction in nurse burnout especially for nurses who already feel less committed. Additionally, the study showed in-person sitting was viewed as a resource drain with negative effects on these nurses' emotional labor and emotional exhaustion.

"Having insightful research into virtual sitting helps us alleviate burnout among our nursing staff and optimize the usage of all our resources to get the right care to the right patient at the right time," said study co-author Emily Anderson, MSN, RN, PCCN-K, nurse manager at Providence Medical Center in Anchorage, AK. "This study supports our experience that virtual sitting improves the well-being of our nurses and helps maintain patient safety."

While it is well-established in clinical literature that virtual sitting technology, compared with the use of in-person sitters, improves safety and reduces costs for hospitals, this study sheds light on the technology's impact on nurses' stress and well-being. The new study builds on previous research published in the Journal of Nursing Measurement in 2020, which surveyed 412 nurses on their attitudes toward virtual sitting. It demonstrated bedside nurses view virtual sitting as an increased resource to maintain patient safety and did not view one-to-one sitters as a safer alternative.

"This research represents a valuable contribution to the knowledge base on virtual sitting by being the first to demonstrate a reduction in nurse burnout associated with the use of virtual sitting technology," said Lisbeth Votruba, MSN, RN, chief clinical officer of AvaSure. "As more and more peer-reviewed research on virtual sitting is published, it becomes clearer that nurses view the unproven practice of using one-to-one sitters as a resource drain and virtual sitters are a benefit. Nurses know that pulling valuable nursing assistants to sit with one patient around the clock is wasteful and leaves everyone else shorthanded."

"While we already know from the existing literature that virtual sitting improves patient safety and saves hospitals critical financial resources, it is important to better understand how virtual sitting impacts nurse well-being," said Don Kluemper, Ph.D., the study's lead author and Professor of Management at Texas Tech University. "This new study supports the notion that virtual sitting reduces while one-to-one sitters worsen nurse burnout."

The study used an experience sampling method and was conducted by surveying nurses twice a day for three weeks, resulting in 524 survey administrations provided by 74 nurses. The surveys included measures of daily video monitoring technology and in-person sitter use, emotional labor, emotional exhaustion, and nurse career commitment. Nurses participated from Providence Medical Center in Anchorage, AK and Providence St. Peter in Olympia, WA.

AvaSure was not involved in the study design, collection, analysis, interpretation of data, writing of the manuscript nor the decision to submit the manuscript for publication.

To learn more about the AvaSure TeleSitter solution, click here.

About AvaSure

AvaSure provides the leading virtual sitting and virtual nursing solutions to systems with nursing and staffing shortages that are challenged to significantly reduce labor costs without sacrificing patient health outcomes. Recognized by KLAS Research as the leader in reducing the cost of patient care, AvaSure is the pioneer in providing best-in-class, video-based AvaSure TeleSitter and TeleNurse solutions. As a trusted partner of more than 1,100 hospitals, AvaSure combines virtual safety attendants, virtual nurses and other providers on a single platform to enhance clinical care without placing any additional burdens on existing staff. To learn more about AvaSure visit www.avasure.com.

About Providence

Providence is a national, not-for-profit Catholic health system comprising a diverse family of organizations and driven by a belief that health is a human right. With 51 hospitals, over 1,000 physician clinics, senior services, supportive housing, and many other health and educational services, the health system and its partners employ more than 120,000 caregivers serving communities across seven states  Alaska, California, Montana, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, and Washington, with system offices in Renton, Wash., and Irvine, Calif. Learn about our vision of health for a better world at www.Providence.org.

Media Contact:

Marcia Rhodes, Amendola Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE AvaSure
The all-in-one solutions for when leaks occur

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Knix, intimate apparel brand and champion of living unapologetically free is excited to announce its new innovation in Leakproof technology: Leakproof Shapewear absorbing about 0.8 - 3 tsp of liquid, which is the equivalent of about 1-3 regular tampons or about 1-2 pantyliners.

Knix is the ultimate destination for Base Layers: Bras, Underwear, and Shapewear designing products for real bodies. The new Leakproof Shapewear offerings give people the freedom to wear what they want, when they want - combining form, fashion and function. These new innovations in Leakproof Shapewear provide an all-in-one solution giving people the option to go commando and achieve the seamless look they expect from shapewear with the added protection of leakproof technology.

Designed to make you feel comfortable in your own skin any day of the month, our Leakproof Shapewear enhances your natural shape - giving you the confidence to feel protected against life's leaks.

The new Leakproof Shapewear is available in two different silhouettes: the Leakproof High Rise Shaper Short and the Leakproof High Rise Shaper Brief - both perfect base layers to wear under your favorite outfits for a seamless look and feel. The Knix Leakproof Shapewear is available in sizes XS to XXXXL. The Leakproof High Rise Shaper Short retails for $65 USD and the Leakproof High Rise Brief retails for $55 USD. The new Leakproof Shapewear is launching November 16th, 2023.

To learn more about the new Leakproof Shapewear, click here or visit us in stores across Canada and California.

About Knix

Knix is a direct-to-consumer intimates and apparel brand. Through innovative products and a community-first approach, Knix is on a mission to empower people everywhere to live unapologetically free. Every product, campaign and image that Knix puts into the world is tied to this mission that has been embedded in the company's DNA since day one. Founded in 2013, by Joanna Griffiths, Knix is one of the fastest growing DTC brands in North America and is globally recognized as an innovator and disrupter within the apparel space.

SOURCE Knix
The additional $40 million investment is expected to provide additional financial stability and working capital to execute our plans for future, profitable growth

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wheels Up Experience (NYSE: UP) today announced that it has closed a new investment by Kore Capital and funds managed by Whitebox Advisors LLC on November 15, 2023.

These new investors join Delta Air Lines, Certares Management LLC, Knighthead Capital Management LLC and Cox Enterprises, providing an additional term loan facility in the amount of $40 million under the existing Credit Agreement. Upon the closing of this new investment, the Credit Facility consists of the Term Loan in the amount of $390 million and the Revolving Credit Facility in the amount of $100 million.

"As discussed on our earnings call last week, we expect our cash balance at the end of the year will be flat to up versus third quarter levels, reflecting a stabilization of deferred revenue and working capital, the absence of the one-time transaction costs, and proceeds received from the additional term loan," said George Mattson, Wheels Up Chief Executive Officer. "We are very pleased with the commitment from our new investors and the resources they are providing in addition to their capital."

In connection with closing the additional term loan, Wheels Up completed the second issuance of shares of common stock to the lenders on November 15, 2023, such that the lenders now hold shares equal to approximately 95% of the company's outstanding equity on a fully diluted basis as of September 15, 2023, after giving effect to such issuance.

About Wheels Up

Wheels Up is a leading provider of on-demand private aviation in the U.S. and one of the largest private aviation companies in the world. Wheels Up offers a complete global aviation solution with a large, modern and diverse fleet, backed by an uncompromising commitment to safety and service. Customers can access membership programs, charter and whole aircraft sales, as well as unique commercial travel benefits through a strategic partnership with Delta Air Lines. Wheels Up also offers freight, safety and security solutions and managed services to individuals, industry, government and civil organizations.

Wheels Up is guided by the mission to connect private flyers to aircraft, and one another, through an open platform that seamlessly enables life's most important experiences. Powered by a global private aviation marketplace connecting its base of approximately 11,000 members and customers to a network of approximately 1,500 safety-vetted and verified private aircraft, Wheels Up is widening the aperture of private travel for millions of consumers globally. With the Wheels Up mobile app and website, members and customers have the digital convenience to search, book and fly.

To learn more about Wheels Up, go to Wheelsup.com

About Kore Capital

Founded in 2002, Kore Capital ("Kore") is a multi-strategy credit investor with a history of investing in aviation assets. To learn more about Kore, go to www.KoreCapital.com .

About Whitebox Advisors LLC

Whitebox Advisors LLC ("Whitebox") is a multi-strategy alternative asset manager that seeks to generate optimal risk-adjusted returns for a diversified base of public institutions, private entities and qualified individuals. Founded in 1999, Whitebox invests across asset classes, geographies, and markets through the hedge fund vehicles and institutional accounts we advise. The firm maintains offices in Minneapolis, Austin, New York, London and Sydney.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements are predictions, projections and other statements about future events that are based on current expectations and assumptions and, as a result, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside of the control of Wheels Up. The words "anticipate," "continue," "could," "expect," "plan," "potential," "should," "would" and similar expressions, including references to future efficiencies or profitability, may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that statement is not forward-looking. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements can be found in Wheels Up's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as required by law, Wheels Up does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements made in this press release.

Securities Disclaimer

The issuance, offer and/or sale of any securities described herein has not been registered under any federal or state securities laws and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the applicable federal and state laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities, and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

SOURCE Wheels Up
The Resilient Cities Index 2023 is a new global benchmark from Economist Impact and Tokio Marine Group that measures 25 major cities' ability to cope with a spectrum of shocks.

is a new global benchmark from Economist Impact and Tokio Marine Group that measures 25 major cities' ability to cope with a spectrum of shocks. New York , Los Angeles and London rank top three for overall resilience.

, and rank top three for overall resilience. Cities in emerging markets urgently need to become more resilient to the effects of climate change with densely populated urban centres prone to flooding and extreme heat.

Developed cities like Dubai , Hong Kong and New York are exposed to climate shocks, and some lack comprehensive plans to integrate the vulnerable.

, and are exposed to climate shocks, and some lack comprehensive plans to integrate the vulnerable. Building resilient cities requires stakeholder engagement from government, businesses and communities, as well as individual city-dwellers. Investment and innovation is needed to solve the most persistent challenges to a city's resilience.

LONDON, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cities across the world lack the infrastructure, societal safety nets and robust environmental policies needed to combat the worsening impacts of climate change, according to a major new report released today.

Examining critical facets of urban life, the Resilient Cities Index 2023, which was devised by Economist Impact and sponsored by Tokio Marine Group, delves into 25 global cities' ability to evade, withstand, and recover from a spectrum of shocks and long-term stresses through four pivotal themes  Critical infrastructure, Environment, Socio-institutional, and Economic Resilience. See data story with full results here.

While cities in emerging economies are especially poorly equipped to recover from droughts, flooding, extreme heat and rising sea levels, those in wealthy countries are also unprepared for the future shocks associated with a warming planet, according to research.

With global leaders meeting to discuss climate action at COP28 in Dubai this month, the index is a timely reminder of the vulnerability of urban centres and the urgent need to bolster their defences against the impacts of natural disasters and extreme weather to mass migration and deepening inequality.

The study shows that emerging cities, in particular, urgently need to become more resilient to the effects of climate change. Unbearable, deadly heat will increasingly impact vulnerable groups in cities that do not have a detailed heat plan  including Bangkok, Cairo, Dubai, Jakarta and New Delhi, according to the index. Several cities in Asia  including Bangkok, Hong Kong, Jakarta and Dhaka  are extremely vulnerable to flooding.

Dhaka and New Delhi also prove to be the least resilient to air pollution, which kills 7 million people globally each year. With air pollutants and greenhouse gases often coming from the same sources, the two issues should be tackled jointly. Both cities rank poorly for congestion management in the index and neither have a city-level net zero target or plan.

Melbourne, New York City and Los Angeles  representing some of the wealthiest cities in the indexsit in the top three spots for their environmental resilience. The cities that are the least able to fend off the most extreme effects of climate change are also those with the least amount of capital to do so.

While cities around the world are recognising the need to build resilience in the face of growing environmental, social and economic uncertainties; translating intentions into action remains a formidable hurdle, according to the research.

The report concludes that the key to building resilient cities lies in empowering communities as active participants through the democratisation of information. Social cohesion efforts are essential, focusing on integration programmes for vulnerable populations. Supporting innovation is pivotal, allowing cities to develop scalable solutions, predict risks and monitor progress effectively.

The Resilient Cities Index 2023 will launch at an event in London, UK, hosted by Tokio Marine Group. The index key findings will be presented by Jonathan Birdwell, global head, policy & insights, Economist Impact.

Quote 1: "It is often assumed that wealthier cities are relatively safer from shocks or crises, but our index proves otherwise. Our research definitively shows that some of the world's most developed cities are still vulnerable to a vast array of socio-economic and environmental risks. Our index is one of the most up-to-date assessments of where cities must rapidly close the gaps in the market today." Jonathan Birdwell, global head, policy & insights, Economist Impact.

Quote 2: "A resilience strategy is not something developed at a desk by a city official. Cities need to bring a variety of stakeholders together around the table, including community representation and the poor and vulnerable. Depending on the kind of shock and stress, listening to the voices of the people most affected is important." Katrin Bruebach, global director of programmes and delivery, Resilient Cities Network.

Quote 3: "Cities are the hotspots of climate and other risks in present as well as future. Cities also have the largest concentration of different types of resources. Therefore, it is important to make cities resilient, which will enhance the safety of its citizens and sustainability of city services, including businesses. The Resilient Cities Index has developed a unique methodology, which assesses a city's resilience and will help to take decisive actions at local governments and citizen levels."

Professor Rajib Shaw, Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University.

You can find the full report and data story here

Notes to Editors

The Resilient Cities Index is a global policy benchmarking tool to measure cities' resilience. The index was developed by Economist Impact, and supported by Tokio Marine Group. The index defines resilient cities as those that are able to predict, fend off, adapt to and recover from environmental, economic, social, and climate changes efficiently. A resilient city values learning and innovation to bounce back better from a shock and thrive in altered circumstances.

The index assesses the performance of 25 cities across four pillars (critical infrastructure, environment, socio-institutional and economic), 19 indicators and 41 sub-indicators. The index framework was developed through extensive desktop research and expert interviews, and is made up of quantitative and qualitative sub-indicators. The 25 index cities include nine cities from Asia-Pacific, five cities from Americas, seven cities from Europe and four cities from Middle East and Africa. The data was collected over four months, between May and August 2023.

Media contact: [email protected]

About Economist Impact

Economist Impact combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage a globally influential audience. We believe that evidence-based insights can open debate, broaden perspectives and catalyse progress. The services offered by Economist Impact previously existed within The Economist Group as separate entities, including EIU Thought Leadership, EIU Public Policy, EIU Health Policy, Economist Events, EBrandConnect and SignalNoise. We are building on a 75-year track record of analysis across 205 countries. Along with framework design, benchmarking, economic and social impact analysis, forecasting and scenario modelling, we provide creative storytelling, events expertise, design-thinking solutions and market-leading media products, making Economist Impact uniquely positioned to deliver measurable outcomes to our clients.

About Tokio Marine Group

The world is facing an unprecedented rise in the complexity, volatility, and frequency of risk. Insurance companies must not only respond to disasters, but also work to reduce their occurrence and impact, thereby contributing to a more sustainable society both today and for future generations. The Resilient Cities Index 2023 was sponsored by Tokio Marine Group (TMG) to establish a research programme that will measure the resilience of societies and cities, identify the gaps and challenges and give insights into the opportunities and the way forward. Tokio Marine Group is one of the largest and longest standing insurance groups in the world. Founded in 1879, it comprises a strategic collection of leading insurance businesses united by a shared commitment to doing the right thing for our customers and communities. We provide support, strength, and stability to our customers and society in a world filled with risk. We give people the confidence to explore new possibilities and take the next step forward. We help build more resilient economies, industries, and societies in a rapidly changing world. The Index, supported by insights from prominent authorities on urban resilience, is intended to empower policymakers, city planners, and communities to formulate targeted strategies that help ensure that cities not only survive but thrive amidst challenges.

SOURCE Economist Impact
LONDON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- In a remarkable demonstration of innovation meets practicality, Ysmart has once again shaken up the Everyday Carry (EDC) landscape. Their latest offering, SHARKZ, a compact yet extraordinarily sharp micro knife, has not only intrigued but captivated the Kickstarter community, achieving its funding goal within a mere 24 hours of its campaign launch.

The Genesis of a Cutting-Edge EDC Tool

SHARKZ EDC TOOL SHARKZ#1 SHARKZ#2

Ysmart's ninth venture on Kickstarter, SHARKZ, is a testament to their relentless pursuit of redefining everyday tools. Far from being a conventional keychain cutter, SHARKZ represents a new era in EDC knives. Its Grade 5 Titanium construction renders it virtually invulnerable to the elements, boasting a rare combination of waterproof and fireproof properties.

Precision Engineering Meets Unmatched Sharpness

The heart of SHARKZ lies in its blade. Composed of 90% tungsten carbide along with Ysmart's proprietary materials, it offers a level of sharpness, hardness, and durability seldom seen in EDC knives. This micro knife, measuring just 5cm, is an embodiment of the principle that size does not compromise capability.

Design Philosophy: Where Elegance Meets Utility

SHARKZ breaks the mold with its minimalist yet functional design. Its compact stature allows it to seamlessly integrate into daily life, be it tucked in a wallet, hanging on a keyring, or clipped to a backpack. Ysmart has meticulously balanced aesthetic appeal with practical utility, making SHARKZ not just a tool but a lifestyle accessory.

Aesthetic Appeal: A Knife That Speaks to Style

Beyond its robust functionality, SHARKZ is a piece of art. It is available in four distinct styles - the sleek 'Frost' and 'Matrix' laser-engraved designs, and the vibrant 'Tornado' and 'Skull' variants. Each style is a reflection of individual personality, transcending SHARKZ from being merely a tool to a fashion statement.

Inspired by Nature's Apex Predator

Drawing inspiration from the shark, SHARKZ is more than just an EDC knife; it's an embodiment of power, efficiency, and adaptability. Like the majestic predator of the seas, SHARKZ is designed for resilience, precision, and versatility.

Looking to the Future: Beyond the Kickstarter Success

Ysmart's vision extends beyond the immediate success of SHARKZ on Kickstarter. Plans are underway to ensure SHARKZ is not just a crowdfunding sensation but a mainstay in the EDC toolkit. The team at Ysmart is committed to continuously innovating and delivering solutions that redefine the standards of everyday carry items.

Join the Revolution in EDC Innovation

For those looking to be a part of this groundbreaking journey with SHARKZ, the Kickstarter campaign is just the beginning. Ysmart invites backers and enthusiasts to follow their progress and be a part of their ever-evolving story of innovation in EDC.

For detailed information about SHARKZ and Ysmart's revolutionary approach to EDC, visit https://shorturl.at/djIS3 or reach out at [email protected].

About Ysmart

With a legacy of eight successful Kickstarter campaigns, over 23,500 backers, and more than 92,000 products delivered, Ysmart has established itself as a leader in innovative EDC solutions. Their commitment to blending design excellence with functional superiority continues to set new benchmarks in the EDC space.

Media Contact:

Kelly Chan

Email: [email protected]

Phone: 07749 368272

Website: www.ysmart.co.uk

SOURCE YSMART
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell has once again voiced out accusations against Azerbaijan regarding the situation in Karabakh.

As such, Borrell noted that the EU condemns Bakus anti-terror measures carried out in Karabakh on September 19-20 in order to expel illegal Armenian military forces from the sovereign territory of Azerbaijan. On behalf of the EU, the official has called upon Azerbaijan Azerbaijan to ensure the rights and security of Karabakh Armenians.

Moreover, he noted that the EU has doubled the humanitarian aid package to 10.45 million euros and has activated the EU Civil Protection Mechanism at the request of Armenia. Some 15 million euros of budget support will be allocated to Armenia to address socio-economic needs and fund food and fuel, he added.

In light of the European Union's apparent indifference towards Armenia's armed aggression against Azerbaijan's sovereign territories spanning more than three decades, coupled with its reluctance to denounce the displacement of over 1 million Azerbaijanis as internally displaced persons and refugees, along with the policies of ethnic cleansing and crimes against humanity directed at Azerbaijanis, the organization's evident support towards Armenia and its threatening rhetoric against Azerbaijan serve as glaring illustrations of its biased policies and double standards.

It is unnecessary to emphasize that the funds supplied by the EU could covertly support Armenia's militarization, posing a threat to peace and stability in the region. This contribution to a policy fostering potential confrontations places a responsibility squarely on the EU.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. The US Senate is causing a stir by approving pro-Armenian Act S.3000, suggesting that the US president is unable to reference Public Law 107-115.

This law previously enabled the president to sidestep the 907th amendment to the 'Freedom Support Act,' which, in effect, restricts aid to Azerbaijan.

As a result, the US president is now unable to bypass the 907th amendment and obtain funding from the budget allocations for aiding Azerbaijan in 2024 and 2025.

Meanwhile, just yesterday, James O'Brien, the US Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs, stated during hearings in the House Foreign Affairs Committee that the US has suspended military and other aid to Azerbaijan, canceled high-level visits, and signaled to Baku that normalization of bilateral relations won't occur until progress is made in peace talks with Armenia.

The US, notably the State Department, which had overlooked Armenia's occupation of Azerbaijani lands, ethnic cleansing, the Khojaly genocide, and the presence of a million Azerbaijani refugees and internally displaced persons for nearly 30 years, is currently posing a threat to Azerbaijan. This perplexing move could significantly strain US-Azerbaijani relations and erode Washington's reputation as an impartial mediator in negotiations.
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
United Nations, Nov 16 : The UN Security Council has adopted a resolution calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors in Gaza.

Resolution 2712 calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip "for a sufficient number of days" to enable the full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access; to facilitate the continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services throughout Gaza, including water, electricity, fuel, food, and medical supplies, as well as emergency repairs to essential infrastructure; and to enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts, including for missing children in damaged and destroyed buildings, and including the medical evacuation of sick or injured children and their caregivers.

The resolution on Wednesday won the support of 12 of the 15 council members. The US, Russia and the UK abstained.

It demands that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, including international humanitarian law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children.

Before the vote on the Maltese-drafted resolution, Russia submitted an oral amendment, which would have further called for "an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities" -- language contained in the UN General Assembly resolution adopted on October 27 at an emergency special session.

The oral amendment failed to be adopted as it did not get enough votes in favour.
Los Angeles, Nov 16 : The shooting for the sequel to 2021's 'Mortal Kombat' has now once again begun as the Hollywood strikes come to an end. Joining the set, actor Karl Urban shared a new image from the set who announced that the shooting is now back on.

Taking to his social media, the aLord Of The Ringsa actor shared a picture of himself with the crew of aMortal Kombat 2a and wrote: "We're back baby! aMK2a. Let's go!! Love this cast."

Urbanwill be playing the role of Johnny Cage, a B-class Hollywood actor and martial artist who does his own stunts and has a massive ego. One of the fighters of Earth realm, the character has been a fan-favourite in the iconic game series and the movie will see Cage performing his own bloody fatalities.

For the unversed, a fatality is a special type of kill in the aMortal Kombata games which is unique to each character and uses a unique animation to showcase the bloodiest and most gruesome kills.

Filming of the sequel started back in June, and the plan was to be wrapped by September. Production was shut down in July, however, as a result of the SAG-AFTRA strike.

As many projects that had been postponed wound up getting significant delays, it was unclear when aMortal Kombat 2a might resume, though it is fairly high on the studio's priority list, according to Collider.

The first aMortal Kombata film followed the son of Scorpion, Cole Young (Lewis Tan) who is an original character created for the movie. Selected for the Mortal Kombat tournament, an ancient tradition that pits the best warriors of Earth realm against the best from Outworld.

If Earthrealm wins, the realm is safe. However, if they lose, Outworld has the right to invade them and conquer their people. The film showcases classic video game characters like Scorpion played by Hiroyuki Sanada, Kano played by Josh Lawson, Jessica McNamee as Sony Blade, Ludi Lin as Liu Kang , Joe Taslim as Sub-Zero, Tadanbou Asano as Raiden,Mehcad Brooks as Jax, andMax Huang as Kung Lao.

Director Simon McQuoid will be returning to direct the feature film alongside MCUas aMoon Knighta writer Jeremy Slater. Aside fromKarlUrban, the list of newcomers to the movie includes Tati Gabrielle (Jade), Adeline Rudolph as Kitana, CJ Bloomfield as Baraka, Ana Thu Nguyen as Sindel, Desmond Chiam as King Jerrod, and Martyn Ford as Shao Kahn.
Biden will 'at some point' meet Xi: US NSA. Image Source: IANS News

San Francisco, Nov 16 : Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden have agreed to resume on the basis of equality and respect high-level military-to-military communication.

They reached the agreement on Wednesday during a summit at Filoli Estate, a country house approximately 40 km south of San Francisco, California, Xinhua news agency reported.

Biden hosted Xi at Filoli Estate where they are for the annual summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation. This was their first meeting in more than a year; they last met in Bali, Indonesia in September 2022 on the sidelines of the G20 summit.
Lucknow, Nov 16 : A two-year-old male leopard was found dead in Lucknow after the big cat was apparently hit by a heavy vehicle in a first-of-its-kind incident in a busy area of the city, said officials.

Locals raised concern over the presence of a wild animal near a residential/commercial pocket of the city.

A leopard straying on to a busy road after crossing residential and commercial pockets was a rare occurrence, said forest officials.

Primary investigations revealed that the leopard wandered from its natural habitat and accidentally came in front of a heavy vehicle that caused fatal injuries.

The police control room received a call that an injured leopard was lying on Shaheed Path, said Ravi K. Singh, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO).

The forest department lodged a case and the carcass was sent to the Lucknow Zoo for a post-mortem examination.

"The leopard's body bore multiple injury marks that suggested it was hit by a heavy vehicle causing death due to multiple injuries," said Dr Utkarsh Shukla, zoo veterinarian, who led the post-mortem team.

In the past, many leopard sightings had been reported from the Jankipuram area of the city.

In CCTV footages, the animals were seen moving around homes in colonies at midnight.

"The animal might have lost its way and got disoriented due to excessive noise on the busy road, leading to the accident," said Rupak De, former principal chief conservator of forest, UP.

Officials said the stretch along Shaheed Path and some pockets in Jankipuram were natural habitats of animals in the past where houses had come up.
Israel to display more material from Al-Shifa Hospital raid: Official. Image Source: IANS News

Jerusalem, Nov 16 : A top Israeli official said he was sure that "more and more material" will be shared from the military's search operation at Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital, where the Jewish nation believes that the Hamas militant group operates a subterranean network of tunnels.

Justifying the military operation at the enclave's largest hospital, Mark Regev, a senior adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, told the BBC on Wednesday night that "international law specifically says that the minute your enemy uses a humanitarian site like a hospital for its military machine then you can target that site".

"It doesnat mean you do so lightly or irresponsibly but under international law it loses its immunity," he added.

Regev's remarks came as Israeli special forces backed by additional troops conducted the "precise and targeted operation" inside the hospital against Hamas terror infrastructure at the site.

The operation lasted until Wednesday evening, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) finding weapons and Hamas assets inside the premises, while it also interrogated people.

At least five Hamas gunmen were killed by troops during a gun battle outside the hospital, The Times of Israel reported, adding that no soldiers were injured.

Addressing the media, IDF spokeperson Daniel Hagari said on Wednesday night that the operation lasted some 18 hours.

He said that the IDF searched the hospital premises extensively and did not rule out the possibility of getting Hamas terroists who are hiding in some areas in the facility.

The Israeli military has repeatedly alleged that Palestinian armed groups operate a military compound within and underneath the Shifa Hospital.

The hospitalas management and the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza have strongly denied these allegations and have called for an independent investigation.

Presently, it remains unclear what or who remains in the complex following the Israli operation.

Meanwhile, the Israeli army stressed that the military was "not overrunning" the hospital, asserting troops were conducting a "focused" operation "in a defined area" of the hospital.

Though Israel believes some of the 240 hostages captured by Gaza terrorists were housed at the hospital at one time, there is no indication of hostages currently being held there.

However, the IDF believes the operation may bring intelligence information on the captives.

Responding to the operation, senior Hamas member Bassem Naim called it "ridiculous and worthless" and said he could not rule out that the Israeli military "brought weapons and put them in the Al-Shifa complex", the BBC reported.

He said Israel's goal is to "pressure" hospitals and medical centres and to displace Gaza's population, adding that 25 hospitals in the territory are now out of service through "bombing, siege and destruction".

Hamas has repeatedly denied Israeli claims that it operates from within the hospital.

The Health Ministry in Gaza said that before the military raid in Al-Shifa, bombardments hit the hospital and damaged parts of it, including the specialised surgeries department, coronary care division and a warehouse.

"After the troops entered, patients, staff and IDPs were reporteldy relocated within the compound," it said.

The Ministry also claimed that on Wednesday, 179 bodies held at Al Shifa, which could not be evacuated or properly maintained, were buried in a mass grave inside the compound.
Man sentenced to 10 years in jail for arms smuggling case. Image Source: IANS News

Tel Aviv, Nov 16 : The Hamas militant group has demanded the release of 194 Palestinians currently being held in Israeli prisons in exchange for Israeli hostages.

Sources in the Israeli Foreign Ministry, who are currently in mediating efforts in Qatar, told IANS that the Hamas's demand is especially for the women and childen langushing in Israeli jails on various charges.

But the Israeli government has not approved to any such demand, informed officials said.

The Qatari mediators, according to the sources, have put forward a suggestion of releasing 50 hostages kidnapped from Israel on October 7.

But the Israel side has not agreed to it.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed the development, saying it was just rumours and that no discussions had taken place on a possible prisoner swap

He also said that if there was any such development, the govenment would directly inform the people.

Meanwhile, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant on Thursday said that the only way for the Hamas to release hostages that it captured following its massive assault on October 7, is to exert more military pressure on the terrorist group.

According to Israeli authorities, 238 people are being held captive in Gaza, including Israelis and foreign nationals.

Some media reports have claimed about 30 of the hostages are children.

Since the war began, Hamas has released four civilian hostages , while a female soldier was rescued by the Israeli forces.

On Tuesday, Israeli sources confirmed that a soldier captured by the Hamas had been killed.

The terrorist group claimed that she was among of 57 hostages killed in the ongoing Israeli airstrikes in Gaza.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Jeyhun Bayramov received the newly appointed Ambassador of Malaysia to the country Ahmad Kamrizamil Bin Mohd Riza, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan told Trend.

Bayramov congratulated the ambassador on his appointment and wished him success in his future activities.

Issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and Malaysia, prospects for the development of bilateral ties, including joint efforts in the field of tourism and education, as well as the current regional situation were discussed at the meeting. Bayramov informed about the almost 30-year-old Armenian occupation of Azerbaijani territories, the ongoing process of normalization in the post-Karabakh conflict period.

Ambassador Ahmad Kamrizamil Bin Mohd Riza thanked for the warm welcome and noted that during his activity he will spare no efforts to further develop relations between Azerbaijan and Malaysia.

In addition, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest during the meeting.
Paris, Nov 16 : The French government has issued an arrest warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad for the alleged use of chemical weapons against civilians in the war-torn nation, a media report said citing a judicial source.

This is the first time that a nation has issued an arrest warrant for crimes against humanity for a sitting head of state in another country.

The source told CNN that two investigative judges on Tuesday issued four warrants againstthe President, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two other senior officials, for complicity in crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Syrian human rights lawyer and a founder of the Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research, Anwar al-Bunni told CNN on Wednesday that the decision was "unprecedented."

AnInterpol 'Red Notice' is expected to follow, Michael Chammas, one of the plaintiff's lawyers, told CNN.

ARed Notice is a request to law enforcement worldwide to locate and provisionally arrest someone pending extradition, surrender, or similar legal action, according to Interpol.

"All Interpol member states should then comply with the arrest warrant," Chammas added.

The legal case was brought forward by the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI) and the Syrian Archive in March 2021 "over the use of banned chemical weapons against civilians in the town of Douma and the district of Eastern Ghouta in August 2013, in attacks which killed more than 1,000 people", the plaintiffs said in a statement Wednesday.

The Syrian government was accused of using poison gas in Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, then a rebel stronghold that the regime had been desperately trying to take back for more than a year.

It in turn accused opposition forces of carrying out the attacks themselves.

Despite being accused of comitting war crimes, the Syrian government has long maintained that its strikes only target "terrorists".
KAWASAKI, May 28, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Police officers investigate around the stabbing site in a residential area near Noborito Station in Kawasaki City, which lies to the west of Tokyo, May 28, 2019. An elementary school girl and a man in his 30s have b. Image Source: IANS News

Tokyo, Nov 16 : A Japanese police officer was injured after a car rammed into a barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, local media reported.

Police in the Japanese capital arrested the driver on the spot on suspicion of obstruction of public order, Xinhua news agency quoted Kyodo News as saying in a report.

The driver is in his 50s and believed to be a member of a right-wing group.

Video footage from public broadcaster NHK showed that around 11 a.m., a black compact car crashed into the barrier at an intersection approximately 100 metres from the Israeli embassy.

Roads have been cordoned off at the scene.

The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the situation.
Kolkata, Nov 16 : West Bengal's South 24 Parganas district on Thursday witnessed firing in broad daylight in which one person was killed.

The deceased has been identified as Mithun Sardar, and he was killed in front of the residence of his elder sister's in-laws at Diamond Harbour in the district, said police.

The development surfaced just 72 hours after Trinamool Congress leader Saifuddin Lashkar was killed in a street on Monday, being shot from point-blank range by unknown miscreants.The incident had led to counter-lynching in which a man was killed. As a revenge action to Lashkaras killing, as many 12 houses, all belonging to CPI(M) activists, were set on fire by a violent mob.

In case of the Diamond Harbour shootout on Thursday, it is learnt that Mithun Sardar became a victim of the rivalry between his sisteras husband Jagannath Mondal and the latteras younger brother Ajay Mondal over a piece of land.

It is learnt that when on Thursday Jagannath Mondal entered into an altercation with Ajay Mondal and the latteras son Paresh Mondal, the victim tried to intervene. However, eyewitnesses have told the police that the intervention process irked Ajay Mondal and Paresh Mondal further and suddenly Paresh brought out a firearm and shot at the victim from a very close range.

He died on the spot. Ajay Mondal and Paresh Mondal escaped from the scene. The victimas body has been sent to a hospital for post-mortem. Police have started an investigation in the matter.
Patna, Nov 16 : Krishna Das, the main accused in the murder case of Sub-Inspector (SI) Prabhat Ranjan in Bihar's Jamui, surrendered before the Jharkhand police in Giridih on Thursday.

The accused is a native of Mahuli village under Kauwakol police station in Nawada.

Das, who was driving the sand-laden tractor in Jamui, had mowed down SI Ranjan and home guard Jawan Rajesh Kumar Saw earlier this week in the border area of Jamui and Nawada.

While Prabhat Ranjan died on the spot, Saw was critically injured.

The Jamui police constituted a SIT to nab the accused. Das then fled to neighbouring Giridih district in Jharkhand.

Due to continuous pressure from the police, he finally surrendered before Gawan police station in Giridih.

Mithilesh Thakur, the helper of Krishna Das, was arrested on November 15. He is also a native of Mahuli village in Kauwakol police station of Nawada district.

Notably, the murder took place on November 13 when SI Ranjan and home guard Saw were deployed at Garhi police station in the district.

As part of a drive against the sand mafia, the police had erected barricades on Chanwar bridge on Jamui-Nawada border and signalled a speeding sand-laden tractor to halt for checking.

Instead of stopping the vehicle, the tractor driver crushed them under the wheels killing the SI and critically injuring the guard.

After committing the crime, the tractor driver fled from the spot abandoning the vehicle some distance away from the crime scene.

The incident took place in the border area of Jamui and Nawada.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : It's a poignant moment to reflect on the transformative shift in the world of toys-a shift from mere plastic playthings to the embrace of wooden and educational toys that can help your kid grow. This evolution underscores the crucial role that thoughtful toy selection plays in the holistic development of our little ones. In a world brimming with options, choosing the right toys for our children is more than just a matter of keeping them entertained - it's about sculpting their minds, sparking creativity, and laying the foundation for lifelong learning.

Play is the language of childhood, and toys are the tools that facilitate this crucial form of expression. Every toy has the potential to become a building block in a child's cognitive, emotional, and social development. It's not merely about keeping them occupied; it's about providing an environment where they can explore, discover, and learn.

Thoughtfully selected toys act as catalysts for various developmental milestones. From the first grasp of a rattle that enhances motor skills to the intricate problem-solving involved in assembling building blocks, each play session contributes to a child's growth. It's through play that they learn about cause and effect, develop fine and gross motor skills, and begin understanding spatial relationships.

Toys that encourage open-ended play are invaluable in nurturing a child's creativity and imagination. These are the toys that don't prescribe a single way to play; instead, they invite children to invent their own narratives and solutions. Whether it's building structures with blocks, creating art, or engaging in role-playing, these activities foster a sense of autonomy and innovation.

Educational toys go a step further by seamlessly blending learning with play. From alphabet blocks that introduce language skills to science kits that make concepts tangible, and even engaging storybooks, these toys create an enriching environment for intellectual development. They instill a love for learning early on and lay the groundwork for future academic pursuits.

Toys also play a pivotal role in shaping a child's social and emotional intelligence. Games that involve sharing, taking turns, and collaborating contribute to the development of crucial social skills. Say no to age-appropriate toysa"say yes to skill and interest-appropriate toys. Choosing toys that align with a child's individual skill journey is paramount. For instance, simple building blocks can introduce cooperation and sharing to toddlers, while more complex board games can enhance collaborative skills in older children. Dolls and action figures become companions in imaginative play, providing an avenue for emotional expression and empathy.

Selling more than 5 million toys over the last 10 years has taught us many things. What is age-appropriate? Each child is different and speciala"how can we offer the same toys to all children at the same age? Toy companies must only give suggested age groups as per toy safety. They should educate parents to pick up the right toy at the right time of their child's individual skill journey. If a child requires more focus on motor skills, give them more toys that encourage motor skills.

In the pursuit of providing the best for our children, it's essential to prioritize quality over quantity. A thoughtfully curated collection of toys that align with a child's developmental stage ensures a more meaningful and impactful play experience. It's about creating an environment that nurtures their natural curiosity and encourages a love for exploration.

As parents, caregivers, and educators, we hold the key to unlocking a world of possibilities for our children through the toys we choose. Let's embrace the responsibility that comes with this role by making choices that contribute not just to their joy but to their enduring development. After all, it's not just about the toys; it's about the futures we're helping shapea"one play session at a time. That's why we say play to grow.

(Virang Shah is the Co-founder of Toycra)

(This article is website exclusive and cannot be reproduced without the permission of IANSlife)

IANSlife can be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

--IANS

Virang Shah/ lh/ tb
Houston, Nov 16 : Texas Governor Greg Abbott is expected to endorse Donald Trump for President in the 2024 election, a media report said citing sources.

The sources told CNN that Abbott might make the announcement on November 19 when the former President visits the border city of McAllen.

The endorsement is set to be a major boon to the Trump campaign, since the Texas Republican Governor has long been close with his counterpart in Florida Ron DeSantis, a rival of the former President in the 2024 race.

During the visit to McAllen, Trump and Abbott will appear together on stage while discussing future plans to curb illegal immigration. the sources told CNN.

In recent days, the former President has upped the ante on what his immigration policies would be if he returns to the White House next year.

The Republican frontrunner has publicly said he wants to revive many of his first-term immigration policies to restrict both legal and illegal immigration a" including reinstating and expanding a travel ban on predominantly Muslim countries and bringing back a Covid-era policy known as Title 42 to further restrict immigration into the country.

Meanwhile, the state of Texas remain locked in a hard-fought legal battle with President Joe Biden's administration over its efforts to curtain illegal immigration, CNN reported.

In the latest development, Abbott is expected sign a bill that would make it a new state crime to enter Texas illegally and give local law enforcement the power to arrest and order migrants to leave the US.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : Assessment is an integral part of a student's learning journey. Even as it involves testing a learner's ability to grasp classroom instructions and make timely progress, it is also in some ways a measurement of the teaching proficiency as an instructor, and the entry of AI has further changed the dynamic between the teacher and the taught.

Although the entry of AI in education was a force of disruption initially, it is in time turning out to be a remarkably transformative tool from the standpoint of both students and teachers. Indeed, AI can help teachers not only deliver a more customised and personalised learning experience for their students but also help a great deal in terms of studentsa assessments.

While AI has been proving to be a great enabler for formative assessment of students, i.e., assessment and feedback during the ongoing delivery of instructions, it can also aid in making diagnostic and summative assessments of the studentas performance.

So, what are the different ways in which AI can help teachers with students' assessments?

Can generate an array of tests

Teachers can employ AI very effectively to generate a wide array of tests and assessments for their students. These tests could account for the differential needs of individual students in terms of difficulty levels, the nature of the subject itself, adaptability, time and place, etc. For instance, a combination of AI and voice recognition can prove to be a highly effective tool for assessing the reading fluency of students in the context of formative testing. Since there is immediate feedback and the assessment and scoring can be done multiple times, teachers can spot specific areas where a student needs help and can make improvements thereafter. Importantly, based on large amounts of student data, AI can help in generating individualised assessments and tests.

Allows automatic grading of students

It is the sheer magic of AI drawing on its very nature that it can facilitate automatic grading and scoring of students on a given assessment in a given subject area. For example, AI-based automated essay scoring or AES uses natural language processing (NLP) to grade written essays and is used mainly in summative assessment. Although NLP goes back decades, the AI engines that underpin AESs have made tremendous progress today in terms of the sophistication of algorithms, data processing capacity, and overall efficiency.[1]Similarly, Computerised Adaptive Testing or CAT has been in vogue for decades and involves automatic assessment and grading of students, again particularly used for summative assessment. Based on Item Response Theory (IRT), CATs dynamically adjust their difficulty level according to the student's responses to an earlier question and are generally associated with a relatively well-defined knowledge domain.

Stealth assessments address exam-related anxiety

AI can also help teachers in creating and implementing stealth assessments and tests. Typically used in game-based learning, they can assist teachers in testing students without an emphasis on the process of traditional testing. As such, having been automatically embedded into the learning process and the content itself, these tests resolve issues related to studentsa exam-related anxiety, one major factor not only impinging on the latteras performance but also overall evaluation.

Helps early identification of at-risk students

With predictive analytics being at the core of AI applications, it allows an examination of the past performance of students based on their interest, aptitude, attention span, and task completion rates. Apart from the adaptive assessment that involves adjusting the difficulty level for individual students, AI also supports teachers in the early identification of at-risk students as well as identifying problems that would likely require a remedy.

Aids surveillance & prevents cheating

Even as AI is increasingly being cited as a tool that afacilitatesa students' cheating, especially in light of the ever-rising popularity and usage of Chat GPT, the generative large language model tool,it can also be used as an instrument of surveillance and indeed for prevention of cheating. Today, AI-powered remote proctoring tools are being developed that also include audio proctoring, video proctoring, and image proctoring, especially making use of facial recognition technologies. In addition, various plagiarism software focused entirely on AI-generated content is making their presence felt among users including teachers.

Frees up teachersa time

The increased availability of AI-based assessments and tests also allows the teacher to shift back and forth between testing and teaching with more efficiency and more frequently thereby improving overall learning outcomes in the end. The bottom line is that AI applications greatly reduce the workload of teachers allowing them to concentrate better on their pedagogical method, instructional content, and the quality of delivery itself.

Therefore, AI can indeed make the assessment process more accurate, personalized (for the student), and swift for the 21st-century teaching community. In a time and age of increasingly digitized curricula, the advent of advanced machine learning-based assessment systems that continue to make themselves better while being used would further make it easier for teachers to assess and evaluate their students.

(Aarul Malaviya is the Founder of Zamit - a one-stop platform that networks and supports school ecosystems.)

(This article is website exclusive and cannot be reproduced without the permission of IANSlife)

IANSlifecan be contacted at ianslife@ians.in

--IANS

Aarul Malaviya/ lh/ tb
New Delhi, Nov 16 : A day after the Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sent Vigilance Minister Atishi's report in connection with the alleged corruption charges against Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar in the Dwarka Expressway project, to Lieutenant Governor (L-G) V.K. Saxena, the Delhi government on Thursday referred the matter to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), sources said.

According to sources, the Delhi government has referred the matter of Rs 850 crore land acquisition scam in Dwarka Expressway project to the CBI.

The source said that the matter has been referred to CBI and also to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after the go ahead by Chief Minister Kejriwal.

Delhi Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar is accused of inflating the cost of land 22 times to benefit a company linked to his son Karan Chauhan. The source said that the associated matter of acquisition of the land in 2015 at 7 per cent of circle rate by the same company has been referred to ED to investigate the money laundering charge.

On Wednesday, Kejriwal referred the matter to Lt. Governor and also recommendedthe Chief Secretary's immediate removal from the post with suspension, and had also directed Atishi to send the report to the CBI and ED.

The development comes two day after Atishi, who initiated an inquiry against Kumar, submitted a 670-page preliminary report to Kejriwal on Tuesday.

In the report, it is alleged that investigation has found that Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar benefited a company linked to his son with Rs 850 crore illicit profits, sources said.

The source said that Atishi submitted the preliminary report to Kejriwal on the alleged involvement of Naresh Kumar in enhancing an exorbitant compensation award for a land parcel in Bamnoli village in order to provide illicit profit to a company linked to his son, Karan Chauhan.

The source said that the preliminary report, that runs into 670 pages, brings out several incriminating facts and states that the "connections and the chronology give the prima facie appearance of complicity" of Naresh Kumar with District Magistrate (Southwest) Hemant Kumar and landowners in the land acquisition on the Dwarka Expressway.

The source further said that the report also unveils a conspiracy by senior officers of the Vigilance Department, including the Chief Secretary, to undervalue the scale of the scam as Rs 312 crore, when the actual compensation award would have resulted in an illicit gain of Rs 850 crore to the beneficiaries.

The source said that the report states: "Being the most salient fact pertaining to this scam, the possibility of this being an oversight by all the officers of the DOV (Department of Vigilance) that signed on the report, including the Chief Vigilance Officer and Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar, seems suspect. This prima-facie points to an attempt to hide the scale of this corruption so as to prevent scrutiny of persons involved in giving effect to it."

The source said that on the basis of this inquiry, Atishi recommended to the Chief Minister for immediate removal of Naresh Kumar and Ashwani Kumar from their posts so that they do not influence the probe. She also urged the CM that files related to this matter be seized from them to prevent any tampering or destruction of evidence.

The source said that the minister had recommended for disciplinary proceedings against Naresh Kumar and Ashwani Kumar and also recommended that this report be sent to the CBI to provide the agency with a complete view of the facts discovered herein to expand the scope of the existing CBI inquiry to investigate the complicity of the Chief Secretary and Divisional Commissioner with Hemant Kumar and the landowners.

The source said that Atishi had also said that a reference be made to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) apprising it of the likelihood of the commission of offences under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act, 2002 in the chain of transactions, from the purchase of the land by the landowners in 2015 leading up to the illegal compensation awarded for its acquisition in 2023.
Los Angeles, Nov 16 : Rapper Travis Scott (II), who was headlining Astroworld in his hometown of Houston, Texas in 2021 when a mass crowd crush claimed the lives of 10 people near the front of the stage, has said those who lost their lives and their families in the tragedy are always on his mind.

"I always think about it. Those fans were like my family. You know, I love my fans to the utmosta It has its moments where it gets rough andayeah. You just feel for those people. And their families," Scott told the December/January issue of GQ magazine.

The 'Goosebumps' star was "overly devastated" by what happened and found it "therapeutic" being able to channel his emotions into his new album "Utopia".

He said, "Making music, you think about things that go on in life and things that happen in your life, and you dial in on things. That moment for families, for the city, you know, it was devastating."

"And when it came to making, like even finishing the albumaI got back into it probably like, I donat know, months and months and months after. And the idea of just even getting back into music, working on music and just even getting into that, was therapeutic of being able to channel some of the energy into production and sounds and finishing it. I mean I was just overly devastated, you know. Yeah."

On 'Utopia', a song called 'My Eyes' references what happened.

Scott reflected, "(It's about) the things I deal with on a day-to-day basis and the fact of how it could be misunderstood and the struggles of life and all aspects of life. The constant weight that's put on."

"That you carry, you know. And just a vision through my eyes. It just came out when I was writing. Like I said, it was a real moment. The song is emotional to me. It's one of my favorite songs on the album. And that verse means a lot to me."

"(I want people) to know I have pain too. I have concerns, things that I think about, and the things I see on a day-to-day basis I think about them. And every day I want to find change in the things, to make things better, make myself better. It's just like, I go through things like everyone else. And even recently through something like I never could imagine. So."
New Delhi, Nov 16 : External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said that India did not rule out an investigation into Canada's allegations over 'Indian agents' involved in the murder of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, but Ottawa must first provide evidence.

"Regarding (Canadian Prime Minister Justin) Trudeau's allegation, I have discussed it with my counterpart -- I still do -- we told them, look, if you have a reason to make such an allegation, please share the evidence with us," the Minister said in response to a question from journalist Lionel Barber in a conversation titled 'How a Billion People See the World' in London on Wednesday.

"We are not ruling out an investigation and looking at anything which they may have to offer. They haven't done so." he added.

Jaishankar was speaking in the backdrop of Trudeau's statement last week in which he said that Canada did not want the fight with India but if bigger countries can violate international law without consequences, then the whole world gets more dangerous for everyone.

Calling Canada "a country with previous history", Jaishankar referred to the bombing of an Air India flight in 1985.

"It had come to a situation where the diplomats of my country, including the High Commissioner, have been attacked, smoke bombs were thrown at the High Commission and Consulate General, my diplomats were intimated in public, on record, with no action taken on this.

"We are a democracy, they are a democracy. Freedom of speech and freedom of expression also comes with a certain responsibility. The misuse of those freedoms and the toleration of that misuse for political purposes would be very wrong.

"We feel that Canadian politics has given space to violent and extreme political opinions which advocate separatism from India, including through violent means. These people have been accommodated in Canadian politics. They are given the freedom to articulate their views," the External Affairs Minister said.

Asked whether he believed that Nijjar was a terrorist, Jaishankar said: "He has a track record which is there in the social media. That track record is a pretty graphic one. I would leave everybody to make their judgement. He held public positions."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Speaker of the Milli Majlis (Parliament) of Azerbaijan Sahiba Gafarova met with Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia Valentina Matviyenko in Bishkek, Trend reports.

During the meeting, an exchange of views took place on cooperation between Azerbaijan and Russia in bilateral and multilateral formats, as well as on other issues of mutual interest.

Satisfaction was expressed with the progressive development of relations between the two countries in economic, political and humanitarian spheres. The important role of regular meetings and discussions of the heads of state in the further expansion of the relations was noted.

Matviyenko highlighted the need to develop trade and economic ties between Russia and Azerbaijan, interregional relations, and also drew attention to the fact that the implementation of major infrastructure projects is being discussed.

The chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia touched upon the role of legislative bodies in the development of relations between Russia and Azerbaijan.

Gafarova, in turn, provided extensive information on the current situation in the region. She reminded that after Azerbaijan liberated its territories from occupation in 2020, it offered Armenia to normalize relations and sign a peace treaty. Armenia has not fulfilled its obligations under the trilateral statement of November 10, 2020, continued political and military provocations, mining of Azerbaijani territories, as well as support for the illegal regime in on Azerbaijan's territories. Gafarova also informed about the local anti-terrorist measures carried out by Azerbaijan in September of this year, which have become a consequence of all this.

She brought to attention that Azerbaijan strives to ensure permanent peace and security in the region and that the signing of a peace agreement will lead to sustainable regional stability and security. Unfortunately, instead of signing the peace agreement initiated by Azerbaijan, Armenia is waging a dirty campaign against Azerbaijan on international platforms, trying to mislead the international community with far-fetched accusations, she said.

The speaker of the parliament expressed regret that some countries have joined this false campaign against Azerbaijan and stated that this is unacceptable.

Furthermore, she shared her opinion on the current state of relations between Russia, Azerbaijan and legislative bodies. Touching upon the inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries, Gafarova highlighted the unique role of legislative bodies in the development of bilateral ties.

In general, the sides exchanged views on other issues of mutual interest during the meeting.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Kolkata, Nov 16 : A Pakistani woman and her minor son were arrested while entering India illegally at the Indo-Nepal international borders at Panitanki crossing in West Bengal's Darjeeling district.

The 41st battalion of Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) arrested Sayesta Hanif and her son Ariyan Mohammad Hanif on Wednesday night.

As per protocol, the duo has been handed over to the cops of the local Kharibari Police Station.

They will be presented at a district court in Darjeeling on Thursday.

On interrogation, they admitted to have entered India without valid visa and related documents through the Panitanki border by a bus which they boarded from Kakarbhitta in Jhapa district of Nepal.

It is learnt that feeling suspicious about the woman's body-language, the SSB jawans apprehended and questioned her.

Later, the central forces jawans saw her valid Pakistani passports of the mother and the son but without the official visa seal for coming to India. They were taken to custody thereafter.

As per their passports, both the arrested are residents of Karachi in Pakistan.

However, they had valid tourist visas to Nepal produced by the Nepal government on November 5, said a local police official investigating the matter.

Among other things recovered from the woman are two mobile phones, two sim cards, Nepalese rupee worth 10,000, Rs 16,500 in Indian currently six euros and 166 rials.

In face of interrogation, the woman said that she entered India to meet her sister who is currently residing at North 24 Parganas in West Bengal.

The police have started investigating the matter and also cross checking her statements.
New York, Nov 16 : Police have identified the woman who threw a cup of hot coffee at an Indian-American man wearing a Palestinian scarf, and his 18-month-old son at a playground in New York last week.

Ashish Prashar, 40, was playing with his son at the Edmonds Playground in Brooklyn when the incident occurred on November 7.

Sharing a post on X on Wednesday, Prashar said that the New York Police Department (NYPD) has identified and issued an arrest warrant against the woman.

"The NYPD have identified the woman who attacked my 18-month-old and I last week. They have issued an arrest warrant -- we're waiting for her to be picked up... Thank you all for your support, love and blessings," Prashar wrote.

Speaking to the New York Daily News last week, Prashar said that a woman, who identified herself as an American Jew, charged at them when she saw him wearing a keffiyeh -- a headscarf traditionally worn by Palestinian men.

"She said, 'Do you support Hamas? Do you know they are terrorists?' Then she said my people are all dogs... 'Do you know your people burn babies?  I hope someone burns your baby in an oven,'" Prashar told the New Jersey-based newspaper.

When he took out his phone to record the incident, the woman first threw her phone towards them, followed by the cup of hot coffee.

Speaking to CNN, Prashar said: "My whole goal was to protect my son... There was disbelief in the beginning when she called me a terrorist. But then it got worse, and it got more serious. I needed to protect my son and keep him at a safe distance."

Neither Prashar nor his son were injured in the attack.

Police have not named the woman but told the media that she was a neighbourhood local.

Prasher's profile on X describes him as a political strategist, activist and a writer.

His last few posts are on the situation of children in Gaza caught in the Israel-Hamas war.

"How many more children? This is not a war, this is systemic genocide. I wish I could take away her tears and replace them with laughter," his latest post on Wednesday read.

--IANS

mi/ksk
Tel Aviv, Nov 16 : The Hamas-controlled Ministry of Health in Gaza on Thursday claimed that the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) are using employees and support staff at the AL-Shaifa Hospital as human shields.

In a statement, the Ministry said that following its raid at the largest hospital in Gaza, the Israeli military had occupied the ground floor of the complex and also destroyed several costly medical equipment, including radiology machines, as well as other devices located in the basement of the specialised surgery building.

It further reiterated that there was no Hamas command centre in the hospital as alleged by the Israeli forces.

The Ministry also questioned the functionality of the hospital while recconnisance aircraft were monitoring the complex.

When the Israeli forces entered the hospital, there was no confrontations, the Ministry said, adding that this was no proof of no Hamas militants being inside the premises.

It went on to allege that the IDF had targeted the coronary care unit of the hospital with a tank shell, adding that rooms where patients were kept had been hit.

The Ministry further said that the Israeli forces had arrested the hospital's only electric generator mechanic, as well as the only oxygen station technician,

Due to the arrests, Al-Shifa is currently facing serious challenges such as malfunctioning of medical and technical equipment.

On Wednesday,Israeli special forces backed by additional troops conducted the "precise and targeted operation" inside the hospital against Hamas terror infrastructure at the site.

The operation lasted for some 18 hours, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) finding weapons and Hamas assets inside the premises, while it also interrogated people.

At least five Hamas gunmen were killed by troops during a gun battle outside the hospital, according to local media.

The Israeli military has repeatedly alleged that Palestinian armed groups operate a military compound within and underneath the Shifa Hospital.

The hospitalas management and the Ministry of Health in Gaza have strongly denied these allegations and have called for an independent investigation.
Chitradurga : , Nov 16 (IANS) Rape accused Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru of the historical Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga was on Thursday released from the prison after 14 months.

He was arrested last year on charges of raping minor girls staying at the residential hostel run by the Murugha Mutt.

The accused influential Lingayat seer spent 14 months in the Chitradurga district prison. The Karnataka High Court on November 8 granted the conditional bail to him.

The seer is facing charges under the POCSO Act, IPC sections, Atrocity Act, Juvenile Justice Act and Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act. He was arrested after a high drama on September 1, 2022 and has been in jail since then.

The Karnataka High Court granted conditional bail to the rape accused. The High Court Bench headed by Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar has restrained the accused seer from entering the premises of the mutt and also had directed him to surrender his passport to the court. He also was asked to provide two sureties.
Kolkata, Nov 16 : Family members of Ashoke Shaw, the Kolkata-based youth who died during custody at the Amherst Street Police station, on Thursday approached the Calcutta High Court with a plea that the post-mortem of the body be done at any central hospital like AIIMS instead of state-run hospital.

The family has alleged that Shaw died because of police torture. Theyapproached the division bench of Calcutta High Court's chief Justice T.S. Sivagnanam and Justice Hiranmay Bhattacharya.

The family members also demanded that the entire process of the post-mortem should be video- recorded.

The division bench has admitted the petition and the matter is expected to be heard either on the second half on Thursday or on Friday.

The victim's family since Wednesday evening has been saying that the death was because of police torture within the police station premises. They apprehend that in case the post-mortem is done at any state-run hospital there is a high possibility of the report getting fabricated to destroy evidence on this count.

The victim's family members have alleged that he was summoned to the Amherst Street police station after being accused of purchasing a stolen mobile phone.

He went to the police station on Wednesday afternoon, and after some time his family members were informed by the police that he had expired at the police station.

Bijay, a nephew of the deceased, told media persons that after being informed by the police, his wife Rajani rushed to the Amherst Street police station. "There she saw my uncle's body lying in the police station premises. She even spotted injury marks on his body. It was evident that the cops had beaten him up in the name of interrogation, which led to his death," said the nephew.

The local people on Wednesday evening blocked the busyAmherst Street-College Street junction in central Kolkatafor a long time demanding action against the guilty policemen. They also demanded that the footage of CCTV installed inside the police station should also be released.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : In line with its commitment towards long-term growth and expansion, flexible workspace provider WeWork India on Thursday announced the signing of lease agreements for two new buildings -- Manyata Redwood in Bengaluru and RMZ Spire in Hyderabad.

Set to open in the next few months, both buildings are strategically located in thriving tech hubs and will redefine the workspace experience for professionals and businesses alike, the company said.

The buildings will collectively add over 4,000 desks spread across approximately 2,72,000 square feet to the existing portfolio.

"With the addition of Manyata Redwood and RMZ Spire, we are reaffirming our commitment to providing businesses with cutting-edge, flexible workspace solutions," Arnav S. Gusain, Head of Real Estate, Product, and Procurement, WeWork India, said in a statement.

"We are focused on meeting the industryas increasing demands through a superior workspace experience, built upon WeWork Indiaas principles of flexibility, and community," he added.

Both buildings will be equipped with an array of modern amenities, including a community bar, conference rooms, phone booths, pantry, F&B market, motheras room, and game room.

The company said that it is further expanding into these micro markets after witnessing significant success for its offerings in these markets.

WeWork Indiaas continued expansion with Manyata Redwood and RMZ Spire exemplifies its reliability as a brand, and it is a reflection of strong relationships with all stakeholders, including landlords, IPCs and members, the company stated.

--IANS

shs/ksk
WASHINGTON, Dec. 5, 2019 (Xinhua) -- Photo taken on Dec. 4, 2019 shows the Capitol Hill in Washington D.C., the United States. U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has greenlighted the drafting of articles of impeachment against President Donald Trump, as. Image Source: IANS News

Washington, Nov 16 : The US Congress on Thursday approved a stopgap spending bill, averting a government shutdown just two days before funding expired for federal agencies.

The Senate voted 87-11 to pass the bill, one day after the measure cleared the House in a 336-95 vote, rpeorts Xinhua news agency.

The bill would extend funding for some agencies and programs at current levels until January 19, 2024 and others through February 2, 2024, without major funding cuts that Republican conservatives had demanded.

The bill does not include additional aid for the war-torn countries Israel and Ukraine, which has been a point of contention among lawmakers.

The legislation marks an early success for Mike Johnson, who was elected the speaker of the House in late October following three weeks of chaos as Republicans struggled to find a replacement after the historical ouster of Kevin McCarthy.

The bill will next go to President Joe Biden, who is expected to sign it soon.
Mumbai, Nov 16 : Shiv Sena (UBT) President and ex-Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray has demanded action by the Election Commission of India against Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah for seeking votes in the name of religion, here on Thursday.

Speaking to the media, Thackeray pointed to Amit Shah's recent poll campaign when he promised the voters of Madhya Pradesh free pilgrimage to the Ram Temple in Ayodhya if they vote the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) back to power.

Earlier this year, the Maha Vikas Aghadi ex-CM said that in the Karnataka Assembly elections, Modi had also sought votes on religious lines, asking people to chant 'Bajrang Bali Ki Jai' and press the EVM buttons.

"In the past, nobody had the courage to invoke religion during elections It was only the Hindu Hriday SamratBalasaheb Thackeray who coined the slogans of 'Garv se kaho hum Hindu hain', 'Mandir wahin banayenge'. However, on the grounds of 'corrupt' electoral practices, he was banned from exercising his voting right for six years," said Thackeray.

"My question to the ECI is whether any changes have been made since then Why is a different yardstick being applied now? Does the ECI follow some different rules for Modi and Shah? Why the double-standards for the BJP and others," asked Thackeray.

Simultaneously, Shiv Sena (UBT) Secretary Anil Desai has shot off a letter to the Chief Election Commissioner seeking clarification about the use of religion during campaigning for the forthcoming 2024 Lok Sabha and Assembly elections.

"The double standards applied by the ECI are intriguing, yet understandable, given the fact that the ECI is publicly perceived to be in alignment with whatever the BJP does during elections and even otherwise," said Desai in the letter, referring to the poll campaigns that were held in Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Telangana and Mizoram.

Thackeray warned that "if what the BJP does is acceptable to the ECI, then henceforth, even the Shiv Sena (UBT) would not hesitate to seek votes in the name of Hindutva or slogans like 'Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Ki Jai', 'Jai Bhavani', etc."

The letter has urged the ECI to declare the position on the use of religion, religious symbols, idioms and language, and whether it is consistent with the standards adopted by the ECI in the past.
Beijing, Nov 16 : At least 26 people were killed on Thursday after a fire broke at a building of a coal mine company in China's Shanxi province, local authorities confirmed.

According to the National Mine Safety Administration, the fire ripped through the second floor of the five-storey building located in Lishi district of Lyuliang city, Xinhua news agency reported.

Rescue efforts are underway, the authorities added.

More than 60 people have been sent to a local hospital for treatment.

The building belongs to the private Yongju coal mine company, which has a production capacity of 120 tonnes a year.

Shanxi province is China's largest producer of coal.

Industrial accidents, which can result in fires, often occur in China, the BBC reported.

In April, 29 people died in a hospital fire in the capital of Beijing.

Last October, an explosion at a barbecue restaurant in the north-western Yinchuan province killed 31 people.
New Delhi, Nov 19 : A month after the large terror attack by Hamas on Israel resulting in the killing of some 1,400 civilians, evoked an armed offensive from Israel on Gaza, the conflict in the Middle East has predictably escalated with Israel preparing to militarily 'eliminate' Hamas overcoming the challenge posed by the extensive underground network of caves built by Hamas for use as bunkers in a military confrontation, Iran-backed Hezbollah declaring that it was fully prepared to join in the combat in support of Hamas and the US extending military support to Israel through its Sixth fleet in the Mediterranean.

The Arab states seemed to be watching the situation -- divided as they are between the anti-US radical forces represented by Syria, Yemen and Qatar and those like Saudi Arabia, UAE and Bahrain -- fundamentalist but deeply aligned with the US. This showed up on expected lines considering that Hamas has over the years of the US-led 'war on terror', become a front of Islamic radicals though it originated in the mould of anti- Left pro-Islamic State organisations like Muslim Brotherhood of Hasan Al-Banna in Egypt and Syria, and Jamaat-e-Islami of Maulana Maududi in undivided India, with no hostility towards the West.

The Arab Spring of 2011 marked a general shift in the Muslim world towards a hardline Islamic dispensation in replacement of personal dictatorships. In Egypt it had the imprint of Muslim Brotherhood and initially the US welcomed the ouster of Hosni Mubarak for that reason. However, the forces behind the Arab Spring drifted towards the revivalist call of going back to the times of the Pious Caliphs and found no fault with radicalisation and the terrorist violence that went with it, causing discomfiture to the West.

The present regime in Egypt headed by President Abdul Fattah El Sisi favours Islam but not its radicalisation and is in the good books of the US.

Radicalisation incidentally finds acceptance in countries like Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia that rode two horses by trying to be on the right side of US while supporting Taliban, Al-Qaeda and ISIS. Developments in the Middle East revolving round Israel-Hamas confrontation seemed to be accentuating these alignments within the Islamic world.

In his first open response since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, Hassan Nasrallah, head of the powerful Hezbollah movement, told press at Beirut that 'America was entirely responsible' for the ongoing war, termed Israel as a mere tool of execution of the US strategy and warned that 'all options' were open to respond 'decisively' to the extension of the conflict to Lebanon.

He was speaking in the background of some skirmishes on the Lebanese border. Nasrallah asked the Americans to immediately stop the aggression if they did not want 'a regional war', saying that the US fleet in Mediterranean 'does not scare us' and that 'we are ready to face it'. Hassan repeatedly talked of the 'war in the region' that 'would make the US soldiers pay'.

Hezbollah along with the armed groups from Iraq, Syria and Yemen represents a regional Iran-led 'axis of resistance' against the US and Israel. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has again warned Hezbollah that if it joined the war 'that would be the mistake of life for it'.

Remarks of Hezbollah chief appeared defensive in as much as they referred only to regional dimensions of the conflict and did not talk of any larger global threat. Iran already in conflict with US would -- it seems -- not like to get directly involved in the Hamas-Israel military confrontation.

Meanwhile, it has taken a month for Israel Defense Forces to reach 'the heart of Gaza city' described by Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant as the 'largest terrorist base ever built'. He repeated Israel's determination 'to destroy Hamas'.

Prime Minister Netanyahu reiterated that there would be no ceasefire till hostages held by Hamas were released. Seen in the backdrop of US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's statement at Ankara that release of hostages was the 'prime concern of the US', it would appear that Hamas was expectedly using hostages to leverage its position.

Netanyahu has talked of 'tactical pause' to work out release of hostages while the US President has struck a note of restraint by asking Israel not to 'reoccupy Gaza'. Israel is apparently planning to surround Gaza in a manner that Hamas militants may be compelled to release hostages in spite of the use of tunnels by them for a 'guerilla' warfare.

A deterrence for anti-Israel forces in Middle East is the clear message given by President Biden that US was going to be fully behind Israel in the event of the conflict escalating into a regional war. His reference to India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor and mention of Israel's stakes in it has elevated American involvement in the region to a level where it is a part of geopolitical strategy of US to counter the initiatives China had been advancing to enhance its foothold in the Middle East.

It is here that the Arab block led by Saudi Arabia has to play an effective role in checking the spread of radicalisation in the region. India's strategic interests leave little doubt about which side of the fence this country should be on, in the event of Islamic radicals advancing their hold in the Muslim world.

The challenge before Israel is to put down Hamas and its terror infrastructure without causing too much of collateral damage and certainly without putting large sections of civilian population in extreme distress. It is typically a challenge for any army that faced the adversary in an asymmetric war.

Permitting supplies and medical aid for displaced people in Palestine is important given the fact of this conflict in all likelihood getting protracted into a war of attrition.

The US and its allies must keep the prospect of a two-state solution in Palestine open and work for a significant number of Arab states recognising the existence of the state of Israel. The conflict of religions should be moderated into a political dispute that required a different set of 'gives and takes'. India finds this kind of solution finding closer to its own interests and the interests of the world.

The success of its G20 Presidency should enable India to back a position that sat well with the principles of humanitarian good, no resort to 'wars' and terrorism and promotion of world peace. The US is cognisant of the attempts of China to exploit the Israel-Hamas conflict for boosting its influence in West Asia and draw in the radical forces there into its political orbit -- its new equation with the Taliban Emirate at Kabul illustrating this in ample measure. American policymakers, however, need to become realistically aware of the role of Sino-Pak axis in weakening the cause of the democratic world order. As already mentioned Pakistan, Turkey and Malaysia seem to have developed a convergence on accommodating radicals and not toeing the US line on the Middle East.

The Israel-Hamas conflict like the earlier military confrontation between Ukraine and Russia is a development that India has to take into account while formulating its own strategy of safeguarding national interests.

It is significant that Russia is joining the universal effort to rush food and medical supplies to Gaza for the people there and that the US also wants neither Israel nor Hamas to create any impediment in the same.

Israel would surely expect the world to see that terrorism had to be defeated and not permitted to put the lives of innocent civilians in jeopardy. The deeply religious angle in the Israel-Palestine conflict has to be sorted out through the path of inclusivity and respect for all faiths without bringing in notions of 'supremacism' of one religion. The communal interpretations of Israel-Hamas confrontation has had a certain fallout in the Muslim world, including the subcontinent, where the historical memories of the anti-West Wahabbi Jehad of the 19th century, Khilafat movement of later times and the strong currents of pan-Islamism in the 80's promoted by the OIC under the chairmanship of Saudi Arabia, have all conditioned the thinking of Muslims guided by the Ulema and the communal-minded elite. Indian democracy must continue to derive strength from nationalism, its built in secularism and the Modi regime's vision of'world is one family'. Intelligence updates on any adverse fallout of Israel-Hamas conflict on our national security, including the situation in Kashmir are important.

The Hamas-Israel tussle in the Middle East and the earlier Ukraine-Russia military conflict in east Europe are leading to a new divide between the democratic world and the autocratic regimes -- ideological or faith-based.

Unlike in the Cold War, however, there is multipolarity at play and much greater freedom for the countries to choose sides. Today India and US stand closer to each other than at any time in the past because of the mutuality of interests and a new found convergence on what was good for the world.

In the 2-Plus 2-Dialogue held between the US and India last week -- the first major event after the success of the G20 summit at Delhi -- the two global powers pursued a mutually beneficial line notwithstanding the nuanced position India has taken on both Israel-Hamas and Ukraine-Russia confrontation.

Diplomacy today requires a lot of ideation and the capacity to evolve an assimilative approach to disparate geopolitical developments.

India is presently well-equipped on this front.

Both the US and India have expressed support for 'humanitarian pauses' agreed to by Israel and pledged to continue diplomatic coordination with key partners in the region to work for a durable political solution.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi reaching out to the Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi demonstrates India's role as a global power working for world peace.

The conflict in Gaza is compelling the Muslim world to face the reality of choosing between a US-led dispensation and a Chinese-sponsored grouping.

Russian civilian aid to Gaza, Iran's stance of not directly becoming a party to Israel-Hamas confrontation and the US advice to Israel not to 'cross a line' while chasing the Hamas in Gaza, all lead to a possibility that this time around, the world may move towards finding a stable political outcome of the Palestinian issue based on rejection of terrorism as an instrument of politics and a non-sectarian solution in which states of Israel and Palestine lived as peaceful neighbours, with well-defined borders.

(The writer is a former Director Intelligence Bureau. The views expressed are personal)
BAKU, Azerbaijan, Nov.16. The US continues to support peace talks between Azerbaijan and Armenia, US State Department Spokesman Matthew Miller said during a briefing on November 16, Trend reports.

He was commenting on Baku's turning down the proposal to hold a meeting of Azerbaijani and Armenian foreign ministers in Washington.

"We continue to support peace talks to resolve the issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia. We would encourage the two parties to engage in those talks whether they are here, whether they're somewhere else, and that will continue to be our policy," he said.

Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry said that Baku has turned down the proposal for a meeting between the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia in Washington on November 20.

Concerning the statement of the U.S. Assistant Secretary of State James OBrien that the US side has cancelled high-level bilateral meetings and engagements, which were initiated by the US side with Azerbaijan, and there cannot be business as usual in the bilateral relationship, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan noted that the relations could not be one-sided.

"Consequently, the same approach will be applied equally by Azerbaijan. In these circumstances, we consider the possibility of high-level visits from the United States to Azerbaijan inappropriate as well.

Moreover, such a unilateral approach by the United States could lead to the loss of the mediation role of the United States. Under these circumstances, it is important to note that we do not consider possible to hold the proposed meeting on the level of the Foreign Ministers of Azerbaijan and Armenia, in Washington on November 20, 2023.

International law norms and principles have always been a priority for Azerbaijan in its foreign policy. Azerbaijan will always act in line with its international obligations. At the same time, Azerbaijan will resolutely and adequately address all the negative steps against its national interest," the ministry said in a statement.
Dakshina Kannada, Nov 16 : The authorities have issued externment notice to five Bajrang Dal activists from the Dakshina Kannada district for their alleged involvement in incidents of communal clashes, assault cases in connection with cow transportation, moral policing and other cases.

The notice asks them as to why they should not be deported to other districts, police said on Thursday.

Sources said that the the notice has been issued to Dinesh, Prajwal, Latesh Gundya, Nishanth and Pradeep. Latesh Gundya is Bajrang Dal's Saha Samyojak of Puttur district.

Prajwal and Dinesh have taluk level responsibilities in Bajrang Dal and other two are volunteers of the right-wing outfit.

The notice has questioned why they should not be externed and asked them to be present before the Assistant Commissioner on November 22 in Puttur.

The notice has been issued under the Section 55 of the Karnataka Police Act,1953. Sources said that once they appear before the authority, a externment order for one year would be executed on them.

In July, three Bajrang Dal activists were externed from Mangaluru city. However, the organisation had approached the court questioning the government and obtained stay orders.
Berlin, Nov 16 : Germany's Federal Constitutional Court has annulled the national government's decision to reallocate 60 billion euros ($64 billion) from a Covid-19 relief fund to be used for measures combatting climate change.

The law under which the funds were retroactively shifted to the Climate and Transformation Fund (CTF) at the beginning of 2022 for the previous year's budget "does not meet the constitutional requirements for emergency borrowing", the court ruled.

With its so-called debt brake, Germany has an instrument that prevents the government from taking on new debt, except in crises such as the Covid-19 pandemic, reports Xinhua news agency.

The court found that transferring the funds for another purpose circumvents this regulation.

The "de facto unlimited" continued use of emergency-related credit authorizations in subsequent financial years is "inadmissible", the ruling added.

Since the 60 billion euros will now be withdrawn from Germany's climate fund, financed projects will have to be covered by other budget resources.

"The Federal Government will pay close attention to this ruling by the Federal Constitutional Court," Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Wednesday.

However, the 2024 budget meetings scheduled for Thursday are to take place as planned.

The CTF has a total budget of 211.8 billion euros for the next four years.

The German government wanted to invest 57.6 billion euros from the fund into green projects in areas such as transport, buildings and the switch to renewable energies in 2024.

Europe's largest economy is aiming to achieve climate neutrality by 2045, five years ahead of the European Union (EU) target.

As part of this process, Germany wants to achieve an 80 per cent share of renewable energies in its electricity supply by 2030, up from around 53 per cent currently.

"This ruling is a bitter setback for climate protection," said Martin Kaiser, managing director of Greenpeace Germany, adding that all budgetary leeway must now be used on the path to climate neutrality, "because we are already in the midst of the climate crisis".
Jerusalem, Nov 16 : Israel on Thursday rejected the UN Security Council's call for extended humanitarian pauses in the raging war in Gaza as long as the Hamas militant group still hold the hostages captive.

"Extended humanitarian pauses are untenable as long as 239 abductees remain in the hands of Hamas," Xinhua news agency quoted Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesperson Lior Haiat as saying in a statement.

The statement called on the UN Security Council "to unequivocally condemn Hamas" for its October 7 unprecendented attack on Israel.

According to authorities, the hostages comprise Israeli and foreign nationals who were taken captive by the terrorist group shortly after its massive assault.

Some media reports have claimed that about 30 of the hostages are children

So far, four civilian hostages have been released by Hamas, while a female Israeli soldier was rescued by Israeli forces.

A day before the UNSC adopted the resolution on Wednesday, the Hamas had claimed that one of the captured soldiers had been killed by Israeli airstrikes.

The group alleges that at least 57 hostages have been killed in the constant bombardments in Gaza so far.

Meanwhile, the UNSC resolution has called for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip" to allow urgently needed aid to reach civilians in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

This was the fifth attempt by the Security Council to adopt a resolution on the ongoing Israel-Hamas war.

The resolutionhas also demanded the release of the hostages taken by Hamas.

Russia and the UK joined the US in abstaining from voting on the resolution allowing it to be adopted with the support of the other 12 Council members, including France and China, the other permanent members.
Ankara, Nov 16 : Twenty-seven patients from Gaza and their 13 attendants, who passed through the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, arrived in the Turkish capital of Ankara on Thursday.

"Twenty-seven patients from Gaza, most of whom are cancer patients who need urgent treatment, are in our country," Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters at the airport in Ankara.

"We established a health coordination team consisting of technical committees to bring patients to our country, especially cancer patients," the Minister said.

Turkey has delivered aid to Gaza, including medications, medical supplies and devices to meet the needs of the people in Gaza, Xinhua news agency quoted Koca as saying further.

The planes, departing from Egypt's El Arish Airport, landed at Ankara Esenboga Airport at midnight.

Koca traveled to Ankara from Egypt with some patients, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

These patients would be the first Gazans to travel from Egypt to another country for treatment, Koca told reporters in Egypt on Wednesday.

Between November 2 to 13, some 135 injured people from Gaza were taken for medical care in Egypt via Rafah -- the only border crossing point between the Hamas-held enclave and the African nation.

On Tuesday, the Egyptian border opened for the evacuation of about 600 foreign nationals and dual citizens, and four injured people.

Since the raging war erupted on October 7, 11,078 people have died in Gaza, over 1,200 in Israel and 194 in the West Bank.
Bhopal, Nov 16 : The bitterness between the Nehru-Gandhi clan and Gwalior's erstwhile royal family that sprung up three-and-a-half-years ago after Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia toppled the Congress Government in Madhya Pradesh in March 2020, has increased exponentially.

This was quite evident during the recent campaigns held in the run up to the November 17 Assembly elections in the state.

Following 'Operation Lotus' in 2020, both the families attacked each other politically but maintained the dignity of the age-old relationship between their families that went back to a few generations.

However, by the end of the campaign for the 2023 election, things took a turn for the worse and it became a no-holds-barred campaign.

Even though the Congress called Jyotiraditya Scindia 'traitor' soon after he shifted to the BJP, and his two former party colleagues  MPCC head Kamal Nath and Rajya Sabha MP Digvijya Singh called him 'bikau' there was not much of an exchange after that.

However, Priyanka Gandhi's attack on the erstwhile royal family on the last day of campaigning in the Gwalior-Chambal region which is a Scindia bastion, made the Union Minister so furious and he went on to attack all four generations of the Nehru-Gandhi family.

After Priyanka's sarcastic remarks like, "Unhone apne pariwar ki parampara achhe se nibhai hai. (He is living up to the traditions of his family)" and "Scindia ji height me thoda kam rah gaye, lekin ghamand bahut bada hai unka (Scindia is a man of short height and high arrogance)," Scindia hit back at the Gandhi family with a long post on his social media account.

Scindia called Priyanka Gandhi a "part-time politician" and said he does not expect her to have the ability to understand the difference between "these two traditions."

Through his post, Scindia said his ancestors had fought against the Afghans, the Mughals, the British and had sacrificed their lives to protect the country.

He then attacked the Nehru-Gandhi family saying, "Who protected India from China? Forget about doing so, Indian land was given to them as a gift. The second generation of which family imposed 'Emergency' in its greed for power? And even today, the present generation of which family is defaming the country by going to foreign forums? Before measuring capability with height, please take a look in the mirror yourself. The Scindia family has repeatedly changed the rule of corrupt and promise-breaking people, and the people of Madhya Pradesh are going to reject you again," Scinida's social media post read.

Scindia made this lengthy post on his social media account to counter Priyanka's remarks on him and the erstwhile royal family during a poll rally in Datia on Wednesday.

During her address, the Congress leader had said, "Hum toh UP wale hain, jab gussa aata hai to byan kar deten hain, lekin hame Maharaj kahne ki aadat nahi hai. Yahi sabse badi samasya hai ki hum maharaj nahi bol sakte (We are from UP and we are used to telling it like it is when we get angry. But the biggest problem is that we can't refer to him as maharaj)."

She further said that Scindia had cheated the Congress and the people of Gwalior-Chambal region by hatching a conspiracy to topple the Kamal Nath-led Congress Government in 2020.

"He (Scindia) has followed his family tradition well and he has betrayed the trust of the people of Gwalior and Chambal region. He toppled the Congress Government. He cheated the people of Gwalior-Chambal region," she had said in a scathing attack on Scindia.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : Terming terrorism a "serious threat" to international peace and security, including in the ASEAN region, India on Thursday proposed to co-chair the Expert Working Group on counter-terrorism.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh made the proposal at the 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting - Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

According to a Ministry of Defence (MoD) statement, the proposal was endorsed by ADMM-Plus as terrorism remains a serious concern to countries in the region.

In his address, he affirmed the ASEAN centrality and appreciated its role in promoting dialogue and consensus in the region.

He also reiterated India's commitment to freedom of navigation, overflight and unimpeded lawful commerce in the international waters in accordance with international laws, including United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982, official added.

The Defence Minister called for regional security initiatives that are consultative and development-oriented to reflect the larger consensus among various stakeholders.

He committed towards nurturing practical, forward-looking and result-oriented cooperation with ADMM-Plus for enhancing maritime security in the region.

MoD said that highlighting that the conflicts extract a terrible toll in terms of human lives lost and livelihoods destroyed, disturb the stability at regional as well as global level and have adverse implications for food security, energy security etc.

Minister Singh reiterated India's commitment to work with ASEAN and Plus countries to ensure peace, prosperity and security, which is an apt theme for this year's ADMM Plus.

He cited Mahatma Gandhi's famous quote on peace "There is no way to peace, peace is the only way".

The Defence Minister stressed the role of dialogue and diplomacy to have enduring peace, and in ensuring global stability.

He reaffirmed India's message to the world at large, that "this is not an era of war", and spoke about the imperative to give up the "us versus them" mindset.

Rajnath Singh appreciated ASEAN Member states' enthusiastic participation in India-ASEAN activities, particularly the Initiative for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations, and Initiative for Marine Plastic Pollution Response.

He also appreciated ASEAN Member States' active participation in the maiden ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise held in May this year, as well as in the Expert Working Group (EWG) on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) activities, of which India and Indonesia are co-chairs in the current 2020-2023 cycle.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : Ixchiq, the world's first chikungunya vaccine, has the potential to mitigate a major public health threat, and prevent millions of cases of chikungunya worldwide, according to a report on Thursday.

The vaccine, developed by French biotech company Valneva, recently was granted approval by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for individuals 18 years of age and older who are at increased risk of exposure to chikungunya virus.

Ixchiq is a single-dose, live-attenuated vaccine for use in adults 18 years of age and older, for the prevention of disease caused by the chikungunya virus (CHIKV).

"In spite of the significant disease burden, there are currently no treatment options for chikungunya, and prevention has previously relied upon the avoidance of mosquito bites. The approval of Ixchiq therefore addresses an important unmet need and has the potential to benefit millions of lives," said Stephanie Kurdach, Infectious Disease Analyst at GlobalData, a data and analytics company.

Valneva's pivotal Phase III data demonstrated positive seroresponse rates 28 days post-vaccination and six months post-vaccination, exhibiting the vaccine's ability to sustain antibody responses over time.

Valneva has also partnered with Instituto Butantan to continue clinical testing of the vaccine and make it accessible to those most affected by chikungunya in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).

"Ixchiqas approval in the US will enhance Valnevaas travel vaccines business unit and add to a portfolio of vaccines against diseases such as Japanese encephalitis and cholera/enterotoxigenic E. coli (ETEC)," Kurdach said.

"However, over time, Ixchiq will be the most advantageous for individuals in LMICs, as it only requires one dose for maximum effectiveness. This ensures protection from CHIKV, while eliminating possible access constraints," Kurdach added.

The US Advisory Committee on Immunisation Practices (ACIP) will meet at the end of February 2024 to vote on the recommended use of Ixchiq.

According to GlobalData, there are also four other vaccines currently in late-stage development (PII-III) for chikungunya.

One product of interest is Bavarian Nordic's CHIKV VLP, a subunit vaccine in Phase III clinical testing which has reported positive safety and immunogenicity data.

CHIKV VLP has received breakthrough therapy designation and fast track designation from the FDA, as well as PRIME (PRIority MEdicines) designation from European Medicines Agency (EMA).

"Mosquitoes are the world's deadliest animals. The approval of IXCHIQ is a major milestone in the prevention of chikungunya, especially as climate change and current travel patterns are exacerbating the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, thereby increasing the demand for effective prophylactic options," Kurdach said.
New Delhi : Kerala CM and CPI(M) leader Pinarayi Vijayan during a demonstration over Israel-Palestine conflict at party office. Image Source: IANS News

Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 16 : Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday called upon investors to become partners in Kerala's transformation into a world-class economy by investing in the state's flourishing tourism sector.

"Kerala is all set to transform itself from being the best tourism destination to the perfect tourism investment destination in the country. By investing in Kerala Tourism, you will also be a part of this tremendous transformation," the Chief Minister said, while inaugurating the Tourism Investors Meet here.

It is the only state in the country with four international airports. "We have numerous national and state highways. Soon one can travel from Kerala's northern end to its southern end on water. Kerala has the highest number of 5-star hotels in the country. We are investment-ready, we are accessible, our workforce is well trained and our physical and digital infrastructure is unmatched in the country," he added.

The Tourism Investors Meet, he said, is intended to connect investors with key stakeholders, local entrepreneurs, and industry experts to explore potential collaborations and gain valuable insights into Kerala's tourism ecosystem.

He further pointed out that a Single Window Clearance System has been created to assist tourism investors and a Facilitation Centre set up to follow up on the preliminary deliberations at the Investors meet.

The state, he pointed out, is providing investment subsidies and incentives and encouraging Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the tourism sector.

"As the tourism sector in Kerala continues to grow at a rapid pace, your investments will also reap rich dividends. Your investments can further develop our tourism infrastructure and enhance the quality of our services. Your investments will surely benefit from the vibrant hospitality and services industries here. Your investments will generate indirect employment in allied industries such as handicrafts and agriculture as well," he added.

In terms of domestic tourist arrivals, the state hit an all-time record in 2022, with 1.88 crore domestic travelers visiting Kerala.

Giving enough hints for prospective investors he said the international tourist arrivals also registered an exceptional growth of 171.55 per cent in the first half of 2023, compared to the first half of 2022.

The revenue generated by Kerala's tourism sector has also been on a steady rise, with revenue more than tripling from Rs 11,335.96 crore in 2020 and Rs 12,285.91 crore in 2021 to Rs 35,168.42 crore in 2022.

The state's foreign exchange earnings from tourism was to the tune of Rs 2,792.42 crore in 2022.

"Tourism accounts for about 12 per cent of Kerala's GDP and almost a quarter of the State workforce 23.5 per cent is employed in the tourism sector," added Vijayan.

He said the efforts at transforming Kerala Tourism is part of the overall project of transforming the State, into a knowledge economy and an innovation society.

"Kerala is already meeting them, but we want to exceed them. To me, that is where this Meet can make a marked difference," said Vijayan and expressed hope that the Tourism Investors Meet will be a game changer in Keralaas tourism development.
Hyderabad, Nov 16 : The Telangana High Court on Thursday directed Kagaznagar police not to arrest BSP state president Praveen Kumar in attempt to murder and dacoity case till the court pronounces its orders on his quash petition.

The case was booked against Praveen Kumar and his son on Monday following clash between BSP and BRS workers in Kagaznagar town of Komaram Bheem Asifabad district.

Praveen Kumar has filed a petition, seeking orders to quash the FIR registered at Kagaznagar Police Station.

The High Court directed the police not to arrest Praveen Kumar till the court pronounced its orders on his quash petition.

Kagaznagar police booked a case of attempt to murder (307 IPC) and dacoity (395) against Praveen Kumar, his son, who is a Ph D scholar in Delhi School of Economics and 11 members of the party.

He alleged that this was booked at the behest of Sirpur MLA candidate Koneru Konappa last night.

"The complainant who happens to be the driver of MLA's campaign vehicle says I had stolen Rs 25,000 from him. If this can happen to a retired IPS officer with 26 years of unblemished service, imagine what people in Sirpur-Kagaznagar have been going through for the last two decades under the rule of Konappa," said Praveen Kumar, who is contesting Assembly election from Sirpur-Kagaznagar constituency.

A clash between supporters of Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) had triggered tension in Kagaznagar on Sunday night.

Trouble began when an election meeting which was being addressed by Praveen Kumar was allegedly disrupted by supporters of the ruling party.

The BSP leader alleged that a BSP campaign vehicle playing music extra loudly arrived near the venue of their public meeting. The BSP leaders raised an objection and this led to a clash between both the groups. Police intervened to disperse the clashing groups.

Demanding action against those involved, Praveen Kumar led a sit-in in front of Kagaznagar police station.

Praveen Kumar took voluntary retirement in 2021 to enter politics. He joined the BSP and became its state president.
Mumbai: A view of the BSE building in Mumbai, on May 20, 2019. Indian equity indices traded on a firm note on Monday after most exit polls showed a BJP-led NDA getting a comfortable majority in the now concluded general elections. The Sensex advanced. Image Source: IANS News

New Delhi, Nov 16 : India saw 122 deals valued at $2.5 billion in October, a 41 per cent decline in deal values from the previous month, a report showed on Thursday.

Despite a decline in deal values, primarily due to the absence of major M&A transactions, October showcased resilience with a 14 per cent increase in deal volumes.

High-value deals worth over $100 million dropped from nine in September to just four in October, with the total values decreasing from $3.7 billion to $2.2 million.

"While the absence of big-ticket transactions has affected deal values, the robust 101 private equity deals worth $1.9 billion reflect the ongoing opportunities in the market," said Shanthi Vijetha, Partner, Growth Grant Thornton Bharat.

"With the festive season on and an anticipated surge in consumer demand, the economy and deal market are poised for an upbeat period, demonstrating the presence of diverse growth themes and opportunities amidst a challenging backdrop," she added.

October continued to witness a downward trend in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) space with 21 deals amounting to $0.24 billion, marking a 19 per cent drop in volumes compared to the previous months.

Furthermore, the past two months have seen a substantial decline in deal values in M&A landscape, plummeting from $3.7 billion in August to $235 million in October, leading to a significant reduction in the average ticket size from $141 million in August to $75 million in September and a mere $11 million in the latest month.

The top deal in this space was the acquisition by Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd of Superdry Plc's licenses and brand assets in India, Sri Lanka, and Bangladesh, valued at $48 million.

The private equity landscape showed signs of vigour, with a total of 101 deals worth $1.9 billion.

Notably, the month was characterised by smaller-ticket PE investments, further reinforcing faith in the PE market. A standout deal in this space was the significant investment of $598 million made by the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority, which acquired a 0.6 per cent stake in Reliance Retail Ventures Ltd.

The market saw the launch of six IPOs, collectively raising a total of $546 million in capital.

The startup sector continued to be a dominant force, accounting for 60 deals, which represented nearly half of the overall deal activity, said the report.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 17. Armenia should demonstrate good will in the peace process, Assistant to the President of Azerbaijan and Head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration, Hikmet Hajiyev said in an interview with EU Today, Trend reports.

"Azerbaijan has established model of resolution of one of the most prolonged conflicts on the wider map of Eurasia. The OSCE has failed to resolve the conflict, although the Karabakh conflict has been one of the issues facing the OSCE since the very establishment of this institution. The Minsk Group Co-Chairmanship Institute has failed because the mission of that institution was to maintain and continue the occupation of Armenia against Azerbaijan. This chapter of the military occupation and injustice is now over. Therefore, Azerbaijans agenda is now about peace and to normalise bilateral relations between Armenia and Azerbaijan. But any peace engagement requires two sides to play their role, and Armenia should also perform her role and demonstrate good will, Hikmet Hajiyev said.
Chennai, Nov 16 : A special session of the Tamil Nadu Assembly will be convened on November 18 to pass the Bills returned by Governor R. N. Ravi, it was announced on Thursday.

Assembly Speaker M. Appavu said announced that the special session will be held from 10 a.m. on Saturday to pass the Bills returned by the Governor.

The decision was taken after the Governor returned Bills pending with him for his approval.

The DMK government had accused the BJP-appointed Governor of deliberately delaying the bills' clearance and scuttling the state's development by "undermining the elected administration".

It had also approached the Supreme Court over the delay on the part of the Governor in granting assent to bills.

During the last hearing, the Supreme Court had observed that it was a matter of serious concern that the Governor was sitting on various Bills and other important documents sent to him by the government.

The Governor is said to have returned 10 Bills out of 12 Bills pending with him. One of the Bills is aimed at clipping the Governor's authority to appoint Vice Chancellors of state-run universities. There is another Bill seeking prosecution of ex-ministers from the AIADMK.

After the Assembly passes these Bills again, it will become mandatory for the Governor to give his assent.

Speaking to media persons in Tiruvannamalai, Appavu said that a special session will be held under Assembly Rules 26.

"As I have learnt that many legislative Bills have been returned by the Governor, the state government wanted to pass these Bills again after discussions, at a special session in the Assembly," he said.

Replying to a query about the Supreme Courtas recent observation, Appavu said that the special session has been convened only to pass the Bills again and not to discuss the apex courtas observation or any other issue.

The Speaker mentioned that the special law against online rummy and the Bill against NEET were returned in the first instance by the Governor. However, after these laws were passed again in the Assembly, the Governor either approved them (in the case of online gambling) or sent them to the President for approval (Bill against NEET).

"As per the law, the Governor cannot return those Bills that are passed once more in the Assembly. Only those Bills that have been returned by the Governor will be passed again in this special session," he said.

--IANS

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Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 16 : Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan on Thursday said the state capital will soon be developed into a major digital hub and a premier destination for start-ups.

He was inaugurating the country's biggest beachside startup conclave Huddle Global 2023, a three-day event organised by Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), here.

The event also saw KSUM exchanging Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) with Belgium and Australia to set up its Startup Infinity Centres in the two countries, opening up immense opportunities for enterprises from Kerala's ecosystem to scale up operations and expand the market.

"The state government's pro-active initiatives, including Innovation and Entrepreneurship Development Centres (IEDC) for colleges, Young Entrepreneurship Programme (YIP), incubation and acceleration programmes and corporate innovation efforts have collectively helped Kerala's startup ecosystem to flourish and grow," said Vijayan.

Belgium's Ambassador to India, Didier Vanderhasselt, who exchanged MOU with KSUM CEO, noted the agreement will lead to KSUM setting up its Startup Infinity Centre in Brussels, opening up vast opportunities for start-ups from Kerala.

"The pact will facilitate Kerala start-ups to collaborate with the European tech hub in areas like digital technology and life sciences to scale up their product range and expand the market," said Vanderhasselt.

Catherine Gallagher, Minister Commercial and Head of Austrade South Asia, said it is significant to note that the MoU with KSUM comes at a time when the ties between India and Australia are marked by a strong and comprehensive strategic partnership.

Now into its fifth edition, Huddle Global 2023 has convergence of around 15,000 delegates from within the country and abroad, besides showcasing cutting-edge products from emerging sectors such as robotics, artificial intelligence, machine learning, augmented reality, virtual reality, life sciences, space tech, blockchain, IoT, e-governance, fintech, healthtech, agritech, edutech and SaS from across the country's ecosystem.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Thursday held bilateral meetings with his Indonesian and Vietnamese counterparts on the sidelines of 10th ASEAN Defence Ministers' meeting - Plus (ADMM-Plus) in Jakarta, Indonesia, a Defence Ministry official said.

The Ministry of Defence (MoD) said that during his meeting with the Defence Minister of Indonesia, Prabowo Subianto, Singh appreciated Indonesia's leadership of ASEAN this year, and the excellent organisation of the ADMM-Plus.

The two Ministers took stock of the bilateral defence relationship and re-committed to further strengthen cooperation, particularly in the maritime domain.

They also reviewed the regular exchanges in the form of training, staff talks and exercises, and discussed avenues for promotion of defence industry collaboration.

Both countries have co-chaired the Expert Working Group (EWG) on Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) for 2021-2024, the official added.

The Union Defence Minister also held talks with the Minister of National Defence of Vietnam General Phan Van Giang.

The MoD added that the two ministers reviewed the progress in the implementation of the 'Joint Vision Statement on India-Vietnam Defence Partnership towards 2030' signed during the visit of Rajnath Singh to Vietnam in June 2022.

They committed to work together for the deepening of the multifaceted bilateral defence ties, spanning across a wide spectrum covering training, capacity building, defence industry cooperation, UN peacekeeping, bilateral ship visits and exercises, the MoD official added.

The Defence Minister also met with Secretary General of ASEAN, Kao Kim Hourn, on the sidelines of the 10th ADMM-Plus.

While reiterating India's continued support to ASEAN centrality, Singh appreciated ASEAN member states' enthusiastic participation in India-ASEAN activities, including the first ASEAN-India Informal Defence Ministers' Meeting, maiden ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise, India's Initiatives for Women in UN Peacekeeping Operations and for Marine Plastic Pollution Response, the official said.

The Union Defence Minister further appreciated ASEAN Secretariat's excellent support in implementation of ASEAN-India projects. They exchanged views on ways and means to further enhance ASEAN-India cooperation in view of advancing the ASEAN-India Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Earlier on Thursday, Singh attended the 10th ADMM-Plus.

He congratulated the Indonesian Defence Minister for the successful chairmanship of ADMM-Plus.

During the course of the meeting, the Union Defence Minister welcomed Laos as the new chair of ADMM-Plus and wished them all success for conduct of events in 2024.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday gave the Central government eight weeks to frame a policy to regulate online sale of drugs or medicines.

In August, the court had directed both the Centre and the AAP government to take action against individuals involved in online sale of drugs without a valid licence.

A division bench of Chief Justice Satish Chandra Sharma (now elevated to SC) and Justice Sanjeev Narula had granted the Centre a period of six weeks to take appropriate measures and inform the court about its final stance on illegal sale of drugs online.

On Thursday, a bench of Acting Chief Justice Manmohan and Justice Mini Pushkarna said that if the policy is not framed within the given time, the concerned Joint Secretary dealing with the subject shall remain present in court on the next date of hearing.

The court then put up the matter for hearing next on March 4.

It said: "If the policy on online sale of drugs is not framed within eight weeks, the Joint Secretary dealing with the subject shall remain present in court on the next date."

Last time, the Centre's counsel had informed the court that discussions are still ongoing regarding the draft notification related to online sale of drugs.

The court had granted time to the Centre to take necessary actions and subsequently provide information about its final position on the matter.

"In the interim, the Union of India and the state government are directed to take necessary action, in accordance with law, in respect of persons acting in violation of the interim order dated December 12, 2018, i.e., engaging in online sale of drugs without a valid licence," the court had said.

Earlier, the Central government had informed the high court that a proposal for framing rules to regulate e-pharmacies was under consideration and some more time was needed.

The Centre's response came after the bench had asked it to file a status report on a petition seeking a ban on illegal sale of drugs online.

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's draft rules were challenged in the plea to further amend the Drugs and Cosmetics Rules.

The petitioner's lawyer had contended that the rules are being framed for the last 5-6 years but nothing concrete has been done yet.

The Ministry's August 2018 notification was challenged by South Chemists and Distributors Association in a petition saying that ignoring the health hazards caused due to online sale of medicines without proper regulations, the draft rules are being pushed through in serious violation of the law.

The petition sought contempt action against the e-pharmacies for continuing to sell drugs online despite a high court order staying such activity, and contempt action against the Central government for allegedly not taking any step against the defaulting e-pharmacies.

On December 12, 2018, the Delhi High Court had stayed the online sale of drugs without licence by pharmacies while hearing petitioner Zaheer Ahmed's PIL.
November 16 : Veteran actor Anupam Kher and filmmaker Neeraj Pandey are frequent collaborator, their latest, an action thriller series, The Freelancer, based on Shirish Thorat's A Ticket to Syria, turned an epic hit with its first season and now the veteran actor wants the filmmaker to release the rest of the series.

Created and written by Neeraj Pandey, with Bhav Dhulia serving as the director the series features Mohit Raina, Anupam Kher and Kashmira Pardeshi.

The series is set in an hostile climate set apart by misdirection and treachery. It revolves around Aliya's journey as she endeavours to escape from challenging conditions. The first season consisting for 4 episodes, aired on Diseny Plus Hotstar on 1 September 2023.

Actor Anupam Kher took to his social media profile and tweeted, My dearest @neerajpofficial! It is strange I have to communicate this to you on social media! But am consistently bombarded with the same question. Can you please tell the world and of course me, when are the balance episodes of #TheFreelancer releasing? It is extremely upsetting! @DisneyPlusHS

My dearest @neerajpofficial ! It is strange I have to communicate this to you on social media! But am consistently bombarded with the same question. Can you please tell the world and of course me, when are the balance episodes of #TheFreelancer releasing? It is extremely pic.twitter.com/16qybcpjzq  Anupam Kher (@AnupamPKher) November 16, 2023

Filmmaker Neeraj Pandey also replied to Anupam Kher, he tweeted, Sir am told they are working on a drop before the drop.

Looks like, a brand new season of The Freelancer is coming out soon.
Nashik : , Nov 16 (IANS) Shiv Sena (UBT) deputy leader Advay Hire, who was arrested from Bhopal on Wednesday in connection with an alleged bank loan fraud case of Rs 7.50-crore, was remanded to five days' police custody by a Malegaon Court, here on Thursday.

Hire, an ex-Bharatiya Janata Party leader, has been accused of getting the loan from the Nashik District Central Cooperative Bank (NDCCB) allegedly on the basis of forged documents, and then failing to repay the amount.

The Economic Offences Wing of Nashik Rural Police was probing the matter and was on the trail of Hire who had gone into hiding but was tracked down by the Bhopal Police and handed over to the Ramzanpura Police Station of Malegaon on Thursday.

He was presented before the Additional District Sessions Judge U.S. Baghele who ordered his police custody till November 20.

Arguing for Hire's custody for seven days, the Additional Government Pleader Mahendra Phulpagare said that no instalments of the bank loan were paid through an amount of Rs 1.78 crore received from the sale of a mortgage mill and land.

From the total loan amount, an amount of Rs 6 crore was transferred to a private Venkatesh Bank, and the police needed to probe why this was done, what was done with the money and who benefited from it.

However, Hire's lawyer contended that the investigations into the case were over, all the documents had already been taken and hence there was no need for police custody.

In 2013, as the then Chairman of the NDCCB Hire had availed loans of nearly Rs 7.50 in the name of Renukadevi Yantramaag Women's Industrial Cooperative Society, a weaving mill, against mortgage, which was headed by his wife, Smita Hire.

Over the years, the amount had swollen to Rs 32 crore after which the bank lodged a complaint with the police in April 2023 to recover the debts, and since the amount had gone beyond Rs 25-crore, the case was transferred to the EOW, Nashik.

Anticipating arrest, Hire had applied for anticipatory bail which was rejected by the lower and Bombay High Court, after which he was reported to be on the run till he was nabbed by the Madhya Pradesh Police in Bhopal. Shiv Sena (UBT) top leaders Sanjay Raut and Sushma Andhare have slammed Hire's arrest, terming it as 'political vendetta' unleashed by Chief Minister Eknath Shinde's government as he (Hire) was a political rival of PWD Minister Dadaji Bhuse.

"If Hire had joined the BJP (after the June 2022 Shiv Sena split), all his alleged sins would have been forgiven, but because he has joined Shiv Sena (UBT), he is being hounded," said Andhare sharply.

Raut said that Hire is the grandson of the legendary Bhausaheb Hire and the police have targeted him due to political pressures though he faced the (fraud) allegations even when he was with the BJP.

Hitting back, Raut said Bhuse himself is accused of defrauding farmers of Rs 178-crore through his cooperative factory, other leaders of the ruling alliance are also facing major allegations, "but only Hire who belongs to the MVA is being singled out for action".
Mumbai, Nov 16 : UCO Bank has lodged a complaint with the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) after a technical glitch in its Immediate Payment Service (IMPS) led to the erroneous transfer of Rs 820 crore into various customers' accounts but the bank did not receive the money.

"We further inform that by taking various proactive steps, Bank blocked the recipients' accounts and has been able to retain and recover around Rs 649 crore out of Rs 820 crore which is about 79 per cent of the amount," UCO Bank said in a BSE filing on Thursday.

The incidents occurred between November 10 and November 13, and the facility was stopped on Wednesday, it said in the stock exchange filing.

"The bank, as a precautionary measure, has made the IMPS channel offline and is working closely with stakeholders to resolve the issue and restore the IMPS services at the earliest. The matter has been reported to law enforcement agencies for further action," UCO Bank said.

UCO Bank claimed that this is an "internal technical issue as a result of which bank customers received some erroneous credits via IMPS".

Some bankers are of the view that it could be a cyber attack on the UCO Bank system.

IMPS is another real-time payment service, but the distinguishing factor is that IMPS is available 24x7 and you can avail the service even on bank holidays. Using IMPS, you can transfer comparatively lower amounts, up to Rs 2 lakh, instantly.
Thiruvananthapuram, Nov 16 : Malayalam actor Tovino Thomas' film 'Adrishya Jalakangal', also titled 'Invisible Windows' is now finally set to make its international premiere at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. Dressed in maximum style, the actor came to the red carpet of the premiere alongside the crew and penned a lengthy note of gratitude, still in awe of the great honour.

Taking to Instagram, Tovino shared pictures of himself and the crew at the red carpet, an captioned his post: "Stepped into a world of cinematic enchantment at the European premiere of 'Invisible Windows' at the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival. @tallinnblacknightsff. An incredible journey crafted by the visionary @drbiju_official."

He added: "Huge gratitude to the organisers, especially the festival director @tiinalokk , for this incredible opportunity. Her passion for cinema and meticulous curation make events like these extraordinary. Being the first Malayalam film in this A-category festival's competition section is a milestone we're proud of! A big thank you to the Malayali audience who always push us towards experimenting with cinema. You are amazing!"

Continuing his note, he went on to add: "To the wonderful audience who immersed themselves in our film and joined the engaging Q&A, your energy and curiosity fuel our artistic journey. A heartfelt thank you to @radhika_lavu , the architect of unforgettable stories and cinematic brilliance. You transcend boundaries, bringing to life narratives that resonate deeply."

In his concluding remarks, the actor wrote: "Gratitude to @mythriofficial for their unwavering support. Tight hugs to all the actors, artists, technicians and well-wishers who associated with us in 'Invisible Windows'."

Penning a special note to his wife, he wrote: "A special shoutout to my greatest supporter, my constant pillar of strength, my wife, who's always stood by my wildest dreams. This journey is as much yours as it is mine. Here's to many more adventures together."

This is not the only success that the 38-year old is enjoying as one of his most successful ventures in director Jude Anthany Joseph's film '2018' has been selected as India's official entry for the international feature at the 96th Academy Awards.

'Adrishya Jalakangal' will hit theatres on November 24.
Patna, Nov 16 : Former Bihar Chief Minister Jitan Ram Manjhi, after the alleged scam in teachers' recruitment, has now accused CM Nitish Kumar and Dy CM Tejashwi Yadav of a postings scam.

He said that the Nitish-Tejashwi (Chacha-Bhatija) government is giving postings to the successful non-state candidates in urban areas while the candidates from Bihar are given postings in rural areas.

While uploading a post on social media platform X, Manjhi said: "After committing scams in the recruitment of teachers, now they have started posting scams. They are taking huge sums of money (Mota Maal), they are posting the candidates of other states in urban areas while posting BIhari candidates in rural areas. Money has great power. I don't know, Chacha-Bhatija eat food or currency notes."

Earlier, Manjhi levelled allegations against the Nitish-Tejashwi government of a big scam in the recruitment of teachers. He said that many candidates who had obtained more than passing marks were not recruited while candidates having lesser marks got jobs.

The Bihar Public Service Commission (BPSC) had issued the notification for 1.70 lakh posts of teachers from class 1 to 5 and class 9 to 12 in July and the examination was held in August this year. Out of the 1.70 lakh posts, BPSC had announced the results for 1.20 lakh posts. NItish Kumar gave the appointment letters on November 2 this year.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : After Delhi Police's Economic Offences Wing (EOW) uncovered that Ashneer Grover and his wife Madhuri Jain Grover were allegedly involved in generating backdated invoices to channel funds at BharatPe, CapitalMind founder and CEO Deepak Shenoy and Ashneer Grover traded barbs at each other on Thursday.

In May this year, the EOW had registered an FIR against former BharatPe Managing Director Ashneer Grover for alleged cheating and fraud of Rs 81 crore.

"Grover apparently siphoned out funds to his family in the name of recruitment services -- a well-known mechanism to take money out. So stupidly done too -- they backdated invoices with bank accounts that didn't even exist at that date," Shenoy posted on X.

He also said that more than Rs 53 crore was reportedly paid to "sham" companies, owned or connected to Grovers.

"These companies didn't even file GST (though they charged it!) which is what brought the whole house down. I wonder if investors in startups have at least a policy saying we'll do an annual independent review of recruitment-related payments and links to founders... this kind of 'taking it out' is fairly common," the CapitalMind CEO posted on X.

Ashneer Grover replied, saying he will be the last man standing long after 'BharatPe'.

Shenoy then told Ashneer Grover: "Even Skilling of Enron calling someone an 'a**hole' before he went to jail. Please enjoy your time while the story comes out. There's always the UK to welcome you of course."

Ashneer Grover again replied: "Maine to tujhe judge bola - tune judge ko a**hole bola. Self-realisation achhi hai vaise teri."

Shenoy commented: "Vaise yahan bhi accha imagination use kar rahe ho, ab samajh aaya. How you knew the bank account numbers of companies that didn't even exist when an invoice was made by them. Well, enjoy. Time is of the essence, but India gives a lot of time."

Recent investigations by the Delhi Police's EOW have uncovered alleged financial irregularities in BharatPe's operations.

Eight HR consulting firms associated with Grover's family, such as True Work Co., Team Source, and Impulse Marketing filed bills with closed bank accounts, indicating the potential fabrication of invoices, as per reports.

The investigation revealed that these seemingly distinct entities shared the same registered address, sparking concerns about their legitimacy and independence, possibly hinting at a conflict of interest.

"The use of backdated invoices not only raises issues of financial impropriety, but also questions the transparency and accountability of BharatPe's financial operations," stated the reports.

Additionally, the EOW's difficulty in tracing vendor payments adds a layer of complexity, prompting scrutiny into BharatPe's due diligence in its business transactions.

A senior police officer privy to the investigation said that a probe is going on while refraining from going into the details of it.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Another group of former internally displaced persons was sent to the village of Zabukh of Lachin district, Trend reports.

Another group of citizens was sent from the Gobu Park 3 residential complex in the Garadagh district of Baku on November 16. At this stage, another 5 families (23 people) moved to the village of Zabukh.

Thus, until today, a permanent settlement in the village of Zabukh has been provided for 46 families - 188 people.
'Silence best for me', K'taka seer accused of rape says after walking out of jail. Image Source: IANS News

Bengaluru, Nov 16 : Rape accused Lingayat mutt seer Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru, who walked out of prison on Thursday after spending 14 months behind the bars, said that he would not prefer to speak anything about the case at the moment.

Speaking to reporters after being released on bail from the Chitradurga prison, he said: "I don't want to say anything about the allegations against me. Silence suits me best. The advocates will answer all questions."

After his release from prison, he visited seer Jayadeva Gadduge.

His supporters welcomed him in large numbers and queued up before the Virakta Mutt of Davanagere.

Meanwhile, Odanadi NGO founder M.L. Parashuram, who pursued the case against the seer, stated that the rape accused seer got bail due to the mistakes of the investigating officers.

"Had the case been probed by a high-level investigating agency, he would not have been granted bail so early. The slogans raised in favor of the accused seer have created fear among the victims, who are children," he said.

K.V. Stanley, co-founder of Odanadi NGO, stated they would explore legal options to get the bail cancelled.

"The minor victims are living in fear after the release of the accused seer. We are trying to instil strength and courage in them," he said.

Shivamurthy Murugha Sharanaru of the historical Murugha Mutt in Chitradurga was released from prison on Thursday after 14 months.

He was arrested last year on charges of raping minor girls staying at the hostel run by the Murugha Mutt.

The influential Lingayat seer spent 14 months in the Chitradurga district prison.

The Karnataka High Court, on November 8, granted conditional bail to him.

The seer is facing charges under the POCSO Act, IPC sections, Juvenile Justice Act, Religious Institutions (Prevention of Misuse) Act etc.

He was arrested after high drama on September 1, 2022, and has been in jail since then.

The Karnataka High Court granted conditional bail to the rape accused.

The High Court Bench, headed by Justice Sreenivas Harish Kumar, restrained the accused seer from entering the premises of the mutt and also directed him to surrender his passport to the court.

He was also asked to provide two sureties.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : The Delhi High Court on Thursday gave a week's time to the Central Government to decide the representation of a woman seeking to travel to Yemen to save her daughter from the death penalty in that country.

The mother of Nimisha Priya, an Indian citizen who has been sentenced to death in Yemen for the murder of a Yemeni national, had approached the High Court last month seeking permission to travel to the West Asian country to negotiate with the victim's family. She wants to negotiate with the victim's family by offering 'blood money' to save her daughter from the death penalty.

The petitioner is seeking permission to travel to Yemen despite the travel ban imposed on Indian nationals visiting the country by the Government.

The counsel for the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) submitted, "The issue is that they want to go to Yemen. Now there is a barthis is the gazette notification wherein they are supposed to apply to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and they will get the permission, then they can apply".

However, the counsel for the petitioner, Priya's mother told the court that they had already made a representation on April 25, 2022.

The Bench of Justice Subramonium Prasad noted that the travel ban can be relaxed by the Centre for specific and essential reasons for a limited period of time.

"The Clause 3 of the Gazette Notification reads as.in view of the notification, the present writ petition be treated as a representation. The respondents are directed to decide the representation within a period of one week from today. The writ petition is disposed", the court ordered.

The Judge also directed the counsel of the petitioner to specify the details of the other members of the family who intend to travel with the petitioner, along with a copy of their passport, within two days.

"Liberty is granted to the petitioner to approach this court, if needed", the court added.

Justice Prasad had sought a response from the Central government and directed it to file a status report in the matter.

Priya's mother believes that the only way to save her daughter from death penalty is to negotiate with the deceased's family by offering 'blood money'. However, she is currently unable to do so due to the travel restrictions.

In March 2022, an appellate court in Yemen had dismissed Priya's appeal. She was sentenced to death for the murder of Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017.

It is alleged that she injected him with sedatives to retrieve her passport, which he had in his possession. She had reportedly suffered abuse and torture at the hands of Mahdi.

Last year, a Coordinate Bench had disposed of a petition requesting the Central Government to facilitate negotiations with the victim's family to save Priya from death penalty by paying 'blood money' in accordance with Yemeni law.

Subsequently, an appeal against the Single Judge's order was dismissed by a Division Bench.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : The Supreme Court has invalidated the operation of a Gauhati High Court order directing the Deputy Commissioner of Assam's Kamrup (Metro) to maintain a separate account for receiving the donations given by the devotees and public for developmental activities of the Kamakhya Temple.

A bench of Justices Abhay S Oka and Pankaj Mithal, in a recent order, noted that the Assam government, in an affidavit filed in September this year, said that "at present the Doloi Samaj is running the affairs of the Temple Administration satisfactorily in close coordination with the local administration and the current system may continue".

"The Government of Assam is taking the development activities of Maa Kamakhya Temple in a big way under the PM DevINE Scheme," said another affidavit filed by the state government before the apex court.

The state authorities also gave an assurance that an amount of Rs 11,00,664.50 lying deposited in SBI's Kamakhya Temple Branch will be handed over to Doloi Samaj, Maa Kamakhya Devalaya.

In its 2015 decision passed in a public interest litigation (PIL), the Gauhati High Court had recommended the state government to "frame proper legislation to regulate the secular activities of the temple".

It had asked the Deputy Commissioner to maintain a separate account to receive the donations given by devotees and the public and to utilise such funds for developmental activities.

"If huge developments take place on the hilltop of the temple, it may require a proper and effective management and maintenance," the High Court had said.

"Any donation given by the devotees and public in Kamakhya Temple for the developmental activities of the Temple shall be received by the Deputy Commissioner, who shall also maintain a separate account of the same and use the amount for developmental activities of the Temple. And for the usual offerings given in the Temple by the devotees and public, the Deputy Commissioner need not maintain a separate account," the High Court said in 2017 while disposing of a review petition filed against the 2015 decision.

In an order passed in October same year, the Supreme Court had stayed the operation of the impugned decision passed by the High Court. "Accordingly, the impugned judgments will not operate and the arrangement, which is noted above in this order and in terms of both the affidavits of the State of Assam, will continue to operate," it ordered on November 10.
Kolkata, Nov 16 : The West Bengal Police finally arrested a CPI(M) leader Anisur Lashkar, the suspected mastermind behind the murder of Trinamool Congress leader Saifuddin Lashkar at Jaynagar in South 24 Parganas district on Monday morning.

Saifuddin Lashkaras death was followed by counter-lynching by the local people, in which one person Sahabuddin Sheikh was killed. The violent mob had also set 12 houses, all belonging to CPI(M) activists, on fire on the same morning.

State police sources said that the suspected mastermind Anisur Lashkar was arrested from Ranaghat in Nadia district of West Bengal on Thursday afternoon. After the murder of the Trinamool Congress leader, he escaped to Nadia district via Sandeshkhali in North 24 Parganas and had plans to escape to Murshidabad district.

Anisur Lashkar has been brought to the office of the Police Superintendent of Baruipur District Police under whose jurisdiction Jaynagar comes and he is being questioned there.

This is the second arrest made by the police in this connection. Earlier the cops arrested Sahrul Sheikh in the matter.

He was first rescued by police on Monday while being beaten up by the local people as a suspect behind the Trinamool Congress leaderas murder and then arrested after some initial interrogation.

Meanwhile, the police have also detained five other people in connection with the case. They are also being questioned by the investigating officials in the matter.

The family members of Anisur Rahman, however, have claimed that he has no connection with the murder of the Trinamool Congress leader and he just absconded after hearing that he would also be lynched on suspicion, just like Sahabuddin Sheikh.
Tel Aviv, Nov 16 : The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) announced on Thursday that Captain Shlomo Ben Nun (22) was killed during combat with Hamas terrorists on Wednesday night.

With this, the number of IDF soldiers who lost their lives in the fight with the Hamas since October 27 -- when the force launched ground operation in Gaza -- has gone up to 51.

Ben Nun was a deputy commander in the 202nd Battalion of the para troupe brigade.

The army also announced that two reserve soldiers were seriously injured in the fight with the Hamas terrorists on Wednesday night. Both the soldiers have been airlifted for medical treatment.

Since October 27, the IDF is engaged in ground invasion in the Gaza Strip. It has now entered the Hamas command centre in North Gaza. Since the IDF action begun, several Hamas leaders, including its aerial commander Abu Rubekha and naval commander Abu Shahinaba, have been killed.

Many other senior military commanders of Hamas' elite Nakubh Battalion were also killed during the action.

The IDF claimed that it has evacuated more than 8,00,000 people from North Gaza to the southern part of Gaza, while the United Nations Relief and Work Agency (UNRWA) for Palestine refugees said that its shelters are flooded with people since the displacement.

UNRWA Executive Director (Communications), Tamara Al Rifa, told IANS, "The UNRWA centres are full of displaced people and the space constraints are heavy. This is a forced displacement and all the troubles related to it are here. Moreover, with the shortage of fuel, drinking water cannot be treated in desalination plants, making things worse."
Bhopal, Nov 16 : The ruling BJP in its campaign for the assembly elections in Madhya Pradesh kept Prime Minister Narendra Modi in front and a slogan-cum song "MP ke man mein Modi - Modi ke man mein MP" was also played across the state in an attempt to get support in the name of its most charismatic leader.

Being the BJP face for the election, PM Modi addressed as many as 15 rallies after the poll schedule was announced. He missed no opportunity to attack the Congress, especially its leader Rahul Gandhi, who has been his most vocal critic. In his last rally, a day before campaigning came to an end, Modi called Rahul "moorkhon ke sardar".

Modi, who has paid nearly a dozen visits and launched a number of projects in the past few months before the election date was announced in Madhya Pradesh, addressed rallies in different districts -- Ratlam, Seoni, Khandwa, Sidhi, Damoh, Muraina, Guna, Satna, Chhatarpur, Neemuch, Barwani, Indore, Betul, Shajapur and Jhabua.

During the campaign, he missed no opportunity to take credit for the development of Madhya Pradesh in the past two decades, and at the same time, he warned people that the state would become BIMARU again if the Congress regained power.

The BJP strategically placed its most popular leader in the state Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan on the sidelines to counter the high anti-incumbency against his two-decade long rule. However, Chouhan still remains on top and has addressed 165 rallies. He addressed five-to-six rallies in a day, starting early morning and continuing till late night.

The main opposition Congress' entire campaign led by its state unit chief and former CM Kamal Nath focused on highlighting the failures of CM Chouhan and the scams that surfaced during the 18 years of BJP rule in Madhya Pradesh.

The Congress' central leaders especially Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and party president Mallikarjun Kharge targeted PM Modi during the campaign and spoke more about national issues, including a 'caste census' and OBC reservation. However, Kamal Nath was very much focused on local issues.

Kamal Nath, who alone addressed over 100 rallies out of the total 350 held by the star campaigners of the grand old party, mentioned at every rally the work done during his 15-month regime and then he would ask a question - "What sin had I committed for which my government was toppled. I too could have purchased MLAs, but this kind of politics doesn't suit me."

For the Congress, Kharge, Rahul Gandhi, Priyanka Gandhi Vadra and Sachin Pilot were among the popular leaders who held rallies. While the Congress chief was at nine rallies, the Gandhi siblings attended 11 poll meetings each.
Bengaluru, Nov 16 : As the 'cash-for-postings' debate rages in Karnataka following the release of a video involving his son and former MLA Dr Yathindra, Chief Minister Siddaramaiah hit back and said that "unfortunately, former Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, who was involved in rampant corruption during his tenure, thinks all are like him." He added, "HD Kumaraswamy seems to have forgotten that his wife and son are also in politics. I refrain from stooping to Kumaraswamy's level and speaking about his family in the same manner. I urge former Prime Minister HD Deve Gowda to advise his son to avoid becoming an object of ridicule in front of Kannadigas."

"Though Dr. Yathindra did not contest the elections, he remains committed to the development of Varuna. Kumaraswamy's false allegations are nothing but his cruel attempt to mentally disturb my son," Siddaramaiah added.

"His pessimistic attitude does not allow him to think beyond corruption. His insecurity in politics often forces him to fabricate fake stories to paint a negative picture of his political opponents. The same has happened with respect to the recent public phone conversation between me and my son about the development of schools in Varuna constituency," Siddaramaiah explained.

Varuna Constituency Ashraya Committee Chairman and KDP member Dr. Yatindra has been tirelessly working for the development of the region, including improving the government schools using CSR funds.

Yathindra was discussing the list of beneficiary schools for development. Kumaraswamy has twisted this phone conversation which happened in front of the public to falsely attribute it to corruption in transfers, the CM charged.

"People of Karnataka have been seeing Kumaraswamy's attempt to personally defame me since his party lost miserably in the elections. Now he has gone one step further to hurt my family for his ulterior political motives. This has exposed his sadistic mindset," he stated.
Mumbai, Nov 16 : The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Thursday announced a 10 per cent water cut in the city, from November 20 to December 2, for carrying out certain urgent maintenance works in the distribution network.

The BMC will replace air bladders at the pneumatic gate system located at the Pise Weir which needs emergency repairs and replacement.

During the 12-day period, the BMCas regular water supply to Mumbai city and certain parts of Thane Municipal Corporation and Bhiwandi Municipal Corporation would also be affected to an extent.

The BMC has urged people to make judicious use of water, avoid wastage, and cooperate with the authorities.
Toronto, Nov 16 : Canada's trade minister has indicated that Ottawa won't restart trade talks with New Delhi until it co-operates with the investigation into the murder of Sikh separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar.

"Right now, the focus for Canada is to let the work of the investigation proceed," Mary Ng told reporters on the margins of Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meet in San Francisco, the CBC news outlet reported.

"You've heard me and the government talk about how important it is that investigation happens given that we had a Canadian killed on Canadian soil. So we'll let that happen," she said, taking on a reporter's query.

When asked to clarify whether she was making a direct link between the need for co-operation on this investigation and the resumption of trade talks, Ng denied.

"Our focus is of course on this investigation, that work has to take place," she said.

Ng's remarks came just before External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar said in London that India is not ruling out an investigation into Canada's allegations but wants it to provide evidence to back its claims.

In September, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal confirmed that the ongoing trade negotiation with Canada had frozen due to disagreements on "certain issues". Goyal's remarks came soon after Canada cancelled a trade mission to India in October, which was to be led by Ng. Bilateral trade between India and Canada reached $8.16 billion in 2022-23.

In Q1 of FY2023-24, India's exports to Canada were around $911 million, while imports from Canada were worth $990 million.

Canada is India's 17th largest foreign investor and has been pumping in more than $3.6 billion into the country since 2000.

A Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between Canada and India is likely to boost two-way trade by as much as $6.5 billion, which means a GDP gain of $3.8 billion - $5.9 billion for Canada by 2035, according to industry experts.

The ties between the two nations have come under rough weather following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September of a "potential" involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.

India rejected Trudeau's allegations as "absurd" and "motivated". Last week, Trudeau said that a "fight" with India was not something Canada wanted right now but reiterated his allegations and said Ottawa wants to "work constructively" with New Delhi on this "very serious matter".

--IANS

mi/pgh
New Delhi, Nov 16 : Hundreds of Delhi Congress workers on Thursday staged a protest outside the Enforcement Directorate (ED) office here demanding action against the silence of the agency in connection with the money transactions of Union Minister Narendra Singh Tomar's son.

Several senior Delhi Congress leaders including former minister Haroon Yusuf participated in the protest and raised slogans against the ED and the BJP government at the Centre.

The Congress leaders asked why the Prime Minister was not deploying the ED and the CBI to probe a video circulating in the social media about Narendra Singh Tomar's son, Devendra Singh Tomar, striking a "deal of Rs 10,000 crore" with a man on video call.

The Congress workers also demanded the resignation of Narendra Singh Tomar from the Union Cabinet and the arrest of his son Devendra, as both the ED and the CBI were keeping a studied silence on the matter while the BJP government misses no opportunity to put the Central agencies after the Opposition leaders and arrest them on flimsy charges.

Delhi Congress president Arvinder Singh Lovely said that the BJP, which uses religion for vote bank politics, was shockingly using religious institutions as conduits for corrupt financial deals.

Congress workers carried placards with slogans such as "Narender Tomar Ke Bete Ke Ghotale Se Muh Na Chipaye", "ED-CBI Se Janch Karaye", "Hazaron Crore Ke Ghotale Ka Doshi Kaun".

Lovely said that the BJP and the Central probe agencies were keeping mum on the allegations against the Tomars, though a week ago a video had gone viral where Devendra was purportedly talking about financial deals of Rs 100 crore, Rs 18 crore and Rs 21 crore respectively.

The Delhi Congress chief wondered whether Devendra Tomar was counting hundreds of crores of rupees like kids counting marbles, as this was not Tomar's money, but proceeds of corruption.
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, November 16. The international conference themed "International Transport and Logistics Corridor: Development Impulses from Zangilan" has started in Azerbaijan's Zangilan, Trend reports.

The conference is being held in collaboration with the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts of the Eastern Zangazur economic region, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the State Customs Committee, and the Institute of Economics of the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan.

The purpose of the conference is to facilitate discussions among the government, private, and academic sectors on the development and expansion of trans-regional transport corridors, as well as to establish cooperation between stakeholders.

The conference included panel discussions on a variety of themes with officials from domestic and foreign government entities, international organizations, financial institutions, think tanks, academicians, and heads of international transportation businesses.

Over 200 foreign guests from 15 nations, eight international organizations, and financial institutions are among those attending the event.

The conference will continue its work in Baku on November 17.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Ludhiana, Nov 16 : Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann on Thursday exhorted the Punjabis to take pledge for countering the narco-terrorism sponsored by anti-Punjab forces head on for making the state completely drug free.

Addressing the gathering before flagging off a massive anti-drugs cycle rally organised by Punjab Police here on Thursday to commemorate the martyrdom day of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha, the Chief Minister said that since inception, Punjab has been constantly attacked by the invaders and Punjabis have faced them valiantly.

He said now the Punjabis are fighting a war against narco terrorism which is being funded by the anti-Punjab forces who want to derail the state.

However, Mann said the day is not far when Punjab will be a drug-free state for which every Punjabi should take a vow. The Chief Minister said that forces inimical to the state were hell bent upon branding the Punjabis as drug addicts just to present a wrong picture of the state before the country.

He said since time immemorial, Punjab had been the sword arm of the country and its food bowl but ignoring this amass contribution of Punjabis, a malicious propaganda has been unleashed by some political parties to label these patriotic sons of soil as drug addicts.

Mann said now Punjab has launched a crusade against drugs for which Ardas was performed at Sri Harmandir Sahib in the sacred city of Amritsar.

Paying glorious tribute to Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha on this historic day, the Chief Minister said the real homage to this great martyr would be to take a pledge on this solemn day to further strengthen the bonds of unity, integrity and brotherhood in our country.

He said the state government has already declared November 16 as a gazetted holiday every year in observance of the martyrdom day of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha. Mann said it will go a long way in perpetuating the glorious legacy of this martyr thereby ensuring that coming generations are inspired by his life.

The Chief Minister said the iconic martyr had laid down his life for emancipating the country from clutches of British imperialism at a very young age.

He said that martyrdom of Shaheed Kartar Singh Sarabha inspired several other youngsters like Shaheed Bhagat Singh to take part in the freedom movement and lay down their lives at the altar of the motherland.
Mumbai, Nov 16 : Reserve Bank of India (RBI) on Thursday said that it has imposed a penalty of Rs 90.93 lakh on Axis Bank for breach of norms.

The breach relates to directions issued by RBI on Know Your Customer (KYC) norms, 'Loans and Advances a" Statutory and Other Restrictions', 'Guidelines on Managing Risks and Code of Conduct in Outsourcing of Financial Services by banks' and 'Code of Conduct for Opening and Operating Current Accounts'."

The RBI carried out the Statutory Inspection for Supervisory Evaluation of the bank was conducted by RBI with reference to its financial position as of March 31, 2022.

A scrutiny was also conducted by RBI involving an account.

In addition, the bank failed to preserve records pertaining to the identification of customers and their addresses in certain cases.

"Made persistent calls to some of the customers, failed to ensure appropriate behaviour of recovery agents with some of the delinquent borrowers and failed to ensure a tape recording of the content/text of the calls made by the recovery agents to some of the customers," the RBI statement said.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : A Delhi court on Thursday extended by one day the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody of three persons arrested in a case related to alleged irregularities in the Delhi Waqf Board recruitments, which also involves AAP legislator Amanatullah Khan.

While the financial probe agency sought custody for six more days of the accused Zeeshan Haider, Daud Nasir and Jawed Imam Siddiqui, special Judge Geetanjali Goel of Rouse Avenue Court extended it by only one day.

Advocate Nitesh Rana, appearing for the accused persons, opposed the agencyas application claiming that their arrest was illegal and that the ED had no fresh grounds to seek the extension of their custody.

On Monday, special judge Arvind Kumar had accepted the agencyas request for custody for three days.

On November 11, the court had rejected the ED's request for their 14-day custodial interrogation.

The ED custody was sought to trace the proceeds of crime, determining the role of other accused persons who facilitated the offence of money laundering, confronting the accused persons with each other and other persons and in order to unearth the truth and to ascertain the complicity of key players involved in money laundering.

Last time, Rana had contended that the alleged proceeds of crime in no manner relate to scheduled offence. Advocate Nitesh Rana for Haider contended that he has already joined the investigation four times and the ED has arrested the accused illegally.

He had further contended that there is not sufficient material available with the ED for arresting the accused persons.

It was argued that giving evasive answers and non-cooperation cannot be grounds for arresting them.

Earlier, following Rana's accusations of "illegal detention", the judge had sent the accused to judicial custody until November 12.

Rana had claimed that the ED presented his clients after nearly 30 hours of detention, exceeding the 24-hour limit prescribed by law and my client has not dealt with proceeds of crime.

The case involves allegations that Khan, as the Delhi Waqf Board chairman, illegally recruited 32 people in violation of norms and government guidelines.

On Monday, on accused Nasir's prayer for the investigating agency to be directed to conduct the investigations under audio visual CCTV surveillance, the court had directed it to comply with the directions given in the said judgement of the Supreme Court in a certain case.

The judge had also directed that the accused persons be medically examined every 24 hours and the ED shall permit the counsels for the accused to meet them between 6 p.m. and 7 p.m. everyday till the next date of hearing, which is November 16.
Mumbai, Nov 16 : The new episode of the cooking reality show 'MasterChef India' sees renowned nutritionist Pooja Makhija gracing the kitchen. She introduces a challenge that tests the culinary talent of the contestants and adds a nutritional dimension to their creations.

The 'Health Challenge' will require contestants to create a healthy dish by incorporating essential elements like fibre, vitamins, protein, and carbs. There's also a mid-challenge twist awaiting them as they will need to incorporate two more ingredients in their dishes  moringa leaves and flaxseeds.

Talking about the challenge, Pooja said: "Bringing the 'Health Challenge' to the 'MasterChef India' kitchen has been incredibly rewarding. It was exciting to witness the passion these home cooks exhibited while balancing the nutritional aspects of their creations. The challenge was a reminder that great cooking goes beyond taste  it is about nourishing the body as well."

Amidst the challenge, contestant Kriti Dhiman finds herself in a tricky situation as incorporating dark chocolate proves to be a daunting task for her.

Sharing her experience, Kriti said: "Working with dark chocolate was definitely a challenge. Its intense flavour required a delicate balance to ensure it complemented the overall dish. This challenge has taught me the importance of experimenting with diverse ingredients to create a balanced blend of flavours."

'MasterChef India' on Sony LIV.
Imphal, Nov 16 : The Manipur government is continuing to destroy illicit poppy cultivation in the state, officials said on Thursday.

Chief Minister N. Biren Singh often said that illegal immigrants and drug peddlers including Myanmar nationals are involved in mass poppy farming and forest destruction in Manipur.

Officials said that the Manipur Rifles and Forest Department officials, during the past 48 hours, by spraying herbicides destroyed 31 hectares of illicit poppy fields at Tora Champhung Hill Range under Ukhrul district.

During the joint operations, 45 huts, set up by the poppy cultivators, were burned, and other infrastructure including pipeline connections, fertilisers, salt, herbicides, and pesticides were destroyed as well.

The Chief Minister, while talking to the media, said that the state government is intensifying its war on drugs and will not stop until the drugs menace is completely rooted out from the state.

The over six month long ethnic violence was started after the Manipur government during March-April started destruction of illegal poppy cultivation and launched the eviction drive against the encroachers who illegally occupied the reserve and protected forest lands in the mountainous areas of the state.

The Chief Minister earlier stated that encroachment evictions from forest lands were done in the state to preserve forests, considering the deteriorating climatic conditions. He had said that the state government never targeted a particular community.

The enormity of the drug menace has reached such a height that out of the stateas population of 28 lakh, the number of drugs-affected youths is around 1.4 lakh.

Manipur, which shares around 400 km of unfenced border with Myanmar, has also become a gateway of illegal drugs-smuggling into India, the state government officials said. Since 2017, around hundreds of encroachers have been evicted from forest land in Imphal East, Kangpokpi,Thoubal and Noney districts.

People belonging to Meitei, Kuki, Pangal (Manipuri Muslim), and Kabui tribes have been evicted from the forest lands.

A Manipur government official on Thursday said that the state government under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act has arrested around 2,518 people in between 2017 to 2023.

The arrested people include Kuki-Chin, Muslims, Meiteis and other communities.

Poppy cultivation in Manipur stood at 15,496.8 acres. The Kuki-Chin community inhabited area in 2022-23 accounted for 804 acres and Naga people inhabited area was 350 acres. In 2017-18, the Kuki Chin area accounted for 2,001 acres and Nagasa 229 acres.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : In view of the deteriorating air quality in Delhi-NCR, Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai held a review meeting with the officers concerned to ensure strict compliance with GRAP-IV rules at the Delhi Secretariat, on Thursday.

After the meeting, Rai said that a six-member Special Task Force (STF) has been formed, under the Environment Special Secretary for proper implementation and monitoring of GRAP rules.

The task force includes the Special Commissioner of Transport, DCP (HQ) Traffic Police, Deputy Commissioner, Revenue (HQ) and Chief Engineers of the MCD and the PWD as its members.

"The main work of this task force will be to coordinate daily with the departments concerned, remove the problems faced by them and give the implementation report to the government," said Rai.

The Environment Minister said that due to the current pollution, environmental experts believe that for the next two to three days, the AQI will remain in the 'very poor' category.

"In today's meeting, we also reviewed what action has been taken against those who violated the rules of GRAP so far. The ban on the operation of BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel LMV (four-wheelers) under GRAP-4 has been implemented. So far, 16,689 BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles have been fined. If anyone violates this, a fine of 20,000 will be imposed under the Motor Vehicle Act 1988. For this, 84 teams of the Transport Department and 284 teams of Delhi Police have been deployed," said Rai.

"Since November 3, as many as 19,227 vehicles have been fined under the PUCC checking campaign. Under GRAP-4, as many as 6,046 trucks (which were not related to essential goods and services) have been returned from the border, and 1,316 vehicles coming inside Delhi have been fined" he said.

"So far, teams have carried out on-site inspections of 3,895 construction sites under GRAP. Challans have been issued to 921 construction sites and a fine of Rs 1.85 crore has been imposed. A total of 591 teams have been deployed. They are inspecting construction sites at different places inside Delhi and taking action on violations of norms. All teams have been instructed to carry out continuous inspections," said Rai.

The minister further said that for the Anti-Open Burning Campaign, 611 teams have been deployed. Instructions have been given to run special drives under the Anti-Open Burning Campaign.

Under this campaign, 154 challans have been issued and a fine of Rs 3.95 lakh was imposed.

Rai said that free bio-decomposers have been sprayed on 2,573 acres of land in Delhi so far. The agriculture department officials have been instructed to spray the remaining fields soon.

Rai also appealed to Delhiites that if they see anything related to pollution, they should report it on the Green Delhi app.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) was on Thursday asked by the Delhi High Court for its stand on a petition by conman Sanjay Prakash Rai a.k.a Sherpuria, accused in a money laundering case, seeking to quash the prosecution complaint against him.

Before the bench of Justice Amit Bansal, Sherpuria's counsel, Advocate Nitesh Rana argued that the instant matter was a case of malicious prosecution as there were no proceeds of crime.

Sherpuria's petition also criticises a trial court order taking cognisance in the matter while it seeks a stay on the investigation.

In the petition, the accused also said there was no basis for registration of the ECIR in Delhi when the entire alleged proceeds of crime were stated to be accepted in Uttar Pradesh.

"It is beyond the comprehension in any law as to how the Respondent/ ED has the competent jurisdiction to investigate the offence of money laundering which allegedly occurred in UP as the FIR 0211/23 which is Schedule Offence registered in Lucknow, UP. There is no evidence which suggests that any part of the proceeds of crime has travelled to Delhi," the petition said.

"Because by mentioning the name of the Prime Minister's Office, Central Minister or connection with bureaucrats and other big names, the Respondent tried to create the castle in the air and intentionally misled the court and induced to take cognizance of frivolous facts," it added.

Sherpuria was first arrested by the Uttar Pradesh Special Task Force on April 26 over allegations of collecting crores of rupees by faking access to the Prime Minister's Office and later by the central agency after interrogation in Lucknow jail.

The ED had arrested him a few months ago after it conducted searches at 42 locations in Delhi, Gurugram, Faridabad, Noida, Ghazipur, Pune, and Gandhidham. Sherpuria is alleged to have forged documents in respect of the payment to conceal the true nature of transactions.

The probe agency had said that it would also examine and verify the transactions of the Chandni Chowk jeweller, who is alleged to have helped in the layering of cash transactions.

It was claimed before the court that the probe showed Rs 10 crore in cash had been laundered, which was initially pegged at Rs 6 crore.

An amount of Rs 6 crore from the total sum was received in the bank account of the Youth Rural Entrepreneur Foundation (YREF), of which Sherpuria was a signatory, in January, 2023 from Dalmia Family Office Trust wherein Gaurav Dalmia is a trustee, the ED has alleged.

In October, Sherpuria had urged a Delhi court to prosecute businessman Gaurav Dalmia and his wife Sharmila in a money laundering case.

The submission came while the court was hearing Sherpuria's bail application in the case.

On September 15, the court had sought a response from the ED on Sherpuria's bail application.

Advocate Rana had told the court that his client cannot be prosecuted alone.

"If Sanjay Rai Sherpuria has committed the offence of money laundering then Gaurav Dalmia, Sharmila Dalmiya and sons of Dalmia group have also committed it. Sherpuria alone can't be prosecuted. Prosecute Dalmia family also."

Rana had said that his client will abide by any condition imposed upon him if bail was granted.

It has been alleged that Sherpuria "duped" Gaurav Dalmia and his family to the tune of Rs 12 crore by instilling in him a fear of arrest in an ongoing investigation by the ED.

--IANS

spr/pgh
Uttarkashi, Nov 16 : Rescue operations to bring out the 40 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel in Silkyara in Uttarakhand's Uttarkashi resumed for the fifth day on Thursday as an Auger drilling machine began to operate to expedite the process of digging through the debris and rescuing the people.

This heavy drilling machine has been brought from Delhi to Uttarakhand by the Indian Air Force's Hercules cargo aircraft.

National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Ltd. (NHIDCL) Director Anshu Manish Khalkho said that the 25 ton heavy Auger machine drills five to six metres per hour.

If this drilling machine works well then all the 40 workers trapped in the tunnel can be rescued in the next 10 to 15 hours. However, the working of this machine will also depend on how far the workers are trapped inside the tunnel.

After the installation of the Jack and Push Earth Auger machine sent from Delhi, it has started drilling and pipe pushing. At present, the entire process is going on satisfactorily. In case there is no glitch in the rescue operation, it is expected that the trapped workers will be rescued by late Thursday evening or Friday.

Meanwhile, Union Minister V.K. Singh arrived at the tunnel on Thursday to take stock of the rescue operation, where he spoke to the rescue officials and tried to find out the reasons behind the accident that took place in the tunnel.

The Minister said that all the 40 workers are trapped in a 2-km empty space inside the tunnel where there is some light and the authorities are sending food and water to the trapped workers.

This new drilling machine is operating more powerfully and speedily than the older one.

On the fifth day of the tunnel collapse, Uttarakhand Director General of Police Ashok Kumar also reached the spot and took stock of the situation. Later, he told the media that all the Central and the state agencies are trying their best to rescue the trapped workers.

He added that all the people trapped in the tunnel are completely safe.

"We all have to maintain their (trapped workers') morale by playing a positive role. Now the Army and Air Force have also been involved in the rescue operation," he stated.

On Tuesday night, when the efforts being made at the state government level were not successful, the PMO, which was continuously monitoring the situation, sprung into action. After this, the Central government sent the Jack and Push Earth Auger machine weighing 25 tonnes to Uttarkashi in two parts on the IAF's Hercules cargo aircraft.

Both the planes carrying the machines arrived at the Chinyalisaur airstrip and from there the administration created a 'Green Corridor' on the highway from Chinyalisaur to Silkyara to quickly transport the parts of the machines.

Expert agencies of Thailand and Norway have also been consulted to rescue the workers. Help was sought from the Thailand agencies which had rescued children trapped in a tunnel last year.

At present, an Army team led by Colonel Deepak Patil is also involved in the relief and rescue operations.

Apart from these, a team of 200 people is working round the clock. Soldiers and personnel of various state agencies, including the NDRF, SDRF, local police, fire service, ITBP, BRO, Rail Vikas Nigam have also been deployed in the operation.

SDRF Commandant Manikant Mishra is at the spot for the fifth day along with local administration and police officials.

Engineer and drilling expert Aadesh Jain said late on Wednesday night that till November 14, debris had caved in six times and its radius had increased to 70 metres.

The drilling machine that was installed earlier could work only up to 45 metres.

According to NDRF Assistant Commander Karamveer Singh, the 4.5-km long and 14-metre wide tunnel was plastered up to 200 metres from the starting point.
Kolkata, Nov 16 : A special court in Kolkata on Thursday extended the judicial custody of West Bengal minister Jyotipriya Mallick, who has been arrested in connection with the multi-crore ration distribution case, till November 30.

Interestingly, the counsel for the minister did not move any bail plea on behalf of his client. Instead, he placed a plea seeking a cot, a chair and a table at the cell of the Presidency Jail where Mallick is lodged.

However, the judge turned down the plea stating that it was beyond the jurisdiction of the court, and only the prison authorities can decide on such requests.

Mallick, the current Forest Minister who was the Food & Supplies minister from 2011-2021, attended the court proceedings virtually from the prison.

At one point, he was seen making his arguments in support of his demand for cot, chair and table.

"Sir, I am not well. I am a diabetic patient. My limbs are getting paralytic. Please let me live. I am a qualified advocate myself and enrolled with the Calcutta High Court and the Bankshall Court in Kolkata," the minister argued.

However, the judge did not allow Mallick to continue with his arguments for long.

"If you are a qualified advocate, you should be aware of the limits of the jurisdiction of any court. When you have appointed a counsel for yourself, you should allow him to argue the case," the judge said.
Hyderabad, Nov 16 : Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrasekhar Rao predicted on Thursday that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will not get a majority at the Centre in the 2024 Lok Sabha elections.

Addressing election rallies here, the Bharat Rashtra Samithi (BRS) chief reiterated that regional parties will play a key role at the Centre, as he slammed both the BJP and the Congress.

"Don't cast even one vote for the BJP. It's a waste. A vote for the Congress is even more waste," KCR said, as he dubbed BJP and Congress as two sides of the same coin.

Stating that regional parties will play a key role in the coming days, he predicted that a coalition government will come to power at the Centre next year.

Addressing a rally in Adilabad, KCR said the BJP, which has been in power at the Centre for nearly 10 years now, did not give Telangana a single medical college.

"The BJP government sanctioned 157 new medical colleges across the country. I wrote 100 letters to the Prime Minister, but not a single medical college was sanctioned in Telangana. Are we not part of India? Are we not a state," he asked.

Alleging that the Modi government has betrayed Telangana, the BRS chief mentioned that despite an Act being passed in the Parliament for Navodaya schools in all districts, the Centre did not sanction such schools for Telangana

He appealed to the people to not only vote BRS to power again in the state, but also ensure that the party wins all the Parliamentary seats so that Telangana can show its strength at the Centre.

Meanwhile, senior Congress leader and former Union minister P. Chidambaram made some interesting comments when he was asked about KCR's prediction about coalition government at the Centre.

"Is he extending an olive branch to the Congress or to the BJP? Let him clarify first. We ran two successful coalition governments in Delhi from 2004 to 2009 and from 2009 to 2014," he said.

Quoting Arvind Subramanian, former Chief Economic Advisor to the Modi government, Chidambaram said that was the golden period of growth.

"From 2004 to 2009, our average growth rate was 8.5 per cent and for the entire 10 years, the average growth rate was 7.5 per cent. Never before or never after have we achieved such growth rate," he said.

When asked about KCR's prediction that the BRS will play a key role after the 2024 elections, Chidambaram said, "I wish him well."

"At the best how many seats can he win? With 17 seats, if he can play a key role, I wish him well."
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. A delegation headed by Azerbaijan's Health Minister Teymur Musayev is on a working visit to the Republic of Cuba, Trend reports via Azerbaijani Health Ministry

Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba Manuel Marrero Cruz received the Azerbaijani delegation headed by Teymur Musayev.

"At the meeting, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba noted the exceptional role of the national leaders of Azerbaijan and Cuba in the development of friendly ties between our nations," the ministry said.

The Prime Minister highlighted that, under the leadership of Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev, the Non-Aligned Movement has increased its authority and significance in the international arena, transforming it into a powerful political force.

Manuel Marrero Cruz noted that contacts between both countries have been noticeably intensified recently and there are broad prospects for joint cooperation in various spheres.

Teymur Musayev expressed gratitude to Manuel Marrero Cruz for warm reception and hospitality. He noted that this visit is a natural outcome of relations between the leaders of the two countries.

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Kolkata, Nov 16 : The Union Education Ministry has reportedly asked the authorities of Visva Bharati University, founded by Rabindranath Tagore at Santiniketan in West Bengal's Birbhum district, to remove the 'controversial' plaques commemorating UNESCO awarding World Heritage Site status to Santiniketan from the university campus, since the name of Tagore is not inscribed on them.

A university insider confirmed that a communication in this regard has come from the Education Ministry, seeking immediate removal of three plaques, which have the names of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who's the Chancellor of the central university, and former Vice Chancellor Bidyut Chakraborty inscribed on them, but not Tagore's.

As per the insider, the ministry has directed the university authorities to replace the plaques with the ones having the name of Tagore as the founder inscribed on them.

However, university spokesperson Mahua Bandopadhyay told mediapersons that any comment in this matter can be made only after a written communication is received.

The controversial plaques sans Tagore's name had created ripples in the political circles of the state, with leaders cutting across party lines condemning their installation.

Both Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and leader of opposition Suvendu Adhikari had urged the Union government to replace the plaques with those having the name Tagore inscribed on them.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : A Delhi court on Thursday extended the Enforcement Custody (ED) of Amit Katyal, promoter of AK Infosystems, who was arrested last week in the alleged land-for-job scam.

Katyal has been alleged of acquiring several lands from aspirants on behalf of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief and former Railways Minister Lalu Prasad Yadav.

He was first detained and later arrested by the financial probe agency on November 11 under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

On Thursday, Special Judge Geetanjali Goel of Rouse Avenue Court sent Katyal to ED custody till November 22, on expiry of his earlier two-day remand.

Katyal's premises in upscale south Delhi's New Friends Colony was declared as an office of AK Infosystems but is being used by RJD leader Tejashwi Yadav as residential premises.

The ED on July 31 this year attached six immovable assets having book value of Rs 6.02 crore belonging to RJD leaders Rabri Devi, Misa Bharti (daughter of Lalu Yadav), Vineet Yadav (husband of Lalu's daughter Hema Yadav), Shiv Kumar Yadav (father-in-law of Hema Yadav), A B Exports Pvt Ltd and A K Infosystems Pvt Ltd., both companies owned and controlled by family members of Lalu Prasad Yadav, under the provisions of PMLA, 2002 in the Railway job for land scam.

The properties attached include the residential premise situated at D-1088, New Friends Colony, New Delhi owned by A B Exports Pvt Ltd.

Two land parcels situated at Mahuabagh (Danapur), Patna of which one each is owned by Rabri Devi and AK Infosystems Pvt Ltd, have also been attached.

"The registered address of the company is D-1088, New Friends Colony, New Delhi, which is the house belonging to Lalu Prasad Yadav and his family members. Several other lands were also acquired by Amit Katyal in the said company in return for giving undue favours by Lalu Prasad Yadav when he was minister of railways," the agency alleged in a statement issued on Monday.

After acquiring the land, it said, shares of the said company were transferred to the family members of Lalu Prasad in 2014.

The Delhi High Court, earlier this month, declined to provide relief to Katyal seeking a copy of the Enforcement Case Information Report (ECIR) in a money laundering case, saying that it cannot impede the investigative process of the ED at the stage of summons issuance under the PMLA.

Justice Swarana Kanta Sharma had dismissed Katyalas plea. Katyal had sought the quashing of the ECIR and a summon issued by the ED and wanted to prevent the probe agency from taking any coercive action against him, including further investigation in the money laundering case.

--IANS

spr/vd
Hyderabad, Nov 16 : The BJP's election campaign in Telangana is likely to pick up momentum on November 18 when Union Home Minister Amit Shah will release the manifesto and address a public meeting.

After his arrival in Hyderabad on Friday night, he will stay in a five-star hotel and the next morning, he will release the manifesto of the party.

After this, Shah will leave for Gadwal in the afternoon to address a public meeting.

BJP President J. P. Nadda is scheduled to campaign in Telangana on November 19. After arrival in Hyderabad, he will leave for Narayanpet by helicopter to address a public meeting. He will then proceed to Chevella for another meeting. His day-long-visit will conclude with a roadshow in Malkajgiri constituency in Hyderabad.

The BJP plans to focus on Telangana after the campaigning comes to an end in Rajasthan on November 23.

Elections for 119-member Telangana Assembly are scheduled on November 30. The saffron party is planning 50 public meetings in the last five days. Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah, Nadda, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath and several Union Ministers will participate in the campaign. The saffron party is said to have prepared the manifesto with the aIndradhanusha. The party has already promised that if voted to power, it will make a leader from the backward classes as the Chief Minister.

As part of the efforts to woo BC voters, the party held a public meeting in Hyderabad on November 7 with the title aBC Atma Gaurav sabhaa (BC self-respect meeting) and it was addressed by Prime Minister Modi. Three days later, Modi addressed another public meeting in Hyderabad which was organised by Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS). He declared that BJP is committed to sub-categorisation of Scheduled Castes (SCs) for reservation and announced that a committee will be constituted which will explore all options for empowerment for Madigas.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : A Delhi court has dismissed a suit filed by the State Bank of India (SBI) for the recovery of Rs 13.51 lakh, along with interest, against a loan defaulter, who had passed away.

District Judge Surinder S. Rathi stressed on the proactive responsibility of banks, especially a leading institution like the SBI, to ascertain the status of individuals before pursuing legal action against them.

The court had initially directed the bank to conduct an inquiry into Siya Nand's status, leading to the revelation that Nand had passed away two years before the suit was filed.

Subsequently, the court issued notices to the branch manager and the general manager (law, recovery and litigation) to explain why the bank pursued legal action against a deceased individual.

In response, the SBI acknowledged its mistake, assuring the court that appropriate action was being taken against the officials responsible for non-compliance with internal circulars.

The court noted the bank's acceptance of its error.

Highlighting the absence of specific procedures in the bank's standard operating procedures (SOPs) for verifying the status of individuals sought to be sued, the court underscored that a leading institution like the SBI should take proactive steps in this regard. It said that a bank should not proceed to sue a person without ascertaining whether they are alive or deceased.

The court acknowledged the SBI's acceptance of its suggestion that the bank's litigation officer would access the database of the chief registrar of births and deaths for future verifications.

Considering the unconditional apology tendered by the branch manager, the court discharged the notice issued to him.

While rejecting the suit on the grounds that a deceased person cannot be sued under the country's laws, the court recognised the SBI's commitment to course correction to prevent such errors in the future.

Consequently, no additional costs were imposed on the bank, except for the forfeiture of court fees already paid. The court reiterated the expectation that the SBI, as a leading nationalised bank, would uphold efficiency, professionalism, transparency, and ethics within the banking industry.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : A Delhi court on Thursday sent Sub-Inspector Rajesh Yadav to 14 days judicial custody in connection with a bribery case linked to the Rs 45,000 crore ponzi scam involving Pearls Group founder Nirmal Singh Bhangoo.

Yadav was arrested on Monday for allegedly accepting a bribe of Rs 4.5 lakh from an employee of Bhangoo to refrain from implicating his daughter and son-in-law in the ponzi scam case.

On Tuesday, the court had sent Yadav to two-day CBI custody in the case.

District Judge Anju Bajaj Chandna sent the accused to judicial custody till November 30.

Earlier, special judge Arvind Kumar of the Rouse Avenue Court had granted the CBI custody until November 16, following the agency's request for three-day custodial interrogation to uncover a larger conspiracy.

The CBI has said that Yadav was receiving the bribe under the instructions of Sub-Inspector Varun Chichi, also posted at Barakhamba police station, who is currently absconding.

According to the complaint, Chichi had allegedly demanded Rs 25 lakh from Bhangoo's employee to avoid arresting and implicating Bhangoo's daughter and son-in-law.

The demand was made when the complainant visited the police station to provide medicines to Bhangoo, who was brought there from Tihar jail. The CBI conducted a trap operation, capturing Yadav receiving Rs 4.5 lakh from the complainant on the directions of Chichi.

The court was informed that searches were conducted at the premises of both the Sub-Inspectors. Bhangoo and three others were arrested by the CBI in January 2016 for the alleged swindling of Rs 45,000 crore from over five crore investors through enticing land deals.
New Delhi, Nov 16 : Domestic airline passenger numbers for the period spanning January to October soared to 1,254.98 lakhs, showcasing a substantial increase from the 988.31 lakh recorded during the same period the previous year, aviation watchdog DGCA said on Thursday.

This growth represents an annual increase of 26.98 per cent and a noteworthy monthly growth rate of 10.78 per cent. According to data released by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), during October, a total of 475 passenger related complaints were received by the scheduled domestic airlines.

"The number of complaints per 10,000 passengers carried for the month of September 2023 has been around 0.38. The major reasons for complaints are flight problems. Airlines have received a total of 475 complaints, out of which 474 (approximately 98.8 per cent) have been addressed," the data claimed.

Notably, from January to October this year, IndiGo, a budget airline, secured a 60.2 per cent market share by flying 755.35 lakh passengers while Air India, owned by the Tata Group, carried a total of 118.74 lakhs passengers, with a market share of 9.5 per cent.

"Vistara, a joint venture between Tata Sons and Singapore Airlines, flew 113.32 lakh passengers, securing a nine per cent market share. AirAsia India, now known as AIX Connect, recorded 92.06 lakh passengers, making up 7.3 per cent of the total traffic," the data stated.

Asaka Air, which marked its one-year anniversary on July 7 this year, flew 50.91 lakh passengers and claimed a 4.1 per cent market share, the data showed.

SpiceJet transported 68.34 lakh passengers from January to August this year, capturing 5.4 per cent of the market. IndiGo also excelled in punctuality, with 88.5 per cent of its flights departing or arriving on time at major airports such as Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad followed by Akasa Air with 83.9 per cent.

--IANS

ssh/pgh
Bhubaneswar, Nov 17 : A court in Odisha's Jajpur district on Thursday sentenced 17 people to life imprisonment for burning an elderly couple to death after suspecting them of performing black magic.

The incident happened at Sukinda block of Jajpur district in July 2020.

The deceased couple -- Shaila Balamuch and his wife Sambari, were residents of Nimapalli village in Jajpur district.

The convicts have also been asked to deposit a fine of Rs 10,000 each which will be paid to the deceased's next of kin as compensation by the District Legal Services Authority.

The court, after examining the statements of 20 witnesses, pronounced the judgement on Thursday.

"When a distant relative of the deceased couple died in the tribal-dominated village, the convicts held them responsible for it and alleged that the couple had killed the person by performing some black magic. On July 19, 2020, the mob gathered at the house of the deceased couple. The angry mob first put their house on fire and later threw them into the fire by tying their limbs," said Special Public Prosecutor Rajat Kumar Rout.

Based on the complaint lodged by the deceased persons' relative, the police registered a case the next day and arrested 17 people on charges of burning the couple to death.

The accused have been under judicial custody till now since their arrest.
Patna, Nov 17 : In a case of supremacy between two gangs in Bihar's Sheikhpura district, the members of one gang chopped both the wrists of a person belonging to the rival gang and took them away on Thursday.

Confirming the incident, Arvind Kumar Sinha, the SDPO of Sheikhpura, said the incident occurred between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Thursday at Kare village under the Sheikhpura police station.

aThere was an old enmity between the Dani Yadav gang and the Pankaj Yadav gang in Kare village. On Thursday, both sides exchanged fires over supremacy in the village. In the middle of the gunfight, Bablu Kumar's wrists were chopped by the rival gang using a sharp-edged weapon," Sinha said, adding that another person named Shyam Lal Yadav sustained gunshot injury on his back.

The family members of the victims rescued them and took them to the nearby hospital.

No formal complaint has been lodged in connection with the incident yet.
Nikki Haley, the first Indian-American to be become a member of the United States cabinet, seen with President Donald Trump. (File Photo: White House/IANS). Image Source: IANS News

Washington, Nov 16 : Former UN Ambassador Nikki Haley has been rising in the polls in early voting states, especially after her strong performances in the three GOP sponsored presidential debates - Milwaukee, San Francisco and Florida. Though she still lags far behind Donald Trump, she argues she's strongest nominee to take on President Joe Biden, US media reports said.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) says sheas what the US "needs to take on Trump and Biden in the 2024 presidential race".

Haley was born to Indian Sikh parents who immigrated to the US from Canada. Her father is a biologist and her mother a lawyer turned boutique shop owner, thatas now a million dollar franchise. They came with $8 dollars in their pockets.

At 13, Haley began overseeing the storeas financial books, and after graduating from Clemson in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in accounting, she became the company's Chief Financial Officer.

Haley met her husband William Michael Haley in the college, and got married in 1996. They have two children.

Haley's career in politics began in 2004 when she defeated a longstanding incumbent to win a seat in the South Carolina House. Haley then ran for Governor in 2009, making her the first person to be elected the Governor of South Carolina who wasnat a white.
Tel Aviv, Nov 17 : Israel's Defence Minister Yoav Gallant has said that Israel Defense Forces (IDF) has made significant advancement in the Gaza Strip and has conquered the western part of the enclave.

He said that all threats related to Hamas have been eliminated in the western part of Gaza.

Gallant, a retired General of the IDF, was speaking to soldiers during his visit to the 36th Armoured Division of the IDF.

He said that the Israeli military has got specific and significant details regarding the misuse of Al-Shifa hospital during its raids there.

It may be noted that IDF has entered the Al-Shifa hospital and has reportedly neutralised five Hamas men who had fired at the advancing troops from inside the hospital premises.

The IDF said that some laptops that they could get hold of from inside the hospital had revealed the presence of Israeli hostages.

--IANS

aal/sha
On November 15, a Memorandum of Understanding on strategic partnership in the field of tourism was signed between Azerbaijan's national air carrier AZAL, Azerbaijan Tourism Board under the State Tourism Agency and China Tourism Group in Beijing, People's Republic of China.

The signing ceremony was attended by Nazim Samedov, First Deputy Executive Director of AZAL, Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board, Wang Chenchen, Deputy General Manager of China Tourism Group and other officials.

The memorandum aims to develop new tourism products in Azerbaijan, promote them, and organize various events both online and offline and other joint actions.

The initiative will focus on developing unique tourism opportunities and increasing the flow of tourists between Azerbaijan and China. AZAL is one of the dynamically developing air carriers in the world with a modern fleet and constantly expands its route network. Thus, the airline plans to launch flights to Beijing in December. Moreover, AZAL aims to develop Chinese destinations in the future, said Nazim Samedov, First Deputy Executive Director of AZAL.

Florian Sengstschmid, CEO of Azerbaijan Tourism Board, highlighted the significant potential of China's outbound tourism market. He emphasized that the signed memorandum will further increase the number of Chinese visitors to Azerbaijan. Florian Sengstschmid said that in the period from January to October 2023, the number of Chinese travellers to Azerbaijan amounted to 20,469 people, which is a seven-fold increase compared to the same period last year. According to him, these figures reflect the growing interest of Chinese tourists in visiting Azerbaijan.
Arrested from Imphal by NIA, accused in transnational conspiracy case sent to 5-day police custody. Image Source: IANS News

Patna, Nov 17 : A team of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) has detained two Pakistani nationals including a woman and her minor son for illegally entering into the Indian territory through Indo-Nepal border in Bihar's Kishanganj, officials said on Thursday.

The woman was identified as Sahista Hanif (61), wife of Mohammad Hanif, and her son Aryan (11), natives of Sarafa Bazar Karachi.

They were carrying passports but did not have valid visas and other documents needed for a Pakistani nation to travel to India. They were entering Bihar from Nepal via the Kishanganj border.

They were intercepted 20 km away from Thakurganj near the Darjeeling border.

The woman broke down and revealed her original identity after SSB officials quizzed her whereabouts as her accent was different from local residents of Kishanganj.

When questioned further, she presented her and her son's passports. However, they do not have visas.

As the mother-son illegally entered the Indian territory, they were handed over to the Kishanganj police for further action.

The district police are trying to find out their actual motive for illegally entering India.
Allahabad HC orders release of man serving second sentence for same crime. Image Source: IANS News

Prayagraj, Nov 17 : The Allahabad High Court on Thursday reserved its order on an application seeking the appointment of a court-monitored advocate commissioner to survey the Shahi Eidgah premises, adjoining the Sri Krishna Janmabhoomi temple in Mathura.

The application was moved by the Hindu side in the pending suit that seeks the removal of Shahi Eidgah, claiming it was built on a Hindu temple.

After hearing both parties, Justice Mayank Kumar Jain reserved the order.

The application in suit number one, titled Bhagwan Sri Krishna Virajman Vs Uttar Pradesh Sunni Central Board, was moved on behalf of plaintiffs, including the deity, for appointment of the court-monitored commissioner to inspect the "disputed" property.

"There is a pillar having a lotus-shaped top which is a classic characteristic of Hindu temples and the image of Sheshnaag (Hindu mythological serpent)," advocate Vishnu Shankar Jain, the counsel for the plaintiffs, contended before the court.

The application further requested that a commission be appointed with specific directions to submit its report after conducting a survey within some stipulated time period.

The Muslim side opposed the application, with the Sunni Central Board contending that no order was required to be passed at this stage as their objection regarding the maintainability of the suit was pending.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Another 25 families (94 people) of IDPs have returned to Zabukh village of Azerbaijan's Lachin district within the framework of the "Big Return" program, Trend reports.

Residents of Zabukh, which was improved and became even more beautiful, expressed gratitude to President Ilham Aliyev, First Vice President Mehriban Aliyeva for comprehensive state care, as well as gratitude to the valiant Azerbaijani Army, heroic soldiers and officers who liberated Azerbaijani lands from Armenian occupation, honored the memory of Martyrs with deep respect.

Thus, permanent residence to 46 families (188 people) was provided in Zabukh village.

All necessary conditions have been created for the residents of Zabukh village in the houses built in their native village by order of the head of state.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
On 14 November 2023, Gunel Sadiyeva, Tax Director at PwC Azerbaijan and Chairperson of the Tax, Customs, and Legal Affairs Working Group of AKH, led a meeting dedicated to the OECD Base Erosion and Profit Shifting (BEPS) Project's Inclusive Framework in Azerbaijan. The discussion delved into exploring the implications and applications of the project in our region. The meeting, sponsored by PwC Azerbaijan, brought together tax authorities, industry professionals, and experts.

Key speakers included Jeyhun Ismayilov, Deputy Head of International Taxation and Tax Monitoring Department of the State Tax Service, and Emil Hasanov, Head of the Transfer Pricing and E-Commerce Control Division of the State Tax Service.

The agenda covered crucial topics such as the taxation mechanism of Controlled Foreign Companies, Advance Pricing Agreements, Multilateral Convention on the Multilateral Instrument, and the Two-Pillar Solution for digital economy tax challenges. A big thank you to all participants in this discussion, which aims to shape the future of taxation in Azerbaijan.

An extremely positive aspect is the commitment of the State Tax Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan on a path towards OECD membership and implementation of the international tax principles in Azerbaijan.
On Wednesday evening, November 15, book publishers, authors, and agents gathered at Cipriani Wall Street in Manhattans financial district for the 74th National Book Awards. From that ceremony, we present the five finalists for the Young Peoples Literature prize, along with their editors. Click here to see our coverage of winner Dan Santats acceptance speech.

Dan Santat celebrating his win for his graphic memoir, A First Time for Everything (First Second), with his editor, Connie Hsu. He paid tribute to Hsu in his speech, calling her his arbiter of literary taste for almost 10 years.

Huda Fahmy (l.) with her editor, Kate Harrison. Her nominated book, Huda F Cares? (Dial), was the second graphic memoir on this years list of finalists; its the sequel to her YA debut, Huda F Are You?

Kenneth M. Cadow and his editor, Katie Cunningham. Cadows YA novel Gather (Candlewick), set in rural Vermont, was the authors debut.

Vashti Harrison (l.) with her books publisher, Megan Tingley. Harrisons nominated work, Big (Little, Brown), was the first picture book to be named a finalist for a National Book Award.

Katherine Marsh (l.), author of The Lost Year: A Survival Story of the Ukrainian Famine (Roaring Brook), with her editor, Kate Meltzer. Her middle grade novel is based on her family history, and on her grandmother, who emigrated from Ukraine in 1928.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 17. Today Azerbaijan marks National Revival Day.

On the first days of 1988, Armenia started its evident aggression against Azerbaijan. Seeing Moscow and particularly the head of the USSR Mikhail Gorbachev's indifferent attitude towards these events, the Armenians started mass deportation of the Azerbaijanis from their native lands in Armenia under the instructions of the Armenian government.

More than 200,000 Azerbaijanis were deported from their homes, killed by the Armenians. Gorbachev and the rest of the USSR leadership had no reaction to the Armenian vandalism.

In early February 1988, Armenians carried out revolts in Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan and even raised the issue of joining those lands with Armenia.

Azerbaijani people expressed protest to the government. Slogans, portraits and flags carried by the Azerbaijani citizens proved their belief to Moscow and local authorities at that time. But getting no serious answer from Moscow and the then government, people from every corner of the republic moved to Baku and gathered on Azadlig Square (Lenin Square at that time), held meetings and evidently expressed their protest.

Azerbaijani people started indefinite rally on Azadlig Square against the anti-Azerbaijani policy of the USSR on Nov.17, 1988. It was a real national liberation movement. The Soviet troops dispersed the nationwide rally in early December. These events are regarded in Azerbaijan as the start of the national liberation movement and the main factor in gaining independence.

November 17 has been marked as the Day of National Revival since 1992.
Humberto Preciado / Instagram

By Elizabeth Kwiatkowski, 11/15/2023



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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 Courtney Robertson has announced she's expecting her third child with husband Humberto Preciado."One more in '24 [heart emoji]. We're excited to share the news, baby boy arriving May [angel emoji]," Courtney, 40, wrote via Instagram on Tuesday, November 14."I know these announcements can sometimes be hard to see. I'm sending all the love."In a separate post, Courtney wrote, "Party of five. There is nobody else I would rather be outnumbered with than you," tagging her husband.Courtney also uploaded several pictures with her husband and two kids, with her baby bump on display. In one of the pictures, Courtney and her son were holding up a sonogram image.Courtney, who competed for Ben Flajnik 's heart on 's sixteenth season, gave birth to her second child with Humberto, a baby girl whom they named Paloma Ruby Preciado, in late November 2021.Courtney and Humberto are also parents of a three-year-old boy, Joaquin Ramon, who was born in June 2020.alum reportedly met Humberto -- an Arizona attorney who lived six blocks away from her -- in 2019 when he liked some of her Instagram posts, which resulted in Courtney sending her now-husband a DM.After a little small talk, the pair went out on a date a couple of days later.Courtney and Humberto moved in together in July 2019 and then announced they were engaged and expecting their first child together in December 2019.The couple got married in October 2020, just four months after their son's birth."Before I met Humberto I was about to lose hope," Courtney previously told People. "I was giving up on dating. But I'm so glad I waited. Humberto feels like home to me. And I know I finally met the right one."Courtney then announced she was pregnant with Baby No. 2 in June 2021.Courtney accepted a marriage proposal from Ben on Season 16 of during its March 2012 finale, but they called off their engagement that October.Courtney began dating former pro racing driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. only days after she called off her engagement from Ben.Although the romance didn't last long, Courtney revealed in February 2016 that she still liked to make out with Arie "from time to time." Arie was also Courtney's landlord and the pair occasionally worked in real estate together in Scottsdale, AZ.The pair's dynamic confused fans for years, but both Arie and Courtney had insisted their relationship was completely innocent and platonic."I've been through [this process]. You go into this wanting this fairy-tale ending, and it's so rarely like that," admitted Courtney, whose engagement to Ben only lasted seven months.Arie went on to become 's Season 22 star, six years after his stint on Emily Maynard 's season of ette.Arie got engaged to Becca Kufrin during the finale, but he ended up with his runner-up Lauren Burnham after a roller-coaster journey on the show.Lauren and Arie are now a married with three children, four-year-old daughter Alessi and two-year-old twins Senna and Lux.Interested in more news? Follow our Bachelor Nation News Page on Facebook or join our The Bachelor Facebook Group
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, November 16. Azerbaijan's Zangilan has the potential to become a major logistics center in the region, Special representative of Azerbaijan's President in Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts of East Zangezur economic region Vahid Hajiyev said, Trend reports.

He delivered a speech at the international conference "International transport and logistics corridor: development impulses from Zangilan," which was held in Zangilan.

He also mentioned that Aghali village in Zangilan district now has 175 families (871 people).

"According to the "Great Return State Program," three cities, five towns, and twenty-four villages will be created in Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan between 2022 and 2026. Zangilan will be transformed into a transit hub. Furthermore, the groundwork for a new route in Aghband for the development of commerce and transportation relations with Iran was established," Hajiyev noted.

Today, an international conference on the theme "International transport and logistics corridor: development impulses from Zangilan" began in Zangilan.

The conference is held under the joint organization of the special representative office of Azerbaijan's President in Jabrayil, Gubadli and Zangilan districts of the East Zangezur Economic Region, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the State Customs Committee and the Institute of Economics of the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan.

The conference's goal is to facilitate debates between the public, corporate, and academic sectors about the development and expansion of transregional transportation corridors, as well as to foster cooperation among stakeholders.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
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The number of companies had touched a low of 792 in July 2020 amid heightened uncertainty because of COVID-19.

A mid rising inflows into equity funds, India's mutual fund industry has increased the number of companies it is investing in to nearly 1,000.

A large number of stocks in which it has invested in have a low free float and show signs of limited liquidity, according to a Business Standard analysis of data from tracker primemfdatabase.com.

Assets under management (AUM) rose to nearly Rs 48 trillion in September, with more than half of the money invested in equity funds.

The number of companies had touched a low of 792 in July 2020 amid heightened uncertainty because of COVID-19. It has largely gone up since then.

Equity mutual funds are invested in 983 stocks as of September 2023. This is the highest in 88 months (since 2016).

Mutual funds have to increasingly deal in smaller companies as they expand their portfolio and deploy higher funds, shows an analysis across all the 983 companies.

According to fund managers, they are on a constant look out for fresh opportunities to generate better returns.

Rise in the number of stocks is also due to cap on maximum holdings in a single stock and liquidity issues.

"The growing size of funds and search for newer opportunities leads to an increase in the number of stocks.

Addition of new stocks also become important if the existing stocks in the portfolio do not have enough liquidity to absorb further inflows or the holdings may have become a much larger portion of the total market-cap of the company. Also, as fund managers we look to add new," said Chirag Mehta, Chief Investment Officer at Quantum AMC.

The median company among the top 100 holdings had a market capitalisation of nearly Rs 90,000 crore (Rs 900 billion).

This dropped to around Rs 32,000 crore (Rs 320 billion) for the next 100 and less than Rs 6,000 crore (Rs 60 billion) for anything beyond (ranked 201-983).

Free float refers to shares in the hands of the public and available for trading.

The top 100 holdings had a median free float of nearly Rs 43,000 crore (Rs 430 billion). This fell to less than Rs 15,000 crore (Rs 150 billion) for the next 100.

Stocks beyond this had a free float of around Rs 2,000 crore.

Investor interest in smallcap funds have surged in the last one year, propelling the fund category to the top in AUM rankings from fifth in September 2022.

The AUM of the fund category has jumped 61 per cent in one year to Rs 1.98 trillion.

This is owing to consistent inflows and a rally in stock prices.

On an average, investors have poured in Rs 2,850 crore into smallcaps during the last one year.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
'Manipur is critical to India's Look East policy.'

'It's a strategic state. In the Second World War, the Japanese entered Manipur through Burma.'

'China can use the same direction to approach India.'

IMAGE: The Manipur police and central armed forces personnel seized multiple weapons, ammunition, drugs and cash from Myanmar-based militant group CKLA in a joint operation. Photograph: ANI Photo

"Manipur is the most important state in the North East because of its road access."

"In 2019, we were discussing wonderful things like Burmese religious tourism to Gaya, Bihar; medical tourism to Imphal; building more hotels and making Manipur into a trade, transportation and storage hub," says retired Lieutenant General Shokin Chauhan who served for nearly 15 years in the North East.

The general was director general of Assam Rifles, the country's oldest and largest paramilitary force.

A third generation army officer, he was chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group to ensure peace in the North East.

"All our plans and aspirations for changing the thought process, or for making the North East as a development hub have been severely affected by the violence in Manipur," says the distinguished officer in the second part of an informative interview to Rediff.com's Archana Masih.

The looting of state armouries and access to modern weapons has posed a serious problem in Manipur.

What repercussions does it have when destructive weapons enter people's homes and villages?

Both Meiteis and Kukis have access to arms.

The looted weapons will remain with certain groups of the Meitei community and the armed groups that they have raised.

The weapons have also found their way to the insurgent groups.

The Kukis have access to weapons from Myanmar. The Kukis belong to a different race called the Chin-Zo tribe. The Chin-Zo tribes come from the Chin state [western Myanmar] which borders Manipur and Mizoram.

The entire state of Mizoram is Chin and, therefore, is supportive of the Kukis and blames the Meiteis.

In Myanmar, the Chin insurgent groups are fighting the Myanmar army and have access to weapons from Myanmar, Laos, Cambodia and China.

Several Meitei groups from Manipur are helping the Myanmar army fight the Chins and the same issue has now gone across to India.

It is unlikely that the Kukis will run out of people or weapons, mainly because the Chin state lies across the border and because they outnumber the Meiteis. They have an almost endless supply of people and weapons from across the border.

They buy weapons from the grey market in Ruili on the Indo-Myanmar border. China is helping Kuki groups in Myanmar by giving weapons and creating mayhem.

IMAGE: Manipur Chief Minister N Biren Singh lights a lamp during the foundation stone-laying ceremony for various projects at Leitanpekpham playground, Andro, in Imphal East. Photograph: ANI Photo

Manipur is an important border state with security implications, but the intra-tribal violence that started six months ago is yet to stop. What is the way forward?

Manipur is critical to India's Look East policy. It's a strategic state. If you take your mind back to the Second World War, the Japanese entered Manipur through Burma.

China can use the same direction to approach India.

As a soldier, it's extremely disheartening to see the problems being faced by our country in Manipur. Kukis control the Chin state [on the Indo-Myanmar border]. If we make enemies among sections of the population in Myanmar which is part of a very critical landmass, it will definitely help the enemy.

China is helping the rebels and insurgents in Myanmar with weapons, information, intelligence and training. It's a matter of time before China starts creating problems inside our country.

Our leaders must understand that we must have peace in our border areas. We were able to bring peace to Kashmir. I have fought in both Kashmir and the North East, therefore, it is disheartening to see that Manipur which was a model state in the North East has become an area of conflict again.

IMAGE: A tyre burns on a road during a bandh call against the arrest of 5 youths in Imphal. Photograph: ANI Photo

After seeing prolonged conflict, especially in the 1990s, what were some indicators that normalcy had returned to Manipur till the clashes began in May again?

Construction of railways and a passenger terminal were underway. The plan was to establish train connectivity by 2024-2025.

There is a large airport in Imphal. In fact, among all the World War II airfields, the one in Imphal was the most important and largest. The flight path could take the heaviest of planes and cargo.

Imphal had the potential to be the hub of all trade in Southeast Asia -- Burma, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand and all the other Southeast Asian countries. But this disturbance has wiped out hopes for the generations ahead because Kukis control the Chin state and they will not cooperate.

All our plans and aspirations for changing the thought process, or for making the North East as a trade hub has been severely affected.

Most importantly, we had to keep the state growing and the population secure.

I have spent a lifetime in the North East and have lost many soldiers in battles against the insurgents. We were able to control the situation and signed a ceasefire with the insurgents.

The intra-tribal problem has been manipulated. It is extremely sad and disheartening.

IMAGE: Khurai Pana Naha Sing (Youth of Khurai Pana) holding placards take part in a silent protest in Imphal appealing for restoration of peace in strife-ridden Manipur. Photograph: ANI Photo

From your personal experiences, are there any anecdotes that can serve as a beacon in solving the situation today?

Before I was commissioned, my unit served in Mizoram, which is a 100% secure and peaceful state now. It is a model for how to end insurgency and bring peace.

The Mizo Accord signed in Shillong in 1986 brought peace in Mizoram and was the basis on which we were trying to bring peace in the rest of the North East.

I was also the chairman of the Ceasefire Monitoring Group where we were able to get the insurgent groups to sign ceasefires and today Nagaland is also going to reap the same benefits of peace.

The most important state because of its road access is Manipur. I was part of the Indian delegation to the Indo Myanmar trade meeting in Imphal in 2019 and we were discussing so many wonderful things like Burmese religious tourism to Gaya, Bihar; medical tourism by building more hospitals in Imphal because it's just 30 minutes by flight; building more hotels and making Manipur into a trade, transportation and storage hub. But the violence will now deter people from putting money here.

The idea was to also get more colleges in the state. Unfortunately, the state government did not move important institutions out of the valley. It only concentrated on the valley and as a result the valley is crowded with government institutions, hospitals, schools etc.

It is a tribal society and this has obstructed equitable growth among the different tribes because the hills and valleys are dominated by different tribes who keep peace within itself.

But this has created a problem like the one we are seeing today.

Part 3 of the Interview: 'Assam Rifles is probably the best fighting force in the country'

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
At least 29 more Myanmarese soldiers crossed over to Mizoram on Thursday after their camp in the neighbouring country was overrun by an anti-junta group, a senior police officer said.

With them, a total of 74 Myanmar military personnel had fled to Mizoram due to the recent gunfights with the People's Defence Force.

Several of these soldiers, however, had been sent back.

"Twenty-nine more soldiers today approached the police and Assam Rifles at Saikhumphai in Champhai district near Tiau river, which acts as the border between India and Myanmar," Inspector General of Police (Headquarters) Lalbiakthanga Khiangte told PTI.

They fled their camp at Tuibual in Chin state, a few kilometres from the international border.

An Assam Rifles official said these 29 Myanmarese soldiers are yet to be sent back to their country.

A total of 45 soldiers, who had fled to Mizoram after the PDF overran two military bases in the neighbouring country's Chin state, were handed over to Myanmar's military government on Tuesday, an official said.

India on Thursday called for cessation of fighting between Myanmar's military and anti-junta groups near the international border that has triggered an influx of Myanmarese people to Mizoram.

Myanmar has been witnessing widespread protests demanding restoration of democracy since the military seized power in a coup in February 2021.

Myanmar's military has been using airstrikes against its opponents and those involved in the armed struggle against the ruling regime.

Myanmar is one of India's strategic neighbours and shares a 1,640-kilometre border with a number of northeastern states, including militancy-hit Nagaland and Manipur.



More than 31,000 Myanmar nationals have taken shelter in Mizoram since February 2021 after the Myanmar military junta staged a coup in the neighbouring country.
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, November 16. Azerbaijan is one of the key players in the field of global logistics and transport, Secretary General of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) Kubanychbek Omuraliev said, Trend reports.

He made the remark at the international conference themed "International Transport and Logistics Corridor: Development Impulses from Zangilan" in Zangilan city.

Congratulating Azerbaijan on the restoration of territorial integrity, he emphasized the awe-inspiring beauty of the Karabakh and Eastern Zangazur regions.

"These territories are important transportation corridors." Azerbaijan connects Europe and Asia and generates economic prospects. Turkic states prioritize transportation issues. This is evident in records," Omuraliev stated emphatically. "The primary goal of this event is to improve transportation and transit cooperation and to overcome challenges." The development of the Trans-Caspian and Middle Corridors is our primary goal."

The OTS's objective, according to the secretary-general, is to quickly turn the Middle Corridor into a secure transportation route.

"We also intend to make the region a transportation hub." The Zangezur corridor is also expected to bring new prospects to the region, as well as socioeconomic and geopolitical benefits," he noted.

The conference has started today. It's being held in collaboration with the Special Representative Office of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Jabrayil, Gubadli, and Zangilan districts of the Eastern Zangazur economic region, the Ministry of Digital Development and Transport, the State Customs Committee, and the Institute of Economics of the Ministry of Science and Education of Azerbaijan.

The purpose of the conference is to facilitate discussions among the government, private, and academic sectors on the development and expansion of trans-regional transport corridors, as well as to establish cooperation between stakeholders.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
IMAGE: Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra addresses an election meeting for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections in Datia, November 15, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh (Phase II) go to the polls on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Voters will vote for 230 MLAs in Madhya Pradesh and 70 MLAs in Chhattisgarh.

2,534 candidates will contest the elecion in Madhya Pradesh while 958 candidates will take part in the Chhattisgarh polls.

Madhya Pradesh: Candidates Profile

The data from Associated for Democratic Reforms show 265 candidates belong to the 25-30 year age group.

Two candidates belong to the 81-85 year age group.

452 candidates are graduates while 406 candidates are post graduates.

Chhattisgarh: Candidates Profile

The data from Associated for Democratic Reforms show 101 candidates belong to the 25-30 year age group.

A single candidate belongs to the 81-90 year age group.

When it comes to educational qualifications, the highest number of candidates (224) are only 12th Pass.

Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
Protests continue to demand both an immediate Israeli ceasefire and the release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza.

Caution: Graphic content. Viewer discretion is advised.

IMAGE: Isra Chaker of Amnesty International USA lays a rose on a prop representing a dead Palestinian child during a protest outside the White House in Washington, DC. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters

IMAGE: Pro-Israeli protestors outside the White House demand that Hamas release the Israeli hostages immediately. Photograph: Leah Millis/Reuters

IMAGE: A man holds a placard with a picture of a missing child as protesters in Tel Aviv call for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

IMAGE: Protesters in Tel Aviv call for the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas in Gaza. Photograph: Ammar Awad/Reuters

IMAGE: French police surround protesters who hold a banner reading 'Stop Arming Israel' during a demonstration demanding an immediate ceasefire in Gaza at the entrance of the Milipol Paris, the worldwide exhibition dedicated to homeland security and safety, in Villepinte near Paris. Photograph: Sarah Meyssonnier/Reuters

IMAGE: A protest in Dublin related to an Irish government vote to expel Israel's Ambassador to Ireland Dana Erlich in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

IMAGE: A mural by Emmalene Blake in Dublin in solidarity with Palestinians in Gaza. Photograph: Clodagh Kilcoyne/Reuters

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
The Congress on Thursday accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of delivering hate speech in poll-bound Rajasthan and urged the Election Commission to take action against him for asking voters to press the "lotus" button as if they're awarding the "death sentence" to the Congress.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra Modi addresses during a public meeting celebrating the birth anniversary of freedom fighter Birsa Munda, in Khunti, Jharkhand, November 15, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Congress leader Jairam Ramesh cited the prime minister's speech made in Barmer on Wednesday and said the people of the state will surely respond to such "arrogance" of the prime minister.

"Jab nash manuj pe chhata hai, pahle vivek marr jata hai (sanity deserts man before destruction)," Modi said in a post in Hindi on X.

"Prime Minister Modi's hatred towards Congress leaders can be easily gauged from his statement. How can a person holding a responsible position like the prime minister talk about hanging people through voting? The prime minister is strangling democracy," Ramesh alleged.

"This is a clear example of hate speech. If the Election Commission is serious about fair and free elections then they should take immediate cognizance of this and take strict action," the Congress leader demanded.

"The public will definitely respond to this arrogance of Prime Minister Modi in the elections," he also said in his post.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday attacked the ruling Congress in Rajasthan over corruption and "appeasement policy" and claimed the morale of terrorists and rioters soars wherever the party is in power, as he urged voters to punish the Congress in the upcoming state elections.

"You have got an opportunity to punish them. Press the button with the lotus symbol so that their punishment is ensured. Jaise unhe phansi de rahe ho, aise kamal ke nishaan pe batan dabao (Press on the button with the lotus symbol as if you are sentencing them to death)," Modi said addressing an election rally in Barmer in Rajasthan.

Lotus is the Bharatiya Janata Party's poll symbol.

The prime minister said that in the last five years, people in the state have not been able to celebrate any festival peacefully.

"Sometimes there are riots, sometimes stone pelting and curfew. This has been the picture of Congress in the last five years. Therefore, it is essential to remove Congress from here," he said.

The Congress is seeking to repeat its government in Rajasthan while the BJP is putting all its might to dethrone it from the desert state, which has seen alternate governments of the Congress and the BJP in the last many years.

Assembly elections in Rajasthan will be held on November 25 and counting will be done on December 3.
Protesters gathered outside the San Francisco hotel where China's President Xi Jinping was to have dinner on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit on Wednesday, November 15, 2023.

IMAGE: This placard says it all about the Communist tyrant who has grabbed absolute power in the People's Republic of China. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

IMAGE: A demonstrator holding a Free Tibet flag climbs a flagpole outside the hotel where Xi was to meet with US business leaders. Photograph: Carlos Barria/Reuters

IMAGE: Protests against Xi Jinping near the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Summit in San Francisco, here and below. Photograph: Loren Elliott/Reuters

Photograph: Loren Elliott/Reuters

Photograph: Loren Elliott/Reuters

Photograph: Loren Elliott/Reuters

Photographs curated by Anant Salvi/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Mahipal Soni/Rediff.com
A fresh summons was issued by the Enforcement Directorate to China-based American millionaire Neville Roy Singham for questioning in connection with a money laundering probe linked to online news portal NewsClick, officials said on Thursday.

IMAGE: IJU, TUWJ and members of Press Club Hyderabad stage a protest rally against the raids on NewsClicks scribes and arrests of founder Prabir Purkayastha and human resource head Amit Chakravarty under the UAPA, in Hyderabad, October 5, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The 69-year-old businessman, who is accused of spreading Chinese propaganda in India, is stated to be currently based in Shanghai.

The summons were sent to Singham recently on his personal email ID and also through the Chinese diplomatic channels after the ED routed them through the ministry of external affairs, the officials said.

This is understood to be the second summons issued to Singham by the ED.

The first was issued last year after the federal agency launched its investigation in 2021.

The request has been sent under the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty signed between India and China in 2003. Under this agreement, both countries shall promote cooperation for exchange of information on legal matters and cooperation in other legal and judicial matters which are of interest to both parties, the officials said.

The Letters Rogatory, routed through the Chinese authorities, were issued under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act whereby the agency wished to record his statement as part of its probe, they said.

The ED is understood to have sent an LR to the US too, seeking details of a company that is alleged to have sent funds worth Rs 9.59 crore to NewsClick's registered company PPK Newsclick Studio Pvt. Ltd. in April 2018, besides a few other such entities.

Singham's name hit the headlines after The New York Times published an article titled A Global Web of Chinese Propaganda Leads to a US Tech Mogul on August 5.

Following this news piece and some fresh "evidence" shared by the ED, the Delhi Police Special Cell also filed an FIR against Singham and the founders of NewsClick.

The police later arrested NewsClick founder and editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha and human resources head Amit Chakravorty even as the CBI registered a case against the portal and its promoters.



In a statement issued to the media in October, Singham had said that the language used in the FIR filed by the Delhi Police Special Cell "strongly suggests" that the claims were "influenced by misinformation from an article published by The New York Times".

"The NYT intentionally chose not to publish all the factual rebuttals that I provided to them on July 22, 2023, prior to their publication date," Singham had charged.

He also rejected the allegation of fraudulent infusion of funds through a "complex web of several entities" as mentioned in the FIR and in the NYT article.

The New York Times report claimed that NewsClick was part of a global network that received funding from Singham, who allegedly works closely with the Chinese government media machine.

The ED had first raided the premises of NewsClick in the Saidulajab area of the national capital in September 2021 on charges of money laundering and recorded statements of more than 25 people in this case, including that of Purkayastha.

As part of the investigation, the agency attached a flat worth Rs 4.52 crore in south Delhi's Saket that is linked to Purkayastha apart from fixed deposits worth Rs 41 lakh.

NewsClick had said the allegations being made against it "by certain political actors and sections of the media are unfounded and without basis in fact or law".
Israel President Isaac Herzog on Thursday accused Iran of "orchestrating" the October 7 attacks by Hamas to "derail" the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor which was paving the way for Israel's inclusion in the region and peace process.

IMAGE: Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar interacts with Isaac Herzog, President of Israel, during King Charles III's reception at Buckingham Palace in London. Photograph: ANI Photo

Herzog further claimed that Iran is supporting the "terror machine" by providing billions of dollars aiming to undermine the regional situation.

In an exclusive interview to ANI, President Isaac Herzog said, "We are also attacked from the north by Hezbollah which is a huge terror organization, that has taken over Lebanon under the arms of Iran. And the real umpire of evil here starts in Tehran and spreads Islamic fundamentalism of the worst kind to the entire region."

"They have taken over Syria, Lebanon and Gaza, and now from Yemen, we are attacked and Iraq, and everybody should be aware that there is an Iranian evil effort to undermine the regional situation," he added.

The Israel President said that the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor that was announced during the G20 Summit sidelines in India was a visionary step giving more strength to New Delhi and paves the way for Israel's inclusion in the region's development.

He further alleged that Iran wanted to "derail" this effort of Israel's inclusion and the "huge peace vision."

India, the US, UAE, Saudi Arabia, France, Germany, Italy and the European Union had signed the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor.

"Around two months ago in the G20 summit, Prime Minister Modi, US President Joe Biden announced a special corridor of energy, communications, business, and science from Israel all the way down to India for Saudi Arabia in the Gulf and Jordan. An amazing vision that connects all of us together will connect Europe to Southeast Asia and even America all the way to Australia. That is a grand vision that gives India huge strength on the way," Herzog said.

"But somebody decided they wanted to derail this effort of inclusion of Israel and this huge peace vision of President Biden...this empire of evil Iran, who is working extra hours to undermine any inclusion of Israel in the region and any peace process. And all nations in the world must fight Iran for pursuing this evil approach" Herzog added.

On being asked if Tel Aviv has any evidence of Tehran's involvement in the October 7 attacks, Herzog said that although he does not have anything specific, but pointed out that "terrorist leaders" met in Beirut just weeks before the attack.

"I am not dealing with the specific attack here; I don't have specific information but just a few weeks before the attack, all the terrorist leaders met together in Beirut, Hassan Nasrallah of Hezbollah, number 2 in Hamas, and Al-Nakhalah of Islamic Jihad, with the commander in-charge from Iran, the commander of revolutionary guard from Iran was orchestrating this," the Israeli President further said.

He added, "They met in Beirut. Not only that, the Foreign Minister of Iran threatened specifically against the agreement, apostille agreement between Israel, the United States and Saudi Arabia with clear threats about how it will impact the situation so you can add one in one, the conclusions are clear, Iran is supporting in billions of dollars this terror machine all over the world".

On October 7, over 2000 Hamas terrorists breached the Israeli borders and carried out a horrific terror attack, killing more than 1400 people.

Following this, Israel launched a strong counter-offensive targeting the Hamas units in Gaza.

The incident was widely condemned globally. Prime Minister Narendra Modi was among the first leaders to strongly condemn the "terrorist attack" and expressed solidarity with Israel. (ANI)
Israeli forces seized control over a Hamas harbor base in central Gaza, the Israeli Defense Forces announced on Thursday.

IMAGE: Soldiers of Israel's Paratroopers Brigade take part in an operation at a location given as Gaza, in this screen grab obtained from a handout video released on November 16, 2023. Photograph: Israel Defense Forces/Handout via Reuters

In the combined raid of the navy, armour and engineering forces, along with air force support, about ten tunnel shafts were destroyed, and four buildings of associated terrorist infrastructure were destroyed, the IDF said.

Hamas used the facility to train its naval forces and to direct and carry out naval attacks, the IDF said. Under the cover of a civilian naval anchorage, Hamas took advantage of the place for the purpose of training and carrying out attacks, using civilian vessels and Gaza's naval police boats.

Israeli forces eliminated ten terrorists and cleared all the buildings in the area of the anchorage.

In addition, a monument glorifying the events of the Mavi Marmara raid of 2010 was toppled. Some of the fighters of the Israeli Navy's 13th flotilla who were involved in capturing the harbor also fought aboard the Mavi Marmara.

In 2010, the Israeli Navy intercepted a six-ship flotilla trying to symbolically break the Gaza blockade. Violent clashes broke out aboard the Mavi Marmara, the flotilla's largest ship. Ten Turkish Islamists, many of whom were armed, were killed. Turkey severed its ties with Israel over the affair.

On a number of occasions since Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007, the Israeli Navy disrupted attempts to smuggle Iranian weapons by sea to the Strip. (ANI/TPS)
Senior Bharatiya Janata Party MLA and former deputy chief minister R Ashoka on Thursday said he along with four to five other legislators are aspirants for the post of Leader of Opposition in the Karnataka Legislative Assembly, and whoever is elected, will be acceptable to everyone.

IMAGE: Former Karnataka minister and BJP leader R Ashoka. Photograph: ANI Photo

The BJP Legislature Party meeting is scheduled for Friday, during which the election of its leader, who will also be the Leader of Opposition in the assembly, is likely to be announced.

"I don't know, the party has to decide. Whoever the party decides, will get the post. None of us have filed an application, such a culture is not there in our party," Ashoka said in response to a question on his name along with MLAs -- Sunil Kumar, Ashwath Narayan and Araga Jnanendra -- doing the rounds for the post.

Speaking to reporters in Bengaluru, he pointed at B Y Vijayendra's recent appointment as Karnataka BJP president, and said, "You know how that appointment was announced, similarly Leader of Opposition is also an important post, as one has to lead the party booth inside and outside the assembly. Taking all this into account, a leader will be announced at the legislature party meeting tomorrow in the presence of central observers."

The BJP central leadership made the announcement on the appointment of Vijayendra, the younger son of veteran leader and former chief minister B S Yediyurappa, last week.

Noting that the central leadership opinion gathered the opinion of Legislators and core committee members two months ago, Ashoka said, whoever becomes the leader, no one will have any objection.

Stating that he is aware of the fact that his name too was doing rounds, he said, "There are four to five aspirants including me. Our only objective is Narendra Modi should become Prime Minister once again, so without any confusion or hindrance the new leader will be elected. I spoke to (V) Sunil Kumar, (C N) Ashwath Narayan yesterday. Whoever becomes the leader, no objection. Party is great, Modi as PM once again -- is our slogan."

The BJP, which is the principal opposition party in the state, is yet to appoint its legislature party leader, who will also play the role of the Leader of Opposition in the assembly.

The previous assembly session in July was held without the Leader of the Opposition.

In the elections to the 224-member assembly held in May this year, the Congress ousted the BJP from power with a landslide victory. The Congress got 135 seats, the BJP 66 and the Janata Dal-Secular 19.

The BJP legislature party meeting to elect its new leader is taking place ahead of the winter session of the state legislature in Belagavi, from December 4.

The party had been facing intense criticism from the ruling Congress for its inability to make an appointment to the post, and there was also some disgruntlement within the party over the delay.
After being evacuated from war-torn Hamas-ruled Gaza with the help of Indian missions in the region, Lubna Nazir Shaboo is now looking forward to her homeward journey from Cairo to Kashmir.

IMAGE: Indian ambassador to Egypt Ajit Gupte (left) with Lubna and her daughter. Photograph: Courtesy Indian Embassy in Egypt on X

Lubna, an Indian from Jammu & Kashmir living in Gaza, and her daughter Karima had crossed the Rafah border on Monday evening and reached the Egyptian capital the next day.

I safely crossed over from Gaza at the Rafah border and am now awaiting my return to Kashmir, Lubna Nazir Shaboo told PTI from Cairo.

She said the return journey plan was in the works.

She profusely thanked the Indian diplomatic missions in the region -- in Ramallah, Tel Aviv, and Cairo -- for making the evacuation possible from the war-torn area. Soon after the Hamas-Israel conflict broke out on October 7, Lubna reached out to PTI on October 10 seeking help.

Lubna's one son and one daughter have been studying in Cairo.

Soon after she reached Cairo, the Indian Embassy in Cairo tweeted along with a photo of the Indian ambassador to Egypt Ajit Gupte with Lubna and her daughter: Amb @AjitVGupte received Mrs Lubna Nazir Shaboo, Indian national who has just arrived safely in Cairo, after being evacuated from Gaza. She and her family are in good health. Mrs Lubna expressed deep gratitude to @indembcairo, @indemtel and @ROIRamallah for their assistance (sic).

She also shared a video with PTI, which she had recorded at the Rafah border after reaching the Egyptian side.

The situation was too bad in Gaza. We did not have water, electricity or internet and the telecommunication was too bad. We went through a very bad phase over there. The situation is worsening day by day. There are people who are dying every day and there are people who are injured and there are dead people who are also lying under the debris.

There is a scarcity of everything. Food supplies, medicines. There is no medical care. Hospitals are out of service. Bombardment is happening everywhere, she said in the video and added:

I hope that this video will reach the people and it will convey the message that Gaza is getting choked by every second.

There is no phone, there is no electricity. There is no internet and on Thursday, they are going to declare Gaza to be out of any telecommunication service. There will be no communication anymore. And we will not be knowing what is going on in Gaza anymore. Gaza is in a very bad situation (sic), she described.

Narrating the conditions in the Gaza Strip, pounded by Israel after the October 7 Hamas attack, and how babies, children, women, and civilians in general have been killed, Lubna said, We don't know what more is going to happen in the coming days. There is hope that this thing will stop at once and pray for peace in this place.

More than 11,000 Palestinians have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel began retaliatory attacks after the initial Hamas attack killed over 1200 Israelis.
Modi and Chouhan have visited Mahakoshal multiple times and reached out to tribals to shore up support for the BJP.

IMAGE: Senior Bharatiya Janata Party leader Amit A Shah at a roadshow for the Madhya Pradesh assembly elections in Jabalpur, November 14, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The Congress pulled off victories in 24 out of the 38 assembly seats in the Mahakoshal region, and this tally helped the party form the government with a slender margin in Madhya Pradesh in 2018, but this time around it is facing a stiff resistance from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party.

Geographically six regions of MP -- Mahakoshal, Gwalior-Chambal, Central India, Nimar-Malwa, Vindh and Bundelkhand, all with different political equations, hold the key to power in the state.

Last time, the Congress showing was best in the Mahakoshal region, which has eight districts, boosting the party's overall tally to 114 seats and bringing it is within sniffing distance of the simple majority mark (116 in a House of 230).

Here, one group talks of change (of government) after the assembly polls, while the other glorifies the work of Prime Minister Narendra D Modi and MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, fondly called 'mama' (maternal uncle) by his supporters.

Madhya Pradesh, which saw two governments in five years -- one headed by the Congress and the incumbent led by the BJP -- goes to the polls on November 17 and counting will take place on December 3.

The BJP has pulled out all the stops to weaken the Congress in Mahakoshal, considered to be a stronghold of former chief minister Kamal Nath, who himself is in the fray from his home turf of Chhindwara.

But the Opposition party wants its flag to keep flying high in the region.

It was evident from the fact that Congress General Secretary Priyanka Gandhi kicked off her party's election campaign from Jabalpur, the region's largest city, on June 12.

She announced Rs 1,500 a month financial assistance for women, restoration of the Old Pension Scheme for state government employees, 100 units of free electricity, a cooking cylinder for Rs 500 and Rs 1 lakh loan waiver for farmers if the Congress was voted to power.

The BJP has fielded two Union ministers -- Prahlad Patel and Faggan Singh Kulaste -- and two more MPs as its candidates from Mahakoshal, indicating its firm resolve to dent the Congress stronghold.

Ashish Sonkar of Jabalpur, a votary of "double-engine" government (same party in power at the Centre and in the state), said the Congress was against Sanatan Dharma.

He claimed the people of Madhya Pradesh have benefitted from welfare schemes launched by the Centre and as well as the state's BJP government and that is why he wants to see the saffron party retain power.

In the 2018 assembly polls, the BJP had to contend with just 13 seats in the region. In 2013, the saffron party had won 24 constituencies, while the Congress managed to pocket 13 seats in Mahakoshal.

Mahakoshal is spread across eight districts -- Jabalpur, Chhindwara, Katni, Seoni, Narsinghpur, Mandla, Dindori and Balaghat -- and they come under the Jabalpur administrative division.

The region has 13 seats reserved for Scheduled Tribe candidates. Of them, the Congress won 11 the last time around.

The BJP campaign in this region is focused on the prime minister, the party's biggest vote getter, with the slogan 'MP Ke Mann Me Modi' to attract electors.

His big posters have been put up by the party all over the region and Chief Minister Chouhan's posters, too, adorn the streets.

Local residents grumble over the backwardness in the region, saying Jabalpur was once far ahead of Raipur (Chhattisgarh) and Nagpur (Maharashtra) in terms of development, but now the city lags behind Indore and Bhopal.

Talking to PTI, Jabalpur-based Mahakoshal Chamber of Commerce and Industries Joint Secretary Akhil Mishra rued the lack of development and basic infrastructure here.

"Mahakoshal did not get the place it deserves in Madhya Pradesh. The public is aware and understands everything," he added.

There is a direct contest between the BJP and the Congress on most seats in Mahakoshal.

However, the pre-poll alliance between the Gondwana Gantantra Party (GGP) and the Bahujan Samaj Party has made the fight triangular in some segments.

The GGP, that sprang a surprise in the 2003 assembly polls by winning some seats in Mahakoshal, has lost its steam after it split later on.

Sandeep Yadav, a teacher at a private school in Narsinghpur district, said, "Unemployment is the biggest issue here. If thousands of posts are advertised, lakhs of people fill out the applications. Some examinations were conducted, but their results were not released. There is anger among youths."

One of the reasons for the BJP's poor showing in the last assembly polls was its defeat in most of the tribal reserved seats.

So, to gain the lost ground among tribals, Modi and Chouhan have visited Mahakoshal multiple times and reached out to the indigenous people to shore up support for the BJP.

The popularity of state Congress president Kamal Nath, an undisputed leader of Mahakoshal, will be put to test on November 17.

In his home district of Chhindwara, the Congress last time had won all the seven seats.

According to Professor Vivek Mishra, head of the political science department at the Jabalpur-based Rani Durgavati University, "The Ladli Behna Yojana, under which Rs 1,250 financial assistance is being given to women every month, has brought a change in the political scene of the region."

Besides, the BJP has fielded big guns whose influence spills over to constituencies located adjoining their own political turfs, Mishra said.

Mishra maintained the saffron party has narrowed the "anti-incumbency wave" to a great extent by reaching out to tribals, but refrained from predicting who would ultimately shine in Mahakoshal.

The last polls threw up a hung assembly with the Congress emerging as the single largest party with 114 seats in the 230-member House. The BJP, in power in the state since 2003, was close second with 109 seats.

The Congress formed a coalition government under Nath, but it collapsed in March 2020 after several MLAs loyal to now Union minister Jyotiraditya Scindia walked out of the party and joined the BJP, paving the way for Chouhan to return as chief minister for a record fourth term.
ZANGILAN, Azerbaijan, November 16. The 7th meeting of the transport ministers of the member countries of the Organization of Turkic States (OTS) within the framework of the international scientific and practical conference "International transport and logistics corridor: Impulses of development from Zangilan" is taking place in Azerbaijan's Zangilan on November 16, Trend reports.

The meeting is attended by ministers and their deputies.

The Minister of Digital Development and Transport of Azerbaijan Rashad Nabiyev during the event touched upon the importance of OTS in terms of developing ties between the member countries.

He noted that in recent years, relations between the Turkic countries have become more developed, transit traffic between them has increased.

In addition, the minister said that interest in the Middle Corridor is growing, and the Zangezur corridor will become an important part of the Middle Corridor.

"There are all possibilities for this," Nabiyev said.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Communist Party of India-Maoist has sent a letter to the district collector of Kozhikode allegedly threatening to blow up the 'Hamas rally of fake comrades' if the government and police action against Maoists is not stopped.

IMAGE: A Students' Federation of India (SFI) supporter detained during a protest near the Israel Embassy, in New Delhi on October 23, 2023. The photograph is used only for representation. Photograph: Mohd Zakir/ANI Photo

In the letter, the Maoists have said that the government is holding rallies for 'foreign terrorists' instead of focusing on the needs of Kozhikode district, an official of the district administration told PTI.

The letter was received by the collector's office on Wednesday evening and was forwarded to the police, the official added.

It claims that Maoists are being unfairly targeted and false cases are being lodged against them.

The Maoists have warned that if the government does not stop unfairly targeting them and charging false cases against them, what happened in Kochi at the Jehovah's Witnesses convention can be expected during the 'Hamas rally of fake comrades' in the district, he said.

The official also said that the SHO of Nadakkavu police station has been briefed about the matter and a case would be lodged there against the Maoists.

An officer of Nadakkavu police station said that a case would be lodged during the day under provisions of the IPC and the Kerala Police Act.

The letter comes in the wake of recent armed confrontations between Maoists and specialised teams of the Kerala Police in Kannur and Wayanad districts of the state.

The special Thunderbolt squad of Kerala police had engaged in gun battle with the Maoists twice this week in Kannur district. Prior to that, there was an exchange of fire between the Thunderbolt force and Maoists in a forest area in Wayanad last week.

Two Maoists -- a man and a woman -- were arrested after a gun battle in the Periya area under the Thalappuzha police station limit in Wayanad. They were identified as Chandru and Unnimaya.

Last month, a group of six armed Maoists seized control of a private resort in Makkimala, Wayanad.

During the incident, they confiscated the manager's mobile phone to convey a statement to the media, shedding light on the challenges faced by estate workers.
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday said that India is not ruling out an investigation but asked Canada to provide evidence in support of its allegations about the involvement of agents of the Indian government in the killing of a Khalistani separatist in that country.

IMAGE: External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar addresses the Indian Community at the Diwali reception in London on November 14, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

Jaishankar made the comments in response to questions during a conversation with veteran journalist Lionel Barber titled 'How a Billion People See the World' in London.

"If you have a reason to make such an allegation please share the evidence because we are not ruling out an investigation," Jaishankar, who is on a five-day official visit to the United Kingdom, said while responding to a question.

He emphasised that Canada has not shared any evidence with India to support its allegation.

The ties between India and Canada came under severe strain following Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations in September of a 'potential' involvement of Indian agents in the killing of Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar on June 18 in British Columbia.

India had designated Nijjar as a terrorist in 2020.

India has rejected Trudeau's allegations as 'absurd' and 'motivated'.

Jaishankar said that freedom of speech and freedom of expression comes with a certain responsibility and the misuse of those freedoms and the toleration of that misuse for political purposes would be very wrong, referring to the pro-Khalistani activities in Canada.

He recalled the attacks on the High Commission of India in Canada, or smoke bomb attacks on the High Commission and Consulate General, and said Indian diplomats were intimidated in public, with no action from the Canadian authorities against culprits.

Last week, Prime Minister Trudeau underlined that a 'fight' with India was not something Canada wanted to be having right now but reiterated his allegations and said Ottawa wants to 'work constructively' with New Delhi on this 'very serious matter'.

Foreign Secretary Vinay Kwatra said India has conveyed to the United States side its serious concerns over increasing activities of pro-Khalistani elements in Canada.

"Insofar as Canada is concerned, we have been having very consistent conversations with all our friends and partners. Our position on this matter has been enunciated and explained in full detail on multiple occasions," Kwatra said in New Delhi recently.

Days after Trudeau's allegations in September, India temporarily suspended the issuance of visas to Canadian citizens and asked Ottawa to downsize its diplomatic presence in the country to ensure parity.

India resumed some visa services in Canada last month, more than a month after they were suspended.

On China, Jaishankar said that the 2020 deadly clash has vitiated the relationship between the two countries.

He said China did not adhere to the agreement not to amass troops at the Line of Actual Control as he asserted that such acts of not following pacts have consequences in terms of credibility.
A heavy-duty drilling machine bored through 12 metres of rubble of the collapsed tunnel on the Char Dham route in Uttarakhand on Thursday, raising hopes for the rescue of 40 workers trapped inside for over four days.

IMAGE: The giant pipes that will be inserted into the Silkyara tunnel in Uttarakhand. Photograph: ANI Photo

Officials said in the evening that a six-metre section of a steel pipe had been inserted into the bored passage. Another section was being welded into it.

The plan is to insert 800 mm and 900 mm diameter pipes -- one after the other -- with the help of the giant drill till an escape passage is created for the workers stranded beyond the collapsed portion of the under-construction tunnel.

After a smaller drilling machine failed to do the job, IAF's C-130 Hercules planes brought the US-made auger machine, in parts, from Delhi to an airport 30 kilometres away on Wednesday. The 25-tonne piece of equipment was installed overnight.

Before making this fresh rescue attempt, a puja' was held outside the Silkyara tunnel on Thursday.

Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways V K Singh, who visited the rescue site, set two or three days as the outer limit for the new machine to get the job done.

But Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, who said on Thursday that all tunnel projects in the state will now be reviewed, appeared more optimistic.

"I have been told that the new drilling machine has already penetrated five to seven metres through the debris, Dhami told reporters earlier in the day in Dehradun. We hope it would soon reach the trapped workers, drilling at the rate of five to 10 metres every hour."

At first, when the 30-40 metre portion of the tunnel collapsed on Sunday morning, rescue workers had tried excavating the rubble using an earth moving machine.

The stretch with the debris begins 270 metres from the mouth of the tunnel at its Silkyara side.

The trapped workers are safe, and being supplied with oxygen, medicines, food items and water through pipes, Navayuga Engineering Company's spokesperson G L Nath said. The company is building the tunnel on behalf of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

Union minister Singh talked to the trapped workers. The people's morale is high, he told reporters later, adding that they knew that the government is putting in all efforts to get them out.

He said experts in the country and abroad have been consulted on the rescue operation.

The minister said the site where the tunnel is being constructed has been stable for the past four and a half years.

In Dehradun, Chief Minister Dhami said Prime Minister Narendra Modi is constantly monitoring the situation.

The Uttarakhand government has decided to review all under-construction tunnels in the state, he said.

"We need such tunnels and many of them are being built in the state. We will review wherever they are being constructed," he added.

A six-bed makeshift health facility has been set up and 10 ambulances with doctors also stationed outside the tunnel to provide immediate medical care to the trapped workers on their evacuation, officials said.

Doctors have advised that the workers would need both physical and mental rehabilitation upon being rescued.

The victims might experience panic attacks because of being trapped in closed spaces for long, said Dr Ajay Agarwal, director, Internal Medicine AT Fortis Hospital in Noida.

"Further, the ambient conditions such as oxygen and carbon dioxide levels too could impact their physical health and prolonged exposure to cold underground temperatures could possibly cause hypothermia and make them fall unconscious," Agarwal told PTI.

The new auger machine was flown in after the first drilling machine turned out to be too slow and technical issues developed, officials said.

Also, falling debris inside the tunnel damaged the first machine and injured two rescue workers on Tuesday.
Members of the Islami Andolan Bangladesh, a political party, marched to the nation's election commission, ahead of the election schedule declaration, in Dhaka, November 15, 2023.

Three days earlier, November 12, 2023, garment industry workers protested demanding a wage raise at Mirpur in Dhaka.

Protest against Election Commission

IMAGE: Members of the Islami Andolan Bangladesh try to remove police barricades during their protest. All photographs: Mohammad Ponir Hossain/Reuters

IMAGE: Police personnel erect a barricade to stop the Islami Andolan Bangladesh's protest march.

IMAGE: Members of the Islami Andolan Bangladesh duroing their protest march.

Garment Workers Protest



Britain's Guardian newspaper published a IMAGE: Garment industry workers push a police barricade during their protest.Britain's Guardian newspaper published a revealing report (external link) on the workers' agitation on Wednesday.

IMAGE: Garment workers try to stop vehicles at their protest, here and below.

IMAGE: Garment workers block a road.

IMAGE: Police disperse garment workers.

IMAGE: Garment workers during their protest.

IMAGE: Nargis Parvin, the wife of Jalal Uddin (40), a garment worker, mourns following her husband's death at the Dhaka medical college hospital after being shot during the protest.

Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com

Feature Presentation: Ashish Narsale/Rediff.com
Three policemen were suspended for a security lapse during Prime Minister Narendra D Modi's visit to Ranchi.

IMAGE: Prime Minister Narendra D Modi at a roadshow in Ranchi, November 14, 2023. Photograph: ANI Photo

The action was taken after a woman unexpectedly appeared in front of the PM's convoy while it was on its way to the Bhagwan Birsa Munda memorial park and freedom fighter museum on Wednesday morning.

The woman was immediately apprehended and taken into custody.

Modi was on a two-day visit to Jharkhand on the occasion of tribal icon Birsa Munda's birth anniversary.

'An ASI and two constables have been suspended for dereliction of duty during the prime minister's visit,' a police statement said.

The woman was reportedly upset with her husband and wanted to lodge a complaint against him, police said.

Ranchi Senior Superintendent of Police Chandan Kumar Sinha told PTI, "During interrogation, the woman said she was married to a man at Jamuni village in Jharkhand's Deoghar district in 2012. But a dispute between them started in 2016."

"The woman wants the salary of her husband to be credited in her bank account. In this regard, she also went to Delhi in October to meet the prime minister and stayed there for 10 days. After failing, she also tried to meet the President. When all efforts went in vain, she returned to her in-laws' house in Deoghar," the SSP said.

As per the police, the woman tried to meet Modi during the roadshow on Tuesday night, but failed and then made an effort to visit Raj Bhavan on Wednesday.

"She was returning disappointed from Raj Bhavan," Sinha said. "But she suddenly heard the siren of the PM's convoy at Radium road and came suddenly in front of the convoy."
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Partly cloudy skies this morning will give way to cloudy skies and rain during the afternoon. High 49F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Rain showers this evening with mostly cloudy conditions overnight. Low 34F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

Today

Partly cloudy early then becoming cloudy with periods of rain this afternoon. High 49F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Showers early with some clearing overnight. Low 34F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Hong Kong: Officials set for national studies

Director of the Chief Executive's Office Carol Yip will lead a delegation of over 30 politically appointed officials to Beijing and Nanjing on November 19 for a national studies programme and duty visit.



The Chief Executives Office made the announcement today and apart from pointing out that under secretaries and political assistants are key members of the governance team, it emphasised that this delegation is the first national studies programme for politically appointed officials organised by the Government, as well as the largest of its kind over the years.



Chief Executive John Lee met the delegates before their departure and encouraged them to seize the opportunity to deepen their understanding of the latest national policies and developments, and to put it into practice in formulating and implementing relevant policies and when engaging different sectors of society.



While Ms Yip will undertake the role of head of the delegation, which comprises 13 under secretaries and 19 political assistants, Under Secretary for Security Michael Cheuk will take up the role of deputy head of the delegation.



Upon arrival in Beijing, the group will study at the National Academy of Governance. After that, they will proceed to Nanjing for a duty visit on November 23.



During the study programme and duty visit, they will examine national history and the Constitution in depth, and gain insights into the latest developments of the country in areas such as innovation and technology, smart city, conservation and ecology, culture and the tourism industry.



The delegation will return to Hong Kong on November 25.

This story has been published on: 2023-11-16. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Iraq has officially joined the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), becoming the 74th shareholder, Trend reports via the Bank.

The request for membership, submitted by Iraq in April 2018, was approved by the Board of Governors in October 2020, marking the completion of the shareholder process.

As a shareholder, Iraq has the opportunity to apply as a recipient economy, enabling access to the EBRD's financial resources and policy support. Any such request would undergo a separate review process by shareholders.

During this year's EBRD Annual Meeting in Samarkand, the Board of Governors sanctioned an amendment to the Bank's Agreement, permitting the expansion of operations to Iraq. Once this amendment takes effect, the Bank will be able to consider Iraq's request to become a country of operation.

Iraq has also been incorporated into the Bank's southern and eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) region at the Governors' Resolution in Samarkand, aligning with the country's significant economic ties to the region.

Odile Renaud-Basso, President of the EBRD, expressed delight at Iraq's membership, emphasizing the Bank's commitment to engaging with the country. Renaud-Basso looks forward to initiating collaborative efforts to contribute to Iraq's economic development.

The EBRD initially entered the SEMED region in 2012, commencing operations in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco, and Tunisia. Subsequently, in 2017, activities were extended to Lebanon and the West Bank and Gaza. Presently, the EBRD boasts 72 national shareholders in addition to the European Union and the European Investment Bank.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Moldovan businessmen were invited to invest in industrial zones on the liberated territories Azerbaijan, Trend reports.

The Azerbaijan Economic Zones Development Agency said that a meeting took place in the Sumgayit Chemical Industrial Park between the Deputy Chairman of the Agency's Board Seymur Adigozalov, and a delegation led by the Director of the Organization for Entrepreneurship Development (ODA) of Moldova Dumitru Pintea.

The meeting was also attended by the Moldovan Ambassador to Azerbaijan Alexandr Esaulenco.

During the meeting, Adigozalov briefed on the existing industrial zones in Azerbaijan, investment opportunities created for businessmen, and a presentation of the industrial zones was conducted.

The parties also discussed the possibilities of establishing connections between the ODA and the Economic Zones Development Agency, implementing joint business projects, exchanging experiences between business entities operating in the industrial zones of Azerbaijan and Moldova.

In general, 134 business entities have received the status of resident in the industrial zones of Azerbaijan, and 68 of them have already started production activities.

The total volume of their investments is more than 7.2 billion manat ($4.2 billion).

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Late Chinese Premier Li Keqiang bows after delivering a state of the nation address as Chinese President Xi Jinping applauds during the opening session of China's National People's Congress at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in March 2023.

Cai Xia, a retired professor of the Central Party School of the Chinese Communist Party, was expelled from the party and had her pension stripped in August 2020 for serious violations of political discipline following her criticism of the increasingly authoritarian policies of Xi Jinping, party chief and state president. Xi is meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden this week in California in an effort to stabilize ties between the two powers. In an edited version of an essay published this week by RFA Mandarin, Cai, who has described the ruling party as a political zombie and likened Xi to a gang boss," shines a light on the reaction within government ranks to the sudden death last month of former premier Li Keqiang:

The mysterious death of former Chinese premier Li Keqiang a couple of weeks ago came as a shock to many. As the massive spontaneous mourning activities grabbed international attention, there was relative silence within party ranks.

Apart from the official death notice, the funeral notice and the slew of obituaries in state media that only deviated from the official version by one or two words, no commemorative articles have been published from within the ranks of the Chinese Communist Party, while comments under official announcements on social media have been switched off.

Yet the death of its once second most-powerful figure in murky circumstances has shocked the Chinese Communist Party throughout its ranks, with a sense of panic and uneasiness plaguing government officials at every level. Everyone is in a cold sweat, watching their back. The crashing silence is the outward manifestation of that shock.

"The rabbit dies and the fox grieves," goes the saying. For many Chinese Communist Party officials, Li's tragic death foreshadows their own inevitable fate.

The fate of Li stems from the institutional evil of totalitarian rule combined with a personal dictatorship that prevails in today's Chinese Communist Party. And Li's fate could befall Chinese Communist Party officials anywhere in the internal party governance system.

After the Chinese Communist Party seized power, officials were largely divided into two key categories: those in charge of party governance and those tasked with running the government.

The party governance system controls the inner workings of the party at every level; the government system controls the machinery of state and society at large.

Party leadership means total party control over all of the power and resources of the state.

In its personified form, it means that party secretaries wield strong and effective control over the People's Congress system, the government and the judiciary at every level. At the Central Committee level, the general secretary tells the premier what to do; at the provincial level, the provincial party secretary tells the provincial governor what to do, and so on, all the way down to the city and county level. In short, party officials are the operatives who party rule into practice, while government officials are just the hired hands expected to maintain it.

All of this meant that Li was unable to prevent Xi Jinping from taking his power away.

Li's 10-year tenure as premier was nothing short of diligent. One of his former classmates wrote of Li that he "cooperated for 10 careful years without a single achievement to show for it," and that he had "lived in frustration and died in vain."

He was right. It was hard for Li to wield any power, as Xi was continually dismantling his independent role, along with the machinery of state, eroding Li's power and taking it for himself.

Xi's 'leading groups'

For example, soon after he took power, Xi set up a number of "leading groups" in the name of reform, and chaired six of them himself. People who have lived through the Cultural Revolution recognized what Xi Jinping was about -- he was imitating [Mao Zedong's wife] Jiang Qing's leadership of the Central Cultural Revolution Leading Group at that time.

According to a recent commentary posted on CPCNEWS The group is the top of the pyramid in China's political leadership system" and "is actually the body that makes important economic strategic decisions for the country"

As the leader of these groups, Xi was appropriating the powers of the State Council, excluding Li and gradually marginalizing him.

The Central Financial and Economic Leading Group led by Xi was in charge of economic policy-making. Former vice premier Liu He got an important role, and Li was excluded from core decision-making.

Meanwhile, Li never made it into any official news reports on the decision-making and implementation of Xi's Belt and Road Initiative or his "Millennium-plan" city of the future, Xiong 'an New Area."

A giant screen displays a live news broadcast of an obituary for the late Chinese Premier Li Keqiang in Beijing, Oct. 2023. The mysterious death of former Chinese premier Li Keqiang a couple of weeks ago came as a shock to many. As the massive spontaneous mourning activities grabbed international attention, there was relative silence within party ranks. Credit: Florence Lo/Reuters

Li's policy blueprint after assuming the premiership was to "promote China's urbanization as part of the process of industrialization," which included a package of measures he hoped would promote reform and economic development.

But in December 2013, Xi convened an urbanization work conference of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China in the name of the Party Central Committee that stripped away all of the authority and organizational structures for promoting urbanization that had been under Li's control, integrating the project into Xi's own system of "Leading Groups."

This move shifted the entire structure of power and responsibility within the State Council system.

Li was left without a role again, because the State Council department in charge of urbanization no longer reported to the premier, but directly to Xi, who was head of the "Leading Group."

In February 2018, the Plenary Session of the Central Committee led by Xi decided to carry out a systematic and holistic restructuring of both the party's organizational structure and management system of the Party and of government departments.

After little more than a year of institutional mergers and adjustments, all important and key departments of the government were in the hands of the Party Central Committee.

The departments responsible for public administration remained under the State Council, but all of the key ministries including the Ministry of Finance, the State Development and Reform Commission and the Audit Office were now led and managed by Leading Groups or by Central Party Committees.

Then, all of the departments associated with and having a significant influence on the rule of the Communist Party of China were merged into the central functional organs of the Communist Party of China. For example, the government's Human Resources Department was merged into the party's Central Organization Department, while the General Press and Publication Administration, the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television and China Central Television were placed under the direct management of the party's Central Propaganda Department.

Finally, all of the armed forces that for various reasons had been run by government departments were integrated under the party's Central Military Commission, which takes orders ultimately only from its chairman -- Xi. Under that system, all of the nation's military power was now controlled by a single person.

More powerful than Mao

The "reform of party and government institutions" that happened from 2018-2019 left Xi more powerful than Mao Zedong. Xi had annexed government departments and brought them under the institutional control of the Chinese Communist Party, setting up a preliminary working system through which he could run his party-state.

These three moves by Xi directly undermined the power of the State Council, and turned Li into the weakest prime minister since 1978. Economic decision-making was no longer in the hands of the premier. The State Council was no longer the center of decision-making and operational control of the economy, but had been reduced to a system charged with implementing centrally made decisions -- decisions made by Xi himself.

This made it hard for Li to propose or formulate major policies affecting China's socio economic development, or even to influence and adjust such policies.

Even his attempt at improving the lives of China's poorest people by encouraging street stalls was frustrated by Xi henchmen like Cai Qi.

Nevertheless, Li kept trying to promote government reform and economic growth within the limited means available to him. During his 10 years in office, he reinvented the role of government departments, and promoted the streamlining and delegation of government decision-making.

He had a firm grasp of what it meant to govern by rule of law, and promoted reforms that would simplify bureaucracy and encourage decentralization, optimizing services.

He once said: "Markets can do anything as long as it's not against the law: governments shouldn't do anything unless there is a law allowing it."

He also presided over the simplification and abolition of government regulations, systems and documents that didn't measure up to his vision of decentralization.

Security personnel in blue vests stand guard in front of the flowers laid by mourners near a residential building where the late Chinese Premier Li Keqiang spent his childhood in Hefei city, in central China's Anhui province, Nov. 2, 2023. Death of once second most-powerful figure in murky circumstances has shocked the Chinese Communist Party throughout its ranks, with a sense of panic and uneasiness plaguing government officials at every level.Credit: Ken Moritsugu/AP

During Li's tenure, the State Council eliminated 61 taxes and fees, reducing the tax burden to the tune of 14 trillion yuan, for the benefit of around one billion people. The number of small and medium-sized companies rose from 14 million to 52 million.

When WeChat first appeared, a number of government departments refused to approve its launch. Li resisted that pressure, telling them to take another look at their standards, and WeChat was given the go-ahead.

When the express delivery industry was just developing, some cities wouldn't allow such services to operate. Li told them to make way for new ideas, rather than regulating them out of existence. Today, the vast majority of people use WeChat and express delivery on a daily basis.

Li was always keen to look after the interests of the people at the bottom of the pecking order, improving their income and their lives. He pushed for more affordable housing to be built, turning shanty towns into more than 59 million affordable housing units, giving 140 million low income people their first fixed abode.

After the massive Tianjin explosion of 2015, Li raised the standard compensation payment for temporary workers to 2 million yuan (US$275,862), when previously payments had only ranged from 500,000 to 600,000 yuan (US$68,965 to US$82,760)

Totalitarian rule combined with a personal dictatorship

Chinese politics increasingly happens behind closed doors, so most people don't know any of this about Li. And even if those on the inside know about it, they're afraid to mention it in casual conversation, let alone in public, for fear of reprisals.

So it's wrong to say that Li accomplished nothing during his tenure. He did everything he could, under circumstances that were far from normal.

The fate of Li stems from the institutional evil of totalitarian rule combined with a personal dictatorship that prevails in today's Chinese Communist Party.

And Li's fate could befall Chinese Communist Party officials anywhere in the internal party governance system. Li was trapped in the role of sidekick within the party system.

In such a system, all people can do is play along. When Xi came to power, he weakened the power of the State Council and the premier, placing everything under his top-down command.

The power of party secretaries has been massively expanded at every level of the party, from the Central Committee down to the local level, while the power of local governments has been continually eroded. There is no longer an independent administration to manage public services at all.

The party controls everything, which means that the party secretaries, its personified form, controls all the power and all of the resources.

Visitors watch a screen of Chinese President Xi Jinping delivering a speech at an exhibition promoting China's achievement under communist party from 1921 to 2021, in Beijing, June 2021. After the Chinese Communist Party seized power, officials were largely divided into two key categories: those in charge of party governance and those tasked with running the government. Credit: Andy Wong/AP

Xi's chairmanship of the Central Financial and Economic Leading Group means that he controls the country's finances.

Whether a sidekick like a provincial governor or a mayor really knows how much money his government has now depends on the tightness of his relationship with the party secretary. Government officials are now finding it hard to administer government affairs independently, let alone wield any decision-making power in public affairs.

They are now forced into a position where they carry out the orders of their commanding officers, the party secretaries. who take credit for any achievements, relegating their second-in-commands to the shadows.

Government officials who do too well can be looked on unfavorably by their party secretaries, who feel threatened by them. Propaganda departments ensure that news coverage always highlights party leaders over government officials, never allowing the latter to overshadow the former.

A government official's chances of promotion depend on how well they have deferred to and accommodated their party secretary, because the commanding officer will be the one evaluating them.

10-year backlog of grievances

Government officials are the suffering daughters-in-law of the Chinese political system.

Yet if something goes wrong, they are the first to take the blame in any official investigation.

If the sheer severity of the incident isn't enough for the party secretary to deflect blame, the second-in-command will inevitably take the heat. When they talk about "unity" within party ranks, this is what they mean.

Outsiders know nothing of such things, and insiders daren't talk about them.

Li's death triggered an unexpected outpouring of public grief, but also a lot of public comment on his years in power.

Objectively speaking, Chinese people didn't think Li had a great record.

People walk past a newly completed housing project in Beijing in 1999. Li Keqiang pushed for more affordable housing to be built, turning shanty towns into more than 59 million affordable housing units, giving 140 million low income people their first fixed abode.Credit: Goh Chai Hin/AFP

Yet despite many people not rating him very highly, or even commenting disrespectfully, there was still the public mourning, which is strange.

Why? Because widespread public dissatisfaction with Xi's actions had finally found an outlet.

Li's lack of achievement reawakened a 10-year backlog of grievances and feelings of helplessness among Chinese government officials, because his story was a more concentrated version of their own.

Its moral was that any official who wants to accomplish anything good for the Chinese people will be stymied.

Even if they manage to get off to some kind of start, they will eventually wind up chasing their own tails until exhaustion sets in.

Translated by Luisetta Mudie.

The views expressed here are the commentators own and do not reflect the position of Radio Free Asia.
Prime Minister Hun Manet says the private sector has asked for new ways for foreigners to own property.

Hoping to boost Cambodias flagging real estate sector, Prime Minister Hun Manet has issued several orders aimed at encouraging more foreign investment in property, and also urged microfinance companies to make it easier for homeowners to refinance delinquent mortgages.

The countrys 1993 Constitution states that only natural persons or legal entities of Khmer nationality can own land, although foreigners have been able to purchase real estate leases that sometimes last as long as 50 years.

On Tuesday, Hun Manet announced that the government will allow foreigners to use Cambodian representatives to purchase real estate. Although land titles would list a Cambodian as the owner, a separate contract would protect a foreign investor, he said at the annual Government-Private Sector Forum in Phnom Penh.

Foreigners can also buy property through land through special tourism zones  which the government is still working to define  or through a trust company, he said.

This doesnt mean the government is selling land to foreigners. We will own the land and we will respect our Constitution, he said. We are setting up conditions that will boost our economy and will help ease peoples concerns.

With property prices in a slump, the private sector has been pushing the government to give foreigners new ways to own land and homes, Hun Manet said at a bridge inauguration on Wednesday.

Post-pandemic market

Real estate and construction sectors accounted for some 15% of the Cambodian economy as of January 2023.

The real estate market, however, has been deeply affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonperforming loans have risen and new construction has slowed.

Hun Manets policies wont be enough to counter the markets downturn, according to legal scholar Vorn Chanlout. Additionally, they cant be implemented effectively because of Cambodias corruption and ineffective state institutions.

The policies will lead to sovereignty issues in the future and human rights abuses due to land conflict, he said.

Also on Wednesday, Hun Manet said that the government and the National Bank of Cambodia have eased some loan conditions that could make it easier for banks and microfinance companies to help customers who are facing financial problems.

If the customers have a problem, the bank and microfinance institutions and the government will face the problem as well, he said. Please help relieve customers. We must help each other in this difficult time.

Cambodia Microfinance Association spokesman Kaing Tongngy said institutions have begun working to make refinancing more available for customers in response to the government.

Because people have seen a drop in their income, we urge them to ask for refinancing. I ask customers to have courage and honesty and speak about microfinance for refinancing, he said.

Translated by Yun Samean. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
Guo Zhenming won't be able to attend the Singapore screening of his film about post-1989 dissident malaise.

Chinese film director and dissident artist Guo Zhenming has been placed under a travel ban.

Film director and dissident artist Guo Zhenming, known for his work commemorating the 1989 Tiananmen massacre, has been placed under a travel ban after being invited to a screening of his latest film in Singapore.

Authorities in the southwestern province of Yunnan, where Guo is currently based, cut the corner from his passport in May, and refused to accept an application for a new passport from him, he told Radio Free Asia in a recent interview.

Guo traveled to Beijing last month in a bid to apply again from there, but his application was rejected due to a "restriction" placed on him by authorities in Yunnan's Lijiang city, he was told.

Last December, authorities in nearby Dali placed Guo under 15 days' administrative detention for "picking quarrels and stirring up trouble," a charge frequently used to target peaceful critics of the ruling Chinese Communist Party, after he made some comments about the "white paper" movement.

A woman, identified by authorities as Yang Qingxia, but known by her nickname Xiaohuamei, was found chained in a shed in Chinas Feng county in 2022. Credit: Screenshot from video

The incident is likely one reason for the travel ban, Guo said.

Another was an online signature campaign he signed supporting women's rights in the wake of the scandal of the woman found chained by the neck in the eastern province of Jiangsu.

"The first thing was the woman in chains ... I and [fellow artist] Yan Zhengxue launched a campaign at home and overseas in April and May last year ... calling for the protection of women's rights, which made a big impact at the time," Guo said.

"Then, the white paper movement happened while I was in Dali, and I made some comments in WeChat Moments," he said. "On Dec. 4, 2022, I was arrested by the Dali municipal police, who held me in administrative detention for 15 days in a separate cell."

Obstruction

Former 1989 activist Ji Feng said Guo's support for his sick friend and dissident sculptor Yan Zhengxue had also angered the authorities.

"When I went to visit with Yan Zhengxue, the main fundraiser was Guo," Ji said.

"I was picked up by the Guizhou police on Sept. 25, and he was placed under the travel ban on Sept. 27," he said.

"I was the one who had him travel from Yunnan to Beijing to visit Yan Zhengxue," he said.

Guo said he has faced various forms of obstruction from government departments ever since his detention, however.

"After I got out, the Dali municipal police department refused to show me the administrative penalty notice or the administrative detention certificate," Guo said. "They said it was a state secret. "

"What I later got was a detention certificate issued to me by the detention center, proving that I had been released," he said.

The corner on Guo Zhenmings passport was clipped and the back cut by police. Credit: Provided by Guo Zhenming

He said officials at the Gucheng district branch of the Lijiang police department, where he lives, then proceeded to clip the corner of his passport, invalidating it.

Guo, who hails from the central province of Hunan, but who has lived in Beijing and Yunnan for much of his adult life, recently had his film "Tedious Days and Nights" accepted by the Singapore International Film Festival.

"I was going to attend the world premiere [of my film] at the ... Singapore International Film Festival on Dec. 4, so I was eager to apply for a passport so I could leave the country," he said.

"But the Lijiang municipal police department refuses to accept my passport application, saying that I am suspected of being a threat to national political security," he said. "I'm banned from leaving the country."

'Filth, irreverence and melancholy'

An officer who answered the phone at the Exit-Entry Administration Bureau of the Lijiang municipal police department declined to discuss Guo's case when contacted by Radio Free Asia for comment on Nov. 14.

"We don't know," the officer said. Asked which department was in charge of Guo's case, the officer said: "I don't know that either."

Repeated calls to the Entry-Exit Detachment and Supervisory Branch of the Gucheng district police department rang unanswered during office hours on Nov. 14.

"Tedious Days and Nights" tells the story of poet Zeng Dekuang, who returns to the former industrial town of Coal Dam after 30 years of wandering to find the place in disrepair "much like the promise of his youth that has dimmed in middle age," according to the publicity material on the festival website.

A scene from the new film "Tedious Days and Nights," which tells the story of poet Zeng Dekuang, who returns to the former industrial town of Coal Dam. Credit: Tedious Days and Nights

"Rather than resist times decay, Zeng and his old friends drift into it with abandon and return to their basest of impulses, sometimes with comedic failure, but mostly in drunkenness," the synopsis reads.

"In Tedious Days and Nights, the Tiananmen Square massacre continues to haunt a lost generation of Chinese artists," it says.

"As the men frolic about ruins, this documentary enacts a passive resistance equivalent to the tang ping (lying flat) movement of Chinese youths today ... with equal parts filth, irreverence and melancholy."

The entry in the Singapore International Film Festival Guide for the Dec. 4 screening of the film advertises "Q&A with film-maker," an event that Guo will now be unable to attend.



Translated by Luisetta Mudie.
The moves would further batter the citys reputation, deal a blow to Beijing's credibility, experts say.

After members of the United States Congress introduced a bill to impose sanctions on Hong Kong officials, requesting that 49 Hong Kong officials, judges and prosecutors be examined and put on a 'sanction list,' Hong Kong's Secretary for Security, Chris Tang, has repeatedly criticized the United States for behaving like a 'triad society.'

UPDATED at 11:17 A.M. ET on 11-22-2023



In a harsh rebuke to Chinas tightening authoritarian grip, a new U.S. congressional report has called for sanctions against Hong Kong judges and expanded efforts to protect emigrants pension funds.

The annual report from the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, or USCC, on Tuesday recommends Congress-authorized sanctions on members of Hong Kongs judiciary, including foreign nationals serving on the citys Court of Final Appeal. It also urges action to prevent U.S. financial institutions from cooperating with Hong Kong authorities seeking to deny departing Hong Kongers access to their retirement savings.

Restrictions on MPF withdrawal

Commenting on the situation of Hong Kong immigrants being denied access to their MPF (Mandatory Provident Fund) deposits, the USCC says it believes the practice is the Hong Kong governments way of punishing Hong Kong people who have emigrated overseas by using BNO, or British National (Overseas), status after the National Security Act came into effect.

This has resulted in some 90,000 BNO holders being denied access to their MPF deposits, according to the report.

The USCC cited Prudential PLC and the U.K.-based Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) for refusing to allow Hong Kong residents to withdraw their MPF deposits after emigrating overseas.

Under the Hong Kong Autonomy Act passed in 2020, the U.S. Department of State is required to submit an annual report to Congress on the status of Hong Kong. As such, the USCC has recommended that Congress should direct the Department of State to include in the annual report information on the Hong Kong governments restriction on the withdrawal of MPF by Hong Kong residents abroad.

The USCC believes that the authorities may consider imposing sanctions on those involved in restricting the freedom of immigration. It also recommended that Congress take further steps to prevent U.S. financial institutions involved in the management of Hong Kong peoples funds from complying with the Hong Kong governments requests to assist in the infringement of immigration freedoms and to withhold lawfully earned pensions from those involved.

Simon Lee, senior lecturer at the School of Accountancy of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, said the Hong Kong government not only lacks political advisers, but also a grasp of the global diplomatic struggle.

Now the MPF issue has escalated to the U.S. Congress, complicating the situation. It not only embarrasses the central government, but also affects the free flow of funds in Hong Kong and reduces investor confidence, Lee told Radio Free Asia Cantonese on Nov. 15.

I think its silly to use all sorts of back doors to restrict MPF withdrawals. If unsure, its better not to do anything, he said.

Instead, Lee suggested that the local authorities should relax the restrictions to avert any potential sanctions, and send out positive signals that will help maintain Hong Kongs status as an international financial center.

Judicial independence

The USCC also recommends that Congress amend the Hong Kong Autonomy Act to include in its annual report an assessment of Hong Kongs judicial independence, reflecting faithfully whether the citys chief executive, or any other body acting on behalf of the Chinese government, has exerted undue influence on its judicial system in a way that infringes on the right to a fair and independent trial guaranteed by the Basic Law.

Based on the assessment results, Congress may impose sanctions on individuals serving in the Hong Kong judiciary, including foreign judges serving in the Hong Kong Court of Final Appeal, the report noted.

Samuel Bickett, an American lawyer who used to work in Hong Kong, told RFA Cantonese that Hong Kong no longer had judicial independence and the rule of law to speak of, and that every judge and prosecutor involved in trials under the National Security Act had a role to play in undermining the citys autonomy.

I think its a sign that different parts of the U.S. government, from Congress to the executive branch, have taken note of the need for further sanctions [against Hong Kong] and the failure of the U.S. government to implement them over the last few years, Bickett said.

Its a good sign that the Hong Kong 47 case, the Stand News case, the Jimmy Lai trial, all of these cases are going to get the attention of the United States and add momentum to the actions of the U.S. Congress and the president.

The USCC was established by the U.S. Congress in 2000 to study, report and make recommendations on how the U.S.-China trade and economic relationship affects U.S. national security.

In the past, Congress introduced bills to sanction Hong Kong judges.

Early this month, a bipartisan group of Congress members co-sponsored a bill on sanctions against Hong Kong officials  The Hong Kong Sanctions Act  which involves a list of 49 people and is the first time that a number of Hong Kong National Security Act judges and prosecutors are named in the bill.

Translated by RFA Staff. Edited by Mike Firn and Elaine Chan.

Updated to correct name of the USCC and to clarify that the commission cited Prudential PLC for refusing to allow Hong Kong residents to withdraw their MPF deposits after they emigrated overseas.


BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Small and medium-sized enterprises play a major role in the formation of the value chain in Azerbaijan, President of Azerbaijan's National Confederation of Entrepreneurs' (Employers') Organizations Mammad Musayev said, Trend reports.

He spoke at the World Forum on Small and Medium Entrepreneurship held in Baku.

"Looking at current economic processes and trends, we can observe that digitization provides an amazing service in the development of small and medium-sized firms. As a result, giving branding assistance to Azerbaijani SMEs and assisting them in entering digital sales channels should be the foundation of our strategies. We believe that new economic difficulties can be met by expanding public-private dialogue, and we are always willing to collaborate in this regard," he noted.

The forum, which is being held with the support of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Economy, the SMBDA, and the ICSB, aims to study best practices in the fields of small and medium-sized business support and development, expanding institutional partnerships, identifying stakeholders, new opportunities for cooperation, promoting young entrepreneurship, a favorable business environment, and potential investment opportunities in Azerbaijan.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Moscows support for the North could offer a way to navigate through the complex web of international sanctions.

North Korean government representatives welcome a Russian delegation led by natural resources minister Alexander Kozlov during a banquet in Pyongyang, North Korea, November 14, 2023.

North Korea and Russia agreed to further boost their cooperation in various sectors, including the economy, science, and technology  a development that could create potential loopholes in the United Nations sanctions aimed at curbing Pyongyangs nuclear program.

Officials of Pyongyang and Moscow signed a protocol that vows the expansion of the bilateral cooperation in North Koreas capital Wednesday, the Norths official Korean Central News Agency said.

The Protocol of the 10th Meeting of the Trade, Economic and Scientific Cooperation Commission between the Government of the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea and the Government of the Russian Federation was signed, KCNA said Thursday.

Since Tuesday, Russia has dispatched a delegation to Pyongyang, led by its natural resources minister Alexander Kozlov, to participate in the bilateral meeting.

A number of issues were specifically discussed, including measures to revitalize and expand multifaceted bilateral exchanges and cooperation projects, KCNA said, adding that the fields of discussion encompassed trade, economy, science, and technology without elaborating further.

But the state media explained the agreement was in accordance with the general consensus reached during the summit between the North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin in September.

Two months ago, the two leaders engaged in a mutual agreement to strengthen their bilateral relations in the Far East of Russia. Specifically, they consented to cooperate in multiple sectors, such as technology and the economy.

Central to this cooperation is the possibility of Russia providing rocket technology in exchange for ammunition supplies, which are essential for sustaining its aggression against Ukraine.

Indications of this cooperation are already evident. On Wednesday, KCNA reported the successful test of a new solid-fuel engine for an intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM).

The technical complexity involved in testing IRBM engines suggests that Russian technical support could have assisted North Korea in acquiring high-thrust solid-fuel engines developed for their new type of IRBM. North Koreas IRBM has a range of some 4,000 kilometers (2,485 miles) , capable of striking U.S. territories in the West Pacific, including Guam.

South Koreas National Intelligence Service told its lawmakers in the National Assembly earlier this month that Russia has already acquired over 1 million artillery shells from North Korea since August.

The extent of the technology and ammunition exchange between North Korea and Russia remains unclear. However, the bilateral development, which involves enhanced cooperation from economy to military technology, may lead to ineffectiveness of the existing U.N. sanction regimes designed to curb Pyongyangs nuclear ambitions.

In particular, Russias economic assistance to the Kim Jong Un regime may provide Pyongyang an alternative means and resilience to muddle-through the multilateral economic sanctions. Additionally, Moscows technology aid might help the North bypass international restrictions on curbing its missile technology progression.

To respond to these new geopolitical threats, the U.S. and its Asian allies, including South Korea and Japan, are likely to further tighten their security cooperation.

The U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and his South Korean counterpart Park Jin, and Japanese Foreign Minister Yoko Kamikawa met in San Francisco Tuesday, calling the military cooperation between Russia and North Korea a serious threat to international peace and stability, according to a statement from South Koreas foreign ministry.

Edited by Taejun Kang and Elaine Chan
By replacing a hymn to his father, Kim is breaking out of previous leaders shadows, experts say.

Our general is the wisest of 10 million. Our general cultivates the best paradise with the power of love for our everlasting happiness. His name is General Kim Jong Un!

So goes the second verse of a song that praises the North Korean leader that is now mandatory for everyone to sing before every social event, residents told Radio Free Asia.

The Hymn of General Kim Jong Un will replace the Hymn of General Kim Jong Il, the current leaders father and predecessor. That song had been in use since 1997 when it replaced the Hymn of General Kim Il Sung, the progenitor of the three-generation Kim dynasty.

The move to praise the third-generational leader instead of the first or second is an attempt to solidify loyalty around himself by breaking out of his grandfather and fathers shadows, a former high-ranking North Korean official who settled in South Korea in 2019, told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

Since Kim Jong Un has been in power for over 10 years, we cannot continue to live under Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il, the former official said. Though they are considered  the origin of revolutionary ideology, that entity must be upheld now by Kim Jong Un.

Ascended the throne

Orders to change the songs went out this month, a resident from the northeastern province of North Hamgyong told RFA Korean on condition of anonymity for safety reasons.

Kim Jong Un, ascended to the throne in a hereditary succession as a 27-year-old following the death of his father in 2011, the resident said. He had us starting events with songs about his ancestors even after 10 years in power, [because at first] he had no political base  and wanted to emphasize the legitimacy of his succession.

Along with starting events with the Hymn of Kim Jong Un, citizens will be required to end events with another song, We Will Defend General Kim Jong Un at the Cost of Our Lives, he said.

North Korean President Kim Il Sung waves during a celebration marking his 80th birthday at Kim Il Sung stadium in Pyongyang, April 15, 1992. A North Korean resident says that in the years preceding Kim Il Sungs death in 1994, citizens were made to sing songs praising Kim and his son and heir, Kim Jong Il. Credit: Jiji Press/AFP

Both songs are not new, according to the resident.

The hymn was first performed in 2015 by the army during celebrations for the holiday North Korea calls Victory Day, the anniversary of the 1953 signing of the armistice that ended hostilities in the 1950-53 Korean War. The song about defending the leader was first performed on stage in 2012, shortly after Kim Jong Un took power.

The resident said that in the years preceding Kim Il Sungs death in 1994, the people were made to sing songs praising both Kim Il Sung and his heir, Kim Jong Il. Once the younger Kim took over, the songs praising only Kim Il Sung had been continuously used until three years after he died. Kim Jong Il then replaced them with the songs praising himself.

Mixed reactions

Though it took 10 years for Kim Jong Un to do the same for himself, the move was expected, a resident from the northwestern province of North Pyongan told RFA on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

When the event song changed, residents showed mixed reactions, he said. While they accept this as an expected procedure since he is a hereditary leader, they still react harshly, because asking residents to sacrifice their lives for Kim Jong Un, the leader who caused the current severe food shortage, is an outrage.

Complaints about the new songs are many, the second resident said.

Most people cannot accept the propaganda which idolizes [the leader] and forces us to praise the mighty spirit of Korea and the dazzling sun of the century, he said  a possible link back to grandfather Kim Il Sung, who is often referred to as the Sun in propaganda, including the major holiday dedicated to him, the April 15 Day of the Sun.

Residents are struggling with more severe living difficulties than during the Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il eras, he said. However we are told to praise [Kim Jong Un] and defend him with our lives. Its simply too hard to believe.

Brainwashing

But the former official said he was saddened that residents have no choice but to comply with the governments orders to praise Kim Jong Un.

From the perspective of society and residents, they must comply because they continue to receive brainwashing education from the time when they first open their eyes after birth until they grow old and die, he said.

In their minds, they may be thinking, What is the government doing and what is the leader doing when we live poor like this? Still, it is a strangely rigid consciousness that must be followed as instructed by the party.

A former North Korean official who settled in South Korea in the mid-2010s said that the change in song goes beyond merely escaping previous leaders shadows.

It seems an effort to break the link between Kim Il Sung and Kim Jong Il and highlight Kim Jong Un as the only great leader, he said.

Translated by Claire Shinyoung Oh Lee. Edited by Eugene Whong and Malcolm Foster.
People gather in and around trucks at a temporary shelter for internally displaced people in Mong Yang in Myanmar's northern Shan state, Nov. 15, 2023.

Fierce fighting between Myanmars military and ethnic armies in northern Shan state in recent weeks has expanded to include parts of the northwest, southeast and Rakhine state, displacing more than 200,000 people, according to the United Nations.

Three weeks since the Three Brotherhood Alliance of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Arakan Army and the Taang National Liberation Army launched an offensive on Oct. 27 dubbed Operation 1027 the rebels have made notable gains against the military in several key cities in Shan state in the countrys northeast.

In the wake of the operation, the Arakan Army, or AA, this week attacked the juntas military in the western state of Rakhine, ending a ceasefire brokered one year ago on humanitarian grounds. Conflict is also underway in Kayah states Loikaw township, including aerial bombardment in urban areas causing civilian casualties

But the fighting has taken a huge humanitarian toll. In a flash update published late on Tuesday, the U.N. Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or UNOCHA, said that more than 200,000 people had been displaced by fighting in the regions as of Nov. 14  many of whom have moved towards the border with China to the north.

The exodus included people who fled active war zones, as well as others who left their homes amid the threat of clashes, village raids by junta troops, and military artillery and air strikes, it said.

A halt in clashes and provision of unimpeded humanitarian access by all parties are critical to safeguarding the lives and well-being of civilians and aid workers who are delivering life-saving services to people in need, the UNOCHA said.

The agency noted that key transportation routes in townships with active fighting have been blocked both by junta forces and ethnic armies, further restricting peoples movements to safer locations as well as humanitarian access.

But UNOCHA said that, despite insecurity, access and telecommunications challenges in the regions, humanitarian assistance is continuing in northern Shan, while humanitarian partners in the northwest, southeast and Rakhine state areassessing new needs to respond accordingly.

Needs in the Northwest, Southeast and Rakhine are increasing by the day and require immediate response, it said.

Buildings burn in Tigyaing township in Myanmars Sagaing region, Nov. 12, 2023. Credit: Tigyaing Peoples Defense Force





More than 1.6 million civilians have fled their homes due to fighting since the militarys Feb. 1, 202,1 coup detat, according to figures released by the UNOCHA at the end of last month.

Artillery and air strikes

The latest numbers suggest that the fears of those fleeing fighting in Myanmar are not unfounded.

Sources in affected regions recently told RFA Burmese that more than 70 civilians were killed and at least 252 injured by junta artillery and air strikes in Myanmar over the last two months alone.

The U.S.-based Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project, or ACLED, said it had documented at least 2,302 military artillery strikes and 1,275 air strikes in Myanmar between Feb. 1, 2021, and Nov. 10 this year, resulting in 1,037 and 1,261 fatalities, respectively.

The number of military artillery and air strikes in Myanmar has steadily increased from 222 and 159 in the first quarter of this year to 347 and 256 in the third quarter, coinciding with reports of anti-junta forces winning an increasing number of battles on the ground.

A person injured in an artillery strike is seen near Par Hsin Kyaw gate at the exit of Laukkaing township, Shan state, Myanmar, Nov. 11, 2023. Credit: Citizen journalist



At least 19 civilians  including a pregnant woman and five children under the age of 10  were killed by military air strikes from Nov. 12-14 in Sagaing regions Tigyaing township, residents of the township told RFA, amid a push by anti-junta forces to claim territory in the region. The strikes were carried out with Mi35 combat helicopters on villages where people displaced by conflict have been sheltering, they said.

Attempts by RFA to contact junta Deputy Information Minister Major Gen. Zaw Min Tun for comment on reports of civilian casualties resulting from military artillery and air strikes went unanswered Wednesday, but the junta has previously said that its forces do not target non-combatants.

Poor morale and defections

The militarys shift in strategy to lean more heavily on artillery and air strikes also comes amid reports of poor morale in Myanmars armed forces that sources say are a result of gains by the armed resistance and a realization that the military might not emerge the victor in its multi-front conflict.

Sources say flagging morale has contributed to a number of military defections in recent months.

On Tuesday, 32 junta soldiers stationed at Loikaw University in Kayah state  including Captain Kaung Myat, the commander of Light Infantry Battalion 6  surrendered to local resistance forces together with their arms and ammunition after suffering a high number of casualties in a clash with ethnic Karenni armed groups, the anti-junta Karen Nationalities Defense Force said in a statement.

Days earlier, the entire Light Infantry Battalion 129, including its commander and 134 family members, surrendered to the Three Brotherhood Alliances Myanmar National Democratic Alliance, or MNDAA, in northern Shan state. And on Oct. 30, all 41 members of Light Infantry Battalion 143, including a deputy commander and two company commanders, surrendered to the MNDAA in Shans Kunlong township.

Members of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army ethnic army load soldiers of the juntas Light Infantry Battalion 129 and their family members onto a truck in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone in northern Shan state, Tuesday Nov. 14, 2023. Credit: The Kokang online media via AP





Attempts by RFA to contact junta Social Affairs Minister Myint Kyi, who is also the spokesperson for the Kayah state government, for comment on the latest surrender went unanswered Wednesday.

But the junta has signaled of late that it is concerned by gains by the resistance and their impact on support for his regime.

Last week, junta chief Senior Gen. Min Aung Hlaing said that the alliances Operation 1027 could break the country into pieces if left unchecked.

A pro-military rally was held Nov. 12, 2023, in front of City Hall in Yangon. Credit: MWD





To boost the morale of troops and demonstrate public support for the military, the junta has organized several rallies in major cities in recent days, including Yangon, Mandalay, Naypyitaw, and Myitkyina.

But residents of the cities told RFA on condition of anonymity that the rallies are part of a bid by the junta to hide its deteriorating political and military situation.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
From left: Former MP Ming Xuechang of Myanmars pro-junta Union Solidarity and Development Party, Ming Guoping [his son], Ming Julan [his daughter] and Ming Zhenzhen [his grandson].

A former member of parliament for Myanmars pro-military Union Solidarity and Development Party wanted by Chinese authorities has died in police custody after being arrested for masterminding an online scam ring, according to junta-controlled media.

Police in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone in northern Shan state, along Myanmars border with China, arrested ethnic Chinese businessman Ming Xuechang in Laukking township on Thursday in addition to his son Ming Guoping and grandson Ming Zhenzhen, MRTV said in a report.

Beijing issued arrest warrants for the three late last week for allegedly helping to orchestrate telecom scam rings in Myanmar staffed by human trafficking victims.

During the arrest, Ming Xuechang was injured by what MRTV described as a self-inflicted gunshot wound from his own pistol. He later died in hospital while undergoing treatment, the report said.

Myanmar authorities handed Ming Guoping and Ming Zhenzhen over to police from Chinas Yunnan province via the border gate at Yanglongkeng, according to MRTV.

In addition to the three, Chinese authorities had also issued an arrest warrant for Ming Xuechangs daughter, Ming Julan, who remains at large.

Myanmars junta said the four family members committed online fraud, abduction, illegal detention, and extortion in the Kokang Self-Administered Zone.

Experts say that many powerful officials in Kokang hold Chinese national ID cards and passports, giving Chinese police the jurisdictional authority to issue warrants for their arrest.

Arrests in Yunnan

Prior to issuing warrants for the members of the Ming family, authorities in China arrested 11 businesspeople at a trade fair in Yunnans Lincang township on Oct. 1, according to Chinese state media.

Among them was Liu Zhangqi  a hotelier and former lawmaker for the Union Solidarity and Development Party in Kone Kyan township who is another of Ming Xuechangs grandsons.

Phoe Wa, a native of Hopan township in northern Shans Wa state self-administered zone with knowledge of the online scam industry, told RFA Burmese that he believes the arrests are related.

Some of the 11 are friends or relatives of the four who were the focus of the recent arrest warrants, he said. While there are [gambling] coin games on the first floor of hotels in Laukkaing, Muse and Chinshwehaw townships, there are typically restricted upper floors which house online fraud businesses. I assume that these cases are related to these online scams.

A source who is close to Liu Zhangqi, also known as Maung Maung, told RFA on condition of anonymity that attempts by family members to meet with the 11 arrested businesspeople in Yunnan have been rebuffed by Chinese authorities.

Residents of Kokang who speak Chinese said that on Nov. 12, Liu published a statement in the Chinese media calling on the public to help the Chinese government control online fraud in the region. In the statement, Liu said Chinese authorities would raid homes, hotels and casinos to find suspects, and warned that anyone who resists arrest bears responsibility for their own actions.

While reports by local media suggest that Chinese special forces have entered Kokang to conduct arrests of online fraud suspects, RFA has been unable to independently verify the claims.

Kokang chief removed

The arrest of the Mings comes a day after the junta removed Myint Swe as chief administrator for Kokang and replaced him with Brig. Gen. Tun Tun Myint on a temporary basis.

Myint Swe was last seen in public on Nov. 8 at an emergency meeting of the National Defense and Security Council in Naypyidaw, which he had been invited to as a special participant. The juntas announcement of his replacement made no mention of whether it was related to Thursdays arrests.

RFA made several attempts to contact the Chinese Embassy in Yangon by email for comment on the warrants, arrests, and alleged operations by Chinese special forces in Kokang, but received no response by the time of publishing.

Myint Swe, seen at a meeting Nov. 8, was removed on Wednesday as the chief administrator for Kokang Self-Autonomous Special Region. Credit: Myanmar military

Chinese Minister of Public Security Wang Xiaohong led a delegation of officials to meet with junta chief Senior General Min Aung Hlaing in Naypyidaw on Oct. 31. During the meeting, the two agreed to form a joint Myanmar-China task force to eradicate online scam rings in the Laukkaing area, according to pro-junta media reports.

Days earlier, the Three Brotherhood Alliance of the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, the Arakan Army and the Taang National Liberation Army launched an offensive on Oct. 27 dubbed Operation 1027 and have since made notable gains against the military in several key cities in Shan state. On Day One of the campaign, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, or MNDAA, occupied Chinshwehaw township and arrested several people for alleged roles in online scams.

Crackdown only tip of iceberg

According to pro-junta media, authorities in Kokang have arrested a total of 7,789 foreign nationals  including 7,395 Chinese, 189 Vietnamese, 162 Thais, 32 Malaysians and two Laotians  in connection with online scams in the region. Authorities have deported 6,892 of them to China, reports said.

Junta authorities in Myanmars Shan state have arrested and deported hundreds of Chinese nationals linked to telecom scams in the region in recent stings, but residents say the rings continue to flourish there, attracting workers with the promise of good-paying jobs.

Scamming gangs have proliferated in Shan state, along eastern Myanmars borders with China and Thailand, amid the political chaos of the Feb. 1, 2021, coup detat, benefitting from widespread unemployment, poor oversight, and growing investment from across the border.

Residents told RFA Burmese that scamming operations continue to thrive despite the crackdown, offering high-paying jobs to candidates with computer and language skills who are then held against their will and forced to earn money for their captors by working as telecom scammers.

The gangs are known to brutally punish trafficking victims who refuse to work for them or fail to meet earning quotas, sometimes with deadly consequences.

MNDAA spokesman Li Kyarwen told RFA that local military officials are always involved in the scam rings and said the only way to eradicate them is to remove the junta from power.

Military officials have relocated scam operators by helicopter in the past [to avoid arrest], he said. If we dont get rid of the junta, they will continue to operate with impunity in this country.

The United Nations and other International organizations are calling for increased pressure from authorities to combat online scamming activities in Myanmar.

And while police have arrested hundreds of gang members in Shan state in recent raids, residents say the busted rings are just the tip of the iceberg and more enforcement is needed.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Joshua Lipes and Malcolm Foster.
Four children were also injured in the surprise attack.

A house in Minbyas Sin Gyi Pyin village damaged by the heavy artillery was seen on Nov. 15, 2023.

Shrapnel from a shell explosion killed three villagers and injured several others in western Myanmar on Tuesday night, residents told Radio Free Asia. Four children were among the eight injured in Rakhine state as attacks escalate.

No fighting preceded the attack, locals said. Junta troops began shooting into Minbya townships Sin Gyi Pyin village late on Tuesday night and the artillery hit two houses. The explosions burned down nearby houses, said a resident who did not want to be named for security reasons.

They died due to the heavy artillery. Two young men died on the spot. Another woman died around 12 am. The artillery dropped when they were sleeping, he said.

Two houses hit by the artillery were also burned. There was no fight. It was just shooting for no reason. They have been shooting like this for two nights.

The attack killed Saw Muda, a woman in her 50s, as well as Mar Mauk Arlarm and Swe Yauk Huson, both in their 20s. The victims are all from Sin Gyi Pyin village.

Locals claimed that the heavy artillery was fired by the juntas Infantry Battalion-380 based in Minbya, but RFA could not independently confirm this.

The injured villagers have been sent to Minbya Hospital, and families of the deceased are preparing to have their bodies cremated in the village.

Those hurt in the attack are from three Minbya neighborhoods but the total number of injured people is not yet known.

RFA called Rakhines junta spokesperson Hla Thein for comment on the attacks, but he did not answer the phone.

Fighting in Rakhine state resumed on Monday after a year-long ceasefire. Five civilians died on the first day and 18 were injured by heavy artillery explosions and rounds of gunfire by junta troops.

The dead are from Kyauktaw, Mrauk-U, Maungdaw, Rathedaung and Minbya townships. Fighting in other parts of Rakhine state killed two more civilians from Ann township on Tuesday night when junta troops fired into Thea Kan Htaung village.

Translated by RFA Burmese. Edited by Mike Firn.
As Myanmars civil war rages on, 10 civilians are killed in airstrikes in southern Chin state.

A dozen men drinking their morning tea at a shop in central Myanmar were massacred by junta troops on Thursday for no apparent reason, local residents told Radio Free Asia, in the latest spasm of violence in the countrys civil war.

The victims  between the ages of 30 and 50  were tied up and shot by column of 70 soldiers passing by the shop in Mandalay regions Madaya township, along the Mandalay-Mogoke highway, a local resident said on condition of anonymity.

These men, including the shop owner, were tied with their hands behind their backs before they were killed, the resident said.

The junta troops were mobilized at around 6 a.m. to reinforce soldiers at the Pat Lei Inn outpost near the border of Madaya and Singu township, according to local defense forces.

At about 8 a.m., the column arrived at the tea shop, about 800 meters (a half-mile) from a conflict area, from where nearly 500 residents have fled fighting between junta troops and Peoples Defense Force, or PDF, militia fighters, the resident told RFA.

Because soldiers took the mobile phones belonging to the men at the tea shop, the identities of the victims were still unknown, according to the resident.

RFA attempted to contact Thein Htay, the juntas minister for economic affairs and the Mandalay regional spokesman, for comment on the tea shop massacre, but he didnt answer phone calls on Thursday.

Airstrikes in Chin state kill 10 civilians

Also on Thursday, 10 civilians were killed when two junta airstrikes in southern Chin state struck six homes, a local resident said on condition of anonymity for security reasons.

The victims included an entire family and some children, the resident said. The attack occurred without any battle.

After the attack in Matupi townships Vuilu village, the junta cut off mobile phone communications. The village has about 250 people and 70 households.

RFA attempted to contact Minister of Social Affairs Kyaw Soe Win, who is also the Chin state spokesman for the military junta, but he couldnt be reached.

Translated by Aung Naing. Edited by Matt Reed and Malcolm Foster.
China has sentenced four Tibetans from Sertar county in Sichuan province to two years in prison each for engaging in religious activities  the second time they have been arrested and given jail time, said two Tibetans with knowledge of the situation.

The four men  Gyalo, Tsedho, Bhamo and Kari, each going by just one name  are being held at Yaknga Prison in Sichuan province, according to the sources.

In September when they were sentenced to two years in prison, none of their families were informed, said a Tibetan who lives in exile. Neither are the families aware that the court has issued this judgment.

Authorities previously arrested the four men on Aug. 24, 2022, for engaging in religious activities such as sang-sol, a purification or cleansing of spiritual pollution or blockages, and reciting prayers for the longevity and wellbeing of Tibetan Buddhist religious leaders, said another Tibetan source who lives in exile.

They were detained until July 2023, when they were released, though it is not known why they were freed.

It is not unusual for Chinese authorities in the Tibet Autonomous Region and Tibetan-populated areas of western provinces like Sichuan to arrest, detain and abuse Buddhist monks, nuns and others on account of their religious practices, without giving them trials.

There also have been reports of individuals dying in custody after being beaten, according to the U.S. State Departments 2022 Report on International Religious Freedom, issued this May.

Such arrests are part of a larger campaign by the Chinese Communist Party to Sinicize Tibetans by eroding their religion, language and culture, bring them into line with the partys ideology, and compel them to be loyal to the state, rather than to the Dalai Lama, the Tibetans exiled spiritual and political leader.

At the time of the first arrest, a fifth Tibetan named Chukdhar, 52 was also taken in, but he died in custody after a week or so because of severe beatings and torture by Chinese police, the second source said.

However, they have been arrested again and now all of them are sentenced to two years in prison, he said.

The first Tibetan source said Chukdhars family accused Serta county police of killing the man by physical torture in the prison, but police denied it.

The families were also offered 100,000 yuan [US$1,400] by the police station if they collected Chukdhars body immediately after he died, but they declined to accept the offer, and were given nothing, he said.

Translated by Tenzin Dickyi for RFA Tibetan. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Authorities have not specified the duration of the extension.

Omer Khan (2nd from R), founder of the Pakistan-based Omer Uyghur Trust, poses with Uyghur families and children living in Pakistan in November 2015.

Pakistani authorities have temporarily extended the period of stay for Uyghurs living in the city of Rawalpindi who were at risk for deportation under a government order to expel all illegal migrants by the start of November, a Uyghur involved in the situation said.

Nearly 20 Uyghur families  or about 100 individuals  who live in Pakistans fourth-biggest city but do not possess Afghan, Chinese passports or Pakistani residence permits have feared deportation to Taliban-controlled Afghanistan or China.

Most of the affected Uyghurs are descendants of individuals who migrated decades ago from Xinjiang to Afghanistan and later to Pakistan.

Pakistani authorities have not specified the duration of the extension, though they said the matter would be discussed in Pakistans parliament, and a decision would soon be made, according to Omer Khan, founder of the Pakistan-based Omer Uyghur Trust, who has been assisting the families.

The Pakistani government has temporarily extended our stay, but we dont know if its for three months or six months, he told Radio Free Asia.

In early October, Pakistan declared that all foreigners without legal documents had to leave by Nov. 1 or face arrest and deportation. The decision was made in response to the killing of dozens of people in two suicide bombings at mosques in late September.

Since most of the attacks had been carried out by Afghan nationals, officials decided to expel foreigners without a valid residence permit  including 1.73 million Afghan refugees  if they didnt leave on their own.

But on Nov. 10, authorities announced that they had extended the legal residence status of over 1 million Afghan refugees until the end of the year, though Islamabad again rejected calls to stop deporting undocumented Afghans and other foreign nationals, Voice of America reported.

The Uyghurs have been living in a state of uncertainty for the past month and have been subjected to sudden house raids, searches and questioning by police, and threats of eviction by landlords.

The U.N. refugee agencys office in Pakistan has given the Uyghurs a 24-hour emergency response phone number to call if they continued to face police harassment, Khan said, adding that the office told them that Pakistan could not deport them because they are Uyghurs, not Afghans.

They conveyed to us that they have informed the Geneva [headquarters] about our situation, Khan said. Because we are Uyghurs, not Afghans, they will engage with the Pakistani government and have advised us to await positive news.

Khan also said he spoke with the Pakistani landlords who rent homes to the Uyghurs, and they agreed not to evict them.

Translated by RFA Uyghur. Edited by Roseanne Gerin and Malcolm Foster.
Luu Binh Nhuong is known for speaking out against law enforcement agencies.

Luu Binh Nhuong is being investigated in connection with an extortion racket.

The police in Vietnams Thai Binh province have detained a former National Assembly delegate known for his outspoken views.

They issued an arrest warrant for Luu Binh Nhuong on Nov. 14 along with an order to search his home.

Nhuong is being investigated in connection with the crime of property appropriation.

According to the Thai Binh police website the warrant was issued following an investigation into convicted criminal Pham Minh Cuong, who is also a suspect in a property appropriation case.

In May, the Nguoi Lao Dong newspaper said the police found that Cuong and his associates were illegally using tidal flats to mine sand and forcing businesses to buy it off them, making millions of Vietnamese dong in profits.

Lawyer Le Van Hoa, formerly director of the Central Internal Affairs Commission, told Radio Free Asia he was shocked to hear that Luu Binh Nhuong was implicated in the case.

I was surprised that it was a person who has long been praised by the public as one of the very rare National Assembly deputies with a very strong voice defending what is right in the National Assembly.

But if the investigation agency has enough documents to conclude that Luu Binh Nhuongs property crime is real, I will be really happy.

Hoa explained that if Nhuong is found guilty, it means the fight against corruption initiated and led by Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has achieved positive results.

Luu Binh Nhuong was a member of the 14th National Assembly of Vietnam for the 2016-2021 term and a member of the National Assemblys Social Affairs Committee. He is currently deputy head of the National Assemblys Peoples Petitions Committee.

He was not recommended for re-election as a member of the 15th National Assembly because he was too old.

During the November 2018 National Assembly session, Nhuong criticized the Ministry of Public Security and said the police had made terrible mistakes.

He also spoke out against the execution of Le Van Manh, who had protested his innocence in a rape and murder case, claiming the police had beaten him to force him to confess.

Translated by RFA Vietnamese. Edited by Mike Firn and Taejun Kang.
Pakistan has issued an ultimatum to the Afghan Taliban: Expel the Tehrik-e Taliban Pakistan (TTP) extremist group from Afghanistan or face the consequences.



Pakistans special representative for Afghanistan, Asif Durrani, repeated the warning on November 11, saying that the Afghan extremist group must choose Pakistan or the TTP.



The Afghan Taliban denies sheltering the TTP, with which it has close ideological and organizational ties. The TTP has intensified its deadly insurgency against Pakistan since the Afghan militants seized power in Afghanistan in 2021.



By refusing to rein in the TTP, Pakistan believes the Afghan Taliban has made its choice. Islamabad has sought to strongarm the Afghan militants by expelling hundreds of thousands of Afghan refugees from Pakistan, shutting key border crossings, and temporarily blocking Afghan transit goods in recent months.



Experts said the relationship between Pakistan and the Taliban, which have been close allies for decades, has reached a crisis point. They warn that further escalation could have major security and economic ramifications for both countries.



Pakistan and the Taliban are on a collision course, said Asfandyar Mir, a senior analyst at the United States Institute of Peace.



Pakistan's pressure campaign has the potential to be very painful for the Taliban and the Taliban's retaliatory measures, like letting the TTP undertake even more attacks, can impose serious costs on Pakistan as well, Mir added.



Pressure Tactics



The Afghan Taliban has accused Pakistan of using pressure tactics to make the group bow to Islamabads demands.



Last month, Islamabad ordered 1.7 million undocumented Afghan refugees and migrants to leave the South Asian country or face arrest and forced deportation after November 1.



Over 400,000 Afghans have returned to their homeland since then, in a move that has further aggravated the devastating humanitarian crisis in Afghanistan, the worlds largest.

Pakistan said its decision was in direct response to the Taliban's alleged refusal to expel the TTP, also known as the Pakistani Taliban.



"After noncooperation by the Afghan interim government, Pakistan has decided to take matters into its own hands, and Pakistan's recent actions are neither unexpected or surprising," Pakistani caretaker Prime Minister Anwar ul-Haq Kakar said on November 8.



Kakar claimed that terrorist attacks inside his country have increased by around 60 percent since the Taliban regained power in Afghanistan in August 2021. Since then, he said, some 2,300 Pakistanis have been killed in those attacks.



Pakistan also temporarily blocked the transit of thousands of containers filled with imports bound for Afghanistan that were stranded at Pakistans port city of Karachi for months.



To open alternative international trade routes for landlocked Afghanistan, the Taliban has sought access to Iran's strategic Chabahar Port, located in the countrys southeast.



Pakistan has also sporadically closed the border with Afghanistan, stranding thousands of mostly Afghan civilians and halting hundreds of vehicles carrying goods between the two countries.



Pledge Of Allegiance



Some experts said Pakistans tactics are unlikely to change the Afghan Talibans calculations.



Sami Yousafzai, a veteran Afghan journalist and commentator who tracks the Taliban, said it was unlikely that the Afghan Taliban would expel the TTP.



In 2001, the Taliban refused to hand over the Al-Qaeda leaders that Washington held responsible for the 9/11 terrorist attacks. In response, the United States invaded Afghanistan and ousted the Taliban regime from power.



Today, the TTP is a much closer ally, said Yousafzai.



Successive TTP chiefs have sworn allegiance to the Talibans spiritual leader. Like the Afghan Taliban, many TTP fighters are from the Pashtun ethnic group. The TTP also hosted and fought alongside the Afghan Taliban during its nearly 19-year insurgency against the Western-backed Afghan government and international troops in Afghanistan.



The TTP made many sacrifices to enable the Taliban to return to power, Yousafzai said. How can the Taliban abandon them now?



Yousafzai said the Afghan Talibans confrontation with Pakistan has also allowed it to shed its image as a Pakistani proxy. Islamabad has been the Afghan Talibans key foreign sponsor since the mid-1990s, when the extremist group first emerged.



The current tensions give the Taliban a golden opportunity to undo those accusations, he said.



Military Option



Islamabad could resort to military force to compel the Afghan Taliban to change its behavior, according to some experts.



The Afghan Taliban has tried to appease Pakistan. In June, the Afghan Taliban relocated TTP fighters and their families away from the border with Pakistan to other areas of Afghanistan, a move intended to placate Islamabad.



Last year, the Afghan Taliban brokered yearlong peace talks between the TTP and Islamabad that broke down.



Ihsanullah Tipu Mehsud, an Islamabad-based director at Khorasan Diary, a website tracking militant groups in Afghanistan and Pakistan, said that senior Pakistani officials feel they have exhausted all diplomatic and political options.



Here, the current mindset is that the TTP can only be contained through force, he said. One possible option being considered here now is to begin cross-border strikes on suspected TTP bases and hideouts inside Afghanistan.



In April 2022, Pakistan carried out unprecedented air strikes in eastern Afghanistan, killing dozens of people. Pakistan said it was targeting the TTP. The air strikes provoked harsh exchanges, with the Taliban issuing threats against Islamabad.

There have been reports of other Pakistani cross-border attacks that have targeted the TTP over the past year. Some of those incidents have led to the TTP launching retaliatory attacks against Pakistani forces, Mehsud said.



Pakistani attacks inside Afghanistan have raised fears of a direct conflict between Islamabad and the Afghan Taliban.



But experts said they expect the sides to reach a compromise that would prevent a worst-case scenario.



Mir of the United States Institute of Peace said that the Afghan Taliban is unlikely to rein in the TTP unless Pakistan offers concessions to the Pakistani militants.



During the failed peace negotiations with Pakistan, the TTP demanded that Islamabad withdraw a large portion of the tens of thousands of Pakistani troops stationed in northwestern Pakistan, the extremist groups former stronghold.



The TTPs other demands included the implementation of Islamic Shari'a law in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the reversal of democratic reforms in the same province.



Pakistan may settle for less than a Taliban crackdown or expulsion of the TTP, said Mir. But, at a bare minimum, it will want an end to the TTP violence.
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SOFIA -- Thirty-two-year-old Gabriela Bankova says that, with no "weapons" left to fight for trans rights in Bulgaria, she is ready to sacrifice everything.

So this week, after ripping up the birth certificate at the center of the legal dispute over her gender identity, on November 13 she announced an open-ended hunger strike and sit-in on the courthouse steps until her Balkan nation adopts a legal route for cases like hers.



Then, on November 16, Bulgarian police handcuffed and detained Bankova on the spot, reportedly for failing to show proper ID. She was subsequently released and reportedly went back to her hunger strike.



"Trans people in Bulgaria are a minority and we don't have any weapons to fight for our rights," Bankova told RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service after starting her protest. "All the state is offering us are these apparently ineffective cases that drag on for years."



But opponents of legal gender reassignment are almost certain to disagree with her characterization of recent cases as "ineffective."



Arguably the country's biggest case on gender affirmation concluded in February when the top appellate court, the Supreme Court of Cassation, ruled that Bulgarian legislation "does not envisage" legal changes to assigned gender. It cited a Constitutional Court decision from 2021 asserting a "binary existence of the human species" and saying that gender is strictly biological and is "determined at birth and is lost at death."

'Legal Absurdity'



Under a "hunger strike" banner and blanket as overnight temperatures are forecast to dip below zero degrees Celsius this weekend, Bankova is camped out in front of the Sofia district courthouse where protesters in February labeled the Supreme Court's decision a "legal absurdity."



Nearly every subsequent case of Bulgarian plaintiffs seeking gender reassignment has been refused or simply batted down by judges applying the Supreme Court's standard.



The LGBT community celebrated in July when lawmakers amended the Bulgarian Criminal Code to include discrimination against someone due to their sexual orientation on the list of punishable hate crimes. Bulgaria's wider treatment of sexual minorities has drawn fire from rights campaigners. Critics complain of an absence of legal safeguards for trans and other minorities along with public condemnation and even occasional physical attacks, including by a former right-wing presidential candidate.

An influential LGBT rights ranking recently put Bulgaria below all but Romania among EU member states. The European Court of Human Rights in September chided Bulgarian authorities for wrongfully denying recognition to a same-sex couple who wed abroad.



At the moment, Bankova is fighting to be admitted to a hospital for treatment for pneumonia under what she says is her correct name and gender. She presented the results of a psychological examination and the opinion of an endocrinologist as evidence.



After the court this week rejected her appeal, however, she vowed that her hunger strike will continue until the whole judicial system is reformed. "Until I see these measures implemented or until I die, I will continue this hunger strike," Bankova said.



She accused the courts of perpetuating intolerance and violence as a "fundamental" and "guiding" value.

"For years, institutions in Bulgaria have been mocking us, encouraging violence against us, discriminating against us, and alienating us from society," says Bankova. "This works against the rights of trans people to self-identify and have control over themselves."



Denitsa Lyubenova, a lawyer for the LGBT legal assistance group Deystvie, said that since the Supreme Court ruling in February, just one of dozens of cases in which trans people have sued to legally change their gender has been decided and implemented in the applicant's favor. Two more got district-court rulings in their favor but have not yet been enacted.

'Systematic Humiliation'



Deystvie posted news of Bankova's protest on its Facebook page and vowed to "demand from the National Assembly and the institutions in Bulgaria legislative change now, because one human life cannot be destroyed because of institutionalized discrimination that has turned the lives of trans people into hell."

Deystvie criticized the Supreme Court's interpretation and said it represented an "unequivocal and unambiguous" prohibition on legal gender transition," closing the door for transgender people in Bulgaria to obtain favorable decisions in their cases for gender affirmation."



"This is a way for Gabriela to show the hopelessness of the situation in which the law in Bulgaria puts her," Lyubenova told RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service at the time.



On November 16, when news broke of Bankova's detention, Lyubenova described the situation as shameful for political officials and the entire justice system. "Because turning the whole country against one woman is insane," Lyubenova said. Speaking to RFE/RL's Bulgarian Service, she called it a "deliberate action" and a "show of force" against Bankova.



"This repression, which deliberately attempts to silence and erase trans people and their discontent, is a gross violation of the basic human rights to peaceful assembly and expression," the Bulgarian Helsinki Committee, a human rights monitoring group, said in response to Bankova's arrest.



In a previous statement on Bankova's case, another LGBT rights and advocacy group, the Bilitis Foundation, complained that the court had "trampled" her "identity and rights." Hers is "one of the cases of the systematic humiliation of trans people in Bulgaria," the statement said.



The Bulgarian-based Gays and Lesbians Accepted In Society (GLAS) Foundation recently published a survey suggesting that Bulgarian public opinion is "still dominated by traditional stereotypes" about LGBT people but that "slowly, skeptical opinions are changing" due to personal experience and increasing familiarity with the topic.



Bilitis and GLAS said in their joint post that injustice against self-determination for trans and intersex people in Bulgaria "not only creates discomfort but costs lives and robs from the future of all of us as a society."



Amid a heavy police presence, thousands of participants turned out for the 2023 Sofia Pride event in June despite vandalism and threats to disrupt the proceedings, including banners hung anonymously purporting to be from Pride organizers urging violence. It was the 16th time Sofia has hosted the Pride procession and related events despite past objections from the Bulgarian Orthodox Church and other critics. A competing event was organized under the banner of a "March for the Family."

Written by Andy Heil based on reporting by RFE/RL Bulgarian Service correspondent Katerina Vasileva in Sofia
Iran's strategy in the Middle East is essentially a take on an old proverb: Give your proxies and partners weapons and you can sustain their battles for a day. Teach them to make weapons and they can fight your enemies for a lifetime.



With Iranian-backed militant groups taking the charge in the Islamic republic's fight against Israel and the United States, Tehran is seeing its effort to help them acquire their own weapons-manufacturing capabilities pay off.



"Iran has established a network of allies and partners throughout the Middle East, from the Huthis in Yemen, to pro-Iranian groups in Iraq, to pro-Iranian groups in Syria, to Hizballah in Lebanon, to Hamas in Gaza," said Samuel Bendett of the Virginia-based Center for Naval Analyses. "And [Tehran] basically feeds some of its technology there directly, or provides kits and parts and other assistance to the local developers from those units, from those groups, and either gives them training in Iran or trains them on their location."



Increasingly, those Tehran-backed militant groups are turning to weapons they have produced themselves, often based on Iranian blueprints or manufactured or assembled with Iran's assistance. "Those groups now have a lot of know-how which was provided to them by Iran," Bendett said. "And they're now using them against the U.S. and its allies in the region."



The Iranian-backed Islamic Resistance Movement -- better known as Hamas and considered a terrorist organization by the United States and the European Union -- utilized a vast array of indigenously produced weapons and employed advanced battlefield tactics during its surprise multipronged attack on Israel on October 7 that left around 1,200 people dead.

The Israeli Defense Forces said they recovered Iranian-manufactured mortars and explosives used by the Palestinian extremist group after the assault, and Israeli military officials have reportedly estimated that up to 10 percent of the weapons used in the attack were made in Iran.



But most were produced or refined by Hamas indigenously in the Gaza Strip, including assault rifles, missiles, rockets, mortars, shells, and ammunition, according to Israeli defense officials.



Some of the at least 19 Iranian proxies and partners in the region that help make up Iran's so-called axis of resistance have also used Iranian-derived or indigenously manufactured weapons built with Tehran's help against Israel as well as U.S. troops based in the region since the Hamas assault.



These militant groups boast varying levels of firepower in their respective arsenals made up of Soviet-era, Russian, Iranian, and indigenously manufactured weapons based on Iranian designs. While Iran denies delivering arms to the groups directly, many of the missiles, rockets, and other weapons are similar to those produced by Iran.



Lebanese Hizballah boasts the most formidable arsenal of projectiles among Tehran's proxies -- including its own manufactured or refitted missiles and rockets. Since October 7, Hizballah has launched hundreds of rockets and missiles at Israel.



The Iranian-backed Huthi rebels in Yemen claim to have launched ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as drones, at Israel. On November 8, the Pentagon announced that a U.S. military surveillance drone was shot down off the coast of Yemen by Huthi forces.



In an apparent response to U.S. support for Israel's retaliatory land invasion and aerial bombardment of the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, Iranian proxies in Iraq and Syria have launched 58 attacks against U.S. forces in the past month, according to the Pentagon.



Tehran has denied involvement in the Hamas attack, and in early November Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei reportedly pressed Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh to silence those calling for Iran and Lebanese Hizballah to join the Israel-Hamas war.

According to sources cited by Reuters, Khamenei said during the meeting with Haniyeh in Tehran that Iran would continue to offer political and moral support but would not directly enter the conflict.



But Iran has publicly boasted about the military aid it has provided to Hamas in recent years. And despite international sanctions and a sea and land blockade on the Gaza Strip that was imposed by Israel and Egypt in 2005, experts say it is clear that Tehran has provided assistance to boost Hamas's fighting capabilities.

Middle East political analyst Ahmed Fouad Alkhatib told RFE/RL that Hamas built up its arsenal by looting weapons from former stockpiles of the Palestinian Authority or illegally purchasing them decades ago from Israeli sources through straw-man sales, smuggling arms and materials across the border with Egypt, and domestically producing drones, rockets, and various munitions.

But there is little evidence that any seaborne smuggling of arms has taken place since Hamas took power in the Gaza Strip in 2007, he said. And the smuggling from Egypt that reached its height after the Egyptian revolution in 2011 declined sharply after the Muslim Brotherhood government there was overthrown in 2013 and has since "been reduced to a trickle."



Nevertheless, Alkhatib said, "the weaponry and the arsenal that Hamas has right now has been building up for over a decade" and benefited from thousands of tons of smuggled arms and materials that could be used to manufacture its own weapons.



"Even if the smuggling stopped, those are still significant and vast enough to offer Hamas and other groups the ability to inflict damage as we saw on October 7 and as we're seeing in their defensive battle with advancing Israeli ground troops," said Alkhatib, a U.S. citizen from Gaza.



Whereas Hamas historically focused on building up a stockpile of rifles and machine guns, he says, it turned its attention to developing kinetic capabilities -- including mines, targeted explosive warheads, improvised explosive devices, anti-tank missiles, and rocket propelled grenades.



Hamas has also invested heavily in developing longer-range rockets and guidance and targeting capabilities as well as a range of unmanned aerial vehicles, including fixed-wing and weaponized commercial-grade drones.



Hamas had a falling out with Tehran, including over the extremist group's support of the Syrian uprising in 2011, Alkhatib says. But Yahya Sinwar, Hamas's leader in Gaza, realigned the organization with Tehran "because they have realized that without Iran, their military capability won't stand a chance in continuing to evolve."



The realignment "with Iran, with the Syrian regime, and certainly with [Lebanese] Hizballah," he added, "are directly related to Hamas's needs and reliance on Iran to procure materials and, more importantly in the era of limited to no smuggling, technologies and know-how to domestically produce [weapons] systems."



Aided by Iranian weapons blueprints and the use of modern digital platforms for remote training, Hamas has learned how to upgrade old rockets and missiles to expand their range and lethality, he said.

Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) and Lebanese Hizballah have also been able to remotely teach Hamas fighting tactics and how to develop its massive tunnel network. "And, more importantly, Iran is also teaching Hamas how to use strategic capabilities," Alkhatib said, such as how to integrate drones on the battlefield.



"What was particularly spectacular about the October 7 attack," Alkhatib said, "is that Hamas for the first time demonstrated a combined-arms approach to guerrilla warfare, whereby intelligence was linked with the artillery barrage, was linked with the aerial capabilities of using the paragliders, was linked with the ground troops with the elite forces, with the logistical networks to transport the hostages back to Gaza and to send the attacks in waves with internal operational security.



"This was a qualitative leap forward in Hamas's fighting doctrine. And it could have only been learned and developed through assistance from Iran, broadly, and more specifically, its proxies and its arms in the region such as Hizballah and the IRGC," he added.



Elsewhere in the Middle East, Iran's support for proxies and its involvement in the Syrian civil war now leaves it with a significant number of experienced fighters at the ready for future conflicts.



Alkhatib notes that Iran supported hundreds of thousands of Shi'ite militias and fighters in Iraq and Syria, both to support the government of President Bashar al-Assad in Syria and to combat the Islamic State (IS) extremist group alongside Syrian and Iraqi government forces.



"Now that both have been largely defeated, IS and the Syrian rebels, Iran was left with these powerful, battle-hardened, well-trained, well-organized militias that had nothing to do," Alkhatib said. "And so, they have been recycled and repurposed by the IRGC to further bolster the so-called axis of resistance, and to be used in a potential fight with Israel and the United States."
The human rights group Memorial has recognized Alsu Kurmasheva, a veteran journalist of RFE/RL's Tatar-Bashkir Service who has been in Russian custody since October 18, as a political prisoner.

Kurmasheva, a Prague, Czech Republic-based journalist with RFE/RL who holds dual U.S. and Russian citizenships, traveled to Russia for a family emergency in May.



She was temporarily detained while waiting for her return flight on June 2 at the airport in the capital of the Tatarstan region, where both of her passports were confiscated. She was not able to leave Russia as she awaited the return of her travel documents.



On October 11, Kurmasheva was fined 10,000 rubles ($103) for failing to register her U.S. passport with the Russian authorities, according to local media reports based on court documents they'd seen.



Kurmasheva was detained again on October 18 and this time charged with failing to register as a "foreign agent," a crime that carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison.



The Investigative Committee said Kurmasheva was being charged under a section of the Criminal Code that refers to the registration of foreign agents who carry out "purposeful collection of information in the field of military, military-technical activities of Russia," which, if received by foreign sources, "can be used against the security of the country."



It gave no further details.



The Investigative Committee said its investigation found that while the Russian Justice Ministry did not add her to the list of foreign agents, she failed to provide documents to be included on the registry.



Kurmasheva and RFE/RL have both rejected the charge.

Russia's detention of Kurmasheva, the second U.S. media member to be detained by Moscow this year, triggered a wave of criticism from rights groups and politicians saying the move signals a new level of wartime censorship.



Sergei Davidis, the leader of Memorial's Support of Political Prisoners project, told RFE/RL that Kurmasheva was recognized as a political prisoner because the group considers illegal the Russian Criminal Code's article on foreign agents and its connection with so-called "purposeful collection of information in the field of military, military-technical activities of Russia."



Davidis added that Memorial considered the prosecution and possible conviction of people for failing to carry out "a so-called obligation to voluntarily declare themselves as foreign agents...also illegal."



"That request is illegal because, de facto, it is not about punishment for failure to declare, but for implementation of legal activities. The information in question is not classified and it is not illegal to collect such information," Davidis said, stressing that the Federal Security Service (FSB) had given a vague explanation about what can be considered information banned for collecting.



"Additional to that, we see concrete political goals in [Kurmasheva's] case that were obvious by how the persecution was carried out. First, she was detained and convicted of failure to declare the second citizenship, and after that only, after obvious thinking over and looking for reasons -- they filed the second case," Davidis said.

"This is the first criminal case and arrest of that kind. It explicitly indicates the artificial grounds of the whole construction. This illegal charge was thought over for a long time before it was used. They had searched for something to deprive Alsu Kurmasheva of her freedom," he added.



Russia has been accused of detaining Americans to use as bargaining chips to exchange for Russians jailed in the United States. Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich was arrested for alleged spying -- a charge he and the newspaper vehemently deny -- in March.

WATCH: The husband of the RFE/RL journalist Alsu Kurmasheva, who was detained in Russia on October 18, has said she is a "political prisoner."

Since 2012, Russia has used its so-called foreign agent laws to label and punish critics of government policies. It has also been increasingly used to shut down civil society and media groups in Russia since the Kremlin launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.



Amnesty International, the UN Human Rights Office, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and the chairman of the U.S. House of Representative's Foreign Affairs Committee have called for the immediate release of Kurmasheva.



The "foreign agent" law allows authorities to label nonprofit organizations as "foreign agents" if they receive funding from abroad and are engaged in political activities.



RFE/RL says the law amounts to political censorship meant to prevent journalists from performing their professional duties and is challenging the authorities' moves in Russian courts and at the European Court of Human Rights.

More than 30 RFE/RL employees have been listed as "foreign agents" by the Russian Justice Ministry in their personal capacity.



In March, a Moscow court declared the bankruptcy of RFE/RL's operations in Russia following the company's refusal to pay multiple fines totaling more than 1 billion rubles ($14 million) for noncompliance with the law.

Memorial, founded in 1987 to remember victims of Soviet repression, was closed down by Russia's Supreme Court in November 2021 -- citing the "foreign agents" law -- although it still functions outside the country and has managed to continue some activities inside Russia.

Kurmasheva is one of four RFE/RL journalists -- Andrey Kuznechyk, Ihar Losik, and Vladyslav Yesypenko are the other three -- currently imprisoned on charges related to their work. Rights groups and RFE/RL have called repeatedly for the release of all four, saying they have been wrongly detained.

Losik is a blogger and contributor for RFE/RLs Belarus Service who was convicted in December 2021 on several charges including the organization and preparation of actions that grossly violate public order and sentenced to 15 years in prison.

Kuznechyk, a web editor for RFE/RLs Belarus Service, was sentenced in June 2022 to six years in prison following a trial that lasted no more than a few hours. He was convicted of creating or participating in an extremist organization.

Yesypenko, a dual Ukrainian-Russian citizen who contributed to Crimea.Realities, a regional news outlet of RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service, was sentenced in February 2022 to six years in prison by a Russian judge in occupied Crimea after a closed-door trial. He was convicted of possession and transport of explosives, a charge he steadfastly denies.
A wedding in a divided village on the Kyrgyz-Tajik border has highlighted the challenges caused by an ongoing dispute between the two Central Asian nations. The ceremony was held in Kyrgyzstan but the bride's relatives in Tajikistan did not attend and could only offer blessings from a distance.
In March 2022, St. Petersburg artist Aleksandra Skochilenko  who usually goes by the familiar form of her first name, Sasha -- protested Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine the previous month by replacing five shelf tags in a grocery store with information about the war, which the Kremlin insists on euphemistically calling a special military operation.



The five shelf tags she posted read:



The Russian Army bombed an art school in [the southern Ukrainian city of] Mariupol where about 400 people were seeking shelter.



Russian conscripts have been sent to Ukraine. The price of this war is the lives of our children.



Stop the war! In the first three days, 4,300 Russian soldiers were killed. Why are they silent about this on television?



[President Vladimir] Putin has been lying to you from the television screen for 20 years. The result of these lies is our willingness to accept war and senseless deaths.



My great-grandfather didnt participate in World War II for four years so that Russia would become a fascist state and attack Ukraine.



Skochilenko was arrested on March 31, 2022, and charged with knowingly distributing false information about the Russian military. After being held in pretrial detention for about 20 months, the 33-year-old was convicted on November 16 and sentenced to seven years in prison. She admitted posting the shelf tags, but denied committing a crime because they contained no false information.



Her lawyers have said they will appeal the conviction and the sentence.

In an uncompromising speech to the court before Judge Oksana Demyasheva read the verdict, Skochilenko pondered the supposed danger posed by the five tiny pieces of paper, which would have been seen by only one or two people if the governments accusations against her had not become a major international cause celebre.



The state prosecutor said repeatedly that these five tiny pieces of paper were exceptionally dangerous to our state and society, Skochilenko said. What weak faith our prosecutor has in our national society if he thinks that our state and our common security might collapse because of these tiny papers! What harm did I do? Who suffered because of my act? The prosecutor didnt say a word about that.



Skochilenko is among the numerous Russians who have been sentenced to long prison terms on charges ranging from discrediting the armed forces to extremism to treason. The number of treason cases alone has skyrocketed since Russia invaded Ukraine, with many defendants being arrested, tried, and imprisoned behind closed doors.

Under Putins government, which has clamped down harder than ever on domestic opposition, civil society, and free expression since launching the invasion, even defiant courtroom speeches in trials widely seen as politically motivated have become an important genre of dissent. Sasha Skochilenkos remarks on November 16 are the latest iteration of this genre.



The following are excerpts from Skochilenkos speech in court:

Your honor, each sentence is a message, a kind of a message to society. You may evaluate the information [on the shelf tags] differently than my lawyers do, differently than I do, but you must agree that I have moral views of my own and I have stuck with them to the end.

My case has been widely covered in Russia and abroad. Videos and documentaries are being made. Books are being written about it. No matter what decision you make, you will go down in history. You may go down in history as the person who imprisoned me. You may go down in history as the person who acquitted me. You may go down in history as the person who made a neutral decision and handed me a suspended sentence or fined me.

It is up to you. But remember, everyone knows you are not judging a terrorist or extremist. You are not even judging a political activist. You are judging a musician, an artist, and a pacifist.

Yes, I am a pacifist. Pacifists have existed always. They are a special type of people who are convinced that life is the highest possible value. Pacifists believe that any conflict, even the most terrible one, can be resolved only by peace.

I am scared to kill even a spider. It is terrible for me even to think that it is possible to take somebody's life. This is the way I grew up. This is how my mom brought me up. Wars end not because of soldiers. They end because of pacifists' initiatives. When you put pacifists in jails, you postpone the peace that is desired by all.

Yes, I am a pacifist. I believe that life is sacred. If we give up the veil of this world -- such as cars, apartments, wealth, power, success, social connections, social networks -- the only real thing left is life. Oh yes, life. It is incredible. It is amazing. It is unique. It is stubborn. It is strong. It appeared on Earth, and so far we have not been able to find a similar place in all of space.

It breaks through concrete blocks. It breaks through stones. It turns from a tiny seed into a gigantic baobab tree. From a microscopic cell to a gigantic whale. It inhabits mountain peaks and hides in the Mariana Trench. It spreads with unstoppable force from the Arctic ice to the hottest deserts.

Its most perfect form is the human being. Humans are an intelligent form of life. It is a life that is capable of understanding itself. It is life that can understand its own mortality. And very often, we do not remember that and live as if we were going to live forever.

But human life is very short. It is miserably short, and all we can is to prolong the brief moment of bliss.

All those who are alive want to live. Even on the necks of those who have been hanged, one can find fingernail scratches. That means that in their last seconds they were clinging to life. They wanted to live so much. Ask a person whose cancerous tumors were just removed what life is about and how precious it is.

That is why scientists and medical experts around the world are working to extend human life and find treatments for lethal diseases.

That is why I am unable to understand why we need military operations. Why are we doing this? Military actions shorten life. Military actions mean death.

You can call it anything you want. You can say I was mistaken, misled, or brainwashed. But I always stick to my opinion, my truth.

I dont know anyone other than the state prosecutor who wants to put me in prison.

In fact, I think that deep down even the state prosecutor doesnt want this. I think he became a prosecutor to imprison real criminals and miscreants -- murderers, rapists, pedophiles. But it turned out completely differently. He has to imprison those who are supposed to be imprisoned and this is the key to moving up the career ladder. That is the system we have. Lets not pretend this is not true.

I dont blame you. You are worried about your career, about having a stable future to provide for your family, to give them food and have a roof over your head, to give your children or your future children a head start. But what will you tell them? Will you tell them how you sent to prison an ailing woman because of five tiny pieces of paper? No, you will definitely tell them about other cases. Maybe you will convince yourself you were just doing your job. But what will you do when the pendulum swings back the other way?

That is the law of history. Liberals replace conservatives and conservatives succeed liberals. After the natural death of one political leader, another one comes with the opposite policies. And the first becomes last and the last becomes first. It might seem odd to you, but I sympathize with you.

Even though I am behind bars, I am freer than you. I can make my own decisions and say what I think. I can quit my job if they try to make me do something I dont want to do. I dont have any enemies. I am not afraid to be poor or even homeless.

I am not afraid that I wont have a dazzling career or of appearing funny, vulnerable, or strange. Im not afraid of seeming different from other people. Maybe that is why the state fears me and others like me so much and keeps me in a cage like a dangerous animal.

Written by Robert Coalson based on reporting by RFE/RLs North.Realities. Merhat Sharipzhan contributed to this report.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy held talks in Kyiv focused on further British military support for Ukraine with U.K.'s new foreign secretary, David Cameron, Zelenskiy's office said in a message posted on social media on November 16.

Cameron, a former British prime minister who was appointed foreign secretary in a surprise move on November 13, visited Kyiv in a show of support for Ukraine as the war in Gaza threatens to draw global attention away from Russia's continued invasion of its neighbor.

Zelenskiy's announcement, which came amid a fresh wave of Russian drone attacks on Ukraine, did not say when the visit, Cameron's first trip abroad as foreign secretary, took place.

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.

"We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure," Zelenskiy was quoted as saying on X, formerly know as Twitter.

"The world is not so focused on the battlefield situation in Ukraine, and this dividing of the focus really does not help," he said in a video accompanying his X message.

In the video, Cameron said that his visit was meant to reassure Kyiv of Britain's "moral support, diplomatic support, but above all, the military support that you need not just this year and next year, but however long it takes" for Ukraine in its efforts to stave off Russia's aggression.

On November 15, Zelenskiy said Ukraine cannot afford a stalemate in the war against Russia.

"If we want to end the war, we must end it," he said during an interview with African journalists. "End with respect so that the whole world knows that whoever came, captured, and killed, is responsible."

According to Zelenskiy, if the war becomes a stalemate, the next generations of Ukrainians will have to fight because Russia "will come again if it is not put in its place."

Ukraine's air defense said in a statement on November 16 that it had shot down 16 out of 18 Iranian-made drones launched by Russia overnight.

The statement said that air-raid alerts had been declared in many Ukrainian regions, without specifying the number. In the previous days, Ukraine had twice declared nationwide air-raid alerts.

In Ukraine's central region of Khmelnitskiy, the region's deputy governor, Serhiy Tyurin, reported that Ukrainian air defense had been asked to provide protection against possible Russian strikes around the city of Starokostyantyniv, where a military airfield is located.

Witnesses described hearing explosions, but there was no immediate information about potential victims or damage.

Rescuers working at the site of a Russian missile strike in Selydove in the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk have found the body of a third victim under the rubble, Ukraine's Emergency Service said on November 16.

Regional authorities said Russian troops used an S-300 antiaircraft system to launch four missiles at the city early on November 15, striking a four-story apartment building.

Two bodies were found on November 15, including that of an 85-year-old woman. Several other people were wounded in the strike that partially destroyed the building.

In Russia, a military unit in the Volgograd region was targeted by a drone strike that burned down an ammunition depot, the Astra channel reported on Telegram, posting a video purportedly showing the fire.

In Moscow, the Defense Ministry said its air defenses had shot down five Ukrainian drones early on November 16.

Three drones were downed off the coast of Moscow-occupied Crimea and two unmanned aerial vehicles were destroyed over the western region of Bryansk, the Ministry said.

"There were no casualties or damage. Emergency services are working on the spot," Bryansk Governor Aleksandr Bogomaz said on his Telegram channel.

Ukraine has not commented on the report, which could not be independently verified.

On the battlefield, Ukrainian forces fought 65 close-quarter battles along the front line over the past 24 hours, the Ukrainian military's General Staff said in its daily report.

Heavy fighting was under way in the Kupyansk area of the Kharkiv region and around Avdiyivka, in the Donetsk region, which Russian forces have been unsuccessfully attempting to encircle for months, the military said.

Ukrainian forces continue to conduct an offensive operation in the Melitopol and Kherson directions in southern Ukraine, the military added, without offering details.

With reporting by Reuters and AFP
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. The meeting of the 17th joint economic commission between Iran and Turkmenistan will be held in Ashgabat, on November 17-18, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Mehdi Safari said, Trend reports.

The deputy minister noted that Iran attaches great importance to enhancing its relations with Turkmenistan, in various fields, within the comprehensive development of relations with neighboring countries.

He added that the meeting will cover topics such as transit, transport, energy, gas, trade, investment, customs, banking and financial issues, standardization, tourism, health, agriculture and others.

Safari also said that along with the mentioned meeting, an Iranian exhibition will be held in Turkmenistan with the participation of many Iranian companies.

The meeting will be co-chaired by the Ministry of Roads and Urban Development from Iran and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs from Turkmenistan. The previous meeting of the commission was held in Tehran in 2021.

---

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Viral Video News: Fact Check Report

Spokesman found in its investigation that Ashok Gehlot's statement is distorted

Viral Video News: RSFC (Team Mohali) - A Recent surge in a viral video clip circulating on social media alleges Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot's support for Amritpal Singh's purported demand for Khalistan. The video snippet shows Gehlot stating, "Amritpal Singh is saying that if they can talk about Hindu Rashtra, why should I not talk about Khalistan." However, a thorough investigation by Spokesman reveals a distortion of Gehlot's statement.

In a meticulous fact-check, it was discovered that the video is incomplete and taken out of context. The original statement made by Ashok Gehlot during a conversation with journalists in Bharatpur on March 31, 2023, was not in support of Khalistan but rather a critique of such divisive narratives.

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Gehlot addressed a question by stating, "Amritpal Singh is saying that if they can talk about Hindu Rashtra, why shouldn't I talk about Khalistan? How right he has said, it is a very dangerous thing for the country." However, the Chief Minister continued by emphasizing the potential harm of such discussions, stating, "Until today, for the first time in history, someone has said that if someone talks about Hindu Rashtra, why don't he? Tomorrow people will start talking about southern states. Such a voice was picked up in the south 40-50 years ago. The new generation does not know about this. We should worry about the future of the country."

Reports from reputable sources like 'Dainik Bhaskar' and ETV Bharat corroborate that Gehlot did not endorse Amritpal's Khalistan demand but instead expressed concern about the divisive nature of such rhetoric.

This video has surfaced previously with similar claims, prompting a previous investigation by Spokesman in April. The conclusion remains consistent  Ashok Gehlot did not make any statement in support of Khalistan.

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Conclusion- Spokesman found in its investigation that Ashok Gehlot's statement is distorted. The Chief Minister of Rajasthan has not issued any such statement.


Vande Bharat Express News

Railways Announces Expansion of Vande Bharat, Promising Quicker Connectivity to Punjab

Vande Bharat Express News: In a move set to enhance railway connectivity, the Vande Bharat Express, plying from Ajmer to Delhi via Jaipur, is now set to reach Chandigarh. The Railways, aiming to streamline travel for passengers in North Western Railway, will soon announce the commencement date for this extended route.

The Vande Bharat Express will kick off its journey from Ajmer at 6:55 am, embarking on a route that encompasses Delhi, Jaipur, and now, Chandigarh. The train is scheduled to reach Chandigarh at 2:45 pm on the same day. Subsequently, it will commence its return journey from Chandigarh, passing through Delhi and Jaipur to reach Ajmer.

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To facilitate this extended journey, a slight increase in the speed of the Vande Bharat Express is expected. The Railways is working towards optimizing travel time and ensuring a seamless experience for passengers along the expanded route.

The Extension of the Vande Bharat route brings good news for passengers traveling to Punjab from Ajmer, Jaipur, and Delhi. The direct connectivity to Chandigarh promises a more convenient and time-efficient travel option. Residents of Alwar and Gurgaon are also set to reap the benefits of this extended service. The Railways has heightened security measures to ensure the safety and well-being of passengers during their journey.

As the Railways continues to evolve its services to meet the growing demands of passengers, the extension of the Vande Bharat route to Chandigarh is a significant step toward enhancing rail connectivity in the region. Commuters can look forward to quicker and more accessible travel options, marking a positive development in the realm of Indian railway services.

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(For More News Apart from Vande Bharat Express News, Stay Tuned to Rozana Spokesman)


Racial Attack on Sikh

General 'Jimmy' Singh Endures Continuous Harassment and Offensive Letters in Hobart, Tasmania

Racial Attack on Sikh: In a distressing incident, a Sikh restaurant owner in Australia, General 'Jimmy' Singh, has become the target of a racial attack, with derogatory letters urging him to 'go home' and dog excrement smeared on his car over several days. The victim, residing in Australia for 15 years, operates 'Dawat-The Invitation' restaurant in Hobart, Tasmania, and has reported a persistent campaign of harassment over the past two to three months.

Expressing the mental toll of the targeted attacks, Jimmy Singh shared his anguish, stating, "When it comes to your home and you're being targeted, especially by name, it's very stressful mentally. Something has to be done about it soon." The incidents escalated from dog excrement being smeared on his car door handle for consecutive days to receiving racist letters with the explicit directive, 'Go home, Indian.'

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Upon reporting the incidents to the Tasmania Police, Commander Jason Elmer confirmed that an investigation is ongoing. The Multicultural Council of Tasmania's Chair, Eamon Jaffrey, highlighted the unfortunate commonality of such incidents and their increasing frequency. Singh's experience sheds light on the persistence of racial discrimination, even in multicultural societies.

Facing adversity, Jimmy Singh expressed gratitude on his social media page, acknowledging the outpouring of support from his customers and the community. He affirmed that "racism has no place in our beautiful country, Australia," emphasizing the need for collective action against discrimination.


Australia will on Thursday release October figures for unemployment, highlighting a modest day for Asia-Pacific economic activity.

The jobless rate is expected to rise to 3.7 percent from 3.6 percent, with the addition of 20,000 jobs following the gain of 6,700 jobs in September. The participation rate is seen steady at 66.7 percent.

Japan will provide September numbers for core machine orders and October data for imports, exports and trade balance. Machine orders are expected to rise 09 percent on month and fall 3.6 percent on year after sinking 0.5 percent on month and 7.7 percent on year in August.

Imports are expected to drop 12.2 percent on year after tumbling 16.3 percent in September. Exports are called higher by an annual 1.2 percent after rising 4.3 percent in the previous month. The trade deficit is pegged at 735.7 billion yen following the 62.4 billion yen surplus a month earlier.

China will see October figures for house prices; in September, prices dipped 0.1 percent on year.

Hong Kong will release unemployment data for October; in September, the jobless rate was 2.8 percent.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Economic News

What parts of the world are seeing the best (and worst) economic performances lately? Click here to check out our Econ Scorecard and find out! See up-to-the-moment rankings for the best and worst performers in GDP, unemployment rate, inflation and much more.
President Joe Biden has accused Hamas of committing a war crime for operating underground Hamas command centers in some hospitals in Gaza Strip.

"You have a circumstance where the first war crime is being committed by Hamas by having their headquarters, their military hidden under a hospital. And that's a fact. That's what's happened," Biden said while responding to a reporter's question during a joint news conference with Chinese leader Xi Jinping after their summit in San Francisco.

The US and Israel have claimed that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad members operate a command-and-control node from Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City.

Hamas and Al-Shifa hospital officials denied the allegation.

"When you weigh the target against the number of civilians inside the hospital, is the operation underway justified?," a reporter asked Biden.

"Israel did not go in with a large number of troops, did not raid, did not rush everything down. They've gone in and they've gone in with their soldiers carrying weapons or guns. They were told  told  let me be precise," Biden replied.



Biden said Washington had discussed the need for the Israeli forces to be "incredibly careful" while hunting for the militants. "You have a circumstance where you know there is a fair number of Hamas terrorists. Hamas has already said publicly that they plan on attacking Israel again like they did before, to where they were cutting babies' heads off to burn  burning women and children alive".



"And so, the idea that they're going to just stop and not do anything is not realistic. This is not the carpet bombing. This is a different thing. They're going through these tunnels; they're going in the hospital."

Biden said it has been established that "Hamas does have headquarters, weapons, materiel below this hospital and, I suspect, others."

He made it clear to the Israelis that "it's a big mistake for them to think they're going to occupy Gaza and maintain Gaza."

Al-Shifa Hospital, which is the largest medical complex in Gaza, has been reportedly attacked multiple times, leaving several people dead and many others injured. The intensive care unit suffered damage from bombardment, while areas of the hospital where displaced people were sheltering have also been damaged.

WHO said that tens of thousands of displaced people who had sought shelter on the hospital grounds are fleeing the area amid horrifying reports of the hospital facing repeated attacks from Israeli forces. There are reports that some people who fled the hospital have been shot at and killed.

For comments and feedback contact: editorial@rttnews.com

Business News
Toyota Crown Signia is the same Estate version of Crown range that the company showcased last year and US-spec models bear Toyota logo instead of Crowns

The Japanese automotive juggernaut, Toyota, has many sub-brands within its umbrella. One such sub-brand is called Crown. First showcased in July 2022, Crown range spawned an SUV, Sedan, Crossover and an Estate version too. Toyota Crown Signia has now debuted in USA, which is the SUV version of Crown and it replaces Venza in USA, a.k.a. 4th gen Toyota Harrier.

Toyota Crown Signia Debuts In USA

For decades, Crown has been a quintessential Japanese stately sedan with its own logo and brand identity. This was true until the 15th generation model, whereas 16th gen model shed its stately appeal and was a lot more radical in design. It also spawned a Sedan, Crossover, SUV and Estate versions.

Toyota Crown Signia has now debuted in USA. Crown Signia is basically the Estate version debuted last year. This is not the first time that Toyota is bringing Crown branded vehicles to USA. Crown cars have been sold in USA before, back when Toyota was still called Toyopet. Toyota Crown Signia brings shares its powertrains with recently debuted 2025 Toyota Camry.

Production of said vehicle will commence in Tsutsumi plant in Aichi, Japan. Crown Signia will replace 4th gen Harrier (Venza in USA) and is a much larger vehicle. Dimensionally, Toyota Crown Signia is 4930 mm long, 1880 mm wide, 1620 mm tall and has a long wheelbase of 2850 mm.

Where design is concerned, Toyota is going for a Hammerhead appeal at the front with similarities with fully electric BZ Series sold in China. Split headlights have DRLs on top, flanking a sleek air intake. Grill has a an interesting pattern and lower bumper has a silver strip. Crown Signia has black body claddings all around that cut down on visual bulk.

Feature-loaded interiors

The standard 19-inch alloy wheels look stylish, but the optional 21-inch units look special. Especially with a black finish. The main highlight for US-spec Crown Signia is that it ditches Crown logo in favour of Toyotas logo. Rear has connecting tail lights spanning across the entire width.

On the inside, twin 12.3-inch touchscreens take centre stage. Overall dashboard looks well built with nice materials. Top spec variants come equipped with wireless charger, dual-zone climate control, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, hands-free tailgate, 8 airbags, Toyotas Safety Sense ADAS suite, leather upholstery, 11 speaker JBL stereo, ventilated front seats, heated front and rear seats, panoramic roof, digital IRVM and more.

Powertrains and specs

Toyota Crown Signia is based on GA-K version of Toyotas TNGA platform. The powertrain is the same as seen on 2025 Toyota Camry. The 2.5L NA petrol engine is mated to a self-charging hybrid setup that generates 243 bhp combined. The company claims around 15.3 km/l combined fuel efficiency. There are driving modes too  Normal, Eco and Sport.

This powertrain is a cut below the 2.4L turbo petrol engine with 340 bhp that Toyota offers with Crown Crossover. US-spec Crown Signia has a towing capacity of 1225 kg.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) is currently working to expand the number of banks in Azerbaijan with which the EBRD cooperates, Head of EBRD Small Business Investment Committee Andrew McDonald said, Trend reports.

He spoke at the World Forum on Small and Medium Enterprises held in Baku.

"Banks are very important for us to reach out to the local economy because they give us many more partners and then we can reach out to more companies, which provides a greater scale of impact. So leveraging those relationships and increasing the amount of work we do in the advisory business will complement it, and allow companies to see the benefits of it," he said.

The EBRD has been cooperating with Azerbaijan since 1992 and is the country's leading investor.

The former head of the EBRD representative office in Azerbaijan, Kamola Makhmudova, said earlier that the expected portfolio of investment projects for the next three years is $750 million. The EBRD plans to invest about $300 million in 2023 in a number of industries, such as energy, transport, the private sector, SMEs and the banking sector.

Stay up to date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
Details added (first version published at 09:38)

BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Azerbaijan witnessed a substantial rise in electricity production during the initial 10 months of this year, with a notable increase of 278.5 million kWh compared to the corresponding period last year, reaching a total of over 24 billion kWh, Azerbaijans Energy Minister Parviz Shahbazov wrote on X, Trend reports.

"Throughout this timeframe, Azerbaijan exported 2.36 billion kWh, while imports stood at 190.1 million kWh," highlighted the minister.

In 2022, the country achieved a notable increase in electricity production, surpassing 28.988 billion kilowatt-hours, marking a 4 percent year-on-year growth. Notably, over 3 billion kilowatt-hours of electricity were exported, while imports totaled 137.1 million kilowatt-hours.

Azerbaijan is actively advancing large-scale projects for the generation and export of renewable energy. Deputy Minister of Energy, Samir Valiyev, highlighted the creation of an international cooperation platform in the realm of green energy, involving four countries in its initial stage.

As stated by Deputy Minister Valiyev, ongoing initiatives include the establishment of power lines for wind power plants and the development of a green energy corridor linking the Caspian Sea to Europe through an underwater cable beneath the Black Sea.

Veliyev emphasized the preliminary plan to export 4 gigawatts of electricity to Europe via the Black Sea and an additional 1 gigawatt to Turkey and Europe through Nakhchivan.

Follow the author on X: @Lyaman_Zeyn
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Timeline

According to court records on the Monday night fatal shooting that killed Carmen Navarrete, 46, and her 16-year-old son Axel Gonzales at a home on Prince of Peace, the following events unfolded.

9:04 p.m.: The Albuquerque Police Department receives a call from a man who says his father, intoxicated, has taken a shotgun from his residence and might be intending to harm his ex-girlfriend in Santa Fe. The father left more than an hour earlier, the man says.

9:13 p.m.: Emergency dispatchers in Santa Fe receive a call from Albuquerque police dispatchers requesting a welfare check on Carmen Navarrete.

9:18 p.m.: A nearby Santa Fe County deputy is dispatched for the welfare check on Prince of Peace.

9:19 p.m.: Dispatchers receive a 911 call from one of Navarretes children at the Prince of Peace residence.

9:22 p.m.: The deputy arrives at 1449 Prince of Peace just as a man enters a white pickup truck and attempts to drive away. The truck rams the deputys vehicle and crashes in a ditch, and the suspect, later identified as Jose Antonio Adrian Roman, 44, of Albuquerque, runs off. A multi-agency manhunt is launched. Roman is arrested a day and a half later at a home in Albuquerque.
Gezer is an ancient southern Levantine city well-known from Egyptian, Biblical and Assyrian sources, associated with power struggles, conquests, and intriguing tales involving figures such as Milkilu and Amenhotep III, Merneptah, the Philistines, Solomon and his unidentified pharaonic father-in-law, and Shishak / Sheshonq I.

For scholars seeking to reconstruct the Bronze and Iron Age history of the southern Levant and explore the interplay between text and archaeological evidence, Gezer is among the most intriguing sites.

This ancient city is mentioned in many textual sources and its strategic importance is amply attested by the attention it received from foreign rulers.

Gezer is securely identified with Tell Jezer, which at ca. 12 ha is among the largest mounds in the southern Levant and easily the largest in the foothill region of Shephelah in south-central Israel.

The site is located at a key crossroad between the Via Maris coastal road and the road leading inland to the highlands and beyond to Transjordan.

Sitting atop a promontory at 225 m elevation, it commands an impressive, almost 360-degree view of the surrounding terrain: across the southern coastal and Sharon plains and eastward to the Judean hills.

The inhabitants had access to wells and springs, and to fertile fields in the Ayalon and adjacent valleys.

Gezer is mentioned in Egyptian, Assyrian and Biblical texts  sources that carry varying weight for reconstructing history.

The Egyptian and Assyrian texts are contemporary with the events they describe and thus generally accepted as describing real events (notwithstanding political biases of the authors).

The Biblical texts were written centuries later and thus the historical realities behind them are less clear and more strongly debated.

The last major reference to Gezer during the Iron Age occurs in contemporary Assyrian sources: a siege of the city by Tiglath-pileser III, dated by textual evidence to 734 BCE, is depicted in a palace relief at Nimrud.

Recent excavations at the site have uncovered a continuous stratigraphic sequence that allows for detailed dating and the establishment of an absolute chronology for events at the site.

In new research, Austrian Archaeological Institute archaeologist Lyndelle Webster and her colleagues obtained 35 radiocarbon dates on organic materials (mostly seeds) from seven distinct stratigraphic layers at Gezer.

These dates range from the 13th to the 9th centuries BCE, a time period that covers numerous significant changes in the city, including multiple destructive events, rebuilding episodes, and the fortification of the city.

The study provides a detailed dataset that can be used to test proposed correlations between the archaeological record and ancient texts.

These dates suggest, for example, that the correlation of a certain destructive episode with the actions of the pharaoh Merneptah is plausible, while the proposed link between another such episode and the campaign of Hazael is not.

Ultimately, this new dataset provides an independent source of absolute dates that will allow archaeologists to better understand the events at Gezer and to place them in a regional perspective.

The development of a radiocarbon-based chronology at Tell Jezer illustrates the crucial role radiocarbon dating can and must play in reconstructing individual site histories, resolving long-running debates and testing possible correlations between archaeological remains and written sources, the archaeologists said.

The results appear in the journal PLoS ONE.

_____

L.C. Webster et al. 2023. The chronology of Gezer from the end of the Late Bronze Age to Iron Age II: A meeting point for radiocarbon, archaeology egyptology and the Bible. PLoS ONE 18 (11): e0293119; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293119
Paleontologists have discovered 27 bird footprints and other traces  dated to between 120 and 128 million years ago (Early Cretaceous epoch)  in the Wonthaggi Formation of Victoria, Australia. The discovery opens another window onto early bird evolution and possible migratory behavior and confirms the earliest known presence of birds in Australia and the rest of the supercontinent Gondwana.

Cretaceous bird fossils are abundant and diverse in northern continents, but extremely rare in southern regions that were once part of the Gondwana supercontinent.

This presents a challenge for paleontologists trying to understand the distribution of early birds.

Most of the bird tracks and body fossils dating as far back as the Early Cretaceous are from the northern hemisphere, particularly from Asia, said Emory University Professor Anthony Martin, first author of the study.

Our discovery shows that there were many birds, and a variety of them, near the south pole about 125 million years ago.

In their study, Professor Martin and his colleagues examined a series of bird footprints from the Early Cretaceous Wonthaggi Formation, south of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.

The 27 footprints vary in form and size and indicate the presence of several different types of birds.

They are from 7 to 14 cm wide  which is similar to tracks of modern-day shorebirds, such as small herons and oystercatchers  and are among the largest known from the Early Cretaceous.

The footprints are present in multiple stratigraphic layers of an ancient polar floodplain, suggesting that these birds might have visited this area seasonally, perhaps as part of a migratory route.

The birds would likely have been stepping on soft sand or mud, Professor Martin said.

Then the tracks may have been buried by a gentle river flow that deposited more sand or mud on top of them.

Other than one bone and a few feathers, these footprints represent the oldest known evidence of birds living in Australia or any part of Gondwana, and also the oldest known evidence of birds living in ancient polar environments.

We are very excited to document that a variety of birds were living in polar Australia during the Early Cretaceous epoch, the authors said.

But we also hope our trace fossil discovery inspires other researchers to look for and find more Early Cretaceous bird tracks elsewhere in the southern hemisphere.

The discovery is reported in a paper in the journal PLoS ONE.

_____

A.J. Martin et al. 2023. Earliest known Gondwanan bird tracks: Wonthaggi Formation (Early Cretaceous), Victoria, Australia. PLoS ONE 18 (11): e0293308; doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0293308
Astronomers discovered an exoplanet hosting bizarre clouds in its atmosphere. What they found could affect our understanding of the distant planets' chemistry.

Exoplanet WASP-107b Hosts Sandy Clouds

A team of European astronomers used observations from the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) to detail the atmospheric composition of a nearby "fluffy" exoplanet called WASP-107b. Researchers found water vapor, sulfur dioxide, and even silicate sand clouds in the exoplanet's dynamic atmosphere. The new study may also have implications for our understanding of the chemistry of distant planets.

The planet's low density, or fluffiness, allowed scientists to peer 50 times deeper into the planet's atmosphere. Astronomers were taken aback when a sulfur dioxide stench produced when a match is lit was first discovered. This is because the planet is smaller and colder than its host star, with a comparatively lower amount of high-energy light photons. However, because of the planet's low density, these photons can deeply enter WASP-107 b's atmosphere and initiate chemical reactions resulting in sulfur dioxide.

Astronomers saw high-altitude clouds made of fine silicate particles, or very fine-grained sand, in addition to sulfur dioxide.

Sand particles are thought to originate in a manner akin to that of water vapor and clouds on Earth, according to researchers. The droplets of sand rain condense and descend to the planet's highly heated layers, where they transform into silicate vapor and are propelled back upward, where they recondense to create more clouds.

"JWST is revolutionizing exoplanet characterisation, providing unprecedented insights at remarkable speed," said lead author Leen Decin of Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium in a press release.

"The discovery of clouds of sand, water, and sulfur dioxide on this fluffy exoplanet ... is a pivotal milestone. It reshapes our understanding of planetary formation and evolution, shedding new light on our own solar system."

ALSO READ: Gamma-Ray Burst GRB 221009A Breaks Records; So Powerful It Affects Earth's Ionospheric Conductivity

Exoplanet WASP-107b

Exoplanet WASP-107b is frequently compared to a comet and is one of the planets with the lowest known density. It is about the same size as the biggest planet in our solar system, Jupiter, but only has 12% of its mass.

It's one of the least dense exoplanets that astrophysicists dubbed "fluffy," "super-puff," or "cotton candy" planets.

The WASP-107b exoplanet is approximately 200 light years away from Earth. In just six days, it orbits its home star, which is marginally less massive and colder than our sun.

Scientists employed a method known as the radial velocity method, which enabled them to ascertain a planet's mass by observing the "wobbling motion" of its host star, which is a sign of the planet's mass interacting with the lead. Using this technique, they discovered that WASP-107 b's mass is just a tenth of Jupiter's, yet it is still 30 times more than Earth's.

When scientists looked into the planet's interior composition, they discovered something unexpected - the planet must have a solid core at least four times as massive as Earth because of its extremely low density.

The dense gaseous layer surrounding the planet's core contains more than 85% of its mass. As a point of comparison, 5 to 15 percent of Neptune's total mass-which is closer to WASP-107b-is found in the gas layer.

RELATED ARTICLE: Is the ISS Retiring? NASA Details Plans for Using Privately Developed Space Stations in the Future

Check out more news and information on Space in Science Times.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. Kazakhstan's oil output is expected to stand at 2.01 mb/d in 2024, Trend reports.

According to the data provided by the US Energy Information Administration Agency (EIA), the forecast has been revised down slightly by 0.02 mb/d, compared to the previous assessment.

Therefore, the agency anticipates that the country's oil production will reach 1.93 mb/d in the first quarter of 2024, increasing to 1.99 mb/d in the second quarter of 2024. During the third quarter of 2024, Kazakhstan is projected to produce 2.02 mb/d, with a further increase in output to 2.08 mb/d by the end of the year.

At the same time, Kazakhstan's oil output in 2023 is projected to stand at 1.96 mb/d. Meanwhile, the EIA estimates the country's liquids output in 2022 at 1.83 mb/d.

Meanwhile, in 2022, oil production in Kazakhstan reached 84.2 million tons, equivalent to 101.6 percent of the projected amount. Oil exports for the same year totaled 64.3 million tons, surpassing the plan by 103.4 percent. For 2023, Kazakhstan has set a target to produce 90.5 million tons of oil, with an export target of 71 million tons.
Its been a good month for Velocity , the business accelerator, incubator, and co-working space in Sterling Heights. On Thursday, Nov. 9, the tech and business hub announced the launch of the Resource Navigator , an online platform that makes it easier for local entrepreneurs to find the resources they need to start their businesses. And on that same day, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) announced that Velocity is the recipient of a $1.8 million grant as part of the Small Business Support Hubs (SBSH) program.The MEDC and Economic Impact Catalyst selected Velocity to take part in the Start Up Space-driven Resource Navigator program. The online platform is a one-stop shop, so to speak, where entrepreneurs can search for organizations that offer those resources that might take their business ideas to the next level. Users can search by industry, fields of expertise, and more to find help with funding, marketing, legal, and more. Companies can also create profiles so that their organizations are among the listings available.Visit the Velocity Resource Navigator online We want to make navigating resources very accessible, transparent, and open, reads a statement from April Boyle, Senior Advisor for Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Interim Director of Velocity. Entrepreneurship isnt a private club, so we want everyone to have equitable and equal access to resources. In turn, we hope this accelerates each business growth.The Resource Navigator news comes alongside the announcement that the MEDC has awarded Velocity a $1.8 million Small Business Support Hub grant, one of 27 entrepreneurial hubs throughout the state to be selected. The funds come from the federal American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.Michigan is committed to bolstering our entrepreneurial ecosystem by supporting the small businesses that drive our economy, as well as the trusted and expert partner network that serve them, across the state, says Amy Rencher, MEDC Senior Vice President of Small Business Services. By leveraging federal dollars, the Small Business Support Hubs will help us expand and improve resources across the state, as well as raise the national profile of the strength of our entrepreneurial community.Got a development news story to share? Email MJ Galbraith here or send him a tweet @mikegalbraith
POP and their KDPS partners.

The clergy and the officers have formed very strong relationships.

POPS and some of the officers they ride with frequently.

A view from inside the KDPS and POP meeting in early June.

Pastor Greg Jennings was the first to volunteer to get into the drivers seat of the patrol car.

A view from inside the KDPS and POP meeting in early June.

Pastor Greg Jennings was the first to volunteer to get into the drivers seat of the patrol car.
A large crowd forms around sunset at Poipu Beach to witness a spectacle of basking Hawaiian green turtles. Ashley Harrell/SFGATE

Hawaiian green sea turtles are coming ashore on a popular tourist spot on the island of Kaua, triggering an effort to protect them from intruders.

A team of volunteers set up safety cones and signage to keep back the semi-circle of onlookers sipping cocktails and snapping photos from 10 feet away.

Until a couple years ago, sea turtles rarely came ashore on this beach. Now they snooze through the drama, seemingly accustomed to the hubbub their presence now elicits. Read more 

A few more travel updates

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Theres a phantom tollbooth on the Bay Bridge that closed due to a tragedy six years ago. Caltrans has no intention of reopening it.

Calif.'s newest city, Jurupa Valley, could endanger the state's oldest tree. In the face of a housing shortage that grips the state, should developers build over an ancient oak?

A new e-bike 'ban' in a Tahoe town is riling some locals. Law enforcement in Incline Village say e-bikers are going way too fast.

In our weekly Routes column, Jim Glab sounds the alarm that SFO's biggest airline is forecasting its busiest-ever Thanksgiving travel season yet.

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British high-end fashion giant Burberry has warned that the slowdown in luxury demand is having an impact on current trading and could affect full-year sales, as it reported a huge deceleration in sales growth in the first half.

The company said, while it is confident in its medium and long-term targets, it hasn't been immune to the wider challenging market conditions that have already hit a number of major players, including Kering, Hermes and LVMH.

"If the weaker demand continues, we are unlikely to achieve our previously stated revenue guidance for FY24," the company said in its interim results. Current guidance points to low double-digit growth in full-year revenues for the year ending March 2024.

"In this context, adjusted operating profit would be towards the lower end of the current consensus range (552m-668m)."

The outlook came as the company delivered a 4% increase in first-half sales to 1.40bn, with growth limited by FX headwinds. At constant currencies, growth would have been 7%.

In retail, comparable store sales during the half were up 10%, but growth stood at just 1% in the second quarter, compared with 18% in the first.

The Asia Pacific region grew first-half like-for-like sales by 18%, with 36% growth in the first quarter slowing to just 2% in the second, with the company blaming a tough comparative last year. Mainland China sales fell by 8% in the second quarter as spending shifted offshore, the company said.

The Americas region also struggled, with comparable store sales down 10% in the second quarter due to weak demand.

Meanwhile, wholesale revenues were down 8% due to a weak performance in the Americas, and the company is now guiding to a mid-single digit percentage decline for the full year.

On the bottom line, adjusted operating profits were down 6% year-on-year at 223m, as the adjusted operating margin dropped by 180 basis points to 15.9%.

Despite the weaker results, Burberry still raised its interim dividend by 11% to 18.3p.

"While the macroeconomic environment has become more challenging recently, we are confident in our strategy to realise our potential as the modern British luxury brand, and we remain committed to achieving our medium and long-term targets," said chief executive Jonathan Akeroyd.
Talks about a potential reverse takeover of Amigo Holdings have failed, the ailing mid-cost lender confirmed on Thursday.

Amigo, which is currently in the process of being wound down, first announced last month that it had entered into exclusive talks with merchant bank Craven House Capital and "various individuals".

The proposed deal, which would have seen the lender move into music and film streaming, centred around the acquisition of four specialist companies in exchange for newly-issued Amigo shares.

However, on Thursday Amigo confirmed that the talks had been terminated with immediate effect at the request of the various unnamed individuals.

Danny Malone, chief executive, said: "This is disappointing news as the transaction, in the form of a reverse takeover of Amigo, offered a solution that could have provided a future for shareholders, offering some small value that wouldnt be available otherwise."

He added that the firm remained "open" to assessing any other viable options as the wind-down of the lending business continued.

Should no further deal emerge, however, Amigo said it would convene a shareholder meeting "in the near future" to seek approval for the companys voluntary liquidation.

Originally a subprime guarantor lender, following claims of mis-selling and then a difficult pandemic, Amigo was forced to halt lending. It repositioned itself as a mid-cost lender and eventually struck a deal with the Financial Conduct Authority that would have allowed it to resume lending.

But the deal with the regulator was dependent on a capital raise, and the firm was unable to garner enough investor interest.

Amigo therefore announced in March the business would be wound down.

In May, Malone announced his resignation, but was asked to stay on beyond his notice period to help with the negotiations.

Amigo has also requested that trading in its shares, which was suspended when the talks were first announced, be resumed.

When the stock was suspended, Amigo had a market value of around 1.8m. When it listed, amid much fanfare, in 2018, it was valued at 1.3bn.
ASTANA, Kazakhstan, November 16. Kazakhstan and Russia reaffirmed the importance of development of the North-South International Transport Corridor, Trend reports.

This was stated during a meeting between Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Marat Karabayev and Minister of Transport of Russia Vitaly Savelyev on the sidelines of the International Forum within the framework of Transport Week 2023 in Moscow.

The meeting from the Kazakh side was attended by representatives of the national companies Kazakhstan Railways, KazAvtoZhol, Aktau Sea Trade Port, Aviation Administration of Kazakhstan JSC, Atasu group LLP, PTC Holding and other private companies. And from the Russian side, the management of Rosaviation, Russian Railways and Aeroflot took part in the meeting.

At the negotiations, industry-related problematic issues, prospects for deepening mutually beneficial cooperation, as well as the progress of implementation of the Roadmap for the development of further cooperation in the field of transport were discussed.

The parties supported the intentions to modernize checkpoints on the Kazakh-Russian border, as well as the construction of a new railway line Bakhty-Ayagoz with the opening of a third checkpoint on the border of Kazakhstan with China, etc.

Following the meeting, the heads of departments noted the importance of further cooperation between the two countries in the field of railway and road transport, logistics and aviation.

The foundation of the North-South Transport Corridor was laid on the basis of the intergovernmental agreement signed between Russia, Iran, and India on September 12, 2000. Azerbaijan joined this agreement in 2005.

In total, 13 countries have ratified the agreement (Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bulgaria, Armenia, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, the Sultanate of Oman, the Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkiye and Ukraine).

From January through August 2023, the volume of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Russia amounted to $17 billion. Exports to Russia amounted to $6.389 billion, and imports from Russia amounted to $10.611 billion.

At the same time, the volume of trade turnover between Kazakhstan and Russia in 2022 amounted to $26.123 billion. Kazakhstan's exports to Russia during the reporting period amounted to $8.78 billion, while imports amounted to $17.34 billion.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 16. Turkmenistan and Japan discussed prospects for the development of economic cooperation, Trend reports.

The issues were discussed during a video meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and co-chairman of the Japanese-Turkmen Committee for Economic Cooperation Hiroyuki Tsubai.

Meredov stressed the stability and long-term economic partnership between the countries, noting that the Turkmen-Japanese Committee for Economic Cooperation has an important role in expanding cooperation in the trade and economic sphere.

The parties also discussed progress in implementation of agreements reached at the previous meeting of this committee in December last year in Tokyo.

Both sides stressed the importance of updating the Roadmap to the Memorandum of cooperation in the field of infrastructure signed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry of Japan.

Furthermore, during the negotiations, the parties focused on the further development of cooperation in the field of energy, gas chemistry, oil refining, transport and communications, as well as environmental issues.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of September this year, President of the Supreme Council of Turkmenistan Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during a meeting in Ashgabat with the President of the Japanese University of Tsukuba Kyosuke Nagata, stressed that in recent years, Turkmen-Japanese relations have been actively developing in trade, economic, political, social, cultural, humanitarian and other spheres.

Stay up to date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A 17-year-old boy was arrested by police after he allegedly was driving a car filled with teens that crashed into a tree in Dongan Hills last week, according to sources.

A total of five people were taken to Staten Island University Hospital in Ocean Breeze from the single-vehicle crash that occurred at about 12:20 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 8, on Cornelia Street near North Railroad Avenue, according to a spokesman for the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

Responding officers allege the driver appeared to be intoxicated but declined to take a breathalyzer test, according to a source with knowledge of the investigation.

The driver was charged by police with driving while intoxicated and refusal to take a breathalyzer test, according to the police spokesman.

The NYPD does not reveal the identities of minors charged with crimes.

A preliminary investigation indicated that the driver of the Jeep Grand Cherokee was traveling northbound on North Railroad Avenue at an unsafe speed when he lost control of the car while making a left turn onto Cornelia Street and then the Jeep crashed into a tree, according to the police spokesman.

The passengers included a 17-year-old boy, two 16-year-old boys and a 16-year-old girl, according to the source.

The teens in the car complained of pain but none had serious injuries, the source said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Around two million people with prior convictions in New York could be eligible for a fresh start.

The Clean Slate Act, signed into law Thursday by Gov. Kathy Hochul, applies to anyone who completes their sentences and remains out of trouble for a set period of time  three years for misdemeanors or eight for certain felonies, the Associated Press reported.

Sex crimes and most Class A felonies, such as murder, do not qualify.

A dozen states, including California, New Jersey, and Michigan, have enacted similar laws as part of an attempt to interrupt the cycle of recidivism by enabling formerly incarcerated people access to jobs and housing.

The law is set to take effect one year from now, though it will take an additional three years to seal the records of those currently waiting, according to the report.

About 2.2 million people in New York have criminal convictions, according to a study by the Data Collaborative for Justice, a research center at John Jay College.

Business groups including big companies like Microsoft and JP Morgan Chase have lauded the bill signing, saying an increase in the labor pool would make the states economy more competitive amid a national labor shortage.

Employers can ask about conviction records at any point in the hiring process under state law, but they must consider factors such as whether the conviction has any bearing on the persons ability to do the job. Advocates for the legislation say despite this, those with criminal records face substantial roadblocks to stable employment.

The bill was passed by state lawmakers last June on a party-line vote.

Some Republican lawmakers who oppose the bill have repeatedly pointed to an existing sealing statute for criminal convictions through which people can apply to get their records sealed depending on the type of conviction and whether they are a repeat offender.

Less than 1% of New Yorkers eligible for having their records sealed through that statute have successfully done so, according to a study conducted by Santa Clara University.

Another study at John Jay University notes 400,000, or 80% of people with criminal conviction records in New York City are Black or Latino.

Theyve paid their debt to society, Hochul said about those with criminal records during the bill signing ceremony at the Brooklyn Museum. Theyve gone through the process. They did their time. Theyre done. But when they reenter society, there are still barriers to housing and jobs. I say no more. Were here today to correct that injustice.
The Queens landlord accused of stabbing his girlfriend and two tenants to death was arraigned Wednesday afternoon.

Officials said David Daniel, 54, walked into a local NYPD precinct stationhouse at around 7:05 a.m. Tuesday and confessed to cops that he killed three people inside of his single-family home in St. Albans, Queens, according to the New York Post.

Daniel was arraigned in a Queens courtroom on three counts of second-degree murder and one count of criminal possession of a weapon.

Responding officers found Coleen Fields, 51  Daniels live-in girlfriend  lying face-down in a second-floor bedroom with her throat slashed and multiple stab wounds, including to her left breast, the Post reported.

The tenants, Wayne Thomas, 57, and Evette Sweeney, 55, were found dead in the basement, each with multiple stab wounds.

NYPD officials said Daniel told an officer that he was having issues with the tenants he stabbed to death over late rent, according to the Post.

Daniel was remanded to jail without bail, pending a return to court on Friday.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A 43-year-old man from Queens died after he fell from the hood of a car while chasing individuals who allegedly stole from the victims car in broad daylight.

The robbery occurred on Wednesday at about 3 p.m. in front of 25-17 85 St., according to a statement from the NYPDs Deputy Commissioner of Public Information.

Responding officers found Mauro Chimbay of Queens suffering from severe head trauma while lying on the asphalt. He was transported by EMS to NYC Health and Hospitals in Elmhurst where he was pronounced dead, the police statement said.

The police investigation indicated that Chimbay saw an unknown individual stealing from the victims parked vehicle. The 43-year-old victim confronted the individual who then entered a white sedan that was driven by a second unknown individual, according to the police statement.

The victim held onto the hood of the white sedan and then the driver drove away, causing the victim to be thrown from the vehicle and injured, according to the police statement.

The white sedan fled northbound on 85 Street. No arrests have been made and the investigation remains continues, according to the police statement.

Chimbay was playing volleyball in a nearby park when he allegedly caught the thieves red handed at his Toyota Highlander, his friend, Kevin Gonzalez, reportedly told CBS New York.

They broke the window of the car, and then they tried to go away with something from the vehicle, Gonzelez is quoted as saying to CBS.

He [Chimbay] was hanging on to the hood of the car, and then he just stopped and when he stopped, he hit himself against the rim of the car over there, Gonzelez said.

Police described the suspects car as a white BMW, according to CBS.

Surveillance video showed the suspects BMW driving away and bystanders aiding Chimbay, according to CBS.

We tried to help him as much as we could, but he was in very bad condition, Gonzalex was quoted as saying to CBS.

Another witness, Betania Reyes, said in Spanish to CBS that she saw Chimbay convulsing like he was dying.
ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan, November 16. The Turkmenistan's delegation, headed by Minister of Trade and Foreign Economic Relations Begench Gochmollayev, held meetings with leading Japanese companies within the framework of World Expo 2025 in Osaka city, Trend reports.

During their participation in the exhibition, the delegation of Turkmenistan also held meetings with the Secretary General of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) Dimitri Kerkentzes, the Vice Minister of Economy, Trade, and Industry of Japan, Ishii Taku, and the Secretary General of the Japan Association of the Expo 2025, Ishige Hiroyuki.

Turkmenistan's success in preparing for the event became one of the main topics of the talks, at which the Japanese side expressed recognition and stressed the importance of the participation of the Turkmen side in this context.

Meanwhile, at the beginning of September this year, President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, during a meeting in Ashgabat with the President of the Japanese University of Tsukuba, Kyosuke Nagata, stressed that in recent years, Turkmen-Japanese relations have been actively developing in trade, economic, political, social, cultural, humanitarian, and other spheres.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Police responded to a report of shots fired in St. George Wednesday afternoon, according to a NYPD spokesman.

The incident occurred at around 2:40 p.m. in the vicinity of Stuyvesant Place and Wall Street, the spokesman said.

Police were present in front of an area hair salon and a white SUV could be seen roped off with police tape. No bullet holes were immediately apparent.

Employees at a neighboring business told the Advance/SILive.com that they didnt see or hear anything in regard to the incident.

No injuries were reported and there are currently no suspects. An investigation is ongoing, the spokesman said.
FBI agents have been digging up land since Wednesday at two upstate New York horse farms in connection with ongoing federal investigations into the Gambino crime family, according to a report by the New York Post.

The properties, which are five miles apart and located on Hampton Road in Goshen and on Hamptonburgh Road in Campbell Hall, became the scene of the investigation following claims by a tipster that bodies were buried in the area, law enforcement sources told the Post.

Three Staten Island men are among the alleged Gambino crime family members and associates who were charged last week in an attempt to take over the carting and demolition industries of New York City through force, witness tampering and arson, according to federal prosecutors.

Joseph Lanni, 57, who prosecutors identified as a captain in the Gambino family; Angelo Gradilone, 57, an alleged Gambino soldier, and Vincent Minsquero, 36, an alleged Gambino associate  all from Staten Island  were among 10 defendants charged in the indictment.

Prosecutors contend that during one harrowing encounter in early September, Lanni and Minsquero allegedly terrorized the owners of Roxys Bar and Grille, a Toms River, New Jersey, restaurant.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Memories can be so vivid, one can taste their deliciousness. That might be the goal for a student of published author-writer Maria Giura, who hosts occasional writing workshops.

The next session will be held both virtually and in person. from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. at Casa Belvedere on Thursday, Nov. 16.

Giura said, It will give you the opportunity to reflect and write about what home means to you: whether its centered around a house, a country, a loved one, a favorite meal or a state of mind.

Participants will read short, vibrant excerpts by published authors on the subject and then will be given prompts to write their own original piece.

No experience is necessary, Guira said, adding, Just bring a notebook, pen and sense of curiosity and fun. All backgrounds are welcome.

For more information and to register for Nov 16 either in person or virtually, go to Casa-Belvedere.org.

To register for future workshops see the site here at this link on Casa-Belvedore.org. The next session is Dec 2  Writing about Home: Part II and Jan 6: Revision: To See Again.

Maria Giura is the author of two books. Her writing has appeared in various publications including New York Quarterly, Prime Number, Presence: A Journal of Catholic Poetry, (Voices in) Italian Americana, and the Paterson Literary Review. An Academy of American Poets winner, Giura has taught writing at multiple universities including Binghamton University, where she earned her PhD in English.

In her poem Sunday, Giura remembers Sunday dinners in her childhood home. She penned, The solid mahogany table, / with its trunk-like legs and two leaves, / blooming with conversation and laughter, / my mothers sauce and fresh pasta / steaming from the bone china / and the good crystal from the breakfront / filled with burgundy wine.

After dinner, cannoli and rum baba / dressed up on white doilies, / espresso served in doll-sized cups... My mothers hair piled high / like a queen / as she served course after course / barely sitting to take a bite. My sisters and I her blue-eyed charges / helping to clear dishes, entertain guests. My father at the head, / in pastry-stained uniform, / regaling everyone with stories.

Pamela Silvestri is Advance/Silive.com Food Editor. She can be reached at silvestri@siadvance.com.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City public school enrollment has increased for the first time in eight years, according to preliminary data released Wednesday.

Mayor Eric Adams and city Schools Chancellor David C. Banks announced that the Department of Education (DOE) reported a student enrollment increase by approximately 1%  or roughly 8,000 students. It brings the total number of students registered in public schools to about 915,000 students.

When we say New York City is back, we are not just talking about our economy  we are talking about our communities and our entire city. And after eight years of declining enrollment, New York City public schools are back, said Adams in a press release. Chancellor Banks and our administration are focused on delivering the best education possible for our young New Yorkers by cutting through bureaucracy, expanding outreach, and making enrollment easier. New Yorkers are voting with their feet, and we are excited to see funding increase for so many of our public schools.

The data  current as of Oct. 31  is preliminary and unaudited, as students can still enter or leave the system. This means the data can fluctuate until the audit process is complete. The DOE will release audited and finalized enrollment for the current year available in the spring as part of its demographic snapshot.

In May, the city expected student enrollment would level off and remain mostly steady following years of significant declines during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. DOE numbers initially showed that projected enrollment was expected to drop 0.6% in K-12 grades this school year.

In prior years, enrollment levels declined  with a 2% enrollment decline in the 2022-2023 school year, and a 5.7% decline in the 2021-2022 school year.

After eight years of enrollment declines, we are thrilled to see enrollment increase across the city, said Banks. With a majority of schools gaining additional funding during this mid-year adjustment, we are well positioned to meet the challenges ahead. However, to continue our progress and ensure the success of our students, particularly those in temporary housing, we urgently need increased state and federal funding.

The DOE also published its annual class size report on Wednesday  showing the city is in compliance for this school year with New York States new class size mandates. According to the report, as of Oct. 31, 40% of classes in New York City are at or below class size caps. Overall, 20% of classes are required to be at or below such caps for this school year.

Staten Islands District 31 is one of three school districts that have the lowest percentage of classes at or below the class size caps.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Its time to roll out the red carpet for the Miss Staten Island-Miss Richmond Scholarship Competition set to make its really big close up during an extravagant production titled, Lights, Camera, Action! Sunday, Nov. 19 at the Historic Old Bermuda Inn beginning at 2 p.m.

Celebrating its 57th year, a total of 13 young women will compete for the much-coveted titles, but only four delegates (contestants) will emerge as shining stars and walk away as local titleholders.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Higher prices for domestic flights havent stopped 4.7 million Americans from planning a trip for Thanksgiving this year, according to AAA research. But just how expensive are the flights, the hotels and the car rentals?

More Americans will choose to travel by air this year compared to last, despite domestic airfares being 5% higher, AAA reported. And researchers predicted the number of domestic travelers will reflect an increase of nearly 300,000 compared to 2022.

Yet, it looks like a good time to take a domestic cruise or rent a car in the United States. But just how expensive is flying this year? And what about hotels?

Below is a breakdown of average prices for November and December, according to AAA data.

Domestic travel costs:

The average domestic flight costs $681, up 5% from last year.

Domestic hotel stays average $598, down 12%.

Rental cars are 20% less than last year at $590 per reservation.

Domestic cruise prices are down 12% to an average of $1,507.

International travel costs:

Average airfares come in at $1,231, down 5.7% from last year.

Overseas hotel stays average $772, up 5%.

Rental car reservations overseas come in at $696, up 9%.

Overseas cruises average $2,902, up a whopping 24%.

Where are we going?

The top holiday destinations in the United States are Floridas Orlando, Fort Lauderdale and Miami, followed by Anaheim, California, and Tampa, Florida.

New York City is the sixth most popular domestic destination, according to AAA.

Top international destinations are Cancun, Mexico City and Punta Cana in the Dominican Republic, AAA reported.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  A lawsuit that put the states weed industry on hold may finally be resolved, the Advance/SILive.com learned this week.

According to a court document filed Monday with the states Third Appellate Division, the New York State Cannabis Control Board has reached an agreement in principle with a group of disabled military veterans who challenged the early rollout of the Empire States fledgling weed industry.

There were limited details in the court letter filed by the plaintiffs attorney, who did not return a request for comment, and a spokesperson for the state declined to comment on pending litigation.

According to the document, the parties are still working out the details to the settlement, but it said they had reached the agreement in principle.

In their lawsuit brought Aug. 2, a group of veterans sued the Office of Cannabis Management, Cannabis Control Board, and the individual heads of the two agencies over the initial rollout of New Yorks legal recreational weed market.

The groups lawsuit alleges the state violated the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act, which former Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed in 2021 establishing the market.

Under the law, the Cannabis Control Board had to prioritize certain groups for at least 50% of the states conditional adult-use recreational dispensary (CAURD) licenses, but had only made them available to people with weed-related convictions and family members of those people. Eligible owners had to have owned a prior business as well.

Albany Supreme Court Judge Kevin Bryant put the halt on the weed industry in place shortly after plaintiffs filed the lawsuit preventing most new retail licenses from being issued or weed shop openings in New York.

Pending the hearing and determination of this application, defendants, their agents and employees are hereby restrained from awarding or further processing any more CAURD licenses and/or conferring operational approval upon any more provisional or existing CAURD licenses, Bryant wrote in his decision.

Under the state law, service-disabled veterans are among the benefitted groups, that also includes distressed farmers, and minority-and-women-owned businesses.

Initially, the state only made dispensary licenses available to people with weed-related convictions or their family members, but officials opened the licenses to the general public in October, likely paving the way for an end to the lawsuit.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Religious leaders of a variety of faiths from across Staten Island gathered together Tuesday for an interfaith forum on Protecting Places of Worship.

The event, hosted by District Attorney Michael E. McMahon and the Staten Island Hate Crimes Task Force, marked the first of its kind held on Staten Island.

More than 30 community officials and religious leaders took to the St. Johns University campus in Grymes Hill to lend their ears to a series of speakers sharing information on hate crimes and hate crime preparedness. Although the event had been planned prior to the Israel-Hamas war, the discussion on hate crime prevention is timely as it continues in Gaza.

Rabbis, imams and pastors alike conversed with one another prior to the events commencement; a table of light refreshments accommodating the guests. McMahon delivered a welcome, before opening the forum to a moment of prayer.

Were seeing more and more (crimes targeting faiths), and maybe its a reflection of the times that we live in and the tensions from around the world,' McMahon said, noting that worldwide tensions cannot be changed locally. All we can do from this perspective is pray to an end of that tension, McMahon said

Representatives of all three major monotheistic faiths, Christianity, Islam, and Judaism, joined together on stage in unity to deliver opening prayers.

McMahon then expressed his continuous mission of ensuring that everyone feels safe to worship their God in a place where there is no fear of hate. He made sure to emphasize that, in his office and to the NYPD, hate crimes are not tolerated and those prosecuted for a hate crime will not face a plea.

It was shared with those in attendance that there are three major groups responsible for committing hate crimes. The first is those that are young and lack the understanding of the severity of their actions, a concern that McMahon and his office look to address through presentations and education.

Then there are those with mental illness, who make up the largest percentage of those who commit hate crimes. McMahon said in these cases, the accused would be connected with mental health service providers on Staten Island. However, these individuals would still be held accountable for their acts, he said.

Finally, there are those with hate in their heart, he said. These cases will continue to be investigated and prosecuted he said, referencing how his offices long-term investigation resulted in an arrest in the case of anti-LGBTQ+ writings at a bus stop in October.

We continue to do those cases . . . and I promise you, we wont rest until we eradicate hate from our shores, McMahon said.

In response to these acts of hate, the Hate Crimes Task Force was formed to produce education programs and multicultural events.

A "Protecting Places of Worship" forum was held at St. John's University on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. (Staten Island Advance/Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance / Luke Pe

Assistant U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of New York Lauren Elbert said hate crimes are a top priority for the Department of Justice.

Freedom to exercise ones religion is one of the constitutional guarantees of our country, which is why there are a number of federal criminal statutes that specifically protect ones freedom to exercise their religion and that specifically protect houses of worship, Elbert said.

However, although in place, the statutes are more narrow in comparison to local statutes, as they are more focused on crimes of violence motivated by hate, and crimes interfering with constitutional rights.

In addition to providing a brief breakdown of certain laws in place, Elbert noted that in 2020, religion-driven hate crimes made up approximately 13% of all hate crimes reported to the FBI; the third highest category, only behind sexual orientation and race, ethnicity, and ancestry.

Mark Palladino, executive assistant district attorney for trials and court operations at the Richmond County District Attorneys Office, addressed the issue on a local level. Palladino emphasized the offices ongoing efforts, while also responding to questions from those gathered.

And Joan Pangilinan-Taylor, the senior director of the Hate and Bias Prevention Unit of the New York State Division of Human Rights, delivered a few remarks on hate crimes and the efforts of councils to combat them. Community circles, one such effort, aims to develop interfaith dialogue to promote connection and healing, she said.

This issue is real and it has an impact, Pangilinan-Taylor said. Even an attack to one person, to a victim, the people it affects, is also an attack on the community, and there is a real impact. Its debilitating, it creates turbulence.

The last speaker to take the podium was FEMA Faith-Based Preparedness Coordinator Race Hodges, who shared insight into various offerings from FEMA that cater to hate crime preparedness. Hodges has visited many houses of worship to provide exercises aimed at security planning.

Faith-Based Preparedness Coordinator Race Hodges speaks at the "Protecting Places of Worship" forum held at St. John's University on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023 (Staten Island Advance / Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance / Luke Pe

Through FEMAs Non-Profit Security Grant Program, houses of worship can apply for a grant to boost the security of the location, whether it be additional lighting, establishing a perimeter fence, or hiring security.

FEMA believes that faith-based organizations and houses of worship are critical for the fabric of the community, Hodges said. They do so much, you do so much for feeding the community, for sheltering the community, for providing spiritual care.

Before concluding, the attendees took part in an activity in which a facilitator moderated a conversation about how groups would respond to various hate crimes. Upon sharing their courses of action, officials then provided tips of their own.

A "Protecting Places of Worship" forum was held at St. John's University on Tuesday, Nov. 14, 2023. (Staten Island Advance / Luke Peteley)(Staten Island Advance / Luke Pe

It was advised that upon noticing any such vandalism or property destruction, the individual contact 911 immediately and refrain from touching anything at the site.

It was also considered wise to develop contacts with local law enforcement and to call them, as well, in case of an incident.

For more resources on hate crime preparedness, contact FEMA Faith-Based Preparedness Coordinator Race Hodges at (202)808-5987 or email race.hodges@fema.dhs.gov
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Con Edison is urging its customers to recognize the signs that someone may be trying to scam them out of money by posing as a company employee and demanding money.

The company said in a press release that scammers typically contact customers through email, phone calls and by showing up in person at homes and businesses.

Con Edison is among more than 150 U.S. and Canadian energy and water companies that are using International Fraud Awareness Week as an opportunity to educate consumers.

The companies are members of Utilities United Against Scams, which has declared today to be Utility Scam Awareness Day.

As scammers become more imaginative, we want our customers to know they can empower themselves, said Michele OConnell, Con Edisons senior vice president of customer operations.

A customer who receives a demand for immediate payment or feels pressured to give up personal information can stop the scammer by remaining composed and refusing to play along,' OConnell said. But it all starts with recognizing scammers deceptive tactics.

Here are signs that the person contacting a Con Edison customer is possibly a scammer:

One common tactic is to say a customer must make an immediate payment to avoid a service turnoff. Con Edison does not make these calls.

Scammers also call customers and instruct them to buy a pre-paid card. Once the customer puts money on the card and provides the scammer with the card number, the scammer steals the money. Con Edison does not accept payment by pre-paid debit cards, MoneyGram or similar transfers.

Others contact customers and demand payment via apps like Cash App, Venmo and Zelle. Con Edison does not support these platforms for payment. The company also does not accept payment via PayPal or bitcoin.

Some will say that company personnel are on their way to shut off service. Scammers who believe they are getting what they want from a customer sometimes act extremely polite and helpful as they tell the customer what to do.

Many scammers try to get customers to give up their Con Edison account number, Social Security number or other personal information. The customer should hang up and call 1-800-75-CONED or the local police department.

A person who shows up at a home or business not wearing a Con Edison ID is not a company employee. A Con Edison employee will politely show the ID to the customer when asked.

At the same time, some utility companies have reported an increase in utility impostor scams through digital methods, including search engine-related scams.

Digital scam tactics include:

Sponsored ads on search engines that lead to an identical but fake utility bill payment page.

QR codes that scammers falsely claim link to a utility payment page.

Texts from a scammer claiming to be a utility representative, with a link to an impostor payment page.

Monica Martinez, executive director of Utilities United Against Scams, said utility impostor scammers are growing more sophisticated by using these digital methods to target both younger and older generations.

The organization encourages customers to stop and verify any unusual utility company requests before making a payment, regardless of whether the customer is contacted via phone, internet or in person.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City is offering a new, free telehealth service for teenagers  connecting them with a licensed therapist through phone, video and text.

Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan announced TeenSpace, which will be available to teens between the ages of 13 and 17 years old at no cost. It launches this month, created in partnership with online therapy platform Talkspace.

It aims to help youth and teens as levels of anxiety and depression in this age group have risen during and since the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. It will connect teens with appropriate support and referrals to more care, if needed.

When we took office nearly two years ago, we promised all New Yorkers that we would build a healthier city together, and invest in not just our physical health, but our mental health as well, said Adams. Earlier this year, we pledged to make mental health support available to all New York City teens, and today we are delivering on that promise. Beginning today, all New York City teenagers, ages 13 to 17, can talk, text, or make video calls to a licensed therapist for free through the citys online Teenspace service. Our young people shouldnt ever feel alone. Were here for them, and together I know well build a healthier, stronger city together.

Talkspace will operate the service connection to a therapist  helping to introduce young people to care. They will be able to engage with a professional through video, phone and unlimited chat on the platform. If a teen is in need of extended services, they can be referred to additional external resources.

The city and Talkspace designed the service with input from city teens, convening focus groups to best understand the mental health needs and build a useful and responsive platform. By leveraging telehealth tools, this also reduces physical and financial burdens for youth.

This Teenspace platform comes as mental health challenges increase among young people in the city and across the country.

New data published by DOHMH revealed that, between 2011 and 2021, there was an increase in the percentage of city students who reported feeling sad and hopeless, non-suicidal self-injury and suicidal ideation. In 2019, 36% of New York City high schoolers reported feeling so sad or hopeless almost every day for at least two weeks during the past 12 months that they stopped doing their usual activities. That figure rose to 38% in 2021. Latino and Black students were significantly more likely than white students to report feeling sad or hopeless, according to city data.

And over the last 10 years, rates of suicide ideation increased among adolescents, with 9.2% of New York City public high school students in 2021 reporting attempting suicide over the past 12 months, data showed.

We want to applaud the mayor and DOHMH Commissioner Vasan for launching this service which will help so many teens who are suffering from post-COVID-19 anxiety and depression, said Borough President Vito Fossella. This app opens up a new novel avenue to address these important issues.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  New York City Mayor Eric Adams said Tuesday that New York City parents might be called upon to help keep city schools safe after the administration cut the upcoming school safety agent class.

We have to do a real evaluation on where do we have the high-need schools and were going to be leaning into parents and parent groups to do some volunteerism, Adams said. Were going to lean into our crisis management team. We have to pull an all-hands-on-deck moment.

Adams remarks came a day after Staten Island elected officials slammed the administration over the safety agent cuts. They argued needed programs and resources for New Yorkers should be first priority, and that the migrant crisis is diverting funds.

The mayor noted that there have been no shootings inside of New York City schools, crediting work by school safety agents and the NYPD. For New Yorkers who might be skeptical of how the city will move forward with fewer resources, Adams reassured citizens that he is never going to allow school safety to falter under his administration.

But am I concerned that were going to drop and make schools unsafe for our children? Im never going to allow that to happen, said Adams. But we are going to be straining at a very high level to get this done correctly.

The Adams administration first broke the news of the safety agent class cancellation last week. Earlier this year, Adams called for billions in NYC budget cuts due to the cost of helping migrants. Adams said all city agencies would be forced to cut spending by 5% beginning in November  with more cuts possible in January and April.

Deputy Mayor Fabien Levy added, Sadly, hard choices need to be made and this administration is making the hard choices.

The school safety agents have a wide range of responsibilities, from greeting and signing-in visitors to operating metal detectors, responding to altercations, issuing arrests and even addressing student mental-health crises. They also help run and organize after-school activities.

In other serious situations, the agents also have a direct line to other NYPD units that could cut down on vital response time.

It was not immediately clear what parent volunteers would do to assist with safety as the mayor suggested.

Elected officials gathered in front of I.S. 2 to ask Mayor Adams publicly to restore the cancelled School Safety Agent Class. (Staten Island Advance/Shaina McLawrence)Shaina McLawrence

ELECTED OFFICIAL OPPOSE CUTS

Earlier in the week, Assemblyman Michael Tannousis (R-East Shore/South Brooklyn) held a bipartisan press conference with Staten Island elected officials to condemn the administrations recent cancellation of a 250-member safety agent class.

First, it was diminished to 150 agents, and then it was canceled altogether, said Tannousis.

The assemblyman went on to say that he believes the Adams administration chose the worst possible time to eliminate a class of brand-new school safety agents because of the possibility of terrorism since global conflicts have made New York City a target.

The bipartisan group brought together Monday by Tannousis included Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn), Borough President Vito Fossella, District Attorney Michael McMahon, State Sen. Andrew Lanza (R-South Shore), State Sen. Jessica Scarcella-Spanton (D-North Shore/South Brooklyn), Assemblyman Michael Reilly (R-South Shore), Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo (R-Mid-Island), City Councilwoman Kamillah Hanks (D-North Shore), City Councilman Joseph Borelli (R-South Shore) and City Councilman David Carr (R-Mid-Island), as well as Mona Davids, founder of the NYC School Safety Coalition, and John Ricottone, first vice president of community education for Council District 20.

In their pleas to Adams, the group of officials called for the Adams administration to put United States citizens first, by reinstating the class because it is a matter of life or death.

Malliotakis emphasized the need keep Staten Island children safe, calling the latest cut part of a dangerous trend of defunding critical resources.

We are seeing a reduction of NYPD overall, she said, noting fewer police officers on the streets and fewer detectives investigating crimes.

Malliotakis said theres been a 25% reduction in school safety agents since 2020. According to the congresswoman, since the beginning of the pandemic, the number of school safety agents in the city fell by approximately 1,200  with Staten Island bearing the brunt of the reductions.

The October stabbing of 13-year-old Syles Ular is proof of why school safety has become a life-or-death matter for New York City students, they said.
STATEN ISLAND, N.Y.  Rep. George Santos (R-Queens/Nassau) announced Thursday that he wouldnt seek re-election, but Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-Staten Island/South Brooklyn) wants to see more following a scathing ethics report on the embattled congressman.

The Staten Island congresswoman said Thursday that she would like to see her Republican counterpart resign or be removed from office following a report from the House Committee on Ethics that outlined an alleged patterns of deception and thievery related to Santos 2022 campaign that saw him enter office.

The charges against Rep. Santos are extremely serious and deeply disturbing, and as Ive previously said, he simply doesnt have the trust of his constituents or colleagues, she said. The House Ethics Committee report only reaffirms that his actions are unbecoming of a Member of Congress. I believe its not enough for Santos to simply say he wont seek re-election. He should immediately resign or be expelled so his constituents can be represented by someone who isnt a fraud.

Questions about Santos ethics and alleged illegal activity arose shortly after he won election with scandal following him throughout his short time in elected office.

Malliotakis expressed her disappointment with Santos as early as December 2022 when evidence of the congressmans lies began to emerge.

Rep. Nicole Malliotakis talks with reporters as Republicans hold a caucus meeting at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Oct. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Mariam Zuhaib)AP

Since then, more has come out against Santos, including a 23-count federal indictment published in October filled with accusations that he stole from his donors and made false campaign filings.

In their report released Thursday, the Republican-controlled House Ethics Committees Investigative Subcommittee echoed the concerns that had been raised about Santos for months, but did not recommend his removal from office.

The Committee encourages all Members of the House to carefully read the [subcommittees] report, which details grave and pervasive campaign finance violations and fraudulent activity by Representative Santos, and take any action they deem appropriate and necessary, based on the ISCs findings, to fulfill the Houses Constitutional mandate to police the conduct of its members, the Ethics Committee wrote in its report.

Their report alleges that Santos fraudulently used his 2022 candidacy for his own personal financial profit effectively stealing from the campaign through a series of schemes that included fictitious loans and the use of campaign contributions for personal reasons.

While Santos has admitted some ethical transgressions, he has denied breaking any laws.

On Thursday, the outgoing congressman issued a lengthy statement on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, that characterized the Ethics Committees report as a political smear, and called for a constitutional convention.

I will remain steadfast in fighting for my rights and for defending my name in the face of adversity. I am humbled yet again and reminded that I am human and I have flaws, but I will not stand by as I am stoned by those who have flaws themselves. I will continue on my mission to serve my constituents up until I am allowed. I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024 as my family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time, he wrote. Public service life was never a goal or a dream, but I stepped up to the occasion when I felt my country needed it most. I will 100% continue to maintain my commitment to my conservative values in my remaining time in Congress.
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.

Moms for Liberty has no intention of slowing down after a slate of losses in last weeks elections.

The extremist group endorsed candidates in school board elections across the country, spending big on those who vowed to advance their so-called war on woke, which includes ridding schools of mask mandates, critical race theory and academic material regarding gender and sexual identity. But voters rejected the groups ultra-conservative agenda, electing moderates and Democrats instead in a majority of races.

In the aftermath of Moms for Libertys defeat, the group is gearing up to spend even more money and recruit more candidates for 2024.

Moms for Liberty co-founder Tiffany Justice touted last weeks election as a big victory during an appearance on a conservative podcast Tuesday and assured Moms for Liberty supporters that it was just the beginning.

Im excited for 2024 because were going to take all the things that were learning and were going to turn them into better options and better resources for parents and community members who are running for office, she told conservative commentator Tyler ONeil.

Justice chalked this years losses up to fierce competition with teachers unions, who see the group as a looming threat, according to Ohio Federation of Teachers president Melissa Cropper.

As Moms for Liberty promotes their new gameplan for 2024, Ohio teachers are focusing on combating the groups efforts. Cropper said schools in Ohio are facing a crisis in teacher recruitment and retention, partly due to intimidation from Moms for Liberty. She also said students face great barriers, like housing insecurity and food insecurity outside of the classroom that teachers feel an obligation to address.

So, they can try to run on this platform of parental choice and I think these elections will just show again that parents are choosing school board candidates who are focusing on the real issues and not culture war issues, Cropper said.

Earlier this month, Moms for Liberty supported one parent in her push to ban several books in an Ohio high school, which sparked protests from students. The state saw a surge in such attempts the year prior.

We havent seen them get a real firm stronghold or foothold across Ohio yet, but their presence is always there. she said. It feels a little bit like theres people out to get you all the time. That's a feeling that our teachers have, like theyre being watched in a way that they havent been watched before.

Cropper said a new sense of urgency around school board elections drew people to the polls and ultimately saw teachers and parents triumph over the conservative push by groups like Moms for Liberty.

Last week, only two of eight Ohio Moms for Liberty endorsees secured school board seats; Julie Liskany and Denise DAngelo. The pair signed Moms for Libertys pledge to implement parent advisory curriculum teams, which grant parents permission to review curriculum, and to increase parental and community involvement, including a positive school culture and critical thinking skills. DAngelo and Liskany narrowly beat their opponents, securing 52.8 percent of the vote.
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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 16. Kuwaiti Jazeera Airways airline will start flying on the Kuwait - Fergana route from December of 2023, Trend reports.

Flights on the Kuwait City  Fergana  Kuwait City route will be operated three times a week on mediumhaul Airbus A320neo aircraft with a layout for 168 seats.

According to information provided by the Fergana regional administration, the flights will begin operating daily in 2024.

Jazeera Airways also intends to launch flights from Fergana to Egypt, Turkey, and European countries.

Meanwhile, Fergana has become the fourth city in Uzbekistan to join Jazeera Airways' flight network. The airline began operations in Uzbekistan in July 2021, with regular flights linking Kuwait City and Tashkent.

In addition, Jazeera Airways will expand its service to Namangan in October 2022. In order to improve its connection, the airline launched a direct trip to Samarkand in March 2023.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
AMP is trying to limit the crunch on its banking profits by joining the rush to target the small business market, investing $60 million in a new digital bank to provide transaction and savings accounts to customers such as tradies, hairdressers and contractors.

The new step in its strategy came as investors were spooked by a weak trading update from AMP Bank, which warned of lower margins over the next year, sending AMPs share price tumbling 15.8 per cent to 86, a record low.

Tradies are among the people AMP is looking to with its new digital banking push. Credit: Louise Kennerley

Seeking to expand its banking unit at a time when industry profits are under pressure, the wealth manager said on Thursday that it would team up with UK digital bank Starling to launch a new service aimed at gathering deposits.

The move is an attempt to provide AMPs bank with cheaper types of funding, as banks funding costs have been pushed up by stiff competition for retail term deposits and higher-interest savings accounts.
Mining billionaire Chris Ellisons Mineral Resources is chasing a five-year exemption from a Western Australian government ban on the export of onshore gas, similar to a controversial 2020 deal that benefited fellow WA magnate Kerry Stokes.

The push comes just three months after the Cook government removed the prospect of exemptions for all gas, except from the remote Kimberley region, as Australias most gas-dependent state faces a supply crunch.

Mineral Resources Wodgina lithium processing plant.

Ellison, who founded the $12 billion company, said development of its Lockyer Deep field could go two ways: a small 30 terajoules a day plant equal to about 3 per cent of the market, or a larger 250 terajoules a day facility bankrolled by mainly supplying the more lucrative export market for five years.

The exemption request from Mineral Resources is similar to the one granted by former premier Mark McGowan in 2020 to the Waitsia field, half owned by the Stokes-controlled Beach Energy. McGowan had to defend the decision after the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) predicted a gas shortage for the next few years, just when Waitsia will start exporting gas through Woodsides North West Shelf facility.
As the NSW Liberals prepare for their Star Wars-themed convention next weekend (remember its called A New Hope) and elect a new senator, numerous hopefuls are sharpening their pitches.

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Former NSW transport minister Andrew Constance remains the frontrunner, and the video he circulated to delegates this week was suitably vanilla, spruiking his cabinet experience, and leadership during the Black Summer bushfires.

Meanwhile, fellow moderate and former Wentworth MP Dave Sharma reckons the party can win back government if they improve their competitiveness.

As a proven parliamentary, campaign and media performer, I know how to scrutinise Labor, develop policy to attract voters, and bolster our campaign resources, Sharma wrote in a candidate statement.
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Eating outJust open Cammerays mini restaurant boom continues with opening of new bar and bistro with Michelin cred Follys opens in the former home of Epoque Belgian Beer Cafe on Miller Street, joining recent arrivals Nico and Dont Tell Uncle in a mini hospo boom for the suburb. Scott Bolles November 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

Lachy Sturrock and Sam Smith met over a decade ago working behind the bar at Alberts Tavern in North Sydney, and were both fans of Epoque Belgian Beer Cafe in nearby Cammeray. Now the duo is back at the former Epoque site for which launched on Thursday, November 16 of their own venue, Follys, and theyve brought a Michelin-star trained chef along for the ride. Follys Sam Smith (left) and Lachy Sturrock. Steven Woodburn The thing we love about this site is the layout, Sturrock says. It suits that beautiful mixture between the two [bar and restaurant]. The memory of Epoques big marble bar was so strong that, a decade after it closed, Sturrock admits he initially hoped it might still be hidden under the alterations of subsequent venues.

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Sturrock and Smith both grew up on the lower north shore, and the venues moniker references nearby Folly Point. Its also a play on it being a folly, Sturrock adds. Rigatoni alla vodka. Steven Woodburn A gamble perhaps, but both have forged careers in the hospitality industry, and have some added clout, with Sydney publicans Bill Smith and Lee Dillon also partners. It isnt Sturrocks first start-up  he was involved in the launch of multiple venues as part of the management team at Applejack Hospitality. The cocktail list is short and sharp, rotating through the year to include seasonal fruit, while the wine list includes between 80 and 100 mostly Australian producers, as well as old-world wines from France and Italy.

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Photo: Steven Woodburn Epoques marble bar mightnt have survived, but its original timber flooring and chequered tiles did. Designer Kathryn Thompson has layered the space with a mix of leather banquette, mustard and maroon tones, cork cladding and vintage rugs. Chef Antonio Ace Espiritu apprenticed at Frances Michelin-starred LOustau de Baumaniere, before working locally at Icebergs Dining Room, aMare and Fauna. Follys bistro, at the back of the venue, has a menu with a broad Euro brief. Sturrock picks out the kingfish ceviche with finger lime, and snack-y potato balls made with garlic-thyme butter as a couple of early favourites. Chef Antonio Ace Espiritu. Steven Woodburn

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Recent Cammeray openings Nico and Dont Tell Uncle suggest the area is in the midst of a mini hospo boom. Were looking to bring back the cosiness and great energetic buzz that space used to have, Sturrock says of Follys joining the party. Recreate that neighbourhood feel where locals happily come in a few times a week, always finding something new to try and experience. Open Tue-Thu 3pm-late; Fri-Sun noon-late. 429 Miller Street, Cammeray, follys.com.au

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TASHKENT, Uzbekistan, November 16. Uzbekistan and Saudi Arabia signed a protocol on the completion of bilateral negotiations on entering World Trade Organization (WTO), Trend reports.

Thus, Saudi Arabia has become the second state to have signed the final agreement on Uzbekistan's accession to the WTO, following Georgia.

The protocol was signed at the WTO General Headquarters in Geneva by Aziz Urunov, Special Representative of the President of Uzbekistan on WTO Issues, and the representatives of WTO.

Moreover, the Uzbek delegation, chaired by Deputy Prime Minister of Uzbekistan, Chairman of the interdepartmental commission on work with WTO Jamshid Khodzhayev, will take part in the 7th meeting of the working group on Uzbekistan's membership in the World Trade Organization.

Meanwhile, a protocol was signed on the completion of bilateral negotiations on access to the market of goods and services between Georgia and Uzbekistan within the framework of accession to the WTO in April of 2023.

Uzbekistan applied for membership in the World Trade Organization right after its establishment in 1994. After the 3rd meeting of the working group in 2005, the process was suspended for 15 years, and only in 2020 the 4th meeting was held.
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Tips & adviceGood Food recommends The food critics essential guide to shopping at Costco Theres a lot more to the warehouse retailer than roast chickens and cut-price Calvin Klein and coffins. Callan Boys November 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

Ortiz anchovies. Maldon sea salt. Mutti passata. All these are in my fridge or pantry right now, and all came from Costco. Theres also a carton of Fever-Tree Tonic, way too much toum, and Le Dauphin Double Creme cheese. Live Goolwa pipis, too, DeZhuang Chongqing Noodles, and a massive bag of frozen okra I have no idea what to do with, but it was only $11 for 2.5 kilograms, so how can you not? What does Callan Boys put in his Costco trolley? Nathan Perri For a long time, I thought Costco was just like Aldi, only much bigger and sometimes cheaper, and  did somebody say it sold coffins? It does, plus prescription glasses, front-load washing machines, massage chairs, scented chalk sticks, laminate flooring, herbal supplements, badminton nets, alto saxophones and Lance Franklins autobiography. The US-based chain has 15 warehouses in Australia, and since the first location opened in Docklands, Melbourne in 2009, Ive found myself shopping at Costco with increasing frequency. As the brands and fresh produce improve, its gone from a once-every-four-years novelty to monthly excursion. With so many items sold in bulk, its also the go-to any time a party needs catering. Costcos Marsden Park warehouse, 45 minutes from the Sydney CBD. Supplied

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Advice for first-time Costco shoppers It costs $65 to be a store member, and you need to be a member to buy things

Avoid weekends if possible, as the check-out lines can be daunting

Bags arent supplied, so bring your ball of totes

Most importantly  go in with a game plan or risk leaving with a patio umbrella when all you wanted was hummus Stocked items and specials change weekly, but here are a few of my favourite constants from recent visits. A little greasy, but highly fruity. Dominic Lorrimer Kirkland Christmas Fruitcake, 1.7kg, $23.99 Costcos house-baked cakes and pastries vary wildly in quality. I havent tried them all  and suspect the humongous apple pie and mini custard-filled doughnuts could be worth a punt  but I can say that the pain au chocolates and turnovers are dry, and the madeleines, too cakey. The Portuguese tart has a beaut filling considering it costs $18 a dozen, but the pastrys texture isnt far removed from Gyprock. The new fruitcake, however, is legitimately well done (albeit a little greasy), with high levels of moisture, cherries, sultanas and currants. An almost aggressive amount of pecans, hazelnuts and walnuts holds your interest with each bite, too.

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Meredith Dairy Marinated Goat Cheese, 550g, $15.99 Because I like to slather this stuff on toast like my grandmother ices finger buns, I try not to have it in the house too often. When I do buy it though, Ill buy it from Costco, which sells the big jar for $5 less than other major retailers. A cheese to come back to. Dominic Lorrimer Wookey Hole Cave Aged Traditional West Country Farmhouse Cheddar, 400g, $15.49 This could easily be a Best Costco Cheese list. Honourable mentions go to the Selected by Will Studd Le Dauphin Petit Double Creme, Maffra Mature Cheddar, Udder Delights Single Herd Triple Cream Brie, and a 15-month-old Comte. Its this cheddar I keep coming back to though, made by Ford Farm Cheesemakers in Dorset, England. Super buttery, slightly nutty, quite tangy and nicely salty. One for pairing with the fruitcake above, or a cabernet sauvignon and Christmas Vacation.

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Praise be, MSG. Dominic Lorrimer Takumi Japanese Chicken Gyoza, 1.2kg, $23.99 How good is it when youre pressed for dinner-cooking time and suddenly remember Oh yeah, we have those dumplings in the freezer! Bulk-buy dumplings are about crowd-pleasing flavour rather than the finer points of pleating, and these Australian-made gyozas nail the brief. Praise be to oyster sauce, sesame oil and MSG. Recipe collection 16 ways to dress up frozen dumplings Spring Bay Australian Blue Mussels, 2kg, $14.99

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Theres a decent smorgasbord of pre-packaged fresh seafood at Costco these days, from the good (whole tropical snapper), the bad (farmed salmon) to the ugly (sorry, pre-shucked oysters which look like they were blown out of the bunyips nose). This catering pack of pot-ready sustainable mussels must be the best value though, and if you have some pasta, olive oil, capers and cream on hand, youve got a banging meal to feed six for less than $30. Mutti Passata, 6 x 700g, $19.99 Theres a lot to be said for old friends and ancient relatives getting together every summer, when tomatoes are at their peak, and making enough passata to supply red sauces for the rest of the year. Still, the convenience of buying and stashing a case of silky Mutti isnt without its merits either. The same sized jar retails for $4.80 at Coles. A big, sexy salt bucket. Supplied Maldon Sea Salt Flakes, 1.4kg, $31.99

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Six months after purchase, Im still nowhere near the bottom of this sexy salt bucket, and gosh knows Ive been using it to season everything my kitchen bench touches. (Everything except hot chips that is, which need a finer-grained table salt that will really cling to them.) Buy the same amount of Maldon in 250-gram boxes elsewhere, and expect to pay about $60. Evergreen Original Tofu Regular Firm, 2 x 900g, $7.99 Gee, this is cheap. And versatile! From mapo tofu in winter, to healthy noodle soups in summer, its just nice to have a sealed tub of the stuff around. Also, there are few more satisfying kitchen jobs than slicing blocks of tofu into smaller cubes. For mid-week meals down the track. Costco Kirkland Marinated Beef Bulgogi, $19.99 per kg

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These spindly strips of chuck beef are marinated with soy sauce, garlic and pear juice, and Ill usually divide the two-kilogram tub into sandwich bags and freeze for ultra-quick dinners down the track. A healthy Tuesday night favourite with kimchi, cauliflower rice and spring onion. Worth whacking in the trolley. Dominic Lorrimer Jongga Naturally Fermented Kimchi, 1.2kg, $8.99 Speaking of fermented napa cabbage, Jongga might not be the most artisan kimchi on the market, but its still totally worth whacking in the trolley, especially at that price. I keep kimchi around for gut health and microbiome reasons, but most of it ends up in toasted cheese jaffles, which is not quite what the gastroenterologist ordered. Recipe collection 20 ways with kimchi

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Diamantina Organic Beef Mince, 3 x 500g, $29.99 Kirkland is Costcos home-brand, and youll see its label on a lot of the onsite butchers meat. I cant bring myself to buy the Kirkland beef mince for $9.99 a kilogram, as that just seems too cheap, and multinational retailers should have more respect for cows. This organic beef from outback Queensland, though? Sold! Plus the bundle of three separate portions is great for freezing and grabbing a packet whenever bolognese calls. Birch & Waite Premium Burger Sauce, 1L, $13.99 A gherkin-y, mustard-y sauce of requisite tang, engineered to enhance any burger party. You can find 120-slice bulk packs of taxi cab-yellow American cheese in the same chilled aisle (for burgers, sometimes processed is best), and the Diamantina organic mince (above) can form a top-notch pattie. Bypass Costcos too-sweet brioche-style buns, however, and track down a few eight-packs of Martins Famous Potato Rolls instead. Perfect with fried chicken. Costco

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Calvisius Tradition Caviar, 30g, $79.99 Of course, Costco sells caviar too. Is it the best caviar youll ever hoover off the back of your hand? Probably not, but its still the cured eggs of a white sturgeon harvested in Italy, and you get a mother-of-pearl spoon to boot. If, like me, you cant afford the super high-end gear, this is a great caviar option for topping oysters (delicious) and fried chicken (even better). Wynns Coonawarra Estate The Siding 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon, 750ml, $10.49 And I thought this was cracking value when Dan Murphys had it at $14. One of Wynns more approachable wines, theres still enough plush fruit and character to justify buying a case and having it on hand for Monday-night steaks, or whenever the neighbours drop by and dont bring a bottle of their own. If you ever wanted to start ageing wine, Wynns cabernet sauvignon is a terrific option to kick off a cellar. Just lay down a few bottles in a cool, dark space, and forget about them for the next dozen years. Best bargain bottles: 13 great wines for $20 or less

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Labors retreat from the bleeding obvious came in the release of a report on Wednesday by the parliamentary joint committee on intelligence and security showing it rejected a proposal by Coalition MPs to ban the Nazi salute. Both sides, however, united in calling for the Albanese government to drop a plan to ban the public display of the Islamic State flag because of concerns that it would criminalise displays of legitimate Islamic imagery.

Instead of providing national leadership with a federal law, Labor apparently prefers to outsource banning the salute to the states. With mounting tensions in Australia over the Middle East, the optics are terrible, worsened perhaps by the brawling in parliament between Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton over rising antisemitism.

The refusal by some federal Labor MPs to give bipartisan support to a Coalition proposal to ban the Nazi salute is a lost opportunity to provide leadership and sympathetically address the misery, fear and repugnance it has evoked for years around the world as haters reboot the brutal symbol.

Raising an arm in salute dates to the Roman Empire. But it was appropriated by National Socialists in Germany and fascists in Italy in the early 20th century. Since 1945, the Nazi salute, as with the swastika, has been forever bound to the Holocaust and symbolises extreme hatred and violence. But that has not stopped its renaissance as the rise of the far-right weaponises the gesture to intimidate, spread fear and portray unity of purpose at rallies.

Amid the growing threat of far-right extremism in Australia, a number of states have banned the Nazi swastika or flag and displaying the symbols. In NSW, after a parliamentary inquiry in early 2022 unanimously recommended a ban, it is now a criminal offence and carries a penalty of up to $22,000 or up to 12 months jail. Victoria last month introduced the Summary Offences (Nazi Salute Prohibition) Bill, making it illegal to undertake the gesture after the Labor government moved to strengthen anti-vilification laws following a far-right protest earlier this year attended by members of the National Socialist Network, who performed Nazi salutes on Parliament House steps before being led away by police.

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Peter Khalil, the Labor chair of the parliamentary joint committee, argued that the proposed ban on Nazi hate symbols should be limited to symbols such as the Nazi swastika and Nazi flag, but not the salute. He said the decision by Labor MPs was informed by federal police advice, noting laws could not be effective unless they could be enforced.

There are arguments that prosecuting people who recycle the Nazi salute are best left to state jurisdictions. But dealing with the Nazi salute has proven problematic. Prosecuting offenders is not easy. The overseas experience showed some change tactics to evade the law by using what is known as the OK symbol, thumb and index finger creating a circle while the other three fingers are spread apart to create what some see as the letters W and P white power. The so-called quenelle gesture, pointing one arm vertically downwards palm down while touching the shoulder with the opposite hand, has also been used to circumvent hate laws, as occurred in Switzerland in 2014.
The state government has vowed to veto a council plan to replace unlawful residents only parking spots at a beloved eastern suburbs beach with a 15-minute time limit for visitors.

Woollahra Council has maintained exclusive parking for residents of Sydneys Watsons Bay for 50 years, but has now conceded the scheme was illegal, and the signs must be removed, after receiving advice from a senior counsel.

Cliff Street is one of several streets near Camp Cove beach that currently has parking reserved exclusively for residents. Credit: Brook Mitchell

Councillors decided on Wednesday night to replace about 70 residents only spots with 15 minutes parking  permit holders excepted. However, they acknowledged this could trigger a veto by Transport for NSW, which had advised it wouldnt support any time limit less than an hour.

Roads Minister John Graham has vowed to intervene, after the Herald revealed the council decision.
But it took nearly a decade until he was convicted of assaulting her and her sister on an isolated mountain lookout in the Mid North Coast village of Krambach, near Taree, Smith in 1983 and Morgan in 1986, when they were aged about 16. He admitted his guilt to six offences. Shortly before Christmas last year, the Perth businessman was again sentenced to jail. This time, for three years, with a two-year non-parole period. He will be eligible for parole on December 15, 2024. On Friday, the NSW Court of Criminal Appeal dismissed an appeal brought by Melville to reduce his sentence for the NSW abuse. On the eve of that decision, the sisters waived their legal right to anonymity to the Herald to share their frustrations with the nine-year legal process. Melville has twice been sentenced to jailed for his abuse of the sisters. Morgan is angry at what she considered Melvilles delay tactics  which include changing lawyers, applying for a stay of proceedings and reversing his pleas  as well as apparent failures on behalf of the NSW justice system.

This has consumed so much of my life, Morgan said. He (Melville) is smart, but he is evil and manipulated the system to work in his favour. But also, with multi-jurisdictional abuse, theres a lack of connection between different states and territories and their many departments and agencies. Theres no overview  and things get missed, with the onus often on victims to check things. One of the most devastating experiences for Morgan was when the Sydney District Court did not revoke Melvilles bail after he changed his pleas for the NSW offences from not guilty to guilty late last year. He  as well as the sisters  was still living in Perth, and yet he was not extradited to NSW to await sentencing, which was handed down in early December.

Not only did this mean he would be living in the same community as his victims, but he was on the same flight from Sydney to Perth as Morgan and her husband. The abuse went on for several years while the sisters grew up in Perth. I walked onto the plane and I saw him sipping champagne one row in front of where we were seated, she said. I couldnt believe it. He didnt even move seats  that shows his arrogance. Despite Morgan showing a flight attendant proof of her Western Australian court-enforced violence restraining order (VRO), which restricted him from being within 50 metres of her, the staff said they lacked the authority to ask him to leave the plane. Even though she was the victim, they advised she could move flights.

Amplifying her stress was the fact the order was not enforceable in NSW. Thats because a new national Domestic Violence Order scheme came into effect in 2015 which recognised orders made in any jurisdiction, but those created before the scheme started had to be altered through the courts to be included  something Morgan said many victims were not aware of. Morgan contacted the Australian Federal Police, who were willing to come on board and ask Melville to disembark the flight. During the 40-year uphill battle for justice she and Smith had faced, it was often hard to keep going and not lose hope. I was never going to let Vic win, Morgan said. She will always remember looking at Melville as she read him her victim impact statement in court.
Its a place Ive been to literally hundreds of times in my life. But on this occasion, Im lost, and running increasingly late for an interview.

In my defence, I havent been to Westfield Carindale for about 10 years and back then, Beyond DVs Hope Hub didnt exist.

Hope Hub opened in Westfield Carindale shopping centre in March 2022. Since then, it has been visited by more than 3500 people seeking support, most commonly after domestic violence. Credit: Hope Hub

Its also fairly inconspicuous. At a rushed glance, the glassed doorway of the hub could lead to anything: a creche, centre management offices, a room where they take kids accused of shoplifting.

What it actually is is a multipurpose support centre for people experiencing a range of social issues, but particularly domestic violence.
A 12-year-old girl has been charged with murder after the fatal stabbing of a woman at an apartment building in Melbournes west.

Emergency services were called to the Barkly Street building in Footscray following reports that a 37-year-old woman had been found dead inside the complex shortly before 2am on Thursday.

Homicide squad detectives at the scene of the stabbing. Credit: Jason South

Officers arrested the girl at the scene. She was taken to hospital for assessment under police guard on Thursday morning.

On Thursday night, she was charged with one count of murder and remanded to appear before a childrens court at a later date.
Victoria Polices chief commissioner has dismissed as ridiculous a Melbourne councils plan to cap speed limits at 30km/h across two inner-city suburbs in a bid to reduce serious crashes.

Shane Patton said that despite Victorias concerning road toll, fatalities were not happening on inner-city streets, but in the country and on rural roads, and lowering the speed limit in the City of Yarra was not the answer.

I just think thats ridiculous ... 30 kilometres, Patton said on ABC radio on Thursday morning. Thirty kilometres isnt the answer, in my point of view. I think no ones going to obey it ... its ridiculous.

Yarra City Council voted on Tuesday to expand a trial of reduced speed zones in Fitzroy and Collingwood to all suburban streets, excluding the busier thoroughfares of Johnston, Nicholson and Hoddle streets and Victoria Parade, which are managed by the Department of Transport and Planning.
Victorias top police officer says the Palestinian-Australian owner of a torched Caulfield burger store has not yet substantiated allegations that the arson attack on his business was racially or politically motivated.

Chief Commissioner Shane Patton told ABC radio on Thursday that Hash Tayeh had been asked to meet investigators to provide a formal statement as part of the probe into the November 10 fire.

Police are investigating the cause of the fire. Credit: Simon Schluter

However, the chief executive of the Burgertory chain, who claims he is now in hiding after reportedly receiving a slew of safety threats, has not made a formal statement, according to Patton.

Weve said were very happy to investigate any threat, and he did state to investigators hed received many threats, but really only wanted one investigated. Theyve said: Well absolutely investigate it, come in. He hasnt come in yet, Patton said.
Endangered peat swamps in WAs Great Southern have been burned only weeks after the federal government placed them on a threatened ecological community list.

Site checks by the Denmark Environment Centre of a 3500-hectare area near the Styx River, north of Denmark, found that patches of subsurface peat are still smouldering more than two weeks after the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions set fire to the vegetation as part of a wildfire mitigation program.

Peatlands smouldering near Denmark in southern WA. Credit: David Edmonds

The way this area was lit up was in total disregard of known peatland areas, centre convenor Bart Lebbing said.

I dont think the peat will be extinguished in a hurry.
BAKU, Azerbaijan, November 16. "Good" friends of Armenia continue to supply this aggressor country with arms, knowing that this only undermines efforts to achieve lasting peace in the South Caucasus.

According to media reports, the Indian company Munitions India Limited will supply Armenia with 150,000 units of grenades of 30 and 40 mm caliber.

It is noted that India supplied 5 million units of 7.62 mm caliber cartridges to Armenia two months ago.

"In August of this year, Armenia received six 155 mm ATAGS howitzers from India. This was the first cargo to Armenia as part of a large contract agreed with India. The defense agreement calls for the delivery of 90 ATAGS units to Armenia for a total cost of $155.5 million. In addition, 84 additional howitzers will be transferred to Armenia in stages over the next three years," the media reported.

India and nations comparable to it in this context, which are actively equipping Armenia, where revanchist forces exist even in the new reality in the South Caucasus, demonstrate that they are not interested in regional stability. Although the South Caucasus is geographically distant from India, the region is vital because it is at the crossroads of significant transportation corridors that also run through India. As a result, India should be concerned with regional stability.

With this policy, Armenia shows its unreasonable goals once more. This demonstrates once again that Yerevan does not need peace.

Stay up-to-date with more news at Trend News Agency's WhatsApp channel
The Home Affairs Department paid $80 million to Papua New Guineas government to look after the refugees left there when Australias offshore processing regime ended, but less than two years later that money has been spent.

Seven service providers to about 60 former Manus Island detainees are now threatening to stop looking after the men entirely, including the Pacific International Hospital, which provides mental and physical health services.

Refugees previously held on Manus Island, now in Port Moresby, in 2019.

A letter from the service providers to PNGs Chief Immigration Officer, Stanis Hulahau, threatens to stop all accommodation, transport, security, food vouchers and immigration advice to the men from November 23 if the PNG government does not pay outstanding invoices.

The letter says the providers have grave concerns regarding the ongoing viability of the countrys refugee humanitarian program.
A border protection deal between Labor and the Coalition will impose curfews and electronic monitoring devices on detainees who are released from indefinite detention after days of political fury over threats to community safety.

The federal government struck the deal with Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in a lightning move to pass the new law within 13 hours of its public release and respond to a High Court ruling last week that has forced the release so far of 84 foreigners unable to be deported to other countries.

Opposition spokesman for immigration and citizenship Dan Tehan and Opposition Leader Peter Dutton in parliament on Thursday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

The government also signalled that another 340 detainees could be released but refused to reveal the reasons each had been detained or the nature of the crimes some had committed, although it previously confirmed the list included three murderers and some sex offenders.

Acting Prime Minister Richard Marles revealed the agreement with Dutton on Thursday afternoon, clearing the way for the law to be passed hours later despite strong criticism from the Greens that the new regime amounted to detention by another name through the use of curfews and ankle bracelets.
Two years ago, Gregory Andrews was Australias high commissioner to West Africa. On Friday, he was taken to hospital after waging a 16-day hunger strike on the lawns of Parliament House to highlight the need for urgent climate action.

I dont want to die, but I do want the Australian government and [Prime Minister] Anthony Albanese to show courage, and for [Opposition Leader] Peter Dutton to stop using climate change as a political weapon for his own advantage, he said on Thursday, just a day before reporting chest pains and shortness of breath, prompting two nurses from Parliament House to call an ambulance.

Gregory Andrews spent 16 days on a hunger strike in front of Parliament House to highlight the need for stronger action on climate change. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Against the warnings of his doctor, but with the support of his wife and two adolescent children, the career bureaucrat and Indigenous man stopped eating on November 1. Drinking only water, he has lost more than eight kilograms.

Andrews  Australias first threatened species commissioner and the nations deputy chief climate negotiator to the United Nations  started planning the hunger strike a few months ago. His despair over the impacts of global warming and weak environmental protections had spiralled into depression, and he knew he needed to do something to drive change.
Labor MP Peter Khalil says activists who dumped fake dead bodies outside politicians offices to protest Israels military action in Gaza are traumatising his staff and using the war for political gain as Labor and Coalition MPs broke ranks to join growing calls for a ceasefire.

Labors Maria Vamvakinou and Fatima Payman and the Nationals Mark Coulton joined the Greens on Thursday in calling for an immediate end to hostilities in the besieged Gaza Strip, where Israeli forces have killed more than 11,000, according to Hamas-run authorities.

Peter Khalil criticised protesters tactics, saying vandalism and intimidation cannot be the answer. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Since Hamas fighters killed about 1200 Israelis in surprise attacks on October 7, Israel has been under increasing pressure to spare civilian lives as it aims to wipe out the terrorist group that runs Gaza, prompting large protests across the world.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong stepped up her criticism of Israels military action on Sunday, calling for steps towards a ceasefire but stressing it could not be one-sided and must include the release of civilian hostages by Hamas. Her remark, which Opposition Leader Peter Dutton slammed as reckless, infuriated Jewish groups that believe a ceasefire would embolden Hamas.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk may be forced to make an election-year call to dump or delay a key multibillion-dollar Sunshine Coast passenger rail line after a federal infrastructure spend overhaul.

Part of that has also involved an extra $1.75 billion in federal money being poured into cost escalations for a previously $2.6 billion joint rail improvement project on Brisbanes south.

An artists impression of a station along the Direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line, proposed to link commuters from Maroochydore into the existing North Coast Line toward Brisbane. Credit: The Department of Transport and Main Roads

The rail projects are just two touched by the federal Labor governments long-awaited independent review of the national infrastructure pipeline, worth $120 billion over 10 years.

Both are part of the key vision for a legacy of improved transport links across the south-east from the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games  and emerging as a new political fight for the state to publicly wage ahead of the October 2024 election.
Western Australias carbon emissions will rise over the short term, but that will be for the good of global efforts to reach to net-zero by 2050, according to Premier Roger Cook.

Cooks government is expected to finally release its emission reduction strategy next month, which will include unenforceable five-year interim targets on a sector-by-sector basis.

WA Premier Roger Cook says WAs emissions are likely to increase. Credit: Hamish Hastie

Speaking at an announcement of $134 million of funding for clean energy projects, Cook said WAs role in the global energy transition was unique to other Australian jurisdictions and its pathway to net-zero would be different.

He said there would inevitably be higher emissions as the states mining sector ramped up the extraction of minerals for use in renewable technologies and produced more gas for Asian superpowers moving away from coal electricity generation.
French rudeness Its hard to understand how this stereotype ever came about. The French are very polite and will nearly always offer a greeting, whether youre entering a shop or lift, passing on a walking path, or meeting in a corridor. Theyre also formal and hierarchical, treat people accordingly, and avoid sensitive topics such as money and religion. But beware: this etiquette is abandoned when it comes to queuing. Use sharp elbows or youll be left behind. Inconvenient shop hours No-one expects a bakery or neighbourhood supermarket to close at lunchtime. Credit: iStock Why are many French shops beyond big cities closed during the only hours most people can use them? This troubles workers more than tourists, with shops closed over lunchtime, on Sundays, and on Monday mornings (or even all day). But tourists do get caught out: who expects a bakery or neighbourhood supermarket to close at lunchtime? Still, in an increasingly commercialised world, this habit has a certain charm  providing you buy your picnic baguette early.

Cheek kissing Kissing continues with insouciant enthusiasm in France. Credit: iStock Youd think this habit would have faded in the COVID age. Not so in France. Kissing continues with insouciant enthusiasm between women, or between men and women. (Kissing between men tends to be reserved for ceremonious occasions.) The only person you dont kiss is a stranger on first meeting. After that, kiss hello, kiss goodbye. Kiss three times in the south, twice in the north, four times in some other places. And yet strangely, hugging discomforts the French. Cafe etiquette There are many mysteries to French cafe-going. Credit: iStock

All the chairs on a French cafe terrace face outwards, because watching passers-by is more important than looking at your drinking companion. There are many other mysteries to French cafe-going. Why are tables so close together that you have to listen to the neighbours conversation? Why is smoking still allowed on terraces? Why are dogs fed titbits from the table? And why is service so slow? But the latter is a good thing: no need to rush, or order anything more. The quality of croissants How croissants are so much better in France is a great mystery. Credit: iStock Once youve had a buttery, flaky French croissant, youll be forever disappointed elsewhere, but how croissants are so much better in France than anywhere else is a great mystery. Perhaps its the work the bakers put into laminating and resting the dough. Perhaps its because French butter contains more butterfat than elsewhere. Or perhaps because so many croissants are consumed, theyre always much fresher when you buy them. Over-praised wine

French wines have a different flavour profile. Credit: iStock An Australian lover of red wines is likely to be disappointed with French wines, not because theyre inferior, but because were used to a different flavour profile. Our warmer climate generally makes our red wines richer and rounder. Bordeaux wines are more complex than our cabernet sauvignons but not as smooth or fruity, for example. Syrah from the Rhone Valley can be great but never quite packs the punch of a full-bodied Australian shiraz. Dinner courses Theres always room for cheese in France. Credit: iStock The order in which several dishes are served during a classical French multi-course menu is eccentric to outsiders. Sorbet isnt a dessert: expect it right after the main course. Salad is seldom an entree or side dish but comes after the main (or the sorbet, if there is one).
The traffic is slow on Elm Street today, which is just as well, for a man is standing in the middle of the road posing for a photo. He turns towards the former Texas School Book Depository building on Dealey Plaza and points up at the sixth floors corner window. It was here, on November 22, 1963, that Lee Harvey Oswald crouched down, lifted his rifle to the sill and fired the shots that killed American president John F. Kennedy.

I can almost hear the barrels recoil and historys echo as I peer down at the placid scene from my lookout on the depositorys empty top floor. Far below, the man  a fellow tourist, I presume  grins at his companion as she snaps pictures from the grassed verge. The white X taped onto the asphalt beneath his feet is hefted with import: it pinpoints not only the site of Kennedys assassination, but the locus of six decades of morbid fascination, wild conspiracy and an abiding, collective grief.

X marks the spot  the road below The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza, Dallas, Texas.

Located on the Dealey Plaza site where a wagon shop once stood, the seven-storey, red-brick depository building has since been restored to its 1901 origins. Inside, cardboard boxes stacked around the glassed-off snipers perch attest to its function as a depository when Oswald started working here just a few weeks before the assassination. In the aftermath, the building was acquired by Dallas County, and in 1989 the Sixth Floor Museum was opened here as both memorial to a fallen president and repository of a nations socio-political history.

Now, as the US commemorates the 60th anniversary of that notorious event, previously unseen artefacts have been included in the Two Days in Texas exhibition (on until June 2024). Among them are a handwritten letter in which Kennedys wife, Jackie, asks Nobel laureate John Steinbeck to write her late husbands biography (he declined), and the now-bloodstained shirt worn by Dr Robert McClelland when he treated the mortally wounded Kennedy at Parkland Memorial Hospital.
Paris: French judges have issued arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two other senior officials over the use of banned chemical weapons against civilians in Syria, a judicial source said.

The warrants  which refer to charges of complicity in crimes against humanity and complicity in war crimes  follow a criminal investigation into chemical attacks in the town of Douma and the district of Eastern Ghouta in August 2013, attacks which killed more than 1000 people.

Syrian President Bashar al-Assad during the Arab summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, in May. Credit: Saudi Press Agency/AP

It is the first international arrest warrant issued for the Syrian head of state, whose forces responded to protests that began in 2011 with a brutal crackdown that United Nations experts have said amounts to war crime.

These are also the first international arrest warrants that have been issued over the chemical weapons attack in Ghouta, said Mazen Darwish, lawyer and founder of the Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), which filed the case in France.
New York: TikTok is removing videos that promote Osama bin Ladens letter justifying the September 11 attacks against the US, saying that the user-generated content clearly violates its rules on not supporting any form of terrorism.

We are proactively and aggressively removing this content and investigating how it got onto our platform, TikTok said in a post on X.

Guess who went viral on TikTok? Osama bin Laden in 1998. Credit: AP

TikTok, already facing scrutiny from US politicians over ties to China, said the videos quoting the late al-Qaeda founder were not unique to it and had also appeared on other social media websites.

The terror groups then leader claimed Jews controlled American affairs, labelled AIDS a Satanic American Invention, and condemned the creation and existence of Israel.
You've probably caught yourself feeling pain in your fingers, neck, or shoulders, or discomfort in your eyes after browsing social media, messaging, or playing games on your smartphone at least once. Scientists warn that these habits can have a negative impact not only on your health but also on your distant descendants.

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According to the Daily Mail, experts from the American telecom provider Toll Free Forwarding decided to model what a person of the year 3000, a descendant of generations of regular smartphone and laptop users, would look like. What they came up with can be a pretty convincing argument in favor of spending less time with your gadgets.

The grotesque model is called Mindy. She gives an idea of what people might look like in less than eight centuries as a result of the total dependence on technology. The woman has a short and wide neck, a hunched back, deformed fingers and a second eyelid. "We obtained scientific research and expert opinions on this issue before working with a 3D designer to create a future person whose body has physically changed due to the constant use of smartphones, laptops, and other technologies," the company explained.

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The hunched posture will be the result of people looking down at the screen of a smartphone or laptop for hours. And our hands will take on the shape of a claw precisely because we are used to holding gadgets in our palms. Thus, according to Dr. Nikola Djordjevic of Med Alert Help, the way we hold the phone causes excessive tension at certain points of contact and can provoke the so-called "text claw" known medically as cubital tunnel syndrome. It is also known as ulnar tunnel syndrome, which causes numbness in the arm and constant tingling or pain in the elbow, shoulder, or fingers.

Doctors also describe the so-called "smartphone elbow". Because we bend our arm at a 90-degree angle when holding a smartphone and keep it in that position for a long time, the nerve that runs through the elbow can stretch and cause pain.

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In addition to a hunched back, sticking to gadgets can lead to a thickened neck. "When you're working at a computer or looking at your phone, the muscles in the back of your neck have to contract to hold your head up," explains Dr. C. Daniel Rue of Presbyterian Orch Spine Hospital in New York City. He warns that these muscles also start to hurt due to overuse.

Other grotesque features that can happen to people because of the gadget craze include a thicker skull and a smaller brain, as well as the appearance of a second eyelid to protect the eye from excessive light exposure. Another evolutionary path is the development of the lens in such a way that it begins to block blue light. This assumption was made by Kasun Ratnayake from the University of Toledo.

The authors of the model shared that their Mindy was the successor to Emma, created in 2019. Its developers wanted to show how important good workplace conditions are. Emma also suffered from back problems due to a constantly hunched posture from sitting at a desk, she had dry red eyes from a computer monitor and yellow skin because she spent years without sunlight, but under office lamps.

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As OBOZREVATEL previously reported, the scientists also modeled how global warming could affect people.
Lord Reed, the Supreme Court president, agreed there were substantial grounds to believe there was a real risk of refugees being deported from Rwanda to their countries of origin, where they could face ill treatment. Loading Sunak used a press conference to say he respected the courts decision, while unveiling his Plan B for how to revive the deportation flights policy, which he said would end the merry-go-round. He said a new treaty with Rwanda, which government officials have been working on for weeks, would be struck to clarify that asylum seekers sent there from the UK would not then be sent home. He then outlined emergency laws that would enable parliament to confirm that, with our new treaty, Rwanda is safe.

It will ensure that people cannot further delay flights by bringing systemic challenges in our domestic courts and stop our policy being repeatedly blocked, he added. Loading No. 10 believes both the treaty and the new law, which they hope to pass before the spring, will meet the Supreme Courts concerns and mean the policy is deemed lawful. Sunak went on to address fears that the European Court in Strasbourg, which rules on the European Convention on Human Rights, could step in to block flights even after the new law passes. In June 2022, the European Court intervened to block Rwanda flights from taking off on the grounds it could breach the ECHR. A lengthy battle over the policys legality then followed.

Let me tell everyone now  I will not allow a foreign court to block these flights, Sunak said. If the Strasbourg court chooses to intervene against the express wishes of parliament, I am prepared to do what is necessary to get flights off. I will not take the easy way out. It was a clear warning that if a new UK law declares Rwanda a safe country, he could ignore demands from the European Court to ground deportation flights. The ruling triggered warnings from Tory MPs of a confidence issue in Sunaks leadership. Simon Clarke, the Tory MP and former communities secretary, said the ruling presented a confidence issue in his judgment as prime minister and as leader of the Conservative Party.

Dame Andrea Jenkyns, a former education minister who submitted a letter of no confidence in Sunak following Mondays cabinet reshuffle, claimed that six colleagues were preparing to follow her. The architect of the Rwanda solution, Suella Braverman, demanded that the government introduce emergency legislation that blocks off a legal challenge to deliver the policy. Braverman was sacked as home secretary on Monday. Shes previously described migrants as a hurricane headed for Britain. A day after accusing Sunak of betraying the nation over his failure to tackle the small boats crisis, she posted on X, formerly Twitter: Those who  like me  believe that effective immigration control is vital must understand that they cannot have their cake and eat it: there is no chance of curbing illegal migration within the current legal framework. We must legislate or admit defeat. While many later welcomed his plans, he still faced calls from Tory MPs to go further  including from Danny Kruger and Miriam Cates, Tory MPs and co-chairmen of the right-leaning New Conservatives grouping.

Their joint statement said: Glad the prime minister is bringing forward emergency legislation. But it will need more than a declaration that Rwanda is safe. We cant wait for ECHR to intervene: we must move now to ensure that this time, finally, there is simply no opportunity for rights-based claims against deportation. The bill must disapply the Human Rights Act and give effect to the policy notwithstanding the ECHR and Refugee Convention. It must restate the power of government to disregard interim rulings from Strasbourg. Writing in The Telegraph, Dame Priti Patel, the former home secretary, said: Claims of a quick solution are sometimes easier said than done, but will have my support in being pursued. Clarke said: This was a welcome statement from the PM but we are in the last chance saloon here.
Israeli troops raided Gazas largest hospital on Wednesday, searching for traces of Hamas inside and beneath the facility, where newborns and hundreds of other patients have suffered for days without electricity and other necessities.

Al Shifa Hospital in central Gaza has been the focal point of the Israeli effort over the past week, amid claims Hamas has been using hospitals as cover for its infrastructure, to hide hostages and was using non-combatants as human shields.

Weapons and other equipment that Israels army says it found at Al Shifa Hospital complex in the Gaza Strip. Credit: IDF

Details from the day-long raid remain sketchy, but officials from Israel and Gaza present different accounts of what was happening at the hospital. The Israeli army released video showing soldiers carrying boxes labelled as baby food and medical supplies while health officials talked of terrified staff and patients as troops moved through the buildings.

How the raid unfolded
Vizsla Silver is Honored to Welcome Mining Hall of Fame Member Eduardo Luna to its Board of Directors

Vizsla Silver Corp. (TSX-V: VZLA) (NYSE: VZLA) (Frankfurt: 0G3) (aVizsla Silvera or the aCompanya  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/vizsla-silver-corp/ ) is pleased to announce that Mexican mining legend, Eduardo Luna, has agreed to join the Board of Directors of Vizsla Silver. Eduardo has over 40 years of experience in the mining industry and has recently retired from the board of Wheaton Precious Metals.

aWe are extremely honored to welcome Eduardo Luna to the Vizsla board,a stated President and CEO, Michael Konnert. aEduardo is one of the most accomplished and experienced miners in all of Mexico. He was instrumental in unlocking value for Luismin, Goldcorp and Silver Wheaton at the world-class San Dimas mine, which continues to be one of the Countrya?s top producers of silver and gold. With San Dimas representing a direct analogue to Panuco, located only 80 kilometers to the north, Eduardo brings a wealth of applicable experience and wisdom to support the next phase of development at the Panuco district.a

aI am looking forward to working with the Vizsla team in the development of the Company and especially in the Panuco project, which will very likely be a world class mine,a commented Eduardo Luna.

Mr. Luna has spent over forty years in the precious metals mining industry and has held prior senior executive and board positions at several companies including Industrial PeAoles, Goldcorp Inc., Luismin SA de CV, Wheaton River Minerals Ltd., Alamos Gold Inc., Dyna Resource, Inc. and Primero Mining Corporation.

He is currently the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Rochester Resources Ltd., a junior natural resources company with assets in Mexico. He formerly served as a member of the Board of Directors of Wheaton Precious Metals Corporation. Mr. Luna is the former President of the Mexican Mining Chamber and a former President of the Silver Institute.

He is an inductee in the Mexico Mining Hall of Fame and serves as Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Faculty of Mines at the University of Guanajuato where he received a degree in Mining Engineering.

Corporate Update

Vizsla has granted 400,000 stock options (aOptionsa) at an exercise price of $1.36 to a director and a consultant of the Company, pursuant to the Companya?s Omnibus Equity Incentive Compensation Plan. The Options are exercisable for a period of five years and will vest over the next two years. The Options are subject to the approval and policies of the TSX Venture Exchange and the NYSE American.

About the Panuco Project

The newly consolidated Panuco silver-gold project is an emerging high-grade discovery located in southern Sinaloa, Mexico, near the city of MazatlAn. The 7,189.5-hectare, past producing district benefits from over 86 kilometres of total vein extent, 35 kilometres of underground mines, roads, power, and permits.

The district contains intermediate to low sulfidation epithermal silver and gold deposits related to siliceous volcanism and crustal extension in the Oligocene and Miocene. Host rocks are mainly continental volcanic rocks correlated to the Tarahumara Formation.

The Panuco Project hosts an estimated in-situ indicated mineral resource of 104.8 Moz AgEq and an in-situ inferred resource of 114.1 Moz AgEq. An updated NI 43-101 technical report titled aTechnical Report on the Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Panuco Ag-Au-Pb-Zn Project, Sinaloa State, Mexicoa was filed on SEDAR on March 10, 2023, with an effective date of January 19, 2023 was prepared byA Allan Armitage, Ph. D., P. Geo.,A Ben Eggers, MAIG, P.Geo. andA Yann Camus, P.Eng. of SGS Geological Services.

About Vizsla Silver

Vizsla Silver is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Vancouver, BC, focused on advancing its flagship, 100%-owned Panuco silver-gold project located in Sinaloa, Mexico. To date, Vizsla Silver has completed over 310,000 metres of drilling at Panuco leading to the discovery of several new high-grade veins. For 2023, Vizsla Silver has budgeted +90,000 metres of resource/discovery-based drilling designed to upgrade and expand the mineral resource, as well as test other high priority targets across the district.

Information Concerning Estimates of Mineral Resources

The scientific and technical information in this news release was prepared in accordance with NI 43-101 which differs significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the aSECa). The terms \measured mineral resource\, \indicated mineral resource\ and \inferred mineral resource\ used herein are in reference to the mining terms defined in the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum Standards (the aCIM Definition Standardsa), which definitions have been adopted by NI 43-101. Accordingly, information contained herein providing descriptions of our mineral deposits in accordance with NI 43-101 may not be comparable to similar information made public by other U.S. companies subject to the United States federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder.

You are cautioned not to assume that any part or all of mineral resources will ever be converted into reserves. Pursuant to CIM Definition Standards, ainferred mineral resourcesa are that part of a mineral resource for which quantity and grade or quality are estimated on the basis of limited geological evidence and sampling. Such 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. However, it is reasonably expected that the majority of inferred mineral resources could be upgraded to indicated mineral resources with continued exploration. Under Canadian rules, estimates of inferred mineral resources may not form the basis of feasibility or pre-feasibility studies, except in rare cases. Investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of an inferred mineral resource is economically or legally mineable. Disclosure of acontained ouncesa in a resource is permitted disclosure under Canadian regulations; however, the SEC normally only permits issuers to report mineralization that does not constitute areservesa by SEC standards as in place tonnage and grade without reference to unit measures.

Canadian standards, including the CIM Definition Standards and NI 43-101, differ significantly from standards in the SEC Industry Guide 7. Effective February 25, 2019, the SEC adopted new mining disclosure rules under subpart 1300 of Regulation S-K of the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the aSEC Modernization Rulesa), with compliance required for the first fiscal year beginning on or after January 1, 2021. The SEC Modernization Rules replace the historical property disclosure requirements included in SEC Industry Guide 7. As a result of the adoption of the SEC Modernization Rules, the SEC now recognizes estimates of ameasured mineral resourcesa, aindicated mineral resourcesa and ainferred mineral resourcesa. Information regarding mineral resources contained or referenced herein may not be comparable to similar information made public by companies that report according to U.S. standards. While the SEC Modernization Rules are purported to be asubstantially similara to the CIM Definition Standards, readers are cautioned that there are differences between the SEC Modernization Rules and the CIM Definitions Standards. Accordingly, there is no assurance any mineral resources that the Company may report as ameasured mineral resourcesa, aindicated mineral resourcesa and ainferred mineral resourcesa under NI 43-101 would be the same had the Company prepared the resource estimates under the standards adopted under the SEC Modernization Rules.

Contact Information: For more information and to sign-up to the mailing list, please contact:

Michael Konnert, President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (604) 364-2215

Email: info@vizslasilver.ca A A

Website: www.vizslasilvercorp.ca

In Europe:

Swiss Resource Capital AG

Jochen Staiger & Marc Ollinger

info@resource-capital.ch

www.resource-capital.chA A

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.

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release includes certain aForward?Looking Statementsa within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and aforward?looking informationa under applicable Canadian securities laws. When used in this news release, the words aanticipatea, abelievea, aestimatea, aexpecta, atargeta, aplana, aforecasta, amaya, awoulda, acoulda, aschedulea and similar words or expressions, identify forward?looking statements or information. These forward?looking statements or information relate to, among other things: the exploration, development, and production at Panuco, including plans for resource/discovery-based drilling designed to upgrade and expand the mineral resource.

Forward?looking statements and forward?looking information relating to any future mineral production, liquidity, enhanced value and capital markets profile of Vizsla, future growth potential for Vizsla and its business, and future exploration plans are based on managementa?s reasonable assumptions, estimates, expectations, analyses and opinions, which are based on managementa?s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, but which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, the price of silver, gold, and other metals; no escalation in the severity of public health crises; costs of exploration and development; the estimated costs of development of exploration projects; Vizslaa?s ability to operate in a safe and effective manner and its ability to obtain financing on reasonable terms.

These statements reflect Vizslaa?s respective current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of other assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward?looking statements or forward-looking information and Vizsla Silver has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the Company\-s dependence on one mineral project; precious metals price volatility; risks associated with the conduct of the Company\-s mining activities in Mexico; regulatory, consent or permitting delays; risks relating to reliance on the Company\-s management team and outside contractors; risks regarding mineral resources and reserves; the Company\-s inability to obtain insurance to cover all risks, on a commercially reasonable basis or at all; currency fluctuations; risks regarding the failure to generate sufficient cash flow from operations; risks relating to project financing and equity issuances; risks and unknowns inherent in all mining projects, including the inaccuracy of reserves and resources, metallurgical recoveries and capital and operating costs of such projects; contests over title to properties, particularly title to undeveloped properties; laws and regulations governing the environment, health and safety; the ability of the communities in which the Company operates to manage and cope with the implications of public health crises; the economic and financial implications of public health crises to the Company; operating or technical difficulties in connection with mining or development activities; employee relations, labour unrest or unavailability; the Company\-s interactions with surrounding communities and artisanal miners; the Company\-s ability to successfully integrate acquired assets; the speculative nature of exploration and development, including the risks of diminishing quantities or grades of reserves; stock market volatility; conflicts of interest among certain directors and officers; lack of liquidity for shareholders of the Company; litigation risk; the ongoing military conflict in Ukraine; general economic facts; and the factors identified under the caption aRisk Factorsa in Vizsla Silvera?s management discussion and analysis and other public disclosure documents. Readers are cautioned against attributing undue certainty to forward?looking statements or forward-looking information. Although Vizsla Silver 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 anticipated, estimated or intended. Vizsla Silver does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward?looking statements or forward-looking information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.
More artificial intelligence requires more precious metals

Artificial intelligence requires special AI devices with chips, semiconductors and precious metals.

In the AI sector, applications that can generate different content such as text, images, videos or sound are on the rise. Precious metal components such as chips, memories and capacitors are increasingly coming into focus in this generative AI. The number of circuit boards required is constantly increasing. Production capacities for AI servers are increasing, which means that more platinum, silver, palladium and gold will be used. The 5G network, the new 6G network and Wi-Fi7 will influence chip manufacturers. New AI products will conquer the market. Even if supply chains are currently still suffering from geopolitical problems, growth in the field of artificial intelligence will be unstoppable.

Overall, the importance of gold in industry is relatively low, with only around seven percent of global gold demand coming from industry. Nevertheless, gold is essential for the aerospace industry and is contained in every smartphone, including computers. After all, gold is corrosion-resistant and electrically conductive. Medicine also benefits from the properties of gold in certain areas. For investors, gold is a means of diversification, and it has a value-preserving function. In the USA, the gold market is currently attracting new participants.

Purchases by private investors have also increased in Germany. Incidentally, since the euro was introduced in 2002, the price of gold has risen by 469 percent in euro terms (up to July 2023). So, it\-s time to take a closer look at the companies that own the gold in their projects. Royalty companies such as Gold Royalty or Osisko Gold Royalties score points with their in-house diversification.

Gold Royalty  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/gold-royalty-corp/  holds royalties in North, Central and South America, including more than 90 in Quebec alone.

Osisko Gold Royalties  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/osisko-gold-royalties-ltd/  also has an impressive portfolio, including a five percent net smelter return royalty on Agnico Eagle\-s Malartic mine.

Current company information and press releases from Gold Royalty (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/gold-royalty-corp/ -) and Osisko Gold Royalties (- https://www.resource-capital.ch/en/companies/osisko-gold-royalties-ltd/ -).

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/
Surnames are relatively recent: there were times when a person had only a first name. The first written references to Ukrainian surnames date back to the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It is characteristic that people who belonged to the so-called "upper class" of society had surnames then.

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The bulk of the population, the peasants, remained without surnames for a long time, and later most of them were formed on the basis of nicknames given by certain characteristics. Scientists try to classify surnames by different characteristics, but the origin of some is still unknown. Read the article by OBOZ.UA to find out which Ukrainian surnames raise the most questions among scientists.

Among the semantic groups, scientists distinguish the following:

surnames derived from first names;

surnames derived from the name of the place of residence;

"professional" surnames;

surnames derived from individual traits, such as character traits, appearance features, etc.

Of course, this list is not exhaustive-there were other ways of creating surnames, and not all of them can be classified.

In his work "Handbook of Ukrainian Surnames," Julian Redko, a specialist in Ukrainian anthroponymy, says that the surnames Tsyuz, Havdyda, and Shuturma, for example, do not fall into any semantic category. The scholar also cites evidence that our ancestors were once called Chicken, Carriage, Milk, and Bed.

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Surnames formed from numerals are also controversial among linguists: Pivtorak, Sorokovyi, Tretyak, etc. No one can say what characteristics were used to give them. A person could be called Pivtorak because of his short stature, Sorokovyi because of, for example, his house number, and Tretyak because of his constant debts (he owed a third). But, of course, these are just hypotheses that are unlikely to ever be substantiated.

The surnames Yavysia and Proshchay, which originated from verb forms, are also interesting, but no one knows the reason for their appearance.

The situation is similar with the surnames Bystro, Krasno, Pak, and Let. A separate category is made up of surnames based on interjections, such as Fit, Chik, Gay. Scientists also cannot explain the history of their origin.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA told how monosyllabic Ukrainian surnames appeared.

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Subscribe to the OBOZ.UA channels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
Actor of the Kvartal 95 studio Yevhene Koshovyi said that his friend and President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi used to sleep about 5 hours a day in peacetime. Now, according to the comedian, 20 minutes of sleep is enough for him, like the literary character Max Otto von Stirlitz.

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"Knowing him from his acting career, we've known each other for almost 20 years, he used to sleep 4-5 hours in peacetime, when we were working. So I think that now for him it's 20 minutes, like Stirlitz used to do, and that's it. The main thing is to eat and wear a hat. And wearing armor also," Koshovyi said in an interview for the ZhVL program on the YouTube channel of the same name.

The actor also answered questions about Zelenskyi's mood after Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. According to him, he also has to get used to bad things.

"You get used to everything, unfortunately, including the bad things. But there is a manager sitting there. The manager of a country that is now in a situation of full-scale invasion and has been at war with Russia for eight years. So it's like that," he said.

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As OBOZREVATEL previously wrote, Yevhene Koshovyi admitted that he was proud of the firm position of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi. According to the comedian, his former colleague has always stood by the truth, even when he was not a "servant of the people" but was engaged in show business.
If you think that diving is just a hobby, you are very much mistaken. Thanks to this activity, people have the opportunity to preserve some species of marine life that are on the verge of extinction. How exactly? It's very simple!

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Every year, businesses destroy rare fish for the sake of money. If diving resorts are set up in the regions where these marine animals live, then fishing becomes more difficult for a number of reasons. So keep a selection of destinations that you can visit not only for fun but also to preserve unique fauna.

Revillagiguedo Islands (Mexico)

No wonder this resort is so adored by divers. Here, during every dive, you can meet dolphins, sharks, whales, and hundreds of other marine life. But people come here for the sake of a giant that is almost impossible to see anywhere else in the world: the manta ray. These animals are called "sea devils" because of their enormous size, which can frighten anyone. However, in most cases, they are not dangerous to humans.

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These stingrays move thanks to their wing-like fins, which can reach a length of seven meters. Thanks to this body structure, the animals can easily cover long distances in search of a good place to hunt. From time to time, they can be spotted near coral reefs.

Hammerhead sharks and other endangered species can also be seen near the islands. The best time to travel is from November to May.

Cocos Island (Costa Rica)

If you like extreme diving, you should choose Cocos Island for your vacation. It is here that you can admire whole schools of sharks that have a strange habit: during the day they swim calmly in these waters and practically do not touch anyone, and at night they go hunting.

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Of course, there are risks involved, so think carefully about whether this is a good place to dive. However, don't forget that it is in these places that you can most often see the toothed hammerhead shark, whose population is rapidly declining.

The fact is that Cocos is located in the so-called hammerhead shark triangle, which is home to the world's largest number of this species.

Marsa Alam (Egypt)

Have you ever heard of the herbivorous marine mammals dugongs and manatees? These animals have long been endangered. The fact is that they live in shallow water. Due to environmental problems, the water here is getting dirtier every year, and the vegetation on which these beauties feed is disappearing.

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However, divers often spot dune bats and manatees at the Marsa Alam resort. They are not afraid of people and do not pose a threat to them, so you can watch the animals from a fairly close distance.

Canary Islands (Spain)

Every year, this resort receives thousands of tourists, but few of them know that rare angel sharks can be seen right off the coast of the islands. These sea creatures are so unique that they are protected by law. If you try to catch them, you can not only get a significant fine, but also go to jail.

In addition, divers choose this resort to admire five species of stingrays at once: common, round, marbled, eagle, and butterfly stingrays. They also live in other regions of the world, but that doesn't make a meeting with one any less interesting for dive enthusiasts.

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Philippines

The warm and picturesque sea of the Philippines makes this destination ideal for divers. Especially when you consider that you can see whale sharks, manta rays, and endangered coral species. So there is no better place to dive.

Molapascua has long been one of the most popular resorts among divers. Here you can dive with a herring shark, whose population is decreasing every year. In general, this destination almost guarantees you a meeting with marine life that is on the verge of extinction.

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Maldives

This resort is ideal for many water sports, including diving. The islands are home to so many giant fish that an encounter with them is almost guaranteed. Here you can see whale sharks, which have been listed as endangered since 2016. The fact is that they are illegally caught for their fins, which are considered an incredibly expensive delicacy. So, while there is still an opportunity to enjoy the grace of these sharks, you need to go to the Maldives.

Hawaii (USA)

This resort is home to 9 species of animals protected by the US law. In particular, we are talking about loggerhead turtles, green sea turtles, Hawaiian monk seals, fin whales, sperm whales, blue whales, etc. Of course, you are unlikely to see them at the same time. However, there is a great chance of meeting one of these beautiful marine creatures.

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By the way, monk seals often rest right on the beach. But we do not recommend getting close to them, because they may see you as a danger and behave very aggressively.

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL talked about the best gastronomic destinations in Europe.

Only verified information is available on our Obozrevatel Telegram channel and Viber. Don't fall for fakes!
The analysis suggests that the cap will be set at 1,931.25 from January to March 2024, up by nearly 100 on the current level of 1,834. The listed figure for the cap is based on the amount a typical household would pay based on a years energy use. However, the cap itself is charged on a per-unit basis, meaning that a household that uses more energy will always be charged more: it is not a maximum amount that a household can pay.
The chaos in Gaza would appear to favour Vladimir Putin and his personal survival plan which is based on a long war for Russia in Ukraine. By wearing down Ukrainians in their homes and the front line, he thinks they will be ready to talk by next spring. The Ukrainian commander General Valerii Zaluzhny has admitted that the fighting on most front lines has reached deadlock now that the summer offensive is over.
Mr Audu said there was no way he would have approved any trip to the area of Kajuru, but as this was a weekend and not a Mercy Corps work-related trip, his advice would have been only advisory and not compulsory and staff had freedom to travel in non-work hours.
Sentencing Parry, deputy chief magistrate Tan Ikram said: It is an aggravated feature that public servants who are trying their best are harassed and stalked in this sort of way.
The Government are intent on pushing this through  they will need to provide huge investment into the community and the infrastructure to help offset some of the negative impact on our community. I will be pushing for an early meeting to discuss this.
China has launched the world's fastest internet, capable of transmitting data at 1.2 Tbps, allowing you to download 150 HD movies in just one second. The cable network, called the backbone network, stretches for a distance of 3000 km from Beijing in the north and Guangzhou in Guangdong province in the south.

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This was reported by Interesting Engineering. It is noted that the backbone network is part of the Chinese Future Internet Technology Infrastructure (FITI) project, which was launched in 2013.

China's achievements in wired data transmission came shortly after the Middle Kingdom boasted of installing 3.19 million base stations, demonstrating 5G's dominance in wireless telephony. These installations not only outpace the US in terms of numbers, but they are also helping the eastern country transform its industrial sector to engage in high-tech manufacturing.

The world's fastest Internet has arrived two years earlier than industry estimates predicted. China aims to use this network capacity for national education and research, as well as to support its 5G networks and electric vehicles, which are growing in use in the country.

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The launch of the superfast network is also proof of China's growing technical capabilities, as all the software and hardware used is made in China. For many years, China has relied on Japan and the United States for components to develop its Internet infrastructure, but for FITI, the country has begun to develop all components locally, including switches, fiber optic connections, and routers.

Researchers from the Chinese Academy of Engineering developed ultra-fast routers capable of handling more data than ever before. The team also worked on aggregating multiple optical paths to increase the upper limit of data transmission.

The entire project is expected to be ready by the end of the year.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, China intends to make a technological breakthrough by 2025 and start mass production of humanoid robots that can be used in "harsh" conditions. By 2027, the country intends to become a world leader in this field.

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Home Office figures show two in five (42%) cases of religious hate crime recorded by the police in both countries in 2021/22 were against Muslims. Around one in four (23%) were against Jewish people and 8% were against Christians.
We have to make the effort to stay well informed about what is really happening  what the facts are versus the fiction  but have to equip ourselves and others to withstand those forces of divisiveness that are very prevalent on so many platforms on the internet that keep people unsettled about what is happening in the world.
Writing in The Daily Telegraph, Dame Priti said she knew the partnership with Rwanda would be challenged in the courts when she negotiated the policy, but saw it as a necessary and vital measure to break the business model of the people smugglers and reduce illegal migration through small boats.
As trustees we look for a partnership with our Greek friends that requires no one to relinquish their claims, asks for no changes to laws which are not ours to write, but which finds a practical, pragmatic and rational way forward.
Rikke Pedersen, who heads the Nordic Volcanological Centre based in Reykjavik, said: "Less seismic activity typically precedes an eruption, because you have come so close to the surface that you cannot build up a lot of tension to trigger large earthquakes.
All we need is for people to come forward with the correct information  there is nothing for them to fear, she told the BBC, adding she cannot give up hope that one day her brother will be found.
The Boeing 747, which was headed from New York to Belgium last Thursday, was around an hour and a half into its journey when the pilot called air traffic control.
The message says the reason for the demonstration is "to demand an end to the siege and bombing in Gaza, extend solidarity to Palestinian families and mourn the lives of 10,000+ Palestinians killed in cold blood by Israel with support from the UK and US government", to call for a ceasefire and to push for "politicians supporting Israel's genocide be held accountable".
In 2023, the aggressor country Russia is increasingly trying to develop import substitution solutions for the purchase of western-made precision machine tools. It is likely preparing for Western sanctions aimed at this vulnerability.

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At the same time, polls show that about half of Russians support the war against Ukraine and Russia's alleged participation in "peace talks." This is stated in a report by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Russia cannot meet the demand for precision machine tools

It is noted that in late spring, the Russian government approved the "Concept of Technological Development until 2030," which encourages domestic production of high-tech products such as precision machine tools and requires that by then enterprises produce at least 75% of such products in Russia.

In August 2023, Russian state defense conglomerate Rostec said that STAN Group (the country's largest precision machine tool manufacturer, which it acquired in 2019) is "an important element of the import substitution program."

On October 26, Semyon Yakubov, head of Rostec's subsidiary RT-Capital, said that Rostec hopes to use STAN to "meet Russia's huge need" for modern precision machine tools in the absence of Western imports. According to him, Western sanctions and the war against Ukraine have sharply increased Russia's military and civilian demand for domestically produced machine tools.

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At the same time, he admitted that STAN was unable to meet even a third of the total volume of Russian orders for precision machine tools in 2023, amounting to about $67.1 million. He stated that Russia's demand for precision machine tools far exceeds its production capacity.

What do Russians think about the war?

On November 14, the Russian sociological organization Levada Center reported that two-thirds of Russian residents believe that their aggressor country is currently "moving in the right direction." And of those who believe the opposite, 45% referred to the war against Ukraine.

According to the so-called Russian opposition research organization Russian Field, 48% of Russians said that Russia should participate in "peace talks" and that 74% would support dictator Vladimir Putin if he signed such an agreement "tomorrow."

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It is also noted that 36% of Russians allegedly believe that the war is "going well" for Russia, while 25% believe it is going badly for Russia. Those Russians who trust Telegram channels are twice as likely to believe that things are bad for Russia as those who rely on Russian television.

As OBOZ.UA reported, the occupiers complain that Russia no longer has anyone to mobilize for the war against Ukraine. According to them, those whom the Kremlin sent to the front line are serving in Moscow according to their documents.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Anne Hart Preus, co-author of Out of Texas, was the guest speaker at the Starkville-Oktibbeha County Public Librarys Books and Authors meeting, Nov. 16. (Photo by Charles Wesley, SDN)
On November 16, a protest took place on the border of Slovakia and Ukraine, with participants blocking the Vysne Nemecke-Uzhhorod checkpoint to enter Ukraine. The Slovak carriers made the same discriminatory demands as their Polish far-right counterparts.

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The action was organized by the Union of Road Carriers of Slovakia (UNAS). From 13:00 to 14:00, they temporarily blocked the road to the checkpoint to "express solidarity" with Polish carriers, TASR writes.

UNAS itself says that today's protest was a "warning". The carriers demand to cancel the "transport visa-free regime" for Ukraine, which contradicts the agreement between Ukraine and the EU. Representatives of the Slovak association threaten to organize a large-scale strike if their demands are not met.

"We are closing (the checkpoint - Ed.) for an hour as a warning. Our goal is to support our Polish colleagues, as well as all carriers within the EU. We will ask the European Commission to immediately introduce permits for the transportation of Ukrainian vehicles," said Stanislav Skala, head of UNAS.

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The Ministry of Transport of Slovakia, by the way, has already agreed to assist UNAS. "In early December, the EU Council of Ministers will be held in Brussels, where the Slovak Minister of Transport will propose to reconsider this decision (to cancel the issuance of commercial permits to Ukrainian carriers - Ed.) The massive increase in the number of transportation through the EU by Ukrainian carriers is at the expense of European carriers," the Slovak ministry said.

Earlier, Mustafa Nayem, head of the State Agency for the Restoration and Development of Infrastructure of Ukraine, explained that Ukraine would not agree to return the system of permits for freight transportation. "Ukraine does not even intend to discuss a return to the permit system. The agreement on freight liberalization was ratified and agreed by all EU members and signed between the European Union and Ukraine, not by any individual country," Nayyem said.

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Thus, Polish and Slovak carriers are demanding the return of the system that was in effect until June 2022. Back then, every Ukrainian carrier heading to the EU had to obtain permission to cross the border of a particular country. During a full-scale war, logistics across Ukraine's western borders has become critically important, and the abolition of the "transport visa-free regime" is simply impossible.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, on November 6, the border of Ukraine from Poland was blocked by the Polish far right. As a result, thousands of trucks are idle at the border. Imported products cannot be brought into Ukraine, and exports cannot be taken out of Ukraine.

At the same time, Ukrainian carriers claim that only one association of Polish carriers, which had previously worked actively with Russia, supported the blockade of the border. Polish politician Raphael Mekler took over the political representation. His party has a small representation in the Sejm, and he represents the far right: they are against Poland's integration into the EU and in favor of limiting ties with Ukraine. However, the far-right does not have much support in Poland (they have only 6 seats out of 460 in the parliament).

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
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Agreement with EBRD on assistance for implementation of projects financed from EU funds, updated by Gov't

The Government updated on Thursday, through a decision, some technical provisions of the Agreement between the Government of Romania and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on assistance for the implementation of projects financed from EU funds, told Agerpres.

According to a press release from the Government, it was decided to approve the Agreement between the Government of Romania and the EBRD regarding assistance for the implementation of projects financed from EU funds, signed in Bucharest on November 15, 2022, and the Exchange of Letters between the Government of Romania and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development for updating some provisions of the agreement, dated March 2, 2023 and February 7, 2023.

Based on this agreement, the EBRD will grant Romania support for projects in order to achieve the objectives of the Partnership Agreement 2021 - 2027.

The EBRD will support Romania in areas such as: green cities, the water sector, national and local infrastructure, energy from renewable sources and decarbonization plans, district heating, energy efficiency, small and medium-sized enterprises etc, the release states.
CE calls on Romania to remedy deterioration of water body related to construction of small hydropower plants

The European Commission decided on Thursday to send Romania an additional official letter of delay because it did not correctly implement the Directive establishing a framework for Community water policy (Directive 2000/60/EC) and the Council Directive on the conservation of natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) on the authorization and construction of small hydropower plants, reads a press release from the European Commission.

Both directives focus on ensuring the quality and quantity of water bodies, preventing and combating pollution and protecting fauna and flora.

In 2015, the European Commission sent Romania an official letter of delay regarding the authorization and construction of small hydropower projects in alpine watercourses, affecting three Natura 2000 sites and the water bodies involved. Following several meetings with the Commission, the Romanian authorities assumed several commitments, such as: monitoring the projects that are subject to the infringement procedure, reassessing the damage following the authorization and construction of small hydropower projects, adopting a legal framework regarding the ecological flow and areas prohibited, the modification of authorizations, the transposition of the revised Directive on environmental impact assessment, with a coordinated project evaluation procedure based on the Water Framework Directive, and the adoption of a strategic planning (Energy Strategy).

The Romanian authorities partially fulfilled their commitments, but failed to modify the authorizations and implement the measures identified to solve the deterioration of one of the previously identified water bodies. Meanwhile, the third management plan of the hydrographic basin, recently adopted, shows the deterioration of the water body in question (Arges spring, Vidraru accumulation and tributaries). In addition, the evidence available from the studies and monitoring carried out confirms that some micro-hydropower plants have been authorized without the appropriate assessment required by the Habitats Directive. Taking into account the deterioration, it is necessary to remedy the situation as soon as possible, the European Commission considers.
PM Ciolacu: Implementation of decision on recognition of Romanian language in Ukraine depends on logistics, it is a country at war

In keeping with the agreements reached with the Kyiv authorities, Ukraine has recognised Romanian as the official language of the Romanian minority on its territory, prime minister Marcel Ciolacu told private broadcaster Antena 3 CNN on Wednesday evening, adding that the full implementation of the decisions in this regard is currently hampered by the fact that the neighbouring country is at war.

He was asked on Wednesday evening, on the Antena 3 CNN private broadcaster, about the fact that Moldovan-language textbooks have been published in Ukraine, despite the fact that there was an official announcement, after the joint meeting of the Romanian and Ukrainian governments in Kyiv in October, that the Moldovan language is being abandoned and Romanian is recognized as the official language of the Romanian minority in Ukraine.

"We are talking about a Ukraine at war. (...) Last night I was very upset. I also called Ukraine, as expected. I also had the foreign policy advisor make phone calls to see what was going on (...). And I found out the truth. Those manuals had been sent to the printers. I repeat, we are talking about a country at war, in a certain area. Some of them have been changed, but Ukraine has officially recognised it," Ciolacu said.

The prime minister confirmed the conclusion, given what has been shown, that it is "a logistical problem that they could not print new textbooks".

To back up his words, he added, referring to the Kyiv government's decision on the recognition of the Romanian language: "We have all the documents".

AGERPRES
PM Ciolacu says he'd resign if liberals quit ruling coalition

If the National Liberal Party (PNL) quits the ruling coalition, then the current premier, Marcel Ciolacu says he will resign.

"No coalition breaks and no government falls. If this coalition breaks, I tell you very clearly, it means that this political project that I accepted, and my colleagues accepted it in a difficult moment of Romania - let us not forget what it was two years ago - in a manly discussion between me and (PNL) president Nicolae Ciuca, definitely, if anyone will leave this coalition, I will take my mandate to (presidential palace) Cotroceni, without any reservation," Ciolacu told private broadcaster Antena 3.

Asked to comment on the statements of PNL first vice-president Rares Bogdan, who recently criticized the Social Democratic Party (PSD), Ciolacu accused the liberal leader of "dynamiting" the coalition "with fake news" to cover discussions about the fact that he went to the market with a 30,000-euro watch on his wrist.

"We sat in the coalition meeting on Monday for almost five hours and discussed several government issues, because a coalition decision is needed. And that's normal. I don't hide the fact that many of the issues that arise in the government are not discussed between me and president Nicolae Ciuca. But it's normal to meet. As long as you didn't comment anything for five hours, on the contrary, you got your information, as is normal, as a politician, and after a few hours you go out into the public space, actually and rightly trying to cover up an unfortunate gesture; so, you go to the market with a 30,000 euro watch on your wrist, to buy parsley - it's normal that the Romanian revolts, he's justified - instead of going out and explaining: 'I've received it as a gift from my wife, my wife supports me and she gave me the watch as a gift, my father-in-law gave it to me at the wedding'. I suppose it was much more correct," Ciolacu argued.

The prime minister added that Rares Bogdan "is not a stupid man", but that if he tries to "dynamite the coalition" with fake news, he is "irresponsible".

According to him, it is not a suitable moment for "breaking news with fake news", in the context of the wars in the Middle East and Ukraine and the recession in the European economy.

He added that on Thursday he will have a meeting with the leader of the PNL, Nicolae Ciuca, in which topics such as: the construction of the budget for next year, the situation of teachers, the budget of the Ministry of Health, the reform of the administration will be addressed.

AGERPRES
President Iohannis in Kenya presents Romania's donation for Uthiru Girls High School

President Klaus Iohannis, on a state visit to Kenya, presented on Thursday Romania's donation to Uthiru Girls High School, stressing that our country will continue the projects dedicated to education.

"Very happy to visit today the Uthiru Girls High School in Kangemi, Kenya today and inaugurate the donation through our Romanian Official Development Assistance Program. We will continue to focus on implementing grass-root projects, for inclusive and qualitative education," the president wrote on platform X (formerly Twitter).

The donation consists of 30 laptops and school supplies.

The Romanian president has begun his state visit to Kenya on Tuesday. President Iohannis's African tour will continue on Friday in Tanzania, where he will have a meeting with his counterpart, Samia Suluhu Hassan.

AGERPRES
Romania strongly supports North Macedonia's goal of EU membership, says ForMin Odobescu

Romania strongly supports North Macedonia's goal of joining the European Union, foreign affairs minister Luminita Odobescu, who is on a tour of the Western Balkans, said on Wednesday in a joint statement with her counterpart in Skopje, Bujar Osmani.

"We have very strong cultural ties, we share a strong common history and remarkable traditions, all of which add value and substance to the deep relations between our peoples," Odobescu said in Skopje, recalling in this context the communities of Aromanians and Megleno-Romanians.

Luminita Odobescu expressed her appreciation for the participation of North Macedonian soldiers in allied structures on Romanian territory, which represents "a concrete contribution" to strengthening the security of NATO's Eastern flank.

During the visit, Luminita Odobescu signed with her counterpart Bujar Osmani an Action Plan on cooperation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Romania and North Macedonia, which aims to deepen cooperation between the two ministries on European integration and NATO membership, as well as in the field of consular affairs.

The bilateral protocol on cooperation in education for the period 2023-2027 was also signed, which aims to strengthen cooperation in this field, with a focus on the promotion and support of the Romanian language in North Macedonia.

According to MAE, the programme of Luminita Odobescu's visit included meetings with president Stevo Pendarovski, president of the Assembly of North Macedonian Talat Xhaferi, as well as a meeting with the deputy prime minister for European Affairs, Bojan Maricic.

On the occasion of the visit, minister Luminita Odobescu also had a meeting at the Romanian Embassy in Skopje with a group of representatives of the Romanian community in North Macedonia and former students who studied in Romania. She spoke with them about ways to promote the Romanian language in North Macedonia and to support efforts to preserve and affirm the cultural and linguistic identity of the related community in North Macedonia, the press release further informs.

AGERPRES
World Students' Day is celebrated on November 17, an international holiday established in Ukraine by President Leonid Kuchma's decree in 1999. Despite the positive attitude to this day, the holiday has a tragic history.

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OBOZ.UA learned about the events and traditions of the holiday. This date appeared during the Second World War.

OnOctober 28, 1939, students and teachers demonstrated in honor of the 21st anniversary of Czechoslovakia. The German occupiers began shooting at people, and one medical student was killed.

The funeral was scheduled for November 15, and mass protests began that day. On November 17, the Nazis arrested more than 1,000 people from student dormitories and sent them to a concentration camp, and executed nine.

It was in honor of these events and to commemorate the memory of young people that the World Congress recognized November 17 as Students' Day.

Traditions

On this day in Ukraine, universities hold various cultural events, competitions, seminars, and lectures. Young people gather in large groups and throw parties to celebrate. Some educational institutions may even shorten classes and let students leave early.

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Earlier, OBOZ.UA published a church calendar for December 2023, which told when St. Nicholas and Christmas are celebrated now.

Subscribe to theOBOZ.UAchannels in Telegram and Viber to keep up with the latest events.
OB Ques isnt the first barbecue restaurant to turn a gas station into a dining destination. You can plan an entire smoked-meat pilgrimage around a visit to the original location of Joes Kansas City Bar-B-Que (nee Oklahoma Joes), where the line for ribs, burnt ends and the brisket-and-onion rings Z Man sandwich snakes out the door of a Shamrock station on the Kansas side of Kansas City. The late Anthony Bourdain once called Joes one of the 13 places to eat before you die.

I hesitate to mention another barbecue joint after Joes, but St. Louis restaurants ought to aim high  even if the target is in KC. And 4-month-old OB Ques is more than a novelty parked at the Phillips 66 station at Long Road and Edison Avenue south of Interstate 64 and Chesterfield Airport Road in Chesterfield. In the post-boom era of St. Louis barbecue, OB Ques is a genuine reason for excitement.

You might recognize the OB in OB Ques, especially after you see the shamrock apostrophe in the restaurants logo. Brothers and co-owners Jim and Joe OBrien are part of the family that runs O.B. Clarks, the Brentwood restaurant and bar that ascended from institution to legend in 2019 when the Blues celebrated their Stanley Cup victory there while fans partied outside.

OB Ques moved into the small restaurant space adjacent to the gas stations convenience store. (I would call this a mini-mart, but eyeballing it, I think you could easily fit a QuikTrip inside this stores footprint with room to spare.) This isnt an elaborate restaurant  you order at the counter just inside the entrance and, if dining in, sit at one of the few tables or an island counter  but the signature piece of decor, a large, light-up sign on one shiplap wall that reads Austin Born & Bread, is significant.

Pitmaster and co-owner John Maness is a native of Austin, Texas, and he worked for 32 years at the iconic Salt Lick BBQ in nearby Driftwood. With Central Texas-style barbecue dominant in recent years here and elsewhere, he gives OB Ques crucial expertise and instant credibility, and not simply because he smokes his barbecue with post oak and a little cherry wood. At its best, his brisket can hold its own against metro-area standouts Beast Craft BBQ Co., Salt & Smoke and Shortys Smokehouse.

Maness rubs OB Ques briskets with salt, pepper, garlic and cayenne. The bark is a zippy flavor and a shattering texture and a sight to behold, a nubbly black crust striping each slice. Ideally, you can stretch that slice like an accordion, and the bark yields to luscious, smoky beef. Burnt ends, too, Maness affords proper  and, in St. Louis, all too rare  attention. He chops the meat into nearly perfect cubes that wobble with their fatty potential. Each bite delivers a calibrated snap of bark and slow-motion collapse of tender, sweet beef.

With confidence, Maness offers only two sauces: a sweet, which is thinner and less cloying than most sweet barbecue sauces, and a hot, which is even thinner and more teasing than fearsome. It should go without saying that OB Ques brisket doesnt need sauce, but its a tribute to Maness skill that none of the other meats do, either. The pulled pork practically sauces itself with the meats natural juices, with charry bits here and there to deepen the flavor and add textural contrast. Smoke penetrates each pork rib down to the bone, which gives up its meat with the appropriate tug of your teeth.

If you dont notice the sauces superfluity with the pork and beef, you will if you order poultry. Or, at least, the turkey. The chicken, with its sticky-sweet skin, is a bit of a cheat. The turkey, though, is as tender as this fickle bird can be, its natural flavor brushed with smoke but not obscured by it. You dont need sauce, and you dont want to gussy the meat up with cheese and garnishes for a barbecue-in-name-only sandwich.

In typical barbecue-restaurant fashion, OB Ques offers its meats as sandwiches with one side, plates with two sides or a-la-carte by the pound. The two- and three-meat combo plates make for a fine survey of the menu and a reasonable value.

OB Ques sides are a mixed bag  one reason why Im not prepared to place the restaurant in the highest echelon of St. Louis barbecue yet. The fries are generic, crinkle-cut ballast, best used as a vehicle to try the two barbecue sauces. The cornbread tickles your palate with chiles, but the texture is off-putting, like an underbaked brownie. Stick with the baked beans and the mac and cheese, the latter so creamy you might confuse it for queso.

More than its side dishes, OB Que lacks the consistency of the best barbecue joints. You might have noticed how I couched my praise for its brisket with at its best and ideally. On a couple of visits here, the brisket was far from ideal, its fine bark giving way to less-than-tender meat. The burnt ends I loved the first time I tried them were too salty when I ordered them a second time.

Yet even these hiccups I can spin in OB Ques favor. At a time when even a proud cue hound such as myself has grown wary of one more order of brisket or ribs, I kept returning here to try the individual meats for a second or even third time, which increased the chances I would encounter flaws. And I will continue returning to OB Ques for more brisket, ribs and turkey, a top-off of gas and maybe a spin through the car wash, too.

Rating Rating  Highly recommended. The Post-Dispatch evaluates restaurants on the following scale, lowest to highest: not recommended, recommended, highly recommended, essential. The rating reflects how the restaurant succeeds on its own terms  and how it meets a diner's good-faith expectations of quality food and hospitality  regardless of cuisine, location or cost.

How much Brisket sandwich plate  $14.95 Two-meat combo plate  $17.95 Half-rack ribs plate  $16.95 Three-meat combo plate  $19.95

Where OB Ques, 158 Long Road, Chesterfield  More info 636-778-9675; obques.com  Menu Central Texas-style barbecue  Hours 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m. (or sold out) Monday-Saturday, 10:30 a.m.-5 p.m. (or sold out) Sunday
ST. LOUIS  A judge on Wednesday upheld the citys 2019 termination of a developers lease of a site at St. Louis Lambert International Airport, likely clearing the way for Boeing Co. to use it in its potential $1.8 billion expansion here.

St. Louis Circuit Judge Jason Sengheiser ruled that Airport Director Rhonda Hamm-Niebruegge had the authority to end a deal with Bi-National Gateway Terminal LLC because of the firms failure to pay back rent and meet other requirements.

There can be no dispute that it was in the citys best interest to end a tenancy with a party that was unable to meet the preconditions, Sengheiser said in his decision.

Bi-National, which wanted to put an international cargo facility at the site, argued in its lawsuit that the voiding of the contract could only occur via a new ordinance passed by the city Board of Aldermen and signed by the mayor and comptroller.

But Sengheiser pointed out that an ordinance approved earlier in 2019 that revised the lease had given Hamm-Niebruegge authority to enter into any agreements deemed necessary to preserve and protect the citys interest.

The Court finds such a grant of authority necessarily includes the power to terminate the agreements, he said.

Hamm-Niebruegge said she was pleased with the ruling and wasnt surprised by it. We had a high level of confidence that proper procedures were followed in voiding the lease, she said.

She said everythings progressing regarding the Boeing plan and that the city hadnt been concerned about the lawsuit.

Bi-Nationals president, Ricardo Nicolopulos, could not be reached for comment.

The judge in his decision noted that Hamm-Niebruegge had voided the lease because, among other things, Bi-National had failed to pay $323,545 in past rent, plus some delinquent utility bills.

The site at issue is on the north end of Lambert along Banshee Road and includes buildings from a long-vacant manufacturing complex. Under the last version of the Bi-National plan, the old buildings would have been rehabbed and financing would include state historic tax credits.

Boeing plans to tear down the buildings and replace them with new construction.

The new Boeing lease, which was approved by aldermen in September, also includes a larger area of airport-owned property on Lamberts eastern end in Berkeley.

Boeing has said its expanded facilities would involve advanced manufacturing but hasnt elaborated.

The plan, which could bring 500 jobs, was announced amid the aerospace industrys preparations to bid to build the next generation of American fighter jets. The expansion would occur only if Boeing was successful in winning such a contract.

Nicolopulos earlier this year had notified Boeing in a letter about the lawsuit. He said in an interview in September that Bi-National was open to negotiating a settlement, saying that his company had invested more than $11 million in the project.

The Bi-National project was initially approved by the city in mid-2015 and was expected to be in operation as soon as 2016.

However, the project stalled until a new financing plan that was worked out in 2019. CRG, the real estate arm of the Clayco construction firm, was added to the project team at the time. But just a few months later, Hamm-Niebruegge ended the deal.

Nicolopulos, at the time his firm sued the city, alleged that they had been advised by city employees and officials that the project wouldnt go smoothly unless Bi-National included a certain construction firm favored by the city and some of its officials.

The suit didnt name the firm but Nicolopulos said in a 2019 interview that he was referring to CRG.

In response, Bob Clark, who heads Clayco and CRG, said in an email at the time that we have no knowledge of the city pushing for CRGs addition and that CRG had been approached by Nicolopulos and an associate.
ST. LOUIS  SSM Health has reached a deal with a Cape Girardeau-based health system to collaborate on stroke care, maternal and fetal medicine  and potentially other services in the future.

Jeremy Fotheringham, SSM Healths regional president for St. Louis and Southern Illinois, said there is a shortage of providers in maternal and fetal medicine and stroke care. By extending services between St. Louis and Cape Girardeau, patients in both regions will benefit.

SSM will have a presence in Cape Girardeau focused on maternal and fetal medicine. And the health systems will work on systems to transfer interventional stroke patients to St. Louis  something the health systems have done episodically, but want to establish clearer systems for.

The affiliation agreement does not denote any changes to control or governance, the officials said. Saint Francis will not join SSM, as has been the trend in recent years, as the industry consolidates and hospitals increasingly join together in large health systems.

I think whats so unique, said Saint Francis President and CEO Justin Davison. Health care is going through a great period of transition right now, nationally I think the first inclination of many is to merge or acquire.

Saint Francis has a 306-bed hospital in Cape Girardeau, 3,000 employees and a network of ambulatory and surgery centers. SSM has 23 hospitals and 40,000 employees in Illinois, Missouri, Oklahoma and Wisconsin. The affiliation with Saint Francis will mark SSMs most significant step yet into southeast Missouri.

Fotheringham said the systems are also looking to share ideas, best practices, ideas of how to deliver care. And down the road, they will look at other services to collaborate on.

If we dont continue to expand, we will have missed an opportunity, Fotheringham said. This is a transformative agreement for both organizations. Were excited about where it can go.

Davison said that the health systems have shared goals and shared heritage. He noted that both were founded by nuns who immigrated to the Midwest from Germany, about 150 years ago.

I think its somewhat poetic, Davison said, that theres opportunity for collaboration between the organizations.
Striking Starbucks workers swarmed one St. Louis-area store and visited others Thursday, disrupting business and blocking off would-be customers during one of the companys busiest days, its annual Red Cup Day promotional event that features giveaways of free, reusable, holiday-themed cups. The local protests were part of a nationwide movement.

The bulk of Thursdays protest activity was centered at the Starbucks location on St. Louis South Grand Boulevard, near Tower Grove Park. There, workers from unionized Starbucks stores converged to chant and wield signs, while marching across the entrances for cars to access the stores property  choking off its parking lot and drive-thru lane.

Theyve got to sit down and bargain with us. Its been a year, said Sam Maurer, an employee of the unionized Starbucks store in Valley Park. It definitely doesnt feel good, not getting to practice what we voted for.

Since June 2022, votes to unionize have passed at eight Starbucks locations around the St. Louis area. But workers at those locations are still without a unionized contract, and said Thursday that the company has not come to the table. Starbucks Workers United organized the national protests, and said more than 200 stores participated.

The company said in a statement attributed to spokesman Andrew Trull that fewer than 100 stores joined the protest, and Starbucks remains ready to progress in-person negotiations with the unions certified to represent partners.

Many at Thursdays protest said that they or their colleagues must juggle multiple jobs to get by, and that it is a struggle to get enough hours to hit an eligibility threshold for health-care benefits and more.

Additionally, many of the protesters said their Starbucks workplaces are chronically understaffed, with sometimes as few as three employees to a shift  creating a situation where they are unable to take breaks.

They also accused the company of union-busting maneuvers, such as hiring employees as pre-managers  a position that does not technically qualify as one eligible for union membership or protections.

Stores are getting busier, hours are getting cut, said Lee Martin, a shift supervisor at the Grand location. The company believes that we are expendable, and they treat us as such.

Theyre sacrificing our health and well-being, Martin said.

A target of the protesters Thursday morning push, the Starbucks on Grand appeared to close early. By 10:15 a.m., the lights were turned off in the public portion of the store, and no employees were behind the counter.

And the effort attracted different displays of solidarity, eliciting honks from many cars breezing down Grand, and also drawing some support from union members in other fields who stopped by to join the cause, during their lunch breaks.

All workers deserve fairness, dignity and respect, said Dan Szyman, a unionized employee of the John J. Cochran Veterans Hospital, who joined the Starbucks picketing.

Some called attention to the companys profits as a sign that the requests from workers are feasible.

Starbucks can afford it, said April Williams, another hospital worker who came out to join the protest on her own time. Were going to be here until change takes place.

Organizers of Thursdays protest said that more than 360 Starbucks locations across the U.S. have voted to unionize but that none has been given a contract by the company. And more unionized stores could be on the way, as some striking workers spent part of the morning visiting other, non-unionized Starbucks locations around the area, to distribute information.
Joe Holleman Political correspondent/columnist Follow Joe Holleman Close Get email notifications on {{subject}} daily! Your notification has been saved. There was a problem saving your notification. {{description}} Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items. Save Manage followed notifications Close Followed notifications Please log in to use this feature Log In Don't have an account? Sign Up Today

Bigger than big money seems to have been set aside to defeat U.S. Rep. Cori Bush and several of her progressive colleagues in the August 2024 Democratic primaries.

According to Slate, a liberal online magazine, the American Israel Public Affairs Committee has created a multi-million war chest  nine digits worth  to fund primary opponents of Bush, a St. Louis Democrat, and other like-minded legislators.

In an article published Wednesday, Slate reported:

Close watchers now expect AIPAC to spend at least $100 million in Democratic primaries, largely trained on eliminating incumbent Squad members from their seats, the article states.

NEW: Sources say AIPAC is gearing up to spend over *$100 MILLION* as part of a campaign to knock the Squad out of congress in 2024. Cori Bush, Ilhan Omar, Jamaal Bowman, Summer Lee, and Rashida Tlaib are all marked for high dollar challenges. https://t.co/6wXDMEBfNE  Alex Sammon (@alex_sammon) November 15, 2023

Last week, multiple news outlets reported that two other members of The Squad  U.S. Reps. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., and Jamaal Bowman, D-N.Y.  are in line to face primary challenges. The Slate article adds U.S. Rep. Summer Lee, D-Pennsylvania, to the challenged list.

A powerful and well-funded lobbying group, AIPAC has been a consistent critic of Bush, who has in the past voted against extending defense aid to Israel. She has also opposed other measures considered to be pro-Israeli.

The influx of major AIPAC-related funding comes at a bad time for Bush, whose most recent federal campaign report shows that her campaign has an outstanding debt of almost $130,000, and less than $20,000 in cash-on-hand.

Responding to reports about AIPACs plan, Bush on X accused the group of attempting to buy blue seats with GOP donor money.

She also asserted it was targeting Black and brown members of Congress for supporting a ceasefire, a position supported by 80% of our partys voters.

$100 million targeting Black and brown members of Congress for supporting a ceasefire, a position supported by 80% of our partys voters.



AIPAC is attempting to buy blue seats with GOP donor money. https://t.co/EJB4Uirn1i  Cori Bush (@CoriBush) November 15, 2023

Bushs latest stance against Israel  in connection with Hamas surprise attack Oct. 7 that killed 1,400 Israelis  already has produced one primary challenge against her, from St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Wesley Bell.

Political observers also say state Sen. Brian Williams, D-University City, is considering entering the race as well.

The Slate article made special mention of some Democratic leaders remaining silent on the AIPAC challenge:

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries ... hasnt tried to dissuade the primarying of these progressive Democratic incumbents, the Slate article said, then added that AIPAC was a large contributor to Jeffries 2022 campaign.
POTOSI, Mo.  Prosecutors have filed more charges against embattled Iron County Sheriff Jeffrey Burkett, now accusing him and two deputies of stalking and harassing a local judge.

Burkett, two deputies and a wealthy resident were charged earlier this year with multiple felonies, including taking part in criminal street gang activity. Prosecutors accused the officers of going beyond their authority to get the wealthy resident weekend custody of his child.

The deputies put out alerts for other agencies to arrest the childs mother, attempted to investigate her for multiple crimes, tracked her location, followed her across several counties and used law enforcement databases to intercede in the custody fight, prosecutors said.

Then, late last month, Washington County Prosecutor John Jones filed a new criminal case charging Burkett and two deputies  Christopher Jayne and Chase Bresnahan  with felony judicial tampering and misdemeanor stalking.

The new charges accuse all three of photographing a judges home residence, vehicle and girlfriend over several days in February. Investigators with the Missouri Highway Patrol also found texts from Burkett instructing Jayne to take the photos and not to be caught doing so, court documents state. Burkett is accused of telling deputies not to cooperate with the highway patrol, charging documents say.

Charges say a witness overheard Burkett discussing a plan to have the judge arrested in retaliation for holding one of Burketts employees in contempt of court.

Burketts defense attorney, Gabe Crocker, has said his client is the victim of local political infighting. Crocker argued Wednesday that the sheriff was doing nothing more than leading an investigation into elected officials.

Hes now being charged with crimes for conducting that investigation, Crocker said. It is, quite literally, that simple to explain these charges.

The name of the judge targeted was redacted from court documents and a call to Jones office was not immediately returned Wednesday. But Jones had previously hinted in earlier hearings that an Iron County judge was surveilled at Burketts direction.

Burkett remains the elected sheriff of Iron County but is on leave.

The Missouri Attorney Generals Office filed a lawsuit this year seeking to remove him from office. A trial in that suit is set for late January.
ST. LOUIS  A Manchester man who was charged this week with pulling a man out of his car and severely beating him during a road rage incident in downtown St. Louis was previously involved in a high-profile brawl outside of a Metro East strip club with multiple Cardinals players.

John Jake Ehlinger, 35, was one of the men involved in a July 2014 bar fight with Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez and then-Miami Marlins outfielder Marcell Ozuna in a parking lot outside of the Penthouse Club in Sauget. The incident resulted in a lawsuit but no criminal charges.

Now, Ehlinger faces charges of first-degree assault and two counts of armed criminal action after police say he ran a red light at 10th Street and Clark Avenue on Oct. 22, then beat another driver who honked his horn at him.

Ehlinger was already on probation at the time for slashing someones tires earlier this year in a separate case.

In the Sauget strip club fight nearly a decade ago, Ehlinger was outside the club with his friend Andrew DAngelo when the two got into a fight with Martinez, Ozuna  who later played for the Cardinals  and the late Cardinals outfielder Oscar Taveras, who was killed in a car crash months later.

Video from the incident showed Martinez rushing toward a crowd of about a dozen people gathered near a barbecue stand. He appeared to throw one punch before bouncers pushed him back.

DAngelo sued Martinez and the clubs owner in 2018, alleging Martinez committed assault, battery, civil conspiracy and in-concert liability during the brawl. Martinez was represented by multiple attorneys, including Circuit Attorney Gabe Gore, who worked for Dowd Bennett at the time, according to court documents.

No criminal charges were ever filed. Sauget police said DAngelo stopped cooperating with authorities.

A federal judge dismissed the suit in 2019, finding that the skirmish was nothing more than a plain old bar fight.

When looking at the videotape, no reasonable jury could believe that Martinez ever hit DAngelo  not to mention that nobody could watch the footage and think that DAngelo was an innocent victim of a brazen attack, the judge wrote.

But, the judge said, the video did show Martinez hitting Ehlinger after a leaping strike ... in a move more suited for a Bruce Lee film than a nightclub brawl.

Ehlinger was never interviewed in the civil suit. Martinezs attorneys spent weeks trying to serve him a subpoena to no avail, court documents say.

In last months downtown beating, surveillance video captured Ehlinger pulling the driver out of the car and beating him so badly that the mans nose, lower jaw and forehead were broken, charges say.

After the beating, another man in a gold Range Rover drove past and Ehlinger chased him in his car, charges say. Ehlinger pulled up alongside the SUV, pointed a gun outside his window and said, Do we have a problem?

Ehlinger continued to follow the Range Rover and ran into the back of it, and charges say the driver heard gunshots as he sped away.

Ehlinger has not yet been arrested in his current case, according to court documents and the citys inmate roster. When he is taken into custody, a judge ordered him to be held without bond.

St. Louis police said they found his truck abandoned and he was identified from surveillance video by Manchester police, who were familiar with Ehlinger and his vehicle.

Ehlinger could not be reached for comment Thursday.

Yesterday, Sunday, at ~8:30 AM at 10th & Clark, we witnessed a guy beat the s&@$ out of a guy in a road rage incident. The victim made the mistake of honking at him for running a red light. He then made the mistake of leaving his door unlocked.



The assailant was in his work pic.twitter.com/EpxDwZHiVM  Citizens for a Greater Downtown St. Louis (@Citizens4STL) October 23, 2023
ST. LOUIS  Police on Thursday released the name of the man shot to death last weekend in south St. Louis.

Christopher Barnhill, 43, was shot in the abdomen just after 7 p.m. Sunday in the 3700 block of South Jefferson Avenue.

Barnhill was found on the ground next to the driver's door of an Acura TSX. He died at a hospital.

He lived in the 4100 block of Louisiana Avenue in St. Louis.

Police said they have no suspects in the killing.

The scene was on the edge of the city's Gravois Park and Marine Villa neighborhoods.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY  While several high-profile conservative political efforts in St. Charles County have stalled, opponents say theyre gearing up for the next round in this epicenter of the culture wars.

In St. Charles County, county officials and school board members have backpedaled this week after hearing backlash from constituents:

 The St. Charles County Council on Monday delayed voting on a resolution opposing an effort to make St. Louis a destination for Latino immigrants now living in Chicago.

 The president of the Francis Howell School Board postponed a vote scheduled for Thursday that would ban transgender students from using bathrooms that match their gender identity.

 In Wentzville, a proposal to remove a requirement for diverse materials in school and classroom libraries was indefinitely tabled by the school board.

The moves come on the heels of the November general election that saw voters reject conservative initiatives across the country. Voters in Ohio wrote abortion rights into the state constitution. Democrat Andy Beshear won his reelection bid for Kentucky governor. And a majority of school board candidates endorsed by right-wing group Moms for Liberty lost their races in Iowa, Minnesota and Pennsylvania.

Meanwhile, a growing group of parents and educators in St. Charles County arent letting up on opposition to issues including book bans and policies affecting LGBTQ students. Several Francis Howell parents said they plan to take legal action if the transgender bathroom policy is approved.

I think its good that its not coming right now, but I believe theyll try again, said Christine Hyman, parent of a transgender son and a daughter who attends Francis Howell North High. Well continue to turn the heat up.

Mernie Maestas, lead librarian at Wentzville School District, will speak at the school board meeting Thursday against a proposal to change a 20-year-old library policy. The revised policy, introduced in September, would remove the line stating, the Board believes that it is the responsibility of the Districts library/media centers to provide materials that reflect the ideals and beliefs of religious, social, political, historical and ethnic groups, and their contributions to American and world cultures.

The revised policy would only allow library materials that relate to and support the Districts curriculum and that comply with Missouri law.

Wentzville Superintendent Danielle Tormala on Thursday will recommend the creation of a policy committee in order to effectively review, communicate, and seek feedback for 12 proposed policies that are under review or tabled, including the library policy.

Wentzville first became a political flashpoint in early 2022 when the school board banned The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison. Although the book was reinstated a month later, more than two dozen other books were removed from Wentzville school libraries last year after the passage of a state law banning explicit sexual images in schools.

Police officers were called to a Wentzville high school library twice last year to investigate books. Three of the districts four high school librarians subsequently left their positions in part because of the hostile work environment, Maestas said.

In Francis Howell School District, board president Adam Bertrand on Thursday will introduce a new policy that would create the Victims of Communism Memorial Day.

Under the policy, students would receive instruction from the Washington-based Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation about the more than 100 million victims of communism around the world and those pursuing freedom while still living under communist regimes.

The foundations leaders include president Andrew Bremberg, a former adviser to President Donald Trump, and board member Edwin Feulner, founder of the right-wing Heritage Foundation. The curriculum was created because an entire generation of Americans, unaware of the true nature and history of communism, is warming to collectivist ideas because they dont know the facts, according to the groups website.

Erin Shetler, whose daughter attends a Francis Howell elementary school, said she is frustrated with the boards direction.

This board campaigned on a platform of getting back to basics, focusing on academics and financial responsibility, Shetler said. All theyve managed to do so far is waste time talking about bathrooms and communism and things that dont jibe with the back-to-basics education that they promised.
The strange orbits of dwarf planets beyond Neptune are the strongest evidence yet that there is a so-called Planet X deep in our solar system that no one has ever seen. Judging by its gravitational pull, it must be a giant planet.

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Sarah Webb, a researcher at the Center for Astrophysics and Supercomputing at Swinburne University of Technology (Australia), told about this in an article for The Conversation. The main problem with finding this mysterious planet is its location.

As Webb explains, there are millions of objects moving in our solar system, from planets to moons, comets, and asteroids.

By 1846, astronomers had found all eight major planets in our system, but the search did not stop. So over the past 100 years, other celestial bodies have been found, including Pluto, which was originally considered a planet but was later downgraded to a dwarf planet.

It was the discovery of these distant dwarfs that suggested to scientists that something unknown to mankind might be hiding on the outskirts of the solar system, and it must be gigantic.

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The solar system exists in a balance provided by the gravitational attraction between the planets, and if Planet X does not exist, then we probably don't know anything about gravity.

"When we look at very distant objects, such as dwarf planets beyond Pluto, we see that their orbits are somewhat unexpected. They move in very large elliptical (oval) orbits, cluster together, and exist at an inclination compared to the rest of the solar system," Webb said.

Computer modeling shows that dwarf planets can indeed behave in this way, but only if there is another planet somewhere nearby that is at least ten times the mass of the Earth.

But, as the scientist notes, when it comes to finding this huge planet, it is easier said than done.

Scientists have been hunting for Planet X, which may be the same mythological Nibiru, for many years, but they can still only guess where it is and whether it actually exists.

ADVERTISIMENT

According to computer models, Planet X is at least 20 times farther from the Sun than Neptune. This means that it reflects almost no light. That means we need to look for a giant dark object in endless dark space. That's quite a task.

"It will be difficult to see even with the best telescopes on Earth. In addition, we can't look for it at any time of year," the scientist notes.

Webb says there are only small time windows when we can hope to find the planet.

"The conditions have to be perfect. In particular, we have to wait for a moonless night when the place we are observing from is facing the right part of the sky," Webb said.

She noted that the situation with the search for the planet could be changed by new telescopes to be built in the "next decade".

Earlier, OBOZREVATEL told about the idea of astronomers who proposed to find Planet X thanks to NASA's Uranus exploration mission.

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Subscribe to OBOZREVATEL 'sTelegram, Viber and Threadschannels to keep up with the latest developments.
ST. CHARLES COUNTY  The St. Charles City-County library system has bought four additional copies of a controversial book that critics contend is too sexually explicit for libraries.

Ironically, district officials said the extra copies of Bang Like A Porn Star: Sex Tips from the Pros were needed because a formal challenge to the books content was filed Sept. 27, and committee members need several copies to conduct the review.

If the committee, made up of library staffers, decides to keep the book in library circulation, the extra copies would be added to the books available to the public, said Lori Beth Crawford, a spokeswoman for the library district.

The challenge was filed a week after a group of critics appeared at a meeting of the library systems board to complain about the book, which was in the adult section of the library, and Its Perfectly Normal: Changing Bodies, Growing Up, Sex, Gender and Sexual Health, which is aimed at children.

Bang Like A Porn Star, a 175-page book published in 2018, features interviews with several gay adult film stars and includes photographs detailing various sex acts. Its the only book that has begun the formal challenge process in the library system.

Prior to the latest purchase, only one copy had been available, on the shelves at the librarys Kisker Road Branch near Weldon Spring.

Crawford said she didnt know when the committee would make a decision on the challenge.

She refused to release the name of the person filing the challenge, saying it was against district policy to do so. Area resident Rachel Homolak, one of those who complained about the book at the September meeting, said in an interview then that she hadnt filed a challenge because she didnt trust the process.

But on Tuesday night at the Kisker Road Branch, during the public comment portion at another meeting of the board, Homolak identified several other books in the library system that she opposes.

Homolak read a sexually graphic passage from one of the books  Lets Talk About It: the Teens Guide to Sex, Relationship, and Being a Human.

We have nice diagrams here, she added, then called out to Jason Kuhl, the library systems CEO sitting near board members. See that, Jason?

She said the book was found at the districts Spencer Road Branch in St. Peters, not just shelved, but ... placed on a display that encouraged children to read it. While the district says the book was in a teen section, Homolak said youth adult is still minors.

Homolak also objected to Gay Giant, a book that she said is about a mans sexcapades and reminiscing on his childhood sexual experiences and Gender Queer: A Memoir, which the Associated Press reported includes frank sexual images. The American Library Associations website says that book drew the most challenges across the country last year.

Both of those books are in the adult section of the library, Kuhl said.

Before speaking during public comment, Homolak placed copies of those books and others to which she objected on the floor in front of her.

In response, on Wednesday, Kuhl said the five books first brought up at Tuesdays meeting are commonly held at libraries across Missouri and the country. Each, he said, had been well used by our taxpayers, which indicates our residents have a need for these materials.

For example, he said Gender Queer had been checked out 143 times from the St. Charles County system since September 2019.

To exclude items from our collection that are included in collections of literally hundreds and thousands of other libraries ... would be to fail our residents and taxpayers who expect access to these typical library items, he said.

Several other speakers at Tuesdays meeting also attacked the districts book policies, including Theresa Lintzenich, a St. Charles resident who reiterated her criticism of the Its Perfectly Normal childrens book. She said it reads like an advertisement for teen sex, contraception and abortion.

St. Charles parents need to be able to trust the library again, she added. Please put this book in the adult section or get rid of it.

Some speakers, meanwhile, defended district officials.

I want to thank the board members for being calm and civil while listening to these fire and brimstone bigotry people, said Grayson Jostes of St. Peters.

Danielle Foster, also of St. Peters, said she supports the library and its employees amid all of this negative, horrible hate speech towards you.

She said the books cited by critics were for education.

The librarys supposed to be a place where you can come and learn about all kinds of things, she said. Just because someone doesnt like learning about one particular thing doesnt mean that thing needs to be taken out.
Two transgender boys filed a federal lawsuit Thursday seeking to reverse the University of Missouris decision to stop providing gender-affirming care to minors.

The lawsuit, filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Missouri, alleges halting transgender minors prescriptions unconstitutionally discriminates on the basis of sex and disability status.

University of Missouri Health announced Aug. 28 that it would no longer provide puberty blockers and hormones to minors for the purpose of gender transition.

The decision was based on a new law banning transgender minors from beginning gender-affirming care. It included a provision to allow people those already receiving treatment to continue, but some providers stopped completely because of a clause included in the new law that they feared opened them to legal liability.

Washington University joined MU Health in dropping its gender-affirming care for minors.

Untreated gender dysphoria often intensifies with time, J. Andrew Hirth, an attorney for the plaintiffs, wrote in the lawsuit. The longer an individual goes without adequate treatment, the greater the risk of debilitating anxiety, severe depression, self-harm and suicide.

Hirth argues gender dysphoria, the condition that describes the emotional distress caused by incongruence with ones sex as assigned at birth, is a disability because it is a physical impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, including the operation of the endocrine system.

A lawsuit filed by the ACLU of Missouri against Platte County School District earlier this year also labels gender dysphoria as a disability and part of the grounds for that litigation.

The plaintiffs gender dysphoria will be impacted if the court doesnt find a remedy, Hirth argues.

Using initials to protect the identities of the minor plaintiffs, Hirth describes the transgender boys medical transitions.

J.C. is a Boone County teen who has been receiving testosterone treatments at the advice of an MU Health physician, Dr. M. He has grown facial hair over his 18 months on testosterone and other male sex characteristics.

His supply of testosterone is going to be depleted in February, and he has not been able to find a Missouri doctor to treat him.

After a year of watching his body start to reflect his male gender identity, the sudden reversion to feminine characteristics will be deeply traumatic to J.C, the lawsuit says.

K.J. is younger than J.C. and identified as transgender prior to puberty. So, when he began puberty early at the age of 9, a MU Health doctor decided that delaying puberty would be healthiest and diagnosed him with gender dysphoria and precocious puberty.

He also cant find treatment options and anticipates running out of his puberty-blocking medication in February.

After the promise of going through puberty as a boy, his sudden development of female characteristics will cause K.J. severe emotional and physical distress, the lawsuit says.

The lawsuit asks for the court to prohibit the university from denying medical treatment and such other relief as the court deems just and proper.

Hirth says he filed the case in federal court because the University of Missouri receives millions of dollars in federal financial assistance every year and is subject to the Affordable Care Act.

The Affordable Care Act prohibits discrimination in any health program or activity on the grounds of sex or disability.

Similarly, Hirth references the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, which prohibits programs receiving federal assistance from excluding people on the basis of their disability.

The lawsuit alleges that cisgender MU Health patients with other diagnoses can receive the same treatments the two plaintiffs are currently denied.

Whether the University permits its doctors to prescribe puberty-delaying medication or HRT to minor patients depends not on whether the minor was already receiving treatment  as (the law)s grandfather clause was intended to permitbut rather on the medical condition being treated and whether the medications intended effect is congruent with the patients sex assigned at birth and gender identity, Hirth wrote.

He also cited Title IX, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in education programs that receive federal funding. In the past three years, federal courts have been interpreting Title IX to include protection from discrimination based on gender identity following the Supreme Courts June 2020 Bostock v. Clayton County decision, though the change is not universal.

The universitys attorneys told The Independent they received and are reviewing the lawsuit and did not have a comment.
JEFFERSON CITY  Missouris Republican leaders are on the same page as President Joe Biden when it comes to providing a years worth of medical coverage to new mothers and their babies.

After years of balking at expanding Medicaid to serve more low-income Missourians, top aides to Republican Gov. Mike Parson cheered news this week that the federal government had approved the states plan to extend postpartum coverage from two months to 12 months.

Federal approval of the 12 month postpartum coverage is an important step toward improving health outcomes for moms in the state of Missouri, said Todd Richardson, director of the states Medicaid program, known as MO HealthNet.

With nearly 50% of births in Missouri on MO HealthNet we want to make sure that mothers have the ability to take care of their own health as well as the health of their babies, Richardson said.

Thats an about-face from his position in 2018, when Richardson was hired by Parson to oversee the Medicaid program.

At the time, the former speaker of the Missouri House said, My focus is not going to be on expanding Medicaid eligibility.

The extension of postpartum benefits for women with MO HealthNet coverage was approved by the GOP-led Missouri Legislature in May. It was given the green light earlier this week by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Robert Knodell, a former top deputy in Parsons office who now serves as chief of the Missouri Department of Social Services credited a bipartisan group of women lawmakers for pushing the change across the finish line in the spring.

The Department of Social Services is grateful for the initiative of the Missouri General Assembly in passing legislation to establish the 12 month postpartum coverage, Knodell said.

In particular, he singled out Sen. Elaine Gannon, R-De Soto, Sen. Lauren Arthur, D-Kansas City, and Sen. Tracy McCreery, D-Olivette, as well as Rep. Melanie Stinnett, R-Springfield, for taking the lead on the extension.

I look forward to continued partnership and collaboration with them on maternal health and improved health outcomes for Missouri citizens, Knodell said.

The bipartisan support for extending coverage is viewed as a way to address a potential increase in births in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court overturning Roe v. Wade last year.

Activists on both sides of the abortion issue also cheered the federal approval.

Expanding postpartum care coverage from the wholly inadequate 60 days to the full postpartum year will save Missouri lives, said Abortion Action Missouri executive director Mallory Schwarz. Restrictions on reproductive health care access lead to poor reproductive health outcomes.

Sam Lee, an anti-abortion activist for Campaign Life Missouri, also praised the extension.

It is vital that Missourians work together to lower the states maternal and infant morbidity and mortality rates, Lee wrote on social media. The pro-life community is committed in assisting in additional bipartisan efforts by Missouri lawmakers to help moms and babies  born and unborn  get the health care and services they deserve.

For Medicaid recipients, federal approval does not represent a significant shift in recent practice for MO HealthNet.

In response to the pandemic, the state stopped kicking people off Medicaid in 2020, allowing women who received coverage due to pregnancy to stay on the MO HealthNet rolls.

That policy has continued while the state undertakes a yearlong renewal process for Medicaid recipients.

Missouri is the 40th state to be approved for the extended coverage.

I applaud Missouris decision to extend postpartum coverage for a full year after delivery, said HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra. The Biden-Harris Administration continues to demonstrate its commitment to improve maternal health. HHS continues to support policies and programs that help ensure the health of mothers and babies. I urge all remaining states to extend postpartum coverage to do so.

The approval is expected to result in an additional 18,000 Missourian becoming eligible for Medicaid for a full year after pregnancy. The federal program covers an estimated 41% of all births in the nation and more than half of all children in the country.

According to an annual report issued by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services, an average of 70 Missouri women died while pregnant or within one year of pregnancy between 2018 and 2020.

The survey determined that the pregnancy-related mortality ratio was 32 deaths per 100,000 live births, which is up from 25.2 deaths in the 2017-19 time frame. Eighty-four percent of pregnancy-related deaths were determined to be preventable, which is nine percentage points higher than the previous multiyear report.

The mortality rate for Black mothers continues to be higher across the state.

Black women living in Missouri are three times more likely to die within one year of pregnancy than white women, the report noted.

In addition to extending coverage to a full year, the state budget also includes an additional $4 million for maternal mortality programs amid the increase outlined in the report.

Missouri ranked 12th in maternal mortality in the nation from 2018 to 2020.
JEFFERSON CITY  The Republican candidate for governor who took a flamethrower to boxes representing leftist policies is criticizing an ad cut by Missouris GOP governor and Kansas Democratic governor calling for more civility in politics.

State Sen. Bill Eigel, one of three Republicans running to succeed Republican Gov. Mike Parson, said on social media Parson was worried about being nice at a time when Dems are destroying our cities, mutilating our kids, trampling our rights and defunding our police.

The ad, by the National Governors Association, features Parson and Kelly sitting down for barbecue. Were committed to disagreeing better, Parson said.

What a joke, Eigel said. JC [Jefferson City] needs a reckoning.

This is why Republicans lose elections, Eigel said.

Parson, speaking to Kansas City radio host Pete Mundo, fired back at Eigel, who has long clashed with the governors office.

Such high-profile skirmishes with Parson could serve as a way for Eigel to gain exposure and a boost in the three-way GOP primary. The state senator has failed to gain traction in publicly available polls.

I dont know what in the worlds wrong with being nice sometimes. I mean, I kind of grew up in that era, said Parson, 68.

Ive never lost an election in my life, Parson continued. If his whole campaign is based on attacking governors and Republicans and policies up here right now, he needs to take a good look, and hes been in that chamber for a long time his self.

Things are going good for us. And its due to a lot of policy that we put in place, Parson said.

Parson said it was the easiest thing in the world to focus on negative things all the time, but that candidates for governor should focus on what they are going to do improve the state.

Later Wednesday, Eigel quoted a recent Department of Economic Development statement that said Missouris growth in GDP and productivity has been below the nation and Missouris Midwestern peers since 2010.

The statement was contained in a request for bids last week by the state asking for an industry cluster assessment to identify industry clusters at varying stages of development, analyze their structure, and recommend policy interventions to strengthen these.

The request says industry clusters are associated with more and higher-paying jobs, new business formation and higher productivity.

While Missouris employment growth has kept up with its peers, lagging productivity growth could lead to slower wage growth for Missourians, the request, first reported by Missouri Scout on Tuesday, said.

The request for proposals calls for innovative strategies to identify and bolster Missouris mature, emerging, and potential industry clusters.

What world does @mikeparson live in? Eigel asked. Jeff City needs a Reckoning.

Other GOP candidates running also include Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft and Lt. Gov. Mike Kehoe.

Parson has signaled his support for Kehoe, who has out-fundraised the other two Republican candidates. The primary is Aug. 6.

Eigels current campaign theme is similar to his first run for office in 2016, when he narrowly won a three-way GOP primary running as a political outsider.

Voters were looking for someone who had not been part of the political system before, he said in 2016. Theyre looking for a different direction.

In September, Eigel and Sen. Nick Schroer, R-Defiance, used flamethrowers to burn a stack of cardboard boxes at a St. Charles County political event. A video of the two men was widely shared on social media.
JEFFERSON CITY  State officials said Thursday they will revoke a Franklin County-based companys marijuana products manufacturing license  four months after suspending the firms operations.

The Division of Cannabis Regulation said in a news release Thursday that Robertsville-based Delta Extraction committed significant violations of Missouri cannabis regulations and that the companys license will be revoked on Dec. 2.

The state described violations Thursday that were in addition to the companys use of hemp-derived THC-A, sourced from outside the state, for products on the legal Missouri market, which the state has said was against regulations.

Delta has argued the process was allowed under previous state regulations.

Chuck Hatfield, attorney for Delta Extraction, said in a statement Thursday that the states actions were illegal and unfounded.

The issue stems from Delta using legal hemp products in its legal marijuana products, Hatfield said, adding that internal state documents showed that a state compliance officer told her supervisors she believed Deltas process was legal.

We are perplexed as to why they ignored her, Hatfield said.

In addition to the hemp-derived THC-A, state officials said Delta falsified seed-to-sale tracking data, failed to ensure all product was traceable in a state system, and failed to ensure all product was compliantly tested.

The state also said Delta packaged products in a false and misleading manner and that it failed to meet required security standards.

The state suspended Delta Extraction on Aug. 2 and recalled thousands of its products later that month, saying officials could not verify that Delta products were sourced from Missouris legal marijuana program.

The company filed a challenge to its suspension with the state Administrative Hearing Commission.

A Delta attorney said at an August hearing that a process used at the companys facility involved using hemp-derived THC-A, sourced from outside of Missouri. When heated, THC-A converts to THC, which gets users high.

The state said Thursday it issued a notice of pending revocation to Delta on Aug. 11 due to significant and extensive violations of the rules.

The state issued a revised notice Sept. 1 that included additional violations.

The state said it revoked the companys license Thursday after giving it an opportunity to respond or fix deficiencies outlined by the state.

While Delta Extractions use of out-of-state cannabis in our regulated system has been well-publicized and is a critical issue, DCR also found numerous other violations of rules at this facility, Amy Moore, director of the Division of Cannabis Regulation, said in a statement Thursday.

Businesses that choose to participate in Missouris marijuana industry do not get to decide which rules and which parts of Article XIV (the constitutional amendment legalizing marijuana) they want to follow, Moore said.

Delta Extraction is registered as a limited liability company with the Missouri secretary of state and its registered agent is Joshua Corson, who lists a Clayton address.
In Ukraine, landmines have once more proved to be the most common cause of armored vehicles being lost. The mines dont destroy the tanks, they damage its track-laying mobility system, rendering the tank unable to move. As any experienced tank user will tell you, the major cause of tank losses is the loss of mobility in combat. The track-laying system is essential for mobility but also a major vulnerability. Even when not in combat, a tank driver can drive through broken terrain and encounter an obstacle like a tree stump or similar items that if not avoided, will cause the tank to throw a track. That means the tracklaying system on one side of the tank fails and a track detaches from the running wheels that keep the tracks, and the tank, moving. The crew will then have to get out and manually reattach the track to the road wheels. Sometimes this requires undamaged tracks to replace damaged ones. Tanks usually carry some spare tracks and one or more road wheels on the outside of the tank.

Repairing a thrown track is one of the more tedious and unpopular jobs for a tank crew. Doing this in combat is generally impossible. Unless your forces push the enemy away from where disabled tanks are, the immobilized tanks are not going to get fixed. Another issue is the durability of tank tracks and how long they will last. Sets of tank tracks are generally good for over 2,000 kilometers before replacement is needed. Track life can be reduced by the kind of terrain the tank is moving across.

Over the last two decades more durable and easier to refurbish tracks have been developed. This is important because there are not always enough tank transporter trucks available to move immobile tanks long distances.

Lighter armored vehicles, like the American M-2 IFVs (Infantry Fighting Vehicle) also run on metal tracks that have rubber pads attached to save wear and tear on roads and give better traction. Naturally, the rubber pads, as well as the entire track, wear out. Normally, a heavily used M-2 might need a new set of tracks once a year. In 2003 there were nearly 700 M-2s in Iraq, and many needed new tracks every few months. A set of tracks is normally good for 1,300-1,600 kilometers of travel. To keep the M-2s in Iraq supplied with replacement tracks, the army's only depot that refurbishes worn tracks, with about 80 percent of the track reused, had had to go from one shift a day, five days a week, to 24/7 production. Even at that, stocks worldwide were nearly depleted by the end of the year. That was one reason for the rush to get more armored Humvees over to Iraq. These don't have tracks and were nearly as resistant to Iraqi attacks as the M-2s are. Actually, in many cases, the M-2s were used in low-risk situations because they are the only combat vehicle available. Meanwhile the army had to face the fact that a larger war, calling on more of the 6,000 M-2s in U.S. service would not be practical.

The first combat for the M-2 was in 1991, but that lasted less than a week and gave the impression that all was well. In Iraq, the fighting went on for years and the M-2 got heavier. Eventually the M-2 was found to have a serious weight problem. When the vehicle first appeared in the early 1980s it weighed 25 tons. By 2006 M-2s weighed about 36 tons, which was about what most World War 2 tanks weighed. The increase comes from added equipment and, especially, armor. This makes the M-2 RPG proof, but the extra weight has been hell on the M-2s most vulnerable component, the tracks it runs on. By the time 2003 rolled around, additional weight meant that a set of tracks lasted about 1,400 kilometers. But still more weight was added (more armor), and it got to the point (in 2006) where tracks had to be changed after only 700 kilometers. This meant that M-2s in combat might need several new sets of tracks a year. Changing tracks is hard, sweaty work, especially in tropical Iraq. The crews do most of the work, and they don't like it. By 2006, the army had designed a new set of tracks that was good for about 4,000 kilometers. The refurb included new tracks, as well as replacing other worn out or damaged equipment, and adding new items, usually electronics.

By 2011 the army had decided to replace most of the M-2s with wheeled armored vehicles like Stryker, MRAPs and armored Humvees. At that point the army was also undergoing a reorganization, which included converting some mech brigades that normally use M-2s with Stryker wheeled armored vehicles. There were proposals to equip some combat brigades with MRAPs on a permanent basis but that never happened. Thousands of MRAPS were put into storage, just in case. The Strykers and armored hummers were deemed adequate for peacetime training and the initial stages of a war. Most importantly the Strykers cost half the $2.4 million cost of an M-2 and the armored hummers were cheaper still.
Iran continues to be the main threat for neighboring Iraq. There are many reasons for this, some of them quite ancient. For example, Iranians are largely members of the Shia branch of Islam. Only about ten percent of Moslems are Shia. Iranians are also ethnically different then their many Arab neighbors. The Iranians, or Persians, are Indo-Europeans who migrated from Central Asia to the Persian Gulf area thousands of years ago and have been dominating or fighting the indigenous Semites (mainly Arabs) ever since. Being Shia gives the Iranians one more reason to fight their Arab neighbors. The Kurds are a smaller Indo-European group that arrived in the region and did not lose their ethnic and linguistic characteristics. When Islam showed up, most Kurds pretended to convert and that is something else that rankles their Arab neighbors. While the Iranians are a persistent threat to Arabs, the Kurds are more of a curiosity or, at worst, an annoyance.

An example of this is the efforts by Iran to gain control of Iraq, which has a large Shia Arab majority. Iran is losing influence inside Iraq. This is mainly because Iran is ruled by a Shia religious dictatorship that condones aggressive interference in neighboring countries. Iraq has long been the main recipient of this meddling. Iran seeks more economic and political influence in Iraq. This is made easier by Iraqs internal problems, which are largely the result of rampant and persistent corruption. Historically, what is now known as Iraq was seen as the most corrupt region in the Middle East, if not the world.

According to international surveys of corruption, Iraq is no longer the most corrupt country in the world. For the last 30 years Transparency International has monitored corruption worldwide and reported their findings annually. The corruption is measured on a 1 (most corrupt) to 100 (not corrupt) scale. The nations with the worst score are currently Syria (score of 14), South Sudan (12) and Somalia (12). The least corrupt nations are currently Denmark and New Zealand, each with a score of 88. Iraq does better than you would expect with a corruption score of 23 in 2022, up from 21 in 2020, 20 in 2019, 17 in 2017-18 and 16 in 2013.

Iraqs reduction in corruption played a part in convincing a growing number of formerly pro-Iran Iraqis to change their minds about backing Iran. The current Iranian government has been an economic, diplomatic and military disaster for everyone in the area, not just Iranians. Few Iraqis want to emulate Iran, and this now includes Iraqi members of pro-Iran militias. Initially Iran encouraged and maintained pro-Iran attitudes in Iraq by supplying Iraqi militiamen with weapons and regular cash payments. Growing economic problems inside Iran reduced the money available to pay the Iraqi militiamen enough to keep them loyal to Iran. The longer the Iraqi militiamen went unpaid, the less willing they were to serve Iranian interests. How much is left is questionable, but certainly enough that some militias are currently attacking American troops and bases at Iranian orders.

Iraqis were also put off by the brutality Iran used to suppress the hijab protests'' that began over a year ago and only began to diminish earlier this year because so many women were simply not wearing hijabs to cover their hair. There were too many of these women for the Iranian government to arrest or otherwise punish. The Iranian government has not given up on enforcing the use of hijabs and is seeking ways to force women to comply. A proposed new law would criminalize failure of women to wear hijabs, but the government is unsure what impact trying to enforce such a law would have. Most women and many men oppose the hijab restrictions and consider these laws another reason to overthrow the religious dictatorship that has misruled Iran for decades.

Iraqis see this Iranian obsession over the hijab as odd and scary because this is the sort of thing Iran would try to impose on Iraqis if it could. Iraq and Iran were long known as much less fanatic about this sort of thing than, say, the Saudis. That is changing in Saudi Arabia, as it already has in Iraq and, until recently, Iran.
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Hannan Metals Limited ("Hannan" or the "Company") (TSXV:HAN)(OTC PINK:HANNF) is pleased to announce definition of the third porphyry copper target at the at the 100% owned Valiente project in central Peru (Figure 1). The new Divisoria copper porphyry is located 10 km east of the Belen area where two outcropping porphyry targets (Ricardo Herrara and Sortilegio) and associated epithermal and skarn targets have been defined (Figures 1 and 2). All targets lie within a previously unknown Miocene-age porphyry-epithermal copper-gold mineralized belt.

The Company is also pleased to announce that 1). Public participation meetings and environmental studies at Belen have progressed well and final submission of the Declaracion de Impacto Ambiental ("DIA") will be made shortly and 2) Social licence permissions for the first time have been received across a broad area of Valiente, including the Previsto target area, and initial field work has commenced.

Highlights:

The first exploration work reported from the Divisoria area has identified a zoned copper porphyry target over a 2,000 m by 500 m area. Discovery of abundant high-grade hydrothermal zinc-lead-silver breccias and quartz-pyrite veins where values up to 8.0 m @ 3.3% Zn including 0.5 m 33.4 % Zn from outcrop channel sampling. These veins are interpreted to represent a distal polymetallic veins district peripheral to a porphyry core. The host rock to the base metal veins is a fine-grained dioritic porphyry intrusion with moderate to strong propylitic alteration, typically associated in the outer margins of a porphyry system.

Social teams at Valiente have been active: Field work for the DIA or Environmental Impact Statement at Belen is complete with archaeological and environmental data collected and community participation meetings complete. Broad support was received. Submittal for approval to the General Directorate of Mining Environmental Affairs of the Ministry of Energy and Mines is anticipated by the end of November 2023. Initial social licence permissions to the Previsto area have been received allowing exploration access to this highly prospective alkalic Cu-Au porphyry target area.



Michael Hudson, CEO, states: "The Valiente area continues to impress, with the Divisoria target the third porphyry target delineated in detail at Valiente. The new work further highlights the overlapping suit of porphyry targets with composition ranging from conventional calc-alkalic to alkalic hosted Cu-Au related porphyry/epithermal/skarn mineralization within a 140 km by 50 km area at the Valiente Project.

"Importantly social licencing has advanced positively with the completion of environmental and social permitting at Belen, now ready for submittal to authorities for approvals, together with first exploration access granted to the highly prospective Previsto porphyry area where multiple porphyry centres have been discovered within an area of 15 km by 7 km."

Geological Discussion

During the last months surface exploration has shifted to expanding into new areas of the 1,686 sq km large Valiente project. Work has focused 10 km east of the Belen area where the company has previously reported a discovery of two outcropping porphyry targets (Figures 1 and 2).

In the new area, called Divisoria, the company identified a 2,000 m by 500 m area with hydrothermal base metal breccias and veins. The breccias are hosted by a fine-grained porphyry intrusion of diorite composition with propylitic alteration of moderate to strong intensity. Divisoria is partly covered by a 50 m to 100 m thick sequence of Paleogene red beds (Fig 2).

The area with strongest brecciation and veining is exposed for about 300 m width before it disappears under cover. It hosts frequent N-S trending veins of quartz pyrite and quartz pyrite galena-sphalerite. Locally very high-grade zinc zones have been analysed with values up to 33.4% Zn (Figure 3). All veins are younger than the porphyritic country rock and appear to overprint the hydrothermal breccias. Representative photos are shown in Figure 4 and 5. Assay results from channel and panel sampled outcrops are summarized in Table 1 below:

Sample number Width (m) Zn % Pb % Ag g/t Sample type 14409 0.5 33.4 0.0 2.6 channel 14407 0.8 x 0.8 3.1 0.1 1.0 panel 14513 1.5 x 1.5 2.2 0.1 0.4 panel 14613 8.0 3.3 0.1 3.6 channel 14615 4.1 0.9 0.0 3.5 channel 14603 1.0 4.4 0.3 7.9 channel 14605 0.1 10.0 1.1 11.5 channel

Table 1: Assay results from channel and panel sampled outcrops from Divisoria.

Hannan believes the hydrothermal breccias and qz-pyrite base metal veins relate to a peripheral zonation of a copper porphyry target. The magnetic data acquired by Hannan in 2022 reveals that Divisoria is intruded by multiple intrusions with variable magnetization (Figure 6). The relationships between the hydrothermal breccias, quartz-pyrite veins and the host rock suggests that the copper porphyry target is hosted by the intrusive stocks at Divisoria.

The company is now undertaking more detailed mapping in the area and preparing for a larger IP survey to identify potential drill targets.

Valiente History

The 100% owned Valiente project is located in central eastern Peru, east of the city of Tingo Maria (Figure 1). The area is characterized by steep topography on the eastern flank of the Central Cordillera with elevations between 800 m and 2,000 m above sea level (a.s.l.). The project was discovered in 2021 during an extensive greenfields exploration program initiated by Hannan.

Peru has been a major copper and gold producer since precolonial times. Currently known gold deposits include orogenic gold, porphyry Cu-Au, porphyry Au, transitional porphyry-epithermal, epithermal, and placer gold. The Valiente project is a new a porphyry-epithermal metallogenic belt in the central eastern Andes. The Valiente project is located further east than most of the conventional Andean porphyry settings and shows regional similarities to deposits such as the large Bajo de Alumbrera copper-gold porphyry in Argentina. It is interpreted that Valiente was formed in a tectonically favourable area associated with an arc-oblique wrench fault system, that may have aided the ascent of oceanic arc-related magmas into the transfer zone so far inboard from the magmatic arc.

The Valiente project is believed to consist of an overlapping suit of porphyry targets with composition ranging from conventional calc-alkalic to alkalic hosted Cu-Au mineralization. It is anticipated that both high and low-magnetic and radiometric correlations may exist within the property and a detailed evaluation combining the airborne data with 3D litho-structural interpretations and results from stream sediments samples (BLEG) is currently being undertaken.

In 1984 Ingemmet, the Peruvian Geological Survey, conducted mapping in the central part of the Central Cordillera in the Departments of Huanuco and Ucayali. The area was sporadically explored during the 1990's by Gitennes, Newcrest, BHP, WMC and others but records are sparse. At this time, access to the area was restricted because of unpredictable security conditions and poor infrastructure.

From 2020 to 2021, Hannan launched a greenfields exploration program for porphyry and epithermal gold deposits in the high jungle areas of the Eastern Cordillera of Peru, which included regional database compilation, target generation, and field mapping. Hannan also conducted regional stream sediment sampling (fine clay fraction). The target generation permitted definition of prospective area, one of which was the Valiente block located along the eastern flank of the Central Cordillera, Department of Ucayali.

In 2022, field work started in the Belen area which represents a small proportion (4%) of Hannan's total landholding at Valiente. In this area, several geochemical anomalies were found, with boulders of diorite porphyry containing quartz-sulfide and magnetite veinlets. Subsequent mapping, soil and rock sampling at Belen during the last two months has identified porphyry-style alteration and veinlets.

Field and social teams are actively engaged in the area, with Hannan's policy to undertake exploration activities only within areas where full support from local stakeholders exists.

Technical Background

All samples were collected by Hannan geologists. Samples were transported to ALS in Lima via third party services using traceable parcels. At the laboratory, rock samples were prepared and analyzed by standard methods. The sample preparation involved crushing 70% to less than 2 mm, riffle split off 250g, pulverize split to better than 85% passing 75 microns. Samples were analyzed by method ME-MS61, a four acid digest preformed on 0.25g of the sample to quantitatively dissolve most geological materials. Analysis is via ICP-MS. Channel samples are considered representative of the in-situ mineralization samples and sample widths quoted approximate the true width of mineralization, while grab samples are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades on the property. Gold was analyzed by ALS in Lima using a standard sample preparation and 25g fire assay sample charge.

About Hannan Metals Limited (TSXV:HAN)(OTC PINK:HANNF)

Hannan Metals Limited is a natural resources and exploration company developing sustainable resources of metal needed to meet the transition to a low carbon economy. Over the last decade, the team behind Hannan has forged a long and successful record of discovering, financing, and advancing mineral projects in Europe and Peru. Hannan is a top ten in-country explorer by area in Peru.

Mr. Michael Hudson FAusIMM, Hannan's Chairman and CEO, a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained in this news release.

On behalf of the Board,





"Michael Hudson"

Michael Hudson, Chairman & CEO Further Information

www.hannanmetals.com

1305 - 1090 West Georgia St., Vancouver, BC, V6E 3V7

Mariana Bermudez, Corporate Secretary,

+1 (604) 685 9316, [email protected]

Forward Looking Statements. Certain disclosure contained in this news release may constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements, within the meaning of Canadian securities laws. These statements may relate to this news release and other matters identified in the Company's public filings. In making the forward-looking statements the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that are based on the Company's current beliefs as well as assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. These statements address future events and conditions and, as such, involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the statements. These risks and uncertainties include but are not limited to: the political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the novel COVID-19 virus; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; planned work programs; permitting; and community relations. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

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.

SOURCE: Hannan Metals Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:
HOUSTON, TX / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / HNR Acquisition Corp (NYSE American:HNRA) (the "Company" or "HNRA") will hold a telephonic conference call to discuss the completion of the business combination of HNRA and Pogo Resources, LLC and its subsidiaries on Wednesday November 16, 2023 at 4:30 pm EST. The company Chairman, CEO and CFO will discuss the combination, operation, management, and current operating status followed by a question-and-answer period.

An audio webcast of the conference call will be available within two hours of the call on the HNRA web site: https://www:hnra-nyse.com/. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time to register, download, and install any necessary audio software.

To participate in the live teleconference:

Domestic: 1-888-506-0062

International: 1-973-528-0011

Participant Access Code: 299961

To listen to a replay of the teleconference, which will be available through December 1, 2023, go to the investor relations section of HNRA's website at https://www:hnra-nyse.com/ or call the number below:

Domestic Replay: 1-877-481-4010

International Replay: 1-919-882-2331

Access Code: 49499

For the Web Cast: HTTP://www.webcast4.com/page/2999/4944

About HNR Acquisition Corp

Until November 16, 2023, HNRA was a blank check company (otherwise known as a special purpose acquisition company or SPAC) formed for the purpose of effecting a merger, share exchange, asset acquisition, share purchase, reorganization or similar business combination with one or more businesses or entities. HNRA is now, as of today, an operating company. HNRA's stock will continue to trade on the NYSE American Stock Exchange.

For more information on HNRA, the acquisition and the transaction, please visit the Company website: https://www.hnra-nyse.com/

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" that involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from what is expected, including the funding of the Trust Account to further extend the period for the Company to consummate an initial business combination, if needed. Words such as "expects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," "estimates," "seeks," "may," "might," "plan," "possible," "should" and variations and similar words and expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. Such forward-looking statements relate to future events or future results, based on currently available information and reflect the Company's management's current beliefs. A number of factors could cause actual events or results to differ materially from the events and results discussed in the forward-looking statements. Important factors - including the availability of funds, the results of financing efforts and the risks relating to our business - that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations are disclosed in the Company's documents filed from time to time on EDGAR (see www.edgar-online.com) and with the Securities and Exchange Commission (see www.sec.gov). Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as expressly required by applicable securities law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Investor Relations

Michael J. Porter, President

PORTER, LEVAY & ROSE, INC.

[email protected]

SOURCE: HNR Acquisition Corp

View source version on accesswire.com:
Local Queens-Based Care Center Earns Accolades for Both Their Short-Term & Long-Term Care Programs Focused on Individualized Treatment

QUEENS, NY / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Optima Care, which maintains an ownership interest in a network of independent skilled nursing and rehabilitative care centers across New York and New Jersey, today announced that Little Neck Care Center, a boutique, post-acute nursing and rehabilitation facility, has been recognized by U.S. News for two 2024 Best Nursing Home awards, including both Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care.

Little Neck Care Center - Best Nursing Home

Little Neck Care Center awarded best nursing home for Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care.

Nursing home stays range from as short as a week post-hospitalization or years for aging family members who can no longer live on their own. Each year, U.S. News evaluates more than 15,000 facilities throughout the country, rating most of them in the areas of short-term rehabilitation and long-term care.

To be recognized by U.S. News Best Nursing Homes, a home must have been "High Performing" in short-term rehabilitation, long-term care or both. The ratings system is based on a five-point scale that averages the short- and long-term scores, weighing each equally.

Little Neck Care Center has garnered both Best Nursing Home awards for Short-Term Rehabilitation and Long-Term Care. The Short-Term Rehabilitation rating is based on U.S. News' assessment of 10 quality measures including: staffing, medical outcomes, and processes of care, while the Long-Term Care rating is based on nine quality measures that also include resident complaints and appropriate use of medications.

For over four decades, Little Neck Care Center has been a pillar of support for the local community. This facility, along with its dedicated staff, upholds the philosophy that the best care stems from treating each individual as a person first.

"We're incredibly honored to receive this recognition from U.S. News for both our Long-Term and Short-Term care programs. This places us in the upper echelon of excellence when it comes to focused, humane and quality care for aging individuals and the trust of their families," said Eric Mendel, CEO of Optima Care. "We will continue to provide individualized care with the dignity, compassion, and respect our patients deserve - while also understanding that they are people, not just patients."

The short-term rehabilitation team at Little Neck Care Center provides a combination of medical care and therapeutic services such as physical, occupational and speech therapy, helping patients achieve optimal independence and functionality. Their Long Term care program provides 24-hour nursing care, state-of-the-art amenities, as well as engaging recreational and educational activities for residents.

About Little Neck Care Center

Our mission at Little Neck Care Center is to ensure your loved ones receive the best possible care available. Our facility is clean, safe and staffed by doctors and nurses who truly care about improving patients' lives one day at a time. www.littlenecknursing.com.

Contact Information:

Optima Care

[email protected]

SOURCE: Optima Care

View source version on accesswire.com:
Ukraine is a unique country with a thousand-year history that is worth fighting for. The Zaporozhian Sich is considered one of the world's first democracies, and Pylyp Orlyk's Constitution was the first in Europe to prove the possibility of a parliamentary democratic republic.

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OBOZ.UA has collected 10 facts about Ukraine that we should be proud of.

1. The stone grave near Melitopol, Zaporizhzhia region, over the Molochna River is an isolated complex of large stone blocks up to 12 meters high, which is of natural origin. This place was used by ancient people as a sanctuary, it is older than the Egyptian pyramids and Stonehenge. More than three thousand rock paintings from the Stone Age to the Bronze Age and later are concentrated there.

Currently, this territory is temporarily occupied by the Russian terrorist army.

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2. The UNESCO World Heritage List includes eight sites from Ukraine. These are:

- the historic center of Lviv;

- The historic center of Odesa;

- St. Sophia Cathedral and related monastery buildings, the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, and the Church of the Savior on Berestovo;

- ancient beech forests in the Carpathians;

- the residence of the Metropolitans of Bukovyna and Dalmatia in Chernivtsi;

- the ancient city of Chersonesos Tavriya;

- a number of wooden churches: St. George's in Drohobych, the Cathedral of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Matkiv, the Holy Trinity in Zhovkva and the Descent of the Holy Spirit in the village of Potelych in Lviv region, the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the village of Nyzhniy Verbizh and the Descent of the Holy Spirit in Rohatyn in Ivano-Frankivsk region, Archangel Michael in the village of Uzhok, and the Ascension of the Lord in the village of Yasinia in Zakarpattia region;

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- the point of the geodesic arc of Struve (Katerynivka village in Khmelnytskyi region).

3. On April 5, 1710, on the day he was elected hetman, Pylyp Orlyk proclaimed the"Constitution of the Rights and Freedoms of the Zaporozhian Army." Although it did not enter into legal force (the document was drawn up in a foreign country, and its authors were unable to return to the country), Orlyk's Constitution can be considered the first in the world. In the United States, the constitution was adopted in 1787, and in France and Poland - only in 1791.

4. Ukrainian inventors gave the world the helicopter (Igor Sikorsky), bloodless blood test (Anatolii Malykhin), and 14 years before the invention of the machine, the first X-ray of a skeleton (Ivan Pului), the kinescope (Yosyp Tymchenko), the electric tram (Fedir Pirotskyi), and more.

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5. Only six monasteries in the world have the status of Lavra. Three of them are located in Ukraine. These are the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra (the capital of the country), the Pochayiv Lavra (Ternopil region), and the Sviatohirsk Lavra (Donetsk region).

6. Destroyed by the occupation forces at the beginning of the full-scale invasion, the Ukrainian An-225 Mriya aircraft set 462 aviation records, including more than 240 world records. It was designed at the Kyiv Mechanical Plant and was originally intended to transport spacecraft. This aircraft carried the heaviest cargo in the history of aviation - 253.8 tons.

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7. In the eleventh century, Kyiv was the largest city in Europe, about 50 times larger than London and 10 times larger than Paris.

8. The person immortalized by the largest number of monuments in the world is our prophet, thinker, writer and artist Taras Shevchenko. There are 1384 monuments to Shevchenko in 35 countries.

9. The Ostroh Academy is the first higher education institution in Eastern Europe and the oldest Ukrainian scientific and educational institution. It was founded by Prince Kostiantyn Ostrozkyi in 1576.

By the way, in modern Ukraine, the percentage of the population with higher education is higher than the European average.

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10. One of the most famous Christmas songs in the world is "Shchedryk" by Ukrainian composer Mykola Leontovych. The world knows it as Carol of the Bells or Ring Christmas Bells.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA told you more about Ivan Pului, our outstanding compatriot who made discoveries in various scientific fields. You can find the material here.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and in Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Locke Bio partners with pharmacies to reduce prescription shortages and meet growing demand while keeping prescription costs down

LOS ANGELES, CA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Locke Bio , a digital health platform company helping companies launch compliant e-commerce telehealth and telepharmacy brands, announced that they have partnered with two new nationwide pharmacies, Progress Pharmacy and Crafted Rx, to add to their pharmacy fulfillment network. Locke Bio, through these partnerships, offers its Pharmacy Partners unlimited access to fulfill prescription medications for a diverse range of telehealth brands and the unique opportunity to enhance healthcare availability and significantly boost their prescription sales.

Locke Bio allows Pharmacy Partners to fulfill medication orders for a diverse range of telehealth brands, including both established and fast-growing companies. By partnering with Locke Bio, one pharmacy has recently added over 2,300 monthly recurring patients, filled over 16,000 prescriptions, and saw growth to their sales to over $700,000 per month in just under a year.

Pharmaceutical shortages have made it increasingly difficult to find and fill prescribed medications. Even when these orders can be met, increased demand and scarcity have caused prices to balloon out of control. With the help of Locke Bio's platform and continued partnerships with nationwide pharmacies, Locke Bio is able to provide its clients with the most sought-after medications on the market and do so at the best possible prices. One of the hardest prescriptions to find right now is the ever-popular weight loss medications. Progress Pharmacy specializes in having them readily available, which is why Locke Bio chose to partner with them and offer their services to its telemedicine clients.

"Locke Bio is always looking for ways to help our merchants as well as their patients. By offering a full array of multiple pharmacies for fulfillment, we are able to help find the best services for our merchants. End customers expect good user experiences, fast delivery times, appealing packaging, and the best prices from e-commerce brands, and telehealth and e-prescription brands are no different." said Cathy Tie, Locke Bio, founder and CEO.

"We are thrilled to partner with Locke Bio. Locke Bio's platform enables many more companies to launch their own telehealth and e-prescribing services, and we're excited to be connected to these merchants through Locke Bio. We can now provide our pharmacy services to more merchants with Locke Bio's help." said Mitch Garumenz, President of Crafted Rx.

Locke Bio excels in empowering clients to launch HIPAA and LegitScript-compliant direct-to-consumer telehealth brands across the U.S. and Canada. Their comprehensive platform features white-labeled front-end software supported by a vast network of licensed providers and pharmacies nationwide. When choosing new pharmacies to add to their expanding network, Locke Bio ensures these partners are not only able to fulfill their timelines for prescriptions but also do so at competitive prices. Locke Bio's platform offers the best of compliance, clinicians, and pharmacies in order to provide their merchants the ability to offer convenient telehealth services for a wide range of essential and affordable prescription medications.

"Locke Bio has been great to work with. We are grateful that Cathy Tie included The Pharmacy Hub in the Locke Bio network, where we can work with other providers within the ecosystem to advance telehealth," said Antoine Mouranie, Co-Founder at The Pharmacy Hub, a pharmacy that has been working with Locke Bio. "Not only did Locke Bio give us access to these telehealth companies, they also made it possible for us to start generating revenue quickly thanks to its strategic partnerships with companies like LegitScript."

About Locke Bio:

Locke Bio is a digital health platform company that helps brands launch a fully integrated, white-labeled telehealth service, which includes a customized patient intake approved by board-certified physicians, personalized telemedicine consultations, e-commerce payment processing, advanced marketing analytics, and a seamlessly integrated pharmacy and provider network. For more information, visit: https://www.lockebio.com/

Press Contact:

Veronica Welch

[email protected]

SOURCE: Locke Bio

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CLEARWATER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers is pleased to announce that the firm's founder, Mark Roman, has just obtained recertification from the Board of Legal Specialization and Education of the Florida Bar. He has been recertified as a specialist in civil trial practice through 2028.

Board certification is a highly coveted distinction for select Florida lawyers. Less than 2% of attorneys in our state have obtained board certification. The Florida Bar states that "board certification is a direct reflection of a commitment to excellence and professionalism in the practice of law." As acknowledged by the Supreme Court of Florida, board certification carries the distinction of having special knowledge, skills, and proficiency in civil trial law - as well as character, ethics, and a reputation for professionalism.

In order to seek board certification, a Florida lawyer must practice for many years, conduct jury trials as lead attorney, attend many hours of continuing legal education, and be anonymously evaluated by fellow lawyers and judges. In order to become recertified, a lawyer must satisfy rigorous standards every five years. Mark Roman, who has been board-certified since 2008, remains fully committed to maintaining the certification program's high standards.

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - Tampa Office

6601 Memorial Hwy Suite 202

Tampa, FL 33615

(813) 686-7588

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - Clearwater Office

1811 N. Belcher Road, Suite I-1

Clearwater, FL 33765

(727) 787-2500

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - Congress Ave Office

2360 Congress Avenue

Clearwater, FL 33763

(727) 591-5610

Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers - New Port Richey Office

2515 Seven Springs Blvd.

New Port Richey, FL, 34655

(727) 815-8442

Contact Information

Carol-Lynn Roman

Marketing Manager

[email protected]

(727) 787-2500

SOURCE: Roman Austin Personal Injury Lawyers

View source version on accesswire.com:
New program will focus on women as it aims to reach 6 million entrepreneurs in key regions, including APEC economies of Peru and Vietnam

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / At the APEC CEO Summit today, Mastercard's Center for Inclusive Growth (the Center) and CARE, an international humanitarian organization, announced the launch of Mastercard Strive Women - a new program that aims to strengthen the financial health and resilience of small businesses in the APEC economies of Peru and Vietnam, as well as in Pakistan, with a focus on small businesses led by women.

Strive Women recognizes that women-led small businesses are critical contributors to economies, communities, and households worldwide. The program will focus on strengthening the financial health of small businesses by working with local partners in each market to deliver tailored financial products and support services, while addressing unique gender barriers that women-led businesses face. The program aims to reach 6 million entrepreneurs through campaigns, while directly supporting over 300,000 entrepreneurs - the majority being women - to grow their businesses and increase their economic potential.

Strive Women will be carried out by CARE through a $9 million grant from the Mastercard Impact Fund. This new phase of partnership between CARE and the Center follows the success of the Ignite program, which unlocked $154.9 million in loans from an initial grant of $5.26 million. Following the program, 79% of female participants increased their sales, and 89% reported increased confidence in running the business.

"When women entrepreneurs have access to the tools and resources they need, they pay it back and pay it forward, enabling their businesses and their communities to thrive," said Shamina Singh, Founder and President of the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth. "We're launching Strive Women because we've seen that the right investment at the right time can help ensure that women-led businesses prosper around the world."

Strive Women will extend the scale and impact of previous programs in each market, going deeper by building a broader ecosystem of stakeholders committed to long-term support for women-led small businesses. The program will also address the unique gender barriers women-led businesses face by testing innovations related to the climate crisis and childcare, which both disproportionately impact women. By taking a women-centered approach, Strive Women will seek to develop methods that can help small business owners balance both household and business cashflow, prepare for and manage financial shocks, and increase women's decision-making power.

Strive Women joins Mastercard's portfolio of philanthropic small business support programs, called Mastercard Strive, which helps small businesses thrive in the digital economy.

The Strive Women program will focus on four core pillars of work. These include supporting women-led small businesses to grow through increasing access and usage of financial products; partnering with financial services providers to co-design tailored products that best serve women-led small businesses; innovating to overcome gender barriers for women-led small businesses, such as childcare; and building ecosystems of support for women small business owners by activating networks and sharing learning tools.

"Women entrepreneurs have been consistently let down by systems that are not accessible or designed for them," said Michelle Nunn, President and CEO of CARE USA. "But evidence shows that women make even stronger entrepreneurs and better financial customers than men, consistently and reliably repaying their loans. Women also put their profits back into their families, create more jobs and bring greater prosperity for their communities. We invite those committed to the financial health and inclusion of women entrepreneurs to join us to build a more equitable ecosystem."

More broadly, Women's Entrepreneurship at CARE aims to improve financial security and economic empowerment for 3 million entrepreneurs and employees, reach 30 million people, and mobilize more than $500 million USD in private capital by 2030. Mastercard is committed to connecting 1 billion people and 50 million micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs) to the digital economy by 2025, and recently reached a milestone of providing 25 million women entrepreneurs with solutions that can help grow their businesses.

More details on Strive Women are available at www.care.org/strivewomen.

About Mastercard Strive

Launched in 2021 and supported by the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth, Mastercard Strive is a portfolio of philanthropic programs that aim to help small businesses around the world thrive in the digital economy. Through targeted grantmaking and local partnerships, Mastercard Strive supports small businesses with the goal of building more resilient enterprises that have more opportunities to grow and succeed. Strive Women joins programs active across the globe, including in the U.S., the U.K., Indonesia, Malaysia, and more.

About the Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth advances equitable and sustainable economic growth and financial inclusion around the world. The Center leverages the company's core assets and competencies, including data insights, expertise, and technology, while administering the philanthropic Mastercard Impact Fund, to produce independent research, scale global programs, and empower a community of thinkers, leaders, and doers on the front lines of inclusive growth. For more information and to receive its latest insights, follow the Center on LinkedIn, Instagram and subscribe to its newsletter.

About CARE

Founded in 1945 with the creation of the CARE Package, CARE is a leading humanitarian organization fighting global poverty. CARE places special focus on working alongside women and girls. Equipped with the proper resources, women and girls have the power to lift whole families and entire communities out of poverty. This year, CARE and partners worked in 111 countries implementing 1,600 poverty-fighting development and humanitarian aid projects and initiatives that reached 174,000,000 people. To learn more, visit www.care.org.

About Mastercard (NYSE: MA)

Mastercard is a global technology company in the payments industry. Our mission is to connect and power an inclusive, digital economy that benefits everyone, everywhere by making transactions safe, simple, smart and accessible. Using secure data and networks, partnerships and passion, our innovations and solutions help individuals, financial institutions, governments and businesses realize their greatest potential. With connections across more than 210 countries and territories, we are building a sustainable world that unlocks priceless possibilities for all.

www.mastercard.com

Originally published by The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

Check out more content from The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

View additional multimedia and more ESG storytelling from The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth on 3blmedia.com.

Contact Info:

Spokesperson: The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

Website: https://www.3blmedia.com/profiles/mastercard-center-inclusive-growth

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE: The Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth

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NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / U.S. Bank

Financial support from the U.S. Bank Access Fund helped Angy's Angels Cleaning Service grow to nearly 50 employees

Angy Lopez, center, with some of the nearly 50 employees who work for her cleaning service, Angy's Angels.

Originally published on U.S. Bank company blog

When Angy Lopez moved from Mexico to Southern California nearly a decade ago, little did she know that her journey would lead her to create an exceptional cleaning service. Faced with overwhelming challenges, she said, she fearlessly embarked on her mission to build a prosperous life for her four children.

Starting a new life in a foreign land was no easy feat, but Lopez refused to let adversity hold her back. Juggling jobs in food service and cleaning, while also attending English classes, she devoted countless hours to her responsibilities. With sheer determination fueling her every move, Lopez said she managed to survive on a mere three hours of sleep each night.

As her eldest son prepared for college, Lopez saw an opportunity to channel her determination into building her own cleaning business. What began as a humble venture quickly gained momentum, attracting one satisfied client after another, until her reputation soared. Soon, Angy's Angels Cleaning Service became the go-to choice for many families, office buildings, restaurants and industrial spaces.

"I started out with just one employee - myself - and then added another for sales and one for cleaning," Lopez said. "My son joined me, and together we set off on a remarkable journey. Today, we have a phenomenal team of 49 employees. It's beyond anything I could have ever imagined."

Angy's Angels Cleaning Service has evolved into more than just a business; it has become a true family affair. Each of Lopez's children contributes their talents, whether it's in sales or the cleaning work. The business grew rapidly, and soon Lopez realized that working out of her home with a few vehicles was not sustainable. In what she called a stroke of brilliance, she turned to Ampac Business Capital for assistance in acquiring a building.

"Before, I didn't have a building," Lopez said. "Thanks to the unwavering support and capital provided by Ampac, I was able to secure a loan and make significant improvements to the building. This allowed us to hire more employees and take our business to new heights."

In April 2023, Lopez proudly opened the doors to her brand-new building in Hesperia, about 80 miles northeast of Los Angeles. The spacious facility now accommodates three employees, stores all the cleaning supplies and provides parking spaces for 14 vehicles.

"We had the incredible honor of financing Angy's building when the city insisted she couldn't operate from her home," said Hilda Kennedy, president and founder of Ampac. "Seeing her find the perfect space for her trucks and her team of 30 employees, with the assistance of Downpayment Assistance/Liquidity Replacement funds, was truly inspiring. With this support, Angy has set her sights on adding 10 more talented individuals to her team within the next two years."

Ampac is a member of the African American Alliance of CDFI (community development financial institution) CEOs and received funding through the U.S. Bank Access Fund, which provides financial support as well as capacity building, technical guidance and networking opportunities for women-of-color microbusiness owners.

Innovation and convenience are on the horizon for Angy's Angels, Lopez said, as it prepares to launch its own app.

"An app will revolutionize the way we operate, ensuring that our talented employees are readily available and dispatched to the right locations," Lopez said. "Customers will have the power to request services through the app, further enhancing our commitment to delivering exceptional results. We firmly believe that this app will make a tremendous difference in our business."

Lopez expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering support she has received over the past nine years. Many of her employees have been with her for six to seven years, forming a tight-knit team that fuels continuous growth.

"We are more than just a team; we are a family. That bond of trust and unity is what allows us to thrive," Lopez said. "We are Latinos, and we work tirelessly to surpass expectations because that's who we are."

For more information visit https://www.angysangelscleaning.com/ .

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

View source version on accesswire.com:
Application for DRC operating license.

CA$ 40M and US$10M indicative term sheets received

QUEBEC, QC / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / NuRAN Wireless Inc. ("NuRAN" or the "Company") (CSE:NUR)(OTC:NRRWF)(FSE:1RN), a leading supplier of mobile and broadband wireless infrastructure solutions, is pleased to provide the following corporate update on business:

Democratic Republic of the Congo Operating License

The Company is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, NuRAN Wireless DRC SARLU, has completed its application for a network infrastructure license in the Democratic Republic of the Congo,. The license is similar to the Category 1 License announced on October 17, 2023 in Cameroon in that it allows for expansion of the business model beyond Network as a Service allowing services to multiple mobile network operators on individual sites as well as the addition of VSAT services. The decision was advised by NuRAN's newly engaged expert in policy and regulatory affairs and follows a Ministerial Decree published on October 10 2023 which simplifies the obligations of holders of the license, specifically related to ownership requirements. Even if not considered essential to run its business as per the confirmation received in June from the Democratic Republic of the Congo telecommunications regulator called ''Agence de Regulation des Postes et Tlecommunications Congolaise (ARPTC)'', the above-mentioned license will satisfy EIB's expectations in DRC which has already been satisfied in Cameroon. The Company continues to pursue the confirmation letter from ARPTC on its current licences while the infrastructure license process is underway.

Indicative Terms on Financing

NuRAN's efforts to bring alternative financing alongside the EIB and DFI Loans has yielded results with term sheets received from three separate groups. The first one is a CA$40 million share subscription facility in the Company equity that is expected to provide funds for general corporate purposes and working capital purposes. The facility would be available for a period of three years and could be drawn entirely at the discretion of the Company. The other is a structured debt instrument to support growth at the NuRAN Wireless (Africa) Holding level in Mauritius. The US$10M facility includes funding for countries other than Cameroon and DRC which are covered by the EIB and the other DFI and is a mix of senior debt and a subordinated mezzanine facility. The mezzanine facility will facilitate the Company meeting the debt-to-equity covenant of the EIB and the other DFI facilities.

The Company has also received a term sheet for a US$800 thousand credit facility from a local Cameroon commercial bank to support accelerated rollout in that country. The Company is in process of finalizing the agreement. The facility has limited recourse and can therefore sit alongside the EIB and the other DFI loans.

The terms of the above are being negotiated in parallel and more details will be provided as they are finalised.

About NuRAN Wireless:

NuRAN Wireless is a leading rural telecommunications company that meets the growing demand for wireless network coverage in remote and rural regions around the globe. With its affordable and innovative scalable solutions of 2G, 3G, and 4G technologies, NuRAN Wireless offers a new possibility for more than one billion people to communicate effectively over long distances efficiently and affordably. "Bridging the Digital Divide, One Connection at a Time."

Additional Information:

For further information about NuRAN Wireless: www.nuranwireless.com

Francis Letourneau,

Director and CEO

[email protected]

Tel: (418) 264-1337

Frank Candido

Investor relations

[email protected]

Tel: (514) 969-5530

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as, "expects", "is expected", "anticipates", "intends", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements include those relating to the timing of the network infrastructure license and terms on financing. Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results projected, expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements, such as the uncertainties regarding include risks such as the uncertainties regarding the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak, and measures to prevent its spread, risks relating to NuRAN's business and the economy generally; NuRAN's ability to refinance its long term debt that is currently in default; NuRAN's ability to adequately restructure its operations with respect to its new model of NaaS service contracts; our ability to collect fees from our telecommunication providers and reliance on the network of our telecommunications providers, the capacity of the Company to deliver in a technical capacity and to import inventory to Africa at a reasonable cost; NuRAN's ability to obtain project financing for the proposed site build out under its NaaS agreements with Orange, MTN and other telecommunication providers, the loss of one or more significant suppliers or a reduction in significant volume from such suppliers; NuRAN's ability to meet or exceed customers' demand and expectations; significant current competition and the introduction of new competitors or other disruptive entrants in the Company's industry; effects of the global supply shortage affecting parts needed for NuRAN's sites and site installations; NuRAN's ability to retain key employees and protect its intellectual property; compliance with local laws and regulations and ability to obtain all required permits for our operations, access to the credit and capital markets, changes in applicable telecommunications laws or regulations or changes in license and regulatory fees, downturns in customers' business cycles; and insurance prices and insurance coverage availability, the Company's ability to effectively maintain or update information and technology systems; our ability to implement and maintain measures to protect against cyberattacks and comply with applicable privacy and data security requirements; the Company's ability to successfully implement its business strategies or realize expected cost savings and revenue enhancements; business development activities, including acquisitions and integration of acquired businesses; the Company's expansion into markets outside of Canada and the operational, competitive and regulatory risks facing the Company's non-Canadian based operations. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward looking information. Other factors which could materially affect such forward-looking information are described in the risk factors in the Company's most recent annual management's discussion and analysis that is available on the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

SOURCE: NuRAN Wireless Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / PJX Resources Inc. (TSX.V:PJX) is pleased to announce that, subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, the Company intends to extend the expiry date of 5,802,157 share purchase warrants, (the "Warrants") by 12 months to December 5, 2023. The Warrants were issued pursuant to a private placement accepted for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange on December 27, 2019. The Warrants are exercisable at $0.25 per share and are currently set to expire on December 5, 2022. All other terms of the warrants, including the exercise price, remain unchanged. Upon receipt of the approval of the TSXV of the Warrant Extension, a material change report in respect of the Warrant Extension will be filed by the Company.

A total of 3,383,333 of the affected Warrants are held by parties considered to be "related parties" of the Company. Therefore, the amendment of Warrants constitutes a "related party transaction" as contemplated by Multilateral Instrument 61-101 Protection of Minority Shareholders in Special Transactions, and TSXV Policy 5.9 - Protection of Minority Shareholders in Special Transactions. However, the exemptions from formal valuation and minority approval requirements provided for by these guidelines can be relied upon as the fair market value of the Warrants held by insiders does not exceed 25% of the market capitalization of the Company.

About PJX Resources Inc.

PJX is a mineral exploration company focused on building shareholder value and community opportunity through the exploration and development of mineral resources with a focus on gold, silver and base metals (zinc, lead, copper, nickel). PJX's primary properties are located in the historical Sullivan Mine District and Vulcan Gold Belt near Cranbrook and Kimberley, British Columbia.

Please refer to our web site http://www.pjxresources.com for additional information.

FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Linda Brennan, Chief Financial Officer

(416) 799-9205

[email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

The information in this news release has been prepared as at the date noted above. Certain statements in this news release, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements", constitute "forward-looking statements" under the provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws. These statements can be identified by the use of words such as "expected", "may", "will" or similar terms.

Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of factors and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by PJX Resources Inc. as of the date of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. Many factors, known and unknown, could cause actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Except as otherwise required by law, PJX Resources Inc. expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any such statements to reflect any change in PJX Resources Inc.'s expectations or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Cautionary Note to US Investors:

This news release may contain information about adjacent properties on which PJX Resources Inc. has no right to explore or mine. We advise U.S. investors that the SEC's mining guidelines strictly prohibit information of this type in documents filed with the SEC. U.S. investors are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on our properties. 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.

This press release uses the terms "Measured", "Indicated", and "Inferred" resources. United States investors are advised that while such terms are recognized and required by Canadian regulations, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission does not recognize them. "Inferred Mineral Resources" have a great amount of uncertainty as to their existence, and as to their economic and legal feasibility. It cannot be assumed that all or any part of an Inferred Mineral Resource will ever be upgraded to a higher category. Under Canadian rules, estimates of Inferred Mineral Resources may not form the basis of feasibility or other economic studies. United States investors are cautioned not to assume that all or any part of Measured or Indicated Mineral Resources will ever be converted into Mineral Reserves. United States investors are also cautioned not to assume that all or any part of a Mineral Resource is economically or legally mineable.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: PJX Resources Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
Replacement hose grant helps protect thriving Illinois city

NORTHAMPTON, MA / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / The Pontiac Fire Department has a rich history and a busy team. Nearly 150 years old, Pontiac FD was established in 1877 and provides fire, rescue, and emergency medical assistance for the northern Illinois city's 11,800 residents.

Pontiac FD extends its services to the city and the surrounding rural areas, referred to as the Pontiac Rural Fire Protection District.

"We definitely have some unique challenges being our area's full-time fire and EMS department. With that come a lot of responsibilities," notes Chief Jacob Campbell.

"We are all-encompassing as far as hazard response. We cover fire suppression, technical rescue, hazardous material, and EMS at the paramedic level, which we call Advanced Life Support Transport Agency. We also cover all the water rescues in our area as well. So, we are tasked with doing it all."

Enbridge's Flanagan Terminal, a lynchpin of our North American liquids pipelines system, depends on the Pontiac Fire Department as its primary responder in case of a fire. During a recent training exercise at the terminal, Pontiac FD discovered a faulty hose used for onsite fire suppression, and the fire department's annual budget did not cover the cost of replacing the hose.

At Enbridge, safety is not just a core value-it's the foundation of everything we do. Through our Safe Community First Responder Program, which provides funds for equipment, training and education to emergency response organizations near our operations, we made a $6,000 grant to Pontiac FD to purchase a new hose.

Chief Campbell is proud to give back to the community where he grew up. "This is my hometown," he remarks. "Several generations of my family were born in Pontiac."

As he's climbed the ranks of Pontiac FD, the admiration Campbell holds for his fire department and town has continued to grow and radiate. Pontiac became a key stop on a number of regional railways starting in the 1850s, and featured on the itinerary for Route 66, one of America's most famous roads stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles, for several decades; Pontiac is currently home to the Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame.

"I was born and raised in Pontiac, and several generations of my family have served the community - it's pretty rewarding to be a part of a community with such a rich history. I grew up with most of these people, and I'm very proud to represent the community I grew up in," he shares.

As Pontiac FD looks to the future, and the addition of several new employees, Chief Campbell is hoping to rejuvenate training opportunities specific to oil tank fires for his staff in Texas. "It's something that I'm going to try and help start up again for our new personnel," he says.

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

View source version on accesswire.com:
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 16, 2023 / Silver X Mining Corp. (TSXV:AGX)(OTCQB: AGXPF)(F:AGX) ("Silver X" or the "Company"), a rapidly expanding silver developer and producer in Central Peru, is pleased to announce a 12-year extension of its social agreement (the "Agreement") with the local Huachocolpa (Huancavelica, Peru) community, solidifying relations and enabling continued operations at the Nueva Recuperada Project (the "Project") until November 2035.

Agreement Highlights:

Became effective on November 6, 2023, granting twelve additional years of operational activities.

Encompasses all areas including the Nueva Recuperada Processing Plant, Tangana Mining Unit, and the Red Silver Mining Unit.

Demonstrates Silver X's commitment to engaging and supporting local businesses, with up to 23 companies actively involved in the current operations.

Incorporates social development initiatives focusing on education, health, agriculture, livestock, and local employment.

Jos Garcia, CEO of Silver X commented: "Our commitment to sustainable development and supporting the local community and businesses has been instrumental in our rapid growth since the inception of our operations. This extension of our agreement with the Huachocolpa community is a requirement to increase our production capacity from 720 tonnes per day to 2,220 tonnes with an additional 1,500 tpd mill as outlined in the Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) published on February 14, 2023."

"This agreement will serve as the cornerstone for a period of close collaboration between the Company and our local stakeholders, as Silver X aspires to be the partner of choice for developing mining projects in the Andean region. Our guiding principle is 'Sustainable Development Through Mining,' as reflected in our inaugural Sustainability Report published earlier this year." Jose Garcia, CEO of Silver X added.

About Silver X Mining Corp.

Silver X is a rapidlyexpanding silver developer and producer. The Company owns the +20,000-hectare Nueva Recuperada Silver District in Central Peru and producessilver, gold, lead, and zinc from the district's Tangana Mining Unit. Our mission is to be a premier silver company delivering outstanding value to all stakeholders and we aim to achieve this by consolidating and developing undervalued assets, creating value by adding resources and increasing production while aspiring to social and environmental excellence. For more information, please visit our website at www.silverxmining.com.

On Behalf of the Board

Jose M. Garcia

President, CEO and Director

For further information, please contact:

Sebastian Wahl

Vice President, Corporate Development

+1 647 259 6901 x 101

[email protected]

Paola Ricardo

Investor Relations

[email protected]

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding"Forward-Looking" Information

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation ("forward-looking information"). Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain acts, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur"or "be achieved". All information contained in this press release, other than statements of current and historical fact, is forwardlooking information. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may include, without limitation, exploration plans, metals processing plans, results of operations, expected performance at the Project, the ability of the new zones at the Project to feed production at the Company'sNueva Recuperada Plant in the near term, the Company's belief that the Tangana system will provide considerable resource expansion potential, that the Company will be able to mine the Tangana Mining Unit in an economic manner, and the expected financial performance of the Company, exploration plans and expected exploration results at the Lily 19 Concession and the Ccasahuasi Concession.

The following are some of the assumptions upon which forward-looking information is based: that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; demand for, and stable or improving price for the commodities we produce; receipt of regulatory and governmental approvals, permits and renewalsin a timely manner; that the Companywill not experience any material accident,labour dispute or failure of plant or equipment or other materialdisruption in the Company's operations at the Projectand Nueva Recuperada Plant; the availability of financing for operations and development; the Company's abilityto procure equipment and operating supplies in sufficient quantities and on a timely basis; that the estimates of the resources at the Project and the geological, operational and price assumptions on which these and the Company's operations are basedare within reasonable bounds of accuracy(including with respectto size, grade and recovery); the Company's ability to attract and retain skilled personnel and directors; and the ability of management to execute strategic goals.

Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company, as the case may be, to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including but not limited to those risks described in the Company's annual and interim MD&As and in its public documents filed on www.sedarplus.com from time to time. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates of management as of the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be otherfactors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers shouldnot place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

SOURCE: Silver X Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:
On November 16, 2023, HanesBrands (NYSE: HBI) entered into a Cooperation Agreement (the Cooperation Agreement) with Barington Companies Equity Partners, L.P., Barington Capital Group, L.P., Barington Companies Management, LLC and James A. Mitarotonda (collectively, Barington) regarding the composition of the Companys Board of Directors (the Board) and related matters, as further described below. The term of the Cooperation Agreement ends on the date that is 30 days prior to the notice deadline under the Companys Amended and Restated Bylaws for the submission of stockholder director nominations with respect to the Companys 2025 annual meeting of stockholders (the Cooperation Period), unless earlier terminated in conjunction with the Advisors termination of its advisory services, as described below.

Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, the Company agreed to appoint John Mehas as a new independent director on the Board, to serve for an initial term expiring at the Companys 2024 annual meeting of stockholders (the 2024 Annual Meeting). The Company also agreed to include Mr. Mehas among the Companys slate of director nominees for election at the 2024 Annual Meeting and to support Mr. Mehas for election in a manner consistent with its support for the other nominees of the Company.

Pursuant to the Cooperation Agreement, Barington Companies Management, LLC will serve as an advisor to the Company (the Advisor) during the Cooperation Period. The Advisor will provide advisory services to the Company from time to time with respect to the Companys business, operations, strategic and financial matters, corporate governance and the composition of the Board. The Company will pay the Advisor a fee of $20,000 per month that it serves as the Advisor. From and after five months from the effective date of the Cooperation Agreement, the Advisor may, upon receipt of such written termination notice to the Company, terminate its agreement to serve as the Advisor. In accordance with the terms of the Cooperation Agreement, any such termination will also result in the termination of the Cooperation Agreement upon the later of 30 days following the receipt of such written notice and the written certification of Baringtons compliance with certain confidentiality-related provisions.

Furthermore, under the terms of the Cooperation Agreement and during the Cooperation Period, Barington agreed to vote all of its shares of the Companys common stock (and the shares of its affiliates) (i) in favor of the election of directors nominated by the Board at the 2024 Annual Meeting, (ii) against any stockholder nominations for directors that are not approved and recommended by the Board for election, (iii) against any proposals to remove any member of the Board and (iv) otherwise in accordance with the Boards recommendation on all other proposals or business subject to stockholder action, subject to certain exceptions set forth in the Cooperation Agreement. Barington also agreed to certain customary standstill restrictions during the Cooperation Period, including, among other things, restrictions against acquiring any shares of the Companys common stock that would result in Barington beneficially owning more than 5.0% of the outstanding common stock, soliciting proxies, making stockholder proposals and nominating directors for election to the Board.
WELLINGTON, New Zealand--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Accenture (NYSE: ACN) has agreed to acquire Solnet, an IT services provider with deep technology consulting experience for New Zealand government and private organizations across multiple industries. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231114235864/en/

Accenture has agreed to acquire Solnet, an IT services provider with deep technology consulting experience for New Zealand government and private organizations across multiple industries. (Photo: Business Wire)

With headquarters in Wellington, New Zealand, Solnets team of more than 100 technologists will join Accenture. Solnets services and solutions will bolster Accentures local cloud and infrastructure engineering offerings, helping clients tap into a full continuum of technical capabilities to accelerate their digital transformation.

Cloud is the most powerful tool for organizations to scale rapidly and navigate change. Solnet brings its extensive experience and strong client relationships. Accenture brings vast global cloud, data and AI resources. This is a winning combination for New Zealand organizations to digitize faster and become more resilient, said Andy Tay, global lead of Accenture Cloud First.

Solnet offers end-to-end consulting, solutions development and managed services & operations, which enable it to support long term engagements. Its advisory services focus on developing strategies and delivering the potential of new technologies. Solnet is also a local leader in intelligent automation, with solutions to help clients design, automate and optimize complex business processes.

Peter Burns, who leads Accentures business in Australia and New Zealand, said, New digital technologies are driving productivity across private and public organizations, helping Aotearoa New Zealand to be more competitive in the global economy and improving the services offered to New Zealanders. Solnet has developed an impressive solution design and delivery skillset in this space, and they have a strong heritage of delivering large scale projects. Having the Solnet team join us brings more talented support for our clients to meet their growth objectives and modernize their technology systems for the future.

Mark Botherway, managing director at Solnet, said, For 20 years, weve built an impressive team of technically skilled and deeply experienced talent. Joining Accenture now gives our people global growth opportunities to broaden their exposure and career potential. We will continue to offer our clients the personalized experience, quality service and support they know and expect. Lastly, we look forward to growing with Accenture and continuing to accelerate critical business goals for our clients as we add global strength to our local roots.

About Accenture

Accenture is a leading global professional services company that helps the worlds leading businesses, governments and other organizations build their digital core, optimize their operations, accelerate revenue growth and enhance citizen servicescreating tangible value at speed and scale. We are a talent- and innovation-led company with approximately 733,000 people serving clients in more than 120 countries. Technology is at the core of change today, and we are one of the worlds leaders in helping drive that change, with strong ecosystem relationships. We combine our strength in technology and leadership in cloud, data and AI with unmatched industry experience, functional expertise and global delivery capability. We are uniquely able to deliver tangible outcomes because of our broad range of services, solutions and assets across Strategy & Consulting, Technology, Operations, Industry X and Song. These capabilities, together with our culture of shared success and commitment to creating 360 value, enable us to help our clients reinvent and build trusted, lasting relationships. We measure our success by the 360 value we create for our clients, each other, our shareholders, partners and communities. Visit us at www.accenture.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Except for the historical information and discussions contained herein, statements in this news release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as may, will, should, likely, anticipates, aspires, expects, intends, plans, projects, believes, estimates, positioned, outlook, goal, target and similar expressions are used to identify these forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance nor promises that goals or targets will be met, and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and other factors that are difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied. These risks include, without limitation, risks that: Accenture and Solnet will not be able to close the transaction in the time period anticipated, or at all, which is dependent on the parties ability to satisfy certain closing conditions; the transaction might not achieve the anticipated benefits for Accenture; Accentures results of operations have been, and may in the future be, adversely affected by volatile, negative or uncertain economic and political conditions and the effects of these conditions on the companys clients businesses and levels of business activity; Accentures business depends on generating and maintaining client demand for the companys services and solutions including through the adaptation and expansion of its services and solutions in response to ongoing changes in technology and offerings, and a significant reduction in such demand or an inability to respond to the evolving technological environment could materially affect the companys results of operations; if Accenture is unable to match people and their skills with client demand around the world and attract and retain professionals with strong leadership skills, the companys business, the utilization rate of the companys professionals and the companys results of operations may be materially adversely affected; Accenture faces legal, reputational and financial risks from any failure to protect client and/or company data from security incidents or cyberattacks; the markets in which Accenture operates are highly competitive, and Accenture might not be able to compete effectively; Accentures ability to attract and retain business and employees may depend on its reputation in the marketplace; if Accenture does not successfully manage and develop its relationships with key ecosystem partners or fails to anticipate and establish new alliances in new technologies, the companys results of operations could be adversely affected; Accentures profitability could materially suffer if the company is unable to obtain favorable pricing for its services and solutions, if the company is unable to remain competitive, if its cost-management strategies are unsuccessful or if it experiences delivery inefficiencies or fail to satisfy certain agreed-upon targets or specific service levels; changes in Accentures level of taxes, as well as audits, investigations and tax proceedings, or changes in tax laws or in their interpretation or enforcement, could have a material adverse effect on the companys effective tax rate, results of operations, cash flows and financial condition; Accentures results of operations could be materially adversely affected by fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; changes to accounting standards or in the estimates and assumptions Accenture makes in connection with the preparation of its consolidated financial statements could adversely affect its financial results; as a result of Accentures geographically diverse operations and strategy to continue to grow in key markets around the world, the company is more susceptible to certain risks; if Accenture is unable to manage the organizational challenges associated with its size, the company might be unable to achieve its business objectives; Accenture might not be successful at acquiring, investing in or integrating businesses, entering into joint ventures or divesting businesses; Accentures business could be materially adversely affected if the company incurs legal liability; Accentures global operations expose the company to numerous and sometimes conflicting legal and regulatory requirements; Accentures work with government clients exposes the company to additional risks inherent in the government contracting environment; if Accenture is unable to protect or enforce its intellectual property rights or if Accentures services or solutions infringe upon the intellectual property rights of others or the company loses its ability to utilize the intellectual property of others, its business could be adversely affected; Accenture may be subject to criticism and negative publicity related to its incorporation in Ireland; as well as the risks, uncertainties and other factors discussed under the Risk Factors heading in Accenture plcs most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents filed with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission. Statements in this news release speak only as of the date they were made, and Accenture undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made in this news release or to conform such statements to actual results or changes in Accentures expectations.

Copyright  2023 Accenture. All rights reserved. Accenture and its logo are trademarks of Accenture.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231114235864/en/

Mylissa Tsai

Accenture

+1 617 488 7932

[email protected]

Kate Maher

Accenture Australia

+61 405 778 205

[email protected]

Source: Accenture
On the morning of November 15, a huge dead whale washed up on a beach in Cornwall, England. Local residents were informed that the carcass could explode at any moment.

ADVERTISIMENT

The corpse was identified as a fin whale, the second largest mammal in the world after the blue whale, about 16 and a half meters long. Photos published by the Daily Mail show the animal sprawled on the sand. Around its mouth, abdomen and fin, you can see a red liquid that looks like blood.

The cause of the fin whale's death, as well as what exactly caused the bleeding, is currently unknown. In addition, scratches are visible on the whale's head.

A Marine Stranding Network volunteer from the Cornwall Wildlife Trust said the mammal was at "high risk of exploding," adding that the consequence would be beach pollution. Locals have been ordered to stay away from the corpse, and the area has been cordoned off by the emergency services.

ADVERTISIMENT

Previously, residents of Cornwall have repeatedly reported similar incidents: two of them occurred in the summers of 2021 and 2022, and the last one in January of this year. When any whale washes ashore, a large accumulation of gas inside its body means that an explosion will occur. It is only a matter of time before it happens.

"When I arrived, I checked to see if he was alive, but he was already dead, so we're going to take him away," said Colin Stonehouse, a member of the British Marine Rescue Service. "We need to look at some data and determine the cause of death.

ADVERTISIMENT

He added that despite the fact that the North Sea is the natural habitat of fin whales, the whales often swim up to the coast. "This could be due to problems with navigation, there are many bruises on it," Stonehouse explained.

Earlier, OBOZ.UA told about how a powerful wave washed away tourists on the beach in Brazil.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
AR-Enabled Manifest Software Helps Warfighters Recover from Equipment Failures in Combat, Improves Combat Readiness, and Supports Expeditionary Warfighting

SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Taqtile, a leader in digital modernization and AR-enabled work-instruction technologies, will be featured in several locations at the upcoming I/ITSEC conference in Orlando, Fla. The companys Manifest platform, which provides augmentation for warfighters, will be showcased in the I/ITSEC exhibits of multiple partners and customers. Booth demonstrations will illustrate how Manifest helps warfighters get back in the fight when equipment failures occur in combat.

In addition to critical in-combat applications, Manifest also supports maintainer efforts to keep vehicles, weapons, and systems in proper working order, improves combat readiness, and supports expeditionary warfighting by augmenting small squads capable of mobilizing complex equipment. The Manifest platform can also help train personnel on inspection procedures, equipment familiarization, and complex maintenance processes.

Manifest capabilities will be on display in three I/ITSEC booths:

3D Media , booth 3161  Demonstration of support for MARS maintenance operations

, booth 3161  Demonstration of support for MARS maintenance operations HTC VIVE , booth 3211  Demonstration of Manifest utilizing the color passthrough capabilities of the VIVE XR Elite headset to inspect airplane landing gear

, booth 3211  Demonstration of Manifest utilizing the color passthrough capabilities of the VIVE XR Elite headset to inspect airplane landing gear Magic Leap, booth 3171  Inspections and processes for recovery from equipment failure on an Abrams tank

To schedule a one-on-one meeting with a Taqtile representative at I/ITSEC, please visit: I/ITSEC Meeting Scheduler.

The Manifest platform has evolved to meet the requirements of defense forces around the world, including the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, New Zealand Defense Force, and the Royal Australian Navy, as well as international OEMs, systems integrators, and Allied defense forces. Taqtile is currently on contract with the Army Application Laboratory (AAL) to meet the Armys ARMORS capability requirement. In partnership with 3D Media, Manifest is being utilized as part of the U.S. Air Force Rapid Sustainment Office MARS program.

Manifest is a proven solution for reducing operator errors, delivering demonstrable ROI, and facilitating the digital modernization efforts of defense forces around the world, states Kelly Malone, Taqtiles Chief Business Officer. The Manifest platform enables the digital transformation of critical defense procedures and processes, positively impacting the effectiveness, adaptivity, and resiliency of our troops and the vehicles and systems they rely upon.

Manifest operates in the cloud, at the edge, and/or offline, and can access data over various channels including 5G. Taqtiles Manifest is also a 5G testbed application as part of the Booz Allen Hamilton team for the U.S. Armys 5GXR program operating at Ft. Cavazos.

Performance data from military studies demonstrate the effectiveness of Manifest:

USAF junior propulsion mechanics using Manifest completed 100% of 28 assigned tasks with zero errors

Automotive technicians in the New Zealand Army Trade Training School using Manifest completed tasks with 36% fewer errors than trainees using extant training methods which included instructor assistance

than trainees using extant training methods which included instructor assistance Air Force Institute of Technology (AFIT) evaluators using Manifest generated 53% fewer errors/discrepancies than counterparts not using Manifest

Manifest has been architected to support an increasing number of devices, including head-mounted displays (HMDs) like Magic Leap 2 and the VIVE XR Elite, as well as tablets such as the iPad, and other mobile tools. Defense users access step-by-step work instructions, digital manuals and guidance, animated 3D models and digital twins, detailed holograms, and other invaluable knowledge irrespective of form-factor. Manifest can also be accessed via a browser, permitting use by devices that are already in the hands of warfighters today.

About Taqtile

The Taqtile Manifest platform provides AR-enabled augmentation that empowers warfighters to get back in the fight when equipment failures occur in combat. Leveraging proven technologies, including spatial computing, 3D visualization, and real-time collaborative communication, Manifest also supports maintainer efforts to keep vehicles, weapons, and systems in proper working order, improving combat readiness and supporting expeditionary warfighting. Manifest can even help train personnel on inspection procedures, equipment familiarization, and complex maintenance processes. For more information on Taqtile solutions for defense, please visit https://taqtile.com/defense/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116265665/en/

Ray Vincenzo

Taqtile

(206) 290-4431

[email protected]

Source: Taqtile
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AireXpert, a leading provider of aerospace and aviation collaboration and automation solutions, is thrilled to announce the successful closure of a $3 million oversubscribed investment round. This funding, led by Miami-based growth equity firm Reformation Partners, marks a significant milestone for AireXpert as it continues to redefine the landscape of technology for airlines and MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhaul) organizations.

Andy Hakes, Founder & CEO of AireXpert, expressed enthusiasm about the company's trajectory, stating, "2023 has been an amazing year. We've forged partnerships with some of the world's most respected airline brands and MROs. As the industry increasingly embraces technology-driven solutions, we are excited to deliver an entirely new experience that provides real-world value from day one."

The investment comes at a crucial juncture as aircraft operators and MRO organizations pivot towards technology to address their pressing challenges. AireXpert is poised to capitalize on this shift, with Maintenance and Finance leadership teams now actively guiding development and integration roadmaps.

The investment round will enable AireXpert to further enhance its team, accelerating expansion into key markets. Launch New York, the most active seed fund in the state, has been a steadfast supporter and investor in AireXpert, playing a pivotal role in facilitating connections with Reformation Partners.

David Rogg, Managing Partner of Reformation, adds, Andy and his team have incredible domain expertise and have built a mission-critical system that saves its airline and MRO customers significant time and cost during maintenance events. We are excited to support the next phase of growth for the company as it continues to build-out its already strong roster of airline and MRO partners and adds more valuable features to its platform.

David Rogg and his team at Reformation Partners bring a wealth of individual backgrounds, a vast network, and extensive experience to the partnership, said Hakes. He continued, Their collaboration with AireXpert's domain expertise and vision creates a powerful synergy that positions the company for sustained growth in the sector.

About AireXpert:

AireXpert is a Buffalo, New York based leading provider of innovative technology solutions for the aerospace and aviation industries. With a focus on delivering real-world value to aircraft operators and MROs, AireXpert is at the forefront of revolutionizing the $185 billion MRO landscape. For more information, visit www.airexpert.net

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116709656/en/

For media inquiries, please contact:

Nita Bhatia

COO

[email protected]

716-870-9519

Source: AireXpert
SEOUL, South Korea--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- ASOCIO Digital Summit 2023, held for the first time in Korea in 23 years on November 14 and 15, concluded with resounding success.

This event is poised to further bolster exchange and collaboration in the digital era across the Asian region. The summit's outcomes include the unveiling of the 'Digital Asia Initiative,' a comprehensive strategy to accelerate digital transformation in Asia, and the recognition and commendation of companies and institutions that have made significant contributions to digital innovation in the region.

The ASOCIO Digital Summit is a private organization composed of IT associations from 24 Asian and Oceanian nations. The Federation of Korean Information Industries (FKII) is a member and represents Korea's interests within the organization. The ASOCIO Digital Summit is hosted by a different member nation, providing a platform for regional collaboration and knowledge exchange in the digital technology sector.

This year's event, themed 'Digital Asia: Our Vision for Co-Prosperity', welcomed a record-breaking 220 foreign IT professionals, fostering a vibrant exchange of insights on digital strategies, policies, markets, and technologies.

At the regular general meeting on November 13, the ASOCIO adopted and announced the Digital Asia Initiative, which presents a shared vision and commitment among stakeholders to foster digital innovation across the Asian region.

In the face of the profound societal and economic transformations brought about by digital technology, this initiative presents the collective insights and recommendations of ASOCIO, a consortium of IT-related organizations from 24 countries, to governments, businesses, and international organizations within the Asian region. The aim is to collaboratively address common challenges such as the digital divide, security, and connectivity, and to shape a new digital order by fostering the adoption of digital technologies and establishing robust digital norms.

The Digital Asia Initiative encompasses 10 key agenda items: Spreading Digital Inclusion, Facilitating the Usage of Digital Technology in Life, Fostering IT Education for Growth, Encouraging IT Worker Mobility, Promoting Seamless and Cross-Border Digital Services, Stepping up Digital Security, Valuing Privacy, Establishing Digital Norms, Building a Sustainable Digital Society, and Strengthening Partnership for Digital Asia.

Eight Korean companies and organizations were recognized at the ASOCIO ICT Awards ceremony held on November 14. The Korean winners included MarkAny, LG UPlus, National IT Industry Promotion Agency, Elice, Severance Hospital, WooKyoung Information Technology, SK Inc., and Supercoder (Second Team).

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115761764/en/

The Federation of Korean Information Industries

[email protected]

Source: The Federation of Korean Information Industries
Bonita Test Toolkit offers visual, easy-to-understand test coverage for developers and business process owners

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bonitasoft, the leading open-source digital process automation company, today announced the delivery of the improved Bonita Test Toolkit as part of the ongoing developments in Self-Contained Applications technology in their approach to process automation with the Bonita platform.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116615559/en/

Before any new application is launched, it should be thoroughly tested. With this release of Bonita 2023.2 comes a new, user-friendly visual test mechanism in the Bonita Test Toolkit. Better application testing before automation projects and applications are pushed to production leads to fewer errors and a better user experience for everyone, including employees and customers. (Photo: Bonitasoft)

Bonita Self-Contained Applications technologies have been enhanced in a few significant ways, to accelerate delivery of business process automation projects. As Self-Contained Applications are aligned to industry standards, they are compatible with a large array of CI/CD tools. From getting the source code, going through the build phase, through internal deployment, and to the publication of the final release, Self-Contained Applications can be natively integrated into continuous integration and delivery pipelines.

Bonita 2023.2 supports IT teams with development frameworks that are up to date with the latest standards and best practices. Fewer steps to push to production improves team velocity and accelerates the time to value for the enterprise. This new workflow also secures each new development while keeping control of each application.

But before a new app is launched, it should be thoroughly tested. With this release of Bonita 2023.2 comes a new, user-friendly visual test mechanism. The Bonita Test Toolkit provides a means for developers to visualize which paths and tasks are being covered by the implemented tests. This means an easy-to-understand test coverage for developers, and for the process owner on the business side. Better testing leads to better quality for application end users, both internally (employees) and externally (customers, partners).

The Bonita platform continues to improve as it supports current practices of development teams to make the developer experience as efficient as possible. As part of the ongoing improvements for Self-Contained Applications, more capabilities have been incorporated into this release of Bonita 2023.2, including a session sharing mechanism to ensure service continuity and availability for users, supporting the High Availability many enterprises require.

Our newly introduced Self-Contained Applications approach offers enterprise users faster time to market, with state-of-the-art build capabilities by developers with commonly available development skills, and visual testing capability that really raises the bar for faster testing before deployment for better performance, said Charles Souillard, Bonitasoft co-founder and CEO. This approach offers differentiation in the BPM market because it combines the benefits of containerization approaches and technologies with the power of a BPM platform for process automation.

The Bonita Community open-source edition includes all capabilities required to develop and deploy process automation projects, and can be downloaded here.

About Bonitasoft

Bonitasoft fully supports digital operations and modernization of information systems with Bonita, an open-source and extensible platform for automation and optimization of business processes. The Bonita platform accelerates development and production with a clear separation between visual programming and coding capabilities. Bonita integrates with existing information systems, orchestrates heterogeneous systems and provides deep visibility across all enterprise processes.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116615559/en/

Press Contact

Aurelie Niddam

06 09 18 73 86

[email protected]

Source: Bonitasoft
Boom Supersonic has selected Latecoere to develop the complete electrical wiring interconnect system architecture of Overture, its supersonic commercial aircraft, as well as its Symphony engine

DENVER & TOULOUSE, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116789342/en/

Boom Supersonic and Latecoere Sign Strategic Supplier Agreement for Overture and Symphony (Photo: Boom Supersonic)

Boom Supersonic, the company building the worlds fastest airliner, announced today it has selected tier-one aerospace leader Latecoere to join its growing network of global suppliers. As part of the agreement, Latecoeres engineering team in Toulouse, France will work with Boom engineers to define the complete electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) architecture, a key system for both Overture and Symphony.

The EWIS will comprise over 103 kilometers (64 miles) of wiring, requiring more than 45,000 electrical connections, guaranteeing optimal safety and system reliability for Overture and Symphony. Latecoere has proven expertise in complex aircraft development processes and methods, and Boom will leverage the companys industry leading harness architecture definition software stack.

Among the major aerostructures and systems suppliers announced for Overture, Latecoere brings tremendous experience in developing and manufacturing certifiable EWIS and advanced aircraft technologies, said Kathy Savitt, president and Chief Business Officer of Boom Supersonic. At Boom, we continue to bring together the worlds leading suppliers on Overture and Symphony, to make sustainable supersonic air travel a reality.

Greg Huttner, CEO of Latecoere: Latecoere is proud to support Boom with unique EWIS design engineering capabilities, in the development of the worlds fastest airliner. We are one of the founders of the aerospace industry and are determined to continue supporting the development of next generation flight with Boom.

Boom continues to progress toward production, lining-up many of its critical aerostructures and systems suppliers for both Overture and Symphony. At the Paris Air Show in June 2023, Boom also shared a comprehensive look at the systems configuration for Overture including avionics, flight controls, hydraulics, fuel systems and landing gearall designed and developed for optimal performance, efficiency, and safety.

Symphony, the Boom-developed engine that will power Overture, continues to advance through design. Boom conducted the Conceptual Design Review (CoDR) engineering milestone for Symphony, which paves the way toward Symphonys first hardware rig tests planned for 2024.

________________________________________________________

About Boom Supersonic

Boom Supersonic is transforming air travel with Overture, the worlds fastest airliner, optimized for speed, safety, and sustainability. Overture will fly at twice the speed of todays airliners and is optimized to run on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). Overtures order book stands at 130 aircraft, including orders and pre-orders from American Airlines, United Airlines, and Japan Airlines. Boom is working with Northrop Grumman for government and defense applications of Overture. Suppliers and partners collaborating with Boom on the Overture program include Aernnova, Leonardo, Latecoere, Aciturri, Safran Landing Systems, Eaton, Collins Aerospace, and the United States Air Force.

Symphony is the propulsion system that will power Overture, a Boom-developed engine with world-class suppliers including Florida Turbine Technologies (FTT), a business unit of Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., GE Additive, and StandardAero.

For more information, visit https://boomsupersonic.com

About Latecoere

Tier 1 to the worlds leading OEMs (Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Bombardier, Dassault Aviation, Embraer, Honda Aircraft Company, Lockheed Martin, Raytheon Technologies, Thales), Latecoere serves aerospace with innovative solutions for a sustainable world. The Group operates in all segments of the aerospace industry  commercial, regional, business, defense and space  in two business areas:

Aerostructures (55% of sales): doors, fuselage, wings and empennage, struts & rods and customer services;

Interconnection Systems (45% of sales): wiring, avionic racks, onboard equipment, electronic systems and customer services.

As of December 31, 2022, the Group employed 5,918 people in 14 countries. Latecoere is listed on Euronext Paris - Compartment B, ISIN Code: FR001400JY13 - Reuters: AEP.PA - Bloomberg: AT.FP

For more information, visit www.latecoere.aero

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116789342/en/

Press contact

Latecoere

Thierry Mahe

+33 (0)6 60 69 63 85

[email protected]

Boom Supersonic

Aubrey Scanlan

[email protected]

Source: Latecoere
Broadband providers can now leverage the highly anticipated Calix E7-2 XG1601 line cardwhich is compatible with existing Calix ONTs and boasts double density XGS-PONto rapidly deploy managed services while driving down cost, space, and power per subscriber for increased sustainability

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX) launched the new E7-2 XG1601 line card today, greatly advancing the capabilities of Calix Intelligent Access EDGE. Compared with previous line cards, the E7-2 line card provides continued sustainability benefits for broadband service providers (BSPs)delivering 50 percent less power per port while continuing to ensure fast, flexible deployment of managed services. Broadband providers can now connect more subscribers within the same service footprint without having to increase power, space, or cooling requirements. The new E7-2 line card further enables BSPs to leverage Intelligent Access EDGE to easily deploy and manage a highly efficient, green network while increasing subscriber penetration within their service area. As a result, BSPs can grow value for their communities in ways that promote sustainability.

Enhancements to the E7-2 line card complete the series of upgrades across Intelligent Access EDGE systems, including the E9-2 and E3-2adding sustainability improvements, multi-PON technology support, and enhanced double density and extended reach optics. Double density optics and fast implementation accelerate the BSPs ability to deploy Calix SmartLife managed servicessuch as SmartHome, SmartTown, and SmartBizwhile maintaining sustainability best practices.

Because of these innovations, hundreds of Calix customers who have built networks with Calix XGS-PON will enjoy flexible E7-2 line card deployments. This will enable them to accelerate their growth and be better positioned to meet requirements and deadlines related to federal fundingtotaling $60 billiondesigned to advance broadband connectivity across the U.S.

The major innovations to the Intelligent Access EDGE E7-2 allow BSPs to:

Connect more subscribers. Double density optics allow BSPs to serve more 10G PON subscribers within the same coverage area compared with single density optics. This enables a quick and significant increase in the number of subscribers served without additional equipment.

Double density optics allow BSPs to serve more 10G PON subscribers within the same coverage area compared with single density optics. This enables a quick and significant increase in the number of subscribers served without additional equipment. Reduce per port power requirements by up to 50 percent. The E7-2 XG1601 line card can reduce power expenses by up to 50 percent, putting sustainability at the forefront of this upgrade.

The E7-2 XG1601 line card can reduce power expenses by up to 50 percent, putting sustainability at the forefront of this upgrade. Eliminate unnecessary truck rolls while upgrading their network. Backward optical network terminal (ONT) compatibility allows for network modernization to deliver multigig serviceswithout the need for on-premises ONT replacementsand reduces operational expenses (OPEX).

Backward optical network terminal (ONT) compatibility allows for network modernization to deliver multigig serviceswithout the need for on-premises ONT replacementsand reduces operational expenses (OPEX). Extend deployment flexibility with any PON solutions. New and existing BSPs can support a wide range of use cases and serve every type of subscriber with multi-PON, extended range, pure XGS-PON, or pure GPON. The innovations streamline migration to AXOS systems as well as from GPON to XGS-PON, increasing capacity in line with subscriber demand.

These new innovations for Intelligent Access EDGE will help us meet two critical business objectives, said Blake Callaham, general manager at Pioneer Telephone. It will enable us to better support the delivery of new managed services to a larger number of subscribers without incurring costly truck rolls and position us to easily introduce a better experience that incorporates managed services with multi-gig features in existing coverage areas as demand grows throughout Western Oklahoma. This investment supports our mission of continually integrating the latest technology and continual innovation into our suite of services to maintain a reliable connection for our customers.

Today, Calix is also launching a new high-performance indoor ONT, the Calix Revenue EDGE GigaPoint GP4201X. When paired with Calix XGS-PON solutions like the E7-2 XG1601 line card, its integrated XGS-PON WAN and 10GE LAN port deliver a complete 10G end-to-end multi-service solution for residential and business applications. The attractive, compact desktop terminal is ideally suited to address the increasing demand for 4K streaming and live-action gaming, and it is fully supported by the Calix Cloud for ease of integration, support, and maintenance.

Building off the momentum and innovation of the E3-2 and E9-2, the upgrades found within the E7-2 line card take big strides toward greater sustainability, operationally efficient deployments, and serving any use case for our customers, said Shane Eleniak, chief product officer at Calix. Each innovation to the Intelligent Access EDGE presents opportunities for BSPs to simplify and grow, using half the power and enabling amazing broadband experiences with SmartLife managed services. This flexibility combined with green technology to serve more subscribers and ultimately reduce OPEX is great news for hundreds of customers who have built their network with Calix XGS-PON.

Learn how continued innovations to Intelligent Access EDGE help broadband providers build greener networks and become more sustainable.

About Calix

Calix, Inc. (NYSE: CALX)Broadband service providers of all sizes leverage the Calix platform and teams to simplify their business and excite their subscribers to grow the value of their business and for their communities for generations. The democratizing power of the platform and portfolio of managed services enables them to operate efficiently, acquire subscribers, and deliver exceptional experiences. Calix is dedicated to driving continuous improvement in partnership with our growing ecosystem to support the transformation of our customers and their communities.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that are based upon managements current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Forward-looking statements are based upon information available to us as of the date of this release, and we assume no obligation to revise or update any such forward-looking statement to reflect any event or circumstance after the date of this release, except as required by law. Actual results and the timing of events could differ materially from current expectations based on risks and uncertainties affecting Calixs business. The reader is cautioned not to rely on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. Additional information on potential factors that could affect Calixs results and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in its quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and available at www.sec.gov.

Calix and the Calix logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Calix and/or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. A listing of Calixs trademarks can be found at https://www.calix.com/pages/trademarks.html. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116721760/en/

Press Inquiries:

Zach Burger

669-369-1991

[email protected]

Investor Inquiries:

Jim Fanucchi

[email protected]

Source: Calix, Inc.
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Today, Citizens Against Government Waste (CAGW) named Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) its November 2023 Porker of the Month for trying to take away everyone's credit card benefits.

In 2010, Sen. Durbin led the effort to pass the Durbin Amendment, which set a limit on fees that banks charge retailers for debit card transactions. This caused banks and card issuers to lose billions of dollars and forced them to eliminate popular and widely used rewards programs for debit cards. Now, Sen. Durbin is at it again by proposing legislation that would expand the Durbin Amendment to credit cards. Sen. Durbins bill will take away benefits used by tens of millions of consumers across the country, including travel and loyalty reward programs. The 84 percent of Americans who have a credit card with a rewards program use them to pay for groceries and gas, family vacations and holiday travel. Airline credit card benefits alone paid for 15 million flights and generated $23 billion in economic activity in 2022.

CAGW President Tom Schatz said, Sen. Durbins legislation would significantly increase the governments control over a competitive and popular marketplace. If enacted into law, it would double down on harmful policies, damage the economy, and be a disaster for consumers. For trying to take away credit card benefits and rewards, Sen. Durbin was an easy choice for this months 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/20231116142743/en/

Alexandra Abrams

(202) 467-5310

[email protected]

Source: Citizens Against Government Waste
MARRAKECH, Morocco--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Africa Investment Forum (AIF) Market Days 2023, ended the 10th of November in Marrakech with unprecedented success, securing a staggering $34.82 billion in investment interest within 72 hours. Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, Chair of AIF and President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), highlighted the forum's extraordinary accomplishment during his closing speech, emphasizing the platforms objective: One purpose in mind: deals, deals, and deals.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116575014/en/

During the closing ceremony, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the AfDB, showcases the strong partnership built with the Moroccan authorities and the 7 constituents of the AIF (Photo: AETOSWire)

This figure reflects the growing confidence of investors in the potential of African markets and the ability of the AIF to connect them with viable opportunities through its boardrooms.

The three-day forum gathered 1000 delegates, including three Heads of State, two Heads of Government, CEOs, ministers, representatives from the financial sector and industry, underlining the growing international interest in Africa's investment potential.

The forum's discussions focused on various industries, enabling significant partnerships and agreements discussed amongst the different boardrooms organized by AIF. The main industries covered by these deals included food and agriculture, renewable energy, mining, transport corridors, aviation, deep-water seaports and railways, ICT, digital infrastructure, artificial intelligence, creative industries, and healthcare.

Furthermore, a landmark achievement of AIF was the launch of the Alliance for Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones, with a substantial commitment of 3 billion dollars from its partners, including the AfDB and the seven constituents of the Africa Investment Forum. This initiative aims at boosting agro-industrial processing and value addition across the continent.

The Forum also highlighted the growing role of Women as investment champions, with a special emphasis on promoting and supporting female leadership across Africa.

The success of the Africa Investment Forum Market Days 2023 reinforces its position as a premier platform for catalyzing investment in Africa. The forum's focus on fostering partnerships, promoting economic resilience, and facilitating deals underscores its crucial role in driving Africa's economic transformation.

About the AIF

Founded in 2018, the African Investment Forum is a multi-stakeholder platform that has become the continents premier investment platform. A flagship initiative of the African Development Bank, Islamic Development Bank, the AIF has European Development Bank, Afreximbank, Trade and Development Bank, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Africa Finance Cooperation, Africa 50 as its Founding Partners.

Source: AETOSWire

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116575014/en/

Olufemi Terry

[email protected]

Source: Africa Investment Forum
The Kahului Civic Center Mixed-Use Complex will comprise 303 units of affordable housing

SAN RAFAEL, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation (HHFDC) has selected EAH Housing, one of the largest and most respected nonprofit housing development and management organizations in the western United States, to develop the Kahului Civic Center Mixed-Use Complex. The project is expected to break ground in 2027, with the first phase anticipated to be completed by 2029.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116070204/en/

Kahului Civic Center (Photo: Business Wire)

The project includes a transit hub, civic center component, and 303 affordable housing units. This multi-phase project is a true public-private partnership. EAH Housing, as master developer, will coordinate the development of the civic center with the State of Hawaii Department of Accounting and General Services, the transit hub with the County of Maui, and the affordable housing with the State of Hawaii Housing Finance and Development Corporation.

Located along Kaahumanu Avenue in the heart of Kahului, the project will provide residents convenient access to the existing network of retail, healthcare, educational, financial, religious, recreational, and transportation options in the area. The Kahului Civic Center community is a significant step forward to increase the critically-needed affordable housing inventory for Maui residents and families.

"We are thrilled to be moving forward on this much-needed housing community in Kahului, said Laura Hall, CEO of EAH Housing. Maui is one of the countrys most constricted markets, and the EAH Housing team is proud to lend a hand and move forward our mission of providing high-quality, affordable housing opportunities to those most in need.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalition, more than 41,000 or nearly one-quarter of Hawaiis rental households report incomes at or below the national poverty guidelines, thus classified as "extremely low income." With a deficit of more than 27,000 affordable housing units, Hawaiis housing market stands at a critical juncture. The Kahului Civic Center Mixed-Use Complex is designed to address this critical need for affordable housing on Maui, providing affordable and workforce housing for individuals and families earning between 30% and 60% of the Area Median Income (AMI).

A balanced mix of one-, two-, and three-bedroom units will provide housing options for small and larger households. Each unit will feature modern amenities to create a comfortable and convenient living experience, including kitchens with energy-efficient appliances, high-speed Internet and cable availability, ceiling fans, and large windows for natural lighting and ventilation.

Each of the two residential buildings will feature a fitness room, central laundry facilities, community rooms for social and educational events, and an outdoor recreation deck. The project will also offer residents a wide range of transportation options, including 320 parking stalls, paved pedestrian paths connecting the site to the larger neighborhood, and proximity to the neighboring transit hub with access to public transportation.

"As we continually work to find innovative solutions to the affordable housing crisis in Hawaii, commitments to developing housing for our most-vulnerable residents are sorely needed and warmly welcomed," said Governor Josh Green, M.D. "I look forward to the positive difference this project will make for residents on Maui, and I commend EAH Housing for its commitment to making Maui a more affordable and vibrant place to live.

For more information about this project and EAH Housings mission, visit www.eahhousing.org.

About EAH Housing

EAH Housing is a nonprofit corporation with a mission to expand the range of opportunities for all by developing, managing, and promoting quality affordable housing and diverse communities. Established in 1968, EAH Housing has become one of the largest and most respected nonprofit housing development and management organizations in the Western United States with over 750 employees and plays a leadership role in local, regional, and national housing advocacy efforts.

Starting from grass-roots origins in response to the death of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., EAH Housing now serves over 25,000 low-income families, seniors, veterans, formerly unhoused individuals, people with special needs, transitional age youth (TAY), artists, farm workers, and students across more than 240 communities in California and Hawaii. Combining award-winning design, innovative onsite services, and a commitment to people, EAH Housing reflects the distinctive personality of each community.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116070204/en/

MEDIA:

Antenna Group

[email protected]

Source: EAH Housing
LUXEMBOURG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The Eurofins network of companies, the global leader in food, environment, pharmaceutical and cosmetic product testing and in discovery pharmacology, forensics, advanced material sciences and agroscience contract research services, announces the completion of the acquisition of Quasfar.

Known as Eurofins Quasfar going forward, the laboratory represents the first Eurofins laboratory in Colombia and is a leading pharmaceutical, veterinary and cosmetic product testing laboratory, with over 26 years of experience, employing over 100 employees. Based in Bogota, Colombia, the 1,680 m laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art testing equipment, technology and information platforms and systems, and is certified in Good Laboratory Practices for pharmaceutical quality control laboratories, under the guidelines of WHO Technical Report Series, No. 957, 2010 44th Report  Annex 1. With a focus on scientific training and R&D, the Quasfar team develops analytical methodologies that respond to customer and regulatory needs, with a commitment to exceptional quality management systems, and good laboratory, bioavailability and bioequivalence practices.

The origins of Eurofins presence in Brazil dates back to 2001, when Eurofins Genescan established its presence in Brazil, setting up an office in Sao Paulo/SP, shortly followed by the opening of a laboratory. Since then, the Eurofins network of companies has continued to expand in Brazil and Latin America, with more than 10 laboratories across 5 LATAM countries now operating across food, environmental, pharmaceutical, agroscience, and clinical diagnostics testing, as well as providing special consultancy services and audits.

With a proven history in providing support to the pharmaceutical sector in Colombia, the acquisition of Quasfar strengthens the Eurofins networks support to the pharmaceutical industry in Latin America, through the provision of R&D and supporting evaluation in the early stages of pharmaceutical product development, with the highest quality standards and TAT.

Eurofins  the global leader in bio-analysis

Eurofins is Testing for Life. With over 61,000 staff across a network of ca. 900 laboratories in 61 countries, Eurofins offers a portfolio of over 200,000 analytical methods.

Eurofins Shares are listed on Euronext Paris Stock Exchange.

Eurofins Quasfar:

Bogota- based Eurofins Quasfar is a state-of-the-art laboratory, offering a broad analytical testing portfolio to the pharmaceutical, veterinary and cosmetic segments, and recognised for its expertise in developing complex analytical methodologies with diverse techniques to meet customer and regulatory needs.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116556347/en/

Further information:

[email protected]

Source: Eurofins Scientific
We talked to Oleksandr Slobozhenko, the founder of Traffic Devils, the largest arbitration team in Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

The company was founded three years ago and now employs over 300 people. The team's development was partly spurred by Oleksandr's media presence and a well-developed Instagram page. And today we will talk to him about the advantages, disadvantages and pitfalls of active social media management for arbitration lawyers.

How did you start managing your social media? And is it necessary for those who work in arbitration to build their own brand?

I started my Instagram page solely out of a desire to share my lifestyle and hobbies with the audience. And I received a lot of feedback, messages that this content motivates guys to develop. The page grew organically, I didn't promote it. I was subscribed by those interested in my field of activity and hobbies: cars, extreme sports, and sports.

But whether or not to develop a personal brand in any field is a decision for each individual. Of course, media offers many advantages, but at the same time, it is important to understand that you need to allocate a lot of time to build it and also want to do it.

ADVERTISIMENT

It took me a while to learn how to record those conversational stories and broadcast my life, it came with experience and practice. Consistency and regularity are also important. If you realize that this is not your thing, you are annoyed by talking to the camera, thinking about content, filming it, then maybe you shouldn't force yourself and try to express yourself and build recognition in other ways.

What are the benefits of media exposure for you?

It definitely helped in building my team. It helped us attract new advertisers, partners, and Traffic Devils employees. People can be sure that it is safe to cooperate with us because I am responsible for this, in particular, with my own reputation.

I also met a lot of new people through social media, who are cool and quite influential.

What are the disadvantages of being a media personality?

ADVERTISIMENT

One of the most striking disadvantages is fake pages created by fraudsters to raise money from the audience. They were created before the war and offered some kind of cooperation, luring money from subscribers. I always say that the only active platforms I have are Instagram and Telegram, and I urge my audience to carefully double-check any requests that come allegedly on my behalf. I have never collected money from anyone, nor did I write with proposals for any incomprehensible money-making schemes.

Therefore, if someone writes to you on behalf of a media person, always double-check that it is really them. It's simple, you can ask to confirm their identity by recording a voice message, making a phone call, etc. Of course, fakes will not be able to do this.

Do you monetize your blog?

I could do it, but I don't want to. I run this page for my soul, not to make money from it. Of course, I get offers for advertising collaborations. And it would be interesting for advertisers, because I have a very engaged and active audience, crazy reach, but I just don't need it.

ADVERTISIMENT

I can recommend great specialists or services that I work with, partners, sincerely and absolutely free of charge. But I have never advertised anything on my blog for money.

Moreover, I am not interested in monetization through courses. Because those who are successful in arbitration receive income from their work. And those who are less successful try to create courses based on publicly available information and generate income from it. This is pure information gypsyism.

Do you run the page yourself or do you have a team to help you with it?

At first, I did everything myself, but then I started working with a videographer who created bright and juicy content for the page. But we are not working during the war yet: life has changed dramatically and I have no desire to broadcast what I used to show before. Only now, three months later, I'm slowly returning to the blog, but I make all the content myself.

ADVERTISIMENT

I also have an SMM specialist who deals with content design and other issues on the page.

Is the content on social media different from your real life?

I am quite open with my audience. I can ask for advice or help, I can say what I think honestly and openly. I don't try to build some non-existent image or seem better than I am in real life.

What advice would you give to those who want to develop their personal brand on social media?

The first thing is to understand why you need social media, what is the purpose of it. Do you want to monetize them, grow your team, attract partners, or just share your life? This will determine the vector of what you will broadcast.

The second thing is to be yourself. It's trite advice, but many people on social media try to embellish reality and are embarrassed to show something. But I'm sure that broadcasting who you really are will help attract the audience that will be interested in following you.

ADVERTISIMENT

And the third thing is to be patient. You shouldn't expect that as soon as you post three posts in a week, a stream of subscribers will pour in. It's important to maintain your page systematically and work on the content. As elsewhere, results don't come with a click. You need to devote time to your blog, and you can use paid methods of promotion (targeting, advertising with opinion leaders), because nowadays, organic profiles are not growing as fast as they did a few years ago. Build a strategy and follow it.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- EverGen Infrastructure Corp. (EverGen or the Company) (TSXV: EVGN) (OTCQX: EVGIF), today announced plans to release its 2023 third quarter financial results on November 22, 2023, after market close. EverGen will hold a results and corporate update conference call at 10:00 a.m. eastern time on Thursday, November 23, 2023, hosted by Chief Executive Officer, Mischa Zajtmann.

Conference Call Details are as follows: Date: November 23, 2023 Time: 10:00 a.m. ET Zoom Link: https://us06web.zoom.us/j/83697819785

About EverGen Infrastructure Corp.

EverGen, Canadas Renewable Natural Gas Infrastructure Platform, is combating climate change and helping communities contribute to a sustainable future. Headquartered on the West Coast of Canada, EverGen is an established independent renewable energy producer which acquires, develops, builds, owns and operates a portfolio of Renewable Natural Gas, waste to energy, and related infrastructure projects. EverGen is focused on Canada, with continued growth expected across other regions in North America and beyond.

For more information about EverGen Infrastructure Corp. and our projects, please visit www.evergeninfra.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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116701124/en/

EverGen Infrastructure Corp.

Co-founder & CEO

Mischa Zajtmann

604-202-7004

[email protected]

Source: EverGen Infrastructure Corp.
FHLB Dallas Partnership Grant Program Provides 3:1 Match of Members Donations

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Representatives from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), American First National Bank, Cadence Bank, Independent Financial and Inwood Bank were joined by local dignitaries as they awarded $80,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funds to three Dallas-area community-based organizations (CBOs). The funds will assist the organizations with operational and administrative costs allowing them to focus on their missions to preserve housing affordability in the Dallas, Texas, area.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115381719/en/

Representative Venton Jones, Texas District 100, Texas House of Representatives (second from left), joined by executives from FHLB Dallas (extreme left and right) and its member Independent Financial (third and fourth from left), along with executives from Rockwall Housing Development Corp. and South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corp. (Photo: Business Wire)

The Partnership Grant Program is a great example of how FHLB Dallas and its members improve the capacity of community-based organizations to provide access and education to those most in need of affordable housing, said State Representative Venton Jones, House District 100, Texas House of Representatives.

Through the PGP, FHLB Dallas member institutions contribute $500 to $4,000 to a nonprofit, which FHLB Dallas matches at a 3:1 ratio to provide up to $12,000 to the organization per member. The awards help promote and strengthen relationships between community-based nonprofits and FHLB Dallas members.

Here are the awards:

Member: Independent Financial

Sponsor: South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corp.

Grant: $16,000

Member: American First National Bank

Sponsor: SouthFair Community Development Corp.

Grant: $16,000

Member: Cadence Bank

Sponsor: SouthFair Community Development Corp.

Grant: $16,000

Member: Independent Financial

Sponsor: Rockwall Housing Development Corp.

Grant: $16,000

Member: Inwood Bank

Sponsor: Rockwall Housing Development Corp.

Grant: $16,000

FHLB Dallas member Independent Financial has used the PGP to deliver more impact for every dollar it donates. We are incredibly grateful for the partnership with FHLB Dallas and the ability to increase the impact in our communities by tripling financial support to organizations doing vital work, said Kelli Diserens, senior vice president, director of Community Investment at Independent Financial.

Two of the three CBOs  South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corp. (ICDC) and Rockwall Housing Development Corp.  received a $16,000 PGP award via Independent Financial.

The PGP award will allow our organization to hire additional staff for the ICDC Homebuyers Workshops, which educate first-time homebuyers on affordable housing options, said Billy Lane, executive director of South Dallas Fair Park ICDC.

Speaking at the event, Rockwall Housing Development Corp. Executive Director Michael Hunter said, We greatly appreciate the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and their Partnership Grant Program as well as Independent Financial Bank and Inwood Bank in helping us bring more affordable housing to our Northeast Texas region.

Rockwall Housing Development Corp. received another PGP award via Inwood Bank. We are so appreciative to FHLB Dallas for their assistance in helping people afford housing, said Roger McLaren, vice president at Inwood Bank. The best way to combat generational poverty is homeownership.

SouthFair Community Development Corp. also received two $16,000 grants  one from American First National Bank and another from Cadence Bank. Support from the Federal Home Loan Banks Partnership Grant Program and its member banks, American First National Bank and Cadence Bank, allows us to push forward and do what we do best  support the community in its revitalization efforts, said Executive Director Annie Evans.

Michael Bailey, chief compliance officer at American First National Bank, said the PGP is an important collaboration tool between FHLB Dallas members and their communities. PGP funds are a catalyst for community development and a beacon of cooperative effort between nonprofits, FHLB Dallas members and FHLB Dallas, he said.

Jim Habern, market president at Cadence Bank, said that they are proud of their continued partnership with FHLB Dallas and the PGP program. We believe strongly in investing in our community, he said.

FHLB Dallas President and CEO Sanjay Bhasin discussed the value of the PGP. With its 3:1 matching grant, the PGP allows us to demonstrate that we care for and support the causes that are critical to our member financial institutions and their communities, said Mr. Bhasin.

View this PGP video to see a complete list of the 2023 PGP grant recipients. For more information about the 2023 PGP grants and other FHLB Dallas community investment products and programs, please visit fhlb.com/pgp.

About American First National Bank

American First National Bank is an Asian-American owned National Bank, with reported total assets exceeding $2.548 billion as of June 30, 2023, and full FDIC insurance coverage, headquartered in Houston, Texas. Formed by six organizers in August 1997, it opened for business on May 18, 1998. Its Corporate Office is located at 9999 Bellaire Blvd., near the southeast corner of the intersection on Beltway 8 and Bellaire Blvd. in Houston.

About Cadence Bank

Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) is a leading regional banking franchise with approximately $50 billion in assets and more than 400 branch locations across the South, Midwest and Texas. Cadence provides consumers, businesses and corporations with a full range of innovative banking and financial solutions. Services and products include consumer banking, consumer loans, mortgages, home equity lines and loans, credit cards, commercial and business banking, treasury management, specialized lending, asset-based lending, commercial real estate, equipment financing, correspondent banking, SBA lending, foreign exchange, wealth management, investment and trust services, financial planning and retirement plan management. Cadence is committed to a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion in both its workplace and communities. Cadence Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender.

About Independent Bank Group, Inc.

Independent Bank Group, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in McKinney, Texas. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Independent Bank, doing business as Independent Financial, Independent Bank Group serves customers across Texas and Colorado with a wide range of relationship-driven banking services tailored to meet the needs of businesses, professionals and individuals. Independent Bank Group, Inc. operates in four market regions located in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and Houston areas in Texas and the Colorado Front Range area, including Denver, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins.

About Inwood Bank

Inwood Bank is an independent, locally owned, community bank with fourteen (14) banking offices located throughout North Texas. In addition to our main office at 7621 Inwood Road, we have additional branches in the Oaklawn, Galleria and Pleasant Grove areas, as well as branches in the communities of Commerce, Denton, DeSoto, Duncanville, Fort Worth, Garland, Richardson, Rockwall, Rowlett, and Wylie. Inwood has grown from its beginning in 1964 to one of the largest independent community banks in Dallas--today over $4 Billion and one of the strongest institutions in Texas.

About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $147.6 billion as of September 30, 2023, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115381719/en/

Corporate Communications

Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas

fhlb.com, (214) 441-8445

Source: Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas
Fukusaya, a historic Japanese Castella brand, celebrates its 400th anniversary.

The brand will open its first-ever pop-up store in Hong Kong.

The pop-up will be located at AIRSIDE city'super from November 16 to November 27, 2023.

Exclusive Size 0.6 Castella will be available for HKD 150.

HONG KONG--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Fukusaya Co., Ltd., a renowned Japanese confectionery brand headquartered at 1-26-7 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo, and led by President and CEO Hiroshi Tonomura, is excited to announce its debut in Hong Kong. Beginning November 16, 2023, Fukusaya will launch a limited-time pop-up store at the prestigious AIRSIDE city'super. This marks the brand's first foray into the vibrant Hong Kong market, bringing its celebrated delicacies to a new audience.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115478073/en/

Fukusaya Celebrates 400 Years: Iconic Japanese Castella Brand Debuts in Hong Kong With Exclusive Pop-Up at AIRSIDE city'super, Starting November 16 (Photo: Business Wire)

Fukusaya: 400 Years of Artisanal Excellence in Traditional Castella Making

Fukusaya, a distinguished Japanese Castella brand, boasts a rich 400-year history since its founding in Nagasaki Prefecture in 1624. Renowned for its commitment to traditional craftsmanship, Fukusaya's Castella is a testament to a legacy of flavor passed down through generations. Each artisan at Fukusaya is fully dedicated to the entire manufacturing process, ensuring consistency and quality from start to finish. Employing the 'separate beating method,' where egg whites and yolks are beaten individually, Fukusaya's artisans hand-crack each egg to create the Castella's unique texture. This method, combined with the use of simple, premium ingredients without additives, results in a distinctively fluffy and moist texture with a rich sweetness and aromatic appeal. The characteristic crunchy sugar layer at the bottom of each Nagasaki Castella piece is a tribute to the artisan's skill, finely tuned to adapt to seasonal temperature and humidity variations.

Fukusaya's dedication to these labor-intensive, time-honored methods sets it apart in a modern, fast-paced world. Having won the hearts of connoisseurs across Japan, Fukusaya is now taking its revered flavors to the global stage. The upcoming pop-up store in Hong Kong marks Fukusaya's exciting international expansion. Here, connoisseurs and new fans alike can savor the handcrafted delicacy that encapsulates nearly four centuries of cherished traditional flavors and methods, meticulously baked to perfection.

Hong Kong Pop-Up Store Overview Duration: November 16 (Thursday), 2023  November 27 (Monday), 2023 Location: AIRSIDE city'super in HK2 Concorde Road, Kai Tak, San Po Kong Product Offered: Size 0.6 Castella Price: HKD 150 (Hong Kong Dollars) Company Overview Name: Castella Honke Fukusaya Corporation Founded: 1624 (1st year of the Kan'ei era) Representative: Ikuo Tonomura, President and CEO Head Office Location: 3-1 Funadaiku-machi, Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture Branch Locations Tokyo Branch: 1-26-7 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Fukuoka Branch: 1-2-33 Tokoji-machi, Hakata-ku, Fukuoka City, Fukuoka Prefecture Name: Fukusaya Inc. Representative: Hiroshi Tonomura, President and CEO Location: 1-26-7 Aobadai, Meguro-ku, Tokyo Official Website: Fukusaya Corporation Official Instagram: fukusaya_castella1624 Official Facebook: Fukusaya Nakameguro

Media Resources

For additional media materials including photos and videos, please visit our online media kit.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115478073/en/

Media Contact Information for Fukusaya Castella PR:

Agency: Signal Inc.

Contact Persons: Mika Nakajima, Mizuha Matsuka

Phone: +81-3-6747-6874

Email: [email protected]

Source: Fukusaya Co., Ltd.
VITRY-LE-FRANCOIS, France--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

After taking the first step towards industrialization with the acquisition of Jacquier in June 2023, Haffner Energy (ISIN code: FR0014007ND6 - Mnemonic: ALHAF) is pleased to announce that it has completed the first stage of financing for its founding project to build its first large-capacity plant in Saint-Dizier (Haute-Marne), where its renewable gas and hydrogen production modules will be manufactured and assembled, thanks to the support of the French State through the France 2030 program operated by Bpifrance and its local institutional partners, including the Grand Est region and the GIP Haute-Marne. At the same time, Haffner Energy has embarked on another short-term structuring project with the establishment of a test and training center for research and development purposes in Marolles, in the immediate vicinity of its head office in Vitry-le-Francois and at the heart of the "Pays Vitryat" industrial region (Marne).

At a time when the French government has just selected 183 new territories as part of its "Territoires d'industrie" program aimed at reindustrializing France, Haffner Energy, a specialist in biomass energy recovery, is reaffirming more than ever its commitment to making a lasting contribution to the goal of industrial reconquest and territorial development through these two strategic projects.

A player in the energy transition for over 30 years, with strong roots in the Grand Est region, Haffner Energy designs and supplies pioneering decarbonization solutions for players in mobility, industry and local authorities.

Haffner Energy's strong ambition to bring its technology to industrial scale is now being translated into a larger-scale project with the choice of the town of Saint-Dizier for the deployment of its future high-capacity assembly plant (gigafactory), as announced by the Company at the time of its IPO in February 2022.

This project was submitted as part of the France 2030 "Premiere Usine" call for projects, operated by Bpifrance in autumn 2022. After a demanding selection process, Haffner Energy is particularly proud to announce that its gigafactory project named "FactorHy" has been selected, marking a new strategic milestone for the company.

"I'm very pleased to witness the successes of Haffner Energy, with the support of France 2030, which has been present at every stage of the company's development. After being supported in 2018 by a France 2030 grant (PIA) operated by Ademe, to develop an initial demonstrator, the company moved on to a full-scale demonstrator in Strasbourg, with the support of the Grand-Est region. Finally, Haffner Energy has just received further support from France 2030 to build its first high-capacity assembly plant for its biogas and renewable hydrogen production modules in the Grand Est region.

The company's markets are promising, particularly internationally, where its technology is sure to play an important role. I'm already looking forward to its future commercial success, but also to its important contribution to decarbonizing our economy, as its alternative hydrogen production technology, subject to local biomass availability, can usefully complement electrolysis production and guarantee the deployment of hydrogen in our territory," said Bruno Bonnell, General Secretary for Investment in charge of France 2030.

With this recognition, Haffner Energy will receive 5.9 million in grants and repayable advances to finance its project. After this first step, Haffner Energy is moving ahead with the realization of its project, by completing its financing thanks to its public and private partners, and by working on an Industrial Master Plan. Details of the plant, which is scheduled to start up in mid-2024 and be completed in 2026, will be announced once these additional stages have been completed.

Haffner Energy will also set up a test and training center in the immediate vicinity of its head office in Vitry-le-Francois, in the heart of the "Pays Vitryat" industrial region.

The project will be carried out in two stages:

from early 2024, the installation of a new-generation demonstrator for testing all types of biomass used by our customers notably, with a view to industrial and business development and continuous improvement of our technology;

in the medium term, a test and training center for Haffner Energy's customers and employees.

This project also enjoys the unanimous support of the region's elected representatives and institutional partners.

"The technology deployed by Haffner Energy will play a decisive role in decarbonizing and accelerating the energy transition worldwide. Haffner Energy will be in a position to address ever-expanding markets, provided it has an agile, high-performance industrial base. Our Gigafactory and test and training center will enable us to respond quickly and appropriately to customer demand, while guaranteeing product quality and preserving the confidentiality of Haffner Energy's unique intellectual property. We are delighted to be launching these highly structuring investments in the region where Haffner Energy's head office is located. I would like to thank all our partners and elected representatives, who unanimously support this industrial project and have been working with us for months to ensure its successful deployment, said Philippe Haffner, Chairman and CEO of Haffner Energy.

Haffner Energy is also delighted to be partnering with three "Territoires d'industrie" in the Grand Est region. Among the 183 territories selected by this national initiative for green industrial reconquest unveiled by the Government on November 9, Haffner Energy is particularly committed to the following Territoires d'industrie: "Pays Vitryat", comprising 3 public inter-municipal cooperation bodies (EPCIs) (Communaute de Communes de Vitry, Champagne et Der, Communaute de Communes de Cotes de Champagne et Val de Saulx and Communaute de Communes de Perthois-Bocage et Der), "Sud Meuse Nord Haute Marne", comprising 4 EPCIs (Grand Saint-Dizier Der et vallees, Communaute de communes des Portes de Meuse, Communaute de communes du Bassin de Joinville en Champagne and Communaute d'Agglomeration Meuse Grand Sud), and "Pays Chalonnais" around 3 EPCIs (Chalons en Champagne Agglo, Communaute de Communes Region de Suippes and Communaute de Communes de la Moivre a la Coole).

Haffner Energy, an economic player committed to the green reindustrialization of territories, has actively supported the candidacy of these three territories, and wished to invest itself more particularly by becoming the elected-industrial binomial of the "Pays Vitryat" and "Sud Meuse Nord Haute-Marne" industrial territories, in view of its development projects.

For Haffner Energy, this support is a way of contributing to the national ambition of a sovereign, low-carbon industry through the territories, particularly in the Grand Est region, which is the cradle of the company's development.

Haffner Energy's approach to reindustrialization: positive local initiatives come together to serve a global ambition: regenerating the planet

While Haffner Energy's technology is intended to be a long-term solution to the global challenge of decarbonization, it is of particular interest in the collaboration between local authorities and their stakeholders, whether biomass producers, talent pools or incubators of positive initiatives, all of whom feed into and support projects designed with Haffner Energy, around its technology.

The thermolysis process developed by Haffner Energy is highly adaptable, making it possible to valorize all types of biomass residues and thus generating new outlets for local producers of this raw material, which until now has often been untapped (farmers, winegrowers, foresters, etc.), sourced locally and thus sustaining local employment that cannot be relocated. Yet another argument to justify the resources deployed by Haffner Energy to pursue its unchanged ambition: decarbonizing uses without cutting back on competitiveness.

It is in this perspective of generating positive synergies that Haffner Energy recalls its participation in several positive local initiatives in the service of green reindustrialization, which highlight the trust placed in it by numerous local partners.

Haffner Energy is a partner in the Charl'Hy project, an ambitious and unique project in the Champagne region, which aims to establish an industrial hub for the production of hydrogen and renewable gas in the Chalonnais basin. The project, which won Chalons Agglo's "Financial support for the creation and development of industrial activities with low environmental impact" call for expressions of interest on November 10, 2023, is led by CVE, a French independent producer of renewable energies, in partnership with Haffner Energy, and scheduled to be completed by 2026/2027. The installation of a SYNOCA module designed by Haffner Energy will enable biomass residues, particularly from forestry, to be valorized. Following a study phase carried out by CVE and Haffner Energy, the project will be tailored to meet local industrial and urban heating needs.

In partnership with Nedey, Haffner Energy is also developing a project for a renewable hydrogen production and distribution station, called NedE'Hy, once again demonstrating its progress in supporting local energy transition. This ambitious project, based on Haffner Energy's HYNOCA solution, is supported by a consortium of local players led by car dealer Nedey Automobiles, and will be located in Brognard (Doubs).

To read our press kit: click here

About Haffner Energy

Haffner Energy, a listed family company co-founded and co-directed by Marc and Philippe Haffner, has been a key player in the energy transition for 30 years. It designs and supplies innovative decarbonization solutions for mobility, industry and local authorities. Its HYNOCA, SYNOCA and SAFNOCA solutions, based on biomass thermolysis, a technology protected by 15 patent families, enable customers to produce locally renewable hydrogen and gas, as well as other green energies such as Sustainable Aviation Fuel, while capturing carbon from the atmosphere through the co-production of biochar.

More information at www.haffner-energy.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115646277/en/

HAFFNER ENERGY

Laure Bourdon +33 (0)7 87 96 35 15

[email protected]

CLAI

Valentine Serres +33 (0)7 78 41 45 91

Thibault Lecauchois +33 (0)7 84 58 77 11

[email protected]

Source: Haffner Energy
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Inszone Insurance Services, a rapidly growing national provider of commercial, personal, and benefits insurance, announced today the acquisition of Letherer Insurance Consultants, Inc., a prominent agency specializing in professional liability coverage for attorneys, dentists, doctors, and accountants. This strategic move bolsters Inszone Insurance Services' footprint in New Mexico while expanding its expertise in the professional liability sector.

Letherer Insurance Consultants, Inc., established by industry veteran Don Letherer in the early 1980s, has a remarkable legacy of providing comprehensive professional liability coverage to legal and accounting professionals. The agency's commitment to excellence, extensive experience, and unmatched service has earned them a strong reputation within the market. Furthermore, Don Letherer's tenure as the Superintendent of Insurance for New Mexico showcases his deep understanding of the insurance landscape and regulatory dynamics.

Brian Letherer, who had a successful 30+ year career in the semiconductor industry, joined his father in 2012 and assumed leadership of the agency in 2015. His leadership and industry insights added a fresh perspective to the agency's operations, paving the way for continued success. Under his guidance, Letherer Insurance Consultants, Inc. has grown to become one of the largest agencies in New Mexico specializing in professional liability coverage for lawyers and CPAs.

"We are excited to welcome Letherer Insurance Consultants, Inc. into the Inszone Insurance family," said Chris Walters, CEO of Inszone Insurance Services. Their rich history, deep industry knowledge, and strong relationships within the legal and accounting sectors perfectly complement our mission to provide top-tier coverage and service. This acquisition reinforces our commitment to strategic growth and enhances our ability to meet the evolving needs of our clients.

The acquisition of Letherer Insurance Consultants, Inc. further solidifies Inszone Insurance Services' position as a trusted insurance provider and expands its presence in New Mexico. Clients of Letherer Insurance Consultants, Inc. can expect a seamless transition, with access to a broader range of insurance solutions and resources through the Inszone Insurance platform.

Founded in 2002 and headquartered in Sacramento, California, Inszone is a full-service insurance brokerage firm that provides a broad array of property & casualty insurance and employee benefits solutions. With a strong, experienced management team, Inszone continues to grow organically and through acquisitions. With 48 locations across California, Arizona, Colorado, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Utah, and Washington, the company is looking to expand further throughout the United States.

For more information about Inszone, please visit www.inszoneinsurance.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231114182620/en/

Inszone Insurance

Chris Walters  CEO

714-619-5620

[email protected]

Source: Inszone Insurance Services
JERICHO, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Kimco Realty (NYSE: KIM), North Americas largest publicly traded owner and operator of open-air, grocery-anchored shopping centers, and a growing portfolio of mixed-use assets, today announced it has received Nareits 2023 Leader in the Light Recognition Award for Retail for the second consecutive year, marking the fourth time overall that the company has received this prestigious recognition for its sustainability initiatives.

The Leader in the Light awards are given to REITs that have demonstrated outstanding sustainability practices throughout the year, with winners selected by an interdisciplinary panel of judges.

"At Kimco, ESG principles are deeply ingrained in how we innovate solutions and plan for the future," said Kimco CEO Conor Flynn. "This recognition reflects our dedication to driving positive change and upholding the highest standards of corporate citizenship in everything we do. Being recognized once again for our ongoing commitment to leading on environmental, social, and governance issues is a true honor. The progress we've achieved motivates us to keep bettering our communities and delivering sustainable growth that positively impacts all our stakeholders, ultimately enhancing shareholder value."

Kimco continues to focus on its ESG goals, enhance partnerships with industry organizations, and expand opportunities for employee feedback and programming. In 2022, Kimco achieved two of its mid- and long-range ESG goals ahead of schedule and renewed its $2 billion credit facility, which includes sustainability-linked adjustments to align with the companys Science-Based Target. To advance social responsibility initiatives, Kimco launched the Milton Cooper Trailblazer in Real Estate Award, expanded its partnership with Project Destined, and continued engagement with Management Leadership for Tomorrow. Kimcos employee-led DEI Council also laid the groundwork for the launch of our Employee Resource Groups.

Kimco ranked #1 in its peer group in the 2023 GRESB Real Estate Assessment and received an A Public Disclosure Rating from GRESB, a leading ESG benchmark for real estate. Additionally, in recognition of its top-tier employee programs and inclusive and collaborative culture, Kimco was named as one of the 2023 Best Places to Work in Real Estate by Great Place to Work, in addition to receiving the Great Place to Work recognition for the sixth consecutive year. For additional highlights related to the companys ESG initiatives and progress towards its publicly stated ESG goals, download Kimcos 2022 Corporate Responsibility Report.

The sustainable, socially responsible, and transparent steps that REITs have taken, combined with new initiatives underway, are impressive and vital to REITs and their investors, said Nareit President & CEO Steven A. Wechsler. We are proud of our industrys continued commitment toward looking at business strategies through a sustainability lens and implementing practices to execute those strategies.

About Kimco Realty

Kimco Realty (NYSE: KIM) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) headquartered in Jericho, NY that is North Americas largest publicly traded owner and operator of open-air, grocery-anchored shopping centers and a growing portfolio of mixed-use assets. The companys portfolio is primarily concentrated in the first-ring suburbs of the top major metropolitan markets, including those in high-barrier-to-entry coastal markets and rapidly expanding Sun Belt cities, with a tenant mix focused on essential, necessity-based goods and services that drive multiple shopping trips per week. Kimco Realty is also committed to leadership in environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and is a recognized industry leader in these areas. Publicly traded on the NYSE since 1991, and included in the S&P 500 Index, the company has specialized in shopping center ownership, management, acquisitions, and value enhancing redevelopment activities for more than 60 years. As of September 30, 2023, the company owned interests in 527 U.S. shopping centers and mixed-use assets comprising 90 million square feet of gross leasable space. For further information, please visit www.kimcorealty.com.

The company announces material information to its investors using the companys investor relations website (investors.kimcorealty.com), SEC filings, press releases, public conference calls, and webcasts. The company also uses social media to communicate with its investors and the public, and the information the company posts on social media may be deemed material information. Therefore, the company encourages investors, the media, and others interested in the company to review the information that it posts on the social media channels, including Facebook (www.facebook.com/kimcorealty), X (www.twitter.com/kimcorealty) and LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/kimco-realty-corporation). The list of social media channels that the company uses may be updated on its investor relations website from time to time.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116104953/en/

MEDIA:

Jennifer Maisch

Vice President, Marketing & Communications

Kimco Realty Corporation

(516) 761-0175

[email protected]

Source: Kimco Realty
DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mary Kay Inc., a global leader in skin care innovation and sustainability, is honored to announce its inclusion in the 2023 Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20), a prestigious recognition by the conservation non-profit, Texan by Nature. Founded by former First Lady Laura Bush, Texan by Nature annually celebrates Texas-based companies that demonstrate a strong commitment to conservation and sustainability.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116497764/en/

Mary Kay was included in the 2023 Texan by Nature 20 (TxN 20), a prestigious recognition by the conservation non-profit, Texan by Nature. (Photo: Mary Kay Inc.)

This years recognition underscores Mary Kays longstanding dedication to integrating sustainable practices into its business operations and its innovative approach to preserving the environment.

Being recognized in the TxN 20 is not only an honor, but a testament to our enduring commitment to conservation and sustainability, said Jeni Wang, Senior Specialist of Corporate Engineering at Mary Kay, who accepted the honor on behalf of the company. At Mary Kay, we believe in the harmonious coexistence of business and nature, and we continuously strive to implement practices that positively impact our planet.

The TxN 20 recognizes industry leaders across 12 sectors in Texas who are at the forefront of conservation efforts and sustainable business practices. With its inclusion in the TxN 20, Mary Kay joins an elite group of companies that are setting the standard for environmental stewardship in the Lone Star State and beyond.

2023 TxN 20 honorees included:

Alamo Group Cemex Cirrus Logic CPS Energy Darling Ingredients Desert Door Sotol Dallas Fort Worth International Airport HOLT CAT JP Morgan Mary Kay Microsoft NextEra Energy North American Development Bank rsted Overland Partners PepsiCo Stantec Texas Health Resources Wayne Sanderson Farms WM

About Mary Kay

Then. Now. Always. One of the original glass ceiling breakers, Mary Kay Ash founded her dream beauty brand in Texas in 1963 with one goal: to enrich womens lives. That dream has blossomed into a global company with millions of independent sales force members in more than 35 countries. For 60 years, the Mary Kay opportunity has empowered women to define their own futures through education, mentorship, advocacy, and innovation. Mary Kay is dedicated to investing in the science behind beauty and manufacturing cutting-edge skincare, color cosmetics, nutritional supplements, and fragrances. Mary Kay believes in preserving our planet for future generations, protecting women impacted by cancer and domestic abuse, and encouraging youth to follow their dreams. Learn more at marykayglobal.com, find us on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn, or follow us on Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116497764/en/

Mary Kay Inc. Corporate Communications

marykay.com/newsroom

972.687.5332 or [email protected]

Source: Mary Kay Inc.
DUBLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Global risk and compliance technology provider MCO (MyComplianceOffice) has been named Financial Services and Fintech Exporter of the Year by Asia Matters at an awards ceremony held on 15 November in Dublin.

Irelands only Asia-focused think tank, Asia Matters is focused on building business links between Asia, the EU and Ireland. Our selection as Financial Services and Fintech Exporter of the Year by Asia Matters is certainly an honor, said MCO CEO Brian Fahey. Were delighted to be recognized for our work driving partnership and growth between Ireland and the Asia-Pacific region and for our efforts to help firms across APAC ensure efficient compliance with regulatory requirements. This award is a reminder of our shared commitment to promoting trade.

Sponsored by IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, the Asia Matters Business Awards recognise Irish companies with a strategic focus on Asia and Asian companies making significant investment in Ireland. Entries are judged on criteria including an innovative and well executed Asia-specific strategic approach with clear business results referencing key contributing factors such as strengths in branding & communications, new product design, strategic partnership, legal & regulatory, sustainability and manufacturing & distribution.

MCOs growth and sustained results in the Asia-Pacific are supported by a team of local experts who provide in-region customer support, implementation and industry expertise. According to MCOs APAC Director Kelly-Ann McHugh, Were proud of the partnering work that the MCO team does in Ireland, Asia Pacific and across the globe to help firms transform compliance across the region. This win highlights our commitment to providing firms with innovative and purpose-built solutions to effectively manage regulatory and compliance needs.

About MCO (MyComplianceOffice)

MCO provides powerful compliance management software that companies around the world use to reduce the risk of misconduct and effectively oversee regulatory obligations. The MCO solution allows firms to address transactional and personal conflicts of interest in a single platform. It is the only fully integrated compliance management platform that uses a global company and security master dataset to identify conflicts across firm transactions (deals, research, and trades), employees, and third parties and provide evidence of regulatory compliance.

MCO is headquartered in Dublin with offices in London, Singapore, Hyderabad, New York, Chicago and Fort Worth.

Learn more at mycomplianceoffice.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116507789/en/

Media:

Lisa Deschamp, Vice President, Global Marketing

MyComplianceOffice

[email protected]

Source: MyComplianceOffice
Boomi helps marine and subsea services company simplify employee management and logistics

PERTH, Australia & SYDNEY--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Boomi, the intelligent connectivity and automation leader, today announced MMA Offshore (MMA) is using the Boomi platform to provide consistent employee master data management across its line of business applications.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115801462/en/

MMA Offshore Automates Onboarding With Boomi (Graphic: Business Wire)

Headquartered in Perth, MMA is a global marine and subsea service provider. With a fleet of 19 offshore vessels and over 1,100 employees, the organisation is on a growth drive, having transitioned from a pure vessel operator to an integrated marine services provider in 2019. This transformation has seen MMA grow into new markets such as offshore wind, government and defence, and coastal infrastructure.

To become an agile organisation in an evolving industry and to support its ongoing growth, MMA needed to strengthen its management of critical data, as part of efforts to streamline business processes and improve decision-making.

According to Jon Fowler, ICT General Manager at MMA, the company needed a digital framework capable of easily and reliably connecting core business systems in order to unlock and harness that data.

Were a fast-moving, dynamic organisation, which means quick access to consistent, accurate data is imperative, said Fowler. With Boomi, our employee data is captured once at the source, then automation does the grunt work to streamline administration, making core employee master data instantly available across our platforms to assist with rostering, travel logistics, time sheeting, and payroll processing.

MMA selected the Boomi platform based on its ease of use and scalability, which aligns with MMAs requirement to maintain data integrity. The company is using Boomis integration platform as a service (iPaaS) to connect its cloud and on-premises line of business applications, including its enterprise resource planning (ERP), scheduling, travel systems, and payroll.

We recently needed to onboard several workers in a short timeframe. In the past, onboarding at this scale and speed would have taken a considerable amount of time with data manually entered across multiple systems. With Boomi, our connected systems now work for the business, not against it, said Fowler.

Another consideration for employee management involves ensuring employee certifications are applicable and current between our various platforms. Every project is unique, and with a more comprehensive view of employee data, we can make sure our personnel logistics teams have the right data accessible for immediate scheduling, allowing us to onboard skilled workers in a short timeframe.

The organisation plans to mature its user experience with self-service capability. Using Boomis workflow automation solution, Flow, MMA is exploring the development of a consolidated, simple interface to further streamline data collection for aggregation across the respective applications.

The Boomi-connected environment also ensures data is available where employees expect it, and according to Fowler, this means the Information Services team is able to respond and deliver solutions quicker.

We previously sunk substantial time into building connections or manually moving data around. Instead of weeks, our integration framework now allows us to complete work in a much shorter timeframe  this makes business expansion far more efficient with easy, plug-in data sets, said Fowler.

It takes considerable logistics to plan for and execute marine and subsea projects, including managing the dozens of skilled workers assigned to each job, said Nathan Gower, Director of Australia and New Zealand at Boomi. As MMA breaks into new divisions, automation and data connectivity will take the guesswork out of project orchestration, enhancing productivity  a benefit to the bottom line and client satisfaction.

Additional Resources

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Browse solutions on Boomi Discover

Explore the Boomiverse Community

Follow Boomi on Twitter, LinkedIn, Facebook, and YouTube

About Boomi

Boomi aims to make the world a better place by connecting everyone to everything, anywhere. The pioneer of cloud-based integration platform as a service (iPaaS), and now a category-leading, global software as a service (SaaS) company, Boomi touts the largest customer base among integration platform vendors and a worldwide network of approximately 800 partners  including Accenture, Capgemini, Deloitte, SAP, and Snowflake. Global organizations turn to Boomis award-winning platform to discover, manage, and orchestrate data, while connecting applications, processes, and people for better, faster outcomes. For more information, visit boomi.com.

 2023 Boomi, LP. Boomi, the B logo, and Boomiverse are trademarks of Boomi, LP or its subsidiaries or affiliates. All rights reserved. Other names or marks may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115801462/en/

Media:

Jasmine Ee

Head of Media and Analyst Relations, APJ

[email protected]

Source: Boomi
DALLAS & FORT WORTH, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mouser Electronics, Inc., the New Product Introduction (NPI) leader empowering innovation, congratulates the winners of the 21st Create the Future Design Contest, a global challenge to engineers and innovators around the world to design the next great thing. Mouser's valued manufacturers, Intel and Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI), teamed with Mouser in sponsoring the annual contest, produced by SAE Media Group, an SAE International Company, and Tech Briefs magazine. COMSOL is also a principal sponsor of the contest. For more information, visit https://www.mouser.com/createthefuture/.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116255365/en/

Mouser Congratulates the Winners of the 2023 Create the Future Design Contest, co-sponsored by Intel and Analog Devices, Inc. (ADI). (Graphic: Business Wire)

"Mouser congratulates the 2023 Create the Future Contest winners, and we applaud all of the participants and their creative designs," said Kevin Hess, Mouser Electronics' Senior Vice President of Marketing. "We are proud of our longstanding support for the Create the Future Design Contest and the many innovations it has inspired through the years."

Together with Mouser and COMSOL, the SAE Media Group awarded the $25,000 grand prize to Johannes Dapprich and a team from NeuroPair, Inc. located in Princeton, New Jersey, who submitted A New Treatment Approach for Spinal Cord Injury, which details the use of a minimally invasive injectable scaffold of aligned magnetic nanoparticles to protect, heal, and regrow neurons damaged in SCI.

Finalists were selected by senior editors at SAE Media Group, the producer of the contest, and judged by an independent panel of design engineers. Judges awarded the following category winners, who received prizes from HP and other companies:

Grand Prize  A New Treatment Approach for Spinal Cord Injury

A New Treatment Approach for Spinal Cord Injury Aerospace and Defense Category  Zulu Pods: Worlds First Decentralized Lubrication System

Zulu Pods: Worlds First Decentralized Lubrication System Automotive and Transportation Category  Ganaio High-Output Regenerative Damper

Ganaio High-Output Regenerative Damper Electronics Category  Safely Watch and Prioritize Maintenance with AI Deep Learning and Low-cost Passive RF Wireless Vibratory Strain Sensors

Safely Watch and Prioritize Maintenance with AI Deep Learning and Low-cost Passive RF Wireless Vibratory Strain Sensors Manufacturing and Materials Category  TenseFlatables: 3D Printed Tensegrity-Assisted Inflatable Structures

TenseFlatables: 3D Printed Tensegrity-Assisted Inflatable Structures Medical Category  A Salivary Test for Brain Health

A Salivary Test for Brain Health Robotics and Automation Category  Patchflow Robotics for In-pipe Leak Repair

Patchflow Robotics for In-pipe Leak Repair Sustainable Technology Category  Leakproof Valve

The Create the Future Design Contest brings attention to product designs that enhance quality of life, improve the efficiency and quality of healthcare, or help to reduce dependence on nonrenewable energy sources. The contest was created in 2002 by the publishers of Tech Briefs magazine to help stimulate and reward engineering innovation. For more information, visit https://www.mouser.com/createthefuture/.

For more Mouser news, visit https://www.mouser.com/newsroom/.

As a global authorized distributor, Mouser offers the widest selection of the newest semiconductors, electronic components and industrial automation products. Mousers customers can expect 100% certified, genuine products that are fully traceable from each of its manufacturer partners. To help speed customers designs, Mousers website hosts an extensive library of technical resources, including a Technical Resource Center, along with product data sheets, supplier-specific reference designs, application notes, technical design information, engineering tools and other helpful information.

Engineers can stay abreast of todays exciting product, technology and application news through Mousers complimentary e-newsletter. Mousers email news and reference subscriptions are customizable to the unique and changing project needs of customers and subscribers. No other distributor gives engineers this much customization and control over the information they receive. Learn about emerging technologies, product trends and more by signing up today at https://sub.info.mouser.com/subscriber/.

About Mouser Electronics

Mouser Electronics, a Berkshire Hathaway company, is an authorized semiconductor and electronic component distributor focused on New Product Introductions from its leading manufacturer partners. Serving the global electronic design engineer and buyer community, the global distributor's website, mouser.com, is available in multiple languages and currencies and features more than 6.8 million products from over 1,200 manufacturer brands. Mouser offers 27 support locations worldwide to provide best-in-class customer service in local language, currency and time zone. The distributor ships to over 650,000 customers in 223 countries/territories from its 1 million-square-foot, state-of-the-art distribution facilities in the Dallas, Texas, metro area. For more information, visit https://www.mouser.com/.

Trademarks

Mouser and Mouser Electronics are registered trademarks of Mouser Electronics, Inc. All other products, logos, and company names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116255365/en/

For further information, contact:

Kevin Hess, Mouser Electronics

Senior Vice President of Marketing

+1 (817) 804-3833

[email protected]

For press inquiries, contact:

Kelly DeGarmo, Mouser Electronics

Manager, Corporate Communications and Media Relations

+1 (817) 804-7764

[email protected]

Source: Mouser Electronics, Inc.
During the meeting between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco, the parties also discussed the war in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In this regard, the Chinese side noted that after the talks, the country's position on both issues has not changed.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was stated by Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning during a regular press conference, according to the Chinese Embassy in Washington. She emphasized that China supports the principles of equality and justice and will facilitate negotiations to achieve peace.

"Indeed, the two presidents exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern, including the crisis in Ukraine and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. China's position on both issues is clear and consistent. We stand on the side of equality and justice and remain committed to promoting peace and de-escalation negotiations," the spokeswoman said.

Earlier it was reported that Chinese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Mao Ning said during a briefing that the meeting between the Chinese President and the US President, which took place in San Francisco on November 15, marked the beginning of a new stage in relations between Beijing and Washington. During the talks, Xi Jinping emphasized the importance of cooperation and identified areas where the two countries can successfully interact.

ADVERTISIMENT

On November 15, Chinese President Xi Jinping arrived in San Francisco to meet with U.S. President Joe Biden. This is the first meeting between the two superpowers in a year and Xi's first visit to the United States in six years.

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Regulatory News:

On the proposal of the Board of Directors, Nicolas Maes is appointed Chief Executive Officer of Orano, by decree of the President of the French Republic issued today.

Claude Imauven, Chairman of the Group's Board of Directors, welcomed this appointment. "Nicolas' experience and human qualities make him particularly well-suited in the eyes of the board to carry through on the ambitious roadmap charted by Orano. The choice of this senior executive, recognized for his contribution to the development of the Group's activities and his role in the management of operations, is especially important in the current context of strong growth in nuclear energy worldwide. Nicolas is ideally equipped to spearhead Orano's contribution to the fight against global warming, and to drive our commitments in terms of efficient use of vital resources."

Nicolas Maes commented: "I am both honored and invested by this appointment. The implementation of the Group's strategy, both in the nuclear field and in the new business areas such as health and battery materials, will be my priority. This will be underpinned by our continued industrial development and by our attractiveness in a sector that is undergoing profound renewal. I salute the commitment of all Orano employees, who work hard every day to ensure that our industry is recognized for its high level of safety and performance. I know that I can count on the commitment of each and every one of you to rise to the challenges that lie ahead".

Bio summary

Nicolas Maes, 47, is a graduate of the Ecole Polytechnique (class of 1995) and the Ecole Nationale des Ponts et Chaussees.

He began his career in 1999 with the Lafarge group. In 2006, he was appointed Director of the Cauldon cement plant in the UK. In 2009, he became Marketing Director Central Europe & CIS. In April 2011, Nicolas Maes joined the Areva group as Director of Operations for the Mining Business Unit. On June 1, 2014, he was appointed Director of Areva's Installed Base Business Unit (now part of Framatome). From February to October 2018, he headed Framatome's Operational Excellence and digital transformation program. In these roles, he was also a member of the Executive Committee.

He joined Orano in November 2018 as Senior Executive Vice President of the Mining Business Unit and member of the Executive Committee. He has held the position of Group COO since May 2023.

About Orano

As a recognized international operator in the field of nuclear materials, Orano delivers solutions to address present and future global energy and health challenges. Its expertise and mastery of cutting-edge technologies enable Orano to offer its customers high value-added products and services throughout the entire fuel cycle. Every day, the Orano groups 17,000 employees draw on their skills, unwavering dedication to safety and constant quest for innovation, with the commitment to develop know-how in the transformation and control of nuclear materials, for the climate and for a healthy and resource-efficient world, now and tomorrow.

Orano, giving nuclear energy its full value.

www.orano.group

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116070537/en/

Press Office

+33 (0)1 34 96 12 15

[email protected]

Investor relations

Marc Quesnoy

[email protected]

Source: Orano
New plant will increase production capacity by 25 percent, launching new line of digital products for US power grid transformation

HUMBOLDT, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Reinhausen Manufacturing Inc. (RM), a subsidiary of Germany-based Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen, today announced it will expand its facilities in Humboldt, Tennessee to increase production capacity by 25 percent. This move will allow RM to meet increased demand for materials required for digitalization of the U.S. power grid, including an exciting new product line  RMs enhanced digital solution portfolio, ETOS (Embedded Transformer Operating System). Groundbreaking for the $3.3 million investment will take place by the end of 2023, with anticipated completion in early 2024.

The aged and vulnerable U.S. power grid requires critical upgrades. Efforts are underway to digitalize the grid, but long lead times for necessary materials cause delays, putting the power supply at further risk. The RM plant expansion in Tennessee is a necessary step toward supporting those critical upgrades by meeting the demand.

A stable, reliable power supply is paramount to our nations safety and productivity, said RM CEO and President Bob Vary. Digitalization of the power grid is an important step toward achieving this goal, but it cant happen without adequate  and timely  materials. Our plant expansion and the launch of ETOS, our new enhanced digital solution portfolio, will help meet those needs.

An entirely new product line from RM, ETOS is the worlds first systemic solution for the automation and digitalization of power transformers. The Humboldt plant expansion is a key element in the launch strategy for ETOS, providing critical development and production capacity.

ETOS will provide our clients with the exact tools and technology they need as they perform their important work of upgrading our nations power grid, continued Vary. ETOS intelligently links existing actuators, modern sensors, communication devices, and algorithms into a system with both edge and cloud components. This is a very exciting innovation, and it will be made right here in Tennessee.

More details about ETOS will be shared in the coming months.

The physical plant expansion  consisting of office space totaling 1,050 square feet and production space totaling 4,265 square feet  will also provide significant local benefits via additional property tax for the City of Humboldt and the creation of 14 new high-tech jobs in the Humboldt area.

Our Humboldt plant has been in place since 1991, concluded Vary. We are honored to have been a vital part of this community for over thirty years, and we are looking forward to continuing and building on that relationship with our plant expansion and the launch of our exclusive, made-in-the-U.S. new product line, ETOS.

Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH (MR)

Based in Regensburg, Germany with 45 subsidiaries and four affiliated companies around the world, the Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH family of companies enjoys success in the global niche markets of electrical energy technology. RM, founded in 1868, is primarily family-owned and is now managed by the fifth generation of the family. With 3,550 employees worldwide, 50% of the power consumed around the world is regulated by MR products.

Reinhausen Manufacturing Inc. (RM)

Reinhausen Manufacturing Inc. (RM) is a US-based subsidiary of Maschinenfabrik Reinhausen GmbH (MR), with locations in Humboldt, Tenn. (factory); Charlotte, N.C.; Fort Worth, Texas; Mesa, Ariz.; and Manchester, N.J.

For more information, visit https://www.reinhausen.com/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116429044/en/

Nicki Williams

RM Marketing Manager

P 731-487-1758

E [email protected]

Source: Reinhausen Manufacturing Inc.
TORONTO--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ryan, a leading global tax services and software provider, has recently been named to the 2023 list of Best Workplaces for Mental Wellness in Canada. The Firm earned this honor after a thorough and independent analysis conducted by Great Place to Work. This marks the third time Ryan has been named to this list.

Being recognized for creating a workplace that focuses on the mental well-being of our Canadian team members is a tremendous honor, said Ryan President of Canadian Operations Garry Round. Health and wellness play a key role in our organization, and we are intentional in offering a variety of wellness benefits and initiatives that sets us apart in the marketplace.

Several of the initiatives focused on team member health and well-being offered at Ryan include the innovative RyanTHRIVE program, which takes a comprehensive approach to wellness with learning modules covering career, physical, financial, and emotional health as well as benefits including fitness subsidies, an employee financial assistance fund, generous parental leave policies, and a weight-loss program to provide team members with tools to improve their well-being year-round. Through our industry-leading myRyan workplace, team members are given the flexibility to work where, when, and in what manner best promotes their efficiency and effectiveness, leading to work-life success.

To be eligible, organizations must be Great Place to Work-Certified and have exceptionally high scores from employees on the Trust Index survey. The full list of the 2023 Best Workplaces for Mental Wellness in Canada by Great Place to Work can be found here.

About Great Place to Work

Great Place to Work is the global authority on high-trust, high-performance workplace cultures. A global research and consulting firm, Great Place to Work provides the benchmarks and expertise needed to create, sustain, and recognize outstanding workplace cultures. In Canada, Great Place to Work produces both industry and demographic specific Best Workplace lists and represents the voices of 500,000 employees across industry. This is part of the worlds largest annual workplace study, recognizing the worlds Best Workplaces in a series of national lists including those published by The Globe & Mail (Canada) and Fortune magazine (USA).

About Ryan

Ryan, an award-winning global tax services and software provider, is the largest Firm in the world dedicated exclusively to business taxes. The Firm provides an integrated suite of federal, provincial, and international tax services on a multijurisdictional basis, including tax recovery, consulting, advocacy, compliance, and technology services. Ryan is an 11-time recipient of the International Service Excellence Award from the Customer Service Institute of America (CSIA) for its commitment to world-class client service. Empowered by the dynamic myRyan work environment, which is widely recognized as the most innovative in the tax services industry, Ryans multidisciplinary team of more than 4,500 professionals and associates serves over 24,000 clients in more than 60 countries, including many of the worlds most prominent Global 5000 companies. More information about Ryan can be found at ryan.com/canada.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116309297/en/

Melodie Elliott

Director, Content & Communications Marketing

Ryan

972.934.0022

[email protected]

Source: Ryan
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Academy Securities, a registered broker-dealer, certified Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE), and Minority Business Enterprise (MBE), today announced the addition of Susan Mills as Managing Director, Head of RMBS Capital Markets and Origination.

Ms. Mills brings a wealth of experience and expertise to the Academy Securities team, further strengthening the firm's commitment to delivering exceptional financial solutions to its institutional clients. Ms. Mills joins Academy from Citigroup, where she held numerous senior leadership positions related to residential mortgages, including whole loan transactions, securitization, warehouse lending and contract finance. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a commitment to integrity and a keen understanding of market dynamics.

"We are thrilled to welcome Susan to Academy," stated Chance Mims, Founder and CEO of Academy Securities, "Her extensive background aligns seamlessly with our mission to provide top-tier financial services to our clients. Susan's strategic insights and leadership will undoubtedly enhance our capabilities and further establish the firm as a key player in the institutional securitized markets.

Ms. Mills commented: "I am excited to be part of Academy Securities and to contribute to the firm's growth and success. I believe in the values and vision of Academy Securities, and I am eager to collaborate with the talented team to drive innovation and deliver unparalleled financial solutions to our clients.

Ms. Mills holds the FINRA Series 7, 24, 63, and 79 licenses.

Academy continues to expand its team with industry leaders to better serve its diverse client base. Ms. Mills' appointment reflects the firm's dedication to attracting top talent and reinforcing its position as a trusted partner in the financial services sector, stated Academys President Phil McConkey.

About Academy Securities

Academy Securities is a preeminent disabled veteran owned investment bank with strength in capital markets, public finance, fixed income, and equity trading. Leadership and staff have had intensive military training prior to entering and gaining in-depth financial services experience in global capital markets. We are mission driven with a high ethical code, a solid sense of accountability and strive for excellence in the pursuit of our clients success. Academy is our nations first post-9/11 disabled veteran owned investment bank and is certified as a DVBE, SDVOSB, and MBE. The firm has a strong top and middle tier client base served by a national platform with offices in New York, Chicago, San Diego, Chapel Hill, Louisville, Austin, Dallas, and Sacramento. Information about Academy Securities is available at www.academysecurities.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116993675/en/

Academy Securities

Michael Boyd, 646-736-3995

Chief Compliance Officer

[email protected]

Source: Academy Securities
71% of patients said that receiving fast and secure digital refunds would improve their overall satisfaction.

CHICAGO & PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Onbe, a leading corporate payouts platform, just published its Fall 2023 Healthcare Payments Survey revealing that patients are eager for healthcare providers to offer digital payment options, with 77% saying that making and receiving payments digitally would positively impact their relationship with their healthcare provider. Medical refunds are especially ripe for digitization, with 59% of patients receiving payments via check despite the high costs, risk and decreasing popularity of this payment method. By switching to modern payout solution, healthcare providers can maximize convenience and choice for patients and increase their overall satisfaction at a critical touchpoint.

The Onbe study, which polled 555 healthcare patients nationwide, discovered that when patients receive a medical refund due to overpayment or a billing error, the experience is often confusing and inconvenient. 58% of patients who had received a refund check said they were unsure of why they had received the payment. 57% have contended with a delayed, lost or incorrect payment from their healthcare provider. After experiencing a payment error, these patients cited inconveniences including financial burdens (41%) and extra time communicating with their provider to correct the issue (64%).

Digital payments have impacted nearly every facet of the consumer experience. Hospital networks and systems can benefit from seizing the opportunity to provide their patients with fast, secure and convenient payment experiences, said Melissa Hentschel, Onbes Chief Client Officer. Leveraging flexible, digital payment options allows providers to offer their recipients choice while reducing the complexities patients face when receiving their medical refunds.

Additional findings from Onbes Fall 2023 Healthcare Survey include:

Medical refunds can be confusing and the process can be intimidating, as 61% of patients are unsure when theyre entitled to a refund from their healthcare provider, and 57% of patients feel intimidated by their overall payment experience with their healthcare provider.

37% reported losing trust in their healthcare provider after experiencing a payment error.

77% of patients stated an improved payment or refund process would positively impact their overall experience with their healthcare provider.

Hospital networks and providers have an opportunity to better meet their patients preferences with modern payment experiences. Using Onbes payout gateway, providers can streamline and simplify their back-office refund processes, saving costs and labor while reducing payment errors. Leveraging choice-driven payment options, such as popular virtual cards, allows healthcare providers to deliver refunds quickly and securely, improving their patients experience at a crucial touchpoint.

You can learn more about Onbes healthcare payment solutions here.

About Onbe

With more than 25 years of industry experience and offices in Chicago, Philadelphia and London, Onbe is a fintech that manages and modernizes customer and workforce disbursements for corporate clients ranging from mid-market to the Fortune 500. Onbes team of experts and technology platform offers clients a turnkey solution to offload their entire B2C payment operations, relieving them of the cost, complexity and risk that come with orchestrating these payments in-house. Backed by top-tier investors, Onbe delivers on todays consumer expectations for instant, digital and seamless payments. To learn more, visit www.onbe.com and follow us on LinkedIn.

Methodology

The Fall 2023 Healthcare Survey is the third iteration of Onbes monthly payments market research survey. The purpose of this particular survey is to learn how consumers prefer to receive their healthcare refunds and better understand the challenges they currently face when receiving these payments. Respondents were asked to complete a survey with 22 questions during October of 2023. We received a total of 1,057 responses with a 53% qualifying rate, collected from across the United States and from demographics reflective of national diversity. Respondents must have been at least 18 years of age to qualify for the survey; another piece of qualifying criteria consisted of respondents needing to have received a utility payment.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116349552/en/

Joseph Netto, Sr. Director of Communications

[email protected]

Source: Onbe
Office of Military Affairs and employee resource group lead participation in Phoenix community event honoring veterans

PHOENIX--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- University of Phoenix is proud to share it was a Medal of Honor sponsor in support of the annual Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, managed and presented by the nonprofit Honoring Americas Veterans, and held Saturday, November 11, at 11:00 a.m. MST. The annual parade honored the service and sacrifices of U.S. military veterans and their families; this years parade theme was Never Forget, Forever Honor.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116271089/en/

A University of Phoenix balloon flies overhead during the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade, an annual event for which University of Phoenix is a Medal of Honor sponsor. The parade was held on November 11, 2023, in Phoenix, AZ. (Photo: Business Wire)

"The University of Phoenix remains committed to steadfastly supporting our military veterans, as we stand alongside our community in paying tribute to their unwavering service and sacrifices," shared Eric Ryan, Senior Director of the Office of Military and Veterans Affairs, and a proud veteran of the Marine Corps. "Our gratitude extends not only through dedicated events but also within the fabric of our university, with veterans contributing as valued members of our staff, faculty, and a vibrant employee resource group. As we mark this occasion, we are honored to help create meaningful experiences for veterans, acknowledging their crucial role in our university community and honoring the journey of our student veterans."

The University of Phoenix Office of Military and Veteran Affairs and Veterans Employee Resource Group (ERG) promotes the event to staff, students and faculty and provides volunteer support. The University of Phoenix parade entry features a large balloon and a team of veteran employees, family members and friends accompanying the float.

The event this year featured 3,000 marchers, 83 parade entries with 15 marching units, and 17 floats. Event coordinators estimate more than 45,000 spectators attended the event.

University of Phoenix serves the educational goals of veterans and military students, with specially trained staff to assist service members, veterans, and military spouses and dependents. In addition, University of Phoenix recently conducted a survey commissioned by the Harris Poll on behalf of University of Phoenix, where most U.S. military members (93%) agreed that mental health is as important as physical health, however a third of military members (33%) reported never seeking out professional counseling, despite the majority experiencing lack of sleep (69%) and anxiety (61%). The survey was part of a larger initiative by the University of Phoenix working with the nonprofit Give an Hour and other large employers to develop a Veterans Workforce Toolkit.

Veterans Day is a great time to think about the contributions veterans and former service members make in our workforce, as well as their skills, expertise and leadership. The toolkit provides a great opportunity for employers to reimagine their workforce approach to inclusion, mental health, and all the ways we can support our veterans, Ryan stated.

Learn more about the Phoenix Veterans Day Parade here.

About University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix innovates to help working adults enhance their careers and develop skills in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses, interactive learning, skills-mapped curriculum for our bachelors and masters degree programs and a Career Services for Life commitment help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. For more information, visit phoenix.edu.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116271089/en/

Michele Mitchum

University of Phoenix

[email protected]

Source: University of Phoenix
Round-the-clock support to assist customers and their employees with all their HR needs.

CHANDLER, Ariz.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- VensureHR a leading provider of HR, and Payroll services and a Vensure Employer Solutions company, announced the rollout of its 24/7 live support to provide round-the-clock assistance to its customers.

The VensureHR support team consisting of experienced and knowledgeable professionals is available to help customers and employees with a wide range of tasks, including:

Portal Maintenance: Profile management, password resets, W-2 questions, first-time registration, paystub support, I-9 approvals, and more.

Onboarding Support: Assistance with forms and submission issues.

Payroll Management: Paycheck and deduction inquiries, questions about pay slips and pay rate changes, payroll reporting, employee payroll accuracy support, and more.

Reporting: Standard reporting setup and guidance.

We remain true to our mission of continuously elevating our customer experience through our diverse range of services and technology offerings, said Alex Campos, CEO of Vensure Employer Solutions. VensureHR has built a longstanding reputation for its people-focused approach, a key element in instilling confidence in our customers. The introduction of 24/7 support is another example of the company's ongoing efforts to provide exceptional service.

Todays world operates very differently than what it used to be. As businesses grow, we understand the need for prompt assistance and ensure our customers can run operations smoothly around the clock. Not only do we make sure they get the help they need but we extend the same support to their employees," said Esta Pittard, chief operating officer of Vensure Employer Solutions. "The 24/7 Live Support, guarantees our customers that we're there whenever they need assistance, ensuring a seamless experience."

The addition of round-the-clock support is one of the first of its kind and is a testament to VensureHRs continued commitment to the success of its customers. 24/7 support is available by phone and ticketing system to empower customers and their employees to manage all HR functions and needs with ease. This will be an added advantage for administrators who can now manage tactical tasks at any time of day, and for employees who can address their benefit or payroll-related queries after work hours and receive prompt responses.

About VensureHR

VensureHR is the nations fastest-growing, privately held HR and payroll services provider serving small and medium businesses across the United States. As a business unit of Vensure Employer Solutions, the company offers industry-leading services in payroll, human resources, benefits, risk management, and workers compensation. VensureHR is committed to supporting small and medium businesses to achieve their business goals by reducing complexities around HR and employee management.

About Vensure Employer Solutions

Vensure Employer Solutions is the largest privately held organization in the HR technology and service sector, providing a comprehensive portfolio of solutions, including HR/HCM technology, managed services, and global business process outsourcing (BPO). The company and its service providers collectively serve over 95,000 businesses and process over $135B in annual payroll. As a One Employer Solution headquartered in Chandler, Arizona, Vensure helps thousands of businesses streamline and grow their operations with custom strategies that benefit employers and their employees. Find out more by visiting www.vensure.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116512967/en/

Media Contact:

Katy Caughman-Peacock

[email protected]

225-333-8206

Vensure Employer Solutions Contact Information:

To learn more about Vensure Employer Solutions, please contact:

[email protected]

Office: 800.409.8958

Source: Vensure Employer Solutions
NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Wealth Access, the leading customer data insights platform that unifies and enriches data to power hyper-personalized experiences for financial institutions, today released its most recent white paper, Marrying A.I. and Your Digital Experience: A Path to Futureproofing Your Firm.

This white paper explores the transformative power of AI in the world of finance, as well as how FIs can harness this emerging technology to enhance digital experiences, cultivate engaging client relationships, strengthen enterprise operations and maintain competitive advantage considering the looming generational wealth transfer.

Insights from this white paper include:

Understanding AI and its role as an ally in assisting financial institutions to transcend traditional boundaries, foster trust and craft unique experiences;

Effectively integrating modern solutions to deliver customized experiences;

Unifying customer information between siloed departments;

Monitoring transactions in real-time, ensuring compliance and flagging any potential breaches or unusual activity; and,

Attracting the next generation of customers via a data-centric environment that anticipates and satisfies their expectations.

Financial institutions are challenged to create engaging, memorable and seamless experiences for their customers and clients with resources that are not designed to do so, said David Benskin, founder and CEO of Wealth Access. AI bridges this gap and redefines how financial advisors operate, how institutions interact with their clients and how the industry, as a whole, perceives value creation.

Read the white paper here.

About Wealth Access

Wealth Access is an enterprise customer data insights platform that works with financial services existing books and records to enrich and unify data, generating deep insights that power hyper-personalized banking experiences. By intelligently unifying records across multiple systems, Wealth Access creates living balance sheets that enable service teams to see each clients complete financial story and work across business lines to improve customer loyalty and drive higher revenue. As a result of its innovative enterprise-class solutions, Wealth Access today supports more than 200 customers with over $571 billion in assets on the companys platform, including several of the largest banks in America.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116736673/en/

Gabriela Lumpkin // Angelo D. Jones II

[email protected] // [email protected]

678.781.7211 // 678.781.7230

Source: Wealth Access
WASHINGTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- The National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) has named William Whitman as its Director of Membership and Strategic Alliances.

Bringing with him two decades of experience in helping nonprofits achieve their missions, William will oversee NCPERS member recruitment and retention strategy while working to optimize services offered to best support the needs of the public pension community. He will also manage existing industry alliances and work to foster new relationships in order to further NCPERS mission to promote and protect pensions.

For the past 15 years, he has been directing member engagement and communications activities for 501(c)(3) organizations in the Washington, DC area, most recently serving as the Director, Member Engagement for the International Food Information Council. William has an extensive track record of creating impactful services and programs for a diverse range of member communities. "Finding the many great ideas that already exist among the members and then spreading those ideas around the community is something that I really enjoy. It's one of the most direct ways to deliver value and help members in their day-to-day," he said.

Commenting on the new hire, NCPERS Executive Director and Counsel, Hank Kim said, Were in the midst of an exciting period of growth, and were thrilled to have William on board to engage with both new and existing members. NCPERS is committed to adapting our membership services and educational offerings to fit the evolving needs of the public pension community, and he will play an integral role in these developments.

Over the past few years, NCPERS has rapidly expanded its membership benefits. Members can now take advantage of new virtual networking opportunities specifically designed for public pension HR and communications professionals; participate in a pilot program to help plans optimize recoveries from securities fraud cases; receive discounts on the PensionX digital platform; get access to in-depth compensation and benefits data in the Public Pension Compensation Survey; and more. This year, NCPERS also launched a new educational event, the Pension Communications Summit, and the Public Pension Communicator of the Year Award.

I'm extremely pleased to be joining the NCPERS team and proud to be supporting this important work to promote retirement security. Im looking forward to getting to know the current members and working to expand the organizations reach and impact, William said.

About NCPERS

The National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) is the largest trade association for public sector pension funds, representing approximately 500 plans, plan sponsors, and other stakeholders throughout the United States and Canada. Organized as a 501(c)(3) non-profit, it is a unique network of trustees, administrators, public officials, and investment professionals who collectively oversee approximately $4 trillion in retirement funds. Founded in 1941, NCPERS is the principal trade association working to promote and protect pensions by focusing on advocacy, research and education, including online learning, for the benefit of public sector pension stakeholders.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116078173/en/

Lizzy Lees

[email protected]

Source: National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems
Azul, Brazils largest airline, and Navitaire, an Amadeus company, have extended their agreement to use the Navitaire Airline Platform to strengthen the carriers digital capabilities and support its growing network. The renewal includes Navitaires New Skies digital retail platform, and its Digital Experience suite, Dynamic Pricing for Ancillaries, Travel Commerce, and GoNow Agent day-of-departure solutions.

Azul has grown to become the leading Brazilian low-cost carrier (LCC) with the largest route network in the country along with international services to the US, Europe, South America, and the Caribbean. Besides organic growth, Azul has established alliances and partnerships with a growing number of airlines and businesses aligned with its network and customer offerings. Azul is well poised to advance in Brazils burgeoning market with its combination of affordable fares, service-oriented culture, and unparalleled network.

The extension builds on Azul and Navitaires strong partnership in place since the carriers 2008 launch. The Navitaire Airline Platform helps Azul forge ahead in the key areas of scalability, digital, connections and innovation. Navitaires cloud-first platform offers the fast-growing carrier dynamic scalability to support its network expansion plans. The Digital Experience suite lets Azul create offerings that make it easy for both business and travelers to shop, buy and service travel from their preferred device. And using digital APIs, Azul can connect with virtually any airline or business partner to reach more travelers and offer tailored ancillaries, all using modern technology. These elements provide Azul an agile platform to explore opportunities and generate innovative ideas for new products for customers like its SkySofa and Economy Xtra.

Our partnership with Navitaire and its proven platform has enabled Azul to pursue our business plans, wherever we decide to go next, said Abhi Shah, President of Azul. Weve relied on its core capabilities including rich data and retail-first approach to help us continually adapt to lead in an evolving industry and deliver digital innovation to meet customer expectations.

Were honored to provide the innovative leaders at Azul with a flexible, scalable platform to fuel its plans and seize opportunities to grow, adapt and take Azul into the future, said David P. Evans, Navitaire CEO. Our close collaboration throughout our 15-year partnership reflects our shared commitment to leveraging customer-centric modern technology that lets Azul blend the traditional elements it needs with our digital-first, retail-first, cloud-first solutions while staying true to its efficient low-cost roots.
In the town of Selydove , Donetsk region, rescue and search operations continued for two days at the site of the destruction of a house hit by a Russian missile. As a result of the attack, 4 people were killed and 3 were injured.

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As of 11:50 a.m. on November 16 , the Telegram channel of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine reported that the body of the third victim had been pulled out of the rubble. Earlier it was reported that an 85-year-old woman and a 59-year-old man who lived in the house were killed in the attack. Also, 6 people were rescued from the rubble, including one child.

As of 12:40, the State Emergency Service reported that the body of the fourth victim of the occupiers' missile attack had been unblocked. At that time, rescuers had already dismantled 73 tons of destroyed building structures. Emergency rescue operations continued.

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The Office of the Prosecutor General also reported that the two victims, who were pulled from the rubble on November 16, were a couple of internally displaced persons aged 43 and 44. The couple moved to Selydove from the town of Hirnyk.

As of 18:00, the State Emergency Service reported that emergency rescue operations at the site of the enemy attack in Selydove were completed.

In total, 4 people were killed and 3 people were injured as a result of the attack. Dismantling of the emergency elements of the building is scheduled for November 17.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, an 85-year-old woman and a 59-year-old local resident who lived on the top floor of the destroyed four-story building were killed in the Russian attack. Access to the site of the shelling is restricted due to the possibility of concrete structures collapsing.

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Also on November 14, Russian terrorist forces attacked Nikopol, Dnipropetrovs'k region, with kamikaze drones. They sent three "chessmen" to the city.
Cyxtera (OTC: CYXTQ) today announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey has approved the sale of substantially all of the Companys assets to Brookfield Infrastructure Partners L.P. (NYSE: BIP) and its institutional partners (collectively Brookfield) and will confirm Cyxteras Plan of Reorganization.

We are pleased to be moving forward with our sale to Brookfield, which will provide Cyxtera with additional financial flexibility and enable us to benefit from Brookfields global infrastructure expertise, said Nelson Fonseca, Cyxteras Chief Executive Officer. Demand for our innovative data center services remains high, and we see significant opportunities ahead with our customers as we enter this next phase of growth.

As previously announced on November 1, 2023, Cyxtera entered into an asset purchase agreement (APA) with Brookfield for a sale of substantially all of the Companys assets. In connection with the APA, Brookfield entered agreements with certain of the Companys landlords to purchase the real estate underlying seven of Cyxteras U.S. data centers. Additionally, Cyxtera amended the terms of its leases at three U.S. sites and three international sites to allow it to exit those sites in 2024. Collectively, these transactions will strengthen and optimize Cyxteras data center portfolio, better positioning it for the long term.

Fonseca continued, Our partnership with Brookfield will strengthen our business, and we remain committed to ensuring the transition is as seamless as possible for all our stakeholders. We appreciate the continued support of our customers and partners throughout this process, and we thank our employees for their unwavering commitment to serving our customers.

Cyxtera expects to complete the transaction with Brookfield, subject to regulatory approval and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, and emerge from the court-supervised process in the first quarter of 2024.

Additional Information

Additional information regarding the Companys court-supervised process is available at www.CyxteraRestructuring.com. Court filings and other information related to the proceedings are available on a separate website administrated by the Companys claims agent, KCC, at www.kccllc.net/cyxtera; by calling KCC toll-free at (877) 726-6510, or (424) 236-7250 for calls originating outside of the U.S. or Canada; or by emailing KCC at [email protected].

Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel to Cyxtera, Guggenheim Securities, LLC is serving as financial advisor, and AlixPartners, LLP is serving as restructuring advisor. Moelis & Co. is serving as exclusive financial advisor to Brookfield on the acquisition of Cyxtera. Wells Fargo and TD Securities are serving as joint financial advisors to Brookfield on the acquisition of the real estate underlying seven Cyxtera data centers and the pro forma combined entity, and are providing committed debt financing for the broader transaction. Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is serving as Brookfields legal counsel.
FMC Corporation (NYSE: FMC) will host its Investor Day later today at FMC corporate headquarters in Philadelphia where the company will outline its long-range strategic growth plan, including updated long-term financial targets, a review of the company's R&D pipeline and a discussion about FMC's newest synthetic and biological product portfolios.

In addition, the company will further detail its restructuring plan and provide a preliminary outlook for 2024.

"We are confident our industry-leading R&D pipeline and history of driving profitability from existing molecules through patented formulation innovation, combined with our leading position in biologicals, will drive strong revenue and earnings growth through 2026 and beyond," said Mark Douglas , president and chief executive officer. "We're looking forward to sharing our strategy for the mid- and long-term today at our Investor Day."

Agenda and anticipated timing for Investor Day:

10:00 AM Business Showcase 12:30 PM Plenary session presentations and webcast begin 12:35 PM Mark Douglas (President, Chief Executive Officer) 12:55 PM Diane Allemang (Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing Officer) 1:25 PM Dr. Seva Rostovtsev (Vice President, Chief Technology Officer) 1:40 PM Ronaldo Pereira (Executive Vice President and President, Americas ) 1:55 PM Dr. Benedicte Flambard (Vice President, Plant Health) 2:10 PM Break 2:25 PM Thaisa Hugenneyer (Vice President, Procurement, Facilities & Logistics) 2:40 PM Andrew Sandifer (Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer) 3:10 PM Mark Douglas (President, Chief Executive Officer) 3:15 PM Q&A 4:00 PM Event ends
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Alibaba Group is lit up at its office building in Beijing, China August 9, 2021. REUTERS/Tingshu Wang/File Photo

By Casey Hall and Akash Sriram

(Reuters) -Alibaba Group has scrapped plans to spin-off its cloud business, citing uncertainties created by U.S. export curbs on chips used in artificial intelligence applications.

The U.S. decision last month to ban the export to China of more chips used in artificial intelligence (AI) has created major uncertainties for the country's big tech companies.

Tencent Holdings said on Wednesday it saw the curbs impacting its cloud services.

Thursday's announcement came alongside in-line second-quarter revenue from the Chinese e-commerce group, which in March had unveiled plans to carve out the cloud business as part of the biggest restructuring in its 24-year history.

The company also put on hold plans for an initial public offering of its Freshippo groceries business but said it would prepare external fundraising for its international digital commerce group arm.

Alibaba's logistics division, Cainiao applied to list in Hong Kong in September.

Alibaba's U.S.-listed shares were down 8.5% at market open.

"The market does not like surprises," Thomas Hayes, chairman at hedge fund Great Hill Capital said on the X social media platform.

"Investors had hoped to receive separate shares of the cloud business in hopes the segment could achieve a higher multiple in the public markets due to its growth potential."

Analysts had in March estimated the cloud division could be worth between $41-60 billion but had warned that its listing could attract scrutiny from both Chinese and overseas regulators due to the reams of data it manages.

In September, Alibaba's former group CEO Daniel Zhang abruptly quit just two months after concentrating his focus on cloud computing.

The company then appointed Eddie Wu, one of Alibaba Group's co-founders and long-time lieutenant of former chief Jack Ma, as both CEO of Alibaba and the cloud business. Zhang also handed the group chairmanship to another co-founder, Joseph Tsai.

"Alibaba will not pursue a full spin-off of Cloud Intelligence Group in light of uncertainties created by recent U.S. export restrictions on advanced computing chips," Tsai told analysts on a post-earnings call.

Instead the group would focus on growing the cloud business and providing investment for its AI drivers, he said.

The cloud unit will continue to maintain its independent operation, Wu added.

Regulatory filings also revealed on Thursday that Ma's family trust plans to sell 10 million American Depository Shares of Alibaba Group Holdings for about $871 million.

DEVELOPMENT STRATEGY

Wu, presenting Alibaba's earnings for the first time on the call, also detailed its future strategy, saying that each of its businesses would face the market more independently and that they would conduct a strategic review to distinguish between "core" and "non-core" businesses.

"Core businesses are where we will keep our long-term focus, intensively invest resources, pursue R&D, enhance user experience," he said. The Alibaba restructuring broke it up into six units, managed by the group as a holding firm.

"As for the non-core businesses, we will realise the value of these assets by turning them profitable as soon as possible or through other means of capitalisation."

They will also invest in and incubate innovative businesses for the future, he added, naming four units, including work communication and collaboration platform DingTalk and second-hand goods platform Xianyu as ones that will be allowed to operate as independent subsidiaries.

In September, he told staff that the tech giant's two main strategic focuses going forward will be "user first" and "AI-driven".

EARNINGS IN LINE

Alibaba reported second-quarter revenue of 224.79 billion yuan ($31.01 billion), in line with the 224.32 billion expected by analysts, LSEG data showed.

China's economic recovery has been uneven. While the industrial and the retail sectors have performed better than expected, the crisis-hit property sector has weighed on consumer confidence.

Customer management revenue from Alibaba's commerce retail, which tracks how much money merchants provide Alibaba for placements and promotions, grew 3% year-on-year. Alibaba asked merchants to price aggressively during the country's Singles Day festival taking on competitors such as Douyin and PDD Holdings' Pinduoduo which have been selling lower-cost products year-round.

Alibaba International Digital Commerce, a business that includes platforms such as Lazada and AliExpress, however reported a 53% rise in revenues, with retail revenue up 73% year-on-year. Analysts had predicted that strong international growth might help Alibaba offset a tepid domestic market. The cross-border platform environment has become more intensely competitive with the emergence of PDD Holdings-owned Temu.

($1 = 7.2481 Chinese yuan renminbi)

(Reporting by Akash Sriram in Bengaluru and Casey Hall in Shanghai; Writing by Brenda Goh; Editing by Sam Holmes, Arun Koyyur and Jane Merriman)
(Reuters) -The California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) on Thursday voted unanimously to pass the alternate proposed decision (APD) that would raise customer bills by nearly 13% in Pacific Gas and Electric's General Rate Case.

The state's biggest utility, PG&E, serves more than 16 million people across 70,000 square miles in Northern and Central California. The company in its General Rate Case review on revenue requirements for 2023-2026 moved to raise revenue by nearly 26% in the 2023 test year.

The APD set the 2023 revenue requirement at $13.52 billion, reflecting an 11% increase from 2022.

According to the regulator, customers would see an increase of $32.62 on their bills, compared with PG&E's request of $38.73.

PG&E had requested a near 15% increase in customer bills, saying it would invest more than half of the requested revenue requirement for its wildfire risk management plans.

CPUC judges had earlier suggested raising revenue by 11% or 13% from 2022.

However, PG&E said in October this year it does not see either decisions suggested by the CPUC as sufficient, adding it was falling short of providing the funding to accomplish the necessary safety work it has proposed on behalf of customers.

One of the main wildfire mitigation efforts PG&E has been undertaking is undergrounding, or burying power lines. This lessens the need for public safety power shutoffs  a last resort during dry, windy conditions to reduce the risk of sparking a wildfire.

In 2021, PG&E had said it would bury 10,000 miles of power lines in high-risk fire zones as a safety measure after its equipment caused multiple destructive wildfires over several years.

So far in 2023, the company said 197 miles of powerlines had been undergrounded and energized as of Oct. 30. The end-of-the-year target is 350 miles.

The APD has authorized 1,230 miles of undergrounding.

(Reporting by Seher Dareen in Bengaluru; Editing by Shilpi Majumdar)
FILE PHOTO: A Wells Fargo logo is seen in New York City, U.S. January 10, 2017. REUTERS/Stephanie Keith/File Photo

(Reuters) - U.S. regulators are pushing Wells Fargo to improve its monitoring system to detect criminal activity at the bank, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday, citing people with knowledge of the matter.

Regulators were focused on the bank's consumer-watching systems broadly, not any specific client or event, the report said.

Wells Fargo declined to respond to Reuters request for comment.

The lender has been working to fix its compliance, and repair the damage from a scandal over its sales practices that erupted in 2016. Its efforts, however, have at times come under renewed criticism following probes into unrelated matters.

Despite its efforts to repair the flaws identified by regulators, a public penalty has not been ruled out for the bank, the WSJ report said.

Wells Fargo is also facing a lawsuit claiming it allowed Matthew Beasley, a Las Vegas attorney, to operate an alleged Ponzi scheme.

The bank denied in court filings that "it had actual knowledge of, or provided assistance to, any alleged wrongdoing by Beasley," according to the report.

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
Modular steel structure enables rapid restoration of damaged crossing on critical route

PARSIPPANY, N.J., Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Acrow, a leading international bridge engineering and supply company, has announced one of its modular steel bridges has been installed as a long-term detour solution to maintaining traffic flow during a bridge renovation project in a suburb of the Italian city of Vicenza. Prior to the opening of the Acrow 700XS bridge, motorists had been required to detour 1215 kilometers around the site.



The Ponte di Debba, a historic cast iron structure, was built in 1885 and carries traffic over the Bacchiglione River in the village of Debba. At inspection in the summer of 2022, the bridge was found to have structural problems and was immediately closed to motor vehicles. In addition to the unreasonable length of the detour required, the route closure created other important concerns including reducing the increased volume of detoured traffic entering Vicenza; preserving access to the A4 motorway toll gate; and maintaining local traffic, including emergency responders. For these reasons, the Municipality of Vicenza, owner of the structure, opted to install an Acrow panel bridge to restore the route safely and reliably during the complete rehabilitation of the old structure.

The single-lane structure has a length of 30.48 meters and a roadway width of 3.67 meters. It has an epoxy aggregate deck surface and a design load of 44 metric tonnes as per the Eurocode/Italian Standard. The Acrow components arrived at the site on July 10, 2023, and installation activities commenced three days later. The fully decked bridge was launched with a 70 metric tonne crane on July 17, and after testing and installation of traffic lights and signage, the bridge was commissioned and opened to traffic on August 2. Acrow provided technical assistance during the assembly and supported live load testing activities prior to the bridge commissioning.

Despite the speed and success of the installation, undertaken by project contractor Carraro Impresa, the project posed numerous complexities. The assembly area was extremely tight and situated between the main roadway, a bank of the river, and a protected pedestrian path, which was required to remain open during the installation. The site also contained high-voltage utility wires which needed to be avoided. Because of the heavy traffic on the adjacent roadway, it could not be closed, resulting in the completion of temporary works to increase the rigging area for the crane being limited to a single weekend.

Preliminary feasibility studies including digital renderings to support the project planning process were provided by Acrow to illustrate placement of the temporary modular bridge near to the existing one. The Acrow bridge will remain in place for the duration of the project to rehabilitate the old structure, at which point it will be dismantled by Carraro Impresa and stored for future use.

This was a challenging project, but very rewarding, said Acrow Italys Business Development and Project Manager, Marco Mazzucato. Acrows durable modular steel solution was able to restore the crossing, minimizing longtime inconvenience to local and regional travelers. For the duration of the rehabilitation project, Acrows 700XS modular steel bridge will provide safe and reliable service with minimal requirements.

Acrow has a long history of engineering and providing innovative solutions to rapidly restore damaged or destroyed bridge infrastructure, added Paul Sullivan, President  International Business at Acrow. Our bridges are designed and manufactured with high-strength galvanized U.S. steel for a service life of 75-100 years, but are also an ideal solution for emergency and temporary detour applications.

About Acrow

Acrow has been serving the transportation and construction industries for more than 70 years with a wide range of modular steel bridging solutions for permanent, temporary, military and emergency use. Acrows extensive international presence includes leadership in the development and implementation of bridge infrastructure projects in over 150 countries across Africa, Asia, the Americas, Europe and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.acrow.com.

Media contact:

Tracy Van Buskirk

Marketcom PR

Main: (212) 537-5177, ext. 8; Mobile: (203) 246-6165

[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2490f6d2-53bb-47a7-b724-934be1c261de
VICTORIA, British Columbia, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- UFCW Canada welcomes todays announcement regarding rights for app-based workers from Minister Bains, Parliamentary Secretary Routledge and the British Columbia government. The announcement will see much needed action on ensuring the rights of rideshare and delivery workers in British Columbia, including minimum wage provisions and key health and safety rights.

Todays announcement could be the first meaningful legislation passed by any provincial government in Canada for app-based workers, says Paul Meinema, National President of UFCW Canada. Providing a minimum wage of 120% is a definite win for these workers and was a key ask of drivers and delivery people, as was the right to workplace health and safety provisions.

UFCW Canada and its local unions have long been calling on all provincial governments to legislate key labour rights and protections for app-based workers for more than five years. These rights and protections include a minimum earnings standard, the right to join a union and engage in collective bargaining, a benefit fund, occupational health and safety, notice of termination or pay in lieu and for drivers to retain their ability to work on multiple platforms. This is based on thousands of conversations with app-based workers since beginning this work.

Todays announcement from the B.C. government is a big step forward in protecting app-based workers. However, a pooled benefit fund funded by all the platforms in this sector still is crucially needed, says Meinema. UFCW Canada will continue to advocate for such a benefit fund and push all governments to address the needs of all gig-workers.

UFCW Canada represents Uber rideshare and delivery workers across the country. To date, UFCW Canada has had over 20,000 conversations with drivers and delivery across the country and have successfully helped over 500 drivers in reactivation and other workplace place issues. UFCW Canada and its local unions were the first to file cases on behalf of Uber drivers with labour boards in British Columbia and Ontario.

For further information, please contact: UFCW Canada [email protected] 416-675-1104

Source: UFCW Canada
TORONTO and MELBOURNE, Australia, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Banxa Holdings Inc. (TSXV: BNXA) (OTCQX: BNXAF) (FSE: AC00) ("Banxa" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has completed the payment in full of the final buyout amount of senior secured debt pursuant a convertible security funding agreement (the Funding Agreement) with Lind Global Fund II (Lind) announced on October 17, 2022. The buyout amount was paid in cash via the funds raised in the private placement announced on October 10, 2023. The payments remitted since inception total less than the face value of the Funding Agreement, being CAD$4.2M.

This milestone has strengthened and de-risked Banxas capital structure by removing restrictive covenants, reducing the cost of capital for future financing and returning flexibility to the balance sheet. Banxa can now pursue lower cost of capital to support its growing transaction volume and continued geographic expansion.

I am extremely pleased for Banxa to have completed this buyout as it enables Banxa to be in control of its own destiny. Banxa is now well positioned for its next stage of growth, said Chairman and CEO, Holger Arians. We fully expect for digital assets to keep growing, and Banxa is now in a stronger position to take advantage of the catalysts to come in 2024 and beyond.

Banxa is working through the process of terminating the Funding Agreement, which will be completed once the general security over the Company held by Lind is removed with the appropriate security counsels in the various jurisdictions.

CONTACTS

Investors:Zafer Qureshi[email protected]

ENDS

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORSPer: "Zafer QureshiZafer Qureshi = Director and Head, Corporate Affairs, +1 416-347-4192

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains statements including forward-looking information (Forward-looking statements). Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the date of the Meeting. In making the forward-looking statements in this release, the Company has applied certain factors and assumptions that the Company believes are reasonable, including that the Company will hold the Meeting on the expected date. However, the forward-looking statements in this release are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause future results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such uncertainties and risks may include, among others that the Company will hold the Meeting on the expected date. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation to, update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Source: Banxa Holdings Inc.
CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bectran, Inc., the industry leader in innovative, cutting-edge technology for credit, collections and accounts receivable management, is pleased to announce the appointment of Nerissa Naidu and Jay Readey to its Board of Directors. Bectran has made these strategic appointments to strengthen its board governance, with a focus on growth and technological innovation in forthcoming years.

Nerissa Naidu has served as a board member to multiple businesses globally over the last 6 years. Her directive is to advise on the overall ESG, technology enablement, and revenue generation strategies as businesses grow or gain strategic funding. She brings a breadth of financial services expertise, having filled numerous senior executive roles, to open, manage and grow global businesses. Additionally, Nerissa has extensively navigated cross-border working environments and regulators including the Fed. Most recently she has been appointed to the Advisory Board for the Export Import bank of the United States in 2022, a US federal agency operating within the executive branch of the President. Nerissa holds an MBA from the New York University, Stern School of Business, and a bachelors in industrial engineering from the Durban University of Technology.

Were excited to bring Nerissa on. Her diverse global experience, most recently at AIG and Accenture, will help expand our mission and propel Bectran to a new level of revenue growth, said Bectran CEO Louis Ifeguni. She brings a breadth of innovative expertise, including co-founding a fintech company, that is creating a smart wallet for small businesses.

Growing companies with a profile as esteemed as Bectran is always an exciting challenge. I am looking forward to amplifying innovation as a basis for its accelerated expansion, while supporting the board in developing robust corporate governance, said Nerissa Naidu.

Jay Readey is a lawyer, consultant and social entrepreneur. Jay founded and serves as President and CEO of The MetroAlliance, a Chicago-based social venture focused on neighborhood transformation. Through a mix of for-profit strategies and nonprofit initiatives, The MetroAlliance focuses on strengthening dynamic metropolitan communities. Jay also practices law with Ginsberg Jacobs LLC, focused on complex community development finance, and teaches as an adjunct professor of housing and community development law at DePaul University School of Law. Jay is member of the inaugural 2015 class of Presidential Leadership Scholars through the Bush and Clinton Presidential Libraries and Foundations. Jay is a graduate of Yale College, received a JD from Yale Law School and earned an MBA from the Yale School of Management.

Jays dedication to the diverse neighborhoods of Chicago demonstrates his belief in the power of community, said Bectran CEO Louis Ifeguni. We know his breadth of knowledge, fostered by his experience practicing complex community development finance, will bring about a renewed entrepreneurial spirit to Bectran.

Im excited to bring my business-driven transformational strategies to the Bectran leadership, ensuring that we leverage all avenues to bolster our market position, Jay comments.

About Bectran Bectran, the industry leading SaaS platform, has grown rapidly over the years to become the companion toolkit for the credit department just as CRM is for the sales department. From simple to complex organizations and SMEs to Fortune 500 companies, Bectran has helped companies cut down the time to process and approve credit by over 90% while significantly lowering the risk of credit defaults and the cost of collections.

Contact:Julia Oakson224-231-4160[email protected]

Source: Bectran Inc.
Accra, Ghana, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- On November 16th, the blockchain mining platform Pacminer announced the establishment of a Charity Employment Foundation to assist impoverished children, the elderly, and the unemployed across the entire African region, with a special emphasis on supporting the Ghanaian market. The plan is to invest over 20 million USD in Ghana over the next three years. The initial 5 million USD will be primarily used for poverty alleviation and employment solutions, while the remaining funds will be allocated to support local education, culture, health, youth development, aid for vulnerable groups, and disaster relief.

Charity is a crucial element in the inheritance of corporate culture, philosophy, and values. Since its establishment, Pacminer has actively organized various charitable relief activities, continuously gathering more hope and realizing more dreams, and promoting a culture of gratitude and interaction. The establishment of the foundation will better construct a more vibrant philanthropic model. Through efficient operations, it can set an exemplary effect and drive the charity sector in the African region into a new era that is more professional, transparent, and credible.

Charity is an ongoing and essential activity. Pacminer has established a specialized foundation, which, through recruitment and election procedures, has selected a team of 200 members with extensive experience and professional knowledge. This team is composed of professionals from various fields, including business elites, social activists, and academic experts, ensuring professional guidance for the foundation's goals, such as donating supplies to orphanages, welfare institutions, poverty-stricken areas, and nursing homes.

Pacminer has announced that it will ensure the completion of 50 charitable donation activities in Ghana each month, to promote human rights. To guarantee the authenticity of these activities, Pacminer will also regularly visit the assisted areas and meet with partners to discuss the progress of the activities and visit the beneficiaries.

Pacminer has established a system specifically for the foundation's financial circulation, ensuring that funds belonging to or raised by the foundation are stored in a special charity foundation account approved by the board of directors. This account is not allowed to hold funds outside of the charity foundation or be used for other purposes. The Pacminer board of directors conducts a specialized audit of the foundation's fund usage every six months and discloses this information in Pacminer's annual and semi-annual reports.

Over the past few years, Pacminer has emerged as a highly noticed digital currency mining company, earning recognition and trust from millions of users worldwide due to its outstanding market performance and quality service. To further demonstrate its commitment to the charitable foundation, the platform actively explores and practices ways to increase mining profits. This indirectly provides job opportunities and integrates the concept of charity into everyday life, ensuring that charitable actions are effectively implemented.

The Pacminer Charity Employment Foundation was successfully established on November 12, 2023, receiving sponsorship from relevant departments and entrepreneurs in the United States and the United Kingdom, along with legal certification. The foundation is established as a "Non-Profit Organization" with a primary focus on assisting impoverished populations in Africa. This certificate is legal and valid, and those participating in the charity foundation's work will be protected and specially recognized by Pacminer.

"Charity is an important way to enhance social civilization. If everyone participates in charitable activities, it creates an inspiring social atmosphere. Therefore, Pacminer hopes to act alongside globally renowned charity organizations and media, and welcomes more organizations and compassionate individuals to join and promote social civilization," said a representative of the Pacminer Foundation.

A representative from the Ghanaian government's charity department stated, "With its robust mining infrastructure and innovative technical services, Pacminer not only assists partners in achieving exceptional growth but also creates immense social value for the Ghanaian market. They have set a global standard and established the Charity Employment Foundation, which benefits African children and unemployed individuals, expanding the influence of the mining platform internationally and aiding the global advancement of sustainable charitable endeavors."

The above information regarding the Charity Employment Foundation and charitable donations is authentic and effective. In case of falsehood, Pacminer will bear all related responsibilities. "Changing Ghana and creating a more beautiful life, Pacminer is in action."

Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, or intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing in or trading securities and cryptocurrency.

Shirley Jones Pacminer Blockchain Technology Co.,Ltd. service(at)pacminer.com

Source: Pacminer
On November 16, the temporarily occupied Crimea reported an attack by "Ukrainian" drones, which were allegedly successfully targeted by Russian air defense. However, explosions were heard on the peninsula again later.

ADVERTISIMENT

In particular, it was loud in Sevastopol, according to Crimean publics. Some said they saw a missile fly over there.

Thus, supporters of the occupiers reported explosions in the city around seven in the morning on Thursday. In local chats, they wrote about it briefly: "Loud".

It was also noted that in the central part of Sevastopol, the sounds were similar to "launches from reactive bombers".

The Crimean Wind Telegram channel quoted subscribers as saying that a missile flew over occupied Sevastopol at the same time and an explosion was also heard.

However, the Russian Defense Ministry had issued a response even before these events, claiming that air defense intercepted three UAVs over the Black Sea near the peninsula's coast at night.

ADVERTISIMENT

As reported by OBOZ.UA, the Russian occupiers began moving ships to Tuapse in the Russian Federation. This happened after a successful attack by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine on the Black Sea Fleet vessels in Crimea.

Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
The innovative dual bucket system separates clean and dirty water, streamlining the cleaning process for quicker results and more sparkling floors this holiday season

RANCHO CUCAMONGA, Calif., Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- With the holiday hosting season underway, Casabella, the maker of simply beautiful cleaning tools that bring harmony to your home and life, is demonstrating how ultimate hosts can best prepare to welcome guests into their homes: the Clean Water Spin Mop. The spin mop, which features a unique dual bucket system that removes 99% of bacteria when used with clean water, allows users to clean more efficiently and with less effort than a traditional mop  making holiday home prep all the more simple.



During this time of year when hosts are entertaining guests more frequently than usual, its no surprise that home floors are attracting even more dirt and dust. To combat the increased debris, its essential to use a mop that not only achieves a more thorough clean, but one that helps simplify the process. The Casabella Clean Water Spin Mop is a design-forward tool that provides a deep clean for all floor types and even has a designated anti-scratch scraper to ensure that surfaces are clean. With convenient built-in features, the spin mop will make for a quicker and less stressful holiday hosting experience, so that hosts can enjoy more time with their friends and loved ones and less time worrying about keeping their homes looking fresh.

From snowy, muddy footprints to wet paw prints, the Clean Water Spin Mop is equipped to handle messes of all types and boasts an impressive list of features:

Dual bucket system that allows for the separation of clean and dirty water and removable splash guard

Easy-to-use pedal spin design

Built-in cleaning solution ratio cup that helps get the ratio right to save cleaning solution

Double handles that combine to form one with a comfortable grip for easy carrying

Nesting bucket system that promotes easy storage  especially ideal for compact spaces



Casabella is proud to offer helpful tools that simplify the cleaning process, said Tom Barber, SVP of Marketing and Product Development. During the holidays, our homes experience a greater amount of foot traffic, with family and friends coming in and out at a seemingly constant rate. But with the Clean Water Spin Mop, holiday hosts no longer have to sacrifice time away from the fun to achieve a deep clean. From the convenient two-bucket system that separates clean and dirty water, to the portable design that allows for easy transport from room to room, presenting a perfectly prepared home just became that much easier.

The Casabella Clean Water Spin Mop is holiday party-ready in a design-forward dual-tone blue color palette that beautifully accompanies a variety of sleek and modern home designs. The ultimate buy for hosts everywhere, the Spin Mop is available for purchase now in stores and online at Target , Walmart and Amazon .

About Casabella

In 1988, Bruce Kaminstein fell in love with a mop while vacationing in Italy, away from managing the family hardware store in Manhattan. He ordered a container and had them shipped back to NYC. The success of the beautiful and functional mop led Bruce on a mission to create cleaning tools that looked as good as they performed. Through innovation, commitment and passion, Casabella delivers beautiful products to make the world a cleaner place. For more information, visit www.casabella.com.

Media Contact

Desiree Dozier

[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/5bd4ef6d-016e-44f0-81da-a672c2cb7a2f
Townsend, Tennessee, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Company Distilling is proud to debut two new spirits to please whiskey enthusiasts everywhere. These two distinct flavors, Straight Tennessee Whiskey Finished with Apple Wood and Straight Rye Whiskey Finished with Cherry Wood, offer a unique twist on classic whiskey, each with its distinctive profile.

The Straight Tennessee Whiskey Finished with Apple Wood is a delightful blend of rich and complex aromas, including cinnamon, nutmeg, and golden raisins. The smooth blend of vanilla, cinnamon, cloves, and plums will surely please the palate and provide a unique and unforgettable drinking experience. The soft and warm oak finish complements this Tennessee Whiskey's subtle flavors and adds a layer of complexity to the overall taste profile. Mellowed through maple charcoal, matured in charred white oak, and finished with toasted apple wood, this finely aged spirit celebrates the whiskey-making heritage of our state. Through the Lincoln County Process, this recipe explores some of the diversity of fruit and hardwood trees in Tennessee. 750ml | Proof: 86.5 | ABV: 43.25%

On the other hand, the Straight Rye Whiskey Finished with Cherry Wood offers a bold nose that includes rye grass, black licorice, oak, and vanillagreeting the palate with mint, dark cherry, black pepper, and leather flavors, which rest easy on the tongue. The warm and lingering hints of toasted cherry and oak wood perfectly finish this unique and flavorful Straight Rye Whiskey. This spirit will surely be a favorite among those who appreciate a robust and complex whiskey profile. 750ml | Proof: 100 | ABV: 50%

"We measure our success not just by the number of bottles sold but by the experience of those who savor our award-winning spirits," said Jeff Arnett, Founder and Master Distiller. "Our new flagship spirits strike the perfect balance of approachability and complexity, catering to both new and seasoned whiskey drinkers at a reasonable price point. When people taste our spirits, they know they're getting something special and unique."

Company Distilling's attention to detail is evident in every sip, and whiskey enthusiasts will appreciate these spirits' unique flavors and quality. Whether enjoyed neat or mixed into a cocktail, Straight Tennessee Whiskey Finished with Apple Wood and Straight Rye Whiskey Finished with Cherry Wood will impress and provide another reason for friends and family to gather around.

The Straight Tennessee Whiskey, Finished with Apple Wood, and Straight Rye Whiskey Finished with Cherry Wood, are available at Company Distilling's tasting room and bottle shop in Thompson's Station and Townsend, Tennessee. As well as in local liquor stores across the state of Tennessee. Both spirits are available for sampling during the premium tasting experience. Company Distilling encourages distillery guests to pre-book the tasting experiences to ensure availability.

About Company Distilling

Company Distilling is based in the Great Smoky Mountains of East Tennessee. It was founded by a group of friends with a history of building distilleries, crafting exceptional spirits, and bringing people together.

Kris Tatum and Jeff Arnett have changed the course of distilling over the last 20 years and look forward to continuing to do so with the formation of Company Distilling.

So, when you pour a glass of Company, you're experiencing something new. But one sip and you'll know it's not their first go around.

Company Distilling | Instagram | Facebook

Attachments

Courtney DeLaura Company Distilling 986-805-6177 [email protected]

Source: Company Distilling
Indianapolis, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Complete College America (CCA), a national nonprofit organization tasked with raising postsecondary attainment in the United States, released a new set of resources for colleges and universities to navigate generative artificial intelligence (AI). CCAs new AI playbook, Attainment with AI: Making a Real Difference in College Completion with Artificial Intelligence, and the accompanying position paper, The AI Divide: Equitable Applications of AI in Higher Education to Advance the Completion Agenda, lay out the potential of using AI to equalize and scale access to a college degree and the accompanying individual, economic, and societal benefits.

AI is reshaping so many facets of modern life, and though there are challenges, we must look at the opportunities it brings, especially when it comes to student success and college completion strategies, said Yolanda Watson Spiva, Ph.D., president of Complete College America. Our new AI resources provide a roadmap for creating new capacity at campuses of every size and financial situation. We are keeping our eye toward the future, always grounded in our mission and commitment to equitable college access; the AI playbook and equity paper are exactly the type of resources that will propel equitable access to postsecondary credentials.

The rapid growth of AI has started to reshape industries in numerous sectors, with organizations that have adopted generative AI seeing its benefits. As recent surveys indicate that more than 30% of students already use AI technology in the classroom, most conversations around AI focus on questions about its use in the classroom. Still, few resources exist to provide higher education institutions with a roadmap to use AI to build up student support and increase efficiency on campuses so that faculty and staff find additional time to provide direct support to students.

The new AI playbook from CCA and its partnering paper on AI and equity in higher education offer specific steps that institutions and policymakers can take to increase college attainment and, through that goal, close national racial and socioeconomic gaps.

The strategies and policies that increase student success arent a mysterybut scaling those strategies and policies is a challenge for many institutions because of resource constraints, Vistasp Karbhari, a past president of the University of Texas at Arlington, said. As AI continues to grow, it has the potential to begin leveling the playing field across higher education; however, we must ensure that all institutions have the technology, expertise, and financial resources to access and implement technological advances such as generative AI. Only then will we be able to unleash the true scalability of these tools to address the inequities of access and attainment.

Karbhari, a Complete College America Fellow who is currently a faculty member at UT Arlington and serves on the CCA board, was among the leaders who developed the AI playbook and equity paper in partnership with Complete College America. Audrey Ellis, founder of T3 Advisory, also co-authored the papers in partnership with Complete College America.

The equity paper lays out the development and convening of a new advisory council, the Complete College America Council on Equitable AI in Higher Education, to represent a diverse group of higher education stakeholders, including those who have been historically excluded from conversations about postsecondary policy, product, and funding decisions. The Council will consult with large technology companies to bridge partnerships between institutions often overlooked when rolling out new technologies.

The AI playbook offers ideas and new applications that AI colleges and universities can use to increase college opportunity and completion. It includes actionable steps that institutions can take immediately, in the near and long term, while providing sample prompts to use with generative AI chatbot technology. The playbook highlights three operational areas where institutions can implement generative AI-based solutions: organizational effectiveness, teaching and learning, and student experience.

The playbook and equity paper are instruments that higher education professionals and practitioners can put into immediate use to accelerate equity, access, and completion on their campuses, Ellis said. Creating a landscape where colleges and universities can unleash the power of AIalbeit with cautions to keep in mindto transform their institutions and uplift their students.

The new AI resources are among the latest emerging technology guidance from CCA. The organization was among the first to showcase technological innovation in service of student success and completion through the CCA Technology Seal of Approval in 2016, which recognized specific software tools to support its Game Changer strategies.

###

About Complete College America:Established in 2009, Complete College America is a bold national advocate for dramatically increasing college completion rates and closing institutional performance gaps. We are committed to college success for every student, recognizing that barriers to degree attainmentrooted in structural racism and inequalityhave a disproportionate effect on Black, Latinx, first-generation, adult, and low-income learners. Our work focuses on advancing strategies that give all students the purpose, momentum, structure, and support they need to build on their talents and succeed in college and beyond.

About T3 Advisory:T3 Advisory, founded by Audrey Ellis, partners with higher education institutions and national organizations to chart a strategic path forward in todays complex landscape of technology and postsecondary student success. Our work leverages data analysis, strategic planning, and process improvement to build capacity for sustainable change.

Media Relations Complete College America (317) 829-0483 [email protected]

Source: Complete College America
Buffalo Plains is expected to be fully operational by December 2024 and will, once completed, be the largest onshore wind farm constructed in Canada.

CALGARY, Alberta and COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners (CIP), on behalf of its Copenhagen Infrastructure IV (CI IV) fund, has begun construction on Buffalo Plains, a 495 MW wind farm consisting of 83 Siemens-Gamesa turbines located in Vulcan County, Alberta.

CIP acquired Buffalo Plains in 2022 from ABO Wind. During construction, the project will create approximately 250 full-time jobs and, once operational, will produce enough clean energy to power more than 240,000 homes, providing substantial economic and environmental benefits to the province of Alberta.

Borea, Canadas leading renewable energy construction company, will be responsible for the construction of the project. Amazon, the technology company based in Seattle, Washington, has signed a power purchase agreement to procure 415 MW of output from Buffalo Plains.

We are pleased to announce the start of construction on the Buffalo Plains wind project, an important step in expanding our portfolio of best-in-class renewable energy projects in North America, said Tim Evans, partner and Head of North America at CIP. This premier project demonstrates CIPs unique ability to execute on large and complex infrastructure projects that will provide local jobs and clean, renewable wind energy for many years to come.

Buffalo Plains represents CIPs second successful investment in Canada, following its investment in Travers Solar  Canadas largest solar project  which completed construction in 2022. Buffalo Plains is an important part of the 29 GW+ portfolio of renewable generating assets  including offshore wind, onshore wind, solar PV, battery storage, pumped storage hydro, and transmission  that CIP has in development, construction or operation across North America.

Norton Rose Fulbright and FIH Partners supported CIP on the transaction.

About Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners

Founded in 2012, Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners P/S (CIP) today is the worlds largest dedicated fund manager within greenfield renewable energy investments and a global leader in offshore wind. The funds managed by CIP focus on investments in offshore and onshore wind, solar PV, biomass and energy-from-waste, transmission and distribution, reserve capacity, storage, advanced bioenergy, and Power-to-X.

CIP manages 11 funds and has to date raised approximately EUR 26 billion for investments in energy and associated infrastructure from more than 150 international institutional investors. CIP has approximately 400 employees and 12 offices around the world. For more information, visit www.cip.com
FALCON OIL & GAS LTD.

(Falcon or Company))

Filing of Interim Financial Statements

16 November 2023 - Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. (TSXV: FO, AIM: FOG) announces that it has filed its interim financial statements for the three and nine months ended 30 September 2023 and the accompanying Managements Discussion and Analysis (MD&A).

The following should be read in conjunction with the complete unaudited unreviewed interim financial statements and the accompanying MD&A for the three and nine months ended 30 September 2023, which are available on the Canadian System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR+) at www.sedarplus.ca and on Falcons website at www.falconoilandgas.com

2023 financial highlights and other financial updates

Debt free with cash of US$14.1 million at 30 September 2023 (31 December 2022: US$16.8 million).

Continued focus on cost management and the efficient operation of the portfolio.

Related Party Transaction

The Company has amended the employment contract of Philip OQuigley, Falcons Chief Executive Officer, to increase the payment due under the change of control provision from one year to three years base salary (the Transaction). The Remuneration Committee believes this change will more align Mr. O Quigleys remuneration with the strategic objectives and the shareholders interests.

The Transaction is deemed to be a related party transaction for the purposes of the AIM Rules for Companies. The independent Directors (being all directors other than Mr. OQuigley) consider, having consulted with the Companys nominated adviser, Cavendish Capital Markets Limited, that the terms of the Transaction are fair and reasonable insofar as the Companys shareholders are concerned.

Ends

CONTACT DETAILS:



Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. +353 1 676 8702 Philip O'Quigley, CEO +353 87 814 7042 Anne Flynn, CFO +353 1 676 9162



Cavendish Capital Markets Limited (NOMAD & Joint Broker) Neil McDonald / Derrick Lee +44 131 220 9771 Tennyson Securities (Joint Broker) Peter Krens +44 20 7186 9033





Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Loss

(Unaudited)

Three months ended 30

September 2023

$000 Three months ended 30

September 2022

$000 Nine months ended 30

September 2023

$000 Nine months ended 30

September 2022

$000 Revenue Oil and natural gas revenue - - - - - - - - Expenses Exploration and evaluation expenses (39) (29) (129) (106) General and administrative expenses (739) (542) (1,914) (2,226) Foreign exchange gain / (loss) 38 (116) 85 (290) (740) (687) (1,958) (2,622) Results from operating activities (740) (687) (1,958) (2,622) Finance income 43 10 155 15 Finance expense (352) (145) (647) (288) Net finance expense (309) (135) (492) (273) Loss and comprehensive loss for the period (1,049) (822) (2,450) (2,895) Loss and comprehensive loss attributable to: Equity holders of the company (1,046) (822) (2,444) (2,894) Non-controlling interests (3) - (6) (1) Loss and comprehensive loss for the period (1,049) (822) (2,450) (2,895) Loss per share attributable to equity holders of the company:



Basic and diluted (0.001 cent) (0.001 cent) (0.002 cent) (0.003 cent)





Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Financial Position

(Unaudited)

At 30 September

2023

$000 At 31 December

2022

$000 Assets Non-current assets Exploration and evaluation assets 46,140 42,977 Property, plant and equipment 4 7 Trade and other receivables 24 20 Restricted cash 2,086 2,090 48,254 45,094 Current assets Cash and cash equivalents 14,154 16,785 Trade and other receivables 94 79 14,248 16,864 Total assets 62,502 61,958 Equity and liabilities Equity attributable to owners of the parent Share capital 402,120 402,120 Contributed surplus 47,339 47,063 Retained deficit (406,304) (403,860) 43,155 45,323 Non-controlling interests 695 701 Total equity 43,850 46,024 Liabilities Non-current liabilities Decommissioning provision 15,611 15,602 15,611 15,602 Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses 3,041 332 3,041 332 Total liabilities 18,652 15,934 Total equity and liabilities 62,502 61,958





Interim Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cashflows



(Unaudited)



Nine months ended 30 September 2023

$000 2022

$000 Cash flows from operating activities Net loss for the period (2,450) (2,895) Adjustments for: Share based compensation 276 630 Depreciation 3 4 Net finance expense 482 273 Effect of exchange rates on operating activities (85) 290 Change in non-cash working capital: Increase in trade and other receivables (19) (20) Decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses (36) (68) Net cash used in operating activities (1,829) (1,786) Cash flows from investing activities Interest received 165 15 Exploration and evaluation assets (647) (70) Net cash used in investing activities (482) (55) Cash flows from financing activities Net proceeds from private placement - 9,950 Net cash generated from financing activities



- 9,950 Change in cash and cash equivalents (2,311) 8,109 Effect of exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents (320) (98) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 16,785 8,894 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period 14,154 16,905

All dollar amounts in this document are in United States dollars $, except as otherwise indicated.





About Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd.

Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd is an international oil & gas company engaged in the exploration and development of unconventional oil and gas assets, with the current portfolio focused in Australia, South Africa and Hungary. Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd is incorporated in British Columbia, Canada and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland with a technical team based in Budapest, Hungary.

For further information on Falcon Oil & Gas Ltd. please visit www.falconoilandgas.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.

Certain information in this press release may constitute forward-looking information. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. Falcon assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward looking-statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to Falcon. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in Falcons filings with the Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca
Award-winning NYC-based public relations firm recognized again as top agency working with leaders in cleantech, B2B technology, and more

NEW YORK, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- FischTank PR, a leading public relations and marketing firm spanning sustainability/cleantech, B2B technologies, healthcare/biotech, real estate and professional services, today announced it has been named to the PRNEWS Agency Elite Top 100 list for the second consecutive year.



The list recognizes the top communications, marketing, and digital agencies across the country whose work over the past year showcased unparalleled strategic insight and creative solutions. The recognition comes as FischTank is set to celebrate its upcoming 10th anniversary, further establishing the firm as a trusted public relations and communications partner for established and emerging brands around the world.

Over the last year FischTank has guided clients through dozens of capital raises, product launches, project unveilings, industry partnerships and more, while achieving impactful media coverage across national, regional, and trade publications and in front of key stakeholder audiences. The firm once again increased staff headcount to feature PR and communications professionals from across the country, while also adding content and subject matter specialists to support growing client needs outside of media relations within content creation, social media, speakers/awards, and more. FischTank was also named to the Inc. 500|5000 list for Americas Fastest Growing Companies for the third year in a row in 2023.

This year, weve seen significant innovations and deployments across emerging technologies, especially climate and sustainability , driving more companies to seek out experienced partners to support communication efforts, said Rob Kreis, Vice President at FischTank PR. FischTanks deep experience in science and innovation, and its continued addition of talented media relations specialists, enables our team to execute on strategy and deliver results.

FischTanks culture also extends to its philanthropic work which has made an impact on a social and community level once again over the last year. The agency has done pro bono work with organizations including the homeless shelter Joseph's House of Camden; Love for Liam whose mission is to raise awareness for pediatric epilepsy and raise research funding; and the educational nonprofit Summer Search New York, while supporting numerous individual employee-led initiatives, among others.

We know the importance of a healthy work-life balance, and how it impacts our teams and the results we are able to generate. Our remote and hybrid workplace model, paired with our rotating four-day workweek, have enabled us to prioritize effective communication, encourage collaboration, and empower employees to do their best work, said Ashley Willis, Vice President of FischTank PR. In the year ahead, we look forward to adding to our talented group within our climate tech and B2B practice areas, and continue the work required to build a strong company culture.

To learn more about FischTank PR, please visit www.fischtankpr.com .

About FischTank PR:

FischTank PR is a full-service communications and marketing firm serving clients spanning various industries, including but not limited to cleantech and sustainability, B2B and emerging technologies, healthcare and biotech, real estate and professional services. Incorporating an integrated strategy consisting of media relations, content writing, corporate communications, SEO/ORM, digital/social media, and outbound marketing, FischTank helps clients amplify their message with results that impact their bottom line. For more information, visit http://www.FischTankPR.com or follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn, and Twitter  @Fisch_Tank.
DALLAS, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Gradalis, Inc., a leader in the development of personalized anti-cancer cellular therapies for patients with solid tumors, announced today that it has been awarded a $9.9 million Product Development Research grant from the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas (CPRIT). The funds will be used to support the company's Phase 2 clinical study of Vigil in platinum-sensitive patients who have recurrent ovarian cancer with a homologous recombination proficient (HRP) molecular profile. These patients face an acutely high unmet medical need due to the removal of PARP inhibitor therapies in 2022. The study is designed as a pivotal trial to confirm the positive survival results seen in ovarian cancer patients with the HRP profile tumors in Gradalis earlier VITAL study in frontline maintenance therapy. The company intends to pursue accelerated approval based on positive results.

The companys pioneering immuno-oncology therapy, Vigil, decloaks the full repertoire of tumor antigens, including the patients clonal neoantigens, reactivates the immune system, and summons key effector cells to deliver a durable clinical response. Vigils approach enables the very powerful immune system, which has been honed over eons to specifically identify the optimal targets on tumor cells required to destroy the tumor cells.

The result is a dramatic expansion of the effector cell population targeting clonal neoantigens throughout the body and destroying metastasized tumor cells. The company has shown in multiple studies that Vigil therapy causes the immune system to generate a reliable increase in T-cells that specifically target the tumor cells. In Phase 1, 2A and 2B studies, Vigil has been shown to be well tolerated  no Grade 3 or 4 treatment related adverse events were seen and no dose modifications were required.

We are honored to have been approved by CPRIT for this award which provides additional capital to support the clinical development of Vigil and external validation of our technology by the world class experts who conducted medical, scientific and commercial diligence on behalf of CPRIT, said Steve Engle, CEO of Gradalis.

Clonal neoantigens are tumor initiating mutations, and research by others has shown that the targeting of clonal neoantigens predicts survival in cancer patients. This targeting is critical to achieving durable efficacy. By utilizing the patients own tumor as the source for immunologic targets, Vigil is designed to elicit an immune response that is specifically targeted and broadly relevant to each patient's unique clonal tumor neoantigens. Other engineered therapeutic approaches including CAR-T, TILs and some cancer vaccines may be limited by an inability to identify or target the key clonal neoantigens.

This award will accelerate the start-up of our Phase 2 study in recurrent ovarian cancer patients who face a very difficult path due to the limited effectiveness of chemotherapy and the recent withdrawals of PARP inhibitors. We expect the study will confirm Vigils ability to target each patients unique clonal neoantigens, the elimination of which has been shown by other research to be critical in achieving a durable overall survival benefit, commented John Nemunaitis, MD, Gradalis Chief Scientific Officer and co-founder.

Following the extensive review of several drug development opportunities, CPRIT was impressed with Gradalis' Vigil product activity and clinical benefit results. We look forward to continued relationship with Gradalis as results of the Phase 2 trial unfold, said Ken Smith, Ph.D., Chief Product Development Officer at CPRIT.

About the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of TexasSince its founding in 2007, CPRIT has awarded more than $3 billion in grants to Texas research institutions and organizations through its academic research, prevention, and product development research programs. CPRIT has also recruited 293 distinguished researchers to Texas, supported the establishment, expansion, or relocation of 56 companies to Texas, and supported nearly 9 million prevention services reaching all 254 counties in Texas. In 2019, Texas voters approved a constitutional amendment to provide an additional $3 billion to CPRIT for a total $6 billion investment in cancer research and prevention.

About Ovarian Cancer In the US, over 20,000 patients are diagnosed with ovarian cancer each year. The majority of women (65%) diagnosed with ovarian cancer present in an advanced stage (Stage III/IV). Even with current therapies, 65% will recur within two years and 14,000 patients will succumb to the disease each year. Over 230,000 patients are living with ovarian cancer in the U.S.

Ovarian cancer patients are composed of two groups with differing levels of DNA repair capability, each representing about 50% of ovarian cancer patients: the HRP group has good DNA repair capability and the HRD/BRCA-mutant group has poor DNA repair capability. Virtually all ovarian cancer patients are tested for HRP/HRD and reimbursement is covered by payors.

Because HRP tumors are better able to repair DNA, the clonal neoantigens are better preserved. Patients with the HRD/BRCA-mutant profile have an impaired DNA repair mechanism that is associated with a smaller proportion of clonal neoantigens compared to the patients with the HRP profile. As a result, HRP patients tumors would be expected to respond better to Vigil therapy than HRD/BRCA-mutant patients. Results of Vigil in a Phase 2b study in HRP ovarian cancer patients are consistent with these findings.

About VigilVigil is a novel, triple function immunotherapy platform that modifies a patients tumor by using bi-shRNA to reduce furin, an enzyme which facilitates immunosuppressive TGF beta protein production, and to maximize DNA expression of GM-CSF, which stimulates the immune system and attracts key immune system effector cells, including T cells. By utilizing the patient's own tumor as the antigen source, Vigil is designed to elicit an immune response that is specifically targeted and broadly relevant to each patient's unique clonal tumor neoantigens. Vigil therapy has been well tolerated in Phase 1, 2a and 2b clinical studies. The company is preparing to initiate a Phase 2 clinical study in platinum-sensitive recurrent ovarian cancer patients with the HRP profile.

In VITAL, a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 2b trial in Stage III/IV newly diagnosed, frontline ovarian cancer patients, Vigil showed a positive trend in the primary endpoint of recurrence free survival (RFS) in the overall population and a statistically significant improvement in the secondary endpoint of RFS and overall survival (OS), with a median survival time of three years to date, in patients with the BRCAwt molecular profile. Most importantly in patients with tumors of the HRP molecular profile where there is a high unmet medical need, a statistically significant improvement was seen in RFS and OS.

Additionally, Phase 1 results in an all-comer clinical trial have shown positive signals of activity in 19 different tumor types and some patients treated with Vigil remain in the study 48 months later. Vigil has also demonstrated safety and benefit in two separate studies when administered concurrently or in sequence prior to treatment with check point inhibitor therapy. The sequential treatment results support the hypothesis that Vigil administration prior to starting checkpoint inhibitor therapy may focus the immune effector population to the cancer, potentially enhancing activity and limiting off target side effects.

The Vigil manufacturing process takes two days. It does not require the bioreactors and other time consuming and costly processes required by other cell therapies. Following the initial removal of the tumor, a small amount of tumor tissue is shipped to the companys manufacturing plant in Dallas, Texas where its genetics are modified to produce the immune system enhancing effects. It is then put in vials and stored for in-office intradermal administration by the patients physician every three to four weeks for an average four to six month course of treatment.

About Gradalis, Inc.Founded in 2006, Gradalis is a privately held, clinical stage biotechnology company developing a new category of personalized immunotherapy called Vigil, that has been tested in multiple studies in ovarian and other cancer tumor types. Vigil is the first cellular immunotherapy to demonstrate longer-term overall survival benefits in a randomized controlled trial of patients with solid tumors. The results of the companys Phase 2b study have been published in Lancet Oncology and presented at the American Society of Clinical Oncology. Vigil has shown positive results in combination with checkpoint inhibitors.

Gradalis Vigil platform uses the patients immune system to target the entire tumor. Based on multiple clinical studies, Gradalis has developed a pioneering oncology platform that is designed to decloak the full repertoire of a patients tumor antigens, including all clonal neoantigens, reactivate the immune system, and summon key effector cells to deliver a durable clinical response. When combined, these are a powerful Trifecta of anticancer activities, potentially eliminating even the elusive metastatic cells, and as shown in Phase 2 clinical studies in ovarian cancer, a potential gamechanger in oncology. Our clinical trials have also demonstrated that Gradalis platform is better tolerated compared to standard cancer treatments since Vigil uses the patients immune system operating within its natural state of balance rather than in an artificial overdrive as with some technologies. Vigil utilizes proprietary bi-shRNA technology that has been proven to silence multiple genes in a variety of cancers and has the potential to be used in other diseases.

Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements regarding the success, cost, and timing of our product development activities and clinical trials, our plans to research, develop, and commercialize our product candidates, and our plans to submit regulatory filings and obtain regulatory approval of our product candidates. These forward-looking statements are based on Gradalis current expectations and assumptions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements, which are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include but are not limited to: (a) the timing, costs, and outcomes of our clinical trials and preclinical studies, (b) the timing and likelihood of regulatory filings and approvals for our product candidates, and (c) the potential market size for our product candidates. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and, other than as required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities.

Gradalis ContactMark Early(214) 442-8161[email protected]

LifeSci Advisors ContactJoyce Allaire+1 (617) 435-6602[email protected]

Source: Gradalis, Inc.
PASCAGOULA, Miss., Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HIIs (NYSE: HII) Ingalls Shipbuilding division started fabrication of the U.S. Navys newest Arleigh Burke-class (DDG 51) destroyer Thad Cochran (DDG 135) on Monday. The start of fabrication signifies that the shipyard is ready to move forward with the construction of the ship and that the first 100 tons of steel have been cut.

Our shipbuilders are proud to begin construction on the newest Flight III destroyer, Ingalls Shipbuilding DDG Program Manager Ben Barnett said. We will continue to work with our Navy and industry partners to provide our military with the most capable and survivable ships.

Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are highly capable, multi-mission ships and can conduct a variety of operations, from peacetime presence and crisis management to sea control and power projection. Guided missile destroyers are the backbone of the U.S. surface fleet and are capable of fighting multiple air, surface and subsurface threats simultaneously.

Photos accompanying this release are available at: https://hii.com/news/hii-thad-cochran-ddg-135-destroyer-fabrication-2023

On June 27, Ingalls delivered the first Flight III Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, Jack H. Lucas (DDG 125), to the Navy as part of the transition to Flight III destroyers. With the addition of Thad Cochran, Ingalls now has five Flight III destroyers under construction including Ted Stevens (DDG 128), Jeremiah Denton (DDG 129), George M. Neal (DDG 131) and Sam Nunn (DDG 133). In addition, all remaining fiscal year 2018 multi-year procurement ships and the first two of the recently awarded fiscal year 2023 ships are in early pre-planning and material procurement phases.

Flight III Arleigh Burke-class destroyers incorporate a number of design modifications that collectively provide significantly enhanced capability including the AN/SPY-6(V)1 Air and Missile Defense Radar (AMDR) and the Aegis Baseline 10 Combat System that are designed to keep pace with the threats well into the 21st century.

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 44,000 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:



Kimberly K. Aguillard

228-355-5663

[email protected]

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/16ce158e-2cea-48a1-83aa-d6788da2b35d
LambdaTest hosted LambdaTest Velocity Tour, a series of in-person networking events on adopting GenAI for quality software releases, in collaboration with Microsoft, curated for the software testing community

San Francisco , Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LambdaTest, a leading cloud-based unified testing platform, successfully wrapped the LambdaTest Velocity Tour India edition. These global networking events were hosted in collaboration with Microsoft with the theme Adopting GenAI for Quality Software Releases. The event served as a platform for interactions and cooperation among top technology executives and quality assurance (QA) leaders, representing a range of cities such as Gurgaon, Noida, Mumbai, and Bengaluru with a primary focus on the impact of Gen-AI on Quality Engineering and recent trends in the QA industry. The same events were held in the Microsoft offices globally in Dallas, Dubai, Doha, and Melbourne. Munich and the South-East Asia region will host the next round of events in October and November.

This initiative aims to provide a platform for QA professionals and leaders to connect, collaborate, discuss processes, share challenges, and exchange insights within the testing domain.

Software testing teams are the silent heroes behind an exceptional customer experience and our commitment is to elevate their influence in shaping our product roadmap, said Mohit Juneja, VP of Strategic Sales and Partnerships at LambdaTest Through the LambdaTest Velocity Tour, we are fostering a global network of QA leaders, uniting their voices and ideas to drive excellence in software quality."

At these exclusive networking events, technology leaders took part in significant dialogues and beneficial networking opportunities. The LambdaTest Velocity Tour underlines LambdaTests commitment to amplifying the role of software testing teams in influencing the product roadmap. This event provides a platform for QA leaders to foster a global network, exchange ideas, and promote excellence in software quality.

Many traditional and repetitive testing workflows can now be performed without having to write any code, thanks to automation, data modeling, and generative AI. What does the future hold for Quality Engineering? What new developer skills are required with future developments? QA influencers and leaders from all over pitched their insights and had a unique opportunity for an open discussion with the leaders at LambdaTest and Microsoft, who drove this initiative.

LambdaTest Velocity Tour is designed to empower technology professionals and enhance their software testing skills. Together, we provided a platform for customers and attendees to connect, collaborate, and gain valuable insights to drive excellence in the industry, said Mithun Sundar, Chief Partner Officer & Executive Director  Global Partner Solutions, Microsoft India.

The LambdaTest Velocity Tour acts as a catalyst, fostering the exchange of information and collaborative discussions. This initiative empowers testing professionals to not only enhance software quality but also expedite release cycles, ultimately leading to the delivery of exceptional customer experiences. We are excited about what lies ahead, as well as the influence this endeavor will have on the testing community.

For more information on LambdaTest's Velocity Tour, please visit https://www.lambdatest.com/velocity-tour/

About LambdaTest

LambdaTest is an intelligent and omnichannel enterprise execution environment that helps businesses drastically reduce time to market through Just in Time Test Orchestration (JITTO), ensuring quality releases and accelerated digital transformation. Over 10,000+ enterprise customers and 2+ million users across 130+ countries rely on LambdaTest for their testing needs.



 Browser & App Testing Cloud allows users to run both manual and automated tests of web and mobile apps across 3000+ different browsers, real devices, and operating system environments.



 HyperExecute helps customers run and orchestrate test grids in the cloud for any framework and programming language at blazing-fast speeds to cut down on quality test time, helping developers build software faster.

For more information, please visit, https://lambdatest.com


Kelley Morrell, CFO of Wonder Group and formerly of Blackstone, to join the Board and Sean Bock, formerly of Drybar, to lead new franchising efforts

Boston, MA, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MiniLuxe Holding Corp. (TSXV: MNLX) announced today that Kelley Morrell, current CFO of Wonder Group and former Senior Managing Director of Blackstone, has been appointed to join MiniLuxes Board of Directors subject to final shareholder approval at the Companys annual meeting to be held on December 1, 2023. The Company also announced that it is partnering with Sean Bock, longstanding head of franchise divisions for service retail brands including Drybar and Heyday, to serve as MiniLuxes Franchise Development Officer. MiniLuxe will launch its franchising plans together with Mr. Bock in the first half of 2024.

Kelley Morrell is a highly experienced investor and operating executive with a proven track record of delivering exceptional returns for investors. She is currently the Chief Financial Officer at Wonder Group, a company that was founded by entrepreneur Marc Lore and is redefining at-home dining and food delivery. Ms. Morrell is also the founder of Highline Capital Investments, a family office supporting female and minority-founded businesses.

Ms. Morrells experience includes serving previously as Senior Managing Director of the Blackstone Group, where she led a global team across Blackstones private equity strategies and was co-chair of the Blackstone Womens Initiative. At Blackstone, she led market-leading deal transcations including Spanx and Bumble where she also held board and interim executive positions.

We are thrilled to welcome Kelley Morrell to our board of directors, said Stefanie Jay, Chief Business and Strategy Officer of eBay and Chair of MiniLuxes Board Governance Committee. Kelleys track record of driving value creation through brand and operational excellence while disrupting industries is a huge asset to MiniLuxe. It also goes without saying that her own values are squarely aligned with MiniLuxes mission, added Ms. Jay.

Sean Bock will also expand MiniLuxes capabilities as the company announces today its intention to develop a franchise program to complement its studios which perform nailcare, waxing and esthetic services. Mr. Bock brings relevant experience having spearheaded and led Drybars and Heydays franchise programs. In addition to designing and driving MiniLuxes franchise program, Mr. Bock will also support the companys efforts on any acquisitive conversions (acquisitions of other nail care locations to be converted into MiniLuxe branded units).

MiniLuxe is one of the most exciting brand platforms that I have ever come across with a mission to radically change its industry. Having worked with other mission-based service concepts and seeing the impact franchising can make, I could not be more excited by MiniLuxes potential to grow through franchise partners who share in the companys purpose, standards and values, says Mr. Bock.

The biggest lesson we have learned with our MiniLuxe studio business is that performace is directly correlated with having the right leader in any given store location. Franchising is one of the best vehicles we know that can scale localized entrepreneurship in a capital-efficient manner. As we have continued to optimize our studio performance and studio-level economics, especially studio volume growth, we are especially excited about marrying this strong base with Sean Bocks expertise to our brand and growth journey, said Tony Tjan, CEO of MiniLuxe.

Ms. Morrell and Mr. Bock will receive incentive options as a part of their compensation and have also made commitments to become investors in the company.

About MiniLuxe

MiniLuxe, a Delaware corporation based in Boston, Massachusetts is a digital-first, socially responsible lifestyle brand and talent empowerment platform for the nail and waxing industry. For over a decade, MiniLuxe has been setting industry standards for health, hygiene, high quality services, and fair labor practices in its efforts to transform the nail care and waxing industry. Underlying MiniLuxes mission and purpose is to become one of the largest inclusionary educators and employers of diverse self-care professionals across our omni-channel ecosystem and talent empowerment platform.

Today, MiniLuxe derives its revenue streams from nail care and waxing services across an omni-channel ecosystem with company-owned studios and off-premise partnerships. The company also develops and sells a proprietary retail and e-commerce line of clean nail care and waxing products that are also used in MiniLuxe services. MiniLuxe is driven by a fully integrated digital platform that manages all client bookings, preferences, and payments and provides designers with the ability to manage scheduling and client preferences, track their performance and compensation, and access training content. Since its inception, MiniLuxe has performed over 3 million services. www.miniluxe.com

For further information

Anthony TjanExecutive Chairman and CEO, MiniLuxe Holding Corp.[email protected]

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking information") concerning the Company and its subsidiaries within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to the future financial outlook and anticipated events or results of the Company and may include information regarding the Company's financial position, business strategy, growth strategies, acquisition prospects and plans, addressable markets, budgets, operations, financial results, taxes, dividend policy, plans and objectives. Particularly, information regarding the Company's expectations of future results, performance, achievements, prospects or opportunities or the markets in which the Company operates is forward-looking information. In some cases, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects", "budgets", "scheduled", "estimates", "outlook", "forecasts", "projects", "prospects", "strategy", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", or "will" occur. In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, intentions, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking information. Statements containing forward-looking information are not historical facts but instead represent management's expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events or circumstances.

Many factors could cause the Company's actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance, or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, those listed in the "Risk Factors" section of the Company's filing statement dated November 9, 2021. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking statements prove incorrect, actual results, performance, or achievements could vary materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

Forward-looking information, by its nature, is based on the Company's opinions, estimates and assumptions in light of management's experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that the Company currently believes are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. Those factors should not be construed as exhaustive. Despite a careful process to prepare and review forward-looking information, there can be no assurance that the underlying opinions, estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information. Although the Company bases its forward-looking information on assumptions that it believes were reasonable when made, which include, but are not limited to, assumptions with respect to the Company's future growth potential, results of operations, future prospects and opportunities, execution of the Company's business strategy, there being no material variations in the current tax and regulatory environments, future levels of indebtedness and current economic conditions remaining unchanged, the Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that our actual results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which the Company operates may differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release. In addition, even if the Company's results of operations, financial condition and liquidity, and the development of the industry in which it operates are consistent with the forward-looking information contained in this press release, those results or developments may not be indicative of results or developments in subsequent periods.

Although the Company has attempted to identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other risk factors not presently known to the Company or that the Company presently believes are not material that could also cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed in such forward-looking information. 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 information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information, which speaks only as of the date made (or as of the date they are otherwise stated to be made). Any forward-looking statement that is made in this press release speaks only as of the date of such statement.

Source: MiniLuxe Holding Corp.
Despite Russia's full-scale aggression and the daily challenges of war, the Ministry of Defense continues to develop professional education in the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The North Atlantic Alliance's DEEP program, which has already been completed by 12,000 servicemen of our army, helps it to do so.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was announced by First Deputy Minister of Defense Oleksandr Pavlyuk on his Facebook page. He noted that over the ten years of cooperation, more than 1,000 training events have been held, and this year's figures are almost twice as high as last year's.

"We are particularly intensifying the intensity of our joint work this year. While in 2022, about 100 events were implemented with the participation of 965 representatives of the Armed Forces, now there are already 169 events and almost 1700 participants," the statement said.

Pavliuk emphasized that it is about training academic staff, instructors and other specialists to teach planning and decision-making procedures in accordance with NATO standards (TLP, MDMP, OPP) and to strengthen language capabilities. The training of military personnel at the courses for commanders and non-commissioned officers continues.

ADVERTISIMENT

"I would like to note that with the assistance of the DEEP program, a number of basic documents have been developed on changes in higher military education. In particular, the Roadmap for Improving Language Training in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as the Concept for Transforming the Military Education System in line with NATO standards," summarized the representative of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry. .

Last week, it was reported that the training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 fighter jets is going according to plan. Currently, our military is already learning to fly American combat aircraft directly in the sky.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, soldiers of the 71st separate hunting ranger brigade of the Air Assault Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine drove the occupiers out of their positions in one of the frontline areas. The Russian military tried to escape from the gunfire, but it did not save them.

ADVERTISIMENT
MONTREAL, Nov. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- MONARCH MINING CORPORATION (Monarch or the Corporation) (TSX: GBAR) (OTCQB: GBARF) announces that Investissement Quebec (IQ), one of its creditors, has filed an application with the Superior Court of Quebec (Court) under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) to place the Corporation under the protection of the CCAA. The Court has issued an initial order today under the CCAA in relation to the Corporation. PricewaterhouseCoopers Inc. has been appointed as the monitor (Monitor) to oversee the activities of the Corporation during the CCAA process.

Due to the CCAA process, it is anticipated that the Toronto Stock Exchange (the Exchange) will conduct a review to determine if the Corporation meets the Exchange's listing requirements.

Mmes. Laurie Gaborit, Guylaine Daigle, and Messrs. Michel Bouchard and Benoit Desormeaux have resigned from their positions as directors with immediate effect as of today. Mr. Jean-Marc Lacoste will continue to serve as a director and collaborate with IQ and the Monitor in the implementation of the Court approved process to solicit investment and sale proposals in respect of the Corporation.

The Corporation will provide up-to-date information on these matters as new information becomes available.

About MonarchMonarch Mining Corporation (TSX: GBAR) (OTCQB: GBARF) is a gold mining company that owns three projects, including the Beaufor Mine, which is currently on care and maintenance and has produced more than 1 million ounces of gold over the last 30 years. Other assets include the McKenzie Break and Swanson properties, all located near Monarchs wholly owned Beacon Mill with a design capacity of 750 tpd. Monarch owns 14,316 hectares (143 km2) of mining assets in the prolific Abitibi mining camp that host a combined measured and indicated gold resource of 478,982 ounces and a combined inferred resource of 383,393 ounces.

Forward-looking statements All statements, other than statements of historical fact, contained in this press release including, but not limited to those describing the timeline of the initiatives described in this press release, those relating to the Corporations commitments and initiatives outlined in the press release, the intended results of the initiatives described in this press release, the positive impact of the foregoing on project economics, and generally those statements which are discussed under the About Monarch paragraph and elsewhere in the press release which essentially describe the Corporations outlook and objectives, constitute forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively, forward-looking statements) within the meaning of Canadian, and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the time of this press release. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Corporation as of the time of such statements, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies. These estimates and assumptions may prove to be incorrect.

Forward-looking statements are subject to known or unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Risk factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations include, among others, the Corporation's ability to continue as a going concern, the Corporation being a going concern able to realize its assets and discharge its liabilities, the generation of interest for its review of a range of alternatives, in either the sale of part or all of the Corporation or its assets, a potential investment in Monarch, a debt restructuring, approval of the arrangement plan by creditors pursuant to CCAA, the ability of the Corporation to successfully implement its strategic initiatives and whether such strategic initiatives will yield the expected benefits, litigation as well as cash flow and capital structure risks and general business risks. A further description of risks and uncertainties can be found in Monarch's Annual Information Form dated September 27, 2023, including in the section thereof captioned Risk Factors, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Unpredictable or unknown factors not discussed in this cautionary note could also have material adverse effects on forward-looking statements.

Many of these uncertainties and contingencies can directly or indirectly affect, and could cause, actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements. 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. Forward-looking statements are provided for the purpose of providing information about managements expectations and plans relating to the future. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or to explain any material difference between subsequent actual events and such forward-looking statements, except to the extent required by applicable law.

Neither Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the manuals of the Toronto Stock Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Further information regarding the Corporation is available in the SEDAR+ database (www.sedarplus.ca) and on the Corporations website at: www.monarchmining.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

Jean-Marc Lacoste 1-888-994-4465 President and Chief Executive Officer [email protected]

www.monarchmining.com

Source: Monarch Mining Corporation
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NorthWest Copper Corp. (TSX.V NWST) (NorthWest or the Company) is pleased to provide an update on its financial, geological and ESG programs and position.

Grant Sawiak, Executive Chair of NorthWest commented: "The newly elected Board of Directors of NorthWest (Board) is committed to not only align its interests with shareholders but in doing so to promote transparency in all aspects of the Company's operations. With these principles in mind, we wish to report on the status of NorthWest as it existed when we were elected on September 26, 2023 following the 5 month proxy contest and the changes we have implemented or are implementing to the operations and financial position of NorthWest.

FINANCIAL UPDATE

Cash in the bank as at September 30, 2023 was approximately $200,000. Amounts paid during the past two financial quarters and accounts payable at September 30, 2023 include in aggregate professional fees incurred by the previous Board of Directors of approximately $1,000,000 in relation to their unsuccessful proxy contest with the current Board of Directors. These fees were incurred primarily from Norton Rose Fulbright Canada LLP law firm, Kingsdale Advisors and Longview Communications (Professional Advisors). This amount compares to the approximately $300,000 charged by certain current Board members for their expenses incurred as part of the proxy contest.

The Board is in the process of reviewing the fees of the Professional Advisors as well as amounts outstanding to former executives. Creditors and accruals as at September 30, 2023 also includes unpaid directors' remuneration of approximately $150,000.

During February 2023 the Company raised $5,059,330 in a private placement to be used for exploration at the Companys portfolio of projects and general working capital. Since February 2023, only approximately $1,500,000 was spent on exploration.

In order to address the Companys financial needs, the Company is considering a combination of debt financing; a rights offering with concurrent private placement of shares to Accredited Investors resident outside the qualifying jurisdictions; and flow-through funding for the exploration work targeted by the Company.

GEOLOGY STRATEGY

The Companys strategy is to focus on exploration rather than development for the short to medium term. The Company already has resource estimates for the Lorraine, Kwanika and Stardust projects and a PEA on a combined Kwanika-Stardust option. The focus for 2024 will be to identify priority targets across its portfolio of projects for its upcoming exploration season, as set out in our press release of November 7, 2023.

Exploration targets have mainly been prioritized in accordance with their biggest potential value impact for shareholders and will be tailored according to the availability of exploration funding.

The Company has also received some interest in the past from parties that were potentially interested in investing at a property level rather than a corporate level. The Company is in the process of re-assessing these expressions of interest.

Finally, the Board of Directors is committed to transparent reporting to shareholders and will set out an objective and measurable exploration program that will allow reporting on: (1) how and where money was spent: (2) results obtained; and (3) next steps to build on prior success. We expect that a detailed exploration planning press release will be released in the early spring of 2024.

ESG UPDATE

ESG is a key focus area for the Board and to this extent it has determined that the reports currently provided to First Nations should also be shared with all NorthWest stakeholders. These reports will be made available through press releases over the coming months covering such items as the Annual ESG Report; Collaborating with First Nations; and Updating Wildlife Management Plans. The Board believes that the current efforts from management will provide NorthWest with a strong platform of mutual good faith and trust for future consulting with First Nations.

OTHER MATTERS

The Board believes in proactive investor communication and is in the process of revising its investor engagement program.

The Board has also reviewed the internal reporting structures and have implemented certain changes to ensure increased efficiency by management and seamless and regular reporting by management to respective disciplines on the Board.

Finally, in order to avoid unnecessary dilution at these depressed share prices, the Board has resolved not to compensate board members with equity-based compensation until further notice.

About NorthWest Copper:

NorthWest Copper is a copper-gold explorer and developer with an exciting pipeline of projects in British Columbia. With a robust portfolio in a tier one jurisdiction, NorthWest Copper is well positioned to participate fully in a strengthening global copper market. We are committed to responsible mineral exploration which involves working collaboratively with First Nations to ensure future development incorporates stewardship best practices and traditional land use. Additional information can be found on the Companys website at www.northwestcopper.ca.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of NorthWest Copper Corp.Grant SawiakDirector, Executive ChairTel: 416.917.2816Email: [email protected]

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

All statements in this press release about anticipated future events or results constitute forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as seek, anticipate, believe, plan, estimate, expect and intend and statements that an event or result may, will, should, could or might occur or be achieved and other similar expressions. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein, are forward-looking statements. Although NorthWest believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements and/or information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements since NorthWest can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements, including the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in NorthWests periodic filings with Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results of operations to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from NorthWests expectations include risks associated with the business of NorthWest; risks related to reliance on technical information provided by NorthWest; risks related to exploration and potential development of the Companys mineral properties; business and economic conditions in the mining industry generally; fluctuations in commodity prices and currency exchange rates; uncertainties relating to interpretation of drill results and the geology, continuity and grade of mineral deposits; the need for cooperation of government agencies and First Nation groups in the exploration and development of properties and the issuance of required permits; the need to obtain additional financing to develop properties and uncertainty as to the availability and terms of future financing; the possibility of delay in exploration or development programs and uncertainty of meeting anticipated program milestones; uncertainty as to timely availability of permits and other governmental approvals including TSXV approval of the Transaction; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time and additional risks identified in NorthWests filings with Canadian securities regulators on SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca). Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and opinions of management at the date the statements are made. NorthWest does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by applicable securities laws. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Source: NorthWest Copper Corp.
Oakland, CA, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Oakland, CA, November 16, 2023  Just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday, Capitol Corridor is excited to announce its new onboard pet policy. Starting today, Capitol Corridor will allow pets (dogs and cats) under 20 pounds to travel onboard in a carrier with their owners every day.

We are thrilled to provide this new service on our trains, said Rob Padgette, Managing Director of Capitol Corridor. This holiday season will be more enjoyable knowing passengers have the option to bring their furry friends onboard with them along the entire route. Wed like to thank Amtrak for helping us implement this highly requested passenger service. Many Amtrak routes welcome pets on trains across the nation.

Pet Travel Policy

$29 per pet (one-way)

Pets under 20 pounds (dogs and cats, only)

One pet per reservation

Pet travel must be booked online in advance

Pet must remain in carrier onboard

Carrier size: 19Lx14W x10H

Pets must remain in carrier onboard with carrier under the seat

Pets allowed in all train cars, except the Quiet Car, and the Cafe car

To confirm pet eligibility, all customers must read and sign a Pet Release and Indemnification Agreement for each travel segment.

For additional conditions of the pet travel policy, visit capitolcorridor.org/pets

For train updates, sign up for Capitol Corridor service alerts through email/SMS text at RideCCRail.com.

About CCJPA and the Capitol Corridor`Managed by the Capitol Corridor Joint Powers Authority (CCJPA), the Capitol Corridor is an intercity rail service connecting the most economically vibrant urban centers in Northern California  from Sacramento to Silicon Valley, and including San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley. With free Wi-Fi on board, Capitol Corridor trains provide a convenient, reliable, and comfortable alternative to the congested I-80, I-680, and I-880 freeways for more than 700,000 passengers a year. For more information, visit www.capitolcorridor.org.

Attachment

Vernae Graham Capitol Corridor [email protected]

Source: Capitol Corridor
On World Toilet Day, JCDecaux spotlights the San Francisco AmeniPODS, the efficient and award-winning self-cleaning public toilets

Paris, November 16th, 2023  JCDecaux SE (Euronext Paris: DEC), the number one outdoor advertising company worldwide, announces that its new San Francisco public toilets, known as AmeniPODS, are reshaping the face of the City with more efficient and effective models and an award-winning design, following their first installation a year ago.

A new generation of public amenities in San Francisco.

As an inventor, designer, and operator of San Franciscos fully accessible self-cleaning toilets, JCDecaux recognises that public toilets are an indispensable service, built to enhance the quality of urban life for the general public and city visitors. While it is a great responsibility to operate and maintain public toilet facilities, it has been equally fulfilling and a pleasure to serve the public for so many years. Through its close collaboration with the City and County of San Francisco and the SmithGroup team, JCDecaux developed a unique, award-winning high-tech design that reflects the vibrant streets of San Francisco. JCDecauxs maintenance team is dedicated to ensuring these essential hygiene services remain safe, clean and accessible to all. The program is financed through advertising revenue generated by multi-function advertising kiosks.

An award-winning design from SmithGroup.

SmithGroup, a national design firm with a robust San Francisco office, was chosen to redesign the public toilets and multi-function advertising kiosks. The contemporary and elegant design, developed in partnership with JCDecaux, then reviewed and approved by the San Francisco Arts Commission and the Citys Historic Preservation Commission, has received prominent awards over the past several months:

Metropolis  2023 Planet Positive Awards  Innovation category  Best Social Impact: The AmeniPODS were named as a winner in the Metropolis' Planet Positive Awards, underlining the progress being made towards designing a sustainable and equitable future and creating an inclusive environment.

The AmeniPODS were named as a winner in the Metropolis' Planet Positive Awards, underlining the progress being made towards designing a sustainable and equitable future and creating an inclusive environment. Fast Company  2023 Innovation by Design Awards  Urban Design category : the San Francisco public toilets were named as a finalist in this prestigious program which celebrates the designers and businesses solving the most crucial problems of today and anticipating the pressing issues of tomorrow.

: the San Francisco public toilets were named as a finalist in this prestigious program which celebrates the designers and businesses solving the most crucial problems of today and anticipating the pressing issues of tomorrow. Metal Architecture  2023 Metal Architecture Design Awards : The new generation of public amenities received a Judges Award in the 2023 Metal Architecture Design Awards for being cleaner, safer, more durable and visually compelling, designed to meet the needs of the 21st century urban environment.



JCDecaux: over 40 years of innovation for self-cleaning public toilets.

Ever since JCDecaux installed the first self-cleaning toilets in Paris in 1981, the company has consistently innovated by developing a complete ecosystem. The Group has created eco-designed, high-performance furniture which integrates patented solutions (automatic washing and disinfection of the toilet), rigorous processes and integrated teams dedicated to operations and maintenance, providing a high-quality service 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. JCDecauxs Design Office, based in Plaisir, Les Yvelines (France), continually develops new features to make life easier for city residents and visitors, and accessible to all. In 1993, the self-cleaning toilet became accessible to people with reduced mobility. Voice instructions were made available in several languages, as well as in braille. In 2006, the service became free in Paris, leading to a huge increase in usage. In 2020, JCDecaux developed a urinal module, which can be added to an existing toilet. This increases the availability of the main toilet while also significantly increasing its daily capacity. After the first lockdown, drinking water fountains and hand sanitizer dispensers were installed outside the self-cleaning toilets, transforming them into multi-service hygiene points, unlike any other in todays urban environment.

JCDecaux operates over 2,500 self-cleaning toilets in 28 countries, used by almost 31 million people every year, including the worlds two largest automatic public toilet contracts:

In Paris, the 435 new generation public self-cleaning toilets, which will be rolled out between 2024 and the beginning of 2025, will increase access to the service in the capital making it the largest network of public self-cleaning toilets in any city worldwide,

In Berlin, the Group won in 2018 the worlds second largest automatic public toilet contract and today operates 278 new generation toilets in the German capital.

JCDecauxs street furniture and associated services are designed to evolve with their environment and their needs and are an integral part of the global urban landscape.

Bill Katz, Design Principal with SmithGroup, said: The AmeniPODS are unique to San Francisco, with a design that blends sculpture and technology to create a cleaner, safer and more hygienic experience. With their modeled stainless-steel surface, they literally reflect our diverse city neighborhoods and their deep-rooted history while creating sculptural street furniture. With a clear awareness of the importance of these public amenities in our urban environment, the SmithGroup team set out to make these updated street furniture elements more accessible and approachable through their design and appearance.

J-Francois Nion, Chief Operating Officer of JCDecaux San Francisco, said: We are excited to be working collaboratively with both San Francisco Public Works and the project team from SmithGroup. Together we have developed the next generation of street amenities that will better serve San Franciscans and visitors alike supported by a strong maintenance program. Since the installation of the first AmeniPODS on November 2022, over 21,000 flushes have been registered and all the older units will be replaced in the next few years.

Jean-Francois Decaux, Chairman of the Executive Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer of JCDecaux, said: When JCDecaux invented the self-cleaning toilet in 1980, this showed the vision and pioneering approach of the company and importantly started a revolution in access to hygiene facilities in urban areas. We are proud to reiterate our long-standing commitment to San Francisco to supply best-in-class public toilet facilities, and the awards show the importance of their presence in the city. Our continual innovation is enabling cities across the world to meet the challenges of providing access to safe sanitation and hygiene  a fundamental human right that is highlighted on World Toilet Day 2023 on 19th November. Across the world, we must continue our efforts to achieve the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 6, ensuring access to clean water and sanitation by 2030 which includes universal access to safe toilets.

About SmithGroup

SmithGroup (www.smithgroup.com/) is one of the worlds preeminent integrated design firms. Working across a network of 20 offices in the U.S. and China, a team of 1,300 experts is committed to excellence in strategy, design and delivery. The scale of the firms thinking and organization produces partnerships with forward-looking clients that maximize opportunities, minimize risk and solve their most complex problems. SmithGroup creates exceptional design solutions for cultural and higher education institutions, science and technology organizations, healthcare, urban environments, diverse workplaces, mixed-use and waterfront developments, and parks and open spaces.

About JCDecaux

JCDecaux  a French family-owned company founded in 1964 and the No.1 outdoor advertising company worldwide  is committed to improve the quality of life for people wherever they live, work and travel by offering innovative, sustainable street furniture and services that are meeting citizens expectations and financed by brands and their advertisement. With a presence in more than 80 countries, JCDecaux is the only company in the world to operate exclusively in the outdoor advertising sector and to develop all of its activities: street furniture, transport advertising and billboards. For almost 60 years, the products and services offered to cities by JCDecaux have been considered the benchmark for quality, aesthetics and functionality. As a sustainable media in contact with more than 850 million people every day and true to its mission of improving the quality of life for all citizens, JCDecaux enhances and promotes responsible outdoor advertising and places social and environmental quality at the core of its solutions and its business. Since 2023, JCDecaux is an official partner of the UN Joint SDG Fund, supporting the Sustainable Development Goals across its Group.

For more information about JCDecaux, please visit jcdecaux.com .

Join us on Twitter , LinkedIn , Facebook , Instagram and YouTube .

Communications Department: Albert Asseraf

+33 (0) 1 30 79 79 10  [email protected]

Investor Relations: Remi Grisard

+33 (0) 1 30 79 79 93  [email protected]

Attachment
16 November 2023

Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Article 53 of SIX Exchange Regulation Listing Rules

Results of the ONE swiss bank SA

Extraordinary General Meeting

held on 16 November 2023

The shareholders of ONE swiss bank SA have largely approved the two agenda items put to a vote at todays Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM).

The first item on the agenda was to delist ONE shares from the SIX Swiss Exchange. Under Article 698 para. 2 no. 8 of the Swiss Code of Obligations, a decision to delist requires a two-thirds majority of the voting rights represented. This item was approved by 98.96% of shares with voting rights.

In addition to this delisting, the EGM approved the distribution of an extraordinary dividend of CHF 0.23 per share, paid out of the Companys reserves. The dividend will be payable on 23 November 2023.

The Extraordinary General Meeting was held in-person in Geneva and by video conference. In total, 64.42% of shares with voting rights (10,042,463 votes) were represented.

Following this EGM, the Board of Directors of ONE swiss bank SA will shortly submit a delisting application for the 15,586,850 registered shares to the Regulatory Board of SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX Exchange Regulation AG). Following approval by SIX Exchange Regulation AG, the delisting process is due to be completed by the end of the first quarter of 2024, at the earliest.

The Board of Directors is currently assessing the possibility of continuing the trading of ONE shares over-the-counter on an OTC platform, once delisting has been completed.

Detailed voting results:

Agenda YES % NO % Abstentions % 1. Delisting of ONE shares from the SIX Swiss Exchange in accordance with Article 698 para. 2 no. 8 of the Swiss Code of Obligations 9,938,276 98.96% 104,187 1.04% 0 0 2. Distribution of an extraordinary dividend of CHF 0.23 per share, paid from ONEs reserves 9,988,267 99.46% 54,196 0.54% 0 0

For further information, please contact:

Julien Delecraz

Investor Relations

+41 58 300 78 13 / [email protected]

ONE swiss bank SA (SIX Swiss Exchange: ONE)

ONE swiss bank is a Swiss private bank with offices in Geneva, Lugano, Zurich and a subsidiary in Dubai. It offers wealth and asset management services to private and institutional clients as well as financial intermediaries.

oneswissbank.com

Attachment
BARCELONA, Spain, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Qatari capital will host the third edition of the region's leading urban innovation event from 29-30 November. Under the motto "A World of Data: Connecting People, Elevating Lives", Smart City Expo Doha (SCE Doha) will lead the debate on sustainable urban development and the importance of data in building smarter, more liveable cities. Organized by the Qatar Ministry of Communications and Information Technology (MCIT), SCE Doha is an event of Smart City Expo World Congress and Fira Barcelona International, the event will feature more than 70 speakers, over 100 countries represented and 40 companies and organizations, and will be held within the International Horticulture Exhibition of Qatar, that will take place at Al-Bidda Park.

The centrepiece of Smart City Expo Doha 2023 will be a conference featuring more than 70 experts, including Renee Cummings, Founder & CEO, Urban AI, Columbia University Community Scholar; Ott Velsberg, Chief Data Officer at the Government of Estonia; and Frans-Anton Vermast, Strategy Advisor & International Smart City Ambassador in Netherlands, who will share their vision on four main themes: Green Urban Environments, Digital Governance, Cognitive Cities, and Liveable Places.

The 40 companies, partners and sponsors will present their new products and solutions in the field of urban innovation, both at the congress and in the networking space that will foster commercial relations, professional contacts and business opportunities between participating companies and visitors.

Smart City Expo Doha is part of the internationalization strategy of Smart City Expo World Congress, the world's leading exhibition on smart cities and urban solutions organized annually by Fira de Barcelona, which held its 13th edition last November. Along these lines, foreign editions have been held in 2023 in Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, the United States, Mexico and China.

For media requests please contact:

Salvador Bilurbinaemail: [email protected]phone: +34628162674

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7f3b1a4d-98f0-449f-802e-4227efcb87b8

Skyline of Doha The Al Bidda park located in Doha will host the third edition of Smart City Expo Doha

Source: Fira De Barcelona
Addison, TX, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solis Mammography, the nations largest independent provider of specialized breast health services, announced today it will be presenting at the 109th Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting of the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA 2023), to be held in Chicago, November 26  30. Solis Mammography participated in three clinical advancement projects over the past year that were accepted for presentation at the annual medical imaging conference, all of which represent broader collaborations with notable breast imaging innovators and the companys innovation leadership in the field of mammography.

Solis Mammographys dedication to advancing the practice of breast health is evident in its inclusion as one of six sites chosen for the Mammography Positioning Improvement Collaborative in partnership with the American College of Radiology (ACR), and led by Sarah Pittman, M.D., Clinical Associate Professor of Radiology at Stanford University School of Medicine. After participation in the collaborative, the results will be showcased in a quality improvement abstract, Improving Mammography Positioning at Two Community Mammography Centers by Asking Why? This hour-long presentation will take place Tuesday, November 28, 2023 beginning at 12:45 p.m. CST.

Solis Mammography also partnered with iCAD in studying the utility of identifying breast arterial calcifications as a broader proxy for heart disease. As a result of this project, Chirag Parghi, M.D., Chief Medical Officer of Solis Mammography, will present initial data in his presentation on November 28, Artificial Intelligence Assessment of Breast Arterial Calcifications on Mammography in a Large Screening Population. The oral presentation will take place between 9:30 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. CST.

The companys third collaborative partnership of note was with Hologic, in a project titled, Breast Cancer Risk Models: Observations from a Multi-Site Database of Women Screened for Breast Cancer, which was accepted as an abstract at the annual meeting.

Weve long been a collaborator and vital partner for technology innovators, said Chirag Parghi, M.D. Well continue to take the lead in exploring the possibilities posed by new screening methodologies and practice advancements, furthering the adoption of those solutions that provide clinically proven results on behalf of our patients.

For more information about RSNA 2023, go here: https://www.rsna.org/annual-meeting

About Solis MammographySolis Mammography, a premier womens health company and the nations largest independent provider of specialized breast health services, has been dedicated to elevating mammography services and maintaining breast health and peace of mind for almost 40 years. Headquartered in Addison, Texas, Solis Mammography operates more than 120 centers in 15 major markets, including Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston, Austin, Denver, Phoenix, Philadelphia, Columbus, Nashville, North Carolina, Miami, Ft. Lauderdale, and, through its affiliated brands Washington Radiology and Progressive Radiology, Washington D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. Solis Mammography is pioneering a boutique-style retail healthcare experience. The company operates both wholly owned centers and multiple successful joint venture partnerships with large hospital systems and prominent medical and academic institutions.

Anne Warren Solis Mammography [email protected]

Source: Solis Mammography
WAYNE, Pa., Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Teleflex Incorporated (NYSE: TFX), a leading global provider of medical technologies, today announced the first patient enrollment in a clinical registry that is intended to examine and collect data on outcomes of contemporary on-label use of the MANTA Vascular Closure Device (VCD) in standard of care transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) procedures. The registry will include appropriate patient selection and proper vascular access.

Enrolling at least 250 patients in up to 15 major TAVR institutions across the US and Canada, the ACCESS-MANTA Registry is an international, multicenter, prospective, observational, single-arm clinical registry. It will employ the primary objectives of safety, defined by VCD large bore access site-related Valve Academic Research Consortium-3 (VARC-3) major and minor vascular complications within 30 days of the TAVR procedure, and effectiveness, defined by time to hemostasis or the elapsed time between MANTA Device deployment and the first observed and confirmed arterial hemostasis. The study will also evaluate technical success, treatment success, ambulation success, discharge readiness, and procedure time.

Large bore access site complications are recognized as morbid,1 driving increased costs and prolonged length-of-stay,2 said Teleflex Interventional Medical Director, Christopher Buller, MD. "That is why percutaneous cardiac and peripheral procedures, such as TAVR, that are performed through large bore arteriotomies, need dedicated closure technology that is safe and effective as well as procedurally efficient.

The MANTA Device demonstrated those attributes in the pivotal SAFE MANTA IDE Clinical Trial,3 Dr. Buller added. However, TAVR practice has since evolved to embrace routine access site imaging, awake procedures, somewhat smaller delivery systems and sheaths, lower-risk patients, and considerably higher per-operator experience. The ACCESS-MANTA Registry will allow us to understand the degree to which these changes, coupled with a dedicated device that is optimally deployed, may improve large bore outcomes.

The study chair is George Dangas, MD, PhD, Professor of Medicine (Cardiology), and Surgery, and the Director of Cardiovascular Innovation at the Zena and Michael A. Wiener Cardiovascular Institute at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. The principal investigators of the study include Sahil Khera, MD, Interventional Director of the Structural Heart Program at The Mount Sinai Hospital, and Danny Dvir, MD, Director of Interventional Cardiology at Shaare Zedek Hospital Center, Jersualem.

We are excited that Mount Sinai Medical Center is spearheading the Teleflex ACCESS-MANTA Registry, said Dr. Khera, Co-Global Principal Investigator. The study focuses on on-label use of the MANTA Device, appropriate patient selection using pre-TAVR CT imaging, and proper vascular access, all of which reflect the standard practice at our world class, high-volume TAVR center. We look forward to this contribution to the advancement of large bore access and closure.

About the MANTA Vascular Closure Device

The MANTA Vascular Closure Device is the first commercially available biomechanical vascular closure device designed specifically for large bore femoral arterial access site closure.4 Since the first implantation in 2014, receiving its CE mark in 2016, and FDA approval in 2019, the MANTA Device has been well studied in over 10,000 patients and in 70+ publications. Over 150,000 units have been sold globally.4

Available in 14 and 18 Fr. sizes, the MANTA Device is indicated for closure of femoral arterial access sites while reducing time to hemostasis following the use of 10-20 Fr. devices or sheaths (12-25 Fr. O.D.) in endovascular catheterization procedures. The technology creates an alternative to cut down and suture-mediated closure for large bore procedures and has proved useful in TAVI/TAVR, EVAR/PEVAR/TEVAR, and BAV.

About Teleflex Incorporated

Teleflex is a global provider of medical technologies designed to improve the health and quality of peoples lives. We apply purpose driven innovation  a relentless pursuit of identifying unmet clinical needs  to benefit patients and healthcare providers. Our portfolio is diverse, with solutions in the fields of vascular access, interventional cardiology and radiology, anesthesia, emergency medicine, surgical, urology and respiratory care. Teleflex employees worldwide are united in the understanding that what we do every day makes a difference. For more information, please visit teleflex.com.

Teleflex is the home of Arrow, Deknatel, LMA, Pilling, QuikClot, Rusch, UroLift and Weck  trusted brands united by a common sense of purpose.

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements contained in this press release that do not describe historical facts may constitute forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on our management's current beliefs and expectations, but are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and changes in circumstances, which may cause actual results or company actions to differ materially from what is expressed or implied by these statements. These risks and uncertainties are identified and described in more detail in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Teleflex, the Teleflex logo, Arrow, Deknatel, LMA, MANTA, Pilling, QuikClot, Rusch, UroLift, and Weck are trademarks or registered trademarks of Teleflex Incorporated or its affiliates in the U.S. and/or other countries. Refer to the Instructions for Use for a complete listing of the indications, contraindications, warnings, and precautions. Information in this document is not a substitute for the product Instructions for Use. Not all products may be available in all countries. Please contact your local representative.  2023 Teleflex Incorporated. All rights reserved. MC-009251 Rev 0.

References

1Piccolo R, Pilgrim T, Franzone A, Valgimigli M, Haynes A, Asami M, Lanz J, Raber L, Praz F, Langhammer B, et al. Frequency, timing, and impact of access-site and non-access-site bleeding on mortality among patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve replacement. JACC Cardiovasc Interv. 2017; 10:14361446. doi: 10.1016/j.jcin.2017.04.034.

2Arbel Y, Zivkovic N, Mehta D, Radhakrishnan S, Fremes SE, Rezaei E, Cheema AN, Al-Nasser S, Finkelstein A, Wijeysundera HC. Factors associated with length of stay following trans-catheter aortic valve replacement - a multicenter study. BMC Cardiovasc Disord. 2017; 17:137. doi: 10.1186/s12872-017-0573-7.

3 The SAFE MANTA IDE Clinical Trial. Study sponsored by Teleflex Incorporated or its affiliates.

4 Data on file at Teleflex.

CAUTION: Federal (USA) law restricts these devices for sale or use by or on the order of a physician.

Contacts:

For Teleflex Incorporated:Lawrence KeuschVice President, Investor Relations and Strategy Development[email protected]610.948.2836

Source: Teleflex Incorporated
TORONTO, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Torex Gold Resources Inc. (the Company or Torex) (TSX: TXG) is pleased to provide an update on the Companys ongoing drilling program at ELG Underground. The ELG Underground exploration strategy is focused on expanding resources as well as extending and optimizing the life of ELG Underground well beyond 2026.

Jody Kuzenko, President & CEO of Torex, stated:

We are excited about the latest assays from the drilling program at ELG Underground as the high grade intercepts continue to validate the long-term potential of this evolving orebody. Importantly, as our understanding of the structural controls matures, so does our confidence in our ability to continue to replace reserves and resources and to significantly grow the overall mineral endowment of the ELG Cluster. Our approach is to systematically drill and demonstrate the expansion of known ore shoots and target new mineralization through future exploration, all with a view to extending and enhancing the mine plan and further unlocking the significant cash generation capability of the Morelos asset.

HIGHLIGHTS

Infill drilling within ELG Underground continues to deliver outstanding results which support upgrading Inferred resources to the Indicated category. Additionally, advanced exploration drilling following up on high grade intercepts previously identified yielded impressive results that highlight the potential to expand resources. The results reported confirm the associated structural corridors of the ELG Underground, including north-northwest (NNW) trends referred to as Sub-Sill, El Limon Sur, and El Limon West as well as a northeast (NE) trend referred to as El Limon Deep.

El Limon Sur Trend

Drill hole LS-293 returned 20.74 grams per tonne gold equivalent (gpt AuEq) over 4.6 metres (m) , being the first subsequent hole of a program at the El Limon Sur Deep zone post the previously reported high grade intercept from drill hole LS-220 (88.92 gpt AuEq over 14.5 m). LS-293 confirms the continuity and extension of the high-grade gold mineralization at El Limon Sur Deep for another 100 m at depth.

, being the first subsequent hole of a program at the El Limon Sur Deep zone post the previously reported high grade intercept from drill hole LS-220 (88.92 gpt AuEq over 14.5 m). LS-293 confirms the continuity and extension of the high-grade gold mineralization at El Limon Sur Deep for another 100 m at depth. Advanced exploration drilling where the El Limon Sur Trend intersects the La Flaca fault returned multiple economic intercepts including 11.75 gpt AuEq over 22.9 m in LDUG-239, 11.55 gpt AuEq over 14.9 m in LDUG-290, 10.03 gpt AuEq over 14.4 m in LDUG-296, 11.71 gpt AuEq over 8.9 m in LDUG-277, 11.36 gpt AuEq over 8.7 m in LDUG-308, and 8.13 gpt AuEq over 12.4 m in LDUG-280. Given the results to date, this area represents a potential new mining front within ELG Underground.

in LDUG-239, in LDUG-290, in LDUG-296, in LDUG-277, in LDUG-308, and in LDUG-280. Given the results to date, this area represents a potential new mining front within ELG Underground. Resource delineation drilling below the northern wall of El Limon Sur open pit was successful in confirming and extending high grade mineralization outside of the current resource block model. Several holes returned notable intercepts, including 44.93 gpt AuEq over 8.2 m in LS-152, 28.50 gpt AuEq over 4.5 m in LS-149, 14.45 gpt AuEq over 14.0 m in LS-234, 11.38 gpt AuEq over 12.4 m in LS-272, and 11.37 gpt AuEq over 10.5 m in LS-276.

El Limon Deep Trend

Infill and step-out drilling continues to extend mineralization at depth, with notable high grade intercepts including 33.91 gpt AuEq over 9.1 m in LDUG-256 and 35.81 gpt AuEq over 4.8 m in LDUG-268. High grade mineralization appears to be related to the intersection of the La Flaca fault with the Sub-Sill Trend, highlighting the possibility to encounter higher-grade mineralization where the La Flaca fault intersects the other NNW-trending structural corridors.

Sub-Sill Trend

Infill drilling returned high grade intercepts within the extension of the Sub-Sill zone including 19.45 gpt AuEq over 12.1 m and 21.32 gpt AuEq over 4.0 m in SST-312, and 23.32 gpt AuEq over 4.7 m in SST-313. Additionally, two holes drilled 250 m north of the La Flaca fault encountered mineralization, opening the exploration potential for additional mineralization to the north.

El Limon West Trend

Three drill intercepts encountered mineralization along the El Limon West Trend, indicating the potential for another new mining front within ELG Underground. Notable results included LS-287 with 17.74 gpt AuEq over 5.4 m and 10.04 gpt AuEq over 13.4 m as well as LS-229 with 6.90 gpt AuEq over 3.4 m. These drill holes have extended the continuity of mineralization 100 m to the south as well as 100 m below the deepest hole drilled to date within this zone.

2023 ELG UNDERGROUND DRILLING PROGRAM

As of the end of September, approximately 54,600 m across 235 holes had been drilled as part of the 2023 ELG brownfield and near-mine exploration and drilling programs, representing 96% of the planned metres for the year. Year to date, assay results have been received for 55% of the total holes drilled.

Figure 1: Plan view of ELG Underground including key structural trends (corridors)

With the additional drilling and evolving interpretation of the geology of ELG Underground, it is believed that there will be greater structural control of the mineralization as the deposits get deeper. To date, at least three main NNW structural corridors have been recognized and are assumed to be the main feeders of the system. The intersection of these NNW structures with the previously identified NE-trending faults (La Flaca and Z71) appear to be responsible for the high grade ore shoots identified to date.

During Q4, the priority will be to systematically drill the El Limon Sur Trend, where the greatest contribution of new ounces is expected. A geometric delineation program will be carried out, aimed at defining the full extent of the mineralization, which will be subject to resource categorization at the end of 2024.

Assay results reported in this press release include drill holes completed under the 2023 underground drilling program for which assays were received post the cut-off date for the July 11, 2023 press release (except drill hole LS-220 which was previously reported). Detailed drill results are reported in Table 7 (El Limon Sur Trend), Table 8 (Sub-Sill Trend), Table 9 (El Limon Deep Trend), and Table 10 (El Limon West Trend).

Drill hole intercepts are core lengths and not true widths. AuEq grades use the same metal prices ($1,550/oz gold (Au), $20/oz silver (Ag), and $3.50/lb copper (Cu)) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the year-end 2022 mineral resource estimate for ELG Underground (AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0123 + Cu (%) * 1.6000).

EL LIMON SUR TREND (FIGURE 2)

The El Limon Sur Trend is a NNW-trending structural corridor which hosts the El Limon Sur Deep and Sub-Sill South zones as well as a developing new zone located where the Trend intersects the La Flaca fault. Drilling along the El Limon Sur Trend during 2023 has been focused on three key areas, with the aim of extending the mineralized footprint to the northwest, the southeast, and at depth, directions in which mineralization remains open.

The first area of focus was follow-up drilling around the high grade mineralization encountered at El Limon Sur Deep which was outlined in the July 11, 2023 press release. The most notable intercept from the latest round of drilling was LS-293, which extended higher-grade mineralization 100 m below LS-220, a previously-reported drill hole that returned 88.92 gpt AuEq over 14.5 m. This area is a key focus given the potential to extend higher-grade gold and copper mineralization at depth and to the southeast (Figure 1, sector I).

Table 1: Highlights from the 2023 follow-up drilling program along the El Limon Sur Trend

Drill Hole From(m) To(m) Core Length1(m) Au(gpt) Ag(gpt) Cu(%) AuEq2(gpt) LS-234 52.00 66.00 14.00 13.69 16.4 0.35 14.45 LS-293 270.75 275.38 4.63 20.10 44.9 0.06 20.74

Notes to Table:1) Intercepts are reported as core length (not true width/thickness). Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery.2) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0123 + Cu (%) * 1.6000 and use the same metal prices ($1,550/oz Au, $20/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the Mineral Resource estimate for ELG Underground.

The second area of focus along the El Limon Sur Trend was a cluster of high-grade intercepts at the intersection of the Trend and the La Flaca fault. Drilling within this area returned multiple drill intercepts in excess of 10 gpt AuEq and widths in excess of 10 m, which is encouraging for future resource expansion. Several holes also returned impressive levels of copper mineralization, indicating the potential to sweeten future copper production once upgrades to the processing plant are completed as part of the Media Luna Project in late 2024 (Figure 1, sector II).

This particular section of the El Limon Sur Trend presents evidence of potentially being a main feeder of the mineralized system. Previous drilling intersected high grade mineralization at the 400 m level, indicating the potential for continuous mineralization 250 m below where the majority of drilling in this rapidly developing zone has been focused.

Table 2: Highlights from the 2023 advanced exploration program along the El Limon Sur Trend

Drill Hole From(m) To(m) Core Length1(m) Au(g/t) Ag(g/t) Cu(%) AuEq2(g/t) LDUG-239 177.16 200.07 22.91 10.94 12.0 0.41 11.75 LDUG-271 191.94 197.50 5.56 10.86 80.2 1.13 13.65 LDUG-277 226.27 235.14 8.87 10.86 10.8 0.45 11.71 LDUG-280 262.56 274.99 12.43 5.26 30.9 1.56 8.13 LDUG-281 177.27 183.35 6.08 5.48 11.0 0.32 6.13 LDUG-290 250.17 265.10 14.93 9.97 7.9 0.93 11.55 LDUG-296 190.61 204.96 14.35 9.17 9.3 0.47 10.03 LDUG-308 241.04 249.72 8.68 10.44 21.9 0.41 11.36 LS-267 55.70 65.00 9.30 3.48 58.7 3.90 10.44

Notes to Table:1) Intercepts are reported as core length (not true width/thickness). Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery.2) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0123 + Cu (%) * 1.6000 and use the same metal prices ($1,550/oz Au, $20/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the Mineral Resource estimate for ELG Underground.

The third area of focus was infill drilling with the aim of upgrading and expanding resources within Sub-Sill South, specifically below the El Limon Sur open pit. Drill results within this area were better than anticipated with several holes returning intercepts in excess of 10 gpt AuEq and widths in excess of 10 m. This mineralization could be accessed via a subsequent expansion of the El Limon Sur open pit or potentially through an expansion of Sub-Sill South (Figure 1, sector III).

Table 3: Highlights from the 2023 resource delineation program along the El Limon Sur Trend

Drill Hole From(m) To(m) Core Length1(m) Au(g/t) Ag(g/t) Cu(%) AuEq2(g/t) LS-134 126.71 133.11 6.40 14.60 3.1 0.05 14.72 LS-137 112.54 119.25 6.71 21.24 5.8 0.08 21.44 LS-141 119.00 131.72 12.72 9.14 1.1 0.02 9.18 LS-149 10.00 14.45 4.45 28.34 4.4 0.07 28.50 LS-150 261.72 266.66 4.94 13.61 5.8 0.11 13.86 LS-151 7.30 20.00 12.70 15.45 5.5 0.01 15.54 LS-152 6.68 14.84 8.16 44.69 11.6 0.06 44.93 LS-153 213.00 220.18 7.18 9.60 4.3 0.08 9.79 LS-246 59.80 69.95 10.15 10.00 2.8 0.06 10.13 LS-248 39.06 50.00 10.94 10.54 4.1 0.06 10.69 LS-249 99.75 107.30 7.55 9.48 2.5 0.00 9.51 LS-269 35.60 47.80 12.20 7.59 5.0 0.26 8.07 LS-272 36.00 48.44 12.44 11.30 2.8 0.03 11.38 LS-274 56.14 71.57 15.43 4.98 10.9 0.25 5.51 LS-276 53.18 63.65 10.47 10.61 13.3 0.37 11.37

Notes to Table:1) Intercepts are reported as core length (not true width/thickness). Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery.2) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0123 + Cu (%) * 1.6000 and use the same metal prices ($1,550/oz Au, $20/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the Mineral Resource estimate for ELG Underground.

A key drilling focus for the remainder of 2023 is to test the continuity of mineralization across the El Limon Sur Trend down to the 600 m level, which is approximately 300 m below the current level of mineralization at the Sub-Sill South zone. If the continuity of the mineralization is confirmed, the geological concept of the NNW-trending structural corridors will be validated, and further drilling will be carried out to replicate the results along the Sub-Sill Trend and El Limon West Trend as well as at depth along the El Limon Sur Trend.

EL LIMON DEEP TREND (FIGURE 3)

The El Limon Deep Trend is a NE-trending structural corridor, closely related to the La Flaca fault. Infill and step-out drilling along the northeast corridor near the intersection with the Sub-Sill Trend returned several impressive intercepts, which indicate the potential to expand resources at depth while upgrading Inferred resources to the Indicated category. Notable holes include LDUG-256 and LDUG-268, which returned intercepts with AuEq grades in excess of an ounce per tonne (Figure 1, sector IV).

Table 4: Highlights from the 2023 resource delineation program along the El Limon Deep Trend

Drill Hole From(m) To(m) Core Length1(m) Au(g/t) Ag(g/t) Cu(%) AuEq2(g/t) LDUG-250 117.44 125.00 7.56 5.29 2.0 0.01 5.32 LDUG-256 116.05 125.13 9.08 32.95 7.4 0.54 33.91 LDUG-259 82.19 87.52 5.33 3.39 19.2 1.45 5.95 LDUG-260 161.40 169.86 8.46 5.28 2.4 0.06 5.41 LDUG-262 78.00 83.00 5.00 7.17 8.6 0.46 8.01 LDUG-268 100.17 105.00 4.83 35.41 11.7 0.16 35.81 114.14 119.53 5.39 6.58 4.3 0.15 6.87 LDUG-276 189.74 198.00 8.26 1.17 51.0 1.45 4.11

Notes to Table:1) Intercepts are reported as core length (not true width/thickness). Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery.2) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0123 + Cu (%) * 1.6000 and use the same metal prices ($1,550/oz Au, $20/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the Mineral Resource estimate for ELG Underground.

The intersection of the NNW structural corridors with the La Flaca fault will be a key area of focus for our 2024 brownfield exploration program.

SUB-SILL TREND (FIGURE 4)

The Sub-Sill Trend is a NNW-trending structural corridor. Exploration drilling along the Sub-Sill Trend has been limited by mining operations in the area. However, the resource categorization drilling that has been conducted continues to confirm the continuity of mineralization at depth and to the north of the current mining areas (Figure 1, sector V).

Table 5: Highlights from the 2023 resource delineation program along the Sub-Sill Trend

Drill Hole From(m) To(m) Core Length1(m) Au(g/t) Ag(g/t) Cu(%) AuEq2(g/t) LDUG-234 142.13 152.00 9.87 3.23 5.8 0.38 3.92 LDUG-241 156.73 159.76 3.03 2.49 5.8 0.50 3.35 SST-312 84.33 88.28 3.95 11.25 61.9 5.82 21.32 133.12 145.23 12.11 14.90 45.1 2.50 19.45 SST-313 151.27 155.96 4.69 23.18 9.3 0.01 23.32

Notes to Table:1) Intercepts are reported as core length (not true width/thickness). Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery.2) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0123 + Cu (%) * 1.6000 and use the same metal prices ($1,550/oz Au, $20/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the Mineral Resource estimate for ELG Underground.

Additionally, drilling at the northern end of the Sub-Sill Trend (LDUG-234 and LDUG-241), 250 m from the La Flaca fault, encountered mineralization above the resource cut-off grade, which suggests the potential for a new zone of mineralization. This zone is close to existing mine infrastructure and could be developed quickly if the zone can be expanded through future drilling and proven to be economic (Figure 1, sector VI).

EL LIMON WEST TREND (FIGURE 5)

The El Limon West Trend is a NNW-trending structural corridor that hosts a potential new underground mining front below the El Limon Sur open pit. Drilling in this area has been extremely successful in expanding the mineralized potential of this evolving area of ELG Underground. Drill hole LS-229 was successful in extending the known mineralized footprint more than 100 m at depth while drill hole LS-287 returned two high grade intercepts which have extended the mineralized footprint 100 m to the south, directions in which mineralization remains open (Figure 1, sector VII).

Table 6: Highlights from the 2023 drill testing program along the El Limon West Trend

Drill Hole From(m) To(m) Core Length1(m) Au(g/t) Ag(g/t) Cu(%) AuEq2(g/t) LS-229 338.00 341.38 3.38 2.36 65.2 2.33 6.90 LS-287 164.00 169.40 5.40 14.98 73.1 1.16 17.74 198.65 212.05 13.40 9.16 10.1 0.47 10.04

Notes to Table:1) Intercepts are reported as core length (not true width/thickness). Core lengths reflect drilling core recovery.2) The gold equivalent grade calculation used is as follows: AuEq (gpt) = Au (gpt) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0123 + Cu (%) * 1.6000 and use the same metal prices ($1,550/oz Au, $20/oz Ag, and $3.50/lb Cu) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag, and 93% Cu) used in the Mineral Resource estimate for ELG Underground.

Development of a new mining front at El Limon West could be accessed via future underground infrastructure at El Limon Sur Deep, potentially via the bottom of the El Limon Sur open pit or through the Guajes Tunnel, which passes approximately 300 m to the south.

GEOLOGY OF THE ELG MINE COMPLEX

The ELG Mine Complex, located in the central part of the Guerrero Gold Belt in southwest Mexico, is hosted in the Mesozoic carbonate-rich Morelos Platform, which has been intruded by Paleocene granodiorite stocks, sills, dikes and afterwards uplifted close to surface by maar-diatreme complexes.

Skarn-hosted gold mineralization develops along contacts of the intrusive rocks and carbonate-rich sedimentary rocks of the Cuautla and Morelos formations, as well as along the footwall contact of the Mezcala Formation. At depth, the mineralization has a strong structural control related to the main stages of deformation, with the collision of allochthonous terrain being responsible for the major north-south faults, while the almost east-west faulting is associated with the beginning of the subduction process.

Gold mineralization at ELG occurs in special association with a skarn body that was developed along a 2-kilometre-long corridor following the northeast contact of the ELG granodiorite stock. The skarn zone that occurs at the marble stratigraphic level of the Morelos Formation is in contact with hornfels developed in the Mezcala Formation. At El Limon, skarn mineralization is also structurally controlled by north-south and north-east trending faults. Early-stage deposition corresponds to skarn alteration and mineralization at ELG and is fairly typical of calcic gold-skarn systems. Zones of coarse, massive, garnet-dominant skarn appear within and along the stock margin, with fine-grained pyroxene-dominant skarn more common at greater distances from the contact with the stock. Significant gold mineralization at ELG is spatially associated with the skarn, preferentially occurring in pyroxene-rich exoskarn but also hosted in garnet-rich endoskarn that has been affected by retrograde alteration, which suggests that the most important gold event is late stage and of epithermal origin.

Dykes and sills are found to crosscut the hornfels and marble, along the structural trends mentioned above, and are spatially associated with the skarn formation and in some cases these are the ore controls of the main gold mineralization stage at depth.

The style of mineralization at El Limon Deep, El Limon Sur, Sub-Sill, and El Limon West trends is characterized by gold with locally high silver and copper grades. Given that gold precipitates due to the buffer exerted by the early stage of calc-silicate alteration and sulfide mineralization, it is free and generally dissociated from the previous copper event mainly related to chalcopyrite.

QA/QC AND QUALIFIED PERSON

Torex maintains an industry-standard analytical quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) and data verification program to monitor laboratory performance and ensure high-quality assays. Results from this program confirm reliability of the assay results. All sampling and analytical work for the mine exploration program is performed by SGS de Mexico S.A. de C.V. (SGS) in Durango, and by SGS at Minera Media Luna site facilities in Mexico. Gold analyses comprise fire assays with atomic absorption or gravimetric finish. External check assays for QA/QC purposes are performed at ALS Chemex de Mexico S.A. de C.V.

The analytical QA/QC program is currently overseen by Carlo Nasi, Chief Mine Geologist for Minera Media Luna, S.A. de C.V.

Scientific and technical data contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Carolina Milla, P.Eng. Ms. Milla is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (Member ID #168350), has experience relevant to the style of mineralization under consideration, is a qualified person under NI 43-101, and is an employee of Torex. Ms. Milla has verified the data disclosed, including sampling, analytical, and test data underlying the drill results; verification included visually reviewing the drill holes in three dimensions, comparing the assay results to the original assay certificates, reviewing the drilling database, and reviewing core photography consistent with standard practice. Ms. Milla consents to the inclusion in this release of said data in the form and context in which they appear.

Additional information on the ELG Underground, sampling and analyses, analytical labs, and methods used for data verification is available in the Companys technical report entitled the Morelos Property, NI 43-101 Technical Report, ELG Mine Complex Life of Mine Plan and Media Luna Feasibility Study, Guerrero State, Mexico, dated effective March 16, 2022 filed on March 31, 2022 (the 2022 Technical Report) and in the annual information form ("AIF") dated March 30, 2023, each filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the Companys website at www.torexgold.com.

ABOUT TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC.

Torex is an intermediate gold producer based in Canada, engaged in the exploration, development, and operation of its 100% owned Morelos Property, an area of 29,000 hectares in the highly prospective Guerrero Gold Belt located 180 kilometres southwest of Mexico City. The Companys principal asset is the Morelos Complex, which includes the El Limon Guajes (ELG) Mine Complex, the Media Luna Project, a processing plant, and related infrastructure. Commercial production from the Morelos Complex commenced on April 1, 2016 and an updated Technical Report for the Morelos Complex was released in March 2022. Torexs key strategic objectives are to optimize and extend production from the ELG Mine Complex, de-risk and advance Media Luna to commercial production, build on ESG excellence, and to grow through ongoing exploration across the entire Morelos Property.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

TOREX GOLD RESOURCES INC. Jody Kuzenko Dan Rollins President and CEO Senior Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations Direct: (647) 725-9982 Direct: (647) 260-1503 [email protected] [email protected]

CAUTIONARY NOTES ON FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTSThis press release contains "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking information also includes, but is not limited to, statements about: the high grade intercepts from the drill program at ELG Underground continue to validate the long-term potential of this evolving orebody; as the Companys understanding of the structural controls matures, so does our confidence in our ability to continue to replace reserves and resources and to significantly grow the overall mineral endowment of the ELG Cluster; the Companys view to extending and enhancing the mine plan and further unlocking the significant cash generation capability of the Morelos asset; infill drilling within ELG Underground continues to deliver outstanding results which support upgrading Inferred resources to the Indicated category; advanced exploration drilling following up on high grade intercepts previously identified yielded impressive results that highlight the potential to expand Inferred resources; high grade mineralization of the El Limon Deep Trend appears to be related to the intersection of the La Flaca fault with the Sub-Sill Trend, highlighting the possibility to encounter higher-grade mineralization where the La Flaca fault intersects the other north-northwest (NNW) trending structural corridors; two holes drilled 250 m north of the La Flaca fault encountered mineralization, opening the exploration potential for additional mineralization to the north; three drill intercepts encountered mineralization along the El Limon West Trend, indicating the potential for another new mining front within ELG Underground; El Limon Sur Deep is a key area of focus given the potential to extend higher-grade gold and copper mineralization at depth and to the southeast; the second area of focus along the El Limon Sur Trend was a cluster of high-grade intercepts at the intersection of the Trend and the La Flaca fault; drilling within this area returned multiple drill intercepts in excess of 10 gpt AuEq and widths in excess of 10 m, which is encouraging for future resource expansion; several holes also returned impressive levels of copper mineralization, indicating the potential to sweeten future copper production once upgrades to the processing plant are completed as part of the Media Luna Project in late 2024; previous drilling intersected high grade mineralization at the 400 m level, indicating the potential for continuous mineralization 250 m below where the majority of drilling in this rapidly developing zone has been focused; the third area of focus was infill drilling with the aim of upgrading and expanding resources within Sub-Sill South, specifically below the El Limon Sur open pit; infill and step-out drilling along the northeast corridor near the intersection with the Sub-Sill Trend returned several impressive intercepts, which indicate the potential to expand resources at depth while upgrading Inferred resources to the Indicated category; drilling at the northern end of the Sub-Sill Trend (LDUG-234 and LDUG-241), 250 m from the La Flaca fault, encountered mineralization above the resource cut-off grade, which suggests the potential for a new zone of mineralization; this zone is close to existing mine infrastructure and should be able to be developed quickly if the zone can be expanded through future drilling and proven to be economic; the El Limon West Trend is a NNW-trending structural corridor that hosts a potential new underground mining front below the El Limon Sur open pit; drill hole LS-229 was successful in extending the known mineralized footprint more than 100 m at depth while drill hole LS-287 returned two high grade intercepts which have extended the mineralized footprint 100 m to the south, directions in which mineralization remains open; development of a new mining front at El Limon West could be accessed via future underground infrastructure at El Limon Sur Deep zone, potentially via the bottom of the El Limon Sur open pit or through the Guajes Tunnel, which passes approximately 300 m to the south; and the Companys key strategic objectives to extend and optimize production from the ELG Mining Complex, de-risk and advance Media Luna to commercial production, build on ESG excellence, and to grow through ongoing exploration across the entire Morelos Property. Generally, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as objective, strategy, target, continue, potential, focus, demonstrate, aim or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results will, would, or is expected to" occur. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with: the ability to upgrade mineral resources categories of mineral resources with greater confidence levels or to mineral reserves; risks associated with mineral reserve and mineral resource estimation; uncertainty involving skarn deposits; and those risk factors identified in the Technical Report and the Companys annual information form and managements discussion and analysis or other unknown but potentially significant impacts. Forward-looking information is based on the assumptions discussed in the Technical Report and such other reasonable assumptions, estimates, analysis and opinions of management made in light of its experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, and other factors that management believes are relevant and reasonable in the circumstances at the date such statements are made. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated. 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 information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information or future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

Figure 2: Drilling along the El Limon Sur Trend highlights the potential to extend mineralization at depth at El Limon Sur Deep, expand resources at Sub-Sill South, and highlights a potential new mining front along trend to the northwest

Figure 3: Step-out and infill drilling continue to extend mineralization at depth at ELD

Figure 4: Infill drilling returned high grade intercepts within the extension of Sub-Sill and encountered mineralization 250 m north of the La Flaca fault

Figure 5: Three new drill holes encountered mineralization along the El Limon West Trend, expanding the exploration potential for another new mining front within ELG Underground

Table 7: Drill results testing mineralization extensions along the El Limon Sur Trend

Final Intercept Drill Hole Program UTM-E UTM-N Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth From To Core Length Au Ag Cu AuEq Lithology (m) (m) (m) () () (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (g/t) LS-133 Step-Out 422137.63 1989681.25 1085.17 260.0 -86.0 180.00 166.00 169.00 3.00 0.85 1.5 0.06 0.96 Skarn/MSO LS-134 Infill 422176.41 1989597.30 1074.32 260.0 -66.0 149.00 77.71 81.46 3.75 13.50 2.6 0.01 13.55 Skarn 126.71 133.11 6.40 14.60 3.1 0.05 14.72 Skarn LS-135 Step-Out 422176.72 1989597.30 1074.29 260.0 -77.0 188.00 32.42 41.63 9.21 7.95 1.7 0.01 7.99 Skarn 54.87 58.76 3.89 8.74 2.7 0.01 8.79 Skarn LS-136 Infill 422144.88 1989651.18 1080.80 260.0 -86.0 189.00 139.46 144.00 4.54 2.60 2.6 0.00 2.64 Skarn LS-137 Infill 422150.13 1989622.43 1077.54 260.0 -80.0 203.00 112.54 119.25 6.71 21.24 5.8 0.08 21.44 Skarn 139.22 146.68 7.46 4.33 1.4 0.04 4.41 Skarn LS-138 Step-Out 422150.91 1989623.02 1077.57 80.0 -45.0 203.00 61.78 67.08 5.30 0.16 0.5 0.01 0.18 Skarn 152.46 155.35 2.89 0.25 12.2 0.66 1.46 Skarn LS-139 Step-Out 422149.51 1989622.77 1077.65 80.0 -67.0 101.00 89.15 92.00 2.85 2.12 0.5 0.00 2.13 Skarn LS-140 Step-Out 422148.76 1989622.63 1077.67 80.0 -88.0 155.50 105.03 109.14 4.11 6.46 5.8 0.00 6.53 Skarn LS-141 Infill 422150.08 1989622.01 1077.59 260.0 -73.0 218.00 119.00 131.72 12.72 9.14 1.1 0.02 9.18 Skarn 144.94 152.07 7.13 7.96 7.8 0.11 8.22 Skarn LS-142 Infill 422137.95 1989681.18 1085.11 80.0 -84.0 229.00 153.31 157.80 4.49 5.44 2.7 0.06 5.57 Skarn LS-143 Step-Out 422144.69 1989652.49 1080.79 260.0 -78.0 207.00 146.33 149.78 3.45 1.03 3.5 0.08 1.19 Skarn LS-144 Step-Out 422139.25 1989682.58 1085.52 260.0 -76.0 198.00 137.08 141.29 4.21 2.47 0.5 0.01 2.49 Skarn LS-145 Infill 422176.41 1989597.78 1074.35 260.0 -56.0 219.00 165.09 171.20 6.11 3.87 1.4 0.06 3.99 Skarn 177.18 182.08 4.90 10.52 4.4 0.02 10.61 Skarn 204.50 209.65 5.15 3.98 3.9 0.01 4.05 Skarn LS-146 Infill 422149.99 1989623.49 1077.64 260.0 -64.0 210.00 122.57 136.03 13.46 5.10 1.2 0.00 5.12 Skarn 156.94 160.00 3.06 4.59 2.0 0.07 4.73 Skarn LS-147 Infill 422140.74 1989670.39 1083.92 260.0 -82.0 180.00 150.13 155.63 5.50 4.63 1.2 0.03 4.69 Skarn LS-148 Step-Out 422139.96 1989666.50 1083.00 260.0 -73.0 193.00 167.05 171.64 4.59 1.17 4.2 0.03 1.27 Skarn LS-149 Step-Out 422238.35 1989576.83 1067.52 260.0 -61.0 189.00 10.00 14.45 4.45 28.34 4.4 0.07 28.50 Skarn 93.00 98.86 5.86 4.75 0.5 0.01 4.77 Skarn LS-150 Infill 422123.97 1989739.17 1090.99 260.0 -84.0 290.00 209.00 216.00 7.00 4.29 3.3 0.41 4.99 Skarn 220.38 244.42 24.04 3.66 1.5 0.04 3.75 Skarn 261.72 266.66 4.94 13.61 5.8 0.11 13.86 Skarn LS-151 Infill 422215.25 1989587.95 1069.90 260.0 -49.0 189.00 7.30 20.00 12.70 15.45 5.5 0.01 15.54 Skarn 148.00 151.39 3.39 35.74 8.0 0.06 35.94 Skarn LS-152 Step-Out 422215.66 1989588.07 1069.54 260.0 -59.0 177.00 6.68 14.84 8.16 44.69 11.6 0.06 44.93 Skarn LS-153 Infill 422139.60 1989681.35 1085.47 260.0 -68.0 231.00 178.62 188.00 9.38 4.53 6.1 0.15 4.85 Skarn 194.38 199.86 5.48 9.44 6.4 0.14 9.74 Skarn 213.00 220.18 7.18 9.60 4.3 0.08 9.79 Skarn 227.32 231.00 3.68 5.72 1.1 0.00 5.74 Veinlets GDI LS-154 Infill 422143.81 1989652.29 1080.60 260.0 -79.0 203.50 129.76 136.52 6.76 5.12 0.9 0.02 5.16 Skarn LS-155 Infill 422161.81 1989609.76 1076.44 260.0 -76.0 213.00 135.79 140.50 4.71 6.68 1.6 0.04 6.77 Skarn LS-156 Infill 422161.33 1989609.55 1076.33 260.0 -66.0 197.00 84.16 88.39 4.23 9.04 1.8 0.03 9.12 Skarn 111.55 119.09 7.54 2.57 0.8 0.02 2.61 Skarn 146.66 154.69 8.03 6.69 2.1 0.07 6.83 Skarn LS-157 Step-Out 422161.79 1989609.11 1076.05 80.0 -78.0 111.00 81.78 85.83 4.05 0.44 0.5 0.01 0.46 Skarn LS-158 Infill 422162.00 1989609.54 1076.01 260.0 -86.0 222.00 119.50 123.26 3.76 3.59 0.7 0.00 3.60 Skarn LS-159 Step-Out 422147.81 1989637.07 1079.12 260.0 -73.0 176.00 98.44 102.00 3.56 1.81 0.5 0.00 1.82 Skarn LS-234 Infill 422176.83 1989292.14 959.85 80.0 -45.0 99.00 52.00 66.00 14.00 13.69 16.4 0.35 14.45 Skarn 58.00 62.00 4.00 27.00 31.3 0.66 28.43 Skarn LS-235 Infill 422195.44 1989340.99 956.38 80.0 -47.0 60.00 22.35 29.00 6.65 2.69 0.5 0.01 2.71 Skarn/ veinlets GDI LS-236 Infill 422193.35 1989355.55 956.08 80.0 -46.0 51.00 22.00 27.00 5.00 0.35 1.1 0.03 0.41 Skarn LS-237 Infill 422192.88 1989371.73 956.15 80.0 -48.0 42.00 16.42 20.78 4.36 1.04 2.9 0.08 1.20 Skarn LS-238 Infill 422180.53 1989384.52 955.92 80.0 -45.0 48.00 27.07 32.45 5.38 0.32 1.1 0.03 0.38 Skarn LS-239 Infill 422165.02 1989323.92 954.80 83.0 -61.0 126.00 84.05 90.00 5.95 2.56 3.1 0.08 2.73 Skarn 97.00 104.00 7.00 3.05 2.4 0.06 3.18 Skarn LS-240 Infill 422160.99 1989609.85 1076.14 260.0 -59.5 168.00 115.52 123.49 7.97 1.30 0.5 0.01 1.32 Skarn LS-241 Infill 422148.45 1989637.89 1079.00 260.0 -65.5 162.00 117.47 120.66 3.19 2.46 0.5 0.00 2.47 Skarn LS-243 Infill 422146.98 1989637.70 1079.06 80.0 -84.0 123.00 106.00 111.68 5.68 5.39 2.6 0.04 5.49 Skarn LS-244 Infill 422146.97 1989637.86 1079.17 80.0 -86.5 165.00 108.00 116.00 8.00 1.09 0.9 0.03 1.15 Skarn LS-245 Infill 422159.07 1989609.72 1076.27 80.0 -66.0 90.00 70.44 75.00 4.56 1.32 3.2 0.13 1.57 Skarn LS-246 Infill 422162.84 1989610.29 1075.97 80.0 -45.0 78.00 59.80 69.95 10.15 10.00 2.8 0.06 10.13 Skarn LS-248 Infill 422190.10 1989599.41 1073.14 80.0 -45.0 70.00 39.06 50.00 10.94 10.54 4.1 0.06 10.69 Skarn LS-249 Infill 422148.97 1989622.34 1077.61 80.0 -79.0 147.00 99.75 107.30 7.55 9.48 2.5 0.00 9.51 Skarn LS-250 Infill 422216.27 1989588.65 1069.54 0.0 -90.0 78.00 33.82 42.09 8.27 3.79 3.8 0.23 4.20 Skarn LS-251 Infill 422217.19 1989589.14 1069.33 80.0 -45.0 45.00 19.15 29.78 10.63 4.06 1.0 0.01 4.09 Skarn 37.49 41.08 3.59 7.87 11.6 0.67 9.08 Skarn LS-252 Infill 422149.95 1989622.50 1077.63 80.0 -56.5 87.00 69.58 72.95 3.37 0.85 0.5 0.01 0.87 Skarn LS-255 Infill 422149.57 1989623.57 1077.64 260.0 -60.0 162.00 132.00 138.55 6.55 3.53 1.0 0.02 3.57 Skarn LS-256 Infill 422133.59 1989543.41 1033.31 80.0 -75.0 72.00 25.00 29.91 4.91 3.07 0.8 0.02 3.11 Skarn LS-257 Infill 422166.59 1989553.19 1036.38 87.0 -55.0 75.00 52.73 57.00 4.27 12.45 6.8 0.28 12.98 Skarn LS-260 Infill 422176.08 1989530.37 1028.93 125.0 -59.0 79.00 55.00 59.00 4.00 2.20 16.8 0.57 3.32 Skarn 67.00 73.00 6.00 2.95 10.8 0.80 4.36 Skarn LS-263 Infill 422214.34 1989511.64 1023.83 260.0 -82.0 52.00 0.00 6.78 6.78 2.05 12.5 0.48 2.97 Skarn 14.84 19.20 4.36 5.62 69.3 2.98 11.24 Skarn 43.00 50.39 7.39 1.97 15.8 0.65 3.20 Skarn LS-265 Infill 422215.88 1989512.21 1023.61 80.0 -60.0 36.00 6.82 13.08 6.26 1.80 1.4 0.05 1.90 Skarn LS-267 Infill 422179.49 1989535.79 1028.62 80.0 -64.0 72.00 41.70 47.00 5.30 2.76 7.7 0.27 3.29 Skarn 55.70 65.00 9.30 3.48 58.7 3.90 10.44 Skarn / Breccia LS-268 Infill 422160.56 1989471.72 986.28 80.0 -48.0 50.00 4.00 15.00 11.00 2.74 7.2 0.33 3.36 Skarn 35.13 41.63 6.50 5.44 2.4 0.03 5.52 Skarn LS-269 Infill 422182.27 1989536.37 1028.53 80.0 -43.0 60.00 35.60 47.80 12.20 7.59 5.0 0.26 8.07 Skarn LS-270 Infill 422165.58 1989461.67 984.94 110.0 -60.0 81.00 40.08 53.00 12.92 2.67 2.7 0.05 2.78 Skarn LS-271 Infill 422120.10 1989457.00 991.02 90.0 -56.0 78.00 52.00 58.67 6.67 5.94 5.8 0.12 6.20 Skarn LS-272 Infill 422221.60 1989423.00 976.91 260.0 -60.0 71.00 36.00 48.44 12.44 11.30 2.8 0.03 11.38 Skarn LS-273 Infill 422227.60 1989409.00 975.14 260.0 -68.0 66.00 53.30 57.30 4.00 0.23 8.5 0.16 0.59 Skarn LS-274 Infill 422119.90 1989456.00 990.90 114.0 -54.0 78.00 56.14 71.57 15.43 4.98 10.9 0.25 5.51 Skarn 56.14 60.16 4.02 16.89 30.1 0.66 18.32 Skarn LS-275 Infill 422226.92 1989408.58 975.38 260.0 -54.0 72.00 38.50 46.97 8.47 1.62 25.1 0.55 2.81 Skarn LS-276 Infill 422119.30 1989457.00 990.96 104.0 -62.5 105.00 53.18 63.65 10.47 10.61 13.3 0.37 11.37 Skarn 55.00 60.00 5.00 21.14 21.0 0.64 22.43 Skarn LS-280 Infill 422256.26 1989634.37 1113.38 55.0 -75.0 58.70 18.28 22.16 3.88 0.88 0.5 0.00 0.89 Skarn LS-282 Infill 422252.79 1989632.85 1113.03 271.5 -66.0 102.00 43.49 47.05 3.56 1.78 0.5 0.00 1.79 Skarn LS-283 Infill 422191.77 1989660.90 1105.13 112.5 -71.0 111.00 70.81 74.03 3.22 0.16 0.5 0.00 0.17 Skarn LS-293 Step-Out 422115.00 1989265.80 927.20 80.0 -66.0 285.00 270.75 275.38 4.63 20.10 44.9 0.06 20.74 Skarn LDUG-236 Step-Out 421951.89 1990113.72 948.14 190.0 -85.5 315.00 242.90 246.00 3.10 0.03 10.9 1.42 2.44 MSO LDUG-239 Step-Out 421953.81 1990114.56 948.28 141.0 -61.0 258.00 177.16 200.07 22.91 10.94 12.0 0.41 11.75 Skarn LDUG-242 Step-Out 421950.81 1990116.56 948.63 275.0 -83.0 270.00 248.59 252.00 3.41 0.19 13.4 0.51 1.18 Skarn LDUG-266 Step-Out 421980.48 1990161.82 948.32 137.0 -72.0 270.00 175.98 180.48 4.50 3.72 9.9 0.89 5.26 Skarn LDUG-271 Step-Out 421978.83 1990161.32 947.33 141.0 -80.0 222.00 191.94 197.50 5.56 10.86 80.2 1.13 13.65 Skarn LDUG-273 Step-Out 421977.59 1990161.48 947.41 185.0 -88.0 252.00 176.91 180.82 3.91 4.60 23.4 0.58 5.81 Skarn LDUG-277 Step-Out 421978.07 1990161.36 947.32 134.0 -65.5 318.00 226.27 235.14 8.87 10.86 10.8 0.45 11.71 Skarn LDUG-279 Step-Out 421994.07 1990231.43 946.89 190.5 -77.5 261.00 180.65 184.40 3.75 4.00 17.7 1.06 5.92 Skarn LDUG-280 Step-Out 422176.56 1990136.75 676.04 235.0 0.0 312.00 192.41 197.11 4.70 4.48 1.4 0.02 4.54 Skarn 262.56 274.99 12.43 5.26 30.9 1.56 8.13 Skarn LDUG-281 Step-Out 421994.58 1990231.23 946.92 154.5 -67.0 252.00 177.27 183.35 6.08 5.48 11.0 0.32 6.13 Skarn LDUG-288 Step-Out 421911.80 1990095.42 948.28 196.0 -81.0 393.00 247.50 252.57 5.07 3.48 23.1 1.16 5.63 Skarn LDUG-290 Step-Out 421913.31 1990095.31 948.19 155.0 -69.5 312.00 250.17 265.10 14.93 9.97 7.9 0.93 11.55 Skarn LDUG-296 Step-Out 421952.02 1990113.67 948.24 167.0 -80.0 222.00 190.61 204.96 14.35 9.17 9.3 0.47 10.03 Skarn LDUG-308 Step-Out 421953.99 1990115.26 948.29 120.0 -62.0 306.00 241.04 249.72 8.68 10.44 21.9 0.41 11.36 Skarn SST-283 Infill 422103.90 1989762.96 1092.19 66.0 -70.0 219.00 171.29 176.50 5.21 3.29 5.9 0.10 3.52 Skarn 201.00 210.78 9.78 5.08 13.4 0.36 5.82 Skarn SST-317 Step-Out 421954.35 1990114.67 948.07 124.0 -59.0 432.00 149.70 153.62 3.92 4.53 8.5 0.26 5.06 Skarn 188.80 196.33 7.53 3.89 12.6 0.51 4.86 Skarn 216.88 222.82 5.94 3.33 8.0 0.14 3.65 Skarn

Notes to Table1) Intercepts are core lengths and do not represent true thickness of mineralized zones.2) Core lengths subject to rounding.3) Torex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data.4) Gold equivalent (AuEq) grades use the same metal prices ($1,550/oz gold (Au), $20/oz silver (Ag) and $3.50/lb copper (Cu)) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag and 93% Cu) used in the Mineral Resource estimate for ELG Underground (AuEq (gpt) = Au (g/t) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0123 + Cu (%) * 1.6000).

Table 8: Drill results from step-out drilling at depth and to the north along the Sub-Sill Trend

Final Intercept Drill Hole Program UTM-E UTM-N Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth From To Core Length Au Ag Cu AuEq Lithology (m) (m) (m) () () (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (g/t) SST-312 Step-Out 422333.30 1990194.01 683.32 144.0 -15.0 246.00 84.33 88.28 3.95 11.25 61.9 5.82 21.32 Skarn 133.12 145.23 12.11 14.90 45.1 2.50 19.45 Skarn SST-313 Step-Out 422331.82 1990193.86 682.47 205.5 -37.5 231.00 151.27 155.96 4.69 23.18 9.3 0.01 23.32 Skarn

Notes to Table1) Intercepts are core lengths and do not represent true thickness of mineralized zones.2) Core lengths subject to rounding.3) Torex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data.4) Gold equivalent (AuEq) grades use the same metal prices ($1,550/oz gold (Au), $20/oz silver (Ag) and $3.50/lb copper (Cu)) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag and 93% Cu) used in the Mineral Resource estimate for ELG Underground (AuEq (gpt) = Au (g/t) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0123 + Cu (%) * 1.6000).

Table 9: Drill results from infill and step-out drilling at depth along the El Limon Deep Trend

Final Intercept Drill Hole Program UTM-E UTM-N Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth From To Core Length Au Ag Cu AuEq Lithology (m) (m) (m) () () (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (g/t) LDUG-234 Step-Out 422292.38 1990577.93 742.09 255.5 17.5 171.00 142.13 152.00 9.87 3.23 5.8 0.38 3.92 Skarn LDUG-235 Infill 422292.37 1990577.64 740.98 241.0 -5.5 129.00 No skarn intercepted LDUG-240 Step-Out 422293.07 1990578.77 741.81 284.0 15.0 165.00 96.19 97.85 1.66 0.08 5.0 0.53 0.99 MSO LDUG-241 Step-Out 422292.39 1990577.88 743.06 255.5 30.0 204.00 156.73 159.76 3.03 2.49 5.8 0.50 3.35 MSO LDUG-250 Infill 422028.43 1990285.13 878.53 105.0 -30.5 138.00 70.00 74.17 4.17 2.44 8.8 0.61 3.53 Skarn 117.44 125.00 7.56 5.29 2.0 0.01 5.32 Skarn LDUG-252 Step-Out 422188.08 1990257.56 979.41 211.0 -51.0 78.00 74.50 78.00 3.50 4.61 1.4 0.06 4.72 Skarn LDUG-253 Infill 422028.76 1990284.79 878.42 114.0 -40.0 156.00 108.50 112.00 3.50 3.75 2.0 0.14 4.00 Skarn LDUG-255 Infill 422027.42 1990284.66 878.31 121.0 -33.0 150.00 125.60 129.93 4.33 5.63 1.5 0.04 5.71 Skarn LDUG-256 Infill 422027.50 1990284.51 878.31 105.5 -44.0 162.00 116.05 125.13 9.08 32.95 7.4 0.54 33.91 Skarn 147.00 151.25 4.25 2.34 21.4 1.59 5.15 Skarn LDUG-259 Infill 422027.94 1990281.13 878.18 93.0 -49.0 165.00 82.19 87.52 5.33 3.39 19.2 1.45 5.95 Skarn 151.00 155.63 4.63 4.67 11.6 0.52 5.64 Skarn LDUG-260 Infill 422027.26 1990284.33 878.32 99.0 -54.0 225.00 161.40 169.86 8.46 5.28 2.4 0.06 5.41 Skarn LDUG-262 Infill 422027.60 1990285.70 878.90 78.0 -33.5 150.00 78.00 83.00 5.00 7.17 8.6 0.46 8.01 Skarn LDUG-265 Infill 422027.94 1990281.13 878.18 148.0 -25.0 171.00 147.92 152.03 4.11 4.25 13.6 0.81 5.71 Skarn LDUG-267 Infill 422027.54 1990282.27 878.29 143.0 -30.0 162.00 123.00 126.60 3.60 1.61 16.1 0.70 2.93 Skarn LDUG-268 Infill 422027.30 1990282.33 878.25 148.0 -33.0 170.00 100.17 105.00 4.83 35.41 11.7 0.16 35.81 Skarn Infill 422027.30 1990282.33 878.25 148.0 -33.0 170.00 114.14 119.53 5.39 6.58 4.3 0.15 6.87 Skarn LDUG-270 Infill 421994.29 1990231.79 946.86 153.0 -83.0 237.00 190.31 194.70 4.39 4.10 19.8 0.39 4.97 Skarn LDUG-276 Infill 421994.20 1990231.12 946.94 168.0 -72.0 258.00 189.74 198.00 8.26 1.17 51.0 1.45 4.11 Skarn

Notes to Table1) Intercepts are core lengths and do not represent true thickness of mineralized zones.2) Core lengths subject to rounding.3) Torex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data.4) Gold equivalent (AuEq) grades use the same metal prices ($1,550/oz gold (Au), $20/oz silver (Ag) and $3.50/lb copper (Cu)) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag and 93% Cu) used in the Mineral Resource estimate for ELG Underground (AuEq (gpt) = Au (g/t) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0123 + Cu (%) * 1.6000).

Table 10: Drill results from brownfield drilling program along the El Limon West Trend

Final Intercept Drill Hole Program UTM-E UTM-N Elevation Azimuth Dip Depth From To Core Length Au Ag Cu AuEq Lithology (m) (m) (m) () () (m) (m) (m) (m) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (g/t) LS-229 Brownfield 422057.41 1989112.36 868.42 328.0 -57.0 426.00 338.00 341.38 3.38 2.36 65.2 2.33 6.90 Skarn LS-287 Brownfield 422055.50 1989111.20 868.50 270.0 -70.0 453.00 164.00 169.40 5.40 14.98 73.1 1.16 17.74 Breccia/Fault 198.65 212.05 13.40 9.16 10.1 0.47 10.04 Skarn

Notes to Table1) Intercepts are core lengths and do not represent true thickness of mineralized zones.2) Core lengths subject to rounding.3) Torex is not aware of any drilling, sampling, recovery, or other factors that could materially affect the accuracy or reliability of the data.4) Gold equivalent (AuEq) grades use the same metal prices ($1,550/oz gold (Au), $20/oz silver (Ag) and $3.50/lb copper (Cu)) and metallurgical recoveries (90% Au, 86% Ag and 93% Cu) used in the Mineral Resource estimate for ELG Underground (AuEq (gpt) = Au (g/t) + Ag (gpt) * 0.0123 + Cu (%) * 1.6000).

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/69bd4fc1-2ae2-472d-8e03-a262410f4a26https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/6676fb9a-d66c-44aa-a2d7-82647e628d8ahttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8b42d4d0-5d8a-40be-85b0-2c544b65ecfehttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eba88fc3-c958-414c-b864-14b4f0a7dacbhttps://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1f1e6fb3-b35a-400c-bbcc-c19934e0b03d

Figure 1 Plan view of ELG Underground including key structural trends (corridors) Figure 2 Drilling along the El Limon Sur Trend highlights the potential to extend mineralization at depth at El Limon Sur Deep, expand resources at Sub-Sill South, and highlights a potential new mining front along trend to the northwest Figure 3 Step-out and infill drilling continue to extend mineralization at depth at ELD Figure 4 Infill drilling returned high grade intercepts within the extension of Sub-Sill and encountered mineralization 250 m north of the La Flaca fault Figure 5 Three new drill holes encountered mineralization along the El Limon West Trend, expanding the exploration potential for another new mining front within ELG Underground

Source: Torex Gold Resources Inc.
YORK, Pa., Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- US Digestive Health (USDH), one of the largest gastroenterology (GI) practices in the United States, today announced its expansion into York, Pennsylvania, with the addition of Dr. Chris Evans, DO, to its leading team of healthcare providers.

Dr. Evans is highly skilled surgeon and will continue to offer his General Surgical services and procedures while advancing his endoscopic practice with the launch of the new USDH location in York. USDH physician Rajesh Panchwagh, DO, FACG, will also serve the new office location. Both physicians have extensive experience providing GI care to patients in both York and the broader Pennsylvania region.

"Our mission is and always has been to expand access to high-quality GI care," said Jerry Tillinger, CEO of US Digestive Health. "I look forward to broadening our healthcare offerings to meet the comprehensive needs of our patients, especially those in underserved areas such as York."

The USDH team consists of over 250 providers who treat the entire spectrum of digestive health conditions. The practice has continued its rapid expansion of services throughout Pennsylvania and Delaware, making it one of the nation's leading and most trusted providers of digestive health care.

"I'm excited to join the US Digestive Health team at our newest location in York," said Dr. Evans. "I'm dedicated to the York community and to advancing access to gastrointestinal healthcare. USDH, Dr. Panchwagh and I will be able to provide comprehensive and innovative healthcare solutions, ensuring the highest standards of digestive health for our patients."

Address of Office:1600 6th Avenue, Suite 110York, PA 17403

About US Digestive Health US Digestive Health (USDH) is the leading gastroenterology practice in the Northeast and one of the largest in the United States, managed by US Digestive Health Management (USDHM).

USDH and USDHM were formed in 2019 by Amulet Capital Partners, LP ("Amulet"), a healthcare private equity investment firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut, in partnership with member practice partner physicians.

USDH aims to deliver high-value, patient-centric digestive healthcare by bringing new insight into the care, treatment, and prevention of digestive health disorders. USDH consists of more than 37 locations, 23 ambulatory surgery centers, over 250 GI providers, and more than 1,100 employees throughout Southeastern, Central, and Southwestern Pennsylvania and Delaware.

Media Contact:Lauren StraloPR Supervisor[email protected]www.levlane.com

Source: US Digestive Health
On the morning of Thursday, November 16, explosions were heard in the Khmelnytskyi region during an air raid alert. The region, like the neighboring ones, was under the threat of enemy missile and drone attacks, and air defense was operating there.

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The debris of the destroyed enemy target damaged the buildings of food warehouses and a truck, whose driver was injured. This was reported by the regional military administration.

The air alert was announced in the Khmelnytskyi region at 06:37 on Thursday, and it also spread to Vinnytsia and Chernivtsi regions. The military warned that the regions were at risk of a missile strike from the Russian Federation.

The explosions in the Khmelnytskyi region occurred around 07:40. The first deputy head of the JFO, Serhii Tiurin, pointed to the work of air defense forces.

"Starokostiantyniv, stay in shelters!" the Ukrainian Air Force later reported.

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Later, the Khmelnytskyi Military District reported that as a result of the downing of one of the air targets, the debris damaged a truck, the driver of which sustained minor injuries.

In addition, on the territory of the food warehouses, the shrapnel damaged the roof covering, the windows of the workshop and a three-story building, and seven containers for storing vegetable oil.

"The damage is being established. I will keep you updated," said Tyurin.

Natalia Gumenyuk, head of the Joint Press Center of the Southern Defense Forces, said that this morning the occupiers launched attack UAVs from the Black Sea in the direction of Kherson, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions, which also reached Vinnytsia and Khmelnytskyi regions. According to her, this is a fairly predictable route, as the enemy often uses it.

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For his part, Yuriy Ihnat, a spokesman for the Ukrainian Air Force, noted that Russian troops had launched about 10 kamikaze drones into Ukraine. Air defense forces destroyed them on their way from the south to the western regions.

The Ukrainian Air Force emphasized that during the night and morning of Thursday, the defenders of the sky shot down 16 of the 18 Shaheds. The night before, an X-59 guided missile was also destroyed.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, air defense was activated in the Khmelnytskyi region on the night of October 30. The country was then under attack by Russian attack UAVs.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Veyond Metaverse and RapiDiagnostics Collaborate to Redefine Global Surgery with Leading-Edge AI and XR Healthcare Technologies

SAN FRANCISCO, CA, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

XR Operating Room Center



At 2 PM local time, teams in Guayaquil and Toronto, previously divided by distance and language, came together in a moment of breakthrough communication. In this digital convergence facilitated by the Veyond Connect platform, the teams experienced a seamless and dynamic exchange that felt as immediate and natural as a face-to-face meeting. This interaction, powered by Veyond Metaverse's innovative AI-powered Natural Language Processing (NLP) real-time translation system, turned what was once a challenging barrier into an effortless dialogue. The atmosphere was charged with a sense of collaboration and discovery as ideas and insights were exchanged freely, paving the way for a new era in global healthcare collaboration. This technological marvel, integrating AI seamlessly into XR Immersive real-time communication, marked the beginning of a transformative chapter in XR digital surgery and global healthcare communication.

This moment of vibrant synergy signified the dawn of a new era. On September 13, 2023, Veyond Metaverse, known for its pioneering work in extended reality (XR) technology, achieved a historic milestone by successfully performing the worlds first digital surgery. Shortly after, on November 10, 2023, another significant advancement followed with the testing and validation of their latest innovation, the AI-powered NLP real-time translation system, now an integral component of the Veyond Connect platform.

Prepared with these groundbreaking technologies, Veyond Metaverse is set to launch one of the worlds first XR operating rooms in Yangon in December 2023. Demonstrated in collaborative digital simulations between the Canadian and Ecuadorian teams, the technology has adeptly overcome both geographic and linguistic barriers, fostering connections among medical professionals across continents and moving closer to the goal of democratizing healthcare access worldwide.

"In a world where healthcare innovation transcends borders, bridging language barriers is essential," says Jafer Kamoonpuri, a project leader at Veyond Metaverse. "The integration of our AI-powered NLP real-time translation system into the Veyond Connect platform has revolutionized collaboration, especially for individuals like Andres Bajana from RapiDiagnostics, who previously faced significant communication challenges."

"Andres Bajana, a project member at RapiDiagnostics, reflected on his experience: 'Before the introduction of Veyond Metaverse's real-time translation technology, I faced significant challenges in collaborating with my English-speaking colleagues. The language barrier was not just a hurdle; it was a wall. With this groundbreaking tool, that wall has been dismantled. I now participate in critical discussions and collaborations seamlessly, feeling empowered and more connected than ever. This technology hasn't just changed the way we work; it has revolutionized it, enabling a true exchange of knowledge and expertise across linguistic divides.'"

With the introduction of our AI-powered Natural Language Processing (NLP) real-time translation system, we've taken a significant step in enhancing global healthcare accessibility. This technology not only facilitates seamless communication across language barriers but also dramatically expands the reach of medical expertise. From serving a limited audience to now enabling access on a global scale, Veyond Metaverse is at the forefront of democratizing healthcare through advanced technology.

Jimmy Silva, CEO of RapiDiagnostics says It's a remarkable moment for us at RapiDiagnostics to see such advanced XR healthcare technology making significant strides in Latin America. The integration of Veyond Metaverse's AI-driven NLP system is a monumental step forward. It eradicates language barriers, ensuring the technology's accessibility to the entire continent. This is more than technological advancement; it's a leap towards inclusive and equitable healthcare.

Advancing Global Healthcare with AI Innovations:

At the vanguard of healthcare transformation, Veyond Metaverse utilizes advanced AI to improve healthcare accessibility and quality globally. Already proficient in languages like Spanish and Korean, the company is expanding to include Burmese, overcoming the challenges of limited data for less common languages. This commitment to technological refinement is reshaping international medical collaboration, perfectly aligning with the mission to democratize global healthcare.

In the forthcoming year, significant investments in AI research and development will propel Veyond Metaverse into a leading position as an AI-powered XR healthcare provider. This strategic focus on technology enhancement aims to refine our systems' understanding and response to human language, thereby enabling seamless real-time communication for healthcare professionals globally.

We are also dedicated to enhancing the user-friendliness of our digital surgical tools, ensuring that doctors can use them intuitively and efficiently. Additionally, we are actively developing AI tools for tasks such as medical data analysis and improving situational awareness during surgeries.

These enhancements will not only facilitate the teaching and practice of surgery using our technology but also benefit healthcare education as a whole. Our substantial investment in AI research and development is poised to revolutionize real-time immersive 3D communication, enabling advanced data analytics and big data mining. These advancements will greatly enhance data management for educational purposes and elevate situational awareness in operating theaters, ushering in a transformative era in digital surgery and healthcare education.

A Testament to Collaborative Innovation:

In a strategic alliance with RapiDiagnostics S.A., a leader in healthcare technology in Ecuador and Peru, Veyond Metaverse has established a cutting-edge XR Digital Surgery training center in Latin America. This facility is poised to become a pivotal center for state-of-the-art surgical training and telemedicine consultations, promising to revolutionize the accessibility of quality healthcare. This collaboration exemplifies Veyond Metaverse's commitment to forging impactful and cooperative healthcare solutions.

Gabriel Honce, Project Leader says Our collaboration with Veyond Metaverse in bringing this AI innovation to our XR Operating Room Training Center validates our commitment and vision. We're not just building a facility; we're pioneering a new chapter in digital surgery and medical training, setting the benchmark for healthcare innovation in Latin America.

Global Impact and Recognition:

The international medical community recognizes this achievement as a pivotal moment in digital surgery. Renowned surgeons, such as French urology expert Prof. Dr. Thierry Flam, have praised the AI NLP system for its capacity to connect global experts with regional healthcare professionals, effectively bridging distance and language barriers. Veyond Metaverses innovations have also received international acclaim, including a recent nomination for 'VR Healthcare Solution of the Year' at the 7th International VR Awards and Digital Health Awards 2023.

A Future Powered by AI and XR:

The co-founders of Veyond Metaverse, Adam Choe, Dr. Joon Chung, and Prof. Dr. Flam, envision a future where AI and XR Healthcare technologies revolutionize the teaching and execution of surgeries worldwide. 'Our objective goes beyond mere technological progression,' states Choe. 'We are devoted to democratizing healthcare access and revolutionizing its delivery globally through cutting-edge AI solutions.'

Adam Choe

Veyond Metaverse

[email protected]

There is no offer to sell, no solicitation of an offer to buy, and no recommendation of any security or any other product or service in this article. Moreover, nothing contained in this should be construed as a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any investment or security, or to engage in any investment strategy or transaction. It is your responsibility to determine whether any investment, investment strategy, security, or related transaction is appropriate for you based on your investment objectives, financial circumstances, and risk tolerance. Consult your business advisor, attorney, or tax advisor regarding your specific business, legal, or tax situation.
VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Nov. 15, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Vortex Energy Corp. (CSE: VRTX | OTC: VTECF | FRA: AA3) ("Vortex or the "Company") is pleased to announce, further to its news releases on April 28, 2023, June 23, 2023, July 21, 2023, September 1, 2023, and October 20, 2023 that it has further extended its engagement of Financial Star News Inc. (FSN) (address: 701 West Georgia Street, Suite 1500, Vancouver, British Columbia V7Y 1C6; email: [email protected]) for marketing services for up to an additional 30 days commencing on November 16, 2023, provided that the term of the marketing services may be extended or shortened at the discretion of management depending on, amongst other things, the efficiency of the marketing services.

As previously disclosed, FSN has and shall continue to, as appropriate, create campaigns, ad groups, text ads, display ads, perform detailed keyword research, setup and manage remarketing campaigns, optimize keyword options, coordinate online advertisers and marketers corresponding to online marketing targets, create landing pages for ad campaigns and generally bring attention to the business of the Company. The promotional activity undertaken by FSN will occur on theFinancialStar.com and by email, Facebook and Google.

The Company will pay a fee of USD $200,000 (plus GST) for the extension. The Company will not issue any securities to FSN as compensation for its marketing services. As of the date hereof, to the Companys knowledge, FSN (including its directors and officers) does not own any securities of the Company and has an arms length relationship with the Company.

About Vortex Energy Corp.

Vortex Energy Corp. is an exploration stage company engaged principally in the acquisition, exploration, and development of mineral properties in North America. The company is currently advancing its Robinson River Salt Project comprised of a total of 942 claims covering 23,500 hectares located approximately 35 linear kms south of the town of Stephenville in the Province of Newfoundland & Labrador. The Robinson River Salt Project is prospective for both salt and hydrogen salt cavern storage. The company is actively evaluating technologies to efficiently store hydrogen or energy in salt caverns. Vortex Energy Corp. also holds the Fire Eye Project, which is located in the Wollaston Domain of northern Saskatchewan, Canada.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Paul Sparkes Chief Executive Officer, Director +1 (778) 819-0164[email protected]

Cautionary Note Regarding 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 expected term of the marketing activities contracted for by the Company.

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 efficacy of the Companys marketing program and the Canadian Securities Exchanges acceptance of the Companys promotional program.

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 the Companys marketing program may not be as effective as anticipated by the Company and that the budget for the Companys marketing program may not be sufficient to permit the marketing activities to continue for the anticipated term and that the Canadian Securities Exchange may object to the Companys promotional program and use its discretion to hold the Companys promotional activities or impose other penalties on the Company. The forward-looking information contained in this release is made as of the date hereof, and the Company is not obligated to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. The foregoing statements expressly qualify any forward-looking information contained herein.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the contents of this press release.

Source: VORTEX ENERGY CORP
Hong Kong, China--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - On November 12, 2023, the "Sail On, Brilliant Tour - Global IP Routes and Global Cultural Tourism Industry Contract Signing Conference," jointly organized by Mass United Tourism Ltd, Mass United Invest Ltd, and Mass United Travel Co., Limited, was grandly held in Hong Kong, China. Distinguished guests from the global cultural tourism industry were invited to collectively explore new trends in the global tourism industry under robust recovery, innovative strategies for cultural tourism development, and topics related to international collaboration in cultural tourism. The aim was to discuss new models of cooperation and jointly promote the high-quality development of the tourism industry.

As a well-established enterprise with a track record of serving over 100,000 travelers, United Tourism shared its achievements and milestones through a short film, allowing CEO Albert Bernard and COO Peter Spencer to guide all attendees and industry elites through an in-depth understanding of the various sectors of United Tourism.

To facilitate a more efficient and comprehensive understanding of the global market operations and future development strategies of United Tourism, the conference invited guest professors from the United Tourism Industry Business School. They provided in-depth insights into the three core areas of IP Routes, cultural tourism asset restructuring, and enterprise RWA.

Since its inception, the development and implementation of original IP routes have been a core focus of the United Tourism Group's business. While reviewing the achievements of the IP routes sector in the first three quarters of 2023, the conference officially announced the launch of 21 new IP routes spanning five continents and even the Arctic. These routes, combined with the series of IP routes developed over the past decade, constitute a new and comprehensive system, presenting a spectacular and diverse Brilliant Tour for all travelers and industry professionals.

As a global leader in the tourism industry, United Tourism has always taken on the responsibility of integrating industry resources and promoting the flow of industry assets. To create a win-win ecosystem for the global tourism industry, the conference invited important partners from various fields such as hotels, airlines, and IP routes to sign long-term strategic cooperation agreements.

Simultaneously, to further strengthen the United Tourism Group's traffic foundation in the global market, the conference also invited representatives from Trip International and TikTok to sign strategic cooperation agreements. With the implementation of a series of cooperation details, backed by increased traffic, the global market presence of United Tourism will enter a period of rapid growth over the next five years.

In addition, to further drive the efficient operation of United Tourism in the international market, the conference announced a major strategic investment cooperation agreement of $36 million between Mass United Tourism Ltd and Mass United Invest Ltd. It is believed that with the infusion of more international capital, United Tourism will achieve unprecedented breakthroughs in the Asian, European, and North American markets.

Setting sail, presenting a brilliant tour, and winning together - the future holds great promise. For a deeper understanding of the collaborations between United Tourism and various industries, please continue to follow the reports sent directly from the event by United Tourism.

About United Tourism:

United Tourism is a multinational enterprise with a presence in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Hong Kong, China. Its main business covers three major sectors: the development of cultural tourism IP routes, the restructuring of cultural tourism assets, and the construction of cultural tourism RWA data. With years of experience in the tourism industry, it operates 50 or more offices worldwide and collaborates with over 500 partners, spanning aviation, hotels, asset management, the internet, and more. Among these partners, more than 20 are Fortune 500 companies, and it maintains long-term and in-depth cooperative relationships with tourism bureaus in over 30 countries. With a compound annual growth rate of over 30% in the past five years, the United Tourism Industry is committed to becoming a global leader in the tourism industry, providing unique experiences and value for travelers worldwide through international and diversified services.

Media Contact

Contact: Albert Bernard

Company Name: Mass United Tourism Ltd

Email: [email protected]

Source: https://hs.china.com.cn/m/zixun/110427.html

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187650
HIGHLIGHTS

Option to be granted to Colossus Resources Corp. ("Colossus") (TSXV: CLUS) to purchase Austral's Chilean Calvario and Mirador copper projects, previously acquired through the takeover of Revelo Resources Corp in 2021 [1] .

Consideration comprised mainly of (i) a US$2.5 million work commitment over a two-year period, (ii) 19.99% shareholding in Colossus (non-diluted basis), (iii) one million Colossus warrants at an exercise price of C$0.50 and anti-dilution rights up to Colossus raising US$3.8 million.

Additional payment of two million Colossus common shares if Colossus prepares a pre-feasibility study.

Colossus to complete an equity financing for proceeds of not less than US$1.5M within 90 days after the date of the Agreement and any required regulatory approval.

Austral would become the largest shareholder of Colossus.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Established gold producer Austral Gold Limited(ASX: AGD) (TSXV: AGLD) (OTCQB: AGLDF) ("Austral" or the "Company")and Colossus Resources ("Colossus") (TSXV: CLUS) signed a definitive agreement ("Agreement") to grant Colossus an option to purchase Austral's Chilean Calvario and Mirador copper projects (collectively, the "Projects"). The Agreement follows the initial media release on 5 April 2023, which provided exclusivity to Colossus through a Letter of Intent ("LOI") and the payment of US$100,000.

The Projects are early-stage copper exploration projects located approximately 80 km northeast of the coastal city of La Serena in the Coquimbo Region of central-northern Chile in South America, approximately 700 km from the Austral Group's Guanaco-Amancaya mine complex.

Grant of the Option is subject to conditions, including, the necessary approval of the transaction by the regulatory authorities, and certain undertakings from Colossus, including the requirement that Colossus complete an equity financing in which it raises at least US$1.5M within 90 days after the date of the Agreement.

Austral Gold's Chief Executive Officer, Stabro Kasaneva said: "Further to the letter of intent signed earlier this year, Austral is pleased to execute a definitive agreement with Colossus. The agreement offers potential upside for the Company, enabling Austral to focus on its core gold assets across production and exploration, while still sharing in the potential success of the Calvario-Mirador copper projects in Chile as the largest shareholder of Colossus."

Highlights Of Consideration:

WORK COMMITMENT: US$2.5 million in exploration expenditures on the Calvario and Mirador projects (Projects) over a period of two years, of which at least US$1.5 million must be incurred in the first 18 months, inclusive of the US$100,000 payment made to the Austral Group for exclusivity through the LOI in April 2023.

SHARES: Issuance of Colossus shares equivalent to 19.99% shareholding in Colossus on a non-diluted basis. If the Austral Group intends to exercise warrants that would provide it an interest greater than 19.99%, Colossus shall use reasonable commercial efforts to obtain disinterested shareholder approval agrees to seek shareholder approval for the constitution of Austral as a 'control person' of Colossus.

WARRANTS: One million warrants, each exercisable for one ordinary share of Colossus at an exercise price of C$0.50 until the third anniversary of the date of the definitive agreement. The warrants can only be exercised to the extent Austral Group will not exceed voting power in Colossus of 19.99% unless and until Colossus obtains shareholder approval for the constitution of the Austral Group as a control person, and Colossus will agree to seek such approval.

CONTINGENT PAYMENT: If a pre-feasibility study is prepared in respect of the Projects, Colossus shall issue to Austral Group 2 million common shares of Colossus, provided that if as a result of such issuance the percentage interest of the Austral Group would exceed 19.99% Colossus will use reasonable commercial efforts to seek the approval for the constitution of the Austral Group as a control person and until such date, the parties shall defer a portion of the share issuance such that they maintain the Austral Group's percentage interest in Colossus at or below 19.99%.

ANTI-DILUTION RIGHTS AND PARTICIPATION RIGHTS: Colossus will grant to the Austral Group an anti-dilution right so that Austral Group's interest in Colossus remains at 19.99% through the raising of US$3.8 million, inclusive of the US$2.5 million exploration expenditures on the Projects mentioned above, as well as pre-emptive rights to participate, pro rata, in future financings of Colossus until the third anniversary of the closing date.

BOARD REPRESENTATION AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE: Austral is to have the right to appoint one person to the Colossus Board for as long as it holds at least ten percent (10%) of Colossus's outstanding shares. Austral is also to have the right to appoint 2 out of 4 members of Colossus's Technical Committee.

ROYALTIES: Austral is to retain its option to purchase half of the existing net smelter return royalties over base and precious metals in respect of the Calvario and Mirador projects.

About Colossus Resources Corp.

Colossus Resources is a relatively young junior mineral exploration company focused on maximising shareholder value through the acquisition, discovery and advancement of high-quality copper - gold projects in the Americas.

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.

Release approved by the Chief Executive Officer of Austral Gold, Stabro Kasaneva.

For more information, please contact:

Jose Bordogna

Chief Financial Officer

Phone: +61 466 892 307

[email protected]

Gareth Quinn

Media and Investor Relations

Phone +61 417 711 108

[email protected]

Forward Looking Statements

Statements in this news release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical, and consist primarily of projections - statements regarding future plans, expectations and developments. Words such as "expects", "intends", "plans", "may", "could", "potential", "should", "anticipates", "likely", "believes" and words of similar import tend to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include option to be granted to Colossus, the related consideration, Austral would become the largest shareholder of Colossus, the parties ability to obtain approval from the regulatory authorities and the agreement offers potential upside for the Company and the share in the potential success of the Calvario-Mirador copper projects in Chile.

All of these forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied, including, without limitation, uncertainty of exploration programs, development plans and cost estimates, commodity price fluctuations; political or economic instability and regulatory changes; currency fluctuations, the state of the capital markets especially in light of the effects of the novel coronavirus, uncertainty in the measurement of mineral resources and reserves and other risks and hazards related to the exploration of a mineral property, and the availability of capital. You are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which may have been used. Austral cannot assure you that actual events, performance or results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements, and management's assumptions may prove to be incorrect. Austral's forward-looking statements reflect current expectations regarding future events and operating performance and speak only as of the date hereof and Austral does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's beliefs, expectations or opinions should change other than as required by applicable law. For the reasons set forth above, you should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

About Austral Gold

Austral Gold is a growing gold and silver mining producer building a portfolio of quality assets in the Americas. Austral continues to lay the foundation for its growth strategy by advancing its attractive portfolio of producing and exploration assets.

OPERATIONS

Guanaco and Amancaya mines, Antofagasta Province, Chile (100% interest)

Open pit and underground.

Casposo/Manantiales Mine Complex, San Juan Province, Argentina (100% interest)

Gold and silver mine currently in care and maintenance. Strategy is to restart profitable mining operations.

EXPLORATION

CHILE ARGENTINA Paleocene Belt, Chile

Guanaco District

Amancaya District

Las Pampa District Triassic Choiyoi Belt

Indio Belt

Deseado Massif

EQUITY INVESTMENTS

Unico Silver Limited, an ASX listed company

Rawhide Mine, private vehicle, Fallon, Nevada, USA

Ensign Minerals Inc., private vehicle, Utah, USA

Pampa Metals Corp, a CSE listed company

[1] Refer to Media Release dated 4 February 2021: Austral Completes Acquisition of Revelo Resources

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187658
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Discovery Harbour Resources Corp. (TSXV: DHR) (OTC Pink: DCHRF) (FSE: 4GW) (the "Company" or "Discovery Harbour") announces that Clayton Fisher has been appointed as the Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary of the Company and has joined the board of directors.

Mark Fields commented: "I welcome the addition of Clayton to Discovery Harbour. His experience in the capital markets and knowledge of the mineral exploration industry will be a strong complement to the Company."

Mr. Fisher has 15 years of experience in the financial services and capital markets sectors. During his time as an Investment Advisor with Raymond James Ltd., Mr. Fisher evaluated and financed numerous mineral exploration companies. Mr. Fisher has previously held CEO, director and advisory roles for private and public corporations. He holds a degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Victoria. Mr. Fisher's appointment is subject to TSXV approval.

In light of Mr. Fisher's appointment, Rodney Stevens has resigned as the Interim Chief Financial Officer, Vice President and Corporate Secretary of the Company but remains a director of the Company. The Company also announces that Andrew Hancharyk has resigned as a director of the Company due to other commitments. The Company would like to thank Mr. Hancharyk for his dedication and service to the Company during his long tenure as a director, and wishes him the best in his future endeavours. Mr. Fields commented: "I would also like to recognize the many contributions of Andrew Hancharyk during his tenure as a director of Discovery Harbour. His insights and contributions have been greatly appreciated over the years."

About Discovery Harbour Resources Corp.

Discovery Harbour is focused on sourcing, exploring and developing mineral properties in mining-friendly jurisdictions.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DISCOVERY HARBOUR RESOURCES CORP.

"Mark Fields"

Mark Fields, B. Sc. (Geology), B.Comm.(Hon.)

President and Chief Executive Officer

Discovery Harbour Resources Corp.

Tel: (604) 681-3170

Fax: (604) 681-3552

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187666
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - David H. Brett, President & CEO, EnGold Mines Ltd., (TSXV: EGM) ("EnGold" or the "Company") reports that EnGold accountant Alastair Brownlow has stepped down as Chief Financial Officer of the Company due to increasing time commitments serving his other clients. The Company has commenced a search for a new CFO and has appointed EnGold's Corporate Secretary Leanora Brett as interim CFO to temporarily serve in that role during the transition period.

"EnGold's board and management would like to express their gratitude to Alastair for his expertise, hard work, and dedication to the Company since his appointment in 2017," said EnGold President & CEO David H. Brett. "We wish Alastair tremendous success in his career."

About EnGold

EnGold is a Vancouver-based copper, gold, silver, and magnetite exploration company focused solely on its 100% owned Lac La Hache property in the Cariboo region of BC which hosts the Spout Copper Deposit, the Aurizon Gold Deposit, and the G1 Copper Deposit and other targets within a large porphyry mineralizing system. With world-class infrastructure at its doorstep, Lac La Hache is a great location to be exploring.

EnGold Mines Ltd.

David Brett

President & CEO

For further info contact David Brett, 604-682-2421 or [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187784
Highlights

Recent collation of historic data identifies the Middle Chief prospect a significant highly prospective unmined zone of mineralisation, commencing from 120m below surface at the northern extent of the former Little Chief open cut and underground mine at the Whitehorse Copper Project, including:

LCU-009: 49.83m @ 3.06% Cu from 70.26m

LCU-017: 54.10m @ 2.05% Cu from 77.42m

LCU-023: 33.99m @ 2.10% Cu from 148.89m, Incl. 15.24m @ 3.26%Cu

LCU-503: 32.22m @ 2.11% Cu from 83.91m, Incl. 17.07m @ 3.47% Cu

LCU-543: 13.72m @ 1.28% Cu from 66.14m and 41.15m @ 2.22% Cu from 87.48m

LCU-610: 50.99m @ 1.87% Cu from 18.11m, Incl. 39.84m @ 2.19% Cu from 23.16m

High grade copper skarn mineralisation at Middle Chief remains open in all directions. Unmined historic resources were established, and drilling completed just prior to the closure of the Little Chief mine in 1982, due to the prevailing low copper prices at the time.

Approval has now received from the Yukon Department of Energy, Mines and Resources (EMR) for a Class 1 exploration permit allowing up to 10,000 metres of diamond drilling, to test the Middle Chief prospect area and extensions to mineralisation at the Little Chief historical production area.

Compiled historical drilling data is limited to selective sampling and assaying for copper only. Gladiator intends to assay all future drilling and sampling for additional credits including Molybdenum, Silver and Gold which were proven contributors to the economics of historic operations.

Gladiator CEO, Jason Bontempo, commented:

"With the identification of the Middle Chief mineralization Gladiator continues to define areas of high-grade copper skarn mineralisation with significant exploration upside from its data compilation of historic drilling datasets. The Middle Chief mineralization represents a near surface area of mineralization open in all directions with limited exploration or development away from historical underground infrastructure.

Historical drilling and past production from the Little Chief mine area as a whole remains shallow, and this data compilation represents an opportunity to review the deposit in 3D for the first time to begin to appreciate the exploration potential of the high-grade copper-gold skarn, which remains open in all directions, for future resource growth.

Planned diamond drilling is scheduled to commence in the coming months and will be testing the Middle Chief target as well as near mine extensions to the historic Little Chief mine."

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Gladiator Metals Corp. (TSXV: GLAD) (OTCQB: GDTRF) (FSE: ZX7) ("Gladiator" or the "Company"), provides an update to its ongoing data compilation over the Whitehorse Copper Project with the identification of significant widths of unmined, Copper-Gold skarns over more than 700m of strike at the historic Little Chief mine trend (refer to Figure 1 below).

Little Chief Mine & Middle Chief Target

The former Little Chief mining trend is the largest historically producing Mine in the Whitehorse Copper Belt with a total mined production of approximately 8.54 million tonnes grading > l.5% copper and 0.75g/t gold (Watson, 1984). Production from the Little Chief Open Cut Mine commenced in May 1967, with mining of the Open Cut completed in 1969. Underground mining development commenced in 1971 and ceased operation in 1982 due to the prevailingly low copper price environment. On review, Gladiator has identified down dip potential for the mineralization to continue, where little or no drilling has been completed to date and mineralization remains open.

Gladiator has recently completed collating historic drilling for the Little Chief historical production area. Supporting this work, the Company has completed a LIDAR survey and undertaken reconnaissance, prospecting and sampling of outcropping Cu-Au skarn mineralization proximal to the historic Little Chief underground and open cut mine. From this, the Company has confirmed the existence of significant mineralization that was drilled initially from the decline constructed to access the former Little Chief underground mine, with further drilling being undertaken prior to the mine closure in 1982.

This was supported by David Tenney (1981), who reported remaining underground reserves at Little chief and Middle Chief).

The recently collated historical drilling data has identified a significant, a greater than 200m long body of shallow mineralization (120m below surface), located underneath the decline and to the north of the Little Chief Open pit and underground mine, named the Middle Chief mineralization. This mineralization appears to remain intact with drilling completed to date being limited in scope and size and has not closed off the unmined high grade copper skarn mineralization at Middle Chief. Further drilling is also planned to test the extent of remnant mineralization from the Little Chief orebody that remains open along strike and down dip, (see Figures 2 and 3 below):

Figure 1: Plan map of the Whitehorse Copper Project showing geology and location of the newly defined Little Chief mineralized trend (please refer toCompany's news releases dated February 13, 2023, April 3, 2023, July 31st2023 and November 2nd2023for details).

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1930/187631_f075716b24ac6ab3_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Plan view of recently collated Little Chief and Middle Chief drillhole data showing historic open pit as well as areas of historical production and unmined mineralization.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1930/187631_f075716b24ac6ab3_003full.jpg

Figure 3: Isometric long section view (looking west) of recently collated Little Chief and Middle Chief drillhole data showing historic open pit and underground development as well as areas of historical production, unmined mineralization and near mine, undrilled exploration potential.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/1930/187631_f075716b24ac6ab3_004full.jpg

The recently collated historic drilling (628 Underground holes LCU-001-619, BC2490-1-2, BC2500-1-2 and 166 Surface holes LC-001-121, MC-001-014, XLC-001-028 & BCF-001-006) & D-001-4 for 68,940 metres) none of which had been previously reported by the Company, highlighted significant mineralization that potentially remains intact, this includes the following drill holes from Middle Chief that have been collared underground:

LCU-003: 53.56m @ 1.23% Cu from 88.54m LCU-009: 49.83m @ 3.06% Cu from 70.26m LCU-013 23.01m @ 2.07% Cu from 87.78m LCU-017: 54.10m @ 2.05% Cu from 77.42m LCU-023: 33.99m @ 2.10% Cu from 148.89m, Incl. 15.24m @ 3.26%Cu from 167.64m LCU-151: 32.92m @ 2.08% Cu from 86.87m LCU-371: 9.30m @ 4.73% Cu from 0m LCU-500: 22.52m @ 2.23% Cu from 79.86m LCU-503: 32.22m @ 2.11% Cu from 83.91m, Incl. 17.07m @ 3.47% Cu from 99.06m LCU-528: 30.85m @ 1.68% Cu from 18.68m, Incl.22.47m @ 2.06% Cu from 18.68m LCU-542: 28.04m @ 1.84% Cu from 91.14m, Incl. 19.81m @ 2.35% Cu 96.32m LCU-543: 13.72m @ 1.28% Cu from 66.14m and 41.15m @ 2.22% Cu from 87.48m LCU-550: 37.49m @ 1.90% Cu from 74.68m LCU-551: 24.9m @ 2.27% Cu from 93.97m LCU-571: 11.06m @ 3.79% Cu from 89.37m LCU-578; 30.17m @ 1.97% Cu from 31.09m LCU-580: 24.14m @ 1.86% Cu from 45.96m, Incl. 21.10m @ 2.00% Cu from 45.96m LCU-604: 26.21m @ 1.86% Cu from 16.46m LCU-610: 50.99m @ 1.87% Cu from 18.11m, Incl. 39.84m @ 2.19% Cu from 23.16mm LCU-614: 38.22m @ 1.39% Cu from 10.24m, Incl. 32.13m @ 1.53% Cu from 14.81m LCU-616: 37.79m @ 1.55% Cu from 21.34m, Incl. 28.65m @ 1.9% Cu from 30.48m

The compilation of the available data completed by Gladiator is the first time that the mineralization has been able to be reviewed and modeled in three dimensions, providing Gladiator with a unique opportunity to target further mineralization and utilize modern geophysics such as down hole electromagnetics (DHEM).

Gladiator intends to commence exploration drilling at Middle Chief in the coming months under its recently approved Class 1 exploration notification. This drilling will be complemented by DHEM surveying of the holes to identify undrilled extensions to the mineralization.

In addition to this, Gladiator is currently undertaking a high-resolution drone borne aeromagnetic survey over the Little Chief area. On completion, Gladiator plans to have the magnetics processed and a three-dimensional inversion model completed. This is of significant importance given that mineralization previously exploited along the Little Chief trend is associated with Magnetite enriched Skarns and is able to be directly targeted from its magnetic signature.

Historical drilling at Little Chief and Middle Chief was selectively sampled for copper only. Gladiator intends to assay all future drilling and sampling for additional credits including gold, silver and molybdenum which were proven significant contributors to the economics of historic operations at Little Chief.

Holes were drilled at various dips on variable, prospect specific, nominal grids. Gladiator obtained the drill records and logs from the Yukon Geological Survey archives and have captured the data within an industry standard database.

Drill holes with the prefixes "LCU-", "D- "and "BC2" were "Collared" or conducted from underground mining infrastructure, including drill drives and the main decline used to access the Little Chief Mine and Mineralization. For this reason, down hole depth of mineralization as reported do not give a true sense of depth below surface for reported intersections.

A complete list of the collated historic drilling noted above, including hole location, azimuth and dip can be accessed at:

https://bit.ly/49AKbb9

Regional Exploration

Work completed to date has identified more than 30, drill ready, high-grade regional targets associated with copper rich skarns at the contact between the Cretaceous age Whitehorse Plutonic Suite and the Triassic to Jurassic Lewes River Group's clastic and carbonate metasediments. Cumulatively, there is more than 35km of underexplored strike on the contact which is highly prospective for high-grade copper+/-molybdenum+/-silver+/- gold.

Gladiator's position is enhanced at Whitehorse, with the project having near year-round access for work programs, including an established road and drill access network, low capital infrastructure requirements due to the project's proximity to Whitehorse and a strong partnership with the owners of the Whitehorse Copper Project, an experienced local drilling service provider.

QA / QC and Data Verification

The drill results reported in this news release are historical in nature. Gladiator has not undertaken any independent investigation, nor has it independently analyzed the results of the historical exploration work in order to verify the results. The Company believes that the historical drill results do not conform to the presently accepted industry standards. Gladiator considers these historical drill results relevant as the Company will use this data as a guide to plan future exploration and drilling programs. The Company also considers the data to be reliable for these purposes, however, the Company's future exploration work will include verification of the data through drilling. The Company has provided drill results derived form the compilation of historic data relating to prospects which were mined or partially mined by prior operators. The Company is using this data as it attempts to identify trends within the prospect areas. The Company expects to use this data as a guide to plan future exploration and drilling programs.

The historical mineral resources discussed in this press release were calculated using mining industry standard practices for estimating Mineral Resource and Mineral Reserves prior to the implementation of the current CIM standards for mineral resource estimation (as defined by the CIM Definition Standard on Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves dated May 10, 2014). The reader is cautioned not to treat them, or any part of them, as current mineral resources or reserves. An independent Qualified Person ('QP'), has not done sufficient work to classify the estimate discussed as current mineral resources or reserves and therefore the estimate should be treated as historical in nature and not current mineral resources or mineral reserves. The historical resources have been included simply to demonstrate the mineral potential of the Whitehorse Copper Project. A thorough review of all historical data performed by a QP, along with additional exploration work to confirm results, would be required in order to produce a current mineral resource estimate for each of the key prospects. For greater certainty, the Company confirms that it does not have a current mineral resource on any part of its Whitehorse Copper Project.

References:

Watson P.H. (1984) The Whitehorse Copper Belt - A Compilation. Yukon Geological Survey, Open File 1984-1.(https://data.geology.gov.yk.ca/Reference/42011#InfoTab)

Tenney D. (1981) - The Whitehorse Copper Belt: Mining, Exploration and Geology (1967-1980). (https://ia802508.us.archive.org/18/items/whitehorsecopper00tenn/whitehorsecopper00tenn.pdf)

The Whitehorse Copper Project

The Whitehorse Copper Project is an advanced-stage copper (Cu)  molybdenum (Mo)  silver (Ag)  gold (Au) skarn exploration project in the Yukon Territory, Canada. The property comprises 314 contiguous claims covering approximately 5,380 Hectares (13,294 acres) in the Whitehorse Mining District.

Copper mineralization was first discovered in 1897 on the Whitehorse Copper Belt, as it became to be known. The Whitehorse Copper Belt comprised over 30 copper-related, primarily skarn occurrences covering an area of 35 by 5 km in a north westerly trending arc. Exploration and mining development have been carried out intermittently since that time with the main production era lasting between 1967 and 1982 where production totaled 267,500,000 pounds copper, 225,000 ounces of gold and 2,838,000 ounces of silver from 11.1 million tons of mineralized material milled (Watson, 1984).

The Project is accessible through with numerous access roads and trails located within 2 km of the South Klondike Highway and the Alaska Highway. An extensive network of historical gravel exploration and haul roads exists throughout the project area, providing excellent access to the majority of the claim package. Access to existing electric power facilities is available through the main Yukon power grid.

In November 2022, Gladiator executed an option agreement to acquire 100% of the Whitehorse Copper Project by incurring exploration expenditures of $12m on the project, staged payment of $300,000 in cash and the staged issue of 15m shares over 6 years. Following the exercise of the option, the Company must pay the Optionor, or such other person(s) as the Optionor may direct from time to time, a 1.0% net smelter returns royalty on the Whitehorse Copper Project.

Qualified Person

All scientific and technical information in this news release has been prepared or reviewed and approved by Kell Nielsen, the Company's Vice President Exploration, a "qualified person" as defined by NI 43-101.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD

"Jason Bontempo"

Jason Bontempo

President and CEO

For further information contact:

Dustin Zinger, Investor Relations

+1-604-653-9464

[email protected]

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 does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

Certain of the statements and information in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements" or "forward-looking information". Any statements or information that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "estimates", "intends", "targets", "goals", "forecasts", "objectives", "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) that are not statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information..

Forward-looking statements or information are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements or information, including, without limitation, the need for additional capital by the Company through financings, and the risk that such funds may not be raised; the speculative nature of exploration and the stages of the Company's properties; the effect of changes in commodity prices; regulatory risks that development of the Company's material properties will not be acceptable for social, environmental or other reasons; availability of equipment (including drills) and personnel to carry out work programs; and that each stage of work will be completed within expected time frames. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company's forward-looking statements or information. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated, described or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

The Company's forward-looking statements and information are based on the assumptions, beliefs, expectations and opinions of management as of the date of this news release, and other than as required by applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements and information if circumstances or management's assumptions, beliefs, expectations or opinions should change, or changes in any other events affecting such statements or information.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187631
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - good natured Products Inc. (TSXV: GDNP) (OTCQX: GDNPF) (the "Company" or "good natured"), a North American leader in plant-based products, announced today that it will report results for the three months ended September 30, 2023 ("Q3 2023") on Tuesday, November 28, 2023.

The Company will be holding a conference call shortly thereafter to discuss the results on November 28, 2023 at 11:00 AM Eastern / 8:00 AM Pacific time. Paul Antoniadis, Chair and Chief Executive Officer and Kerry Biggs, Chief Financial Officer, will host the call.

Conference Call Details:

Date: November 28, 2023

Time: 11:00 AM ET / 8:00 AM PT

Toll-Free: 1-888-886-7786 International: +1-416-764-8658

Conference ID: 22010070

Participants are asked to dial in 10 minutes prior to the start of the call.

A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after its completion through to December 12, 2023. The replay will be available by dialing 1-877-674-7070 in North America or +1-416-764-8692 and by using the passcode 010070.

The good natured corporate profile can be found at:

investor.goodnaturedproducts.com

About good natured Products Inc.

good natured is passionately pursuing its goal of becoming North America's leading earth-friendly product company by offering the broadest assortment of plant-based products made from rapidly renewable resources instead of fossil fuels. The Company is focused on making it easy and affordable for business owners and consumers to shift away from petroleum to better everyday products that use more renewable materials, less fossil fuel, and no chemicals of concern.

good natured offers over 400 products and services through wholesale, direct to business, and retail channels. From plant-based home organization products to certified compostable food containers, bio-based industrial supplies and medical packaging, the Company is focused on making plant-based products more readily accessible to people as a means to create meaningful environmental and social impact.

For more information: goodnaturedproducts.com.

On behalf of the Company:

Paul Antoniadis - Executive Chair & CEO

Contact: 1-604-566-8466

Investor Contact:

Spencer Churchill

Investor Relations

1-877-286-0617 ext. 113

[email protected]

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibilities for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187513
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2023) - Green River Gold Corp. (CSE: CCR) (OTC Pink: CCRRF) (the "Company" or "Green River") is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Craig Brekkas to the Board of Directors of the Company.

Mr. Brekkas has over 30 years of experience, with increasing responsibility, across both the United States and Canadian agriculture markets. He began his career working in the British Columbia Ag market in sales and worked his way up through a variety of sales, marketing and leadership roles, which included Head of Canada, to President with UPL North America. As President, he grew the business to over $1.25B CDN in revenue with a strong focus on building both an effective market strategy and strong culture and team to drive this business growth.

Perry Little, President and CEO of Green River, comments, "We are extremely happy to have Craig joining our Board. His track record in business speaks for itself and he brings a new perspective to our group. We look forward to drawing on his experience and leadership as we begin to look beyond exploration to the possibility of development of the nickel, talc, and other minerals that we have found on our Quesnel Nickel Project."

Currently, Mr. Brekkas resides in the USA and is consulting with a limited number of early stage and midsize companies in both the USA and Canada focused on driving growth through effective commercialization of their business plans. His focus is on strategic planning, organizational development. and effective scaling of growth initiatives. Mr. Brekkas holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Alberta.

Craig Brekkas comments, "Green River is entering a promising period of validating the extent of the nickel and other minerals found in their first 50 shallow holes and then hopefully proceeding to development. I am excited to be joining the Board to support Perry and his team in building and implementing the plan."

In addition, Vern Kibblewhite has stepped down as a director of the Company. The Company would like to thank Mr. Kibblewhite for his years of service with the Company.

About Green River Gold Corp.

Green River Gold Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on its wholly-owned Fontaine Gold Project, Quesnel Nickel/Magnesium/Talc Project, and Kymar Silver Project which are located in renowned mining districts in British Columbia.

The Fontaine Gold and Quesnel Nickel properties cover an area exceeding 200 square kilometres and straddle a 32-kilometre length of the Barkerville and Quesnel Terranes. They are contiguous to Osisko Development Corp.'s mineral claim group containing a proposed mine location at its Cariboo Gold Project.

The Kymar Silver Project is located in southeast BC, approximately 28 kilometres west of the town of Invermere in the Golden Mining Division. The Property is made up of two mineral tenures, totalling 1,625 hectares, along the southeast flank of Mount Catherine.

For more information contact:

Green River Gold Corp.

Mr. Perry Little - President and Chief Executive Officer

[email protected]

780-993-2193

Additional information about Green River Gold Corp. can be found by reviewing its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Forward Looking Information: This release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Expressions such as "anticipates", "expects", "believes", "estimates", "could", "intends", "may", "plans", "predicts", "projects", "will", "would" and other similar expressions, or the negative of these terms, are generally indicative of forward-looking information. Forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

In addition, the forward- looking information contained in this release is based upon what management believes to be reasonable assumptions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information as it is inherently uncertain, and no assurance can be given that the expectations reflected in such information will prove to be correct. The forward-looking information in this release is made as of the date hereof and, except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances.

The securities of the Company have not been registered under the United States 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 release is issued for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187591
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - In an innovative foray into virtual spaces, ICEBERG Financial Investment Consultancy, leveraging the expertise of its Web-3 Cyber Lab, ICELAB, has unveiled its state-of-the-art metaverse office in the On-Cyber Metaverse. This strategic initiative, part of their exploration in metaverse ecosystems, positions ICEBERG Financial as one of the first investment consultancy firms to establish a presence in the metaverse. This marks a significant step forward in the evolution of financial services and their intersection with emerging digital realities.

On-Cyber, renowned for its role in the Web3.0 revolution, stands out as a leading metaverse platform. It is celebrated for its innovation in the blockchain ecosystem, offering seamless integration with multiple chains and a vision that looks well beyond the present. On-Cyber enables its users to create unique worlds and structures, fostering a platform for the expression of groundbreaking ideas in the realms of Web3.0 and the metaverse.

The metaverse office of ICEBERG Financial, meticulously developed by ICELAB, invites visitors to a transformative experience. This virtual space not only allows clients to familiarize themselves with the firm's diverse services but also offers real-time interactions with an online concierge. This represents a novel approach to communication, symbolic of the innovative strides of Web3.0.

Ivan Jovalec, Head Of Operation at ICEBERG Financial, emphasizes the significance of this venture: "This is more than just expanding digitally; it's a testament to our commitment to embracing and leading the Web3.0 transition. Our metaverse office, a brainchild of ICELAB, not only positions us among the pioneers but perhaps as the first mover in guiding the financial industry into the realms of the metaverse and Web3.0."

Everyone is invited to witness ICEBERG Financial's pioneering spirit by visiting their metaverse office on On-Cyber. This trailblazing initiative sets a new benchmark in the financial sector, paving the way for its transition into the Web3.0 era.

For an immersive experience of the future of financial consultancy, please visit ICEBERG Financial's metaverse office.

https://iceberg.financial

Media Contacts:

Name: Public Relation (Sarah Travis)

Website: https://iceberg.financial/

Business email: [email protected]

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/186119
Switzerland has supported the creation of a Special Tribunal to investigate Russia's war crimes in Ukraine. The announcement was made on November 16 in Berlin, where Switzerland confirmed its membership in the core group of countries that support the creation of such a tribunal.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported by the Swiss Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is emphasized that the country is firmly convinced that aggression against Ukraine should not go unpunished.

The countries that support the creation of such a special international judicial body have been meeting for several months as part of a core group of states. They are working on decisions regarding the format, location and methods of work of the tribunal.

In recent months, the initiative has been supported by 38 countries, including France, Germany, Norway, Guatemala, Japan, and Canada. Switzerland officially joined the core group at a meeting in Berlin on November 16, 2023.

The Swiss Foreign Ministry has stated that while the International Criminal Court (ICC) has the authority to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine, it does not have jurisdiction over the "crime of aggression" in this war, as neither Russia nor Ukraine has ratified the Rome Statute (the international treaty establishing the court).

ADVERTISIMENT

In addition to supporting the creation of a special tribunal to prevent Russia's impunity, Stockholm will seek to revise the Rome Statute to facilitate the ICC's jurisdiction to consider the crime of aggression in all contexts, the Swiss defense ministry said.

As reported by OBOZ.UA:

The US State Department supports the creation of such a special tribunal for Russia. They call it the most effective mechanism for bringing to justice both the organizers and perpetrators of Russia's war crimes against Ukraine.

TheHague has officially supported the initiative to create a special tribunal for Russia. The city council of the city noted that given the number of war crimes that have already been registered and are being investigated in Ukraine, such a tribunal would require a separate building.

Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Anderson, South Carolina--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - JZZ Technologies, Inc.'s (OTC Pink: JZZI) ("JZZ" or the "Company") has acquired Portfolio Partners, Inc. ("Portfolio Partners), a Florida Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiary, Travel Zen, Inc. ("Travel Zen"). In a transaction that will provide for JZZ to operate and manage the assets of Travel Zen, JZZ has acquired 100% of the outstanding shares and assets of Portfolio Partners, Inc., including Travel Zen, Inc.

Travel Zen has emerged as a significant player in the vacation rental space. The company owns over 60 deeded vacation rental timeshare weeks, including spring break weeks in some of the most sought-after resorts in the Vail Valley in Colorado. Most of these units are located in Avon, Colorado, providing easy access to the desirable Beaver Creek and Vail ski resorts. Participating resorts include the Sheraton Mountain Vista, Falcon Point Resort, and the Sheraton Lakeside Terrace.

Travel Zen is profitable through the sale of weeks. Each timeshare week is fully acquired and carries no debt, with recurring revenue from each unit in the form of rental income. This produces an extremely high profit margin, ranging from 50% for wholesale to 100% on retail bookings.

Portfolio Partners CEO David Weintraub says, "Joining with JZZ Technologies is a well-timed opportunity for Portfolio Partners. Our shareholders have provided a clear endorsement of this path that allows for rapid growth and immediate access to capital markets as part of a public company. We are excited to be part of JZZ and its vision for a significant role across the vacation real estate market. Fractional ownership is a welcome part of the puzzle."

Weintraub is the former CEO of Swifty Car Wash, which he successfully took public and then returned to private holding. In over 30 years of investment banking experience, David Weintraub has personally raised hundreds of millions of dollars in capital for public companies.

Robert Egeland, who heads up the Company's new Real Estate Development division, states, "The start of COVID created a super surge in the popularity of fractional timeshares and makes the market timing in this space optimal for the future growth of Travel Zen as part of JZZ.

The average timeshare in 2022 was valued at between $27- $30 thousand by the ARDA (American Resort Development Association) and continues to grow year over year. The Travel Zen portfolio has paralleled that growth in size, value, equity, and cash flow since its acquisitions began.

The rentals produce excellent cash flow and provide a solid position for Travel Zen to continue new acquisitions and growth", Egeland added.

JZZ Technologies, Inc. CEO Charles Cardona says the acquisition is an excellent addition to the Company's real estate division.

"We want to build out our real estate and vacation realty prospects in profitable segments. The Portfolio Partners acquisition perfectly aligns with our goals and offers immediate revenue and value as a development company", Cardona says.

Management intends to raise additional capital through a Private Placement (PPM) for additional Travel Zen acquisitions. Its strategic target is to add 300 additional new weeks over the next 12 months through its already-sourced pool of premium properties. Rapid growth will support acquiring more deeds and expanding market share, potentially creating increased shareholder value, revenue, and profits.

About Portfolio Partners Inc. and Travel Zen, Inc.

Portfolio Partners, Inc. is the parent company of Travel Zen, Inc., which acquires deeds to fractional timeshares in a portfolio of premium resorts concentrated during spring break at the best ski resorts in the USA. Purchases are made without mortgages, unencumbered (fully paid), and at significant discounts. The company has multiple sources of revenue, including the resale of prime vacation weeks, the resale of the actual deeds, and the sale of ownership points. For more information, visit https://travelzeninc.com.

About JZZ Technologies, Inc.

JZZ Technologies, Inc. is a diversified company engaged in several business sectors. Its newly launched real estate development division is engaged in acquiring, developing, and operating multifamily, mixed-use, commercial, and residential real estate, vacation rentals and RV resorts, and housing development projects. Its Active Lifestyle Digital media business includes online media and apps, content creation, and digital marketing targeted to active adults 55+. For more information, visit jzztechnologies.com.

Press Contacts:

JZZ Technologies, Inc.

Charles Cardona, CEO

[email protected]

Portfolio Partners, Inc.

David Weintraub, CEO

Tel. +1-813-240-2600

DISCLAIMER and FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Certain statements contained herein are "forward-looking" statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Because such statements include risks and uncertainties, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such Forward-Looking Statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbors created thereby. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. All statements other than statements of historical fact in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including but not limited to the viability of the Company's business plans, the effect of acquisitions on our profitability, the effectiveness, profitability, and the marketability of the Company's products; the Company's ability to protect its proprietary information; general economic and business conditions; and the volatility of the Company's operating results and financial condition. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates, and projections about the Company and the industry. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequent occurring events or circumstances or to changes in its expectations, except as may be required by law. Although the Company believes that the expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, management cannot assure the public that their expectations will turn out to be correct. Investors are cautioned that actual results may differ materially from the anticipated results.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187627
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Kaizen Discovery Inc. (TSXV: KZD) (otherwise "Kaizen" or the "Company"), announces today that the Company has signed a Share Purchase Agreement with Pinwheel Resources Ltd. ("Pinwheel"), a private Canadian mineral exploration company, for the sale of the Company's Aspen Grove and Tanzilla Projects located in British Columbia, Canada.

Under the transaction, Pinwheel will acquire 100% ownership of West Cirque Resources Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Kaizen, which holds all mineral claims related to the Aspen Grove and Tanzilla Projects for C$10 and a 2% net smelter returns royalty ("Royalty"). The Royalty payable by Pinwheel excludes certain Aspen Grove Project mineral claims that are under an existing royalty agreement. Pinwheel can purchase back 0.5% of the 2% Royalty for C$2 million before the publication of a feasibility study. The transaction is expected to close by the end of November 2023.

The completion of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.

About Kaizen

Kaizen is a Canadian mineral exploration and development company with exploration projects in Peru and Canada. More information on Kaizen is available at www.kaizendiscovery.com.

ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY

Eric Finlayson, Interim President and Chief Executive Officer

Information contact

Ran Li +1-604-689-8765

[email protected]

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-looking statements

This news release includes "forward-looking statements" and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of United States and Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to: the sale transaction with Pinwheel, including the closing thereof. Forward-looking information includes predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "potential", "target", "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. Forward-looking information is based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the information is made, and is based on a number of assumptions and is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information, including the failure to meet the conditions specified in the Share Purchase Agreement for the closing of the transaction as well as those other risk factors discussed in Kaizen's public disclosure record, available on www.sedarplus.ca. Although Kaizen has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Kaizen does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187683
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Origen Resources Inc. (CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VXA)(the "Company" or "Origen")Origen is pleased to announce that it has signed a binding term sheet with NewPeak Metals Limited, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, symbol NPM.

Gary Schellenberg, CEO of Origen, stated, "The Newfoundland Lithium assets represent an exceptional pegmatite belt that is now receiving global attention. Our agreement with NewPeak includes technical assistance from the Origen lithium team that hypothesized that the Ireland and North Carolina lithium trend could run through Newfoundland. We look forward to NewPeak moving quickly to initiate the next step of exploration at Newfoundland."

Highlights:

Terms include a C$100,000 cash payment and the issuance of A$1,000,000 in shares of NewPeak Metals

NewPeak has also been granted a two-year right of first refusal on Origen's Los Sapitos Lithium Project in Argentina

NewPeak is led by an experienced team of mining entrepreneurs, which has raised substantial financings in recent years

NewPeak also holds a number of compelling gold assets and a substantial investment in an emerging energy company, underpinning its value proposition

This transaction represents another successful project generation for Origen Resources. The Newfoundland Lithium Project consists of 33,000 hectares of claims in 12 blocks along the pegmatite belt of Newfoundland, also the target of Piedmont Lithium's recent initial 19.9% investment into Vinland Lithium (formed from the combination of Benton Resources and Sokoman Minerals) and their Killick Lithium project. The 12 Origen claim blocks were acquired by staking, with 20 prospective targets covering geological characteristics similar to lithium pegmatite belts found in Ireland, Nova Scotia, and North Carolina, home to North America's longest producing Lithium mine. The area was originally explored by the Newfoundland government in the 1960's for two seasons and subsequently sat dormant.

About NewPeak

NewPeak is an emerging mineral explorer with a highly respected team, including Chairman Brian Moller, and Directors Nick Mather (SolGold) and David Mason as CEO.

NewPeak Metals Asset Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7117/187647_9043307554a83bc5_001full.jpg

NewPeak's Assets portfolio includes:

Argentina Gold Projects - NewPeak holds an interest in several Gold properties in Argentina, a 51% interest in the Las Opeas Gold Project, a 35% interest the Cachi Gold Project and a 100% interest in the PROAR properties. The properties are highly mineralised in Gold and located in mining friendly provinces of Argentina.

Otago Gold Properties - NewPeak owns a 25% interest in two properties in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand

Somero and Tampere Gold Properties, Finland - NewPeak has a suite of gold properties in Finland and the two most advanced prospects in that suite are the Satulinmaki prospect and Hopeavouri prospect. The company has entered into a Binding Term Sheet to farm out 75% of the assets to ENEXD Group for 3,000,000 cash a spend of 9,000,000 on exploration and development.

Bergslagen Strategic Metal Project , Sweden - NewPeak has a portfolio of exploration permits in south-central Sweden, in the Bergslagen mining district near Grangesberg. It is a Tungsten-focused project, though significant levels of Copper, Lead, Zinc and Molybdenum were found in a sampling program.

Lakes Blue Energy NL, Australia - NewPeak is the largest shareholder of Lakes Blue Energy NL (ASX: LKO) holding 9,883,714,010 shares. Lakes is an Australian gas and oil exploration company with diversified exploration assets in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Amendment to Flow-Thru Financing

The Company is also pleased to announce it has arranged a private placement of up to 1,000,000 flow-through units at a price of $0.05 per unit (the "Private Placement"), with each unit consisting of one flow-through share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable into one common share at a price of $0.15 cents per share for a period of 18 months from the closing date. The Company also announces that it has terminated the private placement previously announced on September 28, 2023.

Insiders of the Company are expected to participate in the Private Placement. This anticipated participation by insiders in the Private Placement constitutes a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. However, the Company considers such participation would be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the flow-through units expected to be subscribed for by the insiders and the consideration for the units paid by such insiders will not exceed 25 per cent of the Company's market capitalization.

About Origen

Origen is fully focused on its 100% interest in the Los Sapitos Lithium project in Argentina and its 100% interest in the 33,000 ha Newfoundland Lithium projects, and also a 100% interest in the 26,771 ha LGM and the 3,971 ha Wishbone projects in the mineral-rich Golden Triangle of British Columbia, along with a property portfolio of four 100% owned precious and base metal projects in southern British Columbia.

John Harrop, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined in NI 43-101 has prepared, supervised the preparation or approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release.

On behalf of Origen,

Thomas Hawkins

Managing Director

For further information, please contact Gary Schellenberg, Chief Executive Officer, at 604-681-0221.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187647
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 15, 2023) - Snowy Owl Gold Corp. (CSE: SNOW) (FSE: 84L) ("Snowy Owl" or the "Company") announces that it is continuing to pursue the completion of its previously-announced proposed transaction with Bluecorp Capital Corp. (doing business as Boba Mint), a developer of play-to-earn gaming software focused on the development and monetization of games that integrate Web 3.0 Ethereum blockchain technologies and artificial intelligence (AI), and its flagship first play-to-earn mobile metaverse blockchain game: Tanjea.

The Company received shareholder approval for the proposed transaction at its shareholder meeting held earlier this year, and is continuing to work with the Boba Mint team to complete the required disclosure documentation for regulatory review and approval. In addition, the Company is pursuing the previously-announced private placement of up to 20,000,000 subscription receipts (the "Subscription Receipts"), at a price of $0.05 per Subscription Receipt, for gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 (the "Offering"). There is no minimum amount of the Offering. The net proceeds from the Offering with be used to fund the business of the Boba Mint as the "Resulting Issuer" of the proposed transaction.

The Company may pay finder's fees to registered dealers that assist with the Offering, including EMD Financial Inc., consisting of (i) a cash fee of up to 10% of the gross proceeds raised, (ii) finder warrants entitling the dealer to purchase up to 5% of the total number of common shares issuable pursuant to the Offering, at an exercise price of $0.05, for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the closing date of the Offering and (iii) common shares equal to up to 5% of the total number of common shares issuable pursuant to the Offering.

Pursuant to and in accordance with the subscription receipt agreement (the "Subscription Receipt Agreement") and subject to the exceptions described therein, each Subscription Receipt shall entitle the holder thereof to receive, upon automatic exchange in accordance with the terms of the Subscription Receipt Agreement, without payment of additional consideration or further act or formality on the part of the holder thereof, one common share in the capital of the Company (each, an "Underlying Share") and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (each, an "Underlying Warrant") upon the satisfaction or waiver (to the extent such waiver is permitted) of certain escrow release conditions, namely: (a) the consummation of the Proposed Transaction; and (b) the common shares of the Resulting Issuer being conditionally approved for listing on the CSE and the completion, satisfaction or waiver of all conditions precedent to such listing, other than the release of the gross proceeds from the Offering. Each Underlying Warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.05 per share for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the closing date.

In the event that: (i) the escrow agent does not receive the release notice by the 120th day following the closing date of the Offering (the "Termination Date"), or (ii) if prior to the Termination Date, the Company advises the subscribers or announces to the public that it does not intend to satisfy the escrow release conditions under the Subscription Receipt Agreement, the escrow agent will return to each holder of Subscription Receipts an amount equal to their aggregate subscription price plus a pro rata portion of any interest and other income earned on the escrowed proceeds, if any, less applicable withholding taxes, if any, and the corresponding Subscription Receipts will be null and void and of no further effect.

The Proposed Transaction cannot close until the required approvals are obtained and the outstanding conditions satisfied. There can be no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

The Company and Boba Mint have filed a draft Form 2A Listing Statement with the CSE in connection with the proposed Transaction. If approved, the listing statement will be filed under Snowy Owl's issuer profile at www.sedarplus.ca and under the Company's listing profile page on the CSE website.

In addition, its Board of Directors has appointed Mr. David Patterson as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Company following the resignation of Raymond Wladichuk from such office. The Company expresses its gratitude to Mr. Wladichuk for his service and wishing him well in his future endeavors. Mr. Patterson is the current Chairman of the Board of the Company.

The Company and Boba Mint will continue to update shareholders on the progress of the Proposed Transaction.

About Snowy Owl Gold Corp.

Snowy Owl Gold Corp. is a mineral exploration company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing gold projects in Quebec, Canada. The Company has 100% interest in the Panache Property, which consists of 12 map designated claims covering a total of 678 hectares, and the Golden Eagle Property, which consists of 161 map designated claims covering a total of 8,887.65 hectares (88.87 km2) within the Abitibi region located in Quebec, Canada. Additional information on Snowy Owl Gold Corp. is available at http://www.snowyowlgold.com

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

SNOWY OWL GOLD CORP.

"David Patterson"

Interim Chief Executive Officer

For further information, please contact:

Elyssia Patterson - CFO

Phone: +1 (877)797-6699

Email: [email protected]

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the CSE policies) accepts responsibility for this release's adequacy or accuracy.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements". Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Snowy Owl Gold's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Such statements include those relating to the terms of the Proposed Transaction, the value of Boba, the value of the consideration to be paid by the Company in connection the Proposed Transaction, the ability to close the Offering, the nature and satisfaction of the conditions to completing the Proposed Transaction, and the ability of the Company and Boba to secure the consent of the holders of their respective securities in connection with the Proposed Transaction and the Company's expectations and plans following closing of the Proposed Transaction.

Although Snowy Owl Gold believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature, forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; the Covid-19 pandemic; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and markets in Canada and generally; the ability of Snowy Owl Gold to implement its business strategies; competition; and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties. The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the Company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. In particular, the completion of the Proposed Transaction with Boba is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and uncertainties (including those noted above) and the Company can offer no assurance that the Proposed Transaction will be completed on the terms, conditions and timelines anticipated by the Company or at all. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

We seek Safe Harbor.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187578
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Thor Explorations Ltd. (TSXV:THX) (AIM: THX) ("Thor Explorations" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that the Annual General meeting (the "AGM") will be held virtually on December 15, 2023, at 9:00 a.m. (Pacific time).

The Notice of AGM, Financial Statements Request Form, Form of Proxy and Voting Instruction Form will be posted to shareholders today. Details of the resolutions for consideration, including the stated documents, are available at the following link: https://thorexpl.com/investors/constitutional-documents/ .

Shareholders are encouraged to vote on the matters before the AGM by proxy.

Attendance of the General Meeting

In order to cater for the geographical spread of the Company's shareholder base, this year's Annual General Meeting will be held virtually. We strongly urge you to vote by proxy in advance of the AGM and to listen to the AGM online. Registered shareholders or proxyholders representing registered shareholders participating in the AGM virtually will be considered to be present in person at the Meeting for the purposes of determining quorum.

In order to attend the virtual AGM, shareholders are asked to register their interest by email at [email protected]. The Company will reply to those authorized to attend the AGM with a link to the AGM and the applicable Meeting ID and password.

About Thor Explorations

Thor Explorations Ltd. is a mineral exploration company engaged in the acquisition, exploration, development and production of mineral properties located in Nigeria, Senegal and Burkina Faso. Thor Explorations holds a 100% interest in the Segilola Gold Project located in Osun State, Nigeria, and has a 70% economic interest in the Douta Gold Project located in south-eastern Senegal. Thor Explorations trades on AIM and the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol "THX".

THOR EXPLORATIONS LTD.

Segun Lawson

President & CEO

For further information please contact:

Thor Explorations Ltd (Investor Relations)

Ibu Lawson

Email: [email protected]

Canaccord Genuity (Nominated Adviser & Broker)

Henry Fitzgerald-O'Connor / James Asensio / Harry Rees



Tel: +44 (0) 20 7523 8000

Hannam & Partners (Broker)

Andrew Chubb / Matt Hasson / Nilesh Patel / Franck Nganou



Tel: +44 (0) 20 7907 8500

Fig House Communications (Investor Relations)

Tel: +1 416 822 6483

Email: [email protected]

BlytheRay (Financial PR)

Tim Blythe / Megan Ray / Rachael Brooks

Tel: +44 207 138 3203

NOT FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES OR FOR

DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187651
Dubai, United Arab Emirates--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Accelerated Prop Group (APG) has quickly become a leading name in proprietary trading. This week, the spotlight shines on the launch of APG University, an innovative platform designed to empower traders through comprehensive education and mentorship programs.

APG University: Nurturing Trader Success

At the heart of APG University is a commitment to providing personalized, one-to-one mentoring education tailored around smart money concepts and institutional trading. This distinctive feature sets APG apart in the competitive landscape of proprietary trading education. Traders now have the opportunity to engage in a tailored learning experience that caters to their unique strengths and challenges.

The online community offered by APG University serves as an egalitarian space for learning, where traders can connect, share insights, and hone their craft together. This collaborative environment contributes to a rich educational experience, fostering a sense of community among traders.



Accelerated Prop Group



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10125/187688_882cc3da644929fd_001full.jpg

In addition to personalized mentoring, APG University offers a range of online video courses. These courses empower individuals to take control of their learning journey, providing a flexible approach to mastering the intricacies of trading.

Weekly webinars hosted within the APG community delve into the intricacies of financial markets, providing traders with real-time insights and opportunities to interact with seasoned professionals.

One particularly exciting feature of APG University is the provision of daily fundamental updates, breaking down global economic data released worldwide. This ensures that traders stay well-informed about the factors influencing the markets, allowing for informed decision-making.

Live educational and networking events add another layer to the APG University experience. Participants gain exclusive access to events where they can interact with successful traders, fostering a learning environment that goes beyond traditional educational models.



Accelerated Prop Group



To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10125/187688_882cc3da644929fd_002full.jpg

APG's Mission and Vision: Redefining Financial Independence

The launch of APG University aligns seamlessly with APG's broader vision. At the core of its existence is the dedication to empowering traders to achieve financial freedom. Their vision involves redefining how traders access funding, with a focus on innovation, flexibility, and transparency. The aim is to create an environment that not only celebrates individual success but also encourages collective growth.

Training and Education at the Core: Equipping Traders for Success

APG's commitment to training and education is evident through the access it provides to a wealth of educational resources and mentorship programs. This commitment comes straight from the top, as CEO Cavell Poleon explains:

"When I came up in the trading industry I had to teach myself by watching countless youtube videos and making a ton of financial mistakes in the process, logically and financially the trial and error process is not practical for most people which is why I believe in providing hardcore education that skips past all the unnecessary mistakes one would make trying to learn to trade through youtube videos."

APG University represents a significant step forward in APG's ongoing efforts to reshape the landscape of proprietary trading. By combining personalized mentorship, collaborative learning environments, and a commitment to transparency, APG University sets a new standard in empowering traders for financial success.

For more information or to enrol in APG University, please contact:

Visit APG's website

Schedule a call with APG University

Leave a Review on Trustpilot

https://acceleratedpropgroup.com/

Cavell Poleon

[email protected]

United Arab Emirates, Dubai

Accelerated Prop group

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187688
Vancouver, British Colombia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - US Critical Metals Corp. (CSE: USCM) (OTCQB: USCMF) (FSE: 0IU0)("USCM" or the "Company")announces amendment to the exercise price of an aggregate of 28,642,858 common share purchase warrants of the Company ("Warrants") consisting of: (i) 17,142,858 common share purchase warrants originally issued in connection with a non-brokered private placement which closed on April 12, 2022 (the "2022 Warrants"); and (ii) 11,500,000 Warrants issued in connection with a brokered private placement which closed on April 11, 2023 (the "2023 Warrants" and together with the 2022 Warrants, the "Old Warrants"). The original terms specified that each whole Old Warrant was exercisable into one common share at a price of $0.50 expiring on April 12, 2024, and at a price of $0.55 expiring April 11, 2026, respectively, subject to the Acceleration Right (defined below).

The original terms also specified that, if, at any time, the trading price of the common shares on the Canadian Securities Exchange (the "CSE") equals or exceeds $1.00 over any 10 consecutive trading days, the Company shall be entitled, at its option, within 10 business days following such 10 day period, accelerate the exercise period through the issuance by the Company of a press release specifying the new expiry date (the "Acceleration Notice") and, in such case, the new expiry time shall be deemed to be 5:00 pm (Vancouver time) on the 30th day following the issuance of the Acceleration Notice (the "Acceleration Right"). From and after the new expiry time specified in such Acceleration Notice, no Old Warrants may be issued or exercised, and all unexercised Old Warrants shall be void and of no effect following the new expiry date.

The Company is amending the exercise price of the Old Warrants from $0.50 and $0.55 a share, respectively, to $0.35 a share. There are no other proposed changes to the terms of the Old Warrants. The proposed amendments remain subject to acceptance by the CSE.

Darren Collins, the Chief Executive Officer and director of the Company, Peter Simeon, a director of the Company, and Marco Montecinos, a director of the Company, beneficially own 50,000 Warrants, 50,000 Warrants, and 100,000 Warrants respectively. As a result, the Warrants amendment is considered to be a "related party transaction" as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions ("MI 61-101"). The Company is relying on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority approval requirements found in Sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101, as the fair market value of the Warrants amendment, insofar as it involves Messrs. Collins, Simeon and Montecinos, is not more than 25% of the Company's market capitalization. The Warrants amendment was unanimously approved by the directors of the Company (with Messrs. Collins, Simeon and Montecinos abstaining), after the nature and extent of Messrs. Collins, Simeon and Montecinos' interest in the Warrants amendment was disclosed. The Company did not file a material change report at least 21 days before the expected effective date of the Warrants amendment as the Company was required to complete the Warrants amendment in an expeditious manner prior to the expiry of the Warrants.

About US Critical Metals Corp.

USCM is focused on mining projects that will further secure the US supply of critical metals and rare earth elements, which are essential to fueling the new age economy. Pursuant to option agreements with private Canadian and American companies, USCM's assets consist of four agreements, together providing USCM with the right to acquire interests in five discovery focused projects in the US. These projects include the Clayton Ridge Lithium Project located in Nevada, the Sheep Creek Rare Earth Project located in Montana, the Haynes Cobalt Project located in Idaho, the Lemhi Pass Rare Earth Project located in Idaho and the Long Canyon Uranium Project located in Idaho. A significant percentage of the world's critical metal and rare earth supply comes from nations with interests that are contrary to those of the US. USCM intends to explore and develop mineral resources with near- and long-term strategic value to the advancement of US interests.

For further information please contact:

Darren Collins

Chief Executive Officer and Director

US Critical Metals Corp.

Telephone: 1-786 633-1756

www.uscmcorp.com

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor the Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Disclaimer for Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains certain information that may be deemed "forward-looking information" with respect to the Company within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward-looking information includes statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur. Forward-looking information contained in this press release may include, without limitation, the CSE approval of the amended exercise price; results of operations, and the expected financial performance of the Company.

Although the Company believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by its nature, forward-looking information involves assumptions and known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking information.

Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; the COVID-19 pandemic; adverse industry events; the receipt of required regulatory approvals and the timing of such approvals; that the Company maintains good relationships with the communities in which it operates or proposes to operate, future legislative and regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and markets in Canada and generally; the ability of the Company to implement its business strategies; competition; the risk that any of the assumptions prove not to be valid or reliable, which could result in delays, or cessation in planned work, risks associated with the interpretation of data, the geology, grade and continuity of mineral deposits, the possibility that results will not be consistent with the Company's expectations, as well as other assumptions risks and uncertainties applicable to mineral exploration and development activities and to the Company, including as set forth in the Company's public disclosure documents filed on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release represents the expectations of USCM as of the date of this press release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While USCM may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187659
Weirdo Ghost Gang and Dairy Queen collaborate to launch a Pop-Up Store

Chengdu, China--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - In the recent development, an Asian NFT project Weirdo Ghost Gang (WGG) has joined forces with globally celebrated ice cream brand Dairy Queen (DQ) to launch an immersive pop-up store experience on Chunxi Road, one of the world's bustling locales situated in China. Scheduled to run for six weeks, from November 15th to the last day of 2023, the "Ice and Snow Season" themed pop-up store promises to be a unique alliance between an NFT project and a globally recognized brand.

This collaboration, situated in the celebrated "Fashion Hotspot" of Chunxi Road, strategically leverages the foundation of the WGG IP while seamlessly integrating DQ's mature experience in brand collaboration and merch development. The pop-up store is designed to offer an immersive and engaging experience for attendees, featuring a captivating array of diverse offline exhibits, social-media friendly decor, and the highly anticipated "DQ x WGG Collaboration" ice cream. Exclusive offline benefits will be granted to NFT holders of WGG as part of this joint venture.

The "Ice and Snow Season" theme aligns with DQ's title as the "Ice and Snow Queen" and is connected to WGG's latest brand activity, "Ghost Season," promising a refreshing and warm experience in the winter season. The collaboration aims to spotlight the convergence of physical space and cross-brand marketing, potentially breathing life into multi-dimensional communication between Web2 brand consumer scenes and Web3 trendy IPs.

The success of WGG, an already well-known NFT art IP, is not accidental. Originating from a doodle in 2021 by the founder, Sleepy, WGG has evolved into a freely open and innovative NFT project. In the post-pandemic era marked by loneliness and uncertainty, WGG has actively engaged with NFT communities globally, forming a core fan base that includes media professionals, researchers, developers, artists, musicians, and investors.

WGG's growth in under two years and the success of its collaboration with the globally renowned ice cream brand DQ can be attributed to the project's innovative approach to IP creation. The journey can be divided into three stages: Brand Startup Phase, IP Promotion Phase, and IP Closed-loop Phase. Each phase focused on building a community, expanding brand influence, and constructing a diverse brand matrix, respectively.

WGG has been making waves with dozens of partnerships across APAC regions, North America, South Europe, and beyond. Notably, their engagement earned widespread acclaim through events like the "Shanghai City Party Map" series and an offline Halloween campaign at THE BOX, Beijing's trending shopping hub.

Furthermore, WGG remains active, recently reaching a surge in its NFT floor price to 0.8 ETH, placing it at the forefront of the world's largest NFT trading market, and attracting strong interest from NFT whales and Web3 enthusiasts worldwide.

About the Company - Weirdo Ghost Gang (WGG):

Weirdo Ghost Gang (WGG) is an Asian NFT project that originated from a doodle in 2021. In under two years, WGG has evolved into a freely open and innovative NFT project, engaging with diverse communities globally and forming a core fan base that includes media professionals, researchers, developers, artists, musicians, and investors. WGG is known for its strategic brand collaborations, IP product development, creative marketing, and cross-brand partnerships.

About the Collaborated Company - Dairy Queen (DQ):

Dairy Queen (DQ) is a globally celebrated ice cream brand known for its iconic treats and desserts. With a rich history and a mature approach to brand collaboration and merch development, DQ continues to be a leader in the frozen treats industry. The collaboration with Weirdo Ghost Gang represents DQ's commitment to innovative partnerships that bridge the digital and offline worlds.

For further details, visit the following link:https://www.weirdoghost.com/

Contact Info:

Email:[email protected]

Person Name: Sleepy Hu

Website: https://www.weirdoghost.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187641
Paid press release content from The Financial Capital. The StreetInsider.com news staff was not involved in its creation.

Dee Agarwal advocates for a holistic approach to employee engagement, including a positive work culture, transparent communication, continuous development, and recognizing work achievements, all while prioritizing work-life balance to build a loyal and motivated workforce.



Employee engagement and retention are two crucial factors that directly impact the success and sustainability of any organization. Dee Agarwal, an experienced entrepreneur and business leader, shares his insights on how to create an environment where employees are not just satisfied with their jobs but are actively engaged and motivated to stay. Lets delve into Dee Agarwal's approach to employee engagement and retention, outlining how open communication, celebrating achievements, and promoting a healthy work-life balance can cultivate a thriving and loyal workforce.

Prioritizing a Positive Work Culture

Dee Agarwal emphasizes the significance of a positive work culture in fostering employee engagement and retention. He states, "A positive work culture is the foundation of a motivated and loyal workforce. It sets the tone for how employees perceive their roles and the organization as a whole." Creating a culture where employees feel valued, respected, and recognized for their contributions is essential.

Effective communication is a cornerstone of employee engagement and retention. Dee Agarwal believes that transparency in communication is paramount. "Employees should have a clear understanding of the organization's goals, their roles, and how their contributions align with the bigger picture," he says. Regular feedback, one-on-one meetings, and transparent reporting mechanisms are some of the tactics employed to ensure that employees are well-informed and engaged.

Dee Agarwal believes that employees should feel that their opinions are valued and that they have a role in shaping the company's direction. Implementing suggestion boxes, regular feedback surveys, or open-door policies can provide avenues for employees to voice their thoughts. Regularly collecting and acting upon employee feedback is even more vital. Dee Agarwal advises organizations to establish continuous feedback loops where employees' concerns and suggestions are taken seriously and acted upon promptly. This shows that the company is responsive to employee needs and committed to improvement.

Inclusivity is also crucial in creating a positive work culture. Dee Agarwal underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion in the workplace, as it not only enriches the organization with different perspectives but also makes every employee feel welcome and appreciated. To this end, he recommends implementing diversity initiatives, such as diverse hiring practices and cultural sensitivity training, to foster a more inclusive work environment.

Continuous Learning and Professional Growth

Dee Agarwal advocates for investing in the professional development of employees. "A learning organization is a growing organization," he notes. Providing opportunities for employees to acquire new skills, attend training programs, and access career advancement paths. This not only enhances their job satisfaction but also makes employees more likely to remain with the company. Dee suggests offering learning resources such as online courses and workshops, placing an emphasis on mentorship, and cultivating a supportive environment for employees to flourish in their roles.

Dee Agarwal's approach also emphasizes the development of strong leaders within the organization. Effective leadership can inspire and motivate employees, creating a positive work culture. Investment in leadership training and mentorship programs can be used to cultivate leaders who can guide and support their teams effectively.

Recognition and Rewards

Recognizing and rewarding employees for their hard work is a key element of Dee Agarwal's approach. He emphasizes, "Acknowledging and appreciating employee efforts go a long way in keeping them motivated and committed to their roles."

This can involve various forms of recognition, from simple expressions of gratitude to formal recognition programs. Recognizing employees' achievements not only boosts their morale but also reinforces their sense of belonging within the organization.

Tailoring benefits to individual employee needs can also boost retention. Offering flexible benefits packages that allow employees to choose perks relevant to their life stage and preferences can make them feel more valued and understood.

Recognizing Life Outside of Work

Dee Agarwal recognizes the importance of work-life balance in sustaining employee engagement and retention. "Burnout and stress can lead to disengagement and attrition," he warns.

His approach involves promoting work-life balance by offering flexible work arrangements, encouraging employees to take time off when needed, and providing resources for mental and physical well-being. A healthy work-life balance is essential for employees to remain motivated and loyal over the long term.

Encouraging employees to participate in community and social responsibility initiatives can also contribute to a positive work culture. Dee Agarwal suggests that such engagement not only enhances the company's reputation but also instills a sense of purpose in employees.

Dee Agarwal's approach to employee engagement and retention involves a holistic strategy. By implementing these strategies, organizations can build a loyal and motivated workforce that not only drives their success but also contributes to a thriving workplace environment. Dee Agarwal succinctly sums it up, "Engaged and content employees are the foundation of a successful and enduring organization."



Contact Info:

Name: Andrew Mitchell

Email: Send Email

Organization: Cambridge Global

Phone: 404-955-7133

Website: https://deeagarwal.com/



Release ID: 89113423

Should you detect any errors, issues, or discrepancies with the content contained within this press release, or if you need assistance with a press release takedown, we kindly request that you inform us immediately by contacting [email protected]. Our expert team will be available to promptly respond and take necessary steps within the next 8 hours to resolve any identified issues or guide you through the removal process. We value the trust placed in us by our readers and remain dedicated to providing accurate and reliable information.
ST. LOUIS , Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Ameren Corporation (NYSE: AEE) announced today the pricing of a public offering of $600 million aggregate principal amount of 5.70% senior notes due 2026 at 99.871% of their principal amount. The transaction is expected to close on November 20, 2023 , subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.

Ameren intends to use the net proceeds of the offering for general corporate purposes, including to repay a portion of its short-term debt.

Barclays Capital Inc., Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Mizuho Securities USA LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering.

The offering is being made only by means of a prospectus and related prospectus supplement. A prospectus supplement related to the offering will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Copies of the prospectus and related prospectus supplement for the offering, when available, may be obtained via the Securities and Exchange Commission's website at www.sec.gov or by contacting Barclays Capital Inc., c/o Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, New York 11717, by telephone at 1-888-603-5847 or by email at [email protected]. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the senior notes and shall not constitute an offer, solicitation or sale in any jurisdiction in which, or to any person to whom, such an offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful.

About Ameren

St. Louis -based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution service, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us on X at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn/company/Ameren.

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SOURCE Ameren Corporation
On Thursday, November 16, the Russian occupiers tried to advance on seven fronts, but were unsuccessful . Our defenders repelled dozens of attacks and inflicted losses on the enemy.

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Atotal of 62 combat engagements took place over the day. This is stated in the report of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

In total, the occupants launched 9 missile and 31 air strikes, as well as 26 attacks from multiple launch rocket systems on the positions of our troops and settlements.

The operational situation did not change in theVolyn and Polissya sectors. No signs of the formation of offensive groups were detected. Units of the Armed Forces of Belarus are performing their tasks in the areas bordering Ukraine.

On the Siverskyi and Slobozhanskyi directions , the invaders maintain a military presence in the border areas, conduct sabotage and reconnaissance activities, shell settlements from the territory of Russia, and increase the density of minefields along the state border of Ukraine.

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At the same time, about 20 localities came under enemy artillery and mortar fire, including Kliusy, Arkhipivka in Chernihiv region; Zarichchia, Chuykivka, Bachivsk in Sumy region; Vetarine, Ohirtseve, Vovchansk, Nesterne, Dvorichansk in Kharkiv region.

In theKupyansk sector , the enemy tried to conduct assault operations near Synkivka and Petropavlivka in Kharkiv region, but failed. Our soldiers repelled 4 enemy attacks.

However, the occupants launched an air strike near Petropavlivka, Kharkiv region. More than 10 settlements came under artillery and mortar fire, including Dvorichna, Synkivka, Petropavlivka, Ivanivka, Kyslivka, Berestove in the Kharkiv region.

The invaders did not conduct any offensive actions in theLiman sector . At the same time, the enemy launched an air strike in the area of Serebryanske forestry in Luhansk region. About 10 localities suffered from enemy artillery and mortar attacks, including Nevske and Bilohorivka in Luhansk region and Torske, Verkhnekamianske, Spirne and Rozdolivka in Donetsk region.

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In the Bakhmut sector, our troops repelled 18 enemy attacks in the areas of Ivanivske, Klishchiyivka and Andriivka in Donetsk region. However, the occupants launched an air strike near Diliyivka, Donetsk region. Also, more than 10 localities came under artillery and mortar fire, including Markove, Chasiv Yar, Ivanivske, Klishchiyivka, and Andriivka in the Donetsk region.

In the Avdiivka sector , Russian occupants conducted assault operations east of Stepove, Avdiivka and Pervomayske in Donetsk region, where the Defense Forces repelled 15 attacks. However, more than 15 localities came under artillery and mortar fire, including Sukha Balka, Keramik, Tonenke, Avdiivka, Netaylove, Pervomayske in Donetsk region.

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In the Mariinka sector , the enemy, with the support of aviation, conducted unsuccessful assault operations in the areas of Mariinka and Novomykhailivka in the Donetsk region, where our defenders repelled 15 attacks. Oleksandropil, Krasnohorivka, Heorhiivka, Maryinka, Pobeda, Novomykhailivka, and Katerynivka came under artillery and mortar fire.

In theShakhtarsk sector, the occupants staged an assault near Staromayorsk, Donetsk region. At the same time, the enemy launched air strikes in the vicinity of Urozhayne and Staromayorske. About 10 localities came under artillery and mortar fire, including Vodiane, Bohoyavlenka, Prechystivka, Zolota Niva, Staromayorske, and Rivne in the Donetsk region.

As to the Zaporizhzhia sector , the enemy conducted unsuccessful assault operations near Robotyne and west of Verbove in the Zaporizhzhia region. Defense forces repelled 5 attacks there.

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The enemy launched air strikes near Novodarivka and Mala Tokmachka in Zaporizhzhia region. More than 20 localities came under artillery and mortar fire, including Temyrivka, Poltavka, Huliaipole, Novodanylivka, Mali Shcherbaki, and Kamianske in Zaporizhzhia region.

In theKherson sector, Kherson, Ivanivka and Bilozerka in Kherson region came under enemy artillery fire.

At the same time, Ukrainian defenders continue to conduct an offensive in the Melitopol sector. Our defenders are also conducting assault operations in the Bakhmut sector.

In addition, Ukrainian aviation conducted two strikes on enemy concentration areas over the last day.

Rocket troops hit 3 areas of concentration of personnel, weapons and military equipment, 6 artillery pieces, 2 control points and 2 ammunition depots of the enemy.

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As reported by OBOZ.UA:

- Military expert Roman Svitan believes that Ukraine can liberate the Kinburn Spit in the near future without firing a single shot and without a direct combat clash with the enemy forces. If the Defense Forces are able to cut off the occupation group along the proposed line from Kherson to Skadovsk, the enemy will flee for fear of the cauldron.

- The ISW reported that the occupiers are conducting simultaneous offensives in several directions and are trying, in particular, to regain the initiative north and south of Bakhmut. However, Ukrainian troops continue to put pressure on the enemy and are making progress at the tactical level along the front line.

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Only verified information is available on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
Fellowship Program Funded More Than 500 Early-Career African Scholars in Ghana , Nigeria , South Africa , Tanzania , and Uganda

Inaugural Academic Association Conference Will Feature Prominent African Scholars, Artists, and Activists at the University of Cape Town in November 2023

NEW YORK , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is pleased to announce the completion of its celebrated fellowship initiative, the African Humanities Program. ACLS will join past fellows and advisors of the program in celebrating the success of the program at the inaugural conference of the African Humanities Association on November 26-29, 2023 , at the University of Cape Town in South Africa .

The African Humanities Program awarded more than 500 dissertation and post-doctoral fellowships to scholars.

The African Humanities Program (AHP) was created in 2008 with generous support from Carnegie Corporation of New York to fund early-career scholars working and living in Africa . The program awarded more than 500 dissertation and post-doctoral fellowships to scholars in Ghana , Nigeria , South Africa , Tanzania , and Uganda , and created a vital network of more than 100 senior scholars at African universities who served as program advisers and peer reviewers. The program provided program fellows with opportunities for residencies at African centers for advanced study, manuscript development workshops, and professional development and mentoring. In addition, the program's African Humanities Series has published 23 books by AHP fellows to date, circulating African humanities research to the international scholarly community.

The momentum generated by the program now continues through the African Humanities Association (AHA). This new academic society, created and led by past fellows and advisors from AHP, has already won an independent research commission from the African Academy of Science. The 2023 conference will host 150 scholars from across the continent.

"Thanks to the support of Carnegie Corporation of New York, the African Humanities Program strengthened the creation and circulation of humanistic knowledge by supporting early-career scholars in Ghana , Nigeria , South Africa , Tanzania , and Uganda , and by establishing strong networks for scholarly communication throughout Africa and with Africanists worldwide," said ACLS President Joy Connolly . "We are excited to join the African Humanities Association for their inaugural conference in South Africa , which will gather and celebrate a dynamic community of scholars. We look forward to their continued work advancing the humanities across the continent."

The AHA conference will bring together a wide range of scholars, performers, practitioners, authors, artists, and activists to discuss the relationship between scholarly knowledge and the public. The conference will examine the conditions African scholars and communities are facing, offering platforms for deciphering the social, political, economic, linguistic, cultural, and artistic challenges facing the continent.

ACLS President Joy Connolly will speak at the General Assembly on Monday, November 27 , and as part of the ACLS panel Diaspora/Africa Dialogue on Tuesday, November 28 . She will be joined at the conference by Deena Ragavan , ACLS Director for International Programs.

Additional keynote speakers at the conference include:

Malika Ndlovu , a Pan-Africanist poet whose radio and podcast programs celebrate diverse voices and foster connections across the continent

, a Pan-Africanist poet whose radio and podcast programs celebrate diverse voices and foster connections across the continent Issa Shivji , a celebrated Tanzanian lawyer, multidisciplinary scholar, activist, and advocate for social justice in Africa

, a celebrated Tanzanian lawyer, multidisciplinary scholar, activist, and advocate for social justice in Ari Sitas, an influential South African researcher, sociologist, dramatist, and poet, with a focus on social change, culture, and post-colonialism

"The African Humanities Association is excited to sustain and build upon the vibrant humanities community and exceptional scholarship fostered by the African Humanities Program, with an emphasis on a Pan-African perspective and collaboration across disciplines and countries," said Nana Aba Appiah Amfo , African Humanities Association President and University of Ghana Vice-Chancellor. "This year, our first annual conference will center the intersections of the humanities, social sciences, and arts in Africa with multifarious crises across the continent, creating space to raise critical issues and imagine new possibilities."

Formed a century ago, the American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) is a nonprofit federation of 80 scholarly organizations. As the leading representative of American scholarship in the humanities and interpretive social sciences, ACLS upholds the core principle that knowledge is a public good. In supporting its member organizations, ACLS utilizes its endowment and $37 million annual operating budget to expand the forms, content, and flow of scholarly knowledge, reflecting our commitment to diversity of identity and experience. ACLS collaborates with institutions, associations, and individuals to strengthen the evolving infrastructure for scholarship. In all aspects of our work, ACLS is committed to principles and practices in support of racial and social justice.

The African Humanities Association (AHA) was established by the adoption of its constitution at an African Humanities Program (AHP) Regional Assembly in Abuja in February 2020 . After fifteen years of AHP activity the time has come for a new initiative, driven by the circumstances and needs of African scholars and locally designed to extend the transformative impact of the AHP on the continent. The AHA envisages a future in Africa of confident, self-referring communities of Humanities, Social Science and Arts scholars who enjoy the respect of peers in other disciplines and in wider society through their engagement with multifarious challenges facing the continent. The mission of AHA is to revitalize and promote Humanities, Social Sciences and Arts research, publications and mentoring across the continent.

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SOURCE American Council of Learned Societies
'Lipcure Beam' technology, a single device enabling lip diagnosis, care, and makeup, takes the prize

SEOUL, South Korea , Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Amorepacific's 'Lipcure Beam' technology has been honored with the Consumer Electronics Show 2024 (CES 2024) Innovation Award, marking the company's fifth consecutive win at the influential worldwide tech event.

Awarded in the CES 2024 Digital Health category, the 'Lipcure Beam' is a groundbreaking beauty tech device that combines lip diagnosis, care, and makeup capabilities in one unit.

The 'Lipcure Beam' cap houses a precision sensor capable of diagnosing the condition of the lips. It instantly detects moisture levels and provides diagnostic results when applied to the lips. Separating the cap from the container reveals a makeup tool. Based on the diagnostic results, the brush-like cosmetic applicator emits optimally customized visible light to aid in lip care.

Developed at the Amorepacific R&I Center, a light-responsive material applied to the lips interact with light emitted from the 'Lipcure Beam', maximizing the response of riboflavin, a natural vitamin. This reaction strengthens the collagen fibers inside the lips, forming a moisturizing barrier on the surface. With the technology, users can experience the benefits of slowing down the process of lip aging, thereby creating a more youthful appearance.

The device is designed for ease of use, with a size suitable for one-handed operation and portability. It employs a universal color system naturally suited for all races and ages, making it globally accessible. Optimized light operation within the device also conserves battery life. The 'Lipcure Beam' incorporates patented technology by Amorepacific.

Byung-Fhy Suh , Head of Amorepacific R&I Center, commented, "We are profoundly honored that Amorepacific's renowned strengths in skin biotechnology and our dedicated research and development in customer-centric technology have led to us winning our fifth consecutive CES Innovation Award. The R&I Center at Amorepacific will continue to exert extensive efforts, ensuring every customer achieves a satisfying life through their unique beauty and health."

**Reference: List of Amorepacific's CES Innovation Awards from 2020 to 2023

(Total of 8 Awards Including CES 2024)

- CES 2020: Tailored Facial Mask Pack 3D Printing System

Amorepacific's innovation was inspired by the limitations of traditional facial masks in accommodating varying facial sizes, feature placement, skin tones, and specific skin imperfections. The Tailored Facial Mask Pack 3D Printing System utilizes an Amorepacific-developed app to capture facial images, measuring the position of eyes, nose, mouth, and the area of the forehead, cheeks, and chin to design a 2D mask blueprint. Based on this information, a hydrogel containing functional ingredients is selected for the skin condition, and a high-speed 3D printer produces a customized mask pack in real time.

- CES 2021

1) Lip Factory by Color Tailor (Smart Factory System)

The 'Lip Factory by Color Tailor' leverages artificial intelligence to recommend lip colors suitable for customers' skin tones and instantly manufactures lip makeup products on-site. This system, capable of creating over 2,000 colors in real-time, employs advanced technology for precise pigment blending and management, allowing quick and accurate production of lip makeup products with simple operations.

2) Formularity - Instant Active Toner Blending Device

Amorepacific's 'Formularity - Instant Active Toner Blending Device' received the CES 2021 Innovation Award in the Health & Wellness category. This device instantly produces toner using efficacy ampoules tailored to skin concerns. It then saturates a cotton pad with this freshly made toner, adjusted to the ideal temperature for the skin. Utilizing various efficacy ampoules allows customized skincare for different facial areas and ensures hygiene with freshly made toner for each application.

- CES 2022

1) Mind-linked Bathbot

The 'Mind-linked Bathbot' is a solution that analyzes a person's emotions through brainwaves and then has a robot instantly create a bath additive with matching scents and colors. Wearing a headset with eight sensors, the user's brainwaves are measured in real-time. This data is analyzed to determine the optimal fragrance and color a robot uses to create a customized bath bomb within a minute.

2) Myskin Recovery Platform

The 'Myskin Recovery Platform' is an integrated platform that conveniently monitors daily skin conditions, provides tailored solutions, and tracks skin improvement. Users can diagnose surface skin changes using their smartphone camera and a lighted mirror and measure skin moisture and elasticity with a compact sensor. This next-generation, personalized service offers continuously updated solutions based on AI analysis of skin measurement data and cosmetic prescriptions.

- CES 2023

1) Authentic Color Master by TONEWORK

The 'Authentic Color Master by TONEWORK' is an AI and robotic arm-based customized makeup smart manufacturing system solution. It precisely measures facial colors using AI algorithms and can produce customized foundation, cushion, and lip products using a robotic arm. Optimal custom colors are recommended by applying facial recognition technology and colorimetry research.

2) COSMECHIP

The 'COSMECHIP' is a device that creates customized skincare cosmetics by inserting an active chip containing efficacy ingredients. Utilizing Amorepacific's microfluidic channel technology allows for the uniform combination of small amounts of water and efficacy ingredients, enabling customers to address changing skin concerns promptly. Moreover, the active chip contains various skin-efficacy ingredients in an anhydrous prescription, allowing for stable, long-term storage.

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SOURCE Amorepacific
ARLINGTON, Va. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Thirty-eight percent of U.S. workers have not taken a vacation during the past 12 months according to a new nationwide survey of U.S. employees from Eagle Hill Consulting. The research also finds nearly half of American workers (46 percent) say the expense of taking a vacation is the biggest impediment to taking time off.

These findings come as employee burnout remains alarmingly high across the U.S. workforce. About half (45 percent) of American employees say that they are feeling burnout at work, higher among younger workers aged 18 to 34 (52 percent) and women (48 percent).

"It's not just employees who benefit from taking time away from work. Employers also benefit. When employees have space away from their job, they often return more energized and focused. Ultimately, that benefits their employer and customers," said Melissa Jezior , president and chief executive officer of Eagle Hill Consulting.

"The holidays can be stressful for employees, and we know that nearly half the workforce already is experiencing burnout. A gift leaders can give is to encourage time off and set the example by taking time away themselves to fully unplug. Of course, some industries like restaurants and retail just can't take time off during the holiday season, but they can encourage breaks before or after their peak seasons. Establishing a 'take a break' culture fosters an engaged and healthy workforce while also lowering attrition," Jezior explained.

The survey also finds:

Thirty-eight percent of workers have not taken time off in the last 12 months, highest among and lower income employees (59 percent), GenZ workers (46 percent), and workers without a college degree (46 percent).





Workers say the impediments to taking a fully unplugged vacation include the expense of taking a vacation (46 percent), self-imposed pressure to stay on top of work (30 percent), a heavy workload (27 percent), no colleagues available to cover their workload (26 percent), and no paid time off (25 percent).





Many employees are not fully unplugging during time off. While about half (56 percent) say they fully disconnect from work during vacation, 25 percent say they check work email and messages.

These findings are from the 2023 Eagle Hill Consulting Workforce Burnout Survey conducted by Ipsos from August 3-8, 2023 . The survey included 1,347 respondents from a random sample of employees across the U.S.

Eagle Hill Consulting LLC is a woman-owned business that provides unconventional management consulting services in the areas of Strategy & Performance, Talent, and Change. The company's expertise in delivering innovative solutions to unique challenges spans across the private, public, and nonprofit sectors. A leading authority on employee sentiment, Eagle Hill is headquartered in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, with employees across the U.S. and offices in Boston and Seattle . More information is available at www.eaglehillconsulting.com.

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SOURCE Eagle Hill Consulting
- Acquire PRL-02, prostate cancer treatment program being developed by Propella Therapeutics -

TOKYO and PITTSBORO, N.C. , Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Astellas Pharma Inc. (TSE: 4503, President and CEO: Naoki Okamura, "Astellas") and Propella Therapeutics, Inc. (President and CEO: William Moore , "Propella") today announced that Astellas, through a U.S. subsidiary, and Propella have entered into a merger agreement pursuant to which Astellas will acquire Propella. Propella is a privately held biopharmaceutical company that has leveraged a wholly owned proprietary platform that combines medicinal chemistry with lymphatic targeting to create new oncology drugs.

Through the acquisition of Propella, Astellas will acquire PRL-02 (abiraterone decanoate), a next-generation androgen biosynthesis inhibitor being developed by Propella to treat prostate cancer. PRL-02 is a novel, long-acting prodrug* of abiraterone that, following intramuscular injection, is expected to achieve high concentrations in target tissues where the active moiety, abiraterone, is continuously released. PRL-02 may provide improved efficacy and safety compared to existing treatment options by high CYP17 lyase inhibition selectivity. PRL-02 is currently in a Phase 1 clinical trial and is expected to enter Phase 2a clinical trials in 2024.

Naoki Okamura , President and CEO, Astellas

"The acquisition fits with Astellas' strategy to provide patients with therapeutic options for diseases with high unmet medical needs. Propella has a promising program, PRL-02, targeting prostate cancer. We believe that the synergy with Astellas' global development and commercialization capabilities in the cancer and urology fields will accelerate the development of PRL-02 and deliver new VALUE to patients with prostate cancer."

William Moore , President and CEO, Propella

"Propella has focused on the research and development of proprietary, highly selective inhibitors that precisely block the synthesis of androgens, the main driver of prostate cancer, without significant changes in other steroids that are known to reduce clinical activity and safety. We are gratified that Astellas recognizes and values PRL-02's potential as a best-in-class therapeutic for the treatment of men with prostate cancer. We are delighted that Astellas has chosen PRL-02 for further development and we are committed to supporting Astellas' plans to accelerate PRL-02 development to improve treatment options for prostate cancer patients globally."

Under the agreement, Astellas will pay approximately US$175million to acquire all of the outstanding common stock and equity interests in Propella. Subject to customary closing conditions, the transaction is expected to occur during Astellas' fiscal year 2023 (which ends on March 31, 2024 ).

The impact of this transaction on Astellas' financial results in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2024 , will be limited.

Overview of Acquisition

Stock acquirer: Astellas US Holding, Inc. Major shareholders of Propella: TPC- API LLC , Employees, etc.

(including stock options) Consideration: Cash (using cash on hand) Financial terms: Astellas will pay approximately US$175million to acquire all of the outstanding common stock and equity interests in Propella Estimated Date of Closing: Astellas' fiscal year 2023 (which ends on March 31, 2024 )

Overview of Propella

Company: Propella Therapeutics, Inc. Address: Pittsboro, North Carolina, US Representative's Title and Name : President & CEO, William Moore Year of Establishment: 2020 Employees: 5 employees (as of end of October 2023 ) Business Relationship: There is no business relationship between Astellas and Propella.

Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated is acting as exclusive financial advisor and Cooley LLP provided legal advice to Propella on this transaction.

* Prodrug: drugs with increased bioavailability by utilizing metabolic reactions in the body

About Propella

Propella Therapeutics, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that has developed a platform that combines medicinal chemistry with lymphatic targeting to create best- or first-in-class oncology drugs that have validated MOAs and biological targets but suffer from efficacy and safety limitations. Lymphatic targeting enables therapies to be delivered directly to therapeutic target tissues including the lymph nodes and bone, thereby enhancing efficacy and bypassing plasma compartment safety and efficacy limitations and first-pass liver effects. Propella is currently in the Phase 1 portion of a Phase 1/2a study of its lead product candidate, PRL-02, for the treatment of metastatic prostate cancer. The privately held development-stage company, based in Pittsboro, N.C. , is dedicated to meeting the needs of cancer patients currently underserved by existing standards of care.

About Astellas

Astellas Pharma Inc. is a pharmaceutical company conducting business in more than 70 countries around the world. We are promoting the Focus Area Approach that is designed to identify opportunities for the continuous creation of new drugs to address diseases with high unmet medical needs by focusing on Biology and Modality. Furthermore, we are also looking beyond our foundational Rx focus to create Rx+ healthcare solutions that combine our expertise and knowledge with cutting-edge technology in different fields of external partners. Through these efforts, Astellas stands on the forefront of healthcare change to turn innovative science into VALUE for patients. For more information, please visit our website at https://www.astellas.com/en.

Cautionary Notes (Astellas)

In this press release, statements made with respect to current plans, estimates, strategies and beliefs and other statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements about the future performance of Astellas. These statements are based on management's current assumptions and beliefs in light of the information currently available to it and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those discussed in the forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: (i) changes in general economic conditions and in laws and regulations, relating to pharmaceutical markets, (ii) currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) delays in new product launches, (iv) the inability of Astellas to market existing and new products effectively, (v) the inability of Astellas to continue to effectively research and develop products accepted by customers in highly competitive markets, and (vi) infringements of Astellas' intellectual property rights by third parties.

Information about pharmaceutical products (including products currently in development) which is included in this press release is not intended to constitute an advertisement or medical advice.

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SOURCE Astellas Pharma Inc.
Typhoon will be the first international platform to receive the DIGAR upgrade

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Following successful activity to demonstrate functional compatibility and physical installation feasibility, BAE Systems Digital GPS Anti-jam Receiver (DIGAR) has been selected to continue into the next phase of the Phase 4 Enhancements (P4E) capability program on the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. DIGAR will boost the protection of the aircraft from GPS signal jamming, spoofing, and Radio Frequency (RF) interference, so that pilots can execute their missions in the most heavily contested RF environments.

"Modern fighters require accurate positioning and navigation data for mission success in GPS contested environments"

DIGAR uses advanced antenna electronics, high-performance signal processing, and digital beamforming for significantly improved GPS signal reception and superior jamming immunity. These capabilities considerably increase the level of GPS jamming protection and are critical for combat aircraft as they maneuver through a contested battlespace.

The fighter will also receive BAE Systems' new GEMVII-6 airborne digital GPS receiver which, when coupled with the DIGAR antenna electronics unit, enables the platform to conduct high-capability digital beamforming anti-jamming.

"Modern fighters require accurate positioning and navigation data for mission success in GPS contested environments," said Luke Bishop , director of Navigation and Sensor Systems at BAE Systems. "Our DIGAR antenna electronics and GEM VII GPS receivers are trusted to protect these vital platforms in GPS challenged environments to support mission success."

Eurofighter Typhoon is the backbone of combat air defense for the UK and a number of its key European and international allies. In service with nine nations, it provides 24/7, 365 days a year air security and is in the frontline operations including ongoing NATO air policing across Eastern Europe .

BAE Systems, as part of the four-nation Eurofighter consortium behind the aircraft, is continually investing in the Typhoon jet to maintain its cutting edge military capability.

In addition to Typhoon, DIGAR is also installed on the F-16, F-15, and other special-purpose aircraft in the U.S. such as air interdiction and force protection platforms, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance aircraft, and unmanned aerial vehicles.

Leveraging more than 40 years of GPS experience, BAE Systems' family of GPS products offer size, weight, and power characteristics suitable for a variety of applications, including handheld electronics, precision-guided munitions, unmanned aerial vehicles, vehicles, and aircraft.

Work on DIGAR and GEMVII takes place in BAE Systems' facility in Cedar Rapids, Iowa , where the company has invested in a state-of-the-art 278,000-square-foot engineering and production center.

To learn more about BAE Systems' military GPS technology, visit: www.baesystems.com/en/product/gps-products.

For more information, please contact:

Shelley Walcott , BAE

Systems

Mobile: 603-508-9107[email protected]

www.baesystems.com/US

@BAESystemsInc

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SOURCE BAE Systems, Inc.
The Baltimore Sun has profiled a civil lawsuit filed by Levy Konigsberg and co-counsel on behalf of more than two dozen adults who suffered childhood sexual abuse at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center in Maryland . The lawsuit was filed under the state's recently enacted Child Victims Act.

NEW YORK , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A high-profile sexual abuse lawsuit filed by award-winning trial practice Levy Konigsberg against the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services has been profiled in The Baltimore Sun.

As reported by The Sun, the lawsuit  filed on Thursday November 16, 2023 in Baltimore City Circuit Court  accuses the DJS of failing to reign in systemic issues responsible for making Cheltenham a "hotbed of sexual abuse." Specifically, it claims that the DJS failed to adequately supervise staff, enact sufficient procedures for preventing staff-on-inmate abuse, and stamp out a culture of secrecy in which guards and detention center staff consistently used threats and retaliation to keep survivors silent.

The suit filed by Levy Konigsberg , and co-counsel Brown Kiely LLP, was brought under a newly enacted Maryland law that lifted the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse claims  was filed on behalf of 22 men and three women, including one man who stepped forward to share his story of abuse at Cheltenham with The Sun.

As noted in the article, this survivor was abused by guards on at least seven separate occasions while he was housed at Cheltenham as a young teen between 1995 and 1997. His experiences, which mirror claims brought by others in the suit, involved guards who exploited their positions of authority to sexually abuse youth inmates and keep them silent, and resulted in life-long repercussions, including struggles with addiction and other mental health issues.

LK Partner Jerry Block Comments on Juvenile Detention Sex Abuse Claims Under Maryland's Child Victims Act

In an interview with The Sun, Levy Konigsberg Partner Jerome "Jerry" Block, who serves as Lead Counsel in the case, discussed how, in addition to the 25 plaintiffs in the Cheltenham suit, his firm is currently representing more than 125 clients who allege that they were sexually abused at various juvenile detention centers operated by Maryland's Department of Juvenile Services.

Among these clients, Block noted, are many whose claims of abuse from decades ago were only recently made possible by the Maryland Child Victims Act, which greatly expanded the rights of child sexual abuse survivors by giving victims with previously time-barred claims new opportunities to file. However, he noted that the firm also represents several survivors with allegations of abuse that occurred within the past five years  something he says suggests the DJS has done little to enact meaningful change and put an end to the pervasive staff-on-inmate sexual abuse problem in its youth detention facilities.

The fact that these abuse allegations span decades, compounded by the many investigations into Cheltenham's alarming conditions and the various campaigns throughout the years to close the facility, Block notes, says a lot about the DJS' failures. As he told The Sun:

"We believe that this is beyond negligent, that there's been a culture of abuse, a culture of secrecy," Block said. "Sexual abuse of children simply cannot take place with this frequency and at this magnitude without there being negligence, and then really a cover up of the abuse, and a culture that just does not respect the humanity of children."

Read the full article from The Baltimore Sun here.

Firm Working with Growing Number of Child Sex Abuse Survivors in Maryland

Levy Konigsberg's suit over staff-on-inmate abuse at the Cheltenham Youth Detention Center and other claims involving other various juvenile facilities operated by the DJS have been made possible by the Maryland Child Victims Act. The firm is also representing victims who suffered childhood sexual abuse at other Maryland juvenile detention facilities including Charles H. Hickey , Jr. School, Thomas J.S. Waxter Children's Center, Backbone Mountain Youth Center, Baltimore City Juvenile Justice Center, the Montrose School, among others.

A groundbreaking law passed in April 2023 , the Child Victims Act provides survivors of child sexual abuse with unprecedented opportunities to file civil sexual abuse lawsuits against abusers and institutions that failed to protect them. Notably, the Act has two components that greatly expands survivors' rights:

The CVA eliminates the statute of limitations for civil child sexual abuse lawsuits, giving survivors an unlimited amount of time to file claims.

The CVA creates an unlimited lookback window for previously time-barred claims, giving survivors who were abused years or decades ago new opportunities to file civil lawsuits.

Since Maryland's Child Victims Act took effect on October 1, 2023 , Levy Konigsberg has been helping a growing number of survivors across the state explore their options for pursuing justice and financial compensation for their losses under this groundbreaking law.

If you have questions about Maryland child sexual abuse lawsuits or wish to discuss a potential case, Levy Konigsberg offers FREE and confidential consultations. Visit: www.LevyLaw.com for more information.

Media Contact: Jerome Block ; [email protected]

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HAMILTON, Bermuda , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Please find enclosed the presentation of Borr Drilling Limited's third quarter 2023 results to be held on the webcast/conference call at 15:00 CET ( 9:00 AM New York time) on November 16, 2023 .

In order to listen to the presentation, you may do one of the following:

a) Webcast

To access the webcast, please go to the following link:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/3j6z5pav

b) Conference Call

Please use this link to register for the conference call, https://register.vevent.com/register/BI71187882761047eda468d1228c16e3a6

Participants will then receive dial-in details on screen and via email and can then choose to dial in with their unique pin or select 'Call me' and provide telephone details for the system to link them automatically.

Replay stream:

When the call is complete, participants can stream the replay of the call by clicking this link:

https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/3j6z5pav

CONTACT:

Questions should be directed to: Magnus Vaaler , CFO, +44 1224 289208

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Public/16983/3877384/af6aecd8d6e86d89.pdf Borr Drilling Limited Q3 2023 Presentation

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/borr-drilling-limited--q3-2023-presentation-301990789.html

SOURCE Borr Drilling Limited
With its Asia No.1 CDN Performance and one-stop services, CDNetworks is uniquely positioned to help multinational corporations win online business in China markets.

SINGAPORE , Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- CDNetworks, the APAC-leading network to deliver edge as a service, announces the introduction of its Global-to- China solution. This innovative solution provides multinational corporations with rapid entry into the China market by providing one-stop services that encompass local business startup, MLPS (Multi-Level Protection Scheme) & data security consultancy, performance optimization, security deployment and other additional services.

Recognizing the disparity between the enormous growth potential within China's thriving economy and the challenges faced by multinational corporations trying to enter the Chinese market, CDNetworks' Global-to- China solution bridges the gap by providing multinationals with the one-stop tool they need for rapid entry into the China market. By leveraging our all-in-one solution, multinationals can overcome challenges such as adapting to China's unique network characteristics, adhering to strict regulations, and addressing network security risks with ease, enabling them to rapidly penetrate the market and seize competitive advantages.

"CDNetworks has a deep understanding of the various challenges that companies face when entering the Chinese market and provides comprehensive support to empower multinationals to work toward the best possible business outcomes in their target markets," said Doyle Deng , Head of Global Marketing and Product at CDNetworks. "CDNetworks' portfolio of products and services provide corporations with unparalleled advantages, starting from the preparation stage, before they enter China , to initial entry into the China market and through the continued growth of business in China ."

Highlights of CDNetworks Global-to-China Solution

Rapid Business Startup: To quickly establish the foundation for online business in China , corporations typically need to complete an ICP filing, establish internal network connectivity, and implement a secure and robust network architecture for remote access within their organization.

CDNetworks' Global-to- China solution not only helps corporations complete their ICP filing using end-to-end registration services, but also enables close collaboration between headquarters, branch offices, and even supply chain partners by leveraging technologies such as SD-WAN and zero trust to accelerate business startup.





CDNetworks' Global-to- solution not only helps corporations complete their ICP filing using end-to-end registration services, but also enables close collaboration between headquarters, branch offices, and even supply chain partners by leveraging technologies such as SD-WAN and zero trust to accelerate business startup. Sustainable Business Continuity: CDNetworks understands the complexities of compliance and security challenges for corporations that want to enter the China market. That's why this new Global-to- China solution has been designed from the ground up to address multidimensional and long-term consultancy services.

Using MLPS 2.0 filing as an example, CDNetworks can provide multinational corporations with a full lifecycle consulting service that fits the MLPS declaration process in China . When it comes to data security compliance filing, CDNetworks also offers comprehensive data security consulting services. By assisting multinationals to classify their data and conduct security assessments on storing, processing, and transmitting data, CDNetworks can propose remediation plans and suggestions at various lifecycle stages to help businesses identify vulnerabilities, fix gaps, and reduce operational risks before business operations begin. Overall, these consulting services provide great convenience to multinationals who are not familiar with relevant Chinese regulations, saving them considerable time and effort while avoiding the risk of business interruptions.





Using MLPS 2.0 filing as an example, CDNetworks can provide multinational corporations with a full lifecycle consulting service that fits the MLPS declaration process in . When it comes to data security compliance filing, CDNetworks also offers comprehensive data security consulting services. By assisting multinationals to classify their data and conduct security assessments on storing, processing, and transmitting data, CDNetworks can propose remediation plans and suggestions at various lifecycle stages to help businesses identify vulnerabilities, fix gaps, and reduce operational risks before business operations begin. Overall, these consulting services provide great convenience to multinationals who are not familiar with relevant Chinese regulations, saving them considerable time and effort while avoiding the risk of business interruptions. Enhanced Business Performance: With coverage in over 270 cities worldwide and more than 2800 Points of Presence (PoPs), CDNetworks consistently ranks first in Asia when it comes to CDN performance. Backed by robust delivery and back-to-origin routing capabilities for corporations located inside and outside China , CDNetworks offers unsurpassed content delivery services for multinationals.

CDNetworks partners with all ISPs in China and achieves 100% network coverage, high cache hit ratios, and nearly 0% packet loss consistently through PoPs located in over 140 cities in China . This unique synergy enables CDNetworks to provide low latency and high-quality content delivery services, ensuring that nearly all user requests are responded to within China . If a cross-border back-to-origin request is required, CDNetworks uses advanced technologies and tools such as intelligent routing, direct line, and self-developed private transmission protocols to ensure that relevant requests are always delivered over optimum paths, using the fastest route and speed available between the origin server and users to ensure smooth data flow and deliver an excellent user experience.





CDNetworks partners with all ISPs in and achieves 100% network coverage, high cache hit ratios, and nearly 0% packet loss consistently through PoPs located in over 140 cities in . This unique synergy enables CDNetworks to provide low latency and high-quality content delivery services, ensuring that nearly all user requests are responded to within . If a cross-border back-to-origin request is required, CDNetworks uses advanced technologies and tools such as intelligent routing, direct line, and self-developed private transmission protocols to ensure that relevant requests are always delivered over optimum paths, using the fastest route and speed available between the origin server and users to ensure smooth data flow and deliver an excellent user experience. Effective Business Protection: To effectively protect business operations, the CDNetworks Global-to- China solution can provide multi-level security measures. Using WAAP capabilities, including DDoS Protection, Bot Management, WAF, and API Protection, CDNetworks can effectively safeguard multinational websites and applications from a wide range of cyberthreats, making it possible to crack down effectively on malicious users without impacting legitimate users or interrupting business operations in China . Additionally, CDNetworks' zero trust solution, Enterprise Secure Access, secures remote access for enterprises, preventing data breaches that can damage brand value, impact the bottom line, leak sensitive information, threaten consumer trust, ruin reputations, and incur contractual, regulatory, and legal fines.

CDNetworks streamlines the process for multinational corporations seeking entry into the China market by offering a comprehensive suite of services through the Global-to-China Solution. This all-in-one solution not only facilitates the initial setup and entry into the market, but also extends support to ensure sustainable and long-term business success. By offering a range of additional solutions and services such as Cloud Computing, Edge Computing, Hybrid Cloud Management, and Major Event Support, CDNetworks shows its commitment to helping companies achieve operational efficiencies, security, and growth in the ever-evolving digital landscape of China .

For more details about our Global-to- China solutions, and to fully leverage the rapid growth opportunities in China , please click the following link: https://bit.ly/3ueEfEs

About CDNetworks

As the APAC-leading network with over 2,800 global Points of Presence and more than 20 years of technology experience, CDNetworks embraces the new era of Edge and takes it to the next level by using the Edge as a service to deliver the fastest and most secure digital experiences to end users. Our diverse products and services include web performance, media delivery, cloud security, zero trust security, and colocation services  all of which are uniquely designed to spur business innovation. To learn more, visit cdnetworks.com and follow us on LinkedIn .

Media Contact

CDNetworks Co. Ltd

[email protected]

www.cdnetworks.com

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SOURCE CDNetworks
ZURICH , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Chubb Limited (NYSE: CB) today declared a quarterly dividend equal to $0.86 per share, payable on January 5, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on December 15, 2023 . The dividend will be payable out of legal reserves and will be made in United States dollars by the company's transfer agent, as described in the Chubb Limited 2023 proxy statement. This will be the third installment as approved by the company's shareholders on May 17, 2023 .

About Chubb

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries and territories, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich , New York , London , Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 40,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at: www.chubb.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Forward-looking statements made in this press release, such as statements regarding dividends, and our expectations and intentions and other statements that are not historical facts, reflect the company's current views with respect to future events and are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in these statements. For example, payment of scheduled or future dividends could be affected by extraordinary company events or capital constraints or similar factors that could require the company to adjust, delay or withhold dividend payments. Additional information regarding factors that could cause differences from these forward-looking statements appears in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chubb-limited-board-declares-quarterly-dividend-301990896.html

SOURCE Chubb Limited
The relationship aims to enhance electric vehicle adoption by providing affordable, flexible, and sustainable solutions that can accelerate time to market for vehicle subscription services

NEW YORK , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Deloitte and Autonomy, a leading automotive subscription company, announced a strategic agreement to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) by making them more accessible and affordable.

This new collaboration expands Deloitte's service offering for clients seeking to bring mobility subscription models to market in less time. Autonomy's scalable technology platform can provide flexible alternatives to consumers outside of traditional loans or leases and can be effectively integrated into a company's existing offerings.

A recent Deloitte report focused on the future of automotive mobility highlighted high prices as a barrier to EV adoption as well as the need for economically inclusive solutions.

Though companies may not be able to control macro-economic drivers, they can offer convenient, digital-first mobility options to monetize vehicles over their lifecycle, unlock new customers, and help meet sustainability targets. Businesses may also benefit from subscription services by offering a lower barrier to entry for consumers looking for a greener mobility solution.

"Electric vehicles are a key enabler of a future of sustainable mobility, yet they are not accessible to many," said Rodolfo Dominguez , managing director, Deloitte Consulting LLP, and U.S. automotive technology practice leader. "This agreement with Autonomy can help businesses adopt and integrate fully digitized, scalable and sustainable mobility solutions. This is another hallmark example of the investment Deloitte is making towards a commitment to sustainability."

According to the same Deloitte report, customer demand is changing towards flexible and usage-based products, with half of surveyed U.S. consumers wanting the convenience that comes with consolidating monthly mobility-related payments. The agreement between Deloitte and Autonomy can help provide an innovative alternative to ownership with a subscription-based service.

"Our goal is to erase the carbon tire tracks of yesterday while charting a sustainable path forward," said Scott Painter , CEO and founder of Autonomy. "Subscription is a testament to our collective commitment to weaving convenience, affordability and environmental responsibility into the fabric of mobility."

More information is available here. Click the following links to view our recent "Future of automotive mobility to 2035" study, "Evolving beyond car ownership" report and "2023 Global Automotive Consumer Study."

About Autonomy

Autonomy is a mission-driven company that uses technology to accelerate the adoption of electric vehicles by making them more accessible and affordable. The company was founded by Scott Painter and Georg Bauer , disruptors in the auto retail, finance, and insurance industries who pioneered the Car-as-a-Service (CaaS) category with the first-ever used-vehicle subscription offering, Fair. Building upon that experience, Autonomy is up-leveling its commitment to carbon neutrality and financial inclusion. Its customers have driven over 11 million miles to date, saving more than 9.7 million pounds of CO2 from being emitted into the earth's atmosphere. Easier to qualify for than a lease, its low commitment, 100% digital solution allows people to pay monthly on their credit card and aims to get more people driving EVs who otherwise might not be eligible or interested in traditional lease or loan products. And unlike leases of loans, everyone who qualifies is charged the same rate regardless of FICO score. Autonomy believes that the future of mobility is electric. It exists to enable that transition more rapidly through innovations in technology, finance, and insurance. Autonomy relies on partnerships with Electric Vehicle manufacturers and large automotive retailers to bring easier and more affordable ways for people to access electric vehicles. Autonomy is based in Santa Monica, California .

About Deloitte

Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the world's most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500 and more than 8,500 U.S. -based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloitte's approximately 457,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.

Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee ("DTTL"), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as "Deloitte Global") does not provide services to clients. In the United States , Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the "Deloitte" name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.

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SOURCE Deloitte Consulting LLP
Russia is stirring up the situation in the Balkans "so that one country would fight another," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said. One of the Kremlin's goals is to divide the West's attention and the assistance it provides to states.

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The head of state said this during an interview with African media. A recording of Zelenskyi's conversation with journalists was published on the YouTube channel of the President's Office.

The guarantor noted, 'Russia, as you can see, is engaged in various 'explosions.' Today, everyone is talking about the Middle East. There, Russia is acting together with its ally Iran.

'But pay attention to the Balkans. Believe me, we are getting information! Russia has a long plan. The Middle East. The second distraction will be the Balkans. At least, if the countries of the world, the partners, do nothing now, there will be another such 'explosion,' and again, not a new story. There is a crisis in their relations, and it has been for a long time. That is why Russia will invest in making sure that one country in the Balkans is at war with another,' the president said.

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He explained that the Kremlin is interested in other states having to send aid to several points at once, not just one.

Zelenskyi drew attention to the fact that Russians are beginning to undermine the situation in Moldova. 'Believe me, it's the same,' the guarantor said. In this country, Russia wants to show that 'something was wrong during the elections' to demolish the pro-European current government.

Russia is also interfering in Africa with the help of the private military company Wagner. The Head of State said that Wagner's men are training in Belarus 'specifically for the African continent.

As OBOZ.UA previously reported, during the same press conference, Zelenskyi said that freezing the military conflict with Russia would be a manifestation of Ukraine's weak position. As a result of this decision, Ukrainians will receive a temporary truce and relative peace, but they must be prepared for their children and grandchildren to fight."

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Only verified information is available on the OBOZ.UA Telegram channel and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
DUBLIN , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Endo International plc (OTC: ENDPQ) announced today that five new presentations related to Peyronie's disease, or PD, and XIAFLEX (collagenase clostridium histolyticum, or CCH, injection 0.9 mg) will be shared during the Sexual Medicine Society of North America (SMSNA) annual meeting, taking place November 16-19 in San Diego .

"The relatively common condition of Peyronie's diseaseestimated to affect 1 in 10 men in the U.S.remains under-studied and is often misunderstood," said Dr. Jesse Mills , urologist and presenter of the data analysis poster. "Efforts like the post hoc analysis of XIAFLEX Phase 3 data and the new landmark registry aim to advance medical knowledge of PD and support patient outcomes."

The five new Endo-sponsored and Endo-supported presentations are below:

Peyronie's Disease Patients with Penile Pain at Baseline Treated with Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum: A Post Hoc Analysis Authors: Jesse N. Mills, MD; Gregory A. Broderick , MD; Gregory J. Kaufman , MD; James P. Tursi , MD; Marian Ayad , PharmD BCPS; Tina Rezakhani , PharmD MBA; Jeffrey Andrews , MS; Sajel Patel , PharmD; Landon Trost , MD Sponsored by Endo

Clinical Understanding through Real-world data to Validate Effectiveness of treatments in Peyronie's Disease (CURVE-PD): Registry Design Authors: Jill Davis , MS; Jesse N. Mills, MD; Joshua Henderson ; Marc Mason ; Angel Cronin ; Femida Gwadry-Sridhar, BSc Pharm, MSc (Epi), PhD; David Hurley , MD; Greg Kaufman , MD; Ranjith Ramasamy , MD; Mohit Khera , MD Sponsored by Endo

Outcomes of Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum in Men with Ventral Curvatures: An Updated Series Authors: Henry Larson , BSN; Joshua Savage , PA-C; Klinton Brearton , CNP; Riley Warner , PA-C; Matthew Ziegelmann , MD; Tobias Kohler , MD; Landon Trost , MD Publication grant provided by Endo

Efficacy of a Novel Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum Protocol for Peyronie's Disease Among Prior Non -responders: A Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blinded Study Authors: Bryce Palmer , BS; Joshua Savage, PA-C; Klinton Brearton , CNP; Riley Warner , PA-C; Matthew Ziegelmann , MD; Sevann Helo, MD; Tobias Kohler , MD; Landon Trost , MD Investigator-initiated research grant provided by Endo

-responders: A Randomized, Controlled, Single-Blinded Study Comparison of Collagenase Clostridium Histolyticum to Surgery for the Management of Peyronie's Disease: A Randomized Trial  1 Year Outcomes Authors: Henry Larson , BSN; Joshua Savage , PA-C; Klinton Brearton , CNP; Riley Warner , PA-C; Matthew Ziegelmann , MD; Sevann Helo, MD; Tobias Kohler , MD; Landon Trost , MD Investigator-initiated research grant provided by Endo



About the Post Hoc Phase 3 Data Analysis1

A post hoc analysis of pooled data from two randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled Phase 3 trials was conducted to evaluate CCH treatment and improvement in penile curvature in participants presenting with/without penile pain at baseline and disease duration of 1218 months or >18 months.

CCH-treated participants were stratified by the reporting of moderate-severe pain or no pain at baseline. Additional subgroup analyses stratified participants by presence of pain and disease duration (1218 or >18 months). The primary efficacy endpoint was the percentage change in penile curvature at week 52 from baseline.

Data support that there were no clear differences in CCH treatment outcomes between participants experiencing moderate-severe pain or no pain at baseline regardless of disease duration (1218 versus >18 months). These analyses are consistent with other literature evaluating the efficacy of CCH in the acute phase of disease and suggest that ongoing pain is not a contraindication to CCH therapy.

About the CURVE-PD Registry

CURVE-PD (NCT05873595) is a non-interventional study of up to 1,000 PD patients from 15 sites who have initiated treatment within two weeks before, at or any time after the date of enrollment. Patients will be followed for up to one year, and data will be collected from the patients, their healthcare providers and their partners.

Patients will answer questions related to, but not limited to, reasons for treatment choice, self-measurement of curve before and after treatments; ability to participate in sexual activities before and after treatment; in-home stretching/modeling to complement in-office procedures; satisfaction, depression and anxiety scales, including the Peyronie's Disease Questionnaire (PDQ); and patient and partner satisfaction.

Healthcare providers will answer questions related to, but not limited to, reasons for treatment choice, details of treatment, length and curve of penis before and after treatment and location of plaque treated.

This registry will create the largest and most comprehensive collection of real-world PD data on treatment outcomes.

About Peyronie's Disease

Peyronie's disease (PD) is a condition in which a buildup of fibrous scar tissue causes a curvature deformity of the penis. This curvature can be painful during arousal and intimacy.3 It is estimated that PD can affect as many as 1 in 10 men in the U.S. ,4 but diagnosis rates remain low because men with PD may be too uncomfortable to speak up and get help.5

About XIAFLEX

INDICATION

XIAFLEX is indicated for the treatment of adult men with Peyronie's disease with a palpable plaque and curvature deformity of at least 30 degrees at the start of therapy.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION FOR XIAFLEX

WARNING: CORPORAL RUPTURE (PENILE FRACTURE) OR OTHER SERIOUS PENILE INJURY IN THE TREATMENT OF PEYRONIE'S DISEASE Corporal rupture (penile fracture) was reported as an adverse reaction in 5 of 1044 (0.5%) XIAFLEX-treated patients in clinical studies. In other XIAFLEX-treated patients (9 of 1044; 0.9%), a combination of penile ecchymoses or hematoma, sudden penile detumescence, and/or a penile "popping" sound or sensation was reported, and in these cases, a diagnosis of corporal rupture cannot be excluded. Severe penile hematoma was also reported as an adverse reaction in 39 of 1044 (3.7%) XIAFLEX-treated patients. Signs or symptoms that may reflect serious penile injury should be promptly evaluated to assess for corporal rupture or severe penile hematoma which may require surgical intervention. Because of the risks of corporal rupture or other serious penile injury, XIAFLEX is available for the treatment of Peyronie's disease only through a restricted program under a Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategy (REMS) called the XIAFLEX REMS Program.

Contraindications: XIAFLEX is contraindicated in the treatment of Peyronie's plaques that involve the penile urethra due to potential risk to this structure and in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to XIAFLEX or to collagenase used in any other therapeutic application or application method



XIAFLEX is contraindicated in the treatment of Peyronie's plaques that involve the penile urethra due to potential risk to this structure and in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to XIAFLEX or to collagenase used in any other therapeutic application or application method Corporal Rupture or Other Serious Injury to the Penis: Injection of XIAFLEX into collagen-containing structures such as the corpora cavernosa of the penis may result in damage to those structures and possible injury such as corporal rupture (penile fracture). Therefore, XIAFLEX should be injected only into the Peyronie's plaque and care should be taken to avoid injecting into the urethra, nerves, blood vessels, corpora cavernosa or other collagen-containing structures of the penis. Cases of localized skin and soft tissue necrosis occurring as sequelae of penile hematoma, some requiring surgical intervention, have been reported post-marketing



Injection of XIAFLEX into collagen-containing structures such as the corpora cavernosa of the penis may result in damage to those structures and possible injury such as corporal rupture (penile fracture). Therefore, XIAFLEX should be injected only into the Peyronie's plaque and care should be taken to avoid injecting into the urethra, nerves, blood vessels, corpora cavernosa or other collagen-containing structures of the penis. Cases of localized skin and soft tissue necrosis occurring as sequelae of penile hematoma, some requiring surgical intervention, have been reported post-marketing Hypersensitivity Reactions, Including Anaphylaxis: In the double-blind, placebo-controlled portions of the clinical trials in Peyronie's disease, a greater proportion of XIAFLEX-treated patients (4%) compared to placebo-treated patients (1%) had localized pruritus after up to 4 treatment cycles (involving up to 8 XIAFLEX injection procedures). The incidence of XIAFLEX- associated pruritus was similar after each injection regardless of the number of injections administered

Because XIAFLEX contains foreign proteins, severe allergic reactions to XIAFLEX can occur. Anaphylaxis was reported in a post-marketing clinical trial in one patient who had previous exposure to XIAFLEX for the treatment of Dupuytren's contracture. Healthcare providers should be prepared to address severe allergic reactions following XIAFLEX injections. The safety of more than one treatment course of XIAFLEX is not known



In the double-blind, placebo-controlled portions of the clinical trials in Peyronie's disease, a greater proportion of XIAFLEX-treated patients (4%) compared to placebo-treated patients (1%) had localized pruritus after up to 4 treatment cycles (involving up to 8 XIAFLEX injection procedures). The incidence of XIAFLEX- associated pruritus was similar after each injection regardless of the number of injections administered Risk of Bleeding in Patients with Abnormal Coagulation: In the XIAFLEX controlled trials in Peyronie's disease, 65.5% of XIAFLEX-treated patients developed penile hematoma, and 14.5% developed penile ecchymosis. Patients with abnormal coagulation (except for patients taking low-dose aspirin, eg, up to 150 mg per day) were excluded from participating in these studies. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of XIAFLEX in patients receiving anticoagulant medications (other than low-dose aspirin, eg, up to 150 mg per day) within 7 days prior to XIAFLEX administration is not known. In addition, it is recommended to avoid use of XIAFLEX in patients with coagulation disorders, including patients receiving concomitant anticoagulants (except for low-dose aspirin)



In the XIAFLEX controlled trials in Peyronie's disease, 65.5% of XIAFLEX-treated patients developed penile hematoma, and 14.5% developed penile ecchymosis. Patients with abnormal coagulation (except for patients taking low-dose aspirin, eg, up to 150 mg per day) were excluded from participating in these studies. Therefore, the efficacy and safety of XIAFLEX in patients receiving anticoagulant medications (other than low-dose aspirin, eg, up to 150 mg per day) within 7 days prior to XIAFLEX administration is not known. In addition, it is recommended to avoid use of XIAFLEX in patients with coagulation disorders, including patients receiving concomitant anticoagulants (except for low-dose aspirin) Acute Post-Injection Back Pain Reactions: Post approval reports of acute lower back pain reactions, sometimes accompanied by radiation to the lower extremities, chest and arms, muscle spasms, chest pain, paresthesias, headache, and dyspnea, have been received by patients treated with XIAFLEX for Peyronie's disease. These events can be mild to severe in intensity. The events typically lasted for 15 minutes and typically did not require intervention. Administer the smallest number of treatment cycles necessary to treat the patient's curvature deformity

Adverse Reactions

Clinical trials

In the XIAFLEX clinical trials for Peyronie's disease, the most frequently reported adverse drug reactions (25%) and at an incidence greater than placebo included: penile hematoma, penile swelling, and penile pain.

Post-marketing experience

Acute post-injection lower back pain reactions have occurred in close temporal proximity to XIAFLEX treatments

Cases of localized skin and soft tissue necrosis events as sequelae of penile hematoma, some of which required surgical intervention

Syncope and presyncope have been reported in men treated with XIAFLEX for Peyronie's disease. Most, but not all cases occurred in the immediate treatment period or within 1-2 days following injection. Bodily injuries associated with the syncopal events have been reported

Click for full Prescribing Information, including Boxed Warning and Medication Guide.

About Endo

Endo (OTC: ENDPQ) is a specialty pharmaceutical company committed to helping everyone we serve live their best life through the delivery of quality, life-enhancing therapies. Our decades of proven success come from passionate team members around the globe collaborating to bring treatments forward. Together, we boldly transform insights into treatments benefiting those who need them, when they need them. Learn more at www.endo.com or connect with us on LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this press release may be considered "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and any applicable Canadian securities legislation including, but not limited to, the statements by Dr. Mills , any statements relating to product efficacy, therapeutic outcomes or treatment responses, and any statements that refer to expected, estimated or anticipated future results or that do not relate solely to historical facts. Statements including words or phrases such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "estimate," "plan," "will," "may," "look forward," "guidance," "future," "potential" or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements in this communication reflect the Company's current views as of the date of this communication about its plans, intentions, expectations, strategies and prospects, which are based on the information currently available to it and on assumptions it has made. Actual results may differ materially and adversely from current expectations based on a number of factors, including, among other things, the outcome of the Company's contingency planning and restructuring activities; the timing, impact or results of any pending or future litigation, investigations, proceedings or claims, including opioid, tax and antitrust related matters; any actual or contingent liabilities; settlement discussions or negotiations; the Company's liquidity, financial performance, cash position and operations; the risks and uncertainties associated with chapter 11 proceedings; the time, terms and ability to confirm a sale of the Company's businesses under Section 363 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code; the risk that the Company's chapter 11 cases may be converted to cases under chapter 7 of the Bankruptcy Code; the adequacy of the capital resources of the Company's businesses and the difficulty in forecasting the liquidity requirements of the operations of the Company's businesses; the unpredictability of the Company's financial results; the Company's ability to discharge claims in chapter 11 proceedings; negotiations with the holders of the Company's indebtedness and its trade creditors and other significant creditors; the risks and uncertainties with performing under the terms of the restructuring support agreement and any other arrangement with lenders or creditors while in chapter 11 proceedings; the performance, including the approval, introduction, and consumer and physician acceptance of new products and the continuing acceptance of currently marketed products; and the Company's ability to obtain and successfully manufacture, maintain and distribute a sufficient supply of products to meet market demand in a timely manner. The Company expressly disclaims any intent or obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required to do so by law.

Additional information concerning risk factors, including those referenced above, can be found in press releases issued by the Company, as well as the Company's public periodic filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission and with securities regulators in Canada , including the discussion under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q or other filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

References:

Gelbard M, Goldstein I, Hellstrom W, et al. J Urol. 2013;190(1):199-207. Hellstrome WJ. Int J Impot Res. 2003;15:S91-S92. Stuntz M, Perlaky A, des Vignes F, et al. PLoS One. 2016;11(2):e0150157. DiBenedetti DB, Nguyen D, Zografoset L, al. Adv Urol. 2011:282503

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SOURCE Endo International plc
Coffee takes centre stage at the UN headquarters

Leading industry experts discuss in New York how to protect the future of coffee.

Appeal to the international financial community to invest in the transition to regenerative agriculture through public-private partnerships

Andrea Illy : today we have proof that this model works, it is essential to implement it

NEW YORK , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The situations of coffee producing countries around the world vary, but two common factors loom over the future of coffee production: social development and the need to adapt to climate change.

How can the future of coffee be protected today in light of this scenario? This was the topic of the round table organised by illycaffe at the UN Headquarters in New York on the occasion of the Ernesto Illy International Coffee Award 2023, moderated by Vanessa Facenda , editor-in-chief of the magazine Tea & Coffee, which was attended by some of the world's leading experts in the sector: Vanusia Nogueira, Executive Director, International Coffee Organization, Andrea Illy , chairman of illycaffe and co-chair of Regenerative Society Foundation, Jeffrey Sachs , economist and co-chair Regenerative Society Foundation, Oscar Schaps , President of the Latin America division of Trading StoneX Financial Inc. and commodity trader, and Glaucio De Castro , President of Federacao dos Cafeicultores do Cerrado Mineiro.

Coffee production has traditionally been a mainstay of agriculture for millions of people living in tropical mountainous areas: about 12.5 million farms, run by small farmers, work on a few hectares of land. Ninety-five per cent of these do not exceed five hectares and 84% have an area of less than two hectares. Coffee producers often have little alternative to growing this product, which creates a considerable dependency for the exports of many countries. However, over the past two decades, low and volatile coffee prices have had a worrying impact on farming communities. According to Coffee Barometer, this is particularly relevant for producers in countries that contribute 15% of global volumes, such as those in Africa and Central America . Now, the remarkable improvements that caffeiculture has nevertheless achieved in recent decades through the process of 'de-commoditisation' - improvements that still have a long way to go before achieving economic, social and environmental sustainability - are at risk of being reversed due to climate change.

The direction that emerged from the round table points towards regenerative agriculture, which has proven to be more resilient and to produce both environmental and health benefits, although it requires investments in the order of USD 10 billion over the next ten years. Therefore, since producer countries do not have sufficient economic-financial capacity, it is necessary to activate private public partnerships that can mobilise international supply chain funds. This is a major challenge, which has already engaged the most important governmental, intergovernmental, non-governmental and private stakeholders for some years now

"For having a future in coffee we need to think about the Planet and the people involved in that.  says Vanusia Nogueira, Executive Director, ICO. "It's part of our responsibility as leaders of this sector to look for alternatives to provide good life to the producers and their families and also to take care of our Planet. It's clear that the challenges are big enough to not be addressed individually but in a collective and pre-competitive effort. Together I believe we can find impactful solutions".

"My morning coffee will never be grown in Central Park but will continue to be grown in Kenya , Rwanda , Uganda , Ethiopia , Guatemala , Colombia , Vietnam , and elsewhere. A well-managed developing country with access to major markets and international finance can grow very quickly", says economist Jeffrey Sachs . "True economic development aims to transform our society by creating sustainable increases in wellbeing through investments in human capital, physical infrastructure, and business enterprise, all with attention to the preservation of natural capital on which our economy and survival depend. After decades of severe human-induced environmental degradation, we need to transform our economies to the core principles of sustainable development and the regeneration of natural capital. The most basic principle of all is to act for the common good. This means that we must start from cooperation within our communities, our nations, and globally".

"Two things are needed for adaptation to climate change: improved agronomic practices and the renewal of plantations with more resistant varieties. Regenerative agriculture seems to provide an answer to the first need, and I hope that this will become a model for the whole caffeiculture. As far as renewal is concerned, we need to speed up considerably,' says Andrea Illy . 'All this requires supply chain investments that cannot be delayed any longer.

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SOURCE illycaffe
Promotion for Canada and New England season gives $50 credit per person for spending on board

SEATTLE , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line has an exclusive offer for New York residents looking to cruise through Canada and New England next April through June. The limited-time promotion will provide $50 in bonus spending money for the first and second guest in a stateroom when booking select departures sailing in 2024. This $50 credit can also be combined with Holland America Line's "Have It All" premium package, which features a shore excursion, beverage package, specialty dining and Wi-Fi at special pricing.

The promotional offer features sailings from seven to 13-days aboard Holland America Line's Volendam. Two itinerary options include the ' Canada & New England Discovery' sailing between Montreal and Boston and 'The Atlantic Coast' which cruises from Fort Lauderdale to Montreal .

Must-See Ports of Call on Sailings

Both cruise itineraries show some of the best cities along the New England and Eastern Canadian coastline. During ' Canada & New England Discovery' cruises, Volendam will visit Bar Harbor, Maine , and the Canadian destinations of Quebec City, Quebec ; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island ; and Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia . Ports of call on 'The Atlantic Coast' sailing include Newport, Rhode Island ; Boston, Massachusetts ; Rockland, Maine ; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia ; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island ; and Cap-aux-Meules , Iles de la Madeleine, Quebec City and Montreal, Quebec .

"Sailing to Canada and New England on Holland America Line is a popular vacation choice for people living in New York , and we are excited to offer this exclusive deal to help make these sailings even more memorable for our guests," said Dan Rough , vice president of revenue management.

Explore Food, Wine and Culture on Culinary Tours

Exclusive shore excursions in partnership with FOOD & WINE magazine highlight the tastes of the region, including indulging in authentic poutine and maple syrupinfused treats in Quebec City and exploring Nova Scotia's culinary scene along Halifax's iconic waterfront boardwalk.

Beginning cruise-only fares for Canada New England range from $399 to $799 per person, double occupancy, depending on length. Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional.

For more information, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on X, Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the homepage at hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line

Holland America Line, part of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL and NYSE: CUK), has been exploring the world for 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to each destination. Offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience, its fleet visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years  longer than any other cruise line. A new global fresh fish program brings more than 80 types of fresh fish on board, sourced and served locally in regions around the world.

CONTACT:

PHONE:

EMAIL:















Bill Zucker , Erik Elvejord

800-637-5029, 206-626-9890

[email protected]

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SOURCE Holland America Line
Promotion for Canada and New England season gives $50 credit per person for spending on board

SEATTLE , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Holland America Line has an exclusive offer for Pennsylvania residents looking to cruise through Canada and New England next April through June. The limited-time promotion will provide $50 in bonus spending money for the first and second guest in a stateroom when booking select departures sailing in 2024. This $50 credit can also be combined with Holland America Line's "Have It All" premium package, which features a shore excursion, beverage package, specialty dining and Wi-Fi at special pricing.

The promotional offer features sailings from seven to 13-days aboard Holland America Line's Volendam. Two itinerary options include the ' Canada & New England Discovery' sailing between Montreal and Boston and 'The Atlantic Coast' which cruises from Fort Lauderdale to Montreal .

Must-See Ports of Call on Sailings

Both cruise itineraries show some of the best cities along the New England and Eastern Canadian coastline. During ' Canada & New England Discovery' cruises, Volendam will visit Bar Harbor, Maine , and the Canadian destinations of Quebec City, Quebec ; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island ; and Sydney and Halifax, Nova Scotia . Ports of call on 'The Atlantic Coast' sailing include Newport, Rhode Island ; Boston, Massachusetts ; Rockland, Maine ; Halifax and Sydney, Nova Scotia ; Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island ; and Cap-aux-Meules , Iles de la Madeleine, Quebec City and Montreal, Quebec .

"Sailing to Canada and New England on Holland America Line is a popular vacation choice for people living in Pennsylvania , and we are excited to offer this exclusive deal to help make these sailings even more memorable for our guests," said Dan Rough , vice president of revenue management.

Explore Food, Wine and Culture on Culinary Tours

Exclusive shore excursions in partnership with FOOD & WINE magazine highlight the tastes of the region, including indulging in authentic poutine and maple syrupinfused treats in Quebec City and exploring Nova Scotia's culinary scene along Halifax's iconic waterfront boardwalk.

Beginning cruise-only fares for Canada New England range from $399 to $799 per person, double occupancy, depending on length. Taxes, fees and port expenses are additional.

For more information, consult a travel advisor, call 1-877-SAIL HAL (877-724-5425) or visit hollandamerica.com.

Find Holland America Line on X, Facebook, Instagram and the Holland America Blog. You can also access all social media outlets via the homepage at hollandamerica.com.

About Holland America Line

Holland America Line, part of Carnival Corporation and plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL and NYSE: CUK), has been exploring the world for 150 years with expertly crafted itineraries, extraordinary service and genuine connections to each destination. Offering an ideal mid-sized ship experience, its fleet visits nearly 400 ports in 114 countries around the world and has shared the thrill of Alaska for more than 75 years  longer than any other cruise line. A new global fresh fish program brings more than 80 types of fresh fish on board, sourced and served locally in regions around the world.

CONTACT: Bill Zucker , Erik Elvejord PHONE: 800-637-5029, 206-626-9890 EMAIL: [email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/exclusive-holland-america-line-offer-provides-extra-spending-money-to-pennsylvania-residents-for-2024-canada-and-new-england-sailings-301990833.html

SOURCE Holland America Line
FOCUS 1.0 launches with formal support of major cloud providers AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft, and Oracle Cloud

SAN FRANCISCO , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The FinOps Foundation , a part of The Linux Foundation's non-profit technology consortium, focused on advancing the people and practice of FinOps, today announced the launch of FinOps Open Cost and Usage Specification ( FOCUS ) version 1.0-preview, the first major release. AWS, Microsoft, Google Cloud, and Oracle Cloud join large cloud spenders like CapitalOne, Walmart, Workday, Goldman Sachs, and others as formal contributor aligning to this universal cloud billing specification. The 1.0-preview is available on November 16 on focus.finops.org .

FOCUS is a foundational project for the FinOps discipline to create an open specification for the presentation of cost and usage data, aimed at demystifying cloud spend and making it easier to show and report value. The goal of the FOCUS project is to normalize schema and terminology for cost and usage data, helping organizations to achieve consistency and simplicity of understanding cost and usage across cloud, SaaS, and other relevant providers and data sets.

"We are establishing FOCUS as the cornerstone lexicon of FinOps by providing an open-source, vendor-agnostic specification featuring a unified schema and language," said Mike Fuller CTO at the FinOps Foundation. "With this release, we are paving the way for FOCUS to foster collaboration among major cloud providers, FinOps vendors, leading SaaS providers, and forward-thinking FinOps enterprises to establish a unified, serviceable framework for cloud billing data, increasing trust in the data and making it easier to understand the value of cloud spend."

"We're thrilled to see FOCUS gathering momentum," said Tim O'Brien , Walmart Senior Director of Engineering. "Having a vendor-neutral view of all cloud resources will enable us to better engage with cloud partners and better serve our customers and shareholders."

A blog post by Lee Sustar of Forrester Research predicts that the FOCUS standard "will take off to normalize cloud billing," in 2024. With a "vendor-neutral, multi-cloud view of resources," even "non-IT stakeholders, such as the CFO's office and vendor management, (will) better engage with cloud operations teams".

"The basics of good decision-making and execution require clarity of information. FOCUS goes a long way to making that possible and we look forward to even greater innovation in the years ahead," said Anne Johnston , VP of Engineering Cloud Costs at Capital One.

"We are committed to working with the FinOps Foundation to bring together the knowledge and involvement of all major players in cloud billing to benefit all," said Fred Delombaerde ,

Corporate Vice President, Commerce Platform & Marketplace at Microsoft.

After the release of the initial FOCUS 0.5 at FinOps X this summer, FOCUS 1.0 includes a multitude of foundational advances, such as extending the specification for the presentation of both Cloud and SaaS data sets and the inclusion of open-source data converter implementations and data validators to accelerate adoption.

To enable broader FinOps capabilities in the cloud, FOCUS 1.0 enables use cases for discount analysis, unit pricing allowing rate transparency, and detailed usage analysis while overlaying business context information via support for tags and resource metadata.

The FOCUS 1.0 release will also include a real-world practitioner use case library, with more than forty commonly performed FinOps use case examples tied to FOCUS data outputs, curated by experienced FinOps practitioners from massive cloud spenders including by Johnston of Capital One. These use cases offer a standardized approach to address common FinOps requirements, leveraging FOCUS data as the foundation. The entire library, along with comprehensive specifications and detailed instructions and SQL queries, is accessible online, simplifying navigation and ensuring users can easily find the resources they need.

For more information and details on how to join the FOCUS project, please visit focus.finops.org

About the FinOps Foundation

The FinOps Foundation is a non-profit trade association focused on advancing the people who manage the value of cloud. It is made up of tens of thousands of FinOps practitioners, service providers and cloud technology providers including those in 48 of the Fortune 50. Grounded in real-world stories, the FinOps Foundation delivers connections to peers, certification, and open source best practices through programs like FinOps Certified Practitioner , the annual FinOps X conference, a FinOps Certified Enterprise program , and FOCUS (FinOps Open Cost & Usage Specification) .

Media Contact

[email protected]

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SOURCE FinOps Foundation
This guidance is believed to be the first Islamic ruling to clarify the issue in the United States after discussions between Muslim scholars and Minnesota doctors.

MINNEAPOLIS and ST. PAUL, Minn. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the Minnesota Islamic Council issued a fatwa, or a religious clarification, encouraging the use of pasteurized donor human milk for babies, particularly preterm, low birth and ill babies, when a mother's milk is not available. The ruling comes after extensive discussions between Islamic scholars, Muslim leaders in the Twin Cities and experts from Children's Minnesota , M Health Fairview, the Minnesota Milk Bank for Babies, the Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition and Brighter Health.

"Islam has many verses in the Quran and other texts that document the importance of breast milk, whether from the birth mother or shared milk," said Dr. Mohamed Mahad , imam from Nuruliman mosque who signed the fatwa. "This is a common practice in Islamic culture that dates back far. In fact, in verse 2:233, the Qur'an also indicates that if the mother is unable or does not wish to provide milk, a wet nurse could be selected for her child. The Prophet Muhammad () himself was nursed by Halima al-Saadiyah (  )."

Clinical staff began discussions with Islamic scholars in September to explore the topic after noting persistent barriers in Muslim families accepting pasteurized donor human milk for their babies in neonatal intensive care units and nurseries across the state due to uncertainty over Islamic beliefs. If a mother's milk is not available, pasteurized donor milk for fragile or premature babies is lifesaving and prevents serious infections, like sepsis or necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC), a life-threatening intestinal tract disease.

"This is a truly monumental step towards achieving health equity in our communities," said Dr. Leah Jordan , neonatologist at Children's Minnesota . "As doctors we can answer medical questions regarding donor breast milk, but we also need to respect and understand spiritual considerations. This fatwa will help clinicians across the country navigate conversations with families that may be hesitant to use donor breast milk when it is medically advised."

Donor milk concerns in the Muslim community stem from Islamic teachings that a woman providing breast milk develops kinship with the baby who receives it. The fatwa provides information on the health benefits of human milk for newborns, clarifies Islamic teachings and encourages the use of donor human milk when needed.

"To address the hesitancy over donor human milk, we looked beyond our hospital walls and partnered with trusted Muslim leaders to break down barriers and provide critical information," said Dr. Nancy Fahim, neonatologist at M Heath Fairview and assistant professor of neonatology at University of Minnesota Medical School. "This new guidance will help us better care for our tiniest patients and our communities, ultimately creating a healthier future for all."

Minnesota is home to an estimated 140,000 Muslims, including the country's largest population of Somali residents who are predominantly Muslim. Muslims from across the country and world can use this fatwa for clarification of Islamic teachings and to ease concerns and hesitancy about donor human milk. Children's Minnesota and M Health Fairview hospitals will provide copies of the fatwa to patients who seek guidance, and other health systems in Minnesota can access information on the new Islamic ruling through the Minnesota Breastfeeding Coalition.

Community members with additional questions about the fatwa can contact [email protected]. The full fatwa can be found here.

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General Philip Breedlove said US support to Ukraine is needed now, and private American citizens can help

WASHINGTON , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On Tuesday, Spirit of America, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, held a press briefing with US General Philip Breedlove (ret)  a former NATO Commander  to discuss how private American citizens can step up to provide funding, supplies, and vital non-lethal military assistance to help Ukraine defeat Russian aggression.

" Spirit of America is providing capabilities for a nation fighting to defend its very existence," said General Breedlove

During the briefing, Spirit of America announced it has raised $25 million toward a new $200 million fundraising effort to provide Ukraine with the frontline, non-lethal assistance it needs to win.

General Breedlove stated that with continued U.S. government funding to Ukraine in limbo, the U.S. private sector and independent donors are positioned to play a key role in providing the funding and resources needed to help Ukraine defend itself against Putin.

General Breedlove stated that military aid is still the top priority for Ukrainians, but said "high-impact" supplies and non-lethal equipment that can make a difference on the battlefield can be provided by the private-sector. In many cases, the U.S. private sector is able to more quickly deliver urgent needs than cumbersome US procurement processes that can take several months.

"We are at a time where funding is important. We must advocate for government funding, but equally as important is funding private entities that do exactly what Spirit of America is doing," said General Philip Breedlove (Ret.). "This organization (Spirit of America) is providing extremely critical capabilities for use by a very brave nation fighting to defend its very existence, and it is paying off in measurable dividends."

Spirit of America CEO Jim Hake said that Spirit of America's assistance has "saved lives, made an asymmetric impact, and helped Ukraine remove Russian weapons systems from the battlefield." Ukrainian military officials recently credited Spirit of America's investment of $614,000 in frontline communications gear in helping eliminate $3.06 billion in Russian weapons systems  saving countless lives in Ukraine .

Spirit of America Europe Regional Manager Matt Dimmick , who joined the call from Ukraine , said " Ukraine can win if it receives the support it needs." He noted that Spirit of America has closely consulted with US military and Ukrainian partners to determine the most high-payoff ways private American funding can make a difference on the battlefield.

Since February of 2022, Spirit of America has raised more than $65 million and delivered over 800 tons of non-lethal assistance including: surveillance drones, ballistic helmets, bulletproof vests, communications and tactical gear and military vehicles.

Individuals interested in supporting Spirit of America's effort to help Ukraine win can learn more at www.spiritofamerica.org.

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SOURCE Spirit of America
IRVINE, Calif. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Getac Technology Corporation, a leading producer of rugged technology and innovative solutions, announced a partnership to integrate Getac's Aftersales Platform with Authenticom's DealerVault platform to better connect the customer buying process and aftersales journey, enhancing the customer experience and increasing revenues for dealerships.

Getac's digital aftersales solution provides workshops streamlined aftersales processes for better customer experience, greater levels of retention, increased revenue, and user-friendly platforms that boost staff-morale, such as Dynamic Online Service Booking, Intelligent Workshop Management and Electronic Vehicle Health Check. Getac's artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms enable dealers to take data from a multitude of sources to make informed decisions.

"We are pleased to welcome Getac into our network of partners on our DealerVault platform," said Michelle Phelps , Director of Sales at Authenticom. "By Getac leveraging Authenticom's data solutions, North American automotive dealers will be able to streamline Getac's access to DMS data in an efficient manner to start using their aftersales program to retain customer and engender loyalty. We are very pleased to be the 'business behind the business' to help our partners in automotive provide world-class solutions to thousands of dealers in North America and Canada ."

Authenticom's DealerVault product empowers dealerships to easily take control of the distribution of their DMS data in a secure manner compliant with National Automotive Dealers Association (NADA) guidelines and large DMS company recommendations. Dealerships can update data feeds, limit access, monitor all activity, and view reports detailing when data was collected and sent to a vendor. This provides complete transparency and control of field-level detail of vendor feeds and ultimately increases data security, visibility and reduces data integration costs.

"Getac looked for a trusted partner who could connect to the leading Dealership Management Systems (DMS) and we were impressed with the breadth of coverage Authenticom has with available data to over forty different DMS providers," said Russell Younghusband , Global Automotive Director at Getac. "Our combined solutions will be a game-changer to the dealers and their customers."

Through this partnership, dealerships will have access to data from disparate sources so they can build a complete picture of the customer and vehicle experience and make informed decisions to improve the customer journey.

About Getac

Getac Technology Corporation is a global leader in rugged mobile technology and intelligent video solutions, including laptops, tablets, software, body-worn cameras, in-car video systems, digital evidence management and enterprise video analytics solutions. Getac's solutions and services are designed to enable extraordinary experiences for frontline workers in challenging environments. Today, Getac serves customers in over 100 countries spanning defense, public safety, ambulance, fire & rescue, utilities, automotive, natural resources, manufacturing, transport, and logistics. For more information, visit: http://www.getac.com. Participate in the Getac Industry blog or follow the company on LinkedIn and YouTube.

About Authenticom

Authenticom is a privately held company launched in 2002. As a leader in data management services, Authenticom has expanded its family of products to support the changing environment surrounding data. Their mission is to connect the world to data through data visibility, transparency, and control. This allows organizations to leverage the power of data to drive their business operations. For more information about Authenticom and services available, visit: www.authenticom.com.

Getac and Getac logo are trademarks of Getac Holdings Corporation or its affiliates. Other brands or trademarks are the property of their respective owners. 2023 Getac Technology Corporation.

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SOURCE Getac
Tech-enabled B2B sales marketplace built to enable gig BDRs to set up meetings for companies

NEW YORK , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Glencoco, a marketplace that connects companies with business development consultants to generate qualified opportunities, today announced its coming out of stealth alongside $3M in capital led by Felicis and Crossbeam. Liquid 2 Ventures, Browder Capital, SOMA Capital, Gold House Ventures, and angels/advisors from Stripe, and the former VP of Product at Roblox also participated in the round. Glencoco comes out of stealth with 40 B2B customers and over 7,000 sign-ups for individual salespeople.

Glencoco provides the tools, software, and interface for companies to freely list a campaign on its marketplace and allow certified business development consultants to easily source sales qualified meetings and submit them to companies on a flexible, gig-remote basis. This includes embedding elements of sales productivity tools into the platform, including a phone dialer, calendar scheduling, and sales training modules, to enable outbound freelance prospectors with campaigns uploaded by enterprise companies on the platform. Glencoco has focused on developing infrastructure, including same-day payments for qualified meetings, call analytics and recordings for QA and training, and scheduling infrastructure.

Glencoco was co-founded in 2022 by Ingwon Chae, former Head of Growth at Wiz, the fastest-growing enterprise company in history to reach $100M ARR in 18 months, and Jason Bao , previously a Senior Software Engineer at Verkada and Meta.

"While at two high growth companies, I saw that one of the most effective channels for generating sales pipeline was hiring Business Development and /Inside Sales teams," said Ingwon Chae, CEO and founder at Glencoco. "I also saw how challenging staffing these teams can be for both small companies due to lack of budget or resources to provide infrastructure and large companies. The average tenure of said hires is 6-9 months, which means that if you have a team of 100 outbound sales reps, in about a year's time, they'll all be gone. With Glencoco's platform, you have one of the most broadly accessible skillsets known to humankind - connecting with and talking to people - something college students, voiceover actors, aspiring entrepreneurs, semi-retired consultants who've sold to CISOs before, and you have businesses everywhere that rely on new customer intros as their lifeblood to grow their business."

Glencoco takes a 30% take rate of every qualified meeting that's passed through the platform.

"Practically every startup we speak to is constantly looking for a better solution to scale up their sales function. We believe Glencoco solves so many problems companies face when selling: how do you find great talent affordably, how can you scale up for seasonality, and how can you align incentives so talent and companies both win," said Ryan Morgan , Partner at Crossbeam. "Ingwon and team have already shown the need for this type of technology which provides resources to connect salespeople and companies, and we look forward to seeing how they equip the space further."

"Glencoco's innovative marketplace is poised to revolutionize lead generation for businesses. Their platform is a game-changer in the world of sales and marketing," said Niki Pezeshki , General Partner at Felicis. "By providing a marketplace connecting outbound callers with innovative companies looking to scale, Glencoco is empowering businesses to grow their pipelines and revenue streams."

With plans to offer more robust lead enrichment services for companies, Glencoco has further invested in AI augmentation to improve user productivity and expand their services beyond the US, UK and Canada to address increased global demand.

About Glencoco

Glencoco is a marketplace platform that matches business development professionals with campaigns listed by enterprise companies. For more information, visit https://www.glencoco.com/

About Crossbeam Venture Partners

Crossbeam Venture Partners (Crossbeam) is a venture capital firm that invests in Pre-Seed to Series A startups building tomorrow's economy. Focused on the themes of platform economies, fintech, new forms of media, and alternative sources of income, Crossbeam is built to back companies of the next-generation economy utilizing unique structures, credit, or novel business models. For more information, visit https://crossbeam.vc

About Felicis

Founded in 2006, Felicis is a venture capital firm investing in companies reinventing core markets, as well as those creating frontier technologies. Felicis focuses on early-stage investments and currently manages over $3B in capital across 9 funds. The firm is an early backer of more than 47 companies valued at $1B+. More than 100 of its portfolio companies have been acquired or gone public, including Adyen (IPO), Credit Karma (acq by Intuit), Cruise (acq by General Motors), Fitbit (IPO), Guardant Health (IPO), Meraki (acq by Cisco), Ring (acq by Amazon), and Shopify (IPO). The firm is based in Menlo Park and San Francisco in California . Learn more at felicis.com.

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SOURCE Glencoco
SCORE provides mentorship and resources to support entrepreneurs through the busy holiday shopping season.

WASHINGTON , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- More than half of small business owners expect Small Business Saturday to impact their holiday sales significantly this year, according to a recent American Express survey. With Small Business Saturday approaching, now is the perfect time for small business owners to prepare for the holiday rush and encourage customers to shop small. As mentors to America's small businesses, SCORE offers support through free expert business counseling and online resources  including these top tips to navigate the busy holiday season.

Decide on your schedule

Now's the time to determine your holiday operating hours. Will you be open longer than usual? Do you plan to close your business for a few days? Be sure to tell your staff about holiday hours, and explain your expectations of them during the holiday season. Ask your team to request any holiday time off by a certain date, so you can plan employee schedules accordingly.

Make a plan

"One of the best ways to prepare for Small Business Saturday is to raise awareness about the day and the importance of supporting small businesses  through your social media for example  and then staff up," according to SCORE client Hannah Wolden , owner of Nomads Adventure & Active Wear in Portland, Maine . "Creating a welcoming environment with minimal wait is important for the customer experience."

Why will customers want to spend time at your small business this holiday season? What makes you unique? Determine the answer, and build a marketing campaign around it. Maybe you have the best selection in town. Maybe your customer service can solve any shopping conundrum. Build your holiday marketing around what makes your business stand out from the crowd.

If you're looking for more information, SCORE will host a free webinar on How To Create A Marketing Plan For Your Small Business on Thursday, Nov. 30 at 3 p.m. EST . Register here to attend.

Check your online presence

Give your business website a once-over to make sure it's ready for a busy holiday shopping season. Is the design tidy and easy to use? Can customers easily find your most popular products or services? Does your checkout work smoothly? If you're the person who works on your website most often, hand this task to a staffer or a trusted friend. They'll be able to spot the issues you might miss.

Need help? Ask SCORE

"I would recommend any startup entrepreneurs to look to SCORE for advice because they're there to help you scale your business and have all the resources ready to help you," said SCORE client Den Bisema, owner of AnnaCalisa, a boutique in Burlington, Massachusetts . "We are still growing and expanding, and I hope to continue to work with SCORE to take this to the next level."

Last year alone, SCORE volunteers provided nearly 4.6 million hours of critical, timely mentoring and education to small business owners who needed help navigating funding options, finding customers, responding to economic challenges and adapting daily operations. Mentoring is always free and SCORE has mentors with extensive experience in the retail and food industries to guide entrepreneurs through seasonal highs and lows. To request a mentor or learn more, visit score.org/find-mentor .

About SCORE:

Since 1964, SCORE has helped more than 11 million entrepreneurs start, grow or successfully exit a business. SCORE's 10,000 volunteers provide free, expert mentoring, resources and education in all 50 U.S. states and territories. Visit SCORE at www.score.org .

Funded [in part] through a Cooperative Agreement with the U.S. Small Business Administration.

CONTACT:

SCORE

202-968-6428

[email protected]

Visit SCORE's media resources to be connected with expert small business interview sources and news updates.

SOURCE: https://www.americanexpress.com/content/amex/en-us/newsroom/articles/shop-small/american-express-will-create-augmented-reality-experience-to-cel.html

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/how-to-prepare-for-a-successful-small-business-saturday-301990796.html

SOURCE SCORE
After his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, President Xi Jinping said that Beijing intends to build and maintain exclusively partnership relations with Washington. Neither side is interested in confrontation and conflict between the two largest economies in the world.

ADVERTISIMENT

This was reported by Reuters. The Chinese leader assessed his visit to the United States as fruitful and is optimistic about further relations with the White House.

"China will never seek hegemony or expansion and will never impose its will on others. Our country does not seek spheres of influence and will not wage a cold or hot war with anyone," Xi assured.

As a reminder, on November 15, Chinese President Xi and US President Biden met in San Francisco. For this purpose, the Chinese politician flew to America for the first time in six years.

As reported by OBOZ.UA, President Biden described the conversation with his Chinese counterpart the day before as "one of the most constructive and productive discussions." According to him, the talks focused on issues that are in the interests of both countries, as well as global challenges, including the war launched by Russia against Ukraine.

ADVERTISIMENT

Only verified information on our Telegram channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!
WALTHAM, Mass. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Accelerated Cure Project (ACP) for Multiple Sclerosis (MS) has expanded its iConquerMS Patient-Powered Research Network to include caregivers to people with MS. The new arm of iConquerMS will include a new website and research program that focuses specifically on the needs, preferences, and insights of MS caregivers.

iConquerMS Patient-Powered Research Network Welcomes Multiple Sclerosis Caregivers

The most common symptoms of MS are fatigue, visual disturbances, altered sensations, cognitive challenges, and difficulties with mobility, meaning that most of the more than 2.8 million people living with MS need support at some stage following their diagnosis. As a result, a substantial number of partners, parents, extended family members, and friends care for a loved one with MS, aiding with everything from managing and administering medications to the most basic tasks of daily living. The progressive and long-term nature of MS means that MS caregivers take on a responsibility that increases over time and can last for decades. The limited research on caregiving has shown that this contribution comes at an unacceptably high cost, as caregivers themselves face a significantly increased risk of reduced health and well-being. Yet most MS research focuses on the disease and the patient, with little attention paid to the specific challenges and needs of caregivers.

iConquerMS Caregivers aims to fill that research gap. Participants will have an opportunity to contribute information through surveys, share ideas for research questions, and connect with opportunities to play an active role in shaping and conducting research focused on MS caregivers. In addition, the caregiver focused initiative provides much needed information and a circle of support to help MS caregivers.

"As the first and only online community crafted by and for people who are taking care of someone living with MS, iConquerMS Caregivers offers participants the opportunity to share knowledge and learn best practices for meeting the everyday and long-term challenges of being a caregiver for someone with MS without losing themselves in the process," says Jon Strum , MS activist, care partner, and host of the weekly podcast, RealTalkMS, who leads ACP's Care Partner Advisory Board. "Like all participants in the iConquerMS community, MS caregivers now have a place to learn about caregiver research, participate in research focused on their needs, and suggest research on topics that matter most to them."

ACP has partnered with Strum to lead a steering committee of stakeholders to guide the project and design and develop outreach and engagement activities, integration of care partner perspectives in research, and dissemination of results and materials.

"By including these important communities in the iConquerMS family, we'll be able to learn important information about the impact of caring for someone with MS on caregiver health, work, emotions, relationships, and other important aspects of their lives," says Sara Loud , Chief Executive Officer, of ACP. "These projects will round out our understanding of the needs and priorities of people affected by MS from a wider perspective to guide future support and treatment."

The iConquerMS Caregivers portal is the first of several projects, co-led by ACP and Strum, designed to support MS caregivers. Two additional programs are in development to address caregivers' needs.

iConquerMS Care Partner Protocol will offer a carefully vetted and curated selection of information and support resources for people caring for someone living with MS, which is put together by ACP's Care Partner Advisory Board . Because people affected by MS have different needs at different times along the journey, these resources are identified so people can reach for them when they are most relevant.

will offer a carefully vetted and curated selection of information and support resources for people caring for someone living with MS, which is put together by . Because people affected by MS have different needs at different times along the journey, these resources are identified so people can reach for them when they are most relevant. iConquerMS Caregivers in Focus, will be a workgroup composed of people affected by MS, including caregivers, to guide the iConquerMS Caregivers effort and lead additional projects.

For more information about iConquerMS Caregivers, please visit https://caregivers.iconquerms.org/caregivers.

About Accelerated Cure Project for MS

ACP (www.acceleratedcure.org) is a patient-founded non-profit organization dedicated to accelerating research efforts to improve the health, healthcare and quality of life of people affected by MS. The organization promotes scientific collaboration and accelerates research by rapidly and cost-effectively providing researchers worldwide with people, data and biosample resources they need to explore novel research ideas that can lead to better care for people living with MS. The major programs of Accelerated Cure Project are the ACP Repository, the iConquerMS People-Powered Research Network, the Minority Research Engagement Partnership Network, and the RIDE (Research Inclusion Diversity and Equity) Council.

About the iConquerMS People-Powered Research Network

iConquerMS (www.iConquerMS.org) is a research initiative by and for individuals affected by MS who contribute their ideas and their health data. iConquerMS was established in 2014 by the Accelerated Cure Project for MS, in partnership with Feinstein Kean Healthcare and Arizona State University. Initial funding for iConquerMS and for iConquerMS Caregivers was provided by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) (www.PCORI.org). Over 8,000 individuals living with MS are currently registered as iConquerMS research participants, constituting a large and growing cohort for data-driven research into topics that matter most to people affected by MS. iConquerMS achieves its purpose, to improve the health, healthcare and quality of life of people affected by MS, through collaborations with U.S. and international academic, government and industry organizations.

Contact for all inquiries:

Melissa Glim

Ogilvy Health

202-427-2772

[email protected]

OR

Sara Loud

Chief Executive Officer

Accelerated Cure Project for MS

781-487-0008

[email protected]

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/iconquerms-patient-powered-research-network-welcomes-multiple-sclerosis-caregivers-to-learn-guide-and-participate-in-research-about-those-caring-for-people-living-with-ms-301989713.html

SOURCE Accelerated Cure Project for Multiple Sclerosis
Diverse Career and Innovation : Thomas's five-decade career spans pioneering sustainable shrimp processing, real estate, education, and arts support. His commitment to sustainability and innovation has left an indelible mark.

Premier Literary Event: The 2023 IAAC Literary Festival gathers over 60 authors, offering a diverse narrative tapestry that explores Indian heritage and contemporary themes, making it a must-attend event in the New York Tri-State Area.

NEW YORK , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Mr. Jose Thomas , a trailblazer in the seafood industry and an influential figure across diverse sectors, is set to share his incredible life story during a captivating book launch at the prestigious Indo-American Arts Council's 2023 Literary Festival. Scheduled for Saturday, November 18th at 5:00 PM at the Conrad New York Downtown, this event will unveil Mr. Thomas's inspiring autobiography, "By Choice," published by Harper Collins India . Attendees will have the unique opportunity to receive autographed copies flown in from India. Additionally, Mr. Thomas will be honored with the IAAC 2023 Trailblazer Award at the IAAC Annual Gala, taking place on Sunday, November 19th , at 6:00 PM , at the same venue.

With a career spanning over five decades, Mr. Jose Thomas has made an indelible mark on the business world through unwavering dedication and innovative leadership. He revolutionized India's food processing landscape with the introduction of IQF (Individual Quick Freezing) technology through Choice Canning Co.

Mr. Thomas's commitment to quality, sustainability, and continuous innovation transcends industries, from pioneering sustainable shrimp processing techniques to ventures in real estate, construction, international-quality frozen meal kits, shipping, IT services, and real estate. His leadership has led The Choice Group to a significant international presence across various sectors.

Beyond his entrepreneurial success, Mr. Jose Thomas is a polymath - an educator, a patron of the arts, and a relentless innovator. His contributions in education, the establishment of world-class schools, and support for the arts are exemplary, making his legacy a source of inspiration for many.

"The book chronicles Mr. Jose Thomas' journey and is a quintessential rags-to-riches story, an inspiring narrative of triumph over humble beginnings. Jose is the 'Shrimp King' of the world, but beyond business, he is a great cook, a skilled pilot, an intense drummer, and a dedicated supporter of the arts. His remarkable book is a must-read for anyone seeking inspiration and testament to the heights one can achieve with dedication and humility." - Rakesh Kaul , Vice Chairman, Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC).

"The book launch at the Indo-American Arts Council's 2023 Literary Festival promises to provide insight into the life and journey of this remarkable figure. Attendees can look forward to an engaging discussion with Mr. Thomas , shedding light on the values and principles that have guided him throughout his illustrious career," added Preethi Urs , IAAC Literary Festival Director.

The discussion will be moderated by Sree Sreenivasan , CEO, and co-founder of Digimentors, a digital, social, events, and training consultancy. Sree Sreenivasan , former Chief Digital Officer of New York City , the Metropolitan Museum of Art, and Columbia University, is a respected figure in the field of journalism and international relations.

The Indo-American Arts Council's 2023 Literary Festival is a must-attend event for audiences in the New York Tri-State Area. With over 60 authors, writers, and poets, the festival promises a rich tapestry of voices and perspectives, offering captivating narratives that explore Indian heritage, history, and contemporary themes.

Join the book launch at the Conrad New York Downtown on Saturday, November 18th , at 5:00 PM , to celebrate the life and achievements of Mr. Jose Thomas , and don't miss the IAAC Annual Gala on Sunday, November 19th , starting at 6:00 PM . Tickets to the Gala are available at IAAC Annual Gala.

Literary Festival Website: https://iaac.us/books/

For book covers, author and moderator photos, Click HERE

For marketing material, Click HERE

About Indo-American Arts Council (IAAC):

The IAAC supports all the artistic disciplines in classical, fusion, folk and innovative forms influenced by the arts of India. We work cooperatively with colleagues around the U.S. to broaden our collective audiences and to create a network for shared information, resources and funding. Our focus is to help artists and art organizations in North America as well as to facilitate artists from India to exhibit, perform and produce their work here. The IAAC is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. All donations are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowable by law. For information, please visit www.iaac.us.

For media inquiries and press passes, please contact:

IAAC

[email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/indo-american-arts-councils-2023-literary-festival-launches-inspiring-autobiography-of-entrepreneur-jose-thomas-301991001.html

SOURCE IAAC
COLUMBIA, Md. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- InfiniteTactics and Sealing Technologies, a Parsons Company (NYSE: PSN) (SealingTech), both veteran-founded businesses renowned for their innovative cybersecurity approaches to high-performance computing, have partnered together and proudly announce the launch of the Mobile Tactical Edge HPC. The combined solution consisting of SealingTech's GN 7000 analytics node enhanced with integrated Analytics Gateway software from InfiniteTactics is the pinnacle of HPC technology for mobile AI, ML, Modeling Simulation and Analytics processing for national security and industry.

The collaboration between InfiniteTactics and SealingTech offers unmatched value to the cybersecurity industry. This partnership brings together the expertise of two businesses founded by veterans, resulting in a mobile cutting-edge platform that equips analytics teams with advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning capabilities.

InfiniteTactics CEO Jack Harris , PhD, had this to say, "This is the perfect pairing, users familiar with the DoD HPC interface will feel right at home with Analytics Gateway and be able to easily utilize the tools, applications, security, and simulation software that demand HPC to process big data. Our collaboration and partnership with Sealing Tech's GN 7000 empower our warfighters and law enforcement on the cutting edge anywhere and anytime."

"By integrating with InfiniteTactics and their Analytics Gateway software, we're empowering our customers to outmatch adversaries, process vast data volumes, and train AI/ML models at the edge," said Tim Dunne , CEO of SealingTech. "Our goal is to provide integrated solutions that combine our hardware with partner software capabilities, meeting market needs. This collaboration reinforces our commitment to equipping our warfighters with advanced technology and automation to safeguard our nation."

Next-Generation AI and ML Capabilities on the Move

The Mobile Tactical Edge HPC is a local computation and collaboration ecosystem for a high-end analytics team in contested, loosely connected, or disjoint environments. The Analytics Gateway provides browser-based access to the latest enterprise-level artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) software executed on the rugged, easily transportable form factor of the GN 7000. Additionally, integrated team-based collaboration tools facilitate secure sharing and interaction with data products hosted on the local system as well as mechanisms for providing on-demand data reach back and backups in the cloud while on the move. Finally, using the novel Personal Secure Enclave technology, the system enables rapid extensibility of the platform with new AI and ML software while maintaining the security controls at the highest levels.

Ultra-Portable, Ultra-Powerful

Equipped with the latest NVIDIA AI GPU, the A100, an NVIDIA BlueField-2 DPU, and a 64-core AMD processor, the SealingTech GN 7000 offers unmatched computational power. With multiple 100Gbps network ports and up to 128TB of storage, this device redefines operational capabilities for the DoD, military services, and law enforcement agencies. The server's compact form factor is specifically designed to fit into a carry-on compliant transit case, ensuring that critical technology can be deployed anywhere with ease, with a total travel weight under 50 pounds.

Key Features for Uncompromised Performance

An aluminum chassis provides maximum rigidity and strength, ensuring durability while maintaining half the weight of a comparable steel chassis.

The carry-on compliant design guarantees that operators maintain positive control of the unit during travel.

A 1200W redundant power supply coupled with a high airflow system allows the A100 GPU to operate at full capacity.

Empowering the Frontlines with Unprecedented Computing Power and Connectivity

The Mobile Tactical Edge with Analytics Gateway is a high-performance computing system that revolutionizes frontline operations and enables real-time threat assessment. It serves as a mobile command center for swift responses in high-security missions. Its integration with Robotics & Automation R&D spans across industries such as healthcare, aerospace, and weapons systems. Enhanced by premium connectivity options like SpaceX StarlinkTM and advanced cellular capabilities, this system guarantees seamless real-time data sharing and global collaboration, establishing a new standard in efficiency and security.

For more information about the Mobile Tactical Edge HPC and other products, please visit www.infinitetactics.com or email [email protected].

About Sealing Technologies

Sealing Technologies, a Parsons Company (NYSE: PSN), rapidly delivers innovative cybersecurity solutions that modernize, protect, and defend the networks and systems of the Federal Government and private industries. Proudly veteran-founded, SealingTech uses vast cyberspace experience and knowledge to provide cutting-edge research, engineering, and integration services that support the United States and its allies. For additional information, visit www.sealingtech.com.

About InfiniteTactics

InfiniteTactics, a Veteran Owned Small Business and creator of the Analytics Gateway, is a leading provider of high-performance computing solutions and software dedicated to supporting mission-critical operations of the DoD, military services, law enforcement agencies, and other government entities with innovative technology.

www.infinitetactics.com

Media Contact

Director of Communications

Email: [email protected]

Phone:1-833-361-3388

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/infinitetactics-together-with-sealing-technologies-partner-to-introduce-the-mobile-tactical-edge-high-performance-computing-solution-for-defense-and-law-enforcement-301990244.html

SOURCE InfiniteTactics
NEW YORK , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- J.P. Morgan Private Bank today announced the launch of its Fund Banking Group, a division of the U.S. Private Bank's business focused on the banking, lending and investing needs of private equity and venture capital funds and their principals. This new division combines the experience of First Republic's historical fund business with the Private Bank's extensive history serving some of the country's largest funds and their C-suites.

"The Private Bank has been serving the private and venture fund spaces and their chief executive officers for more than 25 years," said David Frame , U.S. Chief Executive Officer of J.P. Morgan Private Bank. "Historically, we've worked with some of the largest firms in the world, and the acquisition of First Republic earlier this year has enhanced our ability to reach a new segment of this industry."

Jeff Kaveney has been appointed as Head of the Fund Banking Group. In this newly created role, Jeff will be responsible for defining and leading the Private Bank's fund banking strategy, driving the integration of more than 10,000 of First Republic's fund clients, and growing the business' position as the premier bank, lender, and investment partner to this sector. He will report to Jason Gies , Managing Director and Head of the Private Bank's Financial Sponsors Group.

"For new entrants to mid-stage and mature funds, we are committed to being the leading financial partner to the firms and principals fueling innovation in the world of high-growth investments," said Kaveney. "From providing liquidity to support their expansion and future investments, to helping fund employees navigate their complex personal balance sheet needs, we intend to deliver an integrated approach to their financial needs unmatched in this space with access to the full resources of the entire firm."

Prior to Co-Leading the business' Lending Practice, Kaveney was the Private Bank's Global Head of Banking and Custody and spent more than a decade in the Private Bank's investment business. In his new role he will partner with Gies and Jeremy Geller , Co-Head of J.P. Morgan Private Bank's New York City market and financial services segment strategy leader, to scale the group's professional skills across the U.S. and globally. As an expansion of the Financial Sponsors Group, Kaveney and the Fund Banking Group team of more than 40 front office professionals will extend the delivery of J.P. Morgan's leading services to the broader fund ecosystem.

"The security of a fortress balance sheet and the expertise of a dedicated team across the country will expand the Private Bank's reach into this landscape. We are excited to build on our 25-year commitment serving this space during a unique time in our industry, and we hope to grow the team throughout 2024," said Geller. "Jeff's experience across the Private Bank's banking, lending, and investment platforms makes him uniquely suited to drive this strategy forward."

The Fund Banking Group extends across the United States , with hubs in Boston, MA , New York, NY , and Los Angeles , San Francisco and Palo Alto, CA. The group's strong geographic footprint will be bolstered by bankers across the country who have joined the Private Bank's Fund Banking Group from First Republic. The Fund Banking team will also partner closely with J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking's Innovation Economy business, building on its strong relationships with General Partners and providing seamless support for this important sector.

To learn more about J.P. Morgan Private Bank's new Fund Banking Group, visit here.

About J.P. Morgan Private Bank

J.P. Morgan Private Bank provides customized financial advice to help wealthy clients and their families achieve their goals through an elevated experience. Clients of the Private Bank work with dedicated teams of specialists that bring their investments and financial assets together into one comprehensive strategy, leveraging the global resources of J.P. Morgan across planning, investing, lending, banking, philanthropy, family office management, fiduciary services, special advisory services and more. The Private Bank oversees more than $2.2 trillion in client assets globally. More information about J.P. Morgan Private Bank is available at privatebank.jpmorgan.com/.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jp-morgan-private-bank-announces-new-fund-banking-group-301990830.html

SOURCE J.P. Morgan Private Bank
LEHIGH VALLEY, Pa. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Jessica T. Graziano , a senior executive with more than 20 years of financial leadership experience, has been elected to Air Products' (NYSE: APD) Board of Directors effective December 1, 2023 . Ms. Graziano will sit on the Audit and Finance Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.

APD) Board of Directors effective December 1, 2023." alt="Jessica T. Graziano, a senior executive with more than 20 years of financial leadership experience, has been elected to Air Products (NYSE: APD) Board of Directors effective December 1, 2023." />

"We are delighted to welcome Jessica to the Air Products Board," said Air Products' Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Seifi Ghasemi . "We look forward to applying her deep financial and operational expertise as we drive our core industrial gas business and execute our clean hydrogen megaprojects around the world to decarbonize the transportation and industrial sectors."

Ms. Graziano has served as senior vice president and chief financial officer of United States Steel Corporation since August 2022 , leading all aspects of finance, including financial planning and analysis, corporate accounting, tax, treasury, pension investments and investor relations, as well as labor relations, real estate and sales and operations planning functions. Prior to joining United States Steel Corporation, Ms. Graziano spent eight years with United Rentals, Inc., the world's largest equipment rental provider, culminating in her position as executive vice president and chief financial officer from 2018 through July 2022 . In this role, she was responsible for all finance functions and participated in making key operational, acquisition and global expansion decisions. Previously, Ms. Graziano spent five years at Revlon, Inc., where she advanced through positions of increasing responsibility before being named senior vice president, chief accounting officer and corporate controller. Prior to Revlon, she served in a variety of senior leadership roles in the areas of internal audit, financial reporting and financial planning and analysis.

Ms. Graziano holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Accountancy from Villanova University and a Master of Business Administration in Finance from Fairfield University. She is a certified public accountant.

About Air Products

Air Products (NYSE: APD ) is a world-leading industrial gases company in operation for over 80 years focused on serving energy, environmental, and emerging markets. The Company has two growth pillars driven by sustainability. Air Products' base business provides essential industrial gases, related equipment and applications expertise to customers in dozens of industries, including refining, chemicals, metals, electronics, manufacturing, and food. The Company also develops, engineers, builds, owns and operates some of the world's largest clean hydrogen projects supporting the transition to low- and zero-carbon energy in the heavy-duty transportation and industrial sectors. Additionally, Air Products is the world leader in the supply of liquefied natural gas process technology and equipment, and provides turbomachinery, membrane systems and cryogenic containers globally.

The Company had fiscal 2023 sales of $12.6 billion from operations in approximately 50 countries and has a current market capitalization of about $60 billion . Approximately 23,000 passionate, talented and committed employees from diverse backgrounds are driven by Air Products' higher purpose to create innovative solutions that benefit the environment, enhance sustainability and reimagine what's possible to address the challenges facing customers, communities, and the world. For more information, visit www.airproducts.com or follow us on LinkedIn , X , Facebook or Instagram .

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on management's expectations and assumptions as of the date of this release and are not guarantees of future performance. While forward-looking statements are made in good faith and based on assumptions, expectations and projections that management believes are reasonable based on currently available information, actual performance and financial results may differ materially from projections and estimates expressed in the forward-looking statements because of many factors, including risk factors described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2023 . Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the assumptions, beliefs, or expectations or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances upon which any such forward-looking statements are based.

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SOURCE Air Products
SHANGHAI, China , Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- On 10 November 2023 , the sixth China International Import Expo (CIIE) successfully concluded at the National Exhibition and Convention Center in Shanghai . This year, Jiahui provided healthcare support for the China International Import Expo (CIIE) as the designated medical provider for the sixth consecutive year. Over and above this, Jiahui Health also participated in the Expo as part of the trade delegation and established in-depth strategic collaborations with several global leading medical brands, one of the most notable of which is IASO Biotechnology.

Jiahui Health and IASO Biotechnology announced a deepening of their strategic collaboration to jointly build a BCMA-targeted CAR-T Equecabtagene Autoleucel Injection treatment center and further promote the long-term sustainable development of the CAR-T international treatment platform. Jiahui will continue to focus on internationally advanced treatment concepts, medication, and technologies for the benefit of local and foreign patients in China .

Jiahui International Cancer Center has established an international CAR-T treatment team and has successfully carried out treatments in collaboration with various companies, including IASO Biotechnology and Fosun Kite. Jiahui's CAR-T multidisciplinary treatment team, led by Dr. Vicky LEE , Director of the Jiahui International Cancer Center and Chief of Medical Oncology at Jiahui International Cancer Center, has conducted a series of studies in the clinical practice of novel technologies and has successfully developed various international treatments.

In September, the first foreign lymphoma patient in China was treated with Akilenza Injection CAR-T and was successfully discharged from Jiahui International Hospital three weeks after completing the infusion. In addition to the CAR-T patients who have been successfully discharged from the hospital after treatment, there are also a number of hematology-oncology patients from abroad who have chosen to undergo CAR-T treatment at Jiahui International Cancer Center. This includes both foreigners who have been living in China for an extended period as well as myeloma patients currently living abroad who are in urgent need of CAR-T treatment. Jiahui has been their choice for treatment based on the international standard hardware and software available, the comprehensive treatment capabilities, the cross-cultural and multilingual setting, the comfortable environment, and the international standard cost-effective clinical application of CAR-T therapy provided.

Jiahui International Cancer Center (JICC), affiliated with Shanghai Jiahui International Hospital in Shanghai, China , has a close strategic collaboration with Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) and its cancer center. Jiahui International Cancer Center represents the cutting edge of international oncology, by integrating both internal and external medical and social resources to provide comprehensive diagnosis and treatment, fully aligned with the concept of holistic care.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jiahui-health-develops-international-car-t-treatment-platform-in-china-301990009.html

SOURCE Jiahui Health
PITTSBURGH , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Koppers Holdings Inc. (NYSE: KOP) today announced that the company will host meetings with the investment community in New York City on November 21, 2023 .

Koppers management will be represented by Leroy Ball , President and Chief Executive Officer, and Quynh McGuire , Vice President of Investor Relations. The presentation materials will be available on www.koppers.com in the Investor Relations section of the company's website.

About Koppers

Koppers, with corporate headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania , is an integrated global provider of treated wood products, wood treatment chemicals, and carbon compounds. Our products and services are used in a variety of niche applications in a diverse range of end markets, including the railroad, specialty chemical, utility, residential lumber, agriculture, aluminum, steel, rubber, and construction industries. We serve our customers through a comprehensive global manufacturing and distribution network, with facilities located in North America , South America , Australasia , and Europe . The stock of Koppers Holdings Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "KOP."

For more information, visit: www.koppers.com. Inquiries from the media should be directed to Ms. Jessica Franklin Black at [email protected] or 412-227-2025. Inquiries from the investment community should be directed to Ms. Quynh McGuire at [email protected] or 412-227-2049.

For Information:

Quynh McGuire , Vice President, Investor Relations



412 227 2049



[email protected]

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SOURCE KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC.
Leidos Partnership continues successful international MHS GENESIS Electronic Health Record deployment with Wave Pacific

RESTON, Va. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Leidos Partnership for Defense Health (LPDH) today announced it successfully delivered the MHS GENESIS electronic health record (EHR) to an additional 7,000 Department of Defense (DOD) clinicians and providers as part of a second Outside of the Contiguous United States (OCONUS) deployment (Waves OKINAWA /S. KOREA ). The current EHR deployment spans 10 Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) across Asia . The Pacific waves follow successful deployments across European MTFs in September 2023 and deployment to all primary state-side DOD facilities earlier this year.

"We're thrilled to continue our successful global roll-out of the MHS GENESIS electronic health care record system," said Liz Porter , Leidos Health Group President. "Last month, our Partnership completed Wave Europe and now we're pleased to deploy to Okinawa , South Korea and other locations across the Pacific Rim . We look forward to 100% system deployment early next year when the system goes live at the joint DOD-Veterans Affairs Lovell Federal Health Care Center."

LPDH designed and developed MHS GENESIS, the Military Health System's new EHR system, and has been providing program management and technical expertise to the Program Executive Office Defense Healthcare Management Systems since 2015.

With this latest overseas DOD wave deployment, the MHS GENESIS system is now operational at over 3,700 locations and now reaches over 183,000 users and 7.4 million DOD beneficiaries. MHS GENESIS is 98% deployed to DOD garrison facilities.

"We're proud to complete yet another successful deployment," noted Chris Ruefer , Deputy Program Executive Officer for DHMS. "In addition to achieving full global deployment by early next year, we continue to optimize patient and provider experiences, to include virtual health enhancements planned for the future."

This deployment marked the last of 23 MHS GENESIS waves, with each wave targeting a specific region and the DOD utilizing lessons learned from prior waves to maximize subsequent wave efficiencies. DOD will complete MHS GENESIS deployment to garrison facilities in 2024.

About Leidos

Leidos is a Fortune 500 technology, engineering, and science solutions and services leader working to solve the world's toughest challenges in the defense, intelligence, civil and health markets. The company's 47,000 employees support vital missions for government and commercial customers. Headquartered in Reston, Va. , Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $14.4 billion for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022 . For more information, visit www.leidos.com.

About LPDH

The Leidos Partnership consists of four core partners  Leidos, Oracle Health, Accenture Federal Services and Henry Schein One  along with approximately 35 supporting businesses. Together, they deliver an integrated, modern, secure health information system that includes an electronic health record system, a dental system, identity management capability, Cybersecurity, and other supporting components. MHS GENESIS will serve as the system of record, providing a single, integrated solution for managing the health and military readiness of the force for DOD and the Department of Veterans Affairs, among other agencies.

Certain statements in this announcement constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the rules and regulations of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. These statements are not guarantees of future results or occurrences. A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements, or industry results to be different from the results, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, the "Risk Factors" set forth in Leidos' Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2022 , and other such filings that Leidos makes with the SEC from time to time. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof. Leidos does not undertake to update forward-looking statements to reflect the impact of circumstances or events that arise after the date the forward-looking statements were made.

Contact:

Melissa Duenas

(571) 526-6850

[email protected]

Thomas Doheny

(571) 474-4735

[email protected]

Lauren Reddington

(202) 924-2226

[email protected]

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SOURCE Leidos
Reports mark positive first step in calling for review of essential service closure process, but MNA calls for a more comprehensive region-by-region review of the need for services and a plan for how those needs can be met, one driven by community and health advocates

Report falls short in addressing impact of recent closures on impacted mothers experiencing complex deliveries requiring hospital-based care, needs that cannot be safely met by alternatives proposed by the reports

Until adequate services and plan is in place, MNA calls for moratorium on any future closure of a hospital-based maternal health service and continues to oppose all recent closures

CANTON, Mass. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Massachusetts Nurses Association (MNA) is hereby submitting its response to two reports released today by the Healey administration addressing the issue of maternal child health access: one addressing access to labor, delivery and postpartum care statewide; and the other addressing similar issues for Northern Worcester County following the controversial, and widely opposed closure of the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital, the 11th such closure in the last decade.

The MNA appreciates the work of the Healey-Driscoll administration on this vital public health issue and sees its work and these reports as a positive step in the administration's commitment to address a growing maternal child health crisis in Massachusetts , yet we believe this must be only the beginning of a concerted, multi-faced effort that directly involves those communities and advocates from those communities most impacted by this crisis, particularly economically disadvantaged and BIPOC residents throughout the state, for whom the previous DPH report on this issue shows are placed most at risk by this crisis. We are encouraged to see recommendations for a thorough review of access in Northern Worcester County , but believe this should be extended to all regions of the state that have lost access to inpatient maternal health services. We are also encouraged by the recommendation for a review of the essential service closure process and update statutes and regulations to better protect patient safety, expand community information and engagement, and sustain access to services overtime.

Whatever future actions are taken to address this issue, it is essential that this process should extend beyond listening sessions, and must include a comprehensive process that includes and is driven by those advocates and providers representing these vulnerable constituencies, many of whom have been working on this issue for years.

As a result of our evaluation of the report, and our ongoing work and dialogue with impacted communities in regions across the state, we support an immediate moratorium on the closure of any inpatient maternal child health service in Massachusetts unless and until the state conducts a thorough assessment  region by region  of all issues related to access to maternal child health services, including the current and projected need for services, how each community and providers in those communities are addressing those needs, in cases where maternal health closures occurred over the past decade, review plans provided to the DPH following the discontinuation of the services for compliance and identify where services were provided and what data, strategies or approaches are required to provide the level of care deemed essential to that community.

In assessing the need for services, this assessment must not be limited to maternal child care, but must also investigate and identify whatever wrap around services are required to address the health of these communities, which may include access to healthy food, clean water, adequate health insurance and primary care, appropriate mental health and substance abuse treatment, and programs to ensure access to appropriate nutrition and other social determinants of public health in these regions.

The MNA has already filed legislation (S.1450/H.2251) that would establish such a process, but the DPH and the administration can implement this process without legislative action right now.

While we support all efforts to seek alternative options to increase access to maternal child health services, including efforts to fund and establish birthing centers, and increased utilization of certified nurse midwives and doulas, particularly in underserved communities, we also contend that there is no legitimate public health or maternal child health benefit for any of the past closures or future closures of inpatient maternity units in our state, including the most recent closure of the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital. In fact, those communities where these new strategies are appropriate and necessary, are also those who will have a population of patients, due a number of social determinants of care, who will experience medical conditions, such as high blood pressure and diabetes that will necessitate access to inpatient labor and delivery care that must be delivered in a hospital setting.

The administration's report on Northern Worcester County fails to address in any way how patients impacted by the loss of the Birthing Center at Leominster Hospital will be able to access care in a safe setting, particularly those mothers experiencing a complex delivery requiring immediate attention. It also fails to address testimony submitted by nurses at UMass Memorial Medical Center in Worcester , who report having limited ability to absorb those patients impacted by the closure. In fact, on the same day the DPH was conducting its listening session with nurses from the MNA, a local news outlet in Northern Worcester County reported on a Fitchburg mother being forced to deliver in an ambulance on the way to an alternative delivery site.

We were encouraged to see that the executive summary for the report regarding access to care in Northern Worcester County does include a call for a "review of the essential service closure process and update statutes and regulations to better protect patient safety, expand community information and engagement, and sustain access to services over time.

The problem of access to maternal child health services is multifaceted, and we agree that increased reimbursement for these services is necessary, and for some providers serving marginalized communities, funding support from the state may be warranted. But we also believe it is unacceptable for the hospital industry to have no accountability or any enforceable requirement to provide service the DPH deems essential to preserve the health of the community. While the state currently has a process through the Public Health Council to approve the licensure and creation of all types of beds and services based on the need and justification of those services, we find it impossible to justify the state having no legal or regulatory authority to ensure the continuation of those services, particularly when the state has deemed those services essential to protecting the public health. In the longer term, the Commonwealth must look to overhaul the existing essential services closure process to give the DPH more authority and the power to enforce their rulings. The MNA, along with other legislators have filed legislation (S.736/H.1175) to provide that authority and it is our hope that this protection can be secured as a result of this process.

And while the report highlights efforts to engage in processes to establish birthing centers and other options for patients, the fact is, there is considerable work and time required to create these alternatives, as some estimates are that it can take a decade to undergo the regulatory process to establish a viable birthing center. In the case of utilization of doulas, we understand that MassHealth, which is the predominant insurer for the population most in need of this approach, does not currently cover this level of care.

In no instance is it justified or acceptable to force a mother living in one of these communities, as has been done to gateway cities such as Taunton , Holyoke , Leominster and Fitchburg , to travel 40  50 minutes for the acute labor and delivery services previously provided at the Leominster Birthing Center, or that were provided by the previously closed services at Morton Hospital in Taunton , and Holyoke Medical Center. When the administration's reports talk about providing equitable transportation, if that transportation, by whatever means, is for a mother experiencing an emergent delivery far outside her own community, thus preventing access to timely care, we find that recommendation to be unacceptable.

MassNurses.org  Facebook.com/MassNurses  Twitter.com/MassNurses

Founded in 1903, the Massachusetts Nurses Association is the largest union of registered nurses in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Its 25,000 members advance the nursing profession by fostering high standards of nursing practice, promoting the economic and general welfare of nurses in the workplace, projecting a positive and realistic view of nursing, and by lobbying the Legislature and regulatory agencies on health care issues affecting nurses and the public.

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SOURCE Massachusetts Nurses Association
BrandMuscle reintroduces itself with new messaging, website, and brand identity

CHICAGO , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BrandMuscle reintroduces itself following a brand refresh and full website redesign. As leaders in the local marketing space for over 20 years, BrandMuscle wanted their brand to better reflect the modern and innovative company they are today.

This redesign is a commitment to innovation, sustainability, and seamless user experience.

But this redesign isn't just about look and feel  it's a commitment to technology, sustainability, and seamless user experience.

In addition to a new logo, brand colors, and tone, BrandMuscle's website also features custom pages tailored to their three core audiences  beverage alcohol brands, Fortune 1000 companies, and channel affiliates. These pages are designed to create a more personalized and engaging user experience that gives visitors valuable information tailored to their unique industries.

"The site's look and feel finally emulates the level of quality BrandMuscle has always delivered to our clients," said Amanda Starke , Art Director at BrandMuscle. "The vibrant colors, the modern logo, the cohesive imagery  it was the missing piece of the puzzle."

This launch reflects BrandMuscle's dedication to:

Innovation: BrandMuscle is an industry innovator, delivering AI-powered solutions that push the boundaries of local marketing technology and serving compliant go-to-market services and solutions for our clients.

is an industry innovator, delivering AI-powered solutions that push the boundaries of local marketing technology and serving compliant go-to-market services and solutions for our clients. Branding: As a company that understands the value of brand, BrandMuscle refreshed their image to show their true personality  modern, clean, and easy to work with.

As a company that understands the value of brand, refreshed their image to show their true personality  modern, clean, and easy to work with. Doing the right thing: The new website reaffirms BrandMuscle's commitment to sustainability, displaying their environmental, social, and governance (ESG) certifications and benchmarks.

"This year, we've been laser-focused on our positioning and messaging while introducing innovative AI solutions to the marketplace," said Helen Baptist, Chief Strategy and Market Officer at BrandMuscle. "By refreshing our brand and website, we're clearly communicating who we are, what we do, and who we do it for."

See what's new by exploring the BrandMuscle website. Stay tuned for more innovative products and features.

Connect With BrandMuscle

Follow BrandMuscle on LinkedIn , Twitter , and Facebook .

on , , and . Get in touch with one of our experts.

About BrandMuscle

BrandMuscle makes channel marketing easy by empowering beverage alcohol brands and Fortune 1000 companies to activate and amplify local markets. Our flexible ecosystem of solutions helps brands drive revenue and protects businesses against legal, fiduciary, and other compliance risks. The BrandMuscle platform pairs cutting-edge technology with proven marketing services to support highly regulated verticals.

More than 1.5M local businesses and over 50,000 sales reps and affiliates use BrandMuscle to seamlessly scale corporate branding, messaging, and demand generation to engage customers and increase ROI. Our robust ecosystem addresses every aspect of local channel marketing to unleash hyper-local activation for affiliates.

Media contact

Jordan Feise

jordan.feise@brandmuscle.com

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SOURCE BrandMuscle
The Israeli army raided Gaza's largest hospital, where hundreds of patients, including newborns, have been stranded with dwindling supplies and no electricity. Accounts of brutality and terror unfold from inside the hospital while the UNSC voted for a "sufficient number of days pause".

23:25 Russias ambassador to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya said that his country abstained from supporting the humanitarian pause resolution at the Security Council because it lacks a call for an immediate ceasefire.

"Humanitarian pauses are not and cannot be a replacement for a ceasefire, or even a truce. As the old saying goes, the mountain has labored and brought forth a mouse," Nebenzya said.

22:46 The United Nations security council has voted to adopt a draft resolution calling for a humanitarian pause in fighting in Gaza, and greater efforts to allow humanitarian aid into the war-ravaged territory.

Twelve nations voted for the resolution, with three abstentions, including the US and UK.

Russia has also abstained as it "ceasefire" amendments failed to rally need support, as the United States, Israels backing ally, objects to any mention of a ceasefire.

With no votes against, security council president Zhang Jun announced the resolution had passed.

BREAKING: The @UN Security Council was able to reach consensus and vote in favor of a draft resolution presented by @MaltaUNMission that will include humanitarian pauses and safe corridors in the #Gaza Strip. Results of vote: In Favor (12), Against (0), Abstain (3) #Palestine pic.twitter.com/nFDumg6MAW  State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) November 15, 2023

Shortly before the meeting, the permanent observer of Palestine to the UN, Riyad Mansour issued a scathing two-page letter elaborating on Israel's "grave breach of international humanitarian law by raiding the Al-Shifa hospital.

"Israeli soldiers attacked Al-Shifa, terrorizing thousands of civilians who sheltered alongside patients and medical staff. Israeli soldiers raided hospital premises, ransacking rooms and destroying equipment, beating medical staff and forcing them to leave their patients," reads the text.

Israeli soldiers attacked #AlShifa,terrorizing thousands of civilians who sheltered alongside patients & medical staff.Israeli soldiers raided hospital premises,ransacking rooms & destroying equipment,beating medical staff & forcing them to leave their patients. Read@UN #Gaza pic.twitter.com/o8Vc1oRVcJ  State of Palestine (@Palestine_UN) November 15, 2023

21:58 Egypt condemned, in a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israeli occupation forces' shelling of the vicinity of the Jordanian field hospital in Gaza, leading to injuries among civilians and medical staff.

Egypt deemed it "a blatant violation of international humanitarian law,' and called on the international community to play its role in demanding the cessation of these violations.

21:05 The health ministry in Gaza said the Israeli military did not find any weapons when it stormed the Palestinian Al-Shifa hospital.

"The occupation forces did not find any (military) equipment or weapons in the hospital. Essentially we don't allow this (weapons in a hospital)," said Munir al-Bursh, health ministry director, in a statement.

The Israeli army claimed to have found military equipment during their hospital raid but didn't have too much to show to proove it.

The army showcased a photo with few hand grenades, mobile phones, communication devices, a box of dates, booklets, two versions of the Quran, a rosary as evidence.

In The video material, Israel so far tonight shows few bullet proof vests, three hand grenades, some CDs, a handgun, a laptop, a rucksack, and a few knives.

In response, Bassem Naim, a leader in the Hamas movement, dismissed Israel's presentation as "ridiculous and worthless," suggesting that the alleged weapons might have been planted by the occupation army.

He labeled the Israeli allegations regarding Al-Shifa Hospital as a farce and emphasized that the enemy failed to substantiate their claims made over weeks, in an interview on Al Jazeera.

Israeli army have invated Al Rantisi Hospita under the same claims and on Tuesday it released a video where its spoksperson points to a random calendar as "evidence" of a captives guards's list with he said "terrorists' names". But the only thing on that "list" are the days of the week, Saturday to Friday, in arabic.

In the video that went viral on social media, literally Israeli occupation army claims that a wall calendar, a bag of diapers and a toilet were proof that Hamas was using the basement of the Rantisi hospital as command post.

20:50 Qatar urged an international investigation into Israeli raids on medical facilities in the Gaza Strip, denouncing as a "war crime" Israel's latest attacks inside Al-Shifa hospital.

The Qatari foreign ministry in a statement called for "an urgent international investigation" including by the United Nations to look into "the targeting of hospitals by the Israeli occupation army".

20:20 At least 50 civilians were killed and dozens more were injured, in an Israeli strike on a mosque housing hundreds of displaced in Sabra neighbourhood in western Gaza, Al Qassam Brigades reported.

20:00 The Israel occupation army orders residents of some neighborhoods of Khan Yunis, situated in the southern Gaza to evacuate their homes.

19:10 Israeli airstrikes struck a mosque in the Al-Sabra neighborhood, located south of Gaza City. Dozens killed.

18:50 The US Navy shot down a drone from Yemen earlier today in the Red Sea, according to an American officials, cited by Reuters.

Yemen's Houthi movement has threatened to target all the Israeli ships in the Red Sea and Bab al-Mandab Strait in response to its deadly war on the Gaza Strip. In a broadcast speech, Houthi leader Abdulmalik Al-Houthi said on Tuesday Our eyes are open to constantly monitoring and searching for any Israeli ship in the Red Sea, especially the Bab al-Mandab Strait. Houthis had already fired a large batch of ballistic missiles and a large number of armed aircraft towards Israel in separate operations since the Israeli war on Gaza began.

18:49 The death toll of the Palestinians killed by Israel Gaza rises to al least 11,500 including 4,710 children, the government in Gaza announced.

18:45 White House national security spokesperson John Kirby said the US did not give the green light for Israel to conduct its military operation around the Al-Shifa hospital.

"We did not give an OK to their military operations around the hospital," Kirby told reporters adding that this was in the same way the US does not give OKs to Israel's other military operations.

Kirby said these were Israeli plans executed in accordance with its own established procedures, and that the US does not expect to be informed by Israel prior to specific military operations.

18:40 A journalist trapped inside Gaza's largest hospital told AFP on Wednesday that Israeli troops had supposedly pulled out from the building after a nightlong invasion, yet this information remains unverified.

"The Israeli artillery are still at the gates of the hospital and they have full control over the facility," an Al Jazeera journalist reported. The Israeli army spokesman also said that the forces are still conducting a search within the hospital, looking for weapons and other materials.

18:25 President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stressed the need to prevent escalation of the Israeli war on Gaza, during a meeting with French Defense Minister Sebastien Lecornu.

El-Sisi and highlighted Egypt's efforts for a ceasefire, aid delivery, and evacuations.

17:56 France expresses very serious concern about Israels operation inside the Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City, the French foreign ministry said in a statement, reported by AFP.

It said the country recognised the absolute necessity for Israel to comply with international humanitarian law, which particularly provides for the protection of hospital infrastructure.

17:45 After four failed attempts, the U.N. Security Council is trying for a fifth time to vote later today on a draft resolution calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days to enable aid access."

It also would demand that "all parties" comply with international humanitarian law that requires protection for civilians, calls for special protections for children, and bans hostage-taking.

But the draft, proposed by Malta makes no mention of a ceasefire.

The 15-member council has been paralyzed since the Israeli war began by its internal divisions. This is especially the case between China and Russia, which want an immediate ceasefire, and the United States, Israels backing ally, that objects to any mention of a ceasefire.

Faced with the council's inability to act, the UN General Assembly on October 27 adopted with a large majority a nonbinding text calling for an "immediate humanitarian truce."

"I know we are all disappointed about the inaction of the Council in the past 40 days," China's UN ambassador Jun Zhang said Wednesday.

This is the summary of the day so far.. Israeli occupation troops invaded Al-Shifa hospital early on Wednesday opposing not retalliation and found no trace of resistance fighters nor captives inside the facility, as claimed before the operation. Hamas said Israel allegations are nothing but a continuation of the lies and cheap propaganda," and called for the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross to secure a safe corridor for patients, medical staff and displaced families trapped in the facility to leave. Ministry of Health reports Israeli forces barricading in Al-Shifa, using staff and displaced people as shields and interrogating dozens of stripped, blindfolded people. UNRWA warns against worsening conditions for displaced Palestininas in Gaza, citing concerns about cholera in winter.



Negotiations mediated by Qatar and Egypt sought a captives swap deal between Hamas and Israel, proposing the release of civilians and a three-day ceasefire. Various international voices, including Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and UNICEF, condemned the Israeli war in Gaza, urging a halt to the indiscriminate killing and emphasizing the dire humanitarian crisis. Israeli forces conduct widespread detentions in the West Bank. Israel's Knesset passes a law that enables the granting of honorary citizenship to fallen non-citizen troops in the war confirming earlier media reports that Israeli military has purportedly resorted to recruiting foreign mercenaries, with a significant number hailing from various European nations.

17:41 The Ministry of Health told Al Jazeera that the Israeli occupation forces are barricading themselves in the lower floors of the Al-Shifa Medical Complex and are using the hospital staff and displaced people as human shields.

Meanwhile, Al-Arabiya correspondent said the Israeli army blew up the hospitals basement during the storming.

Back in 1983, when Israel was still ruling Gaza, the Occupation Forces built a basement/bunker and an underground operating room beneath the hospital.

17:20 "The situation for many people has become more desperate," the. UNRWA says.

As winter weather creeps in, thousands of displaced people in Gaza now forced to live outdoors- face worsening conditions each and every day.

"The spread of cholera in these conditions would be absolutely devastating," the UN agency added.

"The situation for many people has become more desperate"



As winter weather creeps in, thousands of displaced people in#Gaza - now forced to live outdoors- face worsening conditions each and every day.



The spread of cholera in these conditions would be absolutely devastating. pic.twitter.com/HsNcjbyAMT  UNRWA (@UNRWA) November 15, 2023

16:55 Israeli forces also attacked a number of medical and nursing staff inside Al-Shifa Hospital, the Gaza governments media office says.

"They forced them to take off their clothes, insulted and cursed at them. They asked medical staff to leave their stations, so they could interrogate them under the threat of weapons," the media office said.

The office also said Israeli soldiers expelled a number of children and some patients, "depriving them of treatment and leaving them to face the threats of bombings, snipers and deadly drones."

16:30 Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that the Israeli army entered Al-Shifa Hospital despite requests to refrain, saying "there is no place we will not reach."

Israeli alleged that Shifa hospital, the main medical facility in the besieged Gaza was partly being used by the Palestinian resistance group as a command center and that captives were being held there. The US has backed such claims.

However, Hamas and the medical corps at the hospital categorically denied it, saying they are "nothing but a continuation of the lies and cheap propaganda, through which [Israel] is trying to give justification for its crime aimed at destroying the health sector in Gaza."

The Israeli allegations have been proven to be false as Israel stated that there is no information confirming the presence of captives inside. Israel also reported that four resistance fighters died in a clash "outside" the hospital, saying that "there had been no fighting inside the hospital."

Muhammad Zaqout, the director of hospitals at the health ministry, further corroborated the falsification by Israel. He informed Al Jazeera that "not a single bullet" was fired in resistance to the Israeli attack because "there are no individuals resisting or being detained inside."

Israeli forces interrogating dozens of stripped, blindfolded people, Al Jazeera reported. A journalist inside the hospital working with the AFP news agency said Israeli soldiers were interrogating people, among them patients and doctors.

Another witness inside the hospital told the BBCs correspondent that soldiers had entered the complex and fired a smoke bomb that caused people to suffocate.

The Israeli forces then went room to room, floor by floor, questioning both staff and patients and were accompanied by Arabic speakers. Over loudspeakers, the occupation army asked all men between the ages of 16 and 40 to leave the hospital buildings and go to the hospital courtyard. Israeli troops installed a scanning and sensor device and asked the men to pass through it.

Israels raid on Gazas al-Shifa Hospital has brought terror and death to the thousands trapped inside, witnesses say https://t.co/MB6Chs4J8N pic.twitter.com/NcJQv6dpNX  Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) November 15, 2023

15:30 Israel does not agree to the latest version conveyed by the mediators regarding the captives swap deal, according to Al Arabiya.

Qatari mediators were on Wednesday seeking to negotiate a deal between Hamas and Israel that includes the release of around 50 civilian captives from Gaza in exchange for a three-day ceasefire.

"The mediators know that we want to release a much larger number than 50 captives held by Hamas", an Israeli source said as reported by Al Arabiya.

15:15 Israel's Knesset passes a law that enables the granting of honorary citizenship to fallen non-citizen troops.

The decision seems to confirm information punlished earlier by the Spanish media that Israeli military has purportedly resorted to recruiting foreign mercenaries, with a significant number hailing from various European nations.

Among these foreign fighters is a notorious Spanish mercenary, known to have affiliations with the neo-Nazi movement and having previously seen action in Ukraine.

This strategy involves utilizing these specialized mercenaries in hit-and-run operations and guerrilla warfare on the ground, while the occupying Israeli soldiers seek refuge in their tanks.

14:30 The latest captives swap deal negotiations between Hamas and Israel, mediated by Qatari and Egyptian officials, are currently underway.

According to Reuters, the proposed deal involves the release of approximately 50 civilian captives from Gaza in exchange for a three-day ceasefire.

Coordinated with the US, the negotiation also includes Israel releasing Palestinian women and children from its jails and increasing humanitarian aid to Gaza. If finalized, this would be the largest release of captives held by Hamas since 7 October.

The number of Palestinian women and children that Israel would release from its jails as part of the current agreement under discussion remains undisclosed.

According to Reuters, Hamas has agreed to the general terms of the deal, but Israel is still in the process of negotiating the specifics.

The Qatari-led negotiations require Hamas to provide a complete list of remaining living civilian captives held in Gaza. While a more comprehensive release of all captives is not currently on the table, the talks represent a significant development in the ongoing crisis.

Israeli officials have not provided an immediate response to the latest negotiations.

13:40 Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on Wednesday urged Israel to end the "indiscriminate killing of Palestinians" in Gaza, in his sharpest criticism of Israel since war against Hamas broke out over a month ago.

13:30 The seventh Saudi relief plane arrived at El-Arish International Airport in Egypt, carrying humanitarian aid including medical supplies with a total weight of 35 tons, in preparation for its transfer to the Gaza Strip.

13:15 The Islamic Jihad Palestinian movement announces the shooting down of an Israeli drone in the Gaza Strip.

13:00 Fuel that entered Gaza from Egypt through the Rafah border crossing on Wednesday was "not at all enough", the United Nations agency for supporting Palestinian refugees said.

"This is the equivalent of half a truck! Not at all enough. Much more is needed. Fuel is being used as weapon of war, this must stop," UNRWA said on X, formerly Twitter.

In a separate post, UNRWA confirmed receiving 23,027 litres (6,083 gallons) of fuel, saying it met only "nine percent" of what the agency needs daily to sustain lifesaving work.

Just received 23,027 LT of fuel from Egypt (half a tanker)  but its use has been restricted by Israeli authorities - only for transporting aid from Rafah.

No fuel for water or hospitals

This is only 9% of what we need daily to sustain lifesaving activities@UNRWA #Gaza  Thomas White (@TomWhiteGaza) November 15, 2023

12:30 The Palestinian Authority on Wednesday denounced Israel's operation inside Gaza's largest hospital as a "flagrant violation" of international law, demanding world action to protect patients and civilians inside the facility.

The Israeli military's overnight entry into Gaza City's Al-Shifa hospital was a "flagrant violation of international law", a statement from the Palestinian foreign ministry said, demanding "urgent international intervention to protect the civilians there".

The UN estimates there are at least 2,300 patients, staff and displaced civilians inside the facility.

Israeli forces have invaded the hospital with large numbers of soldiers and military vehicles, including tanks, armored vehicles, troop carriers, and bulldozers and were preventing anyone from leaving.

11:30 Jawwal, the largest cellular communications network in Palestine, is facing a critical situation as its main data centers and switches in the Gaza Strip are gradually shutting down due to fuel depletion, the network announced.

As the primary provider of various cellular services to the Palestinian people, Jawwal announced that crucial network elements now depend solely on batteries and this is expected to lead to a complete telecom blackout in the coming hours.

We regret to announce that our main data centers and switches in Gaza Strip are gradually shutting down due to fuel depletion. Currently, main network elements depend solely on batteries.

This will lead to a complete telecom blackout in the coming hours. #KeepGazaConnected  Jawwal (@JawwalPal) November 15, 2023

11:15 Palestinian Fatah movement denounced the occupation army's incursion into Al-Shifa Hospital as "a blatant act of war crime". They squarely attributed full responsibility to the occupation for the well-being of patients, the wounded, medical personnel, and displaced civilian women and children.

10:50 A fuel truck entered Gaza through the Rafah border crossing from Egypt Wednesday, Al Qahera News reported, in the first such delivery since the Israel war on Gaza began.

An Egyptian source said the fuel would be delivered to the United Nations "to facilitate the delivery of aid after trucks on the Palestinian side stopped operating for lack of fuel".

COGAT, the Israeli defence ministry body that handles Palestinian civil affairs, had said earlier that "UN trucks transporting humanitarian aid through the Rafah crossing will be refueled at the Rafah crossing, per US request."

Witnesses at the Egyptian border said two more trucks were waiting to pass through the crossing.

10:45 The head of the UN children's agency decried the "devastating" scenes she witnessed during a visit to war-ravaged Gaza, urging the parties to the conflict to "stop this horror".

"What I saw and heard was devastating. They have endured repeated bombardment, loss, and displacement. Inside the Strip, there is nowhere safe for Gaza's one million children to turn," UNICEF chief Catherine Russell said in a statement after visiting, among other things, a hospital in the south of the Palestinian territory.

10:00 Jordan's Foreign Affairs Ministry condemned the storming of Israeli forces into Al-Shifa Hospital on Wednesday as a violation of international law, particularly the Geneva Convention for the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.

Jordan added that it holds Israel responsible for the safety of civilians and staff working at the hospital.

9: 30 Israeli occupation forces Wednesday carried out a wide-scale detention campaign in the West Bank, detaining 52 Palestinians, including 15 female university students.

Occupation forces have detained more than 2400 Palestinians across the West Bank since 7 October. Meanwhile, Israeli troops demolished the house of the slain Palestinian youth Khairy Alqam in Ras al-Amud neighbourhood in the town of Silwan, south of the occupied Jerusalem, Palestinian news agency WAFA reported. Local sources said that large forces from the occupation army stormed the neighbourhood, accompanied by bulldozers, surrounded the family home of Alqam and began demolishing it. Confrontations broke out with the occupation forces in the neighbourhood, where the occupation soldiers assaulted a number of citizens. 9:00 29 Palestinians were killed, and others were injured in a series of Israeli airstrikes on homes in the Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood and Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip. Sheikh Radwan neighbourhood, like all other neighbourhoods and residential areas in Gaza City, has been subjected to continuous Israeli bombardment, by land, sea and air, since the start of the Israeli aggression on 7 October.

Israeli occupation forces stormed Gaza's largest hospital Wednesday, targeting what they claimed is a Hamas command centre housed among thousands of ailing and sheltering civilians. The Israeli army had surrounded Al-Shifa hospital as part of its ground offensive against the besieged strip, claiming Hamas had been operating out of the hospital complex. Hamas said that the US had effectively given a "green light" for Israel to raid the hospital. The group said it held Israel and US President Joe Biden fully responsible for the assault. Gaza's Al-Shifa Hospital has become a symbol of the widespread suffering of Palestinian civilians during the war.

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LISBON, Portugal , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of its work to showcase the growth of the Kingdom's SME sector, Monsha'at, the Small and Medium Enterprises General Authority of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, took part in Web Summit 2023: one of the world's leading technology conferences.

Held from 13 to 16 November 2023  in Lisbon, Portugal  the event provided Monsha'at the opportunity to spotlight Saudi Arabia's most innovative SMEs. The authority led a delegation of Saudi start-ups, calling attention to their success and contributions to the national economy. Moreover, the event provided a platform for industry leaders, including policymakers, heads of state, and tech CEOs and founders, to address global challenges.

Sami Al Hussaini , Governor of Monsha'at, said: "2023 has been a landmark year for Monsha'at and the Saudi SME sector, with the number of start-ups in the Kingdom growing to over 1.2 million. While we have made a great deal of progress, we can achieve more. Launching innovative partnerships with businesses and entities around the world is essential. Events such as Web Summit 2023 enable us to do that, immersing some of our leading start-ups in an energized environment conducive to collaboration, innovation and growth."

Saudi Arabia's start-up ecosystem is currently undergoing a period of rapid growth. Amid the continued expansion of its non-oil sector, the Kingdom achieved one of the highest economic growth rates in the world last year and has been recognized as one of the best-performing countries in terms of leveraging reforms to improve its business environment. In Q2 2023, the Kingdom led the region in VC funding and capital raised, accounting for 42% of MENA funding at a value of $446 million .

Among the Saudi start-ups participating in Web Summit 2023 were: Zid, Lendo, Nuqtah, Syarah, Asasat Advanced Systems, Wosul, Kabi, Master Works, resal, WhiteHelmet, Mustadem, and Tachyon.

Monsha'at's participation at WebSummit follows its recent participation in other world-class conferences, including SWITCH Singapore, and ComeUp Korea, where it has helped connect some of the Kingdom's leading start-ups with the international business and investment communities.

About Monsha'at:

Monsha'at was established in 2016 with the aim of regulating, supporting, developing, and sponsoring the SME sector in the Kingdom in accordance with global best practices, in order to increase the productivity of SMEs and their contribution to GDP.

For more information about how Monsha'at supports Saudi Arabia's SME ecosystem visit www.monshaat.gov.sa

CONTACT:

Tarek Chahine

+852-852 92827642

tchahine@webershandwick.com

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SOURCE Monshaat
270 MW Blevins Solar Project located in ERCOT market

MINNEAPOLIS , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- National Grid Renewables has announced the execution of two power purchase agreements (PPAs) for its Blevins Solar Project (Blevins), a 270-megawatt (MW) development located in Falls County, Texas . Under the PPAs, Fujifilm has contracted 125 MW of solar, and Bristol Myers Squibb has contracted 145 MW of solar.

Blevins is estimated to begin construction in 2024 and reach operations in 2025. Including the Blevins project, National Grid Renewables has a total investment of nearly 1 gigawatt (GW) of renewable energy projects in ERCOT, including Great Plains Wind Farm, Noble Solar & Storage Project, and Copperhead Solar & Storage Project. Additionally, Blevins is the second National Grid Renewables project located in Falls County , marking a significant commitment to bringing clean energy and associated benefits to local residents.

Blevins is anticipated to benefit local and statewide communities through the production of millions of dollars in new tax revenue and landowner income, the creation of new jobs, and local spending. The project community will also benefit from a dedicated charitable fund, which is unique to National Grid Renewables amongst its competitors. In total, Blevins' direct economic impact is estimated to reach approximately $35 million over the first 30 years of operation.

"Blevins represents our strong belief that renewable energy projects deliver a sustainable and reliable source of power, all while invigorating the local economies and unlocking new potential for both direct and indirect revenue streams. Projects like Blevins not only benefit Texas with a clean energy solution, but they also provide reliability and security for the overall electrical grid," said Blake Nixon , President of National Grid Renewables.

Bristol Myers Squibb's (BMS) longstanding commitment to environmental responsibility includes working with partners to help achieve its goals. For this project, Bristol Myers Squibb worked with Edison Energy, LLC as an independent advisor, providing renewables market expertise and analytics support, which allowed BMS to assess long-term implications of its investment.

"Environmental sustainability is an important component of our business strategy and embedded within our enterprise operations," said Danielle Menture, Vice President, Environment, Occupational Health, Safety and Sustainability at Bristol Myers Squibb. "This agreement is another critical step in our journey towards achieving our goal of 100% purchased electricity from renewable sources and supporting the move toward cleaner energy."

Fujifilm engaged World Kinect Energy Services to identify renewable energy projects that would accelerate their corporate strategy to cover 100% of the company's total electricity consumption with green energy in the United States and Canada . A great example of the power of partnerships, this project is the culmination of the creative and collaborative work from all involved and helps build momentum for Fujifilm's achievement of their renewable energy and CO 2 emissions reduction goals.

"Fujifilm strives to be a company that contributes to solving society's greatest challenges, including addressing climate change through our business strategy and operations," said Chisato Yoshizawa , Director and Corporate Vice President, General Manager of Corporate Communications Division and General Manager of ESG Division, FUJIFILM Holdings Corporation. "This Power Purchase Agreement is aligned with our policy, which emphasizes securing a stable supply of renewable electricity with additionality."

About National Grid Renewables

National Grid Renewables develops, owns and operates large-scale renewable energy assets across the United States , including solar, wind, and energy storage. As a farmer-founded and community-focused business, National Grid Renewables repowers America's electricity grid by reigniting local economies and reinvesting in a sustainable, clean energy future. National Grid Renewables supports National Grid's vision of being at the heart of a clean, fair, and affordable energy future for all. To learn more about National Grid Renewables, visit www.nationalgridrenewables.com or follow the company on LinkedIn.

Contact: National Grid Renewables

[email protected]

612.429.7050

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SOURCE National Grid Renewables
Majority of American donors lack reputable information and financial liquidity to give during times of crisis

MALVERN, Pa. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- An online survey conducted by The Harris Poll of more than 2,000 U.S. adults on behalf of Vanguard Charitable, a leading nonprofit and sponsor of donor-advised funds (DAFs), found that nearly 3 in 5 American donors (59%) (defined as those who donated to charity in the past 12 months) gave half or more of their total monetary donations last year to charities providing disaster relief.

This marks a notable increase from the results of a similar survey conducted by The Harris Poll in April 2022 on behalf of Vanguard Charitable, which found that only 37% of American donors had given half or more of their charitable contributions to disaster relief efforts. But the new survey also suggests that donors encounter challenges when trying to respond charitably to disasters.

More than half of Americans (52%) agree that when a crisis (e.g., natural disaster, humanitarian crisis, economic crisis) occurs, they do not know where to find reputable information on how to direct a monetary donation to support those in need. Perhaps more concerning, 65% of Americans agree that when a crisis occurs, they do not generally have funds available to give right away.

"During a crisis, the desire to provide aid is so strong," said Rebecca Moffett , president of Vanguard Charitable. "And we need to do more to help individuals act on that desire, especially those who may not know which charities to support, or how to quickly access funds to donate. At Vanguard Charitable, we seek to minimize these challenges by ensuring our donors have dollars at the ready and providing them with lists of highly rated charities responding to crises. The planful approach our donors take helps to explain why they have granted more than $2 billion already in 2023, our most generous year ever."

When it comes to charitable giving in general, the survey found that Americans remain committed. Nearly 3 in 4 Americans (73%) reported having given a monetary donation to charity in the past twelve months, on par with the 74% who reported doing so the year before (survey conducted by The Harris Poll on behalf of Vanguard Charitable in September 2022).

Strategic giving goes further

American donors with a charitable giving budget give more dollars and are more likely to support disaster relief than those who do not have a charitable giving budget. This is consistent with survey findings in 2021 and 2022.

Among those who donated money to charity in the past 12 months, those who included charitable giving in their annual budget gave more money, on average, than those who did not ( $1,583 vs. $892 ).

vs. ). Among American donors with a charitable giving budget, 74% donated to disaster relief in the past 12 months, compared to 53% of American donors without a charitable giving budget.

American donors with a charitable giving budget were two times more likely to say the amount of money they donated increased compared to last year than those who did not (34% vs. 17%).

61% of American donors with a charitable giving budget are likely to give more money in the next 12 months to charity than they did in the past 12 months (vs. 47% of donors without a charitable budget).

Effective giving through partnership and strategic resources

With dollars committed to charity and ready access to credible, informational resources, Vanguard Charitable donors have effectively focused on disaster relief efforts across the nation and the world. Vanguard Charitable donors have issued 10,578 grants totaling $67.5 million to more than 1,300 unique nonprofits focused on disaster relief over the past year. This includes top grantee nonprofits such as Doctors Without Borders USA, World Central Kitchen, and American Civil Liberties Union Foundation.

Vanguard Charitable donors have embraced a set of unique granting tools and resources to further inform their decisions and encourage nimble giving in both the short and long term. These include:

MyGiving: Launched this fall, MyGiving is an interactive experience that serves as an immersive, personalized journey to help Vanguard Charitable donors develop their own charitable giving plan and giving goals.

Launched this fall, MyGiving is an interactive experience that serves as an immersive, personalized journey to help Vanguard Charitable donors develop their own charitable giving plan and giving goals. Discover Charities : In partnership with Charity Navigator, Vanguard Charitable has provided dedicated lists of highly rated nonprofits focused directly on specific disasters in moments of great need. These lists, available to Vanguard Charitable donors and the public, provide donors with the peace of mind that they are supporting charities with direct ties to and impact on communities in need.

In partnership with Charity Navigator, Vanguard Charitable has provided dedicated lists of highly rated nonprofits focused directly on specific disasters in moments of great need. These lists, available to Vanguard Charitable donors and the public, provide donors with the peace of mind that they are supporting charities with direct ties to and impact on communities in need. Grant Payments: Vanguard Charitable recently launched Grant Payments with PayPal, and charities are now able to receive electronic funds within one day of accepting a grantand in some cases, even a matter of minutes. Since Grant Payments launched in May, Vanguard Charitable has electronically distributed more than $230 million to 8,563 eligible charities, including $11.7 million to nonprofits supporting disaster relief efforts.

Vanguard Charitable recently launched Grant Payments with PayPal, and charities are now able to receive electronic funds within one day of accepting a grantand in some cases, even a matter of minutes. Since Grant Payments launched in May, Vanguard Charitable has electronically distributed more than to 8,563 eligible charities, including to nonprofits supporting disaster relief efforts. Why Giving Matters: The inaugural study, Why Giving Matters: Donors give more effectively over time with a donor-advised fund , includes survey results of over 1,500 Vanguard Charitable donors and 440 nonprofits, along with a decade's worth of insight into donor giving behavior. It uncovers and explores how donors increase their granting the longer they've had a Vanguard Charitable donor-advised fund.

The inaugural study, , includes survey results of over 1,500 Vanguard Charitable donors and 440 nonprofits, along with a decade's worth of insight into donor giving behavior. It uncovers and explores how donors increase their granting the longer they've had a Vanguard Charitable donor-advised fund. The Value In Giving Podcast: In its third season, The Value In Giving Podcast amplifies voices across the world of philanthropy, connecting donors to inspirational nonprofit and industry leaders. This season features leaders from an array of nonprofits including Habitat for Humanity Philadelphia, Martha's Vineyard Museum , Shelter House, San Francisco-Marin Food Bank , and GiveDirectly, along with Aramark, a food services provider using a DAF for its corporate philanthropy.

For more information about Vanguard Charitable or giving through donor-advised funds, please visit www.vanguardcharitable.org.

Survey Method:

This survey was conducted online within the United States by The Harris Poll on behalf of Vanguard Charitable from October 12-16, 2023 , among 2,073 U.S. adults ages 18 and older, among whom 1,516 donated to charity in the past 12 months (i.e., donors). The sampling precision of Harris online polls is measured by using a Bayesian credible interval. For this study, the sample data is accurate to within + 2.7 percentage points using a 95% confidence level. For complete survey methodology, including weighting variables and subgroup sample sizes, please contact Katie Miller at [email protected].

About Vanguard Charitable

Vanguard Charitable is a leading U.S. nonprofit organization that fulfills its mission to increase philanthropic giving by administering a donor-advised funda tax-effective way to consolidate, accrue, and grant assets to charity. Since it was founded by Vanguard1 in 1997 as an independent 501(c)(3) organization, Vanguard Charitable has granted more than $17 billion to charity. More information is available at www.vanguardcharitable.org.

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SOURCE Vanguard Charitable
CHICAGO , Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- NextName, a leading NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) company, is proud to announce its collaboration with western fragrance trailblazer, Tru Western - Together, they are launching a dynamic marketing campaign showcasing the values of grit, family, teamwork, humility, and work ethic with the help of the talented University of Illinois Volleyball players.

This partnership is all about celebrating the values that unite college athletes and the Tru Western brand

In this unique collaboration, NextName teamed up with University of Illinois Volleyball athletes to create engaging short videos that authentically represent Tru Western's core brand values. The campaign aims to support college athletes and highlight the commitment and dedication needed to excel as a Division-1 athlete. It draws a parallel between the athletes' dedication and the values of the Tru Western brand.

Tom Segal , Director of Operations at NextName, said, "Our partnership with Tru Western is all about celebrating the values that unite college athletes and the Tru Western brand. We believe in the power of storytelling and are thrilled to showcase the hard work, dedication, and shared values that connect these athletes with Tru Western Fragrances."

The NextName and Tru Western campaign extends beyond the University of Illinois Volleyball team. This collaboration is actively seeking college athletes nationwide who have compelling stories to share, ones that revolve around grit, family, teamwork, humility, and a strong work ethic. College athletes interested in participating can connect with us by emailing [email protected] to explore the chance to collaborate with Tru Western, receive fragrance samples, and earn NIL compensation for their inspiring narratives. To learn more about this campaign, please visit nextname.io/truwestern.

About NextName:

NextName is a leading NIL company dedicated to helping student-athletes maximize their earning potential and share their stories with the world. Through innovative partnerships and opportunities, NextName connects college athletes with brands, ensuring they can capitalize on their name, image, and likeness while continuing to excel on the field, court, or in the classroom. For more information, please visit https://nextname.io

About Tru Western Fragrances:

Founded in 1969, Tru Western, part of the Tru Fragrance & Beauty portfolio, operates out of Willowbrook, Illinois and New York City . A global leader in beauty brand creation and partnerships, Tru's portfolio spans Tru Western, including licensed fragrances in partnership with Wrangler, Yellowstone, and Professional Bull Riders; Gen-Z favorite Le Monde Gourmand; and fragrance-as-wellness brand Lake & Skye. For more information, visit TruFragrance.com

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SOURCE NextName
Technology Expertise to Provide Foundation for Future Company Growth

DETROIT , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- OneMagnify, a global leader in technology and analytics-driven digital performance marketing solutions backed by leading private equity firm Crestview Partners, today announced its hire of Kamelia Dianati as Chief Technology Officer. The Chief Technology Officer is a C-suite role at OneMagnify responsible for strategy, implementation, and oversight of the information technology platform as well as management of a talented cross-company team.

Kamelia Dianati has 30 years of combined experience in software engineering and senior leadership roles, helping to transform businesses that range from start-ups to public companies. Her previous experience includes positions as Senior Vice President of Technology at LendingTree and as Chief Technology Officer at Intercontinental Capital Group, Bankrate, and Vive Benefits. Ms. Dianati will be based in Charlotte, NC .

Ms. Dianati graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of North Carolina (UNC) in electrical engineering and went on to earn her master's in electrical engineering from UNC as well.

Mark Petroff , CEO of OneMagnify, stated, "We are excited to welcome Kamelia to OneMagnify and can't wait to see how she can further our organizational goals for IT with her strategic mindset and unmatched energy. Kamelia's experience, steady leadership, and in-depth knowledge will help our clients achieve their business objectives in an ever-evolving technology landscape. In addition, Kamelia's insights will help guide in the development of a compelling technology vision for OneMagnify and support our growth objectives globally."

"I am thrilled to join OneMagnify in the role of Chief Technology Officer, embarking on a new era in technology," said Kamelia Dianati . "We have strong expertise, and I see an opportunity to evolve our technology architecture to new heights. In my view, a robust information technology architecture is not just pivotal but intrinsic to our global success. It's the very foundation that empowers us to provide our clients with the indispensable services and expertise they need to excel in their respective markets."

For more information visit https://onemagnify.com/.

About OneMagnify

Originally founded in 1967, OneMagnify has evolved to become a full-service, global marketing company that combines compelling brand communications with technology solutions and actionable analytics to deliver measurable results. Through creativity and problem solving, our team powers business performance with actionable analytics and data; compelling marketing communications through brand strategy; and technology solutions. Applied individuallyor fully integrated for greater impactthese three core services can amplify clients' businesses, deliver real-time results, and separate them from competitors. OneMagnify offices are located in Ann Arbor and Detroit, MI ; Wilmington , DE; Charlotte, NC; Louisville, KY ; Cologne, Germany ; Shanghai, China ; and Chennai, India .

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SOURCE OneMagnify
First expansion into Asia of a US dollar stablecoin platform, substantively compliant with MAS' upcoming stablecoin framework

SINGAPORE , Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Paxos, the leading regulated blockchain & tokenization infrastructure platform, secured in principle approval (IPA) from the Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) for its new Singapore entity, Paxos Digital Singapore Pte. Ltd. to offer digital payment token services. Paxos Digital Singapore will issue a new US dollar stablecoin that MAS has acknowledged to be substantively compliant with MAS' proposed stablecoin regulatory framework, in advance of the legislative framework coming into force. Upon receiving full approval, Paxos will be able to partner with enterprise clients to issue the USD-backed stablecoin in Singapore .

Paxos is at the forefront of ushering in a new era of stablecoin utility and mainstream adoption. The company's commitment to transparency, accountability, and integrity is exemplified by its commitment to regulatory compliance and proactively seeking oversight. Stablecoins issued in accordance with standards set by global prudential regulators represent a significant step towards democratizing access to commerce and financial services. Paxos is committed to integrity and transparency in its operations and the company will only issue tokens that are subject to oversight by prudential regulators.

Paxos consistently pursues growth in global markets within regulated frameworks and engages with regulators to help inform digital asset rules. The company maintains the rigorous AML and KYC standards established by leading financial markets like the US and Singapore . This milestone solidifies Paxos' position as the most comprehensively regulated blockchain platform in the world, meeting the highest operating standards in both New York and Singapore . In 2022, Paxos became the first US-based blockchain infrastructure platform to obtain a license from the MAS to offer digital payment token services under the Payment Services Act 2019.

Walter Hessert , Paxos Head of Strategy, commented, "Global demand for the US dollar has never been stronger, yet it remains difficult for consumers outside the US to get dollars safely, reliably and under regulatory protections. This in-principle approval from the MAS will allow Paxos to bring its regulated platform to more users around the world. Because Paxos upholds the highest standards of compliance and oversight, global enterprises partner with us to power stablecoin solutions that drive their businesses and respond to their customers' needs."

By leveraging blockchain technology, Paxos aims to open the financial system to everyone, introducing significant opportunities to global markets and billions of users. As Paxos continues to lead the way in digital asset innovation, the company remains committed to its mission of building a more inclusive and accessible financial future.

All Paxos stablecoins are fully backed 1:1 by the US Dollar and cash equivalents, ensuring that they are stable, safe, and reliable. Similar to its other tokens, Paxos will issue monthly attestations and reserve reports so that all holders know exactly what they own. Please visit https://paxos.com/regulation-and-transparency/ to learn more.

About Paxos

Paxos is the leading regulated blockchain infrastructure and tokenization platform. Its products are the foundation for a new, open financial system that can operate faster and more efficiently. Today, trillions of dollars are locked in inefficient, outdated financial plumbing that is inaccessible to millions of people. Paxos is replatforming the financial system to enable assets to instantaneously move anywhere in the world, at any time, in a trustworthy way.

Paxos partners with leading global enterprises to tokenize, custody, trade and settle assets. Its blockchain solutions are used by institutions like PayPal, Interactive Brokers, Mastercard, Mercado Libre , Nubank, Bank of America and Societe Generale. It is the issuer of numerous regulated digital assets including PayPal USD (PYUSD), Pax Dollar (USDP) and Pax Gold (PAXG). Prudentially regulated by the NYDFS in the US and the MAS in Singapore , Paxos is a top-funded fintech company with more than $540 million raised from leading investors including Oak HC/FT, Declaration Partners, Founders Fund, Mithril Capital and PayPal Ventures. With offices in New York , London and Singapore , Paxos takes a global approach to modernizing the financial system.

Contact: [email protected]

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SOURCE Paxos
NORTH CHICAGO, Ill. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science announces the appointment of molecular biologist Weihang "Valerie" Chai, PhD, as director of the Center for Genetic Diseases . Dr. Chai , who was selected following a national search, joins RFU and its more than 12 research centers and institutes on January 31, 2024 .

" Dr. Chai is a top-notch scientist with outstanding leadership qualities  a mentor and role model for our students, for young and mid-career faculty, and a great colleague for our center directors," said RFU Executive Vice President for Research Ronald Kaplan , PhD. "She's the ideal person to build the center along new directions  approaching genetic diseases, in part, through a focus on cancer research. The time is ripe in the field for fundamental discoveries that have important clinical applications."

Dr. Chai called the directorship "a unique opportunity to lead and to further develop the Center for Genetic Diseases." She said the center will focus more on "understanding and finding treatments for genetic disorders through RNA/DNA research."

"Previously, RNA therapeutics were a challenge because RNA is an unstable molecule," she said. "But with COVID, the mRNA vaccine totally changed the view of RNA therapeutics, offering an important direction: to not only understand the fundamental mechanism of genetic diseases, but also how we can use RNA as a therapeutic approach to treat those diseases. I think there's great potential."

Genetic diseases affect one in 10 people in the U.S. Approximately 7,000 rare diseases have been identified, and 80% of those are genetic. Only 5% have treatment options. RFU plans to expand its genetic disease research.

Dr. Chai has served since 2019 as a tenured professor in the Department of Cancer Biology at the Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine. Previously, she was a tenured associate professor for the Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine at Washington State University. She earned her doctorate in microbiology from Cornell University and completed a postdoctoral fellowship in cell biology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center at Dallas .

A standing member of the NIH Molecular Genetics Study Section, Dr. Chai has garnered substantial NIH funding and routinely publishes in top-tier scientific journals.

ROSALIND FRANKLIN UNIVERSITY

RFU's Innovation and Research Park is home to the Brain Science Institute and six disease-focused research centers . Learn more at rosalindfranklin.edu .

Office of Marketing and Communications

[email protected]

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SOURCE Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
STOCKHOLM , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska, a recognized climate leader in the development and construction industry, will be at COP28 to join with customers, partners and policymakers to scale up global solutions for a more sustainable built environment. COP28 , the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, is a global climate summit being held in Dubai , the United Arab Emirates , from 30 November, where countries are coming together to negotiate actions to address climate change.

At COP28 , our leaders will highlight Skanska's and the industry's crucial role in the energy transition, including how we can optimize energy efficiency and the use of low-carbon materials. This includes taking part in a dialogue with stakeholders across the value chain to drive the market transformation required to decarbonize the built environment. We also see the need for internationally shared carbon performance standards that allow the comparison of solutions, and to drive innovation and development that will accelerate the climate transition.

Anders Danielsson , CEO of Skanska AB, says, "Our leading position in the development and construction industry gives us an opportunity - and a responsibility - to act."

"The built environment accounts for nearly 40 percent of the world's energy-related carbon emissions. Few other sectors can have a greater impact on reducing emissions," he says.

"Our efforts to reduce emissions extend across our entire operation and drive much of the innovation we see all around the company, as well as presenting a great business opportunity."

In line with our commitment to reduce carbon emissions from our global operations and value chain to net-zero by 2045, we announced in our Q3 2023 interim report that our own scope 1 and 2 emissions have been reduced by 58 percent from our baseline year of 2015.

Lena Hok, our Executive Vice President of Global Sustainability and Innovation, will take part in several conversations at the summit. "We work together with other leading international companies in our value chain to set common directions and pathways for the built environment," Lena Hok says.

"As part of the World Building Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) we have collaborated on the new report Net Zero Operational Buildings - State of the Art. By being part of initiatives like this, we can use our collective knowledge and that of our partners to scale innovative solutions on energy-efficient and energy-plus buildings across markets and help our customers in their climate transitions," she says.

"We can see that private and public-sector customers in both Europe and the USA are raising the level of their emission-reduction ambitions. The importance of this cannot be stressed enough. Public procurement incorporating clear sustainability requirements is a crucial factor for success in driving the market transformation and decarbonizing the built environment."

We are part of the COP28 business delegation coordinated by Business Sweden, with access to the diplomatic Blue Zone where negotiations will be conducted.

The Financial Times has recognized Skanska as one of its 2023 Climate Leaders.

For further information please contact:



Jacob Birkeland, Head of Media Relations and Public Affairs, Skanska AB, tel +46 (0)10 449 04 94

Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99

This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com.

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3876399/2432190.pdf 20231116 COP28

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SOURCE Skanska
54% of organizations using cloud for ESG compliance to drive sustainability, significant room for improvement in leveraging cloud to address scope 1, scope 2, and scope 3 carbon emissions

BENGALURU, India and CAMBRIDGE, Mass. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- A new survey report by MIT Technology Review Insights, in partnership with Infosys Cobalt, examines how cloud capabilities play a crucial role in accelerating the global economy's next stage of digital transformation, spanning cybersecurity, sustainability, AI, and more.

The '2023 Global Cloud Ecosystem' report is based on in-depth secondary research and analysis, along with interviews with global experts on the cloud economy. MIT Technology Review Insights also conducted a global survey of 400 C-suite executives. The respondents represent four regions ( North America , Europe , Asia , and Australia and New Zealand ), covering 12 industry sectors.

The key findings are as follows:

Cloud helps the top and bottom line globally. More than eight out of 10 survey respondents report more cost-efficiency due to cloud deployments. Eighty two percent say they are currently tracking cloud ROI and 66% report positive ROI from cloud investments.

Cloud-centric organizations expect strong data governance (but don't always get it). Strong data privacy protection and governance is essential to accelerate cloud adoption. Perceptions of national data sovereignty and privacy frameworks vary, underscoring the lack of global standards. Most respondents decline to say their countries are leaders in the space, but more than two-thirds say they keep pace.

All in for zero-trust. Public and hybrid cloud assets raise cybersecurity concerns. But cloud is required to grow AI and automation. Because of the risk associated with AI, the zero-trust user paradigm has gained wide acceptance across industries.

Sustainability in the cloud. The cloud's primary functionscaling up computing resourcesis a key enabler for compliance issues such as security, privacy, and environment, social, and governance (ESG). Fifty-four percent of respondents say they use cloud tools for ESG reporting and compliance, and 51% use cloud to enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion compliance.

"As cloud investment gears up to command a significant amount of global IT infrastructure spending in 2023, the dynamic interplay between flexibility, efficiency, and productivity becomes clear," says Laurel Ruma , Global Editorial Director, MIT Technology Review Insights. She continues, "The cloud's potential is unmistakable, and this report serves as a beacon for decision-makers seeking to harness its power for innovation and growth."

"Cloud has demonstrated a clear ability to impact the bottom line, and organizations globally are committed to next-gen technology development strategies that are powered by cloud," says Anant Adya , Executive Vice President and Service Offering Head, Infosys. "The findings from the '2023 Global Cloud Ecosystem' report, which we have created with MIT Technology Review Insights, give us a global view of how technology decision-makers are leveraging cloud resources to grow and transform their operations. With Infosys Cobalt, we aim to harness the full potential of cloud technology to address the various challenges faced by industries, including growth, costs, and innovation."

View the 2023 Global Cloud Ecosystem research findings - click here to download the report.

To learn more about the cloud, visit The cloud hub: From cloud chaos to clarity.

About MIT Technology Review Insights

MIT Technology Review Insights is the custom publishing division of MIT Technology Review, the world's longest-running technology magazine, backed by the world's foremost technology institutionproducing live events and research on the leading technology and business challenges of the day. Insights conducts qualitative and quantitative research and analysis in the U.S. and abroad and publishes a wide variety of content, including articles, reports, infographics, videos, and podcasts. And through its growing MIT Technology Review Global Insights Panel, Insights has unparalleled access to senior-level executives, innovators, and entrepreneurs worldwide for surveys and in-depth interviews.

About Infosys

Infosys is a global leader in next-generation digital services and consulting. Over 300,000 of our people work to amplify human potential and create the next opportunity for people, businesses and communities. We enable clients in more than 56 countries to navigate their digital transformation. With over four decades of experience in managing the systems and workings of global enterprises, we expertly steer clients, as they navigate their digital transformation powered by cloud and AI. We enable them with an AI-first core, empower the business with agile digital at scale and drive continuous improvement with always-on learning through the transfer of digital skills, expertise, and ideas from our innovation ecosystem. We are deeply committed to being a well-governed, environmentally sustainable organization where diverse talent thrives in an inclusive workplace.

Visit www.infosys.com to see how Infosys (NSE: INFY), (BSE: INFY), (NYSE: INFY) can help your enterprise navigate your next.

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this release concerning our future growth prospects, or our future financial or operating performance are forward-looking statements intended to qualify for the 'safe harbor' under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties relating to these statements include, but are not limited to, risks and uncertainties regarding the execution of our business strategy, our ability to attract and retain personnel, our transition to hybrid work model, economic uncertainties, technological innovations such as Generative AI, the complex and evolving regulatory landscape including immigration regulation changes, our ESG vision, our capital allocation policy and expectations concerning our market position, future operations, margins, profitability, liquidity, capital resources, and our corporate actions including acquisitions. Important factors that may cause actual results or outcomes to differ from those implied by the forward-looking statements are discussed in more detail in our US Securities and Exchange Commission filings including our Annual Report on Form 20-F for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023 . These filings are available at www.sec.gov. Infosys may, from time to time, make additional written and oral forward-looking statements, including statements contained in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission and our reports to shareholders. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements that may be made from time to time by or on behalf of the Company unless it is required by law.

Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/633365/Infosys_Logo.jpg

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SOURCE Infosys
PINEHURST, N.C. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting was a proud sponsor of the Second Annual Benefit for Recovery Event hosted by Samaritan Colony. The community event, which took place at Malcolm Blue Farm in Aberdeen, NC , helped raise over $16,000 , which will go towards the continuous effort of supporting those who suffer from addiction.

Earlier in the year, the Veterans Guardian Treatment Scholarship was established at Samaritan Colony in order to support veterans suffering from addiction.

Samaritan Colony has been providing ongoing support to underserved people who suffer from addiction since 1975. Samaritan Colony is a 12-bed nonprofit residential chemical dependency treatment facility for men in Rockingham, NC . They are currently building a 14-bed residential treatment center for women.

"As a company that assists underserved veterans, we are proud to sponsor Samaritan Colony," said Scott Greenblatt , CEO and Founder of Veterans Guardian. "They not only provide shelter, guidance, and support to those looking for a better future, but they bring people together with inspirational events."

At Veterans Guardian, a commitment to community support is a core principle. The company actively supports more than 100 local and national charities, particularly those connected to the military and veterans. This support is manifested through ongoing financial contributions to community-centric charities, the provision of scholarships, and dedicated volunteer efforts.

About Veterans Guardian

Veterans Guardian is a VA Claim Consulting Firm headquartered in Pinehurst, NC , serving clients worldwide. Veterans Guardian works to help Veterans attain the VA Disability benefits they are medically and ethically eligible for as a result of their honorable service in the United States Military. For more information, visit www.VetsGuardian.com

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SOURCE Veterans Guardian
The Anti-Defamation League Recorded Almost 400% Increase in Preliminary Antisemitic Incidents Year Over Year

PHILADELPHIA , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- VSBLTY Groupe Technologies Corp. (OTCQB: VSBGF) (CSE: VSBY) ( Frankfurt 5VS) ("VSBLTY"), a leading software provider of AI-driven security and retail analytics technology, today announced that the company is deploying its complete security solution in more U.S. synagogues. In a joint effort with business partners and concerned community groups, the system is designed to protect congregations, which has become increasingly important to religious leaders with the increase in antisemitic incidents since the October 7 Hamas massacre of Israeli civilians.

The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) has reported a 388 percent year over year increase in U.S. antisemitic incidents that include harassment, vandalism and assault. The ADA also reports that the number of antisemitic incidents in the U.S. is up 300 percent since the start of the Gaza War.

VSBLTY is already providing its security technology for several of America's largest synagogues, and its complete security solution is now being installed at a prominent New England synagogue. Utilizing an array of CCTV cameras, backed with VSBLTY's AI solution, the detection of "persons of interest" (using advanced facial recognition) weapons, and other threats can be identified from a distance. Once a threat is recognized, a preemptive alarm is triggered, and the required authorities are alerted. The purpose is to proactively detect the threat and act upon it before that threat has an opportunity to become an incident.

Many religious leaders have expressed their concern about the dramatic increase in antisemitic incidents throughout the U.S. since October 7 . In the one-month period between Oct. 7 and Nov. 7, 2023 , the ADL Center on Extremism documented 832 antisemitic incidents of assault, vandalism and harassment across the U.S. , an average of nearly 28 incidents a day. This represents a 316 percent increase from the 200 incidents reported during the same period in 2022.

"Our proprietary advanced security technology is ideally suited to protect houses of worship," said VSBLTY Co-founder & CEO Jay Hutton . "It is essential that congregations are protected during services and that members, guests and students feel safe at other social and educational events. This security technology provides both. By significantly extending the safety perimeter, our proactive security approach is intended to prevent, rather than merely detect, violent incidents and save lives. With the troubling increase in religion-based violence this year, we are experiencing further demand for our AI-driven security technology," Hutton added.

VSBLTY's AI driven software Vector provides enhanced facial recognition that is crucial to strengthening today's security requirements when recognizing weapons or suspicious persons in a crowd.

Investor Relations

Harbor Access

Jonathan Paterson , 475-477-9401

[email protected]

Graham Farrell , +1-416-842-9003

Graham.Farrell@Harbor- Access.com

CONTACT: Linda Rosanio , 609-472-0877

[email protected]

About VSBLTY (http://vsblty.net/)

Headquartered in Philadelphia , VSBLTY (OTCQB: VSBGF) (CSE: VSBY) ( Frankfurt : 5VS) (OTC: VSBGF) ("VSBLTY") is the world leader in artificial intelligence and real time interpretation of what a CCTV and other cameras see. By utilizing facial recognition, age and gender, VSBLTY's proprietary technology can effectively enhance retail brand engagement and measurement through customized ads on in-store digital displays at point of purchase in real time. This technology has proven to increase brand sales by over 25%. The firm is also recognized for its leadership role in the growing "Store as a Medium" movement that enables brands to reach customers with paid media ads when and where buying decisions are being made while producing a new revenue stream for retailers.

Using its proprietary AI software, VSBLTY has also developed a range of security products that include not only facial recognition but weapon recognition utilizing modern surveillance cameras and legacy CCTV cameras. VSBLTY has the capability to create a proactive security system rather than a reactive security system, providing early warning of threats that can save lives.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vsblty-ai-security-technology-now-protecting-more-us-synagogues-as-antisemitic-incidents-dramatically-increase-301990255.html

SOURCE VSBLTY
The all-in-one solutions for when leaks occur

NEW YORK , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Knix, intimate apparel brand and champion of living unapologetically free is excited to announce its new innovation in Leakproof technology: Leakproof Shapewear absorbing about 0.8 - 3 tsp of liquid, which is the equivalent of about 1-3 regular tampons or about 1-2 pantyliners.

Knix is the ultimate destination for Base Layers: Bras, Underwear, and Shapewear designing products for real bodies. The new Leakproof Shapewear offerings give people the freedom to wear what they want, when they want - combining form, fashion and function. These new innovations in Leakproof Shapewear provide an all-in-one solution giving people the option to go commando and achieve the seamless look they expect from shapewear with the added protection of leakproof technology.

Designed to make you feel comfortable in your own skin any day of the month, our Leakproof Shapewear enhances your natural shape - giving you the confidence to feel protected against life's leaks.

The new Leakproof Shapewear is available in two different silhouettes: the Leakproof High Rise Shaper Short and the Leakproof High Rise Shaper Brief - both perfect base layers to wear under your favorite outfits for a seamless look and feel. The Knix Leakproof Shapewear is available in sizes XS to XXXXL. The Leakproof High Rise Shaper Short retails for $65 USD and the Leakproof High Rise Brief retails for $55 USD . The new Leakproof Shapewear is launching November 16th, 2023 .

To learn more about the new Leakproof Shapewear, click here or visit us in stores across Canada and California .

About Knix

Knix is a direct-to-consumer intimates and apparel brand. Through innovative products and a community-first approach, Knix is on a mission to empower people everywhere to live unapologetically free. Every product, campaign and image that Knix puts into the world is tied to this mission that has been embedded in the company's DNA since day one. Founded in 2013, by Joanna Griffiths , Knix is one of the fastest growing DTC brands in North America and is globally recognized as an innovator and disrupter within the apparel space.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wear-what-you-want-when-you-want-with-knixs-newest-innovation-leakproof-shapewear-301991044.html

SOURCE Knix
ROCKLEDGE / VIERA, Fla. , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Wire 3 LLC, a provider of fiber optic internet as fast as the speed of light, is thrilled to announce its upcoming expansion to the cities of Rockledge and Viera, Florida and its surrounding neighborhoods. This move marks a significant milestone in Wire 3's mission to connect communities across Central Florida with top-tier internet services, and makes Rockledge and Viera the next 10-Gig cities that Wire 3 will begin constructing.

Wire 3 anticipates that its network in Brevard County will be an investment in the community of more than $150 million . As soon as segments of its network are completed, residents will be able to experience the true power of fiber optic technology. Wire 3's state-of-the-art infrastructure will bring unparalleled symmetrical internet speeds of up to 10 Gbps (10 gigabits per second or 10x what the cable company offers), seamless streaming, and reliable connectivity to homes and businesses alike.

"Wire 3 is committed to making a positive impact on the local community. Our expansion to Rockledge and Viera will not only revolutionize the internet experience for residents but also contribute to the city's economic development and digital transformation," said Jai Ramachandran , CEO of Wire 3. "As a community-focused provider, we aim to enhance the lives of our customers while empowering local businesses and organizations."

The construction process will begin in the coming months, and Wire 3 is dedicated to ensuring a smooth and efficient deployment. Residents of Rockledge and Viera can stay informed about the project's progress by visiting the Wire 3 website and signing up for updates.

Join Wire 3 in welcoming this exciting new chapter as they continue to build stronger connections, one community at a time.

For more information about Wire 3 and its services, please visit www.wire3.com.

For information on available positions at Wire 3, please visit wire3.com/careers/

About Wire 3: Wire 3 is a leading fiber optic internet provider in Central Florida , offering lightning-fast connectivity and exceptional customer service. With a mission to create better online experiences for communities, Wire 3 is committed to delivering reliable and high-speed internet solutions.

Press Contact: Ryan Dendievel

Email: [email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/wire-3-announces-fiber-optic-internet-expansion-to-rockledgeviera-florida-and-surrounding-areas-301990981.html

SOURCE Wire 3 Holdings
The Resilient Cities Index 2023 is a new global benchmark from Economist Impact and Tokio Marine Group that measures 25 major cities' ability to cope with a spectrum of shocks.

is a new global benchmark from that measures 25 major cities' ability to cope with a spectrum of shocks. New York , Los Angeles and London rank top three for overall resilience.

, and rank top three for overall resilience. Cities in emerging markets urgently need to become more resilient to the effects of climate change with densely populated urban centres prone to flooding and extreme heat.

Developed cities like Dubai , Hong Kong and New York are exposed to climate shocks, and some lack comprehensive plans to integrate the vulnerable.

, and are exposed to climate shocks, and some lack comprehensive plans to integrate the vulnerable. Building resilient cities requires stakeholder engagement from government, businesses and communities, as well as individual city-dwellers. Investment and innovation is needed to solve the most persistent challenges to a city's resilience.

LONDON , Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Cities across the world lack the infrastructure, societal safety nets and robust environmental policies needed to combat the worsening impacts of climate change, according to a major new report released today.

Examining critical facets of urban life, the Resilient Cities Index 2023, which was devised by Economist Impact and sponsored by Tokio Marine Group, delves into 25 global cities' ability to evade, withstand, and recover from a spectrum of shocks and long-term stresses through four pivotal themes  Critical infrastructure, Environment, Socio-institutional, and Economic Resilience. See data story with full results here.

While cities in emerging economies are especially poorly equipped to recover from droughts, flooding, extreme heat and rising sea levels, those in wealthy countries are also unprepared for the future shocks associated with a warming planet, according to research.

With global leaders meeting to discuss climate action at COP28 in Dubai this month, the index is a timely reminder of the vulnerability of urban centres and the urgent need to bolster their defences against the impacts of natural disasters and extreme weather to mass migration and deepening inequality.

The study shows that emerging cities, in particular, urgently need to become more resilient to the effects of climate change. Unbearable, deadly heat will increasingly impact vulnerable groups in cities that do not have a detailed heat plan  including Bangkok , Cairo , Dubai , Jakarta and New Delhi , according to the index. Several cities in Asia  including Bangkok , Hong Kong , Jakarta and Dhaka  are extremely vulnerable to flooding.

Dhaka and New Delhi also prove to be the least resilient to air pollution, which kills 7 million people globally each year. With air pollutants and greenhouse gases often coming from the same sources, the two issues should be tackled jointly. Both cities rank poorly for congestion management in the index and neither have a city-level net zero target or plan.

Melbourne , New York City and Los Angeles  representing some of the wealthiest cities in the indexsit in the top three spots for their environmental resilience. The cities that are the least able to fend off the most extreme effects of climate change are also those with the least amount of capital to do so.

While cities around the world are recognising the need to build resilience in the face of growing environmental, social and economic uncertainties; translating intentions into action remains a formidable hurdle, according to the research.

The report concludes that the key to building resilient cities lies in empowering communities as active participants through the democratisation of information. Social cohesion efforts are essential, focusing on integration programmes for vulnerable populations. Supporting innovation is pivotal, allowing cities to develop scalable solutions, predict risks and monitor progress effectively.

The Resilient Cities Index 2023 will launch at an event in London, UK , hosted by Tokio Marine Group. The index key findings will be presented by Jonathan Birdwell , global head, policy & insights, Economist Impact.

Quote 1: "It is often assumed that wealthier cities are relatively safer from shocks or crises, but our index proves otherwise. Our research definitively shows that some of the world's most developed cities are still vulnerable to a vast array of socio-economic and environmental risks. Our index is one of the most up-to-date assessments of where cities must rapidly close the gaps in the market today." Jonathan Birdwell , global head, policy & insights, Economist Impact.

Quote 2: "A resilience strategy is not something developed at a desk by a city official. Cities need to bring a variety of stakeholders together around the table, including community representation and the poor and vulnerable. Depending on the kind of shock and stress, listening to the voices of the people most affected is important." Katrin Bruebach , global director of programmes and delivery, Resilient Cities Network.

Quote 3: "Cities are the hotspots of climate and other risks in present as well as future. Cities also have the largest concentration of different types of resources. Therefore, it is important to make cities resilient, which will enhance the safety of its citizens and sustainability of city services, including businesses. The Resilient Cities Index has developed a unique methodology, which assesses a city's resilience and will help to take decisive actions at local governments and citizen levels."

Professor Rajib Shaw , Graduate School of Media and Governance, Keio University.

You can find the full report and data story here

Notes to Editors

The Resilient Cities Index is a global policy benchmarking tool to measure cities' resilience. The index was developed by Economist Impact, and supported by Tokio Marine Group. The index defines resilient cities as those that are able to predict, fend off, adapt to and recover from environmental, economic, social, and climate changes efficiently. A resilient city values learning and innovation to bounce back better from a shock and thrive in altered circumstances.

The index assesses the performance of 25 cities across four pillars (critical infrastructure, environment, socio-institutional and economic), 19 indicators and 41 sub-indicators. The index framework was developed through extensive desktop research and expert interviews, and is made up of quantitative and qualitative sub-indicators. The 25 index cities include nine cities from Asia-Pacific , five cities from Americas , seven cities from Europe and four cities from Middle East and Africa . The data was collected over four months, between May and August 2023 .

Media contact: [email protected]

About Economist Impact

Economist Impact combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage a globally influential audience. We believe that evidence-based insights can open debate, broaden perspectives and catalyse progress. The services offered by Economist Impact previously existed within The Economist Group as separate entities, including EIU Thought Leadership, EIU Public Policy, EIU Health Policy, Economist Events, EBrandConnect and SignalNoise. We are building on a 75-year track record of analysis across 205 countries. Along with framework design, benchmarking, economic and social impact analysis, forecasting and scenario modelling, we provide creative storytelling, events expertise, design-thinking solutions and market-leading media products, making Economist Impact uniquely positioned to deliver measurable outcomes to our clients.

About Tokio Marine Group

The world is facing an unprecedented rise in the complexity, volatility, and frequency of risk. Insurance companies must not only respond to disasters, but also work to reduce their occurrence and impact, thereby contributing to a more sustainable society both today and for future generations. The Resilient Cities Index 2023 was sponsored by Tokio Marine Group (TMG) to establish a research programme that will measure the resilience of societies and cities, identify the gaps and challenges and give insights into the opportunities and the way forward. Tokio Marine Group is one of the largest and longest standing insurance groups in the world. Founded in 1879, it comprises a strategic collection of leading insurance businesses united by a shared commitment to doing the right thing for our customers and communities. We provide support, strength, and stability to our customers and society in a world filled with risk. We give people the confidence to explore new possibilities and take the next step forward. We help build more resilient economies, industries, and societies in a rapidly changing world. The Index, supported by insights from prominent authorities on urban resilience, is intended to empower policymakers, city planners, and communities to formulate targeted strategies that help ensure that cities not only survive but thrive amidst challenges.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/worlds-cities-across-the-wealth-divide-critically-unprepared-as-climate-events-become-more-extreme-new-study-shows-301989774.html

SOURCE Economist Impact
SHANGHAI , Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Yum China Holdings, Inc. (the "Company" or "Yum China") (NYSE: YUMC and HKEX: 9987) today announced that it has entered into share repurchase agreements in the U.S. and Hong Kong for an aggregate repurchase amount of US$750 million in 2024, as part of the capital allocation plan to return US$3 billion to shareholders through dividends and share repurchases from 2024 to 2026.

The share repurchase agreements include approximately US$600 million under the Rule 10b5-1 of the United States Securities Exchange Act of 1934 in the U.S. and approximately HK$1.2 billion for a similar program in Hong Kong . The Company obtained a waiver from the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, in order to allow its shareholders, regardless of the exchange on which the shares they hold are traded, equal access to the repurchase programs. The share repurchase agreements were entered into under the share repurchase authorization from the board of directors of the Company announced on November 2, 2023 .

"The share repurchases programs in the U.S. and Hong Kong along with dividend payouts demonstrate our strong commitment to returning capital to our shareholders. We continue to focus on executing our RGM 2.0 strategic framework, aiming to drive growth, boost profitability and deliver shareholder value." said Joey Wat , CEO of Yum China.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including statements regarding the Company's business strategy and capital allocation strategy. We intend all forward-looking statements to be covered by the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally can be identified by the fact that they do not relate strictly to historical or current facts and by the use of forward-looking words such as "goal," "expect," "expectation," "believe," "anticipate," "may," "could," "intend," "belief," "plan," "estimate," "target," "predict," "project," "likely," "will," "continue," "should" or similar terminology. These statements are based on current estimates and assumptions made by us in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable under the circumstances, but there can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding goal for shareholder return through dividends and share repurchases. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of performance and are inherently subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict and could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those indicated by those statements. We cannot assure you that any of our expectations, estimates or assumptions will be achieved. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are only made as of the date of this press release, and we disclaim any obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement to reflect subsequent events or circumstances, except as required by law. Numerous factors could cause our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward- looking statements. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently believe to be immaterial could affect the accuracy of any such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements should be evaluated with the understanding of their inherent uncertainty. You should consult our filings with the SEC (including the information set forth under the captions "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q) for additional detail about factors that could affect our financial and other results.

About Yum China Holdings, Inc.

Yum China is the largest restaurant company in China with a mission to make every life taste beautiful. The Company has over 400,000 employees and operates over 14,000 restaurants under six brands across 1,900 cities in China . KFC and Pizza Hut are the leading brands in the quick-service and casual dining restaurant spaces in China , respectively. Taco Bell offers innovative Mexican-inspired food. Yum China has also partnered with Lavazza to develop the Lavazza coffee concept in China . Little Sheep and Huang Ji Huang specialize in Chinese cuisine. Yum China has a world-class, digitalized supply chain which includes an extensive network of logistics centers nationwide and an in-house supply chain management system. Its strong digital capabilities and loyalty program enable the Company to reach customers faster and serve them better. Yum China is a Fortune 500 company with the vision to be the world's most innovative pioneer in the restaurant industry. For more information, please visit http://ir.yumchina.com .

Investor Relations Contact:

Tel: +86 21 2407 7556 /+852 2267 5801

[email protected]

Media Contact:

Tel: +86 21 2407 7510

[email protected]

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yum-china-announces-2024-share-repurchase-programs-in-the-us-and-hong-kong-for-us750-million-301990468.html

SOURCE Yum China Holdings, Inc.
FILE PHOTO: The Aston Martin logo is seen on a V12 Vantage car at the companys factory in Gaydon, Britain, March 16, 2022. Picture taken March 16, 2022. REUTERS/Phil Noble/File Photo

By Anousha Sakoui

(Reuters) -The Aston Martin Formula One team said on Thursday it had agreed on an investment by U.S. private equity firm Arctos Partners in exchange for a minority shareholding.

The stake sale, terms of which were not disclosed, values the racing group at 1 billion pounds ($1.24 billion), a person with knowledge about the matter told Reuters.

"They share our vision for our ultra-luxury brand, and they are extremely passionate about the sport and its prospects," Aston Martin F1 Executive Chairman Lawrence Stroll said in a statement.

The Formula One team did not provide any further details about the deal.

The deal, which is expected to close by the end of this year, will give Arctos ownership of a minority shareholding in AMR Holdings GP Ltd, the holding company of Aston Martin F1.

The Formula One team is sponsored by the eponymous British luxury carmaker in which Stroll holds the largest shareholding of more than 25%.

Bloomberg News earlier reported Stroll has sold shares in the racing team giving it the 1 billion pounds valuation.

French carmaker Renault in June sold a 24% stake valued at 200 million euros in its F1 team, Alpine Racing, to an investor group which included Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney.

($1 = 0.8056 pounds)

(Reporting by Prerna Bedi in Bengaluru; Editing by Maju Samuel and Shounak Dasgupta)
By Praveen Menon

SYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's government said on Thursday it would introduce legislation to allow ankle bracelets, curfews and other rules to monitor dozens of foreigners with criminal records after a court released them from indefinite immigration detention.

The High Court ruling last week said indefinite immigration detention, pursued by Australia for more than two decades, was unlawful.

The ruling forced the government to release 83 foreigners, which included those convicted for crimes like murder and sexual assault in Australia and overseas, sparking a public and political backlash.

Amid growing political pressure, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's government said it has introduced legislation into parliament that will give it powers to put in place strict new visa restrictions and criminal penalties on these individuals.

"If I had any legal power to do it, I would keep every one of those people in detention," Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil told reporters.

The new conditions will include the ability to impose ankle monitoring bracelets, the power to impose very strict curfews, and a number of other new conditions, she said.

O'Neil said breaking these visa conditions would lead to jail terms.

"So, for the people who are released from detention ... we have a simple message for them. We will set the strictest possible conditions for you. If you do not follow them, you will end up back in jail," she said.

The released individuals have all served their jail sentences in Australia, but were still being held in detention and not granted a visa because of concerns over their character or potential risks to national security, according to the government.

They can not be sent back to their home country due to fear of prosecution, or because they are stateless.

By attempting to introduce restrictions on people released after years of unlawful detention, the government is substituting one form of punishment for another, said Sanmati Verma, Acting Legal Director at the Human Rights Law Centre.

"Every single day, Australian citizens who have been convicted of an offence re-enter the community after serving their time. For the government to suggest that migrants and refugees in the same position pose a different or greater risk is dangerous dog-whistling," she said.

(Reporting by Praveen Menon; Editing by Michael Perry)
FILE PHOTO: A trader works as a screen displays the trading information for BlackRock on the floor of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) in New York City, U.S., October 14, 2022. REUTERS/Brendan McDermid/File Photo

(Reuters) -Asset management giant BlackRock on Thursday officially filed for a spot ethereum exchange-traded fund (ETF), doubling down on its cryptocurrency bets amid investor optimism about the approval of such investment vehicles.

The iShares Ethereum Trust, which was registered last week and will be listed on Nasdaq if approved, will give investors access to ether - the second most popular cryptocurrency - without directly owning it.

BlackRock is proposing to convert the trust to a "spot" ETF, which means it will own ether instead of futures products tied to the crypto token.

While futures-based crypto ETFs have previously been approved by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), the regulator has long contended that the spot crypto market is prone to fraud and manipulation.

But in August, a federal appeals court ruled that the SEC was wrong to reject an application from digital asset manager Grayscale Investments to create a spot bitcoin ETF.

The landmark victory for Grayscale has prompted a wave of enthusiasm among companies that filed for such investment vehicles in recent months, and has helped restore some faith in the crypto industry after it was shaken by several high-profile collapses last year.

BlackRock dipped its toes in the crypto space with its filing for a spot bitcoin ETF in June. Its latest filing indicates that the Wall Street behemoth is aiming to move beyond bitcoin, the world's most popular cryptocurrency.

The company will be vying with crypto natives such as Grayscale and Valkyrie and traditional finance giants like Invesco for market share.

Coinbase Custody, a unit of crypto exchange Coinbase, will hold the proposed ETF's ether in custody. The company is also the proposed custodian of BlackRock's bitcoin ETF.

BlackRock did not immediately respond to a request seeking additional comment.

(Reporting by Niket Nishant in Bengaluru; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
BRASILIA (Reuters) - Brazil's Institutional Relations Minister Alexandre Padilha said on Thursday there will be no initiative from the government to change its fiscal target, which currently foresees erasing the country's fiscal deficit by next year.

His remarks come amid recent chatter that President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's administration was considering tweaking the goal to make room for a small deficit and preserve public investments.

"We made it clear that there has not been and will not be any government initiative to change the fiscal target that has been set by the budget bill," Padilha told reporters after meeting with congressional leaders in Brasilia.

The minister said the government was focused on getting Congress to pass multiple measures it has proposed in order to increase revenue, which are seen as essential for Lula to meet its zero fiscal deficit pledge.

Earlier in the day, Congressman Danilo Forte - the sponsor of the country's 2024 budget bill in the lower house - had already said the Lula administration had agreed not to tweak the fiscal goal.

"Any possibility of an amendment to the bill has been removed, which is important as it provides us some balance," Forte told reporters.

(Reporting by Ricardo Brito and Gabriel Araujo; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
(Reuters) - California authorities have determined that a major utility company is to blame for a 2022 wildfire that killed two people, the Washington Post reported on Wednesday.

The Post, citing a California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection (Cal Fire) document not yet made public, reported that a Southern California Edison (SCE) power line had sagged and hit a communications line below it, causing sparks that ignited nearby vegetation on Sept. 5, 2022.

The resulting fast-moving fire burned over 28,000 acres (11,300 hectares) in Riverside County, near the town of Hemet, about 75 miles (120 km) southeast of Los Angeles. The fire injured one person in addition to killing two, state authorities said at the time.

SCE, a subsidiary of Edison International, did not confirm the contents of the Cal Fire report, but said it was reviewing the document and added that it had cooperated with state authorities during their investigation.

"Our hearts are with the community and the people who suffered losses in the Fairview Fire," SCE spokeswoman Diane Castro said.

Castro declined to provide any details on what was contained in the Cal Fire report or confirm the Washington Post article.

Cal Fire did not immediately respond to a request for comment, nor did the California Public Utilities Commission, which regulates privately owned utility companies.

More than two decades of drought and rising temperatures, exacerbated by climate change, have made California more vulnerable to wildfires.

Power companies are often blamed for causing wildfires by not shutting down transmission grids during high winds, which can knock down electrified lines and ignite vegetation.

(Reporting by Brad Brooks in Longmont, Colorado; Editing by Tom Hogue)
Turkey has sent 666 tons of aid to Egypt for the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, including 10 planes and a ship loaded with incubators, medicines, supplies, and a field hospital, said Turkish Minister of Health Fahrettin Koca on Wednesday.

Koca was speaking during his visit to Egypt at a joint press conference with Egyptian Minister of Health and Population Khaled Abdel-Ghaffar.

Next, the two officials visited Nasser Hospital in Cairo to check up on Palestinian patients received from Gaza.

Egypt and Turkey are coordinating to provide assistance to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip, Abdel-Ghaffar said. A Turkish field hospital aid ship arrived at Egypts Arish port to help the people of Gaza, he added.

The ship "BESTEKAR", which docked at Arish port on Monday, carried eight fully equipped field hospitals with operating rooms and intensive care units.

It also carried 20 equipped ambulances, 15 power generators, and quantities of medicines and medical supplies.

Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi directed on Tuesday the provision of 650 tons of food supplies to the Palestinian people as part of Egypt's ongoing role in supporting Gaza at all levels.

Egypt has sent 6,944 tons of aid to Gaza since the onset of the war until 10 November, according to the Egyptian Red Crescent.

On Friday, the Egyptian Red Crescent released an infographic with the countries that provided aid to Gaza, with Egypt leading the list of countries.

On 9 October, Israel declared a "complete siege" on Gaza, with Israeli Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant saying Palestinians "will be deprived of food, electricity, and fuel."

Palestinians who escaped Israel's ground invasion in northern Gaza are now facing a severe shortage of food and medicine in the southern region.

Koca stressed the need for solidarity in light of the suffering of Gazans, highlighting cooperation efforts with his Egyptian counterpart in this regard.

He added that the meeting between Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is evidence of the good relations between the two countries.

During his visit to Egypt, Koca is planning to visit Arish city to inspect the Palestinian patients there and a number of medical facilities in Egypt.

Both officials will also inspect the medical services provided to the injured Palestinians Egypt received, as well as the delivery of medical aid to the Palestinian side through the Rafah crossing.

Koca announced plans to transport a number of Palestinian patients by air ambulances for treatment in Turkey.

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FILE PHOTO: Flowers and flags are placed at the exact location on the sidewalk of the alleged assault on Paul Kessler on Sunday in Thousand Oaks, California, U.S., November 7, 2023. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Photo

By Jonathan Allen

(Reuters) -A California man was arrested on Thursday and set to be charged with involuntary manslaughter in the death of a Jewish man who fell to the ground during an altercation at pro-Israel and pro-Palestinian street demonstrations earlier this month.

Paul Kessler, 69, died of blunt force head trauma a day after he fell and hit his head on the ground at the Nov. 5 protests in Thousand Oaks, about 35 miles (55 km) west of Los Angeles. A medical examiner ruled his death a homicide.

On Thursday, deputies from the Ventura County sheriff's office arrested Loay Alnaji, 50, at his home in Moorpark on suspicion of involuntary manslaughter, and he was booked at a county jail.

Ventura County District Attorney Erik Nasarenko later said in a statement that two felony charges would be filed against Alnaji, involuntary manslaughter and battery, each of which carries a maximum penalty of four years in prison.

It was not immediately clear whether Alnaji was represented by a lawyer who could offer a statement in his defense.

Last week, Sheriff Jim Fryhoff said Alnaji, then a suspect whose name had not been publicly released, had called 911 to report the fall and waited at the scene to answer investigators' questions.

Kessler was conscious when taken to a hospital for his injury and spoke with investigators while there, the sheriff said. He declined to say what Kessler told officers.

Witnesses had provided conflicting accounts about who was the aggressor in the incident, the sheriff said last week. The medical examiner's office said Kessler had non-lethal injuries to the left side of his face, which could indicate that he was hit before falling, but that it was not certain that this was the case.

The incident took place at one of the frequent, impassioned street protests that have been organized in cities across the U.S. and around the world over the military conflict between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.

The dual protests in Thousand Oaks drew about 100 people from each side, Fryhoff said, and no other incidents were reported.

(Reporting by Jonathan Allen in New York; Additional reporting by Daniel Trotta in Carlsbad, California;Editing by Bill Berkrot)
By David Ljunggren and Ismail Shakil

OTTAWA (Reuters) -A 22-year-old self-confessed Canadian white nationalist who deliberately ran over and killed four members of a Muslim family in his truck in 2021 was found guilty of first degree murder on Thursday.

The killings shocked Canada, a country that encourages mass immigration and takes pride in its multiculturalism.

The jury took around six hours to convict Nathaniel Veltman, who attacked the family in the Ontario town of London. He faces life imprisonment with no chance of parole for 25 years.

Prosecutors argued the attack was an act of terrorism, noting Veltman had written a manifesto entitled "A White Awakening" in which he outlined hatred of Islam and opposition to mass immigration and multiculturalism.

Five members of the Afzaal family, originally from Pakistan, were out for an evening walk in June 2021 when Veltman ran over them with his truck on the sidewalk.

The victims were Salman Afzaal, 46, his wife Madiha Salman, 44, their 15-year-old daughter Yumnah, and Afzaal's 74-year-old mother Talat.

The couple's nine-year-old son suffered serious injuries. Veltman, who shortly after the assault admitted "I did it. I killed those people," was also found guilty of one charge of attempted murder.

"Today's verdict is a monumental step in the fight against hate and Islamophobia. It sets a precedent against white nationalist terrorism," said Abdul Fattah Twakkal, an imam at the London Muslim Mosque.

Veltman lawyer Christopher Hicks said his client was shocked but did not say if he would appeal. A sentencing hearing will be held on Dec. 1, the Canadian Broadcasting Corp. said.

It was the worst attack against Canadian Muslims since a man gunned down six members of a Quebec City mosque in 2017.

"The enduring grief, trauma and the irreplaceable void left by the loss of multiple generations has pierced us profoundly," Madiha Salman's mother Tabinda Bukhari told reporters.

"This trial and verdict are a reminder that there is still much work to be done to address hatred in all forms that lives in our communities."

Veltman pleaded not guilty to the charges of murder. His defense, citing what it called Veltman's mental challenges, said the actions amounted to a lesser charge of manslaughter.

In the manifesto, Veltman wrote "I am a white nationalist" and said white people were "facing genocide". Prosecutors said he also repeatedly watched the video of a mass shooting by a white supremacist in New Zealand which killed 51 people.

Canada has experienced a sharp rise in hate crimes targeting religion, sexual orientation and race since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, Statistics Canada said last year.

(Reporting by Ismail Shakil and David LjunggrenEditing by Mark Potter and Nick Zieminski)
FILE PHOTO: An aerial view of the Amazon river, before the signing of a document by Colombia's President Juan Manuel Santos that will allow for the conservation of the Tarapoto wetland complex in Amazonas, Colombia January 18, 2018. REUTERS/Jaime Saldarri

BOGOTA (Reuters) - Colombia's government has launched a new Fund for Life and Biodiversity to help protect ecosystems in the country, the environment ministry said on Thursday, adding that it will manage close to $1 billion by 2026.

The financial mechanism will allow environmental initiatives to receive monetary resources more than once, the ministry said in a statement, adding that the fund will be managed by a trust that will oversee greater efficiency in distributing resources.

Colombia is one of the world's most biodiverse countries where swathes of Amazon rainforest and other jungles are deforested each year. Scientists say protecting rainforests like the Amazon is vital to curbing the effects of climate change.

"We hope at the end of this year to be able to deliver the first resources from this fund, a fundamental tool for environmental management and change throughout the country," Environment Minister Susana Muhamad said in the statement.

The statement did not say how much money will be used to start the fund, which will manage close to 4 trillion pesos ($981 million) by 2026.

Financing for the fund will come from five sources, the statement said, including a carbon tax, the government's budget, and donations, among others.

"We hope to mobilize resources and actors to achieve interventions that respond to the needs of ecosystems and communities (in rural areas) and generate sustainable changes over time," Muhamad said.

($1 = 4,077.44 Colombian pesos)

(Reporting by Oliver Griffin; Editing by Marguerita Choy)
FILE PHOTO: Local services workers remove debris near the crater, after a Russian missile strike at the site of damaged residential houses, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in the town of Selydove, Donetsk region, Ukraine November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Alina

(Reuters) -Emergency crews found the bodies of a married couple on Thursday as they cleared rubble from a Russian strike in the eastern Ukrainian town of Selydove the previous day, taking the total death toll to four, officials said.

Russia fired four S-300 missiles at the town on Wednesday, damaging six apartment buildings and 20 homes, police said.

The two people found on Thursday were a married couple who had moved from another town in the Donetsk region because of the war, the Prosecutor's General Office said.

"A total of four people were killed and three injured," the State Emergency Service said on the Telegram message service.

Images from the site showed about half of an apartment block destroyed by a missile that tore out a gaping hole in the building.

Russia denies targeting civilians but Ukraine has regularly reported that Russian missile and drone strikes have killed and wounded civilians and damaged civilian infrastructure in the full-scale war launched by Russia in February 2022.

(Reporting by Yuliia DysaEditing by Bernadette Baum, Robert Birsel and Andrew Heavens)
FILE PHOTO: A view shows the logo of the European Central Bank (ECB) outside its headquarters in Frankfurt, Germany March 16, 2023. REUTERS/Heiko Becker//File Photo

FRANKFURT (Reuters) - The European Central Bank's chief supervisor on Thursday supported creating global standards for convertible bonds that were wiped out as part of Credit Suisse's rescue by rival UBS earlier this year.

Holders of Credit Suisse's Additional Tier 1 bonds with a notional value of 16 billion Swiss francs ($18.1 billion) lost their whole investment while stockholders received some shares in UBS - a differential treatment that triggered lawsuits and sent shockwaves through financial markets.

ECB chief supervisor Andrea Enria backed the decision by Swiss authorities, which reflected clauses enshrined in local bonds, but urged global standard-setters on the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision to put some order in this market.

"It would be good if the Basel committee could in future think further on some standardization of contracts in these areas," Enria told the annual conference of the European Systemic Risk Board.

"Adding some common features, I think, would be beneficial to avoid that there is a sort of contagion between different instruments and that everybody understands how they work in times of stress."

Speaking on the same panel, the Basel Committee's chairman Pablo Hernandez de Cos said the issue was "on the list".

The Basel Committee said in a report last month it would review the features of AT1 bonds, including the "loss-absorbing hierarchy".

Shares are generally regarded as junior to bonds, meaning they suffer losses first in a crisis. But Credit Suisse's bonds contained a clause allowing authorities the write down those bonds without winding down the bank.

This clause is not a feature in bonds issued by European Union banks and the ECB has made clear that it would impose losses on shareholders first.

($1 = 0.8856 Swiss francs)

(Reporting By Francesco Canepa and Balazs Koranyi; Editing by Toby Chopra)
FILE PHOTO: Trucks carrying humanitarian aid to Palestinians, wait on the desert road (Cairo - Ismailia) on their way to the Rafah border crossing to enter Gaza, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, in Cairo,

By Sarah El Safty

CAIRO (Reuters) -Work on providing medical relief for Palestinians from the Gaza Strip should be concentrated within the besieged enclave, Egypt's foreign minister said on Thursday.

Egypt has received limited numbers of medical evacuees from Gaza through the Rafah crossing this month, most of whom have been taken to Egyptian hospitals for treatment. One group of cancer patients that crossed into Egypt from Gaza was flown to Turkey on Wednesday.

"We have to concentrate on getting medical facilities established inside of Gaza so it can be more accessible to Palestinians who are in need for medical assistance," Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukry said at a briefing for foreign media in Cairo.

Attempts were being made to plan the evacuation of Al Shifa hospital in northern Gaza and that the transfer of some patients to Egypt was an option, a U.N. official said. Israeli forces entered the complex this week after days of fighting Hamas militants.

"If we have the ability to care for these people at Al Shifa hospital, we will not hesitate," Shoukry said.

Shoukry also said there was no truth to reports that Israel and the United States had pressured Cairo to take in refugees from Gaza in return for debt cancellation, reiterating that Palestinians could not be displaced from their homeland.

"There's absolutely no truth and no possibility of any form of displacement of Palestinians outside their homeland, their current location," he said.

There was no link between long-standing European Union funding and cooperation in Egypt and Egypt's role in the Gaza conflict, he added.

'FOCUS ON ENDING WAR'

Egypt has repeatedly said it rejects any mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza as Israel's military campaign there has displaced hundreds of thousands of people to southern Gaza and a humanitarian crisis has deepened.

Asked about Egypt's position on what should happen in the Gaza Strip after the war, Shoukry said the issue was being discussed on the basis that Gaza and the West Bank were an indivisible part of the occupied Palestinian territories and that the Palestinian Authority was legally responsible for administering them.

"The focus now is on ending the current conflict and stopping its civil suffering, then deliberating the appropriate international framework for any arrangements," he said.

Egypt remained in continuous contact with Hamas and other international parties to try to secure the release of hostages captured by Hamas in its Oct. 7 attack on Israel, Shoukry said.

Egypt along with Qatar has been trying to mediate a deal for Israeli hostages to be freed in return for a truce in Gaza as well as the release of Palestinians from Israeli jails and an increase in aid for the enclave.

(Reporting by Sarah El Safty, writing by Aidan Lewis, editing by Sharon Singleton, William Maclean and Grant McCool)
FILE PHOTO: An Eli Lilly and Company pharmaceutical manufacturing plant is pictured at 50 ImClone Drive in Branchburg, New Jersey, March 5, 2021. REUTERS/Mike Segar/File Photo

By Rene Wagner, Klaus Lauer and Andreas Rinke

BERLIN (Reuters) - U.S. pharmaceuticals company Eli Lilly plans to build a production plant in western Germany, sources close to the matter told Reuters, with one putting the investment at 2 billion euros ($2.17 billion).

The new site, Lilly's first major production complex in Germany, comes as drugmakers are growing increasingly sensitive to political pressure to manufacture critical healthcare products closer to the markets they serve after the coronavirus pandemic exposed the vulnerability of global supply chains.

Two of the sources said that more than 1,000 jobs would be created, when including an expected boost to sub-contractors and suppliers in the region.

The company declined to comment on the plans but news conferences have been scheduled in the town of Alzey, where sources say the plant will be built, and Berlin on Friday.

The project will be fully funded by the medicines giant,which has seen surging demand for its diabetes drug Mounjaro, people familiar with the matter had told Reuters on Wednesday.

One of the sources said that the new site would make diabetes drugs with the potential use to treat obesity. No further details were available on what the plant would produce.

The Mounjaro injection has been used off-label for weight loss and last week it was cleared for that additional use in the United States under the new brand Zepbound. Lilly's other diabetes drugs include Trulicity.

The town of Alzey, in the Rheinhessen area of the state of Rhineland-Palatinate, is within less than an hour's drive of the headquarters of drugmaker Boehringer Ingelheim and COVID vaccine pioneer BioNTech and of chemicals giant BASF.

Eli Lilly's plans for a plant look to be a win for the German government, keen to show that Europe's biggest economy remains an attractive manufacturing location despite soaring energy prices caused by the loss of Russian gas following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine.

"This is about a four-digit number of new employees," said one source, adding this included a positive knock-on effect in related businesses such as packaging.

The U.S. company, which has been present in Germany since1960, already has 1,000 employees in the country in areas such as development, distribution and marketing.

The investment comes even as major pharma companies have voiced strong opposition to plans by the European Union to shorten the standard period of protections companies get before generics can enter the market from 10 to eight years.

Major production sites that Lilly runs outside of its U.S. home market are in Ireland, France, Spain, Italy and China, according to its 2022 annual report.

The German project would add to the more than $8 billion the company has currently earmarked for ongoing expansion investments in Indiana, North Carolina, and Limerick, Ireland over the next several years.

Eli Lilly said it would unveil "far-reaching investmentplans" at Friday's news conference, which will be attended byGermany's economy and health ministers.

Other big recent foreign investments in Germany, including chip plants by Intel of the United States and Taiwan's TSMC, were won with the promise of massive public subsidies, making Lilly's fully-funded investment potentially a more positive story for the government.

Mounjaro's success helped Lilly post a 37% gain inthird-quarter revenues to $9.5 billion, topping Wall Streetestimates.

The group's market value has ballooned to around $580billion, up more than 65% so far this year.

As well as winning U.S. approval, Mounjaro is also likely to be approved for wider used against weight loss in the European Union after the bloc's drugs regulator recommended market clearance.

However, in Germany, state health insurance is barred frompaying for weight-loss drugs. Non-diabetic patients with aprescription for weight loss will likely have to pay out oftheir own pockets.

Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Danish rival Novo Nordisk are ahead in a race to grab a slice of an estimated$100 billion global market for anti-obesity treatments from aclass of drugs originally developed for diabetes known as GLP-1agonists.

Lilly has also been a pioneer in developing a treatment forAlzheimer's disease, where it is in a tight race with apartnership between Eisai and Biogen,

It has said it expects the U.S. Food and Drug Administrationto decide in the first quarter whether to approve its newAlzheimer's drug donanemab, and submissions to other globalregulators are underway.

($1 = 0.9219 euros)

(Reporting by Rene Wagner, Klaus Lauer, Andreas Rinke and Ludwig Burger, Writing by Thomas Escritt, Madeline Chambers and Ludwig Burger, Editing by Miranda Murray, Christina Fincher and Susan Fenton)
FILE PHOTO: The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell speaks next to Spain's Minister of Defence Margarita Robles (not pictured) at a press conference during the informal EU ministerial meeting on defence in Toledo,

By Andrew Gray

MAGEN, Israel (Reuters) -EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell urged Israel on Thursday not to be consumed by rage in its response to last month's Hamas attack, declaring that "one horror does not justify another" as Israeli forces wage war in Gaza.

On his first visit to Israel since the Oct. 7 assault, Borrell sought to express solidarity with his hosts and reflect international concern about Palestinian civilian casualties as Israeli forces seek to destroy Hamas in Gaza.

Borrell's balancing act also reflected an attempt to stick to a middle ground acceptable to all 27 EU countries, who have deeply rooted differences about the wider Israeli-Palestinian conflict that have come to the fore in the current crisis.

The scale of Borrell's task was highlighted by the foreign ministers of three EU countries - Ireland, Greece and Cyprus - all paying their own separate visits to Israel on Thursday, in addition to his own, all with their own talking points.

After visiting the devastated Kibbutz Be'eri - a major target of the Oct. 7 assault - with Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen, Borrell drew on his own experience of living and working in a kibbutz in the 1960s.

"I know what a kibbutz means for the Israelis," he said, after walking among destroyed homes and a kindergarten in the settlement near the border with Gaza, wearing a flak jacket with the European Union flag of yellow stars on a blue backdrop.

After the kindergarten visit, Borrell carried a small red Lego brick in one hand.

Hamas killed some 130 residents of the kibbutz and kidnapped others, according to Israeli officials.

"I understand what the family of the Kibbutzims feel when their sons, or their fathers or daughters are kidnapped," said Borrell, a veteran Spanish Socialist politician.

But he also called upon Israel to heed international calls to do more to help and protect civilians in Gaza .

"I understand your rage but let me ask you not to be consumed by rage," he said.

"Not far from here is Gaza. One horror does not justify another," he said.

Israel insists it is working hard to prevent civilian casualties in Gaza but has no choice but to fight in civilian areas as that is where Hamas operates.

Cohen said Hamas was to blame not only for the Oct. 7 attacks but also for the current plight of Palestinians in Gaza.

"There is only one responsible for this atrocity, for the massacre of the seventh of October, for the world that started after and also the suffering of the people in Gaza - it's Hamas, which is sponsored by Iran," he said.

Borrell also met with relatives of people taken hostage by Hamas. They made emotional pleas for the EU to help secure the release of their loved ones.

Borrell pledged to raise the issue in a meeting this weekend with the Emir of Qatar, whose country has been heavily involved in trying to reach a deal to free at least some of the hostages.

(Reporting by Andrew Gray; Editing by Bart Meijer, Christina Fincher and Daniel Wallis)
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen gestures as she holds a press conference with European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi in Brussels, Belgium November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Yves Herman/File Photo

By Sarah Marsh

BERLIN (Reuters) - European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said on Thursday that a key goal of the EU summit with China in Beijing in December was to achieve a level playing field in trade in light of market distortions.

As one example, von der Leyen said Chinese overcapacity in the clean tech sector was set to worsen and be exported as its economy slowed down, worsening distortions in the EU market - which the bloc could not accept.

China's trade surplus with the EU was the highest in history last year, just below 400 billion euros ($434.96 billion), she said.

"We do not accept distortion from the inside, we should not accept it from the outside either," she told a conference on China in Berlin, noting this was why the EU had launched an investigation into imports of Chinese electric vehicles.

"Europe is open for competition. Not for a race to the bottom."

Von der Leyen said, however, that as much as the EU would protect its interests, it would also seek to address disagreements with China through dialogue - for example at their Dec. 7-8 summit, which comes after U.S. President Joe Biden met this week with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

"Our goal is to achieve a level playing field in our trade relationship with China," said the official, who has driven recent European efforts to "de-risk" from Asia's rising superpower.

"We will go to China in good faith," said von der Leyen. "We will never be shy in raising our concerns. But we must leave space for a discussion on a more ambitious relationship that benefits both of sides."

Von der Leyen said she expected action from China to deal with the current imbalances.

"The story of how we relate to China is not yet fully written. Nothing is predetermined, we have agency and China is capable of change."

($1 = 0.9196 euros)

(Reporting by Sarah Marsh; Editing by Miranda Murray and Sharon Singleton)
Spanish-Palestinians and Palestinians evacuated from Gaza arrive at the Torrejon de Ardoz Air Force Base outside Madrid, Spain November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Violeta Santos Moura

MADRID (Reuters) - A military plane carrying 139 people, mostly Spanish-Palestinian citizens and some of their relatives, from Egypt after being evacuated from the besieged Gaza Strip landed in Madrid on Thursday.

Spain's acting Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares and acting Defence Minister Margarita Robles welcomed the evacuees on the runway of the Torrejon de Ardoz air base, outside the Spanish capital.

According to the defence ministry, the passengers included 33 men, 39 women and 67 minors - three of them babies under one year of age. Eighty-five of the evacuees held Spanish passports, while the remaining 54 were Palestinian nationals.

Albares expressed his happiness at their arrival, adding: "We shouldn't forget that the lives of many other Palestinian civilians are being unjustly threatened by bombings".

Amir Abu Jaraf, a 17-year-old high school student, told Reuters that before the war broke out, he was applying to study at a college in the United States.

"I'm happy because I'm alive," he said. "This is my mother here. Not everyone in Gaza is so lucky to have their mother next to them ... I'm very lucky to have my mother and my sister."

Riad Al Aila, a professor of political science at Gaza's Al-Azhar University, said his family had endured 30 days of bombardment - "every day, every minute" - before they fled to Egypt through the Rafah border crossing.

"Now we're in a good situation, but we also feel the pain of what we've left behind, the pain of our families, not knowing what will happen to them," he said.

The crossing between Gaza and Egypt opened on Nov. 1 as part of a Qatar-brokered deal between Israel, Egypt, Hamas and the United States, to let some foreign passport holders and some wounded Gazans out of the besieged enclave.

(Reporting by Miguel Gutierrez and Marco Trujillo; Writing by David Latona; Editing by)
A joint parliamentary committee approved Wednesday an updated government-drafted bill meant to allow citizens to settle their construction violations more easily.

The long-awaited bill will replace a 2019 law that has proved problematic for citizens wishing to reconcile with state authorities on their construction violations.

The new draft bill will make it easier for owners of illegal buildings to reconcile with municipal authorities and go legitimate in return for paying reconciliation fees, said Minister of Parliamentary Affairs Alaaeddin Fouad.

The amendments aim to pave the way for a new construction code that all will respect," Fouad told the joint committee.

The government, Fouad noted, had heavily discussed the bill to guarantee all issues related to construction violations would be solved.

The bill grants a 25 percent discount to those who pay reconciliation fees in full or through instalment payments over no more than five years.

It will also legalize constructions that were illegally built on state-owned lands or with a distinct architectural style in return for paying the reconciliation fees.

The bill mandates the formation of committees in all governorates to examine the reconciliation requests.

The government will direct the collected reconciliation fees toward building housing units for low-income citizens, said the parliamentary affairs minister.

Mohamed El-Fayoumi, head of the housing committee, said the bill serves the interests of citizens as it helps them resettle construction disputes and violations in a much easier way."

It also helps put an end to the informal housing phenomenon, which has swept the country since the 1980s and led to the proliferation of haphazard communities and slum areas, said Al-Fayoumi.

Ahmed El-Signi, head of the local administration committee, said hopes are high that the new bill will solve the problems faced by citizens under the current 2019 reconciliation law.

El-Sigini estimated the construction violations at around 2.8 million.

The new bill is expected to be on the agenda of the parliament's debates when it reconvenes next Sunday 19 November.

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By Anna Tong

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - OpenAI, whose generative AI products initially raised fears of widespread cheating on homework, is now exploring how it can get its popular ChatGPT chatbot into classrooms, according to a senior executive.

OpenAI's chief operating officer, Brad Lightcap, said at a conference in San Francisco that the company will form a team to explore educational applications of a technology that has threatened to upend industries, stoked new legislation and become a popular learning tool.

Most teachers are trying to figure out ways to incorporate (ChatGPT) into the curriculum and into the way they teach, Lightcap said at the INSEAD Americas Conference last week. We at OpenAI are trying to help them think through the problem and we probably next year will establish a team with the sole intent of doing that.

Lightcap's comments were previously unreported. INSEAD is a global business school.

Backed by billions of dollars from Microsoft, OpenAI kicked off the generative AI craze last November by releasing its ChatGPT chatbot, which became one of the world's fastest-growing applications. Trained on reams of data, generative AI can create brand-new humanlike content, helping users spin up term papers, complete science homework and even write entire novels. After ChatGPT's launch, regulators scrambled to catch up: the European Union revised its AI Act and the U.S. kicked off AI regulation efforts.

The launch - in the middle of the school year - also caught teachers off-guard when they realized it could be used as a cheating and plagiarism tool, which then sparked a backlash and school bans.

Teachers thought it was the worst thing that had ever happened, Lightcap said.

But within a few months, teachers started seeing how ChatGPT could be beneficial, he said.

A new team at OpenAI would be an extension of the work the company has already done to integrate its technology into the classroom. "We see AI as an impactful tool that can assist with learning and education, and were encouraged by the ways educators have been ideating on how tools like ChatGPT can be useful," a spokesperson wrote in an emailed statement. "We are engaging with educators across the country to inform them of ChatGPTs capabilities and our ongoing work to improve it.

"This is an important conversation to have so that they are aware of the potential benefits and misuse of AI, and so they understand how they might apply it to their classrooms."

OpenAI has established partnerships with education groups such as Khan Academy to create an AI-powered tutor and with Schmidt Futures to give grants to education groups in underserved communities.

The market is large: global education and training expenditures will reach $10 trillion by 2030, estimates Sydney-based research firm HolonIQ.

There are myriad ways to use ChatGPT in classrooms, said Andrew Mayne, a former OpenAI employee who works with educators through his AI consulting firm Interdimensional. For students, it could be a tutor or it can tailor content for different learning styles. For teachers, it can assist with curriculum writing or be a creative classroom aide, for instance creating introductions in Old English during a class on medieval times.

ChatGPT doesnt judge you, he said. Students are afraid to ask questions in class.

Others see a potential quagmire of childrens privacy issues if the chatbot's use is promoted in schools. In many countries, different online privacy laws apply to children. While users must be over 13 to use ChatGPT and parents must give permission if the users are aged 13 to 18, there is no age verification in place in most countries.

(Reporting by Anna Tong in San Francisco; Editing by Kenneth Li and Matthew Lewis)
By Alan Charlish

WARSAW (Reuters) -Poland will tell the European Public Prosecutor's Office (EPPO) that it wishes to join in the first weeks after a new government is formed, the man widely tipped to be the next justice minister told Reuters, as Warsaw seeks to unblock European Union funds.

The EPPO is an independent public prosecution office of the European Union which deals with cases affecting the bloc's financial interests.

Of the bloc's 27 member states, 22 have already joined.

However, Poland's nationalist Law and Justice (PiS) government, embroiled in multiple spats with Brussels over reforms critics say undermine judicial independence, opted not to, citing fears of interference in the Polish justice system.

For Adam Bodnar, a senator from the liberal Civic Coalition (KO) grouping who local media have reported is now likely to become justice minister, joining the EPPO is a good faith move which can be implemented quickly in a bid to unblock billions in funds frozen by the EU due to concerns over democratic standards.

"There are plans to join," Bodnar said. "It would be done in the first weeks of government."

He said it was important for Warsaw to take steps that "show we are coming back to the rule of law".

Asked to comment on reports that he will become justice minister, Bodnar said, "There are such discussions, but nothing is certain. The decision is in the hands of (KO leader) Donald Tusk."

COHABITATION

Polish President Andrzej Duda is a PiS ally, and he has given the party the first shot at forming a government. However, this seems practically impossible as it lacks a majority and all the other parties in parliament have ruled out working with it.

If PiS fails, this would open the way to a period of cohabitation in which the president and prime minister are from different political camps. Such an arrangement could complicate the incoming government's efforts to undo PiS's reforms, as the head of state can veto laws.

However, Bodnar, who in his previous role as Human Rights Ombudsman was a leading opponent of PiS's court reforms, said joining the EPPO would not require Duda's signature.

"For the European Public Prosecutor's Office, joining only requires a letter from the prime minister," he said. "Then the European Commission replies within four months ... It is good from the side of the recovery fund money because it shows that we are more accountable."

He said that he hoped EPPO prosecutors would come to Poland and investigate instances of alleged misuse of EU funds in public institutions such as the National Centre of Research and Development (NCBR).

Critics say that Poland's prosecutor's office became politicised under outgoing Justice Minister Zbigniew Ziobro, making it unlikely to be able to deal effectively with cases of alleged wrongdoing by PiS and its allies in its current form.

"Most investigations should be done by Polish prosecutors," Bodnar said. "But as long as a lot of the people in the prosecution service were appointed by Ziobro there is no real possibility of this. That's why joining the EPPO would be good."

(Reporting by Alan Charlish; Editing by Nick Macfie)
By Michael S. Derby

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The three newest Federal Reserve governors, including Vice Chair Philip Jefferson, have told a U.S. senator it's unclear how much further the central bank's balance sheet wind-down process will run, but said it is likely the process faces no imminent end.

"The size of our balance sheet ultimately will depend on the public's demand for our liabilities, particularly currency and reserves and we cannot specify in advance what that demand will be, hence we are not targeting any particular dollar value for our balance sheet," Jefferson wrote in a letter to Republican U.S. Senator Rick Scott.

"Under plausible assumptions the size of the balance sheet could decline considerably further before reserves reach the level consistent with the ample reserves operating framework," Jefferson wrote in response to a series of questions from Scott about the roughly $8 trillion balance sheet. Jefferson added that the Fed will adjust its efforts to respond to economic and financial developments.

Jefferson was responding to a letter Scott sent to him in September. The senator also wrote letters to Fed Governors Lisa Cook and Adriana Kugler at the same time. Jefferson's comments mirrored the responses of his two colleagues.

All three of the Fed officials' replies were dated Nov. 14 and were provided to Reuters by Scott's office. The senator's office did not comment on what Scott, a fierce critic of the Fed's large-scale asset purchases, thought of the letters.

Jefferson was confirmed as the Fed's second-in-command this year after having become a central bank governor in 2022. Cook was confirmed to a new term as a governor this year and Kugler joined the board of governors this year.

SEEKING COMMITMENTS

In his letters, Scott had sought commitments from Jefferson, Cook and Kugler "to right-sizing the Federal Reserve's balance sheet" and "to reigning in interventionist long-term purchases by the Federal Reserve which only serve to distort markets and misallocate capital resources."

The Fed officials' replies avoided any such commitments, with each saying the central bank's policy actions are "guided by our statutory mandate to promote maximum employment and stable prices for the American people."

They recapped the progress the Fed has made since June 2022 in shrinking the size of its bond holdings, which had more than doubled from the start of the coronavirus pandemic in March 2020 to about $9 trillion by the middle of 2022. The central bank aggressively bought Treasuries and mortgage-backed securities to stabilize markets upended by pandemic shutdowns and to stimulate a recovery from the short, but deep, recession caused by the health crisis.

Under its so-called quantitative tightening effort, the Fed has been allowing nearly $100 billion in bonds it holds to mature each month and not be replaced. That's caused its holdings to shrink by just over $1 trillion.

The balance sheet wind-down has accompanied aggressive interest rate increases aimed at cooling inflation, but with those rate hikes likely over, the Fed has faced questions from Scott and others over how much longer it will allow its holdings to shrink.

Fed officials who have spoken on the matter have said the balance sheet can be reduced for an extended period. Speaking after the central bank's Oct. 31-Nov. 1 policy meeting, Fed Chair Jerome Powell said it was "not considering changing the pace of balance sheet runoff. It's not something we're talking about or considering." In recent comments, Cleveland Fed President Loretta Mester said the process could go on for another year and half to two years.

Many market participants are eyeing next year or maybe 2025 as a potential time to end the drawdown of the balance sheet. Money has been rapidly exiting the Fed's reverse repo facility, which is viewed as a proxy for excessive liquidity. Some observers believe it could go all the way to zero from the $1 trillion mark it has hovered around in recent weeks, while others think it might not go that far.

But whenever the reverse repo facility levels stabilize, it will be a signal the Fed may have taken out enough liquidity to weigh an end to allowing its holdings to shrink.

Jefferson, Cook and Kugler in their letters to Scott said they "anticipate significant further reduction in usage of the (overnight reverse repo) and a sizable decline in reserves as the Federal Reserve's balance sheet declines."

Scott has sharply criticized the Fed's use of its balance sheet as a tool of monetary policy, believing it distorts financial markets, and he wants the central bank to shrink its holdings faster and to never use the this policy strategy again.

His letters to the three Fed governors also sought commitments from them to support his effort to reform how the Fed's Inspector General is appointed. Scott wants the position to become a presidential appointment that requires Senate confirmation. Under current law, the Fed's IG is appointed by the Fed chief, which Scott and other critics see as a conflict of interest.

Jefferson, Cook and Kugler each said: "Any decision on whether to change this statute is a matter for Congress."

(Reporting by Michael S. Derby; Editing by Dan Burns and Paul Simao)
FILE PHOTO: Protesters hold a rally in support of Palestinians, amid the ongoing conflict between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas, outside the Columbia University, in New York, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Eduardo Munoz/File Photo

By Gabriella Borter

(Reuters) -The American Civil Liberties Union challenged Florida's ban on pro-Palestinian university groups, arguing in a federal lawsuit on Thursday that the state is violating students' free speech as tensions roil U.S. campuses over Israel's war with Hamas.

Floridas university system, joined by Governor Ron DeSantis, last month ordered colleges to shut down chapters of Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP), a group at the center of U.S. campus activism since Hamas attacked Israel on Oct. 7.

The lawsuit - against DeSantis, a 2024 Republican presidential hopeful, and several state university system officials - was filed on behalf of the University of Florida's SJP chapter and seeks a preliminary injunction to a state order blocking SJP from receiving school funds and using campus facilities.

"If Florida officials think silencing pro-Palestinian students protects the Jewish community  or anyone, theyre wrong. This attack on free speech is dangerous," Howard Simon, interim executive director of ACLU of Florida, said in a statement.

A spokesperson for DeSantis said the governor was right to disband the groups.

"Groups that claim to be part of a foreign terrorist movement have no place on our university campuses," governor spokesperson Jeremy Redfern said.

State University System of Florida Chancellor Ray Rodrigues did not respond to a request for comment.

Students at U.S. universities have clashed over issues emerging on both sides of the nearly six-week-old conflict. Some accuse their schools of not doing enough to denounce antisemitism and others that the schools ignore the plight of Gazans under Israeli fire.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in Florida by the ACLU, ACLU of Florida and Palestine Legal, cites a Supreme Court decision affirming students' right to associate and speak out on matters of public concern, and another case establishing that federal law does not criminalize "independent political advocacy" as long as it is not done in coordination with, or at the direction of, foreign terrorist groups.

Brandeis University has also banned SJP indefinitely, and Columbia University and George Washington University have suspended the group. The schools have cited the national organization's support for the Hamas attack and said their campus chapters violated school policies.

The student groups call the suspensions and bans unjust. Videos posted to Instagram have shown Palestinian supporters rallying at Columbia and George Washington on Wednesday in protest over the SJP groups' suspensions.

Florida's university system has said it based its ban on a "toolkit" issued by the national organization to chapters that referred to Hamas' attack as "the resistance" and stated "Palestinian students in exile are PART of this movement."

In his Oct. 24 memo ordering the ban, Chancellor Rodrigues said the national SJP identified itself as part of Hamas' attack and that it was a felony under Florida law "to provide material support... to a designated foreign terrorist organization."

Brian Hauss, senior staff attorney with the ACLU Speech, Privacy and Technology project and counsel in the case, said the student plaintiffs in the state university system were victims of "guilt by association" in this case.

"They are a completely autonomous and independent group that is in no way beholden to the national Students for Justice in Palestine," Hauss said in an interview, adding that he did not believe the national organization could be found criminally liable for its statements about Hamas.

Israel says Hamas killed 1,200 people in the Oct. 7 assault and took about 240 hostages to Gaza. Gaza health authorities say more than 11,000 people have been confirmed killed in Israel's counteroffensive in Gaza.

(Reporting by Gabriella Borter; Editing by Colleen Jenkins, Howard Goller and Deepa Babington)
FILE PHOTO: An Israeli army vehicle operates during an Israeli raid in Jenin, in the Israeli-occupied West Bank, November 9, 2023. REUTERS/Raneen Sawafta/File photo

PARIS (Reuters) - France on Thursday condemned violence by Israeli settlers in the occupied West Bank, calling it a "policy of terror" aimed at displacing Palestinians and urging Israeli authorities to protect Palestinians from the violence.

U.N. figures show that daily settler attacks have more than doubled, since the Hamas attacks on Israel on Oct. 7 and the ensuing assault on the Palestinian enclave of Gaza.

"Concerning the West Bank, I'd like to express the strongest condemnation by France of the violence carried out by the settlers against the Palestinians," foreign ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre told a press conference.

"Violence which has the clear objective of forced displacement of the Palestinians and a policy of terror."

She said the Israeli authorities needed to take the necessary measures to protect the Palestinian population and warned that the settlement policy harmed the two-state solution.

United Nations human rights chief Volker Turk echoed her words. Speaking in Geneva on Thursday, Turk said he was deeply concerned about the intensification of violence against Palestinians in the West Bank. He said it was clear the Israeli occupation must end.

This year was already the deadliest in at least 15 years for West Bank residents, with some 200 Palestinians and 26 Israelis killed, according to United Nations data. But just in the three weeks since the Oct 7 attack, more than 120 West Bank Palestinians have been killed. Clashes with soldiers have caused most deaths.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Middle East war and it has been under military occupation since, while Israeli settlements have consistently expanded. Palestinians envisage the West Bank as part of a future independent state also including Gaza and East Jerusalem.

France's Legendre also said that about half the 100 tonnes of aid France had sent to Gaza had entered the enclave. She added it was not up to Israel to decide the future governance of Gaza, which she said should be part of a future Palestinian state.

(Reporting by John Irish; Editing by Bernadette Baum and Angus MacSwan)
FILE PHOTO: The GM logo is seen on the facade of the General Motors headquarters in Detroit, Michigan, U.S., March 16, 2021. Picture taken March 16, 2021. REUTERS/Rebecca Cook//File Photo

By David Shepardson and Ben Klayman

DETROIT (Reuters) -General Motors' tentative labor deal with the United Auto Workers (UAW) union has clinched ratification, making its workers the first of those at the Detroit Three automakers to approve the agreement.

Attention now shifts to ongoing voting at Ford and Chrysler parent Stellantis, where current margins in favor of the deal suggest the agreement will be approved comfortably.

The vote locks in the UAW's tentative agreement with GM after an unprecedented six-week campaign of coordinated strikes at all three automakers that focused attention on boosting workers' wages. Ultimately, the union was able to clinch record pay hikes for auto workers after years of stagnant wages and painful concessions following the 2008 financial crisis.

The UAW's GM vote tracking site shows approval of the contract leading by a 55% to 45% margin with nearly 36,000 workers having cast votes out of about 46,000 UAW-represented GM workers. All the facilities voting have reported results.

Officials at the UAW and GM did not immediately comment. GM shares were down 1.1% in Thursday trading.

Voting ends on Thursday at 4 p.m. EST (2100 GMT), although most votes were cast by Wednesday.

While the UAW has not formally announced the ratification, it would mark the first approval of a deal, which runs through April 2028, with one of the Detroit Three. Voting at Ford and Stellantis is still underway.

All three companies agreed to tentative agreements about two weeks ago.

Seven of GM's 11 assembly plants rejected the deal. However, the largest assembly plant in Arlington, Texas, approved the agreement along with assembly plants in Detroit; Fairfax, Kansas; and Lake Orion, Michigan.

The UAW's new agreement with GM grants a 25% increase in base wage through April 2028 and will cumulatively raise the top wage by 33%, compounded with estimated cost-of-living adjustments to over $42 an hour.

Currently, about 67% of Ford workers who have voted are in favor of the UAW deal, and about 66% of Stellantis workers have so far voted in favor, according to UAW figures. Ford voting is scheduled to finish on Friday, while Stellantis is set to close next Tuesday.

Automakers were previously slashing costs and navigating a bumpy road to manufacture EVs and catch up with market leader Tesla, but lower margins on those vehicles have deterred them from accelerating the move.

GM in October also pulled its full-year profit forecast due to the strike and postponed a $4 billion electric truck plant in Michigan.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington and Ben Klayman in Detroit; Editing by Lisa Shumaker)
U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris delivers a statement about abortion rights to members of the news media at the White House in Washington, U.S., November 8, 2023. REUTERS/Leah Millis/File Photo

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) - U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris will announce an initiative on Thursday to help women advance in important sectors such as clean energy, fisheries and environmental conservation in countries around the world, the White House said.

Harris will announce some $900 million in pledges from governments, companies and civil society organizations as part of the Women in the Sustainable Economy Initiative (WISE), the White House said in a statement.

The announcement will come as the United States hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco.

THE TAKE

Harris, who is running for re-election with President Joe Biden in 2024, is focusing on issues that are important to women ahead of a presidential election that is likely to hinge in part on voters' concerns over abortion rights.

Harris has been a prominent voice within the Biden administration in advocating for women's rights to abortion after the Supreme Court struck down Roe vs Wade, which had cemented those rights, in 2022.

BY THE NUMBERS

The White House said countries such as Australia, Canada, Japan and Mexico and companies such as Amazon, Citi and PepsiCo, had committed millions of dollars to efforts to help women gain jobs, training and funding in environmentally friendly sectors.

Canada committed $12.52 million through 2025 for projects that support enterprises owned and run by women in Ghana, for example, and Amazon had committed to invest $50 million for "climate tech" companies led by women.

"Womens economic opportunities are linked to their ability to control, access and use land, energy and water," the White House said in a statement. "By supporting womens work and leadership in the sectors critical to the future of our planet, we promote womens economic security, and we advance work to address the causes and effects of climate change and bolster economic prosperity."

(Reporting by Jeff Mason; Editing by Susan Fenton)
BUDAPEST (Reuters) - Hungary's government has submitted the outlines of a new "golden visa" programme to parliament as part of a draft bill regulating immigration from third countries to Hungary.

The bill, submitted on Tuesday, introduces the category of "guest-investor visa", for people who are coming to Hungary affiliated with projects that received the label of "strategically important investment" from the government.

Receiving this visa is a prerequisite to apply for a residence permit, which would allow the visa-holder to stay in Hungary for 10 years, extendable by a further 10 years, according to the draft.

The new programme comes after a previous "golden visa scheme" was scrapped in 2017 after a Syrian man who was under U.S. sanctions received residency status in Hungary.

The programme, launched in 2013, required foreigners to buy a Hungarian bond for up to 300,000 euros to obtain the permit.

According to the proposal, the "strategically important project" label could also be obtained by an investor buying a Hungarian real-estate fund share worth 250,000 euros or real estate worth at least 500,000 euros in Hungary.

The donation of 1 million euros to public interest asset management foundations, which have come under EU scrutiny due to conflicts of interest with the government, would also grant the label of "strategic importance" to investors, opening the door to receive the "guest-investor" status.

Hungary has seen an influx of eastern investors in recent years as Asian battery makers, such as CATL and Eve-Power are set to build their factories near German carmakers.

(Reporting by Boldizsar Gyori, Editing by Angus MacSwan)
FILE PHOTO: The logo of Hyundai Motor Company is pictured at the New York International Auto Show, in Manhattan, New York City, U.S., April 13, 2022. REUTERS/Andrew Kelly/File Photo

By Jonathan Stempel

(Reuters) -A U.S. judge rejected bids by Hyundai and Kia to dismiss litigation by several hundred insurers seeking to recoup more than $1 billion they claim to owe drivers whose vehicles were stolen or damaged in a social media-inspired theft spree.

In a decision on Wednesday, U.S. District Judge James Selna in Santa Ana, California, rejected arguments that it was unfair to let insurers recover because they had collected premiums and assumed theft risks, and did not specifically identify which drivers were victims.

Selna also found sufficient arguments that the lack of anti-theft devices on 14.3 million Hyundais and Kias made from 2011 to 2022 made thefts foreseeable, despite the South Korean automakers' assurances that their cars were safe.

The complaint, he said, supports the idea that thefts were a "predictable consequence" of Hyundai's and Kia's actions.

"Though (the insurers) have received premiums, defendants allegedly failed to include any anti-theft device as required under federal regulations," Selna wrote. "Thus, the level of fault is almost entirely on the defendants."

Hyundai said on Thursday it was disappointed with the decision and looked forward to an eventual dismissal. It also said its dealers have installed anti-theft software on more than 1 million vehicles.

Kia said it remained confident that the plaintiffs' legal claims had no merit, and said its vehicles complied with federal safety and theft-protection standards.

Both companies also said they are working with law enforcement on matters related to the thefts.

Lawyers for the insurers did not respond to requests for comment.

Hyundai and Kia generated much criticism and a slew of litigation over their failure to install anti-theft devices known as immobilizers on most of their vehicles.

Thefts began to increase in 2021, exacerbated by TikTok videos showing how to steal cars that lack push-button ignitions and immobilizers in a matter of seconds.

On Oct. 31, Selna granted preliminary approval to a class action settlement with Hyundai and Kia covering more than 9 million vehicles. That settlement has been valued at $200 million, with up to $145 million of the payments going to drivers.

Selna also oversees litigation by municipalities seeking to recoup public safety and other costs tied to vehicle thefts.

The case is In re Kia Hyundai Vehicle Theft Marketing, Sales, Practices, and Products Liability Litigation, U.S. District Court, Central District of California, No. 22-ml-03052.

(Reporting by Jonathan Stempel in New YorkEditing by Bill Berkrot and Matthew Lewis)
By Max A. Cherney and Peter Henderson

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -Dozens of the hundreds of police assembled moved car to car seeking and arresting anti-Israel protesters on Thursday as authorities slowly reopened the vital Bay Bridge heading into San Francisco as the city hosts the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

The demonstrators called for a ceasefire in the Israel-Hamas war and hoisted signs saying "Stop The Genocide" and "No US Military Aid to Israel" as they blocked the key commuter route into the city.

Police arrested "dozens" of demonstrators, one of the groups involved in the action told Reuters in an email. The demonstrators continued to chanted "free, free Palestine" and "Palestine will be free" after they were arrested.

As many as 250 officers total detained protesters in zip ties, after the California Highway Patrol issued a dispersal order to the assembled group. Authorities deployed tow trucks on the bridge to potentially remove cars that protesters used to quickly halt traffic when the demonstration began during morning rush hour.

The bridge demonstration follows several protests on Wednesday as President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping were set to meet on the sidelines of the APEC summit.

After traffic began to flow again in at least one lane, officers stopped a Honda that was proceeding with the other vehicles, according to a Reuters witness. Police ordered the car to stop, and arrested the occupants, including someone in the trunk, who appeared to be a demonstrator.

Two people among those arrested said they were not associated with the protests and should not have been arrested. Stanford University physics professor Lauren Tompkins told Reuters she was on her way to work, and complied with law enforcement's orders when she was arrested in her car.

Earlier on Thursday about 200 protesters amassed on the bridge, organizers said. Several groups participated in the demonstration, including the Palestinian Youth Movement and Bay Area Palestine Solidarity, according to a press release.

Protesters aimed to disrupt "business as usual" during the APEC summit, and urged Biden to call for an immediate ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war, Arab Resource and Organizing Center executive Lara Kiswani said.

Before the dispersal, protesters chained themselves together through vehicles adorned with signs that said "Free Palestine" among others, social media posts showed. Several protesters appeared to be lying on the asphalt covered with white sheets.

SNARLED TRAFFIC

Traffic traveling on the bridge toward San Francisco began to move as of about 10:45 a.m. local time (1845 GMT), but was backed up for several hours as a result of the demonstration.

The Bay Bridge is one of the main commercial arteries that links San Francisco from the surrounding region. Tens of thousands of vehicles cross every day.

Claudia Felix, 28, a demolition remediation worker left her home in inland Stockton at 4:30 a.m and got stuck in traffic before traveling onto the bridge and was forced to exit a little after 10 a.m., almost six hours after she left home. She pulled over to the side of an access road and said she felt stressed.

It is a good idea because they are against a war but I think they should be more safe and protest in the city, not the bridge, Felix said.

Vicky Hamlin, 73, a retired construction worker said she was forced off the Bay Bridge due to the protests.

"I think what's happening to the people in Gaza is so horrific that nothing that happens to us here, nothing that we experience is worth complaining about," she said.

(Reporting by Max A. Cherney, Peter Henderson;Additional reporting by Loren Elliott, Omar Younis and Sandra Stojanovic; Editing by Mary Milliken, Chizu Nomiyama and Josie Kao)
The Egyptian government increased investments in the agriculture and irrigation sector by 71 percent year-on-year (YoY) to EGP 116.6 billion ($3.77 billion) for the fiscal year (FY) 2023/2024, according to a report by the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development on Wednesday.

The governmental plan includes increasing private investments in the sector by 44 percent of total investments.

The plan also incorporates increasing the total value of agricultural production in Egypt by 4.1 percent YoY to EGP 1.34 trillion, or 11.3 percent of the countrys GDP.

Agriculture is among the prioritized sectors in Egypts economic and social reform programme, as it contributes 12 percent of GDP, 20 percent of labour force, and at least 15 percent of total non-oil merchandise exports, said the Minister of Planning and Economic Development Hala El-Said.

The Egyptian government is planning to exit 83 percent of its 26 companies in the agricultural sector, read a document on the government IPO programme released by the cabinet's Information and Decision Support Centre (IDSC) in August.

The Egyptian government is planning to attract $5 billion from the offering of power plants and state-owned companies from October 2023 until the end of June 2024.

The privatization programme is part of Egypt's commitments under its $3 billion loan programme with the International Monetary Fund (IMF).

Egypt seeks to accelerate the implementation of the IPO programme to finalize the first and second reviews of the deal, which Morgan Stanley expects to be conducted in the coming months.

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FILE PHOTO: Tents and shelters used by displaced Palestinians stand at the yard of Al Shifa hospital during the Israeli ground operation around the hospital, in Gaza City November 12, 2023. Ahmed El Mokhallalati/via REUTERS/File photo

JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Israeli commandos are searching through every building and every floor of Gaza's Al Shifa hospital and new information is emerging all the time, an Israeli military official said on Thursday.

"The operation is shaped by our understanding that there is well-hidden terrorist infrastructure in the complex," the official said, declining to be named.

Hamas weapons and equipment had been found in Al Shifa, the official said, adding that "Hamas has persistently worked to conceal infrastructure and cover up evidence" in Gaza's hospitals. Hamas has denied operating out of medical facilities.

The official said the soldiers were proceeding one building at a time, searching each floor "in a discrete, methodical and thorough manner, based on ongoing field assessments and informed by questioning taking place in the field".

"The IDF has already located weapons, intelligence materials - including information related to the events of October 7th - military technologies and equipment, command and control centers, and communications equipment, all belonging to Hamas," the official said, referring to the militants' attack on Israel.

"This operation is complex and ongoing, with new information coming to light continuously."

(Reporting by Ari Rabinovitch; Editing by Crispian Balmer)
Japan's Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping pose for a family photo during Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO Summit in San Francisco, California, U.S. November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Carlos Barria

By Sakura Murakami and Ethan Wang

(Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said they would pursue mutually beneficial relations in their first face-to-face talks in a year, putting emphasis on shared economic interests amid a series of diplomatic disputes.

The leaders of Asia's two largest economies discussed thorny issues such as China's ban on Japanese seafood and the case of a Japanese businessman detained in China on suspicion of espionage during hour-long talks at a hotel in San Francisco on Thursday.

They also pledged to hold high-level dialogue on economic issues and welcomed the launch of a framework to discuss export controls as they met on the sidelines of an Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.

Their countries should "focus on common interests" and reaffirm a "strategic relationship of mutual benefit and give it new meaning", Xi told Kishida as they sat opposite one another at a long table flanked by their delegations.

In a joint statement in 2008, Japan and China agreed to pursue a "mutually beneficial relationship based on common strategic interests" designed to ensure frequent leadership exchanges on issues such as security and economic cooperation.

But the phrasing has been used less frequently in recent years as the historic rivals clashed over issues such as territorial claims, trade tensions and Taiwan, the democratic island that Beijing claims as its own.

Most recently, ties have been tested by a Chinese ban on Japan's seafood following its decision in August to begin releasing treated water from its crippled Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.

In comments to media after the talks, Kishida said he had strongly urged Xi to drop the ban and also sought the swift release of the detained business executive, an issue that has dealt a blow to their trade ties.

Xi said Japan should take its concerns over the Fukushima water discharge seriously and the two sides agreed to try to resolve the issue through consultations, according to summaries of the talks. The Chinese summary did not mention the case of the Astellas Pharma executive formally arrested last month.

Both sides lauded an initiative to hold regular talks on export controls, an effort to avoid tit-for-tat measures as countries around the world look to limit shipments of sensitive material and technologies abroad.

China has recently imposed curbs on the export of chipmaking metals like gallium, and is expected to restrict exports of graphite, used in batteries, in December. Japan has restricted exports of some chipmaking equipment.

The leaders' meeting followed a highly anticipated summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Xi in which they agreed to open a presidential hotline and resume military-to-military communications, among other matters.

Kishida also met Biden at the summit and they discussed issues including "common challenges" they share on China.

China's push to reaffirm relations with Japan could be partly driven by its close ties with China's arch-rival Washington, said Rumi Aoyama, an expert on Japan-China relations.

"I think there is a desire to drive a wedge between Japan and the United States by establishing a so-called strategic relationship with Japan amid the U.S.-China confrontation," said Aoyama, director of Waseda Institute of Contemporary Chinese Studies.

On the sidelines of the APEC summit, Kishida has also met South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol for their seventh meeting this year. They promised to push for deeper cooperation and discussed shared concerns like North Korea's missile tests.

Yoon, Kishida and Biden also held a brief trilateral meeting on Thursday.

Leaders from the 21-member Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum are in San Francisco for its 30th summit from Nov. 15-17.

(Reporting by Mariko Katsumura, John Geddie, Kaori Kaneko and Sakura Murakami in Tokyo and Ethan Wang in Beijing; Writing by John Geddie; Editing by Stephen Coates and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
FILE PHOTO: A worker is seen among newly manufactured cars awaiting export at port in Yokohama, Japan, November 15, 2017. REUTERS/Toru Hanai/File Photo

By Tetsushi Kajimoto

TOKYO (Reuters) -Japanese exports grew for a second straight month in October but at a sharply slower pace due to slumping China-bound shipments of chips and steel, as weakening external demand takes its toll on the trade-reliant economy.

Exports rose 1.6% in October from a year earlier, Ministry of Finance data showed on Thursday, faster than a 1.2% increase expected by economists in a Reuters poll but slower than the 4.3% rise in September.

Weak exports have complicated Japan's efforts to spur economic growth with sluggish domestic demand also weighing on the post-pandemic recovery.

"With China's economy crawling at the bottom and demand from the United States and Europe slowing, we need to wait until the middle of next year for exports to bottom out," said Atsushi Takeda, chief economist at Itochu Economic Research Institute.

"Until then, Japan would need to count on consumption and capital expenditure to pick up the slack."

With the absence of growth drivers, some economists warn Japan could fall into a technical recession, defined as two straight quarters of contraction.

Japan's economy weakened in July-September, snapping two straight quarters of expansion on soft consumption and exports, data showed on Wednesday.

By destination, exports to China, Japan's largest trading partner, fell 4.0% year-on-year in October, posting 11 straight months of declines.

Exports to the United States, Japan's key ally, rose 8.4% in the year to October, as demand for hybrid vehicles and mining and construction machinery helped drive the value of U.S.-bound shipments to its largest on record.

Imports fell 12.5% in the year to October, broadly in line with the median estimate for a 12.2% decrease.

The trade balance came to a deficit of 662.5 billion yen ($4.38 billion), versus the median estimate for a 735.7 billion yen deficit.

Separate data from the Cabinet Office showed Japan's core machinery orders, regarded as a leading indicator of capital spending, rose 1.4% in September from the previous month, faster than the 0.9% growth expected.

In one positive sign for a domestic recovery, manufacturers surveyed by the Cabinet Office expect core orders to rise 0.5% in October-December, after a 1.8% drop in the previous quarter.

($1 = 151.1900 yen)

(Reporting by Tetsushi Kajimoto; Additional reporting by Satoshi Sugiyama; Editing by Sam Holmes)
FILE PHOTO: David Schwimmer, Lisa Kudrow, Matthew Perry, Courteney Cox Arquette, Jennifer Aniston and Matt LeBlanc of "Friends", appear in the photo room at the 54th annual Emmy Awards in Los Angeles, U.S., September 22, 2002. REUTERS/Mike Blake/File Phot

By Danielle Broadway

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Actor Jennifer Aniston paid tribute to her late "Friends" co-star Matthew Perry on Wednesday in an Instagram post with a black and white photo of Aniston and Perry laughing together during a cast script reading.

Perry was found dead in the Jacuzzi of his Los Angeles home on Oct. 28. He was 54.

"Oh boy this one has cut deep... Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that Ive never experienced before," Aniston wrote on the social media platform.

Referring to her former "Friends" cast as her "chosen family," Aniston reflected on how much Perry meant to her and the entire group.

"We loved him deeply. He was such a part of our DNA. We were always the 6 of us," she added.

Aniston said Perry reveled in making people laugh, like "his life literally depended on it."

She shared that she will keep his text messages forever and they will have her "Laughing and crying then laughing again."

Aniston posted a text message between the two.

"Making you laugh just made my day. It made my day," Perry texted Aniston, referencing the day the first picture in her slideshow was taken.

"Awww the first of THOUSANDS of times...," Aniston texted back.

She finished her post by saying she loves him and "Rest little brother. You always made my day."

In a brief statement published by People magazine last month, Aniston, along with fellow "Friends" cast members Courteney Cox, Lisa Kudrow, Matt LeBlanc and David Schwimmer spoke out publicly for the first time since news broke that Perry had passed away.

They said they would say more about the loss when they were able to.

The cause and manner of Perry's death are to be determined by the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner's Office, following completion of an autopsy with toxicology tests.

Perry's death came one year after publication of his memoir, "Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing," which chronicled his decades-long struggle with addiction to prescription painkillers and alcohol. At the time, Perry said he had been sober for about 18 months.

(Reporting by Danielle Broadway and Steve Gorman; Editing by Mary Milliken and David Gregorio)
FILE PHOTO: Car miniature, "Electric vechicles (EVs)" words, U.S. and Chinese flags are seen in this illustration taken, September 26, 2023. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers raised alarm about Chinese companies collecting and handling sensitive data while testing autonomous vehicles in the United States, according to letters seen by Reuters on Thursday.

The lawmakers, including House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and China select committee Chair Mike Gallagher, asked 10 Chinese-related companies to answer questions by Nov. 29 on data collection practices from ongoing autonomous vehicle testing in California and elsewhere.

The companies - including Baidu, Nio, WeRide, Didi Chuxing, Xpeng, Inceptio, Pony.ai, AutoX, Deeproute.ai and Qcraft - did not respond to requests for comment or could not immediately be reached.

The previously unreported letters, also signed by Democrats Frank Pallone and Raja Krishnamoorti and 10 other lawmakers, said the companies "collect sensitive information about our citizens and their daily routines, the nation's infrastructure, and connected technologies."

"There needs to be greater transparency around what information you collect while testing on American roads, and whether you are financially tied to the Chinese Communist Party," according to the previously unreported letters.

The lawmakers asked what data is collected in the United States, whether it is stored in China, and if it is shared with the Chinese government or others. They also asked if the vehicles collect data on U.S. infrastructure during testing.

The letters said in the 12 months ended November 2022 that Chinese AV companies test drove more than 450,000 miles in California. In July, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said his agency had national security concerns about Chinese autonomous vehicle companies in the United States.

"Whether we are talking about hardware or software, in the same way there are concerns around telecom or TikTok, there are concerns around transportation technologies," Buttigieg told Reuters.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Richard Chang)
Police investigators work at the crime scene where photojournalist Ismael Villagomez Tapia of the local newspaper El Heraldo de Juarez was shot dead by unknown assailants, according to local media, in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Jose

By Jose Luis Gonzalez

CIUDAD JUAREZ, Mexico (Reuters) -A Mexican photojournalist was killed in Ciudad Juarez in the early hours on Thursday while working as a ride-share driver, authorities and his employer said.

Ismael Villagomez, a photographer for newspaper El Heraldo de Juarez, was shot and killed in his vehicle in the notoriously violent border city around 1:30 a.m., according to local authorities.

Mexico is one of the most dangerous peace-time nations in the world for journalists, although investigators said they had not been able to immediately establish whether his killing was related to his profession.

"Once his work at El Heraldo was over, he worked through the (ride-hailing) platform inDrive," local prosecutor Carlos Manuel Salas told journalists. "He would normally work from the afternoon until 2 a.m., 3 a.m."

InDrive said it was complying with authorities' requests as part of the investigation and that three suspects had been arrested.

In Mexico, many journalists work outside of the profession to pay the bills.

Investigators have not ruled out the possibility that Villagomez was killed due to his work as a journalist, said Salas.

"A journalist is a journalist 24 hours a day, whether or not they were working as something else meanwhile," Salas said, adding that Villagomez's cellphone was missing from the scene.

There was a documented attack in Mexico against the press recorded every 13 hours in 2022, according to advocacy group Article 19.

"We're concerned, sad, angry," said Jose Ramon Ortiz, director of the newspaper where Villagomez worked. "We don't want this to be like what has happened with the deaths of other journalists. We want, whether the motive was journalistic or related to something else, to have clarity."

(Reporting by Jose Luis Gonzalez; Writing by Kylie Madry; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien and Stephen Coates)
Tents and shelters used by displaced Palestinians stand at the yard of Al Shifa hospital during the Israeli ground operation around the hospital, in Gaza City November 12, 2023. Ahmed El Mokhallalati/via REUTERS/File Photo

By Mai ShamsElDin and Jennifer Rigby

CAIRO (Reuters) -The United Nations is looking for ways to evacuate Al Shifa hospital in Gaza but options are limited by security and logistical constraints, a senior World Health Organization official said on Thursday.

One obstacle is that the Palestinian Red Crescent lacks sufficient fuel for its ambulances within Gaza to evacuate patients, WHO regional emergencies director Rick Brennan told Reuters. There are also not enough ambulances available, a spokesperson for the International Committee of the Red Cross in Jerusalem said.

Egypt was open to having its ambulances cross into Gaza to help evacuate people as long as security guarantees and safe passage could be provided, Brennan said in an interview from Cairo.

The WHO said there were still about 600 patients including 27 in critical condition at Shifa hospital, which Israeli forces entered this week following a days-long siege, Brennan said.

"We are looking at the case for full medical evacuation but there are a lot of security concerns, there are a lot of logistics constraints. Our options are rather limited, but we hope to have some better news in the next 24 hours or so," he said.

Those given priority in an evacuation would include the critically ill and 36 newborn babies who lost access to incubators because of lack of fuel to generate power, he said.

Plans for an evacuation had been complicated by the fact that communications with the hospital had been cut most of the time, Brennan said.

"The idea is that we would bring the majority of patients over days or weeks from Shifa," he added.

"We'd bring the bulk of them to hospitals in southern Gaza but those hospitals are already overwhelmed as well so that's another complicating factor. The other option is of course to bring a number of them to Egypt."

A WHO spokesperson said that Al Arish Hospital in Egypt was likely to be the first referral hospital and it was working with the Egyptian government on "planning and establishing a comprehensive triage, stabilization and medical evacuation system", including providing additional medical supplies and mental health support.

Egypt's foreign minister Sameh Shoukry told a briefing in Cairo that efforts to provide medical relief for Palestinians from the Gaza Strip should be concentrated within the besieged coastal enclave.

But he added: "If we have the ability to care for these people at Al Shifa hospital, we will not hesitate."

Other hospitals and countries could take in more patients, the WHO spokesperson said, including those with complex conditions like cancer as well as those wounded in the bombardment.

The first evacuations of patients from Gaza to hospitals outside Egypt took place on Wednesday, when 27 cancer patients were flown to Turkey from Al Arish.

The risk of security incidents during medical evacuations in Gaza remains high, the ICRC spokesperson said. She said an ICRC medical convoy delivering supplies to a separate hospital in Gaza had come under fire last week.

"It is difficult to answer how this would normally take place (medical evacuation in conflict), because this situation is anything but normal," she said.

(Reporting by Mai ShamsElDin and Jennifer Rigby; Editing by Toby Chopra Writing by Aidan LewisEditing by Christina Fincher, Toby Chopra and Lisa Shumaker)
Peru's President Dina Boluarte walks to attend a welcome reception for Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders in San Francisco, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Loren Elliott

LIMA (Reuters) - Peruvian President Dina Boluarte met with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Thursday, discussing major infrastructure projects and possible investments, her office said on social media.

The two met on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in San Francisco, and discussed the Belt and Road Initiative, China's infrastructure project aimed at linking the country with the rest of the world.

Boluarte said that a megaport project in the coastal city of Chancay, currently under construction with Chinese funding, will be inaugurated in 2024 and provide a "significant boost to free trade and new Chinese investments."

Peru is scheduled to host the annual meeting of APEC country leaders next November, and Boluarte invited Xi to attend, her office said.

(Reporting by Marco Aquino; Writing by Brendan O'Boyle; Editing by Anthony Esposito)
An aerial view shows the BRP Sierra Madre on the contested Second Thomas Shoal, locally known as Ayungin, in the South China Sea, March 9, 2023/File Photo

MANILA (Reuters) -The Philippines does not have to give China prior notice about resupply missions in its own territory in the South China Sea, saying the operations, including the "upkeep" of a grounded navy ship, are legitimate, its foreign ministry said on Thursday.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) also called on China to remove all "illegal structures" it built within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ), cease reclamation in those areas and be accountable for the damage the activities caused.

China has repeatedly accused the Philippines of illegally entering its waters without its permission during its missions to transport food and water to Filipino soldiers living aboard a navy ship that Manila grounded at the disputed Second Thomas Shoal. The atoll is called Ayungin by the Philippines and Renai Reef by China.

"We are being asked to give prior notification each time we conduct a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. We will not do so," DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a statement.

China claims sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea, pointing to a line on its maps that cuts into the EEZs of Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Indonesia. Taiwan, which China also claims as part of its territory, has said it does not accept Beijing's maps.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016 said the line on China's maps had no legal basis, which Beijing rejects.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin reiterated his support for the court ruling during a meeting with his Manila counterpart in Jakarta. Both have denounced harassment by China towards Philippine vessels conducting the resupply mission.

A spokesperson for the Philippines National Security Council on Thursday flagged a disinformation campaign by "propagandists" and "information operators" that aims to undermine U.S.-Philippines relations and sway public opinion in China's favour.

The narratives include portraying "the relationship between the U.S. and the Philippines as superior-inferior relationship," said Jonathan Malaya.

"It just so happened that in this particular dispute the interests of the United States and the Philippines aligned," Malaya told reporters. "We are cognizant of the fact that there will be a time that the interests of the Philippines and the U.S. will diverge."

Since the grounding of the Sierra Madre ship at the atoll in 1999 in Manila's attempt to assert its sovereignty claim, China has repeatedly called on the Philippines to tow the vessel away, based on an agreement which Manila says does not exist.

"The Philippines has not entered into any agreement abandoning its sovereign rights and jurisdiction over its EEZ and continental shelf, including in the vicinity of Ayungin Shoal," Daza said.

The Second Thomas Shoal lies 190 km (118 miles) off the Philippine island of Palawan, well within the Manila's EEZ.

China's embassy in Manila did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

(Reporting by Mikhail Flores and Neil Jerome Morales; Additional reporting by Karen Lema; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan and Nick Macfie)
Abdul Raouf Al-Farra, a Palestinian man with Polish citizenship, who refuses to leave Gaza even after his neighborhood was targeted with Israeli strikes, inspects his damaged home in Khan Younis in the southern Gaza Strip November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Ibrah

By Nidal al-Mughrabi

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip (Reuters) - A Gazan man who could escape the war thanks to his Polish citizenship has instead chosen to stay in his damaged home in Khan Younis, framing his decision as part of a historic struggle for Palestinian rights in their homeland.

Abdul Raouf al-Farra's name was on a list of people authorised to leave the bombarded Gaza Strip through the Rafah border crossing to Egypt, but said his emotional bond to Gaza as a place, a people and a cause prevented him from leaving.

"My soul is attached to this homeland. This homeland is where I grew up, where I was born," he said. "This is my country and they (the Israelis) have no option but to leave our land."

Al-Farra's apartment in Khan Younis, a town in the southern part of the strip, suffered minor damage from an air strike on Saturday on the nearby al-Saqqa mosque, which was left without walls, its yellow dome still standing atop an empty shell.

"They have targeted mosques, targeted hospitals. There is no safe place in the Gaza Strip. They think that this way they can displace our people. Our people will stand firm on this land. Our people will protect this land," he said.

The war began when Hamas fighters rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7, killing 1,200 Israelis and taking 240 hostages, according to Israeli figures.

In response, Israel imposed a total siege on Gaza and launched a military assault that has killed more than 11,000 people, according to Gazan health officials, made two thirds of the population homeless and caused a humanitarian disaster.

A few hundred people with foreign citizenships and some seriously wounded patients have left Gaza through the Rafah crossing, the only ones allowed out since the war started.

Al-Farra acquired Polish citizenship in 2010, through his marriage to a Polish woman, with whom he had children. The couple are separated and his ex-wife and their children, now grown-up, live abroad. He has since married a Palestinian woman.

He said his children would prefer him to be safe outside of Gaza, but he had other close relatives in the enclave as well as a commitment to the Palestinian cause.

"I will not leave the Gazan people. I will not leave my family, my mother, my siblings, my neighbours, my friends," he said.

"I believe in the justice of this cause. Our people have been fighting to regain their rights for 75 years," he said, referring to the creation of Israel and mass displacement of Palestinians in 1948.

Israel contests the assertion that it drove out Palestinians in 1948, highlighting that Arab armies attacked it the day after it was established, rejecting a United Nations partition plan that would have created a Palestinian state alongside Israel.

(Writing by Estelle Shirbon, Editing by William Maclean)
FILE PHOTO: Alexandra (Sasha) Skochilenko, a 33-year-old artist and musician, who faces charges of spreading false information about the army after replacing supermarket price tags with slogans protesting against Russia's military operation in Ukraine, st

(Reuters) - A Russian court on Thursday found artist and musician Alexandra Skochilenko guilty of knowingly spreading fake news about the Russian army's behaviour in Ukraine and sentenced her to seven years in a prison colony.

Skochilenko, 33, replaced price tags in a supermarket in her native St Petersburg on March 31 2022 with small pieces of paper urging an end to Russia's war in Ukraine and criticising the authorities.

She denied the formal charge of knowingly spreading false information about the army.

(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Andrew Osborn)
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez meets with NASA administrator Bill Nelson (not pictured), at Moncloa Palace in Madrid, Spain May 30, 2023. REUTERS/Juan Medina/File Photo

MADRID (Reuters) - Spain's lower house of parliament on Thursday voted to make Pedro Sanchez prime minister for another term by a wafer-thin margin, ending a protracted deadlock after an inconclusive general election in July.

His Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) had reached separate deals with a number of regional parties to earn their backing, including a contentious bill on amnesty for Catalan separatists that has sparked protests across Spain.

Sanchez's bid garnered 179 votes in favour and 171 against, with no abstentions. The "nays" stemmed from the conservative People's Party, the far-right Vox and the People's Union of Navarre's lone lawmaker.

PSOE's hard-left ally Sumar, Catalan pro-independence parties Junts and ERC, Basque parties PNV and EH Bildu, Galicia's BNG and the Canary Coalition all voted for Sanchez, who first acceded to the office in 2018.

(Reporting by Belen Carreno, Inti Landauro and Emma Pinedo; Writing by David Latona; Editing by Andrei Khalip)
Israeli security personnel stand guard in the aftermath of a violent incident in Jerusalem, November 16, 2023. REUTERS/Ammar Awad

By Ammar Awad

NEAR BETHLEHEM, West Bank (Reuters) -Three Palestinian assailants opened fire at a checkpoint on a road between Jerusalem and the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Thursday, killing an Israeli soldier and wounding others before the attackers were shot dead, Israeli police said.

Islamist militant group Hamas claimed responsibility for the attack.

Police chief Yaakov Shabtai said the gunmen had planned a much bigger assault.

They arrived in a vehicle from the direction of Bethlehem, Shabtai told reporters at the scene, and opened fire when Israeli forces there began questioning them. They were killed when the Israeli forces shot back, he said.

After the gunfight, police said they found two automatic rifles, two handguns, hundreds of rounds of ammunition, 10 fully loaded magazines and two axes on the suspects and in their vehicle.

There was no immediate comment from Palestinian officials.

Footage on social media, shot from inside a bus, showed a man in uniform running and falling as gun shots rang out at the checkpoint in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Israel's military said a soldier with the military police was killed.

Tensions in the region have flared since a deadly attack by Hamas militants who burst through the border from Gaza into Israel on Oct. 7, killing some 1,200 people and taking around 240 hostages, including children, according to Israeli tallies.

In response, Israel launched an air, ground and sea offensive in Gaza, killing more than 11,500 people, around 40% of them children, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry in the Hamas-run enclave.

Far-right National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Thursday's attack showed that Israel should take a tougher stance in the West Bank and deal with the Western-backed Palestinian Authority, which exercises limited self-rule in the occupied territory, as it does with Hamas in Gaza.

"Containment will blow up in our faces like with Gaza. This is the time to act," he wrote on social media platform X.

(Additional reporting by Maayan Lubell in Jerusalem; Editing by Bernadette Baum, Crispian Balmer and Andrew Heavens)
Suppoters of South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) and various political parties including civil society groups gather in solidarity with the Palestinian people outside the Israeli embassy in Pretoria, south Africa, October 20, 2023. REUTE

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) -South Africa's ruling African National Congress (ANC) party said on Thursday that it would support a parliamentary motion calling for the Israeli embassy in South Africa to be closed and diplomatic relations to be suspended.

The opposition Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) proposed the motion on Thursday in solidarity with the Palestinian people over the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.

South Africa's strong support for Palestinians dates back to former President Nelson Mandela's days, with the country likening their plight to its own before the end of apartheid in 1994. Israel rejects the comparison.

The ANC said in a statement it would support the motion "to close the Israel Embassy in South Africa and suspend all diplomatic relations with Israel until Israel agrees to a ceasefire and commits to binding United Nations facilitated negotiations whose outcome must be a just, sustainable and lasting peace".

The Israeli embassy did not respond to a request for comment on the ANC's remarks.

Gift of the Givers, a South African non-governmental organisation which has operations in Palestine, said it fully supported the motion in parliament, after it said its office head in Gaza was killed by Israeli forces.

Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas that rules Gaza have been at war for more than a month after militants rampaged through southern Israel on Oct. 7. In retaliation, Israel has enforced a strict blockade of Gaza and conducted an aerial bombardment and armoured ground offensive.

The EFF's motion is largely symbolic as it will be up to President Cyril Ramaphosa's government whether to implement it.

But ANC leader Ramaphosa and senior foreign ministry officials have been vocal in their criticism of Israel's leadership during its military campaign against Hamas, calling on the International Criminal Court to investigate them for potential war crimes.

Ramaphosa reiterated on Wednesday during a state visit to Qatar that South Africa was opposed to Israel's operation in Gaza, "particularly as it is now targeting hospitals".

South Africa earlier this month recalled its diplomats from Israel.

(Reporting by Anait Miridzhanian, Carien du Plessis and Bhargav AcharyaEditing by Alexander Winning and Angus MacSwan)
Spain's acting Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez arrives to attend an investiture debate, as Spain's Socialists seek to clinch a new term following a deal with the Catalan separatist Junts party for government support, a pact which involves amnesties for peopl

By Belen Carreno and Emma Pinedo

MADRID (Reuters) -Spain's parliament voted to make Pedro Sanchez prime minister for another term on Thursday, ending a protracted deadlock after an inconclusive general election in July.

His Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) reached separate deals with a number of regional parties to earn their backing, including a contentious bill on amnesty for Catalan separatists that has sparked protests across Spain.

Sanchez had 179 votes in favour and 171 against, with no abstentions.

His confirmation as premier ends months of uncertainty. Alberto Nunez Feijoo, a candidate with the conservative People's Party (PP), won the most seats but failed to secure enough support from other parties in his own bid to lead the country.

It also represents a remarkable turnaround for Sanchez, who six months ago felt compelled to call a snap election after his party performed poorly in regional elections. Polls suggested he would be voted out of government but his party staged a late rally and managed to contain a surge from the PP.

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz congratulated Sanchez on social media platform X.

"It is good that we can continue to work side by side," Scholz said. "We see many challenges in the world from a very similar perspective."

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she looked forward to working to address important challenges faced by the EU while Ukrainian President Volodymir Zelenskiy also sent his congratulations

The amnesty bill, which was registered in parliament on Monday, has angered many Spaniards. It proposes exculpating politicians and activists who took part in an attempt to separate Catalonia from Spain that reached its apex in 2017.

PROTESTS

For the 14th consecutive night, about 4,000 protesters gathered outside the PSOE's national headquarters in downtown Madrid, according to government officials.

Tensions rose after several demonstrators hurled beer cans, bottles, firecrackers and flares at police and journalists, calling officers "Sanchez's dogs" and accusing the Spanish press of manipulating public opinion.

Groups of men wearing balaclavas displayed flags from the Franco dictatorship or emblazoned with far-right and Nazi symbols. Their chants ranged from slogans against Muslim migrants to the anthem of the fascist Falange movement, sung while making Roman salutes.

Near midnight, dozens clashed with police clad in riot gear, who reacted by firing hard-foam projectiles and tear gas. The skirmishes spilled over to neighbouring streets, where rioters set fire to dumpsters. Authorities said at least 10 people were arrested.

EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT DEBATE

The European People's Party (EPP) said on Thursday that the European Parliament had approved its request for a debate next week on whether the amnesty threatens judicial independence in Spain.

Esteban Gonzalez Pons, vice secretary of the PP, said the fact that Spain's rule of law would be debated was a "humiliation for Spain's prestige."

Sanchez will continue to depend on regional parties to pass key legislation, which will require "continuous negotiation and strict adherence to the agreements, especially in the case of the Catalan separatists," Thinking Heads, a Madrid-based think tank, said in a report.

While the Socialists say the deals include a guarantee of "stability" in the legislature, there is no formal agreement to support the budget. It will be negotiated "in good faith", according to a senior Socialist source.

"If progress is not made, we will not endorse any initiative put forward by your government," Junts parliamentary spokesperson Miriam Nogueras warned on Wednesday.

Feijoo described Sanchez as being "subject to a monthly contract with separatists" to be able to govern.

Sanchez has pledged to extend measures to help Spaniards with the cost of living by making public transport free for the unemployed and young people as well as providing mortgage relief for some home owners.

Sanchez's attention will now turn to naming a new cabinet. Key among his considerations will be whether to retain Nadia Calvino as his economy minister since she is also the frontrunner to be named as the next head of the European Investment Bank.

(Reporting by Belen Carreno, Emma Pinedo, Inti Landauro, Corina Rodriguez and David Latona; Writing by Charlie Devereux and Andrei Khalip; Editing by Sharon Singleton, Aislinn Laing, Bernadette Baum, Alexandra Hudson and David Gregorio)
FILE PHOTO: Mobile orders await pick up at a Starbucks, in Hamburg, a suburb of Buffalo, New York, U.S., December 8, 2021. REUTERS/Lindsay DeDario/File Photo

By Granth Vanaik and Arriana McLymore

(Reuters) -Workers at hundreds of Starbucks stores have walked off their jobs during a key promotional event on Thursday, demanding improved staffing and schedules, the Workers United said on social media platform X.

The walkout comes on the coffee chain's Red Cup Day event, during which Starbucks hands out free red-colored, reusable, holiday-themed cups to customers on their coffee purchases.

Starbucks said on Thursday its stores in the United States were "open", adding that "a few dozen stores with some partners (were) on strike", but more than half of those stores were open this morning, "serving customers".

About a dozen workers picketed outside Starbucks' Astor Place outlet at the New York University's campus chanting "no contract, no coffee" and other rhymes. Meanwhile, the Astor Place continued to fill with NYU staff and students placing orders.

Red Cup day has typically been a major driver of store traffic, with Placer.ai data showing that visits to U.S. Starbucks stores on the day last year jumped 94% over the daily average for the full year.

Workers United, which represents more than 9,000 Starbucks employees at about 360 U.S. stores, has said the event was one of the "most infamously hard, understaffed days", as drink orders pile up and employees end up on the receiving end of abuse from frustrated customers over long wait times.

Mary Boca, 22, Astor Place, New York barista, said she wants to see higher pay and more staff at Starbucks.

"I have heard our managers saying they need to hire 12 people. At a peak period, that's a lot of people to be out of."

Boca said that her Starbucks location does not allow customers to tip, which leaves her without an extra $100 in each paycheck.

Edwin Palma Solis, 24, worker at Astor Place, said he thinks the inability for customers to tip at the store has deterred some potential hires from joining the location.

Starbucks has nearly 10,000 U.S. company-owned locations, and according to the company less than 3% of those stores are represented by a union.

Last year, workers at more than 100 U.S. company-owned Starbucks locations had held a one-day strike on Red Cup day.

Earlier this month, Starbucks said it would raise hourly pay for its U.S. retail workers by at least 3% from 2024, which employees criticized, calling it "tone deaf" given Starbucks' 11% increase in fourth-quarter revenue and the recent wage hikes won by auto workers.

(Reporting by Granth Vanaik in Bengaluru and Arriana McLymore in New York City; Editing by Shinjini Ganguli)
UNITED NATIONS (Reuters) -Sudan asked the United Nations on Thursday to "immediately terminate" the U.N. political mission in the country (UNITAMS), Sudan's acting Foreign Minister Ali Sadeq, told the U.N. Security Council in a letter seen by Reuters.

"(The) government of Sudan requested that the United Nations immediately terminate the UNITAMS mission. At the same time, we would like to assure you that the Government of Sudan is committed to engaging constructively with the Security Council and the Secretariat," Sadeq wrote in a letter addressed to U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and circulated to the U.N. Security Council.

"The purpose of establishing the mission (was) to assist the transitional government of Sudan after the December 2018 revolution," he wrote, adding that the mission's performance in implementing its objectives "was disappointing."

When asked about Sudans decision, Guterres spokesperson Stephane Dujarric said the letter had been received and circulated to the Security Council.

A war erupted on April 15 between the Sudanese army and paramilitary Rapid Support Forces after weeks of rising tension between the two sides over a plan to integrate forces as part of a transition from military rule to civilian democracy.

The U.N. special envoy to Sudan announced in September that he was stepping down, more than three months after Sudan declared him unwelcome after disagreements between rival factions erupted into war.

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols and Rami Ayyub; Editing by Scott Malone and Daniel Wallis)
FILE PHOTO: Swedish and NATO flags are seen printed on paper this illustration taken April 13, 2022. REUTERS/Dado Ruvic/Illustration/File photo

By Huseyin Hayatsever

ANKARA (Reuters) -The Turkish parliament's foreign affairs commission delayed a vote on Sweden's NATO membership bid on Thursday in a further setback to the Nordic country's hopes of joining the Western alliance after 18 months of waiting.

Chairman Fuat Oktay said the commission, which is controlled by President Tayyip Erdogan's ruling party, will hold further talks and may bring the bill back on its agenda next week - but he did not set a clear timeline.

"For all of our lawmakers to approve Sweden's NATO membership, they need to be fully convinced. We will discuss all of these in our (next) commission meeting (on the issue)," Oktay told reporters after hours of debate.

The commission can pass bills by a simple majority. It may invite the Swedish ambassador to brief lawmakers if needed and if parliament's regulations allow, Oktay added.

Erdogan said this month he would try to facilitate the ratification process, but added Sweden had not taken enough action on Kurdish militants.

For ratification, the bill needs to be approved by the commission before being put to a full parliament vote, which could come days or weeks later. Erdogan would then sign it into law to conclude the process, the length of which has frustrated Ankara's allies and tested its Western ties.

Sweden and Finland requested to join NATO in May last year following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Erdogan raised objections at the time to both requests over what he said was the Nordic nations' protection of those Turkey deems terrorists, as well as their defence trade embargoes. Turkey endorsed Finland's bid in April but has kept Sweden waiting.

Turkey has demanded that Sweden take more steps to rein in local members of the Kurdistan Workers' party (PKK), considered a terrorist group by the European Union and United States.

In response, Stockholm introduced a new anti-terrorism bill that makes membership of a terrorist organisation illegal, while also lifting arms export restrictions on Turkey. It says that it has upheld its part of a deal signed last year.

LAWMAKERS NOT CONVINCED

Despite comments by Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Burak Akcapar outlining the measures taken by Sweden, lawmakers from both the ruling AK Party and opposition voiced reservations and, in a rare move, delayed the vote.

"I value NATO's enlargement. However, we must remove some of the controversies in our minds. Sweden has become a safe haven, or a heaven, for some terrorist organisations," said Ali Sahin, a lawmaker from the AK Party.

"We find the steps Sweden has taken until now valuable, but we don't find them sufficient," he added.

NATO members Finland, Canada and Netherlands also took steps to relax arms-export policies towards Turkey during the process, while the White House said it would move ahead with the transfer of F-16 fighter jets to Turkey in consultation with the U.S. Congress.

While there is no clear timeframe on approving the purchase request for the F-16s, Ankara has linked the issue to Sweden's bid. On Thursday, Oktay repeated Erdogan's view that "if they have a Congress, we have a parliament".

Some analysts say Turkey's parliament could fully ratify the bid by a NATO foreign ministers meeting in Brussels on Nov. 28-29.

A senior U.S. State Department official, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said Turkey was "very interested" in finalising the ratification before the NATO meeting in Brussels though it was ultimately Ankara's call.

"Now, it's up to them whether their system will produce the consent in that timeframe, but we're continuing to speak with them about that," the official said.

While the Biden administration has not linked the ratification with the sale of F-16 jets, members of Congress have made it clear they're unlikely to approve that sale until Turkey ratifies the Nordic country's NATO bid, the official said.

"As the administration, we're trying to keep both ends ready to move in a timely fashion."

The delay comes as Ankara has been at odds with its Western allies over the conflict in Gaza, while its tough diplomacy over the war in Ukraine has also irked some allies. Ankara maintains good relations with Moscow and Kyiv, opposing Russia's invasion but also the Western sanctions on Russia.

While NATO member Hungary has also not ratified Sweden's membership, Turkey is seen as the main roadblock to Sweden's accession.

Later on Thursday, the U.S. ambassador to Hungary said he had been assured by the Hungarian government that Budapest would not be the last to ratify Sweden's bid, adding he was "confident" Stockholm would soon be a NATO member.

(Reporting by Huseyin Hayatsever; Additional reporting by Simon Lewis and Humeyra Pamuk in Washington; Writing by Tuvan Gumrukcu; Editing by Jonathan Spicer, Christina Fincher and Susan Fenton)
(Reuters) - Switzerland on Thursday joined an international call for the establishment of a special tribunal to address Russia's crime of "aggression" against Ukraine, the Swiss foreign ministry said.

It said Switzerland announced its commitment to the initiative at a meeting in Berlin of a group of nations advocating for such a tribunal.

"Switzerland is firmly convinced that the aggression against Ukraine must not go unpunished," it said in a statement, adding that in the past months the call has garnered support from 38 countries, including France, Germany, Norway, Guatemala, Japan and Canada.

Ukraine, the European Union, and the Netherlands, have also publicly backed the idea of such a tribunal.

The Swiss ministry said that while the International Criminal Court (ICC) had the authority to prosecute war crimes and crimes against humanity committed in Ukraine, it lacked jurisdiction over the "crime of aggression" in this conflict because neither Russia nor Ukraine have ratified a treaty that established the court.

(Reporting by by Linda Pasquini and Tomasz Janowski; Editing by Miranda Murray)
A journalist trapped inside Gaza's largest hospital told AFP on Wednesday that Israeli troops had supposedly pulled out from the building after a nightlong invasion, yet this information remains unverified.

"Thee Israeli artillery are still at the gates of the hospital and they have full control over the facility," an Al Jazeera journalist explained.

Israeli forces had pushed into Gaza City's Al-Shifa hospital in the early hours of the morning, raising fears for the safety of thousands of patients, staff and displaced civilians trapped inside.

The UN estimates there are at least 2,300 people inside Al-Shifa.

The Israeli soldiers moved systematically through various buildings within al-Shifa hospital, thoroughly searching for any signs of military presence within the complex.

During Wednesday's attack, troops had interrogated dozens of civilians, some of whom were stripped to their underwear, said the journalist in contact with AFP.

Israeli forces have imposed restrictions, preventing both entry to and exit from the hospital premises.

For days, Israeli airstrikes rained down on the outskirts of the hospital which is located on the western side of Gaza City.

This comes as Israel is carrying out a massive air and ground invasion that has so far killed more than 11,300 people, more than two-thirds of them women and children, Gaza's health ministry says.

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Women comfort each other, as friends and family mourn Vivian Silver, 74, a Canadian-born peace activist from Kibbutz Beeri who was killed in the deadly October 7 attack by Palestinian Islamist group Hamas from the Gaza Strip, at a memorial service, at Kib

By Rami Amichay

GEZER, Israel (Reuters) - Family and friends of Vivian Silver, a prominent Canadian Israeli peace activist, commemorated her life on Thursday, two days after authorities confirmed she had been killed by Hamas militants on Oct. 7.

The family originally believed Silver, 74, had been taken hostage when Hamas launched its deadly cross-border raid, but their hopes she might still be alive were dashed on Tuesday when officials said her remains had been found and identified.

Silver lived in Kibbutz Be'eri, where more than 100 people died on Oct. 7. She had moved to Israel from Canada in 1974 and was a founding member of Women Wage Peace that campaigns for peace between Israel and Palestinians.

"Not only I ... was orphaned, your many friends were orphaned, the country that you adopted at a young age, and a movement was orphaned, the movement of peace," her son Yonatan Zeigen told mourners at the outdoor ceremony.

Militants killed around 1,200 people on Oct. 7 and kidnapped around 240 others, according to an Israeli tally. The shock assault sparked a massive Israeli attack on Gaza, killing more than 11,500 Palestinians, local health officials say.

Silver's kibbutz is a largely secular, left-wing community, established in 1946 with the ideal of creating a collective, egalitarian farming community.

Like many of the residents, Silver had Palestinian and Arab friends, one of whom, Ghadeer Hani, spoke to the mourners on Thursday, saying the pair had texted each other even as Hamas gunmen roamed the kibbutz.

"You told me that you were fine, but that you heard sounds outside the window of the shelter ... the minutes passed, and the next messages I sent were never received," Hani said.

Silver used to pick up sick Gazans who were given permits to leave the enclave and drove them to Israeli hospitals, where they were treated.

Women Wage Peace said Silver was a pivotal member of the group and had pushed the Israeli government to seek a political solution to its long-standing conflict with Palestinians.

Hani vowed that Silver's work would carry on.

"We all promised to continue her journey. If she was here with us, she would have told us not to loose hope and to continue what we started doing together," she said.

"No one will be able to bury her vision that there will be peace here, because this was Vivian's vision as well."

(Writing by Crispian Balmer; Editing by Alexandra Hudson)
FILE PHOTO: Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko attends the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) leaders' summit in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, October 13, 2023. Sputnik/Pavel Bednyakov/Pool via REUTERS ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS IMAGE WAS PROVIDED BY A

By Anthony Deutsch

AMSTERDAM (Reuters) -More than 2,400 children from Ukraine aged between six and 17 years old have been taken to 13 facilities across Belarus since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, research published by Yale University said on Thursday.

Ukraine's prosecutor general said in May that he was investigating the alleged role of Belarus in the forced transfer of more than 19,000 identified children from Russian-occupied territories since the conflict broke out, including to Russia.

The total number is estimated by some experts and organisations to be far higher.

The findings by the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health, which receives U.S. State Department funding, shared with Reuters are the most extensive to date about the alleged role of Belarus in the Russian relocation program for Ukrainian children.

Russia has said previously that it is offering humanitarian aid to those wishing to flee Ukraine voluntarily and rejects accusations of war crimes.

The press service of Russia's Children's Rights Commissioner, who oversees the relocation of children from occupied Ukraine, and Belarus' foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the research.

"These revelations of Belarusian involvement are part of a broader campaign directed by Russia," the U.S. State Department said in a statement. "The United States will continue to pursue accountability for actors involved in abuses connected with Russia's war against Ukraine."

Among the key findings detailed in the 39-page report were that children had been transported from at least 17 cities in Ukraine's Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions in what Yale researchers described as an ongoing practice.

More than 2,000 children Yale identified were transported to the Dubrava children's centre in Belarus' Minsk region between September 2022 and May 2023, it said, while 392 children were taken to 12 other facilities.

"Russia's systematic effort to identify, collect, transport, and re-educate Ukraine's children has been facilitated by Belarus," the report said.

"Russia's federal government and Belarus' regime have been working together to coordinate and fund the movement of children from Russia-occupied Ukraine through Russia to Belarus."

Transports to Belarus through Russia were "ultimately coordinated" between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko, it added.

The International Criminal Court in The Hague issued an arrest warrant for Russia's Putin in March. It accused him and Children's Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova of the war crime of illegally deporting hundreds of children from Ukraine.

Taking children under the age of 18 across a border without the consent of a parent or guardian is prohibited under international humanitarian law.

Ukraine's war crimes prosecutors have said they are investigating the deportations as potential genocide.

The Genocide Convention specifies five acts that could each constitute the crime, if committed with genocidal intent, including forcibly transferring children out of their group.

Ukraine's foreign ministry and the office of the prosecutor general, which oversees war crimes investigations, did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Lukashenko approved the use of state organizations to transport children from Ukraine to Belarus and finance their transportation, the Yale report said. Once in Belarus, children have been subjected to military training and re-education, it said.

It is unclear how many of the children identified by Yale's research remain in Belarus.

(Additional reporting by David Ljunggren;Editing by Mike Collett-White, Alexandra Hudson and Rosalba O'Brien)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Turkey is "very interested" in depositing the instrument of ratification for Sweden's accession to NATO during a ministerial meeting in two weeks, but the timeline remains up to Turkey, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Thursday.

Foreign ministers from the alliance will meet in Brussels on Nov. 28-29 and Turkey's parliament has begun debating the instrument giving Turkey's approval, which is needed for Sweden to become a member.

"It's up to (Turkey) whether their system will produce the consent in that time frame, but we're continuing to speak with them about that," said the U.S. official, who briefed reporters on condition of anonymity.

(Reporting by Simon Lewis; Editing by Chizu Nomiyama)
FILE PHOTO: UNRWA Commissioner General Philippe Lazzarini looks on during an international humanitarian conference for civilians in Gaza, at the Elysee Presidential Palace, in Paris, France, on November 9, 2023. LUDOVIC MARIN/Pool via REUTERS/File Phot

By Emma Farge and Gabrielle Tetrault-Farber

GENEVA (Reuters) -The head of the U.N. Palestinian refugee agency said on Thursday he believed there was a deliberate attempt to "strangle" its humanitarian work in Gaza, warning that the agency may have to entirely suspend its operations due to a lack of fuel.

The agency supporting more than 800,000 displaced people in the Israeli-besieged Gaza Strip said many of its services had already been shuttered including dozens of water wells, two water plants and sewage pumping stations.

"I do believe there is a deliberate attempt to strangle our operation and paralyse the operation," UNRWA Commissioner-General Philippe Lazzarini told journalists in Geneva.

"We run the risk to have to suspend the entire humanitarian operation," he said. "I do believe that it is outrageous that humanitarian agencies have been reduced to begging for fuel."

Lazzarini said the organisation had pleaded for weeks for access to fuel, which on Wednesday was carried into Gaza for the first time since the start of Israel's war with Hamas.

That fuel - 24,000 litres (6,340 gallons) of diesel fuel for U.N. aid distribution trucks - is nowhere near what Gazans need to survive, Lazzarini said.

"Because of the lack of fuel, we will not be able to send our trucks across the south of the Gaza Strip where we have people waiting for humanitarian deliveries," he said, referring to the Rafah crossing with Egypt, the only one open for aid deliveries.

Israel refuses fuel imports, saying it could be used by Hamas for military purposes.

Without fuel, Lazzarini warned, civilian deaths that are not directly linked to Israel's retaliatory military campaign against Hamas for its Oct. 7 attacks were inevitable.

"Today what we are saying is if the fuel does not come in, people will start to die because of the lack of fuel. Exactly as from when, I dont know. But it will be sooner rather than later," he said.

Gaza's main telecommunications companies, Paltel and Jawwal, said on Thursday that all telecom services in the densely populated enclave had gone out as all energy sources have been depleted.

"It can provoke or accelerate (the breakdown of) last remaining civil order we have in the Gaza Strip," Lazzarini said of the blackout, calling the scale of loss and destruction in Gaza "just staggering."

(Reporting by Emma Farge and Gabrielle Tetrault-FarberEditing by Miranda Murray, Toby Chopra and Bill Berkrot)
KYIV (Reuters) - President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that Ukraine has seized the initiative from Russia in the Black Sea and forced Russia's naval fleet and warships to pull back, thanks to Kyiv's use of navel drones.

"For the first time in the world, it was in the Black Sea that a fleet of naval drones began to operate - a Ukrainian fleet," Zelenskiy wrote on the Telegram messaging app.

"We managed to seize the initiative from Russia in the Black Sea..." he said.

Zelenskiy added that since the early days of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Moscow had blocked the Ukrainian Black Sea ports and damaged port and grain export infrastructure, disrupting global food markets.

Yet over the course of the war Ukraine had shifted the balance of power, Zelenskiy said, and he thanked Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova, which border the Black Sea, for their support.

"We were able to show that cooperation between the countries of the Black Sea region, with partners' support, can return stability to the world food market," Zelenskiy said at a meeting of representatives of the Black Sea countries.

"We were able to provide such protection to the western part of the Black Sea, which now allows our maritime export corridors to operate. The Danube region is also gaining new importance - it is also critical for global security."

After Moscow quit the U.N. brokered Black Sea Grain Initiative which allowed for the safe passage of grains out of Ukraine, a leading global grain exporter and grower, Kyiv set up an alternative corridor in August.

Ukraine has been able to export 4 million metric tonnes of cargo through that new corridor, Zelenskiy said previously.

Russia has intensified its drone and missile attacks on Ukrainian sea ports and grain infrastructure but Ukraine launched sea-drone attacks on Russian ships.

(Reporting by Olena Harmash; editing by Alexandra Hudson)
By Patricia Zengerle

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The U.S. Congress closed its doors for nearly two weeks on Thursday without passing emergency aid for Israel and Ukraine, as lawmakers argued over unrelated immigration policy and faced pockets of resistance from Republicans on continued aide for Kyiv's war against Russia.

The Senate adjourned well after midnight after passing a stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown. Supporters of the foreign military aid had hoped it would be included in the spending bill, known as a continuing resolution.

President Joe Biden asked Congress to approve the money last month. Its omission from the spending bill raised concerns that funding for Kyiv might never be appropriated especially after the Republican-led House passed a bill this month including assistance for Israel, but not Ukraine.

The Senate's Democratic leaders rejected that bill.

A vocal bloc of Republicans oppose sending more aid to Kyiv as it fights a nearly 21-month-long Russian invasion. Opponents of the aid say U.S. taxpayer money should be spent at home, but majority of Republicans and Democrats in Congress still support aid to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's government.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week showed 41% of Americans backed sending weapons to Ukraine, compared to 32% who were opposed and the rest unsure. The same poll showed U.S. public support dropping for Israel's war against Hamas militants.

Assistance for Israel, which already receives $3.8 billion per year in U.S. security assistance, typically passes Congress with strong bipartisan support.

Biden's security assistance request to Congress included $60 billion for Ukraine - about half to replenish U.S. military stockpiles - as well as about $14 billion each for Israel and security at the border with Mexico.

Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said the Senate would work on Biden's request as soon it returns from next week's Thanksgiving holiday.

"I know both sides genuinely care about approving aid to Israel and Ukraine and helping innocent civilians in Gaza. So I hope we can come to an agreement even if neither side gets everything they insist on," he told a news conference.

'DANGEROUSLY BROKEN'

Republicans said a security bill without border money was a non-starter. Although Democrats control a slim majority in the Senate, they cannot pass most bills without Republican votes.

Republican Senator Lindsey Graham said reinforcing the U.S. border was more important than sending aid abroad. "I'm a big fan of helping Ukraine. But the border is just dangerously broken," he told reporters at the Senate on Wednesday.

A dramatic increase in the number of undocumented migrants crossing into the southwestern United States has challenged the country's capacity to detain and process newcomers, posing a political challenge for Biden as he seeks re-election next year.

Congress has approved $113 billion for Ukraine since the invasion began in February 2022. That funding could be depleted within a few months.

But supporters of the aid said they remained optimistic.

"The most likely path forward is for the Senate to continue to do its bipartisan work and find common ground," Representative Hakeem Jeffries, who leads Democrats in the House, told MSNBC.

Biden administration officials have testified repeatedly to Congress on the importance of the aid.

"We believe there are strong majorities in Congress for the supplemental funding and that the urgency is understood by leadership in both chambers," a senior State Department official said on Thursday. "And we're just working through what I think have been very reasonable requests for more information and understanding of how the money will be important for Ukraine's success."

(Reporting by Patricia Zengerle; additional reporting by Richard Cowan, Doina Chiacu and Simon Lewis; editing by Don Durfee and David Gregorio)
Chairman James Comer (R-KY) gestures as he speaks during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee impeachment inquiry hearing into U.S. President Joe Biden, focused on his son Hunter Biden's foreign business dealings, on Capitol Hill in Washington,

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A U.S. House committee said on Thursday it is investigating the Federal Trade Commission's planned rules to require new consumer protections for car buyers that are sharply opposed by auto dealers.

House Oversight Committee chair James Comer, a Republican, asked FTC Chair Lina Khan to turn over documents and answer questions by Nov. 30 on the proposed rule he said "threatens harm to consumers and small businesses by making car purchases more difficult and inhibiting innovation in the industry."

A group of 17 Democratic lawmakers in June urged the FTC to "adopt strong regulatory protections for car buyers," arguing "unfair and deceptive practices involving motor vehicle dealers have widespread consequences."

A spokesperson for Khan did not immediately comment.

The FTC in June 2022 proposed banning fees and bait-and-switch advertising tactics and requiring dealers to make key disclosures to consumers, including providing a true "offering price" and making disclosures about optional add-on fees. The FTC said the rules "would save consumers time and money and help ensure a level playing field for honest dealers.

The FTC wants to ban fees for add-on products and services that provide no consumer benefits, such as "nitrogen-filled" tires that contain no more nitrogen than normal air.

The National Automobile Dealers Association said previously the FTC proposal would "upend the sales process for tens of millions of consumers annually and thousands of small businesses." The trade group called it "premature, legally deficient, factually inaccurate, and exceedingly confusing for consumers and dealers."

Comer said the rule "appears to rest on thin analysis and unreliable data and suffers from several procedural flaws, including violations of FTC regulations requiring advanced notice of proposed rulemaking."

The Alliance for Automotive Innovation, representing General Motors, Toyota Motor, Volkswagen and other major automakers, raised concerns about the FTC plan and warned that "excessive regulation and micromanagement of the sales experience can do more harm than good for both consumers and the industry."

(Reporting by David Shepardson; Editing by Chris Reese and Daniel Wallis)
U.S. Rep. George Santos (R-NY) speaks to members of the media after his Congressional colleagues voted not to expel him from the House, after he was indicted on 23 federal corruption charges, on Capitol Hill in Washington, U.S. November 1, 2023. REUTERS/J

By Moira Warburton

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -Embattled Republican U.S. Representative George Santos said on Thursday he will not run for re-election in an announcement made shortly after the release of a scathing report by fellow lawmakers that referred more "uncharged and unlawful conduct" to the Justice Department for possible criminal prosecution.

But the first-term congressman from New York said he would not resign even as a renewed effort to expel him from the House of Representatives gained steam.

Santos, 35, previously pleaded not guilty to federal charges of laundering campaign funds to pay for personal expenses and charging the credit cards of donors without permission, among other campaign finance violations.

The House Ethics Committee's investigative report, released barely an hour before Santos made his announcement, identified further questionable financial activity by the congressman, prompting more of his fellow Republicans to urge expulsion.

"I will continue on my mission to serve my constituents up until I am allowed. I will however NOT be seeking re-election for a second term in 2024," Santos wrote on social media. "My family deserves better than to be under the gun from the press all the time."

Santos survived an expulsion vote on Nov. 1. The ethics panel's Republican chairman, Representative Michael Guest, intends to file a fresh expulsion motion on Friday, according to his office, and lawmakers could take it up after next week's Thanksgiving holiday break.

Santos came under scrutiny even before taking office in January after the New York Times and other media outlets reported he had fabricated much of his life story while running for office. Santos has dismissed complaints that he had lied about his education, work history and family as mere resume embellishment.

Two of his former aides already have pleaded guilty to campaign finance violations.

BOTOX, HERMES AND ONLYFANS

The committee's report found that Santos "sought to fraudulently exploit every aspect of his House candidacy for his own personal financial profit."

Santos charged almost $4,000 for spa treatments, including Botox, to his congressional campaign account, according to the report. He also spent more than $4,000 of campaign money at the retail store Hermes and made "smaller purchases" from Sephora, a makeup store, and OnlyFans, an online platform known for sexual content, the report found.

He also had his campaign pay more than $3,300 for an Airbnb in the exclusive Hamptons area of Long Island in July 2022, at a time when he had no recorded campaign events, it found.

The pattern of poor bookkeeping and personal use of campaign money was so extensive, the report found, that his election "has called into question the integrity of the House."

In light of an ongoing federal criminal investigation and the new "findings of additional uncharged and unlawful conduct by Representative Santos, the (panel's investigative subcommittee) recommended that the committee immediately refer these allegations to the Department of Justice," the report stated.

Specifically, the committee said it uncovered fresh evidence of falsely reported loans received by Santos' unsuccessful 2020 congressional campaign, improper loan repayments and "systemic reporting errors" in both his 2020 and 2022 campaigns.

The committee said it contacted about 40 witnesses, reviewed more than 170,000 pages of documents and filed 37 subpoenas in its months-long investigation. It said Santos declined to cooperate.

A Justice Department spokesperson declined to comment.

'UNBECOMING AND EMBARRASSING'

Santos has been marginalized in Congress, with no committee assignments and little influence. He has faced fierce criticism from his fellow New York Republicans in Congress. One of them, Representative Mike Lawler, said on Thursday Santos should resign immediately or be forced out.

"His conduct is not only unbecoming and embarrassing, it is criminal," Lawler said.

On Nov. 1, 182 of his fellow Republicans voted against his expulsion, as they need his seat to protect their narrow House majority. That 221-213 margin empowers them to block much of Democratic President Joe Biden's legislative agenda.

But that dam could be breaking. Republican Representative Ashley Hinson, who voted against expulsion, said she now backs his removal.

Among other claims Santos has made about his background, he said he earned degrees from New York University and Baruch College in Manhattan. Neither institution had any record of him attending. He claimed to have worked at Goldman Sachs and Citigroup, also untrue. He also said falsely he was Jewish and that his grandparents escaped the Nazis during World War Two.

Santos apologized for "embellishing" his resume, but defended aspects of the way he had represented himself. He has since described himself as "Jew-ish" rather than "Jewish" when discussing his heritage, telling the New York Post that he described himself that way because his "maternal family had a Jewish background."

His congressional district contains parts of New York City's Queens borough and Long Island's Nassau County just east of the city.

(Reporting by Moira Warburton; additional reporting by Andrew Goudsward, Gram Slattery and Sarah N. Lynch; editing by Jonathan Oatis, Will Dunham and and Andy Sullivan)
A man walks within the premises of Al Shifa hospital during the Israeli ground operation around the hospital, in Gaza City November 12, 2023. Ahmed El Mokhallalati/via REUTERS/File Photo

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The United States will not share any Israeli intelligence or elaborate on its own intelligence assessment that Hamas used Gaza's Al Shifa hospital as a command center and possibly as a storage facility, White House spokesman John Kirby said on Thursday.

The United States is confident in an assessment from its own intelligence agencies on Hamas activities in the Gaza facility, Kirby said. He has refused to elaborate or provide details over the past several days.

The Biden administration has not declassified the sources of the U.S. intelligence "because some of those same channels are being used to monitor the status of hostages," a knowledgeable source said.

The intelligence "is definitive," said the source, and includes communications intercepts of Hamas fighters. The intercepts were first reported on Wednesday by the Wall Street Journal.

Israeli troops entered Al Shifa hospital on Wednesday after an aerial bombardment and ground operation targeting Hamas militants whom Israeli officials say killed 1,200 people in a cross-border attack from Gaza on Oct. 7.

About 11,500 people have been killed in Israel's retaliatory bombardments, according to health officials in Hamas-controlled Gaza.

Asked whether Israelis have shared any new intelligence since the raid on the hospital began, Kirby said, "I'm not going to talk about specific intelligence that may pass between the two of us."

"That's really for them to speak to, but as I said the other day, we're confident in our own intelligence assessment about how Hamas was using that hospital," Kirby said in a briefing.

Hamas militants were sheltering themselves in the hospital and using the facility as a shield against military action, placing patients and medical staff at risk, he said.

"We have our own intelligence that convinces us that Hamas was using al Shifa as a command and control node, and most likely as well as a storage facility.

"We are still convinced of the soundness of that intelligence."

(Reporting by Doina Chiacu, Nandita Bose and Jonathan Landay; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Heather Timmons and Sandra Maler)
* Entering manufacturing was once seen by many as taking up blue-collar work, which was hardly a preferred choice for college graduates.

* At the end of April 2023, AIGC, intelligent manufacturing and large-scale AI model were the three most popular sectors in terms of the number of job applications received from the graduates.

* Despite the high enthusiasm of college graduates for manufacturing jobs, some enterprises still find it difficult to find employees equipped with the right expertise to meet corporate needs in intelligent and digital development.

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese college graduates have shown greater willingness to work in the manufacturing industry, with emerging and high-tech sectors particularly favored.

Data from Chinese job-seeking website Liepin showed that at the end of April 2023, AIGC (artificial intelligence generated content), intelligent manufacturing and large-scale AI model were the three most popular sectors in terms of the number of job applications received from the graduates.

Year-on-year growth in the number of job applications in the three sectors hit 303.12 percent, 297.27 percent and 235.25 percent, respectively.

Another survey by Liepin showed that the proportion of applications from the upcoming graduates submitted to the internet and real estate industries decreased from 28.92 percent and 12.86 percent in 2021 to 19.39 percent and 7.85 percent in 2023, respectively.

The ratio concerning the machinery manufacturing sector increased from 4.47 percent in 2021 to 9.14 percent in 2023, a remarkable rise among surveyed industries.

INCREASING APPEAL

Sun Piwu, head of the organization department of the Party Committee of Shaanxi Automobile Group Co., Ltd., was impressed by college students' greater willingness to work in the manufacturing industry.

"The number of applications we received increased markedly in 2023 to exceed 10,000," Sun said.

Sun attributed the shift to college students adapting to changes in the job market as well as the growing appeal of high-end manufacturing.

Previously, entering manufacturing was seen by many as taking up blue-collar work, which was hardly a preferred choice for college graduates.

Nowadays, jobs in advanced manufacturing and strategic emerging industries, especially leading businesses in sectors of new energy, integrated circuits, and industrial automation, are much sought after, said Liepin vice president Ba Ran.

Rather than traditional manufacturing jobs, young Chinese college graduates are mostly drawn by posts related to the construction, management, operation and maintenance of digital workshops and intelligent factories, Ba said.

At Shanghai's largest autumn job fair for graduates on Oct. 25, nearly half of the 1,325 recruiters were high-tech enterprises, which received 25,000 job applications.

"I prefer offers from promising industries and sci-tech innovation enterprises which have more potential and offer good salaries as well," said a postgraduate student surnamed Yuan, who majors in energy and materials at Shanghai Polytechnic University.

GROWING DEMAND

Li Zhiqiang, who entered a new energy car company last year after graduating from Hefei University, said he saw his department in the company rapidly expanding from dozens of people to more than 100 within a year.

In the photovoltaic industry, another popular employment destination, demand for talent is also growing.

Ma Fuhai, deputy general manager of the human resources department of LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a leading enterprise, said the company's business has continued to grow rapidly, and the demand for new talent, especially engineers, was increasing.

In 2023, more than 9,000 graduates were recruited on campus by LONGi, a 50 percent increase compared with 2022, Ma said.

Liepin data also showed that advanced manufacturing jobs pay better, with the average annual salary of jobs in intelligent manufacturing, AIGC, and large-scale AI model standing at 330,200 yuan (about 46,020 U.S. dollars), 303,600 yuan, and 279,900 yuan, respectively.

TALENT SHORTAGE

Despite the high enthusiasm of college graduates, some manufacturing enterprises still find it difficult to find employees equipped with the right expertise to meet corporate needs in intelligent and digital development.

Companies said there is a mismatch between the needs of enterprises and the knowledge structure and technical cognition of applicants. Multidisciplinary and crossdisciplinary talent are in short supply.

According to a research report on industry talent, the overall shortfall of digital talent in China is about 25 million to 30 million.

"We are accelerating the training of digital technology engineers, focusing on smart manufacturing, big data, blockchain, integrated circuits and other related new occupations," said Li Jinsheng, an official with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

(Video reporters: Hong Ling, Meng Fanyu; video editors: Hong Ling, Liu Xiaorui)
By Steven Scheer

RISHON LEZION, Israel (Reuters) - On Sunday, Audrey Panitch Levin was at home in Philadelphia.

On Wednesday, she was picking sweet potatoes in central Israel, part of an army of volunteers who have rushed to the nation's farms that are struggling with an acute labour shortage following Hamas' Oct. 7 cross-border attack.

Israel's farms, most of which are in the centre and south of the country, traditionally rely on thousands of Thai and Palestinian workers to till the land and bring in the crops.

But many Thais fled Israel after the Hamas assault, while the Palestinians have largely been banned from the workforce, forcing farms to send out an SOS during the autumn harvest.

Around 80 members of the U.S.-based Jewish mothers' group Momentum, including Levin, answered the call.

"We want to show our support for Israel," said Levin, who is a real estate agent. "I wanted to show that I wasn't afraid."

Agriculture was Israel's initial economic driver following the creation of the state in 1948. In the past few decades it has been overtaken by the high-tech sector, but farming remains crucial to the country, and its food independence is cherished.

Now, the drastic labour shortage has left fruit and vegetables rotting on their branches before they can be picked.

"Israel's agriculture is in its biggest crisis since the establishment of Israel," Yuval Lipkin, deputy director general of Israel's Agriculture Ministry, told Reuters.

According to latest parliamentary data from 2021, 73,500 people worked in the agriculture sector - 44% Israeli, 33% foreigners, mostly Thai, and 23% Palestinian.

At least 32 Thai workers were killed in the Oct. 7 assault and 23 others were kidnapped and taken to Gaza. Since then, Lipkin said 10,000 Thai workers had left Israel, leaving an estimated 20,000 still in the country.

Before the war, some 128,000 Palestinians worked in Israel, mainly in construction and, to a lesser extent, agriculture. Most are now refused entry from Palestinian territories, with just 6,800 still allowed in, according to the economy ministry.

Compounding the crisis, an unknown number of Israeli farm workers have been called up to the battlefield as reservists.

NOT PROFESSIONALS

In all, Lipkin said the sector needed 30,000 workers, with farms looking to make up the shortfall with volunteers or by hiring Israelis.

"A lot of people have come to volunteer and that has helped a little, but it's not enough because they are not professionals," said Tal Ben Shalom, who owns a large farm in Rishon Lezion, where the Momentum group were helping out.

"I need Thai workers (otherwise) there will be less growth and less supply."

Lipkin said that while thousands of Israelis had signed up to work on farms for 3,000 shekels ($800) a month, Israel was trying to bring in workers from Sri Lanka and Vietnam to help in the longer term.

In the meantime, volunteers of all sorts are doing what they can, including school children and even Germany's ambassador to Israel, Steffen Seibert.

"The farmers in Otef Aza (near Gaza) need help, so I spent the day with colleagues and friends picking tomatoes and clementines in Moshav Yesha. Great to see so many volunteers from all over Israel," he wrote on 'X' on Nov. 12.

Food rescue organisation Leket Israel, which has sent 5,500 volunteers to farms including Ben Shalom's fields, said it was also buying produce from the farmers and distributing it to families evacuated from homes near Gaza.

"A lot of farmers are from down south and their families got hit so they could not go work and take care of the fields," said Michelle Mayer, Leket's volunteer coordinator.

The agriculture ministry said the land surrounding the Gaza Strip was "Israel's vegetable patch". The Israeli media says 75% of vegetables grown in Israel come from this area, as well as 20% of the fruit and 6.5% of the milk.

Many farmers and farmhands were killed or kidnapped on Oct. 7, leaving their communities reeling.

Gilad Lurid, a physicist from near Tel Aviv, has gone to help at Kibbutz Be'eri, where more than 100 people died on Oct. 7 - one in 10 of the residents.

He said volunteering had allowed him to bond with the survivors and "to feel that I am doing something and not just staying home and watching the terrible news".

The kibbutz used to employ workers from Gaza, which is just 5 km (3 miles) distant.

"There were a lot of people coming from Gaza every day ... we all thought that this was going to bring us together. But I was wrong," said farmer Yarden Zemach, who lives in Be'eri and whose brother Shachar was killed in the attack.

($1 = 3.7776 shekels)

(Reporting by Steven Scheer; Additional reporting by Kuba Stezycki; Editing by Crispian Balmer and Toby Chopra)
FILE PHOTO: Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari shows what the Israeli military says is a tunnel at a location given as Gaza, in this still image taken from video released November 13, 2023. Israel Defense Forces/Handout via REUTERS/

By Dan Williams

ZEELIM GROUND FORCES BASE, Israel (Reuters) - After locating what they described as the entrance to a Hamas tunnel under an evacuated hospital in northern Gaza, Israeli army engineers filled the passage with exploding gel and hit the detonator.

The blast engulfed the building and sent smoke spewing out of at least three points along a nearby road in a district of the city of Beit Hanoun, surveillance footage showed.

"The gel spread out and exploded whatever they had been waiting for us in the tunnel," an army officer told reporters at a briefing at Zeelim Ground Forces Base in southern Israel.

Clearing the tunnels is an important part of Israel's military campaign against Hamas in the Gaza Strip in response to the Palestinian militant group's deadly attack on southern Israel on Oct. 7.

When not using munitions to map out the bunkers, access shafts and tunnels which both sides say run for hundreds of kilometres (miles) under Gaza, the army opts for tracker robots and other technology operated remotely.

The officer could not be identified under the rules of the briefing, and declined to provide further details of below-ground combat which he said was a work in progress. He did not name the hospital in Beit Hanoun.

"I think there are other methods being developed," he said. "That is where creativity and innovation come in handy."

In Beit Hanoun, where his forces were operating, some gunmen had stormed the Israeli military from tunnel shafts and had been killed, he said.

Israel's policy, he said, was not to send personnel in the other direction to confront Palestinian fighters who would have a defender's advantage in narrow, dark, under-ventilated and collapsible passages with which they were familiar.

"We don't want to go down there. We know that they left us a lot of side-bombs (improvised explosives devices)," he said.

One such bomb, rigged to the cover of a tunnel-access shaft at ground level, had killed four special forces reservists last week.

WEB OF TUNNELS

Hamas has tunnels for attack, smuggling and storage, security sources say. Dozens of shafts can lead to each tunnel at depths of between 20 and 80 metres (65-260 feet).

Destroying a shaft is relatively easy and quick, the officer said, adding: "Any platoon can do it."

The Israeli military said last week that 130 shafts had been destroyed so far, but gave no figure for demolished tunnels.

The tunnels are harder to tackle. The officer said several tonnes of the exploding gel - on which he declined to give any technical details, other than to say it is brought in by truck - are required for every few hundred metres of tunnel.

After-action analysis is difficult. The officer said around half of the shafts in his Beit Hanoun operation zone had been destroyed, but acknowledged that these can be rebuilt.

"It's hard to say how many tunnels (are destroyed) because they are all connected," he said.

Hamas has denied using hospitals as cover for such tunnels. It has dismissed assertions by Israel that it has a command centre under Gaza's biggest hospital, Al Shifa, which Israeli forces entered on Wednesday.

EFFORTS TO AVOID ENDANGERING HOSTAGES

Hamas took some 240 people back to Gaza as captives in the Oct. 7 attack in which about 1,200 people were killed, Israel has said. One of a handful of hostages released said she and at least two dozen others had been held in a tunnel.

The army officer said care was being taken not to endanger tunnels that may contain hostages.

"We sometimes get indications that this (a target) might be related to hostages. And then we know not to attack it unless we get an approval (that it is clear)", he said

Like much of northern Gaza, Beit Hanoun has been emptied of civilians, who fled south under orders from Israel as it sent in ground troops to try to wipe out Hamas.

"The only population left is the terrorists," the officer said, adding that sometimes a secondary explosion set off by a tunnel destruction blast "will bring down a building a few hundred metres away".

Palestinian gunmen taken captive have provided Israel with intelligence on the tunnel network, he said, but this information has been limited.

"Most of them don't know about the whole city. But they know their own village, they know pretty well the tunnel system," the officer said.

The officer said it could take months to destroy Gaza's entire underground network.

"I think it's more complicated than the New York City subway," he said.

(Editing by Timothy Heritage)
By Stephanie van den Berg

The Hague (Reuters) -Judges at the World Court on Thursday ordered Syria to take steps to prevent torture as part of emergency measures in a case against Damascus brought before the top U.N. tribunal by the Netherlands and Canada.

"Syria must (...) take all measures within its power to prevent acts of torture and other cruel and inhumane or degrading treatment" and ensure its officials or others under its control do not commit torture, presiding judge Joan Donoghue said.

The 15-judge panel also told Damascus to ensure that any possible evidence about allegations of torture, including medical reports and death records, are preserved.

Syria has boycotted the court's hearings and was not present for the ruling. The case marks the first time an international court has looked at alleged abuses committed in Syria during 12 years of conflict.

The case before the World Court, formally known as the International Court of Justice, was filed in June by the Netherlands and Canada. They say Syria is breaching a U.N. anti-torture convention by abusing tens of thousands people, many of whom are kept in Syria's extensive detention system.

Syrias government and President Bashar al-Assad have rejected accusations of torture and extrajudicial killings in a war that the United Nations has said claimed hundreds of thousands of lives.

The ICJ can issue emergency orders to ensure a situation does not deteriorate in the several years it generally takes the court to rule on the main claim.

However, it has no power to enforce its rulings. No date has yet been set for hearings in the main case.

The ICJ is a court for disputes between states and will look at alleged Syrian state responsibility for torture.

Some Syrian regime officials have been prosecuted for acts of torture in universal jurisdiction cases, notably in Germany, but those cases center on individual criminal responsibility.

(Reporting by Stephanie van den Berg, Editing by Charlotte Van Campenhout, William Maclean)
China's President Xi Jinping speaks at the "Senior Chinese Leader Event" held by the National Committee on US-China Relations and the US-China Business Council on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in San Francisco, Calif

By Michael Martina

SAN FRANCISCO (Reuters) -China is ready to be a partner and friend of the United States, and there is plenty of room for bilateral cooperation, President Xi Jinping told American executives in San Francisco on Wednesday, as Beijing looks to reassure global business and counter his country's struggles to entice foreign investment.

The U.S. executives dined with Xi on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum following a day of talks between the Chinese leader and U.S. President Joe Biden, aimed at steadying relations between the world's two largest economies.

Xi received a standing ovation as he entered the room, and two more before and after he took the stage to speak.

The world needs China and the U.S. to work together, and it is wrong to view China as a threat and play a zero-sum game against it, Xi said in a speech to the audience, including some hand-picked by Beijing.

"Whatever stage of development it may reach, China will never pursue hegemony or expansion, and will never impose its will on others. China does not seek spheres of influence, and will not fight a cold war or a hot war with anyone," Xi said.

He assured his audience that "no matter how the global landscape evolves, the historical trend of peaceful coexistence between China and the United States will not change."

Xi's optimistic tone toward relations with the U.S. was at odds with the negative chorus of voices in Washington, where the U.S. Congress finds unusual bipartisan consensus in the need to counter Beijing.

The high-security dinner was a chance for companies to hear directly from China's leader as they search for ways to navigate China's economic slowdown, a U.S. push to "de-risk" some American supply chains away from China, and uncertainty caused by China's expanding security rules.

Executives from U.S. corporate giants such as Apple's Tim Cook, BlackRock's Laurence Fink, Broadcom's Hock Tan, Bridgewater Associates' Ray Dalio and Pfizer's Albert Bourla were at the dinner tables.

Xi also met Tesla CEO Elon Musk, telling him that he supports the company's development in China, according to a statement from the auto maker's Weibo Account on Thursday.

The dinner, where courses served included coffee-crusted black angus flat iron steak and a vegetable curry with squash and rice, attracted nearly 400 people, including government officials and academics.

But Xi directed much of his speech toward the American people and spent little time on commercial relations with the U.S.

"I would like to let you know that China sympathizes deeply with the American people, especially the young, for the sufferings that fentanyl has inflicted upon them," he said.

Biden and Xi earlier reached an agreement on working together to curb fentanyl production.

CONTROVERSY

U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo and other senior U.S. officials also attended the event, which generated controversy due to reported high ticket costs for companies seeking to brush shoulders with Xi.

Mike Gallagher, the Republican chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives' select committee on China, had called it "unconscionable" that U.S. companies would pay thousands of dollars to join a dinner with a government the United States says is committing genocide against Muslim Uyghurs.

Gallagher sent a letter on Monday to the hosts  the U.S.-China Business Council and the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations  demanding a complete list of individuals and companies that purchased tickets to the dinner. Analysts have said Xi's speech alone is unlikely to dramatically alter U.S. business sentiment about China. U.S. and Chinese officials have often described bilateral business and trade relations as the ballast in otherwise contentious ties with the U.S. But the growing economic and geopolitical rivalry between the superpowers has placed companies from both countries in the crosshairs of the other's government. China has grown more suspicious of engagement with Western companies, in line with Xi's emphasis on self-reliance and national security, and this year it has cracked down on some U.S. consultancy and due-diligence firms, further damaging investor confidence. But Gary Dvorchak, whose family hosted Xi in Iowa in 1985 as a young Chinese official, and who was invited by Beijing to attend the dinner, said Xi's appearance was savvy public relations, allowing the ruling Communist Party to show his appeal to regular people. "It humanizes him and it gives him an ability to show a connection to the American people and bypass the American media," Dvorchak said.

(Reporting by Michael Martina, Valerie Insinna, Stephen Nellis, Lisa Baertlein, Niket Nishant; Aditional reporting by Ethan Wang and Liz Lee in Beijing; Editing by Stephen Coates and Josie Kao)
U.S. President Joe Biden walks with Chinese President Xi Jinping at Filoli estate on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit, in Woodside, California, U.S., November 15, 2023. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque

By Jeff Mason and Trevor Hunnicutt

WOODSIDE, California (Reuters) -Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. President Joe Biden during their four-hour meeting on Wednesday that Taiwan was the biggest, most dangerous issue in U.S.-China ties, a senior U.S. official told reporters.

The official quoted Xi as saying China's preference was for peaceful "reunification" with the Chinese-claimed island of Taiwan, but that he went on to talk about conditions in which force could be used.

Xi was trying to indicate that China is not preparing for a massive invasion of Taiwan, but that does not change the U.S. approach, the official said.

"President Xi ... underscored that this was the biggest, most potentially dangerous issue in U.S.-China relations, laid out clearly that, you know, their preference was for peaceful reunification but then moved immediately to conditions that the potential use of force could be utilized," the senior U.S. official told reporters, referring to Xi's comments on Taiwan.

Biden responded by assuring Xi that Washington was determined to maintain peace in the region.

"President Biden responded very clearly that the long-standing position of the United States was ... determination to maintain peace and stability," the official said.

"President Xi responded: look, peace is ... all well and good but at some point we need to move towards resolution more generally," the official said.

China has long taken a carrot and stick approach towards Taiwan, both promising to work for peaceful "reunification" at the same time as threatening force. In the past year and a half China has staged two large-scale war games around the island.

Taiwan's foreign ministry, responding to the Biden-Xi meeting, said the government has never sought to predict whether or when China might attack but was concentrating on boosting its defenses and winning international support.

This is to "let China understand the high importance the international community attaches to peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, the high price of starting a war, and to not act blindly without thinking," ministry spokesperson Jeff Liu said in Taipei.

Taiwan will neither provoke nor "advance rashly" but will also not succumb to pressure, Liu said.

Biden and Xi met for the first time in a year on Wednesday for talks aimed at easing friction between the two superpowers over military conflicts, drug-trafficking and artificial intelligence, and said they had made "real progress."

China has stepped up military activity to try and force democratically governed Taiwan to accept Beijing's sovereignty, despite strong objections from Taipei government, which says only the island's people can decide their future.

Senior U.S. military officers have said that Xi has ordered the People's Liberation Army to be prepared to invade Taiwan by 2027. Beijing has not ruled out using force to take the island, though it has never shared details about war preparations.

(Reporting by Trevor Hunnicutt and Jeff Mason; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Writing by Andrea Shalal; Editing by Sandra Maler, Stephen Coates and Tom Hogue)
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 6-K

REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER PURSUANT TO RULE 13A-16

OR 15D-16 OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the month of November, 2023

(Commission File No. 1-14862 )

BRASKEM S.A.

(Exact Name as Specified in its Charter)

N/A

(Translation of registrant's name into English)

Rua Eteno, 1561, Polo Petroquimico de Camacari

Camacari, Bahia - CEP 42810-000 Brazil

(Address of principal executive offices)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.



Form 20-F ___X___ Form 40-F ______

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K

in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1). _____

Indicate by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K

in paper as permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7). _____

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



Yes ______ No ___X___

If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- _____.

NOTICE TO THE MARKET

DIVESTMENT OF RELEVANT EQUITY INTEREST

Sao Paulo, November 16, 2023  BRASKEM S.A. (B3: BRKM3, BRKM5 and BRKM6; NYSE: BAK; LATIBEX: XBRK) (Company), in compliance with Article 12 of CVM Resolution 44/21, hereby inform its shareholders and the market that it received correspondence from Norges Bank Investment Management, a private legal entity with principal place of business located at Bankplassen 2, P.O. Box 1179 Sentrum, 0107 Oslo, Norway, in the City of Oslo, inscribed in the roll of corporate taxpayers (CNPJ/MF) under number 05.839.607/0001-83 (Norges Bank), informing that it divested, on November 14, 2023, class A preferred shares issued by the Company, with its equity position reaching 16,975,346 class A preferred shares representing 4.93% of the total class A preferred shares issued by the Company.

Norges Bank also informed that the objective of the participation is strictly of investment.

The full notification received is attached to this Notice to the Market.

For more information, contact Braskems Investor Relations Department by calling +55 (11) 3576-9531 or by sending an e-mail to [email protected] .

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, thereunto duly authorized.

Date: November 16, 2023

BRASKEM S.A. By: /s/ Pedro van Langendonck Teixeira de Freitas Name: Pedro van Langendonck Teixeira de Freitas Title: Chief Financial Officer

DISCLAIMER ON FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This report on Form 6-K may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements are statements that are not historical facts, and are based on our managements current view and estimates of future economic and other circumstances, industry conditions, company performance and financial results, including any potential or projected impact of the geological event in Alagoas and related legal proceedings and of COVID-19 on our business, financial condition and operating results. The words anticipates, believes, estimates, expects, plans and similar expressions, as they relate to the company, are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Statements regarding the potential outcome of legal and administrative proceedings, the implementation of principal operating and financing strategies and capital expenditure plans, the direction of future operations and the factors or trends affecting our financial condition, liquidity or results of operations are examples of forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect the current views of our management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, many of which are outside of the our control. There is no guarantee that the expected events, trends or results will actually occur. The statements are based on many assumptions and factors, including general economic and market conditions, industry conditions, and operating factors. Any changes in such assumptions or factors, including the projected impact of the geological event in Alagoas and related legal proceedings and the unprecedented impact of COVID-19 pandemic on our business, employees, service providers, stockholders, investors and other stakeholders, could cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations. Please refer to our annual report on Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2019 filed with the SEC, as well as any subsequent filings made by us pursuant to the Exchange Act, each of which is available on the SECs website (www.sec.gov), for a full discussion of the risks and other factors that may impact any forward-looking statements in this presentation.
As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 15, 2023.

Registration No. 333-

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM S-1

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

SKYWARD SPECIALTY INSURANCE GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware (State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization) 6331 (Primary Standard Industrial

Classification Code Number) 14-1957288 (I.R.S. Employer

Identification Number)

800 Gessner Road, Suite 600

Houston, TX 77024-4284

(713) 935-4800

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including

area code, of agent for service)

Andrew Robinson

Chief Executive Officer

Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc.

800 Gessner Road, Suite 600

Houston, TX 77024-4284

(713) 935-4800

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

Copies to:

Michael Murphy

Patrick J. OMalley

Bianca J. LaCaille

DLA Piper LLP (US)

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020-1104

(212) 335-4500 Marc D. Jaffe

Erika L. Weinberg

Latham & Watkins LLP

1271 Avenue of the Americas

New York, NY 10020

(212) 906-1200

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:

As soon as practicable after this registration statement becomes effective.

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act, check the following box: 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. x

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of large accelerated filer, accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, and emerging growth company in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act:

Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer  Non-Accelerated filer x Smaller reporting company  Emerging growth company x

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. 

The Registration Statement shall become effective upon filing in accordance with Rule 462(b) promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

Explanatory note and incorporation by reference

This Registration Statement is being filed pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Securities Act), for the sole purpose of increasing the aggregate number of shares of common stock offered by The Westaim Corporation (the Selling Stockholder) by 575,000 shares, of which 75,000 are subject to purchase upon exercise of the underwriters option to purchase additional shares of the Registrants common stock from the Selling Stockholder. The contents of the Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333-275500), including all exhibits thereto (the Earlier Registration Statement), filed by the Registrant with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) pursuant to the Securities Act, which was declared effective by the Commission on November 15, 2023, are incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement. The additional shares of common stock that are being registered for issuance and sale pursuant to this Registration Statement are in an amount and at a price that together represent no more than 20% of the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in Exhibit 107 of the Earlier Registration Statement.

The required opinion and consents are listed on an Exhibit Index attached hereto and filed herewith.

EXHIBIT INDEX

* Previously filed on the signature page to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form S-1 (File No. 333- 275500), originally filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 13, 2023 and incorporated by reference herein.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in Houston, Texas, on November 15, 2023.

SKYWARD SPECIALTY INSURANCE GROUP, INC. By /s/ Andrew Robinson Andrew Robinson Chief Executive Officer

POWER OF ATTORNEY

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

Signature Title Date /s/ Andrew Robinson Chief Executive Officer and Director November 15, 2023 Andrew Robinson (Principal Executive Officer) * Mark Haushill Chief Financial Officer November 15, 2023 (Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer) * Director November 15, 2023 J. Cameron MacDonald * Director November 15, 2023 Gena Ashe * Director November 15, 2023 Robert Creager * Director November 15, 2023 Marcia Dall

* Director November 15, 2023 James Hays * Director November 15, 2023 Robert Kittel * Director November 15, 2023 Anthony J. Kuczinski * Director November 15, 2023 Katharine Terry

*By: /s/ Andrew Robinson Andrew Robinson Attorney-in-Fact

ATTACHMENTS / EXHIBITS

EXHIBIT 5.1

EXHIBIT 23.1

EX-FILING FEES
Work continues on a Marine Corps runway into Oura Bay at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Nov. 16, 2023. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

NAHA, Okinawa  A Japanese court has denied another legal challenge by Okinawa Gov. Denny Tamaki to stop construction of a Marine Corps runway on Camp Schwab.

A three-judge panel at Naha District Court dismissed a lawsuit filed by Okinawa prefecture seeking to block changes to construction permits required by Japans Ministry of Defense to finish the project.

The judges found the prefecture lacked standing to file suit, according to a copy of the decision released after Wednesdays hearing.

The lawsuit is dismissed, Judge Hideki Fujii told the packed courtroom. The hearing lasted less than a minute.

The district courts decision is the third legal defeat for the prefecture this year. The Japan Supreme Court ruled against Okinawa in similar suits in August and September.

The suit was filed in September 2022, according to the prefectural website. Oral arguments were heard in February, April and July.

Tamaki, who did not appear at the proceedings, is weighing an appeal, a spokesman from the prefectures Henoko Base Construction Countermeasures Division said by phone Thursday. Some government officials in Japan may speak to the media only on condition of anonymity.

I am extremely disappointed, Tamaki said in a statement on the prefectures website shortly after the decision. I was expecting the court to issue a fair and neutral ruling based on the essence of local autonomy guaranteed by the Constitution.

Vehicles move in and out of the construction zone for a Marine Corps runway being built at Camp Schwab, Okinawa, Nov. 16, 2023. (Matthew M. Burke/Stars and Stripes)

The unfinished airfield being built on reclaimed land in Oura Bay is meant to one day replace Marine Corps Air Station Futenma in urban Ginowan. That base, surrounded by densely packed city neighborhoods, is considered inherently dangerous by some Japanese officials.

The construction zone at Schwab is divided into two main sections  279 acres on the bases north side and 91 acres in the south, the prefectures website said. Work on the larger parcel has been on hold since April 21, 2020, when the Okinawa Defense Bureau, which represents the Defense Ministry on the island, asked Tamaki to approve changes to the construction plans.

Tamaki refused, arguing that the soft seabed there poses a hazard and that Tokyo had failed to consider the environmental impact on the endangered dugong, a cousin of the manatee protected by Japanese law.

Two years later, land minister Tetsuo Saito called Tamakis denial illegal and unreasonable and overturned the decision. Tamaki then filed three lawsuits, which have all been dismissed, including the two rejected by the Supreme Court.

Tamaki has refused to honor the Supreme Courts decisions and has been subsequently sued by Saito, who seeks to supplant the governors approval authority. Oral arguments in that case began in the Fukuoka High Court on Oct. 30; the next court date is not yet set, a court spokeswoman said Thursday.

On Wednesday, about 20 people, mostly elderly Okinawans, filed into the courtroom in anticipation of the verdict. The panel ruled design changes are a government function and are delegated only to local officials for approval.

Tamaki said the decision threatens the autonomy and independence of local governments. A ministry spokesman declined to comment on the ruling when reached by phone Thursday.

Out of 11 lawsuits the prefecture has filed attempting to stop the airfield, it has lost six, three have been withdrawn and one is pending in Fukuoka High Court.

The project, originally slated for completion by 2014, will now take until at least 2032 and cost the Japanese government $6.9 billion.
Interior Secretary Deb Haaland delivers remarks at a ship naming ceremony for the future USS Ernest E. Evans, in Annapolis, Md., Nov. 15, 2023. The future Arleigh Burke-class destroyer would be named for Evans, a Native American, a Medal of Honor recipient and Naval Academy graduate. Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary, will be the ships sponsor. (Jared Mancuso/U.S. Navy)

A future Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer will bear the name of a World War II hero who was the first Native American in the Navy to earn a Medal of Honor.

It will be the services second ship named for Cmdr. Ernest Evans, who was killed on Oct. 25, 1944, during the Battle of Leyte Gulf near the Philippine Islands, the Navy said in a statement Wednesday. The battle is considered one of the largest naval engagements of World War II.

An illustration of Cmdr. Ernest Evans, a WWII hero and first Native American in the Navy to earn the Medal of Honor. An Arleigh Burke-class destroyer will be named after Evans, Navy Secretary Carlos Del Toro announced Nov. 15, 2023. (Steven J Craddock/U.S. Navy)

The service didnt say when the destroyer, identified as Arleigh Burke Flight III class DDG-141, officially would be christened. It also wasnt clear if the destroyer already was under construction. The destroyer escort vessel USS Evans, launched in 1955, also was named in his honor, according to the statement. The Navy didnt say when that ship was decommissioned.

U.S. Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland, the first Native American to serve as a cabinet secretary, will be the ships sponsor, according to the statement.

As we honor Cmdr. Evans with this stunning vessel, we also honor the service of Indigenous servicemembers nationwide, past and present, Haaland said in the statement.

Evans, of Cherokee and Creek heritage, enlisted in the Navy in 1926, entering the U.S. Naval Academy a year later and graduating in 1931.

In 1943, he assumed command of the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Johnston. During the ships commissioning, he reportedly told the crew and audience that the Johnston was a fighting ship and that he intended to go in harms way, and anyone who doesnt want to go along had better get off right now.

About a year later, the Johnston was in the lead of an offensive attack against much larger Japanese forces off the coast of the Philippines. Evans is credited with repeatedly putting the Johnston between the enemy and more vulnerable U.S. ships, saving the lives of thousands of sailors, according to the statement.

The Johnston, with Evans aboard, ultimately was lost. He posthumously was awarded the Medal of Honor and earned a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, the Navy said.
A MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray unmanned boat operates in the Persian Gulf on Oct. 26, 2023. In the recent exercise Digital Talon, missiles were launched from the surface drones. Each one scored a direct hit, a Navy statement said. (Jacob Vernier/U.S. Navy)

MANAMA, Bahrain  The Navys use of a drone boat to fire missiles during a recent exercise in the Persian Gulf is a marker of more to come, the commander of Americas naval test unit in the Middle East said Wednesday.

Task Force 59, a unit known for using unmanned surface vessels to patrol the waters of the Middle East, is beginning work on arming drones with kinetic weaponry such as missiles, Capt. Colin Corridan, the units commander, said in an interview at his headquarters in Manama.

The unit used an unmanned speed boat to fire Switchblade missiles in an exercise Oct. 23, marking the first use of lethal munitions by American drone boats in the region.

Weve made that leap, Corridan said in his first in-person interview since assuming command of the task force in March.

Unmanned ships with green boxes containing aerial drones prowled the waters near Naval Support Activity Bahrain in December 2022, as part of an exercise that was the first test of 10 systems by the U.S. 5th Fleet. (J.P. Lawrence/Stars and Stripes) Capt. Colin Corridan, commander of U.S. 5th Fleets Task Force 59, speaks with Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, during a tour of unmanned systems displayed at Naval Support Activity Bahrain, Oct. 8, 2023. (Marita Schwab/U.S. Army)

While the unit will continue to build up its fleet of surveillance drones, Task Force 59 has pivoted to kinetic, Corridan said.

Future exercises will expand the number of combat-capable unmanned systems, statements by the Navys 5th Fleet have said.

The task force, which has about 30 staff members, is looking into giving its fleet of drone boats electronic warfare capabilities, Corridan said, using a term that commonly refers to jammers.

The unit also plans to develop drone boats that can operate if an enemy jams communication or denies access to GPS signals, Corridan said.

Asked if his unit is experimenting with the type of exploding drone boats that Ukraine has used in its conflict with Russia, Corridan did not rule the idea out, and said the command is considering an array of options for testing.

The Navy has not yet deployed armed drone boats on missions, Corridan said.

A missile is launched from a MARTAC T-38 Devil Ray unmanned surface vehicle attached to U.S. Naval Forces Central Commands Task Force 59 during exercise Digital Talon in the Persian Gulf on Oct. 23, 2023. (Justin Stumberg/U.S. Navy)

Tensions in the Middle East between the U.S. and Iran and its proxy groups have flared up since the Oct. 7 attacks by Hamas against Israel, with American warships shooting down drones at least twice since then.

Navy officials have said they aim to rely more on unmanned vessels to keep an eye on Middle East waterways, through which much of the worlds trade transits.

Task Force 59 unmanned surface vessels have sailed the waters all around the Middle East since the unit was founded in 2021.

Drone boats have been used as part of increased patrols by the Navy in the Strait of Hormuz over the summer, as tensions between the U.S. and Iran flared over accusations that Tehran was harassing civilian shipping.

During the interview, Corridan pointed to a TV playing a video, taken by a drone boat of an Iranian ship, as an example of the type of surveillance these vessels are engaged in.

On two occasions in 2022, Iran took possession of drone boats before releasing them. But they have not taken any others since then, Corridan said, adding that the drones to be armed with missiles will be fast speedboats that can quickly move out of danger.
Israel renewed its raid at Gaza's largest hospital Thursday, targeting what it claimed was a Hamas command centre nestled among patients, medics and the displaced.

"Tonight we conducted a targeted operation into Al-Shifa hospital," said Major General Yaron Finkelman, the head of Israeli military operations in Gaza. "We continue to move forward."

The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza said Thursday that Israeli bulldozers had "destroyed parts of the southern entrance" of the hospital.

Both Israel and its top ally the United States claim that Hamas has a command centre below the Al-Shifa complex, which has become a focal point in the war.

The Palestinian group and directors at the hospital have denied the charge.

Before Israel first sent troops into the hospital complex on Wednesday, UN agencies estimated that 2,300 patients, staff and displaced civilians were sheltering at Shifa.

Israel's army claimed an initial raid had uncovered military equipment, weapons and what spokesman Daniel Hagari described as "an operational headquarters with comms equipment".

Witnesses have described conditions inside the hospital as horrific, with medical procedures performed without anaesthetic, families with scant food or water living in corridors, and the stench of decomposing corpses filling the air.

"The protection of newborns, patients, medical staff and all civilians must override all other concerns," UN humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths said. "Hospitals are not battlegrounds."

A journalist in contact with AFP, trapped inside Al-Shifa, said that Israeli soldiers, some wearing face masks, shot in the air and ordered young men to surrender when they first entered the facility.

About 1,000 male Palestinians, hands above their heads, were in the courtyard, some of them stripped naked by Israeli soldiers checking them for weapons or explosives, the journalist said.

US President Joe Biden said Hamas had committed a war crime by housing "their headquarters, their military hidden under a hospital".

But he warned Israel to be "incredibly careful" of harming civilians during the operation.

'Urgent' pauses

The UN Security Council on Wednesday set aside deep divisions over the conflict to agree on a resolution calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses" in fighting.

The resolution -- which passed thanks to abstentions from the United States, Britain and Russia -- called on Hamas and Israel to protect civilians, "especially children".

Israel has agreed to temporary localised pauses in fighting but has rejected calls for a broader ceasefire.

"The UN Security Council's resolution is disconnected from reality and is meaningless," Israel's Ambassador to the United Nations, Gilad Erdan, wrote on X.

He also reiterated the Israeli government's war aims, saying: "Israel will continue to act until Hamas is destroyed and the captives are returned."

The Israeli foreign ministry called Thursday on the Security Council and the international community to "stand firm on the prompt release" of all the kidnapped.

"Extended humanitarian pauses are untenable as long as 239 abductees remain in the hands of Hamas terrorists," it said.

Home front

Polls in Israel show widespread public support for military action against Hamas following the October 7 operation.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday boasted there was no safe place for the Hamas fighters and "no place in Gaza" the army would not reach.

"They told us we wouldn't reach the outskirts of Gaza City and we did, they told us we wouldn't enter Al-Shifa and we did," he said.

But Netanyahu, who has led Israel on and off for 16 years, is under intense domestic pressure to account for political and security failings surrounding the Hamas's operation.

Protesters have taken to the streets demanding more be done to release the captives.

Once the war in Gaza has concluded, a political reckoning is expected.

Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on Wednesday called for that reckoning to come even sooner, demanding that Netanyahu step down.

"Netanyahu should leave immediately," he told Israel's N12 channel. "We need change, Netanyahu cannot remain prime minister."

"We cannot allow ourselves to carry out a long campaign under a Prime Minister who has lost the people's trust."

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Biden said he was "mildly hopeful" there would be a deal to free the captives.

"I don't want to get ahead of myself here because I don't know what's happened in the last four hours, but we have gotten great cooperation from the Qataris," he said when asked about progress on freeing the captives.

Qatar, which hosts a Hamas political office and also has behind-the-scenes diplomatic links with Israel, has led negotiations for the release of the captives.

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Arleigh Burke-Class guided missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner (DDG 116), fires its MK 45 -5-inch 54 Caliber Gun during an integrated live-fire event, March 30, 2023. McFaul, as part of the Ford Carrier Strike Group, is underway in the Atlantic Ocean completing its Composite Training Units Exercise (COMPTUEX), an intense, multi-week exercise designed to fully integrate a carrier strike group as a cohesive, multi-mission fighting force and to test their ability to carry out sustained combat operations from the sea. (Tyler Thompson/Navy)

WASHINGTON  The guided-missile destroyer USS Thomas Hudner that shot down a drone launched from Yemen over the Red Sea this week was not the intended target, the Pentagon said Thursday.

Our assessment right now is that the intended target was not the Hudner but that the drone got so close to the crew that the commander did feel it necessary to engage and shoot down the drone, Deputy Pentagon Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters.

It is unclear who is responsible for launching the drone. Earlier this week, the Iranian-backed Houthis in Yemen threatened to attack ships in the Red Sea.

This was the second intercept by a U.S. Navy vessel since Hamas militants attacked Israel on Oct. 7. Last month, the USS Carney shot down several drones and missiles fired by Houthi forces in the direction of Israel.

Last week the Houthis shot down a U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drone over the Red Sea.

The U.S. has sent an additional 1,200 troops to the Middle East in recent weeks along with two aircraft carrier strike groups and more aircraft to support Israel in its fight against Hamas and deter chances the conflict will expand in the region.
(Vince Crawley/Stars and Stripes)

Petrovec, Macedonia, March 28, 1998: A Finnish officer shouts instructions as Americans test fire Finnish rifles during a live-fire exercise near Skopje airport. Americans, most of them from Schweinfurt, Germany, made up 350 of the 750 United Nations peacekeepers patrolling Macedonia. Their patrols bordered the volatile Kosovo regioin of Serbia, but the U.S. troops said their mission was to monitor the border, not get involved in potential combat.

Read Stars and Stripes article on the 1998 Macedonian mission here.
The reliquary bust of San Gennaro, the patron saint of Naples, on the altar of the chapel holds the skull bones of the saint. Several of his relics, including vials of blood, are safeguarded at the Italian city's cathedral. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

Three times a year, Naples citizens gather in anticipation of witnessing the citys patron saint, San Gennaro, perform a miracle.

Hundreds gather outside the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in the citys historic district to see if the martyr will liquefy his dried blood, a relic kept since his beheading in 305. If the blood runs, the city is blessed. If it doesnt, catastrophe looms.

Amazingly, the hoped-for result occurs with few exceptions. You can learn about the ritual, the history of the saint and his connection to Naples at the Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro.

The Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro is dedicated to the patron saint of Naples, Italy. It is the site where a ritual is performed three times a year involving a vial of the saint's dried blood. If the blood liquefies, Naples will be blessed, it is believed. Bad fortune is portended for the city if the blood doesn't liquefy. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

Adjacent to the cathedral, the museum holds the Treasure of San Gennaro, a trove of relics and religious items made from bronze, silver and gold and decorated with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and other jewels.

You also can visit the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro, where the ritual takes place, and view its Baroque architecture, frescoes and other artwork created by 17th-century craftsmen from Naples and throughout Italy.

San Gennaro, known in English as St. Januarius, is thought to protect Naples from fires, earthquakes, droughts, plagues, volcanic eruptions and other disasters. In addition, he is said to bestow help, healing and special favors.

Religious objects including chalices and jewelry are displayed along with sculptures and paintings at the Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro in Naples, Italy. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

In return, Neapolitans venerate the saint, who refused to renounce his faith and was tortured and executed on order of the Roman emperor Diocletian during the last persecution, according to the museum.

Visitors enter the museum to the right of the ticket office and head into the chapel, which was completed in 1646.

The altar includes a reliquary bust of San Gennaro that holds the bones of the saints skull, the audio guide states. The rest of his relics, including vials of blood gathered by an old woman after his death, are kept at the cathedral.

Of special note is the dome, which like those of Florence and St. Peters Basilica in Rome, has a double shell.

Some of the frescoes adorning the dome of the Chapel of the Treasure of San Gennaro in Naples, Italy, were painted by renowned Bologna artist Domenico Zampieri, who died unexpectedly before completing the work. The dome was finished by another artist, whose fresco depicts paradise. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

Its under arches were frescoed by renowned Bologna artist Domenico Zampieri, who also completed frescoes on the main altar and five of six paintings on copper that decorate the side altars.

He died unexpectedly before finishing his work, and the dome was completed by another artist whose fresco depicts paradise.

Backtracking through the chapel takes visitors to a flight of stairs leading down to the museums display of paintings, sculpture and religious items dedicated to San Gennaro.

The treasure of San Gennaro includes this miter with thousands of diamonds, emeralds and rubies. Weighing nearly 40 pounds, the miter decorates the head of the bust of San Gennaro during processions. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

Among the stunning pieces is a miter, a headdress worn by bishops, decorated with 3,026 diamonds, 198 emeralds and 168 rubies and weighing nearly 40 pounds.

Designed by Neapolitan goldsmith Matteo Treglia in 1713, it is used to decorate the head of San Gennaros bust. The website Religion Unplugged estimates its worth at $7 million.

Theres also a jeweled collar for the bust that features diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires, many of which were donated by kings, queens, popes and others over the centuries.

This necklace on display in the Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro features diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires donated by kings, queens, popes, the nobility and others in Europe over the centuries. It is used to adorn a bust of San Gennaro during processions. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

Several chalices and other religious items also are displayed, a small portion of the heavily guarded treasure.

Visiting the chapel and museum offers not only a better understanding of Naples love for San Gennaro but also preparation for taking in the fervor and spectacle of upcoming miracles.

The next celebration is scheduled for Dec. 16, the anniversary of the day he is credited with saving Naples from an eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 1631.

The Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro is adjacent to the Naples Cathedral in the Italian city's historic district. The museum and chapel house his relics and an extensive collection of paintings, sculptures and bejeweled religious pieces that rival those of many of Europe's royal families. (Alison Bath/Stars and Stripes)

Museum of the Treasure of San Gennaro

Address: Via Duomo 149, Naples, Italy (closest metro stop is Piazza Cavour)

Cost: 12 euros (includes an audio guide); 8.50 euros for seniors 65 and older; free for children under 12. There also are reduced prices for families and groups, such as schools, and an option to include the Filangieri Museum for an additional 3 euros. Guided tours are offered for 20 euros.

Hours: 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily for the museum treasures; for the chapel, 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 3-6 p.m. Monday and Saturday; 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m. and 2:30-6 p.m., Tuesday-Friday; and 9 a.m.-1 p.m. and 4:30-6 p.m. Sunday .

Information: Phone: +39 081-294980; online: tesorosangennaro.it/en/home-en
Sododuk is an all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant near Camp Humphreys that's a great place to start your Korean cuisine journey. (Christopher Green/Stars and Stripes)

Arriving in South Korea, I brought many goals, including trips to the countrys museums, art galleries and festivals. But I was most excited about the food.

A visit to an authentic Korean barbecue restaurant was atop the to-do list. Luckily, there is one not far from Camp Humphreys called Sododuk.

Sododuk is a two-story brick building just beyond the Humphreys Yoon gate. Its an all-you-can-eat buffet and a great place to start your Korean cuisine journey.

Marinated steak sizzles on the grill at Sododuk near Camp Humphreys, South Korea. (Christopher Green/Stars and Stripes)

The restaurants parking lot is a bit tricky to access; I drove past it, then turned around and backtracked to reach it.

Inside the restaurant, I received an enthusiastic greeting from the staff, who showed me to a table and explained the ordering process. A Korean buffet differs from those in the States.

Sododuk is an all-you-can-eat barbecue restaurant near Camp Humphreys that's a great place to start your Korean cuisine journey. (Christopher Green/Stars and Stripes)

They brought me three kinds of meat: marinated steak, beef flank and pork shoulder. Everything else you get on your own. I chose rice, kimchi, pickled jalapenos, marinated onions, lettuce and fresh garlic. It all looked delicious.

After I had all my side items, the staff delivered hot coals, placed them in the grill and covered them with a disposable, tin cover.

Everything was perfect. The marinated steak was both sweet and savory. The kimchi was spicy but not overwhelming.

You can't go wrong with the kimchi on the all-you-can-eat buffet at Sododuk near Camp Humphreys, South Korea. (Christopher Green/Stars and Stripes)

The best part is that all of this was 27,800 won, or about $21. My only gripe is that if you dont finish your meat, youll be charged an extra 10,000 won.

Sododuk is a great place for newcomers to immerse themselves for the first time into South Korean culture and cuisine. You can fill yourself with food and not break the bank.

Sododuk

Location: 142, Paengseongdaegyo-gil, Paengseong-eup, Pyeongtaek, Gyeonggi-do 17974

Hours: 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday; 11:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday.

Prices: Flat price of 27,800 won per person.

Dress: Casual

Directions: A short drive from Camp Humphreys Yoon gate.

Information: Phone: 031-658-9300; Online: facebook.com/pages/Sododuk/1855494127865377
A culinary team from the 581st Quartermaster Company, 2nd Sustainment Brigade, 2nd Infantry Division prepare their special cuisine during an international military cooking competition in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 7, 2023. (U.S. Army)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  A team of culinary specialists with 2nd Infantry Division placed third overall and first among their American competitors at an international military cooking competition in South Koreas capital.

The five team members from the 581st Quartermaster Company, 2nd Sustainment Brigade competed on Nov. 7 against 11 other teams, including two more from the 2nd ID, eight from the South Korean military and one from the Singapore navy.

With the preparation we had, we didnt expect anything, Sgt. Josiah Agcaoili told Stars and Stripes by phone Wednesday. Its a real honor and a good experience for us.

The competition, sponsored by South Koreas Ministry of National Defense, took place in the aT convention center in Seoul.

South Korean air force teams took first and second place in the annual event that promotes friendship and harmony between South Korean and foreign military cooks, according to a Defense Ministry press release.

A team of culinary specialists with 2nd Infantry Division placed third overall and first among their American competitors at an international military cooking competition in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 7, 2023. (U.S. Army) A team of culinary specialists with 2nd Infantry Division placed third overall and first among their American competitors at an international military cooking competition in Seoul, South Korea, Nov. 7, 2023. (U.S. Army)

Each team had to bring their creativity and skill to bear in three categories: personalized burger, mystery basket and special cuisine.

For their burger, the 581st team, led by Staff Sgt. Joshua Hoyt, whipped up a seasoned ground beef patty with spicy mayo, fried egg and Asian-inspired coleslaw.

In its mystery bag, the team found instant noodles and canned tuna with herbs and spices, similar in consistency to a crab cake. They turned their ingredients into a fried tuna cake over ramen noodles.

Finally, their special cuisine found inspiration at home and abroad: stuffed chicken breast, American chicken gravy, Southern-style sweet potatoes, fried cabbage, fried fish and sausage japchae (a South Korean dish with noodles and vegetables). A blueberry cheesecake bite stood for dessert.

Their special cuisine put the 581st over the top among the American teams.

We kind of felt like we used a little bit of soul food, and then we twisted it with Seoul city  that was kind of our inspiration, Hoyt said by phone Wednesday.
Smoke rises Wednesday from an Israeli airstrike, as seen from a school in Khan Younis in southern Gaza. (Loay Ayyoub/The Washington Post)

JERUSALEM  Israeli tanks surrounded the Gaza Strips largest hospital Wednesday as troops launched their long-anticipated raid in pursuit of the Hamas militants they accuse of operating a warren of tunnels under the facility.

The forces streamed into the facility before dawn, all but severing outside communication with the patients, medical staff and displaced families trapped in al-Shifa Hospital by day of fighting outside. By the end of the day, the tanks had withdrawn but troops remained inside the compound, Israel Defense Forces and hospital staff said.

Israeli officials, who for weeks have warned that Hamas uses medical facilities including al-Shifa as bases for its operations, described a precise and targeted mission.

Palestinian officials called it a crime against humanity that left terrified civilians to uncertain fates in a medical facility already struggling without water or fuel after days of intense bombardment by the encroaching forces. Hamas and hospital staff deny accusations that the militants operate there.

With the collapse of communications and no access for journalists, The Washington Post was unable to independently confirm conditions on the ground.

The raid drew alarm from international humanitarian groups. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the World Health Organization, said the agency had lost touch again with health personnel at the hospital Wednesday morning and was extremely worried for the safety of the facility and its patients. U.N. aid chief Martin Griffiths said he was appalled by the reports: Hospitals are not battlegrounds.

National Security Council spokesman John Kirby said Tuesday that Hamas and other militants used some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including al-Shifa, and tunnels underneath them, to conceal and support their military operations and to hold hostages.

Hamas criticized the operation and accused the White House of giving Israel a green light to enter the hospital and endanger civilians.

Kirby told reporters Wednesday that the United States did not give an okay to Israels raid of the hospital, as it does not give prior approval to Israels tactical operations. The United States is not involved in those procedures, he said.

We believe hospitals should be protected, he added, echoing earlier White House statements.

Israeli Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a military spokesman, told reporters that the raid had uncovered weapons, a laptop computer and other items he said signaled a Hamas presence at the hospital. A video released by the military showed around a dozen guns, some grenades and ammunition, and tactical gear such as body armor and backpacks. The military did not present evidence of tunnels or a command center.

The Post could not independently verify the claims.

The Gaza Health Ministry said it received a warning from the IDF shortly before the operation, which many had predicted. Israel had said Hamas activity at the hospital was a top target in its war against the militants who carried out a deadly surprise attack in southern Israel last month. More than 1,200 Israelis were killed in the Oct. 7 attack, triggering Israels response. More than 11,000 Palestinians in Gaza have been killed in the ensuing air and ground war, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The ministry said last week it could no longer feasibly count the dead.

A satellite image captured by Planet Labs on Tuesday at 1:45 p.m. local time showed Israeli troops gathered at several locations near al-Shifa Hospital not long before their raid on the hospital began. The Israeli military said its precise and targeted operation against Hamas began around 2 a.m. local time Wednesday.

By Wednesday evening, Israeli tanks had pulled back from the hospital but soldiers remained in the complex, the IDF said in a statement. Gaza hospitals chief Munir al-Bursh, reached by telephone inside the hospital, confirmed the ongoing presence of Israeli troops. Israeli forces were stationed in four buildings in the hospital complex, he said, while dozens of tanks remained by the entrance.

They called me and asked me to come down to meet the commander but I refused and told them you can come to arrest me but Im not coming, Bursh said. He said medical facilities were damaged, two mechanical engineers were arrested and some medical staff were subjected to strip searches.

Omar Zaqout, head of al-Shifas emergency department, told Al Jazeera that the hospital had endured a night of nonstop gunfire and explosions before Israeli forces blasted into the compound, sending shrapnel into buildings where patients and displaced families were sheltering.

The near-blackout conditions allowed only a partial, murky look at what was going on inside the compound. Phone numbers for many medical staff were disconnected or rang unanswered. Plastic surgeon Ahmed al-Mokhallalati told The Post he was hiding with 15 colleagues in the hospitals main surgical building. His summary: We are surviving.

The complex includes separate buildings for different medical specializations. The scene was so dangerous and communications so weak, Mokhallalati said, that doctors holed up in one building had no idea what was going on in the others. We are not moving around in the building, he said. Its totally risky to move between buildings or look through the window, as there are snipers and someone could shoot you.

Mokhallalati said soldiers faced no resistance at all. He said he had never seen an armed fighter with Hamas or any other group in the hospital. I and my colleagues would not put our lives at risk because someone with a gun is around, he said. There are only civilians here.

The Israeli military said troops encountered explosives and terrorist squads while battling their way into al-Shifa and killed five militants. Bursh, the Gaza hospitals director, said Israeli soldiers had fanned out to search the compound.

By midday, there was no sign that any of the more than 240 Israeli hostages seized by Hamas and its allies on Oct. 7 had been found at the site, according to Israeli Army Radio, a military-run outlet. No friction has been recorded so far between the troops and any of the patients or medical staff, the report said.

Locating hostages wasnt the main objective of the hospital raid, an IDF international spokesman told CNN. Israeli Lt. Col. Richard Hecht told the channel the focus was on intelligence and dismantling certain capabilities that we had intelligence on.

Sara Netanyahu, the wife of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, wrote to first lady Jill Biden on Wednesday requesting help freeing Israeli abductees in Gaza. In the letter, she confirmed for the first time that one of the hostages had given birth in captivity.

Sara Netanyahu sought to invoke a maternal bond, writing of 32 children among the hostages, and asked Biden to speak out on their behalf. She referred to a pregnant captive who had given birth and asked Biden to imagine, as I do, what must be going through that young mothers mind as she is being held with her newborn by these murderers.

Later Wednesday, a video recording posted by Reuters showed thick smoke wafting through one section of the hospital as medical workers wheezed and coughed. Some pulled scrubs and masks over their mouths as they moved through damaged hallways. The recording showed patients, including one who appeared to be a child, being wheeled on stretchers through clouds of smoke.

Gaza Health Ministry spokesman Ashraf al-Qudra said Tuesday that no ambulances had been allowed to reach the hospital since Friday. Around 700 patients, more than 400 health workers and around 3,000 displaced people were at the compound, the WHO said Tuesday.

Israeli and U.S. intelligence allege that Hamas operates a subterranean command center at the complex, using the injured and displaced as human shields.

Qudra, speaking on a choppy line from the complex early Wednesday, told The Post that only civilians were at the hospital. He rejected claims to the contrary.

Alyona Synenko, a spokeswoman for the International Committee of the Red Cross, told The Post that the aid group had received many calls from people inside the hospital asking for help to evacuate. She said the ICRC could not safely coordinate their movement. People calling say if they open the door they risk being shot, as the fighting has been relentless, she said.

Al-Shifa and other Palestinian medical facilities are struggling under increasingly grave conditions, overwhelmed by casualties and hampered by the lack of basic services. More than half of the hospitals in Gaza are no longer functional, the WHO has said.

A fuel tanker entered Gaza via the Rafah border crossing with Egypt on Wednesday for the first time since the war began. Thomas White, the Gaza director for UNRWA, the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, confirmed on social media that the organization had received about 23,000 liters of fuel from Egypt, restricted by Israeli authorities to be used only for vehicles to transport aid. It could not be used for water systems or hospitals.

The one-time delivery amounted to only 9% of what we need daily to sustain lifesaving activities, White said. Until Wednesday, Israel had refused to allow fuel into Gaza, saying Hamas and other armed groups could divert it for military purposes, U.N. authorities said.

UNRWA head Philippe Lazzarini said the single shipment, with the restrictions on its use, was inadequate to the need. Fuel for trucks only will not save lives anymore, he said. Waiting longer will cost lives. Much more fuel is needed. . . . It is appalling that fuel continues to be used as a weapon of war.

Ishaq Sidr, the Palestinian minister of communications and information technology, said the entire Gaza Strip could go incommunicado within the next 24 hours as a result of fuel shortages to power cell and internet lines. We are close to completely stopping the provision of all communications services unless the necessary fuel is secured, he said.

Cutting off communications means cutting off all distress messages from Gaza, he said. There will be no coverage of all the destruction.

Dadouch reported from Beirut, Allam from Cairo and Harb from London. Adela Suliman in London and Hazem Balousha in Amman, Jordan, contributed to this report.
Coalition Soldiers provide security in a recently liberated area near Abu Kamal, Syria, August 22, 2018. The area was liberated by the Syrian Democratic Forces who are now preparing for the final phase of Operation Roundup to defeat ISIS in the Middle Euphrates River Valley and complete the liberation of northeast Syria. The international Coalition works by, with, and through the SDF to defeat ISIS. (Christian Simmons/Army)

WASHINGTON  All of the dozens of American troops injured in rocket attacks by Iranian-backed militants in Syria and Iraq since the Israel-Hamas war began last month have returned to duty, the Pentagon said Thursday.

More than 50 U.S. troops have been injured in about 58 attacks that have occurred since the start of the Israel-Hamas war on Oct. 7, Pentagon spokeswoman Sabrina Singh told reporters. Thirty-one of the attacks occurred in Syria and 27 in Iraq, she said.

The U.S. has responded with airstrikes, most recently against a command-and-control center, a weapons storage facility, and a training area, she said.

All of our service members who have been injured have all returned to duty, Singh said.

The U.S. still maintains forces in Iraq and Syria as part of operations against the Islamic State group and its allies, which U.S. officials say receive money, weapons and other support from Iran.

Those attacks have increased since the Hamas extremist group launched attacks from Gaza into Israel on Oct. 7, killing about 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and taking about 240 men, women and children as hostages. Israel has responded with a weekslong air campaign and a ground invasion of Gaza, which Palestinian officials say has killed more than 11,000 people, mostly civilians.

The U.S. has pledged support for Israel and has deployed more than 1,200 troops to the Middle East to deter other countries or militant groups from escalating the conflict.
Japanese police arrested a man on Thursday after a car crashed through a barrier near the Israeli embassy in Tokyo, local media reported.

Video footage appeared to show that the Daihatsu car was driven through a temporary barrier and into a fence at an intersection around 100 metres (109 yards) from the embassy.

Media also reported that one police officer was lightly injured in the incident late morning in the Japanese capital.

The man arrested on the spot is a member of a right-wing group and in his 50s, the reports said.

Right-wing groups in Japan are generally not known for being critical of Israel or anti-Semitic.

A fire department spokesperson said only that they received "an emergency call (for an ambulance)... at 11.57 (am)".

Police declined to comment and the Israeli embassy could not be reached.

Countries around the world have stepped up security around Israeli diplomatic missions since the start of the Israeli war on Gaza last month.

On October 21 four people were arrested after a pipe bomb exploded near the Israeli embassy in Cyprus, causing little damage and no injuries, police said.

On October 14, an employee of the Israeli embassy in China was attacked in Beijing. A foreign suspect was arrested and authorities have not said anything about the case since.

There has also been a sharp rise in anti-Semitic as well as Islamophobic incidents around the world.

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Debris from storm damage covers the beach after Hurricane Ian ravaged Bonita Springs, Fla., in September 2022. (Thomas Simonetti/The Washington Post)

Global greenhouse gas levels set a record in 2022, keeping the planets temperatures on a rising path set to blow past the worlds climate goals, the U.N. World Meteorological Organization said in a report Wednesday.

There is no end in sight for growth in greenhouse gas emissions, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) warned, reporting that global concentrations for carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide climbed to new highs last year. The emissions of these heat-trapping gases broke records as the planet continued on a trajectory that scientists have said will probably lead to major and irreversible damage to ecosystems and communities.

We are seeing new, extremely high levels of the three main gases, which drive the rising global temperature and extreme weather events, WMO senior scientific officer Oksana Tarasova told The Washington Post.

The WMOs data analyzes measurements from 150 observation stations across the globe. The record greenhouse gases levels in 2022 offer another urgent metric ahead of the COP28 climate conference this month in Dubai. Last year was the planets fifth-hottest, according to the European Unions Copernicus Climate Change Service, and carbon dioxide levels and temperatures have continued to climb in 2023.

Carbon dioxide accounts for about two-thirds of the warming effect on the climate, making curbing emissions critical to preventing the worst effects of climate change, scientists say.

Despite decades of warnings from the scientific community, thousands of pages of reports and dozens of climate conferences, we are still heading in the wrong direction, WMO Secretary General Petteri Taalas said in a statement.

The world is moving ever closer to the warming threshold of 1.5 degrees Celsius above preindustrial levels, and the WMO warned that the planet may be close to tipping points that could have irreversible consequences, such as the dieback of the Amazon rainforest or the destabilization of ice sheets.

The rising concentrations are also pushing the worlds forests and oceans closer to a point at which they may stop absorbing the level of emissions that humans rely on them to do, Tarasova said. In Europe, for example, last summers drought led forests to take up less carbon dioxide, she said, and in parts of the Amazon, the stressed forest has begun emitting it back into the atmosphere.

All those things which have been accumulated for centuries or millennia, if they start going away, you cannot just put them back, Tarasova told The Post. The melting of the glaciers, or the melting of the ice in the Arctic  you cant put glaciers back which were accumulated for thousands of years.

Last year, atmospheric carbon dioxide soared to 150 percent above preindustrial levels, the WMO said. Methane increased by 16 parts per billion (ppb) over 2021, comparable to last years rise, and nitrous oxide by 1.4 ppb, a jump that Tarasova called dramatic. Carbon dioxide concentrations rose by 2.2 parts per million (ppm) from 2021 to 2022. The 2022 average concentration was around 418 ppm compared with preindustrial levels between 270 and 280 ppm.

The last time carbon dioxide reached a comparable concentration to 2022 was 3 million to 5 million years ago, according to the WMO.

The rate of growth of carbon dioxide levels in 2022 was slightly lower than in 2021, but WMO scientists attributed that largely to short-term variations in the carbon cycle.

The report comes one day after a federal U.S. report warned that the effects of climate change in the United States are worsening, even as many governments and communities step up their response. Also Tuesday, another report found that the world is not moving quickly enough on the many transformations necessary to limit the worst consequences of climate change.

In 2022, the planet suffered extreme weather disasters, including catastrophic flooding in Pakistan, unprecedented heat across Europe and devastating drought in East Africa.

Scientists say Earth is now hotter than any time in the past 125,000 years. Last week, scientists said the period from November 2022 to October 2023 was the hottest ever in modern times. And on Wednesday, NOAA said last month was the warmest October on record and the fifth record-warm month in a row. The months spate of extreme weather included Hurricane Otis, which destroyed parts of Acapulco; Cyclone Lola, which devastated parts of Vanuatu, a nation in the South Pacific; severe flooding in Ghana; and the dropping of Mississippi River levels to record lows for the second year in a row.

The 2022 data underscored that the planet could warm far past the 1.5-degree threshold on its current trajectory, WMO scientists said.

At the moment, its going to be quite difficult to keep it at the 1.5-degree limit, Taalas said at a news briefing. Were heading toward 2.5 or 3 degrees.
Michael McCord, comptroller for the Defense Department, pictured May 11, 2023, testifying at a hearing held by the Senate Appropriations Committee subpanel on defense. (Chad J. McNeeley/Department of Defense)

WASHINGTON  The Pentagon has again failed its independent annual audit, mainly because defense officials could not provide auditors with enough information to form a full accounting evaluation, according to the Defense Departments yearly financial report released Wednesday.

Auditing the departments $3.8 trillion in assets and $4 trillion in liabilities is a massive undertaking, Pentagon Comptroller Michael McCord said. But the improvements and changes we are making every day as a result of these audits positively affect every soldier, sailor, airman, Marine, guardian and DOD civilian.

Hundreds of independent auditors examine the Pentagons books each year to determine whether it can account for the money its given and how effectively the military is spending it. There are three possible audit ratings  an unqualified opinion, a qualified opinion and a disclaimer of opinion.

The consolidated 2023 audit, which is the overall accounting of the Defense Department, gave a disclaimer of opinion, which means the Pentagon couldnt give auditors enough financial data to allow them to form an opinion. An unqualified, or clean, opinion is the highest possible rating and a qualified opinion is an acceptable rating. Both mean that auditors were given enough information to make a complete judgment.

This was the sixth year of progress toward an unmodified opinion, the department said in a statement. Of the 29 component standalone audits, seven received unmodified opinions, one received a qualified opinion and 18 received disclaimers of opinion.

The Pentagon said the remaining three component opinions are pending. That includes the 2023 audit for the Marine Corps, which was granted an extension until mid-February to furnish more information to auditors.

McCord told reporters Wednesday during a conference call that the Pentagon expected it would not get a clean opinion.

If even one large component of DOD, such as a military department, doesnt have an unmodified opinion, its mathematically impossible for the entire department to have one, he said. So given where we are, this was not a surprise.

The Pentagon has never passed the yearly audit. The first audit only became federally required in 2018 and the department has been trying to pass them ever since. The 2022 audit also earned an opinion of disclaimer and McCord said a year ago that he was disappointed that report didnt show more progress. He seemed more pleased with the audit progress this time.

We remain a trusted institution, and we recognize that we have the obligation to do everything to maintain that trust, he said. We have made a lot of progress, and I look forward to our continued improvement.

The Defense Department continues to be the only Cabinet-level department thats never earned a clean financial report. Earlier this year, the Government Accountability Office said there are two reasons for that: The Pentagon isnt managing its financial systems properly and isnt giving the necessary guidance to make them effective.

DOD spends billions of dollars each year on its business and financial systems. However, its business systems modernization and financial management efforts have been on GAOs High Risk List since 1995, the GAO report concluded in March. These high-risk areas remain obstacles to DODs efforts to achieve [a clean] audit.

The GAOs High Risk List, which is updated at the start of every new Congress, identifies federal programs that are especially susceptible to fraud, abuse, mismanagement and waste.

The Pentagon said Wednesday that significant progress was made across five areas in 2023: workforce modernization, business operations, quality decision-making, reliable networks and enhanced public confidence.

For example, the Department of the Air Force has deployed a total of 65 [automated systems] saving approximately 429,000 labor hours and improving the auditability of business processes, the Pentagon report said. The Department of the Navy reviewed $17 billion of unliquidated obligations, validating that 97% of the balances met audit requirements and uncovering $330 million available for deobligation.

The Pentagon said it also retired several audit-relevant legacy systems and resolved three high priority improper payment programs to reduce wasted tax dollars. Further, it asked for more help from Congress, which has yet to pass full government funding for fiscal 2024, which began Oct. 1. Lawmakers are on the verge of passing their second continuing resolution, which is a short-term, stopgap measure that extends 2023 funding levels.

Congress can further help by stabilizing the budget process and avoiding continuing resolutions and government shutdowns, the Pentagon said.

The House passed a new continuing resolution on Tuesday that would guarantee funding for the military until Feb. 2 and the Senate was expected to pass it as soon as Wednesday. If short-term funding is not passed by Friday at midnight, the federal government will shut down.

Im glad that we appear to be on track to [do this] before the last minute, McCord said. But, this will be our 14th year now of lengthy [continuing resolutions] out of the last 15. And we have got to do better.

Congress has become increasingly critical of the Pentagons failed audits  and some lawmakers have even proposed punishment if the trend continues. In the summer, a bipartisan group of senators raised the Audit the Pentagon Act, which would penalize any military component that fails the annual audits and force it to surrender 1% of its budget. Lawmakers have previously, but unsuccessfully, attempted to pass similar legislation.

Last year, the DOD  was unable to account for over half of its assets, the bipartisan group said when they announced the bill in June.

We have got to end the absurdity of the Pentagon being the only agency in the federal government that has never passed an independent audit, said Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., one of the bills sponsors.

The Defense Department said about 1,600 auditors worked on the 2023 audit, which cost $187 million  a reduction from the $218 million that the Pentagons 2022 accounting cost. McCord did not explain why the new audit cost less, but the report said auditors made fewer on-site visits and more virtual visits than they did a year ago.
U.S. Interior Secretary Deb Haaland testifies during a Senate Energy and Natural Resources hearing on May 2, 2023, in Washington, D.C. The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled on Nov. 14 that the department has until Dec. 20 to sell drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico. (Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images/TNS)

WASHINGTON  A federal appeals court ordered the Biden administration to sell drilling rights in the Gulf of Mexico within 37 days, a defeat for environmentalists who argued oil leasing and development in the region imperil a critically endangered whale.

The ruling Tuesday by the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals means the U.S. Interior Department has until Dec. 20 to conduct the auction that was mandated by last years climate law  and is set to be the last of its kind until at least 2025.

When the Interior Department made plans to conduct the sale in September, it yanked some 6 million acres from the auction block amid concerns the territory overlapped with potential habitat of the critically endangered Rices whale. The agency also imposed vessel traffic limitations in the area  moves that were challenged by the oil industry in federal court.

The court found environmental organizations didnt have standing to appeal earlier rulings compelling the auction with the disputed acreage and without the vessel traffic restrictions.

Earthjustice attorney George Torgun said the dismissal was disappointing and unjustified.

The oil industry fought tooth and nail to tear up basic measures to save one of the most endangered marine mammals in the world, Torgun said in an emailed statement. This could be the difference between doing the bare minimum to save this species and allowing it to vanish.

The decision was heralded by the American Petroleum Institute, which pushed for the larger auction alongside units of Chevron Corp. and Shell Plc.

The U.S. Gulf of Mexico plays a critical role in maintaining affordable, reliable American energy production, said Ryan Meyer, API senior vice president, in an emailed statement. The decision, he added, creates greater certainty for the essential energy workforce and the entire Gulf Coast economy.

The Biden administration did not challenge the lower court order that compelled the auction  and only asked for more time to comply with it. The granted 37 days are designed to allow time for the publication of a new sale notice in the governments Federal Register and accept new sealed bids for Gulf leases.

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More than two dozen Palestinian cancer patients, who had crossed from Gaza into Egypt, arrived in Turkey for treatment in the early hours of Thursday, Turkey's Anadolu agency reported.

Two planes carrying the patients, many of them children, landed at Ankara airport shortly after 00:30 am local time (2130 GMT).

Turkey has sent a ship loaded with material for field hospitals, ambulances and generators to Egypt to treat civilians who have been able to flee Israel's aggression on Gaza.

Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca said 27 patients had been flown to Turkey from Egypt, along with 13 companions, without specifying whether these were doctors or family members.

He added that the cancer patients had been able to cross from Gaza into Egypt via the Rafah border crossing.

Koca had been in Egypt for discussions on the delivery of humanitarian aid into Gaza, and said the patients were able to be transferred to Turkey thanks to "coordination between Turkey, Egypt and Israel".

He also said that Turkey was waiting for Egypt's permission to open its first field hospital at the Rafah crossing.

"I hope that in the near future -- our efforts are going in this direction -- we will be able to establish a field hospital in Gaza, in the area near the Rafah gate," he said.

Turkey has long championed the Palestinian cause and, more recently, has stepped up its verbal attacks against Israel for the soaring civilian toll of its military attacks.

Speaking before members of his Islamic-rooted ruling party, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan on Wednesday called Israel "a terror state" that was committing "genocide".

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In court, Judge Francis Comerford said that Ms McNamara could not use her children as a shield

A judge has jailed a mother of a two year old boy for 18 months after telling her that she cant use her children as a shield from the consequences of her money laundering.

At Ennis Circuit Court, mother of three, Heather McNamara (40) of Childers Road, Cloughleigh, Ennis pleaded guilty to money laundering connected to her jailed partner, Paul Collopy's drug dealing activity.

The father of Ms McNamara's two year old son, Mr Collopy is currently serving a 10-year jail term for drug dealing and is due for release in 2028.

In court, Judge Francis Comerford said that Ms McNamara could not use her children as a shield after Ms McNamara told the court that if she was sent to jail it will result in an awful trauma for her two year old son.

Ms McNamara said that her two year old "is very attached to me - I have a seriously close bond and I dread to think what would happen if I got a custodial sentence, we are a close knit and they depend on me.

She said: "I worry about the mental health of the kids and myself.

Heather McNamara at Ennis Court.

Ms McNamara said that the father of her two older children, aged 17 and 21 was "brutally murdered just over a week ago and I worry for the mental health of the two older kids as well.

Ms McNamara said that she is the sole carer for her two year old and a 17-year-old girl who is doing her Leaving Cert this year. Mr Collopy has been in prison since April 2021 - three months before their boy was born.

Judge Comerford imposed a 50 month prison term on Ms McNamara and suspending 32 months meaning that Ms McNamara is to serve 18 months in prison.

Judge Comerford said that the court cant say because Ms McNamara has children, that she is entitled to engage in crime "and she is immune from any sanctions from the courts.

Ms McNamara has a previous conviction for money laundering in 2014 concerning a sum of 68,000 and Judge Comerford said that she has engaged in "significant repeated wrong doing.

Judge Comerford said that Ms McNamara engaging in crime knowing the precarious position of her two year old and 17 year old daughter and this was an aggravating factor in the case.

He said: Ms McNamara was doing direct harm to her children by engaging in this activity.

Judge Comerford said that he was suspending 32 months due to the impact the prison term will have on Ms McNamaras children.

Counsel for Ms McNamara, Pat Barriscale BL said that the prison term will have severe repercussions for his client and Judge Comerford agreed that the warrant for Ms McNamara not to be taken into custody would not take effect until January 12th next.

Ms McNamara doesnt work and receives 312 per week in social welfare.

Ms McNamara pleaded guilty to a money laundering offence concerning 37,965 which was the proceeds of crime in May 2021 at two locations in Ennis.

Paul Collopy

Ms McNamara also pleaded guilty to another money laundering offence at her home at Childers Rd, Cloughleigh, Ennis concerning cash of 5,445 and the ladys Rolex watch valued at 17,500.

Ms McNamara also pleaded guilty to the possession of 4,872 of cocaine at the same property on the same date.

Det Sgt Denis Stack said that as long as he has known Ms McNamara "she has always had nice cars - she has a good lifestyle.

At the time of the December 2019 offences, Ms McNamara was driving a BMW and in May 2021 when apprehended she was driving a white Land Rover.

Mr Barriscale BL said that her client provided a 3,900 invoice for the Rolex watch purchased from a London jewellers.

Det Sgt Stack said that Gardai believe that Paul Collopy was the dominant influence concerning the drugs and cash found at the McNamara home in December 2019.

Det Garda Paul Heaslip said that Gardai believe that the owner of the 37,965 concerning the May 2021 offences was Paul Collopy.
Padraig Lowry (29) told the court the scene was like something you could see in a horror movie

A young man who signed up in this country to work as a seasonal farm worker in New Zealand suffered catastrophic injuries when his arm was pulled into a combine harvester, the High Court heard.

Padraig Lowry (29) told the court the scene was like something you could see in a horror movie after his arm was amputated to four inches below his right elbow when he was just 21 years old.

Just five hours after the accident and he was airlifted to hospital, he said the harvester was released to continue the work on the farm at Dipton, Southland.

There were bits of my skin and bones in the cylinder and they finished the job the next morning with my bodily parts still here, and all that went into a pit and was going to be fed to cattle, he told Ms Justice Leonie Reynolds.

The judge is assessing damages in the case where judgement has already been granted in default of appearance by the New Zealand side.

At the opening of the case, Richard Kean SC with Liam Reidy SC and Martin Canny BL, told the court the farm was far away from any medical facility and Irish co-workers used their belts to tourniquet Mr Lowrys arm which was pumping blood.

Counsel said the judgment of the Irish court will have to be enforced in New Zealand but the proceedings had been brought in Ireland as the New Zealand company had come to this country and held meetings here about short term working in New Zealand.

Mr Lowry told the court he met a representative of the New Zealand company in a Co Meath hotel and was offered a job to start in October 2014.

He said on the evening of the accident there was a blockage in the harvester chute at the last field.

He said he pressed the button to switch off the machine but he had to get a spanner.

He said there was a wind down alarm and in no way would he have gone there if the alarm was showing but the wind-down force means it will spin for 40 seconds and in his mind they were past 40 or 50 seconds and the alarm was not sounding

He said he gave a clump of oats a tug.

It just went with my hand and there were four dull bangs. When I took my arm back all I could see was blood, he said.

Mr Lowry said he turned around to his friends and he said his hand was gone.

Mr Lowry (29) , Cappalinnan, Rathdowney, Co Laois has sued Daryl Thompson of Invercargill, New Zealand and D.Thompson Contracting Ltd also of Invercargill, New Zealand, as a result of the accident in January 2015.

It is claimed it was an express or implied term of the contract that Mr Lowry would be provided with a safe place of work, a safe system of work and safe equipment and machinery.

It is claimed he was required to operate a machine that was dangerous and defective and the blades on the machine were allegedly permitted to be blunt which it is claimed resulted in the crop being cut too long and therefore blocking the chute.

It was also claimed the wind down alarm on the machine was disconnected or not operating so as to warn Mr Lowry that the blades were still moving.

The case continues.
It was heard that the 340,000 sale was at an advanced stage

Lisa O Hara pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin. Pic: Collins Courts

A MAN caught red-handed with a Kinahan Cartel weapons stash has agreed with the Criminal Assets Bureau to allow the sale of his home to go ahead and the money be held by a solicitor

James Walsh and his ex-partner Lisa OHara are both named in a case being taken by CAB against the couple to have the Wheatfield Avenue house in Clondalkin declared the proceeds of crime.

Walsh was convicted of his role in the weapons stash organised by Thomas Bomber Kavanagh at an industrial unit in Greenogue raid by gardai in 2016.

Also convicted over the lethal underworld armoury was key Cartel man Declan Brady aka Mr Nobody and Jonathan Rocket Man Harding.

Lisa O Hara pictured at the Criminal Courts of Justice (CCJ) on Parkgate Street in Dublin. Pic: Collins Courts

This week CAB applied to have an order they previously got to stop the house being sold varied to allow a sale to go ahead.

It was heard that the 340,000 sale was at an advanced stage and Judge Alex Owens changed a previous interim order to allow it to go ahead.

The money left over after the mortgage is paid off is to be held by solicitor and they are prohibited for disposing of those net profits.

The house was the scene of garda searches in 2017 following the raid at Greenogue Business park, Rathcoole as gardai acted in information from their British colleagues investigating Bomber Kavanaghs drugs gang.

Walsh pleaded guilty in July 2021 at the non-jury Special Criminal Court to laundering 62,000 in crime cash.

Walsh (39) and his former partner Lisa OHara had both been charged with a total of 44 money laundering offences, which include using crime cash for a deposit on a house.

He was also charged with stashing 19,000 in a wardrobe at his home.

OHara given a suspended sentence, after pleading guilty to multiple counts of laundering more than 100,000 that was the proceeds of crime.

Kinahan firearms caretaker moved from Mountjoy jail after 'disturbances' on landing

The Special Criminal Court found that she didn't know where the money came from but was reckless in not asking questions of her then partner and father of her child.

When the gardai had raided their home they also found financial documents which showed 136,000 had been lodged in various bank and credit union accounts over a three-year period,

It included a 60,000 cash deposit on the house and another 62,000 in cash paid to a builder for renovations on the house.

Walsh, was serving an eight-year sentence for the weapons offences when he was given another sentence of four years and nine months for money laundering.

O'Hara, who had never been in trouble before, said she presumed Walsh worked every day like she did.

The raid at Greenogue Business Park in Rathcoole came at the height of the Hutch-Kinahan feud in January 2017.

Walsh was standing in the reception area of the industrial unit where gardai found 15 firearms, including an AK47, and 1,300 rounds of ammunition.

The warehouse had been fitted out to make it look like a legitimate business complete with a fully kitted out reception area.

The unit had been purporting to be the premises of a logistics company, giving the impression it was a legitimate freight business based in the UK.

In the upstairs loft area, a number of loaded firearms were laid out on cardboard on the floor.

There were four loaded revolvers, ready to be used, and the AK47 assault weapon.

A transit van with a secret compartment with five rounds of ammunition was also found parked inside, along with a stolen forklift truck, tracker devices and a machine for making vehicle registration plates.

Gardai had launched a surveillance operation after receiving the intelligence about the men and their work at the site.

Declan Brady, known as Mr Nobody, supervised and was in overall charge of the arsenal, according to the three-judge Special Criminal Court and was the main target of the garda operation.

They sentenced him to 11-and-a-half years imprisonment with the final year suspended.

Jonathan Harding, known as Rocket Man, was sentenced to 10 years with one suspended over the haul.
Judge Paul Kelly noted that there was an additional new charge for engaging in violent disorder

An extra charge has been brought against a 16-year-old boy accused of taking part in a vicious gang attack on English tourists in Dublin's Temple Bar.

He was initially charged with assault causing harm to two men and robbery of a third at Fownes Street on the night of August 11.

He appeared again at the Dublin Children's Court today when the State dropped one count of assault.

However, Judge Paul Kelly noted that there was an additional new charge for engaging in violent disorder.

The Director of Public Prosecutions also had a trial venue recommendation for the teen's case be sent to the Circuit Court, which has broader sentencing powers.

But, the youth can ask the Children's Court to accept jurisdiction because he is a juvenile.

This procedure involves a preliminary hearing of the evidence and submissions from the defence about age and level of maturity.

He has not yet entered a plea.

Judge Kelly said the court will deal with the jurisdiction issue in early December.

The accused, from north Dublin, who cannot be identified because he is a minor, was remanded in continuing custody.

Previously, it was alleged one of the victims had his head "stamped on" when up to eight teenagers attacked his group.

Garda Ruth Finnegan said that one man's necklace and wallet containing 30 were taken.

The court heard claims that the tourist was pulled and dragged down before being kicked on the ground by the accused while another person went through his pockets and took his property.

The second man received a punch in the face before being knocked to the ground, where he was allegedly "punched numerous times and kicked to the head".

He suffered swelling and bruising around his eye.

Garda Finnegan had told the court a third victim received a punch in the face and was knocked to the ground, where he had his "head stamped on, while he appeared unconscious".

He had a "large gash to the back of his head".

A fourth man received multiple blows and was kicked twice in the face on the ground, but the teenage defendant was not charged over that aspect of the incident.

A 17-year-old boy faces connected allegations in the Children's Court and will face his next hearing later this month, and an adult teenager is also before the courts.
Neil Mooneys victim said she was happy and relieved at the sentence he received,

Twisted pervert Neil Mooney was so sure he wasnt going to jail for sexually assaulting his stepdaughter that he drove himself to court this week, we can reveal.

But a judge at Newry Crown Court told the sex monster he had committed the ultimate betrayal when he assaulted her when she was just a child.

As we reported last month, the 38-year-old had been found guilty by a jury. However, Mooney continued telling everyone he had been cleared and that his stepdaughter was a liar.

However, on Thursday, Mooneys lies came home to roost when he was jailed for 14 months, though seven of those will be served on licence.

His victim told the Sunday World he had plied her with drink when she was just 13 and sexually assaulted her.

She bravely took to the witness box to tell the court the horrors he had put her through.

Mooney, from Hunters Hill Park, Gilford, had been telling people in the Co Armagh town that he was acquitted, hiding behind the fact he thought the case wouldnt be made public to protect the identity of his victim who is now in her mid-20s.

Child pervert Neil Mooney

But his victim, while not wanting her name mentioned in the paper, waived her right to anonymity and spoke to the Sunday World last month to set the record straight.

Last night she told us she was happy and relieved at the sentence he received, but explained how he had left her suffering from seizures which blight her for the rest of her life.

Having told everyone he had been acquitted, he couldnt do that anymore after the Sunday World article, but he kept telling everyone he wasnt going to go to prison for it, said his victim.

And he was so sure of it he drove himself to court. He obviously thought hed be driving home afterwards but hes not going to be driving anywhere for the foreseeable future.

I am so happy and relieved with the outcome as I had prepared myself for the worst, that hed be walking out a free man.

Thankfully Neil got jail time. It certainly shocked him as he smirked the whole way through until he was told hed be jailed for 14 months.

From being told by police officers that nothing could come from this to getting to where I am today, Im so pleased with myself for being strong and trusting the jury during the process.

To think I was in rehab this time last year and at a very low point in my life, I just wanted it to be over and now Im finally here. Im just so happy.

After he was found guilty he told people he was only going to get community service.

The woman, who also told the Sunday World she was now able to get on with her life and was expecting her first child with her partner, says she had some issues with what was said in court in mitigation for Mooney.

He had 15 character references, describing him as a brilliant father

I dont know where they got this from because, in my opinion, a brilliant father would never touch an under-age child, sexually, that they called their own.

He was also described as a hard-working man but he has never paid tax and has been working cash jobs like window cleaning while claiming DLA and PIP since 2007. Hes an out-and-out liar.

Mooney was convicted two months ago of one count of sexual assault.

On Thursday, as well as being jailed for one year and two months, he was told he would have to sign the sex offenders register for 10 years, he was disqualified from working with children and was also slapped with a 10-year restraining order to prevent him harassing his victim or her mum.

Mooney is due back at Newry Courthouse accused of three counts of common assault against three separate women in January 2022.

His stepdaughter told the Sunday World she had been put through hell after being attacked by Mooney as a child.

Ive now developed seizures caused by over-thinking and stress hey happen when Im really upset or cant sleep due to what he to me and Ill probably be on that medication for the rest of my life.

It really has impacted me. Every time I take a seizure I have to give up my driving licence for six months. And now that Im pregnant, Im at high risk.

Her mum also spoke to the Sunday World to say how proud she was of her daughter.

The judge served justice to a man that manipulates people for a living, she said.

I just wish now not to focus on that monster. Instead I want to say how proud I am of my daughter and Id say to her you continue to inspire me every day bird, you are the strongest woman I know.
Ana Kriegel (14) was murdered at a disused farmhouse in Lucan, Co Dublin, in May 2018, by the boys when they were both 13-years-old

The Court of Appeal has overturned a High Court ruling that quashed a District Court judge's refusal to hear the cases of three people accused of publishing information online identifying the teenage boys who murdered Ana Kriegel in 2018.

We do not consider that there was any unfairness to the respondents, or breach of their rights to constitutional justice, said Mr Justice John Edwards today, vacating a ruling by the High Court in which Ms Justice Siobhan Phelan quashed a decision by Judge John Hughes to refuse jurisdiction in the case.

Edel Doherty (48) of Rory OConnor House, Hardwicke Street, Dublin, appeared at Dublin District Court in October 2020 accused of posting photos on Facebook of two teenagers, known as Boys A and B, who were both convicted of the murder of Ana Kriegel following a trial in 2019.

Kyle Rooney (26) of Rathfield Park, Raheny, Dublin, was charged with the posting of photos of the two boys on Twitter.

Declan Corcoran (30) of Williams Place Lower, Dublin, was accused of both naming the boys on Twitter and of posting images of them.

14-year-old Ana Kriegel was murdered at a disused farmhouse in Lucan, Co Dublin, in May 2018, by the boys when they were both 13 years old.

They could not be identified by order of the trial judge and under a provision of the Children Act that prohibits the identification of minors accused or convicted of a criminal offence.

The three accused were among ten people charged with similar breaches of the Children Act who were initially told by Judge Brian O'Shea in October 2020 that jurisdiction was accepted and that their matters could be heard at the District Court level.

However, when the matter returned to the District Court on December 2, 2020, Judge Hughes deemed the offences as being too serious for the District Court and ruled that they should be sent to the higher Circuit Court, where penalties upon conviction can be more severe.

The three accused then brought a successful judicial review to the High Court challenging the decision, where Ms Justice Phelan decided that the matter should be sent back to the lower court for "reconsideration".

Ms Justice Phelan quashed Judge Hughes' decision saying the manner in which the judge approached the issue of jurisdiction was unfair because he did not address the cases individually or give reasons for the change.

The State subsequently appealed this decision, submitting to the Court of Appeal that the return of the matter to the District Court was made in error by the High Court and that "no breach of natural justice had been made" by Judge Hughes.

In delivering the Court of Appeals judgement, Mr Justice Edwards said that at least one judge must give consideration to whether these are minor offences, and if decided, a second judge is entitled to reconsider the matter of jurisdiction.

We do not see how a judge in such a position could be bound by the ruling of a colleague which was based on evidence that they have not personally heard, said Mr Justice Edwards.

He said that up to the point that a person is found guilty or enters a guilty plea, a decision by a judge of jurisdiction is not a determination set in stone.

For all anyone may know, the decision by the first District Court judge could well have been a finely balanced one, resulting in that judge opting by a narrow margin to come down on one side of the jurisdictional line.

"However, a subsequent judge, hearing the same evidence, might perfectly legitimately opt to come down on the other side of that line, he said.

He said that the fact that Judge O'Shea accepted jurisdiction did not bind Judge Hughes, who was entitled to ask for an outline of the alleged facts.

Mr Justice Edwards said that the Court of Appeal rejected the assertion that the manner by which Judge Hughes dealt with the proceedings gave rise to a reasonable apprehension that he was dissatisfied with the previous determination of a colleague.

We have been provided with no reason to believe that District Court Judge Hughes was motivated other than to conscientiously fulfil his constitutional duties, said Mr Justice Edwards.

He said that in the District Court, the legal representatives for the accused raised objections with the judge concerning the revisitation of jurisdiction, however, nobody complained about a collective ruling being given or about a lack of clarity as to the judges reasons.

Mr Justice Edwards said that the Court of Appeal disagreed with the High Court judges assertion that it would have been unrealistic to have required the legal representatives to engage with the judge about his reasons.

The legal representatives would have been perfectly entitled to ask him to elaborate on such reasons. They did not do so, he said.

He went on to say that the court was strongly in agreement with the submission by the State that the mere fact that the Judge of the District Court ruled on jurisdiction in a single collective or rolled up ruling does not imply a failure on his part to give individual consideration to each of the respondents respective cases.

There was no failure to meet the requirement that not only should justice be done but that it should be seen to be done, he said.

We do not consider that there was any unfairness to the respondents, or breach of their rights to constitutional justice.

Mr Justice Edwards said that the Court of Appeal was vacating the orders of certiorari granted by the High Court and the consequential orders remitting these matters to the District Court for a plea or a date in each case, and the High Courts orders regarding costs.

He said that these matters will subsequently be remitted back to the District Court to ascertain whether the DPP is consenting to the respondents being sent forward for trial.

He adjourned any issues as to costs or possible recommendations under the Legal Aid Scheme to December 1 next.
Rian McLoughlin appeared before Letterkenny District Court charged with a series of incidents during last year's Donegal International Rally weekend

A young man who rammed a Garda patrol car injuring a Garda Sergeant has been fined and disqualified from driving for four years.

Rian McLoughlin appeared before Letterkenny District Court charged with a series of incidents during last year's Donegal International Rally weekend.

The 23-year-old pleaded guilty to two counts of dangerous driving, driving without insurance and endangerment.

Garda Sergeant Maurice Doyle said the incident happened just before midnight on June 16th, 2022.

Sergeant Doyle told how McLoughlin drove his vehicle in a dangerous manner on the inner lane of the Polestar Roundabout in Letterkenny before swerving and colliding with a Garda car.

Sgt Michael Kilcoyne. (NW Newspix)

He then drove his vehicle on towards Station Roundabout and was 'drifting' around the roundabout forcing a number of people in the area to take evasive action.

During the course of these incidents, he deliberately rammed a Garda patrol car and caused minor injuries to Garda Sergeant Michael Kilcoyne.

When McLoughlin was arrested, it was discovered that he was not insured on the car he was driving.

He was charged that on June 16th, 2022 at Drumany, Letterkenny, did intentionally or recklessly engage in conduct whilst driving on the roundabout at Drumany, Letterkenny drove in the wrong lane and deliberately rammed into patrol car which created a substantial risk of death or serious harm to another.

Solicitor for the accused of Barrcregg, Claudy, Derry, Mr Rory O'Brien, said this was a bizarre incident and that his client had absolutely previous convictions for anything.

Mr O'Brien said "He fully accepts his wrongdoing and he has as much remorse as any young man I have seen.

"All this happened because he realised he had no insurance. He is very remorseful and the whole idea was to evade detection because he had no insurance.

"For some far-fetched reason this is how he approached it. He could not have picked a worse option," said Mr O'Brien.

The accused addressed Judge Eiteain Cunningham and said he was very sorry for what he had done.

"I am completely sorry for everything I have done. It was completely out of order. I have no excuse for what I did," he said frankly.

Mr O'Brien said his client lived at home with his grandmother, was single and worked cleaning cars for a living.

Pleading for leniency for his client, Mr O'Brien said McLoughlin has held his hands up straight away but stressed that he has never been in trouble either before or after this incident.

"It was a one time thing and he is very remorseful for it," he added.

Judge Cunningham said it was "utterly bizarre" that McLoughlin embarked on this type of behaviour considering he had no previous convictions whatsoever.

She asked for some time to consider her sentence labelling the matter as "very serious."

"It's most unfortunate that he made the choices he did on the night," she added.

When she returned, Judge Cunningham said she was treating the incident as two separate matters.

She fined McLoughlin a total of 500 and banned McLaughlin for four years for the two charges of dangerous driving, fined him a further 250 for having no insurance and fined him a further 250 for endangerment
Pro-Palestinian protesters gathered outside the Dail ahead of the vote this evening

A Social Democrats motion proposing the expulsion of the Israeli Ambassador was defeated in the Dail tonight after a Government counter-motion.

The motion fell by 85 votes to 55. Israels envoy to Ireland, recently appointed, is Dana Erlich.

Meanwhile a Sinn Fein motion to refer Israel to the International Criminal Court was defeated by 77 votes to 58.

A crowd of about 800 pro-Palestinian protesters chanted outside the Dail throughout, including the controversial refrain: From the river (Jordan) to the sea, Palestine will be free.

Menna Abdelfadeel joins a Pro-Palestinian protest at Leinster House, Dublin Photo: Brian Lawless/PA Wire

The Governments counter motions to the twin proposals passed easily  and referenced the attack by Hamas on Israel on October 7.

The Coalition substitute deplored the escalation of violence in Israel and the occupied Palestinian territory since then.

Both counter-motions also also expressed deep concern at the catastrophic humanitarian situation in Gaza.

A counter motion to Sinn Feins motion calling for Ireland to refer Israel for its actions in Gaza to the ICC was passed by 80 votes to 60, blocking referral.

Earlier, Taoiseach Leo Varadkar told the Fine Gael parliamentary party meeting that Ms Erlich would be expelled if the Government rescinds the Israeli ambassadors diplomatic status.

Mr Varadkar added that diplomatic relations are being maintained with all countries and ambassadors to ensure Irish people get out of Gaza, claiming that up to 30 Irish citizens and their dependants had gained entry to Egypt today.

He said every effort is ongoing to ensure the safety of all Irish people in Gaza, the release of hostage Emily Hand, the eight-year-old girl who is being held by Hamas, and the security of 450 troops who are serving in the region.

Emily Hand

He said expelling the Israeli ambassador, as called for by opposition parties, would not be helpful and in turn would lead to the Irish ambassador to Israel Sonya McGuinness being expelled.

He claimed opposition are each trying to outflank each other, describing the calls for expulsion as not common sense.
Tubridy will broadcast live from The News Building in London  and simultaneously be broadcast on Dublin station Q102.

Ryan Tubridy has revealed his new job  he has been announced as the new host of a mid-morning radio show on Virgin Radio UK, taking over the 10am to 1pm slot on the station.

Tubridy will broadcast live from The News Building in London  and simultaneously be broadcast on Dublin station Q102.

He will also present a dedicated Irish weekend show across Wireless Ireland stations on Dublins Q102, Corks 96FM, Live 95 in Limerick and LMFM.

Agent Noel Kelly released a statement this morning, paired with a photo of himself, Tubridy and Chris Evans.

The wait is finally over and we are now delighted to share our exciting news, the statement read.

He added; We are incredibly proud of Ryan. His talents, strength, professionalism and resilience are to be applauded.

Take a bow Mr Tubridy, you are wonderful and inspirational.

Tubridy added; I couldnt be more excited to start this new chapter with Virgin Radio. New city, new station, new beginnings.

I love radio and what a joy to be following the legendary Chris Evans every morning! Its been a pleasure getting to know my new friends at Virgin Radio, all of whom have been warm, engaging and very entertaining.

And big thanks to the London Irish who have made me feel so welcome in recent weeks. On a personal note, this is a big day for my wonderful family who I hope to make proud, and also the people who advised me so well recently and got me to this moment.

"To the listeners, wherever they might be, I urge you to join us on this adventure every weekday morning, there is much fun to be had!

Tubridy joined Chris Evans on Virgin Radios breakfast show to break the big news. He is set to start at the station on January 4, coincidentally the date of his late fathers death.

This is quite surreal, I'm desperately excited, he said.

He said he and Evans are kindred spirits, stemming from their shared loved of being on radio, informing, enlightening and entertaining.

Tubridy paid tribute to legendary broadcaster Terry Wogan, who he said was on his mind today: He was a lovely representative of our country in this place. I'm thinking about him a lot today.

He said hes planning his full-time relocation to London ahead of starting his new job in January. He hasnt decided on a location yet but said he visited Islington recently and got lost on his first run in London.

Its really funny listening to you like this, its very cute, Evans said.

A statement from Virgin Radio UK this morning described Tubridy as an "Irish broadcasting legend.

Virgin Radio UK content director Mike Cass said: I am beyond delighted that Ryan is joining the amazing roster of presenters on Virgin Radio UK.

"He has been the preeminent broadcaster in Ireland for years and Virgin Radio will bring his warmth, humour and unique charisma to the UK audience properly for the first time. He will be the perfect mid-morning companion and the ideal tag-partner for Chris Evans.

The former Late Late Show host teased his next big career move on a post on Instagram this morning.

Earlier this morning, Tubridy said theres big news incoming as he appeared to reveal his next move following his dramatic exit from RTE.

Good morning everybody. Im in the back of a London cab, heading to a building near the River Thames where Ill be making quite a big announcement in my world, he said.

The posts caption included a radio emoji and the River Thames location may point to a new gig at Virgin Radio UK, long rumoured to be Tubridys next destination.

Tubridy told his fans to keep on eye on his Instagram feed for the big news, saying cheers as he flashed a smile and held up his cup of coffee.

Tubridy will follow The Chris Evans Breakfast Show on Virgin Radio UK, and broadcast from 10am to 1pm, Monday to Friday.

Wireless Ireland Managing Director Sean Barry added to the announcement this morning, saying: Ryan is the biggest broadcaster in Ireland, a peerless professional and much-loved by his legion of Irish fans. He will be the perfect mid-morning companion on Q102.

"And his exciting new weekend show will be broadcast exclusively on Q102, Corks 96FM, Limericks Live 95 and LMFM. He will be an enormous hit with Wireless Irelands audiences.
Tanaiste visits the southern Israel kibbutz where kidnapped Emily Hand (8) was living before Hamas abductionTanaiste tells Mayor of Sderot Alon Davidi he is concerned about the radicalisation of future generations

Tanaiste Micheal Martins State convoy was forced to stop and seek shelter when an air raid siren rang out during his visit to Israel.

Mr Martin did not have to leave his vehicle when the siren went off as his car was reinforced.

However, his team who were travelling in an accompanying bus did have to leave their vehicle and enter a bunker nearby as is the local protocol.

The delegation included Irish Ambassador to Israel Sonya McGuinness along with Mr Martins political staff and Department of Foreign Affairs officials.

The air raid siren rang out when Mr Martin was travelling from Southern Israel to Jerusalem as part of a State visit to the country.

The group returned to the bus shortly after the alert and resumed their journey to Jerusalem before driving to Ramallah in the West Bank.

Air raid sirens are a regular event in Israel even before the war in Gaza that followed the Hamas terrorist attack on October 8.

Micheal Martin meets the Mayor of Sderot Alon Davidi

Earlier, Tanaiste Micheal Martin visited the Kibbutz in Southern Israel where kidnapped eight-year-old Emily Hand was living before she was abducted by Hamas.

On the second day of his visit to the Middle East, Mr Martin visited the region devastated by the Hamas terror attack on October 7 and met with Israelis traumatised by the violence.

The Fianna Fail leaders first stop was in the town of Sderot where 45 people were killed by Hamas when they invaded the region bordering the Gaza strip.

Among those murdered was a bus of elderly Israelis who were travelling to the Red Sea for a holiday but were forced to stop in the town when their vehicle got a puncture, while a mother was also shot dead in front of her children.

The local police station was levelled by the Israeli Defence Forces following a gun battle with the terrorists who had held members of the force hostage.

Mr Martin was shown around the town by the director of the of the International Resilience Centre Ayelet Shumel and was also joined by Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen.

There was a battlefield in the middle of Sderot. Just thinking about it is crazy. People here were witnessing a battlefield. We had bodies all over. The death toll was 45 people and when you think about it, a city that suffered 70 active shooters thats not bad, but it is awful, Ms Shumel said.

We had a minibus with 13 people, some of them were Holocaust survivors who decided to go and spend the day at the Dead Sea and they stopped in the road because they had a flat tyre. They had a flat tyre. The driver was working on it, she said.

And then there were sirens so they had to go into the bomb shelter.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin visits a kibbutz in Southern Israel

"Well, the bomb shelter didn't open. There was a technical issue. It didn't open. Terrorists came and they killed all of them. There were 13 dead bodies right next to a bomb shelter, she said.

Mr Martin was also brought to the home of local business owner Haim Peretz whose house was destroyed by a Hamas rocket.

Mr Cohen next organised a meeting between the Tanaiste and Mayor of Sderot Alon Davidi who was critical of Irelands stance on the conflict.

During a tense engagement, Mr Davidi told how his seven children aged between 12 and 25 have endured bombings all their life and questioned the Tanaiste robustly on Irelands calls for ceasefire in Israels war on Hamas.

We must finish the job, if you stop us, they will destroy us and you and everyone, he said. He said he was begging Ireland to support Israel in their on-going war on the terror group.

Tanaiste Micheal Martin visits a kibbutz in Southern Israel

Tanaiste Micheal Martin has told the Mayor of Sderot Alon Davidi he is concerned about the radicalisation of future generations.

He told Mr Davidi a military solution alone will not work and our sense is that you will radicalise the opinion of future generations even more.

"We worry about innocent children in Gaza who are not part of Hamas but who are getting killed right now, he said, during his visit to Israel.

Mr Davidi told the Tanaiste it is Hamas that is destroying Gaza.

When you see the picture outside, it seems that Israel are the bad guy and Gaza and Hamas are the people that want to free Palestinians, free Gaza. They destroyed Gaza, they destroyed the future of the people of Gaza.

"Im begging you and I ask you to support Israel. Im a strong guy. I dont ask for money,  he said. He said Israel moves against Hamas and ISIS, not civilians.

Mr Martin offered assurances that Ireland does not support any idea that Hamas can undermine the Israeli state. He said the death of Irish-Israeli woman Kim Damti in the October 7 attack brought it home to people in Ireland.

Theres a young Irish child, a dual citizen, that is a hostage, Emily Hand, in Gaza right now. The idea that small children, she has no next of kin in Gaza, the idea that small children are held hostage is just an unconscionable act.

"That is a trauma of an enormity on a child that is inhumane, beyond inhumane, he said.

He spoke about the violent history of Ireland, highlighting the horrendous acts committed over the 30 years of the Troubles.

Mr Martin was finally brought to the Beeri Kibbutz where 110 people were killed and 70 are still missing. The Tanaiste walked through the ruins of houses which were ransacked and torched by Hamas terrorists after coming over the border from Gaza. He saw the devastation in the homes and spoke to one local man who survived the invasion.

While he was shown around the Kibbutz by Israel Defence Force Major Libby Weiss, Israeli bombs could be heard and seen dropping on Gaza less than 5km away.
Israel persists in its raid on Gaza's largest hospital, Al-Shifa, despite UN agencies raising alarm. The UN Security Council passed a resolution urging humanitarian pauses and protection of civilians, especially children. Israel has rejected calls for a broader ceasefire, opting for temporary localized pauses instead. Concerns for the safety of those at Al-Shifa hospital remain high amid the ongoing conflict.

23:30 The United States and European Union are advocating for plans to deploy international peacekeepers in the Gaza Strip following the end of Israel's war on Gaza, according to insiders.

The move would increase pressure on Israel to halt its air and ground invasion of the Palestinian territory that has so far killed more than 11,500 people, many of them women and children, according to Palestinian health ministry figures.

While acknowledging that significant uncertainties persist, US and European officials are actively considering this proposal, people familiar with the matter said, adding that even discussing the idea may push Israel to end its war on the strip.

According to Bloomberg, the discussions, taking place through the United Nations Security Council, are still in an early phase. They come amid mounting pressure from the international community for a cease-fire in Gaza.

One option under consideration involves granting an expanded role for the UN Truce Supervision Organization, first established in 1949 to help implement armistice agreements between Palestinian Arabs and the newly created State of Israel, reported Bloomberg.

Furthermore, similar UN structures could be used as a template, those familiar with the matter added, pointing to UN-backed troop deployment in other areas worldwide.

The plans come as Israeli forces dropped leaflets on Thursday, warning Palestinians to flee parts of southern Gaza, signalling a possible expansion of operations to areas where hundreds of thousands of people who heeded earlier evacuation orders are crowded into UN-run shelters and family homes.

23:00 The US Embassy in Cairo announced on Thursday the arrival of the first US flight carrying 200 tons of food aid to Gaza in Egypt's Al-Arish airport in preparation for sending them into the Strip through the Rafah border crossing.

The United States is working closely with the Egyptian Red Crescent, the United Nations, and international partner organisations to accelerate and expand aid efforts, reinforcing protection for Palestinian civilians, said Under Secretary of State for Civilian Security, Democracy, and Human Rights Uzra Zeya who received the first batch of US food aid at the airport.

22:00 Egypt's Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry stressed in a call with UNRWA chief on Thursday the need to stop Israels attacks against civilians and civilian facilities in the Gaza Strip and its violations of international law and all human values.

Shoukry's remarks came during a phone conversation with Philippe Lazzarini, Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), about the situation in Gaza.

According to the official spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ahmed Abu Zeid, Shoukry inquired about Lazzarini's assessment of the humanitarian situation in the Gaza Strip and UNRWA's efforts to establish new headquarters to resume working.

For his part, the UNRWA chief expressed his deep concern over the worsening humanitarian situation in the strip and the increasing challenges facing relief agencies and medical personnel in Gaza.

Furthermore, Shoukry emphasised Egypts commitment to providing all necessary support to alleviate the suffering of the Palestinians.

He also affirmed that Egypt will continue to provide the necessary treatment services for the injured Palestinians, highlighting Egypt's current preparation to receive newborns, as directed by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi.

20:45 The Israeli occupation army said Thursday it had found the body of a woman hostage seized by Hamas fighters near the largest hospital in the Gaza Strip.

The body of Yehudit Weiss, who was taken captive from her home in a kibbutz near the Gaza border on October 7, "was extracted by IDF troops from a structure adjacent to Shifa hospital" in Gaza City, an army statement said.

20:00 The general manager of Palestine Telecommunications Company, Paltel, said he has urged international bodies to persuade Israel to allow fuel to enter Gaza in order to restore phone and internet to the besieged enclave.

We asked all international bodies to intervene with Israel in order to allow the entry of fuel, Abdulmajeed Melhem told The Associated Press.

Earlier Thursday, Paltel announced that all communication services  landlines, mobile phones and internet connections  were down due to a lack of fuel.

Since the outbreak of the war, there has been no electricity, therefore we have relied on alternative sources to operate the generators, Melhem said. If they (Israel) allow the entry of fuel, this problem will be solved.

19:10 Hamas's armed wing claimed responsibility Thursday for a gun attack near Jerusalem that killed a soldier, saying it was in response to the ongoing bloodshed in Gaza where it is locked in a major conflict with Israel.

In a statement on Telegram, the Ezzedine al-Qassam Brigades said the attack, in which three of its militants opened fire, killing the soldier and wounding five other members of the Israeli security forces, was "in revenge for the blood of the martyrs in Gaza".

18:35 The Red Crescent said Israeli occupation tanks were laying siege to Gaza's Al-Ahli hospital in a "violent attack" on Thursday, as Israel accuses Hamas of using health facilities as bases.

"Teams are unable to move and reach those who are injured," the organisation said on X, formerly Twitter.

18:30 The head of the United Nations agency for Palestinian refugees said he feared for civil order in the Gaza Strip after it was hit with a new communications blackout on Thursday.

"Gaza is again in a total communication blackout, and... it is because there is no fuel," UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini told a press conference in Geneva.

The Palestinian telecom company Paltel confirmed the blackout, saying on X, formerly Twitter: "We regret to announce that all telecom services in Gaza Strip have gone out of service as all energy sources sustaining the network have been depleted, and fuel was not allowed in."

Lazzarini said he was worried that a communications blackout could heighten panic in the Gaza Strip and erode the last traces of public order.

The day after a previous communication blackout, "there were groups of hundreds of people who basically went into our warehouse and took whatever was available," he said.

"These are signs of a situation when you have a blackout and you cannot communicate with anyone anymore... that triggers and fuels, even more, the anxiety and the panic.

"This can provoke or accelerate the last remaining civil order that we have in the Gaza Strip. And if this completely breaks down, we will have difficulties operating in an environment where you do not have a minimum of order."

He said UNRWA staff would be hindered further in providing services in the Gaza Strip if the blackout remains, as they cannot communicate with one another.

18:20 Palestinians in parts of southern Gaza said they received evacuation notices Thursday, a signal that Israel's ground invasion is about to expand in the south.

That comes a day after Israeli occupation forces began searching a north Gaza hospital where they claimed Hamas militants operated  a claim that Hamas and hospital staff deny.

The Israeli military has yet to show any evidence of an alleged Hamas command centre underneath or in the hospital. The Associated Press could not independently verify Israeli claims that it found weapons inside the hospital.

With most of Gazas 2.3 million people crowded into the territorys south, residents say bread is scarce and supermarket shelves are bare. Families cook on wood fires for lack of fuel. Central electricity and running water have been out for weeks.

The fuel shortage caused landline connections, the mobile network, and internet connections to shut down, telecoms provider Paltel said Thursday.

18:00 Telecommunications Company Paltel reported on Thursday that all communication services in the Gaza Strip have been disrupted due to a shortage of fuel and electricity.

"We deeply regret to inform the public of a total halt in communication services (fixed, cellular, and Internet) in the Gaza Strip. This is a result of the prevention of fuel entry and the depletion of all backup energy sources required to operate the essential network components," stated the telecommunications company.

This marks the fourth major communication outage in Gaza since the initiation of Israel's ground invasion

17:00 Norway's parliament on Thursday adopted a resolution calling on the government to be ready to recognise an "independent" Palestinian state, in a new sign of Europe's anxiety over the Gaza war.

The proposition was made by Norway's ruling coalition to counter a resolution by smaller parties calling for an immediate recognition of a Palestinian state.

Passed with an overwhelming majority in parliament, it said the assembly "asks the government to be ready to recognise Palestine as an independent state when recognition could have a positive impact on the peace process, without making a final peace accord a condition."

The wording means that no recognition is likely in the immediate future but is a sign of the concern over the Gaza war in national assemblies across Europe.

Iceland, Sweden, Poland, Czech Republic and Romania are among countries to have already given legal recognition to a Palestinian state.

Spain's Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, voted back into power on Thursday, told parliament that he would "work" towards recognition by his country and by Europe.

15:00 France condemned violence by Israeli settlers in the West Bank, calling it a "policy of terror" that is aimed at displacing Palestinians. It urged Israeli authorities to protect Palestinians from the violence.

Speaking to reporters, foreign ministry spokesperson Anne-Claire Legendre said that it was not up to Israel to decide the future governance of Gaza, which she said should be part of a future Palestinian state.

13:45 The Palestinian Minister of Health, Mai Al-Kaila, told Sky News that the Israeli forces stormed Al-Shifa Hospital again and the Israeli army is requesting an immediate evacuation of the Hospital.

The Israeli army announced that its forces continued to storm into the hospital.

It claimed that technological means and intelligence materials have been found in the raid so far, including computers with information and documentation related to the captives.

Earlier, the Al-Jihad Movement said that its members are engaged in violent clashes with the Israeli troops in the vicinity of the medical complex.

13:30 Egypt has welcomed the United Nations Security Council's resolution calling for extended humanitarian pauses in the war-torn Gaza Strip, calling for its implementation.

A statement by the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs hailed the UNSCs resolution adopted on Wednesday as a crucial initial step towards achieving a comprehensive ceasefire.

Egypt urged the immediate establishment of extended ceasefires and humanitarian corridors to ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza per the UNSCs resolution.

It also called for ending the Israeli policy of depriving the Gazans of essential services.

The statement stressed the need to respect the principles of international law and international humanitarian law and protect civilians, particularly women, children, and medical and humanitarian personnel.

13:00 South Africa has filed a referral to the International Criminal Court for an investigation into war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said during a state visit to Qatar.

The move comes as South African lawmakers were expected to debate a motion on Thursday calling for the closure of the Israeli Embassy in South Africa and the cutting of all diplomatic ties with the country until it agrees to a cease-fire.

As South Africa we have accordingly, together with many other countries across the world, referred this whole Israeli government action to the International Criminal Court," Ramaphosa said.

We join many other countries and organisations in calling upon the ICC to investigate what we see unfolding with our own eyes in Israel. Its clear that a war crime is under way. We call upon various countries to put pressure on Israel to immediately ceasefire.



HE President pic.twitter.com/wYUjlbbz19  Presidency | South Africa  (@PresidencyZA) November 16, 2023

12:30 The Palestinian ambassador to the UN, Ibrahim Khraishi, said that countries must "wake up" to the massive violations that Israel is committing in Gaza, insisting it was a "genocide".

"You should wake up in this room. This is a massacre, this is genocide, and we're seeing it on TV. It cannot continue," Khraishi told a gathering of UN member states in Geneva.

12:15 The UN human rights chief decried serious allegations of international law violations in the war on Gaza and suggested an international investigation was needed.

Volker Turk said, "extremely serious allegations of multiple and profound breaches of international humanitarian law, whoever commits them, demand rigorous investigation and full accountability".

Turk was speaking after a visit last week to the Middle East, where he warned that both sides were committing war crimes in the deadly conflict.

12:13 Eleven Palestinians were killed in an Israeli bombing of the Nuseirat camp in central Gaza, according to Al Arabiya.

11:15 UN rights chief Volker Turk said Thursday he was ringing the loudest possible alarm bell over the "potentially explosive" situation in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

"I am deeply concerned about the intensification of violence and severe discrimination against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank, including East Jerusalem," Turk told a briefing of UN member states.

"In my view, this creates a potentially explosive situation, and I want to be clear: we are well beyond the level of early warning. I am ringing the loudest possible alarm bell about the occupied West Bank," he said.

A journalist reveals the truth about Israeli control of foreign media in #Gaza.



'We only film what they allow us to film.' #Israel pic.twitter.com/oJVvSgQRT8  Quds News Network (@QudsNen) November 16, 2023

11:00 The Egyptian Red Crescent Society (ERCS) said that it is close to running out of humanitarian aid stored at a warehouse in Al-Arish for the embattled Gaza Strip.

The ERCS is receiving a limited amount of aid, Rami Al-Nazer the Executive Director of the Egyptian Red Crescent told reporters on Thursday.

He added that only 1,090 trucks carrying about 18,800 tons of aid have entered Gaza through the Rafah crossing over the past weeks, noting that such an amount falls short of the daily needs of the strips 2.3 million people.

10:45 The Israeli fighter jets launched a preemptive strike on targets in south Lebanon.

Right after the attack, rocket warning sirens sounded in the settlement of Satula, Western Galilee.

Since the war on Gaza erupted, Lebanon's southern border has seen intensifying tit-for-tat exchanges, mainly between Israel and Hezbollah, a Hamas ally, stoking fears of a broader conflagration.

11:00 Hundreds of policemen raided properties across Germany over suspected links to the Lebanese Hezbollah group, authorities said.

The raids targeting 54 sites came after Germany banned Hamas activities and related organisations, in the wake of the October 7 Hamas operation.

"At a time when numerous Jews feel particularly threatened" Germany will "not tolerate neither Islamist propaganda nor anti-Semitist incitement hostile to Israel," said Interior Minister Nancy Faeser.

10:45 Eight Israelis were wounded in a shooting attack near occupied Jerusalem before the attackers were "neutralised", Israeli police said.

According to media reports, three Palestinians opened fire on a checkpoint in the tunnels road, west of Bethlehem, injuring 8 security members. Police said all three attackers were killed by Israeli forces at the scene.

The tunnel road that links Jerusalem with settlements in the southern West Bank is closed.

10:00 The Israeli army announced that two soldiers were killed in the fighting on Wednesday in the northern Gaza Strip, bringing the death toll among Israeli soldiers in the ground offensive to 50.

9:30 Israel renewed its raid at Gaza's largest hospital Thursday, targeting what it claimed was a Hamas command centre nestled among patients, medics and the displaced.

"Tonight we conducted a targeted operation into Shifa hospital," said Major General Yaron Finkelman, the head of Israeli military operations in Gaza. "We continue to move forward."

The Palestinian health ministry in Gaza said Thursday that Israeli bulldozers had "destroyed parts of the southern entrance" of the hospital.

Both Israel and its top ally the United States claim that Hamas has a command centre below the Al-Shifa complex, which has become a focal point in the war.

9:00 The Israeli occupation army said that its fighter jets struck the home of Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh in the Gaza Strip overnight.

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Sarah Jessica Parker spoke about her new wine collection in Supervalu on an Instagram live interview. Photo by James Devaney/GC Images

Hollywood actress Sarah Jessica Parker has hailed Donegal for its great pubs and admitted that she and her family love potatoes when they stay at their holiday home in Ireland.

The Sex and the City star, who has been holidaying in Ireland for 30 years, praised the local pubs in her parish of Kilcar, in Co Donegal, where she stays with her husband Matthew Broderick and her children every summer.

We have some great pubs in our neighbourhood there. Every time we are there I try to have a glass of Guinness, the 58-year-old said, conceding that she isnt a fan of drinking pints as she finds them too difficult to finish.

However, she said she loves the ceremony of watching people pour pints in different ways, and likes to visit the Rusty Mackerel pub on Teelin Road, located on the foot of Sliabh Liag.

Ms Parker was speaking on an Instagram live with Irish wine expert Kevin OCallaghan during an interview on her new brand of wine with company Invivo, which is launching in Supervalu stores in Ireland.

Sarah Jessica Parker stops for a Guinness in Foley's Pub in Dublin, Ireland. (Photo by ShowBizIreland/Getty Images)

The ceremony around the way we cook in Ireland has absolutely affirmed my love for food and it has changed my expectations of what I want when I come home, she said.

Ms Parker said she has a laundry list of certain foods the Irish do so well which, she said has helped shaped her pallet over the years, with some of her favourites being eggs, poultry and lamb.

We are crazy about potatoes and butter, she said, conceding that the family have a source in New York where they are able to purchase Irish groceries as it just isnt the same at home.

She admitted that the family spend the whole year trying to recreate the same foods all year in America that they consume for just a few weeks when they stay over in Ireland each year.

The six-time Golden Globe winner said that she and her husband love the vegetable soup puree made by locals in their parish of Kilcar, which they always ensure that they have in their house.

It really reminds us of an Irish kitchen, as typically women would be throwing things into a pot and pureeing. We eat that for a snack and we love crisps too, we eat them a lot, she said.

Ms Parker has launched a new collection of red, white and rose wines in Supervalu in Ireland, which are marked with a X on the label, which is how the star signs all of her correspondence, she said.

Wine Spectator, an American lifestyle magazine that focuses on wine ratings, reviews and culture, listed Ms Parkers Sauvignon Blanc as the 29th best in the world, scoring 93 out of 100 points.

Ms Parker revealed that she is involved in every single wine blending and described her work with the wine company as down to splitting the atom.

On whether Carrie Bradshaw, who she played for six seasons in Sex and the City would be a fan of her wine, she said: Even though we didnt see her drink a lot of wine except for the last supper in the final episode, I think she would.
NIWA is using a 3D printer to help save New Zealand's endangered native fish.

The National Institute of Water and Atmospheric Research has developed a Photarium with 3D printing to more safely identify and measure fish species in the waterways.

A Photarium is a small plastic rectangular box, with a clear side and built-in ruler, that allows small fish to be studied without being handled or taken out of water.

They currently are only made in the United States and do not ship to New Zealand.

With NIWA acquiring a new 3D printer, NIWA freshwater ecologist Peter Williams decided to develop his own.

Peter says he designed NIWA's Photarium based on the fish species in New Zealand's waterways.

"Many of our native species are climbing fish and the top part of the lid can be closed to stop the fish from jumping out. A mesh that's printed into this hatch cover allows us to top up the water level for better photography."

NIWA says Photarium will improve the accuracy of fish identification without harming the fish.

It is already has over 70 orders for its Photarium from regional councils, runanga, DOC, and education groups across the country.

-RNZ.
Adding mushrooms to avocados has proved a recipe for success for a Northland couple.

Greg Rathbun and Tann Duangprasit originally purchased an existing avocado orchard in Maungatapere, near Whangarei.

They ran the orchard together, but a few sparks used to fly. We both wanted to be boss, laughs Greg.

Growing up in Thailand, Tann was a bit of a forager, so her move to mushrooms was somewhat of a natural progression for her.

Pre-Covid, growing mushrooms had been more of a hobby as the pair concentrated on the Avocados.

Greg and Tann came to the 11ha property from Auckland, where he worked as an accountant. seven years ago.

Tann says she started out three years ago with no real mushroom-growing equipment.

It was a real number eight wire approach.

Mushroom Machinery

While Greg says he was waiting for the latest fad to pass, Tann went ahead and bought machinery from Thailand.

She grows oyster, shiitake, enoki, tawaka and lions mane mushrooms inside three shipping containers on the property.

Starting out at a local market in Whangarei, Tann says she sold everything.

She conducted lots of experiments along the way, but stresses she always wanted to initiate the way they grow naturally.

This includes growing them in a mushroom mulch of woodchips and wheat bran.

They start life in a petri dish, with spawn propagated from a single mushroom.

Tann says the spawn is moved into sterilised bags containing the mulch, before heading into a resting room and ultimately a growing room.

There are only limited temperature control, with the mushrooms thriving in the natural warmth of the shipping containers.

Contrary to popular belief, Tann says mushrooms also need some natural light to grow successfully.

You could grow them on a windowsill.

Tann Duangprasit explaining how mushroom growing works.

Tann says the mushrooms, which grow all-year round, have important medicinal qualities.

Last year, Maungatapere Mushrooms struck Gold at Outstanding New Zealand Food Producer Awards.

The other branch of the business, Avos to Go, has been running for 2 seasons now and involves a group of family-owned orchards all based around Whatitiri mountain. Avos to Go grow and deliver avocadoes to households, schools and restaurants around the country.

Our orchards are of a similar size, and we all have the same way of thinking, says Greg.

He says that the joint venture avoids dealing with any other party when it comes to selling the fruit.

We cut out the middleman.

Greg says the big players in the avocado industry grow chiefly for the export market, with local consumers missing out on quality fruit.

Harvasting on the mountain can go for 11 months of the year, from June to April.

Much like the mushroom operation, Greg says the avocados were originally sold through markets and restaurants.

Over the last two years this has been extended to the online market.

Oyster, shiitake, enoki, tawaka and lions mane mushrooms are grown inside three shipping containers on the property.

We pick to order, says Greg. There is no cool storage.

He says the orders are spread around the collective growers to supply.

Home Delivery

Avos to Go also makes some deliveries locally around Whangarei.

Greg says they did it hard through wet weather over the past two years.

Some orchards in the area were wiped out completely.

On his own property, Greg says he likes to keep the trees small through pruning to make for easier harvesting.

He has about 1600 trees, almost all the popular hass variety.

While half his harvest goes towards Avos to Go, the balance is exported via a regional packhouse.

Greg says most is bound for markets in Australia and Asia.

However, thanks to Avos to Go, he says the same quality of fruit is sent around the country here.

He says the group pick on each others properties, while also offering support and advice to their colleagues.

Greg laughs that he did have a packhouse on the property. But I got kicked out for the mushrooms.

Avos to Go now uses a big garage on another associated property as its headquarters.

Greg says the fruit is ready to pick when the stem thickens and passes the maturity test for oil content.

Theres also the home taste test.

He recommends consumers buy them green and ripen the old-fashioned way on the windowsill or in a fruit bowl.

Best not to place them in direct sunlight.

Once ripe, Greg recommends avocados be eaten within two days.

Ripened avocados can be kept in the fridge for a week.

Greg says freezing the fruit can also be done quite easily, increasing their longevity to 4-6 months.

Along with its direct delivery via online ordering, he says Avos to Go also works with a number of schools around the country.

We offer discounted rates for orders which the schools can then on-sell as a healthy fund raiser.

Back on the home property, Greg and Tann are even dabbling with bananas.

They are for home use at the moment, he says. Watch this space.
In a bid to tackle the severe lack of health professionals in rural communities, two teams of tertiary students are heading to Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, and Bay of Plenty to promote rural health careers to high school students.

They are trying to inspire more young rural people to pursue careers as GPs, nurses, or other health practitioners as part of Hauora Taiwhenuas nationwide Rural Health Careers Programme.

Hauora Taiwhenua CE, Dr Grant Davidson highlights the importance of training more healthcare workers and motivating them to work in rural areas.

The rural school visits are an integral part of our Rural Health Careers Promotion Programme which hopes to reverse the current rural health workforce crisis in New Zealand," says Grant.

"More than half of our 195 rural practices are grappling with vacancies, and within the next 10 years, about 50 per cent of these GPs are set to retire.

We need to have more people training as doctors, nurses, physios, and other health professions who are likely to work in rural areas.

"All the supporting evidence that shows that students from rural backgrounds are more likely to return and give back to their rural communities.

Having tertiary students on health training pathways is a great way to expose rural youth to possible health careers. Discussing their opportunities with tertiary students near their own age is a great way to motivate and educate them.

It is also a practical way for tertiary health students to give back, with many from rural backgrounds sharing their real-life experiences.

Kyla Fung, a Medicine Student on the 2022 programme, describes how the trip greatly facilitated her own personal understanding of rural health.

I saw the value of smaller communities and just how strongly they were connected to one another and their land," says Kyla.

"It expanded my understanding of what a good quality life looks like, and where healthcare fits into that.

"I feel very grateful for the opportunity to visit these schools and plant that seed in some of our youth's hearts, inspiring me to consider a move from major cities to live and work in a smaller area."

The workshops are interactive, giving hands-on experience with medical and dental equipment and a chance to talk first-hand with young people who have already embarked on this journey.
New programmes are being announced by Creative New Zealand for 2024.

The eight new funding and support opportunities are tailored to three distinct groups: early career artists, artists and practitioners, and arts groups and organisations, and will replace the existing contestable grants programme.

Weve listened to the arts community and heard the calls for fundamental change, says Arts Development Services Senior Manager Gretchen La Roche.

Weve moved from a one size fits all approach to accessible, focused, fairer support with broader opportunities for artists, arts organisations, and artists at an early stage of their career."

Creative New Zealand held 24 workshops between March and April this year and sought feedback from the sector.

As a result of talking and listening to the sector, weve moved from a focus on investing in projects to investing in people.

"These changes have been made to support artists to be able to take more risks. We want to provide greater flexibility for artists who we know need different things at different times.

The eight new programmes acknowledge the uncertainty that artists and arts organisations often operate within.

The change in focus flows through the programmes, with an emphasis on vision and purpose, valuing artists time, supporting longer-term development and building relationships with artists and organisations outside of funding.

The new Creative Fellowship Fund is an example of valuing artists time. Artists can apply for funding for up to 18 months to focus on developing fresh ideas and approaches and to take risks in their work.

Stephen Wainwright, CEO, saiys the collaborative consultation process that Creative New Zealand undertook with the arts community has transformed its thinking.

Over the past year weve looked carefully at our processes and systems and have acknowledged what hasnt worked," says Stephen.

"This new approach represents an intentional shift to be more artist-centred. We want to be uplifting the arts and making it simpler for artists to have access to the kinds of support they need to succeed. The changes underway reflect our commitment to this."

All eight programmes will be offered for the first time in 2024, with the first opening in March, and the eighth in August.

Creative New Zealand is holding online information sessions about the programmes for the sector, with follow-up Q+A sessions.

The programmes will account for about 20 per cent of Creative New Zealands investment in the arts, in line with the allocation for the previous contestable Grants funding schemes.

The Investment programmes (Toi Totara Haemata and Toi Uru Kahikatea) and the Creative Communities Scheme are not affected by the new programmes.

All Creative New Zealands investment in the arts from July 2024 will be implemented in the context of a funding pool that has returned to pre-Covid funding levels. The for the arts programmes were designed with this mind.
Its heart-wrenching watching all the footage of the current conflict in the Gaza Strip and the mass shooting in Israel that preceded it. Night after night we see images on the TV news that we wish werent happening.

But what irks me more is that with every new or newly-ignited conflict, the TV news no longer updates us on how other conflicts around the world are playing out. Who now knows whats happening in Ukraine? And what about the women and girls of Afghanistan since the US withdrew its forces from the country and let the Taliban take over? What of them? We see and hear no news of them now... Did you even know there is a war in Sudan? Between Sudanese Armed Forces and the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces, rival factions of the military government of Sudan. The world is in a troubled place. If only there was more the civilians of non-conflicted countries could do to stop the wars, stop the death and ease the heart-ache. Because it seems leaders of countries around the world cannot stop these hideous events from playing out. Shame on them.

C Smith, Papamoa.
Proposed changes to Taurangas gambling policy will not reduce gambling harm, a public health representative says.

Tauranga City Council is proposing to allow gambling venues to relocate away from residential areas, especially where there is high deprivation.

The current policy prevents venues from moving.

Gambling venues wanting to relocate would only be able to move to commercial or industrial zones that are more than 100 metres away from residential zones, with a deprivation index of 8 to 10.

The deprivation index measures an areas socioeconomic status, with 10 being the least well-off.

Toi Te Ora public Health representative Rachel Jordan said gambling is a significant public health issue that causes harm to individuals, whanau and communities.

We are concerned that the changes proposed by the council will not reduce gambling harm in Tauranga.

Allowing venues to relocate would undermine the sinking lid policy to reduce gambling harm, she said.

A sinking lid policy meant when a Class 4 (pokie) gambling venue closed, a consent wouldn't be given to re-open another venue.

Jordan spoke at the Draft Gambling Venues Policy hearings at the Strategy Finance and Risk Committee meeting on Monday.[SUBS 13/11]

Electronic gambling machines are located mostly in higher deprivation areas in Tauranga, and gambling related harm affects our most vulnerable people in our communities, Jordan said.

Tauranga has 32 venues with pokie machines and four TABs. As of June, there were 469 pokie machines in the city.

We recommend that council strictly enforces its sinking lid policy and does not allow relocation of venues and gambling machines, Jordan said.

The red areas are where gambling venues cannot move too. Photo: TCC.

Commissioner Stephen Selwood said by not allowing venues to relocate to lower deprivation areas, licensed venues could cling on in high deprivation areas.

Jordan responded by saying she would prefer venues were not able to move.

Our preference is to ensure that if venues need to relocate for whatever reason, they actually are unable to, to reduce the number of venues and machines over time.

However, Jared True, of the Gaming Machine Association of New Zealand, said the relocation proposal was entirely reasonable.

We fully support the relocation provision being expanded to enable us to consider moving our venues in any circumstances, when the move to the new site is more desirable from a harm minimisation perspective.

Currently, venues could only move if there was a catastrophic event, like a fire, flood or earthquake, said True.

If we were to leave the relocation policy as it is, we're not going to see machine numbers reduce.

Having pokie machines at a business was extremely valuable and made up around 40-45 percent of that business profits he said.

Around 63 per cent of Tauranga's gambling venues are in medium to high deprivation areas.

We should ... enable those venues to move to new suitable areas.

Mount Business Association representative Claudia West said they didnt want gambling venues to increase significantly in downtown Mount. Photo: Alisha Evans/ SunLive.

Mount Business Association representative Claudia West said relocation requests should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Social and emergency housing should be factored into where gambling venues could relocate to.

Some social housing in the Mount business area was a three minute walk from a gambling venue, she said.

Any decision should look at how many gambling venues are in an area and the distance to emergency and social housing, schools and marae, said West.

Mount mainstreet area already had two gambling venues and the association didnt want this to increase significantly, she said.

The committee will hold deliberations on the policy on December 4.

Public Interest Journalism funded through NZ On Air.
SUR Malaga Thursday, 16 November 2023, 15:04 | Updated 15:58h. Compartir Copiar enlace

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Pedro Sanchez won a third term as Spanish prime minister today (16 November) in a majority vote by MPs and after two days of heated debate in Congreso after his controversial offer of an amnesty to Catalan separatists in return for their support.

The PSOE leader's reappointment relied heavily on deals with smaller independence parties to ensure he picked up 179 votes, three more than the 176 majority required in parliament in a first vote. Parties voting for Sanchez included his own PSOE Socialists, far-left group Sumar, the two Catalan independence parties  Junts and ERC, Basque nationalist parties, the Galician nationalist party and Coalicion Canaria. The 171 votes against him included the Partido Popular, Vox and Navarres UPN party.

Following his reelection, the Socialist leader thanked the groups that backed him and sent a message to the officials, members and supporters of his own party, who, he said, had spent the past few months under great stress and deprived of information about his talks with other parties. "I know that the process that has brought us to this day has not been easy, nor has it been easy for me. Thank you for your trust," he told them. "The only criticism that the PP and Vox really level against us has nothing to do with the agreements with the nationalist parties. In fact they are willing to make a pact with them. What they criticise us for is having won the government with them, he added.

The results of Spains general elections on 23 July left the formation of the next Spanish government unclear. The conservative Partido Popular, led by Alberto Nunez Feijoo, won the election, gaining 136 of the 350 seats in Spains congress. Sanchez gained 122 seats, making it no longer the most-voted party. But the result left neither of the two main parties with an absolute majority, with a final outcome dependent on the support of Catalan and Basque independence parties, which has taken weeks to negotiate.

The deal that sparked the most furor was with Catalan separatist party Junts, which promised Sanchez the support of its seven parliamentary members in exchange for an amnesty for those involved in the regional governments failed independence referendum in 2017. This deal has triggered heated protests called for by right-wing opposition parties outside the Socialist partys headquarters in Madrid.

Sanchez, who formerly opposed an amnesty, insisted during the two-day investiture debate that this was now needed in order to unite Spain. The Partido Populars vice secretary Esteban Gonzalez Pons on Tuesday compared the amnesty deal to violations of the rule of law by some eastern European countries such as Hungary, and suggested the European Union could intervene. On Wednesday, Spains Supreme Court rejected an injunction by the far-right party Vox to suspend the Sanchez investiture vote because of the amnesty deal.

The amnesty law will now begin its passage through parliament, but opposition parties have promised to do all they can to hold it up, while the Catalan separatists have warned the new government of Sanchez that they will not tolerate anybody watering it down.

Sanchezs government will be a coalition of the PSOE and Sumar, with Yolanda Diaz as deputy prime minister. It was not clear if Podemos, now part of the Sumar grouping of MPs, would have any ministers in the new cabinet.
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Syracuse, N.Y.  A Syracuse teen who is accused of driving a stolen car through the window of a Cicero auto dealership during a series of burglaries and car thefts has been offered a plea deal.

LaKota Armstrong, 17, was offered a sentence of 10 years in prison by the Onondaga County District Attorneys office.
Syracuse, NY -- Upstate Medical University is launching a test program that it hopes will someday allow drones to routinely deliver prescriptions directly to patients doorsteps.

For now, the drone delivery program is limited to about 150 potential customers who live within a quarter-mile of the hospital systems outpatient pharmacy on Broad Road, near Community General Hospital. Its unclear when the program, if successful, might be expanded on a large scale.

Using drones to deliver packages is a growing trend nationally. Food deliveries by drone can be cheaper and faster than service from a delivery driver. And drone companies jumped into the Covid-19 pandemic market, with Upstate using a drone to fly a Covid-19 test kit during a trial run in 2021. Other Upstate Medical tests have used drones carry supplies between medical facilities.

In the post-pandemic world, drone deliveries to individuals doorsteps are a new -- and largely untested -- market. Amazon made headlines last month launching a medication drone program to homes in College Station, Texas. And other hospitals, such as the University of Michigan system, have promised drone deliveries to individuals by 2024.

Meanwhile, online pharmacies are also gaining traction, providing the convenience of medication delivered directly to a customers doorstep.

Upstate is touting the nascent drone program as a way to more quickly deliver medications to people who cant -- or dont want -- to leave their homes. Drones can typically deliver medications within an hour of being ordered. The delivery progress can be tracked, and the package is dropped off in a predetermined location that does not require any interaction between the customer and the drone.

Upstate has contracted with Causey Aviation, of North Carolina, for its prescription delivery program. Causey is one of a handful of drone companies with a federal license to deliver packages over long distances for profit.

So far, only one Upstate pharmacy package has been delivered to a private residence. But Upstate has used the same drones to ferry prescriptions back and forth from its outpatient pharmacy to Community General Hospital across the street. That test program has run more than 900 successful flights, the hospital said.

Federal regulations curtail the number of prescriptions that can be flown by drone: controlled substances -- such as opioids -- cant be flown to a private address.

But any prescriptions that can be delivered by car or truck to a doorstep can also be delivered by drone.

This service expands our toolkit of delivery options that ensure patients receive their medications in a timely manner by mail, personal delivery, in-person pickup and now, by drone, said Eric Balotin, RPh, Upstate director of retail and specialty pharmacy services.

Staff writer Douglass Dowty can be reached at ddowty@syracuse.com or (315) 470-6070.
Syracuse, N.Y. -- When Johnny Pertillar decided to put his construction skills into his own business about 15 years ago, he came up with the name Ra-Menes Home Repair.

It was a nod to something he enjoyed studying  ancient Egypt under Menes, the pharoah credited with forming that civilizations first dynasty by uniting multiple kingdoms. It also reflected his long-term goal of becoming an entrepreneur who could lift up his community and leave a lasting mark.

Pertillar, 49, grew the home repair company, and in 2013, added a home inspection business with the same Ra-Menes name. In 2019, he started a Ra-Menes trucking company, teaching himself to drive a manual transmission so he could attend trucking school and get his commercial license. Now he has a small fleet of dump trucks that serve construction sites and has plans to eventually start a truck driving instruction program.

For his next venture, Pertillar is focused on a long-vacant commercial property on the citys South Side, just a few blocks from where he lived most of his childhood on South State Street. A former auto repair and gas station at 900 South Ave. is on track to be the future home of Ra-Menes Food and Gas, a Sunoco-branded gasoline station and full-service convenience store.

The project fills a need in the neighborhood  there is no gas station in that part of the city  but it also serves as an inspiration for residents because of the person doing it, said Rita Paniagua, economic development coordinator with Jubilee Homes of Syracuse Inc.

When you have a person from the community who succeeds in this way, hes a model, she said.

Pertillars $2 million project is one that neighbors of the South Avenue corridor have wanted for several years and that city officials identified as a key goal in a government study released in 2018.

The project took a major step forward recently when the Greater Syracuse Land Bank board of directors approved selling the site to Pertillar for $5,000. The land bank will also spend up to $51,500 to have old fuel storage tanks removed in order to eliminate any potential environmental concerns at the property.

Pertillar, now a North Side resident, is excited about the new business.

My thing is the community is asking for it, he said.

Pertillar is working with Sunoco and Syracuse-based Rich & Gardner Construction on site plans, and he hopes to have the business opened by the end of 2024. The existing garage building will be gutted and rebuilt into the store. There will be two aisles of gasoline pumps, with eight fueling stations total. He expects to employ four people and have the business open daily from about 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.

As hes diversified his business portfolio, Pertillar has made sure to turn himself into an expert in each field hes entering. I want to become a master of it, he said.

Hes fueled by the idea of redemption from his younger days, which included dropping out of Corcoran High School and getting into some legal trouble. Home repair work helped him move away from that lifestyle, and entrepreneurship is helping him carve out a legacy.

I would like to leave my name stamped on something good and positive for my hometown, he said.

Pertillar has a team of people who believe in the project and his ability to get it done. In addition to working with the land bank, he secured a $100,000 grant from the citys American Rescue Plan Act Distressed Properties Program. Sunoco is partnering with him and has pledged $140,000 toward construction and $178,000 in equipment. CenterState CEO has helped Pertillar shape his business plan and is assisting him with lining up bank financing.

Hes a great business owner and entrepreneur, said Katelyn Wright, the land banks executive director, at the organizations Oct. 27 board meeting.

Wright said some people look at neighborhood convenience stores as potential nuisances because they can attract undesirable activity, but Pertillars plans call for a well-lit site with strong security measures that include cameras.

He plans on operating this as a clean, no-nonsense type of operation, she said.

With a three-bay garage built in 1962, 900 South Ave. was most recently the home of Y&H Auto Repair, but it has been vacant for about 20 years. The city obtained the property in a tax foreclosure in 2019 and transferred it in 2021 to the land bank, which listed it for $25,000.

A new gas station/convenience store at the site was among the recommendations of a South Avenue redevelopment study funded by the Syracuse Industrial Development Agency in 2018. The study referred to the property, which is at the intersection with Crescent Avenue, as a catalyst site for the corridor.

A gas station in a community is a basic need, said Paniagua of Jubilee Homes, a nonprofit focused on revitalization in the southwest section of the city. People need to drive to get their jobs.

Paniagua, who is also a Syracuse common councilor, has been working with Pertillar on his applications for public and private financial assistance. Shes been impressed by his drive to see the project through.

Johnny is a person with a vision that becomes his mission she said.

Eric Ennis, Syracuses deputy commissioner of business development, said the city is eager to see what he called a long-time blighted property get cleaned up and put back to a productive use for the community.

He also said Pertillar, a Black business owner with neighborhood roots and a successful track record, is an ideal developer.

Theres a lot of elements to this that we think are really going to be positive and be uplifting and supportive of the neighborhood, Ennis said. We really believe in supporting him and providing that assistance.

City reporter Jeremy Boyer can be reached at jboyer@syracuse.com, (315) 657-5673, Twitter or Facebook.
Syracuse, N.Y.  Advance Media New York and CenterState CEO have launched a website to highlight the quality of life in Central New York.

This Is CNY features stories, photos and videos showing what its like to live and work in Central New York. Subjects include dining out, housing information, outdoor attractions, schools, business startups and expansions, and job listings by Central New York employers.

The goal is to persuade talented people from across the country that the Syracuse area is a great place in which to live and work.

The website is a partnership between Advance Media NY (parent company of syracuse.com | The Post-Standard) and CenterState CEO, the Syracuse areas chamber of commerce and economic development organization.

Advance President Tim Kennedy said planning for the website began soon after Micron Technology Inc. announced plans last year to build a $100 billion semiconductor plant in the Syracuse suburb of Clay.

Micron says the plant will create up to 9,000 Micron jobs over 20 years, along with more than 40,000 jobs at related supply chain companies and other employers.

CenterState says the project and associated developments will greatly increase the need for Central New York to attract workers from outside the region, starting with those in the construction industry.

Kennedy said This Is CNY is designed to be a tool that the business community can use to recruit talent from outside the region.

The need for talent attraction for many industries here is critical, Kennedy said. Theres a big need, and its growing.

CenterState CEO President Rob Simpson said the idea for the website sprang from conversations the organization had with employers who expressed a need for help selling job candidates on the region.

They understand how to sell people on their companies, but we heard loud and clear they needed help on how to talk about the community, he said. This is one place they can point prospects to for information. Were encouraging people to share it with friends and colleagues.

Katrina Tulloch, editor in chief of This Is CNY, said the site includes stories curated from syracuse.com, as well as content produced exclusively for the site.

Its going to be an aggressive approach to getting people to live and work here, she said. We need architects, plumbers, engineers. Every industry needs to grow.

Other business partners in the website include National Grid, Onondaga County, M&T Bank, KeyBank, CPS Recruitment, Rapid Response Monitoring, Micron, Crouse Health, Hueber-Breuer Construction, Thompson & Johnson Equipment Co., Nascentia Health, Dermody Burke & Brown, and Le Moyne College.

Anyone with suggestions for stories or videos may contact Tulloch at ktulloch@syracuse.com.

Readers may follow This Is CNY on these social media sites: Facebook, Instagram, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn and YouTube.

Rick Moriarty covers business news and consumer issues. Got a tip, comment or story idea? Contact him anytime: Email | X | Facebook | 315-470-3148
Syracuse, N.Y.  A seven-story, red-brick public housing building on Syracuses Near West Side will get a new facade, but instead of a typical exterior upgrade, it will be the first project of its kind in the world.

In the city where air conditioning pioneer Willis Carrier brought his invention to the masses, a newly patented system for indoor heating and cooling will be tucked behind a new outside shell covering a James Geddes Housing Development elderly high-rise at the corner of Fabius and Tioga streets.

The project is a result of a partnership that includes the Syracuse Housing Authority, which owns the building, and a New York City-based startup that just won a $3 million building innovation grant.

Hydronic Shell Technologies demonstration project in Syracuse was one of six winners nationwide in the 2023 Housing Affordability Breakthrough Challenge, a competition run by an affordable housing advocacy organization called Enterprise Community Partners with funding from the Wells Fargo Foundation. The competition started with more than 400 submissions.

Winning the $3 million grant is a huge step for the Hydronic Shell Technologies, founded nearly four years ago by Queens engineer David Goldstein. The company is developing a greener and more efficient HVAC system that can be retrofitted into older multi-family buildings without disruption to tenants because all of the infrastructure is contained within panels attached to the exterior.

A graphic shows how Hydronic Shell Technologies' invention is applied to the outside of existing buildings.Hydronic Shell Technologies

In his companys early days, Goldstein connected with the New York State Center of Excellence in Environmental and Energy Systems at Syracuse University. The center awarded the company a $10,000 innovation grant in 2022 to help it pursue commercialization of Goldsteins invention.

Theyre really leaders in the country in terms of developing solutions for decarbonizing buildings, Goldstein said.

The SU center is also focused on fostering collaborations that lead to the launch of new products and services, and an event it hosted in May facilitated a key connection for Hydronic Shell. Goldstein was presenting an update on his companys progress and caught the attention of Lisa Hart, public health analyst/grants manager for the Syracuse Housing Authority.

It just immediately kind of clicked with her, Goldstein said.

Hart approached Goldstein about the potential for his system to be piloted at an SHA site and a partnership was born. SHA wont have to spend any money to be part of the demonstration, and Hydronic Shell has an ideal facility to prove its concept.

Lisa has been a champion for us, Goldstein said. If it wasnt for her, I dont think this project would have happened.

Hart said SHA Executive Director Williams Simmons has long championed lowering the authoritys carbon footprint and finding ways to make residents more comfortable, goals that the Hydronic Shell solution can achieve.

Hydronic Shell will replace an aging boiler with a system that will reduce CO2 emissions, make indoor air quality better and lower energy usage and maintenance costs while allowing residents to stay in their apartments during construction.

Goldstein said the $3 million grant is exactly what his company needed to implement the pilot. At a minimum, the demonstration will be installed on one wing of the SHA building, but hes hopeful that winning the contest will lead to more private investment and grant funding that could enable an HVAC retrofit for the entire building.

On-site installation work would likely start around the middle of 2025, Goldstein said, with completion by the end of that year or early 2026. A key part of the project will involve gathering community input on what the buildings exterior shell will look like.

Simmons said thats an important benefit of the project.

It will give it a whole new look, he said. People will start to really feel good about their residence and their neighborhood.

Goldstein is confident that the demo at SHA will be successful and lead to buy-in from the building construction industry.

We believe once we prove it, its off to the races from there, he said.

Hart and Simmons have a similar vision, saying they would want to install the systems on the other three high-rise buildings in the James Geddes complex if the pilot at the first building goes well.

This could be transformational for the entire nation, Hart said.

City reporter Jeremy Boyer can be reached at jboyer@syracuse.com, (315) 657-5673, Twitter or Facebook.
South Africa has filed a referral to the International Criminal Court for an investigation into war crimes committed by Israel in Gaza, South African President Cyril Ramaphosa said.

The move comes as South African lawmakers were expected to debate a motion on Thursday calling for the closure of the Israeli Embassy in South Africa and the cutting of all diplomatic ties with the country until it agrees to a cease-fire.

Ramaphosa said his country believes Israel is committing war crimes and genocide in Gaza, where thousands of Palestinians have been killed and hospitals and public infrastructure have been destroyed.

As South Africa we have accordingly, together with many other countries across the world, referred this whole Israeli government action to the International Criminal Court," Ramaphosa said Wednesday during a state visit to Qatar.

We have put through a referral because we believe that war crimes are being committed there. And of course, we do not condone the actions that were taken by Hamas earlier, but similarly, we condemn the actions that are currently underway and believe that they warrant an investigation by the ICC, he added.

Ramaphosas ruling African National Congress party said it would support the motion tabled by the leftist opposition party Economic Freedom Fighters for the country to shut down the Israeli Embassy and cut diplomatic ties with the country.

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The New York Department of Environmental Conservation says the states 2023 fall deer harvest is keeping pace with last years harvest as the regular big game season is set to open this weekend.

So far were seeing a very comparable harvest to last year, says DEC big game biologist, Brendan Quirion. But its a little early to tell because most of the deer harvest occurs during the regular gun season.

The regular firearms season for deer and bear in New Yorks Southern Zone opens Saturday, Nov. 18, and runs through Sunday, Dec. 10.

Some 555,000 hunters will hit the woods in the Southern Zone alone, most on opening weekend. Thats twice the number of bowhunters (early bow season opened Oct. 1 and ends Friday, Nov. 17) statewide.

Deer taken on opening day of the regular season account for a whopping 60 percent of the total statewide deer harvest, and 30-60 percent of the bear harvest, according to DEC. Hunters harvested an estimated 231,961 deer last year, a ten-percent increase over the previous year, DEC says.

Bear harvest down

The fall bear harvest is down about 25 percent in the southern zone, and down 4-5 percent in the northern zone, says Quirion. He chalks the difference up to big swings between last years drought and this years wet conditions across much of the state.

This year theres a lot of food availability for both deer and bear, says Quirion, and because of that I think hunters are just having a harder time keying in those food sources bears are utilizing because its everywhere. They can really feed on a variety of things across the landscape and theres no clear pattern.

In other words, unlike last years slim pickings, its now a bear buffet out there. Bruins are feasting on a cornucopia of acorns, beech nuts, wild cherries, wild grape, and apples in those places where last springs late frost didnt damage the crop.

DEC is encouraging antlerless harvest in some areas of NY where deer populations are outstripping the available food supply.Dan Gleiter | dgleiter@pennlive.

DEC encourages antlerless harvest

In some areas of the state, however, theres just not enough food to feed the burgeoning deer population, and DEC is seeing a decline in antler size.

And its not just a one-year event, Quirion says. Its actually a trend that were seeing and that we believe is associated with nutrient limitations.

Quirion identified the southern Hudson Valley, Long Island, central Finger Lakes, and western lake plains as areas where deer numbers are outstripping habitat carrying capacity.

Theres essentially too many mouths on the landscape for the amount of vegetation or browse thats available, he says, and so that can have this negative feedback on deer health and condition and body size, and antler development.

Quirion says that DEC is encouraging hunters to consider taking more antlerless deer this year, because thats really how you drive down populations and make sure that they arent exceeding available habitat.

A recent string of mild winters has also contributed to rising deer populations, particularly in the Adirondack and Catskill regions, says Quirion.

If that trend continues it could pose some real challenges for us, he says, so were increasing the availability of deer management permits for hunters, so hopefully hunters will take advantage of those new opportunities and harvest antlerless deer this year.

Only 16 percent of deer hunters harvested one or more antlerless deer in 2022, DEC says, despite antlerless deer being more abundant.

Late season hunting dates

Following the regular deer and bear seasons in the Southern Zone, late bowhunting and muzzleloading seasons will run from Dec. 11 through Dec. 19, and again from Dec. 26 through Jan. 1.

Hunters taking part in these special seasons must possess a hunting license and either bowhunting or muzzleloading privileges.

In the Northern Zone, deer and bear hunting season (firearms) opened Oct. 21 and end Dec. 3. The Northern Zone includes the Adirondacks, Tug Hill Plateau, Eastern Lake Ontario Plain, and the Champlain and St. Lawrence valleys.

A late bowhunting and muzzleloading deer season will be open in portions of the Northern Zone from Dec. 4 through Dec. 10.

Check out DECs website for a full breakdown of New Yorks hunting seasons.

A new law now allows hunters in Onondaga County to hunt big game with rifles, like the Winchester 94 shown here, beginning this season.Mark Folsom

Rifles in Onondaga County

Big game hunters in Onondaga County will finally be able to tote a rifle into the field this season, thanks to a bill cosponsored by Assemblyman Al Stirpe (D-Cicero) and Sen. John Mannion.

Opponents of the bill cited safety concerns, but David Simmons, director of the Onondaga County Federation of Sportsmens Clubs, says as more counties have converted to rifle, the number of hunting-related incidents and deaths in New York has improved.

The 2022 hunting season tied 2021 for the safest on record, according to DEC, which investigated nine hunting-related shooting incidents in 2022, including one fatality.

Kelsey Brunelle, 14, of Elbridge, got her first buck on the first day of the youth hunt, an eight pointer that weighed 176 pounds.

Youth hunters, hunting hours, safety rules

Again this year, 12- and 13-year-old hunters can hunt deer with a firearm when accompanied by a licensed, experienced adult. All upstate counties opted into this pilot program, with the exception of Erie and Rockland counties.

Daily hunting hours for deer and bear include the full daylight period, beginning 30 minutes before legal sunrise and continuing until 30 minutes after legal sunset. Be sure to check the sunrise and sunset times before hunting each day.

Wearing blaze orange or pink is required for hunting big game with firearms. Hunters wearing blaze orange are seven times less likely to be shot.

Its not a bad idea, either, for houndsmen to dress their dogs in blaze orange, pink, or another bright color.

The four golden rules of hunter safety

Statistics show hunting in New York is safer than ever. Still, hunters make mistakes. It never hurts to review the four golden rules of hunter safety before heading into the woods.

Point your gun in a safe direction

Treat every gun as if it were loaded

Be sure of your target and beyond

Keep your finger off the trigger until ready to shoot

Tree stand safety

DEC keeps track of what it calls elevated hunting incidents (EHIs), or falls from tree stands, which it says go underreported.

In 2022, DEC received reports of 13 EHIs, four of which were fatal, including a Camillus man who died after falling 18 feet from his tree stand in Weedsport.

Only two of the 13 hunters involved in EHIs were wearing a safety harness. Most tree stand accidents occur when hunters are climbing in and out of the stand. Never climb in or out of a tree stand with a loaded firearm.

Used correctly, a full body harness and a lifeline keep hunters connected from the time they go up the tree to the moment they come back down.

Take It  Tag It  Report It

Reporting your kill is required by law, and critical to good wildlife management. Hunters have one week to report their harvest of deer, bear, and turkey. You can still do it by phone, but doing it online is faster and easier.

With DECs HuntFishNY mobile app, hunters can access a digital version of their license and report their kill right there in the field in a matter of seconds.

Call DECs phone report system (1-866-GAME-RPT), or report online.

For regulations specific to your area, check out DECs 2022-2023 Hunting and Trapping Regulations Guide online.

Example of deer afflicted with Chronic Wasting Disease in Wisconsin. (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources photo).al.com

Stop Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD)

CWD continues to spread in other states, and hunters are on the frontline of keeping it out of New York. CWD spreads rapidly, is practically impossible to eliminate once its established, and is always fatal to deer and moose.

Hunters can help protect New Yorks deer and moose by following these tips:

If you hunt any type of deer, elk, moose, or caribou outside of New York, you must debone your animal before bringing it back. See CWD Regulations for Hunters . DEC will confiscate and destroy illegally imported carcasses and parts, including whole deer and deer heads

Do not use deer urine-based lures or attractant scents, as these could contain infectious biological material

Dispose of carcass waste in a landfill, dont just leave it on the ground

Report any deer that appears sick or is acting abnormally

Hunt only wild deer and support fair chase hunting principles

Send us your big game pics!

Send your deer or bear photos to sfeatherstone@syracuse.com. The hunter must in the photo. Also provide your hometown and names of anybody else in the photo, along with location of harvest, method and distance of shot (bow, firearm, etc.), any measurements (weight/points/spread), and any interesting details about the hunt. Happy hunting!



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READ MORE

NY hunters harvested 231,961 deer in 2022, up 10 percent - newyorkupstate.com

New state law allows Onondaga County hunters to use rifles for big game - newyorkupstate.com

CNY hunters: help find Dachs the deer-tracking dog, lost near Tully - newyorkupstate.com

Researchers find Covid-19 reservoir in Upstate New York states deer population - newyorkupstate.com

New York youth hunters safely harvested more than 1,800 deer in 2022 - 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.
A 59-year-old man who went missing last week in the North Country was found dead days later by New York State Department of Environmental Conservation forest rangers.

On the afternoon of Nov. 11, rangers found an ATV in Titusville State Forest that was connected to a missing vulnerable adult case being investigated by New York State Police in Malone.

Over the next two days, 15 rangers and ten volunteers helped state police in their search, which included deployment of helicopters and drones in a 12-linear-mile search area.

On Nov. 12, a ranger in a helicopter spotted a used fire ring in the streambed of Hatch Brook. The next day, rangers paddled down the brook and found the fire ring.

At 10:50 a.m. on Nov. 13, rangers located the missing mans dead body and transported it to the road via canoe where they turned it over to the coroner.

The following reports are excerpted from DEC:

Rangers escort a 25-year-old hiker from Brooklyn who had a panic attack on the summit of Vroman's Nose on Nov. 2.NYSDEC

On the afternoon of Nov. 12, a 25-year-old hiker from Brooklyn had a panic attack on the summit of a rock outcropping in Schoharie County called Vromans Nose. Rangers hiked up to the summit and reached the panicked hiker an hour later. The hiker was cold, but feeling better, so rangers warmed the hiker and assisted them back to the trailhead.

A 14-year-old from New Jersey experienced chest pain while hiking with his brother at the Indian Falls lookout area. One ranger hiked in from the Marcy Dam outpost, and another from the Adirondack Loj, but when they arrived the teens chest pain had subsided. Rangers helped the brothers to their car where they refused further medical attention.

A 57-year-old hunter got lost in the town of Long Lake, Hamilton County, after suffering what authorities believe might have been a diabetic episode. With the hunters coordinates in hand, rangers found the man quickly, assessed him, then escorted him out of the woods to a waiting rescue vehicle.

Rangers on Nov. 6 joined Albany Pine Bush Preserve staff to conduct a prescribed fire in the town of Colonie.NYSDEC

On Nov. 6, rangers joined Albany Pine Bush Preserve staff to conduct a prescribed fire in the town of Colonie, burning approximately seven acres. Prescribed fires help prevent the spread of invasive species and reduce the risk of uncontrolled wildfires.

On the morning of Nov. 2, a ranger helped a wet, cold camper pack up and leave their site in the Cedarlands Conservation Easement Tract after they were unable to start a fire. The camper declined medical attention.

Fire from a burning shed spread into nearby brush in the Oneida County town of Vienna on the afternoon of Nov. 3. The fire burned one quarter of an acre before it was extinguished with help from a ranger.

A 50-year-old woman from the town of Erwin, Steuben County, went missing on the afternoon of Nov. 5. Rangers joined state police and local sheriffs deputies in a search that continued until nightfall. The woman, who was believed to be despondent, returned in safe condition to her home the following morning.



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Ranger finds, revives missing person in Oswego County - newyorkupstate.com

Rangers rescue two missing Upstate NY hunters lost in the woods overnight - newyorkupstate.com

Rangers find vulnerable adult who went missing in woods near Hudson Valley town - newyorkupstate.com

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

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.
New Yorks highest court heard arguments Wednesday in a lawsuit that could reshape congressional districts in the state, which is expected to be a key battleground next year in the fight for control of the U.S. House.

The Court of Appeals hearing in Buffalo came as Democrats want to scrap the states district lines after losing congressional seats that helped Republicans win a narrow majority last year.

Democrats want the maps to be redrawn in a way that will give the party an edge in 2024. Republicans are trying to keep the current district lines in place.

The case could have major ramifications for the coming elections, where Republicans control of the House is set to be tested by races in New York and other states where redistricting battles could sway seats in favor of either party.

New York is being looked at as one state that can provide more congressional opportunities, said New York Law School professor Jeffrey Wice, adding each of these court battles matter as Democrats try to win their way back to a majority.

The lawsuit follows a bungled redistricting effort by Democrats for the 2022 elections.

The maps used in last years elections were supposed to be drawn by an independent, bipartisan commission that was established by voters to remove politics from the redistricting process. But Republicans and Democrats on the commission could not reach a consensus and eventually gave up, allowing the Democrat-controlled Legislature to draw its own map.

That map was expected to give Democrats a major edge by clustering Republican voters into a few GOP super districts, while diluting their voting power in the rest of the state.

A legal challenge stopped the Democrats plan though.

The Court of Appeals ruled that the state Legislature hadnt followed proper procedure in adopting the maps. A judge instead had an independent expert draw a new set of congressional lines that, along with strong GOP turnout, led to Republicans flipping seats in the New York City suburbs and gaining control of the House.

Now, Democrats want the Court of Appeals to restart the redistricting process.

They argued that the maps should be redrawn by the commission, following a set of procedures in state law, rather than reusing the court-drawn map from last year.

Republicans said the courts expert came up with politically balanced districts that shouldnt be discarded.

Theyre asking for a do-over to try and gerrymander the state again, and it really flies in the face of common sense, said John Faso, a former congressman who is advising other Republicans in the case.

Judges on the Court of Appeals applied heavy scrutiny to both sides during the almost two-hour long hearing Wednesday, which centered on the interpretation of constitutional questions that have lingered over the current map. It is unclear exactly when the Court of Appeals will issue a decision in the case.

Similar redistricting fights are still playing out in other states.

Nationwide, Democrats have dedicated major financial and organizational resources to retake districts in New York next year. Republicans are aiming to hold onto the seats, focusing on issues such as crime and the arrival of migrants that they hope will animate suburban voters.

About a week ago, many looked to New Yorks election results for clues about how suburban areas around the country may vote next year.

Republicans, who won all four congressional races on Long Island in 2022, continued their streak there with wins in county executive races. Democrats, meanwhile, notched wins in suburbs north of the city.
By Ashley Hupfl | The Daily Gazette, Schenectady

Albany, N.Y.  State Sen. James Tedisco introduced legislation this week that will require the state Education Department to reimburse school districts for the costs they have incurred by accepting new students who come from the recent influx of asylum seekers upstate.

The Migrant Student Transfer Reimbursement Act would reimburse school districts for per-pupil expenses and any potential additional hiring of English as a Second Language teachers, social workers or bus drivers. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the average public school spending per student in New York is $26,571  the highest in the nation.

Tedisco, R-Saratoga Springs, said the bill would require NYSED to evaluate each impacted school districts budget and create a funding formula, and would only apply to new students who are a result of the states migrant crisis.

Now were getting an influx of kids who are English as a Second Language or have special education needs, Tedisco said. All these costs are enhanced right now. It cannot fall back on the local taxpayers. Thats not fair. They passed school budgets. School boards did their best diligence they could to put their budget together based on what they knew.

Mohonasen Central School District added 71 new students this fall from the migrants who arrived at the Super 8 hotel in Rotterdam this summer from New York City. Superintendent Shannon Shine previously said the district sought to hire two additional teachers to teach English as a New Language and English as a Second Language.

Shine also said long-term expenses were likely to be significant and the immediate costs would be covered by the $800,000 in appropriated fund balance that is included in its budget each year to cover unexpected costs.

The bill would require the governor to submit to the state Legislature  within 30 days of the commencement of the school year  chapter amendments to the Aid in Localities budget in order to reimburse any expenses that are the result of an influx of migrant students entering the school district.

Those school districts who have enhanced costs for budgets theyve already passed should not have to go back to their taxpayers at some point next year to make up for this in some way, Tedisco said.

The bills introduction comes as the states fiscal watchdogs are warning state lawmakers that difficult choices will need to be made during next years state budget negotiations given a projected multi-billion dollar deficit.

Tedisco, a ranking member of the state Senate Education Committee, said he is confident he will be able to find someone to co-sponsor the legislation in the Assembly and is already in discussions with Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon, D-Marcy, to sponsor the bill. Democrats have a supermajority in the Assembly and a majority in the state Senate. A bill must pass both houses before it goes to the governor to either sign or veto it.

We all want to protect our school districts and our school boards and our local taxpayers and [Buttenschon] is a Democrat in the [Democratic] supermajority in the Assembly. So, I think were going to be able to get a sponsor and pass the bill in both houses, Tedisco said. I think were all very sensitive to the fact that we have budgets, we elect school board members, they do their due diligence ... I think we all want to protect our local taxpayers and be fair.

Tedisco added that the state will be forced to continue to combat the challenges posed by the migrant crisis until the federal government takes action to address the crisis at the countrys southern border.

The [New York City] mayor  in his own words  said, New York City is being destroyed by these numbers. Well, Texas was concerned about that, Arizona at the border is concerned about that, and its not a question of if we care about immigration, theyre not prepared to assimilate them. Theres no plan to provide the funding of the education, the housing, the work permits or a plan and process to lead to citizenship, Tedisco said. And, until they build that in place, youre going to hear the mayor continue to talk about the destruction of New York City. Not because he doesnt care about immigrants, but theres too many of them at too quick a rate and the programs arent available.

___

(c)2023 The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, N.Y.

Visit The Daily Gazette, Schenectady, N.Y. at www.dailygazette.com
By Kathleen Moore | Times Union, Albany

Albany, N.Y.  After years of decline, SUNY enrollment overall increased by 1 percent this year  including a 4.3 percent boost in new undergraduates.

Enrollment has been falling for a decade, and the increase to 367,542 total students brings the system back to nearly where it was in the fall of 2021.

Theres a long way to go to get to Gov. Kathy Hochuls goal of 500,000 students by 2030. But she said this years increase was a good first step.

New York continues to make important progress towards building the best public higher education system in the country and as a result, more young students are choosing SUNY, Hochul said in a statement. I know firsthand that access to higher education is an engine for social mobility. Thats why I will continue to make important investments in our higher education systems and take steps to ensure college is affordable and accessible for students of all backgrounds.

Some community colleges also posted big increases in new students.

SUNY Schenectady

At SUNY Schenectady, enrollment of new students is up 15 percent, according to SUNY. The two-year college sees regular turnover as students finish or move on, but total enrollment is up 6 percent  about 240 students  over last years 4,000 students.

Its great news, said Patrick Ryan, vice president of administration at SUNY Schenectady.

The college had seen a precipitous decline in enrollment, from 6,600 in 2017 to 4,000 in 2022. Last year was the first increase after five years of downturn.

Among the many efforts to increase enrollment, SUNY Schenectady officials went to three high schools last year to announce that every graduating senior had been accepted.

It sent a message to folks who wouldnt have thought college was an option, Ryan said. We definitely have seen more students from those efforts.

HVCC

Hudson Valley Community College is up 3.5 percent in credit-bearing students. The college also posted big increases in high school students taking classes and in people taking non-credit programs, including workforce training.

HVCC President Roger Ramsammy celebrated the numbers as proof of the power of the education his college provides.

We are a college that equally competes with any university, he said, noting that many students dont need a four-year degree to get into a good career.

The increase in enrollment was driven largely by new programs, he said.

We have instituted several new courses and programs on our campus, like our welding and fabrication  that was a big boost for us, he said, adding that such programs are so popular that the college ran out of space. It is now planning a new building for skilled labor programs, and a STEM building is already under construction at the North campus in Malta.

Were going to see another big boost next year because of our new STEM building, he said, adding that the skilled labor building on the main campus would have an even bigger impact. Its just going to blow everything up.

Hes also proud of how many students stay for a second year. Five years ago, 55 percent of students were still enrolled a year later. Now its 62 percent.

The largest enrollment increase, by percentage, involves the colleges high school offerings. Enrollment in those programs was 29 percent higher than last year. A total of 370 students are taking college-level courses in high schools around the region through Hudson Valleys College in the High School.

Also growing are non-credit programs, offered for personal enrichment or professional development. In the past year, 6,347 students have taken those courses, an 11 percent increase over the previous year.

In addition, the college saw a jump in students enrolled in credit-bearing courses. In total, 7,674 such students enrolled this fall, an increase of 3.5 percent over last fall.

Four-year colleges

Eighteen of the SUNY systems four-year colleges and universities also posted an increase in new undergraduates.

The other 10 colleges and universities posted a decrease, including SUNY Potsdam, down 1.6 percent. In September, Potsdam President Suzanne Smith announced cuts and layoffs because the college had a $9 million operational deficit. Enrollment there is down 43 percent since 2010, she said.

The biggest decreases were at SUNY Oswego, down 18 percent, and at Empire State University, which is headquartered in Saratoga Springs, down 24 percent. But its not all bad news at Empire State  so many students stayed at the university that its total enrollment was 1.5 percent higher than last year despite the decrease in new students.

At University at Albany, new undergraduates increased by 7 percent over last year.

International enrollment returned to nearly where it was in fall 2019, before pandemic-related travel restrictions. The number of transfer students also rose slightly.

Graduate student enrollment, which has been increasing since 2017, continued its upward trend. There are now 45,617 graduate students in the SUNY system, up 1,300 from last year. There were 40,254 graduate students in 2017.

SUNY officials tried to directly reach every high school senior to encourage them to go to SUNY. Last spring, SUNY automatically accepted every senior outside of New York City to their nearest community college. Seniors in New York City were sent letters encouraging them to apply (they could also attend CUNY schools in the city).

SUNY also announced application fee waivers and, when a student was rejected at the SUNY to which they applied, officials would send them an auto-acceptance at another SUNY school.

___

(c)2023 the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.)

Visit the Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) at www.timesunion.com
U.S. President Joe Biden welcomed Chinese leader Xi Jinping to California where the two are meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum.

Biden and Xi shook hands outside of the Filoli estate, about 48 kilometers (30 miles) south of San Francisco, before heading inside where they exchanged remarks. The press was then ushered out of the room so the closed-door meeting between the leaders could continue.

Biden, who spoke first, said tension should "not veer into conflict," to which Xi responded that for the two nations, "turning their back on each other is not an option."

As the first meeting in a year between the two leaders, it is hoped that it will help ease ongoing tensions between the two powers over military conflicts, drug-trafficking and artificial intelligence. Officials on both sides have set low expectations for anything major to be resolved. The two will be discussing Taiwan, the South China Sea, the Israel-Hamas war, Russia's invasion of Ukraine, North Korea and human rights -- all topics in which the two nations have had staunch disagreements.

Also high on the agenda is restoring normal communication channels between the militaries of the world's two largest economies. China severed those contacts in August 2022, when then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan, the self-ruled island Beijing considers part of the mainland.
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Teagasc National Dairy Conference 'Adapting to a changing dairy farming environment'

This year's Teagasc National Dairy Conference will take place on Wednesday, 29 November in the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny. The conference theme is 'Adapting to a changing dairy farming environment'.

Pictured at the launch of the Teagasc National Dairy Conference taking place on Wednesday, 29th November in the Lyrath Hotel, Kilkenny on 'Adapting to a changing dairy farming environment' are: Dr Joe Patton, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer, Teagasc; dairy farmer/speaker Brendan Joyce, The Island, Urlingford, Co Kilkenny, his sons Adam & Cormac; Patrick Moylan, Teagasc Dairy Advisor and Richard O'Brien, Regional Advisory Manager Teagasc Kilkenny/Waterford. Photo O'Gorman Photography.

Speaking in advance of the event, Head of Dairy Knowledge Transfer in Teagasc, Dr Joe Patton said; this years conference will tackle some of the most pressing issues currently facing dairy farmers. It will feature a range of practical workshops where farmers attending can meet and interact with researchers, advisors and leading dairy farmers on a range of issues such as grazing and nitrogen strategies, future farm stocking rate decisions, nutrient management technologies, and the potential benefits of flexible milking schedules.

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine, Mr Charlie McConalogue TD will deliver the opening address. This will be followed by the first technical session, Key Drivers of Milk Production Costs in Dairy Systems, which will feature a presentation from Mr David Beca, Red Sky Agri Consulting, Australia. David has specialised in identifying and reporting on the primary drivers of productivity and profitability in grazing systems. David also operates Red Sky, an agricultural business analysis and benchmarking software application that has wide use across Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.

Following this international perspective, Dr Joe Patton, Teagasc, will present some key trends in cost structure on Irish dairy farms, and highlight the value of dairy cost benchmarking as a business development practice.

The second session of the day is Getting to Grips with Labour Challenges on Dairy Farms. The discussion here will centre on farm task organisation and the structures of work schedules on Irish dairy farms, with a view to identifying areas for progress. Marion Beecher, Teagasc Moorepark, will present the results of a recent labour study involving 55 dairy farms, which will address key questions around scheduling, rosters, use of non-core labour, and labour costs.

To provide practical farm level experiences, John Whelan, dairy farmer from Co. Wexford, and Brendan Joyce, who is dairy farming in Co. Kilkenny will both speak. John Whelan will outline how he makes use of contractors for key tasks at peak times, manages weekend work for staff and lessons learned in a growing dairy business. Brendan Joyce will share his top tips for efficient work routines in spring, the labour benefits of a simple system, and the importance of capitalizing on-off peak time.

Interactive Sessions

In the afternoon, conference attendees can choose three interactive workshops from the following:

Back to basics on grazing tactics for spring 2024

Joseph Dunphy, Teagasc Grass10; Brendan Horan, Teagasc Moorepark, and Joe Murphy, Dairy Farmer, Kilkenny

Joseph Dunphy, Teagasc Grass10; Brendan Horan, Teagasc Moorepark, and Joe Murphy, Dairy Farmer, Kilkenny Achieving 100 SCC in the first 100 days

Pablo Silva Bolona and Don Crowley, Teagasc

Pablo Silva Bolona and Don Crowley, Teagasc Nitrogen (N) for 2024

John Maher, Teagasc Grass10; Michael Egan, Teagasc Moorepark; and David Wall, Teagasc Johnstown Castle

John Maher, Teagasc Grass10; Michael Egan, Teagasc Moorepark; and David Wall, Teagasc Johnstown Castle Stocking rate decisions for future systems

Michael ODonovan, Donal Patton and Patrick Moylan, Teagasc

Michael ODonovan, Donal Patton and Patrick Moylan, Teagasc Milking 10 times a week can it work for you?

Emer Kennedy and Martina Gormley, Teagasc

Emer Kennedy and Martina Gormley, Teagasc Slurry storage and handling - how best to invest

Pat Tuohy, Teagasc and William Burchill, UCC

Richard OBrien, Teagasc Regional Advisory Manager for Kilkenny and Waterford; We are delighted to welcome dairy farmers and industry personnel from all over the country and further afield, to Kilkenny for the Teagasc National Dairy Conference. The format of the day and line-up of speakers will make for interesting debate on the solutions to challenges facing the industry. We encourage early booking to make sure you get workshops of most interest to you.

To register visit www.teagasc.ie/dairycon23

To see more, watch the promo video below
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak pledged on Wednesday that his government will keep seeking ways to send some undocumented immigrants on a one-way journey to Rwanda, even though the Supreme Court just ruled that policy was illegal and could imperil refugees.

Five justices unanimously found that Rwanda is not a safe destination for migrants, writing in their decision that asylum-seekers redirected to the East African nation would be "at real risk of ill-treatment."

The court cited a laundry list of reasons for striking down Sunak's plan, including Rwanda's record of human rights abuses, political repression and policy of "refoulement," or deporting asylees to the countries they had fled from.

The justices argued that Rwanda's tendency to reject refugees from war-shattered countries means that there is a danger "that asylum claims will not be determined properly..." The ruling, Sunak said, "was not what we wanted." But he is undeterred. He said that his administration would broker a treaty with Rwanda to address the court's worries.

If the treaty falls through, Sunak said, he would consider rewriting British law and backing out of international human rights agreements, which would undoubtedly draw ire from activists at home and abroad.
Bridging Gaps in the European Plant-Based Protein Value Chain - Teagasc Unveils an Interactive Story Map

The journey toward a transformed European food system through the development of new plant-based value chains faces numerous challenges, as highlighted by researchers and industry experts from Ireland, Germany, Italy, and Serbia.

The VALPRO path project team led by Teagasc, conducted desk based research, interviews and workshops with international experts to uncover the complexities of these challenges. Subsequently, utilising the gathered information, the Teagasc team has developed an online story map titled "Feeling the Pulse: Identifying Gaps in the EU Plant-Based Protein Value Chain."

The dynamic story map, available at this link, serves as a comprehensive guide that identifies and visually represents gaps across all stages of the plant-based protein value chain. Focusing on high-value protein crops grown in the EU like peas, lupins, chickpeas, faba beans, soybeans, and lentils, the insights aim to empower stakeholders involved in strategic planning, business case development, and transformative initiatives within the European food system.

Key findings from the story map reveal critical gaps across value chain stages:

Inputs Stage:

Legume potential in European farming systems is hindered by a shortfall in registered grain legume varieties adaptable to diverse climates. Data from the EU Plant Variety Database highlights a significant disparity in registered varieties between grain legumes and wheat. Insufficient registered plant protection products result in a scarcity of inputs for managing pests, diseases, and weeds in protein-rich legumes, affecting crops yield stability.

Cultivation and Production Stage:

Lack of in-depth farm advisory support, education, and training impedes high yields and restricts innovation opportunities along the value chain. Current grain legume yields in Europe fall below their potential, illustrated by the relative yield gap showcased in the story map.

Processing and Packaging Stage:

Existing technologies can alter plant-based ingredient textures, but additional techniques are needed to ensure sensory properties and functionality.

Marketing and Distribution Stage:

Communication gaps related to labelling, marketing standards, and brands are observed. Consumer knowledge gaps contribute to confusion and concern, creating a gap at the sales and retail stage. In the food service sector, knowledge gaps and inconsistent retailer promotions hinder the recognition of unique characteristics of plant-based proteins.

The map also highlights the importance of the institutional context as an influence on these gaps. It notes that governments and policy makers on the one hand, and society and individuals on the other hand, have a role to play in addressing these gaps.

We will review and update this story map over the course of the VALPRO Path project so that we can refine the messages we are communicating, highlighting those challenges that remain while equally showing the progress achieved. says VALPRO Path project coordinator Dr. Ewen Mullins from Teagasc.

The story map is available at https://arcg.is/15Wb5T0 and it complements a set of videos recently produced as part of the project also.

About the VALPRO Path project

From harnessing on-farm processes to creating business models, VALPRO Path aims to turn food-chain actors towards sustainable plant protein production. The mission is to pioneer fresh possibilities, validating and showcasing ways to enhance plant protein production for food and feed in the EU.

The VALPRO Path project is co- funded by the European Unions Horizon Europe research and innovation programme and all the information is available on projects website, as well as Facebook, Linkedin, Twitter and Youtube.

Co-funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Research Executive Agency. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
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The seventh annual Tyto Tech 500 awards reveals a major transformation in the pan-European technology landscape as journalists are identified as the most influential voices for the tech industry in 2023.

The number of journalists placed in the Tech 500 ranking has risen by 38% since 2021 and now make up 198 of the 500 most influential individuals in the list (TechDigest.tv editor Chris Price is in 51st place in the UK, one place behind Money Saving Expert Martin Lewis  you can see full list here).

The Tech 500 identifies the most influential individuals in the technology sector across the UK, Germany, France, the Netherlands and Sweden.

The pan-European Tech 500 reveals that influential figures predominantly come from four major tech sectors: General Tech, EnterpriseTech, FinTech, and ConsumerTech. This collectively constitutes over half (58%) of the total influencers ranked in the Tyto Tech 500 and mirrors the previous year, where these sectors similarly commanded the top positions.

However, two sectors have demonstrated remarkable growth in influence in recent years: SpaceTech and Cybersecurity. In two years, the number of influencers related to SpaceTech has risen by 350% and Cybersecurity by 43%. Below are the main trends:

Journalists reign among the elite of European tech influence: Nearly 40% of the most influential personalities in the pan-European Tech 500 are journalists, knocking business leaders out of the top spot for industry influence for the first time. Journalists featured in the list of the top 20 most influential individuals include Francois Sorel, Broadcaster for BFM Business; Sarah Butler, Retail Correspondent at The Guardian; and Jonathan Amos, Science Correspondent at the BBC.

Nearly 40% of the most influential personalities in the pan-European Tech 500 are journalists, knocking business leaders out of the top spot for industry influence for the first time. Journalists featured in the list of the top 20 most influential individuals include Francois Sorel, Broadcaster for BFM Business; Sarah Butler, Retail Correspondent at The Guardian; and Jonathan Amos, Science Correspondent at the BBC. Influence in the European tech industry is heavily weighted towards the private sector: 37% of the most influential figures in the pan-European tech industry are business leaders although the group has relinquished its longstanding grip on first place to journalists. At a country level, business leaders make up 51% of the most influential in the UK, 70% in France, 64% in Germany, 62% in Sweden and 25% in the Netherlands. For the second consecutive year, Richard Branson, British business magnate, investor and founder of the Virgin Group is identified as the most influential person in the European technology sector.

37% of the most influential figures in the pan-European tech industry are business leaders although the group has relinquished its longstanding grip on first place to journalists. At a country level, business leaders make up 51% of the most influential in the UK, 70% in France, 64% in Germany, 62% in Sweden and 25% in the Netherlands. For the second consecutive year, British business magnate, investor and founder of the Virgin Group is identified as the most influential person in the European technology sector. The gender gap narrows as the number of women in tech continues to grow: Female representation in the pan-European Tech 500 has increased from 22% in 2021 to 27% in 2023. Most female influencers belong to the business leader and journalist categories, accounting for 78% of women in the pan-European top 500. The UK leads the way for female representation as 30% of the countrys top tech influencers are female, closely followed by Germany (28%), France (23%), Sweden (21%) and the Netherlands (15%). Individuals featured in the pan-European top 50 include Annalena Baerbock, Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of Germany; Helen Dickinson, CEO of the British Retail Consortium; Sarah Butler, Retail Correspondent at The Guardian, Caroline Lucas, Member of Parliament, UK, and Parmy Olson, Technology Columnist at Bloomberg.

The top 10 influencers for Europe in 2023 are:

1. Richard Branson  Founder, Virgin

2. Francois Sorel  Radio journalist and TV anchor, BFM Business

3. George Freeman  UK Minister of State for Science, Research, Technology and Innovation

4. Alok Sharma  President, COP26

5. Jonathan Brearley  CEO, Ofgem

6. Patrick Vallance  Non-Executive Director, ARIA

7. Robert Habeck  Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Climate Protection, German government

8. Annalena Baerbock  Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, German government

9. Helen Dickinson  CEO, British Retail Consortium

10. Sarah Butler  Retail Correspondent, The Guardian

The top 10 influencers in the UK for 2023 are:

1. Richard Branson  Founder, Virgin

2. George Freeman  UK Minister of State for Science, Research, Technology and Innovation

3. Alok Sharma  President, COP26

4. Jonathan Brearley  CEO, Ofgem

5. Patrick Vallance  Non-Executive Director, ARIA

6. Helen Dickinson  CEO, British Retail Consortium

7. Sarah Butler  Retail Correspondent, The Guardian

8. Mark Carney  Special Envoy on Climate Action and Finance, United Nations

9. John Edwards  Information Commissioner, Information Commissioners Office

10. Dan Milmo  Global Technology Editor, The Guardian

Says Zoe Clark, Senior Partner and Head of Media and Influence at Tyto:

During a time of global economic uncertainty, war and geopolitical tensions, climate change, and rising concern over new technological innovations such as AI, we have seen journalists come to the fore as people seek objective and trustworthy information.

Despite the burgeoning influence of social media platforms, the pervasive issue of disinformation, and the relentless spread of fake news, it is evident that people continue to rely on reputable news media. The 2023 edition of the Tech 500 is an illuminating insight into who is influential in the pan-European landscape and will empower European firms eyeing expansion as well as international companies, especially from the US, looking to plant their flag on European soil.

To download the full Tech 500 report, please visit: https://tytopr.com/2023-tyto- tech-500

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The Microsoft Artificial Intelligence (AI) venture is getting a significant helping hand from its custom-made chips, and these two processors which it unveiled will soon deliver a new power for the company. Silicon is now a significant chip focus for various companies, with Microsoft joining in the trend, especially amidst the GPU shortages the world has seen these past months.

Azure's cloud computing service will see new workhorses to answer its need to process AI developments, soon to deliver its products powered by the tech.

Microsoft Unveils Silicon Chips Meant to Power its AI

(Photo : Microsoft)

The Microsoft Ignite event ushered in a new era for the company's future AI developments, with the company announcing earlier today that it is taking on Silicon chip development to supply its needs. The company's goal is to accelerate in-house AI workloads via the Azure cloud service, and this introduces the processors meant to achieve it.

Enter Microsoft's Azure Maia 100 AI Accelerator and the Azure Cobalt 100 CPU.

Both chips were designed to be silicons, with the Maia manufactured on TSMC's 5nm chip platform, with 105 billion transistors, meant to run LLMs like GPT 3.5, GPT 4, and more.

On the other hand, the Azure Cobalt 100 CPU is an ARM-based chip that will focus on conventional processes like powering Microsoft Teams.

It was revealed by the company that these chips will remain exclusive to their needs, with Microsoft being the sole user of it for Azure's AI.

Read Also: ChatGPT Plus Sign-Ups on Hold as OpenAI Struggles to Meet Overwhelming Demand

New Chips to Answer GPU Shortage Problems

There is an ongoing GPU and chip shortage that the tech industry is facing, and this has resulted in NVIDIA's AI chip seeing massive demand, also it increase in prices. Microsoft takes a page from rival tech companies who are also focusing on new chip developments meant for its AI, with the company's development fitting existing machines.

Microsoft's AI Developments

In the past months of 2023, there has been one massive development from Microsoft which took over the world, and this is with its artificial intelligence which was seen throughout the year. The main focus of Microsoft regarding AI now centers on delivering new capabilities for its software and technology, particularly with its Windows seeing significant integration for Copilot.

The first Microsoft product to get its massive AI integration from OpenAI was Bing, with the company's search engine centering on the chatbot offering a way for users to generate content.

It also grew throughout the past months, centering on the Bing Search Engine offering AI integration, particularly with the recent arrival of DALL-E 3 to the service.

There are still many problems that AI development faces, and this includes the processors needed for its continued improvement and management, seeing a shortage now. NVIDIA was a previous source for Microsoft's AI chips, but now, the company is looking to make this in-house, with the Azure Maia 100 AI Accelerator and the Azuer Cobalt 100 CPU taking its place in the industry.

Related Article: Microsoft Brings AI to Help Xbox Content Moderation, Catch Violations Without Reports

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The latest development by Google for its Bard AI chatbot is to make it available for teens to access, and not only that, the company is making it safe for underaged users with features in place for a wholesome experience. Allowing access will bring safety measures that apply for Google accounts with a minimum age of 13 for most countries worldwide, but will depend on specific country policies.

Safeguards are a must for accessing the internet, and this is also something that Google made available for Bard, best known for being an advanced AI.

Google Bard is Now Accessible for Teens Aged 13 and Above

(Photo : Google The Keyword)

Tulsee Doshi, Google's Head of Product and Responsible AI has detailed in a new blog post that the internet company is now allowing teens to experience a "responsible" Bard. The rollout of this eligibility is now available in most countries in the world, but for those who are left behind, it will soon arrive, promises Google.

"We're continuing to be responsible as we open up Bard to more people. Before launching to teens, we consulted with child safety and development experts to help shape our content policies and an experience that prioritizes safety," Doshi explained.

Read Also: Google Bard Allows Sites to Control Generative AI Access for Training

Bard for Teens: Certain Safety Features in Place

Like other services for teens, Bard is now featuring safety features in place for underage users' access, centering on a helpful, informative, yet cautious to the age group. First off, Google claimed it will provide resources about the overview of generative AI, also offering a video explainer for it.

Next, Google will double-check the answers that Bard provides for first-time teen users.

Bard will also be mindful of the appropriate content for the certain age group, and will only bring information that is safe for them. According to Google's support document, these are the ages for each country who are eligible to access Bard via their teen accounts.

Google Bard and What it Has to Offer

Despite massive hiccups during its early days, Bard has developed to be among the top AI chatbots in the world, with Google integrating it among many apps and services of the company for an improved experience. Recently, Google added Bard to Gmail, YouTube, Docs, and others of its Workspace suite to assist users in their everyday use.

Among the latest developments for Bard is the addition of new languages, with the AI chatbot now capable of talking in as many as 40 dialects, making it a better-accessible tool. Google's massive focus on artificial intelligence aims to make it accessible for all, with the company branching out to various countries for their use, also focusing on localizing the experience.

With Google's many developments for Bard, it is shaping up as an AI chatbot that could help everyone's needs, centering on different communities, niches, or age groups. The latest update by Google for Bard now centers on allowing teens to access the chatbot, but this comes with safeguards that will ease their parents' or guardians' worries, also ensuring factual answers for the young ones.

Related Article: Google 'Bard' AI Chatbot Name to Stick Around, Despite Being an Experimental One

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
An inexpensive version of the 'Galleri test,' a universal cancer blood test with extreme accuracy, is reportedly being developed by Hong Kong's Centre for Novostics as per Interesting Engineering.

The version is worth only 50 USD, according to professor K.C Allen Chan of the Center of Novastics, during the Hong Kong Laureate Forum 2023. "We are expecting a rapid drop in the cost because of the improvement in the technology," as per Professor Chan.

(Photo : THOMAS COEX/AFP via Getty Images)

A lab technician works on a research process to find new CAR-T cells and RNA in the laboratory of French biopharmaceutical company Cellectis in Paris on September 23, 2021.

The Professor says they and his colleagues are trying to lower the test's current $1,000 price tag. The scientists anticipate that a second-generation model will only cost $200 and will continue to decline to just $50.

According to its website, the' Galleri test works firstly by looking for a signal that several cancer types share but would miss otherwise. Galleri has an 88% accuracy rate in predicting the tissue type or organ linked to the cancer signal if a cancer signal is found.

This information provided by the universal cancer test may then be used to direct additional diagnostic tests, such as imaging or laboratory work, to confirm the cancer.

Read Also: AI Being Used to Track Chemotherapy Complications in Fighting Pediatric Cancer

'Galleri's' Effectiveness

In a reported trial of the 'Galleri Test,' out of more than 5000 patients who visited their general practitioner with nonspecific symptoms, the test identified two-thirds of cancerous tumors correctly. On a more impressive note, it can also identify over 50 forms of cancer with a single blood draw. In 85 percent of those instances, it also recognized the initial cancer location.

The 'Galleri test' proved to be highly beneficial for early detection, as evidenced by the findings showed that patients discovered by screening had a significantly higher survival rate than those who did not receive the test. "0.1 is the hazard ratio.That means that by screening, we can cut mortality by ninety percent," Chan clarified.

The fact that Chan's team discovered a one-in-four incidence of false positives during their DNA testing may have been the most intriguing finding. Four years later, it was found that the people who had reported a false positive had contracted cancer. The results underscored the need for early screening and ongoing observation.

Recent Incorrect Test Reports

The 'Galleri test' and its parent company 'Grail' came under fire last June when almost 400 of its clients were unintentionally informed that they might have cancer. Still, the company reportedly said, as per the New York Times, that the mistake was due to a "software configuration issue" that issued hundreds of letters with inaccurate test results.

The report says that, according to 'Grail,' the issue was not brought on by unreliable test findings. According to the firm, more than half of the recipients of the mistaken letter had not yet had their blood extracted for the test.

Related Article: New Study Reveals Smoking-Induced DNA Mutations Fuel Cancer Risk

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
During testimony on behalf of Alphabet at the ongoing Justice Department trial, it was disclosed that Google pays Apple 36 percent of the ad revenue generated when users conduct Google searches through Apple's Safari browser. Kevin Murphy, an economics professor at the University of Chicago, revealed this supposedly confidential figure.

(Photo : Ming Yeung/Getty Images)

MILAN, ITALY - SEPTEMBER 22: The Apple logo outside the Apple Store Milan on September 22, 2023 in Milan, Italy.

Revealing Google's 36% Share of Ad Revenue

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai later confirmed the 36 percent during his testimony in the separate Google/Epic Games trial. This revelation adds transparency to the scrutinized relationship between these tech giants, with the DOJ accusing Google of leveraging its resources to secure market dominance by compensating companies like Apple to be Safari's default search engine.

An Epic Games attorney questioned Pichai about the accuracy of the details presented by Google's witness. Pichai affirmed, stating that it's correct. The attorney then claimed that Google pays Samsung, the largest hardware partner for Android, less than half of what it pays to Apple. Pichai responded that he couldn't confirm but acknowledged the possibility.

Describing the Samsung deal as "like apples and oranges," Engadget reported that Pichai noted that the agreements sometimes involve payments to carriers. In subsequent questioning, Pichai emphasized that Google engages in fierce competition with Apple.

Timeline

In 2021, Google reportedly paid Apple approximately $18 billion for this privilege, although it remains unclear whether this sum is part of the 36 percent or a separate fee. Business Insider, on November 15th, suggested that it is included in the 36 percent, but there has been no official confirmation by Google executives under oath.

Last week, that Google and Apple voiced concerns about disclosing the specifics of their agreement, as reported by Bloomberg. In a court filing, Google argued that revealing more details would unreasonably undermine Google's competitive standing in relation to both competitors and other counterparties.

The exact amount of ad revenue Google derives from Safari remains undisclosed, but it's reasonable to infer that 36 percent of that figure would likely amount to tens of billions of dollars.

In 2022, Google allocated nearly $49 billion to Traffic Acquisition Costs (TAC). TAC encompasses all payments made by Google to companies like Apple and Samsung to position its search engine prominently in front of users.

The specifics of Google's revenue-sharing arrangement with Apple remained undisclosed until the recent court revelation by University of Chicago economics professor Kevin Murphy. While testifying on Google's behalf, Murphy disclosed the figure during questioning by Alphabet's lead attorney, John Schmidtlein of Williams & Connolly.

During the inquiry, CNBC reported that the attorney representing Epic pressed Pichai for the exact dollar amount paid to Apple. Pichai initially stated it was over $10 billion, but the attorney challenged this, asserting the figure to be $18 billion.

Also Read: Apple is Making a Search Engine to Rival Google, But Insider Says its 'Four Years Away'



Alphabet finds itself entangled in several legal disputes, grappling with two distinct Justice Department lawsuits in Virginia and Washington, D.C., pertaining to accusations of anticompetitive practices. Additionally, Epic Games has filed a lawsuit against Alphabet, claiming the company unlawfully monopolized the Google Play store.

Related Article: Apple Exec Reveals the Real Reason Why Google Is iPhones and Macs' Default Search Engine

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Microsoft made a significant announcement at the Microsoft Ignite 2023, rebranding its AI-powered Bing Chat to Copilot. This move also extends to the premium corporate-focused version, formerly known as Bing Chat Enterprise, which has now been rebranded as Copilot.



According to Caitlin Roulston, Director of Communications at Microsoft, the decision to rename "Bing Chat Enterprise" to "Copilot" aligns with the company's vision to create a unified Copilot experience for both consumer and commercial customers, as reported by TechCrunch.

(Photo : Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)

HANOVER, GERMANY - APRIL 17: The logo of Microsoft is seen at the 2023 Hannover Messe industrial trade fair on April 17, 2023 in Hanover, Germany. Over 4,000 companies, primarily from the energy and engineering sectors, are exhibiting at the fair, with an emphasis on digitalization, connectivity and climate neutrality.

Microsoft Ignite 2023

The announcement was part of Microsoft's broader showcase at Ignite, where the company highlighted advancements designed to help customers, partners, and developers leverage the full potential of Microsoft's technology, reshaping the way work is done.

"At Ignite we are announcing new innovations across our datacenter fleet, including the latest AI optimized silicon from our industry partners and two new Microsoft-designed chips," Microsoft said in an official announcement.



The Copilot for Microsoft 365, introduced eight months ago, has played a crucial role in reducing digital debt and increasing productivity. Microsoft presented its latest Work Trend Index, showcasing Copilot's impact on productivity and work quality.



Survey results revealed that 70% of Copilot users reported increased productivity, while 68% noted an improvement in the quality of their work.



Users exhibited a 29% increase in speed when performing specific tasks such as searching, writing, and summarizing. Copilot's efficiency extended to catching up on missed meetings, with users achieving this nearly four times faster. Additionally, 64% of users acknowledged Copilot's assistance in reducing the time spent on processing emails.



Microsoft also emphasized its advances in cloud infrastructure at Ignite, particularly its partnerships with OpenAI and the integration of ChatGPT capabilities into essential tools.



The company introduced new innovations in its datacenter fleet, unveiling AI-optimized silicon in collaboration with industry partners.



The partnership expansion includes the addition of AMD MI300X accelerated virtual machines to Azure, aimed at ensuring swift AI model training.



Additionally, Microsoft introduced the preview of the NC H100 v5 Virtual Machine Series, optimized for NVIDIA H100 Tensor Core GPUs, promising enhanced performance, reliability, and efficiency for mid-range AI training and generative AI inferencing.

Read Also: Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella Admits 'Exit' on Windows Phone Business Was a Mistake, Says It Could Have Been Handled Better

Copilot as a Comprehensive Tool

Microsoft envisions Copilot as a comprehensive tool, extending its offerings beyond individual productivity to transform various roles and functions.



Copilot for Microsoft 365, now generally available for enterprises, has already garnered attention from major organizations like Visa, BP, Honda, and Pfizer, along with prominent partners such as Accenture, EY, KPMG, Kyndryl, and PwC, according to Microsoft.

Facilitating collaborative efforts, Copilot in Outlook now incorporates additional functionalities to streamline meeting preparations. Concurrently, within Microsoft Teams, improvements have been made to elevate the whiteboarding and note-taking experiences.

Related Article: Global Gamers Enhance AI Recommendation in the Gaming Industry, New Research From Cornell, Xbox and Microsoft Reveals

 2023 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
US medical transcription firm Perry Johnson & Associates (PJ&A) fell victim to a significant cyberattack earlier this year, resulting in the theft of highly sensitive personal and health data belonging to nearly nine million individuals.

PJ&A, a company specializing in providing transcription services to healthcare organizations and physicians for dictating and transcribing patient notes, disclosed the alarming breach in a mandatory filing with the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The breach, which commenced as early as March, has left an indelible impact on over 8.95 million individuals. According to TechCrunch, this incident is one of the worst medical-related data breaches in recent memory.

Medical Transcription Firm Perry Johnson & Associates' Stolen Data

According to PJ&A's official statement, patient notification of the data breach occurred on October 31. The stolen data encompasses a wide array of sensitive information, including patient names, date of birth, addresses, hospital account and medical record numbers, admission diagnoses, and the dates and times of service.

Moreover, the compromised data includes some Social Security numbers, insurance details, and clinical information extracted from medical transcription files.

This information incorporates laboratory and diagnostic testing results, medications, treatment facility names, and the names of healthcare providers. PJ&A emphasized its commitment to safeguarding information and initiated the notification process promptly after discovering the breach.

The unauthorized access occurred between March 27 and May 2, during which the cyber intruder obtained copies of specific files from PJ&A's systems. The company promptly engaged a cybersecurity vendor to investigate, contain the threat, and fortify its systems against future breaches.

As detailed in PJ&A's disclosure, the breach did not compromise the systems or networks of the company's healthcare customers. The accessed files contained personal health information but excluded credit card information, bank account details, or login credentials.

Nonetheless, the stolen data included Social Security numbers, insurance particulars, and additional clinical details for some individuals.

Read Also: MOVEit Hack: Massive Medical Data Breach Exposes Millions of Americans' Sensitive Health Info

Comprehensive Review

PJ&A undertook a comprehensive review of the affected files to address the situation and provided the results to impacted customers starting September 29. The company collaborated with the customers to notify individuals whose information was identified during the review.

Despite the lack of evidence suggesting the misuse of individuals' information for fraudulent purposes or identity theft, PJ&A encouraged affected individuals to carefully review the notifications they receive.

The notifications offer guidance on protective measures should individuals deem it necessary. Expressing deep regret over potential concerns stemming from the incident, PJ&A outlined its commitment to preventing future breaches.

The company said it is reviewing its security measures, implementing additional technical safeguards, and intensifying monitoring efforts to fortify its systems.

Related Article: US Dental Health Insurance Firm Hit By Ransomware Attack: Nearly 9 Million Patients Exposed

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Meta, the parent company of Facebook, has announced its decision to appeal against the inclusion of its Messenger and Marketplace products in the stringent regulations imposed on digital giants by the European Union (EU) in September, according to a report by AFP.



The move comes as part of the EU's efforts to establish more robust regulations for major tech companies, with the aim of protecting European consumers online and fostering competition in a sector largely led by U.S. tech giants.



In September, the EU revealed a list of 22 companies, including Meta, Apple, and TikTok's parent company ByteDance, subject to new regulations under the Digital Markets Act (DMA).



The DMA mandates significant changes in the practices of the largest tech firms, intending to create a fairer market through a set of guidelines and restrictions.

(Photo : LIONEL BONAVENTURE/AFP via Getty Images)

This picture taken on April 27, 2023 in Toulouse, southwestern France, shows a screen displaying the Meta logo and the European flag.

Meta's Appeal

Meta's decision to appeal specifically addresses the inclusion of Messenger and Marketplace within the DMA. A Meta spokesperson emphasized that the appeal is focused on seeking clarification on legal points related to the designation of these products under the legislation.



The company reiterated its commitment to complying with the DMA and expressed a willingness to collaborate with the European Commission to ensure compliance.



However, the European Commission, the EU's antitrust body, has not yet commented on Meta's appeal.



The DMA identifies certain services as "core platform" services owned by major tech companies considered "gatekeepers." This designation applies when a service boasts more than 45 million monthly active users and over 10,000 yearly active business users in the EU.



The affected companies, including Meta, must fully comply with the DMA regulations by March 6, 2024. The primary objective of the DMA is to prevent larger tech entities from stifling the growth of smaller competitors by acquiring them.



The EU has been at the forefront of global efforts to regulate big tech, with the DMA and its counterpart, the Digital Services Act (DSA). Critics contend that these companies have operated with undue freedom, negatively impacting users. Hence, the EU's regulatory measures aim to address this concern.

Read Also: Meta's Oversight Board Upholds Decision on Controversial Diet Posts, Recommends Content Restriction

Meta and Snap Receives Formal Requests

In a related development, both Meta and Snap have received formal requests for information (RFI) from the European Commission regarding the safety measures implemented for minors on their platforms. This aligns with the provisions of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).



The Commission had previously issued similar RFIs to TikTok and YouTube, reflecting the growing importance of child protection in DSA oversight.



Under the DSA, Meta and Snap are obligated to furnish the requested information to the Commission by December 1. The Commission will assess the responses and may initiate proceedings under Article 66 of the DSA, which grants the authority to impose fines for providing inaccurate or incomplete information in response to information requests. Non-compliance may result in the imposition of periodic penalty payments.

Related Article: Meta Oversight Board to Tackle Case on Altered Video of Joe Biden Ahead of 2024 Presidential Election

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Pest control products are enjoying a bonanza, while some people are now afraid of buying goods from abroad in case they are laced with bedbugs. According to online retailer Gmarket, sales of bedding vacuum cleaners increased by 740 percent on-year in the first week of this month, and of steam cleaners 65 percent.

Seoul is conducting inspections of 3,175 facilities including city accommodation and bathhouses until the end of the month.

The government is focusing on pest control at airports, railways, ports and other transportation hubs. Since the end of last month, KORAIL has been spraying disinfectant on all 4,172 trains in operation and steam-cleaning seats. A government official said, "While bedbug infestations are not yet severe here, proactive measures are being taken to alleviate public concerns."

Concerns are growing in Busan with the arrival of some 200,000 people for Korea's biggest game exhibition G-Star at BEXCO from Thursday to Sunday.

Bedbugs are spreading in Korea, particularly in the Seoul metropolitan area. Out of the 54 infestations confirmed so far, 46 occurred in the capital region, but the insects are moving southward and have been spotted in Daejeon, South Chungcheong Province, and Daegu.

Bathhouse and sauna operators are particularly concerned. Having barely recovered from the impact of coronavirus, they fear that customers might shun them again. A spokesman for the bathhouse operators' association said, "Although there has been only one case of bedbugs in a bathhouse, customers are feeling uneasy. During COVID people could wear masks, but fending off bedbugs is more difficult."

The recent resurgence of bedbugs in hygiene-obsessed Korea is attributed to the emergence of superbugs that have developed resistance to conventional insecticides.

According to the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, bedbugs almost vanished from Korea in the 1960s and 1970s when dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) was widely used. But once it was banned because it can be deadly to humans as well, pyrethroid insecticides were used, and bedbugs seem to have developed resistance to them.

The National Institute of Environmental Research urgently approved eight neonicotinoid insecticides for bedbug control on Nov. 10. They are also used for bedbug control in the U.S. and Europe and are employed domestically for mosquitoes, flies, and cockroach control.

But they can only be used by pest control companies and are not available for use in ordinary households. "From 2014 to 2020, there were only nine confirmed cases of bedbugs," a government official said. "The recent nationwide infestation is presumed to be due to the spread of super bugs that can't be killed with conventional insecticides."

Their only deadly enemy is heat. They can survive without bloodsucking for up to 150 days and for 30 minutes even at temperatures below minus 20 degrees Celsius. But temperatures over 50 degrees finish them off.

Bedbugs, unlike mosquitoes, have difficulty finding their victims' blood vessels, so they bite in a line or a circle, creating a characteristic pattern. They mainly inhabit bedding and upholstery.
A recent study reveals new insights into the ancient city of Gezer, shedding light on the timing of events within its historical timeline.

Lyndelle Webster of the Austrian Academy of Sciences and her colleagues conducted the study, providing a comprehensive examination of the city's archaeological remains, Phys.org reported.

The Ancient City of Gezer

Situated in the southern Levant, Gezer has been extensively referenced in Egyptian, Assyrian, and Biblical texts, featuring narratives of power struggles and interactions with significant historical figures.

The city also serves as a valuable archaeological site, offering a trove of artifacts from both the Bronze Age and Iron Age, presenting an opportunity for researchers to delve into the daily lives of its inhabitants.

Recent digs at Gezer have revealed an uninterrupted stratigraphic sequence, allowing for meticulous dating and the establishment of an absolute chronology detailing the city's historical events.

Webster spearheaded the study, which involved procuring 35 radiocarbon dates from organic materials, predominantly seeds, extracted from seven distinctive stratigraphic layers at the site.

These dates traverse the 13th to the 9th centuries, encapsulating a period characterized by notable transformations in the city, encompassing destructive incidents, reconstruction phases, and endeavors in fortification.

Some of these occurrences have been associated with narratives embedded in ancient texts. The dataset from this investigation furnishes a nuanced perspective, facilitating an evaluation of proposed correlations between the archaeological record and ancient texts.

Notably, the research posits that the alignment between a destructive episode and the endeavors of pharaoh Merneptah is plausible, while another suggested connection that links a similar episode with the campaign of Hazael is considered less credible.

Read Also: Mysterious Stones Crafted by Early Humans 1.4 Million Years Ago Hint at Ancient Hunt for the Perfect Sphere

Rich Historical Connections

This dataset serves as an independent source of precise dates, providing researchers with a valuable instrument to grasp the occurrences at Gezer and position them within a more extensive regional framework.

The authors of the study emphasized that "the development of a radiocarbon-based chronology at Tel Gezer - a site with uniquely rich historical connections - illustrates the crucial role radiocarbon dating can and must play in reconstructing individual site histories, resolving long-running debates and testing possible correlations between archaeological remains and written sources."

The study presents a significant contribution to understanding Gezer's history, utilizing scientific dating techniques to bridge the gap between archaeological evidence and ancient narratives.

The newfound insights allow for a more nuanced interpretation of the city's past, emphasizing the importance of independent scientific dating in anchoring chronological timelines and refining historical correlations. The findings of the research team were published in PLoS ONE.

Related Article: Archaeologists Find an Extremely Rare 1,300-year-old Gold and Gemstone Necklace From a Medieval Woman in England

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The European Space Agency's (ESA) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter (TGO) mission has detected a soft green glow in the night sky of Mars that is visible to the human eye for the first time. As the orbiter circumnavigated Mars, it captured the optical spectrum of the Martian night sky, emitting a greenish light.

Green Light on Mars

ESA's ExoMars TGO mission has observed this visible nightglow in the Martian atmosphere, marking a significant revelation. According to ESA, this nightglow occurs when two oxygen atoms combine to create an oxygen molecule approximately 50 km above the Martian surface.

The process leading to nightglow involves the formation of oxygen atoms on Mars's dayside, where sunlight energizes carbon dioxide molecules, causing them to split.

ESA explained that these oxygen atoms then migrate to the night side, losing their solar excitation and regrouping to emit light at lower altitudes, resulting in the observed nightglow.

Lauriane Soret, a researcher from the Laboratory of Atmospheric and Planetary Physics at the University of Liege in Belgium, explained the scientific process behind the nightglow.

She noted that "this emission is due to the recombination of oxygen atoms created in the summer atmosphere and transported by winds to high winter latitudes, at altitudes of 40 to 60 km in the martian atmosphere."

Jean-Claude Gerard, lead author of the study and a planetary scientist at the University of Liege, expressed surprise at these observations, emphasizing their relevance for future missions to Mars.

The nightglow's illumination could be bright enough to guide future astronauts and rovers in the dark Martian nights, akin to moonlit clouds on Earth.

The ExoMars TGO is positioned at an altitude of 400 km above the Red Planet, and it utilizes the ultraviolet-visible channel of its NOMAD instrument to monitor the night side of Mars.

This instrument covers a spectral range from near ultraviolet to red light and was strategically oriented towards the edge of Mars for optimal observation of the upper atmosphere.

The NOMAD experiment, led by the Royal Belgian Institute for Space Aeronomy in collaboration with teams from Spain, Italy, and the United Kingdom, among others, has played a crucial role in detecting the green nightglow on Mars.

Read Also: NASA Image of Spooky 'Spider' Shapes in Mars Released in Time for Halloween Season

Nightglow as a Tracer

ESA noted that nightglow serves as a tracer for atmospheric processes, offering valuable insights into the composition and dynamics of Mars' upper atmosphere, which is challenging to measure otherwise.

It can provide information on oxygen density and reveal how energy is deposited by sunlight and the solar wind, contributing to a better understanding of the Martian atmosphere.

This discovery not only contributes to scientific knowledge but also holds significance for future Mars missions, as atmospheric properties directly impact the performance of orbiting satellites and probes descending to the Martian surface.

The exploration of nightglow on Mars adds a new dimension to our understanding of planetary atmospheres and their unique characteristics.

Related Article: More Americans Prefer NASA Missions Against Killer Asteroids Instead of Mars Expeditions: Survey

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Alibaba Group has scrapped its cloud business spinoff due to US export restrictions on chips for AI technology. The Chinese company explained that the recent expansion of the curbs on the export of advanced computing chips creates uncertainties for the prospects of the Cloud Intelligence Group.

"We believe that a full spin-off of Cloud Intelligence Group may not achieve the intended effect of shareholder value enhancement," the company said, as quoted by NDTV.

The Chinese e-commerce giant's second-quarter sales matched expectations but the withdrawal of the cloud unit spin-off marks a setback in Alibaba's plan to reorganize into six individual business units, representing a significant shift in the company's structure in 24 years.





Furthermore, Alibaba has decided to postpone plans to put up its Freshippo grocery company for an initial public offering (IPO). However, the company expressed its intention to pursue external fundraising for its international digital commerce group arm. In September, Alibaba's logistics division, Cainiao, applied to list in Hong Kong.

How Did the Announcement Impact on Alibaba Shares?

Reuters reported that Alibaba's US-listed shares experienced an 8.4% decline in premarket trading following the unexpected announcement. Thomas Hayes, chairman of hedge fund Great Hill Capital, commented on the development, stating, "The market does not like surprises." Investors had anticipated receiving separate shares of the cloud business, hoping for a higher valuation in the public markets due to its growth potential.



Analysts had estimated the cloud division's value between $41 and $60 billion in March but cautioned that its listing could attract scrutiny from Chinese and overseas regulators due to the vast amount of data it manages.

Read Also: ChatGPT Plus Sign-Ups on Hold as OpenAI Struggles to Meet Overwhelming Demand



In September, Alibaba's former group CEO, Daniel Zhang, resigned abruptly, just two months after shifting focus to cloud computing. Alibaba appointed Eddie Wu, one of the company's co-founders and a long-time lieutenant of former chief Jack Ma, as the CEO of both Alibaba and the cloud business.

Alibaba's Revenue Satisfies Expectations

Alibaba reported second-quarter revenue of 224.79 billion yuan ($31.01 billion), meeting analysts' expectations.



Alibaba International Digital Commerce (AIDC), including platforms such as Lazada and AliExpress, reported a 53% rise in revenues, with retail revenue up 73% year-on-year. Analysts had anticipated strong international growth to help Alibaba offset challenges in the domestic market.



Despite uncertainties and challenges, Alibaba aims to achieve a "more nimble" structure to maintain competitiveness amid evolving regulatory landscapes and global economic pressures.

Before announcing its earnings, Alibaba revealed in a regulatory filing that Jack Ma's family trust plans to sell down its stake in the company, selling 10 million shares for $870.7 million in cash, as per a CNBC report.

The e-commerce business was established in 1999 by Jack Ma, who had maintained a low profile since late 2020 when Beijing canceled Ant Group's IPO after he criticized Chinese authorities. China fined Alibaba a record $2.75 billion for unlawful commercial practices.

Related Article: Amazon Facing Scrutiny from EU Regulators Over Digital Services Act Compliance

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The Toronto Public Library (TPL) recently confirmed a severe security breach resulting from a ransomware attack in October.

The attackers believed to be Black Basta members, targeted a file server, stealing a significant amount of sensitive information from TPL and Toronto Public Library Foundation (TPLF) employees dating back to 1998.

Extent of Compromised Data

Based on Bleeping Computer's investigation, the stolen data includes personal details such as names, social insurance numbers, dates of birth, and home addresses. Additionally, copies of government-issued identification documents provided by staff were likely accessed.

While cardholder and donor databases remain unaffected, customer, volunteer, and donor data on the compromised server may have been exposed.

Since then, TPL has taken a proactive stance, refusing to pay any ransom demands. The library is collaborating with external cybersecurity experts to thoroughly investigate the incident.

To ensure transparency and compliance, TPL reported the breach to Ontario's Information and Privacy Commissioner and filed a report with the Toronto Police.

Related Article: Dolly.com Hackers Leak Data Despite Receiving Ransom

Impact on Canada's Largest Public Library System

As the largest public library system in Canada, TPL operates on a budget exceeding $200 million, serving a membership base of 1,200,000 registered individuals across 100 branch libraries. The breach has raised concerns about the potential impact on the library's vast user community.

"The threat group's prolific targeting of at least 20 victims in its first two weeks of operation indicates that it is experienced in ransomware and has a steady source of initial access," the Department of Health and Human Services security team said in March.

Black Basta Ransomware Gang

While TPL has not officially attributed the attack to a specific ransomware group, evidence suggests the involvement of the Black Basta ransomware gang. This conclusion is based on a photo of a ransom note displayed on a TPL workstation during the attack.

Speaking of which, the group emerged in April 2022 as a Ransomware-as-a-Service (RaaS) operation. It gained notoriety for double-extortion attacks on various corporate entities. Believed to be a splinter group from the Conti ransomware gang, Black Basta has displayed a high level of sophistication, possibly linked to Russian-speaking cyber threat groups like FIN7.

TPL took swift action to contain the attack, shutting down internal systems to prevent further malware spread.

The full extent of the data breach and its implications on affected individuals is yet to be disclosed.

Outside Canada, the Black Basta cybercriminals also gained the attention of the Chilean government. The Record reported that the dangerous group attacked the digital infrastructure of the agencies.

Elsewhere, Perry Johnson & Associates, a healthcare firm in the US suffered from a cyberattack. At that time, the unknown threat actors stole data that belonged to roughly nine million users.

Read Also: LockBit Ransomware Gang Leaks 43GB of Files After Boeing Failed to Pay Ransom

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YouTube and Google DeepMind are joining forces to introduce innovative AI tools, including the groundbreaking Music AI tool, to aid artists and creators in translating ideas into music. This initiative follows YouTube's recent decision to remove AI-generated music and covers accessible through the platform's privacy request process.

Lyria, the music AI tool, shows great potential, allowing artists to create new guitar riffs by humming and transforming pop tracks into various genres, as reported by TechCrunch. Google is also developing tools to enhance fan-artist interactions, alongside Dream Track, an AI tool facilitating original soundtracks for YouTube Shorts videos. These tools will be available to Music AI Incubator participants later this year, utilizing Google DeepMind's advanced music generation model, Lyra.

YouTube Dream Track Collaborating with Music Artists

Nine renowned artists, including Alec Benjamin, Charlie Puth, Charli XCX, Demi Lovato, John Legend, Papoose, Sia, T-Pain, and Troye Sivan, are actively participating in the Dream Track experiment. YouTube and DeepMind emphasize their involvement in refining the models through testing and feedback.

Lyor Cohen, Head of Music for YouTube, and Toni Reed, VP of Emerging Experiences and Community Projects, underscore that the Music AI tools are a product of the Music AI Incubator, where artists, songwriters, and producers contribute to testing and feedback.

However, the use of AI to replicate artists' voices has faced challenges. Earlier this year, Universal Music Group filed copyright claims to remove an AI-generated song, "Heart on My Sleeve," from platforms like YouTube, sounding like an unauthorized collaboration between Drake and the Weeknd. UMG's CEO Lucian Grainge emphasizes the need to balance progress with protection, ensuring the evolution of the digital ecosystem safeguards artists.

Warner Music Group CEO Robert Kyncl acknowledges the "challenges and opportunities" of AI, highlighting YouTube's collaborative beta approach. "YouTube is taking a collaborative approach with this beta. These artists are being offered the choice to lean in, and we're pleased to experiment and find out what the creators come up with," he said, as quoted by Variety.

Read Also: Alibaba Abandons Cloud Business Spin-Off Plans Due to US Chip Export Restrictions

More Amazing Features to Rollout Later

While Dream Track sees a limited release, the broader rollout of Music AI tools is scheduled later this year, covering areas such as creating music on specific instruments and building ensemble compositions based on humming tunes.

DeepMind and YouTube prioritize ensuring AI-generated music remains credible and aesthetically pleasing. Extended exposure to AI-generated music can lead to distortions, attributed to the complexity of information in music models.

YouTube's generative conversational AI, powered by Bard technology, recently rolled out for Premium users. This feature enables interactions with a chatbot for video-related summaries and information, as per MS Power User.

Regarding safety measures, YouTube recently unveiled updated policies mandating creators to specify when they've posted AI-generated material. Additionally, the platform mentioned forthcoming methods for users to request the elimination of content on YouTube that either imitates a recognizable person or replicates an artist's distinctive singing or rapping voice without proper authorization.

Related Article: ChatGPT Plus Sign-Ups on Hold as OpenAI Struggles to Meet Overwhelming Demand

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Tech mogul Elon Musk has once again ignited a firestorm of controversy, this time on X (formerly Twitter), as he endorsed claims suggesting that Jewish communities objecting to antisemitism exhibit the "exact kind" of hatred against white people. His comments were made in response to a user's post accusing Jewish communities of perpetuating "dialectical hatred against whites."

In a now-deleted tweet, Elon Musk applauded the user, stating that they had spoken the "actual truth." The user's comments linked Jewish communities to the promotion of hatred against whites, blaming them for supporting "hordes of minorities" entering their countries.

"Jewish communities (sic) have been pushing the exact kind of dialectical hatred against whites that they claim to want people to stop using against them," Musk tweeted, as quoted by CNN.





This exchange followed a post sharing a video from the Foundation to Combat Antisemitism, depicting a father confronting his son for using the phrase "Hitler was right" online.



According to a Forbes report, Robert Bowers was a proponent of the conspiracy theory that Jewish communities want to reduce white majorities in Western nations by promoting immigration. In 2018, Bowers perpetrated the deadliest attack on Jewish people in US history, killing 11 individuals at Pittsburgh's Tree of Life synagogue. Bowers was given the death penalty earlier this year for his crimes.

Elon Musk vs. ADL Tensions Intensify

Elon Musk has criticized the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a Jewish civil rights organization fighting antisemitism. The tycoon accused the ADL of discriminating against the West and promoting "de facto anti-white racism."

Read Also: Google Faces Legal Battle: CEO Sundar Pichai Testifies Again in High-Stakes Antitrust Trial



ADL CEO Jonathan Greenblatt slammed Musk for propagating antisemitic notions and warned against confirming them, particularly at a time when worldwide antisemitism is rising.



Elon Musk has battled with the ADL before. In September, Musk threatened to sue the organization for defamation, claiming that their reports had adversely affected advertising sales on X. The ADL denied orchestrating any boycott and called Musk's allegations false.



Elon Musk's statements have intensified the ADL's concerns, with Greenblatt asserting that Elon Musk's remarks contribute to a campaign of antisemitic hate against the organization.

Netanyahu Urged Musk to Fight Antisemitism

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the issue in September, urging Musk to combat antisemitism on X during a meeting at a Tesla factory in California.



"I hope you can find within the confines of the First Amendment the ability to stop not only antisemitism, or roll it back as best you can, but any collective hatred of the people that antisemitism represents. I encourage you to find the balance. It's a tough one." Netanyahu told Musk during the meeting, which was live-streamed on X (formerly known as Twitter), as quoted by The Washington Post.

Related Article: TikTok in Hot Water: Nepal to Ban Chinese App Due to Mounting Cybercrime Cases

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A radiocarbon study at Gezer in central Israel, published in PLOS ONE, has rekindled debates over biblical tales, notably those about Kings David and Solomon.



Dr. Lyndelle Webster led the study of early 10th-century B.C.E. ruins alongside international scholars from the Austrian Archaeological Institute, Lipscomb University in Nashville, Tennessee, and the Israel Antiquities Authority. According to Haaretz, the recent discoveries dispute archeological views, particularly from King Solomon's building period.



Gezer, an ancient tel with a 3,600-year history, has been a point of dispute in the academic discussion about the United Monarchy, generally associated with David and Solomon. The ruins studied include defensive walls, gates, and a large administrative building, all believed to have been constructed during the purported time of Solomon, according to biblical accounts.

Credible Evidences

While the study doesn't definitively prove the existence of the United Monarchy, it introduces a nuanced perspective that adds complexity to the ongoing discourse. Dr. Webster, the lead author, noted that the results were unexpected. "I was expecting later dates, similar to what we see in settlements further north. But something different is going on here that we can't yet explain."



The debate over the United Monarchy has been a longstanding and contentious issue in biblical archaeology. The study's findings challenge previous assertions that structures such as the six-chambered gates found at Gezer and other sites in northern Israel were built in the ninth century B.C.E., a century after the time traditionally ascribed to David and Solomon.



Dr. Samuel Wolff, an archaeologist co-heading the Gezer excavation, emphasizes that the study's samples were collected from well-defined contexts, providing credibility to the results.



However, critics, including prominent archaeologist Prof. Israel Finkelstein, argue that the study lacks essential contextual information, particularly regarding associated pottery finds.

Read Also: SpaceX Starship Second Test Launch Confirmed, FAA Gives License Authorization

Other Studies Proving David and Solomon's Kingdom

According to Creation Ministries, excavations conducted across various sites in Israel suggest significant cultural shifts occurring around 1000 BC, aligning with the biblical narrative of the nation's transition from judgeship to monarchy. During the era known as Iron Age I, characterized by the rule of judges, numerous small village settlements were prevalent.

However, the subsequent period, Iron Age IIA, corresponding with the reigns of David and Solomon, witnessed the emergence of new cities built over existing villages and in previously uninhabited locations. Notable features include fresh city walls and fortifications, indicative of central planning.



Moreover, the construction patterns suggest external contributions of labor or financing, suggesting the ascent of centralized governance capable of providing necessary oversight and resources.

A recent study by Hebrew University archaeologist Prof. Yosef Garfinkel suggests King David built a centralized administration in Judah.

In a feature by the Armstrong Institute of Biblical Archaeology, he addressed the ongoing debate in archaeology surrounding the historicity of King David and the existence of a kingdom during his time. Disputing claims that posit King David as a fictional figure and challenge the presence of a kingdom in the 10th century B.C.E., Garfinkel emphasizes the importance of data collection from archaeological sites to substantiate theories.



Through excavations at Khirbet Qeiyafa and Khirbet al-Ra'i, Garfinkel presents contrasting findings. Khirbet Qeiyafa, identified as a significant fortified city, exhibits specific urban planning with a casemate city walla structure with inner and outer parallel walls separated by rooms. In contrast, Khirbet al-Ra'i reveals a smaller village with limited remnants from the time of King David.



Garfinkel underscores the implications of Khirbet Qeiyafa's urban planning, citing similarities found in the fourth level of Beth Shemesh during further research.



"You cannot find Solomon. But we have traditions that in the time of Solomon, there were intensive royal activities-building activities in Jerusalem, like a palace and a temple. And in Khirbet Qeiyafa, we have a building model, an elaborate model, that has the same architectural features that appear in the Bible in relation to the building activities of Solomon. So, you can see that this type of royal building was known in Jerusalem at the time of David and Solomon," Professor Yosef Garfinkel noted, as quoted in Armstrong's article.

Related Article: Archaeologists Uncover Truth Behind Events in Biblical Texts Regarding Ancient City of Gezer

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Dozens of British students visited China's southwest city Chengdu through Mandarin Excellence Programme (MEP). Visiting Sanxingdui Museum, the ancient Chinese archeological relics site, was a sight-seeing highlight of this trip.

MEP, initiated and funded by the British government and supported by the Ministry of Education of China, aims to cultivate Chinese language skills among British students. Over the past seven years, MEP has helped some 11,000 British students develop their Mandarin skills.

The Chengdu trip was organized by Southwest Jiaotong University, check how students were amazed by the depth of Chinese culture through the relics here.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Washington on Tuesday approved the potential sale of Standard Missile 6 missiles to South Korea. This will make it possible for the South Korean Navy to intercept North Korean ballistic and cruise missiles at sea.

The U.S. State Department approved the sale of US$650 million worth of SM-6 missiles and equipment for South Korea, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said in an announcement.

Back in March, South Korea's Defense Acquisition Program Administration asked to buy up to 38 SM-6 missiles. They will be delivered once their sale is endorsed by U.S. Congress.

With a range of more than 400 km, SM-6 missiles can intercept airplanes, ballistic missiles and cruise missiles with their own guidance radar that makes it possible to directly track targets. Last year, the U.S. decided to sell them to Japan as well.

"This proposed sale will support the foreign policy goals and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a major ally that is a force for political stability and economic progress in the Indo-Pacific region," the DSCA said.

Meanwhile, the official [North Korean] Central News Agency said Wednesday that the regime succeeded in testing a solid-fuel engine for a new intermediate-range ballistic missile. With a range of 1,000 to 4,000 km, it is capable of striking not only South Korea, but also U.S. bases on Guam.

Solid-fuel ballistic missiles can be used in a surprise attack as they require shorter preparation time than liquid-fuel missiles. The North is expected to test-launch a new solid-fuel IRBM soon.

The South Korean and U.S. air forces the same day staged a joint air drill with a B-52 strategic bomber over the Korean Peninsula, and a U.S. aircraft carrier will dock at the Busan naval base next week. "Regular deployment of U.S. strategic assets is now becoming a routine to the extent that they are a constant presence here," a military spokesman here said.
Sighting after more than 80 years: Sniffer dog sniffs out gold mole rat thought to be extinct

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Sighting after more than 80 years: Sniffer dog sniffs out gold mole rat thought to be extinct

Charles III's harangue after arriving by private jet at the Climate Summit: "Our survival is in danger"

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"Impersonation" awarded 350.<> million yuan in compensation, and the protection of trade secrets was further upgraded

How to implement the new round of financing support for real estate enterprises? "Three not less than" landing is expected to heat up

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Decoding Chain BoPromote the healthy growth of the supply chain and the development of smart vehicles has entered a "new lane"

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What if, faced with looming threats of major wars and cataclysmic natural disasters, we had to find a way to save memories and somehow preserve the record of humanity? If we couldnt store those memories digitally because theyre too big, too expensive, too everything  what would we do? These questions are far from hypothetical and not at all improbable. People have been thinking about them for years, and governments like Mexico, India and Norway have been taking action.

In the Arctic Ocean, halfway between Norway and the North Pole, lies a mountain in the Svalbard archipelago. Within this mountain, 300 meters below the surface, there is an old mine. The air inside is cold and dry, and there is no natural light. Many people think its the safest place on Earth. Since 2017, the original Mexican flag, along with the countrys declaration of independence and every constitution from 1814 to 1917 have been stored here. There are also several manuscripts from the Spanish conquest and 492 historical files from the Mexican judiciary, all in digital format.

Its not the first time that our national archives have been kept in an underground cave, said Gustavo Villanueva Bazan, a Mexican historian and expert in records management at the University of Andalusia (Spain). During the French intervention, Benito Juarez moved around the country, taking the national archives with him. From September 1864 to May 1867, he sought refuge in a cave known as Del Tabaco, located in the municipality of Matamoros de La Laguna, Coahuila. After the Mexican Republic was reestablished, the documents were recovered from the cave.

The interior of the old Norwegian coal mine where the Artic World Archive is located. Maja Hitij (Getty Images)

But the reasons for storing the Mexican manuscripts and artifacts in the Arctic World Archive are different now. It aims to ensure long-term preservation and security of the digital archives, free from unauthorized access and hacking, for thousands of years. Additionally, this location minimizes the carbon footprint associated with traditional storage methods. Preserving archives is crucial for avoiding past mistakes and establishing a social and national identity. Our collective history shapes who we are as a society. The documents in this archive reflect the daily administration, legislation, activity and relationships of our society, said Villanueva.

Brazilian artwork and a Colombian podcast

In addition to the Mexican archive, there are several notable artworks and artifacts preserved by renowned institutions. These include The Scream by Edvard Munch, safeguarded by the National Museum of Norway; artwork by Rembrandt; manuscripts from the Vatican Library; and an ultra-high resolution 3D scan of the Taj Mahal in India. From Latin America, there are works by Brazilian artists Andre Terayama, Almicar de Castro, Antonio Bandeira, Orlando Teruz, Laura Lima Nomades and Heitor dos Prazeres. Theres also a collection of over 20 episodes of the Mizter Rad Show podcast. Hosted by Colombian Mizter Rad, it features interviews with influential individuals who are shaping the future of humanity.

I was listening to Vitalik Buterin, the founder of Ethereum, the other day. He was talking about the Arctic World Archive  a bunker in northern Norway where they store all of humanitys most precious digital archives. I got so intrigued that I did some research and reached out to the founders, Katrine Loen and Rune Bjerkestrand, said content creator Mizter Rad. After interviewing them, I realized that this archive is not just for big national institutions. Its actually open to anyone who meets certain legal requirements. Now, its not cheap or easy to access. But its a chance for anyone to become a part of history thatll be preserved for the next 2,000 years. Folks like you and me can have our stories told too. The Colombian podcaster deposited his audio files in the very heart of the permafrost and paid $160 per gigabyte, plus the costs of the trip to Norway and the delivery ceremony.

Mitzer Rad explains how this global archive operates in a podcast episode. Coming from the film industry, the founders realized that 35mm films had been highly effective means of documenting life for decades. We realized these photosensitive films are amazing at transmitting information, so we thought, hey, maybe we can handle data too. So we turned the film tech into a digital data transporter, encoding it in bits and bytes as a super high-resolution QR code, said Rune Bjerkestrand in the podcast.

All the files, including the Mexican flag and the facade of the Taj Mahal, are stored digitally. They can be easily decoded in the future, even if the technology of today (like QR codes) is long forgotten. You dont need to know a thing about our time to understand these files. All you need is light, something that can capture it, like a camera, and a computer or platform that speaks the language of zeros and ones, said Bjerkestrand.

The combination of secure, durable storage technology that is resistant to hacking, easy to access, and stored in a remote place has attracted numerous institutions that are preserving the treasures of human memory there. However, Villanueva reminds us that digital files always entail some loss. In that distant future, people wont have all the context. They wont know whether the documents were made of parchment or white paper, or what it felt like to touch the paper. They wont know if the painting was done on cloth or canvas, or that the walls of the Taj Mahal were made of red sandstone. Theres no way to preserve that kind of information for hundreds of years.
From left: Richard Baer, commander of the Auschwitz death camp, Dr. Josef Mengele and Rudolf Hoss; 1944. Universal History Archive (Getty)

In April 1979, Gregory Peck was nominated for an Oscar for his powerful portrayal of the sadistic Nazi criminal, Dr. Josef Mengele. Although he didnt win, Pecks performance in The Boys from Brazil transformed Mengele from a cruel doctor in black and white photos, known for his horrifying experiments on twins in the Auschwitz death camp, into a fugitive who captured the publics imagination. He was now a man in an immaculate white suit and a Panama hat, who lived in a jungle mansion somewhere in Brazil. At the time, Mengeles whereabouts were still unknown, but the film got it right. As it turned out, Mengele was indeed in Brazil, but he was long gone  dead and buried.

Two months prior to the Oscar ceremony in Hollywood, the worlds most sought-after Nazi perished at the age of 67 on Bertioga beach, near Sao Paulo. Mengele was enjoying an outing with close friends, Liselotte and Wolfram Bossert. Their children  Andreas and Sabine  didnt know Mengele was a notorious Nazi doctor. They knew him as Uncle Peter, who had shared countless swims, canoeing adventures, countryside trips, and steak meals with them. This intimate circle of trusted friends played a crucial role in hiding the fugitive from the relentless Nazi hunters who pursued him.

Brazilian journalist Betina Antons book Baviera Tropical (Tropical Bavaria) reconstructs the escape from Germany of Josef Mengele, Auschwitzs Angel of Death, and how a handful of close friends protected him for two decades in Brazil. European expatriates were aware of his secret, yet never betrayed him, despite a 1959 arrest warrant offering a $3.7 million reward. Mengele evaded discovery and justice for 34 years, first escaping from the Nazi death camp in Poland to his native Bavaria, then moving through Argentina and Paraguay, before settling in Brazil.

The Brazilian driver's license that Josef Mengele used. The photo is of Mengele and the name belonged to one of his protectors. Museu Criminal da DIREN-ANP/PF

Anton, a journalist and international news editor for the Globo TV network, thoroughly covers Mengeles time in Brazil. His initial contact was an Austrian man named Wolfgang Gerhard, who let Mengele use his name and Brazilian documentation. In fact, that was the name on Mengeles death certificate and tombstone in the Embu das Artes cemetery near Sao Paulo. Gerhard was a fervent Nazi who placed swastikas atop the familys Christmas trees. He introduced Mengele to other sympathetic families in the area, said Anton.

Mengele lived here for almost 20 years because he was protected by friends. There was an Austrian couple [the Bosserts] and a Hungarian couple [the Stammers] They all spoke German, so [Mengele] could converse with them in his own language. He didnt end up in some remote corner of the world and lose touch with his culture. No, he lived in a tropical Bavaria where he listened to classical music and had a library of up-to-date German books. He also corresponded regularly with his only son, Rolf, and with other close friends in Germany. And his family never stopped sending him money from home.

When Anton was six years old in the 1980s, she met one of the people from Mengeles close circle of friends. Liselotte Bossert was a teacher at Antons school for the German community in Sao Paulo. One day, she disappeared from school and never came back. The serious expressions and hushed conversations of the adults told Anton that something serious had happened. This was Antons first encounter with the chilling story that she spent six years investigating, conducting interviews and immersing herself in the Nazi doctors letters.

Gerhard protected Mengele for ideological reasons. But the Stammers werent Nazis, they actually came to Brazil to escape communism. The Federal Police found out that they had some kind of business with Mengele, who even helped them buy a farm [where they all lived together]. Gitta Stammer was the one who brought him money every week, said Anton. Liselotte Bosserts husband had been a corporal in the German army and had enormous admiration for Mengele. And Liselotte? I think she acted out of friendship and didnt want to believe the crimes he committed. He always said he was a scientist. And her children became very attached to Mengele. Bosserts children refused to be interviewed for Antons book.

Anton was able to interview Rafi Eitan, the former head of Israels Mossad who is now in his nineties. Eitan was part of the team that tracked down Adolf Eichmann in Argentina in May 1960 and brought him to Jerusalem to face trial. Thats when they discovered a clue that led Israeli Nazi hunters to Sao Paulo. Rafi Eitan told me that he once met Mengele face to face, but they couldnt grab him right then. Soon after, Israel became embroiled in a crisis with Egypt, so Mossads pursuit of Nazis had to take a backseat.

Cyrla Gewertz was a victim of the Angel of Deaths experiments in Auschwitz. He would immerse the young Polish girl in very hot water for 15 minutes, and then dunk her for 15 minutes in ice water. And so on, all day long. When she cried out that the water was burning her, the Nazi snapped: Put your head under or Ill kill you. Another human guinea pig died right next to her.

Twin girls who were subjects of Josef Mengele's sadistic experiments. Auschwitz  Birkenau

Many years later, Gewertz was married to another Holocaust survivor and living in Sao Paulo when someone approached her at a hotel in the nearby city of Serra Negra. Do you know whos living here? Mengele! Gewertz was petrified. She packed her things and left immediately, said Anton. She was so traumatized that she didnt ask questions or call the police. When I interviewed her [in 2017], she told me she still had trouble sleeping and cried easily.

A symbolic trial in the 1980s

In 1985, during the 40th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, Mengeles victims reminded the world about his cruel crimes. Led by Eva Mozes Kor, they conducted a symbolic trial in Jerusalem, where numerous twins shared testimonies of the atrocities. These testimonies were televised worldwide, including in Brazil, resulting in joint efforts by West Germany, Israel and the United States to locate Mengele.

The crucial clue came from a German who told the police about a drunk guy who boasted that he was sending money to the Angel of Death in South America. The drunk turned out to be a Mengele family courier. When investigators followed the clue, they learned that the worlds most-wanted Nazi had drowned six years earlier in Brazil. They found the Stammers and the Bosserts, who confessed their roles under interrogation.

Josef Mengele's Brazilian death certificate bearing Wolfgang Gerhard's name. BOSCO MARTIN

Liselotte Bossert was fired from the school where she taught, while Brazil and the world watched as Mengeles body was exhumed and tested to confirm his identity. Mengeles victims found some relief in knowing that their torturer was finally dead. No documentation of his experiments has ever been found to help doctors treat the never-ending health problems of the victims who survived.

The remains of the infamous and sadistic Nazi doctor ended up in the University of Sao Paulos medical school as educational material for students.

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In October 2007, San Francisco hosted an industrial designers convention, and there wasnt a single hotel room left in the city. Brian Chesky and his roommate, Joe Gebbia, were struggling to pay the rent, so they decided to use some inflatable beds they had in the closet to accommodate three guests. That was the seed of what, after the incorporation of Nathan Blecharczyk (another former roommate) as a partner, was dubbed airbedandbreakfast.com. Today, 16 years later, Airbnb is a giant that offers seven million apartments, houses and even castles.

We were not trying to start a travel company. It was kind of an accidental discovery, explains Chesky, who at 42 has a net worth of almost $9 billion. If you had told me that I would be telling that story over and over again 16 years later, I would never have imagined it. He simply thought that there would be more people like them, willing to earn a few extra dollars, as well as guests willing to save some money, live a different experience and meet new people. That idea became a business with a market cap of more than $76 billion. Chesky gives the interview in a charming building (Beyonce used it for the video of her song Halo) that the company rented to present the platforms news in the heart of SoHo, in New York, a city that has approved such a restrictive regulation that, in practice, it represents a veto for Airbnb.

Question. Do you fear that other cities might follow New Yorks example?

Answer. I dont think that New York City is leading the way on this. I think New York City is probably going to be a cautionary tale. I am so disappointed that we werent able to find a solution here. What were hearing is that a lot of posts are going underground. Theyre listing on other websites, ones that you cant actually regulate, like Craigslist, and I dont think thats a win for the city. I dont think thats a win for the hosts, and I certainly dont think thats a win for the guests. Hotel prices in New York are 8% higher than a year ago. It costs over $500 a night to stay in New York, and to get a really nice place you could be looking at $700, $800, $900 a night. How many people can really pay that kind of money? So I think were going to start to see people doing all sorts of things to come to New York; you might see people staying in Jersey City and other perimeter areas.

Q. There are many complaints about the impact of Airbnb on the gentrification of cities.

A. Weve developed a sensible regulation in cities all over the world. In fact, among Airbnbs top 200 markets, 80% have regulations on the books. Theyre always different; theres no one-size-fits-all, but weve found solutions that work with cities all over the world. Were always ready to work with cities and I think the best indication is that we are in a 100,000 cities, and in the vast majority of them Airbnb has found a solution.

Q. Citizens accuse Airbnb of making access to housing more expensive.

A. Airbnb started because I couldnt pay my rent, so housing wasnt affordable before we started Airbnb. If it was, we wouldnt have started Airbnb. The reason housing is typically not affordable is that theres not enough housing in the city. They dont build enough for the people who live there. In the biggest cities we represent a very small, tiny percent of the housing, and many of those people would not have those houses on the long term rental market. We always want to be part of the solution. Many cities have come up with regulations that they think address this: London, for example, instituted a registration system, and you rent up to a certain number of nights a year. A number of cities around the world have done this. I think theres a number of different ways to solve this, and I dont think an outright ban is necessarily the best way.

Q. Your penetration in the United States is significantly higher than in many other countries. In which areas do you plan to grow more?

A. In the United States, Canada, Australia, France, U.K., we have a high penetration. In other countries were more nascent. Especially in Asia, were a very new, young brand, so we have a huge amount of opportunity. Weve been focusing the last couple of years in Germany, Brazil, and Korea. Were going to be really focused the next couple of years on international expansion, whether Spain, Italy, Germany, and others parts of Europe, as well as Latin America, Asia Pacific, whether its Japan or Korea or other countries. Airbnb is a global travel network, and it tends to resonate fairly well in every country in the world.

Q. Airbnb has diversified into luxury accommodations and experiences. Have you found any potential new services?

A. Yes, were looking at a lot of new opportunities for products and services. We dont have anything that I can share right now, but the general approach Ive had is: the more people love the thing you do, the more they want other things from you. We want to really try to perfect the core service that we have. We recently launched the Guest Favorites collection. People tell us they love how unique every Airbnb is, but a problem theyve described is this moment of truth, when you get to an Airbnb and youre not exactly sure if it is what you booked. And we thought: what if we could combine the uniqueness of Airbnb with the reliability thats more akin to a hotel? I think thats what Guests Favorites is: two million of the best and most loved homes on Airbnb. In the coming years, youll see some new products and services from us.

Q. How is Airbnb planning to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into the platform?

A. I think that AI will be transformative for many businesses, especially like Airbnb. Ill give you a couple examples. Number one is customer service. If we have a guest from Spain going to Tokyo, and the host is Japanese and they speak two different languages, and theyre calling customer service about a home and its a certain time of day, thats a very difficult customer service challenge. They can be calling about a myriad of different issues. AI could create real time, multilingual support that customer service agents can supervise. It could be trained on a corpus of thousands of pages of customer support documentation. It can read and understand the entire history of the person that youre working with. And it can also identify all issues that were like this in the past, and it will lead to the best resolution for both parties. Thats amazing. One more example: imagine if Airbnb was like the ultimate travel agent. Instead of just asking you where and when youre going, it can literally ask you, who are you? What do you want? What are your preferences? Who are you traveling with? And it can just create an entire world of options for you. So I think that like the internet, like when smartphones came out, we would probably call this a platform shift, and a platform shift is when the whole game changes.

Q. How do you plan to compete against the tech giants?

A. What makes Airbnb unique  and there are probably many things  is that weve created a new category. A lot of people say: I booked an Airbnb, I am Airbnbing my house, Im going to get an Airbnb. It really has become a noun and a verb used all over the world. Weve become synonymous with this category, were totally focused on it, we have custom-built tools and 90% of traffic comes directly to us to get an Airbnb, not to Google.

Q. How has the pandemic changed the way we travel?

A. I think we have a foot in the world before the pandemic and a foot in the world of the pandemic. Before the pandemic, a lot of our business, about 80%, was cross-border or in cities. During the pandemic people traveled in their own country, not crossing borders, and they were staying longer and in bigger groups. Today, we see a little bit of both: we see a return to cross border travel, a return to urban travel, but were still seeing longer stays, were seeing families travel, we see larger groups. I think that were in a really exciting period where theres just going to be a lot more traveling because people value the things that are taken away from them, and with the pandemic people had travel taken away from them for a while. Theres more flexibility now, more people can do their job with a laptop, on Zoom, and that means that they can travel more flexibly, they can go away for longer weekends. And I think that as we spend more and more time online, what people want to do is get offline, and travel is the way you do that. Ill give you another example. A lot of my friends from college live in different cities. Probably a lot of people today have friends that dont live in the same cities. My parents, my grandparents  everyone they knew was in their city. So the way you see people is to travel; maybe you will take trips together. So I think travel is back, and bigger than ever. The old way is back and the new way is here to stay.

Q. How has Airbnb evolved from its beginnings as an affordable alternative to a hotel to something different?

A. We still are a cheap alternative to a hotel, but I think the difference is that when we started Airbnb I built the service for people like me; I was 26 years old, I was a budget traveler, I was willing to stay with other people, share a space in their home, get a bedroom. We still have rooms, more than weve ever had, but now we also have big vacation rentals. We have property managers on the platform. We have homes off the beaten path, we have tree houses, castles, and igloos. Were truly a global network; were in nearly every country in the world.
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Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping have reached an agreement to crack down on illegal fentanyl production.

Mr Biden told reporters on Wednesday evening that China had agreed to clamp down on the manufacture of pill presses and precursor chemicals that are used to make the deadly drug.

The president was asked if he trusted his Chinese counterpart to carry out the promised actions on fentanyl.

Trust but verify as the old saying goes, that is where I am. We are in a competitive relationship, but my responsibility is to make it rational and manageable so it doesnt end up in conflict, that is what I am all about, said Mr Biden.

Earlier a Biden administration official said that the agreement on fentanyl was important as it would set Latin American drug dealers back for a time.

The senior official said that China had agreed to go after companies that produce chemicals used in the production of the deadly narcotic.

The president basically said, look this is one of the worst drug problems the United States has ever faced. Tens of thousands of Americans are perishing annually, critical to get our hands on it. So we worked intensively with every element of the Chinese system on a plan that has the Chinese using a number of procedures to go directly after specific companies that make precursors for Fentanyl, the official told reporters. Theyre taking a number of steps that are designed to dramatically curtail those supplies.

The officials said that the US will want to see whether China continues to follow up.

In many respects, the proof is in the pudding here and these are important steps and we think theyre important and the president thought this is the important central thing we can do in US- China relations for the American people.

In 2022, 68 per cent of the reported 107,081 drug overdose deaths in the US came from synthetic opioids, primarily fentanyl, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Mr Biden and his Chinese counterpart discussed US-China relations in San Francisco on Wednesday, 15 November. Talks between the two leaders took place while they both attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference in California.

President Joe Biden greets China's President President Xi Jinping at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, California (New York Times)

Mr Xi last visited the US in person in 2017 and this is the first conversation between the two leaders in a year.

Officials also said that there would be a resumption of military communications between the two countries, meaning Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin will speak with his Chinese counterpart once that person is named.

Senior military commanders will also communicate with their counterparts along with engagements at much lower levels, the official told AP.

Mr Biden was very clear to Mr Xi that such communications between the US and China should be institutionalised and that they are not done as a gift or as a favour to either side, the official said.
A tentative contract agreement between General Motors and the United Auto Workers union appears to be headed for defeat. The union hasnt posted final vote totals yet, but workers at five large factories who finished voting in the past few days have turned down the four year and eight month deal by fairly large margins.

The vote tracker on the UAWs website shows the deal winning by 686 votes. But those totals do not include votes from GM assembly plants in Fort Wayne, Indiana; Wentzville, Missouri; Lansing Delta Township and Lansing Grand River in Michigan, and a powertrain plant in Toledo, Ohio, which all voted against the deal, according to local union officials. In most cases the vote tallies ranged from 55% to around 60% against the contract.

Workers were awaiting totals from a large assembly plant in Arlington, Texas, but many said they expect the contract to be voted down. A message was left seeking comment from the unions spokesman. It wasnt clear what would happen next, but local union officials dont expect an immediate walkout after the final totals are known.

Voting continues at Ford, where the deal is passing with 66.1% voting in favor so far with only a few large factories still counting. The contract was passing overwhelmingly in early voting at Jeep maker Stellantis. The unions vote tracker shows that 79.7% voted in favor with many large factories yet to finish.

Local union officials say longtime workers were unhappy that they didnt get larger pay raises like newer workers, and they wanted a larger pension increase. Newer hires wanted a defined benefit pension plan instead of the 401(K) defined contribution plan that they now receive.

Tony Totty, president of the union local at the Toledo powertrain plant, said the environment is right to seek more from the company. We need to take advantage of the moment, he said. Who knows what the next environment will be for national agreements. The company never has a problem telling us we need to take concessions in bad economic times. Why should we not get the best economic agreement in good economic times?

Thousands of UAW members joined picket lines in targeted strikes against Detroit automakers over a six-week stretch before tentative deals were reached late last month. Rather than striking at one company, the union targeted individual plants at all three automakers. At its peak last month about 46,000 of the unions 146,000 workers at the Detroit companies were walking picket lines.

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Spains acting prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, on Wednesday delivered a lengthy address inside a fractious parliament, where lawmakers had gathered for the first of a two-day debate that will end with a vote to confirm him as the new government leader following inconclusive elections in July.

The Socialist leader framed his bid to form a government as a way to contain the rise of the right: The only wall against the far right has been the progressive coalition government in Spain. He also insisted that a controversial amnesty bill favoring leaders of the 2017 failed secession attempt in Catalonia will not be an attack on the Constitution, but an example of its strength.

But Sanchez faced withering criticism inside the Congress of Deputies, where the opposition accused him of humiliating the country and trying to hold on to office at any price. Making decisions that go against the general good in exchange for personal benefit is called political corruption, said Alberto Nunez Feijoo, head of the mainstream conservative Popular Party (PP).

PP leader Alberto Nunez Feijoo speaks during the investiture debate as Spain's Socialists seek to clinch a new term following a deal with the Catalan separatist Junts party. SUSANA VERA (REUTERS)

The highly charged investiture debate comes after days of street protests  including one attended by U.S. conservative political commentator Tucker Carlson  against an amnesty bill negotiated between Sanchezs Socialist Party (PSOE) and Junts, the Catalan separatist party whose leader, Carles Puigdemont, fled to Belgium after leading the failed secession attempt of 2017. In exchange for the clemency, the seven lawmakers for Junts will play the role of kingmaker and vote for Sanchez to be the next head of government. Failure to produce a new government by late November would trigger a fresh election.

Sanchez went immediately on the attack and granted that he made the controversial concession to the Catalan separatists in order to form a new government thanks to their votes and those of a several other left-wing and regional parties. But he justified the move as a way to maintain progressive policies in Spain at a time when the far right is making inroads in many parts of the world. Spains ultranationalist Vox party, which secured 33 seats at the July election, has been a vocal opponent of the amnesty bill.

We must bet on coexistence and [approve the amnesty] in order to consolidate the progress made in these last four years. Lets not kid ourselves, the PPs problem with Vox is not the amnesty, its the fact that they dont accept the result of the election, said Sanchez.

His argument builds on the fact that the main driver of Sanchezs unexpected electoral success on July 23, when many considered him politically dead, was left-wing voters rejection of the far right. That rejection is the glue holding together the various political groups that support him, and that was the central message of the PSOEs election campaign, which mobilized enough voters to earn the PSOE 121 seats in Congress, behind the PPs 137. Nunez Feijoo tried and failed earlier this year to form a government of his own, paving the way for Sanchez to try.

The head of the caretaker government also insisted on the need to relieve the tension in Catalonia, arguing that the amnesty is a good step in that direction. Sanchez said that he is personally against independence for the region and prefers the unity of Spain, but that there are two ways to achieve it: Through imposition and tension, or through dialogue and forgiveness. He said the PP, which was in government in 2017, already tried the first option, which led to disaster. Lawmakers from the PP yelled back You supported it!

Esteban Gonzalez Pons, a PP lawmaker, reacting to Pedro Sanchez's speech, this Wednesday in Congress. SUSANA VERA (REUTERS)

During his own speech, PP leader Nunez Feijoo attacked the credibility and legitimacy of the Socialist candidate, saying that the latter has sold the rights of Spaniards, the fruit of their taxes and their dignity, for a few votes to keep him in power. He also underscored the fact that, before the July election, Sanchez had rejected the idea of an amnesty. Nunez Feijoo claimed that the two-day debate in Congress is a futile exercise with no relevance or democratic authority, as the debate has already taken place far away from this chamber, far from Spain, without showing his face, in hiding, alluding to the meetings that took place between PSOE and Junts representatives in Brussels, where Puigdemont currently resides.

Feijoo also described the amnesty deal as a humiliation. This investiture ends in a humiliation. Mr. Sanchez is humiliating himself and his party, but he has no right to humiliate Spaniards. And that is what he has done. Mr. Sanchez has not secured anybodys support. He has bought it by signing checks that we will all be paying for.

The opposition leader made a renewed call for fresh elections. Sanchez is not allowing Spaniards to express themselves in new elections with all the information at hand, and that is why they are clinging to the investiture and trying to make it work no matter what, because they are aware that without it, theyd be nothing.
Optus boss Kelly Bayer Rosmarin is preparing to defend her leadership publicly after two high-profile disasters within 13 months, with Greens Senator Sarah Hanson-Young revealing the key questions the embattled chief executive must answer.

Bayer Rosmarin has presided over both one of the nations worst outages and one of the worst data breaches in recent history, heaping pressure on the leader of what is Australias second-largest telco. At 9am on Friday, the Senate will demand answers in a two-hour grilling to be chaired by Hanson-Young.

The public mood against Optus remains one of acute anger and a source, close to Optus not authorised to speak publicly, said that Bayer Rosmarin had spent much of the past week calling the telcos small business customers to personally apologise for the outage.

Optus chief executive Kelly Bayer Rosmarin will front a public Senate committee hearing in Canberra on Friday morning. Credit: Michael Quelch

Executives at Optus are preparing for Bayer Rosmarin to be a political punching bag, the source said, with some of the telcos PR team redeployed to help the executive prepare to answer questions about technical details of the outage and the telcos decision to offer its customers 200 gigabytes of free data rather than monetary compensation.
Qantas has been found guilty of unlawfully standing down a safety representative at the onset of COVID-19 after he told workers to stop cleaning aircraft that had arrived from China if they felt unsafe doing so.

Former ground crew employee and health and safety representative Theo Seremetidis was vindicated on Thursday after the NSW District Court found Qantas had breached part six of the Work, Health and Safety Act, and had discriminated against him when he was stood down in February 2020.

Qantas was found to have breached the Work, Health and Safety Act after standing down a safety representative who directed employees to stop cleaning aircraft arriving from China at the onset of COVID-19. Credit: Australian Defence Force

Its the first time uniform work health and safety laws have been tested in criminal court. The SafeWork NSW case was prompted by a complaint from the Transport Workers Union (TWU) on behalf of Seremetidis, who had also expressed concerns with the business over the inadequate provision of personal protective equipment (PPE).

Judge David Russell upheld one of the three charges brought and said Qantas ground services actively sidelined Seremetidis by cutting him off from staff, standing him down and barring him from the airport.
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 It was comedian Steve Martin who first mined laughs at the expense of the museum antiquity blockbuster 45 years ago. Then a Saturday Night Live regular, Martin dressed as King Tutankhamun to send up a travelling exhibition of pharaonic treasures making a six-city, 2-year tour across the United States. As Americans queued for hours for a look-see, Martin mocked the sale of trinkets, toys, posters, and T-shirts while thanking the boy king for giving his life for tourism. The Gold Gilded mask from the coffin of Pharaoh Amenemope is installed at the Australian Museum. Credit: Steven Siewert The roadshow that Martin skewered, Treasures of Tutankhamun, is widely regarded as the first of the modern-day blockbuster  those packaged exhibitions with mass appeal and a souvenir shop at the exit. Its the granddaddy of three international treasure shows opening across Australian east coast capital cities from November 18. The Australian Museum kicks off the year of ancient Egyptian mania with Ramses and the Gold of the Pharaohs, endorsed by the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. At the launch on Friday, the Australian Museum announced that it had pre-sold 100,000 tickets for its new blockbuster, an unprecedented public response.

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The Egyptian head of the Supreme Council of Antiquities, Dr Mostafa Waziry has boldly predicted a million visitors by the shows end, which would be an attendance record for the museum. A month later, the National Museum of Australia opens Discovering Ancient Egypt, an exhibition of more than 220 objects from the Rijksmuseum Van Oudheden (National Museum of Antiquities) in the Netherlands  one of the finest collections of Egyptian antiquities outside of Egypt. And come June, the British Museum is making its most ambitious international loan of ancient Egyptian artefacts to the National Gallery of Victoria. Ramses IIs coffin will be making the journey to Australia for a blockbuster exhibition about one of ancient Egypts greatest Pharaohs. The arrival of these three shows in quick succession is mostly a consequence of the havoc wrought by COVID-19 which sidelined global museum loans for two years and disrupted museum schedules. These things do happen, NGVs senior curator of international programs, Miranda Wallace, says of the rush. Its like buses: theres nothing for ages, then three come along. Beyond Tutankhamun

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The worlds obsession with the ancient Egyptians began with Napoleons military campaign in Egypt and kicked off again with British archaeologist Howard Carters 1922 discovery of the royal tomb of Tutankhamun. Egyptology is now deeply enmeshed in popular culture and mythology: the gold, precious gems, secret burial chambers, coded script, treasure hunters and the ancients quest for immortality play into almost every storybook fantasy and Hollywood film trope. Australian Museum chief executive Kim McKay first observed the audience pulling power of Ancient Egypt while working at National Geographic as a senior vice president. Its that human interest, that curiosity to go back in time, she says. Its the same level of curiosity an adventurer might have exploring a new ocean or a new shore, a new country. Five years ago, the Australian Museum received a $57.5 million renovation to cope with the nine visitors every minute it was expecting to rush to an upcoming Tutankhamun blockbuster. At the height of the pandemic in 2020, the Egyptian government recalled the show, and in Ramses & the Gold of the Pharaohs, McKay says the museum has found a superior replacement.

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Ramses is a cut above Tutankhamun, says McKay. Ramses II is a much more intriguing figure. He stayed on the throne for 67 years, and hes called Ramses the Great because of his military conquests and the many monuments he erected in his own honour. That man certainly had a healthy ego. He fathered 100 children and was an incredible individual in his own right. Ramses boasts all the bells and whistles Australia has come to expect of an imported blockbuster, setting a high value on exclusivity and the rare display of the sarcophagus of Ramses II, its star attraction. A bust of Ramses the Great. This show comes to Sydney from Paris, the fourth stop on a 10-city international tour packaged by promoters World Heritage Exhibitions and Neon Global, creators of the Jurassic World: The Exhibition at Olympic Park. Ramses leans heavily on digital technology to tell the story of the pharaohs reign including a virtual reality tour of two of Ramses most impressive monuments: the rock-cut temples of Abu Simbel and the Tomb of Queen Nefertari, Ramsess favourite royal consort. In cinematic motion chairs, visitors will fly through sandstorms and the 1275BC Battle of Kadesh  Ramses greatest military achievement  to come face to face with Ramses mummy. This is the nature of the blockbusters for an audience with two feet in the internet age, says McKay. They are fun, entertaining and educational.

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In Paris, where Ramses has spent the past five months, the exhibition drew more than 820,000 people. In Sydney, the Australian Museum has predicted 600,000 visitors, more than the 323,300 who rushed the countrys first Egyptian blockbuster at the Art Gallery of NSW in 1988. Some of the treasures that will be heading to the NGV. The modern antiquity blockbuster is designed for such mass appeal  to drive people through the doors of the museum who are not the regular gallery crowd. Costs are going up everywhere, as we know, McKay says. Its an unusual government that keeps throwing money at you, so we have to be more entrepreneurial to generate more income. The more people we get in who see these facilities, see our exhibitions, eat at our cafe, buy something at the shop, the better programs and facilities  all these things add up over time. Its a big reason why the NGV in Melbourne has shifted pace from its usual painterly offerings of 19th and 20th century masters for its first deep dive into the world of ancient Egyptian rulers as part of the Winter Masterpieces series. We want to bring new people into the gallery to introduce them to art and the gallery as a place to visit multiple times and to learn about artistic and creative expression, says Wallace, the gallerys senior curator of international programs. Its only part of a diverse exhibition program, but its an important part.

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Optus network outage will get the telcos rivals looking over their shoulders as last weeks disruption threatens to hold far-reaching implications for the telecommunications sector, well beyond the immediate future of the telcos embattled boss Kelly Bayer Rosmarin.

Fridays contentious Senate hearing laid bare a number of reasons as to why Optus network melted down, which left 10 million customers in the lurch.

Optus chief Kelly Bayer Rosmarin and its networks boss Lambo Kanagaratnam fielded a barrage of questions in the Senate on Friday. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

Optus may have outsourced too many components of its network infrastructure to third-party companies, Bayer Rosmarin said, and she conceded the companys public-facing communication on the outage was clearly not up to scratch.

The telco still doesnt know why more than 200 people were unable to get through to triple zero during the outage, and it admitted it didnt have a plan in place to handle a disruption of the scale that hit its networks.

Amid those grim admissions from Optus high command, Telstra boss Vicki Brady and TPG chief executive Inaki Berroeta would have been watching Fridays proceedings closely, and the message to them is clear.

Outages like the one suffered by Optus will no longer be tolerated by the public and politicians, so all telcos  large and small - are now on notice when it comes to reinforcing their networks and how they respond in case of a disruption.

You can read more here.
Carolina Jimenez Sandoval, the president of WOLA.

This coming Sunday will see the second round of Argentinas presidential elections. And, next year, a whole series of elections are scheduled across the Americas, from the United States to Mexico, from El Salvador to Venezuela. This will raise key questions about democratic progress or regression in the region.

All of these electoral processes will be taking place amidst a turbulent global context, with the continued war in Ukraine, the conflict between the Israelis and Hamas threatening to spread throughout the Middle East, the Global South trying to make its voice heard and rivalry between Washington and Beijing in all areas.

However, Carolina Jimenez Sandoval  president of the Washington Office for Latin American Affairs (WOLA), an NGO specializing in the promotion of human rights  is optimistic about the future of the region. In Latin America, she affirms, there continue to be more opportunities for democratic promotion than in other parts of the world.

The panorama is hectic. There are important setbacks that are undeniable, she admits, when it comes to the stability of democracy in the region. Jimenez  of Venezuelan-Mexican nationality, with more than 20 years in the defense of human rights in Latin America under her belt  emphasizes how the prestige of this political system has declined among the population. According to the Latinobarometro public opinion survey, only 48% of Latin Americas citizens express support for democracy. This is very serious information. It represents an acceptance of other forms of government that dont respect the democratic principles which the region fought so hard for, she warns.

In addition to consolidated authoritarian models  such as what is present in Cuba, Nicaragua and Venezuela  you can see a crack here and there, with other regimes that are moving rapidly toward those same models. One example is the administration of President Nayib Bukele in El Salvador, which in a very, very short period of time, has managed to co-opt the most basic institutions necessary for the survival of democracy, undermining the principle of the separation of powers.

Question. And then there are the countries where the future is uncertain.

Answer. We dont know whats going to happen in Argentina [on Sunday], but its also one of those big surprises. I dont think that 10 years ago we would have imagined that the second round in an election in Argentina would have a contender like Javier Milei  an anti-rights and anti-system candidate who represents a great threat [to democracy]. That doesnt mean that the other candidate (left-wing Minister of Finance Sergio Massa) is wonderful but the Milei factor generates a lot of concern. While he didnt manage to win in the first round, it would be extremely worrying if he did so through the support of democratic forces. Instead of being the guardians of democracy, [several traditional right-wing parties] have been supporting Milei [in the runoff]. This is like when we saw parties of the traditional Venezuelan left supporting Maduros regime, which is an extreme version of the left. When these parties allow themselves to be co-opted by the extremes, I think thats when democracy really enters a very dangerous situation.

And then, theres Guatemala, where everything seems to indicate that [the inauguration] of Bernardo Arevalo  despite him having been elected as an expression of the Guatemalans desire for change  is going to be full of obstacles. In the end, the de-facto powers still have the possibility of making his time in office tremendously difficult. We can also talk about Mexico and its militarization. The region has many challenges, but its also the region where democracy is trying again, or even saving itself through its [institutional] mechanisms. Colombia went from an administration that really boycotted the peace agreement to one that has decided to embrace the process, which has been  and still is  full of difficulties. I believe that the region continues to demonstrate [democratic resilience], even when the mechanisms of democracy are used to undermine it. [Our countries] are managing to stop democratic regression and rebuild democracy.

Q. Can you give an example of this?

A. I believe that despite the figure of 48% [of Latin Americans approving of democracy]  which is still very worrying  there are still very important movements in Latin America at a social level, which give hope for the region to move more towards the defense of fundamental rights. The Latin American feminist movement has achieved, for example, advances in terms of sexual and reproductive rights that were unthinkable 15 years ago.

While the United States regresses in sexual and reproductive rights, progress is seen in Argentina, in Mexico, in Colombia in the most Catholic and conservative countries. Achievements have also been seen in terms of promoting policies to mitigate climate change, in favor of the protection of the Amazon, etc. [These achievements] are deeply marked by a Latin American youth that has put the climate issue at the center of their concerns.

Surveys on Latin American youth tell us that many dont believe in political parties, they dont believe in political institutions. But they believe in political participation, which is something entirely different. They, as agents of change, can influence the future of their own stories and the issues that matter to them: the environment, gender equality, etc. Young people want to work and have a decent job and be able to live, develop a life path. So, although there are anti-political forces  very anti-rights movements  that also have a lot of weight in the region, I think theres a much more active citizenry than we sometimes want to acknowledge.

Jimenez cites the case of Venezuela, where, after 24 years of authoritarian rule, primary elections have just been held to decide the opposition candidate in the 2024 elections. They were won by Maria Corina Machado, a former congresswoman.

What no one expected  including the government of [Nicolas] Maduro  is that this purely citizen-led exercise, which had no support from the state, was going to achieve a participatory process that involved 2.3 million people. I think it surprised the international community and it certainly surprised the authoritarian power, the expert says.

Q. But the results of that process have now been cancelled.

A. Yes, but thats the interesting part. The Supreme Court of Justice of Venezuela pulled a ruling out of its sleeve, saying that it has suspended the results of the primary elections. But its a fait accompli. The election took place, political participation was much higher than expected and it energized a population that the international community viewed as highly depoliticized. Now, the government is going to spend the next few months saying that these elections were fraudulent, that they werent legal but they cannot erase the political action that already occurred.

People went to vote. And not only did they go to vote  the people organized it by themselves. There was no participation from the state in holding those elections: people lent out their houses, people voted in town squares. This citizen exercise will remain in the historical memory of Venezuelans, regardless of whether theres a ruling that believes it can erase [what] has already been completed. Indeed, were very concerned about how to get out of consolidated authoritarianism and how to stop democratic setbacks. But I feel that Latin America continues to provide opportunities so that the region doesnt add to that great void of citizen despair. In Brazil, the institutions managed to stop Jair Bolsonaros attempts to reverse the elections. His political [power] is much reduced.

Q. Precisely, this push by youth and civil society has brought younger or more innovative leaders to power in Chile or Colombia. But, in a way, these leaders havent met expectations, either.

A. Yes. The president-elect in Ecuador is 35-years-old. Then we have Gabriel Boric in Chile and Nayib Bukele in El Salvador  three millennial presidents. But if Nayib Bukele  who, at the time he came to power, was the youngest leader in the region  tells us something, its that youth alone doesnt guarantee democratic attitudes, nor does a political career of many years guarantee it (Bukele was formerly the mayor of San Salvador). Leaders  once they come to power  can show undemocratic sides that werent necessarily known.

When Bukele came to power, he was the first president in the history of the U.N. to take a selfie while giving a speech and post it to Twitter. Then, this Bukele boom began, closely-related to his way of communicating, his age and what the new leadership of a millennial president was supposed to represent. Well, his term is about to end, and the disappointment couldnt be greater for those of us who believe in human rights. Through a punitive security policy  one that is quite illegal under international human rights standards  he has put 2% of the adult population in prison and he has dismantled democratic institutions. And now we know that hes going to try to re-elect himself, although this is expressly prohibited by the Constitution of El Salvador.

Q. And in Chile?

A. In the case of Boric, weve seen a little more of the leadership that we would like to see in the region, at least in terms of his foreign policy. He has put human rights very much at the center [of his administration] and is able to overcome ideological differences and condemn, for example, human rights violations, regardless of who the perpetrator is. But theres no doubt that he has enormous challenges domestically. At the moment, hes a leader with high disapproval ratings.

Something similar is happening in Colombia. The expectations regarding Gustavo Petro were directly proportional to the rejection of the previous [right-wing] administration. The structural problems of violence, of inequality, werent going to end in a day but he promised that they would. And then, obviously, the population demands that you comply.

That said, there are also many complaints that he uses divisive rhetoric. Hes not always conciliatory, although [Colombia] is a country that needs reconciliation more than divisions.

Q. Continuing with this review of Latin America and its democracies  and with respect to human rights  there are another couple of countries that also have weak leaders in common. In states like Ecuador and Peru, the power is held by the legislative branch.

A. In Ecuador we have to do a lot of monitoring. Theres concern about the increase in violence, which is obviously closely linked to the countrys transformation into an important center for cartel operations and the seizure of very key territories by organized crime. The challenges facing President-Elect Daniel Noboa are tremendous, especially for a population that also has tremendously high expectations [of the incoming leader].

Peru is at a very serious crossroads, because no one [in the region] has an approval rating as low as Peruvian President Dina Boluarte or the Peruvian Congress, [which stands at] around 6%. And, despite that, [both the executive and legislative branches] continue to dismantle democratic institutions that cost so much to build, such as the Ombudsmans Office.

In Peru, there was a transitional justice process  a return to democracy  but authoritarian factors continue to have a lot of power. The inequality between the cities and the countryside that is so marked in Peru  the discrimination against Indigenous peoples  has [caused difficulties] for the consolidation of democracy.

Q. We still have to cover Mexico, one of the big countries where there will be elections next year.

A. In a country where theres democracy and, at the same time, 110,000 missing people  thats an enormous contradiction. A good part of these disappearances occurred precisely during the six-year term of Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador. Instead of removing the soldiers from the streets, as he promised [during the 2018 campaign], he deepened militarization. The military now controls customs. The incursion of the Armed Forces into areas that were always [under civilian or police control] in Mexican politics is one of the most disappointing legacies of the six-year term. This is going to have a profound effect on Mexico for the coming decades. Once you begin to give greater power to the Armed Forces, its always very difficult to reverse such a process. I think were going to see it [continue] with whoever is elected. Added to this is a great contempt for civil society and independent journalism. Theres very little tolerance for criticism. There have also been attempts to dismantle the judiciary.
A man, two teenagers and a 12-year-old boy have been arrested after allegedly driving a 4WD stolen from Queensland on a destructive rampage through Sydneys inner suburbs, damaging about 30 vehicles, before fleeing on foot.

About 11pm on Thursday, police responded to reports of a Toyota LandCruiser driving dangerously along Oxford Street in Surry Hills.

The Toyota LandCruiser that damaged 30 other vehicles before coming to a halt on South Dowling Street, Surry Hills. Credit: Nine

Officers began a pursuit along South Dowling Street after failing to intercept the car at the Cleveland Street intersection. The driver crashed into both parked and moving vehicles before coming to a halt.

Witnesses then saw the passengers fleeing on foot before getting in what appeared to be an Uber.
Western Sydney mayors and state MPs are urging the federal government to reverse its decision to axe funding for a major interchange linking two motorways to the citys second airport, arguing the areas fast-growing population demands more critical infrastructure.

The NSW Labor government will now have to fund the interchange  which will connect the existing M7 motorway to the under-construction M12 that will link to the new western Sydney airport. The spaghetti junction was one of 17 NSW projects stripped of Commonwealth money under a major overhaul of infrastructure funding on Thursday.

An artists impression of the interchange between the M12 and Elizabeth Drive near the M7 in western Sydney. Credit: NSW Government

Liverpools Liberal Mayor Ned Mannoun said scrapping the funds for the interchange was a disaster.

How can you pull back funding? he said. If anything, we need significantly more funding to deal with the population growth and economic growth thats going to happen in this area.
Shelford Girls Grammar, a 125-year-old high-fee private school currently educating hundreds of students in Melbournes inner-east, will soon cease to exist after a merger with co-ed Caulfield Grammar School was announced on Thursday afternoon.

Shelford had 447 students enrolled from prep to year 12 last year and revealed in August it was considering a merger with nearby Caulfield Grammar  less than a kilometre away on Glen Eira Road  after enrolments at the all-girls school continued to fall in recent years.

Shelford Girls Grammar principal Pauline Cutajar and Caulfield Grammar principal Ashleigh Martin

Shelford principal Pauline Cutajar, who started in the role earlier this month, and Caulfield Grammar principal Ashleigh Martin told The Age the formal transition for students would occur in 2025.

While we appreciate the decision will be challenging for some members of our community, there is much to look forward to as the two schools work through the mergers opportunities, Cutajar said.
A time limit on prosecutions that saw police escaping criminal charges for accessing internal police databases without authorisation will be extended by two years after lobbying from victims.

Amendments to the Victoria Police Act, introduced to state parliament on Thursday, will see the 12-month limit on the time in which an officer can be charged for using the Law Enforcement Assistance Program (LEAP) system without a legitimate reason increased to three years.

Danielle Laidley said changing the legislation was an important step to prevent others experiencing what she did. Credit: 60 Minutes

Former North Melbourne coach Dani Laidley, who had images of her leaked by police following her arrest in 2020, said the changes were a great move forward.

What happened to me caused myself, but particularly my family, a lot of grief. These changes can only be a good thing for society, she said.
Putting all new state government jobs into five suburban hubs around metropolitan Melbourne would generate more than $27 billion dollars in productivity, transport and amenity benefits over the next 30 years, new analysis shows.

Prominent planning firm SGS Consultancy will on Friday release a new economic analysis of how Melbournes transport networks and local suburbs would benefit if all new jobs in the Victorian public service were located in or around Monash University, Dandenong, La Trobe University, Sunshine or Werribee.

Decentralising new public sector jobs would counter mounting congestion, according to a new SGS report. Credit: Scott McNaughton

Various suburban centres have long been earmarked in the states planning blueprint Plan Melbourne to become decentralised cities outside the CBD including Monash, Dandenong, Werribee, La Trobe, Sunshine, Fishermans Bend, Frankston, Sunshine, Epping, Broadmeadows, Fountain Gate, Dandenong, Box Hill and Ringwood.

The SGS analysis, commissioned by a group of councils in Melbournes greater south-east, modelled a scenario where just five of those hubs  Monash, Dandenong, La Trobe, Sunshine or Werribee  absorbed all new public sector jobs over the next 30 years
Two staff members at one of Victorias largest private schools have been praised for their quick thinking after an elderly man crashed his SUV through a glass door and plunged into a swimming pool at Haileybury Colleges Keysborough campus on Friday.

Firefighters were called to the school on Springvale Road just after 8.30am after reports a car had landed in the colleges swimming pool. Fire Rescue Victoria Commander Julian Bisbal said it was extremely lucky that nobody was critically injured in the incident.

Were extremely lucky here today that no one was actually critically injured, said Fire Rescue Victoria Commander Julian Bisbal. Credit: Nine News

Two of the schools swimming staff, who were in the centre at the time, helped the driver get out of the water. He was not injured, police said.

Bisbal praised the staff members who helped get the man to safety for their quick thinking and professionalism.
The economic and political reckoning that is infrastructure electoral inflation has been building for years.

While it culminated in the announcement of Infrastructure Minister Catherine Kings decision to axe 50 projects, nominally worth almost $11 billion, the reckoning was evident in March last year.

Bridging the infrastructure spending divide will test minister Catherine King. Credit: State Library of New South Wales

That was when then-treasurer Josh Frydenberg ate political crow by killing four railway station car parks he had promised to his Melbourne electorate. For $65 million, they were going to deliver about 2000 extra parking spaces.

It quickly became apparent that the car parks would struggle to ever be built. Never properly planned (one was for a railway station that the state government planned to close) or costed, they were a prime example of governments trying to use infrastructure to woo voters.
Singer Mark Seymour cant recall how long his mother, Paula, was living with dementia in the end. But he remembers the point at which everything changed.

It was a weekend when he received a call from his sister to tell him things had gone wrong at their parents house in Melbournes north-eastern suburbs.

Musician Mark Seymour wants dementia to be a part of mainstream conversations. Credit: Alex Ellinghausen

We went out there and it was just chaos. Things had tipped over and she was hallucinating, he says.

Seymours dad was at his wits end. His mum was walking up and down corridors, roaming the house.
NSW taxpayers have been hit with a $1.4 billion blow to the states infrastructure pipeline, with federal funding axed for 17 projects including the critical western Sydney interchange linking the M7 with the new toll-free M12 motorway to the citys second airport.

The interchange  which will connect the existing M7 motorway to the under-construction M12 to the new western Sydney airport  is one of 17 NSW projects that will no longer receive federal money under a major overhaul of infrastructure funding.

An artists impression of the interchange between the M12 and Elizabeth Drive near the M7 in western Sydney Credit: Nsw Government

Treasurer Daniel Mookhey said the state government was disappointed with a capital D with the federal governments decisions, which early analysis showed would leave NSW projects in doubt.

He said preliminary calculations by NSW Treasury showed the state would be $1.4 billion worse off over the forward estimates.
Im really sorry your readers were made to feel ostracised and unsafe on their trip to Byron. It is a very transient population here so dont crucify the town  as locals, I like to think that NSWs North Coast is generally a place of kindness, diversity and acceptance.

Thi-Anh Smith, Lennox Head, NSW Big dry Your story on the delights of Peru mentioned cruising on the Amazon River; unfortunately, at the time of my writing, that river has receded to its lowest level in 121 years and people in the area are desperate for food and supplies.

John B Quinn, Avoca, Vic Chilling effect In the past 12 months Ive visited some 15 hotels, resorts, and other accommodations and on every occasion Ive discovered the ice cube tray missing or empty in the installed fridge of the visited establishment. I am a person who always likes having ice with my drink whether this be spirits or wine. But where have the ice cubes gone? On each visit this required, after a long flight or car journey, retracting my steps back to the reception or nearby bar to obtain my supply of ice, sometimes provided in an ice bucket large enough to service myself and another five rooms! It was after an eight-hour drive last week, when I stayed in a modest three-star motel, in Tenterfield, NSW that much to my delight I found an ice tray full of cubes. No anticipated walk to reception required. Perhaps other proprietors in the hospitality industry should mirror this.

Doug Daly, Cammeray, NSW

Zanzibar none As I lay here by the pool at my hotel in Stone Town on Unguja (Zanzibar) I have to agree with everything said in your worlds most beautiful island cover story (Traveller, October 26). This is my third trip here this year and it has everything but is unspoilt. Last trip I also ventured to Pemba Island just North of Unguja. This is even more unspoilt and well worth a visit. Tanzania is not expensive for tourists, most of whom are from Europe, and offers various types of holidays. Tacking Zanzibar on to the end of a Kilimanjaro climb and safari as I did is an essential.

Daryl Walker, Taylors Hill, Vic Disturbed sleepers Well said, Janita Ryan (Traveller Letters, November 4). Twenty years ago the sleeper on the overnight train from Brisbane to Sydney was fantastic. You got to sleep, freshen up and they supplied a great breakfast well before Sydney. Now you are forced to catch a train, then a bus, then get on another train around midnight. Absolutely stupid.

Brendon Fehre, Waterloo, NSW Honk if you still love Honkers

Hong Kong is still a great destination, writes one Traveller reader. Credit: iStock After five thoroughly enjoyable days in Hong Kong I can attest that reports of its demise as a tourist destination are greatly exaggerated. Armed with our Octopus travel cards we spent time exploring Kowloon and Hong Kong island, eating at top-notch restaurants, walking scenic nature trails and gazing at the architectural delights of West Kowloon including the new Hong Kong Palace Museum. The city is vibrant and bustling. The only discernible change from previous visits was a lack of western tourists.

Kathryn McAnalley, Elwood, Vic Fazed by Stayz Further to Mark Bergs letter (Traveller Letters, October 29), we had an apartment for six booked in Sorrento, Italy for a week in September. The booking was made and paid for in January using Stayz. Two weeks out, I received an email from the host, saying, Sorry, we cannot accommodate you. We were already in Greece, and our friends were about to leave for Italy. It was high season, and we couldnt find alternate accommodation, so had to scrap the plan and stay elsewhere. No help was forthcoming, and that was when we eventually managed to find a phone number and someone to talk to. However, we did get our money back a couple of weeks later.

Mick Hamilton, Carnegie, Vic Big Basho

As a Matsuo Basho fan, who has made pilgrimages to many sites connected with the poet, including some in Catherine Marshalls story on Haiku hiking (Traveller, November 28), Im very happy to report that Bashos poetic spirit is alive in Australia. English-language haiku poets engage in the craft all over the country. Echidna Tracks is a fabulous online journal publishing distinctly Australian haiku. The Fourth Australian Haiku Anthology has just been released and a second Haiku Down Under conference is planned for August, 2024. Anyone interested in knowing more about English-language haiku in Australia can visit the Australian Haiku Society website (australianhaikusociety.org).

Leanne Mumford, Newtown, NSW National non-carrier Soon I predict almost every Qantas passenger will have a story to tell of lousy service. Mine is a flight from Darwin to Brisbane. The departure was delayed two hours. Okay, that can be accepted. Not acceptable though was being told, halfway through the flight and without explanation or apology, that no-ones checked-in luggage was on board. The flight attendants instructions to passengers were to fill out a forwarding address for the luggage which arrived three days later. No compensation for the inconvenience and need to buy essentials. And no penalty for the airline. The federal government really does need to improve passenger consumer protection.

Simon Townsend, Suffolk Park, NSW Bridge of sighs I recently returned from the Maldives, just over 30 years since my last visit. So many changes of course, especially the new (well, 2018) road bridge that now connects the airport to Male, the capital. I found it so disappointing and alarming that this was funded by the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative. From the air, one can also see man-made islands, like those in the South China Sea, with massive trenches dug out of the coral that could easily fit a military ship. I was very grateful to be on a beautiful island to celebrate a milestone birthday, but I was even more grateful that I was once there when it was still somewhat Robinson Crusoe.

Jane Stuart, Hunters Hill, NSW

Tip of the week: Time to not take a stand Be sure to reserve a seat when travelling Europe by train. Credit: iStock It is absolutely necessary to reserve a seat when travelling on trains in Europe. This is especially the case with the first-class Eurail Pass as there are limited first-class seats on each train. Failure to do so may result in standing for long periods, as was our experience between Vienna and Ljubljana. The policy of optional seat reservation causes untold confusion as passengers with unreserved tickets either sit in reserved seats or pass up and down the train with their baggage looking for a seat.

Donald Barker, Boronia, Vic Roll reversal You are unlikely to find a conti roll east of the Nullarbor, writes Ben Groundwater in his regular food column (Traveller, November 13). Look no further, Ben, as Roccos Deli in Yarraville, Victoria, is a hidden secret. Even better, a stand-alone dream, not hidden in strip-shopping. Sshhh.

Lynne Oliver, Brunswick, Vic

Island in the stream Underrated: Cockatoo Island in Sydney Harbour. Credit: iStock Sydneys historic and UNESCO World Heritage-listed Cockatoo Island is routinely overlooked when things to do are mentioned for the city (Traveller, October 4). Getting there involves a delightful ferry ride from either Circular Quay (where you go under the Harbour Bridge) or Parramatta, where you go past the Olympic site with views along the Parramatta River. The islands buildings are remnants of the shipbuilding and repair industries that were vital there during wartime, while tunnels under and through the sandstone provide a shortcut from one side of the island to the other. Theres an audio tour of the island available, but youll always want to know more. While a day trip is free you could even stay in one of the cottages or glamping tents along the shoreline for a more immersive experience.

Margaret Whalen, Alexandria, NSW Instant gratification Your reader Georgie Foster (Traveller Letters, November 11) has discovered the benefit of eSIMs. These can also be purchased and installed here in Australia before departing overseas. Sydney Airport made me aware of Tripsim by SYD  my wife loved landing in New York City with instant data, while mine is ready for a Western Asia trip next week.

Paul Gerrard, Kellyville, NSW
Grigori Yavlinsky, leader of the Russian Yabloko party, during a protest in Moscow; August 2019. Alexander Zemlianichenko (AP)

The Israel-Hamas war seems to have fueled Kremlins ambition and aggression. Will Vladimir Putin try to capitalize on the conflict in the Middle East to better his position in Ukraine? The Russian president must make a decision, or maybe he already has.

Grigory Yavlinsky, the politician and founder of the Russian United Democratic Party Yabloko, the sole, legal opposition party in Russia, met President Putin on October 26. In their 90-minute meeting, Yavlinsky emphasized the importance of a ceasefire that would enable peace talks to commence. Yavlinsky had to spend three days in quarantine before meeting with Putin.

The large number of fatalities and ongoing casualties, along with future prospects, should compel Russian leaders to engage in talks. However, this is not happening, said Yavlinsky in a WhatsApp conversation with EL PAIS. The longer this war goes on, the more lives are lost and the less optimistic the outlook becomes. Stopping the massacre is a pressing matter. Yavlinsky offered to act as a mediator for a ceasefire with Ukraine. However, Putin did not respond, leaving doubts about whether the veteran politician from the Ukrainian city of Lviv made any impact on the stubborn president.

In November 2022, Ukraine had a significant opportunity to negotiate a ceasefire with Russia after it liberated Kherson and Kharkiv. Ukraine could have retained 80% of its territory, protected its people and paved the way for a promising future. It could have been a decisive turning point, said Yavlinsky.

Its not up to me  a Russian  to dictate what Ukraine should do. Russia started all of this, and were not in a position to lecture anyone, said the politician who has been a presidential candidate several times. In March, he will run again in the presidential elections if he can collect the required 10 million signatures for candidacy. The Yabloko party views the number of signatures as an indicator of public opposition to the war. A survey conducted by the Levada Center in October revealed that 56% of Russians support peace talks, while 37% are in favor of continuing the war.

Ukraine had six months between last fall and this spring to make major gains, but they didnt realize it, said Yavlinsky. The Americans didnt realize this either, or they just didnt want a ceasefire. So, things got worse for Ukraine, especially after the war in the Middle East erupted. This conflict prevents Ukraine from getting the resources and attention it needs from the United States and the European Union. The consequences have been are more death and senseless military actions  the price is very high. In politics, timing is crucial. If you miss an opportunity, its lost forever.

Signals from the Kremlin suggest a lack of interest in dialogue. In response to Valerii Zaluzhnyis (Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine) comments about the stalemated war, Putins press secretary Dmitry Peskov denied that it was stuck in a dead end. Russia will continue to pursue its special military operation [official euphemism for the war in Ukraine]. All the established objectives must be met, said Peskov. Ukraine should have realized long ago that any illusions of victory on the battlefield are simply absurd. Yavlinksi acknowledged that Russias power and resources far exceed Ukraines. Western experts have stated publicly that Ukraine will likely lose some territory to Russia. Yavlinsky believes Moscow is unlikely to agree to special NATO security guarantees for Ukraine in exchange for Kyivs agreement to cede territory to Russia.

Considering the evolving landscape of international politics, Yavlinsky expresses skepticism about the enduring validity of traditional security guarantees. He believes that security in the 21st century is dynamic, requiring constant efforts to sustain it. Prioritizing human life, freedom and creativity should be more important [to Ukraine] than territorial concerns, particularly in areas riddled with mines.

As we approach the mid-21st century, its clear that Europe cannot thrive without Russia, let alone in a state of confrontation. Europes economic competitiveness with respect to Asia and America depends heavily on Russia and its resources. But Russia is still experiencing the consequences of post-Soviet modernization mistakes, he adds.

People might feel disappointed about Russia and reject it, but countries can change. In the 21st century, the measure of a country is more than the area of its territory  its about citizen freedoms. Yavlinsky compares Russia to a patient who has been mysteriously ill since 1991. We dont know if this patient is recovering in the intensive care unit, or whether its waiting to die in palliative care. But I still believe and hope in the future.

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North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year Reveals Finalists for 2024 Awards

Nine finalists will compete across three categories for the prestigious awards

LOS ANGELES, November 16, 2023  Only one more round of votes now stands between nine vehicles and one of the most coveted honors in the automotive industry. Three cars, three trucks and three utility vehicles were named finalists for the 2024 North American Car, Truck and Utility Vehicle of the Year (NACTOY) Awards today at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

2024 North American Car of the Year Finalists 2024 North American Truck of the Year Finalists 2024 North American Utility Vehicle of the Year Finalists Honda Accord Hyundai Ioniq 6* Toyota Prius/Prius Prime Chevrolet Colorado Chevrolet Silverado EV* Ford Super Duty Genesis Electrified GV70* Kia EV9* Volvo EX30*

* Indicates electric vehicle

The vehicles were chosen from a preliminary list 52 eligible vehicles, narrowed to the 25 Best of 2024 at the Detroit Auto Show in September, and test-driven and evaluated at NACTOYs Fall Comparison Drive in October. Jurors will complete their evaluations over the coming weeks and cast their ballots before the end of the year to select the winners, which will be announced on January 4, 2024, at M1 Concourse in Pontiac, Mich.

NACTOY President Jeff Gilbert commented, Electric vehicles again make up more than half of our finalists. That shows how important they are to carmakers and how many more choices car buyers now have. But there is a lot of variety in this group, including a big work truck, a hybrid and a family sedan.

The vehicles were voted on by 50 respected automotive journalists based on criteria including outstanding innovation, design, performance, driver satisfaction and value. NACTOY jurors, who write for a wide variety of print, online and broadcast media outlets from across the U.S. and Canada, each test and evaluate NACTOY contenders in their own way. This unique process and level of expertise involved makes being named a NACTOY finalistand even more so a winnera highly coveted achievement.

Spanish and French versions of this release are available on NACTOYs website. For more information about NACTOY and its history: http://northamericancaroftheyear.org.
Britain Prime Minister Rishi Sunak leaves his official residence at 10 Downing Street as he attends Prime Minister's Questions at Parliament in London, Britain, November 15 2023.

The British government said Wednesday it will still try to send some migrants on a one-way trip to Rwanda, despite the U.K. Supreme Court ruling that the contentious plan is unlawful. In a major blow to one of Prime Minister Rishi Sunaks key policies, five justices on the countrys top court ruled unanimously that asylum-seekers sent to Rwanda would be at real risk of ill-treatment because they could be returned to the conflict-wracked home countries theyd fled.

Sunak, who has pledged to stop migrants reaching Britain in small boats across the English Channel, said the ruling was not the outcome we wanted but vowed to press on with the plan. He said the court had confirmed that the principle of removing asylum-seekers to a safe third country is lawful, even as it ruled Rwanda unsafe.

He said the government was working on a treaty with Rwanda that would address the courts concerns, and we will finalize that in light of todays judgment. If that fails, he said he was prepared to consider changing U.K. law and leaving international human rights treaties  a move that would draw strong opposition and international criticism.

Refugee and human rights groups welcomed the courts decision and urged the government to drop the Rwanda plan. Charity ActionAid U.K. called it a vindication of British values of compassion and dignity. Amnesty International said the government should draw a line under a disgraceful chapter in the U.K.s political history.

Britain and Rwanda signed a deal in April 2022 to send some migrants who arrive in the U.K. as stowaways or in boats to the East African country, where their asylum claims would be processed and, if successful, they would stay.

Britains government argued that the policy would deter people from risking their lives crossing one of the worlds busiest shipping lanes, and would break the business model of people-smuggling gangs. Opposition politicians, refugee groups and human rights organizations said the plan was unethical and unworkable.

No one has yet been sent to the country as the plan was challenged in the courts. Reading the decision, President of the Supreme Court Robert Reed said Rwanda had a history of misunderstanding its obligations toward refugees and couldnt be relied on to keep its promise not to mistreat asylum-seekers.

He cited the countrys poor human rights record, including enforced disappearances and torture, and said Rwanda practiced refoulement  sending migrants back to unsafe home countries.

The judges concluded there were substantial grounds for believing that there is a real risk that asylum claims will not be determined properly, and that asylum-seekers will in consequence be at risk of being returned directly or indirectly to their country of origin.

In that event, genuine refugees will face a real risk of ill-treatment in circumstances where they should not have been returned at all, they said.

The U.K. government has argued that while Rwanda was the site of a genocide that killed more than 800,000 people in 1994, the country has since built a reputation for stability and economic progress.

Critics say that stability comes at the cost of political repression. The courts judgment noted multiple rights breaches, including political killings that had led U.K. police to warn Rwandan nationals living in Britain of credible plans to kill them on the part of that state. They said Rwanda has a 100% rejection record for asylum-seekers from war-torn countries including Syria, Yemen and Afghanistan.

The Rwandan government insisted the country was a safe place for refugees. Rwanda is committed to its international obligations, government spokesperson Yolande Makolo wrote on X, formerly known as Twitter. We have been recognized by the UNHCR and other international institutions for our exemplary treatment of refugees.

Rwandan opposition leader Frank Habineza said Britain shouldnt try to offshore its migration obligations to the small African country. The U.K. should keep the migrants or send them to another European country, not to a poor country like Rwanda. I really think its not right (for) a country like U.K. to run away from their obligations, Habineza told the AP in Kigali, the Rwandan capital.

The Rwanda plan has cost the British government at least 140 million pounds ($175 million) in payments to Rwanda before a single plane has taken off. The first deportation flight was stopped at the last minute in June 2022, when the European Court of Human Rights intervened.

The case went to the High Court and the Court of Appeal, which ruled that the plan was unlawful because Rwanda is not a safe third country. The government unsuccessfully challenged that decision at the Supreme Court.

Sunak took comfort from the courts ruling that the structural changes and capacity-building needed to make Rwanda safe may be delivered in the future.

The prime minister is under pressure from the right wing of the governing Conservative Party to take dramatic action to stop the boats. Former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, who was fired by Sunak on Monday, has said the U.K. should leave the European Convention on Human Rights if the Rwanda plan was blocked.

Sunak told lawmakers in the House of Commons that he was prepared to change our laws and revisit those international relationships if other routes failed.

Much of Europe and the U.S. is struggling with how best to cope with migrants seeking refuge from war, violence, oppression and a warming planet that has brought devastating drought and floods.

Though Britain receives fewer asylum applications than countries such as Italy, France or Germany, thousands of migrants from around the world travel to northern France each year in hopes of crossing the English Channel.

More than 27,300 migrants have crossed the Channel this year, with the years total on track to be fewer than the 46,000 who made the journey in 2022. The government says that shows its tough approach is working, though others cite factors including the weather.

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The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution Wednesday calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip after four failed attempts to respond to the Israel-Hamas war. The vote was 12-0 with the United States, United Kingdom and Russia abstaining.

The final draft watered down language from a demand to a call for humanitarian pauses. It also watered down a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. And the resolution makes no mention of a cease-fire or Hamas surprise Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.

Russia proposed an amendment to the resolution before the vote that would have called for durable humanitarian pauses leading to a cease-fire. But it was rejected by a vote of 5-1 with nine abstentions because it failed to get the minimum nine yes votes.

But the resolution, sponsored by Malta, did bring the 15 members of the U.N.s most powerful body together in a first response to the ongoing war that is having catastrophic humanitarian consequence in Gaza.

Malta, which sponsored the resolution, called for the vote after lengthy negotiations. Several diplomats said they expect it to be adopted. That requires nine yes votes from the 15-member council and no veto by any of its five permanent members: the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France. The draft resolution makes no mention of a cease-fire.

It also doesnt refer to Hamas surprise attack on Israel on Oct. 7 that killed around 1,200 people and took some 240 others hostage. Nor does it cite Israels retaliatory airstrikes and ground offensive in Hamas-ruled Gaza that Gazas health ministry says has killed more than 11,000 Palestinians, two-thirds of them women and children.

The draft asks that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children.

U.N. Security Council resolutions are legally binding, but in practice many parties choose to ignore the councils requests for action. Richard Gowan, U.N. director for the International Crisis Group, said the Security Council has called for cease-fires in wars from the Balkans to Syria with little or no impact.

The Security Council, which has the responsibility for maintaining international peace and security, has been paralyzed since the war began by its internal divisions. This is especially the case between China and Russia, which want an immediate cease-fire, and the United States, which has called for humanitarian pauses but objects to any mention of a cease-fire which its close ally Israel strongly opposes.

The resolution calls for humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days for unhindered access by the U.N., Red Cross and other aid groups to get water, electricity, fuel, food and medical supplies to all those in need. It says the pauses also should allow for repair of essential infrastructure and enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts.

In the four previous tries for Security Council approval, a Brazil-drafted resolution was vetoed by the United States, a U.S.-drafted resolution was vetoed by Russia and China and two Russian-drafted resolutions failed to get the minimum yes votes.

After the fourth failure, frustrated Arab nations turned to the 193-member General Assembly and succeeded in getting wide approval for a resolution calling for a humanitarian truce in Gaza meant to lead to a cessation of hostilities between Israel and Hamas.

It was the first United Nations response to the war. But unlike Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions are not legally binding, though they are a barometer of world opinion.

The vote was 120-14 with 45 abstentions. Of the five veto-holding Security Council members, Russia, China and France voted in favor, the United States voted against and Britain abstained.

The General Assembly resolution was adopted Oct. 27, and Israel agreed Nov. 9 to four-hour pauses. But only very limited aid has been delivered to Gaza through the Rafah crossing from Egypt, and a humanitarian catastrophe has been brewing.

The Crisis Groups Gowan said U.S. opposition to a cease-fire is a gift that keeps on giving for Russia diplomatically. He said that while many diplomats think Russia is demanding a cease-fire for largely cynical reasons to make the Americans look bad, Moscows position is closer to the mainstream of council thinking, and the U.S. looks isolated.

A U.N. cease-fire call would embarrass but not really constrain the Israelis, he told the AP. But the U.S. clearly feels that even such a symbolic move is too much of a political risk.

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"It will have the spillover effects of having the farmers not only get money, but they'll get enough food."

African officials attending a forum in China's Sanya have spoken positively about China-Africa cooperation in hybrid rice cultivation. #GLOBALink
As the crisis in the Gaza Strip, besieged and bombed by Israel in response to the Hamas attack of October 7, rages, the European Union is beginning to think about the day after the conflict. Member states and EU institutions have begun a process of reflection on possible solutions for the Strip following the end of the war. In the long term they all agree on the two-state solution, but they are also discussing possible shorter term, immediate measures to guarantee the security and rights of both Israelis and Palestinians once the Israeli army withdraws. Germany, for example, suggested a few weeks ago placing Gaza under the international protection of the United Nations. The EUs High Representative for Foreign Policy, Josep Borrell, speaks of a Palestinian authority defined and decided by the U.N. Security Council, with the support of the Arab countries.

What is clear to both the EU and the United States is that Israel cannot reoccupy Gaza once its war with Hamas is over. This was underlined by Borrell on Monday, shortly before he embarked on a trip to Israel that will also include a visit to the Palestinian city of Ramallah. Meanwhile, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen will head to Egypt and Jordan. In Borrells case, this will be his first trip to Israel since he was appointed as the EUs chief diplomat. It will also be the first time since the outbreak of the conflict that a senior EU official will visit the West Bank after setting foot on Israeli territory.

In Borrells opinion, Israel cannot remain in Gaza after the war, but a Palestinian authority must return to Gaza. The high representative stressed that he was referring to a Palestinian authority, not the Palestinian Authority. It is understandable that the Palestinian Authority [which rules in the West Bank] does not want to enter Gaza on top of an Israeli tank, Borrell added.

The panorama for Gaza is one of the great debates the European Union and the United States want to initiate now. And in this future perspective, the Palestinian Authority can play a role in the management of the Strip, they agree. But to do so, it needs internal reforms, greater capacity, and wider international support. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has spoken of an effective and revitalized Palestinian Authority that should ultimately govern Gaza. Israel is opposed to the idea.

The debate is still at a very preliminary stage and many agree that, in the short term, a transitional authority is likely to be the solution. Both the EU  which has been losing influence in the region  and Washington also believe that the Arab countries in the area should be given a voice in the matter. Above all, there is the question of what Gazans want their future to be in a territory that has been razed to the ground.

Last week, Blinken acknowledged that a transition period at the end of the conflict may be necessary, but he was also very explicit in refusing to allow Israel to remain in the territory: It is clear that Israel cannot occupy Gaza. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had earlier stated in an interview with U.S. television that Israel would assume overall responsibility for security in Gaza for an indefinite period.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen with NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg in Brussels on November 15. OLIVIER HOSLET (EFE)

Peace conference

The future of Gaza must be part of the path of dialogue to bring the conflict to an end, Washington and Brussels agree. The EU plans to hold a peace conference when the situation is less volatile and has begun to think about reconstruction. In the meantime, as Borrell suggested Monday, everything points to a possible road map that always leads to the two-state solution, a formula included in the international pacts that had been paralyzed as just another diplomatic linguistic tagline, but which is now back on the table.

Von der Leyen, for example, has proposed what she called five basic principles for the future of the Strip based on the prospect of a two-state solution; they presuppose both the end of Hamas rule in Gaza and the absence of Israeli security forces in the long term. The debate is there, but so are more urgent diplomatic moves such as making the humanitarian pauses called for by Washington and Brussels to allow aid to reach besieged Gaza effective. Following the Hamas attacks of October 7, Israels air raids and ground operation in Gaza have killed more than 11,300 Palestinians, according to figures provided by the Hamas-run Gazan authorities, including more than 4,500 children.

The German proposal to place Gaza under United Nations protection is contained in a document, advanced by the daily Politico, in which Berlin puts forward five different scenarios for the future of the Strip, including Israeli reoccupation and takeover by the Palestinian Authority or Egypt. The U.N. intervention is described as an internationalization of Gaza under the umbrella of the United Nations (and regional partners) with a carefully organized transition toward Palestinian self-administration, ideally through elections and in combination with an international coalition that provides necessary security. The two-page report, however, was drafted on October 21 and therefore came before the second phase of the Israeli military operation in Gaza and is now somewhat dated, according to several diplomatic sources.

German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock on November 13 in Brussels. OLIVIER MATTHYS (EFE)

A clear course for Gaza

In public, the official position of German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock is the one she expressed on November 8 in a communique following the meeting with her G-7 counterparts. Berlin speaks of the two-state solution and of setting a clear course for Gaza, which must meet several assumptions: the Strip must not pose a terrorist threat to Israels security in the future, Palestinians must not be expelled, and the enclaves territory must not be reduced under any circumstances. Baerbock has so far been vague about the kind of immediate solution Germany would advocate, except for stating Gaza should not be occupied, but ideally placed under international protection, without providing further details as to the kind of protection she was referring to.

For Berlin the most relevant issue now is Israel is defending itself from Hamas terror, although it recognizes that the humanitarian situation in Gaza is terrible, catastrophic, and must be addressed, according to a foreign ministry spokesman. The German perspective can only be a long-term two-state solution, he added, noting that everyone is clear that it is the only possible answer to the crisis.

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San Francisco is showing its best, cleanest face for the world leaders from 21 countries who have arrived here for the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum. But the summit is also evidencing the tensions that the most relevant event in seven decades has caused in the city. On Wednesday, several groups demonstrated in favor of an independent Taiwan. Meanwhile, dozens of members of the Chinese sect Falun Gong were protesting against the presence of Chinese leader Xi Jinping, while others welcomed the leader of the Communist Party by waving red flags. Xi met for two hours with Joe Biden in a show of rapprochement between the worlds greatest powers.

Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador arrived in this bustling city shortly before 8 p.m. local time on Wednesday. The Mexican president has consistently reduced his presence at international forums, where he has been mostly represented by the Foreign Ministry. He prefers to be a host rather than a visitor, as evidenced in October with a summit where he sought to position himself as Cubas mediator with the United States. However, in his fifth year in government, as he heads towards the end of his term in office, Lopez Obrador has opened himself to the world. This is his third trip abroad since September to meet with international counterparts.

Lopez Obrador will meet with Xi Jinping on Thursday morning. At 1 p.m. he is due to hold a meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. In the afternoon he will have a bilateral meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. And on Friday, before the forum ends, he will meet with U.S. President Biden, the fourth time during his presidency that both men will have got together. The last time was at a regional summit held in January of this year in Mexico City.

Just a few blocks beyond the impressive security rollout in the Union Square area, the most problematic face of San Francisco is on clear display. Homeless people wander around just a few feet away from the summits entrance points. Some are lying on the ground. Drug pipes and small bags with suspicious-looking substances can be seen lying close to them. It is easy to see the damage that fentanyl has caused, not just on this side of the border, but also in the Mexican cities close to it. Summits like this one must show that they can change a reality that will cause, in San Francisco alone, more than 800 overdose deaths this year.

The powerful synthetic opioid is not the only issue that will be addressed at the APEC summit, but it has crept into the agenda among other urgent matters such as climate change, artificial intelligence and economic recovery. The fight against fentanyl will be inevitable in the meeting between Xi and Lopez Obrador, who lead the two nations that are flooding the United States with the drug, according to Washington. The Mexican president has insistently stated that fentanyl is not manufactured in Mexico, but local drug cartels are helping smuggle it into the U.S.

Another inevitable topic for the Mexican president, especially during his meeting with Biden, will be migration. It is, in fact, the only issue that is explicitly discussed in a bulletin issued Monday by the White House. A delegation led by Secretary of State Antony Blinken visited the Mexican capital in October to hold a tense meeting after Washingtons announcement of an expansion to the border wall. It was also the first time that migration was treated as a national security issue between both governments.

There is an almost unanimous opinion in the United States that the border with Mexico is in chaos, with the highest number of illegal crossings in four years being registered. October gave the immigration authorities a break, as there was a drop in the numbers of arrests: 188,000 compared with 218,000 in September. The October figures broke a three-month upward trend in the area, which saw Venezuelans become the largest nationality attempting to cross, surpassing Mexicans for the first time. In response, the Biden administration reactivated mass deportations to Caracas despite the lack of diplomatic relations with the Nicolas Maduro regime.

On October 23, Lopez Obrador announced that he will raise the possibility of the U.S. resuming diplomatic contacts with Cuba and thus normalize relations between Washington and the island. Let the United States open dialogue, said the Mexican leader, who wants the U.S. to lift its economic sanctions against Havana. I hope it starts as soon as possible, for humanitarian reasons. There is condemnation from all the countries in the world; at each U.N. assembly, the majority votes to lift the embargo, he said.

Those statements were made after Lopez Obrador organized a summit in Palenque (in the southern Mexican state of Chiapas) with 10 countries in the region to address the migration crisis. At this gathering, the Cuban leader Miguel Diaz-Canel and Venezuelas Maduro stood out as guests. Mexico sought a two-way play: to establish itself as Washingtons chief interlocutor with Caracas and Havana, and to relaunch its leadership in Latin America. Lopez Obrador, however, missed an opportunity to establish himself in that role by snubbing the Americas Partnership for Economic Prosperity held on November 3 at the White House.
38 killed, 20 hurt in J&K bus mishap





DODA (J&K),

AT LEAST 38 people were killed and 20 injured when a bus carrying passengers skidded off the road and rolled down into a 300-foot gorge in Jammu and Kashmirs Doda district on Wednesday, officials said. The bus bearing registration number JK02CN-6555 was reportedly carrying 58 passengers, they said, adding that it skidded off the road near Trungal-Assar on the Batote-Kishtwar national highway and fell 300 feet downhill. A rescue operation has been launched and some bodies have been retrieved, the officials said. The death toll is likely to go up. According to a police spokesperson, the accident occurred at around 11:50 am at Trungal-Assar and the bus was on its way from Kishtwar to Jammu. In a statement, Public Relations Officer (Defence) Lieutenant Colonel Suneel Bartwal said 38 people were killed in the incident, with 32 passengers declared dead initially, and 20 sustained injuries.

In a commendable display of promptness and coordination, the Indian Army, in collaboration with civil administration, conducted a swift rescue operation in response to a grievous accident on National Highway 244 at Assar, near Wani Mod, approximately 4 km from COB ASSAR towards Batote, he said. Bartwal said the bodies are being sent to the Assar Primary Health Centre and Doda Civil Hospital. There were a total of 58 individuals on board the ill-fated bus at the time of the incident, he added. Doda Deputy Commissioner Harvinder Singh had earlier said 37 people were killed and 19 injured, including four who were shifted to the Government Medical College (GMC) hospital in Jammu.

It is an unfortunate incident. It was said that the bus was not being run on the right side, which resulted in the accident, Singh told PTI. Some of the deceased have been identified and the bodies will be handed over to their families. We checked all the details of the vehicle. Maybe it was not being driven in the right manner. The vehicle jumped over the crash barriers and rolled down, Singh said. An inquiry will be held into the incident, he added.Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah expressed grief over the incident. The bus accident in Doda, Jammu and Kashmir is distressing. My condolences to the families who have lost their near and dear ones. I pray that the injured recover at the earliest, Modi said on X.
The first chords began, the audience broke into applause under the Roman sky, emotion at its peak. A voice-over announced: The day of defeat will come, but it will not be this day. Then Giorgia Meloni appeared. The final campaign rally of the right-wing coalition was held in the Piazza del Popolo in Rome. But the phrase with which the leader of the Brothers of Italy took the stage belonged to a pre-battle from Aragorn, one of the main characters in The Lord of the Rings, the masterpiece written by J. R. R. Tolkien, the favorite author of Meloni and of a whole generation of youth members of the Italian Social Movement (MSI), who found in the story a wonderful metaphor for many of the political ideals then promoted by the neo-fascist party. A year later, Rome is dedicating a major exhibition to Tolkien, entitled Tolkien: Man, Teacher, Author, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of his death.

The idea of the exhibition, which constitutes a complete journey through the life and work of the author, came from the Minister of Culture, Gennaro Sangiuliano. The event, in a way, was also connected to the project of giving back a cultural centrality, some form of roots, to the new Italian radical right. The idea is based in the belief that the left has imposed its political narrative in recent years through culture, with a certain hegemony of cultural figures. To counter this  and Sangiuliano is one of the main proponents of this theory  it has been insisted that the right must find its own references, elevate them, and devote to them the same care that its opponents have for years. Even resorting to revisionism and, if necessary, to the myths of his political adversaries such as Pier Paolo Pasolini or Antonio Gramsci.

Tolkien, however, has a less far-fetched hook. The universe of the British author  expressed in the exhibition through videos, books, costumes from Peter Jacksons homonymous film saga or rejection letters for the first editions of his work  was for many years a national obsession for the MSI youth, who even organized a kind of Hobbit camp (the first was held in 1977). This was not an isolated event. A year earlier, the MSI founded the Fellowship of the Ring, a musical group that took its name from the first part of the saga. The radical right saw in the idea of community, environment, conservatism, traditions, certain religious values, rural pride, or the fight against a hidden power, a reflection of its own mission.

Visitors at the Tolkien exhibition at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome. Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse cecilia (LAPRESSE)

Meloni has admitted that some of her friends were given nicknames like Frodo or Gandalf and for years she has quoted fragments of Tolkiens work at her rallies, or in her autobiography. And if she were given the choice of characters, she has confessed on more than one occasion, she would be Sam Gamgee. Why? Well, he has a particularity, explains the curator of the exhibition, Oronzo Cilli. Knowing what his mission is: to help the chosen one, who is Frodo. And to get his friend to fulfill that mission. He is a very humble character, coming from a very humble family, although he later becomes mayor.

Melonis sister, however, assumed the role of Sam after her siblings rise to power in the Italian elections just over a year ago, in a show of unconditional support. I will accompany you to Mount Doom to destroy that ring, as Sam did with Frodo, knowing that it will not be my story that will be told, but yours, as it is right that it should be. The ring, both in the book and in the ideology of the right, signifies power that corrupts and brutalizes the spirit of community and freedom. Something like the establishment, the world of finance, and the so-called bureaucracy by which a certain political class betrayed the people.

The exhibition has sparked some controversy in Italy, where many consider it excessive to dedicate the National Gallery of Modern Art and a 250,000 budget to the prime ministers favorite author. Cilli, however, who has done a didactic job, dissociates it from any link to politics. I was asked to curate this exhibition in a philological way, respecting the memory and the work of this writer. To talk about nothing else but the man, his work, and his greatness. Look, Tolkiens work has nothing to do with [politics]. In 1976 and 1977, when he became an author embraced by a political minority of the right, he also became a reference for a part of the left. In Italy, but also among the hippies in the U.S. Everyone found something in him. And when he died, some in England called him a Marxist and others a fascist.

Exhibition on Tolkien at the National Gallery of Modern Art in Rome. Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse cecilia (LAPRESSE)

Beyond interpretations, there is no doubting Tolkiens conservative character and the deep Catholicism that breathes through his work and his own biography, as the exhibition displays. For many of Melonis co-religionists, Tolkien remains an intellectual reference that functions as a banner of the struggle to defend the Christian world and Western identity against globalization, multiculturalism, relativism, and a certain progress linked to social-democratic ideals. The Minister of Culture himself, who announced the exhibition last July during the meeting of the Brothers of Italy youth, calling it a gift, has defended that idea. Tolkien, let me say it, not I but many critics say it, was a true and sincere conservative, a sharp conservative with a great critical spirit. Tolkien was a fervent anti-fascist and a fervent anti-communist.

Sangiuliano, however, also confessed that there are aspects in Tolkiens literature that particularly please Melonis government, such as the value of community, of friendship, of the values of solidarity and of what is human.

I often speak of the ongoing clash in a globalized society between those who, like me and us, defend a conception of the citizen with rights and duties and those who want to degrade the individual to mere bar codes and consumers, passive with respect to the world, he said. An idea that in Europe partners such as the Spanish far-right party Vox shares, and which, on occasion, has also turned to the British writer.

Minister of Culture Gennaro Sangiuliano visits the Tolkien exhibition in Rome. Cecilia Fabiano/LaPresse cecilia (LAPRESSE)

The minister, a former card-holder of the MSI, defined Tolkien as a liberal in the true sense of the word and criticized those who have branded as fascist other exhibitions staged by the government, advancing his intention to organize another on the thinker and founder of the Italian Communist Party, Antonio Gramsci, a figure who is also part of the offensive of the radical right in Europe to provide itself with cultural arguments for ideological warfare.

The origin of this current, in fact, was born in France and headed by the founder of the New Right, Alain de Benoist. De Benoist is one of the great theoreticians of this right-wing reading of the philosopher Gramsci, especially interested in the concept of hegemony applied to the idea of cultural power. It is the basis on which the European radical right is trying to build its new narrative and which has been used by leaders such as Viktor Orban in Hungary, who wrote his university thesis on the Italian thinker.

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Bhai Dooj celebrated with love at Central Jail





Staff Reporter

Bhai Dooj festival which defines unconditional bond and love between the brothers and sisters, was celebrated with great enthusiasm and lot of pomp and grandeur in the city on Wednesday. The festival has an immense importance in Hindu religion as people celebrate the special bond between brothers and sisters on this auspicious day. Like every household, the administration at Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Central Jail also made arrangements to allow male and female inmates to meet their siblings and other family members on the auspicious occasion of Bhai Dooj.

Despite government holiday on Wednesday, the Central Jail administration arranged Window Mulaqaat to allow inmates to celebrate the festival. During Window Mulaqaat which was started at around 7.00 am and continued till 03.00 pm, around 603 inmates met and spent quality time with their family members who were around 1700 in numbers. The visitors extended their heartiest gratitude towards the Central Jail administration as not even a single visitor was returned empty handed, everyone was allowed to meet with their near and dear ones facing imprisonment in the jail.

The sisters visited in large numbers, met their brothers and prayed for their healthy, happy and long life. They showered each other with a lot of love. Deputy Superintendent, Madan Kamlesh informed that special security and other arrangements were made keeping the convenience of visitors in mind. He told The Hitavada that before COVID pandemic, the special mulaqaats were arranged for brothers and sisters thrice a year on the occasion of Rakshabandhan and Bhai Dooj fell after Diwali and Holi, but now they are allowed to meet in open only on the occasion of Rakshabandhan.
Elect BJP strenghten Modi, says State chief Sharma





Staff Reporter

State President of the Bharatiya Janata Party, V D Sharma, on Wednesday, held a grand vehicle rally in support of Abhilash Pandey, BJP candidate from North-Central Assembly constituency of Jabalpur. During the rally, Sharma stressed the need for the public to choose leaders not just for their duties and development but also for their aspirations. He urged the voters to strengthen BJP in the Assembly so that a BJP-led government could be formed, contributing to the strength and development of the country and the State.

Sharma stated that to empower the State and ensure the welfare of poor, it is vital for the BJP to form a government in the State in 2023, paving the way for Narendra Modi to become the Prime Minister again in the year 2024 in general elections. He stressed the importance of surpassing the previous election results, where although they secured more votes, some seats were lost. Sharma cautioned against a repeat of the deceiving politics played by the Congress, leading to a government under Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singhs leadership that plunged Madhya Pradesh into a state of crisis for 15 months.

Highlighting the need for a huge victory, Sharma urged people to support the BJP with a massive mandate. He stressed the importance of giving a strong response to those opposing the Sanatan Dharma, urging voters to choose the BJP so that everybody could recognise the strength of Sanatan Dharma in the face of its adversaries. A number of senior party leaders, workers and supporters including Rajya Sabha MP Kavita Patidar, Prabhat Sahu, Sadanand Godbole, Sudhir Nayak, Dheeraj Pateriya, Mukesh Yadav, Manish Jain Kallu, Chakresh Nayak, Deep Mahadele and others participated in the rally.
Heavy drilling equipment airlifted





UTTARKASHI :

A HEAVY drilling machine was airlifted from Delhi on Wednesday to replace the failed equipment which was being used earlier to create a passage for 40 workers trapped in an under-construction tunnel that collapsed three days back, officials said. The new machine, that landed at the Chinyalisaur helipad, over 30 kilometres from the tunnel on the Chardham route, is being put into service, amid apprehension by workers at the site on the progress of the multi-agency rescue operations. Workers chanted slogans at the mouth of the tunnel on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway, protesting over the slow pace of the operation to rescue their colleagues trapped inside for over 72 hours now. The plan was to use an auger machine to drill through the rubble of the tunnels collapsed portion and insert 800-mm and 900-mm diameter sections of mild steel pipes -- one after the other. Once this happens, the workers trapped on the other side of the rubble can crawl out to safety. But the first drilling machine turned out to be too slow and technical issues developed.

Also, falling debris damaged the equipment and injured two rescue workers on Tuesday. The replacement machine came in two parts on an Indian Air Force Hercules aircraft to Chinyalisaur on Wednesday afternoon and was being transported by road to the tunnel, about two hours away, Uttarkashi Superintendent of Police Arpan Yaduvanshi said. We will start installing it as soon as it arrives and in four-hours hours it will begin the drilling operation. With a capacity to penetrate 4-5 metres of rubble per hour, we can expect it to penetrate 50 metres through the rubble in 10 hours, NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khalkho said here. A portion of the tunnel, part of the ambitious Chardham All-Weather Road project, collapsed on Sunday.

The 30-metre collapsed section is 270 metres from the mouth of the tunnel from the Silkyara side. Officials said the labourers were safe, and oxygen, electricity, medicines, food items and water were being supplied to them through pipes. Khalkho, however, said it was not possible to specify a definite timeframe for the evacuation of the trapped labourers but effort was on to make a headway at the earliest and rescue them all safely. Constant communication is being maintained, he added. According to a list of the trapped workers issued by the emergency operation centre, 15 are from Jharkhand, eight from Uttar Pradesh, five from Odisha, four from Bihar, three from West Bengal, two each from Uttarakhand and Assam, and one from Himachal Pradesh. Tuesdays landslide and slow performance of the drilling machine deployed earlier hampered efforts to insert steel pipes through the tunnels debris to create the passage, the NHIDCL director added.
Drass : Here tales of bravehearts are cast in stone, emotions





A view of the Kargil War Memorial at Drass. The road leading to the memorial is aptly named Vijaypath. (Pic by Kartik Lokhande)

By Kartik Lokhande :

Dateline Kargil-11

The Drass War Memorial complex also has memorials built to honour the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in Kargil Sector in all operations since 1947-48, other than Operation Vijay of 1999.

Where the cold winds blow, Gently with respect; Where the high mountains glow, Snowly and variegate; There, my dear countrymen, Rest the bravehearts, Hailing the motherland, Singing the song of sacrifice! When one visits Drass, which is the second coldest inhabited place on Earth, one feels cold. But, as one visits the Kargil War Memorial, one feels the gush of blood and warmth. For, here lay the bravehearts of India who made the supreme sacrifice to defend their motherland from the repeated attacks by Pakistan. Though there are memorials, small and big, commemorating the heroic deeds of the Indian soldiers in the 1999 Kargil war with Pakistan, the most important one is built near the village of Bimbat (also spelt as Bhimbat) in Drass.





It is also known as Drass War Memorial. If one wishes to know details about the Kargil war of 1999, martyrs, major actions, roles played by the Indian Army, the Indian Air Force, the Indian Navy, and also about those who became martyrs while serving in Kargil Sector since Indian independence from the British, the Drass War Memorial is the must-visit place. After the Kargil War of 1999 was over, the Indian Army thought of constructing a memorial in the area of operations of 8 Mountain Division. The idea was to keep alive the memories of those who fought and made the supreme sacrifice in service of the motherland, at the desolate heights. The major motive was to inspire the younger generation, who would visit the place. As per the records, Maj Gen Mohinder Puri, who commanded 8 Mountain Division, during 1999 war, conceived the idea of the memorial. After exploration of various sites, finally the site at Bimbat was chosen as it is a wide open valley surrounded by snow-clad mountains. Besides, it was closer to the important features like Tololing, Mashkoh Valley, Tiger Hill, which had seen intense action during the war. Accordingly, the memorial was constructed.

The main memorial stands over a square platform. The platform and pedestal are made of local stones cut and polished by local artisans at Kargil. Lt Gen Arjun Ray, General Officer Commanding, 14 Corps, inaugurated the memorial on July 26, 2000, that is, the first anniversary of Indias victory in Kargil war. As per the records, around 1,000 people including the residents of Drass, Bimbat, and Mashkoh attended the ceremony. Gradually, several value additions were made to develop the memorial located along Srinagar-Leh highway. Every year, a glittering function to mark the Kargil Vijay Diwas is organised on July 26 at this memorial to pay tributes to the brave Indian soldiers. In the evening, several candles are lit -- one each for the Kargil war martyrs -- at the memorial. The dominating peaks including Tiger Hill and Tololing are illuminated with torches, presenting a haloed view of the battlefield. Cultural and other programmes are organised every year, which are attended by the Indian Armed Forces officers and personnel, civilians, war heroes, and the next of kin of the martyrs.

Today, Drass War Memorial has become a major tourist attraction. In fact, thanks to the Kargil Vijay Diwas celebration every year and boost to tourism, several hotels and homestays and eating joints have come up in Drass and even in Bimbat. The Kargil War Memorial complex at Drass has several salient features. The road leading from the entrance gate to the main memorial is named Vijay Path. It is lined with national tricolours on either sides and eight busts of Param Vir Chakra and Maha Vir Chakra awardees (who were awarded the gallantry awards posthumously in recognition of their daredevil acts that helped India win the war). A giant national flag flies high at the memorial. The ambience instantly has its impact on the visitors. The central feature of the memorial is a cenotaph carved in pink sand stone, and Amar Jawan Jyoti at its base. The cenotaph is surrounded by four minarets, and also has an inscription of an extract from the poem Pushp Ki Abhilasha by noted poet Makhanlal Chaturvedi. The Wall of Fame forms the perfect background of the cenotaph. It is a brass wall, engraved with names of 559 bravehearts who laid down their lives during Operation Vijay to flush out Pakistani intruders. As 2024 will see the Silver Jubilee celebrations of Kargil Vijay Diwas on July 26, preparations are afoot to provide more finesse to everything. The engraved names on brass wall are being painted.

The wall has names of 33 officers, 23 Junior Commissioned Officers, 501 Other Ranks, and two civilians. Also, the formation signs of 8 Mountain Division and 3 Infantry Division are on top of the wall. The lines of Hindi poem Shaheedon ki Cheetaon Par... by Jagdamba Prasad Mishra are inscribed at the memorial. The Indian Army soldiers, who brief the visitors about the memorial, begin their narration in clear voice with Shaheedon ki Cheetaon Par.... They narrate the story with change in tone of voice while describing the incidents of valour, emotions, and sacrifice, and have their effect on the listeners. In the memorial complex, there is a Hut of Remembrance. It was inaugurated on July 25, 2009, by Gen V P Malik, who was the Chief of Army Staff during the Kargil War. Later on, the hut was named after Captain Manoj Kumar Pandey, the Param Vir Chakra (posthumous) awardee. It has photographs from the war time, concise accounts of various battles, contribution of various units, photo gallery of PVC and Maha Vir Chakra awardees, models of battles of Tololing, Tiger Hill, Pt 4875, and Khalubar Ridge. Also, it exhibits the weapons seized from Pakistani intruders and documents exposing the Pakistani lie that its regular soldiers were not involved in the Kargil war. The Pakistani flag is depicted upside down, as it was defeated by India. The Pakistani flag is displayed in similar fashion on the huts seized from enemy-held positions. The Drass War Memorial complex also has memorials built to honour the soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in Kargil Sector in all operations since 1947-48, other than Operation Vijay of 1999. Even the visiting soldiers serving in the sector today are overwhelmed while going through the names on the epitaphs.

The epitaphs in Veer Bhoomi have names of such soldiers. There is a Zojila War Memorial too next to Veer Bhoomi. It has plaques on which are inscribed the details of Operation Bison and pays tributes to various units that participated in the 1947-48 action. There is a helipad named after Capt Vijayant Thapar, who was awarded Vir Chakra posthumously. The helipad was in use during Operation Vijay after capture of Tololing heights, for logistics, casualty evacuation and reconnaissance missions. It has been enlarged and resurfaced in 2021. The memorial complex also displays a Mig-21, presented in the year 2013 by 17 Squadron located at Bathinda, to commemorate the contribution of the Indian Air Force and as a tribute to Sqn Ldr Ajay Ahuja, who was awarded Vir Chakra posthumously.

An interesting part of the complex is Down Memory Lane underground gallery, which was created in 2019. It showcases miniature model depicting the entire area of Operation Vijay through models of seven important battles. Currently, the models are being modified for better and lively presentation with the help of different lighting arrangement, miniatures of soldiers making the steep climb, and narration accordingly. Every visitor is shown a continuously playing show of Kargil war in the small theatre in the memorial complex. After going through all these, naturally, every visitor feels overwhelmed by emotions. Someones eyes well up, someones throat is choked with emotions, and someones heart is filled with utmost pride for the nation. One can find a reflection of all these emotions in the Wall of Gratitude where visitors stick small signed chits, expressing their emotions in brief. Obviously, the most dominant expression is plain and simple, but firm, Jai Hind! (To be concluded)
Police on toes for polls Polling at total 2,132 booths on Nov 17: SP





Staff Reporter

Jabalpur police are on toes to ensure law and order and peaceful polling during State Assembly elections 2023 on November 17. Superintendent of Police, Aditya Pratap Singh (IPS) informed that polling for the State Assembly Elections 2023 will be peacefully conducted at total 2,132 booths with the strict implementation of model code of conduct under the guidelines of Election Commission. Total 504 critical and 23 vulnerable polling booths have been identified in different constituencies and one - one half section Para Military Force has been deployed at these polling booths. Total 233 patrolling mobiles in urban and rural areas along with 36 quick response team mobiles and 36 SHO mobiles have been deployed for maintaining law and order arrangements in the district.

Station patrolling mobiles, QRT mobiles, sector magistrate and gazetted officer mobiles will monitor the situation in every 5 to 10 minutes at polling centres. Total 15 check-post points have been made in urban and rural areas for checking incoming and outgoing vehicles in the district. Around 3,000 police officers and employees along with 16 Para Military Force companies and four Special Armed Force Company and 2,200 special police officers are ensuring law and order arrangements while patrolling and QRT mobiles are monitoring situation at polling centres. Police are also keeping vigilant eye on social media posts to avoid spread of any kind of objectionable and provocative information or material and Police Cyber Cell is continuously monitoring the situation.
Police take criminal to crime scene half-naked





Staff Reporter

The Koh-e-fiza police, on Wednesday, took the criminal who had stabbed the supervisor and security guards of Hamidia Hospital with a knife, to the crime scene. What was unusual in the case was that the cops paraded him to the scene while the accused was half-naked. During the parade, the miscreant could be heard saying committing crime is a sin. The criminal Laik aka Pehalwan (40) had attacked the staffers on Tuesday night. Police said that the notorious criminal has records in several police stations of Bhopal. According to police, Laik had reached Hamidia Hospital and he wanted to enter the restricted area. After the security guards tried to prevent him from doing so, he attacked them with a knife.

The incident occurred on Tuesday night and the victims including guards were seriously injured in the attack. The police had registered a case of attempt to murder against the accused. Following a tip received from an informer about location of the accused the cops arrested Laik from near the VIP guest house. The incident had triggered panic in the area and to drive away fear of the public, the police took him to the scene. He was absconding in a rape case registered in Talaiya police station. Koh-e-fiza police have handed accused over to Talaiya police.
President Murmu to grace RTMNUs 111th convocation





Staff Reporter

President of India Droupadi Murmu will be the chief guest for 111th convocation of Rashtrasant Tukadoji Maharaj Nagpur University (RTMNU) to be held on December 2, at Nagpur. Dr Subhash Chaudhari, Vice-Chancellor of RTMNU told The Hitavada, We had sent our request to Rashtrapati Bhavan seeking the consent of President to remain present at our convocation as chief guest. We received the letter of confirmation. We all are overwhelmed as President will grace the convocation ceremony. The convocation will be held at the place where Indian Science Congress programmes were held which is adjacent to Universitys Jamnalal Bajaj Bhavan. Presidents presence in the platinum jubilee function of Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) was already confirmed. Against that backdrop, RTMNU too grabbed the opportunity to host President at its convocation.

Now, President will arrive on the afternoon of Friday December 1. She will grace the platinum jubilee function at the Gymkhana ground of GMCH at 4 pm. She will stay at Nagpur. On Saturday, December 2, Murmu will grace the RTMNU convocation ceremony at 10.30 am. Meanwhile, Maharashtra Governments Department of Skill Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation had already scheduled state-wide job fair on December 2 and 3 and the preparedness was reviewed by Ashish Kumar Singh, Additional Chief Secretary recently. Considering the Presidents visit, the Department is mulling over either postponing the fair or get it inaugurated at the hands of Murmu. After the receipt of confirmation from Rashtrapati Bhavan about the Presidents visit, RTMNU appraised Vijayalaxmi Bidari, Divisional Commissioner.

Admin in a fix over Presidents route to GMCH

The administration is a bit confused in deciding the route of President Droupadi Murmu to Government Medical College and Hospital (GMCH) on December 1. The Presidents convoy can not be led towards Ajni bridge because of its bad condition. Had Ajni bridge been in a good condition, it could have been easy for the convoy to reach GMCH. Her convoy will reach GMCH via Ring Road. Dean of GMCH, Dr Raj Gajbhiye suggested a route for the Presidents convoy. Accordingly, the Presidents convoy can take the bridge near Hotel Radisson Blu upto Manewada Square on Ring Road. From there, the convoy can reach Tukdoji Putla Square and then enter Super Speciality Hospital and reach the venue through Super Speciality Hospital premises.
Scheme for Manipur families whose houses were set afire





IMPHAL :

THE Manipur Government on Wednesday announced a permanent housing scheme for the displaced families whose houses were set afire or damaged during the violence that broke out on May 3, an official said. The officials said that around 4,800 to 5,000 houses have been reported to have been destroyed in valley and hilly areas of Manipur. The scheme is exclusively for those whose houses had been damaged or burnt down during the ethnic strife between the non-tribal Meitei and tribal Kuki-Zomi communities in the aftermath of the Tribal Solidarity March organised by All Tribal Students Union Manipur (ATSUM), the official said.

The implementation of the scheme shall be done in a balanced approach based on need assessments certified by the district administration concerned. Kuki-Zomi tribals are mostly in five hill districts -- Churachandpur, Kangpokpi, Chandel, Tengnoupal and Pherzawl, while non-tribal Meiteis live in another five valley districts -- Bishnupur, Kakching, Thoubal, Imphal West, and Imphal East. Under the scheme, Rs 10 lakh would be provided to those affected families whose concrete houses were burnt down or damaged, Rs 7 lakh would be given to families whose semi-permanent houses were burnt down or damaged, while Rs 5 lakh would be given to those affected families with kutcha (temporary) houses that were burnt down or damaged in the riots.

For the repair of partially damaged or burnt houses, 50 per cent of the package amount (as per pucca/ semi-pucca/ kutcha structure) or actual cost of repair, whichever is lesser, shall be disbursed to the violence-hit families. Manipur Chief Minister N. Biren Singh recently said that prefabricated houses are being constructed to rehabilitate displaced people temporarily at a cost of Rs 149 crore while the permanent houses would be built in the original places for those affected by the violence in the state. Last month, around 3,000 families were relocated from the relief camps to newly constructed prefabricated houses while more such temporary prefabricated houses are being constructed in different districts of the state.
SVMMs GOLDEN JUBILEE on November 17





Staff Reporter

A cardiology centre will be inaugurated at Swami Vivekanand Medical Mission (SVMM), Khapri, as part of its golden jubilee year celebrations. The programme is on November 17 at 6 pm. Sarsanghachalak, Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) Dr Mohan Bhagwat, will be the chief guest at the function. Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari; Deputy Chief Minister, Devendra Fadnavis; will be guests of honour, informed Dr Dilip Gupta, President of the Mission, while addressing a press conference on Wednesday at Patrakar Club of Nagpur. SVMM is a premier medical institution and is being run since 1974 after it was set-up by medical practitioners and social workers of city. The aim was to provide affordable healthcare along with quality service and in last 50 years it has achieved significant milestone.

It is now a well established multi specialty hospital providing services to all sections of society with a skilled team of physicians, pediatric heart surgeons, cardiologists, and nurses. After the initial start with OPD services, it was in a cowshed at Khapri, Swami Vivekanand Medical Mission is now a fully equipped modern hospital with all required facilities, said Dr Gupta. After OPD, Eye Department was first to be set-up and later other departments came into being. Now, it is a 100-bed multi-superspeciality hospital, having 21 specialities. Till now, over 17 lakh patients have benefited from the services of the hospital with high quality equipment with affordable and reliable health services.

SVMM has recently established 4-bed comprehensive heart care centre with donations from the society. Now it has a dedicated cardiac surgery operation theatre, cathlab, dedicated recovery ICCU and OPD services. During past one year, SVMM has completed 100 plus pediatric heart surgery and 100 adult surgery. Parag Saraf, Vice President, Nitin Patil, Secretary, were also present during a press conference along with Members Dr Prashant Omkar and Ritesh Gawande.
Javier Milei, the presidential candidate of Argentinas ultra-right wing, has turned the consensus that has kept Argentinas democracy afloat for 40 years on its head. He intends to end public education and health, defund universities, and opposes abortion and egalitarian marriage laws. Part of this cultural war, as he terms it, involves a condescending re-reading of the countrys last military dictatorship (1976-1983) and state terrorism. At the forefront of this denialism is Mileis vice-presidential candidate, Victoria Villarruel, the granddaughter, daughter and niece of military personnel who has campaigned for what she calls a complete memory that includes the victims of guerrilla actions against the dictatorship and the shelving cases for crimes against humanity that are still open in Argentina. Her discourse, however, has not gained the backing she anticipated in the barracks. The new generations of military personnel, some of them born in democracy and all of them educated in it, consider that putting the issue of illegal repression on the agenda goes against years of efforts to clean up their image.

The Armed Forces controlled Argentine politics for more than 50 years. In 1930, with the first coup detat, it initiated a long series of attempts to repress first the Radical Civic Union (UCR), and then, from 1955 onwards, Peronism. By the time power was handed over in 1983, the military had forcibly removed five democratic governments from the Casa Rosada, not counting changes of command within the presidential palace. The president of the transition, the radical Raul Alfonsin, tried the dictatorships leaders in 1985. In 1991, a Peronist, Carlos Menem, pardoned them. However, under Menem, a process of de-financing the Armed Forces and the withdrawal of troops to the barracks also began. Today, the Argentine military wants nothing to do with politics. And the democratic consensus around Never Again neutralized any attempt to rewrite history or politically glorify state terrorism. Until now.

When Milei was questioned about the dictatorship during the first presidential candidates debate, he repeated the words of Admiral Emilio Massera during the trial of the leaders of the military junta. He said that in the 1970s there was a war in which excesses were committed, but never an illegal systematic plan of extermination. He was the first presidential aspirant who dared to say as much, and the first who did not lose votes as a result. Villarruel goes further still. She intends to put an end to the trials for crimes against humanity, to turn the Museum and Site of Memory that stands on the location of the largest detention and torture center of the dictatorship, the ESMA, into a place for the enjoyment of all Argentine people and to purge the pension program received by the victims. Villarruel also denies that the number of disappeared people under the dictatorship was 30,000, as human rights organizations claim, but only the 8,961 recorded by the Truth Commission set up by Alfonsin at the beginning of his administration.

Villarruels discourse resonates among retired military officers, who held positions during the dictatorship and many of whom were convicted of crimes or have open proceedings against them for crimes against humanity. But not among current officers, trained in democracy. We are another generation and we are upset, says a navy source on condition of anonymity, as military personnel are prevented by regulation from expressing any political opinion. Those from that era [the dictatorship] have already paid, they were convicted. Why return to a discourse that continues to work against you after 40 years?

The same question is asked by Argentine political scientist Victoria Murillo, director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at Columbia University. Parties like [Marine Le Pens] National Rally in France initially sought to influence the public policy agenda. Once the public policy agenda changes, it is easier for them to accumulate votes. When an issue becomes normal, the extreme party becomes less extreme, she explains.

Villarruel, in fact, has crossed several red lines, such as proposing that the Argentine Armed Forces carry out internal security tasks on a par with the police or the gendarmerie. Today, they are forbidden from doing so by an Alfonsin-era law that guaranteed the submission of the military to civilian power. The Armed Forces, after the dictatorship, do not want to get into that game, which made us lose credibility, funds, properties, says the same navy source. The government also considers that the military does not want to get involved in the fight against drug trafficking or common crime. There is a lot of rejuvenation, with batches of young professionals. Nobody wants to get involved in national security issues, because they consider it a problem and know they are not prepared for it, says an official source familiar with the sector. For Villarruel, the reluctance makes sense, because in the cases in which the army has been involved in internal security corruption has increased.

And who are the military officers who publicly support Villarruel? They are early retirees who do not collect retirement benefits, individual cases with little internal ascendancy, say government sources. This reticence, however, did not prevent many of them from voting, eventually, for Milei. Villarruel has promised this sector of the military a significant increase in the budget if she and Milei reach the Casa Rosada. It remains to be seen if this will be enough to gain support in the barracks.

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Board of Governors of the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), in the Dominican Republic, on May 13.

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

On November 17, the Assembly of Governors of the Central America Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) will elect a new president for the next five years. The appointment comes at a critical juncture for the institution and the future of the Central America region.

The Central American Bank for Economic Integration is an international development bank and one of Central Americas largest lenders. In 2022, it approved operations for projects that amounted to over US$3 billion, mostly aimed at the public sector. One of its primary objectives is to advance economic and social development in the region.

But the Bank has at times strayed from its stated goals. It has provided funds without adequate oversight and approved loans that appear to have contributed to human rights violations. Further, since Dante Mossi was elected president in 2018, the Bank has weakened institutional controls, including by removing the internal auditor, and increased lending to authoritarian governments like those of Nicaragua and El Salvador.

The Bank has 23 approved loans to Nicaragua, for a total of over US$3.5 billion, roughly 28 percent of the banks lending portfolio. Projects worth more than US$2 billion were approved after April 2018, when the Nicaraguan governments brutal crackdown on protesters triggered a profound human rights, political, and social crisis that continues to worsen. Yet the Bank appears not to have addressed the heightened risk that funds would be misused or its policies violated.

For example, the Bank approved funds to expand the Nicaraguan National Police, and only cancelled funding in March 2020, almost two years after it had become evident that the National Police was implicated in grave human rights violations.

In November 2020, the United Nations Green Climate Fund approved the financing proposal presented by the CABEI for the Bio-CLIMA Project. The project aims to restore degraded forest landscapes in the Bosawas and Rio San Juan Biosphere Reserves, located on indigenous and Afro-descendant territories in Nicaragua. The projects overall budget is US$116 million, with US$64 million coming from the UN fund and over US$44 million from the CABEI, the entity responsible for carrying out the project.

In July 2023, the Green Climate Fund Board temporarily suspended the first disbursement for the project, noting the CABEI had engaged in instances of policy non-compliance. The decision stems from an investigation initiated by the Green Climate Funds Independent Redress Mechanism, after Indigenous people said that the project had been approved without ensuring their rights to free, prior, and informed consent.

In El Salvador, the CABEI has 14 active loans, with funds approved for a total of over US$1.6 billion. These include loans to agencies implicated in human rights violations during President Nayib Bukeles war on gangs, including the National Civil Police, the Ministry of Defense, the Attorney Generals Office, and the penitentiary system. As our research shows, security forces have committed widespread human rights violations, including arbitrary arrests, enforced disappearances, and torture in the context of such measure.

In 2012, the Bank approved US$24 million for the Agua Zarca hydroelectric dam project, on the Gualcarque River, in northwestern Honduras. The loan provided funds for the company Desarrollos Energeticos S.A. (DESA) which, according to an audit by the Bank, had no experience in power generation projects.

The dam project was also beset by other grave problems that should have raised alarm bells for the Bank. Environmental and Indigenous groups, particularly the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (COPINH), led by the Indigenous leader and environmental-rights activist Berta Caceres, campaigned against the construction of the dam, citing a lack of consultation with communities.

COPINH members faced constant harassment and intimidation due to their activism. Tragically, Caceres was murdered in March 2016. A court found David Castillo, the former head of Desarrollos Energeticos, guilty of co-conspiring in her killing, saying he targeted Caceres for her opposition to the dam project. Castillo, who served as a public official at the National Electric Power Company at the time Desarrollos Energeticos obtained the concession, has also been investigated for colluding with Honduran officials to obtain a permit for the dam without conducting accurate and complete environmental feasibility studies.

Central America is facing several human rights problems that are putting people at risk and leading many to seek safety elsewhere. These include high levels of crime and violence, democratic backsliding in El Salvador and Guatemala, and the systematic repression carried out by Daniel Ortegas government in Nicaragua. Corruption, pervasive poverty and inequality, government attacks on the press and civil society, and the impacts of climate change compound these problems.

The Central American Bank for Economic Integration could play a key role in helping Central America to overcome some of these challenges and help fulfill social and economic rights.

The Assembly of Governors should ensure a transparent and fair process to elect a president who can restore trust, transparency, and accountability and ensure that the Bank fulfills its role as a catalyst for much needed development of the region.

Juanita Goebertus Estrada is the Americas director at Human Rights Watch.

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It took him a long time to get them to take him seriously. Ten years ago, when Pedro Sanchez decided to try his luck in the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) primaries, and he began to tell his close circle about it, not even some of his close friends who are now in La Moncloa, the seat of government, thought he had a chance. Some even advised against it. No one knew him within the party, he had no organic weight, it seemed impossible that he could become general secretary.

A decade later, with several failures, recoveries, repeat elections and unexpected successes behind him, Sanchez is one of the most powerful men in the history of the PSOE, as even the most critical veterans admit. He faces almost no internal criticism and on Friday he will take office for the third time as prime minister of Spain, after having managed to win an investiture vote inside parliament with 179 votes, more than the previous ones, and with broad cross-party support. If we add all the parties that have backed him  PSOE, Sumar, Catalan Republican Left (ERC), Junts, Bildu, Basque Nationalist Party (PNV), Galicia Nationalist Bloc (BNG), Canaries Coalition (CC)  there are 12.6 million votes behind the new progressive government. In the history of Spanish democracy, only Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero had more votes backing his investiture: 13.5 million, in 2004. Against all odds, as always, Sanchez continues to break records and add chapters to his Resistance Manual, the title of the only book he has written so far.

With a frantically paced political career, always at the limit, with resounding failures such as his resignation as party secretary general in 2016 because he refused to abstain to allow the investiture of opposition leader Mariano Rajoy of the Popular Party (PP), and epic comebacks such as the new primaries of 2017, with tough electoral defeats like those of 2016 and very clear victories like the two in 2019, Sanchez has been gradually expanding his support and achieving the political respect that he did not have at the beginning and which, after five years in power, no one denies him anymore. Not even Alberto Nunez Feijoo, president of the PP, who believed that he could easily defeat him at the polls simply by surfing the anti-Sanchez sentiment that had given the conservatives victories in regional elections in June. Instead, at the July 23 national election, he found himself up against a tough Sanchez who obtained a million more votes than in 2019, condemning the PP leader to the opposition. Feijoo clearly shows his deep rejection of Sanchez, but at least he admits in Congress that he has a legitimate majority, which is an indirect way of acknowledging the leader who achieved it, even if it was in exchange for an amnesty that the PP rejects outright.

Sanchez, his people say, has unwavering faith in his own success. He had it in 2016, when after a very bad showing he attempted an investiture deal with the center-right Ciudadanos that finally failed and led to new elections, with even worse results for the left, paving the way for a weak government headed by the PPs Mariano Rajoy. Sanchez took the opportunity to file a no-confidence vote against Rajoy in 2018 that seemed almost impossible, just a week after the PNV had supported Rajoys budget, but it finally turned out to be the first successful no-confidence vote in Spanish democracy. He had faith when, in 2019, he was convinced that he would be able to force Podemos leader Pablo Iglesias to let him govern alone. And also when he took the country to a repeat election, believing he could make a clean sweep thanks to part of the Ciudadanos vote, something that never happened. He took another risk after seeing the outcome of the repeat election, where he fared worse than expected, and quickly opted to form the first coalition since the 1930s and seek an agreement with ERC, even with its leader in jail over the failed secession attempt of 2017. No one would bet a dime on us back then, he would say later, in a phrase that he often uses. The analysts said that Sanchez would not last long with such a limited majority, but he practically finished his term in office, getting three budgets and more than 200 laws approved. And again, after a bad result in the municipal elections, he decided to gamble it all the next day by calling an early general election for July 23.

Most pollsters told him that he had no chance of remaining in La Moncloa. It seemed like his fate had been sealed. Feijoos entourage even predicted that the PP would reach 168 seats, close to the absolute majority. But Sanchez appealed to the countrys progressive majority, asking them to mobilize to prevent a PP government with the far-right Vox, which would make its leader, Santiago Abascal, the deputy prime minister of Spain. And that majority once again went to the polls at much higher rates than expected, which compensated for the also extraordinary mobilization of the right, until the two large blocs were practically in a tie  there were only 300,000 additional votes in favor of PP-Vox against the PSOE. That tie has been broken by the nationalist and pro-independence voters, more than 1.5 million of them, who have chosen to give power back to Sanchez.

To achieve this, the prime minister has performed a significant change of tack, not only by accepting the amnesty that he had always rejected before this, but because he has accepted that this political term will have to be very focused on the territorial debate, and that he will have to open up to difficult negotiations with the separatists  the Catalans but also with the Basque nationalists who want a new regional charter. In fact, on the last day of the investiture debate in Congress, shortly before voting, Sanchez spoke about interpreting the Constitution in accordance with the current spirit of the times. A constitutional reform is unfeasible, because it would require an impossible agreement with the PP, so Sanchez is choosing to move in the only wiggle room that is left: the margin of interpretation of the Constitution.

That idea of the zeitgeist is an almost perfect summary of Sanchezs own political career and his way of coming to power and continuing in it. The leader of the PSOE adapts to the times, he has made a political style out of pragmatism and the ability to rectify his positions, in a way that is criticized by the opposition as much as it is defended by his own side. But above anything else, Sanchez always manages to extricate himself from every labyrinth, including the last one, the most difficult of all, because inside it was Junts and its unpredictable leader, Carles Puigdemont, with whom it seemed impossible to reach an agreement, yet it has been achieved. If all goes well, Sanchez will be able to spend four more years in La Moncloa. His team is convinced that, once again, they will break all the forecasts and achieve the necessary stability to last the full term. If they succeed, Sanchez would be at the helm of the government for at least nine years, making it the second-longest term in office after Felipe Gonzalez, who spent 14 years as prime minister. An unthinkable record for Sanchez when he began his adventure 10 years ago. But, given his career, no one sees it as impossible anymore.
The vessel was en route to Blue Lagoon Island when it began taking on water.
Supt. Marlon Grant, ACP Zhivargo Dames and Supt. Charmaine Leadon speak with members of the media from the Royal Bahamas Police Forces Real Time Crime Centre. The police are seeking to collaborate with businesses and private citizens to have them register their surveillance cameras to aid in crime prevention efforts. Torrell Glinton
Israeli soldiers walk through the Al Shifa hospital complex on Wednesday during what they say is a delivery of humanitarian aid to the facility. Reuters has not been able to verify the date of the image.

This Wednesday, tanks and soldiers with the Israeli army entered Al Shifa hospital, the largest medical center in the Gaza Strip. There were about 2,000 people in the hospital complex, including doctors, patients, and refugees. During the days of the siege, the staff of the health center has reported through Doctors Without Borders (MSF) that it is impossible to evacuate the hospital, since the Israeli soldiers shoot at anyone who tries to leave. The hospital cannot fulfill its humanitarian mission as it lacks the basic means necessary for survival, such as electricity, fuel, water, food, and medicine. The situation has resulted in the deaths of dozens of people  among them, at least seven premature babies who were in incubators  and it was necessary to dig a mass grave in the hospital grounds to prevent the spread of diseases.

Of Gazas hospitals, which have been attacked and surrounded by Israeli forces, 26 out of 36 are closed. This has alarmed the World Health Organization (WHO), which this Wednesday denounced the aggression against Al Shifa: Under international humanitarian law, health facilities, health workers, ambulances, and patients must be safeguarded against all acts of war, said the director general of the U.N. body. And he added: Even if health facilities are used for military purposes, the principles of distinction, precaution, and proportionality always apply. Hospitals are not battlegrounds.

Is it legitimate to attack a hospital during a war?

No. Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention is precise: Civilian hospitals organized to give care to the wounded and sick, the infirm and maternity cases, may in no circumstances be the object of attack, but shall at all times be respected and protected by the Parties to the conflict.

International humanitarian law (IHL) also prohibits attacking ambulances that are carrying out medical tasks. The text of Article 21 of the same law states: Convoys of vehicles or hospital trains on land or specially provided vessels on sea, conveying wounded and sick civilians, the infirm and maternity cases, shall be respected and protected.

Is it lawful to besiege a hospital?

Israeli attacks around Al Shifa hospital left the health center without supplies. As Dr. Khaled Abu Hamra described to this newspaper last weekend, the situation has been complete chaos, with no internet, electricity, food, water, or medicine. We need to evacuate the hospital now, but they shoot anyone who tries to escape, he said. It is an accusation made by other doctors at the center, and quoted by MSF.

Leaving the civilian population without food and medicine is illegal, according to IHL. In accordance with article 23 of the Fourth Geneva Convention, the parties to the conflict will authorize free passage of all consignments of medical and hospital stores and objects necessary for religious worship intended only for civilians of another [...] party, even if the latter is its adversary.

The agreement establishes as an exception that consignments may be diverted from their destination, that control may be ineffective or that the enemy may obtain a clear advantage from them for their war actions. But Israel has not alluded to any of these assumptions as a reason to prevent the supply of food and medicine to Gaza.

Is there a situation in which hospitals can lose protection?

Yes. Protection of civil hospitals may only cease if they commit, outside their humanitarian duties, acts harmful to the enemy, as established in article 19 of the Fourth Geneva Convention. Although international humanitarian law does not define what these harmful acts are, it does clarify that in no case will they be considered as such despite the presence of sick or wounded members of the armed forces [being] nursed in these hospitals, or [...] small arms and ammunition taken from such combatants and not yet handed to the proper service. For example, medical care for a wounded Hamas member, as long as they are not participating in fighting despite their injuries, is not one of the reasons why a hospital would lose its protection.

In the absence of a definition of harmful acts, the International Committee of the Red Cross considers that a hospital does lose its protection when it no longer performs its humanitarian function of caring for the sick and wounded and is used to interfere directly or indirectly in military operations and, thereby, cause harm to the enemy. And it cites several examples: If a hospital is used as a base from which to launch an attack, as a military observation post to transmit information of military value, as an arms or ammunition dump, as a center for liaison with fighting troops combatant troops, or as a shelter for able-bodied combatants.

What happens if it is certain that the enemy is hiding in a hospital?

IHL is exhaustive regarding the protection of hospitals in a war and the civilians in them: it is not legitimate to attack them. Article 18 of the Fourth Geneva Convention makes it clear, says Francisco Rey, co-director of the Institute for Conflict Studies and Humanitarian Action (IECAH) in a telephone conversation. According to the expert, even if an enemy combatant had been located shooting from the roof of a hospital, if the risk to civilians could not be clearly distinguished in the attack, that combatant could not be attacked.

Although IHL is not mechanically applicable, Rey recalls that it does have fundamental principles such as the principle of distinction: The attack is not legitimate if the damage intended to be caused to the enemy cannot be differentiated from that which can be caused to civilians.

It would be very important, in any case, for all types of evidence regarding these events to be collected so that, preferably, they can be used by the various investigative commissions and, where appropriate, the International Criminal Court, Rey says.

What if Hamas used patients as human shields?

Israel has accused the Islamist militia of using patients and civilians sheltering in hospitals as human shields. Not even in that case would the attack be legitimate, according to Rey. The data provided by humanitarian organizations is that there are numerous civilian victims in horrific situations in the hospitals in Gaza. The entry into hospitals by the Israeli army is a serious violation of IHL and a possible war crime. And he adds: On the other hand, if Hamas used the hospital patients, doctors, and civilians sheltered there as human shields, it would also seriously violate IHL. According to article 8.2.b.XXIII of the Rome Statute, which regulates the operation of the International Criminal Court, using the presence of a civilian person or other protected person to render certain points, areas, or military forces immune from military operations, is a war crime.

What if there are Hamas tunnels under hospitals?

According to MSF, although health centers could lose their special protection status if they are used to commit acts harmful to the enemy outside of their humanitarian function, allegations that tunnels exist under a hospital do not deprive the hospital itself of its protection status under IHL. Even if the destruction of underground tunnels were legitimate, it should not affect the hospital itself and would require all necessary precautions to avoid and/or minimize any incidental damage to the hospital, medical staff, patients and civilians, added sources from the NGO.

What if an evacuation notice has been given previously?

Although Israel ordered the evacuation of hospitals in the northern part of the Gaza Strip at the beginning of the conflict, the only case in which a hospital loses its protection is if it is used to commit acts harmful to the enemy. Despite this, the workers at the Al Shifa hospital were willing to leave the center last weekend as long as the evacuation of the patients, around 600, could also take place. Israel did not facilitate an evacuation and, according to doctors quoted by MSF, Israeli forces shot anyone who tried to leave the hospital. The Israeli army has denied this accusation and claims that civilians and patients could enter and exit through the east side of the hospital.

What evidence has Israel provided so far that Gaza hospitals are a military target?

Israel claims that Hamas uses hospitals as a base for its operations. In the specific case of Al Shifa, MSF states that it has not received information to support this accusation. MSF workers on the ground are medical professionals, not military experts. However, what we can say is that we are attentive to these accusations and we have not received any report or indication from our staff working at the hospital that supports the accusations that it is being used as a Hamas base, sources from the NGO explained in an email.

An advisor to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu assured the American network MSNBC this Wednesday that during the attack on the Al Shifa hospital the soldiers found weapons. We entered the hospital based on our intelligence, said Mark Regev. The army, for its part, has stated that weapons, technological material, and other military equipment have been found in the operation at that health center.

A few days ago, the Israeli military communications department released an infographic that could not be independently confirmed, which showed an entire network of tunnels and supposedly Hamas military infrastructure under the medical complex.

In a video released this Monday on the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) official account, military spokesman Daniel Hagari explains the evidence that, he claims, demonstrates that Hamas used Al Rantisi Childrens Hospital, as a base for military operations. First of all, it shows that, next to the hospital, there is an entrance to a tunnel that it claims is part of the so-called Gaza metro, the underground network of Hamas communications, shelters, and command posts. He then enters the hospital premises and displays a set of weapons for a major fight, such as Kalashnikov assault rifles and explosive belts, to demonstrate that the hospital was being used as a weapons depot.

Video capture by the Israeli forces that supposedly shows the list of names of Hamas militants in charge of looking after the Israeli hostages each day in the Al Rantisi hospital. The "names" in each box are the days of the week.

Hagari also points to an alleged list written in Arabic, which, he says, reads we are in an operation against Israel, which began on October 7. This is a list of guards, where each terrorist writes his name and each terrorist has his turn, watching over the people who were here, he says. The title written on the paper Hagari points to is Al Aqsa Flood, October 7, the name Hamas gave to its unprecedented attack in southern Israel, where it killed about 1,200 people. However, it does not contain the names of guards, but is a calendar in which the days of the week are written, starting with Saturday, October 7.

According to Hagari, other items of evidence that are proof that the hostages were in the basement of this childrens hospital are a package of diapers, a baby bottle, a toilet that he says was built improvisedly, and some curtains that cover a wall instead of a window.

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Saving Grace

We do not have to fear death
That release could not be found.
A university don, Prof. Ejikemeuwa John Onyekachukwu Ndubuisi has charged our political leaders to apply some philosophical measures in eschewing all forms of bias, such as religious, political, ethnic and tribal affiliations in their leadership role, so as to move this country forward.

He observed that religious, political, ethnic and tribal affiliations being applied by our political leaders, without philosophical inclinations have done the country more harm than good.

Prof. Ndubuusi, Head of Department of Philosophy and Religious Studies and Director of Academic Planning and Quality Assurance, Tansian University, Anambra state, in his inaugural lecture at the 3rd Inaugural Lecture of Tansian University at the Law Faculty Hall of Umunya Permanent Site of the university, insisted that if our leaders can apply the understanding of philosophy as an activity in criticality, things will be much better in Nigeria.

In the lecture entitled: "Humanism, the Paranormals and the African in a changing world: Implications for the contemporary Nigerian society", the inaugural lecturer described paranormal as a claim to know something above or beyond the normal.

He identified general manifest signs of paranormal beliefs as those experiences that pertain to ghosts, extraterrestrial life, extrasensory perception, ESP, unidentified flying objects, UFOs, telepathy, faith healing, clairvoyance and other related subjects which has to do with superhuman or supernatural beliefs which have to do with levitation, astrology and spiritualism.

He mentioned selected samples of paranormal beliefs and practices in Africa as beliefs in witchcraft, ritual killing/ritual money, divination, totemism, adding that that have both economic, social, political and health implications.

He commended the Vice-Chancellor of Tansian University, Prof. Eugene Nwadialor and other school authorities for for giving him the opportunity to deliver his inaugural lecture, adding that he is fulfilled that he has at last achieved his life time ambition of becoming a professor.

Responding, Vice-Chancellor of the university, Prof. Nwadialor and his Deputy, Prof. Charles Onochie eulogized Prof. Ndubuisi for his erudite lecture and urged him to maintain the quality standard throughout his career endeavours and charged other would be professors to aspire to measure up with his standard quality.
New York, November 15, 2023  Togolese authorities should immediately and unconditionally release journalists Loic Lawson and Anani Sossou, and reform the countrys laws and regulations to ensure journalism is not criminalized, the Committee to Protect Journalists said Wednesday.

On Tuesday, November 14, an investigating judge at a Lome court charged Lawson, publication director of the privately-owned newspaper Le Flambeau des Democrates, and Sossou, a freelance reporter, with disseminating false news and attacking the honor of a minister, according to Magloire Teko Kinvi, the editor-in-chief of Le Flambeau des Democrates, and news reports. Sossou was also charged with inciting a revolt, Kinvi said.

The charges against the journalists, who were arrested the previous day, follow a complaint by Togos Minister of Urban Planning and Land Reform, Kodjo Sevon-Tepe Adedze, over posts by the journalists on social mediadiscussing alleged theft of money from Adedzes home.

On November 15, authorities transferred Lawson and Sossou to the Lome Civil Prison, according to Kinvi. CPJ could not confirm if the journalists next court date had been scheduled.

Togos authorities must release journalists Loic Lawson and Anani Sossou, drop the charges against them, and allow them to report freely on current events, said Angela Quintal, CPJs Africa program coordinator. The arrest and ongoing prosecution of Lawson and Sossou is just the latest example of Togolese authorities aggressive efforts to control the local press.

Offenses against honor are punishable with up to six months suspended imprisonment while the dissemination of false news is punishable with up to two years imprisonment. Incitement to revolt is punishable with up to five years imprisonment, according to the Togolese penal code.

Reached by CPJ, Adedze declined to comment on why he had brought the complaint against the journalists and said that questions should be addressed to judicial authorities. He said all developed countries had regulations governing the press.

Togolese state prosecutor Mawama Talaka told CPJ that he could not comment on the case because it was before the investigating judge.

Another Togolese journalist, Ferdinand Ayite, has also faced prosecution by Togolese authorities following a complaint by Adedze and another minister. He and his colleague Isidore Kouwonou fled into exile in March, just days before a Togolese court sentenced them both to three years in prison.

Ayite, who is in the U.S. this week to receive CPJs 2023 International Press Freedom Award for courage in journalism, called on Togo to reform its laws to prevent the prosecution of the press for reporting on social media after Lawson and Sossou were charged.

Togo more than ever needs to reform its texts which criminalize journalists who use social networks, Ayite wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter.

Togo has a press code which says that offenses involving journalists must be handled by the communications regulator, but has carveouts for journalists to be prosecuted under the penal code.

Article 156 of the press code, for example, says that journalists who used social networks as a means of communication to commit such offenses are instead punished in accordance with the common law provisions.
Daniel Ortega and Rosario Murillo, last June in Managua. JAIRO CAJINA (AFP)

Just a few days before she was evicted from her office and sent home, the president of Nicaraguas Supreme Court of Justice, Judge Alba Luz Ramos, was enjoying the citys patron saint festivities with her friends in Jinotega. The veteran official, who has always been loyal to President Daniel Ortega, could not imagine what was being plotted against her: her dismissal by order of the powerful co-president, Ortegas wife Rosario Murillo. The second-in-command of the Sandinista regime has carried out an unprecedented purge in the countrys justice system, according to various sources consulted by EL PAIS. The sweep has extended to 900 officials at all levels of responsibility, from judges to janitors and chauffeurs.

On October 24, retired general commissioner Horacio Rocha, a presidential advisor with the rank of minister on national security issues, expelled Ramos from her office and prevented her from collecting her belongings. The judge said she felt outraged and protested. But she couldnt do anything about it, and was unable to appeal the decision. The order from above was to shoot her down. The purge had secretly begun 72 hours before her dismissal with the intervention of bank accounts and the computer system of the Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ), a key institution in the repressive machinery of the Ortega-Murillo regime, as it ratifies politically motivated rulings and fuels judicial persecution against every critical voice in Nicaragua.

The police intervention of the judiciary included the demotion of the administrative secretary Berman Martinez and the IT director Martin Garcia. Martinez was part of Judge Ramos circle of trust. Sources agree that the investigation entrusted to Commissioner Rocha was motivated by alleged acts of corruption by Martinez.

Alba Luz [Ramos] was very protective of Berman, who was general secretary of the Court. They were good friends because he went to the equestrian events, to all the parties with her. They became personal friends and that was Alba Luzs mistake, a source close to the top of the justice apparatus told EL PAIS. So what happened then? Rosario [Murillo] and Alba Luz have never had a good relationship. Rather, it has been a bad relationship since the 1980s and it turns out that the vice president has now taken advantage of this corruption case to finally get rid of Alba Luz, who has always been protected by Daniel Ortega.

To understand what the judicial source is talking about, it is worth remembering that the Sandinista regime is two-headed: Murillo is in charge of the daily administration of power, but since 2018 she has taken over spaces that Ortega used to control, such as the National Police and other powers of the state. In fact, in recent years, the co-president Murillo has been appointing officials loyal to her in public institutions, to the same extent that she has displaced the old guard of the Sandinista Front, such as Commander Bayardo Arce and Colonel Lenin Cerna, to cite two of the most scandalous cases in which Murillo prevailed and made broad political headway within the Sandinista party and the government.

After 2018, when a violent and prolonged sociopolitical crisis broke out in Nicaragua, the president of the Supreme Court resigned from her position three times. However, Ortega rejected her resignation letters and urged her to continue in the position. Those were turbulent years between Judge Ramos and Vice President Murillo, to the point that the judge did not attend public events chaired by the presidential couple. This was a very notable absence, since all public officials, especially those who hold state powers, are required to attend.

When you went to these events you could see Alba Luzs uncomfortable look... I think that later things calmed down and we even saw a photo of her with Rosario [Murillo] last May. But the truth is that the relationship between the two has always been very bad. In the meetings between the Presidency and the four branches of government that were held once a month, Alba Luz was one of the few, or maybe the only official, who did not remain silent. She contradicted some nonsense that Rosario wanted to carry out in the Court. Alba Luz has always had a strong character, and that has clashed with Rosario, who does not like to be contradicted, says the source with ties to the CSJ.

An unprecedented purge

For some years now, various journalism investigations showed that Judge Ramos had filled the positions of the judiciary with family members and friends. All of them were swept away by Vice President Murillo. But the purge is bigger than that: there are more than 900 dismissals, not only at the headquarters of the CSJ, but in all judicial offices nationwide. That means almost 10% of the total staff of the judiciary. Among those who were sent home there are senior magistrates such as Yadira Centeno of the Civil Section. The purge also includes appeals magistrates, area directors, judges and secretaries in central and local courts, as well as administrative and service personnel.

She has been gaining power, that is undoubtedly so. I think that Daniel Ortega is getting weary due to his age and his illness, and he has been delegating more and more power to Rosario. Seeing these allegations of corruption in the Court, he could not continue protecting Judge Ramos. Now it only remains to be seen if he is going to allow her to be put on trial or sent to prison, as has happened with other dismissed officials. But the most likely thing is that he wont, says another source linked to the Sandinista presidency.

Among those loyal to the co-president in the judiciary is Judge Marvin Ramiro Aguilar Garcia. A memo sent on October 31 to CSJ workers confirmed for the first time the dismissal of Judge Ramos. The statement presented Aguilar Garcia as the acting president of that branch of power. Despite being one of the stalwarts of the Sandinista regime and having assumed the position of national political secretary after the resignation of former magistrate Rafael Solis in 2019, Aguilar Garcia had not made big waves in the pages of the regimes media outlets. His most notable stain was the designation (sanction) imposed against him by the United States Department of State on December 21, 2020 for coordinating attacks against members of the pro-democracy opposition, says an article about the official published by the media outlet Divergentes.

Murillo's control through Aguilar

Juan Carlos Gutierrez Soto, a political scientist and researcher, explains to EL PAIS that, between November 2018 and January 2019, the political-institutional control of the judiciary was no longer in the hands of Judge Rafael Solis, the godfather at Ortega and Murillos wedding and trusted aide to the presidential couple. Solis defected after disagreeing with the repression that began in 2018.

Although Solis had earned the trust of both Ortega and Murillo, his line of political communication was with Ortega. On the other hand, Judge Alba Luz Ramos had limited margins of power within the Court. However, hers was an important vote within the sessions of the judiciary and she had a wide network of officials who respected and were loyal to her, says Gutierrez Soto, a political scientist who was stripped of his nationality by the regime in February 2023. The political functions of Judge Solis were assumed by Judge Marvin Aguilar, who got close to Murillo through Moncada Lau [right hand of the Presidency], who himself functions as a communicating vessel for the decisions of Ortega and Murillo in the CSJ.

Ortegas first-born son dismissed

Murillos purge continues, and has even extended to her husbands first-born, Camilo Ortega Herrera, whom he had with former guerrilla fighter Leticia Herrera and who was working as head of a technical division of the CSJ. There is terror among all of us who have not been fired. We are paralyzed, a CSJ worker told EL PAIS on condition of anonymity.

Murillos sweep has even implied constitutional changes: The National Assembly controlled by the ruling party removed the CSJs power to supervise the administrative functioning of the Public Registries of Real Estate and Commercial Property, appoint public registrars, as well as sanction them for disciplinary offenses, through a reform to article 165 of the Political Constitution of Nicaragua.

In addition, of the 16 magistrates that make up the judicial branch, there are 10 vacancies that will have to be filled in the coming months. The sources consulted by this newspaper have no doubt that it will be Murillo, with a certain degree of consensus with Ortega, who will grant these positions. Enrique Saenz, a former lawmaker who was stripped of his nationality and now lives in exile in Costa Rica, believes that this purge is a symptom of the decomposition of the dictatorship.

It is the first time throughout these 16 years of government that something similar has happened. Eliminations and dismissals have been seen, but more focused: one here, another one there. Various academic and political studies on the processes of social change have documented that one of the evidences of the decomposition of a dictatorial regime is the emergence of cracks in the power bloc. And in this episode we are faced with a crack. Now we have to wait for it to be reproduced in other institutions, which does not mean that they will fall tomorrow.
"I didn't see it coming, I didn't even realize how big things were getting for us. One day you're sleeping next to a dumpster, the next you're selling out shows in a minute and topping The Rock 2000 chart. It was all so surreal."


One by one, the crew of five were overcome with fatigue and seasickness save for Lennon, who was eventually forced to take the wheel alone for six hours. It had the effect of both renewing his confidence and making him contemplate the fragility of life.
Jesus Figueroa Ortega  prosecutor for the Mexican state of Aguascalientes  remembers one of the last visits that Magistrate Ociel Baena Saucedo made to his office. Sitting in the leather chair in front of him, the young judge told him about the difficulties he was having as the first non-binary person to hold a position on the State Electoral Tribunal. There were conflicts with his colleagues; every time he published something on social media, positive and negative comments rained down on him.

Today, Figueroa Ortega is investigating the death of the jurist and his partner  Dorian Daniel Nieves Herrera  which occurred early Monday morning. His theory is that Baenas partner attacked the magistrate, killed him, and then committed suicide. The prosecutor spent all of this past Tuesday, November 14, talking about the issue to local, national and international media outlets. He assures the public that he hasnt ruled out any possibilities, but that  after about 30 hours of investigations and analysis  its clear that there are no indications that anyone other than the couple had been in the magistrates house.

Were working because were not here to close [the file], Figueroa emphasizes, while offering EL PAIS an account of what the State Prosecutors Office has collected in the 48 hours since the bodies of Ociel Baena and Dorian Hernandez were found in the magistrates home, in the Punta del Cielo subdivision in Aguascalientes. What the crime scene shows us is [the aforementioned] scenario. Were ruling out the existence of a third party. Now, lets see what motivated Dorian. According to the chemical opinion, he had methamphetamine in his body. I dont know if this is something that could be an accelerator, he says.

Prosecutor Jesus Figueroa Ortega; November 14, 2023. Roberto Antillon

The prosecutor refers to the line of investigation in which 37-year-old Nieves  after having repeatedly attacked his partner with a razor  cut Baenas jugular vein, thus ending his life. The investigation suggests that once he realized what he had done, he decided to kill himself in the same way, with another knife of the same type. This version has been argued by the prosecutor through the discovery of footprints of a bare foot that belong to Dorian. According to investigators, theres a path from the bedroom where a fight allegedly began to the living room, where both lifeless bodies were found.

The murder of Ulises Nava: setting a precedent

Magistrate Ociel Baena Saucedo had been assigned a state police officer as a bodyguard after the murder  on July 17 of this year  of Ulises Nava, a professor and activist for LGTBQ rights in Aguascalientes. Both had attended, along with other public officials and local and national activists, the first National Strategic Litigation Congress for Rainbow Quotas. On his way out, Nava was shot dead at the doors of the Discover Museum, in the center of the city.

A protestor holds up a sign at a demonstration over the murder of Baena, in Mexico City, on Monday, November 13. Silvana Flores

In an interview he gave to the newspaper Milenio in the State Prosecutors Office, Baena stated: We all fear for our lives. It could have been any of us. Were dismayed, of course, were afraid but well be more afraid if we stop raising our voices, if we continue pretending that nothing is happening. I indirectly attribute these homicides that occur in our population to those people who hold public offices, like Marta Marquez, the senator; like Gabriel Quadri, federal deputy; like Teresa Castell, federal deputy; Teresa Rangel, a local representative. [They have all] issued hate speeches against us (members of the LGBTQ community). After Navas murder, Baena requested protection and was assigned a state trooper, who wasnt with him in the early hours of Monday, when he was murdered. The prosecutor affirms: Ociel Baena had instructed his bodyguard to show up [at a later time on] Monday.

When his death was announced on the news, the staff at the Aguascalientes International Airport quickly recognized the magistrate from the many trips he made throughout the country. Early Monday morning, Baena and his partner, Dorian Nieves, had returned to the city from a three-day-long trip. They boarded a vehicle in the airports parking lot and headed home. According to information from the prosecution, Baena and Nieves arrived at the Punta del Cielo subdivision between 1:05 and 1:10 in the morning. Then, once inside, a fight began in the upstairs bedroom.

Juan Baena (in gray)  Ociel's father  cries during a tribute to his son at the State Electoral Tribunal, this past Tuesday, November 14. Roberto Antillon

The argument in the bedroom

Figueroa explains what  according to the investigation  probably happened after Baena and Nieves arrived at the home. We see that an argument begins in the bedroom. Thats where Dorians first attacks on Ociel begin. At that moment, Ociel  as if trying to escape  goes to the ground floor, but hes injured, hes dripping blood. Dorian follows him and, at the bottom of the stairs  where the lifeless body was found  is where the fatal injury takes place. A lot of blood is spilled. Dorian [realizes] what has just happened and [leaves the area]. He was barefoot, the footprints correspond to the shape of the arch and sole, which we found in different parts of the house and on the ground floor. [Investigators] also found those footprints going up and down the stairs.

What the State Prosecutors Office believes is that Nieves used two razors to commit the murder. Finally, he placed one of them in Baenas left hand when he was lying lifeless on the ground. These two utensils  as Figueroa has described  are knives that are about two or three centimeters long, with edges on all four sides. These [kinds of] razor blades were used about 40 or 50 years ago, he specifies. He also reports that, while Nieves had superficial wounds on his left hand, Ociel Baena had about 19 wounds all over his body, mainly on his shoulder. The only injury [Dorian] had was a slight injury to his right hand and injuries to his fingers. They were both left-handed, hence the explanation for the type of injury they suffered, he concludes.

More than 24 hours after the murder, the clearest version for the Aguascalientes Prosecutors Office is that Dorian Nieves Herrera caused all the injuries to his partner, then went up to the bedroom and used the second knife to end his own life. Regarding the investigations into the death threats and constant harassment that the magistrate received, Figueroa said: Everything on social media [is also being considered]. Its the [line of investigation] that could lead us to a hate crime. But the key thing is that a message doesnt kill: what kills is the specific action that occurred inside the home. Its very clear to us that the activism and profile that Ociel had was what generated many of the threats from netizens, which are being generated every day, every second, in all parts of the world, because Ociel was a [public figure], it must be said. [Because of] his very strong activism, were not closing [the door to this] in any way.

The pallbearers of Ociel Baena, as they leave the Electoral Tribunal of the State of Aguascalientes, this past Tuesday, November 14, 2023

Prosecutors Office faces questions

This past Tuesday afternoon  after a mass was held in the Cathedral of Aguascalientes, with the bodies of both victims  family and friends gathered at the facilities of the Electoral Tribunal to pay a heartfelt tribute in memory of the magistrate. There, in that small space  where two coffins with the rainbow flag remained at the center of the event  Baenas family rejected the conclusions that the authorities have reached.

Juan Baena, father of Ociel Baena, has called for the case to not be allowed to stagnate: [The version provided by the Prosecutors Office] shows a lack of respect to our intelligence. What theyre [saying] isnt true  it would be a disgrace to allow the justice system to issue a judgment that isnt correct and that I believe the majority of people dont believe. I hope that, one day, my son  wherever he is  will see that the results of his fight were not in vain.

Wilfrido Salazar  the legal advisor for the civil organizations that make up the Community for Diversity, Rights and Citizenship (CODDEC) in Aguascalientes  has reported that what the Prosecutors Offices actions have done is increase the feeling of fear among diverse community groups within the state. With the very hasty response  which worries us greatly  from the Prosecutors Office, social and political uncertainty is generated. [Theres the widespread feeling] that the state isnt protecting you; that instead of investigating, it tries to come up with a discourse thats also very stigmatizing, like the one from the 1970s and 1980s about crimes of passion. And whats more, it says it like this: We havent completed the collection of evidence, but theres no evidence and there are no traces of third parties. So, if you havent completed the collection of evidence, at what point do you assume that there are no traces of third parties? he asks.

Various organizations and members of civil society have joined in with what was expressed by the magistrates family and by the legal representative of CODDEC. The National Human Rights Commission (CNDH) has initiated a formal complaint, calling for the case to be reviewed. Its necessary to assume that, although climates [of fear] dont kill, they do generate conditions and environments favorable to the behaviors of specific people, the group published in a statement.

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Union Minister Piyush Goyal met with the CEO of Micron Technology Sanjay Mehrotra during official visit to the United States and discussed Indias growing semiconductor ecosystem.

The Union Minister shared with the CEO about how the ecosystem presents vast opportunities for company to collaborate and expand its footprint in India.

Taking to social media platform X, Piyush Goyal said: Met Mr. Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO & President of @MicronTech. Discussed how Indias growing semiconductor ecosystem presents vast opportunities for the company to collaborate & expand its footprint in the country.

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It is worth highlighting that earlier in July, Mehrotra met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Gujarats Gandhinagar and discussed US chip giants plans to bolster the semiconductor manufacturing ecosystem within India.

Micron had announced its plans of investing USD 825 million in a new chip assembly and testing plan in Gujarat.

Goyal also held a roundtable discussion with prominent academicians at Stanford University.

Held a roundtable discussion with prominent academicians at Stanford University. Highlighted the vast opportunities for collaboration with Indias higher education institutions to foster a vibrant exchange of knowledge, research and pathbreaking solutions to key global issues, he said on X.

The minister also met Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and venture capitalists and highlighted how Indias young talent, business ecosystem and growing economy presents opportunities for investments.

Had an engaging interaction with Silicon Valley Entrepreneurs & Venture Capitalists. Highlighted how Indias young talent, vibrant business ecosystem & growing economy presents the perfect opportunity for investments, he said.

India is on the track to become a major global hub in semiconductor manufacturing over the next 10 years.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi also emphasised that need of the hour is to take forward the success in mobile and electronics and establish a strong semiconductor manufacturing sector in the country.

Today semiconductor companies from around the world, in collaboration with Indian companies, are investing in semiconductor assembly and testing facilities in the country, PM had said highlighting that an 80 thousand crore rupees PLI scheme is going on for the development of semiconductors.
The Delhi government on Thursday referred the alleged corruption in land acquisition on Dwarka Expressway involving Chief Secretary Naresh Kumar to the Central Bureau of Investigation and the Enforcement Directorate, sources said.

This comes a day after Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal sent Vigilance Minister Atishis primary report in the matter to Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena.

According to a complaint, Naresh has been accused of allegedly increasing the compensation of land by multiple folds to benefit a company associated with his son.

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On Wednesday, Kejriwal had recommended immediate removal of the chief secretary.

The report submitted by Atishi also talked about a conspiracy by senior officers of the vigilance department, including the chief secretary,

to undervalue the scale of the scam against the actual compensation award, that would have resulted in a much more illicit gain to the beneficiaries, sources said.

However, Delhi Additional Chief Secretary Ashwani Kumar has maintained that allegations of links between Kumar and owners of a piece of land acquired for Dwarka Expressway were false and baseless.
Jimmy Kimmel has been tapped to host the 96th Academy Awards for the fourth time in 2024. The decision, marking his second consecutive year at the helm, was confirmed by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Kimmel, known for his role as the host and executive producer of Jimmy Kimmel Live, expressed his excitement, humorously noting, I always dreamed of hosting the Oscars exactly four times.

Scheduled for March 10, 2024, the Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC and various platforms from Los Angeles. Kimmels return comes with his wife, Molly McNearney, serving as the executive producer for the second consecutive year. Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed their enthusiasm for the duos involvement, highlighting their shared passion for films and commitment to delivering an engaging show for the global audience.

Kimmels journey with the Oscars began in 2017 when he first assumed the hosting role, followed by a return in 2018. The subsequent years, 2019 to 2021, faced disruptions due to the global pandemic, resulting in the absence of a designated host. The 2021 Oscars, without a host, recorded the lowest viewership in the shows history at 10.4 million, according to Deadline.

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However, the 2023 Oscars witnessed a turnaround in viewership fortunes when Kimmel was brought back as the host, drawing nearly 19 million views, a significant increase from the 16.6 million in 2022. Executive producers lauded Kimmel as one of the all-time great Oscars hosts.

As Hollywood gears up for another edition of its prestigious awards ceremony, Kimmels return hints at a continuation of his charismatic and entertaining presence on the Oscar stage.
Keen on replicating its success with Matua community of West Bengal which backed the party to the hilt in the past two General and Assembly elections, the BJP in Telangana is actively wooing the marginalise6d Madiga community among the Scheduled Castes.

Just like the Matuas, who had fled East Pakistan, want citizenship documents and hence tilted en masse towards the BJP in West Bengal, the Madigas are demanding categorization within Scheduled Caste (SC) reservation. The three decades long struggle for the demand for SC sub-categorisation emerged because some of the influential sections of Dalit community, namely the Malas disproportionately benefit from SC reservation although the numerically stronger Madigas are economically, socially and politically more marginalized within SCs.

The BJP began its experimentation with social engineering in poll bound states with Uttar Pradesh and tasted success. It did the same in West Bengal, promising citizenship documents to the Matuas and hit the jackpot in General Elections-2019 and it propelled the BJP into being the key Opposition party in the state.

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In Telangana, it hopes to do the same after Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a rally of Madiga Reservation Porata Samithi (MRPS), where he promised to set up a panel to look into the demand for sub-catagorisation of the Madigas.

Telangana BJP spokesperson NV Subhash said: The Prime Minister has promised a task force which will monitor the proceedings of the case in Supreme Court and once resolved we want to go for an ordinance to implement it. This is not vote bank politics. The Prime Minister wants to resolve this three decades long issue. This is for our commitment to inclusive growth.

Dalits form 18-19 per cent of the population in Telangana and out of 119 Assembly constituencies, 19 are reserved for them along with three MP seats. The BJP decided to woo the Madigas who form 60 per cent of the SC population of the state and harbour grievances.

Another BJP leader confided: Even Madigas who support the Congress and BRS attended the meeting of the Prime Minister. Unlike the past SCs are now owning us. Coupled with the promise of making a BC leader the next chief minister we believe the promise to look into subcategorization of SC reservation will pay rich dividends to BJP in the polls.

The sight of Prime Minister Narendra Modi comforting an emotional MRPS leader Manda Krishna Madiga was an abiding one and the Saffron party also hopes to reap the benefits in the Lok Sabha election, 2024 as well.

However, the BJP might be meeting the OBC census challenge thrown by the Congress with its own brand of social engineering but political analysts are sceptical about its impact on the Assembly Polls.

Post Karnataka polls, the BJP is not doing well in Telangana as before and hence there is doubt how far this will impact the polls. Moreover, many are disappointed with the announcement of a committee instead of straight way commitment to the sub-catagorisation of SCs, said poll analyst CR Gowri Shanker.
The Pinarayi Vijayan government has purchased a bus with all luxurious facilities by spending Rs 1.05 crore for the Nava Kerala Sadas programme. The bus has been purchased from Benz company.

The new bus will take Chief Minister and his Cabinet colleagues across the state to participate in 36-day-long Nava Kerala Sadas, starting from Manjeshwar in Kasaragod on November 18.

The 25-seater bus is equipped with restrooms and washrooms for the CM and 21 Ministers. The bus will arrive in Kasaragod on Saturday. Leader of Opposition VD Satheesan accused the government of splurging public money. Former Leader of Opposition Ramesh Chennithala also said in a statement that the luxury Benz Caravan will be a boomerang for the government itself. Advertisement However, Transport Minister Antony Raju has dismissed allegations that the purchase of the bus was an extravagant spending. It could also be used for budget tourism once the Nava Kerala Sadas is over, he said.
Reminding that Telangana has only 17 MP seats, Congress leader P Chidambaram ON tHURSDAY took a jibe at Telangana chief minister and BRS supremo K Chandrasekhar Rao over his claim that the next government at the Centre would be a coalition one with BRS MPs playing a key role in it. Chidamabaram was in Hyderabad to take part in the election campaign.

Speaking to the media he wondered, Is he (Rao) extending an olive branch to the Congress or the BJP? Let him clarify. We ran two successful coalition governments in Delhi from 2004-2009 and then again in 2009-14. In a public rally at Nizamabad, where his daughter Kalvakuntla Kavitha would be contesting from in 2024, Rao claimed on Wednesday that BRS will play a key role in the next coalition government. With 17 MPs, if he can play a key role I wish him well, said Chidambaram, scoffing KCRs claims.

KCR has been attacking the Congress in his rallies blaming it for the woes of Telangana, including the merger of the State of Hyderabad with that of Andhra Pradesh. Chidambaram said that Rao was clearly not a good student of history, claiming that there was a peoples movement to merge the two Telugu-speaking regions.

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Replying to the BRS allegations that the delay in creation of state by the UPA government led to suicides by Telangana youths, Chidambaram said: Creating a state or dividing a state is not a childs play. It cannot be done just like that. A state is created after a movement like in the case of the original Andhra Pradesh. If a state is divided, it is in response to a peoples movement. If some lives were lost we are sorry for that but you cannot hold the central government responsible for that. What about the 4,000 suicides of farmers in Telangana under the KCR government. Who is responsible for that?

The former Union minister, who has handled both Home and Finance ministries in the past, claimed that the Congress was the flag-bearer of secularism and it will not allow any communal incident under its government, as alleged by the AIMIM and BRS. He denied that the Congress had an excellent relation with Owaisi, adding that Salahuddin Owaisi did support the Congress at times.
Zhang Jun, ambassador of China, speaks at the U.N. Security Council meeting Wednesday in New York. SARAH YENESEL (EFE)

After 40 days of war, and after four failed attempts to pass a resolution, the United Nations Security Council reached an agreement on Wednesday to call for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses in hostilities between Israel and Hamas, and for a sufficient number of days to allow access to the Strip for aid to be delivered. This is the first binding resolution by the Security Council, following the resolution adopted by a majority in the General Assembly on October 27, albeit of a lower grade, but with a moral and political dimension. The resolution adopted on Wednesday, which was presented by Malta, also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all Hamas hostages, which the text highlights is prohibited under international law, and stresses the need to protect children as persons not taking part in hostilities, and as particularly vulnerable persons.

The 15 members of the Security Council thus succeeded in breaking a deadlock marked by four unsuccessful attempts to take action due to the inherent veto power of the five permanent members. On previous occasions it was the U.S. that blocked action by opposing a draft resolution presented by Brazil, which also called for humanitarian pauses; then it was China and Russia blocking a U.S. initiative. But this time the text has passed thanks to the abstention of Washington, Russia, and the United Kingdom. The initiative of the Security Council comes days after Israel agreed to allow U.S.-sponsored four-hour humanitarian pauses. The two countries however are adamantly opposed to a ceasefire for fear it could be used by Hamas to rearm or reorganize.

The affirmative vote came after four unsuccessful attempts to take action last month, the official statement acknowledged. Despite the majority garnered by the Maltese proposal, Resolution 2712, adopted at the Councils 9479th meeting, has been the target of Israeli criticism. Israels deputy permanent representative, Brett Jonathan Miller, was the last to take the floor before the vote and denounced how far removed from the reality on the ground the resolution is, adding that it falls on deaf ears when it comes to Hamas and other terrorist organizations. Miller noted that the council has met a dozen times in the six weeks since Hamas barbaric invasion of Israel, which it has yet to condemn as the worlds foremost body for peace and security.

The resolution focuses solely on the humanitarian situation in Gaza. It makes no mention of what led up to this moment, the Israeli diplomat said. The resolution makes it seem as if what we are witnessing in Gaza happened of its own accord. Since Israels top priority is the safe return of the hostages, Miller stressed: And seeing as Security Council resolutions hold no sway with terrorists, Israel will continue to do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal. The deputy permanent representative also stated that the war would end with immediate effect should Hamas choose to lay down their arms, turn themselves in and hand over the hostages unscathed.

Riyad Mansour, permanent Observer of the observer state of Palestine, also welcomed the councils resolution with skepticism, stating it had arrived too late and that in his opinion, the U.N.s highest executive body should have called for a ceasefire and made it clear that there is no military solution. The Security Council should have heeded the call by the U.N. and every humanitarian organization on Earth calling for a humanitarian ceasefire, Mansour said. It should have at least echoed the call of the General Assembly for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities.

Chinese Ambassador Zhang Jun  Beijing holds the Security Council presidency this month  also acknowledged that there should have been a much earlier agreement and a stronger resolution. The key rests on the implementation of the resolution and its provisions to the letter, Zhang stated.

Vasili Nebenzia, Russias ambassador to the U.N., stressed that no humanitarian pause can be considered a substitute for a ceasefire or a truce, and lamented that the resolution had been watered down under pressure from Washington. Its a disgrace that the council has squeezed out such a weak call, Nebenzia said. Permanent Representative of the UK Barbara Woodward said the resolution will save lives but explained Britains abstention on the basis that it does not condemn the Hamas attacks of October 7. Her U.S. colleague, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, expressed herself in the same terms, explaining that Washington could not vote to endorse a text that neither condemned Hamas nor reaffirmed the right of all U.N. Member States to protect their citizens from terrorist attacks, in reference to the White Houses unconditional support for Israels right to defend itself.

In addition to demanding the immediate release of hostages held by Hamas, the resolution called for humanitarian corridors to be set up throughout the Gaza strip to save and protect civilian lives. The exact naming of these humanitarian corridors  referred to as pauses in some previous draft resolutions such as the one vetoed by the U.S.  has had the council engaged in a Byzantine dialogue for six weeks. Although the terms (and concepts) ceasefire and truce are still taboo for Israel, the U.S. and the UK, the commitment to the immediate adoption of urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors to allow aid into Gaza is a first step, although insufficient for most Security Council members and, above all, for the civilian population in the Strip.

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The Union Ministry of External Affairs on Thursday expressed Indias deep concerns over the ongoing situation in Myanmar close to its border and called for secession of violence.

Addressing a press conference in national capital Delhi, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said, We are deeply concerned with such incidents close to our border. Our position on the ongoing situation in Myanmar is very clear. We want secession of the violence and restitution situation or resolution of the situation through constructive dialogue.

Myanmar has been witnessing clashes between Myanmars military and anti-junta forces close to the Indian border.

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Over the last few days, the anti-junta forces have captured several key towns near the border with Indian state of Mizoram.

India fears the violence could spillover to its side of the border and result in large influx of refugees from Myanmar.

The MEA spokesperson also noted that there has been a movement of Myanmar nationals to the Indian side of the border.

Reiterating Indias call for restoration of peace and democracy in Myanmar, Bagchi further added, We reiterate our call for the return of peace, stability, and democracy in Myanmar, since, the current conflict started, I think it was in 2021 in Myanmar, that a large number of Myanmar citizens have been taking refuge in India. Local authorities in the concerned neighbouring states have been handling the situation appropriately on humanitarian grounds.

The statement from India came soon after Reuters reported that Myanmars military rulers have ordered all government staff and those with military experience to prepare to serve in case of emergency.
The Union Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) on Thursday said that it is hoping for a positive outcome on its appeal against the death sentences given to eight former naval officers in Qatar and reassured all the legal and consular assistance.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said,This is a sensitive case and the case is currently in a legal process there. As we have mentioned, an appeal has been filed in Qatars Court of Appeal.

Without providing much details about Indias efforts to secure the release of the ex-navy men, Bagchi said that the appeal process is underway and New Delhi is hoping for a positive outcome.

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Bagchi further added that Indian authorities are engaged with their Qatari counterparts on the matter.

We are also engaged with the Qatari authorities on the matter, and we will continue to extend all legal and consular assistance, he said.

The MEA spokesperson also urged everyone not to speculate given the sensitive nature of the case.

I would again urge everyone not to engage in speculation considering the sensitive nature of the case, as well as the fact that the judgement in the entire process has been made confidential by the Qatari side, he added.

Earlier last month, a Qatari court had awarded death sentences to the eight former naval officers following a secret hearing. The decision shocked India and the country filed an appeal against the judgement of Qatars Court of First Instance before the Court of Appeal.

If rejected, India will be given one more chance to file another appeal against the judgment before the Court of Cassation, the highest court in the Qatar.

Besides the appeal, India is also believed to be exploring another option under the 2015 agreement between the two countries that allow transfer of convicted prisoners so that they can complete their sentence in their respective home countries.
Kozhikode collector Snehil Kumar Singh has received an anonymous letter carrying a bomb explosion threat.

The letter which was sent in the name of the Communist Party of India (Maoist) said Kozhikode may witness Kalamassery-model bomb blasts if the Pinarayi Vijayan-led Kerala government does not stop hounding them.

If the Pinarayi Vijayan-led LDF government continues to hound us, Kozhikode will witness an explosion similar to Kalamassery, the letter said

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The Maoists said the government is holding rallies for foreign terrorists instead of focusing on the needs of Kozhikode district. The Collectors office received the letter on Wednesday evening and the same was forwarded to the police

The Nadakkavu police have started investigation to track the source of the anonymous letter. Police officers who examined the letter said the anonymous sender mentioned the name of the Communist Party of India (Marxist-Leninist) Red Flag also in the letter with an intention to create confusion about the source

The threat assumes significance as the state governments Nava Kerala Sadas is scheduled in Kozhikod on November 25. The Congress is also planning a Palestine solidarity rally in Kozhikode on Novemebr 23.

According to police sources, there were similar threats from militant outfits to former Collector N. Prasanth in 2016. The police had improved security at the Collectorate and the Collectors camp house following the threat letter. There were also instructions to carry out security screening for people who visit the Collectorate.

The letter comes in the backdrop of recent armed confrontations between Maoists and specialised teams of the Kerala Police in Kannur and Wayanad districts of the state. Last week, two Maoists suffered injuries in a gunfight with commandos of the Thunderbolts unit in the forest at Uruppumkutty near Ayyankunnu near Iritty in Kannur district

The Kerala police Thunderbolt special forces an Special Operation Group(SOG) arrested two Maoists at Periya near Thalappuzha in Keralas Wayanad district last week after an exchange of fire

The police detained two Maoists- Chandru and Unnimaya, from the gang of five ultras belonging to the Banasura Dalam of the CPI( Maoist) at a house of a farmer in Chapparam colony at the forest area in Periya near Thalappuzha in Wayanad , after an exchange of fire between the forces and the Maoists.
On a whirlwind poll campaign in three districts of Rajasthan, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi on Thursday claimed Modi guarantee means Adanis government will be formed in 2024.

Modiji says it is Modis guarantee, which means Adanis government will be run. But our (Congress) guarantee means, the government of farmers, labourers, backward classes, dalits and tribals will be formed, he told a mammoth rally at Sadulshahar in Sriganganagar district of the state.

We transfer money into the pockets of the poor. They (Modi) put it in Adani jis pocket, he said.

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I have made up my mind that if the Congress is voted to power in Rajasthan, a caste survey would be completed, and we will inform the backward class about their population and rights, he said.

And if the Congress comes to the Centre, a caste survey would be done in the entire country, Gandhi added.

On recent remarks of BJPs top leaders on law and order and terrorism, he said, Wherever BJP leaders go, they spread hatred. They make one caste fight with another caste. Will make one religion fight with another religion. The Congress party does the treatment. We open the shop of love in their market of hatred, strengthen the country and brings everyone together.

He also reminded the people about the Ashok Gehlot governments seven guarantees and asked the people to vote the party in power.

Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot, PCC president Govind Singh Dotasara and former deputy chief minister Sachin Pilot accompanied the Gandhi scion.

The polling in 199 assembly constituencies in Rajasthan will be held on November 25 and counting of votes will take place on December 3.
Congress leader Rahul Gandhi Thursday said that his party is united in Rajasthan and will sweep the forthcoming state assembly elections. With CM Ashok Gehlot and Sachin Pilot by his side, Rahul Gandhi said that they are not only together but also united.

We are not only seen together but we are also united. We will be together and Congress will sweep the elections here and win, Rahul Gandhi said.

Congress is finding it hard to project a united house following Sachin Pilot revolt against Rajasthan CM Gehlot. Pilot, an aspirant of the top job in Rajasthan, even led a march that directly questioned CM Gehlots resolve to fight the corruption.

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#WATCH | Rajasthan Elections | CM Ashok Gehlot and Congress leader Sachin Pilot seen together with Rahul Gandhi, in Jaipur. Rahul Gandhi says, We are not only seen together but we are also united. We will be together and Congress will sweep the elections here and win. pic.twitter.com/sWezSuuv0X  ANI (@ANI) 5Etfw>November 16, 2023

However, after concerted efforts from the top Congress leadership, they managed to calm down Pilot and projected a united house ahead of the polls.

Pilot has also said that the issues with the Rajasthan CM has been resolved and they will fight the elections together and win it.

Yesterday, Ashok Gehlot also shared a photograph with Sachin Pilot and KC Venugopal and captioned  Together, we are winning again.

Rahul Gandhi, who is in Jaipur on a personal visit to avoid air pollution in Delhi, will address poll rallies in Churu, Hanumangarh and Sriganganagar districts.

Elections to the 199 of 200-member Rajasthan Legislative Assembly will be held on November 25. Death of Congress candidate Gurmeet Singh Kunner postponed elections on one seat.

The results will be declared on December 3 after counting of votes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has received praise from Shehla Rashid, a former Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) student leader who was once a fierce opponent of the BJP-led central government. Shehla Rashid described Modi as a selfless man who works for the good of the country.

Shehla Rashid, while speaking to a news agency, praised PM Modi for making radical decisions at the cost of his popularity and claimed he isnt bothered by criticism.

Shehla Rashid said, Right now, we see a really well-intentioned administration. The Prime Minister  he doesnt care about criticism. He has taken so many radical decisions, even at the cost of his popularity. He doesnt care about criticism. He is a selfless man who works for the national interest. You look at the Home Minister  he has ensured peace in Kashmir, regardless of what anyone criticised at that time.

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Notably, Shehla Rashid opposed the governments decision to split Jammu and Kashmir into two Union territories after it lost its autonomy on August 5, 2019, and she was a strong opponent of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Rashid further claimed that the policies of Union Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi had secured a political resolution to the protests and sporadic incidents of insurgency and infiltrations in Jammu and Kashmir.

All of those things, somebody needed to break the ice, and for that, I would like to credit the present government, especially the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, she stated.
BJP president J P Nadda on Thursday released the party manifesto for the upcoming Rajasthan Assembly elections and promised a strong government, best infrastructure, safety to women-Dalit-poor group, free education to girls, a bonanza of farmer schemes, and the Ladli Protsahan Yojna.

Releasing the sankalp patra at the party office here, he said the party has focussed its campaign on three main planks of development : Sabaka Saath, Sabka Vishwas; empowerment of poor, SC/Stand women; and infrastructure development.

Nadda went on to list the differences between the BJP and the Congress.

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For the BJP, the manifesto is a roadmap for the development and prosperity of the state. Sankalp Patra is not just a few words written on pages, but we are committed to fulfilling these sentences. Our history is proof that we did whatever we said or promised to the public, he said.

The Congress party in Rajasthan has become known for five things in five years. Number one is corruption, the disrespect/insult of women and neglect of farmers. This is the state where the rate of electricity is highest and petrol-diesel has the highest VAT. The number of paper leaks that happened here has broken all records, he alleged.

According to the BJP manifesto, wheat produce will be purchased at Rs 2,700 per quintal and a bonus will be given on the minimum support price (MSP). A committee will be formed to give compensation to 19,400 farmers whose land has been confiscated by the Ashok Gehlot government due non-payment of bank loans.

For the safety of women, Mahila Thana will be opened in every district and Mahila Police desk in every police station, and an anti-romeo force will be deployed, it said.

A Special Investigation Team would be set up to probe the cases of paper leak, corruption in Jal Jeevan Mission, Old Age Pension scheme, fertilizer scam and others, the manifesto stated.

In the pattern of Madhya Pradeshs Ladli Laxmi Yojna, a savings bond of Rs 2 lakh will be given to every newborn daughter. In this, Rs 6,000 will be deposited in the account when the child enters class 6, Rs 8,000 in class 9, Rs 10,000 in class 10, Rs 14,000 in class 12, Rs 50,000 for professional studies and after turning 21 years, Rs 1 lakh will be deposited in the account.

The saffron party also promised that Kisan Saman Nidhi would be raised to Rs 12,000 per annum and LPG cylinders to deserving Ujjawala beneficiaries would be provided at Rs 450.

In the 80-page BJP manifesto, for women, a 50 per cent reservation in teacher recruitment will be given, all pending vacancies for women will be filled on priority and reservation for women in teacher recruitment will be increased to 50 per cent. Monthly pension of widows and destitute women will be increased to Rs 1,500 and will provide opportunities for four free medical checkups every year to poor and elderly citizens, the manifesto added.
The minister of external affairs, S Jaishankar, stated that while Canada has publicly accused Indian agents of killing Khalistani separatist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, they have not provided any evidence against them.

However, India has not ruled out conducting an investigation. How a Billion People See the World was the title of the ministers London talk with journalist Lionel Barber. In the midst of Canadas ongoing diplomatic standoff with India, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of Canada stated last week that while his country does not wish to fight India, everyone on the planet will be at greater risk if larger nations can break international law without facing repercussions.

On the issue, Jaishankar said, We feel that Canadian politics has given space to violent and extreme political opinions which advocate separatism from India, including through violent means. These people have been accommodated in Canadian politics. They are given the freedom to articulate their views.

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According to Jaishankar, when there was an attack on the high commission and the diplomats were intimidated in public, the Canadian government did nothing. Referring to the bombing of an Air India flight, Jaishankar called Canada a nation with a past and remarked, We are a democracy, they are a democracy. Along with the freedom of speech and expression, there is a responsibility. It would be extremely wrong to abuse those liberties and to permit such abuse for political ends.

When asked if Jaishankar thought Hardeep Singh Nijjar was a terrorist, the foreign minister replied, He has a track record which is there on the social media. Thats a pretty graphic track record. I would let everyone form their own opinions.

Around forty Canadian diplomats were evacuated from India amid the India-Canada spat, following New Delhis complaint about an imbalance in the number of diplomats. Canada was the country with the most diplomats in India, and New Delhi accused them of meddling in domestic matters.
The Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation entered day 5 on Thursday with authorities racing to extract 40 construction workers trapped inside a buffer zone of the tunnel. An American drill machine has been airlifted to the spot from national capital Delhi to drill a a 900 mm hope through the debris. The machine has already started working and rescue teams are hopeful that its a matter of hours before they extract the stranded workers.

Here are the 10 points on what we know so far about the Uttarakhand tunnel rescue operation:

On November 12, when the country was busy in Diwali celebrations, a part of the Silkyara Tunnel project collapsed due to a land slide, trapping 40 construction workers inside it. The construction workers are trapped in a 300 meter buffer zone and are able to walk and breath. Rescue teams have been able to communicate with the trapped workers through walkie-talkies and they are said to be in good health. The trapped workers are being provided with essential supplies of food and medicines and oxygen. Experts from Norway and Thailand, who successfully rescued children trapped in a Thai cave in 2018, have also joined the rescue operation. An American auger machine has been brought to the spot from New Delhi to accelerate the drilling and clearing process. One the debris are cleared, 800-mm and 900-mm diametre segments of mild steel pipes will be installed, one at a time. One installed, the workers trapped on the other side of the rubble will be able to crawl out safely. Earlier on Wednesday, the rescue efforts faced a setback after fresh landslide destroyed the platform constructed for the American augur machine. Uttarakhand chief minister Pushakar Singh Dhami has been continuously monitoring the situation.

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Pakistans Caretaker Minister for Interior, Senator Sarfraz Bugti, announced the Illegal Foreign- ers Repatriation Plan on Octo- ber 3, giving a month to the Afghan refugees/foreigners whose visa has expired to move back to Afghanistan by October 30. If they failed, they would be deported or imprisoned. Though the Taliban government had asked for an extension till November 1 for undocumented Afghans to leave Pakistan, no such extension was granted.

The deportation order has brought to the fore the recurring debate in the South Asian region regarding illegal/undocumented migrants and refugees, as states have not ratified the International Conven- tion of Refugees. Any such movement of refugees from a conflict zone or perceived threat to families from regimes in their native countries depends on the host country to get refugee status. Can the refugees be called illegal migrants or undocu- mented migrants, as we often call them in the subcontinent?

After the Partition of India in 1947, the Indian and Pakistan states separated citizens from non-citizens  India, through the 1955 Citizenship Act; Pakistan, through the 1951 Citi- zenship Act. The two countries often use the 1946 Foreigners Act to prose- cute illegal immigrants. Pakistan has invoked the 1946 Act to deport the Afghans who do not leave the country by the deadline.

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After the Taliban takeover of Afghanistan, many Afghans took refuge in Pakistan, a country that has historically provided refuge to the Afghans. Then President Zia ul Haq welcomed them in the spirit of Islam- ic brotherhood. Of course, it trained these refugees, funded and armed them to fight the anti-Soviet jihad in Afghanistan with the United States funding till the Soviet withdrawal in 1988. Taliban is one such product that originated from the Afghan refugee camps; its members were studying in madrassas in the erstwhile North West Frontier Province (NWFP), now known as Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP).

They were used to install a Pak- istani-friendly regime, replacing the Burhanuddin Rabbani regime and ending the fighting between the mujahidin groups vying to take con- trol of Kabul. Pakistan recognised and almost conducted the Talibans foreign policy when the group was in power from 1996 to 2001. The Taliban were removed as part of the US war on ter- ror after they refused to hand over Osama bin Laden, the mastermind of the 9/11 Twin Tower attacks and returned to power in August 2021.

Pakistan was uneasy with the new regime in Afghanistan. Though it became part of the war on terror reluctantly, it sheltered the Taliban leadership, helped them organise and allowed the Haqqani network  a Tal- iban affiliate  to operate against for- eign troops. In doing so, its sole inten- tion was to remove the West-spon- sored regimes in Afghanistan and bring the Taliban back to power. It provided refuge to the families of the Quetta Shura and sympathisers of the regime. In fact, the Afghan refugees served Pakistans strategic interests and its geopolitical goal in Afghanistan.

Though there were local dissatis- factions about the presence of Afghan refugees since the 1980s  they domi- nated the trucking business and took up local jobs, not to mention the rise in crime rates in the then NWFP  the government stuck to its decision. However, these undocumented migrants were exploited in the labour market.

In the Pakistani drive to deport the Afghans, law enforcement agen- cies are known to have arrested, sepa- rated families and extracted bribes for allowing them time to leave. Though the refugees have protested, there is hardly any support from the Pakistan political parties that are busy prepar- ing for the next general election. The Human Rights Commission of Pak- istan has urged the caretaker regime to halt this repatriation, which it terms as an ill-considered move. Many of the refugees who left Pakistan are liv- ing in the open as winter approaches, and Afghanistan stares at another humanitarian crisis. Families with daughters are worried about the lack of opportunities for womens educa- tion under the harsher code of the Tal- iban.

Yet why is Pakistan reluctant to extend hospitality to over 600,000 Afghan refugees who arrived after the Taliban took over Kabul? The horror story of some Afghans clinging to the wheels of US evacuation aircraft, falling to their deaths, evokes memo- ries of Afghans desperation to leave their country. Though many of the refugees have relevant documents, the Pakistani government estimates that 1.7 million are undocumented. Many have applied for visa extensions and do not know how to react to this deportation notice. Some of them are also ethnic minorities from Afghanistan who dread going back, fearing reprisal and threat to life under the Taliban.

The Taliban regime has said they have set up committees to help the Afghans and provide them with food and blankets amidst the tense rela- tionship between the two countries over attacks orchestrated by the Tehrik-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP) in Pakistan; a group Islamabad accuses is sheltered by the Taliban regime. In April 2022, Pakistan purportedly con- ducted an airstrike on TTP bases in Kunar and Khost in Afghanistan after the TTP launched its spring offensive Al Badr had killed at least 45 civilians.

Pakistans decision to expel undocumented refugees arises from the countrys internal security prob- lems. Of the 24 terrorist attacks in Pak- istan this year, 14 were carried out by Afghan nationals. As Interior Minister Bugti said, We are attacked from within Afghanistan, and Afghan nationals are involved in attacks on us. Rights groups and Afghan nation- als argue that the entire community cannot be blamed for the actions of a few. While the Taliban government has accused Pakistan of cruel and unac- ceptable treatment of Afghans, it has also warned Islamabad of conse- quences.

Notably, the tension between the Taliban and Pakistani governments, especially on the issue of terrorism, is at the root of this expulsion. At one point, then Prime Minister Imran Khan had welcomed the Taliban takeover, calling it the breaking of the shackles of slavery.

The Pakistani security establish- ment calculated that Taliban 2.0 would give them strategic depth, and India would be forced to leave Afghanistan, given their reservations against the Taliban. Yet, in a turn of events, the Taliban asked India to reopen its mission and resume devel- opment work in Afghanistan. The expulsion of Afghan refugees as col- lective punishment will only add to the Afghan-Pakistan tension and may not be a panacea for the terrorist attacks in Pakistan.

The Kathmandu Post/ANN.
Race car design competition held in China's Hefei to promote NEV talents cultivation Pub Date:23-11-16 09:40 Source:Xinhua The 2023 Formula Student China, a race car design competition aiming at cultivating more young talents to the thriving NEV industry, was held in east China's Hefei. Editor:Zheng Chen

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There are so many places in the world in need of help. Palestine, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Syria, Venezuela and Myanmar, to name a few, are just some of the hardest-hit corners of the planet, where at least 108.4 million people have had to flee their homes over the last year due to war, poverty and hunger, ethnic or religious persecution, or from natural disaster.

Of all these emergencies, there is one that is especially dire due to its severity, but also its anonymity: the war that started seven months ago in Sudan that has transformed the country, which is now home to the worlds largest number of forcibly displaced individuals. That figure could be as high as seven million, of whom 263,000 have crossed the border into South Sudan, a nation already dealing with extreme poverty that is trying to shore up a peace still elusive after 10 years of internal conflicts.

As the director of foreign relations of the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Dominique Isabelle Hyde (Ottawa, 51 years old) visited the South Sudanese city of Renk at the beginning of November. It is the epicenter of refugees, where 10,000 people arrived during the three days of her visit alone. Since then, and on the brink of leaving for another foray into neighboring Sudan, Hyde says that this is the worst human tragedy that shes seen in her 30-year career.

Question. There are multiple humanitarian emergencies in the world, and among them all, you have decided to focus on South Sudan. Why?

Answer. In the first place, its one of the worst emergencies that this part of the world has seen in a long time. And were seeing that its being given no attention. Its not the same type of response that weve seen offered toward the war in Ukraine, or even Afghanistan. We are very concerned. Right now, our appeal to the global community has only been 40% funded. This means that we are not capable of responding to the growing number of refugees and displaced individuals.

Q. What part of this situation has most impacted you?

A. Ive been doing this work for 30 years. I have worked for many of the U.N.s agencies, and what surprises me is how many people have been affected. Yesterday more than 3,000 people crossed the border to enter the country, and that happens every day. Renks transit center long ago passed its capacity limit. What I saw today is a center that was originally planned to be used for only a few days that is packed with people and whose situation health-wise is deeply troubling, especially when we know that there is a cholera outbreak on the other side of the border in Sudan. Of course, its teams are doing everything they can, but the challenge is twofold. For one, they must be able to provide sufficient refuge to these communities, but we dont have the necessary funding, and neither do any of the non-profits with whom Ive met, or the other U.N. agencies. The second challenge is the impact, which weve been seeing since mid-August, of not being able to transport people from the transit center to the refugee camps or their homes, for those who are sent back. The roadways have been completely devastated by recent heavy rains. The country hasnt seen such flooding in 60 years.

Q. What is most urgent, right now?

A. We need to give refuge urgently, we need to be able to supply it. Ive seen many people with nowhere to sleep, covered only by plastic sheets. They even use their own dresses, just to have a roof. Id also say, water and sanitation. Theres not enough water, theres no good sewer system, and that facilitates the spread of infectious disease. And then, of course, food. But not just here: once we bring the South Sudanese back to their homes, they will also need to receive these kinds of support.

Q. You mentioned that UNHCR has only received 40% of the necessary funding it needs to assist the displaced and refugee communities. Why has the response been so limited?

A. Organizations tend to receive funding from the private sector, and from individuals like you and me. This crisis has not aroused interest because it stems from two opposing generals, and theres no will to solve it. Its also quite distant from the big international donors. Weve received strong support from the United States, from the World Bank and from some of the countries that have traditionally been the most generous. But since theres been such a rise in humanitarian demands and official development aid has not grown, theyre having to make very difficult decisions. The war in Sudan happened just after the earthquake that hit Syria and Turkey, which happened after Ukraine, which is also taking up a lot of resources, and of course, now theres Gaza. But its important to remember that were talking about civilian populations who have nothing to do with this war. And we shouldnt have to find ourselves in a situation in which we have to choose between helping a South Sudanese person, a Ukrainian or an Afghan.

Q. Do you think that the war in Ukraine is having a significant impact on funding for other emergencies?

A. I would say that last year, yes. This year, not so much. Support for Ukraine remains strong, and rightfully so. What weve been saying is that the support that we receive for Ukraine is what we should be receiving for people around the world. For example, the openness shown by all the countries in Europe and America in regard to employment opportunities for Ukrainians. In Sudan, the rate of malnutrition is extremely high, were talking 12,000 to 13,000 children who have died of hunger. And these are avoidable problems. We know their solutions, and its not a problem of access. It literally has to do with a funding problem, thats the reason why we are incapable of helping these families. Im also very concerned about cholera and measles, and I dont think that these health matters are being addressed. In short, I do not see that the global solidarity we have seen with other nationalities is being shown to the Sudanese.

Q. Maybe because we think this crisis does not affect us?

A. It does seem like this crisis is very far way. But one of the things that we are seeing is an increase in the populaces movements toward Europe. And that is happening, above all, because when we are not capable of helping, people (and especially young people) start to move towards Europe. Of course, theres space in Europe to receive a lot of people, but I think that thats not what [migrants] want; they prefer to stay with their families. This is a growing concern, and were seeing it in Lampedusa and across the Mediterranean.

Q. Do you fear that the situation in Sudan and other border countries with refugees could become chronic?

A. It shouldnt, because in this case there is a possible political solution: there are possibilities of ending this war and finding peace. Therefore, we must remain hopeful that the people that I met today will be able to go home and recover their lives. And the sooner that we are capable of solving this, the better it will be for the affected individuals. However, there are still many unaccompanied children who have lost their parents because of this war, and for them, even if this is resolved tomorrow, their lives have been changed.
In the unpredictable world of British politics, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has once again stirred the pot, executing a reshuffle that raises eyebrows and fuels speculation about the future direction of the Conser- vative Party. The surprising appointment of former Prime Minister David Cameron as foreign minister marks a strategic move by Mr Sunak, aiming to bridge internal divides and project a more centrist image ah- ead of next years elections. Mr Sunaks decision to bri- ng Mr Cameron back into the political spotlight is a bold gamble. Mr Cameron, a polarising figure due to his role in the Brexit referendum, represents a depart- ure from the populist right that had supported the ous- ted Ms Suella Braverman. This move hints at Mr Su- naks attempt to build a broader coalition of voters, potentially reaching beyond the traditional Conserva- tive base. The Conservative find themselves at a critical juncture, lagging behind Labour in the polls and grap- pling with internal dissent. Mr Sunak, in a bid to shore up his authority, swiftly removed Ms Braverman after her scathing criticism of the police over a pro-Palesti- nian demonstration and her hard-line stance on immi- gration. The fallout from her departure, however, was eclipsed by the shockwaves caused by Mr Camerons return to the political stage, which is a double-edged sword. On the one hand, it introduces a seasoned and internationally experienced statesman back into the fold, possibly adding a touch of gravitas to Mr Sunaks government. On the other, it reopens wounds from the Brexit era, reigniting debates over Mr Camerons role in the 2016 referendum and the subsequent fallout. The term Brexit surrender is echoing through the corrid- ors of Conservative dissent, underscoring the fragility of Mr Sunaks balancing act. The reshuffle underscores Mr Sunaks determination to present a united front and deliver on promises. With criticism mounting agai- nst Ms Braverman, Mr Sunak seized the opportunity to realign his team, emphasising a focus on effective gov- ernance. The timing, however, raises questions about the governments ability to navigate challenges, both internal and external, with the election on the hori- zon. As the Conservative Party attempts to redefine itself, the return of Mr Cameron sends a nuanced mes- sage. Some see it as a strategic move to reassure cen- trist voters and counterbalance the right-wing elemen- ts within the party. However, for those staunchly align- ed with the Brexit cause, Mr Camerons reappearance is akin to opening an old wound. The ideological fault lines within the Conservative Party are once again ex- posed, raising doubts about its coherence in the face of a resurgent Labour Party. Mr Sunaks press secretary framed the reshuffle as a step toward creating a strong, united team that will be focused on delivery. Yet, the choice to bring back Mr Cameron introduces an ele- ment of unpredictability. It remains to be seen whether Mr Cameron, after years away from the political fray, can truly align with Mr Sunaks vision.

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In Indian politics, where the warp and weft are often defined by religious fault lines, the BJPs latest endeavour, the Modi Mitra initiative ~ launched earlier this year ~ that attempts to weave a different narrative, is gaining foothold with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to address Modi Mitras from 65 Lok Sabha constituencies before the year runs out. Beyond the cacophony of political rhetoric, this outreach ini- tiative signals a nuanced strategy to court the Muslim vote, a demographic historically distant from the party. At the heart of this initiative are the Modi Mitras, foot soldiers enlisted from diverse backgrounds, including educators, entrepreneurs, clerics, and retired govern- ment employees. They traverse the social landscape, engaging in conversations at weddings, tea sessions, and community gatherings, disseminating the BJPs economic message and extolling the virtues of the Prime Ministers leadership. In a nation where political allegiance often aligns with religious identity, the BJPs focus on forging connections across this divide is a noteworthy departure from conventional strategies. The partys vision for a secular India is encapsulated in its plans to introduce religion-agnostic laws on inheri- tance and gender rights. Such proposals, the BJP hopes, will resonate with underprivileged Muslim vot- ers, particularly women, across 65 crucial Lok Sabha seats. As these Modi Mitras share narratives of welfare policies benefiting all communities, the BJP seeks to shed its image as an anti-Muslim party. However, beneath the veneer of outreach lies a history of allega- tions against some BJP members and affiliates for pro- moting anti-Islamic sentiment. Critics argue that the partys sporadic attempts to court Muslim support, particularly at the regional level, have been eclipsed by a broader narrative of religious polarisation. The absence of Muslim representation in Mr Modis cabi- net further underscores these concerns. The BJPs web- site contends that secularism in India has transformed into minority appeasement at the cost of the majori- ty. This assertion encapsulates the delicate balance the party is attempting to strike between engaging the Muslim electorate and maintaining its core support base. The partys bid to increase its share of the Muslim vote from 9 per cent to a targeted 16-17 per cent in the upcoming elections underscores the scale of this ambi- tious endeavour.

Yet, the litmus test lies in the sincerity of the BJPs commitment to inclusivity. While the Modi Mitra ini- tiative focuses on spreading economic messages, it also taps into the specific concerns of marginalised Muslim communities, known as Pasmanda. By ad- dressing issues such as a monthly hand-out for under- privileged women and a housing subsidy, the BJP attempts to dispel the notion that its welfare schemes are exclusive to certain demographics. As the political landscape shifts with a newly unified opposition and the setback in Karnataka, the BJPs outreach may prove pivotal in determining the partys success in the 2024 elections. The delicate dance between demonising extremists and wooing Muslim voters reflects a nuan- ced strategy that acknowledges the diversity within the Muslim electorate

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In 1896 in England, Swami Vivekananda declared that India was chosen by Providence to give a new civilisation to the world and India had been doing that for ages. He asserted that India would conquer the world with her spirituali- ty. We, Indians, have no other alterna- tive  we have to do this or die. India or Bharat with its clarion call of Vasud- haiva Kutumbakam (One Planet, One Family, One Future) was powerfully showcased during the year-long pres- idency of G20. For the vast majority of the population in the country, confi- dence level is high.

The tabernacle of unity hath been raised; regard ye not one another as strangers. Ye are the fruits of one tree, and the leaves of one branch Bahaullah, founder of the Bahai Faith, a contemporary of Vivekanan- da, had proclaimed over 150 years ago. It is my deep conviction and we are on track despite the grave peril that threatens the very survival of much of life on the planet.

Building tolerance among cul- tures and peoples in these days of ris- ing violence and insurmountable polarization within societies and among nations has increased to alarming proportions. Tolerance is respect for others rights and freedom. When the United Nations was estab- lished on 24 October 1945 it made three promises: (i) That it would try to stop nations from going to war, pre- vent fighting; (ii) That all human beings would be treated fairly and justly, whether they are weak or strong; (iii) That nations would work together to help each other have bet- ter and happier lives.

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Sadly, humanity has failed to live up to even one of the three promises. Year after year, nation-states spend billions to come together to dialogue, craft policies, frame legal documents, review protocols, resolve conflicts, address humanitarian crises, formu- late developmental agendas, express deep concerns vis-a-vis climate, eco- nomic and political crises and what- have-you. When will we learn and grow up!

It was in 1993 at the initiative of UNESCO that the United Nations pro- claimed 1995 as The Year for Toler- ance. UNESCOs 1995 Declaration of Principles on Tolerance was: Toler- ance is respect, acceptance, and appreciation of the rich diversity of our worlds cultures, our forms of expression and ways of being human. This declaration initiated the General Assembly of the United Nations for the proclamation of Tol- erance Day. One year later, in 1996, the UN General Assembly asked all Member States to celebrate 16 November as the International Day for Tolerance.

For the promotion of Tolerance and Non-Violence, UNESCO created the UNESCO-Madanjeet Singh Prize in the amount of US $100,000 in 1995. The prize is awarded every two years to individuals or organizations on International Tolerance Day. For the year 2022 Franca Ma-ih Sulem Yong from Cameroon, President of the NGOs #Afrogiveness and Positive Youths Africa received the Award. As a journalist she worked hard to change peoples perception on the way men- tal illness is viewed and represented in society. Trained in art therapy and psychology, she became the founder and president of two NGOs: Afrogive- ness Movement (#Afrogiveness) and Positive Youths Africa (PYA).

Both NGOs are peace education initiatives. Their ambition is to enable traumatized survivors of interfaith and intercultural conflicts in nine African countries (Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan and Togo) to heal from their trauma through the universal language of the arts. In the months that followed due to the wars in Europe and the Middle-East, the world has become even more trauma- tized and violent.

Here is the challenge for our country, where so many people live below the poverty line, where women and girls are regularly assaulted, where religious intolerance is rife, where caste divides dominate because the temporary and enabling quota system has become institutionalized into vote bank politics; where class disparities constantly threaten nation- al stability, where the 1,000+ political parties are constantly striving to grab power at any cost, et. al. These to me are the most glaring obstacles in prac- tising the virtue of tolerance and for that matter nation-building.

It is worth pondering upon how a small number of European traders could rule a country of millions? It is because rulers of princely states and their subjects were not united and they became easy prey to the false narratives of colonial masters backed by their military superiority. All of us have to think about what truly pro- motes tolerance and helps us to live unitedly amidst myriad diversity. A political process or legislation cannot remove intolerance or deep-seated prejudice. What truly harmonizes India is her spiritual and moral cul- ture  it is the only thing that can keep us together in the face of divisive forces.

As explained by Swami Vivekananda, spirituality was not a mere epiphenomenon of larger his- torical developments. Rather, it had to be an instrument for the transfor- mation that would come from a fusion of Eastern wisdom with practi- cal Western pluralism that contrasted spirituality with materialism, toler- ance with intolerance, transcendence with instrumentalism.

Swamiji had warned his fellow- men and women: The idea of caste is the greatest dividing factor all caste either on the principle of birth or of merit is bondage. The Bahai writ- ings emphasize that we must put behind us these prejudices and social barriers and work towards a united society. In a country divided by caste, creed and religion, progress is difficult to achieve. A country can progress only if each and every citizen can progress. Law or government cannot ensure the progress of society. It is always society that has to get working for its own welfare. Until women achieve progress, there can be no progress for the nation. The recent Bill ensuring one-third women represen- tation in the Parliament is a historic achievement.

Some of the tools for achieving tolerance in different settings of the society could be described as: (1) Col- laborative study for transformation  The transformation of the individual is not an isolated process, neither ascetic nor centred wholly on ones self-fulfilment. Study circles open to all people are useful spaces for eradi- cating situations of intolerance and enhancing positivity. (2) Spiritual edu- cation of children  children are potentially the light of the world and at the same time its darkness. Special classes are needed to assist children to acquire moral values and a good character. (3) Empowering youth  youth programmes aimed at provid- ing them with a sense of purpose, building their confidence, enhancing their capacity for listening and prob- lem solving, and making responsible choices. (4) Devotional gatherings  turning to the Divine in prayer gives inner strength and solace from the tests and trials of life.

Two more lines of action that reinforce the four core activities are undertaking services for the poor and needy, and participating in public dis- courses. These are the lessons that provide resilience and teach the importance of tolerance. And who knows, such initiatives could become a solid framework for establishing world peace as a consequence of awakening of masses of humankind and fusion of all sections of the popu- lation regardless of caste, creed, class, nationality, race and religion.
France has issued an arrest warrant for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in connection with the alleged use of banned chemical weapons against civilians in Syria.

According to various media reports, two investigative judges issued four warrants on Tuesday against Assad, his brother Maher al-Assad, and two other senior officials for crimes against humanity and war crimes.

Syrian human rights lawyer Anwar al-Bunni, founder of the Syrian Center for Legal Studies and Research, said that the decision was unprecedented. It is believed to be the first time a country has issued an arrest warrant for a sitting head of state in another country for crimes against humanity.

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According to Michael Chammas, one of the plaintiffs lawyers has said that an Interpol Red Notice is expected to follow.

A Red Notice is a request to law enforcement around the world to locate and temporarily detain someone pending extradition, surrender, or other legal action.

The Syrian Centre for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), the Open Society Justice Initiative (OSJI), and the Syrian Archive filed the lawsuit in March 2021 over the use of banned chemical weapons against civilians in the town of Douma and the district of Eastern Ghouta in August 2013, in attacks that killed more than 1,000 people, the plaintiffs said in a statement Wednesday.

The Syrian government was accused of using poison gas in Ghouta, a Damascus suburb that was then a rebel stronghold that the regime had been desperately attempting to retake for over a year. It then accused opposition forces of carrying out the attacks.

The investigation was launched in response to a criminal complaint based on the testimony of survivors of the August 2013 attacks, according to the plaintiffs statement.

In a statement issued Wednesday, lawyer Mazen Darwish, founder and director-general of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression (SCM), said the decision constitutes a historic judicial precedent.

It is a new victory for the victims, their families, and the survivors and a step on the path to justice and sustainable peace in Syria, Darwish said.
The Israel Defense Forces have claimed that Hamas was using the Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza for its militant activities and released picture evidence that shows a large cache of weapons and ammunition. The IDF said that the weapons were stored inside the MRI centre of the hospital.

In an operation that began in the wee hours of Wednesday, Israeli forces and tanks entered part of Al-Shifa Hospital, Gazas biggest medical facility and carried out room-by-room searches. During the raids, the IDF said that besides weapons, it also found intelligence material and other scripture that clearly tells that Hamas was using the hospital as its operation command base.

In the hospital, we found weapons, intelligence materials, and military technology and equipment, military spokesman Daniel Hagari told reporters. We also found an operational headquarters with comms equipment belonging to Hamas and Hamas uniforms, he said.

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The pictures released by IDF shows guns and grenades that were found inside Shifa Hospitals MRI center during the raid by the elite Shaldag unit and other forces of the 36th Division inside the medical center.

While Hamas has denied Israels claim, the US earlier Tuesday confirmed that Hamas and Islamic Jihad use Shifa and other Gaza hospitals, and tunnels underneath them, to conceal and to support their military operations and to hold hostages.

The IDF teams who have gone inside the hospital also include translators and medical professionals. The IDF published a video of its troops distributing medical aid including incubators, baby food and medical supplies to the hospital during the raid.

Meanwhile, the Israeli military also claimed to have found a room beneath the Rantisi Hospital in Gaza, where Israeli hostages are believed to have been held following their kidnapping after the brutal October 7 attack.

Beneath the Rantisi Hospital in Gaza, IDF forces found a room where Israeli hostages are believed to have been held. The calendar found in the room marked the days since October 7 Massacre with the title Operation Al-Aqsa Flood, Hamas name for their horrific attack on Israel, the IDF said.
India on Thursday asked Canada to respect the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations and provide adequate security to its diplomats in the wake of reports that Khalistani elements tried to disturb a consular camp organised by the Indian mission.

At a media briefing here, Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Arindam Bagchi, however, stated that there have been some misleading and inaccurate social media reports regarding the incidents in Canada.

Our High Commission and consulates in Canada regularly organize consular camps. One such camp was organised near Vancouver on November 12 to provide life certificates to pensioners. The event was held successfully despite attempts by a few radical elements to cause trouble. Our Consul General was not present at that site, he said.

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We reiterate the need for nations to respect the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations so that our diplomats can discharge their diplomatic obligations, he added.

Speaking on the reports of an alleged attack on the Indian community during Diwali celebrations in Canada, the spokesperson said the consulate has not received any complaint regarding the incident.

As regards to events that you alluded to near Brampton or Mississauga in Diwali. I think that was more in the nature of unrest between the two groups. To be honest, I do not think there has been any complaint that our consulate has received. I saw some social media reports. We also understand that the authorities there are looking into that incident, so I do not have anything further to add to that, he further said.

These remarks came amid the ongoing diplomatic row between New Delhi and Ottawa which erupted after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau alleged the involvement of agents of the Indian government in the killing of Khalistan supporter Harjeet Singh Nijjar. New Delhi has rejected the allegation as absurd and motivated.
Republican lawmakers in the United States have formed the second, but largest, Congressional Hindu Caucus to advocate for causes and issues affecting the Hindu American community.

Today I am so excited to announce the official launch of the Congressional Hindu Caucus in the United States Congress, Elise Stefanik, the Republican leaderships fourth-ranking member in the House of Representatives, said on Wednesday at an event organized by Shalabh Shalli Kumar, a leading Indian-American fundraiser for the party and, in particular, former President Donald Trump.

This was the second congressional caucus established to represent Hindu Americans, who are primarily Indian-descent Americans who increasingly identify with their religion rather than their country of origin.

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However, it also claims to be a representative of the Sikh, Jain, and Buddhist communities.

The caucus, which is chaired by first-term Democratic Congressman Shri Thanedar, has been dogged by controversy since its inception, as Sikh Americans, who have their own well-funded lobbying effort, have challenged its claim to represent them.

It has also received little support from lawmakers.

In comparison, Stefaniks Hindu caucus is off to a flying start.

She read out a list of about ten Republican lawmakers who had volunteered to join the caucus but were not all present.

Congresswoman Nicole Malliotakis was one of them.

She came to the event to express her disappointment at not being able to attend.

I have a growing Indian community in my district, she explained when asked why she joined the caucus.

We have a Hindu temple where I go every year to celebrate Diwali or one of the other holidays. And Ive developed a strong relationship with the Hindu community, and Id like to be able to assist, especially given the US-India relationships strategic importance.

With far-above-median household incomes, Indian-Americans are a growing community with widely acknowledged financial clout.

Their political clout has grown as well, owing primarily to donations, though many of them are running for positions ranging from city councils to Congress to the White House.

They have increasingly desired to be identified as Hindu Americans, granting them constituency claims over Hindus from the Caribbeans, Nepal, Bangladesh, and American converts.

Their numbers are estimated to be around 6 million, as stated at the launch event, which is at least 1.5 million more than the widely accepted estimate of Indian-Americans.

Kumar, the man behind this caucus, rose to prominence in the India-US world in 2013 when he launched a campaign to lobby US authorities to grant Narendra Modi a visa.

Although Kumar quickly fell out of Modis good graces, he had moved on to support a new person and cause: Donald Trump.

This caucus will support legislation and issues important to Hindu Americans, Kumar said at the Congressional Hindu Caucus inaugural meeting.
US President Joe Biden engaged in crucial discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping during the US-China Summit, focusing on various key issues. Biden underscored the significance of the Middle East, according to CNN. Xi, in turn, urged the United States to take concrete actions to uphold its commitment of not supporting Taiwan Independence, as reported by Chinese state media. He emphasized Chinas eventual reunification, stating it as an inevitable outcome.

The conversation delved into the sensitive topic of Taiwan, with Xi expressing concerns about it being the most significant and precarious issue in US-China relations. While outlining Chinas preference for peaceful reunification, Xi also outlined conditions under which force might be employed. In response, Biden reiterated the United States commitment to preserving peace and stability in the region. A US official quoted Xi as responding, Look, peace is all well and good, but at some point we need to move towards resolution more generally.

Addressing Taiwans upcoming vote in January, the US requested China to respect the islands electoral process. Despite ongoing worries about Chinas military buildup around Taiwan, officials left the meeting with the impression that Xi was not preparing for a massive invasion.

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Biden took the opportunity to urge Xi to leverage Chinas influence with Iran, encouraging them to discourage further escalation. Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed that discussions with the Iranians on this matter had already taken place. The seriousness with which Iran considered Chinas messages remained uncertain to Bidens aides after the meeting. Additionally, Biden clarified his view that Hamas should be considered separately from the broader Palestinian issue, as reported by CNN.

Throughout the talks, Biden urged Xi to use Chinas influence with Iran to prevent further escalation. Foreign Minister Wang Yi conveyed that they had already engaged in discussions with the Iranians on this matter. The extent to which Iran took Chinas messages seriously remained uncertain to Bidens aides after the meeting. Biden clarified his view that Hamas should be considered separately from the broader Palestinian issue, according to CNN.

Following the summit, a senior US official informed CNN that Biden and Xi reached agreements to address fentanyl production and restore military communication. While considered progress, there was no joint statement or formal declaration of cooperation. China committed to targeting companies producing precursor chemicals for fentanyl, a potent narcotic contributing to the US drug crisis. The US will closely monitor Chinas follow-through on these commitments.

Xi also agreed to establish mechanisms addressing potential military miscalculations and forums for both sides to voice concerns. The re-establishment of military-to-military communication was a significant point of emphasis for the US, with Biden and top advisers consistently raising it in conversations with their Chinese counterparts. Despite challenges, the summit concluded positively, with Biden stating that the talks went well and noting real progress on social media after a walk around the historic estate south of San Francisco with Xi, CNN reported.
Saint-Laurent, CA (H4T1V6)

Today

Cloudy with occasional light rain during the afternoon. High near 45F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain and snow. Low 32F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of precip 90%.
Two keys issues were at the heart of the great expectation ahead of the first day of the investiture session, held this Wednesday in Spains Congress of Deputies. The first was the long-awaited explanation by the candidate to head the government, Pedro Sanchez, regarding the amnesty law negotiated with the Catalan independence movement. The second, how far the climate of institutional discredit being experienced these days in Spain would go inside the chamber, with the passivity, if not downright encouragement, of the right-wing opposition. The leader of the ultranationalist Vox party, Santiago Abascal, went so far as to compare Sanchez with Hitler on Wednesday, asserting that the Socialist leader is carrying out a coup detat and requesting his partner in regional and municipal governments, the mainstream conservative Popular Party (PP), to use its majority in the Senate to lead the upper house into insubordination and refuse to process the clemency measures. He also urged the PP to encourage the illegalization of the Catalan separatist parties ERC and Junts.

The PP leader, Alberto Nunez Feijoo, attacked the candidates contradictions, accused him of political corruption and electoral fraud, but finally said in Parliament: This is a legitimate majority for an investiture. Although there is a multiple symphony of voices within the PP today, and even though the general rhetoric still resorts to a dangerous hyperbole in competition with Vox, the words of the PP president were a reassuring novelty in the middle of a very tough, fierce debate, but one that fell squarely within the bounds of democratic normality inside a Congress of Deputies that was surrounded by security forces.

Although the Socialist candidate began his speech with words of respect for those who have been peacefully demonstrating against his pacts these last few days, it took him an hour and 25 minutes to pronounce the word amnesty. Sanchez strung together an investiture speech designed to explain why the very difficult agreements that he has managed to forge  including the clemency measures that he himself rejected only a few months ago  are justified in order to retain a progressive coalition in government that will stop the far right, as well as the mainstream right that is willing to enter into deals with the former.

Thus, Sanchez outlined a global scenario marked by challenges such as the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East, the climate emergency, inequality between men and women, or the economic and labor inequalities accentuated by the development of artificial intelligence. If democracy does not respond to insecurity, he stressed, insecurity will turn into rage until democracy itself is undermined. Anger, he added, is fodder for the far right. He presented the policies of his government in the last five years, and the future ones that he is preparing, as a retaining wall against a string of retrograde measures that the PP-Vox alliance is already rolling out in local and regional governments, and which above all affect the great obsessions of the ultraconservatives: the climate battle, measures for gender equality, the defense of the LGBTQ+ community and immigration.

Although most of the examples he cited were local, there was no shortage of international references  he mentioned Javier Milei, the far-right candidate in Argentina  to the battle between progressive and reactionary policies taking place in Europe and throughout the planet. It was a polarized description of the world, in which there was no outreach to the Spaniards who did not vote for him to join the common project, that sociological majority that he himself evoked as a defender and beneficiary of the advances defended by his government, although at the last election this group supported conservative options.

The story intended to load Sanchez with good reasons as he broached the most controversial price of his investiture: the amnesty law. But there was no reasoned explanation for the change of opinion in Sanchezs speech, and we had to wait for the debate, hours later, for him to admit that it was the result of the July 23 election that generated the opportunity to propose the clemency measures: either the starting point was kept unchanged and a repeat election was held, or a sincere and honest negotiation with Junts could be opted for, transforming the vicissitudes into opportunities and facing the problems head on. The lack of real new content in the explanation of the amnesty, and the climate of tension that surrounds it, makes this measure the candidates riskiest bet yet.

Beyond Catalonia, the plans for the new term reflect the priorities of classic social democracy adapted to the challenges of the present world. Sanchezs partner on the left, the Sumar alliance, asked him for more ambition in fiscal, industrial and housing policies. Sanchez offered to reform regional financing, streamline government procedures, accelerate access to subsidies for people caring for dependents and promote a pact on mental health, a law on equal representation and another one on family agriculture. He also announced free public transportation for children, youths and the unemployed, reducing the working week to 37.5 hours, renewing the validity of cultural passes and extending a reduction in VAT on food products.

The first task of his administration will be to draft and approve next years national budget, where he will have to combine this broad social offer with the fiscal discipline imposed by the return of the rules suspended by Brussels since the pandemic.

Despite the harshness of the tone, the debate held this Wednesday speaks of a democracy that faces its problems  even the most serious ones  within the framework established by the Constitution.
Have an interesting bit of news youd like to see mentioned in the Along the Way column? Email it to Natasha Connolly at news@thesunchronicle.com.
Two weeks after the death of Matthew Perry, Chandler in Friends, who died in his home in Los Angeles on October 28, at just 54 years old, his colleagues from the series have begun to say goodbye publicly to who was their co-star for 10 years and friend for the rest of their lives. On Tuesday, Matt LeBlanc, his roommate Joey, and Courteney Cox, who was his partner in the series, Monica, said their farewells. Then, this Wednesday, Lisa Kudrow, Jennifer Aniston y David Schwimmer, who played Phoebe Buffay, Rachel Green and Ross Geller, did the same.

The first to post images and texts was Aniston, who on Wednesday morning used her Instagram profile, with more than 44 million followers, to say farewell to her good friend. Oh boy this one has cut deep... Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that Ive never experienced before, reflected the actress. We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Loss of life or loss of love. Being able to really SIT in this grief allows you to feel the moments of joy and gratitude for having loved someone that deep. And we loved him deeply. He was such a part of our DNA. We were always the 6 of us. This was a chosen family that forever changed the course of who we were and what our path was going to be.

Matty, he KNEW he loved to make people laugh, the 54-year-old actress continues. As he said himself, if he didnt hear the laugh he thought he was going to die. His life literally depended on it. And boy did he succeed in doing just that. He made all of us laugh. And laugh hard. Ive been pouring over our texts to one another. Laughing and crying then laughing again. Ill keep them forever and ever. The actress added: Rest little brother. You always made my day

For his part, David Schwimmer, 56, who played Ross Geller (Monicas brother and Chandlers brother-in-law in Friends), has followed in the wake of his colleagues by posting on his Instagram profile, with 7.8 million followers, an image of both at a moment in the series, where they were dressed in the style of the eighties, accompanied by a text. Thank you for ten incredible years of laughter and creativity. I will never forget your impeccable comic timing and delivery. You could take a straight line of dialogue and bend it to your will, resulting in something so entirely original and unexpectedly funny it still astonishes. And you had heart. Which you were generous with, and shared with us, so we could create a family out of six strangers.

This photo, Schwimmer recalls, is from one of my favorite moments with you. Now it makes me smile and grieve at the same time. I imagine you up there, somewhere, in the same white suit, hands in your pockets, looking around  Could there BE any more clouds? Perry always gave credit to all the help he received from his friends, and in his book Friends, Lovers, and the Big Terrible Thing he recognized that it was Schwimmer who had proposed that the six together renegotiate the conditions of their contract in the series. Thanks to this, they pocketed more than a million dollars per episode.

The last to speak out was Lisa Kudrow. The actress, 60, posted an old photo on her Instagram profile, with 10 million followers, along with a text dedicated to Perry. Shot the pilot, Friends Like Us, got picked up then immediately, we were at the NBC Upfronts. Then You suggested we play poker AND made it so much fun while we initially bonded. Thank you for that. Thank you for making me laugh so hard at something you said, that my muscles ached, and tears poured down my face EVERY DAY. Thank you for your open heart in a six way relationship that required compromise. And a lot of talking. Thank you for showing up at work when you werent well and then, being completely brilliant. Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for all I learned about GRACE and LOVE through knowing you. Thank you for the time I got to have with you, Matthew.

Although the six actors became a family between 1994 and 2004, when they filmed Friends on the Warner Bros. sets in Los Angeles (California), they later maintained less frequent contact with each other. Nevertheless, as they used to say, every time they saw each other at an event, on a red carpet or at a party, the unbreakable nature of their union became evident. They were also always there for each other. Perry said in his memoirs that when he started filming the series, at the age of 24, he already had certain difficulties with alcohol, which became more complicated as the years went by: I could handle it, kind of, but by the time I was 34, I was really entrenched in a lot of trouble. His co-stars tried to help him get out of them. In the book, he told how Aniston showed up one day in his dressing room and said, We can smell it, in a kind of weird but loving way, letting him know that the five of them knew that he had relapsed into drinking. Another time they came to make an intervention, also in his dressing room, to try to help him. In line with the memoirs, Lisa Kudrow (who played Phoebe), and for now the only one who has not made her farewell public, told the newspaper The New York Times: I love Matthew a lot. Were part of a family. Im basically ending this with Ill be there for you [the Friends theme song], but its true. Ill always be there for him.
David Cameron visits the Ukrainian port of Odesa, his first overseas trip as the UK's top diplomat

David Cameron has traveled to the Ukrainian port of Odesa in his first overseas trip as Britains new foreign minister
Driver arrested after a car struck a barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo

Police in Japan say they have arrested a driver after a vehicle crashed into a temporary barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo, injuring one police officer
Two and a half weeks after sending tanks and ground troops into northern Gaza, Israeli forces have entered a hospital that they claim Hamas operates out of
A federal investigator looking into an Ohio bus crash that killed three students, two parents and a teacher with a high school band group has praised good Samaritans who rushed to the scene of the highway crash
Commentary: Domestic abusers should never have access to guns. Why is this so hard to understand?
The residents of The Dalles, a small town in Oregon, are living a paradox. Although the place is at the foot of the mighty Columbia River, its climate is practically desert-like: rainfall is scarce, and two summers ago the temperature reached 118 degrees Fahrenheit. The threat of water restrictions has been hanging over the towns 15,000 inhabitants for some time now. This is why they were not happy to learn, at the beginning of the year, that more than 25% of the total consumption of that valuable resource is going to a Google data center, which uses it to cool the thousands of computers that fill the infrastructure. According to local media outlet Oregon Live, the facility has nearly tripled its water use in the last five years, and the technology multinational plans to open two more data centers along the Columbia River. Environmentalists have already warned that this could affect the flora and fauna of the area, and even cause shortages among farmers in The Dalles.

This is not an isolated case in the United States, a country that concentrates approximately 30% of all the data centers in the world. Arizona, Utah and South Carolina are well aware of the insatiable thirst of this type of infrastructure. They are also familiar with it in the Netherlands, where Microsoft was involved in a scandal last year when news broke out that one of its facilities consumed four times more water than declared in a context of drought. Or in Germany, where Brandenburg authorities denied Google permission to build a data center in the region, as a Tesla gigafactory was already consuming too much water.

Things like streaming series, using online apps (those that are not installed on your phone) or saving photos in the cloud are possible thanks to a global infrastructure that consists of a large combination of data centers and more than a million kilometers of wiring. The growing complexity of the applications that are used every day demand more and more computing power, which translates into legions of computers running at maximum power day and night. Their energy consumption already amounts to at least 2% of the worlds total. The machines must be kept cool so they do not overheat: this can be done with ventilation systems similar to those used in personal computers, but cooling the processors with water is cheaper.

The technological thirst is on the rise. Googles water consumption increased by 20% in 2022, according to figures provided by the company; that of Microsoft, owner of 75% of OpenAI (the creators of ChatGPT), increased by 34% in the same period. The water resources consumed in the generation of electricity that powers the servers, or that of the hardware manufacturing processes, are not taken into account here. Amazon, which along with the previous two controls almost half the hyper data centers in the world (those with more than 5,000 servers) and whose subsidiary AWS leads the cloud computing market, chose not to provide any data for this story.

The next most important company is Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and Messenger, which used 2.7% more in 2022. Meta plans to open a hyper data center in Talavera de la Reina, Spain, which, as EL PAIS reported, will consume more than 600 million liters of drinking water annually. Company sources assure that the project is still on track, advancing at the pace set by the relevant regulations, although construction has not yet begun.

How can we explain this sudden boom in water consumption by technology companies? Why is it lower for Meta or Apple than for Microsoft and Google? On November 4, 2022, ChatGPT  the chatbot that kicked off the race for generative artificial intelligence (AI)  was introduced to the world. Google already had similar large language models, such as LaMDA, in the experimental phase, but they were not available to the public, as these models must be trained before they star working. This requires legions of high-powered computers (GPUs) to process enormous amounts of data day and night for weeks or even months to find patterns in the texts that can then be used to articulate meaningful fragments. In the case of GPT-4 (the most advanced version of ChatGPT to date), that training took place in Des Moines, Iowa, something that the local residents knew nothing about until a senior Microsoft official said in a speech that it was literally made next to cornfields west of Des Moines, according to Associated Press.

The additional effort to develop large AI models may have skyrocketed the water consumption of Google and Microsoft, the two technology companies that have invested the most in this technology. This is what researcher Shaolei Ren, associate professor of electrical and computer engineering at the University of California, Riverside, and specialist in AI sustainability, believes. We cannot say it with certainty if the companies dont provide concrete data, but the increase in 2022 was quite hefty compared to 2021, and we know that at that time they invested very heavily in generative AI, as well as in other AI-related services, he explains via email. AI has been integrated into almost all of Microsoft and Googles everyday products, including their search engines.

Companies do not share data on how much extra water and energy it costs to train AI models compared to the usual consumption of data centers. What we do know, because the director of one of these infrastructures confirmed it to me, is that the chips used in AI training consume much more than those of common servers, points out Ana Valdivia, professor of artificial intelligence, government and policy at the Oxford Internet Institute, whose most recent research focuses on assessing the environmental impact of AI.

At the end of the year, Ren and three other colleagues will publish research in which they offer an estimated figure of how much water it costs to chat with ChatGPT. For every 5 to 50 prompts (questions or instructions), ChatGPT consumes half a liter of water. The range of 5 to 50 has to do with the complexity of the prompts. The estimate includes all the water used during the training of the model, which is the moment of greatest consumption, and that used by the machine to process the commands.

The affected companies offer other arguments. A Google spokeswoman says that the large jump in water consumption in 2022 corresponds to business growth. Microsofts response is almost verbatim.

Other large technology companies, such as Meta (2.7%) or Apple (8.5%), have also had an increase in water consumption, but significantly smaller than those of Microsoft and Google. Even though they are business giants and their activity has grown, their commitment to AI is not so big. Although this technology is present in their applications, they do not have large models similar to ChatGPT (or Googles Bard, or Microsofts Copilot).

How water is consumed

Data centers resemble industrial warehouses with multiple rooms. Each of them contains rows of racks  vertical units that house IT equipment  the height of a refrigerator. These rows are arranged in aisles, so that operators can manipulate the circuits of each machine.

The servers emit heat, and the concentration of all that equipment in one place heightens this effect. Many data centers use cooling towers to prevent overheating, the same system used in other industries. It is based on exposing a flow of water to a current of air in a heat exchanger, so that the evaporation cools the circuits.

Cooling systems are one of the key elements in data center design. In the image, the network of pipes that cools the servers in the data center of The Dalles. CONNIE ZHOU

This method is more energy efficient than electric coolers, but it involves a significant amount of water evaporating (i.e. not returning to the circuit). That is the water that appears as consumed in the technology companies records, explains Rens study. Depending on the outdoor wet-bulb temperature, a cooling tower typically consumes between one and four liters of water (up to nine in the summer) for every kWh of server power.

Approximately 20% of the water used in cooling systems (that which does not evaporate) is discharged at the end of the cycle into wastewater treatment plants. This water contains large amounts of minerals and salt, so it cannot be used for human consumption without being treated first, explains Ren.

The average consumption of a data center is difficult to determine. Those in colder climates need less refrigeration; in the same way, the demand for water is different in the hottest times of the year than in the coldest ones. They do need, however, to use clean, treated water to avoid blockages and the growth of bacteria in the pipes. When sea or reclaimed water is used, it has to be purified before it is put into the cooling systems. In the case of Google, almost 90% of its consumption in the U.S. came from drinking sources, according to Ren.

Location matters

Data centers used to be in cities, but the growing energy needs of these infrastructures have pushed them out of the urban environment, which is unable to fulfill them. They also need a safe location, one that has a stable supply of electricity and is not at risk of climate catastrophe. For all these reasons, in the last two decades they have gone to the outskirts, explains Lorena Jaume-Palasi, founder of Algorithm Watch and The Ethical Tech Society and science and technology advisor to the European Parliament.

Modern data centers are very extensive. They are usually located near the desert or in agricultural areas, so theyre able to expand: it is common for server modules to be set up and moved, according to needs, she says. A study by Virginia Tech researchers estimates that one-fifth of U.S. data centers consume water from basins with moderate or high water stress, areas where solar or wind energy is usually available.

Aurora Gomez, from the Tu nube seca mi rio (Your cloud dries my river) collective, which was born as a reaction to the mega center that Meta will build in Talavera de la Reina (Spain), sees a pattern behind these actions. Companies usually look for unpopulated areas with high unemployment rates for their data centers, so that there is little social opposition, she points out.

A problem with no prospect of solution

The industry is clearly betting on integrating AI into more and more products and services. Is there a way to train AI models without consuming large amounts of water? Ren thinks not. Electric dryers could be used to cool the computers, but they use a lot of energy, so the water consumption involved in generating electricity would greatly increase. On paper it is possible not to use water in the process, but I think it is very difficult, concludes the academic.

That is what the companies argue, as they immerse themselves in their plans to improve the efficiency of their systems. According to Meta sources, the new data centers that the company plans to develop especially for AI will use electric drying systems that do not require water (other than that necessary to generate electricity). According to a recent study by Javier Farfan and Alena Lohrmann, in which current consumption data and economic growth prospects are taken into account, in 2030 Europe will need more than 820 million cubic meters of water a year just so that people can use the internet.

Some voices are beginning to call for a decrease in the use of digital tools. The underlying idea is the same as with transportation or meat consumption: the only effective way to reverse the climate crisis is to lower production and consumption levels. That is what degrowth theories maintain.

Valdivia does not think that digital degrowth is the solution. It seems to me that holding people responsible for this consumption is the wrong approach. Besides, data centers are much more useful and socially necessary than, say, electric cars. There are alternatives to mobility: you can leave the car and take the bus or the train. But there is no alternative to data centers.
Savvy investors may have heard the term Hedge Funds but not concerning Indias financial offerings. In the United States, the financial landscape is dotted with thousands of hedge funds, a term that resonates with a certain level of familiarity. However, when we shift our gaze to India, the discussion surrounding hedge funds is conspicuously muted. While there are a few, their presence is far from ubiquitous.



PR Sundar , a Finfluencer and a stalwart in the field of the stock market talks about the staggering volume of options trading in India, particularly on the NSE, which proudly holds the title of the world's largest derivative exchange. PR Sundar says Reports indicate that the money involved in Futures and Options trading surpasses the cash market by over 400 times. To put this into perspective, the second-highest globally, found in Germany, is a mere 36 times. India's options volume even outpaces that of the United States.

However, amid this frenzied activity, a significant issue emerges. The allure of managing retail investors' funds becomes a breeding ground for problems. Individuals entice retail investors with promises of managing their money, only to trade recklessly on their behalf, resulting in substantial losses. It's imperative to emphasize the illegality and ethical concerns associated with managing other people's money (in reference to Hedge Funds) in India, explains PR Sundar Finfluencer.

Explaining the difference between Mutual Funds and Hedge funds, he says While mutual funds pool money from investors to trade in the cash and equity markets, hedge funds operate with more freedom. They are not restricted to mere market direction; they can engage in diverse financial instruments, including futures and options.

The legal avenue for managing funds in India exists in the form of what is termed an Alternate Investment Fund Category Three, akin to a hedge fund. Setting up a company under this category, registering with SEBI, and subsequently collecting funds to trade in a consolidated account is a possibility.

However, despite the regulatory framework, the prevalence of such entities in India is notably scarce. To understand this scarcity, we must scrutinize the conditions that must be met for the establishment of such funds.

Throwing light on the conditions for setting up a hedge fund, PR Sundar Finfluencer elucidates, With a minimum corpus of 20 crores, a promoter bringing in at least five crores, and not accepting less than one crore from each participantthere exists a critical limitation. The stipulation that a hedge fund cannot take more than two times leverage proves to be a significant obstacle.

Let's simplify the scenario with an example. If a trader believes that the Nifty index won't go above 21,000 or below 19,000, they decide to sell a call option at 21,000 and a put option at 19,000, expecting to earn a premium of about 2,000 points. Normally, the margin required for this strategy is 1 lakh rupees. If the market stays between 19,000 and 21,000, the trader earns 2000 rupees, which is 2% return on capital.

However, for AIF Category III, according to SEBI rules, margin calculation for selling Options involves considering the total contract value, which, in this case, amounts to 20 lakh rupees (notional value). The rule is that a maximum leverage of 2x is allowed. Hence, 10 lakh rupees is required to execute the same strategy. Essentially you need 10x the capital to execute the same strategy mentioned above: selling one call and one put option. Due to this limitation, the percentage return turns out to be only around 0.2 percent per month, which is about 2.5 percent per year (annualized). This limitation, influenced by SEBI rules, might make this strategy less appealing compared to other investment options for potential traders in India.

PR Sundar Finfluencer suggests If regulatory amendments were to alleviate these leverage constraints, enabling hedge funds to deploy capital more efficiently based on their risk and return assessments, it could pave the way for a more robust and competitive hedge fund industry. PR Sundar Finfluencer further suggests that just like PMS companies are obliged to report their performance every month, Hedge Funds can also be made to report their performance on a regular basis so investors can make an informed decision.

Investors would gain transparency through regular reporting, fostering healthy competition among hedge funds and enabling more informed investment decisions. Removing these leverage limitations could potentially catalyze the transformation of many unregulated entities into legal and accountable hedge funds operating illegally.
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Union Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal, on Thursday, interacted with Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and venture capitalists (VCs) of Indian origin and requested them to share their ideas to make India a better investment destination for investors from around the world.

The Union minister, who is in San Francisco for the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF) meeting, shared his vision for the Indian startup ecosystem and made an appeal to the entrepreneurs and VCs to help Indias young talent working in critical and emerging technological areas such as Artificial Intelligence, said a government release.

Later, he met Micron Technology CEO and president Sanjay Mehrotra and Neil Mohan, CEO, YouTube Inc, and offered his support in their expansion in the Indian markets.

During his interaction with Mehrotra, the minister highlighted how Indias growing semiconductor ecosystem presents vast opportunities for companies to collaborate and expand their businesses.

US-based semiconductor company Micron is setting up India's first chip facility in Gujarat, which will create 5,000 direct and 15,000 indirect jobs in the coming years.

In June, the government cleared Micron's project to set up a semiconductor test and packaging unit worth $2.7 billion in the country.

"Met Mr. Sanjay Mehrotra, CEO & President of @MicronTech. Discussed how India's growing semiconductor ecosystem presents vast opportunities for the company to collaborate & expand its footprint in the country," Goyal said in a post on social networking platform X on Thursday.

During his meeting with Mohan, the minister emphasised on how Indias potential lies in its thriving digital ecosystem, growing content space, and young and diverse demography.

"We discussed how India presents a huge opportunity for @YouTube to further expand collaboration and footprint in the country," Goyal wrote on X.

With PTI inputs






Sebi chairperson Madhabi Puri Buch on Thursday said the Sahara matter will continue for the capital markets regulator even after the death of the group's founder Subrata Roy.

Roy died in Mumbai on Tuesday after a prolonged illness at the age of 75.



Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of a Ficci event, Buch said for Sebi, the Sahara matter was about an entity's conduct and added that it will continue regardless of whether an individual is there or not.



When asked why the refunds have been too less, Buch said the monies were returned through a Supreme Court-appointed committee basis the evidence of the claims made by investors.



It has been reported that refunds of only Rs 138 crore have been made to investors even though Sahara group was asked to deposit over Rs 24,000 crore with Sebi for further refund to investors.



Sahara group has faced many allegations, including that of running a Ponzi scheme. Troubles for Roy started in November 2010 with Sebi asking two entities of Sahara group not to mobilise funds from equity markets or from issuance of any security to the public while restraining Roy from approaching the public for raising money.



Roy was arrested in 2014 on the orders of the Supreme Court after he failed to appear before it in a contempt case arising out of non-refund of more than Rs 20,000 crore to investors by the two companies.



He was later granted bail but troubles continued for his various businesses.



The two Sahara group companies -- Sahara India Real Estate Corporation (SIRECA) and Sahara Housing Investment Corporation -- raised funds in 2007-08 through a debenture instrument, OFCD.



In June 2011, the capital markets regulator asked the two entities to refund money collected from investors through Optionally Fully Convertible Debentures (OFCD) along with the return.



After a long process of appeals and cross-appeals, the Supreme Court, in 2012 ordered refund of deposits of its investors along with 15 per cent interest.



Sahara was eventually asked to deposit an estimated Rs 24,000 crore with Sebi for further refund to investors, though the group always maintained it amounted to "double payment" as it had already refunded more than 95 per cent of investors directly.


Friends actors Jennifer Aniston, Lisa Kudrow and David Schwimmer have paid an emotional tribute to their Friends former co-star, Matthew Perry. Perry passed away last month at his home in California.



Oh boy this one has cut deep... Having to say goodbye to our Matty has been an insane wave of emotions that Ive never experienced before. We all experience loss at some point in our lives. Loss of life or loss of love. Being able to really SIT in this grief allows you to feel the moments of joy and gratitude for having loved someone that deep. And we loved him deeply. He was such a part of our DNA. We were always the 6 of us, wrote Jennifer Aniston, who played Rachel Green in the sitcom.

Jennifer also shared a text the two of them exchanged. She also wrote, Matty, I love you so much and I know you are now completely at peace and out of any pain. I talk to you every day sometimes I can almost hear you saying could you BE any crazier? Rest little brother. You always made my day Aniston was reportedly, one of Perry's friends who would regularly check on him, if he was doing okay, while he was battling addiction.

Actor David Schwimmer, expressing his feelings wrote, I will never forget your impeccable comic timing and delivery. You could take a straight line of dialogue and bend it to your will, resulting in something so entirely original and unexpectedly funny it still astonishes. He shared a picture from one of the flashbacks in the show and wrote, I imagine you up there, somewhere, in the same white suit, hands in your pockets, looking around Could there BE any more clouds?

Actor Lisa Kudrow, who played Phoebe Buffay in the series wrote, Thank you for your open heart in a six-way relationship that required compromise. And a lot of talking. Thank you for showing up at work when you werent well and then, being completely brilliant. Thank you for the best 10 years a person gets to have. Thank you for trusting me. Thank you for all I learned about GRACE and LOVE through knowing you. Thank you for the time I got to have with you, Matthew.



Commenting on Aniston's post, actor Helena Christensen wrote, He made you laugh so hard and so beautifully. And then you both made all of us laugh along. One of the most wonderful accomplishments in life, is to make people laugh with so much joy.

During the filming of the series, Perry struggled with addiction to alcohol and painkillers. He has been to rehabilitation at least twice. Local authorities investigating his death did not find any foul play in the actor's death.
A senior Air India pilot died after suffering a cardiac arrest during a training session at Indira Gandhi International Airport in Delhi on Thursday

Captain Himanil Kumar, in his late 30s, was at the operations department of Air India at Terminal 3 when he started showing signs of discomfort.

"CPR was provided by Co-staff and immediately shifted to Medanta Medical Centre domestic arrival. Despite receiving CPR and first aid from a doctor, he remained in an unconscious condition. Later, Dr. Naveen declared him dead," said the incident report.

The Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) claimed that the pilot was medically fit as per their records, showing no signs of fatigue.

"Captain Himanil Kumar, underwent his medical on 23rd August, 2023 and was declared fit, with his medical validity until 30th Aug'24. Further, there is no fatigue-related issue w.r.t flying duties. The pilot was undergoing his B777 full type transition, ground technical course from 03rd Oct, 2023, converting from A320 type of aircraft," official sources were quoted as saying by news agency ANI.

Officials said the airline is extending all possible assistance to Kumars family. According to reports, his father was senior commander at the airline.
In another few hours, a substantial number of 5,60,58,521 voters in the state will troop out to the 64,523 polling booths in 230 constituencies of Madhya Pradesh to exercise a key franchise.

The result of the assembly polls 2023 in the Hindi heartland state will be extremely crucial for the two major parties  ruling BJP and opposition Congress- engaged in a largely bipolar and seemingly neck and neck contest.

As the elections come just six months ahead of the 2024 Lok Sabha polls, the mandate of the Madhya Pradesh people is also expected to be a reflection on the national level politics played by the two parties and signify a road ahead for them in the run up to the general elections.

A win for the BJP, which will give it a chance to form a government for the sixth time in the state considered to be a laboratory of saffron politics, will be a significant stamp of approval on the brand of politics that the party has adopted in the country. With the party putting a large stake on brand Modi in the state; a win will underline the fact that the PM Narendra Modi-led BJP is firmly in control of the political narrative in the country and is not likely to be uprooted from power any time soon.

On the other hand, if the Congress manages to win the elections as indicated by a number of opinion polls, it will give a major booster to the grand old party and prove to be a major stepping stone towards a comeback in the national scenario. The win will not only bolster the political path adopted by the brother-sister duo of Rahul and Priyanka Gandhi with support of the hugely experienced party chief, Mallikarjun Kharge, it will also signify the acceptance of the Congress major poll planks like subsidy/cash assistance based welfare schemes, caste politics and above all triumph of the mohabbat ki dukan (outlet of love) in a sharply divisive socio-political atmosphere.

A win in MP will also give a significant upper hand to the Congress in the INDIA alliance at national level.

Political future of state leaders at stake

Apart from the national scenario, the results will be extremely crucial for the personal prestige and future politics of some of the key Madhya Pradesh leaders like chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, union ministers Jyotiraditya Scindia and Narendra Singh Tomar and Congress ex-chief ministers Kamal Nath and Digvijaya Singh.

Despite the BJP pushing brand Modi in Madhya Pradesh, the energetic four-times chief minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan did not leave any stone unturned to ensure a comeback for the BJP government in the state. Despite talks of him being sidelined by the BJP central leadership that decided to pit a number of union ministers and senior leaders  considered to be CM material - in the assembly polls arena, Chouhan held as many as 165 poll campaign meetings in 38 days since the announcement of the polls  trying to touch as many constituencies in the state as possible.

In these campaign meetings, Chouhan focused on displaying his personal bonding with the people of the state, especially the women. With his high-intensity campaign, the BJP warhorse also tried to show that he was still the best CM option for the saffron party if it manages to win.

However, if the BJP loses, the responsibility might be directly laid on the shoulders of Chouhan and put a big question mark on the political future of the longest serving BJP CM in the country.

The results of the crucial Gwalior-Chambal region with 34 seats will be watched keenly by the Jyotiraditya Scindia supporters as they will decide the political hold of the union minister in his area of influence. An overall BJP loss might also put a dent on the political clout of Scindia as his decision to cross over to the BJP with a string of important supporters is a big poll issue this time.

Tomar, who is the poll campaign committee chief of the BJP and also the partys candidate from Dimni constituency, also has a lot at stake in the polls. Tomar is seen as one of the strongest alternatives for Chouhan for the CM chair and the partys loss in the polls will hamper his political significance not only at state but central level, too. There have been talks that the union ministers and members of parliament in fray in the current assembly polls might not be given Lok Sabha polls tickets by the BJP irrespective of the poll results. The fact that videos of his son Devendra Singh allegedly engaged in deals worth crores of rupees have made rounds just before the polls isnt helping Tomar at all.

Even higher political stakes are faced by the Congress veterans Nath and Singh. Nath will turn 77 this month and a loss in the current election for Congress with him at the helm might turn into the final nail in the political coffin for the ex-CM. It will also mean a whimpering end to the high-profile political career of a leader who has held crucial national level assignments for the best part of his life. His son Nakul Nath does not hold the fathers aura and might not turn as successful politically, experts feel.

As for Digvijaya Singh, who always faces the firing line from BJP as well as a section of Congress leaders, might also see his politics on decisive wane if the Congress is not able to win the assembly polls this time. Singh has been telling Congress workers repeatedly that this is a do or die election for the party in Madhya Pradesh.

However, now the time for political maneuvers is over for the parties and its top leaders. It is now totally for the people of Madhya Pradesh to decide upon the future course and for the voters, their own developmental aspirations might be far higher on priority than the future of the politicians.
The Enforcement Directorate has issued fresh summons to American Millionaire Neville Roy Singham, reportedly in China for questioning in the NewsClick case. This is reportedly the second summons issued to Singham.



According to reports, ED sent the summons to Singham, based in Shanghai, China through the Ministry of External Affairs. Singham is accused of spreading Chinese propaganda in India and worldwide and the American millionaire had denied allegations against him. The summons have been sent under the Prevention of Money Laundering Act and it has been issued after the local court issued to Letters Rogatory seeking to record Singhams statement, PTI reported.

The publication reported that the summons was sent to Singham via his email and through Chinese government channels. Singham had earlier rejected accusations against him that he was running a funding network affiliated with China, to spread Chinese propaganda around the world, including in India through NewsClick.

Singham's name hit the headlines again a few months back in a New York Times article. The Delhi Police, following this news piece and some "evidence" shared by ED, had also filed an FIR against him and the founders of NewsClick after this news report came to light.

In a statement issued to The Hindu newspaper in October, Singham had said that the language used in the FIR filed by the Special Cell of Delhi Police "strongly suggests" that the claims were "influenced by misinformation from an article published by The New York Times."

"The NYT intentionally chose not to publish all the factual rebuttals that I provided to them on July 22, 2023, prior to their publication date," Singham had charged. He also rejected the allegation of fraudulent infusion of funds through a "complex web of several entities" as mentioned in the FIR and in the NYT article.

The New York Times report claimed that NewsClick was part of a global network that received funding from Singham, who allegedly works closely with the Chinese government media machine.

The Enforcement Directorate had first raided the premises of NewsClick in Saidulajab area of the national capital in September, 2021 on charges of money laundering.

The agency has recorded the statements of more than 25 people in this case, including that of NewsClick founder and Editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha.

It last year attached a flat in south Delhi's Saket worth Rs 4.52 crore, which is linked to Purkayastha apart from fixed deposits worth Rs 41 lakh as part of this investigation. NewsClick had said the allegations being made against it "by certain political actors and sections of the media are unfounded and without basis in fact or law".

-with agency inputs.
A 13-year-old Texas boy convicted of murder in the fatal shooting of a Sonic Drive-In employee has been sentenced to 12 years incarceration, authorities said. A judge issued the sentence Tuesday following days of evidentiary hearings over what punishment the boy should face in the rare murder case against a child, according to Amy Pardo of the Johnson County Attorneys office. He will start the sentence in the custody of the Texas Juvenile Justice Department and he may later be transferred to the states adult prison system.

The boy, whom authorities have not identified by name, faced sentences ranging from probation to 40 years behind bars. In October, a jury found him to have engaged in delinquent conduct, the juvenile equivalent of a guilty verdict, in the murder case over the May shooting of a Sonic employee who had a fight with his uncle.

The childs lawyer, Seth Fuller, said the yearslong prison sentence matches the eye for an eye sentiment I have come to expect from rural Texas counties. While I certainly understand the reasoning behind it, when I look at the wealth of scientific evidence of even just Texas juvenile incarceration, I do not think it makes society safer, but more dangerous, Fuller said in an email.

Police have said the boy, then 12, shot Matthew Davis several times with an AR-style rifle in the parking lot of the restaurant in Keene, about 40 miles (64 kilometers) southwest of Dallas. He got the gun out of his uncles vehicle and opened fire after Davis confronted the uncle about his disorderly conduct outside the Sonic and the two men began to fight, police said.

The boys uncle, Angel Gomez, was also arrested after the shooting and later indicted on a charge of tampering with or fabricating physical evidence. The case is pending.

For years, Texas youth prison system has been plagued by a series of scandals over child abuse that have been driven by cycles of stark understaffing.

In 2021, the U.S. Department of Justice opened a statewide civil rights investigation into the conditions in five of the systems facilities and whether they provide adequate mental health care and protection from violence for the incarcerated young people. The probe remains ongoing.

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The Congress candidate from Rajasthan's Karanpur assembly constituency, Gurmeet Singh Koonar, died at the AIIMS in Delhi, party leaders here said on Wednesday. He was 75.

Koonar, who was the sitting MLA from Karanpur, was admitted to the Geriatric Medicine Ward of the All India Institute Of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in Delhi on November 12. Koonar died of sepsis with septic shock and renal disease, according to the death certificate issued by the hospital. He was also suffering from hypertension.

He had been fielded by the party from the seat against BJP leader Surendra Pal Singh for the November 25 polls to the 200-member Rajasthan assembly. Citing Section 52 of the Representation of the People Act, 1951, an Election Commission (EC) official explained that if a candidate fielded by a recognised state or national party dies before a poll, then the returning officer "adjourns" the poll on that seat "to a date to be notified later".

According to Section 52 (2) of the Act, the EC then asks the recognised political party, whose candidate has died, to nominate another candidate within seven days of being asked to do so.

An official of the election office in Rajasthan said, "The election on the Karanpur seat will be adjourned due to the demise of the candidate. A fresh date of polling will be notified by the Election Commission."

Condoling the death, Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot said on X, "I am deeply saddened by the news of the demise of Karanpur MLA and former minister Gurmeet Singh Koonar. Despite being unwell for a long time, he was always striving for development work in his area. Koonar Saheb's demise is an irreparable loss for the Congress party and the politics of Rajasthan. I pray to God to give peace to the departed soul and courage to the family.".

Three-time MLA Koonar was a strong leader of the Congress from Karanpur. He had won the 1998 assembly election on a Congress ticket from Karanpur and in 2008, he reached the Assembly as an Independent from the seat. In 2018, the Congress again fielded him from Karanpur and he won.
Days after the Supreme Court expressed serious concerns over Tamil Nadu Governor R.N. Ravi sitting on key bills passed in the state assembly, the governor, on Thursday, returned 10 bills pending his assent. The bills returned include those passed during the erstwhile AIADMK regime in 2020. Most of the bills returned relate to the amendments in various universities.

Following the governors move, a special session of the assembly is all set to be convened on November 18 to readopt the bills. A special session has been convened to readopt the bills on November 18. It has been convened as per the governments request, Speaker M. Appavu told the media.

A three-judge SC bench had come down heavily on Tamil Nadu governor for not acting on the bills. The bench, while hearing the petition filed by the state government, noted that as many as 12 bills are pending with the governor and expressed concern over the same.

However, this is not the first time Ravi returned the bills after the DMK government under M.K. Stalin took charge. Earlier, he had returned the anti-NEET bill and the online gambling bill that were passed in the assembly. The anti-NEET bill was, however, readopted by the assembly and resent to the governor. The bill has now been sent to President Draupadi Murmu. Ravi signed the online gambling bill after it was readopted in the assembly

Tamil Nadu governor sitting on bills passed in the assembly has always been a matter of concern in the state. During a recent event held at Raj Bhavan, Governor Ravi had said if a bill doesnt get his assent, it means that the bill is dead.

According to highly placed sources, the governor has returned 10 of the 12 pending bills after the apex court's intervention. Of the ten bills, two were adopted by the assembly in 2020 during the erstwhile AIADMK regime. The bills returned include The Tamil Nadu Fisheries University (Amendment) Bill, 2020; The Tamil Nadu Veterinary and Animal Sciences University (Amendment) Bill, 2020; The Chennai University (Amendment) Bill, 2022 (L.A. Bill No.25 of 2022); The Tamil Nadu Dr. Ambedkar Law University (Amendment) Bill, 2022; The Tamil Nadu Dr.M.G.R. Medical University, Chennai (Amendment) Bill 2022; The Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (Amendment) Bill, 2022; and The Tamil University (Amendment) Bill, 2022. (L.A. Bill No.31 of 2022).

It may be recalled that the governor-government tussle had led to Higher Education Minister K. Ponmudy choosing to boycott the convocation of Madurai Kamaraj University, as a protest against Ravis refusal to confer honorary doctorate to freedom fighter N. Sankaraiah.

Ravis actions have always attracted the ire of the state government that CM Stalin went to the extent of bringing in a resolution in the floor of the assembly immediately after the governor finished his customary address. Ravi walked out in a huff after understanding that the resolution was against him.
The heavy-duty American auger machine has begun boring escape passage for the rescue of 40 workers trapped in the under-construction Uttarkashi tunnel. Union Minister V.K. Singh said they are targeting completion of the entire rescue operation within two to three days.

Workers outside the Silkyara tunnel performed a puja before the America-made auger machine began work. The Indian Air Force (IAF) had flown in the equipment in parts on their C-130 Hercules transport planes to an airstrip 30 kilometres away, after previous efforts to insert steel pipes into the rubble with the help of a smaller auger machine failed.

"I have been told that the new drilling machine has already penetrated 5-7 metres through the debris. We hope it would soon reach the trapped workers, drilling at the rate of 5-10 metres every hour," Chief Minister Pushkar Dhami told reporters in Dehradun.

A 30-40 metre stretch of the under-construction had collapsed on Sunday. The collapsed section is 270 metres from the mouth of the tunnel from the Silkyara side.

ANI quoted Union Minister of State of Road Transport and Highways V.K. Singh as saying, Government, all its agencies and experts with whom we can communicate--the efforts of all of us are aimed at rescuing the workers at the earliest. I have spoken with them and their morale is high. They understand that all efforts are being made for them and we are weighing all options to rescue them. Singh added, Our priority is to rescue them sooner. Efforts are being made for this. All the agencies are putting effort into this. A new machine is working, whose power and speed are better than the old machine. Our effort is to complete this rescue operation within two to three days. We are also taking the help of international experts. They know that the government is working to rescue them."

Pushkar Singh Dhami said Prime Minister Narendra Modi was regularly reviewing the rescue operation and was in constant touch with them. Dhami added prime minister has assured all assistance. The Uttarakhand government has decided to review all under-construction tunnels in the state, Dhami said. "We need such tunnels and many of them are being built in the state. We will review wherever they are being constructed," he said.

The workers are stranded on the other side of the debris. They are safe, and being provided with oxygen, electricity, medicines, food items and water through pipes, Navayuga Engineering Company's spokesperson G.L. Nath said. The company is building the tunnel on behalf of the National Highways and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL).

Sections of mild steel pipes of 800-mm and 900-mm diameter will be inserted--one after the other--into the drilled passage. Once this happens, the workers trapped inside can crawl out to safety.

A six-bed makeshift health facility has been set up and 10 ambulances with expert doctors stationed outside the tunnel to provide immediate medical care to the trapped workers after their evacuation, officials said.

The 25-ton new auger machine has the capacity to drill 4-5 metres per hour, NHIDCL Director Anshu Manish Khalkho said earlier. After being brought to the site, the machine was installed through the night and made operational on Thursday.

The portion of the tunnel, part of the ambitious Char Dham all-weather road project, collapsed due to a landslide on Sunday.

-with agency inputs.
The operations to rescue the over 40 workers stuck inside the Silkyara Tunnel at Uttarkashi in Uttarakhand resumed on day five on Thursday. Officials in charge of the rescue work said the American auger machine, flown in from Delhi on Wednesday night, has already been installed.

The heavy drilling machine was airlifted from Delhi by three IAF transport aircraft on Wednesday to replace the smaller auger equipment couldn't do the task.



The PRO of National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited, the company executing the tunnel project, said the rescue mission will succeed soon. "We have the support of the administration and we will succeed. The machine is 99.99% installed. Don't get misled by disinformation. All workers are fine. As far as we now, they don't need any medical help. We, however, have a team here," PRO Girdharilaal told reporters.



The American auger machine will be used to drill through the rubble of the tunnel's collapsed portion. Steel pipes of diametre 800-mm and 900-mm diameter will be inserted one after the other. The workers trapped on the other side of the rubble can crawl out to safety via these pipes.



The rescue plan faced trouble after the first drilling machine proved slow. Fresh landslides also hampered the process.



However, drilling expert Adesh Jain, a part of the rescue team, told ANI that there was no machine failure. "The rubble has fallen six times till November 14 and its span increased to 70 metres. My machine can only work up to 45 metres and that's why the government arranged a big machine with a capacity of around 70 metres," Jain said, adding that he hoped the operations will be completed by Thursday night.



#WATCH | Union Minister General VK Singh (Retd) arrives at Silkyara tunnel in Uttarkashi to review progress of the ongoing rescue operation to save the lives of 40 workers stuck inside the tunnel following land slide pic.twitter.com/9W1CdqBCLr  ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023

Union Minister General V K Singh has arrived at the site to take stock of the operations. "Rescue operation is underway, we have full hope. We are trying our best," he told reporters.



The officials said the labourers were safe, and oxygen, electricity, medicines, food items and water were being supplied to them through pipes. Dharam Singh, father of one of the labourers trapped inside, saidhe communicated with his son, who is trapped inside the tunnel. My 20-year-old son Vijay Kumar is trapped inside the tunnel. I spoke to my son for a little while and I gave him courage and assured him that everything would be fine and he would brought out by this evening. Food and water are being provided to him in small quantities," Dharam Singh said.


The Supreme Court of Yemen on November 13 rejected the mercy plea of Nimisha Priya, the Indian nurse sentenced to death for the murder of a Yemeni national, according to reports. The Centre confirmed this during a hearing at the Delhi High Court on Thursday.

The Centre also stated that only the Yemeni President can now decide on her plea to reject the death sentence.

In October, Nimisha's mother Premakumari had moved the HC seeking permission to travel to Yemen to negotiate with the victim's family by paying blood money, Live Law reported. The apex court had sought response from the Centre and directed it to file a status report.

On Friday, the HC directed the Union government to prepare a list of persons who can be allowed to travel to Yemen, Manorama reported.

Subhash Chandran K.R., the advocate appearing for Premakumari, said: The advocate of the government said that the option left is to make a mercy petition to president of Yemen. But we are yet to check its legality. We are unaware of such an option; the only option we know is offering the blood money.

The advocate added that the Central governments position is not favourable to facilitate a group travelling to Yemen to negotiate the blood money.



The court said within two days, we need to submit the details of all persons who want to go as part of the team to Yemen, and within a week the Union government has to take a decision on the same, he added.

We have given this list long back. But the government's stance is that they have not received it. So, we will once again provide the list.

Background of the case

A native of Kerala's Palakkad, Nimisha was found guilty of murdering Talal Abdo Mahdi in 2017, chopping his body into pieces, and disposing them in a water tank. A trial court in Yemen had awarded her death sentence in 2018. Nimisha later submitted a plea stating that she did no receive proper legal aid and that she was physically abused by Talal.

Nimisha is a nurse who was working in Yemen. In 2014, she had sought Talal's help to set up a clinic in Yemen. She approached Talal because according to the country's rules, they needed the help of a Yemeni national to process the license to start a business. He was an acquaintance of Nimisha and her husband Tony who was also working in Yemen at that time. However, Tony had to return to Kerala with their child in 2014 as it was difficult to manage finances.

In 2015, Nimisha started the clinic. But she did not take Talal's help for the license. A man named Abdul Lateer, in whose clinic she was working then, helped with the license and invested money in the clinic for 33 per cent share, the News Minute reported.

Things went downhill after she started earning revenue from the clinic. Talal started interfering and demanded a share of the income. He forged fake marriage documents and told everyone Nimisha was his wife. He started threatening her and physically tortured her. Nimisha has alleged he was a substance abuser. She complained to the police and he was arrested, but let off later. The situation worsened in 2016 and Talal got hold of her passport.

In July 2017, Nimisha injected him with sedatives in order to retrieve her passport. He died within a few minutes due to drug overdose. Nimisha sought the help of Hanan, a nurse who had worked with her. They chopped his body and disposed of it in the water tank, according to reports. Both Hanan and Nimisha were arrested in August 2017. Hanan was sentenced to life imprisonment.

- with inputs from Nirmal Jovial
A day after its troops stormed Gaza's biggest hospital, Al-Shifa, the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) said they have gathered 'concrete evidence' of Hamas's use of the hospital as a military facility.

Besides weapons and combat gear, the IDF also recovered automatic weapons, grenades, ammunition and flak jackets, said chief Israeli military spokesperson Rear Admiral Daniel Hagari. The IDF also released a video of the materials being recovered from an undisclosed building within the large hospital complex, some of which Israel claimed were hidden behind M.R.I. machines.



The IDF would publicise portions of what had been found inside, reported The Times of Israel quoting an unnamed source.



Hamas, which is battling Israeli forces within Gaza, dismissed the announcement as "lies and cheap propaganda". The militant group also dismissed the Israeli account as "a fabricated story that no one would believe." It also accused Israel of fabricating evidence, saying it was "trying to justify its genocidal crimes destroying the health sector in Gaza".



Meanwhile, reports have emerged stating the Israeli soldiers were conducting what they claimed were "a violent police raid" in the hospital. The IDF men were reportedly interrogating some people inside the hospital and medical workers and patients were locked down in wards, unable to move between departments, hospital director Mohammad Abu Salmiya told Al-Jazeera.



He added that by Wednesday evening, the Israeli ground forces had reached the hospitals X-ray facilities, a warehouse and its main pharmacy, as well as its internal medicine, dialysis and specialised surgery departments.



A bullet proof vest with a Hamas insignia that the IDF says was found in a medical closet at the MRI center at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City | AP

The Al Jazeera report added that an entire building at al-Shifa Hospital has been completely damaged from the inside and the soldiers have blown up a warehouse for medicine and medical equipment inside the hospital. The soldiers also tore up all partitions, and walls between the rooms and destroyed all medical equipment.



There are also unconfirmed reports of 200 people being blindfolded interrogated and taken to unknown areas.



However, Israel dismissed the claims, stating that there had been no "friction" between troops and patients and medical staff. Incubators for newborns, baby food, and medical supplies were brought by IDF tanks from Israel and delivered to Shifa, the military said.



The army stressed that the military was "not overrunning" the hospital, asserting troops were conducting a "focused" operation "in a defined area" of the hospital.


Prince Harry and his wife Meghan Markle reportedly called King Charles III to wish him on his 75th birthday on Tuesday, November 14. The couple broke their silence towards the royal family after six months to wish the king a happy birthday. The monarch is known to have spoken to his son and daughter-in-law amid a packed itinerary that had been planned for his birthday.

The couple, Meghan and Harry stepped down as senior royals in January 2020. The couple since moved to Canada, and then later to California. The couple, while in America, had a daughter, Lilibet. While stepping down as working royals, they said that it was because of the negative, biased press Meghan faced because of her race.

In a reveal-all docu-series, they talked in depth about the bias Meghan faced and how a certain royal speculated the skin colour of their unborn son, Archie, and about how the then Duchess of Cornwall passed on private conversations to the media to balance the negative press she had gotten because of Princess Diana. The couple have also openly talked about their differences with different members of the family including Prince William and Princess Catherine.

King Charles III had recently expressed that he was open to repairing relations with his second son. After Harry and Meghan moved out of the UK, they were stripped of their titles. The trio has plans to talk again.
Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden met on Wednesday and agreed to restore military-to-military communications and work to curb fentanyl production. The four-hour-long meeting held at San Fransico, ahead of the APEC Summit, was "constructive and productive," according to Biden.

A significant outcome of the meeting was the decision to revive military communication, which China severed after then-House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022.



"I believe they were some of the most productive and constructive discussions we've had. We are back to direct, open clear direct communication on a direct basis," Biden said. The President said he and Xi agreed to high-level communications. "He and I agreed that each one of us can pick up the phone call directly and we'll be heard immediately."



On whether he trusts Xi, Biden said, "Trust but verify, as the old saying goes. Thats where I am."



On curbing the flow of narcotics into the U.S, Biden added that the agreement from China to reduce precursor chemicals for fentanyl would save lives and said he appreciated Xis commitment on the issue. Under the pact, China will target specific chemical companies that make fentanyl precursors, a senior U.S. official told reporters.



The two leaders also agreed to get experts together to discuss the risks of artificial intelligence, reported Reuters.



Earlier, in his opening remarks during the bilateral meeting, Biden said his previous meetings with Xi have "always been candid, straightforward and useful." He said competition between China and the U.S. must not veer into conflict. "I value our conversation because I think its paramount that you and I understand each other clearly, leader to leader, with no misconceptions or miscommunication, Biden said.



Xi, in his open remarks, said that the two countries have the most important bilateral relationship in the world. "For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option," Xi said. "It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflicts and confrontation have unbearable consequences for both sides."



Besides, the two leaders had an exchange over Taiwan, which saw Biden stressing the need for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. "I reiterated what I've said since I have become president, and what every previous president of late has said: That we maintain an agreement that there is One China policy," Biden said during a news conference following the summit, adding "that's not going to change."



Xi replied China's preference is for peaceful reunification with Taiwan but also mentioned conditions in which force could be used. He also told Biden that the US should "take real actions to honour its commitment of not supporting Taiwan Independence," Chinese state media reported.
San Jose, California, United States; Bangalore, Karnataka, India (NewsVoir)



Whatfix, the global leader in digital adoption platforms (DAP), today announced it has ranked as the 286th Fastest-Growing Company in North America with a growth rate of 473% on the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500 list. The Deloitte Technology Fast 500 is a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies in North America, now in its 29th year.



Whatfix attributes its sustained growth to its diverse product offerings, which include Digital Adoption Platform Solutions, and Product Analytics. The company's commitment to user-centric design principles is central to its product development strategy. Whatfix's dedication to innovation, guided by a user-centered approach, customer focus, and a pipeline of new products, AI capabilities, and technology patents, serves as a testament to its ongoing success as a pioneer in the DAP category.



Khadim Batti, CEO and Co-founder of Whatfix said, This recognition reaffirms our status as the sole full-stack data-driven and AI-powered DAP provider, offering comprehensive solutions across mobile, desktop, and web applications. At a pivotal moment in the DAP category's evolution, we stand alone in championing userization, and making technology savvy for enhanced customer as well as employee experiences. Fueled with innovation, Whatfix will continue to spearhead the category."



Each year we look forward to reviewing the progress and innovations of our Technology Fast 500 winners. This year is especially celebratory as we expand the number of winners to better represent just how many companies are developing new ideas to progress our society and the world, especially during a slow economy, said Paul Silverglate, vice chair, Deloitte LLP and U.S. technology sector leader. While software and services and life sciences continue to dominate the top 10, we are encouraged to see other categories making their mark. Congratulations to all the winners who show us how creativity, hard work and perseverance can lead to success.



Whatfixs DAP platform is used by global Fortune 500 companies to significantly enhance application impact and efficiency and enable users to maximize productivity. The company continues to dominate the DAP industry, recently being named a Leader for the fourth consecutive year and a Star Performer for the second time in the DAP PEAK Matrix Assessment 2023 by Everest Group, a global research firm, and recognized in the Gartner Market Guide for DAPs for the second consecutive year.



As for growing companies, its always rewarding to be recognized for the ongoing commitment it takes to navigate obstacles, transform when necessary and ultimately create a thriving business, said Christie Simons, partner, Deloitte & Touche LLP and industry leader for technology, media and telecommunications within Deloittes audit and assurance practice. Over the nearly 30 years weve been compiling the Technology Fast 500, weve seen new categories emerge, growth rates explode, and certain regional markets shine from the bright talent they attract. We are proud of all the winners for achieving this well-deserved honor.



About Whatfix

Whatfix empowers anyone, anywhere to have scalable success with technology they use every day, achieving greater knowledge, expanding capability, and unlocking productivity for themselves and their organizations. Whatfixs Digital Adoption Platform (DAP) integrates seamlessly with applications to enable users, providing in-context information and guidance to immediately increase individual capability and collectively amplify productivity. The organization has seven offices globally in the US, India, UK, Germany, Singapore, and Australia, and works with Fortune 500 companies around the world. Whatfix has raised $140 million to date, and is backed by marquee investors including Softbank Vision Fund 2, Sequoia Capital India, and Cisco Investments. For more information, visit the Whatfix website.



About the 2023 Deloitte Technology Fast 500

Now in its 29th year, the Deloitte Technology Fast 500 provides a ranking of the fastest-growing technology, media, telecommunications, life sciences, fintech, and energy tech companies - both public and private - in North America. Technology Fast 500 award winners are selected based on percentage fiscal year revenue growth from 2019 to 2022.



In order to be eligible for Technology Fast 500 recognition, companies must own proprietary intellectual property or technology that is sold to customers in products that contribute to a majority of the companys operating revenues. Companies must have base-year operating revenues of at least US$50,000, and current-year operating revenues of at least US$5 million. Additionally, companies must be in business for a minimum of four years and be headquartered within North America.



About Deloitte



Deloitte provides industry-leading audit, consulting, tax and advisory services to many of the worlds most admired brands, including nearly 90% of the Fortune 500 and more than 8,500 U.S.-based private companies. At Deloitte, we strive to live our purpose of making an impact that matters by creating trust and confidence in a more equitable society. We leverage our unique blend of business acumen, command of technology, and strategic technology alliances to advise our clients across industries as they build their future. Deloitte is proud to be part of the largest global professional services network serving our clients in the markets that are most important to them. Bringing more than 175 years of service, our network of member firms spans more than 150 countries and territories. Learn how Deloittes approximately 457,000 people worldwide connect for impact at www.deloitte.com.



Deloitte refers to one or more of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu Limited, a UK private company limited by guarantee (DTTL), its network of member firms, and their related entities. DTTL and each of its member firms are legally separate and independent entities. DTTL (also referred to as Deloitte Global) does not provide services to clients. In the United States, Deloitte refers to one or more of the US member firms of DTTL, their related entities that operate using the Deloitte name in the United States and their respective affiliates. Certain services may not be available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. Please see www.deloitte.com/about to learn more about our global network of member firms.



(Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with Newsvoir and PTI takes no editorial responsibility for the same.). PTI PWR

PWR
New Delhi, Nov 16 (PTI) UCO Bank on Thursday said the bank has retained or recovered Rs 649 crore or 79 per cent of the amount erroneously credited to some accounts of the bank via Immediate Payment Service (IMPS).

By taking various proactive steps, the bank blocked the recipients' accounts and has been able to recover Rs 649 crore out of Rs 820 crore which is about 79 per cent of the amount, UCO Bank said in a regulatory filing.

The state-owned bank is yet to clarify whether this technical glitch was due to human error or a hacking attempt.

It is to be noted that the IMPS platform is operated by National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI).

The bank has initiated requisite actions to recover the balance amount of Rs 171 crore, it said, adding, the matter has also been reported to the law enforcement agencies for necessary action. Uco Bank shares dropped by 1.1 per cent to Rs 39.39 on BSE in afternoon trade.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 17, 2023 - 19:27 | All, World, Japan

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed Thursday to build "mutually beneficial" bilateral relations based on common strategic interests, despite what Tokyo views as an "unscientific" import ban on its seafood and a host of other pending issues.

At their first face-to-face meeting in a year, Kishida said both sides agreed to hold expert consultations on Japan's release of treated radioactive water from the crippled Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant into the sea, a source of recent bilateral tensions.

While Kishida demanded the restriction be removed immediately, China's official Xinhua News Agency quoted Xi as urging Japan to "properly" address the discharge of "nuclear-contaminated water" for "the health of all humankind" and "the global marine environment."

Beijing apparently did not make concessions over other issues, including its detention of Japanese nationals and growing military provocations in the Taiwan Strait, pointing to a long road ahead for bilateral ties.

Kishida told reporters after meeting with Xi in San Francisco, where the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit was taking place, "We agreed on where we are heading. That is to build constructive and stable relations."

Prior to the 65-minute meeting, Kishida said Japan should say "what should be said" to China, a key neighbor and trading partner. But he was also seeking to strike a balance by stressing that both sides must focus on common interests, which would benefit the region and beyond.

Kishida and Xi exchanged their views in a relaxed environment, although many topics were left unresolved, a senior Japanese official said.

"The international community is at a historic turning point where confrontation and cooperation are woven in a complicated manner," Kishida told Xi at the outset of their talks, a day after a U.S.-China summit.

"In that environment, Japan and China, as neighbors that share a long history and ever-lasting future, and as major global powers, have the responsibility of contributing to global peace and prosperity," Kishida said.

Xi said bilateral ties should be "mutually beneficial" and appropriate for a new era, adding that the two countries should "properly handle differences" for the common interests of their peoples, according to Chinese state-run media.

Japan and China have developed relations based on the principles outlined in four political documents signed in 1972, 1978, 1998, and 2008. The latest document stipulates that the two nations should advance strategic and mutually beneficial ties.

The phrase, however, had not been mentioned by the two countries in recent years as they have been at odds over various issues, including territorial claims and Taiwan, which China regards as a renegade province to be unified with the mainland, by force if necessary.

As for the treated water from the nuclear plant damaged in the wake of a massive March 2011 earthquake and tsunami in northeastern Japan, it contains tritium at levels below the permitted limit under Japanese safety standards.

Kishida told reporters that Japan and China will engage in discussions on the water "from a scientific perspective at the level of experts."

China's rise as a military and economic power, meanwhile, has sent ripples across the Indo-Pacific region and beyond. Alarmed by Beijing's assertive behavior, Japan is promoting a "free and open" rules-based international order.

During the meeting, Kishida expressed his serious concern about the situation in the East China Sea, where Chinese patrol ships have been repeatedly spotted off the Senkaku Islands, a group of islets administered by Japan but claimed by China.

The prime minister also sounded the alarm about China's increased military activities with Russia around the Japanese archipelago while noting that peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait are critically important for Japan and the world.

Xi emphasized that Japan "must ensure that the foundation of bilateral relations will not be damaged or shaken," Xinhua reported, in a jab at Japan's close security ally, the United States, which has bolstered its involvement in Taiwan.

Earlier this month, Japan's top national security adviser, Takeo Akiba, visited Beijing and held talks for three and a half hours with China's top diplomat, Wang Yi, with preparations for the summit believed to be on the agenda.

This year marks the 45th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral peace and friendship treaty between the Asian neighbors.

Related coverage:

Japan urges lifting of seafood ban by China, Russia at WTO session
New Delhi, Nov 16 (PTI) President Droupadi Murmu on Thursday called upon Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) and other important organisations to contribute towards making India a developed nation by 2047.

Addressing a gathering at the 'Audit Diwas' organised by CAG, the President also lauded the apex government auditor for taking many steps, including the establishment of the Centre for Data Management and Analytics, in which digital technology and other modern methods are being used in line with the future.

This awareness towards the future will prove useful, she said.

"Today our countrymen want to move forward rapidly towards building a developed India by the year 2047. All important institutions and communities of the country, including CAG, have to contribute to achieve this goal," Murmu said.

Audit Diwas commemorates the occasion of the appointment of the first Auditor General of India on November 16, 1860 and creation of the CAG organisation.

Recognising the significance of the day in the annals of the Indian history, since 2021, the CAG has celebrated November 16 as Audit Diwas.

CAG Girish Chandra Murmu said that in cognisance of the paradigm shift in governance to a digital bedrock, the apex auditor too has leveraged technology.

"...this year we achieved a remarkable milestone. Effective April 2023, we have transitioned to 100 per cent digital auditing processes, utilising our unique enterprise-wide audit process and knowledge management IT System (One IAAD One System - OIOS), creating a single source of truth for our audit activities," he said.

This achievement, he added is attributable to the unstinting efforts of many, those who conceptualised it, designed it, painstakingly integrated module after module, valiantly initiated implementation, training many, hand-holding 24X7.

"Data analytics is a regular feature of our audit processes and routinely deploying advanced tools like drones, Global Positioning System (GPS) and remote sensing has enabled us to make incisive observations that would not have been possible otherwise," the CAG said.

He informed that concerted efforts of the organisation resulted in 183 audit reports covering the entire gamut of government activities, tabled in Parliament and State Legislatures, during 2022-23.

Winners of the second bilingual national online essay writing competition on theme 'Celebrating the resilience of the Indian Democracy and the role of the CAG of India' were awarded on the occasion.
Kolkata, Nov 16 (PTI) Days after a TMC-run municipality in Nadia district cancelled the permission of a theatre group to stage an anti-establishment play in a state-run auditorium, another civic body in the district has taken back the permission of the same group to stage a drama against fascism and dictatorship.

Suman Paul, the director of 'Chakdah Natyajon' theatre group claimed in a Facebook post on Wednesday that they were told by the organisers of a theatre festival in Nadia district about Nabadwip Municipality having asked them to scrap hall booking for 'Barricade' in their forthcoming theatre festival and opt for any other play instead.

Barricade was penned by Late Utpal Dutt 50 years back against fascism and dictatorship.

"It is clear we are being targeted by some powers repeatedly. Only days back our play 'Jogakhichuri' (hotchpotch) had been disallowed by the Kalyani Municipality in the one-week drama festival. We are stunned. While all procedures had been followed before booking the auditorium in both Kalyani and Nabadwip, the recent developments raise fear of a bigger design to stop anything whose content and message may not be palatable," Paul told reporters.

Permission to stage 'Jagakhichuri' in Kalyani at a theatre festival from November 23 had been withdrawn on November 2 citing the date clashing with some other state programme. Similarly the Nabadwip Municipality in a letter to the local organizer 'Sayak theatre group' informed that the play 'Barricade' cannot be staged at the local auditorium on January 23.

Eminent playwright Debesh Chattopadhyay, who had directed the play Barricade, alleged that the cancellation has been effected by the TMC-ruled civic body as they are afraid of stage plays helmed by the 'red' (the left).

"The cancellation of permission to stage Barricade stems from the mindset of concerned civic bodies not to allow plays with certain subject and professing certain ideology," he told reporters.

Trashing the allegations, Nabadwip Municipality chairman Biman Krishna Saha said "the cancellation has nothing to do with the content of the play. I have no idea what they are speaking about or hinting at. If any such show has been cancelled that is not due to any vindictiveness. Some vested interests are creating a false social media buzz and false narrative about the entire thing."

Theatre personality Kaushik Sen said "By resorting to such acts, the TMC-controlled municipality has exposed its true character. The decision of the said theatre group to stage a play at a sit-in protest venue of state employees forum in Kolkata annoyed the ruling party and they are creating one hurdle after another for Chakdah Natyajon."

TMC Rajya Sabha MP Santanu Sen said the allegations are motivated and made with political intent.
Johannesburg, Nov 16 (PTI) The work on a commemorative monument to honour the memory of the first Indian indentured labourers' arrival in South Africa in 1860 will begin soon, the government has said.

The 1.7-million-strong South African Indian-origin community will on Thursday mark the arrival of the first Indians in the port city of Durban in 1860 to work in the sugar cane plantation of the then Port-Natal.

The monument was supposed to have been built in 2010, when the country celebrated the 150th anniversary of the arrival of the first Indians, but was delayed due to bureaucratic wrangling over funding and disagreements within the community itself about the form that the memorial should take.

But this week the provincial KwaZulu-Natal Department of Sport, Arts and Culture announced that the tender for the four-million-rand monument had finally been awarded to a service provider and that construction would start at the Ushaka Beach in Durban, where the ship Truro arrived as the first of many over several more decades, bringing Indians to South Africa.

The indentured labourers were later also accompanied by merchants who paid their own way to start their businesses in South Africa. About two-thirds of all their descendants now live in the province, with the rest spread across the remaining eight provinces of South Africa.

The 1860 Commemoration Monument Committee, formed earlier to decide on the format of the monument, could not agree on whether it should be an abstract structure or a statue of an indentured woman labourer toiling in the fields with a baby on her back.

The director of the department, Vusi Shongwe, said the work would start within the next three weeks to erect an arch with a bell tower.

The call for tenders for the document had described the bell tower as being used during times of slavery and indenture for masters to ring the bell to call workers to work and end their day with ringing the bell. This bell tower was found throughout South African plantations.

There is also a bronze plaque at the Shree Emperumal Temple in Mount Edgecombe, which can be incorporated into this design and act as a point of remembrance, the document stated.

The brass bell will have the names of the two ship passengers engraved on it. It will be kept at the 1860 Heritage Centre (in Durban) and brought out on the 16 and 26 November to allow the public to ring the bell in a symbolic ceremony each year.

Each year our elders and children can come out to ring the bell in remembering our ancestors. The monument will incorporate the two ships with the names of the passengers laser cut on two metal sheets representing the hull of the Truro and Belvedere, the document said.

Selvan Naidoo, director of the 1860 Heritage Centre, welcomed the announcement. We are comforted to know that this tribute to indentured workers will finally be done by our democratic government, Naidoo told the Weekly Post.

But Seelan Achary, who was a member of the original 1860 Commemoration Council for more than a decade, said the suggestion of how the monument should look then had been ignored.

The original draft plans for the monument were submitted as early as 2011 to the Premiers Office. The monument design that I saw (now) does not speak to the arrival of the Indian indentured labourers.

We had submitted a proposal  a monument of a sugar cane cutter and his wife in a sugar cane field, with a child on her back. This was originally envisioned incorporating aspects of unity and allegiance under one South African flag. This is what we wanted to unite our people under, said Achary.

The bell and bell tower in temples were for religious purposes. However, this bell tower is a symbol of colonialist architecture and oppression. Should we be glorifying that? They have ignored 11 years of submissions to satisfy a new narrative, said Achary.

Ravi Pillay, formerly in charge of Economic Development and Tourism in Durban, called for the monument to be completed as soon as possible.

It is important to conclude the project as soon as possible and it must be a project that must be embraced by all in our diverse society. It must be built on our motto of unity in diversity, said Pillay.
London, Nov 16 (PTI) External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Wednesday presided over a repatriation ceremony in London for two 8th-century temple idols stolen from India and discovered in England recently.

The Yogini Chamunda and Yogini Gomukhi idols, stolen from a temple in Lokhari in Uttar Pradesh between the late 1970s and the early 1980s, were recovered by the High Commission of India in London with support from India Pride Project, and Art Recovery International.

Jaishankar unveiled the idols at India House on the final day of his five-day visit to the UK and said he looked forward to their return to their home country.

It is important today, as we look to appreciate each other's culture, to ensure that cultural exchanges are legal, transparent and rules-based, said Jaishankar.

Where there have been deviations, whenever these are corrected I think this is something of great importance, not just in this case, but as a message that this is a practice which is not acceptable in this day and age, he said.

'Yogini' refers to female masters of the yogic arts with 64 divine Yoginis worshipped as goddesses at Yogini temples such as Lokhari. The term is slightly ambivalent as it applies both to the goddesses and adept worshippers, who were believed to be able to take on some of the goddesses powers by performing secret rituals before the statues.

The Lokhari temple is believed to have 20 Yogini statues, depicted as beautiful women with the heads of animals.

In the 1970s, the temple was targeted by a group of robbers who are believed to have operated out of Rajasthan and Maharashtra, smuggling goods into Europe via Switzerland. An unknown number of statues were stolen, with others being broken and the remaining unharmed statues subsequently removed and hidden by local villagers.

This is the fifth time we have been able to return important pieces of cultural heritage to India  in Milan, Brussels, and London three times. We work closely with the India Pride Project and when they identify one of these, we step in and negotiate with the possessors in an effort to reach an amicable resolution, said Chris Marinello of Art Recovery International.

Jaspreet Singh Sukhija, First Secretary, Trade and Economics at the Indian High Commission in London, has been working on the restitution of these idols with the India Pride Project, an organisation that works on restoring Indias lost artefacts.

Part of the objective of what we seek to do in these occasions is to find some acceptable and amicable solutions to enable our heritage to go back to where it is most appropriate, where it comes from and where it is most appreciated, said Indian High Commissioner to the UK Vikram Doraiswami.
Jerusalem, Nov 16 (AP) Two and a half weeks after sending tanks and ground troops into northern Gaza, Israeli forces searched a hospital Wednesday where they claim Hamas militants operate.

Mohammed Zaqout, the director of hospitals in Gaza, said Israeli tanks were inside the medical compound and that soldiers had entered buildings, including the emergency and surgery departments, which house intensive care units.

Shifa Hospital has become a symbol of the widespread suffering of Palestinian civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas, which erupted after the militant group killed some 1,200 people and seized around 240 captives in a surprise Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel.

The Israeli army claims the militant group uses hospitals as cover for its fighters, and has set up its main command center in and beneath Shifa Hospital, the largest in the besieged territory. Both Hamas and Shifa Hospital staff deny the Israeli allegations.

More than 11,200 Palestinians  two-thirds of them women and minors  have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths. About 2,700 people have been reported missing.

Currently:

 The Israeli military has set its sights on southern Gaza in its campaign to stamp out Hamas.

 The U.N. Security Council has adopted a resolution on the Israel-Hamas war.

 ASEAN defense chiefs call for the fighting in Gaza to cease, but they struggle to address Myanmar.

 Thousands flee Gaza's main hospital but hundreds, including babies, are still trapped by fighting.

 Israel supporters rally in Washington, crying never again.'



UN SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS RESOLUTION CALLING FOR HUMANITARIAN PAUSES IN GAZA



UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution Wednesday calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors" in Gaza after four failed attempts to respond to the Israel-Hamas war.

The vote was 12-0 with the United States, United Kingdom and Russia abstaining.

The final draft watered down its language from a demand to a call for humanitarian pauses. It also watered down a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. And the resolution makes no mention of a cease-fire or Hamas' surprise Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.

U.N. Security Council resolutions are legally binding  including calls  but in practice many parties choose to ignore the council's requests for actions.

Russia proposed an amendment to the resolution before the vote that would have called for durable humanitarian pauses leading to a cease-fire. But it was rejected by a vote of 5-1 with nine abstentions because it failed to get the minimum nine yes votes.



OVER 600 PEOPLE LEFT GAZA AT RAFAH BORDER CROSSING, HAMAS SAYS



RAFAH - A total of 644 people traveled through the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt on Wednesday, said Wael Abou Omar, the Hamas spokesperson for the border crossing.

Those included 587 dual nationals, 37 people either injured or sick, and 20 of their companions. No more information was immediately available.

Earlier at the Rafah border, dozens of evacuees were waiting patiently with their documentation ready for inspection. Among them was Toqa al-Zaian, a Palestinian with Norwegian nationality, struggling to say goodbye.

I feel like my body is leaving without my soul, now I am leaving everything behind, my mother, family and everyone I know, she said.



ISRAEL RELEASES VIDEO OF WEAPONS IT SAYS WERE FOUND IN SHIFA HOSPITAL



JERUSALEM  The Israeli military displayed what it says are Hamas weapons and military equipment it uncovered in Gaza's Shifa Hospital.

But so far, its search showed no signs of tunnels or a sophisticated command center that it has said Hamas maintains on the grounds of the hospital. Hamas and Gaza health officials deny militants operate in Shifa.

The army early Wednesday raided the hospital, Gaza's largest. After a daylong search, the army released a video showing several AK-47 automatic rifles, ammunition, grenades, protective vests and other equipment used by Hamas. It said many of the items were in duffel bags in the hospital's MRI department.

These weapons have absolutely no business being inside a hospital, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said in the military's video.

The Associated Press could not independently verify the Israeli claims that the weapons were found inside the hospital.



WHITE HOUSE SAYS US DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ISRAEL RAID ON SHIFA HOSPITAL BEFOREHAND



WASHINGTON  U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Wednesday that the United States did not sign off on Israel's raid on Shifa hospital.

Kirby, responding to questions about the timing of the operation and his statement that the U.S. knows Hamas militants shelter in hospitals, said the United States doesn't expect advance notice from Israel before its military operations.

We did not give an OK to their military operations around the hospital, Kirby said, speaking to reporters from San Francisco, where President Joe Biden was preparing to meet with China's leader on Wednesday. We don't expect the Israelis to inform us.

Kirby suggested the timing of his announcement about U.S. intelligence findings that Hamas uses hospitals for command and control and for shelter following the Israeli military operation was a coincidence. He said his delivery of some downgraded intelligence information had nothing to do with operational timing.

He said it is a violation of the law of war to headquarter yourself in a hospital and that what Hamas is doing in that regard should not be forgotten.



3/4 OF GAZA'S HOSPITALS AREN'T WORKING, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS



GENEVA  Only a quarter of Gaza's hospitals are still functioning, with about 26 out of 36 institutions now closed  either because they have been damaged or because they ran out of fuel, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.

The U.N. health agency has lost contact with health workers at Shifa hospital, the largest in the Gaza Sutrip, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva. He said the Israeli military raid of the institution is totally unacceptable.

Approximately 82 bodies from Shifa were buried in a mass grave Wednesday, with another 80 bodies left unburied, said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHO's representative in the West Bank and Gaza. He said about 45 patients were receiving dialysis and that there were no central supplies of oxygen, water or fuel.

Peeperkorn said several organizations, including the WHO, were urgently exploring the possibility of an evacuation of patients and medical staff. He called for a plan to evacuate about 2,000 critically ill patients out of Gaza over the next three months, possibly to Egypt.



A HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN GAZA TREATS DOZENS OF PATIENTS EACH DAY, AS ISRAELI BOMBS FALL



CAIRO  Around 40 patients a day are coming in to Awda Hospital in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza, said Dr. Ahmed Mhanna, the hospital's manager.

Awda Hospital is still operating but the facility's main generator is no longer functioning, he said, and the hospital is also delivering around 20 babies each day, he said.

The situation is critical, he said in a recorded message. Jabaliya has been heavily bombed since Oct. 7.

Mhanna said that Israel strikes were still pounding the areas immediately around the hospital, with shrapnel striking the building. Eight staff members have been injured from the bombing, he added.



NETANYAHU VISITS ISRAELI TROOPS NEAR GAZA



ZIKIM, Israel  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told troops at the Zikim military base near north Gaza: There is no place in Gaza that Israel will not reach.

Standing next to soldiers at the base, Netanyahu said: Do you remember when we were told that we would not break into Gaza? We broke through. We were told that we would not reach the outskirts of Gaza City  we arrived. We were told that we won't enter Shifa  we entered.

There is no hiding, no shelter, no refuge for the murderers of Hamas, Netanyahu said. We will arrive and eliminate Hamas and return our abductees  these are two sacred missions.



26 PATIENTS LEAVE GAZA FOR TREATMENT IN TURKEY



ANKARA, Turkey  Turkey's health minister says 26 patients from Gaza and 13 people accompanying them have passed through the Rafah crossing into Egypt on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in Egypt, Fahrettin Koca said Turkish officials hope to evacuate the patients and the people escorting them to Turkey by air later on Wednesday for treatment in Turkish hospitals.

Koca also said Turkey plans to set up a field hospital close to the Rafah crossing.

Turkey has long offered to treat cancer patients in the country. Koca described the patients evacuated Wednesday as Gazans and did not specify if any have Turkish nationality.



IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH PEACEMAKING GROUP



GENEVA  Iran's foreign minister has traveled to Geneva for a previously undisclosed meeting hosted by a leading humanitarian group that works to strike peace agreements.

Hossein Amirabdollahian spoke with the U.N.'s top humanitarian aid official, Martin Griffiths, in a meeting at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, which made headlines five years ago for its role in an accord in which the Basque separatist group ETA agreed to dissolve after a decades-long campaign in Spain, officials said.

The center said in a message sent to The Associated Press on Wednesday that it routinely convenes closed-door consultations to support conflict mediation and resolution in various parts of the world."

In the latest of these consultations, HD hosted a senior Iranian delegation and other invited guests for a discussion about Gaza focused on ways to alleviate human suffering, increase humanitarian assistance and reduce risks of escalation in the region, the statement said.

The Israeli ambassador in Geneva, Meirav Eilon Shahar, said, Israel expresses its indignation that the foreign minister of Iran is in Geneva and meeting with U.N. officials and NGOs to talk about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.'"

Iran has no place in the future of Gaza. It is part of the problem, not the solution, she posted on X, formerly called Twitter.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X that As part of his consultations in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has met with a number of officials of the U.N., humanitarian organizations and religious institutions as well as university professors and some ambassadors there regarding the ongoing developments in Palestine and the Zionist regime's aggression against #Gaza.



UN REFUGEE AGENCY CONFIRMS FIRST RECEIPT OF FUEL, SAYS IT NEEDS MUCH MORE



CAIRO  The head of UNRWA, the U.N. relief agency for Palestinian refugees, confirmed Wednesday that it has received 23,000 liters (6,000 gallons) of fuel that crossed into Gaza via the Rafah crossing, but called for more to be allowed to enter the besieged territory.

The aid group says Israeli authorities allowed the fuel to enter under the restriction that it can only be used to transport aid into besieged Gaza.

This fuel cannot be used for the overall humanitarian response, including for medical and water facilities or the work of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini said in an online statement.

UNRWA needs 160,000 liters (42,200 gallons) of fuel each day to complete basic humanitarian operations, he added.

Israel declared war on Hamas and barred fuel shipments after its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, saying the group would divert the supplies for military use.

Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, the Israeli defense body responsible for Palestinian affairs, announced early Wednesday that it would allow United Nations trucks to refill at the Rafah crossing on Wednesday. It said the decision was in response to a request from the United States.



ISRAELI FORCES ARE STILL OPERATING IN GAZA'S LARGEST HOSPITAL, HEALTH MINISTRY OFFICIAL SAYS



CAIRO  A senior official with Gaza's Hamas-controlled Health Ministry says Israeli forces are still operating inside Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest, hours after launching a raid early Wednesday.

Speaking by phone from the hospital, Munir al-Boursh said Israeli soldiers ransacked the basement and other buildings, including those housing the emergency and surgery departments.

They are still here ... patients, women and children are terrified, he said. He said doctors vowed to stay with their patients till the end.

Israel says Hamas has a secret command center in and under the hospital but has provided no visual evidence. Hamas and the hospital staff deny the allegations.

The military said it was carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specific part of the hospital away from patients and medical staff. It said it also delivered medical supplies.

Al-Boursh called for the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to secure a safe corridor for patients, medical staff and displaced families trapped in the facility to leave.

Al-Boursh said an Israeli official spoke with him by phone early Wednesday and asked him to join the forces searching the facility, but he refused.



COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY WARNS OF BLACKOUT BECAUSE OF FUEL SHORTAGE



JERUSALEM  The main Palestinian communications company warned Wednesday that Gaza will plunge into a communications blackout in a matter of hours following several short-term outages in recent weeks.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Paltel said dwindling fuel supplies have forced all of its generators in Gaza to shut down and that communications in the territory are now dependent on batteries.

The company warned of a cessation of all communications services during the next few hours.

Israel allowed the first shipment of fuel to enter the besieged territory on Wednesday, but the U.N. says the amount is not enough to aid the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation.



UN OFFICIAL CONDEMNS ISRAELI RAIDS ON HOSPITAL, SAYS HAMAS MUST NOT USE IT AS A SHIELD'



GENEVA  The U.N.'s top emergency relief official on Wednesday condemned reported Israeli military raids on Gaza's embattled Shifa Hospital and insisted Hamas militants must not use it as a shield for their activities.

Martin Griffiths underscored growing international concern for the plight of patients in the Gaza City hospital who are too sick or frail to be moved.

Look, Hamas must not, should not, use a place like a hospital as a shield for their presence, he said in a video statement. He added, hospitals should not become a place of -- a war zone -- of danger.

Griffiths said earlier on X, previously called Twitter, that he was appalled by overnight reports of Israeli raids on Shifa.

The U.N. World Health Organization says Shifa patients have needs that are well beyond basic care. Images reportedly from the facility showed medics trying to keep newborns warm in blankets because power for incubators had failed.

The babies have no incubators, Griffiths said. Some are dead already. We can't move them out. It's too dangerous.

I understand the Israelis' concern for trying to find the leadership of Hamas, that's not our problem, he added. Our problem is protecting the people of Gaza from what's being visited upon them.



FIRST NORWEGIAN CITIZENS ARE ALLOWED TO LEAVE GAZA



COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said Wednesday he was very happy that the first Norwegian citizens have arrived on the Egyptian side of the border with Gaza.

Norway had been informed that 51 Norwegians could leave Gaza via the border crossing at Rafah.

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, there are no safe places in Gaza, and everyone who is there is exposed to traumatic experiences.

Barth Eide said the situation in Gaza was a humanitarian disaster, which also affects Norwegian citizens. The acts of war must stop and humanitarian aid must be allowed in.

According to Norwegian news agency NTB, there are about 270 people with ties to Norway in Gaza with approximately half of them children.



TURKEY'S PRESIDENT INCREASES CRITICISM OF ISRAEL



ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan increased his criticism of Israel on Wednesday, calling it a terrorist state intent on destroying Gaza along with all of its residents.

In a fiery speech to members of his party, Erdogan also said his country would take steps to ensure that Israel's political and military leaders are brought to trial in international courts.

Israel is implementing a strategy of total destruction of a city and its people, Erdogan said. I say openly that Israel is a terrorist state.

The Turkish leader described Hamas militants as resistance fighters trying to protect their lands and people.

Turkey recently normalized relations with Israel but its war with Hamas in Gaza has again strained their ties. Israel recalled its diplomats from Turkey last month after Erdogan accused Israel of committing war crimes. Turkey later also recalled its ambassador from Israel.



ISRAELI MILITARY STRESSES IT'S TARGETING HAMAS, NOT CIVILIANS



TEL AVIV, Israel  Israel's military insisted Wednesday its forces in and around the largest hospital in Gaza are specifically targeting Hamas, which it claims set up a command center there. Both Hamas and Shifa Hospital staff deny the Israeli allegations.

Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the civilians in Gaza, said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces. The IDF has publicly warned time and again that Hamas's continued military use of Shifa Hospital jeopardizes its protected status under international law.

Hagari said Israeli forces in Gaza included medics and Arabic speakers to try and provide assistance in the complex and sensitive environment. (AP)

NSA

NSA
* US and China agree to resume military communications after Biden, Xi summit.



UNSC overcomes deadlock, adopts resolution calling for urgent humanitarian pauses throughout Gaza to allow humanitarian access



EAM Jaishankar raises Khalistan issue with leaders in UK.



India not ruling out investigation into Canada's allegations over Nijjar, but wants evidence: EAM Jaishankar



EAM Jaishankar concludes timely visit to UK amid substantial progress on FTA.



US President Joe Biden appoints Indian American Shakuntla L Bhaya to key position



Uttarakhand tunnel collapse: Thanedar urges USAID to support ongoing rescue operations



Stories on political developments in Pakistan.



Stories on Israel-Hamas conflict.



Stories on Russia-Ukraine war *
Khan Younis (Gaza Strip), Nov 16 (AP) Israeli forces dropped leaflets warning Palestinians to flee parts of southern Gaza, residents said Thursday, signaling a possible expansion of operations to areas where hundreds of thousands of people who heeded earlier evacuation orders are crowded into U.N.-run shelters and family homes.

Meanwhile, soldiers continued searching Shifa Hospital in the north, in a raid that began early Wednesday but has yet to uncover evidence of the central Hamas command centre that Israel has said is concealed beneath the complex. Hamas and staff at the hospital, Gaza's largest, deny the allegations.

Broadening the offensive to the south  where Israel already carries out daily air raids  threatens to worsen an already severe humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory. Over 1.5 million people have been internally displaced in Gaza, with most having fled to the south, where food, water and electricity are increasingly scarce.

The war, now in its sixth week, was triggered by a wide-ranging Hamas attack into southern Israel on October 7 in which the militants killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and captured some 240 men, women and children. Israel responded with a weekslong air campaign and a ground invasion of northern Gaza, vowing to remove Hamas from power and crush its military capabilities.

More than 11,200 Palestinians have been killed, two-thirds of them women and minors, according to Palestinian health authorities. Another 2,700 have been reported missing, with most believed to be buried under the rubble. The official count does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths.

SOME GUNS, BUT SO FAR NO TUNNELS

Israeli troops on Wednesday stormed into Gaza's largest hospital, searching for traces of Hamas inside and beneath the facility, where newborns and hundreds of other patients have suffered for days without electricity and other basic necessities.

Troops were searching the underground levels of the hospital on Thursday and detained technicians responsible for running its equipment, the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza said in a statement.

After encircling Shifa for days, Israel faced pressure to prove its claim that Hamas was using the patients, staff and civilians sheltering there to provide cover for its fighters. The allegation is part of Israel's broader accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.

The military released video from inside Shifa showed three duffel bags it said it found hidden around an MRI lab, each containing an assault rifle, grenades and Hamas uniforms, as well as a closet that contained a number of assault rifles without ammunition clips. The Associated Press could not independently verify the Israeli claims that the weapons were found inside the hospital.

Hamas and Gaza health officials deny militants operate in Shifa  a hospital that employs some 1,500 people and has more than 500 beds. The Palestinians and rights groups accuse Israel of recklessly endangering civilians.

Munir al-Boursh, a senior official with Gaza's Health Ministry inside the hospital, said that for hours, the troops ransacked the basement and other buildings, including those housing the emergency and surgery departments, and searched the grounds for tunnels. Troops questioned and face-screened patients, staff and people sheltering in the facility, he said, adding that he did not know if any were detained.

Patients, women and children are terrified, he told the AP by phone Wednesday.

The military said its troops killed four militants outside the hospital at the start of the operation, but through days of fighting there were no reports of militants firing from inside Shifa. There were also no reports of any fighting within the hospital after Israeli troops entered.

The military said it was carrying out a precise and targeted operation" in a specific area of the hospital, and that its soldiers were accompanied by medical teams bringing in incubators and other supplies.

At one point, tens of thousands of Palestinians fleeing Israeli bombardment were sheltering at Shifa, but most left in recent days as the fighting drew closer. The fate of premature babies at the hospital has drawn particular concern.

The Health Ministry said 40 patients, including three babies, have died since Shifa's emergency generator ran out of fuel Saturday. There was no immediate word on the condition of another 36 babies, who the ministry said earlier were at risk of dying because there is no power for incubators.

LOOKING SOUTH

The leaflets, dropped in areas east of the southern town of Khan Younis, warned civilians to evacuate the area and saying anyone in the vicinity of militants or their positions is putting his life in danger. Similar leaflets were dropped over northern Gaza for weeks ahead of the ground invasion.

Two local reporters who live east of Khan Younis confirmed seeing the leaflets. Others shared images of the leaflets on social media.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday the ground operation will eventually include both the north and south. We will strike Hamas wherever it is.

The military says it has largely consolidated its control of the north, including seizing and demolishing government buildings. Video released by the army Thursday showed soldiers moving between heavily damaged buildings through holes blown in their walls.

On Thursday, the military said it had blown up a residence belonging to Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader based abroad. It was unclear if anyone was inside the building.

Most of Gaza's 2.3 million people have already crowded into the territory's south, where a worsening fuel shortage threatens to paralyze the delivery of humanitarian services and shut down mobile phone and internet service.

Conditions in southern Gaza have been deteriorating as bombardment continues to level buildings. Residents say bread is scarce and supermarket shelves are bare. Families cook on wood fires for lack of fuel. Central electricity and running water have been out for weeks across Gaza.

Israel allowed a small amount of fuel to enter Gaza for on Wednesday, for the first time since the war began, so that the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees, which is providing basic services to hundreds of thousands of people, could continue bringing limited supplies of aid through the Rafah crossing with Egypt.

The fuel cannot be used for hospitals or to desalinate water, and covers less than 10 per cent of what the agency needs to sustain "lifesaving activities, said Thomas White, the agency's Gaza director.

The Palestinian telecom company Paltel, meanwhile, said it expected services to halt later Wednesday because of the lack of fuel or electricity. Gaza has experienced three previous mass communication outages since the ground invasion.

If Israeli troops move south, it is not clear where Gaza's population can flee, as Egypt refuses to allow a mass transfer onto its soil. (AP) NPK

NPK
London, Nov 16 (PTI) India-Bangladesh ties stand out as a "model relationship" in the Indian subcontinent in terms of benefits of regional cooperation, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar has said, highlighting the progress in bilateral relations in the last 10 years.

His remarks came in response to a question by Bangladesh High Commissioner in the UK, Saida Muna Tasneem, during an interaction entitled How a Billion People See the World at the Royal Over-Seas League here on Wednesday evening.

Tasneem asked Jaishankar about the priority of Dhaka in India's foreign policy when it comes to security, regional connectivity, shared prosperity and the Indo-Pacific.

"Today our relationship stands out in the Indian subcontinent as a model relationship in terms of benefits of regional cooperation," he said.

Jaishankar said they had tried to restructure the neighbourhood. "Obviously it's not something unilateral by us."

One of the big changes in that, he said: "For example, with Bangladesh, we have settled our land boundary which is really a big deal.

"We had differences on our maritime boundary, and we went for arbitration. We agreed that whatever the arbitral award would be, we would both follow. We did when the arbitral award came. A lot of it was not in our favour," he said, adding: "It's a good example for the region and countries."

In the last 10 years, he said there had been rail links between the countries and a power plant, and now India is using Bangladesh's ports for the northeast, and they are benefiting from more traffic coming through the port.

The discussion covered a wide range of topics, including India-China relations, the ongoing diplomatic row with Canada and the socio-political scenario in the country.
Thane, Nov 15 (PTI) The Government Railway Police here has arrested two loan recovery agents from Assam for allegedly abetting the suicide of a 34-year-old woman, an official said on Wednesday.

Laxana Narendra Yadav allegedly ended her life by jumping in front of a train at Diva in Thane district on July 6, said senior inspector Pandhari Kande.

Probe revealed that she had taken a loan of Rs 19,000 through an online platform, and two recovery agents of the lender company were harassing her for repayment.

They had also allegedly morphed her pictures and circulated them on social media in order to pressurise her, the official said.

The GRP sleuths finally traced the accused to a village in Assam and arrested them on November 13, inspector Kande said.

The duo were identified as Shankar Narayan Hajong (29) who runs a tea stall and Prasanjit Nirpen Hajong, (32).

Further probe was on.
Itanagar, Nov 15 (PTI) Arunachal Pradesh Governor Lt Gen K T Parnaik on Wednesday said the 'Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra', an outreach programme to make people aware of benefits of various government schemes, is an effort of Prime Minister Narendra Modi to make India, a developed nation by 2047.

Launching the yatra at Ziro in Lower Subansiri district of the state, the governor said it has a special focus on the development and progress of tribal communities.

The yatra must reach every corner of the state and sincere effort must be put in to ensure that targeted people avail benefits from the state and central government schemes and programmes, Parnaik said.

He advised the government officials to reach out to the rural communities, stay with them and discuss and address their challenges.

The yatra is a gift from the prime minister and to make it successful, every citizen needs to contribute, an official communique said.

He appealed to the people to come forward to assist and cooperate with the government machinery for the successful implementation of the Vikshit Bharat mission.

The main focus of the yatra will be on reaching out to people, creating awareness and providing benefits of welfare schemes like sanitation facilities, essential financial services, electricity connections, access to LPG cylinders, housing for the poor, food security, proper nutrition, reliable healthcare, clean drinking water, etc.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the nationwide programme from Khunti in Jharkhand to reach out to citizens who are eligible for various central schemes but have not benefitted so far.

The campaign to reach out to beneficiaries of the Centre's flagship programmes both in rural and urban areas will culminate on January 25, 2024.

Earlier, the governor paid floral tribute to Birsa Munda, the tribal icon whose birth anniversary is celebrated as the 'Janjatiya Gaurav Diwas'.

On this occasion, he also distributed certificates and cash awards to the winners of a walkathon. An exhibition of tribal heroes in the country's freedom movement was also displayed.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 16, 2023 - 19:54 | All, Japan

Sony Corp. is increasing its hiring of female engineers, aiming to achieve a record-high percentage among its new hires for the next fiscal year, challenging the entrenched stereotype in Japan that typically associates men with such roles.

The ratio of women is expected to reach an all-time high of about 30 percent among new recruits for engineers and researchers at the leading technology firm, sources familiar with the matter said Thursday, a rare achievement in the country that has grappled with a shortage of female talent in the field.

The move comes as Sony, which produces smartphones and mirrorless cameras, is ramping up efforts to create a friendlier working environment for women, the sources said.

Sony offers flexible work schedules for pregnant women and those engaged in child-rearing, as well as a leave system for those undergoing fertility treatment, among other measures to support women's careers.

The new graduates will join the company in fiscal 2024, although Sony does not disclose the exact number of hires. The company conducts recruiting activities with three other group companies, including its parent, Sony Group Corp.

"It is often said that if one group accounts for about 30 percent of the entire population, they are not a minority," said Hiromi Yokoyama, professor of science and technology studies at the University of Tokyo.

"It is remarkable that a leading Japanese company achieves such a high percentage despite the stereotype that science is for men," Yokoyama said.

Companies are having difficulty hiring female engineers in Japan, where the number of women who major in science-related fields remains low.

Among the Japanese graduates of higher education institutions in 2021, females who studied natural science, math and statistics accounted for 27 percent, according to data compiled by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development.

Those women who majored in engineering, manufacturing, and architecture stood at 16 percent. Both numbers were the lowest among the 38 OECD member countries.

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Guwahati, Nov 15 (PTI) The ruling BJP and its allies in Assam held a meeting at Amingaon in Kamrup district late on Wednesday evening to discuss strategies for next year's Lok Sabha elections.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, who has returned from poll campaign in Chhattisgarh, was also present in the meeting.

In a post, Assam BJP's official X handle said leaders of all its allies, including Asom Gana Parishad (AGP), United People's Party Liberal (UPPL), Sanmilita Gana Shakti Asom and Rabha Hasong Joutha Sangram Samiti, were present in the meeting.

The meeting deliberated on ensuring that candidates of the alliance emerge victorious in a maximum number of seats in the state in the Lok Sabha polls, it said.

"Besides discussing strategies to ensure victory in most number of seats out of total 14 seats in the state, the meeting also deliberated on enhancing coordination between the allies and bridging gaps in ideological and practical differences, among other important issues," the Assam BJP said.

Senior leaders in attendance included BJP state president Bhabesh Kalita, AGP president Atul Bora, UPPL chief Pramode Boro, Sanmilita Gana Shakti Asom's Paramananda Chayengia and chief of Rabha Hasong Autonomous Council Tankeswar Rabha.

The BJP currently has nine Lok Sabha MPs, while none of its allies have any representation in the lower house.

Congress has three MPs, while there in an AIUDF MP and an Independent lawmaker.
Aizawl, Nov 16 (PTI) A student protest in Aizawl over the delay in the disbursement of scholarships entered the third day on Thursday.

Agitators, under the aegis of Mizoram's apex student body Mizo Zirlai Pawl (MZP), have been staging a sit-in demonstration outside the Mizoram Scholarship Board office here since Tuesday demanding the immediate disbursement of the second installment of scholarship money to over 19,000 beneficiaries.

The protesters on Thursday prevented scholarship board officials from entering the office.

Chief Minister Zoramthanga has held a meeting with scholarship board officials and leaders of MZP over the matter. The outcome of the meeting, however, is yet to be known.

MZP president H Lalthianghlima claimed that the state government has received over Rs 17.87 crore funds for the disbursement of scholarships on September 25.

He alleged that the officials did not make sincere efforts to release the scholarship money and negligence on their part has affected thousands of students.

He claimed that 19,495 students, including 3,010 studying outside the state, are entitled to receive the money under the second installment of the scholarship.

Scholarship board officials, however, claimed that the money was not disbursed due to the imposition of the model code of conduct in view of the state assembly polls held on November 7.

They said that they were waiting for permission from the Election Commission to release the scholarship amount.

Earlier, on Tuesday, leaders of MZP also met the state joint chief electoral officer and sent a letter to the Election Commission over the matter.

They also met Chief Secretary Renu Sharma on Wednesday and informed her of the problems faced by students.
Gangtok, Nov 16 (PTI) Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang on Thursday greeted the media fraternity on National Press Day and urged them to serve as the watchdog of democracy.

"The press serves as the watchdog of democracy and works tirelessly to uphold the principles of transparency and accountability," he said in a message.

"It is through diligent efforts of journalists that the civil society gets all the information about unfolding events which shaping our world views," Tamang said.

The Sikkim chief minister urged the media persons to reflect on the evolving nature of journalism in the digital age in view of the rise of online platforms, which he said has transformed the way of dissemination of information presenting both opportunities and challenges to the media fraternity.

Exhorting the journalists to adapt to new mediums and strive to maintain the highest standards of journalism in an ever-changing landscape, he extended all possible support for a free and responsible press by recognizing its vital role in shaping a just and informed society.
Godda (Jharkhand), Nov 16 (PTI) Two police personnel, including a sub-inspector, were injured in brick-batting during a clash between two groups in Jharkhand's Godda district, police said on Thursday.

The incident took place during an idol immersion procession at Pathra Chowk in Town police station area on Wednesday night, a police officer said.

The two groups, belonging to the same community, indulged in brick-batting as a police team reached the spot to bring the situation under control, he said.

Both groups attacked the policemen and also damaged police vehicles, SP Nathu Singh Meena said.

Town police station officer-in-charge Madhusudan Modak suffered minor injuries, while sub-inspector Umesh Modi sustained head injuries, he said, adding the SI was treated at a hospital.

Meena said the incident was a fallout of a dispute between residents of two villages over a piece of land.

Three FIRs have been lodged in this regard and a massive manhunt has been launched to nab the culprits, he added.
Jaipur, Nov 16 (PTI) The BJP will stop welfare schemes being run by the Congress government in Rajasthan if they come to power and they will help billionaires, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said on Thursday.

He was addressing a public meeting in Taranagar of Churu district in support party candidate Narendra Budhania.

"If a BJP government is formed then it will stop schemes being run by the Congress be it the (old) pension scheme, health (insurance scheme), subsidised cylinders or Rs 10,000 annual assistance for women and it will again help the billionaires," Gandhi said.

Instead, if the Congress is voted back to power in the state, he said, the poor, farmers and small traders will benefit.

"Farmers' loans will be waived off. They will be helped, small traders

will benefit. This is for you to decide. Do you want Adani's government or

do you want the government of farmers, labourers, youth?" Gandhi said.

He also took a jib at Prime Minister Narendra Modi's over his "guarantees".

"Modi's guarantee means a guarantee for Adani whereas the Congress means a

government of farmers, labourers, and youths. This is the difference. You

have to decide," he told the gathering.

He said the Congress transfers money into the pockets of the poor whereas the BJP

puts it in the pockets of Adani.

He alleged the BJP helps Adani who uses it to buy companies abroad whereas the Congress transfers money into the pockets of farmers.
New Delhi, Nov 16 (PTI) The Enforcement Directorate has issued fresh summons to American millionaire Neville Roy Singham for questioning in connection with a money laundering investigation linked to online news portal NewsClick, official sources said Thursday.

The businessman, who is accused of spreading Chinese propaganda in India, is stated to be currently based in Shanghai, China.

The ED has issued fresh summons to Singham under the provisions of the

Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA). This is a fresh notice issued to him after the agency got issued Letters Rogatory (LR) from a local court seeking to record his statement, the sources said.

The summons have been sent to Singham on his email id and through the Chinese government channels, after the ED routed them through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

This is understood to be second summons issued to Singham by the ED after one was issued last year after the investigation was launched in 2021.

Singham's name hit the headlines again few months back in a New York Times

article.

The Delhi Police, following this news piece and some "evidence" shared by ED, had also filed a FIR against him and the founders of NewsClick after this news report came to light.

In a statement issued to The Hindu newspaper in October, Singham had said that the language used in the FIR filed by the Special Cell of Delhi Police "strongly suggests" that the claims were "influenced by misinformation from an article published by The New York Times."

"The NYT intentionally chose not to publish all the factual rebuttals that I provided to them on July 22, 2023, prior to their publication date," Singham had charged.

He also rejected the allegation of fraudulent infusion of funds through a "complex web of several entities" as mentioned in the FIR and in the NYT article.

The New York Times report claimed that NewsClick was part of a global network that received funding from Singham, who allegedly works closely with the Chinese government media machine.

The Enforcement Directorate had first raided the premises of NewsClick in Saidulajab area of the national capital in September, 2021 on charges of money laundering.

The agency has recorded the statements of more than 25 people in this case, including that of NewsClick founder and Editor-in-chief Prabir Purkayastha.

It last year attached a flat in south Delhi's Saket worth Rs 4.52 crore, which is linked to Purkayastha apart from fixed deposits worth Rs 41 lakh as part of this investigation.

NewsClick had said the allegations being made against it "by certain political actors and sections of the media are unfounded and without basis in fact or law".
Chitradurga (K'taka), Nov 16 (PTI) Shivamurthy Sharana, the pontiff of the Chitradurga Murugharajendra Bruhan Math who has been in custody since September last year facing charges under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act, was released from the jail here on Thursday.

The High Court of Karnataka granted him bail on November 8.

The Second Additional District & Sessions Court in this district headquarters town on Wednesday issued an order directing the district prison authorities to release the Seer, after examining the conditions imposed by the HC and verifying the documents.

But, as the copy of the order did not reach the officials concerned in time, the seer could not be set free on Wednesday, officials said.

He will be shifted out of Chitradurga, as per the bail conditions, they said.

According to reports, he is likely to stay at the Math's Davangere branch.

The High Court has imposed several conditions for the bail in one of the two POCSO cases against the pontiff.

Shivamurhty will not be allowed to enter Chitradurga district till the completion of the investigation in the cases.

He has been granted bail on a personal bond of Rs two lakh and two sureties for similar amounts, and warned not to tamper with evidence or influence the witnesses.

The High Court has also said that the seer should not misuse the bail and if he breaches any of the conditions, it would automatically stand cancelled.

The High Court on October 13 granted bail to accused number three Paramashivaiah, in the first POCSO case against the pontiff and others.



The complaint against the pontiff and four others was filed by Mysuru-based NGO, 'Odanadi Seva Samsthe', alleging sexual harassment of minor students studying in the math's school and those staying in its hostel.

The Nazarabad police in Mysuru had registered a case under POCSO and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act. The case was transferred to the Chitradurga Rural police station subsequently.

The accused were arrested and have been in judicial custody since then. A second case was registered after two more students filed a complaint.
Chennai, Nov 16 (PTI) Tamil Nadu Governor R N Ravi has returned bills sent to him by the government for his assent and the state is all set to get them passed again in a special sitting of the Assembly on November 18.

Speaking to reporters at Tiruvannamalai, Speaker M Appavu said a special sitting of the Assembly will be held on Saturday.

On the purpose of the special meet, he said he has learnt that Governor Ravi has returned to the government several bills sent to him for his assent.

The state government intends getting such bills adopted again immediately, and hence the Assembly will meet on November 18, he added.

The DMK regime has recently approached the Supreme Court accusing the Raj Bhavan of sitting over bills passed by the Assembly.

At least 12 bills were pending besides, 4 official orders and a file related to the premature release of 54 prisoners. The number of bills returned to the government by Governor Ravi is not clear. The Assembly had been adjourned sine die in October.

The apex court on November 10 had termed as a "matter of serious concern" the alleged delay by Governor Ravi in giving assent to bills passed by the Assembly. It sought the Centre's response on the state government's petition accusing the Raj Bhavan of "sitting over" 12 bills.
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun this morning followed by mostly cloudy skies and a few showers this afternoon. High 52F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Rain ending early. Remaining cloudy. Low 43F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 90%.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 16, 2023 - 20:17 | Sports, All

Ozeki Hoshoryu continued his perfect start to the Kyushu Grand Sumo Tournament by pushing out No. 4 maegashira Gonoyama on Thursday.

The 24-year-old nephew of Mongolian great Asashoryu outwrestled the former second-division juryo champion in an entertaining Day 5 battle to remain unbeaten on top of the leaderboard alongside sekiwake Kotonowaka, No. 8 Atamifuji and No. 14 Ichiyamamoto.

Failing to reach mutual consent during a protracted stare-down, the pair stepped away from their marks twice before finally getting down to business at Fukuoka Kokusai Center.

Gonoyama (1-4) delivered a strong opening thrust and drove Hoshoryu toward the edge before making an ill-judged attempt to pull the ozeki off balance. That opening was all Hoshoryu needed to seize the momentum and push the maegashira back across the ring and out.

Rising star Kotonowaka maintained his spotless record by handing fellow sekiwake Daieisho his first loss of the 15-day tournament. The powerfully built 25-year-old stopped Daieisho in his tracks and slung him to the clay with an under-shoulder swing down.

Ozeki Kirishima improved to 4-1 by dispatching one of the local favorites, No. 2 Meisei, who had beaten ozeki Takakeisho in one of the biggest upsets of Day 4. The Mongolian grappler was barely troubled as he slapped Meisei (1-4) to the clay.

September champion Takakeisho (4-1) bounced back from his loss to Meisei, advancing his bid for a second straight Emperor's Cup and a yokozuna promotion by quickly pushing out No. 3 Takayasu (2-3).

Sekiwake Wakamotoharu improved to 3-2 as he inflicted a fifth straight loss on embattled No. 1 Ura via frontal crush out.

The 21-year-old Atamifuji, who grabbed headlines with his surprise title challenge at the September tournament, provided further evidence that the performance was no flash in the pan with an impressive force-out victory over veteran No. 10 Kotoeko (2-3).

Related coverage:

Sumo: Local favorite Meisei upsets yokozuna-hopeful Takakeisho

Sumo: 3 ozeki continue perfect start after 3 days at Kyushu meet

Sumo: Takakeisho stays on track with tough Day 2 win over Shodai




The defendant in a 2021 mass shooting that killed 10 people at a Colorado supermarket pleaded not guilty by reason of insanity on Tuesday as a judge ruled that the case can move to trial.

Defense attorneys for defendant Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa entered the plea on his behalf during a hearing before Judge Ingrid Bakke in Boulder.

A plea of not guilty by reason of insanity involves whether someones mental health prevented them from understanding right from wrong when a crime was committed.

Alissa is charged with murder and multiple attempted murder counts. Neither his attorneys nor anyone else has disputed that he was the gunman. A forensic psychologist testified during a hearing in September that the 24-year-old Alissa bought firearms to carry out a mass shooting and indicated there was some intention to commit suicide by cop. Alissa, dressed in an orange and white striped jail uniform, looked down and at the judge at times as she advised him of rights about entering the insanity plea.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. APs earlier story follows below.

DENVER (AP)  It took just over a minute for the gunman in a 2021 mass shooting to kill most of his victims at a Colorado supermarket, where he targeted individuals who were moving and continued firing at them until they were dead, a police detective testified Tuesday.

Ten people including a police officer were killed in the attack at a crowded King Soopers store in the college town of Boulder. The first eight victims died within 69 seconds; all but one were shot multiple times and everyone who was shot was killed, Boulder Police Detective Sarah Cantu said Tuesday.

He found moving targets, pursued them and shot them until they stopped moving, Cantu said as prosecutors laid out their case against a mentally ill man recently deemed competent to stand trial in the March 22, 2021, shooting.

The hearing was to decide if there was enough evidence for defendant Ahmad Al Aliwi Alissa, who has schizophrenia, to go on trial in the shooting about 30 miles (50 kilometers) northwest of Denver. Judge Ingrid Bakke ruled after Cantus testimony that the case can move to trial.

Authorities have not determined a motive, Cantu said. But a forensic psychologist testified during a hearing in September that the 24-year-old Alissa bought firearms to carry out a mass shooting and indicated there was some intention to commit suicide by cop.

Alissa, who is charged with murder and multiple attempted murder counts, has not been asked to enter a plea yet. But neither his attorneys nor anyone else has disputed that he was the gunman.

At the September hearing, a forensic psychologist, Loandra Torres, also told the judge that Alissa knows his fingerprints were found on guns that could be used as evidence against him. He was arrested in the store after being shot by a police officer.

Tuesdays hearing is the next required step in his prosecution, which until recently had been stalled because of Alissas mental health.

For families of victims, it is an important milestone. Robert Olds, whose niece Rikki Olds was killed, was in the front row of the courtroom. He said he wanted justice on behalf of his niece, a 25-year-old front-end manager at the supermarket.

Its the last fight, the last stand for my niece who cant be here to do that herself because this guy murdered her, Robert Olds said.

Alissa sat at the defense table wearing a striped jail jumpsuit, next to two of his lawyers and with four deputies nearby.

Hes accused of killing nine shoppers and workers inside and outside the store as well as Officer Eric Talley, a father of seven and one of the first three police officers who entered the store. The dead included Denny Stong, Neven Stanisic, Tralona Bartkowiak, Teri Leiker, Suzanne Fountain, Kevin Mahoney, Lynn Murray and Jody Waters.

Authorities have said Alissa legally purchased the AR-556 pistol, which resembles a rifle, used in the attack. The families of some of the victims are suing its manufacturer, Sturm, Ruger & Co., saying it markets the gun in a reckless and immoral way that promoted its killing capability and glorified lone gunmen. In a court filing, the company said its marketing does not promote illegal activity and that the lawsuit is trying to unconstitutionally punish its lawful and protected commercial speech.

Alissa was declared mentally incompetent in late 2021 and sent to the state mental hospital for treatment. After he was forcibly medicated, experts this summer said his condition had improved significantly. Last month, Bakke ruled that Alissa was competent to be prosecuted over the objections of the defense after hearing testimony from psychologists.

Another psychologist who testified for the prosecution at the September hearing, Julie Gallagher, attributed the length of time it took for Alissa to reach mental competency to the severity of his illness.

Initial evaluations throughout 2021 and 2022 found Alissa incompetent for trial largely due to his inability to communicate clearly and at times his outright refusal to discuss the allegations against him, Torres testified.

Mental competency involves whether a defendant is able to understand court proceedings and communicate with his lawyers to help his own defense. It is a different legal issue than a plea of not guilty by reason of insanity, which involves whether someones mental health prevented them from understanding right from wrong when a crime was committed.

Alissas family immigrated from Syria, he became a U.S. citizen and they lived in a middle-class neighborhood in a Denver suburb, where the family also had a restaurant.

The only known problem prior to the shooting was in 2018 when Alissa was convicted of assaulting a fellow high school student, a misdemeanor, according to police documents. A former classmate also told The Associated Press that Alissa was kicked off the wrestling team after yelling he would kill everyone following a loss in a practice match.

The supermarket shooting ended after Alissa was wounded by a police officer who was part of a second wave of law enforcement that entered the store after Talley was killed.

(AP)




New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy on Wednesday launched a bid for the Democratic nomination for U.S. Senate in next years contest.

Her candidacy, announced Wednesday, puts her in the running to become the first woman elected to the Senate from New Jersey. The Democratic primary already features Rep. Andy Kim and could include Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Menendez, who has lost significant party support amid federal bribery charges but has not ruled out a run in 2024.

We need a senator who will work every single day to lower the cost of living, protect abortion rights, end the gun violence epidemic, and defend our democracy, she said in a roughly four-minute-long video posted online.

Murphy, 58, is a constant at events alongside her husband, Democratic Gov. Phil Murphy, and has taken on maternal and infant health and the environment as her top issues during her time as first lady  issues she highlighted in her announcement.

A Virginia native, and University of Virginia graduate, Tammy Murphy worked in finance at Goldman Sachs alongside Phil Murphy before the couple settled in New Jersey. They have four children.

Democrats picked up at least five seats in the Assembly in this years midterm legislative elections, a boon for the governor who is in the final two years of his second term.

Those successes could translate into critical county support for the first lady, who campaigned alongside the governor to increase their partys legislative majorities. A number of key county party chairmen set candidate ballot positions, and support from the county party frequently leads to electoral success.

Debbie Walsh, the director of the Center for American Women and Politics at Rutgers University said the system, which can often surprises political newcomers, could work to elect a woman to the Senate in this case.

This is one individual woman who has the advantage here of being able to use the system that has been the challenge or the barrier to womens participation. In some ways maybe thats the way we get the first woman in the Senate, maybe thats the breakthrough, Walsh said.

Patricia Campos-Medina, a political activist and labor leader, said she is also considering a run on the Democratic side and that shes heard from people that theyre concerned about the possibility of losing a Latino voice in the U. S. Senate if Menendez doesnt return. She also said she thinks its a moment of worker activism and, like Tammy Murphy, an opportunity to stand up for womens reproductive rights.

On the GOP side, Mendham Mayor Christine Serrano Glassner is also seeking the Senate seat next year. New Jerseys primary is June 4.

Murphy is well known in New Jerseys political circles. Before the governors first run for office in 2017, she worked to set up a think tank he used to showcase policy ideas. She is the honorary chair of the New Jersey Council on the Green Economy and launched Nurture NJ, an initiative aimed at boosting infant and maternal health and lowering maternal mortality, with a goal of cutting maternal mortality by 50% by 2026.

A former Republican, Tammy Murphy has spoken about growing up in a GOP-leaning area of Virginia and has previously donated to that party. She became a Democrat before her husbands run for office.

Tammy Murphy was named in a gender discrimination lawsuit this year brought by state troopers who worked on the detail responsible for providing security for the governor. The suit alleges that Tammy Murphy denied a trooper the use of a carriage house on Murphys property to pump breast milk.

In a statement this week, she denied the allegations as outrageous and categorically false.

Menendez has pleaded not guilty to federal charges. Prosecutors have said the senator and his wife, Nadine Menendez, accepted bribes of cash, gold bars and a luxury car over the past five years from three New Jersey businessmen in exchange for a variety of corrupt acts. Hes also accused of being an unregistered agent on behalf of Egypt.

He hasnt said whether hell seek reelection in 2024 but said after being indicted that hes not going anywhere.

Menendez criticized Tammy Murphy in a statement Wednesday for being a card-carrying Republicans for years and said shed have to answer for the policies of her husbands administration, echoing similar attacks the GOP tried against the governor in his 2021 reelection bid.

Ill gladly put my record of success on behalf of the people of New Jersey against anyone, he said.

He was first appointed to the Senate seat in 2006 after the vacancy caused by Jon Corzines election as governor of New Jersey. Menendez has since won three elections to the Senate.

Menendezs indictment led to a collapse of Democratic support in the state for him.

Kim, a three-term representative from the states 3rd District, announced his candidacy just a day after the corruption charges against Menendez, saying he believed New Jersey deserved better. He was the first Asian American elected from New Jersey, according to the U.S. House historians database.

He said in a statement Wednesday that voters want someone battle tested and proven so we dont let Washington Republicans take back the Senate.

(AP)




When people think of noncompete agreements, they usually think of corporate executives with knowledge of prized trade secrets, whose lavish pay packages often come with a condition that if they quit or get fired, they cant go work for an industry rival.

More and more, though, employers are requiring regular workers to sign those deals. About 1 in 5 American workers, nearly 30 million people, are bound by noncompete agreements, according to the Federal Trade Commission.

Horror stories about companies using noncompete agreements to trap workers in middling jobs or punish them for taking their skills elsewhere for better pay prompted New York legislators to pass a bill last June that would ban noncompete agreements.

Five months later, though, Gov. Kathy Hochul hasnt said whether she intends to sign the legislation, which has come under a fierce attack by business groups.

The Public Policy Institute of the State of New York, an affiliate of the Business Council of New York, launched a $1 million ad campaign last month in an attempt to thwart the legislation. Some of the loudest opposition has come from Wall Street, where firms see noncompete agreements as important to protecting investment strategies and keeping highly-paid workers from walking out with valuable inside information.

Supporters of the ban say it would help people like lighting designer Richard Tatum, a New York City resident who had signed a noncompete agreement and spent a year fighting a former employer in court after they sued him for getting another job shortly after they laid him off in 2009. He had a family to support and wasnt moving or leaving his industry, he said.

I felt I had no choice but to fight, said Tatum, who now works for an event production company. He said he understands being fired during the financial meltdown. But the fact that I had to spend a year fighting off my former employer was just wrong.

A handful of states, including California, already ban noncompete agreements. Other states, including Minnesota and Oklahoma, have laws that void noncompete agreements if a person is laid off.

The Federal Trade Commission proposed a regulation in January banning noncompete agreements, arguing that they hurt workers. President Joe Biden said at the time that the agreements block millions of retail workers, construction workers and other working folks from taking better jobs and getting better pay and benefits in the same field.

If signed by Hochul, a Democrat, the New York bill would only affect noncompete agreements signed after the law goes into effect. The legislation would not restrict nondisclosure agreements.

Hochuls office said shes still reviewing the legislation. She has until the end of the year to make a decision.

Business groups say the ban shouldnt apply to certain industries and job levels, like top executives or partners in tech companies or law firms. They also said it could push employers to ship jobs to states like Florida and Texas that do not have similar laws.

This bill poses a serious risk to innovation and job growth and, if enacted, could unravel the delicate balance between protecting business investment and fostering a competitive job market, said Paul Zuber, the executive vice president for the Business Council of New York.

Advocates for the bill argue that striking noncompete agreements will actually be good for innovation.

State Senator Sean Ryan, a Democrat who sponsored the bill, pointed to Silicon Valley in California, a hub for tech companies.

All the flexibility you see in that economy would have been dashed had they made it so you couldnt go work for an emerging tech company, Ryan said.

The bill, he added, would give employees more flexibility and agency when considering other employment opportunities.

Tatum, the lighting designer who reached a legal settlement with his former employer to keep working in his profession, said, I just dont think anyone like me should have to go through that again.

(AP)




A heavily armed gang burst into a hospital in Haiti on Wednesday and took hostage hundreds of women, children and newborns, according to the director of the medical center who pleaded for help via social media.

Jose Ulysse, founder and director of the Fontaine Hospital Center in the sprawling Cite Soleil slum in the capital of Port-au-Prince, confirmed the incident in a brief message exchange with The Associated Press. We are in great difficulty, he said.

No further details were immediately available, and it was not clear why the assailants may have taken patients hostage. Ulysse did not respond to further questions for comment.

The hospital is considered an oasis and a lifeline in a community overrun by gangs that have unleashed increasingly violent attacks against each other, with civilians who live in Cite Soleil routinely raped, beaten or killed.

Ulysse identified those responsible as members of the Brooklyn gang, led by Gabriel Jean-Pierre, best known as Ti Gabriel. Jean-Pierre also is the leader of a powerful gang alliance known as G-Pep, one of two rival coalitions in Haiti.

The Brooklyn gang has some 200 members and controls certain communities within Cite Soleil including Brooklyn. They are involved in extortion, hijacking of goods and general violence against civilians, according to a recent U.N. report.

The G-Pep coalition and its allies strongly reinforced cooperation and diversified their revenues, in particular by committing kidnapping for ransom, which has enabled them to strengthen their fighting capacity, the report stated.

When The Associated Press visited the Fontaine Hospital Center earlier this year, Ulysse said in an interview that gangs had targeted him personally twice before.

Gangs across Haiti have continued to grow more powerful since the July 2021 assassination of President Jovenel Moise, and the number of kidnappings and killings keep rising.

Earlier this year, at least 20 armed gang members burst into a hospital run by Doctors Without Borders and snatched a patient from an operating room. The criminals gained access after faking a life-threatening emergency, the organization said.

(AP)




A top Ukrainian official said its troops have established a beachhead on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River near Kherson, an important advance in overcoming one of Russias most significant strategic barriers in the war.

Andriy Yermak, head of the presidents office, provided no details but confirmed the development that had been widely discussed in military forums over the past month. Against all odds, Ukraines defense forces have gained a foothold on the left bank, he told the Hudson Institute, a Washington think tank, in a speech Monday.

Ever since Russian forces left the city of Kherson and the territory around it in November 2022, the only area they controlled on the west bank of the Dnieper, the river became a natural dividing line along the southern battlefront, preventing Ukrainian troops from advancing further towards Russian-annexed Crimea.

The barrier also allowed Russia to concentrate more troops in the heavily mined and fortified Zaporizhzhia region and eastern Ukraine. Crossing the river could allow Ukraine to outflank Russia without having to break through the Zaporizhzhia region and take the most direct land route to Crimea.

Yermak said Ukraines military had moved step by step toward Crimea and covered nearly three-quarters of the distance there.

Since the summer, Ukrainian forces have crossed the river in small groups to create a foothold near the Kherson bridge and more recently sought to expand their presence in nearby villages on the east bank, including Krynky.

The Institute for the Study of War in Washington said Yermaks comments confirm its own assessments that Ukraine was conducting larger-than-usual ground operations on the rivers eastern bank and appeared to be holding its positions and supplying troops in the Russian-controlled part of the Kherson region.

Satellite imagery from Monday showed forces advancing on Krynky on the eastern bank about 22 miles (35 kilometers) northeast of Kherson city, the institute said.

Russian military bloggers have reported intense fighting near Krynky.

The Moscow-appointed governor for the Russia-occupied part of the Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said Ukrainian forces lost up to two battalions crossing the river and trying to maintain their foothold on the east bank.

On his Telegram channel, he claimed that Ukrainian forces in Krynky were facing a fiery hell of intense bombardment and were being destroyed on a large scale.

Ukrainian forces have long established positions in several areas on the eastern bank and sought to expand them, using boats to ferry supplies.

Ukraine lost control over almost the entire Kherson region, including the city of Kherson, in March 2022, just after Russias invasion started. Russian troops advanced from the Crimean Peninsula, facing almost no resistance even though the Ukraine border was supposed to be heavily guarded.

In other developments:

At least two civilians were killed and 14 wounded in Ukraine in the past day, the presidents office said.

In the eastern Donetsk region, Russians launched a massive missile attack on Selydove that wounded three people and damaged eight high-rise buildings and others.

In the Kherson region, seven people were wounded during shelling of residential areas of Beryslav and the city of Kherson.

Drones killed a 26-year-old man in Nikopol, on the opposite bank of the river from the area near the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.

In the Kharkiv region, shelling near Izium struck a car and killed a 33-year-old driver and wounded a passenger.

(AP)




French judicial authorities issued international arrest warrants for Syrian President Bashar Assad, his brother and two army generals for alleged complicity in war crimes and crimes against humanity, lawyers for Syrian victims said Wednesday. They include a 2013 chemical attack on rebel-held Damascus suburbs.

A victim of the attack welcomed the move as a reminder of the horrors of Syrias civil war, and urged countries where Assad might travel to arrest him. While he is unlikely to face trial in France, international warrants for a serving world leader are very rare, and send a strong message about Assads leadership at a time when some countries have welcomed him back into the diplomatic fold.

In addition to President Assad, the arrest warrants were issued for his brother, Maher Assad, the commander of the 4th Armored Division, and two Syrian army generals, Ghassan Abbas and Bassam al-Hassan, the lawyers said.

There was no immediate comment from the Syrian government on the warrants.

Jeanne Sulzer and Clemence Witt, lawyers at the Paris Bar who represent the plaintiffs, and non-governmental organizations behind the complaint, hailed the decision.

It marks a crucial milestone in the battle against impunity, Sulzer told The Associated Press. It signifies a positive evolution in case law recognizing the grave nature of the crimes committed.

The Paris prosecutors office has not publicly commented on the arrest warrants, which remain secret under French law while an investigation is ongoing.

Legally speaking, this is a procedural act as the investigation into the 2013 attacks in Eastern Ghouta and Douma continues, Sulzer said. The four individuals named in the arrest warrants can be arrested and brought to France for questioning, she said.

More than 1,000 people were killed and thousands were injured in the August 2013 attacks on Douma and Eastern Ghouta.

The investigation into the two chemical weapons attacks has been conducted under universal jurisdiction in France by a special unit of the Paris Judicial Court. It was opened in 2021 in response to a criminal complaint by the survivors, and filed by the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression.

Mazen Darwish, the director of the center, called the warrants a new victory for the victims, their families and survivors of the 2013 attacks.

Assads government was widely deemed by the international community to be responsible for the Aug. 21, 2013, sarin gas attack in the then-opposition-held Damascus suburb of eastern Ghouta. The Syrian government and its allies have denied their responsibility and claimed the Ghouta attack was carried out by opposition forces trying to push for foreign military intervention.

The United States threatened military retaliation in the aftermath of the attack, with then-President Barack Obama saying Assads use of chemical weapons would be Washingtons red line. However, the U.S. public and Congress were wary of a new war, as invasions in Afghanistan and Iraq had turned into quagmires.

Washington settled for a deal with Moscow for Syria to give up its chemical weapons stockpile.

Syria says it eliminated its chemical arsenal under the 2013 agreement. However, watchdog groups have continued to allege chemical attacks by Syrian government forces since then.

Alaa Makhzoumi, a survivor of the chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta, said the French decision is an initial step towards achieving justice and fulfilling the rights of all martyrs and victims we lost that day.

Makhzoumi, now a refugee in Turkey, said she and her husband and son suffered respiratory problems after the attack, and her younger son was born with birth defects that she believes are linked to chemical exposure.

The most important thing about this decision is to bring the chemical (attacks) issue back to the forefront, she said, at a time when international attention has drifted away from Syria following normalization agreements of several Arab countries with Assads government.

I hope that all countries will contribute to the implementation of the decision by arresting Assad if they have the opportunity, Makhzoumi said.

In addition to France, complaints relating to the chemical attacks in Eastern Ghouta in 2013 and Khan Shaykhun in 2017 were submitted to the authorities in Germany in 2020, and in Sweden in 2021, based on witness testimonies, visual evidence and information about the chain of command of the entities suspected of carrying out the attacks.

The volume and detailed evidence in the Eastern Ghouta case filed in France convinced the judges that there is serious or corroborating evidence making it likely that President Assad, his brother Maher and generals Abbas and Hassan, took part in planning an execution of these attacks and bear individual criminal responsibility for the crimes, the NGOs behind the complaint in France said in a statement.

Syria is not a member of the International Criminal Court, meaning it does not have jurisdiction there. However, human rights lawyers in the past have urged prosecutors to open an investigation into crimes during the countrys civil war, arguing that the court could exercise jurisdiction over Syrian civilians forced into Jordan, which is a member of the court.

So far, the court has not opened an investigation.

An investigative team at the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons has repeatedly found that Syrian forces used chemical weapons, including in the April 2018 attack on Douma. However, the OPCW does not have any means of prosecuting perpetrators.

(AP)




Three Jewish students at New York University have taken legal action against the institution, claiming a failure to address rising antisemitism on campus. The lawsuit, initiated by juniors Bella Ingber, Sabrina Maslavi, and Saul Tawil, was filed in Manhattan federal court on Tuesday.

The students legal move invokes Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act, which outlaws discrimination based on race, color, or national origin. They allege that antisemitic behavior at NYU has been ongoing and has intensified following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas conflict on October 7. The lawsuit accuses the university of demonstrating deliberate indifference to their plight.

The age-old virus of antisemitism is alive and well at New York University, the lawsuit reads. This case arises from NYUs egregious civil rights violations that have created a hostile educational environment in which plaintiffs and other Jewish NYU students have been subjected to pervasive acts of hatred, discrimination, harassment and intimidation.

According to the students, the environment at NYU permits the abuse, vilification, and threatening of Jewish students by other students and faculty members. They report having faced verbal and physical threats, leading to a feeling of unsafety on campus. The lawsuit details instances of encountering hostile groups chanting against Jews and Israel, contributing to a traumatic experience for the plaintiffs. This situation, they claim, has adversely impacted their academic performance and restricted their movement around campus, including the university library.

Even though every instance of antisemitic behavior alleged herein is prohibited by one or more of NYUs policies, the university has done nothing to enforce these policies to remedy or prevent that behavior, and certainly nothing approaching the manner in which NYU has enforced them with respect to misconduct not involving antisemitism, the lawsuit says. NYU selectively enforces its own rules, deeming Jewish students unworthy of the protections it readily affords to non-Jewish students victimized by discrimination, harassment, and intimidation.

The students argue that the alleged exposure to genocidal chants has deprived them of the ability to fully engage in NYUs educational programs, putting them at risk of severe emotional and physical harm. The case highlights ongoing concerns about campus environments and the responsibility of educational institutions to safeguard their students well-being and rights.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




A jury on Thursday convicted the man who broke into former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis San Francisco home seeking to hold her hostage and attacked her husband with a hammer of federal charges of attempted kidnapping and assault.

The jury deliberated for about eight hours before finding David DePape guilty of attempted kidnapping of a federal official and assault on the immediate family member of a federal official. DePape, who faces up to 50 years in prison, did not react as the verdict was read.

The attack on then-82-year-old Paul Pelosi that was captured on police body camera video just days before last years midterm elections sent shockwaves through the political world.

DePape, 43, admitted during trial testimony that he broke into the Pelosis home on Oct. 28, 2022, intending to hold Nancy Pelosi hostage and break her kneecaps if she lied to him. He also admitted to bludgeoning Paul Pelosi with a hammer after San Francisco police officers showed up at the home, saying his plan to end what he viewed as government corruption was unraveling.

Defense attorneys and prosecutors did not immediately comment on the verdict. The U.S. Department of Justice planned to hold a news conference later in the day.

A sentencing date has not yet been set. A status hearing is scheduled for Dec. 13.

Defense attorneys argued that DePape was motivated by his political beliefs, not because he wanted to interfere with Nancy Pelosis official duties as a member of Congress, making the charges against him invalid. One of his attorneys, Angela Chuang, told jurors during closing arguments Wednesday that DePape was caught up in conspiracies.

During her rebuttal, prosecutor Helen Gilbert said the defense had made a false distinction between the California Democrats politics and official duties and that DePape didnt differentiate between the two.

DePape, a Canadian citizen who moved to the U.S. more than 20 years ago, also is charged in state court with assault with a deadly weapon, elder abuse, residential burglary and other felonies. A state trial date will be set during a Nov. 29 hearing, said San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins. She said her office will confer with federal prosecutors and the Pelosis to determine next steps.

During his testimony, DePape echoed right-wing conspiracy theories and told jurors he had planned to wear an inflatable unicorn costume and record his interrogation of Nancy Pelosi to upload it online. Prosecutors say he had rope and zip ties with him. Detectives also found body cameras, a computer and a tablet.

DePape testified that his plan was to get Nancy Pelosi to admit that she had been lying to the American people. If she lied, I would break her kneecaps, he said. The choice is on her.

He said he would then move to other targets, including a womens and queer studies professor who testified at the trial, California Gov. Gavin Newsom, actor Tom Hanks and President Joe Bidens son Hunter Biden.

Paul Pelosi also testified, recalling how he was awakened by a large man bursting into the bedroom door and asking, Wheres Nancy? He said that when he responded that his wife was in Washington, DePape said he would tie him up while they waited for her.

It was a tremendous sense of shock to recognize that somebody had broken into the house and looking at him and looking at the hammer and the ties, I recognized that I was in serious danger, so I tried to stay as calm as possible, Pelosi told jurors.

Pelosi recounted how he managed to call 911 with DePape looking on, urging Pelosi to tell police that he was a friend. Pelosi said he tried to tell police what was happening without aggravating DePape.

Pelosi recalled being thankful when the police arrived, only for DePape to then hit him with the hammer. He said he woke up in a pool of his own blood.

More than a year after the attack, he still hasnt fully recovered, Pelosi said. A neurosurgeon who operated on him testified that Pelosi had two wounds on his head, including a fracture to his skull that had to be mended with plates and screws he will have for the rest of his life. Pelosi also needed stitches on injuries to his right arm and hand, the surgeon said.

A spokesperson for Nancy Pelosi issued a statement after the verdict was announced saying Paul Pelosi continues to make progress in his recovery and that the family was grateful for the outpouring of support for him from people across the U.S..

DePape testified he thought Paul Pelosi was dead until he saw he was charged by San Francisco prosecutors with attempted murder.

He was never my target and Im sorry that he got hurt, DePape said.

He told jurors he believed news outlets repeatedly lied about former President Donald Trump. In rants posted on a blog and online forum that were taken down after his arrest, DePape echoed the baseless, right-wing QAnon conspiracy theory that claims the U.S. government is run by a cabal of devil-worshipping pedophiles. He repeated QAnon-like conspiracies during his testimony, referring to a cabal and the ruling elite and saying they are eroding Americans liberty and allowing the abuse of children.

(AP)




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Six members of Israeli security forces were injured on Thursday morning in a shooting attack at a checkpoint on the tunnel road between Jerusalem and Gush Etzion.

Three terrorists arrived at the checkpoint by car at about 9 a.m. The passengers aroused the suspicion of the Israeli security forces at the checkpoint and they stopped the car for an inspection. The terrorists opened fire, injuring a number of them. Other security forces at the checkpoint quickly opened fire and neutralized all the terrorists.

Two Kalashnikov rifles and other weapons and ammunition were found in the terrorists car.

MDA paramedics administered emergency medical aid at the scene and evacuated the victims to Hadassah Ein Kerem and Shaarei Tzedek Hospitals, one in critical to serious condition and the others in light to moderate condition.

This is the third terror attack in Jerusalem since the war began.

(YWN Israel Desk  Jerusalem)
KYODO NEWS - Nov 16, 2023 - 17:34 | All, Japan, World

A car crashed into a barricade set up near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, injuring a riot police officer who was on guard amid heightened security due to the Israel-Hamas conflict, police said.

The police arrested 53-year-old Shinobu Sekiguchi, a member of a right-wing group, at the scene for allegedly obstructing the officer's duties by hitting him with the minivehicle at around 10:50 a.m. on a street some 60 meters northwest of the embassy.

About six hours before the incident, a post believed to have been made by Sekiguchi on X, formerly called Twitter, said, "Israel is at fault for invading the Gaza Strip," according to a source close to the matter.

He admitted to the allegations and said he feels sorry for the officer, according to the police. The officer in his 20s has sustained injuries that include a broken finger.

The incident occurred amid tightened security, as various groups have been staging demonstrations near the embassy in protest of Israel's attacks on the Gaza Strip.

Israel's military has been intensifying its ground invasion of Gaza as part of its attempt to root out the Palestinian militant group Hamas after it committed a deadly cross-border attack on Oct. 7, in which hundreds of civilians were taken as hostages.

Related coverage:

U.N. Security Council adopts resolution for Gaza humanitarian pauses




Israeli forces dropped leaflets warning Palestinians to flee parts of southern Gaza, residents said Thursday, signaling a possible expansion of their offensive to areas where hundreds of thousands of people who heeded earlier evacuation orders are crowded into U.N.-run shelters and family homes.

Meanwhile, soldiers continued searching Shifa Hospital in the north, in a raid that began early Wednesday. They displayed guns they found hidden in one building, but have yet to release any footage of the central Hamas command center that Israel says is concealed beneath the complex.

The war, now in its sixth week, was triggered by a senseless Hamas attack into southern Israel on Oct. 7 in which the terrorists killed over 1,200 people, mostly civilians, and abducted some 240 men, women and children. Israel responded with a weekslong air campaign and a ground invasion of northern Gaza, vowing to remove Hamas from power and crush its military capabilities.

SOME GUNS, BUT SO FAR NO TUNNELS

Israeli troops stormed into Gazas largest hospital Wednesday, searching for traces of Hamas inside and beneath the facility.

Troops searched the underground levels of the hospital on Thursday and detained technicians responsible for running its equipment, the Hamas-run Health Ministry in Gaza said in a statement.

The military said its soldiers were accompanied by medical teams bringing in incubators and other supplies.

After encircling Shifa for days, Israel faces pressure to prove its claim that Hamas used the patients, staff and civilians sheltering there to provide cover for its fighters. The allegation  which the U.S. has said it has intelligence to support  is part of Israels broader accusation that Hamas uses Palestinians as human shields.

The military released video from inside Shifa showing three duffel bags it said it found hidden around an MRI lab, each containing an assault rifle, grenades and Hamas uniforms, as well as a closet that contained a number of assault rifles without ammunition clips.

Israeli forces battled terrorists outside the hospital for days, but there were no reports of any fighting within the hospital after Israeli troops entered.

LOOKING SOUTH

The leaflets, dropped in areas east of the southern town of Khan Younis, warned civilians to evacuate and said anyone in the vicinity of terrorists or their positions is putting his life in danger. Similar leaflets were dropped over northern Gaza for weeks ahead of the ground invasion.

Defense Minister Yoav Gallant said Wednesday the ground operation will eventually include both the north and south. We will strike Hamas wherever it is.

Even as Israel signals a wider offensive, it has yet to put forth a long-term plan, aside from saying it will maintain security control over Gaza indefinitely.

The U.S. has urged Israel not to reoccupy the territory, from which it withdrew soldiers and settlers in 2005, and supports the eventual creation of a Palestinian state including Gaza and the occupied West Bank  also the long-held aspiration of the Palestinians. Israels government was staunchly opposed to Palestinian statehood even before the war.

The military says it has largely consolidated its control of the north, including seizing and demolishing government buildings. Video released by the army Thursday showed soldiers moving between heavily damaged buildings through holes blown in their walls.

The military said it had blown up a residence belonging to Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader based abroad. It was unclear if anyone was inside the building.

(AP)




Police in Japan said Thursday they arrested a driver after a vehicle crashed into a temporary barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo, injuring one police officer.

Tokyo Metropolitan Police Department said they arrested a 53-year-old man on suspicion of obstructing official duties. The man was unemployed and a member of a right-wing group, police said.

Tokyo police said the suspect suddenly drove into the street where police officers were on duty at the barricade set up to secure the Israeli Embassy, injuring an officer in his 20s. His injury was not life-threatening, police said. Media reports said he had a hand injury.

The alleged motive and whether the embassy was targeted are not known. Demonstrators often gather to protest Israels attacks on Gaza, and the street near the embassy has been barricaded by Japanese police.

Photographs and video footage showed a black compact vehicle crashed into a guardrail by the sidewalk, with debris scattered on the street. The crash site is near an intersection about 100 meters (yards) from the embassy and in an area with many offices and restaurants.

The Kyodo News agency reported that the suspect admitted to police he rammed into the barricade, and that he was sorry that the police officer was injured.

(AP)




For years, the Houthi rebels controlling northern Yemen have chanted slogans at their mass rallies calling for the destruction of Israel. But they never acted on it until the Israel-Hamas war began on Oct. 7.

Since then, the Iran-backed Shiite Muslim force has launched at least six drone and missile attacks toward southern Israel, causing little to no damage. Most have been intercepted by Israeli air defenses on their journey of over 1,600 kilometers (960 miles) from northern Yemen.

The Houthis said the barrage is in retaliation for the Israeli armys bombardment of Gaza and will continue until Israeli aggression stops. Heres a look at the attacks and what threat they pose.

THE REBELS WHO SEIZED SANAA

In 2014, the Houthis swept from their stronghold in Yemens northern mountains and seized the capital, Sanaa, along with other central areas of the country.

The Islamist group follows the Shiite Zaydi faith, a branch of Shiite Islam almost exclusively found in northwest Yemen. The majority of Yemens population are Sunni Muslim, but Zaydis make up a large minority. The Houthi movement was fueled by decades of marginalization by Yemens ruling elite.

Their takeover sparked a brutal civil war. Saudi Arabia and its allies formed a military coalition to back the government that was driven out of Sanaa to the south. Yemen became another front in the regional rivalry between Saudi Arabia and Iran. The war has killed more than 150,000 people and created one of the worlds worst humanitarian disasters.

The Houthi movement espouses a hard-line Islamist ideology. Over time, it has hardened its anti-American, anti-Saudi and anti-Israeli rhetoric. Their official slogan reads G-d is the greatest, death to America, death to Israel. Curse the Jews, victory to Islam.

WHY ATTACK ISRAEL?

The attacks are a public show of support for Hamas, which is also backed by Iran, but also a reflection of the Houthis doctrine and ambitions.

They join their allies in the Axis of Resistance, a collection of Iran-backed groups and governments in the region. Other key members, Hamas and Hezbollah, have kept up a steady fire on Israel since the war began.

Two Houthi officials said the groups leadership is in communication with Hezbollah and Hamas about their military activities but not the Iranian government. The officials refused to elaborate and spoke on condition of anonymity as they were not authorized to speak with the media.

The Houthis anti-Western sentiment is a driver in itself, said Farea al-Muslimi, a research fellow at Chatham House specializing in Yemen. Their death to America, death to Israel slogan is not there for electoral and voter reasons, al-Muslimi said. It is a life and ideology doctrine.

Unlike Hezbollah and Hamas, whose fighters border Israel, distance makes Houthi attacks much harder. Given this, al-Muslimi said he expects the low-level drone and missile fire to continue but not intensify greatly.

They will hit Israel just enough to say, We can hit you too, he said.

There are other ways the conflict could escalate. Abdul Malik al-Houthi, the groups supreme leader, said Tuesday his forces would target Israeli ships operating in the Red Sea.

Last week, the Houthis downed a U.S. drone it said was flying above Yemeni territorial waters and spying on its forces. The U.S. State Department acknowledged the attack. The Houthi leader has warned of strikes on American interests in the region if Washington becomes directly involved in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

The Houthi attacks are likely to further complicate their peace talks with the Saudi government, which have gone on for months as neither side is able to achieve victory on the battlefield.

The strikes on Israel will only further embolden the Houthis and the belief they have the upper hand against the Saudi coalition, said Nadwa Dawsari, a non-resident scholar at the Middle East Institute. She points out that renewed clashes have flared along the front lines in Yemen, including in the contested city of Marib and along the northern border.

THE HOUTHIS MILITARY CAPABILITIES

The Houthis arsenal has grown in size and variety since 2014.

Analysts and Western intelligence services accuse Iran of arming the group. Tehran denies this. In recent years, U.S. naval forces have intercepted a number of ships packed with rifles, rocket-propelled grenades and missile parts on route from Iran to Houthi-controlled areas of Yemen.

The Houthis have long-range ballistic missiles, smaller cruise missiles and suicide drones, all capable of reaching southern Israel, weapons experts say. The Houthis are far more open about their arsenal than Hamas and Hezbollah, displaying new ballistic missiles such as the Tofun during military parades.

The depth of their arsenal is less known.

The Houthis say they have fired drones and ballistic missiles at southern Israel. In thwarting attacks from the Red Sea, Israel said it used its Arrow missile defense system, which intercepts long-range ballistic missiles.

Fabian Hinz, a missile expert and research fellow at the International Institute for Strategic Studies, said the only way to overcome Israeli defense systems would be to overwhelm them with large numbers of missiles, and you cannot really do that over 1,600 kilometers. Attacks on closer targets and shipping would be more effective, he said.

There no clear examples of effective long-range Houthi strikes.

In 2019, cruise missiles and drones struck the center of Saudi Arabias oil industry in Abqaiq, about 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) from northern Yemen. The attack temporarily halved the kingdoms production and spiked global energy prices.

While the Houthis claimed the attack, a United Nations investigation concluded it was too sophisticated to have been carried out by the rebels. Washington later said it was launched from Iran.

(AP)




A suspect was arrested Thursday in the killing of 69-year-old pro-Israel protester Paul Kessler in Thousand Oaks, California, nearly 2 weeks ago. Kessler was waving an Israeli flag near a demonstration on Westlake Blvd when an individual participating in the pro-Palestinian protest allegedly struck him in the face with a megaphone. The force of the blow caused him to fall to the ground and hit his head, causing fatal injuries.

The Ventura County Sheriffs Office announced on Thursday that it has arrested Loay Alnaji, 50, over the killing, and will be charging him with involuntary manslaughter. The charge could land Alnaji in state prison for up to 4 years, felony probation, and a fine up to $10,000.

Alnaji is a professor of Computer Science at Moorpark College. On his Facebook and YouTube pages, Alnaji praised Palestinians, including, O Allah, release the captivity of the Al-Aqsa Mosque  Sooner than later . Oh Allah, dont deprive us of praying in it before we die, and Oh, God, give victory to your weak servants in Palestine, and everywhere  O Allah, bind their hearts with bond of patience and faith.

He has also reposted a video on Instagram of radical Islamic activist Shahid King Bolsen (who is an actual murderer) comparing Hamas to civil rights icons.

If someone asked me to condemn Hamas I would say, whats the rush? Lets let history decide, King says in the video. You condemned Nelson Mandela until you didnt, until he was a hero. You condemned Mahatma Gandhi until you didnt. Lets wait and see because you might change your mind on this one too.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




The Israel Defense Forces on Thursday revealed video evidence of a Hamas tunnel shaft heading to an underground command center at al-Shifa Hospital in the northern Gaza Strip.

The IDF did not say whether its troops have yet attempted to enter the likely booby-trapped tunnels as they continue their cautiously advancing operations at the hospital complex.

They added, however, that they also discovered a booby-trapped vehicle laden with weapons and explosives, weapons inside other Gaza hospitals, as well as a tunnel beneath the al-Rantisi hospital.

IDF spokesman Daniel Hagari also discussed the recovery of a deceased hostage, Yehudit Weiss hyd, near the hospital, stating, Yehudit was murdered in the Gaza Strip. Unfortunately, we did not reach her in time.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)




The Israeli Defense Forces carried out two major airstrikes targeting Hamass underground infrastructure in the Gaza Strip and killing multiple senior terrorist commanders in one of them, IDF spokesman Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari said Thursday.

Among the dead terrorists identified were Ahmed Ghandour, the commander of Hamass northern Gaza brigade, and Ayman Siam, the leader of Hamass rocket firing array.

In another underground site, senior members of Hamass politburo were discovered to be hiding. This included Rawhi Mushtaha, Essam al-Dalis, and Sameh al-Siraj, all senior members of Hamas poliburo.

Hamas is trying to hide the results of the strike, Hagari added.

While Hagari could not provide further details on the airstrikes due to security concerns, he said, It can be said with certainty that the underground facility where these senior Hamas members were located sustained extensive damage.

(YWN World Headquarters  NYC)
Sponsored Content





The farming kibbutzim and moshavim in the south of Israel were among the first to suffer from the blunt force of the initial Hamas massacre on October 7, 2023.

Many have lost their families, their neighbors, and their workers to the savagery of Hamas. They were forced to abandon their fields and flee to safety, leaving their crops at peak ripeness to the elements.

The IDF doesnt allow most of the farmers to enter their fields for security reasons. Those farmers who can return and want to try to salvage whatever produce they can, face a daunting task, as harvesting fields and hothouses without workers is impossible.

The survival of the Israeli farmer is very much at stake.

Farmers were badly hit by years of Covid. This was followed by the year of Shmitah  when no produce was grown in their fields and many crops took much longer to recover.

Now, with a war lasting indefinitely, their farms are on the brink of collapse!

Produce is rotting in the fields and there is no way for the farmers to plant crops for the next season  exacerbating an already untenable situation.

Meanwhile, produce is getting scarce on grocery shelves and prices are increasing. The Israeli public is already feeling the effects of the farmers being forced to abandon their fields.

Standing with our farmers in an effort to rebuild.

Israeli farmers who commit to keeping Shmitah become part of the Keren Hashviis family. Its a relationship that spans the entire seven-year cycle of Shmitah, with so much more than just financial and educational aid during the Shmitah year.

Now, with many of our Shmitah-observant farmers children serving in the army, and many of them facing financial ruin  with no access to their farms during the critical harvest time  our efforts to support them are all the more needed.

Keren Hashviis personnel on the ground are spending their days visiting farmers across the country, and have already distributed substantial funds to 30 farmers whom they have found to be in need of immediate financial assistance.

Upon receiving the funds, the farmers were overwhelmed with gratitude and happiness  feeling that they were cared for and there were people out there supporting them.

Furthermore, Queens residents Heshy and Adina Greenberg, longtime supporters of Keren Hashviis, have managed to send close to 100 duffle bags full of vital supplies to a supply warehouse near the Gaza border. Previously, the warehouse was a farm produce packing facility owned by Karen and AviChai Koch, Shmitah-observant farmers, who graciously turned the facility into a much-needed supply depot for the soldiers.

Keren Hashviis was instrumental in helping with the logistics of that shipment and ensuring the supplies made it through the Israeli customs process.

Lets continue this streak of giving and give even more! We dont have any time to waste  Israels farmers are counting on us to respond quickly and efficiently in support of them and their farms.
The Renault Twingo will be reborn as an affordable electric city car with a starting price under 17,000, the French manufacturer has announced.

The quirky compact car that was first launched in Europe in 1992 will be reborn as a major rival to Chinese brands as Renault looks to stir up competition at the budget end of the electric vehicle (EV) market.

Luca de Meo, Renault's chief executive, unveiled the car in concept form during a presentation in Paris, promising it will deliver 'best-in-class efficiency' when it goes on sale in 2026.

Here's what we know about it so far...

Renault Twingo to be reborn as an affordable EV for 2026: Prices will start from under under 20,000 (around 17,000) without grants and incentives

The Twingo concept was unveiled by Renault's chief exectuive Luca de Meo in Paris on Wednesday (pictured)

Price is certainly the biggest talking point of the new Twingo, with Renault execs guaranteeing it will start from under 20,000 (around 17,000) without grants and incentives.

For customers using finance, it should be available from less than 100 per month (approximately 87).

That could make it the cheapest passenger EV on the market, though Dacia's new Spring EV arriving in the UK next year is also predicted to be priced around the same.

It will sit below the new all-electric Renault 5 hatchback and Renault 4 compact SUV - both due around 2025 - in the brand's new-look battery-powered line-up.

A newly-formed spin-off design team will fast-track its development from its current concept form to a full-production car to be built in Europe in just two years, matching the progression of Chinese rivals, de Meo said.

He added that the next-generation Twingo will 'be a game changer once again like it was 30 years ago' and promises it to be a 'fit for purpose urban vehicle, state-of-the-art EV with no compromise' that will be around 20 per cent smaller than models that currently sit in the smallest passenger car segment.

He said it will be a 'silver bullet for sustainability mobility' and a key product in the car maker's quest for an affordable EV.

De Meo told those in attendance at the Capital Markets Day event hosted in Boulogne-Billancourt - one of the wealthiest and most prestigious communes in Paris - that the Twingo EV will offer 6.2 miles per kWh and, over its lifetime, produce 75 per cent less CO2 emissions than the average European car with a combustion engine sold in 2023.

Bosses said it should be available on finance for less than 100 per month (approximately 87), making it an affordable option

The EV version will be the fourth-generation Twingo available and will hark back to the original's quirky look

The Twingo will sit below the new all-electric Renault 5 hatchback (right) and Renault 4 compact SUV (left) - both due around 2025 - in the brand's new-look battery-powered line-up

Renault's design team will fast-track its development from the current concept form to a full-production car that will be built in Europe in just two years to match Chinese rivals

Twingo EV concept is a tribute to the 1992 original

In terms of looks, the concept harks back to the original Twingo launched in 1992 - a car that was sold in mainland Europe but not introduced to the UK market with its steering wheel on the right-hand-side.

Britain's had to wait until the arrival of the second-generation in 2006 if they wanted to get their hands on a Twingo, while the mk3 version also came to the UK in 2014 with the unique selling point of having its engine at the rear under the boot floor.

Sales were not good, though, with 2018 seeing just 877 examples sold to customers in Britain. Bosses axed it from UK showrooms a year later.

The design of the Twingo EV concept shares the mk1 car's headlight shape and the three-slot air vent in the bonnet

In the Twingo concept, those bonnet vents are actually used to externally display the EV's remaining battery charge. One big problem is, this setup can only go up to '99%'

The diminutive Renault Twingo 1 was launched in France and mainland Europe in 1992 but was never offered in the UK market

The mk1 Twingo was fondly remembered by French owners for its Tardis-like packaging, with a relatively spacious interior for such compact dimensions, as showcased here in the 'Sumo edition'

Two generations of the Twingo have previously been sold in the UK. The mk2 (left) was introduced in Britain in 2006 - and they even made hot RenaultSport and Gordini versions. The third-gen Twingo (right) came in 2014, though its USP of having the engine under the boot floor wasn't popular and it was pulled from showrooms in 2019

During a presentation in Paris on Wednesday afternoon, de Meo said Twingo will 'be a game changer once again like it was 30 years ago'

Twingo will be a 'fit for purpose urban vehicle, state-of-the-art EV with no compromise' that will be around 20% smaller than current models in the segment

Other elements of the design that go back to the original are the door handles, which have a circular indent like the 1992 car. However, unlike the 3-door mk1, Renault showcased the Twingo EV as a five-door model

The mk1 Twingo - on which the concept is loosely based - was fondly remembered by Parisian owners for its Tardis-like packaging, with a relatively spacious interior for such compact, city-friendly dimensions.

Styling wise, the concept carries-over a few touches from the early nineties car, including oval headlights - this time in LED-strip form - and three air scoops in the bonnet lid.

Those vents were designed to cool the Twingo's hard-working small engines, which ranged from 1.0 to 1.2-litres in capacity in the original car. But that's not the purpose in the concept.

Instead, the vents display the level of battery charge remaining. For what reason you would want to tell people outside the vehicle how little range you have remaining, we don't really know. And another issue is the fact it can't go up to '100%', given it only has space for three characters.

While the car will carry its familiar Renault badge, it will be designed, engineered and produced by Ampere - a new division confirmed at the event today that will focus primarily on small EVs.

Speaking ahead of the reveal of the new Twingo concept, de Meo said: 'In the true spirit of Renault, Ampere is engineered to make electric and connected cars affordable for all, addressing the imperatives of energy transition and seizing the growth opportunities on the market.'

He added: 'The uniqueness of Ampere is based on an open and horizontal approach with best-in-class partners, ensuring low-risk, flexibility, and smart capital allocation to navigate a fast changing and competitive environment.'
British Gas is offering electric vehicle owners a year's worth of free charging, provided they buy a Hive charger first.

Britain's largest energy firm said the deal would allow up to 8,000 miles of charging time, or 2,290kWh of electricity, based on getting efficiency of 3.5 miles per kWh.

The new offer adds to a growing list of specialist EV energy deals offering cheaper prices for charging cars.

The Hive EV charger costs from 939 to be installed by a British Gas engineer.

Leading the charge: Several energy firms are bringing back decent deals for EV charging

The FreeCharge offer does not require a new energy tariff, but homes taking part will need a smart meter, which British Gas can fit for free.

It is open to new and existing British Gas energy customers, with 5,000 allowed to take part.

The offer can be activated using the Hive app, and British Gas then pays customers the following month for electricity used to charge an EV, up to the 8,000 limit.

Charging works by using British Gas' technology to schedule charging, usually overnight, when electricity demand is quietest.

But how much practical use EV owners will get out of the FreeCharge deal depends on their energy deal.

Customers with a standard tariff, with one rate for electricity regardless of time, may get free charging at any point, day or night, but typically overnight.

If you have a British Gas energy deal with cheaper electricity overnight, your EV will charge in the nighttime is you have the FreeCharge offer.

As a result, British Gas said it could not 'guarantee that your EV's battery will be fully charged from a single charging session in FreeCharge mode'.

British Gas director of Hive Gav Murray said: 'As more electric vehicles hit the road, we want to make sure the right products are available for those who are able to make the switch and encourage as many people to do so as possible.'
British pub group Fullers is set for a cheery Christmas as workers flock back to the office.

The pub chain, which has around 400 sites in the UK, said bookings for the festive period were 11 per cent ahead of last year, setting the scene for the first normal Christmas since the pandemic.

Despite Covid restrictions being lifted, business was disrupted by train and tube strikes last winter, hitting sales particularly in the City, where Fullers has 27 pubs.

But Simon Emeny, chief executive, said the group was heading into December with a great sense of optimism.

Cheers: Pub chain Fullers, which has around 400 sites in the UK, said current bookings for the festive period were 11% ahead of last year

He said: Certain external factors are moving in our favour with office workers continuing to return to their desks and the City becoming a seven day operation with increased leisure spend at the weekend.

We are looking forward to a good Christmas.

The group revealed sales hit 188.8million in the six months to the end of September  up 12 per cent on the same period of 2022.

This included food sales climbing 15 per cent while drink was up 10 per cent. Profits rose 48 per cent to 14.5million.
KYODO NEWS - Nov 16, 2023 - 19:25 | All, World

A U.S.-led economic initiative for the Indo-Pacific region came a step closer to completion on Thursday as the 14 negotiating nations agreed on two of three remaining pillars, allowing their leaders to showcase a framework seen as a counter to China's rise.

The participating countries called the agreement on the two areas -- fairness and clean energy economies -- "substantive conclusions" supporting the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework spearheaded by U.S. President Joe Biden. They will create a minister-level body to check the progress annually.

The partners of what is known as IPEF have achieved "unprecedented results in record time, developing innovative, first-of-their-kind approaches to addressing 21st-century challenges and strengthening economic engagement across a critical region," they said in a statement.

The members will prepare the final texts of the agreed-upon parts and go through their own domestic processes for approval.

The outcome is a boost to Biden, whose administration has been seeking to expand its engagement in the region where China's growing military and economic clout is raising alarm.

But the outlook remains uncertain, as reaching an agreement on trade, the last pillar, is seen as difficult, as the latest round of ministerial talks earlier this week failed to yield results partly due to divisions over digital trade.

The leaders of the IPEF nations are expected to meet on Thursday on the fringes of a summit of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in San Francisco.

IPEF consists of four pillars but does not include trade benefits such as tariff cuts. It is viewed as an alternative to free trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, from which Washington withdrew under Biden's predecessor, Donald Trump.

The countries had previously agreed on supply chain resilience, reflecting the urgency shared by the United States and its peers of cutting dependence on China for key materials, including semiconductors.

In addition to the United States, Japan, Australia and Southeast Asian nations comprise IPEF. India has been involved in negotiations, except over trade. The Indo-Pacific region accounts for about 40 percent of global gross domestic product.

The United States is reluctant to provide new access to its market under the framework, making IPEF less appealing to some countries and raising questions on how the initiative will lead to a further integration of their economies.

The initiative was launched in May 2022 when Biden visited Japan.

Related coverage:

Most aspects of U.S.-led Indo-Pacific economic scheme near completion

No trade deal struck at U.S.-led Indo-Pacific economic meeting
Hotel Chocolat shares surged over 161 per cent on Thursday after the group revealed it is being taken over by US-based Mars Incorporated in a 524million deal.

The deal, which values Hotel Chocolat at a significant premium to its closing price on Wednesday, reignites concerns about a perceived undervaluation of UK-listed companies and the seemingly waning attractiveness of listing in the UK.

Chief executive of fund manager, Crystal Amber, Richard Bernstein warned more UK businesses are becoming targets for takeovers by global corporations.

On X, previously known as Twitter, Bernstein said the 'absurdity of UK small cap valuations [was] demonstrated again today' in reference to the Hotel Chocolat takeover.

Takeover: Angus Thirlwell, chief executive of Hotel Chocolat, is expected to make around 140m from the deal

He added: 'Mars bidding 375p cash against last night's closing price of 140p. If Mars thinks the business is worth 375p, it is. So many other sitting ducks.'

The Crystal Amber fund invests in stocks listed on Londons junior Alternative Investment Market, also known as AIM.

Other City experts have flagged the 'vulnerability' of certain UK firms, namely in the defence sector, to takeovers by global corporations.

Last week, a note by analysts at Liberum, said: 'UK defence companies remain vulnerable to a bid from US peers and investors due to cheap valuations and weak sterling

'The UKs defence companies continue to trade at discounts in valuation to their US peers.

'This, along with the current weakness of sterling, despite its partial recovery, is likely to make the companies susceptible to bids from US firms and investors for at least the short to medium term.'

Take a closer look: A chart showing Hotel Chocolat's share price over the last year

Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell, took a different stance on the Hotel Chocolat takeover deal on Thursday, highlighting the UK firm's weaker performance in recent years.

Mould said: 'Hotel Chocolat is the latest in long line of British companies to attract bid interest from an overseas player.

'For once, this wasnt a case of a London stock trading on a depressed valuation and someone swooping in to buy it on the cheap. Hotel Chocolats shares actually looked quite expensive based on near-term earnings because the company has been through a tough patch and has been trying to get back into profit.'

Many London-listed small businesses would attract higher valuations elsewhere, says boss of AIM-listed Fintel Many small businesses listed in London would attract a higher value if their shares were traded elsewhere, the boss of an AIM-All Share financial technology firm told This is Money earlier this year. Londons attractiveness as a destination to publicly list a business has come under pressure in recent years, with its detractors highlighting evidence of undervaluation, poor performance and weak liquidity among concerns. > Read more here

He added: 'The fact Mars is willing to pay a 170 per cent premium for the shares is remarkable on two accounts.

'First, bid premiums are typically in the 25 per cent to 50 per cent range so Mars paying so much more would suggest it has taken a long-term view of what the business is worth.

'Second, it suggests that Mars has spotted an opportunity and there is no way it wants to waste time with a low-ball bid.'

Which UK firms could be takeover targets?

Speaking to This is Money, Victoria Scholar, head of investment at Interactive Investor, said a number of UK firms could end up as targets for takeovers by global corporations'.

Scholar said: 'With UK stocks underperforming the US for over a decade and underperforming Europe more recently, the London-listed market hosts a number of potential takeover targets with cheap valuations on offer for deep pocketed rivals looking to expand in the UK via M&A.

'Undervalued small-to-mid sized UK companies rather than FTSE 100 heavyweights are likely to be more realistic takeover targets. Weve already seen a lot of private equity interest in companies like Network International Holdings, Hyve Group, and Dechra Pharmaceuticals.

'Asos is another potential takeover target, shedding over 90 per cent of its market cap over five years and more than 27 per cent over the last twelve months.'

Scholar thinks Marston's could also be a target: 'Marston's has fallen sharply lately, down 70 per cent over five years and down over 15 per cent in the past year. It has been the subject of takeover speculation having received an approach from a US private equity firm Platinum in 2021.'

She added: 'Entain shares are down around 35 per cent over the past year, making it a potential takeover target.'

Remember Cadbury's and Kraft?

For many consumers in the UK, today's takeover announcement between Hotel Chocolat and Mars will bring back memories of Kraft Food's controversial 11.5billion hostile takeover of UK-based Cadbury's in 2010. Kraft was later remodelled and renamed as Mondelez.

Following the deal, some shoppers complained the quality of Cadbury's suffered as prices increased.

However, earlier this year, Dirk Van de Put, the chief executive of Mondelez, claimed his company had improved the UK chocolate maker since its 2010 takeover.

Controversy: Kraft snapped up Cadbury's via a hostile takeover bid in 2010

He said: 'Its like youre sick and you need to take some medicine. We took some medicine but in the end, the business is in a much better position than it was when we took it over.'

Mondelez claimed it had invested around 300million into Cadburys operations in the UK over the last decade . However, Cadbury's market share in the UK is reported to have flatlined, compared to the point it was taken over in 2010.

All eyes will be on Mars to see if or how the pricing and quality of Hotel Chocolat products are affected by the takeover over time.

Ups and downs at Hotel Chocolat

Hotel Chocolat has been operating at a loss after major restructuring efforts last year which helped to bring down costs.

It agreed to a new tie-up in Japan in January after the costly collapse of a previous joint venture in the country.

The previous partnership led the group to write off around 22million and it was forced to restructure the deal.

The groups share price has also suffered, trading almost a quarter lower for the past six months amid two profit warnings earlier this year.

Shifts: Hotel Chocolat has been operating at a loss after major restructuring efforts last year

However, last month Hotel Chocolat said its sales grew in the three months to October, with stores opened this year also performing better than expected.

Analysts at Peel Hunt, said of the Hotel Chocolat's deal revelations: 'We think that this is a knock-out bid', adding they were not expecting any counterbid.

Hotel Chocolat's chief executive Angus Thirlwell and co-founder Peter Harris who both own 27 per cent of the equity, according to LSEG data, have said they will accept the offer, meaning the deal will earn them about 144million each.

Mars Inc also owns the Celebrations, Dove, M&Ms and Snickers food brands.

The takeover will see Mars help Hotel Chocolat expand in the UK, where it currently has more than 130 shops, and potentially open in new countries.

Thirlwell, said on Thursday: 'We know our brand resonates with consumers overseas, but operational supply chain challenges have held us back.

'By partnering with Mars, we can grow our international presence much more quickly using their skills, expertise and capabilities.'

Mars, which employs around 10,000 people in the UK, said Hotel Chocolats luxury gifting and immersive brand experiences will boost its own presence in the region.

Andrew Clarke, global president of Mars Snacking, said: 'The Mars and Hotel Chocolat businesses are highly complementary, and during the course of our discussions with Hotel Chocolats leadership it has also become clear that there is a very strong cultural fit  with purpose at the heart of both organisations, and a shared passion for quality and sustainability.'
Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC grew its position in Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 67.6% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The fund owned 2,858 shares of the companys stock after buying an additional 1,153 shares during the quarter. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,285,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Silicon Valley Capital Partners acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Laffer Tengler Investments acquired a new position in Eli Lilly and Company during the first quarter worth $33,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in Eli Lilly and Company by 156.4% in the first quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 100 shares of the companys stock valued at $34,000 after acquiring an additional 61 shares during the period. Activest Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company during the 2nd quarter worth $40,000. Finally, Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company by 50.4% during the 1st quarter. Riggs Asset Managment Co. Inc. now owns 179 shares of the companys stock worth $61,000 after purchasing an additional 60 shares during the period. 81.38% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Eli Lilly and Company Trading Down 0.3 %

NYSE LLY opened at $610.94 on Wednesday. The company has a 50-day moving average of $576.99 and a 200-day moving average of $506.23. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.82. Eli Lilly and Company has a 12 month low of $309.20 and a 12 month high of $629.97. The company has a market cap of $579.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 110.68, a P/E/G ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.33.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

Insiders Place Their Bets

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 8th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 15th will be given a dividend of $1.13 per share. This represents a $4.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.74%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, November 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 81.88%.

In other news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,688,738.80. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, major shareholder Lilly Endowment Inc sold 1,307 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $555.69, for a total transaction of $726,286.83. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 100,397,503 shares in the company, valued at $55,789,888,442.07. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 670 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Monday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $571.10, for a total transaction of $382,637.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 4,708 shares in the company, valued at approximately $2,688,738.80. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold a total of 536,138 shares of company stock valued at $20,881,627,358 over the last quarter. Company insiders own 0.13% of the companys stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

LLY has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Bank of America boosted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $600.00 to $700.00 in a report on Friday, October 6th. UBS Group reissued a buy rating and set a $710.00 price target (up previously from $612.00) on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Friday, October 20th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reaffirmed an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $615.00 to $650.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Finally, Citigroup upped their target price on Eli Lilly and Company from $525.00 to $675.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Monday, October 23rd. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and twenty have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $557.00.

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Eli Lilly and Company Company Profile

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Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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Wells Fargo & Company cut shares of Barings BDC (NYSE:BBDC  Free Report) from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating in a report published on Monday morning, MarketBeat Ratings reports. They currently have $8.50 price objective on the stock, down from their previous price objective of $9.00.

BBDC has been the subject of a number of other research reports. TheStreet upgraded Barings BDC from a c+ rating to a b- rating in a research note on Friday, September 1st. Compass Point raised their target price on Barings BDC from $8.50 to $9.50 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, August 16th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $9.50.

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Barings BDC Trading Down 0.3 %

Barings BDC stock opened at $8.93 on Monday. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $8.92 and a 200 day moving average price of $8.40. The company has a market capitalization of $950.69 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 9.92 and a beta of 0.68. Barings BDC has a 52 week low of $6.96 and a 52 week high of $9.47. The company has a quick ratio of 0.14, a current ratio of 0.14 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.66.

Barings BDC (NYSE:BBDC  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Friday, November 10th. The company reported $0.31 EPS for the quarter, meeting the consensus estimate of $0.31. Barings BDC had a net margin of 34.98% and a return on equity of 10.94%. The business had revenue of $70.85 million during the quarter, compared to analysts expectations of $74.06 million. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $0.26 EPS. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 25.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts anticipate that Barings BDC will post 1.19 EPS for the current year.

Barings BDC Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 13th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 6th will be paid a dividend of $0.26 per share. This represents a $1.04 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 11.65%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, December 5th. Barings BDCs payout ratio is currently 115.56%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Barings BDC

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of BBDC. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd acquired a new stake in Barings BDC in the second quarter valued at approximately $28,000. Tyler Stone Wealth Management acquired a new stake in Barings BDC in the 2nd quarter valued at $30,000. Lake Point Wealth Management increased its holdings in Barings BDC by 3,008.0% in the 1st quarter. Lake Point Wealth Management now owns 3,108 shares of the companys stock worth $32,000 after acquiring an additional 3,008 shares in the last quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC increased its holdings in Barings BDC by 140.9% in the 1st quarter. Advisory Services Network LLC now owns 4,586 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 2,682 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Nelson Van Denburg & Campbell Wealth Management Group LLC acquired a new position in Barings BDC during the first quarter worth $53,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 49.03% of the companys stock.

Barings BDC Company Profile

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Barings BDC, Inc is a publicly traded, externally managed investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. It seeks to invest primarily in senior secured loans, first lien debt, unitranche, second lien debt, subordinated debt, equity co-investments and senior secured private debt investments in private middle-market companies that operate across a wide range of industries.

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StockNews.com upgraded shares of Seaboard (NYSEAMERICAN:SEB  Free Report) from a hold rating to a buy rating in a report published on Monday.

Seaboard Stock Down 0.3 %

NYSEAMERICAN SEB opened at $3,552.15 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $3.45 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.71 and a beta of 0.48. Seaboard has a twelve month low of $3,402.38 and a twelve month high of $4,090.63. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $3,816.59. The company has a quick ratio of 1.79, a current ratio of 3.09 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.13.

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Seaboard (NYSEAMERICAN:SEB  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, October 30th. The company reported $108.55 earnings per share for the quarter. Seaboard had a return on equity of 7.60% and a net margin of 3.87%. The company had revenue of $2.39 billion during the quarter.

Seaboard Dividend Announcement

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Seaboard

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 20th. Stockholders of record on Thursday, November 9th will be given a $2.25 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 8th. This represents a $9.00 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.25%. Seaboards dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 2.71%.

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of SEB. MetLife Investment Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Seaboard during the 1st quarter worth approximately $25,000. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC grew its holdings in Seaboard by 100.0% in the second quarter. Capital Advisors Ltd. LLC now owns 8 shares of the companys stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares during the period. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Seaboard by 66.7% in the second quarter. Janiczek Wealth Management LLC now owns 10 shares of the companys stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 4 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in shares of Seaboard by 233.3% during the first quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 10 shares of the companys stock valued at $38,000 after purchasing an additional 7 shares during the period. Finally, Huntington National Bank bought a new position in shares of Seaboard during the 2nd quarter worth about $39,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 19.41% of the companys stock.

About Seaboard

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Seaboard Corporation operates as an agricultural and transportation company worldwide. It operates through six segments: Pork, Commodity Trading and Milling (CT&M), Marine, Sugar and Alcohol, Power, and Turkey. The Pork segment produces and sells pork products to further processors, foodservice operators, grocery stores, and distributors; hogs; and biodiesel.

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Blend Labs, Inc. (NYSE:BLND  Get Free Report) insider Amir Jafari purchased 12,610 shares of Blend Labs stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 13th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $1.22 per share, with a total value of $15,384.20. Following the completion of the acquisition, the insider now owns 41,103 shares in the company, valued at $50,145.66. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link.

Amir Jafari also recently made the following trade(s):

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On Friday, October 13th, Amir Jafari purchased 14,124 shares of Blend Labs stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of $1.21 per share, with a total value of $17,090.04.

On Thursday, September 14th, Amir Jafari purchased 14,369 shares of Blend Labs stock. The shares were purchased at an average price of $1.19 per share, with a total value of $17,099.11.

Blend Labs Stock Down 1.2 %

Shares of BLND stock opened at $1.26 on Thursday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $1.24 and its 200 day simple moving average is $1.13. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 34.81, a quick ratio of 7.69 and a current ratio of 7.69. Blend Labs, Inc. has a twelve month low of $0.53 and a twelve month high of $2.18. The company has a market capitalization of $308.59 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of -1.27 and a beta of 0.41.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on BLND shares. William Blair reiterated a market perform rating on shares of Blend Labs in a report on Wednesday, November 8th. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on Blend Labs from $1.00 to $1.50 and gave the company an equal weight rating in a report on Thursday, August 10th. The Goldman Sachs Group lifted their price target on Blend Labs from $1.40 to $1.60 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Tuesday, November 7th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group reissued a hold rating and issued a $2.00 price objective on shares of Blend Labs in a research note on Wednesday, September 27th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Blend Labs currently has a consensus rating of Hold and a consensus price target of $1.56.

Get Our Latest Stock Report on BLND

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Royal Bank of Canada increased its position in Blend Labs by 418.5% in the 1st quarter. Royal Bank of Canada now owns 6,009 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 4,850 shares during the period. Quantbot Technologies LP bought a new position in Blend Labs in the 1st quarter worth approximately $63,000. Walleye Capital LLC bought a new position in Blend Labs in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC bought a new position in Blend Labs in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Jasper Ridge Partners L.P. bought a new position in Blend Labs in the 1st quarter worth approximately $75,000. 46.23% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

About Blend Labs

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Blend Labs, Inc engages in the provision of cloud-based software platform solutions for financial services firms in the United States. It operates in two segments, Blend Platform and Title365. The company's Blend Builder Platform offers a suite of products that powers digital-first consumer journeys for mortgages, home equity loans and lines of credit, vehicle loans, personal loans, credit cards, and deposit accounts; and offers mortgage products to facilitate the homeownership journey for consumers comprising close, income verification for mortgage, homeowners' insurance, and realty.

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Berger Financial Group Inc lifted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited (NYSE:TSM  Free Report) by 8.0% in the second quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 3,322 shares of the semiconductor companys stock after acquiring an additional 245 shares during the period. Berger Financial Group Incs holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing were worth $335,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Cetera Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 79.6% during the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisors LLC now owns 31,127 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $3,141,000 after purchasing an additional 13,791 shares in the last quarter. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. boosted its stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 298.8% during the second quarter. YHB Investment Advisors Inc. now owns 21,867 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $2,207,000 after buying an additional 16,384 shares in the last quarter. Fortress Wealth Group LLC grew its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 20.4% during the second quarter. Fortress Wealth Group LLC now owns 2,891 shares of the semiconductor companys stock worth $279,000 after acquiring an additional 490 shares during the period. Wintrust Investments LLC bought a new stake in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in the second quarter worth about $210,000. Finally, Cetera Advisor Networks LLC lifted its holdings in Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing by 0.8% in the 2nd quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 133,068 shares of the semiconductor companys stock valued at $13,429,000 after acquiring an additional 1,052 shares during the last quarter. 16.51% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Needham & Company LLC reiterated a buy rating and issued a $115.00 target price on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a report on Friday, October 20th. StockNews.com downgraded Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Tuesday. Barclays began coverage on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing in a research report on Monday, October 23rd. They issued an overweight rating and a $105.00 target price for the company. Finally, Susquehanna dropped their price target on shares of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing from $135.00 to $130.00 in a research note on Monday, October 9th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $116.67.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE TSM opened at $98.27 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $89.79 and its 200-day simple moving average is $94.16. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.28, a quick ratio of 1.88 and a current ratio of 2.15. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited has a 52 week low of $72.84 and a 52 week high of $110.69. The firm has a market cap of $509.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.76, a P/E/G ratio of 2.71 and a beta of 1.04.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing (NYSE:TSM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 19th. The semiconductor company reported $1.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.16 by $0.13. The company had revenue of $17.28 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.90 billion. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing had a return on equity of 28.42% and a net margin of 41.42%. The firms revenue was down 10.1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $1.79 earnings per share. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company Limited will post 4.97 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 11th. Investors of record on Tuesday, March 19th will be paid a dividend of $0.5415 per share. This is a boost from Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings previous quarterly dividend of $0.47. This represents a $2.17 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.20%. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 18th. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturings dividend payout ratio is presently 26.44%.

About Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing

(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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Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. decreased its stake in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (NYSE:GS  Free Report) by 1.3% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,828,193 shares of the investment management companys stock after selling 23,829 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned 0.55% of The Goldman Sachs Group worth $589,665,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of GS. Fairfield Bush & CO. bought a new stake in The Goldman Sachs Group in the 1st quarter valued at about $66,000. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. lifted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 1,505.1% during the 1st quarter. Candriam Luxembourg S.C.A. now owns 41,300 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $13,633,000 after acquiring an additional 38,727 shares during the period. Baird Financial Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 18.5% during the 1st quarter. Baird Financial Group Inc. now owns 118,609 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $39,153,000 after acquiring an additional 18,540 shares during the period. Zions Bancorporation N.A. lifted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 79.4% during the 1st quarter. Zions Bancorporation N.A. now owns 827 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $273,000 after acquiring an additional 366 shares during the period. Finally, Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in shares of The Goldman Sachs Group by 118.3% during the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 310 shares of the investment management companys stock worth $102,000 after acquiring an additional 168 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 69.06% of the companys stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts have recently weighed in on the stock. UBS Group upped their price target on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $385.00 to $400.00 and gave the stock a buy rating in a report on Monday, July 24th. StockNews.com initiated coverage on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating for the company. BMO Capital Markets upped their price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from $407.00 to $411.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Thursday, July 20th. JMP Securities reiterated a market outperform rating and set a $440.00 price objective on shares of The Goldman Sachs Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 18th. Finally, Atlantic Securities upgraded shares of The Goldman Sachs Group from an underweight rating to a neutral rating and upped their price objective for the stock from $330.00 to $351.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 1st. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have given a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $392.60.

The Goldman Sachs Group Trading Down 0.3 %

NYSE:GS opened at $337.82 on Thursday. The firms fifty day moving average is $318.50 and its 200-day moving average is $326.66. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.11, a quick ratio of 0.77 and a current ratio of 0.77. The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $289.36 and a 52 week high of $389.44. The firm has a market cap of $110.17 billion, a P/E ratio of 16.35, a P/E/G ratio of 1.92 and a beta of 1.43.

The Goldman Sachs Group (NYSE:GS  Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, October 17th. The investment management company reported $5.47 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $5.42 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $11.82 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $11.15 billion. The Goldman Sachs Group had a net margin of 7.77% and a return on equity of 7.37%. The companys quarterly revenue was down 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $8.25 EPS. Equities analysts expect that The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. will post 22.98 earnings per share for the current year.

The Goldman Sachs Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 28th. Investors of record on Thursday, November 30th will be paid a dividend of $2.75 per share. This represents a $11.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.26%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, November 29th. The Goldman Sachs Groups dividend payout ratio is presently 53.24%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other The Goldman Sachs Group news, major shareholder Goldman Sachs Group Inc sold 72,874 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Wednesday, November 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $0.71, for a total value of $51,740.54. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 397,954 shares of the companys stock, valued at $282,547.34. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. 0.54% of the stock is owned by insiders.

The Goldman Sachs Group Company 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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Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 1.5% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel.com reports. The institutional investor owned 120,894 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,764 shares during the period. Cetera Investment Advisers holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $11,802,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in PM. Barrett & Company Inc. acquired a new position in Philip Morris International in the first quarter valued at about $32,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Philip Morris International by 127.0% in the 1st quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 370 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 207 shares during the last quarter. Blume Capital Management Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter worth approximately $36,000. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. purchased a new position in shares of Philip Morris International during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $37,000. Finally, Altshuler Shaham Ltd acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 79.70% of the companys stock.

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Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

PM has been the topic of a number of research reports. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Redburn Atlantic initiated coverage on Philip Morris International in a report on Thursday. They set a neutral rating and a $95.00 target price for the company. Bank of America cut their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $111.00 in a research note on Friday, September 29th. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $111.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a research report on Friday, October 13th. Finally, UBS Group cut their price objective on Philip Morris International from $116.00 to $112.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating and eight have assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $109.36.

Philip Morris International Price Performance

NYSE PM opened at $91.73 on Thursday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $92.28 and its 200 day moving average price is $94.37. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 12 month low of $87.23 and a 12 month high of $105.62. The company has a market capitalization of $142.40 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 17.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.77.

Philip Morris International (NYSE:PM  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 19th. The company reported $1.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.62 by $0.05. Philip Morris International had a negative return on equity of 129.48% and a net margin of 9.62%. The company had revenue of $9.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.21 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company posted $1.53 earnings per share. The businesss quarterly revenue was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.18 earnings per share for the current year.

Philip Morris International Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 12th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 27th were given a dividend of $1.30 per share. This is a positive change from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, September 26th. This represents a $5.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 5.67%. Philip Morris Internationals payout ratio is 100.97%.

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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Cetera Advisors LLC reduced its position in shares of Philip Morris International Inc. (NYSE:PM  Free Report) by 0.2% in the 2nd quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 115,563 shares of the companys stock after selling 288 shares during the period. Cetera Advisors LLCs holdings in Philip Morris International were worth $11,281,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in PM. Barrett & Company Inc. bought a new stake in shares of Philip Morris International during the first quarter worth $32,000. NewSquare Capital LLC lifted its position in Philip Morris International by 127.0% during the 1st quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 370 shares of the companys stock worth $36,000 after buying an additional 207 shares in the last quarter. Blume Capital Management Inc. bought a new stake in Philip Morris International during the 1st quarter worth about $36,000. Spotlight Asset Group Inc. acquired a new stake in Philip Morris International in the 2nd quarter valued at about $37,000. Finally, Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new position in shares of Philip Morris International in the first quarter worth about $40,000. 79.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Philip Morris International Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of PM opened at $91.56 on Thursday. The stock has a market cap of $142.14 billion, a P/E ratio of 17.81, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.13 and a beta of 0.77. Philip Morris International Inc. has a 1 year low of $87.23 and a 1 year high of $105.62. The stocks 50-day moving average price is $92.28 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $94.37.

Philip Morris International Increases Dividend

Philip Morris International ( NYSE:PM Get Free Report ) last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, October 19th. The company reported $1.67 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.62 by $0.05. Philip Morris International had a net margin of 9.62% and a negative return on equity of 129.48%. The business had revenue of $9.14 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.21 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $1.53 EPS. Philip Morris Internationals quarterly revenue was up 13.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts forecast that Philip Morris International Inc. will post 6.18 EPS for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 12th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 27th were given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, September 26th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.68%. This is a boost from Philip Morris Internationals previous quarterly dividend of $1.27. Philip Morris Internationals dividend payout ratio is currently 100.97%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms have recently commented on PM. Barclays decreased their price target on shares of Philip Morris International from $115.00 to $110.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, September 21st. Redburn Atlantic assumed coverage on Philip Morris International in a research note on Thursday. They issued a neutral rating and a $95.00 target price for the company. Stifel Nicolaus restated a buy rating and set a $114.00 target price on shares of Philip Morris International in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. Jefferies Financial Group decreased their price target on Philip Morris International from $111.00 to $105.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Friday, October 13th. Finally, Morgan Stanley dropped their price objective on Philip Morris International from $118.00 to $113.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eight have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Philip Morris International has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $109.36.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Philip Morris International

About Philip Morris International

(Free Report)

Philip Morris International Inc operates as a tobacco company working to delivers a smoke-free future and evolving portfolio for the long-term to include products outside of the tobacco and nicotine sector. The company's product portfolio primarily consists of cigarettes and smoke-free products, including heat-not-burn, vapor, and oral nicotine products primarily under the IQOS and ZYN brands; and consumer accessories, such as lighters and matches.

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KYODO NEWS - Nov 16, 2023 - 21:02 | All, World, Japan

Japan on Wednesday called for the removal of import bans on its marine products imposed by China and Russia at a World Trade Organization committee meeting to discuss potential trade concerns, according to a source in Geneva.

In addition to raising questions on the import restrictions at meetings regarding WTO rules, Japan may also decide to file a complaint to the global trade body as Tokyo views the import restrictions, introduced after the release of treated radioactive water from the disaster-hit Fukushima nuclear power plant, as lacking scientific grounds.

During the session of the Committee on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, Japanese officials insisted that the import bans violate a WTO agreement that allows members to take sanitary measures necessary for the protection of human health as long as they are based on scientific principles.

The United States, the European Union, Australia and Britain were among the parties that supported Japan's position, according to the source.

China insisted that Japan stop the discharge, saying that the blanket ban on Japanese seafood imports aims to protect the lives and health of Chinese consumers and is in line with domestic laws as well as the WTO agreement on the application of sanitary and phytosanitary measures.

Russia, meanwhile, criticized the Japanese government saying that the process toward the water release lacked transparency.

Beijing imposed restrictions immediately after Japan started discharging the wastewater from the Fukushima Daiichi plant into the Pacific Ocean in late August, and Russia soon followed suit.

Japan plans to continue to discharge the treated wastewater -- which has been accumulating at the premises of the nuclear complex as work continues to decommission reactors that suffered fuel meltdowns in the 2011 nuclear accident -- for about 30 years.

While radioactive tritium cannot be removed in the water treatment process, the government has asserted the safety of the water discharge, by diluting the water to reduce the tritium levels to less than one-40th of the concentration permitted under national safety standards before it is released into the sea.

During the WTO committee meeting, Japanese officials also said that nuclear power facilities around the world release more tritium into the environment than the Fukushima Daiichi plant.

So far, no abnormal levels of tritium and other radioactive materials have been detected around the plant, according to environmental monitoring carried out by Japanese authorities, the plant operator Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings Inc. and the International Atomic Energy Agency.

The IAEA said in a report released in July that the water discharge plan aligned with global safety standards and would have a "negligible" impact on people and the environment.

Related coverage:

China halts imports of Nishikigoi carp from Japan amid Fukushima row

Fukushima treated water released without technical concerns: IAEA

China imported no seafood from Japan in Sept. over Fukushima water release
Cetera Advisors LLC increased its position in Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Free Report) by 4.5% during the second quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 120,787 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock after buying an additional 5,158 shares during the period. Cetera Advisors LLCs holdings in Bristol-Myers Squibb were worth $7,724,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Dakota Wealth Management bought a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the first quarter valued at approximately $332,000. Covestor Ltd boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 111.5% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 2,052 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $150,000 after acquiring an additional 1,082 shares during the period. NewEdge Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 53.2% in the first quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 165,336 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $12,075,000 after acquiring an additional 57,444 shares during the period. Ergoteles LLC bought a new stake in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in the first quarter valued at approximately $1,997,000. Finally, Mackenzie Financial Corp boosted its position in shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb by 25.1% in the first quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 338,563 shares of the biopharmaceutical companys stock valued at $24,725,000 after acquiring an additional 68,018 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 74.98% of the companys stock.

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Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Ann Powell sold 17,986 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $61.25, for a total transaction of $1,101,642.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 27,868 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,706,915. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 0.08% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:BMY opened at $51.38 on Thursday. Bristol-Myers Squibb has a twelve month low of $49.49 and a twelve month high of $81.43. The firm has a market cap of $104.55 billion, a PE ratio of 13.10, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.57 and a beta of 0.38. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.11, a quick ratio of 1.07 and a current ratio of 1.18. The business has a fifty day moving average of $55.98 and a 200-day moving average of $61.14.

Bristol-Myers Squibb (NYSE:BMY  Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The biopharmaceutical company reported $2.00 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts consensus estimates of $1.76 by $0.24. Bristol-Myers Squibb had a return on equity of 51.59% and a net margin of 18.44%. The company had revenue of $10.97 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $10.96 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $1.99 earnings per share. The firms quarterly revenue was down 2.2% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that Bristol-Myers Squibb will post 7.56 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Bristol-Myers Squibb Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 1st. Stockholders of record on Friday, October 6th were paid a $0.57 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 5th. This represents a $2.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.44%. Bristol-Myers Squibbs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 57.87%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

BMY has been the subject of several research reports. Cantor Fitzgerald cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from an overweight rating to a neutral rating and reduced their price objective for the company from $68.00 to $55.00 in a research report on Wednesday. Daiwa Capital Markets cut Bristol-Myers Squibb from an outperform rating to a neutral rating and reduced their target price for the stock from $68.00 to $54.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 2nd. UBS Group reaffirmed a neutral rating and issued a $60.00 target price (down from $70.00) on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, October 20th. Atlantic Securities reduced their target price on Bristol-Myers Squibb from $90.00 to $85.00 and set an overweight rating for the company in a research report on Friday, July 28th. Finally, Truist Financial reaffirmed a buy rating and issued a $84.00 target price on shares of Bristol-Myers Squibb in a research report on Friday, October 6th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have assigned a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of $63.59.

Read Our Latest Research Report on BMY

About Bristol-Myers Squibb

(Free Report)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company discovers, develops, licenses, manufactures, markets, distributes, and sells biopharmaceutical products worldwide. It offers products for hematology, oncology, cardiovascular, immunology, fibrotic, and neuroscience diseases. The company's products include Eliquis, an oral inhibitor for reduction in risk of stroke/systemic embolism in NVAF, and for the treatment of DVT/PE; Opdivo for anti-cancer indications; Pomalyst/Imnovid indicated for patients with multiple myeloma; Orencia for adult patients with active RA and psoriatic arthritis; and Sprycel for the treatment of Philadelphia chromosome-positive chronic myeloid leukemia.

Further Reading

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KYODO NEWS - Nov 16, 2023 - 18:40 | All, Japan

Prosecutors on Thursday searched the constituency office of ruling party lawmaker Mito Kakizawa and other locations amid allegations that the recently resigned senior vice justice minister paid money to local assembly members in return for supporting a candidate he backed in a Tokyo ward mayoral election.

Several assembly members of Koto Ward have already been questioned on a voluntary basis about the suspected payments by House of Representatives member Kakizawa that may constitute vote buying, investigative sources said.

The 52-year-old Kakizawa, who belongs to the Liberal Democratic Party, resigned as senior vice justice minister late last month, having proposed to former Koto Mayor Yayoi Kimura that she use an online advertisement during her campaign, an alleged violation of the election law.

Locations that were searched by prosecutors included Kakizawa's office in Koto Ward, his electoral district, and the home of his secretary.

Kimura previously served as a lower house lawmaker of the LDP, currently headed by Prime Minister Fumio Kishida. In the mayoral race in late April, Kakizawa, the son of a former foreign minister, is said to have supported Kimura.

On Wednesday, Kimura stepped down for her usage of the paid advertisement, which urged people to vote for her on YouTube. Her office said she paid some 140,000 yen ($925) with her credit card for the advertisement.

Japan's public offices election law prohibits the posting of paid advertisements online for specific candidates, rather than political parties.

Kakizawa has said that he provided several assembly members with money, justifying the action by saying it was intended to encourage them ahead of their own elections, also conducted in April, sources close to the matter said.

Kakizawa could be accused of violating the election law if it is believed he gave them money to secure votes for Kimura.

The latest alleged election law violation has come under scrutiny as former Justice Minister Katsuyuki Kawai was arrested for having bought votes for his wife Anri for the House of Councillors election in 2019. They were convicted of vote buying in 2021.

Related coverage:

FOCUS: Vice minister's exit deals further blow to Japan PM's leadership

Japanese senior vice finance minister quits over unpaid taxes

Japan senior vice minister for justice resigns over illegal online campaigning
KYODO NEWS - Nov 16, 2023 - 08:18 | All, World

The U.N. Security Council on Wednesday called for humanitarian pauses and the protection of civilians in the war-torn Gaza Strip, in its first resolution adopted since last month's attack on Israel by Hamas militants.

The key panel of the world body passed the resolution with the backing of a majority of its 15 members, after four similar motions failed due to splits between the United States, and Russia and China, all of which hold vetoes as permanent members.

The council "calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip," the resolution said.

The resolution, sponsored by Malta, called for "the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups, especially children."

Israel said the attack by Hamas on Oct. 7 killed 1,200 people, while Israel's bombardment has left over 11,000 dead, including more than 4,000 children, according to Gaza health authorities.

The resolution also said the council rejects "forced displacement of the civilian population, including children," and expressed "deep concern that the disruption of access to education has a dramatic impact on children."

Israel has suspended military operations in parts of northern Gaza for four hours at a time, urging residents to head to southern areas.

Twelve members, including Japan, backed the resolution in Wednesday's vote, while Russia, Britain and the United States, which backs Israel, abstained.

Linda Thomas-Greenfield, the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, told the council Washington had refrained from vetoing the resolution "to save innocent lives."

Related coverage:

Israel to allow daily 4-hour combat pauses to evacuate Gaza civilians
Tipperary students Nadia Fletcher, (Roscrea) Niamh Cunneen (Nenagh) and Ciara McLoughlin (Cahir) were amongst 62 students from across five Irish universities who have been awarded scholarships as part of the prestigious Women in STEM2D (WiSTEM2D) Undergraduate Awards at the first ever national event held in Thomond Park Stadium, Limerick.

The Award recognises outstanding female students in STEM2D disciplines: Science, Technology, Engineering, Math, Manufacturing and Design. Sixty-two students from Trinity College Dublin, University of Limerick, University College Cork, University of Galway and Munster Technology University have received scholarships as part of the programme.

This is the eighth year of the annual awards programme, showcasing the companys commitment to advancing female excellence in STEM fields.

Nadia Fletcher (pictured above)

This is the first year that the company has brought all recipients together for a day-long event, with all attendees benefitting from a unique learning experience, including workshops and breakout sessions, carefully tailored to foster their growth and provide them with the essential skills and knowledge needed to prepare them for a successful career.

Research published by the Higher Education Authority earlier this year identified that 35% of students in STEM-related courses at third level are female.

Niamh Cunneen (pictured above)

Furthermore, the HEA noted that the gender gap continues to remain evident at post-primary level. Johnson & Johnson recognises the importance of inspiring students to consider a career in STEM, and is committed to igniting the spark of curiosity in young minds, nurturing the STEM leaders of tomorrow, and maintaining a robust talent pipeline to support the life sciences industry.

The three Tippeary students selected to receive the scholarships are studying:

Nadia Fletcher; Pharmaceutical and Industrial Chemistry; University of Limerick

Niamh Cunneen; Chemical and Biochemical Engineering; University of Limerick

Ciara McLoughlin; Pharmaceutical Biotechnology; Munster Technological University

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, Simon Harris TD, said: Huge congratulations to the recipients of the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Award on their achievements. What they have achieved to date is inspirational and I hope will encourage more women to study STEM.

There is so much more we can do to reduce the gender gap in STEM studies and as Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science I am committed to pulling every lever to do so, and making sure that there are no barriers to educational opportunities.

Its a great time to celebrate this occasion as its Science Week, a time when we celebrate the wonders of science and the potential it holds.

Our capacity to tackle the challenges of the future will be significantly enhanced through advancements in research, science, and innovation and its clear to me the full potential of the STEM community can only be realised when we eliminate gender disparities.

I want to thank industry leaders like Johnson & Johnson for their commitment to empowering and investing in brilliant young women. By igniting the spark of curiosity in young minds, nurturing the next generation of STEM leaders, and supporting the development of a robust talent pipeline, we are investing in our shared future.

Anna Rafferty, Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D University Lead and Director of Strategy, Johnson & Johnson Campus Ireland, said: "Our Irish WiSTEM2D journey started in Limerick in 2016, and it is wonderful to be here again eight years on, to see how this programme has grown. This is now a truly national initiative, impacting the early careers of women and STEM in all corners of the country.

Johnson & Johnson's commitment to supporting women in STEM runs deep. We understand the tremendous value diversity brings to innovation and progress, and we believe that by empowering and investing in these brilliant young women, we are not only shaping the future of STEM but also advancing solutions that will benefit our global community."

Stephanie Mabrouk, Plant Leader, DePuy Synthes, said: "I have benefitted from the wonderful opportunities Johnson & Johnson offers to women in STEM.

When I first joined this company, I was a young, aspiring engineer, and thanks to the support and mentorship that has been provided along the way, I have had the opportunity to travel the world in leadership roles.

Im proud to work for a company that recognises the untapped potential of female talent in STEM, and is actively taking steps to harness it. Im privileged to have benefitted from Johnson & Johnsons focus on creating opportunities for women in STEM, and I am committed to paying it forward by championing and guiding the next generation of female leaders."

Each scholarship recipient is set to embark on an inspiring journey, gaining access to a student award, industry mentorship, leadership training, career workshops, Johnson & Johnson site visits, and participation in WiSTEM2D events aimed at bolstering their future in STEM careers.

Recipients of the Johnson & Johnson WiSTEM2D Award scholarship were also presented with bespoke framed glass artwork crafted by Fermoy-based artist Suzanne O'Sullivan.
A HSE consultant is urging pregnant women to get flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough vaccines this winter.

Dr Aparna Keegan, who is a consultant in Public Health Medicine at the HSE National Immunisation Office, called on women to avail of the "safe and highly effective" vaccines as the cold months approach.

According to the HSE, developing flu can be very serious for "a small number of pregnant women and their babies" and can leave women at greater risk of complications such as bronchitis.

In rare cases, flu infection in pregnancy can lead to stillbirth, maternal death and an increased risk of miscarriage.

The HSE has prioritised pregnant women for the autumn COVID-19 booster due to their "increased risk" of severe infection.

Speaking today (Thursday November 16), Dr Keegan said, "The flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough vaccines are safe and highly effective in reducing the risk of severe illness, hospitalisation, and complications related to these infections.

"The protection they offer not only benefits the pregnant mother but also extends to the developing baby and provides crucial safeguarding in the early most vulnerable months of a childs life."

Pregnant women can get vaccinated against whooping cough, which is highly contagious and can be life-threatening for babies, between week 16 and 36 of pregnancy.

According to the HSE, the vaccine stimulates the immune system to produce high levels of protective antibodies to the whooping cough bacteria, which will then pass to the baby in the womb.

Dr Keegan added: "We strongly urge all pregnant women to boost their immunity this winter and get vaccinated. You can get the flu, COVID-19 and whooping cough vaccine at the same time."

A HSE statement released earlier today assured the safety of vaccines for pregnant women.

It states: "Extensive research and clinical evidence show that vaccines are safe for pregnant women, both the World Health Organization and the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control strongly endorse the use of vaccination to protect pregnancy mothers.

"The vaccines given to pregnant women are made with inactivated or non-live components, which means they are safe for both the pregnant and the child."

Any pregnant woman with questions about vaccines should speak to their midwife, obstetrician or GP.
[November 16, 2023] Introducing the G-SHOCK Ref. 5600 By Online Ceramics Limited Edition For Hodinkee Tweet

DOVER, N.J., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Hodinkee, the leading destination for all things watches and horology, has collaborated with Los Angeles-based design house Online Ceramics and G-SHOCK to announce the G-SHOCK Ref. 5600 By Online Ceramics Limited Edition For Hodinkee. Across 2020, 2021, and 2022, Hodinkee launched a trio of G-SHOCK watches designed in partnership with musician John Mayer, each selling out in a matter of minutes. As a follow-up to the three-part collaboration, Hodinkee and John Mayer are back with a new project that expands upon the legacy created by Mayer and paves the path for three new individuals to design their own G-SHOCK collaboration with Hodinkee. The project is curated by Mayer, with each collaborator connected to him via music, design, and, of course, watches. The first in the trio was the G-SHOCK Ref. 6900 - Subtract By Ed Sheeran , and this second installment with Online Ceramics continues the series, with the final to be announced in the coming weeks. "We're excited to unveil the latest collaboration with Hodinkee and Online Ceramics' imaginative touch," said Tadashi Shibuya, Vice President, Casio Timepiece Division. "This series represents a collective journey of imagination, with each collaborator leaving an indelible mark on the G-SHOCK legacy. We look forward to the third and final chapter, as we continue to reimagine the intersection of creativity, innovation, and timekeeping." Beloved for their Dead & Co T-shirt designs, Online Ceramic was founded in 2016 by Elijah Funk and Alix Ross, and is well-known in the music scene for its unique approach to graphic design. The brand has developed a cult following for playful, trippy, and often tie-dyed designs. Now, the brand is adding a twist to the G-Shock 5600 with its distinct design style, to offer a lighthearted and playful take on the classic timepiece. The G-SHOCK 5600, which has a cult following of its own, sits at the core of the G-SHOCK international lineup and has been the canvas for myriad past collaborations with artists, musicians, streetwear icons, and more. Online Ceramic's take on the timepiece comes in a deep forest green, with the strap emblazoned with "Online Ceramics" in a psychedelic font as well as a screen surrounded by yellow, red, and orange accents and Online Ceramic's snail logo. Framing the face, bright yellow text reads "Sun Watch, Moon Time" and "Mushroom House Haunted Wagon," further soliifying the vibe that feels like a walk into some very strange woods. As a final easter egg, when the wearer presses the button for the backlight a special phrase is revealed on screen that reads "Love Grows In The Sunshine." This light and wearable watch doesn't sacrifice functionality or hard-wearing intent, and has a resin case and strap, mineral glass covering the screen, and 200 meters of water resistance. Inside, we find a modern G-Shock module that offers time, date, alarm, stopwatch, countdown timer, and, of course, that electro-luminescent backlight.



You can purchase the G-SHOCK Ref. 5600 By Online Ceramics for $185 USD in the Hodinkee Shop on November 16th at 11:00am ET. Technical Specifications:

Model: The G-SHOCK Ref. 5600 By Online Ceramics

Functions: Multi-Function Alarm, Flash Alert, Calendar, Stopwatch, Countdown Timer, 12/24 Time Formats

Material: Resin (case & strap), Stainless Steel (buckle)

Dimensions: 48.9mm x 42.8mm x 13.4mm / 53 g

Crystal: Mineral glass

Caseback: Stainless steel screw-back (4-screws)

Dial: Black surround with yellow, red, and orange accents

Lume: Electro-luminescent backlight with Afterglow & custom message

Caliber: Module: 3229 quartz, +/- 15-sec per month

Power Reserve: Two-year battery (CR2016 cell)

Water Resistance: 200 meters

Bracelet/Strap: Resin strap

Lug Width: 16mm

Manufactured: Japan Media Contacts

Hodinkee: [email protected]

G-Shock: [email protected]

Online Ceramics: [email protected] About Hodinkee

Hodinkee is building a better world of watches. Founded in 2008 by Benjamin Clymer as a watch blog, Hodinkee is now a multi-channel online destination for watch enthusiasts, including: print, digital, and video content; an e-commerce platform as an authorized retailer of over 40+ brands in every style and price point along with a wide assortment of pre-owned and vintage watches; and best-in-class services like Hodinkee Insurance. With years of experience and expertise, Hodinkee's work brings every aspect of the watch world to life through color-rich journalism, meticulous engineering of Limited Edition timepieces, and curation of the most extensive assortment of watch brands and accessories to shop. As a true destination for everything watch-related, Hodinkee has built a dedicated community that's brought the brand to the forefront. Headquartered in NYC, visit www.hodinkee.com . About G-SHOCK

CASIO's shock-resistant G-SHOCK watch is synonymous with toughness, born from the developer Mr. Ibe's dream of 'creating a watch that never breaks.' Over 200 handmade samples were created and tested to destruction until finally in 1983 the first, now iconic G-SHOCK hit the streets of Japan and began to establish itself as 'the toughest watch of all time'. Each watch encompasses the 7 elements; electric shock resistance, gravity resistance, low temperature resistance, vibration resistance, water resistance, shock resistance and toughness. The watch is packed with Casio innovations and technologies to prevent it from suffering direct shock; this includes internal components protected with urethane and suspended timekeeping modules inside the watch structure. G-SHOCK is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, and since its launch, it has continued to evolve, continuing to support Mr. Ibe's mantra "never, never give up." Visit www.gshock.casio.com/us/ . About Online Ceramics

In 2016, Alix Ross and Elijah Funk launched Online Ceramics, a Los Angeles art studio focused in design and clothing. Ross and Funk met at art school, where they discovered a mutual love for the art and experimental music that would eventually inform their colorfully referential streetwear brand. Presenting a unique visual language, Online Ceramics approaches its collections with a contemporary sensibility that bridges the gap between music, art, and fashion. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/introducing-the-g-shock-ref-5600-by-online-ceramics-limited-edition-for-hodinkee-301991163.html SOURCE Casio America, Inc.

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[November 16, 2023] Rainier Partners Backs Preeminent Anytime Fitness Franchisee, Omega Fitness Tweet

Rainier Partners, a private equity firm investing in lower middle-market services businesses, is pleased to announce its acquisition of Omega Fitness, a preeminent Anytime Fitness franchisee formed by the combination of businesses built by two franchise operators, Andy Gundlach and Russ Allen. Omega Fitness is the second largest Anytime Fitness platform in the U.S. with nearly 70 gyms in Wisconsin, California, and Florida. The company will be led by Allen and Gundlach, who are widely regarded as two of the top operators in the Anytime Fitness system, as proven by their individual success thus far in a large and unconsolidated fitness franchise network. Allen and Gundlach will partner closely with Rainier to lead and expand the Omega Fitness platform while optimizing operations in already-existing clubs. "We recognized the need for a partner with not only deep experience in the fitness industry but also resources and operational capabilities to assist with integration and future growth," said Allen. "Rainier's partnership-driven approach, coupled with enthusiasm for the future of our company and Anytime Fitness, solidified our confidence in this transformative alliance." "With an abundance of interest from the private equity community, the idea of partnering with Rainier felt right from day one," said Gundlach. "As we look to the future, acquisitions will continue to be a key element to our growth strategy, along with building new locations across the US and implementing best practices in all of ou gyms, drawing on my team's experience and Russ'."



Anytime Fitness was founded in 2002 and operates over 5,000 franchised locations in 50 countries. The company prioritizes consumer convenience and geographic accessibility while providing high-quality equipment, fitness classes, and other unique offerings. "We are excited to be early investors in the Anytime Fitness system and to partner with Russ, Andy, and their teams to capitalize on the growth opportunities ahead of the company and the brand," said Rainier Co-Founder and Managing Partner Jon Altman.

"Now having crossed the finish line of formalizing our partnership, we are eager to start implementing SUMMIT, Rainier's value creation playbook that we use to drive long-term success for our portfolio companies," continued Rainier's Co-Founder and Managing Partner Alex Rolfe. Omega Fitness is actively seeking partnerships with Anytime Fitness franchisees and other gym owners. Business owners interested in learning more should contact Pedro Belmontes, Vice President of Operations at [email protected]. Perkins Coie provided legal counsel, and Fifth Third Bank acted as financial advisor to Omega Fitness. Omega Fitness is a franchisee of Anytime Fitness clubs in the United States. With nearly 70 gyms across Wisconsin, California, and Florida, Omega is operated by two proven leaders in the Anytime Fitness franchisee space, Russ Allen and Andy Gundlach. Rainier Partners is a Seattle-based private equity firm with over $375 million in assets under management that invests in lower middle-market services businesses. We look for opportunities where we can actively support business owners and management teams by providing growth capital, operational resources, and strategic partnership. We focus on industries in which we have extensive experience, a network of partners, and deep resources: business services, consumer services, industrial services, and financial services. We typically invite the founders or management teams of our portfolio companies to invest alongside us to align interests. Please visit www.rainierpartners.com for more information. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116460307/en/

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[November 16, 2023] Siteman Cancer Center Begins Treatment with Latest Mevion Proton Therapy System Tweet

Mevion Medical Systems announced today that the world's first single-room proton therapy system has completed the upgrade to the latest MEVION S250i Proton Therapy System with FLASH* capabilities, and has begun treating patients in November at the S. Lee Kling Proton Therapy Center at Siteman Cancer Center, Barnes-Jewish Hospital and Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, MO. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116635095/en/ The MEVION S250i Proton Therapy System (Photo: Business Wire) Siteman Cancer Center is an NCI-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center that draws patients from Missouri, Southern Illinois and beyond. The center utilizes Mevion's modular 1+1 expansion configuration and is now equipped with two MEVION S250i systems for treating a wide range of pediatric and adult indications, including lung, brain, head and neck, gastrointestinal and gynecologic tumors, and other complex cases. Tina Yu, Ph.D., CEO and President of Mevion Medical Systems, expressed her delight: "We could not be more excited for Siteman and the treatment of its first patient on the second MEVION S250i systm. We are proud of our collaboration."



Proton therapy is a precise form of radiation therapy that can reduce the amount of unnecessary radiation exposure to surrounding healthy tissue and sensitive organs at risk. The first patient treated is a young adult with breast cancer who will receive less radiation to surrounding healthy tissues and organs such as the heart and lungs, thus reducing long term toxicities. "Our recent system upgrade allows for the provision of advanced technology to an even greater number of patients, especially pediatric and young adult cases, and allows us to expand the clinical applications of proton therapy," said Stephanie Perkins, M.D., Professor and Director of S. Lee Kling Proton Therapy Center. "Our team also looks forward to advancing FLASH dosimetry research."

This latest system incorporates Mevion's cutting-edge HYPERSCAN Pencil Beam Scanning for Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) with a proton MLC, along with an advanced 3D imaging system for high-precision Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) and adaptive therapy. Additionally, the system is capable of delivering ultra-high FLASH dose rate for research and development. These latest capabilities are the result of a collaborative effort between Mevion and Siteman Cancer Center, initiated in 2019. The FLASH therapy technique, which delivers an ultra-high dose rate of therapeutic radiation in under a second without any invasiveness, possesses the potential to significantly enhance the efficacy of cancer treatments while simultaneously reducing side effects and shortening treatment duration. *FLASH therapy is not yet available for clinical use. About Mevion Medical Systems Mevion Medical Systems is the leading provider of compact proton therapy systems for cancer care. Dedicated to advancing the design and accessibility of proton therapy worldwide, Mevion pioneered the single-room platform and continues to further the science and application of proton therapy. Since 2013, Mevion compact proton therapy single-room systems have been used by leading cancer centers for treating patients. Mevion's series of products, including the flagship MEVION S250i and MEVION S250-FIT* with HYPERSCAN pencil beam scanning, represent the world's most compact proton therapy systems that eliminate the obstacles of size, complexity, and cost. Mevion is headquartered in Littleton, Massachusetts with a presence in Europe and Asia. For more information, please visit www.mevion.com. *The MEVION S250-FIT Proton Therapy System is not yet available for clinical use. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116635095/en/

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[November 15, 2023] UNC Charlotte and Ready to Hire Join Forces to Strengthen North Carolina's Allied Health Workforce Tweet

Unique Partnership Connects Education to Employment to Solve Local Healthcare Talent Shortages CHARLOTTE, N.C., Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- UNC Charlotte School of Professional Studies and Ready to Hire powered by Cengage Group, a workforce solutions provider, today announced a partnership to improve opportunities for North Carolina job seekers and strengthen the talent pool for local healthcare systems in need of skilled allied health professionals. "UNC Charlotte is committed to providing career mobility pathways and lifelong learning opportunities for people in our region and beyond," said Asher Haines, UNC Charlotte's associate provost of the School of Professional Studies. "Through this partnership, UNC Charlotte will provide employer-sponsored train-to-hire programs for in-demand allied health roles at local healthcare systems across the state." Currently, there is a major talent shortage in healthcare and hospitals need workers. According to a survey from AMN Healthcare 85% of healthcare facilities reported Allied Health talent shortages in October 2022. Per Cengage Group's analysis, there's a gap of 300K newly certified allied health professionals annually. Combining the employer partnerships along with the course delivery platform of Ready to Hire and the robust support systems of UNC Charlotte, this train to hire program will enable healthcare systems to build new talent pools. In this model, students are provided with free training, sponsored by the employer, without any need for prior experience. They will get both online skills training and onsite, hands-on training. Participants will be paid an hourly rate for the hours worked while training on-site as a Pharmacy Technician during the program at a competitive rate. At the end of the program, they will be prepared to sit for an industry recognized certification exam and are eligible to apply for a full-time role in te healthcare system.



The collaboration is already working successfully with Novant Health, one of the largest healthcare systems in North Carolina. Program participants are enrolled in a pharmacy technician training program and will eventually transition and onboard at Novant Health. "We are thrilled to partner with Ready to Hire and UNC Charlotte, as this collaboration allows us to tap into our local workforce and create a new pool of entry-level allied health talent," says Michael Paquette, Senior Director, Pharmacy at Novant Health. "The talent shortage in our industry has been a significant challenge, resulting in open roles remaining unfilled for extended periods. By developing our own talent through this program, we can ensure that these candidates are trained to our high standards and want to stay with our organization. We are delighted with the performance of our Ready to Hire trainees and eagerly anticipate expanding beyond our current pharmacy technician roles."

"Our collaboration with UNC Charlotte creates a direct link between job seekers and local employers," said Rya Conrad-Bradshaw, Ready to Hire lead and VP of corporate markets at Cengage Work. "Employers gain access to a pool of qualified candidates and draw on the University's current student network, while job seekers find exciting career opportunities at their fingertips  it's a win-win." For more information about Ready to Hire visit cengagework.com. About UNC Charlotte More than 30,000 students choose to call North Carolina's urban research university home. Located in one of the fastest-growing regions in the United States, UNC Charlotte is the city's great university. Through award-winning focus on student success that fosters economic mobility, internationally recognized programs of research and creative activity that foster societal growth, and a commitment to cultural enrichment that makes Charlotte more vibrant, UNC Charlotte is recognized as a Top 100 Public University by U.S. News and World Report. Learn more about what's great only at Charlotte. About UNC Charlotte School of Professional Studies: The UNC Charlotte School of Professional Studies (SPS) connects best-in-class learning experiences to learners seeking to upskill and reskill at any stage of their career, and employers hoping to provide additional education and training for their workforce. The over 200 programs curated by award-winning faculty and instructors are designed with flexibility in mind and most offer weeknight, weekend and online options for working professionals. SPS offers short-format professional credit opportunities and certificates, bachelor's and master's degrees that provide career advancement and in-demand knowledge and skills. For more information, visit professional.charlotte.edu. About Ready to Hire: Ready to Hire, part of Cengage Group's workforce training business, helps companies create and grow talent through curated talent pipelines and upskilling products and services. Working directly with employers and a network of academic partners and workforce organizations, Ready to Hire helps employers build local talent pipelines through scalable, technology-enabled services that identify and train new talent through train-to-hire programs, upskill current talent to earn certifications and professional skills with an on-site structured experience, and access local talent. For more information, visit https://www.cengagework.com/. About Cengage Group With more than 100 years serving learners, Cengage Group is a global edtech company that enables student choice. No matter how, where, when or why someone wants to learn, our portfolio of education businesses supports all students, from middle school through graduate school and skills education, with quality content and technology. Collectively, our three business units  Cengage Academic, Cengage Work and Cengage Select  help millions of students each year in more than 125 countries achieve their education and career goals and lead choice-filled lives. Visit us at www.cengagegroup.com or find us on LinkedIn and Twitter. Media Contacts: Cengage Group:

Emily Featherston

Sr. Director, Corporation Communications

[email protected] UNC Charlotte:

Buffie Stephens

Director of Issues Management and Media Relations

[email protected]

704.687.5830 | Mobile: 980.355.3110 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/unc-charlotte-and-ready-to-hire-join-forces-to-strengthen-north-carolinas-allied-health-workforce-301989200.html SOURCE Cengage Work, part of Cengage Group

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[November 15, 2023] FHLB Dallas, American First National Bank, Cadence Bank, Independent Financial and Inwood Bank Celebrate Awarding $80K in Grants to Three Dallas-Area Nonprofits Tweet

Representatives from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas (FHLB Dallas), American First National Bank, Cadence Bank, Independent Financial and Inwood Bank were joined by local dignitaries as they awarded $80,000 in Partnership Grant Program (PGP) funds to three Dallas-area community-based organizations (CBOs). The funds will assist the organizations with operational and administrative costs allowing them to focus on their missions to preserve housing affordability in the Dallas, Texas, area. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115381719/en/ Representative Venton Jones, Texas District 100, Texas House of Representatives (second from left), joined by executives from FHLB Dallas (extreme left and right) and its member Independent Financial (third and fourth from left), along with executives from Rockwall Housing Development Corp. and South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corp. (Photo: Business Wire) "The Partnership Grant Program is a great example of how FHLB Dallas and its members improve the capacity of community-based organizations to provide access and education to those most in need of affordable housing," said State Representative Venton Jones, House District 100, Texas House of Representatives. Through the PGP, FHLB Dallas member institutions contribute $500 to $4,000 to a nonprofit, which FHLB Dallas matches at a 3:1 ratio to provide up to $12,000 to the organization per member. The awards help promote and strengthen relationships between community-based nonprofits and FHLB Dallas members. Here are the awards: Member: Independent Financial

Sponsor: South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corp.

Grant: $16,000 Member: American First National Bank

Sponsor: SouthFair Community Development Corp.

Grant: $16,000 Member: Cadence Bank

Sponsor: SouthFair Community Development Corp.

Grant: $16,000 Member: Independent Financial

Sponsor: Rockwall Housing Development Corp.

Grant: $16,000 Member: Inwood Bank

Sponsor: Rockwall Housing Development Corp.

Grant: $16,000 FHLB Dallas member Independent Financial has used the PGP to deliver more impact for every dollar it donates. "We are incredibly grateful for the partnership with FHLB Dallas and the ability to increase the impact in our communities by tripling financial support to organizations doing vital work," said Kelli Diserens, senior vice president, director of Community Investment at Independent Financial. Two of the three CBOs - South Dallas Fair Park Innercity Community Development Corp. (ICDC) and Rockwall Housing Development Corp. - received a $16,000 PGP ward via Independent Financial.



"The PGP award will allow our organization to hire additional staff for the ICDC Homebuyer's Workshops, which educate first-time homebuyers on affordable housing options," said Billy Lane, executive director of South Dallas Fair Park ICDC. Speaking at the event, Rockwall Housing Development Corp. Executive Director Michael Hunter said, "We greatly appreciate the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas and their Partnership Grant Program as well as Independent Financial Bank and Inwood Bank in helping us bring more affordable housing to our Northeast Texas region."

Rockwall Housing Development Corp. received another PGP award via Inwood Bank. "We are so appreciative to FHLB Dallas for their assistance in helping people afford housing," said Roger McLaren, vice president at Inwood Bank. "The best way to combat generational poverty is homeownership." SouthFair Community Development Corp. also received two $16,000 grants - one from American First National Bank and another from Cadence Bank. "Support from the Federal Home Loan Bank's Partnership Grant Program and its member banks, American First National Bank and Cadence Bank, allows us to push forward and do what we do best - support the community in its revitalization efforts," said Executive Director Annie Evans. Michael Bailey, chief compliance officer at American First National Bank, said the PGP is an important collaboration tool between FHLB Dallas members and their communities. "PGP funds are a catalyst for community development and a beacon of cooperative effort between nonprofits, FHLB Dallas members and FHLB Dallas," he said. Jim Habern, market president at Cadence Bank, said that they are proud of their continued partnership with FHLB Dallas and the PGP program. "We believe strongly in investing in our community," he said. FHLB Dallas President and CEO Sanjay Bhasin discussed the value of the PGP. "With its 3:1 matching grant, the PGP allows us to demonstrate that we care for and support the causes that are critical to our member financial institutions and their communities," said Mr. Bhasin. View this PGP video to see a complete list of the 2023 PGP grant recipients. For more information about the 2023 PGP grants and other FHLB Dallas community investment products and programs, please visit fhlb.com/pgp. About American First National Bank American First National Bank is an Asian-American owned National Bank, with reported total assets exceeding $2.548 billion as of June 30, 2023, and full FDIC insurance coverage, headquartered in Houston, Texas. Formed by six organizers in August 1997, it opened for business on May 18, 1998. Its Corporate Office is located at 9999 Bellaire Blvd., near the southeast corner of the intersection on Beltway 8 and Bellaire Blvd. in Houston. About Cadence Bank Cadence Bank (NYSE: CADE) is a leading regional banking franchise with approximately $50 billion in assets and more than 400 branch locations across the South, Midwest and Texas. Cadence provides consumers, businesses and corporations with a full range of innovative banking and financial solutions. Services and products include consumer banking, consumer loans, mortgages, home equity lines and loans, credit cards, commercial and business banking, treasury management, specialized lending, asset-based lending, commercial real estate, equipment financing, correspondent banking, SBA lending, foreign exchange, wealth management, investment and trust services, financial planning and retirement plan management. Cadence is committed to a culture of respect, diversity and inclusion in both its workplace and communities. Cadence Bank, Member FDIC. Equal Housing Lender. About Independent Bank Group, Inc. Independent Bank Group, Inc. is a bank holding company headquartered in McKinney, Texas. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Independent Bank, doing business as Independent Financial, Independent Bank Group serves customers across Texas and Colorado with a wide range of relationship-driven banking services tailored to meet the needs of businesses, professionals and individuals. Independent Bank Group, Inc. operates in four market regions located in the Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin and Houston areas in Texas and the Colorado Front Range area, including Denver, Colorado Springs and Fort Collins. About Inwood Bank Inwood Bank is an independent, locally owned, community bank with fourteen (14) banking offices located throughout North Texas. In addition to our main office at 7621 Inwood Road, we have additional branches in the Oaklawn, Galleria and Pleasant Grove areas, as well as branches in the communities of Commerce, Denton, DeSoto, Duncanville, Fort Worth, Garland, Richardson, Rockwall, Rowlett, and Wylie. Inwood has grown from its beginning in 1964 to one of the largest independent community banks in Dallas--today over $4 Billion and one of the strongest institutions in Texas. About the Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas The Federal Home Loan Bank of Dallas is one of 11 district banks in the FHLBank System created by Congress in 1932. FHLB Dallas, with total assets of $147.6 billion as of September 30, 2023, is a member-owned cooperative that supports housing and community development by providing competitively priced loans and other credit products to approximately 800 members and associated institutions in Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas. For more information, visit our website at fhlb.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115381719/en/

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[November 15, 2023] LEVELUP Climate Tech Partners with Doctor David Willer of University of Cambridge to Advance the Development of LEVELUP Impact Tweet

SINGAPORE, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- LEVELUP Climate Tech Pte. Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as "LEVELUP") is thrilled to announce a partnership with Dr. David Willer of University of Cambridge (Cambridge). This partnership represents a notable achievement in the progression of the LEVELUP Impact; SaaS platform which visualises the environmental impacts, including calculation of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the food sectors. Dr. David Willer, currently a Henslow Research Fellow at Murray Edwards College, University of Cambridge, possesses a substantial reservoir of expertise that significantly enriches this collaborative venture. His academic background, including a doctoral degree in Zoology and a first-class honours degree in Natural Sciences, underscores his academic prowess. His research portfolio encompasses a wide spectrum of areas, such as pioneering advancements in the largely untapped and promising fish and seafood sectors, aimed at bolstering both human health and environmental sustainability. His contributions extend beyond research, as he also provides invaluable thought leadership to inform policy decisions. Of particular note s his pioneering work in the development of groundbreaking aquaculture production systems as well as his extensive proficiency in Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodologies applied to food products.



"Partnering with Dr. David Willer is a distinct privilege, and I am pleased to acknowledge his exceptional contributions to the aquaculture field." Shigeo Taniuchi said. "This alliance stands as a testament to our steadfast dedication to enhancing the capacities of LEVELUP Impact, thereby ensuring the provision of even more comprehensive and robust solutions for the aquaculture sector." Dr. David Willer of University of Cambridge responded, "My passion as a scientist is to help research and develop innovative solutions that can help improve the health of our environment and human society. This collaboration allows us to harness the full potential of cutting-edge technology and research to make a lasting impact on the food sector. Together, we have the opportunity to create a more sustainable and environmentally responsible future for food production."

The partnership between LEVELUP and Dr. David Willer is driven by a shared commitment to addressing the pressing environmental challenges of our time. By combining their collective expertise and resources, they aim to accelerate progress towards the mission of "SUSTAINABLE FOODS FOR NEXT GENERATIONS". About LEVELUP Climate Tech Pte. Ltd. LEVELUP is a start-up headquartered in Singapore, with a mission of "SUSTAINABLE FOODS FOR NEXT GENERATIONS", aiming to provide solutions that address environmental and climate change issues. LEVELUP has been developing the LEVELUP Impact; SaaS platform which visualises the environmental impacts, including calculation on GHG emissions in the food sectors. Collaborating with professors and universities, LEVELUP has been preparing for its business launch and venturing into global markets. [Media Contact] Contact: Mizuho Taniguchi Email: [email protected] Website: https://levelupclimate.com/ View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/levelup-climate-tech-partners-with-doctor-david-willer-of-university-of-cambridge-to-advance-the-development-of-levelup-impact-301989930.html SOURCE LEVELUP Climate Tech Pte. Ltd.

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KYODO NEWS - Nov 17, 2023 - 10:14 | All, Japan, World

The Japanese and South Korean leaders agreed Thursday to respond jointly and trilaterally with the United States to North Korea's nuclear posturing as they vowed to communicate closely about regional and global challenges, in the latest sign of a thawing in relations long marred by wartime history.

Meeting for the seventh time this year, Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol both expressed their hope for further deepening of bilateral cooperation across a range of areas, not limited to security and their economies.

The two leaders agreed they will strive to maintain and strengthen a "free and open" order in the Indo-Pacific, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said.

Kishida and Yoon also concurred that they will work in tandem to deal with the conflict in the Middle East and Russia's war on Ukraine, as next year will see both Japan and South Korea on the U.N. Security Council as nonpermanent members.

"Together with President Yoon, I have been moving forward bilateral cooperation in the fields of politics, security, the economy and culture," Kishida said at the outset of the meeting. "I hope to make further progress."

Yoon said, "I am pleased that I have already held seven summits with you, prime minister, this year, solidifying bilateral trust and continuing the very positive trend in South Korea-Japan relations."

Kishida and Yoon are in San Francisco to attend a meeting of leaders from Asian and Pacific nations, hosted by U.S. President Joe Biden.

The United States and its Asian allies are preparing to establish a system by the end of the year to enable rapid sharing of information on North Korean missile launches.

During their roughly 30-minute conversation, Kishida and Yoon spoke candidly about North Korea, including a discussion on its nuclear and missile development, the ministry said.

The issues of wartime history and territory have long strained relations between Japan and South Korea. Until recently, the neighbors refused to hold summit talks.

A turning point in bilateral ties, which had hit their lowest point in years, came after Yoon became president in 2022 and announced a plan this March for a government-backed fund to compensate former wartime laborers who had sued Japanese companies.

Last month, Japan and South Korea marked a quarter-century since they issued a joint statement that aimed for a "future-oriented" partnership and then Japanese prime minister Keizo Obuchi expressed remorse and apologized for the suffering caused by Japan's 1910-1945 colonial rule of the Korean Peninsula.

Kishida and Yoon are scheduled to speak together at Stanford University on Friday, with the Japanese leader expected to underscore the need for robust supply chains.

Related coverage:

APEC summit faces hurdle to reach consensus amid trade friction, wars

Japan PM travels to U.S. for APEC, talks with Chinese, South Korean leaders

Japan PM Kishida eager to usher in "new era" of ties with South Korea
Trellix Detects Collaboration by Cybercriminals and Nation-States

Trellix, the cybersecurity company delivering the future of extended detection and response (XDR), today released The CyberThreat Report: November 2023 from its Advanced Research Center. Trellix observed indicators of collaboration between ransomware groups and nation-state-backed advanced persistent threat (APT) actors, adoption and usage of lesser-known programming languages for malware, and cybercriminals developing Generative AI (GenAI) tools.

"As technology advances, so does cybercrime - and understanding the changing landscape is vital for CISOs and SecOps teams to stay ahead of threats," said John Fokker, Head of Threat Intelligence, Trellix Advanced Research Center. "Cybercriminals are becoming increasingly more agile, organized, and politically aligned. It is imperative defenders refer to threat intelligence to strengthen their security posture with limited resources."

The Trellix Advanced Research Center's latest CyberThreat Report includes:

Malicious GenAI: Cybercriminals bypass protections to take advantage of commonly known tools and use GenAI to enhance phishing campaigns. The accelerating scale and speed of phishing attacks indicates malicious GenAI may already be in deployment today.

Cybercriminals bypass protections to take advantage of commonly known tools and use GenAI to enhance phishing campaigns. The accelerating scale and speed of phishing attacks indicates malicious GenAI may already be in deployment today. Geopolitical Threat Activity: Nation-state threat activity spiked over 50% in the last six months due to conflict escalation in Russia and Ukraine, intensified cyber activity in Israel just before and during the conflict , and disruptive attacks on Taiwan heading into their 2024 elections.

Nation-state threat activity spiked over 50% in the last six months due to conflict escalation in Russia and Ukraine, intensified cyber activity in Israel just before and during the conflict and disruptive attacks on Taiwan heading into their 2024 elections. Ransomware Developments: Global detections and industry-reported incidents, particularly in Q2, reflect unusual variations in ransomware families, as well as countries and industries targeted. The Trellix Advanced Research Center also observed a splintering of large ransomware groups, wih the introduction of smaller groups and more attacks focused on data exfiltration.

Global detections and industry-reported incidents, particularly in Q2, reflect unusual variations in ransomware families, as well as countries and industries targeted. The Trellix Advanced Research Center also observed a splintering of large ransomware groups, wih the introduction of smaller groups and more attacks focused on data exfiltration. Underground Collaboration: The last six months demonstrated an increase in threat actors actively collaborating on Dark Web forums. This spanned groups formally joining together ("The Five Families"), an escalation in selling/sharing of zero-day vulnerabilities, joint PoC development efforts to accelerate exploitations, and more.

The last six months demonstrated an increase in threat actors actively collaborating on Dark Web forums. This spanned groups formally joining together ("The Five Families"), an escalation in selling/sharing of zero-day vulnerabilities, joint PoC development efforts to accelerate exploitations, and more. Polyglot Malware: Cyber, a polycrisis itself, is a threat multiplier - and the rise of polyglot malware further exacerbates this. New programming languages are becoming popular malware choices, with Golang seeing high usage for ransomware (32%), backdoors (26%), and Trojan Horses (20%).







The CyberThreat Report: November 2023 includes proprietary data from Trellix's sensor network, investigations into nation-state and cybercriminal activity by the Trellix Advanced Research Center, and open and closed-source intelligence. The report is based on telemetry related to detection of threats, when a file, URL, IP-address, suspicious email, network behavior, or other indicator is detected and reported by the Trellix XDR platform.

Additional Resources

About the Trellix Advanced Research Center

The Trellix Advanced Research Center brings together an elite team of security professionals and researchers to produce insightful and actionable real-time intelligence to propel customer outcomes and the industry at large. Driven by the industry's most comprehensive charter, our skilled researchers detect trends ahead of the market to empower our customers and partners to solve emerging threats. More at https://www.trellix.com/en-us/advanced-research-center.html.

Follow Trellix on LinkedIn and X.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115730333/en/
[November 16, 2023] Despite Climate Concerns, Just 14% of Companies Reduced Carbon Emissions in Line with Ambitions Over the Past Five Years Tweet

CO2 AI and BCG's Third Annual Carbon Emissions Survey Indicates Companies Are Falling Short on Reduction Ambitions, Citing a Wide Array of Challenges

Companies Have Significantly Improved Partial Measurement and Reporting of Scope 3 EmissionsUp 19 Percentage Points Since 2021, From 34% to 53%

Asia Pacific Respondents Improved Comprehensive Emissions Reporting by 7 Percentage Points (PP) Since 2021; South American and North American Respondents Improved Scopes 1 and 2 Emissions Reporting By 9 PP Points and 5 PP, Respectively

When Asked to Quantify Decarbonization, 40% of Survey Respondents Estimate an Annual Benefit of at Least $100 Million to Their Business

Within the Next Three Years; 30% of Companies Plan to Expand the Deployment of AI-Powered Tools to Improve Accuracy, Efficiency, and Decision-Making in Emissions Management BOSTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- As climate-related disasters intensify in frequency and severity, so does the economic impact on communities and businesses. Despite a responsibility to mitigate the crisis with emissions reductions in their operations and supply chains, companies have not made much progress in comprehensively measuring and reducing their emissions over the past year, according to a new study by CO2 AI and Boston Consulting Group (BCG) being released ahead of COP28 , which begins at the end of the month. Titled Why Some Companies Are Ahead in the Race to Net Zero, the study builds on CO2 AI and BCG's 2021 and 2022 investigations into the progress that businesses around the world have made on emissions measurement and reduction. CO2 AI and BCG surveyed 1,850 executives responsible for emissions measurement, reporting, and reduction in their organizations across 18 major industries and 23 countries. Each organization surveyed had at least 1,000 employees and annual revenues ranging from $100 million to over $10 billion. "There are encouraging signs of progress in measuring and reducing emissions, but it is crucial that businesses redouble their efforts," said Hubertus Meinecke, BCG's global sustainability leader and a coauthor of the study. "Doing so will not ony help mitigate the impacts of climate change, but it will also deliver a boost to businesses' bottom lines."



Progress on Comprehensive Emissions Measurement Remains Slow According to the survey, just 10% of companies now report comprehensively measuring all their emissions, revealing no improvement relative to the 2022 survey. More concerning, only 14% of companies report reducing emissions in line with their ambitions over the past five years, down 3 pp from 2022, citing difficult economic conditions and capital constraints as challenges to their reduction efforts.

However, companies that have made decarbonization progress are realizing both financial and non-financial benefits to their business, citing reputational value, lower operating costs, and regulatory compliance among the top benefits. When asked to quantify, 40% of respondents estimate an annual financial benefit of at least $100 million from meeting emissions reduction targets, a 3 pp increase compared with last year's survey. An Improvement in Scope 3 Emissions Measurement The number of respondents indicating partial measurement and reporting of Scope 3 emissions has increased by 19 pp since 2021, from 34% to 53%. In tandem, more respondents said they have set Scope 3 reduction targetsup 12 pp since 2021, from 23% to 35%with the most common areas of focus being waste management and purchased goods and services. Some regions have demonstrated clear improvement in comprehensive measurement of emissions in the past two years. Asia Pacific respondents improved comprehensive reporting of Scope 1 (direct emissions from company-owned and controlled resources), 2 (indirect emissions from the generation of purchased energy that an organization consumes), and 3 (indirect emissions that occur in the value chain of a company, including both upstream and downstream missions) emissions by 7 pp since 2021. The number of South American and North American respondents improved comprehensively reporting their internal emissions, Scopes 1 and 2, by 9 pp and 5 pp, respectively. Four Traits of Companies Reducing Emissions in Line with Ambitions Companies that report reducing their emissions in line with their ambitions were found to display four notable traits more strongly: Collaborating with suppliers and customers on emissions measurement and reduction: 75% of companies that reduced emissions in line with their ambition have joint reduction initiatives with most of their suppliers, and 54% have similar initiatives with most of their customers.

75% of companies that reduced emissions in line with their ambition have joint reduction initiatives with most of their suppliers, and 54% have similar initiatives with most of their customers. Calculating emissions at the product level: The survey found that 75% of companies attempt to calculate emissions for at least some of their products "from cradle to gate," that is, from raw materials to distribution.

The survey found that 75% of companies attempt to calculate emissions for at least some of their products "from cradle to gate," that is, from raw materials to distribution. Harnessing the power of digital technology in the emissions-management process: Companies with automated digital solutions for measurement are 2.5 times more likely to measure their emissions comprehensively. In addition, 30% of companies plan to expand the deployment of AI-powered tools within the next three years to improve accuracy, efficiency, and decision-making in emissions management.

Companies with automated digital solutions for measurement are 2.5 times more likely to measure their emissions comprehensively. In addition, 30% of companies plan to expand the deployment of AI-powered tools within the next three years to improve accuracy, efficiency, and decision-making in emissions management. Viewing Regulations Positively: They are 2.0 times more likely to view emissions-reporting regulations to be a key enabler of reduction. "Businesses are increasingly acknowledging the transformative power of technologies and artificial intelligence in bridging the divide between their reduction ambitions and real, tangible impact," said Charlotte Degot, CEO and Founder of CO2 AI and a coauthor of the report. "There is no time to lose in scaling these best practices." Download the publication here:

https://www.bcg.com/publications/2023/why-some-companies-are-ahead-in-the-race-to-net-zero-and-reducing-emssions Media Contacts:

Eric Gregoire:

+1 617 850 3783

[email protected] Camille Richaud:

+33 7 77 75 91 29

[email protected] About Boston Consulting Group

Boston Consulting Group partners with leaders in business and society to tackle their most important challenges and capture their greatest opportunities. BCG was the pioneer in business strategy when it was founded in 1963. Today, we work closely with clients to embrace a transformational approach aimed at benefiting all stakeholdersempowering organizations to grow, build sustainable competitive advantage, and drive positive societal impact. Our diverse, global teams bring deep industry and functional expertise and a range of perspectives that question the status quo and spark change. BCG delivers solutions through leading-edge management consulting, technology and design, and corporate and digital ventures. We work in a uniquely collaborative model across the firm and throughout all levels of the client organization, fueled by the goal of helping our clients thrive and enabling them to make the world a better place. ABOUT CO2 AI

CO2 AI is the leading end-to-end sustainability management solution that empowers large and complex organizations to achieve their sustainability goals. By leveraging the power of Artificial Intelligence, CO2 AI's solution offers businesses a single software suite to accurately and efficiently measure their carbon footprint, execute decarbonization initiatives and report their emissions complying with regulations. Building on previous investments by BCG, CO2 AI is an independent company headquartered in Paris with international presence. Visit https://co2ai.com/ to put sustainability into action. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/despite-climate-concerns-just-14-of-companies-reduced-carbon-emissions-in-line-with-ambitions-over-the-past-five-years-301990002.html SOURCE Boston Consulting Group (BCG)

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[November 16, 2023] Webull Securities Australia honoured with the prestigious "Best Investing Solutions" award Tweet

SYDNEY, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Webull Securities (Australia) Pty Ltd (Webull Australia), a subsidiary of Webull Corporation, the popular trading platform, has been honoured with the prestigious 'Best Investing Solution' award at the Adam Smith Awards Asia 2023. This award affirms Webull's commitment to providing reliable and intelligent products to empower self-directed investors. Out of 450 nominations, 19 companies became overall winners in their respective categories, comprising global giants such as Walmart, Nestle, and Sony. The Adam Smith Awards Asia are unique in focusing the spotlight on corporates, showcasing those who define cutting-edge thinking and driving their industries forward. The awards are firmly established as the ultimate benchmark for true treasury talent. Rob Talevski, CEO of Webull Securities Australia said, "The Adam Smith award is not just another industry awards programme, and we are thrilled to have been awarded the overall winner award for the category of 'Best Investing Solution' as they were so impressed with Webull's investment platform. The excellence we have achieved, resulting from ou team's commitment to innovation, has truly set us apart."



"I would also like to thank the team at J.P. Morgan, whose collaboration and expertise enabled us to be nominated for this award in the first place - we could not be more excited with this achievement." "We focus all our efforts on providing the best user experience to our customers. Our trading platform incorporates a customisable user interface and pre-installed strategies to give our investors a good understanding of their options when it comes to trade execution."

Mahesh Kini, Head of APAC International Banking, J.P. Morgan Commercial Banking said, "The Webull team is focused on providing their clients with the technology to access information, tools, services, and opportunities to make informed investment decisions. J.P. Morgan is proud to collaborate with Webull to offer an enhanced user-experience. We have witnessed their commitment to delivering for their clients and we were delighted to submit a nomination on their behalf." Run by Treasury Today, the ceremony is set to take place in Singapore on November 16, and will be attended by Bernard Teo, Head of Asia-Pacific, Webull Corporation and CEO, Webull Securities (Singapore) Pte Ltd, who will be accepting the award on behalf of Webull Australia. As the business continues to grow and develop in the APAC region, Webull Australia continues to showcase its technology innovation, driven by demand for investing solutions that best support clients during their investment journeys. To learn more about Webull's Smart Portfolio, more information is available here, or visit the website: www.webull.com.au/ About Webull: Webull is a leading digital investment platform built on next generation global infrastructure. The Webull Group serves tens of millions of users from over 180 countries, providing retail investors with 24/7 access to financial markets around the world. Users can put investment strategies to work by trading global stocks, ETFs, options and fractional shares, through Webull's trading platform, which is currently available in the United States, the UK, Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan, South Africa, and Australia. Webull also offers investment education services, with lessons covering a wide range of topics. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/webull-securities-australia-honoured-with-the-prestigious-best-investing-solutions-award-301990154.html SOURCE Webull Securities (Australia) Pty Ltd

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[November 16, 2023] Universal Hydrogen, Japan Airlines Co., Ltd., and JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. Sign Memorandum of Understanding to Bring Hydrogen-Powered Flight to Japan Tweet

Following the announcement in March 2023 of Universal Hydrogen's collaboration in Japan to study green hydrogen supply and logistics solutions for Japanese airlines, the company today announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. (JAL) and JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. (JALEC) to bring hydrogen-powered flight to Japan and establish JAL's position as a global leader in operating true zero-carbon-emissions passenger aircraft. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115985223/en/ Following the announcement in March 2023 of Universal Hydrogen's collaboration in Japan to study green hydrogen supply and logistics solutions for Japanese airlines, the company today announced it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Japan Airlines Co. Ltd. (JAL) and JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. (JALEC) to bring hydrogen-powered flight to Japan and establish JAL's position as a global leader in operating true zero-carbon-emissions passenger aircraft. (Photo: Business Wire)



"JAL and JALEC have completed one of the most rigorous evaluation processes we've seen to date to determine its sustainability partners and Universal Hydrogen is honored to be amongst those selected," said Rod Williams, Chief Commercial Officer of Universal Hydrogen. "JAL joins other major global airlines to be interested in Universal Hydrogen's ATR retrofit conversion kit solution to replace their regional fleet, and combined with our hydrogen ecosystem collaborations, we are bringing a complete solution to the JAL regional network."

The MoU further sees both JAL and JALEC provide their input on the technical design and development of the conversion kits and the overall hydrogen value chain in Japan. JAL will be able to promote the specifics of their regional operation with a strong focus on reliability and maintainability. This input complements the work Universal Hydrogen is doing alongside investors Sojitz and Mitsubishi HC Capital Inc. as well. Collectively, the parties have spent the last several months studying green hydrogen supply and logistics solutions for Japanese airlines to scale their utilization of hydrogen-powered aircraft in the very near-term. This is being done by identifying, evaluating, and qualifying local hydrogen suppliers and partners for hydrogen production, hydrogen module filling, module delivery operations, and more. "Japan has long-shown that it is a market with an incredibly strong appetite for green aviation solutions and is home to JAL, one of the most established airlines in the world. As a partner, JAL is impressively demanding on the technical side; their operation is one of the most reliable in the world," said Paul Eremenko, co-founder and CEO of Universal Hydrogen. "I'm proud that in just a few years Universal Hydrogen has been able to earn JAL's respect to enter the Japanese market even at our relatively early stage of development, which is a testament to our team's technical excellence. The team we put together to build out the hydrogen value chain in Japan, coupled with customer demand makes Japan a clear leader on decarbonizing our industry." "JAL and JALEC share Universal Hydrogen's goal to make hydrogen-powered flight a reality in Japan," said Ryo Tamura, President, JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. "Through this first step in our partnership, with the advanced and innovative technology of Universal Hydrogen, JAL and JALEC both lead and contribute to safe and sustainable aviation in Japan." About Japan Airlines Co., Ltd. Japan Airlines (JAL), Japan's first private aviation company, was established in 1951 and is a member of the oneworld Alliance. The airline operates a fleet of 224 aircraft and has announced plans to begin renewing its international flagship aircraft starting in its winter 2023 schedule. Together with other JAL Group and partner airlines, JAL offers an extensive domestic and international network that serves 376 airports across 64 countries/regions. The airline has received numerous accolades for its exceptional service, including being recognized as a certified 5-Star Airline by Skytrax and being awarded the prestigious "World Class" Airline title by APEX, the Airline Passenger Experience Association. JAL takes great pride in its on-time performance and is regarded as one of the most punctual airlines globally. The airline is dedicated to ensuring the highest standards of flight safety and overall service quality, striving to be the most preferred airline by customers worldwide. The JAL Group recognizes that action to address climate change is a particularly important issue for the sustainability of society, and in June 2020, the group announced its commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050. For details and to learn more, visit JAL's official website at https://www.jal.com/en/. JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. JAL Engineering Co., Ltd. (JALEC) is responsible for the line and heavy maintenance, development and control of maintenance plan for the aircrafts operated by JAL group airlines, such as JAL, J-AIR, Spring Japan and ZIPAIR Tokyo. Based on Tokyo Haneda International Airport, Narita International Airport, and Osaka Itami International Airport, JALEC provides high-quality maintenance service including engines and components maintenance and supporting aviation safety through extensive knowledge and advanced technical skill developed by over years of experience. About Universal Hydrogen Universal Hydrogen is making hydrogen-powered commercial flight a near-term reality. The company takes a flexible, scalable, and capital-light approach to hydrogen logistics by transporting it in modular capsules over the existing freight network from green production sites directly to the airplane anywhere in the world. The company is targeting regional and narrowbody/single aisle airplanes as the near-term and most impactful decarbonization opportunities. Universal Hydrogen is also working to certify a powertrain conversion kit to retrofit existing regional aircraft to fly on hydrogen. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231115985223/en/

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[November 16, 2023] Skanska at COP28 global climate summit: scaling up solutions Tweet

STOCKHOLM, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska, a recognized climate leader in the development and construction industry, will be at COP28 to join with customers, partners and policymakers to scale up global solutions for a more sustainable built environment. COP28, the 28th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties, is a global climate summit being held in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates, from 30 November, where countries are coming together to negotiate actions to address climate change. At COP28, our leaders will highlight Skanska's and the industry's crucial role in the energy transition, including how we can optimize energy efficiency and the use of low-carbon materials. This includes taking part in a dialogue with stakeholders across the value chain to drive the market transformation required to decarbonize the built environment. We also see the need for internationally shared carbon performance standards that allow the comparison of solutions, and to drive innovation and development that will accelerate the climate transition. Anders Danielsson, CEO of Skanska AB, says, "Our leading position in the development and construction industry gives us an opportunity - and a responsibility - to act." "The built environment accounts for nearly 40 percent of the world's energy-related carbon emissions. Few other sectors can have a greater impact on reducing emissions," he says. "Our efforts to reduce emissions extend across our entire operation and drive much of the innovation we see all around the company, as well as presenting a great business opportunity." In line with our commitment to reduce carbon emissions from our global operations and value chain to net-zero by 2045, we announced in our Q3 2023 interim report that our own scope 1 and 2 emissions have been reduced by 58 percent from our baseline year of 2015. Lena Hok, our Executive Vice President of Global Sustainability and Innovation, will take part in several conversations at the summit. "We work together with other leading international companies in our value chain to set common directions and pathways for the built environment," Lena Hok says. "As part of the World Building Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) we have collaborated on the new report Net Zero Operational Buildings - State of the Art. By being part of initiatives like this, we can use our collective knowledge and that of our partners to scale innovative solutions on energy-efficient and energy-plus buildings across markets and help our customers in their climate transitions," she says. "We can see that private and public-sector customers in both Europe and the USA are raising the level of their emission-reduction ambitions. The importance of this cannot be stressed enough. Public procurement incorporating clear sustainability requirements is a crucial factor for success in driving the market transformation and decarbonizing the built environment." We are part of the COP28 business delegation coordinated by Business Sweden, with access to the diplomatic Blue Zone where negotiations will be conducted. The Financial Times has recognized Skanska as one of its 2023 Climate Leaders. For further information please contact:

Jacob Birkeland, Head of Media Relations and Public Affairs, Skanska AB, tel +46 (0)10 449 04 94 Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99 This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com. The following files are available for download:







https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3876399/2432190.pdf 20231116 COP28

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/skanska-at-cop28-global-climate-summit-scaling-up-solutions-301990209.html SOURCE Skanska

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[November 16, 2023] Green FinTechs a promising new growth area in ASEAN: FinTech in ASEAN 2023 report Tweet

While FinTech funding in ASEAN plunged 70%, Singapore retains top spot. SINGAPORE, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sustainability is garnering significant investor interest in ASEAN despite uncertain macroeconomic conditions in 2023, with Green Financial Technology (FinTech) firms bringing forth innovative solutions to help businesses and governments address challenges and opportunities of going green. This insight is part of the FinTech in ASEAN 2023: Seeding the Green Transition report, jointly launched by UOB, PwC Singapore and the Singapore FinTech Association (SFA) today. Singapore retained its podium position within the region, securing US$747 million FinTech funding, or 59 per cent of total funding in ASEAN. Though this was a decrease of over 180 per cent year-on-year, Singapore still attracted 51 deals, the highest in the region. The deals were distributed across eight FinTech categories, the widest range in the region. Ms Janet Young, Managing Director and Group Head, Channels & Digitalisation and Strategic Communications & Brand, UOB, said, "Despite markets and investors becoming more cautious this year, bright spots remain with certain FinTech segments such as early-stage and Green FinTechs showing resilience. As a long-term supporter of FinTechs, UOB is committed to journeying through this uncertain climate with the broader FinTech and Green Tech ecosystem by leveraging on our regional network to seize opportunities and drive innovation. Together we can forge a sustainable future and create impact for our stakeholders in ASEAN." This year, Singapore and other ASEAN FinTech firms continue to face the same funding winter seen globally. FinTech investments in the six biggest ASEAN economies[1] came to US$1.3 billion in the first nine months of this year (9M23), a sharp decrease of around 70 per cent compared with the same period in 2022. Since third quarter 2022, funding for ASEAN FinTechs has been declining as investors held back after a huge funding surge post-pandemic. Of the total global FinTech funding in 9M23, the amount attributed to ASEAN FinTechs dropped by two percentage points to three per cent, the region's lowest funding amount since 2020. Number of deals also decreased by more than half to 94, with average deal size reduced to US$13.5 million from US$23.3 million. Shadab Taiyabi, President, Singapore FinTech Association, said, "While the landscape for FinTech funding across the region has certainly been trickier to navigate, it is good to see that Singapore retains its position as the region's most vibrant destination, attracting the highest number of deals. It is heartening to us that investors recognise the quality of Singapore's firms and their ideas, and we are confident that despite lower levels of funding, Singapore's FinTech star will continue to shine brightly not just across the region, but worldwide." Wong Wanyi, FinTech Leader, PwC Singapore, said, "Despite ongoing macroeconomic concerns, FinTech is integrated in the day-to-day operations and lives of many, and it is here to stay. With the climate challenge requiring stronger concerted effort across all industries and governments, Green FinTechs and sustainable finance are spaces where Singapore can take the lead in establishing trust and helping to move the needle on one of the major challenges facing our time. In more than one way, FinTech players have good reasons to persevere and get ready to seize future uptrends." 'Green' and 'Young' shoots in ASEAN drew greatest attention Sustainability is one area that is attracting significant investor interest in ASEAN and globally. ASEAN's green technology sector received US$169 million in funding in 9M23, and investments for this sector has shown an upward trend in the past five years. Interests in sustainability solutions grew due to increasing climate-related regulations, government support and rising awareness of environmental issues. The Asia Pacific region is one of the most vulnerable to climate-related impact[2] and many governments in ASEAN have begun exploring green financing initiatives and regulations to support the region's energy transition efforts. Businesses surveyed by UOB also echoed the importance of going green and its benefits[3]. Investors have projected carbon emissions management and reporting, as well as green financing solutions to be key growth areas for this sector. Besides Green FinTechs, early-stage firms[4] in ASEAN have also managed to seize market opportunities with new start-up ideas and smaller capital outlays. These firms make up six of the top 10 funded FinTech firms in ASEAN and one of the only three deals above US$100 million in 9M23. They also secured half of the total funding investments in ASEAN, a significant increase from 39 per cent last year. The top 10 funded ASEAN FinTech firms received an average funding amount of US$94 million in 9M23, a fall of close to 60 per cent compared with 2022. Singapore and Indonesia lead FinTech investment in ASEAN Among the six ASEAN countries, Singapore and Indonesia accounted for more than 86 per cent of total FinTech funding and 80 per cent of funding deals in ASEAN. Indonesia contributed to 27 per cent of funding and 16 per cent of the total deals worth US$340 million, largely driven by one mega deal. Vietnam and Malaysia experienced a modest increase in their share of number of deals by the third quarter in 2023, with a six percentage point and four percentage point growth respectively. With a volatile market and uncertain macroeconomic outlook, the number of new FinTech firms set up across ASEAN has dropped to 95 companies this year, falling more than 75 per cent from last year. Investors highlighted that the observed decline in FinTech funding predominantly aligns with the broader downtrend in the technology sector, but looking ahead, rapid advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) technology is a key emerging space that will propel the next generation of FinTech innovations. The FinTech in ASEAN 2023: Seeding the Green Transition report was announced at Singapore FinTech Festival today. For the full report, please visit go.uob.com/fintech2023. About UOB UOB is a leading bank in Asia. Operating through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, UOB has a global network of around 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the world's top banks: Aa1 by Moody's Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings. For nearly nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN  for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN. The Bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer's unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to help businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of art, social development of children and education, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.







[1] Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam [2] According to UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO)'s latest report "Over the Tipping Point" publishing in May 2023. [3] According to UOB Business Outlook Study 2023 (SME and Large Enterprises), more than 40 per cent of businesses surveyed in ASEAN-5 (excluding Philippines) have adopted sustainable practices. While barriers to adoption exist, including increased customer costs and the lack of sustainable financing solutions, companies are driven to fulfil net-zero goals and uphold sustainability commitments. [4] Early-stage firms refer to start-ups that have received Series A or Series B funding.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/green-fintechs-a-promising-new-growth-area-in-asean-fintech-in-asean-2023-report-301990199.html SOURCE UOB

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[November 16, 2023] Poland aspires to be among the world's top 30 most competitive financial centers Tweet

WARSAW, Poland, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Poland has strong advantages that can help strengthen its position on the global stage of financial centers. This is the main message promoted by the delegation of Polish companies and institutions during the Singapore Fintech Festival. The potential of Poland, possible synergies, and collaboration opportunities were also discussed by participants at the Poland ASEAN Fintech Forum, held in Singapore as one of the side events to the Singapore Fintech Festival. The event was organized by PKO Bank Polski, Polish Investment and Trade Agency, and the FinTech Poland Foundation. During the event, attention was drawn to the fact that over the past thirty years, Poland has built a strong and competitive banking sector almost from scratch. Today, it is recognized as one of the most digitally mature globally. Combined with a well-functioning ecosystem supporting innovation and a significant number of digitally mature companies operating in the country, along with its central location in the heart of Europe, Poland possesses strong competitive advantages and the opportunity to advance into the top 30 most competitive financial centers worldwide.



Statistics further favor Poland, as it boasts the highest number of operating fintechs and the highest value of Venture Capital investments in comparison to Central and Eastern European countries. It also has access to top experts in the IT field, with over 430,000 people working in the industry, and an additional 11,000 IT-related graduates entering the job market each year. Poland is globally ranked first in the number of medals won in international informatics olympiads per million inhabitants. A key asset for Poland is its modern and innovative banking sector, exemplified by PKO Bank Polski, the largest universal bank in the CEE region and a leader in the Polish banking sector. The bank develops advanced solutions in AI, robotics, automation, and the transition from traditional infrastructure to cloud-based solutions. Additionally, as the first in Poland, it launched a banking branch in the Metaverse and is preparing to expand its presence further in virtual worlds.

The bank also secures top positions in international rankings evaluating digital maturity and innovations. At the Global Retail Banking Innovation Awards 2023, it surpassed 190 banks worldwide, receiving the highest award for building the presence of the PKO Bank Polski brand in the Metaverse. Source: PKO BP View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/poland-aspires-to-be-among-the-worlds-top-30-most-competitive-financial-centers-301989511.html SOURCE PKO BP

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[November 16, 2023] WorkJam Commits to Expansion into Benelux and DACH Regions with Vluent Partnership Tweet

BERLIN, VIENNA and ZURICH, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- WorkJam , the world's leading digital frontline workplace, has announced that it will be partnering with German workforce management consulting firm, Vluent , to facilitate its further expansion into the Benelux  Belgium, the Netherlands, and Luxembourg  and DACH  Germany, Austria, and Switzerland  regions. As part of the agreement, Vluent will also become a system implementation partner to drive WorkJam's seamless deployment, accelerating time to value for clients across industries. With over 15 years of workforce management experience and a proven network of connections across the Benelux and DACH regions, Vluent has the expertise and presence to support WorkJam's continued expansion. WorkJam's Workforce Orchestration has already been adopted by some of the world's biggest brands, including American Eagle Outfitters, Avis, Chevron, Shell, TKMaxx, and Worldwide Flight Services, supporting them with a wide range of operational tools  including communication, task management, shift swapping, and learning and development, helping to reduce the gaps that exist between hourly and salaried workers. As one of WorkJam's official partners, Vluent will take on the role of providing the region's customers with the seamless service, expertse, and experience that WorkJam has become known for.



Dennis Venema, Vluent CEO and Founder, comments, 'We are delighted to partner with WorkJam as they continue to expand into the wider European market, especially in the Benelux and DACH regions. The company's products and values align perfectly with Vluent's, enabling us to bring additional value to our existing customer base while supporting WorkJam to establish a strong presence in Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Germany, Austria and Switzerland.' Mark Williams, WorkJam Managing Director, EMEA, comments: 'We are very pleased to welcome Vluent as an official reseller and system implementation partner. Their expertise in workforce management and strong knowledge of working within the Benelux and DACH regions made them a clear choice for our expansion into these markets.'

'Together, Vluent and WorkJam will deliver incredible value to Benelux and DACH organisations, enabling companies across industries to benefit sooner from increased frontline teams' engagement, productivity and retention, boosting business results.' About Vluent Based in Germany, Vluent specialises in developing workforce management operating models, processes, KPI frameworks, and policies. Vluent works with selected partner companies that are leaders in their segments to sell software solutions, including workforce management software, capacity management software, robotic process automation software and conversational analytics software. The company has a distinguished history of working with prestigious clients, including IKEA, FedEx, Telefonica, and MediaMarkt, supporting them to improve operational efficiency and achieve excellence across all levels of the workforce. About WorkJam WorkJam was founded in 2014 to improve the lives of frontline workers. As the world's leading digital frontline workplace, WorkJam combines communication, task management, scheduling tools, learning, and more  all on one app. It is the only complete and unified system designed to revolutionize the way HQs and their frontline work together, boosting efficiencies and productivity. Available in over 45 languages with inline translations, the app helps organizations bridge language barriers and create a more inclusive working environment for all. WorkJam introduces Workforce Orchestration. In 2023, WorkJam was named to the TIME100 Most Influential Companies list, which highlights companies making an extraordinary impact around the world. To learn more, visit WorkJam.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/workjam-commits-to-expansion-into-benelux-and-dach-regions-with-vluent-partnership-301989489.html

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[November 16, 2023] New Report Shows 95% of CISOs, CSOs and CIOs Fear Identity-related Threats Tweet

Omada's State of Identity Governance 2024 report highlights issue of overly-permissioned accounts and a preference for best-of-breed identity solutions COPENHAGEN, Denmark, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Omada A/S ("Omada"), a global leader of Identity Governance and Administration (IGA), today released its State of Identity Governance Report 2024, examining the IT and business leaders' perspectives on identity threats and solution choices. The report is available for download at link. As digital transformation and hybrid work converge, identity and access management procedures have become more complex. A successful approach to identity governance must strike a balance between enhancing an organization's security and facilitating business agility in the context of end-user workflows. Over-permissioned accounts expand the attack surface, increase risk and lead to the potential for more breaches. Omada surveyed senior IT and security leaders at 567 U.S.-based enterprises with more than 1,000 employees to learn more about their concerns around identity and how they are currently tackling these challenges. Among the findings: Almost all (over 95%) of respondents said they were gravely concerned about identity-related threats

72% said their organization'susers have unnecessary access and overly permissive accounts

61% ranked "adaptability to an organization's requirements" among what they consider the five most important capabilities of an IGA solution; 53% ranked generative AI among the top 5

86% of respondents said their organizations were more likely to choose a best-of-breed identity and access management (IAM) solution rather than a platform vendor that may not offer robust capabilities across the board



Michael Garrett, CEO, Omada, said: "Hackers are no longer breaking in; they're logging in using compromised credentials, so protecting identities needs to be a core component in large enterprises' overall cyber strategy. Modern IGA practices and technology are a necessity in today's evolving threat landscape, and it's clear that businesses prefer best-of-breed solutions to enhance both efficiency and security."

For a deeper look at insights unveiled by the data, register for Omada's webinar, Decoding the State of IGA, here. About Omada

Omada, a global market leader in Identity Governance and Administration (IGA), offers a full-featured, enterprise-grade, cloud native IGA solution that enables organizations to achieve compliance, reduce risk, and maximize efficiency. Founded in 2000, Omada delivers innovative identity management to complex hybrid environments based on our proven best practice process framework and deployment approach. For more information, go to omadaidentity.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1730116/Omada_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/new-report-shows-95-of-cisos-csos-and-cios-fear-identity-related-threats-301987535.html

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[November 16, 2023] GoNetZero survey shows Asia-based businesses have strong intentions but face challenges to decarbonise Tweet

Top challenges faced include the lack of knowledge and understanding of the best approach to decarbonisation, clarity on measurement and reporting frameworks, difficulty in attaining budget approvals, as well as limited affordable renewable energy options to offset carbon emissions SINGAPORE, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- GoNetZero today announced survey results highlighting the decarbonisation aspirations, challenges in sustainability initiatives and net-zero target actions of Asia-based corporates. The survey was conducted with members of the American Chamber of Commerce in Singapore and European Chamber of Commerce in Singapore, which included multinational companies with Asia operations. The survey results were announced at the Singapore Fintech Festival 2023, where GoNetZero is participating, and reflected the festival's theme on how technologies such as artificial intelligence can help accelerate the transition to a low-carbon future. Soon Sze Meng, CEO, GoNetZero said, "The survey findings provide a unique perspective on the progress and challenges faced by Asia-based businesses as they strive to meet their decarbonisation efforts. GoNetZero is committed to help companies bridge the aspiration-action gap between commitment, measurement and finally, clearly measured actions towards their sustainability goals." The net-zero aspiration-action gap The surveyed businesses show strong intentions to decarbonise but face external and internal challenges contributing to the gap between their net-zero aspirations and actions. 67% has set net-zero targets while the remaining are still working on their strategies with no concrete actions in the next 12 to 18 months. The challenges include: Insufficient knowledge on how to decarbonise (53%);

Difficulty in attaining budget approvals for decarbonisation initiatives (42%);

Inadequate clear measurement and reporting frameworks of carbon emissions (36%); and

Limited affordable renewable energy options to offset carbon emissions (23%). The businesses also indicated that the aspiration-action gap can be addressed by a conducive policy evironment, such as clear regulation, incentives and availability of government supported green initiatives that they can leverage.



Leveraging technology to accelerate decarbonisation

On the businesses' attitudes towards leveraging technology to accelerate their decarbonisation journey, 77% are aware of technology solutions powering the renewable energy industry. They are most interested to understand how technology can optimise their physical assets and reduce their energy consumption, as well as to find ways to measure their carbon footprint. However, the path towards decarbonisation can be complex. Findings show that translating their decarbonisation aspirations into concrete actions require more internal education, accessible net-zero solutions, clear measurement, and reporting frameworks. Simplifying the Decarbonisation Journey for Businesses Through GoNetZeroConnect, GoNetZero provides a proprietary technology-driven end-to-end carbon management solutions for corporates to measure, abate, offset and report emissions. Ensuring seamless data integration, GoNetZero can build an ecosystem that is inclusive and open to collaboration across value chains and industries, including SMEs, whose access to often-costly external consulting services is limited. By using technology to improve and automate carbon management, businesses can monitor and track their own emissions more effectively. This will empower them to initiate their energy transition planning and take a data-driven approach to identify solutions scaled to their needs and demands. GoNetZero plays a crucial role in ensuring our energy transition efforts today remain relevant in the future and contributes to the future state of a carbon neutral world, as businesses journey towards the world's collective, global goals. About GoNetZero GoNetZero is a global decarbonisation platform providing comprehensive solutions to help our clients achieve their net zero goals. We help customers achieve their goals through GoNetZeroConnect, our suite of solutions that supports emissions measurement, abatement, offsetting and reporting. We also offer one-stop access to verified renewable energy certificates and carbon credits. Our proprietary smart energy asset management platform, NetZeroOS, empowers energy producers to manage, optimise and scale their energy assets across wind, solar, battery, water, hydrogen and thermal. GoNetZero is the carbon management business of Sembcorp Industries, a leading energy and urban solutions provider that is listed on the main board of the Singapore Exchange. For more information, please visit www.gonetzero.ai Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2278855/GNZ_Infographic_on_Net_Zero_Aspiration_Action_Gap__16Nov.jpg Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/2249155/GoNetZero_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/gonetzero-survey-shows-asia-based-businesses-have-strong-intentions-but-face-challenges-to-decarbonise-301990337.html

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By Noriyuki Suzuki, KYODO NEWS - Nov 16, 2023 - 14:53 | All, World

The leaders of the 21 Asia-Pacific economies that collectively account for more than half of global trade faced a formidable challenge in trying to reach consensus as their summit got under way on Wednesday amid U.S.-China rivalry, Russia's war in Ukraine and the Israel-Hamas conflict.

Fresh out of a much-hyped meeting earlier in the day with Chinese President Xi Jinping, U.S. President Joe Biden is hosting the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum summit in San Francisco, with Russian President Vladimir Putin once more absent.

The United States is aiming to release a joint statement to wrap up the talks on Friday, covering a host of issues that impact the global economy, trade and investment.

APEC is a forum designed to promote multilateral free trade but trade restrictions under the name of protecting national security interests and growing calls for the reworking of China-dependent supply chains for critical items such as semiconductors have cast a shadow over liberalization efforts.

Ministers from the APEC members earlier sought to lay the groundwork for the leaders' summit based on the group's push for an "open, dynamic, resilient and peaceful" Asia-Pacific.

U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, who chaired the two-day ministerial meeting from Tuesday with Secretary of State Antony Blinken, said progress was made on this year's priorities such as sustainability, resilience and inclusion.

But Tai also gave a glimpse into the difficulty of showing unity as she concluded the meeting, saying, "Building consensus around these principles and goals is important, but it's not everything."

Japan's trade minister Yasutoshi Nishimura said after the meeting that there were "differing views on the state of world affairs."

APEC trade ministers did not issue a consensus document at their gathering in May due to opposition from Moscow and Beijing to the wording on Russia's invasion of Ukraine, which began in February 2022.

The move dashed hopes for coordination as the world deals with the fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic and the war in Ukraine that has undermined energy and food security.

Earlier this week, U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said APEC finance chiefs agreed to do everything possible to avoid the Israel-Hamas war escalating into a regional conflict and hurting their economies. But they did not issue a joint statement, despite such a document being customary for multilateral meetings.

Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida is expected to use his stay in San Francisco until Friday to promote free trade, which helped the export-driven nation achieve high growth in the past.

"I'll use this opportunity to voice Japan's position on pressing issues such as the promotion of free and open trade and the digital economy, as well as (addressing) climate change," Kishida told reporters before his departure from Tokyo.

He is set to hold talks with South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol on Thursday and is exploring a summit with China's Xi.

After pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership free trade pact, the United States is advocating the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework, a new arrangement that does not involve market access.

The United States is pushing for a diversification of supply chains away from China, which has been accused of using economic coercion to achieve its broader goals and has been expanding its influence in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

Ministers from TPP member nations affirmed Wednesday that the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership should be the "gold standard" for trade agreements. They noted that it is open to accession by other economies as long as they can meet the pact's high standards, seen as a hurdle for China.

The APEC members are Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, the United States and Vietnam.

Related coverage:

Japan PM travels to U.S. for APEC, talks with Chinese, South Korean leaders

Most aspects of U.S.-led Indo-Pacific economic scheme near completion

APEC finance chiefs agree on need to limit impact of Israel-Hamas war
[November 16, 2023] UN GLOBAL COMPACT CEO SANDA OJIAMBO: ESG IS GOOD BUSINESS Tweet

BEIJING, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- By China Report ASEAN The United Nations Global Compact, the world's largest international organization promoting sustainable corporate development, has long been committed to helping companies comply with the ten Global Compact principles in human rights, labor standards, environmental protection, and corruption avoidance when formulating business strategies and conducting business operations. Today, more than 23,000 companies from 170 countries have joined the organization, of which nearly 900 are Chinese enterprises. Sanda Ojiambo, Assistant Secretary-General and CEO of the UN Global Compact, recently sat down with China Report ASEAN to discuss Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) investment and China-ASEAN cooperation. Ojiambo opined that because China and ASEAN share common goals in sustainable development, they should enhance collaboration on green technologies and share best practices. China Report ASEAN:The Science Based Targets Initiative (SBTi), created by UN Global Compact and other organizations, is consistent with the 1.5? temperature control path of the Paris Agreement and is currently the most widely used corporate carbon neutral evaluation standard in the world. How have Asian enterprises participated in SBTi? Sanda Ojiambo: The UN Global Compact calls on companies from all regions, industries and sectors to set near-term science-based targets aligned with a 1.5C pathway and long-term science-based targets aligned with the SBTi's Net-Zero Standard. Doing so will ensure that their targets are verifiable, in line with the latest climate science, and are being reported and monitored transparently. For their first time, 317 companies headquartered in Asia set a science-based target in 2022. This represented a 127% increase in the number of Asian companies setting a science-based target compared with 2021. As the source of many of the world's supply chains, growth in China can have a powerful effect on the scope 3 emissions, those emissions that are not produced by the company itself and are not the result of activities from assets owned or controlled by them, but by those that it's indirectly responsible for up and down its value chain, of companies all over the world. China Report ASEAN:What difficulties do you think developing countries face in target setting and action planning to achieve "carbon neutrality" goals? What are their key needs? Sanda Ojiambo: Nowhere is the tension between promoting growth and fighting climate change more palpable than in Asia. Many Asian governments have been struggling to cope with severe urban air pollution and the increasing frequency of powerful storms and floods. While Asia accounts for the world's largest emissions of greenhouse gases with the highest carbon intensity, it is also home to 99 of the world's 100 most climate-vulnerable cities. The net-zero transition is a massive undertaking that requires enhanced state capacity. Laggard state-owned enterprises wih outsize carbon footprints and state-controlled banks that are over-invested in fossil fuels need to become leaders in advancing renewable energy. Similarly, governments must develop and implement mission-driven policies to price carbon use accurately, encourage green innovation, and phase out dependence on oil and coal in a socially and politically sustainable fashion.



Some state-owned companies have already begun responding to these challenges. The Chinese government has directed the "Big Five" state-owned electricity companies to take the lead on greening the system. State-owned financial institutions are also changing: China's Exim Bank, for example, has adopted a green framework for its domestic operations. But we cannot reach global carbon neutrality without significant contributions from the private sector, the skills and technologies they can bring to the transition are even more critical.

China Report ASEAN:UNGC is one of the earliest proponents of the ESG concept. Nowadays, more and more companies around the world agree with the ESG concept and have put it into practice. What do you think are the motivations for companies to continue to invest in ESG? How do you expect the global implementation of ESG concepts in the following 10 years? Sanda Ojiambo: The concept of ESG was first coined by the UN Global Compact (UNGC) in 2004. Back then, the UN Global Compact's seminal report Who Cares Wins argued that companies and financial institutions could significantly enhance their performance and create more value for shareholders if they became better at managing a broad range of environmental, social and governance risks. By these measures, ESG is succeeding. Of more than 2,000 academic studies, according to management consultants McKinsey, around 70 percent found a positive correlation between ESG scores and financial returns  whether measured by equity returns, profitability or valuation multiples. Increasingly, too, companies with good ESG frameworks are being rewarded with lower borrowing costs  up to 10 percent lower, according to some estimates. Lenders reason that companies with healthy ESG scores have better governance and risk management processes, and therefore represent a lower lending risk. Over the next decade I expect ESG reporting to be tightened with measurable targets to address stakeholders concerns around increasingly wooly goals and misleading claims. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has a number of ESG-related proposals pending including extensive proposals covering climate-related disclosure and cybersecurity matters, as well as measures relating to human capital management and board diversity disclosures. Meanwhile, public and other large companies with a presence in the European Union will need to consider the new Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (CSRD), effective January 1, 2024. And in the U.K., there are plans to develop the U.K.-specific sustainability disclosure rules which will mean companies listed on the London Stock Exchange will have had to include climate-related disclosures on a "comply or explain" basis in their reporting since January 1, 2022. We should not forget that, time and again, companies that perform well in ESG also perform better financially. ESG is not only about doing good, it is simply good business sense. China Report ASEAN:How does UNGC assess the opportunities and challenges of scientific and technological innovation in promoting sustainable development? And specifically, the Chinese business community? Sanda Ojiambo: Companies should invest more strategically in research, development, and innovation partnerships. Now, individual company investments in new technologies, products, services, and business models to deliver specific SDGs are necessary but not sufficient. There is untapped potential to leverage different combinations of public, private, and philanthropic finance and undertake joint efforts to accelerate or scale progress in crucial sectors and systems. China is home to 143 of the world's 500 largest companies, as well as to 44 million+ small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). The Sustainable Development Report 2021 ranks China 57th globally in terms of sustainable development. The strategy argues that, given the size of its economy, foreign investment, and trade, China can have a "profound impact" on sustainable development at home and abroad. To help this happen, the UN Global Compact is working to foster business innovation and SDG partnerships through the Global Development Initiative. China Report ASEAN:What are your views on how China and ASEAN countries can collaborate on green economy? And how can the private sector contribute? Sanda Ojiambo: China and ASEAN countries host some of the most dynamic and emerging markets in the world, and share common goals of sustainable development and addressing environmental challenges. Collaboration can create a unified approach to tackle pressing issues. Enhancing collaboration and investment in green technologies and products between China and ASEAN can drive economic growth and at the same time boost a greener economy. Establishing or joining platforms for sharing knowledge, best practices, and research findings can accelerate the adoption of green technologies and strategies as well. Meanwhile, by investing in green projects, innovative technology, and sustainable supply chains, the private sector can be a driving force to a green and sustainable growth. Collaborative partnerships between businesses, both local and multinational, can amplify impact and bring forth scalable solutions. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/un-global-compact-ceo-sanda-ojiambo-esg-is-good-business-301990414.html SOURCE Chinareports

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[November 16, 2023] CNTXT Announces its Appointment as the Exclusive Google Cloud Platform Services Reseller for Saudi-Based Customers Tweet

Following yesterday's successful launch of Google Cloud's new region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, CNTXT has been appointed as Google Cloud's exclusive reseller for local organizations and multinationals purchasing Google Cloud Platform Services on a standalone basis through their Saudi-based entities. Underpinned by a robust collaboration between CNTXT and Google Cloud in the Kingdom, CNTXT will also support Google Cloud partners in the Kingdom to deliver cloud professional and managed services. One of the key focus areas for CNTXT will be accelerating the journey of local Saudi-based independent software vendors (ISVs) to the cloud and the Google Cloud Marketplace, fostering more software development and deployment. Additionally, CNTXT is offering support for workloads hosted in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through its strategic collaboration with the Saudi Information Technology Company (SITE) and Fortanix. This landmark partnership is designed to provide Google Cloud customers with security solutions leveraging the new in-country Google Cloud region.



Google Cloud is the new way to cloud, and shared fate is the new way to operate, manage risk, and succeed in shared responsibility. This initiative underscores Google Cloud and CNTXT's joint commitment to delivering solutions that help Saudi businesses meet data security and compliance requirements for enterprises. Established last year as a joint venture between Aramco and Cognite, CNTXT has evolved into a leading digital transformation company headquartered in Riyadh. This partnership with Google Cloud further solidifies CNTXT's commitment to leading the digital transformation change in the Kingdom.

Nabil Al-Nuaim, Aramco Senior Vice President of Digital & Information Technology, stated: "When it comes to spearheading the digital transformation across the Kingdom's public and private sectors, CNTXT plays a significant and pivotal role in collaboration with its esteemed partners, which is undeniably of paramount importance. Their unwavering dedication to empower and upskill local talent aligns seamlessly with our visionary pursuit of a digitally empowered Saudi Arabia. This marks the beginning of a transformative era, a magnificent milestone in the Kingdom's digital landscape that leads to unprecedented progress and endless possibilities." Abdul Rahman Al Thehaiban, Managing Director, Middle East, Turkey and Africa, Google Cloud, said: "Google Cloud stands as one of the pioneering hyperscalers to launch a cloud region in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, a clear manifestation of our commitment to leading the digital evolution of the region." Bader Al Madi, Saudi Arabia Country Manager, Google Cloud, said: "Our partnership with CNTXT will support Google Cloud's plans to empower every business and every person with access to the latest cloud technologies in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. We look forward to working hand in hand with CNTXT together with all our partners to pave the path for the Kingdom's digital transformation and collaborate on helping businesses of all sizes in the country accelerate their digital transformation, optimize their operations, reduce costs and deliver exceptional customer experiences." CNTXT CEO, Abdullah Jarwan, remarked, "We are honored to become a leading cloud and digital transformation company in the Kingdom. Our collaboration with Google Cloud will empower us to work on accelerating the digital transformation of public and private sectors in Saudi Arabia. We are committed to building a brighter, more technologically advanced future for the Kingdom." About CNTXT: CNTXT, a joint venture between Saudi Aramco and Cognite, is a leading digital transformation company headquartered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. With a mission to empower organizations through technology and innovation, CNTXT leverages strategic partnerships and a network of resellers to accelerate digital transformation across public and private sectors in the Kingdom. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116735194/en/

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[November 16, 2023] Introducing DogeBoy: The Safest MEME Token and Solution for Crypto Market Woes Tweet

Rome, Italy, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- DogeBoy, the groundbreaking MEME token, emerges as a beacon of hope for investors battered by scams and uncertainties within the cryptocurrency landscape. In light of rampant deceit and market manipulation, DogeBoy endeavors to restore faith and provide a secure haven for those seeking reliable investment opportunities. In an era rife with fraudulent schemes and profit-driven developers, DogeBoy sets itself apart by prioritizing the safety and prosperity of its community. The primary mission is to instill confidence in investors and offer redemption to those who have incurred losses in the past.

The Current Crypto Market Challenges The crypto market faces a slew of challenges, predominantly due to unscrupulous developers creating contracts that are either unsellable or burdened with exorbitant taxes. This 'Farm' phenomenon enables developers to amass marketing funds while causing significant losses to investors, fostering an environment of fear and skepticism. Moreover, the proliferation of projects from the same developers, constantly churning out new tokens for monetary gain, has deterred potential investors from engaging in any project, thereby exacerbating trust issues within the community. DogeBoy Solutions At DogeBoy, the team firmly believes that the current pessimism stems from repeated betrayals by deceitful developers. To counter this, the DogeBoy contract is meticulously designed wit paramount safety measures. The MAX TAX is set at a modest 10%, without any lock trades function, and notably, no team tokens exist - a staggering 90% of the supply has been incinerated to ensure fairness and scarcity.



Taxes and Utilization DogeBoy implements a balanced tax system, imposing a 3% tax upon both buying and selling. This tax allocation is earmarked for marketing initiatives, with plans to gradually reduce it to 1% over time, aiming for potential listing on prominent Centralized Exchanges (CEXs).

Contract Address and Presale Information Contract Address: 0xb0f92f94d02A4d634FD394c1889Fe3cAb1FCffc7 The much-anticipated presale commenced on PinkSale at 15:00 UTC on November 14th, embracing a fair launch on the Ethereum chain, exclusively for whitelisted participants. The presale imposed a SoftCap of 2 ETH and a maximum buy limit of 1 ETH, fostering a fair and equitable distribution. Charting the Path Forward In 2022, during the "bear market," DogeBoy achieved a staggering 3960x milestone on the Binance Smart Chain (BSC), marking an unparalleled success. Now, poised to replicate history on the Ethereum chain, DogeBoy invites investors to be a part of its journey toward prosperity. Choose the Future with DogeBoy For those who missed out on opportunities with Dogecoin, Babydoge, or Floki Inu, DogeBoy emerges as the next promising venture. Don't miss the chance to be a part of this revolutionary movement! To learn more about DogeBoy and join the community, visit the official website at https://www.dogeboy.it/ or follow the project on Twitter at https://x.com/DogeBoy2023 and join the Telegram community at https://t.me/DogeBoyPortal . About DogeBoy DogeBoy is a MEME token designed to provide a secure investment platform for individuals affected by scams in the cryptocurrency space. With a strong commitment to safety and fairness, DogeBoy aims to restore trust and confidence among investors while offering a promising avenue for future growth. Website | Twitter | Telegram

Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, or intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. It is strongly recommended that you practice due diligence (including consultation with a professional financial advisor) before investing in or trading securities and cryptocurrency.

Gaex Murano DogeBoy marketing-at-dogeboy.it

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[November 16, 2023] ibi Expands Portfolio with ibi Data Intelligence, a Unified Solution for Optimizing Data Operations Tweet

ibi, a scalable data and analytics software platform that makes data easy to access and analytics easy to consume, today announced the launch of ibi Data Intelligence, a comprehensive data management solution that empowers organizations to address complex challenges efficiently, cost-effectively, and at scale. The new offering removes the struggle of managing disparate software from multiple vendors, unifying the data in one platform, and improving data reliability and accessibility. "In today's data-rich business landscape, efficiently managing an entire data landscape is among the greatest challenges enterprises face," said Vijay Raman, vice president, products and technology, ibi, a business unit of Cloud Software Group. "ibi Data Intelligence is our answer - an end-to-end solution that simplifies data management, dissolving barriers and reducing vendor dependencies. It seamlessly integrates data sources and heightens the data integrity pivotal for AI, business intelligence, and analytics teams. The solution drives value, reduces costs, and positions businesses for the future." The offering brings together ibi's robust software capabilities to transform how users across organizations interact with their data. ibi Data Intelligence delivers a comprehensive solution, providing advanced capabilities and seamless processes for connectivity, integration, workflow orchestration, transformation, enrichment, deduplication, unification, and mastering at scale. The ibi Data Intelligence solution delivers a complete set of capabilities that address customer challenges, with benefits that nclude the following:



Enhanced User Experience: Empowering users with a centralized, intuitive and low-code environment, this solution - powered by AI - elevates user productivity, encourages collaboration, and ensures a seamless, consistent user experience. Capabilities range from automating and orchestrating intricate data workflows with ease for seamless operations to offering profound insights through ML algorithms, pinpointing patterns and connections with near-human accuracy.

Empowering users with a centralized, intuitive and low-code environment, this solution - powered by AI - elevates user productivity, encourages collaboration, and ensures a seamless, consistent user experience. Capabilities range from automating and orchestrating intricate data workflows with ease for seamless operations to offering profound insights through ML algorithms, pinpointing patterns and connections with near-human accuracy. Flexible and Agile: By establishing a flexible and versatile data services environment, this solution fulfills current business needs while enhancing agility, paving the way for seamless integration and adoption of future technological advancements. The offering deploys effortlessly, either on-premises or in the cloud, tailoring and scaling resources to meet your business goals.

By establishing a flexible and versatile data services environment, this solution fulfills current business needs while enhancing agility, paving the way for seamless integration and adoption of future technological advancements. The offering deploys effortlessly, either on-premises or in the cloud, tailoring and scaling resources to meet your business goals. Modern Data Governance: ibi Data Intelligence ensures top-tier data quality through checks, validation rules, cleansing, and enrichment. In addition, enhanced decision-making - with insights from trusted and governed master data - provides accuracy and consistency. ibi Data Intelligence is a new solution that assists organizations to come to grips with the sheer volume and array of data sources, ensuring data is available, valid, reliable, and usable. The offering improves decision-making and unlocks new analytics capabilities, allowing users to maximize their technology to build a more flexible and scalable environment. For more information on ibi Data Intelligence, attend our November webinars and visit www.ibi.com.

About ibi ibi, a business unit of Cloud Software Group, delivers modern data and analytics software that helps organizations harness the power of data to drive informed decision-making. Fuel your digital transformation with data management and business intelligence capabilities to support large-scale deployments with embedded analytics and enterprise reporting built for cloud and hybrid environments and backed by deep industry expertise. www.ibi.com ibi, Information Builders, and the ibi logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Cloud Software Group and/or its subsidiaries in the United States and/or other countries. All other product and company names and marks mentioned in this document are the property of their respective owners and are mentioned for identification. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116184483/en/

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[November 16, 2023] ESW Joins Adobe Technology Partner Program As Gold Partner Tweet

ESW, a global direct-to-consumer (DTC) ecommerce company, today announced it is now a Gold Partner in Adobe's Technology Partner Program. This partnership will empower Adobe Commerce merchants to scale their direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses to more than 200 countries internationally. "We are thrilled to be a Gold Partner in Adobe's Technology Partner Program," said Martim Oliveira Avillez, Chief Revenue Officer of ESW. "The partnership will enable easy access to our international DTC ecommerce solutions for Adobe Commerce merchants looking to expand their global consumer base and grow topline revenue while improving margins through an asset light strategy." By leveraging its deep understanding of local markets, ESW creates DTC opportunities that drive enhanced customer lifetime value. Brands maintain control over every aspect of their experience, from their data to the look and feel of their ecommerce sites to their content, catalog, payments, fulfillment, and delivery and returns experience. Tis expanded partnership will allow Adobe Commerce merchants to benefit from ESW's cross border solution and offer a fully localized experience simply by plugging ESW's digital checkout solution into Adobe Commerce.



"We are excited to have ESW join Adobe's Technology Partner Program," said Jason Knell, Adobe's Senior Director, Commerce Services GTM & Content Partnerships. "As a provider of global and domestic direct-to-consumer ecommerce solutions, this partnership will help Adobe Commerce merchants quickly create local personalized experiences for ecommerce sites so they can deepen the existing relationships with customers and build loyalty." About ESW

ESW is the leading global and domestic direct-to-consumer (DTC) ecommerce company, empowering the world's best-loved brands and retailers to expand their DTC channel. ESW acquired Scalefast in June 2022, and the combined organization offers brands and retailers a complete portfolio of technology and services that cost-effectively support any stage of a company's development. From compliance, data security, fraud protection, taxes, and tariffs to demand generation, checkout, delivery, returns and customer service, our powerful combination of technology and human ingenuity covers the entire shopper journey across 200 markets, with 100% carbon neutral shipping to consumers. Headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, ESW has global offices in the US, UK, Spain, France, Italy, Japan, Hong Kong, and Singapore. ESW is an Asendia Group company, a joint venture between La Poste and Swiss Post. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116432240/en/

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[November 16, 2023] France and Spain Experience Highest Phone Spam Rate in Europe Per New Hiya Report Tweet

Hiya, the leader in voice security, has completed its latest study on phone spam and fraud, and the results highlight a pair of disturbing trends with dangerous implications for consumers worldwide. Download Hiya's Q3 2023 Global Call Threat Report to learn more: https://hiya.com/global-call-threat-report First, phone spam is a growing problem affecting consumers in every major international market. According to Hiya's study, 22 out of the 39 countries tracked in Q3 experienced spam rates of 20% or higher, and only three countries had a spam rate below 10% for unknown calls. Second, generative AI is being used to deceive unsuspecting victims. For example, Hiya's research indicates that voice-cloning technology is being used by scammers to convince victims that a child, grandchild or other loved one is in trouble and needs immediate financial assistance - or worse, that a ransom needs to be paid for their release. In total, Hiya identified 6.55 billion instances of phone spam across 39 countries in Q3, or 73 million per day. Spam calls in these markets peaked in late July, hitting 543 million the week of July 24. France and Spain experienced the highest spam rates in Europe in Q3: 44% for France and 42% for Spain. Common scam tactics in Spain included banking and family impersonation scams. While in France, package delivery, banking and the impersonation of the Compte Personnel de Formation (CPF) government program were prevalent scam tactics. Be careful answering the phone if you live in these countries Phone spam isn't unique to one country or region but ome countries are affected more than others. In Q3, Chile (57%), Indonesia (56.5%), Argentina (56%) and Hong Kong (56%) had the highest spam rates among the countries tracked by Hiya. In the US, 22.3% of unknown calls were spam.



Spam rates were high elsewhere, too. Brazilians received an average of 26 spam calls per person per month in Q3, with banking scams by far the most common type. Canada's spam rate is just under the US's, at 21.5%, but Canadians received a higher proportion of fraud calls in Q3, led by Amazon scams, government official impersonators and air duct cleaning scams. Meanwhile, UK residents in Q3 received fewer spam calls per month than in the US (four per person on average in the UK, compared to 11 in the US), but the percentage of unwanted calls from non-contacts was higher in the UK (29.4% versus 22.3%). US phone scams in Q3 were a mix of old and new. The most commonly reported scams were Medicare, insurance, Amazon and credit cards, whereas in the UK, scams involving the country's tax agency, energy cost-reduction scams, and pension review schemes were the most prevalent.

Avoid unknown callers in these US states, too For the second quarter in a row, Hiya has included US state data in its Global Call Threat Report. Although New Hampshire is the 41st most populous state, Hiya's research found that it had the highest spam rate among the 50 US states, at 21.45% of unknown calls. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), imposter scams are the most common type of scam in New Hampshire. Many scams fall under that general category, but the FTC also lists other scams reported by residents of New Hampshire, including healthcare, sweepstakes and scams related to internet/phone/mobile services, job opportunities and travel/vacations. After New Hampshire, the highest spam rates among US states in Q3 were Oklahoma (21.41%), Texas (21.22%), Ohio (21.04%), Indiana (20.67%), Wyoming (20.32%), Kentucky (19.83%), Nebraska (19.74%), North Carolina (19.66%) and Kansas (19.44%). Hiya report methodology The data in Hiya's Q3 2023 Global Call Threat Report is based on a representative sample of calls on the Hiya Voice Security Network, which includes Samsung Smart Call enabled devices and the Hiya mobile app. The spam flag rate in this report represents unknown calls outside of an individual's contact list calls that Hiya has identified and flagged as either fraud or nuisance. The Q3 report is Hiya's fourth. Previous reports can be found here. About Hiya Hiya is trusted by global businesses, carriers, and consumers to provide secure, engaging connections and stop unwanted calls. Built on the world's leading Voice Security Platform, Hiya connects businesses with their customers, helps carriers secure their networks, and protects people from spam and fraud calls. Hiya's SaaS applications, Hiya Connect and Hiya Protect, serve more than 400 million users on the Hiya Voice Security Network, powering call protection and identity for AT&T, EE, Samsung, Ericsson and more. Learn more at www.hiya.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116996607/en/

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[November 16, 2023]

Redefining Digital Marketing: Brandcil Now Live on Netcapital

Patterson, CA, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Brandcil is excited to announce a significant milestone in its ongoing mission to revolutionize the landscape of social media management. The company is thrilled to unveil its Regulation CF (Reg CF) campaign on the Netcapital platform. They are extending an invitation to potential investors to join in redefining the sphere of brand management.

Reshaping the $1.5 Trillion Social Media Market

Brandcil stands as the all-in-one brad management platform. It is designed to cater to the diverse needs of the social media marketing landscape. Powered by cutting-edge technology, the platform is not only innovative but also adaptable. They offer seamless support for a variety of business apps. The company's mission is crystal clear: to make professional social media management accessible, cost-effective, and impactful for businesses of all sizes.







Brandcil distinguishes itself in the vast $1.5T global and $78.9B U.S. social media market, providing 35%-72% cost savings compared to major competitors.

Compelling Reasons to Invest in this Endeavor:

Leadership team has 20+ patents granted for cloud technologies.

Valuable relationships with industry giants such as Amazon, NVIDIA, Google, and more.

State-of-the-art Technology: Cloud-based, Containerized SaaS platform.

This campaign presents an exceptional opportunity to democratize brand management. Interested parties are encouraged to explore the Netcapital campaign page for an in-depth overview of this unique investment opportunity. Potential investors can own shares for as little as $100.

Elton Broudy CEO & Founder Brandcil 510-390-8176 elton.broudy(at)brandcil.com
[November 16, 2023]

EnsembleIQ's Progressive Grocer Reveals 2023 Impact Award Winners

CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnsembleIQs Progressive Grocer , the No. 1 grocery industry business intelligence provider, today reveals the winners of the third annual Impact Awards. The program recognizes outstanding leadership among grocery industry companies whose wide-ranging efforts are improving lives, creating opportunity, and having a positive impact at the local and global level.



The award program is open to retailers, suppliers and solution provider companies in the food and consumables industry.

The awards honor exceptionalism in areas as Community Service/Local Impact; Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging; Educational Support/Learning Advancement; Ethical Sourcing/Supply Chain Transparency; Food Security/Nutritional Leadership; Sustainability/Resource Conservation; and Workforce Development/Employee Support.

This year, the Impact Awards are presented to 36 companies that are leading the way in making a difference in the grocery industry.

Click here to see all of the winners.







Recipients across retail, supplier and solution provider realms demonstrated the many ways they have been able to effect positive change, said Gina Acosta, Editor-in-Chief, Progressive Grocer. We received an overwhelming number of submissions all showcasing how they make the world a better place. We salute the recipients of the awards.

About Progressive Grocer

Progressive Grocer is the No. 1 business intelligence brand in the grocery industry, connecting the markets most important retailers. Through its leading industry reporting, digital platforms, research, relevant and focused events and sophisticated industry database, retailers turn to Progressive Grocer for guidance in navigating the fast-paced, ever-changing industry.

Stay connected with Progressive Grocer on Facebook , X and LinkedIn .

About EnsembleIQ

EnsembleIQ is the premier resource of actionable insights and connections powering business growth throughout the path to purchase. We help retail, technology, consumer goods, healthcare and hospitality professionals make informed decisions and gain a competitive advantage. EnsembleIQ delivers the most trusted business intelligence from leading industry experts, creative marketing solutions and impactful event experiences that connect best-in-class suppliers and service providers with our vibrant business-building communities. To learn more about EnsembleIQ, visit ensembleiq.com .

Media Contact

Gina Acosta

Editor-in-Chief

Progressive Grocer

[email protected]
[November 16, 2023] Saudi Fund for Development Signs Two Framework MoUs for Caribbean Infrastructure and Energy Projects Tweet

The Saudi Fund for Development (SFD) Chief Executive Officer, H.E. Sultan Al-Marshad, signed today two developmental Framework Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) with the governments of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, and Saint Kitts and Nevis. The signing took place in Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, as a build-up to the Saudi - CARICOM Summit which begins on Thursday, November 16, 2023. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116298074/en/ SFD's CEO, H.E. Sultan Al-Marshad (right), poses for a photo with the Prime Minister of Saint Kitts nd Nevis, Hon. Terence Drew, following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) (Photo: AETOSWire)



The first MoU, signed with the Prime Minister of Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Hon. Ralph E. Gonsalves, stipulates that SFD will provide funding worth $50 million USD, for financing the Expansion, Construction, and Rehabilitation of a Number of Buildings and Facilities Affected by Natural Disasters Project. By funding this project, SFD will help to restore essential infrastructure, promote sustainable development, and enhance the nation's economic resilience in the wake of natural disasters.

The second MoU, signed with the Prime Minister of Saint Kitts and Nevis, Hon. Terence Drew, stipulates that SFD will provide funding worth $40 million USD for financing the expansion of the Needsmust Power Plant Project. By funding this project, SFD will help to support the nation's energy supply, alongside the socio-economic development of Saint Kitts and Nevis. Both MoUs are a testament to SFD's commitment to supporting sustainable development in the Caribbean region and reaffirm the importance of international cooperation and solidarity to achieve the SDGs and foster social and economic growth, particularly, in Small Island Developing States (SIDS). In line with its mission to promote global sustainable development since 1975, SFD has funded more than 800 development projects worth $20 billion in over 100 countries around world. The SFD has been actively engaged in development projects within CARICOM member states for nearly four decades. Since the beginning of this year, it has provided approximately $670 million in financing for 12 development projects. Source: AETOSWire View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116298074/en/

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[November 16, 2023] World Mobile Welcomes MAV100 to its Partner Programme, Bringing Community-owned Connectivity to Rural Washington Tweet

World Mobile, a global mobile network combining decentralized infrastructure with blockchain technology, has joined forces with MAV100, a charitable foundation dedicated to providing technical and financial support to help schools run their own telecommunications and virtual networks. By joining World Mobile's Partner Programme, the partnership works to help MAV100 build a community-owned mobile network to deliver connectivity to Chelan County in rural Washington. The significant gaps in telecommunications infrastructure faced by remote or underprivileged communities present a daunting challenge to connectivity and development. In these areas, the limitations of centralized telecommunications systems become notably pronounced, exacerbating the existing digital divide. With inadequate infrastructure, individuals and communities typically struggle to access essential services, education, and economic opportunities. The lack of robust connectivity obstructs progress, perpetuating disparities between regions with well-established networks and those contending with connectivity gaps. MAV100 responds to these challenges by introducing decentralized solutions to empower students and establish school-run telecommunications and virtual networks. The initiative redirects revenue generated by the nodes to educational programs, offering training in telecommunications and blockchain governance. Actively engaging communities and local businesses through Community Cooperative Membership NFTs, MAV100 instills a sense of ownership and participation in decentralized networks, envisioning a global social contract. The World Mobile Partner Prgramme enables entrepreneurs and businesses to expand their proprietary network and sharing economy by providing access to decentralized wireless network infrastructure, industry-accredited training, logistical support, and guidance on operations.



MAV100 plans to purchase and donate AirNodes from World Mobile in collaboration with Associated Student Body Clubs, using proceeds to expand the network. The initiative aims to fundraise by encouraging community members to subscribe to World Mobile initially, eventually providing robust telecommunications services to the community through AirNodes. AirNodes are radio devices providing user access to World Mobile's network, fostering community connection and revenue generation based on network usage. Recently, World Mobile expanded its decentralized wireless network by securing licensed spectrum across the U.S. and launching its services in rural Oregon earlier this year. Operating on CBRS spectrum bands, AirNodes offer high-speed, long-range connectivity, and extended coverage in both rural and urban areas, bringing the sharing economy to telecoms.

"We are thrilled to welcome MAV100 to the World Mobile Partner Programme," said Micky Watkins, CEO of World Mobile. "They share our vision of connecting everyone, everywhere while advocating for economic freedom and dignity. By joining our network, they will be able to provide mobile connectivity to rural areas that are underserved by traditional mobile operators, and empower their communities with the benefits of the digital economy." "We are excited to join the World Mobile Partner Program and leverage their innovative technology and expertise," affirms Cameron Smith, founder of MAV100. "We believe that mobile connectivity is a basic human right, and that education is the key to unlocking the potential of the next generation. By joining the World Mobile network, we will be able to help schools in rural Washington state to access the internet, and to create their own community-owned mobile networks that can generate revenue and social impact." About World Mobile Group:

World Mobile Group is on a mission to connect everyone, everywhere. With nearly four billion people left offline, digital exclusion is a significant problem. Unlike traditional mobile networks, World Mobile Group is run by the people for the people, so anyone can connect their community to the Internet and share the rewards. In partnership with IOG, World Mobile Group is creating a more sustainable future for all.

For more information visit: https://worldmobile.io/ About MAV100:

MAV100 is a visionary initiative aimed at realizing a decentralized future through the integration of Cardano blockchain solutions into communities, starting with students. The mission encompasses building a Community Cooperative Telecommunications Network (CCTN) and empowering individuals with the tools to become catalysts for positive change.

For more information visit: https://mav100.org/ View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116220992/en/

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* Entering manufacturing was once seen by many as taking up blue-collar work, which was hardly a preferred choice for college graduates.

* At the end of April 2023, AIGC, intelligent manufacturing and large-scale AI model were the three most popular sectors in terms of the number of job applications received from the graduates.

* Despite the high enthusiasm of college graduates for manufacturing jobs, some enterprises still find it difficult to find employees equipped with the right expertise to meet corporate needs in intelligent and digital development.

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese college graduates have shown greater willingness to work in the manufacturing industry, with emerging and high-tech sectors particularly favored.

Data from Chinese job-seeking website Liepin showed that at the end of April 2023, AIGC (artificial intelligence generated content), intelligent manufacturing and large-scale AI model were the three most popular sectors in terms of the number of job applications received from the graduates.

Year-on-year growth in the number of job applications in the three sectors hit 303.12 percent, 297.27 percent and 235.25 percent, respectively.

Another survey by Liepin showed that the proportion of applications from the upcoming graduates submitted to the internet and real estate industries decreased from 28.92 percent and 12.86 percent in 2021 to 19.39 percent and 7.85 percent in 2023, respectively.

The ratio concerning the machinery manufacturing sector increased from 4.47 percent in 2021 to 9.14 percent in 2023, a remarkable rise among surveyed industries.

College graduates are seen at a job fair in Shanghai University of Engineering Science in east China's Shanghai, Oct. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Ying)

INCREASING APPEAL

Sun Piwu, head of the organization department of the Party Committee of Shaanxi Automobile Group Co., Ltd., was impressed by college students' greater willingness to work in the manufacturing industry.

"The number of applications we received increased markedly in 2023 to exceed 10,000," Sun said.

Sun attributed the shift to college students adapting to changes in the job market as well as the growing appeal of high-end manufacturing.

Previously, entering manufacturing was seen by many as taking up blue-collar work, which was hardly a preferred choice for college graduates.

Nowadays, jobs in advanced manufacturing and strategic emerging industries, especially leading businesses in sectors of new energy, integrated circuits, and industrial automation, are much sought after, said Liepin vice president Ba Ran.

Rather than traditional manufacturing jobs, young Chinese college graduates are mostly drawn by posts related to the construction, management, operation and maintenance of digital workshops and intelligent factories, Ba said.

At Shanghai's largest autumn job fair for graduates on Oct. 25, nearly half of the 1,325 recruiters were high-tech enterprises, which received 25,000 job applications.

"I prefer offers from promising industries and sci-tech innovation enterprises which have more potential and offer good salaries as well," said a postgraduate student surnamed Yuan, who majors in energy and materials at Shanghai Polytechnic University.

A worker is busy at a workshop of Chongqing Hongjiang Machinery Co., Ltd. in Yongchuan District of southwest China's Chongqing, Oct. 11, 2023. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

GROWING DEMAND

Li Zhiqiang, who entered a new energy car company last year after graduating from Hefei University, said he saw his department in the company rapidly expanding from dozens of people to more than 100 within a year.

In the photovoltaic industry, another popular employment destination, demand for talent is also growing.

Ma Fuhai, deputy general manager of the human resources department of LONGi Green Energy Technology Co., Ltd., a leading enterprise, said the company's business has continued to grow rapidly, and the demand for new talent, especially engineers, was increasing.

In 2023, more than 9,000 graduates were recruited on campus by LONGi, a 50 percent increase compared with 2022, Ma said.

Liepin data also showed that advanced manufacturing jobs pay better, with the average annual salary of jobs in intelligent manufacturing, AIGC, and large-scale AI model standing at 330,200 yuan (about 46,020 U.S. dollars), 303,600 yuan, and 279,900 yuan, respectively.

Technical workers work on a production line at a future factory of Unisplendour Corporation Limited (UNIS) in Xiaoshan District of Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, April 27, 2023. (Xinhua/Han Chuanhao)

TALENT SHORTAGE

Despite the high enthusiasm of college graduates, some manufacturing enterprises still find it difficult to find employees equipped with the right expertise to meet corporate needs in intelligent and digital development.

Companies said there is a mismatch between the needs of enterprises and the knowledge structure and technical cognition of applicants. Multidisciplinary and crossdisciplinary talent are in short supply.

According to a research report on industry talent, the overall shortfall of digital talent in China is about 25 million to 30 million.

"We are accelerating the training of digital technology engineers, focusing on smart manufacturing, big data, blockchain, integrated circuits and other related new occupations," said Li Jinsheng, an official with the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security.

(Video reporters: Hong Ling, Meng Fanyu; video editors: Hong Ling, Liu Xiaorui) 
[November 16, 2023] The Digital Dollar Project Announces Fintech Hub at the Global Convening on the Future of Digital Currency Tweet

The upcoming Fintech Hub features a demonstration hall and dedicated side stage showcasing how emerging technologies are shaping the future of money and the capabilities they can unlock. WASHINGTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The Digital Dollar Project is pleased to announce the inclusion of a Fintech Hub at its upcoming global convening, "Exploring central bank digital currency: Evaluating challenges & developing international standards," co-hosted with the Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center. The convening will explore the complexities around digital currency, focusing on key technology and policy considerations, outlining areas for future public-private cooperation, and identifying potential pathways to standards that embed key privacy protections, democratic values, and interoperability. "It's clear that the global economy in the twenty-first century will encompass a spectrum of both sovereign and non-sovereign digital currencies," commented J. Christopher Giancarlo, Executive Chairman of the Digital Dollar Project. "This conference provides a unique opportunity to encourage the U.S. to assert principled leadership in CBDC experimentation at home and digital currency standard setting abroad that is conistent with U.S. norms, values, and the rule of law."



The Fintech Hub enables attendees to gain hands-on experience with the technical infrastructure driving the modernization of money and will showcase 15 prominent companies, including Baton Systems, Digital Asset, EMTECH, Guidehouse, H-Bar, Hyperledger, Innovate Finance, Kaleido, MITRE, Notoros, Ripple, Stellar Development Foundation, TRM Labs, ZKProof, and others. Representing solutions and use cases across the digital asset ecosystem, these companies will demonstrate how their products are today solving for critical, global areas of interest, including privacy, cybersecurity, financial inclusion, cross-border transferability, scalability, and identity. "The Digital Dollar Project serves as a neutral non-profit forum for private sector actors and thought leaders to explore potential technical designs for a tokenized digital dollar. The Fintech Hub is an extension of that work, enhancing a greater understanding of the risks and benefits of CBDCs both domestically and internationally," commented Jennifer Lassiter, Executive Director of the Digital Dollar Project.

The Fintech Hub is an educational model supported by the Digital Dollar Project Participant Community. This community is dedicated to elevating private sector-led initiatives, promoting education around technology, and facilitating connections among key stakeholders to experiment with real-world use cases, thereby fostering improved data-driven decision-making. For those interested in learning more about getting involved in the Digital Dollar Project, please visit our website at www.digitaldollarproject.org or email us at [email protected]. The first day of this conference is on the record and open to the press, both virtually and in person. For more information on the full agenda, speaker lineup, and online registration, check out the event website. To express interest in attending in person on November 28 and 29, please reach out to Gabriella Kusz at [email protected]. About The Digital Dollar Project The Digital Dollar Project is a neutral, non-profit forum focused on exploring digital innovation in money and future-proofing the U.S. Dollar in a world of decentralized and centralized, sovereign and non-sovereign digital currency networks. The Digital Dollar Project does not call for ready deployment of a US CBDCor digital dollar  but does encourage the U.S. to assert principled leadership in CBDC experimentation at home and digital currency standard setting abroad that is consistent with U.S. norms, values, and the rule of law. Visit https://digitaldollarproject.org/. About The Atlantic Council's GeoEconomics Center The Atlantic Council is a nonpartisan organization that galvanizes U.S. leadership and engagement in the world, in partnership with allies and partners, to share solutions to global challenges. The Atlantic Council provides an essential forum for navigating the economic and political changes defining the twenty-first century by informing its network of global leaders. Through the papers it publishes and the ideas it generates, the Atlantic Council shapes policy choices and strategies to create a more free, secure, and prosperous world. The GeoEconomics Center develops data-driven programs, publications, and thought leadership at the nexus of economics, finance, and foreign policy. The Center aims to bridge the divide between these oft-siloed sectors with the goal of helping shape a more resilient global economy. Our work is built on the idea that the United States must lead with allies or risk becoming a bystander in a reshaped international financial system. The Center is organized around three pillars - the Future of Capitalism, the Future of Money, and the Economic Statecraft Initiative. Media Contact

Carissa Felger / Gwyn Hodges

(212) 257-4170

[email protected] View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-digital-dollar-project-announces-fintech-hub-at-the-global-convening-on-the-future-of-digital-currency-301991146.html SOURCE Digital Dollar Project

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[November 16, 2023] Fusion92 Announces Acquisition of TRAK Data Tweet

The Union Enhances Fusion92's Data Offerings With Robust AI and Machine Learning Capabilities CHICAGO, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Marketing Transformation Partner Fusion92 is announcing today the acquisition of TRAK Data , a software as a service (SaaS), artificial intelligence-driven, data modeling platform. The acquisition allows Fusion92 and its clients direct access to science-backed, top-performing audience lists, illuminating ideal customer profiles that lead to improved marketing outcomes. The full TRAK team will be retained and join Fusion92's existing Data & Analytics department. "As the lines between marketing and data science continue to blur, this acquisition stands as a testament to our strategic commitment to harnessing the best of both worlds and our household-level audience targeting strategies," said Matt Murphy, founder and chief executive officer of Fusion92. "The team at TRAK has innovated the delivery of predictive modeling, taking the guesswork out of audience profile development with precise data models now vailable within minutes, not weeks or months. The addition of this platform not only offers direct access to SaaS for marketers but also allows us as a partner to efficiently layer premier data science alongside Fusion92's end-to-end marketing services, translating to game-changing outcomes for the work we plan, activate and optimize for brands."



TRAK was founded in Toronto, Canada, in 2019 by Jessica Akinwale and Brian Tran. Its proprietary algorithm leverages AI and machine learning techniques to transform manual data science and modeling techniques into an automated process, giving businesses of all sizes access to sophisticated data science. Now joining Fusion92 as the vice president of Strategy  Data Science & Technology and vice president of Data Science & Technology, respectively, Akinwale and Tran will bring more than 20 years of experience to Fusion92, supporting continued TRAK software growth. Additionally, Akinwale and Tran will consult with client partners who are ready to lean into TRAK not as a SaaS product alone but what Fusion92 refers to as Software With a Service (SWaS) for those who want a deeper level of human support through their data journeys. TRAK's system will be layered into Fusion92's existing products and services and as a standalone offering through the company. As an outcome-based company, Fusion92 is fueled by first-party data and connects the dots from data to outcomes, delivering growth and real-world solutions to marketers. "Our goal has always been to make data science more accessible and to help marketers get to the heart of what matters  their audience," said Akinwale. "Joining the innovative Fusion92 team will help take our offering to the next level."

"Fusion92 was an ideal partner for this strategic union because they are all in on emerging marketing technology, science and ingenuity," added Tran. "Fusion92 is one of the rare companies that have in-house access to industry-leading consumer marketing data, which is a dream for both of us as data scientists as well as the clients seeking expansive, precise data points. We're excited to bring our offering to Fusion92's clients, other industry partners and beyond." This is the fourth acquisition for Fusion92 since January 2022 and the eighth acquisition overall since Fusion92 was founded in 1999. About Fusion92

Founded in 1999, Fusion92 is a Marketing Transformation Partner that helps innovatively solve business challenges, delivering exponential returns for brands. The firm fuels business transformation in today's digital economy by imagining unexpected, data-driven solutions and seamlessly integrating across its end-to-end marketing products and services. The independent, Chicago-based firm with additional hubs in Detroit, Austin and Denver is backed by Serata Capital Partners and Landon Capital Partners and is committed to a diverse, equitable, inclusive workplace that drives positive impact in our global community. Learn more at Fusion92.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fusion92-announces-acquisition-of-trak-data-301991166.html SOURCE Fusion92

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[November 16, 2023] AM Best Places Credit Ratings of Sutton National Group's Members Under Review With Negative Implications Tweet

AM Best has placed under review with negative implications the Financial Strength Rating of A- (Excellent) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Ratings of "a-" (Excellent) of Sutton Specialty Insurance Company (SSIC) and Sutton National Insurance Company (SNIC) which are collectively known as Sutton National Group or the group. SSIC and SNIC are domiciled in Oklahoma City, OK. The Credit Ratings (ratings) have been placed under review with negative implications following the group's decision to re-organize the ownership structure of the organization. The new structure would remove the group's direct affiliation with 777 Partners LLC with Steve Pasko remaining as the ultimate owner. Without the re-structure, there is significant negative pressure on the ratings driven by 777 Partners LLC, which has not provided AM Best with audited financial statements in the last two years. The ratings reflect the group's balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as very strong, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management. The ratings are expected to remain under review with negative implications until the re-structure is complete, Sutton National Insurance Holdings LLC has had time to complete its audit for 2023 and AM Best has completed its evaluation of the impact of the new structure on the group's credit rating fundamentals. This press release relates to Credit Ratingsthat have been published on AM Best's website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Best's Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Best's Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Best's Credit Ratings, Best's Performance Assessments, Best's Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Best's Ratings & Assessments.



AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright  2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116505354/en/

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[November 16, 2023] BV Investment Partners Announces Investment in CallTower Tweet

BOSTON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- BV Investment Partners (BV), a middle-market private equity firm focused on the tech-enabled business services, software and IT services sectors, announced today an investment in CallTower, an international leader in delivering cloud-based enterprise-class communications, contact center and collaboration solutions. Founded in 2002, CallTower enables the digital workplace by providing global enterprise cloud communications and collaboration solutions on leading platforms including Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Cisco Webex, Five9, and others. CallTower is based in South Jordan, UT and serves over a million end points covering over 75 countries. Bret England, Chief Executive Officer of CallTower, commented, "The growth of remote and hybrid workforces has driven demand for collaboration platforms and CallTower has been there to help teams stay connected. As a solution-agnostic provider aligned with best-of-breed platforms, CallTower is helping change the way people communicate around the world and get work done. We have found a like-minded partner in BV and this new relationship will help us to accelerate our growth, both organically and through acquisitions, while maintaining a healthy, well-functioning organization and providing exceptional service to our customers." Justin Garrison, Managing Director of BV, said, "Enterprises and their employees have made a lasting shift in how they communicate centered around modern colaboration platforms. CallTower stands to benefit from the long-term trends of cloud migration, growth in hybrid and distributed workforces, and migration towards best-of-breed platforms. Bret and the CallTower team have built an exceptional organization and we're excited to partner with them to support and enable an ambitious growth strategy."



Vik Raina, CEO and Managing Partner of BV, added, "Cloud communications is a $15+ billion market which is expected to grow double digits as enterprises continue to adopt collaboration platforms and switch away from legacy systems. As a solution-agnostic provider, CallTower is in a strong position as a value-add partner with large platforms as they continue to benefit from global adoption." BV was represented by Ropes & Gray LLP, while CallTower was represented by Cooley LLP, and Q Advisors, a leading global TMT investment bank. AB Private Credit Investors and Boundary Street Capital are providing debt financing. The investment is subject to customary closing conditions and the parties anticipate closing in Q4 2023.

About CallTower Since its inception in 2002, CallTower has evolved into a global cloud-based, enterprise-class Unified Communications, Contact Center and Collaboration solutions provider for growing organizations worldwide. CallTower provides, integrates and supports industry-leading solutions, including Operator Connect for Microsoft Teams, Teams Direct Routing, GCC High Teams Direct Routing, Office 365, Cisco Webex Calling / UCM, Cisco CCPP, Zoom (BYOC), Zoom Phone, CT Cloud UCaaS and four contact center options, including Five9 for business customers. For more information, visit www.calltower.com. About BV Investment Partners BV Investment Partners is one of the oldest and most experienced sector-focused private equity firms in North America. Since its founding in 1983, the firm has invested approximately $5.1 billion, actively targeting investments in the tech-enabled business services, software, and IT services industries. The firm is investing out of its 11th private equity fund, which closed in September 2023 with $1.75 billion in capital commitments. BV was ranked in Inc. magazine's 2023 list of Founder-Friendly Investors. For more information, visit www.bvlp.com. Contact: Chris Tofalli

Chris Tofalli Public Relations, LLC

914-834-4334 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/bv-investment-partners-announces-investment-in-calltower-301990872.html SOURCE BV Investment Partners

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[November 16, 2023] Government of Canada welcomes world-renowned researchers that will push the boundaries of innovation Tweet

Investment of $248 million will support international and Canadian researchers pursuing ambitious projects BURNABY, BC, Nov. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - Attracting and retaining global talent is key to the success and sustainability of Canada's postsecondary institutions. When world-renowned scholars and scientists choose Canada to pursue their research, they play a pivotal role in diversifying the academic community, bolstering innovation, advancing our society and economy, and creating a better and healthier world for Canadians. Today, the Honourable Terry Beech, Minister of Citizens' Services, on behalf of the Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced $248 million in support of 34 new Canada Excellence Research Chairs (CERCs) at 18 Canadian postsecondary institutions. This investment includes funding for new research chairs, as announced in Budget 2022. It represents the largest number of CERCs awarded in a single competition in the history of the program. The funding will allow the new Chairs to establish research facilities in Canada and contribute to their institutions' pursuit of excellence in research, train young scholars and scientists, and develop a new generation of world-class talent. Over the next eight years, the recipients will establish and leverage domestic and international partnerships across academic, public, private, not-for-profit and community sectors to increase knowledge mobilization, develop lab-to-market innovations and support economic and social advances to benefit countless Canadians. This new cohort of Canada Excellence Research Chairs will revolutionize fields such as crystal engineering for green chemistry and energy utilization; regenerative lung medicine using unique three-dimensional bioprinting; Indigenous leadership in coastal tenure and land agreements; mitigating the impacts of climate change on the tundra and boreal forests; health equity for marginalized populations ahead of future health emergencies; advancements in precision education; and more. Quotes "Science and research are the driving forces of innovation. Today's investments in elite researchers and their innovations will have lasting impacts across our academic sector, economy and society, all while building the foundation for a more sustainable and competitive Canada. These new Canada Excellence Research Chairs will work with our postsecondary institutions to tackle some of the world's most complex challenges and make Canada a leader on the global stage." The Honourable Francois-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Idustry



"We continue to strengthen our country's research capacity by attracting the world's best minds to Canada. This facilitates the mentoring of emerging talent while expanding the frontiers of science and inquiry. Investments like these make Canada a destination of choice for world-leading researchers and scholars, which strengthens our own research ecosystem. This leads to more innovation, more discoveries, and more solutions to various problems that we face." -The Honourable Terry Beech, Member of Parliament for Burnaby North-Seymour, and Minister of Citizens' Services

"Supported by Government of Canada investments in the CERC program, postsecondary institutions are solidifying Canada's position as a global leader in research and innovation. This new cohort of CERCs will help our postsecondary institutions fulfill ambitious research objectives, address critical challenges facing our planet and better prepare us for the Canada of the future. We congratulate the new CERCs and look forward to seeing where their research takes us." Ted Hewitt, Chair, CERC Steering Committee, and President, Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada Quick facts Budget 2022 allocated $38.3 million in additional funding over four years, starting in 2023-24, and $12.7 million annually, for federal research funding agencies to recruit international CERCs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. A portion of this funding was applied to the current CERC competition to support new research chairs, reinforcing Canada's competitive advantage as a destination of choice for world-class researchers. The remaining portion of this funding will be applied to the next competition in 2026.

in additional funding over four years, starting in 2023-24, and annually, for federal research funding agencies to recruit international CERCs in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. A portion of this funding was applied to the current CERC competition to support new research chairs, reinforcing competitive advantage as a destination of choice for world-class researchers. The remaining portion of this funding will be applied to the next competition in 2026. Created in 2008, the CERC program supports Canadian postsecondary institutions in their efforts to attract and retain high calibre researchers and scholars and establish ambitious research programs in disciplines spanning health, natural sciences and engineering, and social sciences and humanities. It attracts world-renowned researchers, supports breakthrough discoveries and seizes emerging opportunities, which contribute to Canada's global competitiveness and well-being.

global competitiveness and well-being. The CERC program invests $248 million over eight years to support Canadian postsecondary institutions in advancing critical areas of research into world-leading capabilities.

over eight years to support Canadian postsecondary institutions in advancing critical areas of research into world-leading capabilities. Recipients are selected through an independent, multidisciplinary and international competitive peer-review process.

The CERC program is administered by the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat (TIPS), which is housed within the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). TIPS manages the program on behalf of the three federal research funding agencies: the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada and SSHRC. Associated links About the Canada Excellence Research Chairs program

Canada Excellence Research Chairholders

2022 Canada Excellence Research Chairs competition results Stay connected Learn more about the Canada Excellence Research Chairs Program

Follow @CDNScience on social media for Canadian science news: Twitter , Instagram , Facebook Follow the Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat on social media: Twitter: @TIPS_SPIIE , LinkedIn: @TIPS-SPIIE SOURCE Tri-agency Institutional Programs Secretariat

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[November 16, 2023] City of Saskatoon to benefit from improved public transit and a new leisure centre Tweet

SASKATOON, SK, Nov. 16, 2023 /CNW/ - Five infrastructure projects in Saskatoon will increase access to leisure activities, as well as high frequency and reliable transit thanks to the combined investment of more than $151.9 million from the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan, along with the City of Saskatoon. Announced by Minister Jenna Sudds, Minister Don McMorris, and His Worship Charlie Clark, this project will result in a better connected, healthier city. Development of Saskatoon's Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) will be launched with four different projects. Through today's funding the first of three planned BRT lines will have 16 new stops along approximately 15 km, running between the west and northeast areas of Saskatoon. To provide accessibility and sustainability, approximately 25 low floor, zero-emission buses and 30 diesel buses will replace and upgrade the existing fleet. The BRT system will help Saskatoon Transit accommodate the city's expected growth and will improve reliability and resiliency. The increased capacity will also help to address the current bus shortage. The City will also receive funding to construct a new leisure centre in the Holmwood Sector. The facility will be a fully accessible with proposed features including a pool for lane swimming and leisure activities, a fitness and weight room as well as multipurpose and childminding spaces. The new East Side Leisure Centre will provide nearly 70,000 residents of this east end community with more opportunities to come together, stay active, and make long-lasting memories. Quotes "We are focused on building a brighter, more resilient, and more sustainable future for our children and grandchildren. That means investing in infrastructure that builds stronger, healthier communities and helps connect residents to work, school and each other. Projects like today's announcement support our shared vision of a greener, better connected Saskatoon. The transit improvements and expansions will improve commuters' experience and comfort, while the new recreation centre will promote active lifestyles. We will continue to invest in projects that help lower emissions and make it easier for Canadians to get to their destinations. " The Honourable Jenna Sudds, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities "The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to support these important projects with an investment of nearly $34 million. Public transit plays a vital role in the flow and function of a large centre like Saskatoon, and residents deserve a reliable bus system to carry them to their destinations. One of those destinations will someday be the new leisure centre, where I'm sure countless memories will be made, and experiences shared. These are investments in Saskatchewan people and the great lives that are built in this province." The Honourable Don McMorris, Saskatchewan's Minister of Government Relations "This transformational investment in infrastructure is crucial to creating a vibrant Saskatoon for our growing population. The Bus Rapid Transit system and related roadway infrastructure improvements will make moving around our city more efficient and reliable for all users. And the new East Side Leisure Centre will provide much needed sport, recreational and cultural opporunities. Thank you to our partners in the governments of Canada and Saskatchewan for making these projects possible."



His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon Quick facts

The Government of Canada is investing $60,789,075 in these projects. The Government of Saskatchewan is investing $33,986,861 and the City of Saskatoon is contributing $57,196,751 .

is investing in these projects. The Government of is investing and the is contributing . The Government of Canada's funding comes from the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream and the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. This program is a part of the government's Investing in Canada Plan.

funding comes from the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream and the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Infrastructure Program. This program is a part of the government's Investing in Plan. These streams support the building, expansion, and upgrading of urban and rural transit networks and improvements to cultural infrastructure, upgrades to recreational facilities, and improve community infrastructure.

Investments in public transit help Canadians get where they need to be, create new manufacturing and construction jobs, reduce pollution, and make life more affordable.

Including today's announcement, four infrastructure projects under the Public Transit Infrastructure Stream have been in announced in Saskatchewan , with a total federal contribution of more than $44.5 million and a total provincial contribution of more than $20.4 million .

, with a total federal contribution of more than and a total provincial contribution of more than . Including today's announcement, 36 infrastructure projects under the Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream have been announced in Saskatchewan , with a total federal contribution of more than $90.6 million and a total provincial contribution of more than $39.7 million .

, with a total federal contribution of more than and a total provincial contribution of more than . The Government of Canada is investing $14.9 billion over the next eight years in reliable, fast, affordable, and clean public transit. This funding includes $3 billion per year in permanent, predictable federal public transit funding which will be available to support transit solutions beginning in 2026-27.

is investing over the next eight years in reliable, fast, affordable, and clean public transit. This funding includes per year in permanent, predictable federal public transit funding which will be available to support transit solutions beginning in 2026-27. Since 2015, the Government of Canada has announced an unprecedented investment of over $30 billion in thousands of transit projects in communities from coast to coast to coast.

has announced an unprecedented investment of over in thousands of transit projects in communities from coast to coast to coast. 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. Related products Backgrounder: City of Saskatoon to benefit from improved public transit and a new leisure centre Associated Links Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html Public Transit Infrastructure Stream

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/pti-itc-eng.html Community, Culture and Recreation Infrastructure Stream

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-pic-INFC-eng.html Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-sk-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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There's a lot of crime reporting to blog this evening as we consider record-breaking violent crime as we slouch toward the end of this year and the start of election season.



Check TKC news gathering . . .

Former community members at KC ministry still calling for third-party investigation after sexual misconduct claims Mike Bickle is on leave from the International House of Prayer ministry he founded in 1999

Kansas City man charged with murder of woman whose body was left near railroad tracks Authorities allege the 39-year-old's DNA matched with a sample collected from the ankles of the woman, who appeared to have been dragged across gravel.

Family of man killed during Independence police pursuit files lawsuit against city, officers The family of man killed in an Independence police pursuit in March filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the city of Independence and officers involved in the pursuit.

Kansas City man sentenced to life in prison for Caldwell County fires that killed 96-year-old woman Harold Edwards Jr. was sentenced for multiple charges Wednesday, including the second-degree murder of Lorene Fickess

One arrested, allegedly points gun at police resulting in KC standoff Kansas City police got a call about gunshots at an apartment complex on Benton Boulevard on Tuesday.

Investigation into death of 17-year-old girl continues as KCPD takes over Kansas City, Missouri, police are actively investigating the death of a teenage girl as a homicide.

Independence teacher still working amid inappropriate photo investigation Allegations of inappropriate pictures of a teacher sent to at least one student has led Independence police to open an investigation.

Lawsuit claims negligence from police officers, improper training led to fatal Independence crash A lawsuit from the family of Jake Monteer cites negligence in various manners as a cause for a March crash that killed two people in Independence.

Police say homicides down in KC neighborhood due to KC 360. What do the numbers show? "No one is saying that we solved (gun violence). All we can say is we've had success this year, and we want to see a pattern, and we want it to spread," the neighborhood association president said.

Family of KCMO mass shooting victim needs 20K signatures on petition for stricter gun control Jasity's Law efforts are at the forefront following violence at Oak Park Mall and the Independence Center.

Developing . . .
The strongest statement we've seen yet from the Guv on an impending pardon . . .

Missouri Governor Parson said he supported Missouri Attorney General Andrew Baileys decision to oppose the conviction and revealed he believes politics played a role.



The one thing that bothered me more than anything about that case was the way the prosecutor handled that in Kansas City. By the accusations she was making about guilt or innocence without actually even knowing the facts herself. It was a time when there was a lot of civil unrest and the problem is you dont want ever want anyone convicted because of the political side of things, said Parson.



Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker has previously denied politics played any role in her decision to prosecute this case and says she was guided by the law.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .

Governor Parson says politics played a role in prosecution of former KCMO detective Governor Parson says he's weighing his options regarding former Kansas City Police Detective Eric DeValkenaere who was convicted in the fatal shooting of Cameron Lamb.

Missouri Gov. Mike Parson criticizes Jackson County prosecutor over DeValkenaere conviction Missouri Gov. Mike Parson hasn't made a decision about whether to free former KCPD officer Eric DeValkenaere, but he criticized the Jackson County prosecutor's handling of the case.

Here's the full interview from Pete Mundo for more context . . .

Developing . . .
Hold on to your hats . . . Pricey new tech isn't going to fix Kansas City's old & busted 911 system.

So . . . Seriously . . . Hold on.



Here's how the tragic story starts . . . Don't worry you'll have plenty of time to read the whole thing whilst minutes or maybe hours for help . . . Check-it:



For years, Kansas City, Missouri, has struggled to answer 911 calls quickly. Police and city officials hope a new, automated attendant feature could speed things up but the Kansas City Fire Department worries it might actually make things more complicated.



The fire department has a simple solution: The best, economical and operational solution is for the KCPD to fully staff their current positions and add additional staff to meet the demand of their workload, according to an internal KCFD memo.



The Mid-America Regional Council, which manages the technology and coordinates the regional 911 system, last month approved a contract with Motorola to install software that would drastically change what callers to 911 in Kansas City would hear. Instead of talking to a person, they initially would hear an auto attendant. Under the proposed system, callers would first hear a menu, for example: "Press 1 for police, 2 for fire, or 3 for EMS." The call would then be transferred to the appropriate call taker.

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com link . . .
No.



No it's not.

However . . .

AN UPCOMING TAX INCREASE FOR KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS THREATENS TO PLAY UPON CLASSIC COWTOWN RACIAL DIVISIONS DESPITE EPIC MISMANAGEMENT!!!

And so . . .

Just to start . . .

Here are more than a few reasons to say NO to more cash despite an onslaught of public pressure and biased media coverage:

- The Kansas City Desegregation Experiment was one of the most unfair and probably unconstitutional legal decisions in the history of American public education but it proved that MONEY DOESN'T FIX BAD SCHOOL POLICY. The effort wasted hundreds of millions of bucks but only managed to make schools worse.

- The KCPS is top heavy . . . They could find more funds by tossing aside dozens of administrators and focusing on students rather than serving as a jobs program for barely middle-class politicos.

- Better to simply sell off or demolish buildings rather than repair dinosaurs giving consistently declining enrollment and the charter school movement that has more flexibility in housing smaller, better schools.

Most importantly . . .

GIVEN EPIC RISING PROPERTY TAXES, KANSAS CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS ARE FLUSH WITH MORE THAN ENOUGH MONEY FOR BUILDING MAINTENANCE!!!



We're hoping that locals will organize against the tax.

In the meantime . . . We're obligated to post this sketchy pitch the plays upon emotion and ignores taxpayers throwing so much good money after bad for an imploding district that most have abandoned.



Check-it . . .



The district's board passed a resolution stating its intent to ask voters to pass the bond in an election in April 2025. The last time KCPS passed a GBO was in 1967.



As part of its Blueprint 2030 plan approved in January, KCPS announced it would pursue a GBO.



"We're moving forward with a bold plan to pursue a general obligation bond in 2025," KCPS Superintendent Dr. Jennifer Collier said in a video message to families. "This decision is a testament to how much we value education and how deeply we believe in the potential of our children."

Read more via www.TonysKansasCity.com links . . .

Kansas City Public Schools district will seek voter approval for general obligation bond in 2025 The Kansas City School District will ask voters in 2025 to do something not done in decades: Pass a general obligation bond to pay for repairs at district schools.

KCPS approves resolution marking intent to pursue bond addressing $400 million in deferred maintenance The Kansas City Public Schools Board of Education approved a resolution Wednesday night signaling the district's intent to pursue a General Obligation Bond in April 2025.

The bold video announcement . . .



Developing . . .
Firefighters try to put out a fire at a building of a coal mine company in Lyuliang City, north China's Shanxi Province, on Nov. 16, 2023.

Death toll has risen to 26 after a fire broke out Thursday morning at a building of a coal mine company in north China's Shanxi Province, according to rescuers.

The fire ripped through the second floor of the five-story building located in Lishi District of Lyuliang City. Rescue efforts are underway, according to local authorities.

More than 60 people have been sent to a local hospital for treatment.

The building belongs to the private Yongju coal mine company. (Xinhua)

TAIYUAN, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Death toll has risen to 26 after a fire broke out Thursday morning at a building of a coal mine company in north China's Shanxi Province, according to rescuers.

The fire ripped through the second floor of the five-story building located in Lishi District of Lyuliang City. Rescue efforts are underway, according to local authorities.

More than 60 people have been sent to a local hospital for treatment.

The building belongs to the private Yongju coal mine company. 
Have you seen the 4th District councilman???

During a tough campaign the greatest complaint about his tenure has been his absence from community meetings and events.

He wisely acknowledged the criticism and promised to do better.

However . . .

NOBODY HAS REALLY SEEN MUCH OF THIS COUNCIL DUDE SINCE HE WON REELECTION IN ONE OF THE LOWEST TURNOUT VOTES KCMO HAS EVER WITNESSED!!!



In fact . . . Even online denizens notice his absence . . .



It looks like he hasn't posted much on X/Twitter since October 6th. So he's even turning his back on online amateur urban planners who are generally supportive of his bad ideas.



Of course . . . Given the dearth of information about the council dude . . . Here at www.TonysKansasCity.com we honestly hope that everything is okay and the council dude can at least return to feigning an interest in KCMO 4th District politics.

Developing . . .
Kyriakos Mitsotakis was addressing a panel discussion on "The Role of Tourism in Greece's Future" during a conference organized by the newspaper "Proto Thema" at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC)

"Greek tourism proved to be exceptionally resilient. I must say that after the pandemic, what we saw as a global trend and I think will continue is people's need to travel more. And in choosing between spending their money on buying a product or the experience of travel, many chose the second option. I think this is a trend that has come to stay," Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis announced on Thursday.

The prime minister was addressing a panel discussion on "The Role of Tourism in Greece's Future" during a conference organized by the newspaper "Proto Thema" at the Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Centre (SNFCC).

Mitsotakis forecast that just as the war in Ukraine had had a limited impact on Greece's tourism sector, which had no problem handling the loss of visitors from Russia, the impact of the conflict in Gaza will be similarly limited.

"I consider that our tourism is resilient, we have laid the foundations for a new tourist product, which must be based on quality, sustainability, and resilience and especially on the unique experiences that we can offer and our ability to attract visitors who are able to spend more of their income in Greece," he continued.

According to Mitsotakis, it was a mistake to use the number of visitors as a measure of the tourism sector's success, noting that the primary goal was the economic footprint of these visitors, where Greece had made significant progress. He also emphasized the significance of remaining competitive and ensuring sustainability, better exploiting the country's cultural capital, and ensuring accessibility.

Talking about the investment at Elliniko, Mitsotakis said that, in addition to its contribution to growth, it will act as a "showcase" of the "new Greece as we envision it" and "a city that comes from the future", which will contribute to the overall "change of brand" for the country.

Mitsotakis stressed the need for regulation in tourism, referring to labor conditions, and the need to find solutions for ordinary housing in tourist areas, while emphasizing that tourism was not only a "game for big investments" but also smaller units.

He concluded by talking about the problem of traffic congestion in Athens, pointing out that a new and sustainable urban mobility plan was needed for the entire Attic basin.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: pixabay.com
Inflation has combined with the effects of deadly floods wiping out much of the countrys agricultural heartland and lost crops to push food prices higher, along with high taxes for goods in supermarkets

Greeces rebounding economy hasnt brought enough benefits to the countrys lowest-income households and families but they will be getting 350 million euros ($380 million) in state assistance to help them cope, ANA reports.

Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, whose New Democracy government is luring foreign investors to accelerate a comeback, told SKAI radio that the aid would include a social solidarity benefit for households in need.

There will be help for those eligible for child benefits, 250 euros ($271.29) in financial assistance for people with disabilities, support for those with minimum guaranteed income, and 150 euros ($162.77) for low-income pensioners.

RELATED TOPICS: Greece, Greek tourism news, Tourism in Greece, Greek islands, Hotels in Greece, Travel to Greece, Greek destinations, Greek travel market, Greek tourism statistics, Greek tourism report

Photo Source: Wikimedia Commons License: CC-BY-SA Copyright: Hypernova








JERUSALEM, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Israel on Thursday rejected the United Nations (UN) Security Council's call for extended humanitarian pauses in the Israel-Hamas conflict.

"Extended humanitarian pauses are untenable as long as 239 abductees remain in the hands of Hamas," Israeli Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Lior Haiat said in a statement.

It called on the UN Security Council "to unequivocally condemn Hamas" for its Oct. 7 surprise attack on Israeli communities which killed about 1,200 people, mostly civilians.

The UN Security Council on Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip" to allow urgently needed aid to reach civilians in the besieged Palestinian enclave.

At least 11,500 people have been killed by the Israeli attacks in Gaza, including 4,710 children and 3,003 women, while more than 29,000 others were injured, according to the government media office in Gaza. 
Young fishermen event coming to Anchorage

Kate Barber

907-274-9691 ext. 208

Nov. 15, 2023

Photo courtesy of Gabe Dunham, Alaska Sea Grant

An Alaska Young Fishermens Summit hat dries on a camp stove at a Bristol Bay fish camp in 2022.

The 10th Alaska Young Fishermens Summit will be held at the Marriott Anchorage Downtown on Dec. 5-7, 2023.

The summit helps fishermen manage and grow their businesses, provides skill-building opportunities and develops leaders in the Alaska commercial fishing industry.



Alaska Sea Grant organizes the event.

The three-day conference provides training, information and networking for commercial fishermen of any age early in their careers. The event brings industry leaders to mentor new fishermen and cover a range of topics, including business management, seafood markets, the fisheries regulatory process and fisheries science. The fast-paced, interactive program facilitates networking with peers from around the state.

The conference will include activities that take advantage of the coinciding North Pacific Fishery Management Council meeting in Anchorage. Duncan Fields of Kodiak, a commercial fisherman and fisheries consultant, will give the keynote address.

Registration is now open.

For more information, contact Julie Matweyou at julie.matweyou@alaska.edu.

091-24
Russia is still capable of doing evil, so Ukrainians must keep their defense as a top priority and make the state stronger every day.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said this in a video address, Ukrinform reports.

Below is the full text of his address:

"I wish you health, fellow Ukrainians!

It was a rough day.

At night, there was a Russian missile attack on Selydove, Donetsk region. Right at residential buildings. Four missiles. There are dead. There are probably people under the rubble. The rubble is being cleared all day. All the wounded were provided with the necessary assistance. More than 20 houses were destroyed.

Another Russian strike hit Zaporizhzhia region, also with missiles. Among the dead are rescuers. They arrived at the scene after the first hit and started helping. And then there was a second strike. My condolences to all those whose relatives and friends were killed by Russian terror.

There was a lot of international communication today. Of course, first of all, about ways to provide more protection for Ukraine and all our people from these savages, from Russian missiles and shelling.

I spoke with Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni. I thanked Italy for its principled and powerful assistance to our country, for the protection of Ukrainian lives. Ukraine greatly appreciates that Italy stands with us at this moment. We also appreciate Giorgia's personal energy, all the activity of Madam Prime Minister, with which she advocates for assistance to our country. We discussed our security cooperation and support packages. We exchanged views on the situation in Europe and the world. We also discussed some issues related to the new EU sanctions package. Italy will preside over the Group of Seven next year, and we are already working on the relevant priorities. Common priorities.

I spoke with President of Slovakia Zuzana Caputova. I expressed gratitude for the support and fair recognition of Ukraine's success in getting closer to the European Union  in our movement towards full membership. It is very important for our entire Europe to become stronger, and every state on the continent that respects the common rules of the EU will benefit from this. We discussed preparations of our energy sector for the winter and, as we expect, for the intensification of Russian terror against energy facilities. Of course, we also discussed economic issues that are important to our nations.

Today I also held talks with Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada. Defense support. Strengthening our air defense, our mobile fire groups and protection against Russian drones. There are specific agreements. I thanked Canada for its continued leadership in sanctions against Russia. There is a new and important Canadian initiative  a coalition of partners to return Ukrainian children who were deported to Russia. We also discussed the issue of completing the Holodomor Genocide Museum. Canada has agreed to help with this in Ukraine. I am grateful to Justin personally and to the entire Canadian society for such an understanding of Ukraine.

I also held several meetings today. I would like to mention a meeting with representatives of the law enforcement sector, including the Head of the Security Service of Ukraine. He reported on counteracting collaborators and protecting Ukrainians from those who deliberately incite hatred within our country.

I also had a meeting with the Minister of Defense and other government officials. All the key issues boil down to ensuring the protection of people, Ukraine's ability to conduct offensive operations, and our ability to strengthen Ukraine  to overcome the accumulated problems.

Everyone in Ukraine must remember, especially those who have stopped noticing the war because they are fully focused on politics: Russia is still capable of doing evil. No one will be able to turn a blind eye. We have to fight. We must keep our defense as a top priority. And we must make our state stronger every day.

Glory to all those who care about Ukraine and Ukrainians!

Glory to Ukraine!"
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Wednesday that the U.S. side should take real actions to honor its commitment of not supporting "Taiwan independence," stop arming Taiwan, and support China's peaceful reunification.

"China will realize reunification, and this is unstoppable," Xi said during his summit meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden at Filoli Estate, a country house approximately 40 km south of San Francisco, California. 
Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, observes the development of Shenzhen (Harbin) Industrial Park in Harbin, northeast China's Heilongjiang Province, Nov. 14, 2023. Li made an inspection tour in northeast China's Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces from Tuesday to Thursday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

CHANGCHUN, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Premier Li Qiang has highlighted the significance of sticking to reform and innovation and stimulating endogenous strength to push for breakthroughs in the full revitalization of northeast China.

Li, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, made the remarks during an inspection tour in northeast China's Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces from Tuesday to Thursday.

He came to a thermal power plant in Heilongjiang, learning about the local heating situation. He called for all-out efforts to keep people warm in the winter while lowering energy consumption.

At Harbin Institute of Technology in Harbin, the capital of Heilongjiang, Li encouraged people to continue to work hard in education, scientific research, and other aspects.

While inspecting an agriculture machinery company in Heilongjiang, Li learned in detail about the development of intelligent agriculture equipment. He urged all parties to pool their resources to accelerate mechanized and intelligent development of agriculture production.

The premier also observed the development of Shenzhen (Harbin) Industrial Park, stressing efforts to draw on the experience of advanced regions, energize development mechanisms, and nurture new driving forces for economic development.

At the AVIC Harbin Aircraft Industry Group Co., Ltd., the premier expressed hope that the company would break through key core technologies to manufacture world-class helicopters.

During his inspection of the Jilin Province, Li visited a pharmaceutical company and a satellite company. He encouraged the enterprises to continue to increase research and development investment, strengthen the construction of talent teams, and develop through benefitting the people and meeting the market demand.

While visiting a research institute at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Changchun, he urged efforts to accelerate the research and development of photoelectric technology and the transformation of academic achievements.

At the China FAW Group, he heard reports on new-energy vehicle project developments. He encouraged the company to equally emphasize independent research and development and joint research to make breakthroughs.

On his tour of a beef processing enterprise, he learned about their beef production and product development and hoped the company would strengthen efforts to improve the whole industrial chain.

During the inspection tour, Li also presided over a symposium, where he called on state-owned enterprises to recognize their responsibility in the new era and thrive amid reform and innovation efforts. He also urged state-owned enterprises to optimize the layout and promote the development of private businesses and small and micro enterprises.

Li fully recognized Heilongjiang and Jilin's achievements in economic and social development and called on the provinces to leverage their advantages and stimulate endogenous strength to contribute more to the full revitalization of northeast China. 

Chinese Premier Li Qiang, also a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, visits a research institute at the Chinese Academy of Sciences in Changchun, northeast China's Jilin Province, Nov. 15, 2023. Li made an inspection tour in northeast China's Heilongjiang and Jilin provinces from Tuesday to Thursday. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)
Eurojust and Nigerian judicial authorities sign Working Arrangement to boost cooperation against organised crime

Eurojust and the Attorney General of Nigeria, Mr Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, signed on 9 November a Working Arrangement to enable structured and closer cooperation in the fight against organised crime groups (OCGs). This paves the way for the establishment of a Contact Point for Eurojust in Nigeria and closer communication for the swifter execution of requests for judicial cooperation on both sides. Nigeria is the first sub-Saharan African country to sign a Working Arrangement with the Agency.

The signing took place during the two-day Conference on Transnational Organised Crime affecting West Africa and Europe at the premises of Eurojust in The Hague. The conference, which brings together judicial and law enforcement authorities from eight West African countries and most of the national authorities represented at Eurojust, is being organised by the Agency in cooperation with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the Siracusa International Institute for Criminal Justice and Human Rights.

The President of Eurojust, Mr Ladislav Hamran said: As the international dimension of organised crime continues to grow, todays signing of a Working Arrangement with Nigeria offers a further basis for strengthening our cooperation. It is therefore of prime importance for Eurojust and it will undoubtedly benefit both our sides. Much in the same way, I couldnt be more pleased to welcome judicial and law enforcement experts from so many West African countries to Eurojust today, as an expression of our intention to combat global criminal networks together.

The Attorney General of Nigeria, Mr Lateef Olasunkanmi Fagbemi, SAN, stated: The Working Arrangement with Eurojust will enhance our cooperation. Let us work together to explore innovative solutions, best practices and new partnerships. Our collective strength and resolve are the keys to making a real difference in the fight against transnational organised crime.

Over the last two decades, organised crime affecting both Nigeria and European countries has evolved structurally, becoming more violent, sophisticated and increasingly transnational. In view of this rapid expansion of OCGs operating in Nigeria and Europe, a more structured and longer-term cooperation is required, which the Working Arrangement now provides.

Mr Oliver Stolpe, UNODC Country Representative in Nigeria, said: Over these past five years, I have witnessed some very tangible and encouraging changes in the way we cooperate. Today, with the signing of the Working Arrangement, we are witnessing yet another milestone in breaking down barriers and building bridges  bridges across which today we might still walk with some sense of caution wondering whether they will hold, but across which  and of that I am certain  future generations of prosecutors will run with confidence.

The establishment of a Contact Point gives Eurojust and national authorities direct and better access to the Nigerian prosecution services and will facilitate the execution of judicial cooperation requests. Conversely, the Agreement will enable Nigerian authorities to have better access to Eurojust and the judiciary in the 27 EU Member States and third countries with Liaison Prosecutors* at the Agency.

The Working Agreement includes arrangements for the exchange of strategic information and communication with the Contact Point, as well as data protection provisions. The Working Agreement enters into force today.

The Conference on Transnational Organised Crime affecting West Africa and Europe is being organised as a part of the PROMIS project funded by the Netherlands.

*Currently, Liaison Prosecutors from the following countries are based at Eurojust: Albania, Georgia, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom and United States
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

France's top appeals court upheld a tax fraud conviction against UBS on Wednesday but ordered a third trial to determine how much the Swiss bank should pay in penalties

Paris, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) France's top appeals court upheld a tax fraud conviction against UBS on Wednesday but ordered a third trial to determine how much the Swiss bank should pay in penalties.

Switzerland's largest bank had been condemned by an appeals court in December 2021 and ordered to pay a total of 1.8 billion euros ($1.9 billion).

UBS, which has always denied any wrongdoing, was found definitively guilty of illegally luring wealthy French clients to open secret accounts in Switzerland between 2004 and 2012.

"UBS is disappointed that the French Supreme Court has confirmed the previous court decision regarding unlawful client solicitation and aggravated laundering of the proceeds of tax fraud despite the treaty between Europe and Switzerland on the taxation of savings income and a lack of specific evidence for the alleged facts," the bank said in a statement.

"UBS continues to maintain that it acted in accordance with all applicable laws and regulations at all times," it added.

The 2021 sanction had included a confiscation of one billion euros, 800 million euros in damages, and a fine of 3.75 million euros.

On Wednesday, the Court of Cassation annulled the confiscation, ruling that confiscation was introduced to France's legal system in 2013, well after the facts in question.

It also annulled the damages awarded to the state, saying they had not been adequately calculated.

A new court case will be held in the coming months at the Paris appeals court to determine the monetary penalties and interest.

"UBS will defend itself in the forthcoming trial," it said.

UBS was fined 3.7 billion euros at the first trial in 2019, but the appeals court in 2021 whittled down the fine to a few million while adding the confiscation and the indemnity.

The bank's French subsidiary, UBS France, which was condemned on first appeal for complicity and ordered to pay 1.875 million euros, hadn't appealed to the higher court.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) Pakistan said on Thursday that the 75 years of its diplomatic relations with Belgium encompassed the spirit of solidarity and expressed commitment to work with it towards shaping a better world for future generations.

A statement by the Foreign Office said the upward trajectory of bilateral relations was deeply embedded in people-to-people linkages and frequent high-level contacts at the leadership level.

It mentioned that the institution of bilateral political consultation provided a strong foundation for a multifaceted dialogue that holds the potential to deepen this longstanding bilateral relationship.

"The robust trade between the countries has witnessed continuous growth for mutual benefit," it said.

The depth of bilateral relations encompasses the spirit of solidarity and support demonstrated during times of need, such as disaster management to mitigate natural calamities, the FO statement said.

The Joint Communique, issued on November 26, 1947, encapsulates the decision of the two governments to accept respective diplomatic missions 'to strengthen the bonds of friendship and mutual interest'.

Following the historic decision, the two countries opened diplomatic missions in 1948.

It is a proud moment, as the goals outlined 75 years ago paved the way for a strong bond of friendship, the FO statement added.

The relationship between Belgium and Pakistan is forward-looking, as both countries are committed to working together on multilateral forums to address common challenges, such as sustainable development and climate change, as well as fundamental values such as democracy and human rights, providing strength to these relations, it said.
ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) The Anti-Narcotics Force (ANF) in eight 8 different countrywide operations arrested nine accused and recovered more than 207 kg of drugs.

In a raid at the Courier Office, Rawalpindi, the officials recovered 122 grams of ice hidden in spoons in a book parcel for UK whereas 100 ecstasy pills were recovered from 2 accused on a motorcycle in Bahria Town Rawalpindi.

During another raid from ANF on a flat located in Sector E-11 of Islamabad, more than 3,100 ecstasy tablets were recovered from the house and the accused was arrested.

At Allama Iqbal International Airport, 216 grams of heroin was recovered from the parcel sent to Kuwait.

Meanwhile, 200 grams of weed were recovered from a parcel sent from America at GPO Multan and 19 kg & 200 grams of hashish recovered from a car near Northern Bypass Karachi while the accused were arrested.

In another Joint operation with Motorway Police near Talibwala Toll Plaza, 7 kg and 795 grams of heroin were recovered from the vehicle and 2 suspects were arrested.

In Pakpattan, 1 kg 6 grams of ice and 16 narcotic injections were recovered from 3 accused on a motorcycle.

In another operation, 160 kg 800 grams of hashish hidden for smuggling in a rain drain was recovered in Pishin by the officials who raided on a tip.

The cases under the Anti-Narcotics Act were registered against the arrested accused and further investigation has been initiated.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Frankfurt, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) Siemens Energy reported a 4.59-billion-euro ($5-billion) annual loss Wednesday, dragged down by a crisis in its wind power unit, a day after a government-backed rescue package was unveiled for the German group.

The company's huge loss in the 2022-2023 financial year was far larger than a loss of several hundred million Euros the year before.

While large parts of its wide range of businesses, such as those related to gas and power grids, were healthy, the results were hit by the crisis in its Gamesa wind power subsidiary.

Gamesa has faced long-running technical problems with its onshore wind turbines, which have cost huge sums to fix.

"The wind business remains a major challenge and has led to the net loss in 2023," said the company.

Gamesa is only expected to break even in financial year 2026, and it will impact the group's performance in the "near to mid-term," it said. Still, Siemens Energy expects to return to a net profit of 1 billion euros next year.

Revenue in its past financial year rose 7 percent to 31 billion euros, and it said it expects to post similar growth the following year. Siemens Energy runs its financial year from October to September, and the annual results were announced a day after a 15-billion-euro, state-backed rescue deal was unveiled after weeks of talks.

The deal involves providing "guarantees" to Siemens Energy to allow it continue financing major long-term projects.

The economy ministry announced it would grant the company 7.5 billion euros worth of guarantees, and others involved included private banks as well as the larger Siemens conglomerate, which is a major shareholder in Siemens Energy.

Siemens Energy was spun out of Siemens in 2020. In 2022, Siemens Energy spent 4 billion euros to take full control of Gamesa, which was already having difficulties. Siemens Energy shares jumped 8.8 percent Wednesday on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange but they remain down 35 percent for the year.
BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping has ordered all-out efforts to rescue the injured after a fire accident at a building of a coal mine company in north China's Shanxi Province on Thursday morning.

Xi, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, asked authorities to inspect and remove risks in key industries to safeguard people's lives and property as well as social stability. 
TOKYO, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) -- Business leaders and former high-ranking officials from China and Japan have called for building bilateral relations suiting the new era at the ninth round of Sino-Japanese Entrepreneurs and Former High-level Officials Dialogue held in the Japanese capital.

A joint statement issued after the two-day dialogue concluded on Wednesday said that creating a free and open business environment is indispensable to post-COVID-19 economic recovery, and that it is necessary to uphold and strengthen international economic order and reform the World Trade Organization (WTO) for it to play an improved role.
The Hague, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) Dutch voters head to the polls next week for a knife-edge election that will transform the country's political landscape, with surveys showing the race is too close to call.

After Mark Rutte's record 13 years at the helm, the Dutch appear poised to elect either their first woman PM or a crusading anti-corruption campaigner who only formed a party a few months ago.

"Anyone who says they know who is going to win this election is lying through their teeth," political analyst Julia Wouters told AFP.

What does seem sure however is that a new face will be leading the Netherlands, the EU's fifth-largest economy that punches above its weight in Europe and the world stage.

Replacing Rutte as head of the centre-right VVD party is Dilan Yesilgoz, a 46-year-old born in Turkey who arrived in the Netherlands as a young asylum seeker and who now wants to drive down immigration.

"I came as an eight-year-old refugee to this country and I know what it means to seek freedom and to seek safety and security," Yesilgoz told AFP at a recent rally.

She said the influx of asylum seekers, plus international workers and students, was now "way too high".

"We need to lower that number in order to also have a safe space for true refugees," she added.

A media-savvy campaigner who keeps her Instagram followers entertained with pictures of her dogs, Yesilgoz is a constant presence on Dutch political talk shows.

But critics say she has struggled to articulate clear policies and explain how she would govern differently from the scandal-hit Rutte.

"The main challenge... is the perception that the party's campaign is devoid of any substance," Sarah de Lange, professor of politics at the University of Amsterdam, told AFP.

"Yesilgoz emphasises that they will do things differently, without going into detail what the key measures will be."
WELLINGTON, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) -- New Zealand experts have called for proper management of cats to protect native biodiversity.

"New Zealanders have the highest rate of cat ownership in the world, but unfortunately, cats are a major contributor to native biodiversity decline," said a research article published in the New Zealand Journal of Ecology on Thursday.

Globally, cats have been implicated in the declines or extinctions of more species than any other invasive predator, it said.

Further research is needed to develop improved methods for monitoring cats and their impact on the environment, and to develop humane, effective, and socially acceptable methods to manage them, said researchers from New Zealand's Landcare Research.

There is also a need to understand any unintended consequences of cat management, such as the proliferation of pests that they prey on or compete with, the article said.
Salina Cruz, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) At Mexico's narrowest point, linking the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, the government is building a railway rival to the Panama Canal with promises of economic bounty but amid fears of environmental and social harm.

The Spanish conquistador Hernan Cortes already dreamed of such a crossing for humans and goods in the 16th century, but most plans came to naught and a prior, rudimentary connection was all but abandoned with the opening of the canal cutting through Panama in 1914.

Then, in 2020, work started on a new coast-to-coast link under the government of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.

It comprises a 300-kilometer (186-mile) railway line from the Pacific port of Salina Cruz to Coatzacoalcos on the other side of the Isthmus of Tehuantepec -- a region rich in biodiversity and Indigenous heritage.

The government has announced an investment of $2.

85 billion.

According to project coordinator Adiel Estrada, it has created 800 direct jobs and some 2,400 indirect ones -- a much-needed injection for a largely impoverished part of the country.

Officials expect that once fully operational, by 2033, the "interoceanic corridor" would boost GDP by three to five percentage points.

"We will go... from one ocean to the other in seven hours," Lopez Obrador boasted of the project in a recent video recorded aboard a brand-new train.

Service is expected to start in December with two daily round trips for passengers, and three for cargo.

By 2028, the Isthmus of Tehuantepec Interoceanic Corridor (CIIT) should see 300,000 cargo containers transit every year, with 1.4 million -- about 33 million tons -- by 2033.

The 80-km Panama Canal moved about 63.2 million tons in 2022.
(@FahadShabbir)

Antananarivo, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) Madagascar is to hold presidential elections on Thursday that are being boycotted by most opposition candidates over concerns about the vote's regularity amid high political tensions.

The Indian Ocean island nation is the leading global producer of vanilla but one of the world's poorest countries and has been shaken by successive political crises since independence from France in 1960.

President Andry Rajoelina has brushed off criticism and expressed confidence that he will secure re-election in the first round of voting.

Polls open at 06:00 am (0300 GMT) and close at 05:00 pm.

Rajoelina, 49, is one of 13 candidates on the ballot but 10 have called on voters to shun the elections, complaining of an "institutional coup" in favour of the incumbent.

Since early October, the opposition grouping -- which includes two former presidents -- has led near daily, largely unauthorised protest marches in the capital.

They have been regularly dispersed by police firing tear gas.

"We appeal to everyone not to vote.

Conditions for a transparent presidential election, accepted by all, have not been met," Roland Ratsiraka, one of the protesting candidates, said on Tuesday.

"We do not want to participate in this fraud, it is a joke on Madagascar."

On Wednesday, authorities imposed a night curfew in Antananarivo, following what the police prefect said were "various acts of sabotage".

Rajoelina, who first took power in 2009 on the back of a coup then skipped the following elections only to make a winning comeback in 2018, has ploughed ahead despite the tensions.

As his opponents refused to campaign, he flew across the country by private plane, showcasing schools, roads and hospitals built during his tenure.

"It is irresponsible to encourage voters not to vote," said his campaign spokeswoman Lalatiana Rakotondrazafy, accusing the opposition of wanting to "sabotage" the vote by "attempting to take the entire nation hostage".

Eleven million people are registered to vote in the country of about 30 million.
Doha, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) Qatar on Wednesday urged an international investigation into Israeli raids on medical facilities in the Gaza Strip, denouncing as a "war crime" Israel's latest operation inside Al-Shifa hospital targeting Hamas.

The Qatari foreign ministry in a statement called for "an urgent international investigation" including by the United Nations to look into "the targeting of hospitals by the Israeli occupation army".

Israeli forces raided and then combed through Al-Shifa, Gaza's largest hospital, before withdrawing and redeploying around its outskirts, a journalist trapped inside the facility told AFP.

Doha deemed the Israeli raid "a war crime and a blatant violation of international laws".

The Gulf nation, which has been leading mediation efforts towards a ceasefire and release of hostages, called on the "international community to take swift and decisive measures to hold Israel accountable, acting as a deterrent against further crimes targeting civilians".
Russia said Wednesday for the first time that some Ukrainian troops had established positions on the Moscow-held side of the Dnipro River, the vast waterway that splits the frontline in southern Ukraine

Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) Russia said Wednesday for the first time that some Ukrainian troops had established positions on the Moscow-held side of the Dnipro River, the vast waterway that splits the frontline in southern Ukraine.

The admission came as President Volodymyr Zelensky said it had been a "difficult day" for Kyiv due to deadly Russian strikes in the east of the country.

A sustained Ukrainian breakthrough across the river would mark a significant tactical success for Kyiv, whose wider counteroffensive has so far failed to turn the tide of the 21-month war.

"Small groups" of Ukrainian soldiers were stretched along the eastern bank of the Dnipro river, and had been "blocked" in the tiny village of Krynky, the Moscow-installed head of Ukraine's Kherson region, Vladimir Saldo, said in a post on Telegram.

But he insisted they were facing a "fiery hell" from Russian artillery, rockets and drones, and were suffering heavy losses.

Russian and Ukrainian forces have been entrenched on opposite sides of the Dnipro River since Moscow withdrew from the western part of the Kherson region last November.

That was the last major territorial change in the conflict, with both sides having since failed to make progress despite staging multiple offensives.

Russia's Saldo said Wednesday that "about one and a half enemy companies, mostly in small groups," were currently on the Russian-held side.

According to Russia's TASS news agency, a company in the Russian military consists of anything from 45 to 360 soldiers.

"Our additional forces have now been deployed. The enemy is blocked in Krynky. A fiery hell has been arranged for them: bombs, rockets, heavy flamethrower systems, artillery shells and drones are flying at them," Saldo said.

His comments were the first admission by a senior Russian official that Ukraine had managed to secure some positions on the Russian-controlled side of the river.

AFP was not able to verify his reports and the scale of Ukraine's crossing was unclear.

Since mid-October, Russian military bloggers close to the armed forces have been reporting that small groups of Ukrainian troops were successfully crossing the river.

The Kremlin earlier this week refused to comment, deferring questions to the defence ministry.

The ministry has said separately that it had captured a small group of Ukrainian soldiers "trying to land on the left bank".

Both Kyiv and Moscow regularly claim to have killed high numbers of "enemy" soldiers, though neither side comments on their losses.

Despite a relatively static frontline, both Kyiv and the Kremlin have denied the conflict has ground to a stalemate.

Andriy Yermak, Zelensky's chief of staff, said Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had "gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnipro," without providing details.

Krynky, where Saldo said the Ukrainians had been trapped, is a small village 35 kilometres (22 miles) to the east and upstream of the city of Kherson.

Holding and strengthening any position on the Russian-controlled side of the Dnipro River could present a tough challenge for Ukrainian troops.

Boggy, swamp-like terrain makes amphibious landings difficult, and Russia has significant access to manpower and equipment on the eastern side of the river.

The claims came as Russia continued to pound southern and eastern Ukraine, in attacks that Kyiv said targeted civilian infrastructure.

Two rescue workers arriving at the scene of a Russian strike in Zaporizhzhia region were killed by a second strike, Interior Minister Igor Klymenko said on social media.

"Rescuers were at the scene in a matter of minutes. Then the occupiers struck again," he said.

The victims were 31 and 34 years old, he added.

It was not immediately clear where or when the attack took place. The region's governor had said earlier that Russia launched three rocket attacks at a town in Zaporizhzhia region Wednesday, killing one person and injuring seven others.

"The blast wave and shrapnel damaged houses, two cars and outbuildings located near the site of the strikes," Governor Yuriy Malashko said.

In a separate attack, the interior ministry said overnight Russian shelling of a high-rise building killed two people in the eastern town of Selydove in the Donetsk region.

"As of now, there are two dead in Selydove," it said.

The bodies of a 59-year-old local man and an 85-year-old woman had been pulled from the rubble, it added.

In his evening address, Zelensky warned that there are likely more people under the rubble.
Kyiv, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) Russia has stepped up attacks on the shattered eastern Ukrainian frontline town of Avdiivka, its mayor said Thursday.

The industrial town near the Russian-held regional stronghold of Donetsk has faced a fierce onslaught for more than a month.

"It is very hot. Indeed, in the last few days, the enemy has become more active," Vitaliy Barabash said on national television.

Russian troops are using armoured vehicles, targeting the industrial zone and hitting positions in the town "around the clock" to strike high-rise buildings, Barabash said.

Under fire since 2014, the town has been largely destroyed by shelling.

There are 1,431 people left in the town out of a pre-war population of around 30,000, he said.

General Oleksandr Tarnavskiy, who is leading the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the south, said: "Our soldiers are firmly holding the defence in the direction of Avdiivka".

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last week described Avdiivka as one of the "hottest" areas on the frontline.

The British defence ministry in an intelligence report Thursday said Russia "is almost certainly attempting a pincer movement to encircle the town".

It said Russian forces are likely near the town's huge coke plant in a "key tactical position" close to the main road leading to Avdiivka.

Production in the plant has been suspended for months due to frequent Russian bombardment.

Russian soldiers have recently advanced on the village of Stepove, north of the plant.

Meanwhile, the death toll from a missile strike early Wednesday on a residential building in the town of Selydove -- about 40 kilometres (24 miles) east of Avdiivka -- has risen to three, the interior ministry said.
(@ChaudhryMAli88)

Washington, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 16th Nov, 2023) The US Congress passed a stop-gap funding bill Wednesday to keep Federal agencies running for another two months and avert a painful holiday season government shutdown -- although the deal leaves out aid to war-torn Ukraine and Israel requested by President Joe Biden.

Three days before the Friday night deadline, the Senate voted to keep the lights on through mid-January with a resolution that had advanced from the House of Representatives during a week of high-stakes brinkmanship on Capitol Hill.

The last-ditch "continuing resolution (CR)" was pitched by new House Speaker Mike Johnson as more than a million public workers looked set to be sent home unpaid ahead of next Thursday's Thanksgiving holiday, upending government functions from national parks and air traffic control to federal policymaking.

Democrats had pressed for the inclusion of aid for Israel, Ukraine and Taiwan -- but each now looks set to be dealt with separately, with a $61 billion request from the White House for Kyiv looking particularly precarious amid conservative opposition.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said the bill was "far from perfect" but achieved Democrats' aims of keeping the lights on without "cruel cuts or poison pills."

The shutdown crisis was triggered by hardline conservatives in the Republican-led House defying their own party leadership to scupper the bills that normally set the annual federal budget as they pressed for deep spending cuts.

House Republicans needed help from Democrats to overcome a rebellion on the right to advance the bill, which essentially puts off budgeting until January of 2024 -- a presidential election year.

The measure includes none of the policy priorities or drastic cuts the Republican right flank was pushing for, and conservatives put Johnson on notice that they would not accept another stop-gap at current spending levels.

"We're done with the failure theater here in Congress - we're not just going to pass bills that don't address the problems that Americans face," said Scott Perry, chairman of the hard right House Freedom Caucus.
NAIROBI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The eighth edition of China Trade Week kicked off in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi on Wednesday, as government officials renewed calls for deepening economic cooperation to realize mutual benefits.

John Ololtuaa, principal secretary in the State Department of Tourism, said the three-day event offers an opportunity for Kenya to showcase investment opportunities across diverse sectors of the economy to entrepreneurs from the Asian nation.

"We hope to secure new investments during China Trade Week, which will feature business-to-business meetings, high-level panel discussions, networking, and peer learning," Ololtuaa said.

While acknowledging that China remains Kenya's largest trading partner and source of investments, Ololtuaa said the government intends to elevate this cooperation to cover tourism, technology transfer and cultural exchanges.

He added that the government has enacted a conducive policy and regulatory environment to deepen economic cooperation with China, accelerate growth, and create additional jobs for the youth.

Edwin Masivo, the Kenya country director for Global Exhibitions, an events organizer, said the event will run simultaneously with the Africa e-digital summit, the Africa food show and cultural events, including a fashion show.

According to Masivo, 56 exhibitors from China, 22 from Kenya, three from the United Arab Emirates, and three from Egypt will be showcasing their products during the premier trade forum.

Chinese firms will be exhibiting products ranging from agricultural machinery, textiles, clean energy technologies, construction, and security-related equipment, he added.

"We are hoping to have partnerships and joint venture agreements. We are looking into having many Chinese companies appoint Kenyan companies as distributors of products from China," Masivo said.

He added that the China-proposed Belt and Road Initiative will act as a bridge for deepening Sino-Kenya trade ties besides fostering technology and knowledge transfer to revitalize indigenous manufacturing.

Zahoor Ahmed, the vice president of Middle East International Events, also an events organizer, said the resumed China Trade Week in Kenya, after three years of a pandemic-linked hiatus, offers an opportunity for both countries to promote business and investments.

Ahmed said the event will also discuss opportunities in the financial technology space, convene dialogue meetings for policymakers and entrepreneurs. 
This photo taken on Nov. 16, 2023 shows containers loaded with China-donated quake-relief supplies in west Afghanistan's Herat province. A total of 41 containers of China-donated quake-relief supplies arrived in west Afghanistan's Herat province on Thursday.(Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)

HERAT, Afghanistan, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A total of 41 containers of China-donated quake-relief supplies arrived in west Afghanistan's Herat province on Thursday.

The aid including food, tents, folding beds and jackets is expected to help the quake-affected residents in Herat survive the harsh winter.

"These donations will be distributed to the quake-affected victims and the poor. This aid is more valuable than anything," said Kefayatullah Haqqani, head of Herat's financial authorities.

The first batch of quake-relief supplies donated by the Chinese government was handed over to the Afghan side on Oct. 15.

Two 6.2-magnitude quakes shook west Afghanistan on Oct. 7, killing more than 2,400 people and destroying thousands of houses. Another 6.3-magnitude earthquake jolted the same region on Oct. 11. 

This photo taken on Nov. 16, 2023 shows a container loaded with China-donated quake-relief supplies in west Afghanistan's Herat province. A total of 41 containers of China-donated quake-relief supplies arrived in west Afghanistan's Herat province on Thursday. (Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)

Officials unload China-donated quake-relief supplies in west Afghanistan's Herat province, Nov. 16, 2023. A total of 41 containers of China-donated quake-relief supplies arrived in west Afghanistan's Herat province on Thursday.(Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)

Officials unload China-donated quake-relief supplies in west Afghanistan's Herat province, Nov. 16, 2023. A total of 41 containers of China-donated quake-relief supplies arrived in west Afghanistan's Herat province on Thursday.

(Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)

Officials show China-donated quake-relief supplies in west Afghanistan's Herat province, Nov. 16, 2023. A total of 41 containers of China-donated quake-relief supplies arrived in west Afghanistan's Herat province on Thursday.

(Photo by Mashal/Xinhua)
Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a Somali-born Dutch-American activist and politician. She is a critic of Islam and advocate for the rights and self-determination of Muslim women, opposing forced marriage, honor killing, child marriage, and female genital mutilation. Photo by Gage Skidmore, CC BY-SA 3.0

Julie Reeder

Publisher

Last weekend I was researching the Israel/Hamas war and while researching the history of that region, I came across a recent essay by Ayaan Hirsi Ali, an amazing woman who I have followed for several years. I read an essay she wrote for Unherd.com this month where she discussed her past as a Muslim Brotherhood follower, an atheist and now a Christian. She is an amazing pro-western speaker and author.

After living in different countries, suffering under tyranny and living in fear for her beliefs and outspoken activism, she is thankful to live in a Western country where we are fighting to keep our freedoms and protection for our way of life.

She believes in freedom of the press, free speech and the ability to speak openly about her religion or political beliefs. I'm not sure how long that will last, and there are certainly cracks in the foundation, but I am thankful for what we still have.

Today we aren't just fighting against government tyranny, but culturally, we also have to fight against the tyranny of the minority. Girls forced to dress in locker rooms with biological males, compete in women's sports, etc. You can't say anything. You can't disagree. You just have to be accepting or be quiet. I would call that one example of the tyranny of the minority.

Some people haven't self-censored to cater to the tyranny of the minority. Ayaan Hirsi Ali is one of those people.

She was fascinating to me the first time I heard her speak. She was born and raised in Somalia. I was interested in hearing what she had to say as a woman raised in an Islamic community. She endured forced female circumcision as a 5-year-old girl. When her family arranged a marriage for her, she fled to the Netherlands and within a decade was a member of Parliament. After her staunch criticism of Islam in a film, her colleague Theo van Gogh was murdered and she was forced into hiding.

She then published an autobiography, "Infidel," with a foreword by fellow atheist Christopher Hitchens.

She escaped to America. She then married and had children of her own, and while her life was in danger, she did not allow it to silence her. She is a staunch defender of the West, where she finally found freedom. Very fascinating indeed.

She speaks globally and has written best selling books, including "Infidel: My Life," "The Caged Virgin: An Emancipation Proclamation for Women and Islam," "Nomad: From Islam to America: A Personal Journey Through the Clash of Civilizations," "Heretic: Why Islam Needs a Reformation Now," and other important works, like "Honor Diaries," which traces the work of nine women's rights advocates who came together to engage in a discourse about gender inequality and honor-based violence.

She works for the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, the American Enterprise Institute, and was a senior fellow at the Future of Democracy Project at Harvard Kennedy School.

This month she wrote an editorial piece explaining her experiences at Unherd.com, a British online magazine. https://unherd.com/2023/11/why-i-am-now-a-christian/

I wish I had permission to reprint the whole piece. It intertwines personal introspection with global concerns, painting a picture of a journey from Islam to atheism, and finally to Christianity. It does so against the backdrop of post-9/11 world events, an interrogation of the nature of religious violence, and a contemplation on the societal role of religion.

Ayaan grappled with the implications of religiously-motivated terror, initially found solace in atheism after encountering Bertrand Russell's lecture on why he rejected Christianity. She recounts the clarity and fear instilled by the Muslim Brotherhood's teachings in their youth, contrasting it with the freedom from religious doctrine later sought through atheism. This reflection served to outline her transformation over time and the intellectual influences that shaped her beliefs.

She tackles the relationship between Islam and terrorism, highlighting her former struggle to reconcile her religious identity with the acts committed in its name. She also wrote of her regret at how the Jewish people are vilified and she and her Muslim friends were taught everyday to hate Israel and the Jewish people.

She examined the broader societal inclination to rationalize or deny the religious motivations behind terrorism, offering a critical view of Western responses to Islamic extremism, especially the leaders who insisted that the terrorists were motivated by reasons other than the ones they and their leader, Osama Bin Laden, had articulated so clearly.

She said "This excuse-making was not only condescending towards Muslims. It also gave many Westerners a chance to retreat into denial. Blaming the errors of US foreign policy was easier than contemplating the possibility that we were confronted with a religious war. We have seen a similar tendency in the past five weeks, as millions of people sympathetic to the plight of Gazans seek to rationalise the October 7 terrorist attacks as a justified response to the policies of the Israeli government."

Her recent turn to Christianity was framed not just as a personal choice but as a response to global challenges, asserting the value of Judeo-Christian heritage in uniting against threats to Western civilization. She argues for the importance of upholding laws and traditions that have their roots in Judeo-Christian beliefs that have shaped Western history and fostered freedoms, suggesting that secular approaches alone are insufficient to combat ideological threats.

She contrasted the freedom to speak openly against Christianity or the U.S. against the middle eastern countries where that freedom didn't exist. Where other personal freedoms don't exist.

She wrote, "Part of the answer is global. Western civilisation is under threat from three different but related forces: the resurgence of great-power authoritarianism and expansionism in the forms of the Chinese Communist Party and Vladimir Putin's Russia; the rise of global Islamism, which threatens to mobilise a vast population against the West; and the viral spread of woke ideology, which is eating into the moral fibre of the next generation."

"To me, this freedom of conscience and speech is perhaps the greatest benefit of Western civilization. It does not come naturally to man. It is the product of centuries of debate within Jewish and Christian communities. It was these debates that advanced science and reason, diminished cruelty, suppressed superstitions, and built institutions to order and protect life, while guaranteeing freedom to as many people as possible. Unlike Islam, Christianity outgrew its dogmatic stage. It became increasingly clear that Christ's teaching implied not only a circumscribed role for religion as something separate from politics. It also implied compassion for the sinner and humility for the believer."

"Atheism failed to answer a simple question: what is the meaning and purpose of life?"

She critiques the vacuum left by secularism, echoing G.K. Chesterton's notion that the absence of belief in God can lead to susceptibility to irrational beliefs. It proposes that Christianity provides a more robust framework for meaning and community, one that is necessary to counterbalance the divisive forces of extremism and the "woke ideology" that she perceives is undermining Western society and culture.

Ultimately, the essay is a call to recognize and reaffirm the foundational narratives that have historically underpinned Western culture and the United States. Ayaan Hirsi Ali presents her embrace of Christianity as both a return to spiritual roots and a strategic imperative for preserving and strengthening Western civilizational values in the face of multiple global threats. This reflection seeks to offer insight into the powerful role that belief systems play in personal identity and collective resilience, positioning Christianity as a bulwark in these tumultuous times.

While many people oppose Christianity and the freedoms of the U.S., I am thankful that we can discuss all these things openly, and can act on our freedoms. With Veteran's Day still fresh on my mind, I pray our military will remain strong, not so much to fight foreign wars on foreign soil, but to defend the U.S. and keep our way of life rooted in Judeo-Christian values. And those who disagree with those values and principals are free to express themselves and work against it.
Some houses are being built to stand up to hurricanes and sharply cut emissions, too
Transcript:

The Inside Story: Biden  Xi APEC 2023

Episode 118  November 16, 2023

Show Open:

This week on the Inside Story

It's the annual meeting of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation held this year in San Francisco and the stage is set for a high-level meeting between the US and China that's been one year in the making.

What's coming out of APEC?

Now... on the Inside Story... Biden-Xi... APEC 2023

The Inside Story:

ELIZABETH LEE, VOA Correspondent:

Welcome to The Inside Story Im Elizabeth Lee reporting from San Francisco, California, the host city for this years Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Leaders Week or APEC. This is the largest gathering of world leaders in this city since the creation of the United Nations 78 year ago. At the APEC annual forum of leaders from 21 economies, the U.S. is here to increase trade and grow economies across the region. But for the moment, all that is taking a back seat to a meeting of two world leaders.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, and U.S. President Joe Biden have not met face to face in about a year, but a lot has happened. Tensions have been on the rise between the two nations, thanks to events like the shooting down of a Chinese Spy Balloon, and the lingering fallout from COVID.

VOAs Anita Powell has more details.

ANITA POWELL, VOA White House Correspondent:

A historic meeting of East and West, after 12 months of intense drama and diplomacy between Beijing and Washington.

The White House chose this venue outside of San Francisco for this symbolic visit covering a range of key issues, including Taiwan  the self-governing island that China claims  the resumption of military communications, touchy trade disagreements, the origination of fentanyl ingredients in China, and human rights issues.

Biden said he was candid on these tough issues.



Xi said the two nations are inextricably linked.

Xi Jinping, Chinese President:

For two large countries like China, the United States turning their back on each other is not an option. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other. And conflict and confrontation has unbearable consequences for both sides.

ANITA POWELL:

So did the presidents of the worlds two most powerful nations manage to paper over the cracks in their relationship?

Biden spoke to the press afterward. Xi, as is his habit, did not.

U.S. President Joe Biden:

I welcome the positive steps we've taken today. And it's important for the world to see that we're implementing the approach in the best traditions of American diplomacy. We're talking to our competitors and the key  and just just talking just bluntly with one another, so there's no misunderstanding  as a key element of maintaining global stability and delivery to the American people.

ANITA POWELL:

But, in response to a shouted question, he reiterated a stance that is likely to upset Beijing: That he believes Xi is a dictator.

U.S. President Joe Biden:

He is. He is a dictator.

ANITA POWELL:

Many watching this meeting said they werent expecting major results but are glad the two are talking.

Anwar Ibrahim, Malaysia Prime Minister:

This engagement, for example, between President Biden and Xi Jinping, to me it is critical because it should give a clear message that we are here to be able to work together and trust each other to resolve serious problems: climate, issues in Ukraine or Gaza. There are too many contentious issues in the world and you must try and engage.

ANITA POWELL:

Biden said he and Xi will continue to communicate and cooperate. The world, he said, expects it

Anita Powell, VOA News, Woodside, California.

ELIZABETH LEE:

Observers say this months APEC summit convenes against a backdrop of unprecedent global turmoil. And while discussions from the regional economic forum are non-binding, they can lay more concrete foundations for future agreements. Here are the details on this years APEC agenda and whats at stake.

From the Israel-Hamas conflict, to war in Ukraine, this years APEC meeting of world leaders is unlike any other in recent history.

Ali Wyne, Eurasia Group Senior Analyst:

Its significant and arguably unprecedented. We have systemic instability right now the likes of which we probably havent seen since the end of the cold war.

ELIZABETH LEE:

There are also the potential economic ripple effects of these conflicts.

Ali Wyne, Eurasia Group Senior Analyst:

Theres an arc of instability and its an arc of instability that connects regions through supply chains  that connects regions through a variety of other channels and its important to keep in mind, for all the talk about decoupling, de-risking, the global economy does remain substantially interdependent.

ELIZABETH LEE:

The 21 members of APEC not only differ in their opinions about the conflicts, there are also other sources of friction. There are territorial disagreements in the South China Sea and tensions continue between the U.S. and China. Against this backdrop, countries will try to find common ground and discuss non-binding topics, with an agenda set by the host country.

Against this backdrop, countries tried to find common ground and discussed non-binding topics, with an agenda set by the host country.

Matt Murray, U.S. Senior Official for APEC:

We've really focused on things like advancing a just energy transition in the Asia Pacific, advancing sustainable agri-food systems in the Asia Pacific, looking at sustainable and inclusive trade across the region

ELIZABETH LEE:

Another area of concern: how to reduce supply chain risks, with lessons learned from the breakdown during the pandemic.

Robert Holleyman, Former Deputy U.S. Trade Representative:

I think what you will see is about sort of resilience redundancy to make sure that there's no one point of failure in the event of a pandemic.

ELIZABETH LEE:

For example, while the U.S. has been importing more goods from countries including Vietnam

Christopher Tang, UCLA Business Professor:

Ultimately, many of the raw materials and also the components, theyre still made in China.

ELIZABETH LEE:

China-U.S. relations will continue to be watched by APEC members even after the APEC leaders meeting, at a time when public perception in many countries tend to skew toward the U.S., according to surveys conducted by Pew Research.

Laura Silver, Pew Research Center Associate Director:

The U.S. is also largely seen to take into account the interests of other countries more than China, and to be more likely to contribute to global peace and stability.

Ali Wyne, Eurasia Group Senior Analyst:

The United States and China are going to have to find a way to coexist. Unlike the cold war, which ended with the dissolution of the Soviet Union, Washington isnt going anywhere, Beijing isnt going anywhere, the competition will have its oscillations, but its a competition that isnt going to have a definitive end.

ELIZABETH LEE:

In addition to China and the U.S., APEC economies make up approximately half the global trade and 60% of the worlds economy. And in an interconnected world, observers say leaders will need to transcend differences to combat issues such as climate change and food insecurity.

Activists have also gathered in San Francisco on the outskirts of the APEC meeting. They see this as an opportunity to get their voices heard in a series of planned protests.

Protesters are pounding the pavement and raising their voices in hopes that the leaders from 21 Asia Pacific economies will hear what they have to say.

Some in large numbers with loud voices

But in this case, a more personal protest in silence

There are people here to speak out about the climate, the Israel-Hamas war, the conflict in Myanmar between the military rulers and ethnic groups...



Koko Ley is demonstrating against all the leaders of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC.

Koko Ley, Protester:

They are selling, they are selling arms to Burma, especially Russian  sell the arms, also China and Thailand and including India.

ELIZABETH LEE:

Some people are protesting because the meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping is an opportunity to highlight their voices.

Zheng Wei says the harsh COVID-19 measures in China was one of the reasons why he left China with his family.

Zheng Wei, Protester:

I came from Los Angeles to San Francisco to stand with other pro-democracy activists.

ELIZABETH LEE:

San Franciscos mayor says the city supports the right of people to voice their opinions.

London Breed, San Francisco Mayor:

We want to make sure people know that we support peaceful protest, so any acts of violence or destruction of property will not be something that we would tolerate.

ELIZABETH LEE:

Security barriers have been set up with hundreds of extra law enforcement in town to ensure the safety of the world leaders as well as the activists.

Republican Representative Mike Gallagher is Chairman of the Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party. He spoke with VOA about China, the Pacific region, and Taiwan. Here he is in his own words with a view from the United States Congress.

Rep. Mike Gallagher, Chairman, Select Committee on the Strategic Competition Between the United States and the Chinese Communist Party.

Increasingly, it looks like we have an excess of authoritarian powers that are arrayed against our interests, those of our allies. China is the dominant player in this partnership. Vladimir Putin is a junior partner. But increasingly, there's collaboration with Iran. These are murderous dictatorial regimes that are threatening our allies. Putin has obviously invaded Ukraine. Hamas has now attacked Israel killed over 30 Americans and it could not have done so without the longstanding financial and training support it's received from Iran. So this should be a wake-up call.

I don't believe those who say that it's an either-or choice between resources in Europe, resources in the Middle East or resources in the Indo Pacific. This should be an opportunity for us to revitalize and rebuild our defense industrial base, which we've neglected for too long to once again become the arsenal of democracy and deterrence. And if nothing else, to learn the lessons of the failure of deterrence in Ukraine and ensure that those failures are not repeated in the Indo Pacific region. And in my mind, the primary lesson is that hard power, American hard power gives us our best chance of deterring totalitarian aggression. And if we don't surge hard power to the Pacific now, before it's too late, we could see a PLA invasion of Taiwan, and it would have the potential to make the ongoing wars in Ukraine and Israel look timid in comparison.

ELIZABETH LEE:

Michael Froman was a U.S. Trade Representative during the Obama Administration and currently is president of the Council on Foreign Relations. He is also one of the speakers of the APEC CEO Summit. VOA spoke to Ambassador Froman during the week-long event.

Michael Froman, President, Council on Foreign Relations:

I think it's an important meeting between President Biden and President Xi, with the primary goal of stabilizing the relationship heading into 2024 thing both for bilateral purposes but also very importantly for the broader APEC region, the countries they're the economies they are wanting US and China to have some kind of modus vivendi, some kind of stable relationship, particularly in anticipation of Taiwan's election and in January, US election in November.

The more China exerts itself in the region, the more countries in the region want the US to be there to be engaged, to be committed, and to provide a balancing factor for China, not just from a security perspective, but also from a political and economic perspective.

There are many, many issues on which we disagree with China, including human rights issues, and we need to constantly make sure we're raising those issues with China in an appropriate manner, with the goal of trying to make progress on this issues.

I think it is important right now to focus on enhancing the deterrence factor in terms of providing Taiwan with the necessary support political and otherwise, in terms of organizing allies and partners in the region, to convey very clearly to China that our continued commitment to the One China policy to the peaceful resolution of this issue has to be paramount.

I think it's almost unthinkable the kind of disruption there would be both in terms of the impact on Taiwan, and its critical role in the semiconductor sector globally, but also the reaction of the rest of the world in terms of cutting off trade, trade, sanctions, other kinds of sanctions against China. So I'm hopeful that China understands that the threat of potential sanctions the economic impact of such an invasion should be a strong deterrent from them to take action.

ELIZABETH LEE:

Weve seen APECs importance in geopolitics, but many member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation-bloc may profit as some U.S. companies move production out of China under a practice known as friendshoring. Heres VOAs Jessica Stone explaining what that means.

JESSICA STONE, VOA Correspondent:

For decades, China has served as the worlds factory, as recently as 2020 contributing nearly double the total manufacturing output of the United States. Low wages, a well-developed infrastructure and government support all contributed to its success.

Rosemary Coates, president of Blue Silk Consulting, a global supply chain consulting firm, says these days many CEOs dont see China as a factory  but as a risk. And theyre willing to pay more to avoid it.

Rosemary Coates, Blue Silk Consulting:

Now, the executives that I'm working with not only look at dollars and cents, but they're evaluating global risk, geopolitical risk, they're evaluating their markets, where in the world are they?

JESSICA STONE:

Coates says the combination of the pandemic supply chain disruption and Beijings zero-covid shutdowns has prompted some American executives to consider changing the way they look at manufacturing, choosing to work with countries that have a solid allied relationship with the U.S.

Its a trend, known as friend shoring. And its a policy taking root among some of the 21 members of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation, or APEC.

Bloomberg data shows that cost-conscious U.S. apparel-makers started moving out of China into Vietnam, Bangladesh and Indonesia even before trade tensions with Beijing began in 2017. In the CHIPS Act of 2022, the Biden administration offered $500 million over five years to help modernize and secure new semiconductor supply chains.

Janet Yellen, US Treasury Secretary:

Were starting to see the impacts in the data. Across sectors from auto parts to electronics, the U.S. is importing more from key partners like India and Vietnam, as well as from Mexico, and is less dependent on one single country, in this case, China.

JESSICA STONE:

Last month, semi-conductor maker Amkor Technology announced a new test and assembly plant in Vietnam.

Likewise, Synopsys and Marvell have announced new semiconductor design centers there.

Shoemaker Nike has also steadily shifted production from China to Southeast Asia.

Matt Pottinger, deputy national security adviser during the Trump administration, says its the culmination of decades of US investment in the region.

Matt Pottinger, Former US Deputy National Security Adviser:

The United States is deeply invested to the tune of well over a trillion dollars in in that stock of investment that that has occurred over, over decades now.

JESSICA STONE:

But Steven Okun, CEO of the public affairs consultancy APAC Advisors, says not all of Chinas neighbors are ready to welcome US companies and their factories.

Steven Okun, APAC Advisors CEO:

You may want to diversify out of China. You may want to say, 'I want to make my supply chain more resilient,' but where are you going to go, because you cant take all of China and put it into Vietnam. You cant put it into Indonesia. You cant put it into India, So you are going to see some certainly some diversification to create these resilient supply chains, but there are natural checks on how much that can happen.

JESSICA STONE:

After all, say trade analysts, Chinas spent years building its infrastructure, labor pool, and regulations to become the worlds factory. And its still the best place to make things for the Chinese market.

Jessica Stone VOA News.

ELIZABETH LEE:

Switching gears now to an entirely different part of the world for an update on the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza. Amid growing calls for a ceasefire between the warring parties, Israelis are thinking about what happens after the fighting ends. Community members along the Gaza border say they want to go home, but they also want to feel safe. Linda Gradstein reports from Jerusalem.

LINDA GRADSTEIN, VOA Correspondent:

Kibbutz Kfar Aza and most of the other Israeli communities bordering Gaza have become ghost towns since October 7, when Hamas gunmen destroyed houses, killed about 1,200 Israelis and took about 240 hostages into Gaza.

Israel evacuated nearly 200,000 Israelis who were living near Gaza and resettled them in hotels and temporary housing. Most of the residents of these communities say they want to go home, but only if they are sure that what happened on October 7 can never happen again.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the only way to ensure the safety of Israeli citizens is to destroy Hamas completely and afterwards maintain Israeli security control in Gaza.

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israeli Prime Minister:

Gaza will be demilitarized and there will no longer be a threat from the Gaza Strip to the State of Israel. And in order to ensure there will be no such threat, as long as needed, the IDF will continue to control security in the Gaza Strip to prevent terror from it.

LINDA GRADSTEIN:

As the civilian death toll in Gaza climbs, Israel is under growing pressure from its main ally, the United States, to do more to ease a worsening humanitarian crisis.

Antony Blinken, U.S. Secretary of State:

Far too many Palestinians have been killed, far too many have suffered these past weeks and we want to do everything possible to prevent harm to them and to maximize the assistance that gets to them.

LINDA GRADSTEIN:

While Israeli leaders do not oppose humanitarian aid for Gaza, they say there can be no cease-fire as long as 240 hostages are being held captive by Hamas. This is also a demand being made by the families of the hostages and their thousands of Israeli supporters. Analysts say a cease-fire would be a strategic mistake.

Michael Oren, Former Israeli Ambassador to U.S.:

A cease-fire for Israel simply means that Hamas wins, gets away with mass murder, and that Israel loses. We wont be able to restore the security to our territory, nor will we be able to restore our deterrence power in the region. Our enemies will internalize that every time they hit us and we go to defend ourselves, the international community will tie our hands with a cease-fire.

LINDA GRADSTEIN:

But eventually the fighting will end, and someone will have to be in charge of rebuilding Gaza and running life for its 2.3 million residents.

The U.S. says it envisions that the Palestinian Authority, which now governs the West Bank, will eventually take over in Gaza. But observers say the Palestinian Authority is seen as weak and corrupt by a majority of Palestinians. Netanyahu also opposes putting the PA in charge of Gaza.

Analysts say a transitional solution may be found with some kind of international governing authority.

Avi Melamed, Middle East Security Analyst, Male:

It will take time until you will build a strong sovereignty on the ground, a local power. Because Israel basically says we dont want to rule Gaza Strip, we dont want to stay in Gaza Strip. The international community, the United States also says we dont see a reoccupation of Gaza. Meaning that in the end of the day Gaza Strip has to be ruled by Palestinians, but it will take time until we can create or encourage or support and build the scaffold for a local power in Gaza.



LINDA GRADSTEIN:

For now, the heavy fighting continues in Gaza, with rising casualties on both sides and no end in sight.

Linda Gradstein, VOA News, Jerusalem.

ELIZABETH LEE:

The southernmost town in Israel, Eliat (eh-LAT), became one of the main hubs for evacuees. Theu are from areas under rocket barrage from Gaza since Hamass October seventh attack on Israel. Now, the town has become the target of drone and missile strikes. VOAs Natasha Mozogovaya reports.

NATASHA MOZGOVAYA, VOA Correspondent:

When sirens warn of a rocket attack, Israelis in the southern town of Eilat have 30 seconds to get to a shelter. But last week, just before a drone crashed into a school, there was no siren  just a whirring noise.

Twelve-year-old Gal Harari says most students had already left the building, but about 40 remained for after-school activities.

Gal Harari, Eilat Resident:

We were preparing in the past few days. We had a lot of drills. So, the students knew what to do. We were lucky that nobody got hurt. It was a real miracle.

NATASHA MOZGOVAYA:

The drone, which Israel Defense Forces say came from Syria, damaged the building. There were no injuries.

The Israeli resort city of Eilat was supposed to become a safe shelter for over 60,000 people evacuated from towns and villages in southern Israel that were under rocket attacks from Gaza. Yet, this city became the target of ballistic missiles fired by Houthi rebels from Yemen and also drones launched from Syria. One of those drones crashed into the elementary school building right behind me.

Gals mother, Sharon Harari, says she used to tell her daughter the school is the safest place, because their family home doesnt have a shelter.

Sharon Harari, Eilat Resident:

I really thought that it was the safest place, and that the girls need to go to the routine of studies alongside the war and continue their lives. But, unfortunately, it didnt happen because there was no siren and no alert. And if this happened, anything could happen.

NATASHA MOZGOVAYA:

She says the conflict is taking its toll on the children.

Sharon Harari, Eilat Resident:

Even when the kid is not physically hurt, he is psychologically hurt. And the kids here, of all ages, are scared. They dont sleep at night, they are afraid to go to the restroom by themselves, they are not going to play outside. Even though it looks pastoral with the sea and everything, its all very pretty, and we are trying hard, but we are scared.

NATASHA MOZGOVAYA:

Last week, the Israel Defense Forces said its long-range Arrow air defense system had intercepted a surface-to-surface missile over the Red Sea, launched toward Eilat. The IDF did not say who was behind the missile, although Yemens Iran-backed Houthi rebels claimed firing ballistic missiles toward southern Israel.

Dorin Rais family is among the survivors of the October 7 attack on Kibbutz Nir Oz by Hamas, a U.S.-designated terror organization. About one-fourth of the community of 400 people were among the victims: at least 20 people were killed and more than 70 kidnapped.

She says Hamas was inside her familys home but couldnt break into the fortified room where she, her husband and their three kids were hiding, holding the door for eight hours. The family evacuated to Eilat.

For the surviving Nir Oz members, it will be years before they can return to their kibbutz, if they decide to.

Dorin Rai, Evacuated to Eilat:

There is a plan that we go together to some place with buildings that is very different from our life. for two or three years. In the end, we are supposed to come back to the kibbutz and renew it. I dont know if I come back. Actually, I want to say that I dont come back, because my kids are very scared, and also me and my husband, we promised them all our lives, dont be scared, the soldiers (are) here, they are working very hard for us. They will never let something happen.

NATASHA MOZGOVAYA:

On October 7th, she says, nobody came. Natasha Mozgovaya, VOA News, Eilat, Israel.

ELIZABETH LEE:

For the latest on the APEC summit and all the day's news join us at VOA News.com.

Thats all for now.

Follow us on Instagram and Facebook at VOA News. Follow me on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, at E Lee TV One Catch up on past episodes with our free streaming service, VOA Plus. Im Elizabeth Lee in San Francisco. Well see you next week for The Inside Story.

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Lawyers representing a group of Colorado voters delivered closing arguments on Wednesday in a lawsuit seeking to disqualify former President Donald Trump from the state's ballot next year over his role in the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.

The voters are seeking to use the U.S. Constitution's 14th Amendment, which bars officials who have engaged in "insurrection or rebellion" from holding public office, to argue that Trump is ineligible to run for president in 2024. The provision was ratified in 1868 following the U.S. Civil War.

Sean Grimsley, a lawyer representing the voters, said the riot at the Capitol was Trump's "final desperate attempt to hold onto power in violation of the Constitution."

During his closing argument, Grimsley argued that Trump intended for his supporters to resort to violence and added, "Through his actions and his actions alone, Donald Trump has disqualified himself from ever holding office again."

The case represents a test of legal efforts to use the 14th Amendment to block Trump's candidacy. It is the first such case to go to trial.

Scott Gessler, a lawyer for Trump, faulted plaintiffs in the case for relying on the findings of the Democratic-led House committee that investigated the Capitol riot, which he said was biased against Trump.

"The petitioners are asking this court to do something that has never been done in the history of the United States," Gessler said. "The evidence doesn't come close to allowing the court to do it this time."

The House panel's former top investigator, who testified during the trial, defended the probe as impartial and open-minded.

The voters, represented in the case by the watchdog group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington (CREW) and a group of Colorado-based lawyers, sued Colorado's secretary of state, the state's top elections official, in a bid to block Trump's inclusion on the ballot.

Trump is the front-runner for the Republican nomination to challenge Democratic President Biden in the 2024 U.S. election.

Lawyers in the case on Wednesday made their final pitch to Colorado District Court Judge Sarah Wallace, who will decide the case, following a weeklong trial that featured testimony from U.S. lawmakers, legal experts and Republican political activists.

Thousands of people stormed the Capitol in a failed attempt to prevent Congress from certifying Biden's 2020 victory over Trump. The lawyers for the voters have sought to convince the judge that Trump's actions in spreading false claims of voter fraud, summoning his supporters to Washington on the day of the riot and initially refusing pleas to quell the violence amounted to an insurrection.

Trump's lawyers have denied that he incited his supporters to violence and have argued that disqualifying him from the ballot would set a dangerous precedent.

Colorado is regarded as a safely Democratic state by nonpartisan election forecasters.

Regardless of whether Trump is on the ballot, Biden would be expected to win there. But CREW and other activists are seeking to bring a series of legal challenges to Trump's eligibility based on the 14th Amendment language.

Courts in Michigan and Minnesota have ruled that Trump can remain on the ballot for the Republican primaries in those states but declined to immediately decide on his eligibility for the November 2024 general election.

The cases raise several unsettled legal questions. Many experts view the effort as a legal longshot. The U.S. Supreme Court, whose 6-3 conservative majority includes three Trump appointees, may ultimately weigh in.


MOSCOW, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Relations between Russia and the United States are currently undergoing a great crisis, and ties between the two countries could be severed at any moment, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

The foreign ministry issued a statement reflecting on the relationship between the two countries, in light of the 90th anniversary of the re-establishment of diplomatic ties between Russia and the United States.

It said that Russia-U.S. relations are at risk of being severed due to Washington's "Russophobic" course.

"This is not Russia's choice, however, the irresponsible steps being taken by the United States are fueling escalation ... and can lead to catastrophic consequences," the foreign ministry said, adding that Washington was focused on its doctrinal objective of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on Moscow.

Russia-U.S. relations have also been largely hampered by the policies of current American political elites, who consider U.S. hegemony and dominance to be the "basic worldview."

The United States is focused on organizing civil unrest and regime change in Russia, and it is investing resources to realize these goals, the statement said. 
Following the meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in San Francisco on Wednesday, analysts say Beijing is hoping to de-escalate tension with the U.S. by easing its stance and projecting a less confrontational tone.

In the official readout, Xi states China has no plan to surpass or supplant America and he also notes that China doesnt export its ideology, showing a markedly narrower scope of geopolitical ambition, Wen-ti Sung, a political scientist at the Australian National University (ANU), told VOA in a written response.

He said the messages are in stark contrast to Xis previous proclamation that the East is rising and the West is falling.

In the official readout released on Thursday, Xi highlighted the importance for Beijing and Washington to avoid confrontation, saying that turning their back on each other is not an option for the two superpowers.

Major-country competition cant solve the problems facing China and the United States or the world, he said. The world is big enough to accommodate both countries and one countrys success is an opportunity for the other.

Apart from emphasizing the need to avoid conflict, Xi said China has no plan to surpass or unseat the United States and that it doesnt export its ideology.

He laid out five principles for Beijing and Washington to manage bilateral relations, calling on both sides to develop a right perception, jointly manage disagreements, advance mutually beneficial cooperation, shoulder responsibilities as major countries, and promote people-to-people ties.

It is important that they appreciate each others principles and red lines and have more communications, more dialogues, more consultations and calmly handle their differences as well as accidents, Xi said.

Some experts say the points highlighted in the readout and other efforts from Beijing before the meeting all suggest the Chinese governments desire to frame the meeting between Biden and Xi as a success. I think the overall response [from Beijing] was firm but positive, Amanda Hsiao, senior China analyst at International Crisis Group, told VOA by phone.

In her view, the Chinese government wants to project the image that it remains in control of the bilateral relationship but its also opening up to the U.S. [Beijing wants to show] that it is extending a gesture out to the U.S. to improve relations but its doing so from a position of strength, she said.

While some analysts view Beijings messages from the readout as largely conciliatory and positive, others say it still reflects Chinas reservation about Washingtons possible attempt to influence its governance system.

The mention of not changing each others systems suggests Chinas suspicion that the United States is out to alter its communist party-dominated system, Ian Chong, a political scientist at National Singapore University, told VOA in a written response.

Xi emphasizes common interests

Apart from emphasizing the importance of preventing competition from escalating into conflict, Xi also highlighted the need for China and the U.S. to expand cooperation in a wide range of areas, including economy, trade, agriculture, climate change, and artificial intelligence.

The common interests between China and the United States have increased, not decreased, he said, according to the readout.

Despite his emphasis on broadening the scope of bilateral cooperation, Xi also urged the U.S. to end export controls and the practice of investment screening, referring to a government executive order that restricts U.S. investments into Chinese companies or Chinese-owned companies engaged in three advanced technology areas.

Stifling Chinas technological progress is nothing but a move to contain Chinas high-quality development and deprive the Chinese people of their right to development, Xi said, adding that Chinas development and growth wont be stopped by external forces.

Sung from ANU said these messages show that Washingtons controls risking may be generating enough pressure on China to force Beijing to pivot back to a more conciliatory posture.

Chinas economic woes seem to be catching up with its foreign policy rhetoric, he told VOA.

As part of the effort to encourage foreign investment in China, Xi told a group of U.S. business leaders that China would be a friend and partner of the U.S. while reiterating that Beijing never bet on the United States to lose.

The world needs China and the U.S. to work together for a better future, he told an audience of business leaders, including Apple CEO Tim Cook and Tesla CEO Elon Musk. China is ready to be a partner and friend of the U.S.

Given the economic slowdown that China has experienced since the start of 2023, Chong in Singapore said Xi would like to encourage foreign investment and technological exchanges, as it could help foster growth in the Chinese economy.

Attempt to reduce tension over Taiwan

Despite the ongoing tension between China and the U.S. over Taiwan, Xi still briefly addressed the topic during his meeting with Biden. According to the readout, he urged the U.S. to take real actions to honor its commitment of not supporting Taiwan independence, stop arming Taiwan and support Chinas reunification.

China will realize reunification, and this is unstoppable, he said.

Compared to previous statements on Taiwan, Hsiao from the International Crisis Group said Xis remarks on Wednesday were relatively brief. In the past, you would see a long elaboration of Chinas position on Taiwan, but this tone is different, she told VOA.

In her view, the latest statement from Beijing is more specific about what China is asking of the U.S. when it comes to Taiwan. I think what we have seen from this readout, as well as from the U.S. side, indicate that the two sides are seeking to de-escalate around Taiwan, particularly because there are elections coming up, which could create unknowns in the relationship and could potentially see tensions flare up, Hsiao said.

While the messages from China seem more positive and conciliatory, Hsiao said the essence of U.S.-China relations hasnt changed.

It remains a competitive relationship and even if China continues to say that it believes its not a competitive relationship, it will continue to see Washington as a key rival in reality, she told VOA.

She thinks the biggest achievement of the Biden-Xi meeting is to create some protection against some key events that will take place in the next year, including presidential elections in Taiwan and the U.S.

Its important that this meeting occurred so we have that buffer going into the year where things might get commensurate, Hsiao said.
The Gaza Strip was gripped by yet another communications blackout Thursday as internet and telephone services collapsed due to a lack of fuel, the two main telecommunications companies in the territory said in a statement.

We regret to announce that all telecom services in Gaza Strip have gone out of service as all energy sources sustaining the network have been depleted, and fuel was not allowed in, Palestinian telecommunications companies Jawwal and Paltel announced in statements posted to X on Thursday.

Human rights groups warned earlier this week about the threat of another impending communications blackout in Gaza.

Intentional, blanket shutdowns or restrictions on access to the internet violate multiple rights and can be deadly during crises, Deborah Brown, senior technology researcher at Human Rights Watch, said in a Wednesday statement.

Prolonged and complete communications blackouts, like those experienced in Gaza, can provide cover for atrocities and breed impunity while further undermining humanitarian efforts and putting lives at risk, Brown added.

This latest communications blackout comes shortly after Israel urged Palestinians to leave four towns in southern Gaza on Thursday, signaling Israels offensive may turn to areas where Israel had previously said Palestinians would be safe.

Most of Gazas population of 2.3 million people has crowded into southern Gaza. That includes hundreds of thousands of people who followed Israels orders to evacuate the north to avoid Israels ground offensive and strikes.

The ongoing war between Israel and the militant group Hamas has entered its sixth week. The latest iteration of the decades-long conflict was sparked on October 7, when Hamas militants invaded southern Israel, killing over 1,200 people and abducting over 200 people. Human rights groups have condemned the attack as a crime against humanity.

Israel has responded with a non-stop bombardment of the Gaza Strip. More than 11,100 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza since October 7, according to the Hamas- controlled Gaza Health Ministry. Human rights groups have accused Israel of committing war crimes and crimes against humanity in Gaza.

Amnesty International has urged Israel to allow additional fuel deliveries to enter Gaza.

The immediate entry of adequate levels of fuel is essential to enable the delivery of life-saving services by the healthcare system. Allowing the entry of fuel and restoring power is an urgent humanitarian imperative, which must not be further delayed under any circumstances, Rasha Abdul Rahim, Amnesty Techs program director, said in a Wednesday statement.

Some information in this report came from Reuters and the Associated Press.
U.S. President Joe Biden said he made positive steps during an intense hourslong meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping Wednesday.

The two agreed to re-establish lapsed military communications, work together to assess the threats posed by artificial intelligence, and work to combat the scourge of fentanyl.

However, Bidens off-the-cuff comment that he still sees the powerful Chinese leader as a dictator, revealed that the two leaders remain, in some ways, far apart.

Well, look, he is, Biden said, in response to a shouted question from the clamoring throng of journalists at the secluded meeting site outside of San Francisco, where 21 Asia-Pacific economies are holding a summit this week.

He is a dictator in a sense that he is a guy that runs a country, a communist country, thats based on a totally different form of government than ours.

The White House chose a sprawling, bucolic estate more than an hours drive from San Francisco for this heavily symbolic visit covering a range of key issues that included Taiwan  the self-governing island that China claims  the possible resumption of military communications, touchy trade disagreements, the origination of fentanyl ingredients in China, and human rights issues.

The scenic grounds cover the San Andreas fault, where the Pacific and North American tectonic plates touch.

Biden said he was candid on these tough issues that divide the two countries  as seen in the mixed reception that residents of this diverse city gave to the Chinese leader, with both anti-communist protesters and pro-Xi greeters lining the streets. On Wednesday, groups in at least two locations descended into fisticuffs, as documented in videos posted on social media.

Xi, in his brief remarks before the leaders began their meeting, said the two nations are inextricably linked.

For two large countries like China, the United States turning their back on each other is not an option, he said. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other. And conflict and confrontation has unbearable consequences for both sides.

I'm still of the view that major country competition is not to the prevailing trend of current times and cannot solve the problems facing China and the United States or the world at large.

Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed and one countrys success is an opportunity for the other.

So did the presidents of the worlds two most powerful nations manage to paper over the cracks in their relationship?

Biden spoke to the press afterwards. Xi, as is his habit, did not.

The two did not release a joint statement.

I welcome the positive steps we've taken today, Biden said. And it's important for the world to see that we're implementing the approach in the best traditions of American diplomacy. We're talking to our competitors, just talking and being blunt with one another so there's no misunderstanding.

Biden stopped far short of praising Xi, saying, We have disagreements. He has a different view than I have on a lot of things. But he's been straight. I don't mean that good, bad or indifferent  just been straight.

In the administrations post-meeting readout, the White House said Biden repeated Washingtons long-held stance on Taiwan.

President Biden emphasized that our one China policy has not changed and has been consistent across decades and administrations, the readout said. He reiterated that the United States opposes any unilateral changes to the status quo from either side, that we expect cross-strait differences to be resolved by peaceful means, and that the world has an interest in peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait. He called for restraint in the PRCs use of military activity in and around the Taiwan Strait.

Craig Singleton, a senior fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies in Washington, told VOA he was struck by the leaders words on Taiwan.

China often claims the U.S. is seeking to alter the status quo in the Strait, he said. The opposite is true. Xi's stark comments expose, yet again, his desire to speed up reunification timetables, either through military force or coercion.

Many watching this meeting said they werent expecting major results, but are glad the two leaders are talking.

This engagement, for example, between President Biden and Xi Jinping, to me it is critical because it should give a clear message that we are here to be able to work together and trust each other to resolve serious problems: Climate, issues in Ukraine or Gaza, said Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. There are too many contentious issues in the world and you must try and engage.

Analysts say the success of the ongoing summit of Asia-Pacific economies  happening simultaneously in San Francisco  depends on the worlds two largest economies getting along.

I think its an important meeting between President Biden and President Xi, with the primary goal of stabilizing the relationship heading into 2024, said Michael Froman, president of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Both for bilateral purposes but also very importantly for the broader APEC region. The countries there, the economies there, want the U.S. and China to have some kind of modus vivendi, some kind of stable relationship, particularly in anticipation of Taiwans election in January, the U.S. election in November.

Biden, when asked what he told Xi about Taiwans elections, said: I made clear I didn't expect any interference."

The Foundation for Defense of Democracies Singleton told VOA that he interpreted Xis words on peaceful coexistence differently, saying it harkens back to Cold War-era language by Nikita Khrushchev, who promoted the notion of 'peaceful coexistence' between the U.S. and Soviet Union. Like today, previous policies aimed at stability counter-intuitively extended the Soviet systems survival, treating the Soviet Union as an immutable juggernaut, rather than one whose demise was inevitable.

Biden said the leaders will continue to talk. And on Thursday, they will give the other 19 Asia-Pacific economies a visual reminder of where they each stand, when the leaders pose for the so-called family photo  a ritual that is a hallmark of these major summits.
A 17-year-old high school student in Las Vegas was beaten to death in an alleyway around the corner from campus by 10 of his classmates between the ages of 13 and 17, a prearranged fight that authorities said broke out over a pair of headphones and a vape pen.

But police homicide Lt. Jason Johansson said that detectives think the victim wasnt originally supposed to be involved in the brawl, which the students agreed would take place after classes were done for the day at Rancho High School in eastern Las Vegas.

Jonathan Lewis Jr. walked to the alleyway with his friend, whose headphones and vape pen had been stolen, Johansson said.

The deadly beating on Nov. 1 was captured on cellphone video and widely shared on social media. Johansson described the footage as "very void of humanity."

In the video, he said, the victim is seen taking off his shirt to prepare for the fight, and then the 10 students "immediately swarm him, pull him to the ground and begin kicking, punching and stomping on him."

Eight of the students were arrested Tuesday by Las Vegas police and the FBI on suspicion of murder. They were not immediately identified because they are under 18.

Las Vegas police said they havent yet been able to identify the two remaining students, who will also face murder charges. The police department released images of the teenagers, asking for help from the public to identify them.

On Wednesday afternoon, as classes ended for the day and students were leaving campus, a small memorial with flowers and eight candles sat against a fence in the alleyway where Lewis was killed.

Rancho High School principal Darlin Delgado said in a letter this week to parents that support and resources were available for students and staff members as the beating "has and will continue to impact our school community."

Scott Coffee, a deputy public defender with 28 years of experience in Las Vegas, said it is unusual to have so many co-defendants of such young ages charged with murder in a single case. Coffee said he had not seen court documents and does not represent any of the defendants.

"When kids are involved in this kind of activity, they take the risk by being involved," Coffee said. "But the flip side is this: Does it look like anybody intended to kill anyone?"

A family court judge on Wednesday ordered four of the students who are 16 or older to be transferred to the adult court system, the Review-Journal reported. Hearings will be held at later dates to determine if the students under 16 will be charged as adults.

Police and prosecutors will have to measure the level of culpability for each of the 10 defendants as the case moves through the court system, Coffee noted.

"Was there somebody in charge of this group? Was somebody younger just going along with the older folks?" he said, adding that although the students face similar charges at the time of their arrests, "it doesnt mean the resolutions are necessarily going to be similar."

After the brawl, a person in the area found the teenager badly beaten and unconscious in the alleyway and carried him back to campus, where school staff called 911, police said.

Lewis was hospitalized with severe head trauma and other injuries until his death a week later. The coroners office in Las Vegas ruled the beating a homicide.

The victim's father, Jonathan Lewis Sr., didn't respond Wednesday to requests for an interview. But on a fundraising page he created to help with funeral and medical expenses, he wrote that his son was attacked while standing up for his friend.

"Our son is a kind, loving, gentle young man who has the heart of a champion and the brightest loving energy that attracts people to him with love," the page reads.
The United Kingdoms top diplomat, David Cameron, traveled to the Port of Odesa Thursday to pledge continued support for the Ukrainian war effort.

Camerons visit marks the first that the former British prime minister has taken since being named to his new role of foreign minister.

It also marks the first time a British diplomat has traveled to the port city, a common target for Russian airstrikes during Russias war in Ukraine.

Cameron said the U.K. would continue to provide whatever support was needed to Ukraine, "but above all, the military support that you need not just this year and next year but however long it takes."

The visit came as Ukraine faces significant setbacks in the war effort, including attention shifting to the Israel-Hamas war in the Middle East, the European Unions inability to provide all the munitions it promised, and political fighting in the United States threatening additional aid to Ukraine.

The U.K. said its $5.7 billion of military aid to Ukraine was second only to the U.S., and the country had trained 30,000 Ukrainian troops.

"Russia thinks it can wait this war out and that the West will eventually turn its attention elsewhere," Cameron said in a statement Thursday. "This could not be further from the truth. In my first discussions with President [Volodymyr] Zelenskyy in my new role, I made clear that the U.K. and our partners will support Ukraine and its people for as long as it takes for them to achieve victory."

The Ukrainian counteroffensive has seen little success, and the war appears to be reaching a stalemate, a situation that Zelenskyy has warned would create a "volcano that is sleeping but will definitely wake up."

"We cannot afford any stalemate," Zelenskyy told African journalists in Kyiv on Wednesday. "If we want to end the war, we must end it. End with respect so that the whole world knows that whoever came, captured and killed, is responsible."

According to the Ukrainian president, if the war becomes a stalemate, future generations of Ukrainians will have to fight, because Russia "will come again if it is not put in its place."

Zelenskyys comments came two weeks after General Valery Zaluzhny, commander in chief of the Ukrainian military, told The Economist that the war had "reached the level of technology that puts us into a stalemate."

Zelenskyy admitted that the situation on the battlefield remains very difficult but said he does not believe that the war has reached a stalemate. He emphasized that Ukraine will not negotiate with Russia until it completely withdraws from Ukrainian territories.

Some information in this report was taken from the Associated Press and Reuters.
Pakistani President Arif Alvi said his country has carried a huge burden in hosting Afghans for nearly four decades.

In an exclusive interview with VOA Urdu, Alvi defended Islamabad's decision to expel Afghans living in Pakistan without proper documents.

He said giving refuge to citizens of the neighboring country had deeply affected his own country's economy and culture.

I think that its a huge burden for Pakistan. We have given refuge to 3.5 million people for 30, 40 years. They are our Afghan, Muslim brothers, and this deeply impacted our economy, our livelihood. Because when all of these people got jobs, Pakistans workforce is 80 to 100 million, and out of those, 3.5 million are Afghans."

Pakistan is a country of over 240 million people. While the South Asian nation has struggled financially for years, it has a large undocumented or untaxed economy that Afghans also participate in as business owners, traders and laborers.

It is said that the Kalashnikov culture here increased with the presence of Afghans, Alvi said, referring to the mass inflow of weapons into Pakistan in the aftermath of the Soviet war in Afghanistan nearly three decades ago.

Pakistan hosts over 4 million Afghans of which roughly 1.7 million lack legal documents to stay. According to the U.N. High Commission for Refugees, the country is currently hosting around 1.4 million legally registered Afghan refugees and nearly 900,000 as documented economic migrants.

There is also a sizeable population of Afghans born in Pakistan to parents who fled war or poverty in the last four decades. However, many lack proper documents.

Citing security concerns, Pakistan in early October ordered people of all nationalities residing illegally in the country to leave voluntarily or face a crackdown after November 1. Since then, over 300,000 Afghans have left the country voluntarily, while a small fraction has been deported.

Alvi, who serves a largely ceremonial post, complained that the international community had not provided Pakistan with sufficient support to host one of the worlds largest refugee populations.

The world makes promises to cooperate when refugees arrive, but nobody has given any cooperation, he said.

Since the Taliban returned to power in Afghanistan in August 2021, nearly 700,000 Afghans arrived in Pakistan seeking refuge. Thousands among them are awaiting resettlement abroad.

In this time, Pakistan has also seen a dramatic rise in terror attacks. Islamabad accuses Afghan Taliban of providing a haven to the banned militant outfit Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, responsible for many of the attacks.

The de facto rulers in Kabul deny the charge and say Pakistan is blaming them for its internal failure.

Islamabad also claims that Afghan citizens were involved in 14 out of 24 terror attacks in recent months.

When asked if the push to expel Afghans was a retaliatory move against the Talibans alleged inaction against cross-border terrorism, Alvi called the two issues a concurrent problem.

Pakistan is repeatedly telling the Afghan Taliban to not let infiltration [of terrorists] happen from their side. [That] the anti-state players should not act against us sitting on your side, he said.

Alvi said he did not know why the Taliban have not alleviated Pakistans concerns but noted that military and diplomatic channels of communication are open.

VOA Urdus Ali Furqan contributed to this report.
Latest developments:

Israel warns Palestinians to leave four towns in southern Gaza, possibly presaging new Israeli attacks in the area.

Israeli forces continue operations around Shifa Hospital in Gaza.

The U.N. Security Council passes a resolution calling for the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas and "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses" in Gaza. Israel says the resolution is "detached from the reality on the ground."

Israel ordered Palestinians to leave four towns in southern Gaza on Thursday, signaling a possible expansion of its war against Hamas militants into areas where Israeli officials had told people it was safe to stay.

Israel dropped leaflets from aircraft overnight, telling civilians to leave the towns of Bani Shuhaila, Khuzaa, Abassan and Qarara, on the eastern edge of Khan Younis, the main southern city.

"For your safety, you need to evacuate your places of residence immediately and head to known shelters," the leaflets said. "Anyone near terrorists or their facilities puts their life at risk, and every house used by terrorists will be targeted."

Residents in the area said there was a heavy Israeli bombardment overnight.

Hours later, the Israeli military said it had recovered the body of Yehudit Weiss, one of the 240 hostages captured by Hamas in its October 7 attack on the Jewish state. The military said it had found her body near the Shifa Hospital in Gaza City.

The 65-year-old woman was the mother of five and was abducted from a kibbutz during the Hamas attack. Her husband, Shmulik Weiss, was found dead in the safe room of their home.

Israeli troops continued to search the Shifa Hospital facility, which it raided on Wednesday in the belief it was a Hamas command center. Israel displayed weapons it said it found at the hospital, but Hamas said no arms were found.

Israel's army on Thursday released a video of what it said showed a tunnel entrance that Hamas militants used in an outdoor area of Shifa Hospital. The video, which could not be immediately verified, showed a deep hole in the ground surrounded by concrete and sand.

In a statement late Thursday, Hamas again rejected claims that the militant group uses the hospital for military purposes as "a repetition of a blatantly false narrative, demonstrated by the weak and ridiculous performances of the occupation army spokesman."

If Israel expands its military offensive in south Gaza, it threatens to worsen the already severe humanitarian crisis in the besieged territory. More than 1.5 million people have been internally displaced in Gaza, with most having fled, at Israel's directive, to the south, where food, water and electricity are in diminishing supply.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke with Israeli War Cabinet member Benny Gantz about efforts to increase and speed up the delivery of humanitarian assistance into Gaza, the U.S. State Department said Thursday.

During their discussion, Blinken also underscored the need to de-escalate tensions in the West Bank, including by addressing increased extremist settler violence, the State Department added.

Blinken also spoke with Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry about increasing aid to Palestinians in need, the State Department said.

Palestinian authorities in Gaza say more than 11,000 people  about 40% of them children  have been killed since Israel launched a major air and ground offensive in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Thursday that the United States won't share any Israeli intelligence or elaborate on its own intelligence assessment that Hamas used Shifa Hospital as a command center and potentially a storage facility.

Meanwhile, the United Nations Security Council late Wednesday adopted a resolution calling for "urgent and extended humanitarian pauses" in Gaza. Twelve council members voted in favor, while none voted against and three  the United States, Russia and the United Kingdom  abstained. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization the U.S., U.K, EU and others.

Israel's deputy permanent representative said the resolution was "detached from the reality on the ground."

The resolution that passed also called for "the immediate release of all hostages held by Hamas."

Negotiations are reportedly under way on a proposed deal under which Hamas would release at least 50 women and children it is holding as hostages in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian women and children held in Israeli prisons.

Hamas took an estimated 240 Israeli and foreign hostages during the surprise attack it carried out in Israel on October 7.

Hamas said about 650 patients and 5,000 to 7,000 Palestinian civilians have taken shelter on the hospital grounds.

After the hospital raid, U.S. President Joe Biden spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the latest developments in the war. The White House said they discussed at length the ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages, including nine Americans and a foreign national with U.S. employment rights.

As its military incursion advances, Israel has rejected growing and intense international pressure to impose a cease-fire to allow for the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. It has, however, agreed to four-hour daily humanitarian pauses to allow the opening of two corridors to let Palestinians evacuate northern Gaza.

United Nations correspondent Margaret Besheer and White House bureau chief Patsy Widakuswara contributed to this report. Some information for this article came from The Associated Press, Reuters and Agence France-Presse.
The U.N. Security Council overcame weeks of inaction and bickering Wednesday to issue a call for "extended humanitarian pauses" in the Gaza Strip, especially for the protection of children, only to have Israel immediately reject the measure.

"This draft resolution we have in front of us today seeks to offer hope in this dark hour," said Maltas Ambassador Vanessa Frazier, who led the negotiations and drafted the text. "It aims to ensure a respite from the current nightmare in Gaza and give hope to the families of all victims. It focuses in particular on the plight of children trapped in the warring enclave and those held hostage."

The resolution calls for "extended humanitarian pauses and corridors in Gaza for a sufficient number of days" to let aid in, repair damage to critical infrastructure such as hospitals, water wells and bakeries, and to enable medical evacuations, especially of children. It also calls for the "immediate and unconditional release of all hostages" held by Hamas and other groups  particularly children.

Council resolutions are legally binding, but parties named in them frequently ignore them, with little consequence.

Israels envoy told the council that his government does not need a resolution to remind it to adhere to international law and that Hamas would not "even bother reading it."

"Hence, this resolution does nothing to contribute to the situation on the ground," said Israels deputy envoy Brett Jonathan Miller. "Bringing our hostages home is Israels top priority, and seeing that Security Council resolutions hold no sway with terrorists, Israel will continue to do whatever it takes to accomplish this goal."

Civilians die as council bickers

This was the councils fifth attempt at adopting a resolution calling for some form of a cease-fire in the 40-day old war. The previous attempts ended with vetoes and in geopolitical acrimony.

On Oct. 27, the General Assembly stepped in and adopted its own resolution calling for a humanitarian truce. Proposed by Arab states, the resolution called for an immediate halt to the fighting for the safe provision of aid to Gaza and for the release of all civilians who are being held captive. But the assemblys resolutions are not legally binding, and Israel began its ground war as the vote was being tallied.

On Wednesday, 12 Security Council members voted in favor, while three permanent members abstained: Britain, Russia and the United States.

The United Arab Emirates represents the Arab regional bloc on the council. Ambassador Lana Nusseibeh said she believes the resolution can save lives.

"However, I want to emphasize that the adoption of todays resolution only begins our response to this war and to this crisis," she told her colleagues. "Too much time has passed, too many people have been killed, and too much destruction has been wrought."

The resolution is brief and stays mostly away from political elements. The text does not refer to Israel by name, and refers to Hamas only once, in connection to the approximately 240 hostages it and other militant groups are holding in Gaza.

"Ultimately, the United States could not vote yes on a text that did not condemn Hamas or reaffirm the right of all member states to protect their citizens from terrorist attacks," U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, explaining Washingtons abstention. Britains envoy echoed that stance. Hamas has been designated a terrorist organization the U.S., U.K, EU and others.

Russia proposed an amendment to the draft adding language adopted in the General Assembly resolution calling "for an immediate, durable and sustained humanitarian truce leading to a cessation of hostilities." But that did not have enough council support to be included in Maltas draft, so Russia abstained.

Last week, U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Gaza is becoming "a graveyard for children."

More than 4,500 Palestinian children have been killed and almost 9,000 injured since Hamas Oct. 7 terror attack inside Israel triggered the war. Scores more children are missing and believed to be among the dead under Gazas rubble.

At least 31 children were killed in Israel during the terror attacks, and about 30 more are reported to be among the hostages abducted to Gaza, including a 3-year-old American child.

The head of the U.N. childrens agency, UNICEF, visited Gaza on Wednesday.

"I am here to do whatever I can to advocate for the protection of children," Executive Director Catherine Russell said. "I once again call on all parties to ensure that children are protected and assisted, as per international humanitarian law. Only the parties to the conflict can truly stop this horror."
Jewish Australian lawmakers say antisemitism there is at an all-time high, as the war in Gaza intensifies.

At the same time, Muslim leaders cite increased Islamophobia.

While Australia prides itself on being one of the worlds most multicultural nations, the war between Israel and Hamas has created friction.

Islamophobia Register Australia, which documents hate crimes, has logged 133 incidents in the past month, but the community organization has told local media that the true figure was much higher because a lot of abuse goes unreported.

The Executive Council of Australian Jewry has documented 221 antisemitic incidents between Oct. 8 and Nov. 7. From Oct. 1 until Oct. 7, the date of the Hamas attack, there was one incident.

The abuse includes threats of gun violence, threats to mosques and synagogues and to Muslim and Jewish schools, as well as property damage and verbal abuse. Physical assaults have also been reported.

In Canberra, Jewish members of Parliament have said antisemitic incidents were off the charts in Australia.

There have been large pro-Palestinian demonstrations in Australia in recent weeks, as well as rallies by supporters of Israel.

Near the Sydney Opera House in October, pro-Palestinian protesters were filmed chanting anti-Jewish sentiments.

Julian Leeser, an opposition Liberal Party member of the House of Representatives, the Parliaments lower body, and prominent Jewish community leader, told the Australian Broadcasting Corp. Thursday antisemitism is increasing.

The security situation in this country has deteriorated, particularly for the Jewish community as a result of the demonstrations that we have seen, whether it is the events at the Sydney Opera House, where we saw people saying gas the Jews," Leeser said. "People have the right to protest to change the foreign policy of the country. But they do not have the right to go about intimidating people, and I think that that is wrong."

In October, two Australian government ministers said Israel was subjecting Gaza civilians to collective punishment for Hamas' barbarism.

Industry Minister Ed Husic and Early Childhood Education Minister Anne Aly are the only Muslims in the Cabinet.

Addressing Parliament Wednesday, Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese reaffirmed his governments policy toward Israel.

We have said very clearly that Israel does have a right to defend itself. We have also said that the way that it does matters and we must distinguish between Hamas and Palestinian citizens, and we have said the same thing consistently, Albanese said.

Australia's conservative opposition leader, Peter Dutton, has questioned the governments leadership over the rise of antisemitism in Australia.

Dutton told Parliament Wednesday that Albaneses government had failed to stand up for the country's Jewish community. The claims were rejected by Albanese, who said he would continue to stand up against antisemitism.

Jews make up about 0.4% of the Australian population, while Muslims account for 3.2%, according to Australian Bureau of Statistics figures.

Australia has had diplomatic relations with Israel since 1949 and is committed to a two-state solution in which Israel and a future Palestinian state coexist within internationally recognized borders.


Malawi President Lazarus Chakwera has suspended his foreign trips and those of government officials as part of austerity measures to cushion the impact of the recent 44% devaluation of local currency on the country's economy. In his televised address to the nation Wednesday night, Chakwera ordered a cut by half on fuel allowances allocated to top government officials, including cabinet ministers.

The Reserve Bank of Malawi this month announced the devaluation of local currency to align it with the U.S. dollar on the black market. The move resulted in instant price increases for almost all commodities, including fuel and electricity, which increased by over 40%.

I know that this decision has caused a lot of pain, Chakwera said, and I know that all of us now have to make big adjustments in spending so that we can prioritize those areas that are most productive.

Chakwera said that he would be the first to make those adjustments, and that all of his international trips through the end of the fiscal year were canceled.

Chakwera also said he was freezing all public-funded international trips for public officers at all levels, including those in parastatals, or state-owned enterprises, until the end of the financial year in March.

In fact, all Cabinet members currently abroad on public-funded trips must return to Malawi with immediate effect, he said.

Analyst Victor Chipofya told local radio that Chakwera could have announced measures that would help generate more foreign exchange for the country rather than those that failed in the past.

The country needs to build industries that would be able to export commodities to be able to have foreign currency, he said. Nothing like that came out from the president.

Another political analyst, George Phiri, said Chakwera's address failed to outline how the government will address challenges facing people in rural areas, where over 80% of Malawians live.

The impact of devaluation has affected everyone across the board, whether he is the president or he is an ordinary Malawian in the rural and is not considered for the beneficiary of the [farm input] subsidy, Phiri said. What happened with those?
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- A Chinese envoy on Wednesday called for the implementation of the Security Council resolution on Gaza that was just adopted.

The effectiveness of Security Council resolutions lies in their implementation. The key is for the parties concerned to implement the provisions of the resolution to the letter, said Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the United Nations.

It is necessary for the Security Council to establish a necessary mechanism to take follow-up actions to monitor and report on the implementation, he said in an explanation of vote after the adoption of the Maltese-drafted resolution.

Resolution 2712 calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip "for a sufficient number of days" to enable the full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access; to facilitate the continuous, sufficient and unhindered provision of essential goods and services throughout Gaza, including water, electricity, fuel, food, and medical supplies, as well as emergency repairs to essential infrastructure; and to enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts, including for missing children in damaged and destroyed buildings, and including the medical evacuation of sick or injured children and their caregivers.

Zhang said the Security Council should have adopted a more comprehensive and robust resolution much earlier.

Resolution 2712 can only serve as a first step based on minimum consensus. Despite this, the resolution is still of significance as it constitutes an initial step toward a cease-fire and a minimum requirement to save lives, and helps avert a greater humanitarian crisis and catastrophe, he said.

Resolution 2712 was the first product of the Security Council on Gaza after the Oct. 7 escalation. The council had failed to adopt four draft resolutions on the situation in a row.

Zhang said China has always supported all efforts aimed at promoting a cease-fire and an end to the fighting and restoring peace. China welcomes any initiative conducive to the protection of civilians and the easing of the humanitarian crisis.

"We look forward to the immediate realization of durable humanitarian pause as called for in the resolution to ensure a sufficient number of days of cessation of hostilities to allow UN humanitarian agencies, the International Committee of the Red Cross, and others to carry out full-scale humanitarian operations, to urgently search for and rescue missing children, to transfer and treat the seriously ill and seriously injured, and to rehabilitate critical infrastructure," he said.

China is gravely concerned about and strongly opposes the clear violations of international humanitarian law taking place in Gaza. China urges Israel to immediately cease its military operations against civilian facilities, including hospitals, and to restore basic supplies of water, electricity, and fuel, among others, as soon as possible. China is strongly against the forced displacement and transfer of the Palestinian people, said Zhang.

He reiterated China's call to guarantee the safety and humanitarian needs of the hostages and to support active diplomatic efforts to facilitate their early release.

The Security Council must assume its responsibility and take further meaningful and responsible actions in a timely manner, he said. "We must continue to make an immediate cease-fire an overriding goal in order to prevent further casualties and destruction as the fighting rages on. We must make the opening of humanitarian space a priority, clearing the way for adequate humanitarian supplies to enter Gaza and creating the conditions necessary for humanitarian agencies to operate in a safe and unhindered manner. We must take the revitalization of the prospects for the two-state solution as the way forward and galvanize diplomatic efforts to promote a comprehensive, just, and lasting solution to the question of Palestine."

China would like to emphasize that any arrangements on the future of Gaza must respect the will and the independent choice of the Palestinian people, he added.

On issues bearing on war and peace and long-term stability and security of the Middle East, the Security Council must stand on the side of justice and make choices that stand the test of history. As president of the Security Council for the month of November, China will continue to work with all parties to strengthen coordination, build consensus, and push the Security Council toward its due responsibilities, said Zhang. 
Nigerian experts are hopeful that deals reached last week with Saudi Arabia will boost local oil production and help grow the economy. The deals included a pledge by Saudi officials to fix Nigerias four broken oil refineries, which havent worked in years, forcing Africas second-largest oil producer to import all of its fuel.

The agreements between Nigerian authorities and their Saudi Arabian counterparts were made on the sidelines of the first ever Saudi-Africa summit held in Riyadh last week.

President Bola Tinubu met with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman as part of his government's efforts to attract investors, in a bid to reverse Nigeria's economic slide.

Saudi officials pledged to fix Nigerias four refineries, located in Rivers, Delta and Kaduna states. None of the refineries have worked in years, forcing the country to rely on imports for fuel despite producing more than a million barrels of crude oil per day.

Fixing the refineries is expected to take about two years, according to a government official who spoke to journalists after last week's agreement.

Saudi Arabia also pledged to deposit huge sums of foreign exchange to boost Nigeria's dwindling reserves worsened by the government's floating of the national currency in June in a bid to unify the exchange rate system.

Faith Nwadishi, the executive director of the Center for Transparency Advocacy in Abuja, welcomes the Saudi deal.

"Considering the success that Saudi Arabia has made with their refineries and the natural resource that they have, one thing this will be able to achieve is to help Nigeria meet its production quota, help Nigeria resolve some of the conflicts around this issue of subsidy and non-operationalization of the four refineries that we have," said Nwadishi.

Upon taking office in May, President Tinubu embarked on bold economic reforms including scrapping of the popular but expensive fuel subsidy, in a bid to decrease debt and attract more investments.

Fuel prices since then have soared, lending urgency to the need for domestic fuel production.

Nwadishi said the government first needs to be careful and subject the Saudi agreement to public scrutiny.

"What are the terms? Will government be willing to make these terms available to Nigerians so that we can really look and be able to assess them very objectively? What is it that we're giving away? Are we giving over the entire management of our refineries to Saudi Arabia or they're coming to give us technical assistance? Right now, it's not very clear what the terms are," she said.

Emmanuel Afimia, founder of Enermics, a Lagos based oil and gas consulting firm, is skeptical about the success of the deal.

"This administration is showing a reasonable level of political will to make things happen. I'll most definitely like to wait until the technical details of this deal comes out but from where I'm looking at it, I don't think it's gonna be possible," he said.

If the refineries functioned, Nigeria could process around 450,000 barrels of crude oil into fuel every day.

Nigerian officials say they will finalize the details of the deal with Saudi Arabia within six months. Many will be watching to see if the terms are favorable to Nigeria.
Afghanistans neighbors, along with Russia, are sustaining ties with its Taliban government under an understanding that they will grant it formal recognition simultaneously if certain conditions are met, a regional diplomat said Thursday.

Asif Durrani, Pakistans special representative on Afghanistan, told an international seminar that the regionally developed approach has helped sustain the crisis-hit country economically.

There is an understanding among the immediate neighbors of Afghanistan and Russia that we will recognize the Taliban regime simultaneously and not unilaterally, Durrani said at the annual Margalla Dialogue organized by the state-run Islamabad Policy Research Institute.

He noted that the regional consensus enabled these countries to enter into bilateral trade, currency swap, and barter trade agreements with de facto Afghan authorities. Durrani said if this were not the case, there would likely be 10 million people fleeing poverty-stricken Afghanistan and seeking refuge in Pakistan.

The positive thing in Afghanistan is that there is less corruption, and [the Taliban] have raised their revenues. Theres security in the country, and ... drug or opium cultivation is at its all-time low, the Pakistani envoy said, citing international observations and recent U.N.-backed studies.

Durrani dismissed suggestions that Pakistan would be better off dealing with terrorism threats emanating from neighboring Afghanistan by granting diplomatic recognition to the Taliban.

We should be part of the consensus because here were talking about just not Afghanistan, we are talking about the region and it will also have an impact on your regional policy, Durrani cautioned.

He said that Pakistan is not alone in expecting the Taliban to meet conditions such as lifting the ban on Afghan womens right to education and employment opportunities.

They say it is Islamic. It is not Islamic. It may be the [Afghan] tribal or cultural [practice], but it is not Islamic, said the Pakistani envoy.

Under its strict interpretation of Islamic law, the Taliban have forbidden female education in Afghanistan beyond the sixth grade and barred women from most public and private sector workplaces, including the United Nations and other aid groups. They have rejected criticism of their policies, saying they are aligned with Islamic law and Afghan culture.

While Russia, Iran, and some other regional countries have urged the Taliban to give representation to all Afghan groups in their government to make it more inclusive, Pakistan and China have been stressing the need for allowing women to have a role in the war-shattered countrys development.

The hardline Taliban reclaimed power from an American-backed government in Kabul two years ago, but no country has recognized their men-only administration over human rights concerns, including restrictions imposed on Afghan womens freedom.

A recent independent assessment commissioned by the United Nations has also linked the recognition of the Taliban to compliance with the countrys international treaty obligations and commitments, requiring them to remove all curbs on Afghan womens rights immediately.

Terror threat

Pakistan complains that fugitive militants sheltering on Afghan soil have intensified terrorist attacks in the country since the Taliban returned to power in Kabul two years ago, killing and injuring thousands of Pakistanis, including security forces.

Taliban authorities reject the allegation, saying they are not responsible for internal security challenges facing Pakistan, nor are they allowing anyone to use Afghan soil against other countries.

The standoff over terrorism-related concerns has prompted Islamabad to unleash a crackdown on hundreds of thousands of Afghans they say are residing unlawfully in Pakistan. The move has fueled mutual tensions, with the Taliban demanding a suspension of the deportation plan or more time for refugee families to enable them to organize their return.

Durrani, in his talk Thursday, anticipated bilateral tensions would take time to subside, cautioning that it would be a long and drawn-out process, but that Pakistan is determined to sustain engagements with the Taliban.

If you talk about the recent spat between the two countries, that would continue, he said. We have to bear with all kinds of ups and downs as far as [the relationship between] Afghanistan and Pakistan is concerned. So, dont expect miracles coming anytime soon.

Pakistan was long accused of covertly supporting and sheltering Taliban leaders while they were directing insurgent attacks against the U.S.-led international forces in Afghanistan and their local allies for nearly two decades until they withdrew in August 2021.

The Talibans return to power had generated hopes in Pakistan that the power shift in Kabul would deter fugitive anti-state militants from seeking refuge on Afghan soil and launching cross-border attacks.

However, those hopes have since evaporated, with Pakistani officials reporting a 60% rise in terrorist attacks in the country and a 500% increase in suicide bombings. They have blamed Taliban-allied outfits operating out of Afghanistan for the deadly violence, killing more than 2,300 Pakistanis, including security forces.
A Russian court on Thursday sentenced a protest artist to seven years in prison for switching grocery store price tags for anti-war stickers, the latest assault on dissent in the country as it faces strong international backlash for its continued invasion of Ukraine. In April 2022, more than a month after the Russia-Ukraine war broke out, Sasha Skochilenko was taken into police custody in St. Petersburg, charged with spreading false information for her protest art.

The Russian army bombed an arts school in Mariupol. Some 400 people were hiding in it from the shelling, one tiny placard read in Russian. Russian conscripts are being sent to Ukraine. Lives of our children are the price of this war, said another.

A shopper at the supermarket alerted local authorities, who promptly arrested Skochilenko.

Her arrest came about a month after a law was signed into effect banning public displays against the war.

Skochilenko, 33, is not the only pacifist to have been punished by authorities. The legislation has been deployed against a wide array of dissenters, from opposition politicians and human rights activists to everyday Russians.

Some 19,834 Russians were arrested for their political beliefs from February 24, 2022, when the Kremlin invaded Ukraine, to October 2023, according to OVD-Info, a human rights group monitoring political arrests.

Skochilenko does not deny swapping the price tags for anti-war signage but rebukes the charge that she knowingly tried to mislead the public.

Her aim was not to denounce the military, Yana Nepovinnova, her lawyer, told The Associated Press last week, but instead to appeal for an end to the fighting.

She is a very empathetic, peace-loving person, Nepovinnova said. To her, in general, the word war is the most terrible thing imaginable, as is the suffering of people.

Mediazona, the independent Russian news outlet, reported that Skochilenko denounced the case against her as weird and ridiculous in her closing statement in court on Thursday.

Her own jailers, she said, are so bewildered by the charge against her that they open their eyes widely and exclaim: Is this really what people are being imprisoned for now?

An investigator working with the prosecution stepped down, she said, apparently telling one of Skochilenkos lawyers that he didnt join the Investigative Committee to work on cases like [the one] against Sasha Skochilenko.

Everyone sees and knows that its not a terrorist youre trying, Skochilenko told the judge on Thursday. Youre not trying an extremist. Youre not trying a political activist, either. Youre trying a pacifist.

The courtroom was reportedly packed with supporters of Skochilenko, who applauded her as she spoke and chanted her name in the hallway after the verdict was handed down, according to Mediazona.

For more than a year and a half, Skochilenko had been in pretrial detention, grappling with various health conditions, including heart problems, bipolar disorder and celiac disease, her lawyers said.

Theres a huge fear that Sasha will end up without medical help, Sofya Subbotina, her partner, said, reflecting on the possibility that Skochilenko could serve her sentence in a remote penal colony far away from doctors.
A woman went on trial Wednesday in the bombing that killed a prominent Russian military blogger who died after he was given a bust of himself that later exploded.

Darya Trepova, 26, is charged with carrying out a terrorist attack, illegal trafficking of explosive devices, and forging documents in the April 2 blast at the St. Petersburg Cafe in which Vladlen Tatarsky was killed and 52 others were injured.

Trepova was arrested shortly after the bombing and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted, according to Russian news reports.

Tatarsky, 40, was an ardent supporter of the Kremlin's military action in Ukraine and filed regular reports on the fighting from the front lines.

Trepova was seen on video presenting Tatarsky with the bust moments before the blast at the riverside cafe in the historic heart of Russia's second-largest city where he was leading a discussion.

At her court appearance, Trepova admitted guilt on forging documents but maintained her innocence on the charges of carrying out a terrorist attack and the illegal trafficking of explosives, insisting she didn't know the bust contained a bomb, Russian media reported.

Trepova's 27-year-old acquaintance, Dmitry Kasintsev, is standing trial with her, although he is under house arrest. She had stayed in his apartment after the blast, and the authorities have charged him with concealment of a grave crime. Kasintsev said in court he was willing to plead guilty to a lesser charge of not reporting a crime.

The judge said that one of those injured in the blast had died, without giving details on whether it was connected to the blast, and adjourned the hearing until Friday.

Russian authorities have blamed Ukrainian intelligence agencies for orchestrating the bombing. Authorities in Kyiv have not directly responded to the accusation, but an adviser to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the bombing as part of Russia's internal turmoil.

Russia's Federal Security Service, the FSB, charged that a Ukrainian citizen it identified as Yuriy Denysov had gathered information about Tatarsky and supplied Trepova with explosives through a courier service. The FSB claimed that Denysov acted on orders from the Ukrainian security services.

Tatarsky was the pen name of Maxim Fomin, who had hundreds of thousand of followers on his Telegram messaging app channel. He had joined separatists in eastern Ukraine after a Moscow-backed insurgency erupted there in 2014 and fought on the front lines for years before turning to blogging.

Military bloggers have played an increasingly prominent role in Russia amid the fighting in Ukraine, supporting the Kremlin but often criticizing Russia's military leadership and exposing various military flaws. Unlike independent media or opposition figures, they haven't faced any crackdown for that criticism.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez narrowly won a second term during parliamentary elections Thursday after approving an amnesty deal for Catalonian separatists that polarized the nation but secured him the necessary votes among lawmakers from the country's north.

After taking a razor-thin majority in the lower parliament  179 votes of confidence out of a total of 350 lawmakers  Sanchez, a socialist, avoided a national election that could have seen him replaced as public opinion of him wanes.

Hundreds of thousands of Spaniards have taken to the streets to protest Sanchez's decision to grant amnesty to Catalonian separatists, who last rallied for secession in 2017.

Detractors say Sanchez's deal was unconstitutional, but for the prime minister, it was a sure avenue to reelection, settling months of uncertainty over who would lead the nation for the next four years.

In July, Spain held national elections. Sanchez's center-right opposition, the Popular Party, received more votes but failed to take power because of its alliance with the hard-right Vox party, which came in third.

Thursday's vote in the parliament means that Sanchez can now build a new progressive coalition to advance his pro-European Union policies, which have invigorated the nation's economy.

Outside of the building where lawmakers cast their votes, hundreds of right-wing demonstrators chanted and rattled a makeshift barricade.

Spain's judiciary has denounced Sanchez's amnesty deal as a violation of checks and balances. The European Union is still considering whether the pact was legal.

"I told the president that he had made a mistake, but he is the one responsible for it. The amnesty is the worst way to start the legislature," Alberto Nunez Feijoo, who leads the Popular Party, said after Sanchez received a round of applause from his Socialist boosters for winning.

Sanchez's government plans to use the tens of millions of dollars it has left over from the European Union's post-pandemic recovery program to work on green energy projects.

If history is an indicator, it will be difficult for opposition groups in parliament to gather enough support for a no-confidence vote to topple Sanchez's government. The only time a no-confidence vote successfully ousted a Spanish prime minister was in 2018, when Sanchez came into office.

Some information for this report came from The Associated Press.
Startup Hopes to Address Nursing Shortage With International Students

Boston startup InSpring wants to help alleviate the nursing shortage in the United States by training hundreds of international students, according to a report published by Axios.

The first cohort could take exams in 2025, although they could work in health care positions earlier as they study for licensure. (September 2023)
Taiwan will take part in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in San Francisco this week, a rare opportunity for the self-governing island democracy of 23 million people and its high-tech economy to break the diplomatic embargo on it imposed by authoritarian China.

Taiwan's chief delegate will be a civilian rather than a government figure or head of state, under an unwritten rule that satisfies China's contention that members of the organization participate as economic entities rather than state players.

For the seventh time, Taiwan will be represented by Morris Chang, the 92-year-old founder of the world-leading Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Chang is known as the godfather of the industry that has put Taiwan in the top ranks of high-tech manufacturing and personal electronic devices.

Taiwan has participated in APEC since 1991 under the name Chinese Taipei. It began taking part just two years after the group's inception and the same year that China and the semi-autonomous Chinese city of Hong Kong joined.

Taiwan has relied on retired ministers  and in Chang's case, industry leaders  who are well connected with the government but do not carry the burden of formal office, which could spark a protest from China. But that doesn't mean Taiwan's government won't be represented. Minister of Finance Chuang Tsui-yun will attend a meeting presided over by U.S. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, who recently visited Beijing, and two other ministers will attend meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Taiwan a major topic

A Japanese colony until the end of World War II, Taiwan split from mainland China amid a civil war in 1949. China continues to claim the island as its territory, to be annexed by force if necessary, a threat it plays out on a near-daily basis by sending ships and warplanes around the island.

These acts of political intimidation have the potential to wear down the operational resiliency of the island's military equipment and personnel. Taiwan has just a fraction of the air, sea and missile power of China's People's Liberation Army, not to mention its ground forces, and relies heavily on young men doing their mandatory national service to fill its ranks.

However, Taiwan in recent years has invested heavily in upgraded arms purchases from the U.S., along with boosting its own defense industry, most notably building submarines that could undermine the Chinese naval threat. That has come partly in response to Chinese displays of force such as sailing aircraft carriers through the economically crucial Taiwan Strait and sending aircraft and drones to circle the island.

While the U.S. has no military treaty with Taiwan, it is obligated under federal law to ensure the island can defend itself and to treat all threats to the island as matters of "grave concern." That, along with Washington's string of alliances from Japan to South Korea and the Philippines, and its refusal to recognize China's claim to virtually the entire South China Sea, make the Taiwan Strait a potential powder keg should Chinese leader Xi Jinping seek to make good on his determination to unite what he views as China's historical territory and cement his political legacy.

China primarily wants an end to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, including latest model F-16 fighter jets, and an assurance it will not give an electoral boost to the ruling pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party.

U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Wednesday that among the points that President Joe Biden will make clear to President Xi is that the U.S., in accordance with its law, will continue to provide "self-defense capabilities for Taiwan."

Politics at play

Even with China's lackluster economic rebound from the COVID-19 pandemic, including high youth unemployment and massive debts born by an overextended housing sector, Xi is pushing ahead with his vision for China to reclaim its historical place as the center of cultural, political and economic life in the Asia-Pacific.

Taiwan, with its multiparty system focused mostly on local issues and with a broad consensus favoring political separation from China, presents a unique challenge to those who call the shots inside the cloistered Qing Dynasty-era leadership compound of Zhongnanhai in Beijing. Almost entirely male and shielded from the media, they brought Hong Kong to heel after pro-democracy protests broke out in the former British colony in 2019.

China has sought to influence Taiwanese politics through military threats, but also by using a "carrot and stick" approach toward economic opportunities on the mainland and by enticing politicians, chiefly from the main Nationalist Party, also known as the Kuomintang, or KMT, to meet with high-level officials in Beijing.

Taiwanese media outlets have also been persuaded to run stories critical of the status quo of de facto independence, mainly through their ownership structures, which involve substantial investments on the mainland.

Ultimately, it comes down to the voters in Taiwan. January's elections for the presidency and legislature will be the best determinant of whether the populace wishes to stay the course or seek a greater degree of accommodation with Beijing.

Current Vice President William Lai appears to be in a strong position to win at least a plurality of the vote in his bid for the presidency, while his opposition appears splintered and unable to form the sort of alliances that could put the U.S.-trained medical professional under substantial pressure, despite the vast sums being spent on advertising by rivals such as electronics magnate Terry Gou.
The shots that rang out over Dealey Plaza in Dallas, Texas, 60 years ago  on Nov. 22, 1963  lasted just under six seconds. And while the assassination of U.S. President John F. Kennedy profoundly changed America, those six seconds tainted the city where it occurred, marking the start of a long struggle to come to terms with Dallas' role in one of the most infamous moments in American history.

"That really cast a shadow on it," retired Dallas Deputy Sheriff Gene Boone explained to VOA while walking through Dealey Plaza in 2013. Boone, who died in 2017, was one of the first law enforcement officers to react to the shooting.

He later entered the Texas School Book Depository and found the rifle investigators say Lee Harvey Oswald used in the assassination. Boone believed Dallas lost more than just a president that day. "We were almost afraid to go outside the community and let anybody know we were from Dallas."

Dallas' identity

"The event was a source of great shame," said Jeffrey Engel, director of the Center for Presidential History at Southern Methodist University in Dallas. Engel said community leaders long struggled to balance the reality of the Kennedy assassination with the way it negatively impacted the city.

"The Kennedy assassination confirmed the identity of Dallas in American minds," he said. In 1963, he said, Dallas was home to right-wing groups such as the John Birch Society and was already known as the city where former U.S. presidential candidate and United Nations Ambassador Adlai Stevenson was attacked after giving a speech  just one month ahead of Kennedy and Vice President Lyndon Johnson's visit.

"Dallas was a place that was known at the time as a hateful, dark city on the scene of national politics," said Engel.

"So, when Kennedy was killed here in Dallas, there was this kind of collective 'Oh, Dallas, that's where things like this happen.' Dallas was a toxic environment where extremism could thrive," acknowledged historian Stephen Fagin. "It was an unfair characterization, but it lingered as a dark cloud over this community for decades."

Perspective on the tragedy

Fagin is the curator of the Sixth Floor Museum, which now occupies the sixth floor of the reddish orange brick building known as the Texas School Book Depository.

"We are a historical institution that explores the life, death, and legacy of President Kennedy and the broader history and culture of the 1960s," said Fagin.

The museum, situated at the edge of Dealey Plaza, opened in 1989 and quickly became a top tourist destination, said SMU's Engel.

"Dealey Plaza is the second-most visited tourist attraction in the state of Texas, right after the Alamo," said Engel.

The museum records attendance of more than 300,000 guests annually from 133 countries, a number that has declined since the 2020 coronavirus pandemic but is gradually increasing.

The museum's curator acknowledged that the scene of a president's death seems an unlikely destination for tourism, something Dallas city leaders struggled with as they attempted to convert the Texas School Book Depository into something else.

"There are sites in this country that are stained by violence and tragedy," said Fagin. "Dealey Plaza is one of those, much like Pearl Harbor or the footprint of the World Trade Center, and sites like this allow us to do justice to a tragic event by remembering it properly."

But, said Fagin, remembering it properly does not mean the Sixth Floor Museum draws definitive conclusions about exactly what happened in Dallas in November of 1963.

"The assassination, like so many other things, it's a very divisive topic," he said. "People typically arrive here knowing whether they believe Lee Harvey Oswald acted alone or whether there was a conspiracy."

Engel said the lingering mystique about the Kennedy assassination contributes to present-day tourism in Dallas.

"The Kennedy conspiracy theorists still hold a grip on the nation's psyche in some ways," he said. "That you can go to Dealey Plaza and tell yourself that 'I've heard the story, maybe I can piece it together a little bit myself now differently because I've seen it with my own eyes.'"

"You may be intrigued by the nuances of the assassination, the lingering questions surrounding bullet trajectories and medical evidence," said Fagin. "But at the end of the day, something died here and Dealey Plaza sort of stands for that unfulfilled hope and promise that John F. Kennedy represented."

Exorcising demons

The Sixth Floor Museum is not just a series of exhibits, it is also an archive. Some of the film footage of the assassination is preserved and licensed by the museum, as are recordings of oral histories of eyewitnesses and key figures in the events. Collectively, they fill the museum with more than just physical artifacts that help put a watershed moment of the 20th century into perspective historically, and locally.

"Certainly, I think Dallas has tried to come to terms with this dark moment in its past, and internalize the assassination in many ways," Fagin told VOA during an interview on the Sixth Floor, "and this museum has played a key role in helping this community exorcise the last remaining demons from 1963."

Dallas Sheriff Gene Boone lived long enough to see the city where he was born and raised emerge from the dark cloud of the assassination he personally witnessed. He credited the Sixth Floor Museum for aiding that transformation. "If you come here and see it and hear the story, you can really, fully come to realize that it could happen anywhere, at any time," Boone told VOA in 2013.

Now, Boone's story and memories of those fateful days in Dallas 60 years ago lives on among the oral histories recorded for posterity in the permanent collections of the Sixth Floor Museum.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has warned that a stalemate in his countrys war against Russia would create a "volcano that is sleeping but will definitely wake up."

"We cannot afford any stalemate," Zelenskyy told African journalists in Kyiv on Wednesday. "If we want to end the war, we must end it. End with respect so that the whole world knows that whoever came, captured, and killed, is responsible."

According to the Ukrainian president, if the war becomes a stalemate, future generations of Ukrainians will have to fight, because Russia "will come again if it is not put in its place."

Zelenskyys comments came two weeks after General Valery Zaluzhny, commander in chief of the Ukrainian military, told The Economist that the war had "reached the level of technology that puts us into a stalemate."

Zelenskyy admitted that the situation on the battlefield remains very difficult but said he does not believe that the war has reached a stalemate. He emphasized that Ukraine will not negotiate with Russia until it completely withdraws from Ukrainian territories.

Also Wednesday, Zelenskyy spoke by phone with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

According to the Ukrainian presidents press service, the two leaders talked about the situation on the battlefield, defense cooperation with an emphasis on strengthening Ukrainian air defense and "increasing the capabilities of mobile fire groups to combat [drones]."

Zelenskyy thanked Canada for a new sanctions package and praised Ottawa's initiative to create an international coalition for the return of deported Ukrainian children. Canada proposed the coalition at a summit of national security and foreign policy advisers on Ukraine's peace formula, held in Malta on Oct. 29.

Zelenskyy and Trudeau "coordinated the next steps regarding the development of this initiative at the highest level."

In other diplomacy, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal held a meeting with Pierre Heillbronn, the French presidents special envoy for Ukraine's relief and reconstruction.

"We discussed the involvement of the private sector in reconstruction. We are preparing specific projects in this direction," Shmyhal said Wednesday. He also thanked France for extending the mandate of the French Development Agency to Ukraine and pointed to "a number of examples of establishing ties between the communities of Ukraine and France."
With Israel under increasing pressure due to a steadily rising death toll in Gaza and images of Palestinian suffering flooding social media, the United States turned to a familiar page in its foreign policy playbook: it declassified and released some intelligence.

Both the White House and Pentagon on Tuesday announced the U.S. had information backing Israeli claims that Hamas  long designated by Washington as a terrorist organization  was using Gazas Shifa Hospital to direct operations against Israel.

"We have information that confirms that Hamas is using that particular hospital for a command-and-control node," National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters traveling with President Joe Biden on Air Force One.

They have weapons stored there and are prepared to respond to an Israeli military operation against the facility," Pentagon Deputy Press Secretary Sabrina Singh told Pentagon reporters, adding the Shifa Hospital was just one of several used by Hamas and its ally, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, to conceal and support their military operations and hold hostages.

The tactic of releasing such information  known in the White House as a strategic downgrade  has increasingly become a go-to tool for the Biden administration when it needs to shape global public opinion.

Its most famous and first applications came during the run-up to Russias February 2022 invasion of Ukraine, when the White House quickly declassified and shared evidence of Russias military build-up with allies and with the public, galvanizing support for Kyiv.

The White House also turned to strategic downgrades to push back against Chinas claims about its errant spy balloon which traversed much of the continental U.S. earlier this year and, more quietly, to defuse a potential crisis Mali sparked by mercenaries with Russias Wagner Group.

And now, Israel.

We felt it was important for the world to know exactly how Hamas has chosen to embed themselves in the civilian population and use civilians, including those at hospitals, as human shields, a senior U.S. official told VOA, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss the decision-making process.

The selection of Shifa Hospital, in particular as a location to base military operations from, the official said, was in violation of the laws of war.

The announcements from the White House and the Pentagon were met with almost immediate skepticism on social media platforms, with accounts accusing the U.S. of lying to cover for Israel or of basing its assessments entirely on Israels own claims.

Hamas, too, rejected the accusations from Washington.

"We strongly condemn and reject the claims," Hamas said in a statement on its Telegram channel late Tuesday. "These statements give a green light to the Israeli occupation to commit further brutal massacres."

Hours later, Israeli forces launched what Israel described as a precise and targeted operation aimed at Hamas fighters in Shifa.

The U.S. official told VOA the timing of the Israeli action, following the statements from the White House and Pentagon, was coincidental.

The downgrade had nothing to do with any operational timing or any decision making by the Israeli Defense Forces [sic], the official said. We do not want to see airstrikes or firefights at hospitals, and we believe that patients and civilians must be protected.

Other U.S. officials, likewise, pushed back against accusations that Washingtons intelligence assessment was based on Israeli intelligence, saying it was based on information collected by multiple U.S. agencies.

The Wall Street Journal Wednesday reported that the U.S. assessment Hamas was using Shifa as a base for operations came partly from intercepted communications of fighters inside the hospital compound.

Former intelligence officials and analysts who spoke to VOA said they expected the U.S. assessment was likely based on both intercepted communications, known as signals intelligence or SIGINT, and human sources.

The obvious way that you would know something like that would be because you knew that a credible Hamas source had confirmed it, and that could be because you had human intelligence to that effect, or it could be that you had some kind of intercept to that effect, a former Western counterterrorism official told VOA, requesting anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the intelligence gathering.

And the U.S. has been in position to intercept Hamas communications. The Pentagon, earlier this month, confirmed it started flying unarmed drones over Gaza on October 7 to help with hostage recovery efforts in the aftermath of the Hamas terror attacks.

Larry Pfeiffer, a former CIA chief of staff and former senior director of the White House Situation Room, told VOA the U.S. also has the ability to use satellite reconnaissance and cyber capabilities to help pinpoint how Hamas is directing its operations.

The NSC [National Security Council] and the Pentagon spoke with some certitude, he said. [That] suggests to me some pretty rock-solid evidence derived from U.S. collection or independently verifiable Israeli collection.

Israel, late Wednesday, began releasing images and other evidence from its operation in Shifa that it said proves Israeli and U.S. assessments that Hamas had been using the hospital as a command center  showing so-called Hamas grab and go bags, with assault rifles, ammunition, grenades and uniforms, as well as other weaponry and equipment.

Like the U.S. announcement, the Israeli claims were met with skepticism by some social media accounts, some accusing Israel of planting the evidence.

But some of the former intelligence officials who spoke with VOA said the Israeli evidence should not be dismissed.

The IDF video showing weapons recovered at Shifa is certainly significant, as this does demonstrate Hamas utilization of the hospital, which is technically a war crime, said Marc Polymeropoulos, a former senior CIA operations officer who worked extensively in the Middle East.

That said, given the U.S. and Israeli claims that the hospital contained a major command and control node for Hamas, its probably going to take additional evidence, such as video of the actual tunnels under the hospital, to buttress the intelligence claims and assuage some of the international concerns, he added.

Still, Polymeropoulos and other former officials believe the U.S. decision to declassify the intelligence on Hamas use of hospitals will pay off, even if it takes time.

This is clearly designed to give the Israelis some breathing room, Polymeropoulos said.

The audience is both global, because of the international outrage, but also domestic, he said, noting the Biden administration has faced increasing criticism in the U.S. for its unwavering support of the Israeli campaign.

The former Western counterterrorism official also said the U.S. decision to back up the Israeli claims with independent U.S. intelligence may also serve to buy Israel more time with Arab and Muslim governments, whose patience may be wearing thin.

This is perhaps just about the moment in the conflict where people are starting to wobble, the official said. "Declassifying that information clearly helps to tell the story of why the Israelis are having to respond in the way that they have.
A passenger plane arrives at the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, Nov. 16, 2023. Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province was officially inaugurated on Thursday, raising hope for the recovery of the kingdom's tourism industry. (Photo by Liao Hongqing/Xinhua)

SIEM REAP, Cambodia, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province was officially inaugurated on Thursday, raising hope for the recovery of the kingdom's tourism industry.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presided over the inauguration ceremony, which was attended by more than 1,000 people.

Speaking at the event, Hun Manet said the airport was launched as Cambodia and China celebrated the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and China marked the 10th anniversary of the BRI's inception.

"The Siem Reap Angkor International Airport is the fruit of peace and is the new outstanding achievement of the ironclad friendship between Cambodia and China," he said.

The Cambodian leader said the SAI is a 4E-level international airport that can accommodate larger planes, including those used on global long-haul routes.

"It will connect Cambodia to the world, and we hope new international airlines, especially Chinese ones, will spread their wings to Siem Reap province," he said.

Hun Manet said the airport will give a big boost to the tourism sector in Siem Reap and local residents will directly benefit from it.

Invested by the Angkor International Airport Investment (Cambodia) Co., Ltd., an affiliate of China's Yunnan Investment Holdings Ltd., the 700-hectare airport was designed in traditional Cambodian architecture style.

With a 3,600-meter-long runway, the SAI is currently Cambodia's biggest airport and is the main gateway to the UNESCO-listed Angkor Archaeological Park, one of the country's most popular tourist attractions.

Mao Havannall, minister in charge of the Cambodia's State Secretariat of Civil Aviation, said the SAI will be able to handle 7 million air passengers per annum from 2024 and up to 12 million passengers annually from 2040.

"It will give a boost to the kingdom's economic growth, promote aviation, tourism and investment, and contribute further to poverty reduction," he said.

"We are confident that this new airport will become a bridge connecting Cambodia to a wider world," he added.

According to Havannall, the airport currently employs a total of 447 people, including 82 Chinese nationals and 365 Cambodians.

Kin Phea, director general of the International Relations Institute of Cambodia, a think tank under the Royal Academy of Cambodia, said the SAI marks a significant development in Cambodia's aviation industry.

"It will facilitate access to the Angkor Archaeological Park, improve infrastructure, and facilitate trade and investment," he told Xinhua.

Phea said the airport also improves living standards, creates jobs, facilitates the movement of people and goods, and provides access to education and healthcare for Cambodians, making it a symbol of the country's progress in the aviation and tourism sectors.

The SAI is located in Sotr Nikum district, about 40 km from the Angkor park and more than 50 km from Siem Reap provincial town. 

Passengers wait for their flights at the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, Nov. 16, 2023. Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province was officially inaugurated on Thursday, raising hope for the recovery of the kingdom's tourism industry. (Photo by Liao Hongqing/Xinhua)

Passengers go through security check at the Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, Nov. 16, 2023. Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province was officially inaugurated on Thursday, raising hope for the recovery of the kingdom's tourism industry. (Photo by Liao Hongqing/Xinhua)

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet presides over the inauguration ceremony of Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in Siem Reap province, Cambodia, Nov. 16, 2023. Chinese-invested Siem Reap Angkor International Airport (SAI) in northwest Cambodia's Siem Reap province was officially inaugurated on Thursday, raising hope for the recovery of the kingdom's tourism industry. (Photo by Ly Lay/Xinhua)
A controversial section of federal law that gives U.S. intelligence agencies the ability to conduct warrantless surveillance of the communications of non-U.S. persons abroad will expire at the end of the year, creating pressure on Congress to renew it, even as privacy activists demand that it be reformed.

Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) allows electronic surveillance of non-U.S. persons overseas and outside the United States for purposes of national security. It also contains a provision allowing for surveillance of foreign intelligence targets within the U.S., subject to the approval of a special Foreign Intelligence Surveillance court.

Because the surveillance of foreign nationals can often pick up the communications of American citizens who are not its direct target, many civil liberties organizations believe FISA operations violate legal protections on individual privacy. Adding to that concern is the fact that the information collected as part of FISA surveillance can be queried by domestic law enforcement agencies, such as the Federal Bureau of Investigation, without a warrant. Critics say this practice amounts to backdoor searches.

Investigations in recent years have found numerous instances in which law enforcement agencies have abused the FISA process to obtain access to information about U.S. nationals. That includes operations that gathered information about former President Donald Trumps 2016 campaign team and others that targeted the leaders of the Black Lives Matter movement.

Rights groups object

Jeramie D. Scott, senior counsel and director of the Electronic Privacy Information Centers (EPIC) Project on Surveillance Oversight, told VOA that his group believes the law should only be renewed if major safeguards are added.

EPIC and our coalition partners have been very clear that Section 702 should not be reauthorized without significant reforms, including a warrant requirement for searches of U.S. persons information, he wrote in an email exchange.

Kia Hamadanchy, a senior policy counsel with the American Civil Liberties Union, said that his organization has been challenging Section 702 since the day FISA was signed into law, and that its opposition continues.

We have serious, serious concerns with how the problem is being operated, he told VOA. Over the last 15 years, we've seen a whole host of abuses.  So, our current position is that Section 702 should not be reauthorized absent fundamental reform.

Law enforcement cites need

In an appearance before the House Committee on Homeland Security on Wednesday, FBI Director Christopher Wray delivered prepared testimony in which he outlined a broad range of security threats facing the country, and said that allowing Section 702 to expire, or restricting its use, would make the country less safe.

Loss of this vital provision, or its reauthorization in a narrowed form, would raise profound risks, Wray said. For the FBI in particular, either outcome could mean substantially impairing, or in some cases entirely eliminating, our ability to find and disrupt many of the most serious security threats.

At the same hearing, Christine Abizaid, director of the National Counterterrorism Center (NCTC), described Section 702 as essential to protecting the country against terrorist attacks.

One of the most important questions for NCTC to determine is whether international terrorists could gain access to and pose a threat to the Homeland, Abizaid said in her prepared testimony. Section 702 is essential for our ability to do that, and without it, the United States and the world will be less safe.

Different tracks in Congress

There appear to be at least two competing Section 702 reauthorization proposals making their way through Congress.

Last week, a bipartisan group of lawmakers from both the House of Representatives and the Senate announced the introduction of the Government Surveillance Reform Act, which would reauthorize Section 702 with significant restrictions.

Among other things, the bill would require domestic law enforcement agencies to obtain a warrant before searching FISA data for information about American citizens. It has been endorsed by a large number of civil liberties organizations.

Americans know that it is possible to confront our countrys adversaries ferociously without throwing our constitutional rights in the trash can, said Senator Ron Wyden, one of the co-sponsors, when the bill was introduced. But for too long, surveillance laws have not kept up with changing times.

Narrower reform

On Tuesday, the news organization Politico obtained a set of talking points outlining the shape of a competing Section 702 reauthorization proposal being considered by the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. The restrictions it would place on law enforcement use of Section 702 are fewer. For example, domestic law enforcement agencies would only need to obtain a warrant to search FISA data for evidence of a crime.

Rights groups criticized the intelligence committees version of reform for not going far enough.

Limiting a warrant requirement to evidence of a crime searches does little to address the well-documented abuses of the 702 authority, said Scott of EPIC. Furthermore, any serious proposal for reform needs to go beyond 702 to close similar loopholes that allow the government to obtain Americans information without a warrant. To not do so is to not take Americans privacy and civil liberties seriously.
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A membr of the Citizens Coalition for Change activist crying foul over the killing of Tapfumaneyi Masaya by suspected state security agents. Masaya was abducted and tortured to death by assailants in Harare. (Video: Mlondolozi Ndlovu)
Israeli soldiers raided Shifa Hospital in Gaza early Wednesday, looking for Hamas militants after giving Health Ministry officials a few minutes warning.

"Based on intelligence information and an operational necessity, IDF forces are carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the Shifa hospital," the Israel Defense Forces said in a statement. It urged all Hamas fighters to surrender. The IDF said its forces consisted of medical teams and Arabic speakers, who have undergone specified training to prepare for this complex and sensitive environment, with the intent that no harm is caused to the civilians." The military also said it has delivered incubators, baby food and medical supplies to the embattled hospital.

This photo released by Dr. Marawan Abu Saada shows prematurely born Palestinian babies in Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Nov. 12, 2023. (Dr. Marawan Abu Saada via AP)

After searching the medical complex, Israel said it found weapons, intelligence material and communications gear belonging to Hamas. The Hamas-run Health Ministry said the Israeli military did not find any weapons. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said in a statement, "There is no place in Gaza that we cannot reach. There are no hideouts. There is no shelter or refuge for the Hamas murderers."

"We will reach and eliminate Hamas, and we will bring back our hostages, the Israeli leader said. These are two sacred missions."

Munir al-Boursh, a senior official with Gaza's Health Ministry, said Israeli forces ransacked the basement and other buildings at Shifa, including those housing the emergency and surgery departments.

"They are still here," he said by phone from inside the hospital, hours after the raid began. "Patients, women and children are terrified."

It was not possible to independently assess the situation inside.

Earlier, the United States backed up Israels claims that Hamas  a U.S.-designated terror group  is using hospitals as cover for its fighters. Israel says Shifa specifically had a command center underneath it.

Israel has not provided photos or videos to back up its claims about Hamas militants at Shifa, although it has shared footage of militants operating in residential neighborhoods and positioning rockets and weapons near schools and mosques.

Hamas and the hospital deny the allegations.

The militant group said in a statement that the administration of U.S. President Joe Biden essentially gave the IDF a green light to carry out the raid and said Biden would be fully responsible for the operations results.

The White House rejected Hamas claim. National Security Council spokesman John Kirby told reporters, "We did not give an OK to their military operations around the hospital."

Hamas said about 650 patients and 5,000 to 7,000 Palestinian civilians have taken shelter on the hospital grounds. After the hospital raid, Biden spoke with Netanyahu about the latest developments in the war. The White House said they discussed at length ongoing efforts to secure the release of hostages, including nine Americans and a foreign national with U.S. employment rights.

Biden said Tuesday he believes hostages being held by Hamas militants in Gaza are going to be released but gave no timetable. He sent a message to the estimated 240 hostages being held: Hang in there. We are coming.

Calls for cease-fire

World Health Organization head Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the Israeli raid on the Shifa Hospital was "totally unacceptable."

"Hospitals are not battlegrounds," he said Wednesday.

United Nations humanitarian chief Martin Griffiths issued a statement saying, As the carnage in Gaza reaches new levels of horror every day, the world continues to watch in shock as hospitals come under fire, premature babies die, and an entire population is deprived of the basic means of survival. This cannot be allowed to continue.

He urged the warring parties to respect international humanitarian law, agree to a humanitarian cease-fire and stop the fighting.

Hospital must be protected

On Tuesday, Biden said hospitals in Gaza must be protected as Israeli forces continue to target health care facilities in the Palestinian enclave over claims Hamas is using them as cover to hide its command centers and weaponry. Kirby told reporters that Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad militants operated a command-and-control node from Shifa and use tunnels underneath to support their military operations and hold hostages. He said the militants have stored weapons there and were prepared to respond to an Israeli military operation against that facility.

Now to be clear, we're not supporting striking a hospital from the air, and we do not want to see a firefight in the hospital where innocent people, helpless people, sick people are simply trying to get the medical care that they deserve, not to be caught in a crossfire, Kirby said, adding that Hamas actions "do not lessen Israel's responsibilities to protect civilians in Gaza."

Death toll

Palestinian authorities in Gaza say more than 11,000 people  about 40% of them children  have been killed since Israel launched a major air and ground offensive in response to the October 7 attack by Hamas militants on southern Israel that killed 1,200 people. About 240 people were kidnapped and are currently being held hostage by Hamas in Gaza. The United Nations humanitarian office said Tuesday that more than two-thirds of Gazas population of 2.3 million have fled their homes since the war began.

The Israeli military said it has seized several government facilities in Gaza City, including the territorys legislature building, the Hamas police headquarters and a compound housing Hamas' military intelligence headquarters.

"In every location, the enemy forces were eliminated, the location was demolished," an Israeli commander said.

As its military incursion advances, Israel has rejected growing and intense international pressure to impose a cease-fire to allow for the delivery of critically needed humanitarian aid to Gaza. It has, however, agreed to four-hour daily humanitarian pauses to allow the opening of two corridors to let Palestinians evacuate northern Gaza.

The NSCs Kirby said Tuesday that in the past 24 hours, around 115 more trucks carrying humanitarian aid were able to enter Gaza, bringing the total to 1,100.
HARARE (Reuters) - Zimbabwean police said 22 people were killed and two injured late on Tuesday after a minibus collided with a truck on a highway, which links the country to the South African border.

The fatal accident, on the Bulawayo-Beitbridge road, involved the minibus, which was carrying 21 passengers, and the truck with one passenger on board, police said on X, formerly known as Twitter.

It was not immediately clear if bystanders were also hurt or killed.

The two people who were wounded were receiving treatment in the southwestern city of Bulawayo.

Road accidents are frequent in Zimbabwe, where transport operators are often accused of overloading vehicles that are then driven on pothole-ridden roads.

(Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Editing by Anait Miridzhanian and Bernadette Baum)
Masaya was reportedly bundled into a vehicle by unknown men while campaigning for main opposition party CCC's candidate ahead of by-elections on December 9, the party said.

CCC spokesperson Promise Mkwananzi told Reuters on Tuesday that Masaya was tortured and dumped on the outskirts of Harare.

Masaya's body was later moved to a mortuary at Parirenyatwa Hospital, about 5km from central Harare, where it was identified by CCC members who had been searching for him, Mkwananzi said.

Reuters could not independently verify the events.

Zimbabwe has a long history of forced disappearances and deaths of political activists dating back to the 1980s. The opposition has often accused the ruling ZANU-PF party of torture and deaths of its activists.

Masaya's abduction and killing comes barely two weeks after CCC lawmaker Takudzwa Ngadziore was abducted, tortured and dumped about 50km north of Harare by armed men. He survived the attack.

Police said on Monday an investigation had been launched after a body was discovered in the vicinity of where the CCC said Masaya was found, but that the victim's identity was yet to be established.

Police spokesperson Paul Nyathi told Reuters on Tuesday that there were no further updates.

"We urge the police to do their work and ensure that all these abductors are promptly and effectively brought to justice," said Mkwananzi.

Zimbabwe's opposition parties have been calling for a fresh election since President Emmerson Mnangagwa secured a second term in August. CCC leader Nelson Chamisa described the vote as a "gigantic fraud", while the ruling ZANU-PF party has denied the fraud claims.

(Reporting by Nyasha Chingono; Editing by Olivia Kumwenda-Mtambo and Bernadette Baum)
LANZHOU, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Every morning at sunrise, police officer Ma Ming and his well-equipped colleagues step out from their police station nestled within the picturesque Guanshan Mountains, embarking on their patrols in these relatively rare verdant landscapes of the Loess Plateau in the northwestern Gansu Province.

The police station, headed by Ma, is responsible for safeguarding this critical ecological shelter for the Loess Plateau, a vast forest area covering 350,000 mu (about 23,333 hectares). Within this domain, forest patrol constitutes an integral component of the daily tasks of Ma and his team.

"I have deep appreciation for nature and its wildlife. Over the past few years, as the ecological environment has improved, and the scourge of illegal poaching has waned, it has become common for us to come across wild animals during our routine forest patrols," said the police officer.

Guanshan Mountains, straddling the provinces of Gansu and Shaanxi, used to be a hotspot for illegal hunting. The mountains' intricate terrain and significant traffic made it a prime target for poachers.

It's home to nearly 60 different species of wild animals, including red deer, leopard, forest musk deer and red-bellied chicken. A decade ago, poachers frequently exploited the porous provincial borders, sneaking into the deep forests armed with guns and snares.

To combat this menace and create a safe shelter for the local wildlife, Ma and his team initiated various measures. They began by visiting local villages to educate villagers about the laws and regulations governing forest protection, illustrating their points with real-life examples. Simultaneously, their patrols were intensified.

The long trek through the dense forest is fraught with danger. It normally takes them at least three hours to finish a tour of inspection. Inevitably, they are scratched by thick tree branches in the process of conducting their patrols.

In August 2021, Ma and his colleagues received a tip-off about a criminal gang engaged in hunting wild animals in the vicinity of Guanshan Mountains. These lawbreakers even posted videos of their hunting exploits online to garner attention.

After tracking a dozen criminals fleeing on motorbikes through the forest while transporting their prey, Ma and his colleague discreetly tailed the gang day and night. Their persistence paid off when they successfully arrested the poachers.

"It was worth all the hard work and effort," said Ma, when reflecting on the successful arrests.

Over the past decade, Ma has taken the lead in managing more than 300 criminal and administrative cases. Thanks to the relentless efforts of Ma and his colleagues, local wildlife and natural resources have been effectively safeguarded.

In the eyes of his 6-year-old son, Ma is not just a protector of wildlife but also his hero. He often daydreams about his dad appearing in his favorite animated series, "Boonie Bears," which depicts the clever and humorous adventures of personified wildlife.

"If dad were there, he could protect the bears and their home," the young wildlife lover said proudly. 
Photo: Vinnie Zuffante/Getty Images

David Schwimmer paid tribute to his fictional college roommate on Instagram Wednesday. Shortly after Matthew Perrys death, the five surviving Friends issued a joint statement saying they would take a moment to grieve the man they called Matty in private. Matt LeBlanc was first to honor Perry publicly, followed by Courtney Cox. Schwimmers post used a still from Friends season 5s The One With All the Thanksgivings. In it, Schwimmer and Perry are dressed in a vaguely Miami Vice fashion (apparently Ross and Chandler were slaves to fashion in their college years). The episode is a fan favorite, ranked number one in Vultures Friends Thanksgiving episodes list.

This photo is from one of my favorite moments with you. Now it makes me smile and grieve at the same time, he wrote. I imagine you up there, somewhere, in the same white suit, hands in your pockets, looking around Could there BE any more clouds?
Justin Torres won for his novel Blackouts. Photo: Getty Images

After a scabbing controversy led to a host shake-up and sponsors withdrew their support of the event after taking issue with a planned cease-fire announcement, the National Book Awards shared the 2023 winners on November 15. Justin Torress Blackouts, an exploration of forgotten queer histories and storytelling, won the award for fiction. During his acceptance speech at the National Book Awards ceremony on Wednesday night, the author took the stage with other finalists to call for a cease-fire in Gaza. On behalf of the finalists, we oppose the ongoing bombardment of Gaza and call for a humanitarian cease-fire to address the urgent humanitarian needs of Palestinian civilians, particularly children, said Temple Folk author and finalist Aaliyah Bilal, together with more than a dozen peers. We oppose antisemitism and anti-Palestinian sentiment and Islamophobia equally. Accepting the human dignity of all parties, knowing that further bloodshed does nothing to secure lasting peace in the region. Thank you.

The LeVar Burtonhosted ceremony also awarded Ned Blackhawk a prize in nonfiction for his book The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History, a comprehensive history of the United States that painstakingly recognizes that Native Americans are key to understanding America. Elsewhere in the evening, Burton and special guest Oprah Winfrey pushed back against the rising tide of right-wing book bans across the country. Are there any Moms for Liberty in the house? asked Burton, referring to the conservative group calling for homophobic and anti-Black bans. No? Good. Then hands will not need to be thrown tonight, he quipped.

Below, the full list of National Book Award winners.

Fiction

Justin Torres, Blackouts

Nonfiction

Ned Blackhawk, The Rediscovery of America: Native Peoples and the Unmaking of U.S. History

Poetry

Craig Santos Perez, from unincorporated territory [amot]

Translated Literature

Stenio Gardel, The Words That Remain

Translated from the Portuguese by Bruna Dantas Lobato

Young Peoples Literature

Dan Santat, A First Time for Everything
A god and a statue. Photo-Illustration: Vulture ; Photos: Alamy

In 1966, John Lennon (in)famously remarked that the Beatles were more popular than Jesus. Now, 57 years later, Taylor Swift may actually be, in Brazil at least. A group of Brazilian Swifties (as if youre surprised) are trying to decorate Rio de Janeiros 98-feet-tall Christ the Redeemer statue for her shows there, which begin November 17. Specifically, they want to project Swifts Junior Jewels shirt from the You Belong With Me Video onto Christ himself and you bet theyve already got a mockup. And no, it wouldnt be a False God  the statue has honored events with projections before, and both the mayor and the rector who oversees projections have gotten on board. (Father Omar told Swifties he received your comments with great joy.) So theyve now gone back to Swifts own team to make sure theyre not violating her copyright. Swifties are praying they respond before tomorrow nights show.

PROJETA RIO . CHEGAMOS AO TOPO DOS TRENDS!!!!!!! 



FACAM ACONTECER ESSA HOMENAGEM, POR FAVOR



RIO TAYLORS VERSION@Prefeitura_Rio @eduardopaes @arqrio @ErikakHilton pic.twitter.com/n0rAhVfOqf  alex  the eras 17/19 (@msidnights) November 13, 2023
Two Photographs comes off as the most anti-Diana episode of season six so far, unfairly painting the adrift princess as the personification of scandal and poor judgment, while the queen continues tut-tutting her ex-daughter-in-laws behavior from the confines of Balmoral Castle. What the queen doesnt seem to understand, after decades on the job, is that photos of Diana are still big business.

The cold open features interviews with two distinctly different photographers. First, we have Mario Brenna, the real-life paparazzo who allegedly earned $5 million for the world rights to the first photos documenting Princess Diana and Dodi Fayeds romance. Brenna chillingly talks about how paparazzi must be like hunters, killers, while he breaches a wall to capture two unnamed celebrities mid-fight.

Next, we have Brennas polar opposite: the sedate Scottish portrait photographer Duncan Muir (dude wears a tweed coat, nuff said), who has picked up a side hustle taking pics of the royal family. Muir appears to be a fictional character and serves as The Crowns official acknowledgment of Queen Elizabeths death in 2022. Hes a guy who calls himself a proud Elizabethan and gets giddy when Her Majesty offers a kind hello during a public engagement. Muir spends most of his interview blathering about how the queen united the country and, quite accurately, how well all miss her terribly when shes gone.

Following the credits, Buckingham Palace staff alert the senior royals to the latest problem surrounding the Princess of Wales, with Princess Anne translating for the queen, who apparently doesnt speak subtle racist: Diana hanging out with the Fayed family is a bad look because the government is afraid Mohamed Al-Fayed will use his new friend as leverage for his long-denied British citizenship. (Mohamed, who died in September 2023, never became a British citizen.)

Oh, that girl, sighs the queen.

Her Majesty isnt wrong with that sentiment, just misguided. The way The Crown tells it, Diana is little more than a sitting duck. While she and Dodi are canoodling on the Jonikal, Mohamed is calling his security guy and demanding a progress report, even going so far as putting the maid on the phone to confirm whether Dodi and Diana are intimate. GROSS.

Even grosser? As soon as the maid assures her boss that Dodi and Diana share a room and a bed, Mohamed executes the next part of his plan: hiring the ruthless Brenna to capture photos of his son and the Princess of Wales in a torrid embrace. (There is no proof that Al-Fayed hired Brenna, but thats whats so good about The Crown  its easy to believe his character would.)

Oblivious to Mohameds machinations, and just before Brenna snaps his now-infamous photos, Diana and Dodi chat about the rest of her summer plans, but their lighthearted banter has so many morbid overtones that its hard not to be completely spooked by this scene. Diana talks about how she doesnt get the boys back until the 31st, Dodi remains vague about his engagement to Kelly Fisher, and then they start flirting  and making out  while discussing land-mine survivors???

Upon Dianas return to London, news spreads that, somehow, a paparazzo has gotten photos of her and Dodi together on Mohameds yacht. How strange, remarks Diana, because wasnt their location supposed to be private? The queens private secretary, Robert Fellowes, warns Her Majesty that these photos were the subject of the fiercest bidding war in Fleet Street history, with the Sunday Mirror paying 250,000 for the rights. And because this was the pre-digital, pre-smartphone age, an extensive advertising campaign will lead up to the photos publication.

But Diana cant worry about that right now because shes about to see her sons for the last time. William and Harry head off to Balmoral with their father but not without William, still the audiences stand-in, mentioning to his mother that Dodi is weird. Oh, listen to your son, Diana!

The Crown also gives Diana and Charles a nice final exchange here, with Charles commending Diana for the work she has been doing to raise awareness about land mines and the pair making a mutual promise to be brilliant at co-parenting. Maybe if Charles, Dianas friend [and partner] of her dreams had said Dodi was weird, she might have listened. But thats idealistic thinking, just like this whole interaction is in the first place.

While the royals are in Scotland, Diana heads to Bosnia to visit land-mine victims. These scenes are nice reminders of what we all knew back then: She really was in her element doing humanitarian work. Although Diana did go to Bosnia in August 1997, The Crown takes creative liberties here with its reenactment of the princesss walk through a minefield. That famous event, with Diana covered in protective equipment, took place in Angola in January 1997.

Unfortunately for Diana, nobody cares that she risked her life in an actual minefield or that shes championing a serious cause: At the time of her minefield walk, newspapers featuring an 11-page spread of her and Dodi frolicking in the Mediterranean arrive at Balmoral. The queen is disgusted. William is humiliated. Charles is oddly curious; Harry catches his pa sneaking a peek, LOL.

Mohamed, on the other hand, is delighted.

Diana attempts a press conference focusing on her humanitarian mission, but all the paps want to ask about is her relationship with Dodi. In many ways, this trip was an abject failure, and it might have caused Diana to slip back into her old self-harm habits: We see her biting into her finger so deeply it leaves a mark.

Never mind the effect of the photos on Dianas mental health  the palace has gone into full damage-control mode. Charless private secretary wants to take advantage of the situation with a counterphoto. The intention is to emphasize that Dianas Saint-Tropez lifestyle is synonymous with scandal while Charless Balmoral lifestyle is synonymous with dignity. It doesnt take much to convince Charles because he knows the drill. William and Harry, however, have conditions: Theyre not wearing a kilt or carrying a sheeps crook like their pa.

Trustworthy photographer Muir, with his tweed jacket and dependable Volvo, is hired to take the famous family snaps of the Prince of Wales, Prince William, and Prince Harry at Balmoral in the summer of 1997. (In reality, Arthur Edwards served as photographer.) Although William and Harry initially arent keen on the photo shoot, they eventually warm up to Muir, who encourages them to have fun with each other.

The next round of papers arrives, and the photos are a massive success. Most important, the queen is pleased. The family needs all the good publicity it can get because, as Her Majesty shares with Prince Philip, Dianas antics are getting worse. The latest piece of gossip is that Diana just flew 160 miles in the Harrods helicopter to visit her psychic friend in Derbyshire  so Dodi could get some direction. Even though I dont at all like the way Diana is treated in this episode, I do have to agree with Philips pitch-perfect reaction here: Spare me!

The bottom line is that so much of Dianas life was a tragedy well before she met her catastrophic death. Maybe if the queen had provided compassion instead of judgment, Diana would still be alive today. But as The Crown has proved time and again, the queen will always choose duty over understanding, which is why her closing monologue, while predictable, remains so infuriating to hear. Over a montage of paparazzi swarming Diana and Dodi, the queen continues to put the blame squarely on Diana, admonishing her for not learning from her mistakes. Its Diana who is erratic, reckless, and out of control. Not the relentless photographers, her spineless boyfriend, or her unscrupulous friend Mohamed Al-Fayed.

All one wants is for that girl to find peace, the queen remarks, as the final shot lands on a haunting re-creation of Diana wearing a turquoise bathing suit, sitting forlornly on the Jonikals diving board.

Do you, Lilibet? Did you ever truly feel that way?

Crown Jewels

 Its hard to find levity in such heavy subject matter, but The Crown succeeds during the senior royals meeting where the new royal website is unveiled. Between the dial-up tone and Princess Anne explaining to the bewildered queen mother that logging on has nothing to do with timber, its rather chuckle-worthy.

 Dianas Duran Duran T-shirt is such a nice touch.
BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- China and Mongolia conducted the "Border Defense Cooperation-2023" joint exercise on Nov. 10, China's Ministry of National Defense said on Thursday.

The exercise was carried out in the border region near a prefecture in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, according to Zhang Xiaogang, a spokesperson for the ministry.

Concentrated on joint actions between the two countries to curb border crimes, the event involved drills on joint command, joint reconnaissance, operational disposition and joint action, Zhang said, adding that the exercise has enhanced the two militaries' operational capabilities of safeguarding the security and stability in border regions.

The two sides also organized activities such as weapons and equipment displays, and other military-related cultural exchanges after the exercise, Zhang said. 
Safety experts raise alarm over Bologna tower.

The landmark Garisenda Tower in the north Italian city of Bologna is at high risk of collapse, experts warned on Wednesday, weeks after the mediaeval structure was sealed off over safety concerns.

The smaller of Bologna's leaning "twin towers", the 48-m high Torre della Garisenda stands alongside the 97-m Torre degli Asinelli, both of which date to the early 12th century.

The technical committee tasked with monitoring the structural integrity of the tower described the situation as "code red" and "maximum alert", reports Corriere della Sera newspaper.

In their report presented to city authorities, the experts said the likelihood of the tower collapsing are "unacceptably high, more than 10,000 times higher than what is typically allowed by the regulations", according to Italian media.

In a statement issued by city hall, Bologna mayor Matteo Lepore said the report will be studied "in depth with the technicians in the coming days", promising an update on the situation on 20 November.

Lepore, however, said the report did not appear to offer any "precise indications" on how to intervene in terms of the tower's "structural consolidation and restoration".

Initially standing at 60 metres, the tower was lowered to its current height in the 14th century after the ground below gave way, prompting fears for its collapse.
Friday's strike in Italy: what you need to know.

Italy faces a nationwide general strike on Friday 17 November with disruption expected to public transport services as well the education and health sectors.

The strike affecting public transport was originally scheduled as a 24-hour protest but was reduced to four hours after the government issued an injunction, a move that infuriated trade unions.

The strike has been called by two of Italy's main trade unions, CGIL and UIL, to demand salary increases and to protest against the government's 2024 budget bill.

Workers in the public transport sector across Italy are set to fold their arms from 09.00 to 13.00 on Friday, with the exception of Milan, Naples and Bologna.

However the strike involving public sector workers will last for eight hours, affecting schools, healthcare services, post offices and rubbish collection.

The eight-hour strike action will also involve workers in the private sector in Italy's central regions, including the Lazio region around Rome.

So which services will be affected by Friday's strike, and when?

Public transport

Buses, subways, trams, ships and ferry services in Italy will be at risk for four hours on Friday, from 09.00-13.00.

However the strike will not affect public transport services in Milan, Bologna or Naples, all of which held strikes recently and are not within the permitted timeframe to strike again so soon after the last protest.

Trains

With the exception of Trenord in the northern Lombardia region around Milan, all railway lines will face disruption from 09.00-13.00 on Friday, including Trenitalia and Italo.

In a notice on its website, Trenitalia warns that the strike may lead to changes to services, "even before the start and after its conclusion".

Taxis

Taxi services are at risk from 00.01 to midnight on Friday.

Planes

Flights and airports will operate as normal, however those travelling on Friday should note that taxi services are not guaranteed.

Public sector

Employees in the public sector including health, education, postal services, cleaning and refuse collection are set to strike for eight hours on Friday, affecting post offices and medical visits as well as kindergartens, schools and universities.

Private sector

Workers in companies in the central regions are also striking for eight hours or the entire working day. The regions affected are Lazio, Tuscany, Umbria, Marche, Abruzzo and Molise.

Inter-regional strikes

The protests by CGIL and UIL are divided into five days of strikes at an inter-regional level: on Monday 20 November it will be the turn of Sicily; Friday 24 November the northern regions; Monday 27 November Sardinia and, finally, Friday 1 December the southern regions.

Rome rally

CGIL and UIL are staging a large-scale demonstration at Piazza del Popolo in Rome on Friday from 09.00-13.00.

For official information about upcoming strikes in Italy see the transport ministry website.

Photo credit: DedMityay / Shutterstock.com.
There is a clear path to dictatorship in the United States, and it is getting shorter every day. So why is everyone behaving like normal?
This photo taken with a mobile phone on Nov. 16, 2023 shows a police officer on duty at the scene of a car crash near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. A car crashed into a barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, injuring one police officer, local media reported. (Xinhua/Zhong Ya)

TOKYO, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A car crashed into a barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, injuring one police officer, local media reported.

Tokyo police arrested the driver on the spot on suspicion of obstruction of public order, Kyodo News said. The driver is in his 50s and believed to be a member of a right-wing group.

Video footage from public broadcaster NHK showed that around 11 a.m. local time (GMT 0200), a black compact car crashed into the barrier at an intersection approximately 100 meters from the Israeli embassy.

Roads have been cordoned off at the scene. The Metropolitan Police Department is investigating the situation. 

This photo taken with a mobile phone on Nov. 16, 2023 shows the scene of a car crash near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. A car crashed into a barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, injuring one police officer, local media reported. (Xinhua/Zhong Ya)

This photo taken with a mobile phone on Nov. 16, 2023 shows a crashed car near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. A car crashed into a barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, injuring one police officer, local media reported. (Xinhua/Zhong Ya)

This photo taken with a mobile phone on Nov. 16, 2023 shows the scene of a car crash near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo, Japan. A car crashed into a barricade near the Israeli Embassy in Tokyo on Thursday, injuring one police officer, local media reported. (Xinhua/Zhong Ya)
The Muslim vote. The Chinese vote. After decades of multicultural policy and with the recent historically high immigration intake, the emerging phenomenon of federal electorates that are ethnically or religiously specific is reshaping our politics.

Seats with large diasporic communities are deciding elections. Last year, voters of Chinese origin, offended by Scott Morrisons regular verbal aggression towards China, helped hand power to the Labor Party. Three Liberal-held seats with big Chinese communities  Chisholm, Bennelong, and Reid  swung hard to Labor, which won office with just a two-seat margin.

Australian society is becoming increasingly more complex and diverse. Credit: Dionne Gain

Now, were seeing the potential electoral power of the Muslim vote being asserted over the Israel-Hamas conflict. This time, the diasporic vote presents some difficulties for the ALP.

Its true that in times past, religious and cultural ties have played outsized roles in important Australian political debates. The Catholic Church and Irish Australians heavily influenced the outcomes of two highly controversial issues in the 20th century: the conscription question during World War One, and the presence of communists in the labour movement in the 1950s. Both debates caused the Labor Party to split.
Former Liberal minister Zed Seselja has received the endorsement of a string of senior conservative MPs, 10 days before Liberal Party faithful vote on who should fill the Senate vacancy created by Marise Paynes retirement.

Opposition Leader Peter Dutton, former prime minister Tony Abbott and Coalition party frontbenchers Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, Andrew Hastie and Angus Taylor have all publicly endorsed Seselja for the casual vacancy, in a significant intervention that could shake up the contest.

Zed Seselja has entered the highly competitive race for Marise Paynes former Senate seat, which will be decided on November 26. Credit: Screenshot

Former NSW Liberal state minister and moderate Andrew Constance has been considered the leading candidate because Seselja, Monica Tudehope, James Brown and Lou Amato are all battling to secure support from conservative-leaning preselectors.

Seselja is a former minister for the Pacific in the Morrison government and ACT senator who lost his seat to progressive independent David Pocock at the 2022 federal election. The race for Paynes former Senate seat will be decided on November 26.
San Francisco: Joe Biden and Xi Jinping entered their high-stakes meeting on the sidelines of APEC with a long list of contentious issues to discuss, limited room for compromise and a shared desire to stabilise an increasingly fraught relationship.

After four hours, the pair emerged with modest but important gains, signalling the potential start of a recalibration in US-China relations.

President Joe Biden and Chinas President President Xi Jinping walk in the gardens at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, California, Credit: New York Times

They agreed to address the flow of precursor chemicals from China that are used to manufacture fentanyl, which is now Americas deadliest illicit substance.

They will work together to examine the risks and benefits of AI, although US officials acknowledge this is a process that will require much more dialogue before concrete steps can be taken.
The panel also identified a $US3332 expense for a hotel stay, though the campaigns calendar indicated he was off at the Hamptons for the weekend. And there were tax and hotel charges on the campaign credit card from Las Vegas, during a time Santos told his campaign staff he was on his honeymoon and there were no corresponding campaign events on the calendar. The investigation also looked into at least $US200,000 that was transferred from a Florida-based company, RedStone Strategies LLC, to Santos personal bank accounts. The report said at least three people transferred money to RedStone after being told the money would be used for political purposes but the funds were transferred to Santos personal accounts. Santos used some of that money to pay down credit card bills, make a $US4128 purchase at high-end retailer Hermes, and for smaller purchases at OnlyFans, an adult content website, Sephora and meals and parking, investigators said. The Ethics Committee determined that Santos conduct warrants public condemnation, is beneath the dignity of the office, and has brought severe discredit upon the House.

The findings by the investigative panel may be the least of Santos worries. The congressman faces a 23-count federal indictment that alleges he stole the identities of campaign donors and then used their credit cards to make tens of thousands of dollars in unauthorised charges. Federal prosecutors say Santos, who has pleaded not guilty, wired some of the money to his personal bank account and used the rest to pad his campaign coffers. Loading Santos, who represents parts of Queens and Long Island, is also accused of falsely reporting to the Federal Election Commission that he had lent his campaign $US500,000 when he actually hadnt given anything and had less than $US8000 in the bank. The fake loan was an attempt to convince Republican Party officials that he was a serious candidate, worth their financial support, the indictment says. The Justice Department declined to comment about the ethics report, as did the Brooklyn US attorneys office, which is handling the case against Santos. Earlier this week, a former fundraiser for Santos pleaded guilty to a federal wire fraud charge, admitting he impersonated a high-ranking congressional aide while raising campaign cash for the embattled New York Republican.

Santos easily survived a vote earlier this month to expel him from the House as most Republicans and 31 Democrats opted to withhold punishment while both his criminal trial and the ethics committee investigation continued. But the committees report could prove a game-changer. Susan Wild, for example, the ranking Democrat on the Ethics Committee, said she was no longer obligated to maintain neutrality because the committees work was now complete. I intend to vote yes on any privileged expulsion resolution that is brought forward, Wild said. Jeff Jackson of North Carolina, one of the Democratic lawmakers who voted against expelling Santos earlier this month, said Santos has now received due process. This report is fully damning, he tweeted on X. I will vote to expel him.

And Nicole Malliotakis, a Republican who also voted no on the latest expulsion vote, said its not enough for Santos to say he wont seek reelection. He should immediately resign or be expelled so his constituents can be represented by someone who isnt a fraud, Malliotakis said. Expulsion, the sternest form of punishment, has occurred just five times in the history of the House  three times during the Civil War for disloyalty to the Union and twice after convictions on federal charges, most recently in 2002. If Santos were to be expelled, it would narrow the GOPs already thin majority in the House, which now stands at 221-213. But many of his Republican colleagues from New York support booting Santos from the House as they seek to distance themselves from his actions. While Santos now says he wont seek re-election, his campaign was already woefully short on resources and candidates from both parties were scrambling at the chance to challenge him.
Biden greeted Xi at a secluded estate about 45 kilometres from the downtown district where world leaders had gathered for the APEC summit. Loading Among them was Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, who announced a trial with Microsoft to explore the use of generative AI in the public service and will tomorrow deliver a speech on the importance of the Asia-Pacific forum. Xi used his meeting with Biden to warn him that conflict between their two countries would have unbearable consequences and that turning their backs on one another was not an option. Planet Earth is big enough for the two countries to succeed, he said, speaking through an interpreter.

The China-US relationship has never been smooth sailing over the past 50 years or more, and it always faces problems, one kind or another, yet it has kept moving forward amid twists and turns. For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option... Conflict and confrontation has unbearable consequences for both sides. Demonstrators march to protest the participation in the APEC Summit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Credit: AP The meeting was also the first time that Xi has been in the US since 2017. It also included a working lunch in honour of the Chinese president  comprising herbed ricotta ravioli, tarragon roasted chicken, and almond meringue cake  and a garden tour of the country estate that the US picked to host the event. During the gathering, the two leaders agreed to work together to combat fentanyl, with China agreeing to crack down on firms that make the chemicals for the deadly drug. Those chemicals are then mass-produced in Mexico through drug cartels and enter the US through the southern border.

The countries also agreed to examine the risks and benefits of AI, and in the face of global unrest, the US was able to achieve its longstanding goal of re-establishing military-to-military communication between the two countries, which was cut off after then House speaker Nancy Pelosis contentious visit to Taiwan last year. Not having such communication is how accidents happen, Biden said. Vital miscalculations on either side can cause real, real trouble with a country like China  or any other major country. But there were also sticking points: according to Chinese state media, Xi expressed frustration over strict export controls imposed by the US on items such as advanced semiconductor chips, reportedly saying they have seriously damaged Chinas legitimate interests. President Joe Biden and Chinas President President Xi Jinping walk in the gardens at the Filoli Estate in Woodside, California, Credit: New York Times Biden, meanwhile, said he had raised issues such as Chinas coercive actions in the Indo-Pacific, human rights, and the need for China to use its leverage with Iran to de-escalate conflict in the Middle East. However, these matters remain largely unresolved.

As for Taiwan, which China claims as its own, Biden said he reassured Xi that the US stands by its One China policy, which recognises that there is only one Chinese government. Meanwhile, a readout from the Chinese Foreign Ministry suggested Xi told Biden that the US should stop arming Taiwan and that reunification was unstoppable. The meeting came as the US president faces growing political pressure as a result of the carnage in Gaza. On Tuesday night, in an ominous sign for Biden ahead of next years election, thousands of people gathered along Market Street, San Franciscos main thoroughfare, demanding a ceasefire and chanting: Hey Ho, Hey Ho, Genocide Joe has got to go. Protests also erupted as the meeting took place on Wednesday, with opponents of Xi and China marching around the downtown district chanting Free Tibet and Free Hong Kong. With than 20,000 people expected at APEC, thousands of law enforcement officers were called in to police the areas around the summit, while entire blocks have been fortified with high fencing and barricades.

Homeless encampments and open air drug dens have also been removed, and some homeless people have been offered temporary shelter, in a clean-up that has left some residents feeling relieved, and others uneasy. If only we had a big summit every week, one Bay Area resident told this masthead. And in terms of China, many are uncertain about what todays meeting will achieve. Beijings actions over the coming weeks and months will ultimately prove the value of this engagement one way or another, said Jacob Stokes, a senior fellow at the Centre for a New American Security, a Washington-based think tank. In other words, at best the meeting marks the beginning of a tenuous process of stabilisation, not its end point.
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping and U.S. President Joe Biden agreed Wednesday to resume on the basis of equality and respect high-level military-to-military communication.

They reached the agreement during a summit at Filoli Estate, a country house approximately 40 km south of San Francisco, California. 
ISLAMABAD, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A soldier and four terrorists were killed in two separate clashes between security forces and the militants in Pakistan's northwest Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on Thursday, a military statement said.

One of the incidents happened on the outskirts of the provincial capital city of Peshawar, where the security forces conducted an intelligence-based operation on the reported presence of terrorists, the military's media wing Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said in the statement.

The operation triggered an exchange of fire in which four terrorists, highly wanted by the law enforcement agencies, were killed, the statement added.

"Weapons, ammunition, and explosives were also recovered from the killed terrorists, who remained actively involved in numerous terrorist activities, including extortion and target killings in the area," the statement said.

The other operation was conducted in Dera Ismail Khan district of the province, where a soldier was killed after an intense exchange of fire with terrorists, the ISPR said.

"Sanitization of the surrounding areas is being carried out to neutralize any other terrorists found in the area as the security forces of Pakistan are determined to eliminate the menace of terrorism from the country," the statement said. 
YANGON, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar Textile and Machinery Fair 2023 will be held in Yangon next month, according to the Myanmar Garment Manufacturers Association (MGMA) on Thursday.

The event will be jointly organized by the association and Chinese Textile and Garment Association in Myanmar, aiming to develop cooperation between textile and garment industries of the two countries.

Every country has a different vision of fashion, design and color related to textiles. But everyone loves good quality and creativity. The market in Myanmar will be promoted through the event in cooperation with international partners, MGMA Secretary General Daw Khine Khine Nwe told Xinhua on Thursday.

"Garments, shoes and bags will be displayed in one place. I am very glad that everyone can clearly see Myanmar's product quality at the event," she added.

According to the MGMA, 25 Chinese brands will be shown.

Sales promotion and introduction of local small and medium-sized enterprises will be conducted.

The fair will be held in Yangon on Dec. 8-10. 
A patient from Gaza arrives by plane at Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkiye on Nov. 16, 2023. Twenty-seven patients from Gaza and their 13 attendants, who passed through the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, arrived in Turkiye's capital here on early Thursday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

ANKARA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Twenty-seven patients from Gaza and their 13 attendants, who passed through the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, arrived in Turkiye's capital here on early Thursday.

"Twenty-seven patients from Gaza, most of whom are cancer patients who need urgent treatment, are in our country," Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca told reporters at the airport in Ankara.

"We established a health coordination team consisting of technical committees to bring patients to our country, especially cancer patients," the minister said.

Turkiye has delivered aid to Gaza, including medications, medical supplies and devices to meet the needs of the people in Gaza, he added.

The planes, departing from Egypt's El Arish Airport, landed at Ankara Esenboga Airport at midnight.

Koca traveled to Ankara from Egypt with some patients, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported.

These patients would be the first Gazans to travel from Egypt to another country for treatment, Koca told reporters in Egypt on Wednesday.

The conflict has so far led to the deaths of over 11,500 Palestinians in Gaza. On the Israeli side, about 1,200 people lost their lives, the majority of whom were killed in the Hamas attacks on Oct. 7. 

A patient from Gaza arrives by plane at Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkiye on Nov. 16, 2023. Twenty-seven patients from Gaza and their 13 attendants, who passed through the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, arrived in Turkiye's capital here on early Thursday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

A patient from Gaza arrives by plane at Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkiye on Nov. 16, 2023. Twenty-seven patients from Gaza and their 13 attendants, who passed through the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, arrived in Turkiye's capital here on early Thursday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

A patient from Gaza arrives by plane at Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkiye on Nov. 16, 2023. Twenty-seven patients from Gaza and their 13 attendants, who passed through the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, arrived in Turkiye's capital here on early Thursday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

A patient from Gaza arrives by plane at Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkiye on Nov. 16, 2023. Twenty-seven patients from Gaza and their 13 attendants, who passed through the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, arrived in Turkiye's capital here on early Thursday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)

A patient from Gaza is transferred to an ambulance at Esenboga Airport in Ankara, Turkiye on Nov. 16, 2023. Twenty-seven patients from Gaza and their 13 attendants, who passed through the Rafah border crossing from the Gaza Strip to Egypt, arrived in Turkiye's capital here on early Thursday. (Mustafa Kaya/Handout via Xinhua)
Weber State holds drive to increase community access to books

November 16, 2023

OGDEN, Utah  Weber State University and the United Way of Northern Utah are partnering for a book drive to improve literacy and access to books in the Ogden community.

Through Dec. 8, books can be donated for the Little Neighborhood Libraries around the city. The small wooden boxes filled with free books in English and Spanish are available for anyone to access.

The United Way of Northern Utah reported that nearly two-thirds of low-income families have no books, and currently, more than half of Ogden School District third graders read below grade level.

To know that so many children in our community dont have access to books is heartbreaking, said Teresa Martinez, student engagement coordinator for WSUs Center for Community Engaged Learning. Its even more heartbreaking to know that some children dont have books in their native language.

The mini libraries are placed in Ogden neighborhoods and anyone can leave or take a book for free at any time.

Yuritzi Rosas Hernandez, vice president of community engagement for WSUs Center for Community Engaged Learning, said she couldnt imagine her life without books, but as a child, finding books that represented her was difficult.

I remember finding a book about a girl who was an immigrant, and one page was in Spanish, and the other was in English, she said. My mom and I read the book together and started crying because I finally found a book that represented me.

One of the goals of the Little Neighborhood Libraries is to ignite a passion for reading in children by providing them with books tailored to their interests.

The United Way of Northern Utah has a list of suggested books to donate, and anyone can contribute, even if they do not live close by. Donations are accepted online or in person at WSUs Ogden or Davis campus.

We want to help make the donation process as easy as possible, Martinez said. Our goal is to increase the communitys access to books by getting our campus and community involved.

For more information about how to donate and volunteer opportunities, visit the Center for Community Engaged Learnings website.
Air Force and Northrop Grumman officials, along with the Army Corps of Engineers, met with local landowners last week at The Sagebrush in Kimball.

The focus of the Nov. 8 meeting was to update local landowners on Phase 1 of the Sentinel project, which is acquiring land for utility corridors.

The meeting immediately broke up into groups consisting of negotiations, appraisals, the 90th missile wing public affairs, GIS views, and surveys for permitting, right of way and program management.

No new information was presented to the 50 attendees before they broke into groups.

 Daria Anderson-Faden
LOS ANGELES (AP)  The area under an elevated Los Angeles freeway that burned last weekend, damaging a section of a key thoroughfare in the car-dependent city, was stacked with flammable materials on lots leased by the state through a little-known program that now is under scrutiny.

The blaze Saturday burned about 100 support columns, forcing the closure of a vital mile-long stretch of Interstate 10 near downtown that is used by hundreds of thousands of people daily.

It could take crews working around the clock between three and five weeks to repair the freeway, Gov. Gavin Newsom said.

Newsom said the state would reassess the practice of leasing land under roads to bring in money for mass transportation projects.

Details of that program remain opaque. Newsom's office directed questions about whether the state has any regular inspection protocols to state transportation officials. The California Department of Transportation, known as Caltrans, did not respond to questions about inspections or provide information about how many properties the state leases.

State Assemblymember Miguel Santiago, who represents part of downtown Los Angeles, said officials should disclose how many sites are leased under the program, the terms of contracts, how much money the program generates and how the state ensures companies comply with the contract requirements.

Some of those actions could have prevented what we now see happened underneath the 10, Santiago said.

Apex Development Inc. has leased the land under I-10 since 2008. One condition of Apexs contract stipulated it not allow flammable or hazardous materials to be stored there.

The fire that spread quickly over 8 acres (3 hectares) was fed by pallets, cars, construction materials, hand sanitizer and other items being stored under the freeway in an industrial neighborhood. No injuries were reported, but at least 16 homeless people living in an encampment there were taken to shelters.

No arrests have been made and Newsom has said investigators are trying to determine if more than one person was involved in what officials said was likely arson.

Prior to the fire, state officials filed a lawsuit against Apex saying the company owes $78,000 in unpaid rent.

The lawsuit also says Apex was subleasing to six other companies. That can be legal if the company received permission from state and federal regulators, but Apex did not, Newsom said.

Mainak DAttaray, an attorney for Apex Development, said in a statement Wednesday that the company is not to blame for the fire and in fact had made improvement to the property. He said the company has not been able to access the premises since October.

Apex rented and improved the rundown yard and made substantial capital investments during the period that it had possession of the yard, DAttaray said. Caltrans inspected the premises periodically, at least once a year, and CalTrans was fully aware of the sublessees and their operations. Even the State of Californias Fire Marshall inspected the premises.

He said Apex had also repeatedly called the fire department to report fires started by homeless encampments, including along the fence line and at other yards.

A spokesperson for the governor disagreed with D'Attaray's statement that Apex is not to blame for what happened.

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection currently believes the fire was caused by arson in a fenced-off area that Apex was responsible for maintaining while they continued to assert rights under the lease," Izzy Gardon said.

Owners of two of the companies that subleased the property said they also had warned of fire danger and other hazards related to homeless people living under the freeway. Luis Cartagena of Eagle Wood Services said he stopped using the space for his wood pallet business more than a year ago because he was losing so much to theft.

There was a lot of homeless people there, drug dealing, prostitution and there was a lot of theft, he said. I couldnt leave anything.

Rudy Serafin said hes been leasing space under I-10 from Apex since 2009. He uses it to store supplies for businesses in the garment district including hangars, boxes and bags. He also stores office supplies including hand sanitizer, which is flammable. He estimates he lost $800,000.

I dont know what I am going to do," he said. I am 49 years old. I have no other resources. This is my livelihood. This is what I feed my kids with.

Serafin said hes been unable to get insurance for his business because of concerns about homeless people using cooking fires in the area. He said he and other businesses called the city repeatedly to request a cleanup of the encampment. The city removed homeless people from the space once, but the encampments quickly returned, he said.

The city didnt respond to a request for comment about whether they had received complaints or removed people from the site. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass warned Monday against assuming homeless people started the blaze.

Serafin said he and other contractors received a notice from the state transportation agency in May saying Apex wasn't paying its rent. Serafin and other business owners stopped paying Apex, but lost access to their properties. They resumed paying and tried to work directly with Caltrans but the agencys lawyer said he couldnt negotiate with them, Serafin said.

Serafin said he signed a contract with Apex in 2009 but couldn't find it.

The danger of storing flammable materials under elevated interstates has drawn the scrutiny of federal investigators in the past. After a 2017 fire collapsed a section of Interstate 85 in Atlanta, the National Transportation Safety Board criticized the Georgia Department of Transportations decision to store construction materials beneath the bridge without assessing the fire risk. The department said it immediately changed storage practices.

California Fire Marshal Daniel Berlant said investigators have identified where Saturday's fire started and what caused it after sorting through the rubble for evidence but did not specify what they found. He had no information on a suspect and said investigators are talking to witnesses.

An estimated 300,000 vehicles use the stretch of freeway daily, which runs east-west across the heart of the metropolis and connects with other major freeways. The city has been urging people to avoid the area, take buses and trains, or work from home.

On Wednesday morning, Javier Ramos inched along with his father who was driving to his weekly physical therapy appointment in an industrial area blocks from I-10 as trucks and tractor-trailers cut in and out of the traffic to get to nearby warehouses.

We cant do nothing about it, he said, adding that next week they will leave earlier.

Taxin reported from Orange County, California. Associated Press writers Sophie Austin in Sacramento, California; Christopher Weber and Stefanie Dazio in Los Angeles; Jeff McMurray in Chicago; and Anisha Frizzell in Atlanta contributed to this report.
NINGBO, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- China has built the world's largest engineering education system, Wu Yan, deputy minister of education, told a meeting held in east China's Zhejiang Province on Thursday.

Over the past decade, China's engineering education has witnessed accelerated growth, injecting new momentum into innovation-driven development, Wu told the International Engineering Education Symposium 2023 in the city of Ningbo.

The number of engineering programs in China's undergraduate education has exceeded 23,000, with more than 6.7 million undergraduate students majoring in engineering, the official said.

He urged for the continuous optimization of engineering majors and the training of outstanding engineers who can adapt to and lead future developments in engineering technologies, so as to provide strong support for industrial upgrading.

"Establishing a mechanism for joint training of talents with enterprises is a path we must follow in engineering education," Wu said. 
Allentown, PA (18103)

Today

Some early morning sun, then becoming mostly cloudy with some mainly afternoon and evening showers, mostly light and scattered. .

Tonight

Mostly cloudy with a few scattered evening showers or drizzle; some patchy fog overnight.
ELVERSON, Pa.  The American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania said a Twin Valley School District student's First Amendment rights have been violated.

The ACLU said the student, along with others, has been trying to start a club bringing attention to indigenous culture.

"And as part of that to change the school's mascot, which they consider to be, you know, an offensive and stereotypical representation of an indigenous person," said Sara Rose, deputy legal director for ACLU of Pennsylvania.

The ACLU said students have campaigned for three years to launch a club called "Retire the Raider," which is looking to change the school's Raider mascot.

The lawsuit claims the district has refused to recognize the student club.

Rose said they have been negotiating with the district about the club for a couple of years.

"And finally, we decided that we needed to file a lawsuit in order to protect the students' rights to have a club and be treated equally and on the same terms as the other clubs at the school," said Rose.

According to the suit, the district denied the club equal access because it could not find a "willing" faculty advisor, but the students claimed district officials obstructed their efforts to find one.

In a statement, the district superintendent said, "The District denies any wrongdoing and encourages all its students to exercise their rights. The District is evaluating strategies for fighting these claims. We look forward to our day in court."

Attorney Alexander Bilus is with Saul Ewing LLP, and has worked with the ACLU before, but is not involved in this case.

"Depending on the nature of the forum at issue, which again depends on the facts of the case, that will determine what level of, what standard  legal standard  the court will apply to the case," said Bilus.

Rose said with the situation involving high school students, they have asked the judge to file preliminary relief since lawsuits can take years.
It's a devastating and deadly example of deja vu.

"Here we go again, it's the same thing. I don't know what Hamas is thinking  they aren't going to win, said U.S. Marines veteran Doug Graybill.

On a crisp fall day, Graybill, co-founder of non-profit Veterans Making A Difference, is on his front porch reflecting on his service spent in the Middle East during military operations in the early '80s.

"The suicide bomber blew up 240 some Marines, Graybill said. "Beirut Lebanon was like Paris of the Middle East at one time, and when we left it was a lot of rubble. High rises were blown up. It was neighborhood against neighborhood. They were killing their own people."

With Hamas, he sees parallels now to the evil he witnessed first-hand back then.

Now they're in the hospital using women and kids as shields, Graybill said. People are gonna get hurt. War is ugly."

He says he was with the last unit that left the region in 1984  and didn't feel as though it was in a better place than when his crew found it.

No. no. What happened in Afghanistan, same thing, he said. "Vietnam. Same thing. We left and what happened? The bad guys took over."

As Graybill follows the latest bloody chapter of conflict in the Middle East, does he think the U.S. military will soon need to get involved directly?

I hope not, he said. I hope the Israelis can take care of themselves. With our help, supplies. Just like in Ukraine, we need to keep supplying them."

But he doesn't doubt the strength of active duty members of U.S. Forces if called upon.

"We always need to be ready, said Graybill. This will happen again. War is ugly. People get killed."
L. ALSACE TWP., Pa. - The Reading Blues Fest is right around the corner, but blues fans who can't wait until then are getting their fix early.

A concert called "Blues on the Mountain" was held Wednesday evening at the Reading Liederkranz in Lower Alsace Township.

Musicians lined the stage under the roof of the Reading Liederkranz for a Blues Fest pre-show.

"Liederkranz has been an absolute great partner to to collaborate with and they provided us with the inside here in the winter," said Lee Olsen, vice president of Mount Penn Preserve. "We have a treasure trove of musicians and groups in Reading in Berks County."

Bands, including music director Dave Kline who also took the stage, hit all the right notes in preparation for the weekend's events.

"No matter what our differences are, most of us have in common a love of music, love of family, love of food, love of beverages and love of being together with friends," said Kline.

The concert features a few of Berks County's own local bands, like Mikey Junior and Busker Incognito and the SHOW. Organizers said the show was essentially sold out but last minute walk-in's were welcome.

"['The] test of our passion is when we come out and play at a venue like the Blues Fest, at a venue like here tonight, and we play all original music and get an audience reaction that's favorable," Kline said.

The atmosphere, full of blues, was a first for high school sweethearts Rob and Sue Hiltebeitel.

"Yeah, we like the blues," said Rob Hiltebeitel. "I was a drummer growing up. So I'm always looking to see how good the drummer is."

Organizers said it's all about bringing the Berks County community together on the mountain and making the connections stronger.

"Coming together through music is a wonderful thing," Kline said. "This specific show up here on Mount Penn is really an objective and a mission in addition to the Reading Blues Fest mission, which is to gather people in Reading."

"It's over 1,000 acres of natural land owned jointly by the county and the city. And we want to just make people aware of that. This is here for you," said Olsen.

The fest runs from Friday to Sunday and gives blues fans a chance to enjoy concerts, themed lunches and other activities in and around Reading.

"I've always known about blues and thought was pretty cool," Olsen said. "So, I didn't know how cool it was until I went to a couple of the events."
READING, Pa. - Fire officials in Reading say a row home fire that left multiple people without a home is being classified as accidental.

The fire happened Monday morning in the 1300 block of Spruce Street.

Fire Marshal Jeremy Searfoss says the cause of the fire is improper use of electrical extension cord powering a portable heater.

The fire sent several row homes up in flames and leaves multiple people homeless.

The Red Cross says it is assisting six of the victims.
SHOEMAKERSVILLE, Pa. - Pennsylvania State Police say an unknown person stole $3,000 worth of power tools from a garage in Berks County.

The person broke into a garage on the property of A-Z-U Pull-It Auto Parts Inc. in Shoemakersville sometime between 9 p.m. Nov. 6 and 5 p.m. Nov. 7, according to a news release from state police.

State police say the person cut the power cord of a security camera on the garage, pried the front door open, and turned off the power to the garage.

The person stole various power tools from inside the garage and fled the scene in an unknown direction, according to state police.

Anyone with information on the incident can contact PSP Hamburg at 610-562-6885.
ALLENTOWN, Pa.  After impassioned testimony supporting and opposing a property tax increase in the city of Allentown, City Council voted to go back to the drawing board for the 2024 budget.

The move leaves the city without a budget for the upcoming year. Now, council has until Dec. 31 to adopt a new one.

The vote marks another step in a back-and-forth between the city and the administration over the budget.

Allentown Mayor Matt Tuerk had initially proposed a 6.9% property tax increase before whittling it down to 4.57% and then down to 2%.

City Council said any property tax raise is a no-go. Instead, its budget would offset the lack of new taxes by calling for 5% in spending cuts. Following that, Tuerk vetoed the council's zero-increase budget.

At Wednesday night's meeting, City Council could have voted to override Tuerk's veto. Or they could have adopted Tuerk's latest proposed budget, including a 2% increase.

Instead, they voted to go back to the drawing board.

Proponents of the 2% increase said that staying at zero will raise the possibility of more significant tax increases in the years to come and affect the quality of services the city provides.

"If we don't do it now, when?" said council President Daryl Hendricks.

In the public comment portion of the meeting, La Mega Radio owner Victor Martinez echoed Hendricks' comments. Martinez is a local business owner employing 26 who all live in Allentown.

Martinez said an increase would mean "hundreds" of additional dollars for him, but he's willing to pay the cost now in increments instead of waiting and paying more later.

"It's never a good time to increase taxes," he said, noting that costs usually increase year over year. "We have to put our big boy pants on," said Martinez.

"For years in this city, it's been crazy that there are not taxes raised," said resident Paula Kish, who spoke in support of a tax increase. "That is how a city maintains itself."

"Allentown has been going down, down, down," she said.

"This city has gotten so far behind that we have to pay a 6% to catch up," Kish continued. "I commend Mayor Tuerk on saying, 'No taxes?' How can you sustain a city? And you've got to get to a level where everyone can meet the tax needs."

Councilmember Santo Napoli said the budget debate could be boiled down to two options.

"You either get less and pay the same, or pay a little more and get what you're used to," Napoli said. "There's no door number three."

The city had previously sent out a statement, which included estimates for how much each owner and renter would pay. For instance, the 2% increase would cost an additional $6.78 for a single family in the First Ward paying $53,400 in rent per year.

"If another $7 is not going to break somebody's pocket, then why are we talking about it today?" Santiago said. "Please say no. We can't have another tax increase."

Those supporting the zero-percent increase pointed to increasing water and trash bills that will hit next year.

"We need to understand that this is not the time (to increase taxes)," a resident said.

Councilmember Cynthia Mota said the community would feel the brunt of an increase.

"The community is going to suffer," she said.

Just a few dollars could make a difference, others said.

"People like me don't have that. We don't have an extra dollar," Enid Santiago said. "I don't have an extra 50 cents."

If council supported the zero-increase budget, Tuerk said, the administration would "find a way to make it work." Still, he believes the administration would be in a position in September or October of 2024 to request additional funds.

"It will mean we will be showing up hat in hand (to the council)," Tuerk said.

Councilperson Candida Affa supported a tax increase, saying the mayor "trimmed the fat" from the budget and pointing to the importance of park maintenance. "(The parks) are our treasures," said Affa.

"My concern is public safety, public works, things like that if we don't raise the 2%," Affa said at the meeting, while critics of any tax raise say it's not just about a few dollars' increase.

"If we knew the cost of water wasn't going up by $100 dollars, school taxes go up every year," Councilwoman Ce-Ce Gerlach said during the meeting, "If a studio apartment in Allentown, a studio, didn't cost $1,600, then a 2% raise in taxes would be OK."

One man addressed Tuerk directly during the meeting, calling the mayor the "elephant in the room," before the man was eventually escorted out.

"I got about 15 people living in cars  families," he said. "And you want to talk about raising taxes? Shame on you."

Tuerk said proposed allocations in the administration's budget with the property tax increase would be an "investment in public safety." Additional funds could also be used to encourage experienced police officers and supervisors that would "help us deliver quality services to our residents."

More funds that could be allocated for salary increases for city workers would incentivize them to stay in the city, too, without a massive tax increase.

"No one is getting rich," Tuerk said.

The city has lost, for instance, emergency services workers to the suburbs where the hours are shorter and the pay is higher.

"We know exactly how much of a burden this is. It sucks that we're asking people to pay more. None of us want to do that," Tuerk said. But what is even less appealing is cutting back on services, he said.

He also pointed out that the administration would likely have to return to council and request emergency funds if a significant event occurred, such as a massive snowfall in January.

The city is now back to the drawing board. Since Allentown has no budget for 2024 yet, officials have until Dec. 31 to figure it out.
L. SAUCON TWP., Pa.  Lower Saucon Township Council on Wednesday night discussed complaints some residents said they experienced during Election Day.

According to the meeting's agenda, the problems included electronic voting machines and polling place issues, and political activity and involvement from St. Luke's University Health Network.

Council President Jason Banonis said he received "numerous complaints about problems they (voters) were experiencing in multiple precincts within the township."

Allegations included voting machines switching votes, "poor handling" of voting machine "glitches" related to communication and "sending voters away at some polls," a lack of emergency and provisional ballots, a mishandling of provisional ballots, lack of communication between the judges of election to poll workers and then to voters, confidentiality and anonymity issues, and voter intimidation seeking to turn away potential voters.

"I found all these problems to be deeply concerning to election integrity," Banonis said. "It's not just for one party. It's for all voters regardless of party affiliation. Anyone who says those problems did not happen are, in my view, simply gaslighting the issue."

The council president continued reading a prepared statement saying that he witnessed personally several of those issues.

Banonis also said given that the Northampton County executive's office "will not accept responsibility or does not care about these fundamental flaws," Lower Saucon should "at least try to do something to protect voter disenfranchisement."

He called for the township to post a form on the township website where township voters "could report what they experienced on Election Day." This would allow council to then address their specific concerns with the Northampton County Elections Board.

During an Election Day news conference on Nov. 7, Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure said issues with the voting process in the county would be worked out, and the county will have a "fair, legal, and accurate election."

Charles Dertinger, the director of administration for the county, said on Nov. 7 that an error with the paper ballot printout led to the issue with the recording of votes for the races for retention to the Pennsylvania Superior Court, affecting Judge Jack Panella and Judge Victor P. Stabile. The county said that when a voter selected a "yes" or a "no" for one of the candidates, the selection was recorded on the paper ballot for the other candidate.

Dertinger said at the time that the voting machine itself recorded the results correctly.

During Wednesday night's public comment session in Lower Saucon, several residents expressed that they did not believe there were any significant Election Day issues, or that if there were, the township's legislative body was not the entity to address them.

Councilwoman Priscilla deLeon called Banonis' proposal "stupid" and said that it would create "more duplicity."

"I think we are duplicating the efforts," deLeon said. "These complaints should go directly to the county...Any complaints should be sent to the elections board."

The county elections board is scheduled to meet Nov. 21, deLeon said.

During a public comment session, some residents were concerned the issue was being raised because it could be used politically.

"I would hope there won't be any time wasted or any taxpayer money on any kind of litigation on the voting," resident Monica Willard said.

Others suggested the discussion amounted to political sour grapes.

Some residents did support the review. One resident who spoke compared the township's Election Day to a "zoo."

"This is the appropriate venue to discuss any voter issues because it happened it our area," resident Lisa Foley said.

The motion to include the form on the township website was approved.

Later in the meeting, Councilman Thomas Carocci read correspondence from a St. Luke's email he said was disseminated on Oct. 27 to patients "living in the vicinity of Bethlehem Landfill." The letter, he claimed, urged residents how to vote considering council's decision on the Bethlehem Landfill zoning issue.

69 News received a copy of the letter from Samuel Kennedy at St. Luke's. It reads in part:

"When fully developed, the landfill would become a repository for garbage alongside the regions defining natural feature, the Lehigh River, forever blighting the historic Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor and other environmentally sensitive uses."

Kennedy says the letter was sent to Anderson Campus employees and employees who live in Lower Saucon Township. It was also sent to patients who live in the vicinity of the Anderson Campus and explains why St. Lukes is opposed to the expansion of the landfill.

In the letter St. Luke's claims have discussed with extremely knowledgeable consultants potential impacts, including foul smells, impacts on water quality, blowing trash, and attraction of large scavenger birds.

During the meeting, Banonis said although St. Luke's is "an asset to our community," he felt the letter transcended the "business of health care" and "seemingly engaged in unsolicited political messaging." This, he claimed, was done by using patient emails to promulgate political messaging.

"I'm not aware of anyone who signed up for St. Luke's political messaging," he said. "...They signed up for things related to medical care."

Banonis then discussed St. Luke's tax-exemption status and other issues such as volunteer fire services which are provided to their facilities, executive salaries and acres of land the corporation has built their facilities.

"My biggest issue with all of this is that this is our patient portals," Councilman Mark Inglis said. "...Everyone in this room should be bothered that your patient portal was used to send this message."

DeLeon took issue that no "supporting information" was provided on the matter until the letter was read during the meeting. This, she said, denied residents the opportunity to speak on the issue during a public comment session earlier in the meeting.

Banonis made a motion to direct the township solicitor to write to the St. Luke's board of governors to "express the concerns of Lower Saucon Township" about the letter. The motion was approved.

Attorney Joseph Bubba, representing St. Luke's, was denied opportunity to speak during a public comment session, as St. Luke's is not a resident or a taxpayer, which is a requirement of the legislative body's rules for participating in public comment.

2024 budget

Council also rejected an amendment to the 2024 proposed budget Wednesday night.

The $10.9 million spending plan features a 4.39 mills general purpose tax and a .75 mills fire tax for a 5.14 mills total. The township has about $7.1 million in cash available.

Lower Saucon budget left hanging after proposal to reduce property tax Council President Jason Banonis made a motion to revise the proposed budget by slashing the real estate tax, but the proposal failed by a 2-3 vote.

Council President Jason Banonis made a motion to revise the proposed budget, reducing the real estate tax from 4.39 mills to 2 mills, while maintaining the .75 mills fire tax rate.

The motion failed by a 2-3 vote. No other motions to adopt the 2024 proposed budget were made Wednesday night. According to the meeting agenda, a vote on final adoption of the budget was expected.
LOWER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. - Mack Trucks union workers voted Wednesday to ratify a contract that the company said was its "last, best, and final offer," according to a post on the United Auto Workers "X" page.

"After 39 days on strike, UAW members at Mack Trucks have voted by 93% to ratify their new contract with significant local improvements," the union said in its post.

Mack Trucks said Wednesday that members of the union ratified the new five-year collective bargaining agreement with the company covering about 3,900 employees at facilities in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida.

The new agreement guarantees significant wage growth and delivers excellent benefits for our employees and their families, said Mack President Stephen Roy. At the same time, it will safeguard our competitiveness and allow us to continue making the necessary investments in our people, plants and products.

Mack Trucks employees in Lower Macungie have been on strike for more than a month. Workers voted on the master contract from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., the union said on its website. Workers had been told if they vote this package down again, they could be out of a job.

In a letter on the union's website, the union says Mack declared the two are at an "impasse," and that the master contract is the same as the first one that was voted down. However, there were changes on the local contracts, the union said.

Union Chairperson David Durgin tells 69 News that the agreement includes a 20% compounded raise and $3500 ratification bonus.

Sources with knowledge of the situation tell 69 News aside from a general wage increase, one of the main sticking points was job security, with workers wanting assurance that Mack stays in the region. Durgin says that language was added into the local agreement.

"Overall I think we got something that is better than what we had," said worker Dan George.

George says he was disappointed not to see the cost-of-living adjustments included in the final draft, but he's ready to get back to work and voted to approve the contract.

"I think a lot of people will not be totally happy, but happy in the sense where it's acceptable," George said.

Workers spent the last three days in question-and-answer sessions to learn more about the agreement.

The union had said that if membership voted down the master contract, the company would implement that offer and would hire replacement workers. Workers were told "you will lose your jobs unless you cross the picket lines, and if they hire enough workers, you will not be able to go back to work until there is an opening."

In that same letter, union leadership says insurance benefits for those workers who remain on strike would be cut off on Dec. 1.

Employees walked off the job on Oct. 9 after 73% of union members rejected a tentative agreement set forth by Mack Trucks and union negotiators.
ALLENTOWN, Pa. - A warm turkey dinner is something many people will be thankful for next Thursday; but some just need a little extra help getting that meal. That's where New Bethany comes in.

Tim Burke, Development Director at New Bethany, said, "Right now we need 900 turkeys, that's what we're looking to collect for community partners, plus a few more that are on the waiting list."

Burke said food insecurity in our area is continuing to rise, and therefore they need nearly 1,000 turkeys this year.

"Need here in our community is overwhelming," he said. "We have seen so far this year a 50% increase in individuals coming to our food pantry and we're not even through the year yet."

So, New Bethany is counting on the kindness of others. This Friday, Nov. 17, they'll be holding their annual turkey drive at Coca-Cola Park from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

"We're collecting turkeys, we'll be out in the parking lot all day as people bring up their donations," said Burke.

Burke said every year he is amazed by people's generosity. He told 69 News, "Individuals will come out and donate, one, two, three, four, and five turkeys themselves."

If you can't make it out to Coca-Cola Park this Friday, there are other ways to donate.

"They can always drop it off here at New Bethany at our office here in South Bethlehem or they could text to give," said Burke. "They can text LV turkey drive to 41444."

If you do make it to Coca-Cola Park on Friday and drop off a frozen turkey, you'll also receive a 20% off coupon to the IronPigs Clubhouse Store.
JERUSALEM, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Three Palestinian gunmen wounded six people at a checkpoint outside Jerusalem on Thursday before being shot dead by Israeli security forces, according to Israeli authorities.

The incident took place on the main road linking Jerusalem to Israeli settlements in the southern West Bank when Israel has been engaged in a deadly 41-day-long conflict with Hamas in Gaza.

Israeli police said in a statement that the three assailants were killed and searches for others are underway.

United Hatzalah, an Israeli rescue service, reported in a statement that at least six people were injured, including a man in his 20s in critical condition. The others sustained light to moderate injuries.

Israeli police chief Kobi Shabtai told reporters at the scene that the gunmen planned to carry out "a major attack," adding "the amount of ammunition they carried indicates that they intended to stay for a long time (in Israel.)"

The police found two pistols, two M-16 rifles, clothes similar to Israel Defense Forces (IDF) uniforms, two axes, and about ten cartridges in the assailants' belongings. 
LOWER MACUNGIE TWP., Pa. - Mack Trucks workers have been on strike for more than a month. On Wednesday workers voted on a potential contract that could end the strike.

Workers voted on the master contract from 8 a.m. - 4 p.m., the union said on its website. Workers have been told if they vote this package down again, they could be out of a job.

Mack Trucks employees in Lower Macungie voted on what the union is saying is the company's "last, best and final offer."

In a letter on the union's website, they say Mack declared the two are at an "impasse," and that the master contract is the same as the first one that was voted down. However, there were changes on the local contracts, the union said.

Workers spent the last three days in question-and-answer sessions to learn more about the agreement.

Union Chairperson David Durgin tells 69 News that the agreement includes a 20% compounded raise and $3500 ratification bonus.

Sources with knowledge of the situation tell 69 News aside from a general wage increase, one of the main sticking points was job security, with workers wanting assurance that Mack stays in the region. Durgin says that language has been added into the local agreement.

"Overall I think we got something that is better than what we had," said worker Dan George.

George says he was disappointed not to see the cost-of-living adjustments included in the final draft, but he's ready to get back to work and voted to approve the contract.

"I think a lot of people will not be totally happy, but happy in the sense where it's acceptable," George said.

The union says if membership votes down the master contract, the company will implement that offer and will hire replacement workers. Workers were told "you will lose your jobs unless you cross the picket lines, and if they hire enough workers, you will not be able to go back to work until there is an opening."

In that same letter, union leadership says insurance benefits for those workers who remain on strike will be cut off on Dec. 1.

Several sources with knowledge of the situation tell 69 News they expect this vote to be a yes.

Now the votes need to be tallied. There were also votes happening Wednesday in Hagerstown, so we probably won't know until late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning.

69 News will keep you updated on the very latest.
HARDWICK TWP., N.J. - A man in New Jersey is charged for sexually assaulting a boy scout.

The Office of the Prosecutor of the County of Warren says Colin Skeele, 37, of Florham Park was sentenced to 18 months in New Jersey State Prison for abusing a camper in Hardwick Township.

A press release writes that Skeele began a relationship with a counselor-in-training when the camper was 15 and Skeele was 26.

Officials say Skeele engaged in various sexual acts with the teen while working the medical tent at Camp NoBeBoSco.

Skeele was previously convicted of similar conducts in Sussex County and is serving a Federal prison sentence for distributing child sexual abuse material.
HARRISBURG, PA. - A bill that would help address Pennsylvanias shortage of police officers, passed the House of Representatives on Tuesday.

House Bill 863, authored by state Rep. Dan Williams, D-Chester, would reduce the physical fitness standards required for enrollment in a municipal police academy in Pennsylvania.

A release from the Governor's office writes that the previous standards still would have to be met in order to be employed as a police officer in Pennsylvania.

SA 2021 national survey conducted by the Police Executive Research Forum showed a 45% increase in retirements and an 18% increase in resignations over the previous year.

Additionally, according to the Pennsylvania Attorney Generals Office, Pennsylvania has around 1,300 open positions across the state.

House Bill 863 now heads to the Senate for consideration.
A teenager from the Poconos and her mother are among the victims of the ongoing war between Israel and Hamas. During an attempt to flee Gaza, the family came under what they believe was an Israeli attack, and that attack left the teen scarred, physically and emotionally.

For people stranded in Gaza, it's a desperate situation. For their loved ones?

"It's paralyzing. I mean, it's literally paralyzing," said Ahmed Abuolba of Monroe County.

Ahmed says what started as a family trip -- between his mom and two sisters -- to visit family and see relatives and their birthplace has turned into an inescapable nightmare.

Ahmed's little sister and mother remain trapped in Gaza. Farah Abuolba and her mother have repeatedly tried to flee the war-stricken territory.

"But, then, their names were not on the list," explained Abuolba.

One attempt to leave Gaza left the 17-year-old physically and emotionally scarred.

"When I sleep, I dream of what happened to me," Farah Abuolba explained.

Their bus to the Rafah Crossing was suddenly hit with rockets. The family calls it an Israeli attack; Israel denies the accusation.

Farah, her sister, and mother were forced to walk roughly three miles to a hospital, all while severely injured.

"I could have given up," she said. "I felt like all my blood, all my blood dripped all over me. How I felt when I saw my hand falling or how I felt my skin just, and my bones breaking, and I how I saw my wrist just turn blue. I knew that my hand was gone."

"I've never felt so helpless in my whole life," said Ahmed.

And hopeless is how Ahmed says he feels knowing people don't support a ceasefire in Gaza.

Tuesday, thousands of pro-Israel supporters descended upon Washington, including many who hopped on a bus from the Lehigh Valley. Some chanted about not having a ceasefire.

"Israel will cease their counter-offensive when Hamas ceases to be a threat to the Jewish state," said (R) Rep. Mike Johnson, Speaker of the House.

"How long or how much are they... how many people are they going to try to kill and get rid of until this war is over or until they 'accomplish their goal?'" Ahmed said.

With one sister already home, Ahmed remains optimistic the rest of his family will eventually be stateside -- as they are near the Egyptian border -- but he knows it's a bleak situation for others who have no place else to go.

"They're going to do the best they could to try to stay alive. That's literally the goal here is to stay alive," he explained.

Ahmed says his sister will likely need extensive physical therapy, if she can ever use her hand again.
PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. - A pair from Phillipsburg in Warren County, New Jersey is being accused of having drugs and dynamite at their home.

Craig Jones and Alicia Tremblor face multiple charges, including possession with intent to distribute cocaine, possession with intent to distribute fentanyl, and endangering the welfare of a child, according to a news release from the Warren County Prosecutor's Office.

New Jersey State Police executed a search warrant Tuesday at the 300 block of Prospect Street. As a result of the search, significant quantities of controlled dangerous substances were found alongside materials designed for the packaging, marking, and distributing of the substances, according to the news release.

Much of the product was found among the toys of the defendants' three-year-old child, the prosecutor's office said. Authorities also found three half-sticks of dynamite and a collapsible baton, according to the prosecutor's office.

Among the items seized were 102 grams of fentanyl, carrying a street value of approximately $10,200; 46 grams of methamphetamine, with a street value of approximately $1,380; and 28 grams of a cocaine, with a street value of approximately $1,820, according to the news release.
SAN FRANCISCO (AP)  Demonstrators seeking a cease-fire in Gaza blocked bridges on both sides of the U.S. on Thursday, including a major span into San Francisco during a global trade summit involving President Joe Biden and other world leaders.

Eighty protesters were arrested on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and 29 vehicles were towed after demonstrators blocked all lanes on the upper deck, with some drivers tossing their keys into the bay. One person was booked into county jail but the others were cited and released, the San Francisco's Emergency Operations Center said in an email.

Traffic was snarled for hours after more than 200 demonstrators demanded that Biden, in San Francisco for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders conference, call for an immediate cease-fire in the war between Israel and Hamas.

In Boston, about 100 protesters stopped traffic on the bridge connecting the city to Cambridge for more than two hours during the morning rush. They chanted cease-fire now! and held a banner with the words Jews say: ceasefire now" and they called on one of Massachusetts' two senators, Democrat Elizabeth Warren, to do more to halt the hostilities.

On the West Coast, Aisha Nizar, of the Palestinian Youth Movement, said in a statement that President Biden was hosting cocktail parties in San Francisco while thousands of people were being killed in Gaza. Protesters unfurled huge banners and some of them lay on the ground with white sheets draped over their bodies as part of a die-in.

California Highway Patrol division chief Ezery Beauchamp called the Bay Area protest highly coordinated. He said the patrol supports free speech rights but not a traffic shutdown that could prevent emergency vehicles from crossing.

This is the wrong way to do it, he said. This is 100% wrong, its unacceptable and its illegal.

Demonstrations over the war are becoming more disruptive across the U.S. Protesters calling for a cease-fire clashed with police Wednesday outside Democratic National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C., where Democratic representatives and candidates were inside for a reception.

The protests came as Israeli forces dropped leaflets warning Palestinians to flee parts of southern Gaza, residents said Thursday, signaling a possible expansion of the Israeli offensive following Hamas-led attacks in Israel on Oct. 7.

Associated Press writer David Sharp in Portland, Maine, contributed to this report.

For more AP coverage of the Israel-Hamas war: https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war
Two and a half weeks after sending tanks and ground troops into northern Gaza, Israeli forces searched a hospital Wednesday where they claim Hamas militants operate. Mohammed Zaqout, the director of hospitals in Gaza, said Israeli tanks were inside the medical compound and that soldiers had entered buildings, including the emergency and surgery departments, which house intensive care units.

Shifa Hospital has become a symbol of the widespread suffering of Palestinian civilians in the war between Israel and Hamas, which erupted after the militant group killed some 1,200 people and seized around 240 captives in a surprise Oct. 7 attack into southern Israel.

The Israeli army claims the militant group uses hospitals as cover for its fighters, and has set up its main command center in and beneath Shifa Hospital, the largest in the besieged territory. Both Hamas and Shifa Hospital staff deny the Israeli allegations.

More than 11,200 Palestinians  two-thirds of them women and minors  have been killed since the war began, according to the Health Ministry in Hamas-run Gaza, which does not differentiate between civilian and militant deaths. About 2,700 people have been reported missing.

Currently:

 The Israeli military has set its sights on southern Gaza in its campaign to stamp out Hamas.

 The U.N. Security Council has adopted a resolution on the Israel-Hamas war.

 ASEAN defense chiefs call for the fighting in Gaza to cease, but they struggle to address Myanmar.

 Thousands flee Gaza's main hospital but hundreds, including babies, are still trapped by fighting.

 Israel supporters rally in Washington, crying never again.

 Find more of APs coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/israel-hamas-war

Heres what's happening in the latest Israel-Hamas war:

BIDEN SAYS WAR WILL STOP WHEN HAMAS' ABILITY TO KILL ISRAELIS IS DEGRADED

President Joe Biden says he believes Israels war against Hamas will only stop once the militant groups ability to kill and injure Israelis is degraded. He also says he is urging Israel to exercise caution as it carries out military operations in Gazas largest hospital.

I think its going to stop when Hamas no longer maintains the capacity to murder, Biden said Wednesday of the war.

Biden said he had discussed with Israeli leaders their need to be incredibly careful as the army searches Gaza City's Shifa Hospital, which Israel says Hamas uses as a military complex. Both Hamas and hospital officials deny that claim.

Biden maintained that the only ultimate answer here is a two-state solution with Israel and Palestinians living side by side.

Biden made his comments at a news conference after meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference in California.

UN SECURITY COUNCIL ADOPTS RESOLUTION CALLING FOR HUMANITARIAN PAUSES IN GAZA

UNITED NATIONS  The U.N. Security Council approved a resolution Wednesday calling for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors" in Gaza after four failed attempts to respond to the Israel-Hamas war.

The vote was 12-0 with the United States, United Kingdom and Russia abstaining.

The final draft watered down its language from a demand to a call for humanitarian pauses. It also watered down a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups. And the resolution makes no mention of a cease-fire or Hamas surprise Oct. 7 attacks on Israel.

U.N. Security Council resolutions are legally binding  including calls  but in practice many parties choose to ignore the councils requests for actions.

Russia proposed an amendment to the resolution before the vote that would have called for durable humanitarian pauses leading to a cease-fire. But it was rejected by a vote of 5-1 with nine abstentions because it failed to get the minimum nine yes votes.

OVER 600 PEOPLE LEFT GAZA AT RAFAH BORDER CROSSING, HAMAS SAYS

RAFAH, Gaza Strip  A total of 644 people traveled through the Rafah border crossing from Gaza into Egypt on Wednesday, said Wael Abou Omar, the Hamas spokesperson for the border crossing.

Those included 587 dual nationals, 37 people either injured or sick, and 20 of their companions. No more information was immediately available.

Earlier at the Rafah border, dozens of evacuees were waiting patiently with their documentation ready for inspection. Among them was Toqa al-Zaian, a Palestinian with Norwegian nationality, struggling to say goodbye.

I feel like my body is leaving without my soul, now I am leaving everything behind, my mother, family and everyone I know, she said.

ISRAEL RELEASES VIDEO OF WEAPONS IT SAYS WERE FOUND IN SHIFA HOSPITAL

JERUSALEM  The Israeli military displayed what it says are Hamas weapons and military equipment it uncovered in Gazas Shifa Hospital.

But so far, its search showed no signs of tunnels or a sophisticated command center that it has said Hamas maintains on the grounds of the hospital. Hamas and Gaza health officials deny militants operate in Shifa.

The army early Wednesday raided the hospital, Gazas largest. After a daylong search, the army released a video showing several AK-47 automatic rifles, ammunition, grenades, protective vests and other equipment used by Hamas. It said many of the items were in duffel bags in the hospitals MRI department.

These weapons have absolutely no business being inside a hospital, Lt. Col. Jonathan Conricus, a military spokesman, said in the military's video.

The Associated Press could not independently verify the Israeli claims that the weapons were found inside the hospital.

UN SECURITY COUNCIL PLANS TO VOTE ON REQUEST FOR HUMANITARIAN PAUSES

UNITED NATIONS  After four failed attempts, the U.N. Security Council has scheduled a vote on a fifth resolution on the Israel-Hamas war which would call for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip.

The final draft to be voted on Wednesday afternoon watered down that language from a demand to a call. It also watered down a demand for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas and other groups to a call.

U.N. Security Council resolutions are legally binding  including calls  but in practice many parties choose to ignore the councils requests for actions.

Malta, one of the councils 10 elected members that sponsored the resolution, called for the vote after lengthy negotiations, and several diplomats said they expect it to be adopted. That requires nine yes votes in the 15-member council, and no veto by one of its five permanent members  the U.S., Russia, China, Britain and France.

WHITE HOUSE SAYS US DIDN'T KNOW ABOUT ISRAEL RAID ON SHIFA HOSPITAL BEFOREHAND

WASHINGTON  U.S. National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby said Wednesday that the United States did not sign off on Israels raid on Shifa hospital.

Kirby, responding to questions about the timing of the operation and his statement that the U.S. knows Hamas militants shelter in hospitals, said the United States doesnt expect advance notice from Israel before its military operations.

We did not give an OK to their military operations around the hospital, Kirby said, speaking to reporters from San Francisco, where President Joe Biden was preparing to meet with Chinas leader on Wednesday. We dont expect the Israelis to inform us.

Kirby suggested the timing of his announcement about U.S. intelligence findings that Hamas uses hospitals for command and control and for shelter following the Israeli military operation was a coincidence. He said his delivery of some downgraded intelligence information had nothing to do with operational timing.

He said it is a violation of the law of war to headquarter yourself in a hospital and that what Hamas is doing in that regard should not be forgotten.

3/4 OF GAZA'S HOSPITALS AREN'T WORKING, WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION SAYS

GENEVA  Only a quarter of Gazas hospitals are still functioning, with about 26 out of 36 institutions now closed  either because they have been damaged or because they ran out of fuel, the World Health Organization said Wednesday.

The U.N. health agency has lost contact with health workers at Shifa hospital, the largest in the Gaza Sutrip, said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus in Geneva. He said the Israeli military raid of the institution is totally unacceptable.

Approximately 82 bodies from Shifa were buried in a mass grave Wednesday, with another 80 bodies left unburied, said Dr. Rik Peeperkorn, WHOs representative in the West Bank and Gaza. He said about 45 patients were receiving dialysis and that there were no central supplies of oxygen, water or fuel.

Peeperkorn said several organizations, including the WHO, were urgently exploring the possibility of an evacuation of patients and medical staff. He called for a plan to evacuate about 2,000 critically ill patients out of Gaza over the next three months, possibly to Egypt.

A HOSPITAL IN NORTHERN GAZA TREATS DOZENS OF PATIENTS EACH DAY, AS ISRAELI BOMBS FALL

CAIRO  Around 40 patients a day are coming in to Awda Hospital in the Jabaliya area of northern Gaza, said Dr. Ahmed Mhanna, the hospital's manager.

Awda Hospital is still operating but the facility's main generator is no longer functioning, he said, and the hospital is also delivering around 20 babies each day, he said.

The situation is critical, he said in a recorded message. Jabaliya has been heavily bombed since Oct. 7.

Mhanna said that Israel strikes were still pounding the areas immediately around the hospital, with shrapnel striking the building. Eight staff members have been injured from the bombing, he added.

NETANYAHU VISITS ISRAELI TROOPS NEAR GAZA

ZIKIM, Israel  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told troops at the Zikim military base near north Gaza: There is no place in Gaza that Israel will not reach.

Standing next to soldiers at the base, Netanyahu said: Do you remember when we were told that we would not break into Gaza? We broke through. We were told that we would not reach the outskirts of Gaza City  we arrived. We were told that we wont enter Shifa  we entered.

There is no hiding, no shelter, no refuge for the murderers of Hamas, Netanyahu said. We will arrive and eliminate Hamas and return our abductees  these are two sacred missions.

26 PATIENTS LEAVE GAZA FOR TREATMENT IN TURKEY

ANKARA, Turkey  Turkeys health minister says 26 patients from Gaza and 13 people accompanying them have passed through the Rafah crossing into Egypt on Wednesday.

Speaking to reporters in Egypt, Fahrettin Koca said Turkish officials hope to evacuate the patients and the people escorting them to Turkey by air later on Wednesday for treatment in Turkish hospitals.

Koca also said Turkey plans to set up a field hospital close to the Rafah crossing.

Turkey has long offered to treat cancer patients in the country. Koca described the patients evacuated Wednesday as Gazans and did not specify if any have Turkish nationality.

IRAN'S FOREIGN MINISTER MEETS WITH PEACEMAKING GROUP

GENEVA  Irans foreign minister has traveled to Geneva for a previously undisclosed meeting hosted by a leading humanitarian group that works to strike peace agreements.

Hossein Amirabdollahian spoke with the U.N.s top humanitarian aid official, Martin Griffiths, in a meeting at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue, which made headlines five years ago for its role in an accord in which the Basque separatist group ETA agreed to dissolve after a decades-long campaign in Spain, officials said.

The center said in a message sent to The Associated Press on Wednesday that it routinely convenes closed-door consultations to support conflict mediation and resolution in various parts of the world."

In the latest of these consultations, HD hosted a senior Iranian delegation and other invited guests for a discussion about Gaza focused on ways to alleviate human suffering, increase humanitarian assistance and reduce risks of escalation in the region, the statement said.

The Israeli ambassador in Geneva, Meirav Eilon Shahar, said, Israel expresses its indignation that the foreign minister of Iran is in Geneva and meeting with U.N. officials and NGOs to talk about the humanitarian situation in Gaza.'"

Iran has no place in the future of Gaza. It is part of the problem, not the solution, she posted on X, formerly called Twitter.

Iran's Foreign Ministry said in a statement on X that As part of his consultations in Geneva, Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amirabdollahian has met with a number of officials of the U.N., humanitarian organizations and religious institutions as well as university professors and some ambassadors there regarding the ongoing developments in Palestine and the Zionist regimes aggression against #Gaza.

UN REFUGEE AGENCY CONFIRMS FIRST RECEIPT OF FUEL, SAYS IT NEEDS MUCH MORE

CAIRO  The head of UNRWA, the U.N. relief agency for Palestinian refugees, confirmed Wednesday that it has received 23,000 liters (6,000 gallons) of fuel that crossed into Gaza via the Rafah crossing, but called for more to be allowed to enter the besieged territory.

The aid group says Israeli authorities allowed the fuel to enter under the restriction that it can only be used to transport aid into besieged Gaza.

This fuel cannot be used for the overall humanitarian response, including for medical and water facilities or the work of UNRWA, Philippe Lazzarini said in an online statement.

UNRWA needs 160,000 liters (42,200 gallons) of fuel each day to complete basic humanitarian operations, he added.

Israel declared war on Hamas and barred fuel shipments after its attack on Israel on Oct. 7, saying the group would divert the supplies for military use.

Coordination of Government Activities in the Territories, the Israeli defense body responsible for Palestinian affairs, announced early Wednesday that it would allow United Nations trucks to refill at the Rafah crossing on Wednesday. It said the decision was in response to a request from the United States.

ISRAELI FORCES ARE STILL OPERATING IN GAZA'S LARGEST HOSPITAL, HEALTH MINISTRY OFFICIAL SAYS

CAIRO  A senior official with Gazas Hamas-controlled Health Ministry says Israeli forces are still operating inside Shifa Hospital, the territory's largest, hours after launching a raid early Wednesday.

Speaking by phone from the hospital, Munir al-Boursh said Israeli soldiers ransacked the basement and other buildings, including those housing the emergency and surgery departments.

They are still here ... patients, women and children are terrified, he said. He said doctors vowed to stay with their patients till the end.

Israel says Hamas has a secret command center in and under the hospital but has provided no visual evidence. Hamas and the hospital staff deny the allegations.

The military said it was carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specific part of the hospital away from patients and medical staff. It said it also delivered medical supplies.

Al-Boursh called for the United Nations and the International Committee of the Red Cross to secure a safe corridor for patients, medical staff and displaced families trapped in the facility to leave.

Al-Boursh said an Israeli official spoke with him by phone early Wednesday and asked him to join the forces searching the facility, but he refused.

COMMUNICATIONS COMPANY WARNS OF BLACKOUT BECAUSE OF FUEL SHORTAGE

JERUSALEM  The main Palestinian communications company warned Wednesday that Gaza will plunge into a communications blackout in a matter of hours following several short-term outages in recent weeks.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Paltel said dwindling fuel supplies have forced all of its generators in Gaza to shut down and that communications in the territory are now dependent on batteries.

The company warned of a cessation of all communications services during the next few hours.

Israel allowed the first shipment of fuel to enter the besieged territory on Wednesday, but the U.N. says the amount is not enough to aid the rapidly deteriorating humanitarian situation.

UN OFFICIAL CONDEMNS ISRAELI RAIDS ON HOSPITAL, SAYS HAMAS MUST NOT USE IT AS A SHIELD

GENEVA  The U.N.s top emergency relief official on Wednesday condemned reported Israeli military raids on Gazas embattled Shifa Hospital and insisted Hamas militants must not use it as a shield for their activities.

Martin Griffiths underscored growing international concern for the plight of patients in the Gaza City hospital who are too sick or frail to be moved.

Look, Hamas must not, should not, use a place like a hospital as a shield for their presence, he said in a video statement. He added, hospitals should not become a place of -- a war zone -- of danger.

Griffiths said earlier on X, previously called Twitter, that he was appalled by overnight reports of Israeli raids on Shifa.

The U.N. World Health Organization says Shifa patients have needs that are well beyond basic care. Images reportedly from the facility showed medics trying to keep newborns warm in blankets because power for incubators had failed.

The babies have no incubators, Griffiths said. Some are dead already. We cant move them out. Its too dangerous.

I understand the Israelis concern for trying to find the leadership of Hamas, thats not our problem, he added. Our problem is protecting the people of Gaza from whats being visited upon them.

FIRST NORWEGIAN CITIZENS ARE ALLOWED TO LEAVE GAZA

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Stre said Wednesday he was very happy that the first Norwegian citizens have arrived on the Egyptian side of the border with Gaza.

Norway had been informed that 51 Norwegians could leave Gaza via the border crossing at Rafah.

Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide said, there are no safe places in Gaza, and everyone who is there is exposed to traumatic experiences.

Barth Eide said the situation in Gaza was a humanitarian disaster, which also affects Norwegian citizens. The acts of war must stop and humanitarian aid must be allowed in.

According to Norwegian news agency NTB, there are about 270 people with ties to Norway in Gaza with approximately half of them children.

TURKEY'S PRESIDENT INCREASES CRITICISM OF ISRAEL

ANKARA, Turkey -- Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan increased his criticism of Israel on Wednesday, calling it a terrorist state intent on destroying Gaza along with all of its residents.

In a fiery speech to members of his party, Erdogan also said his country would take steps to ensure that Israels political and military leaders are brought to trial in international courts.

Israel is implementing a strategy of total destruction of a city and its people, Erdogan said. I say openly that Israel is a terrorist state.

The Turkish leader described Hamas militants as resistance fighters trying to protect their lands and people.

Turkey recently normalized relations with Israel but its war with Hamas in Gaza has again strained their ties. Israel recalled its diplomats from Turkey last month after Erdogan accused Israel of committing war crimes. Turkey later also recalled its ambassador from Israel.

ISRAELI MILITARY STRESSES IT'S TARGETING HAMAS, NOT CIVILIANS

TEL AVIV, Israel  Israels military insisted Wednesday its forces in and around the largest hospital in Gaza are specifically targeting Hamas, which it claims set up a command center there. Both Hamas and Shifa Hospital staff deny the Israeli allegations.

Israel is at war with Hamas, not with the civilians in Gaza, said Rear Adm. Daniel Hagari, a spokesperson for the Israeli Defense Forces. The IDF has publicly warned time and again that Hamass continued military use of Shifa Hospital jeopardizes its protected status under international law.

Hagari said Israeli forces in Gaza included medics and Arabic speakers to try and provide assistance in the complex and sensitive environment.

REFUGEES IN SOUTHERN GAZA FACE CONTINUAL AIRSTRIKES

KHAN YOUNIS, Gaza Strip  A rainbow appeared in the sky over southern Gaza on Wednesday as residents, many of them refugees from the northern part of the strip, struggled for survival amid round-the-clock airstrikes. Residents in cars and on bicycles and makeshift carts pulled by donkeys weaved their way through the citys roads, littered with rubble from the bombardment.

Egyptian Mohammad al-Abdallah has been trying to leave Gaza since the bombing started. They asked us to come from the north. And when we arrived, we stayed in an apartment here, and we were bombed. Do they want us to die? This is enough, he said.

GUN PERMIT REQUESTS SKYROCKET AFTER HAMAS INCURSION, ISRAELI MINISTRY SAYS

JERUSALEM  Requests for gun permits in Israel have skyrocketed since Hamas bloody Oct. 7 incursion, according to a press release from the Ministry of National Security.

More than 236,000 new requests for permits have been filed since the attack  a figure equal to the number filed over 20 years, the statement said.

A sense of insecurity gripped Israel following the attack and the armys hourslong delay in responding, leading to a rush to buy guns. At least 1,200 people were killed and more than 240 taken hostage after Hamas militants breached Israels border fence and fanned out across the countrys south.

Armed civilian security squads entered the breach in the armys absence to fight off some of the attackers. Shortly after, Minister of National Security Itamar Ben-Gvir said he would expand and arm such squads with 10,000 assault rifles that would be distributed particularly in border towns, mixed Jewish-Arab cities and West Bank settlements. Ben-Gvir has a long record of anti-Arab rhetoric, and Palestinians feared these guns would be used against them.

Some 1,700 permits are being issued daily after the Ministry of National Security eased restrictions, the report said. By comparison, an average of 94 were issued daily in November 2022, and an average of 42 a year earlier.

UNICEF DIRECTOR SAYS HER VISIT TO THE GAZA STRIP WAS DEVASTATING AND CALLS FOR UNRESTRICTED AID

JERUSALEM  The United Nations childrens agency says its top official visited the Gaza Strip early Wednesday and met with children and their families in the Nasser hospital in Khan Younis, in the south of the territory.

What I saw and heard was devastating. They have endured repeated bombardment, loss and displacement, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell said in a statement sent to The Associated Press. Inside the Strip, there is nowhere safe for Gazas one million children to turn."

Russell is among the few international officials to have visited the Gaza Strip since the war began following a surprise attack by Hamas on Oct. 7.

In the statement she called for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire and for aid to be allowed unrestricted, saying that "in the hospitals neonatal ward, tiny babies were clinging to life in incubators, as doctors worried how they could keep the machines running without fuel, Russell said in the statement.

She also met UNICEF staff and their families. Over 100 U.N. staff have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Israel launched a war aimed at destroying Hamas.

ISRAEL SAYS IT'S CARRYING OUT A PRECISE AND TARGETED OPERATION INSIDE GAZA'S SHIFA HOSPITAL

JERUSALEM  The Israeli military says its forces have entered Gazas Shifa hospital, the site of a lengthy standoff.

The army had surrounded the facility as part of its ground offensive against Hamas, claiming the militant group conceals military operations in the hospital complex. But with hundreds of patients and medical personnel inside, it had refrained from entering.

Early Wednesday, the army said its forces were carrying out a precise and targeted operation against Hamas in a specified area in the hospital. It gave no further details but said it was taking steps to avoid harm to civilians.

In a statement, the Israeli military said it had warned "the relevant authorities in Gaza once again that all military activities within the hospital must cease within 12 hours. Unfortunately, it did not.

Hamas has denied the Israeli accusations that it uses the hospital for cover.
LONDON (AP)  Britain's medicines regulator has authorized the world's first gene therapy treatment for sickle cell disease, in a move that could offer relief to thousands of people with the crippling disease in the U.K.

In a statement Thursday, the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency said it approved Casgevy, the first medicine licensed using the gene editing tool CRISPR, which won its makers a Nobel prize in 2020.

The agency approved the treatment for patients with sickle cell disease and thalassemia who are 12 years old and over. Casgevy is made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Europe) Ltd. and CRISPR Therapeutics. To date, bone marrow transplants, extremely arduous procedures that come with very unpleasant side effects, have been the only long-lasting treatment.

The future of life-changing cures resides in CRISPR based (gene-editing) technology, said Dr. Helen O'Neill of University College London.

The use of the word cure in relation to sickle cell disease or thalassemia has, up until now, been incompatible, she said in a statement, calling the MHRA's approval of gene therapy a positive moment in history.

Both sickle cell disease and thalassemia are caused by mistakes in the genes that carry hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carry oxygen.

In people with sickle cell  which is particularly common in people with African or Caribbean backgrounds  a genetic mutation causes the cells to become crescent-shaped, which can block blood flow and cause excruciating pain, organ damage, stroke and other problems.

In people with thalassemia, the genetic mutation can cause severe anemia. Patients typically require blood transfusions every few weeks, and injections and medicines for their entire life. Thalassemia predominantly affects people of South Asian, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern heritage.

The new medicine, Casgevy, works by targeting the problematic gene in a patient's bone marrow stem cells so that the body can make properly functioning hemoglobin.

Patients first receive a course of chemotherapy, before doctors take stem cells from the patient's bone marrow and use genetic editing techniques in a laboratory to fix the gene. The cells are then infused back into the patient for a permanent treatment. Patients must be hospitalized at least twice  once for the collection of the stem cells and then to receive the altered cells.

This is so exciting. Its a new wave of treatments that we can utilize for patients with sickle cell disease, said Dr. James LaBelle, director of the pediatric stem cell and cellular therapy program at the University of Chicago. He said Britain's approval suggested the U.S. authorization was likely imminent.

Casgevy is currently being reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration; the agency is expected to make a decision early next month, before considering another sickle cell gene therapy.

LaBelle said officials at the University of Chicago are already moving forward to build not only the clinical infrastructure but also the reimbursement infrastructure to get these patients this treatment.

Britain's regulator said its decision to authorize the gene therapy for sickle cell disease was based on a study done on 29 patients, of whom 28 reported having no severe pain problems for at least one year after being treated. In the study for thalassemia, 39 out of 42 patients who got the therapy did not need a red blood cell transfusion for at least a year afterwards.

Gene therapy treatments can cost millions of dollars and experts have previously raised concerns that they could remain out of reach for the people who would benefit most.

Last year, Britain approved a gene therapy for a fatal genetic disorder that had a list price of 2.8 million ($3.5 million). England's National Health Service negotiated a significant confidential discount to make it available to eligible patients.

Vertex Pharmaceuticals said it had not yet established a price for the treatment in Britain and was working with health authorities to secure reimbursement and access for eligible patients as quickly as possible.

In the U.S., Vertex has not released a potential price for the therapy, but a report by the nonprofit Institute for Clinical and Economic Review said prices up to around $2 million would be cost-effective. By comparison, research earlier this year showed medical expenses for current sickle cell treatments, from birth to age 65, add up to about $1.6 million for women and $1.7 million for men.

Medicines and treatments in Britain must be recommended by a government watchdog before they are made freely available to patients in the national health care system.

Millions of people around the world, including about 100,000 in the U.S., have sickle cell disease. It occurs more often among people from places where malaria is or was common, like Africa and India, and is also more common in certain ethnic groups, such as people of African, Middle Eastern and Indian descent. Scientists believe being a carrier of the sickle cell trait helps protect against severe malaria.

AP Science Writer Laura Ungar in Louisville, Kentucky 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.
MOSCOW, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that cooperation between Russia and Venezuela should serve to strengthen the resilience of both countries' national economies amid Western sanctions.

"We have a common opinion that our bilateral cooperation should contribute to increasing the stability of our national economies, against the backdrop of the massive sanctions campaign unleashed by the West," Lavrov said at a press conference following talks with his Venezuelan counterpart Yvan Gil in Moscow.

Both countries agreed on taking practical measures to expand bilateral trade, investment and business cooperation, in light of the current challenges, he said.

Stressing that Venezuela's current economic problems are provoked by the illegitimate restrictions imposed by the United States, Lavrov said the cooperation would further help strengthen the technological sovereignty of both states and facilitate the implementation of import substitution programs.

The West has used illegal sanctions to undermine the sovereignty of both countries, said the Venezuelan minister.

Russia and Venezuela will continue to expand their bilateral trade, economic and political cooperation, and move towards de-dollarization and settlements in national currencies, Gil said. 
This photo taken on Nov. 16, 2023 shows a setting in "Frozen Ever After" of the new themed land "World of Frozen" in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong, south China. The new themed land inspired by the hit movies "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" will open to the public on Nov. 20, according to the resort. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

HONG KONG, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Hong Kong Disneyland Resort will open a new themed land inspired by the hit movies "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" to the public on Nov. 20, according to the resort.

Disney CEO Robert Iger told the opening ceremony on Thursday that the global influence of "Frozen" is evidence of the storytelling expertise of the Walt Disney Company, which is a cornerstone for the firm.

The "World of Frozen" puts a number of iconic scenes in the "Frozen" movies to life, including the "Ice Palace" and Arendelle Castle, home of the royal family in the film.

The new land perfectly integrates Hong Kong's Lantau Island's natural landscape with the design of "North Mountain", providing guests with expansive views of both. Guests can also take rides themed under "Frozen", and immerse themselves in iconic music from the movies.

The new themed land is part of the theme park's latest expansion, bringing the number of themed areas to eight.

Peter Gao, business development director for the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort, said he hopes the new themed area will attract tourists from all over the world to Hong Kong and create new opportunities for Hong Kong's tourism industry. 

This photo taken on Nov. 16, 2023 shows a setting in "Frozen Ever After" of the new themed land "World of Frozen" in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong, south China. The new themed land inspired by the hit movies "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" will open to the public on Nov. 20, according to the resort. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Actors perform during an opening ceremony of the new themed land "World of Frozen" in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 16, 2023. The new themed land inspired by the hit movies "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" will open to the public on Nov. 20, according to the resort. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Actors perform during an opening ceremony of the new themed land "World of Frozen" in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 16, 2023. The new themed land inspired by the hit movies "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" will open to the public on Nov. 20, according to the resort. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo taken on Nov. 16, 2023 shows a view of the new themed land "World of Frozen" in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong, south China. The new themed land inspired by the hit movies "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" will open to the public on Nov. 20, according to the resort. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Actors perform at the new themed land "World of Frozen" in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 15, 2023. The new themed land inspired by the hit movies "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" will open to the public on Nov. 20, according to the resort. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

Children dressed as movie characters Elsa and Anna from "Frozen" pose for a photo at the new themed land "World of Frozen" in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong, south China, Nov. 15, 2023. The new themed land inspired by the hit movies "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" will open to the public on Nov. 20, according to the resort. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)

This photo taken on Nov. 16, 2023 shows a setting in "Frozen Ever After" of the new themed land "World of Frozen" in the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong, south China. The new themed land inspired by the hit movies "Frozen" and "Frozen 2" will open to the public on Nov. 20, according to the resort. (Xinhua/Zhu Wei)
Wintrust Investments LLC bought a new position in shares of Salesforce, Inc. (NYSE:CRM  Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm bought 7,423 shares of the CRM providers stock, valued at approximately $1,568,000.

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Forza Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Salesforce during the second quarter valued at $202,000. Wealth Alliance Advisory Group LLC acquired a new position in Salesforce during the second quarter worth about $396,000. Nordea Investment Management AB raised its stake in Salesforce by 18.3% during the second quarter. Nordea Investment Management AB now owns 1,547,360 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $329,387,000 after purchasing an additional 239,786 shares during the period. Verum Partners LLC purchased a new position in Salesforce during the second quarter worth about $210,000. Finally, Independence Bank of Kentucky raised its stake in Salesforce by 2.3% during the second quarter. Independence Bank of Kentucky now owns 13,401 shares of the CRM providers stock worth $2,831,000 after purchasing an additional 295 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 77.52% of the companys stock.

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Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Morgan Stanley downgraded shares of Salesforce from an overweight rating to an equal weight rating and boosted their price target for the company from $251.00 to $278.00 in a research note on Monday, July 31st. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $230.00 to $240.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 31st. Barclays lifted their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $245.00 to $260.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 31st. Bank of America lifted their price objective on shares of Salesforce from $250.00 to $280.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Thursday, August 31st. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on shares of Salesforce from $250.00 to $275.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a report on Thursday, August 31st. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, fourteen have issued a hold rating, twenty-five have given a buy rating and two have issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $241.28.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Salesforce news, CAO Sundeep G. Reddy sold 164 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $200.97, for a total transaction of $32,959.08. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 2,576 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $517,698.72. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other Salesforce news, insider Parker Harris sold 6,250 shares of the firms stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 31st. The shares were sold at an average price of $228.00, for a total transaction of $1,425,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 101,790 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $23,208,120. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, CAO Sundeep G. Reddy sold 164 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $200.97, for a total transaction of $32,959.08. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 2,576 shares in the company, valued at $517,698.72. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 656,788 shares of company stock worth $137,822,381. 3.70% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Salesforce Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of Salesforce stock opened at $219.38 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $213.46 billion, a P/E ratio of 137.97, a PEG ratio of 1.63 and a beta of 1.18. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.15, a quick ratio of 1.02 and a current ratio of 1.02. Salesforce, Inc. has a one year low of $126.34 and a one year high of $238.22. The firm has a fifty day moving average of $208.61 and a two-hundred day moving average of $211.43.

Salesforce (NYSE:CRM  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, August 30th. The CRM provider reported $2.12 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.90 by $0.22. The company had revenue of $8.60 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $8.53 billion. Salesforce had a net margin of 4.77% and a return on equity of 7.67%. Salesforces quarterly revenue was up 11.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $0.52 EPS. On average, analysts forecast that Salesforce, Inc. will post 5.86 earnings per share for the current year.

Salesforce Company Profile

(Free Report)

Salesforce, Inc provides Customer Relationship Management (CRM) technology that brings companies and customers together worldwide. The company's service includes sales to store data, monitor leads and progress, forecast opportunities, gain insights through analytics and relationship intelligence, and deliver quotes, contracts, and invoices; and service that enables companies to deliver trusted and highly personalized customer service and support at scale.

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Banque Cantonale Vaudoise reduced its position in Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. (NYSE:FIS  Free Report) by 9.5% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 14,290 shares of the information technology services providers stock after selling 1,500 shares during the quarter. Banque Cantonale Vaudoises holdings in Fidelity National Information Services were worth $781,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in FIS. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. raised its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 1.5% in the first quarter. Laurel Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 7,529 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $756,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 3.8% in the first quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 3,098 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $311,000 after purchasing an additional 112 shares in the last quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. raised its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 83.3% in the first quarter. Brown Brothers Harriman & Co. now owns 286 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 130 shares in the last quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV raised its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 25.4% in the second quarter. Massmutual Trust Co. FSB ADV now owns 904 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $49,000 after purchasing an additional 183 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Horrell Capital Management Inc. raised its holdings in Fidelity National Information Services by 0.6% in the first quarter. Horrell Capital Management Inc. now owns 29,514 shares of the information technology services providers stock worth $1,603,000 after purchasing an additional 184 shares in the last quarter. 85.67% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Fidelity National Information Services Trading Up 1.0 %

Fidelity National Information Services stock opened at $54.46 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.76, a quick ratio of 0.76 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.65. Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. has a 12 month low of $46.91 and a 12 month high of $79.32. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $53.23 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $55.30. The firm has a market cap of $32.27 billion, a PE ratio of -1.33, a P/E/G ratio of 1.40 and a beta of 0.84.

Fidelity National Information Services Announces Dividend

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 8th will be given a $0.52 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 7th. This represents a $2.08 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.82%. Fidelity National Information Servicess dividend payout ratio is presently -5.08%.

A number of equities analysts have commented on FIS shares. TD Cowen started coverage on shares of Fidelity National Information Services in a report on Friday, October 6th. They issued a market perform rating and a $56.00 target price for the company. StockNews.com started coverage on Fidelity National Information Services in a research note on Thursday, October 5th. They set a hold rating on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on Fidelity National Information Services from $71.00 to $67.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, November 8th. UBS Group restated a neutral rating and set a $58.00 price target on shares of Fidelity National Information Services in a research note on Friday, October 20th. Finally, Stephens boosted their price target on Fidelity National Information Services from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an overweight rating in a research note on Thursday, August 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have issued a hold rating, ten have given a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $66.00.

View Our Latest Stock Analysis on Fidelity National Information Services

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Ellen R. Alemany acquired 855 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, October 17th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $53.00 per share, for a total transaction of $45,315.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 4,598 shares in the company, valued at approximately $243,694. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. Insiders own 0.68% of the companys stock.

Fidelity National Information Services Profile

(Free Report)

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc provides technology solutions for financial institutions and businesses worldwide. It operates through Banking Solutions, Merchant Solutions, and Capital Market Solutions segments. The Banking Solutions segment provides core processing and ancillary applications; mobile and online banking; fraud, risk management, and compliance; electronic funds transfer and network; card and retail payment; wealth and retirement; and item processing and output solutions.

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Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLC grew its stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company (NYSE:LLY  Free Report) by 67.6% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,858 shares of the companys stock after purchasing an additional 1,153 shares during the quarter. Beverly Hills Private Wealth LLCs holdings in Eli Lilly and Company were worth $1,285,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Silicon Valley Capital Partners purchased a new stake in Eli Lilly and Company in the 1st quarter valued at about $25,000. Activest Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the second quarter valued at approximately $40,000. Laffer Tengler Investments bought a new position in Eli Lilly and Company in the first quarter worth approximately $33,000. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. grew its stake in Eli Lilly and Company by 156.4% in the first quarter. Raleigh Capital Management Inc. now owns 100 shares of the companys stock worth $34,000 after purchasing an additional 61 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Morgan Stanley Securities Co. Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Eli Lilly and Company in the 2nd quarter worth $72,000. 81.38% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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Eli Lilly and Company Price Performance

NYSE LLY opened at $610.94 on Wednesday. The company has a market cap of $579.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 110.68, a PEG ratio of 3.72 and a beta of 0.33. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.59, a current ratio of 1.05 and a quick ratio of 0.82. The stocks fifty day moving average price is $576.99 and its 200 day moving average price is $506.23. Eli Lilly and Company has a 1 year low of $309.20 and a 1 year high of $629.97.

Eli Lilly and Company Dividend Announcement

Insider Transactions at Eli Lilly and Company

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 8th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 15th will be issued a $1.13 dividend. This represents a $4.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 0.74%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, November 14th. Eli Lilly and Companys dividend payout ratio is presently 81.88%.

In related news, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the companys stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $546.51, for a total value of $327,906.00. Following the sale, the chief accounting officer now owns 5,378 shares in the company, valued at $2,939,130.78. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available through this link. In other Eli Lilly and Company news, EVP Alonzo Weems sold 1,148 shares of Eli Lilly and Company stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, September 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $590.98, for a total transaction of $678,445.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 7,760 shares in the company, valued at approximately $4,586,004.80. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, CAO Donald A. Zakrowski sold 600 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $546.51, for a total value of $327,906.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief accounting officer now directly owns 5,378 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $2,939,130.78. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 536,138 shares of company stock worth $20,881,627,358 over the last three months. 0.13% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently issued reports on LLY shares. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Eli Lilly and Company from $490.00 to $580.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th. Argus raised their target price on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $470.00 to $620.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a research report on Tuesday, September 5th. The Goldman Sachs Group upped their price target on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $385.00 to $470.00 and gave the stock a neutral rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 9th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price objective on shares of Eli Lilly and Company from $565.00 to $633.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a report on Wednesday, August 9th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. restated an overweight rating on shares of Eli Lilly and Company in a report on Wednesday, November 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and twenty have given a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Eli Lilly and Company has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $557.00.

Check Out Our Latest Stock Analysis on LLY

Eli Lilly and Company Profile

(Free Report)

Eli Lilly and Company discovers, develops, and markets human pharmaceuticals worldwide. It offers Basaglar, Humalog, Humalog Mix 75/25, Humalog U-100, Humalog U-200, Humalog Mix 50/50, insulin lispro, insulin lispro protamine, insulin lispro mix 75/25, Humulin, Humulin 70/30, Humulin N, Humulin R, and Humulin U-500 for diabetes; and Jardiance, Trajenta, and Trulicity for type 2 diabetes.

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BlackRock Municipal Income Fund, Inc. (NYSE:MUI  Get Free Report) announced a monthly dividend on Tuesday, November 14th, Zacks reports. Stockholders of record on Friday, December 15th will be given a dividend of 0.055 per share on Friday, December 29th. This represents a $0.66 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 6.15%. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, December 14th. This is a positive change from BlackRock Municipal Income Funds previous monthly dividend of $0.03.

BlackRock Municipal Income Fund Price Performance

Shares of NYSE MUI opened at $10.73 on Thursday. The businesss 50-day simple moving average is $10.30 and its 200-day simple moving average is $10.94. BlackRock Municipal Income Fund has a 52 week low of $9.73 and a 52 week high of $12.15.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. ICA Group Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock Municipal Income Fund in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Silverlake Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in BlackRock Municipal Income Fund in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $118,000. Nomura Holdings Inc. acquired a new stake in BlackRock Municipal Income Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $119,000. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC grew its holdings in BlackRock Municipal Income Fund by 24.5% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Advisor Networks LLC now owns 12,700 shares of the companys stock valued at $167,000 after buying an additional 2,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Bank of Montreal Can acquired a new stake in BlackRock Municipal Income Fund in the 2nd quarter valued at approximately $168,000.

About BlackRock Municipal Income Fund

BlackRock Muni Intermediate Duration Fund, Inc is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It primarily invests in investment grade municipal bonds exempt from federal income taxes and with a duration of three to ten years at the time of investment.

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BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust (NYSE:BNY  Get Free Report) declared a monthly dividend on Tuesday, November 14th, Zacks reports. Investors of record on Friday, December 15th will be paid a dividend of 0.043 per share by the financial services provider on Friday, December 29th. This represents a $0.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 5.33%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, December 14th. This is an increase from BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trusts previous monthly dividend of $0.03.

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust Price Performance

Shares of BNY stock opened at $9.69 on Thursday. The stocks 50 day simple moving average is $9.16 and its 200 day simple moving average is $9.77. BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust has a twelve month low of $8.60 and a twelve month high of $11.35.

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Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in BNY. Logan Stone Capital LLC increased its position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 1,655.8% in the 4th quarter. Logan Stone Capital LLC now owns 209,732 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,112,000 after buying an additional 197,787 shares during the period. Rivernorth Capital Management LLC bought a new position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $1,510,000. Ameriprise Financial Inc. bought a new position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,178,000. Robinson Capital Management LLC bought a new position in BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust in the 1st quarter worth approximately $1,050,000. Finally, Bank of America Corp DE grew its holdings in shares of BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust by 26.3% during the 4th quarter. Bank of America Corp DE now owns 260,218 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $2,620,000 after purchasing an additional 54,162 shares in the last quarter.

About BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust

BlackRock New York Municipal Income Trust is a closed ended fixed income mutual fund launched by BlackRock, Inc It is managed by BlackRock Advisors, LLC. The fund invests in fixed income markets. It invests primarily in the investment grade municipal bonds exempt from federal income taxes and New York State and New York City personal income taxes.

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Berger Financial Group Inc decreased its stake in Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE:CAT  Free Report) by 2.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 2,086 shares of the industrial products companys stock after selling 59 shares during the quarter. Berger Financial Group Incs holdings in Caterpillar were worth $513,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in CAT. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC lifted its stake in Caterpillar by 130,632.5% in the 4th quarter. Moneta Group Investment Advisors LLC now owns 9,784,017 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,343,859,000 after purchasing an additional 9,776,533 shares in the last quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich boosted its stake in Caterpillar by 98,763.3% during the second quarter. Bank Julius Baer & Co. Ltd Zurich now owns 8,679,209 shares of the industrial products companys stock worth $2,135,519,000 after buying an additional 8,670,430 shares during the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in Caterpillar in the 4th quarter valued at $1,175,255,000. Gateway Advisory LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Caterpillar in the 1st quarter worth $4,004,000. Finally, Ontario Teachers Pension Plan Board acquired a new position in shares of Caterpillar during the 1st quarter valued at about $433,134,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 69.20% of the companys stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, insider Anthony D. Fassino sold 2,923 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 29th. The shares were sold at an average price of $279.00, for a total transaction of $815,517.00. Following the transaction, the insider now directly owns 16,182 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $4,514,778. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. 0.33% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

CAT has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Bank of America decreased their price objective on Caterpillar from $323.00 to $297.00 in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. The Goldman Sachs Group lowered their price target on Caterpillar from $315.00 to $274.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, November 1st. TD Cowen upped their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $287.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an outperform rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 2nd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted their price target on shares of Caterpillar from $315.00 to $320.00 and gave the company an overweight rating in a research note on Monday, October 16th. Finally, Tigress Financial lifted their target price on shares of Caterpillar from $282.00 to $295.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Wednesday, November 8th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, six have issued a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Hold and an average price target of $267.68.

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Caterpillar Stock Up 0.2 %

CAT opened at $251.58 on Thursday. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $260.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $252.04. Caterpillar Inc. has a 52 week low of $204.04 and a 52 week high of $293.88. The company has a market cap of $128.07 billion, a PE ratio of 14.23, a P/E/G ratio of 0.98 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a quick ratio of 0.92, a current ratio of 1.45 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.18.

Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT  Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, October 31st. The industrial products company reported $5.52 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $4.75 by $0.77. The firm had revenue of $16.81 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $16.57 billion. Caterpillar had a return on equity of 56.29% and a net margin of 13.69%. The companys revenue for the quarter was up 12.1% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.95 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that Caterpillar Inc. will post 20.48 EPS for the current year.

Caterpillar Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, November 20th. Investors of record on Monday, October 23rd will be given a $1.30 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, October 20th. This represents a $5.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.07%. Caterpillars payout ratio is currently 29.46%.

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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Cetera Advisors LLC increased its position in shares of Altria Group, Inc. (NYSE:MO  Free Report) by 1.2% in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 349,613 shares of the companys stock after acquiring an additional 4,149 shares during the period. Cetera Advisors LLCs holdings in Altria Group were worth $15,837,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Loomis Sayles & Co. L P bought a new position in shares of Altria Group during the 1st quarter valued at $25,000. Northwest Bank & Trust Co bought a new stake in shares of Altria Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Ellevest Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Altria Group by 346.7% during the 1st quarter. Ellevest Inc. now owns 670 shares of the companys stock valued at $30,000 after acquiring an additional 520 shares during the last quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC raised its stake in shares of Altria Group by 153.8% in the 1st quarter. NewSquare Capital LLC now owns 731 shares of the companys stock valued at $33,000 after acquiring an additional 443 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Meeder Asset Management Inc. acquired a new stake in Altria Group in the 1st quarter worth approximately $35,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 58.94% of the companys stock.

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Altria Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MO opened at $40.84 on Thursday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $42.00 and its 200 day simple moving average is $43.83. Altria Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $39.06 and a fifty-two week high of $51.57. The company has a market capitalization of $72.23 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.66 and a beta of 0.65.

Altria Group Increases Dividend

Altria Group ( NYSE:MO Get Free Report ) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, October 26th. The company reported $1.28 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.29 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $5.28 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $5.43 billion. Altria Group had a negative return on equity of 237.91% and a net margin of 35.58%. The firms revenue was down 2.5% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $1.28 earnings per share. Equities research analysts expect that Altria Group, Inc. will post 4.95 earnings per share for the current year.

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, October 10th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 15th were given a dividend of $0.98 per share. This is a boost from Altria Groups previous quarterly dividend of $0.94. This represents a $3.92 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 9.60%. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, September 14th. Altria Groups dividend payout ratio is currently 79.84%.

Insider Activity at Altria Group

In other Altria Group news, Director Robert Matthews Davis acquired 1,200 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 6th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $40.50 per share, with a total value of $48,600.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 8,473 shares in the company, valued at approximately $343,156.50. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 0.07% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on MO shares. UBS Group decreased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $40.40 to $39.20 and set a sell rating for the company in a report on Friday, October 6th. Citigroup cut their price target on Altria Group from $46.50 to $45.00 and set a neutral rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 18th. Bank of America lowered their price objective on shares of Altria Group from $49.00 to $47.00 in a research note on Monday, October 9th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on shares of Altria Group from $55.00 to $56.00 and gave the company a buy rating in a report on Friday, October 13th. Finally, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Altria Group from a buy rating to a hold rating in a research note on Friday, October 27th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of $47.53.

Read Our Latest Report on MO

About Altria Group

(Free Report)

Altria Group, Inc, through its subsidiaries, manufactures and sells smokeable and oral tobacco products in the United States. The company provides cigarettes primarily under the Marlboro brand; cigars and pipe tobacco principally under the Black & Mild brand; moist smokeless tobacco products and snus products under the Copenhagen, Skoal, Red Seal, and Husky brands; and on! oral nicotine pouches.

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Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)

BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong met with Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Plantation and Commodities Fadillah Yusof in Beijing on Thursday.

Liu, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, said this year, Chinese President Xi Jinping and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim reached an important consensus on jointly building a China-Malaysia community with a shared future, drawing a blueprint for the development of bilateral relations in the new era.

Noting that China and Malaysia are rich in agricultural and fishery resources and have strong complementarities in agriculture and fisheries, Liu said the two sides should strengthen policy communication, continue to expand trade in agricultural products, strengthen exchanges and cooperation in food security, deepen cooperation on poverty reduction and jointly enhance people's well-being.

Fadillah said that Malaysia is willing to work with China to deepen practical cooperation in various fields and push bilateral relations to a new level. 

Chinese Vice Premier Liu Guozhong, also a member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee, meets with Malaysia's Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Zhai Jianlan)
Checchi Capital Advisers LLC boosted its position in shares of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. (NYSE:KKR  Free Report) by 0.8% in the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 23,425 shares of the asset managers stock after acquiring an additional 187 shares during the quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLCs holdings in Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. were worth $1,312,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. CWM LLC raised its holdings in Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. by 2.9% during the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 6,971 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $366,000 after buying an additional 194 shares during the last quarter. Arizona State Retirement System raised its holdings in Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. by 12.7% during the 2nd quarter. Arizona State Retirement System now owns 172,301 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $9,649,000 after buying an additional 19,473 shares during the last quarter. O ROURKE & COMPANY Inc raised its holdings in Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. by 2.1% during the 2nd quarter. O ROURKE & COMPANY Inc now owns 44,067 shares of the asset managers stock valued at $2,468,000 after buying an additional 896 shares during the last quarter. EA Series Trust bought a new stake in Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. during the 2nd quarter valued at $333,000. Finally, ADE LLC bought a new stake in Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. during the 2nd quarter valued at $213,000. 54.97% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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Insider Activity at Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.

In related news, major shareholder Kkr Group Partnership L.P. sold 15,000,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $36.85, for a total transaction of $552,750,000.00. Following the sale, the insider now directly owns 4,570,327 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $168,416,549.95. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. 39.34% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of equities research analysts recently commented on KKR shares. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft lowered their price target on shares of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. from $75.00 to $72.00 and set a buy rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 11th. Wolfe Research began coverage on shares of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. in a research report on Wednesday, October 4th. They set an outperform rating and a $75.00 price objective on the stock. Citigroup boosted their price objective on shares of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. from $69.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Tuesday, August 8th. StockNews.com raised shares of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. from a sell rating to a hold rating in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Finally, Oppenheimer reduced their price objective on shares of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. from $91.00 to $87.00 and set an outperform rating on the stock in a research report on Monday, October 9th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and twelve have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $71.97.

Read Our Latest Research Report on KKR

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. Stock Up 0.4 %

NYSE:KKR opened at $66.68 on Thursday. The firms 50-day moving average price is $60.76 and its 200-day moving average price is $57.96. The company has a market capitalization of $59.01 billion, a PE ratio of 21.92, a P/E/G ratio of 1.84 and a beta of 1.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.78, a current ratio of 0.07 and a quick ratio of 0.07. Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. has a 1-year low of $45.03 and a 1-year high of $67.55.

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 1st. Investors of record on Friday, November 17th will be given a dividend of $0.165 per share. This represents a $0.66 annualized dividend and a yield of 0.99%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Thursday, November 16th. Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 21.78%.

About Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P.

(Free Report)

Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co L.P. is a private equity and real estate investment firm specializing in direct and fund of fund investments. It specializes in acquisitions, leveraged buyouts, management buyouts, credit special situations, growth equity, mature, mezzanine, distressed, turnaround, lower middle market and middle market investments.

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Checchi Capital Advisers LLC lowered its stake in Waste Management, Inc. (NYSE:WM  Free Report) by 1.1% during the second quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The fund owned 6,643 shares of the business services providers stock after selling 77 shares during the period. Checchi Capital Advisers LLCs holdings in Waste Management were worth $1,152,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the stock. Steel Peak Wealth Management LLC increased its position in Waste Management by 4.7% during the second quarter. Steel Peak Wealth Management LLC now owns 3,858 shares of the business services providers stock worth $669,000 after buying an additional 173 shares during the last quarter. American National Bank boosted its stake in shares of Waste Management by 1,459.9% in the second quarter. American National Bank now owns 2,137 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $371,000 after buying an additional 2,000 shares during the period. Simmons Bank raised its position in Waste Management by 12.5% during the first quarter. Simmons Bank now owns 2,695 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $440,000 after purchasing an additional 300 shares in the last quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co raised its position in Waste Management by 1.9% during the second quarter. WASHINGTON TRUST Co now owns 55,488 shares of the business services providers stock valued at $9,623,000 after purchasing an additional 1,055 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Sawgrass Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in Waste Management during the second quarter valued at approximately $208,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 78.34% of the companys stock.

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Insider Transactions at Waste Management

In other news, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 5,383 shares of the firms stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total transaction of $925,876.00. Following the completion of the sale, the chief executive officer now owns 171,938 shares in the company, valued at approximately $29,573,336. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. In other Waste Management news, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 4,167 shares of the firms stock in a transaction on Friday, November 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total value of $716,724.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief executive officer now directly owns 177,321 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $30,499,212. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, CEO James C. Fish, Jr. sold 5,383 shares of Waste Management stock in a transaction on Monday, November 13th. The stock was sold at an average price of $172.00, for a total transaction of $925,876.00. Following the sale, the chief executive officer now directly owns 171,938 shares of the companys stock, valued at $29,573,336. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. 0.27% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Waste Management Trading Down 0.2 %

WM opened at $170.83 on Thursday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 2.17, a current ratio of 0.84 and a quick ratio of 0.80. Waste Management, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $148.31 and a fifty-two week high of $173.71. The firm has a market capitalization of $68.81 billion, a PE ratio of 30.30, a P/E/G ratio of 2.87 and a beta of 0.72. The companys 50-day moving average is $160.29 and its 200 day moving average is $163.00.

Waste Management (NYSE:WM  Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, October 24th. The business services provider reported $1.63 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.61 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $5.20 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $5.27 billion. Waste Management had a net margin of 11.47% and a return on equity of 34.14%. The firms revenue was up 2.4% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.56 EPS. As a group, research analysts predict that Waste Management, Inc. will post 5.96 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Waste Management Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 1st will be paid a $0.70 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 30th. This represents a $2.80 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.64%. Waste Managements dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.56%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Waste Management from $160.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a sector perform rating in a report on Thursday, October 26th. Wolfe Research initiated coverage on shares of Waste Management in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. They set a peer perform rating on the stock. Citigroup cut their price objective on shares of Waste Management from $204.00 to $202.00 in a research report on Thursday, July 27th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Waste Management from $160.00 to $163.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a research report on Thursday, October 26th. Finally, Scotiabank cut their price objective on shares of Waste Management from $177.50 to $165.00 in a research report on Tuesday, October 10th. Five research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and nine have assigned a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and an average target price of $179.77.

View Our Latest Report on WM

Waste Management Profile

(Free Report)

Waste Management, Inc, through its subsidiaries, engages in the provision of environmental solutions to residential, commercial, industrial, and municipal customers in the United States and Canada. It offers collection services, including picking up and transporting waste and recyclable materials from where it was generated to a transfer station, material recovery facility (MRF), or disposal site; and owns and operates transfer stations, as well as owns, develops, and operates landfill facilities that produce landfill gas used as renewable natural gas for generating electricity.

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Nwam LLC trimmed its position in iShares MSCI Japan ETF (NYSEARCA:EWJ  Free Report) by 64.0% in the second quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 24,636 shares of the exchange traded funds stock after selling 43,707 shares during the period. Nwam LLCs holdings in iShares MSCI Japan ETF were worth $1,525,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Coastal Investment Advisors Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $33,000. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF by 270.1% during the 1st quarter. Grey Fox Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 581 shares of the exchange traded funds stock worth $34,000 after acquiring an additional 424 shares in the last quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $38,000. Hazlett Burt & Watson Inc. bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $49,000. Finally, Signaturefd LLC bought a new stake in shares of iShares MSCI Japan ETF during the 2nd quarter worth $64,000.

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iShares MSCI Japan ETF Price Performance

Shares of EWJ traded up $0.28 during trading hours on Thursday, hitting $61.46. 560,444 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 6,097,624. The company has a market capitalization of $13.11 billion, a PE ratio of 12.76 and a beta of 0.68. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $60.40 and a 200-day simple moving average of $61.00. iShares MSCI Japan ETF has a one year low of $53.27 and a one year high of $64.11.

iShares MSCI Japan ETF Company Profile

iShares MSCI Japan ETF (the fund), formerly Ishares Msci Japan Index Fund, is an exchange-traded fund. The Fund seeks to provide investment results that correspond generally to the price and yield performance, before fees and expenses, of publicly traded securities in the Japanese market, as measured by the MSCI Japan Index (the Index).

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Analysts at Stifel Nicolaus initiated coverage on shares of MasTec (NYSE:MTZ  Get Free Report) in a research note issued on Thursday, Briefing.com reports. The brokerage set a buy rating and a $70.00 price target on the construction companys stock. Stifel Nicolaus price objective indicates a potential upside of 30.40% from the stocks previous close.

A number of other research firms have also recently weighed in on MTZ. B. Riley lowered their price objective on MasTec from $138.00 to $129.00 in a research report on Monday, August 7th. Robert W. Baird lowered their price target on MasTec from $125.00 to $116.00 in a report on Monday, August 7th. Citigroup lowered their price target on MasTec from $116.00 to $91.00 and set a buy rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 23rd. Barclays lowered their price target on MasTec from $106.00 to $55.00 and set an overweight rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Finally, Craig Hallum cut MasTec from a buy rating to a hold rating in a report on Thursday, November 2nd. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and an average price target of $101.46.

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Check Out Our Latest Analysis on MTZ

MasTec Stock Up 3.9 %

Insider Activity

MTZ stock opened at $53.68 on Thursday. MasTec has a twelve month low of $44.65 and a twelve month high of $123.33. The company has a quick ratio of 1.39, a current ratio of 1.44 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.12. The stock has a market cap of $4.23 billion, a P/E ratio of -85.21 and a beta of 1.56. The businesss 50-day moving average price is $67.13 and its 200-day moving average price is $91.36.

In other news, CAO Timothy Michael Love sold 1,095 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.46, for a total transaction of $78,248.70. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 10,525 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $752,116.50. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. In other MasTec news, CAO Timothy Michael Love sold 1,095 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, October 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $71.46, for a total value of $78,248.70. Following the transaction, the chief accounting officer now owns 10,525 shares of the companys stock, valued at approximately $752,116.50. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, CFO Paul Dimarco sold 1,332 shares of the companys stock in a transaction on Monday, October 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $71.35, for a total value of $95,038.20. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 16,620 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,185,837. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Corporate insiders own 21.30% of the companys stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On MasTec

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of MTZ. Terra Nova Asset Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of MasTec by 0.7% in the 2nd quarter. Terra Nova Asset Management LLC now owns 14,054 shares of the construction companys stock worth $1,658,000 after buying an additional 97 shares during the period. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of MasTec by 3.1% in the 2nd quarter. Coldstream Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,335 shares of the construction companys stock worth $393,000 after buying an additional 99 shares during the period. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of MasTec by 3.4% in the 2nd quarter. B. Riley Wealth Advisors Inc. now owns 3,367 shares of the construction companys stock worth $397,000 after buying an additional 112 shares during the period. First Horizon Advisors Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of MasTec by 92.5% in the 2nd quarter. First Horizon Advisors Inc. now owns 256 shares of the construction companys stock worth $30,000 after buying an additional 123 shares during the period. Finally, Geneos Wealth Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of MasTec by 30.5% in the 2nd quarter. Geneos Wealth Management Inc. now owns 535 shares of the construction companys stock worth $63,000 after buying an additional 125 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 72.90% of the companys stock.

About MasTec

(Get Free Report)

MasTec, Inc, an infrastructure construction company, provides engineering, building, installation, maintenance, and upgrade services for communications, energy, utility, and other infrastructure primarily in the United States and Canada. It operates through five segments: Communications, Clean Energy and Infrastructure, Oil and Gas, Power Delivery, and Other.

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TD Asset Management Inc boosted its position in Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO  Free Report) by 1.1% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 768,286 shares of the mining companys stock after acquiring an additional 8,401 shares during the quarter. TD Asset Management Inc owned 0.06% of Rio Tinto Group worth $49,047,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. raised its holdings in Rio Tinto Group by 6.1% in the second quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Holdings Inc. now owns 62,782 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $4,008,000 after acquiring an additional 3,632 shares in the last quarter. Atria Investments Inc increased its stake in Rio Tinto Group by 14.4% in the first quarter. Atria Investments Inc now owns 22,952 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $1,574,000 after purchasing an additional 2,895 shares during the last quarter. LPL Financial LLC increased its stake in Rio Tinto Group by 6.6% in the second quarter. LPL Financial LLC now owns 355,848 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $22,717,000 after purchasing an additional 21,891 shares during the last quarter. WealthPLAN Partners LLC purchased a new position in Rio Tinto Group in the first quarter valued at approximately $51,000. Finally, Thrive Wealth Management LLC increased its stake in Rio Tinto Group by 7.9% in the second quarter. Thrive Wealth Management LLC now owns 5,451 shares of the mining companys stock valued at $348,000 after purchasing an additional 401 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 10.03% of the companys stock.

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Rio Tinto Group Price Performance

NYSE:RIO opened at $67.87 on Thursday. The firms fifty day moving average price is $63.63 and its 200 day moving average price is $63.56. Rio Tinto Group has a 1-year low of $58.27 and a 1-year high of $80.51. The company has a current ratio of 1.99, a quick ratio of 1.37 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.25.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have commented on RIO. JPMorgan Chase & Co. upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group from a neutral rating to an overweight rating in a research note on Wednesday, September 13th. Barclays upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group from an equal weight rating to an overweight rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 24th. UBS Group upgraded shares of Rio Tinto Group from a sell rating to a neutral rating in a research report on Thursday, October 5th. Finally, StockNews.com lowered shares of Rio Tinto Group from a strong-buy rating to a buy rating in a research report on Friday, November 10th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, nine have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the companys stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $72.00.

Check Out Our Latest Research Report on Rio Tinto Group

Rio Tinto Group Company Profile

(Free Report)

Rio Tinto Group engages in exploring, mining, and processing mineral resources worldwide. The company operates through Iron Ore, Aluminium, Copper, and Minerals Segments. It offers aluminum, copper, iron ore, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, silver, molybdenum, and lithium. The company also owns and operates open pit and underground mines, refineries, smelters, and concentrator facilities, as well as power stations, research, and service facilities.

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Berger Financial Group Inc raised its position in The Charles Schwab Co. (NYSE:SCHW  Free Report) by 9.2% during the 2nd quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 4,927 shares of the financial services providers stock after acquiring an additional 415 shares during the quarter. Berger Financial Group Incs holdings in Charles Schwab were worth $279,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Signet Financial Management LLC raised its stake in Charles Schwab by 0.3% during the 4th quarter. Signet Financial Management LLC now owns 49,378 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $4,111,000 after acquiring an additional 139 shares in the last quarter. Welch & Forbes LLC increased its holdings in shares of Charles Schwab by 2.8% during the second quarter. Welch & Forbes LLC now owns 5,797 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $329,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the period. Capital Advisors Inc. OK raised its stake in shares of Charles Schwab by 0.6% during the second quarter. Capital Advisors Inc. OK now owns 28,547 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $1,618,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC lifted its holdings in Charles Schwab by 2.6% in the second quarter. Main Street Financial Solutions LLC now owns 6,475 shares of the financial services providers stock worth $367,000 after purchasing an additional 162 shares during the period. Finally, Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADV grew its position in Charles Schwab by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Investment Advisory Services Inc. TX ADV now owns 32,642 shares of the financial services providers stock valued at $2,718,000 after buying an additional 164 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 81.61% of the companys stock.

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Charles Schwab Stock Performance

Charles Schwab stock opened at $56.06 on Thursday. The firms 50 day simple moving average is $54.12 and its 200-day simple moving average is $56.15. The Charles Schwab Co. has a fifty-two week low of $45.00 and a fifty-two week high of $86.63. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.87, a current ratio of 0.66 and a quick ratio of 0.66. The company has a market cap of $99.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.69, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.39 and a beta of 0.94.

Charles Schwab Announces Dividend

Charles Schwab ( NYSE:SCHW Get Free Report ) last announced its earnings results on Monday, October 16th. The financial services provider reported $0.77 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.75 by $0.02. The company had revenue of $4.61 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.62 billion. Charles Schwab had a net margin of 30.14% and a return on equity of 24.58%. The companys revenue was down 16.3% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.10 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts predict that The Charles Schwab Co. will post 3.16 EPS for the current year.

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, November 24th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 10th will be paid a dividend of $0.25 per share. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, November 9th. This represents a $1.00 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.78%. Charles Schwabs dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.33%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SCHW has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their price target on shares of Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $69.00 in a research report on Wednesday, October 11th. JMP Securities reissued a market outperform rating and set a $77.00 target price on shares of Charles Schwab in a report on Tuesday, October 17th. Raymond James upped their target price on Charles Schwab from $72.00 to $76.00 and gave the stock an outperform rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 17th. Citigroup lifted their price target on Charles Schwab from $65.00 to $75.00 in a research report on Wednesday, July 19th. Finally, Argus boosted their price objective on Charles Schwab from $70.00 to $81.00 in a research note on Wednesday, July 19th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, two have assigned a hold rating and eleven have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus target price of $69.91.

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Insider Activity

In other Charles Schwab news, Director Paula A. Sneed sold 6,918 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $49.98, for a total value of $345,761.64. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 112,398 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,617,652.04. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. In other news, General Counsel Peter J. Morgan III sold 8,000 shares of Charles Schwab stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, August 29th. The stock was sold at an average price of $59.61, for a total transaction of $476,880.00. Following the completion of the sale, the general counsel now directly owns 8,014 shares in the company, valued at approximately $477,714.54. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Also, Director Paula A. Sneed sold 6,918 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, October 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $49.98, for a total value of $345,761.64. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 112,398 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,617,652.04. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders have sold 21,824 shares of company stock worth $1,214,937 in the last 90 days. Company insiders own 6.60% of the companys stock.

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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YHB Investment Advisors Inc. lessened its holdings in shares of Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Free Report) by 2.7% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 7,206 shares of the healthcare product makers stock after selling 200 shares during the period. YHB Investment Advisors Inc.s holdings in Abbott Laboratories were worth $786,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Scissortail Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of Abbott Laboratories in the first quarter valued at about $1,475,747,000. Aspire Private Capital LLC bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $16,271,874,000. Graham Capital Wealth Management LLC bought a new stake in Abbott Laboratories in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $244,037,000. Altshuler Shaham Ltd bought a new position in shares of Abbott Laboratories during the 4th quarter worth approximately $28,000. Finally, Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. lifted its position in Abbott Laboratories by 134.5% during the 1st quarter. Financial Gravity Asset Management Inc. now owns 258 shares of the healthcare product makers stock worth $316,000 after buying an additional 148 shares in the last quarter. 73.70% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

ABT has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Jefferies Financial Group lowered their target price on Abbott Laboratories from $120.00 to $112.00 in a research report on Monday, October 2nd. StockNews.com assumed coverage on Abbott Laboratories in a report on Thursday, October 5th. They issued a buy rating for the company. UBS Group lowered their target price on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $130.00 to $118.00 in a report on Thursday, October 19th. Raymond James decreased their price objective on shares of Abbott Laboratories from $123.00 to $110.00 and set an outperform rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, October 19th. Finally, TheStreet downgraded Abbott Laboratories from a b- rating to a c+ rating in a research report on Monday, October 16th. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and ten have given a buy rating to the companys stock. According to MarketBeat, Abbott Laboratories currently has an average rating of Moderate Buy and a consensus price target of $117.47.

Abbott Laboratories Stock Performance

NYSE:ABT opened at $98.10 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $170.31 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 33.33, a PEG ratio of 4.24 and a beta of 0.69. Abbott Laboratories has a fifty-two week low of $89.67 and a fifty-two week high of $115.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 1.23 and a current ratio of 1.74. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of $96.50 and a 200-day moving average price of $103.15.

Abbott Laboratories (NYSE:ABT  Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, October 18th. The healthcare product maker reported $1.14 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts consensus estimates of $1.10 by $0.04. The firm had revenue of $10.14 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $9.82 billion. Abbott Laboratories had a net margin of 12.92% and a return on equity of 20.15%. The businesss revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $1.15 earnings per share. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Abbott Laboratories will post 4.44 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Abbott Laboratories Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, November 15th. Shareholders of record on Friday, October 13th were issued a $0.51 dividend. This represents a $2.04 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.08%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, October 12th. Abbott Laboratoriess dividend payout ratio is presently 69.39%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Abbott Laboratories news, Director Daniel J. Starks sold 50,000 shares of the businesss stock in a transaction dated Thursday, October 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of $94.05, for a total transaction of $4,702,500.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 6,725,316 shares of the companys stock, valued at $632,515,969.80. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 1.10% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

About Abbott Laboratories

(Free Report)

Abbott Laboratories, together with its subsidiaries, discovers, develops, manufactures, and sells health care products worldwide. It operates in four segments: Established Pharmaceutical Products, Diagnostic Products, Nutritional Products, and Medical Devices. The Established Pharmaceutical Products segment provides generic pharmaceuticals for the treatment of pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, irritable bowel syndrome or biliary spasm, intrahepatic cholestasis or depressive symptoms, gynecological disorder, hormone replacement therapy, dyslipidemia, hypertension, hypothyroidism, Meniere's disease and vestibular vertigo, pain, fever, inflammation, and migraine, as well as provides anti-infective clarithromycin, influenza vaccine, and products to regulate physiological rhythm of the colon.

Further Reading

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This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2023 shows a scene of the Tashkent International Tourism Fair in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The fair, hosted by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, is held from Nov. 15 to 17. (Xinhua)

Participants pose for a photo at the Tashkent International Tourism Fair in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 15, 2023. The fair, hosted by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, is held from Nov. 15 to 17. (Xinhua)

This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2023 shows a performance at the Tashkent International Tourism Fair in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. The fair, hosted by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, is held from Nov. 15 to 17. (Xinhua)

People visit the Tashkent International Tourism Fair in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, Nov. 15, 2023. The fair, hosted by the Ministry of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of the Republic of Uzbekistan, is held from Nov. 15 to 17. (Xinhua)
Tsering Toinzhub (3rd L) and Lhapa Drolma (4th L) pose for a photo with their family in Suosong Village of Nyingchi, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Nov. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Jiang Fan]

LHASA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua)  At 6 a.m. before the dawn broke, Lhapa Drolma, donning a beautiful Tibetan costume, started distilling highland barley liquor and making tsampa, a traditional food made of roasted barley flour.

As a festival tradition, the 38-year-old spared some tsampa, yak milk, beef and other food to feed dogs. "The dog drank the milk first, which is an auspicious sign indicating that we will have a good harvest of yak milk in the coming year," she said with a smile, explaining the customs to the tourists curiously watching.

Lhapa Drolma, who runs a homestay, hails from a small village located at the foot of Mount Namcha Barwa in the city of Nyingchi in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region.

Lhapa Drolma feeds a dog in Suosong Village of Nyingchi, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Nov. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Tenzin Nyida]

Tuesday marked the first day of the Kongpo New Year according to the Tibetan calendar, the most important traditional festival in the Nyingchi area. As locals in the city are on a three-day holiday starting on Monday, tourists are also flowing in to experience the festive atmosphere and enjoy the breathtaking scenic view.

Mount Namcha Barwa, also spelled Namjagbarwa, was listed at the top among China's most beautiful peaks by the Chinese National Geography magazine in 2005. Part of the Himalayas, Mount Namcha Barwa is an ideal destination for tourists looking to savor the beauty of nature. The burgeoning local tourism industry has benefitted locals like Lhapa Drolma.

In the past, Lhapa Drolma relied on collecting matsutake mushrooms for a living. Not only the work was extremely tiring as she had to hike to altitudes of over 4,500 meters, but she could barely make ends meet with the income.

Things started to change in 2013 when Lhapa Drolma transformed part of her home into a guesthouse to supplement the family income as she smelled business opportunities from the increasing number of visitors coming to enjoy Mount Namcha Barwa.

Over the past decade, the guesthouse has expanded from merely eight beds to two buildings with over 50 rooms, with her family's annual income exceeding 1 million yuan (about 140,000 U.S. dollars) now.

"While childhood seldom granted the luxury of a hearty meal or new garments, new clothes and delectable treats are at our fingertips today," she said.

A tourist surnamed Wu drove from northwest China's Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region to the region for vacation, with Nyingchi being his first stop. He chose to stay at Lhapa Drolma's homestay as the view was magnificent.

"When I woke up in the morning, I could see Mount Namcha Barwa right through my window," said Wu, showing the photos of the sun-kissed peak he had captured the previous day on his phone.

Tsering Toinzhub (2nd R) and Lhapa Drolma (1st L) drink buttered tea with their family in Suosong Village of Nyingchi, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Nov. 14, 2023. [Xinhua/Jiang Fan]

With the beautiful peach flowers and greenery in spring and summer, and the snowy peak at the backdrop in fall and winter, the village has attracted visitors all year long.

The booming tourism has greatly stimulated the village's homestay business and the number of guesthouses has surged from two to 41 with 1,600 beds in total, said Cering Norbu, head of the villagers' committee.

In 2022, the per capita disposable income of the village exceeded 31,000 yuan. Living a prosperous life, Lhapa Drolma can now realize her dream of traveling.

"I've never seen the sea, so I plan to go to the beach in the city of Sanya next year with my family to celebrate the Kongpo New Year," she said.

(Source: Xinhua)
Fulton County prosecutors asked a judge Wednesday to jail Harrison Floyd, who is charged in the 2020 election subversion case in Georgia, because of his alleged effort to intimidate codefendants and witnesses, according to court filings.
Opposition Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer has suffered a rebellion by 56 MPs, including eight shadow cabinet members voting for a parliamentary motion put by the Scottish National Party (SNP) for a ceasefire in Gaza.

Starmer has refused to call for a ceasefire since the moment that Israel starting bombing Gaza on October 8.

Sir Keir Starmer, the leader of Britain's Labour Party makes his speech at the party's annual conference in Liverpool, England, September 27, 2022 [AP Photo/Jon Super]

The SNP amendment to the Conservative governments legislative programme called for an end to the collective punishment of the Palestinian people and for the Government to join with the international community in urgently pressing all parties to agree to an immediate ceasefire.

The SNP has 43 MPs in the 650-seat chamber who were joined Tuesday evening by just over a quarter of Starmers party and a few other MPs, with the ceasefire amendment securing 125 votes. It was voted down by Tory MPs in alliance with the rest of Labours MPs, 292 votes for a majority of 168. Many Tory MPs didnt vote, knowing the amendment would be defeated.

In a bid to stop some potential rebel MPs from voting for a ceasefire, Starmer put forward a motion reiterating Labours call for longer pauses in the bombing to allow humanitarian aid to enter and more civilians to leave the war zone. Politico reported that despite a bit more hand-wringing from Starmer in his own resolution, Starmers team stressed overnight that no hard policy has changed since his speech at Chatham House. In that speech on October 31, Starmer insisted there should no ceasefire by the Israel Defense Forces.

Labour Party leader Sir Keir Starmer speaking at Chatham House and opposing calls for a ceasefire in Israel's war on Gaza [Photo: screenshot: Keir Starmer/X]

By Wednesday morning, reports were that 19 shadow cabinet members, including several parliamentary private secretaries (PPS), could still vote for the SNPs motion. Starmer spent the day issuing threats to his front bench to back his resolution, abstain on the SNP resolution or face the sack. Speaking on the Andrew Marr Show ahead of the vote, Shadow Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said cynically of Starmers threat, Its not so much about people being sacked as such, but that they would lose their jobs.

Starmer was reportedly huddled in discussions all day with potential rebel front benchers and succeeding in reducing their number from 19 to 10, as eight frontbenchers and two PPSs voted for the ceasefire motion.

The rebellion was nevertheless a significant political blow to Starmer.

The bulk of the 56 rebels were 35 members of the Socialist Campaign Group (SGC) of Labourites. Some 32 members of the SCG are Labour MPs, plus three former MPs who already had the Labour whip removed by Starmerformer party leader Jeremy Corbyn, and two of Corbyns allies Diane Abbott and Claudia Webbe.

Knowing they were about to be sacked, three front benchersYasmin Qureshi, Afzal Khan and Paula Barkerresigned their positions before the vote took place. Following the vote, Rachel Hopkins, Sarah Owen, Naz Shah, and Andy Slaughter were sacked by Starmer. Two other Labour MPs, Mary Foy, the PPS of Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner, and Dan Carden, another PPS, resigned the front bench too. The most prominent rebel, Jess Phillips, Minister for Domestic Abuse, resigned immediately following the vote.

Phillips, a member of Labour Friends of Israel and a Starmer loyalist, represents the Yardley constituency in Birmingham, which has a Muslim population of over 20 percent.

Those who stood down joined Imran Hussain, a member of the SCG, who resigned from Labours front bench last week and who represents a constituency, Bradford East, also with a large Muslim population.

The debate on the amendments was only attended by a few dozen MPs. It saw the extraordinary scene of Liberal Democrat MP Layla Moran, who is of Palestinian heritage, telling the chamber that earlier in the day she lost a family member in Gaza. She said, They were seeking safety in a church in Gaza City, and they did not, Im afraid, die of a bomb. Instead, they died, perhaps for lack of food, perhaps of dehydration. Their health deteriorated in the last and they couldnt get to the hospital they needed.

The deputy speaker offered his condolences but then told Moran to end her speech, not allowing her to finish, citing a technicality. Moran was followed by Labours Shadow Foreign Secretary David Lammy, who also offered condolences to Moran before touting his leaders motion, which could well lead to the deaths of more of Morans family members.

As well as the nominally left Labourites who were obliged to vote for a ceasefire, others voting for the SNP motion included MPs in inner-city areas for whom continuing to support Starmers position would be political suicide, given mass popular opposition to Israels war of annihilation.

Last Saturdays national protest mobilised 800,000 people and nearly 80 percent of the population back a ceasefire in polls. Outside parliament as the vote was taken, around 15,000 people protested demanding that MPs back a ceasefire.

Defying all popular pressure, the overwhelming majority of parliamentarians affirmed their support for Israels war of annihilation against the Gazan population, with the 125 voting for a ceasefire making up less than 20 percent of all MPs. The pro-genocide alliance between the Sunak government and the Labour Party continues.

The millions who want to end the war and prevent thousands more deaths cannot do so through further appeals to a pro-war parliament, nor rely on those MPs who have voted for a ceasefire to wage any political struggle against Starmer, Sunak and their ilk.

The crisis in ruling circles is a pale reflection of the gulf that has opened up between the entire political elite and the mass of working people. It is deeper into the working class, the only social force that can end the bloodbath, that a movement animated by profound anti-Zionist and anti-imperialist sentiments must turn.

As the World Socialist Web Site urged following Saturdays national demonstration, the fight to save the Palestinians must be waged independently of and against all the parties of big business:

The working class alone can defeat and halt this offensive by making it impossible to wage it. Working class action, including strikes and boycotts of arms companies, docks and airports, can stop the shipment of any items to Israel with a military use

This can become a focus for the explosive anger over the savage austerity faced by workers. This fight must be waged against the trade union bureaucracy, which has done nothing to mobilise in defence of the Palestinians and acts as a dead hand in preventing any action that threatens the interests of the ruling class.
Autoworkers hold picket signs near a General Motors Assembly Plant in Delta Township, Michigan on September 29, 2023. [AP Photo/Paul Sancya]

According to media reports, the United Auto Workers bureaucracy is planning to announce that its tentative agreement with General Motors has been ratified, in the face of mounting rank-and-file opposition and widespread suspicion of ballot fraud.

As of this writing, the official ratification tracker on the UAWs website claims that a narrow margin of production workers have voted to support the contract, with 14,792 voting yes and 12,577 voting no. There are clearly errors and irregularities in the tally itself, however, as the UAW is claiming that 57.02 percent of the workers have supported the deal and 48.48 percent have rejected it, a mathematical impossibility. The raw numbers would indicate that 54 percent of workers have approved the deal so far, which is itself highly suspicious and significantly above what was being reported earlier in the evening.

A portion of the UAW tally showing incorrect figures.

The gap is 1,181 votes among the 4,423 skilled trades workers, who have voted 2,802-1,621 to approve the deal. According to the UAW Constitution, each section of workers must approve the deal by a simple majority to ratify it, although the UAW pushed through a GM deal in 2015 despite a 60-40 percent no vote by skilled trades workers.

Significantly, the UAW tracker does not include the vote totals from GMs Lansing Delta Township Assembly Plant in Michigan, where production workers voted down the deal by 63-37 percent, and skilled trades rejected it by 61-39 percent during ratification votes Monday and Tuesday.

The World Socialist Web Site urges rank-and-file workers to reject any effort to declare the contract ratified without a full auditing and review of the ballots by the rank and file. A revote, under the supervision of rank-and-file committees, must be conducted at any plants where there are irregularities.

On Wednesday morning, prominent news outlets, including Reuters, were reporting that the GM deal was clearly headed for defeat, after seven of GMs 11 assembly plants voted it down over the last week. Then suddenly the UAW announced a series of substantial yes votes.

The vote is suspicious to all of us, one worker at Lansing Delta told the World Socialist Web Site. Most of the people are against the contract and mad about the lack of work-life balance and not giving us back the pensions and retiree health benefits we lost in 2009.

Another worker said, We only have the percentages, give us the details. On Facebook someone posted that the International UAW can afford to come into the plant to push the contract but cant pay us more. They dont know what theyll do if it gets voted down. I mean they worked so hard for this with months of negotiating. How come everyone is saying no? We didnt fall for your crapola this time. They dangled the carrot to hope it would pass.

Another Lansing Delta worker added, Fain said he would do this and that and bring a historic contract. It would be more historic if its voted down. Some say even if we vote it down, the UAW will pass it. Theres no faith in the UAW; everyone says theyre no better than before. Fain came off big and bad, and now people are seeing through it.

As the list of plants that rejected the deal increased this weekincluding assembly, engine, foundry, powertrain and metal stamping plants in Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan and New Yorkthe UAW bureaucracy scrambled to manufacture as many yes votes by hook or crook to get the deal passed. On Wednesday morning, UAW Local 272 suddenly announced that the deal had passed at the Arlington, Texas, assembly plant by 60-40 percent among production workers and 61-39 percent among skilled trades workers.

A report in the Detroit Free Press Wednesday afternoon quotes an unnamed UAW source saying that the Arlington vote put us over the top.

The effort to impose the deal on 45,000 GM workers comes as the UAW bureaucracy rammed through its shot-gun contract on 4,000 striking workers at Mack Trucks in Pennsylvania, Maryland and Florida on Wednesday. Local union officials, with UAW President Shawn Fain behind them, told workers that the company would bring in strikebreakers to replace them if they voted down the UAW-backed deal again.

Illegitimate votes at Ultium and GM Subsystems LLC

In addition to its routine lies, threats and vote-rigging, the UAW bureaucracy is likely violating labor laws to stack up its yes votes. This is particularly the case when it comes to the 1,263 votes for the agreement at the Ultium Cells electric vehicle battery plant in Lordstown, Ohio, where UAW Local 1112 reported that 97 percent of the workers voted for the deal.

Under the tentative deal, UAW President Shawn Fain has said that the 1,750 UAW members at the planta joint venture between GM and South Korea-based LG Energywill become GM employees and be covered by the UAW national master agreement.

But how can these workers vote on the contract if they are not GM employees yet?

Ultium Cells employees cannot become GM workers before the effective date of the UAW-GM tentative agreement. As the contract specifies, the contract does not become effective until the UAW membership at General Motors ratifies it. That means the 1,263 yes votes at the plant are completely illegitimate.

The UAW and GM executives try to get around their dilemma by stating, on page 300, that These [Ultium Cells (UC)] employees will participate in the ratification of the 2023 UAW-GM National Agreement, receive the signing bonus upon ratification and will utilize their UC hire date as the start of seniority upon transition to a direct GM employee.

This is also the case when it comes to the approximately 1,000 UAW members who are employed by GM Subsystems Manufacturing LLC, a wholly owned GM subsidiary. The UAW allowed GM to form the company as part of the 2009 concessions to do material handling and other tasks for half the wages of GM workers they were replacing. The GM Subsystems workers contract expired on September 14, along with the contracts for 146,000 GM, Ford and Stellantis workers. After keeping them on the job for two months, the UAW told GM Subsystems workers they would be added to the national agreement and brought up to GM workers wages upon ratification.

But like the Ultium workers, the GM Subsystems workers have been allowed to vote on UAW-GM contract even though they are not currently GM workers.

The UAW bureaucracy has exploited the economic insecurity of both the Ultium and the GM Subsystems workersfor which it is chiefly responsibleto get a large and illegitimate yes vote to help to ram through its sellout agreement.

Commenting of these methods, a temporary part-time worker at the Flint GM Assembly Plant said, I cant trust anything that comes from UAW. Shawn Fain lied to our faces about this historic deal, only to have it fall apart within hours. If he can lie about something as big as temps, hes prepared to lie about this contract in totality. His credibility and the credibility of this union is gone. The no votes should tell you everything you need to know about how GMs rank and file feels about this contract.

I guarantee you that they stuff the ballot box!Stellantis and Ford workers speak

The UAW bureaucracy is employing the same methods to push through rotten contracts at Ford and Stellantis. Over the last several days, UAW officials have announced large yes votes at several major factories in the metro Detroit area, including Warren Truck and Sterling Heights assembly and stamping plants.

Workers have denounced UAW officials for stuffing the ballot, particularly at the Warren Truck plant, where the UAW claims only 335 out of 2,188 workers who voted cast no ballots.

In voting on Wednesday, however, Jeep workers at the Stellantis Toledo Assembly Complex in Ohio decisively rejected the sellout deal, voting it down by 55-45 percent.

With this contract the UAW cooked up for a set and spike [volleyball] but they got a spike straight back, a member of the Toledo Jeep Rank-and-File Committee told the WSWS. A massive propaganda campaign was launched by the UAW bureaucracy against their own members.

They joined hands with Stellantis in an ever growing dictatorship to undermine the rank and file who are just fighting for lost wages, lost time with family and lost time invested in these vehicles, which we will never get back even as we sacrifice our bodies on a daily basis.

When workers throw down the cliche rhetoric from Fain and the rest of the UAW apparatus and put the power in the hands of the workers on the shop floor, then and only then, we can win a historic contract.

A member of the Ford Rouge Workers Rank-and-File Committee told the WSWS, I guarantee you that they stuff the ballot box! If they had let this contract go down to defeat, everything that Fain was trying to do would be null and void. He was at the White House. The UAW is backing the war, and they are backing Biden big-time. We should really challenge the conduct of the balloting. They should have to conduct another vote.

They told the workers at Mack Trucks, Take this or youre out of a job. What happened to the democratic principle that the people have the right to decide? We should absolutely revote! These contracts are all the same. The UAW already signed off on it, and they have the president backing it.
On Tuesday, in an action that temporarily postpones a partial shutdown of the federal government, which had been set for Friday midnight, the US House of Representatives in a bipartisan vote passed a continuing resolution to provide funding into January and February.

As in a previous continuing resolution enacted in September, a narrow majority of Republicans was joined by nearly every Democrat. Republicans were split 127-93, while Democrats supported the bill 209-2 after the Biden White House indicated its support.

The combined result was passage by 336-95, well above the two-thirds majority required to pass the legislation under the procedure chosen by new House Speaker Mike Johnson, called suspension of the rules.

The legislation continues spending for departments representing about 20 percent of the federal budget until January 19, 2024. Spending for departments representing some 80 percent of the total, including the gargantuan sums allocated to the military, will continue until February 2. By then, new full-year appropriations must be enacted or spending will be cut across-the-board by 1 percent, compared to 2022, as provided for in the bipartisan budget deal approved in June to avoid a default on federal debt payments.

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson, R-La., speaks at an annual leadership meeting of the Republican Jewish Coalition, Saturday, Oct. 28, 2023, in Las Vegas. [AP Photo/David Becker]

The bill was embraced by both the Biden administration and the Democratic leadership in the Senate, where Majority Leader Charles Schumer said a vote would be held as soon as possible. The New York Democrat said he expected the legislation to pass by a wide bipartisan majority. Both Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his deputy, John Thune, indicated their support.

The extreme-right Republican representatives who last month brought down the previous House speaker, Kevin McCarthy, because of a similar bipartisan continuing resolution, said they would not carry out the same action against Johnson, although under House rules even a single representative can force a vote to oust him.

A far-right Christian fundamentalist, Johnson is viewed as one of them by the fascists, and his decision to accept a bipartisan deal as unavoidable under the circumstances, given that he had been in office for only three weeks. In response to an inquiry at a press briefing about his difficulties in convincing arch-conservatives to back the budget resolution, Johnson responded, I am an arch-conservative.

The main concern of all factions in Congress was to avoid an action that would halt salary payments to US soldiers and other operatives of the military-intelligence apparatus at a time when they are engaged in support for two wars, in Ukraine against Russia, and in Gaza against the entire Palestinian population.

The deal represents a temporary postponement of the factional struggle between the two corporate-controlled parties, which is reflected in the legislation. The bill is described as a clean continuing resolution because it contains no new policy initiatives or increases or cuts in spending levels.

The Biden administration had sought $105 billion in additional funding, the bulk of it for the war in Ukraine against Russia, with a smaller portion devoted to aid to Israel in its genocidal war in Gaza. The Republicans had been demanding savage spending cuts to domestic social programs as well as increase in spending on military-police repression at the US-Mexico border.

The two parties agreed to set these matters aside temporarily. Schumer said that the bill to provide military aid to Ukraine and Israel would be taken up as a separate measure immediately after this months Thanksgiving holiday.

There are significant divisions over policy, however. The fascist wing of the House Republicans, following the lead of ex-president Donald Trump, are opposing the aid to Ukraine, demanding instead that the European countries in NATO pay more for the war against Russia so that the Pentagon can focus on the military build-up against China across the Indo-Pacific region.

They are also demanding that substantial funds and military resources be devoted to another waragainst migrants seeking to enter the United States across the US-Mexico border, driven by the combination of political violence and desperate poverty in countries long oppressed by American imperialism. Trump is making the attack on migrants a major focus of his campaign in the 2024 elections and using it to justify the mobilization of military forces within the United States, which would be thrown against his political opponents as well.

The political maneuvering around the continuing resolution is significant. On Saturday, a White House spokesman attacked Johnsons proposal to split the extended appropriations into two batches, one expiring in January, the other in February. But the administration later declined to issue the usual Statement of Administration Policy on the bill, before declaring its support on Tuesday morning, a few hours before the House vote. The delay was attributed in the press to Bidens effort to avoid inflaming the Republican extreme right, among whom administration support for legislation is a death warrant.

The ongoing tensions within the Republican House caucus were demonstrated on Wednesday when 19 Republicans, mainly members of the fascistic House Freedom Caucus, voted with the Democrats to pass a rule to begin consideration of an appropriations bill for the Commerce and Justice departments and related agencies. The vote was 225-198 to block the rule, leading the House to adjourn until after Thanksgiving.

One of the 19, Ralph Norman of South Carolina, told the press, There is a sentiment that if we cant fight anything, then lets just hold up everything. With a narrow 221-213 majority, Speaker Johnson can afford the loss of only three Republicans in any party-line vote.

Democratic Senate leader Schumer praised the passage of the bill, saying, For now, I am pleased that Speaker Johnson seems to be moving in our direction by advancing a CR (continuing resolution) that does not include the highly partisan cuts that Democrats have warned against. He reiterated the determination of the Democrats and the Biden administration to pass the huge military aid bill devoted largely to Ukraine as soon as possible.
On Saturday, as millions around the world protested against the genocide in Gaza, including 800,000 people rallying in London, pro-Palestinian demonstrations took place across France. Thousands mobilized in Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Nantes, Lille, and other major cities. Tens of thousands marched in Paris.

Protesters wave the Palestinian flag at the Place de la Republique in Paris

This global movement, mobilizing millions of workers and youth in cities from Jakarta in Indonesia to Washington D.C., fights against the support for Israel of all capitalist governments, especially the imperialist governments of NATO. As calls for strikes across Europe to stop military deliveries to Israel circulate, these mobilizations express an increasingly open anti-fascist and anti-capitalist conflict of the international working class against the ruling elites.

Protesters interviewed by the WSWS in Paris on Saturday and the previous week denounced Macrons support for Israel, affirming their support for the working-class struggles against the genocide in Gaza.

Ahmed Berrahal, a transportation worker, said, We are asking for a ceasefire. Gaza is being bombed... day and night. Its a genocide. We have a government that pretends its calling for a ceasefire, but then tells Israel you can defend yourselves. But 10,000 dead in a month, and most are women and children, that's not a war. They simply want to exterminate all Palestinians and Gazans.

Ahmed Berrahal

He condemned the bloody wars of NATO countries in the Middle East since the Stalinist dissolution of the USSR and the Gulf War against Iraq in 1991. He pointed out the hypocrisy of France, which attacked Libya in 2011 allegedly to save its people, but now stands by as Israel massacres defenseless civilians in Gaza.

He said, When (Libyan leader Muammar) Gaddafi said he was going to attack his people, France bizarrely went to Libya and smashed the country. We smashed Iraq, we smashed Syria. But today, when Gaza is attacked day and night, all the Europeans watch and do not speak. ... France has its hands very red with blood today!

If we say that we must help the Palestinians, we are treated as terrorists, he continued. Today we see that the terrorists are on the Israeli side. They are the ones bombing day and night, they are even bombing hospitals. ... They cut off [the Palestinians'] electricity, water, they are dying of hunger, of cold. For me, it's genocide, but for the French government, it's not a genocide.

Ahmed denounced Macron's trip to Israel to applaud Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu: If Netanyahu is his buddy, we can say that he is a terrorist too. He validates that we can kill children day and night, so in my opinion, they are all in the same clique.

Ahmed linked Macrons support for Israel to his violent suppression of mass strikes against his pension reform, which he imposed without a vote despite overwhelming popular opposition. Ahmed said, I participated in the movement against the pension reforms, I was on strike for two months and I saw what happened. We were beaten, some were sent to court. This government is twisted.

Asked by the WSWS about international calls for struggles and strikes to block military resupply to Israel, Ahmed said: No weapons should be delivered to Israel. Israel is already over-armed against people fighting with stones. ... Israel, its the camp of people who colonize countries, who kill people day and night. Of course, the workers are on the side of Gaza. This is normal.

Manon, a young student, said, There are few ways I can help stop the massacre of the Palestinians, and coming here is one way to show that its absolutely awful, its a crime against humanity. Half of the population in Gaza are children or minors, and the fact that they are being massacred with bombs, it makes no human sense. If a nation can do this with total impunity, its something monstrous.

Manon

Manon also denounced Macrons threats to ban pro-Palestinian demonstrations: 'Its against freedom of thought and opinion, it shows that the French government is in favor of the massacre of Palestinians.

She also applauded international calls for strikes to stop arms shipments to Israel: France has taken the side of the Israelis because it benefits more than helping the Palestinian people. There must be demonstrations everywhere. We must stop the weapons to stop the massacre.

Azura, a healthcare worker, said, We are in the digital age in 2023, and we have realized that we can witness, literally, in 2023, a genocide, a war crime against a defenseless, starving, thirsty, besieged population, undergoing bombardment night and day. Its crazy, we can witness this from our couch. We just have to turn off Netflix... there are atrocities against women, children, entire families. We have reached a stage where we wonder where humanity is.

Azura

Expressing her horror as Palestinian doctors dont even have painkillers for their patients, she voiced her anger against the French government: There will be consequences, history will remember what happened. There will be convictions.

Jean-Guy Greilsamer, a member of the French Jewish Union for Peace, condemned the appalling action of the Israeli government which has the will to make a people disappear from its territory.

He continued, The situation is extremely serious for three reasons, first the survival of the Palestinian people. Then, regarding Jewish populations, the Israeli regime claims to represent all Jewish populations, as if all Jews supported the settlers and this regime whose ministers have openly displayed their genocidal intentions. This gives an image of Jews that, inevitably, promotes anti-Semitism. The third reason is the international situation... the worst is not excluded, the war is internationalizing.

He also attacked the government's threats, which led to the arrest of a UJFP member in Strasbourg: The government wants to go after the anti-Zionists. We are a Jewish anti-Zionist association. Israel's supporters sometimes tell us, when we distribute leaflets in the street, You are the worst. You are traitors, you hate yourselves.

He highlighted the enthusiasm that the international movement against the genocide in Gaza is provoking: What interests us a lot is that in the United States, there is a very significant portion of the American Jewish population that is rebelling, even invading Congress and the central station in New York. In this Jewish population, many young people refuse the Israeli regime.

Greilsamer applauded calls to block the delivery of arms to Israel: French unions should do the same. It should progress, up to blocking arms deliveries. The workers' struggles and the Palestinian people are both dealing with imperialist, colonialist regimes of domination, segregation, that oppose populations against each other. On one side there are dominant authorities practicing policies of segregation towards workers, colonized people, and on the other, a resistance develops.
On Tuesday, Donald Trump shared a post on his social media platform Truth Social from a supporter that advocated a citizens arrest of the attorney general and judge overseeing the civil fraud trial currently underway in federal court in New York City against the former president.

In the original post, a Truth Social user called for vigilante action to be taken against New York Attorney General Letitia Jameswho brought the case against Trump, his family company and its top executivesand Judge Arthur F. Engoron, the justice of the Supreme Court of the 1st Judicial District where the civil suit is being heard.

Former President Donald Trump speaks at a campaign rally Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023, in Claremont, N.H. [AP Photo/Reba Saldanha]

In the repost from Trump, which he later deleted, the Truth Social user had written, My fantasy, I would like to see Letitia James and Judge Engoron placed under citizens [sic] arrest for blatant election interference and harassment.

The call for a citizens arrest of James and Engoron followed a Truth Social post by Trump last Friday saying the civil lawsuit against him for falsely elevating the value of his properties was a ridiculous political witch hunt. Trumps post went to say that the New York Attorney General was herself guilty of fraud and [s]he should be prosecuted.

Even though there is a law in New York which protects the right to a citizens arrest when a crime is committed in the presence of the citizen making the arrest, legal experts have stated that there is no basis for such an action in the Trump civil case and any attempt to physically hold either the judge or the attorney general would most certainly constitute a criminal act.

Nearly every day of the trial, Trump has issued similar statements and social media posts about the prosecutor and accused Judge Engoron of being biased against him. On the second day of the trial, Judge Engoron issued a gag order barring anyone from making statements about his courtroom staff.

This ban was in response to a Truth Social post by Trump that day which included a photo of the court clerk Allison Greenfield with Democratic Party Senate Majority Leader Charles Schumer. The post claimed Greenfield was the senators girlfriend and included a link to her Instagram profile. It said, Schumers girlfriend, Alison R. Greenfield, is running this case against me. How disgraceful! This case should be dismissed immediately!! Trump was subsequently fined $10,000 by Judge Engoron for violating the gag order.

In the $250 million civil case, Attorney General James has accused Trump of engaging in decades of fraud aimed at inflating his net worth to gain access to favorable credit terms and otherwise increase his business empires profits. The case is against Trump and his business associatesincluding his sons Eric and Donald, Jr.in the Trump Organization.

In a summary judgment on September 26, Judge Engoron found the defendants liable for fraud by misstating the value of their assets. The judge said the defendants had a propensity to engage in persistent fraud. The trial has moved on to other issues, such as whether or not the fraud was committed intentionally. The judge has also ordered Trumps business certificates to be canceled, although an appeals court has put that decision on hold.

Testimony from an expert witness on November 1 showed that lenders to Donald Trump lost $168 million in potential interest between 2014 and 2023 due to the false property valuations.

The deleted post by Trump is the latest in the ongoing campaign by the fascist front-runner for the 2024 Republican Party nomination for US president to incite his supporters against the multiple legal proceedings he faces for crimes committed in his personal, business and political affairs.

In the federal case over his attempt to overturn the 2020 elections, US District Judge Tanya Chutkan imposed a gag order on Trump that has been temporarily paused while an appeals court considers it. In that order, Judge Chutkan barred Trump from comments that target prosecutors, potential witnesses or court staff. The judge wrote that Trumps comments pose grave threats to the integrity of the court case and pose a significant and immediate risk that the people he names will become targets for threats and harassment.

As the prosecutions have proceeded and the evidence supporting criminal convictions has mounted, Trump has turned ever more aggressively to fascist appeals against the courts, as well as in his 2024 presidential campaign. As reviewed by the World Socialist Web Site on Monday, Trump gave a speech on Saturday in which he used language akin to that of Adolf Hitler to threaten jail or death for his political opponents.
Mehmet Arif Firat makes coffee at his restaurant Romantic Turkey in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province, Nov. 2, 2023. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)

HAIKOU, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Stepping into Romantic Turkey, a Turkish restaurant in Haikou, the capital of south China's Hainan Province, diners are greeted by a cozy Turkish ambiance.

The restaurant is adorned with traditional Ottoman-style decor, creating an immersive Turkish experience for diners. It offers an enticing variety of common and traditional Turkish dishes, including doner kebabs, pide and desserts, as well as Turkish tea and coffee.

"We try to create a Turkish atmosphere to patrons when they stroll into the restaurant, starting with the Turkish colors, designs and lighting," said Mehmet Arif Firat, the restaurant owner. "Two hundred years ago, people were sitting like this, and eating like this."

Most ingredients are directly sourced from Turkiye, ensuring the authenticity of the restaurant, according to Mehmet.

Mehmet has been living in Hainan, his wife's hometown, for seven years. Back in Turkiye, he worked as an electrical and electronics engineer, never expecting to open a Turkish restaurant abroad.

His longing for authentic hometown dishes and a desire for his children to experience Turkish culture led to this exciting change since 2020.

What started with a kebab-making machine in a small cafe run by his wife has now blossomed into a bustling restaurant, luring in both locals and foreigners.

Though Mehmet's initial aim was to satisfy his own cravings, he knew his more important mission was to introduce Turkish culture to the Chinese people.

"In Hainan, people don't know much about Turkish culture, so I wanted to open the restaurant and introduce this to Chinese people. Turkiye is a romantic country," he said.

He believes that the Turkish culinary style offers a distinctive cultural experience that sets it apart from Chinese cuisine.

With the development of the Hainan Free Trade Port in recent years, the restaurant business booms on the tropical island. Mehmet has opened a Romantic Turkey branch in Sanya, a popular tourist destination in Hainan. "Sanya is a small but pretty city, just like my hometown, Antalya," he said.

Expressing his optimism for the future of the Hainan Free Trade Port, Mehmet said he expects the development will bring more international tourists and businesses to Hainan, thus benefiting his restaurant business.

"If everything goes well, I plan to open more Turkish restaurants in bigger cities, like Guangzhou, Shanghai and Beijing," he said. 

This photo taken on Nov. 2, 2023 shows a Turkish dish at Romantic Turkey, a Turkish restaurant in Haikou, south China's Hainan Province. (Xinhua/Guo Cheng)
Congress November 7 censure of Rep. Rashida Tlaib for her condemnation of Israels genocide against the Palestinians of Gazain a motion championed by none other than the fascist congresswoman from Georgia, Marjorie Taylor Greeneis a milestone in the decline of American democracy. Twenty-two Democrats joined the entire Republican delegation to denounce Tlaib.

Rep. Rashida Tlaib, D-Mich., speaks during a rally at the National Mall during a pro-Palestinian demonstration in Washington, Friday, Oct. 20, 2023. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana) [AP Photo]

The facts of the genocide are not in dispute. It is being broadcast live, for all the world to see. High-ranking Israeli figures call Palestinians animals, demand the nuclear annihilation of Gaza, and invoke a new Nakba of forced dispossession for its 2 million residents, among other blood curdling statements. But, of course, Tlaib was not censured because of the facts. Her offense is that she dared to express sympathy for the Palestinians, a sentiment which runs counter to the aims of American imperialism.

As noted in a World Socialist Web Site Perspective published November 9, this is the first time in American history that a member of Congress has been censured for political speech. There is, however, a highly revealing historical antecedent, as the Perspective also noted:

While Rashida Tlaib is the first US House member to be censured solely for political speech, there is one other representative who was censured for his political actions. Representative Joshua Giddings of Ohio was censured in 1842 for violation of what was known as the Gag Rule, imposed by the pro-slavery Democratic Party majority in 1836, after a flood of anti-slavery petitions and resolutions had been submitted to the House. This rule, in effect until 1844, barred any discussion or proposal in the House on the subject of emancipation. Giddings introduced a series of resolutions in support of 128 slaves who had rebelled and seized control of the American slave ship Creole in 1841. They diverted it from its course, from Virginia to the slave market in New Orleans, and forced the crew to sail them to the Bahamas, then a British territory, where slavery had been abolished. The colonial authorities declared the slaves free, but the US government, under President John Tyler, sued for their return to the slave owners.

To understand the Creole affair, and its connection to the censuring of Tlaib, some historical background is necessary.

Britain and the US had joined in abolishing the transatlantic slave trade, in 1807 and 1808, respectively. But in perverse fashion, the banning of the transatlantic trade, coupled with the explosion in cotton production paced by British industrialization, actually increased the value of slaves and breathed life into an internal American slave trade, which soon became the second most lucrative business in the South, after cotton itself, as the historian Ira Berlin noted.[ 1 ]

The depletion of the soil in Virginia after two centuries of tobacco production might otherwise have confirmed the Founders hopes that slavery would wither away as it had done in the North in those yearsWashington, for example, switched Mount Vernon away from tobacco to cereal production, while Jefferson, who continued to raise tobacco, died more than $100,000 in debt at Monticello on July 4, 1826. Though tobacco had indeed declined, this new internal trade in human beings revived slavery in Virginia and linked the Old Dominion to the new states of the Black Belt (named so for the rich alluvial soil conducive to cotton production), including Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas, whose plantations had a seemingly insatiable demand for slave labor.

A scene from a Virginia tobacco plantation, ca 1798

Many of the slaves caught up in this inhuman traffic were sold down the rivera saying applying to transfers carried along the Souths many slow, navigable rivers, which then entered American English as a rough synonym for the word betrayal. But many others were transported on slave ships, the coastwise slave trade, as it was called. Because these slaves transported by the coastwise trade were not brought from Africa or other lands, they did not fall under the ban on the American and British prohibition of the transatlantic slave trade. However, because they were moved on the high seas, the slaves legal status as chattel might possibly be challenged.

This is the background to the uprising on the Creole, which in 1841 was en route from Newport News, Virginia to New Orleans, the countrys biggest slave market, when a slave named Madison Washington launched an attack that overcame the crew, killing one. The slaves on the Creole, aware that the British Empire had abolished slavery in 1833, demanded that the ship be steered to Nassau, in the West Indies. Arriving on November 9, 1841, British authorities freed 128 slaves aboard the vessel in accordance with the law.[ 2 ]

View of the port of New Orleans in 1855

The southern oligarchy, and its representatives in Washington, were outraged. Secretary of State Daniel Webster, a northern Whig, led the diplomatic charge against Britain. The clamor threatened even war. Ultimately, an arbiter selected to settle the dispute ruled in favor of the US, requiring Britain to pay $110,330 in total damages to American claimants who had lost their human property.

The Creole affair took place during what came to be called the sectional crisis between North and South. The two-party system of Democrats and Whigs was built on the suppression of the slavery issue, much as the Democratic and Republican parties today depend on the suppression of the class question. To head off the growing influence of the antislavery movement, abolitionist literature was banned from the mails of the South, and a gag rule was imposed on the reading of abolitionist petitions in Congressboth measures in obvious contravention of the First Amendment.

Giddings, a congressman notorious for endorsing slave rebellion,[ 3 ] introduced a series of resolutions defending the freedom of the slaves aboard the Creole, in open defiance of the gag rule. He argued that because the Creole was on the high seas and sailing under a US flag, the persons on board cease to be subject to the slave laws of the southern states. Rather, national law applied, and the slaves, in taking over the ship and sailing it to the British West Indies, had asserted their natural rights of personal liberties.

Joshua Giddings

Though Giddings was censured 125-69, with members of his own Whig Party joining the majority, and though he was disallowed from speaking in his own defense, he wound up doubly vindicated, as James Oakes puts it.[ 4 ] First, after resigning, he was sent back to Congress by his Ashtabula, Ohio constituents in a landslide vote just a few months later. Second, his constitutional interpretation of slaverythat it was a state and not a federal institution, and that therefore the national government could legislate against it where state laws did not applybecame the central legal strategy of the antislavery movement that would run through the politics of the 1850s, be articulated by Abraham Lincoln as a politician and president, and finally be made explicit in the Constitution in post-Civil War amendments to the Constitution, in the words of William Lee Miller.[ 5 ]

The gag rule was repealed in 1844, two years after Giddings censure. It was a sweet victory for John Quincy Adams, the former president and son of the Founding Father John Adams. Quincy Adams had been the tireless leader of the struggle against the gag rule. Earlier, in 1840, he had served as the victorious attorney for the defense of Africansillegally taken into slaverywho had mutinied aboard the ship the Amistad. Later, he led the fight against the Polk administrations annexation of Texas and the drive to war with Mexicoa land grab for the expansion of slavery that would cost Mexico more than half its territory. Adams suffered a massive stroke on the floor of Congress on February 21, 1848, dying two days later. The same day Adams collapsed a young congressman from Illinois, Abraham Lincoln, was seated in the House for the first time. Lincoln roomed with Giddings during his one term in Congress.

John Quincy Adams

Giddings vindication in the Creole affair indicated that sentiment in the population was moving against slavery. Likewise, though Tlaib has been censured, the overwhelming mood on a global scale, growing stronger every day, is that the ongoing mass murder of Palestinians is a crime of historic proportions. On Capitol Hill, opposition to genocide is isolated. But among the working masses of the world, a deep sense of solidarity dominates, as proven by what may well be the largest wave of antiwar demonstrations in world history.

The present members of the 118th Congress, it is safe to assume, know almost nothing about the sectional crisis, much less the Giddings censure carried out by their forbears in the 27th. The greed and venality of these so-called representatives of the people is exceeded only by their ignorance of history. If they knew anything at all about the past, they might be aware that history shows, countless times over, that the oppressed rise up against their oppressors.

From the peasant Jacquerie against the French nobility in 1358 to Pontiacs Rebellion of 1763, to Chinas Boxer Rebellion of 1899, to Kenyas Mau Mau uprising against the British in 1955, such bloody uprisings have occurred again and again. The rebels, history also shows, kill not only soldiers but civilians. It is believed, for example, that Pontiacs Indian forces killed upwards of 500 settlers in western Pennsylvania and other frontier areas, often quite brutally. Yet serious historians do not simply condemn such uprisings. It is generally accepted that the insurgents have struck out against conditions heavily shaped by their oppressors.

Slave uprisings in the American South, such as that aboard the Creole, form part of this long history of rebellion. There are many examples: Bacons Rebellion in 1676, the German Coast Uprising of Louisiana in 1811; Denmark Veseys conspiracy of 1822; Nat Turners uprising of 1831; the Amistad mutiny of 1839; and John Browns raid on Harpers Ferry in 1859, to name some of the more noted. These slave revolts all failed, much like the periodic eruptions of Europes peasants did. To kill a master in the South or a lord in Russia, to sack his plantation or manor house, even to torch those papers that the slaves and peasants somehow knew codified their degradationnone of this could overturn an entire economic system.

Abraham Lincoln

Yet the slave uprisings of the South form part of a historical development that ultimately culminated in the Civil Wara revolution led and organized by Lincoln and the Republican Party. This revolution called forth, through the Emancipation Proclamation, an exodus of slaves that grew in conjunction with the movements of the Union forces in the South. Wherever the Grand Army of the Republic ventured, what W.E.B Du Bois called a general strike of the slaves followed. Such a generalized slave uprising had been predicted by Frederick Douglass as early as 1853 in a short novel he wrote that was inspired by the Creole. There are more Madison Washingtons in the South, Douglass wrote of the leader of the slave mutiny. [A]nd the time may not be distant when the whole South will present again a scene something similar to the deck of the Creole.[ 6 ]

Trotsky, in his brilliant Their Morals and Ours, drew out the connection between the revolutionary violence of the American Civil War and that of the Russian Revolution, and indeed all uprisings of the oppressed. He wrote,

Lincolns significance lies in his not hesitating before the most severe means once they were found to be necessary in achieving a great historic aim posed by the development of a young nation. The question lies not even in which of the warring camps caused or itself suffered the greatest number of victims. History has different yardsticks for the cruelty of the Northerners and the cruelty of the Southerners in the Civil War. A slave-owner who through cunning and violence shackles a slave in chains, and a slave who through cunning or violence breaks the chainslet not the contemptible eunuchs tell us that they are equals before a court of morality!

As Trotskys insight also suggests, the ruling classes in historythe lords, masters, colonizers and capitalistsalways respond with great moral indignation at the uprisings of the oppressedHow dare they! John Brown made a similar point when he told the court, during his trial for his abortive attempt at triggering a slave uprising at Harpers Ferry in 1859:

Had I so interfered in behalf of the rich, the powerful, the intelligent, the so-called great, or in behalf of any of their friends  and suffered and sacrificed what I have in this interference, it would have been all right; and every man in this court would have deemed it an act worthy of reward rather than punishment. ... I believe that to have interfered as I have doneas I have always freely admitted I have donein behalf of His despised poor was not wrong, but right.

Brown was hanged on December 2, 1859. He left a final, prophetic note in his jail cell: I John Brown am now quite certain that the crimes of this guilty land will never be purged away, but with Blood. The Civil War was 16 months away. Union soldiers marched to battle singing the anthem, John Browns Body:

He captured Harpers Ferry, with his nineteen men so few, And frightened Old Virginny till she trembled thru and thru; They hung him for a traitor, themselves the traitor crew, But his soul is marching on.

The mortal fear of the of the ruling classesthe inner knowledge that a day of reckoning may comeis also revealed by the furious, psychopathic revenge they exact against uprisings, as the Palestinians are now experiencing, and which was so often on display in the vicious reprisals of slave masters.

As Hegel observed in his lord-bondsman dialectic in the Phenomenology of Spirit of 1805-1806a section of his work that was influenced by the great slave uprising of the Haitian Revolution the very being of the master is secured only by the subjugation of the slave, and vice versa. Frederick Douglass, his biographer David Blight observes, seemed to have been somehow intuitively aware of Hegels famous insight.[ 7 ] As the great abolitionist put it in introducing the section of his autobiography describing his own physical rebellion against a brutal overseer, Mr. Covey, You have seen how a man is made a slave; you shall see how a slave was made a man. Douglass might have been speaking for all slaves, and all the oppressed, when he added, in a comment about his mood in the wake of the beating he gave Covey, that he had resolved however long I might remain a slave in form, the day had passed forever when I could be a slave in fact.

Frederick Douglass

Yet history shows that to overturn oppressive social orders, the violent actions of individuals and small groups do not suffice. The organized revolutionary violence of the masses is required. This is what Trotsky had in mind when he wrote of Lincoln not hesitating before the most severe means posed by developments. Lincoln would have agreed with Trotskys assessment, saying once I claim not to have controlled events, but confess plainly that events have controlled me.

In his First Inaugural Address, delivered one month before Fort Sumter, the first battle of the Civil War, Lincoln had offered the South an olive branch, appealing famously to the better angels of our nature. In his Second, delivered one month before his assassination, Lincoln offered a searing promise of historical retribution:

Fondly do we hopefervently do we praythat this mighty scourge of war may speedily pass away. Yet, if God wills that it continue until all the wealth piled by the bondsmans two hundred and fifty years of unrequited toil shall be sunk and until every drop of blood drawn with the lash shall be paid by another drawn with the sword, as was said three thousand years ago so still it must be said the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether.
Members of the Socialist Equality Party (SEP) and the International Youth and Students for Social Equality (IYSSE) have found considerable opposition to Israels genocidal onslaught against Gaza during campaigns among Sri Lankan workers and youth.

The SEP and IYSSE have over the past week spoken about the genocide with port workers and their families at harbour accommodation facilities in Bloumendhal, a Colombo suburb, as well as students at Jaffna University in the islands north.

IYSSE members speak with students at Jaffna University, Sri Lanka, November 2023.

Campaigners distributed hundreds of copies of Sinhala and Tamil versions of a WSWS Editorial Board statement calling for unified action by the international working class against Israels brutal military assault.

SEP and IYSSE members were building support for three public meetings titled Stop Israels genocidal war against Palestinians in Gaza! The first meeting, which was held yesterday in Jaffna, will be followed by meetings at the Hall De Galle Auditorium in Galle at 3 p.m. on November 19 and Colombos Public Library Auditorium at 4 p.m. on November 21.

One middle-aged dock worker in Colombo told the SEP: The Israeli military is killing children, old people, patients, it is a genocide. They want to eliminate the people of Gaza and we must condemn it. Theyre bombing hospitals, schools and religious premises.

He referred to various international organisations claiming to defend human rights and said, The United Nations (UN) is just looking on. Its on the side of powerful nations with countries like the US, France and Germany backing Israel. The worker condemned India for abstaining at the recent UN General Assembly vote on a ceasefire in Gaza.

India is getting spoils from Israel and the US, he said, and warned that Washingtons mobilisation of nuclear submarines and warships in the Middle East was a dangerous escalation of the conflict. Iran has declared that they too have weapons, which means that this conflict could develop towards a third world war.

A harbour gantry crane system worker condemned Israel and the US for the indiscriminate killing and genocide and added, This region, which was owned by them [the Palestinians], was acquired by force by Israel. The Israelis were allowed to stay but later Palestinians were chased away and so it was natural that the Palestinian people would get angry Theres a lot of oil in this area and so the US wants a country like Israel to suppress other Islamic countries in the region.

He noted that port workers in Barcelona, Spain had stopped loading and unloading weapons to Israel and said he supported the SEPs call for the international working class to stop the production and delivery of military materiel to Israel.

A young Muslim woman with two children angrily said: The war must stop. If the children die then the next generation is lost, irrespective of whoever wins. Religion and ethnicity have nothing to do with this war. I cant watch the news when they show such brutalities being carried out against children. Some children are dying while being treated. These are horrific scenes.

Following a brief discussion about the campaign being waged by the SEP and its international sister sections for a global movement of workers and youth against war, she replied: Yes, this sort of political party must come forward. A genuine workers party must come, not a party that changes its policies when it comes to power.

A worker from the ports computer division said: I saw thousands of people on TV marching in London against the genocide in Gaza. But my question is will this change these events? The world is dominated by the imperialist powers whose only interest is profit.

He went on to condemn Asian governments for their complicity with the major powers. The Sri Lankan ruling class and other governments, he said, are terrified by the popular uprising in Palestine and its international impact. The worker noted that the port trade unions are not talking about the Gaza war.

We must oppose this genocide, however, and the protests must go on In the past, we were told that the Palestinian people or Hamas were terrorists but now through social media we can see who is really committing genocide.

S. Thiruchelvam, a Jaffna University political science student and regular WSWS reader, said: I oppose this war. We can see the destruction and its horrific consequences with our very own eyes. The US is behind the war in Gaza and against Russia in Ukraine. The US is trying to restore its global hegemony.

The Tamil nationalist parties, who have close ties with the US and India, have chosen not to speak on the Gaza war because they dont want to lose their relationship with these governments or expose the bankruptcy of their perspective of appealing to these war criminals. It is a well-known fact that Sri Lankan President Wickremesinghe is a US puppet, so there is no reason to be amazed about his government lining up behind Israel.

Thiruchelvam condemned the various governments that brand Muslims as terrorists and said this was just like the Sri Lankan government and its previous branding of Tamils as terrorists.

T. Riswan, a law student at Jaffna University, said: Its the usual practice of governments all over the world to term anyone who fights for their rights a terrorist. When the Palestinians resisted Israels long suppression, almost all countries rallied behind Israels onslaught, denouncing the upsurge as terrorism. Even little kids are so-called terrorists, according to the leaders of these governments.

Riswan denounced Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallants reference to Palestinians as human animals and condemned threats made by Israel's heritage minister to use nuclear weapons against Gaza.



We have seen the consequences of nuclear weapons in Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan (during WWII). The nuclear fallout is not going to be confined to the tiny Gaza Strip, he said.

As you have pointed out, the call made by the Palestinian trade unions and support from workers in other countries to stop sending military equipment to Israel has proven to be the most effective and practical way of fighting the genocide in Gaza.

R. Kirujaliny, a Jaffna University student from Batticaloa, denounced Israels illegal attacks on Gaza and referred to the Sri Lankan governments racialist war against the separatist Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam.

If they [the Tamil nationalist parties and the university student union] cannot oppose this war without any reservation and firmly, they are men without conscience and are hypocrites. Such people cannot fight for the democratic rights of Tamils. We must definitely come out against this war, because we know the pain of war, he said.

Supun, a Jaffna University science graduate, said: This war cannot be explained in ethno-religious terms. It is obviously an imperialist war. The US was very swift to respond by sending its airstrike carriers to the Mediterranean. Considering the US record in Afghanistan and Iraq it is clear that they are using the situation in Gaza as an occasion to go to war with Iran. For that, innocent Palestinians are having to pay with their lives. I oppose this war.
Amid mass protests across Europe and the world against the Israeli states genocidal war against Gaza, workers at Spains Navantia shipyard have denounced the dispatching of Spanish warships in a US-led battleship group now patrolling off the coast of Israel and Gaza. They demanded the immediate return of the warships, which were built by Navantia, and the ending of all commercial and diplomatic ties with Israel. 

The statement, issued by a local of the anarchist General Confederation of Labor (CGT) union at Navantia, exposes the pseudo-left Podemos party. Since this summers elections, it has been part of the acting government together with the Spanish Socialist Party (PSOE) that ordered these warships to sail against Gaza. This completely exposes the hypocritical claims of Podemos party to oppose the Israeli governments genocidal war in Gaza.

The CGT union locals statement noted that the Spanish frigate Mendez Nunez and military supply ship Patino are part of the battle group of the USS Gerald R. Ford aircraft carrier. The carrier is currently steaming in the eastern Mediterranean as part of US support for the Israeli war in Gaza and US threats to bomb forces in Lebanon, Syria, Iraq or Iran that might seek to intervene militarily to assist Gaza against the Israel Defense Forces (IDF). The CGT local at Navantia in Ferrol stated:

This is cause for shame. It is not enough that the Spanish state voted at the UN for a resolution (supporting a cease-fire) that will remain a dead letter due to the US veto. It is not enough that the government is proposing a peace conference in six months. We must stop the massacre now.

Both the Mendez Nunez and the Patino were built in our factory. But the workers did not build them so they would collaborate in a genocide.

The CGT believes, and will propose in the works council, that we must mobilize ourselves as workers of Navantia-Ferrol to demand that this government cease being complicit in genocide:

1. Immediate return of the Mendez Nunez and the Patino.

2. Cancel all collaboration of Navantia with Israeli businesses.

3. Break diplomatic and commercial relations with Israel.

This statement and another adopted by the CGT local at Navantia in Galego point to the enormous potential to stop the Gaza genocide by mobilizing the working class in Spain and internationally, to halt weaponry and military support going to Israel. It again exposes the national union confederations in the imperialist powersUnited States, Germany, Britain, France and Spainwhich are taking no action in this regard. By their inaction, they are complicit, as the CGT local statement shows, in the genocide in Gaza.

It might be added, in relation to the CGT local at Navantia-Ferrol, that appeals placed inside the works council to Navantia management are very likely to fall on deaf ears. The critical question to halt the genocide against Gaza is mobilizing the industrial power of the working class in Spain and internationally, in strike action against the genocide.

The statement also illustrates another key political fact: Such a struggle can only be waged in opposition to pseudo-left parties like Podemos and its political alliesthe Democratic Socialists of America, Germanys Left Party, Britains Jeremy Corbyn or the Unsubmissive France party. While these parties occasionally make verbal criticisms of the war, they are in fact deeply embedded in the capitalist states and national union bureaucracies that are abetting the IDF genocide in Gaza.

As hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets of Madrid, Barcelona, San Sebastian, Santiago de Compostela and other Spanish cities to denounce the Gaza genocide, Podemos tried to protect itself from mounting popular outrage by posturing as an opponent of the conflict. But at the same time, the PSOE-Podemos government sent its warships against Gaza. It further played a critical role in the war on Gaza by agreeing to an unpopular deal to host several of the US warships now being sent against Gaza at the naval base at Rota.

This exposes the arguments of Podemos leader and acting Minister of Social Rights Ione Belarra, who repeatedly took to X/Twitter to verbally criticize the genocide. In one Tweet towards the beginning of the war, she declared on video:

In Podemos, we are not indifferent to the atrocious suffering that the Palestinian people have been experiencing for decades. Today we want to raise our voice to denounce that the State of Israel is carrying out a planned genocide in the Gaza Strip.  (T)he US and European Union are not looking the other way or acting in a neutral manner, they are encouraging the State of Israel in its policy of apartheid and occupation that seriously violate human rights.

In another Tweet, several weeks later, Belarra posted a video on X/Twitter in which she said:

After this hellish night in Gaza, I have a very simple but very important message for European leaders: Do not make us complicit in genocide. Act. Not in our name.

There is no doubt that Belarra and the other capitalist government officials in Podemos are very concerned and afraid of working class anger mounting against the genocide in Gaza. But their feelings and intentions, to be blunt, do not carry weight amid the horrific mass slaughter of innocent men, women and children now unfolding in Gaza. The political reality is that, by sitting inside a government that is abetting Israels genocide in Gaza, the Podemos officials have made themselves complicit in genocide.

This also exposes the political fraud of the joint petition for peace being circulated by members of Podemos, LFI members including Manon Aubry, and Joana Mortagua of the Portuguese Left Bloc. It is not a part of a genuine struggle to mobilize the working class to halt the genocide. Rather, it is one of the political maneuvers of a layer of corrupt, pseudo-left parties that are trying to hide their political complicity in the Gaza genocide.

Workers taking strike action against the Gaza genocide must be warned: Despite their posturing as friends of Gaza, Podemos ministers are bitter enemies of the working class. They have sent police to savagely assault steelworkers striking for protection measures against COVID-19, a nationwide truckers strike, and the mass strike for higher wages by metal and aerospace workers in Cadiz. They would no doubt prove bitter enemies of a strike movement in defense of Gaza.

Moreover, Spains principal trade union bureaucracies, the social democratic General Union of Labor (UGT) and the Stalinist Workers Commissions (CCOO) are politically affiliated to the PSOE and to the Sumar electoral coalition of which Podemos is a party, respectively. And, indeed, the UGT and CCOO bureaucracies have predictably done nothing to mobilize workers against the genocide in Gaza and the complicity of the PSOE and Podemos.

The struggle against the genocide in Gaza can only proceed via a rebellion of the working class against the union bureaucracies and pseudo-left parties of the affluent middle class like Podemos, a coalition of Stalinist and petty-bourgeois Pabloite forces. This requires the construction of rank-and-file committees in the working class to unite struggles in Spain with other workers struggles against the genocide that are unfolding internationally, in order to block the flow of supplies and military aid to Israel and stop the mass murder.
Germanys coalition government fully supports Israels genocide in Gaza and rejects any ceasefire. At the same time, it is aggressively pushing ahead with the war offensive against Russia.

German Leopard 2 main battle tanks on their way to Ukraine [Photo: Bundeswehr]

The German governmenta coalition of the Social Democrats (SPD), Liberal Democrats (FDP) and Greensis planning to increase military aid for Ukraine by six billion euros next year, more than doubling it. The original estimate was four billion euros. Now, four billion euros in additional cash funds and a further two billion euros in commitment appropriations are to be made available. This is according to a document from the Ministry of Finance obtained by newsweekly Der Spiegel.

The paper serves as the basis for the governments final consultation with the parliamentary Budget Committee. This will finalize the budget for 2024 at the end of the week in the so-called adjustment session. The entire budget is a declaration of war on working people. It includes massive cuts in healthcare, education and social services and aims to launch the biggest rearmament offensive since the end of the Second World War.

The latest increase in war aid for Ukraine means that military spending will reach the 2 percent target set by the German government as early as next year. In relation to the gross domestic product (GDP) of 4,309.5 billion expected for 2024, the NATO quota would be 2.07 percent, writes news agency Reuters. In absolute figures, the governments current planning puts the expenditure at around 89 billionof which 51.8 billion comes from the regular defense budget, 19.2 billion from the special fund for the Bundeswehr (Armed Forces), around 14 billion from other departments and the remaining billions from the additional Ukraine aid.

And all this is just the beginning. In his speech at the Bundeswehr conference last Friday, Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) assured the assembled military leadership that the rearmament offensive would be stepped up in the coming years. The special fund of 100 billion was a reality. And my statement that we will continuously increase the defense budget to two percent of gross domestic product also applies! You can plan with that.

The Chancellor then presented a list of capability gaps that needed to be closed very quickly. Priority would be given to fighter aircraft, heavy transport helicopters, Eurofighters, the successor to the Marder infantry fighting vehicle and warships such as the 130 corvettes and 126 frigates, but the inventory and the areas of ammunition, spare parts and maintenance would also be quickly and effectively strengthened in order to finally put an end to a shortage economy. The billion-euro dimension of the challenge was extremely visible, but things were on the right track.

Speaking to broadcaster ARD on Sunday, Defense Minister Boris Pistorius repeated his mantra of Germany needing to be ready for war. The government would now press ahead with rearmament at a German pace, he said. Regarding the procurement of new Leopard main battle tanks, the time it would normally have taken to sign the contracts has been reduced from twelve to six months and from six to three months for the self-propelled howitzers. We were procuring much faster than we used to and would continue to increase the pace.

Addressing the additional billions for Ukraine, Pistorius said, The additional funds are the right signal, especially now that Ukraine has to continue its fight and at the same time some of the public attention worldwide is being directed more towards Israel. It is also a strong signal to Ukraine that we will not abandon them.

In other words, after the debacle of the Ukrainian offensive, which did not result in any significant territorial gains despite tens of thousands of dead soldiers, Germany and the other leading NATO powers are increasing the war effort further and further in order to defeat Russia militarily.

The list of military support services for Ukraine published by the German government gives an impression of the massive arms deliveries planned for the immediate future. The following items can be found in the Armored combat vehicles section alone:

5 All Terrain Tracked Vehicles Warthog ambulance

105 LEOPARD 1 A5 main battle tanks

40 MARDER infantry fighting vehicles

4 tracked multi-purpose vehicles Bandvagn 206 (BV206)

50 Armored Personnel Carriers (APC)

Ammunition for LEOPARD 1 main battle tank

Ammunition for MARDER infantry fighting vehicle

Additionally, there will be further air defense systems such as Patriot and Iris-T, Gepard anti-aircraft tanks, recovery, bridge-laying and mine-clearing tanks, drones and tankers. And for sustainability, 8.3 million rounds of small arms ammunition, 18,000 anti-tank small arms and 264,501 rounds of 40mm grenade launcher ammunition, among other things.

Clearly, the new era invoked by politicians and the mediaScholz mentioned the term six times in his speechis not only directed against Russia. The ruling class is using the Russian invasion of Ukraine provoked by NATO and now also Israels genocidal war in Gaza to arm Germany, militarize the whole of Europe under German leadership and re-establish itself as a central war power after two lost world wars.

As the most populous nation with the greatest economic power and a country in the middle of the continent, our army must become the cornerstone of conventional defense in Europe, the best-equipped armed force in Europe, demanded Scholz in Berlin.

The associated militarization plans are becoming more and more concrete. For example, the new defense policy guidelines declare war-readiness to be a maxim for action and call for a society and army that are always ready to fightwith the aspiration to succeed in high-intensity combat. Germany not only wants to win a confrontation with an at least equal opponent, but we must.

The German ruling class has identified the enormous opposition among the population as the main problem for their megalomaniacbut therefore no less dangerouswar plans. For example, the ARD presenter confronted Pistorius with a survey showing that even in the event of an attack on Germany, only 5 percent would volunteer for military service. More than half of the population would want to continue their normal lives or leave the country in such a situation.

The defense ministers response was to threaten: Consciousness must change and will change. In fact, anti-militarism is deeply rooted in the working class after the terrible crimes of German imperialism in the last century. To stop the current war offensive and avert a relapse into world war and barbarism, this must be transformed into a conscious socialist movement of the international working classagainst war and its cause: capitalism.
Behind the facade of stabilising relations, todays summit between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping signalled an escalation of war-like measures against China, seeking to cripple its economy and encircle it militarily.

President Joe Biden (right) listens as China's President President Xi Jinping speaks during their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperative conference, Wednesday, Nov, 15, 2023. [AP Photo/Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool)]

As it stepped-up its backing for the Israel genocide in Gaza, the Biden administration sent an unmistakable message of its readiness to inflict similar military barbarism against the people of China, which the White House and Pentagon have publicly designated as the main threat to US global hegemony.

Biden and Xi met on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) annual gathering in San Francisco. At a media conference after the four-hour talks, Biden said he and Xi had agreed that military-to-military contacts would resume between the two countries to avoid accidents and misunderstandings.

But Biden doubled down on comments he made in June, branding Xi a dictator. These remarks, in themselves, points to the mounting risk of war.

According to a readout from the Chinese foreign ministry, Xi confirmed Chinas willingness to restart military talks but warned Biden to stop arming Taiwan. He also said US trade and investment sanctions were seriously damaging Chinas economic development.

In the leadup to the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders in a year, the Biden administration ratcheted its threats, demands, ultimatums, provocations and trade and technology measures against China.

These mark a mounting US drive to cut off Chinese access to hi-tech industrial development and, as soon as possible, end its near-global monopoly over the processing of many critical minerals that are essential for war production.

For public relations purposes, the summit was conducted under a false flag of avoiding a cataclysmic conflict. In their opening public remarks, both Biden and Xi warned of the danger of a disastrous war.

Xi issued what amounted to a plea: For two large countries like China and the United States, turning their back on each other is not an option. It is unrealistic for one side to remodel the other, and conflict and confrontation has unbearable consequences for both sides.

Biden stated: We have to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict Thats what the United States wants and what we intend to do  I also believe its what the world wants for both of us.

Not the least consideration in Bidens calculations is overwhelming US public opposition to what would almost certainly be a nuclear war with China. A US opinion poll conducted in September reported that only 13 percent of respondents wanted an aggressive approach to China and just 5 percent wanted a confrontational one.

Huge marches across the US against the US-backed Israeli war crimes in Gaza indicate that these anti-war sentiments have since deepened in response to the horror being inflicted on the Palestinians.

This makes it politically essential for the US ruling class to goad and then blame Beijing for any conflict, as it did with Russia over Ukraine, and as US imperialism has done in every war since it invaded the Philippines in 1898, including by shutting off oil supplies to Japan in the prelude to World War II.

Far from not veering into conflict, the US ruling class has intensified its aggression against China in the past year since Biden and Xi last met at a G7 summit in Bali, Indonesia. In essence, war is already underway.

 This year, the US escalated its efforts to strangle the Chinese economy, on top of maintaining the punishing tariffs on Chinese exports, worth $370 billion a year, inflicted by the Trump administration. The Biden White House imposed new limits on investing in China and tightened export restrictions on up-to-date semiconductor chips and other artificial intelligence (AI) and high technology that is essential for basic economic and social life, as well as for military production. As a result, in the first three months of 2023, Chinas chip imports declined by 23 percent compared with the same period in the previous year. Provocatively, the latest restrictions, which also threaten other countries that supply chips to China, come into force tomorrow, a day after the summit.

 Just a few days before the Biden-Xi meeting, the US unveiled new military partnerships with both South Korea and Indonesia. This drew them closer into the strategic surrounding of China, adding to similar recent US pacts with the Philippines, Japan, India and Australia, including via the Quad and AUKUS alliances.

 The US is arming Taiwan to the teeth, further overturning the five-decade One China policy that recognised the Chinese government as the sole authority in China, including Taiwan. Biden recently signed off on a $80 million grant to the islands regime for the purchase of American military equipment, despite strong Chinese objections. Taiwan already has on order more than $14 billion worth of US military equipment, but this latest grant is different. It is not a loan, setting an aggressive precedent. For the first time, a US government is using its own funds to send weapons to a place it officially does not recognise. In July, Biden used discretionary powers to approve the sale of military services and equipment worth $500 million to Taiwan, and such grants could total up to $10 billion over the next five years. Taiwan also is preparing to send two battalions of ground troops to the US for training, the first time this has happened since the 1970s.

 Under conditions in which the US is pouring weaponry into Ukraine to fight Russia and into Israel to prepare for a wider war for control over the resource-rich and strategic Middle East, the Biden administration has warned Beijing not to supply weapons to Russia and to ensure that Iran takes no action to oppose the slaughter in Gaza.

 Biden has made fresh allegations of Chinese interference in US elections, and of Beijing deliberately monopolising the global processing of strategic minerals, such as graphite and lithium, that are critical for electrification and war. Both these accusations could provide pretexts to trigger military action against China.

 In order to paint China as coercive and intimidating, a recent Pentagon report claimed a growing number of unsafe intercepts of US, allied and partner vessels and aircraft in the Indo-Pacific region. Most of these incidents were undoubtedly in strategically sensitive airspace and waters close to the Chinese mainland where the US has been escalating its military presence and provocative military freedom of navigation operations for the past decade.

At their last meeting in Bali, Biden and Xi agreed to set a floor for the deteriorating Sino-American relationship. Instead, the US only stepped up the confrontation. Less than three months after the Bali summit, the provocative US downing of Chinese aerial balloons in February was followed, within weeks, by the announcement of the additional sanctions on Chinese technology.

Xi and the capitalist regime in China is fully aware of this war drive. The US is pursuing comprehensive containment, encirclement and suppression against us, Xi declared in a March speech.

Nonetheless, Beijing is desperately presenting an absurdly glowing picture of the Biden-Xi meeting. China Daily, the main official media platform, insisted there were rosy signs that the China-US relationship was being stabilized after hitting a record low. It promoted Xis three principles for China-US relations'peaceful coexistence, mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

In reality, US imperialism has not the slightest intention of permitting China, the worlds second largest economy, to coexist with the US, which has launched constant wars, from Korea and Vietnam to Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Libya and Ukraine, to seek to retain the international domination it obtained via World War II.

Under sharpening US economic and military pressure, Chinas economy is being battered by a property crisis, falling exports, high unemployment and a US-led Western investment pull-out. In the JulySeptember quarter, China recorded negative foreign direct investmentminus $11.8 billionfor the first time since 1998.

Xis trip to the US features a dinner with US and global corporate leaders, who will reportedly pay up to $40,000 for a table of eight. Xi is pledging to ensure profitable conditions, pleading with them to stop pulling out of China, despite the US push for that to continue to happen.

Behind the false face of supposedly stabilising relations with China, the Biden-Xi meeting underscores the determination of US imperialism to maintain its global supremacy at any cost. It is plunging humanity toward a conflict between nuclear-armed powers, while trying to blame Beijing for the potential catastrophe.
Aftermath of an Israeli bombing of Al Shifa hospital in Gaza on November 3, 2023.

On Tuesday night, after two weeks of constant bombardment that killed dozens of doctors, patients and refugees, Israeli forces entered Al-Shifa hospital and raised the Israeli flag over it.

Just hours before, White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre asserted that Hamas and the Palestinian Islamic Jihad use some hospitals in the Gaza Strip, including Al-Shifa, and tunnels underneath them to conceal and to support their military operations and to hold hostages.

The US media went even further, with Fox News describing Al-Shifa as a hospital used as Hamas underground terror HQ.

These claims proved to be a complete lie. The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) produced no hostages, no underground bunker. After searching a sprawling hospital complex that at one point housed 60,000 people in the middle of an active war zone, the IDF could only show a few assault rifles and two flak jackets as evidence.

The real reason Al-Shifa was attacked was symbolic. The hospitals medical workers, subject to continuous bombardment and sniper fire, defied orders by the IDF to leave, saying they would rather die than abandon their patients. Their courage and defiance in the face of Israels genocide won the solidarity and support of millions of people all over the world.

The First and Second Geneva Conventions of 1949 stipulate that hospitals and other medical units must not be attacked and should be protected at all times. This includes civilian and military hospitals. Attacking hospitals and medical personnel is a war crime under international criminal law.

In the face of emphatic declarations by the United Nations, the World Health Organization (WHO), and countless human rights organizations that hospitals are not a target, Israel and its imperialist backers are sending a different message: Yes, they are.

While the US repeatedly attacked hospitals during the war on terror, it sought to present these actions as accidents. In October 2015, a US airstrike killed at least 22 people in a Doctors Without Borders (MSF) hospital in Kunduz, Afghanistan. At the time, US President Barack Obama issued an apology, claiming the strike was a mistake.

Now, however, the United States is upholding attacks on hospitals and other war crimes as legitimate acts of self defense. As US officials have repeatedly declared in response to Israeli massacres at hospitals in Gaza, there are no red lines.

Since the start of Israels assault on Gaza, the WHO has recorded at least 137 attacks on healthcare facilities, resulting in 521 deaths and 686 injuries, including 16 deaths and 38 injuries of health workers.

These statistics do not include the most horrific attack on a hospital, the October 17, 2023 Al-Ahli Arab Hospital bombing that killed between 250 and 471 people, but which Israel and the United States, citing evidence that was quickly disproven, claimed was the result of a rocket fired from Gaza.

Israels war on hospitals is part of a systematic campaign of genocide. The deliberate targeting of civilian populations, children, medical workers and aid workers has been elevated to a governing principle.

These war crimes have been carried out within the framework of public declarations of genocidal intent, with Israels agriculture minister proclaiming Nakba 2023, and its interior minister proposing the expulsion of the Palestinian people from the enclave.

Israels actions in Gaza are a textbook case of genocide, wrote Craig Mokhiber, former director of the New York office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights, in an October 28 resignation letter. Explicit statements of intent by leaders in the Israeli government and military leaves no room for doubt or debate, he wrote.

While the United States has for decades systematically violated international law, its open embrace of Israels actions against the people of Gaza under conditions in which Israeli officials are bluntly stating their intention to commit war crimes and genocide marks a significant new stage in the normalization of war crimes.

Throughout the past 50 years, actions by the state of Israel have been used to set a precedent for US policy. The most significant example is the doctrine of targeted killing, that is, state-sanctioned assassination. Israel has used assassination and targeted-killing more than any other country in the West, noted Israeli investigative journalist Ronen Bergman in 2018.

On September 17, 1948, a group of Zionist terrorists ambushed and killed the Swedish mediator for the United Nations, Count Folke Bernadotte, in Jerusalem. Yitzhak Shamir, who later became prime minister of Israel, played a role in the approval and planning of Bernadottes assassination.

In November 2000, Israel became the first state in the world to openly acknowledge that it operated a policy of targeted killing, wrote Nils Melzer, who served as United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture, in 2009. Soon after, the United States moved to openly adopt the method of targeted killing.

The term targeted killing, writes Melzer, denotes the use of lethal force attributable to a subject of international law with the intent, premeditation and deliberation to kill individually selected persons who are not in the physical custody of those targeting them.

The US conducted its first known drone strike outside a war zone in Yemen in 2002. In 2011, US-born cleric Anwar al-Awlaki and his son, both US citizens, were killed in separate drone strikes in Yemen. In 2020, a US drone strike in Iraq killed Qasem Soleimani, a high-ranking Iranian military official, while on an official visit to Iraq.

As with the adoption of targeted killing, the war crimes now being committed by Israel will become the new baseline for even greater crimes by the United States and other imperialist powers. This is the significance of their open acceptance of Israels genocide and war crimes.

The US is engaged in escalating global warfarean intensifying war against Russia, preparations for war with Iran and Chinawhich will require violence on an unprecedented scale. The crimes Israel is perpetrating, including the mass murder and forced displacement of an entire population, are setting a precedent for the use of homicidal violence, including the use of nuclear weapons. The ruling classes aim to desensitize the population to the prospect of hundreds of thousands, or even millions, being killed.

But the war abroad is a war at home. Facing a mounting strike movement and mass protests against the slaughter in Gaza, the American ruling class will increasingly use the tools of mass terror against urban populations, being pioneered in Gaza, against mounting internal opposition.

The events in Gaza are a warning: The imperialist ruling classes, desperate and cornered, will stop at nothing to secure their global interests, including mass murder. The future of humanity requires breaking the stranglehold of the financial oligarchy over society, which requires the building of a mass socialist movement of the working class.
Healthcare Workers for Palestine - San Diego helped to organize the walkout and demonstration at the UC San Diego School of Medicine which took place November 9, 2023. They have asked the World Socialist Web Site to publish their statement in response to the American Medical Association (AMA) refusal to take up a resolution calling for a ceasefire in Israel and Palestine in order to protect civilian lives and healthcare personnel.

Just three days after JAMA published an article sanitizing Israels murder and mass expulsion of the Palestinian civilian population, the American Medical Associations House of Delegates (HOD) voted against the consideration of a ceasefire resolution, 136-458. The resolution, Res. 610, co-sponsored by the Minority Affairs Section, was put forward by the Medical Student Section (MSS) and Resident & Fellow Section (RFS) and passed in both sections with overwhelming popularity.

Students with the University of California-San Diego School of Medicine hold a banner that reads, "Healthcare Workers for Justice In Palestine. End the siege. End the occupation. Ceasefire now." and another banner with the names and ages of the over 9,000 Palestinians who have been killed since October 7, 2023.

At the HOD meeting there was a palpable tension in the air as testimony was presented. A former AMA President in opposition stated, Geopolitical issues have no purview in this house. A different doctor asked, Can you imagine if the AMA put out a statement after 9/11 when the US was going into Afghanistan to go after Al Qaeda?

When a resident doctor used his 90 seconds of time to read the text of the resolution, the Speaker interrupted him before his time had expired. We are voting to determine whether the resolution is appropriate or not, not on the resolution itself, she stated. He wasnt given any time back for the interruption and was told that his testimony was over.

The AMA does not shy away from geopolitics when it comes to ceasefire statements and funding for Ukraine, or publishing articles in JAMA that are so biased they can only be interpreted as propaganda. But when their own medical students and residents call for the cessation of the mass killing of Palestinians, the resolution is deemed inappropriate and is buried.

The same day the AMA voted against the ceasefire resolution, the death toll in Gaza reached over 11,000, including over 4,500 children, with nearly 30,000 wounded. Premature babies are dying as their incubators stop working from the lack of fuel. The month-long blockade of water and food is now causing deaths from dehydration and malnutrition. Thirty-six health centers have already been destroyed and the healthcare system is in complete collapse. Tanks are currently surrounding three of the remaining hospitals in Northern Gaza, attacking these sacred spaces where thousands of scared and wounded souls are sheltering.

Despite the bloodshed, the physicians in Gaza have refused to abandon their patients. They demonstrate an unwavering dedication to their calling despite the near certainty that they will be killed. In refusing to take the common-sense stand for a ceasefire, the AMA is demonstrating a complete disregard for the Hippocratic oath as well as the democratic process. This cowardice is born out of the same complicity that prevents the organization from addressing root causes of dysfunction of our own healthcare system in the United States. The AMA should support an immediate ceasefirenot doing so guarantees more deaths every day.

- Healthcare Workers for Palestine - San Diego
James P. Cannon

On November 16, 1953, seventy years ago today, the Socialist Workers Party (SWP) in the United States published an Open Letter to Trotskyists throughout the world. The letter, written by SWP National Secretary James P. Cannon, formed the programmatic basis for the formation of the International Committee of the Fourth International (ICFI). The SWP was at that time the American section of the world Trotskyist movement.

At stake was the defense of the essential political principles upon which the Fourth International, founded under the leadership of Leon Trotsky in 1938, had been based, and its survival as an independent revolutionary organization.

The ICFI was established to defend the Trotskyist movement against a form of revisionism and opportunism known as Pabloism, after its principal leader and proponent, Michel Pablo, who was then the secretary of the Fourth International.

In its essence, as David North explains in The Heritage We Defend, Pabloism was (and is) liquidationism all down the line: that is, the repudiation of the hegemony of the proletariat in the socialist revolution and the genuinely independent existence of the Fourth International as the conscious articulation of the historical role of the working class

We are publishing below an excerpt from Cannons Open Letter. The full letter can be accessed here. A comprehensive review of the origins and significance of Pabloism and Cannons Open Letter is contained in The Heritage We Defend.

***

To All Trotskyists:

Dear Comrades:

On the twenty-fifth anniversary of the founding of the Trotskyist movement in the United States, the Plenum of the National Committee of the Socialist Workers Party sends its revolutionary socialist greetings to orthodox Trotskyists throughout the world.

Although the Socialist Workers Party, because of undemocratic laws passed by the Democrats and Republicans, is no longer affiliated to the Fourth Internationalthe World Party of Socialist Revolution founded by Leon Trotsky to carry on and fulfill the program betrayed by the Second International of the Social Democrats and the Third International of the Stalinistswe take interest in the welfare of the world-wide organization created under the guidance of our martyred leader.

As is well known, the pioneer American Trotskyists 25 years ago brought the program of Trotsky, suppressed by the Kremlin, to the attention of world public opinion. This act proved decisive in breaching the isolation imposed by the Stalinist bureaucracy on Trotsky and in laying the foundation for the Fourth International. With his exile shortly thereafter, Trotsky began an intimate and trusted collaboration with the leadership of the SWP that lasted to the day of his death.

The collaboration included joint efforts to organize revolutionary socialist parties in a number of countries. This culminated, as you know, in the launching of the Fourth International in 1938. The Transitional Program, which remains the keystone of todays program of the world Trotskyist movement, was written by Trotsky in collaboration with the leaders of the SWP and at his request was submitted by them for adoption at the founding Congress.

The intimacy and thoroughness of the collaboration between Trotsky and the leadership of the SWP can be judged from the record of struggle in defense of orthodox Trotskyist principles in 1939-40 against the Petty-Bourgeois Opposition headed by Burnham and Shachtman. That record has had profound influence in shaping the Fourth International in the past 13 years.

After the murder of Trotsky by an agent of Stalins secret police, the SWP took the lead in defending and advocating his teachings. We took the lead not from choice, but from necessitythe second world war forced the orthodox Trotskyists underground in many countries, especially in Europe under the Nazis. Together with Trotskyists in Latin America, Canada, England, Ceylon, India, Australia and elsewhere we did what we could to uphold the banner of orthodox Trotskyism through the difficult war years.

With the end of the war, we were gratified at the appearance in Europe of Trotskyists from the underground who undertook the organizational reconstitution of the Fourth International. Since we were barred from belonging to the Fourth International by reactionary laws, we placed all the greater hope in the emergence of a leadership capable of continuing the great tradition bequeathed to our world movement by Trotsky. We felt that the young new leadership of the Fourth International in Europe must be given full confidence and support. When self-corrections of serious errors were made on the initiative of the comrades themselves, we felt that our course was proving justified.

However, we must now admit that the very freedom from sharp criticism which we together with others accorded this leadership helped open the way for the consolidation of an uncontrolled, secret, personal faction in the administration of the Fourth International which has abandoned the basic program of Trotskyism.

This faction, centered around Pablo, is now working consciously and deliberately to disrupt, split, and break up the historically created cadres of Trotskyism in the various countries and to liquidate the Fourth International.

The Program of Trotskyism

To show precisely what is involved, let us restate the fundamental principles on which the world Trotskyist movement is built:

1. The death agony of the capitalist system threatens the destruction of civilization through worsening depressions, world wars and barbaric manifestations like fascism. The development of atomic weapons today underlines the danger in the gravest possible way.

2. The descent into the abyss can be avoided only by replacing capitalism with the planned economy of socialism on a world scale and thus resuming the spiral of progress opened up by capitalism in its early days.

3. This can be accomplished only under the leadership of the working class as the only truly revolutionary class in society. But the working class itself faces a crisis of leadership although the world relationship of social forces was never so favorable as today for the workers to take the road to power.

4. To organize itself for carrying out this world-historic aim the working class in each country must construct a revolutionary socialist party in the pattern developed by Lenin; that is, a combat party capable of dialectically combining democracy and centralismdemocracy in arriving at decisions, centralism in carrying them out; a leadership controlled by the ranks, ranks able to carry forward under fire in disciplined fashion.

5. The main obstacle to this is Stalinism, which attracts workers through exploiting the prestige of the October 1917 Revolution in Russia, only later, as it betrays their confidence, to hurl them either into the arms of the Social Democracy, into apathy, or back into illusions in capitalism. The penalty for these betrayals is paid by the working people in the form of consolidation of fascist or monarchist forces, and new outbreaks of wars fostered and prepared by capitalism. From its inception, the Fourth International set as one of its major tasks the revolutionary overthrow of Stalinism inside and outside the USSR.

6. The need for flexible tactics facing many sections of the Fourth International, and parties or groups sympathetic to its program, makes it all the more imperative that they know how to fight imperialism and all of its petty-bourgeois agencies (such as nationalist formations or trade-union bureaucracies) without capitulation to Stalinism; and, conversely, know how to fight Stalinism (which in the final analysis is a petty-bourgeois agency of imperialism) without capitulating to imperialism.

These fundamental principles established by Leon Trotsky retain full validity in the increasingly complex and fluid politics of the world today. In fact the revolutionary situations opening up on every hand as Trotsky foresaw, have only now brought full concreteness to what at one time may have appeared to be somewhat remote abstractions not intimately bound up with the living reality of the time. The truth is that these principles now hold with increasing force both in political analysis and in the determination of the course of practical action.

Pablos Revisionism

These principles have been abandoned by Pablo. In place of emphasizing the danger of a new barbarism, he sees the drive toward socialism as irreversible; yet he does not see socialism coming within our generation or some generations to come. Instead he has advanced the concept of an engulfing wave of revolutions that give birth to nothing but deformed, that is, Stalin-type workers states which are to last for centuries.

This reveals the utmost pessimism about the capacities of the working class, which is wholly in keeping with the ridicule he has lately voiced of the struggle to build independent revolutionary socialist parties. In place of holding to the main course of building independent revolutionary socialist parties by all tactical means, he looks to the Stalinist bureaucracy, or a decisive section of it, to so change itself under mass pressure as to accept the ideas and program of Trotskyism. Under guise of the diplomacy required in tactical maneuvers needed to approach workers in the camp of Stalinism in such countries as France, he now covers up the betrayals of Stalinism.

This course has already led to serious defections from the ranks of Trotskyism to the camp of Stalinism. The pro-Stalinist split in the Ceylon party is a warning to all Trotskyists everywhere of the tragic consequences of the illusions about Stalinism which Pabloism fosters.

In another document, we are submitting a detailed analysis of Pablos revisionism. In this letter we will confine ourselves to some recent tests that show in the decisive field of action how far Pablo has gone in conciliationism to Stalinism and how grave the danger is to the existence of the Fourth International.

With the death of Stalin, the Kremlin announced a series of concessions in the USSR, none of them political in character. In place of characterizing these as nothing but part of a maneuver aimed at further retrenchment of the usurping bureaucracy and part of the preparation for a leading bureaucrat to assume the mantle of Stalin, the Pabloite faction took the concessions as good coin, painted them up as political concessions, and even projected the possibility of the sharing of power by the Stalinist bureaucracy with the workers. (Fourth International, January-February, 1953, p.13.)

The sharing of power concept, promulgated most bluntly by [SWP member George] Clarke, a high priest of the Pablo cult, was indirectly sanctioned as dogma by Pablo himself in an unanswered but obviously leading question: Will the liquidation of the Stalinist regime take the form, Pablo asks, of violent inter-bureaucratic struggles between elements who will fight for the status quo, if not for turning back, and the more and more numerous elements drawn by the powerful pressure of the masses? (Fourth International, March-April, 1953, p.39.)

This line fills the orthodox Trotskyist program of political revolution against the Kremlin bureaucracy with a new content; namely, the revisionist position that the ideas and program of Trotskyism will filter into and permeate the bureaucracy, or a decisive section of it, thus overthrowing Stalinism in an unforeseen way.

In East Germany in June the workers rose against the Stalinist-dominated government in one of the greatest demonstrations in the history of Germany. This was the first proletarian mass uprising against Stalinism since it usurped and consolidated power in the Soviet Union. How did Pablo respond to this epochal event?

Instead of clearly voicing the revolutionary political aspirations of the insurgent East German workers, Pablo covered up the counter-revolutionary Stalinist satraps who mobilized Soviet troops to put down the uprising (...the Soviet leaders and those of the various Peoples Democracies and the Communist Parties could no longer falsify or ignore the profound meaning of these events. They have been obliged to continue along the road of still more ample and genuine concessions to avoid risking alienating themselves forever from support by the masses and from provoking still stronger explosions. From now on they will not be able to stop half-way. They will be obliged to dole out concessions to avoid more serious explosions in the immediate future and if possible to effect a transition in a cold fashion from the present situation to a situation more tolerable for the masses.) (Statement of the International Secretariat of the Fourth International. Published in The Militant, July 6.)

Instead of demanding the withdrawal of Soviet troopsthe sole force upholding the Stalinist governmentPablo fostered the illusion that more ample and genuine concessions would be forthcoming from the Kremlins gauleiters. Could Moscow have asked for better assistance as it proceeded to monstrously falsify the profound meaning of those events, branding the workers in revolt as fascists and agents of American imperialism, and opening a wave of savage repression against them?

...

What to Do

To sum up: The lines of cleavage between Pablos revisionism and orthodox Trotskyism are so deep that no compromise is possible either politically or organizationally. The Pablo faction has demonstrated that it will not permit democratic decisions truly reflecting majority opinion to be reached. They demand complete submission to their criminal policy. They are determined to drive all orthodox Trotskyists out of the Fourth International or to muzzle and handcuff them.

Their scheme has been to inject their Stalinist conciliationism piecemeal and likewise in piecemeal fashion, get rid of those who come to see what is happening and raise objections. That is the explanation for the strange ambiguity about many of the Pabloite formulations and diplomatic evasions.

Up to now the Pablo faction has had a certain success with this unprincipled and Machiavellian maneuverism. But the qualitative point of change has been reached. The political issues have broken through the maneuvers and the fight is now a showdown.

If we may offer advice to the sections of the Fourth International from our enforced position outside the ranks, we think the time has come to act and to act decisively. The time has come for the orthodox Trotskyist majority of the Fourth International to assert their will against Pablos usurpation of authority.

They should in addition safeguard the administration of the affairs of the Fourth International by removing Pablo and his agents from office and replacing them with cadres who have proved in action that they know how to uphold orthodox Trotskyism and keep the movement on a correct course both politically and organizationally.

With fraternal Trotskyist greetings,

National Committee of the SWP

***

Read more from The Heritage We Defend by David North:
Amid reports of substantial anger among staff over its promotion of the Israeli governments justifications for the war against the Palestinians, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has doubled down on its backing of the unfolding genocide in Gaza. A Q+A panel discussion on Monday night was a foul exercise in justification for war crimes.

Australian Broadcasting Corporation's "Q+A" program, November 13, 2023 [Photo: ABC-TV screen shot]

For years, the public broadcaster has been ever-more open in its aggressive support for militarism and war, functioning as a propaganda outlet for the US-led confrontation with China in particular. Its active alignment with an ongoing genocide, however, marks a new low and has provoked considerable shock among its audience.

Q+As pretense of balance has always been a sham, with its panelists generally selected from the two major parties, and audience questions heavily vetted. But in its episode dedicated to Gaza, even the window-dressing of impartiality was done away with.

The panelists included Mark Leibler, one of the main Zionist lobbyists in the country. Lieblers influence was indicated last month, when he organised a scurrilous pro-Israeli letter signed by all living prime ministers bar Paul Keating. He was joined by Dave Sharma, another ardent Zionist, Australias former ambassador to Israel and former Coalition government MP. Tim Watts, assistant minister for foreign affairs, was present, representing a Labor government that has insisted on Israels right to defend itself as bombs rain down on Gaza.

Mark Liebler [Photo: ABC-TV screen shot]

Francesca Albanese, United Nations Special Rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territories, was on the panel, but was ignored and sidelined for almost the entire program, despite, or rather because of her expertise and standing.

That meant that the program acquired the character of a nasty gang-up against Nasser Mashni, president of the Australia Palestine Advocacy Network, led by its host Patricia Karvelas.

A live studio audience, always vetted, but Q+As only tenuous connection to actual popular opinion, was dispensed with in the interests of sensitivity and safety. The real reason was to insulate the panel from mass sentiment, which is firmly against the Israeli onslaught, as expressed in the largest anti-war demonstrations since the 2003 invasion of Iraq. It was also revealed that the ABC studios were guarded by a posse of police outside.

Predictably, the program began with a question opposing a ceasefire, and asserting that proponents of one are indifferent to the fate of Israeli hostages in Gaza. That set the tone for the entire discussion, which only degenerated from there.

Throughout the program, Liebler and Sharma defended Israel unequivocally, and advanced the line of its government. Liebler supported Israeli settlements in the West Bank, although they have been deemed illegal under international law. He insisted that if Israel did not have a strong military, it would be over-run by antisemitic Palestinians. Watts, a colorless nonentity, simply echoed the positions advanced by Liebler and Sharma.

Given the political histories and affiliations of the three, none of that was surprising or even particularly noteworthy.

Q+A presenter Patricia Karvelas [Photo: ABC-TV screen shot]

Of far greater significance were the repeated and aggressive editorial interventions of Karvelas. She did not function in any sense as a compere. Instead, the impression was of a police prosecutor, who had Mashni in the dock. Many of the exchanges between the two were so shocking, one would scarcely believe they had occurred without having watched the program.

In her first question to Mashni, Karvelas effectively denounced the global mass protests against the slaughter in Gaza, asserting that theres not a call very often for all of the hostages to be released. Mashni said that he thought Hamas should release hostages, but that was not enough for Karvelas. She insistently asked Mashni if he could understand why Israel would be reluctant to agree to a ceasefire, i.e., to stop its bombardment of Palestinian civilians.

Mashni stated: Patricia, I think we need to go back to the reality that this is not a 35-day-old conflict. Everything were talking about here is framed as October 7 is the start. The reality, Patricia, is Im an accidental Australian. My father was ethnically cleansed by Jewish terror gangs in the late 40s. Israel wasnt in But he was interrupted. In a series of quick-fire exchanges, Karvelas shut down any discussion of the 75-year oppression of the Palestinians.

Mashni said: Well, what I want to look at is the amount of blood thats in the streets. Palestinian corpses are being eaten by dogs. If we cant say 5,000 Palestinian children have died in 35 days and say, first of all, lets stop killing kids... Lets stop killing. That cant be too big an ask of humanity. For 35 days theres been no food, no water, no gas, no electricity, no medicine, women having

That prompted the following exchange:

Karvelas: But should there be the release of the hostages in exchange for a ceasefire? Mashni: Patricia, Palestinian children matter, too. Karvelas: But thats not the question I asked, Nasser

As if aping Joseph McCarthy, Karvelas demanded to know, repeatedly, whether Mashni was a sympathiser of Hamas, even after he said he was not. As Karvelas would have known, Mashnis activism is modeled on that of his father, who was for decades one of the most prominent Australian supporters of the secular Fatah movement, which has always opposed Hamas. The questioning, and the incredulous responses to Mashnis answers, were simply not in good faith.

Mashni noted the massive civilian death toll in Gaza, of more than 11,000 people killed in a month. Karvelas replied, blandly: Yeah. They are warning about a potential genocide, before cynically deflecting, In the Hamas manifesto, a genocide is called for of Israelis, of Jewish people, right?

Later, Mashni again sought to refocus the discussion on the actual situation in Gaza. He explained: Gaza is apocalyptic. Today, a cousin of mine, she was bombed in her house. Shes sitting in her home with her 10-year-old dead daughter. She cant get her daughter out. They cant leave the house. Shes decomposing with her daughter in the house, Patricia. Thats not humane. If we cant call for a ceasefire, what are we doing?

Karvelas did not acknowledge Mashnis comments, let alone offer condolences. With an icy expression, she simply moved to an unrelated question. The exchange summed up the complete indifference to the mass murder that is unfolding, and a refusal to even discuss it.

Two other aspects of the program should be noted.

Firstly, Mashni was subjected to what can only be described as character assassination. A video link questioner asked him about a hit-piece in the Australian, asserting without a shred of evidence that charity donations Mashni has been associated with have been funnelled to Palestinian resistance fighters. Mashni said this was entirely false and it was now a matter for his lawyers.

Karvelas asked five follow-up questions, including: Are you sure none of that money is going to Hamas or to terror? But can you be sure? But you are investigating it? But are you launching your own [investigation] to find out?

Even accepting the broadest definition, that questioning was not anywhere near the bounds of legitimate journalism. It was an interrogation whose only conceivable purpose was to undermine Mashnis credibility. So too was Karvelas decision to ask Mashni about a criminal conviction recorded against him 35 years ago, when he was a 19 year old. That episode had no relevance whatsoever to the discussion, or the conflict in the Middle East.

The second point of note was a brief comment Karvelas made, which has not been scrutinised. In the course of another belligerent round of questioning targeting Mashni, she stated: Some Palestinians are absolutely indigenous to the land

Karvelas did not elaborate on this very strange remark. If only some Palestinians are indigenous to Palestine, where does she think the rest are from? The assertion that Palestinians are actually Jordanians, or some other Arab peoples, sent by their rulers to cause problems for Israel, is a well-known trope of extreme right-wing Zionist propaganda, used to justify ethnic cleansing. Karvelas should be compelled to clarify her remark.

Of course, in a discussion on Gaza, there were numerous references to the dangers of vilification and racism. Such terms have been weaponised by governments and the media, including to slander the peaceful mass demonstrations against the genocide. But can anyone claim that Mashni was treated by the ABC as an equal of the other panelists, and with respect? And if he was not, what terms would best describe such conduct?

Two events the next day underscored the rottenness of the ABC, and the entire official media.

On Tuesday morning, Karvelas on the ABCs Radio National gave a friendly interview to a Haaretz journalist whose reporting was more in line with being an Israeli Defence Force spokesperson. They justified the illegal bombing of hospitals without any pushback.

In the afternoon, UN rapporteur Albanese spoke at the National Press Club. She noted that the Australian media was as bad as that of her native Italy, which was saying something, and aptly compared the treatment of Mashni on Q+A to being in front of an execution squad.

Albanese then dispatched one journalist after another, as they lined up to justify Israels slaughter of the Palestinians in Gaza.

See:

And:

And:
KIGALI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A Rwandan official expressed concern on Wednesday over Britian's Supreme Court's ruling that deemed the country unsafe for asylum seekers.

In April 2022, Britain and Rwanda signed a deal intended to facilitate the transfer of some migrants arriving in Britain across the English Channel to Rwanda, where their asylum claims would undergo processing.

However, earlier on Wednesday, Britain's Supreme Court ruled the government's plan to send migrants to Rwanda as unlawful, citing that asylum-seekers faced a "real risk of ill-treatment" by potentially being sent back to their home countries upon arrival in Rwanda.

In response to the ruling, Yolande Makolo, the Rwanda government spokesperson, said that while the decision ultimately falls within Britain's judicial system, Rwanda disagreed with being labeled as unsafe.

"We take issue with the ruling that Rwanda is not a safe third country for asylum seekers and refugees regarding refoulement," she said on social media.

Makolo said the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees and other international institutions recognize Rwanda's treatment of refugees, and her country is committed to international obligations and collaboration with Britain to ensure the integration of relocated asylum seekers into Rwandan society.

"Rwanda is committed to its international obligations ... We take our humanitarian responsibilities seriously and will continue to live up to them," she affirmed.

The Rwanda-Britain Migration and Economic Development Partnership outlines provisions for integrating migrants from Britain into Rwandan communities, offering full protection under Rwandan law, according to government officials.

According to local media, Britain pledged an upfront investment of 120 million pounds (about 148 million U.S. dollars) to facilitate the implementation of this five-year agreement. 
A Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying a new-generation ocean color monitoring satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Nov. 16, 2023. The satellite has successfully entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

JIUQUAN, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- China on Thursday sent a new-generation ocean color monitoring satellite into space to help improve understanding of marine waters.

This is the world's first high-precision ocean color observation satellite that targets various water bodies around the world, using multiple detection methods.

It can realize large-scale, continuous and dynamic monitoring of water color, water temperature, sea ice, suspended matter and water ecology in the ocean, offshore, islands and ports globally.

The satellite will provide remote sensing services for China's main sea routes, and promote the utilization of fishery resources and marine pollution monitoring, said Meng Lingjie, deputy chief engineer of the Earth Observation and Data Center under the China National Space Administration.

The satellite was launched by a Long March-2C carrier rocket at 11:55 a.m. (Beijing Time) from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China, and it later successfully entered the planned orbit.

The launch was the 497th flight mission to use the Long March carrier rocket series. 

A Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying a new-generation ocean color monitoring satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Nov. 16, 2023. The satellite has successfully entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

A Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying a new-generation ocean color monitoring satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Nov. 16, 2023. The satellite has successfully entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

A Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying a new-generation ocean color monitoring satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Nov. 16, 2023. The satellite has successfully entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

A Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying a new-generation ocean color monitoring satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Nov. 16, 2023. The satellite has successfully entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

A Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying a new-generation ocean color monitoring satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Nov. 16, 2023. The satellite has successfully entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)

A Long March-2C carrier rocket carrying a new-generation ocean color monitoring satellite blasts off from the Jiuquan Satellite Launch Center in northwest China Nov. 16, 2023. The satellite has successfully entered the planned orbit. (Photo by Wang Jiangbo/Xinhua)
GAZA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The shelters managed by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in central and southern Gaza are severely overcrowded with a record-high number of displaced persons.

A UNRWA report on Wednesday said that over 1.6 million people in Gaza have become internally displaced, including approximately 813,000 taking shelter in 154 UNRWA installations.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) noted in its Wednesday report that the UNRWA shelters are accommodating far more people than their capacity allows, leading to the spread of diseases, including acute respiratory infections and diarrhea, raising environmental and health concerns.

The overcrowding is also affecting the agency's ability to provide effective and timely services, according to the OCHA. 
With 2023 nearing its end, it is time to look forward to the upcoming year, which comes with the promise of some highly anticipated releases. From the return of Kung Fu Panda to the much-loved animated feline Garfield getting a movie of his own, there is a lot to look forward to in 2024. Here is a list of animated movies that are scheduled for release in 2024, which you can enjoy with your little ones.

1. Kung Fu Panda 4

Po will be back again, most likely on March 8, 2024, to face his greatest challenge in the big city. In the 4th installment of the franchise, Po is gearing up to become the spiritual leader of the Valley of Peace. However, he needs to find someone to take his place as Dragon Warrior. In the upcoming movie, he will not only train a new kung fu practitioner for the Dragon Warrior spot, but will also encounter a dangerous villain called Chameleon, who conjures up villains from the past.

2. The Garfield Movie

The beloved, witty cat will once again rule the screens on May 24, 2024. The animated movie is based on the popular comic strip by Jim Davis, which follows the sarcastic, lasagna-loving, Monday-hating and shower-loathing cat, Garfield. In the upcoming feature film, viewers will finally get to see how Garfield adopted Jon.

4. Despicable Me 4

Gru will once again flaunt his powers along with his family and friends in Despicable Me 4. The 4th installment of the Despicable Me franchise will be in the continuation of the previous story line. Gru and Lucy are now married; they are now one big, happy family who are fighting together in the Anti-Villain League. The movie is slated to release on July 3, 2024.

5. Mufasa: The Lion King

If you and your little one loved The Lion King, you will surely love Mufasa: The Lion King, which is all set to release on December 20, 2024. Disneys new movie will serve as a prequel to director Jon Favreaus 2019 live-action remake. The new story will explore Mufasas backstory and how he rose to be the king of Pride Rock.

3. Inside Out 2

The much-awaited animated movie, Inside Out 2, is set to release in theaters in 2024. Almost nine years after the first film, Inside Out 2 is set to be released on June 14, 2024, picking up with protagonist Riley, who is now a teenager encountering new, complicated feelings including anxiety.

Amy Poehler, Phyllis Smith and Lewis Black are back again as Joy, Sadness and Anger. While Tony Hale and Liza Lapira have replaced Bill Hader and Mindy Kaling as Fear and Disgust. Hawke has joined the cast as the new emotion Anxiety, who seems just as fascinating as the rest of the animated representations of Rileys emotions.

6. Sonic the Hedgehog 3

Another animated movie to be released on December 20, 2024, is Sonic the Hedgehog 3. This upcoming action-adventure, comedy film is based on the video game series published by Sega, the sequel to Sonic the Hedgehog and Sonic the Hedgehog 2 and a follow-up to Knuckles.

7. Paddington in Peru

Paddington in Peru will appear on screens on November 8, 2024. In the animated adventure-comedy film, Paddington returns to Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, residing at the Home for Retired Bears. However, soon a thrilling adventure sends them on an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and up the Peruvian mountains.

So mark your calendar and gear up to watch these animated movies along with your kids in 2024!

The post 7 Best Animated Movies for Kids Coming in 2024 appeared first on Momtastic.
Alec Baldwin fires prop gun, tells 'Rust' crew 'I don't want to shoot toward you' in newly released video

New footage of Alec Baldwin firing a prop gun on the set of "Rust" has been released as prosecutors consider re-charging the actor in the fatal shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.

Baldwin can be heard telling crew members to move out of the path of the gun in the video, obtained by NBC News. The footage was reportedly taken before Hutchins was fatally shot on Oct. 21, 2021.

"Now wait a second. I'm going to shoot right," Baldwin said. "Do you mind going to the other side of the camera? I don't want to shoot toward you."

At another point, Baldwin seems concerned for the safety of whoever is behind the camera, saying, "I don't know why you're going up hills and all this other  you're going to break your f---ing neck."

Alec Baldwin fires a prop gun on the set of "Rust" before the fatal shooting of Halyna Hutchins in 2021.

ALEC BALDWIN COULD FACE NEW CRIMINAL CHARGES AS RUST SHOOTING HEADS BACK TO GRAND JURY: PROSECUTORS

Later in the clip, a woman can be heard saying, "Everyone doesn't need to be right here in the path of the gun. Could you please move?"

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

A representative for Baldwin did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.

Special prosecutors revealed they would ask a grand jury to decide if Baldwin should face criminal charges yet again, nearly two years after Hutchins' death.

"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," special prosecutors Kari Morrissey and Jason Lewis said in a statement last month.

They added, "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."

Alec Baldwin's original involuntary manslaughter charges were dropped in April.

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Baldwin's legal team slammed the move as "misguided" in a statement shared with Fox News Digital at the time.

"It is unfortunate that a terrible tragedy has been turned into this misguided prosecution," Baldwin's attorney Luke Nikas said. "We will answer any charges in court."

WATCH: RUST MOVIE VIDEO SHOWS ALEC BALDWIN PRACTICING CROSS DRAW BEFORE HALYNA HUTCHINS SHOOTING

Baldwin's original involuntary manslaughter charges were dropped in April.

Morrissey and Lewis announced the decision as "new facts" had been revealed that required further investigation. In their motion to dismiss, the special prosecutors noted that the further investigation and forensic analysis required couldn't be completed before Baldwin's preliminary hearing, which was scheduled for May 3.

The case has been closed in the First Judicial District Court of New Mexico, but Baldwin could still face new charges in the future.

WATCH: ALEC BALDWIN'S FIRST WORDS TO DETECTIVES REVEALED AS COPS RELEASE TROVE OF RUST FILES

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Amid the legal drama, Baldwin, the cast and crew finished filming the "Rust" movie in May.

Alec Baldwin completed the filming of "Rust" in May.

"Its been a long and difficult road. But we reach the end of the trail today. Congratulations to Joel, Bianca and the entire cast and crew," Baldwin said, referring to Joel Souza, the original director of the Western, and Bianca Cline, the new cinematographer.

"Nothing less than a miracle," he added.





Original article source: Alec Baldwin fires prop gun, tells 'Rust' crew 'I don't want to shoot toward you' in newly released video
Wondering where to stream Babylon A.D. online? Then go no further as we have all the streaming details. The 2008 sci-fi action thriller directed by Mathieu Kassovitz, follows a mercenary, Hugo Toorop who agrees to escort a woman named Aurora back to the United States. What he doesnt know is that she is used by a cult for their own sinister goals. Heres all you need to know about the film in detail.

Heres how you can watch and stream Babylon A.D. via streaming services such as Hulu.

Is Babylon A.D. available to watch via streaming?

Yes, Babylon A.D. is available to watch via streaming on Hulu.

Set in a dystopian future, we see a mercenary, Toorop hired by a Russian mobster, Gorsky to locate and bring back a woman named Aurora who is residing at a Noelite convent in Kyrgyzstan. While the duo accompanied by sister Rebeka travels to New York via Russia, Toorop gets a hint of Auroras clairvoyant powers where she can easily detect life-threatening dangers. Thereafter, following a series of misadventures, he stumbles on the truth about her and the Noelites, a cult group who are using Aurora for their own lethal goals. While the film has one a brilliant job of keeping the audiences on the edge of their seats, the twist driving the films climax is compelling and shocking.

Vin Diesel plays Hugo Toorop. Other cast members include Melanie Thierry, Michelle Yeoh, Charlotte Rampling, Gerard Depardieu, and Mark Strong, to name a few.

Watch Babylon A.D. streaming via Hulu

Babylon A.D. is available to watch on Hulu.

You can watch the movie via Hulu by following these steps:

Go to Hulu.com/welcome Select Start Your Free Trial Choose a plan: $7.99 per month or $79.99 per year (With Ads)

$14.99 per month (No Ads)

Hulu (With Ads) is the cheapest option, providing users access to Hulus streaming library with commercials. Hulu (No Ads) is the services premium option, providing access to its library without any advertisements. There are also several bundles available with Hulu that pair the service with Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, along with Live TV plans that also include many live TV channels.

Babylon A.D.s synopsis is as follows:

A veteran-turned-mercenary is hired to take a young woman with a secret from post-apocalyptic Eastern Europe to New York City.

NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing.

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CARACAS, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Venezuela and Paraguay announced on Wednesday they are restoring diplomatic relations, following talks between presidents of the two countries.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his Paraguayan counterpart Santiago Pena also agreed in their talks to the "reciprocal accreditation of ambassadors in the coming days," said a joint statement issued by the foreign ministries of the two countries.

"Both parties have committed to restarting bilateral relations with full respect for the fundamental principles of equal rights, self-determination of peoples, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states and solidarity," the statement said.

The two leaders also ratified the principles of Latin American integration and unity, as well as interest in preserving the "natural friendship and solidarity between our peoples," said the statement.

Diplomatic relations between the two South American countries were broken in January 2019 by then Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benitez, who also ordered the closing of the country's embassy in Caracas.

Benitez decided to break off ties with Venezuela after Maduro was sworn in for a second term amid a power struggle in Venezuela, according to media reports. 
Wondering where to watch The Bureau Season 2 online? Youve come to the right place. The Bureau, also known as Le Bureau des Legendes, is a French political thriller television series created by Eric Rochant. The series second season aired from May 9, 2016, to June 6, 2016, encompassing ten episodes. Building upon the success of the first season, the second season of The Bureau continues to unfold the complex narratives and character dynamics within the realm of French intelligence.

Heres how you can watch and stream The Bureau Season 2 via streaming services such as AMC Plus.

Is The Bureau Season 2 available to watch via streaming?

Yes, The Bureau Season 2 is available to watch via streaming on AMC Plus.

In the initial episode of The Bureau Season 2, Marina faces the complexities of socializing with young Iranians, notably Zamani, the son of a well-connected minister. Adapting to the intricate internal politics becomes a significant challenge for her. Meanwhile, the Americans encounter a setback in their attempt to rescue Nadia during an ambush in Lebanon. As tensions escalate, Debailly threatens to withdraw cooperation with the CIA.

In the second season of The Bureau, a highly skilled and talented ensemble of actors continues to bring the intricate narrative to life. Among the prominent cast were Mathieu Kassovitz, Sara Giraudeau, Jean-Pierre Darroussin, Lea Drucker, Zineb Triki, Gilles Cohen, Florence Loiret-Caille, Jonathan Zaccai, and several other accomplished performers.

Watch The Bureau Season 2 streaming via AMC Plus

The Bureau Season 2 is available to watch on AMC Plus. With its diverse range of engaging programming, AMC Plus caters to a broad audience, providing subscribers with an immersive and dynamic streaming experience that combines compelling storytelling, gripping narratives, and captivating performances.

You can watch the show via AMC Plus by following these steps:

Go to AMCPlus.com Create a username and password Choose your plan: $8.99 per month

$83.88 per year

Users can also subscribe to AMC Plus as a channel via Amazon Prime Video if they are current subscribers to Amazons service.

The Bureau Season 2 synopsis is as follows:

Within the DGSE (General Directorate for External Security), a department called the Office Of Legends (BDL) forms and remote pilot the most important agents of the French intelligence services: Clandestine. Immersion in hostile country, their mission is to identify individuals who may be recruited as sources of information. Operating under caption, that is to say in a fabricated identity from scratch, they live for many years in a permanent duplicity. Our hero just returned from a clandestine mission six years in Damascus. But contrary to what is required by safety rules, he does not abandon his legend and the identity under which he lived in Syria, thus putting in danger the whole system.

NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing.

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Courtesy of Netflix

All season long on Selling Sunset, Chrishell Stause has been sticking up for herself and the reunion episode was no exception.

During multiple segments in the hot seat, the actress and realtor responded to several questions about her conflicts with co-stars Nicole Young and Marie-Lou Nurk, both of which involved Stauses marriage to the nonbinary Australian musician G Flip in subtle (and sometimes not-so-subtle) ways.

In the first case, Young had responded favorably to an Instagram commenter who referred to Stause as the lesbian chick.

I was hoping the lesbian chick was off in Australia this season and not on our screens. Whatever her name is, I forgot. Nicole you look great! the commenter wrote, to which Young replied, Thank you!! 

Pressed on the matter by reunion host Tan France, Young in turn pushed the limits of credulity, claiming that she didnt realize it was homophobic to refer to someone as a gay man or a lesbian woman, despite the obvious tone of the comment. (And this was after Chelsea Lazkani masterfully explained, When somebody identifies Chrishell through her sexuality in a derogatory way and then you comment back to it, youre basically cosigning that message.)

The back-and-forth over the comment sparked a heated argument, culminating in a (frankly awe-inspiring) moment of righteous queer anger from Chrishell Stause: First of all, say whatever you want about me, Im a tough bitch, she began. But dont go after my partner. Ever. Listen, I will own it. Ive been a bitch to you. I hate you. I own it  If youre gonna literally go to homophobic people and cheer them on because they hate me for that reason, that is hate, Nicole.

Ultimately, that conversation got derailed into a meditation on what the word hate means, but it wasnt long before Stause got put in the spotlight again  this time over the infamous lunch during which Marie-Lou Nurk misgendered G Flip. Nurk, who at the time was dating Stauses former boyfriend and current boss Jason Oppenheim, claimed at the much-discussed meal that Stause was unkind to her, and implied that there were unresolved feelings between the exes.

I was hoping when you did hang out with me and my partner, you would see I am completely head-over-heels in love. I couldnt possibly be more in love with my partner, and its very hard not to see if youve spent five minutes with us, Stause clarified at the reunion.

Nurk gendered G Flip correctly this time, but ended up sidestepping the core of the conflict itself, saying, Chrishell was just a topic on camera.



I get tired of being people's topic and punching bag on camera, Stause responded. Clearly, its not a fun place to be. I feel like everyone that came at me this season  thats why I got frustrated.

The Definitive Chrishell Stause and G Flip Relationship Timeline

From a fateful Halloween party to their surprise wedding, the couple has a queer love story for the ages.

Queer and trans Selling Sunset fans certainly noticed that Stause has been hit with a deluge of criticism on the show after going public with G Flip. My colleague Quispe Lopez recently wrote that the treatment of Chrishell in season seven reminds me of the cruel reality of coming out in a primarily-straight friend group and suffering the consequences, and that couldnt be a more accurate description of how the reunion episode unfolded, too. Summoned repeatedly into the fracas, Chrishell had to defend not just herself, but her relationship to G Flip, multiple times in a way that no other cast member would be expected to do with their marriage. And as much as people might try to play innocent and claim that there was no homophobia at play here, that fact is clear as crystal to any LGBTQ+ viewers.

Fortunately, there were a few lighter moments in the otherwise tense and emotional reunion: Stause shared that she and G Flip had already renewed their vows at a Fourth of July weekend celebration (officiated by Emma Hernan in a bikini, naturally). And while hooked up to a lie detector, she certified that G Flip is better in bed than Jason Oppenheim  which, well, duh! (You can also file that one under Things That Are Obvious to Queer People.)

But its unfortunate that these little snippets of queer joy were only sprinkled in among tense exchanges that always seemed to come back to the topic of Chrishells sexuality. In Selling Sunset season 8  which they did indeed announce at the reunion special  can we have more of Chrishell and G Flip baking and less of people calling Stause a lesbian chick? Please?

The Selling Sunset reunion episode is streaming now on Netflix.

Get the best of whats queer. Sign up for Thems weekly newsletter here.

Originally Appeared on them.
Dean McDermott is on the outs with estranged wife Tori Spelling and their five children.

McDermott, 56, spoke out about his split from Spelling, 50, during a Wednesday, November 15, interview with the Daily Mail.

The actor told the outlet that he hasnt seen his family since June, when Spelling moved out of their rented home due to a mold problem along with their children: sons Liam, 16, Finn, 11, and Beau, 6, and daughters Stella, 15, and Hattie, 12. (McDermott also shares son Jack, 25, with ex-wife Mary Jo Eustace.)

That same month, McDermott announced the pairs separation via Instagram but deleted the post hours later. He told the Daily Mail on Wednesday that Spelling said he needed to go to treatment after he drunkenly posted about their marriage.

Tori Spelling and Dean McDermotts Family Guide: Meet Their 5 Kids, Her Famous Parents and More

She helped find Harmony Place and got me in here, he said. All Tori's ever done to this day is want me to be happy and healthy and I inflicted a lot of damage and pain on that woman. Im taking accountability for that today. And it's the biggest amend that I'm ever going to have to make.

VALERIE MACON/AFP via Getty Images

McDermott opened up about the factors that led to his split from Spelling, whom he wed in 2006. He admitted that his behavior while drunk often left his wife and children petrified. McDermott completed a 40-day stint in rehab over the summer and now resides in a sober living home with eight other men.

Alcohol made me feel good enough. I started feeling good enough until it got to a point where it didn't  it ended up in isolation, the Canada native explained. It ended up with me drinking a fifth of tequila every night, seven days a week, and a handful of narcos by myself with a beautiful family in the other room. That's what it led to and that's what led to the brokenness and to what happened between me and Tori.

Sobriety Surprises: Lena Dunham, Jason Biggs and Other Stars Who Revealed They Got Sober

McDermott said that not sleeping in the same bed for years  which started because McDermott didn't want to share a room with pets including dogs, a pig and a chicken  also contributed to the breakdown of the relationship.

Its like docking your iPhone at night. If you don't dock your iPhone at night, you wake up with a dead battery. I believe that the marital bed is the docking station for your relationship, he said. It's where you download information. It's where you spend time together. It's where you're intimate, it's where you love. You laugh and you cry. So, [if] that's gone, the relationship suffers greatly.

JEAN-BAPTISTE LACROIX/AFP via Getty Images

Although McDermott hasnt seen his family in months, he said that hes been communicating with Spelling and hopes to see his children soon. Both he and Spelling have pursued new romantic connections since their split. McDermott began seeing Lily Calo in October, and Spelling was spotted kissing CEO Ryan Cramer last month.

From Cheating Scandals to Clapbacks: Tori Spelling and Dean McDermotts Ups and Downs

McDermott has no problem with Spelling reentering the dating scene.

She's given [her love] to me for 18 years and I've been so hard and brutal on her that I just want her to be loved and happy. She deserves it, he said.

Although McDermott and Spellings love story hit a snag, McDermott is still proud of their relationship.

After we got married, they were all saying, Give it six months. Well, so much for six months. We showed you, because its been 18 years and five kids, he said. Life happens. It's tough having kids. It's tough living in this town; tough having financial problems. It's just really tough. I'm not making excuses. I certainly had my hand in it in the dissolution of the relationship. But yeah, [it] hasn't been easy. Nothing in life is easy.
One of 15 horses being transported from New York City to Liege, Belgium got loose in a plane's cargo hold and forced the flight to reroute

Andrew Holt/Getty A Boeing 747 cargo plane was forced to return to JFK after takeoff when a horse got loose in the cargo hold

Within hours of taking off, a plane was forced to reroute and return to its departure airport after a horse got loose in the cargo hold.

A Boeing 747 took off from JFK in New York City on Nov. 9, and once it reached 31,000 feet, its crew requested a change in the flight plan as one of the 15 horses in the cargo hold had gotten loose, CNN reported.

The plane was operated by Air Atlanta Icelandic, according to the Associated Press. PEOPLE reached out to Air Atlanta Icelandic for comment on the incident, but did not receive an immediate response.

In a recording of the crews call to Air Traffic Control shared on YouTube, one of the pilots said they did not have a problem flying wise, but they could not get the horse secured after it had gotten loose.

According to John Cuticelli, the chairman of ARK, the company that handles all animal export and quarantine operations at JFK, turbulence struck and the horse jumped and managed to get its two front legs over the (front) barrier of its holding stall and then got jammed, per CNN.

The horse was then suspended over the barrier, with its front legs on one side and its hind legs still inside its stall.

Related: Over 130 Adoptable Shelter Pets Airlifted Out of Maui to Make Room for Animals in Need

Upon landing, the animal was met with an emergency response team, but the other 14 horses had to be taken out in order to get the equipment in to get the horse out, Cuticelli said.

We dispersed veterinary care, animal handlers, medical equipment, horse slings, a horse ambulance, everything necessary to accommodate that horse, he told the outlet.

Once the horse was extricated, the injuries it had sustained were too severe and it was euthanized, he said.

Never miss a story  sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The plane took off again toward Liege, Belgium, its original destination, shortly after the horse was attended to.

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Read the original article on People.
One might think Nikki Haleys proposal to force all social media accounts to be verified by name would have a fan in Elon Musk, whos made his distaste for anonymous users and bots abundantly clear. But in this case, one would be wrong.

Haley called anonymous social media accounts a national security threat that she would address on Day One of her presidency in an interview this week with Fox News Harris Faulkner. That rather draconian idea was immediately dragged across social media, including the verified account of Musk, who on Tuesday called the proposal super messed up.

When I get into office, the first thing we have to do  social media accounts, social media companies  they have to show America their algorithms, Haley said. Let us see why theyre pushing what theyre pushing. The second thing is every person on social media should be verified by their name. First of all, its a national security threat. When you do that, all of a sudden people have to stand by what they say. And it gets rid of the Russian bots, the Iranian bots and the Chinese bots. And then youre going to get some civility, when people know their name is next to what they say.

Virtually no one agreed. Newly minted arch-rival Vivek Ramaswamy, who clashed with the fellow GOP hopeful in last weeks Republican presidential debate, called the proposal (which she later doubled down on in an appearance on the Ruthless podcast, saying I want everybodys name) disgusting.

Super messed up. She can stop pretending to run for president now.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) November 15, 2023

Musk replied to the tweet on Tuesday, saying Super messed up. She can stop pretending to run for president now.

Many users pointed out that the privilege of anonymity  a pillar of the Fourth Estate  cant be revoked just because modern social media came along. They included fellow GOP contender Ron DeSantis, who noted that Alexander Hamilton, John Jay and James Madison wrote the Federalist Papers under protective pseudonyms:

You know who were anonymous writers back in the day? Alexander Hamilton, John Jay, and James Madison when they wrote the Federalist Papers.



They were not "national security threats," nor are the many conservative Americans across the country who exercise their Constitutional https://t.co/YkAGMhUVCX  Ron DeSantis (@RonDeSantis) November 15, 2023

Others went so far as to say that the proposal was so extreme, it may have effectively ended the momentum Haley picked up on the debate stage.

Is Nikki Haley aware that the Federalist Papers were written by founding fathers using pseudonyms? wrote journalist Glenn Greenwald. Nikki Haley may be one of the most war-mongering and authoritarian candidates for president in some time. Shes completely unhinged. This is blatantly unconstitutional.

The post Even Elon Musk Thinks Nikki Haleys Proposal to End Anonymous Social Media Accounts Goes Too Far: Super Messed Up appeared first on TheWrap.
The Fantastic Four cast rumors keep pushing out potential names to join the MCU, and Vanessa Kirby has been among them for months. But is she confirmed to play Sue Storm in the MCU? Heres all you need to know.

Is Vanessa Kirby playing the new Sue Storm in Fantastic Four?

Vanessa Kirby has been the widely tipped actor to play Sue Storm and also stated that shed be honored to join the MCU. However, her casting hasnt been officially announced.

Quite a few actors have been rumored to join the talks for the Sue Storm role in Fantastic Four till now. Vanessa Kirby, Jodie Comer, Mila Kunis, and Allison Williams were amongst the first names that the rumor mill produced before the SAG-AFTRA strike. Later, Margot Robbie and Emma Stone joined the chat. But theyve both reportedly passed on the role and things seem to be circling back towards Kirby.

In the past, credible insider Jeff Sneider stated that she had already been confirmed for the part. Now, many fans believe that she has already been cast for the role based on her reaction to the rumor. Recently, during the world premiere of Napoleon in Paris, France, Variety asked her to comment on her potential casting in Fantastic Four, and replied:

I dont know, youll have to ask them. I would be very honored to join.

Vanessa Kirby on joining #FantasticFour at the world premiere of #Napoleon in Paris. Sounds promising! pic.twitter.com/6dguRCHhy6  Elsa Keslassy (@ElsaKeslassy) November 15, 2023

This might mean that she hasnt been officially signed yet. But it could also mean that she has already been cast and is waiting for Marvel to make the announcement along with other potential Fantastic Four cast members, such as Pedro Pascal. Marvel actors have been coy about joining the MCU time and time again. So, this would be nothing new from Kirby.

But its worth noting that until an official confirmation comes from Marvel or other famed trades, Kirby hasnt joined the MCU, and we need to take her casting rumors with a grain of salt.

For more updates, find out whats going on with Avengers: The Kang Dynasty.

The post Fantastic Four Cast: Is Vanessa Kirby the New Sue Storm Actor? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Jeremy Renner is celebrating 10 months of recovery following his New Years Day snowplow accident in January.

The Hawkeye actor took to Instagram on Tuesday to share a video of him skipping and running up and down a driveway at an incline. He wrote in the caption, Today marks the day on 10 months of recovery . First attempt at any of this activity (especially at steep grade) and was brought to tears of joy, hopefulness, and gratitude for all your support along with my family and friends. I keep pushing for many reasons, but you are my fuel.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

Its a big milestone for Renner, who has spent the year relearning how to walk after being run over by a 14,300-pound snowcat at his home in Reno, Nevada. He previously said that he was attempting to stop the machine from hitting his nephew when he got pulled underneath the PistenBully, leaving him with 30 broken bones.

The Mayor of Kingstown actor was then airlifted to a hospital, where he underwent surgery for blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries. Once he was released, he continued to share video updates on his road to recovery in the months that followed.

In April, he told ABC News Diane Sawyer in an interview that he had his rib cage rebuilt with metal, along with metal plates in his face to support his eye socket and titanium rods in one of his legs.

Earlier this month, Renner said that while he has been exploring EVERY type of therapy to help with his recovery, his greatest therapy has been my mind and the will to be here and push to recover and be better. Be exceptional.

He added at the time, I feel its my duty to do so. Not to squander my life being spared, but to give back to my family, friends, and all of you whom have empowered me to endure. I thank you all.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter
Local Cedar Rapids radio personality, actor and Iowa City resident Ricky Bartlett is one of 11 honorees at this year's Danny Awards hosted by Daniel's Music Foundation.

The soulful melody of "There's a Leak in this Old Building" struck a chord deep within Ricky Bartlett's heart.

His journey through life had been a relentless climb, navigating through the rough terrains of low-income housing and battling the shadows of abuse in his youth. Yet, amidst the trials, Bartlett found solace and belonging in Iowa City, discovering a sense of peace, community, and the warmth of family.

However, life had more in store for Bartlett.

Necrotizing Fasciitis barged in during a hiking trip in South Dakota and Wyoming, forcing an emergency amputation. That mishap didn't disrupt Bartlett's spirit, nor did losing his right leg eight years later. Despite these challenges, Bartlett's resilience forged new pathways. From the ashes of adversity rose newfound passionsacting and music avenues for him to share his story and positivity while also raising awareness.

Standing on the peaks of his struggles, Bartlett is not just surviving, he's thriving. He is a morning host for KMRY 93.1 FM in Cedar Rapids and he has co-starred on the television show, Chicago PD. He's also contributed to several voiceover projects and has lived in Iowa since 2005.

Bartlett is one of 11 nominees worldwide for the fourth annual Danny Awards, which recognizes talented musicians with the purpose of challenging society to think differently about disability. The local Cedar Rapids radio personality will be honored during a special ceremony Saturday afternoon in New York City.

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A young boy's battle inspires

The Daniel's Music Foundation, founded by the Trush family, has hosted the Danny Awards since 2020. Daniel Trush, a seemingly ordinary 13-year-old, suffered an unexpected collapse while in his school gymnasium. This incident was triggered by one of the five undetected aneurysms in his brain, causing him to slip into a coma in March of 1997. On the second night, Daniel's health took a turn for the worse, forcing his parents, Ken and Nancy Trush, to brace for the unimaginable. However, Daniel miraculously persevered, defying the odds.

Inspired, his father, Ken Trush, promised the family would give back to the community in a big way, thus leading to the creation of the Daniel's Music Foundation to empower individuals with disabilities through music.

"We started Daniel's Music Foundation in 2006 because we show how music helped Daniel express himself, and there just weren't any programs out there like it within our community, and we knew how important it was," said Ken.

Music therapy was key to Daniel's rehabilitation. He played the trumpet and guitar before his injuries, and since then, he has taken up piano and even writes original music.

The brain trauma impacted much of Daniel's life, but not his creativity.

"Daniel's injury was really severe through his brain, and today he even has some short-term memory loss, but not but not with music," Ken said.

Daniel's Music Foundation is passionate about individuals of all abilities growing as musicians through in-person classes and virtual classes and The Danny Awards is considered an artist pipeline for Just Call Me By My Name, a record label for musicians with disabilities.

More: Yeonmi Park, North Korean defector, derides 'woke' culture in University of Iowa visit

Daniel and Ken Trush at last year's Danny Awards.

Honoring musical heroes

The Danny Awards selected 11 musicians from around the world for this year's award ceremony, showcasing the skill, passion, and creativity that thrives in their community. Each person has broken down barriers and secured equal access to music. The Trush family calls each honoree directly to share the good news.

Bartlett, originally from Columbus, Georgia, now lives in Iowa City. He grew up in low-income housing and battled through an emergency amputation in 2014 due to the flesh-eating disease, Necrotizing Fasciitis, which he contracted while hiking. His right leg was removed in 2022 from a bone disease associated with the flesh-eating condition.

Despite life's significant curveballs, Bartlett remains upbeat, becoming a beacon of positivity on the local airwaves.

"I didn't ask for this, but I have found that a lot of people are listening to me more, and I'm getting constant comments [saying], 'thank you for being so positive in the disabled world,'" Bartlett said.

Inspired by his surgeries, Bartlett decided to reach beyond radio and start an acting career. He starred in some indie films before making it on "Chicago PD." Music was mainly a hobby until he was encouraged to submit an audition tape for the Danny Awards.

Cedar Rapids-based band "Vibe," collaborated with Bartlett. They'd planned to record a different song entirely, but Bartlett couldn't shake one particular tune. He realized how empowered he felt when he listened to "There's a Leak in this Old Building," swaying with the lyrics and the melody.

While singing is Bartlett's recent passion, music has remained a constant source of positivity, from joining the church choir to playing tunes on the radio.

"Music is so empowering, and it goes far beyond that," Bartlett said. "When I was going through a lot of hardships and turmoil in my personal life, music was always there for me as a kid and as an adult."

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Riding the wave of momentum

The Danny Awards honor is humbling, one Bartlett doesn't take lightly. He's thrilled to share his voice with a global audience.

"I'm excited because this is an opportunity you don't normally get, but I'm nervous because I want to make sure I represent the people who are my listeners with radio station well," Bartlett said. "Representation matters. "

Amplifying the voice of people with disabilities is a badge Bartlett wears with pride. Bartlett is also working with a movie studio to create the concept of a character for an upcoming movie, set to be filmed next year, featuring a double amputee superhero, an uncommon trope in most superhero films.

"We started Daniel's Music Foundation in 2006 because we show how music helped Daniel express himself, and there just weren't any programs out there like it within our community, and we knew how important it was," Ken Tush said.

"I want to be remembered for standing people up. That's the legacy that I want," Bartlett said. "The Danny Awards, they have been incredible with me. The [experience] has been phenomenal."

The Danny Awards will be held at Symphony Space in New York, where Bartlett and the other artists will perform at 3 p.m. Saturday. Bartlett will be the first winner to receive his honor. The ceremony can be seen online by registering to see the livestream.

Jessica Rish is an entertainment, dining and business reporter for the Iowa City Press-Citizen. She can be reached at JRish@presscitizen.com

This article originally appeared on Iowa City Press-Citizen: Cedar Rapids radio host Ricky Bartlett to receive national music award
Martin Scorsese is breaking down exactly why Killers of the Flower Moon ended up being so focused on the villainous Ernest Burkhart, played by Leonardo DiCaprio.

The director spoke about the topic following some criticism the film has received from the Indigenous community. During a virtual press event Wednesday, Scorsese was joined by stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons.

More from The Hollywood Reporter

The Apple TV+ film tells the real-life tragedy of the 1920s murders of Osage Nation members after oil was found on their Oklahoma land. It has garnered considerable acclaim from critics. But some members of the Indigenous community have said the story should have focused more on the character Mollie Burkhart (Gladstone) and other Osage impacted by the murders. There has also been criticism that DiCaprios Ernest was made to seem overly sympathetic, and shouldnt have been the films main focus. Questions for the group were screened in advance, and they did not take a question about the criticism directly, but Scorsese and DiCaprio still touched on some of the issues raised.

Scorsese first explained how the project  which was co-written by the director and Eric Roth and is based on a 2017 book by David Grann  ended up centering around Ernest. The iconic director first noted DiCaprio was originally going to play the heroic FBI agent Tom White, who ended up being played by Plemons.

We took the character of Tom White that Leo was going to play and, after a couple of years [of development], we took it to its limit, Scorsese said. We felt that, ultimately, a story seen through the eyes of the Bureau of Investigation coming in from Washington to this area to find out who did it was  as David Grann pointed out  it was [more] a matter of who didnt do it. Once I began to understand more the complicity and how we all may be culpable ourselves in lifeand the fact that I got to know a lot of the Osage people because I kept going back to Oklahoma, and I kept hearing stories and they kept speaking about how the families are still there.

He recalled how Margie Burkhart, the great granddaughter of Mollie and Ernest Burkhart, noted that her great grandparents had been in love..

A lot of these deceptions and betrayals and murders came out of people who really liked each other. Ultimately, we were stuck, Scorsese continued. We really couldnt get into the the true nature of what this tragedy was, at which point Leo [asked], Wheres the heart of it? And I said, Well, the heart is that Molly and Ernest are in love. So he says, So maybe I should play Ernest, and which point everything turned upside down. And so the Bureau of Investigation did come in and solve a lot of the issuesbut primarily its told, as much as possible, from the ground level in which the Osage and the European American were living together.

Added DiCaprio: As far-fetched as it may seem to others who see this movie  who are shocked at the atrocities that Ernest continues to commit and Mollys understanding of whats going on  its based on hard evidence and a sense of community from the Osage that in a lot of ways they have not openly talked about before. So here we are, 100 years later, bringing up these ghosts and the stories from the past in the actual locations and working with direct descendants of this tragedy.

And Gladstone noted, It was a different culture. It was a different time. It was a different period. But the most important element of all of it, for me, was that I was never alone on set. If I was uncertain about a choice I was making there was not just one but several Osage people in every level of production close at hand. It was great comfort as an actress and its also just essential because drawing on the culture in such a vivid way sets the scene.

The criticism started at the films Los Angeles premiere, where an Osage language consultant who worked on the movie, Christopher Cote, expressed mixed feelings about the storys focus to The Hollywood Reporter.

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, Cote said. Martin Scorsese, not being Osage, I think he did a great job representing our people, but this history is being told almost from the perspective of Ernest Burkhart 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.

After the film was released Oct. 20, Reservation Dogs star Devery Jacobs blasted the movie in a scathing thread on X (formerly Twitter).

Being Native, watching this movie was fucking hellfire, she wrote. Imagine the worst atrocities committed against yr ancestors, then having to sit thru a movie explicitly filled w/ them, w/ the only respite being 30min long scenes of murderous white guys talking about/planning the killings. I dont feel that these very real people were shown honor or dignity in the horrific portrayal of their deaths. Contrarily, I believe that by showing more murdered Native women on screen, it normalizes the violence committed against us and further dehumanizes our people.

That said, Jacobs praised Gladstones performance: Give Lily her goddam Oscar.

On Tuesday, news broke that Flower Moon will receive the Vanguard Award at this years Palm Springs International Film Festival. The Vanguard Award is a group honor distinguishing a films cast and director in recognition of their collective work on an exceptional film project, according to the festival. Scorsese and stars DiCaprio and Gladstone will be presented with the award.

Best of The Hollywood Reporter
osama-bin-laden-letter.jpg Osama bin Laden born March 10, 1957. member of the prominent Saudi bin Laden family and the founder of the Islamic extremist organization al-Qaeda, best known for the September 11 attacks on the United States and numerous other mass-casualty attacks again - Credit: Universal History Archive/Getty Images

As a famous @dril tweet noted of the terrorist group ISIS, You do not, under any circumstances, gotta hand it to them.' Yet amid the continuing horrors of the war between Israel and Hamas militants, as people struggle to make sense of the violence and escalating rhetoric, more than a few people are willing to give al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden credit for his 2002 polemic against the United States, published as an explanation of the ideology that led him to orchestrate the attacks of 9/11.

I need everyone to stop what theyre doing right now and go read  its literally two pages  go read A Letter to America,' said TikTok user Lynette Adkins in a video posted to the platform on Tuesday, referring to the title often given to the text by bin Laden. Come back here and let me know what you think. Because I feel like Im going through like an existential crisis right now, and a lot of people are. So I just need someone else to be feeling this too.

More from Rolling Stone

Commenters felt similarly awestruck by the document. Just read it.. my eyes have been opened, wrote one. Read our entire existence for filth and he did NOT miss, another said of bin Ladens criticisms of the U.S. The clip itself went viral, with other young TikTokers also sharing the letter approvingly, encouraging followers to read it. Weve been lied to our entire lives, I remember watching people cheer when Osama was found and killed, wrote a 25-year-old user who posted the letter in full. I was a child, and it confused me. It still confuses me today. The world deserves better than what this country has done to them.

After they had racked up thousands of likes and views, TikTok took down these and similar videos. In a statement to Rolling Stone, a spokesperson for the platform said: Content promoting this letter clearly violates our rules on supporting any form of terrorism. We are proactively and aggressively removing this content and investigating how it got onto our platform. They also noted that the content is not unique to TikTok and has appeared across multiple platforms and the media. Indeed, similar sentiment could be found on Instagram and X, formerly known as Twitter.

Writing a year after 9/11, bin Laden noted in his message that he was seeking to answer two questions that had occupied American media since that terrible day: Why are we fighting and opposing you? and What are we calling you to, and what do we want from you? The first section is surely the most relevant to the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as it denounces the U.S. for helping to establish and maintain a Jewish state in the Palestinian territories. The creation and continuation of Israel is one of the greatest crimes, and you are the leaders of its criminals, bin Laden argued. Each and every person whose hands have become polluted in the contribution towards this crime must pay its price, and pay for it heavily.

Bin Laden expounded further about how the oppression of Palestine had to be revenged, going on to impugn Western imperialism and hegemony in broader terms, before shifting into a justification for killing civilians in his jihad. The American people are the ones who pay the taxes which fund the planes that bomb us in Afghanistan, the tanks that strike and destroy our homes in Palestine, the armies which occupy our lands in the Arabian Gulf, and the fleets which ensure the blockade of Iraq, he wrote. This is why the American people cannot be not innocent of all the crimes committed by the Americans and Jews against us.

While some of bin Ladens judgments would not have been out of place in mainstream American politics of the era  he takes the U.S. to task for not signing the Kyoto Protocol treaty on restricting emission of greenhouse gases, for example  the letter is also interspersed with antisemitic tropes and hate speech. He repeatedly wrote that the country was dominated by Jews who control your policies, media and economy, elsewhere condemning homosexuality and fornication as immoral, and accusing the U.S. of spreading AIDS, which he termed a Satanic American Invention. As for what al-Qaeda wanted, bin Laden said that the U.S. had to renounce its culture of hypocrisy and become an Islamic nation.

The top Google Search result for Letter to America directs to a page on the website of The Guardian, which published it in 2002. For a while on Wednesday, social media-driven interest in the text made it the publications top-trending story  but then the outlet removed the letter, and replaced it with a brief message: This page previously displayed a document containing, in translation, the full text of Osama bin Ladens letter to the American people, as reported in the Observer on Sunday 24 November 2002, it reads. The document, which was published here on the same day, was removed on 15 November 2023. No other explanation is offered.

The deletion prompted even more discussion on TikTok and X, where people questioned the editorial decision and asked for other links to the document. Thankfully they cant wipe our memories, or undo our further radicalization, wrote an X user who said it was no coincidence The Guardian took the article down after it made the rounds online. They really want us to stay ignorant, wrote another. A third reader argued that bin Laden was not the bad guy. But many were shocked to see sympathy for  or agreement with  the terrorist who masterminded 9/11. These so-called TikTok leftists praising Osama Bin Laden now? tweeted one person in apparent disbelief. How do you get radicalized to be ridiculous?

If nothing else, it must be a sign of how polarized and angry Americans have become over a Middle East conflict that has already claimed thousands of lives, and the role the U.S. has played in the region for decades. You know things are dire when, for some people engaged in the debate, an extremist mass murderer starts making sense.

Subsequent reporting on this trend indicated that it might not have taken off the way it did if not for a compilation of the TikTok videos that was shared on X by journalist Yashar Ali. This supercut has been viewed more than 32 million times, compared to 2 million total views for TikToks using the #lettertoamerica hashtag before he posted it, according to the Washington Post. (The app has since removed this hashtag altogether.) Its also likely that the Guardians decision to remove the letter from their website only helped to amplify its contents  a phenomenon known as the Streisand effect, in which perceived censorship attracts further interest in a piece of information.

Still, Gen Zs original fascination with the bin Laden document seems to have been organic. One influencer who uploaded a video about it that was later deleted from TikTok, who requested anonymity for their safety, tells Rolling Stone she had seen clips encouraging people to read Letter to America at least a week ago  and ignored them. This week, she claimed, TikToks discussing the letter were all over her For You Page.

UPDATE Nov. 16, 8:40pm ET: This story has been updated to include comment from TikTok, as well as more context about how the Letter to America videos and posts gained visibility.

Best of Rolling Stone
Turkiye's First Lady Emine Erdogan hosted on Wednesday a meeting named "One Heart for Palestine" in Istanbul with the spouses of several world leaders.
Pedro Lopez, known as The Monster of the Andes, infamously killed over 110 people, mainly young women. In 1980, Lopez earned the Monster of the Andes title, leading police to 53 victims graves in Ecuador.

Reports suggest Lopez began his killing spree after a traumatic incident during his incarceration. Authorities arrested Lopez in 1969 for auto theft, and he received a seven-year prison sentence. Three inmates brutally gang-raped him while he was in prison. Days later, Lopez sought out the inmates and retaliated by killing them. Authorities ruled the killings as self-defense and added two years to his sentence.

After his release, Lopez started his crime spree and began raping and murdering younger girls from across Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Authorities arrested the serial killer when he attempted to abduct a 12-year-old girl. During the interrogation, police obtained Pedro Lopezs confession to his crimes, leading to his murder conviction. The court sentenced him to the maximum prison term of 16 years available in Ecuador at the time. Lopez served his prison sentence at the Garcia Moreno prison near Quito and was released two years early in 1994; he is still at large. Lets dig a little deeper to know the kind of crimes he committed and where is he now.

Pedro Lopez was sentenced to 16 years but was released early

Born on October 8, 1948, Lopez had a troubled childhood and endured a lot of abuse. It played an important part in turning him into a monster and fostering an intense hatred for his mother. He began his killing spree in Peru where he began kidnapping and killing young girls. He later claimed that, during this period, he killed over 100 girls, mainly street children from indigenous tribes. Pedro Lopez additionally claimed that he murdered more than 100 girls in Peru, earning him the name Monster of the Andes. Authorities eventually took him into custody, but instead of arresting him, they deported him from Peru.

Considered one of the most prolific serial killers in the world, Lopez didnt stop his killing spree in Peru; he started committing crimes in Ecuador and Colombia. While trying to abduct a 12-year-old girl in Ecuador, local merchants caught him and gave him to the police. He confessed his crimes to the police and described how he raped and killed his victims. Reportedly, Pedro Lopez lured the victims away from public spaces with a trinket before raping and strangling them with his bare hands. Although he said that he murdered hundreds of women, reports indicate that he murdered more than 300 people in his life.

In 1980, authorities convicted him of murder and sentenced him to 16 years in prison. Authorities released him in 1994 for good behavior and deported him to Colombia. Upon reaching Colombia, authorities took Lopez into custody for being an illegal immigrant. However, authorities were unable to form a case against him, and instead, they declared him insane. The police admitted him to a mental institution.

In 1998, Lopez was declared sane and was released on bail. Reports suggest that Pedro Lopezs last sighting was in December 1999. Authorities deactivated his Interpol warrant in 2005, but he still remains a fugitive. His current whereabouts are unknown.

The post Is Serial Killer Pedro Lopez Still Alive? appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
The official Oscar selection from Croatia, Traces is an elegant, mood-suffused drama about an anthropologist named Ana (Marija Skaricic) who is grappling with loneliness, loss and an uncertain future.

The ideas of vanishing and pain and changes in our lives, these are things I think about, said the films director, writer and editor Dubravka Turic during a virtual conversation for TheWraps 2023-24 International Film Screening Series. After directing several award-winning short films, Turic is now in the awards conversation with her feature debut.

While foremost a film about this one womans journey, Traces also offers fascinating glimpses into the an ancient burial ritual that the character is researching. Namely Mirila, the word for measuring, a practice in which exposed stones in a burial area would mark the length of a deceased persons body, and therefore leave a sign  a trace  of the life that had been lived.

It comes from a part of Croatia, in the mountains, Turic said. It is something that even more Croats are not familiar with. When someone would die, theyd carry him all the way down the mountain. Sometimes the trip was eight or ten hours, by foot, so they would put the body on the ground so that the carriers could rest. And the place where they put it was taken as the place where the soul goes out of the body. That was the sacred place.

Regarding her own creative inspiration, Turic added,Ive been a hiker for a lot of years and while I was in the those mountains, I would see these [burial stones] and you can feel something very ancient and impressive in them. I carried that feeling with me for a long time and I wanted to put it in this story.

The director also emphasized that while the film is about a womans experience, the story was developed with deep universal themes: Its a film about a human being, she said.

And regarding Traces selection by Croatia as the Oscar submission, Turic still almost cant believe it.

This is the best thing that can happen to a director, right? Not just me but the whole crew and the actors who were beside this film, she said. We are very happy and proud to be representing our country. The Academy Awards were something that we all watched since I was four or five years old. Its somehow unbelievable thats its happening.

Check out full interview with Turic for more about the making of Traces  and also her sweet memory of feeling star-struck while attending a dinner for filmmakers in Sundance.

I met Robert Redford and I thought, Oh my God, this is happening? I was talking to him in person for a long time and hes a really great guy. I was very impressed by him. Hes done great stuff for indie films.

Watch with full interview with Traces director Dubravka Turic here.

The post Traces Director Explains How an Ancient Croatian Ritual Inspired a Modern Story | Video appeared first on TheWrap.
There are a lot of ways to celebrate Thanksgiving, from watching a parade to playing some football in the backyard. But the most popular tradition is gathering for a savory, multi-course, belly-filling meal.

Whether its to save time and stress or due to a lack of skills in the kitchen, there are sure to be many people who want someone else to cook. Here are some of the Augusta-area restaurants that will be open on Thanksgiving and what their holiday menus will offer:

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Augustino's Italian Eatery

Seatings at 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., and 5 p.m. at 2 10th St., Augusta

Augusta Marriott's upscale Italian restaurant will celebrate the holiday with a Thanksgiving buffet highlighted by a prime rib and turkey carving station, seafood display, jambalaya, sweet potato souffle, and much more.

The buffet costs $51 for adults, $46 for seniors, $21 for children ages 5-12, and is free for younger children. Reservations can be made by calling (706) 823-6521 and going to opentable.com. Those with reservations of more than six guests are encouraged to call.

The full menu is available on augustinos.net/seasonal-1.

California Dreaming on Washington Road in Augusta continues its annual Thanksgiving meal offer this year that includes oven-roasted turkey breast and sugar-cured ham.

California Dreaming

Open 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at 3241 Washington Rd., Augusta

The American restaurant will have a condensed, traditional menu as well as a special Thanksgiving dinner including oven roasted turkey breast, sugar cured ham, pecan praline sweet potatoes, green beans and carrots, red-skin mashed potatoes, southern herb stuffing, homemade giblet gravy, cranberry relish, cornbread, and choice of pecan or pumpkin pie. The Thanksgiving dinner costs about $13-14 for children and $29 for adults.

The condensed menu features steaks, ribs, pork chops, seafood dishes, and an handful of appetizers and sides.

Reservations and pre-orders can be made on opentable.com.

On Thanksgiving Day only, Cracker Barrel guests can sit down and enjoy a traditional Thanksgiving Homestyle Turkey n Dressing Meal.

Cracker Barrel

Open 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. in Grovetown, Evans, and Aiken

The national chain will allow customers to dine-in on Thanksgiving as well as pre-order main dishes, sides and desserts to complement their at-home meals. Those that dine-in will be able to enjoy a special "turkey n' dressing" meal.

For more information, go to crackerbarrel.com/holiday/Thanksgiving.

Golden Corral

Open 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. at 231 Bobby Jones Expy., Augusta

Though a recent Thanksgiving menu has not been posted online, the national buffet chain will be open for the holiday and has historically featured seasonal staples like turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy, and homestyle stuffing.

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FILE - Metro Diner's Stuff 'N Waffle with turkey is a holiday staple guests can enjoy at the chain's locations in Augusta and Aiken on Thanksgiving.

Metro Diner

Open 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. in Augusta and Aiken

The national comfort food chain will bring back a beloved, festive creation for dine-in customers: waffles pressed from cornbread stuffing. There are three variations of the Stuff 'N Waffles served through out the holiday season:

Seasoned turkey breast roasted in-house with signature gravy and creamy mashed potatoes on top of a waffle, served with a side of cranberry sauce. Priced at $14.49.

Baked ham topped with a sweet citrus glaze, served over creamy mashed potatoes and gravy on top of a waffle. Priced at $14.49.

Two buttermilk marinated and fried chicken tenders topped with sausage gravy on top of a waffle, served with sweet and spicy sauce on the side. Priced at $12.99.

For more information, go to metrodiner.com/holiday-feast.

Salt + Marrow Kitchen

Open noon-5 p.m. at 1060 Center St., North Augusta

Crowne Plaza's fine-dining restaurant will be offering a three-course, family-style Thanksgiving dinner. It costs $55 per adult or $18 per child (ages 5-12).

The first course includes warm yeast rolls, baby wedge salad, and a platter of deviled eggs, cured meat and pickled vegetables.

The second course is roasted turkey, herb roasted prime rib, collared greens, roasted root vegetable, and three cheese mac and cheese.

The third course is vanilla ice cream, warm apple pie, and pound cake.

Reservations can be made by calling (803) 349-8401 or by going to opentable.com.

This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Augusta area restaurants open on Thanksgiving, hours, holiday menus
The Wire Season 4 is the fourth rendition of the American crime drama television series created and primarily written by author and former police reporter David Simon. Aired on the cable network HBO in the United States, the fourth season of the series began airing on September 10, 2006, and concluded on December 10, 2006, encompassing a total of 13 episodes. This season takes a comprehensive look at Baltimores school system, introducing various middle school students as the central storyline.

Heres how you can watch and stream The Wire Season 4 via streaming services such as HBO Max.

Is The Wire Season 4 available to watch via streaming?

Yes, The Wire Season 4 is available to watch via streaming on HBO Max.

In the first episode of The Wire Season 4, four young boys in West Baltimore grapple with how to spend the remainder of their summer vacation. The group includes Duquan Weems, an unkempt outcast who becomes the target of a neighboring groups aggression. In response, Michael Lee emerges as the quiet leader, orchestrating the groups retaliation. Randy Wagstaff, with a vivid imagination, takes charge of planning their response, while Namond Brice, the most vocal and affluent member, contributes to the dynamic.

The starring cast of The Wire Season 4 included a talented ensemble of actors. Some of the main cast members for Season 4, alongside Dominic West, who played Detective Jimmy McNulty, Lance Reddick played Cedric Daniels, Seth Gilliam played Sergeant Ellis Carver, Robert Wisdom as Major Howard Colvin, Sonja Sohn plays Detective Kima Greggs, Clarke Peters as Detective Lester Freamon, and Corey Parker-Robinson played Leander Sydnor, and a host of other talented actors.

The series had a large and diverse cast, with each actor contributing to the complex and multifaceted portrayal of characters within the Baltimore landscape.

Watch The Wire Season 4 streaming via HBO Max

The Wire Season 4 is available to watch on HBO Max. Warner Bros Discoverys streaming service, Max, offers a diverse range of both mainstream and underrated content, catering to a wide audience with varied preferences. The platform serves as a hub for numerous beloved franchises, encompassing iconic properties from DC Comics, such as Batman and Superman, to renowned universes like Lord of the Rings and the magical world of Harry Potter.

You can watch the movie via Max, formerly known as HBO Max, by following these steps:

Go to HBOMax.com/subscribe Click Sign Up Now Choose your plan: $9.99 per month or $99.99 per year (with ads)

$15.99 per month or $149.99 per year (ad-free)

$19.99 per month or $199.99 per year (ultimate ad-free) Enter your personal information and password Select Create Account

Max With Ads provides the services streaming library at a Full HD resolution, allowing users to stream on up to two supported devices at once. Max Ad-Free removes the services commercials and allows streaming on two devices at once in Full HD. It also allows for 30 downloads at a time to allow users to watch content offline. On the other hand, Max Ultimate Ad-Free allows users to stream on four devices at once in a 4K Ultra HD resolution and provides Dolby Atmos audio and 100 downloads.

The synopsis for The Wire is as follows:

Told from the points of view of both the Baltimore homicide and narcotics detectives and their targets, the series captures a universe in which the national war on drugs has become a permanent, self-sustaining bureaucracy, and distinctions between good and evil are routinely obliterated.

NOTE: The streaming services listed above are subject to change. The information provided was correct at the time of writing.

After viewing the recent trailer for the latest Ghostbusters feature, titled Ghostbusters: Frozen Empire, the only thought that crossed my

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The post The Wire Season 4 Streaming: Watch & Stream Online via HBO Max appeared first on ComingSoon.net - Movie Trailers, TV & Streaming News, and More.
Two-time Swim Search finalist Allie Ayers has posed for the SI Swimsuit Issue on multiple different occasions. She made her debut with the open casting call in 2018, and was photographed in Belize by photographer Yu Tsai. Three years later, she returned as a Swim Search finalist and posed for the same visual artist, this time in Atlantic City.

In addition to her work as a model, Ayers is also an actress and entrepreneur. Shes appeared in films like No Way Out and Colonials, and is the founder of Bissy Swim. The made-to-order swimwear line was featured in the pages of the SI Swimsuit Issue in both 2019 and 20.

I knew I wanted to create a brand that would provide a platform for women who wanted to see people like them represented in modeling, fashion and advertising, she previously told SI Swimsuit about her motivation for launching the brand. I had been interested in creating swimwear specifically because I know what a vulnerable thing swimsuits can be for so many women. If you can feel sexy in a swimsuit, that can translate to anything else you put on your body. I thought, If I can create truly beautifully fitting swimwear for women of all sizes and help redefine the beauty standard through our advertising, this can be a pivotal point for women and the way they view themselves.

Below are just a few of our favorite snapshots of Ayers in Belize.

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Yu Tsai/Sports Illustrated

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
Garment worker protests, a brutal police crackdown, worker deaths, arrests and repression, and finally, an official minimum wage announcement that is far below living wage levels. For anyone who follows Bangladeshs minimum wage negotiations, its like watching a preventable crash in slow-motion. There were similar worker protests and subsequent police crackdowns in 2016 and 2019.

On Nov. 7, the Bangladesh Labour and Employment Ministry announced revised monthly minimum wages of 12,500 takas ($113)a revision that came five years after the last hike and is a disappointing blow to workers rights to an adequate standard of living.

More from Sourcing Journal

Brands sourcing from Bangladesh should pay higher prices necessary to support workers demands for higher wages. The latest minimum wage negotiations started in April. The unions had put forward their minimum wage demand for a modest 23,000 taka ($208) per month. The Bangladesh Institute of Labour Studies, a well-respected local research group, estimated the monthly minimum for a living wage at 33,368 taka ($302) while the estimate of the Asia Floor Wage Alliance, a network of local unions and labour organizations, was 51,000 taka ($462).

After months of negotiations, protests began in the last week of October after the leading industry association, the Bangladesh Garment Manufacturers and Exporters Association (BGMEA), announced its offer of 10,400 taka ($95), well below any reasonable calculation of living wages. The minimum wage between 2018 and 2023 was 8,000 taka ($72.50), which was also well below calculations of living wages.

Protracted wage disputes are common in the global garment industry. Wage increases have consequences for suppliers costs and eat into their profit margins. Many garment suppliers band together to use national wage-setting systems or courts to try to drive wages down.

But also the brands themselves are driving low wages and suppliers resistance to wage increases with their unfair pricing and other purchasing practices. To preserve their own profits, many brands put pressure on suppliers to keep costs low. And for suppliers, exposing and rectifying brands unfair pricing and purchasing practices in court or otherwise is much more difficult than trying to curb the growth in workers wages at home.

A study by Professor Mark Anner, director of the Center for Global Workers Rights, published in 2019, documented the sourcing squeeze that brands put on suppliers in Bangladesh and how this squeeze drives labor rights violations. In a January 2023 study by the University of Aberdeen, half of the 1,000 Bangladeshi suppliers surveyed said they experienced at least one unfair purchasing practice. Soon after factories reopened after Covid-19 lockdowns, about a quarter of those surveyed reported being pressured by brands to reduce prices further, selling below production costs.

This pressure is not unique to Bangladesh. A study by Anner in India showed that many brands drive down prices or refuse to factor in higher labor costs if wages rise, fueling supplier resistance to paying workers more. A comparative survey by the International Labour Organization showed that international brands impose daunting price pressures on garment industry manufacturers.

Human Rights Watch also interviewed suppliers across Asia, who said they felt intense pressure on pricing. One Pakistani supplier said that international brands set low target prices for suppliers. Another Pakistani representative said that brands do not negotiate but simply set or impose prices.

A third supplier said that many brands that use targeted prices have refused to increase their prices, even after suppliers showed them how much it would cost to increase workers wages. In a case cited by this supplier, the brand said it wanted the supplier to pay a living wage but backtracked after seeing what it would take for them to pay workers a fair price.

Low purchase prices and other unfair buying practices lead factory management to adopt other poor practices to lower costs such as hiring workers on daily wages or through labor contractors to reduce the size of benefits and their contributions to social security systems.

Brand managers involved in overseeing purchasing and ethical operations have a choice.

They can merely point to the latest official minimum wages and silently accept Bangladeshi suppliers resistance of more progressive increases to minimum wages while ignoring that their own practices are contributing to these problems. Or they can reach out to suppliers and unions, and proactively help bridge the gap between the minimum and living wages, and commit to paying suppliers more so that workers will be paid at least 23,000 takas per month. Worker representatives have directly urged brands to do the latter. Brands failure to engender trust with suppliers about being fair and raising prices has contributed to low minimum wages that leaves garment workers on the verge of hunger and destitution.

This ongoing struggle for a semblance of living wages is a test for brands that claim to care about ethical sourcing. They have to be willing to pay more, increase the prices paid to suppliers, and revise their contracts to be fair to suppliers. That would meaningfully create an environment far more conducive to responsible sourcing than simply relying on their codes of conduct, flawed social auditing that doesnt address these core issues, or other rhetoric on being responsible.

Aruna Kashyap is the associate director for corporate accountability at Human Rights Watch in the Economic Justice and Rights Division where her work focuses on corporate accountability and human rights. Before joining the Economic Justice and Rights Division, she worked with the Womens Rights Division of Human Rights Watch. She sits on the board of Transparentem and the Open Supply Hub.

Christie Miedema is campaigns and outreach coordinator at the Clean Clothes Campaign International Office. She has been working at the organization since 2015 with a focus on holding brands accountable in ensuring that workers in their supply chains are kept safe and are paid what they are owed.
Leave it to 2023 SI Swimsuit Issue cover star Brooks Nader to bring the heat to the frigid locale of Oslo, Norway. The model shared a duo of stunning photographs from a recent project with David Yarrow on Instagram on Nov. 13, and our jaws immediately hit the floor.

In both a black-and-white and color version of the same snap, Nader warmed her hands around an outdoor fire pit. While she was surrounded by men in full winter gear with snow in their beards, Naders bare legs were crossed while she sported a fur-lined jacket pulled up over her head.

WINTER IS COMING @davidyarrow, the Baton Rouge native declared in her caption, referencing HBO fantasy-drama Game of Thrones while also crediting the photographer.

, friend and fellow SI Swimsuit star Olivia Culpo wrote in the comments.

Oh yes frame this , three-time brand model Tanaye White cheered.

Stunning brooks!!! Dutch model Robin Holzken applauded.

Im suddenly excited for winter , a fan noted.

On his official website, Yarrow described the concept for the photoshoot as playful, meant to juxtapose a Polar explorer with the pages of Vogue.

... I knew that [Brooks] was perfect for this role, he wrote. Her default position is to have fun and get into character which makes her easy to direct and the camera loves her. It was a long way for her to come for a one-day shoot, but she approaches every job with sensibility and gusto.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
Exotic bird finally released from airport after it was held for 3 months due to paperwork issue

A woman has been reunited with her beloved bird after it was stuck in an international airport for months due to a problem with paperwork.

The bird's owner, Jess Adlard, moved from Pennsylvania to the United Kingdom in Nov. 2022. She was forced to leave her cockatoo Charlie behind.

Charlie, whom Adlard acquired in Dec. 2019, was supposed to arrive in the U.K. nine months later  but the bird was held at customs at Heathrow Airport in London in September of this year.

PARROT WHO PICKED THE LOCK ON ITS CAGE IS FOUND 30 MILES AWAY FROM HOME IN MIRACLE MOMENT

The 33-year-old former pharmacy technician and her husband, Joe, told British news service SWNS that they were shocked to hear that the bird was missing an export permit upon its arrival in England.

"They said the original export permit was missing  but it was with Charlie when he left the airport in the States," she said.

READ ON THE FOX NEWS APP

Adlard noted that it cost her and her customs clearance agent husband over $6,000 to get Charlie to them.

Recently, however, the three were reunited after Charlie was released from the airport  something Adlard said gave her relief.

LUCKY BIRD: PENNSYLVANIA COCKATIEL, LOST FOR 3 YEARS, FOUND PERCHED AT A CHURCH

The Home Office, the department of the British government responsible for immigration and security, said wildlife arriving in the UK are subject to "strict domestic and international law," as The New York Post also reported.

"Where required documentation isnt presented, Border Force can seize pets," the agency told SWNS. "We take the welfare of animals in our care seriously and those in our protection are looked after in suitable facilities by trained staff, with specialist veterinary care available if required."

"I feel relief and joy  I feel so complete," she told SWNS.

The pair is excited to have him home again, even noting that Charlie has already expressed his love after the rescue.

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"He has coped brilliantly," she said.

"I didnt expect to be hearing I love you for a month or two at least."

Charlie, however, communicated his love for them right after the rescue  on day one.

"Charlie is a tough little guy. He is settling in great and has exceeded every expectation," his owner said.

As for how Charlie feels about his new home?

Adlards husband told SWNS that he seems to be enjoying his new digs.

"He likes his new digs pretty well  I have been whistling to him, and we have been bobbing our heads together," he said.

It's safe to say that this bird is now  well, as free as a bird.

For more Lifestyle articles, visit www.foxnews.com/lifestyle .





Original article source: Exotic bird finally released from airport after it was held for 3 months due to paperwork issue
It's easy to say that no one is bigger than McDonald's in the restaurant business. There are more than 13,000 locations across the United States, making it seem as if you threw a pebble, it would bounce off those golden arches. Only one state capital in the entire U.S. doesn't have a McDonald's -- Montpelier, Vermont. But if you want to get away from McDonald's, you had best head out west.

The farthest you can be away from McDonald's is in Northwest Nevada, in a strip of wilderness that might be otherwise unrecognizable. For the brave traveler and those tired of fast food, you'll need longitudes and latitudes to find the exact spot. There isn't a marker or anything to note its significance, but it's located at 45.45955,-101.91356.Technically speaking, the McFarthest Spot, as some call it, is only 120 miles away from the nearest McDonald's. But that's only if you're able to drive in a straight line. Since roads often don't, you'd have to travel 135 miles before you could get that Big Mac or quarter-pounder. However, the McFarthest Spot is a bit fluid, so Nevada shouldn't get too comfy. Things are bound to change in the future.

Read more: The Ultimate American Fast Food Restaurants Ranked

The Original McFarthest Point

Road through Nevada desert - Denistangneyjr/Getty Images

Nevada is only the most recent point for the McFarthest Spot. The original, in 2009, is located in South Dakota. Food writer Stephen Von Worley discovered this by examining all the McDonald's locations. Worley contacted the data company AggData, which supplied him with the geolocations of all 13,000 McDonald's locations in each state. The spot in South Dakota was 107 miles from the nearest one. Worley wrote on his blog, "For maximum Mcsparseness, we look westward, towards the deepest, darkest holes in our map."

It makes a certain amount of sense why the two McFarthest Spots are located out west. South Dakota isn't exactly known for its booming population, with less than one million residents. While Nevada has three million people, its biggest population is in Las Vegas, with part of the state devoted to remote deserts. Why did the McFarthest Spot move? Well, it's all thanks to a McDonald's closing in Nevada, which created a longer distance to the closest location, a difference of 13 miles. The fact that the distance is only around 100 miles shows McDonald's dominance in the fast food industry.

McDonald's Is A Dominant Force

mcdonald's fries on tray - Uliana Oliinyk/Getty Images

While White Castle may have been the first fast food franchise in the United States, McDonald's has arguably been its most successful. McDonald's makes more than $9 billion annually in the United States alone. Businessman Ray Kroc was one of the keys behind the company's success, seeing McDonald's become a dominant force in the restaurant industry during the 1900s. One of the ways that the restaurant makes money is by franchising to individual owners for a large sum. This helps explain why McDonald's has become so widespread in its country of origin.

However, if you're truly trying to escape McDonald's, you may consider going abroad. While McDonald's does have restaurants in many countries, it doesn't have restaurants in every country -- at least not yet. In particular, several African countries like Botswana and the Middle East, like Iran, lack a McDonald's. There are some parts of Asia without locations as well. When it comes to the country that may be most removed from McDonald's, you should turn your attention to Iceland. So, while the McFarthest Spot may be pretty far, it's not the farthest you can get away from McDonald's.

Read the original article on Daily Meal.
After a 2022 ransomware attack that cost HanesBrands Inc. around $100 million in global sales, the company has recouped a bit of that loss in the form of a $20.5 million insurance payment.

The Winston-Salem, N.C.-based apparel company disclosed the insurance compensation in its third-quarter regulatory filing with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The payment serves as compensation for lost profits following the ransomware attack.

More from Sourcing Journal

In May 2022, HanesBrands reported in a regulatory filing that it had experienced a ransomware attack that month. The attack impacted the companys global supply chain and impeded its ability to fulfill customer orders for around three weeks. As a result, HanesBrands saw a $35 million drop in adjusted operating profit during the second quarter of fiscal 2022, and its adjusted earnings per share decreased by 8 cents.

In this most recent filing, HanesBrands said it received a business interruption insurance benefit of $17.8 million, with $15 million of those funds coming in during the third quarter. And over the past nine months, the company has recognized a benefit of $24.1 million, with $20.6 million received, so far. HanesBrands also recognized a benefit of $708,000 as a reimbursement of its legal fees related to the attack.

While HanesBrands said in the filing that it took measures to safeguard the integrity of its information technology systems, current and former employees led by Nicole Toussaint filed a class-action lawsuit against the company in October 2022. Toussaint, who worked for HanesBrands as an assistant manager from 2012 through 2018, alleged she was not informed of the breach until months after it occurred. The suit alleged plaintiffs personal information, including financial account numbers, health records, birth date and other data, were compromised as a result of the cyberattack.

HanesBrands said it paid an undisclosed amount to the ransomware attacker and received confirmation in June 2022 that the stolen information had been deleted.

In its SEC filing, HanesBrands said it is vigorously defending the pending matter and believes the case is without merit, and said it does not expect the suit to have a negative effect on the companys financial standing.

HanesBrands has struggled recently. Saddled with $3.6 billion in debt, the company has floated the idea of selling its Champion brand after activist investor Barington Capital urged the manufacturer to trim its financial obligations. And after reporting a 16.8 percent dip in sales to $383.6 million this quarter, HanesBrands received an additional blow as competitor Gildan reported flat sales numbers at $744 million.

In late October, the company opted not to renew its contract with National Distribution Center, which operated within the HanesBrands distribution center in High Point, N.C. As a result, National Distribution Center will lay off 217 employees working at the facility. The center handled Champion products. HanesBrands also closed its last U.S. cut-and-sew facility during the third quarter.
ANKARA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The silence of the West over the attack on Gaza implies the approval of lawlessness, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan said on Thursday.

The silence of the West on Israel's attack on Gaza is tantamount to giving the green light to other lawless activities around the world, Fidan told reporters in a news conference in Ankara.

"In order to break down the resistance, the mosques, hospitals, and schools are bombed and we cannot keep our silence regarding those attacks," Fidan added.

Turkish foreign ministry on Wednesday criticized Israeli authorities, saying their accusations against Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are baseless, and they have no right to talk about law while they keep attacking the people in Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday slammed Erdogan for his earlier comments describing Israel as a "terrorist state," saying Erdogan is supporting the "terror state" of Hamas.

Israel has been carrying out an all-out attack on Gaza over the past weeks to retaliate against the Hamas attacks on southern Israel on Oct. 7, during which Hamas militants killed about 1,200 people in Israel and took more than 200 hostages. 
Havanese puppies are pure bundles of joy! Theyre an adorable breed known for their affectionate nature, irresistible charm, and gentle, friendly disposition. This toy breed from Havana, Cuba, is covered with soft, silky fur that flows elegantly as they move  resembling a small, walking cloud.

Despite their tiny size, theyre sturdy and known for their longevity. With their smart and trainable nature, Havanese puppies are popular among city dwellers and families alike. Below, we will explore five fun facts about Havanese puppies that are sure to intrigue you. Get ready to lose your heart as we dive deeper into the world of these lovable canine companions!

They were traditionally presented as gifts

(Photo Credit: Schon | Getty Images)

Havanese puppies were originally bred in Cuba to be presented as gifts  not for individual or commercial use. Typically, they were gifted to fellow wealthy Cubans. As such, these dogs were regarded as symbols of commitment in meaningful social engagements and were frequently involved in business transactions. Accordingly, they werent commonly seen roaming the streets as Havanese were valued more than just your typical dog breeds.

They make excellent therapy dogs

(Photo Credit: Elva Etienne | Getty Images)

Given their high intelligence, empathetic nature, and love for human interaction, Havanese puppies make great therapy dogs. As a result, theyre used in nursing homes, hospitals, and schools to provide emotional support and companionship. They seem to have a natural ability to cheer people up and can be a comforting presence for those in need.

They have a hypoallergenic coat

(Photo Credit: buchsammy | Getty Images)

For those with allergies, Havanese puppies could be a great choice. They are considered hypoallergenic because their fur is more like human hair than typical dog fur. They produce less dander, which is the leading cause of pet allergies. However, they require regular grooming to keep their hair tangle-free and clean.

They are also known as velcro dogs

(Photo Credit: Elva Etienne | Getty Images)

Havanese puppies are also known as velcro dogs due to their extremely affectionate nature. They form strong bonds with their owners and are known to follow them everywhere around the house. However, this kind of attachment could lead to anxiety issues if the puppies are left alone for long periods of time. Therefore, they are perfect for people who can spend quality time with them or for families that have one person who is always at home.

They have been owned by many celebrities

(Photo Credit: @Hans Surfer | Getty Images)

It is understandable that such a breed of dog  originally bred to be companions for the wealthy  is adored by todays elite, including well-known celebrities. Famous individuals who have owned Havanese dogs include Venus Williams, Queen Victoria, Glenn Close, Joan Rivers, Ernest Hemmingway, Barbara Walters, and Charles Dickens, among others.

Cute, happy puppy running on grass.

Cute Havanese puppies at 4 weeks

Christmas portrait of a Havanese puppy.

Happy little orange Havanese puppy sitting in the grass.

Cute Havanese puppy.

Playful white Havanese puppy out in the snow.

Havanese puppies, with their cheerful, affectionate, and intelligent personalities, make fantastic pets for families, seniors, and singles alike. They are very adaptable  comfortable in both apartments and larger homes  as long as they have company and regular exercise. Although training and grooming require some effort, the loyalty, joy, and companionship they provide are immeasurable. They are indeed the epitome of small dogs with big hearts!

Thinking about bringing one of these puppies into your family? Always remember to adopt, not shop!

The post Havanese Puppies: Cute Pictures and Facts appeared first on DogTime.
Crocodiles and hippos are the largest and fiercest denizens of Africas freshwater habitats. While they are not natural rivalsthey do not compete for the same food, nor do they normally eat each otherthey do occasionally clash when territorial disputes arise. Thats a lot of heft, a lot of teeth, and a lot of power. So, who exactly would win in a heavyweight showdown of hippo vs crocodile? In this article, well explore this bruising scenario .

Key Points

Hippos are far bigger than crocodiles and have much bigger mouths. Crocodiles have more teeth and a more powerful bite.

Crocodiles are carnivores and stealthily ambush their prey. Hippos are herbivores, but aggressively protect their territory.

Hippos are too big for crocodiles to attack and they will chase crocs from their territory if necessary.

Hippo vs Crocodile: Tale of the Tape

Lets start by measuring up the combatants:

CharacteristicHippopotamusNile Crocodile



The numbers above give the hippo the clear pre-fight nod. It is the second largest land animal on the planet, after the various elephant species. It weighs in up to seven times heavier than a crocodile, topping out at nearly 5 tons. Toe to toe, on land, the hippo towers over its lowly opponent. It also has a significantly larger mouth, one in which, when fully opened, an adult human could comfortably (or uncomfortably) sit. The crocodile does score points for nearly doubling the hippos bite power and number of teeth, but the hippo counters with massively outsized canines, the largest teeth of any land animal (that isnt a tusk).

Crocodiles Do Eat Hippos

Crocs will occasionally kill and eat a baby hippo that wanders too far from the protection of its bloat.

Despite the major size differential, crocodiles remain the only apex predator in the ring. While hippos may opportunistically munch on random hunks of carrion, they do not actively hunt and are predominantly vegetarians, eating up to 80 pounds of grass and other vegetation on a nightly basis. Crocodiles, on the other hand, are exclusively carnivorous. Crocs will occasionally kill and eat a baby hippo that wanders too far from the protection of its bloat. And, they will eat any dying or dead adult hippos they encounter.

But, Hippos Are the Boss

But in the rivers, lakes, and wetlands of Africa, hippos are still the alpha. They are simply too big for crocs to get their mouths around. Even if a crocodile were to grab a hippos leg and deploy its go-to move, the death roll, it would likely fail to budge its much larger neighbor. Hippos, on the other hand, can bully crocodiles by throwing their weight around, asserting a clear dominance.

Hippo vs Crocodile: Natural Stalemate

The result is a natural stalemate. Crocodiles would love to eat hippos. Thats a lot of meatand crocs do not normally discriminate. But they shy away from tangling up with any animal with such a size advantage. Hippos, for their part, are fiercely territorial and will challenge any animal, human, or fellow hippo that crosses the line. (They kill up to 500 people every year.) But, they seem to consider most crocodiles part of their territory.

As a result, hippos and crocodiles can often be observed sharing the same water pool or sunning alongside each other on the shore. Hippos are even known to nibble on crocodile tales, as if using them as a toothpick. Even baby hippos seem to be comfortable swimming near large crocodiles when there are adult hippos near.

And the Heavyweight Champion of the African Wetlands Is

Hippos can grow to be seven times heavier than the average crocodile, topping out at nearly 5 tons.

When push comes to shove , though, this matchup results in a clear winner: the hippopotamus. They may not be apex predators, but they are herbivorous mountains alongside carnivorous crocodilian hills. A hill cannot take down a mountain and would get crushed if it tried. So, crocodiles nearly always cede to the mountains they share their waters with, even offering them a neighborly smile.
A few months into fall weather, were starting to itch for the warmth again. So much so that were dreaming of a beachside vacation, something that we imagine is on most peoples minds right about now.

Filipino-American model Kelsey Merritt just made that dream a reality, heading to the Maldives, the Southeast Asian island nation situated right in the midst of the clear blue waters of the Indian Ocean. The 27-year-olds trip has included delicious-looking dinners, afternoons by the clear water (of course) and just a little taste of adventure, including deep sea dives with fellow model Sara Sampaio.

In a recent trio of photos that she shared to her Instagram from the idyllic island vacation, the model posed on a wooden dock fronting the vibrant blue waters of the tropical paradise. She donned a ribbed, plunging white one-piece with tie-front detailing and daring side cut-outs. Wearing a chic pair of black sunglasses and carrying her braided tan beach bag, the SI Swimsuit model looked the picture of an oceanside vacation.

vacation mode, she captioned the series of snaps.

Damn bae, fellow SI Swimsuit model Brooks Nader wrote in the comments.

her job is beach, one fan joked.

Gorgeous as always , another gushed.

While we definitely dont have any worldwide tropical trips planned in the near future, Merritt is making us think we probably should. If nothing else, though, we will be living vicariously through her for the next few days at least.

Make sure to follow SI Swimsuit on YouTube!
Canoo doesn't have the same instant brand recognition as Tesla, but it has slowly been building a loyal fanbase with its hard-working electric vehicles, designed to compete in the commercial market as last-mile delivery solutions.

Heck, it even fulfilled an order with NASA recently, when it delivered three futuristic looking Crew Transportation Vehicles to NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. These funky little things will transport the astronauts to the launch pad for the Artemis lunar missions, scheduled for November 2024.

But funkier still is the recently announced American Bulldog: a quirky little dual cab truck that has the potential to go into production and offer a more affordable, and arguably more practical, alternative to the Tesla Cybertruck.

Canoo American Bulldog



Details of the American Bulldog remain very scarce, but in reality, Canoo's unique modular EV platform can be configured for a variety of use-cases - this is just a hardcore play on the notion of a practical and capable electric pick-up.

The battery packs are incorporated into the platform itself, the system can be geared up for two or four-wheel-drive and the steer-by-wire system means the steering wheel can effectively be placed anywhere.

Canoo says: "A powerhouse of engineering, this vehicle sets a new mobility standard and reflects the grit and resolve of the American people". Thats about all of the information you will get from the US company, which goes on to throw in phrases like "this vehicle is loyal and courageous" and that it is "woven into the American spirit"... yada, yada, yada.

Image 1 of 6

Canoo American Bulldog

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Canoo American Bulldog

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Canoo American Bulldog

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Canoo American Bulldog

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Canoo American Bulldog

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Canoo American Bulldog

However, we do know the American Bulldog is based on the Screaming Eagle Light Tactical Vehicle that was delivered to the US Army for "extensive testing" back in 2022.

The military link could be why Canoo is remaining tight-lipped about full specification, such as range, payload and performance. However, its website also lists a very generic "pick-up" model for pre-order that is stated to have a payload capacity of 1,800 lbs (816kg), an EV range of over 200 miles and over 500bhp on tap from an all-wheel-drive or rear-wheel-drive configuration.

The American Bulldog is likely even more capable, given its tough guy exterior, but we will likely have to wait for the Texan company to stop throwing around superlatives and start dealing in real facts before we can get properly excited by this mighty pup.
Dove is launches a coding guide for Black and natural hair

Dove is teaming up with Open Source Afro Hair Library, a free platform to access 3D models of Black hair textures and styles, to launch a guide for coding Afro-textured hair and protective styles within games called "Code My Crown." The gaming industry often doesn't offer a wide range of hairstyles and textures, which can lead to some Black gamers feeling underrepresented. In a new survey conducted by Dove, the brand found that 85% of Black gamers believe video games poorly represent textured hair, while 74% of game developers want to promote better representation of textured hair in video games and learn how to code textured hair. "We want those people within the community who play video games, but don't necessarily see themselves being seen and represented to ultimately feel seen in the digital world," Lauren Baker, senior brand manager, engagement and social impact at Dove, told Vogue Business. {Vogue Business/paywalled}



Vestiaire Collective bans fast-fashion brands from its platform

Vestiaire Collective is continuing its three-year rollout to ban fast-fashion brands from its website. The secondhand fashion luxury platform announced on Thursday that it will ban 30 fast-fashion brands, including Abercrombie & Fitch, Gap, H&M, Mango, Uniqlo, Urban Outfitters and Zara. Vestiaire Collective is hoping to create a more circular economy and use its platform to bring awareness to issues in the fashion industry, such as textile waste and overconsumption. "The decision to ban fast fashion was made to support Vestiaire Collective's long-time work to promote alternatives to the dominant model of fashion," Vestiaire Collective's Chief Impact Officer Dounia Wone said in a statement. {Fashionista inbox}

Black analyst claims Conde Nast fired him over alleged stolen oatmeal

Bradley Bristol, a former Conde Nast employee, claims in a new civil lawsuit that he was fired for allegedly stealing two bowls of oatmeal from the employee cafeteria. Bristol said he had receipts for the food and provided them to the higher-ups. In the lawsuit, Bristol claims that management retaliated against him for his complaints about allegedly discriminatory treatment by his boss. Bristol details a hostile work environment in the suit where his boss "refused to train him," used "profane language" when talking to Bristol about his job performance and was "disrespectful and rude." Bristol is demanding damages in an amount to be determined at trial. {Daily Beast/paywalled}

Berluti to dress French Olympic teams for Opening Ceremonies

French fashion house Berluti will dress the French Olympic teams head-to-toe for the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games' Opening Ceremonies on July 26 and Aug. 28, respectively. "Berluti is a French maison, a symbol of elegance, and we want the athletes and all the members of the delegation to truly feel like ambassadors of France for this ceremony, which will be the experience of a lifetime," Antoine Arnault, CEO of Berluti, told WWD. The Olympic Games are expected to bring in 4 billion television viewers, 13 million spectators and 20,000 journalists. Berluti told WWD the French uniforms will be designed for the "ease and comfort" of athletes, while being "tailored to the maison's usual meticulous standards." {WWD/paywalled}

How social media turned athletes into fashion-marketing machines

Fashion has realized sports' massive marketing potential, and fashion has also become a major part of athletes' branding. LeBron James recently became the face of Louis Vuitton, wearing $28,000 worth of Louis Vuitton designed by the brand's Men's Creative Director Pharrell to his team's season opener. Social media posts of athletes' tunnel walk often go viral, allowing athletes to build their own brands outside of their teams. Fashion brands partnering with athletes also opens them up to even wider audiences: James has 158 million Instagram followers compared to Louis Vuitton's 54.7 million. {Business of Fashion/paywalled}

Pleasing opens pop-ups in New York and Los Angeles

Pleasing, a lifestyle brand founded by Harry Styles, is opening pop-ups in New York and Los Angeles that are open now until the end of the year. These pop-ups coincide with the debut of the brand's fragrance collection, which features three all-new scents. American Express is Pleasing's official partner for these shops and is offering American Express Card Members exclusive deals and early access through Dec. 25, such as a free The Whole Dewniverse Polish with any purchase and access to the pop-ups one hour before opening. The New York shop is located at 61 Crosby St. and the Los Angeles shop is located at 1108 Abbot Kinney Blvd. in Venice, California. Both locations are open Tuesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. {Fashionista inbox}

"Givenchy Catwalk" cover Photo: Courtesy of Yale University Press

View the 5 images of this gallery on the original article

'Givenchy Catwalk' book now available for pre-order

Givenchy is releasing "Givenchy Catwalk," the first comprehensive overview of the house's haute couture and ready-to-wear collections from its 1952 debut to today. Written by Alexandre Samson and Anders Christian Madsen, the book includes more than 1,200 photos of original catwalk photography. "This book is an opportunity to trace the creative development of the fashion house's founder and his successors, to explore their early days, their triumphs, their doubts, their innovations. It is also an opportunity to examine the reactions they provoked at the time, and how these are echoed in our own," Samson said in a statement. "Givenchy Catwalk' is available for pre-order now in the U.S. and will be available for purchase for $80 on Nov. 28. {Fashionista inbox}

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A new Yahoo News/YouGov poll is shedding light on Americans' attitudes about teaching children about drugs  and training teens to administer Narcan, the first over-the-counter naloxone nasal spray approved by the Food and Drug Administration. In September, the treatment for opioid overdoses was rolled out to pharmacies and other retailers, where it sells for $44.99 for a pack of two devices.

The poll, which was conducted by YouGov using a nationally representative sample of 1,636 U.S. adults interviewed online from Sept. 14-18, 2023, found that nearly half of Americans believe that high school students should be taught to administer Narcan as part of first aid training. A whopping 49% (51% among women and 47% among men) of respondents support Narcan training in high schools; 22% do not support it and 29% were not sure. Respondents who identified as either Hispanic, Democrat-leaning or age 65 and older were most likely to agree that students should know how to use Narcan.

But when it comes to drug education and younger children, respondents preferred a more conservative approach. When asked at what age students should first be taught in about the dangers of drugs, including opioids like fentanyl, 2% said "never." Sixth to eighth grade  junior high for most U.S. students  was considered the most appropriate time to introduce drug education, according to 39% of respondents. Another 22% said third grade through fifth grade (roughly ages 8 to 11), 18% approved waiting until ninth grade or later and 6% supported drug education as early as kindergarten. Just 3% of those polled felt that kids should learn about drugs before kindergarten, and 9% said they weren't sure which age was best.

But experts have previously told Yahoo Life that parents should initiate conversations around substance abuse as early as possible, to quote Dr. Flora Sadri-Azarbayejani, a physician who works with those in recovery from substance abuse.

To that end, the Partnership to End Addiction offers scripts for parents to use with kids as young as 2. Lessons about not taking medicine that's not offered by a parent or doctor eventually evolve into more candid, age-appropriate discussions about things like vaping, alcohol and the effects and risks of various drugs.

It's important to keep teaching [children] about the dangers of drug use, even after they are adults, says Sadri-Azarbayejani, Encourage them to make smart decisions and remain safe no matter what their circumstances may be.

She also recommends approaching the conversation with a "nonjudgmental" tone, rather than leaning on lectures or scare tactics. Parents can ask their kids what they already know about drugs, but should be prepared to listen and not butt in with accusations. With adolescents and teens, it's especially important to discuss peer pressure and to brainstorm together on how to best respond if, say, a classmate offers drugs. Parents should also address the risk of purchasing fake pills  which could be laced with fentanyl and therefore be potentially fatal  or using someone else's prescription medication. For more guidance on discussing the role social media plays in making it easier for young people to access dangerous drugs, refer to this guide for parents.

Despite the show of support for teaching high school students to use it, it's worth noting that Narcan is still new to the market; indeed, the same poll found that 29% of respondents knew "nothing at all" about the life-saving treatment, and only 20% said they would consider buying it.
A man in Medfield, Massachusetts, is nursing injuries following an owl attack that nearly snatched his dog, Boston 25 News reported.

According to Kenneth Wadness, the incident occurred on Monday night, Nov. 13, as he was walking back to his car with his dog, Micah. The two were returning from a routine hike at the Noon Hill Reservation when the owl attacked.

While its fortunate that the bird missed Micah by a whisker, the attack left Wadness with minor gashes on the back of his head.

Medfield man recalls terrifying encounter with owl

This owl came and swooped right next to Micah and right by my elbow, Wadness said. The bird flew away after the first unsuccessful attack attempt, only to return almost immediately  this time, diving to attack with its feet.

Within 10 seconds, he whacked me with his talons, Wadness said. He hit me on the back of the head. With a branch in his hand to fight off the aggressive bird, Wadness quickly picked up Micah and dashed to his car. If [the owl] got his claws in Micah  I think he would have the force to kill, Wadness told the outlet.

Evading an owl attack with your dog

Ornithologist for the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries and Wildlife, Andrew Vitz, noted that while owl attacks on pets and humans are rare, that doesnt mean they can never occur.

He added that owls tend to get aggressive as they approach the nesting season and are more likely to go after smaller pets. Its that territorial behavior thats kicking in, Vitz shared.

According to National Geographic, the federally protected bird perceives anyone near its nesting area as an intruder. If one does not heed an owls initial warning, chances are, it will strike with its talons.

While the presence of something much larger than themselves  like a person  is enough to deter an owl, Vitz encouraged dog owners to keep their pets indoors at night.

Surprisingly, the scary incident didnt come between Wadness and his love for hiking with Micah. The duo were already back at the Noon Hill Reservation for their usual hike as early as Wednesday, just a day after the attack.

The post Owl Nearly Snatches Dog, Injures Dog Owner appeared first on DogTime.
Asian longhorned ticks (ALTs) have been spreading across the Eastern and Midwestern U.S. since at least 2017, according to the Center for Disease Prevention (CDC), and the pests' numbers are now on the rise in Ohio a recent study from the Ohio State University reveals. According to the study's authors, 9,287 invasive ticks were removed from a farm in eastern Ohio in the summer of 2021 after three cattle were reported dead from tick bites by the landowner.

During the studylead-authored by Ohio State Assistant Professor of Veterinary Preventive Medicine Risa Pesapanescientists continued to monitor the invasive tick population after most of the pests were killed off with pesticides. They found that the Asian longhorn ticks returned to the pasture and continued to spread in June 2022, despite the tick control efforts undertaken in 2021.

You cannot spray your way out of an Asian longhorned tick infestation, Pesapane said in a Nov. 3 news release . "They are going to spread to pretty much every part of Ohio and they are going to be a long-term management problem. There is no getting rid of them."

Pesapane said that the cattle killed during the 2021 ALT infestation in eastern Ohio sustained thousands of tick bites. "One of those was a healthy male bull, about 5 years old," she said in the press release. "Enormous. To have been taken down by exsanguination by ticks, you can imagine that was tens of thousands of ticks on one animal." The term "exsanguination" refers to the action of draining a person, animal, or organ of the blood needed to sustain life.

On its website, the CDC says that ALTs, native to east Asia, have spread to 19 U.S. states since they were first reported in New Jersey in 2017. The list includes Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, and West Virginia.

According to Pesapane, the invasive tick's rapid spread lies in its ability to reproduce asexually, without mating. There are no other ticks in North America that do that. So they can just march on, with exponential growth, without any limitation of having to find a mate, Pesapane said. Where the habitat is ideal, and anecdotally it seems that un-mowed pastures are an ideal location, theres little stopping them from generating these huge numbers.

Read Next: Is Whitetail Deer Blood the Key to Fighting Lyme Disease in Humans?

The CDC is urging anyone who finds an Asian longhorn tick on a person, pet, or on livestock, to remove the pest as quickly as possible. "Save the tick in rubbing alcohol in a jar or a ziplock bag," the agency advises, "then contact your health department about steps you can take to prevent tick bites and tickborne diseases.
Now more than ever, companies need to know where their fibers come from. Being able to pinpoint a materials origin not only helps to provide more specific sustainability progress, benchmarking and reporting, but it also enables brands to make supported, substantiated claims about their products impact.

However, the apparel and textile industries long and complex supply chains make it challenging to have full confidence in tracing a material origin and the authenticity of the claims made about specific products. Most companies can only trace back to Tier 2, or their fabric supplier, leaving opportunities for counterfeit risks. In an effort to establish better traceability practices, wood-based fiber manufacturer the Lenzing Group created traceability and transparency systems and solutions to protect its fiber brands, TENCEL and LENZING ECOVERO. The companies that source Lenzing materials know they are getting the verified, sustainable lyocell and modal, compared to generic viscose fibers1.

More from Sourcing Journal

Respect and protection of trademarks are our core values, and we strongly believe that innovation is the lifeline for ongoing growth and development of the fashion and home textile value chain, said Harold Weghorst, vice president of global marketing and branding at Lenzing. For years, we have been taking proactive steps to enforce the TENCEL and LENZING ECOVERO trademarks to ensure that the rights of our partners and consumers are protected, and that only products made of authentic branded fibers bear the trademarks.

In 2018, Lenzing launched its Lenzing E-Branding Service for its supply chain partners. In this system, the manufacturer can have their fabric tested to ensure that it is authentic, meaning that they can accurately claim that their materials are made with Lenzing fibers. Once the test confirms the product contains Lenzing fibers, the producer receives a certificate which can be carried through to the brand buyer, enabling the consumer-facing retailer to apply for product licensing as well as branding materials from Lenzing.

Among the marketing materials available for e-commerce stores are free swing tickets and a Digital Hangtag tool. Even in todays digital retail environment, hangtags still provide an opportunity for brands to communicate benefits to better market products. A 2020 consumer survey conducted for Lenzing found that 88 percent of clothing shoppers and 86 percent of bedding buyers read hangtags. Lenzing E-Branding Service also includes a helpdesk that gives licensees direct access to experts who can assist them in the certification process.

The Lenzing E-Branding Service also provides peace of mind about fiber origin through traceability powered by a third-party blockchain technology service partner. This system creates a fiber-forward digital chain of custody. Each kilogram of fiber is represented with one digital coin, which is then transferred through the supply chain to follow the path from initial creation to the end consumer. This technology enables our partners and brands to trace and verify fibers along the value chain, guaranteeing authenticity from fiber to final product, said Weghorst.

By partnering with Lenzing, companies can leverage the powerful brands that the company has built over decades. The TENCEL brand originally launched in 1992, and it has strong brand awareness. A 2022 Lenzing survey of consumers in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific found that TENCEL was among the top four most recognized fiber ingredient brands. Additionally, among those who are aware, 62 percent will make an actual purchase.

Lenzing also boosts consumer awareness of its fibers through marketing campaigns as well as brand collaborations. As an example, TENCEL recently ran a campaign in partnership with Reformation that brought influencers to an Italian villa and provided them closets with co-branded apparel. In addition to this content generation, the campaign included a shoppable e-commerce experience and in-store activations in London and New York. Another example is Zaras Join Life Collection, which incorporated LENZING ECOVERO fibers and showcased this with the Join Life label for items that have been produced using technologies and raw materials that help Zara reduce the environmental impact of its products.

Both the TENCEL and LENZING ECOVERO brands stand for environmental responsibility, transparency and quality, which create feel-good fashion and home goods. Identifiable via tracing technology, these fibers are derived from natural raw materials from certified or controlled wood sources, hence they biodegrade2. Moreover, TENCEL Lyocell fibers are made from a resource-saving, closed-loop production process3, while LENZING ECOVERO fibers have been certified with the EU Ecolabel for environmental excellence4.

Lenzings Transparency Comes Full Circle campaign speaks to the four key pillars of its offering: Share, Prove, Partner and Track.

Share refers to the groups openness and accountability about its sustainability impact, sharing the relevant credentials and awards with customers and partners. Since 2018, Lenzing has been part of Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals man-made cellulosic fibers task team, minimizing solid waste and air emissions. Lenzing was also among the 12 global companies that received an AAA score in the most recent rankings from CDP (formerly Carbon Disclosure Project) for its environmental leadership.

Another element, Partner, refers to Lenzings collaboration with likeminded companies. The Prove pillar speaks to the authenticity of fibers and the assurance that comes along with Lenzings transparency, while Track reflects the groups traceability offerings that detail each step in the supply chain.

Since the introduction of Lenzing E-Branding Service in 2018, our mission is to pioneer the digitalization of value chain management with unprecedented transparency, said Weghorst. Through this one-stop portal that provides unprecedented transparency to users, we are supporting the traceability efforts of our customers and partners, from product raw materials to final products.

Click here to learn more about trust in TENCEL for transparency.

According to the Higg Materials Sustainability Index (Higg MSI), TENCEL Lyocell has a significantly lower environmental impact than generic lyocell in the categories of energy consumption (fossil fuels), global warming, water consumption and eutrophication. TENCEL Modal has a significantly lower environmental impact than generic modal in the categories of energy consumption (fossil fuels), global warming, water consumption and eutrophication. TENCEL and LENZING ECOVERO fibers are certified by TUV Austria as biodegradable in soil, freshwater and marine environments, and compostable under home and industrial conditions. TENCEL Lyocell is known for its innovative closed loop production process. Wood pulp is transformed into cellulosic fibers, while process water and more than 99.8 percent of the solvent is recovered and fed back into the loop, resulting in close-to-zero wastage. EU Ecolabel for textile products (license no. AT/016/001)
The new RSV vaccine is recommended for pregnant women because the benefits pass to the fetus. (Stocksy) (Stocksy)

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. However, it can be serious, or fatal, for infants, as well as for older adults.

To protect the most vulnerable, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently recommended the use of a new RSV vaccine for pregnant women for the first time because the benefits pass to the fetus. However, some women seeking the vaccine are having a hard time finding it, even as RSV cases start to climb.

What is RSV?

RSV is a pediatric respiratory infection that is common in the winter months. About 70,000 children under the age of 5 get it and around 200 kids die from it per year, most of whom are under 6 months, Dr. Gil Weiss tells Yahoo Life. Weiss is an ob-gyn at the Association for Womens Health Care and assistant professor of clinical medicine in the department of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern Memorial Hospital.

According to the CDC, up to 80,000 children under 5 are hospitalized with RSV annually. Last year during the RSV season, children's hospitals across the country were overwhelmed by sick babies, says Weiss. The CDC expects a similar number of hospitalizations from RSV this year.

Although there is a preventative shot infants and toddlers can get to protect them from RSV, its in short supply. That shortage has left many infants at increased risk of hospitalization and death from RSV.

Why should pregnant women consider getting the vaccine?

The shortage of RSV shots for children is concerning, but there is something pregnant women can do to protect their newborns. If women get the RSV vaccine while pregnant, the protective benefits pass to their babies. The recommended maternal vaccine is called Abrysvo and is different from the preventative shot recommended for infants.

The American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommends that pregnant people get the RSV vaccine between 32 and 36 weeks of pregnancy, according to Dr. David Caiseda, an ob-gyn and medical director of the womens health outpatient office practice at the University of Maryland Charles Regional Medical Group.

Once the mother is vaccinated, she is going to have an immune response to the vaccine, Caiseda tells Yahoo Life. She will create antibodies that will travel through the placenta into the baby and the babies are going to be born protected against the RSV infection for the first six months of life.

Some pregnant women are concerned about getting the RSV vaccine while pregnant. However, Caiseda says there are few risks for the woman except for the usual response to any other vaccine we may receive. In contrast, the risks of not getting the RSV vaccine while pregnant are high. When given to pregnant women, the RSV vaccine was shown to reduce severe infection in infants by 91% at three months after birth and by about 77% at six months, Weiss says.

Why is the RSV vaccine hard to find?

Some pregnant women who want the vaccine are having a hard time finding it in stock. Jerica Pitts, senior director of global media relations for Pfizer, the company that makes the RSV vaccine for pregnant women, tells Yahoo Life that there isnt a shortage of vaccines for maternal use. But that doesnt mean RSV is easy to find.

New mom Gabriela Sasko wanted the RSV vaccine in her third trimester but wasnt able to get the shot from her ob-gyn. She tells Yahoo Life that she wanted to provide our child with the healthiest and best options for their future and be proactive in protecting and preventing potential illness in our soon-to-be newborn. But getting the recommended vaccine took a lot of effort on her part.

Finding the drug in stock was a bit troublesome, she says. Along with her partner Austin, Sasko says that we called maybe 10 places until someone recommended a location that had the vaccine in stock. Similarly, Weiss says that he knows of some patients outside of Chicago, where he works, that are experiencing a limit in supplies of the vaccine.

Dr. Rakhee Patel, an ob-gyn with Pinewood Family Care, who is Saskos ob-gyn, tells Yahoo Life that the shortage of the RSV vaccine may be caused by production issues, distribution problems or increased demand, particularly during peak RSV season.

What should pregnant people do if they cant access the RSV vaccine?

Caiseda says that if pregnant people cant get the RSV vaccine from their ob-gyn, they shouldnt give up and should keep looking. The vaccine may be available at vaccination centers, including local pharmacies, or from primary care physicians, he says. Pregnant people can also use VaxAssist to help them find somewhere with the RSV vaccine in stock.

If that doesnt work, Patel recommends following steps to help reduce the risk of contracting RSV. If a pregnant person cannot get the RSV vaccine due to a shortage, they should practice good hygiene, avoid contact with sick individuals and discuss alternative strategies with their health care provider, Patel says.

Caiseda stresses the importance of getting the RSV vaccine while pregnant, even if it takes some effort to find. Prevention is always the best medicine for any condition, he says.
LUSAKA, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has partnered with Stanbic Bank Zambia, a local bank, to plant 10,000 trees at the source of the Zambezi River, one of the country's largest rivers, according to a statement released Wednesday.

The initiative to plant trees at the source of Africa's fourth longest river in the Ikelenge district in northwestern Zambia was a continuation of the "Let's Secure the Zambezi" campaign which has been running for the past two years to tackle the devastating effect of climate change.

Nachilala Nkombo, the WWF country director for Zambia, said the organization was delighted to partner with Stanbic Bank to secure the Zambezi River, the country's most precious water source.

"We are delighted to continue on this journey for environmental sustainability. Let's secure the Zambezi campaign will limit the damage of deforestation in Ikelenge district and the surrounding area and promote environmental conservation," she said in the statement.

The campaign will have beneficial effects not only for the people in the district but also for millions of people who depend on the river in Zambia, Angola, Zimbabwe and Mozambique, she declared.

She added that the second phase of the campaign will engage a broader group of stakeholders with exciting activities aimed at preserving the natural environment and ecosystem, adding that the planting of 10,000 trees could not be actualized without the involvement of the local community.

Mwindwa Siakalima, the bank's chief executive officer, said planting trees will help combat climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions and bringing an increased supply of oxygen into the ecosystem.

According to him, the bank will also be launching a documentary to raise awareness of the importance of maintaining and restoring the ecosystem in and around the Zambezi River that will demonstrate the scale of the threat the source of the river faces.

"Human activities and climate change are together affecting the ecological balance of an area rich in flora, fauna and wildlife," he said. 
Eurasia's tallest volcano has violently erupted, throwing a 1,000-mile-long (1,600 kilometers) cloud of dust and ash into the air, new NASA satellite images show.

Klyuchevskoy, sometimes referred to as Klyuchevskaya Sopka, is an active stratovolcano in Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, which is home to more than 300 other volcanos. Klyuchevskoy's peak stands at 15,584 feet (4,750 meters) above sea level, making it taller than any other volcano in Asia or Europe, according to the Kamchatka Volcanic Eruption Response Team (KVERT).

Klyuchevskoy has been continually erupting since mid-June. But on Nov. 1, a massive volcanic explosion released a torrent of smoke and ash, which reached a maximum height of 7.5 miles (12 km) above Earth's surface, according to NASA's Earth Observatory .

The smoke and ash plume prompted KVERT to temporarily raise the aviation alert level to red (the highest possible level), which grounded planes in the area. Several schools were also evacuated due to the increase in air pollution.

The Landsat 8 satellite, which is co-run by NASA and the U.S. Geological Survey, captured a striking false-color image of the eruption plume (shown above), in which the red lava plume and grey smoke stand out against the surrounding blue-colored clouds.

NASA's Aqua satellite also captured a wider true-color image of the plume (shown below), which shows that the river of smoke was around 1,000 miles long at the time. But the plume may have eventually stretched up to 1,400 miles (2,255 km) long, according to the Smithsonian Institution's Global Volcanism Program .

Related: The 12 biggest volcanic eruptions in recorded history

The outburst only lasted for a few days, and it now appears that Klyuchevskoy may have stopped erupting altogether, according to KVERT.

The Kamchatka Peninsula is part of the Pacific Ring of Fire  a 25,000-mile-long (40,200 km) tectonic belt that circumscribes the Pacific Ocean and contains around three-quarters of the world's active volcanos .

The Ring of Fire has also recently been active in other areas: On Oct. 30, an underwater volcanic eruption off the coast of the Japanese island Iwo Jima birthed a brand new tiny island of hardened magma, which can also be seen from space .

A satellite image of a large eruption plume stretching across Russia and the Pacific Ocean

While the trail of smoke and ash given off by Klyuchevskoy was enormous, it is still quite a way off some of the largest eruption plumes ever seen.

The tallest eruption plume in recorded history was the towering pillar of smoke, ash and water vapor from the eruption of Tonga's underwater volcano in January 2022, which rose to 35.4 miles (57 km) above sea level .

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Following the Tonga eruption, scientists warned that the record amount of water vapor it released into the stratosphere could weaken the ozone layer . And in September this year, scientists partially attributed the eruption as the cause of an unusually large ozone hole above Antarctica .

However, Klyuchevskoy's latest eruption plume will likely have no real impact on the ozone layer because it contained much less water vapor and did not reach as high up in the atmosphere.
Holiday season is here and stores are already putting out themed gifts and having sales, which means shoppers are starting to pour in. If you like to get some early gift shopping in, then chances are you'll be amongst the crowds.

And, after a long day of spending money on not-yourself, the best way to treat yourself is, of course, a meal.

Luckily, there are a lot of locally owned restaurants and eateries throughout the Fox Valley's prime shopping areas, like the Fox River Mall in Grand Chute and the College Avenue area in downtown Appleton.

Here are some places you can get eat before or after your day of shopping.

If you're doing your shopping at Fox River Mall

The mall is the hotspot for many major brands in the Fox Valley area, and surrounded by lots of places to eat. Besides the mall food court here's some locally owned options.

If you're coming from the Heart of the Valley and looking for a breakfast spot to hit before your day of shopping, Galvan's Restaurant and Pancake House, 2220 E. Northland Ave., is a perfect spot. It first opened in 1998 and sits only a 12-minute drive from the mall. The menu is full of different omelets, skillets, crepes, breakfast combos, waffles, pancakes and other breakfast staples. The restaurant also serves savory lunch and dinner options, like sandwiches and burgers.

Banana nut pancakes are a customer favorite at Galvan's located at 2220 E. Northland Avenue Monday, November 13, 2023, in Appleton, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

Sam Useini, owner and manager of Galvan's, said the restaurant always sees an uptick in business around the holidays.

"We've been here for over 20 years so we're pretty established," Useini said. "I don't do much advertising but we still see more business around this time of the year."

If you're shopping with a group, The DINER, 3011 W. Wisconsin Ave., and Mary's Family Restaurant, 2312 N. Richmond St., are family-friendly dining options with both breakfast and dinner meals which aren't too far from the mall, but just beyond the thick of the traffic.

For those looking for a quick snack that isn't a drive-thru, Taste Of The Windy City, 3402 N. Richmond St., is a good place to go. Only 10 minutes from the mall and right near an Interstate 41 exit, this quick-eatery offers Chicago-native meals like Chicago style hot dogs, sandwiches, subs, wraps, pizzas, gyros and more.

Taste of the Windy City located at 3402 N. Richmond Street Monday, November 13, 2023, in Appleton, Wis. Dan Powers/USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin.

Our last two recommendations are right next to the mall, and offer some cultural flare.

The first, Eggrolls Inc., 1015 Mutual Way  near Walmart, TJ Maxx & HomeGoods  offers a wide variety of eggroll flavors including pork, chicken, Mexican, breakfast, spicy curry chicken, Hawaiian, and veggie.

Those looking for a sit-down meal and a drink might also consider Osario's Latin Fusion, 1910 N. Casaloma Drive, five minutes north of the mall. The restaurant serves Latin cuisine with its own personal twist and a list of uniquely flavored drinks and margaritas.

For those who prefer to shop locally for gifts

College Avenue is the heart of locally owned business for the city. From clothing stores to crystal shops there's a plethora of choices to find a holiday gift. Not too far from these shops are a few locally owned restaurants as well.

The Cozzy Corner, 111 N. Walnut St., has been a popular spot in the downtown area since it opened in 2012. It's known for its southern cuisine and BBQ dishes. The menu features entrees like fried chicken, baby back ribs, catfish, pulled pork and traditional sides like mac and cheese, collard green, fried okra and hush puppies. End the meal with comforting desserts like peach cobbler, banana pudding or sweet potato pie.

Because the weather is more than likely going to be cold, Bowl 91, 100 E. College Ave., is a close option to warm your hands and body with ramen and other soups while walking up and down the avenue. The Asian-themed restaurant also offers pho, rice bowls, stir fry, fried rice and a number of traditional appetizers.

No matter which end of the avenue your shopping takes you to, you can find comfort food. Our picks for this area are The Wooden Nickle, 217 E. College Ave. and Spats, 733 W. College Ave., which both offer a relaxed vibe with a full bar and traditional American cuisine like burgers, steaks and sandwiches.

The relocated Author's Kitchen + Bar is at 125 E. College Ave. in downtown Appleton.

Author's Kitchen and Bar, 125 E. College Ave, has gained a lot of interest recently, earning a spot on Yelp's 100 best midwestern restaurants. Reviewers rated the restaurant 4.8 out of 5 for its brunch menu, cocktails and waitstaff. The restaurant also has an expansive dinner menu with options like seared salmon, braised beef short ribs, and chicken Florentine.

More: This Appleton eatery was named one of Yelp's best 100 restaurants in the Midwest for 2023

Reach Jelissa Burns at 920-453-5107 or jburns1@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter at @burns_jelissa or on Instagram at burns_jelissa.

This article originally appeared on Appleton Post-Crescent: Appleton restaurants near College Avenue, Fox River Mall serve shoppers
Iceland's potentially imminent eruption in the Reykjanes Peninsula is part of a 1,000-year cycle of volcanic activity that will likely cause eruptions for centuries, scientists say.

"Time's finally up," Edward W. Marshall , a researcher at the University of Iceland's Nordic Volcanological Center, told Live Science in an email. "We can get ready for another few hundred years of eruptions on the Reykjanes."

Seismic activity began increasing in the south of the peninsula in October, with hundreds of earthquakes recorded there each day. On Nov. 10, authorities evacuated the town of Grindavik, with experts warning an volcanic eruption could take place in just days.

Infographic showing the seismic activity that has hit Iceland in recent weeks

According to the Icelandic Met Office (IMO), a magma tunnel stretching 9.3 miles (15 kilometers) formed beneath the ground between Sundhnukur in the north and Grindavik. The area affected also encompasses the Blue Lagoon geothermal spa  a tourist hotspot that attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors annually.

Related: Underwater volcanic eruption gives birth to new island in the Pacific

Magma in the tunnel  also known as a dike  appears to be rising to the surface, and there is a high risk of it breaking through. The greatest area of magma upwelling is currently close to Sundhnukur, about 2 miles (3.5 km) northeast of Grindavik, according to the IMO. Researchers believe the amount of magma in the tunnel is "significantly more" than what was present during the eruptions at Fagradalsfjall , which sparked back to life in 2021 after more than 800 years of inactivity.

That 2021 eruption marked the start of a new cycle of volcanic activity on the Reykjanes Peninsula. Geological records show periods of inactivity last between 600 and 1,200 years, which is then followed by pulses of eruptions lasting between 200 and 500 years, Clive Oppenheimer , a professor of volcanology at the University of Cambridge in the U.K., told Live Science in an email.

"It looks like 2021 kicked off a new eruptive phase which might see the several fault zones crossing the [Reykjanes Peninsula] firing on and off for centuries," he said.

vehicles leaving the town of Grindavik, southwestern Iceland, during evacuation following earthquakes., with the sea in the background

The Reykjanes Peninsula sits above two tectonic plates that are being pulled apart. The strain that builds up is released in bursts as part of the cycle. "We are now in one of these pulses," David Pyle , a volcanologist and professor of Earth sciences at the University of Oxford, U.K, told Live Science in an email. "Each eruption releases just a bit more of the stored-up strain, and eventually, when all of that strain has been released, then the eruptions will stop."

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It is currently unclear if an eruption will take place as a result of the magma tunnel. "These sorts of dikes are actually a tectonic, not a magmatic feature. In other words, the lava is filling a fracture, not forcing its way into the rock," Marshall said.

Should a fissure emerge, an eruption could last for several weeks. The large amount of magma involved compared with previous eruptions in the region could result in more lava flow at the surface, Oppenheimer said.

What happens next is a waiting game, Marshall said. "I predict  if an eruption occurs  that it will occur between a few days to threeish weeks. If it hasn't erupted in three weeks, I don't think it will happen. Cooling will begin to close the fractures."
Sign up for CNNs Wonder Theory science newsletter. Explore the universe with news on fascinating discoveries, scientific advancements and more.

The United Kingdom has become the first country to give regulatory approval to a medical treatment involving the revolutionary CRISPR gene editing tool.

The countrys Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said Thursday it had given a greenlight to a treatment known as Casgevy, which will be used to treat sickle cell disease and beta thalassemia. Both genetic conditions are caused by errors in the genes for hemoglobin, which is used by red blood cells to carry oxygen around the body. There is no known universally successful treatment for either disorder.

Sickle cell disease, which can result in attacks of debilitating pain, is more common in people with an African or Caribbean family background. Beta thalassemia mainly affects people of Mediterranean, South Asian, Southeast Asian and Middle Eastern origin, the statement said.

Both sickle cell disease and -thalassemia are painful, life-long conditions that in some cases can be fatal. To date, a bone marrow transplant  which must come from a closely matched donor and carries a risk of rejection  has been the only permanent treatment option, said Julian Beach, the interim executive director of healthcare quality and access at the MHRA, in a statement.

I am pleased to announce that we have authorised an innovative and first-of-its-kind gene-editing treatment called Casgevy, which in trials has been found to restore healthy haemoglobin production in the majority of participants with sickle-cell disease and transfusion-dependent -thalassaemia, relieving the symptoms of disease.

The promise of CRISPR-Cas9

The CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technique allows scientists to make very precise changes to DNA. Its inventors  Emmanuelle Charpentier and Jennifer A. Doudna  won a Nobel Prize in chemistry in 2020.

Casgevy isnt a simple pill or injection. The treatment, made by Vertex Pharmaceuticals, is administered by taking stem cells out of a patients bone marrow and editing a gene in the cells in a lab. Patients then must undergo a conditioning treatment, which can involve an immunosuppressing drug, radiotherapy or chemotherapy, to prepare the bone marrow before the modified cells are infused back into the patient, according to the MHRA.

After that, patients may need to spend at least a month in a hospital facility while the treated cells take up residence in the bone marrow and start to make red blood cells with the stable form of haemoglobin, according to the statement.

The US Food and Drug Administration is evaluating the same treatment and is expected to make a decision on whether to greenlight it by December 8.

This is a great step in the advancement of medical approaches to tackle genetic diseases we never thought would be possible to cure, said Alena Pance, a senior lecturer in genetics at the University of Hertfordshire, in a statement released by the Science Media Centre, which provides information to journalists.

Modifying the stem cells from the bone marrow of the patient avoids the problems associated with immune compatibility, i.e. searching for donors that match the patient and following immunosuppression, and constituting a real cure of the disease rather than a treatment, Pance added.

The release from the MHRA did not say how much the treatment would cost, but its likely to be expensive.

CRISPR-Cas9 has had a major impact on biomedical research, clinical medicine and agriculture and is widely used in labs around the world.

The cutting-edge technology was tainted with controversy after Chinese scientist He Jiankui announced in 2018 he had created the worlds first gene-edited babies. Scientists say the powerful technique should not be used to manipulate human genes that will be passed down from one generation to the next.

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By Issy Ronald, CNN

(CNN)  Iceland has declared a state of emergency and more than 3,000 residents have been urged to evacuate the small, coastal town of Grindavik as the countrys authorities anticipate the imminent eruption of a volcano in its southwestern peninsula.

Scientists monitoring the situation, including those at Icelands Met Office, observed changes to the situation on Sunday that could indicate magma is moving closer to the surface, and concluded on Monday that the greatest area of magma upwelling is in an area 3.5 kilometers (two miles) northeast of Grindavik.

So, what do we know about this potential eruption, what are its risks, how could it affect travel and why is Iceland, an island of just 103,000 square kilometers (40,000 square miles), home to so much seismic activity?

What happens if the volcano erupts?

Iceland is facing events that its 360,000 residents have not experienced before, at least not since the eruption in Vestmannaeyjar, the countrys Civil Protection Agency said on Friday, referencing a 1973 eruption that began without warning and destroyed 400 homes.

A 15-kilometer- (nine-mile-) long magma corridor now stretches from just northwest of Grindavik into the Atlantic Ocean, according to the Civil Protection Agency, which used models built from data collected in the area on Saturday.

Magma is a mixture of molten and semi-molten rock beneath the surface of the Earth that can cause an eruption when it finds its way to the surface, becoming lava.

If the magma erupts beneath the sea, it will be more explosive than if it erupts on land, experts say, though an eruption on land would be a greater threat to Grindavik itself.

It could become explosive if the magma interacts with sea water, Michele Paulatto, a research fellow at Imperial College London, said in a statement.

If it erupts undersea, it could cause a Surtseyan eruption similar to the one that happened in 1963, also in Iceland, and created the island of Surtsey. That particular eruption lasted several years, so this is a possibility, he added.

Bill McGuire, Professor Emeritus of Geophysical & Climate Hazards at University College London, said in a statement that there is no reason, currently, to think that this eruption will be especially big, though he noted that it is notoriously hard to forecast how big an eruption will be.

The evacuated town of Grindavik is very close to the position of the new fracture, and its survival is far from assured, he added. Everything depends upon where magma eventually reaches the surface, but the situation doesnt look good for the residents of the town.

There is still a possibility that the magma will not come to the surface at all. As Dave McGarvie, a volcanologist at the University of Lancaster in the UK, pointed out in a statement, not all dikes breach the surface to form eruptions  perhaps only one in every three or four.

He added: The best-case scenario is that this happens to the 15-km-long dike that has just formed, and that it simply cools and solidifies  and does not erupt.

However, some effects of the seismic activity are already apparent. Roads have been damaged as a result of earthquakes in the area, with the Icelandic road administration sharing photos on social media of crumbling tarmac, broken sidewalks and gaping cracks in the road.

After scientists said they couldnt rule out the magma tunnel reaching Grindavik, the Civil Protection Agency evacuated the town on Friday night, though some residents were allowed back to one area on Sunday under police escort to retrieve pets and essential items.

The famous Blue Lagoon, a geothermal spa about seven kilometers (four miles) north of Grindavik that draws tourists to its steaming water, closed on Thursday as a precaution.

Toxic fumes are a real concern, the main being sulfur dioxide which can be corrosive and cause breathing problems, Paulatto added. Its not something we need to worry about in the UK, but the local population and tourists can be affected depending on the prevailing wind direction.

Is Reykjavik safe from the volcano?

Grindavik is about 70 kilometers (43 miles) southwest of Icelands capital city, Reykjavik. Authorities have not issued an evacuation order for Reykjavik, suggesting they believe it wouldnt be affected by an eruption.

However, Icelands only international airport, Keflavik, is less than 20 miles from Grindavik.

Will it cause travel disruption?

Experts dont expect a volcanic eruption to cause the same level of chaos as that seen in 2010 when the Eyjafjallajokull volcano erupted, since it is unlikely to involve the glacial ice that led to a huge ash cloud.

About 100,000 flights were canceled, affecting 2 million people, as a result of the ash spewed out by the 2010 eruption, which threatened to stall aircraft engines and cause electrical failure.

Eyjafjallajokull involved an eruption through or next to glacial ice that melted and provided water that made the eruption more explosive than it would otherwise have been, hence the high eruption plume and very wide ash dispersal, Lionel Wilson, Emeritus Professor of Earth & Planetary Sciences at Lancaster University, said in a statement.

This should not happenso they will just be dealing with weakly explosive lava fountains feeding lava flows.

What about previous eruptions in 2014 and 2021?

Iceland is accustomed to volcanic eruptions, though they often occur in the wilderness, away from populated areas. The Bararbunga volcanic system situated in the center of the country erupted in 2014, producing lava that covered 84 square kilometers (32 square miles) of highland that didnt damage any communities.

The Fagradalsfjall volcanic system erupted in 2021 for the first time in more than 6,000 years. It also didnt threaten populated areas and even became a tourist attraction as people flocked to witness a volcanic eruption.

Why are there so many volcanos in Iceland?

Iceland sits on a tectonic plate boundary that continually splits apart, pushing North America and Eurasia away from each other along the line of the Mid-Atlantic Ridge. A powerful mantle plume, an area that is hotter than the surrounding magma, sits below it, which melts and thins the Earths crust. These conditions have made Iceland home to 32 active volcanoes.

The-CNN-Wire

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Photo by Joseph De Leo, Food Styling by Kaitlin Wayne

As recipe developers, were often begging our audience not to skip certain steps that might seem superfluous at first glance. Setting up an ice bath when blanching green beans or bringing your eggs to room temperature for chocolate chip cookie bars may elicit an eye roll from many of you, but if we didnt think these tasks were indispensable, we wouldnt include them in the first place. But there are certain tasks that even the experts debate the necessity ofto dock or not to dock your pie dough is one of them. And as we get close to Turkey Day, you too might be wondering whether skipping this extra step is truly a make-or-break situation for your Thanksgiving pies.

What does it mean to dock your pie dough?

The process of docking is simple: It involves rolling out your dough, then pricking a bunch of holes across the surface with a fork or a docker. This is done specifically for the blind baking processyou set the dough on a pie dish, line it with parchment or aluminum foil, fill it with pie weights or assorted grains, beans, and even granulated sugar, and then fully or partially bake it. As the butter starts to melt, it creates steam, which causes the crust to puff up.

For the most part, the puffing is a good thingits what makes your crust flaky. But without the weights, the steam turns into large, uneven air bubbles across the bottom while the sides start to slump and shrink. And docking functions as reinforcement against these air bubbles, allowing the steam to escape during the blind baking process.

Pie and tart recipes that involve a pastry crust, like chocolate pudding pie, or a cookie-dough base, like banana cream pie with chocolate-chip-cookie-crust, will often call for docking. In many of these pies, the filling is either no-bake or takes much less time in the oven than raw dough, begetting the need for a prebaked crust.

If youre making a graham cracker crust for a Key lime pie or a chocolate cookie crust for a chocolate cream pie, you can probably skip the docking step. In these instances, the butter is already melted and is used as a way to simply bind the ingredients to form a sturdy base for a liquidy filling. Additionally, old-fashioned fruit pies, like apple or berry, dont involve any blind baking as both the crust and the filling take about the same time to finish, thereby eliminating the need for docking altogether.

Chocolate Pudding Pie - IG Photo by Elizabeth Coetzee, Food Styling by Tiffany Schleigh

Do I need to dock my pie dough?

I posed this very question to our staffs Slack channel, and many of my coworkers immediately expressed their pro-docking stance. No air bubbles here! was the unanimous reason. But test kitchen director Chris Morocco entered the chat with a slightly different take. It depends, he said, if youre working with a fairly fluid filling, there can be a danger of it seeping through. If you are going to dock your crust, Morocco suggests gently brushing some egg wash onto the pastry bottom once you remove the weights. After a few additional minutes in the oven, this will help seal the holes created by docking.

For Lauren Ko, author of Pieometry and creator of pies that could very well belong in MOMA, docking is optional. Honestly, I never [dock my pie dough] mostly because I forget, she explained to me over email. But Ko has perfected a blind baking method that yields a uniform, crisp base without the need for docking. I like to freeze the pie shell solid, line tightly with foil, and then fill the cavity full to the brim with weights, she says. I then bake for about 20 to 30 minutes, remove the foil and weights, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes until the crust begins to look golden and flaky.

According to Ko, the key to this method is to bake the crust until there are no visible raw patches before removing the weights. Anytime I havent baked the crust long enough before removing the weights, it does puff up, Ko says, then I have to dock the crust retroactively, which tends to be too little too late. But the shell is by no means ruined, she explains, just a little misshapen by the time its deflated.

Sally McKenny, the brains behind the wildly popular blog, Sallys Baking Addiction, also has a blind baking method of her own, and to her, holes are an integral part of the process. McKenny, who always docks her pie dough when blind baking, bakes the crust with weights first. After the sides have set (the sides begin to brown a bit), I remove the weights, she explains, and then I dock the bottom with a fork and put the crust back in the oven. The holes, she says, function as an escape route for steam but eventually meld together as the crust is done blind baking.

Morocco, Ko, McKenny, along with every avid pie baker on our staff, have their own opinions on docking pie dough. And you might too. If your tried-and-true method involves poking holes in your dough, more power to you! But if you, like Ko, sometimes fall victim to the fickleness of your memory, forgetting to dock your pie isnt necessarily the end of the world. Regardless of the process, the goal remains the same: uniform, crisp, golden brown shell for a cornucopia of fillings. And there is more than one way to get there.

Originally Appeared on Epicurious

More Thanksgiving cooking inspiration from Epicurious
Good kitchen hygiene is always important. You should wash your hands before you start cooking and after handling raw meat. But washing your turkey on Thanksgiving morning? Not so fast. You can actually cause more harm than good. Heres why you should never rinse your turkey  and how to safely prepare your raw bird.

The Problem with Washing Your Turkey

There is no need to wash your turkey, says Kali Kneil, professor of microbial food safety at the University of Delaware. You risk splashing bacteria on other surfaces in the kitchen or spreading bacteria around onto your countertops, Kneil says. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), U.S. federal agencies have recommended not washing raw turkey for nearly 20 years, and yet its still an incredibly common practice.

A turkey bath can also lead to cross-contamination with other foods. And raw turkey has no shortage of stuff you want to avoid: According to the CDC, it can contain Salmonella, Campylobacter, and other bacteria and germs, which could cause diarrhea, vomiting, and more.

How to Practice Safe Turkey Prep

Thankfully, careful turkey preparations can help prevent unwanted problems from cramping your Thanksgiving style. First, always wash your hands before and after handling raw turkey  the CDC recommends at least a 20-second scrub.

You also need to properly store your bird before the big day. Keep a fresh turkey in the refrigerator until you are ready to cook it, Kneil says. And keep a frozen turkey in your freezer until youre ready to thaw it, according to the CDC. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) recommends thawing a turkey in the refrigerator, as this environment provides a consistent, safe temperature, Kneil says. She adds that it takes a long time to thaw  as in, multiple days  so you should prepare accordingly.

Credit: Gene ploss / Shutterstock Credit: Gene ploss / Shutterstock

If you didnt put your main course in the fridge in time, the CDC says you can thaw turkey in the sink with cold water in a leak-proof plastic bag. The public health agency stresses that you must immediately cook a turkey thawed in cold water. Carefully remove the turkey from the packaging and dispose of the packaging into the trash, says Kniel. Then comes the cleanup! The USDA recommends washing any surfaces that come in contact with raw turkey or its juices, like your sink and countertops, with hot, soapy water. The federal agency also says you can sanitize surfaces with a solution of 1 tablespoon of unscented, liquid chlorine bleach per gallon of water.

Other health and safety tidbits to remember as you cook include the CDCs rec to use one cutting board for raw turkey and separate boards for other food. The agency also stresses immediately using hot, soapy water to wash all cutting boards, utensils, and surfaces touched by raw turkey.



Finally, ensure your turkey is fully cooked before you dig in  your thermometer should register a temperature of 165F at the innermost part of the thigh and the thickest part of the breast, Kniel says.
Invasive species are a hot-button topic in fishing. Even though invasive fish have recreational and economic silver linings, many people cant shake the idea that the invaders are ruining beloved fisheries. Nowhere is this more evident than with snakeheads, which have proven to not be as detrimental to the ecosystem as once feared and have fostered an ever-growing recreational enthusiasm that equates to lure sales, license sales, new anglers getting into the sport, and a damn fine meal on the table . But when a fish that we collectively know, love, and accept is invasive, the ire falls drastically short.

When Game Fish Are the Invaders

Just recently, the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission released a statement about blue catfish in the Delaware River, which I call home water. Their ask? Kill them on site if you catch them. These blue cats have worked their way into the system via the Chesapeake and Delaware Canals, and theyre cause for alarm because blue cats are ravenous bullies. In many rivers in Maryland and Virginia, theyve decimated blue claw crab populations and pushed out native channel catfish. These facts, however, seem to resonate very little in angling communities.

Why? I believe its because blue catfish are big-time recreational targets throughout the country and most people assume a lowly bottom feeder wont affect the other fish in the system. And because blue cats were purposely introduced in Virginia decades ago to boost recreational fishing opportunities, nobody wants to talk about how that was ultimately a boo-boo.

Meanwhile, state officials in Idaho are openly discussing how their walleye stocking program has gotten them in a bind. But it seems many anglers dont want to hear it.

Eye Sore

According to the Bonners Ferry Herald , Idahos walleye are having some boundary issues. The Idaho Department of Fish & Game stocked them in three reservoirs, but now they keep showing up where theyre not supposed to be, including in the lower Snake River. The agency believes the cause is twofold: The fish are naturally migrating upstream from the Columbia River, and anglers are releasing walleyes where they shouldnt be. The Herald story likens efforts to contain these fish to a romcom movie, though this one might not have a cute ending. Heres why, per the article:

Walleye are native to large Midwestern lakes that tend to have large and prolific forage bases of minnows, shiners, chubs and other small baitfish. Those baitfish are not available in most Idaho waters, so walleye are likely to eat other game fish that are highly valued by Idaho anglers. Eventually, those other fish species could be gone, or greatly diminished, and the end result could be a bunch of unhealthy, unsustainable walleye populations.

Walleyes are toothy predators that can harm native fish populations.

This could easily be a case of history repeating itself if you look at Canyon Ferry Reservoir in Montana. Walleye wound up there in the 1990s, and by the early 2000s, the thriving perch and trout populations had taken complete nosedives. While Canyon Ferry is still a popular destination for walleye anglers, the lack of a proper forage base makes it hard for the fish to reach trophy status, creating a fishery that's overrun with small- to medium-sized walleyes.

Gaming the System

The article claims that surveys conducted by IDFG prove that most anglers in the state would rather have strong trout, bass, panfish, and salmon populations, but that hasnt stopped a contingent of walleye zealots from accusing the department of being biased against these fish. They cant look beyond their reputation as a fine-eating target to consider the amount of time and resources the state devotes to keeping them in check. Nor do they think about the negative effects they may have on native salmon and steelhead. Neither species are as healthy as they were was historically, so having to compete with walleyes in the lower Snake River is another blow dealt.

Most critically, the article points out how anglers tend to want as many resources as possible put into the fish they like best. In Idahos case, walleye fans want state officials to figure out how to keep them in check so they can continue tossing them in the cooler. The agencys real task, however, is managing all the species within a given body of water. Ultimately, their decisions around walleye stocking are based on whether they feel harmony can be achieved. The desire of some anglers to be able to target walleye in more places than the designated reservoirs is making that harmony less and less attainable.

Read Next: Best Walleye Lures

At the end of the day, though, will Idaho walleyes and Delaware River blue cats get airtime on national news channels like snakeheads and Asian carp ? It's highly unlikely, because both species are so common and prized by the angling community at large that theyll never be truly vilified.
Twenty bills filed in the 2023 legislative session in Indiana had to do with firearms, including how to handle, sell and store them.

Of that batch, four became law. Two created state handgun training for teachers. Another allowed the federal government to receive information about people applying for a gun license if they're subject to a criminal investigation. A bill that essentially classified Glocks with "switches" as machine guns was also signed into law.

The remaining 16 bills did not make it onto the floor.

Here's a list of the gun-related bills that died last year, and whether the lawmakers who authored them intend to bring them back:

Prohibiting firearms at polling places

What the bill does: SB 14 would've prohibited a person from carrying a firearm in or near the polls, including certain areas where voters congregate and any room where ballots are being counted.

Author:Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D, District 2

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Yes

Penalizing failure to report lost or stolen firearms

What the bill does: SB 42 would have made it a Class C infraction to fail to report a lost or stolen firearm to state police or a law enforcement agency that has jurisdiction in the locations where the person believes the firearm was lost or stolen, within 30 days.

Author:Sen. J.D. Ford, D, District 29

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Undetermined. "The recently announced 5-bill limit on legislation Senators can introduce for the coming session means we have to be strategic. I will be fighting for gun safety policies like this one in every way I can regardless, but my decisions on the specific bills I will personally file for the 2024 session are still being made," Ford said in a statement.

A customer at the 2019 NRA Annual Meetings & Exhibits in Indianapolis tests out the grip on a handgun on Friday, April 26, 2019.

Allowing retired police officers to bring firearms to school

What the bill does: SB 137 would have allowed retired law enforcement officers to possess a firearm on school property under certain conditions.

Author:Sen. Jack Sandlin, R, District 36, co-author Gary Byrne, R, District 47

Is the bill likely to return in 2024?Sandlin died; Byrne did not respond to IndyStar.

Raising the minimum age required to carry a handgun

What the bill does: SB 144 would've changed the minimum age required to carry a handgun in Indiana from 18 to 21 years old under certain conditions.

Author:Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D, District 2

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Yes

Stiffer penalties for privately made firearms

What the bill does: SB 149 would've increased the penalty related to privately made firearms by a person who does not possess a valid federal firearms license. The bill would have made it a Level 5 felony to alter or own firearms whose identification marks have been removed.

Author:Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D, District 2

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Unsure

Adding money for fire safety training

What the bill does: SB 358 would have established a fund to provide schools and nonprofit organizations with training about firearm safety in the home, particularly in homes with children, as well as firearm suicide prevention. Among other measures, it included language defining "neglect of a dependent" to include how firearms are stored.

Author:Sen. Lonnie Randolph, D, District 2

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Unsure. "This is the first session I can remember where the majority has told the rest of us we are only allowed to bring five bills. That makes it difficult when we are facing so many important issues in East Chicago and statewide. I am listening closely to my constituents and working with my caucus to figure out what I can carry that has the best chance of making an impact."

Making it harder for a person convicted of domestic battery to own a firearm

What the bill does: SB 360 would have made it unlawful for a person convicted of domestic battery to own or carry a handgun unless the right has been restored. A person protected under an order also would have been allowed to carry a handgun without a license for 60 days after the order is issued if they meet other requirements.

Authors:Sen. Fady Qaddoura, D, District 30

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Yes, with some changes

What the bill does:HB 1486 would have required people convicted of domestic violence crimes to surrender their firearms within 72 hours.

Author: Rep. Vernon Smith, D, District 14

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Yes

Raising the age to buy 'assault weapons'

What the bill does: SB 361 would have made it a Level 6 felony for a licensed firearm dealer to sell a "semiautomatic assault weapon" or a large capacity ammunition feeding device to a person who is younger than age 21.

Author: Sen. Ron Alting, R, District 22

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Alting did not respond to IndyStar.

What the bill does: HB 1238 would have prohibited a licensed dealer from selling or delivering a "semiautomatic assault weapon" to a person under 21 years of age.

Author: Rep. Chris Campbell, D, District 26

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Campbell said while her bills are not finalized yet, she would like to propose the legislation again this upcoming session.

Protecting the Second Amendment

What the bill does: HB 1117 would have made federal laws, executive orders or administrative orders that infringe on the constitutional right to keep and bear arms unenforceable in Indiana.

Author:Rep. Lorissa Sweet, R, District 50

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Sweet did not respond to IndyStar.

Providing state income tax credits for firearm safety

What the bill does: HB 1347 would have provided state income tax credits for gun owners who receive qualified firearms instruction or purchase a qualified firearms storage device.

Author:Rep. Jim Lucas, R, District 69

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Undecided

Letting law enforcement trade confiscated firearms

What the bill does: HB 1348 would have allowed law enforcement agencies to get rid of certain confiscated firearms by exchanging them with a licensed firearms dealer, manufacturer or another law enforcement agency for new firearms and other law enforcement equipment.

Author: Rep. Jim Lucas, R, District 69

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Yes

Penalizing people who fail to safely store firearms at home

What the bill does: HB 1366 would have prohibited a person from storing a loaded firearm at home in a way that a child could likely gain access to the firearm.

Author:Rep. Mitch Gore, D, District 89

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Yes

Keeping firearms locked and unloaded

What the bill does: HB 1471 would have required gun owners to keep their firearms locked and unloaded, and store ammunition in a location separate from the firearm.

Author:Rep. Pat Boy, D, District 9

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? No

Requiring liability insurance to carry a handgun

What the bill does: HB 1487 would have required a person who carries a handgun to obtain and continuously maintain liability insurance that covers losses or damages resulting from the negligent or accidental use of the handgun.

Author: Rep. Vernon Smith, D, District 14

Is the bill likely to return in 2024? Yes

Contact Sarah Nelson at 317-503-7514 or sarah.nelson@indystar.com

This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: 16 Indiana gun bills died last year. Which ones will return
Two people have been charged in an accidental shooting in the Middle Smithfield Elementary School parking lot in October.

The Pennsylvania State Police said that Ana Karen De Los Santos was charged Wednesday with endangering the welfare of a child, recklessly endangering another person, possession of a firearm prohibited, and possession of a weapon on school property.

Winslow Jimenez Zabala is charged with endangering the welfare of a child and recklessly endangering another person.

On Wednesday, Oct. 4, a 3-year-old child allegedly fired off a shot after being left in a vehicle with their 11-year-old sibling by De Los Santos to pick up one of her kids at Middle Smithfield Elementary School. There were no injuries.

The gun, a 9mm Glock, was allegedly left in an unlocked case in the vehicle by her fiance, Jimenez Zabala.

Both De Los Santos and Jimenez are awaiting a preliminary hearing after being arraigned.

Max Auguliaro is the public safety and government watchdog reporter at the Pocono Record. Reach him at MAugugliaro@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Child left in car finds, shoots gun in school parking lot
People protest against a possible amnesty for Catalan politicians involved in an independence referendum outside the Congress of Deputies of Spain in Madrid, Spain, on Nov. 15, 2023. The Congress of Deputies (Parliament) started Wednesday the second debate on the investiture of Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez as the country's next prime minister following the July 23 general election. (Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

MADRID, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- The Congress of Deputies (Parliament) started Wednesday the second debate on the investiture of Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez as the country's next prime minister following the July 23 general election.

The agreements signed by the PSOE with other parties in recent days are expected to guarantee him 179 supporting votes in the 350-seat Congress, three more than the 176 needed for an overall majority.

However, an amnesty for people involved in the 2017 Catalan independence referendum, which was ruled illegal by Spain's Constitutional Court, is one of the conditions spelled out in the agreements signed with the Catalan nationalist parties Ezquerra Republicana and Junts per Catalunya. The amnesty has proved to be hugely divisive.

The right-wing People's Party (PP) and the far-right Vox have both voiced their opposition to the amnesty, with hundreds of thousands across Spain taking part in demonstrations called by the PP on Sunday.

Meanwhile, protests outside the PSOE headquarters in Madrid, attended by members of Vox and neo-Nazi organizations, have seen sporadic outbreaks of violence with dozens of arrests.

Vox had tried to get a court order to stop the investiture debate from taking place, but their attempt was rejected by the Spanish High Court on Wednesday morning. The Congress building was guarded by 1,600 members of the police and security forces to prevent further trouble.

Sanchez opened the debate with a call for peace in the Middle East. "We demand an immediate ceasefire from Israel in Gaza and the respect for international human rights," he said, asking for the return of Israeli hostages taken by Hamas but also "rejecting the indiscriminate killing of Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank."

He then turned his attention to domestic affairs, saying he respected the protests against his investiture. "We have heard thousands of citizens in the protests from the PP and Vox and those who have carried out this right peacefully. I respect and recognize that."

However, he added that Spain's "Constitution signals a higher way of expressing oneself, and that is the elections. Today we are going to listen to the 25 million citizens who voted in the elections."

The first investiture debate was held in September and saw PP leader Albert Nunez Feijoo fail to reach the necessary 176 votes as he only counted on the support of his party, Vox, and two regional formations. 

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the People's Party, gives a speech during the investiture debate in Madrid, Spain, on Nov. 15, 2023. The Congress of Deputies (Parliament) started Wednesday the second debate on the investiture of Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez as the country's next prime minister following the July 23 general election.(Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez gives a speech during the investiture debate in Madrid, Spain, on Nov. 15, 2023. The Congress of Deputies (Parliament) started Wednesday the second debate on the investiture of Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez as the country's next prime minister following the July 23 general election.(Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

Alberto Nunez Feijoo, leader of the People's Party, reacts during the investiture debate in Madrid, Spain, on Nov. 15, 2023. The Congress of Deputies (Parliament) started Wednesday the second debate on the investiture of Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez as the country's next prime minister following the July 23 general election.(Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)

Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez (L, bottom) reacts during the investiture debate in Madrid, Spain, on Nov. 15, 2023. The Congress of Deputies (Parliament) started Wednesday the second debate on the investiture of Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE) leader Pedro Sanchez as the country's next prime minister following the July 23 general election.(Xinhua/Meng Dingbo)
Mon Sanyasi, of Columbus' Northeast Side, puts vermillion powder on the family dog Rocky's forehead Saturday during their celebration of Tihar, the Hindu festival also known as Diwali.

Rocky sat patiently as his people rubbed vermilion powder onto his forehead, placed a garland around his neck and showered him in marigold petals.

Then he scarfed down some chicken-flavored treats.

Rocky is a Japanese Spitz, and his owners, Mon and Mani Sanyasi, are Hindus who were honoring their dog as part of Tihar  the Hindu festival also known as Diwali  in their cozy apartment on Columbus Northeast Side.

Often called the festival of lights, Diwali holds different meanings and is celebrated differently by different populations across South Asia, as well as their diasporas in the United States. A common theme is the victory of good over evil, which is symbolized by lighting candles and fireworks that illuminate villages, towns and cities over the holiday.

For the Sanyasi family, the holiday also involves ritual worship of cows, crows  and dogs.

Were all the same, Mon told The Dispatch in Nepali. They may have four legs, but theyre a lot like us. They get hungry; they get thirsty; they like to go explore.  The main thing is, youve got to love them.

Mon Sanyasi prays to god Shiva and goddesses Laxmi and Parvati as part of their celebration of Tihar on Saturday.

The Sanyasis belong to the Bhutanese Nepali community, who number around 30,000 in central Ohio. Most Bhutanese Nepalis are Hindu, although there are significant Buddhist and Christian minorities.

The Hindus celebrate Diwali as the victory of the god Rama over a demon named Ravana; Tihar is the Nepali-language term for the five-day festival.

The Sanyasi family came to the U.S. through the refugee resettlement program seven years ago, after being evicted by the Bhutanese government and spending decades in camps in Nepal. Mani and Mon, along with their daughters Reha, 16, and Amisha, 20, have since become American citizens.

Today, Mani works at a meat processing plant while Mon is a homemaker.

I like America, but my heart misses Nepal and Bhutan during the holidays, Mon said in Nepali. In Nepal, nearly every home is celebrating, lit up with lights. But here, were the only Nepalis in our complex  its like were celebrating alone.

In Nepal and Bhutan, families gather for feasts of chicken and goat, and make special rice-flour doughnuts called sel roti, she explained.

Nov 11, 2023; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Mani Sanyasi hands cuts chicken for Tihar dinner on Saturday, Nov. 11, 2023.

Brothers offer gifts to their sisters in exchange for blessings, and groups of carolers go door-to-door to perform call-and-response songs.

Its kinda like Halloween, but instead of candy you get money, Amisha said.

People also feed crows and place vermillion powder on cattle during the holiday.

Dogs are worshipped because they are the gatekeepers for Yama, the god of death.

As Mani butchered a chicken for dinner using a cleaver, Mon prepared for Rockys ritual by lighting incense and a butter lamp. She sprinkled rice grains by the familys altar, which has images of the god Shiva and goddesses Laxmi and Parvati.

Then Amisha held Rocky, who was surprisingly cooperative, while her mother rubbed red vermillion powder onto his forehead as a symbol of respect. Mani brought out a plastic flower garland, purchased from a local Nepali grocery, and placed it on Rockys shoulders.

The canine, who is just a year old, looked a little confused, but not unhappy.

Good boy, Amisha said.

Rocky is seen in front of the Sanyasi family's worship altar on Saturday as he is treated like royalty for the day, per traditions of Tihar.

Peter Gill covers immigration, New American communities and religion for the Dispatch in partnership with Report for America. You can support work like his with a tax-deductible donation to Report for America at:bit.ly/3fNsGaZ.

pgill@dispatch.com

@pitaarji

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Worshipping dogs in Columbus for Tihar, the Nepali Diwali
Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez attend the 10th Annual LACMA ART+FILM GALA presented by Gucci at Los Angeles County Museum of Art on Nov. 06, 2021 in Los Angeles.

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's engagement party in Beverly Hills was a swanky affair attended by a who's who of Hollywood.

Vogue reported that the party was held at designer Diane von Furstenberg and businessman Barry Diller's home in Beverly Hills. The magazine took exclusive photos of the soiree, showing celebs like Oprah Winfrey, Salma Hayek and Kris Jenner rubbing elbows with the couple.

Theyre very in love with each other  theyre demonstrably in love, Diller told Vogue. Shes lit him up in the nicest ways. Shes a great stimulant.

The engagement comes about four years after the Amazon founder began dating Sanchez following his split from ex-wife and author Mackenzie Scott. The former couple share a son.

Who attended Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez's engagement party?

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez attend "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" World Premiere at Odeon Luxe Leicester Square on Aug. 30, 2022 in London.

The famous guests at the engagement party included actors Barbra Streisand and Robert Pattinson, recording artist Jewel, models Suki Waterhouse and Miranda Kerr, and designer Sarah Staudinger, Vogue reported.

Bezos, whose worth was estimated to be at $166 billion as of Tuesday, and Sanchez are good friends with von Furstenberg and Diller, the outlet said.

What did Lauren Sanchez wear to the engagement party?

Sanchez  a native of Albuquerque, New Mexico, who gained fame as a media personality  wore a white, off-the-shoulder mini dress with a basque waistline by Laura Basci, Vogue reported.

Bezos wore a dark T-shirt under a light-colored blazer.

Elon Musk? Bill Gates? Jeff Bezos? Here's who takes the crown for world's richest person.

How did Jeff Bezos propose to Lauren Sanchez?

Bezos, 59, popped the question to Sanchez, 53, during a yacht trip to the Cannes Film Festival in May, when he hid a box containing a $2.5 million pink engagement ring under her pillow, Sanchez shared with Vogue.

"When he opened the box, I think I blacked out a bit," she told the outlet.

When will Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez get married?

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez attend the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party Hosted By Radhika Jones at Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts on March 12, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California.

The couple have not announced when and where they plan to marry but shared some details with Vogue.

"We're still thinking about the wedding, what it's going to be," Sanchez told the outlet. "Is it going to be big? Is it going to be overseas? We don't know yet," she said, saying that she's currently thinking more about Bezos' 60th birthday in January.

Sanchez said she does plan on taking Bezos' last name "100 percent."

"I am looking forward to being Mrs. Bezos," she told Vogue.

Where will Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez live?

Jeff Bezos and Lauren Sanchez attend the Vanity Fair 95th Oscars Party at the The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills, California on March 12, 2023.

Earlier this month, Bezos announced that he and Sanchez would be moving to Florida. He said he wanted to live in Miami to be closer to his parents and the Cape Canaveral operations of Blue Origin, his space exploration company.

"I've lived in Seattle longer than I have lived anywhere else," Bezos wrote in an Instagram post. "As exciting as the move is, it's an emotional decision for me. Seattle, you will always have a place in my heart."

The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Network, recently reported Bezos paid $79 million for a seven-bedroom, 14-bathroom mansion set on 1.8 acres in Indian Creek Village, a private neighborhood known as the "Billionaire Bunker."

Moving time: Amazon founder billionaire Jeff Bezos announces he's leaving Seattle, moving to Miami, Florida

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Who attended Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez's star-studded engagement party
WASHINGTON  A bipartisan group of former congressmen is warning against a 2024 third-party presidential bid from the centrist organization No Labels, cautioning that such an effort could cost Democrats the election in key swing states like Wisconsin and hand the White House to former President Donald Trump.

Running what No Labels has described as a moderate alternative to Trump and President Joe Biden, the former congressmen argued, would only siphon votes from Biden in a doomed third-party push.

If these were normal times we would have no trouble with third parties, Richard Gephardt, a former Democratic majority leader who formed a PAC this year to counter third-party efforts that could help Trump, told reporters Wednesday.

But these are not normal times, he added, citing Trumps efforts to overturn the results of the 2020 election. We cannot allow the individual who really instigated that possible overthrow to get back in the White House.

Former U.S. Reps. Reid Ribble, left, a Republican, and Ron Kind, a Democrat.

Former Wisconsin Reps. Reid Ribble, a Republican from Green Bay, and Ron Kind, a La Crosse Democrat, joined Gephardt Wednesday in opposing a potential No Labels candidate. Both men, who were members of the No Labels-founded bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus, contended the 2024 election was not the right time for a third-party candidate.

I see too great of a risk, said Ribble, who is a vocal anti-Trump Republican. Under no circumstances can we have Donald Trump back in the White House.

No Labels was created in 2010 with the goal of promoting centrism and bipartisanship. But the group recently shifted its scope to running what it calls a unity ticket, which it argues could break the political cycle dominated by angry and extremist voices driven by ideology and identity politics.

The group has yet to recruit a candidate, but several moderates, like West Virginia Democratic Sen. Joe Manchin, who recently announced he would not seek re-election in the Senate, have been floated as potential options.

It reportedly plans to hold its nominating convention in Dallas in April and has so far qualified for the ballot in 12 states: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Nevada, North Carolina, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah and Missouri.

In a statement to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, No Labels Chief Strategist Ryan Clancy cited 2020 exit polling and an October Harvard CAPS-Harris poll as he argued a majority of voters want an alternative to Biden and Trump, the presumptive 2024 party nominees.

"No Labels has said unequivocally from the very beginning we will only offer our ballot line to a ticket if American voters clearly want it and if it has a chance to win," Clancy said. He added that the group is "still working through our process" to determine how it would structure its ticket and said No Labels has not yet decided who could be on it.

Political organizations can start circulating petitions for ballot access in Wisconsin on Jan. 1, 2024, according to the Wisconsin Elections Commission. The deadline to file is April 1.

Clancy said No Labels "has a strategy to obtain ballot access in Wisconsin and will begin the process early next year."

Polling commissioned in June by Gephardt and his PAC, Citizens to Save Our Republic, showed Biden beating Trump 52-48 in a two-way race nationwide. But when a moderate, third-party candidate is put in the race, Trump takes a 40-39 lead, according to the polling.

That swing is more pronounced in Wisconsin. The polling suggests Biden would beat Trump 53-47 in a two-way race in Wisconsin but would lose 37-40 with the moderate third-party candidate factored in. (The polling from June did not take into account other candidates, like now-Independent presidential hopeful Robert F. Kennedy Jr.)

Much of the Democratic unease stems from the idea that Trump has a high floor and a low ceiling of support in a general election, meaning the former president has a strong base of supporters unlikely to be swayed by a third-party candidate. While Biden's support might be broader, those supporters might not be as loyal.

A Marquette University Law Poll released last week showed Biden beating Trump 50% to 48% among registered voters in Wisconsin. The poll suggested both men have vulnerabilities: 55% of voters said the phrase "too old to be president" describes Biden very well, and 35% of polled voters said the phrase "has behaved corruptly" describes Trump very well.

The exact impact of a thirdparty candidate in Wisconsin, where statewide elections are often decided by less than a percentage point, however, is difficult to predict.

In 2016, when Hillary Clinton lost Wisconsin to Trump by six-tenths of a point, or about 23,000 votes, left-wing Green Party candidate Jill Stein got 31,072 votes. Labeling Stein a spoiler, however, would presume Steins voters would have turned out to vote had she not been on the ballot  and vote for Clinton as well.

The former lawmakers on Wednesday noted No Labels has said it would end its third-party bid if polling shows its candidate would swing the election for either Trump or Biden. They pointed out that the group has yet to address recent polling and lamented that the groups donors are largely kept secret.

Unless theyre just trying to make a point or be a spoiler, Im not quite sure what theyre trying to accomplish here, Kind, the La Crosse Democrat who retired from Congress last year, told the Journal Sentinel.

Im having a hard time seeing what theyre really trying to pull off here, he said. They cant believe that theres any chance for a third party to actually win the presidency.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: Ex-congressmen warn against No Labels 3rd-party presidential effort
Finland is set to close half of its border crossings with Russia on Friday night, accusing Moscow of encouraging undocumented migrants to head for border checkpoints and claim asylum.

Speaking at a press conference in Helsinki, Interior Minister Mari Rantanen said the four border crossings will stay closed until 18 February, while asylum applications are centralised at two other locations.

The migrants have arrived in increasing numbers over the last few days, and the Border Guard says most of them are Iraqis, Syrians, Turks and Somalis - and that many of them arrived on brand-new bicycles. It is not allowed to walk to the border, so anyone arriving at a Finnish checkpoint has to drive or cycle.

Rantanen said the migrants were young and healthy people who already had residence permits allowing them to be in Russia. She said they were being "herded into Finland."

Prime Minister Petteri Orpo told reporters authorities were acting swiftly to ensure the situation on the border did not escalate, describing the recent influx of more than 280 asylum seekers as "helped, encouraged and organised."

"During the previous parliamentary term, amendments were made to the Border Guard Act precisely for such situations. These tools have now been used," he added.

Ministers say closing the border crossing points should stop illegal entry into Finland but the government is prepared to take "even stronger measures if necessary."

Earlier this week Finland's defence minister described the increased migrant numbers as a "hybrid warfare" tactic from Russia, while President Sauli Niinisto on a state visit to Germany described the Russian actions as "malice" in response to Finland joining NATO.

FILE: Members of the Finnish Border Guard agency (RAJA) with dog patrol along a section of the pilot border fence at Imatra, October 2023 - AFP

Previous Russian tactic using migrants

Finnish authorities have been aware that Russia could send more migrants over its longest land border with the EU as part of a hybrid tactic to try and overwhelm the Finns  a tactic Moscow has tried before.

In January and February 2016, almost 1,000 migrants arrived at an Arctic border post between Finland and Russia. Finnish officials believe the arrivals were facilitated by Russian authorities with bus transport and hotel accommodation on their journey north, with people given instructions to claim asylum once they got over the border.

The event was widely considered to be Russias first, and most successful, hybrid attack of this type on an EU member state to date  although Finnish officials and politicians baulked at labelling it as such at the time.

Analysts tell Euronews it was likely a "proof of concept" operation, demonstrating that Russia could initiate this flow of migrants and then close it again at will.

There are already plans in place to build a 200-kilometre fence with enhanced electronic surveillance equipment along the border, but only smaller parts have been completed so far.
[Watch previous FOX 8 News coverage in the player above.]

CLEVELAND (WJW)  A former priest from Colombia accused of molesting a 15-year-old girl suffering from cancer was arraigned Wednesday in a Cleveland court.

Luis Jesus Barajas, 76, was indicted in Cuyahoga County last week on six counts of gross sexual imposition, accused of inappropriately touching the girl while performing a blessing in Westlake.

Court records show Barajas bond was set at $50,000 at his Wednesday arraignment, where he pleaded not guilty.

Tusky Valley schools open today after deadly crash

Thats down from $250,000 set during his initial appearance in the county court and down from $500,000 set during his initial arraignment in Rocky River Municipal Court.

Hell be under court-supervised release and home detention with electronic monitoring and ordered against having contact with the victim. Hes also not allowed to leave the state. A temporary protection order has also been issued.

Westlake police said Barajas had been staying with local families in Lorain County for months, performing spiritual ceremonies to the nearby Spanish-speaking population, according to a previous news release.

According to witnesses, Mr. Barajas touched the juvenile inappropriately during the blessing, Westlake police Capt. Gerald Vogel wrote. Mr. Barajas used blankets and clothing to hide some of his actions from witnesses but his touching made several uncomfortable. Witnesses said Barajas movements were unconventional compared to past blessings they had seen.

Investigators believe Barajas was ordained in 1982, and that he was accused of sexual misconduct against juveniles in the Catholic diocese in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, in 1989. He was then sent back to Colombia, according to investigators.

Reports are that he was removed from the priesthood at some point but it is unclear when this happened, Vogel wrote.

900 uncounted ballots found in local city, days after election

Barajas was previously arrested in 2019 in Virginia on a felony count of misconduct with a minor, according to the release.

He had been acting in the capacity of a trusted family friend and as church clergy at that time as well, Vogel wrote.

District court records in that case indicate the alleged offense happened in 2013, but authorities ultimately declined to prosecute.

Barajas case is due for a pretrial on Nov. 22.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to Fox 8 Cleveland WJW.
Although every registered voter is mailed a ballot in Colorado, less than half of Pueblo County voters participated in the most recent election.

Approximately 40% of eligible Pueblo voters cast ballots in the coordinated election last week, which included races for city mayor, several council seats, city school board seats and two state ballot questions.

Heres how the numbers from this most previous election compare to previous elections and to other counties around the state.

Election workers count ballots at the Pueblo County elections office on Tuesday, November 7, 2023.

County voters were slightly more active than city voters

Unofficial results from Pueblo County show that voters living within city limits participated in this year's election at a slightly lower rate than the county-wide average.

Forty percent of all voters in Pueblo County cast ballots in the coordinated election, but 39% of city voters participated.

The Pueblo School District 70 board election was called off earlier this year because none of the seats were contested. The only issue that voters outside of city limits decided on were the statewide ballot questions.

What turnout was like in previous municipal elections

This was Pueblos second mayoral election in recent memory. The turnout for the first year with a mayoral system in fall 2018 was much higher  partially because elections in even years tend to bring out more voters.

Previous election records show that 56% of Puebloans voted in the first mayoral election in 2018, and 37% came back to vote in the runoff in January 2019 between Nick Gradisar and Steve Nawrocki.

The runoff election for the ongoing mayoral contest, scheduled for Jan. 23, 2024, will be between City Council President Heather Graham and incumbent Mayor Nick Gradisar.

Previous coordinated elections in recent years have resulted in lower turnout compared to even years. In 2021, approximately 31% of eligible Puebloans voted in the election.

However, turnout for general elections that feature state and federal contests in even years has been higher than Pueblo elections in odd years. In November 2022, 54% of voters participated in the midterm elections and 77% of voters cast ballots in the 2020 presidential election.

Partisan voters more active than unaffiliated voters

Although 42% of voters in Pueblo County are unaffiliated, just 31% of the non-partisan voters cast ballots in the recent election.

County-wide, half of the registered Republicans participated in the election and 47% of the Democratic voters cast ballots.

Republican voters are outnumbered in Pueblo County by over 11,000 compared to Democrats, according to the most recent data from the Colorado Secretary of States office.

How Pueblo compares to other counties in Colorado

Turnout in Pueblo County was lower than most other Colorado counties and the statewide average of 44% in the previous election, according to ballot return data shared by the Colorado Secretary of States office current as of late Monday.

Average turnout was lowest in Adams County, where 34% of voters returned ballots. On the other hand, turnout was highest in Mineral County  more than two in three of the 880 eligible voters participated in the most recent election.

Republicans triumph, incumbents falter, and more takeaways from Pueblo's 2023 election

Anna Lynn Winfrey covers politics for the Pueblo Chieftain. She can be reached at awinfrey@gannett.com. Please support local news at subscribe.chieftain.com.

This article originally appeared on The Pueblo Chieftain: What to know about Pueblo's voter turnout in the 2023 election
Kenya's parliament has approved a controversial plan by the government to deploy about 1,000 police officers to Haiti to help stop gang violence.

This is despite a court order barring any deployment, pending the outcome of a legal challenge into the plan.

Opposition lawmakers condemned the vote, but the ruling party used its majority to back the government following a fiery debate.

Haiti had appealed for international help to tackle growing lawlessness.

Kenya's offer won the UN Security Council's approval last month, but the plan has been opposed by the main opposition party.

About 300 gangs are active across Haiti and 80% of the capital, Port-au-Prince, is under gang control.

These groups have taken increasing control of the city since the assassination of the country's president in 2021 threw Haiti into a political crisis.

At Thursday's vote in Kenya's parliament, lawmakers supporting the motion said the country was part of the global community and could not ignore the appeals for help from other countries.

They also argued that the East African nation has a history of peacekeeping missions such as in Somalia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Sierra Leone.

Parliament approved the plan in a voice vote moments before the High Court was due to begin hearing the case on the planned deployment.

A small opposition party, Thirdway Alliance, has led the legal challenge, saying the plan was unconstitutional because only the military could be deployed abroad.

The government has rejected the argument, and is defending the case.

The court later reiterated that the deployment could not take place until it gave its ruling in January.

Thirdway Alliance's legal representative, Charles Midega, told the BBC that it was a "brazen" act by parliament to discuss the deployment despite the court order.

In parliament, opposition lawmakers argued that a vote could not be held on a matter before the courts.

But governing party lawmakers said there were no rules barring parliament from debating the issue, for as long as it did go into the substance of the case.

Kenya's main opposition leader, Raila Odinga, has previously condemned the proposed deployment.

"Before you even come to Africa, Haiti is at the doorstep of the United States which is the most powerful nation in the world. What is it that is so unique about Kenya that it is being chosen to lead the multinational force in Haiti?" he told local TV last month.

But Kenya's President William Ruto has defended the plan, saying that "Africa is keen to contribute to the freedom and security of Haiti".

The US has pledged to support the mission financially to the tune of $100m (82m) - Canada has also offered funding.

On a visit to Kenya in September, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin signed a five-year security agreement and also said the US was "grateful to Kenya for its leadership in tackling security challenges in the region and around the world".

Some Kenyans say Mr Ruto and his government should prioritise addressing security challenges at home.

Rights groups, including Amnesty International, have in recent months expressed concerns over the Kenyan police's record of using excessive and unnecessary force.

There has also been notable criticism of the planned deployment from the man seen as the father of Kenyan literature - Ngugi wa Thiong'o - who last month said tearfully: "If you know the history of Haiti, any black person would not do that."

Haiti became the world's first black-led republic in 1804, after Gen Toussaint Louverture led enslaved people in an uprising.

This incensed its colonial master France, which derived a large chunk of its income from Haiti's plantations, and it responded by forcing Haiti to pay inflated reparations to enslavers over 122 years..

The US occupied Haiti from 1915 to 1934, sending in marines and military administrators.

Further US military interventions occurred in 1994 and 2004, to "defend democracy" and restore order.
Diplomatic relations between Saudi Arabia and Nigeria have come under scrutiny after 177 Nigerians were refused entry to the country on Monday.

Nigerias foreign ministry said only 87 of 264 Nigerian nationals who landed in Jeddah on an Air Peace flight Monday were allowed to enter. All the others had their visas cancelled and were deported.

According to local media reports, some of the passengers were pilgrims hoping to perform the lesser Hajj (the Umrah) in Mecca, the Islamic holy city.

The mass cancellation of visas occurred as Nigeras President Bola Tinubu was still in Saudi Arabia after holding bilateral talks with the Saudi government.

After a furor on social media, the Saudi embassy in Nigeria said that the affected passengers didnt fulfill the entry conditions and requirements in accordance with the applicable rules and regulations of the Kingdom, as they submitted incorrect information to obtain a category of visa that doesnt apply to them, which was discovered upon their arrival.

Saudi Arabia requires pilgrims to hold specific travel documents (Umrah or Hajj visas) for pilgrimage. Holders of tourist visas are barred from performing Hajj or Umrah during the Hajj season, according to regulations by the countrys Ministry of Hajj and Umrah.

Its not immediately clear what type of visas the deported Nigerians had traveled with. However, Air Peace, the Nigerian carrier that flew the Nigerians into Jeddah said it was shocked that the visas of its passengers were revoked by Saudi Arabia on arrival because it strictly followed the profiling procedures stipulated by Saudi Arabian authorities.

The visas of all the passengers on the said flight to Jeddah  were checked and verified through the requisite procedures and were vetted to be valid before departure, the airline said in a statement Wednesday, adding that: No notice of cancelation or any form of denial from the Saudi authorities was received against any of these passengers despite the live transmission of their details.

The Saudi statement added the cancellations were not limited to Nigerian citizens, adding that:  all passengers should review all the documents to determine their conformity with the conditions prior to departing from their countries to the Kingdom.

A diplomatic slap

Commentators said the incident was embarrassing for Nigeria as its president was still in the country after attending the Saudi-Africa Summit held last Friday. He left Thursday morning for Guinea Bissau for Independence Day celebrations, the presidency said.

This is obviously a very big diplomatic slap in the face, Victor Okhai, an advisory board member of the African Diaspora Foundation, a group that advocates the welfare of the African diaspora, told CNN.

There was a total lack of sensitivity (by Saudi officials) because the president (of Nigeria) was visiting that country, Okhai said.

A former Nigerian presidential aide, Reno Omokiri, said Saudi Arabias action was embarrassing as well as a blight on bilateral relations between both countries.

Why would the Saudis revoke the visas of over a hundred passengers on an Air Peace flight to Jeddah, especially as Nigerias President is currently in Saudi Arabia? That does not augur well for bilateral relations. It is most embarrassing  (and) demonstrates disdain for Nigeria as a whole, Omokri posted on X, formerly known as Twitter earlier in the week.

Other Nigerians called for the Saudi ambassador to the country to be summoned.

Nigerians have also faced visa entry issues in other countries in the region.

Saudis neighbor, the United Arab Emirates, has yet to lift a year-long visa ban on Nigerian travelers despite interventions by Tinubu.

Tinubus office released a statement announcing the end of the ban shortly after his meeting with UAE leader Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan in September. However, a UAE official told CNN the embargo was yet to be lifted.

Saudi Arabia is a popular pilgrimage destination for thousands of Nigerian Muslims.

However, Mondays deportation of Nigerian nationals is not the first time travelers have been refused entry to Saudi Arabia.

In 2012, authorities deported more than 1,000 female pilgrims from Nigeria because they were unaccompanied by male chaperones when they arrived in the country.

Nigerias government says it is working to avoid a recurrence.

Notwithstanding the fact that it is the prerogative of a sovereign nation to determine who is permitted entry into its territory, Nigeria and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia are traditional and strategic partners, who are willing to guard against reoccurrence of this unfortunate incident, its foreign ministry said.

For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com
A 70m fund has been announced by the British Business Bank to support small businesses in Northern Ireland.

The Investment Fund for Northern Ireland aims to help support innovation and create local opportunities for new and scaling businesses who may have struggled to access finance.

Business owner Sarah-Jayne Murray received a start-up loan and said it was invaluable

"It allowed me to get more stock to sell to my customers," she said.

"My finances were all over the place, and I had quite a small fund so it was like pushing limits to try and get the stock to get things going.

"It was a really big struggle. I have to pay for the full order before I can get it delivered to my door.

"With customs and VAT, you were hit with a large sum for that coming into the country. It was a lot of money to pay out before I had a product to sell to my customer."

Ms Murray, who runs sustainable active wear company Vocus Vit, received a 10,000 start-up loan from the British Business Bank.

"You have to pay it back but they're quite helpful with their payment plans," she added.

"I had to wait about three months before the stock arrived and they helped me with the first three months before I got the ball rolling."

A lifeline

The money is one of a series of Nations and Regions Investment Funds worth 1.6bn spread across the UK.

In Northern Ireland, it will be managed by two local-based fund managers.

Whiterock Capital Partners will manage the debt fund, offering loans of 25,000 up to 2m, while Clarendon Fund Managers will provide equity stakes in smaller businesses up to 5m.

Louis Taylor, chief executive of the British Business Bank, said the funding can be a lifeline for start-ups.

He said: "We know Northern Ireland is home to some excellent business owners who have innovative and brilliant ideas. But we also know that accessing finance for some of these people can be a struggle and that this part of the UK has experienced a funding gap.

"Getting outside Belfast and into more rural areas so there is a levelling up of finance opportunities is something which is very important to the British Business Bank."

Chris Heaton-Harris MP, Secretary of State for Northern Ireland, said: "Northern Ireland has a reputation for innovation and its SMEs are at the forefront of this

"As the recent NI Investment Summit showed, Northern Ireland is home to excellent entrepreneurs and possesses expertise in sectors from tech to businesses at the forefront of our transition to a net zero future.

"This new investment can help them take the next step in their development and boost the wider local economy."
[Source]

Philippine President Ferdinand "Bongbong'' Marcos Jr. visited the Filipino community in San Francisco, expressing gratitude for the selfless service of Filipinos in the U.S.

Thanking Filipino healthcare workers: On Tuesday, Marcos delivered a speech at the South San Francisco Conference Center ahead of his participation in the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting. He acknowledged the significant contribution of Filipinos and Filipino Americans, particularly healthcare workers, during the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that one in every five nurses on the West Coast is trained in the Philippines.

[During the COVID-19 pandemic], Americans experienced first hand the Filipino way of caring and acting on the needs of others, Marcos said. Our Filipino nurses, doctors, our first responders, essential workers have all demonstrated the timeless Filipino virtues of [concern, companionship and heroism].

Acknowledging Filipinos in American politics: Marcos also recognized Filipinos making strides in the U.S. government and American politics, citing examples like Utah Attorney General Shaun Reyes and California Attorney General Robert Bonta. He emphasized the importance of Filipinos in the U.S., expressing hope for their contribution to the Philippines innovation ecosystem.

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'Let us remain united and firm towards our common goal so that together well be able to leave behind a new Philippines that our children and grandchildren deserve,' Marcos said.

The Philippines and San Francisco ties: Marcos mentioned the historical ties between the Philippines and San Francisco, with the Philippine government purchasing buildings in 1974 that are now known as the Philippine Center in San Francisco. He also highlighted Californias role as an essential trade and investment partner for the Philippines, which is a popular destination for greenfield investment.

On the sidelines of the APEC meetings, my delegation will conduct business meetings in San Francisco to seek mutually beneficial exchanges and partnerships, he said. Our presence in the Bay Area this week also supports the development of the Philippine innovation ecosystem, in line with the national innovation agenda framework.

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Filipino population in the Bay Area: There are reportedly more than 4 million Filipinos and Filipino Americans in the U.S., with 1.3 million of whom reside in the 10 states under the jurisdiction of the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco. Approximately 700,000 Filipinos are living and working specifically in the Bay Area. According to the consulate, the city is also home to many Filipino veterans of World War II, with approximately 2,000 living Filipino war veterans to date.

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Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery addresses the ceremony commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Dalfram Dispute at Port Kembla in Wollongong, Australia, Nov. 15, 2023. A ceremony was held on Wednesday in Australia's Port Kembla to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Dalfram Dispute, during which Australian workers protested to support China's fight against Japanese aggression. (Xinhua/Zhang Shuhui)

WOLLONGONG, Australia, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A ceremony was held on Wednesday in Australia's Port Kembla to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Dalfram Dispute, during which Australian workers protested to support China's fight against Japanese aggression.

At the ceremony, China's acting Consul General in Sydney Wang Chunsheng paid tribute to the noble actions of the wharfies.

"The long and enduring friendship between China and Australia has grown stronger over the years. We are here today to honor the memory of the elder generation and learn from history, to cherish peace, to inherit friendship, and to create a better future," Wang noted.

During the ceremony, representatives of the two countries laid wreaths at the Dalfram Dispute Memorial.

On Nov. 15, 1938, Port Kembla witnessed one of the most resounding events in its history -- the Dalfram Dispute, where 180 courageous Australian workers refused to load pig iron onto the cargo steamer SS Dalfram, as they found that the raw materials would be used in the manufacture of weapons to fuel Japan's invasion of China.

Located some 90 km south of Australia's Sydney, Port Kembla serves as an international trade gateway for agricultural, construction, and mining industries in the state of New South Wales, which operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week. 

This photo taken on Nov. 15, 2023 shows the Dalfram Dispute Memorial at Port Kembla in Wollongong, Australia. A ceremony was held on Wednesday in Australia's Port Kembla to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Dalfram Dispute, during which Australian workers protested to support China's fight against Japanese aggression. (Xinhua/Zhang Shuhui)

China's acting Consul General in Sydney Wang Chunsheng addresses the ceremony commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Dalfram Dispute at Port Kembla in Wollongong, Australia, Nov. 15, 2023. A ceremony was held on Wednesday in Australia's Port Kembla to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Dalfram Dispute, during which Australian workers protested to support China's fight against Japanese aggression. (Xinhua/Zhang Shuhui)

China's acting Consul General in Sydney Wang Chunsheng lays a wreath at the Dalfram Dispute Memorial during a ceremony commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Dalfram Dispute at Port Kembla in Wollongong, Australia, Nov. 15, 2023. A ceremony was held on Wednesday in Australia's Port Kembla to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Dalfram Dispute, during which Australian workers protested to support China's fight against Japanese aggression. (Xinhua/Zhang Shuhui)

Wollongong Lord Mayor Gordon Bradbery addresses the ceremony commemorating the 85th anniversary of the Dalfram Dispute at Port Kembla in Wollongong, Australia, Nov. 15, 2023. A ceremony was held on Wednesday in Australia's Port Kembla to commemorate the 85th anniversary of the Dalfram Dispute, during which Australian workers protested to support China's fight against Japanese aggression. (Xinhua/Zhang Shuhui)
Putin could face new war crime case as evidence suggests starvation of Ukraine was pre-planned

Russia was actively preparing to steal grain supplies and starve the Ukrainian population of food for months before Vladimir Putin ordered last years invasion, according to new evidence compiled by human rights experts.

When Russian tanks did roll across the border on 24 February 2022 they deliberately targeted grain-rich areas and food production infrastructure first, the new report by international human rights law firm Global Rights Compliance found.

GRC found that Russias defence contractor began purchasing trucks to transport grain, as well as three new 170-metre bulk carrier cargo ships, as early as December 2021, evidence of advance planning for the pillage of Ukrainian food resources on an unprecedented scale.

Russia began commandeering Ukrainian farms within less than a week of its invasion, and at its peak was exporting 12,000 tonnes of grain per day from across occupied territories.

The evidence of a highly coordinated level of pre-planning will be provided by to the International Criminal Court and GRC hopes it will lead to a first international prosecution against Mr Putin for the war crime of starvation as a method of warfare.

It is highly likely Russia will be found guilty, Catriona Murdoch, a partner at Global Rights Compliance, and if so Mr Putin could face another ICC arrest warrant to go with the one issued in March this year for the unlawful deportation of children from occupied Ukrainian territories.

Russia not only deployed a multi-pronged approach by besieging civilian populations, destroying critical infrastructure, but it also pre-planned the seizure and pillage of agricultural commodities in an insidious plan. Moscow has sparked a global food crisis and attacked Ukraines agriculture sector as a warfare tactic, Ms Murdoch told The Independent.

The grain pillaged from Ukraine so far has an estimated market value of $1bn per year. Multiple private Ukrainian grain companies were forcibly incorporated into Russias state operator, the GRC said.

Beyond its impact on Ukrainian citizens, Russias invasion has affected millions around the world by increasing global food insecurity  Ukraine was the worlds largest wheat producer prior to the conflict.

A farmer in Zaporizhzhia in southern Ukraine said his grain farm was taken over by Russian forces five days after the full-scale invasion began.

Multiple convoys of vehicles were seen carrying grain in the direction of the Crimean Peninsula in the following weeks, and GPS trackers on farmers stolen trucks show them driving through Crimea and into Russia, the GRC said.

Satellite images shared with The Independent by the GRC showed grain trucks at a facility in Melitopol in Zaporizhzhia bearing licence plate numbers registered in occupied Crimea. Other images show train carriages labelled grain leaving Beridansk train station in Zaporizhzhia.

And another image from March this year shows a newly constructed storage building in Melitopol with grain visible throughout the compound.

GRC said that despite the apparent planning that went into Russias theft of Ukrainian grain, job adverts seen in Russia suggest the government was unable to recruit truck drivers quickly enough to transport the vast quantities of stolen food.

The investigation into grain theft ran up to August this year. GRC said that while Russia has not captured any more grain-rich territory since then, it still controls all of the Crimean peninsula  one of the main regions from which grain is transported by sea to Russia and abroad.

Yousuf Syed Khan, senior lawyer at GRC, called Russias weaponisation of Ukraines grain industry unprecedented in modern history.

Russia is now appealing to the UN and other global powers to ease war-related sanctions so it can resume grain exports from occupied territory to developing countries hit hardest by the food crisis. The offer of grain to friendly third countries was also part of Mr Putins failed charm offensive to get back onto the UN Human Rights Council.

Russia is doing this to represent itself as the legitimate authority of Ukrainian territory, in turn also weakening Ukraines national economy, Mr Khan said.
Ukraines forces have gained a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro River in a significant step for Kyivs counteroffensive, but Russia says they are raining hell fire on the troops.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskys chief of staff said on Tuesday that Ukrainian forces had crossed onto the east bank of the river in the Kherson region against all odds.

The river has been one of the key battlegrounds of the conflict, with Russia crossing from the eastern bank to seize Kherson city in the early days of the invasion only to abandon the regional capital late last year.

Though they lost ground in the area and retreated back across the river, Russia has maintained a consistent troop presence on the eastern bank, hemming in the Ukrainian counteroffensive.

The Russian military said it had pinned down Ukrainian forces who crossed onto the eastern bank of the River Dnipro is raining hell fire on them.

They said that the average life expectancy of a Ukrainian soldier there is around two days.

The enemy is trapped in (the settlement of) Krynki and a fiery hell has been arranged for him: bombs, rockets, heavy flamethrower systems, artillery shells, and drones, said Vladimir Saldo

Key Points

Russia raining 'Hell fire' on Ukrainian forces

Ukraine declares major breakthrough in southern counteroffensive against all odds

Zelensky warns Ukrainians to prepare for winter onslaught from Russia

Russia intensifies attacks in Avdiivka

US Congress closes without approving more aid for Ukraine and Israel

20:30 , Matt Mathers

The US Congress closed its doors for nearly two weeks on Thursday without passing emergency aid for Israel and Ukraine, as lawmakers argued over unrelated immigration policy and faced pockets of resistance from Republicans on continued aide for Kyivs war against Russia.

The Senate adjourned well after midnight after passing a stopgap spending bill to avert a government shutdown. Supporters of the foreign military aid had hoped it would be included in the spending bill, known as a continuing resolution.

President Joe Biden asked Congress to approve the money last month. Its omission from the spending bill raised concerns that funding for Kyiv might never be appropriated especially after the Republican-led House passed a bill this month including assistance for Israel, but not Ukraine. The Senates Democratic leaders rejected that bill.

A vocal bloc of Republicans oppose sending more aid to Kyiv as it fights a nearly 21-month-long Russian invasion. Opponents of the aid say US taxpayer money should be spent at home, but majority of Republicans and Democrats in Congress still support aid to President Volodymyr Zelenskiys government.

A Reuters/Ipsos poll this week showed 41 per cent of Americans backed sending weapons to Ukraine, compared to 32 per centwho were opposed and the rest unsure. The same poll showed U.S. public support dropping for Israels war against Hamas militants.

Joe Biden (New York Times)

Thousands of Ukrainian children taken to Belarus - Yale research

19:30 , Matt Mathers

More than 2,400 children from Ukraine aged between six and 17 years old have been taken to 13 facilities across Belarus since Russias full-scale invasion of Ukraine in early 2022, research published by Yale University said on Thursday.

Ukraines prosecutor general said in May that he was investigating the alleged role of Belarus in the forced transfer of more than 19,000 identified children from Russian-occupied territories since the conflict broke out, including to Russia.

The total number is estimated by some experts and organisations to be far higher.

The findings by the Humanitarian Research Lab at Yale School of Public Health, which receives US State Department funding, shared with Reuters are the most extensive to date about the alleged role of Belarus in the Russian relocation program for Ukrainian children.

"Russias systematic effort to identify, collect, transport, and re-educate Ukraines children has been facilitated by Belarus," the report said.

"Russias federal government and Belarus regime have been working together to coordinate and fund the movement of children from Russia-occupied Ukraine through Russia to Belarus."

Majority of Russians still support war - poll from Russia

18:48 , Matt Mathers

A majority of Russians still support Vladimir Putins war in Ukraine, according to a poll conducted in Russia.

Some 76 per cent of respondents said they backed the invasion, while 21 per cent thought it was going poorly.

Meanwhile, one in five said they thought the country was on the wrong path.

Some 45 per cent of those believe Russia was on the wrong path cited war and people are dying.

25 per cent cited low wages and pensions, no work, no confidence in the future.

The survey was carried out by the Levada Centre, which says it is a Russian independent non-governmental polling and sociological organisation.

Nato general-secretary meets with Latvian president

18:30 , Alexander Butler

Nato general secretary Jens Stoltenberg met with Latvian president Edgars RinkAviAs to dicuss the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Welcomed Edgars RinkAviAs back to Nato & congratulated him on his appointment as President of Latvia.

We addressed Ukraine, where the difficult situation on the battlefield is an argument for even more support. We also look forward to welcoming Sweden as an Ally very soon, he said on X, formerly Twitter.

Welcomed @edgarsrinkevics back to #NATO & congratulated him on his appointment as President of #Latvia. We addressed #Ukraine, where the difficult situation on the battlefield is an argument for even more support. We also look forward to welcoming #Sweden as an Ally very soon. pic.twitter.com/npOHO5bBeG  Jens Stoltenberg (@jensstoltenberg) November 16, 2023

Slovak truckers to hold symbolic blockade of Ukraine border

17:30 , Alexander Butler

Slovak truckers will stage a symbolic one-hour blockade of the countrys main crossing with Ukraine to support Polish calls for restrictions on the number of Ukrainian trucks entering the EU.

Our aim is support of Polish colleagues as well as all freight haulers in the EU.

We will request that the European Commission immediately introduces licences for shipments for Ukrainian vehicles, because European companies are falling on their mouth and cannot compete, haulers union UNAS said.

Great to see Lord Cameron in Ukraine, Johnson says

16:30 , Alexander Butler

Boris Johnson said it was great to see Lord Cameron in Ukraine on his first official visit to the country as the UKs foreign secretary.

Great news that Ukrainian forces have established themselves on the east bank of the Dnieper, and great to see our new Foreign Secretary in Kyiv, Mr Johnson wrote on X, formerly Twitter.

Lord Cameron previously joked about his disagreements with Mr Johnson but said support for the Ukrainian president was the finest thing his government did.

In a video of the meeting posted on X by president Zelensky, Lord Cameron said: I had some disagreements with my friend Boris Johnson, and we have known each other for 40 years, and his support for you was the finest thing that he and his government did.

Great news that Ukrainian forces have established themselves on the east bank of the Dnieper, and great to see our new Foreign Secretary in Kyiv.  Boris Johnson (@BorisJohnson) November 16, 2023

Pictured: Lord Cameron visits Odesa

16:00 , Alexander Butler

Lord Cameron inspects the damaged Transfiguration Cathedral in Odesa, Ukraine (PA)

Lord Cameron in Ukraine during his first visit to the country as foreign secretary (PA)

Ethical concerns over defence industry are immoral and dangerous, Shapps says

15:30 , Alexander Butler

Ethical concerns over the British defence industry are immoral and dangerous, British defence minister Grant Shapps said.

British defence companies keep us safe, help nations like Ukraine defend their freedom & act as global champions for the UK.

Well back them all the way against those who want to defund the industry due to so-called ethical investing rules that are not only immoral but dangerous, Mr Shapps said on X, formerly Twitter.

British defence companies keep us safe, help nations like Ukraine defend their freedom & act as global champions for the UK.



Well back them all the way against those who want to defund the industry due to so-called ethical investing rules that are not only immoral but dangerous pic.twitter.com/IA1uX5pOj1  Rt Hon Grant Shapps MP (@grantshapps) November 16, 2023

Bodies of married couple found in eastern Ukraine

15:05 , Alexander Butler

The bodies of a married couple have been found amid rubble following a Russian strike in the eastern Ukrainian town of Selydove, officials said.

The number of dead from the strike, on Wednesday, has risen to four. Russia fired four S-300 missiles at the town, damaging six apartment buildings and 20 homes, police said.

The Ukrainian military said it shot down a missile and 16 of 18 attack drones launched by Russian troops overnight.

Local services workers remove debris near the crater, after a Russian missile strike at the site of damaged residential houses (REUTERS)

Russian aggression in Ukraine must not go unpunished, Switzerland says

14:49 , Alexander Butler

Switzerland has pledged its support for the establishment of a special tribunal to address Russias crimes of aggression against Ukraine.

Switzerland is firmly convinced that the aggression against Ukraine must not go unpunished, the Swiss department of foreign affairs said.

The initiative has attracted support from 38 countries, including France, Germany, Norway, Guatemala, Japan and Canada, according to the departments statement.

Kyiv forces Russian navy to pull back in Black Sea, Zelensky claims

14:07 , Alexander Butler

Ukraine has forced Russias naval fleet to pull back in the eastern part of the Black Sea, president Volodymyr Zelensky claimed.

For the first time in the world, it was in the Black Sea that a fleet of naval drones began to operate  a Ukrainian fleet, Zelensky wrote on Telegram.

I would also like to note that now  as one of the main results of our actions  Russia is unable to use the Black Sea as a springboard to destabilise other regions of the world.

In case you missed it...

14:00 , Maira Butt

Kim Sengupta reports:

The fate of Kamianka is in many ways what has befallen Ukraine in microcosm, reflecting the bitterness, sorrow and pity of this war. There were murders and mass graves; treachery and torture. Prosecutors gathered evidence of human rights abuse ; exhumed bodies piled up in morgues in Kharkiv. Families continue desperate searches for those missing, seeking their graves as hopes of finding them alive fade away.

A handful of residents who returned to the village after the Russians left found a lethal legacy of fighting and occupation --- unexploded ordnance, concealed booby traps and mines. Soon these began to maim and kill as had been the enemys intention.

Read the full piece, Bombs, betrayals and burying loved ones: Plight of one Ukraine village illustrates toll of Russias invasion here.

Zelensky praises warriors of Ukraine in fight against Russia

13:45 , Maira Butt

As the war in Ukraine slowly approaches its second year, President Zelensky, sent a message of praise to his soldiers who he called warriors on Thursday.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, he said:

I am grateful to all of our people who are fighting and working for Ukraine.

To our warriors, who make it possible for Ukraine to live with each stride and with their strength.

I thank them all for everything they do for our countrys freedom and independence.

I am grateful to all of our people who are fighting and working for Ukraine. To our warriors, who make it possible for Ukraine to live with each stride and with their strength. I thank them all for everything they do for our countrys freedom and independence. pic.twitter.com/NICnbzbzMz  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 16, 2023

Medical volunteer urges people to keep supporting Ukraine

13:27 , Maira Butt

In an armoured vehicle moving closer to the town of Bakhmut, medical volunteer Anna Filippova urged the international community to keep supporting the Ukrainian army.

In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, the volunteer medic said:

Im observing reactions of the soldiers around me. Some are quiet, some are nervously vaping. One soldier did a little meditation and amygdala breathing, and then was cracking jokes for the rest of the way.

All I can say at this stage is that they operate in conditions that are not only lethally dangerous, but also detrimental for mental health. Every bit of support for our soldiers helps their morale. Please keep supporting #UkrainianArmy

Armoured vehicle is taking us closer to #Bakhmut and Im observing reactions of the soldiers around me.

Some are quiet, some are nervously vaping.

One soldier did a little meditation and amygdala breathing, and then was cracking jokes for the rest of the way.



I was low-key pic.twitter.com/AgaO79n3H7  Anna Filippova (@AnnaFil_Ukraine) November 16, 2023

Death toll from Donestky Oblast attack rises to 4

13:13 , Maira Butt

Emergency services have recovered more bodies at the site of the missile attack on the city of Selydove bringing the death toll to four, according to the Kyiv Independent.

A four story apartment building was hit in the attack by Russia on Wednesday. Initial reports suggested one person had been killed, but more bodies have since emerged from under the rubble.

The State Emergency services confirmed workers were still at the scene of the aftermath.

Local services workers remove debris near the crater, after a Russian missile strike at the site of damaged residential houses. (REUTERS)

Russian court convicts a woman for protesting the war in Ukraine in latest crackdown on free speech

12:55 , Maira Butt

AP reports:

A Russian court on Thursday convicted an artist and musician for replacing supermarket price tags with antiwar slogans and sentenced her to seven years in prison, Russian media reported.

Sasha Skochilenko, 33, has been held in her home city of St. Petersburg since April 2022 on charges of spreading false information about the military.

She was arrested a month after Russia adopted a law effectively criminalizing any public expression about the war in Ukraine that deviates from the Kremlins official line. The legislation has been used in a widespread crackdown on opposition politicians, human rights activists and ordinary Russians critical of the Kremlin, with many receiving lengthy prison terms.

She has been sentenced to seven years (EPA)

Ukraine grateful to UK for its support'

12:45 , Maira Butt

President Zelensky said in a post on X, formerly know as Twitter that Ukraine was greateful to the UK for its support.

After Lord Cameron made his first visit to the region following his appointment as foreign secretary, President Zelensky said:

We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.

Hosted @David_Cameron on his first visit to Ukraine as Foreign Secretary of the UK.



We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.



I am grateful to the UK for its support!



 pic.twitter.com/zElLHsSaQT  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 16, 2023

Court convicts activist of organising armed incursions from Ukraine into Russia

12:33 , Alexander Butler

A Russian court has convicted Ukraine-based Russian activist Denis Kapustin of state treason and terrorism for organising armed incursions from Ukraine into Russias Bryansk region, the state TASS news agency has reported.

Kapustin, also known as Denis Nikitin, is a former mixed martial arts fighter and a member of the Russian Volunteer Corps (RVC).

The RVC is an armed opposition group in Ukraine which has carried out several incursions into Russia this year.

Russia 'loads intercontinental ballistic missile into launch silo'

12:00 , Alexander Butler

Russia has loaded a nuclear-capable Avangard hypersonic glide vehicle into a launch silo in the south of the country, its defence ministry said.

Vladimir Putin announced the Avangard vehicle in 2018, saying it was a response to Americas development of a new generation of weapons.

As it approaches its target, the Avangard glide vehicle detaches from the rocket. It is then able to manoeuvre sharply outside the rockets trajectory at hypersonic speeds of up to 27 times the speed of sound.

An intercontinental ballistic missile equipped with the nuclear-capable

Russia planned to 'weaponise' Ukrainian grain

11:30 , Alexander Butler

Russia planned to pillage and weaponise more than $1bn of Ukrainian grain, a new report has said.

Global Rights Compliance (GRC) - a not-for-profit organisation specialising in international humanitarian law - said Moscow intended to use the proceeds to fund its military and fuel global food insecurity.

Upon capturing territory, Russian forces seized grain facilities from Ukrainian farmers and corporations, taking control of the surrounding transport networks and rapidly establishing safe and fast passage for stolen Ukrainian grain into Russia, it said.

Ukraine 'shoots down one Russian missile and 16 drones'

11:00 , Alexander Butler

The Ukrainian military says it shot down a missile and 16 of 18 attack drones launched by Russia overnight.

Civilian infrastructure in the eastern region of Kharkiv was damaged by S-300 missiles, authorities said.

The S-300 was developed by the Soviet Union. No deaths or injuries have been reported.

Ukraine and UK 'determined to work together'

10:15 , Alexander Butler

The United Kingdom and Ukraine are determined to work together, according to Ukraines foreign minister.

Dmytro Kuleba has posted a picture of him and Lord David Cameron, the new British foreign secretary, in Kyiv.

Mr Kuleba added: The UK remains steadfast in providing Ukraine with weapons, increasing their co-production, and ridding the Black Sea of Russian threats.

Welcome to Ukraine, @David_Cameron!



Our talks at @MFA_Ukraine proved that Ukraine and the UK are determined to work together toward victory.



The UK remains steadfast in providing Ukraine with weapons, increasing their co-production, and ridding the Black Sea of Russian threats. pic.twitter.com/k3ZGNo3RcN  Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) November 16, 2023

More than two thirds of Russians still support war in Ukraine, poll finds

09:43 , Alexander Butler

More than two thirds of Russians still support their countrys war in Ukraine, according to a US think tank.

The Levada Centre - an independent Russian polling organisation - has reported that 76 per cent of respondents said they support Russias military operations in Ukraine, the Institute for the Study of War said.

It also said 62 per cent of those surveyed believe the invasion is progressing well, while 21% think it is going reasonably or very poorly for Russia.

Local services workers remove debris near the crater, after a Russian missile strike at the site of damaged residential houses in Selydove (REUTERS)

David Cameron praises Boris Johnson

08:42 , Alexander Butler

David Cameron has visited Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine in his first overseas trip as foreign secretary.

The former prime minister joked about his disagreements with Boris Johnson, but said support for the Ukrainian president was the finest thing his government did.

In a video of the meeting posted on X by president Zelensky, Lord Cameron said: I had some disagreements with my friend Boris Johnson, and we have known each other for 40 years, and his support for you was the finest thing that he and his government did.

David Cameron meets Volodymyr Zelensky in Ukraine in first visit as foreign secretary

Watch: New foreign secretary David Cameron meets Zelensky

08:16 , Alexander Butler

Lord Cameron visits Ukraine

08:15 , Alexander Butler

New British foreign secretary Lord Cameron has visited Ukraine and said the UK would continue to provide moral, diplomatic, economic and military support to the country.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said: Hosted David Cameron on his first visit to Ukraine as Foreign Secretary of the UK.

We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure. I am grateful to the UK for its support.

Hosted @David_Cameron on his first visit to Ukraine as Foreign Secretary of the UK.



We had a good meeting focused on weapons for the frontline, strengthening air defense, and protecting our people and critical infrastructure.



I am grateful to the UK for its support!



 pic.twitter.com/zElLHsSaQT  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 16, 2023

Russian attempting pincer movement on Avdiivka

07:57 , Alexander Butler

Russian troops are attempting a pincer movement to encircle the Ukrainian town of Avdiivka, according to the UKs ministry of defence.

Russian forces have continued attacks towards outlying villages of the contested Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast. Russia is almost certainly attempting a pincer movement to encircle the town, the MoD said.

It added that Russian troops had closed in on the Ukrainian-held Coke and Chemical plant in the area, which is a key tactical position to the north.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  16 November 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/ZelMQmkAgF



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/uLXQlx6VsU  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) November 16, 2023

Russian defences 'down three Ukrainian drones'

07:45 , Alexander Butler

Russian missile defences have reportedly downed three Ukrainian drones over the Black Sea.

One was near Crimea, with two more over the Bryansk region, according to Russias defence ministry.

Kremlin forcing Ukrainians to become Russian'

07:29 , Alexander Butler

The Kremlin is forcing Ukrainians in occupied territories to become Russian, according to reports.

One resident, named as Larysa, told the European Broadcasting Union that one of her friends was not provided with insulin for her diabetes unless she applied for a Russian passport.

Another friend had to become a Russian citizen before getting treatment for a broken arm, she added.

Bombs, betrayal and burying loved ones: Plight of one Ukraine village illustrates toll of Russias invasion

07:00 , Tom Watling

Kim Sengupta returns to Kamianka in eastern Ukraine  the scene of one of the most extraordinary exchanges he has witnessed during the 21-month war  to hear about the struggle to rebuild amid accusations of Russian collusion and vast destruction.

Bombs and betrayal: Plight of one Ukraine village highlights toll of Russian invasion

Russian woman goes on trial in a cafe bombing that killed a prominent military blogger

06:00 , Tom Watling

A woman went on trial Wednesday in the bombing at a St. Petersburg cafe that killed a prominent Russian military blogger after he was given a bust of himself that later exploded.

Darya Trepova, 26, is charged with carrying out a terrorist attack, illegal trafficking of explosive devices and forging documents in the April 2 blast at the cafe in which Vladlen Tatarsky was killed and 52 others were injured.

She was arrested shortly after the bombing and faces up to 30 years in prison if convicted, according to Russian news reports.

Tatarsky, 40, was an ardent supporter of the Kremlins military action in Ukraine and filed regular reports on the fighting from the front lines.

Russian woman goes on trial in a cafe bombing that killed a prominent military blogger

Blow for Putin as Ukraine takes major step in bid to outflank Russian troops

05:00 , Tom Watling

A top Ukrainian official said its troops have established a beachhead on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River near Kherson, an important advance in bridging one of Russias most significant strategic barriers in the war.

Andriy Yermak, head of the presidents office, provided no details but confirmed the development that has been widely discussed in military forums over the past month.

Against all odds, Ukraines defense forces have gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnieper, Yermak told the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank, in a speech Monday.

Blow for Putin as Ukraine takes major step in bid to outflank Russian troops

Russian convicted of Kremlin critics murder pardoned after fighting in Ukraine

04:00 , Tom Watling

One of five men convicted of killing a Russian journalist critical of the Kremlin has been pardoned halfway through his 20-year sentence after a stint fighting in the special military operation in Ukraine.

Sergei Khadzhikurbanov was sentenced in 2014 for his role as an accomplice in the killing of Anna Politkovskaya, 48, in 2006.

The journalist worked for the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta and wrote stories critical of Kremlin policies during the early years of president Vladimir Putins term, the war in Chechnya and human rights.

She was shot and killed in the elevator of her Moscow apartment block, triggering outrage at home and in the West.

Her death on 7 October, which is Putins birthday, led to suggestions the shooting was done to please the president.

Russian convicted of journalists murder pardoned after fighting in Ukraine

US imposes new sanctions over Russian oil price cap violations, Kremlin influence in the Balkans

20:23 , Matt Mathers

The U.S. Treasury on Thursday imposed a new round of sanctions on firms and ships that used American service providers to carry Russian crude oil in violation of the multinational price cap  and imposed another set of sanctions on a group of Balkan people and firms tied to Kremlin influence in the region.

Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control imposed sanctions on three United Arab Emirates-based firms and blocked three ships that used U.S. service providers to carry Russian crude oil above the $60 price cap.

Full report:

US imposes new sanctions over Russian oil price cap violations, Kremlin influence in the Balkans

NATO to buy more eyes in the sky planes to monitor Putins war on Ukraine

03:00 , Tom Watling

NATO announced Wednesday it has opted to buy six new E-7A Wedgetail surveillance planes built by U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing as the 31-nation military alliance looks to update its eyes in the sky in coming years.

NATOs fleet of 14 Airborne Warning and Control System, or AWACS, aircraft are outdated and expensive to maintain. But their large fuselage-mounted radar domes can detect aircraft hundreds of miles away and they remain useful to monitor Russias war on Ukraine from NATOs eastern flank.

NATO said that production of the six new Wedgetails  a militarized version of the Boeing 737 jetliner  will begin in coming years, with the first planes expected to be ready for duty by 2031. No cost was provided for the planes, but based on U.S. and U.K. contract information the price could hit $5 billion.

NATO to buy more eyes in the sky planes to monitor Putins war on Ukraine

EU moves closer to imposing a new set of sanctions on Russia for its war on Ukraine

02:00 , Tom Watling

The European Unions executive said Wednesday it proposed to the member states a new package of sanctions targeting the Kremlin and its associates, seeking to tighten previous measures approved since the February 2022 invasion of Ukraine as well as adding dozens of economic operators.

The proposal sets in motion final talks between the 27 member states to reach the necessary unanimity on the issue and officials have said they hope to have the 12th package operational by the end of the year.

Even though Wednesdays statement did not go into details, preparatory talks centered on imposing export restrictions on Russias lucrative diamond industry.

EU moves closer to imposing a new set of sanctions on Russia for its war on Ukraine

Ukraine troops applying pressure on Putins forces having gained foothold along Dnipro River, says Kyiv

01:00 , Tom Watling

Russia has conceded for the first time that Ukrainian forces have crossed the vast Dnipro River into occupied areas of the Kherson region  as Kyiv tries to open up a new line of attack against Vladimir Putins forces.

Ukraine said on Tuesday it had secured a foothold on the eastern bank of the Dnipro against all odds, in a potentially major setback for Russian occupation forces in the south where Kyiv is trying to open a new line of attack.

A Ukrainian military spokesperson said on Wednesday that Ukrainian troops were trying to push Russian forces back from the eastern bank of the river, which serves as a formidable natural barrier on the battlefield.

Ukraine troops pressuring Putins forces along Dnipro River

US nearing end of the road on Ukraine support without more funding, White House warns

00:00 , Tom Watling

The White House is warning that America could soon lose the ability to provide Ukraines defence forces with needed weapons and munitions if Congress doesnt act to pass the supplemental funding bill proposed by President Joe Biden last month.

National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby on Wednesday told reporters that Mr Biden still wants Congress to move funding for Ukraine, Israel, defence needs in the Indo-Pacific and US border security in the single package which the president submitted on 20 October, the day after he delivered an Oval Office address in which he urged the US legislature to maintain American leadership in the world by supporting Ukraine and Israel in their defensive struggles against Russia and Hamas.

US near end of the road on Ukraine support without more funding, White House warns

Bombs, betrayal and burying loved ones: Plight of one Ukraine village illustrates toll of Russias invasion

Wednesday 15 November 2023 23:00 , Tom Watling

Kim Sengupta returns to Kamianka in eastern Ukraine  the scene of one of the most extraordinary exchanges he has witnessed during the 21-month war  to hear about the struggle to rebuild amid accusations of Russian collusion and vast destruction.

Bombs and betrayal: Plight of one Ukraine village highlights toll of Russian invasion

Russian oil tankers not targeted in EU sanctions proposal

Wednesday 15 November 2023 22:00 , Lydia Patrick

Russian oil tankers are not targeted in the European Commissions proposal for tightening the implementation of a price cap on the countrys crude oil, EU diplomats said on Wednesday.

The Financial Times reported earlier on Wednesday that Denmark will be tasked with inspecting and potentially blocking Russian oil tankers sailing through its waters under new European Union plans as a way of enforcing a $60 per barrel price cap on Moscows crude.

The FT said that Denmark would target tankers carrying Russian oil that did not have Western insurance, a step that would hit Russian oil export income hard while snarling up the entire Russian oil production and refinery business.

We have seen nothing about it in the Commission proposal,one EU diplomatfamiliar with the Commission text said and two others confirmed they found no such reference in the proposal.

Russia sends about a third of its seaborne oil exports, or 1.5% of global supply, through the Danish straits so any attempt to halt those supplies would send oil prices higher and trigger a confrontation with Russia.

ICYMI - Zelensky tells Ukrainians to brace for enemy Putins winter attacks

Wednesday 15 November 2023 21:00 , Lydia Patrick

Volodymyr Zelensky has warned Ukrainians to prepare for an increase in Russian attacks on the countrys infrastructure.

The war-time president said his country could suffer attacks similar to the ones carried out by Vladimir Putins troops last year.

About 10 months into Russias invasion, a string of attacks were carried out on power stations and other plants linked to the energy network, prompting rolling blackouts in widely separated regions.

We are almost halfway through November and we must be prepared for the possibility that the enemy may increase the number of drone or missile strikes against our infrastructure. Russia is preparing for winter, the Ukrainian president said in his nightly address on Sunday.

Zelensky tells Ukrainians to brace for enemy Putins winter attacks

Ukrainian group says more than 30,000 troops have died in Russia's invasion

Wednesday 15 November 2023 20:00 , Lydia Patrick

A Ukrainian civic group said it has confirmed the deaths of nearly 25,000 Ukrainian soldiers since Russias February 2022 invasion by using open sources, and puts the total toll at more than 30,000.

Kyiv treats its losses as a state secret and officials say disclosing the figure could harm its war effort. A report in August by the New York Times, citing anonymous U.S. officials, put the Ukrainian death toll at close to 70,000.

Writing in the Ukrainian journal Tyzhden, historian Yaroslav Tynchenko and volunteer Herman Shapovalenko said Shapovalenkos Book of Memory project had confirmed 24,500 combat and non-combat deaths using open sources.

The real figure was likely higher, they added, noting that many of the 15,000 troops listed as missing were likely dead.

A woman seen through a hole in a Ukrainian flag mourns at a makeshift memorial for fallen soldiers at Independence Square in Kyiv, (AFP via Getty Images)

Ukraine says troops have foothold on eastern bank of river

Wednesday 15 November 2023 19:00 , Lydia Patrick

A top Ukrainian official said the countrys troops have established a beachhead on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River near Kherson, an important advance in bridging one of Russias most significant strategic barriers in the war.

Andriy Yermak, head of the presidents office, provided no details but confirmed the development that has been widely discussed in military forums over the past month.

Against all odds, Ukraines defence forces have gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnieper, Mr Yermak told the Hudson Institute, a conservative Washington think tank.

Ever since Russian forces left the city of Kherson and the territory around it in November 2022, the only area they controlled on the west bank of the Dnieper, the river became a natural dividing line along the southern battlefront, preventing Ukrainian troops from advancing further into the Kherson region and towards Russian-annexed Crimea.

The barrier also allowed Russia to concentrate more troops in the heavily mined and fortified Zaporizhzhia region and eastern Ukraine.

Blow for Putin as Ukraine takes major step in bid to outflank Russian troops

Wednesday 15 November 2023 18:00 , Athena Stavrou

A top Ukrainian official said its troops have established a beachhead on the eastern bank of the Dnieper River near Kherson, an important advance in bridging one of Russias most significant strategic barriers in the war.

Andriy Yermak, head of the presidents office, said: Against all odds, Ukraines defense forces have gained a foothold on the left bank of the Dnieper.

Read more:

Blow for Putin as Ukraine takes major step in bid to outflank Russian troops

NATO to buy more eyes in the sky planes to monitor Putins war on Ukraine

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:30 , Athena Stavrou

NATO announced Wednesday it has opted to buy six new E-7A Wedgetail surveillance planes built by U.S. aircraft manufacturer Boeing as the 31-nation military alliance looks to update its eyes in the sky in coming years.

NATOs contract with Boeing  one of the military organizations biggest ever purchases  is set to be signed next year.

Read more:

NATO to buy more eyes in the sky planes to monitor Putins war on Ukraine

Pictures of the day

Wednesday 15 November 2023 17:00 , Athena Stavrou

People shelter in an underground metro station during an air raid alarm in Kyiv (AFP via Getty Images)

A woman seen through a hole in a Ukrainian flag mourns at a makeshift memorial for fallen soldiers at Independence Square in Kyiv, (AFP via Getty Images)

Local resident removes the broken glass from his window damaged by a Russian missile strike (REUTERS)

EU executive submits proposal for 12th packaged of Russia sanctions

Wednesday 15 November 2023 16:15 , Athena Stavrou

The European Commission on Wednesday said it would submit its draft 12th sanctions package against Russia - including measures against military and IT actors linked to the country - to the Council.

The Commission said its proposal aims to sanction over 120 additional individuals and entities for their role in undermining the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

Russia says new EU sanctions are part of a 'hybrid war'

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:45 , Athena Stavrou

Russias foreign ministry said on Wednesday that the European Unions 12th sanctions package against Russia was part of a hybrid war waged by the West.

Due to the endless sanctions flow against Russia, the EU has become Washingtons useful idiot, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian foreign ministry said.

Zakharova said the United States was using Europe as a stick in what she cast as Washingtons anti-Russian policy.

Zakharova said the EUs new sanctions would achieve nothing and said the Wests sanctions had damaged the EU itself.

Russia says Ukrainian NATO membership is unacceptable in any form

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:11 , Athena Stavrou

Russia said on Wednesday that Ukrainian accession to the U.S.-led NATO military alliance was unacceptable to Russia, whether in part or in any other form.

Whether in parts or in any form, Ukraines accession to NATO is unacceptable for Russia, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russias foreign ministry, told reporters.

Anders Fogh Rasmussen, a former NATO secretary general, has put forward a proposal for Ukraine to join the military alliance but stripped of the territories controlled by Russia, the Guardian newspaper reported.

Zelenksy thanks Italian prime minister

Wednesday 15 November 2023 15:00 , Athena Stavrou

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his gratitude after speaking with Italys prime minister, Giorgia Meloni.

In a post on X, Zelensky said they coordinated their joint efforts and agreed to start working on bilateral security guarantees.

The Ukrainian president also held a call with Slovakias president, whom he thanked for recognising Ukraines progress toward EU accession talks.

I spoke with @GiorgiaMeloni to express gratitude for her and Italys strong support for Ukraine.



Italy is demonstrating powerful leadership, and I anticipate that its 2024 G7 Presidency will yield even more important results.



We coordinated our joint efforts and agreed to start pic.twitter.com/bdg34AwD6x  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 15, 2023

Publishers to stop selling Putin books amid Russian payment claims

Wednesday 15 November 2023 14:30 , Athena Stavrou

A German publishing house is to stop selling books about Russian President Vladimir Putin by an award-winning journalist following reports that he allegedly received at least 600,000 euro (522,600) in offshore payments linked to Russian sources.

Publisher Hoffmann und Campe said in a statement it would no longer sell two non-fiction books about Putin by German journalist Hubert Seipel following reports by German magazine Der Spiegel and public German Television ZDF, saying it was not previously aware of the allegations.

The reports on Tuesday claimed that Mr Seipel accepted money indirectly linked to a sanctioned Russian oligarch to report Mr Putin in a favourable light in the published books.

The two books are Putins Power from 2021, and Putin: Interior Views Of A Power from 2015, the publishing house said.

The allegations, which were also published by other international media outlets including The Guardian, are based on information that emerged from the Cyprus Confidential financial data records that were leaked to the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists.

Pictures: Aftermath of Russian attack

Wednesday 15 November 2023 14:00 , Athena Stavrou

Here are the latest pictures of the aftermath of Russias attack on Selydobve.

At least one person was killed in an overnight Russian missile strike that hit an apartment building in eastern Ukraine, authorities said on Wednesday.

Local services workers remove debris near the crater, after a Russian missile strike at the site of damaged residential houses. (REUTERS)

Local resident, whose mother died under the rubble of a house damaged by a Russian missile strike, looks at the result of the attack. (REUTERS)

Ukraine pushes back on fluid frontline

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:30 , Athena Stavrou

Ukrainian troops are trying to push back Russian forces along the Dnipro River along what the military described as a fairly fluid frontline.

Ukraine said on Tuesday it had secured a foothold on the Russian-occupied eastern bank of the vast river in southern Kherson region.

Along the front line, which runs along the Dnipro... The pushback from our side is taking place on a line from 3 to 8 km along the entire bank from the waters edge, Natalia Humeniuk, spokesperson for the southern military command, said.

For now, we will ask for informational silence ... which would allow us to report later on great successes, she said in televised comments.

Reuters could not independently verify Kyivs account.

Hungary call for review of EU policy on Ukraine

Wednesday 15 November 2023 13:04 , Athena Stavrou

Hungary has sought to review European Unions policy towards Ukraine, disagreeing with Germany, Lithuania, Finland and Ireland.

On Wednesday, other nations backed bringing Kyiv closer to the bloc swiftly and granting Ukraine more aid - but Hungary disagreed.

Ukraine is hoping to begin formal membership talks with the EU once it meets all conditions - but those decisions require unanimity of the 27 countries in the bloc.

We need a period of reflection and a strategic discussion on the policy of the European Union towards Ukraine, Hungarys European affairs minister, Janos Boka, said as he arrived for talks with his EU peers to prepare a December summit of the blocs leaders.

But Hungarys Prime Minister Viktor Orban - who touts his ties with Moscow - has since said the blocs strategy of sending money and military aid to Ukraine has failed, and that he opposed starting membership negotiations with Kyiv.

Zelensky says Russia stockpiling missiles to attack energy system

Wednesday 15 November 2023 12:30 , Athena Stavrou

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he believes Russia is stockpiling missiles to attack Ukraines energy system, as it did last year.

Speaking at the German-Ukrainian Municipal Partnerships Conference, he urged for further assistance as Ukraine approaches its second winter of full-scale war.

I reminded the German-Ukrainian Municipal Partnerships Conference that the second winter of this full-scale war is approaching. Russia is stockpiling missiles to attack Ukraine's energy system, as it did last year.



Germany is already providing significant assistance in pic.twitter.com/i5L4KyNySK  Volodymyr Zelenskyy /   (@ZelenskyyUa) November 15, 2023

One killed, seven injured in Russian strikes

Wednesday 15 November 2023 11:56 , Athena Stavrou

One person has been killed and a further seven people have been injured in a Russian missile strike on Wednesday morning, the Ukrainian regional governor said.

Governor Yuriy Malashko said Russia fired three missiles at Ukraines Zaporizhzhia earlier and hit a civilian facility.

He added that houses, cars and outhouses near the strike sites were damaged by a blast wave and debris in an attack that lasted about half an hour.

As of this moment, we know of one person killed and seven injured, including women, Mr Malashko said on Telegram messenger.

Moscow denies targeting civilians.

Latest pictures from Ukraine

Wednesday 15 November 2023 11:30 , Athena Stavrou

The latest pictures from Ukraine show residents of Selydove - a town in eastern Ukraine - in the aftermath of Russian bombing.

At least one person was killed in the shelling overnight.

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

(REUTERS)

Putin likely to announce presidential candidacy before end of the year, says UK

Wednesday 15 November 2023 11:00 , Athena Stavrou

President Vladimir Putin is expected to announce his presidential candidacy before the end of 2023, Britains Ministry of Defence said.

Russia is set to hold elections in March 2024, with sources telling Reuters that Putin is expected to run and stay in power until at least 2023.

In their latest defence intelligence update, the UK said Putin is likely to announce his candidacy before the end of 2023.

Latest Defence Intelligence update on the situation in Ukraine  15 November 2023.



Find out more about Defence Intelligence's use of language: https://t.co/QEOsaicDO4



 #StandWithUkraine  pic.twitter.com/Lcs64e1wDO  Ministry of Defence  (@DefenceHQ) November 15, 2023
Utah Sen. Mike Lee speaks to a group of students and community members as part of the Sutherland Institutes 2023 Congressional Series at the Hinckley Institute on the University of Utah campus in Salt Lake City on Aug. 22, 2023. | Megan Nielsen, Deseret News

The Senate authorized a short-term spending bill late Wednesday night to avert a government shutdown, over the objections of some Republicans, including Sen. Mike Lee of Utah and Sens. Mike Crapo and James Risch of Idaho.

Senators approved the so-called continuing resolution in overwhelming bipartisan fashion, with 87 agreeing to punt final spending negotiations for Fiscal Year 2024 into January while keeping government funding at current levels in the meantime.

The bill emerged from the House on Tuesday after Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson moved forward without nearly half of his conference, instead, choosing to rely on nearly all House Democrats to get the measure out the door.

President Joe Biden is expected to sign the bill before government funding for nonessential services expires Friday at midnight.

In addition to 93 House Republicans, 11 senators, including 10 Republicans and one Democrat, also found issue with the stopgap funding bill.

To preserve our nations fiscal health, I voted against the Continuing Resolution, Lee said Thursday in a statement to the Deseret News. The CR continues unsustainable spending levels initiated under Nancy Pelosis speakership, contributing to a $2 trillion deficit and over $33 trillion national debtan IOU written by Congress that hardworking Utah families will be forced to pay back for generations.

Utahs senior senator continued: We must change how Washington works, and I cannot in good conscience vote to perpetuate the broken status quo.

The Idaho senators expressed a concern shared by Lee and other Republicans in both chambers, that the countrys financial situation has become so dire that it is unacceptable to maintain the status quo  even if doing so appears necessary to avoid a shutdown and pass the remaining annual spending bills.

We absolutely stand against shutting down the federal government, but we also oppose continually kicking the can down the road on government funding and allowing Democrats spending levels to continue for another month  let alone two, said Risch and Crapo, a ranking member of the Senate Finance Committee, in a statement issued Thursday.

Each Continuing Resolution is just a bandaid on a long-term unwillingness to address our growing fiscal crisis, Risch and Crapo continued. It is not fair to Idahoans to allow the federal government to repeatedly fail to execute its duty to pass these bills annually.

Related

Speaker Johnson under fire from Freedom Caucus

House Speaker Johnson has come under fire from conservative members of the conference for moving ahead with the same kind of spending proposal that got his predecessor fired less than two months ago.

The parallel between the situation that led to former House Speaker Kevin McCarthys downfall and the one Johnson currently finds himself in has not been lost on Republican lawmakers, with some members of the conservative House Freedom Caucus threatening to remove Johnson if he doesnt satisfy their demands on future legislation.

In the end, Johnson did go along with the novel two-step continuing resolution proposed by Freedom Caucus members, extending funding for four of the 12 annual spending bills until Jan. 19, and the remaining eight until Feb. 2, to facilitate their passage through regular order, where each bill is considered and voted on individually.

However, Johnson did not include other Freedom Caucus priorities, like spending cuts or border security provisions, because doing so would have made the Houses proposal a nonstarter in Congress upper chamber, allowing the Democrat-led Senate to jam House Republicans with a last-minute funding fix, Rep. Mike Simpson, R-Idaho, a top House appropriator, told the Deseret News last week.
Congressman George Santos tenure has been anything but dull  his rise to power and fall from grace have been equally mired in controversy.

After less than two years in Congress, his list of lies and scandals appears to have finally grown too long for him to defend anymore, as he announced he wouldnt seek re-election in 2024 after the release of a damning House Ethics Committee report.

The committee said it found substantial evidence that Mr Santos had broken federal laws after finding additional uncharged and unlawful conduct, which included using campaign funds to make purchases at Hermes, Sephora and OnlyFans.

In 2022, Mr Santos was elected as the Republican Partys first openly gay, non-incumbent member of Congress, and touted himself as a living embodiment of the American dream.

But he has since been exposed as a serial fabricator, and now an accused criminal.

Heres what we know about the rise and demise of George Anthony Devolder Santos.

A first generation American

Given his prodigious propensity for telling fibs, basic details of Mr Santos personal history, such as his real name, marital status, and precisely where he was born merit a healthy dose of skepticism.

According to his congressional website, Mr Santos is a first generation American born in Jackson Heights, Queens, in July 1988. His parents were both Brazilian immigrants  Fatima Devolder, who worked as a housekeeper, and Gercino Antonio dos Santos Jr, a house painter. He has a younger sister, Tiffany Lee Devolder Santos.

Former co-workers who worked with Mr Santos at Dish Network in College Point in 2011 and 2012 told Patch that he used to tell them he was born in Brazil. Then, he was known as Anthony Devolder or George Devolder.

His true birthplace is significant because the Constitution requires members of Congress to have been US citizens for seven years before election. Mr Santos has claimed in interviews that he is a dual citizen of Brazil and the United States.

George Santos has faced a wave of scandal since his election to Congress in November (Associated Press)

Tiffany Bogosian told the Washington Post that even at a young age, Mr Santos would fabricate parts of his biography. She put this down to his impoverished background, and said he had still been learning English while at junior high and was bullied during his time there.

From 2008 to 2011, Mr Santos lived in Brazil where his mother was living at the time.

In 2008, Mr Santos was accused by Brazilian authorities of using a stolen checkbook and fake name at a clothing shop outside Rio de Janeiro. Citing court documents, the New York Times reported that Mr Santos told police in 2010 that he and his mother had stolen a checkbook from a man that she used to work for, and used it to make $1,300 in illegal purchases of clothes and shoes.

In March, Mr Santos admitted the crime and agreed to pay the victim back as part of a non-prosecution agreement, CNN reported.

On the campaign trail, Mr Santos repeatedly claimed that he is of Jewish descent and that his grandparents were European Jews who fled Hitler.

Jewish cultural groups and online sleuths later unearthed records showing his grandparents were born in Brazil.

Mr Santos later clarified to the New York Post that he had said he was Jew-ish.

Sue me

While living in Brazil, Mr Santos also reportedly performed as a drag queen named Kitara Ravache as a young man.

In January, Brazilian drag artist Eula Rochard posted photos to social media herself with a person wearing a red dress, bright red lipstick and dangling chandelier earrings who she identified as Mr Santos.

Journalist Joao Fragah also said he had interviewed Mr Santos in costume.

A Politico investigation later found that a user on Wikipedia named Anthony Devolder claimed to have participated in drag shows in Brazil as a teenager.

George Santos angrily denied he had been a drag queen in Brazil, before saying I was young and I had fun at a festival (AP)

Mr Santos issued a furious denial of the claims on social media, at a time when his Republican Party was vilifying and seeking to ban drag queens from performing in some states.

He called allegations that he performed as a drag Queen is categorically false. However, the next day, Mr Santos appeared to admit that he had participated in drag. I was young and I had fun at a festival. Sue me for having a life, he said.

He moved back to New York in 2011, working as a bilingual customer services representative at a call centre for Dish Network, a satellite TV firm, in Queens, where he would have earned about $15 an hour.

Mr Santos exhaled a stream of lies over a series of interviews: he alleged to have graduated from NYU business school, played as a star vollyeball player at Baruch College, attended the elite private school Horace Mann in New York, but failed to graduate due to financial difficulties, and worked at Citigroup and Goldman Sachs. These claims have either been disproven or not substantiated.

In February, the non-profit Reclaim the Records obtained court records showing he married a Brazilian woman in 2012. His former wife, who has not been identified, filed for divorce in 2019.

He has since said he is married to a Brazilian man, whom he identified by the first name of Matt. He reportedly told Brazilian publication Piaui in November 2020 that his husbands name is Matheus Gerard.

Early political career

Mr Santos murky and ever-changing biography makes it difficult to parse fact from fiction during his early forays into politics.

In 2018, he began volunteering for the campaign of Republican Vickie Paladino, who was running for state Senate. He reportedly boasted of his ties to Wall Street donors who could contribute, but did little actual work.

The next year, he reportedly made his first attempt to get elected to Congress, but failed to secure enough signatures to get on the Queens County Republican Committee.

That month he launched his campaign for the United States House of Representatives in New Yorks 3rd Congressional District in 2020 against Democratic incumbent Thomas Suozzi.

No other candidates put their names forward. When pressed by reporters why he lived out of the district, he claimed to reside at an address that turned out to be his treasurers.

George Santos long history of lying may have finally caught up with him (REUTERS)

He lost the general election by about 46,000 votes, but still exceeded Republican expectations for the strongly Democratic district. He refused to concede the election.

Mr Santos spoke at the Stop the Steal rally at the ellipse in Washington DC on the day of the Capitol riots on January 6, claiming his election had been stolen. A roommate would later claim that Mr Santos had worn his stolen $520 Burberry scarf to the rally.

In 2020, while running for Congress, he began working at Florida investment firm Harbor City Capital, which was later accused in a civil lawsuit by the Security and Exchange Commission of running a $17m Ponzi scheme.

He has publicly denied any involvement in the alleged fraud.

Hes most likely just a fabulist

Soon after his 2020 election defeat, Mr Santos began raising money for the next congressional race.

New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who is now the third-ranking Republican in the House, endorsed him in 2021.

Later that year, a vulnerability study commissioned with Mr Santos approval found alarming revelations, and many of his staffers resigned, according to the Times.

Among other things, it found he had falsely claimed to have been endorsed by Mr Trump, along with many of the lies about his job history and personal wealth that have since been revealed.

Congressional leaders learned of his deceptions by 2022. According to the Times, Dan Conston, the leader of the Kevin McCarthy-aligned Congressional Leadership Fund, tried to circulate the reports findings to prominent donors.

Two pieces of luck helped paved the way for his election to Congress in 2022: Thomas Suozzi, the 3rd Districts incumbent lawmaker, announced he would not seek re-election and redistricting amounted in a new congressional district map gerrymandered to add a swathe of Republican areas.

Mr Santos again ran unopposed for the Republican nomination, and faced Democrat Robert Zimmerman in the general election, the first House race between two openly gay candidates.

Still, Mr Santos went on to take the district that November by eight points.

Rep. George Santos is followed by members of the media as he walks in the US Capitol on April 26, 2023 in Washington, DC (Getty Images)

Santos lies revealed post-election

A bombshell New York Times report on 19 December revealed to a broader audience for the first time many of Mr Santos fabrications and lies about his employment and education history.

A flood of further embellishments soon followed, including the 9/11 -related death of his mother, claims he had been a producer on the failed Broadway production of Spider-Man, how he had cheated associates out of clothes and cash, and had stolen $3,000 that had been raised to save a disabled veterans pet dog.

A pressure group formed by citizens in his 3rd Congressional District began holding protests outside his campaign office to try to force his expulsion from Congress.

As Mr Santos pile of scandals grew, he threw himself behind Kevin McCarthys campaign for Speaker of the House.

Mr McCarthy welcomed the support given his razor-thin majority, and refused to take action on any of the mounting ethical scandals, even as a growing number of New York Republicans called for him to be removed from Congress.

At the State of the Union in February, Mr Santos had an altercation with Mitt Romney after the Utah Senator told him he didnt belong in Congress and should be embarrassed.

Tell that to the 142,000 who voted for me, Mr Santos reportedly replied.

Following the speech, Mr Romney called the New York Republican a sick puppy.

In March, the House Ethics Committee opened an investigation into whether Mr Santos had engaged in unlawful activity.

Credit card scams and unpaid rent

Revelations about Mr Santos alleged grifts and schemes continued to emerge.

In February, it was reported that New York City housing court records showed that Tiffany Lee Devolder Santos owed $39,050 in back rent to the landlord.

Mr Santos had reportedly failed to pay rent in the Queens apartment he shared with his sister before being elected to Congress in a state of disrepair.

The next month, a Brazilian man  Gustavo Ribeiro Trelha  who was deported from the US after being convicted of credit card skimming fraud reportedly told federal authorities that Mr Santos was the mastermind of the scheme.

Trelha claimed Mr Santos had taught him how to skim card information and clone cards in Seattle in 2017.

Trelha claimed Mr Santos visited him in jail in Seattle after his arrest and threatened him not to reveal his part in the scheme to authorities.

Responding to the allegations at the time, Mr Santos told reporters that he was innocent.

In January, Mr Santos also claimed to have been the victim of a mugging and assassination attempt in New York.

Political positions

Mr Santos has claimed in interviews that he was exactly the kind of candidate that could grow the Republican Partys reach with younger voters.

He aligned himself strongly with Donald Trump and the Maga wing of the Republican caucus, attending the former presidents indictment on criminal charges in New York last month.

Other than platitudes about wanting to be a voice for every community in the district, Mr Santos does not set out any ideological vision on his campaign website or in statements.

In February, he was spotted wearing an AR-15 lapel in Congress after a spate of recent mass shootings.

He described abortion as barbaric in a 2022 speech to the Whitestone Republican Club.

He introduced several pieces of legislation in early 2023; including bills to raise the cap on state and local tax deduction and cut federal funding to countries that persecute LGBTQ people.

Mr Santos raised eyebrows in April, when he introduced the Medical Information Nuanced Accountability Judgment Act, which would ban the government from mandating certain vaccines.

The acronym, MINAJ, was thought to relate to Nicki Minajs comments in 2021 that her cousins friend had become impotent and suffered swollen testicles after taking the Covid-19 vaccine.

Arrest and indictment

Late afternoon on Tuesday 9 May, Mr Santos was criminally charged by prosecutors in New Yorks Eastern District, accused of defrauding donors by spending thousands of dollars of the solicited funds on personal expenses, including luxury designer clothing and credit card payments.

Mr Santos allegedly lied on financial disclosure forms he filed to the House by overstating his income from and failing to disclose income from another, while also lying about his earnings from his company, the Devolder Organization.

He also stands accused of insurance fraud for applying for Covid employment benefits in New York while still employed in Florida.

Following Donald Trumps playbook, Mr Santos called the charges a witch hunt and said he intended to run again for Congress.

Some Republicans have called for Mr Santos to leave Congress immediately. Mr McCarthy has said he will look at the charges.

In October, the Justice Department handed down a 23-count superseding indictment, adding 10 new felony charges into the mix. He has pleaded not guilty.

Federal officials accused Mr Santos of stealing campaign contributors identities to make more than $44,000 in credit card purchases.

A disgusting politicized smear

On 16 November, Mr Santos pursuit of re-election came to a grinding halt after the House Ethics Committee released its report on Mr Santos. The report said it found substantial evidence that Mr Santos broke federal laws.

Mr Santos knowingly filed false or incomplete reports with the FEC, used campaign funds for personal purposes, engaged in fraudulent conduct in connection with RedStone Strategies LLC, and engaged in knowing and willful violations of the Ethics in Government Act related to his financial disclosures, the Committee wrote.

The embattled New York Republican quickly took to X to defend himself. He called the report a disgusting politicized smear, adding Ive come to expect vitriol like this from political opposition but not from the hallowed halls of public service.

Finally, in his rambling X post, he announced that he would not be running again in 2024. I am humbled yet again and reminded that I am human and I have flaws, but I will not stand by as I am stoned by those who have flaws themselves, Mr Santos wrote.
[Source]

During the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) global trade summit in San Francisco, Chinese President Xi Jinping warned U.S. President Joe Biden that the Taiwan issue is the most significant threat to peace in U.S.-China relations.

Xis statement: On Wednesday, Xi emphasized the preference for a peaceful reunification with Taiwan but indicated conditions where the use of force might be considered, a senior U.S. official told reporters, referring to Xi's comments on Taiwan. China has long claimed that the self-governed island is part of its territory, previously noting that they will reunify the island with force if necessary.

Bidens response: President Biden reiterated the U.S. commitment to maintaining peace and stability. The U.S. follows a strategic ambiguity policy on the China-Taiwan conflict, recognizing Beijing's claim to Taiwan without endorsing it. Despite being Taiwan's primary military and defense aid provider, the U.S. does not explicitly commit to intervening in a conflict.

President Biden responded very clearly that the long-standing position of the United States was ... determination to maintain peace and stability, the official said, according to Reuters. President Xi responded: look, peace is ... all well and good but at some point we need to move towards resolution more generally.

Trending on NextShark: Watch: Woman breaks down in tears after missing flight due to online shopping sale

Foreign Ministrys warning: Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying also warned the U.S. about supporting Taiwan's independence on X.

The U.S. side should take real actions to honor its commitment of not supporting Taiwan independence, stop arming Taiwan and support Chinas peaceful reunification. China will realize reunification, and this is unstoppable, Hua wrote in a post.

Biden calls Xi a "dictator": Biden emphasized their differences in governance during a press conference following the summit and later referred to Xi as a "dictator" once again, which he previously said for the first time in June.

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Well, look, he is. He's a dictator in the sense that he's a guy who runs a country that is a communist country, that is based on a form of government that is totally different than ours, Biden told a reporter, according to Fox News.

Other issues: Biden and Xi also addressed and claimed to have made "real progress" on various other issues, including military conflicts, drug-trafficking and artificial intelligence. Biden stressed the importance of restoring military-to-military contacts to prevent accidents and miscalculations. Xi also expressed discontent with U.S. sanctions in the tech sector, emphasizing the impact on China's development. Biden acknowledged the competitive relationship but committed to managing it responsibly.

No agreement: However, no agreements were reached on detained U.S. nationals, and Taiwan remains a contentious issue. China's increased military activity aims to compel Taiwan to accept Beijings sovereignty, despite strong opposition from Taipei. Senior U.S. military officers suggest that Xi has ordered the People's Liberation Army to be prepared for a possible invasion of Taiwan by 2027. Beijing has not ruled out the use of force and has not disclosed specific war preparation details.

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Santiago Ochoa's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com.
Jasper Kenzo Sundeen's reporting for the Yakima Herald-Republic is possible with support from Report for America and community members through the Yakima Valley Community Fund. For information on republishing, email news@yakimaherald.com.
BEIJING, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense on Thursday urged Japan not to stir up trouble in the South China Sea.

Defense cooperation between countries should not harm the interests of a third party or jeopardize regional peace and security, ministry spokesperson Zhang Xiaogang said at a press conference, commenting on the security cooperation attempts between Japan and the Philippines.

Zhang alerted countries in the region and the international community to the fact that Japan has increasingly become a destabilizing factor in the Asia-Pacific region and is attempting to subvert the post-WWII international order.

In recent years, Japan has breached its pacifist constitution and its exclusively defense-oriented policy, and has constantly exported weapons and equipment, heading further down the road of military expansion, Zhang noted, adding that it also tried to woo partners to destabilize the situation in the South China Sea.

"We urge the Japanese side to speak and act cautiously on military and security matters, and do more to contribute to regional peace and stability," Zhang said. 
Rescuers evacuate the body of a victim after an aircraft crash in Pasuruan, East Java province, Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2023. Two light attack aircraft crashed in Indonesia's East Java province on Thursday, killing all four people aboard, according to the Indonesian Air Force. (Photo by Sahlan Kurniawan/Xinhua)

JAKARTA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two light attack aircraft crashed in Indonesia's East Java province on Thursday, killing all four people aboard, according to the Indonesian Air Force.

The two Super Tucano turboprops with tail numbers TT-3103 and TT-3111 hit a steep slope of Mount Bromo volcano while conducting a routine flight-formation exercise in Pasuruan district, said First Marshall Agung Sasongkojati, spokesman of the Indonesian Air Force.

The incident left two pilots and two other crew members dead, according to Sasongkojati.

"All four bodies have been found by rescuers and sent to nearby hospitals," he told Xinhua by phone.

The accident occurred at about 11:43 a.m. local time and an explosion happened after one of the planes crashed, said Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the provincial search and rescue office. 

Rescuers evacuate the body of a victim after an aircraft crash in Pasuruan, East Java province, Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2023. Two light attack aircraft crashed in Indonesia's East Java province on Thursday, killing all four people aboard, according to the Indonesian Air Force. (Photo by Sahlan Kurniawan/Xinhua)

Rescuers evacuate the body of a victim after an aircraft crash in Pasuruan, East Java province, Indonesia, Nov. 16, 2023. Two light attack aircraft crashed in Indonesia's East Java province on Thursday, killing all four people aboard, according to the Indonesian Air Force. (Photo by Sahlan Kurniawan/Xinhua)

People inspect the wreckage site of one of the two Super Tucano turboprops after found crashed in Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia, on Nov. 17, 2023.

Two light attack aircraft crashed in Indonesia's East Java province on Thursday, killing all four people aboard, according to the Indonesian Air Force. (Photo by Sahlan Kurniawan/Xinhua)

People inspect the wreckage site of one of the two Super Tucano turboprops after found crashed in Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia, on Nov. 17, 2023.

Two light attack aircraft crashed in Indonesia's East Java province on Thursday, killing all four people aboard, according to the Indonesian Air Force. (Photo by Sahlan Kurniawan/Xinhua)

People inspect the wreckage site of one of the two Super Tucano turboprops after found crashed in Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia, on Nov. 17, 2023.

Two light attack aircraft crashed in Indonesia's East Java province on Thursday, killing all four people aboard, according to the Indonesian Air Force. (Photo by Sahlan Kurniawan/Xinhua)

People inspect the wreckage site of one of the two Super Tucano turboprops after found crashed in Pasuruan, East Java, Indonesia, on Nov. 17, 2023.

Two light attack aircraft crashed in Indonesia's East Java province on Thursday, killing all four people aboard, according to the Indonesian Air Force. (Photo by Sahlan Kurniawan/Xinhua)
Prietenul elevei care l-a injunghiat pe un pedagog de la Colegiul Traian Vuia a fost retinut de procurori

Procurorii Parchetului de pe langa Judecatoria Oradea au hotarat sa-l retina, pentru 24 de ore, pe prietenul elevei de 15 ani, de la Colegiul tehnic Traian Vuia, care l-a injunghiat [citeste mai departe]
Stiri pe aceeasi tema

- President Iohannis concludes visit to TanzaniaPresident Klaus Iohannis on Sunday participated in the farewell ceremony organised at State House in Dar es Salaam on the occasion of the conclusion of his official visit to the United Republic of Tanzania, told Agerpres. During the ceremony, hosted

- Klaus si Carmen Iohannis au mers in vizita joi la liceul de fete Uthiru, din Kangemi, in cadrul vizitei de stat a presedintelui in Kenya. Seful statului a transmis ca Romania a facut o donatie prin programul de asistenta pentru dezvoltare. De asemenea, la evenimentul de inaugurare a fost organizat un

- President Iohannis pays visit to Nairobi National Park, meets Kenya's Minister of WildlifePresident Klaus Iohannis met on Wednesday with Kenya's Minister of Wildlife Alfred Nganga Mutua, and Director General of the Kenya Wildlife Service Erustus Kanga, during a visit to Nairobi National Park, the

- Chairman of the Hungarian Democratic Union of Romania (UDMR) Kelemen Hunor said on Friday that he is glad that President Klaus Iohannis has accepted the invitation of his Hungarian counterpart Katalin Novak for an even belated visit to Budapest, although such meetings should take place annually.

- President Klaus Iohannis is paying a state visit to Portugal, from 6 to 9 October, at the invitation of his counterpart Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the Presidential Administration informed.The visit to Portugal will begin with Iohannis participating as a special guest in an anniversary meeting of the

- President Iohannis: Education reforms require patience and perseverancePresident Klaus Iohannis said on Monday that education reforms need patience and perseverance and expressed the hope that politicians will show maturity and will not immediately intervene with changes that may affect the course

- President Iohannis: We have informed NATO allies about the discovery of probably drone componentsPresident Klaus Iohannis stated on Wednesday that NATO allies were informed about the discovery of some components that, very likely, belong to a drone, told Agerpres. "In the situation we are

- President Iohannis: We are determined to continue Army endowment programmesPresident Klaus Iohannis at the military base in Cincu, which he visited on Tuesday with Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel, said that the Romanian Army's endowment is moving to a new level and that
Some 51% of Hungarian car owners use a car 16 years or older, which they bought for between HUF 1 million-3 mln Hasznaltauto.hu announced, based on an online representative survey conducted in September with researcher GKID.

The average age of motor vehicles in Hungary is 14.5 years.



Based on the survey results, the average domestic car owner spends between HUF 50,000 and HUF 250,000 per year on maintenance, while waiting at least five years for a replacement.



Average car owners in Hungary would typically pay around HUF 3.8 mln for a gasoline or diesel used car that is no more than eight years old.
The Veszprem Jazz Festival to be held as part of the Veszprem-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture scheme will feature international stars, experimental performances crossing musical boundaries, as well as young Hungarian jazz musicians playing between Thursday and Sunday.

The festival in the western Hungarian city will kick off with Swiss trumpet player Erik Truffaz, US guitarist Erik Truffaz and French drummer of Ivorian descent Manu Katche playing on Thursday.



The programme will also include Swiss drummer Jojo Mayer, US group Scary Pockets, the international supergroup Nils Landgren 4WD, Germanys Boticelli Baby, British band The New Mastersounds, as well as Hungarys Keknyul and the Emma Nagy Quintet.



The concerts will be held in central Veszprem, at the Hangvilla, Expresszo, and Papirkutya Kulturbisztro.



Veszprem was awarded the UNESCO City of Music title in 2019, and a highlighted goal of the Veszprem-Balaton 2023 European Capital of Culture scheme is to promote a wide range of musical styles and present local musicians from the region in addition to international stars.



As a result, the Veszprem Jazz Festival will feature several Hungarian musicians at the Hangvilla Cafe and students of the Snetberger Foundation will give free concerts at the Papirkutya Kulturbisztro.



Exhibitions by photographer Attila Kleb and the makers of Blasius bass guitars will also be shown during the festival.



More:

veszpremjazz.hu/en
YORK  A survivalist Youtuber from Omaha faces a lawsuit after an electrician died during renovations on the influencer's "doomsday bunker."

Mary Arkfeld of Valley is suing Andrew Flair and three of his companies for negligence after her husband, Joseph Arkfeld, 66, died while at Flair's decommissioned missile site on Dec. 20, 2022 in York.

York County Sheriff Paul Vrbka said that his office received a call around 8:26 p.m. that day saying a man was trapped between a steel door and a wall. When the police arrived, Joseph Arfkeld had died due to internal injuries, Vrbka said. Foul play was not considered and the death was ruled an accident.

Many of Flairs Youtube videos are about survival  surviving in the woods for a night with a bag of Walmart supplies or surviving in a bunker for 24 hours. Some videos are also about Flairs real estate.

Flair purchased a decommissioned Atlas-F nuclear missile silo sometime in the fall of 2022. Rather than leaving it be, he decided to remodel the silo, turning it into his doomsday bunker.

He documented his renovation process on Youtube, sharing it with his 2.74 million subscribers. He also made videos in which he went magnet fishing in the silo and explored a secret escape tunnel.

It was between when renovations began in fall 2022 and when Flair posted a video saying that they were complete on Feb. 2 of this year, that the accident at the facility occurred. Joseph Arkfeld died after the facility's door closed on him.

The entrance to the silo resembled a reckless Rube Goldberg machine, Mary Arkfeld said in the lawsuit.

Joseph Arkfeld was a retired electrician, according to an obituary, who took one-off jobs from time to time. He was there to work on a renovation of the silo that Flair had recently begun. Andrew Flairs father, Michael Flair, was also helping with renovation work that day.

Flairs father left in the afternoon, while Arkfeld stayed behind to finish the work. According to the lawsuit, Arkfeld was told to lock the entry door, a claim that the defense denies.

The entry door was operated by an electric winch, powered by a battery, according to Vrbka. The winch used steel cable to open and close the heavy steel door, according to the sheriff. The door closed with over 2,000 pounds of force, according to the complaint. The defense denies this figure.

At some point while Arkfeld was entering or leaving, the entry door to the silo began to close, trapped him against the door frame and crushed him, according to Vrbka.

Joe spent several tortuous moments trapped and unable to free himself from the force of the door, likely terrified, knowing he was about to die, the complaint by his wife alleged.

After his death, the entry door was inoperable and a tow truck was needed to open the Entry Door, according to the complaint.

Mary Arkfeld alleged that Flairs negligence caused the death. She claimed that Joseph Arkfeld received inadequate instruction about how to operate the door and that the door had a defect known to Flair.

Arkfeld also alleged that Flair mocked safety protocols and safe working conditions, citing statements he made in some of his Youtube videos.

The doors winch had excess cable, which the complaint described as the defect, causing the door to unevenly close, sometimes slowing down or coming to a stop before suddenly closing at full speed.

In court documents, in addition to denying that Arkfeld was ever told to close the door, Flair denies that Arkfeld was inadequately informed how to operate the door and also that the door had any defect. Flair also denies that to control the winch, you had to connect a car battery via jumper cables to metal rods, as alleged in the complaint.

The lawsuit names Flair and three of his businesses  Beefcake Construction LLC, Andrew Flair Outdoors LLC and Hooya Enterprises LLC. Flair recently started a beef jerky company called BeefCake jerky.

The lawsuit does not contain specific monetary damages sought because they plan to leave it to the jury, said Mark Richardson and Sam Colwell with Nebraska-based Remboldt Ludtke, the law firm representing Arkfelds widow. The complaint speaks for itself, they added.

In September, the defense filed a motion to dismiss all the defendants but Hooya. Calls to the lawyer for the defense, Ryan M. Kunhart, were not immediately returned Tuesday. On Friday, Nov. 3, Kunhart shared the following statement, "Andrew and his family were saddened by the tragic passing of Mr. Arkfeld last December. Due to the ongoing legal proceedings, he is not able to comment further at this time."

A hearing on the motion is scheduled for Dec. 14.

Occupational Safety and Administration did not investigate Arkfelds death because of the absence of an employer/employee relationship, according to Scott Allen, regional director for public affairs and media relations at the U.S. Department of Labor. Joseph Arkfeld was a sole proprietor and didnt fall under OSHAs jurisdiction, Allen wrote in an email to the News-Times.

Silo flip

Why Flair bought the nuclear silo in the first place is the subject of conversation on his Youtube channel.

In a video called I bought an Abandoned Nuclear Missile Bunker!! (Prepping for Doomsday), Flair told viewers, We are going to turn this property into the ultimate doomsday preppers paradise. Just in case the world comes to an end, I and my family will have a place to stay.

According to court documents, Flair denies that he sought to turn the abandoned Nuclear Silo into the ultimate doomsday Preppers Paradise, as the complaint alleges and as he appeared to state on Youtube.

The previous owners had bought the silo in York a year or two before Y2K, according to Mike Figueroa, a Lincoln realtor who helped sell the property to Flair for $550,000 and is now helping Flair resell it for $750,000. Figueroa has previously sold two other missile silos.

Figueroa had not heard about the accidental death when the News-Times reached him on Tuesday. This was the first I had heard about it, he said over the phone.

Flair considered putting the property on AirBnb, according to a video he posted in February, 2022. It is not clear if he ever did. The liability involved may have been higher than is financially feasible, Figueroa said in a conversation late last week with the News-Times.

It is not clear exactly when Flair decided to sell the property, but the first article about his decision to sell the property appears to be from early July. The topic was featured on NPR's Morning Edition program.

Arkfelds widow filed the complaint on Aug. 25, 2023.

No doubt flipping nuclear silos is rare. It takes a unique buyer, Figueroa told the News-Times in a conversation before he knew about the death.

Death at this silo does not seem to be so uncommon. Two of the construction workers died while they were building this, Flair said in a Youtube video posted nine days before Arkfeld died. The silo was constructed in 1962.

And at some point they sent down scuba divers to look for a body in the nearly 200 foot deep cavern, where the missile used to be stored, Flair said in a Youtube video. They said they never found it, Flair said.

Students from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln who are involved with a UNL project at a decommissioned nuclear missile silo in Seward toured the York silo at the beginning of the school year and another tour with UNL affiliates is planned. The interdisciplinary project at UNL involves converting the Seward silo into the Ice Coring and Education Silo Center, according to a UNL press release.

The students had toured the York facility because  relative to the Seward silo  they could get into it safely, Figueroa said.
Zheng Wanqi, a pediatrician from northeast China's Liaoning Province, conducts a follow-up visit to a baby in the pastoral area of Nagqu, southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, Sept. 16, 2023. (Xinhua/Liu Zhoupeng)

LHASA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Zheng Wanqi, a pediatrician from northeast China's Liaoning Province, knows too well the challenges of working on the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau, known as the "roof of the world."

Over the past three years, Zheng has been battling altitude sickness. Every time after completing her ward rounds and providing emergency treatment to patients in Nagqu, a sparsely populated city in southwest China's Xizang Autonomous Region, she needs supplemental oxygen cylinders to alleviate her discomfort, which includes intermittent headaches and muscular soreness, among other symptoms.

Nagqu, situated at an average altitude of over 4,500 meters, grapples with low oxygen levels and has a prolonged heating season that spans up to seven months, with the city's lowest temperatures occasionally plummeting to minus 30 degrees Celsius. The climate was unpleasant that some locals said, "there are only two seasons throughout the year in Nagqu, one is winter and the other is almost winter."

However, Zheng refused to let these challenges deter her from pursuing her career goals of enhancing local healthcare services and bringing hope to thousands of hospitalized children and their families. Most of these patients hail from remote rural areas in Nagqu.

"Before signing up to join medical assistance teams for Xizang, I never heard of Nagqu's name or knew anything about the city," she said. "During my tenure here, I've seen the development of our pediatric department and my own continuous improvement over time. I will definitely miss my life and colleagues here after leaving."

Zheng works with the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University in the city of Dalian in Liaoning Province.

As a member of the fifth and the sixth medical assistance team sent by Liaoning to Xizang, she has been tasked with enhancing the medical standards and services in the pediatric department of the People's Hospital of Nagqu City. The hospital has been receiving support from medical professionals and experts from Liaoning since 2015.

Starting in 2015, China launched a national program that sends medical personnel from relatively developed eastern regions to Xizang and Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to improve their medical service levels. Since then, more than 3,100 high-caliber medical personnel have been dispatched to hospitals in both regions, according to the National Health Commission.

These professionals, comprising medical practitioners and managers, have provided guidance to over 1,000 local medical teams and trained more than 7,600 medical personnel. The medical assistance teams sent to Xinjiang and Xizang have significantly elevated local healthcare services over the years, the commission said.

In March 2021, when Zheng first came to the hospital, she found only 30 beds in the department, which could barely meet the needs of the patients. But the medical standard and services were better than what she had expected, thanks to the efforts made by her predecessors dispatched from Liaoning.

Zheng vividly remembers a case which she believes is "the most critical one" she has encountered during her stay in Xizang. In March 2022, a two-month-old baby boy suffering from toxic encephalopathy was brought by his parents to the Nagqu hospital for treatment.

After being admitted, the baby began exhibiting symptoms such as persistent convulsions and eventually experienced a cardiopulmonary arrest. Zheng and her colleagues swiftly initiated emergency measures, saving the baby from the brink of death.

"When the baby's parents learned that he had tided over the dangers, they gave me a hada (a traditional Tibetan silk scarf that symbolizes purity and auspiciousness) with tears in their eyes and said 'Tashi Delek' (meaning good luck) to me," Zheng recalled.

In addition to her daily work, she helps train local medics and conducts first-aid training sessions at local kindergartens. She also provides free medical consultations to herders in rural areas on a regular basis and distributes essential medicines and informational brochures to raise awareness.

Zheng noted that apart from the altitude sickness, there are numerous other challenges here. During rainy and snowy days, while en route for follow-up visits to newborns in rural areas, the dirt roads would often transform into muddy terrain, causing her vehicle to lose traction.

However, through the joint efforts of the assistance teams and local healthcare professionals, the medical standards in Nagqu have seen significant improvement. The pediatric ward, currently equipped with 51 beds, has increased its capacity to treat more patients. Moreover, the neonatal mortality rate has witnessed a substantial decline, contributing to the enhanced well-being of local children.

Zheng has treated more than 5,000 hospitalized patients in Nagqu, aged 14 years and below. Under her initiative, the Nagqu city critical neonatal treatment center has been established. "The meaningful experience of assisting Xizang has made me grow up," she said.

She has formed close connections with the families of many patients. Some of them keep her updated on their children's recovery progress and occasionally seek her advice.

Jia Zhuqiang, head of the sixth medical assistance team sent by Liaoning to Xizang and the director of the Nagqu City People's Hospital, said since 2015 Liaoning has sent 135 medical workers from various fields to the hospital, extending free medical consultations to over 7,000 farmers and herders.

The Liaoning assistance teams have also established a clinical skills training base in Nagqu, providing training to over 500 local medical workers. And nearly 195 local medics received training in cities such as Shenyang and Dalian, Jia noted.

The teams also helped the hospital to set up several new facilities such as a plateau medical research center, Jia added.

Zheng is scheduled to return to Dalian in late December after completing her tenure in Nagqu.

"During these last two months, I will continue to help develop the pediatric department here and conduct more training sessions for the grassroots medics," she said. "More importantly, I want to create a pediatric specialist pool to help more people." 
YORK  Mark Hartley, of York, will be the speaker at the Kilgore Memorial Library on Monday for a grief workshop. He is a hospice chaplain with over 30 years of experience in ministering and supporting those who are grieving through his pastoral duties.

According to material about the workshop, Hartley has served as a lead pastor in Arkansas, Maine, Hong Kong and Nebraska. He has served as a hospice chaplain since 2001 as well.

Hartley said his goal is for attendees to experience coping skills to help with the most difficult days of a grief journey, hope through companionship with people who get it and understand, the opportunity to discover new traditions and ideas to keep loved ones present in your hearts and in your memories, permission to grieve and permission to live a happy productive life.

Hartley will explain that grief is so much bigger than someone just passing away. It is losing a relationship with a person, pet, your job or moving somewhere new and he will focus on different tools you can use to help cope with those different types of grief. You will obtain tools to help yourself or a loved one be encouraged in processing grief. Encouragement is important and having the right tools can be invaluable.

He will explain that grief is a life journey, and you never know what sight, smell or sound might retrigger that grief. One example is when Hartley was doing a funeral service for someone he didnt know  the slideshow and story of the person brought back memories of his grandmother that died 10 years ago, but those memories brought grief in that moment. Hartley hopes from his workshop, attendees will be able to say you have grief but also have hope to get through it.

The workshop, titled Hope in the Midst of Despair, will be held on Monday, Nov. 20 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. at Kilgore Memorial Library in York.
New Delhi: The adrenaline-pumping world of espionage and high-stakes action reached new heights with the recently released blockbuster, Tiger 3. However, a surprise in the post-credit scene left audiences on the edge of their seats. As the credits rolled, fans were treated to an electrifying few scenes, signaling the return of Hrithik Roshan as Kabir in the much-anticipated sequel, War 2.

The clip masterfully sets the stage for the next chapter in the spy universe, promising an even more thrilling and heart-stopping adventure.

Featuring a jaw-dropping announcement, as Kabir (played by superstar Hrithik Roshan) steps back into the spy universe. The teaser glimpses for War 2 give audiences a glimpse into the rollercoaster ride of action, suspense, and intrigue.

Hrithik Roshan's character, Kabir, became an instant fan favorite when he first graced the screen in the 2019 blockbuster, War. His charismatic portrayal of a skilled and enigmatic spy captured the audience's imagination, making Kabir a memorable character in the spy thriller genre. Its no surprise then that the ending of Tiger 3 left fans expressing overwhelming excitement about seeing their beloved hero back in action.

Social media platforms were flooded with posts from fans expressing their excitement and eagerly anticipating the return of Hrithik Roshan as Kabir. The post-credit scene also had theatergoers whistling, hooting, and erupting into applause, showcasing the announcement's weighty impact on the audience.

Apart from the intriguing plot and the promise of intense action, fans couldn't help but notice how good Hrithik Roshan looked in the sequence. The actor's suave and stylish appearance in the clip has become a hot topic of discussion among fans, adding another layer of anticipation for the film.

As the excitement continues, War 2 is poised to be a blockbuster that delivers on the promise of heart-stopping action, a gripping narrative, and the stylish return of Hrithik Roshan as the iconic Kabir.
New Delhi: Delhi Environment Minister Gopal Rai will convene a meeting with various departments on Thursday to ensure the effective implementation of measures outlined in the Centres air pollution control plan, news agency PTI quoted officials as saying. The meeting will take place at the Delhi Secretariat at 1 pm, PTI quoted an official as saying. Rai had earlier reprimanded the departments concerned for their laxity in executing the air pollution control plan and urged them to establish a monitoring mechanism for overseeing the teams responsible for enforcing anti-air pollution measures.

The meeting comes as Delhis air quality fluctuated between the very poor and severe categories on Thursday due to unfavourable meteorological conditions hindering the dispersion of pollutants.

According to the Central Pollution Control Board, the capitals Air Quality Index stood at 393 at 9 am on Thursday. Its 24-hour average AQI, recorded at 4 pm every day, stood at 401 on Wednesday. It was 397 on Tuesday. It was 358 on Monday and 218 on Sunday, 220 on Saturday, 279 on Friday and 437 on Thursday.

Recent findings from a joint project by the Delhi government and IIT-Kanpur revealed that vehicular emissions accounted for about 38 per cent of the national capitals air pollution on Wednesday. This is projected to rise to 40 per cent on Thursday. An official at the India Meteorological Department (IMD) said that calm winds and low temperatures are allowing accumulation of pollutants and relief is unlikely over the next few days.
New Delhi: Amid an ongoing diplomatic row with Canada, India on Thursday called upon Canada to uphold the principles outlined in the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations. The appeal from India follows reports of Khalistani elements disrupting a consular camp organized by the Indian High Commission in Canada.

Addressing the media, MEA spokesperson Arindam Bagchi clarified that despite attempts by radical elements to disrupt a consular camp near Vancouver on November 12, the event, aimed at providing life certificates to pensioners, concluded successfully. Bagchi emphasized that the Consul General was not present at the site during the incident.

"Our High Commission and consulates in Canada regularly organize consular camps. One such camp was organized near Vancouver on November 12 to provide life certificates to pensioners. The event was held successfully despite attempts by a few radical elements to cause trouble. Our Consul General was not present at that site," the MEA spokesperson said. "We reiterate the need for nations to respect the Vienna Convention on diplomatic relations so that our diplomats can discharge their diplomatic obligations," he added.

#WATCH | MEA Spokesperson Arindam Bagchi says, " Our High Commission and consulates in Canada regularly organize consular camps. One such camp was organized near Vancouver on November 12th to provide life certificates to pensioners. The event was held successfully despite pic.twitter.com/loj7a0cOMI  ANI (@ANI) November 16, 2023

Contradictory Reports On Diwali Incident

Regarding reports of an alleged attack on the Indian community during Diwali celebrations in Canada, Bagchi stated that the Consulate had not received any complaints about the incident. He mentioned that the events near Brampton or Mississauga during Diwali appeared more as unrest between two groups, with no formal complaints received by the consulate. Authorities in Canada are reportedly investigating the matter.

'Share Evidence': EAM To Canada

In response to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's allegations of India's involvement in the killing of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, External Affairs Minister (EAM) S Jaishankar today requested evidence to support the claims. During a conversation with journalist Lionel Barber on Wednesday, Jaishankar emphasised the importance of credible evidence. When asked if there was any evidence of the Indian government's involvement in the killing, the EAM categorically stated, "None."

Speaking about Trudeau's allegations, Jaishankar revealed that he has discussed the matter with his Canadian counterpart, Melanie Joly, urging the Canadian government to share any evidence they may have. He highlighted India's willingness to consider an investigation but emphasised that no evidence has been provided thus far.

"Now, in the case of Mr Trudeau, I have discussed it also with my own counterpart. And we have told them, look, if you have a reason to make such an allegation, please share the evidence with us. We are not ruling out an investigation and looking at anything which they may have to offer. They haven't done so," Jaishankar said.

Escalating Diplomatic Standoff

The recent developments occur amid an escalating diplomatic standoff between New Delhi and Ottawa. The tensions arose after Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused "agents of the Indian government" in the killing of a Khalistani terrorist, a claim India vehemently rejected as "absurd and motivated."

In response, India expelled a Canadian diplomat in a tit-for-tat move after Ottawa requested a senior Indian diplomat to leave. Notably, Canada has not presented any evidence to substantiate its allegations, according to the MEA.

Canada's Allegations

Last month, Canada withdrew 41 diplomats from India and suspended visa and consular services in consulates in Chandigarh, Mumbai, and Bengaluru, following India's decision to strip them of their immunity. This action was prompted by New Delhi expressing concerns over the disproportionate number of Canadian diplomats in India and seeking parity in diplomatic strength.

Canada accused India of violating the Vienna Convention, to which the MEA responded by asserting that seeking parity did not breach any international norms. New Delhi initially halted visa services to Canada but later resumed services for four categories after a thorough review of the security situation. The diplomatic tensions continue to strain relations between the two nations.
New Delhi: In a riveting turn of events, Indias External Affairs Minister (EAM), S Jaishankar, has demanded proof from Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who has accused India of participating in the assassination of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar. Jaishankar, in a conversation with journalist Lionel Barber, underscored the necessity for credible evidence to substantiate such serious allegations.

When questioned about any proof of Indias involvement in the incident, Jaishankar firmly responded, None. He also disclosed that he has been in talks with his Canadian counterpart, Melanie Joly, urging the Canadian government to provide any evidence they might possess. He reiterated Indias readiness to consider an investigation, but stressed that no evidence has been presented so far.

Jaishankar also addressed the larger issue of violent and extreme political views advocating separatism from India, which have found a place in Canadian politics. He expressed concern over the accommodation of such views, which have led to attacks on Indian diplomats, including the High Commission, and intimidation of consul generals and other diplomats.

In the midst of a diplomatic spat between India and Canada over the death of Khalistani terrorist Hardeep Singh Nijjar, Indian High Commissioner to the UK, Vikram Doraiswami, was barred by radicals from entering a gurdwara in Glasgow in October this year.

Jaishankar further emphasized the importance of exercising responsibility in the context of freedom of speech and expression in Canada. He stated, But freedom of speech and freedom of expression also comes with a certain responsibility. And the misuse of those freedoms and the toleration of that misuse for political purposes would be, to our mind, very wrong.

Earlier this month, Trudeau reiterated his accusation of Indian involvement in the killing of Sikh separatist leader Nijjar on Canadian soil. He alleged that New Delhi had violated the Vienna Convention by kicking out 40 diplomats at a time when his country was reaching out to India and other global partners to investigate the murder.

However, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) responded by stating that no international norms were violated in India, seeking parity in the mutual diplomatic presence in New Delhi and Ottawa.
New Delhi: In a massive operation, the Indian Air Force airlifted a 25-tonne heavy auger machine from Delhi to Uttarakhand on Wednesday to expedite the rescue of 40 labourers trapped in the Silkyara tunnel since Sunday. The tunnel, part of a hydropower project, collapsed after a landslide in Uttarkashi district. The auger machine, which can drill through the debris at a rate of 4-5 metres per hour, was transported in three parts by Hercules aircraft of the Air Force. It landed at Chinyalisaur airport and was taken to the tunnel site through a green corridor.

The first batch of the machine, which was procured from the US, reached the tunnel at around 4.45 p.m. on Wednesday. Colonel Deepak Patil, who is leading the relief and rescue operation, said that the machine is very advanced and works fast. He also said that the military operation team has joined the mission.

Apart from the auger machine, the rescue team is also seeking help from special teams from Norway and Thailand. A Thai rescue company, which had saved children trapped in a cave in Thailand, has been contacted. Suggestions have been also sought from Norways NGI agency and experts of Indian Railways, RVNL, RITES and IRCON.
New Delhi: In an exclusive conversation with Zee News online, 'Blurr' producer and Director Sarika Sanjot discusses about the changing face of Bollywood.

Director Sarika Sanjot has won a special award The National Achievers Awards 2023 for 'Kahani Rubberband Ki.' This special award was been given to her because of her outstanding direction and contribution to the film industry her exceptional vision and storytelling skill is mind-blowing.

Sarika is engaged in discussions with various stakeholders to bring her vision to life. Notably, he has started talks with potential actors to star in this unique venture. After marriage, she has settled in Gujarat. Talking about this, the director said, "After leaving school, I grew up watching films with my parents. Before marriage, I worked in various departments during advertising and film shooting in Delhi and Mumbai."

She is popularly known for her films 'Phamous', 'Family of Thakurganj,' 'GST' and 'Kahani Rubberband ki.'
Jaipur: Dismissing rumours of a factional feud within the Congress ranks in Rajasthan, Rahul Gandhi, alongside Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and leader Sachin Pilot, asserted unity and optimism for the upcoming high-stakes assembly polls in the state.

'Not Just Seen Together, But They Stand United': Rahul

Addressing the media in Jaipur, Rahul Gandhi emphasized, "We are not only seen together but we are also united. We will be together, and Congress will sweep the elections here and win." This statement aimed to dispel reports speculating internal conflicts within the party. Rahul Gandhi was earlier spotted with Rajasthan Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and Congress leader Sachin Pilot in Jaipur.

Addressing a poll rally in Rajasthan's Churu, Rahul said that PM Modi asked people to clang the utensils when people were dying of the Covid-19 disease. "Narendra Modi had said - if black money is not erased, hang me...During Corona, Narendra Modi told you - to turn on your mobile phone torches, and clang utensils. People were dying across the country, there was no oxygen or medicines. Narendra Modi came and said that COVID is here, people are dying, clang your utensils now," he said.

"On the other hand, there was the Bhilwara model. Utensils were being clanged here and food packet was being distributed to houses in Rajasthan; medicines were being distributed and patients were being saved. Why? Because we run a government of the poor, farmers and workers," said the Congress Wayanad MP

"Congress party's work is to transfer money into the pockets of the poor. They transfer money into the pockets of Adani," he said while slamming the PM over the implementation of GST and demonetisation.

Later in Nohar, Rajasthan, Rahul Gandhi said, "I said in Parliament that caste census should be conducted in the country. I want to ask what is the population of OBCs in this country. No one can tell. Because there is a reason, there is a conspiracy, they do not want to tell you about your real population. The OBC population in this country is at least 50%..."

Amid the ongoing campaign for the upcoming assembly polls, the trio's display of unity sought to quell concerns of a renewed clash between Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot and former deputy Sachin Pilot.

Meanwhile, Congress national general secretary KC Venugopal reinforced party unity, refuting claims of disunity. He stated, "Our party remains united as before. All our leaders are standing together and fighting with the common aim of ensuring the BJP's defeat and returning to power in Rajasthan."

BJP Obsessed With Gandhi Parivaar: Gehlot

On November 15, the Rajasthan CM Ashok Gehlot posted on X " Together we are winning again", the post included a picture of Ashok Gehlot sitting in a meeting with Congress General Secretary in charge of Rajasthan Sukhjinder Randhawa and senior Rajasthan Congress leaders Jitender Singh and Sachin Pilot. The post was re-posted by Sachin Pilot on his timeline.

CM Ashok Gehlot also responded to BJP's targeting of the Gandhi family, questioning the saffron party's fixation. He remarked, "For 30 years, this family has lived without any position, they are just managing the Congress party... This means that this family has the highest credibility in the country."

"Why does this cause so much anguish to the BJP, why does it bother them? ... Why do they target them, they should target us, we work in the field...? Why are they afraid of them? This means that this family has the highest credibility in the country..." Ashok Gehlot added.

Rajasthan Looking For A Change: PM

In contrast, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, addressing an election rally, claimed a shift in the state's political winds. He asserted, "The entire state of Rajasthan is saying this, the Congress is exiting the state, and the BJP government is coming." Modi's remarks highlighted the BJP's ambition for a significant electoral impact.

Rajasthan is gearing up for assembly polls on November 25, with results expected on December 3. In the 2018 elections, Congress secured 99 seats, challenging the BJP's 2013 dominance with 163 seats. Gehlot assumed office with the support of BSP MLAs and Independents. The current political landscape sets the stage for a fierce electoral contest in the coming weeks.
New Delhi: The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) has issued a statement for customers warning them of fraudsters who impose as TRAI officials.

Some companies/agencies/individuals pose as TRAI officials to make fraudulent calls to the customers stating that their mobile numbers will be disconnected as the numbers are being used for sending unsolicited messages.

"It has been brought to the notice of Telecom Regulatory Authority of India that some companies 1 agencies 1 individuals are fraudulently asking public/customersthat they are calling from TRAI and mobile numbers of the public/customers will be disconnected as the numbers' are being used for sending unsolicited messages. It is also informed by these companies 1 agencies 1 individualsthat AADHAAR numbers of the public were used for obtaining S1M cards and are being used for illegal activities. These companies/agencies/individuals are also trying to trick the customers/public to come on Skype video call to avoid disconnection of mobile numbers," TRAI said.

The regulator added that it does not block or disconnect any mobile number and has advised people to consider such calls as "potentially fraudulent".

"The public at large is hereby informed that TRAI does not block! disconnect any mobile number of any individual telecom customers. TRAI never sends any message or make any call for disconnection of mobile numbers. TRAI has not authorized any agency to contact customers for such activities and all such calls are illegal and are to be dealt as per Law. Therefore, any call or message claiming to be from TRAI should be considered potentially fraudulent," TRAI said.
Uttarkashi: In the aftermath of the Uttarkashi tunnel collapse on November 12, Union Minister of State of Road Transport and Highways, VK Singh, made a crucial visit to the site on Thursday, shedding light on the ongoing rescue efforts. Singh emphasized that the operation to extricate the 40 trapped workers could extend for an additional 2-3 days.

Addressing the media in Uttarkashi, Singh conveyed that the combined efforts of the government, various agencies, and international experts are dedicated to the swift and safe rescue of the trapped workers. "The morale of the workers is high, and they understand that all possible options are being weighed to rescue them," Singh assured.

"Government, all its agencies and experts with whom we can communicate - the efforts of all of us are aimed at rescuing the workers at the earliest. I have spoken with them and their morale is high. They understand that all efforts are being made for them and we are weighing all options to rescue them," Singh told reporters in Uttarkashi.

"Our priority is to rescue them sooner. Efforts are being made for this. All the agencies are putting effort into this. A new machine is working, whose power and speed are better than the old machine. Our effort is to complete this rescue operation within two to three days. We are also taking the help of international experts. They know that the government is working to rescue them," the Minister said.

'American Auger' Machine In Action

A significant development in the rescue operation is the deployment of a more advanced 'American auger' machine, designed for superior speed and power. The machine is tasked with drilling through the debris to create a conduit for rescuing the workers. Colonel Deepak Patil, leading the efforts for the National Highways & Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (NHIDCL), expressed optimism about the progress, noting a drilling speed of approximately 3 meters in half an hour.

'Drill And Blast' Technique Being Used

Colonel Patil disclosed that they are employing the New Austrian Tunnelling Method (NATM), a drill and blast technique, to navigate through the collapsed tunnel. The technique focuses on monitoring deformations during drilling, guiding cautionary measures, such as rock bolts and primary support, based on observed conditions.

Father Encourages Trapped Son

Amidst the challenging rescue efforts, a touching moment unfolded as the father of one trapped worker, Dharam Singh, spoke to his son Vijay Kumar. Providing words of courage, Dharam Singh assured his son that everything would be fine and that he would be brought out soon. Limited quantities of food, water, and oxygen are being supplied to sustain the trapped workers.

#WATCH | Dharam Singh, father of one of the labourers trapped inside, says, " My 20-year-old son Vijay Kumar is trapped inside...I spoke to my son a little bit and I gave him courage, assured him that everything would be fine and he would be brought out by this evening...food and pic.twitter.com/yx4pZLjgHL  ANI UP/Uttarakhand (@ANINewsUP) November 16, 2023

CM Dhami Reviews Rescue Operation

Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, in a review meeting at the State Secretariat, affirmed the continuous review of the rescue operation by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Dhami assured that all necessary arrangements for the trapped workers are in place, and regular contact is maintained with them.

"We are in regular contact with the trapped. All the arrangements for them are being made there. Everyone is safe. Work was done by the NHIDCL and the tunnel was on the verge of completion. Just 400 metres were left... Now we will review it all... PM Modi is reviewing the rescue operation and is continuously in contact with all of us," Dhami told ANI.

#WATCH | Uttarkashi tunnel incident | Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami holds a review meeting with senior officials at the State Secretariat.



In this meeting, the Chief Minister is reviewing the ongoing relief and rescue work to rescue 40 labourers trapped in the pic.twitter.com/XFUumM6Ahs November 16, 2023

As the intensive rescue operations continue, the collapsed portion of the tunnel between Silkyara and Dandalgaon on the Brahmakhal-Yamunotri National Highway serves as a grim reminder of the challenges faced by the 40 workers still trapped inside. The nation watches with bated breath as efforts persist to bring them to safety.
ST. PETERSBURG, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The 9th St. Petersburg International Cultural Forum kicked off on Thursday in St. Petersburg, Russia's second largest city, after a three-year break due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

According to the organizers, the topic of the forum is determined as instructed by the Russian president: History and Modernity in Artistic Culture. The program includes three units: Getting to Know History Via Culture, Artificial Intelligence - a Threat or a Benefit for Culture, Traditional Culture as a Foundation for Building a Civilized Society.

Minister of Culture of Russia Olga Lyubimova said earlier that participants from China, Spain, Italy, Britain and a number of other countries had arrived at the forum. They would conclude agreements and memoranda on cooperation with Russian cultural institutions, as well as discuss plans for further cultural exchanges.

The forum, which will last until Saturday, is organized by the Russian government, the Russian Ministry of Culture, and the government of St. Petersburg. Russian President Vladimir Putin is expected to attend the plenary session of the forum on Friday. 
New Delhi: US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping had a heated exchange over Taiwan, but also reached some agreements on a presidential hotline, military communication and fentanyl production in their first face-to-face talks in a year on Wednesday. The two leaders met virtually for about four hours to discuss the issues that have strained US-China relations. They covered a range of topics, from human rights to artificial intelligence, but Taiwan emerged as the most contentious issue.

Xi warned Biden not to support Taiwans independence and asserted Chinas determination to achieve reunification with the island, which Beijing claims as its territory. He said China preferred peaceful reunification, but also outlined the conditions under which force might be used.

Biden reaffirmed the US commitment to maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and urged China to respect Taiwans electoral process. He also told reporters later that he had not changed his view that Xi is a dictator. President Xi responded Look, peace is all well and good, but at some point we need to move towards resolution more generally, a US official quoted Xi as saying.

Despite the clash over Taiwan, the two leaders also made some progress on other areas of cooperation. They agreed to establish a presidential hotline, resume military-to-military contacts that China severed last year, and work to curb fentanyl production, a leading cause of drug overdoses in the US.

Biden said he and Xi agreed to high-level communications. He and I agreed that each one of us can pick up the phone call directly and well be heard immediately.

China agreed to target specific chemical companies that make fentanyl precursors, a move that the US welcomed but said it would closely monitor. "Its going to save lives, Biden said, adding he appreciated Xis commitment on the issue. The two leaders also agreed to get experts together to discuss the risks of artificial intelligence.

The summit came after a rocky period in US-China relations that worsened after a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon transited the US and was shot down by a US fighter jet in February.

The White House said Biden raised areas where Washington has concerns, including detained US citizens, human rights in Xinjiang, Tibet and Hong Kong and Beijings aggressive activities in the South China Sea.

Just talking, just being blunt with one another so theres no misunderstanding, Biden said. Biden also asked Xi to use his influence with Iran to urge Tehran not to launch not to launch proxy attacks on U.S. targets in the Middle East as the Israel-Hamas conflict continues in Gaza.
New Delhi: In a dramatic turn of events, the UN Security Council, on its fifth attempt, has finally adopted a resolution demanding an extended humanitarian pause in the ongoing war in Gaza. This comes after the US, amidst escalating international dismay over the tragedy in the territory, decided to withhold its veto while expressing criticism. The resolution, adopted on Wednesday, also calls for the release of hostages taken by Hamas during its attack on Israel on October 7 and advocates for a humanitarian corridor to transport relief supplies to Gaza.

Interestingly, Russia and the UK joined the US in abstaining from voting on the resolution, enabling its adoption with the support of the other 12 Council members, including France and China, the other permanent members. Despite the Security Councils enforcement powers and the legally binding nature of its resolutions, this particular resolution is largely symbolic as it does not include any penalties for non-compliance.

The resolution, proposed by Malta, was a desperate attempt to prompt the Security Council to act on the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza, where Israeli troops had seized a hospital after sustained bombing that, according to the Gaza health ministry, has resulted in more than 10,000 casualties.

This resolution comes 46 days after Hamas October 7 attack on Israel, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and about 240 hostages, many of whom remain in captivity. Israel began its relentless bombing campaign the day after the attack and initiated a ground invasion this week.

The UAEs Permanent Representative, Lana Zaki Nusseibeh, expressed concern that the Security Councils previous inaction on Gaza had created an impression of indifference and dismissiveness towards the carnage and suffering.

US Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield, despite abstaining on the resolution, echoed a similar sentiment, stating, I think many had given up hope that we would ever speak on this conflict. But thats exactly what we just did.

The resolution demands that all parties comply with their obligations under international law, notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children. It also calls for the creation of a safe route for full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to deliver relief supplies, including fuel, from the UN and aid organizations to the people of Gaza.

The resolution does not condemn Hamas or mention Israels right to defend itself, which the US has cited as the reason for vetoing the earlier resolution. Thomas-Greenfield expressed her horror that a few members of the Council still cannot bring themselves to condemn the barbaric terrorist attack that Hamas carried out against Israel on October 7.
The newest Honda in the Indian market - Elevate, is helping the Japanese brand put more numbers on the sales tally. The Elevate is based on the Honda Citys platform and rivals the likes of other mid-size SUVs in the Indian market - Tata Harrier, Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, MG Astor and more. Interestingly, Honda has earlier sold a crossover in India - WR-V, which was based on the Citys platform. In fact, the WR-V name is reserved for the City-based SUV/Crossover, across the globe. Making this story more interesting is the carmakers new move. The Japanese automaker has introduced the Elevate as WR-V in the Japanese market, while other South-East Asian markets get a different model altogether as the new-gen WR-V.

Watch Honda Elevate Review:

In the Japanese market, the Elevate is introduced as WR-V, without any changes to either its exterior or interior, whatsoever. The SUV will be sold with the same 1.5L NA petrol engine that it gets in its India-spec model. The motor puts out 121 PS of peak power and 145 Nm of max torque. In India, it gets two transmission choices - 6-speed MT and a CVT. A claimed mileage of 15.31 kmpl is delivered by the manual trims, while the automatic trims deliver a claimed mileage of 16.92 kmpl.

Also Read - Tata Curvv To Follow Nexons Footsteps; Will Get Petrol, Diesel, Electric Powertrains

Talking of dimensions, Talking of features, the Honda Elevate gets a larger touchscreen infotainment unit, which comes with wireless Android Auto & Apple CarPlay, climate control, a wireless phone charger, a part-digital instrument cluster, a leather-finished dashboard, a multi-function steering wheel, ADAS, powered driver seat and more. The Elevate has a tough competition to face in India. It locks horns with the likes of the Hyundai Creta, Kia Seltos, Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara, Skoda Kushaq, MG Astor, Volkswagen Taigun and more.
The Indian Air Force team at the Dubai Air Show captivated audiences with their aerobatics and precision flying. India showcased the indigenously developed Tejas aircraft and a daredevil display of the Sarang helicopter pilots team flying another indigenously developed helicopter the Dhruv ALH. The Dubai Air Show commenced on Monday 13 and will continue until Friday 14, with various air forces in attendance. The Indian ambassador to the UAE, Sunjay Sundhir inaugurated the India Pavilion on the second day of the show.

A post shared on X (formerly Twitter) by Ambassador Sudhir said, "Amb@sunjaysudhir inaugurated the India Pavilion at@DubaiAirshow. The Pavilion is showcasing the rapidly growing capabilities of the Indian defence sector, from manufacturing, and innovation in design to futuristic research and development.@IAF_MCC@modgovae@DefenceMinIndia"

Amb @sunjaysudhir inaugurated the India Pavilion at @DubaiAirshow . The Pavilion is showcasing rapidly growing capabilities of the Indian defense sector, from manufacturing, and innovation in design to futuristic research and development. @IAF_MCC @modgovae @DefenceMinIndia pic.twitter.com/Jayo1VXyNN  India in UAE (@IndembAbuDhabi) November 14, 2023

Ambassador Sudhir later reposted a video on X sharing, "India Pavilion at the #DubaiAirShow2023 is abuzz with excitement as top Indian defence companies, including Bharat Electronics, Bharat Dynamics Limited, Mishra Dhatu Nigam Limited, and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, unveil the nation's latest advancements in aerospace technology."

The Indian Air Force Sarang helicopter pilots displayed impressive team performance during the show, flying indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) Dhruy's, made by Hindustan Aeronautics.

The team, flying four HAL Dhruv helicopters, performed a variety of manoeuvres, including loops, rolls, and inverted flight. They also formed intricate formations and displayed their skills at low-level flying.

The Sarang team is one of the world's premier helicopter display teams, and their performance at the Dubai Air Show was met with enthusiastic applause from the crowd.

The Indian Air Force stole the show once again with India's HAL Tejas fighter aircraft, which demonstrated unbelievable aerobatics and manoeuvring at the Air Show. The Tejas fighter aircraft jet was introduced to the Air Force in 2010, designed by the Aeronautical Development Agency in collaboration with the Aircraft Research and Design Centre of Hindustan Aeronautics.

Air Marshal R Radhish, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Air Force Training Command met and interacted with the IAF contingent on the occasion.

The Dubai Air Show is one of the world's largest and most prestigious aviation events, and it is a major opportunity for aircraft manufacturers and other aviation industry players to showcase their products and services.
PATNA: In a surprising turn of events, the Nitish Kumar-led government in Bihar has decided to cancel the leaves of teachers and headmasters in the government-run schools ahead of the Chhath Puja celebrations. An order issued by Additional Chief Secretary CS KK Pathak has dropped a bombshell, declaring the cancellation of leaves for all government school teachers until November 21.

Chhath Puja: Teachers Caught In The Crossfire

With the Chhath Puja slated to take place between November 19-20, the decision to curtail leaves has sparked discontent among government school teachers. This move, although ostensibly to ensure the smooth functioning of educational institutions, has triggered resentment within the teaching community.

Protests By Teachers

Leaders of the teachers' union have expressed their dissatisfaction, emphasizing that many educators had made plans for the Chhath festivities after the government's recruitment drive earlier this year. The decision, they argue, will subject these newly appointed teachers to various challenges during the festival. In response, the teachers' union is urging the government to reconsider and allow all training activities to be suspended during the festive period.

District Education Department Steps In

The District Education Department, responding to the order from the Additional Chief Secretary, has issued a directive to all school principals. They are instructed to ensure the presence of school staff, particularly headmasters and teachers, in their respective institutions from November 13 to November 21. During this period, headmasters are expected to engage in developmental activities, while teachers will actively contribute to their schools.

Reduction Of Holidays In Bihar

This recent decision to cancel leaves for teachers during Chhath Puja follows the government's earlier move to reduce holidays in government schools from 23 to 11 between September and December. The cumulative effect of these decisions has heightened tensions within the teaching community, raising questions about the government's approach towards the welfare of educators.

The clash between training schedules and festivals is not unique to Bihar. The education department's decision to schedule training for newly appointed teachers during Chhath Puja has drawn criticism. The Bihar State Teachers' Association has formally written to the education department, requesting a reconsideration of this schedule to accommodate the religious and cultural sentiments of the teaching community.

As Bihar grapples with the intricacies of balancing educational commitments and cultural celebrations, the fallout from these decisions remains to be seen, with teachers and officials caught in the midst of this challenging scenario.
Fentanyl overdose has become a major crisis in the United States and according to reports, more Americans are dying of this drug overdose now than before. According to the website of Centers for Disease Control And Prevention, "The number of people who died from a drug overdose in 2021 was over six times the number in 1999. The number of drug overdose deaths increased more than 16% from 2020 to 2021."

Fentanyl is a pharmaceutical drug that's prescribed by doctors to manage severe pain. But the drug is also illegally manufactured and sold in the US. While a lot of the drug comes from Mexico to the US, the country is also blaming China for their ordeal. According to a Reuters report, the United States wants China's cooperation to stop an illicit flow of "precursor" chemicals that are used to make fentanyl, which is up to 50 times stronger than heroin and is increasingly mixed with other drugs - often with lethal results.

"Across the country, the rate of drug overdose deaths involving fentanyl more than tripled from 2016 through 2021, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Tens of thousands of people die annually from synthetic opioid overdoses, government statistics show," the Reuters report further mentions. Recently at the APEC summit in the outskirts of San Francisco, US President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed China would stem the export of items related to the production of the opioid fentanyl, a leading cause of drug overdoses in the United States.

What Is Fentanyl?

A potent synthetic opioid drug, fentanyl is approximately 100 times more potent than morphine and 50 times more potent than heroin as an analgesic. According to a Reuters report, in the first nine months of this year, 619 people died of an opioid overdose in San Francisco, most related to synthetic opioids, compared with 647 such deaths in the whole of 2022, according to the city's Office of the Chief Medical Examiner.

"Fentanyl is a potent synthetic opioid drug which is approved by FDA. It is being used as a painkiller which in medical language is known as analgesic and anaesthetic also like morphine it is a hundred times more portent which is why Fentanyl is being used in our anaesthesia during operations and in ICUs. Fentanyl, being an opioid drug, is a restricted kind of drug which cant be given to every other individual," shares Dr Kuldeep Kumar Grover, Head of Critical Care & Pulmonology, CK Birla Hospital, Gurugram.

Dr Grover adds, "Indiscriminate use of fentanyl for a prolonged period can develop into a dangerous habit. Drug abusers run the risk of getting addicted fast. If misused, this drug can have a lasting impact. After taking it, you will feel a sense of well-being - this is why this is a very challenging kind of drug. Fentanyl can cause serious harm or even death if used accidentally by a child or an adult who has not been prescribed it as medicine. The side-effects include breathing difficulty, rigidity in the chest wall, and cardiac decomposition, among others."
New Delhi: BJP President JP Nadda released the partys manifesto for the Rajasthan assembly elections on Thursday, calling it the development roadmap for the state. The manifesto includes various promises for the welfare of women, farmers and the poor. This manifesto is not a mere formality for us, it is our roadmap for development. We deliver on our words, we will do what we have said, we will fulfill our promises, Nadda said.

Some of the key promises in the BJP manifesto are:

Rs 450 subsidy on LPG cylinder for Ujjawala beneficiaries

Bonus of Rs 2,700 per quintal on MSP for wheat

Savings bond of Rs 2 lakh for girl child

Mahila thana in every district, mahila desk in every police station

Anti Romeo Squad in every city

Nadda also attacked the Congress government in Rajasthan, accusing it of corruption, nepotism and violence. He said, Congress is known for five things in the last five years - corruption, insult of mothers, playing with the dignity of martyrs, disrespect of women, farmers, highest VAT on petrol and diesel, playing with the future of youth, the number of paper leaks here is record-breaking, oppression of the poor. The Gehlot government is an example of how Congress promotes corruption and nepotism.

Nadda slammed the Congress regime for running bulldozers on some peoples houses and encouraging some people to behead others. He said, This happens only under Congress rule.

He said the BJP will launch a Lado Incentive Scheme for the empowerment of women, under which the BJP government will give a saving bond of Rs 2 lakh to newborn girls.
BHOPAL: Campaigning for Assembly Elections in Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh concluded on Wednesday. Polling for all 230 assembly constituencies of Madhya Pradesh and 70 constituencies under the second phase in Chhattisgarh will be held on Friday, November 17, 2023.

Tight Security Ahead Of Polling In MP

Polling is scheduled to commence at 7 AM, with 5.6 crore voters spread across 230 constituencies. This includes 2.88 crore male voters, 2.72 crore female voters, and a notable 22.36 lakh young voters participating for the first time. Security measures are stringent, with polling teams set to reach stations by Thursday evening. Notably, there are 510 critical polling stations, 1044 with webcasting, and 125 undergoing videography. Micro observers and sector officers have been strategically deployed to ensure a fair and secure electoral process.

2049 EVMs & VVPAT Machines, 300 Polling Stations

A total of 2049 EVMs and VVPAT machines will be utilized in seven assembly constituencies. Additionally, 20 per cent CU, 20 per cent BU, and 30 per cent VVPAT have been reserved. The district boasts 300 model polling stations and 111 women-only polling stations, highlighting a commitment to inclusive voting practices.

BJP Vs Congress

Madhya Pradesh's upcoming election holds significant implications, serving as a litmus test for the BJP's endurance after 18 years in power and the Congress's ability to regain control after the 2020 debacle. Notably, the BJP adopts a "collective leadership" approach, steering away from projecting Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan as the clear choice, while Congress unequivocally supports Kamal Nath.

Modi Magic Vs Incumbency

BJP's strategy includes fielding candidates from diverse backgrounds, relying on the popularity of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Conversely, Congress emphasizes issues such as "corruption," "unemployment," "price rise," and "farmers' problems." The election also marks a crucial moment for Jyotiraditya Scindia, who orchestrated defections leading to the fall of the Kamal Nath government in 2020.

Big Promises, Loan Waivers

Both parties unveil an array of promises to woo voters. Congress pledges initiatives like the Old Pension Scheme, caste census, health insurance, and agricultural loan waivers. On the other hand, the BJP commits to Ladli Laxmi Yojana, affordable education, and support price hikes for agricultural produce.

The Road Ahead

Madhya Pradesh, a state dominated by agriculture, witnesses political parties vying for the farmer vote. BJP's Ladli Behna Yojana and Congress' Nandini Godhan Yojana for cow dung purchase are emblematic of this focus. With promises ranging from employment schemes to electricity benefits, the parties strive to capture the diverse needs of the electorate.

As Madhya Pradesh braces for a pivotal election, the outcome will reverberate beyond state boundaries. The state's political landscape awaits a transformation, and the citizens hold the power to shape its future. The counting of votes, scheduled for December 3 along with four other states, will unveil the next chapter in Madhya Pradesh's political narrative.

Chhattisgarh

Polling for seventy seats in the second phase of assembly elections will be held in Chhattisgarh tomorrow. State Chief Electoral Officer Reena Babasaheb Kangale talking to media persons in Raipur said that all the preparations have been done for the voting. Polling parties are reaching their designated polling stations after receiving the polling material. A total of 9 hundred and 58 candidates are in the fray in this phase.

Prominent among them are Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel, state Assembly Speaker Dr Charandas Mahant, Deputy Chief Minister T S Singhdev, BJP state president Arun Sao, Leader of Opposition Narayan Chandel and Union Minister of State Renuka Singh. A total of eighteen thousand eight hundred thirty-three polling stations have been set up in the state for voting. Out of these, 7 hundred 27 are Sangwari booths where women polling personnel have been deployed.



Ninety thousand 2 hundred 72 personnel have been deployed to conduct peaceful and fair elections. These include 75 thousand 3 hundred 32 polling personnel and 14 thousand 9 hundred 40 reserve personnel. Apart from polling teams, 1 thousand 9 hundred 62 sector officers have been deployed for the elections. Meanwhile, the candidates are going door-to-door appealing to the voters to vote in their favour.
New Delhi: Ranveer Singh and Deepika Padukone are one of the most loved, adored couples in Bollywood. They completed 5 years of wedding bliss on November 14th and Ranveer dropped a love-filled picture with his wife on social media and it has now taken over the internet.

On Wednesday, Ranveer took to Instagram to share a photo of himself with his wife during their vacation in Europe, where the couple celebrated their wedding anniversary. He captioned the picture, "5 of (infinity symbol emoji)!"

In the picture, Deepika can be seen planting a kiss on Ranveer on the cheeks. He hugged her while smiling at the camera. Ranveer wore a patterned black t-shirt, black trousers and a black coat. Deepika chose a grey coat over her black pants. The couple was standing on a bridge above a canal, surrounded by lovely homes.

As soon as he uploaded the picture, fans chimed in the comment section. A fan wrote, "This is so cute." Another commented, "Happy Wedding Anniversary." "Can't wait to turn this 5 into 25," a social media user wrote.

Ranveer-Deepika tied the knot on November 14, 2018, at Italy's Lake Como after dating for six long years and the duo never fails to shower love on each other on social media.

They first met on the sets of Sanjay Leela Bhansali's romantic drama film 'Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela' and later also starred in 'Bajirao Mastani' and 'Padmaavat'.

Meanwhile, on the work front, Deepika will also seen in the sci-fi action film 'Kalki 2898 AD' opposite Prabhas and in director Siddharth Anand's aerial action thriller film 'Fighter' opposite Hrithik Roshan. She also has 'Singham Again' in her kitty.

On the other hand, Ranveer will be next seen in director Farhan Akhtar's upcoming action thriller film 'Don 3'.
LISBON, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- At this year's Web Summit, Ricardo Lima, the summit's head of startups and investors, said that his organization is interested in teaming up with Chinese companies.

This year's Web Summit, held here from Monday to Thursday, was attended by more than 70,200 people from 153 countries and regions, representing over 2,600 startups.

Lima told Xinhua in an interview that China is a powerhouse in artificial intelligence (AI) and "Obviously, China is one of the main juggernauts when it comes to technology."

He said that other players could learn from China's technology landscape and that the Web Summit was eyeing opportunities to partner with businesses in China.

"It's very, very exciting to look at the Chinese ecosystem right now and understanding how, for instance, we at Web Summit can work together with Chinese companies to provide them with opportunities to expand into different markets."

Asked about the top technology topics at the event, Lima said, "The word of the year is artificial intelligence. It is everywhere because it impacts every single industry."

"We have startups working in fintech, in edtech, in climate change that are harnessing the power of AI and there's a lot of content at the different stages that touch AI in one way or the other."

Discussing the big trends reshaping the startup and innovation landscape over the next couple of years, he said, "Startups are becoming more focused on the business as a whole and growing the business organically." 
New Delhi: Rapper Raja Kumari celebrated Diwali with Chiranjeevi, Ram Charan, Rana Daggubati, Lakshmi Manchu and others. She enjoyed the festivity to the fullest and shared a video in which she can be seen dancing with Chiranjeevi to 'Jawan' title track.

Sharing their dancing video along with other pictures from the Diwali celebration on her Instagram handle, Raja Kumari wrote in the caption, "Home is where the heart is. Thank You Hyderabad for the most beautiful Deepavali. Felt so good to hear Telugu spoken all around me with friends that truly love me but honestly...NOTHING will beat this vision board moment of dancing with Megastar @chiranjeevikonidela."

She further mentioned about meeting Lakshmi Manchu and wrote, "Thank you @lakshmimanchu for always being my biggest champion and making sure everyone knows who I really am. Love to my girlies @deejasti @vasukipunj for always being the light and making sure I have the best people around me."

Raja Kumari recently received a lot of praise for her rap song in superstar Shah Rukh Khan's action thriller film 'Jawan'.

On lending her vocals for the title track of 'Jawan', the Indian-origin American rapper told ANI, "Jawan was one of the biggest moments for me because it was a clear manifestation...I watched 'Jawan' on Netflix last night and just hearing the scenes I am proud because I am a part of that history forever. That means a lot to me. I am very thankful to Shah Rukh for believing in me..."

Helmed by Atlee 'Jawan' starred Shah Rukh Khan, Nayanthara and Vijay Sethupathi in the lead roles.

Actor Deepika Padukone was seen in a special appearance role in the film.

Meanwhile, Raja Kumari has recently come up with a song 'Sherni Aayi' from the Sushmita Sen-starrer web series 'Aarya 3'. The song's video shows Sushmita Sen in a fierce avatar as Aarya Sareen. Raja Kumari undoubtedly roars with her powerful vocals.
WARSAW, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A court in Warsaw on Thursday ruled to overturn a decision by the city's mayor to prohibit a pro-Palestinian demonstration.

Similar demonstrations have been held in various cities around the world since the escalation of Palestinian-Israeli conflict in the Gaza Strip.

Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski said on social media platform X on Thursday that the court had reversed the city's decision despite doubts about the safety of the planned demonstration, including concerns over terrorism.

However, Trzaskowski added: "We accept this decision."

He had announced the ban on the march on Wednesday, citing the police's inability to ensure safety in the narrow streets surrounding the Israeli Embassy in Warsaw.

Scheduled for 1:00 pm (1200 GMT) on Saturday, the demonstration will start at Zbawiciela Square and proceed towards the Israeli Embassy. 
NAIROBI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- When China Trade Week opened its doors to the public Wednesday in the Kenyan capital of Nairobi, Liao Xuhui, the chairman of Amanbo, a Chinese e-commerce platform, engaged in a friendly conversation with local merchants keen to learn about the nitty-gritty of importing products from the Asian nation.

Liao explained to the visitors how the Amanbo online platform can facilitate seamless transactions between Chinese manufacturers of diverse consumer goods and local retailers. At the giant stand erected by Amanbo inside the exhibition hall which was the venue of China Trade Week, a variety of sleek products ranging from solar equipment, textiles and electronics were on display.

During an interview with Xinhua, Liao said that since entering the Kenyan market in 2014, Amanbo has revolutionized digital commerce in the country, unleashing benefits to local startups and their clients. As an e-commerce platform, Amanbo has been connecting buyers and sellers of various Chinese manufactured products like solar solutions, designer wear and electronics, cutting down on transaction costs and improving efficiency, Liao declared.

George Gathura, a middle-aged spare parts dealer in downtown Nairobi, cut a jovial image after engaging with the attendants at the Amanbo exhibition stall where he learned about the benefits of using a digital platform to source products from China.

According to Gathura, the analogue model of importing spare parts overseas had proved tedious and expensive but the Amanbo digital platform promised efficiency and a reduction in transaction cost. Like the growing army of Kenyan retailers, Gathura has turned to Chinese-manufactured motor vehicle parts since they are affordable yet durable and of high quality.

"I look forward to engaging Chinese manufacturers through online platforms and importing spare parts directly from them. That route will enable me to grow the business," Gathura said.

The Amanbo business model has resonated with Kenyan retailers who have embraced the digital space to market, establish overseas linkages and grow their businesses, said Rao Guowei, the country manager for Amanbo.

More than 50 Chinese firms are participating in the three-day event where they will be showcasing different products including electronics, textiles, solar, construction and agriculture equipment.

The premier exhibition and business networking event, which resumed in-person after the pandemic-linked hiatus, will expose Chinese entrepreneurs to untapped opportunities in the Kenyan market, said Edwin Masivo, the Kenyan country director for Global Exhibitions, an event organizer.

Outside the exhibition hall, a sizable crowd was attracted to the gleaming and automated water service station displayed by Romer Tech Limited, a Chinese manufacturer of water treatment solutions. Qiu Fan, the Kenya country director for Romer Environmental Protection, said the company has been at the forefront of revolutionizing access to clean drinking water at the grassroots by leveraging treatment technologies like reverse osmosis and filtration.

"We have clients including small business owners spread across the country. We sell and install the water service station. The machine can purify salty water, store over 150 liters of the commodity and dispense it using mobile money platforms," said Qiu, adding that the water automated teller machine (ATM) has been in the Kenyan market for the last two years.

He noted that it is multipurpose since it has an installed screen for advertisement to generate additional income for local retailers. He said that during the China Trade Week, Romer aims to secure more customers while showcasing its latest water purification and dispensing technology.

Miraj Abdulrahman, a female nominated senator representing Kenya's port city of Mombasa, said that Chinese-manufactured water treatment technologies will help boost access to the commodity in underserved regions. "The water purifying machines from China will enable us to tackle water scarcity in the country, provide new business opportunities and boost environmental conservation," said Abdulrahman.

During the trade week, 56 exhibitors from China, 22 from Kenya, three from the United Arab Emirates and three more from Egypt will be showcasing their products during the premier trade forum. Chinese firms will be exhibiting products ranging from agricultural machinery, textiles, clean energy technologies, and construction and security-related equipment. 
BAGHDAD, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A government-backed paramilitary Hashd Shaabi member and three Islamic State (IS) militants were killed on Thursday evening in a rugged area in Iraq's western province of Anbar, a security source said.

A Hashd Shaabi force carried out an operation to hunt down IS militants in the Wadi Hauran area in the western desert of Anbar province and clashed with IS militants, leaving three IS militants killed, Col. Mohammed al-Dulaimi from the provincial police told Xinhua.

A Hashd Shaabi member was also killed in the clash and another wounded, al-Dulaimi said.

He added that Iraqi security forces rushed to the scene and began a search operation looking for the attackers.

The security situation in Iraq has improved since the defeat of the IS in 2017. However, IS remnants have melted into urban centers, deserts, and rugged areas, carrying out frequent guerilla attacks against security forces and civilians. 
SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Chinese President Xi Jinping on Thursday called for expanding China-Mexico cooperation in finance, electric vehicles and other emerging industries.

Xi made the remarks when meeting his Mexican counterpart, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, on the sidelines of the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting. He also said that the two sides should make good use of the inter-governmental cooperation mechanism and deepen cooperation in traditional areas such as infrastructure construction. 
ADDIS ABABA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations World Food Program (WFP) announced Thursday it has activated its revamped approach to operations in Ethiopia in a major step to restart food assistance to around 3.2 million people in the country.

The WFP stated in a press release that it has launched a new operating model to restart food distribution suspended in June to millions of vulnerable Ethiopians.

"WFP's new approach is underpinned by a robust set of safeguards and controls that have been extensively tested," read the press release.

The WFP also disclosed the new approaches include using clear criteria to identify and digitally register the most vulnerable households and people and working with local communities to verify those in greatest need.

It also plans to reinforce commodity tracking to follow food movements from warehouses to beneficiaries as well as increased monitoring and community feedback and reporting mechanisms that will unearth potential misuse of food aid.

In June, the UN agency announced its decision to suspend its food aid assistance program in Ethiopia, citing large-scale aid misappropriation.

The WFP statement didn't specifically mention the name of the entities it said had diverted its food aid in the East African country. 
NAIROBI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Kenya's coffee exports sustained an upward trend in the third quarter (Q3) with the volume of shipments rising 17.5 percent boosting earnings as compared to a similar period in 2022, the Central Bank said Thursday in a new economic report.

Kenya exported 14,372 tonnes of coffee worth 10 billion shillings (about 65.64 million U.S. dollars) during the period, an increase from 12,236 tonnes worth 59 million dollars in a similar period in 2022, according to the apex bank.

During the three months under review, a tonne of Kenyan coffee was sold at an average of 4,571 dollars, a decline from 4,903 dollars in a similar period in 2022, said the bank.

The rise in shipments as well as earnings from the sector come amid reforms instituted by the Kenya government, which has seen farmers get affordable loans from a 26 million dollars Coffee Cherry Fund to boost production.

Kenyan President William Ruto said on Nov. 9 during his State of the Nation address that these reforms would double coffee output from the current 50,000 metric tonnes annually in the next four years.

Kenya earned 145 million dollars from exporting a volume of 31,359 tonnes of coffee in the first six months of the year, an increase from 139 million dollars from 27,154 tonnes in a similar period in 2022, according to the apex bank.

Coffee is one of Kenya's top foreign exchange earners, besides tea and horticulture. 
DJIBOUTI CITY, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Djibouti city and east China's port city of Ningbo signed a friendly exchange accord on Tuesday to strengthen mutual learning, exchanges and cooperation.

Said Daoud Mohamed, mayor of Djibouti city, capital of the Red Sea nation of Djibouti, said that the good relationship between the two cities will surely go down in the history of Djibouti city.

The two cities will establish a regular liaison mechanism, said Song Yueshun, deputy director of the Standing Committee of the Ningbo Municipal People's Congress.

Song said Ningbo will strengthen economic, trade, shipping, logistics, culture and green city development ties with Djibouti city.

The establishment of friendly exchanges will promote friendship and cooperation between the two cities, said Chinese Ambassador to Djibouti Hu Bin.

Ningbo and Djibouti city have proved crucial for international maritime trade. In recent years, Djibouti, located at the tip of the Horn of Africa, has been consolidating its position as a regional logistics and commercial hub thanks to robust cooperation with China. 
CAPE TOWN, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Chinese executives in digital technology have expressed confidence in the African market at an ongoing tech festival here, pledging to play a greater role in the continent's digital transformation.

The Africa Tech Festival, which concludes on Thursday in Cape Town, South Africa, featured two main events -- AfricaCom and Africa Tech, focusing on topics such as connectivity, digital inclusion, enterprise transformation and emerging technologies.

Driven by the growth prospects of the booming African market, Chinese companies seek to expand their market share as the continent experiences a digital revolution. Over a dozen Chinese companies attended the exhibition.

Zhang Jianfeng, sales director at Shenzhen-based Signalinks Communication Technology, said the company aims to provide its cutting-edge products directly to the end user in Africa to bring technologies to the continent at a lower price.

"By this, we can get more profit. It also removes the middle man, which makes our products cheaper," Zhang told Xinhua on Wednesday.

He said favorable demographics in Africa and its desire to develop digital infrastructure prompted the company to increase its market share on the continent.

Peris Wahu Muturi, Africa Business Development Manager for Shanghai Sixunited Intelligent Technology, a company involved in the manufacturing of electronic devices, said Africa's burgeoning telecommunications sector provides growth opportunities.

"Sixunited is looking into getting into the African market and growing it. We have seen the potential, so we are working around all African countries to understand the needs that Africans have," she told Xinhua.

Liu Qixing, the International Marketing Manager for Zhejiang Chaoqian Telecommunication Technologies, a worldwide fiber optic equipment manufacturer, said the company is seeking to expand in Africa. Liu said the continent is a promising market because of a strong digital push by African countries.

As a key participant and sponsor of the Africa Tech Fair, Chinese telecommunications giant Huawei presented its latest technologies and solutions at an exhibition attended by thousands.

The telecom giant also supported and organized several forums at the festival: the African Ministerial Forum for a Future-Oriented Digital Infrastructure, the Africa Fiber Forum and the Africa Operations Transformation Forum. 
SEOUL, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Five people were injured Thursday in a gas explosion at a restaurant in southeastern South Korea, according to Yonhap news agency.

The explosion occurred at the restaurant on the third floor of a commercial building in an apartment complex in Changwon, some 400 km southeast of Seoul, at about 12:33 p.m. local time.

The restaurant owner was seriously wounded with second-degree burns.

Four others, including employees of another restaurant next to it and passers-by, suffered injuries as broken glasses and a sign of the restaurant fell down on the ground.

With the explosion, refrigerators and other fittings of the restaurant were burned. 
BANGKOK, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- With a focus on innovative contributions, "Thailand has been a frontier for our innovation," mainly due to the widespread use of the company's 5G networks in the southeast Asian country, said Chen Zhiping, vice president of ZTE.

ZTE's contributions in the kingdom extend to network coverage, bandwidth efficiency improvement, and personalized networks tailored for specific industries, she said in a recent interview with Xinhua.

"Our focus is practical applications, contributing to the technological progress of Thailand," she said at the ZTE 5G Summit and User Congress 2023 held in Bangkok on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Under the theme "Embrace the Digital Nexus," the two-day event brought together telecom regulators, industry organizations, carriers, think tanks, partners, and analysts. It served as a unique platform for the exchange of ideas and insights on 5G, future networks, and digital innovations.

With years of development, ZTE has evolved into a global player in the tech industry. "Our business has expanded globally, with a particular focus on Asia-Pacific," she said, underscoring the company's investments in digital infrastructure development.

Collaboration with local internet providers and telecommunication agencies plays a crucial role in ZTE's global strategy, Chen said. "This is essential for our global operations, addressing challenges in self-development amid uncertainties."

On the role of artificial intelligence (AI), Chen highlighted ZTE's commitment to AI integration in 5G networks.

As AI is widely adopted nowadays, she said ZTE's exploration of large-scale AI models is grounded in practical applications, such as countering phone scams.

Talking about the broader societal impact, Chen said, "AI models contribute significantly to societal wellbeing," highlighting ZTE's dedication to practical technological advancements.

"5G has done what was impossible in the past. For enhancing industrial capabilities, 5G is not just an additional enhancement but actually addresses past vulnerabilities," she said.

She hoped that various industries will turn to using 5G more, contributing to commercial success and development in various fields. 
YANGON, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- Myanmar authorities have seized 1.27 million stimulant tablets and 5 kilograms of methamphetamine in Shan state in the eastern area of the Southeast Asian country.

According to a release from Myanmar's Central Committee for Drug Abuse Control (CCDAC) late Wednesday, acting on a tip-off, anti-narcotics police searched a vehicle in the state's Pinlaung township last week and made the drug bust.

Investigation has found the seized drugs worth 710 million kyats (about 340,000 U.S. dollars) were intended to be transported from Shan state to Mon state, the Committee said.

Persons involved in the case have been charged and further investigation is underway, according to the committee. 
JAKARTA, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- A plane operated by the Indonesian air force went down in Pasuruan district of East Java province on Thursday, and an explosion happened after the plane touched ground, a rescuer said.

The accident occurred at 11:43 a.m. local time, Muhammad Hariyadi, head of the provincial search and rescue office, told Xinhua over phone.

Hariyadi said the plane fell on the slope of the volcano Mount Bromo, adding that his personnel were taking part in evacuation operations of the victims. 
UNITED NATIONS, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- An Indonesian policewoman, a police first sergeant serving in the Central African Republic, was presented the UN Woman Police Officer of the Year Award on Thursday, a UN spokesman said.

The award was presented to 27-year-old Renita Rismayanti for helping to "conceptualize and develop a criminal database that enables UN Police to map and analyze crime and disorder hotspots," said Stephane Dujarric, chief spokesman for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres.

The analysis helps security forces better plan their operations in support of the local population, he said.

Dujarric said Rismayanti, the youngest ever to receive the award, serves as a crime database officer with the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in the Central African Republic, known as MINUSCA.

According to Dujarric, the award was established in 2011 to recognize "the exceptional contributions of women police officers to UN peace operations and to promote women's empowerment." 
MADRID, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Spanish congress re-elected Pedro Sanchez as prime minister on Thursday, with 179 votes in favor, 171 against and no abstention.

President of the Congress of Deputies Francina Armengol will communicate the decision to Spanish King Felipe VI and Sanchez will be sworn in at the Zarzuela Palace on Friday.

Sanchez will name his new cabinet between Friday and Saturday, and the first Council of Ministers with the new formation will take place next Tuesday.

Leader of the People's Party Alberto Nunez Feijoo got up from his seat to congratulate Sanchez after the vote was completed. 
HELSINKI, Nov. 16 (Xinhua) -- The Finnish government announced on Thursday that it has decided to close four border crossings with Russia in the southeast, starting on Nov. 18.

Four other crossings on the northern end of the border will remain open.

"The closing of border crossing points at the eastern border will stop illegal entry into Finland," said Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen.

The decision will remain in force until Feb. 18, 2024. 
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Co-presented with and moderated by the League of Women Voters

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For additional questions, please contact Amanda Kowalczuk at amanda@landmarkonmainstreet.org
In this article, we will discuss the 10 states with the most doctors per capita in 2023. If you want to skip our discussion on the healthcare industry in the United States, you can go directly to the 5 States With The Most Doctors Per Capita In 2023.

In the ever-changing healthcare landscape in the United States, the availability and distribution of medical professionals play an important role in determining the overall quality of healthcare services for the nation's citizens. The density of physicians within a state is a vital metric that reflects the quality of healthcare infrastructure and can significantly impact the well-being of residents. The US healthcare industry comprises a big chunk of the national GDP at 18.3% as of 2021. By 2028, the national expenditure on healthcare in the US is expected to reach $6.2 trillion. If things continue on a similar trajectory, it is expected that healthcare-related expenditure will make up 26% of the GDP by 2040. The country allocates a higher per capita expenditure on healthcare than any other nation. In 2022, the United States spent $12,555 per person on healthcare. This is the highest healthcare cost per capita amongst the OECD countries, followed by Switzerland, which spent $8049 per capita on healthcare.

The United States boasts one of the most complex healthcare systems globally, comprising a mixture of private and public providers. This complexity often results in disparities in healthcare access, with a stark contrast between different states. According to a survey, the total number of professionally active physicians in the United States stands at 1,077,115 as of 2023. If we consider the total number of doctors per capita by country, the US fails to make it to the top 10 positions. It currently has 26.1 physicians per capita, which is much lower than the top-scoring Sweden and Greece, with 70.62 and 63.06 doctors per capita, respectively.

Disparities in Healthcare Access

One of the most noticeable disparities in healthcare access in the US exists between rural and urban areas. According to the National Rural Health Association, urban areas in America have around 53.3 primary care physicians per 100,000 people. On the other hand, rural areas only have 39.8 primary care physicians per 100,000 people. When examining the availability of specialists, the gap widens even further, with urban areas having around 312 physicians per 100,000 people, while rural areas only have access to 131 physicians per 100,000 people. This inequality creates significant challenges for rural residents in getting timely and comprehensive healthcare services. Furthermore, a study conducted by the University of Texas on the life expectancy of populations in urban and rural areas in the US revealed that between 2005 and 2009, the average life expectancy in urban areas was 78.8 years, as opposed to 76.8 years in rural areas. Over the subsequent decade, from 2010 to 2019, there was a decrease in the life expectancy of rural populations and a modest increase in the life expectancy of urban populations. Women in rural areas saw a decline of 0.20 years in their life expectancies, while men observed a decline of 0.30 years. In contrast, in urban areas, the female and male populations experienced a gain of 0.55 years and 0.29 years, respectively.

Story continues

Several state-based incentivized programs have been initiated by the federal government to alleviate the workforce shortage in rural and underserved areas. The incentives include loans and scholarships for medical professionals. These programs have helped improve healthcare access in various states through improved recruitment and retention of allied health professionals. California has demonstrated a robust commitment to improving healthcare access. In response to the growing need of its residents, the state of California took a proactive approach by expanding the number of medical schools and training programs and implementing initiatives to attract and retain physicians within the state. California currently has the highest number of active physicians, totaling 117,674. On the other hand, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Wyoming, and Utah are amongst the states with the least physicians per capita as of July 2023. You can also check out the 20 Highest Paying Countries for Doctors here.

In addition to a high doctor-to-resident ratio, the investment in the latest medical technologies and drug pipelines by notable healthcare companies like Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) can help improve health infrastructure across states in the US.

Heres what Madison Investments said about UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) in its Q3 2023 investor letter:

The top contributors in the quarter were Eli Lilly, Jacobs, Alphabet, Costco, and UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH). UnitedHealth responded well to a solid second quarter, with a better medical loss ratio driving the better-than-expected results. Additionally, UNH modestly raised guidance for the full year. We updated the sustainable scorecard for UnitedHealth Group. The company continues to have Above Average Corporate Governance with a clear policy on separating the roles of the Chair of the Board and the CEO. We also rate the company Above Average on Social factors due to its clear cybersecurity, privacy, and data governance policies. The company continues to diversify its top management positions, where 40% of top management positions are held by women, up from 37% in 2020. We reduced our Environment rating to Average from Above Average as the company has significantly expanded its footprint in the last few years by acquiring local providers. The company is at the beginning of its journey to source renewable electricity for 100% of its operations by 2030.

10 States With The Most Doctors Per Capita In 2023

A doctor consulting with a patient, discussing treatment options for breast cancer.

Our Methodology

We shortlisted the top 10 states using active physicians by state data from the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF). Then, we used the latest population data to find the rate of doctors per capita, expressed as the number of doctors per 100,000 residents. The states have been ranked in ascending order of the total doctors per capita as of 2023. For our analysis, we have adopted Beckers Hospital Review's definition of active physicians, which includes individuals licensed by a state and working at least 20 hours weekly.

10 States With The Most Doctors Per Capita In 2023

10. Vermont

Total Active Physicians: 2460

Total Population: 647,156

Rate per 100,000 residents: 380

The life expectancy in Vermont is 79.8, ranking tenth in the country. Vermont has one of the lowest obesity rates in the USA, standing at the 47th position, with 26.3 adults suffering from obesity per 100,000 people. In 2023, Vermont ranked at the fifth position in categories such as healthcare affordability, prevention and treatment, and avoidable hospital cost, according to The Commonwealth Fund state rankings.

9. Ohio

Total Active Physicians: 46,077

Total Population: 11,747,774

Rate per 100,000 residents: 392

Ohio has secured the ninth position on our list of the states with the most doctors per capita in 2023. In 2021, 6.53% of Ohio residents were not covered by any insurance, while 25.32% were covered by public health insurance. The average life expectancy in Ohio is 76.9 years, lower than the national average of 78 years. Furthermore, Ohio ranks 10th in terms of infant mortality rates across the country and has an obesity rate of 35.5% per 100,000 people. Despite having a sizable portion of active physicians, Ohio was ranked 44 out of 50 states on health value, which indicates that residents of Ohio are living less healthy lives while incurring higher healthcare expenses.

8. Maryland

Total Active Physicians: 26,159

Total Population: 6,154,710

Rate per 100,000 residents: 425

Maryland has a high number of female physicians, comprising approximately 41% of the active physician workforce in 2018. The life expectancy in Maryland is 78.5, while diabetes is prevalent in 9.1% of adults across the state. In 2019, 15.2% of adults did not have a personal doctor or healthcare provider in the state. Meanwhile, Maryland's healthcare spending per person reached a total of $12,644, supported by government, businesses, and other entities.

7. Michigan

Total Active Physicians: 42,744

Total Population: 10,030,722

Rate per 100,000 residents: 426

Michigan has the least expensive healthcare system in the US, according to Forbes. In 2020, $11,564 was spent on healthcare per resident in Michigan. Furthermore, only about 4.98% of the states residents were not covered by health insurance, while 24.14% of the residents were covered by public health insurance plans funded by the government. Despite these healthcare achievements, Michigan has faced a concerning trend in life expectancy, experiencing a decline from 78.15 years in 2019 to 75.8 years in 2021. Michigan is at the seventh position on our list of the states with the most doctors per capita in 2023.

6. Pennsylvania

Total Active Physicians: 55,591

Total Population: 12,931,957

Rate per 100,000 residents: 430

The average life expectancy in Pennsylvania is 78.3 years, with an infant mortality rate of 5.58 deaths per 1000 live births. In 2021, the leading cause of death in the state was cancer, followed by heart disease. A total of $13,557 was spent on healthcare expenditure per resident in Pennsylvania in 2020. The state has 430 active physicians per 100,000 residents, making it one of the states with the most doctors per capita in 2023.

Enhancing the healthcare infrastructure in various states across the US can be achieved not only by a high doctor-to-patient ratio but also through significant investments in cutting-edge medical technologies. Famous healthcare companies such as Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE), UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH), and Johnson & Johnson (NYSE:JNJ) play a crucial role in achieving this goal.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 States With The Most Doctors Per Capita In 2023.

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Disclosure: None. 10 States With The Most Doctors Per Capita In 2023 is originally published on Insider Monkey.
In this article, we will look at the 15 most advanced countries in engineering. We will also discuss the integration of AI in engineering. If you want to skip our detailed analysis, head straight to the 5 Most Advanced Countries in Engineering.

In todays digital age, we have witnessed several industries being revolutionized by AI and automation technologies. Owing to this disruption, generative AI tools like ChatGPT are expected to impact two-thirds of the total jobs in the United States, with software engineers being at the forefront, according to a recent study. However, this doesn't mean that these roles will become obsolete; instead, they will be evolving alongside technology.

Despite these disruptions, the demand for highly skilled software developers is on the rise, with a predicted shortfall of four million developers by 2025, and nearly 200,000 developer jobs needing to be filled annually in the coming decade, as per BLS. To read more about the most in-demand jobs, see the most in-demand jobs for the future.

In this new data and AI-driven era, the demand for certain skills is changing. While programming languages like Python and C++ are still important, employers are increasingly seeking professionals with strong problem-solving skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to adapt. Moreover, a deep understanding of data science, mathematics, and domain knowledge is becoming more valuable.

The rise of prompt engineering, which focuses on creating high-quality inputs for AI tools, is creating new roles that require cross-functional thinking and business acumen. In this changing era, education and training in AI concepts, data science, statistics, and natural language processing are crucial to prepare individuals for the AI-driven enterprise of the future. If you find these insights meaningful, do read about jobs AI will create.

The disruption of artificial intelligence in engineering is not just restricted to the US, the UK Ministry of Defence is also set to revolutionize their military engineering with the introduction of an AI tool known as 'Motherlode.' This AI software is developed through a collaboration between the 1710 Naval Air Squadron, DE&S Digital AI Team, and Royal Navy Engineers, and can rapidly process aircraft maintenance data. It is also going to reduce complex problem-solving tasks from hours to mere seconds. By harnessing AI, engineering problems are detected at an early stage and hence, will enable timely spares ordering before they escalate into costly issues.

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Before getting into the list of the most advanced countries in Engineering, lets explore the current developments of the giants like Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) that are carrying out these advancements in engineering.

In the latest news, Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is nearing the release of its conversational artificial intelligence software called Gemini, according to a report by The Information. This software is designed to compete with OpenAI's GPT-4 model and is a collection of large-language models. It can power chatbots, summarize, generate original text, help software engineers write code, and create images based on user requests. Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is currently providing access to developers for a relatively large version of Gemini, with plans to make it available through its Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) Cloud Vertex AI service.

Moreover, Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is also launching a new video series titled "Build with Google AI" to empower developers with practical and useful artificial intelligence (AI) projects that don't require extensive AI knowledge or major development resources. Developers create these projects for developers with a goal of fostering the use of AI that's beneficial to users, creators, and organizations. The series's initial focus is capitalizing on Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)s AI language model capabilities, particularly the Google PaLM API. It features projects like AI Content Search with Doc Agent, AI Writing Assistant with Wordcraft, and AI Coding Assistant with Pipet Code Agent.

Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is also known as one of the highest paying companies for software engineers. In fact, Devon, a software engineer at Alphabet Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), recently claimed to work only one hour a day while earning nearly $150,000 a year.

On the other hand, the Cloud-based software company Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) is set to hire 3,300 employees across different departments, as reported by Bloomberg News in September 2023. The new hires will be distributed among sales, engineering, and teams working on Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) data cloud product.

Apart from being a leader in cloud infrastructure, Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) has taken a major step towards environmental sustainability by introducing 'Green Code' as part of its commitment to reducing carbon emissions associated with software development. This initiative will revolve around different aspects of the software development lifecycle, offering guidance to UX designers, software developers, system architects, and IT operations managers. Furthermore, Salesforce Inc (NYSE:CRM) has introduced a crucial metric called 'Carbon to Serve,' which measures the emissions of its data centers relative to work performed by its applications. Since 2020, the company has achieved a 26% reduction in emissions, despite the fact that it has been a market leader in CRM software.

15 Most Advanced Countries in Engineering

A refinery, the sun illuminating its engineering complexity.

Our Methodology

To list the most advanced countries in engineering, we relied on our datasets from our articles on highest paying countries for engineers, top countries for engineering in the world, and countries that produce the best engineers in the world. We averaged the rankings from all three articles and then adjusted our rankings based on these averaged rankings. The list is presented in ascending order.

Here is a list of the most advanced countries in engineering

15. Singapore

Average Rank: 17.77

The National University of Singapore (NUS) is one of the largest universities, producing top engineers in Singapore. NUS Engineering excels in research and industry collaboration which is exemplified by their work in developing advanced sustainable urban solutions for Singapore's Smart Nation Initiative. It is one of the most advanced Asian countries in engineering.

14. Belgium

Average Rank: 16.2

Two of the largest engineering companies in Belgium are BESIX Group and Jan De Nul Group. BESIX is known for its involvement in major projects like the Antwerp Port House, while Jan De Nul Group has undertaken projects such as the expansion of the Port of Zeebrugge.

13. Norway

Average Rank: 15.85

Norway is renowned for engineering advancements due to its innovative and sustainable approach. Two examples are the impressive Oslo Opera House, known for its unique design and efficient energy use, and the ambitious Norwegian Tunnel Safety Program, which focuses on enhancing tunnel safety technology and infrastructure.

12. France

Average Rank: 15.50

The Grand Paris Express is a massive infrastructure project in France to transform Paris's transport system. It involves doubling the Paris Metro's size by building four new lines, 68 stations, and a 14-kilometer viaduct. The project addresses the latest concerns about urban connectivity, social cohesion, and carbon reduction. Its innovative use of BIM technology, extensive use of tunnel boring machines, and sustainability with low-carbon concrete and steel fiber reinforced concrete speak volumes about the project's engineering excellence.

11. Australia

Average Rank: 15.25

Australia has consistently committed itself to environmentally responsible and culturally inclusive construction. For example, the AMRF First Building in Sydney is an innovative project with a design inspired by water's fluidity and collaboration with Indigenous designer Daniele Hromek. It embodies sustainability and sets a high standard for eco-friendly engineering as it utilizes prefabricated timber modules. It is one of the most advanced countries in the world.

10. Japan

Average Rank: 14.12

Japan is at the forefront of engineering with its groundbreaking developments in technology. An example could be their internet speed record of 319 terabits per second, which is 7.6 million times faster than the average US home internet. It is one of the most technologically advanced countries in 2023.

9. Italy

Average Rank: 14.08

Ambitious projects like the Messina Strait Bridge speak volumes about Italy's engineering prowess, as the bridge is set to be the world's longest suspension bridge. Despite political and technical challenges, it confirms Italy's ability to innovate in infrastructure and engineering.

8. South Korea

Average Rank: 14

Two of the biggest engineering companies in South Korea are Samsung C&T Corporation and Hyundai Engineering & Construction. Samsung C&T Corporation is renowned for its involvement in the construction of the Incheon International Airport, one of the largest and busiest airports in South Korea. On the other hand, Hyundai Engineering & Construction played a pertinent role in the Songdo International Business District. This urban development project is often referred to as the "city of the future"

7. Finland

Average Rank: 13.33

Valmet, a Finnish engineering company, has been ranked as the most attractive employer among engineering professionals in Finland, as per Universum's annual survey. It is one of the top 10 most advanced countries in engineering.

6. Netherlands

Average Rank: 8.33

Two noteworthy engineering projects in the Netherlands are the Maeslantkering and the Delta Works. The Maeslantkering is a storm surge barrier that can protect the densely populated Dutch region of South Holland from flooding. It utilizes advanced hydraulic engineering and automation systems to close its enormous gates during high tides or storms, effectively blocking the sea's entry. The Delta Works is another remarkable feat of Dutch engineering and was built to control and mitigate the threat of flooding,

Click here to see the 5 Most Advanced Countries in Engineering.

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Disclosure: None. 15 Most Advanced Countries in Engineering is originally published on Insider Monkey.
Key Insights

Institutions' substantial holdings in Las Vegas Sands implies that they have significant influence over the company's share price

A total of 3 investors have a majority stake in the company with 54% ownership

32% of Las Vegas Sands is held by insiders

To get a sense of who is truly in control of Las Vegas Sands Corp. (NYSE:LVS), it is important to understand the ownership structure of the business. We can see that institutions own the lion's share in the company with 38% ownership. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. As a result, a sizeable amount of institutional money invested in a firm is generally viewed as a positive attribute.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Las Vegas Sands.

Check out our latest analysis for Las Vegas Sands

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Las Vegas Sands?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

We can see that Las Vegas Sands does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Las Vegas Sands' earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Las Vegas Sands is not owned by hedge funds. Miriam Adelson is currently the company's largest shareholder with 32% of shares outstanding. Sheldon G Adelson Family Trust is the second largest shareholder owning 18% of common stock, and The Vanguard Group, Inc. holds about 4.3% of the company stock.

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A more detailed study of the shareholder registry showed us that 3 of the top shareholders have a considerable amount of ownership in the company, via their 54% stake.

Researching institutional ownership is a good way to gauge and filter a stock's expected performance. The same can be achieved by studying analyst sentiments. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Las Vegas Sands

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

Insider ownership is positive when it signals leadership are thinking like the true owners of the company. However, high insider ownership can also give immense power to a small group within the company. This can be negative in some circumstances.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Las Vegas Sands Corp.. It has a market capitalization of just US$38b, and insiders have US$12b worth of shares in their own names. That's quite significant. It is good to see this level of investment. You can check here to see if those insiders have been buying recently.

General Public Ownership

With a 10% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Las Vegas Sands. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Company Ownership

It seems that Private Companies own 20%, of the Las Vegas Sands stock. Private companies may be related parties. Sometimes insiders have an interest in a public company through a holding in a private company, rather than in their own capacity as an individual. While it's hard to draw any broad stroke conclusions, it is worth noting as an area for further research.

Next Steps:

It's always worth thinking about the different groups who own shares in a company. But to understand Las Vegas Sands better, we need to consider many other factors. Case in point: We've spotted 1 warning sign for Las Vegas Sands you should be aware of.

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
OSHKOSH, Wis., November 16, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Promotional products retailer 4imprint, Inc., has earned an award for the Vets Ready Employer Initiative for the third year in a row. Gov. Tony Evers recently honored the company and 16 other top veteran-friendly employers in Wisconsin for going above and beyond in efforts to hire and support veterans and their families.

"Were honored to have veterans choose to join and remain part of our team," said Kevin Lyons-Tarr, CEO, 4imprint. "We strive to continue to create an environment where they feel welcome, appreciated and valued."

Among the ways 4imprint has shown appreciation for veterans service:

The company hosts an annual open house for organizations that assist veterans in gaining employment, attends local job fairs geared toward employing veterans, networks with veterans organizations and features veteran associates stories on the 4imprint website.

4imprint offers paid time off for Veterans Day for members of the armed services and their spouses, flies the Armed Forces flag at the companys distribution center, and annually recognizes associates who are veterans for their service.

As an employer, 4imprint provides a Military Leave and Pay Differential Program for members of the military for scheduled training, drills or a call to active duty. This program supports members of the military in their service and provides salary continuity for up to 10 days annually.

"Veterans bring invaluable and tremendous assets to the workplace, and I commend these Vets Ready employers for their work to hire and support veterans," said Gov. Tony Evers when he recently announced the award winners, who were honored in ceremonies in Milwaukee and Oshkosh. "This distinction will help elevate the work of these employers and give them the competitive edge in recruiting and retaining veterans."

Every year, the Wisconsin Department of Workforce Development (DWD) and its Office of Veteran Employment Services (OVES) recognize businesses with either a gold or silver certification in one of three categories: small, medium, and large. 4imprint received a silver certification for large employers. Award program partners include the Wisconsin Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA), Wisconsin Department of Disabled American Veterans, and the Wisconsin Veterans Chamber of Commerce.

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About 4imprint

4imprint is part of 4imprint Group, Plc, a publicly traded company on the London Stock Exchange. 4imprint provides promotional products to millions of customers throughout the United States, Canada, United Kingdom and Ireland, offering corporate gifts, personalized gifts, custom T-shirts, promotional pens, travel mugs, tote bags, water bottles, adhesive notes, custom calendars, embroidered polos and much more. For additional information, visit www.4imprint.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116185195/en/

Contacts

Ben Thompson, 4imprint

920-236-7272, ext. 8226
In this article, we'll list countries expected to be the most populated in 2030 and their population growth patterns. If you want to skip how the world's population trends are changing, read 10 Most Populated Countries in 2030.

Patterns in the Worlds Population Growth

As we approach 2030, it is crucial to understand the dynamics of population growth. Estimates suggest that the world's population will reach 8.5 billion by 2030 and exceed 10 billion by 2050, a significant increase from 6 billion in 2000. But intriguingly, in 2000, the world's average fertility rate was 2.7 births per woman, exceeding the 2.1 births required to replace the existing population. By 2023, this rate has decreased to 2.3 births per woman and continues to decline, particularly in economically advanced countries.

An analysis of fertility rate patterns by region reveals that the rate is 1.6 births per woman in OECD countries, 2.3 in Asia, and 4.2 in Africa. This pattern suggests a greater population burden in economically disadvantaged countries, many of which are projected to be among the most populated in the world by 2050.

Since the developments in the healthcare sector have increased the population's average life expectancy from 64 years in 1990 to 73 years in 2023, it's important to note that a significant portion of the population will be elderly moving forward. According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UN DESA), there were 761 million people aged 65 and older in 2021. The number is projected to reach 1.6 billion by 2050. In the next two decades, approximately one in six people will be 65 years or older, compared to the current ratio of 1 in 10.

The aging population will lead to increased demand for healthcare services and age-related support, straining public health systems and elevating healthcare spending. The labor market will face a shrinking workforce, potentially leading to labor shortages and increased pressure on younger generations to sustain economic productivity.

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Also Read: 40 Countries With Highest Rates Of Poverty

Family Planning and its Impact on Population Growth

The United Nations Population Fund estimates that nearly half of the global pregnancies are unintended, totaling approximately 121 million per year. The report also states that about 60% of these unintended pregnancies result in abortions. However, as 45% of abortions are considered risky, they contribute to 5-13% of maternal deaths annually.

Therefore, to manage the population burden in the most populated countries and protect women's health, there is a need for safer and more affordable contraceptive methods to be more accessible. Impressively, from 2000 to 2020, the number of women using contraceptives increased from 663 million to 851 million. Due to the prevalence of modern contraceptives, Precedence Research reports that the global contraceptive industry was valued at $16 billion in 2022 and is projected to reach $27.72 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.70%.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reported that in 2022, approximately 77.5% of women of reproductive age (1549 years) globally had their family planning needs met using modern contraceptive methods. This figure represents a growth of 10 percentage points from 67% in 1990. Notably, the gradual increase can be attributed to the limited options for contraceptives and concerns regarding their side effects.

A PubMed study found that about 51% of women continued using oral contraceptives (OCPs) once they started, compared to 77% who preferred copper IUDs (intrauterine devices). Similarly, 84% of women in the study group continued with LNG-IUS (levonorgestrel intrauterine systems), while 85% maintained the use of contraceptive implants. These results indicate a trend that young women more consistently used longer-lasting methods like IUDs and implants as they were more effective in preventing pregnancy compared to birth control pills. In simpler terms, methods that do not require daily attention were more successful in regular usage and in preventing unwanted pregnancies.

Regarding the efficacy of these contraceptive methods in helping countries with the highest rates of population growth, the PubMed study reports that OCPs had a pooled estimated pregnancy rate. i.e., chances of getting pregnant when on a contraceptive of 11%. On the other hand, copper IUDs had a rate of 5%, LNG-IUS 1.6%, and implants 1.8%. These findings further reinforce that the most effective birth control methods are the long-term ones, although their side effects are a separate matter of discussion.

Modern Contraceptives and Their Impact

With growing populations exerting strain on resources, the need for effective and accessible contraceptive methods is more pressing than ever. This necessity is fundamentally linked to the empowerment and health of women, as easy access to contraception enables them to manage their reproductive health and reduce risks associated with unintended pregnancies.

Tel-Aviv-based Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NYSE:TEVA) contributes to this need by producing a variety of pharmaceuticals, including women's healthcare products, oral contraceptives, and intrauterine devices. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NYSE:TEVA) owns Barr Pharmaceuticals, Inc., which in turn owns Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc., the maker of ParaGard T-380A. This 100% hormone-free copper-T IUD, around 99% effective, is the oldest FDA-approved copper IUD in the US. Notably, Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd (NYSE:TEVA)'s ParaGard is the only copper contraceptive device available in the US and is well-regarded as it can prevent pregnancy for 10 years after insertion.

Similarly, Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) manufactures Depo-Provera Contraceptive Injection, administered every three months. The Depo injection by Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE) contains the progestin hormone, which suppresses ovulation and is approximately 96% effective. Pfizer Inc. (NYSE:PFE)'s Depo offers a convenient birth control method, requiring only four injections a year, and is suitable for women who cannot use estrogen-based contraceptives.

Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) also leads in modern contraceptive solutions, manufacturing NuvaRing, a combined hormonal contraceptive vaginal ring. Moreover, Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) makes Implanon, a long-acting reversible hormonal birth control implant. Merck & Co., Inc. (NYSE:MRK) 's NuvaRing releases a continuous low dose of estrogen and progestin, functioning for three weeks at a time. Its localized hormone application often leads to fewer systemic side effects compared to oral contraceptives.

While contraception is one aspect of managing population growth, these birth control methods have already made an impact in advanced countries. They enable better family planning, improve women's health, and contribute to more stable population growth. Extending similar access to contraceptives in less developed regions, particularly the most populated countries in 2030, could effectively manage population growth. Intended and responsible conception promotes sustainable development, lowers healthcare costs, and contributes to a more balanced demographic structure.

Also Read: 30 Countries With Highest Rates of Population Growth

On that note, let's now discuss the top populated countries by 2030!

50 Most Populated Countries In 2030

50 Most Populated Countries In 2030

Our Methodology

We consulted the World Bank's data on population projections to identify the countries expected to be the most populated in 2030. These countries are ranked in ascending order based on the estimates. The projections consider trends in population growth, fertility rates, life expectancy, and migration patterns. It's important to note that these estimates may change due to factors such as government policies, economic conditions, and unforeseen events that could influence population dynamics.

Here are the countries that will have the biggest populations in 2030:

50. Poland

Projected Population in 2030: 34.4 million

Poland's population is declining due to an aging populace and decreasing birth rates, a trend common across Europe. Although the population is projected to shrink to 30 million by 2050, it is estimated to be 34.4 million by the decade-end, putting Poland among the most populated countries in 2030.

49. Niger

Projected Population in 2030: 35.2 million

Niger, characterized by one of the highest population growth rates globally at 3.66%, is experiencing a demographic shift. The country's youthful and rapidly expanding population places it among the countries expected to be the most populated in 2030.

48. Madagascar

Projected Population in 2030: 35.6 million

As of 2023, Madagascar's population has reached approximately 30.3 million, marking a 2.41% increase from 2022. This growth trend has been consistent over recent years, with similar increases observed annually. The country's diverse population, predominantly youthful with a significant portion under 15, remains largely rural. However, there is a noticeable trend towards urbanization. Cities like Antananarivo expand as people seek better economic opportunities and transition from traditional living patterns.

47. Malaysia

Projected Population in 2030: 36.6 million

Malaysia's diverse demographic, including Malay, Chinese, Indian, and indigenous populations, is experiencing growth driven by natural increase and immigration, particularly in urban areas like Kuala Lumpur. Malaysia's population growth, linked to its economic development, attracts international migration, positioning it among the most populated countries in 2030.

46. Peru

Projected Population in 2030: 36.7 million

Peru's population, comprising significant indigenous, European, African, and Asian descent groups, experiences a growth rate of 0.8% per year on average. Factors contributing to this increase can include improved healthcare, leading to lower mortality rates and sustained birth rates.

45. Ghana

Projected Population in 2030: 38.7 million

Ghana, one of the countries with the highest poverty rates, has approximately 25% of its population living on less than $2.15 a day. Despite significant poverty and inadequate healthcare, the country's population is anticipated to increase to 38.7 million in 2030, up from 25.5 million in 2010.

44. Uzbekistan

Projected Population in 2030: 39.4 million

UNICEF reports that about 60% of Uzbekistan's population is under 30 years of age, reflecting high birth rates. This places Uzbekistan among the countries with the biggest populations in 2030. Furthermore, in the next two decades, this young population is poised to constitute Uzbekistan's largest workforce, offering promising socioeconomic development opportunities.

43. Morocco

Projected Population in 2030: 40.2 million

Predominantly Arab-Berber, Morocco's population is growing, particularly in cities like Casablanca and Marrakech. Although population growth has decelerated recently due to healthcare and education improvements, Morocco remains one of the most populous countries, projected to reach 40.2 million in 2030 and 45 million by 2050.

42. Saudi Arabia

Projected Population in 2030: 40.4 million

A significant portion of Saudi Arabia's population is under 30 and predominantly urban, concentrated in cities such as Riyadh and Jeddah. The country's economic status, bolstered by its oil wealth, influences its population dynamics, including migration patterns. Currently, 38.6% of its population is foreign-born, placing it among countries with the highest proportion of immigrants.

41. Ukraine

Projected Population in 2030: 40.6 million

Due to emigration and a low birth rate, Ukraine's population is declining and is anticipated to reach 35 million by 2050. Nevertheless, its projected population of 40.6 million by 2030 remains one of the highest in the world.

40. Mozambique

Projected Population in 2030: 40.9 million

Mozambique's population growth is driven by high fertility rates, significantly influencing its social and economic policies. The country also faces severe poverty, exacerbated by reduced foreign investment and natural disasters.

39. Canada

Projected Population in 2030: 41 million

Canada, known for its high immigrant intake, has 8 million foreign-born residents. Due to its immigrant-friendly policies, the country's population is expected to rise to 41 million in 2030, up from 34 million in 2010. It will be one of the most populated countries in 5-10 years.

38. Angola

Projected Population in 2030: 44.9 million

Angola is projected to have one of the largest populations in 2030, following a three-decade-long civil war. With a current growth rate of approximately 3.34%, the population is not expected to stabilize soon. From 23 million in 2010, Angola's population is forecasted to reach 44.9 million in 2030 and 72 million by 2050.

37. Spain

Projected Population in 2030: 47.05 million

Spain's population growth is relatively stable. While the country is not experiencing significant changes in population numbers, it is not undergoing rapid growth either. Therefore, the current population of 47.5 million is expected to slightly decrease to 47.05 million by 2030.

36. Yemen

Projected Population in 2030: 47.7 million

The Yemeni economy has been severely affected by the ongoing conflict. Socioeconomic conditions have deteriorated rapidly, with the Yemeni rial reaching historic lows. This depreciation has significantly increased food prices, pushing more people into extreme poverty. Despite these challenges, Yemen's population has grown from 24 million in 2010 to 34 million in 2023 and is projected to reach 47.7 million by 2030.

35. Argentia

Projected Population in 2030: 48 million

In 2023, Argentina's population is estimated at approximately 46.4 million, with a growth rate of 1.04% compared to the previous year. Projections suggest that the population will reach 48 million by 2030, peaking at 57.94 million in 2079 before gradually declining.

34. Algeria

Projected Population in 2030: 49.7 million

Algeria's current population is 45 million, marking a 1.57% increase from 2022. The population growth trend has been consistent, rising from 35 million in 2010. It is forecasted to reach 49.7 million in 2030 and surpass 60 million by 2050.

33. Afghanistan

Projected Population in 2030: 50.3 million

Afghanistan's population, which was 19 million in 2000, doubled by 2020 to 38 million. The country has historically had high fertility rates. With a median age of only 17.0 years, the young population is expected to maintain a high birth rate. In 2023, the fertility rate was around 4.41 children per woman, contributing to a projected population of 73.4 million by 2050.

32. Iraq

Projected Population in 2030: 52.8 million

Iraq's population in 2023 was approximately 45.5 million, a 2.27% increase from 2022. The continuation of annual growth suggests that the population will exceed 52 million within the next seven years.

31. Colombia

Projected Population in 2030: 54 million

Colombia's population growth is driven by a higher birth rate compared to the death rate. In 2023, there were approximately 1,957 births per day against 788 deaths. The country's relatively young median age correlates with higher fertility rates and a growing population.

30. Myanmar

Projected Population in 2030: 56.9 million

As of 2023, Myanmar's population was 54.38 million, with an annual growth rate of about 0.67%. The country's population growth is primarily driven by a higher birth rate compared to the death rate, with roughly 2,493 births and 1,317 deaths per day.

29. Italy

Projected Population in 2030: 57.2 million

Italy's population is decreasing and is estimated to reach 51 million by 2050, down from the current 58 million. However, it will remain among the most populous countries in 2030.

28. South Korea

Projected Population in 2030: 59.9 million

South Korea's population is currently decreasing, standing at around 51.78 million in 2023, a slight decline of about 0.06% from 2022. This downward trend is because of an aging population and a consequent decrease in growth rate. Nevertheless, South Korea will remain among the countries that will have the biggest populations in 2030.

27. Kenya

Projected Population in 2030: 63 million

Kenya's median age is a relatively young at 19.6 years, indicating a large proportion of the population is in their reproductive years. Consequently, the country's average population growth rate stands at 2.28%. Notably, approximately 29.4% of Kenyans currently live below the poverty line, facing persistent challenges such as unemployment and illiteracy.

26. South Africa

Projected Population in 2030: 64.6 million

South Africa's current population is around 60.4 million, marking a growth of approximately 0.87% from the previous year. As a major economic hub in Africa, South Africa attracts migrants from other parts of the continent, contributing to its population growth.

25. France

Projected Population in 2030: 68.7 million

France's population is increasing relatively slowly, driven by immigration and a fertility rate higher than the European average. By 2030, the population is expected to reach 68.7 million, with a projection of 68.9 million by 2050.

24. United Kingdom

Projected Population in 2030: 69.8 million

The United Kingdom's population is currently increasing at a modest rate. As of 2023, the population stands at 67.7 million, reflecting an increase of 0.34% from 2022. By 2030, the population is projected to reach 69.8 million.

23. Sudan

Projected Population in 2030: 70.3 million

Sudan has experienced a significant decline in birth rates, from over 7 in the 1970s to 4.5 in 2021. Despite this decrease, it remains one of the most fertile countries as we head into 2024.

22. Thailand

Projected Population in 2030: 70.9 million

Thailand's population, currently at 71.75 million, is decreasing. By 2030, the population is projected to be 70.9 million and 67.8 million by 2050. Births in Thailand have declined nearly a third since 2013, with the 2021 figure at 544,000 - the lowest in over six decades. This number was also below the 563,000 reported deaths in the same year, contributing to the population decrease. Despite this, Thailand is expected to have one of the largest populations in 2030.

21. Uganda

Projected Population in 2030: 73 million

Uganda's average birth rate is 4.64 children per woman, ranking it 16th highest in the world. The country's population increased from 32 million in 2010 to 44 million in 2020. It is projected to reach 87 million by 2050.

20. Germany

Projected Population in 2030: 83.3 million

Germany's current population is 83.3 million, showing a slight decrease of 0.09% from 2022. This decline is attributed to low birth rates, an aging population (median age 44.9 years), and migration trends. The population is projected to continue decreasing, falling to 79 million by 2050.

19. Turkey

Projected Population in 2030: 88 million

Turkey's population is on the rise. The current population is 85.2 million, up from 73 million in 2010. By 2050, the population is expected to reach 95.8 million, primarily due to natural increase and migration.

18. Iran

Projected Population in 2030: 92 million

Iran's population in 2023 is around 89.2 million, showing a growth of about 0.7% from 2022. The increase is primarily attributed to natural population growth. Projections suggest a peak population of 99 million by 2050, followed by an anticipated decline.

17. Vietnam

Projected Population in 2030: 102 million

Vietnam's population currently stands at 98.9 million, marking an increase of about 0.68% from the previous year. The country's median age of 32.8 years contributes to a higher birth rate.

16. Tanzania

Projected Population in 2030: 104.9 million

According to UNDESA Population Projections 2022, Tanzania is expected to experience a 378% population increase by 2100, becoming the third-highest-growing country in terms of population. If the current growth rate of 2.75% per year continues, the population will reach approximately 105 million in 2030.

15. Japan

Projected Population in 2030: 119 million

Japan's population, which is currently 123 million in 2023, has decreased from 126 million in 2020. The decline is due to an aging population and trends towards later marriage or opting to remain childless amid economic pressures. Despite this, Japan is projected to remain one of the most populated countries in 2030, with a projected population of 119 million.

14. Egypt

Projected Population in 2030: 125 million

Egypt's population has grown from 71 million in 2000 to 107 million in 2020. By 2030, it is expected to reach around 125 million, with a projected increase to 160 million by 2050.

13. Democratic Republic of Congo

Projected Population in 2030: 127 million

The Democratic Republic of Congo, with a 3.13% annual population growth rate, ranks ninth highest globally. The country's population is projected to increase by +304% by 2100. Notably, 62% of its population lives on less than $2.15 a day, highlighting significant poverty.

12. Philippines

Projected Population in 2030: 129 million

The Philippines is experiencing a population surge, estimated at 117.3 million in 2023, with an annual growth rate of about 1.54%. This increase is driven by a high birth rate and a relatively young median age of 25 years.

11. Mexico

Projected Population in 2030: 134.5 million

Mexico's population, estimated between 128.5 million and 133.6 million in 2023, shows a growth rate of 0.73% to 1.37%. The growth stems from natural increases and positive migration rates.

Click to continue reading 10 Most Populated Countries in 2030.

Suggested Articles:

Disclosure: None. 50 Most Populated Countries in 2030 is originally published at Insider Monkey.
Key Insights

Significantly high institutional ownership implies Belvoir Group's stock price is sensitive to their trading actions

51% of the business is held by the top 12 shareholders

Using data from company's past performance alongside ownership research, one can better assess the future performance of a company

A look at the shareholders of Belvoir Group PLC (LON:BLV) can tell us which group is most powerful. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 63% to be precise, is institutions. In other words, the group stands to gain the most (or lose the most) from their investment into the company.

Since institutional have access to huge amounts of capital, their market moves tend to receive a lot of scrutiny by retail or individual investors. Therefore, a good portion of institutional money invested in the company is usually a huge vote of confidence on its future.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Belvoir Group, beginning with the chart below.

Check out our latest analysis for Belvoir Group

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Belvoir Group?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

We can see that Belvoir Group does have institutional investors; and they hold a good portion of the company's stock. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Belvoir Group's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Story continues

Since institutional investors own more than half the issued stock, the board will likely have to pay attention to their preferences. We note that hedge funds don't have a meaningful investment in Belvoir Group. Gresham House Asset Management Limited is currently the company's largest shareholder with 15% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 6.5% and 5.4%, of the shares outstanding, respectively. Additionally, the company's CEO Dorian Gonsalves directly holds 1.7% of the total shares outstanding.

Looking at the shareholder registry, we can see that 51% of the ownership is controlled by the top 12 shareholders, meaning that no single shareholder has a majority interest in the ownership.

While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There is some analyst coverage of the stock, but it could still become more well known, with time.

Insider Ownership Of Belvoir Group

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Management ultimately answers to the board. However, it is not uncommon for managers to be executive board members, especially if they are a founder or the CEO.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

We can report that insiders do own shares in Belvoir Group PLC. As individuals, the insiders collectively own UK5.0m worth of the UK92m company. Some would say this shows alignment of interests between shareholders and the board, though we generally prefer to see bigger insider holdings. But it might be worth checking if those insiders have been selling.

General Public Ownership

With a 16% ownership, the general public, mostly comprising of individual investors, have some degree of sway over Belvoir Group. While this size of ownership may not be enough to sway a policy decision in their favour, they can still make a collective impact on company policies.

Private Equity Ownership

Private equity firms hold a 15% stake in Belvoir Group. This suggests they can be influential in key policy decisions. Sometimes we see private equity stick around for the long term, but generally speaking they have a shorter investment horizon and -- as the name suggests -- don't invest in public companies much. After some time they may look to sell and redeploy capital elsewhere.

Next Steps:

While it is well worth considering the different groups that own a company, there are other factors that are even more important. Be aware that Belvoir Group is showing 1 warning sign in our investment analysis , you should know about...

Ultimately the future is most important. You can access this free report on analyst forecasts for the company.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
FILE PHOTO: The Airbus A350-1000 seen in the aerial display during the media preview of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore,

FILE PHOTO: The Airbus A350-1000 seen in the aerial display during the media preview of the Singapore Airshow in Singapore,

By Tim Hepher, Alexander Cornwell and Pesha Magid

DUBAI (Reuters) -Airbus won a consolation order for 15 A350-900 jets from Emirates on Thursday after a public row between the Mideast giant and engine maker Rolls-Royce prevented a bigger deal for European jets at a Dubai Airshow dominated by Boeing.

Emirates Chairman and CEO Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum said the long-haul jets would "add to our fleet mix, and we are pleased to announce additional orders for this aircraft type".

However, industry sources described the deal as a face-saving compromise after the influential carrier criticised the amount of maintenance needed to keep the engines for the larger A350-1000 flying in hot and sandy conditions of the Gulf.

Sheikh Ahmed said Emirates would "work closely with Airbus and Rolls-Royce to ensure our aircraft deliver the best possible operating efficiency and flying experience for our customers".

The deal, which Emirates said was worth $6 billion, followed intense negotiations focusing on the needs of the Gulf as it fends off new competition from Turkey, India and elsewhere to its East-West transit model, while shedding light on broader industry tensions over rising engine costs.

Emirates is by far the biggest user of the Airbus A380 after investing heavily in the world's largest airliner, and is now planning the fleet needed to keep its Dubai super-hub at the centre of the aviation map beyond the 2030s as the A380 retires.

The airline opened this week's air show with a $52 billion order for 90 Boeing 777X airplanes, saying the U.S. planemaker appeared to be getting a grip on regulatory and other problems surrounding its entry to service after five years of delays.

But Emirates Airline President Tim Clark refused to place a large order for Airbus' broadly similar A350-1000 and blasted Rolls-Royce over the disruption and cost of dealing with frequent maintenance needed to keep the plane's engines running.

Story continues

Emirates would have ordered 35-50 of the planes, he said.

Rolls-Royce acknowledged its engine for the A350-1000 would need more servicing than Emirates would like, but denied Clark's suggestion that the XWB-97 engine was "defective".

Chief Customer Officer Ewen McDonald said deal for the A350-900, which uses a different variant of engine, was a sign of the airline's trust in Rolls-Royce and held out hope for a future order for the A350-1000.

"We will continue our discussions with Emirates on the A350-1000 engine improvements and look forward to them choosing this aircraft in the future," he said.

Emirates has already ordered 50 A350-900s which are scheduled to arrive from August next year.

Delegates said earlier a top-up order would be seen as a consolation prize for Airbus and Rolls-Royce after Boeing and its main engine supplier GE won the majority of deals, but would leave questions over Airbus's ability to compete with Boeing's 777X in the lucrative Gulf market.

"It is...just to keep the relationship going and so they can talk again," a senior aviation industry source said.

Investors are expected to quiz Rolls-Royce about the durability and pricing of its engines at a Nov. 28 investor day.

Rolls-Royce said earlier in week it was looking at applying technology from its Ultrafan research project to the XWB-97.

BOEING DOMINATES ORDERS

In a week dominated by soaring demand for wide-body planes, Boeing won new orders for 196 aircraft while Airbus agreed deals for 55 jets.

Airbus said it had reached an "agreement in principle" for a significant order from Turkish Airlines, but industry sources said the deal had not yet been signed.

Emirates also agreed to buy five additional 787 Dreamliners, while sister airline flyDubai went for 30 with its first wide-body order.

Although political power is consolidated in the UAE capital Abu Dhabi, Monday's high-profile announcement overseen by Dubai's crown prince was symbolic of the value the UAE places on its bilateral relationship with the United States after a recent period of strain, said sources familiar with the matter.

In other business, Turkey-based budget carrier SunExpress announced an order for 45 Boeing 737 MAX narrow-bodies and used the spotlight to issue a reminder of the industry's supply chain problems.

Ethiopian Airlines announced it was buying 20 737 MAX jets nearly five years after the fatal 2019 MAX crash that led to the grounding of the global fleet. It also ordered 11 Dreamliners.

EgyptAir said it was ordering 10 A350-900s from Airbus, while AirBaltic announced it was buying 30 Airbus A220-300s.

Royal Air Maroc signed a repeat order for two additional 787 Dreamliners. EgyptAir said it would lease 18 new Boeing 737 MAX jets from Air Lease Corp.

(Reporting by Tim Hepher, Alexander Cornwell and Pesha Magid; editing by Jan Harvey, Kirsten Donovan)
(Bloomberg) -- Alibaba Group Holding Ltd. tumbled as much as 10% after it called off a spinoff of its giant cloud business as a result of tightened US curbs on advanced chips for China.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The announcement stunned investors, sending shares down to a low of $78.23 as trading got underway in New York, and casting doubt on a historic overhaul laid out mere months ago.

Chinas e-commerce leader said its reset and decided not to pursue a plan to hive off and eventually list its cloud services division. Instead, it will focus on growing the unit organically and dole out its first-ever annual dividend of $2.5 billion, assuaging shareholders hoping for a big payout from the units debut.

The decision comes as Alibaba tries to stage a comeback from Covid and a tech-sector crackdown. Chinas online shopping leader is trying to win back merchants and shoppers that gravitated toward PDD Holdings Inc. and newer entrants such as ByteDance Ltd.s Douyin, and corporate users that shifted to state-backed cloud services. However, that last effort is complicated by US curbs on artificial intelligence chips, which cloud services need to power datacenters and high-end computing.

The Chinese e-commerce leader joins Tencent Holdings Ltd. in acknowledging difficulties brought about by the US curbs announced last month. The Biden administrations efforts to prevent the Chinese government from obtaining cutting-edge chips for military applications are now affecting the countrys private sector in unexpected ways.

This should be a big surprise to the market. This is a big contrast to the previous clear spinoff timetable, said Willer Chen, research analyst at Forsyth Barr Asia. Even considering the relatively weak market situation, the suspension still leaves the market scratching its head. The first annual dividend looks like a compensation to shareholders. However, it may not fully offset the shock given the higher value of cloud unit.

Story continues

On Thursday, Alibaba also confirmed it was suspending an IPO of grocery arm Freshippo, a lesser but well-known business.

The company announced those decisions along with quarterly earnings. It posted an 8.5% rise in sales to 224.79 billion yuan ($31 billion) in the September quarter, slightly exceeding average projections. It swung to a net profit of 27.7 billion yuan from a year-ago loss.

Alibaba this year unveiled the most radical corporate overhaul in its history. The Hangzhou-based company announced a break-up into six main units, most of which will eventually go public. That maneuver was designed to grant more autonomy to the separate businesses, hopefully rejuvenate them, and create value on markets. Such a split, however, will likely reduce Alibabas heft and erode its position as one of the leaders of the Chinese digital economy.

The recent expansion of U.S. restrictions on export of advanced computing chips has created uncertainties for the prospects of Cloud Intelligence Group, it said in a statement. Accordingly, we have decided to not proceed with a full spin-off, and instead we will focus on developing a sustainable growth model for Cloud Intelligence Group under the fluid circumstances.

Even before Thursdays announcement, the effort had hit a few bumps. The company put a potential Hong Kong IPO of its Freshippo grocery chain on the backburner amid weak sentiment for consumer stocks. Former Chief Executive Officer Daniel Zhang quit just months after agreeing to lead its cloud division. Logistics arm Cainiao filed for a Hong Kong IPO in late September but it remains unclear what sort of valuation it could command.

With Zhangs exit, two of Jack Mas longest-standing confidants  Joseph Tsai and Eddie Wu  are now tasked with orchestrating the other spinoffs and revitalizing the company as a whole.

One of their big bets is in AI, joining major Chinese tech peers and a host of up-and-coming startups. The company has released its own large language model, Tongyi Qianwen, and is also investing in high-flying startups like Zhipu AI and Baichuan. Tsai said last month the cloud unit now hosts half of Chinas generative AI firms and serves about 80% of the countrys technology companies.

Its unclear how the US sanctions will affect that effort. The cloud division is at the heart of Alibabas AI initiatives, and requires the sort of powerful chips that Nvidia Corp. provides to train AI models but that are now mostly barred from Chinese firms.

US sanctions are not the lone reason for Alibaba not to spin off the unit, said Daniel Tu, founder and managing director at Active Creation Capital. Perhaps focusing on the Groups overall operations efficiency and resetting its once-competitive advantages are now priorities over the listing plan for its cloud unit.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says

Alibabas inaugural dividend payment of $2.5 billion, which works out to an implied yield of 1.1%, based on Nov. 15 market cap, may not be enough to offset the overhang from cloud revenue growth after Alibaba suspended plans to fully spin off the unit, as this suspension may hamper the ability to attract new clients. Its unclear if Alibaba also plans to instill a dividend policy to commit to a recurring distribution of earnings to shareholders.

- Catherine Lim and Tiffany Tam, analysts

Click here for the research.

Away from the cloud business, Alibaba is also grappling with a tepid consumer economy.

Read More: Alibaba, JD Fail to Inspire in China Discount Shopping Gala

Alibaba and traditional rival JD.com Inc. are coming off a disappointing Singles Day campaign. Chinas twin e-commerce leaders likely managed only single-digit percentage growth during their signature annual shopping festival, outpaced by smaller but more innovative social media rivals like Douyin and Kuaishou Technology.

Against that backdrop, some companies have managed to perform better than feared. Social media leader Tencent, which has been investing heavily in video, and JD both reported better-than-projected results on Wednesday.

Alibaba itself has taken aggressive measures to boost its e-commerce business. Its Taobao and Tmall have been focusing on content creation to ward off competition from social media platforms, and launched AI-powered tools for merchants. It also cut tens of thousands of staff in past quarters to reduce expenses.

--With assistance from Vlad Savov, Sarah Zheng, Zheping Huang, Peter Elstrom and Lulu Yilun Chen.

(Updates with US share trading)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
MEXICO CITY, November 16, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AM Best has affirmed the Financial Strength Rating of B++ (Good) and the Long-Term Issuer Credit Rating of "bbb" (Good) of Global Protection Reinsurance Ltd. (GPR) (Barbados). The outlook of these Credit Ratings (ratings) is stable.

The ratings reflect GPRs balance sheet strength, which AM Best assesses as strongest, as well as its adequate operating performance, limited business profile and appropriate enterprise risk management (ERM).

The stable outlooks are based on AM Bests expectation that GPR will maintain its current balance sheet strength assessment level, while ongoing strategic initiatives evolve.

The company is based in Barbados and fully owned by Global Protection Holding Corp., a subsidiary of Grupo Financiero Ficohsa, S.A. GPR concentrates its efforts in reinsuring the groups facultative risks, limiting its growth inside the markets where the group operates, such as El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama.

GPR has strengthened its capital base steadily by reinvesting its earnings. The balance sheet strength assessment of strongest also factors in the companys ability to generate profit, taking advantage of the synergies within the group.

The company historically has shown positive bottom-line results; GPRs operating performance has been underpinned by positive technical results as the company pursues new business opportunities inside its group. AM Best expects the company to maintain premium sufficiency and steady trends in its profitability ratios.

AM Best assesses the companys business profile as limited due to its self-imposed geographic boundary on market reach to that of its economic group.

AM Best considers GPRs ERM to be appropriate as it is well-integrated into the companys operations. The company follows the groups risk policies and appetite and adheres to the investment policies of its affiliates that were approved previously by management.

Story continues

Negative rating actions could take place if there is a deterioration in the companys risk-adjusted capitalization. Additionally, negative rating actions could also take place if disruptions in business generation affect the companys operating performance. Positive rating actions could take place if the GPRs operating performance keeps trending positively with a higher diversification in revenues and profits.

This press release relates to Credit Ratings that have been published on AM Bests website. For all rating information relating to the release and pertinent disclosures, including details of the office responsible for issuing each of the individual ratings referenced in this release, please see AM Bests Recent Rating Activity web page. For additional information regarding the use and limitations of Credit Rating opinions, please view Guide to Bests Credit Ratings. For information on the proper use of Bests Credit Ratings, Bests Performance Assessments, Bests Preliminary Credit Assessments and AM Best press releases, please view Guide to Proper Use of Bests Ratings & Assessments.

AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com.

Copyright  2023 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116623163/en/

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Eli Sanchez

Director, Analytics

+52 55 11027 2027 ext. 122

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Benoit Garbe, the U.S. chief marketing officer for Anheuser-Busch InBev, is calling it quits as the backlash over marketing stunts continues to affect sales.

Once Americans top-selling beer, Bud Light sales have plunged this year. In the most recent quarter, the brewer reported a 13.5% decline in revenue per 100 liters, which is the best measure of beer sales.

Garbe oversaw marketing when Bud Light partnered with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in early April. The pushback from that campaign saw Bud Light fall behind Modelo Especial in U.S. retail sales.

Some of the backlash was homophobic, with people accusing the brewer of becoming woke. Ironically, Bud Light also lost ground with the LGBTQ communities for failing to stand up and defend its partnership with Mulvaney.

Garbe did not directly oversee that partnership. The two executives who did were put on leave after the cries for boycotts started.

He will remain with the company through the end of the year before embarking on a new chapter in his career, the company said in a statement. The position will not be filled after Garbes departure. Moving forward, U.S. chief commercial officer Kyle Norrington will oversee marketing for Bud Light and the companys other brands.

Bud Light is already trying to lure back customers who are boycotting the brand, signing a sponsorship deal with UFC thats said to be in the $100 million range and working closer with the NFL.

Garbe joined Anheuser-Busch in 2020 after the CMO position had been vacant for almost a year. Prior to joining the company, he worked Diageo, Moet Hennessy, Louis Vutton and Converse.

This story was originally featured on Fortune.com
iPhone 15 Pro Max has a Qualcomm modem

Development of an in-house modem at Apple has hit multiple snags, with the latest delay pushing development further into 2025 or later.



Apple's modem provider is Qualcomm, and the two companies have had a rocky history with legal issues and competition. Apple reportedly was aiming for an early 2025 release for an in-house modem, but that project keeps hitting snags.



According to a report from Bloomberg, Apple is going to miss it's spring 2025 release window. People familiar with the matter say Apple could postpone the release until late 2025 or early 2026.



Apple recently extended its contract with Qualcomm to 2026. That contract extension came as a surprise considering Qualcomm's CEO expected Apple would have its in-house modem ready in 2024.



Designing a modem is no small feat. It requires a chip that can efficiently connect to cellular networks around the world and provide competitive speeds.



Previous reports said Apple's modem development was three years behind Qualcomm's.



Apple is determined to develop its own modem because it likes having control of the entire hardware and software stack. However, unlike ditching Intel for Apple Silicon, Qualcomm is a leader in the space and will be difficult to surpass, let alone match.



The iPhone SE 4 was initially rumored to be a test bed for the in-house modem, but that project was scrapped. With these latest delays, it isn't clear if Apple will ever release a modem, but work on the project will continue even if it never sees the light of day.
Tim Cook

President Xi Jinping of China hosted a dinner in San Francisco on November 15, 2023, intent on convincing top business people including Apple's Tim Cook, that China is force for good in the world.



It's not the first time that Tim Cook has met President Xi. But significantly, Cook was only of a very few Big Tech business leaders included at the private dinner.



"China does not seek spheres of influence, and will not fight a cold war or a hot war with anyone," President Xi told guests, according to Bloomberg.



The meal took place in San Francisco, following President Xi's afternoon of talks with President Biden. According to Bloomberg, some 21 people were on the guest list.



That list did include representatives from technology firms such as Broadcom, Honeywell, and Qualcomm. But there was no Microsoft, Amazon, Google, or Meta/Facebook on the guest list.



Bloomberg says that guests presenter were kept away from President Xi, by bodyguards who sat near him. Reportedly, the guests were served "a menu of seasonal vegetables in a champagne vinaigrette, black Angus flat iron steak and vanilla custard tart, from approaching him."



What the guests did not get was a discussion of China's military aggression against Taiwan. However, even though President Xi avoided saying the word Taiwan, he did seek to reassure business leaders that there will be no conflict.



Apple has not commented on the dinner, nor has Cook tweeted about it.
(Bloomberg) -- North Asias top liquefied natural gas buyers are looking to resell shipments due in part to high inventories, a move that is bound to push spot prices lower.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Chinese importers, including PetroChina Co., are offering to sell LNG shipments for December delivery, according to traders with knowledge of the matter. Thats on top of Chinese firms already reselling at least five shipments for November, the traders added.

Some Japanese importers are also offering shipments. Thats partly to optimize portfolios, according to traders, and comes as LNG inventories held by power companies have risen to the highest level since May.

The moves indicate that Asia is well situated for winter, and is unlikely to aggressively compete with Europe for gas shipments. The market has been on edge due to the possibility of colder weather or disruptions threatening to tighten global supply.

Read More: Mild Chinese Winter and Ample Supply to Keep Coal, Gas Subdued

North Asian spot LNG prices for December are currently around $16.5 per million British thermal units, which is too high for Chinese firms to import and sell into the cheaper domestic market, traders said.

Other spot market news:

Sakhalin Energy, which operates the Sakhalin II project in Russias Far East, is considering a tender to sell LNG cargoes for loading in January

Adnoc LNG, a unit of Abu Dhabi National Oil Co., sold a cargo on a DES basis for late-Dec. to early-Jan. delivery to the Middle East or Asia

Vitol expects Delfin Midstream Inc. to take a final investment decision on its US LNG export plant in the first part of next year, said Pablo Galante Escobar, Vitols head of LNG, EMEA Gas & Power. Vitol is a strategic investor in Delfin and a buyer of its LNG.

Story continues

Buy tenders:

Sell tenders:

(Updates with other spot market details after fifth paragraph)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Atlantic American (NASDAQ:AAME) Third Quarter 2023 Results

Key Financial Results

Revenue: US$44.6m (down 3.8% from 3Q 2022).

Net income: US$1.66m (up from US$784.0k loss in 3Q 2022).

Profit margin: 3.7% (up from net loss in 3Q 2022). The move to profitability was driven by lower expenses.

EPS: US$0.08 (up from US$0.038 loss in 3Q 2022).

All figures shown in the chart above are for the trailing 12 month (TTM) period

Atlantic American shares are up 20% from a week ago.

Risk Analysis

Don't forget that there may still be risks. For instance, we've identified 1 warning sign for Atlantic American 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.
FILE - United Auto Workers members hold picket signs near a General Motors assembly plant in Delta Township, Mich., Sept. 29, 2023. About 46,000 United Auto Workers at GM are expected to wrap up voting on a tentative contract agreement in a close race that will decide the fate of the deal that ended a six-week strike. The union is expected to announce GM results Thursday evening. (AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File) (ASSOCIATED PRESS)

DETROIT (AP)  United Auto Workers union members have voted to approve a new contract with General Motors, making the company the first Detroit automaker to get a ratified deal that could end a contentious labor dispute and a series of punishing strikes.

A vote-tracking spreadsheet on the unions website shows that with all local union offices reporting, the contract passed by just over 3,400 votes, with 54.7% in favor. A union spokesman on Thursday confirmed that the spreadsheet had the official GM totals.

The outcome was closer than expected after the UAWs celebrations of victories last month on many key demands that led to six weeks of targeted walkouts against GM, Ford and Stellantis, the maker of Jeep and Ram vehicles.

On Thursday the contract had a big lead in voting at Ford and Stellantis. Ratification was leading at Ford by more than 10,000 votes, with 66.7% of ballots in favor. At Stellantis, the lead was over 5,700, with 66.5% voting for the deal, according to the UAW website.

Voting continues at Ford through early Saturday with only two large factories in the Detroit area and some smaller facilities left to be counted. At Stellantis, three Detroit-area factories were the only large plants yet to vote, with tallies expected to be complete by Tuesday.

The three contracts, if approved by 146,000 union members, would dramatically raise pay for autoworkers, with increases and cost-of-living adjustments that would translate into a 33% wage gain. Top assembly plant workers would get immediate 11% raises and earn roughly $42 per hour when the contracts expire in April of 2028.

At GM, about 46,000 workers were eligible to vote on the deal, and about 36,000 cast ballots.

Of the four GM plants that went on strike, workers at only a large SUV factory in Arlington, Texas, approved the contract. Workers in Wentzville, Missouri; Lansing Delta Township, Michigan; and Spring Hill, Tennessee, voted it down. Workers said that longtime employees at GM were unhappy they didnt get larger pay raises like newer workers, and they wanted a bigger pension increase.

Story continues

I'm not ungrateful, but I feel like it could have been better, said Andrea Repasky, a body shop worker at GM's pickup truck factory in Ft. Wayne, Indiana, who voted against the deal.

Repasky said she's happy that temporary workers will be hired faster and won't have to wait multiple years to reach the full assembly worker pay rate, now about $32 per hour. She's also glad that workers at parts warehouses and component factories will get the top wage.

But she says she'll get only $4 per hour more at ratification, and her pay will have gone up only $7 per hour since 2006 due to concessions made to help the company out of dire financial straits during the Great Recession. I would have been happy if we would have gotten a bigger jump up front, she said. I just think in 17 years, $7 more is not too good of a deal.

She also wanted to see larger pension increases as well as defined benefit pensions and health care in retirement for workers hired after 2007. With GM making healthy profits, she's worried that the union may have missed the chance to get more because the company may not be doing as well in 2028.

Many newer hires wanted defined benefit pension plans instead of defined contribution plans. But the companies agreed to contribute 10% per year into 401(k) plans instead.

Keith Crowell, the local union president at GM's Arlington plant, said the factory has a diverse group of workers from full- and part-time temporary hires to longtime assembly line employees. Full-time temporary workers liked the large raises they received and the chance to get top union pay, he said. But many longtime workers didnt think immediate pay raises were enough to make up for concessions granted to GM in 2008, he said.

There was something in there for everybody, but everybody couldnt get everything they wanted, Crowell said. At least were making a step in the right direction to recover from 2008.

Citing the automakers' strong profits, UAW President Shawn Fain has insisted it was well past time to make up for the 2008 concessions.

Marick Masters, a business professor at Wayne State University in Detroit, said GM has more older workers than the other two companies, so he expected the vote to be closer there. About half of GM's factory workers were hired before 2007. They may have felt they were not listened to enough, Masters said of the workers.

He expects the contracts to be ratified at Ford and Stellantis and said only lopsided votes against the deals that run counter to the current trends could sink the agreements. It certainly seems that they're on track to pass, he said.

President Joe Biden has hailed the resolution of the strikes as an early victory for what he calls a worker-centered economy. But the success of the contracts will ultimately hinge on the ability of automakers to keep generating profits as they shift toward electric vehicles.

Thousands of UAW members joined picket lines in targeted strikes starting Sept. 15 before the tentative deals were reached late last month. Rather than striking at one company, the union targeted individual plants at all three automakers. At the peak of the strikes, about 46,000 workers a were walking picket lines.
Beebe named marketing director at Space Coast Office of Tourism

The Space Coast Office of Tourism recently announced the hiring of Laura Beebe as its marketing director.

Laura Beebe

Beebe comes to the Space Coast from the Alabama Gulf Coast Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she has worked for 10 years as its marketing director, overseeing creative services, strategic planning, branding and messaging, content development and other responsibilities.

Her prior experience includes marketing roles at resort properties and vacation-rental management firms, including Spectrum Resorts and Meyer Vacation Rentals.

More: Hospital ratings agency give 'A' to Rockledge Regional Medical Center

Beebes passion for art and design led her to study commercial art at the Harris School of Art.

She has served in graphic design and marketing roles throughout her career across many business sectors.

Beebe is a do-it-yourselfer in her free time, and enjoys interior design and landscaping.

Salonen reappointed to CareerSource Florida board of directors

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis has reappointed Robert Salonen, Florida Techs director of government affairs and strategic partnerships, to the statewide CareerSource Florida board of directors, the governors office announced.

Robert Salonen

Salonen was first appointed to the board in 2021.

At Florida Tech since 2014, Salonen has consulted with elected officials, government agencies and industry to facilitate plans and partnerships with the universitys principal offices, and worked to connect Florida Techs talent development capabilities to government and industry interests.

More: Florida TaxWatch honors Riviera Elementary principal with Principal Leadership Award

Before coming to Florida Tech, Salonen was director of business development for the Economic Development Commission of Floridas Space Coast, and was co-founder of a successful, Melbourne-based medical business.

He currently serves as vice chair of the board for Circles of Care Inc. He is a member of the Civilian Military Community Relations Council and the Executive Committee for the Economic Development Commission of Floridas Space Coast.

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Salonen earned his bachelor's degree from the University of Connecticut and his masters degree in public administration from Florida Tech. He earned his Certified Economic Developer (CEcD) credentials through the International Economic Development Council, and is a plankowner of the U.S. Navys Strategic Weapons System Ashore.

In addition to Salonen, DeSantis announced the appointments of Ryan Goertzen and Darcy D.C. Reeves, and the reappointment of Joe Marino, Melvin Mel Ponder, Laurie Sallarulo and Rep. Dana Trabulsy.

CareerSource Florida is the statewide workforce policy and investment board. Partners include the Florida Department of Commerce, 24 local workforce development boards and 100 career centers throughout Florida.

The workforce network helps connect businesses with the talented workforce and training needed to succeed and grow in Florida.

LPL Financial recognizes Smith as 'Rising Star'

Michelle Smith recently attended the Achieve Womens Leadership Forum in San Francisco, and was recognized as a Rising Star by LPL Financial.

Michelle Smith

Smith is a wealth planner with JD Bowen Financial Group in Indian Harbour Beach.

LPL Financials commitment to boost the number of women advisors within the industry and empower them for long-term growth began in 2018 with the start of the Women on the Rise Advisor scholarship, initially awarded to 10 women advisors to attend the firms Women Advisor Leaders Forum.

Currently, LPL currently has a six-month-long womens mentorship program that continues to evolve, recognize and develop the next generation of successful women advisors within LPL and in financial services through its Rising Star program.

Smith and 19 other Rising Star participants received awards this year, and were honored at Achieve, the firms annual womens leadership forum. Achieve is LPLs invitation-only womens leadership conference that builds and empowers top women advisors by creating a powerful community.

Smith has a bachelors degree in organizational management from Eastern Florida State College, and holds the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Series 7 and Series 66 registration with LPL Financial.

She also is licensed in life, health and variable insurance.

Smith is on the path to becoming a certified financial planner, and is completing the required coursework at Florida State University.

To reach Michelle Smith at JD Bowen Financial Group, email her at michelle@jdbowenfinancialgroup.com or call 321-733-1662

If you have a Business Newsmakers item you'd like to publish, please email details to Wayne T. Price at wtpkansas@yahoo.com or contact him at 321-223-0230.

This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Space Coast Office of Tourism names Bebee as marketing director
Both Brands Now Available in 15 Markets Across the U.S.

NEW YORK, November 16, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--The Cannabist Company Holdings Inc. (NEO: CBST) (OTCQX: CBSTF) (FSE: 3LP) ("The Cannabist Company" or the "Company"), one of the largest and most experienced cultivators, manufacturers and retailers of cannabis products in the U.S., announced today it is bringing two of its award winning flower brands, Seed & Strain and Classix, to the Florida market in the coming weeks.

Florida is the 15th U.S. market to launch Classix, a brand that features approachable products that provide a reliable, nostalgic high. Three flower strains including Lemon Dosidos, Motor Breath x Wedding Crashers, and Sweet Tooth will be available in 3.5g at all 14 Cannabist locations beginning November 20.

The Cannabist Companys top-selling brand, Seed & Strain, will make its Florida debut the following week on November 28 with 3.5g flower in four strains including Secret Formula, Twisted Pie, 10gs, and Melanaid Skittlez. This is also Seed & Strains 15th U.S. market and will be available at all 14 Florida dispensaries. The superior quality flower is meticulously harvested aiming to offer a consistent, quality experience every time.

"This is a pivotal time for Florida and its cannabis market, and were thrilled to be able to bring our brands to the state to offer patients a more robust product platform that delivers on consistency, accessibility, and quality," said Jesse Channon, Chief Commercial Officer, The Cannabist Company. "It has always been our commitment to provide our customers with a broad range of product options that meet them wherever they are on their cannabis journey. We are extremely dedicated to the Sunshine State, and with the potential for adult-use legalization on the horizon, this seemed like the absolute best time to introduce our brands and their unique qualities to Floridians."

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The Companys Press 2.0 line of effects-based pressed tablets launched in April of 2023, marking the first brand to launch in the state. Vape carts and additional flower strains for both Classix and Seed & Strain will be available at all 14 locations in December. In early 2024, the Companys edibles line, Hedy, will also be available.

For more information, visit cannabistcompany.com

About The Cannabist Company (f/k/a Columbia Care)

The Cannabist Company, formerly known as Columbia Care, is one of the largest and most experienced cultivators, manufacturers and providers of cannabis products and related services, with licenses in 16 U.S. jurisdictions. The Company operates 125 facilities including 93 dispensaries and 31 cultivation and manufacturing facilities, including those under development. Columbia Care, now The Cannabist Company, is one of the original multi-state providers of cannabis in the U.S. and now delivers industry-leading products and services to both the medical and adult-use markets. In 2021, the Company launched Cannabist, its retail brand, creating a national dispensary network that leverages proprietary technology platforms. The company offers products spanning flower, edibles, oils and tablets, and manufactures popular brands including Seed & Strain, Triple Seven, Hedy, gLeaf, Classix, Press, and Amber. For more information, please visit www.cannabistcompany.com.

Caution Concerning Forward Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements that constitute "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable securities laws and reflect the Companys current expectations regarding future events. Forward-looking statements or information contained in this release include, but are not limited to, statements or information with respect to the Companys ability to execute on retail, wholesale, brand and product initiatives in Florida. These forward-looking statements or information, which although considered reasonable by the Company, may prove to be incorrect and are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking information. In addition, securityholders should review the risk factors discussed under "Risk Factors" in Columbia Cares Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, as, filed with Canadian and U.S. securities regulatory authorities and described from time to time in subsequent documents filed with applicable securities regulatory authorities.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116747740/en/

Contacts

Investors

Lee Ann Evans

SVP, Capital Markets

investor@cannabistcompany.com

Media

Lindsay Wilson

SVP, Communications

media@cannabistcompany.com
(Bloomberg) -- Chinese stocks slid following a much-anticipated meeting between Presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping, as traders saw only modest progress in the strained ties and as fresh data renewed concern over the worlds second-largest economy.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index closed down 1.4% to lead losses among major Asia equity gauges. It jumped 4% in the previous session partly as investors looked to the summit for catalysts. On the mainland, the benchmark CSI 300 Index snapped a two-day advance to drop nearly 1%.

Hopes were running high that the Xi-Biden talk will prove a turning point after geopolitical tensions dragged Chinese stocks for much of the year. While Biden said the talks had yielded progress in amending relations, traders appeared to be taking the remarks with a grain of salt. Foreigners were back to selling mainland shares on Thursday.

READ: Biden-Xi Meeting Delivers Small Wins and Promises of Better Ties

Investors say Biden calling Xi a dictator once again  in response to a question at his press conference  potentially casts a shadow over the progress made by both sides.

The China investment landscape is likely to remain complex in the near term, said Manish Bhargava, a fund manager at Straits Investment Holdings in Singapore, adding that the meeting is a step in the right direction. Bidens comments referring to Xi Jinping as a dictator are contributing to todays decline in the Chinese stock market.

In a sign of how much remains to be done, there was no evidence of progress on bigger issues like US curbs on microchip exports, tariffs or tensions in the South China Sea, where both countries ships and planes have had a series of provocative encounters.

Story continues

Some sectors mentioned as areas of cooperation in the bilateral meeting advanced. Shares of Chinese airlines rose after the leaders agreed to significantly increase direct flights next year.

Home Prices

The property sector continued to be a source of bad news, with data Thursday showing home prices fell the most in eight years in October in a sign that the industrys slump is worsening. That comes after the monthly economic report showed an uneven recovery in the Chinese economy.

A Bloomberg Intelligence gauge of developer shares fell 1.1%.

Investors may be taking some profit after a strong performance yesterday and are still trying to balance the positive developments from the APEC meeting between Xi-Biden and a somewhat mixed monthly economic report from China, said David Chao, a strategist at Invesco Asset Management in Singapore.

The Hang Seng Tech Index slumped 1.9% with Xiaomi Corp the biggest drag. The stock plunged more than 6% as investors showed little excitement at the smartphone giants debut electric vehicle, a five-seat sedan with a panoramic glass roof.

The move today might be sell on good news following the EV development given the recent rally in Xiaomi shares, said Steven Leung, director at Uob Kay Hian Hong Kong Ltd. The next thing investors are watching will be its earnings next week, he added.

--With assistance from Charlotte Yang and Abhishek Vishnoi.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
The highly anticipated summit this week between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping delivered news on issues ranging from military communications to fentanyl. But another topic was almost completely avoided even with a key deadline looming in just about six weeks: the Trump-era tariffs on a range of Chinese goods.

In fact, the word "tariff" didn't appear at all in the official transcript of President Biden's press conference following the meeting  or in the official White House summary of the four-hour meeting.

Trade issues more broadly only earned a glancing mention following the sit-down with a note that Biden "raised continued concerns about the PRC's unfair trade policies." During a follow-up speech before CEOs Thursday, Biden only briefly mentioned trade issues and instead focused most of his time on his overall economic record and what he described as his administration's work across the Asia-Pacific region.

But Biden and his team will still need to wrestle with the trade issue in the coming weeks before an end-of-year deadline to complete a four-year review of the so-called Section 301 tariffs that then-President Trump imposed on China in 2018.

The bottom line, according to experts: It's likely that those controversial duties will simply be extended as-is  with the prospects for change even dimmer in 2024 given the election season.

US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping walk together after their meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in California this week. (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI/AFP via Getty Images) (BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI via Getty Images)

"Ever since Biden was elected, the trade community had hoped for a reversal of the Trump-era trade tariffs," said Ashley Craig, a D.C.-based international trade lawyer at Venable LLP, in an interview this week.

But his prediction for 2024 is that "the president's not going to substantially modify the current status on US-Sino trade relations going into next year and the election; that's just not going to work with his base."

The pessimistic outlook was echoed elsewhere with Nick Marro, a lead for global trade at The Economist Intelligence Unit, saying any moves could be in the opposite direction. "Our own base case is that the US will tighten many of its trade and investment restrictions on China in the coming years," he wrote in a recent note, adding that election year pressures will push Biden to be tougher on China.

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That "could end up plunging US-China ties back into a state of volatility," said Marro.

The Biden administration's view

Many in the business community have long advocated for a loosening of these trade restrictions, noting that US companies pay these tariffs  not China's government. But the Biden administration contends that the tariffs are interlinked with an array of other complicated issues unlikely to be resolved soon.

Ahead of this week's meeting, a senior Biden official lumped in trade with issues like human rights and the territorial claims over the South China sea as "issues where we have differences." The official signaled that movement on trade would likely be contingent on China being more friendly to American companies around issues such as forced technology transfers and Chinese state controls, which Xi doesn't appear likely to move away from anytime soon.

Secretary of Commerce Gina Raimondo speaks at dinner with American CEOs also attended by Xi Jinping on Nov. 15 in San Francisco. (CARLOS BARRIA/POOL/AFP via Getty Images) (CARLOS BARRIA via Getty Images)

But trade was brought up directly in one notable venue this week: a dinner Wednesday night with American CEOs.

Just moments before the Chinese president himself spoke  as CEOs like Tim Cook of Apple (AAPL) and Marc Benioff of Salesforce (CRM) looked on  US Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo echoed the administration trade position saying she is in favor of more trade, but only "on a level playing field that is reciprocal and that is fair."

Xi has long criticized US trade policy and export controls, telling Biden from across the negotiating table Wednesday that it was a grave problem that "protectionism is rising," according to an official translation. But he largely choose to strike an optimistic tone in most of his public comments.

In his own speech before the assembled CEOs Wednesday night, Xi focused more on building bridges between the US and China. He even suggested that Chinese pandas could be coming back to the National Zoo in Washington, D.C., after the former residents were recalled to the PRC earlier this year.

Where things go from here

Panda diplomacy aside, this week's lack of trade news likely means that the Trump-era tariffs will continue.

"We expect the Biden administration will announce the extension of most of the 2018 tariffs on Chinese imports," Stifel's chief Washington policy strategist, Brian Gardner, wrote to clients. He also said he was concerned that new export restrictions on chips used in artificial intelligence could also be in the offing.

The question is whether this week's happy talk in other areas could lower the chances of escalation on the trade front. Not likely is the answer from many observers, who note that potential flashpoints from both coming elections in Taiwan as well as voting in the US could rachet up tensions in the months ahead.

In any case, the business world has largely adapted to the tariffs, said Craig, the trade lawyer.

"Keep in mind that even though the trade community despises the 301 structure, we are now years deep into it and most, if not all, US companies have pivoted," he noted this week. Craig works with many ocean shippers who feel the tariffs most directly but he notes that companies long ago took measures to minimize, or at least factor in, the increased costs.

Asked what companies are expecting from Washington, he added, "Our clients are not really holding their breath."

Ben Werschkul is Washington correspondent for Yahoo Finance.

Click here for politics news related to business and money

Read the latest financial and business news from Yahoo Finance
Steven_Kriemadis / iStock.com

Cyber Monday officially kicks off on Nov. 27. Savvy Costco shoppers might already know about some of the warehouse chains biggest Cyber Monday deals, which are outlined in the Costco Holiday Savings catalog and available online only.

From computers to jewelry, check out some of the top must-buy items Costco shoppers wont want to miss out on Cyber Monday.

Costco Will Give You Free Groceries in Exchange for Old Electronics; Heres How To Take Advantage

Learn More: How To Get Cash Back on Your Everyday Purchases

Costco

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This article originally appeared on GOBankingRates.com: Costco Cyber Monday Deals You Shouldnt Pass Up This Year
Rationalstat LLC

The global data center automation market is expected to hit revenues of US$ 16.5 billion by 2030, with an annual growth rate of more than 12.5%

Wilmington, Delaware, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Global Data Center Automation Market is valued at US$ 7.2 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a significant CAGR of over 12.5% over the forecast period of 2023-2030, according to the published market report by RationalStat





Market Definition, Market Scope, and Report Overview

The adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, social media platforms, and smartphones is propelling the data center automation industry forward. These technological improvements have resulted in exponential growth in data generation, necessitating efficient data management, processing, and storage.

The Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem is a huge network of networked devices, sensors, and machines that generate and share data. From smart homes and healthcare to industrial automation and logistics, this phenomenon is transforming industries. The huge volume of data created by IoT devices necessitates automated data center solutions to adequately handle the stream of information.

Furthermore, automation in data centers helps streamline operations, improve resource utilization, and reduce operational costs. Organizations are increasingly turning to automation to optimize their data center infrastructure and improve efficiency.

According to a deep-dive market assessment by RationalStat, the global data center automation market has been analyzed on the basis of market segments, including component, end user, data center type, enterprise size, and geography/regions (including North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Middle East & Africa, and Asia Pacific) . The report also offers global and regional market sizing for the historical period of 2019-2022 and the forecast period of 2023-2030.

Market intelligence for the global data center automation 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 data center automation market. It also includes the industry's current state  Production Levels, Capacity Utilization, Tech quotient, etc. Key information will be manufacturing capacity by country, installed base, import volumes, market size, key players, market size, dynamics, market data, insights, etc.

Story continues

Request A Customization- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/global-data-center-automation-market/#tab-ux_global_tab

Global Data Center Automation Market: Segmental and Market Share Analysis

On the basis of end user, large enterprises are anticipated to dominate the data center automation market, primarily due to the increasing complex business tools. In addition, the SME sub-segment is expected to grow at a significant rate.

Report Synopsis

Report Metrics Details Base Year 2022 Forecast Period 2023-2030 Base Year Market Size US$ 7.2 billion Market Size Forecast US$ 16.5 billion Growth Rate 12.5% Key Market Drivers Automation of data center enhances efficiency and supports in cost reduction

Allows scalability

Integration of AI and ML Companies Profiled Cisco Systems Inc

ABB

Oracle

VMWare

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP

BMC Software Inc

Microsoft

Citrix Systems Inc

ServiceNow

FUJITSU

IBM Corporation

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Competition Analysis and Market Structure

Some of the prominent players and suppliers operating and contributing significantly to the global data center automation market growth include Cisco Systems Inc, ABB, Oracle, VMWare, Hewlett Packard Enterprise Development LP, BMC Software Inc, Microsoft, Citrix Systems Inc, ServiceNow, FUJITSU, and IBM Corporation, among others.

Get A Free Sample- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/global-data-center-automation-market/#tab-ux_global_tab

RationalStat has segmented the global data center automation market based on component, end user, data center type, enterprise size, and region

Global Data Center Automation Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Component Solution Services

Global Data Center Automation Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Data Center Type Enterprise or On-premise Data Center Colocation or Managed Data Center Public Cloud Data Center Others

Global Data Center Automation Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by End User BFSI IT & Telecom Energy Government Healthcare Industrial Others

Global Data Center Automation Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Enterprise Size Large Enterprises Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs)

Global Data Center Automation Market Value (US$ Million), Volume (Units), and Market Share (2019-2030) Analysis by Region North America Data Center Automation Market US Canada Latin America Data Center Automation Market Brazil Mexico Rest of Latin America Western Europe Data Center Automation Market Germany UK France Spain Italy Benelux Nordic Rest of Western Europe Eastern Europe Data Center Automation Market Russia Poland Hungary Other CIS Countries Rest of Eastern Europe Asia Pacific Data Center Automation Market China Japan India South Korea Australia ASEAN Indonesia Thailand Philippines Vietnam Malaysia Rest of ASEAN Rest of Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa Data Center Automation Market GCC Saudi Arabia (KSA) United Arab Emirates (UAE) Rest of the GCC South Africa Nigeria Turkey Rest of the Middle East & Africa



For more information about this report- https://store.rationalstat.com/store/global-data-center-automation-market/#tab-ux_global_tab

Key Questions Answered in the Data Center Automation Report:

What will be the market value of the global data center automation market by 2030?

What is the market size of the global data center automation market?

What are the market drivers of the global data center automation market?

What are the key trends in the global data center automation market?

Which is the leading region in the global data center automation market?

What are the major companies operating in the global data center automation market?

What are the market shares by key segments in the global data center automation market?

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RationalStat has developed a state-of-the-art research methodology to crunch numbers and provide the best possible real-time insights to clients. We combine a varied range of industry experience, data analytics, and experts viewpoint to create a research methodology for market sizing and forecasting.

RationalStat combines a mix of secondary sources as well as primary research to assess the market size and develop a forecast. Key steps involved in accurately deriving the market numbers are:

Defining the problem by understanding the type of market and data required by the client.

Data gathering and collection through relevant paid databases, publicly available sources, company reports, annual reports, surveys, and interviews.

Formulating a hypothesis to create market numbers, forecasts, influencing factors, and their relevance.

Evaluating and analyzing the data by referring to data sources utilized and leveraged.

Validating, interpreting, and finalizing the data by combining the details gathered from primary and secondary sources with the help of experienced analysts.

Download Key Insights and Market Data - Raise a Query

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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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New data from MedSea

Seafarer health

Singapore, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- 16 November 2023  Singapore - MedSea, an International SOS Company has provided a two-year insight (2021/22) into their telemedical assistance service. The service provides dedicated 24/7/365 support to tens of thousands of seafarers onboard ships around the world.

MedSea advises on a variety of routine and emergency cases, covering any type of health issue that can arise onboard. Clients subscribed to the service have unlimited access to telemedical support and are encouraged to call MedSea as frequently as needed. By focusing on prevention and early intervention, the majority of MedSeas cases (72%) are resolved onboard, avoiding the need for further shoreside follow up.

These new insights, presented at the 16th International Symposium for Maritime Health, delved into a variety of different data points including position onboard, diversions and medical case categories.

During the period examined, MedSea provided assistance to over 8,000 seafarers onboard 1,400+ vessels, globally. Of these cases, one in five were due to COVID, with many vessels having outbreaks of multiple infected crew. Other medical categories responsible for high case volumes were musculoskeletal (12.4%), dermatological (11.2%) and gastrointestinal (9.8%).

Injuries were responsible for the highest number of vessel diversions (24%), onshore medical reviews and repatriations. Of all the injury cases, hands remained by far the most frequently injured part of the body, accounting for nearly a third of injury cases.

Overall case categories trend similarly year-on-year, however as 2023 progresses, the proportion of dental cases is showing an increase compared to 2021/22, moving from the sixth most common case category to the second. This is likely due to the pent-up demand following the easing of COVID restrictions. The majority of these cases require onshore dental treatment whilst the seafarer is on contract at sea, which can sometimes have an operational impact.

Story continues

Despite a growing awareness and focus on mental health in the industry the number of cases opened remained low. In addition, only one in five seafarers suffering from mental health concerns are opting to receive emotional support counselling.

Dr Katherine Sinclaire, Senior Medical Advisor at MedSea comments Ship owners, operators and managers should ensure a continued focus on health, safety and wellbeing and provide seafarers with the tools to sustain a healthy lifestyle, keep a positive outlook and avoid any preventable illness and injury onboard.

As a result of MedSeas continued growth, a dedicated new Assistance Centre has just been launched in Manila, the Philippines. The Assistance Centre is staffed by close to 50 medical, operations and logistics professionals, providing enhanced support to our maritime clients and their seafaring staff.

Future Care, an International SOS Company, are also strategically located alongside the MedSea team, allowing for increased knowledge sharing between teams. Together with maritime Assistance Centres in China and USA, shipowners and managers can ensure the highest possible standards of global care for their seafarers, 24/7/365.

Attachment

CONTACT: Luc Hill MedSea, an International SOS Company +44 7587 627 811 luc.hill@internationalsos.com




The clock has run out for the old Kmart headquarters in Troy.

Demolition of the massive and architecturally distinct structure at 3100 W. Big Beaver Road, near Somerset Collection mall, began this week and the tear down work could take months.

The property's owner, a venture involving the Forbes and Frankel families, hasn't said what it plans to do with the site once the 906,000-square-foot structure is gone.

The old headquarters for K-mart is being demolished in Troy, Mich. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.

The Forbes Co. issued a statement Wednesday  We are preparing the site for future development  but didn't offer any details. The Forbes Co. also owns the mall.

More: Architecturally unique Kmart HQ in Troy will likely go down as last of its kind

The Kmart headquarters opened in 1972, and its design by Detroit-based architectural firm Smith, Hinchman & Grylls Associates won numerous architectural awards.

The building housed more than 3,000 Kmart employees during the retailer's peak. It has sat empty since 2006, when Kmart finished moving to suburban Chicago following its post-bankruptcy merger with Sears.

The old headquarters for K-mart is being demolished in Troy, Mich. on Wednesday, Nov. 15, 2023.

Former employees have said that the building's novel layout involving modular units, or "pods," would have likely made it difficult to adapt for other office uses once Kmart left.

The vacant property sold for $41.5 million in 2005 to investors, including BlackRock. A 2008 proposal to demolish the structure to make way for development of condos, retail stores, offices and a hotel  to be called the Pavilions of Troy  died in the Great Recession.

The Forbes and Frankel venture bought the site for $17.5 million in December 2009. Later, at least one scene in the 2012 movie "Red Dawn" was shot inside.

Contact JC Reindl: 313-222-6631 or jcreindl@freepress.com. Follow him on X @jcreindl.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Demolition underway of abandoned Kmart HQ
Recent insider trading activity has caught the attention of market analysts and investors alike, as Director Lee Wortham of Evans Bancorp Inc (EVBN) made a notable purchase of company shares. On November 13, 2023, the insider acquired 4,000 shares of the financial institution, signaling a vote of confidence in the bank's future prospects. This article delves into the details of the transaction, the background of Lee Wortham, and the business operations of Evans Bancorp Inc, providing an objective analysis based on the available data.

Who is Lee Wortham of Evans Bancorp Inc?

Lee Wortham serves as a Director at Evans Bancorp Inc, a position that involves significant responsibilities such as overseeing the company's strategic direction and ensuring corporate governance. Directors like Wortham are privy to in-depth knowledge about the company's operations, financial health, and future plans. Their investment decisions are often scrutinized for insights into their belief in the company's value and growth potential.

Evans Bancorp Inc's Business Description

Evans Bancorp Inc is a financial institution that operates primarily in Western New York. As a community bank, it provides a wide range of banking services, including retail and commercial banking products, as well as insurance and wealth management services through its subsidiaries. The company prides itself on personalized service and local decision-making, which resonates with its customer base. With a focus on fostering community development and maintaining strong customer relationships, Evans Bancorp Inc has established itself as a key player in the regional banking landscape.

Description of Insider Buy/Sell

Insider buying and selling refer to the transactions made by company insiders such as executives, directors, and major shareholders in the company's own stock. These transactions are closely monitored by investors and analysts as they can provide valuable signals about the insider's confidence in the company's performance and outlook. An insider buy, such as the one executed by Lee Wortham, is often interpreted as a positive sign, suggesting that the insider believes the stock is undervalued or that there is potential for future appreciation. Conversely, insider selling might raise questions about the insider's view on the stock's future prospects, although it can also occur for personal reasons unrelated to the company's performance.

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Insider Trends

The insider transaction history for Evans Bancorp Inc shows a mix of buying and selling activities over the past year. There have been 2 insider buys and 3 insider sells during this period. The recent purchase by Lee Wortham stands out as a significant investment, given that the insider has bought 4,000 shares and has not sold any shares in the past year.

Director Lee Wortham's Strategic 4000 Share Purchase in Evans Bancorp Inc (EVBN)

Valuation

On the day of the insider's recent buy, shares of Evans Bancorp Inc were trading at $27.15, resulting in a market cap of $150.964 million. The price-earnings ratio of 7.40 is lower than both the industry median of 8.45 and the company's historical median price-earnings ratio, suggesting that the stock may be undervalued relative to its peers and its own trading history.

Moreover, with a price of $27.15 and a GuruFocus Value of $35.89, Evans Bancorp Inc has a price-to-GF-Value ratio of 0.76. This indicates that the stock is modestly undervalued based on its GF Value. The GF Value is a proprietary intrinsic value estimate developed by GuruFocus, which takes into account historical trading multiples, a GuruFocus adjustment factor based on past returns and growth, and future business performance estimates from analysts.

Director Lee Wortham's Strategic 4000 Share Purchase in Evans Bancorp Inc (EVBN)

Objective Analysis of Lee Wortham's Purchase

Lee Wortham's decision to invest in 4,000 additional shares of Evans Bancorp Inc can be seen as a strategic move, especially when considering the company's current valuation metrics. The lower price-earnings ratio compared to the industry median suggests that the stock may be undervalued, which could have been a factor in the insider's decision to increase their stake.

The modestly undervalued status of the stock, as indicated by the price-to-GF-Value ratio, further supports the notion that the insider sees potential for growth or a market correction that would bring the share price closer to its intrinsic value. Wortham's insider buying activity, coupled with the fact that there have been more insider sells than buys over the past year, may also suggest a contrarian view or specific insights that the insider holds about the company's future.

It is important to note that insider transactions should not be viewed in isolation. While they can provide valuable signals, they are just one piece of the puzzle when it comes to evaluating a stock's potential. Investors should also consider other factors such as the company's financial performance, industry trends, and broader market conditions before making investment decisions.

Conclusion

Director Lee Wortham's recent purchase of 4,000 shares in Evans Bancorp Inc is a significant event that warrants attention from the investment community. The transaction, when viewed in the context of the company's valuation and the insider's unique position within the company, suggests a positive outlook on the bank's future. As always, investors should conduct their own due diligence and consider a range of factors when assessing the implications of insider trading activity.

For those interested in following insider transactions and gaining insights into the potential implications for stock performance, staying informed about such strategic moves can be a valuable component of a well-rounded investment strategy.

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.


Dragon Gate Investment Partners

New York, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Dragon Gate Investment Partners was announced as the winner of the Venture Capital Award by the International Trade Council on November 9th, 2023, at the Go Global Awards Ceremony hosted in Providence, Rhode Island.



The Go Global Awards program is an annual conference that showcases and celebrates companies and government leaders driving the economy forward through innovations, technologies, and strategies. The 2023 Go Global Awards were hosted by the International Trade Council and Rhode Island Commerce Corporation, attracting around 50 agencies and 400 companies from 38 countries.

The Go Global Awards are distinguished for upholding the highest standards of integrity and transparency during the judging process. The panel of judges comprises industry experts, government officials, and past winners, all of whom bring diverse perspectives and experiences to the evaluation process. The judging criteria for businesses entering the 2023 awards span key areas such as market opportunity, innovation, reach, leadership, strategic partnerships, customer satisfaction, growth, sustainability, and overall impact, reflecting a comprehensive assessment that values and acknowledges businesses' multifaceted contributions on a global scale.

Interstellar Communication Holdings, Inc., a company invested in by Dragon Gate Investment Partners, received the Telecommunications Award at the Go Global Awards Ceremony. Interstellar Communication Holdings focuses on providing an affordable personal satellite service named icMercury for stargazers, utilizing PocketQube satellite technology and a customized user platform. With this service, users can access their personal satellite and unlock the potential of the universe.

Its a great honor to be back on the esteemed stage of the Go Global Awards, showcasing the icMercury project alongside our partners from Finland and Turkiye. Our initial connection at last years Go Global Awards in Talin has flourished, and I extend sincere appreciation to the International Trade Council for providing this excellent platform that nurtures collaboration and innovation," said Lijie Zhu, Managing Director of Dragon Gate Investment Partners. "In the ever-advancing space industry, we aspire to make knowledge about the universe accessible to everyone through icMercury services, transcending beyond the stars to provide enduring value. I warmly invite you to join us on this remarkable journey.

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About International Trade Council

The International Trade Council (ITC) is an internationally-renowned, non-profit organization, apex chamber of commerce, providing services to government trade agencies, chambers of commerce, export councils, business associations, and corporations.

The ITC provides support for organizations across a range of sectors and sizes through market research, mediation, new market opening services, peer-to-peer mentoring programs, ongoing education programs, trade missions and the Councils trade and innovation forums.

The International Trade Council also works closely with policy-makers to sponsor the creation of additional networks, forums and alliances which provide focus for collaborative work and new growth opportunities for fair international trade.

About the Go Global Awards

Originally launched in 1989, The International Trade Council's Go Global Awards celebrate organizations that drive the global economy through their innovations, technologies, and strategies. The Go Global Awards follow a rigorous three-tiered review/selection process. Candidates begin the application process with a pre-screening / ranking phase. The top 20% of nominations across all categories are then cross-reviewed to ensure consistency. Finalists are then selected and move forward to the live judging event, where they present before independent members of the Go Global Awards Committee. The Awards Committee then cross-reviews the finalist presentations and the final decisions are announced at the Go Global Awards Day.

The Awards bring together hundreds of senior executives from some of the world's most innovative manufacturers, exporters, technology firms, international service providers, venture capital firms and financial institutions.

About Dragon Gate Investment Partners

Headquartered in New York Citys midtown Manhattan, Dragon Gate Investment Partners is a investment firm with a focus on space related technology and art that can transform our world and shape the future. Our team has well-earned reputation of excellence in providing sensible and cost-effective business solutions for a wide breadth of clientele, including public companies, financial institutions, and high-net-worth individuals.

CONTACT:

Dragon Gate Investment Partners LLC

Email: info@dgipl.com

Tel: +1-646-801-2803

Website: http://www.dgipl.com

LIST OF AWARD WINNERS OF THE GO GLOBAL AWARDS 2023

Industry Award Winners:

Advanced Manufacturing - UNISIL / US Silicon Trading

CleanTech - Sunnking

EnergyTech - Panasol USA LLC

Construction - DORCE Prefabricated Building & Construction Industry Trade Inc.

Construction Materials - Corkbrick Europe

Engineering - Suret

Engineering Supplies - Oswal Cables

Real Estate Company of the Year - Arabian Gulf Investments

Business Finance - SME Credit Pro Inc.

Business Incubation - gener8tor

FinTech - Pebuu Africa

Trade Finance - Jigsaw Capital

Venture Capital - Dragon Gate Investment Partners

Agricultural Consultancy - Trade Care Africa

Agricultural Products - Better Globe Forestry Ltd

AgTech - Enko Chem, Inc.

Beverages - FDTH Imports, LLC

Food Innovation - Organic Bas de Colombia

Food Manufacturing - Amel International Services Limited

Creative Industries - 24 Media Films Pvt. Ltd.

eCommerce - Delloop

Fair Trade - Fair Trade & Tourism Lebanon

Fashion - Time-Tell Nigeria Ltd

Retail - KPS Pets OU

Safety Equipment - Apollo Safety Inc.

EdTech - Abu Dhabi Early Childhood Authority

Education Services - Zoni

Security Products - CLIXAR LLC

Artificial Intelligence - iERP

Digital Transformation - Nortal

Digitalization - Finema Co., Ltd.

Information Technology (Hardware) - Lightspace Technologies

Information Technology (Software) - ActiveOps

IoT - Recktronic Devices and Systems

Network Management - racksnet GmbH

Digital Marketing - Viseven USA LLC

Market Research - Random Dynamic Resources Ltd

Marketing and PR - EMPREENDA REVISTA

Newswire - PRNEWS.IO

Business Process Outsourcing - Smartshore Services LLC

Conferences and Events - WEBCONGRESS

Legal Services - Law Office of David J. Habib

Professional Services - LCG Brands Consulting/Minding Your Business Podcast

Security Services - Landmark Security Limited

Service Excellence - Jobex Company Ltd

Travel and Hospitality - Serene African Adventures Tours and Travel

Product Innovation of the Year - Artesana International SA

BioTech - Bioplastics International

HealthTech - Diginova Health

MedTech - MMID Group

PharmaTech - Considaret / CLK Group Denmark

Freight and Logistics - ATA Freight

Last Mile Delivery - Eurosender

Packaging - Printco SRL

Supply Chain Management - LeLeader Group

Warehousing and Distribution - De Zwaluw Logistics BV

Electronics Manufacturing - Knight Electronics/ORION Fans

PropertyTech - AVTECH Software, Inc

Robotics - OnRobot

Technology Innovation of the Year - My Duty Collect

Telecommunications - Interstellar Communication Holdings

Future of work - best place to work - ITCube Solutions Inc.

Future of work - innovate workforce development program - Done Remotely Resources Inc

Global Remote Work Solutions - Mauve Group

HR Tech - Digi-Me

Human Resources - Evenbreak

Leadership Development - Tapams Advanced Management and Industries Private Limited

Environmentally Conscious Exporter of the Year - SustainAgro

Export Innovation - Agro Est Muntenia SRL

Fastest Growing - Westrafo Srl

Minority Owned Business of the Year - I.Kollection

Small Business of the Year - Steiner & Kovarik by Prague Chocolate

Start-Up Exporter of the Year - Rosena DK Ltd

Manufacturer of the Year - ETS NORD AS

Socially Responsible Exporter of the Year - Symphony Environmental

Women in Business - Lifespan Company Limited

Real Estate Person of the Year - H.E. Dr. Khlaifa Saif Juma Saif Al Mehairbi

Legend in Export - The Allied Founders Pvt Ltd.

Maritime Services - The Boating Channel



Government Agency Award Winners:

National Investment Promotion Agency of the Year Award - Enterprise Greece

Regional Investment Promotion Agency of the Year (Platinum) Award - Quebec International

National Export Development Organization of the Year Award - Bulgarian Small and Medium Enterprises Promotion Agency

Business Association of the Year (Platinum) Award - Barbados Chamber Of Commerce & Industry

Regional Investment Agency of the Year Award (Gold) - ADR Nord-Est

Regional Investment Promotion Agency of the Year (Silver) Award - Regional Development Agency ROD Ajdovscina

E-Investment Facilitation Award - SPIRIT Slovenija

Infotech Award - ICC of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine

Export-Oriented FDI Award - Bahamas Investment Authority

Brownfield Investment Promotion Award - The Investment Office of the Presidency of the Republic of Turkiye

Environmentally Sustainable FDI Award - Invest in Iceland

Greenfield Investment Promotion Award - Thailand Board of Investment

Investment Promotion for Advanced Manufacturing Award - City of Lancaster, TX

Investment Promotion for Agriculture Award - Namibia Investment Promotion and Development Board

Investment Promotion for BioTech Award - Germany Trade & Invest

Investment Promotion for CleanTech Award - Invest Alberta

Investment Promotion for EnergyTech Award - Invest in Murcia

Investment Promotion for Financial Services Award - Invest Barbados

Investment Promotion for Food Tech Award - Invest in Andalucia

Investment Promotion for General Manufacturing Award - National Investment Commission, Liberia

Investment Promotion for Information Technology Award - REDIEX

Investment Promotion for Infrastructure Award - Moroccan Investment and Export Agency

Investment Promotion for Tourism Award - Invest Saint Lucia

Sustainable Investment Promotion Award - PROCOLOMBIA

Local Economic Development Agency of the Year Award - Municipality of Saiton

Investor Aftercare Award - Polish Investment and Trade Agency

Job Creation Award - New Hampshire Department of Business and Economic Affairs

Site Selection Assistance Award - Czech Invest

Research, Development and Innovation Award - RRA Podravje Maribor

Exporter Education and Training Award - APIEX Mocambique

Startup Exporter Promotion Award - Zambia Development Agency

Arts & Culture Award - Rhode Island Commerce

National Investment Promotion Agency of the Year Emeritus Award - Rhode Island Commerce

Investment Catalyst Award - Uganda Investment Authority



Business Associations Award Winners:

Business Association of the Year (Gold) Award - World Trade Center Arkansas

International Trade Advancement Award - NOVA Hispanic American Chamber of Commerce

Collaborative Industry Partnership of the Year Award - World Orphan Drug Alliance

Bilateral Trade Association of the Year Award - Rhode Island-Israel Collaborative

Small Business Association of the Year Award - Investments in Latvia






Key Insights

Significant control over Duopharma Biotech Berhad by sovereign wealth funds implies that the general public has more power to influence management and governance-related decisions

51% of the company is held by a single shareholder (Permodalan Nasional Berhad)

Institutional ownership in Duopharma Biotech Berhad is 19%

If you want to know who really controls Duopharma Biotech Berhad (KLSE:DPHARMA), then you'll have to look at the makeup of its share registry. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 51% to be precise, is sovereign wealth funds. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

And individual investors on the other hand have a 29% ownership in the company.

In the chart below, we zoom in on the different ownership groups of Duopharma Biotech Berhad.

View our latest analysis for Duopharma Biotech Berhad

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Duopharma Biotech Berhad?

Many institutions measure their performance against an index that approximates the local market. So they usually pay more attention to companies that are included in major indices.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Duopharma Biotech Berhad. This can indicate that the company has a certain degree of credibility in the investment community. However, it is best to be wary of relying on the supposed validation that comes with institutional investors. They too, get it wrong sometimes. If multiple institutions change their view on a stock at the same time, you could see the share price drop fast. It's therefore worth looking at Duopharma Biotech Berhad's earnings history below. Of course, the future is what really matters.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in Duopharma Biotech Berhad. Our data shows that Permodalan Nasional Berhad is the largest shareholder with 51% of shares outstanding. This essentially means that they have extensive influence, if not outright control, over the future of the corporation. For context, the second largest shareholder holds about 8.3% of the shares outstanding, followed by an ownership of 1.9% by the third-largest shareholder.

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While it makes sense to study institutional ownership data for a company, it also makes sense to study analyst sentiments to know which way the wind is blowing. There are plenty of analysts covering the stock, so it might be worth seeing what they are forecasting, too.

Insider Ownership Of Duopharma Biotech Berhad

The definition of an insider can differ slightly between different countries, but members of the board of directors always count. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that Duopharma Biotech Berhad insiders own under 1% of the company. But they may have an indirect interest through a corporate structure that we haven't picked up on. It has a market capitalization of just RM1.2b, and the board has only RM3.2m worth of shares in their own names. Many investors in smaller companies prefer to see the board more heavily invested. You can click here to see if those insiders have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public-- including retail investors -- own 29% stake in the company, and hence can't easily be ignored. While this group can't necessarily call the shots, it can certainly have a real influence on how the company is run.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Consider for instance, the ever-present spectre of investment risk. We've identified 1 warning sign with Duopharma Biotech Berhad , and understanding them should be part of your investment process.

If you would prefer discover what analysts are predicting in terms of future growth, do not miss this free report on analyst forecasts.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
The General Electric logo at the top of their Global Operations Center in the Banks development of downtown Cincinnati. The logo is expected to be removed from the building at 191 Rosa Parks Street early next year after General Electric announced their Global Operations Center in the Banks is set to relocate to GE Aerospace headquarters in Evendale by the end of the year.

Some 250 remaining General Electric workers at its Global Operations Center at The Banks are set to relocate to GE Aerospace's headquarters in Evendale by the end of the year, company officials told The Enquirer Wednesday.

The switch comes as the Boston-based conglomerate is splitting off the remaining pieces of its businesses and ultimately becomes a Fortune 500 company, GE Aerospace, based in Evendale. Company officials said none of the local 9,000 employees in Greater Cincinnati or Northern Kentucky are losing their jobs.

"The building was originally conceived as part of GEs Global Operations strategy," GE Aerospace spokesman Nick Hurm told The Enqurer. "Since then, GE has undergone significant transformation with the spin-off of GE Healthcare, and the future separation of GE Aerospace and GE Vernova ... and the facility is not scaled to meet the needs of GE Aerospace as a stand-alone company."

GE officials said the company's logo would likely come down from the building at 191 Rosa Parks Street early next year. The company, which controls multiple floors through a lease that expires in 2031, has been subletting unused space as workers have been redeployed elsewhere.

The remaining spin-off of General Electric's energy business, GE Vernova, into a separate company is expected to occur next spring.

The beleaguered Boston-based conglomerate, which has struggled since the 2008 financial crisis, announced a plan in late 2021 to split itself into three separate companies. Following spin-offs of its health care and energy businesses, General Electric's remaining business in 2024 will be manufacturing aircraft engines, operations that have been based in Evendale for decades.

For the latest on Cincinnati business, P&G, Kroger and Fifth Third Bank, follow @alexcoolidge on Twitter.

This article originally appeared on Cincinnati Enquirer: General Electric moving last workers at The Banks to Evendale
DALLAS, November 16, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Generational Equity, a leading mergers and acquisitions advisor for privately held businesses, is pleased to announce the sale of its client Mitchell Associates, Inc. to The Saber Group, LLC. The acquisition closed November 2, 2023.

Founded in 1965, and located in New Castle, Delaware, Mitchell Associates is a multi-disciplined design consulting firm offering expertise in architecture, interior design, space planning, wayfinding graphics and signage design, and donor recognition design/build.

The firms specialty is the planning and design of spaces, places, wayfinding, and recognition for the people that envision and support these environments. Mitchells specialty niche, experience, longstanding history, many repeat clients, impressive portfolio of completed projects, and reputation as an extremely creative firm who knows how to be diligent problem solvers have all driven the Company to great success.

Generational Equity Executive Managing Director, M&A-Technology Practice Leader, David Fergusson, Raaz Ali, a Generational Group Authorized Affiliate, with the support of Managing Director, M&A, Corey Painter successfully closed the transaction. Senior Managing Director James Carr established the initial relationship with Mitchell Associates.

About Generational Equity

Generational Equity, Generational Capital Markets (member FINRA/SIPC), Generational Wealth Advisors, Generational Consulting Group, and DealForce are part of the Generational Group, which is headquartered in Dallas and is one of the leading M&A advisory firms in North America.

With more than 350 professionals located throughout 16 offices in North America, the companies help business owners release the wealth of their business by providing growth consulting, merger, acquisition, and wealth management services. The Generational suite of advisory services includes strategic growth consulting, exit planning education, business valuation, value enhancement strategies, M&A services, digital services, and wealth management.

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The M&A Advisor named Generational Equity Investment Banking Firm of the Year three years in a row, Valuation Firm of the Year in 2020, and North American Investment Bank of the Year in 2022 as well as Consulting Firm of the Year. The Global M&A Network named Generational USA Investment Bank of the Year in 2023. For more information visit https://www.genequityco.com/ or the Generational Equity press room.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116998974/en/

Contacts

For more information:

Carl Doerksen

972-342-0968

cdoerksen@generational.com
Branding is seen outside the headquarters of GKN in Redditch

(Reuters) - British aerospace supplier Melrose said on Thursday it expected 2023 profit to be 7% higher than its previous expectations, partly driven by stronger aftermarket demand and improved pricing.

The owner of GKN Aerospace, which counts Airbus and Boeing as its top customers, said trading and margin performance during the four month ended Oct. 31 was better than its previous expectations.

Melrose, which spun off its auto and other businesses in April to become a pure-play aerospace supplier, now expects an adjusted core profit of 680 million pounds to 700 million pounds ($842.5-$867.2 million) for the year ending Dec. 31.

It also said that adjusted operating profit next year would be about 4% better than market expectations, given that demand would continue to be constrained by supply.

In September, Melrose flagged a potential cash hit of about 200 million pounds through 2026 after Pratt & Whitney parent RTX warned of grounding of some engine variants for quality checks.

GKN Aerospace has a 4% programme share on the GTF PW1100G variant impacted by this issue. ($1 = 0.8072 pounds)

(Reporting by Yadarisa Shabong and Aby Jose Koilparambil in Bengaluru; Editing by Savio D'Souza)
Overview of Global Endowment Management's Recent Trade

Global Endowment Management, LP (Trades, Portfolio) has recently made a significant adjustment to its investment in TXO Partners LP. On November 10, 2023, the firm reduced its stake in TXO by 1,904,134 shares, resulting in a 62.57% decrease in its previous holding. This transaction had a notable impact on the firm's portfolio, reducing the TXO position by 3.82% and leaving Global Endowment Management with 1,139,098 shares, which now represents 2.38% of its portfolio and 3.70% of the company's holdings.

Global Endowment Management, LP (Trades, Portfolio), based in Charlotte, NC, operates as an investment firm with a focus on managing endowment assets. The firm's investment philosophy is centered around a long-term, value-oriented approach. With 119 stocks in its portfolio and an equity of $934 million, Global Endowment Management has a diverse range of top holdings, including Vanguard Total Bond Market ETF (NASDAQ:BND), S&P 500 ETF TRUST ETF (SPY), and Vanguard Total Stock Market ETF (VTI). The firm's top sectors are Energy and Financial Services, reflecting a strategic emphasis on these areas of the market.

Global Endowment Management, LP Adjusts Stake in TXO Partners LP

TXO Partners LP at a Glance

TXO Partners LP, headquartered in the USA, went public on January 27, 2023. The company is engaged in the acquisition and development of oil and natural gas reserves in North America, with a focus on natural gas, natural gas liquids, and oil and condensate segments. As of the latest data, TXO has a market capitalization of $583.021 million and a stock price of $18.96. The company's PE percentage stands at 8.22, indicating profitability, although the GF Value cannot be evaluated due to insufficient data.

Global Endowment Management, LP Adjusts Stake in TXO Partners LP

Global Endowment Management's Position in TXO After the Trade

The recent transaction by Global Endowment Management has altered its position in TXO Partners LP. The firm now holds 1,139,098 shares, which is a significant reduction from its previous stake. This adjustment reflects a strategic decision by the firm, possibly in response to TXO's market performance or as part of a broader portfolio rebalancing effort.

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TXO Partners LP's Market Performance and Valuation

Since its IPO, TXO Partners LP's stock has experienced a decline of 13.82%, which is also reflected in its year-to-date performance. However, since the transaction date, the stock has seen a slight gain of 1.12%. The absence of a GF Value makes it challenging to assess the stock's current valuation against its intrinsic value.

Financial Health and Growth Metrics of TXO Partners LP

TXO's financial health is indicated by a Financial Strength rank of 8/10, while its Profitability Rank is lower at 2/10. The company's interest coverage ratio stands at 7.98, and it has a cash to debt ratio of 0.24. However, growth metrics such as the Growth Rank and GF Value Rank are not available, indicating a lack of sufficient data to evaluate these aspects.

Industry Outlook and TXO's Future Performance Potential

TXO Partners LP operates within the Oil & Gas industry, a sector known for its volatility and sensitivity to global economic factors. The company's GF Score of 24/100 suggests that it may have lower future performance potential compared to other stocks. This score, combined with the company's current financial metrics, provides investors with insights into TXO's potential for growth and profitability.

Conclusion: Implications of the Trade for Global Endowment Management

The recent reduction in TXO Partners LP shares by Global Endowment Management, LP (Trades, Portfolio) is a strategic move that may reflect the firm's assessment of TXO's valuation, market performance, or future growth potential. While TXO's financial health appears stable, its low profitability and growth ranks, along with a GF Score indicating potential underperformance, suggest that investors should carefully consider the company's prospects within the broader context of the Oil & Gas industry.

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.


PORTLAND, Maine, November 16, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--GoNetspeed today announced that 100% fiber internet is now available in Portland in initial construction areas. Through GoNetspeeds fully funded $8.5 million investment in Portland, residents and businesses will now experience fast, reliable internet and voice service for their home or business, free of taxpayer dollars.

As construction progresses throughout Portland, more than 13,000 residents and businesses will gain access to GoNetspeeds symmetrical fiber internet speeds, allowing customers to upload just as fast as they download. Residents and businesses interested may visit gonetspeed.com to sign up for priority installation once service is available in their area.

"GoNetspeed is thrilled to officially begin connecting Portland residents to our service as we make rapid progress to deploy high-speed internet throughout the community," said Richard Clark, GoNetspeed President and CEO. "Our dedication to bringing 100% fiber internet to communities throughout Maine has improved online connectivity and reliability for many Mainers. With our service now available in Portland, the community has access to another service provider option that will deliver speeds to match our continuously increasing online needs."

GoNetspeed is continuing to ensure that more communities throughout Maine have access to a high-speed 100% fiber internet infrastructure. Currently, Auburn, Bangor, Bath, Biddeford, Brewer, Brunswick, Cape Elizabeth, Cumberland, Falmouth, Gorham, Gray, Kennebunk, Lewiston, New Gloucester, Old Orchard Beach, Old Town, Orono, Rockland, Saco, Scarborough, Topsham, Waterville, Westbrook, Windham, Winslow, and Yarmouth have access to GoNetspeeds service. Many other communities throughout the state are well on their way to having access to GoNetspeed's fiber internet.

With a legacy of innovation and a commitment to customer service, GoNetspeed is excited to accelerate the expansion of fiber networks throughout nine states, including Maine. GoNetspeed continues to deliver more fiber, more access, more speed, and better reliability to residents and businesses throughout our footprint. With access to 100% fiber internet, customers have access to symmetrical upload and download speeds, ranging from 300 Mbps to 1 Gbps (1,000 Mbps). Learn more about GoNetspeed at gonetspeed.com.

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About GoNetspeed:

GoNetspeed, a high-speed fiber internet provider, serving residential and business customers in Maine, Alabama, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and West Virginia, formed a partnership with Oak Hill Capital ("Oak Hill") in January 2021, allowing GoNetspeed to accelerate the expansion of its fiber network throughout the Northeastern U.S. Adding thousands of new service areas every year, GoNetspeed is one of the largest independent internet providers in the east. For more information about GoNetspeed, or to inquire about service in your residence, business or community, visit gonetspeed.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116948830/en/

Contacts

Katherine Yochum

502.963.8409

Katherine@RunSwitchPR.com
While FinTech funding in ASEAN plunged 70%, Singapore retains top spot.

SINGAPORE, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Sustainability is garnering significant investor interest in ASEAN despite uncertain macroeconomic conditions in 2023, with Green Financial Technology (FinTech) firms bringing forth innovative solutions to help businesses and governments address challenges and opportunities of going green. This insight is part of the FinTech in ASEAN 2023: Seeding the Green Transition report, jointly launched by UOB, PwC Singapore and the Singapore FinTech Association (SFA) today.

Singapore retained its podium position within the region, securing US$747 million FinTech funding, or 59 per cent of total funding in ASEAN. Though this was a decrease of over 180 per cent year-on-year, Singapore still attracted 51 deals, the highest in the region. The deals were distributed across eight FinTech categories, the widest range in the region.

Ms Janet Young, Managing Director and Group Head, Channels & Digitalisation and Strategic Communications & Brand, UOB, said, "Despite markets and investors becoming more cautious this year, bright spots remain with certain FinTech segments such as early-stage and Green FinTechs showing resilience. As a long-term supporter of FinTechs, UOB is committed to journeying through this uncertain climate with the broader FinTech and Green Tech ecosystem by leveraging on our regional network to seize opportunities and drive innovation. Together we can forge a sustainable future and create impact for our stakeholders in ASEAN."

This year, Singapore and other ASEAN FinTech firms continue to face the same funding winter seen globally. FinTech investments in the six biggest ASEAN economies[1] came to US$1.3 billion in the first nine months of this year (9M23), a sharp decrease of around 70 per cent compared with the same period in 2022.

Since third quarter 2022, funding for ASEAN FinTechs has been declining as investors held back after a huge funding surge post-pandemic. Of the total global FinTech funding in 9M23, the amount attributed to ASEAN FinTechs dropped by two percentage points to three per cent, the region's lowest funding amount since 2020. Number of deals also decreased by more than half to 94, with average deal size reduced to US$13.5 million from US$23.3 million.

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Shadab Taiyabi, President, Singapore FinTech Association, said, "While the landscape for FinTech funding across the region has certainly been trickier to navigate, it is good to see that Singapore retains its position as the region's most vibrant destination, attracting the highest number of deals. It is heartening to us that investors recognise the quality of Singapore's firms and their ideas, and we are confident that despite lower levels of funding, Singapore's FinTech star will continue to shine brightly not just across the region, but worldwide."

Wong Wanyi, FinTech Leader, PwC Singapore, said, "Despite ongoing macroeconomic concerns, FinTech is integrated in the day-to-day operations and lives of many, and it is here to stay. With the climate challenge requiring stronger concerted effort across all industries and governments, Green FinTechs and sustainable finance are spaces where Singapore can take the lead in establishing trust and helping to move the needle on one of the major challenges facing our time. In more than one way, FinTech players have good reasons to persevere and get ready to seize future uptrends."

'Green' and 'Young' shoots in ASEAN drew greatest attention

Sustainability is one area that is attracting significant investor interest in ASEAN and globally. ASEAN's green technology sector received US$169 million in funding in 9M23, and investments for this sector has shown an upward trend in the past five years.

Interests in sustainability solutions grew due to increasing climate-related regulations, government support and rising awareness of environmental issues. The Asia Pacific region is one of the most vulnerable to climate-related impact[2] and many governments in ASEAN have begun exploring green financing initiatives and regulations to support the region's energy transition efforts. Businesses surveyed by UOB also echoed the importance of going green and its benefits[3]. Investors have projected carbon emissions management and reporting, as well as green financing solutions to be key growth areas for this sector.

Besides Green FinTechs, early-stage firms[4] in ASEAN have also managed to seize market opportunities with new start-up ideas and smaller capital outlays. These firms make up six of the top 10 funded FinTech firms in ASEAN and one of the only three deals above US$100 million in 9M23. They also secured half of the total funding investments in ASEAN, a significant increase from 39 per cent last year. The top 10 funded ASEAN FinTech firms received an average funding amount of US$94 million in 9M23, a fall of close to 60 per cent compared with 2022.

Singapore and Indonesia lead FinTech investment in ASEAN

Among the six ASEAN countries, Singapore and Indonesia accounted for more than 86 per cent of total FinTech funding and 80 per cent of funding deals in ASEAN. Indonesia contributed to 27 per cent of funding and 16 per cent of the total deals worth US$340 million, largely driven by one mega deal. Vietnam and Malaysia experienced a modest increase in their share of number of deals by the third quarter in 2023, with a six percentage point and four percentage point growth respectively.

With a volatile market and uncertain macroeconomic outlook, the number of new FinTech firms set up across ASEAN has dropped to 95 companies this year, falling more than 75 per cent from last year. Investors highlighted that the observed decline in FinTech funding predominantly aligns with the broader downtrend in the technology sector, but looking ahead, rapid advancement in artificial intelligence (AI) technology is a key emerging space that will propel the next generation of FinTech innovations.

The FinTech in ASEAN 2023: Seeding the Green Transition report was announced at Singapore FinTech Festival today. For the full report, please visit go.uob.com/fintech2023.

About UOB

UOB is a leading bank in Asia. Operating through its head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam, UOB has a global network of around 500 offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. Since its incorporation in 1935, UOB has grown organically and through a series of strategic acquisitions. Today, UOB is rated among the world's top banks: Aa1 by Moody's Investors Service and AA- by both S&P Global Ratings and Fitch Ratings.

For nearly nine decades, UOB has adopted a customer-centric approach to create long-term value by staying relevant through its enterprising spirit and doing right by its customers. UOB is focused on building the future of ASEAN  for the people and businesses within, and connecting with, ASEAN.

The Bank connects businesses to opportunities in the region with its unparalleled regional footprint and leverages data and insights to innovate and create personalised banking experiences and solutions catering to each customer's unique needs and evolving preferences. UOB is also committed to help businesses forge a sustainable future, by fostering social inclusiveness, creating positive environmental impact and pursuing economic progress. UOB believes in being a responsible financial services provider and is steadfast in its support of art, social development of children and education, doing right by its communities and stakeholders.

[1] Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam [2] According to UNICEF East Asia and the Pacific Regional Office (EAPRO)'s latest report "Over the Tipping Point" publishing in May 2023. [3] According to UOB Business Outlook Study 2023 (SME and Large Enterprises), more than 40 per cent of businesses surveyed in ASEAN-5 (excluding Philippines) have adopted sustainable practices. While barriers to adoption exist, including increased customer costs and the lack of sustainable financing solutions, companies are driven to fulfil net-zero goals and uphold sustainability commitments. [4] Early-stage firms refer to start-ups that have received Series A or Series B funding.

Cision

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RABAT, Morocco, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Reinforcing its world-class expertise in regional engagement on a global scale, Gunster Strategies Worldwide proudly announces expansion of its operations into Morocco through a new strategic partnership with Consensus Public Relations (CPR), the leading Moroccan public relations firm.

(PRNewsfoto/Gunster Strategies Worldwide)

This relationship enhances Gunster's proficiency in navigating Morocco's distinctive cultural and political landscape, ensuring the impact and effectiveness of client initiatives both within and beyond Morocco's borders.

Based in Rabat, Morocco, CPR specializes in establishing collaborative channels between international institutions, companies, and the Moroccan public and private spheres. Their expertise extends to the creation and execution of high-impact strategic events in Morocco, contributing valuable insights to Gunster's global network.

"The unique expertise of CPR in collaboration with Gunster, already active in Africa, is expected to be impactful within the context of Morocco's Atlantic vision outlined by His Majesty King Mohammed VI," CPR CEO Faical Alaoui said.

"As boldly laid out in the King's major address earlier this month, Morocco aims to transform its Atlantic coast into an area of human communication, economic integration, and an integrated African-Atlantic interface, based on the joint development of its members."

With its new presence in Morocco  and Morocco's position as a critical gateway between the U.S. and Africa, as well as Europe  Gunster's global initiatives add significant new scope, capabilities and impact. Renowned as a leading force in shaping corporate issue advocacy campaigns worldwide, Gunster Strategies Worldwide draws on extensive experience from MENA to West Africa, Latin America, EU, the United Kingdom, and now, in Morocco, leveraging CPR's local expertise.

Gunster's success lies in its ability to customize campaigns to local nuances while aligning with broader global objectives, establishing it as a reliable partner for corporations navigating the challenges of the global marketplace.

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Jonathan Stember, President of Gunster Strategies Worldwide, emphasized the firm's belief in the potency of tailored strategies to drive meaningful change.

"As a global entity, Gunster Strategies Worldwide recognizes the significance of nuanced strategies in corporate issue advocacy," Stember said. "Our extensive experience, combined with local collaborations like CPR in Morocco, empowers us to navigate diverse cultural and political landscapes, ensuring our clients' messages not only reach critical audiences but also resonate effectively."

About Gunster Strategies Worldwide

Gunster Strategies Worldwide is a full-service, uniquely independent management firm providing strategic political counsel to domestic and international businesses, associations, and governments. Learn more at www.gunsterstrategies.com.

U.S. Media Contact:

Jonathan Stember

jonathan@gunsterstrategies.com

Morocco Media Contact:

Faical Alaoui

f.alaoui@aavcs.com

Cision

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SOURCE Gunster Strategies Worldwide
Thanksgiving is still more than a week away, but the House is already heading home for the holiday after 19 far-right Republicans rebelled against Speaker Mike Johnson and GOP leaders Wednesday and voted to block action on a 2024 spending bill and a separate piece of legislation pertaining to frozen Iranian assets. With any chance of progress on spending bills halted and nothing else left on the schedule, Republican leaders canceled votes for the rest of the week and sent members home to cool tensions.

The GOP hardliners joined with Democrats in voting against a typically routine procedural step to open floor debate on the two bills, including funding for the departments of Commerce and Justice  a revolt that was, at least in part, retaliation for House Speaker Mike Johnsons decision to press ahead Tuesday with a clean stopgap spending measure to avert a government shutdown at the end of the week. That bill, known as a continuing resolution or CR, was passed by relying on Democratic votes. A majority of House Republicans supported it, too, but hardliners were incensed that it did not include spending cuts or other of their policy priorities.

Weve had enough, said Rep. Scott Perry, chairman of the House Freedom Caucus. Were sending a shot across the bow. Moderates saw it somewhat differently. This is retaliation when something doesnt go their way, said Rep. Dusty Johnson of South Dakota, chair of the more moderate Main Street Caucus, according to Politico.

GOP leaders also had to pull the bill funding the departments of Labor, Education and Health and Human Services from the floor due to opposition from moderates to steep proposed spending cuts and anti-abortion provisions.

Wednesdays ultraconservative revolt is reminiscent of a similar blockade on House legislative activity by hard-right lawmakers earlier this year after then-speaker Kevin McCarthy agreed to a deal with the White House to raise the debt limit. GOP hardliners have insisted that lawmakers should pass individual annual spending bills rather than massive year-end packages that combine those single-subject measures. Yet while the House has thus far passed seven of the 12 annual spending bills, Republicans have struggled to reach agreement on the five remaining pieces of legislation, with multiple planned votes derailed by intraparty clashes.

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On Wednesdays rule vote, GOP objectors expressed dual concerns, Roll Call reports. First, they opposed the Commerce-Justice-Science bill for not going far enough to cut FBI spending, despite 9 percent cuts already baked in. Second, they didnt like that the rule governing debate on the Iran bill was closed, precluding members ability to offer amendments. Some moderates also opposed the Commerce-Justice-Science bill out of concern over anti-abortion language and those cuts to law enforcement.

Johnsons honeymoon is over: Hardliners had indicated that they would give their new speaker some leeway in his first weeks on the job, and while they arent threatening Johnsons job  yet  they are already signaling limits to their patience. Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, a member of the conservative House Freedom Caucus, told CNN that Johnsons decision to back a spending bill without cuts and pass it under a suspension of the normal rules and with Democratic help amounted to strike 1 and strike 2.

Whats next: The Senate appears set to pass the stopgap spending bill, averting a shutdown this week and setting up new deadlines in January and February. It could happen as soon as tonight, though Senate leaders still have to overcome an obstacle or two.

On the House side, Johnson faces a fight  or several fights  after Thanksgiving, and Republicans dont have a clear path to advance the five annual spending bills that are now in limbo due to their infighting. Keep in mind that Johnson has vowed that hes now done with short-term spending bills and that the House and Senate will still need to hash out differences between their respective versions of the full-year spending bills. With less than two dozen legislative days on the calendar before mid-January, the new House speaker has his work cut out for him.

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Cars and containers are seen in the port of Lazaro Cardenas

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -The International Monetary Fund's executive board has approved a two-year, $35 billion flexible credit line for Mexico, it said in a statement on Thursday, noting the Latin American country's economy is undergoing a broad-based expansion.

The Mexican authorities stated their intention to treat the new arrangement as precautionary and are set on maintaining prudent policy going forward, the statement added.

This is Mexico's tenth flexible credit line arrangement since 2009, and the country has reduced amounts of the lines granted in recent years, the IMF said.

In 2017, the IMF granted Mexico a credit line worth around $88 billion, which by 2021 was reduced to $50 billion.

"Mexico's macroeconomic policies and institutional policy frameworks remain very strong," Gita Gopinath, the IMF's First Deputy Managing Director, said in the statement.

Mexico does remain exposed to elevated external tail risks, however, Gopinath said, including "renewed volatility in the financial markets, increased risk premia, and capital outflows from emerging markets, as well as weaker U.S. growth and a global slowdown."

Authorities will reassess the external risk outlook and their implications on access under the agreement in November 2024, the IMF added.

(Reporting by Kylie Madry and Valentine HilaireEditing by Nick Zieminski)
Key Insights

The projected fair value for IMI is UK21.93 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

IMI is estimated to be 27% undervalued based on current share price of UK16.02

The UK18.78 analyst price target for IMI is 14% less than our estimate of fair value

In this article we are going to estimate the intrinsic value of IMI plc (LON:IMI) by taking the forecast future cash flows of the company and discounting them back to today's value. We will use the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model on this occasion. It may sound complicated, but actually it is quite simple!

We would caution that there are many ways of valuing a company and, like the DCF, each technique has advantages and disadvantages in certain scenarios. Anyone interested in learning a bit more about intrinsic value should have a read of the Simply Wall St analysis model.

Check out our latest analysis for IMI

What's The Estimated Valuation?

We use what is known as a 2-stage model, which simply means we have two different periods of growth rates for the company's cash flows. Generally the first stage is higher growth, and the second stage is a lower growth phase. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

A DCF is all about the idea that a dollar in the future is less valuable than a dollar today, and so the sum of these future cash flows is then discounted to today's value:

10-year free cash flow (FCF) estimate

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (, Millions) UK304.6m UK335.9m UK358.6m UK377.2m UK392.6m UK405.6m UK416.8m UK426.8m UK435.9m UK444.4m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x6 Analyst x6 Est @ 6.75% Est @ 5.18% Est @ 4.08% Est @ 3.31% Est @ 2.78% Est @ 2.40% Est @ 2.14% Est @ 1.95% Present Value (, Millions) Discounted @ 8.1% UK282 UK287 UK284 UK276 UK266 UK254 UK241 UK229 UK216 UK204

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = UK2.5b

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The second stage is also known as Terminal Value, this is the business's cash flow after the first stage. For a number of reasons a very conservative growth rate is used that cannot exceed that of a country's GDP growth. In this case we have used the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield (1.5%) to estimate future growth. In the same way as with the 10-year 'growth' period, we discount future cash flows to today's value, using a cost of equity of 8.1%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = UK444m (1 + 1.5%)  (8.1% 1.5%) = UK6.8b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= UK6.8b ( 1 + 8.1%)10= UK3.1b

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 UK5.7b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Compared to the current share price of UK16.0, the company appears a touch undervalued at a 27% discount to where the stock price trades currently. The assumptions in any calculation have a big impact on the valuation, so it is better to view this as a rough estimate, not precise down to the last cent.

dcf

Important Assumptions

The calculation above is very dependent on two assumptions. The first is the discount rate and the other is the cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at IMI as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 8.1%, which is based on a levered beta of 1.117. 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 IMI

Strength

Earnings growth over the past year exceeded the industry.

Debt is well covered by earnings and cashflows.

Dividends are covered by earnings and cash flows.

Weakness

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Machinery market.

Opportunity

Annual earnings are forecast to grow faster than the British market.

Good value based on P/E ratio and estimated fair value.

Threat

Annual revenue is forecast to grow slower than the British market.

Looking Ahead:

Valuation is only one side of the coin in terms of building your investment thesis, and it shouldn't be the only metric you look at when researching a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Preferably you'd apply different cases and assumptions and see how they would impact the company's valuation. For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. What is the reason for the share price sitting below the intrinsic value? For IMI, there are three fundamental items you should look at:

Risks: Case in point, we've spotted 1 warning sign for IMI you should be aware of. Future Earnings: How does IMI's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other Solid Businesses: Low debt, high returns on equity and good past performance are fundamental to a strong business. Why not explore our interactive list of stocks with solid business fundamentals to see if there are other companies you may not have considered!

PS. The Simply Wall St app conducts a discounted cash flow valuation for every stock on the LSE every day. If you want to find the calculation for other stocks just search here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
If we want to find a stock that could multiply over the long term, what are the underlying trends we should look for? Typically, we'll want to notice a trend of growing return on capital employed (ROCE) and alongside that, an expanding base of capital employed. Ultimately, this demonstrates that it's a business that is reinvesting profits at increasing rates of return. So on that note, Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad (KLSE:HARISON) looks quite promising in regards to its trends of return on capital.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

If you haven't worked with ROCE before, it measures the 'return' (pre-tax profit) a company generates from capital employed in its business. The formula for this calculation on Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad is:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.19 = RM101m  (RM887m - RM358m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

So, Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad has an ROCE of 19%. In absolute terms, that's a satisfactory return, but compared to the Trade Distributors industry average of 5.2% it's much better.

See our latest analysis for Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad

roce

Historical performance is a great place to start when researching a stock so above you can see the gauge for Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad's ROCE against it's prior returns. If you want to delve into the historical earnings, revenue and cash flow of Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad, check out these free graphs here.

What Does the ROCE Trend For Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad Tell Us?

We like the trends that we're seeing from Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad. The data shows that returns on capital have increased substantially over the last five years to 19%. Basically the business is earning more per dollar of capital invested and in addition to that, 67% more capital is being employed now too. So we're very much inspired by what we're seeing at Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad thanks to its ability to profitably reinvest capital.

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One more thing to note, Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad has decreased current liabilities to 40% of total assets over this period, which effectively reduces the amount of funding from suppliers or short-term creditors. So shareholders would be pleased that the growth in returns has mostly come from underlying business performance. Nevertheless, there are some potential risks the company is bearing with current liabilities that high, so just keep that in mind.

The Bottom Line

To sum it up, Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad has proven it can reinvest in the business and generate higher returns on that capital employed, which is terrific. And with the stock having performed exceptionally well over the last five years, these patterns are being accounted for by investors. In light of that, we think it's worth looking further into this stock because if Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad can keep these trends up, it could have a bright future ahead.

On a final note, we've found 1 warning sign for Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad that we think you should be aware of.

While Harrisons Holdings (Malaysia) Berhad may not currently earn the highest returns, we've compiled a list of companies that currently earn more than 25% return on equity. Check out this free list here.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
FILE PHOTO: Baidu's Apollo car with an autonomous driving system, which serves for self-driving taxi services, is seen at the Shougang Industry Park in Beijing

FILE PHOTO: Baidu's Apollo car with an autonomous driving system, which serves for self-driving taxi services, is seen at the Shougang Industry Park in Beijing

By David Shepardson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A bipartisan group of U.S. lawmakers raised alarm about Chinese companies collecting and handling sensitive data while testing autonomous vehicles in the United States, according to letters seen by Reuters on Thursday.

The lawmakers, including House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rodgers and China select committee Chair Mike Gallagher, asked 10 Chinese-related companies to answer questions by Nov. 29 on data collection practices from ongoing autonomous vehicle testing in California and elsewhere.

The companies - including Baidu, Nio, WeRide, Didi Chuxing, Xpeng, Inceptio, Pony.ai, AutoX, Deeproute.ai and Qcraft - did not respond to requests for comment or could not immediately be reached.

The previously unreported letters, also signed by Democrats Frank Pallone and Raja Krishnamoorti and 10 other lawmakers, said the companies "collect sensitive information about our citizens and their daily routines, the nation's infrastructure, and connected technologies."

"There needs to be greater transparency around what information you collect while testing on American roads, and whether you are financially tied to the Chinese Communist Party," according to the previously unreported letters.

The lawmakers asked what data is collected in the United States, whether it is stored in China, and if it is shared with the Chinese government or others. They also asked if the vehicles collect data on U.S. infrastructure during testing.

The letters said in the 12 months ended November 2022 that Chinese AV companies test drove more than 450,000 miles in California. In July, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg said his agency had national security concerns about Chinese autonomous vehicle companies in the United States.

"Whether we are talking about hardware or software, in the same way there are concerns around telecom or TikTok, there are concerns around transportation technologies," Buttigieg told Reuters.

(Reporting by David Shepardson; editing by Jonathan Oatis and Richard Chang)
Key Insights

The projected fair value for Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad is RM22.20 based on 2 Stage Free Cash Flow to Equity

With RM19.88 share price, Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad appears to be trading close to its estimated fair value

The RM24.32 analyst price target for CARLSBG is 9.6% more than our estimate of fair value

Does the November share price for Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad (KLSE:CARLSBG) reflect what it's really worth? Today, we will estimate the stock's intrinsic value by estimating the company's future cash flows and discounting them to their present value. This will be done using the Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model. Before you think you won't be able to understand it, just read on! It's actually much less complex than you'd imagine.

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.

View our latest analysis for Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad

Crunching The Numbers

We're using the 2-stage growth model, which simply means we take in account two stages of company's growth. In the initial period the company may have a higher growth rate and the second stage is usually assumed to have a stable growth rate. In the first stage we need to estimate the cash flows to the business over the next ten years. Where possible we use analyst estimates, but when these aren't available we extrapolate the previous free cash flow (FCF) from the last estimate or reported value. We assume companies with shrinking free cash flow will slow their rate of shrinkage, and that companies with growing free cash flow will see their growth rate slow, over this period. We do this to reflect that growth tends to slow more in the early years than it does in later years.

Generally we assume that a dollar today is more valuable than a dollar in the future, so we discount the value of these future cash flows to their estimated value in today's dollars:

Story continues

10-year free cash flow (FCF) forecast

2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 2030 2031 2032 2033 Levered FCF (MYR, Millions) RM352.7m RM373.1m RM390.6m RM407.5m RM424.3m RM441.0m RM457.8m RM475.0m RM492.4m RM510.4m Growth Rate Estimate Source Analyst x3 Analyst x3 Est @ 4.68% Est @ 4.34% Est @ 4.11% Est @ 3.94% Est @ 3.82% Est @ 3.74% Est @ 3.68% Est @ 3.64% Present Value (MYR, Millions) Discounted @ 9.0% RM324 RM314 RM302 RM289 RM276 RM263 RM250 RM238 RM227 RM215

("Est" = FCF growth rate estimated by Simply Wall St)

Present Value of 10-year Cash Flow (PVCF) = RM2.7b

We now need to calculate the Terminal Value, which accounts for all the future cash flows after this ten year period. The Gordon Growth formula is used to calculate Terminal Value at a future annual growth rate equal to the 5-year average of the 10-year government bond yield of 3.6%. We discount the terminal cash flows to today's value at a cost of equity of 9.0%.

Terminal Value (TV)= FCF 2033  (1 + g)  (r  g) = RM510m (1 + 3.6%)  (9.0% 3.6%) = RM9.7b

Present Value of Terminal Value (PVTV)= TV / (1 + r)10= RM9.7b ( 1 + 9.0%)10= RM4.1b

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 RM6.8b. To get the intrinsic value per share, we divide this by the total number of shares outstanding. Relative to the current share price of RM19.9, the company appears about fair value at a 10% discount to where the stock price trades currently. Valuations are imprecise instruments though, rather like a telescope - move a few degrees and end up in a different galaxy. Do keep this in mind.

dcf

Important Assumptions

We would point out that the most important inputs to a discounted cash flow are the discount rate and of course the actual cash flows. You don't have to agree with these inputs, I recommend redoing the calculations yourself and playing with them. The DCF also does not consider the possible cyclicality of an industry, or a company's future capital requirements, so it does not give a full picture of a company's potential performance. Given that we are looking at Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad as potential shareholders, the cost of equity is used as the discount rate, rather than the cost of capital (or weighted average cost of capital, WACC) which accounts for debt. In this calculation we've used 9.0%, which is based on a levered beta of 0.800. Beta is a measure of a stock's volatility, compared to the market as a whole. We get our beta from the industry average beta of globally comparable companies, with an imposed limit between 0.8 and 2.0, which is a reasonable range for a stable business.

SWOT Analysis for Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad

Strength

Debt is not viewed as a risk.

Weakness

Earnings declined over the past year.

Dividend is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Beverage market.

Opportunity

Annual revenue is forecast to grow faster than the Malaysian market.

Current share price is below our estimate of fair value.

Threat

Dividends are not covered by cash flow.

Annual earnings are forecast to grow slower than the Malaysian market.

Moving On:

Whilst important, the DCF calculation is only one of many factors that you need to assess for a company. DCF models are not the be-all and end-all of investment valuation. Rather it should be seen as a guide to "what assumptions need to be true for this stock to be under/overvalued?" For example, changes in the company's cost of equity or the risk free rate can significantly impact the valuation. For Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad, we've compiled three additional elements you should further examine:

Risks: Every company has them, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Carlsberg Brewery Malaysia Berhad (of which 1 can't be ignored!) you should know about. Future Earnings: How does CARLSBG's growth rate compare to its peers and the wider market? Dig deeper into the analyst consensus number for the upcoming years by interacting with our free analyst growth expectation chart. Other High Quality Alternatives: Do you like a good all-rounder? Explore our interactive list of high quality stocks to get an idea of what else is out there you may be missing!

PS. 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.
Allied Analytics LLP

The global military radar market is expanding rapidly due to factors such as modernization of military equipment, surge in naval spending by developed economies, surge in buying of combat aircrafts, advanced technologies in military radars, and growth in investment to build up the capabilities of air defense.

Wilmington, Delaware, Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allied Market Research published a report, titled, " Military Radar Market by Component (Antenna, Transmitter, Receiver, Duplexer, Others), by Range (Short, Medium, Long), by Frequency (C-Band, S-Band, X-Band, Others), by Application (Airspace Monitoring and Traffic Management, Space Situation Awareness, Maritime Patrolling, Weapon Guidance, Others), by Platform (Airborne, Land, Naval): Global Opportunity Analysis and Industry Forecast, 2021-2031" As per the report, the global market size for military radar is expected to grab $25.1 billion by 2031. The market was valued at $13.9 billion in 2021 and is anticipated to witness the fastest growth with 6.5% CAGR during the forecast timeframe of 2022 to 2031. The report provides in-depth information on the competitive landscape, value chain analysis, top segments, dynamic market trends, key investment areas, and regional analysis.

Download Sample Pages - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/request-sample/47874

The antenna segment to hold the largest market share throughout the forecast timeframe

By component, the antenna segment gained the largest market share of more than two-fifths of the total market revenue in 2021 and is projected to rule the roost during the forecast period. The defense industry is in a constant state of evolution, necessitating next-generation defense systems for armed forces. Presently, defense forces utilize active phased array antennas, providing comprehensive surveillance coverage of a given area. This heightened capability has sparked an increasing global demand for such antennas in military radar systems. The duplexer segment, however, is estimated to display accelerated growth with 10.2% CAGR from 2022 to 2031. the surge in need for duplexers in military electronic gadgets for ground-based, underwater, and airborne communications as they provide bi-directional communication.

Story continues

Key Report Highlights:

The analysis of the military RADAR market spans seven countries, providing both country-specific and segment-specific evaluations with values ($billion) projected for the period 2021-2031.

Utilizing a research approach that integrates high-quality data, professional insights, and independent perspectives, this study aims to provide a holistic understanding of regional markets. Stakeholders can use this information to make well-informed decisions aligned with their growth objectives.

In ensuring comprehensive insights, the research extensively examined over 3,700 pieces of product literature, annual reports, industry statements, and comparable materials from major industry participants. This meticulous review contributes to an enhanced understanding of market dynamics.

Procure Complete Research Report (PDF with Qualitative and Quotative Data, Insights, Statistics, Tables, Charts, Figures) - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/military-radar-market/purchase-options

The short-range segment to lead the trail during the forecast period

On the basis of range, the short-range segment accounted for the highest market share of nearly half of the global market revenue in 2021 and is projected to retain its dominance throughout the forecast timeframe. This is because governments across the globe are investing largely in short-range systems for capturing things clearer and better connectivity in upcoming space missions and communications. In response to this trend, prominent companies are developing innovative short-range radar technologies that facilitate a 360-degree surround-view, specifically designed for military and naval applications. The long-range segment, on the other hand, would showcase the fastest CAGR of 7.9% during the forecast period of 2022 to 2031. The growth is attributed to off-site long-range radar machinery, electronic defense systems, and high-end defense applications.

North America to grab the largest market share by 2031

The regional analysis in the report indicates that the market across North America gained the highest market share in 2021, contributing to nearly half of the global military RADAR market and would retain its dominant status during the forecast period. The region's significant imposition of defense-related sanctions has amplified the need for military radars, both within national boundaries and across international defense forces. The United States stands as one of the most robust military powers globally and serves as a pivotal contributor of military radar systems to the worldwide market. Additionally, it hosts a substantial array of manufacturing companies operating on a global scale. On the other hand, the Asia-Pacific region would display a notable CAGR of 8.1% from 2022 to 2031, owing to growing expenditure on defense products by several countries like India, China, and Japan.

Key market players:

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Northrop Grumman Corporation

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

Thales Group

Saab AB

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Leonardo S.P.A.

Israel Aerospace Industries

BAE Systems plc

Aselsan A.S.

The report assesses the prominent participants in the global military radar market. These entities have employed diverse tactics, including expansion endeavors, introductions of new products, collaborations, among others, aiming to bolster their market penetration and enhance their standing within the industry. This report serves as a valuable tool for evaluating the business performance, operational segments, product portfolios, and advancements pursued by each market player.

Interested to Procure the Research Report? Inquire Before Buying - https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/purchase-enquiry/47874

Regional /Country Specific Research Reports We Have:

U.S. Military Radar Market Research Report 2023-2032

North America Military RADAR Market Research Report 2023-2032

Asia-Pacific Military RADAR Market Research Report 2023-2032

Europe Military RADAR Market Research Report 2023-2032

LAMEA Military RADAR Market Research Report 2023-2032

About Us

Allied Market Research (AMR) is a full-service market research and business-consulting wing of Allied Analytics LLP based in Portland, Oregon. Allied Market Research provides global enterprises as well as medium and small businesses with unmatched quality of " Market Research Reports " and "Business Intelligence Solutions." AMR has a targeted view to provide business insights and consulting to assist its clients to make strategic business decisions and achieve sustainable growth in their respective market domain.

We are in professional corporate relations with various companies and this helps us in digging out market data that helps us generate accurate research data tables and confirms utmost accuracy in our market forecasting. Allied Market Research CEO Pawan Kumar is instrumental in inspiring and encouraging everyone associated with the company to maintain high quality of data and help clients in every way possible to achieve success. Each and every data presented in the reports published by us is extracted through primary interviews with top officials from leading companies of domain concerned. Our secondary data procurement methodology includes deep online and offline research and discussion with knowledgeable professionals and analysts in the industry.

CONTACT: Contact: David Correa 1209 Orange Street, Corporation Trust Center, Wilmington, New Castle, Delaware 19801 USA. USA/Canada (Toll Free): +1-800-792-528 UK: +44-845-528-1300 Hong Kong: +852-301-84916 India (Pune): +91-20-66346060 Fax: +1-800-792-5285 help@alliedmarketresearch.com Web: www.alliedmarketresearch.com Allied Market Research Blog: https://blog.alliedmarketresearch.com




Ellen and Clayton Kershaw fund BEB for the third year in a row to expand operations in Africa

DALLAS, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- For the third year, Both Ends Believing (BEB) is the grateful beneficiary of LA Dodgers' pitcher Clayton Kershaw and his organization, Kershaw's Challenge. This partnership has been the source of exponential growth in BEB's mission, to give children permanency through loving, forever families with the help of Children First Software.

Through CFS, children are reunified with biological family or adopted into permanent, loving families.

Clayton Kershaw, his family, and the Kershaw's Challenge team have supported the expansion of BEB and CFS first in the Dominican Republic, then in Ethiopia, and this year in Nigeria. Kershaw's Challenge began in 2011 after meeting Hope, a child battling a terrible sickness without a family to lean on. Ellen and Clayton realized that Hope needed a loving home with parents to care for her in order to have the upbringing she deserved.

Kershaw's Challenge partners with like-minded organizations to make life better for vulnerable and at-risk children living in Los Angeles, Dallas, the Dominican Republic, Zambia, and beyond. Kershaw's Challenge is supporting BEB to launch its work in Nigeria, sharing CFS for free with the government alliance ASOHON  the Association of Orphanages and Home Operators in Nigeria.

"Children First Software is so critical for Nigeria because it provides statistics on children in residential care which can help the government monitor the movement of children and guide the formulation and implementation of policies for orphans and vulnerable children," shared Sandra Chikan, Vice President of ASOHON. There is still much work to be done to address these challenges, but the impact of CFS for the children of Nigeria will last for many years to come.

Thanks to the seed funding of Kershaw's Challenge, BEB's work in Africa is rapidly growing. Surrounding countries are seeing the success of BEB's work in partner countries like Uganda, Ethiopia and Nigeria and are ready to "sign on" and implement CFS to transform their child welfare systems.

Story continues

"Ellen and Clayton Kershaw's voice for children in Dallas, Los Angeles and around the world is invaluable to the work of BEB and other beneficiaries. They are truly changing the lives of countless children," Margaret Elizabeth McKissack, Vice President of External Affairs.

Media Contact:

Margaret Elizabeth McKissack

margaretelizabeth@bebglobal.org

214-850-7532

BEB equips countries to care for their children and ensure they can grow up in families and not institutions.

BEB: Children first. Family forever. (PRNewsfoto/Both Ends Believing)

Cision

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SOURCE Both Ends Believing
Great Bay Stewards announce new slate of Officers and newest Board Member

GREENLAND  The Great Bay Stewards Board of Trustees announce the nomination of three new members to its board. At the October board meeting Jodi Landry, Andrew Samonas and Roger Stephenson were all elected to three year terms with the non-profit organization.

Jodi Landry

Landry is the branch manager of Strathams Kennebunk Savings Bank and first met Board Treasurer Kenny Ernstoff when the Stewards were exploring switching banks. "I think our personalities clicked and from that day, the relationship began," she says. "In one of my most stressful days, I was given the opportunity to tour the Reserve with some of my colleagues. To say it was the most welcoming tour is an understatement. Kennebunk Savings Bank has been a major partner in the Stewards and Great Bay National Estuarine Research Reserves campaign to open public access at Glenn Cove in Greenland, N.H. I cant wait to see the finished project and know that this place will be available for others that can use that spot in their life," says Landry.

Andrew Samonas

Samonas is a Portsmouth resident who runs Samonas Realty & Development and owns The Davenport Inn. "Growing up in Greenland at the foot of Great Bay was impactful for me as I was able to learn, firsthand and dirty-handed, what went on below the surface of this beautiful body of water," he says. "As kids, we would play in the muck of low tide, searching for horseshoe crabs, sunfish, and anything slimy. Great Bay has been, and always will be a resource that I enjoy showing off to anyone who will listen and that is why involvement with Great Bay Stewards is valuable to me."

Roger Stephenson

Stephenson is a resident of Stratham, N.H., who is the Northeast Regional Advocacy Director for the Climate & Energy program at the Union of Concerned Scientists. A graduate of the University of New Hampshire with a Masters in Wildlife Biology, Rogers work on conservation in the state can be seen through his efforts with the Southeast Land Trust, Coastal Adaptation Workgroup, N.H. Coastal Risks and Hazards Commission, and the N.H. ad hoc greenhouse gas emissions commission. He been extremely active in climate work in the region and the board is looking forward to having him be a part of its Advocacy and Outreach Committee.

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The Stewards also elected their officers for the 2023-2024 term. Steve Paquette was elected chair, Deborah Alberts was reelected as vice chair, Kenny Ernstoff will serve as Treasurer, and Val Shelton as Secretary.

David Krempels Brain Injury Center announces newest addition to their team

Ashley Healy

PORTSMOUTH  David Krempels Brain Injury Center announced the newest addition to their team, Ashley Healy, who joins them as the Director of Development. With a wealth of experience in fundraising and marketing, Ashley is set to bring her unique skills to the table when working to enhance KBIC's philanthropic initiatives.

Healy 's most recent role was as the Associate Director of The Exeter Fund at Phillips Exeter Academy, where she played a crucial role in advancing the institutions philanthropic endeavors. Her thoughtful and strategic approach significantly contributed to the success of their fundraising initiatives.

Prior to her tenure at the Academy, Healy accumulated over a decade of experience in marketing, and is an expert in audience engagement, strategic messaging, and leveraging technology to amplify organizational impact. In 2015, Healy co-founded her own fundraising software company, emphasizing data-driven fundraising and the positive use of technology for the greater good.

A proud graduate of Saint Michaels College with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Journalism and Communications, Healy is enthusiastic about leading KBICs development program and ensuring a lasting impact for every KBIC member.

"We extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to Ashley as she fills this integral role and becomes a part of the KBIC family," remarked KBIC Executive Director Renee Couture. "Her extensive background in fundraising and marketing, paired with a passion for supporting not-for-profit missions, aligns perfectly with KBIC's values. We are excited to witness the innovative and impactful contributions she will make in her role as Director of Development."

Healy 's commitment to excellence and her proven track record in philanthropy make her a valuable addition to the KBIC team. We eagerly anticipate working with her and the positive impact she will have on our organization and the community we serve.

This article originally appeared on Portsmouth Herald: Names to Know: Meet the new professionals on the Seacoast
SINGAPORE, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Olga Donica, Head of Innovation and Longevity Research at Clinique La Prairie, has recently conducted a series of masterclasses in Singapore, further solidifying Clinique La Prairie Holistic Health's status as the leader in holistic wellbeing and longevity.

With her dedication to unravelling the intricacies of health and her relentless pursuit of innovation, Olga and her team of Life Sciences experts at Clinique La Prairie have been exploring the potential of precision medicine, nutrigenomics, epigenetics, metabolomics, and individualised approaches to elevate health, wellbeing and performance.

Olga Donica Conducting a Masterclass at Clinique La Prairie Holistic Health at 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands, Hotel Tower 3, #01-15, Singapore 018956

Building on 90 years of research and clinical practice, Clinique La Prairie has identified five pillars of holistic wellness  Immunity, Neuromodulation, Anti-Inflammation, Regeneration, and Cellular Longevity  and connected the most powerful bioactive compounds in a proprietary complex featured in their exceptional collection of ultimate longevity supplements - Holistic Health.

During her recent trip to Singapore, Olga shared her plethora of knowledge on topics such as longevity science, detoxification approach, metabolic health, and advanced nutrition therapies, to a captive audience of VIP clients and health aficionados, at the Clinique La Prairie Holistic Health flagship boutique at Marina Bay Sands.

The series of Masterclasses, titled "Fast Vs Slow Aging: Innovative Nutrition Approaches to Health and Wellbeing", provided attendees the opportunity to delve into the intricate world of aging, gaining invaluable insight into the interplay between fast and slow aging processes, empowering them to take control of their own longevity and well-being.

Clinique La Prairie Holistic Healths Supplements

In conjunction with the masterclass, Clinique La Prairie Holistic Health also presented its range of holistic health Supplements in Singapore, namely 'Age-defy', 'Balance', 'Energy' and 'Purity'. Developed using science-based and finest natural ingredients, these four solutions are part of Clinique La Prairie Holistic Health efforts to empower health at full potential.

Story continues

Clinique La Prairie's commitment to health and the environment is evident in the development of these supplements, which are non-GMO, vegan-friendly, and free from artificial additives.

The Clinique La Prairie Holistic Health flagship boutique at Marina Bay Sands currently showcases these pioneering supplements, each tailored to address specific therapeutic aspects with a large spectrum of unique bioactive compounds.

For more information, visit the official website at https://RichLhealthcare.com/ or visit them at The Clinique La Prairie Holistic Health flagship boutique, located at 10 Bayfront Avenue, Marina Bay Sands, Hotel Tower 3, #01-15, Singapore 018956.

Visit the official website below to access more health information: https://RichLhealthcare.com/

Facebook/Instagram: @RichLHealthcare

Customer service WeChat ID, Customer service WhatsApp number: +65 85222107

Cision

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SOURCE RichL Group
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - November 16, 2023) - Origen Resources Inc. (CSE: ORGN) (FSE: 4VXA) (the "Company" or "Origen") Origen is pleased to announce that it has signed a binding term sheet with NewPeak Metals Limited, listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, symbol NPM.

Gary Schellenberg, CEO of Origen, stated, "The Newfoundland Lithium assets represent an exceptional pegmatite belt that is now receiving global attention. Our agreement with NewPeak includes technical assistance from the Origen lithium team that hypothesized that the Ireland and North Carolina lithium trend could run through Newfoundland. We look forward to NewPeak moving quickly to initiate the next step of exploration at Newfoundland."

Highlights:

Terms include a C$100,000 cash payment and the issuance of A$1,000,000 in shares of NewPeak Metals

NewPeak has also been granted a two-year right of first refusal on Origen's Los Sapitos Lithium Project in Argentina

NewPeak is led by an experienced team of mining entrepreneurs, which has raised substantial financings in recent years

NewPeak also holds a number of compelling gold assets and a substantial investment in an emerging energy company, underpinning its value proposition

This transaction represents another successful project generation for Origen Resources. The Newfoundland Lithium Project consists of 33,000 hectares of claims in 12 blocks along the pegmatite belt of Newfoundland, also the target of Piedmont Lithium's recent initial 19.9% investment into Vinland Lithium (formed from the combination of Benton Resources and Sokoman Minerals) and their Killick Lithium project. The 12 Origen claim blocks were acquired by staking, with 20 prospective targets covering geological characteristics similar to lithium pegmatite belts found in Ireland, Nova Scotia, and North Carolina, home to North America's longest producing Lithium mine. The area was originally explored by the Newfoundland government in the 1960's for two seasons and subsequently sat dormant.

Story continues

About NewPeak

NewPeak is an emerging mineral explorer with a highly respected team, including Chairman Brian Moller, and Directors Nick Mather (SolGold) and David Mason as CEO.

NewPeak Metals Asset Map

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/7117/187647_9043307554a83bc5_001full.jpg

NewPeak's Assets portfolio includes:

Argentina Gold Projects - NewPeak holds an interest in several Gold properties in Argentina, a 51% interest in the Las Openas Gold Project, a 35% interest the Cachi Gold Project and a 100% interest in the PROAR properties. The properties are highly mineralised in Gold and located in mining friendly provinces of Argentina.

Otago Gold Properties - NewPeak owns a 25% interest in two properties in the Otago region of the South Island of New Zealand

Somero and Tampere Gold Properties, Finland - NewPeak has a suite of gold properties in Finland and the two most advanced prospects in that suite are the Satulinmaki prospect and Hopeavouri prospect. The company has entered into a Binding Term Sheet to farm out 75% of the assets to ENEXD Group for 3,000,000 cash a spend of 9,000,000 on exploration and development.

Bergslagen Strategic Metal Project , Sweden - NewPeak has a portfolio of exploration permits in south-central Sweden, in the Bergslagen mining district near Grangesberg. It is a Tungsten-focused project, though significant levels of Copper, Lead, Zinc and Molybdenum were found in a sampling program.

Lakes Blue Energy NL, Australia - NewPeak is the largest shareholder of Lakes Blue Energy NL (ASX: LKO) holding 9,883,714,010 shares. Lakes is an Australian gas and oil exploration company with diversified exploration assets in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and Papua New Guinea.

Amendment to Flow-Thru Financing

The Company is also pleased to announce it has arranged a private placement of up to 1,000,000 flow-through units at a price of $0.05 per unit (the "Private Placement"), with each unit consisting of one flow-through share and one-half of one common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable into one common share at a price of $0.15 cents per share for a period of 18 months from the closing date. The Company also announces that it has terminated the private placement previously announced on September 28, 2023.

Insiders of the Company are expected to participate in the Private Placement. This anticipated participation by insiders in the Private Placement constitutes a related-party transaction as defined under Multilateral Instrument 61-101 - Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions. However, the Company considers such participation would be exempt from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 as the fair market value of the flow-through units expected to be subscribed for by the insiders and the consideration for the units paid by such insiders will not exceed 25 per cent of the Company's market capitalization.

About Origen

Origen is fully focused on its 100% interest in the Los Sapitos Lithium project in Argentina and its 100% interest in the 33,000 ha Newfoundland Lithium projects, and also a 100% interest in the 26,771 ha LGM and the 3,971 ha Wishbone projects in the mineral-rich Golden Triangle of British Columbia, along with a property portfolio of four 100% owned precious and base metal projects in southern British Columbia.

John Harrop, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as that term is defined in NI 43-101 has prepared, supervised the preparation or approved the scientific and technical disclosure in the news release.

On behalf of Origen,

Thomas Hawkins

Managing Director

For further information, please contact Gary Schellenberg, Chief Executive Officer, at 604-681-0221.

Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Canadian Securities Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Certain of the statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information." In particular references to the private placement and future work programs or expectations on the quality or results of such work programs are subject to risks associated with operations on the property, exploration activity generally, equipment limitations and availability, as well as other risks that we may not be currently aware of. Accordingly, readers are advised not to place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Except as required under applicable securities legislation, the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/187647
Hundreds of thousands more students will qualify for federal need-based grants  thanks to changes to a key college financial aid form this year.

More than 610,000 students will become newly eligible for Pell Grants under the revised Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form that will be released by Dec. 31, according to data released Wednesday from the White House and Department of Education. Another 1.5 million will be able to receive the maximum Pell Grant award as a result of the FAFSA changes.

Read more: Your complete guide to FAFSA for the 2023-2024 school year

The changes are another effort by the Biden administration to expand access to higher education in an affordable way.

"Pell Grants are a critical lifeline for millions of students and families to attend college or career school and pursue the American dream," said Federal Student Aid COO Richard Cordray said in a press statement. "We are deeply committed to making sure students from all backgrounds can easily apply for and receive the federal student aid they need through the better FAFSA form."

FAFSA is how students apply for financial aid such as the Pell Grant and federal student loans.

"To qualify for financial aid  grants, scholarships, work study, and loans  financial aid offices need to know how much it's going to cost a family to go to college and how much financial need there is and it all starts with the FAFSA," Justin Draeger, president and CEO of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, previously told Yahoo Finance Live (video above).

Normally, the FAFSA is available in October for students and families to fill out, but it is undergoing a major redesign as part of the bipartisan FUTURE Act and FAFSA Simplification Act, which is why it wont be available until December this year.

One of the most significant changes is moving from the expected family contribution need analysis formula to a student aid index to determine eligibility for federal student aid, linking family size and the federal poverty level.

Story continues

Under the new student aid index need analysis formula, it removes the number of family members in college from the calculation and implements separate eligibility determination criteria for Pell Grants. This means that some students can have a negative student aid index number, indicating that they have a significant need, something that was not addressed in the previous versions.

"The student aid index is the back office number to determine eligibility for Pell Grants and state scholarships," James Kvaal, undersecretary for the Department of Education, told Yahoo Finance on Wednesday. Additionally, the revised form "will be much easier for families to complete in as little as 10 minutes."

One reason is because applicants will be able to automatically share their parents tax information imported from the Internal Revenue Service to ensure accuracy.

Applicants also will only have to answer around 26 FAFSA questions, depending on their individual circumstances, with others having as few as 18 questions. That's way down from the 103 questions on the 202324 FAFSA form, according to the press release.

"Most students apply for FAFSA in January and February, and are encouraged to get it done early to allow colleges to distribute financial aid letters in March," Kvaal said. "When selecting a school, families should focus on the net price of attending college after scholarships and grants are applied."

"Usually, the emphasis tends to be on tuition, but living expenses can be a bigger part of costs," he added. "Its also important for families to understand the differences between scholarships and loans as they are considering financial aid awards."

Scholarships and grants do not need to be repaid. Loans, on the other hand, must be repaid and with interest. Also, the terms and conditions for federal student loans are different from private loans.

Read more: Private vs. federal student loan: Which is best for you?

The difference between federal and private student loans (U.S. Dept of Education - Federal Student Aid)

Students and parents can familiarize themselves with the new changes by viewing the revised Federal Student Aid Estimator.

Early decision applicants should talk to their prospective school about how financial aid awards will be determined in light of the delayed FAFSA.

Counselors and educators can use the Better FAFSA Better Future digital toolkit to assist students and families as they prepare for the release of the new FAFSA application.

"The Biden-Harris Administrations implementation of the Bipartisan FAFSA Simplification Act modernizes an archaic system, simplifies the form, and improves access for underserved students  representing the most significant overhaul of the federal financial aid application since the Reagan era," US Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona said in a press statement. "These bold changes will ultimately put affordable higher education within reach of more Americans."

Ronda is a personal finance senior reporter for Yahoo Finance and attorney with experience in law, insurance, education, and government.

Follow her on Twitter @writesronda Read the latest personal finance trends and news from Yahoo Finance. Follow Yahoo Finance on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Flipboard, and LinkedIn
(Bloomberg) -- Cybersecurity firm Palo Alto Networks Inc. tumbled after missing Wall Street estimates for billings in its fiscal first quarter and lowering its estimates for the full year.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The company said billings were $2.02 billion in the three months ended Oct. 31, and said full-year fiscal billings would be $10.7 billion to $10.8 billion, down from earlier projections of $10.9 billion to $11 billion.

The shares fell to as low as $226.09, in extended trading, after closing at $256.18 in New York.

Palo Alto shifted its strategy into software over hardware compared to its peer Fortinet Inc., capitalizing on growth from artificial intelligence and cloud computing trends. A number of high profile cyberattacks - most recently Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd. - has reiterated the importance of cybersecurity even as technology budgets shrink.

An unprecedented level of attacks is fueling strong demand in the cybersecurity market, said Chief Executive Officer Nikesh Arora in a statement.

Total revenue for the fiscal first quarter was $1.88 billion, just above analysts estimates of $1.84 billion.

Investors were concerned after Fortinet Inc. gave a disappointing outlook for revenue earlier this month, thinking the fallout would bleed into Palo Alto. Fortinet, CrowdStrike Holdings Inc. and Zscaler Inc. all fell after Palo Alto reported earnings.

Palo Alto Networks Chief Financial Officer Dipak Golechha attributed the companys disappointing billings to the cost of money.

Arora told analysts on a call that customers significant focus on this topic is becoming the new normal. The way it manifests itself in our businesses that theres always a payment in duration discussions and finally negotiations.

Story continues

The Santa Clara, California-based company recently pursued an aggressive deal strategy to expand data security capabilities. The company acquired Israeli startups Talon Cyber Security Ltd. and Dig Security Solutions Ltd., totaling over $1 billion in M&A spending.

Palo Alto said it expects billings in the second fiscal quarter of $2.34 billion to $2.39 billion, also falling short of Wall Street targets.

(Updates with additional information throughout.)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Press Release

November 16, 2023 Opening statement on the higher education budget

By Senator Pia S. Cayetano

Senior Vice Chair, Senate Finance Committee Thank you, Mr President. Mr President, I am ready to sponsor the budget of the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), with a total new appropriation of P47,057,007,000; the State Universities and Colleges (SUCs), with a total new appropriation of P106,489,883,000; and the University of the Philippines (UP) with a total new appropriation of P23,557,426,000. Mr President, in the past years, it has been our intention to make the budget for higher education sustainable, and also resilient to future challenges - all while considering intergenerational fairness. I extend my gratitude to Sen. Sonny Angara, the Chair of the Committee on Finance, for wholeheartedly supporting the amendments and recommendations we made. Mr President, before we start, I would just like to start off on a light note. Recently, UP ranked the highest among the universities in the country at 404th place in the QS World University Ranking 2024... and then 78th place in Asia. For the World Ranking, this is an improvement of its 412th spot for 2023; followed by two private schools: Ateneo De Manila University, ranked 563rd... our Deputy Minority Floor Leader... followed by De La Salle University... at 689-690 bracket; and University of Sto Tomas at 801-850. And then joining the top 4 schools is the University of San Carlos in Cebu City, which made it to the 1201-1400 bracket. But, Mr President, what I'd also like to point out is this. We are mindful of a news article that was published around July of this year saying that according to a leading online job portal, Jobstreet, the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP) is the top educational institution preferred by employers in the Philippines, with UP coming in second. I would just like to commend PUP. It receives the lowest subsidy at 12 pesos per unit. So kung hindi pa ba kahanga-hanga na despite the low subsidy and because of the moratorium on increase, although that increase will really be a government expense, to be clear, because of our law, they continue to hold this ranking among the employers. And that's what matters, because employers eventually kahit ano pang award na ibigay mo, kung hindi yan hireable, hindi yan hireable. Apparently, they are very desirable as far as the employers are concerned. So clearly, they are producing excellent graduates and becoming valuable members of our workforce. Congratulations to the students, officials, faculty, and staff!
DUBLIN, Nov. 15, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Peru Data Center Market - Investment Analysis & Growth Opportunities 2023-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Research and Markets Logo

The Peru data center market is expected to reach a value of $200.5 million by 2028 from $105.5 million in 2022, growing at a CAGR of 11.30%

This report conducts an in-depth analysis of the Peru data center market share, providing a comprehensive examination of both existing and upcoming facilities, along with investments in IT, electrical, mechanical infrastructure, general construction, and tier standards. It also covers market sizing and investment estimations for various market segments.

The Peru data center market currently encompasses nine operational colocation facilities, with a notable emphasis on adhering to Tier III standards. For example, the Surco Data Center facility by Gtd Peru is constructed in compliance with Tier III Uptime standards.

This report offers a thorough and informative overview of the Peru colocation market, offering insights into its size, investment opportunities, and revenue potential. It evaluates data center investments from colocation, hyperscale, and enterprise operators, providing details on both the investment amount and power capacity in megawatts (MW).

Additionally, the report provides a detailed analysis of the present data center landscape in Peru, delivering industry insights and projections concerning market size in the foreseeable future. It also furnishes a snapshot of the existing and upcoming third-party data center facilities within the country, serving as valuable information for stakeholders and investors interested in the Peruvian data center market

Peru Data Center Insights

Gtd Peru is among the top and largest data center operators in the country.

Equinix is among the global colocation operators in the country that currently has its LM1 Lima facility in the Surco region of the city and has plans for further expansions across different parts of Peru.

The Peru data center market is also witnessing significant improvements in submarine and inland connectivity. For example, the South America-1 (SAm-1) is the biggest one spread across 25,000 km, with Telxius as its owner. It has landing points in several regions in Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Guatemala, Argentina, and the United States.

Significant deployment and adoption of 5G services, along with the development of smart cities in Peru, will fuel data traffic and further grow the demand for more data centers in the country.

Some key colocation investors in the Peru data center market in 2022 are Equinix, Gtd Peru, Claro, Nabiax, and Cirion Technologies.

Equinix, one of the world's largest data center operators, has acquired Entel Peru's data center facility.

Cirion Technologies took over Lumen Technologies' Latin American business operations and completed its re-branding.

The data center with the highest power capacity is Nabiax's Lince facility, which has a total power capacity of 1.2 MW.

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REPORT COVERAGE:

Facilities Covered (Existing): 09

Facilities Identified (Upcoming): 03

Coverage: 4 Cities

Existing vs. Upcoming (Area)

Existing vs. Upcoming (IT Load Capacity)

Colocation Market Revenue & Forecast (2022-2028)

Retail Colocation Revenue (2022-2028)

Retail Colocation Pricing

VENDOR LANDSCAPE

IT Infrastructure Providers

Arista Networks

Broadcom

Cisco Systems

Dell Technologies

Hewlett Packard Enterprise

Huawei Technologies

IBM

Juniper Networks

NetApp

Oracle

SuperMicro

Data Center Construction Contractors & Sub-Contractors

Fluor Corporation

HDOS

PQC

Support Infrastructure Providers

3M

Assa Abloy

ABB

Alfa Laval

Axis Communication

Bosch Safety and Security System

Caterpillar

Cummins

Daikin Applied

Delta Electronics

Eaton

Generac Power Systems

HiRef

Honeywell

Johnson Controls

Legrand

Mitsubishi Electric

Panduit

Ritta

Schneider Electric

Siemens

STULZ

Vertiv Group

Data Center Investors

Claro

Nabiax

Gtd Peru

Cirion Technologies

The segmentation includes:

IT Infrastructure

Servers

Storage Systems

Network Infrastructure

Electrical Infrastructure

UPS Systems

Generators

Switches & Switchgears

PDUs

Other Electrical Infrastructure

Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

Rack Cabinets

Other Mechanical Infrastructure

Cooling Systems

CRAC and CRAH

Chillers

Cooling Towers, Condensers and Dry Coolers

Economizers & Evaporative Coolers

Other Cooling Units

General Construction

Core & Shell Development

Installation & commissioning Services

Building & Engineering Design

Fire Detection & Suppression Systems

Physical Security

Data Center Infrastructure Management (DCIM)

Tier Standard

Tier I & Tier II

Tier III

Tier IV

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/pdi32e

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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View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/peru-data-center-market-investment-analysis-report-2023-2028-coverage-of-9-existing-facilities-3-upcoming-facilities-and-4-cities-301989833.html

SOURCE Research and Markets
It is usually uneventful when a single insider buys stock. However, When quite a few insiders buy shares, as it happened in Turners Automotive Group Limited's (NZSE:TRA) case, it's fantastic news for shareholders.

Although we don't think shareholders should simply follow insider transactions, we would consider it foolish to ignore insider transactions altogether.

Check out our latest analysis for Turners Automotive Group

Turners Automotive Group Insider Transactions Over The Last Year

The Independent Non-Executive Director John Roberts made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for NZ$100k worth of shares at a price of NZ$3.58 each. Although we like to see insider buying, we note that this large purchase was at significantly below the recent price of NZ$4.25. Because the shares were purchased at a lower price, this particular buy doesn't tell us much about how insiders feel about the current share price.

Turners Automotive Group insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. The chart below shows insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last year. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date!

There are always plenty of stocks that insiders are buying. So if that suits your style you could check each stock one by one or you could take a look at this free list of companies. (Hint: insiders have been buying them).

Insider Ownership

Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. I reckon it's a good sign if insiders own a significant number of shares in the company. Turners Automotive Group insiders own about NZ$61m worth of shares. That equates to 16% of the company. We've certainly seen higher levels of insider ownership elsewhere, but these holdings are enough to suggest alignment between insiders and the other shareholders.

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What Might The Insider Transactions At Turners Automotive Group Tell Us?

The fact that there have been no Turners Automotive Group insider transactions recently certainly doesn't bother us. However, our analysis of transactions over the last year is heartening. Overall we don't see anything to make us think Turners Automotive 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. Every company has risks, and we've spotted 2 warning signs for Turners Automotive Group (of which 1 is potentially serious!) you should know about.

If you would prefer to check out another company -- one with potentially superior financials -- then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt.

For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
An ultra-rare stamp depicting an inverted Jenny airplane has been sold for a record $2 million at a New York auction, making it the most expensive U.S. stamp ever sold.

A 76-year-old New York man named Charles Hack purchased a rare postage stamp for a record-breaking price of $2 million at an auction on Wednesday.

The Inverted Jenny postage stamp features a Curtiss JN-4 airplane printed upside down by mistake, making it highly valuable since the production was stopped. The stamp's fame is due to its rarity and a printing error that resulted in an upside-down plane.

It's "the holy grail of postage," Hack told The Washington Post. And a piece of "American history."

The Inverted Jenny stamp is a highly coveted and iconic piece among philatelists. It is a rare collectible created to commemorate the inauguration of the first regular airmail service in the United States.

NEW YORK, NY - JUNE 02: A rare stamp known as an "Inverted Jenny" is displayed at the World Stamp Show in Manhattan on June 2, 2016 in New York City. The stamp, one of the most famous stamps in American history, was stolen from a display case at a convention in 1955 and only located last March. The stamp, which features an airplane printed upside-down, only surfaced at a New York auction house in April when an Irish man who had inherited it brought it in. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

The stamp is red, white, and blue colored and features an image of the Curtiss JN-4 airplane in the center, though it is printed upside down in error.

According to the Smithsonian's National Postal Museum, William T. Robey bought the first sheet of 100 Inverted Jenny errors on the stamps' release day, May 14, 1918, in Washington D.C., New York, and Philadelphia. Each stamp was originally worth $0.24.

The stamp sold on Wednesday is the finest Inverted Jenny in existence, according to Siegel auctioneers. It came from Position 49 on the sheet. Siegel auctioneers state that the item has been kept in a bank vault for 100 years and in the dark since its purchase in 2018.

Hack has been collecting stamps, including Inverted Jennys, since his childhood. In the early 2000s, he purchased an Inverted Jenny stamp for about $300,000. Hack stated to the Post that he plans to continue to protect the stamp from light and preserve it as it holds great value to him.

NEW YORK - NOVEMBER 02: An enlarged replica of a block of four rare United States airmail error stamps, known as the Inverted Jenny plate block, worth nearly $3 million November 2, 2005 in New York City. Stamp dealer Charles Shreve, who is standing in for stamp dealer Bill Gross, swapped the block of United States airmail error stamps for a rare 1-cent Z-grill stamp. With the completion of the trade, the block's owner, bond investor Bill Gross, will own what is believed to be the first complete collection of 19th-century United States stamps ever assembled. The 1-cent Z-grill stamp is a blue stamp depicting Benjamin Franklin that was issued in 1868 and named because of an experimental security grill. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Where was the rare stamp featured?

The Inverted Jenny stamps have become popular in pop culture. In a 1993 episode of "The Simpsons," Homer Simpson finds a sheet of stamps at a flea market but disregards them. Homer sifts through a box of American artifacts and discovers a sheet of Inverted Jennys.

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Richard Pryor's character in the 1985 movie "Brewster's Millions" uses the stamp to mail a postcard.

It appeared in the 2019 episode "One Big Happy Family" of the legal drama For the People.

Controversy from Inverted Jenny stamp

In November 2006, during an election in Broward County, Florida, workers claimed to have discovered an Inverted Jenny stamp attached to an absentee ballot envelope. However, the sender did not provide any identification along with the ballot, so the ballot was automatically disqualified.

Peter Mastrangelo, the executive director of the American Philatelic Society, noted that the stamp needed to be more genuine as it differed from known copies, mainly due to its perforations. However, the colors had been reproduced accurately. Further investigations published the following month confirmed that the stamp was indeed a forgery.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Inverted Jenny stamp, a rare item, sold for $2 million to New York man
When it comes to investing, there are some useful financial metrics that can warn us when a business is potentially in trouble. Typically, we'll see the trend of both return on capital employed (ROCE) declining and this usually coincides with a decreasing amount of capital employed. Trends like this ultimately mean the business is reducing its investments and also earning less on what it has invested. On that note, looking into YHI International (SGX:BPF), we weren't too upbeat about how things were going.

Return On Capital Employed (ROCE): What Is It?

For those that aren't sure what ROCE is, it measures the amount of pre-tax profits a company can generate from the capital employed in its business. To calculate this metric for YHI International, this is the formula:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.029 = S$8.8m  (S$379m - S$72m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

So, YHI International has an ROCE of 2.9%. In absolute terms, that's a low return and it also under-performs the Retail Distributors industry average of 4.6%.

See our latest analysis for YHI International

roce

Historical performance is a great place to start when researching a stock so above you can see the gauge for YHI International's ROCE against it's prior returns. If you'd like to look at how YHI International has performed in the past in other metrics, you can view this free graph of past earnings, revenue and cash flow.

What Can We Tell From YHI International's ROCE Trend?

In terms of YHI International's historical ROCE movements, the trend doesn't inspire confidence. To be more specific, the ROCE was 4.8% five years ago, but since then it has dropped noticeably. Meanwhile, capital employed in the business has stayed roughly the flat over the period. This combination can be indicative of a mature business that still has areas to deploy capital, but the returns received aren't as high due potentially to new competition or smaller margins. So because these trends aren't typically conducive to creating a multi-bagger, we wouldn't hold our breath on YHI International becoming one if things continue as they have.

Story continues

On a side note, YHI International has done well to pay down its current liabilities to 19% of total assets. So we could link some of this to the decrease in ROCE. What's more, this can reduce some aspects of risk to the business because now the company's suppliers or short-term creditors are funding less of its operations. Since the business is basically funding more of its operations with it's own money, you could argue this has made the business less efficient at generating ROCE.

The Key Takeaway

In summary, it's unfortunate that YHI International is generating lower returns from the same amount of capital. Yet despite these concerning fundamentals, the stock has performed strongly with a 57% return over the last five years, so investors appear very optimistic. In any case, the current underlying trends don't bode well for long term performance so unless they reverse, we'd start looking elsewhere.

On a final note, we've found 2 warning signs for YHI International that we think you should be aware of.

While YHI International isn't earning the highest return, check out this free list of companies that are earning high returns on equity with solid balance sheets.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
letters

Royal Mail staff will be handed a 500 bonus if they meet delivery targets over Christmas as the company battles to turn itself around amid mounting losses.

Posties could earn the sum if they hit local and national quality targets over the busy festive period as part of a newly-launched incentive scheme.

The bonus, which is the first of its kind, marks efforts by Royal Mail to avoid a repeat of last Christmas when deliveries were thrown into chaos by strikes.

Citizens Advice said that more than 30 million people  half the population  had letters and parcels delivered late over Christmas last year, including some critical post such as health appointment letters.

Union chiefs told The Telegraph last December that undelivered post was left outside depots during industrial action, leaving foxes and vermin free to eat through packaging.

This year, Royal Mail will hire 16,000 seasonal workers and open five temporary sorting centres.

Martin Seidenberg, who took over as chief executive of Royal Mail three months ago, vowed to pull out all the stops to avoid disruption.

Royal Mail is battling to salvage its reputation after years of poor performance.

Earlier this week the company was fined 5.6m by Ofcom after failing to deliver more than a quarter of first class post on time.

The fine, which is the largest ever handed down for missing delivery targets, came after the company missed required standards for both first and second class post by a significant and unexplained margin.

Royal Mail has hired 7,000 additional permanent workers to reduce its reliance on agency staff and has established a new quality control centre to help improve its services.

Mr Seidenberg said his priority was to stabilise the workforce, adding that industrial disputes were never helpful.

The Royal Mail chief admitted it was too early to say whether the company would hit its delivery targets in the year ahead.

As well as improving performance, the business is trying to stem deepening losses as it reels from the impact of strikes and a slump in letter volumes.

Story continues

Operating losses ballooned to 319m in the first half of the year, an increase of 100m compared to the same period in 2022.

The company blamed the deepening losses on a pay deal with staff struck in April, which saw workers handed a 10pc pay rise over three years and a one-off payment of 500.

It followed an almost year-long row with unions over pay and working conditions. The walkouts dragged Royal Mail to a 1bn loss last year, with bosses warning it was losing more than 1m a day at the height of the dispute.

Royal Mail reached an agreement with striking workers in April - SOPA Images/Getty Images Contributor

Royal Mail is also still feeling the impact of customer losses suffered during the dispute, as well as a wider economic downturn.

Parcel deliveries declined by 6pc to 1.85bn in the first half of the year as a result of lower volumes and customers trading down to cheaper services.

Letter volumes also continued to decline, although revenues were up 1pc to 1.7bn thanks to increases in stamp prices. Overall, revenue fell 3pc to 3.5bn in the six months to September 24.

Mr Seidenberg reiterated calls for Saturday letter deliveries to be scrapped, saying the need for reform was increasingly urgent.

He said: Most other comparable countries have already reformed their Universal Service and the UK is getting left behind.

The UK is not immune to the trends that we see across the world and its simply not sustainable to maintain a network built for 20bn letters when were now only delivering 7bn.

Regulator Ofcom is currently reviewing Royal Mails universal service obligation, but any changes will ultimately need to be approved by the Government.

Royal Mail is also facing a 600m lawsuit from parcel rival Whistl, which is seeking damages over alleged anti-competitive behaviour.

The company has already been hit with a 50m fine from the regulator over claims it abused its market power to squeeze Whistl out of the market, resulting in 2,000 job losses.

Royal Mail has said it will fight the claim, which it believes is without any merit.

Royal Mails losses dragged its parent company deeper into the red. International Distributions Services (IDS) reported an operating loss of 243m in the first half, wider than the 157m posted last year. It came despite a 150m profit for its European parcel delivery firm, GLS.

Mr Seidenberg said he had taken steps to stabilise Royal Mail, including cutting costs and ruthlessly prioritising high-return projects.

IDS said it expects to break even in the full year. It is targeting a return to profit for Royal Mail by 2025, but acknowledged the current economic slowdown was a significant headwind.

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.
Stock image of gold bars. Doug Armand/Getty Images

The Hong Kong bullion market has seen Russian gold imports quadruple to 68 tons this year, Bloomberg reported.

It has outpaced Dubai as the biggest hub of Russian gold trading, after the UAE cracked down on illicit trading.

Western sanctions on Russian gold shifted the trade to Asia and the Middle East and away from Europe.

Hong Kong has dethroned Dubai as the biggest hub for Russian gold trading, importing 68 tons of gold so far this year, or four times as much as the whole of 2022.

While the Chinese city has long been active in the global gold trade, imports of Russian bullion have surged since April, Bloomberg reported.

That's in part because of a regulatory crackdown on illicit gold trading in the UAE, which saw greater scrutiny from the global money laundering watchdog, the Financial Action Task Force, in March 2022.

Since the Task Force added the UAE to its watch-list, gold trading in Dubai has slowed. Bank transfers and cash payments have been subjected to increasing government oversight, which has made it difficult to pay Russian exporters, Bloomberg reported.

Some gold traders in Dubai rerouted shipments to Hong Kong, according data cited from ImportGenius tracking Russian customs figures.

Also driving the bullion binge in the Asian market is a heavy set of Western sanctions on Russian gold that has locked it out of the London bullion market  historically, the center of the gold trade.

Those sanctions were imposed last year after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, providing a boost for the Dubai gold market as the UAE did not take a punitive stance against Russia.

Before the tide shifted this year, the UAE imported 96.4 tons of bullion last year, five times the amount Russia sent to Hong Kong in 2022.

In addition to Hong Kong and the UAE, Turkey also emerged earlier this year as a major destination of Russian gold.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Bloomberg) -- Schonfeld Strategic Advisors dismissed 15% of its workforce to cut costs after scrapping deal talks with Izzy Englanders Millennium Management earlier this week.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Among the highest-profile departures is Ben Melkman, a trader who scrapped plans for his own firm in order to join Schonfeld earlier this year.

About 150 employees were told Wednesday that theyre out of a job, according to a person familiar with the matter. Schonfeld, which started the week with a staff of about 1,000, is mostly cutting non-investment roles. Most of those affected worked for the technology team, which handles information technology, automation and support for portfolio managers. The move also affects other back-office positions.

On Tuesday, Schonfeld abruptly ended talks with Millennium over a potential partnership deal after months of negotiations. Schonfeld, a multimanager firm overseeing $11.7 billion, backed out after securing as much as $3 billion in verbal commitments from other investors. That would help replace the $2.3 billion that clients yanked so far this year.

Read More: Schonfeld Ends Millennium Talks in Call to Fellow Billionaire

The job cuts affect 10 people with investing roles, including five portfolio managers, and at least some were attributed to underperformance, said the person, who asked not to be identified because the information is private.

Among the senior departures are Niamh Taylor, the firms head of Europe, the Middle East and Africa, who joined in June 2022, and Russell Hartley, co-head of the region for the fundamental equities unit, who was hired in 2019, according to the person. Hartleys responsibilities will be assumed by his fellow co-head Alex Codrington.

Story continues

Schonfeld is also severing ties with Seven Eight Capital, which invested some money for Schonfeld.

Melkmans departure comes after after he shuttered his $1 billion hedge fund, Light Sky Macro, and axed plans for a new firm to bring his strategy to Schonfeld. He had joined the firm in March as a senior portfolio manager in its discretionary macro and fixed-income business. Schonfeld is focusing more on reducing concentration risk and backing money managers who can scale assets and trade with less directional exposure, said people familiar with the firms thinking.

A representative for New York-based Schonfeld declined to comment. Melkman said he and the firm mutually agreed to the departure.

Read More: Ben Melkman Joins Star Traders Migration to Biggest Hedge Funds

Schonfelds funds have barely made money this year, with the main hedge fund up more than 1% through October and the equity fund up more than 2%.

Many so-called pod shops such as Schonfeld  with teams that wager on a variety of markets  try to optimize the ratio of money-managing talent to non-investing personnel. The former group earns more for the firm, and costs tied to those employees are often passed on to clients. About 270 of Schonfelds 1,000 workers were portfolio managers or analysts, and the recent job cuts reflect an effort to improve that ratio.

Schonfeld went on a hiring binge in recent years, expanding teams and office space as assets grew to $14 billion at the end of 2022. This year alone, the firm brought on at least 20 investment professionals to its macro and fixed-income business  run by Colin Lancaster and Mitesh Parikh  which debuted early last year. By this September, it had about 60 people globally.

The hires came amid an industry talent war, marked by multimillion-dollar signing bonuses.

Lancaster is being promoted to head of EMEA and moving to London from Miami. He will keep his title of co-head of discretionary macro.

Read More: Schonfeld Halves Fee to Lure Hedge Fund Clients Into New Lock-in

Steven Schonfelds firm also has been looking to lock up investor cash for longer to help provide more business stability. Its main hedge fund currently allows clients to pull cash monthly.

In September, it began trying to woo investors in its other equity fund to accept new terms that would mean it would take them as long as two years to withdraw cash. The fresh $3 billion in capital is in a drawdown facility, and once put to work, that investor cash will be locked in for three years.

--With assistance from Nishant Kumar and Erin Fuchs.

(Updates with Schonfelds fund performance in 10th paragraph. A previous version corrected the story to note that Seven Eight Capital doesnt exclusively manage Schonfelds money)

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
SCHAUMBURG, Ill., November 16, 2023--(BUSINESS WIRE)--SEKO Logistics (SEKO), the leader in end-to-end global logistics, today announced the expanded role of Mike Ligthart as global commercial director for the companys Government, Space & Defense vertical. In this new position, he will support the Government, Space & Defense global sales teams in growing its customer portfolio.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116011727/en/

Mike Ligthart, Global Commercial Director for Government, Space & Defense, SEKO Logistics (Photo: Business Wire)

Based in Rotterdam, Ligthart was previously the commercial lead in EMEA and supported the significant growth of Government, Space & Defense led by the SEKO Netherlands team. Under his guidance, SEKOs Government, Space & Defense team has also expanded its humanitarian aid and relief partnerships to deliver critical supplies to communities in crisis, such as Ukraine, Israel, Palestine, Libya, Turkey, Morocco, Kosovo and South Sudan. Since joining the company in 2015, Ligthart has been the leading force in organizing international defense and relief exhibitions for SEKO and raising awareness of SEKOs capabilities and industry expertise among global government and defense agencies. Hes spent the past several years on the ground leading operations across disaster and conflict zones ranging from the Middle East, Africa and Asia.

"We are incredibly proud of what the Government, Space & Defense team has accomplished under Mikes leadership," said Maxime Bessiere, SEKOs Chief Commercial Officer, EMEA. "In the European Union alone, Mike has overseen nearly 5,000 deliveries in the past year. His connections, attention to detail and passion for this sector of the supply chain industry will bring SEKOs global Government, Space & Defense capabilities to a new level."

Ligthart has proven to be a trusted, experienced and hands-on leader, coordinating and escorting all Defense Contract Management Agency (DCMA) shipments for the past several years, including transporting 118 x 20-inch containers worth $118 million. From a contractors facility in Sweden to the Ports of Varberg and Wallhamn, SEKO safely delivered the offices shipment of U.S. Ammo Flag vessel movement to the ports.

Story continues

Most notably, he facilitated the historic shipment from Maine to Tel Aviv on the worlds largest plane, Antonov AN-225, on behalf of Oshkosh Defense.

"No matter how sensitive the shipment or challenging the equipment, we facilitate full compliance in the movement of our clients most sensitive military, space and government equipment and products," said Ligthart. "I look forward to leading our Government, Space & Defense division as we continue to innovate on a global scale and ensure the safest delivery of our clients shipments."

SEKO Government, Space & Defense supports the execution of transportation, logistics and warehousing with full regard for export compliance, on behalf of NATO countries, defense contractors and subject matter experts. Across the globe, the SEKO Government, Space & Defense teams fast decision-making process provides innovative solutions that continue to redefine defense logistics. As an approved government logistics provider with ISO 9001 and 14001 certifications from SGS, the team pioneers everything from essential pilot programs to complex customs bonds. Throughout the entire supply chain, SEKO utilizes approved ocean, air and land carriers, subcontractors and secured warehouses all checked and vetted by export compliance team of experts.

To learn more about SEKO Government, Space & Defense, visit our website.

About SEKO Logistics

Built on nearly 50 years of logistics expertise, SEKO Logistics is the no-nonsense global end-to-end logistics partner  from shipper to consumer. SEKO delivers client-first service, expert reliability and tech-driven shipping solutions that turn supply chains into a competitive differentiator. With over 150 offices in more than 60 countries, SEKO helps you move at the speed of global commerce. Learn more at www.sekologistics.com.

About SEKO Government, Space & Defense

SEKO Government, Space & Defense is the leader in end-to-end logistics for the government, space and defense industries, by delivering sustainable client-first service, expert reliability and technology solutions on a global scale. By offering one-stop services specifically tailored to our clients unique security needs, we move the most sensitive shipments to the worlds most complex areas. From asset recovery and military base clearance to training seminars and warehousing, we operate as an extension of your team providing tech-driven solutions to achieve your goals and deliver with care. We go the extra mile to make it happen securely, every time. https://www.sekologistics.com/us/freight-forwarding/government-and-defense/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20231116011727/en/

Contacts

Haley Hartmann

haley@reputationpartners.com

815-382-1415
Key Insights

The considerable ownership by retail investors in Sheffield Resources indicates that they collectively have a greater say in management and business strategy

41% of the business is held by the top 23 shareholders

Insider ownership in Sheffield Resources is 14%

A look at the shareholders of Sheffield Resources Limited (ASX:SFX) can tell us which group is most powerful. The group holding the most number of shares in the company, around 59% to be precise, is retail investors. That is, the group stands to benefit the most if the stock rises (or lose the most if there is a downturn).

Meanwhile, private companies make up 16% of the companys shareholders.

Let's delve deeper into each type of owner of Sheffield Resources, beginning with the chart below.

See our latest analysis for Sheffield Resources

What Does The Institutional Ownership Tell Us About Sheffield Resources?

Institutions typically measure themselves against a benchmark when reporting to their own investors, so they often become more enthusiastic about a stock once it's included in a major index. We would expect most companies to have some institutions on the register, especially if they are growing.

As you can see, institutional investors have a fair amount of stake in Sheffield Resources. This implies the analysts working for those institutions have looked at the stock and they like it. But just like anyone else, they could be wrong. When multiple institutions own a stock, there's always a risk that they are in a 'crowded trade'. When such a trade goes wrong, multiple parties may compete to sell stock fast. This risk is higher in a company without a history of growth. You can see Sheffield Resources' historic earnings and revenue below, but keep in mind there's always more to the story.

Hedge funds don't have many shares in Sheffield Resources. Our data shows that Hebei Yanshan Iron and Steel Group Co., Ltd. is the largest shareholder with 9.9% of shares outstanding. Meanwhile, the second and third largest shareholders, hold 6.4% and 5.8%, of the shares outstanding, respectively.

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A deeper look at our ownership data shows that the top 23 shareholders collectively hold less than half of the register, suggesting a large group of small holders where no single shareholder has a majority.

While studying institutional ownership for a company can add value to your research, it is also a good practice to research analyst recommendations to get a deeper understand of a stock's expected performance. We're not picking up on any analyst coverage of the stock at the moment, so the company is unlikely to be widely held.

Insider Ownership Of Sheffield Resources

While the precise definition of an insider can be subjective, almost everyone considers board members to be insiders. Company management run the business, but the CEO will answer to the board, even if he or she is a member of it.

I generally consider insider ownership to be a good thing. However, on some occasions it makes it more difficult for other shareholders to hold the board accountable for decisions.

Our information suggests that insiders maintain a significant holding in Sheffield Resources Limited. Insiders own AU$33m worth of shares in the AU$236m company. This may suggest that the founders still own a lot of shares. You can click here to see if they have been buying or selling.

General Public Ownership

The general public, who are usually individual investors, hold a substantial 59% stake in Sheffield Resources, suggesting it is a fairly popular stock. With this amount of ownership, retail investors can collectively play a role in decisions that affect shareholder returns, such as dividend policies and the appointment of directors. They can also exercise the power to vote on acquisitions or mergers that may not improve profitability.

Private Company Ownership

We can see that Private Companies own 16%, of the shares on issue. It's hard to draw any conclusions from this fact alone, so its worth looking into who owns those private companies. Sometimes insiders or other related parties have an interest in shares in a public company through a separate private company.

Next Steps:

I find it very interesting to look at who exactly owns a company. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. For example, we've discovered 2 warning signs for Sheffield Resources (1 is concerning!) that you should be aware of before investing here.

Of course, you might find a fantastic investment by looking elsewhere. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies.

NB: Figures in this article are calculated using data from the last twelve months, which refer to the 12-month period ending on the last date of the month the financial statement is dated. This may not be consistent with full year annual report figures.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
In 2021, upwards of 30 people robbed a Best Buy in Minneapolis on Black Friday, in tandem with another Best Buy store in the metro area.

That same year, retailers reported a 26.5% increase in organized retail crime incidents from 2020, according to the National Retail Federation (NFR) survey. Organized retail crime usually refers to a group of professional shoplifters who perpetrate large scale retail theft with the intent to resell merchandise. All types and sizes of businesses may fall victim to organized retail crime, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.

The NRF estimated that organized retail crime costs companies an average of 7 cents for every $100 in sales.

With Black Friday around the corner, retailers are aware of the sometimes dangerous and costly risk of shoplifters. So how is shoplifting, a subset of retail theft, impacting retailers this year?

Which cities experienced a rise in shoplifting cases?

The Council on Criminal Justice looks at shoplifting incidents within 24 cities over the past five years. Their report found the following trends:

New York and Los Angeles had the largest uptick in reported shoplifting incidents among the 24 cities from mid-year 2019 to mid-year 2023.

St. Petersburg and St. Paul had the largest decreases in shoplifting incidents during that same time period.

Shoplifting rates since pre-pandemic

During the height of the pandemic (January 2020 to June 2020), there was a 37% drop in reported shoplifting incidents.

Reported shoplifting rates increased from July 2020 to December 2020 as businesses reopened, but those shoplifting rates remained far below pre-pandemic levels in 2018 and 2019.

Shoplifting as a felony increases

Data suggests that the value of shoplifting incidents has increased since 2019. The share of shoplifting incidents categorized as felonies increased from 6.6% in January of 2019 to 15.1% in January of 2023.

How are retailers responding to shoplifting?

Major grocers drugstores, and other retail outlets have cited shoplifting as their reason for closing multiple locations and placing goods behind counters and in locked cases, according to the report. But some industry researchers say retailers are blaming profit losses on shoplifting incidents when the actual cause is internal flaws, such as overstocked inventories.

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Safeway cited theft when it cut back the hours of a San Francisco store in 2021, and Walmart CEO Doug McMillon said last December that a spike in shoplifting could lead to store closures.

Some companies are turning to more advanced technology, like self-servicing locking cabinets or smart shopping carts. Walgreens in June announced that it is testing a new store concept in Chicago that has most merchandise under lock and key.

Customers pay the price: How stores are curbing shoplifting incidents

'Modern-day-mafia': 14 charged in Florida retail theft ring that stole $20 million in goods

FILE - Workers begin to board up a display window at the Louis Vuitton store Monday, Aug. 10, 2020, after overnight vandals hit many high-end stores in Chicago. The Illinois Senate has a bipartisan plan to crack down on a recent spate of smash-and-grab retail thefts and the fencing that follows. Bill sponsor Western Springs Democratic Sen. Suzy Glowiak Hilton says smash-and-grab crimes not only result in product loss but terrorize employees and patrons and damage property. (AP Photo/Teresa Crawford, File)

Limited data draws unclear conclusions about retail theft

Because shoplifting data is self-reported, the authors of the report say the true number of shoplifting incidents is almost certainly higher. Limited data does not allow for the authors to examine different factors that may be influencing shoplifting trends.

Charis Kubrin, a criminology professor at the University of California, Irvine told USA TODAY that the gap in available data makes it difficult to analyze crime trends. She believes that while there are likely certain neighborhoods and cities where theft has risen, others may have seen levels fall.

The key is identifying at a more local level where this is happening, she said. I think claiming that retail theft is out of control, or you know, headlines that are particularly alarmist, I think are really off base because we simply don't know at this point.

How was the data collected?

The shoplifting data collected by the Council on Criminal Justice comes from 24 individual cities that have consistently reported their shoplifting incidents over the past five years, as well as the U.S. Justice Departments National Incident-Based Reporting Program. The NIBRS data include a sample of 3,812 local law enforcement agencies.

Contributing: Bailey Schulz

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Shoplifting, retail theft rose in some cities; in many others, it fell
Press Release

November 16, 2023 Bato calls out UN rapporteur on proposal to abolish NTF-ELCAC Senator Ronald "Bato" Dela Rosa called out a UN rapporteur for suggesting to abolish the country's anti-insurgency task force. Dela Rosa, who was defending the 2024 proposed budget of the Office of the Presidential Adviser on Peace, Reconciliation and Unity (OPAPRU) at the Senate plenary on Wednesday, reacted to a proposal made by UN Special Rapporteur Ian Fry to abolish the National Task Force to End Local Communist Armed Conflict (NTF- ELCAC) and to his statement that the body is "operating with impunity." "That is why we are in quandary right now, Your Honor. NTF-ELCAC is all about good governance and delivery of basic services to the communities and they are not involved in armed confrontation with the enemies of the state. Why are they lambasting the NTF-ELCAC? Maybe they are being fed with wrong information," Dela Rosa stated. The Mindanaoan said this in response to Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino who sought for the former's comment after Senator Aquilino "Koko" Pimentel made an inquiry with regard to OPAPRU's mechanism in addressing alleged human rights violations made by the task force, the office's attached agency, against members of the leftist organizations. olentino also asked OPAPRU, through Dela Rosa, if they were involved in the visit preparations for the UN expert. "OPAPRU is not involved, Your Honor. Had they been involved, for sure, magbabago iyong paningin noong foreigner na iyon sa NTF-ELCAC. They will be informed accordingly," Dela Rosa said. Fry just recently wrapped up his 10-day visit to the Philippines after several meetings with different civil society organizations and government officials to talk about the country's climate change policies. Dela Rosa expressed dismay and believed the UN expert was misinformed and was only able to hear the side of the leftist groups. "Hindi naman porke nasa gobyerno tayo, pero 'yung tama lang na information dapat ang nakakarating sa kanila," Dela Rosa lamented. In the same session, OPAPRU's budget was deemed submitted along with Southern Philippines Development Authority (SPDA), Mindanao Development Authority (MinDA), Dangerous Drugs Board (DDB) and the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) which were all sponsored by Dela Rosa.
Merchants want to give their customers the best experience possible. However, when a delivery doesnt get there on time, or an order is wrong, you have to work with customer service to get a problem resolved.

Adding artificial intelligence to the customer service layer enabled merchants to use chatbots or other tech to address easier requests. Chatbots often follow a script, which can lead to some frustrating back-and-forth before customers decide to speak with a human.

Siena AIs co-founders Andrei Negrau and Lisa Popovici believe the best of both worlds can happen  an AI customer service agent with the empathy of a human. They have been in the e-commerce space for eight years, most recently building software for Shopify merchants.

You have the chatbots on one hand, and everyone hated chatbots when we were really looking into the experience. Then there was business process outsourcing, Negrau told TechCrunch. When we started Siena, the premise was that there was no solution that could seamlessly automate everything like an agent.

The pair developed an AI-powered customer support solution that might be a machine, but understands context and responds with empathy like a human.

Injecting AI, often as conversational AI, into the customer service industry, is not new. Companies like Ada, 8Flow.ai and Neuron7, to name a few, have developed approaches to making customer service better for both companies and their customers.

Siena AI, Lisa Popovici, Andrei Negrau, customer service

Lisa Popovici and Andrei Negrau, co-founders of Siena AI. Image Credits: Siena AI

However, Negrau and Popovici say Siena stands apart in three ways: First is its AI Personas feature that enables merchants to create one persona that speaks their brands unique voice and style on social media, while utilizing a more professional persona for email.

This was one of merchants biggest concerns  they want to implement AI, but don't want to lose their brand voice which takes years to build, Popovici told TechCrunch.

Story continues

They also developed Siena to juggle multiple tasks in the same interaction. For example, pulling order data and asking for product photos while also changing the shipping address and sending out a replacement product. Third is the companys cognitive reasoning-based engine, or CORE, for considering the best resolution path to a complex customer service problem.

Since launching the company six months ago, Siena has amassed 65 customers, including brands like Kitsch, Simple Modern and Everyday Dose. Popovici said the company has reached revenue milestones during this time, but declined to go into further detail. The company also manages up to 80% of customer interactions across over 100 languages and all channels; for example, email, text, social DMs and comments.

Investors are keen on Siena, too. A group, including Sierra Ventures, Pari Passu Ventures, Spacestation Investments, Village Global, The Council and OpenSky Ventures, pumped $4.7 million in seed funding into the company recently.

The co-founders plan to use the capital on hiring, go-to-market capabilities and technology development to get its solution to become a fully autonomous agent for customers over the next 12 months. Siena is also launching a learning hub for customers called Siena AI Academy, when they can more easily integrate AI into their customer service workflows.

Our flagship product, the autonomous agent, is going to be in a great position by the second quarter of next year, Negrau said. We know what's not working, and we will continue to help guide our customers toward what we know is working.
(Bloomberg) -- Cracks in the retail and property empire of Austrian billionaire Rene Benko are widening two weeks after the firm revealed its cash reserves were drying up.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Some holders of Signa Development bonds are probing whether the company is in breach of debt rules, while Signa Prime, a separate unit, is approaching potential investors to raise up to 2 billion to keep the business running through to June.

Signa first flagged it was hiring advisers at one of its units on Oct. 31 as it faced a cash crunch. The crisis rapidly snowballed leading shareholders to call for the appointment of a restructuring adviser, Arndt Geiwitz, to take the helm of the group. The German adviser was appointed last week and promised to present a restructuring plan for the different units by the end of November.

Recouping Cash

Holders of Signa Development bonds are assessing whether management acted against the interest of the company and breached terms of its bonds over hundreds of millions of euros owed by other parts of the group, according to people familiar with the matter, who asked not to be identified because the details are private. If confirmed, the breach could constitute an event of default, allowing bondholders to demand their money back.

On a call with analysts and investors last week, Chief Financial Officer Manuel Pirolt said Signa Development  specialized in developing commercial and residential estate projects mainly in Germany and Austria  had around 600 million of receivables against other entities in the group as part of the ordinary course of business cash management operations it conducted.

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Signa Development, which is now carrying out a review of its capital structure with advisers at Rothschild & Co. and lawyers at White & Case, said total financial receivables rose 45% in the first half of 2023 to 659 million. Management said they will stop similar transactions and will seek to recoup 100 million in the near term to boost liquidity.

Bondholders will hold a call with trustee Deloitte Thursday at 4 p.m. London time. The 300 million notes due July 2026, the groups only publicly traded instrument, are indicated at about 30 cents on the euro, according to data compiled by Bloomberg. Hamza Lemssouguers credit fund Arini is one of the largest holders of the bonds.

Signa Prime

Signa Prime, which owns some of the groups most prized real estate assets, has approached investment firms over the last few days to plug its funding gap. It requires 500 million to meet obligations this year alone and another 1.5 billion of cash in the first half of 2024, according to separate people familiar.

Some of those approached have already turned the company down, while others are still in the early stages of assessing the funding request, the people said. Signa has already been forced to cut its ownership share in the company that operates Selfridges after its partner, Central Group, converted a loan into equity this week. The Thai company is also in discussions to take over a joint department store project in Duesseldorf, Germany, the Rheinische Post newspaper said late Wednesday.

As part of the restructuring plans, Signa Prime may seek to negotiate a standstill on outstanding debt until the end of January, a separate person familiar with the discussions said.

In two decades of rapid expansion, Signa had lured billions of investments from some of Europes most richest families, as well as a broad range of banks and insurers and Saudi Arabias sovereign wealth fund.

--With assistance from Irene Garcia Perez and Laura Benitez.

(Rewrites throughout.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Skout's Honor Pet Supply Co.

Now Available for Pet Specialty Retailers Everywhere

Lets get real who actually brushes their pets teeth? An all new Oral Care routine from Skout's Honor, a brand that pet parents trust.  Freshen breath fast. Fight plaque & tartar. Live your best life together. Life Changing Pet Essentials

OCEANSIDE, Calif., Nov. 16, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Skouts Honor , the award-winning pet specialty brand loved for its life-changing pet essentials, today released a launch video , highlighting its all new Oral Care line - which is available for retailers to order now.



The launch video showcases Skouts Honors eye-catching, modern, brushless oral care products that break down and fight plaque and tartar, while freshening breath - fast. The new line includes two Water Additives (Peanut Butter + Bacon and Flavorless), Oral Gel (Peanut Butter + Bacon), Dental Wipes and an Advanced Dental Drops solution.

Our Oral Care line is now available and ready to ship for pet specialty retailers - offering an exciting opportunity to reset a category that has been in need of some freshening up for quite a while, said Jenny Gilcrest, VP of Marketing at Skouts Honor. The momentum around the Skouts Honor brand continues to build for retailers who already carry our products in multiple categories and locations throughout their stores. The addition of Oral Care provides another way to grow sales and offer pet parents even more amazing products from a brand they love and trust. Were excited to introduce this launch video, which demonstrates our progression as a leader in the pet industry and our excitement about entering a new category.

Skouts Honor Brushless Oral Care for Pets is a convenient and safe way to support pets health - with the modern day pet parent in mind. The products are proven to effectively fight plaque and tartar and freshen breath fast, and make living with and loving pets more enjoyable.

In addition to its latest Oral Care launch, Skouts Honor is best known for its life-changing Probiotic Grooming and topical Wellness products, plant-based, powerful Stain and Odor products, Flea + Tick solutions and preventative Training Aids.

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Interested in learning more about Skouts Honors new Oral Care line?

Go to skoutshonor.com/pages/oral-care to learn more about Skouts Honors Oral Care, which is available and ready to ship - just in time for Pet Dental Month (February 2024).

About Skout's Honor

Skout's Honor is an award-winning, environmentally and socially conscious company that is known for making life-changing pet essentials. Product categories include Plant-Powered Cleaning, Probiotic Grooming & Wellness, Preventive Training Aids and Flea + Tick Solutions. Founded in California in 2015, Skouts Honor changes what people expect from a pet product by providing innovative solutions to everyday problems that dramatically improve the quality of life for pets and their people. The Skout's Paw Pledge (Buy a Bottle, Feed an Animal) program enables customers to donate a days worth of food to an animal in need with every product sold. To date, more than 15 million meals have been donated. For more information, please visit www.skoutshonor.com

Skouts Honor is distributed in the US and worldwide including Canada, Mexico, Panama, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and Chile.

Media Contact:

Julie Reva, PR

Skouts Honor

julie@skoutshonor.com

A video accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7d421a08-e6f4-473c-9b9d-39f0fef349e3




The board of Sleep Country Canada Holdings Inc. (TSE:ZZZ) has announced that it will be paying its dividend of CA$0.237 on the 30th of November, an increased payment from last year's comparable dividend. This will take the dividend yield to an attractive 4.0%, providing a nice boost to shareholder returns.

View our latest analysis for Sleep Country Canada Holdings

Sleep Country Canada Holdings' Payment Has Solid Earnings Coverage

While it is great to have a strong dividend yield, we should also consider whether the payment is sustainable. However, Sleep Country Canada Holdings' earnings easily cover the dividend. This means that most of what the business earns is being used to help it grow.

Over the next year, EPS could expand by 9.4% if recent trends continue. If the dividend continues on this path, the payout ratio could be 35% by next year, which we think can be pretty sustainable going forward.

Sleep Country Canada Holdings' Dividend Has Lacked Consistency

Even in its relatively short history, the company has reduced the dividend at least once. This suggests that the dividend might not be the most reliable. The dividend has gone from an annual total of CA$0.52 in 2015 to the most recent total annual payment of CA$0.948. This means that it has been growing its distributions at 7.8% per annum over that time. We have seen cuts in the past, so while the growth looks promising we would be a little bit cautious about its track record.

We Could See Sleep Country Canada Holdings' Dividend Growing

With a relatively unstable dividend, it's even more important to see if earnings per share is growing. It's encouraging to see that Sleep Country Canada Holdings has been growing its earnings per share at 9.4% a year over the past five years. Growth in EPS bodes well for the dividend, as does the low payout ratio that the company is currently reporting.

Sleep Country Canada Holdings Looks Like A Great Dividend Stock

In summary, it is always positive to see the dividend being increased, and we are particularly pleased with its overall sustainability. Distributions are quite easily covered by earnings, which are also being converted to cash flows. All in all, this checks a lot of the boxes we look for when choosing an income stock.

Market movements attest to how highly valued a consistent dividend policy is compared to one which is more unpredictable. However, there are other things to consider for investors when analysing stock performance. For example, we've picked out 1 warning sign for Sleep Country Canada Holdings that investors should know about before committing capital to this stock. If you are a dividend investor, you might also want to look at our curated list of high yield dividend stocks.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
(Bloomberg) -- South Korea is considering several options to penalize illegal short sellers, including banning them from stock trading for up to 10 years, the countrys financial regulators said.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Those who engage in illegal short selling  such as placing naked short orders  may also be restricted from serving as executives at listed companies and financial firms in Korea, the Financial Supervisory Service said Thursday. The government may also extend a ban on all short selling beyond June next year if reform measures arent sufficient, the Financial Services Commission said.

South Korea surprised markets earlier this month when it reimposed a full ban on short-selling, with analysts saying the move may be to appease retail investors ahead of an election in April. Its campaign though could undermine the nations bid to seek a developed-market status in MSCI Inc.s indexes.

We will do our best by the end of June to resume short selling, Kim So-young, vice chairman at the Financial Services Commission, said Thursday. But if the system improvements are not enough, we can extend then.

The proposed penalties would go into effect after the nations capital market law is revised, according to the statement issued by the two agencies. Revising the law will require parliamentary approval. The agencies didnt elaborate on how the penalties would be implemented.

Read: Hedge Funds Beware: Naked Shorts Can Land You Jail Term in Korea

Authorities will review market condition and look for improvements in the short-selling systems before deciding whether to end the ban, Kim told reporters after a closed-door meeting with ruling party officials.

Story continues

Fundamental Improvement

Naked short selling  a practice where traders place sell orders for the stocks without owning or even borrowing them beforehand  had been illegal in the country. But in announcing their total ban on Nov. 5, financial authorities said they had discovered massive illegal naked short selling by global investment banks in local stocks.

The officials meeting comes after President Yoon Suk Yeols remarks earlier this week that the ban will stay in place until fundamental improvements are made to prevent more harm to retail investors. From time to time, there have been protests by these investors.

READ: Koreas Shorting Ban to Stay Until Improvements Made, Yoon Says

Most short-selling in South Korea is conducted by overseas institutional investors. It accounted for less than 1% the benchmark Kospis market value. The ban could dent global investors confidence in the Korean stock market as short selling continues to remain a point of contention, proponents of the trading practice say.

(Updated with new penalty proposals in first, second paragraphs)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
(Bloomberg) -- The Swedish pension fund embroiled in the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank this spring has been reported to the police by the countrys financial watchdog over a $4.6 billion investment in Heimstaden Bostad AB.

Most Read from Bloomberg

Stockholm-based Alecta said it had submitted the findings of two separate legal opinions to the countrys Financial Supervisory Authority. The internal investigations, which began in September, centered on whether the pension fund had correctly followed the rules in building up a 38% stake in one of Europes biggest residential real estate firms.

The FSA has reported one or several individuals to the police, Alecta Chairman Jan-Olof Jacke said in emailed comments late on Wednesday. We have not seen the report and are now awaiting the process.

Pressure has been mounting on Alecta ever since it lost $2 billion on three failed bets tied to the US banking crisis earlier this year. That debacle led to the ousting of its Chief Executive Officer Magnus Billing and the funds equities chief Liselott Ledin. The groups chief investment officer, Henrik Gade Jepsen, also stepped down in the summer while its chairman, Ingrid Bonde, quit last month.

Now the spotlight has returned to Alecta after its investment in one of the largest landlords in Europe began souring amid a widespread funding crunch in Swedens property sector, where borrowers such as Heimstaden are struggling to refinance billions of dollars of debt amassed in the cheap-money era.

In September, Alectas board hired the law firm Hammarskiold to assess its stake in Heimstaden, the funds single largest holding. It was the same month that the FSA opened a probe into the real estate investment.

Story continues

The law firm made the assessment that there were deviations from internal rules and that there were indications of violations of the law, Jacke said. The board took this extremely seriously and therefore decided to get a second opinion from another law firm.

The second legal opinion made a different assessment, prompting the fund to hand over both investigations to the FSA for review, according to Jacke.

Read More: Ties to Troubled Landlord Threaten Swedens Biggest Pension Fund

The suspected crimes are currently being reviewed by a department within Swedens public prosecutors office called the National Anti-Corruption Unit, newspaper Dagens Industri reported earlier on Wednesday, citing several sources it didnt identify.

I can confirm that on my table is a report from the FSA concerning Alecta that I received Oct. 27, Johan Lindmark, a public prosecutor at the National Anti-Corruption Unit, told Bloomberg by phone. The prosecutor however declined to comment on the content of the report.

Fueling the fallout from Alectas bet on Heimstaden has been what the fund described as an unbalanced shareholder agreement with an investment firm owned by Norwegian billionaire Ivar Tollefsen. The pension funds newly installed chief executive has said that the investment should never have been made on such terms.

If a corruption crime has been committed, this could have a clearly negative impact on Alectas possibilities to support Heimstaden Bostad, Danske Bank credit analyst Marcus Gustavsson said in a note to clients.

(Updates with additional context.)

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2023 Bloomberg L.P.
Dr. Michael Fubi, CEO of TUV Rheinland AG, visits state-of-the art facilities and meets with key customer executives.

Massachusetts and Arkansas' labs total 85,000 square feet of innovative services for product testing and certification.

Both labs will be operational by the end of 2023.

BOXBOROUGH, Mass., Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- TUV Rheinland North America proudly announces the finalization of its expansive investments into U.S. testing, featuring the first preview of the state-of-the-art Technology and Innovation Center (TIC) in Boxborough, Massachusettes, alongside the relocation of its laboratory in Bentonville, Arkansas. These cutting-edge facilities, encompassing a total of 85,000 square feet, will be fully operational by the close of 2023, delivering strategic solutions to pivotal clients across diverse industries in the region.

In celebration of this significant achievement, Dr. Michael Fubi, Chairman of the Executive Board of Management of TUV Rheinland AG, personally visited both facilities. During his visit, he engaged with key clients and shared insights into the unparalleled customer experience that TUV Rheinland is poised to offer through these advanced laboratories.

"North America is a significant part of our global strategy, representing a substantial market in advanced technologies and other key industries. This expansion demonstrates our dedication to growth in North America. We believe that maintaining our leadership requires ongoing investment in innovative facilities and services that meet our customers' needs," stated Dr. Michael Fubi, CEO of TUV Rheinland AG.

The TIC Center stands as the company's most extensive product testing and certification lab in the Americas, equipped with cutting-edge technology to conduct tests and certifications for sectors including electrical product safety, Medical Device Testing, EMC Testing, Robotics, Semiconductor Manufacturing, Photo Voltaic Inverters, and Energy Storage.

Story continues

"This multi-million dollar investment underscores TUV Rheinland's dedication to serving existing customers and offering strategic solutions rooted in technology, innovation, and our talented workforce. This laboratory empowers us, as industry leaders, to extend our offerings, providing expertise and comprehensive knowledge of regulations worldwide, expediting our customers' time to market," commented Jonathan Kotbra, VP of Products Americas at TUV Rheinland North America.

Meanwhile, the Bentonville laboratory enhances customer services with expanded test scopes, cutting-edge testing technologies, and sustainable solutions. Services offered include toy testing, softlines and hardlines testing for substances of very high concern (SVHC), compliance with REACH, and other analytical chemistry-based regulatory requirements.

"This new lab positions us to adapt to the evolving landscape of domestic manufacturing. We have created a world-class analytical chemistry capability, specifically tailored for toys and retail products. We are thrilled to provide our customers with enhanced services to address their testing and certification needs," shared Lillian Peregrina, Director of Hardlines and Softlines.

TUV Rheinland reaffirms its commitment to fostering a safer and more sustainable world by developing innovative solutions across North American industries. Moreover, the company is laying a robust foundation, establishing an all-in-one customer space to expedite market transformation both nationally and globally. To learn more about our the services we will be offering in our new labs, click here:

Bentonville, Boxborough, or contact us today.

About TUV Rheinland

TUV Rheinland stands for safety and quality in virtually all areas of business and life. The company has been operating for more than 150 years and ranks among the world's leading testing service providers. It has more than 20,000 employees in over 50 countries and generates annual revenues of around 2.3 billion euros. TUV Rheinland's highly qualified experts test technical systems and products around the world, support innovations in technology and business, train people in numerous professions and certify management systems according to international standards. In doing so, the independent experts generate trust in products as well as processes across global value-adding chains and the flow of commodities. Since 2006, TUV Rheinland has been a member of the United Nations Global Compact to promote sustainability and combat corruption. Website: www.tuv.com

Contact us for press inquiries:

Mariana Taborda do Amaral

Telephone: +55 11 3514 5867

Email: Mariana.Amaral@br.tuv.com

Michael Garcia Carbajal

Phone: +52 55 3488 2108

Email: Michael.Garcia@mex.tuv.com

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SOURCE TUV Rheinland
10 Roads Express employs more than 4,400 drivers. Several dozen have voted to join Teamsters in recent months. (Photo: Jim Allen/FreightWaves)

New terminals at a major contractor of the U.S. Postal Service voted to unionize with the Teamsters union, according to a Thursday press release from the Teamsters.

10 Roads Express, the trucking company, employs more than 4,400 truck drivers, according to SAFER Web. Thirty-six drivers at 10 Roads Express voted to join the Teamsters last week, according to the union; the drivers are based in Carter Lake and Council Bluffs, Iowa, as well as Omaha, Nebraska.

More than 30 truck drivers at 10 Roads Express, all based in Kansas, voted to join the Teamsters in June, according to the union.

A Teamsters spokesperson said the union represents some 300 employees at 10 Roads Express. Around 200 of them joined the union in the past two years.

10 Roads Express did not respond to a FreightWaves request for comment. Reached by the CCJ, 10 Roads Express declined to comment on the Teamsters organizing efforts in the fleet or why drivers decided to unionize.

10 Roads Express was the second-largest contractor with the Postal Service in the 2022 fiscal year, according to a list of top Postal Service vendors from Culhane Meadows, a law firm that specializes in government contracting work. That year, the Postal Service awarded more than $700.4 million to 10 Roads Express.





Under Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, the Postal Service has diverted some of its over-the-road freight spending from its longtime trucking partners into the freight brokerage market, as FreightWaves reported in 2022. That pivot is expected to save the Postal Service cash, but its expected to squeeze carriers that have worked with the quasi-governmental agency for decades.

Large carriers like 10 Roads Express may be protected during this transition, as longtime parcel expert Satish Jindel told FreightWaves last year.

Meanwhile, trucking companies have seen drivers increasingly unionize this year amid a nationwide push for more labor organizing. Several dozen employees at a subsidiary of Werner, an Omaha-based trucking company, voted to unionize in August and September. Werner employs some 10,200 truck drivers.

Story continues

Drivers at the Richmond, Virginia, terminal of Napa Transportation, a trucking company that employs nearly 400 drivers, voted to join the Teamsters in June.

Email rpremack@freightwaves.com with your thoughts. Subscribe to MODES for weekly trucking insights.

The post Teamsters unionizes some truck drivers at large US Postal Service fleet appeared first on FreightWaves.
Some investors rely on dividends for growing their wealth, and if you're one of those dividend sleuths, you might be intrigued to know that Manulife Financial Corporation (TSE:MFC) is about to go ex-dividend in just four days. Typically, the ex-dividend date is one business day before the record date which is the date on which a company determines the shareholders eligible to receive a dividend. The ex-dividend date is an important date to be aware of as any purchase of the stock made on or after this date might mean a late settlement that doesn't show on the record date. In other words, investors can purchase Manulife Financial's shares before the 21st of November in order to be eligible for the dividend, which will be paid on the 19th of December.

The company's next dividend payment will be CA$0.36 per share, on the back of last year when the company paid a total of CA$1.46 to shareholders. Based on the last year's worth of payments, Manulife Financial stock has a trailing yield of around 5.6% on the current share price of CA$25.97. Dividends are a major contributor to investment returns for long term holders, but only if the dividend continues to be paid. So we need to check whether the dividend payments are covered, and if earnings are growing.

View our latest analysis for Manulife Financial

Dividends are typically paid from company earnings. If a company pays more in dividends than it earned in profit, then the dividend could be unsustainable. Manulife Financial paid out just 20% of its profit last year, which we think is conservatively low and leaves plenty of margin for unexpected circumstances.

Generally speaking, the lower a company's payout ratios, the more resilient its dividend usually is.

Click here to see the company's payout ratio, plus analyst estimates of its future dividends.

Have Earnings And Dividends Been Growing?

Companies with consistently growing earnings per share generally make the best dividend stocks, as they usually find it easier to grow dividends per share. If earnings fall far enough, the company could be forced to cut its dividend. That's why it's comforting to see Manulife Financial's earnings have been skyrocketing, up 49% per annum for the past five years.

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Many investors will assess a company's dividend performance by evaluating how much the dividend payments have changed over time. Since the start of our data, 10 years ago, Manulife Financial has lifted its dividend by approximately 11% a year on average. It's exciting to see that both earnings and dividends per share have grown rapidly over the past few years.

Final Takeaway

From a dividend perspective, should investors buy or avoid Manulife Financial? Companies like Manulife Financial that are growing rapidly and paying out a low fraction of earnings, are usually reinvesting heavily in their business. This strategy can add significant value to shareholders over the long term - as long as it's done without issuing too many new shares. Overall, Manulife Financial looks like a promising dividend stock in this analysis, and we think it would be worth investigating further.

So while Manulife Financial looks good from a dividend perspective, it's always worthwhile being up to date with the risks involved in this stock. For example - Manulife Financial has 1 warning sign we think you should be aware of.

Generally, we wouldn't recommend just buying the first dividend stock you see. Here's a curated list of interesting stocks that are strong dividend payers.

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.
Even when a business is losing money, it's possible for shareholders to make money if they buy a good business at the right price. For example, although Amazon.com made losses for many years after listing, if you had bought and held the shares since 1999, you would have made a fortune. But while history lauds those rare successes, those that fail are often forgotten; who remembers Pets.com?

So should Wilton Resources (CVE:WIL) shareholders be worried about its cash burn? For the purposes of this article, cash burn is the annual rate at which an unprofitable company spends cash to fund its growth; its negative free cash flow. Let's start with an examination of the business' cash, relative to its cash burn.

Check out our latest analysis for Wilton Resources

How Long Is Wilton Resources' Cash Runway?

A cash runway is defined as the length of time it would take a company to run out of money if it kept spending at its current rate of cash burn. When Wilton Resources last reported its balance sheet in June 2023, it had zero debt and cash worth CA$635k. In the last year, its cash burn was CA$1.2m. Therefore, from June 2023 it had roughly 6 months of cash runway. That's quite a short cash runway, indicating the company must either reduce its annual cash burn or replenish its cash. The image below shows how its cash balance has been changing over the last few years.

How Is Wilton Resources' Cash Burn Changing Over Time?

In our view, Wilton Resources doesn't yet produce significant amounts of operating revenue, since it reported just CA$12k in the last twelve months. As a result, we think it's a bit early to focus on the revenue growth, so we'll limit ourselves to looking at how the cash burn is changing over time. With the cash burn rate up 41% in the last year, it seems that the company is ratcheting up investment in the business over time. That's not necessarily a bad thing, but investors should be mindful of the fact that will shorten the cash runway. Admittedly, we're a bit cautious of Wilton Resources due to its lack of significant operating revenues. We prefer most of the stocks on this list of stocks that analysts expect to grow.

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How Easily Can Wilton Resources Raise Cash?

Given its cash burn trajectory, Wilton Resources shareholders should already be thinking about how easy it might be for it to raise further cash in the future. Issuing new shares, or taking on debt, are the most common ways for a listed company to raise more money for its business. Many companies end up issuing new shares to fund future growth. By looking at a company's cash burn relative to its market capitalisation, we gain insight on how much shareholders would be diluted if the company needed to raise enough cash to cover another year's cash burn.

Wilton Resources' cash burn of CA$1.2m is about 3.5% of its CA$36m market capitalisation. Given that is a rather small percentage, it would probably be really easy for the company to fund another year's growth by issuing some new shares to investors, or even by taking out a loan.

Is Wilton Resources' Cash Burn A Worry?

Even though its cash runway makes us a little nervous, we are compelled to mention that we thought Wilton Resources' cash burn relative to its market cap was relatively promising. Looking at the factors mentioned in this short report, we do think that its cash burn is a bit risky, and it does make us slightly nervous about the stock. On another note, we conducted an in-depth investigation of the company, and identified 5 warning signs for Wilton Resources (3 are concerning!) that you should be aware of before investing here.

If you would prefer to check out another company with better fundamentals, then do not miss this free list of interesting companies, that have HIGH return on equity and low debt or this list of stocks which are all forecast to grow.

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.
Tolentino urges expansion of Food Stamp Program

MANILA -- Senator Francis "Tol" Tolentino urged on Thursday the expansion of the administration's flagship project, the Food Stamp Program (FSP), led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

During the plenary debates of the agency's 2024 budget, Tolentino said, "I hope that the program can be enhanced by partnering with other institutions, religious institutions perhaps."

The Senator added that there must be more healthier food options for the beneficiaries of the said program by adding more accredited cooperative stores.

This was affirmed by the DSWD Budget Sponsor Sen. Imee Marcos.

"Everyone should be welcomed to the Food Stamp Program, but they must be properly accredited to guarantee quality and year-round supply."

Meanwhile, Tolentino warned of the possible fraudulent schemes that might arise from the FSP as he cited experiences of other countries.

"Marami rin pong lumabas na fraudulent schemes. Iyong iba doble na ang kinukuha, ang iba binebenta. The reason why I asked is perhaps we can learn from the lessons of failed food stamp programs," the Senator further concluded.

For Fiscal Year 2024, the FSP has an allotment of P1.89 billion, targeting 300,000 beneficiaries.
Thousands of unionized Starbucks employees walked off the job Thursday on "Red Cup Day," an annual promotion in which the coffee chain gives out reusable cups to customers who order holiday drinks, according to the union behind the protest.

Starbucks Workers United said what it dubbed the "Red Cup Rebellion" is the largest ever work stoppage in the history of the company, a bid to draw attention to ongoing complaints about staffing, scheduling and other workplace issues.

The labor group has organized about 360 Starbucks stores, a small percentage of the company's more than 9,000 U.S. locations. Starbucks downplayed the impact of the labor action.

"We have nearly 10,000 stores open right now delighting our customers with the joy of Red Cup Day. There are also a few dozen stores with some partners on strike, and more than half of those stores are open this morning serving customers," a Starbucks spokesperson said in a statement to CBS MoneyWatch.

The protest comes amid signs that the push by employees to unionize Starbucks has slowed after three cafes in upstate New York in 2021 became the first company stores to organize. Since then, Starbucks Workers United has accused the company of using stall tactics to avoid coming to terms on a labor contract, while executives with the restaurant chain blame the union for the impasse.

In New York, nonunion Starbucks workers are filing new charges against the company for allegedly violating worker protection laws, according to the union. The new complaints, which involve more than 50 stores, allege that Starbucks in violating the city's Fair Workweek Law. Enacted in 2017, the statute requires employers to give fast-food workers their schedules at least two weeks ahead or pay a bonus for the shifts.

Starbucks denied that it is breaking the law. "We make every effort and have invested significant resources to ensure partner scheduling practices are in alignment with New York City's Fair Workweek and Just Cause Laws," the Starbucks spokesperson said in an email.

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Thursday's protests included workers at six unionized locations in Pennsylvania's Pittsburgh area, leaving customers to find temporarily closed signs at stores including in Bloomfield.

Starbucks refuses to bargain over issues related to promotion days, leading to an influx of unhappy customers who have to wait longer for their caffeinated beverages because the company won't bring in additional staff, according to workers. As part of the walkout, the union said workers want Starbucks to turn off mobile ordering on future promotion days.

"At my store, we're the fourth busiest store on the entire East Coast and we saw upwards of 500 drinks an hour, with six people on the floor. That's simply not realistic," Casper Borowitz, who works at a Starbucks on the University of Pittsburgh campus, told CBS News Pittsburgh.

"We have been asking for mobile orders to be turned off during these high volume days and promotional days because we simply can't keep up with the business," Borowitz said.

In Maryland, Ellicott City barista Sam Petty echoed those concerns, telling CBS News Baltimore: "Imagine three people making orders for 30, 40 customers every half hour."
Launched for the upcoming World Toilet Day, the research supported by Unilever, identifies urgent need for school toilet maintenance. The cost of neglecting toilets has now hit US$1.9bn in lost infrastructure, with an additional hidden economic cost estimated at over US$10bn across four countries

But an extra cent per education dollar would help countries get clean and safe toilets for all school children by 2030

LONDON, Nov. 16, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly 540 million children globally go to a school with no usable toilet, affecting them physically and emotionally during crucial education years. New research from Economist Impact reveals that almost half of these children are affected by 'toilet loss' - toilets have been built in their school, but they have been lost and are not usable due to lack of operation and maintenance (O&M). This hidden worldwide problem puts school infrastructure maintenance sharply in focus.

Tackling Toilet Loss

Economist Impact's year-long study supported by Unilever across Ecuador, India, Nigeria and the Philippines found that poor maintenance led to 1.2m 'lost' school toilets; that's toilets that have been built but are no longer usable. This equates to a combined infrastructure loss of US$1.9bn and a societal and economic cost amounting to US$10bn. The four countries, indicative of others worldwide, could be 10% closer to the goal of providing all children access to usable school toilets if toilet construction had been supported by maintenance.

'Toilet Loss' is a new way of quantifying the societal and economic cost of neglected toilets. This is the first time the far-reaching cost of poorly maintained school toilets has been quantified, incorporating healthcare expenditures for children sick with infections caused by poor sanitation, reduced family income from missed work and lost economic activity. As an example, Nigeria could see gains of US$6.7bn arising from 6m fewer cases of diarrhoea and 7m additional jobs, if we stop losing the toilets that have been built.

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The world needs 20m additional toilets to reach the 2030 Sustainable Development Goal of universal sanitation in schools. Economist Impact analysis shows that eight million of those are currently 'lost' because they were built with no plan to maintain them.

Researchers from Economist Impact studied multiple investment approaches to meet this goal. They found that the most efficient and equitable way to accelerate progress is through a combination of smart investment in O&M and new construction, namely to ensure all toilets built always have a maintenance plan. In most countries, such a maintenance plan requires one additional cent of every dollar spent on education to make clean and safe toilets for all school children a reality by 2030, the study found.

Economist Impact's in-depth analysis of Ecuador, India, Nigeria and the Philippines found that all four countries made significant progress since the establishment in 2015 of the SDG goals for access to sanitation in schools, but more progress is needed.

Across all countries, fully investing in maintenance of the already constructed toilets would prevent Toilet Loss and continue building on the progress made so far.

Jonathan Birdwell, Global Head of Policy and Insights, says:

"Investing in new toilet construction is essential, but failing to invest in operations and maintenance means that for every three steps forward, countries take one step back in their journey toward universal sanitation and schools. Children depend on us to make the right investment decisions so they can have the clean, safe, sanitary facilities in their schools that they deserve."

Shuchi Suri, Head of Household Cleaning and Hygiene, Unilever says:

"At Domestos, we believe the world needs to think differently about the importance of well-maintained toilets in schools. That's why we commissioned the Toilet Loss report to highlight the impact and importance of a useable, working toilet on children, allowing them to stay focused on what matters at school  their learning.

To get to a place where every school child has access to a clean and safe school toilet by 2030  the deadline for Sustainable Development Goal 6  we must work together with governments, development organisations, NGOs, academics and other private sector organisations to stop toilet loss."

About Economist Impact

Economist Impact combines the rigour of a think-tank with the creativity of a media brand to engage a globally influential audience. We believe that evidence-based insights can open debate, broaden perspectives and catalyse progress. The services offered by Economist Impact previously existed within The Economist Group as separate entities, including EIU Thought Leadership, EIU Public Policy, Economist Events, El Studios and SignalNoise.

Our track record spans 75 years across 205 countries. Along with creative storytelling, events expertise, design-thinking solutions and market-leading media products, we produce framework design, benchmarking, economic and social impact analysis, forecasting and scenario modelling, making Economist Impact's offering unique in the marketplace. Visit www.economistimpact.com for more information.

About Unilever

Unilever is one of the world's leading suppliers of Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition and Ice Cream products, with sales in over 190 countries and products used by 3.4 billion people every day. We have 127,000 employees and generated sales of 60.1 billion in 2022.

Our vision is to be the global leader in sustainable business and to demonstrate how our purpose led, future-fit business model drives superior performance. We have a long tradition of being a progressive, responsible business.

The Unilever Compass, our global sustainable business strategy, is set out to help us deliver superior performance and drive sustainable and responsible growth, while aiming to:

- improve the health of the planet;

- improve people's health, confidence and wellbeing;

- and contribute to a fairer and more socially inclusive world.

For more information about Unilever and our brands, please visit www.unilever.com .

(PRNewsfoto/The Economist Group)

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SOURCE Economist Impact
FILE PHOTO: The logo of commodities trader Glencore is pictured in Baar

FILE PHOTO: The logo of commodities trader Glencore is pictured in Baar

LONDON (Reuters) -Glencore, ExxonMobil and Stellantis are among companies lobbying for policies that conflict with their own pledges to cut carbon emissions, a study published by non-profit think tank InfluenceMap on Thursday found.

The report assessed 293 companies from the Forbes 2000 list and found that of those with a net-zero emissions or similar climate target, nearly 60% are at risk of "net zero greenwash" due to their lobbying.

InfluenceMap uses the United Nations' High-Level Expert Group's (HLEG) "Integrity Matters" guidance on the need to align lobbying with climate commitments. Lobbying includes companies' direct policy influencing activities, and that of their industry associations.

Catherine McKenna, chair of the U.N.'s HLEG on Net Zero Emissions Commitments of Non-State Entities, said the findings should be a "wake-up call" for businesses.

"Not only are many companies choosing to undermine their own climate commitments by lobbying against climate action, their net zero commitments are simply not credible," she said.

InfluenceMap, founded in 2015 to encourage action to tackle the climate crisis, highlighted companies at the most significant risk of "net zero greenwash". These firms, it said, have climate targets but advocate for weakening climate policies or expanding the fossil fuel industry.

Glencore, InfluenceMap said, opposed the introduction of an ongoing climate policy in the European Union and the proposed design of Australias Safeguard Mechanism Reform.

Swiss commodity trading and mining company, Glencore declined to comment.

ExxonMobil had opposed the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's proposed power plant rules and pushed for oil and gas expansion in the U.S., InfluenceMap said.

Asked to comment, a spokesman for ExxonMobil pointed to a series of announcements the oil giant had made in recent months, including plans to become a leading producer of lithium for electric vehicle batteries, and winning a carbon storage licensing round in the UK.

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Stellantis, which wants to reach net-zero by 2038, opposed the EU's proposed 2035 100% carbon dioxide emissions reduction target for new cars and vans and backed efforts to weaken U.S. emissions standards for light-duty vehicles, according to InfluenceMap.

The automaker did not respond to requests for comment.

Faced with similar criticism in recent years, various companies have said they are trying to balance climate goals with the needs of many stakeholders.

The U.N., which begins its COP28 climate summit later this month, has said companies must disclose their lobbying and policy engagements and align them with their climate plans.

"Governments are failing to progress climate policy at the speed needed, and corporate influence is a key reason why," said Will Aitchison, the study's lead author.

(Reporting by Tommy Reggiori Wilkes; editing by Barbara Lewis and Sharon Singleton)
(Bloomberg)  The US Senate overwhelmingly approved a temporary funding measure to avert a government shutdown, delaying a partisan clash over federal spending until the new year and leaving out emergency aid to allies Ukraine and Israel.

Most Read from Bloomberg

The 87-11 vote late Wednesday night sends the measure, already passed by the House, to President Joe Biden. He is expected to sign it before the shutdown deadline late Friday night.

The outcome provides a temporary reprieve from a bitter ideological struggle over spending that already this year has brought the US close to a debt default, provoked Fitch Ratings to downgrade the nations sovereign credit rating, and cost former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy his job.

The government is staying open, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer said at a press conference late Wednesday and urged the new House speaker, Mike Johnson, to continue on a bipartisan path. He also praised Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and other Republicans for helping to avoid a shutdown.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer

Schumer added that assistance for Israel and Ukraine would be the chambers next priority and we will be working on it immediately when we get back from Thanksgiving.

Johnson who proposed the interim funding package, faces scathing criticism just three weeks into the job from some hardline conservatives because he didnt meet their demands for immediate deep spending cuts or changes to immigration policies. Ninety-three House Republicans voted against their leader on the measure.

Tempers flared in the Capitol as the stopgap bill progressed, with one hardline conservative making an accusation of bullying on Tuesday after McCarthy bumped into him in a crowded hallway.

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Read more: How a government shutdown would impact your money: Student loans, Social Security, investments, and more

Illustrating the stakes of the turmoil, Moodys Investors Service on Friday lowered the USs credit-rating outlook to negative from stable. Moodys cited increasing risks to the countrys fiscal strength and specifically pointed to political polarization in Congress.

The short-term funding bill that the Senate approved allows both parties to regroup over the Thanksgiving holiday while talks continue on a border security compromise and broader spending deals.

The measure funds some parts of the government through Jan. 19 and others through Feb. 2. Johnson said this week this is the last time he would support a short-term funding measure.

The risk of a partial government shutdown in January is heightened because the agencies singled out in the first funding lapse wouldnt trigger some of the most politically sensitive consequences, such as cutting off pay for military personnel and closing national parks. Those agencies would not lose funding until February.

At the same time, divisions among Republicans have repeatedly stymied efforts to pass the 12 full-year spending measures that ordinarily fund the government and were due Oct. 1. House Republicans on Wednesday again failed to agree on one of those annual measures, for federal law enforcement agencies, causing Johnson to send lawmakers home early for the holiday recess.

Ukraine outlook

The White House has requested more than $61 billion in additional assistance for Ukraine as part of a nearly $106 billion overall package that also includes funding for Israel, operations on the US-Mexico border and aid for Taiwan.

Hardliners are against fresh Ukraine aid. Johnson opposed the first tranche of Ukraine war aid in May 2022 but has said he now sees the assistance as a priority.

However, Johnson and many Republican senators are insisting on tying money for Ukraine to Republican demands on border security. Such immigration changes, including making it harder for migrants to seek asylum in the US, will be difficult to negotiate between the parties, though bipartisan talks are underway in the Senate.

Schumer said Wednesday that Democrats would negotiate on the border in good faith in the coming weeks, but insisted a compromise would have to be reached with both parties giving something.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, however, said Democrats didnt yet seem willing to make the kinds of policy changes needed to slow the flow of migrants into the country.

With assistance from Billy House.

Most Read from Bloomberg Businessweek

2023 Bloomberg L.P.
One in four millennials moved to a different city in 2022. Whether they come from within the same county, state, out-of-state or abroad, these migrations can impact local small businesses, housing markets and social dynamics.

With this in mind, SmartAsset set out to determine where millennials are moving to most. Millennials were defined as people aged 25 to 44, in line with U.S. Census Bureau data for 268 cities. Cities were then ranked by the highest percentage of the population represented by newly-transplanted millennials.

Key Findings

Millennials who moved in last year represent nearly 15% of the population in Cambridge, MA and Santa Clara, CA. Cambridge (14.7%) and Santa Clara (13.3%) have much to offer ambitious millennials between the prestigious scholastic and tech opportunities in each city. Across the whole population, the median age in Cambridge is 29.9, compared to 35 in Santa Clara.

More than one third of millennials in Boulder, CO moved in the last year. After Cambridge, Boulder has the highest rate of fresh millennials, with nearly 29,000 moving into the city limits in 2022. Boulder placed 12th overall for the highest percentage of population made up of newly moved-in millennials.

41% of the population in Jersey City, Seattle and Denver are millennials. Regardless of the most recent moving trends, these three cities have the highest concentrations of millennials studywide. They rank 32nd, 3rd and 5th respectively when it comes to the rate at which millennials moved in last year.

These cities have the lowest rates of millennials moving in. Relative to their total populations, Port St. Lucie, FL (4.8%); Brockton, MA (5.5%) have the lowest rates of millennials moving in 2022. Many California cities also saw low rates of millennials establishing residence, including Fontana (5.7%), Santa Ana (5.8%), Moreno Valley (5.9%), Thousand Oaks (5.9%) and Lancaster (6.0%).

Millennials move out of state at the highest rates to go to these areas. Arlington, VA had the highest rate of millennials moving in from out of state at 5.2% of the total population. Studywide, Arlington placed 6th. Charleston, SC (45th); Washington, DC (15th); and Sandy Springs, GA (10th) similarly saw particularly high rates of millennial transplants from out of state.

These cities are popular with foreign millennials. While Hialeah, FL and Ann Arbor, MI rank in the bottom half for millennials studywide, they are primary destinations for foreigners in this age group. Foreign millennials also had high rates of moving to some of the top 10 cities where millennials are generally moving to, including Cambridge, Bellevue and Santa Clara.

Story continues

Top 10 Cities Where Millennials Moved

1. Cambridge, MA

In 2022, Cambridge saw a significant influx of millennials, with nearly 14.7% of its population being newcomers from this generation, totaling around 17,275 individuals. The city's median age stood at 29.9 years.

2. Santa Clara, CA

Santa Clara was a close second, attracting millennials that constituted approximately 13.3% of its population. The city welcomed 16,661 millennials, with the median age in the city being 35 years.

3. Seattle, WA

Seattle became home to a large number of millennials, with new ones making up 12.5% of the city's population, or 93,302 millennials moving in. The city's median age is 36 years.

4. Sunnyvale, CA

Sunnyvale was also a top choice for millennials, with 12.5% of its population comprising newly moved-in young adults. The number of millennials that moved to this Silicon Valley city was 18,862 in 2022, and the median age in the city was 35.9 years.

5. Denver, CO

Denver saw an influx of 85,390 millennials, representing 12.1% of its population. The median age citywide is 35.4 years.

6. Arlington, Virginia

About 11.5% of Arlington's residents are new millennials. The city saw 26,699 millennials move in in 2022, and the median age across the city is 35.6 years.

7. Bellevue, WA

In Bellevue, Washington, newly moved-in millennials accounted for 11.3% of the population, with 17,131 making the city their new home. Bellevue's median age was one of the highest on the list at 38.9 years.

8. Killeen, Texas

Killeen attracted 16,853 millennials, making up 10.8% of its population. The median age in Killeen was 30.4 years, the second-lowest in the top 10.

9. Austin, TX

Austin drew in 103,461 millennials in 2022, constituting 10.7% of its population. The city's median age is 34.7 years.

10. Sandy Springs, GA

Sandy Springs rounds out the top 10 with new millennials representing 10.5% of the total population. The number of millennials who moved there in 2022 was 11,210. The city also had the highest median age in the top 10 at 39.5 years.

Data and Methodology

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau 1-Year American Community Survey for 2022. The study included 268 cities that had available data and 100,000 or more people aged 1 or over. Millennials were defined as those aged 25 to 44. Cities were ranked by the percentage of the total population represented by millennials who moved into the city in 2022.

Tips for Moving

Consider cost of living and taxes. Federal, state and local taxes will all affect your paycheck. You can check your net pay in different locations with SmartAsset's paycheck calculator.

Account for upfront moving costs. Leave extra room in the budget for new furniture and moving expenses. You may have more negotiating power when securing housing if you look during off-peak rental or sales seasons.

Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. Finding a financial advisor doesn't have to be hard. SmartAsset's free tool matches you with up to three vetted financial advisors who serve your area, and you can have a free introductory call with your advisor matches to decide which one you feel is right for you. If you're ready to find an advisor who can help you achieve your financial goals, get started now.

Questions about our study? Contact us at press@smartasset.com

Photo credit: iStock.com/monkeybusinessimages

The post Where Millennials Are Moving  2023 Study appeared first on SmartReads by SmartAsset.
If you're not sure where to start when looking for the next multi-bagger, there are a few key trends you should keep an eye out for. Firstly, we'll want to see a proven return on capital employed (ROCE) that is increasing, and secondly, an expanding base of capital employed. Basically this means that a company has profitable initiatives that it can continue to reinvest in, which is a trait of a compounding machine. So, when we ran our eye over WiseTech Global's (ASX:WTC) trend of ROCE, we liked what we saw.

What Is Return On Capital Employed (ROCE)?

For those who don't know, ROCE is a measure of a company's yearly pre-tax profit (its return), relative to the capital employed in the business. Analysts use this formula to calculate it for WiseTech Global:

Return on Capital Employed = Earnings Before Interest and Tax (EBIT)  (Total Assets - Current Liabilities)

0.16 = AU$328m  (AU$2.7b - AU$581m) (Based on the trailing twelve months to June 2023).

So, WiseTech Global has an ROCE of 16%. In absolute terms, that's a satisfactory return, but compared to the Software industry average of 11% it's much better.

See our latest analysis for WiseTech Global

roce

In the above chart we have measured WiseTech Global's prior ROCE against its prior performance, but the future is arguably more important. If you'd like, you can check out the forecasts from the analysts covering WiseTech Global here for free.

What The Trend Of ROCE Can Tell Us

While the current returns on capital are decent, they haven't changed much. The company has consistently earned 16% for the last five years, and the capital employed within the business has risen 354% in that time. Since 16% is a moderate ROCE though, it's good to see a business can continue to reinvest at these decent rates of return. Over long periods of time, returns like these might not be too exciting, but with consistency they can pay off in terms of share price returns.

Story continues

Our Take On WiseTech Global's ROCE

To sum it up, WiseTech Global has simply been reinvesting capital steadily, at those decent rates of return. And the stock has done incredibly well with a 337% return over the last five years, so long term investors are no doubt ecstatic with that result. So while the positive underlying trends may be accounted for by investors, we still think this stock is worth looking into further.

While WiseTech Global doesn't shine too bright in this respect, it's still worth seeing if the company is trading at attractive prices. You can find that out with our FREE intrinsic value estimation on our platform.

If you want to search for solid companies with great earnings, check out this free list of companies with good balance sheets and impressive returns on equity.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.



This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.
Already low expectations for "deliverables" at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco took a further blow on the eve of Wednesday's meeting between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden when the latter's administration acknowledged that a key multilateral trade initiative was mired in American political infighting.

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen described "substantial progress" in negotiating the trade section of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework on Monday, the knottiest of the four IPEF pillars touted by the administration. "But it looks not to be complete, like something that is likely to require further work," Yellen said.

The news followed modest hopes that something of consequence could come out of the Xi-Biden meeting, given the many bilateral irritants, beyond some additional communication between the two militaries and a possible healthcare initiative.

Do you have questions about the biggest topics and trends from around the world? Get the answers with SCMP Knowledge, our new platform of curated content with explainers, FAQs, analyses and infographics brought to you by our award-winning team.

The one political win the American president could emerge with this week amid his quest for re-election is a possible deal under which China would agree to crack down on producers of ingredients used to make fentanyl.

US President Joe Biden walks on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Tuesday. He is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at Apec in San Francisco on Wednesday. Photo: CNP/Bloomberg alt=US President Joe Biden walks on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on Tuesday. He is expected to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping at Apec in San Francisco on Wednesday. Photo: CNP/Bloomberg>

Beijing has negotiated hard and is insisting on the lifting of sanctions on China's forensic police institute and lab in return for such an agreement, sources close to the administration said. A deal, however, would likely elicit uproar among congressional Republicans quick to accuse Biden of being soft on China, they added.

Story continues

Meanwhile, Apec as a whole is reportedly struggling to agree on watered-down language about the Israel-Hamas war, with Muslim-majority Malaysia and Indonesia pushing back on Washington's more sympathetic stance towards Israel, a long-time ally.

For weeks, the administration has worked to dampen expectations for Apec and the Xi-Biden meeting, adding that simply meeting with China's leader would be a win given the poor state of bilateral relations and the tone he sets in Beijing's highly centralised system.

Much of the important work involving IPEF and Apec is done in working groups and committees, administration officials have argued, touting the likely success of the framework's less contentious areas, such as supply chains, clean energy, technology and rule of law.

But the fact the administration will almost certainly not complete an IPEF agreement this week, which it hoped would counter China's trade prowess in the Indo-Pacific while Xi was in town, is a blow, especially in view of who is leading the resistance.

The biggest impediment to the trade pillar has come from Democrats in Biden's own party. They have called for killing off the trade pillar completely over its lack of enforceable labour standards.

Biden regards labour support as instrumental to his re-election bid, and the difficulty comes as Beijing increasingly heralds authoritarianism over democracy.

The more fundamental disconnect is that at a time when Association of Southeast Asian Nations countries and others seek tariff-cutting agreements and more access to US markets to balance out China, Washington faces trouble even passing voluntary, non-binding, consensus-oriented agreements.

Trade liberalisation has become politically toxic - opposed by liberals as a job killer, and by conservatives on sovereignty and national security grounds - to offer regional allies and partners an answer to Beijing's many infrastructure, trade and lending programmes.

Supporters of Chinese President Xi Jinping stand outside the St Regis Hotel in San Francisco on Tuesday. Photo: AFP alt=Supporters of Chinese President Xi Jinping stand outside the St Regis Hotel in San Francisco on Tuesday. Photo: AFP>

"Asean is not impressed with IPEF. In fact, I've never met anyone outside of the White House that is impressed with IPEF because it's a nothing burger. Most is not enforceable," said Murray Hiebert of the consultancy Bower Group Asia and author of Under Beijing's Shadow: Southeast Asia's China Challenge.

"They're joining it to humour the Biden administration because they know Biden can't do anything on trade."

Meanwhile, China is moving ahead with its Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership, urging Japan, South Korea and Asean to accept Hong Kong as a member of the 15-member grouping and ease their ties with the US.

On other fronts, Japan keeps urging the US to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, a successor to the US-led Trans-Pacific Partnership that imploded after nativist former president Donald Trump pulled the US out of it on his first day in office.

News of the IPEF trade pillar no-show this week is a "major setback for trade policy and those that recognize the importance of the U.S. economically engaging in the Indo-Pacific region," said Wendy Cutler, vice president of the Asia Society Policy Institute.

"Trade negotiations have their ups and downs, and this is clearly a down moment," she said.

Many of the American trade, lending, infrastructure and regional grouping policies and initiatives also seem more aimed at countering China than helping members in their own right.

While Indo-Pacific nations say they appreciate the effort and attention, they would also like to avoid being caught in a battle between the giants.

"Our focus economically in the region is on the things that exclude China," said Bonnie Glaser of the German Marshall Fund of the United States, a Washington-based think tank. "Southeast Asia feels like it just gets intermittent attention."

The administration has sought to emphasise with the Apec's 21 partners, whose ranks overlap with IPEF's 14 members, that the Indo-Pacific benefits from their discussions on green energy, food security, disaster relief, innovation, inclusion and sustainability.

But analysts said the high-minded terminology only goes so far. At a time when multilateral trade integration is moving ahead on multiple fronts, Washington is seen as standing on the sidelines, no matter how many initiatives it proposes.

"The US is on the outside looking in and trying to come up with an agenda to demonstrate its leadership credentials on economic matters," said Nicholas Szechenyi of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies, a Washington-based think tank.

"It seems difficult for the United States to credibly emphasise themes such as inclusiveness, interconnectedness - the themes of this year's Apec summit - when the primary driver for US economic strategy in the Indo-Pacific is not economic cooperation, necessarily, but rather economic competition," he added.

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.
The controversial book removal policy by Spotsylvania Countys schools superintendent returned before the School Board Monday night with a proposal to approve revisions to the policy on instructional materials.

After an hour of often contentious debate and conversation, the board voted, 4-3, to table the proposal indefinitely.

Board Chairwoman Lisa Phelps along with members Rabih Abuismail and Kirk Twigg voted against the motion to table the proposal. April Gillespie, Nicole Cole, Lorita Daniels and Dawn Shelley supported the motion.

The Spotsylvania school books issue started in March when Superintendent Mark Taylor sent a memo announcing his decision to remove 14 book titles from school libraries, adding that since the titles had been challenged using the existing process for challenging instructional materials, he would continue to consider them instructional materials.

According to the school division, the removed books were reviewed by ad hoc committees of parents and community members, which recommended that they should remain in high school libraries.

In October, the superintendent removed 23 more titles from high school libraries.

The school division stated then that the decision to remove these books aligns with the recently conducted survey in which parents were asked if they wanted their children to have access to sexually explicit literature.

Approximately 70% of parents expressed their preference against such access.

The book removals sparked divisions in the community and the School Board, with critics calling it an outright book ban.

Taylor has frequently cited Virginia state law, found in state Code section 22.1-16.8, that requires school divisions to develop policies that ensure parental notification of instructional material that includes sexually explicit content.

The law does not direct school divisions to take similar action regarding library materials, and according to the Spotsylvania School Boards policy IIA  which concerns the selection and review of instructional materials  library materials are not considered instructional materials unless they are used (i) for completion of an assignment, or (ii) as part of an academic or extracurricular educational program.

During Mondays meeting, Shelley questioned the policy, asking rhetorically if such books as Cinderella and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are instructional.

Fiction is not for learning, thats not instructional, Shelley said, adding that students go to the library to read entertaining books. She said they can still learn from such books, but it isnt instructional.

Shelley said to lump all library books into the instructional category just so you can pass a policy is misleading and deceptive.

School system Chief of Staff Jon Russell disagreed with Shelleys take on fictional works.

Any book you read is educational, instructional, he said.

Shelley said there is an opt-out option for parents so there is no need to label books instructional or otherwise.

So what youre doing is censoring books, which is a ban and violates state code, she said.

Dante Braden, a school system employee who helped with Russells presentation, said he thinks the policy avoids censorship by offering an option for parents to opt out on books for their children to read.

Shelley said neither staff member has ever taught in a classroom and the fact youre trying to tell the public what instructional materials are is disgraceful, because you have no idea. And thats why we need to have people who are educators writing educational policies.

Rabih Abuismail said he supports the proposed policy, with the revisions, explaining that there was an issue in school libraries with books that had no educational value whatsoever.

Nicole Cole said she was offended by the deception and manipulation regarding the committee created to develop the policy. She said the committee lacked a diversity of opinions, such as parents and a range of educators covering elementary through high school grades.

She said they wasted the boards time with a partial policy that is not inclusive  in the sense of the expertise of the instructional and licensed education staff that we have in the division.

Cole said more work is needed on the policy, with the community and School Board weighing in and making adjustments before making a decision.

This is not complete and this would be a waste of our time because were going to have to come back again anyway, she said.

The 37 books that have been removed from Spotsylvania public high school libraries include:

Homegoing by Yaa Gyasi

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

All Boys Arent Blue by George M. Johnson

Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian

Dime and America by E.R. Frank

Sold by Patricia McCormick

Out of Darkness by Ashley Hope Perez

Beloved, The Bluest Eye and Song of Solomon by Toni Morrison

Looking for Alaska by John Green

The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen

Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe by Preston Norton

More Happy Than Not by Adam Silvera

Nineteen Minutes by Jodi Picoult

The Nowhere Girls by Amy Reed

Crank by Ellen Hopkins

All the Things We Do in the Dark by Saundra Mitchell

Chosen: A House of Night Novel by P. C. Cast and Kristin Cast

Damsel by Elana Arnold

Shine by Lauren Myracle

Deogratias  A Tale of Rwanda by J. P. Stassen

Breathless by Jennifer Niven

Real Live Boyfriends by E. Lockhart

The Duff by Kody Keplinger

Odd One Out by Nic Stone

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

Little and Lion by Brandy Colbert

Speak  The Graphic Novel and Twisted by Laurie Halse Anderson

Mondays Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson

You Too? by Janet Gurtler (Editor)

Girl in Translation by Jean Kwok

Fade by Lisa McMann

Me, Earl, and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews
GRAND ISLAND  The family of a Grand Island woman, who suffered a fatal injury and died more than four months later, is not satisfied with the inconclusive findings of the Hall County Sheriffs Department.

On Sept. 29, the sheriffs department said it had finished its investigation and couldn't confirm or rule out a criminal act in the death of Connie Williams Baasch.

Investigators have extinguished all possible avenues that could lead to the cause of these injuries. Should additional information arise, investigators will continue to follow up on the investigation, the department said in a news release.

Baasch was found unconscious in the bedroom of her home at 4704 Stoneridge Path on Oct. 15, 2022. She died on Feb. 28 of this year, at the age of 68, in an Omaha hospital.

Baasch lived alone in the home.

The sheriffs department said deputies were sent to the home on a report of an unconscious woman who had fallen. In a news release on March 3, the department said the injuries appeared suspicious and they were investigating.

The family still does not believe it was a fall, said Tim Williams, one of Baaschs sons.

We do not feel it was a fall and dont believe there was any evidence to prove it was a fall, he said.

Williams said later on the day Baasch was found by her brother, deputies told two of her sons they had everything they needed and the family could go ahead and clean up.

After Baasch was injured, a hole was found in a patio glass door. Family members said they were also told they could clean up the broken glass from her patio door and cover it with plywood.

Baasch was found in her upstairs bedroom, but there was no blood trail leading up to the room.

The family was also critical that investigators left behind what they considered potential evidence like a bloody blanket and pillows in Baasch's room and the clothes she was wearing that day. They were not collected until months after family members brought them to investigators' attention.

Williams believes someone came to the house and assaulted his mother, although he doesn't know who that might be.

The sheriffs department said that in attempting to establish the cause of the injuries to Baasch, a full investigation was completed.

Investigators collected physical evidence from the scene which was processed by the Nebraska State Patrol Crime Lab, served over a dozen search warrants to examine Baaschs medical history, financial history, and several electronic media devices, according to the September news release.

Additionally, mobile communication network data was collected, and the Hall County Sheriffs Office used experts in the field of cell tower/Geofence forensics from different agencies across Nebraska to analyze the mobile communications network data during the time Baasch received her injuries.

Investigators also conducted several neighborhood canvasses and interviewed a multitude of Constance Baaschs family, friends and other persons of interest, the release said.

Photos: Nebraska women's basketball vs. Alcorn State, Nov. 14
Colorado Springs police said one person died and another is in custody after a shooting near the El Paso County courthouse Thursday morning.

"About nine gunshots" were reported by a witness who spoke with a Gazette reporter. One person was seen lying on the ground by passersby outside the courthouse and another person with unknown injuries was observed being taken by an ambulance.

"I heard seven or eight gunshots. I see people over there running, and I looked the other way and saw people with their car doors open sheltering underneath their vehicles," said Sarah Scott, who was inside her truck outside the courthouse at the time of the shooting. "The cops started swarming in, it was crazy. I saw them take the guy in cuffs they were taking him and he was, screaming 'it's not over!'"

Police spokesperson Ira Cronin confirmed during a news conference that the shooting was an "isolated incident" and there was no danger to the public, adding that police had begun a homicide investigation.

Police spokesperson Caitlin Ford confirmed to The Gazette that no officers discharged their weapons during the incident.

Cronin said the first call for service was placed at 10:03 a.m., and law enforcement arrived shortly afterward.

"This is not an active-shooter situation," police said on X. "There is no threat to the community. The courthouse will be closed for the remainder of the day. CSPD will provide more updates as appropriate."

Police released an update later in the afternoon that the shooter knew the victim. The nature of the relationship is still under investigation, according to the CSPD.

Two additional injuries, described as minor, were reported by Colorado Springs Fire Department spokesperson Ashley Franco.

Several people who were in the El Paso County Combined Courts or outside during the incident described a hectic scene during the shooting.

"When I was walking out of court, there were obviously some gunshots, and then I was looking out the window. I saw the police come out, and there was a man in the middle of the street. He was taken (by police)," said Julia Ferendez, a victim advocate who was leaving the courthouse at the time of the shooting.

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"This is the s--- you see on TV," said a woman who wished to remain anonymous. "I was on jury duty, and to be sitting there and hear the judge tell us there was an active shooter ... When I got to the doors I was just about to break down, see all the cop cars, I was shaking."

All court proceedings are canceled Thursday, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office said on social media. "Citizens currently in the courthouse will be released from the south entrance to protect CSPDs scene."

Anyone who was scheduled for a court appearance Thursday can call 719-452-5000 to reschedule.

As law enforcement continued to comb the scene early Thursday afternoon, one woman approached the crime tape in dismay.

"What happened?" she asked, on her way into the courthouse for a scheduled hearing.

As an officer provided an update of the situation, a Gazette reporter witnessed the woman's jaw drop.

"I'm sorry, I feel frozen," she said, "that is terribly sad."

Nearly 3 hours following initial reports of the shooting, individuals whose cars were parked within the crime scene area maneuvered around the police tape, to try to hear when their cars would be released.

"I'm still in shock," Ferendez said, "and I guess I'm stuck here now, too."

Surrounding streets remained closed to traffic hours after the shooting, as law enforcement and crime scene technicians continued to investigate. Police asked people to avoid the area, with a partial closure of Tejon Street in place at Colorado and Vermijo avenues.

According to officials closures were anticipated to last several hours as law enforcement processed the scene.

Stay with gazette.com for updates on this developing story. Follow @ZachNDupont and @AbbeySoukup2 on X/Twitter from the scene. O'Dell Isaac contributed to this report.
The State Security Service stated that the Georgian citizen Levan Petriashvili, who was illegally detained by Russian occupation forces in the vicinity of Ergneti village in the Gori municipality, is now free and in the territory controlled by the central government."The 'hotline' mechanism played an active role in facilitating the release of Levan Petriashvili from unlawful imprisonment. The central government of Georgia consistently addressed the issue of his immediate release from illegal detention through the Incident Prevention and Response Mechanism (IPRM) and the Geneva international discussions.The central government of Georgia consistently shared information with international partners. Collaborating closely with these partners, the central government remains actively engaged in efforts to secure the release of all Georgian citizens who are unlawfully detained in the occupied territories.The occupying power bears full responsibility for all the destructive actions carried out in the occupied regions and along the occupation line," the agency stated.Mayor Kakha Kaladze has revealed a comprehensive plan for the rehabilitation of Rustaveli Avenue in the upcoming year. The project will unfold in two stages, with the first focusing on strengthening buildings and the second dedicated to enhancing the road infrastructure."At the initiative of the City Hall, the Tbilisi Development Fund is set to commence renovation works on Rustaveli Avenue starting next year. The process will unfold in several stages. In the first stage, the focus will be on arranging the existing buildings along Rustaveli Avenue, addressing significant issues such as damaged roofs and structural components. The situation is quite serious. The second stage will involve fixing the road infrastructure, with these works commencing immediately after the strengthening of the buildings. The intention is to organize the road infrastructure, including its underground communications. In this aspect as well, the situation is quite challenging, with frequent cases of landslides," Mayor Kaladze explained.
Two of the people involved in the incident that led to the death of Fountain police officer Julian Becerra earlier this year were in court Wednesday, with one of the two men being sentenced to 27 years in prison for his involvement.

Anthony Vallejos, 33, appeared in court in the morning for his sentencing hearing while Devon Bobian, 32, appeared in court in the afternoon for his preliminary hearing.

According to previous Gazette reporting, Bobian, Vallejos and Daniesha Pacheco were arrested in February after stealing a car and leading multiple law enforcement agencies on a chase throughout El Paso County. Eventually, the driver, alleged to be Bobian, lost control on a bridge, crashed, and all three of the defendants attempted to flee on foot. The affidavit for Bobian's arrest states that, while attempting to apprehend the trio, Becerra fell off the bridge and fell about 40 feet.

Earlier this year Vallejos accepted a plea agreement that saw him plead guilty to one count of aggravated robbery with a deadly weapon, a Class 3 felony, for his involvement in the incident. Bobian faces eight charges for his involvement, including a second-degree murder charge as the prosecution alleges it was Bobian's actions that led to the death of Becerra.

At Vallejos' sentencing hearing in the morning a small handful of people testified to the impact that the incident had, including Fountain Police Lt. Sheyna Marshall.

Marshall stated that she spoke on behalf of the entire Fountain Police Department during her victim impact statement, and spoke about how they lost their friend Becerra due to a habitual criminal being allowed to walk the streets.

"Julian's tragic death is a stark reminder of the tangible impact habitual offenders have on this community," Marshall said. "This highlights the destructive nature of habitual offenders in our community."

Marshall went on to describe Becerra as a "husband, father, co-worker and friend."

The court also heard from the victim of the attempted car-jacking, Mary Lee Palmer, who spoke about how the incident was, and still is, traumatizing.

"I thought I was going to be kidnapped," Palmer remarked.

Prior to Judge Chad Miller issuing his sentence for Vallejos, prosecutor Jeffery Harwood asked the court to take Vallejos' status as a habitual criminal into consideration.

Harwood stated that Vallejos has five previous felony convictions in the state dating back to before he was even an adult, and had just recently pleaded guilty to a unrelated menacing and eluding case in Pueblo County.

Jared Grabski, Vallejos' defense attorney, argued that his client's status as a habitual offender does not make him a bad person, but rather that Vallejos is one of many people who are stuck in a life they can not escape.

"We have people who are brought up in these communities and can't get out," Grabski said in reference to the comments made about Vallejos being a habitual offender.

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Grabski added that Vallejos was not the individual with the gun throughout this incident, and that the court should take that into account during sentencing.

The final person to speak before Miller gave his sentence was Vallejos himself.

"I'd like to take accountability for what happened that night," Vallejos said. "I'm sorry to the family of the officer who passed away, I pray for him and his family."

Miller opted to issue Vallejos a sentence of 27 years in the Department of Corrections, a few years shorter than the maximum sentences Vallejos faced of 32 years. Miller acknowledged when issuing the sentence that Vallejos was "the least threatening" of the three individuals charged in the incident, but also acknowledged that Vallejos' criminal history was not good, and couldn't be ignored.

In the afternoon Miller presided over the preliminary hearing of Bobian, the man prosecutors allege caused the death of Becerra.

The prosecution called four law enforcement witnesses to testify at the hearing, the most important of which came from the hearing's final witness El Paso County detective Nickolas Brklich.

Brklich, who was the lead investigator on the case, reviewed screenshots of body-worn camera footage with prosecutor Dave Young that showed Bobian on the top of Becerra's car right before his death. Brklich insinuated that Bobian's choice to get on the car and "step towards" Becerra, which could allegedly be seen in the screenshots, is directly what led to Becerra falling off the bridge.

Testimony was also heard from Fountain Police Detective Isaac Ablia who was on the bridge the night of the incident. Ablia testified that after police were able to stop the trio on the bridge Vallejos and Pacheco immediately surrendered, while Bobian continued attempting to flee.

Ablia stated that Bobian tried to jump off the bridge himself prior to being captured while yelling "Let me go I want to die." It was only after Bobian had been detained that Ablia realized Becerra had fallen off the bridge during the incident.

Young stated during the prosecution's argument that the choice from Vallejos and Pacheco to surrender is what led to only Bobian being charged with second-degree murder.

Miller wasted no time in issuing his ruling that all eight charges faced by Bobian, including second-degree murder, would be bound over for trial. An arraignment date for Bobian was set for Jan. 10, 2024.

The third defendant involved in the incident, Pacheco, 28, did not appear in court Wednesday. In Pacheco's previous court appearance earlier this month she pleaded guilty to an amended count of aggravated robbery with a violent crime sentence enhancement.

Pacheco is due to be sentenced next year on Jan. 3.
The Army Criminal Investigations Division is offering a $25,000 reward for information that leads to a conviction in the Colorado Springs murder of a Fort Carson soldier in 2021.

Sergeant First Class John Jean, 34, was shot and killed on April 3, 2021, at the Epic Hookah Lounge on Barnes Road, which has since closed.

According to the Army CID, "multiple individuals" fired weapons in the lounge around 1:30 am, fatally shooting Jean. The death was ruled a homicide, but no suspects have yet been identified.

Anyone with information is asked to call the CID field office at (253) 691-4001 or submit a tip on the website at https://www.cid.army.mil/submit-a-tip. People may also call Crime Stoppers at (719) 634-7867.
Federal assistance is being brought in to help demolish and dispose of the funeral home in Penrose, where at least 189 improperly stored bodies were left to rot.

The Fremont County Emergency Management department announced earlier this week that the Environmental Protection Agency would begin evaluating the Return to Nature Funeral Home at 31 Werner Road in Penrose, starting Wednesday.

Fremont County's Board of Health ratified a Public Health Order on Oct. 31, beginning the formal process of having the EPA conduct "a removal action," to demolish the building and dispose of the building materials.

EPA spokesperson Katherine Jenkins said on Wednesday evening that the initial assessment has been completed and that much of the information gathered was on what steps would be necessary to demolish the building.

Jenkins said next steps for the EPA will be to update the community on findings and plan the removal action with Fremont County representatives. She said that the EPA does not yet have a timeline for the cleanup process.

Neighbors reported a foul smell from the building that had lingered in the air for about a month ahead of the discovery of the improperly stored bodies in early October.

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A search warrant executed of the Penrose property revealed what the arrest affidavit describes as "abhorrent conditions," and that "human decomposition fluids and insects lined the floors." Officials are still working to identify all the nearly 200 bodies that were found inside, some of which appeared to be up to four years old.

According to a social media post by Fremont County Emergency Management, EPA personnel and their contractors would be spending a few hours at the Penrose location Wednesday.

"The personnel entering the building will be wearing protective clothing to protect them from any residual medical or hazardous materials remaining inside the building," states the post.

The two owners of the funeral home, Jon and Carie Hallford, are facing preliminary charges which include multiple charges of abuse of a corpse, theft, money laundering and forgery.

The two were arrested in Oklahoma on Nov. 8, and were each being held on a $2 million bond as they await extradition back to Colorado.
The Colorado Springs Police Department issued a shelter-in-place warning for the residential neighborhood around the 5600 block of Tomiche Drive, on the eastern side of the city, Thursday morning.

Around 9:18 a.m., the police issued the public warning. The warning was then lifted by 9:35 a.m.

It was not immediately clear what the cause of the shelter warning was. This story will be updated as information becomes available.
CCTV: The international community has been closely following the summit meeting between President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in San Francisco. Could you offer more information on the meeting, including the outcomes?



Mao Ning: On November 15 local time, President Xi Jinping held a summit meeting with US President Joe Biden in San Francisco upon invitation. The two heads of state had a candid and in-depth exchange of views. They held further discussions about the right way for China and the US to get along, clearly outlined the shared responsibilities of our two major countries, and came up with a future-oriented San Francisco vision. The meeting identified the direction and drew up a blueprint for the sound, steady and sustained development of bilateral ties. It was a positive, comprehensive and constructive meeting of strategic and far-reaching significance.

President Xi elaborated on Chinas position on stabilizing and improving China-US relations. He pointed out that both sides need to work together to form a correct perception, effectively manage differences, advance mutually-beneficial cooperation, assume due responsibilities as major countries, and promote people-to-people and cultural exchanges. In this way, we will be building five pillars for the stable growth of bilateral ties and embracing a new vision for our relationship. This major event in international relations today will no doubt go down as a milestone in China-US relations.

It was a fruitful meeting with over 20 common understandings in political, diplomatic, cultural and people-to-people exchanges, global governance, military, security and other fields. These important common understandings and deliverables further attest to the wide-ranging common interests shared by China and the US. They also prove that mutual benefit is the defining feature of China-US relations and dialogue and cooperation is the only right choice for both sides.

It was an important opportunity for the two sides to build trust, clear up misgivings, manage differences and expand cooperation and an important meeting that adds certainty and stability for a world going through turmoil and changes. San Francisco can be a new starting point for stabilizing China-US relations. Both sides need to make renewed efforts to translate the new vision into reality, further consolidate the foundation of bilateral ties, build pillars for peaceful coexistence, and realize the sound, steady and sustained growth of our relations.

Anadolu Agency: After talks in San Francisco, China and the US announced reestablishing military-to-military mechanisms which were canceled after Pelosis visit last year to Taiwan. I want to ask about what enabled this decision? Has China got any assurances about the Taiwan policy?

Mao Ning: China has always attached importance to China-US military-to-military exchanges. In San Francisco, the two leaders agreed to promote and strengthen dialogue and cooperation between the two countries in various areas, including the resumption of high-level military-to-military communication, the China-US Defense Policy Coordination Talks, and the China-US Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meetings, and conducting telephone conversations between theater commanders on the basis of equality and respect.

Regarding the Taiwan question, President Xi Jinping also set forth Chinas solemn position. The Taiwan question has always been the most important and sensitive issue in China-US relations. The US side should follow through on its statement of not supporting Taiwan independence, stop arming Taiwan, and support Chinas peaceful reunification.

Antara: The White House has released an official statement about President Xi and President Bidens meeting. Regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict, the President reiterated US support for Israels right for defending itself against terrorism and emphasized the importance of all countries using their influence to prevent escalation and expansion of the conflict. But the statement does not mention the violation of international law and international humanitarian law or helping the Palestinian people. Does China have any comment on this?

Mao Ning: The two Presidents exchanged views on the international and regional issues of mutual interest. Regarding the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, we have made Chinas position clear on multiple occasions. China always stands on the side of equity and justice, and works actively for ceasefire, cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians and deescalation.

Anadolu Agency: Its been reported that in the San Francisco meeting, the leaders also discussed about the situation in Ukraine and the situation in Gaza Strip. Can you share any information about these exchange? Were there anything new about the positions of both sides? Is there anything that might resemble an agreement or an angle on the conflicts?

Mao Ning: Indeed, the two Presidents exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern including the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Chinas position on both issues is clear and consistent. We stand on the side of equity and justice and remain committed to promoting talks for peace and deescalation.

Reuters: What is the latest situation on the China-Myanmar border? Will China evacuate Chinese nationals in Myanmar? Has there been an influx of refugees from Myanmar into China?

Mao Ning: China is closely following the conflict in northern Myanmar. We urge relevant parties to cease fire as soon as possible, settle differences in a peaceful way through dialogue and consultation, avoid escalation of the situation, and take effective steps to ensure security and stability at the China-Myanmar border.

Since the outbreak of fighting in northern Myanmar, some people from Myanmar have crossed the border into China to seek refuge from the conflict. Out of humanitarianism and pauk-phaw friendship, the Chinese side has taken care of these people and made every effort to treat the sick and the injured. We condemn any action that endangers the lives of those who have fled the conflict and urge the warring parties in northern Myanmar to cease hostilities as soon as possible so that these people can return to their homes at an early date and resume normal life and work.

CGTN: It was reported that the UN Security Council adopted a resolution on the Palestinian-Israeli issue on November 15. Can you share more about the content of the resolution and Chinas position?

Mao Ning: On November 15, the Security Council adopted Resolution 2712 on the Palestinian-Israeli issue. This is the first Security Council resolution on the Palestinian-Israeli question since this round of conflict broke out on October 7. China voted in favor of the resolution. The resolution focuses on humanitarian concerns, underlines the protection of children, and calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days to facilitate the provision of essential goods and services and to enable urgent rescue and recovery efforts.

China supports all efforts aimed to promote a ceasefire and restore peace, and welcomes any initiative that helps protect civilians and ease the humanitarian crisis. As this months president of the Security Council, China actively galvanizes meaningful and responsible actions in the Security Council. China hopes to see, in accordance with the requirements of the resolution, the immediate realization of extended humanitarian pauses, and no hostilities for a sufficient number of days to enable the full humanitarian access for United Nations humanitarian agencies and other humanitarian organizations.

China will continue to step up coordination with relevant parties, build up consensus and play an active and constructive role in ceasing the hostilities, protecting civilians, easing the humanitarian situation, and ultimately realizing durable Palestinian-Israeli peace through the two-state solution.

NHK: China and Japan are coordinating for a possible summit meeting on November 16. Could you share Chinas expectation for the talks?

Mao Ning: I have nothing on that.

Anadolu Agency: Do you think that the San Francisco meeting will be the beginning of a detente between the two countries? I mean, after a period of tensions like Cold-War-like incidents, maybe there will be more moderation and diplomacy in the relations?

Mao Ning: The summit meeting is of great significance in the sense that it identified the direction and drew up a blueprint for the future development of China-US relations. It was a meeting for the two sides to build trust, clear up misgivings, manage differences and expand cooperation. We hope the US will work with China in the same direction to further consolidate the foundation of bilateral relations and promote the sound and steady growth of our ties.
Barry Fagin is the Senior Fellow in Technology Policy at the Independence Institute in Denver, and the author of The Radical Center. His views are his alone. Readers can write Dr.. Fagin at barry@faginfamily.net.
The hearing on Donald Trump's eligibility to appear on Colorado's 2024 primary ballot concluded on Friday with testimony from a high-ranking staff member of the committee to investigate the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol, and a legal scholar who believed the disqualification question was too difficult for a judge to decide.
The Gazette found that of the 28 nursing homes in Colorado with VA contracts, 13 were rated substandard by CMS. Mantey Heights had a rating of two out of five stars as of earlier this month.
Abbas Ganbay

The heads of railway departments of the participating states of the international multimodal transport and transit route CASCA+ (Central Asia, South Caucasus, and Turkiye) discussed issues of increasing cargo transportation in Ashgabat, citing to report by the official newspaper "Neutral Turkmenistan", Azernews reports.

The meeting was attended by delegations of line ministries and relevant departments, as well as logistics companies and enterprises from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kyrgyzstan, Turkiye, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan.

It is noted that the multimodality of the route, passing through two seas and the territories of numerous countries, makes it possible to effectively use the capabilities of this corridor. Since the launch of the route in 2019, about 30 thousand containers have been transported. The participants of the event noted that their goal is to increase the volume of container traffic to 30 thousand containers this year. In their opinion, this will also contribute to the intensification of transportation and the expansion of the range of goods along the North-South and East-West transport corridors.

The CASCA+ route was created in 2019 in Tashkent at a meeting of the heads of the state railways of these countries. Turkiye joined the project in December 2021. The "+" sign in the name of the route indicates readiness to accept new potential participants interested in transportation along the route, the ultimate goal of which is to connect the states of Southeast Asia, in particular China, with Europe.
Former Corvallis mayor and city councilor, Raymond Charles Vars, passed away peacefully on July 27, 2023, at the Lumina Hospice & Palliative care facility in Corvallis. He was 85.

From 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 19, a memorial will be held in his honor at the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library.

A Place to Sleep - episode 5: Lebanon How did the last couple of elections change the way East Linn County interacts with its unhoused residents?

Born in Westerly, Rhode Island, to a business-inclined family, Vars briefly attended the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in Troy, New York, and later in 1957, the University of Denver where he fell in love with economics, particularly how it helped him better understand the intricate economics of his fathers drugstore business.

Vars joined Oregon State University in 1966 as an economic professor and continued to teach and research full time while he served as a city councilor (1983-1986) and city mayor (1987-1995).

As he told interviewers in an oral history project for Oregon States Special Collections & Archive Research Center in 2013, Vars developed his interest in public service by watching his parents in their small town of 12,000.

His fathers drug store was situated across the towns post office. His mother was an office manager at an insurance company and a treasurer at the local Central Baptist Church. They lived next to the towns newspaper publisher.

"What I'm getting at is we were plugged in, my sister and I, to thinking about the public sector and the community as a whole," he said in that 2013 interview.

This sense of community and collaboration, many of his loved ones and former colleagues say, formed the grounding ethos of Vars work in public service as well as his personal life.

Freda Vars, his wife of 54 years, said his legacy was defined by his willingness to work with everyone.

"He often talked about the importance of collaboration, of people working together," she said in a phone interview.

Sons Fredrick and Raymond Vars recalled his geniality, hearty laughter, enthusiasm for learning, travel, being around others, education and ideas as some of his outstanding traits and qualities they will miss.

"He wanted to have a practical impact. Some academics are satisfied to just write for each other, but he wasnt like that," said Fredrick Vars, a law professor at the University of Alabama.

Vars was the first mayor Deborah Jacobs worked with after her appointment as the Corvallis-Benton County Public Library director in 1987.

This was the year discussions began about a library expansion to create room for the 170,000 books overflowing the librarys 22,000-square-foot space.

Jacobs recalled that under Vars, the city quickly became involved and amid several fundraising ideas for the project, Vars wanted to go the route of a bond measure. Jacobs said this was "pretty radical" in the late '80s.

"Libraries are valid community assets, and Charlie saw that," Jacobs said by phone.

Freda Vars quickly took over a community organizing campaign, which saw the $6.85 million bond measure pass by an overwhelming 70%.

"At the groundbreaking, Charlie said something that has become a theme for me and something I have used while I was working and till today: When a good community comes together good things happen," Jacobs said.

This mantra became so invaluable that after she left the library in 1997, she had the quote framed. The words moved offices with her and made their way into speeches, especially because they aligned with how she too saw the value of community in effecting change.

"I think for me as a politician and as a leader, as I was growing professionally, I often thought about the lessons I learned from Charlie in the way he led the City Council so much so that whenever I got recognition for anything I did, I always called Charlie and thanked him," Jacobs said.

In 2001, Jacobs led a similarly groundbreaking bond measure to fund the Seattle Public Library as Seattle city librarian.

"The library is a tribute to his desire to see people come together to work towards a communal good," Freda Vars said.

While the public library is a substantial, concrete legacy he leaves behind, Fredrick Vars says it is important to remember that there are other less visible, less concrete ways he made his impact on the community.

Whether it was inviting civil rights icons John Lewis and Ralph Abernathy to the small college town, creating a lasting budgetary framework, initiating the Willamette Riverfront Task Force that eventually resulted in the development of the Riverfront Commemorative Park, or traveling to Uzhhorod, Ukraine to establish it as a sister city with Corvallis, his work is still felt in many ways throughout Corvallis.

As an academic, Vars also worked in the spirit of community and collaboration. He enjoyed venturing beyond the department of economics to ideate and execute research projects with scholars in other colleges from engineering and oceanography research groups to the air pollution institute at Oregon State and NASA.

Freda Vars said since her husband's passing, she has been going through his research reports and has been astounded by his work as an academic.

However, it wasnt just about bringing people together, his son Raymond Vars, director of investment communications at Harding Loevner, said. There was also a deep sense of fairness that he brought to the conversations that he created room for.

"He tried to work in a way that each of them saw the ultimate resolution as the common good," he said in a phone interview.

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Vars is also survived by a third son, John Vars, an organic farmer who earned a geology degree from Brown University. He also leaves behind three daughters-in-law, eight grandchildren, three brothers-in-law, three nieces, a nephew and a cousin.

"We didnt use to think in those days about someone being an epitome of democracy because we took democracy for granted 30 years ago, which we cant now," Jacobs said. "But he was an epitome of democracy in such a fine ethical way.

"Ive seen a lot of mayors in my life now. Charlie was the first mayor that I worked with, but he was the best," she said.
By Azernews

Qabil Ashirov





Green energy, the promising sector of the future, gradually gaining momentum in Azerbaijan's agenda. As is known, Baku kicked off the initiative to supply 30 percent of its electricity from renewable sources and to export 4 GW of energy to Europe through the cables passing the Black Sea by 2030. Regarding the issue, the Agreement on a strategic partnership in the field of green energy development and transmission between the Governments of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Georgia, Romania, and Hungary was signed in Bucharest on December 17, 2022.

It seems Azerbaijan is not going to limit itself only to generating and exporting green energy, but also the country intends to turn into the hub of green energy by transferring the electricity produced in Central Asia through its territories. Regarding it, on November 14, 2023, Azerbaijan signed a joint communique with Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan over transferring electricity generated from renewable sources in the said countries to Europe.

This sector is very important for Azerbaijan to diversify its exports heavily dependent on oil and gas, but it is so ambitious project that poses some questions as well.

As is known, previously the Central Asian countries faced big challenges when they tried to export their oil and gas to the European Markets. Could these countries encounter the same problems in the future? Besides, China and India are emerging markets with over US20 trillion in Asia. If somehow, Azerbaijan connects with the Central Asian electricity grid, can it export its electricity to said countries?

Commenting to Azernews on the issue, economic expert Natig Jafali emphasized the importance of the project, saying that many international financial institutions, organizations, and banks are interested in this type of project as it looks much more attractive to them.

That is why there will not be a serious problem in finding financial sources. It will even be possible to get access to credit in very favorable conditions. Also, this initiative is one of the directions of joining the South Caucasus to the European [market] or greater cooperation of the South Caucasus with Europe in energy and other fields. Therefore, the countries of the European Union take a deep interest in this project, and I think that this project has a better future, Natig Jafarly said.

He also underscored that in the future, it is possible to ensure the participation of all South Caucasus countries in the same projects. For example, if Armenia will not hesitate to sign the peace treaty I think that it also has the opportunity to join this project through Azerbaijan in the future. For this, Armenia needs to establish normal neighborly relations with Azerbaijan.

As for obstacles before the Central Asian countries to export energy to the European Markets, the economist noted that it is inconvincible. He pointed out that Russia hindered the delivery of oil and gas produced from Central Asia to Azerbaijan and its transport to Europe through the infrastructure created and moderated by Azerbaijan. He reminded that in addition to the the status of the Caspian Sea, the environmental protocol was signed regarding the construction of communications with the bottom of the Caspian Sea. Based on this environmental protocol, Russia tried to obstruct the access of Central Asian oil and gas to the European market.

But this is a different project. Because certain cables such as internet lines, pass under the Caspian Sea. It is also possible to lay electric lines along with them. I do not think that Russia will object to it because oil and gas are a strategic issue for them. However, it is worth noting that as a result of the steps taken by Azerbaijan together with other countries, it was able to evade the obstacles related to oil and gas. For example, Kazakh oil is brought to Baku by tankers and then transported to Europe through BTC. Besides, Azerbaijan inked reverse gas contracts with Turkmenistan via Iran, and so on. All this indicates that Azerbaijan can overcome these obstacles as a result of its successful policy, N. Jafarli said.

Regarding exporting Azerbaijans green energy to China and India, the economist said that it is technically impossible. However, he added that cooperation in other energy sectors is possible. Natig Jafarli thinks that the Azerbaijani state can take certain steps in this regard.

But when it comes to electricity, it can be a more expensive project. However, it should be noted that those countries have the opportunity to join the routes provided by Azerbaijan. If a big hub emerges here in the future, those countries can join this hub, but in the opposite direction is not very logical. Because the power and volume of electricity produced by Azerbaijan can only be enough to deliver it to Europe, the expert concluded.




It's back to the drawing board for the Charles City School District after voters

denied a $28.5 million bond referendum proposed by the school board that would have seen the more than 50-year-old high school remodeled and expanded, in addition to constructing a new multi-purpose auditorium.

The question read:

Shall the Board of Directors of the Charles City Community School District in the Counties of Chickasaw and Floyd, State of Iowa, be authorized to contract indebtedness and issue General Obligation Bonds in an amount not to exceed $28,500,000 to provide funds to: 1) renovate, remodel, repair, improve, expand, furnish and equip portions of the existing High School Building, including, HVAC and electrical systems, security systems, classrooms, offices, gymnasium spaces, common areas, and site improvements; and 2) construct an auditorium addition to the High School Building?

Out of 2,478 total ballots cast, 1,051, or 42.41%, were in favor of the measure; and 1,427, or 57.59%, voted against, defeating the proposal, according to the Iowa Secretary of State's office.

The high school has undergone extensive repairs in recent years, and a new purpose-built auditorium has not been constructed in Charles City since 1931. The North Grand Auditorium was sold to private developers in 2021, leaving only gymnasiums as a performing space for Charles City bands, orchestras, choirs, speech and drama departments. Community members from the group Charles City Friends of the Performing Arts have been active since 2021 in fundraising efforts for a new first-class, 800-seat, state-of-the-art auditorium for school and community events.

The majority of 600 locals who were surveyed by the district this summer indicated the most popular option was to keep the existing high school standing and adapt it for 21st-century learning while adding an additional 800-seat multipurpose auditorium space.

According to a report from the district's facility operations director Jerry Mitchell, plans for revitalizing the school include keeping the unique circular layout of the existing high school while "enlarging classrooms, adding special education rooms, updating interior finishes, enlarging the kitchen, and mitigating all asbestos." Preliminary sketches show plans for an outdoor courtyard, connecting an expanded commons area along with a secure entry system, and office and learning space. "The needs identified include improvements to systems and finishes in the more than 50-year-old high school to upgrade items at the end of their useful life. These updatesalong with technology upgrades, building accessibility, air conditioning, and spaces that support 21st century learning, identified by the task force as critical to effective teaching and learning for students now and in the future," said Superintendent Anne Lundquist.

In a statement released after the vote, Lundquist said, "At this time, we will not be able to move ahead on the 'Revitalize' plan, which called for a series of facility improvements at Charles City High School. This vote followed tremendous collaboration by our community, including two task forces, a community survey, and several community meetings. We are incredibly grateful for the input our community shared throughout this process. With this in mind, we know this result is not a reflection of the support of our community for our local schools. Rather, the solution presented simply was not the best fit at this time."

After the Floyd and Chickasaw county election results are certified, the current board will adjourn, reconvening with two new members: Dara Jaeger and Bruce Koeberick, and a new president, as incumbent Pat Rottinghaus came below the threshold for reelection.

Of the 4,215 votes cast, Koebrick received 1,660 votes, or 39.38%. Jaeger received 1,444 votes, or 34.26%. Rottinghaus received 1,085 votes, or 25.74%. There were 26 write-in votes.

"As a next step," Lundquist added, " ... the Board of Education and district administration will begin working on developing an alternative solution to the facility needs at the high school. We will ask for your continued engagement as we move ahead with this process. In the meantime, thank you for your consideration of the proposed bond issue on November 7."

The next regular meeting will be held Nov. 27, at 6:15 p.m. in the high school library.
The Britt VFW Auxiliary (Dean Welsh Post 4370) is receiving national recognition for its many years of providing assistance and emotional support to military veterans and active United States service members.

Speaking on the U.S. Senate floor on Nov. 6, U.S. Senator Charles Grassley recognized the efforts of the Britt Dean Welsh VFW Auxiliary Post.

In honor of Veterans Day, Id like to spotlight one Iowa communitys exemplary support of our veterans and active-duty military, Grassley said. Located in northern Iowa, Britt is a town of 2,000 people. This year, Britts Dean Welsh VFW auxiliary Post 4370 received the Veterans and Family Support Award.

The Veterans and Family Support Award was received recently from the posts national president, Jane A. Reape. The senator noted that the communitys now-far-reaching efforts started with a simple phone call when a volunteer with the Britt VFW Auxiliary was talking to her granddaughter, who was serving on the USS Oscar Austin.

She mentioned that some of her fellow crew members hadnt received care packages, Grassley said. Within one week, Britt residents shipped 39 packages to the crew of the USS Oscar Austin. That was in 2012. Now a decade later, the Britt VFW is sending care packages to crew members on the USS Fitzgerald, USS McCain, the USS Chafee, and Iowa National Guard units deployed to Kuwait and Poland. Theyre also preparing to send packages to the USS Carl Vinson.

In addition to the ships Sen. Grassley cited, the Britt VFW Auxiliary has also shipped boxes to the USS Farragut in the past.

On Nov. 13, volunteers of the local VFW Auxiliary boxed 22 care packages at the Britt Veterans Building and mailed them to the USS Carl Vinson. Thirteen auxiliary members were present to help. More care packages will be prepared as donations continue to arrive from area resident, according to Jean Perkins of Dean Welsh VFW Post 4370. In addition, VFW District President Mary Gray of Estherville visited the local VFW post that day.

Persons interested in donating to the care packages initiative are invited to drop off items at the Britt Veterans Building during meetings. Monetary donations may be mailed to the Britt VFW Auxiliary, 580 190th Street, Britt, Iowa 50423.

We are extremely honored to be recognized by Senator Grassley for the support we have given our veterans, Perkins said. The veterans are grateful to us for the care packages and the flag key rings we make and give to them. We are so grateful for what they have done for us!

Grassley also noted the unique key chains that post members have been producing and providing to veterans and service members for many years.

Volunteers fill (packages) with various items, including beaded American flag keychains that they make by hand, Grassley said. Britt VFW members gift thousands of their keychains to veterans they cross paths with throughout the year, whether at community events or in their daily lives. Britt VFWs example should be a reminder to all of us of the importance of honoring our veterans and service members.

Perkins noted some recent interactions of the Britt VFW Post. On Oct. 15, The Presidents Own United States Marine Band appeared at the Mason City High School for a free performance. Prior to the performance, Perkins met with the associate director, Major Ryan J. Nowlin. Perkins presented Major Nowlin with the Britt auxiliaries flag key rings to be given to all the band members. Major Nowlin also asked for a number of the key rings to take back to Washington, D.C. On Nov. 5, auxiliary members met with Bernie Becker to deliver 500 flag key rings he had requested for his Hunting with Heroes event in Lakota that was held on Veterans Day.

Last holiday season, the Britt VFW Auxiliary provided Christmas care packages to service members of the 1133rd Transportation Company, who were deployed to Poland.
North Iowa Community Action Organization will provide a Thanksgiving feast for a number of its client families.

Staff members at the NICAO Family Resource Center were surprised when area resident Jon Christiansen delivered 300 pounds of fresh Kittleson Farms potatoes and one hundred pounds of onions. The gesture kicked off a scramble to determine how best to use the gift for families who may not have the means to enjoy the holiday in traditional style.

Workers searched contacts in their phones and reached out to businesses who have supported their client families in the past. Smithfield Foods donated 25 hams and Hy-Vee stepped up with 60 packages of dinner rolls.

Christiansen's coworker Perley Holloway donated three turkeys, Fareway gave 60 cans of corn and Walmart donated a $150 gift card to add to the boxes. Pinecrest School in Mason City presented the staff with pie crusts and filling.

"I think it's really cool how one mans act of generosity started a chain reaction," said Mitchell Keeran, director of public relations resource development.

Staff will pack boxes Friday morning for the lucky families.

"We would love to see an individual or a business step up and fill out these boxes for our families," said Melissa Nelson, community service director. "Things like canned vegetables or boxed desserts would be helpful. Gravy, stuffing or other things to make the meal feel like a feast."

Staff are expecting to pack 30 or more boxes and are accepting donations at the Family Resource Center, 100 First St. NW, Suite 140, Mason City. Call 641-423-7766 with questions.
Proposed rules meant to provide guidance to Iowan physicians lack specific penalties they could face for performing abortions under a new law that remains tied up in court.

The Iowa Board of Medicine is set to meet Friday to consider proposed rules that include specific guidance on how medical providers are to implement the exceptions for rape, incest, fatal fetal abnormalities and medical emergencies contained in a new law that would prohibit the vast majority of abortions in the state.

The proposed rules, however, leave unanswered key questions as to whether doctors could face fines or licensing repercussions for performing abortions illegally. They simply state: Failure to comply with this rule or the requirements of Iowa Code section 146E may constitute grounds for discipline.

Existing administrative rules lay out the extent of the punishment the Board of Medicine can impose on physicians and licensees who violate board rules and state laws. The board may revoke, suspend or restrict someones license, or place them on a probation period or require additional education or training. The board also may impose a fine up to $10,000 and issue a citation and warning.

Republican lawmakers and supporters of the law say the exceptions allow medical providers to exercise judgment and provide abortions when they believe one applies. Opponents contend the uncertainty and worry among physicians of potentially losing their medical license could prompt providers to put off abortions if they're uncertain.

Abortion still legal in Iowa

A Polk County District Court judge in July granted a request from Iowa abortion providers to halt enforcement of the new restrictions until its constitutionality can be considered by the courts. Planned Parenthood North Central States, the Emma Goldman Clinic and the American Civil Liberties Union of Iowa requested the injunction.

The judges ruling, however, left in place a provision directing the Iowa Board of Medicine to adopt rules to administer the bill.

In the wake of Iowa and U.S. Supreme Court rulings reversing a fundamental right to abortion, Republican leaders in the state, including Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird, argued the district court decision to grant the injunction was in "error" and have asked the Iowa Supreme Court to lift it.

The Iowa Supreme Court agreed to hear the appeal back in July. Oral arguments in the case have not yet been scheduled.

"The injunction placed on Iowas Fetal Heartbeat Law has already led to the innocent deaths of children, Gov. Kim Reynolds said in a statement last week in response to a brief filed by Bird in the states appeal with the Iowa Supreme Court.

As the case continues, abortion in Iowa remains legal up to 20 weeks of pregnancy.

What the law does

The law, House File 732, would change the amount of time women have to seek an abortion from 20 weeks post-fertilization to as little as six weeks  before many women know theyre pregnant. The legislation prohibits abortions after cardiac activity is detected in an embryo.

The law requires doctors to perform an abdominal ultrasound on a patient seeking an abortion. If cardiac activity is detected, defined as the steady and repetitive rhythmic contraction of the fetal heart within the gestational sac  is detected, the abortion cannot be performed unless one of the exceptions has been met.

The bill includes exceptions for pregnancies that are the result of rape in cases reported within 45 days, and incest in cases reported within 140 days. It also includes exceptions for miscarriages, a fetal abnormality that would result in the infants death and for when the mothers life is threatened.

An attorney for Planned Parenthood Federation of America argued in court that the law unquestionably imposes an undue burden on Iowans access to abortion care and violates their constitutional rights to due process, dominion over ones body, the ability to have control over their lives and their futures and to make their own decisions about their health care. Planned Parenthood has said the ban would prohibit an estimated 98 percent of all abortions in Iowa.

While the ban contains some exceptions for abortions, some Iowa physicians have warned the restrictions do not account for complications that occur during pregnancy, and would hinder their ability to provide care and respond to time-sensitive issues.

What the proposed rules say

Under the proposed rules, to determine whether patients qualify for the ban's exceptions for rape and incest, Iowa physicians would be required to gather details from women to determine when and whether a sex act occurred, including if and when the act was first reported to law enforcement, a public or private health agency or a family physician.

Doctors would be required to document the information in the patients medical records and make a good-faith assessment that the woman is being truthful, and may require them attest the information was true and accurate to the best of her understanding.

As for determining whether a fetus has an abnormality that in the physician's reasonable medical judgment is incompatible with life, doctors would be required to document diagnostic tests and procedures performed and their results, along with a description as to why they support the diagnosis.

Doctor, opponents say exceptions too vague

Iowa Rep. Amy Nielsen, D-North Liberty, said exceptions for rape and incest may work in theory, but not in reality.

Nielsen said the rules make it unclear how a provider is supposed to validate a patient's accusation of rape or incest, and may feel scared to act due to fear they will be prosecuted if they act outside the law.

Additionally, women may be too scared to come forward when they've been raped. About two-thirds of victims do not report to law enforcement. Many know their abuser and worry about the consequences, according to national statistics compiled by the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network.

Nielsen said the rules call for doctors to ask specific and invasive questions that could exposes women to additional trauma by having to relive the crime. And she argued the rules and exceptions are worded vaguely enough that doctors are going to be wary.

Dr. Emily Boevers, an obstetrician-gynecologist in Waverly, agreed, adding the Board of Medicine was put in a difficult spot of drafting rules for what she said is a deeply concerning law that mandates medically trained professionals to try to interpret legal concepts of what constitutes rape to provide standard medical care.

And in doing so, the law requires physicians to have patients recall horrific details to document the legal details of an assault to satisfy the curiosity of the government.

Thats not what the medical record is intended to for and thats not what physicians are trained for and thats not their role in our society, Boevers said.

She said doctors, fearing legal repercussions, risk grave patient harm to comply, including letting patients conditions deteriorate until they threaten the patients life.

What physician is going to want to come and practice in this environment? Where you stake your license on what constitutes rape appropriately and get called before the Board of Medicine to determine what your discipline is, Boevers said. And we dont know what those actions might cost us.  Its incredible.

And at a time, she said, when Iowa has the lowest number of OB-GYN specialists per capita of any state in the country, and infant mortality in the state has soared more than another other.

Rep. Shannon Lundgren, R-Peosta, who led floor debate on the bill in the House, did not respond to a message seeking comment Tuesday. A spokesperson for Iowa House Republicans also did not return a message Tuesday.

Whos making the decision

The Iowa Board of Medicine licenses and regulates physicians, acupuncturists, and other health care providers. The board is composed of 10 members: five practicing doctors of medicine, two practicing doctors of osteopathic medicine, and three members of the public. State law requires no more than five members may be affiliated with the same political party. Members are appointed by the governor and confirmed by the Iowa Senate.

If approved by the board, the rules then go before the Legislatures Administrative Rules Review Committee, which votes to approve or reject them. The 10-member committee of House and Senate lawmakers is comprised of six Republicans and four Democrats.

Once the committee approves the initial proposal, the board may make changes to the wording based on feedback, and can then adopt the rules.

Should the Board of Medicine vote to move head with the proposed rules, that would open a public comment period through Jan. 2. The draft rules, along with all comments received, would return to the board for review and consideration of a vote to adopt the rules at its Jan. 26 board meeting. The rules go into effect 35 days after the final review.

Caleb McCullough of Lee Des Moines Bureau contributed to this report.
Abbas Ganbay

An Azerbaijani parliamentary delegation led by Speaker Sahiba Gafarova headed to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, on Wednesday for a working visit. The delegation will participate in the events of the CIS Interparliamentary Assembly, Azernews reports.

The Azerbaijani delegation includes MPs Mikhail Zabelin, Rasim Musabayov, Nizami Safarov, Emin Hajiyev, and other officials.

The visit is part of a series of visits by Azerbaijani parliamentary delegations to other countries. In October 2020, Speaker Gafarova and a delegation of Azerbaijani officials visited Turkiye, and in November 2020, the delegation visited Russia. In April 2021, the delegation visited Ireland, and in May 2021, the delegation visited Romania.

The Commonwealth of Independent States Interparliamentary Assembly is a permanent inter-parliamentary body of the Commonwealth of Independent States, established in 1993. The Assembly is composed of members of the parliaments of the CIS member states. The Assembly meets annually, and its main objectives are to strengthen inter-parliamentary cooperation, ensure the implementation of the decisions of the CIS Inter-Parliamentary Council, and consider issues related to the development of the Commonwealth of Independent States.

The visit to Kyrgyzstan is expected to further strengthen the ties between Azerbaijan and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
In Virginia, the legislature pushed body-worn camera reform in the wake of the May 2020 murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The legislation was welcomed, with critics and supporters of the police both saying transparency was needed around controversial police-civilian interactions.
Revenues at Danville Casino decreased again over the previous month, with the gaming establishment bringing in about $16.8 million during October, according to the most recent gaming activity report from the Virginia Lottery released Wednesday.

Thats more than $2 million less than the temporary facility saw in September, when it generated about $19.14 million.

The casino rang up about $12.6 million from its 822 slots and about $4.2 million from its 33 table games last month.

Danville Casino is housed in a giant tent-like structure while construction continues on a full resort expected to open by late 2024.

Since the temporary gaming establishment opened on May 15, its highest month was in July, when it hit about $21.4 million in revenues.

Danville is set to collect about $1.01 million in from the state in gaming taxes from the casino for the month of October. In addition, Danville will receive $421,031.70 in direct payments from Caesars Virginia as part of an agreement between the two entities, for a total of about $1.43 million.

So far, the city is set to receive a total of about $6.4 million from the state in gaming taxes from the casino since its opening six months ago, and nearly $2.7 million in direct payments from Caesars, said Danville Finance Director Michael Adkins.

Total money coming to Danville from gaming taxes and direct payments from Caesars is expected to add up to about $9.2 million so far, Adkins said.

Danville brought in less money than the $20 million generated at Rivers Casino Portsmouth in October, but exceeded that collected last month by HR Bristol, which was about $12.68 million.
With a focus on workforce development, Sen. Tim Kaine spent Monday morning in Danville meeting with Averett University officials and touring the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research.

Kaine was in town to discuss higher education and job training with Averett representatives and, with institute officials, the importance of preparing the next generation of workers for increased submarine construction for the countrys defense and through an agreement with Australia and the United Kingdom.

Were right now producing 1.3 Virginia-class submarines a year in the U.S. to do what we need to defend our country and to meet our obligations under this agreement with Australia, Kaine said during his tour of the institute. In about a decade, we have to get to a point where were producing about 2.3 and thats going to be workforce and thats also going to be innovation around additive manufacturing.

During his visit, Kaine toured its Accelerated Training in Defense Manufacturing program and Center for Manufacturing Advancement (which houses the U.S. Navys Additive Manufacturing Center for Excellence).

As the Institute for Advanced Learning and Research strives to be Virginias go-to partner for diverse business and economic growth, one of our targeted sectors remains advanced manufacturing, a field we have been pleased to support, Institute President Telly Tucker said in a prepared statement. It is with critical advocates like Sen. Kaine, the office of the secretary of defense, ... that impactful programs like accelerated training in defense manufacturing and the Navys Additive Manufacturing Center of Excellence are growing in Southern Virginia, advancing this technology hub for companies and job seekers while aiding national security.

The Democratic senators visit comes just after the U.S. Economic Development Administration selected the Virginia Additive Manufacturing and Applied Materials Strategy Development Consortium  of which the Institute is a partner  for a $500,000 grant to strengthen Americas supply chain.

Danville was connected to the grant due an innovative technology that a small company in Blacksburg, MELD, is starting, Kaine said during an interview outside Averett on Monday morning.

The idea was, well maybe MELD, working together with the Institute and this Navy Center for Additive Manufacturing, could really grow into something much more significant not just for one company, but there may be other spin-off companies in the area, Kaine said. It was smart that the Danville folks and the Blacksburg-Christiansburg folks realized, you know, were working in some compatible areas, why dont we put in a proposal together?

The initial $500,000 grant will help the two areas figure out what more they can do, Kaine added.

MELDs technology is a three-dimensional-type printing for metals at a lower temperature to enable the production of parts for ships and submarines quicker and cheaper and in a more environmentally friendly way, he said.

Thats why MELD is quite a darling with defense right now, because they are doing a technology that nobody else has, but it ties in very, very well with the Additive Manufacturing Excellence Center that the Navy is funding here in Danville, Kaine said.

The grant was made possible by the Tech Hubbs Program created by the U.S. CHIPS and Science Act, which Kaine helped pass.

During his tour, Kaine stopped by several labs and talked to instructors and trainees about the latest technologies used in those classrooms. He also emphasized the need for training for more workers in ship- and sub-building.

Were trying to figure out how to get more workers into the ship and sub industrial base, Kaine told reporters. Weve just announced this historic partnership with Australia and the UK.

Virginia will build submarines and sell them to the Australians in the 2030s and then help them learn how to construct their own nuclear submarines in the 2040s, he said.

The accelerated training in defense manufacturing programs goal is to provide training for skilled trades including welding, CNC machining, additive manufacturing or 3-D printing and non-destructive testing.

Theyre going to need 10,000 people over the next 10 years to meet those skilled-trade needs, said Institute spokesperson Allison Moore, referring to support needed for rebuilding of the nations Navy submarine fleet.

A 100,000-sqaure-foot facility is being built for the program, which will graduate 800 to 1,000 workers per year starting in 2025.

As for Averett, Kaine discussed with university officials the state of higher education and how the school is training the next generation of workers.

Kaine is pushing for inclusion of $670,000 in the Senate draft of the 2024 fiscal-year funding bill for Averett to strengthen job training and enhance its online programs.

Theres such workforce shortages across the commonwealth and country, Kaine said, adding that universities are innovating to help people get the necessary skills.

Those two items are contingent on getting the budget approved, he said.

As long as we get this budget deal done, and thats what were working on right now, I feel like its going to be a really good opportunity for Averett to build on what theyre already doing well, Kaine said.
The Roanoke Sheriffs Office deputy who was charged in March with taking bribes from and delivering drugs to inmates entered guilty pleas in Roanoke Circuit Court Tuesday.

Jonathan Hidalgo, 34, had been employed with the sheriffs office for about three years when the misconduct occurred, Chief Assistant Commonwealths Attorney John McNeil said during Tuesdays hearing.

McNeil said that in early January, inmates at the Roanoke City Adult Detention Center reported that Hidalgo was bringing marijuana into the facility.

On Jan. 11, McNeil said, the sheriffs office conducted a shakedown. As a result, Derrick J. Williams, 37, of Roanoke, was charged with possessing marijuana as an inmate. Court documents list Jan. 12 as the date of the offense.

McNeil said the sheriffs office contacted Virginia State Police to conduct an investigation, and on Jan. 13, investigators pulled Hidalgo aside as he arrived to work his shift.

Hidalgo basically admitted to everything during his recorded conversation with investigators, McNeil continued. Hidalgo told state police that on or about Dec. 1 and 5, Williams had asked him to get marijuana for inmates in exchange for money.

Hidalgo agreed to the plan, McNeil said, and later met with a female outside of the jail. She gave Hidalgo $1,000 and marijuana, which Hidalgo got to inmates by hiding it in cleaning supplies.

McNeil said that as Hidalgos conversation with state police continued, he told investigators that he had brought marijuana with him into the facility that day.

Hidalgo voluntarily directed investigators to a backpack, which McNeil said was in an employee area of the jail.

Hidalgo told police that another inmate had agreed to give him $600 if he brought marijuana inside the facility, and Hidalgo had once again met someone outside the jail to pick up the money and drugs.

The marijuana that was seized from the backpack that day was not introduced to the jail, McNeil said.

Hidalgo was indicted in March on four felony charges: delivering narcotics to a prisoner, attempting to deliver narcotics to a prisoner and two counts of bribery in a correctional facility. He pleaded guilty to three of those charges Tuesday. In exchange, the attempted narcotics delivery charge will not be prosecuted.

Hidalgos attorney, Carter B. Garrett, requested that Hidalgo be permitted to travel out of the state while awaiting sentencing. The lawyer said Hidalgo, who has been living with his sister in Farmville, has no prior criminal record and wishes to visit his children in Morrisville, Pennsylvania.

Garrett also argued that his client has been cooperative and truthful, noting that when Hidalgo spoke with state police, he exposed himself to additional criminal liability.

The defense attorney said Hidalgo has recently been allowed to leave Virginia for Pennsylvania while on a $2,500 secured bond. Court records indicate he left the state with the permission of his probation officer on two occasions, once for two days in June and once for 10 days in September.

Judge David Carson granted Hidalgos request to amend the terms of his bond to allow him to leave Virginia but encouraged him to stay in touch with his probation officer.

Hidalgos sentencing hearing has been scheduled for Feb. 12, according to Virginias online court case information system.

Williams was indicted in March on his marijuana possession charge and sentenced in accordance with a plea agreement in May to two years of incarceration, suspended after he served six months. Court documents indicate he was released in October.

Court documents associated with Williams case also reveal that one torn glove which contained one knotted plastic bag corner which contained plant material was analyzed by forensic scientists. They determined that the plant material was about 10 grams of marijuana.

McNeil said Tuesday that a second inmate, who the prosecutor did not name, has been charged with bribing Hidalgo.

There are other facts to this investigation, the prosecutor said. There may be additional charges coming.
HIGH POINT  Police say a 20-year-old man with a history of exposing himself at local businesses was arrested again Tuesday morning at a local Chick-Fil-A restaurant.

This is the ninth time Noree L. Staton has been arrested in the past six months, according to a news release from the High Point Police Department.

Police say Staton was seen masturbating at Chick-fil-A at 2700 N. Main St. at approximately 11:20 a.m. Tuesday near a mother and her young children. Staton ran from the restaurant and officers chased him across the street.

He was arrested in a parking lot and charged with indecent liberties with children and resist, delay and obstruct a police officer. He is in the Guilford County Jail  the High Point location  with no bond.

Police say Staton was out on bond after being released from jail Nov. 8. The police department provided this timeline of Statons arrests since May:

May 1: Arrested after a woman reported he groped her from behind at 265 Eastchester Drive (Harris Teeter). He was given a $250 bond.

May 24: Arrested after a victim reported Staton entered the womens bathroom at 2705 N. Main St. (Food Lion) and peered over a stall. He was given a $1,000 bond and bonded out about 12 hours later.

July 5: Arrested on outstanding warrant for trespassing and also charged with resist, delay or obstruct a public officer. Staton was wanted for trespassing at a local Harris Teeter where hed been previously banned.

July 5: Charged with four counts of indecent exposure. Officers investigated reports Stat

on exposed himself at DeBeen Espresso and gathered enough evidence to charge him with additional crimes. At this time, he was already in custody for previous charges. Magistrate set bond at $40,000. At Statons first appearance on July 6, a judge set his bond at $25,000. Staton bonded out of jail on July 9.

July 16: While out on bond, he was arrested on a charge of indecent exposure. Magistrate set bond at $50,000. During first appearance, judge raised bond to $75,000.

July 19: Charged with stalking. This charge was for an incident that occurred on May 24 at the Hartley Drive Family YMCA (150 W. Hartley Drive). Management said Staton entered the womens bathroom and harassed two juvenile females. Staton was served the warrant in jail. A magistrate set his bond at $1,500.

Sept. 27: Arrested after reportedly trespassing at Westchester Baptist Church (135 Westchester Drive). Hed been banned from the property on Sept. 19 and was seen on the property the next day. Magistrate set bond at $500.

Sept. 28: Arrested on a charge of resist, delay or obstruct a police officer. Officers responded to a domestic disturbance on Elmhurst Avenue. Staton was there and he failed to follow the officers commands. Magistrate set bond at $500.

Police say Staton is banned from many High Point businesses, including:

Target (1050 Mall Loop Road)

Waffle House (115 Westchester Drive)

Harris Teeter (all stores)

Hartley Drive Family YMCA (150 W. Harley Drive)

DeBeen Espresso (709 W. Lexington Ave.)

Starbucks (2209 N. Main St.)

Publix (2005 N. Main St.)

Walgreens (2019 N. Main St.)

101 Oxford Place (Condos and entire complex)

Westchester Baptist Church (135 Westchester Drive)

High Point Christian Academy (307 N. Rotary Drive)

83 Custom Coffee (1212 N. Main St.)

It was not immediately known if Staton had retained an attorney.
EDEN  A 49-year-old woman is jailed without bond after her arrest in connection with a deadly shooting Oct. 1 at the Rabbit Hole.

The Eden Police Department, in a joint investigation with North Carolina Alcohol Law Enforcement, arrested Tina Louise Lawson, the owner/ABC permittee of the business at 111 N. Hundley St.

Lawson is being held at the Rockingham County Detention Center and is scheduled to appear in Rockingham County District Court on Nov. 27, police said in a news release.

The Eden Police Department charged Lawson with felony accessory to murder after the fact, felony aid and abet possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, and misdemeanor possession of marijuana.

On Oct. 12, Aaron Noel Johnson Marriott of Eden turned himself in to the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office after investigators obtained a warrant for the 22-year-old. He was charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of Al Jamar Lindsay, who was killed outside The Rabbit Hole.

Just after 1 a.m. Oct. 1, officers responded to the business about a shooting and located Lindsay, 39, in the parking lot. Despite life-saving measures, he was pronounced dead at the scene.

The initial investigation indicated that a group was involved in a physical altercation. Lindsay was not involved in the altercation but was approached by an individual who fired shots directly at him in close range, Eden police said in an Oct. 1 news release.

After Lawsons arrest, police said the NC ALE has obtained additional warrants: felony maintaining a dwelling and four misdemeanor counts of knowingly allowing any of the following kinds of conduct to occur on licensed premises: Any violation of Chapter 18 violations, allowing any fighting or other disorderly conduct to occur on licensed premises, allowing controlled substance violations to occur on licensed premises, and failing to superintend licensed premises, according to Alcohol Law Enforcement.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Detective Sonya Crabtree or Lieutenant Andrew Kenyi at 336-623-9755 (24 hours) and 336-623-9240, ext. 3241 between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m. For anonymous methods, call Rockingham County Crimestoppers at 336-349-9683.
WENTWORTH  A 24-year-old inmate died at the Rockingham County Detention Facility on Oct. 15, the second prisoner to die there within 17 days from medical problems that were not associated with a suicide attempt or foul play, according to a news release from the Rockingham County Sheriffs Office.

The death marks the 11th inmate death at the jail since February 2021.

At around 7:40 a.m. on Wednesday, the Danville woman collapsed from an apparent medical emergency while being monitored by detention center staff and medical staff, and could not be revived, despite CPR and other measures, according to the release.

The inmate, who was arrested on weapons charges, arrived at the jail around 4 a.m., according to the release, and was placed then in an observation cell where she was watched by detention center personnel and county medical personnel. She showed no signs of distress before collapsing in the cell, the RCSO release said.

The sheriffs office did not explain why the woman had been put under medical observation upon her arrival at the jail.

I cannot comment on an inmates medical status, said Lt. Kevin Suthard, RCSO spokesman.

Foul play is not suspected, according to the release.

At the request of Sheriff Sam Page, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation has been alerted to the death and will perform a follow-up investigation, standard procedure when there is any inmate death.

The sheriffs office did not provide the name of the woman who died because the office has not yet notified the inmates next of kin, the release said.

On Oct. 30, another inmate at the jail died there from a cardiac related medical emergency, according to the sheriffs office.

State officials in 2022, prompted by a 40% increase in North Carolina county jail deaths between 2020 and 2021, researched jail protocols statewide and found systemic problems with staffing and adequate inmate monitoring at Rockinghams jail, as well as at other county jails across the state.

Four of the 67 inmates who died in North Carolina in 2021 were housed in the Wentworth jail, three of whom had opiate-abuse histories and committed suicide by hanging in their cells, county and state medical officials records show.

On Oct. 30, detention officers and medical staff, along with Rockingham County EMS personnel, rendered medical assistance to the male inmate in his cell, but were unable to save him, according to the release.

The mans name, age, charges and city of residence were not disclosed by the sheriffs office.

Neither suicide, nor foul play, is suspected in the inmates death, according to the sheriffs office.

Page requested the SBI independently investigate the Oct. 30 death.

On March 4, a female inmate died at the jail from an apparent medical emergency, the first death at the detention facility this year, according to the sheriffs office

In 2022, three inmates of the jail died while in custody and another man died while in pre-booking and in the custody of the arresting officer prior to being turned over to the jail, Suthard said in an email.

In 2021, a fourth inmate died at the jail from complications of a bleeding ulcer, according to the N.C. Department of Corrections.

The deaths were the first at the jail since 2015, according to records from NCDOC.

Built in 2010, the jail can accommodate up to 232 inmates and employs a staff of more than 50 full- and part-time officers, including two lieutenants, staff sergeants, sergeants and staff, according to the jails county website.
HanesBrands Inc. has received at least $20.5 million in insurance compensation in 2023 for the 2022 ransomware attack that cost the manufacturer about $100 million in global sales.

The Winston-Salem basic apparel manufacturer disclosed the insurance payments in its third-quarter regulatory filing that represents compensation for lost profits.

HanesBrands disclosed in a May 31, 2022, regulatory filing that it began experiencing the ransomware attack on May 24, 2022.

Ransomware is a type of malicious software employed by hackers that can block access to a computer system until a ransom is paid. In recent years, the targets have shifted from individuals to governments, companies, nonprofits and health care systems.

HanesBrands said the ransomware attack affected its global supply chain network and ability to fulfill customer orders for about three weeks. The attack resulted in a $35 million reduction in adjusted operating profit for the second quarter of fiscal 2022, while lowering adjusted earnings per share by 8 cents.

HanesBrands said in the quarterly regulatory filing that it recognized a benefit related to business interruption insurance proceeds of $17.8 million, of which $15 million was received in the quarter.

For fiscal 2023 to date, it has recognized a benefit of $24.1 million, of which $20.6 million has been received.

The company also recognized a benefit of $708,000 for the reimbursement of costs related primarily to legal fees.

HanesBrands provided in the filing an update on a ransomware-related federal lawsuit filed in October 2022 on behalf of current and former employees.

The N.C. lawsuit, filed in federal Middle District Court on Oct. 13, has Nicole Toussaint as the plaintiff. A similar California lawsuit has been consolidated into the Toussaint complaint.

HanesBrands is pursuing dismissal of the complaint, claiming the plaintiffs lack standing and have failed to state a claim. The company is vigorously defending the pending matter and believes the case is without merit, according to the filing.

The main complaint allegation is that the ransomware attack contributed to a data breach of certain highly sensitive personal and protected health information that included name, address, date of birth, financial account information and government-issued identification numbers, and other health and employment accounts.

Toussaint said she wasnt notified of the data breach until Aug. 16, 2022. Toussaint lives in Maine and was employed as an assistant manager from 2012 through 2018.

The suits ask for compensatory, punitive and other damages, as well as injunctive relief that requires HanesBrands to strengthen its data security systems and monitoring procedures, submit to future annual audits of those systems, and immediately provide adequate credit monitoring for up to 10 years.

HanesBrands agreed to provide up to two years worth of credit monitoring.

In the response, HanesBrands said it took extraordinary and immediate action to re-secure the implicated data set. That included disclosing that it reached a payment agreement of an undisclosed amount to the ransomware attacker.

In exchange, the attacker agreed to not disseminate the information and to delete the information from its systems with confirmation provided. Hanesbrands said it was provided evidence on June 3, 2022, that those actions had occurred.

HanesBrands has not said whether the attack affected only internal operations, or whether the information held hostage affected employees and customers.
, the world's largest integrated healthcare provider, has successfully completed 25 years of its liver transplant program in India. The program has performed over 4300 liver transplants, including 515 in children from more than 50 countries. Currently, Apollo carries out more than 1600 solidevery year, with a success rate of 90%. This program serves as a beacon of quality and hope for patients from all over the world.Dr. Preetha Reddy, Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group, said, "At Apollo, our dedication lies in ensuring that no individual succumb due to a lack of access to transplantation. Our focus involves establishing top-tier transplant centers led by esteemed clinicians. We are committed to extending our expertise to individuals worldwide seeking liver transplant services".Dr. Anupam Sibal, Group Medical Director & Senior Pediatric Gastroenterologist, said, "In the last 25 years, the liver transplant program at Apollo Institutes has achieved remarkable milestones giving hope to patients with end-stage liver diseases. Sanjay Kandasamy, India's first liver transplant recipient, is now a successful doctor, a beacon of hope for those with no hope. Success stories of our patients have encouraged us to create the most advanced transplant ecosystem, performing complex transplants such as ABO-incompatible, combined liver-kidney transplants, and in babies weighing just 4 kgs".Dr. Neerav Goyal, Sr. Consultant, Liver Transplants, said, "With a remarkable 90% success rate, Apollo's liver transplant program embodies unwavering commitment, serving as a beacon of hope for liver failure patients. Our intent is to expand further, extending renewed chances for a healthier life".The Apollo Transplant program is a leading and comprehensive transplant program in the world, which specializes in managing a wide range of liver and kidney diseases, performing liver and kidney transplant surgeries, heart and lung transplant surgeries, intestinal, pancreas and GI transplant surgeries, as well as podiatric transplant services.
The delegation of the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Uzbekistan visited the National Defense University. The Rector of the National Defense University, Professor, Lieutenant General Heydar Piriyev welcomed the guests and expressed his satisfaction with seeing them in Azerbaijan, Azernews reports.

The visitors were presented with a briefing on the history of the National Defense University, its educational system and teaching process, as well as its scientific contributions.

The meeting discussed the current situation and development prospects of cooperation in the field of military education between Azerbaijan and Uzbekistan.

Then the Uzbek delegation visited the Military Administration Institute under the National Defense University. Rector of the Military Administration Institute, Doctor of National Security and Military Sciences, Professor, Colonel Babir Guliyev informed about the institutes activity.

As part of the visit, the guests also visited the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev of the National Defense University.

The memorial complex laid in memory of the National Leader of the Azerbaijani people Heydar Aliyev, and Shehids (Martyrs) of the Patriotic War was visited, and flowers were laid.

The Uzbek delegation got acquainted with the photo board depicting the life and political activities of the Great Leader in the museum on the territory of the institute and signed the memorial book.

The Rector of the Military Institute named after Heydar Aliyev, Major General Fizuli Salahov, and the guests discussed a number of issues of common interest in military education.

In the end, the sides exchanged gifts, and a photo was taken.
The familiar and delicate tinklings of Tchaikovsky's Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy begins playing. Dancer Katya Volodina, frosted in a glittering tiara and soft pink tutu, steps onto the stage.

For two minutes and 45 seconds, she pirouettes and arabesques about the stageall the while with a serene smile on her face.

She makes it look so effortless, doesnt she? asked Campbell Midgley, artistic director and owner of Queen City Ballet.

From Sugar Plum Fairies and marching nutcracker dolls to fighting mouse kings and towering Christmas trees, only one event could seamlessly combine all these curious characters into one story  The Nutcracker.

After a one-year hiatus, Queen City Ballet will present its 22nd annual production of The Nutcracker, on Nov. 18 and 19.

If you go ... What: Queen City Ballet performs The Nutcracker When: Nov. 18 at 7:30 p.m. and Nov. 19 at 2 p.m. Where: Helena Civic Center, 340 Neill Ave. Cost: Ticket prices range from $18-$40 with special discounts available in the economy section for students and seniors. A limited number of VIP tables are available for groups. Tickets can be purchased online at helenaciviccenter.com, by phone at 406-447-8481, or in person at the Helena Civic Center Box Office. Contact: 406-447-8481 Info: helenaciviccenter.com

For Midgley, her dancers, and much of the Helena community, The Nutcracker is an essential thread stitched into the fabric of every holiday season.

It takes everyone back to their childhood of a magical time when Christmas was even more magical than it is now, said Midgley.

While it may be Queen City Ballets 22nd Nutcracker performance, Midgley herself has a nearly 40-year relationship with the beloved classic.

As a young ballet student, Midgley shared that The Nutcracker was the first big professional production she was ever in. At just 14 years old, she stepped into the role of Clara in New York City Ballets version of The Nutcracker, directed by Robert Lingren at the North Carolina School of the Arts.

After going on to dance professionally, Midgley also danced the role of Clara in Houston Ballets Nutcracker production directed by O.B.E. Ben Stevenson.

After starting Queen City Ballet in 2001, it only seemed fitting to slip The Nutcracker into her annual repertoire of performances.

Its become a flagship production since we started, said Midgely. Its an integral part of a dance education and its the only classical ballet that actually is designed to have children in it.

Adapted from E.T. A. Hoffmans 1816 short story, The Nutcracker and the Mouse King, The Nutcracker ballet is about an adventure taken on by a young girl, Clara, and a life-sized nutcracker that has come to life. Together they travel to mystical lands while battling the mouse king.

According to Midgley there are over 1,500 annual Nutcracker performances in the United States alone. But each one, including Queen Citys, stands unique.

This years production features a cast of around 100 Queen City Ballet Company dancers, students, former alumni, and professional guest artists who bring to life the characters of the Christmas classic.

Katya Volodina, Capital High School senior and silver medalist at the AD IBC Youth International Ballet Competition, will dance the iconic and challenging role of the Sugarplum Fairy.

Katya has performed almost every role in Queen City Ballets Nutcracker over the past 11 years, and its a joy to watch her blossom into the role of the Sugarplum Fairy at a professional level, said Midgley.

While Volodina has danced with Queen City for the past 15 years, she still recalls portraying a mouse in her very first Nutcracker performance. This year she trades in the mouse ears and tail for a glittering tiara and fluffy tutu.

Im excited to perform it, but its a hard role, shared Volodina. The role is the embodiment of a ballerina, and it has helped me mature in my dancing.

Queen City Ballet alum, Kaden Pfister, who recently competed at the International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi returns to portray the Nutcracker Prince and dance with Capital High School sophomore, Victoria Volodina in the role of Clara.

Victoria has a natural sweetness that epitomizes the role of Clara and complements Kadens charismatic and tender portrayal of the Prince, said Midgley.

Pfister, who currently attends United Ballet Theatre in Orlando, Florida, has not returned home to Helena for two years.

I was ready to jump on the plane, said Pfister in recalling his reaction to being asked to return for The Nutcracker.

While it may be his first time back to Montana in two years, Pfister is no stranger to playing the role of the Nutcracker Prince. In his final Nutcracker performance as a student at Queen City, Pfister also played the prince.

Now, however, he is an older and more experienced dancer.

Now that Im grown up, I can look at more seriously, said Pfister of his role as the Nutcracker Prince. Old challenges became easier and new challenges were presented.

Queen City alumni Kaitlyn Ruch, Elinor Goehring, and Lizzie Johnson return to dance in a newly choreographed Arabian as well as Snow and Waltz of the Flowers.

Ive redone Arabian because I have the honor of having three of my formers students who danced here for 13 years, and are very near and dear to my heart, all coming back, said Midgley. So I thought it would be interesting to do the dance with three girls instead of a couple.

One element that Midgely is particularly excited about this year is the number of adult ballet students taking regular weekly classes who are also participating. While she explained that shes always had adults from Queen City Ballet school and the community in The Nutcracker, her adult ballet program has really grown since the COVID-19 pandemic.

Ive never had that luxury before of having so many people that are actually working on the craft of ballet and are a student in the school get to also be a part of this production, said Midgely. Its really neat. Im really excited about that.

One of the most anticipated encore performers in Queen Citys Nutcracker this year is Jerry McCarthy who will reprise the role of Herr Drosselmeyer for the 15th time.

It was an unexpected call to get a few weeks back, but I was happy to get it, said McCarthy.

McCarthy first joined the Queen City Ballet family after his two daughters started dancing with Midgley.

He shared that one year his wife strongly suggested to Midgley that she put McCarthy on stage despite him having no prior performing experience. He first appeared in The Nutcracker as the grandfather during the opening party scene.

The following year McCarthy flung on his dark cape and transformed into Drosselmeyer, the mysterious godfather of Clara.

I think my prep was I was a high school teacher, so I spent every day standing in front of 125 teenagers and having to make physics interesting, said McCarthy. I was a storyteller in that sense. Ive never been on stage before, but once I convinced myself I was Drosselmyer the moment before the curtain opened, I was just being myself.

From former and current students to ballet dads and adult dancers, the cast of Queen Citys Nutcracker is a fusion of performers as varied and colorful as the costumes they will wear.

This truly is a fantastic cast, and it warms my heart to be blending so many generations of dancers that call Queen City Ballet their home, said Midgley.

The shared experience of many at Queen City stays with dancers long after theyve hung up their slippers and moved on to new adventures.

Im here for a dancer and a person for the entire journey, said Midgley. Whether they go on to dance professionally or theyre in college or theyre becoming doctors and Im writing letters of recommendation for med school, Im there for the whole journey. I believe they keep coming back because they feel that this is home.

It shows the family feel of Queen City, said McCarthy. That long after your dancer is not here that these relationships are lifelong.

Perhaps even more impressive than the cast themselves is the unseen effort that goes on long before the curtain rises to bring The Nutcracker to life each year.

It is extremely labor intensive, shared Midgley. The rehearsal process for me personally is about 150 hours.

That extensive labor extends to the dancers as well.

We dont do any rehearsals in regular classes so students in the advanced level dance 12 hours a week for training and then they do an extra 10-15 hours on top of that during Nutcracker season, said Midgley. Its pretty intensive for them.

From the costumes, backdrops, and choreography, much of Queen Citys Nutcracker performance appears the same from one year to the next. But Midgely would argue thats not quite the case.

The mere fact that its different dancers playing these beloved roles makes it in itself different, said Midgley. The personalities of the dancers themselves and the artistry of pulling those out of the individual and sharing them is what makes each show completely different.

Its not one of those things where you say oh, Ive seen the Nutcracker, said Midgely. Theres a tradition to it.

That tradition, both familiar and refreshed, is one that keeps audiences coming back year after year.

Its like a really strong cup of coffee, said McCarthy of The Nutcracker ballet. Its really energizing and invigorating. Between the camaraderie of the adults and the energy of those kids from ages six to 18 its really impressive and I really like that in my life.
The Montana Department of Transportation and Riverside Contracting Inc. have paused construction on the Interstate 15 Wolf Creek North and South project for the 2023 construction season, it was announced Thursday.

Motorists are now traveling on both sides of I-15. No traffic control will be in place this winter. Crews will return in the spring to begin work on the northbound lanes of I-15.

Construction began this past spring to rehabilitate about 7 miles of I-15 through Wolf Creek in a project that in early 2023 was estimated at nearly $40 million.

Work completed in 2023 included removing about 2 feet of degraded roadway material and placing new fabric, crushed gravel base and a new asphalt driving surface on the southbound lanes of I-15.

Crews also upgraded the concrete barrier rails, metal guardrails and signage on the southbound lanes. Roadside delineators (roadside markers) were added on the inside curb of the southbound lanes to alert motorists to the roadway curve. New and improved erosion control features were also added to the southbound lanes.

When crews return next year, similar improvements will be made to the northbound lanes of I-15. Crossings, ramps and other intersecting roads next to I-15 will also be improved with new driving surfaces during the 2024 construction season.

Work on this project is anticipated to be completed in summer 2025.

The project aims to improve the driving surface and enhance roadway safety features on this 7-mile stretch of I-15. The extreme climate and numerous freeze/thaw cycles in the Wolf Creek Canyon have caused the roadway material to degrade to the point where routine maintenance is no longer practical.

More information about the planned improvements and construction activities can be found at: www.mdt.mt.gov/pubinvolve/i15wolfcreek/. For current traffic conditions and up-to-date restrictions visit 511mt.net.
MISSOULA  The floor was alive with children scrambling over toys and adults on Thursday as Gov. Greg Gianforte hosted a panel to promote the state's new adoption tax credit.

Through the passage of House Bill 225, the tax credit provides a refundable $7,500 tax credit for those who adopt a child from Montana's foster care system, and $5,000 for children who adopted from outside the state system.

Rep. Courtenay Sprunger, R-Kalispell, carried the legislation during the session and spoke with adoptive parents Thursday alongside Gianforte at Missoula Alliance Church.

"We wanted to have a big family," Matt Peterson said. He and his wife Katie struggled to have more children after their first child, Audra. Influences through their church community put them on the path toward foster care.

"It's difficult," Audra told the governor after he asked her about having foster children in the home with her. "But it's more fun than being an only child."

The Evelo family has seen 38 foster children come through their home. Like the Evelos, several parents at Thursday's event said they adopted children after fostering.

As the bill was moving through the state Legislature earlier this year, approximately 2,600 children were living in foster care. The tax credit from the state aims to bridge the gaps families often face when they adopt children. While the cost of adoption can add up to tens of thousands of dollars, another parent, Andy Erdahl, said there's no receipts for other reimbursement forms when it comes to sick days and lost work.

"Our goal is to make it easier," Gianforte told the families.

During the session, the Gianforte administration pitched the proposal to lawmakers as a long-term cost-savings measure by keeping children out of the foster care system. Children who age out of foster homes are more likely to be homeless or incarcerated, supporters said.

Sprunger, who carried the bill, said Thursday she's the aunt of two adopted girls.

"It's expensive," she added. "It's time, talent and your finances.  If we're going to be pro-life, then we need to be support the life all the way through. We're going to support the families and we're going to stand with these children."

The tax credit's availability is retroactive to July 2022.
Should Montana increase teacher licensing fees? The answer is simple, NO.

Why would we consider shifting the burden of covering the cost of licensing to our teachers who are struggling to make ends meet? As I have previously promised, I will not support increasing taxes on our teachers.

For some time, I have been working to change the landscape of public education to be more student- and family-focused.

Learning occurs in the classroom with individual teachers caring for and recognizing students and families. We need to remove any hurdle to recruiting and retaining quality educators.

During the upcoming Board of Public Education (BPE) meeting on Nov. 15-17, the board will vote on a new teacher licensing fee structure. House Bill 403, sponsored by Rep. Bedey, amended teacher licensing from being set in law to allowing the superintendent of public instruction to recommend the fee amounts to the BPE.

The purpose of this change was to ensure full self-funding for TeachMT, OPIs new digital teacher licensing system, including personnel services. I am urging the board to accept my proposed teacher licensing funding method, which leaves the teacher license fee unchanged. My complete proposed fee structure to accomplish the goal of HB 403 is as follows:

 Application fee (new licenses): $6  remains the same

 Teacher license (5-year license): $30  remains the same $6/year

 Administrator license (5-year license): $225  $45/year, an increase of $31/year

 Emergency authorization: $30  annual fee remains the same

 Internships: $30  annual fee remains the same

 Technology fee: $25  new, one-time fee every ve years

Raising teacher licensing fees would be historic, as these fees have not changed since 1991. According to the March 2022 Montana Teacher License Cost Analysis from the Montana Legislature Fiscal Division, the average cost of teacher licenses among states with general fund subsidized fees, including Montana, is $45 every ve years.

The term general fund subsidized fees means that states use general fund dollars to support their licensing programs. The general fund, of course, is made up of a variety of dollars collected from taxpayers, most notably in the form of income and property taxes.

Many schools across our great state have help-wanted signs in their windows. Schools are struggling to nd classroom teachers, librarians and counselors. Raising taxes on our Montana teachers would only place an additional obstacle on teacher recruitment and retention.

Montana ranks 51st in the nation, including Washington, D.C., with an average starting teacher salary of $33,568.

This is embarrassing and unacceptable.

On a slightly better note, Montana ranks 44th for its average teacher salary of $53,628. There are approximately 11,000 teachers in Montanas 826 public schools.

On the administrative side, the average full-time principal salary in Montana is $94,394, while the average full-time superintendent salary is $117,537. If the licensing fee structure needs to be modied to be self-funded, it seems that a $31 per year increase to this higher compensated group of professionals is a better solution.

From the perspective of a 23-year classroom teacher, I dont want to do any action that might further deter quality educators from teaching in our state. The elected board of trustees in each district sets the budget and hires a superintendent to implement the board's actions.

The logical solution is to raise license fees only for those with more compensation, authority, and responsibility in public education in Montana and to refrain from adding any further burden on our classroom teachers.
DECATUR  Volunteers at St. Johns Lutheran Church have been preparing for the Christmas season for months.

Were telling the story of Jesus, said Cathi Tavarczky.

St. Johns Lutheran Church will host its free Living Nativity scenes on Nov. 18 and 19 throughout the church campus at 2727 N. Union Blvd., Decatur.

Tavarczky oversees the organization of the event. There are 10 different stations that theyll stop at, she said about the visitors tour. It starts with an angel coming to Mary.

The tour proceeds through various scenes, including the inn in which Mary and Joseph were rejected, traveling shepherds, the wise men with live camels, the nativity, and events in Jesus' live such as the calming of the sea and the trial overseen by Pontius Pilate that led to his crucifixion.

The end scene is the resurrection, Tavarczky said. Its all-encompassing the life of Jesus.

From 4:30 to 5:30 p.m., visitors can take a walking tour guided by a shepherd who will tell the story of each scene.

From 6 to 8 p.m. vehicles can take part in the drive-thru tour with information about the scene provided by downloading a QR code.

Approximately 200 volunteers are credited for creating the event. It takes the whole church, Tavarczky said.

Living Nativity St. Johns Lutheran Church, located at 2727 N. Union Blvd., Decatur, will host their free Living Nativity Saturday, Nov. 18, and Sunday, Nov. 19, around the church campus. Walkers can take the route from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. Drivers can drive through from 6 to 8 p.m.

Volunteer groups include those that set up the displays, advertising for the event, childcare and chefs cooking for the volunteers, traffic control personnel and an electrical team.

Those same people, most of them, volunteer to be in it too as characters, Tavarczky said.

The first Living Nativity scene was held in 1989 with only three displays. Now were up to 10 scenes, Tavarczky said. We usually have about 2,000 people that go through it.

The original displays had music playing in the background. Live animals also stood among the real people. The weather has altered the churchs plans in the past, including an ice storm in 2006.

If it rains very hard then we have to cancel because of all the electrical stuff that we have out there, Tavarczky said.

The actor who portrays Jesus wears a flesh-colored suit during the crucifixion. In the past weve had a heater blowing on them, Tavarczky said. It can be pretty cold.

Organizers host the Living Nativity every two years. And I booked the animals a year in advance, Tavarczky said. We start really talking about it, six to nine months before it actually happens.

The unseasonably warm temperatures have been ideal for preparing the displays. And I like the weather, Tavarczky said.

PHOTOS: Decatur-area holiday lights displays
CHICAGO  The father of the suspect in a deadly Fourth of July parade shooting in suburban Chicago turned himself in Wednesday to begin a 60-day jail sentence, but not before the judge reprimanded him for violating court rules.

Robert Crimo Jr. entered a guilty plea to seven misdemeanor counts of reckless conduct last week in Lake County court, in Waukegan. Crimo sponsored his underage son's firearm application three years before the July 2022 attack in Highland Park, even though the teenager had recently threatened violence.

Crimo arrived at the Lake County courthouse wearing a white T-shirt with large black letters reading: "I'm A Political Pawn." The back said: "LAWS, FACTS, REALITY." He turned it inside out before entering the courtroom, but the judge threatened to hold him in contempt of court if he violated court rules again, according to his lawyer, George Gomez, who said he did not know what his client's shirt meant.

A court decorum order for the case prohibits any spectator from wearing or displaying a message that could affect the orderly administration of proceedings.

Judge George Strickland on Nov. 6 sentenced Crimo Jr. to 60 days in jail, two years of probation and 100 hours of community service, but agreed to wait until Wednesday to take him into custody.

Illinois offers most misdemeanor offenders the opportunity to reduce their sentence by half for good behavior, meaning Crimo Jr. may only serve 30 days. Although jail time will be brief, the case is significant because it is a rare example of a parent or guardian held criminally liable for the actions of an alleged mass shooter.

The judge also ordered Crimo Jr. to surrender his gun license and ammunition, and banned the former mayoral candidate from sponsoring firearm applications for minors.

Crimo Jr. had been originally charged with seven felony counts of reckless conduct  one for each person his son, Robert Crimo III, is accused of killing.

Prosecutors said a guilty plea with reduced misdemeanor charges was a good outcome.

"We've laid down a marker to other prosecutors, to other police in this country, to other parents, that they must be held accountable," said Lake County State's Attorney Eric Rinehart after Crimo Jr. was sentenced. "He knew exactly how dangerous it was for this 19-year-old to have a weapon."

But on Wednesday, Rinehart said Crimo Jr.'s decision to make a statement with the T-shirt raises questions about whether he feels remorse for "his reckless actions and the pain he caused."

"Mr. Crimo has every constitutional right to remain silent. Now, he has spoken and instead of taking any responsibility, he has shown unbelievable callousness," Rinehart said in an emailed statement to The Associated Press. "This callousness will follow him into the jail and beyond; it will follow him everywhere."

Crimo Jr. had no comment on his sentence or charges. Gomez said the plea was made in part to ensure his son received a fair trial, since details and evidence from the shooting would have been widely aired during a trial of his own.

Three years before the attack, the younger Crimo at 19 was not old enough to seek his own gun license, but could apply with the sponsorship of a parent or guardian. His father signed off on the application, even though just months earlier a relative reported to police that Crimo III had threatened to "kill everyone."

Crimo III faces 21 first-degree murder counts, 48 counts of attempted murder and 48 counts of aggravated battery. Prosecutors say he admitted he was the gunman when he was arrested hours after the shooting in Highland Park. A trial date is expected to be set on Dec. 11.

Photos: Highland Park marks one-year anniversary of parade shooting US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth US Shooting July Fourth
Across the Oval Office from President Joe Bidens fine mahogany desk sits a small, discreet bust of Robert Kennedy, the brother of President John Kennedy and the man whom Biden calls a hero and his North Star for policies that address the best interests of people.

Now the eldest son of Robert Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., is mounting a presidential challenge to Biden. What began as a sort of nuisance challenge in the Democratic primary quickly morphed into an independent presidential bid  and a potential problem for both Biden and former President Donald Trump. With his famous name and none-of-the-above platform, Kennedy just posted a healthy 22% share of the vote in two recent national polls that tested a three-way race between Kennedy, Biden and Trump.

Its not clear who Kennedy would damage the most because his hodgepodge of policies seem to draw as much from Trumps COVID skeptics as Bidens progressive base. Add to that a plurality of independent voters, as Kennedy did in those polls, and youve got a potential race on your hands.

Several things have to happen for an independent candidate to actually become viable in a presidential contest in America, not the least of which is getting onto the ballot in all 50 states.

But Kennedy has made it clear that Georgia is one of five battleground states hes most focused on. It may surprise you to know that hes already been to Georgia more this year than Trump and Biden combined.

Since launching his independent bid, Kennedy stumped in Duluth, Georgia, and Atlanta in September, in Augusta in October and in Savannah this month. Along with the question of whether hell actually be on the 2024 ballot, which will require thousands of Georgians signatures, the bigger question for voters considering him is -- who is this guy?

We know hes got the famous last name and blue eyes of the Kennedys, but is he an eccentric kook, as hes often portrayed in the press, or an independents savior? Hes offered a trail of clues during his visits in Georgia so far.

At first glance, or listen, the raspy-voiced lawyers declarations could be music to any independents ears.

Im not doing this to serve some need for my ego, Im doing this because I know I can change this country and bring it back, he told attendees at his Duluth rally. The way they keep us from doing it is they have us all fighting each other. They turn Blacks against whites ... they turn Democrats against Republicans, at each others throats.

At that event and others he focused heavily on economic issues such as home ownership.

The American dream has turned into a nightmare, he says. When Americans become renters, we go from citizens to serfs on our own land, where the big shots own all the land and all the homes.

But along with his independent message and middle-class mantra, hes also got more than the average bears level of conspiracy-adjacent language.

Spread across his message of unity are lots of theys  the bankers and the billionaires he said are behind nearly everything wrong in America over the last 50 years, from the Vietnam War to 9/11 to COVID.

Amazon got to close its competitors during COVID, he said in Duluth, and then they censored his book that detailed it all.

In Augusta, he said, My uncle realized that the purpose of the intelligence agencies was to provide us a pipeline of constant wars. Were addicted to it.

And what about the vaccines? He said his position as an anti-vaxxer has been overblown. He said he considers all abortions a tragedy, but that the decision ought to stay with women. He said hed seal the Southern border and create a universal passport card for all Americans to easily prove their work status.

So is he wonderful? Or a weirdo? His family seems to think hes the latter.

Bobby might share the same name as our father, his siblings wrote on the day he announced. But he does not share the same values, vision or judgment. Todays announcement is deeply saddening for us. We denounce his candidacy and believe it to be perilous for our country.

His nephew, Jack Schlosberg accused him of trading in on Camelot, celebrity, conspiracy theories and conflict for personal gain and fame.

Theyre all voting for Biden. But theyre not speaking for all Americans or even all Democrats.

Could he be a spoiler? Of course. But he doesnt seem to care.

The Democrats are frightened that Im going to spoil the election for President Biden, and the Republicans are frightened that Im going to spoil it for Trump, said RFK Jr. at his announcement rally. My intention is to spoil it for both of them.

Theres no way to know now whether Kennedy will be the next Ralph Nader, the next Ross Perot, or greater or less than them both.

But hes sitting high enough in the polls that Biden and Trump should understand that Robert Kennedys son isnt satisfied with being in the background in the Oval Office. He wants to be out front.
Taylorsville Town Council response to audit

The quoted statement below is from the Taylorsville town council. The response was included in the N.C. State Auditors investigative report. The statement was signed by Taylorsville Mayor George Holleman, former mayor pro tem Kenny Poole, former council member Ronnie Robinette, council member Kim Brown and council member Jack Simms.

The Town of Taylorsville sincerely appreciates the opportunity to respond to the draft investigative report issued to our town on October 26, 2023. The Town Council has reviewed and understands the findings listed in the investigative report. After discussion, the Town Council along with the new Town Manager and Town Staff plan to implement the following actions to correct the findings as follows:

Finding #1  Town Paid Company Owned by Town Employee in Violation of Policy

"The Town will ensure that all policies in place for the fiscal management of the Town are followed, including but not limited to the Procurement Police, Conflict of Interest Policy, Personnel Policy and Ethics Policy. These policies when followed prevent personal interest of staff members, officers, and council members of the Town of Taylorsville from interfering with the performance of their duties to the Town of Taylorsville, or resulting in personal financial, professional, and/or political gain on the part of such persons at the expense of the Town of Taylorsville. The Towns Conflict of Interest Policy and Procurement Policy were breached when the former Town Manager authorized the Town to do business with Miller Septic Service, a company owned by two Town of Taylorsville employees. Under new management, all policies will be strictly followed and monitored for compliance. All policies will be reviewed and signed as acknowledgment of understanding on an annual basis per conditions of employment and/or election of office and/or appointment of committee. The Town will conduct personnel proceedings as applicable by law and in addition to the breach of the Towns Personnel, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Policies in regards to the findings disclosed by the report regarding all employees named.

Finding #2  No Procedures to Ensure Employees Were Not Double Paid

"Effective October 3, 2023, Aaron Wike was named Town Manager for the Town of Taylorsville. Under new management, The Town will ensure that all policies in place for the fiscal management of the Town as followed, including but not limited to the Procurement Policy, the Conflict of Interest Policy, Town Personnel Policy and the Town Ethics Policy. These policies when followed prevent personal interest of staff members, officers, and council members of the Town of Taylorsville from interfering with the performance of their duties to the Town of Taylorsville, or resulting in personal financial, professional, and/or political gain on the part of such persons at the expense of the Town of Taylorsville. The Town has now purchased a new vacuum truck and hired an employee to operate as needed; therefore, there should not be a need to contract any services from Miller Septic Service of any other provider of this type in the future unless emergency situations should dictate where more than one(1) truck is needed. The Town will conduct personnel proceedings as applicable by law and in addition to the breach of the Towns Personnel, Conflict of Interest and Ethics Policies in regards to the findings disclosed by the report regarding all employees named. In years past, the Town Manager was also the Finance Director. As an additional fiscal management safeguard, The Town plans to separate those duties by hiring a Finance Director.

"We have implemented a new work order process to improve documentation of all authorized work orders. We will also be installing security cameras at town buildings.

"The Town Council would like to express their thankfulness to the NC State Auditors Office for the opportunity to respond to the findings contained herein. We feel with a high degree of confidence that we now have in place with new management, along with the planned addition of a Finance Director, the capabilities to segregate positions and duties and ensure the correct management of fiscal policy and all Town policies are followed accordingly."
Democrats were celebrating their election victories last week in Kentucky, Ohio, and Virginia. They have put aside at least temporarily their worries about the polls that show Donald Trump leads President Biden in the next years presidential election.

What many do not understand is that Donald Trump has established a political powerhouse and loyal group of followers whose political framework is based simply on their devotion to Trump. It is a special kind of loyalty based on more than his advocacy of issues important to them. It is much more than that.

Their loyalty goes beyond issues.

For them, Trump is their advocate, protector, and guardian.

He is their champion. He can do no wrong. But if he does, it will be forgiven.

Someday Trump himself will be gone. He will die, of course. Before then, he may lose an election or be defeated in another effort to take over the government by non-electoral means.

But his passing from the scene will not mean the end of the Trump movement.

Other national leaders such as Charles de Gaulle in France and Juan Peron in Argentina have had powerful influences based on something more than issues, and their influences linger years after their deaths.

Perhaps the starkest evidence of the lasting influence of such a politician is that of Peron and his wife Eva in Argentina.

In the November 19 Argentinean presidential election final, Sergio Massa and Javier Milei are competing. The New York Times, Oct. 23 edition, described Massa, currently Minister of Economy, as a two-decade veteran of Argentine politics and the new leader of the Peronist political movement that has held sway in Argentina for decades and has won nine of the last 12 free and fair presidential elections.

His opponent Milei was described in a Times article headlined Javier Milei, a Mini-Trump, Could Be Argentinas Next President. One of his proposals is to do away with the Argentine peso and make the U.S. dollar the official currency.

If Massa wins, it will demonstrate again the power of the Peronist movement.

Peron, who died in 1974, still lives in Argentine politics.

Similarly in France, political parties and candidates still claim to be Gaullist based on their loyalty to Charles de Gaulle, the French leader who died in 1970.

In a Nov. 9, 2021, article in Politico, John Litchfield wrote to explain the enduring influence of de Gaulle:

In his lifetime, Charles de Gaulle was a divisive figure: revered by some, detested by others. He was adulated. He was mocked. He was finally rejected.

No longer. Half a century plus 12 months after his death, de Gaulle is the presiding, many-headed deity of French politics.

The far right, the right, the center, the left, the hard left, even some Greens, they are all Gaullists now. Almost all tribes and tendencies of French politics claim to be, at least partially, followers or reincarnations of Charles de Gaulle, the wartime leader of Free France and founder of the Fifth Republic.

Peronism and de Gaullism still live.

If our country follows the pattern of France and Argentina, Trumpism will still be in existence in 2090 when our great-great-grandchildren go to the polls.

Just think, your great-great-grandchildren may be able to vote for a Trumpist candidate in the United States  assuming, of course, they will still be holding elections in the United States.
China has no desire for hegemony and will not wage either a cold or hot war against anyone, Chinese President Xi Jinping said after talks with US President Joe Biden in San Francisco, Azernews reports, citing TASS.

"Whatever stage of development it may reach, China will never pursue hegemony or expansion, and will never impose its will on others," Xi Jinping said at a meeting arranged by a number of US organizations.

"China does not seek spheres of influence, and will not fight a cold war or a hot war with anyone," Xinhua quoted the Chinese leader as saying.

The talks between the Chinese and US presidents are their seventh official interaction since January 2021, when Biden became president. The two countries' heads met in person for the second time (the first meeting was last November on the Indonesian island of Bali). Xi Jinping is visiting the US for the first time in six years. During the visit, he is scheduled to attend the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit.
Hill College Named One Of Top 150 Community Colleges In Nation Hill College has been named by the Aspen Institute College Excellence Program as one of 150 institutions out of the more than 1,000 community colleges in the nation eligible to compete for the 2025 $1 million Aspen Prize for Community College Excellence, the nations signature recognition of high achievement and performance among two-year colleges.



The Aspen Prize is awarded every two years and honors colleges with outstanding achievement in six areasteaching and learning, certificate and degree completion, transfer and bachelors attainment, workforce success, access and equity for students of color and those from low-income backgrounds.



By focusing on institutional models that achieve student success, the Aspen Prize encourages community colleges to strive for a holistic definition of achievement and to promote highly effective education and leadership practices.



For the complete story, see the Thursday, November 16, edition of The Reporter Newspaper.


To ensure Cabarrus County Schools students are receiving the best mental health care possible, Atrium Health has partnered with the district to offer virtual therapy services at all of the schools.

The teletherapy program, which launched in August, is offered virtually at every middle and high school. Elementary schools have a hybrid model of both virtual and in-person access to professional behavioral health therapists.

Each schools mental health staff, including guidance counselors, psychologists, nurses and social workers, assesses, in consultation with parents, whether a student would benefit from being referred to a clinical therapist. If a student is found to need the service and the parents approve, the school facilitates the online connection between the student and the therapist, which occurs through a HIPPA-compliant device. Parents can also be included on the virtual platforms.

School-based therapy is not for everybody, said Amy Jewell, CCS Director of Student & Family Support, noting the district offers many types of support and works with many other therapeutic agencies. Everything we do at the school is really solution-focused in nature and sometimes our students level of need is higher than what we can offer in that environment.

Atrium works with each schools mental health staff to ensure appointments are scheduled during times of the day that will be least impactful to the students, Jewell said.

Though the services can be covered by a familys health insurance, barriers for the uninsured or underinsured have been removed thanks to grant funds from the Cannon Charitable Trust. The grant provides the staffing and equipment for the program.

Its really eliminating the issue of access and thats huge, Jewell said.

Atrium has been performing school-based therapy for almost 30 years, said Donnie Mitchem, Atriums director for outpatient therapy who is in charge of the teletherapy program, but quickly had to pivot during the pandemic. We had to switch to that virtual platform, she said. What we found was that amazingly, it worked. And in some ways and in some populations it works better than in-person.

One key silver lining of the pandemic, as horrible as it was, was our willingness to learn and perfect virtual therapy services, Mitchem said. People are now saying Yes, this is valid mode of treatment and they were not saying that before.

CCS is the first district in the area to offer both virtual and in-person services, Mitchem said. The program currently has three Atrium-affiliated therapists but is working to hire a fourth.

Our goal is we dont want students waiting for care, she said.

The virtual component allows therapists to engage with more students throughout the course of the year. Each therapists has several schools that are in their purview.

For my caseload, Im assigned to two elementary schools, three middle school and two high schools, said behavioral health clinician Elaina Fox, who enjoys interacting with the younger students in-person. Its been working out really well with the students and being able to provide them with what they need.

She can often talk with students from two to three different schools in a single day, one of the main benefits of the teletherapy program.

There are currently 57 students who have taken part in the teletherapy program, according to data that Atrium shared with the paper.

While virtual is not for everyone, Jewell said, for the student that it works well with, it is extremely important. Some students have related better via telehealth.

Teletherapy services will also hopefully combat the common stigma that seeking therapy somehow makes a person appear weak.

I actually had a student recently ask me Is it bad for me to go to therapy? Fox said. That was a perfect opportunity to explain to him about the process of therapy and the importance of it and that its nothing to be ashamed of.

In the first few months of this program, from a district-wide perspective, students are speaking out more and they are confidently asking for help.

The goal is for the teletherapy program to be available for students for the foreseeable future.

Ten years from now, I want Amy (Jewell) and I to still be working together and still be partners, Mitchem said.
First Presbyterian Women host Advent program

The Women of First Presbyterian Church is holding their first Advent Communion and Lunch.

It will be held on Wednesday, Nov. 29, at noon. It will be at First Presbyterian Church in Davis Hall, 65 North Church Street, Concord. The cost of the lunch is $12.

Those gathered will worship together and share the Lords Supper lifting up traditional themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Love and Joy that God offers us in this and every season.

The entire celebration should last an hour. Please bring co-workers, friends, family or others interested in this event. Please RSVP by Monday, Nov. 27, by calling 704-788-2100. option 7 or email Suzanne.russell@firstpresconcord.org

Piedmont Choral Society to hold Christmas concerts

The Piedmont Choral Society will present its annual Christmas concerts Friday, Dec. 1 at 7 p.m. and Sunday, Dec. 3 at 3 p.m. at Calvary Lutheran Church, 950 Bradley Street (off Branchview Drive), Concord.

Joseph Judge, Choral Music Director at Pfeiffer University and Director of Music at Central UMC, Albemarle, leads the group and Dr. Don Simmons is accompanist. Simmons also serves as Music Director/organist at Kimball Lutheran Church, Kannapolis.

PCS is an all-volunteer auditioned group with many members holding music degrees, serving as musicians in churches, and teaching music both publicly and privately. Choir members come from all walks of life and range in age from 17 to 80 plus.

The concert will consist of beautifully arranged traditional carols and songs of the season, accompanied by a 20+ professional orchestra.

A free-will offering will be accepted to help offset concert expenses, as well as an opportunity to Adopt a Musician in honor or memory of a loved one.

Please contact Kay Yates at 704-699-6053 or pcsconcordnc@gmail.com for more information. The concerts are free and no ticket is required.

Food give away

A Thanksgiving food give a way will be held Saturday, Nov. 18, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Free fruits, vegetables and turkey. Pick up sites: Grace Lutheran Church, 88 Chestnut Drive, SW, Concord, www.glconcordnc.org; and Zion Hill AME Zion Church, 86 Skipwith St., SW, Concord, www.zionhillamez.com.

Sausage biscuit, barbecue sale

Midway United Methodist Church is holding a sausage biscuit sale from 8 a.m. to noon and a barbecue plate sale from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 18. There will also be a bake sale, craft sale, vendors sale, and raffle. The church is at 708 S. Main St. in Kannapolis.

Thanksgiving worship service and Piefest

Thanksgiving worship service and Piefest will be held at Calvary Lutheran Church on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend a Service of Thanksgiving at 6:30 p.m. then share pie and company in the fellowship hall. Bring a pie to share if you like  not required. Calvary Lutheran Church is at 950 Bradley St., Concord.

The Bulb Market: Fresh produce and more

The Bulb Market at Grace Lutheran Church is open every Friday from 3-4 p.m. with fresh produce for the community.

Cabarrus Rowan Community Health Center will be offering primary care and basic health screenings on-site at the church on the second Friday of each month. Grace Lutheran is at 58 Chestnut Drive, Concord.

Sportscenter weekly Bible study

Join Calvary Lutheran Church for their Sportscenter weekly Bible study. Pastor Debbie Frye hosts a weekly bible study every Wednesday at 11:30 a.m. at the Sportscenter, 233 Country Club Drive, NE, Concord.

Centering prayer weekly via Zoom

This Centering Prayer Group meets every Tuesday at 7:30 p.m. via Zoom. All are welcome. For the Zoom link, check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org, or call the church office at 704-782-6923.

Breakfast with Santa

Breakfast with Santa is coming Saturday, Nov 18, 9-10:30 a.m. in the Mt. Mitchell UMC Fellowship Building. Bring your children for breakfast and take photos with Santa. The church is at 6001 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Kannapolis.

Caregiver support group

Calvary Lutheran Churchs caregiver support group is meeting Tuesday, Nov. 28, at 7:30 p.m. This caregiver support group meets monthly via Zoom. All are welcome. For the Zoom link, check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page, the website http://www.clconcord.org, or call the church office at 704-782-6923.

Community breakfast at Cold Springs

A community breakfast will be held Saturday, Dec. 2, at Cold Springs Global Methodist Church 2550 Cold Springs Rd Concord.

Preorder Boston butts, turkeys for Christmas

On Saturday, Dec. 9, from 2-4 p.m., New Gilead Reformed Church will take preorders and payments for Boston butts and whole turkeys for Christmas.

A Boston butt or turkey (turkeys from 10-14 lbs.) are $40. A quart of slaw is $5. Orders will be ready for pick up on Saturday, Dec. 23, from 2-4 p.m.

The church is at 2400 Old Salisbury-Concord Road, Concord.

Caregiver Support Group meeting

Calvary Lutheran Churchs Caregiver Support Group will meet Tuesday, Dec. 12, at 7:30 p.m.

The group meets monthly via Zoom. All are welcome. For the Zoom link please check the Calvary Lutheran Church Facebook page or website http://www.clconcord.org, or contact the church office at 704-782-6923.
I dont recognize North Carolina today. It is not the state Ive loved and lived in all my life. Weve changed from being where the weak grow strong, and the strong grow great to a state where we select the ones we choose to hate.

We are casualties of the culture war, both here and across the country. James Davidson Hunter, head of the Virginia Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture said, Its as though there are no unifying national myths. And those that once occupied that place in American life are now subject to debate and the culture war.

The results from these wars have seen us devolve from wanting our children to be the best educated to a not-so-hidden agenda of dismantling of our traditional public schools. The constitution dictates that each child have access to a sound basic education, however the $500 million just authorized for private school vouchers demonstrates that this guarantee is for some, not all. With billions in savings, our state is last in the nation in per-capita student spending. Leaders want to re-write and homogenize our history, dictate curriculum contents and give parents a Bill of Rights to disrupt those trying to educate our youth when theres something they dont like. They can ban books of which a few disapprove and even fire teachers.

We have gone from being a state that essentially said we dont care about what you do in your own bedroom to 2015s Senate Bill 2, dubbed the bathroom bill. Even though that legislation was repealed, the social agenda attacks are barely disguised evidence of racial hatred, discrimination against women and abhorrence of immigrants.

Incidentally, the Bureau of Labor says our labor force has increased by 14.6 million since 2007. More than half, 7.8 million, were foreign born. The unemployment rate is near a 50-year low, refuting claims that immigrants are taking away American jobs.

Weve reverted to puritan practices of shunning and punishing women, telling them what they can and cannot do regarding their own health and futures. And the paltry help we give those with mental illness is criminal for any society claiming to care for others. We celebrate the wealthiest 20%, reducing their taxes, even as income disparity among the remaining 80% widens.

Everything is politicized. The minority rules in all things. The era when elected officials negotiated together for solutions is a faded memory. Decades ago, we would rise up united against anyone threatening our way of life. Today we sit quietly and watch as authoritarian legislators, courts and even nonprofit groups advocate and expand their existential threats and agendas.

One of the most egregious results of the culture wars is elected leaders who sit quietly while gun violence becomes the leading killer of our children. The NRA donors require obeisance to any gun any time. We are no longer shocked over the nightly news stories of shootings, gun threats or violence.

And part of what is troubling is that Im beginning to see signs of the justification for violence on both sides, Hunter writes. Culture wars always precede shooting warsyou never have a shooting war without a culture war prior to it.

Thirty years before the Civil War there was a culture war over slavery and the future for Black men and women. Four in 10 Southern males and one in 10 Northern men died in that war.

Adolph Hitler published Mein Kampf in 1930, appealing to the ultra-nationalistic, the anti-Semitic, antidemocratic, anti-Marxist and the military. World War II resulted from those repeated and intensified threats and attitudes.

Is this where the current culture wars are headed?

A character reminiscent of Hitler makes statements like Trumps Veterans Day speech, labeling those who oppose him as vermin who should be confined to concentration camps. Trump said of his opponents, Theyll do anything, whether legally or illegally, to destroy America and to destroy the American Dream. Talk about the pot name-shaming the kettle!

Trump did speak truth when he said, the threat from outside forces is far less sinister, dangerous and grave than the threat from within. Thats what should worry us. The real threat is when good men and women, the majority of whom dont agree with or approve of todays culture wars, sit quietly and dont stop them. Weve done so before. Without large numbers of good citizens willing to vocally and dramatically protest further movement down this path we could see a bloody, unhappy future.

Its time for you to choose what side of the culture wars you are on.
SALISBURY  Four students from Rowan-Cabarrus Community College captured honors at the 2023 SkillsUSA National Leadership and Skills Conference held at the Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta.

Brent Offenberger earned a silver medal in the plumbing competition, and Joshua Wood earned a silver medal in the sheet metal category.

Ashley Gaddy and Crystal Rice were awarded bronze medals in the commercial SUAS drone competition, marking the first time the College has competed in this contest nationally.

Kyle Benkendorf placed seventh in the industrial motor control competition.

The conference brought together approximately 5,200 outstanding career and technical education state contest winners to compete in more than 100 different hands-on trade, technical and leadership fields. During the national competition, students worked against the clock and each other to prove their expertise in a variety of occupation areas.

Congratulations to these students on their outstanding skills and performance in competition with the best in the nation, said Dr. Carol S. Spalding, president of Rowan-Cabarrus. We encourage students to take advantage of opportunities to expand their learning beyond the classroom, and involvement in organizations such as SkillsUSA helps them enhance their career and leadership skills.

SkillsUSA is a national partnership of students, teachers and industry, working together to ensure that America has a skilled workforce by providing students with opportunities to gain technical skills grounded in academics. The organization has more than 350,000 student and instructor members at the national level.

For more information about SkillsUSA, visit www.SkillsUS.org. For more information about Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, please visit www.rccc.edu or call 704-216-RCCC (7222).
Science and technology centre Questacon has launched a new exhibition, Friend or foe - the rise of artificial intelligence. The exhibition immerses the visitor in AI-generated artwork, asking we consider the themes of copyright, ownership, the nature of creativity, and bias in AI.

Friend or Foe features more than 100 AI-generated artworks curated by Australian digital artist Luke Millanta. The centrepiece of the exhibition is a 10-minute digital artwork presented on the Questacon QMAX large format screen, along with a range of other stunning digital artworks that seek to interrogate societys relationship with AI.

Acting Questacon director Dr Bobby Cerini said, "We are delighted to have partnered with Australian digital artist and technologist, Luke Millanta, to create this exhibition and present our visitors with the opportunity to navigate and explore AI."

Over the past decades, AI technology has become increasingly embedded within society. AI is now embraced by millions of everyday people across the world, using AI to create tasks from simple to complex.

"As the National Science and Technology Centre, it is fitting for Questacon to be able to offer visitors an exhibition about AI and the debates that inevitably accompany its use," Dr Cerini said.

Luke Millanta said that it is exciting to be able to present this exhibition at Questacon, Australias National Science and Technology Centre. "Instead of waiting to see how the dust settles on AI technology and reflecting on it, we can have conversations about ownership, copyright and ethics, as they are happening, in real time."

"The feature artwork in Friend or Foe is narrated by an AI robot and presents the capability and shortcomings of generative AI, a particular type of artificial intelligence that is capable of generating text, images, or other media, using generative models. These models learn the patterns and structures of their input data and then generate new data that has similar characteristics. The AI robot takes viewers through a series of prompts, that present artworks that mimic well-known artistic styles, portray gendered roles, question originality and include mistakes," he said.

"Visitors will be left considering, is it permissible for AI to mimic the work of human artists? Can AI be truly creative? Is AI reinforcing harmful stereotypes? And what are its limitations? I hope this exhibition will ignite a dialogue about the role of AI in our lives and societies' values towards the attitudes presented by technology, Mr Millanta said.

The exhibition was officially launched today by the Hon Ed Husic, Minister for Industry and Science, to coincide with AI Month, an initiative of the National AI Centre, which sits within Australias national science agency, CSIRO.
Financial Intelligence Units (FIUs) across the Pacific met in the Cook Islands this week to strengthen partnerships within the region to combat serious financial crime.

The second in-person plenary of the Pacific Financial Intelligence Community (PFIC) was held in Rarotonga and co-hosted by the Australian Transaction Reports and Analysis Centre (AUSTRAC) and the Cook Islands Financial Intelligence Unit (CIFIU).



At the conference, Pacific FIUs and members of the regions anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CTF) teams identified pathways for future collaboration to further detect and disrupt regional financial crime threats.



AUSTRAC says PFIC members signalled their collective desire to broaden their efforts to share financial intelligence and collaborate to fight financial crime through the signing of a Statement of Intent.

stated: We are proud to be hosting the 2nd annual PFIC meeting in the Cook Islands. We recognise the strength that comes from FIUs working together to disrupt the forces that undermine a secure and stable Pacific region. The Plenary has provided a mechanism for us to gather and utilise our collective ability to strengthen our regional responses to financial crime both now and into the future., said: Sharing financial intelligence, tradecraft and financial tools is vital so that as a region of enduring Pacific partners, we pool capabilities to respond to threats which undermine our collective financial security and community safety.

AUSTRAC also notes that, held over three days, the PFIC Plenary meeting provides a valuable opportunity for FIUs to further explore initiatives to fight financial crime, including joint operations, capacity building activities and region-wide technological enhancements.

In attendance at the PFIC Conference were representatives from the financial intelligence units of Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga and Tuvalu.



AUSTRAC announced that it has also provided the Cook Islands Financial Intelligence Unit (FIU) with a new data analytics system that will aid in the detection of money laundering and be used to combat criminal and national security threats.

According to AUSTRAC, the TAIPAN system will enable intelligence analysts in Cook Islands FIU to identify suspicious financial patterns that can trigger a deeper investigation, as money laundering is a common element in most crimes as criminals seek to conceal the source of the funds, and the capabilities of TAIPAN give Cook Islands, and other Pacific partners, enhanced ability to respond to complex money laundering in the region through innovative triage and interrogation of bulk data.



New technologies are changing the financial landscape in the Pacific which transnational crime syndicates have targeted. AUSTRACs partnership with Cook Islands FIU will mitigate these vulnerabilities, and ensure Pacific Islands are not seen as an attractive conduit by criminals.

Cook Islands Prime Minister, Mark Brown, stated that a collective challenge that confronts the region is increased organised crime over the past few years.

Responding to financial threats through regional cooperation is essential in an increasingly connected world, where financial transactions that pose a threat to safety can rapidly transit multiple countries, he said.

The deployment of the TAIPAN system and the hosting of the PFIC signals the Cook Islands intent at both a national and regional level to deter transnational criminal syndicates, and combat financial crimes, whether money laundering or corruption.

AUSTRAC Acting CEO, Pete Soros, said that financial transactions underpin every element of modern life so it is important to consider regional security through the prism of financial intelligence.



As Australias financial intelligence unit, AUSTRAC is committed to ensuring the security of financial systems in our country  and our region  are resistant to criminal and national security threats, he said.



Issues like money laundering, drug and human trafficking, and corruption are not specific to any one nation and transcend international borders. This is why uplifting financial intelligence capability in Australia and across the Pacific is crucial to regional security, economic stability, and community confidence.
Stevedore DP World Australia says the group that attacked the company either accessed or stole data from its corporate network.

The company shut down operations on Friday last week, and resumed on Monday. It handles about 40% of the cargo that comes into, or leaves, Australia.

A DP World spokesperson said, in response to a query from iTWire on Thursday: "We have determined that some data was accessed and/or exfiltrated from our Australian corporate network.

"We are undertaking a review of potentially impacted data as priority. Given the ongoing forensic work required to assess potentially impacted data, this review may take some time.

"The investigation into this incident is ongoing. We will provide further updates as they become available.

"Our focus remains on our customers, clearing the backlog of containers and ensuring we can form an agreement with the MUA [Maritime Union of Australia] as part of our ongoing bargaining dispute."

Neither the LockBit nor the Medusa ransomware groups, which are suspected to be behind the attack on DP World Australia, have as yet listed any data exfiltrated from the stevedore.

The attack appears to have been carried out using a vulnerability in the Citrix NetScaler gateway which is known as CitrixBleed.

Sources say the lack of any data listing could indicate that discussions about a ransom are ongoing, Ransomware groups generally use this tactic as a means to pressure victims into paying up.

LockBit recently managed to extract a ransom from the world's biggest bank, the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (ICBC) Financial Services.

DP World's parent company was hit by an attack in March this year, with the Cl0p ransomware group claiming it was responsible.

The attack was staged through a vulnerability in the GoAnywhere secure file transfer software.
COMPANY NEWS: Cequence Security today announced its participation in the Microsoft Security Copilot Partner Private Preview. Cequence was selected based on their proven experience with Microsoft Security technologies, willingness to explore and provide feedback on cutting-edge functionality, and close relationship with Microsoft.

In the context of security, AIs impact is likely to be profound, tilting the scales in favour of defenders and empowering organisations to defend at machine speed. At Microsoft, we are privileged to have a leading role in advancing AI innovation, and we are so grateful to our incredible ecosystem of partners, whose mission-driven work is critical to helping customers secure their organisations and confidently bring the many benefits of AI into their environments, said Vasu Jakkal, CVP, Microsoft Security.

Cequence is working with Microsoft product teams to help shape Security Copilot product development in several ways, including validation and refinement of new and upcoming scenarios, providing feedback on product development and operations to be incorporated into future product releases, and validation and feedback of APIs to assist with Security Copilot extensibility. To learn more, read the announcement.

Cequence and Microsoft are helping customers achieve peace of mind by providing innovative technology that empowers security teams to focus on critical tasks, said Ameya Talwalkar, founder and CEO of Cequence. APIs are the connective tissue of todays digital world and a cornerstone of generative AI, which makes them a prime target for threat actors. Cequence saw shadow API abuse skyrocket by 900%, highlighting a lack of API visibility. AI is poised to revolutionise API security, helping organisations discover, comply, test, and protect their APIs more effectively. It will streamline operations, empower security teams to counter the constant onslaught of threats, and automate manual tasks, freeing up time and ensuring better and more efficient risk management.

Security Copilot is the first AI-powered security product that enables security professionals to respond to threats quickly, process signals at machine speed, and assess risk exposure in minutes. It combines an advanced large language model (LLM) with a security-specific model that is informed by Microsoft's unique global threat intelligence and more than 65 trillion daily signals.
COMPANY NEWS: ECI Software Solutions , a global provider of cloud-based business management software and services, has announced the winners of its 8 th annual Everyday Hero Awards, which recognise customers dedicated to making a difference for others and giving back to their communities.

Sven Gustafson of Stonewood, a custom home builder in Minnesota, is the grand prize winner of the 2023 Everyday Hero Award for his charity work with the 141 Project, which is focused on building homes for families in need around the world. For the grand prize winner, ECI will make a $15,000 donation to the charity of Gustafsons choice.

The 141 Project is a faith-based organisation focused on building homes for families in need to help end generational poverty. The unique business model uses move-in gift money to purchase materials and build homes in under-resourced parts of the world. For every new home built in the U.S., another one is built for a family in one of the programs global partner communities that hire local builders to complete the projectgifting safety, stability, and hope as a catalyst for change.

Nominations for ECIs Annual Everyday Hero Awards are submitted by ECI employees, customers, and partners and evaluated by a panel of judges. The 2023 runners-up include:

First runner-up: Scott Kinderman of Drewco Corp, an industrial equipment supplier in Wisconsin, won $10,000 for his work with BeLEAF Survivors, a charitable organisation dedicated to promoting hope and healing for victims of sexual assault, child abuse, and neglect. Kinderman works as a BeLEAF board member, advocate, and supporter, volunteering his time in emergency rooms with survivors, promoting healing, and providing empathy.

Second runner-up: Darko Ristic of W&E Platt, a global supplier of weapon mounts and ordnance systems for law enforcement and military entities in New South Wales, Australia, and his wife Jenny won $5,000 to support The Silver Coin Project, a non-profit, family-run organisation that leads fund-raising efforts to purchase uniforms, lunches, supplies, and other needs for disadvantaged students in local primary schools. To date, The Silver Coin Project has helped thousands of students across 23 schools in the Macarthur area of Australia.

Trevor Gruenewald, chief executive officer, ECI, said, The housing crisis touches every corner of the world, and were incredibly inspired by Sven and his team for the work they do with the 141 Project to help end generational poverty, one family at a time.

The 2023 class of Everyday Heroes demonstrates an exceptional commitment to community service. The 141 Project, BeLEAF Survivors, and The Silver Coin Project embody the fundamental values of community engagement, and were honoured to work with customers who have a passion for uplifting and empowering others.

Nominations for ECIs 9th annual Everyday Hero Awards opens in April 2024. For more information and to watch these heroes stories, visit the Everyday Hero webpage.

About ECI Software Solutions

ECI Software Solutions provides cloud-based business software for running small and mid-sized businesses end to end. Built by experts in manufacturing, residential construction, service management, building supply, office technology, and wholesale/retail distribution industries, ECIs industry-specific software connects businesses and customers, improving visibility, operational efficiency, and profitability. With ECI, businesses seamlessly integrate sales and marketing, business intelligence, CRM, data and analytics, e-commerce, mobile apps, and payment processing. With more than 30 years of industry leadership, ECI is trusted by 24,000 customers in more than 80 countries globally. Headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas, it has offices in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, and Australia. For more information, visit www.ECIsolutions.com.
Russia and North Korea signed a protocol on expanding cooperation in trade, science, technology and other field, state-run media said on Thursday, Azernews reports, citing Anadolu Agency.

The agreement was reached during the 10th meeting of the two countries inter-governmental committee for cooperation in trade, economy, science, and technology held at the People's Palace of Culture in Pyongyang on Wednesday.

Officials from the two sides agreed to expand the multi-faceted bilateral exchange and cooperation in different fields, including trade, economy, science, and technology, under the agreement reached at the North Korea-Russia leaders summit held in September this year, according to the agency.

Relations between Moscow and Pyongyang have grown following an official visit by Korean leader Kim Jong-un to Russia in September.

North Korea warns US of tough response

Meanwhile, North Korea again accused the US of escalating tension on the Korean Peninsula and warned of a tough response for any "military provocation."

In a statement, a spokesman for the National Defense Ministry said that recently a top US official visited Seoul and amended the "tailored deterrence strategy" aimed at a preemptive nuclear strike against North Korea.

"This year, too, the enemies escalated their nuclear threat to the DPRK (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) by starting the operation of the Nuclear Consultative Group aimed at using nuclear weapons against it, staging the large-scale joint military exercises of aggressive nature, the ministry said in the statement published by KCNA.

Pyongyang also warned that its armed forces will respond with "more offensive and overwhelming counteraction capabilities and through visible strategic deterrent military actions" to any attempt to create instability on the Korean Peninsula.

South Korean military drills

South Korean Navy and Marine Corps on Thursday began its weeklong military drill near the eastern coast.

Some 3,400 troops have joined the exercise that mobilized naval vessels, helicopters, and assault amphibious vehicles, including the Dokdo-class amphibious assault ship, Seoul-based Yonhap News reported.

Tensions on the Korean Peninsula further grew after Kim Jong-un visited Russia in September. The US, South Korea, and Japan claimed that North Korea delivered weapons to Russia, and Seoul warned of retaliation if Moscow transferred its missile technology to Pyongyang.
COMPANY NEWS: Known Pty Limited, trading as Burst SMS and Conversr, a leading player in the messaging technology industry, has announced its rebrand to Kudosity as part of its continued growth journey. With a remarkable transition from startup to scale-up, Kudosity is now poised for the next evolution of the business with the streamlining and unification of its corporate structure and product suite to create an even more powerful offering to the market.

Kudosity is a messaging technology company that has been at the forefront of innovation for more than 20 years. With a focus on humanising business through conversation, Kudosity empowers businesses to build meaningful relationships with their customers through frictionless messaging experiences. Kudosity offers a range of capabilities, including global messaging and connectivity access, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) messaging platforms with advanced contact and campaign management, alongside limitless automation to empower businesses to communicate at scale while maintaining a personal touch.

Businesses continue to face challenges when it comes to improving customer engagement, messaging technology is evolving rapidly to meet these challenges. With 23 billion SMSs sent each day[1], the messaging and communications industry must focus on empowering organisations to cut through the traffic with scalable, interactive, and personalised messaging.

Alex Macpherson, chief executive officer and co-founder of Kudosity, said, Kudosity is incredibly proud of the significant growth weve achieved. Our rebranding marks an important milestone in our journey, consolidating our diverse range of microbands under one unified company brand: Kudosity. This strategic move will let us leverage the full potential of our messaging tools and provide a more seamless and frictionless customer experience moving forward.

Since its inception in 2010, Kudosity has consistently achieved impressive Year-on-Year (YoY) revenue growth, averaging 38 per cent each year over the last 10 years. This wholly organic growth is a testament to the companys commitment to delivering high-quality products and services that meet the evolving needs of its customers. Key to its success is the calibre of its people, who bring a wealth of expertise, creativity, and dedication to their roles, driving innovation and pushing the boundaries of whats possible in the messaging space.

According to the 2023 report Are you sending the right message, authored by Tim Dillon, Tech Research Asia: In a world of digital transformation, cloud platforms and artificial intelligence (AI)-driven solutions, relevancy, personalisation, timelines and privacy are critical for any organisation using messaging solution.

Alex Macpherson said, We envision a future where businesses build lasting relationships through the power of conversation. Our rebranding efforts are aimed at unifying our offerings and supporting our mission to make business more human. We are bullish about the future of messaging technology and the potential it holds for businesses, with a particular focus on integrating AI technologies to deliver even more personalised, engaging, and scalable customer interactions.

With its proven success and expertise in the Australian and New Zealand markets, Kudosity is well-positioned to continue its expansion and provision of valuable solutions to businesses across Asia, and the United States. As the company further grows into these regions, it will bring its extensive experience and industry knowledge to help businesses across various sectors thrive in an increasingly digital world.

Alex Macpherson said, The use of mobile messaging is becoming more prevalent than ever, driving deeper engagement and requiring stronger capabilities to provide richer content. As Kudosity enters its new phase of growth, were truly excited about the road ahead, complete with all its challenges and opportunities.

About Kudosity

Kudosity is a messaging technology company that has been at the forefront of innovation for more than 20 years. With a focus on humanising business through conversation, Kudosity empowers businesses to build meaningful relationships with their customers through frictionless messaging experiences. Kudosity offers a range of capabilities, including global messaging and connectivity access, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) messaging platforms with advanced contact, and campaign management alongside limitless automation to empower businesses to communicate at scale while maintaining a personal touch.

[1] https://www.sellcell.com/blog/23-billion-text-messages-per-day-could-be-impacting-hand-health/#:~:text=A%20new%20study%20by%20Phone,Messages%20are%20also%20sent%20globally
COMPANY NEWS: Remote, the leader in building, managing, and supporting globally distributed workforces, today launched a marketplace for employers and job seekers. Fully integrated with Remotes global HR platform, Remote Talent provides companies and their future teams around the world an easy way to connect.

Key features of Remote Talent include:

Employers can now use Remote to find candidates for open roles. In addition to the traditional capabilities of a job board  allowing employers to advertise their openings to candidates seeking hybrid and on-site local roles  Remote Talent also offers employers access to qualified global talent with experience working remotely and a desire to bring their skills to a fully distributed team.

With full integration with the Remote platform, companies can open their roles to anyone, anywhere  then seamlessly onboard new hires, pay them in local currency, and manage the individuals throughout their employment lifecycle with global compliance built-in.

Job seekers can now visit the site to find amazing remote roles with top companies. Free for candidates, it removes ambiguity by going beyond the search capabilities of traditional job boards to allow users to see how remote a role truly is before applying. Users can filter by time zone requirements, salary in multiple currencies, including Australian Dollars, travel obligations, and more  making it easier to find the perfect job, wherever the opportunity might be located.

Coming soon are new tools that integrate artificial intelligence to help candidates get discovered by top companies and matched with open roles, as well as integrated global knowledge to help companies make informed decisions about hiring and international compensation.

Today's most popular job search tools were built before distributed work became mainstream, leaving them unequipped to meet the needs of both remote employers seeking to hire outside their areas, and those seeking these opportunities. These job boards default to location-based searches, omit key details from listings like the number of days required in-office, and shut out global candidates completely. Employers seeking to fill fully remote roles, meanwhile, are often overwhelmed with applications but lack a way to filter for candidates who meet their needs.

Remote Talent provides a better experience for both employers and candidates. For roles that are remote and hybrid, employers can specify details like on-site and travel requirements as well as time zone expectations. Once hired, they can easily manage their new team members onboarding regardless of location, set up local payroll, provide local benefits and equity incentives, and more  all backed by the industrys most extensive global infrastructure for legal and tax compliance.

Remote now available for contractors and freelancers

Remote also recently launched Freelancer Hub  a one-stop shop for freelancers to manage their operational tasks. Freelancers can now sign up for Remote for free and invite their local and international clients, create globally compliant contracts, generate and send invoices, and receive payments in 70+ currencies. These features complement Remotes currency-agnostic payments and other tools for companies to pay and manage international and domestic contractors.

Today, talented people all over the world have more opportunity than ever to build fulfilling careers remotely  but the process of finding and hiring remote candidates is broken for both individuals and employers alike, said Remote CEO and co-founder Job van der Voort. In building this new marketplace weve optimised for simplicity and transparency, so its easier than ever for job-seekers and companies everywhere to find the perfect match without location as a barrier.

To sign up or learn more about Remote, visit remote.com.

About Remote

Talent is everywhere  opportunity is not. Remotes mission is to create opportunity everywhere, empowering employers to find and hire the best talent, and enabling individuals to build financial and personal freedom. Businesses around the world use Remote to hire, manage, and pay their globally distributed workforces, simply and compliantly. Remote was founded in 2019 by Job van der Voort and Marcelo Lebre, and is backed by leading investors including SoftBank Vision Fund 2, Accel, Sequoia, Index Ventures, Two Sigma Ventures, General Catalyst, and B Capital.
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The young woman was unconscious, near death, outside the bathrooms south of the Venice Pier. Her jaw was broken, and she was naked from the waist down. Abrasions on her heels indicated she'd been dragged across the parking lot, likely after being sexually assaulted.

How would police figure out who brutalized this woman?

Maybe the assault, which occurred on Sept. 8, 2020, was caught on some of the many surveillance cameras in the area, which is home to a dozen or more restaurants, coffee shops, bars and liquor stores?

Darrell Preston, operations manager for three nearby restaurants, took a look.

Several years ago, the merchants of Washington Square, the last block of Washington Boulevard before it gives way to the ocean and the Venice Pier, created a nonprofit group called the Washington Square Business Improvement Group. They wanted to keep the bustling south end of Oceanfront Walk clean and safe, with a particular interest in protecting their businesses, which have always been ripe targets for vandalism and theft.

"We kept getting hit," said Preston, whose restaurants are the Whaler, the Pier House and Baja Cantina. "Law enforcement would say, 'Who was it? What happened?' All we could say was, 'It was a white guy in a black car.' "

Not super helpful.

The merchants decided to pool their resources and install a network of surveillance cameras that would, presumably, help answer those questions.

"I was never under the impression that it would necessarily prevent crime," Preston said. "Maybe it has helped, but how do you do the metrics on that?"

What surprised him was how the footage would ultimately help solve rapes, attempted murders and assorted other heinous crimes, and how many hours he would spend poring over video looking for awful events.

What surprised me was how much ugly behavior takes place in my neighborhood while I am asleep or otherwise unaware.

I had no idea, until Preston showed me the video, that on Oct. 4, at 6:30 a.m., a naked man walked up to a woman standing in the pier parking lot next to her suitcase. I saw him push her about 10 yards, then shove her over a low wall onto the sand and stomp her. He was soon arrested. But less than two weeks later, on Oct. 16, according to Preston, someone who looked like the same man harassed customers at the Pier House's outdoor seats in broad daylight. As staff tried to get him to leave, he was distracted by a young woman walking by and turned and slapped her butt before resuming his rant.

"I mean how many times can you call the cops on the same guy?" asks Preston.

Preston also showed me video of a fight last April that happened on a Sunday night outside Hinano Cafe. He had just fallen asleep after a long work shift, when he was awakened by police banging on his door seeking his help. Two brothers had been attacked by men who'd mistaken them for someone they'd had words with earlier in the bar. One of the brothers was sucker-punched. The other was stabbed in the face so hard his lingual nerve was severed and his jaw was broken in half. He was in serious condition. Using the video, police tracked down the assailant, who remains in jail awaiting trial.

Listen, Venice Beach has always attracted lost souls in need of help or intervention. Certainly, in the last few years, addiction, mental illness and a lack of shelter has hit crisis proportions. Rules about camping on the beach and living in RVs were suspended during the pandemic. Things felt chaotic, and in Venice, at least, many residents vocally, if unfairly, blamed Councilman Mike Bonin, who has been perceived by these critics as failing to balance the needs of unhoused people with residents and business owners.

The widespread unhappiness led to a failed recall campaign and his decision, ultimately, not to seek reelection. I thought for a long time that his designated successor, Erin Darling, would easily win Bonin's seat next month. But now I'm not so sure. Darling's rival, Traci Park, wants to expand the Los Angeles Police Department, while Darling calls for more mental health workers. And while Darling opposes the city's recent anti-camping ordinance, Park supports it.

In any case, this is not about unhoused people and our government's shocking inability to find workable solutions. Unhoused people, after all, are far more likely to be victimized than people who can shut their doors and lock themselves in.

It's more about a feeling of lawlessness that permeates the neighborhood, which also happens to be one of the state's most important tourist destinations.

In the last few years, Clabe Hartley, owner of the Cow's End, and Tariq "T" Ali, a security guard at the Arbor Collective skate shop a block away, have each lost a finger in fights with troublemakers they were trying to remove from their premises. Hartley's finger was bitten off; Ali's was too infected to save after he was cut with a broken bottle.

I have wrestled with the urge to install cameras at my place, and with the fear that cameras will just make me paranoid. Maybe it's better not to know what's going on out there?

Preston doesn't have that luxury.

After police asked him to review surveillance video looking for clues to who might have assaulted the young woman near the Venice Pier, he spent many hours looking at footage, trying to piece together what happened. What he found was chilling, especially after he learned that her friends believed she was in the midst of a mental health crisis.

Between 5:30 p.m. and midnight, he saw her wandering around Washington Square and noticed that she appeared to be followed. "It was one person in particular, and then at least two or three other young males cruising on BMX bikes, doing figure eights behind her," said Preston.

She was last seen on video at 4:15 a.m. Eventually, Preston found a clear picture of a man he presumed to be the "one person in particular."

Two and a half weeks later, Los Angeles police arrested 24-year-old Kwan Dante Adams, whom they described as a "transient who frequents the area." He has been charged with one count each of attempted murder and forcible rape, and is in jail awaiting trial.

Detectives, who worked hard on the case, might well have found the suspected assailant on their own. But without Preston's video, prosecutors would be in the dark about how the crime unfolded.

(COMMENT, BELOW)

Previously:

 Biden's balancing act is the only choice: Support Israel against Hamas and help Palestinians in harm's way

 Advice for the suicidal from a philosopher who tried to kill himself 10 times

 Will Lauren Boebert and other female politicians pay the price for behaving badly?

 Shed no tears for Hunter Biden, who exploited the family name but also broke the law

 The problematic use of 'problematic' to shut down people with whom we disagree

 Elon Musk's Twitter chaos came calling for me

 Relax, candy lovers. No one is trying to ban Skittles. Well, not exactly

 Why was the Murdaugh murder trial captivating for so many?

 Dry January hasn't been so bad after all

 I asked ChatGPT to write me a symphony, a letter to an ex and more

 IN AMERICA: Firing an art history professor for showing students an image of Islam's founder is out of line

 Nepo babies beware. You didn't hit a triple if you were born on third base

 Poor thing, you didn't want to be gifted that vacuum?

 The end of 'harmless' recreational drug experimentation

 The 'Catfish' Killings: My teen is easy prey. Is yours?

 And you thought the movie 'L.A. Confidential' was fiction

 Tell your kids that Billie Eilish says porn destroyed her brain

 Why a lifelong Dem and education reformer is supporting Larry Elder for governor

Robin Abcarian is a columnist at the Los Angeles Times.
Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.

The British media labeled Monday's news a "sensational comeback": David Cameron, British prime minister from 2010 to 2016, is to return as foreign secretary in the Conservative government of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. Amazingly, none of Britain's vaunted pack of political journalists saw this one coming.

That was partly because Cameron is not a member of Parliament. In order for him to become foreign secretary, Sunak had to essentially order an express peerage from King Charles III. Who knew that such things could be arranged so expeditiously? But in this case, that new membership in the House of Lords, and thus qualification for this job, arrived by the royal equivalent of FedEx.

But there were other reasons everybody missed this. Prime ministers, like presidents, are not typically assumed to be returning to public life in lesser offices. They're expected to write books, deliver speeches, build presidential libraries and/or create weighty podcasts for Spotify and moralistic programming for Netflix. Some shut up entirely. Others deliver the occasional moral pronouncement on X, but otherwise stay away from the day-to-day fray.

Not Cameron, who has said he has been bored stiff since he left government service.

In Sunak's cabinet reshuffle, Cameron will take over from James Cleverly, who now replaces the fired Suella Braverman as home secretary, Britain's chief domestic minister. Given all that is going on in the Middle East, it hardly needs stating that Cameron has a massive new job, one that will be crucial to U.S. global interests and world peace and security.

This has happened before, kinda. In 1970, Sir Alec Douglas-Home (who served as prime minister for less than a year) returned as foreign secretary. But that was more than 50 years ago, and Douglas-Home hardly had a comparable P.M. profile to that of Cameron. It's unprecedented in the modern era.

How people felt Monday about Cameron's return depended, of course, on how they felt about Cameron when he was prime minister: He is viewed in Britain as closer than most to China, a double-edged sword these days, and, despite his offering up a referendum that resulted in the infamous Brexit, he is typically seen as more sophisticated in his view of Britain's relationship with Europe than his successors. Overall, the appointment was seen as a win for moderation and an indication that some of the right-wing excesses and ill-discipline of the Boris Johnson, et al., era is being finally put to bed. A swing toward the center is a very good thing.

More importantly, there is no disputing Cameron's experience: Having been the boss of the foreign secretary is very good training for being the foreign secretary, a job that most likely is far more satisfying if your interest is in effecting change rather than fending off internal rebellion. And if your remit includes the Israeli-Hamas war, it's hardly desirable to have someone learning on the job.

The Cameron development, of course, brings up an interesting question on this side of the Atlantic: Why don't we use our former presidents in the same way?

Would not a post-presidential Bill Clinton or George W. Bush or Barack Obama have been useful in actual government office? Would not Obama have been a useful secretary of something for his old pal Joe Biden?

Former President Jimmy Carter had a substantial post-White House career, of course, dabbling in all kinds of election monitoring and other internationalist do-gooding, sometimes to the frustration of those in official government roles. Similarly, Clinton and Bush's appearances abroad together discussing international issues occasionally were seen as confusing to those outside the U.S.

Conventional wisdom tends to assume that once you've been the boss, you don't want to be an underling, a logic that might apply in business (although that's questionable, too), but surely should not when it comes to public service. You could apply the same argument to governors of states, of course, and perhaps even to big-city mayors, allowing former chief executives to focus on a post-mayoral area of interest, while offering up some wise counsel to the new boss.

Granted, the age of the former chief comes into play here. Cameron was a young prime minister and, at this point of comeback, he still is only 57 years old and has plenty of energy left for some shuttle diplomacy. It's reasonable to assume that he has let some of the stuff go that public figures need to let go and that he'll be interested now in just focusing on this particular job. Ego also matters: Some people are able to transition to a subservient role; others are insufficiently secure to do so.

But, in Cameron's case, he surely will enjoy the new ability to focus. Prime ministers, like presidents, are forced to be generalists. As foreign secretary, he'll have a huge new portfolio and profile, but one blissfully devoid of much else that can get in the way.

So chalk one down Monday for the highly experienced. And that brings us to Hillary Clinton.

In an appearance Nov. 8 on the ABC talk show "The View," the former secretary of state offered a concise, courageous, smart and unstinting summation of events in the Middle East, and in Ukraine. She cut through the ill-informed chatter on the Israeli-Hamas conflict, including on that very show. It was a superior piece of communication to any we have heard of late from the White House.

Here was a reminder of the depth of Clinton's international experience, how much she knows and her ability at communicating those long-standing values and positions to the American people.

Clinton is staying busy delivering speeches and even producing Broadway shows.

But only a fool would not wish Clinton was officially assisting Secretary of State Antony Blinken as he tries to navigate the massive crisis in the Middle East.

(COMMENT, BELOW)
 Rodolfo Santillan just can't stop burglarizing cars.

He broke into a work van in Chicago while wearing an ankle bracelet for two pending car burglary cases, CWB Chicago reported.

A passing police officer stopped and charged him with misdemeanor criminal trespass, and he left the police station at about 4:40 p.m.

Two hours later, police were called to another van, where workers said they had found Santillan inside.

He was also caught on video taking tools from a nearby car.

Santillan was held without bail for violating bond in the previous cases. [CWB Chicago, 2/27/2023]
The last color had barely dried on the rainbow house in the Dundee neighborhood of Omaha, Nebraska, last weekend when owner Ryan Basye started receiving calls and texts.

Its been fun, he said. My girls think its the coolest thing ever.

Others have agreed, he said, including the people who live in the house near 49th and Davenport Streets. It was converted into apartments decades ago.

A tenant called it freaking amazing and beautiful.

The building was painted in rainbow colors because thats the palette chosen by his three daughters, who are all under the age of 10.

To them its not the symbol it is to other people, he said. They would want to play Barbies or have Care Bears over.

But thats not the only reason for the bright hues, a symbol of the LGBTQ+ community.

Its also a response to a neighbors disparaging comments when some earlier work was being done at the house. Basye didnt want to repeat what was said.

It puts a smile on my face knowing that neighbor has to see it every day, he said.

Comments were overwhelmingly positive on a post about the house on the Dundee Memorial Park Neighborhood Association Facebook page, ranging from calling it fantastic to saying it reinforces that the Dundee neighborhood is the best in Omaha.

Midtown Omaha is laudable for being progressive, and that means respecting differences and supporting marginalized communities, resident Julien Wulfgar said.

Hate absolutely has no place, but you know that in midtown thats more than a slogan. Its a way of life for many of us, she said.

Basye, a real estate broker and landlord, owns around 15 properties in the Dundee area.

Its important to him that daughters Josephine, Louise and Cecilia know what he does for a living. Josephine, the oldest, often accompanies him on visits to his properties.

Their input led to the red exterior of an office building he owns near 64th and Pacific Streets. He also used to own a pink building at the corner of 38th and Dodge Streets.

After the office building was painted, his daughters suggested rainbow colors for the next paint job. They picked out the paint with their father.

The opportunity came up, and that is what we did, Basye said. They loved it. I like to get them involved in Dads work.

Jay Axelrod of Everything Axelrod painted the house, which used to be light green. It now includes perfect strips of black, purple, blue, green, yellow, orange, red, pink and white. Even the gutters match the color scheme.

The project was started the first week of October.

It took a lot of extra time and effort and energy to get it to come out that good. And money, Basye said. It probably doubled the cost.

Basye said the coolest thing about the rainbow house is that its instantly identifiable for guests of the tenants who live there, and its just one more thing hes done to improve the community.

There are no other colorful projects on the horizon.

I think its unique, he said and it makes me laugh, and it makes me smile.
CHARLESTON  An Illinois appellate court has sided with two Coles County criminal defendants who argued, in separate cases, that they were improperly detained under the law that eliminated cash bail across the state in September.

Both men were charged with felonies and given bond amounts before the implementation of the Pretrial Fairness Act. When the new system took effect on Sept. 18, Coles County State's Attorney Jesse Danley filed petitions to deny pretrial release in those cases and others.

A three-judge panel of the Fifth District Appellate Court found, in opinions issued on Friday and Monday, that both cases were handled incorrectly and should be returned to the circuit court. Each defendant could choose to keep his original release conditions, which would allow him to get out of jail by posting bond, or file a petition asking for the pretrial release conditions to be reviewed again.

Danley said he acted to preserve public safety in the face of widespread confusion about how the new system would work. And there may be other appeals to follow: He said his office filed petitions to deny pretrial release for about 35 cases within 48 hours of the law taking effect.

There was a real problem, Danley said. We had a population in our jails that required detention, and his office chose to act, rather than waiting for the defense counsel to file a petition for a release or to announce that they wanted to remain on their bond.

Lawmakers made Illinois the first state in the nation to end cash bail as a provision of the Safety, Accountability, Fairness and Equity-Today (SAFE-T) Act. The new system allows judges to keep a defendant in jail before trial based on factors unrelated to money, such as the seriousness of the charge, potential danger to the community and likelihood that the person would flee from prosecution if released.

Implementation had been set for Jan. 1, 2023, but was delayed until a challenge to its constitutionality was settled by the Illinois Supreme Court.

Case details

The first Coles County case decided by the appellate court was that of Rene Rios Jr., 35. He was charged on Aug. 23 with two counts of predatory criminal sexual assault of a child (Class X felony) and criminally sexual assault against a family member (Class 1 felony).

Rios' bond was set at $500,000 with 10% to apply, meaning he would need to post $50,000 plus additional court fees in order to be released. He was also ordered to have no contact with anyone under the age of 18 and to be released only under electronic monitoring.

The second case taken up by the appellate court was that of Joseph Vingara, 40. He charged on July 14 with unlawful possession of a weapon by a felon (Class 2 felony), possession of methamphetamine, forgery (Class 3 felonies), unlawful use of a weapon and aggravated assault (Class A misdemeanors).

Vingaras bond was set at $50,000 with additional fees and condition that he undergo a substance abuse evaluation and have no contact with the victims.

Danley filed petitions Sept. 18 to deny pretrial release to both men, arguing that they met criteria for pretrial detention because they posed a threat to community safety. Coles County Circuit Court Judge Brian L. Bower agreed and ordered the men to remain in custody without bond until their cases go to trial.

Both defendants appealed, noting the timeline for such petitions as laid out under the law. Prosecutors can file a petition to keep a defendant in custody at the time of the person's first appearance before a judge or, alternately, within 21 calendar days after the defendant's arrest and release. In the latter instance, a prosecutor is required to give reasonable notice to the defendant.

The appellate panel  made up of Justices James R. Moore, Thomas M. Welch and Judy Lynn Cates  agreed with the appellants and found that Danley's petitions were "untimely."

Prosecutor cites unclear language

Danley said the situation stemmed from unclear language and widespread confusion about the SAFE-T Act.

The statute wasnt entirely clear about what was to be done, he said in an interview this week. There wasnt a lot of direction (and) I know that Im not the only county that handled it this way, and quite frankly, in meeting with my judiciary in advance of this coming action, I think that was the consensus of what needed to be done.

He said it was unclear whether the prosecution or defense would need to act to move the process forward, so his office erred on the side of caution by seeking to keep defendants in custody.

The worst possible scenario I could have had is to have an unknown to a new law that has no case law, that is poorly drafted in many areas, and have people released because I didnt take action, he said.

Rios and Vingara now could post bond or could file petitions seeking to have their release conditions reviewed; in the latter instance, the state would retain the right to respond, he said. Both men remained in Coles County Jail as of Wednesday afternoon.

In essence its kind of a misnomer here that yes, (the appellate justices) found an error in the untimely filing of the detention petition, but the result is to not go back to square one, Danley said. Its more of a procedural correction than an actual finding. They didnt question the courts factual findings; they just questioned and found it to be an error of the procedural process.

As he and others continue navigating implementation of the SAFE-T Act, there have been ongoing concerns about finding and retaining new attorneys throughout the state in order to keep adequate staffing within the courts, the state's attorney said.

Its not an excuse though," he said. "We still have to do our jobs."

The appeal was handled by attorneys from the Office of State Appellate Defenders and the Office of State Appellate Prosecutors. Neither office responded to an interview request for this story.
BOLINGBROOK  A truck driver who saved a choking woman after she pulled over along a Chicago-area highway says he acted on instinct when he saw her in distress.

Jeff Hanus was working at a job site on Nov. 4 pouring concrete for the company Ozinga when the woman drove up to his truck parked near Interstate 55 in the Chicago suburb of Bolingbrook. She exited her car, leaving two children inside, and approached Hanus.

"She raises her hands up towards her throat, and that's the international sign for choking, so I asked, 'Are you choking?' and she clearly said yes," Hanus, a retired Army sergeant from Hazel Crest, told WLS-TV.

He performed the Heimlich maneuver on the woman, twice thrusting his fists into her abdomen before whatever was choking her dislodged.

"Instinct took over. I try to live my life both from my heart and my gut, and that's what was in control," Hanus said.

Video from Hanus' truck shows the woman leave her car and then approach Hanus, who had jumped out of his truck when he noticed her. Once her throat was cleared, the woman returned to her vehicle, where Hanus said two toddlers were in the back.

He said the woman didn't speak with him immediately after he helped her, other than indicating that she was now OK.

"It seemed she was pretty shaken up. So I don't think she was in the mood for a conversation," he said.

Hanus said his interaction with the woman was a reminder of a good friend who died from choking a few years ago. He said he's grateful the woman found him in a sea of traffic.

"Her angels and my angels got together, and it worked out," he said.
Holiday Market in Toledo set

TOLEDO  The Kozy Korner Holiday Market will be held from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at the CCEEBA Building, 205 S. New York St., Toledo.

The market will feature a variety of goods from local vendors.

Stop by the PaperPie Learning booth to purchase a book for One Stop Community Christmas.

Lake Charleston work day set

CHARLESTON  The Embarras Volunteer Stewards will hold a workday at 9 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, at Lafferty Park.

Participants should use the back parking lot of Carl Sandburg School.

All are welcome and no prior experience is necessary. Sturdy footwear and gloves are recommended. Tools are provided.

Visit embarrasstewards.org for more information.

Holiday shopping at Gaslight

MARSHALL  Gaslight Art Colony will hold an evening of holiday shopping from 5-8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 18, 516 Archer Ave., downtown Marshall.

Visitors will have the first look and chance to purchase unique gifts made by area artisans as well as holiday baked goods and other items. Wine and light refreshments will be served. Items will continue to be on sale during normal business hours.

Gaslight will also be open on Small Shop Saturday, Dec. 2.

Holiday Art Sale at Doudna

CHARLESTON  Eastern Illinois University's College of Liberal Arts & Sciences is hosting a Holiday Fest from Nov. 30 to Dec. 3 at the Doudna Fine Arts Center.

This free event will feature the Holiday Art Sale, with a portion of all sales supporting EIU students in the department of art and design, along with concerts, performances, kids activities and more.

Hours are 4-8 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 30; 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Friday, Dec. 1; 1-8 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 2; and 1-6 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 3.

Visit eiu.edu/festival for more information.

Link Art Gallery to host exhibit reception

PARIS  The Link Art Gallery's newest exhibit, People, Places and the Politics: The Art of Michael J. Ulrich will open with a reception featuring the artist at 5 p.m. Friday, Nov. 17.

While always maintaining a painting and photography studio, he also worked in the package design and graphic arts industry to pay his bills, where the bold graphics of commercial art influenced his work.

His work will be on display through Dec. 29.
Abbas Ganbay

The delegation, headed by Minister of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan Teymur Musayev is on a business trip to the Republic of Cuba. The delegation headed by Minister of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan Teymur Musayev was received by Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba Manuel Marrero Cruz, Azernews reports.

At the meeting, the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba noted the significant influence of relations between the historical national leaders of Azerbaijan and Cuba on the level of relations between the peoples and expressed satisfaction.

The Prime Minister emphasized that under the leadership of the President of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Ilham Aliyev, the reputation of the Non-Aligned Movement in the international arena has increased and it has turned into an organisation with a leading political force.

Manuel Marrero Cruz noted that recently, contacts between the countries have intensified, and there are wide prospects for joint cooperation in various spheres.

The Minister of Health of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Teymur Musayev expressed gratitude to the Prime Minister of the Republic of Cuba, Manuel Marrero Cruz for their sincere reception and hospitality. The Minister noted that this visit is a natural outcome of relations between the leaders of the country.
SPARTA  Who knows why a video featuring a 70-year-old Sparta man wearing an Allman Brothers T-shirt and cutting a bar of peaches-and-cream soap registered 9 million views on TikTok?

Maybe it was his soothing voice, his tender story of his late wifes love of peaches or the inexplicable calming effect of watching him slice a colorful bar of soap into dozen of pieces. Whatever it was about that 40-second video of Duane Swenk, it has turned him into a minor TikTok star and led thousands of customers to Sparta Candle Co., a candle- and soap-making business that his daughter Jennifer Swenk started three years ago in a spare bedroom.

Fueled in large part by the business TikTok videos, the company has tripled sales, doubled its workforce from four to eight fulltime employees and added more work space over the last eight months, while bringing fresh, youthful energy to this mountain town of 1,700 people.

One customer told Swenk he traveled from Orlando, Fla., to the shop on Main Street in Sparta, based on his love of the videos.

Its been a crazy year for sure, Jennifer Swenk said the other day inside the stylish and contemporary retail space that some folks have said reminds them of Rose Apothecary from the Netflix show Schitts Creek.

That similarity, of course, became fodder for one of their daily TikTok videos.

A 30-year-old who studied social media marketing in college, Jennifer Swenk was savvy enough to know that pushing fun, original content onto social media was the best way to grow her business and connect with young audiences.

She didnt anticipate that it would explode the way it has.

Theres no rhyme or reason to the videos on what hits, she said.

Swenk stumbled into candle-making and later, soap-making, after her mother learned she had late-stage breast cancer. A longtime candle lover, her mother wanted to switch to burning soy candles after her diagnosis but couldnt find any for sale in the Sparta area.

So Swenk, working in real estate at the time, decided to learn how to make them.

It was a lot of googling and YouTube university, Swenk said.

Friends and family loved the hand-poured candles, giving Swenk the courage and confidence to start selling at pop-up shops, including the Muddy Creek Music Hall and Cafe, a block down Main Street.

From there, Swenk set up at farmers markets and festivals. But that was a tough road.

Its so much work. Its getting your name out there, and Im glad I went through it, she said. But to be out there on a 100-degree day and not really sell anything? I dont miss it.

During the pandemic shutdown, Swenk learned that TikTok usage was up as more people flocked to the platform for a laugh and to while away the time.

That planted a seed in Swenk. After opening a retail shop on Main Street in 2021, Swenk continued to explore ways to spread the word about the business beyond its website and Instagram page.

Earlier this year, she and her staff began making videos to put on TikTok.

We made so much random content to see what would stick, Swenk recalled. And nothing was doing well.

Her secret weapon turned out to be her dad, Duane.

Retired from jobs in construction and business consulting, her soft-spoken father projected a sort of folksy charm that connected with TikTok users.

The team made 25 or so videos that failed to land. Then one day in the spring, Duane appeared in a video cutting up a block of soap. There really wasnt much more to it.

People were just so into it, and we tried to expand on that, Swenk said. Its really just about trying stuff and not being self-conscious. Eventually, if you do enough, something will stick.

From there, Cutting Up with Duane, a weekly segment featuring Duane, was launched. They are the most popular of the business videos.

Sporting sandals, shorts and a band T-shirt  the Grateful Dead, Widespread Panic and the Allman Brothers are well-represented  Duane spins a short tale in his gentle voice then signs off with big, friendly wave.

In a recent video, Duane waxed nostalgic about how the star- and moon-shaped pieces embedded in a bar of soap called the Millennial, reminded him of the glow-in-the-dark stars on the ceiling of his daughters childhood bedroom.

Half of what I talk about is sentimental and the other half is silly, said Duane, who is not above dressing as a mermaid for a video.

Of all the videos, about 10 have reached in excess of 500,000 views, Swenk said. Meanwhile, the number of TikTok followers has grown from about 300 in the spring to about 445,000.

As a result, the business expanded into a space beneath the retail shop, where all the soap is made, packaged and shipped across the country. Its online sales now make up 70% of its business, surpassing Swenks expectations.

Many of the candles and soap pay homage to the area with products named after the Little River, Muddy Creek, Roaring Gap, Mahogany Rock and High Country. Scents range from earthy to floral to fun, such as Brownie Batter and Soda Fountain.

Local downtown merchants have taken note of how Sparta Candle used social media to build brand awareness, according to Lisa Bottomley, the executive director of the Alleghany Chamber for Economic Development. A workshop on how businesses can use TikTok and other social media platforms to boost their business profile is in the works, she said.

She credited the shop with drawing people to Sparta. Once in town, they may stop at a restaurant or pop into other shops.

Shana Whitehead, one of the owners of Muddy Creek Cafe and Music Hall, has seen proof of that. Recently, she noticed someone in her restaurant with a bag from the candle shop.

She was traveling from Atlanta to Virginia and knew the shop had to be on the way, Whitehead said. Its fun to see that people are making it a destination to see a cute, little candle shop.

On a broader scale, Swenks success serves as a model for other young entrepreneurs in the area, Bottomley said.

Some people think you have to move away, and this shows you can build something at home if you want to stay, she said. She paid attention to trends and what was fueling other businesses and is a great example of what happens when you do the work.

PHOTOS: Sparta Candle Co. growth tied to TikTok popularity
NCFI Polyurethanes, a Mount Airy-based member of the Barnhardt Family of companies, said Thursday it has entered into an agreement to sell its consumer products division to Carpenter Co. of Richmond, Va.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed outside a projected Dec. 1 closing date. The company will have about 100 employees once the divestiture is completed.

NCFI Polyurethanes, founded in 1964, manufactures polyurethane foam systems for uses ranging from farming to aerospace.

The company has more than 300,000 square feet of production space in Mount Airy along with manufacturing plants in Georgia and Texas.
Unionized Starbucks workers in Lincoln are among those participating in a nationwide strike against the world's largest coffee chain.

Employees from the Starbucks location at 27th Street and Kensington Drive, the only unionized company location in Nebraska, went on strike Thursday morning to protest what the union says is the chain's management "illegally refusing to bargain with baristas over staffing, scheduling and other issues."

Members of Starbucks Workers United timed the strike to coincide with Starbucks' Red Cup Day, when the company hands out tens of thousands of free reusable cups, one of its busiest customer traffic days of the year.

The union said in a news release that it's also seeking to have the company turn off mobile ordering on future promotion days.

Workers at the Lincoln store, who unionized this past summer, are the only ones in Nebraska who have joined the union, which has accused Starbucks of failing to bargain in good faith and offering certain benefits only to workers at non-unionized stores.

Among the union's demands are $20 per hour for all baristas, annual raises of 5% and cost-of-living adjustments. Starbucks last week offered 3% raises to non-union workers.

Starbucks said in a statement that it was aware of the protests "at a small subset of our U.S. stores."

"We remain committed to working with all partners, side-by-side ... and we hope that Workers Uniteds priorities will shift to include the shared success of our partners and working to negotiate contracts for those they represent," the company said.

Starbucks also said that the union hasn't agreed to attend contract bargaining meetings in more than five months.

Coffee culture by the numbers as of 2023 Coffee culture by the numbers as of 2023 Almost two-thirds of Americans drank coffee within the past day Far more Americans over 60 drink coffee daily than those in their early 20s 91% of Americans bought at least one cup of coffee out in the past week rather than making it at home The most popular preparation in the US is traditional drip Lattes, cappuccinos, and plain espresso tied for the most popular espresso drinks Of all the regions in the US, coffee is most popular in the Northeast, but not by much Coffee is least popular in the Midwest People in the US consume nearly 500 million cups of coffee each day Traditional coffee is slightly more popular than specialty coffee About 1 in 3 coffee drinkers in the past week opted for flavored coffee
WILBER  On the witness stand Wednesday, Landon Husband recalled the chilly March afternoon in 2017 when he was called to the Tecumseh State Correctional Institution, 45 miles due east of here.

For the second time in less than two years, the prison had erupted in violence and destruction, during which inmates turned on fellow inmates, killing them.

This time, it was sparked by a shoving match between an inmate and guard after the discovery of 29 gallons of prison-made alcohol.

Eric Ramos' trial for his alleged role in the murder of Michael Galindo started Wednesday.

Though several inmates were involved, Ramos, now 33 and done with his prison sentence, was the only inmate charged, based largely on prison staff piecing together surveillance video.

But prosecutors started by setting the stage of that day with Husband's testimony.

A team leader and part of the prison's Corrections Emergency Response Team, or CERT, Husband didn't know what they'd find when he pulled up at the Tecumseh prison. In a briefing, he'd been told inmates weren't cooperating with officers.

"There were a lot of assaults in there. They were setting fires," he said. "We expected to have to go in there and secure the area."

Husband described a chaotic scene when his group entered the 2A housing gallery, one of two housing areas where inmates were involved in what the prison later described as a "disturbance."

"So you go in here. What do you see in the gallery?" Johnson County Attorney Benjamin Beethe asked Husband.

He said some of the lights weren't working.

"The sirens were going off. There was water everywhere. There was smoke coming out from several locations. There were burn marks around the area. Some of the doors were burned," he said.

In particular cell 2A15, where he saw smoke rolling out of a broken window.

"It was kind of hard to describe. You couldn't see anything," Husband said. "Smoke was just pouring out of there."

Something was blocking the door. He reached in to try to get the fire extinguisher around the door to put out the fire.

Husband couldn't see Galindo, facedown, dead on the floor.

Prosecutors say an autopsy later determined the 31-year-old had been stabbed more than 130 times by sharp objects (at least some made by a thin piece broken off an ice machine). He'd been punched, kicked and stomped, before ultimately succumbing to smoke inhalation from towels started on fire in his cell, where he'd tried to get away from the attack.

"As you will hear from the investigators, this process was complicated for a number of reasons," Beethe told jurors of the investigation that followed.

He said many of the inmates involved wore gloves and covered their faces, and evidence was damaged by smoke, fires and water from the prison's sprinklers. Despite considerable effort, Beethe said, investigators weren't able to link any of the 93 inmates in the two housing units to Galindo's killing through forensic evidence.

He said investigators also weren't able to learn the identity of Galindo's killers through interviews with other inmates and staff or learn why he was killed.

That left investigators with an extensive review of the video, Beethe said, calling it the lion's share of the evidence in the case.

"Now, you might be saying to yourself, if there is video evidence showing Mr. Ramos killing Mr. Galindo, then why isn't this an open and shut case? Members of the jury, I'm sorry to say that things are never usually quite so simple," he said.

Beethe said investigators had to work backward from the initial attack on Galindo by four inmates.

Two prison workers are expected to identify him based on his clothing and his gait. But in the end, it will be for the jury to judge for themselves, he said.

On the other side, defense attorney Tim Nelsen asked jurors to look at the lack of evidence.

"There is no tape. There is no smoking gun. There is no exact, definitive tape. There is conjecture and that's what the state relies upon in this case," he said.

He said prosecutors pointed to the clothes Ramos was seen wearing earlier that day, but the inmates all wear the same clothes in prison.

And he took issue with what he described as "a totally inept" investigation by the Nebraska State Patrol, which didn't process the crime scene for two days, bagged wet inmate clothes in paper bags and didn't take prints off the ice machine.

"I say that the government looked for evidence to find Mr. Ramos guilty, not looked at evidence to find who was guilty," the defense attorney said.

Nelson also pointed to the prison's failings  for leaving the inmates alone for nearly five hours that day; for a fire suppression system in Galindo's room that failed due to inadequate maintenance; and for video deleted from that day.

"Mr. Galindo indeed would've been alive if the state would've done their job," he said.

The case, which was moved to Saline County due to pretrial publicity, is expected to take three weeks.

In 2018, Ramos' first trial ended in a mistrial as the result of a meeting between two witnesses  a Nebraska State Patrol investigator and a prison staffer.

A number of unsuccessful appellate challenges have followed since then leading to delays.

Nebraska's 10 state prisons from least to most crowded 10. Nebraska Correctional Youth Facility 9. Nebraska Correctional Center for Women 8. Tecumseh State Correctional Institution 7. Community Corrections Center-Lincoln 6. Nebraska State Penitentiary 4. Work Ethic Camp 3. Community Corrections Center-Omaha 2. Omaha Correctional Center 1. Diagnostic and Evaluation Center
Gov. Jim Pillen filled the latest vacant seat in Nebraska's Legislature on Wednesday, appointing Fred Meyer  a longtime public servant who presided over the State Board of Education more than a decade ago  to represent District 41, which makes up parts of six counties in central Nebraska and includes Ord and St. Paul.

Meyer, a 72-year-old semi-retired farmer, fills the seat vacated by former Sen. Tom Briese, who resigned last month following his September appointment to the state treasurer's office.

Addressing reporters moments after he was sworn in Wednesday afternoon at the Capitol, Meyer said he was "truly humbled" to fill the seat and suggested he "might be the first representative from St. Paul that anyone can recall."

"I'm anxious to get started in the Legislature," he said. "I have a lot to learn. I know there's some carryover bills from last year. It's a short session."

The looming 60-day legislative session will be Meyer's first and only in the Legislature. He said Wednesday he would not seek reelection to the body this fall, which Pillen said was a condition of the appointment.

"I believe, as your governor, that the voters of District 41 are who are to choose (the next senator)," he said. "And so Fred will do an extraordinary job representing District 41 for this current term."

Pillen's appointment of a temporary senator marks a reversal for the governor, who made clear that he did not want to name a placeholder" to the U.S. Senate when he tabbed former Gov. Pete Ricketts to replace Ben Sasse in January.

Pillen also appointed Sen. Carolyn Bosn to the District 25 seat vacated by former Sen. Suzanne Geist, who resigned in April to focus on her unsuccessful Lincoln mayoral campaign. Bosn is now running for a full term.

"Every set of circumstances is different," Pillen said Wednesday. "There are candidates out actively working to become the next state senator from District 41. I believe that it's really, really important for the people to decide who the next senator for District 41 (is).

"I'm not going to be endorsing a candidate there," he added, noting that Meyer wouldn't, either.

Pillen said he spoke with "several" of the 16 applicants for the seat, some of whom the governor said he recruited to apply.

Among that group was Meyer, whom Pillen said he has known for "a number of years," casting him as a lifelong servant of Nebraska.

"Fred has given and given and given," the governor said.

In his own remarks to reporters, Meyer thanked his family  three generations of whom attended Wednesday's ceremony  the governor, Briese and his wife of 46 years, Kay, whom he met nearly five decades ago at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where Meyer earned a degree in animal science and ag education.

"She's been my best supporter and my best friend ever since," Meyer said of his wife.

Meyer, who served on the State Board of Education for more than a decade after a previous stint on the St. Paul Board of Education, said he has a continued passion for education that might direct his interest in the Legislature.

He expressed particular concern over the state's lack of certified teachers, suggesting the state should consider paying student teachers in an effort to draw young Nebraskans to the field.

Meyer also said he's interested in reexamining how agricultural land is valued by tax assessors in Nebraska. But he was clear-eyed about the short runway he'll have to make change as a state lawmaker.

"I know that it's a 60-day session and I'm the newest senator on the floor, and so I'm not in a position to take on any major new initiatives," he said.

He was sworn in by Secretary of State Bob Evnen, who joined Meyer on the State Board of Education in 2008 and who praised his leadership during Wednesday's ceremony.

"We didn't all have the same opinions, but he was able to lead us forward as a group in a very positive way," Evnen said. "He always was encouraging and supportive of me on State Board and I am very grateful to you for that, Fred."

Meyer's appointment marked the end of a game of governmental musical chairs that started in August when Treasurer John Murante was appointed to lead the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement System, paving the way for Briese's elevation from the Legislature to the treasurer's office.

The appointment also marks the first-year governor's second to the Legislature since April, when he tabbed Bosn to replace Giest.

As governor-elect last December, Pillen also chose Beau Ballard to replace Hilgers in the Legislature after Ricketts asked Pillen to conduct the process of interviewing and recommending an appointee.

Photos: Last day of the 108th Nebraska Legislature
With the endorsement of the lawmaker he's hoping to replace, the director of a Lincoln-based child care and education policy group announced his candidacy Thursday for a seat in Nebraska's Legislature.

Jason Prokop, the head of First Five Nebraska, is running to succeed term-limited Sen. Anna Wishart, as the representative for District 27, which includes parts of west Lincoln and Lancaster County.

A registered Democrat who lives in Lincoln, Prokop announced his run Thursday with an endorsement from Wishart  along with endorsements from a laundry list of the state's most notable Democratic politicians, including former U.S. Sens. and Govs. Ben Nelson and Bob Kerrey, former state Sen. Adam Morfeld and state Sens. Jane Raybould and Eliot Bostar.

Im running for the Nebraska Legislature to refocus our government on the priorities that people care about," Prokop said in a news release, listing "pocketbook issues" that include fixing Nebraska's tax system, providing "real property tax relief" and growing the economy.

Prokop also said he hopes to focus on making health care more affordable and public safety issues.

The nonprofit head previously worked as a senior adviser to Nelson during his time in the Senate, among other stops in Prokop's long career in the public policy realm.

He's also been the chief of staff for the National Association of Insurance Commissioners and the external affairs manager for the Nebraska Department of Transportation.

Ill take my experience to the Legislature and deliver results for Lincoln and Nebraska," he said in the news release.

A resident of south Lincoln, Prokop grew up in Crete, where he graduated from Crete High School before attending Nebraska Wesleyan University, where he studied political science and communications.

He and his wife, Jennifer, have two children.

In running to replace Wishart  who called Propkop "a trustworthy leader with experience and a strong work ethic"  he is vying for a seat in a district that was reshaped by new boundary lines in 2021 that left the district with fewer voters but more conservatives than it had when Wishart last won reelection in 2020.

In 2020, District 27 had 23,603 registered voters, including 8,180 Republicans, 9,043 Democrats and 5,934 nonpartisan voters.

Now, the district has about 2,000 fewer total voters, including 8,192 Republican voters, 7,388 Democrats and 5,774 registered nonpartisans.

Photos: Opening day of the 2023 Legislature
RACINE COUNTY  Another woman has been charged in connection to a smuggling operation at the Racine County Jail that led to the arrest of a social worker.

Shannon Ford, 52, was charged with delivery of schedule I or II narcotics and five counts of delivering illegal articles to an inmate.

Ford is accused of giving items to Brittany Perez, the director of Mental Health Services, to bring to the jail.

Perez allegedly had a relationship with Andrew Crutcher, an inmate at the jail, and is accused of bringing him illegal items.

During a search, correctional officers allegedly found a sock in Crutchers waistband with nine oxycodone pills, a lighter, tobacco, rolling papers, a makeshift smoking pipe, three pens and two razors. A cell phone and a USB charger were also located in his cell, according to a press release from the Racine County Sheriffs Office.

A search done on Perezs cell phone showed texts between her and Ford, according to a criminal complaint filed Monday. The texts allegedly showed Ford asking Perez to bring items to someone named Drew or Andrew.

The complaint alleges that in a text from Oct. 17, Ford asked Perez if she would be willing to take Drew some Percocets that he could sell to come up with some commissary money.

In a follow-up text, Ford allegedly said, I dont want to get you in any kind of trouble so if its absolutely out of the question just say so.

Perez responded with That would be easier than paper, according to the complaint.

In a thread from Oct. 25, Ford allegedly asked Perez if she gave that stuff to him yet and said she had a few more Percocets to give to Perez.

On Oct. 27, conversations between Ford and Perez allegedly describe Perez stopping by Fords residence to pick up Percocet for Drew to make more money selling, according to the complaint.

The complaint said investigators also obtained text threads between Crutcher and Ford from the cellphone found in Crutchers cell.

The text messages allegedly show Crutcher asking Ford to get him tobacco, and Ford saying she would call o girl and have her come pick it up.

The Percocet pills allegedly brought to Crutcher were Fords prescribed medication, according to the complaint.

Ford was taken into custody Nov. 11, and is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing Nov. 22.

This morning's headlines: Fighting in Gaza; climate crisis; APEC summit Business AP Biden says his goal for Xi meeting is to get US-China communications back to 'normal' President Joe Biden and Chinas Xi Jinping have swept into San Francisco and are making their final preparations for their first engagement in a year. Biden expressed hope that the talks would help put shaky U.S.-China relationship in a better place. The two leaders arrived in the city to be greeted by hundreds of demonstrators who lined up along their motorcade routes, waving Chinese, Taiwanese and Tibetan flags, as well as signs in support and opposition of the Chinese leader. Biden said his broad goal was to get Washington and Beijing on a normal course corresponding once again even as they have sharp differences on no shortage of issues. National AP Israeli military forces raid Gaza's largest hospital in operation against Hamas The Israeli military says its forces are raiding Gazas largest hospital, the site of a lengthy standoff with the Hamas militant group. The army surrounded Shifa Hospital as part of its ground offensive. Israeli authorities claim Hamas conceals military operations in the hospital, a claim denied by Hamas and medical staff. But with hundreds of patients and medical personnel inside, the Israeli military has refrained from entering. Early Wednesday, the army said its forces were carrying out a precise and targeted" operation there against Hamas. It gave no further details but said it was taking steps to avoid harm to civilians. National AP The man accused of attacking Pelosi's husband apologizes for hammer assault The man accused of attacking former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosis husband with a hammer has apologized. In taking the stand at his trial Tuesday, David DePape echoed right-wing conspiracy theories to explain to jurors that he went to the Pelosis home as part of a bigger plot to end what he viewed as government corruption. DePape spoke for more than an hour in which he tearfully recounted about how his political leanings went from leftist to right-wing after reading a comment on a YouTube video about former President Donald Trump. He said he bludgeoned Paul Pelosi after realizing his larger plan might be unraveling.
ROCHESTER  The village has found its new public works director in an experienced municipal worker from Milwaukee County.

The Rochester Village Board has hired Adam Davis to succeed Christopher Birkett, who stepped down in September after nearly 20 years as public works director.

Davis, who began work Nov. 6, said he is getting acclimated to the position and he looks forward to serving Rochester.

Im just trying to see where everything is at, and get it organized, he said.

The public works director position manages the villages road maintenance, storm-water utility upgrades, tree care and growth, public signage and sanitary sewer systems.

Birkett held the position since 2004 before deciding to pursue other interests.

After his departure, the village received six applications for the position.

Village Administrator Betty Novy said Davis impressed village leaders with his experience and skills.

We are confident in Adams ability to grow with the Rochester community, build upon our existing public works services, and grow them as needed to meet both current and future needs, Novy said.

Davis worked most recently as an equipment operator and construction crew member for the City of Cudahy for the past year.

Before that, he worked five years for the City of South Milwaukee as a supervisor of road construction work.

He also worked three years previously as a fleet mechanic for Milwaukee County.

From 2008 to 2014, he was in the U.S. Air Force.

In his application for the Rochester position, Davis cited his diverse work experience, and said he could be an immediate asset to the village.

I am an honest and efficient individual, he wrote, with a strong initiative and the ability to be budget-conscious, innovative, flexible and detail-oriented in my work.

In photos: A fond farewell to Rochester Fire Chief Walter 'Wally' Henning Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Hennning retires Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Henning retires Fire Chief Henning retires
The actual shot-callers behind the Biden-Harris administration's war on guns and the Second Amendment have certainly been creative in the steps they are taking toward achieving their goal of total civilian disarmament.

These unelected bureaucrats have targeted "weapons of war" as they like to call them, which prompted several weak-kneed retailers to strip the country's most popular rifles from their shelves. Through their toadies at ATF, Team Biden has targeted homemade firearm kits, after-market triggers, pistol braces and more. They have lobbied banks and credit card firms to shut off access to credit and capital, and they have threatened shippers who move firearms, ammunition and accessories across state lines. Of course, no one has paid a higher price in the administration's war than law-abiding gun dealers, who face the loss of their livelihood for even the most minor of clerical errors.

Now, it appears that ammunition manufacturers have been targeted for termination next. Evidently, it's their turn, so the Biden-Harris administration turned to their friends in the legacy media to lead the charge, and there are no more loyal sycophants than the uber-woke, anti-gun reporters at The New York Times.

An A-1 story published Sunday, titled "Army Ammunition Plant Is Tied to Mass Shootings Across the U.S.," chronicles the newspaper's "investigation" of the Lake City Army Ammunition Plant, which is located in Independence, Missouri. Built during World War II, Lake City is overseen by the Army's Joint Munitions Command and has been operated by Olin Winchester since 2020.

Everything you need to know about the newspaper's "investigation" is summed up in the story's secondary headline: [...] .....
1. Yes. The platform takes up too much time and is often abused by speakers. Get rid of it.

2. Yes. The Citizen Petitions section is unworkable and generally results in a gripe session.

3. No. The platform is the only way residents can discuss non-agenda items. Keep it around..

4. No. Killing it will discourage public input. Keep it or broaden Citizen Comments criteria.

5. Unsure. It can be a drain on the councils time, but it does serve a purpose for residents.

Vote

View Results
Abbas Ganbay

Azerbaijani Ambassador to Ukraine Seymur Mardaliyev has handed over Azerbaijani language textbooks to the Ukrainian lyceum named after Zarifa Aliyeva. The diplomat wrote about it in the social network "X", Azernews reports.

"Visited the humanitarian lyceum "Linguist" named after Zarifa Aliyeva in the Ukrainian city of Irpin to hand over textbooks of the Azerbaijani language. This lyceum was the first educational institution in Ukraine where the Azerbaijani language was taught. The subject is included in the curricula of grades 3-11," the report says.

According to the ambassador, cooperation in the field of education is "an important component of Azerbaijan-Ukraine cooperation".

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Abbas Ganbay

The event, organized with the support of the Ministry of Economy, the Small and Medium Business Development Agency (KOBIA), and the International Council for Small Business (ICSB), was attended by government officials, representatives of international organizations, business associations, and businessmen, Azernews reports.

The aim of the event is to study best practices in the field of SME support and development, expand institutional partnerships, identify new opportunities for cooperation between stakeholders, promote young entrepreneurship, as well as introduce Azerbaijan's favorable business environment and potential investment opportunities to a wide audience.

Deputy Minister of Economy Sahib Mammadov, ICSB President and CEO Ayman El-Tarabishi, ICSB Chairman of the Board Ki Chang Kim, KOBIA Chairman of the Board Orhan Mammadov, Director of the Entrepreneurship Development Organisation of Moldova Dumitru Pintia, entrepreneurs of Azerbaijan spoke at the forum.

National Confederation of Organisations (Employers), Manuela Traldi, President of the Italian-Azerbaijani Chamber of Commerce, Ya?ar Dogan, President of the Turkish Association of Industrialists and Businessmen (TUMS?AD), discussed the development of entrepreneurship in the world and in our country, the growing role of SMEs in GDP, employment and exports.

Within the event, panel discussions will be organized on the topics "Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Azerbaijan", "Digital Transformation of SMEs and Foreign Trade", and "Strengthening Entrepreneurial Activity of Women and Youth".

It should be noted that within the framework of the World Forum of Small and Medium Entrepreneurship held in Baku on 13-16 November, the "International Centre for Education and Innovation of the XXI Century" organized an event on "Training of Future Entrepreneurs". The event was organized at the "International Centre for Education and Innovation of the XXI Century" within the framework of the World Forum of Small and Medium Enterprises held in Baku on 13-16 November.
KEARNEY  Next week Kearney will be the center of the universe for falcon and hawk hunting enthusiasts.

Kearney has good game. There are ducks, squirrels and bunny rabbits  all the stuff our guys like to chase, said Ralph Rogers of the North American Falconers Association.

He will be among an estimated 400 North American members along with representatives of the International Association for Falconry whose two groups will gather at Kearneys Holiday Inn. The gathering that begins Sunday evening and runs through next week will be the groups eighth visit to Kearney.

Whats placed Kearney on the falconers map? According to Rogers, its the friendly folk of the city, and that includes rural residents who are welcoming when falconers knock on their door asking permission for their bird to hunt on the property.

Martin Geleynse, of Waterloo, Ontario, is president of the North American Falconers. The Canadian is looking forward to watching his hybrid Gyr-Peregrine falcon hunting in the Kearney area. His bird, Levi, weighs 780 grams  about 1.7 pounds  and, thanks to technology, Geleynse can measure his birds speed. He has clocked Levi diving at 130 mph.

Geleynse said hell be in Kearney this week and all of the following week helping prepare for the convention and seeing that it unfolds without a hitch.

Among the attractions for the falconers will be a presentation by Steve Martin, an animal behavior expert.

He trains people to train animals, said Rogers, who lives in Montana and also keeps a residence in the north-central Nebraska town of Bartlett. He said hawks and falcons are natural hunters, so the goal in falconry is to train the birds to hunt where their owners can see them and retrieve them.

Rogers said a reception is planned Sunday and that Kearney-area landowners who drop by will get appetizers from Holiday Inn if they make their land available for the birds to hunt.

The falconers want to educate young people about their sport, so schools and property owners are welcome to call Rogers at 406-350-5487 to arrange demonstrations or hunting access. Some of the falconers displayed their birds at the Gateway Farm Expo at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds on Wednesday and plan to Thursday.

With falconers in 91 countries, falconry is one of the worlds oldest and broadly practiced sports. The sport is thought by some researchers to have begun in prehistoric times when Neanderthals trained golden eagles.

Rogers said Kearneys hospitality sector is among the best, with Roger Jasnoch and his staff at the Kearney Visitors Bureau lending their help to the falconers gathering. Rogers said hotel owner Paul Younes and the Holiday Inn staff make everyone feel comfortable and well cared for.

"I count Paul Younes among my friends," Rogers said.
CARR PHOTO Professor Thomas Carr, a biology instructor and head of the Institute of Paleontology at Carthage College examines a Triceratops snout that wa

A Carthage College program, which has yielded thousands of fossils  including bone fragments of the well-known Tyrannosaurus Rex exhibited in Kenoshas own Dinosaur Discovery Museum  could be facing its own extinction as its funding faces an uncertain future.

Carthage Paleontology Institute, which began nearly two decades ago under the auspices of Thomas Carr, an associate professor of biology, has been kept afloat by through private grants over the last 3-1/2 years, which has paid the salary of the preparator, a position that has been the essential link to the program. By next summer, however, the grant will end. That grant that is replacing it, will pay for materials, but will no longer cover the positions salary.

Up until 2020, the college paid the salary of the technician who was hired to train students in both laboratory and field work for the programs dig site in southeastern Montana. The portion of the fossil-rich Hell Creek rock formation has drawn dozens of Carthages aspiring paleontologists each summer.

She was hired to train students in the lab techniques and also field techniques out in Montana. And, so, that position is an integral part of the paleontology program at Carthage, said Carr. Unfortunately, back in 2020, the college decided to let go a whole bunch of staff, including that critical position that keeps the paleo program afloat.

According to Carr, without the position, essentially, the colleges paleontology institute will all but cease to exist.

The goal for us is to train students to get into graduate school  and its very competitive and they need a diversity of experiences in paleontology, including research, lab and field, he said.

The technician provides two-thirds of the programs training for students.

Without that position being filled, I can only offer the research side. I cant do the lab and field work on my own. Its a two-person operation, said Carr, a tenured professor, who is not only the director of the institute, but teaches biology and is the senior scientific advisor to the citys popular Dinosaur Discovery Museum. So, that (end to technician funding) effectively sinks the paleo program.

According to Carr, since 2005 when the field work portion of the program was initiated with three participants, the prospect of taking part in the summer expedition has become the main attraction for the institute which has drawn anywhere from 12-14 students each year.

A year ago, students, volunteers and Carr unearthed thousands of fossils, including a triceratops skull and bone fragments from a T. Rex that have been reassembled and placed on display at the local museum.

Its thriving, right now, he said.

Currently, the technicians full salary has the support of a three-year grant.

Weve reapplied to that foundation, but they no longer support salary, he said. The new grant will now only support materials for lab and field work.

It doesnt matter if we have that. We need the position to help run the lab and run the field program for students, he said.

Three years ago, Carr and tried to persuade Carthages administration to restore funding for the preparatory, but to no avail.

I tried again last semester with testimonials from fellow faculty and, again, it was a `no, he said. So, we only have nine months of runway left. We are trying to be creative and seeking out new support for the technician, but things arent looking good right now.

I guess, from my point of view, its only one staff position that were asking for and it would just make sense for the administration to just say, `yes  because were backed into a corner, with only nine months to go and no substantial leads.

Carthage Provost David Timmerman said the Paleontology Institutes position was not the only one cut from the colleges budget in 2020.

At that time, we reduced staff positions by about 19% and faculty positions by 15%, so this was not singled out by any means. It was one of many at the time and at that time, he said.

Timmerman said he and the administration also discussed funding concerns with Mayor John Antaramian and city public museum officials to try to find a way for one or both of them to participate.

And, it just wasnt possible. It wasnt anywhere near possible for them, Timmerman said. They were not able to at that time and, theyre still not able to.

Digging for fossils; Carthage College paleontologists in Montana Xavier Kissel, left, and Andy Huynh dig in a trench on the Carthage paleontology expedition this summer in southeastern Montana.

The provost said he and the administration also appreciate Carrs and the institutes contributions.

We love the work of Professor Carr. We love the work of the institute, he said. This is another way of looking at this. This is a typical position for a science faculty member to be in. They have important research theyre doing and they seek grant funding to do it.

Timmerman said that Carthage is also the home of NASA in Wisconsin.

So, we have a million dollars a year that comes in through that NASA grant. It funds several full-time and part-time positions, he said. But, I can tell you, the director of that program, Professor Kevin Crosby  knows that if that funding ran out, you know, those positions would go away.

He said that it was wonderful when Carthage was able to fund the Paleontology Institute from its operating budget.

But it just was no longer possible, he said.

On the other hand, Carthage has refocused its efforts on programs that are also growing and in demand, such as nursing.

Were in a very strong position. We have nursing. We have over 300 nursing students here, he said of the program, which is in its sixth year. Were in our third year with engineering and well probably have 70-80 engineers here next year. So, were moving resources to support those areas where were growing and where the student interest is.

So, unfortunately, for as strong as the paleontology program is, it just has 11 or 12 students in it. And, its not a major, he said. So, yes, we had to make a difficult decision. And, were still in that same spot  were past all the easy choices. All the choices now are hard and this, was one of them.

A $440,000 grant funding proposal, which Carthage submitted on behalf of the program and would have paid for the technicians salary for the next four to five years, was declined, said Timmerman on Friday.

In light of this new information, I wish to reiterate that the college will continue to pursue funding, he said. In talking with the grants office, Im assured that several other specific possibilities are being pursued. I remain hopeful that external funding will be secured to continue the Paleontology programs work seamlessly.

Student discovery of dinosaur rib bone Carthage sophomore Brett Jackson attended the paleontology trip to Montana this summer and discovered this rib bone, which has been determined

In the meantime, the institute is hoping that 2024 isnt its last year in existence for students.

If we lose our technician, then thats it for paleo at Carthage. And then, we have 12 students left in the lurch, he said. A bunch of them who are taking the field course in the summer will be in the field, but in terms of them continuing building up that CV, the summer of 2024 might be there last chance.

States with the most dinosaur fossils States with the most dinosaur fossils #46. Kentucky (tie) #46. New Hampshire (tie) #46. Rhode Island (tie) #46. Vermont (tie) #46. Wisconsin (tie) #45. West Virginia #44. Minnesota #43. Indiana #42. New York #41. Iowa #40. Missouri #39. Louisiana #38. Michigan #37. Delaware #36. Arkansas #35. Mississippi #34. Maine #33. Nevada #32. Washington #31. Illinois #30. South Carolina #29. Tennessee #28. Pennsylvania #27. Ohio #26. Georgia #25. Kansas #24. Nebraska #23. Oklahoma #22. Alabama #21. Idaho #20. Maryland #19. Hawaii #18. Connecticut #17. Alaska #16. New Jersey #15. North Carolina #14. Oregon #13. South Dakota #12. Arizona #11. North Dakota #10. Virginia #9. Massachusetts #8. Texas #7. Colorado #6. Utah #5. Florida #4. New Mexico #3. Montana #2. Wyoming #1. California
Sheriff Roy Torgerson reports the following ongoing activities for the year and narrative excerpts from the week ending Nov. 11.

11/5 A citizen reported 10 to 12 cattle were in his hayfield on Oak Lane, town of Hillsboro, and it was an ongoing problem. A deputy notified the owner of the cattle, who said he was working on repairing the fence. The owner was given a warning for livestock at large.

11/5 The sheriffs office received a report of people riding dirt bikes on a private road in the town of Wheatland and traveling at high rates of speed. A deputy notified the owner that he could not drive on private roads and was not legally allowed to drive on the nearby township/county roads since the dirt bikes were not registered. The owner agreed to keep the bikes at the residence.

11/6 Dennis Engh, Viola, was driving westbound on State Highway 56, town of Liberty, when he was distracted by his dog and swerved, causing him to strike the guardrail. Engh did not report any injuries. The vehicle was towed due to disabling damage.

11/7 The sheriffs office received multiple calls of a horse in the roadway on US Highway 14, town of Franklin. The owner was notified. Approximately seven hours later, the sheriffs office received a phone call from a passerby reporting the horse was out again. The owner was notified. A deputy waited on scene until the owner arrived. The owner said he was going to move the horses to another pasture.

11/8 Kasey Wilbur, Chaseburg, was traveling on Old Line Road, town of Coon, and swerved to avoid a deer. He went into the ditch, struck two wooden posts with lights on top, struck a culvert, and went airborne before re-entering the roadway. Wilbur did not report any injuries. The vehicle was towed due to disabling damage.

11/9 A deputy conducted a traffic stop on a vehicle on US Highway 14, town of Coon. The driver was issued a citation for driving 83 mph in a 55-mph zone.

11/10 A motorist reported a black horse running down County Road A in the town of Union. A deputy responded and located the owner.

11/10 A suspicious vehicle was reported on County Road XX, town of Jefferson. A deputy responded. The operator of the vehicle had a warrant for his arrest through the Wisconsin Department of Corrections, so he was taken into custody and booked into the Vernon County Detention Center.

Vehicle versus deer collisions:

11/6 Alyssa Peterson, Plum City, on County Road B, town of Jefferson

11/6 Richard Shawley, La Crosse, on US Highway 14, town of Viroqua

11/6 Skylar Honken, Stoddard, on US Highway 14, town of Coon

11/7 Douglas Bean, Chaseburg, on Dodson Hollow Road, town of Hamburg

11/7 Korey Becker, Baraboo, on State Highway 35, town of Genoa

11/7 Welmer Morales Diaz, Viroqua, on County Road Y, town of Jefferson

11/9 Sara Christian, Richland Center, on US Highway 14, village of Readstown

11/9 Ashley Kast, Richland Center, on State Highway 80, town of Greenwood

11/9 Harlan Bergum Jr., Viroqua, on US Highway 14, town of Hamburg

11/10 Sgt. Sam Winchel, Viroqua, on North Mill Street, village of La Farge

Sheriff's statistics This past week; YTD Alarm responses; 12; 358 Animal related issues; 24; 1,099 Assisting municipalities; 27; 1,854 Crimes against people; 10; 674 Crimes against property; 10; 514 Domestic crimes; 3; 134 Fire responses; 31; 1,458 K-9 calls; 0; 33 Medical responses; 52; 1,643 Mental health cases; 1; 113 Missing person invest.; 1; 77 Public talks; 0; 14 Safety escorts; 3; 164 School walk through; 4; 199 Search and rescues; 0; 12 Security check; 95; 5,580 Serving legal docs.; 10; 767 Suspicious act. invest.; 25; 887 Threat invest.; 0; 77 Traffic accidents; 40; 931 Traffic related invest.; 72; 3,187 Vehicle lockouts; 2; 340 Weapons invest.; 0; 13 Unclassified calls; 43; 2,525 Total calls for service; 491; 23,471 Admissions into jail; 12; 583 If you have information on an above crime, or any crime, call Crime Stoppers at 608-637-8477 or 1-800-657-6868.
Chris Walters was aware children in the Coulee Region experience food insecurity, but he didnt realize the scope.

We knew there was some level of food insecurity that existed in our community. Frankly, we were surprised at the level at some of those schools, said Walters, president of construction company DBS Group.

DBS Group has partnered with the La Crosse, La Crescent and Holmen school districts to launch the School Pantry Stock Up program. Every elementary school in those districts is conducting a food drive and seeking to add 250 food items to their pantries. The project was announced Tuesday at State Road Elementary School in La Crosse. Each school that meets the goal by Nov. 28 will receive a $500 donation from DBS Group.

School District of La Crosse Superintendent Aaron Engel said 63% of families in the Coulee Region are asset limited and income constrained, which puts children of those families at risk. He said that risk is elevated as students spend time away from school during the holidays.

Sometimes we find students return from a weekend or holiday break without having had enough to eat, Engel said.

Superintendent Kristin Mueller of the Holmen School District said 25% of students in her district qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Hunger doesnt take a break when schools do, Mueller said. Our mission extends beyond academics; its about nurturing the whole child.

Engel said nutrition and academic outcomes are linked.

We want all of our students to be at school ready to learn, Engel said. Missing breakfast or lunch really makes it challenging to learn. If you dont have a full belly or youre wondering where your next meal is coming from, its a lot harder to focus on math, reading, art or music.

Every elementary school in the La Crosse district has a room thats set aside as a food pantry. Engel said the districts worked with WAFER, the La Crosse-based food pantry, to identify items that are appropriate for pantry shelves. They include peanut butter, jelly, canned tuna, pasta, rice, cereals, dried fruits and nuts, shelf-stable milk and juice, canned soup, and canned fruits and vegetables.

Kate Mattison, a social worker in the La Crescent district, said her district is working to start a pantry by the holiday break.

What I love about the School Pantry Stock-Up is that it isnt just about food; its about providing security and support to our students when they need it most, Mattision said. Ensuring our students have access to nutritious meals over the break is both heartening and motivating.

Walters said students and the community benefit in the long run.

The School Pantry Stock-Up is about supporting and bolstering the efforts of our local schools to prepare the next generation for a successful future, he said.

Walters encourages involvement from the community. The public can drop off food items at any elementary school in La Crosse, La Crescent or Holmen any time from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on weekdays. People can also contact their local school district for information on how to make a monetary donation.
Onalaska, Holmen to host community Thanksgiving

The Onalaska Hilltopper Rotary and Holmen Area Rotary Club will host the 13th Annual Onalaska Community Thanksgiving Day Dinner on Nov. 23, serving the Onalaska and Holmen communities.

In 2011, the Onalaska Enhancement Foundation, along with community partners, established the tradition of sharing a holiday meal, which is open to the public and served over 1,600 meals last year, according to the press release.

Its absolutely amazing how this event has continued to flourish each year with volunteers and community partners pulling it all together. This event is something the community can enjoy together and take pride in. We look forward to serving and enjoying the company of a wide range of residents-from the youngest to the most seasoned. This is wonderful opportunity to get to know your neighbors and help build unity in our communities, stated co-founders Dan Ferries and Jean Lunde.

Turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing, green bean casserole, gravy, rolls, desserts, milk and coffee will be served in person at the National Guard Armory, 910 Oak Forest Drive in Onalaska from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. with a nondenominational blessing prior to the meal. Live music will be provided by Colin Marshall.

As a reminder to those working on the holiday, home alone for the holiday or requesting carry-outs are asked to reserve their meals at www.octd.org or call 608-871-3183. Deliveries are available to residents in the city of Onalaska, Brice Prairie, and village of Holmen from 11 a.m. to noon or 1 p.m. at www.octd.org or by calling 608-871-3183. Carry-outs and deliveries should be reserved prior to Monday, Nov. 20.

This event is made possible through donations and volunteers. Donations may be sent to: OEF-Thanksgiving Dinner, 415 Main St., Onalaska, WI 54650 or by PayPal at www.octd.org
Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub (MBRAH), the aerospace platform of Dubai, has signed an agreement with UUDS, a leader in business aviation, to open its new and third facility in Dubai South.

The ceremony, which took place during the Dubai Airshow, was presided over by Khalifa Al Zaffin, Executive Chairman of Dubai Aviation City Corporation and Dubai South. The agreement was signed by Tahnoon Saif, CEO of MBRAH, and Gilles Negre, CEO and Group Owner of UUDS, in the presence of executives from both entities.

The new hangar, located at one of the Code F plots at MBRAH, will provide Aircraft Management and On-Wing Cabin services; it will feature an Aircraft Cabin Completion and Modification Centre, a VIP Aircraft Parking, and Aircraft on Ground (AOG) support, as well as providing helicopter services.

UUDS also has an existing facility at the Aerospace Supply Chain cluster which is dedicated to Cabin Equipment Manufacturing and Assembly lines. Additionally, the company recently acquired an entire floor at the Suppliers Complex, the first vertical aerospace complex in the region, to provide cabin equipment refurbishment and modification services by utilising the latest technologies in the industry.

Aviation sector recovery

Saif said: We are delighted with our growing partnership with UUDS. This is a testament to the recovery and huge demand in the aviation sector and the advanced infrastructure and services that we provide as part of the overall ecosystem of Dubai South. We will continue to play a role and align with the governments long-term vision of positioning Dubai as the aviation capital of the world.

Negre commented: This makes the emirate the only city in the world to host three facilities for UUDS. The region is a potential market aligned with our expansion strategy, and we thank the team at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub for their support to realise our growth plans.

UUDS is a fully integrated cabin completion and modification service centre with all key certifications from the EASA and GCAA. The company provides design, certification, manufacturing, maintenance, and implementation of aircraft services, innovation and technology solutions, and eco-friendly solutions with the assessment of environmental impacts.--TradeArabia News Service
Certain state employees, including Wisconsin State Patrol troopers and building trades craft workers, will receive pay raises next year under legislation signed into law Thursday by Gov. Tony Evers.

While Evers praised the much-needed and well-deserved wage adjustments for our State Patrol and other folks in state service, the Democratic governor also took aim at legislative Republicans for so far refusing to send him a measure to give around 35,000 Universities of Wisconsin employees 6% raises over the next two years.

Legislative committees controlled by Republicans have blocked the UW system pay increases even though Evers and the full Legislature have already authorized them. The inaction came after Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester, said the UW system had to either eliminate its diversity, equity and inclusion programs or hand over its power to create university roles to the Legislature.

Evers has since sued the Legislature over the matter, alleging in a lawsuit filed directly with the liberal-majority Wisconsin Supreme Court that Republicans are violating the Constitutions separation of powers by allowing legislative committees to impede, usurp, or obstruct basic executive branch functions.

I will always advocate for these folks to receive the wages they deserve and earn for their good work, which is why I would be remiss if I did not acknowledge that already-approved wage increases for about 35,000 UW System faculty and staff continue to be unconstitutionally obstructed by Republicans for no real reason whatsoever, Evers said in a statement Thursday.

Senate Bill 554 ratifies collective bargaining agreements for Wisconsin State Patrol troopers and inspectors for the next two fiscal years, including a 4% general wage boost this year and a 2% boost starting next summer.

The agreement also includes a $5-per-hour increase for all employees. It also increases the maximum allowance employees can receive for protective shoes from $40 a year to $60 and includes an 8% increase to meal and lodging reimbursements.

Senate Bill 555 ratifies the collective bargaining agreement for state building trades employees, including a 4% general wage increase.

This morning's headlines: Government shutdown; Israel-Hamas; Biden-Xi National AP Internet, phone networks collapse in Gaza, threatening to worsen humanitarian crisis Internet and telephone services have collapsed across the Gaza Strip for lack of fuel, the main Palestinian provider says, bringing a potentially long-term communications blackout. Residents say Israeli forces dropped leaflets Wednesday warning Palestinians to flee parts of southern Gaza. That signals a possible expansion of their operations to the zone where most of the territorys population has fled to escape Israels bombardment and ground assault. Meanwhile, soldiers continue searching for traces of a Hamas command center Israel says is hidden in and under north Gaza's Shifa Hospital. Hamas and staff at the hospital deny the allegations. Business AP Thousands of Starbucks workers go on a one-day strike on one of the chain's busiest days of year Workers at more than 200 U.S. Starbucks stores walked off the job Thursday. Organizers say it's the largest strike yet in the 2-year-old effort to unionize the companys stores. The Workers United union chose Starbucks' annual Red Cup Day to stage the walkout since its usually one of the busiest days of the year. Starbucks expects to give away thousands of reusable cups Thursday to customers who order holiday drinks. The union says it's expecting more than 5,000 workers to take part in its Red Cup Rebellion. Around 30 stores also staged walkouts on Wednesday.
This transcript appears in the November 17, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

[Print version of this transcript]

Live Dialogue with Helga Zepp-LaRouche

Peace through Development!

Ideas Change History, Not Slogans

This is an edited transcript of Harley Schlangers weekly dialogue with Helga Zepp-LaRouche, founder and leader of the Schiller Institute on Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. Subheads and embedded links have been added. The video of this dialogue is available here.

Harley Schlanger: Hello and welcome to this weeks dialogue with Schiller Institute founder Helga Zepp-LaRouche. Its Wednesday, Nov. 8, 2023. Im Harley Schlanger and I will be your host. Send questions or comments to questions@schillerinstitute.org.

Last weekend there were several million people around the world marching for peace, calling for a ceasefire and ending Netanyahus mighty vengeance campaign which has already killed more than 4,000 children in Gaza. But at the G7 foreign ministers meeting in Tokyo over Nov. 78, there was no resolution for a ceasefirein fact, it was rejectedand U.S. Secretary of State Blinken reaffirmed U.S. support for Netanyahus actions. He said, a ceasefire would lead to an unacceptable result.

Strategic Assessment

Given this, its clear that theres a cry from around the world for peace, but it doesnt seem to be falling on receptive ears in the West, especially in the United States and the NATO countries. So, Helga, whats your assessment of where things stand and what needs to be done?

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UN/Mark Garten

Helga Zepp-LaRouche: There are many people who have said important things, but I want to quote the Secretary General of the United Nations Antonio Guterres, who said that Gaza is turning into a graveyard for the children. I think that captures the situation the best. He also said, this is not a crisis of the region, but a crisis of humanity. I think that is absolutely the case, because there is no doubt any more what is happening before our eyes, that the proportionality with which Israel is answering to the [Hamas] attack of Oct. 7 is completely out of proportion, that more than 10,000 people have been killed, 4,000 of them children. There is no way to rationalize what is going on, and it is also very clear that Israels aim is to stay in Gaza, after the war is over (whatever that means).

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U.S. Navy/Jonathan Word

So, there are several levels on which this thing has to be looked at: One is the immediate danger of an escalation into a wider war. You have an unbelievable deployment of U.S. military force in the region; you have the two U.S. aircraft carrier groups off the coast of Israel. Then, the latest news is that the Ohio-class submarine, probably the USS Florida, is on the way to probably the Persian Gulf, and the only reason why you would have such a vast deploymentits mooted that there are 30,000 American troops deployed thereis in the expectation of a wider war, possibly opening a second flank with Lebanon and Hezbollah, somehow, then, involving Iran. If that happens, then we are in immediate danger of an escalation of war way beyond Southwest Asia, the so-called Middle East. That is the one danger.

There are major efforts by both China and Russia to try to propose an immediate peace conference for the entire region. There is hectic diplomatic activity. The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) comprised of the large Islamic organizations and countries, which altogether represent more than 1 billion people, will have an emergency meeting this coming Sunday, Nov. 12, called by Saudi Arabia; the meeting will take place in Riyadh. The new factor in that situation is that Saudi Arabia and Iran have re-established diplomatic relations and are working together on the effort to coordinate some response. Then there are many, many bilateral discussions and so forth, of [Russian Foreign Minister Sergey] Lavrov, of the Chinese, in particular talking to all the Arabs.

However, this thing could really only be stopped in the United States. Israel is one thing, but if the United States would definitely say this has to be stopped, it could be stopped. But it is Blinken, who went around in the region, talking to various Arab foreign ministers, basically refusing to use the word ceasefire.

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CC/Fars News Agency/Saaleh Najm and Anas Sharif

Now, there is the immediate effect this has in Gaza itself, in the West Bank, where, since Oct. 7, some 133 Palestinians have been murdered as well. One can only start to think what people are going through, now that the cold and rainy season is starting. Half of the people are already homeless, they have no food, they have no shelter, no water, and its just unbelievable that there would be people who are not calling for a ceasefire in the face of this situation. But there is a larger aspect: The larger aspect is the danger of a military escalation beyond the regional war. But whatever happens, the fact that the Western establishments did not respond, to try to cool down the situation, and go for a ceasefire, go for humanitarian intervention in Gaza, this is changing the image of the so-called rules-based order for good. Around the world, in Germany, for example, in Britain, in Sweden, in the United States, there is an effort to impose gag orders, so that people are not allowed to comment on that.

For example, in the United States, Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who is of Palestinian origin, has said that there is no difference to her between the cry of Israeli children and Palestinian children, and that there is something wrong with people who only hear the cries of the Israeli children. The U.S. House of Representatives voted to censure her. There are similar moves in Sweden, in Germany, where there is a reaction to the demonstrations which took place last Saturday, Nov. 4. Im not commenting whether all of these demonstrations were focused in the right way or notthe point is, you have right now an ongoing situation, which many peopleincluding Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Craig Mokhiber, the former head of the UN human rights division in New York, who resigned over the situation, who said he has seen many genocides, but that this one is the worstare calling it genocide.

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VoA

Now, look at what the Latin American governments are saying. They have a complete condemnation in unmistakable terms, and I think if the West does not change their attitude on this question, their reputation in the global majority of the world population will be lost, maybe forever, at least for this important juncture, where we seek in any case a change where the old colonialist order is no longer respected, and the countries of the Global South are trying to create a new system. So, if they in this situation thenlook at the completely immoral attitude of the countries of the so-called Global North and the so-called rules-based orderif these are the rules, I think no country wants to be part of it.

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CC/Adi Cohen Zedek

So, I think that this whole thing will have ramifications of a dramatic historic impact. The former Prime Minister of Israel, Ehud Barak, has said that he thinks the Israel Defense Forces have maybe, at best, two weeks to defeat Hamas, because he thinks that the whole world opinion is crumbling, that the mood is even shifting in the United States, and that the loss of support for Israel will mean two weeks at most, and maybe less, he said.

This is highly dramatic, and I can only say, if you cannot intervene when something is so completely out of whack, then we do, indeed, have a crisis of humanity, as Guterres was saying.

Arab, Muslim, and Chinese Interventions

Schlanger: Helga, you just answered some of the questions in your opening remarks, but Ill give you these questions, because you can get a sense of how people are looking at what youre talking about. From a contact in Southwest Asia, as well as one from Oakland, California, they both ask:

Why have the Muslim and Arab governments not done more to put pressure on Israel and the West, for example, an oil embargo?

Zepp-LaRouche: I think the Arab governments could have done for a long time, far more for the Palestinians. Im not going to make a big judgment about that, but thats generally the opinion of many people. I mean, why did they not invest their sovereign wealth funds into Gaza and make it an example of economic prosperity?

I think this is now changingI hope. This coming Sunday, when the OIC (Organization of Islamic States) meets, I think they will come out with some policy, putting the weight of the entire Islamic world behind it. The best would be if they would wholeheartedly support the Chinese and the Russian peace proposals. Both of those governments are demanding a peace conference, an immediate ceasefire, and humanitarian corridors to immediately save the people whose lives are in utmost danger. But then beyond that there needs to be a real settlement of the situation, basically like the Peace of Westphalia. You have to bury the hatchet; you have to say for the sake of peace that all crimes on both sides have to be forgiven; for the sake of peace, one has to take into account the interest of the other, because without that, no peace is possible.

But then, most important, there has to be a comprehensive, total economic development plan for all of Southwest Asia: This is basically the idea of my late husband, Lyndon LaRouche, who already proposed in 1975 the famous Oasis Plan, which was the idea to green the deserts, to develop new freshwater, to build basic infrastructure for industrialization and the development of agriculture in the entire region. And right now, if you look at Southwest Asia, you have Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Libya (which is North Africa): But this whole region has been destroyed by these interventionist wars, and the humanitarian situation in all of these countries is absolutely terrible. Gaza, now, is the worst by far. But you need an economic development plan for the entire region: This is so urgent, and fortunately, with the Chinese Belt and Road Initiative, the possibility to really look at the region as a whole, as one comprehensive plan, is absolutely there.

So, I think this initiative will come from China for sure. Im sure it will be supported by whatever Russia is doing, and given the fact that the three major oil-producing countries, Iran, the United Arab Emirates, and Saudi Arabia, are in the process of joining the BRICS-11, they are all supposed to become full members of the BRICS on Jan. 1, 2024, I think the potential to turn the situation around and go for an economic buildup of the entire region is absolutely there. And if there are signs coming out in this direction, I think the best that the West European nations, the United States could do, is to wholeheartedly support that, rather than looking at it as something to be defeated.

The Unique Role of the United Nations

Schlanger: Heres a question about Chinas presidency of the UN Security Council, and their call for an international peace conference. The person wrote that according to Craig Mokhiber, the former Director in the New York Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), who resigned on Oct. 28, the UN is impotent to enforce its resolutions. Mokhiber accused the U.S., UK, and Europe of complicity in genocide, and the person asks:

Is there any other venue that can enforce international law, if the UN is impotent?

Zepp-LaRouche: No, I dont think so. I think the United Nations is the only body in existence, representing all the countries of the world. In the last years, the authority and integrity of the United Nations have been undermined. One major step in that direction was when the United States lied to the UN Security Council about what the aim was of their operation against Libya in 2011, which led to the NATO strikes, and then finally the murder of Qaddafi.

It was clear afterwards that the United States and NATO had planned a full-fledged attack, a military takeover of Libya, and they had said it was an air operation. And that is why, at that point, Russia and China remained silent, or they voted neutral. After it was clear that this was a much, much larger operation, from that point on, the UN Security Council practically did not function anymore, because when you start to lie in that sort of top leadership of the world, then the potential to use it for peaceful purposes has been greatly diminished. And at that point, Lyndon LaRouche, with absolute prescience said that this was not just an operation against Libya, but that this was the beginning of a coming world war against Russia and China. And if you look at all the subsequent developmentsthe Ukraine Maidan coup in 2014; the global NATO efforts to create a global NATO involving the Indo-Pacificwhat has the Indo-Pacific to do with the North Atlantic defense treaty? I dont know.

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UN/Paulo Filgueiras

The problem is, all the votes in the United Nations have been completely compromised since then, because only those countries that are strong enough that they feel they can resist pressure, voted their real opinion, their real conviction; while many of the smaller countries, countries that are only a small island, or a little country here or there, they normally would vote with the West on resolutions against Russia and China, and that has naturally been noted by everybody. There is no secret, there is only stupidity, one can say.

The United Nations definitely needs reforming! There are many former UN officials who are working on such proposals, but I think the Ten Principles for a New International Security and Development Architecture that I proposed, the last three principles are not programmatic: The first seven principles are programmatic; they call for a new credit system, health systemall of these things; but the last three principles I put in, having in mind the shortcomings of the United Nations, and these three principles are philosophical, because I always thoughtI discussed this a lot in the past at various occasionsthe United Nations always suffered from a lack of what you could call a metaphysical component: Meaning that you have to have something in there, which is beyond daily necessities, programmatic things, you need something which pertains to the way the universe is organized. In European history, this was generally called natural law.

Now, natural law has been rejected by modern-day legal people, because, they say, its something you cant touch, its not clear what thats supposed to be. But for 2,000 years, the idea of natural law has been that there is something in Creation, which is inherently part of the Creation, or, if you dont want to be religious, you can say, which is part of the laws of the physical universe.

The United Nations needs some grounding in such principles, because in all great philosophies and religions, you have such ideas. In India, its called cosmology, that the politicians have to respect the laws of the cosmos; in China, its the idea that theres such a thing as a Mandate of Heaven, that if the government is not following the Mandate of Heaven, the people have the responsibility to replace that government; and natural law is the idea that this is a God-given law, created with the Creation which human beings have to respect, and if they dont respect it, it will fall back on them, and lead to their demise, sooner or later.

There are some other ideas, such as, how do you train the mind to think about the higher One, first, before the Many? This is important, if you want to have the idea of the one humanity being the first principle for guidance of politics; and naturally, the idea about the nature of man: that you have to go from the assumption that the nature of man is basically good, and that all evil comes from a lack of development, and therefore, can be overcome through development.

Now, these philosophical questions have been debated by great minds over the centuries. For the UN to go back to a functioning level, as it was intended, and still is very valid with the UN Charter, I think it would be important to include some of these more fundamental principles in a necessary reform.

Schlanger: Thats certainly a very profound answer to the question. Heres another question along those lines, in practical terms. This individual asks on Facebook: Should the UN remove the veto power from the Security Council, because the system is outdated and not democratic? I think you sort of answered that by bringing in the question of a higher component, but maybe you want to say something more.

Zepp-LaRouche: Yeah, I think that would be a big mistake. This may not be the final answer. However, at this point, removing the veto would open the Security Council up to complete takeover by the kind of corruption we have seen in recent years. So, while it is not totally satisfactory for the veto to be only in the hands of the five nuclear powers, which was established at the end of the Second World War. Nevertheless, I can only say, if you were to remove it at this point, and were to make the vote into a majority rule, that would unleash a dangerous process of unbearable pressure being brought against countries that are too weak to resist. Therefore, I think it absolutely should not be done at this point.

Not Unipolarity or Multipolarity

Schlanger: Heres a question from a journalist in Pakistan. Again, you touched on this in your opening remarks: Do you think the U.S. has lost its credibility as the enforcer of the rules-based order? And if so, what follows?

Zepp-LaRouche: I have said many times that the unipolar world is gone, irreversibly. There is no way it will come back, and any effort to impose the so-called Western-designed rules-based order on the rest of the world, where nobody knows what these rules are, and these rules are being bent at every occasion, and if you have one aim, you bend them in one way, and if you want something else, you bend them in anotherthis has become a farce. And it has been recognized as such.

On the other hand, Im not completely convinced that the multipolar order in the world is the greatest wisdom, because it still implies the possibility and existence of geopolitical thinking: With a multipolar order, each pole represents a different geopolitical interest. This is no good. In my view, the more that conflicts like Ukraine and now Gaza continue, the more Im absolutely strengthened in my conviction that geopolitics is one of the greatest evils which we absolutely must get rid of if we are supposed to survive as a human species. Geopolitics is exactly the kind of stuff out of which two world wars erupted in the 20th century, and if we dont overcome it now, by going in the direction of a new paradigm, which puts the cause of humanity first, then we will probably not get rid of this mortal danger in which we are in.

The only country that has suggested something going in this direction, is, indeed, China. Xi Jinping always talks about the shared community for the one future of mankindand if you think about it, its so obvious: Were all sitting on one boat! There is a shared community of the one future, since the existence of nuclear weapons, pandemics, and the internet. I could list a whole bunch of other things, which should demonstrate to people that we are sitting in one boat! If we have a nuclear war, that will kill all of humanity. If we do not shape up, it will come to that.

So, wed better think about the fact that we are one human species. I think thats very, very important.

Schlanger: We have one final question, from Thomas. Hes a little despairing, since even though millions of people are marching, the policies are not changing. He asks: Helga, can you give us advice on how we can keep optimistic, when the killing of the totally vulnerable Palestinian people continues?

Zepp-LaRouche: Well, I think one can, indeed, change the situation. The many people marchingits very important that people go and take to the streets, and express their demand for a ceasefire, their demand for a peaceful resolution. But all the marches I have heard about or read about, are a little bit not yet strong enough; they keep chanting Free Palestine, which is obviously an important demand, but theyre dont really have power. If these demonstrations were more idea-heavy, so to speak, if they would really fight forfor example, for a Middle East peace conference and even the Oasis Plan development plan, I think then they would gain a lot more weight. I think we should work in the direction that the different marches pick up these demands.

Operation Ibn Sina

Ill give you one very good example: There was just a wonderful conference in, of all places, Afghanistana country which has been completely forgotten by most people. It has been out of the news for about two years. There was a big hoopla when NATO left in August 2021, and then what followed was a huge humanitarian crisis. But then, Afghanistan disappeared from the headlines.

But we worked on Operation Ibn Sina, an economic plan for a coming economic miracle in Afghanistan, and we worked out a very comprehensive economic development plan, taking into account every aspect, from infrastructure, energy, health, industrial, water managementjust every aspect. There was just a wonderful conference in Kabul which completely adopted that program: 600 participants and there is now a tremendous idea to economically build up Afghanistan.

I think this is excellent news, and that is an example which can be replicated by every single country: You need such economic development plans, and if you find patriots in every country, who fight for their sovereignty and the buildup of their country, I think there is reason to hope and we can turn this around. You know, Gottfried Leibniz was absolutely right when he said that a great evil always evokes an even greater good. That that is exactly the principle of the universe; and we need a lot of people of good will, but I think we can absolutely do it, because thats how the universe is.

Schlanger: Well, Helga, we do have several emails of congratulations to you, since Operation Ibn Sina was originally your idea. People are very enthusiastic about the potential for this kind of development program.

Weve come to the end of our questionsdo you have any final comments?

Zepp-LaRouche: Look at the strategic picture. Former [Israeli] Prime Minister Ehud Barak says the situation with Israel has about two to three weeks before the pressure becomes too great. I dont think Israel can win against Hamas in two weeks. So that is a certain point, or deadline crisis, or window where certain things have to happen.

Similarly, you have now a public debate in Ukraine. Gen. Valery Zaluzhny, the chief of the General Staff of the Ukrainian army, just said that there is no way that Ukraine can win this war. Russia is way ahead in terms of its economy, military buildup, ability to produce weapons, so Ukraine would do better to negotiate even at the loss of certain territories. This has caused a huge outcry against him and his remarks. But what he is saying is true! Gen. Harald Kujat, the former Chief of Staff of the Bundeswehr, the German armed forces, had said at the end of August, that NATO would soon be faced with a situation to either go for a ceasefire and a diplomatic solution, or there would be the danger of an escalation.

Join the International Peace Coalition

You have now two situations where that is exactly the alternative. In Ukraine, and in respect to Israel and Gaza, this is not going to go on forever. The only way we can avoid World War III is to have a ceasefire now, and to have a diplomatic solution.

I appeal to all of our listeners and viewersthat is, you: please join our effort. We have the International Peace Coalition, which we are building. Every Friday, we have very important discussions, if you want to cooperate in that. We now have members participating from four continentsI think we are still lacking Australia, but all the other continents are represented. Join this effort, be a voice for peace and a better world. Do not be passive! Get active with us! These are the most important weeks of our lives.

Schlanger: Helga, thank you for that, and thank you for your inspiration. Hopefully, well make it to next week and have another conversation with you.

Zepp-LaRouche: Yes, one hopes.
EDGE, one of the world's leading advanced technology and defence groups, has announced its first major order from the UAE Armed Forces for the locally-manufactured Reach-S fixed-wing UAV.

Announced at the Dubai Airshow, the order to supply 100 Reach-S is the first of its kind for the for UAE-made fixed-wing drones.

Advanced Concepts, a business unit within EDGE dedicated to the design and development of innovative technologies, is currently developing the Reach-S in line with end users requirements. Adasi, an EDGE entity which designs and develops autonomous systems, will oversee the production and deliver the contract to the UAE Armed Forces.

Saeed Al Mansoori, SVP of Advanced Concepts, said: The development of the Reach-S, one of the first locally-made medium altitude, long endurance (MALE) unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), marks a significant milestone for EDGE. Thanks to the dedicated team at Advanced Concepts, we have successfully completed two flight tests and a weapon release campaign for the Reach-S, and we are currently gearing up for a long-endurance flight test.

Juma Al Kaabi, CEO of Adasi, said: This significant order demonstrates our expanding expertise in the aerospace sector and our ongoing investment in autonomous systems which meet the UAE Armed Forces requirements. Collaborating with Advanced Concepts to deliver this solution also exemplifies how synergies between entities within EDGE Group lead to optimised benefits for the end user.

The Reach-S will provide the UAE Armed Forces with a cost-effective, 24-hour intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capability. The aircraft features autonomous take-off and landing, a mount on the underbelly for an electro-optical sensor, and the ability to fly up to 200km away from the Ground Control Station, making it ideal for border security and long-range operations.

A video of Reach-S in action can be seen here.

Meanwhile, Adasi announced that it has signed an AED239 million contract to supply Garmoosha unmanned aerial systems (UAS) to the UAR Ministry of Defence.

Juma Al Kaabi, CEO of Adasi, said: We are honoured to deliver our best-in-class Garmoosha drones to the Ministry of Defence. With years of experience in advanced technology and developing the autonomous systems, this opportunity underlines our position as a regional industry leader.

Aimed at further advancing air operations, the unmanned aircraft designed is to carry payloads of approximately 120kg with an endurance of 8 hours and a range of 150km. With a low-consumption fuel engine, its sensor capabilities make it a versatile system capable of solving some of the most difficult challenges. - TradeArabia News Service
This article appears in the November 17, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

[Print version of this article]

Invitation to Creating the Afghan Economic Miracle

The following is the full text of the Conference Perspective provided by the event sponsor, the Ibn Sina Research and Development Center, in its invitation to the recent, Nov. 68, 2023 conference, Operation Ibn Sina: The Coming Economic Miracle in Afghanistan, in Kabul, Afghanistan at the Intercontinental Hotel.

There is amazing wealth for upcoming economic development in Afghanistan. The Afghans do not want any foreign geopolitical competition in their country anymore; instead, they request competition in economic development.

The challenges of the Afghan situation, which are essentially the result of 40 years of successive wars due to foreign invasions and occupations, left the country without real development. Besides this, the policy of sanctions imposed on Afghanistan after withdrawal of NATO forces, and the essential denial of cooperation with the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, have worsened the humanitarian crisis to an unacceptable level. Therefore, an entirely new approach is required.

The Ibn Sina Research and Development Center is organizing and hosting a conference in Kabul, approved by the government of the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, and with its active participation, to present a comprehensive plan for the economic reconstruction of the entire country, with the goal to turn Afghanistan into a middle level income country in the foreseeable future.

Obviously, the alleviation and subsequent elimination of the humanitarian crisis must be a priority. But that is sustainable only if there is a nationwide program of basic infrastructure, including transport, energy, water management, communications, education, and health care. Only if these basics are built in the entire country can productive agriculture and industry be developed.

For this goal, the Conference will present the economic plan called, Operation Ibn Sina, which has been worked out by the volunteer economists of the international Schiller Institute, and provided to Afghan experts living abroad and in Afghanistan, to analyze and to prioritize its goals. This program draws upon the experience of other successful economic build-up programs, such as the Chinese economic miracle, which transformed China from a poor rural country into a manufacturing super-power; and earlier success stories, such as the industrialization of the young American Republic, the Meiji Restoration in Japan, the record of Russia, and other examples, such as Indonesia and Egypt.

The transformation of Afghanistan into a stable, prosperous country is also in the interests of all of the countrys neighbors, since the geographic location of Afghanistan makes it an organic hub for much of the transport and trade between Central Asia, South Asia, and Southwest Asia. The integration of Afghanistan into the corridors and infrastructure projects of the Belt and Road Initiative is in the interest of Afghanistan, as well as of all Eurasia.

Cooperation is paramount with the SCO and the EAEU, but especially now with the BRICS-Plus, which had its historic meeting in August in Johannesburg, South Africa, in which tectonic changes have taken place in creating a new economic system. If we turn Afghanistan into a prosperous country, as part of these gigantic changes in the Global South, it will represent hope.

This program will be realized in the tradition of one of the greatest sons of Afghanistan, Ibn Sina, whose father was born in Balkh, in the north of the country, and who is one of the greatest physicians and universal thinkers of all time. Ibn Sina was one of the great medical scientists of universal history, who enriched the knowledge of mankind about the body, the soul, and the universe, and in this way contributed to improving the conditions of life, and increasing the longevity of all the generations who came after him.

What an excellent metaphor for a rich and beautiful future for Afghanistan! Ibn Sinas elevated spirit also stands for the high ideal, that the program associated with his name is above particular ethnic, local, or other specific interest groups, and is entirely and uniquely devoted to the benefit and happiness of the Afghan people.

This is a call to action for all patriotic Afghans living in the diaspora in many parts of the world, to return to Afghanistan to bring in their skills to contribute to the saving of the great nation of Afghanistan.
This editorial appears in the November 17, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

EDITORIAL

Have You Washed Your Hands Lately?

Are You Taking Your Ps and Qs from the Anti-Defamation League?

[Print version of this editorial]

Nov. 11We live in a downside-up political universe, where, for example, a vicious Banderist regime in Ukraine that bans a dozen opposition parties, jails nonviolent dissidents, maintains an active assassination bureau against foreign and domestic adversaries, and now cancels elections altogether, can be lauded as a veritable citadel of democracy; where leaders of the formerly colonized nations are subjected to endless, pious lectures on humans rights and good governance by Western heads of state whose active participation in regime-change warfare, coups, and other depredations qualifies them as the biggest mass murderers and liars on the planet; and where todays popular culture, which truly makes biblical Sodom and Gomorrah seem a paragon of Puritan virtue in comparison, is presented as the quintessential expression of the freedom fought for by our American forbearers from Valley Forge to Selma, Alabama.

Orwells Big Brother, who infamously decreed that War is Peace, was a piker relative to our present-day propagators of inverted reality!

Totally consistent with this stand-on-your-head worldview, is the just plain silly depiction of the Anti-Defamation League of Bnai Brith as a benign Jewish civil rights organization, dedicated to combating anti-Semitism and hatred in service of the brotherhood of humanity. Here is not the place to recount the actual sordid history of the ADLs multifaceted ties to organized crime, its despicable role in spying on labor and civil rights organizations in cahoots with the FBI, or its long partnership with the apartheid government in South Africa. All of that, and much more, has been documented in LaRouche publications going back many years. Readers would be well-advised to avail themselves of that material.

Whats new is that todays political and strategic crisis is causing the ADLs leaders, along with others, to debase, degrade, and expose themselves in a more obvious way than ever before. For years, they tried to pin the scarlet letter A (for Anti-Semite) on Lyndon LaRouche, using as their pretext his sharp criticisms of the Israeli governments of Shamir and Sharon. But when the 2014 Maidan coup in Ukraine brought to power the political heirs of the bona fide, blood-on-his-hands Jew-killer, 1940s Hitler ally Stepan Bandera, the ADL suddenly developed a severe case of political amnesia. It would not be unfair in the slightest to characterize their response as: Nazis?! What Nazis? Do you see Nazis? I dont see any Nazis!

Former ADL National Director Abe Foxman even quipped that there was no more fascism in the Kiev government than there was in the Occupy Wall Street movement! Other ADL officials admonished the public not to get too worked up at the sight of funny armbands (swastikas and other Nazi insignia) displayed by military and police personnel in Ukraine! Those funny armbands must have evoked gales of laughter in the countries conquered by Hitler during the war!

Earlier this year, the Speaker of the Canadian Parliament introduced to that assembled body a 98-year-old Ukrainian immigrant, who was described as a heroic fighter against Russia in World War II. He received a thunderous ovation from the entire room, including from visiting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. No one evinced the slightest recognition of just who was fighting Russia in that conflict, until it came out days later thatsurprise!the venerable veteran was a member of the Galician division of the Waffen SS, the elite unit of hardened Nazi-ideologue soldiers who perpetrated unspeakable atrocities against Jews and Poles in German-occupied Ukraine!

The Speaker resigned, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made a pathetic attempt at damage control, and the Anti-Defamation League, that ever-vigilant watchdog against Nazism and hatred, rushed in with the following courageous, eloquent, and absolutely magnificent statement:

(If you didnt catch every word that appeared after the colon in the above paragraph, please re-read it.)

So, having tried, clumsily, to cover the tracks of actual Nazis and hate-mongers, the ADL nonetheless has discovered a new threat to our way of life. What is this looming evil that must be extirpated lest it poison us all? Why, its the sight of young Jewish Americans protesting the genocidal scorched-earth attack on Gaza by the Israel Defense Forces! Clearly, anyone, especially of Hebrew descent, who objects to Prime Minister Benjamin Bibi Netanyahus collective punishment and indiscriminate vengeance masquerading as self-defense, is, ipso facto, anti-Zionist, anti-Semitic, and probably a secret Hamas agent, say our intrepid ADLers. What an incredible self-incriminating display!

In response, The LaRouche Organization has two messages.

To the ADL and its minions: Keep up the bad work! Seriously, every time you open your mouths nowadays, you help us to reveal what weve known you to have been all alonga hit squad for the London-Wall Street financial oligarchy, nothing more. Please continue that assistance.

But the second, perhaps more important message is to our would-could-should-be allies, activists, and others: Have you been taken in by the ADL? For years, many who have been attracted to the power of Lyndon LaRouches ideas, have still kept an arms-length away, or even run in the opposite direction. Often enough, such individuals cannot even articulate what is causing their unease. Were here to help you.

The Anti-Defamation League has spent untold millions over decades, playing a leading role in creating a wall of political containment around the LaRouche political movement. Its unfortunately true that our adversaries sometimes possess a keener sense of the potential of the LaRouche policy-solutions in a crisis, than do our friends. But now, they have massively discredited themselves. Isnt it about time that you recognize that new reality and plunge in wholeheartedly with our fight for replacing global disaster with global development?

The ADLs decades-long attack on the LaRouche movement was intended, of course, as a mark of shame. However, considering especially their recent behavior, we wear it as a badge of honor.
This editorial appears in the November 17, 2023 issue of Executive Intelligence Review.

EDITORIAL

When a Great Evil Rears Its Ugly Head, Its Time for the Good To Get Moving

[Print version of this editorial]

Nov. 12Israels claim that Gaza civilians are to blame for sheltering Hamas terrorists and, therefore, are legitimate war targets, has come to the fore over the last 48 hours, with the direct assaults upon Gazas hospitals. Among other things, these systematic attacks and accompanying justifications properly bring into question the previous accidental bombings (e.g., the Al-Ahli Hospital, the 6th century Greek Orthodox church compound), where the excuse was offered that the Palestinians misfired, hitting their own people. The Israeli policy of the Netanyahu gang, it turns out, always had a policy of targeting such sites. What level of evil is upon us?

For weeks, refugees by the tens of thousands in Gaza have sought shelter at hospitals, churches, and monasteries, perhaps thinking that no one would bomb or shoot at such facilities. (There are an estimated 20,000 such people seeking refuge at the Al-Shifa Hospital compound.) The notorious 100 Israeli doctors who called for the bombing of Palestinian hospitals contend that such refugees deserve what they get for assuming that Israel will abide by such Western morality. Their statement contends that Hamas built terrorist headquarters inside the hospitals with the understanding that no harm would come to them. And Palestinians allowed terrorist nests to be set up inside medical facilities, taking advantage of Western morality. So, any place where its people hide and/or is used for terrorist activity is a legitimate target for destructioneven if it houses patients.

First, even this contentionthat, if someone from Hamas is amongst the innocents, everyone can be fired uponwhile evil, is not honest. In fact, anyone who ends up dead in Gaza may be said, after the fact, to have been either Hamas or someone who allowed a Hamas individual to come near them. Hence, the cynical, or actually Satanic, view: Shoot them all and let God sort them out.

Pretty evil, but what of the scathing cynicism, or actually Satanism, embedded in the taking advantage of Western morality comment? Clearly, this Netanyahu gang doesnt buy into that outmoded Western morality stuff anymore. This type of evil has been seen before. How is this different from Friedrich Nietzsches Beyond Good and Evil ideology, the casting off of that outmoded Judeo-Christian morality for the celebrated free will of the superman, the Ubermensch? Has a Nazi mentality temporarily taken over Israel? It cannot be denied, but there neednt be quibbling over the name. A Nazi by any other name is still a Nazi. The question on the table is whether the heart of Western morality is still beating.

The resolution of todays Arab-Islamic Summit in Riyadh calls for the UN Security Council and the United States to end the mass killings. Up to now, both bodies have not been up to the task, gambling that all of Gazas neighbors will contain their outrage. Yesterday, Frances President Macron became a rare Western leader to allow himselfat least for a dayto voice his horror over such mass killing of children, women, and the elderly. Theres rising dissension amongst U.S. State Department officials and Capitol Hill staffers over those killings. At least 300,000 people came out to demonstrate in London today for an immediate ceasefire (over Prime Minister Sunaks objection that it was bad taste to call for an end to the fighting on Armistice Day, when the bloody fighting of World War I finally ended!).

Theres little doubt the world is at an impasse and that there is social turmoil. Theres little doubt that Israelis and Palestinians can both benefit from the scientific and economically feasible greening of the desert, beginning with nuclear energy, massive water desalination and large-scale irrigation. What is in doubt is whether, as Friedrich Schiller put it, a great moment in history has found a little people. Yes, there is great evil, an almost unimaginable evil afoot; but there is no need to freeze up like a deer before a cars headlights.

Read, sign and circulate the petition, Implementing a Global Approach To Ending the Cycle of Violence in Southwest Asia and master the Oasis Plan so that we acquire the grounded optimism necessary for ending the cycle of violence.
IBTM World, due to take place at Fira, Barcelona, from November 28-30, has announced a second wave of inspirational speakers for its conference programme, where they will share the knowledge and tools needed to cultivate a sense of community in the events they create.

The second keynote speaker for day two of IBTM World will be Lars Silberbauer, Global Head of Brand, Marketing and Digital at the Olympics (International Olympic Committee). In his presentation titled: Building Cultural Legacies Amidst Disruption: Lessons from LEGO, MTV, and the Olympics, Lars will provide invaluable insights into how brands like LEGO, MTV, and the Olympics have built thriving communities in an era of digital distractions and global challenges.

Two complementary sessions on community building will take place on the Main Stage on day two.

In Give the People What They Want: Think you know your customer? Think again, three seasoned marketing professionals who have represented major brands such as Amazon, Twitter, Google, Facebook, the Match Group, GQ and WIRED will share their 360-degree marketing strategies and reveal how they engage attendees before, during and after events to create thriving communities that boost engagement and conversion rates.

In the second session: Communications and Content Strategy for 21st Century Event Businesses, expert event marketers will discuss the evolution of event marketing for long-term business growth.

Charlotte Williams will be joined by Todd Hansen, Executive Producer, Web Summit, and Ella Kieran, SVP Marketing and Director of WPPs Innovation Camp, Stream, to explore the art of creating a perfect communications plan and building an organic co-opted community while moving away from sales-driven marketing.

IBTM World Culture Creators

On the final day, IBTM World will unveil its much-anticipated Culture Creators Report during a panel discussion featuring prominent event planners from the industry. The report titled, The Worlds Best Business Events (And The People Who Create Them), will serve as a global temperature check on the MICE industry, and delve into the experiences, challenges, and aspirations of event professionals in the new world of work.

Claudia Hall, Event Director, IBTM World, said: Developing engaged and passionate communities around the events we create is so important. In this age of increased distraction and disconnection, proving a space for delegates to come together and share ideas, spark discussions, and move business culture forward, is essential. Thats why community is a key thread of this years conference programme at IBTM World. Its our aim to empower attendees with the knowledge and tools they need to create year-round connected communities for their own events.

This year, attendees at IBTM World can connect and collaborate in a myriad of ways; both the Welcome Party & Networking Hour will return and will once more be open to all delegates with complimentary food and beverages.

Another favourite, Club Night will return to Opium, with delegates able to gain access with their IBTM World badge.

For those looking to hold meaningful conversations, they can look no further than the brand-new feature, Workplace Revolution, a unique space that encourages attendees to connect with peers and inspirational figures in a relaxed, campfire-style setting.  TradeArabia News Service
For 30 years, many nations around the world considered two states  one Israeli, one Palestinian  as the way to reach peace in the Middle East.

VOA recently spoke to several experts about ideas for peace.

Many people believe two states remain the only path forward even after Hamas' October 7 deadly attack and Israel's strong counter-offensive.

Israel says Gazas Hamas rulers killed about 1,200 people and kidnapped more than 240 in their attack. Gazas Health Ministry, which is led by Hamas, says more than 10,000 people have died in Israels counter-offensive.

However, political expert Uriel Abulof of Tel Aviv University believes the loss of life on both sides has not made peace impossible.

Abulof said the war has created a chance for people to understand that this is not a conflict between the majority of Israelis and Palestinians, [both of whom] want to live in coexistence, without radical leaders," he said.

"On one side you have Hamas, which you have to deal with militarily, and on the other side are (Israeli Prime Minister) Benjamin Netanyahu and his coalition, which need to be dealt with politically," he told VOA.

Hussein Ibish is with the Arab Gulf States Institute that is based in Washington, D.C. He also believes that a permanent solution to the long conflict is possible only with a two-state model. He said it could be done in steps.

"Israel must finally and formally accept the Palestinian right to a state and the need for it. The construction and establishment of settlements must stop completely," he said.

Ibish believes Israeli settlements in the West Bank, one of the two Palestinian territories, should be halted. Israel completely withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005.

Ibish also said Palestinians must condemn the Hamas attacks of October 7 and promise to end the violence. He said the Palestinian Authority, which governs the West Bank, must be strengthened.

Actionable plan or unrealistic?

Other experts are doubtful. Omer Bartov is a professor of Holocaust and genocide studies at Brown University in the American state of Rhode Island.

Bartov believes the two-state plan is unrealistic. He said it would create an economically weak Palestine that is dependent on Israel. He added that "because there are between half-a-million and 750,000 Jewish settlers in the West Banktheir removal from the territory would mean civil war."

He also notes there are 2 million Palestinians who live in Israel.

Israel captured the West Bank, along with East Jerusalem, from Jordan in the Six-Day War of 1967. It took Gaza from Egypt in the same war but withdrew from the territory.

Bartov said another possibility is a confederation of Palestinian-Israeli states within the 1967 borders.

A confederated state, he said, would permit Palestinian refugees to return to territories their ancestors left when Israel was created. "Jerusalem could be the common capital," he said.

"There would be a difference between citizenship and residence," said Bartov. "Jewish settlers could continue to live in the Palestinian state but behave according to its regulations. And the Palestinians could return from exile

However, he said the single-state solution seems impossible because of the current war.

A part for the U.S.

Ibish of the Arab Gulf States Institute said U.S. involvement would be important to any permanent solution.

He said the U.S. is the only country with the influence to guarantee a two-state peace agreement. However, he said, there is a large political cost in the U.S. to put too much pressure on Israel.

Bartov of Brown University agreed that no plan is possible without the U.S. support on which Israel depends politically and militarily.

Without it, he suggested, the endless warfare would only continue.

Israelis and Palestinians really don't feel there is hope. That's why the perspective must be changed  how to make these two groups of people live side by side, not apart."

Im Gena Bennett.

Marko Protic reported this story for Voice of America. Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English.

_______________________________________________

Words in This Story

coexistence  v. to live together in peace

construction n. the act of building structures with workers and heavy equipment

confederation  n. a group of people, countries, territories or organizations that are connected by rules or laws but that govern themselves

residence  n. to live in a place and legally have it as your home

regulation  n. rules and laws

perspective  n. the way a person understands or thinks about something
Taiwan is taking part in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting in San Francisco, California this week.

Because it is an economic gathering, the self-governing island democracy of 23 million people does not face diplomatic restrictions from mainland China.

Taiwans chief representative is a civilian, rather than a government official. It is an unwritten rule by China that members of the organization join as economic representatives rather than state officials.

For the seventh time, Morris Chang is representing Taiwan. He is the 92-year-old founder of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Chang helped establish Taiwans place as a top country for high-technology manufacturing in the electronics industry.

Taiwan has participated in APEC since 1991 under the name Chinese Taipei. It began taking part just two years after the group began and the same year that China and Hong Kong joined.

Taiwan has depended on retired ministers and industry leaders, who are connected with the government but who do not have an office within it. The aim is to avoid angering China.

Politics at play

Chinas economy has not recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic. The country has high youth unemployment and large amounts of debt in a weakened housing sector.

However, Chinese leader Xi Jinping is pushing ahead with his plan for China to retake its historical place as the center of cultural, political, and economic life in the Asia-Pacific area.

Taiwan has a multiparty political system that centers around local issues. There is wide agreement on political separation from China. That presents a special challenge to the communist leaders of mainland China in Beijing.

China wants to end U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, including military planes like the F-16 fighter jet. China also wants the U.S. to confirm it will not help the ruling pro-independence Democratic Progressive Party to keep power in Taiwan.

John Kirby is a U.S. National Security Council spokesperson. He said Wednesday that President Joe Biden will make clear to President Xi that the U.S., while following the law, will continue to provide "self-defense capabilities for Taiwan."

Chinese influence

China has sought to influence Taiwanese politics through military threats. It also seeks influence through economic opportunities on the mainland and local politicians.

Taiwanese media has also been persuaded to run stories critical of the current state of independence. That is done mainly through media ownership structures, which involve investments from the mainland.

Januarys elections for the presidency and legislature will help decide whether the people want to continue independence or seek closer relations with mainland China.

Im Gregory Stachel.

The Associated Press reported this story. Gregory Stachel adapted it for VOA Learning English.

_______________________________________________

Words in This Story

participate  v. to be involved with others in doing something: to take part in an activity or event with others

sector  n. an area of an economy

challenge  n. a difficult task or problem

capability  n. the ability to do something

opportunity  n. a time when a particular situation makes it possible to do or achieve something
Fifteen-year-old Guinean Moussa Camara is one of a record 32,000 migrants who have arrived in Spains Canary Islands this year. They travel an extremely dangerous path by sea from Africa.

Moussas parents are dead. He left Guinea last month. The teenager crowded into a wooden boat with 240 other migrants for the trip to the Canary Islands. The trip took 11 days. They did not have enough food or fresh water.

Twenty people died during the trip, the travelers said. The path they took is considered one of the most dangerous for migrants.

Camara arrived October 27 tired and hungry. He soon faced another problem: police registered him as an adult. That meant he was not permitted into a center for minors with better opportunities available.

Camara was with a friend also registered as an adult at an old military base in Tenerife's mountains. There, about 2,000 migrants await transfers to mainland Spain or permission to go elsewhere in Europe.

Registering him as an adult means that instead of receiving extra support to find housing and education until age 18, he will have to support himself alone.

A bone test would be required to prove his age. But Red Cross papers support Camara's claim that he is 15 and not 18 as the police said.

Canary Islands president Fernando Clavijo told Reuters that the registration issues show that the government is overwhelmed by the numbers of arrivals.

"We have neither the resources nor the calm to deal with the avalanche coming in," he added. He blamed police for processing errors as about 100 children a day came into the Canaries.

He said Spain's national government was not dealing with the issue. He said it has only offered to move 347 migrant children to other areas until December.

Many more will come

Additionally, human rights organization Amnesty International said in a recent report that 12 out of 29 migrants it interviewed at adult centers in the Canaries were actually minors.

For children wrongly identified as adults, it is their responsibility to find an aid group to help them. Such supporters can request a bone test for a child to confirm their age. However, the process that can take months.

Amnesty officials said the policy is unfair. The group said such tests should only be used if there was substantial doubt about a migrants stated age and no other proof.

There are eight Canary Islands. El Hierro is one of those most affected by migration. The island has a population of 9,000. More than 11,000 migrants have landed there this year.

In one weekend this month, 500 people arrived in El Hierro on four boats. Out of those 500, four people died and about 15 others were admitted to the island's 31-bed hospital.

Clavijo said the European Union should do more to fix the causes of migration from Africa. Current policy was "to mistreat them at borders" out of sight of most Europeans, he said.

"Do you know what a mother or father has to go through to put their six-year-old or seven-year-old son in a (small wooden boat) with 200 or more people they don't know and throw them into the open sea at night?" he asked. "These people don't do it for fun."

Mas Fall is 17-year-old from Senegal. He said the Canaries should expect more young migrants like him. He said the dangerous 1,450-kilometer journey to El Hierro is not going to stop people.

"Many more like me will come," he said in Spanish, newly learned.

Im Dan Novak.

Dan Novak adapted this story for VOA Learning English based on reporting by Reuters.

_______________________________________

Words in This Story

opportunity  n. an amount of time or a situation in which something can be done

overwhelm  v. to affect very strongly

avalanche  n. a sudden great amount of something
An entire Myanmar army battalion based near the Chinese border surrendered to an alliance of ethnic armed groups that launched a surprise offensive last month against the military, a spokesperson for one of the armed groups said yesterday.

The surrender of 261 people  127 soldiers and 134 of their family members  from the infantry battalion in northeastern Shan state appears to be the biggest by regular army forces since widespread armed conflict in Myanmar broke out in 2021 after the military seized power from the elected government of Aung San Suu Kyi in February that year.

The alliance expects to soon capture Laukkaing, the areas major city, the spokesperson said.

The surrender  which has not been announced by the military government and could not be independently confirmed by The Associated Press  came two weeks after the Arakan Army, the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army and the Taang National Liberation Army, calling themselves the Three Brotherhood Alliance, launched a coordinated offensive against the military government on Oct. 27.

The alliance has claimed widespread victories and the military government made a rare acknowledgement on Nov. 2 that it had lost control of three towns, one of which is a major border crossing for trade with China.

The offensive in the northern part of Shan state was seen as a significant challenge for the army, which has struggled to contain a nationwide uprising by members of the Peoples Defense Force, a pro-democracy armed group established after the 2021 army takeover. The various PDF groups that operate around the country have joined forces with well-organized, battle-hardened ethnic armed groups  including those in the Three Brotherhood Alliance  that have been fighting Myanmars central government for greater autonomy for decades.

The military government faced another challenge on Monday when the Arakan Army launched surprise attacks on military targets in five townships in Myanmars western Rakhine state. A yearlong cease fire had previously been declared in the state between the military government and the Arakan Army.

Le Kyar Wai, a spokesperson for the Myanmar National Democratic Alliance Army, told the AP on Wednesday that each of the soldiers who surrendered in Shan state, including the commander, was awarded 1 million kyat (about $480) and their family members were each given 100,000 kyat ($48).

We give medical treatment to the injured. We delivered them safely to their desired destination, Le Kyar Wai said, adding that the alliance groups planned to launch an operation soon to seize Laukkaing after they surrounded the city.

Laukkaing is known for hosting major organized criminal enterprises including cyberscam operations controlled by Chinese investors in cooperation with local Myanmar warlords.

The Chinese government in recent weeks has pushed a crackdown on these operations, and thousands of people involved have been repatriated to China. Many employed in the scams were tricked into working for them and then held against their will.

The Three Brotherhood Alliance had announced that one of the goals of its Oct. 27 offensive was to crack down on the scam operations. Le Kyar Wai said the alliance would rescue those held by the scam centers, arrest the people behind the operations and transfer them to relevant authorities, whom he did not specify but probably means Chinese law enforcement officials.

The soldiers who surrendered were not the first to lay down their weapons to the alliance groups in Shan state. On Oct. 30, 41 soldiers from another infantry battalion based in nearby Kunlong township surrendered to them. In total, more than 200 soldiers and police have surrendered to the alliance groups since Oct. 31, the groups said in a statement on Tuesday.

Since the offensive began last month, soldiers and police have also surrendered in Karen, Kayah, Rakhine and Chin states and Sagaing region, according to ethnic armed groups and independent local media. GRANT PECK, BANGKOK, MDT/AP
President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed today (Thursday, Macau time) to restore some military-to-military communications between their armed forces as the two leaders met for hours on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit in San Francisco.

Both sides pledged cooperation that would bring the U.S and China closer to resuming regular talks under whats known as the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement, which until 2020 had been used to improve safety in the air and on the sea.

Thats been cut off. Thats been worrisome, Biden said at a news conference after his meeting with Xi. So were back to direct, open, clear, direct communication.

A senior U.S. official said the military communication agreements mean that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin can meet with his Chinese counterpart once that person is named. The official spoke to reporters on condition of anonymity to discuss a private meeting.

This also opens the door for agreements at less-senior levels, including allowing the Hawaii-based commander of U.S. Pacific forces to engage with counterpart theater commanders, the official said. Xi said he and Biden agreed to resume high-level military dialogues on the basis of equity and respect, according to a statement released by China Central Television, the state broadcaster.

The agreement comes after U.S. military leaders had expressed repeated concerns about the lack of communications with China, particularly as the number of unsafe or unprofessional incidents between the two nations ships and aircraft has spiked.

According to the Pentagons most recent report on Chinas military power, Beijing has denied, canceled or ignored military-to-military communications and meetings with the Pentagon for much of last year and this year. The report warns that the lack of such talks raises the risk of an operational incident or miscalculation spiraling into crisis or conflict.

The U.S. views military relations with China as critical to avoiding any missteps and maintaining a peaceful Indo-Pacific region. Heres a look at the often fraught relationship between the U.S. and Chinese militaries.

A DECADE OF TALKS AND VISITS

More than 15 years ago, the Defense Department was making progress in a growing effort to improve relations with Beijing as both sides stepped up military activities in the Indo-Pacific.

The U.S. was concerned about Beijings dramatic and rapid military growth. And China was suspicious of Americas expanding presence in the region. In an effort to improve transparency and communication, defense leaders from the two countries were meeting regularly. And in a 2008 speech in Singapore, then-Defense Secretary Robert Gates noted that relations with China had improved, and that a long-sought direct telephone link between the U.S. and China had finally been established. He said he had used it to speak with the defense minister.

He and other defense chiefs, Joint Chiefs chairmen and regional high-level U.S. commanders routinely traveled to China over the next decade, and Chinese defense leaders came to the Pentagon. We dont want miscalculations and misunderstandings and misinterpretations. And the only way you do that is you talk to each other, noted then-Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in 2013.

The following year Hagel made a historic visit to Yuchi Naval Base and became the first foreign visitor to go aboard Chinas first aircraft carrier as it was docked at the base.

The Defense Departments 2014 report on Chinas military power referred to sustained positive momentum in U.S. ties with Beijing, and noted there was a growing number of agreements, conferences, calls and military exercises. It said the two militaries established new channels for dialogue and signed two agreements to improve transparency and reduce the risks of unintended miscalculations by ships and aircraft in the Pacific.

BUT TENSIONS PERSISTED

Even as military leaders were meeting, the Obama administrations widely touted pivot to the Pacific, which added troops, ships and other U.S. military activity in the region, triggered vehement criticism from Beijing. And Chinas aggressive campaign to militarize a number of manmade islands in the South China Sea alarmed the U.S. and other allies in the Pacific.

Allies worried that China would seek to limit international transit through the region, and that the islands could be used as bases for military action. In 2018, the Trump administration abruptly withdrew an invitation for Beijing to participate in the military exercise known as Rim of the Pacific, citing what it called strong evidence that China had deployed weapons systems on the islands. China has argued that it is within its rights to build up defenses in the South China Sea on what it believes is its sovereign territory.

The Pentagon routinely complained that there was little tangible progress in the press for greater transparency in Chinas military ambitions and its burgeoning defense budget. And China bristled at Americas continued support for Taiwan, the self-governing island that Beijing views as its own.

More broadly, the U.S. issued sharp condemnations of Chinas escalating cyberattacks targeting government agencies and breaches and cyberespionage into sensitive defense programs.

THEN CAME THE PANDEMIC AND PELOSI

Direct military contacts with Beijing dropped off during the COVID-19 pandemic, due both to travel restrictions and tensions over Chinas potential responsibility for the deadly virus that began within its borders. And in August 2022, Beijing suspended all military contacts with the U.S., in the wake of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosis visit to Taiwan.

Pelosi was the highest-ranking American lawmaker to visit Taiwan since 1997, when then-Speaker Newt Gingrich traveled there. And her visit sparked a surge in military maneuvers by China. Beijing dispatched warships and aircraft across the median line in the Taiwan Strait, claiming the de facto boundary did not exist, fired missiles over Taiwan itself, and challenged established norms by firing missiles into Japans exclusive economic zone.

U.S. officials suggested China was simply using Pelosis visit as a convenient excuse to cut off ties, which were strained by other points of contention, including economic sanctions.

But the lack of communications heightened worries about an increase in what the Pentagon calls risky Chinese aircraft and warship incidents in the past two years. Officials noted that even as tensions with Russia have spiked over the war in Ukraine, military commanders have continued to use a telephone line to deconflict operations in Syria.

The Defense Department last month released video footage of some of the more than 180 intercepts of U.S. warplanes by Chinese aircraft that have occurred in the past two years  more than the total number over the previous decade. Defense officials said the Chinese flights were risky and aggressive, but stopped short of calling most of them unsafe  a term used in egregious cases. They said this was part of a larger trend of regional intimidation by China that could accidentally lead to conflict.

A U.S. official involved with China policy, speaking on condition of anonymity to more openly discuss details, said that when Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi visited Washington in October, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken described the details of a recent Chinese jet intercept of a U.S. Air Force B-52, which was conducting routine operations over the South China Sea in international airspace.

The Chinese pilot flew within 10 feet of the B-52, Blinken said, noting for emphasis that that was approximately the distance of the table at which he and Wang sat.

Carolyn Bartholomew, chairwoman of the congressionally mandated U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, said a key goal for the administration should be to get a commitment from the Chinese government to scale back on such dangerous incidents.

THE MARITIME AGREEMENT

Bonnie Lin, director of the China Power project at the Center for Strategic and International Security, a Washington-based think tank, said it was important to restart the talks under the maritime agreement.

Resumption would be a signal that the two sides can work together more, Lin said at a CSIS forum Tuesday.

MDT/AP

LOLITA C. BALDOR, WASHINGTON
Legislative Assembly (AL) lawmakers heard yesterday from the Chief Executive (CE), Ho Iat Seng, there will be no added support measures for the population or companies next year, besides the ones presented earlier, as the budget is too tight.

Several lawmakers including Chui Sai Peng, Ella Lei, Lei Chan U, Song Pek Kei, and Che Sai Wang, asked about potential new measures to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to be launched next year.

The CE said there is no margin in next years budget to even think of implementing any more measures besides the ones already presented.

Ho said Macaus economic recovery has reached about 71% compared to pre-pandemic levels but that next years budget, although presenting a small surplus, had a very slim margin that did not allow the government to consider any more support measures.

We hope that next year will be even better [income wise], Ho said, adding, Even with the small margin [on income in comparison with expenditure] on the budget, the focus was to keep the social benefits.

This budget was a very complex one to put together and was revised many times. Only on its last revision was it possible to resume the 7,000 patacas [of the provident fund], he said, noting the year will still be one of cost and expenditure containment.

Ho said the government can help support SMEs by continuing some programs started during the pandemic and continuing revitalization of the old neighborhoods to attract more tourists to improve business.

SMEs are living under pressure, this is undeniable. But what we can do to help is keep the measures we have launched before and that continue next year.

National Games: Sports venues to undergo revamp next year

Responding to lawmaker Ma Chi Seng, the Chief Executive, Ho Iat Seng, has said the renovation and improvement of sports venues for the National Games of China 2025, in which Macau is a co-organizer with Guangdong Province and Hong Kong region, started this year but most of the work will happen in 2024.

Ho reaffirmed Macau will not host more than 10 categories or events from the Games and that the preparatory works, including the recruitment of volunteers, has already been done, with 9,100 people volunteering.
A head of the highly anticipated meeting today [Macau time] between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Chinese state media have taken a new tone toward the U.S. with less negative coverage, calls for a return to warmer ties and stories of Americans with positive connections to the country.

The messaging follows several years of unprecedented tensions between the two countries over issues including trade and technology, the status of Taiwan and Hong Kong and the origins of COVID-19.

Chinese media have focused on a recent visit by members of the Philadelphia Orchestra marking the 50th anniversary of its history-making trip to China that helped build then-fledgling U.S.-China ties, and on another visit by members of the Flying Tigers, a group of American military pilots who helped China fight Japan in World War II.

The Chinese people will never forget an old friend, and thats an important message we want to send to the American people, the official Communist Party newspaper Peoples Daily said in its overseas edition yesterday.

In recent days the official Xinhua news agency carried a five-part series on U.S.-China relations which called for the countries to meet each other halfway and work together to return to the path of healthy and stable development.

But it also urged the U.S. to follow through on agreements made by Biden and Xi when they met in Bali last November.

Only if we return to Bali, can we look forward to San Francisco, it said.

The two leaders agreed in Bali on areas of cooperation including tackling climate change and maintaining global financial, health and food stability. China says the U.S. has deviated from pledges to not seek out a new Cold War, to respect Chinas system and not oppose China through strengthening its relationships with allies.

Only by handling well U.S.-China relations can the well-being of the two peoples increase, the progress of human society be promoted, and can there be a contribution to the peaceful development of the world, the Peoples Daily said in an op-ed.

Even the nationalistic and confrontational Global Times newspaper called for the two countries to cooperate in an op-ed yesterday.

Chinese state media have often focused heavily on negative coverage of the United States in recent years. During the Black Lives Matter protests in the United States in the summer of 2020, Chinese media provided extensive coverage of violence at protests and clashes with police.

The critical coverage of the U.S. and other Western countries aims to show how well China is doing in comparison, said David Bandurski, executive director of the independent China Media Project. Everything is negative in the U.S. (according to Chinese media)  and this is the flip side of the bigger picture of the constructing of legitimacy by Xi Jinping in his third term, he said.

During the coverage of the Black Lives Matter protests, relations between the countries were at a low point, with China defensive over U.S. accusations about the origin of COVID-19.

Ahead of the Biden-Xi talks at a country estate near San Francisco, state media have not played up the citys homelessness problem, although some social media users have posted photos of homeless people urinating and sleeping in the streets along with commentary on how dangerous the city can be.

In one video on Douyin, the Chinese version of Tiktok, a young Chinese man living in San Francisco showed how he kept two bank cards in separate locations, one in his bag and one in his pocket. The point? If I was robbed, Id still have one bank card left, he said.

He also showed his sneakers, saying if he ran into trouble, I can run a bit faster.

The new language of cooperation with the U.S. in state media mirrors what China has said in recent months as it has worked to mend strained relations with Australia and some European countries, Bandurski said.

Despite the change in tone, few expect substantial changes to the overall direction of relations between the two countries.

Theres no fundamental change, they have marked you as a competitor, said Sima Nan, an international affairs commentator with more than 3 million followers on Weibo, a popular social media app.

HUIZHONG WU, MDT/AP
The new Cotai hospital, set to soft-open on Handover Anniversary, will provide no accident and emergency (A&E) services, at least during its early phase of operations, Chief Executive Ho Iat Seng has confirmed.

At Tuesdays Policy Address Press Conference, the Times asked the official if the future medical facility will have an A&E department. Ho said no hospital would offer A&E services during its trial operations.

This is common sense, he said.

Information on the topic has been either scattered or unclear.

However, at an earlier occasion, the Secretary for Social Affairs and Culture, Elsie Ao Ieong, had said the public hospital A&E department at the Macau University of Science and Technology Hospital in Taipa, would be moved to the new hospital, and such services would be provided during the first phase of operations, local media Cheng Pou has reported.

The Times also contacted the Health Bureau (SSM) on Oct. 17, but there was no reply before Tuesdays press conference.

During the new hospitals construction, some clinicians had expressed to the Times their hope for the new medical facility.

They said patients suffering medical emergencies, such as severe accidents, strokes or heart attacks, which require high-standard medical attention quickly to improve their odds of survival and recovery, will benefit from the new facility.

For example, Taipa and Coloane residents would reach a critical medical facility sooner than now because they would not need to be transported all the way to the Macau side, they said.

The current two A&E departments in Taipa can only accommodate a limited number of emergencies, according to some readers, who had been diverted to the Macau side when they approached those facilities.
MG Motor, in collaboration with Jiad Modern Motors, a Mohamed Yousuf Naghi (MYN) company and the official dealer for MG in Saudi Arabia, has opened its first brand-new showroom in Jeddah.

The second showroom, situated in Riyadh, is poised to inaugurate its operations shortly. These showrooms will be the first to open under the newly forged partnership between the British-born brand and Jiad Modern Motors, providing an exciting array of MGs highly popular automotive offerings and an enhanced customer experience to the people of Saudi Arabia.

The new sales, service and spare parts (3S) MG showroom in Jeddah, which opened its doors to the public in early November, is located at the citys Al Marwah district. The 1,136 sqm showroom is set to dazzle visitors with its modern and spacious design, showcasing a wide range of MG vehicles that cater to diverse preferences.

The Jeddah showroom is equipped with top-of-the-line facilities, including a sales showroom, an after-sales service centre with a fast maintenance facility and a genuine MG parts centre, to ensure a distinct customer experience.

In Riyadh, November will mark the launch of the MG showroom, which is situated in the Sulimaniyah area of the capital. The 833 sqm showroom mirrors its Jeddah counterpart in terms of style, sophistication, and offering of a comprehensive selection of MG vehicles.

Both showrooms will feature MG's acclaimed range of contemporary models, including the popular crossover series consisting of the MG ZST, ZS EV, HS and RX5. The brand's compact sedans  the MG 5, MG 6 and MG GT  will also be available for purchase, along with the spacious seven-seater RX8.

In addition to these offerings, customers can anticipate the exciting debut of new models such as the MG ONE, MG HS PHEV and the eagerly awaited MG Whale.

These openings signify the beginning of a new era for MG Motor in Saudi Arabia, where customers can expect nothing less than excellence in terms of both product and service standards. The partnership between MG and Jiad Modern Motors paves the way for an enhanced presence for the brand in the kingdom and refreshed commitment to delivering world-class automobiles and aftersales support to Saudi customers.

In the Jeddah Distribution Centre, a comprehensive inventory of MG car parts will be readily available, ensuring maximum customer satisfaction and peace of mind. This endeavour is a pivotal component of MG's expansive investment plans in optimising the overall customer experience.

The commitment spans across fortifying the aftersales network, streamlining parts supply and distribution, offering comprehensive training, and implementing robust monitoring procedures, collectively amplifying the value and quality of service delivered to MG customers.

Tom Lee, Managing Director of MG Motor Middle East, said: "The inauguration of the state-of-the-art showroom in Jeddah, and also shortly in Riyadh and Dammam, marks the start of our partnership with Jiad Modern Motors. These facilities are testament to MG Motor's dedication to providing our Saudi customers with the highest quality products and services. We look forward to continuing to deliver an exceptional customer experience and building lasting relationships with our Saudi customers."

Mohamed Yousuf Naghi Group Executive Vice President Anees Jamjoom commented: "The opening of the new MG Motor showroom in Jeddah and the establishment of the showroom in Riyadh exemplify our commitment to meeting the growing demands of our valued customers in the western and capital regions. These showrooms offer unparalleled sales experiences, an extensive range of high-quality MG vehicles, and exceptional customer service."

The showroom openings are the latest stage in MG's remarkable journey in Saudi Arabia, that saw the brand sell over 30,000 units in 2022 alone. The company plans to continue expanding its presence in the country by not only launching a third showroom in Dammam in the first week of December, but a further three additional showrooms in three more major cities by the end of the year.  TradeArabia News Service
The government plans to shrink public investment by 20% and achieve a net growth of 808 civil servants next year, a parliamentary committee has disclosed.

The parliaments First Standing Committee is studying next years budget.

Committee president Ella Lei told a post-meeting press conference next years Investment and Development Expenditure Plan (PIDDA) has been set at MOP17.42 billion, down MOP4.89 billion year-over-year.

The government has budgeted for revenue and expenditure next year of MOP107.11 billion and MOP105.94 billion respectively, leading to a surplus budget.

Income from concessions will play a major role, with an estimate of over MOP83.4 billion from gambling.

MOP11.27 billion and MOP3.49 billion are expected from direct and indirect tax incomes.

In terms of PIDDA, the government has bigger budgets for the Housing, the Public Works and the Health bureaus, reaching MOP5.53 billion, MOP4.95 billion and MOP1.3 billion respectively. Funds will be allotted to the construction of government housing and the Cotai hospital.

An income of MOP28.11 billion is estimated for entities such as the Macao Post and Telecommunications Bureau and the Social Security Fund.

In terms of civil service expansion, the Health, the Security Forces Affairs, the Correctional Services, the Cultural Affairs and the Gaming Inspection and Coordination bureaus, as well as the Macau Polytechnic University will hire over 50 people respectively. aL
The Macau New Neighborhood in Hengqin will allow unrestricted access to the Internet without the need for a Virtual Private Network (VPN).

It will also allow local residents to keep or recruit new domestic workers irrespective of their nationality, the Chief Executive (CE), Ho Iat Seng, said yesterday at the Legislative Assembly (AL) where he was attending a Q&A session with the lawmakers on the Policy Address for next year (LAG24).

Replying to lawmaker Chan Chak Mou who was calling on the government to improve the living environment in Hengqin to encourage more residents to live there, the CE said the government has been working constantly to improve the new Macau neighborhood and to make it more attractive for locals.

The work includes unrestricted access to the Internet and the possibility of hiring domestic workers in the same way they are hired in Macau, Ho said.

Ho noted additional improvements on border crossings and accessibility are also planned to improve the life of the Macau residents who live across the border.

He said the idea is that residents feel that they have the same, or better, conditions than those they experience in Macau while having a less stressed life across the border, adding that these measures add to the existing access to health care, education, and elderly care.

According to figures cited by the CE, around 1,000 local residents are residing in Hengqin, and most are working in business incubator programs.

Lawmaker Chan, among others, had called for an increase in arborization and green spaces so residents have an added interest in moving to the area, fulfilling the central governments goal of favoring a more intense regional integration.
MGM collaborated with the Macao Chamber of Commerce (MCC) and the Industrial Association of Macau to organize the MGM SME Business Matching Session which was attended by nearly 70 SMEs.

The event marked the 11th business matching session hosted by MGM.

This years session featured SMEs associated with M-Mark, Macau brands and Made-in-Macau, as well as the industries of Big Health, high and new technology, conferences and exhibitions, culture and sports, under the four nascent industries.

MGM also signed two cooperation agreements with local SMEs on the same day.

Kenneth Feng, president and executive director of MGM, said, Our SME-related purchases in 2023 have reached a historical high ratio of 33.5% of our overall procurement amount, where purchases associated with small and micro enterprises, Made-in-Macau and young enterprises ha[ve] also taken up 25% of our overall procurement amount, the highest of all time.
Taiwans two main opposition parties, both of which have vowed to restart talks with China, announced a joint ticket for Januarys leadership election in a deal that could bring a major political upset in the self-ruled island democracy.

The agreement would bring together Hou Yu-ih, the candidate for the Kuomintang, one of Taiwans two major political parties, and Ko Wen-je, of the independent Taiwan Peoples Party.

Up until now, both Hou and Ko have trailed in polls behind frontrunner William Lai, the Democratic Progressive Partys candidate who currently serves as deputy.

Lai and incumbent government leader Tsai Ing-wen have both been criticized by Beijing as separatists who should be blamed in the event a war erupts across the Taiwan Strait. Taiwan is part of Chinas territory and Beijing has not renounced the use of force to take control over it.

The Kuomintang, also known as KMT, has had a friendlier relationship with Beijing during former leader Ma Ying-jeous two terms, between 2008 and 2016.

The KMT maintains better communication with China is necessary to avoid a conflict. Meanwhile, the DPPs line of argument is that Taiwan does not seek to separate itself from China because it is already an independent country.

Ma on yesterday hosted a meeting between Hou and Ko at which the two candidates agreed to use opinion polls conducted between Nov. 7-17 to determine the makeup of their ticket, with the result to be announced on Saturday.

Hou said he and Kos teams have put aside their personal interests and moved forward for a common ideal, for the security of the country, and the well-being of the people.

Ko, meanwhile, called on the two parties to work together so we can move forward.

Some polls have shown that if Hou and Ko were to team up, regardless of who would be the candidate and the running mate, they could beat Lai, who is expected to run alongside Hsiao Bi-khim, Taiwans representative to the United States. The DPP has yet to confirm Hsiao as Lais running mate.

A fourth candidate, Terry Gou, the billionaire founder of tech giant Foxconn, is also running for the top job. MDT/AP
The 6th China International Import Expo (CIIE) has seen more than 1,000 business matching sessions; among them, two Macau exhibitors have signed co-operation agreements with enterprises from Portuguese-speaking countries (PSCs). The Macao Trade and Investment Promotion Institute (IPIM), set up a Food and Agricultural Products Exhibition Area  Pavilion of Food and Beverage from Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries and the Trade in Services Exhibition Area  Macao and Portuguese-speaking Countries Professional Service Pavilion, which featured 41 Macau enterprises to showcase made-in-Macau products, Macau brands, food and beverages from PSC.

Related
On the centenary of the birth of the outstanding Macanese writer and lawyer Henrique de Senna Fernandes, the University of Macau (UM) presented the Henrique de Senna Fernandes Academic Prize for the Best Portuguese Thesis. The prize recognizes postgraduate students who have demonstrated excellent academic performance in Portuguese-related fields. The university hopes the prize will encourage doctoral and masters students at the university to improve the quality of their theses and strengthen their research capacity in Portuguese-related fields.

Related
Jeannie McCarville walks past the construction site at Judge Doyle Square nearly every day as she heads to the gym on break from her Downtown Madison job.

So she was happy to hear that a new sculpture on her route finally had been dedicated Wednesday because it meant that nearby developments were nearing completion.

Since 2017, this has been a constant construction site, McCarville said of the 200 block of South Pinckney Street, where Madisons newest public art now stands.

And like a number of passersby Wednesday afternoon, McCarville had only positive things to say about the artwork. The two-part metal sculpture titled Greeting Arc I & Greeting Arc II, created by Minnesota-based artist Sunghee Min, stands on a median dividing traffic on Pinckney. The two arcs face one another, flanking a short sidewalk.

Out on a walk Wednesday, Dominic Dasho paused to try out the experience for future pedestrians who will cross Pinckney between the two arcs.

When you walk between them, it does something different. Its interesting from your peripheral vision, said Dasho, who both lives and works Downtown near the sculpture site.

They look like the name  Greeting  friendly and kind, Dasho said. Theyre not too gaudy or random, and the black works with the buildings around them.

The curved shapes and the reflective stainless steel interior of the abstract arcs evoke the waves of Lake Monona, which can be seen down the street from certain angles.

Its cool. They stand in unison, said Alexa Sreck, a UW-Madison student who along with friend Layla Olmos was on her way to the lakefront Wednesday afternoon.

Set between the future Judge Doyle Square Embassy Suites hotel, scheduled to open in 2024, and the NoVo Apartment building, Greeting Arc I & Greeting Arc II cost a total of about $53,000, said Karin Wolf, arts program administrator for the city of Madison. The citys Engineering Division contributed $30,000, $20,000 came from the Municipal Art Fund, and Friends of the Madison Arts Commission will fund the remainder, she said.

David Bell, who works Downtown and was out for a break during an unseasonably warm November day, praised the works and also efforts by the city to bring more public art to Madison.

Its nice that theyre incorporating art more and more into public spaces, he said, noting that Eau Claire has outpaced Madison with its ever-changing outdoor Sculpture Tour.

Years before the current plan for the Judge Doyle Square site was in place, a previous developer, Beitler Real Estate Services, had selected a sculpture of a figure riding a bike by the British artist Mackenzie Thorpe to place in the Pinckney Street median, Wolf said.

We have to give Beitler the credit for creating an expectation for art in that location, she said in an email, even though Mins evocative, abstract geometric work is far different.

Jen Sweeney, passing by the new sculptures on Wednesday, said she thought the artwork suits Madison well.

Its unique, said Sweeney, who works nearby. I dont totally understand it, but thats part of the intrigue.

Editor's note: This story has been updated to correct the name of the lake visible from the sculpture. It is Lake Monona.

20 life-changing locations that inspired movies, books, and art 20 life-changing locations that inspired movies, books, and art Hammamet, Tunisia: Paul Klee London: Jimi Hendrix Bruges, Belgium: Martin McDonagh Rishikesh, India: The Beatles Mexico City: Frida Kahlo Pacific Crest Trail: Cheryl Strayed Hydra, Greece: Leonard Cohen Walden Pond, Massachusetts: Henry David Thoreau Various locations, New Mexico: Georgia O'Keefe Antebellum South: Kara Walker Mount Fuji, Japan: Katsushika Hokusai Pamplona, Spain: Ernest Hemingway Paris: Meret Oppenheim Laurel Canyon neighborhood of Los Angeles: Joni Mitchell, et al. Santiago de Compostela, Spain: Paulo Coelho
A Janesville-based nuclear technology company with Madison-area facilities has received a $70 million investment to expand near-term applications of nuclear fusion technology used in the defense, industrial and health care sectors of the economy.

Why nuclear fusion? It doesnt produce harmful long-term radioactive waste as a byproduct like nuclear fission, explained Gerald Kulcinski, director emeritus of fusion technology at UW-Madison.

Fission is the splitting of one atom into two, while fusion combines two or more atoms to make a larger particle, he said.

One example of a near-term application of nuclear fusion tech is in SHINE Technologies continued pursuit of the commercial procurement of Molybdenum-99 (Mo-99), which decays into a medical isotope used to detect heart disease, cancer and other conditions. It is a compound that is known to be used in more than 40,000 diagnostic medical procedures each day.

The $70 million is focused on three aspects of the business, said CEO Greg Piefer.

The company now has more than 250 employees, and Piefer said the money is getting SHINE Technologies closer to profitability.

The company is ramping up SHINE Technologies imaging business, the increased production for lutetium (also known as Lu-177) and boosting the companys neutron inspection and radiation effects testing businesses, he said.

Lu-177, the company said, is a radioactive agent that, when paired with a cancer-seeking molecule, delivers highly targeted radiation to cancer cells so it kills the bad cancer cells without harming healthy human cells, Piefer said.

Helping along the production of Lu-177 is SHINEs recent opening of its Cassiopeia building at its Janesville campus, which SHINE says is the largest Lu-177 production facility in North America.

When the building is at full operational capacity, expected in 2024, it will be capable of producing up to 200,000 doses of cancer treatments per year, the company said.

SHINE Technologies is adding other buildings to both its Janesville campus, and is expected to open a facility in the Netherlands, too.

Planned to be the largest medical isotope production facility in North America, SHINEs Chrysalis building is expected to complete construction in 2025. The Netherlands facility is expected to become operational in 2027, SHINE said. Both businesses are slated to be capable of producing 20 million Mo-99 doses per year, according to the company.

Already operational businesses for SHINE Technologies include Building One in Janesville, which tests new nuclear fusion tech, as well as the companys neutron imaging and radiation effects testing and manufacturing and equipment fabrication facilities in Fitchburg, known as Phoenix and Heliopolis, respectively.

Piefer said he believes the company attracted the $70 million partly because SHINE last summer was able to show the first visible evidence of energy production via nuclear fusion, along with a combination of other company milestones like the opening of Cassiopeia and overall, the financial underpinnings of the company are attractive to our investors.

Fusion energy has been detected before, Kulcinski of UW-Madison explained, but SHINE was the first company to demonstrate visible evidence in the form of Cherenkov radiation, which is energy that is emitted when charged particles that make up atoms move faster than the speed of light through water, and is visible as a blue glow.

Piefer said that SHINE Technologies has overall demonstrated that nuclear fusion can be competitive with companies that still use nuclear fission  yet another reason for the investment.

Hopeful horizon

The eventual hope in the overall scientific community is for nuclear fusion to be used as an energy source that can replace fossil fuels. In June, two Madison-area companies  Realta Fusion and Type One Energy Group  were among eight U.S. businesses awarded a total of $46 million to try and curb the worlds climate crisis through nuclear fusion.

Both companies are creating devices to create electricity using nuclear fusion.

I would say by the 2050s we will be producing electricity by nuclear fusion, Kulcinski said.
An alleged robber is dead after turning his gun on himself as police closed in Tuesday in Monroe, the Green County Sheriff's Office said.

The man, who was later identified as Casey J. Austin, 49, reportedly robbed a business in Orfordville around 2 p.m. and about a half hour later, police found the vehicle he was driving near highways 69 and 11 in Monroe.

Austin fled and police followed to a business parking lot along 17th Street and 12th Avenue, the Sheriff's Office said. After stopping, Austin got out of the vehicle and pointed a handgun at officers before turning it on himself, the Sheriff's Office said. He died at the scene; no police were hurt in the incident.

Austins vehicle was positively identified as the suspect vehicle in the armed robbery in Orfordville, and he matches the physical description of the suspect involved in the armed robbery, the Sheriff's Office said.

Austin's last known address was in Janesville, authorities said.

The Sheriff's Office said it is investigating the incident at the request of the Monroe Police Department, and more information is expected to be released on Friday afternoon.
The parents of a Verona elementary school student filed a lawsuit Wednesday against the district and the schools principal alleging that their son, while experiencing separation anxiety, was injured by the principal when he was physically grabbed and pulled away from his mother earlier this year.

The lawsuit, filed by Stephanie Conway and Mark Adelhoch of Fitchburg, alleges that Country View Elementary School principal Jessica Beem grabbed the 7-year-old boy by the arm during morning drop-off at the school on Feb. 17 and pulled him away from his mother.

Attorney Paul Kinne, representing the boys parents, said the boy sustained mostly emotional injuries but also had some bruising on his arm as a result of the incident.

He said he does not believe police investigated the incident.

Verona School District spokesperson Marcie Pfeifer-Soderbloom said the district had not been served with the lawsuit and does not know its contents and that it would be inappropriate to comment further, based on the advice of its legal counsel.

The lawsuit states that after arriving at Country View that morning, the boy was experiencing separation anxiety from his mother. They were near the school office and Beem was nearby. When the boy began moving toward his mother, Beem grabbed the boy by the arm. The boy tried to pull away, the lawsuit states, but Beem dragged him about 30 feet down a hallway before letting go of him, then grabbed him from behind.

Conway begged Beem to stop, the lawsuit states, but Beem continued to drag the boy while he screamed.

The lawsuit states that before the grabbing incident, school officials, including Beem, knew the boy suffered from anxiety.

The lawsuit, which seeks unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, accuses Beem of battery and states she dragged him away from his mother as a form of punishment because she was angry that he still suffered from separation anxiety more than halfway through the school year.

It also accuses the district of failing to enforce a policy that bars principals from using physical force against students in such a situation, and alleges a violation of the boys constitutional right against unreasonable seizure.

How the pandemic worsened teaching vacancies across the US How the pandemic worsened teaching vacancies across the US Certain teaching roles significantly more difficult to fill
Gal Ammroc, a global leader in integrated aircraft readiness solutions and military maintenance, overhaul, and repair (MRO) services, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Archer Aviation, a leader in electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, to launch electric air taxi services.

The MoU affirms a joint effort to launch an electric air taxi service utilising Archers Midnight eVTOL aircraft, which is on display at the Dubai Airshow, in the United Arab Emirates and wider region by the start of 2026.

This follows the recent announcement of Gal Ammroc and Archers intent to partner at the inaugural Smart and Autonomous Vehicle Industries Cluster launch event in October 2023, underscoring the significance of the collaboration and its potential impact.

Archers goal is to transform urban travel, replacing 6090 minutes commutes by car with estimated 10-20 minutes electric air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low noise, and cost-competitive with ground transportation.

Archers Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights. Gal Ammroc is working alongside the California-based aviation company to develop support services for Midnights operations and assist the approach and identification of key opportunities.

Present at the signing were senior leaders from both parties. Representing Gal Ammroc was Mahmood Alhay Alhameli, Chief Executive Officer, who was joined by Frederic Dupont, Chief Commercial Officer, and David Kotra, Senior Manager of Business Development. Adam Goldstein, founder and Chief Executive Officer of Archer, signed on behalf of the eVTOL provider, accompanied by Archers Chief Commercial Officer, Nikhil Goel.

Commenting on the collaboration, Mahmood Alhay AlHameli, CEO of Gal Ammroc, said: Gal Ammrocs trusted reputation and expertise in delivering world-class maintenance, repair, and overhaul services for a wide range of military and civilian aviation clients in the region underscores its ability to empower Archers establishment of its eVTOL business in the UAE.

Through the partnership, Gal Ammroc will provide its leading aviation services where necessary to drive Archers pioneering approach to urban travel.

Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer, said: Were looking forward to bringing urban air mobility to the United Arab Emirates, our first announced international market outside of the United States. Our partnership with Gal Ammroc will help us to realize the vision of welcoming all-electric, commercialized air transport to Abu Dhabi and Dubai in the coming years.  TradeArabia News Service
UW-Green Bay is considering program changes in low-enrollment areas such as theater and dance, economics and environmental science as it seeks to equalize its student-to-faculty ratio among departments.

But the ongoing discussions are alarming for students and faculty, especially those in theater and dance, who say changes could put the program in a downward spiral, with fewer performance opportunities and prospective students opting out of attending UW-Green Bay if it doesnt offer a theater or dance major.

Its scary because I think its very easy for this to cause a domino effect, said Jennifer Witt, a theater minor and computer science major. If they get rid of the major, how much longer before those numbers decline because they dont have a major? Then theyre not able to put on as many productions and they cut back productions, and then they stop doing productions altogether.

Last week, Provost Kate Burns said in an email to faculty and staff the university would consider discontinuing some major and minor degrees as part of a review of its programming that started in January. Majors that would instead be offered as minors include theater, dance and economics. Another major, environmental policy and planning, would be eliminated, as would minors in international environmental studies, geography and physics.

Each of the majors have 40 or fewer students enrolled in them, according to counts shared by UW-Green Bay Wednesday. Environmental policy and planning has the most, at 37, economics is second at 35 and theater and dance has 29. The minors have far fewer: 11 students have declared a geography minor, eight have a physics minor and there is one student in international environmental studies.

Discontinued programs would be phased out so students currently in those degree programs could finish their degrees, Burns said in the email. Classes in those areas would continue to be offered even if majors or minors are eliminated, she said.

Decisions wont be final until February or March, Chancellor Mike Alexander told the Wisconsin State Journal on Wednesday. Administrators plan to work with shared governance groups such as UW-Green Bays Faculty Senate to determine which programs are altered.

The proposed changes are driven more by enrollment than finances, Alexander said. The programs under consideration have smaller enrollments, with some programs having a student to faculty ratio of 5:1 or smaller. Other programs, such as business and psychology, have outsized student-to-faculty ratios, with more than 50 students for every one instructor.

Its a natural evolution that every university goes through, Alexander said. If you look at the history of UW-Green Bay, were 58 years old, and if you look at the majors that we started with 58 years ago, those have all evolved. Currently, I think its about thinking about how we can best use our resources to make sure that those disciplines are taught across the institution.

The proposed changes are also not a result of budget shortfalls, Alexander said.

Many other UW system schools are having to make cuts, though, either to staffing or programs, due to lack of funding and projected shortfalls. UW-Oshkosh has cut one in six jobs to eliminate an $18 million budget gap; UW-Parkside and UW-Platteville are cutting about 10% of their employees.

Universities of Wisconsin administrators identified UW-Green Bay as potentially having a $2.2 million shortfall by 2024 if no changes are made. Alexander said UW-Green Bay expects to fix its budget gap by January through cutting one-time spending.

Options limited

There are a handful of universities and colleges in Green Bay or the nearby Fox Valley where students can study theater and dance as a major.

UW-Green Bay remains an option, but within the city there are two other universities or colleges that offer theater programs: St. Norbert College and a satellite campus for Lakeland University. But as private liberal arts colleges, their annual tuition is four to five times more than at UW-Green Bay.

Lakeland Universitys main campus and performing arts center are also in Plymouth, an hour and 10 minutes from Green Bay. A third liberal arts college, Lawrence University, in Appleton, offers theater studies and comes with a price tag more than six times higher than the cost to attend UW-Green Bay.

Outside of UW-Green Bays three branch campuses, the nearest UW system school that offers theater or dance as a major is UW-Stevens Point, which is comparable in cost.

UW-Oshkosh, the closest UW system comprehensive campus to UW-Green Bay, suspended new enrollment in its theater program earlier this year, citing low enrollment. Administrators told the Advance Titan, the campus newspaper, in April they were giving the theater department a year to come up with a long-term plan for the program.

More than 60% of UW-Green Bays students are from Brown County or a 16-county footprint largely north and west of Green Bay where there are few college options. Students dont want to travel hours to either UW-Madison or UW-Milwaukee to study theater and dance, Witt said.

Recent cutbacks

Jon Shelton, a democracy and justice studies professor and vice president of higher education for AFT-Wisconsin, the union for UW system faculty and other educators across the state, said that the discussions about how to use limited resources are correlated with declining state support for the UW system. Its caused anxiety on campus, Shelton added, over the quality of education students can expect in the coming years.

The UW system has seen cuts in four of the last six two-year budgets and took a $32 million cut this summer after the system refused Republican demands to cut system diversity, equity and inclusion staff and programming.

At the regional comprehensives, the message that were sending to students  the first-generation students, the students from low-income backgrounds, whether those are students who come out of the Green Bay schools or rural students in the surrounding area  is that they dont deserve to have the same number of choices that students at more elite universities have, because we havent been invested in, Shelton said.

This conversation about program array on our campus, particularly as it relates to something like theater  imagine a comprehensive university without a theater program? Shelton said. This is directly related to the austerity thats been imposed upon us.

A welcoming place

For the theater and dance students at UW-Green Bay, the department fosters a sense of belonging.

Both Witt and student Alax Stylinson said the department and its productions are welcoming, especially to students who identify as LGBT or queer. Many of the shows that have been performed in recent years, including She Kills Monsters and The Laramie Project, focus on the LGBT experience, Witt said.

Stylinson, along with other students, started a petition a few weeks ago urging the university to preserve access to a theater education. It has just more than 1,800 signatures and asks community members to further support the program by seeing at least one show during this years season.

I think theater in general is known as a space that there are a lot of LGBT folks in, said Stylinson, who transferred to UW-Green Bay from the area technical college because it offered a theater program. So its just hurting students who are in that community (by) taking that away.
Its deja vu all over again for the Dane County Jail project.

Years of debate, votes and compromise have once more ended with Dane County leaders facing a jail project that is tens of millions of dollars over budget. On Tuesday, the lone bid from Miron Construction for a major overhaul of the facility clocked in at $161.7 million, far above what the county has already budgeted.

In a memo to the Dane County Board on Wednesday, head of county administration Greg Brockmeyer said that with the cost of equipment, furniture, contingency planning and other soft costs, the total overage on the project is $27.6 million.

Back in April, supporters of a larger jail  a six-story, 825-bed facility  had breathed a sigh of relief. The County Boards vote to approve $13.5 million in borrowing was thought to be the final piece needed for the project to move forward. Construction would begin early next year. The long-maligned jail atop the City-County Building would finally close and other criminal justice reforms would chip away at racial disparities in the jails population and elsewhere in the system.

But like other moments in the countys 20-year quest to build a new jail, a budget shortfall is once again putting the project in jeopardy.

Whats the way forward?

Mirons bid is good for the next 60 days. That gives the board until mid-January to authorize another $27.6 million in new borrowing and accept the bid.

Board committees will hold a meeting to review the bid at some point after Thanksgiving, said Sup. Richelle Andrae, the chair of the boards Public Protection and Judiciary Committee.

If a vote to approve more money fails, the most immediate effect is theres no path forward for getting inmates out of the jail in the City-County Building. For years, law enforcement and county officials have held up conditions inside the roughly 70-year-old facility as inhumane for the inmates and dangerous for the employees who staff it.

Those conditions prompted Sheriff Kalvin Barrett to close part of the City-County Building jail and begin transferring inmates to other counties last August. That has cost the county about $1.1 million a year to keep 40 to 60 inmates at jails in Iowa, Oneida and Rock counties.

In terms of alternative solutions for a jail, county leaders have considered in the past how a jail could be built outside of the Isthmus, which would put it at a distance from where other criminal justice and law enforcement facilities are concentrated.

Buying land and building anew at a greenfield site somewhere in Verona or Westport were proposed by a consultant back in 2014. But due to the cost  at the time estimated at between $149.7 million and $165.5 million  the idea was abandoned.

Former Sheriff Dave Mahoney said that in hindsight, the construction of the Dane County Courthouse Downtown in the early 2000s limited where a jail could be built. If the jail was built outside of Downtown, the county would still have to pay for moving inmates back and forth from court to the jail, even though virtual hearings could make that easier, Mahoney said.

If we had had a larger vision to move county government out of the Isthmus, in the most expensive real estate in the county, we probably could have found an alternative site, Mahoney said in an interview.

What other reforms have there been?

Along with closing the City-County Building jail, another key goal of county leaders has been to reduce incarceration and the disproportionate number of Black people locked up in the jail. The trend has dogged the county, a place where leaders and residents prize their politically progressive values, for years. As of Wednesday, 54% of the jails population was Black in a county that is 6% Black.

There are plenty of reforms and other investments in housing, violence prevention and social services underway that could reduce incarceration in the long term.

This year, the Sheriffs Office has expanded electronic monitoring, which involves inmates wearing ankle bracelets while they live and work in the community. As of Wednesday, 138 inmates had ankle bracelets. At the start of this year, there were 98.

The CARES program, a crisis response initiative that sends crisis workers and paramedics to mental health emergencies in lieu of law enforcement, has seen success and expanded across Madison since its start in 2021. Next years county budget includes preliminary investments in expanding crisis response to other communities outside of Madison, though that will take further investment in equipment and personnel.

There are many initiatives that are addressing the upstream causes of incarceration but dont bear fruit right away, Andrae said.

Other big-ticket reforms remain delayed.

A 24/7 crisis center that could treat those facing mental health emergencies  a needed complement to CARES  has been earmarked for millions in investment. For about a year, county officials have said the center is delayed because state health officials take issue with plans to accept patients there involuntarily. A county Department of Justice Reform created by County Executive Joe Parisi last year remains without a director or other staff.

All of those initiatives are essential and so are many more we havent even thought of yet, Andrae said. But those disparities in the jail always need to be top of mind for us.

How did we get here?

The countys jail crisis has its roots in the 1950s when the City-County Building jail was built.

An effort in the mid-2000s to build a work-release jail and treatment center on the South Side also failed. The project faced fierce opposition from residents and city officials.

From there, another blow came with the construction of the Public Safety Building down the street from the City-County Building in the 1990s.

When first built, county officials thought additional floors could be added to the building. During an attempt to do so in 2017, a consultant discovered the building had structural deficiencies that made additional floors impossible.

Because of the statute of limitations, legal action against the Public Safety Buildings architect and general contractor was also impossible. County staff also couldnt find the original contract to know what had or hadnt been expected of the architect, Durrant Group, which went bankrupt in 2012.

Out of that, plans to build a seven-floor jail tower emerged instead.

In 2019, the board passed $148 million in borrowing for the project. But since then, rising construction costs related to the pandemic put the project over budget again and again.

The number of supervisors opposed to building a jail grew. Even those holdouts eventually backed a smaller, five-story jail in budget talks last year. Parisi vetoed plans for a five-story jail. In another compromise, supervisors agreed to more funding.
Episode 116: Its not very often that a book about philosophy has people talking, but the recent publication of Determined: A Science of Life Without Free Will by Robert M. Sapolsky is an exception.

The argument made by Sapolsky, a professor of biology of Stanford University, is remarkable simple: None of us are in control or responsible for the decisions we make.

This is not, as you might think, because of a higher power  the author considers himself to be an atheist. Instead, he writes that:

The intent you form, the person you are, is the result of all the interactions between biology and environment that came before. All things out of your control.

Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss whether this is radical idea is a useful way to look at our lives.

Links to stories discussed during the podcast:

Do you have free will? A new book by Robert Sapolsky argues that were not in control of or responsible for the decisions we make, by Kieran Setiya, The Atlantic

Robert Sapolsky doesnt believe in free will. (But feel free to disagree.), by Hope Reese, The New York Times

About the hosts: Scott Rada is social media manager with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wis. His forthcoming book, "Finding Your Third Place," will be published by Fulcrum Books.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
GOODING  The Idaho School for the Deaf and the Blind has expanded its mental health resources after noticing its students are still struggling with uncertainty after COVID-19.

Timothy Blonsky, president of the Idaho Association for the Deaf, told the Times-News that many people who are deaf and/or blind are just now coming out of shelter. This is 18 months after the COVID-19 shelter-in-place order was lifted because of the unpredictability of the virus.

This comes with the uncertainty of not really knowing the full extent of the damage that it can cause them, Blonsky said.

The school, located in Gooding, has about 133 students  31 with blindness or low vision and 102 with deafness or who are hard of hearing. To help aid students with their mental health concerns, they have a team called the Raptors Cares team, consisting of two counselors, one psychologist and the administration.

ISDB School Psychologist Danielle Johnson meets with her team once a week to develop a comprehensive counseling program that includes prevention, intervention and postvention.

So, were talking about what are we doing to prevent students from having mental health crises? Johnson said. What are we focusing on? What do we do before theres a crisis? What do we do in a crisis? And what do we do after? Whats our follow up? And so thats something that were really focusing on this year and developing.

Johnson was hired in 2021 and right away noticed the need for a mental health team and counseling. This became a driving force in her work and brought together the Raptors Cares team within the last year.

I was working like 24 hours a day when I first started because we have cottages as well, so I would go home and get calls from the cottages saying, So and so was having some self-harm or did other things like that, Johnson said. So it was pretty much like a constant. It was very apparent that this was a huge need, and I think with COVID, you know, we all felt isolation, but the deaf and the hard of hearing felt that impact even more.

ISDB Administrator Brian Darcy in a separate interview with the Times-News also said their mental health team is crucial after noticing Idaho neither has the resources nor provides as much as other states do to this part of the community.

Not only (does the Raptors Cares team) provide direct services to our kids, but theyre doing ongoing training and identification or referrals when a kid is being non-compliant in class  which doesnt mean its a mental health issue  versus when youre seeing some warning signs, Darcy said.

Darcys background is in mental health and he has worked in child psychiatric hospitals and in a variety of community situations. Through his past experiences, hes seen how adding a language barrier, a different culture and a disability can become overwhelming and cause added stress.

A large Hispanic population in south-central Idaho means a large section of students at the school are Hispanic/Latino (nearly 19%). This complicates matters for the Hispanic students and their parents, who, more times than not, cant speak English well.

Darcy told the Times-News that they make sure each and every family is trained and learns alongside their children through their disability. They will send either a deaf or a blind adult into the homes of these families and work to assist them in understanding their childs disability. If a family is Hispanic/Latino, they will make sure to have a Spanish interpreter when they go into a familys home so they understand the process.

Our folks are the first ones to isolate. Theyre the first ones to not seek help because they dont have access to it, and if you add an entirely different language and dont speak English  theyre available to you, but you dont have access, Darcy said. Its kind of like if you build a ramp but keep the door locked, whats the point of having it?

Adilynn Osmond, a hard-of-hearing student at ISDB, said the mental health team has been a huge support to students after COVID-19 hit the deaf and the blind community.

It really hit us hard. Some of us had to go through major surgeries, Osmond said. One had back surgery, one had heart surgery, I had cochlear implant surgery  and we were all far apart. We needed each other.

Due to the lasting effects that came with COVID-19, Osmond said that some students now have permanent lung damage.

Osmond also said she transferred from a public school to ISDB in the fall of 2019 after getting bullied and harassed, mentioning that many instances were verbal and physical.

Since transferring, Osmond said her teachers work with her one-on-one with her accommodations, give her continuous support, and overall she feels more comfortable with her peers.

My biology teacher at the public school failed me because I didnt understand a thing. She was teaching so fast and would not accept my accommodations, Osmond said. And so here, they helped me speak up for myself, the school is just so proud of me and are advocating for me. Its a lot better.

With their expanded sources of mental health counselors, the Gooding school has helped students understand the importance of therapy, medication, being active and socializing.

About 90% of all deaf kids are born to hearing parents, and so a lot of times when youre growing up and theyre learning sign language, parents and families arent necessarily learning at the same rate or tied to that, Darcy said. So when mental health starts to show up, a part of the mental health issues are isolation and language deprivation.

And on the blind side  same thing  a lot of our kids are socially isolated, especially when they get into older years, where theres a transition period. Kids are moving into middle school or high school, and friends are driving, friends are doing these things, and theyre not necessarily included as much in that, so our kids have a tendency to isolate.

To continue to support the mental health of students, the Raptors Cares team is working on transitioning IDSB School Psychologist Danielle Johnsons old office space into a safe space for students where they can go to relax, talk to someone, or get away from a stressful environment.

Its just kind of like that whole feeling of like, this is a safe space where youre OK, Johnson said. Its their space; its their environment to express themselves.

They also have extended their mental health lessons to the staff, who will do Sources for Strength on Mondays. The weekly lessons help students strategize ways to help overcome mental health struggles and also understand terminology.

The school of the deaf and the blind had five counselors back in the 1990s. After a significant drop, however, they lost personnel. This is the first time in years theyve had a mental health team of six.

Weve got an amazing team here that are really dedicated to seeing success, Darcy said. We truly believe every one of our kids has a great potential to do wonderful things and were here to help them.

Your news on your smartphone Your story lives in the Magic Valley, 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 Times-News app is built for you and your life. Dont have the app? Download it today from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
TWIN FALLS  The annual 60 Hours to Fight Hunger food drive kicks off at noon Thursday, as efforts get underway to ensure economically disadvantaged families have a proper Thanksgiving Day meal.

The ribbon cutting is at Rob Greens GMC, 1427 Blue Lakes Blvd. N., and people can donate items there through 9 p.m. Saturday. On Saturday, a second drop-off location will be set up at Smith's.

The event began 23 years ago and this years goal is to collect 2,023 donated turkeys. If residents dont have a turkey to donate, hams, canned food, dry goods and monetary donations are accepted. People can also donate cash by visiting the South Central Community Action Partnership website, making the donation under food support.

Between now and Saturday, the Elks Lodge is also collecting turkeys to benefit area charities, and for its free community Thanksgiving Dinner.

Turkeys and monetary donations can be dropped off from noon to 8 p.m. at the lodge, at 85 South 200 West, Rupert.
TWIN FALLS  Spark! Places of Innovation, a traveling exhibition from the Smithsonian, highlights how innovation has shaped small towns across the country. The free exhibition examines the ingenuity and tenacity of rural America. The Herrett Center for Arts & Science and the surrounding community has been chosen by the Idaho Humanities Council to host the exhibition. The Herrett Center is on the northeast side of the College of Southern Idaho main campus in Twin Falls.
A Twin Falls truck driver died Tuesday, a week after his vehicle went off U.S. Highway 93 east of Jerome, Idaho State Police said.

A 65-year-old Twin Falls man was driving south at 4 p.m. on Nov. 14 in a semitrailer at milepost 58 when the vehicle went off the highway. The driver attempted to steer back onto the roadway, overcorrected and drove back off the right shoulder, causing the trailer to tip and detach from the cab.
Idaho Senate President Pro Tempore Chuck Winder has disciplined a third Republican senator, removing Brian Lenney from his position as vice chair of the Commerce and Human Resources Committee.

Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, R-Twin Falls, was also stripped of her committee leadership position by Winder in a letter dated Nov. 6 and released to the media on Monday by the Idaho Freedom Caucus, of which Zuiderveld is a member.

Lenney, R-Nampa, is also part of the Freedom Caucus.

I havent had a conversation with Senator Winder in over seven months, and without warning or detailed reasoning, this news lands in my inbox, Lenney said in a news release from the Freedom Caucus.

In his letter, Winder, also a Republican, told Lenney he was losing his vice chair position for continued violations of rules governing decorum and conduct unbefitting of an elected official.

The Freedom Caucus again accused Winder of authoritarian tactics, claiming his actions reveal a troubling pattern  unilaterally disciplining Senators critical of Idahos spending increase and reliance on federal debt.

The Senate Rules, however, make clear that Winder, as president pro tem, has authority to appoint a majority of each committee and the chair and vice-chair of each committee from the membership of the political party having a majority in the Senate, as stated in Rule 19.

Winder told the Times-News on Monday that the appointing authority also has the right to change chair and vice-chair assignments, noting such positions serve at the pleasure of higher leadership, such as the president pro tem in the Senate or the speaker in the House.

Winders letter to Lenney is also dated Nov. 6. The Freedom Caucus distributed the letter with its news release on Wednesday.

Zuiderveld lost her vice chair seat for online writings on her Substack account that Winder described as degrading and disrespectful of  the Senate itself, concluding her behavior was not satisfactory of an elected official.

Sen. Scott Herndon, R-Sagle, also received a Nov. 6 letter, this one requesting an apology for his posting of an online article degrading and disparaging every Senate member serving on JFAC, the Legislatures most powerful budget committee.

The 2024 Idaho Legislature will open Jan. 8 in Boise.
The rise of the financial technology (fintech) industry paved the way to easier financial access, addressing the need for financial inclusion. JuanHand, a leading online lending platform licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission, continues to blaze the trail in serving millions of Filipinos who are credit-worthy yet underserved.

WeFund Lending Corp., owner of the JuanHand app, signed a loan channeling agreement with SeaBank Philippines Inc. (A Rural Bank) to give more financial access to those who need it the most.

SeaBank plans to provide around P300 million of loan capital to eligible borrowers via the JuanHand app. SeaBank is a duly licensed rural bank by the BSP and is a subsidiary of SEA Limited, one of the largest consumer tech companies in Asia.

WeFund Lending Corp. president and chief executive Francisco Mauricio and SeaBank executive vice president of operations Siew Ghee Kung Lim signed the agreement on Sept. 20, 2023.

This marks a milestone as one of the first cross-institution loans channeling financing structures in the country.

We are honored to have been selected by SeaBank Philippines as its one of its first loan channeling partners in the country. With this partnership, JuanHand will sustain its momentum as the premier fintech loan app providing the easiest way for Filipinos to access cash, leading to a much better financial well-being, said Mauricio.

JuanHand had over 10 million downloads, over 6 million registrations and approved close to 3 million loans since it was introduced in 2019. JuanHand offers loans from P2,000 to P50,000, payable within 30 to 120 days.

It can approve loans in less than 5 minutes and can disburse cash to the borrowers bank or e-wallet in less than 45 seconds. JuanHand is a leading fintech platform known among its loyal customers as an easy-to-use app with a friendly and always available customer service team.

It said with partners like SeaBank, JuanHand continues to fulfill its mission of providing financial empowerment to every Juan.
Grab acknowledges and strongly reinforces its dedication to the welfare of its esteemed driver- and delivery-partners as it celebrates Buwan ng Tagapaghatid.

The annual event serves as a poignant tribute to the indomitable spirit and unwavering dedication of independent Grab partners, the heroes at the forefront of delivering the superapps safe, reliable and convenient services to passengers and consumers.

MagPasa-Salamat: Gratitude in a Single Tap

During this Buwan ng Tagapaghatid, Grab extends an invitation to its superapp users to express their appreciation and gratitude for the tireless efforts and top-notch service of Grab driver- and delivery-partners. Under the MagPasa-Salamat Campaign, Filipino consumers and passengers can make an enormous difference with just a few taps:

 Tipping: A Thank You for Stellar Service

Tipping, a universal gesture of gratitude and acknowledgment of a job well done, is seamlessly integrated within the Grab app. All tips given by consumers and passengers go 100% directly to the partners. Users can contribute their chosen tip amount and personalized feedback for the driver or rider.

This Buwan ng Tagapaghatid, Grab enhances the tipping experience with Tip Matching. Through this initiative, Grab matches every tip given by consumers and passengers  doubling the tips received by its partners. The inaugural Tip Matching event occurred on November 12, 2023, which recorded a 36% increase in total tips received by partners versus the average total daily tips. Grab app users are encouraged to mark their calendars for the upcoming Tip Matching Day on Nov. 26.

 Rating: A Thank-You in Five Stars

The Grab platform prides itself on a range of feedback mechanisms designed to propel continuous service enhancement for both the superapp and its partners. App users are encouraged to consistently rate their experience with a driver or delivery-partner together with their own comments. Grab and its partner communities eagerly anticipate comments and feedback  whether acknowledging service excellence or suggesting improvements.

 Food For Your Driver: A Thank-You in a Delivery Bag

Another innovative feature of the Grab app is the Food For Your Driver option on GrabFood. This unique feature enables consumers not only to order meals for themselves but also to treat their drivers to food from the same restaurant. Renowned food chains such as Jollibee, Chowing, Mang Inasal, Baliwag Lechon Manok, and more have embraced the Food For Your Driver feature in their GrabFood store.

As part of the Buwan ng Tagapaghatid celebration, Seattles Best is generously providing Grab delivery-partners with a complimentary large Iced White Chocolate Mocha for every order exceeding the minimum value of P750 from Nov. 13 to 20. Additionally, until the end of November, Kenny Rogers is extending the consumers gratitude by offering a free Coke in a can for delivery-partners following a specific minimum order value on GrabFood.

GrabAsenso: Safeguarding Driver Welfare

In anticipation of Buwan ng Tagapaghatid 2023, Grab unveiled its GrabAsenso campaign  a comprehensive initiative focused on driving sustainable growth and advancement across five critical pillars. At its core, GrabAsenso strives to create meaningful livelihood opportunities.

To fortify the economic viability of Grabs platform, GrabAsenso implements a competitive earnings model, incentive scheme and robust insurance policies for driver- and delivery-partners. Collaborating with social protection agencies like SSS and Pag-IBIG, Grab ensures that crucial social welfare and protection programs are easily accessible to its partners, with agency booths stationed at Grabs Partner Center in Marikina, exemplifying the proactive engagement of these agencies with the vast Grab driver fleet.

In a bid to bolster livelihood sustainability and promote financial inclusivity, Grab offers micro-financing products that can be easily availed and accessed by partners. Furthermore, strategic partnerships with ancillary businesses within the mobility industry, including fuel and automotive maintenance companies, provide exclusive and cost-effective deals to its partners which effectively reduce their day-to-day operational expenses.

This November, Grab joined forces with Seaoil, Caltex and Shell to offer additional deals exclusive for Grab driver- and delivery-partners in select branches in Metro Manila, Pampanga, Davao, Cagayan De Oro, and Iloilo  transforming them into Buwan ng Tagapaghatid Pit Stops. These key locations will offer Grab partners enticing fuel and gear oil discounts, engaging games, and the chance to win exciting prizes.

Grab Philippines chief operating officer Ronald Roda said: Our undiluted commitment to our partners welfare and empowerment is key to the continued dynamism and vitality of the Grab ecosystem. Our success hinges not only on cutting-edge technology, but on the equitable partnership between the platform and its partners. We continuously strive to nurture a robust marketplace  efficiently connecting consumers with the goods and services they need, delivered by partners committed to excellence. Our commitment to our partners empowerment is vividly reflected through practical initiatives and programs, assuring them of the better future they aspire to build with us.

Maligayang Buwan ng Tagapaghatid sa bawat kuya at ate Grab na patuloy nangangarap at naghahanap-buhay araw-araw. Saludo po kami sa inyo, Roda said.
Abu Dhabi-based Masdar has joined hands with its partners leading UAE energy company Taqa, French group EDF Renewables and China's JinkoPower for the launch of 2GW Al Dhafra Solar PV project, the worlds largest single-site solar power plant, spanning more than 20 sq km of Abu Dhabi desert.

The project was inaugurated by Masdar and its partners together with procurer Emirates Water and Electricity Company (Ewec) ahead of the UAE's hosting of the COP28 conference.

Located 35 km from Abu Dhabi City, the landmark solar plant was built in a single phase and generates enough electricity to power almost 200,000 homes, displacing 2.4 million tonnes of carbon emissions every year.

Al Dhafra Solar PV had created 4,500 jobs during the peak of the construction phase. It uses almost 4 million solar panels which deploy innovative bi-facial technology, ensuring sunlight is captured on both sides of the panels to maximise yield.

It was inaugurated by Sheikh Hazza bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Ruler of Abu Dhabi, in the presence of Lieutenant General Sheikh Saif bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Interior, and other senior officials.

Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Hazza said: "As the UAE prepares to host COP28, this pioneering project reflects the countrys ongoing commitment to raising its share of clean energy, reducing its carbon emissions and supporting the global efforts on climate action."

"We are witnessing, day after day, project after project, that the UAE is at the global forefront of developing and adopting innovative clean energy solutions. We are achieving energy security, while also contributing to building a bright future for future generations to come," he stated.

"In less than 15 years, the UAE has become a global leader in solar energy. In 2009, Masdar switched on the countrys first solar project at 10MW, Al Dhafra Solar PV represents a plant that is 200 times that size. As the countdown to COP28 in the UAE begins, this mega project initially achieved the worlds lowest tariff at financial close, and demonstrates the countrys longstanding commitment to decarbonisation, at home and around the world," he added.

Sheikh Hazza was later briefed by Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, Chairman of Masdar and COP28 President-Designate, and Masdar employees about the project, its strategic importance, and its role in enhancing national energy security.

"Al Dhafra demonstrates remarkable progress in solar power efficiency, innovation and cost competitiveness - setting a new record-low tariff. To create Al Dhafra, Masdar brought together three partners from around the world: Taqa, EDF of France and JinkoPower of China," stated Al Jaber.

"With just days to go before the start of COP28, I will be asking the world to unite and deliver the energy transition by tripling renewables capacity and doubling energy efficiency by 2030. Al Dhafra is an example of the scale of the ambition needed around the world," he added.

The delivery of the project was made possible after global energy leaders formed a strategic partnership and harnessed their combined expertise.

Al Dhafra Solar PV, planned and procured by Ewec, has broken records in terms of cost for utility-scale solar projects. Initially the project led to one of the most competitive tariffs for solar power set at AED4.97 fils/kWh, which upon financial close, was further improved to AED4.85 fils/kWh.-TradeArabia News Service
A Filipino diplomat in the United States said there is a positive momentum in the relationship between the Philippines and the US under the administration of President Marcos.

Since the President has assumed office, we have seen positive momentum in terms of our engagement with the U.S. in all aspects of our relations, especially in the economic cooperation, defense and security cooperation, and deeper engagement in various areas of our relations with the US, Philippine Consul General in San Francisco Neil Frank Ferrer said on Wednesday.

Ferrer made the statement before the Presidents meeting with the Filipino community in San Francisco, where he is set to attend the 30th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Meeting and related activities after arriving there with First Lady Louise Araneta-Marcos.

Noting a very vibrant community in San Francisco and across the Bay Area, Ferrer noted that the community is really looking forward to the visit of the President as he won overwhelmingly in the consulates jurisdictions during the 2022 national elections.

According to him, the Filipino community in San Francisco is active in the health care, medicine, education, business, and high technology sectors, among others, adding that remittances from this community to the Philippines are the highest among those coming from the United States.

Ferrer said that Marcos participation in the APEC meetings and the business community is crucial to advancing the Philippines interests in economy, food security, energy security, clean energy, and digitalization, among others.

The Philippines, through the participation of the President, is making a big impact, not just in terms of our bilateral relations, but more so, the broader Asia-Pacific economic region, he added.

Marcos attendance at the summit serves as the third time he visited the United States since he assumed office in June 2022.

This signals a positive outlook in the two countries relationship, which soured during the Duterte administration because of Marcos predecessors preference for an independent foreign policy that built closer ties with neighboring China.

In his meeting with the Filipino community, Marcos presented the governments efforts to uplift the lives and welfare of Filipinos both in the Philippines and abroad.

According to Ferrer, there are over 700,000 Filipino-Americans in the San Francisco Bay area alone, contributing to about 4.2 million people of Filipino descent in the United States.
The Philippines on Thursday asked China to dismantle all illegal structures, cease reclamations and be accountable for environmental damage in the West Philippine Sea.

In a statement, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the regular resupply missions to Ayungin Shoal located within the Philippines exclusive economic zone are legitimate activities and it will give no prior notice to China.

We are being asked to give prior notification each time we conduct a resupply mission to Ayungin Shoal. We will not do so. The resupply missions are legitimate activities within our EEZ, in accordance with international law, DFA spokesperson Teresita Daza said in a statement.

The regular resupply missions support Filipino troops stationed on the BRP Sierra Madre, a World War II-era warship that was intentionally grounded in Ayungin (Second Thomas) Shoal in 1999 as an outpost against Chinese encroachment.

Daza said the BRP Sierra Madre is a commissioned Philippine naval vessel permanently stationed in Ayungin Shoal to serve as a constant Philippine government presence in response to Chinas illegal occupation in 1995 of Panganiban Reef, also known as Mischief Reef.

The DFA statement was issued days after the China Coast Guard (CCG) fired a water cannon at a Philippine boat carrying provisions to the Filipino troops on the BRP Sierra Madre.

Meanwhile, the National Security Council on Thursday said it highly discouraged the planned Christmas convoy civilian mission in the West Philippine Sea, citing the heightened tensions in the area.

Speaking in the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon program, NSC Assistant Director General Jonathan Malaya said that despite the organizers good intentions to spread Christmas cheer to the troops stationed in the area, the Council cannot support the mission due to security reasons even though the intention is good.

China might view the civilian mission as provoking and could lead to a more heated situation in the waterway, Malaya added.

Daza said Ayungin Shoal is in the Philippines EEZ under the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The resupply mission to and the upkeep of the BRP Sierra Madre are legitimate Philippine government activities in our EEZ, and inaccordance with international law, particularly UNCLOS. It is difficult to imagine how these activities could be deemed threatening to China, she said.

The Philippine embassy in Beijing has protested the latest incident, which took place on Nov. 11.

The Chinese side defended their actions by saying the Philippine boats trespassed into their waters without the permission of the Chinese government.

But Daza pointed out UNCLOS superseded any historic rights that China might claim.

In accordance with UNCLOS and the final and binding 2016 Award in the South China Sea Arbitration, Ayungin Shoal is within the exclusive economic zone and continental shelf of the Philippines, over which the Philippines has sovereign rights and jurisdiction, Daza said.

China cannot, therefore, lawfully exercise sovereignty over it, she added.

In San Francisco, US Vice President Kamala Harris reaffirmed that the US would stand shoulder-to-shoulder with the Philippines when it comes to defending its territorial rights in the South China Sea.

Harris reiterated the US commitment during her meeting with President Marcos, who is in San Francisco for the 2023 APEC Summit.

She also cited the US defense commitment under the 1951 Mutual Defense Treaty, which states that an armed attack on Philippine armed forces, public vessels, or aircraft in the Pacific, including in the South China Sea, would invoke the US mutual defense commitments.

In Indonesia, American Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin III met with Defense Secretary Gilbert Teodoro and renewed Washingtons ironclad commitment to defend the Philippines.

Secretary Austin reiterated President Bidens message that the US defense commitment to the Philippines is ironclad and emphasized that the United States stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the Philippines in defending its sovereign rights and jurisdiction in its exclusive economic zone, the US State Department said in a statement on Thursday.

The two officials met in Jakarta on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus, days after a China Coast Guard ship fired a water cannon at a Philippine boat contracted by the military to carry fresh provisions to Filipino troops stationed in Ayungin Shoal in the West Philippine Sea.

The US State Department said Austin and Teodoro, in their meeting, denounced the recent harassment by vessels from the Peoples Republic of China (PRC) towards Philippine Coast Guard and resupply vessels conducting lawful resupply operations around Second Thomas Shoal, referring to Ayungin Shoal by its international name.

The two officials also denounced the dangerous operational PRC maneuvers against US aircraft and ships lawfully operating in the South China Sea, the US State Department said.

Austin and Teodoro called on China to abide by its obligations under international law as they emphasized that the 2016 Arbitral Tribunal Ruling on a case filed by the Philippines is final and binding.

On July 12, 2016, the Hague-based Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) released a 501-page ruling declaring Chinas historical claim over nearly the entire South China Sea as illegal under UNCLOS, which is considered the constitution of the seas.

The arbitral tribunal, however, has no enforcement power.

China has repeatedly said that it does not recognize the arbitral award.

Also on Thursday, the Philippines and Japan affirmed an agreement to work closely on issues in the South China Sea and other areas of common concern.

Foreign Affairs Enrique Manalo and Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Kamikawa Yoko met at the APEC Summit in San Francisco, California.

Manalo and Kamikawa reaffirmed to steadily promote bilateral cooperation in areas such as security, the transfer of defense equipment and technology, maritime security capacity building, and the start of negotiations on the Reciprocal Access Agreement.
The UN Security Council on Wednesday called for extended humanitarian pauses in the Gaza Strip, the first time it has broken its silence since the start of the bloody conflict between Israel and Hamas.

The resolution, prepared by Malta and adopted with 12 votes in favor, calls for urgent and extended humanitarian pauses and corridors throughout the Gaza Strip for a sufficient number of days to allow aid to reach civilians in the besieged territory.

Three states abstained  the United States, Britain and Russia.

Diplomats say members waited to schedule a vote until they were relatively sure of success.

After the October 7 attack on Israel by Hamas militants, and Israels reprisal bombardment of the Gaza Strip, the council tried  in vain  to adopt a resolution of some kind.

But four drafts failed in October, exposing the bodys long-held divisions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, with Russia and China on one side and the United States on the other.

Faced with the councils inability to act, the UN General Assembly on October 27 adopted with a large majority a nonbinding text calling for an immediate humanitarian truce.

The United States and Israel voted against the text, which did not mention Hamas.

With its 10 non-permanent members taking the lead, the Security Council launched new talks on a resolution, but those negotiations got bogged down on the wording to be used to call for a stop, however brief, to the fighting.

The United States opposed any use of the term ceasefire, diplomats said. Other terms floated were truce and pause.

I know we are all disappointed about the inaction of the Council in the past 40 days, Chinas UN ambassador Jun Zhang said Wednesday.

The resolution passed on Wednesday mentions children in nearly every paragraph, including demands that all parties comply with their obligations under international law notably with regard to the protection of civilians, especially children.

It also calls for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages held by Hamas militants and other groups, especially children.

Maltas UN envoy Vanessa Frazier said the Security Council members are united in wanting a voice.

While recognizing the nuances between their positions, she said all 15 members have the desire to save life and provide respite to civilians.
Bireueun, Indonesia  A boat carrying 250 Rohingya refugees landed in Indonesia from Bangladesh on Thursday, a local official told AFP, bringing the number of such arrivals over the past week to nearly 600.

The mostly Muslim Rohingya are heavily persecuted in Myanmar and thousands risk their lives each year on long and expensive sea journeys, often in flimsy boats, to try to reach Malaysia or Indonesia.

Thursdays arrivals were waiting in the water about 100 meters from a beach in the countrys westernmost province of Aceh, according to Mukhtaruddin, village head of Pulo Pineung Meunasah.

Some villagers were preventing the refugees from getting off the boat, said the official, who like many Indonesians goes by one name.

Rohingya refugee Manzur Alam told AFP the boat had departed from Coxs Bazar in Bangladesh  home to almost a million Rohingya refugees  20 days ago with 249 people on board, including 54 infants and children, 79 men and 108 women.

There are many babies, little children (on the boat), please protect them, they are very hungry because they didnt get anything, the 23-year-old said.

The latest boat brings the total number of Rohingya arrivals in Indonesia over the past 72 hours to nearly 600, according to figures provided by local officials.

Bangladesh is home to at least 960,000 Rohingya refugees, according to UN figures, most of whom fled a violent 2017 crackdown by the Myanmar military that is now subject to a UN genocide probe.

The stateless and persecuted minority live in overcrowded, dangerous and under-resourced relief camps, and several previous attempts to broker their return home have failed due to reluctance from Myanmar and the refugees themselves.

On Wednesday, another boat carrying 147 arrived in Acehs Pidie region, local government official Ihsan said in a statement.

The day before, a group of 196 landed in the same region, according to local navy commander Andi Susanto.

In March, 184 Rohingya refugees arrived in the eastern Aceh town of Peureulak after they were dropped at sea by boat and made to swim ashore.

The UNs refugee agency was coordinating with local authorities to help the latest Rohingya arrivals, Mitra Salima Suryono, the agencys Indonesia spokeswoman, told AFP.

UNHCRs priority is to protect the safety and health of the Rohingya refugees, many of them are women and children who are vulnerable and need protection, as well as emergency aid, she said.

We hope the authorities and the local people can continue to open the space for the refugees and allow them to land.

More than 2,000 Rohingya are believed to have attempted the risky journey to Southeast Asian countries in 2022, according to UNHCR.

Nearly 200 Rohingya died or went missing last year while attempting hazardous sea crossings, the agency has estimated. AFP
Philippines premier fiber company, Converge ICT Solutions Inc., has been honored with the prestigious Broadband Telecom Company of the Year (Philippines) 2023 award at the International Business Magazine (IBM) Awards held on November 4, 2023, at Atlantis The Palm, Dubai.

The UAE-based business publication awarded Converge the Broadband Telecom Company of the Year award, recognizing the ICT companys efforts in expanding and improving its digital infrastructure and operations to better serve both its residential and business clientele. IBM also deemed Converge as the best internet service provider in the Philippines that has continuously shown excellence and has been the top performer in the countrys telecom sector.

Converge has been on a winning streak as of late. Recently awarded the Technology Excellence Award for AI  Broadband Telecommunication at the Asian Technology Excellence Awards 2023, the company has been hailed as an industry pioneer with its groundbreaking Network Intelligence and Automation Platform (NIAP), propelling Converge to the forefront of network management evolution in the Philippines.

Leading the charge in redefining network operations management through NIAPs visionary initiative, the creation of a zero-touch network operations center proved to be a transformative approach for Converge in enabling autonomous network operations and maintenance, which improved customer service response.

Converge was also recently included in the Circle of Excellence, which recognizes the most innovative companies in the Philippines by the Asia CEO Awards 2023, the largest business awards event in the Philippines, and is considered the most significant event of its kind in Southeast Asia.

These prestigious, globally recognized awards serve as a testament to Converges unwavering dedication to providing the Filipino people with the connectivity solutions they truly deserve, said Converge Chief Operations Officer Jesus C. Romero. Through innovation, operational excellence, and a commitment to serving our more than two million customers, Converge has solidified its position as a leading force in the telecommunications industry, not only in the Philippines but on the global stage.

Converge ICT Solutions Inc. continues to set new standards in the telecommunications sector and remains committed to delivering cutting-edge services that enhance the lives of Filipinos, ensuring they are always connected to the world.
A ninth state senator, John Cosgrove, R-Chesapeake, has decided not to seek reelection, setting the stage for a turnover of at least 25% in the upper chamber of the General Assembly.
EDITORS NOTE: Church news will print weekly in Thursdays edition. Please email announcements at least one week in advance to news@mcdowellnews.com with church announcement in the subject line or call 828-432-8939 and leave a message with the event details and a contact number.

UPCOMING EVENTS SUNDAY, NOV. 19

Community Thanksgiving Service

First United Methodist Church, across from Marion Elementary School, is hosting the Community Thanksgiving Service on Sunday, Nov. 19, at 7 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

Live Nativity Walk Through

Grace Baptist Church, 930 Shady Lane, Marion, will hold a live Nativity walk through Dec. 1-3, from 6-9 p.m. nightly. Forty people are involved in the live nativity, with approximately 10 more helping behind the scenes. Free admission. Complimentary hot chocolate and popcorn.

ONGOING EVENTS

First United Methodist Church, across from Marion Elementary School, invites everyone looking for a church family to Sunday school at 9:45 a.m. and worship at 11 a.m. The United Methodist Men continue to sell their peanuts for $5 a jar. Peanuts are available in regular, light salt, no salt and Cajun. To order, call the church office at 652-7010. FUMC also administers an Emergency Fund on the first and third Wednesdays of every month from 10-11:30 a.m. This fund assists with electricity and heating needs, water bills and rent. Clients must meet certain requirements, and funds are paid directly to providers. Clients should come to the upper parking lot and enter the door near the church van.

Redeemed Freewill Baptist Church, of 5079 U.S. 221 South, hosts a youth program called The Sprouts from 7-8 p.m. every Wednesday until further notice. A meal and a Bible lesson will be provided. Parents are encouraged to bring their children to learn about the love of Jesus.

St. Matthews Lutheran Church, of 241 W. Court St., Marion, invites the community to watch the global film phenomenon The Chosen. Experience the Bible as vividly real each Wednesday at 7 p.m. until further notice. There will be refreshments and door prizes.

Chapel Hill Baptist Church, on U.S. 221 South, Marion, will have an all-you-can-eat breakfast on the second Saturday of each month from 7:30-10 a.m. for a donation.

His Place Worship Center, 1423 U.S. 70 West in Marion, will host combined in-person and online meetings at 10 a.m. on the second Saturday of each month. Additional information about the Hickory Lighthouse, including links to the Zoom and Facebook Live meetings, are available at Hickory Aglows website and Facebook page: www.aglownet.org/hickorync and www.facebook.com/hickory.aglow. Interested persons may sign up on the website to receive a monthly email newsletter. Readers may receive related Facebook notifications by liking the Facebook page.

The Sharing Food Pantry Ministry of Cross United Methodist Church needs donations of coats, sweaters and blankets for families in the community who may be in need. Donations can be dropped off at 85 W. Cross St., just past Blue Ridge Terrace Apartments in Marion. For more information, call 828-460-9257 or 828-559-4047 and leave a message.

East Marion Baptist Church, of 660 Baldwin Ave., Marion, will host The Landing, a 12-step program for teens, every Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. For more information, email thelanding@embc.church.

North Cove Church of God will have a breakfast sale on every third Saturday of the month.

Living Waters Tabernacle of Old Fort is offering a worship service twice a month for college-aged adults called Encounter. The service will be the first and third Thursday of each month from 6:30-7:30 p.m. At each meeting, a new topic will be discussed with a guest speaker; live music will be played; and refreshments will be served. For more information, check out Living Waters Tabernacle of Old Fort on Facebook or email jakanjamison96@gmail.com. The church is at 344 Moffitt Hill Church Road in Old Fort.

Cross Mill United Methodist Church has a sharing food pantry for the community. The tiny food pantry is outside the church fellowship building, and is accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. The nonperishable food items are available for anyone in need. If you would like to donate items to this ministry, you may drop them off at the pantry box or call 460-9257 or 442-8098.

Greenlee Baptist Church, 5967 U.S. 70 West in Old Fort, offers Kids on a Mission each Sunday from 6-8 p.m. Newborns to seniors in high school are invited to join. The church also has a deaf ministry available. Interpreters will be provided for the worship services every Sunday at 10:55 a.m. For information, call the church office at 668-6075 between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m.

Cross Ties Cowboy Church meets every first Thursday at 2365 Bethlehem Road in Old Fort at 7 p.m. in the barn. For more information, call 828-925-2095.

Landmark Independent Baptist Church will host a meeting on alcohol and addiction awareness by Gene Sigmon the third Friday of each month at 6:30 p.m. The church is at 225 Huskins Branch Road in Marion. For more information, contact Sigmon at soundmind16@yahoo.com.

Peppers Creek Baptist Church will have a singing on the fourth Saturday of each month at 7 p.m. from January through October.

McDowell Childrens Ministry, a ministry for children of the community interested in participating in a life-changing program, meets twice monthly. For more information, call Daniel at 659-0095 during the day or at 738-0733 in the evenings.

Cross Mill Pentecostal Holiness Church has a soaking prayer and intercession meeting every Friday at 8 p.m. For information, call the Rev. Doug Beane-Hall at 442-6216.

Vision Baptist Church, at 1841 Fairview Road, Marion, is offering Extreme Teens (Club 411) on Wednesdays at 7 p.m. and Sundays at 10 a.m. Victorious Couples meet on Sundays at 10 a.m. Additional childrens and adult programs are also available.

First Presbyterian Church of Marion invites everyone to come out on Sundays at 11 a.m. for worship service. All are welcome.

Apostolic Restoration Ministries is a new church to the area. If anyone is interested in attending, call Tim Eller at 828-443-2050.
A McDowell County Board of Education member confronted the McDowell County Board of Commissioners on Monday over their action last year to change the local Board of Education elections into a partisan race.

The issue over the commissions action from 2022 and how it was done was brought up by School Board Member Beth Silver during the citizen comment portion of Mondays McDowell County Commission meeting.

During her address to the commissioners, Silver accused them of a well-calculated behind-the-scenes move when they agreed in November 2022 to ask state lawmakers to enact legislation that would make McDowell Board of Education races a partisan election. Before that, election to the McDowell County Board of Education was a nonpartisan matter and it was that way for many years. School board races throughout North Carolina have traditionally been nonpartisan but that is changing.

The issue that I wish to address is the decision that this board made on Nov. 14, 2022, to petition the state to change our School Board race to a partisan race, Silver said to the commissioners. I must admit that while I had seen this happening across the state, I never thought it would happen in McDowell County. Picking up the paper [The McDowell News] on Nov. 15 to see the headline McDowell Commissioners change School Board election to partisan race was a gut punch. I could not believe this was voted on and only one Board of Education member even knew this was happening.

In November of last year, Commission Vice Chairman David Walker brought up this matter before the other commissioners and it was an addition to that meetings agenda. Commission Chairman Tony Brown did not attend that meeting.

Walker said at the time he was asked by local residents about making the Board of Education races a partisan election. Walker said a year ago he had spoken with Board of Education Chairman Terry Frank about this and was told that this would not be a problem with the McDowell Board of Education, according to a story by The McDowell News in November 2022.

In reality, what our board chairman said was that he personally had no objection, Silver said to the commissioners Monday. So therefore, the information shared was not accurate. Since that time, as an unaffiliated incumbent on the McDowell County Board of Education I have done quite a bit of research into how this vote came to be. And that is why I am here tonight.

She added she has married into a very strong Republican family and her issue is not with Republicans.

So many Republicans in the county that have signed my petition feel exactly like me  that how this was done was wrong, she said. The people that asked the commissioners were select members of the McDowell Republican Party of which all five of you are members of as well as our state representative and the state senator out of Burke County.

I would like to feel that it was a hasty decision but after rewatching the video of your meeting, I have realized that this was a well-calculated behind-the-scenes move. There was absolutely no discussion at all which would lead anyone listening to come to the conclusion that all of this was decided behind closed doors. The video clearly shows that you all had already discussed it and decided well before that night on how you would take over our board.

Silver also recounted how the commissioners voted on this matter last year.

Even as Mr. [Patrick] Ellis amended the agenda by saying Item F  um  School Board situation. We are  um  just wanting to support that and everyone nodded in agreement, she said on Monday to the commissioners. As a board, you are held to the same Open Meetings Laws as we are. Yet when Mr. [David] Walker brought it up, not one of you even asked a question. The only comments were Mr. Ellis: I have no problem with it. Mrs. [Brenda] Vaughn: Im in agreement with doing it. No comment from Mr. [Chris] Allison and Mr. [Tony] Brown wasnt even there. The entire decision was made in under two minutes.

Silver is up for re-election next year and to run as an unaffiliated candidate, she has to collect enough signatures on a petition just to get her name on the 2024 ballot.

What I have come to realize in the months I have been garnishing the 2,000 voter signatures I will need to run as an unaffiliated candidate is that your decision was not made to do what was best for the children of McDowell County Schools or for the county as a whole, she said Monday. It was to further a political agenda that is sweeping across the state. How do I know this? Because when I called to speak with one of you to express my frustration, you said Well you can always join the McDowell County Republican Party and your problem will be solved. If that is not an agenda, I do not know what is.

And to be perfectly honest, after a 30-year educator in this county, it saddens me to see what happened at that meeting and there are a lot people in this county that are very, very frustrated, she added. Because it wasnt necessary at all. Politics and school systems should never, ever come into play.

The commissioners did not respond to Silvers accusations at Mondays meeting.

But on Tuesday, Walker told The McDowell News there was no concerted effort or plot or backroom dealings when he and other commissioners agreed to do this last year. The commissioners voted to ask state Rep. Dudley Greene and state Sen. Warren Daniel, both of whom are also Republicans, to change it so the Board of Education races will be partisan, effective 2024.

As he said last year, Walker said this was done to provide more information to the voters about who is running for the School Board. He and the other commissioners felt that since every other person running for office had to list their party affiliation, including judges, on the ballot then the Board of Education candidates should do so as well. He said judicial races in North Carolina are now partisan races where the candidates political parties are included on the ballot.

There is no agenda on our part, said Walker.

As for what Silver said about joining the Republican Party, Walker said any political party, whether Democratic or Republican, would always love to have new members.

There is always an open invitation for any political party for new members into their party, he added.

Walker said McDowell County is known statewide for collaboration, partnership and cooperation.

Commissioner Patrick Ellis said on Nov. 14, 2022, he first voted in favor of making the Board of Education races partisan. But a week later, he changed his mind when he learned that persons wanting to run unaffiliated must go through the process of collecting hundreds of signatures on a petition just to be placed on the ballot.

A week later on Nov. 21, 2022, the commissioners met again and this time Ellis stated he was against the motion. But the commissioners did not take a second vote taken on the matter.

I do think it needs to be fair and equitable, Ellis said on Tuesday.

Commissioner Chris Allison told The McDowell News on Tuesday that he was not personally pressured, nor spoken to, by anyone in relation to our board making a recommendation to our state legislators to create a local bill to change school board elections from non-partisan to partisan.I had heard people discuss it before in the community, but I had never been part of the discussions because I am not a person that can be pressured into voting, or taking a stance, one way or another, said Allison. I place every vote based on what I feel is best for our citizens. In this case, I chose transparency for our citizens. Thats what allows me to lay my head down at night.

Like Walker, Allison referred to judicial elections in North Carolina now being partisan races.

My personal views relate to judicial elections which are partisan and have been partisan elections in the state of North Carolina since 2018, he told The McDowell News. I feel that if judicial elections are partisan, then all races should be partisan as well to provide transparency to our citizens when they cast their vote. I stand by my decision to vote in favor of requesting our state legislators to change the School Board elections from non-partisan to partisan. I didnt have knowledge at the time of the vote that an incumbent unaffiliated elected official would have to obtain signatures to have their name added to the ballot.

The vote wasnt a behind the scenes calculated move nor decided behind closed doors. I have been transparent where I stand on this issue and I continue to hold the same feelings that I did a year ago. The only pressure that I personally received in regard to this vote was one phone call (Mrs. Silver) to change or reconsider my vote, which is not possible unless a new action were to be taken up by our board.

The McDowell News attempted to contact former Commissioner Brenda Vaughn but had not received a response as of press time.

Commission Chairman Tony Brown was not present at the Nov. 14, 2022 meeting when the board first decided to do this. He also was not present at Mondays meeting when Silver appeared before the commission.

I would like to state I personally dont appreciate her condemning the board when she doesnt know all the facts, he said on Wednesday.

He referred to the later meeting and Ellis changing his mind about the matter. Brown said Silver should consider running for the commission if she is not happy with what has been done.

Silver has to gather around 2,000 signatures on a petition by early March just so she can appear on the ballot as an unaffiliated candidate. So far, she has gotten 560 signatures, she said.

Silver added the public can reach her at her email address: silvermom88@gmail.com.

As of Tuesday, she is the only candidate for the Board of Education who is doing this. The number of verified signatures needed for an unaffiliated voters name to be placed on the November 2024 ballot is 4% of the total number of registered voters in McDowell County as of Jan. 1, 2024, according to the McDowell County Board of Elections.
The President of the Republic, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, stressed Wednesday that Portugal is coming in force to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Guinea-Bissaus independence and considered that this presence is fundamental, it is irreplaceable.

Its a great joy to be here in Guinea-Bissau at this historic moment and Portugal is coming with its weight with the Prime Minister and the President of the Republic, declared the head of state on arrival at Osvaldo Vieira International Airport.

Its a great compliment to Guinea-Bissau for its independence, he added.

Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa arrived in Guinea-Bissau on a Portuguese Air Force Falcon at 9:15pm, around two hours after the Prime Minister, Antonio Costa.

As he got off the plane, he was met by the head of the Civil House of the Presidency of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, Soares Sambu.

In brief statements, the President of the Republic only commented on the representation of the Portuguese state at the official celebration of Guinea-Bissaus 50th anniversary, which will take place this Thursday, considering that it is fundamental, it is irreplaceable, and he declined to talk about the Portuguese political situation.
In October, scientist Richard Munang became the first Cameroonian to head the UNs Global Environment Monitoring Systems, part of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP). This is a very first African nomination and we deem it important to report. The UNs Global Environment Monitoring Systems collect data on the environment, including air and water quality, pollution and trends. Richard Munangs aim is to translate this data into concrete, sustainable action for the planet and its inhabitants.

Richard Munang traces his ecological awareness back to childhood, in his village of Jinkfuin in the English-speaking northwest of Cameroon. His mother grew maize and beans on a small plot of land there, but memories of poor harvests and school days with an empty stomach left their mark on Richard Munang, who spent his entire school career seeking answers to the consequences of climate change.

He studied in England and the United States, and joined the United Nations Environment Program in 2009, working on adaptation projects.

Now that he has been appointed head of environmental monitoring systems, his main concern is not how to better equip states with measurement and control systems for water, air and soil quality. Rather, its best to support them in achieving their goal of a healthier environment.